A Day with Maya

Maya is our neighbor's grand child.  She is Andrea's age and they had a lot of fun together.  I always find it cool when Andrea can play with kids her age.  It is not everyday that she can do so and I am usually her only playmate because she is an only child.

I am glad that Maya came for a visit.  She and Andrea spent a lot of time together.  They did so many stuff together. They baked cupcakes, ate lunch together, played, watch tv, swim, even went to eat at McDonalds!  I know both of them had a blast!

Blog Photo Challenge

Friends Meet-up

We used to work together during the late 1990's until early 2000's. We had a great time at work. This is Ate Malou and Tony. We haven't seen each other for a long time now since I resigned from work in year 2002. Few years later, these two decided to change career path too.

Anyhow, we got reconnected through facebook and we decided to meet up while I was in Manila during our vacation. We dined at Dillingers which was a great place. We didn't spend a lot of time as my time was limited but despite that we were able to catch up with our lives.

It is amazing how many years had passed yet we remain friends despite the distance and despite not communicating for many years.

I had fun seeing them again.

Barbecue at the Park

We were at the park last weekend enjoying a really good weather, playing some badminton, letting the kids enjoy the slides and swing and play ball too.

With a lot of laughter and fun, we had a lot of grilled food too. We were enjoying a good day in the company of good friends.

Barbecue at the park is fun!

The Frog and the Kids

Going to the mall is something my little girl loves to do because she can play at the food court. They have a little play area there where there are animals that they can play. We always make sure that they can play for a little bit before we go shopping.

The picture above is with Andrea's friends goofing off at the play area after we ate some "french fries and burgers".

Fun with Friends

I am blessed to have found friends where I am right now. Having Filipina friends to spend some time, enjoy food, laugh a lot, and do things together is always fun. I am glad I have friends that doesn't stab my back.

We may have our own differences but when we are all together, we always make sure that we have a lot of fun.

Here we are having fun and posing for pictures. Filipinos are known for their love of posing for pictures. Of course, we don't want to disappoint anybody thus we have to prove that we really like pictures!

Ready, say cheese....

Party Blast

Last night, we attended Ate Shirley's birthday party which was held at Lotlot's house. We all had a blast! Who wouldn't when we were served with the best food... of course, Ate Shirley herself cooked it...

We had...

• Kare-kare
• Calderetang baka
• Menudo
• Ginataang Kalabasa with Shrimp
• Tinolang Manok
• Sinagang na Bangus
• Bangus Relyeno
• BBQ Chicken
• Palabok
• Bilo-bilo
• Ice Cream Cake

We had so much food that we have to have our take home food. It was a great night with friends... endless chatter and playing cards. Too bad I forgot my camera so I can't upload pics yet.

Happy big five o 'te shirley!

Jack and Ate Fe's Visit

Yesterday, Jack and Ate Fe paid us a visit. They were traveling and on their way home to Florida when they decided to spend a night here in Alabama to see us especially Andrea.

At first, Andrea was hesitant to them. It is normal since the last time that she has seen Jack and Ate Fe was early this year. I don't think she recognized them after all this time. After few minutes though Andrea warmed up with them and started showing off her toys and played with them.

It was great to see them both and I am thankful for all their pasalubong. They went to Niagara Falls that is why they brought a souvenir for me from Niagara Falls. They brought a cute hairbrush for Andrea with Andrea's name on it and a bottle of perfume for me.

We did not do nothing special except that we just hang out and eat dinner.

Ate Fe and Andrea

Just hanging out outside China Buffet

Andrea was playing with Jack, she teased him of not giving a kiss

Fun Night @ Lotlot's

We agreed to have dinner at Lotlot's. We used to hang out at Lotlot's before but since she is now living farther from us, hanging out at her place is rare now. But tonight, we decided to get together, eat dinner and play cards.

I had fun. It has been a while that we were at Lotlot's without any occasion just plain hanging out. Andrea enjoyed the company of the big kids too. They played together. It was so cute to see Christine feeding Andrea with rice and soup and then giving her something to drink.

Thanks Lot for picking us up and for the wonderful dinner. Thanks Ate Angie for bringing us home!

I really enjoyed it tonight! Hope to have a repeat in the next few weeks.

Friday Night Out

We don't go to Lotlot as often as before. Things have change but I am happy for Lotlot. She has been busy with her life nowadays so we don't have a lot of time to play tong-its anymore. But tonight, she called us (Me and Ging) up if we want to come over. Of course we both answered "SURE".

Going to Lotlot always means eating Filipino food and playing cards. We always have fun. Andrea also loves the company of Lotlot's kids. They look so cute tonight, Andrea wanted to hang out with the "big kids" She is the youngest of them all ... but they all take care of Andrea. I think Andrea felt like a grown up because she never cried when she was with them. She was having a great time.

We went home around 2am. Ging has to hurry for she has work early Saturday morning.

Meeting Joan

One of the friends I miss back home is Joan. Joan and I used to be workmates. We didn't work together very long but we developed a very strong friendship. We enjoy each others company and we share the same passion... reading!

I used to share with her my novels. I was the one who introduced her to Sue Grafton novels. We also share the same "bargain hunting attitudes".

I had fun spending time with her. I wished we had more days to spend with her but our vacation schedule was pretty tight and she was not able to leave from work. It was amazing though how she and Andrea became friends right away.

Here's some of the photos of US and Joan.

Lotlot's Christmas Party (Dec. 6)

Every year Lotlot gives a Christmas party for friends and friends of friends. It is a yearly gathering where everybody is invited. If you are a friend of somebody, you can attend the party and for sure you will not feel left out because everyone is just so eager to make you feel at home.

This year is my 3rd time to be with them. I remember the first time, I was just new to Alabama, and I was so happy to know that there was a large group of filipino in here. From then on, I became a part of the group.

I am really thankful that we have this group. It makes me feel at home and it lessens the homesicknesses. Whenever I feel like eating good filipino food, for which I don't need to cook, all I just have to do is call Lotlot and ask if there is food there.

Lotlot is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is a kind that would drop anything she is doing if you need her. She is a kind that would offer anything that she has. And of course the best cook! Her house is our hang-out place.

Her yearly Christmas Party is always full of fun and of course what else but lots of food! Last Saturday, the party was suppose to start at 4 but of course most were late because of SEC Football Championship between Alabama and Florida. Actually, this year there were less attendees... perhaps because of the game.

The party was successful, and all of us were in a hurry to catch Pacquiao - De La Hoya Fight. After our party in Moody City Hall, we went directly to Lotlot's house to watch the fight and continue eating and play some cards. It was a fun night for all of us.

Andrea enjoyed the party too. Andrea is already in a stage where she enjoys being with kids and being with other people, which I am so glad.

Some pics of the party

Saturday Night at Lotlot's

I always enjoy being at Lotlot's. We always have fun with filipino food and enjoying each other's company talking Visayan and of course playing cards ( tong-its). We also watched shows in TFC (The Filipino Channel).

Andrea always gets a lot of attention too when we are at Lotlots. Her kids are just all over Andrea whenever we come over. For me, it will be good for Andrea too to be with some Fil-Am kids. For sure she will be following them when she will be bigger. She is the youngest of all the kids (for now), so I am sure she will be spoiled.

Looking forward to our next get together!