One of the events that we, as a Church family (UCG-Manila), are looking forward to, is the summer outing. We just had it actually and it was one of the best that we had in the same favorite spot because of the privacy that it gives us and the clean water, especially. This time we had an overnight stay which we missed doing for several years. Water is drained and pool refilled at 5pm so we can have night swimming with clean water.Since the water is from the spring it is naturally hot. No need for raypak pool heaters. There is also a billiard table and a videoke machine so everyone can do something fun aside from simply chatting with each other. In the morning, water is drained again and pool refilled for another clean water to swim in till we get ready to go home. That is the main reason why we loved it in the same place over and over again. Nothing beats it yet with the same price or lower, with such privacy for a group our size (around 80) and accessible to us.

We have been planning to go to Zoobic Safari since the summer of last year but it did not materialize. During our last meeting in April 28, it was suggested we go to Mt. Samat but last week one of the members who was not present during that meeting informed us that there is nothing interesting there except for the huge cross which you have to go up through the elevator to see the view from above. The problem is, the elevator is often malfunctioning so you will be forced to take the stairs. With many aged women with us, that will not be feasible so it got scratched out.

We had an emergency meeting last week and it was agreed to go to Zoobic Safari instead. We are going to hire a van to bring us there. It will surely be exciting and it will be my second time to go to the Safari. This time I will make sure my camera is fully charged.

So last Friday, I, together with my daughter who was willing to wait in an expected long queue just to get the marriage certificate that was not released, went to the National Statistics Office in Pasay. At the last minute, since she was ready anyway, she decided to do the waiting as long as she does not stay alone with her eldest sister at home.

I was sure that all documents that I got (supposedly six) were inserted in a brown envelope until I gave the envelope to hubby before going to work the next day. At the end of the day, he reported to me that there was no marriage certificate, which is what he actually needs. I was sure I applied for it since it was the only pink form. The rest got the white form. Besides, I paid for all six.

When we arrived, I went to the releasing section and I explained what happened. I was told to ask window 9, then 3. The lady at window 3 was having difficulty finding it on record since I did not have the receipt (I gave it to them that day, for them to release the document, but when they gave me the docs, one is missing). It turned out, she was using a different spelling. When I showed her the released receipts, that’s when she found that indeed I ordered the MC. She finally found it and it took us more than an hour. Well, it was better than reapplying for a new one and take us the whole day.

After that, we went malling at the SM Mall of Asia. When we got home, my legs and feet were really tired. We did not even go around the whole of MOA. When we reached home, hubby soon got home too. I teased him: “See, you’re married to me!”

In a few days it will be the month of May. The 2nd Sunday of May is Mother’s Day. Are you ready to make that day extra special for the person who was the instrument in bringing you to this world?

As for me I do stuff myself since I’m a crafter. What are you up to? Since it is the month of flowers, having a bunch will surely make that day special. Have you seen boston Mother’s day flowers? Who would not fall in love with those arrangements? If it is not feasible for you to buy online then go to the nearest flower shop and have an arrangement there.

In the Philippines, as soon as classes end in March, it is already called the summer vacation, although in other countries it is still the spring season. During our summer, family outings are common like going out for a beach party or just a pool party. For sure it will not pass by without grill because fish is usually done grilled with tomatoes and onions and ginger in the cavity of its stomach and head. It is one of the best foods for such activity! We’re looking forward to April 8 when we are going to have a church overnight pool outing!

Today is D-Day. Rather, tonight. We are going up to Baguio City to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles which we have been doing since I was 2 months young. Yes, my mom and dad were keeping it 3 years ahead of me. Since then, we have been knowingly, believingly and convictedly keeping it as one of the festivals commanded of God.

I haven’t packed yet. I still have some clothes waiting to dry. Good thing the sun is up, shining. Hopefully it does for a long time. The typhoon from the south is coming up to the north. Hopefully it veers away instead.

Yes, I’m excited but I really pack on D-day.

Every year, the Feast of Tabernacles is the highlight for me and my physical and spiritual family. On the physical, that includes my widowed mother, five siblings and 11 nephews and nieces, in addition to my 3 kids and hubby.

It pictures the Millennium when Christ shall rule the earth. You might think it’s not for real but it’s there in your Bible. No human government will work the way we perceive it to work. There will always be greed, envy, strife, corruption, etc. We are looking forward to the time when the perfect kingdom will come and that is when Christ shall come the second time to establish His kingdom ON EARTH.

After that 1000-year reign, all the people who died from the time of Adam and Eve, even those people who died in the Great Flood during Noah’s time, will be resurrected. You shall see your loved ones who died, again. Everyone will be given the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ and still be given the freewill choice to follow or not.

Every year, we are excited about this because we go to a place far from ours. We have often gone to Baguio City which I have been to since I was 2 months young! Since hubby and I do the hall setup (backdrop, PA system, etc.), we are going almost a day earlier. We’ll be traveling Tuesday night, sleep in the bus (6 hours of travel) and reach Baguio early in the morning. We setup the whole day and the night will be the Opening Night.

It will be a duration of 8 days (7 for the Feast of Tabernacles and 1 day for the Last Great Day) then hall set down and we will travel back to our respective places, “back to the world,” so to speak. Students and employees take their leave from school and work. I have, since my first grade. Good thing for me, my work is online. I can do my work anywhere without having to ask for an excuse of absence. I did ask for an excuse too when I was an employee. For the two times I was gainfully employed, it was barely a month of working that I left for the Feast. I was allowed to go, twice too. If I wasn’t allowed, I’d still go because I believe the Feasts of God comes first. It is His COMMAND. Whatever happens as a result, I believe He allowed it.

What do we do during those 8 days? Everyday we have service, learning the Word of God, eating of the spiritual food. The concentration, though, of the messages are more about the Feast and what it pictures and how are we relevant. We also have activities like Youth Day, Family Day, Festival Show, Dance Night, Movie Night and Seniors Night.

We also have people come from other countries who decided to spend the Feast with us. This year we have most coming from Australia and the USA.

My daughters are really excited doing the countdown. My youngest asked me last night why she can’t see the excitement in me and if ever I do get excited at all because she noted that she never saw me show my excitement. I said I am VERY excited. I just can hold it not to show on my face or my action because I rule my emotion. I rather let in show in writing, though. Before you think otherwise, I smile often. I control my laughter, though, because it causes my asthma to attack.

As soon as the BER months start, Christmas is on its way. Consumerism is already working its way to each and every person who celebrate the holiday. The streets are busy selling different colorful lanterns, big and small. Everyone celebrating is already looking for Christmas present ideas. With the dwindling economy, they are into getting the best for their money.

Are you part of the holiday rush? Good for me I’m not.

Finally, I was able to meet with fellow Pinay Mommies Community bloggers yesterday except for one who had to leave early before I arrived. I missed the lunch portion because I slept late the night before making my tokens which I guess prompted my asthma to attack. I had a splitting headache in the morning too. Since I haven’t been using my asthma maintenance for more than a month now (ran out of it), all I did was control my breathing. This time, though, I needed something so I had 2 prednisone tablets bought. I took one around 8am and took another when I left around noon.

When I arrived to the eyeball venue, there were a lot of them already and 1 had left already so I met all save one. To my amazement, though, a lot don’t look like mommies at all because they are so slim! Some are rather “healthy” and particularly one have lost 40lbs in a year (you’d think she’s into adapexin-p if you see her before-and-after photo)!

Sadly, for reason I don’t know, I lost all the pics I’ve taken. All that was left was the pic I took when I got home, of the tokens I received from everyone.

I’m excited for the Pinay Mommies Community Grand Eyeball which will be held this coming Sunday at Megamall!

For a few months now, I have been part of this mommy group and we’ve been sharing ideas and happenings especially blog-related. We are all bloggers. We are going to meet, finally, in a few days. We may not all be there but many of us would be. The only reason others cannot come is because they are located in other parts of the world other than the Philippines. Some who are even far from Metro Manila are also coming. That means as far as needing to ride a plane.

I suggested that we should have a token for all those coming.  Many have bought theirs. I haven’t yet. It would be nice to have custom lapel pins but the time is too soon. I’ll think of something. I still have 2 days to have them done.