Perfect Moments

*****

Life never seems to be the way we want it,

but we live it in the best way we can.

There is no perfect life but we can fill it 

with perfect moments.

*****

A good friend sent me the message earlier through text. I smiled while reading it. It's so true! Somehow, it sums up the experiences I have had lately. It's like I have been filling up my life with perfect moments with the people that matters most. I am constantly in awe and in gratitude of these moments no matter how simple it is. Indeed, life is not only beautiful but wonderful too! =)

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Photo: First complete family picture. Finally, we're completely physically together. Definitely an answered prayer... a dream come true.

Fishing Escapades

at Fremantle port - d' first time we went fishing
(it was a cold night and the moon was shining brightly @ d' night sky)

Fishing's our new found weekend recreation. It started more than 3 weekends ago when we (spur of the moment) decided together with some of our friends to go fishing. Unfortunately, on the first weekend we went fishing we were not able to have any valid catch. The ones we've caught were either a blowfish (butete) or an undersized fish (they have a very strict fishing regulations here especially when it comes to the size and kind of fish).

fishing at Fremantle near Austal
(caught not a blowfish but an undersized one...
so, we needed to put it back to the waters)

I realized that fishing isn't that easy at all if you don't have the right mind set to do it and the patience that goes with it. But it's a nice feeling when you're able to catch something out from the sea. Though, it didn't really matter to us that we're not able to have a lot of catch because we were enjoying the process with the company of our friends. And personally, my eyes were busy feasting with the great views around me that somehow made my thoughts wander.

fishing at rocks, North Quay Fremantle

Last weekend, Thomas went fishing with one of our friends. I decided to stay at home since Poch and I were still recuperating from cough and colds as a result of our fishing activities the past weeks. The cold wind triggered my sinusitis which led to a very bad migraine. Maybe when the weather's not that cold anymore I'll join fishing again.

Malou & Rommel, our fishing mates

After fishing, we would then prepare for a small 'sutukil salu-salo' out from the fishes caught. Nothing beats the taste of the fresh seafoods shared over a meal with good friends.

*****

More photos on my Multiply site.

Disco

ready to dance the night away =)

Last Friday, Poch attended for the first time the Disco night sponsored by the parents and faculty association at their school. Initially, I would not have wanted her to join the Disco but I felt guilty for I knew that I have been depriving her of some of her time in school because I was too sick to bring her to school. So, I thought I'll make it up to her by letting her dance the night away.

Poch was so excited that she asked Thomas to hurry up in eating his dinner because she might be late for the Disco. Good thing that she accepted my suggestion of what outfit to wear but she completed it by choosing on her own the foot wear. She said, "I'm not going wear anything with high heels, mommy, because I'm going to dance and it'll make my foot hurt."... hehehe I realized when we get to the venue that she's right. The dance floor was quite big that the kids were able to move freely. And most of them(including Poch), just took off their shoes and dance barefoot on the dance floor.

kids w/ their parents on the dance floor

Thomas and I were amazed to witness Poch really dancing not only with her classmates but also with her other schoolmates. We could feel and see that she was having fun for she performed the requests of the DJ together with the other kids. Shortly before the disco night ended, parents were asked to join their kids on the dance floor. So, I joined Poch on the dance floor while Thomas tried to take some photos and videos. We were made to dance three songs (Hokey Pokey, Macarena, & YMCA) and it was real fun. And I realized that it was a rare bonding moment for us. I was glad that I did not pass this opportunity to be with Poch in this kind of school activity.

all smiles after the disco =)

Poch was all smiles after the Disco. They were all given potato chips as snacks. Though it was just an hour of fun but it was all worth it. It surely made a good start for the weekend. =)

Celebrating Friends

Darlene, Mayette & Jane
~ three of the priceless treasures in my life =)
(taken using Skype during our video call last night)

*****

I have no talent for making new friends
but oh such genius for fidelity to old ones.
~Daphne DuMaurier

When a friend speaks to me,
whatever he(she) says is interesting
~ Jean Renoir

No man is the whole of himself.
His friends are the rest of him.
~ from the "Good Life Almanac"

*****

Yes, last night was happiness to me simply because I had an almost an hour Skype video call with the three equally gorgeous kindhearted friends in my life. Since I left Cebu more than a year ago, I never had the kind of conversation I had with them last night. It's really one of the things I miss the most. Talking/listening to them and at the same time seeing them felt like I was home for less than an hour. They just don't know how happy they made me last night. I was even giggling and smiling when I got to bed. My hubby noticed and commented, "basin mag-cge na lang ka ug katawa nganha ron ha bisan tulog na". hehehehe

To Jane, thank you for always spending some of your precious time with me online. I know how busy you are with all of your life's dealings but still you never fail to be there for me when I needed someone to chat/express what's on my mind without hesitations. I could never thank you enough for not only introducing me to the blog world but also for encouraging and sharing your knowledge about it with me. =)

To Darlene, I will always be grateful to the kind of friendship I have with you. I could say that our friendship has weathered a lot of storms already but still we managed to keep it floating. Thank you for granting my requests even if you're full of your own life's concerns. Keep up the positive attitude always. I'm happy about the new developments... and looking forward to some more positive developments in the future. =)

To Mayette, Bon Voyage! I know you're filled with mixed emotions now but one thing's for sure, I'm happy that soon you'll be with the love of your life and together you'll journey the world of marital bliss. Thank you for always making me laugh and for all the wonderful bonding moments we've shared. The word "resting" has never been so special in my vocabulary until you added more meaning to it that night when we're at El Salvador... hehehe

And to all of my trusted friends, you're part of the priceless treasures in my life. You have helped and moulded me in your own different unique ways. I could not imagine living life without you. I feel so blessed... THANK YOU! *hugs*

1st Term School Holidays (Highlights)

The past two weeks went like a blur to me with all the activities we did to make most of the 1st term school holidays. What we (Poch and I) liked about the past school holidays aside from waking up late in the mornings is that we get to spend the entire day with whatever we fancied to do as long as it does not involved so much expenses... hehehe Now, here are some highlights of the activities we did during the holidays...

Malou & Poch @ d' train station
(posing una mentras wala pa ang train hehehe)

~ we spent an afternoon exploring and window shopping at Harbour Town in West Perth with our new friend, Malou, who's actually our constant companion also during our 'laags' the past 2 weeks.

swinging @ d' playground in our neighborhood

~ there were late afternoon visits also to the nearby parks and playground. It's one of Poch's favorite pastime now which is really way much better than "malling"... hehehe

a pose with a kangaroo having a nap time at Perth zoo

~ our (Poch & I) third visit to the zoo was made possible last April 22 in order to accompany Malou in exploring the place. In the morning, there was a drizzle and very cloudy but it did not stop us from enjoying our third trip to the zoo. Poch now has a favorite spot at the zoo, the playground.

playing w/ her classmate, Layla =)
(during their twin classmates bday party @ Heathcote Reserve & Playground)

~ to cap off the 1st term school holidays, we attended a birthday party of Poch's twin classmates at one of the outdoor playground here in Perth last Friday, April 24. One of the moms of her classmates offered to give us a ride that's why we're able to get to the venue without any hassle. It was our first time to be in that place and I personally love the place. Aside from the great views and the big playground which you get to enjoy, the use of the area was all for free. For me, it's a great place to have picnics/bonding moments with the whole family or friends. =)

Tomorrow will be the start of the 2nd term. Poch's quite excited to go back to school (I hope it always be this way until she's all grown up hehehe). Inspite of the fun activities we had during the holidays, I could sense that she still misses school maybe because of the kind of fun she's having during her interactions with her classmates. She's grown a lot now and it's not only us (Thomas & I) who noticed. Every now and then, I would hear positive comments from some parents of her classmates how Poch have come out of her shell slowly since she started school here last year. Thus, I hope that this 2nd term will be another more enjoyable school learning experience for Poch. And I will surely miss her company in the coming days.