One Saturday

Earlier today, we trooped to KC's dance school. It is the school's "parents' watch" day. We brought along the boys anyway- with much resentment from them. "Do we really have to?" Mom, please... we just want to stay home. I convinced   forced them to come by bribing them with "lunch out." Anyway, it was so much fun. You see,  KC does 3, ballet, jazz and tap. I think she is more into jazz than ballet. I never got to see their hip-hop class because it is on Wednesdays, so I guess Pherry and KC will have to surprise me come recital day- which always happens on Memorial Day weekend. Their costumes are beautiful but  very expensive. I love their school though. See some amazing pics and videos of the students here.  She started going here when she was 4 or 5 , but because we moved to another city, we have tried 2 different  schools both of which I never liked. So back to Gold School. The assistants are awfully nice but the best part is that they have superb shows! Amazing! Even if we have to drive 30-35 minutes 2x in a week, we love it.

tap

ballet

After the 2 hr classes, we were hungry. Hubby was indecisive, should we go to the Boodle Fest a friend invited us, grab some seafood on the way or just drop by mother-in-law and just eat there? I hate it when he is so indecisive! Men! I asked him to get me my daily coffee dose ( extra cream extra sugar, please) at Dunkin' Donuts  and I then decided to just buy lobsters and shrimps at our favorite grocery store for cheap food shopping - Market Basket. It is always crowded here especially on the weekends. Since the plaza had a Payless Shoe Store , I decided to grab Kc's jazz shoes. Believe it or not, this would be her 3rd since September. She grows out of them too quickly. I'd never buy her shoes "with allowance" though, especially her dance shoes. Unluckily, they did not have the tan ones that the school requires. Bleeech! I guess I have to buy from the school or go to some specialty dance stores--- which by the way cost a lot! Plus, KC has this narrow but long feet, that's why it's hard to find her shoes.

But---- big but, I saw that they had Hallmark Store there too, and a huge one compared to my local one. All Christmas decors at 75% off. My heart started racing! See, to me,  Hallmark is love, Christmas decors, my love! I love hanging out at Hallmark, even if I am not buying anything. It does not help that my local Hallmark is inside a mall and right beside Lego. Aaaargh! Yup, you guessed it, I bought tons of it. You see, I buy my Christmas collections after the season so I could actually afford the ones I realy like. Christmas 2010, I plan to have a real tree! I get to display my Christmas collectibles... yahoo! So, my trip to the grocery store ended up beng so exciting and successful! In order for Hubby not to be upset, the "loot" went straight to the trunk! 

Here is my Christmas Collection Series from Hallmark! The details are amazing!

MY Hallmark loots.  I am so lucky.

Sleeping angel. Angels are my thing. In fact, my wedding favors were snow angels, way before they became so popular.

This one actually moves.  The wheels are real!

We will add this one to our already "too- many -a- family- picture -frame"

Adorable

 

Another Santa. You can't have too many Santas you know

The arms and legs are movable, Mr Santa can sit!

Isn't Mr. Pilot Santa adorable?

 

The details of this beautiful gingerbread house is amazing

See, what I mean? Beautiful!

This one actually plays a song. "Grandma Got Run Over by A reindeer"

A heart in his hand. The back actually has a decal that says, I stop for Grandmas. Too kyoot!

I super love this. This picture is bad. The fine details make it so special!

My 2009 Hallmark Christmas series!

I have purchased all that was available in the store. I have multiples of each except the picture frame - I have waaaay too many of them. Beautiful indeed!

I had to go work the night shift, so we had lobsters and shrimp tempura at my mother-in-law's ( because we are close by and because we were starving). After the  night shift,  Hubby and  I with a group of friends went straight to Chinatown for a good old lugaw ( congee) and some siomai. I wanted their milkshake tea pearl but I was way too full. Good company, good stories and good food, make a good Saturday!

How about you, how did you spend your weekend?

Penny Penching Bernadette

I have been trying to cut off some unnecessary bills. Not that I have many. I personally do not subscribe to magazines, go bar hopping, no vices such as smoking or drinking. I have just one expensive taste-BAGS. Other than that, I stick to basics. In fact, I love Wal-mart. I buy anything I could possibly buy at Wal-Mart. If it's not available there, then I go somewhere else.

What could possibly be better than Wal-Mart?

I was inspired by a recent article regarding a stay at home mom who said that she was saving money by just looking at the basics. So, I mentally thought of what  can I live without. Please do not say, BAGS. At this point, I can not do that. They say the rule in changing is knowing in you that you can actually be successful with the change in mind. I know I can not  give up my bags yet. I plan to buy my great purchases only now, though. No more buying just because it is on sale.


Anyway, I cut off our HBO subscription = 11.99, Pinoy TV=15.99, renegotiated our cable services= from $64.00- $55. That's an incredible savings of.... tada....$36.98! You see, I do not have time to watch anyway, I mean not on a daily basis. I like curling up on a book better, or listening to music. So HBO is out. I left the sports package we have for Hubby. The Pinoy TV is lousy! Programming is awful, visual grapic is yucky and I do not have time. Honestly, If I can only have just DateLine Philippines, I am all set with my Philippine vitamin of the day. I sure want the kids to be exposed to Philippine culture, if only for a bit, so TFC should be good enough. Besides, as Pherry says, all they do is cry and shout at each other, or that he finds it crazy that everyone thinks Willie Revillame is God. Please, tell that moron to STOP! I went online to compare the channels available with the different packages they have. The programming from my $64 package is only different because of a few channels that don't even mean much  to me, so click, click click and my monthly subscription is $55.00... oh that sounds more like it! Besides, I found a better way to watch my TV shows. I will let you in on a secret. Now, I watch my TV shows at HULU.com. Free and just 15-30 seconds TV show breaks. Perfect. Try it! You can watch anytime you want, anywhere there is internet connection. It is so amazingly clear and legal! Beats Netflix in my book.

Here's a screen shot of House (Down Low) episode on Hulu.com.

Just an update

I have not been good, blogwise. I have not done any entry for January. So, what have I been up to? Anything planned up already? I am so sorry for lazy bullet entries.

2010 List

Today is the 30th day of December. Tomorrow, the world will say goodbye to 2009. Which brings me the question, is it better to have a seamless transition to a new year, so that the life we run is uninterrupted or you desire it as a brand new start? Fair enough for a discussion, don't you think? I can tell you my preference, but you might have to buy me popcorn to discuss it.

Nevertheless, that is not what this entry is for. For the new year, a lot of people make new year's resolution. I made those too. Never worked. I feel like it was a curse list, bound to make me feel guilty or abandon my newfound strenght to evolve to a better version of me, an updated one, with the new softwares and gadgets. Bleech! It seems like the word resolution gives it a negative connotation. This year, I am making a list. I call it my 2010 list. This list will include all my desires for 2010, and hopefully, able to cross them off this long list as I am able to triumphantly emerge as the winner between the LIST and ME. The difference? Since it is a list of my goals, I can actually visualize it. It has nothing to do with regretting. It is more focused on attaining. So here goes my nemesis... I warn you, I will emerge victorious. Hopefully by December 2010, I can repost this entry and the LIST is totally crossed off!

Open letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

It's been years since I wrote to you. Growing up, I always wrote to you. I kept it hidden to everyone. It's not like other kids, who are asked to write their Christmas list, so that Santa will deliver the gifts just in time for them to see underneath the Christmas tree. Only, in my little world then, it was bayabas branch ( guava), meticulously chosen and wrapped in colorful crepe paper. I wrote every single year, never had the chance to show it to anyone. I pour my heart out everytime I write, then and now. Sometimes, I ask for a gift, sometimes my letter is just to write my plans, aspirations and changes I would want in my life, but mostly just some scramblings; until I lull myself to sleep. Santa, why do we grow up?  Do we have to?

I remember asking for a pretty dress for 3rd grade Christmas party. Well, my mother did buy me one, only to have every other girl in class have almost an identical design of the dress. One girl said I just copied her. She taunted me until it hurt. I did not cry, you see Santa, that was my defense. I ignored her to show that I did not care. But you see Santa, that was not fair. I did not even have a choice. My mother bought that for me, because it was cheap, we can afford it. Back then, it was painful. Now, I do not even know where that girl is. I hope she remembers me and hope she has a good life. You see, I think because of her, unintentionally, I became more concerned on my dealings with other people.

Santa, when i was young, I used to dream and boy, did I dream. Today, my son said his teacher told them, it's okay to shoot for the moon, for even if you won't hit it, you would still land with the stars. Pretty thought. I guess I did not shoot for the moon. But, I do have stars in my life. I have 3 little shining stars that warm my heart to bits. But Santa, it's difficult, you know, being a parent. Balancing my world for them is what I do, but sometimes the world tilts, unfavorably, I'm afraid. My dreams have not gotten me to the moon, not even close. I just wish that my kids will have a better shot at it, please Santa, please. I promise to guide and protect them. But Santa, that's all I can do, right? Hopefully, they will also write letters, to you and to me. My dreams are there, in a compartment of my life. They may or may not be fulfilled but the important thing is I dream. For what is life without dreams and aspirations?

Santa, I know it in my heart that my secret letters to you are keepers of my immense desires and longings in this world. I may not recall all of them, but I know they must be the same as the ones I desire now. Our dreams and wishes are what shape our future, right Santa? In different stages of our life, we desire the same things, but when you're younger, you desire them in it's simplest form. Life is more complicated now Santa. Sometimes I even think it is chaotic. But when it gets so tough, I retreat back and simplify it. You see Santa, it is not easy to simplify in my world now. Too many factors involved. Friends, work, family and other personal indulgence. Is it too much to ask you to just make all my life's complications disappear? Yes, like boom! Like a fresh slate, clean and squeaky white. But wait, no, not yet Santa. Hold on a bit!

I take that back Santa. I want my life in all it's blazing glory of mistakes, failures and few trickles of success and a whole lot of laughter. So, let me try that again... Santa can you just make the mean people and the bad situations vanish? Oh, I like that better. You can't? Santa, please. It's all or nothing? No selective memory vanishing? This is hard, Santa. I give up, you win again. I want my life. I love my life. I see you smiling Santa. So, ok I move on with my life just the way i did, choosing my battles wisely.

Soon, it will be Christmas. Santa, will you bring me my gifts? You know I like surprises but then, I want nothing anymore. Nothing you can buy at the store, at least. I am grown up now Santa. I want the more profound things in life. I want my family and friends' safety, continued good health and stable life. I can see you smiling Santa. But seriously, I want nothing more than the joy of childhood. You see, I like that, simple joy and genuine laughter. Can I have that? Yes, you say? Oh, thank you Santa!

Before i go, Santa, can I make one wish? No, it's not for me, but it will make me happy just the same. Can you make the kids devastated by the typhoons in the Philippines recently have a merry Christmas? I am sure you can. Thank you Santa.


Love lots,

Bernadette Ambiong
60 Loriga Gallarza St.
Punta Aparri Cagayan Philippines

Dear Fridah

Dear Fridah,

You know I love you and that you collect Barbies but can you please buy me this? Please pretty please?

Ain't she pretty for me?

Adorable Hershey's  sash.

I will forever be grateful to you. You know I do not like Barbie and could care less about chocolates but there is something about Barbie and Hershey's together. My birthday was last October but Christmas is 43 days away.

xoxo... I know you love me too. Kisses!

In Barbie's name,

Bads

My personal pet peeves

In between eating my adobo, checking facebook updates and getting hold of Hubby, I am compelled to share to you my pet peeves. As in... annoying stuff that could easily evaporate my good mood. We all have our own little ways and views, but what in the name of God, is that perfume? Lemme start! By the way, this is in no particular order.

1. Did I say I hate STRONG perfume?  The reason perfumes have spray ( or roll ons ) honey, is because you apply SPARINGLY! If it was meant to be poured, believe me, they would put screw caps. Are we clear on this?

2. I hate people who do not RSVP. Be it invites, phone calls, messages, voicemail and the likes. All you gotta do is respond! Be it... " So sweet of you to invite me,  I will definitely be there.", or "No way I am coming to see you , Bitch!", or if you are really avoiding the person, revenge is the way to go... call back when you know you can leave a voicemail yourself and say whatever!

3. I do not like annoying people who thinks they can broadcast their lives through the wonderful innovation called  phone. "Hi, are you sure? Are you at the mall yet? No, I am still here at  Stop and Shop. I need to buy sanitary napkins and buy Tinactin for my husband." Do I really need to know you are having your menstrual visit and that your husband have alipunga? ( for my non Filipino readers, athlete foot). Goodness gracious. I will let you in on another  great innovation... text messaging. Try it sometimes when you feel like telling whoever, your most recent  rhinoplasty has gone bad. Seriously, do you really need to talk so loud like I need to know?

4. I hate it when someone always look over on my computer screen or what's on my iPhone ( or blackberry to some) . Guess what, you can ask me, do not hurt yourself by twisting and bending too much just to see what I am typing. I call these people, "Leanovers". If you need to lean over to see the screen, don't! Gosh, your eyeballs are falling off from its peripheral socket!

5. Bad breath. Bad breath. Bad breath.

6. Kids wearing adult clothes? Please! Do not adulterate your children. Believe me, you would not want them adulterate themselves later, why would you now? It is not cute. It is not cute. It is not cute. The mall is not the place for role playing, neither is the church or the local grocery shop! Mother daughter matching is good, but daughter wearing mother's, big NO. Worse is, mother wearing what her daughter should wear. Micro mini is not good at 50, even if you have Tina Turner legs. You understand me? Are we good here?

7. I hate it when waitstaffs refer to everyone as "you guys". Whatever happened to " Are you ready to order?" I would take that anytime than, " you guys ready?" I know it may sound cool and new but if want to be youguys for the night, i would stay home and youguys my kids, know what I  mean, you guys?

8. I hate it when someone presumes ( or assumes) THAT i AM STUPID BECAUSE I have an accent! Yes, I have an accent but I am not stupid. Recently, Kevin Freedman ( yes, man, I will blog about it every chance I get), thought I was stupid, I asked him to spell his name for my job and he said K (8 seconds) E, another 8 seconds V, V as in Victory,  I, yet another 8 seconds N. Ke-Vin! Ke-vin! After that he murmured, "stupid" and hanged up the phone. I called him back and I gave him the lecture of his life. All my life, being Promdi ( from the province), Manilenos think my Tagalog is so "matigas". Yeah, it must be! I am Ilocano, why, can you speak Ilocano the way it should be? I thought so! Lesson... it is okay to think it sounds funny, even cute when someone has  an accent  but never assume that because of it,  he/she is stupid. That may very well be the case but more often than not, it isn't.

9. I hate it when people brag too much because of their titles. Atty. Soman Do, Engr. Mali Kaman, Dr. Taran Tado and the likes. The same thing goes with Legal Officer 3, Management Trainee4 (whatever level that is, trainee ka pa rin!). I understand, use these official designation with business and official communications. When writing to your friends, please use your personal email unless necessary! I respect and admire achievement but to brag it to me, get lost. It takes more accomplishments if that is the case. Better yet, let me discover it myself, isn't it grander when I say," I didn't know you were a rocket scientist, wow!" I think I should delete number 9. Should I? Delete, delete not.

10. I do not like fake people. Fake friends. Fake smiles. Fake, fake fake! You may not like me but at least I am real. WYSIWYG! Pretentious! I laugh loud, that is another person's pet peeve, I'm sure but do not say otherwise. Say it. In my face. Straight. It is better.

I can add more to this list but for now, this is it! Now, boys and girls I need to submit some paper works so I can claim back my Bernadette A. Llaga, MT(H) ASCP designation that expired September 2009.

Writer's block

I'm on it! Actually, I am trapped!  What happened to writer's diarrhea?

KC

KC is growing! Here are a few shots I took last Sunday!

She is sweet and very dedicated to school. She likes to draw and design, role playing as a teacher. I think she will make a great teacher!

This is my Aparri, my hometown

Feeling nostalgic maybe because of my sister's recent visit here in COLD Boston, I am writing about my little coastal town of Aparri. Growing up there, you never spend time alone. It was a real community. Looking back now, I am amazed on how  little things can make me happy. I am talking little things. Like, just walking in the hot sands to the beach, flying homemade kites, playing" turumpo", playing under the rain, climbing the "lugo" tree, playing "sungka" and my favorite... just plain hide and seek.

Turumpo

Turumpo is made of wood, a tiny a cone-shaped toy that can be made to spin.

Homemade kite or saranggola. Since we were poor, ours was made of plastic grocery bags, some bamboo and "sinulid" or nylon. 

Here are Aparrianos playing sungka. Photo courtesy of adegarcia@wordpress.com.

Mind you, this is the real one. In the full moon, dark night and vast neighborhood to roam and hide. You see, in my little paradise, you can still see the sky, as bright as it should be, without any sky pollution... you know, those annoying satellites, too many airplanes hovering and giant billboards. I love taguan or hide and seek. It is so much fun! Then you can go to sleep soundly after that.

"Tagu taguan, maliwanag ang buwan" ( Hide and seek the moon is bright). Tama ba?

Oh, the joy of childhood. Our little fishing village seems to be extra  special too. We are surrounded by water! We have the Cagayan River, touted as the longest river in the Philippines and the China Sea. Our town's unofficial slogan is " Where the River meets the Sea."  Aparri delta boasts a windy experience because here in Aparri, lies the Cagayan River's mouth. If you choose serene swimming in a river, go! If you want the rough waves of the ocean, you can too! It is a paradise for water babies like me. In fact, it is the favorite stop for the summer of the whole province! No one can make that claim in the whole Cagayan! Although it does not have white sand beaches, it has these grayish, fine granular characteristic, and the beach line seems to go on and on. If  I am not mistaken, only in Aparri can you find gakka, little edible shells where you just pour hot water, little bit of salt and presto! A yummy treat!

Water breakers

Always a pleasure to walk in these sands, you never know what you will find.

...beautiful sunset. you shoud see the sunrise! heavenly!

You would always see fishermen take a walk to scout the waters. For some reason, they have the skills to know when it is good to go fishing.

 And here, my friends is gakka, the male variety. i have yet to discover it's scientific name!

This is the way commercial gakka catchers do it. Me? I just wait for the waves to  pull back, press my foot on the sand, if I see a tiny hole, presto... gakka!

The colorful bancas. We call them barangay--- ba-ra-ngay!

My family happens to own bancas for fishing purposes. This brings me to what makes me so happy I was born there! I love seafood!  I love seafood! Did I say, I love seafood? I do! We always get the freshest catch of the day. Swordfish, shrimps and tanigue abound. In fact, Hubby was grossed out when he saw me eating what we call the "jumping salad". It's fresh shrimps, still alive and jumping, pour sugarcane vinegar, chilli ( siling labuyo) and a dash of salt. Eat! I super duper love it. Same goes with squid salad. We make ours simple. Slice squid into bits including the head part, vinegar, siling labuyo, and onions!

The "pusit" in Aparri is delicious, chewy but not rubbery and a hint of sweetness. They change  colors too. For real! Depending on how light strikes, it's purple, bluish, reddish and array of colors abound.

We use these "sili" to flavor anything!

Prawns are the variety most likely to be available in Aparri. My sisters and I love eating little shrimps as our "jumping salad". Eating it this way we inherited from our Tatang!

Busy weekend

Lotsaa things went on this weekend. I know I have a lot to talk about.  A lot of messages from FB, more notifications and tons of voicemail. I will be right back in to regualr programming maybe in a day or two. Meanwhile I leave you  with this cute Madonna audition  video for Fame in1982. Yes, my dear... Madonna auditions!

My baby Josh is growing!

joshuateeth, originally uploaded by llaga22.

Joshua surprised me this morning! He jumped into the bed and gladly announced that his tooth is "wiggling". " Mom, see my teeth is loose now!" I was so happy because he always asks how come his teeth are not loose yet when he is already in first grade. So, I guess that makes him a boy.... not my baby anymore! Hope they stop growing. these babies of mine. hehehe!

Josh is a skyscraper

Since the school prohibits costumes on Halloween, the teachers become creative as to what the kids could do nearing the Halloween. For Josh' class, she decided to make their spelling words interpreted as attires appropriate for their age. The note that came home asks the parents to spend little or no money to prepare. The important thing is that the kids will enjoy and know the meaning of the words as they will be parading around the school and other kids will ask who they are and what does it mean. They had a list of words but Josh picked SKYSCRAPER. I asked him why and he said because he wanted to be different. He said, am sure no one would want to be a skyscraper. Talk about individuality.... my son is too young! Hahhhah.

As with everything, we are all involved. Problem... how to interpret skyscraper? This is what we did.

Hubby doing what he does best! Drawing and anything that has to do with it.

We stayed up late ( 1 AM) to finish it. He said he can not finish it because I did not tell him the concept. What concept? He is 1st grade! But, I guess that's how engineers work. You got to have a plan and a concept to execute your idea. Maybe that is why I am a medical technologist, I just work!

This is the skyscraper. More work needed.

All I needed to do was create a shadow effect, so it looks like it is seen from the bottom, like you were standing at the base of the building. By the way, we used cardboard-cum-styrofoam in sky blue so that it will have a sky backdrop! After all the conceptualizing, here is what we got.

Kuya showing Josh how to put it on when in school.

As I said, everything we do is a family affair. While Kuya was helping Josh, KC is actually trying to check if she can make a hat that will look like an antenna on top of the building. We needed to remind her that no hats are allowed in school, not even costumes. Silly, I know but after all those crazy school shootings, I err on the side of safety.

This is the front of the building.

Hubby made a 3 building structure, the middle being the tallest. Notice the right building, it has steam belching out! Our own version of cityscape view. I did not do a good job taking picture of the details. The left building has the antenna, few clouds hovering the main building and Hubby made a helicopter! I wish I did a better job with the pictures.

Here is the back of the building, in 3D. Clear blue sky! Hehheh!

Over all, I think we did great. The only thing is, I was not allowed to go to school. It would have been fun to see the other kids interpreting words such as fatigue, courage and discipline. Wheeew! Good thing, he is SKYSCRAPER! Bottom line, I guess it is more fun to make your own costume, cheaper and  more family bonding! So, go ahead conceptualize your Halloween costume and create the best one!

Sunday night concert

While looking for another spot for leaves  peaking and some more photoshoot, Hubby got a call from one of our "children",( we have 5, by the way. Iris, Ann, Errah, Venice and Dominic). Free tickets for David Foster's The Hitman concert! It features, Debra Cox, Reuben Studdard of American Idol, a few of his other  up and coming stars. Of course, there's Philippines' very own, Charice. She is this phenomenal girl,  with a beautiful and powerful voice. She has been featured in shows such as Ellen, Oprah an Good Morning America, to name a few. She just released a single " Note To God", which I heard was a top iTunes download for a time. Here's her performance at Oprah.

Here she is, performing at Boston University's Agannis Arena!

Look at these concert goers! They were very impressed! They were going gaga!

Goosebumps moment!

I knew she had a beautiful voice, I've seen her performances on American TV and TFC ( the Filipino channel), but I will tell you this... nothing I have ever imagined to describe her voice and the performance level she has would have done justice to this moment! She is phenomenal! I was truly impressed. I am so proud to have followed her way before Oprah! I was so happy to be there on that very moment, as a Filipino!

Ok now, I would be lying if I said i only went for Charice. It was a big bonus that Peter Cetera was there! THE Peter Cetera, was performing on the same stage as Charice and David Foster, with free tickets. This is gratitude overload!

I have loved him since Chicago!

With hits such as You're The Reason, Hard to Say I'm Sorry, Glory of Love and After All, I grew up loving his mellow music. He has aged but not the voice. Smooth and suave! When there was a quite interlude in his performance, I could not stop myself from shouting " I love you Peter"!  Oh, I am back to the '80s! No, wait! I am stuck on the 80's.

Thank you to my friends... Kuya Jerome, Ate Fridah and Ate Venice for putting up with my old love! Till next concert! Busy Sunday indeed! I love you Boston!

Apple picking in New Hampshire

Last Sunday, I had a blast! Aside from the regular relaxation attributed to weekends, we had plans for fall foliage and apple picking with friends. I always look forward to fall foliage. I love fall. Ok, let me rephrase that, i love fall but summer is still my favorite. We went up to New Hampshire's Apple Hill Farm. Not as impressive as Belkin Lookout Farm in Natick MA, but beautiful nonetheless. What makes any outing fun is the company, I believe... naks! So, in that category, it was a blast. First, apple picking, which is more like apple tasting and picture taking. Everyone had their cameras. I had to make sure I look great in every angle... not that I look great. I don't.  Period. You know me.. I edit my pictures before it goes online...heheheh! This time of year, it is a little late for the season but there were still  a lot, they said that this year is the best crop in 23 years but the rains on the weekend has stopped apple pickers, so apples were a plenty!

My kids at Apple Hill Farm Concord NH

These are sweet!

Here, husband thought it was nice to be inching up on the branches!

KC's signature pose!

Behind her is a pretty pond, very picturesque! I took a few shots for my keepsake. So serene, very clear skies and clear blue water.

There are 2 lift like structures that the kids and my not so young friends enjoyed!

Just to show you how much apple left for picking. This tree is unbelievably  loaded!

Up close. It seems that every inch is fruit bearing. It is also very tasty. I forgot what it's called. Maybe one of m very few readers can identify these apples. It is a delight to see, especially for someone who grew up in the Philippines. Poor as we are, we only get to have apples during the holiday season!

Here 's one of my shots of the pond. I know, I need to improve my skills. It is a photographer's dream.

The whole thing is a photographer's dream. Everyone is smiling, the scenery is lush with tinges of yellow and orange leaves, the sky is as blue as you can imagine, add that with a crisp Fall weather.. Perfect!

Here's me with my ever smiling friends. I remember sayinng we should not be looking at the camera, what happened? We are too self conscious, that's what!

Focus on the background. Isn't it lovely?

The 2 previous pictures are just to show you how the pond can be the most beautiful backdrop for your Fall shoots! It was just  delightful. It helped that the sky was clear.

To complete the farm look, ( by the way, this is a fully functioning farm, year round), there are tractors and this farmhouse. Going up the hill, to the orchard, this farmhouse is what you see. Very country. 

We took a hayride from the farm store up to the hill.  I don't have a picture of that moment, but it was a hayride minus the hay. I am thinking, maybe they have all those real hayrides for the kids. Speaking of the farm store,  a pound of apples is only $1.25! It offers free tasting of their home baked  muffins and breads, plus the warm and fresh apple cider. It sure does taste good and warms the heart. Imagine this and a not too chilly sunny day... ahhhh, Fall! Only in New England.

These girls are amazing. Fun!

Before you get picture overload, I leave you with this family picture!

Happy!

Smile everyone.. the world is only as beautiful as how you look at it! Here are videos of us!

Apple Picking in New Hampshire (Part 1) from vinceter on Vimeo.

Apple Picking 2009 in New Hampshire (Part 2) from vinceter on Vimeo.

Today's joy

It is always awesome to hear some good news, but nothing beats news from my children. As everyone knows, Christopher won the citywide essay competition in 2 consecutive years.

Chris and Quincy mayor ( Phelan in 2007)

He was 3rd place in the 3-4th graders' category. I was so happy. Well, more than happy. The following year, he won 2nd place in the 5-6th graders category. He was not very happy about it, but we were. This year, I was not expecting him to be in the race again because he is so busy. He is in the AP ( advance placement class) 6th grade, in a new school. A couple of days ago, he told me that his essay was chosen by his homeroom teacher as a contender for the 6th grade in his school. The principal has yet to decide which among the 6th to 8th graders' essay will be sent as official entry by the school to the City School Committee, who picks out the winner among all the city schools. No big deal for him. Big deal for me... I am a sucker for awards, remember?

Today, my daughter's teacher approched to congratulate  me on KC's essay. See, my daughter worked hard for it. She is so pressured, knowing that Big Bro won it 2 times. Hubby and I always tell her, she can do it, maybe even outdo him. She would not listen, of course. But, on the weekend, she asked me if I could read what she wrote. I was impressed. I tried to "edit" the missspells and repetitive words and wrong fragmenting... but later, I realized, she is in 3rd grade!! They are probably more concerned on the content than composition! So, I let it go!

I am very, very happy today. Being shortlisted for the competition is good enough for me. I will update maybe 2 weeks from now. I promise, no matter what the outcome is. I am praying for KC's entry more though! She needs the boost, middle child syndrome, you know!