Ayie
Last Halloween me and hubs together with his mama, papa & sister attended the Halloween costume & birthday party of his sobrino (nephew). It was a fun but chilly night and the food was great too. There was a catered Spanish dishes as his side of family are Latinos.


...our dinner plate with frijoles (refried beans), spanish rice, nachos and salsa, lettuce, guacamole & soft beef and chicken tacos...

...Halloween decors...


There was a short program and magic show hosted by a clown after the kids' fun time playing in the inflatable jumper and of course I took the liberty to snap away. If you notice the kids are multi-racial, that's why I titled this post mixed races. The birthday boy alone is half Greek and half Latino (Salvadorean).


...birthday boy getting too impatient to cut his ice cream cake, 3 happy birthday songs were sang & played in different languages...

....hubs' cousin in Cinderella with husband as Prince, the proud mom and dad of the handsome birthday boy...


...hubs' mama, tias (aunties), papa & tios (uncles)...


Honestly it's hard to mingle around his family if you don't at least understand their language. They all speak Spanish and just some English most especially oif they know you do understand them. I always have to pay close attention when I'm within a conversation so I can understand whatever everybody's saying even without hubs having to translate for me. Of course I don't understand everything, but in a way I can get by. I can only speak very minimal Spanish too. I really have to get back to my Spanish again because there will be more interaction with everybody in time. You'll totally feel left off if you can't get along with their conversation as they would ask you things and converse to you in their very own language.


...hubs with cousins...


The night was great and being with everybody made it more fun just being at home. It's nice to meet more and more of hubs' other side of family. Probably our next meeting will be when they see our baby once he's born. And speaking of baby, hubs and I already talked about how to teach our baby. We have to teach our baby to speak 3 basic languages which are English, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish. It will benefit him in time knowing all those languages and who knows if in time we can add other languages too. Our basics will include translation of the languages as we talk to baby so he can naturally absorb and get used with it. That way I can also improve my Spanish as we teach baby. It's not going to be easy but we'll do our best to educate our child. Besides it's not that hard to study different languages with the help of modern technology. There are many online translator sites that can guide and teach whatever desired language you desire to know.

Ayie
I finally finished my big box of presents for my family!!! It's actually long been done but hubs' schedule was so tight during the holidays, the expected long vacation didn't turn out to be as expected because he had to come back rifgt after Christmas weekend. Our original plan of dropping the box off to the cargo office was delayed for another week after the New Year so as the baby shopping. Only if that box can fit in mailboxes / residential mailboxes then it will be a total surprise for them and faster delivery too. Having that box forwarded through a shipping company will take about 30days sailing to reach home.


I didn't fully document anymore what I put in the box, I was lazy to take photos of everything so I just snapped a quick one before I further stuffed and sealed it. Most stuffs are for our naughty Elisse and my younger sis. I told her I will send her many baking mixes and other sweet treats for her, she's such a sweet tooth! As for Elisse I got her some plush toys, books and clothes, many denims and snacks too. I just put some gifts for the rest of my family (mom, dad, grandma & bro) plus for my bestfriend of course and my childhood friend in the village. I also sneaked junk foods for my siblings there, I need to do some spoiling too! hehe! They mostly eat healthy home cooked foods at home so junkies from me won't be so bad! Mom can't say anything about it nor they can do something about those goods, no other way but to eat! Iam not telling them anything but I hinted sis I will send a box soon but later after Christmas and just don't mom about it. I can't wait til they get a notice letter in the mailbox or receive a call from the cargo company! I wish to see all the clothes fit to Elisse perfectly coz I am not sure of her size anymore after being away for almost a year now.

Ayie

..bes and me (hehe with a little make-up for a change)...

Oh no, I'm not a dating guru but I think I can give you some dating advice if ever! =) My parents were way too strict to allow me to go out on dates but if it's with my bestfriend then definitely no problem at all. Me and bes used to go out and catch up with each other since we started working. It's just so hard to get our schedules straightened out but we managed to pull out some good times together. Only several occasions we went to watch movies but most of our "dates" were going to the spa, bowling, shopping, salon and eating out. Sometimes we'll just end up chilling out either in my place or hers.


...enjoying shot of our reflections by the window =)...


Not all the time it's just me and bes, sometimes we'll meet up with the rest of the girls and just hang around starbucks or somewhere else. It's fun being with the girls, no need for such pick up artist to impress you or needless to hear any pick up lines. Just plain bonding time chatting and relaxing. I honestly miss those times, I bet they too. The girls I used to hang out with also went to other places, 2 in Singapore, 1 here in US but nowhere near me, and the rest in the Philippines. I think that's one consequence of growing up, people go on their ways to find their success in life. I am just happy to have some captured moments with them during our date times.


...the girls (some)...

Ayie


Hubs and I finally got our cordless handheld vacuum cleaner last month and good thing I remembered to mail in the warranty slip yesterday before it even expires. =) We think it's a good deal ($30) since we really can make good use of it. It's actually going to save us in the long run having to pay in the car wash just vacuuming the car. Now we have something to use anytime we need it we just have to make sure it's fully charged. I already tried it out yesterday cleaning the car interior and it's great! It's not that big and heavy for me to use with ease. Not only for the car that I get to try this handy vacuum, my first run was here in the room. I can say it cleaned our carpet pretty well. This will be great when baby comes, it's not as noisy as other vacuums.


Aside from the handheld vacuum cleaner we want to get a new bigger one which will be good for household use. There are so many bagless vacuums and commercial vacuums to choose from but we're so torn between slim upright vacuums and this cool irobot type. Definitely not considering any with vacuum bags, that's pretty much obsolete (for us) and we want a more space saving one. We're really eyeing on the iRobot cleaner but the price is just too impractical right now considering we're also starting to get baby furnitures. I guess we're just both getting excited for baby's arrival that we really want to thoroughly clean every inch of our place and even getting some new stuffs ditching the old ones to give our place a fresher look. =P

Ayie
SPA or Sanitas Per Aqua meaning health through water or healing through water. This was my thesis back in 5th year college. I am so fond of going to spa and that's my way of keeping my body healthy. I was never fond of vitamins before, only now I am taking supplements because I have to. At times I go with mom and dad but my best spa buddy is my bestfriend and I also drag hubs to go with me or us so he can also relax those aching tired muscles.


What about SPA? For centuries, man uses natural curative springs to improve his health and as years pass the use use of technology in health care enrich contemporary methods of treatment. Although technology was introduced, the bath medicine still has an important position among the standard means with aim of improving the quality of living. During previous two centuries the range of knowledge concerning beneficial effects of natural curative resources and their practical use evolved along with the development of science.


In early times baths were done to last for almost 10 hours a day or even more that led to further to painful cracking of the skin. Through this the germs were being washed away through the open skin. Later on, number of bathing hours had been reduced. People who went to bath during these years had different purposes: 1) for the curative effects, those who want to be in good if not perfect form 2) for those who want to strengthen their own immunity system and prevent acute outbursts of chronic ailment which restricts them both in working and attending social life 3) for those who want to reduce the consumption of drugs and prevent hospital treatment 4) for those who seek qualified preventive genetic and environmental diseases.


Since earlier times the bath includes the practice of using essential oils, pure aroma therapy oils, steam, seaweeds, sea salts, mud, algae, plant extracts & fresh milk help cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize skin. It replenishes the skin by removing dead skin cells and impurities. The body is toned by strengthening skin and thus enhancing its elasticity and vitality leaving it refreshed, calm, soft, refined and clear of toxins.



Massages and body therapies contribute to the intricate balance of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of a person. As one flows effortlessly though this intangible atmosphere, the aroma of flowers and fruits drift in the breeze helping clear one's thoughts. As the self is loosen in relaxation, the senses are indulged with sweet rewards leaving behind the busy world.



As for body treatments, these relieve tension and give a heightened sense of wholeness of a person. These also stimulate better blood circulation that combats the effects of natural aging process and helps maintain a youthful and healthy appearance. The treatments also foster deep relaxation and wellness that vanish body aches and pains and release tension and therefore contribute to a total rejuvenated physical and mental health.



This is my spa introduction for my thesis about 7-8yrs ago back then in college. I thought sharing this will be a better read for everybody. I know it's quite long nevertheless very informative. Nowadays there are so many spa places all over the globe and different treatments are being offered too. Swim spa or swim spas are "in" these days featuring pools with different treatments. No personal masseuse there but the pool does it for you like water treadmill and aquatic therapy equipment. I kind of prefer the old traditional massage aside from a nice hot dip in the pool. There are some spas with pools where treatment is being done while you're in water like the Mandala Spa in Boracay. There are many kinds of treatments we can really choose from and different kinds of massages depending on your preference. One thing I can guarantee after having a spa treatment, you'll surely feel so fresh and new inside and out.
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