Puzzled

How do you manage life's complexities?

There are dilemnas in your life that is too much to handle. How you wish it's just easy as one, two, three or turn a switch on and off when you get to the point that makes it too much to carry on. When do you say stop or enough and proceed without disdain and uncertainty? How do you come to a conclusion without sparing some feeling of loss and agitation? You wish someone can just find you and be done and over with.

Decision that is too much to deal with... how do you come up with it???

Randum

Our somewhat random surprise trip to the Philippines is about to end... and we don't want it to end obviously but for sure we had a lot of fun, excitement, and memories to hold especially the girls --- meeting family ancestries, taken back to places that we were raised and born, and even to the extent of speaking the tagalog/filipino dialect... they sound funny though.

There are more stories to tell, a lot of catching up to do... but for now let me and my family enjoy the few days left in the island of Philippines.

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Photo taken in Panglao Island Bohol Philippines during our island hopping {one of the 2,000+++ islands in the county of Philippines}.

On Being Grateful

We have a lot to be thankful for, and we should continue to be appreciative... being so makes your life more meaningful.

Family gathering truly constitute a light feeling of hominess...

Couple of weekend back was spent with the T/G family, celebrating Tita C and Cousin F's birthdays --- mother and daughter tandem. Day after that {Monday} spent with the V family at Lego Water Park... it was nephew D's 6th birthday.

Even if those times were cut short due to work schedules, it was fun catching up.

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Good friend couple M and P of This is IT Photography pays us a visit and stayed in our humble home. Even if their primary purpose coming down in SD was to cover a wedding event, the non-working times spent with us were full of craziness and laughter. True great friends when put together = awesomeness!!!... "We miss you guys... the girls woke up that evening you left looking for you by the way".

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Was able to spent father's day as one family... for hubby and my set up, working full time opposite days, spending a "day off" together is surely a big deal.

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I am glad I am back using our kitchen ... new dishwasher baby. We seldom use our dishwasher anyway, but when it broke down i felt the importance of it especially those days that i have piled up dishes and no time to manually wash them.

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I am back photographing... and it feels good.

*****

What are you guys thankful for?

Be an Influence

It is so amazing how "you" --- simply an ordinary individual, who does not hold high position in the society can bestow inspiration to humanity.

Let us welcome Ate N to the blog world... share those wisdom, thoughts, and photos in your own words.

And to the rest of the populace, allow each and everyone to grow and continue to inspire the entire universe ♥

"The power of imagination makes us infinite."

John Muir

♥ ♥ ♥

{Photo taken by hubby: Canon T1i * 55-250mm/1:4-5.6 }

Spring Break

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time.

J. Lubbuck

It's been a busy week for the entire Family household {probably every family did the same} because of the annual spring break...

Theme parks were pretty full --- revisited Legoland... the girls had so much fun especially in the "Pirate Shores: Swabbies Deck" {can't wait for their water park opening on June this year}, thank you for what you call annual pass with local discount.

V Family came for a visit last sunday for Easter celebration, and repeated fun yesterday friday for Whale Watching adventure aboard Hornblower Cruise. Didn't have a close view of the whales, but the dolphins were awesome. The not so awesome/awful part of the said trip was the unending/countless vomitting brought about by sea sickness *barf/puke/gag*.

Simply being lazy at home... girls watching cartoons all day and night, outdoor hiking/biking, eating almost everything including junk {actually more junk/carb if i have to count}, girl bonding --- shopping, learning nail polish designing/painting, etc.

Indeed it's a break that the whole family truly enjoyed ♥

*****

Photos taken during Whale/Dolphin Watching Adventure.

Simple Things

“This very moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grow.”

Margaret Lindsey

I haven't done photo sessions recently. I have to admit i turn down two possible clients. I am totally scared and not ready to venture here in California --- I even still use my GPS to get from point A to B at times. I still want to discover the vicinity and locations, the weather, the driving, where the sun rises and sets, the nooks and crooks of SD, and so on and so forth.
Secondly, my hub and my schedules are not quite stable yet. If i decided to venture in full gear, i needed that time --- not just for photo session itself but for pre-shoot planning, post processing, proofing, printing and ordering, etc.

Rest assure, when that time comes... when everything is on it's right places... i surely will --- For now, let me just enjoy San Diego's beautiful places to visit ♥
{not quite happy with the photos --- the sun was just washing away the scenery... I would like to play around with my camera at a later time but the place close pretty early --- so bear with me}

The Flowerfields in Carlsbad, CA

*** Hubby did a good job too... will post his work when I am done going through with them.

My Husband

My Husband,
I don't call him a hero i just say "thank you"...
Thank you for loving me
Your Wifey

Lines taken from: Karri A. Akins



Once you've loved, there's a part of your heart that simply belongs to that person. It can't be sold or rented out --- it's theirs, you gave it to them and they live in it, claiming its space for all time.
To my husband, I'll love you forever.

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

*****

Photo taken outside of Aria Hotel and Casino Las Vegas Nevada Februray 2010

The Climb

Driving in a rainy and foggy early morning, turned the radio on and what's on the radio?... "The Climb" of Miley Cyrus.

I blurted out, "... that's me, that's definitely me".


Starting a new job isn't fun. It's like a dejavu ... the sensation of butterflies in your stomach 10 years ago is back.
Yes, I am excited but very nervous as well, very skeptical/full of doubts... Will I like my new work place? Will my future colleagues treat me nice? Will the work itself justify my love for my specialty? Can I deliver my skills effectively? Will I maintain my composure and won't get overwhelmed --- this unit I will be working is 4x more bed capacity of what i've been accustomed with?

I have to say it again, this is definitely a climb... a journey I am hoping to conquer and hurdle strongly. I need to battle myself out of my comfort zone, I can make a difference.
In your hands my Lord, I pray.

A Stunning and Sparkling Discovery

“Consider the quality of life.
A single person might want a more cosmopolitan area with an exciting nightlife.

For someone married with children, the cost of living and the best education for their children become more important...
That will become part of your life.”

Gigi Gao

We moved out here to change the bustling/festive/dazzling world of Vegas to a more family oriented community. After over a month, we terribly missed the usual kind of living we were in for a decade --- dining out every other night {fine dining almost every weekend}, discovering new pristine AAA+ hotels and resorts, and more partying actions/entertainment until dawn...

Downtown San Diego at night
Aperture F/8 Exposure 30sec ISO 400

We thought we were totally out of the channel there for a second... that longing was cut short after discovering downtown San Diego. It may not completely compare to the bright and luxurious Vegas, but this was enough for us to feel we still belong in our era.

Photo taken from Coronado Ferry Landing
Aperture F/14 Exposure 30sec ISO 200

View On Black

View Panorama Version

We end up playing outside for awhile with the girls despite the chilly and nippy air {there is a small area parklike in front of this scenery}. I guess that's why the girls got the drippy nose and annoying cough the next day {until now} *sad*.

View from our hotel room "Sheraton Suites"
Aperture F/16 Exposure 30sec ISO 200

After the girls, hub, and I were ready for bed, hub blurted out "we're going to do this next weekend"... I said maybe in couple of weeks *smiling*.

We ended the day very delighted of our new found discovery... if we yearn for vegas lights and glitz , we can comeback anytime {just 30-35mins out} --- Yipeee!!!

*****

Camera: Canon 50D
Lens: Tamron 28-75mm/2.8
Location: Downtown San Diego

It is Official

"The only constant is change"

by Heraclitus, greek philosopher

Yes, hub and i resigned work already - we are in our last 2 days stretch at work.

Yes, we are in the middle of selling our house... [although it saddens us departing our home for almost 6 yrs.]

Yes, we are in the process of getting a new job - few options have been outline.

Yes, we are packing.

Yes, we are relocating.

Yes, we're leaving Vegas --- the first state we've lived since we migrated from the Philippines, the 24/7 night life, the breakfast at 1AM, the glittering lights of the strip, the wide selection of buffets and sit down dinners, the variety non-stop shows and concerts, and the prime extreme dry heat of the summer... [the later part, i don't think we're going to miss it].

Yes, our hearts are broken significantly leaving our friends that became our instant family who've been part and witness our genealogy grow this past decade [wow, that's how long we've been here i guess].

And yes, we are living our dream to raise our family in the place we've been calling home since we have visited the city, and revisited it every year.... And yes, we are scared starting this new chapter in our life --- but so very hoping you guys are going to be here/there helping us through this big change.

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It is official, we are moving to San Diego, California --- finalizing between Rancho Bernardo or Poway.
{Final address to follow to all my family and friends}

Reposting photo above... This is exactly how we feel...
The graceful melancholy sundown symbolizes the end of the day yet we know that tomorow will be another day full of radiant new beginnings and hopes when the sun rises.

Substandard

“Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us.”

by John N. Mitchell

I am not a saint, I have my own limitations too. When that button is pushed too hard I growl back likewise. I maybe a good person, but i can't just sit still and be nonchalant if someone just steps over my boundary.
Darn, those atrocious and crappy attitude --- it's killing me, i can't stand it!

*****

Above photo is not my favorite but i feel the rage in this one, i find it conforming with this entry.

Family Summer Getaway 2009

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”
Unknown Author

Finally, i got all the pictures uploaded to my computer and slowly uploading some of them online.
The one week vacation we had brought us a lot of joy and rejuvenation for a family who seldom go out of town because of the fast pace life in order to survive here in the US.
Yes, it becomes tiring by the end of the day everytime we head out for an activity but the memories bonding with the family is worthy of the time spent. Me and hub agreed, we wish life is always layback and carefree like this.
The family is already looking forward for the next vacation [better save up again, vacation is darn expensive].

Here are our week long vacation

Day 1

Knotts Berry Farm

Day 2

Santa Monica Beach/Pier California

Day 3

Redondo Beach California and late afternoon walk at Universal Studio Hollywood

Day 4

Revisited and Shop at Santee Alley in Downtown Los Angeles - great bargain [it's like the Philippines Divisoria] then head to cousins Birthday party --- Manong, Happy Birthday!

Day 5

Catalina Island

Day 6

Laguna Beach [Laguna Montage Resort and Spa] California

What a great summer to remember.

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Credits

The Westin Los Angeles Hotel where we stayed for 4 days.
[what a great deal from Hotwire... way to go!]

Veloso Family
Thank you for allowing us to stay in your humble home the rest of our summer getaway. Also, thank you for allowing us to discover the wonderful place of Laguna Beach --- I can't get over telling everyone how grand and marvelous that beach is.

Gonzalez-Turla Family
Thank you for letting us tag along with your scheduled family day out.

And for everyone who in one way or another responsible to make this trip possible, Thank you!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

by Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der

We are back from our one week long annual family summer vacation [for sure i felt it that long when you don't get this opportunity as much]. We all came home very tired and a lot of catching up to do (that includes my blogger world) but along with it we had a lot of fun, food, moments, and memories worth remembering.

I'll be posting more photos and details of the trip next time. For now let me get some rest for work awaits for me tomorrow.


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Photos above were taken at Redondo Beach, California

Grandiose Grand Canyon

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
Louisa May Alcott

Finally, after almost over 10 years of being here in nevada we were able to visit one of the wonders of the world
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
We drove 8 hours total within a day [going to and back]. We've been wondering of this brilliant place as everyone's been talking about, and yes indeed it's magnificent, magnanimous, and outstandingly beautiful.
It's very HUGE, tried to research the night before so as to pick and choose the 'points' [stop overs] that's good for picturesque and quaintly graphic scenery since we knew we won't have enough time. The place is astoundingly gorgeous. We wish we could have stayed for the sunset but knowing that we're still going to drive another 4 hours back with the girls, we didn't feel safe driving late at night, so we opted to skip it.
The rims of the canyons seems endless. We battle the hard blowing wind --- we have to hold our caps/hats to keep it on *including the girls*. We were unable to use the tripod as well, scared enough it might be blown off the cliff because of the strong gush of wind. All the photos were taken handheld so pardon me, I am not sure if i justify the charming beauty of the place, other than for a fact that landscape is really not my forte.
But here are some of the photos anyway... Happy Viewing!

Yavapai Point

Hopi Point [the best place to take sunset photoshoots]

Colorado River taken from Hopi Point

Yavapai Point

The Village bus stop --- photo taken while waiting for the bus that will take us to another point

Kaibab Squirrel on the loose [they're everywhere]

Finally, a lady with an accent offered to take photo of us *bless her heart* [there is still a few nice people around], and she did a good job too.

He's Back

I have the innuendo in photography when i was young, in love with it when i got married, and pursued such enthusiasm with hubby's inspiration.
And because of this, he give way for me to develop this interest in exchange of him giving up because i've been selfish not giving him the time and chance to explore [we only had one body of DSLR then].

Now, he's back pursuing his once love - photography... and I am very ecstatic and glad.

Way to go 'hon' and keep it coming!

the lion king

the rock formation

clifford the dog

yours truly

My man in action

Photos taken in Valley of Fire State Park Overton Nevada courtesy of hubby dear.

This is our first planned photoshoot together [equipments set up the night before, cooler for our drinks, girls bags, and getting up early]. We had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of it despite the battle of wind and dust that day [everytime we noticed wind blowing we hurriedly cover our cameras under our jackets --- we look very funny].

We are looking forward for another pleasant and merry photoshoot together.