missing Christmas in the Philippines

I have been missing my native land, the Philippines these days. I don’t know why but since our move here in San Antonio, Texas, I just keep thinking and thinking about my family, friends and relatives. It is probably because the weather here is much like in the Philippines, and because of the fact that Christmas is fast approaching.

I would say that Christmas in the Philippines is still the best. I missed the festivity and all the preparations, the Misa de Gallo (Mass at Dawn), the delectable food, the Christmas Carols which you can hear everywhere, family reunion, etc. Gee, if only I have wings! I could have flown there days ago. I just missed my homeland and it has been five years that I wasn’t there on Christmas. Hopefully, I could get hubby and my little girl experienced how Christmas is like in the Philippines. I am sure they can see what a huge difference it is there from here. Well, in God’s perfect time…

to calm down, just breathe!

Here's one anxiety zapper that I have learned that will really calm you down. I will also say that this is very effective, too. Well, it works pretty well for me especially if I am in the brink of screaming madness with my toddler girl here at home. I will just tell myself, "Breathe, Cindy breathe!" And it works!

Breathing is the foundation of sanity, because it is the way we provide our brain and every other vital organ in our body with the oxygen needed for us to survive. Breathing also eliminates toxins from our systems. Here's the so called "Four Square" method of breathing to reduce anxiety.

1. Breathe in slowly to a count of four.
2. Hold the breath for a count of four.
3. Exhale slowly through pursed lips to a count of four.
4. Rest for a count of four (without taking any breaths).
5. Take two normal breaths.
6. Start over again with number one.

Come on, try it for I am sure it will help you calm down. This method is a life saver for me! Have a good one all!

Let's go to Qatar!

I just chatted with a friend who works in Qatar. She said that life there is happy and contented. I just learned that utilities like water and electricity there are free. Whoooaaa, how cool is that? Not only those, heath care and education, too. She told me further that the government even pays a small salary to Qatari college students; and when a Qatari man gets married, the government gives him a plot of land to build a house, an interest-free mortgage, and a monthly allowance of roughly s$7,000.00 Wow, isn't that neat? The residents of this country aren't burdened with high taxes; and there's no income tax and no sales tax.

With all the above mentioned things, I don't wonder why my friend wants to live there for good. She even forego an opportunity for her to live in Europe because she is happy and contented in Qatar with her family. Well, I am so happy for her, too; and I wish her all the best. Hopefully, we can see each other soon.

it's yogurt time!

Yay! That's what my girl says every time I said: "It's yogurt time!" She loves her yogurt. We usually have it after her afternoon nap. Today, she has the Strawberry Cheesecake while yours truly is having Very Cherry. Mm, mm, mm it's just so good. We can't just get enough of it. I don't know if it's weird or what but we usually pair our yogurt with Cheetos. It's just so yummy for us! Haha, you think this is good for me who is trying hard to lose weight?

Anyways, I wish you all a wonderful Thursday afternoon. Blog with you later!

cycling in Central Park

We are planning a future trip to New York City. Our daughter is getting to where she will be riding a bike soon, and I know that we all miss riding our bikes. Among the many things we want to do while we are in New York City, is to visit Central Park and rent bikes ride while we are there. With all the things to do in Central Park, we can cover much more ground if we are riding bicycles.

We looked and found simply the best and cheapest Bike Rental Central Park. There is everything from short term rentals to all day rentals at a really reasonable price. With a reliable company for bicycle rental in New York City, we can guarantee a great time while we are there. It is really important to us to have a reliable source for our fun because we would be traveling a great distance and wouldn’t want our day to be wasted with problems in long lines and no rentals available.

We are really looking forward to our day in central park. With Bike Rental New York, we can look forward to our day there in Central Park to be an amazing adventure. Last time we were in New York, our trip was short and we were not able to enjoy our stay there. We are planning a week long adventure this time and Central Park will be a big part of it. It’s so exciting to think we will be returning soon to New York City. I’ll have so many pictures to share with my family and friends.

be optimistic!

I don't know but I have been missing my native land these days. I miss my family, friends and relatives. I wish I could go visit them soon but I know that it is impossible. I really don't when can we visit Philippines again. I am hoping that we could by next year but with the way things are, it's still far from the real picture. My husband is always telling me not to expect too much for he doesn't want me to be real disappointed; though he always says that he will do his best.

Well, I just can't help but always hope for the best. Be optimistic! And that's how we all should be especially in this trying time. I still miss Philippines though. Anyway, have a good one all!

gold rush in our little town back then...

My family used to buy gold from gold panners way back then in our little village. This was our small business back in the 80’s. In fact, I know how to pan gold. At least, way back then. I am not sure if I still know now. Our little town had been known because of the gold rush that here and there, you can see a lot of locals had a collection of gold coin and even gold bullion at that. Some were able to own properties and huge houses from gold panning.

As I remember, life was truly frivolous in our little town way back then. It was kind of easy money for everyone. You just go gold panning for a couple of hours and viola, you have money the next day. But that was then. All of a sudden, gold rush ceased in our little town. All I know is that another gold rush had happened in the next province. Oh well, as they say nothing is permanent, right? However, life in our little town still has continued. As simple as it is with farming and fishing as the town’s source of income, life is still good. Have a good one all!

me in a Halloween costume party?

That's my little bug in her Kitty Cat Halloween costume!

I am sure most of us had been recuperating from the Halloween Costume Party we had been to last weekend. I bet we are still feeling the after effects of the weekend, right? As for me here, we just celebrated Halloween at my sister-in-law's residence. It was more of for the kids party actually. They all had fun donning their cute costumes and trick or treatin' in the neighborhood. Gee, you should see their neighborhood. I was so amazed how people could go through all the trouble to decorate their yard for Halloween. It was crazy yet fun!

My sister-in-law and I were kind of considering that next Halloween we will have a costume party. We are hoping that our folks would come for a visit; and that they can see before their very eyes how cute their grand kids are in their costumes from costume network. It would sure be a lot of fun not only for the kids but also for the adults. All of us will be in our Halloween costumes especially during trick or treatin'. Then come howling time, we will announce who had the most lavish and most memorable costume. Of course, there will a price for this. Hmmm, I do hope this will all happen. I just can't help but get excited since this will be my first time to experience a Halloween costume party. I wonder what will I be? A vampire? A lioness? Or a witch? What do you think?

all in a Sunday afternoon...

It started slow for us today. Hubby was so glad about the time being changed back for he was able to sleep an hour more. He kept asking me what I wanted to do today. I told him, "I don't know... Anything goes..."

However around midday, I told him that I am craving for lechon (pig roast) and that I want to have lunch at Mekeni, a Filipino buffet restaurant. So off we went to said eating place and there, we had our fill of some Filipino dishes. I was disappointed a bit for the lechon wasn't as crispy as I had wished it to be, ugh! Oh well, at least my craving was kinda quenched.

Then, we finally checked out Tanger Factory Outlets in San Marcos. It's about 45 minute drive from our place but it was worth it. Gee, that place is huge and awesome! Though, we were mostly doing window shopping but we had fun checking it out. We bought a pretty coat and some nice outfits for my little girl. I tell ya, she always win every time we go shopping, LOL. Man, there are a lot of nice stuffs in that outlet stores but... I wish I can have lots of moolah just for shopping, LOL. Oh well, perhaps next time? With God's blessings, of course!

happy girls...

Yes, the Crompton girls are happy tonight. I had my Caldo de Roz fix tonight. I had been craving for this beef soup from Blanco Cafe since last week and finally, they didn't run out of this yummy soup tonight. They always do, I tell ya! Just my luck and lovin' it! My tummy is happy and I am sure hubby and bug are happy with their food, too.

After our Friday night out dinner, we went to hunt for my little girl's booster seat. Finally, we got one for her and she was just so thrilled about it. She just can't wait to try it. She kept telling us that she is now a big girl, hehehe. A big and a happy girl at that. Hope everybody has wonderful TGIF.