"Love Ko 'To!"

Christmas Wish List

2017-09-24T21:35:00.003-07:00

IKR? You might think it's ONLY September and here I am, writing my Christmas wish list! If you're a Filipino like me, then you would totally understand: as soon as the months of "ber" roll along, Filipinos start playing Christmas music and decorating for Christmas! So, in true allegiance to my Filipino roots, here goes my 2017 Christmas Wish List.

1) Saje AromaTime Ultrasonic Diffuser $189 - http://bit.ly/2xq0pV2

It's about time! (pun intended) Lavender mist to lull me to sleep, the alarm clock to wake me up and Tantra mist to keep me from pushing the snooze button :)

2) Zara Coat $169 - http://bit.ly/2xhKhT3

Just looking at his makes me feel warm already. Wool coat with hood AND pockets, what's not to love?

3) Slick Case for Mac $68 - http://bit.ly/2eAzKwl

I've been eyeing this Macbook Pro case for months. Even checked out other designs but I keep coming back to this one. I'm smitten! It comes as a complete package with matching iPhone 7 Case and keypad cover (such a steal).

Glimpses

2013-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

... of our new home. 6 months after moving in to our new home, we're still not done decorating. Lovin' every minute of it though!

Altar by the entryway. On the opposite wall is the caption: "Peace, love and joy to all who enter."

Dining Room. Warm ambience courtesy of our ethanol fireplace :)
The kids keep saying, "it feels like we're in a restaurant!"

Home Office by the kitchen. The family's hub. Eat while working and work while eating - what a convenience!

Living Room. My BIG idea ;)

Comfy sofa bed with fluffy and warm pillows. Extra space for guests and perfect for lounging on our movie nights!

Gallery Wall. An eclectic mix of what defines our family.

Glitz and cuteness in Faith's room.

The house is taking shape into what I envision it to be but there's still lots more work to be done. So many ideas in my head and so much ~~shopping~~ hunting to do! Here's to the next 6 months of happiness :)

KARMA WEAR

2013-07-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Although Karma Wear has been around since 2002, I have not been aware of this yoga/dance clothing until three weeks ago when I saw their line featured in our studio, The Dailey Method White Rock. The first thing that caught my eye was the price tag (aha!). $38 for a tank top?! Then I read the fabric details and I was floored: made with moisture wicking, quick drying Breathe Light with an odor resistant finish. Ooookay! SOLD! :)

Pranayama Racerback $38

Where has this clothing line been all this time, you ask? Well, they have been treading on the footsteps of yoga apparel giant, Lululemon. Karma Wear was born 4 years after Lulu was and have been under a covered-limelight of sorts. But now Lululemon has been going under fire for their deteriorating quality issues and the fact that even though they've been saying that they were born in Vancouver, they've actually been sourcing from China - ouch! More and more yogis and fashionistas have been looking elsewhere to put their hard-earned money in. So here's Karma Wear coming into the picture, seeming to make right everything that Lulu did wrong. Here's what's on their website:

Manufacturing jobs in the apparel industry have dwindled with the rise of overseas production. This is no more apparent than in our backyard of Vancouver. Karma is a Canadian apparel company that manufactures in Canada and the United States. We are committed to using local factories, investing in our community, and keeping local women employed.

We hope to inspire other local companies, in more than just apparel, to rethink their own practices and bring production back home. It is our core belief that if we practice good karma, others will follow.

If you're on Facebook, "like" their page and be on the know with what's the latest from them. Like say, a WAREHOUSE SALE maybe?! Yup, happening this weekend ONLY: July 19 - 21.

If you're nowhere near Vancouver, fret not, they are offering extra 30% off on select items online plus FREE SHIPPING for the month of JULY! They also have a referral program that gets you and a friend 15% off of their online purchase. Yey!

Cielo Tee $48

Zelda Bra $48

#Armswag

2013-06-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

The unsuspecting me was casually browsing my email inbox today when I saw these beauties from Juicy Couture --- uh, oh! Me likey!

Glam Charm Watch ($495)

Limited Edition Stella Watch ($395)

Limited Edition Stella Bling Watch ($595)

Royal Leather Wrap Watch ($195)

How about you? Watch your pick? :)

Our New Home: Sneak Preview

2013-04-16T13:16:00.002-07:00

Remember this House Hunting blog I posted? That's more than a year ago and here we are! Blessed with a new home!

Stay tuned for the whole reveal and full blog ;)

And The Journey Goes On (The View is Amazing!)

2013-02-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

My Dailey Method journey has been so much fun since day 1. I'm done with my training and have been teaching classes for more than a month now. What fun I'm having! I couldn't ask for better clients and TDM Team to work with :)

BUT it's still work - serious work. It takes me at least 2 days to study for a class (that's the OC in me!): I make up my playlist, plan the flow of my class and choreograph the exercise variations for the day.

Teaching a class is a whole new adventure in itself. Each class is different and the flow of the class is somehow dictated by the level of energy the clients bring. But what a high it gives me when my clients are so gung-ho and they GET exactly what TDM is all about! I've started introducing more challenging variations and when they could do it - without batting an eyelash - that's such a thrill!

But nothing tops that moment when a client approaches me and compliments me for a great class - it's both exhilarating and humbling! Just last week, a client who's been coming to the studio for months, told me that she liked the way I teach and for some reason, it's the only way that clicked for her. I told her that she made me so happy, to which she said, "Oh, I AM HAPPY!" That, right there, made my entire week. :)

I couldn't wait till my next class!

Aritzi-aaaahhhh!

2013-01-26T22:23:00.000-08:00

Tsk, tsk! I am hooked on Aritzia :) Their clothes are kind of expensive and I only trek into their stores come Boxing Day (which happens to be MY special day - so I've got reason to splurge, hehe!). But this year, I found myself back there again AFTER New Year's for their winter sale - and just last week, I went ONLINE and picked up two more items! Whew! Good thing I only have an eye for markdowns :))

My best loot at the store! $49 from original retail price of $70.

Scored this pair of pants online for $25. Original retail was $60.

I saw this scarf in the store going for full retail of $55. I needed a warm scarf in gray color, but $55 was more than what I was willing to pay for a scarf. So when I saw that it was only $27.50 online (50% off), I snagged it!

I was also very pleased and pleasantly surprised at how fast their shipping was. My items came within 2 days of placing my order! In a beautiful Aritzia gift box! Beautifully packed! With my receipt inside an Aritzia envelope!

Oh, Aritzia... you give more and more reasons to come back ;)

Wish Upon a Star

2012-12-04T22:21:00.001-08:00

Would be a great replacement for our current altar table. The drawers could be for our rosaries and prayer cards and the cabinet would house our books and bibles.

A great functional accessory for extra sitting.

A portable side table or TV tray.

Perfect size for a small dining area!

Fun accent piece that's can also function as holder for pillows and extra blankets.

Perfect for our office nook :)

This right here stops my search for the perfect accent chair in our living room (yay!).

The anchoring piece for the accent chair ;)

Pretty enough to grace the Master's Bedroom (coz it won't fit in the ensuite!).

An organization-must for the office nook.

My new fruit basket!!!

One could never run out of uses for a warm blanket.

For our Master Bedroom

A Whole New Method by Lululemon

2012-10-30T11:36:00.001-07:00

What do you know? Lululemon has expanded its line and added more barre method-friendly apparel (yipee!). I am a fan of their method socks (the ones with non-slip grip at the bottom), so finding out this morning that there's a whole lotta new gear dedicated to barre class exercises makes me so giddy and happy (couldn't you tell?).

I have been taking non-impact exercise at The Dailey Method in White Rock for 4 months now, and though our studio is pretty brand new (it's the second studio to have opened in Canada, the first one is in Dunbar Village in Vancouver), barre method classes have been such a rave in California the past 10 years. Bar Method exercise is a whole new level of exercise and I'm glad (oh, so glad!) that Lululemon is keeping up with the trend. On the other hand, Lulu - what took you so long?!

Now, enough said. Let's look at the gorgeous pieces Lululemon created:

Back Burner Tank ($58)

Just like dancing, coming into a Dailey Method class dressed in form-fitting clothes is a must. I could move freely without extra fabric getting in my way.

Barre Pulse Pant ($98)

Another must: this tight and slimming pant perfectly shows alignment and muscle engagement

Method Sock ($18)

This is a nice variation to my old ones: extra pads for the balls of the feet, calf-length and more fun colors!

Method Bag ($138)

As if I need a new bag! But hey, this blog isn't about me - it's about Lululemon's Bar Method Line, remember? ;)

My Dailey Method Journey

2012-10-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's been almost 4 months now since I've started doing the Dailey Method. What started out as a "summer exercise program" became my staple weekly routine. I've discovered that Dailey Method was the missing puzzle in my continued pursuit of my love of dancing - perfectly complementing my ballet/jazz dance classes. Dailey Method gave me the flexibility that I needed and now I feel SO MUCH BETTER when I am dancing!

Not only that, I've started to SEE the difference in my body, too. Since I am on the skinny side, I actually have no shape at all - but that was before! Now I can see a distinct shape in my body and I was truly amazed (and amused!).

Also, prior to doing the Dailey Method, I would always have bouts of abdominal pain. My doctor had me go for ultrasound, blood work, CAT Scan and MRI to pinpoint the cause, but found nothing to point as the culprit. When I told him that I was also often constipated, he told me that I could be suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) brought about by stress. Fast forward to now: yep, you got it right ;) I no longer suffer from constipation (and to think I've suffered from constipation my whole life!) Recently, I've noticed that even when I have my monthly period, I no longer get bloated (that's really something, eh?).

Okay, here's the clincher: I love Dailey Method so much that I have decided to become a Certified Instructor!!! Yep, I've been in training for 2 months now and just three days ago, met Jill Dailey herself (the founder of The Dailey Method) for the first time. I got to attend the Instructors' Workshop that she facilitated and then attend a class, with her as the Instructor - pretty cool, huh?

For someone who hates exercising, I can say I've gone a really long way. Now, onward to finishing this training... wish me well! :)

My First Ever 5K Walk/Run

2012-10-02T18:46:00.001-07:00

Me and my two daughters participated in the recent Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's 2012 CIBC Run for the Cure last Sunday, September 30. It was my first ever run! If you know me well, you'd know I'm not the athletic type and running just isn't in my vocabulary. But ever since I've been with Dailey Method, I've been more open to venturing into things I would otherwise shy away from (like doing a 5K Walk/Run!).

Our Dailey Method (White Rock) Team consisted of two veteran runners, a yoga instructor, and one of our own TDM Instructors who survived her breast cancer battle last year. Pretty neat, huh?! I was the least experienced in this kind of feat. Nevertheless, Jenny, (one of the veteran runners) told me that she would do the walk with me as she didn't think she was in shape at all for running at this time.

Each person who participated in this run had a reason for doing so. In fact, this year's shirt was designed with a writeable front that states "I am running for..." While I have not had a face-to-face encounter with the wrath of breast cancer in my immediate family, I KNOW of people who battled this disease. And then it came to me; "I'm actually running for the future of my two daughters (and even mine!)" Breast cancer study and research had gone a long way in terms of early detection and pinpointing risk factors for being diagnosed with the disease. Thanks to efforts such as this annual run, breast cancer is no longer the dreaded disease it once was!

At Fergie's Cafe

2012-09-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

We've passed by this little cafe so many times before. It was right by the Cheakamus River in Squamish, along Squamish Valley Road. You see, this was our route everytime we trekked to our family's summer camping - about 3 kilometers north in Paradise Valley Campground.

I love discovering these little out-of-the-way cafes. One of my pet peeve is eating at fast food chains when we're out on one of our family's adventure. I mean, we could always eat at McDonald's or KFC anytime we feel like it. But how soon could we come back to this place, right?!

I finally located Fergie's on Facebook and made a mental note to haul the family over when we're back in Squamish. And the day finally came! It was a good excuse to opt out of preparing breakfast on our second day of camping. We came in just before 11AM on a Thursday, so the place wasn't busy at all. However, it was difficult to find parking. Fergie's Cafe is actually owned by the Sunwolf Team (famous for their whitewater rafting adventures) and on the day we came, there was a big group doing their river runs.

Their breakfast and lunch menu varies. I should warn you that it's quite difficult to make a choice since everything sounds "gourmet-y" and yummy! I was a little distracted too by the freshly-baked goodies on the kitchen counter :) But being a lover of eggs benedict (my all-time favorite for breakfast!), I went for it. They have three kinds (we ordered all of them - haha!) that were all equally scrumptious. My daughter had the usual fare of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast - but here at Fergie's, you have a choice of what kind of sausage to have, depending on what is featured for the day. Yes, they make ALL their meat in-house :)

Here's a glimpse of our little gourmet heaven that beautiful day (drooling not allowed):

"The Skipper" (Toast, Bacon, Hashbrown, Rosemary and Truffle Sausage, Eggs, Fruit Slices)

"BLT" Breakfast (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Egg Sandwich)

"Smoked Salmon Benny" (on Buttermilk Biscuits, with Hashbrowns)

"For the Little Ones" (their version of Kid's Meal: Cheesy Egg Omelet on Buttermilk Biscuits, Bacon and Fruits)

"The Dubliner Benny" (with Apple Slices, Onion and Cheddar)

"Pulled Pork Benny" (no explanation needed!)

As you can see, the food at Fergie's are not your usual fare. I like that they use local products and support Squamish farmers. At first glance, you would think their prices are a bit expensive for a "cafe," but keep in mind that the servings here are big. Also, their posted prices are all INCLUSIVE of tax already!

After eating, we explored a bit around their property. There were wooden picnic tables and benches outside of the cafe, under a very big tree. The kids played sometime by the tire swing and we took gazillions of family photos. Then we headed down by the river past the parking lot. The scenery was beautiful!

It was a perfect day to enjoy eating under this tree.

The tire swing was such a hit with my kiddos.

Beautiful Cheakamus River at the edge of Fergie's Cafe.

Fergie's Cafe may be a little bit out of the way, but it's worth your while to discover it for yourself. You will not regret it. So, next time you head north to Whistler, take a short side trip down Squamish Valley Road and give yourself a gourmet treat.

Our Family's Annual Summer Camping

2012-09-13T10:49:00.001-07:00

Summer wouldn't be complete without our annual camping trek to Squamish. Ever since we've discovered Paradise Valley Campground three summers ago, we just find ourselves coming back every year!

The campground is owned and managed by a very nice couple - Lynn and Pat - who are fast becoming very dear to us. It's always nice to come back each time and be able to see the familiar surroundings, but at the same time, discover new stuff in the campground (or any new additions they might have).

They were fully booked on the Labor Day long weekend!

This was our backyard for four days - a living forest.

Our lot was so huge, we could play badminton in it!

There were a lot of hiking trails within the 28-acre campground, so many things to explore!

The campground is bordered by Cheakamus River.

Wanna hike to Brohm Lake? No problem! There is a direct hiking route from the campground :)

Brohm Lake is mostly accessed from Highway 99. Thompson Trail, although the shortest hike, has steep section. Your choice: go all the way around, or choose the shortest route.

We chose the shortest route. Here we are at the steep section, climbing rocks. (Yup, that's my 5-year old at the foreground.)

Painted arrows show which way to go.

If you could get past your fear of heights, or paranoia about rocks getting dislodged - the hike is actually fun. My 5-year old never complained at all!

The view from above is really beautiful!

The campground has a tack shop that sells their exclusive soaps, insect repellent, lotion, etc. They also sell snacks, smores kit, candies - and ICE CREAM! Yum!

Something that's unique to Paradise Valley Campground is the stone painting activity that everyone enjoys. Get free paints from the office and paint your heart out on stones you see anywhere in the campground. Let out the frustrated painter in you and leave a memento of your visit.

A Busy Summer

2012-08-23T18:15:00.002-07:00

Our family has taken REAL advantage of summer this year. Unlike the past years when I had to squeeze in our family adventures in between my work schedule and my hubby's schedule. Now that I don't work, it's easier to plan family happenings or just haul the whole gang at the spur of the moment.

PLAN:

What's summer without swimming? Outdoor swimming on BC's largest saltwater pool - Kits Pool delivers! Warm water, fun playsets and slides at WaterMania - check!

PLAN:

My youngest son's birthday was a good excuse to hit VanCity and check out Neighbour's Restaurant. It was featured in Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here!" show. Our trek here almost didn't happen though, the birthday boy was hinting on going to good ol' Denny's. Good thing he was swayed by the pepperoni pizza of Neighbour's Restaurant :) It was really good! My older son said it's the best pizza he'd ever tasted!

PLAN:

Our family was intent on completing the three night extravaganza between Vietnam, Brazil and Italy for the 2012 Celebration of Lights competition - and yes, we did it! Each day was a full day of family activity and fun, enjoying Kits Beach, Kits Seawall and Vanier Park. We will do it again next year, definitely!

SPUR OF THE MOMENT:

Checking out one gorgeous piece of Crescent Beach on a warm, perfect summer weekday at Blackie Spit Park. Armed with our usual picnic paraphernalia, we drove 15 minutes from our place to here. It was a great family-friendly place to hang out, have picnic dinner, read, play ball, play at the beach and watch the gorgeous sunset (yep, White Rock beach couldn't compete, as this beach directly faces west).

July Adventure: Beach Hopping

2012-07-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

We are blessed to be living within minutes from so many beaches ready to be explored. And so this month, we made the most of our summer family times, beach-hopping :)

First off: Vancouver. Spanish Banks Beach - I like this beach because of its clean, fine sand. The kids had a blast playing with their beach toys. From where we were (I chose a wider log to sprawl my blanket onto), we got amazing views of cargo ships and West Van. We came on a rather cloudy and chilly day but that didn't dampen our spirits. In fact, I think it made it even better because the beach wasn't crowded at all ;)

Just east is Locarno Beach - it has a pier that's perfect for fishing and photo op of downtown Vancouver.

Further on east is Kitsilano Beach, also known as Kits Beach (we came here on a different day). Probably the most popular beach among the younger Vancouverite crowd - the place to see and be seen.

Next, we hit Richmond: McDonald Beach Park. This was not part of our original itinerary as I thought it was just a dog park. Good thing we decided to check it out as it was the perfect spot for a family picnic. The dog park area was actually separated from the rest of the park. There wasn't much of a "beach" as it's situated by the Fraser River but it has a boat launch area. We were quite surprised to see so many boat owners come here. We had quite a feast checking out beautiful boats :)

Just a short drive away is Iona Beach - the point where Fraser River meets with Georgia Straight. This park is popular with bikers and if you're up to the challenge, you can check out the south getty arm (4 kms. long) - walking, optional! The park is often quite windy and as such is great for flying kites.

Last, but not least, our very own: South Surrey/White Rock. White Rock Beach is our go-to place. I remember the first year we lived here, we would always go to this beach for an impromptu picnic dinner or a quick visit after Sunday masses.

For the last three years that we've been here, we've only gone to Crescent Beach once (I know!). Little did we know that there is a tiny bit of paradise waiting for us to discover: Blackie Spit Park.

Ahh! For the love of the beach ♥

Dailey Method

2012-07-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make: I don't like exercising. I guess it may be a surprise considering that I have been dancing all my life and one would think for sure that I have a regular fitness routine, right? Sorry, but the answer is no. I detest exercising - I really am not a fan. In fact, back in the days when I was part of a dance group that performed on a weekly TV variety show, I dragged my feet to aerobics classes, that when it became "voluntary" to join in, I was the only member of the dance group who didn't attend the classes - har! har! Never mind that aerobics was supposed to improve my stamina - which I so badly needed since our group rehearsed 4 - 5 dances and taped 2 shows per week. I'd rather be stretching on a ballet barre, thank you very much.

Maybe it's the frustrated ballerina in me. Or my love for "luigi jazz." Or maybe it's both. But I just do not enjoy the grapevines, marches, jogs. Even when aerobics got trumped by Zumba, and most of my friends got into the bandwagon, I stayed on the sidelines. Again, it's the frustrated ballerina in me calling. Rather than gyrate my hips to latin music, I much prefer to stretch and elongate my leg extensions.

So, when my adult ballet/jazz class closed for summer, I found myself in a dilemma. I needed to ensure that all the ballet work I've done the past months wouldn't go to waste with our two-month hiatus. It's not easy getting my body to be flexible again, enough that I could do high kicks, or stretched my muscles to exhaustion that I could do a decent turn out for first position.

Thanks to an idea from a friend, I got into the Dailey Method. Dailey Method is a combination of ballet barre workout, stretching and core toning. Needless to say, it's my kind of "exercise." I'm just happy to be maintaining my flexibility but getting toned and being fit at the same time is such a bonus! Oh, and did I say our studio is a few steps away from the beach? :-)

Thank You, Mama Mary!

2012-07-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

Summer of 2008. It was in a small church in San Diego that we asked for her intercession. We passed by a beach town in San Diego and saw Mary, Star of the Sea Parish Church. Me and my hubby took turns going in so we could watch the kids napping in the van. Needless to say, our prayers were the same: we asked for Mama Mary to bring us to Canada.

Mary, Star of the Sea Parish Church (La Jolla, CA)

Sept. 8, 2008 - Mama Mary's Birthday - we received a packet telling us that we were on the next stage in our family application and needed to go for medical evaluation.

December 8, 2008 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - we received the confirmation that our application has been approved and we could come to Canada as a family.

One night, I was browsing the internet looking for a school for my children to transfer to and what appeared on my screen was the parish website of Star of the Sea Parish, White Rock! Right there and then, I KNEW that it was Mama Mary's intercession that brought us to Canada and I couldn't help but cry... I told my husband it didn't matter how far his workplace would be from here, but we needed to live in this area and be parishioners of this church.

Star of the Sea Parish (Surrey, BC)

May 12, 2009 - Mother's Day - We flew in to Canada barely a week ago and this was our very first Sunday mass. Where else but here at Star of the Sea Parish in White Rock! I was overcome with emotions reliving the many miracles that came our way through Mama Mary's intercession and we couldn't thank her enough. It was Mother's Day, and we offered flowers to her to thank her for her intercession.

Fast forward to this year. Upon the prodding of two acquaintances from the parish, me and my hubby talked to our parish priest about the possibility of transferring our children from the public school into the Star of the Sea School. It had always been in our hearts to bring the kids into the Catholic school especially for me who studied in a Catholic School my whole life - and worked there, too! But 4 kids? The financial burden would be too much for us. But when we spoke with our parish priest, he told us not to be deterred by issues about money. However, there was no guarantee that all our 4 children would be able to get in as registration has closed and we would need to be put in a wait list.

But then I was brought to that night when my computer flashed before me with the Star of the Sea Parish website. It occurred to me that Mama Mary could be calling our children to come to her school, too!

So we stepped out in faith. Once again, we prayed for her intercession. The first time I went to the office to fill out the application papers for my children, I was brought to tears once again. There, in front of her beautiful statue, I stood in awe of everything that was happening before us - it was a humbling experience to receive this blessing!

My three older children got registered in the school within weeks. My youngest - a Kindergartener - was left in the wait list. Then the school closed for summer. I remembered the very last words I said to the school secretary on the day I completed the final requirements for my three children and I told her we were still praying and hoping to get our youngest in, "Miracles could happen!"

Then today, I received the good news :) Roshaun got a spot in the Kindergarten class! Mama Mary came through for us - again - or maybe it was the completion of her "mission" to bring us to Canada, to bring us to her parish, and her school. Thank you, Mama Mary! ♥

FP Movement

2012-07-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Free People now has a yoga line called "FP Movement."

Uh-oh! Another competitor to Lululemon has surfaced. I am a big fan of Lulu's but I admit that FP clothes are quite nice and a few of their new line have actually caught my eye:

CROPPED PANT $79

FISH NET RACER BACK BRA $28.50

CRISS CROSS BRA $38

SPORT RACER BACK BRA $59

Some of their price range is lower than Lulu's but considering it would be shipped from outside of Canada, I have to take shipping rate and custom costs into account. Lulu offers free shipping and there are no custom fees involved as they are shipped from Vancouver (gets to me within 1 - 2 days!).

All things considered, if these goodies start going on sale, would be worth the purchase.

I wonder when that's gonna happen?

Oh, well! Let the stalking begin! ;)

The Message

2012-06-24T12:36:00.003-07:00

Today, we Catholics celebrate the birthday of St. John the Baptist. As I read today's mass readings, I was reminded of the message I have received five years ago...

I was sitting by our kitchen peninsula and reading my bible. It was the same reading for today's mass in Luke 1:5-17. The words leapt at me and I KNEW they were meant for me at that precise time: "...bear a son...He will be your joy and delight..."

I had three children then: 2 girls and 1 boy. After reading this bible account, I knew that the Lord was telling me that I was going to have another child - a son - and it came to be. On August 14, 2007 Roshaun was born to us :)

And ever faithful to His message, the Lord truly blessed us with a son that is our joy and delight. I couldn't imagine our family without his exuberance that gives us all joy and laughter. I call him my "perfect baby," because for me, he is. And I can only thank the Lord for giving him to us - such a precious gift to have!

June Adventure: Father's Day Family Escapade to the Sunshine Coast

2012-06-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of my daughter's mentioned to us one day that she would be visiting Halfmoon Bay for the weekend. Being such a stickler for discovering new places to explore, I googled the place as soon as we got home. Oh, boy! There's sooo much to explore alright!

So I decided to make a Sunshine Coast family trip for Father's Day. On June 17, we drove to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal and got aboard the "Queen of Surrey." For our family of 6, we only paid for 2 adults and 3 kids (our youngest got in for free), plus our van, all for just $90 - round trip. Yep, that covers the return trip as well, no need to buy tickets again on the way back to Vancouver.

As soon as we docked at Langdale, I told my hubby to drive us to Gibsons. I didn't have an exact address to go by, we just followed the driving instructions I've researched online. it was not hard to find though. Off of the main road from the ferry terminal, there was a road sign pointing to Gibsons. The giveaway was the oceanview on our left (if you don't see the ocean on your left, you're on the wrong road!).

Molly's Reach Restaurant was the first landmark that greeted us. It was the same restaurant featured in the TV series, "The Beachcombers." We headed a bit more up the road towards 101North and parked on the side road (parking was free). We walked towards the harbour admiring the moored boats as well as the houseboats on the marina.

By this time, we were already hungry as we only had coffee for breakfast, so we grabbed a bite at Truffles. I've read good reviews online about this cafe and those reviews were all correct. Everything was obviously made from scratch. We ordered carrot soup, cream of broccoli soup, feta cheese and salmon quiche, choco chip cookies, lemon squares and brownies. Everything was yummy, but my fave of all were the lemon squares :)

After eating, we walked south of the harbour where the Sunday Market was set up. Further along, across from the elementary school was an ampitheater. We checked it out, took some family photos and circled our way back to where we parked the van.

Next up, we went to Trail Bay. We were anticipating miles of sandy beaches but the tide was high when we came so instead of playing in the sand, my kids played at the playground. We also walked up to the pier and had a vista of the beachfront from the water. This area was a prime residential area with houses on our right and condominium buildings on our left. Finally, we walked to the pebbled beach and the kids scoured for smooth stones to throw in the ocean and wooden sticks to play with.

It was already 2PM. With only an hour to spare before our check-in time at our cottage, we tried to squeeze in one more park to visit for the day: Sargeant Bay. It was the opposite of Trail Bay. Instead of the open ocean, the park was situated in a small cove. This would be the perfect spot if you needed a quiet place to while away time.

There were some houses on the beachfront of Sargeant Bay and I was almost sure that some of them were B&Bs. There were a lot of accommodation options in the Sunshine Coast: B&Bs, cabins, campgrounds, hotels, cottages, etc. We chose to stay in a cottage. I was set on renting a beachfront cottage initially, but totally changed my mind when I came across the Secret Cottage on the Treetops. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

The cottage has a modern flair to it and the owners tastefully decorated the place with their personal touches. It was impeccably clean and quite new, with amenities that are perfect for fun time :)

This sweet little spot was a piece of paradise. We spent our days making smores by the real wood stove, eating, playing, canoeing, lounging, dipping in the hot tub, enjoying the outdoor shower, watching movies, hiking, sleeping - aahhh!

On our last day, we explored Porpoise Bay Park and another beach on the Sechelt area. Porpoise Bay had it all: picnic tables, playground area, white sandy beach, shallow tide pools, grassy areas and benches that faced the ocean. After the kids played, we checked the water - it was icy cold, or as my daughters would call it, "hypothermic cold." This park was the perfect place to watch float planes come and go, watch geese swim, or admire some of the million-dollar homes of the Sunshine Coast.

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at The Gumboot Cafe on Roberts Creek. This was a cute find. There was a spa, restaurant, library, sorbet place, and some other little stores in the middle of this town. The Gumboot Cafe was very popular, as they offer vegetarian options (all their soups were) and gluten-free cookies. The pepperoni pizzas and subs were a hit with the kiddos, while me and hubby enjoyed potato soup, pakoras, spanakopita and their very moist carrot cake with cream cheese icing (yum!).

After that hearty lunch, off we went to our last hurrah for the day: Davis Bay. We passed by this awesome beach a couple of times already and I told my hubby that if we could make time for it, I would want us to go back - so we did. And were we glad we did! The water was crystal clear and it enticed the kiddos to change into their breezers to enjoy its warm temps. My hubby was ecstatic to see three eagles flying around and perching on the nearby tall trees. As for me? I was ecstatic to see the Lighthouse food truck :)

Ever a die-hard fan of seafood, I would not shy away from fish and chips. I ordered the 2-piece from Lighthouse and was surprised at the huge serving! I was still pretty full by the time our ferry left for the 6PM sailing back to Horseshoe Bay that I declined my hubby's offer of ice cream. Instead, I settled in my seat and looked out at the gorgeous islands passing us by. I got out my camera one more time and took one last shot of Langdale as we sailed away.

Feelin' the Groove

2012-05-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

So it's been 6 months now since I've gone back to taking dance classes. Though I found myself pretty much the only one in our group who's had a real background in dancing, it wasn't THAT easy to just get my groove back :(

Of course I anticipated the sore muscles on my first few weeks but to realize how far I've lagged behind in training was a hurtful eye-opener. I mean, I did stop dancing for about 3 years, AND I'm no longer in my teen years (duh!).

But surprise, surprise! I now feel my body getting back to my old groove. I could do high kicks, I could execute clean double turns, and my body doesn't ache anymore after class! Now, it's just a matter of maintaining the routine or I will be back to square one...

I Love May!

2012-05-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

May isn't over yet but so far, this month has been filled with so many awesome family times (if you know me, I'm all for family fun times!).

2 Concerts, a camping trip, mother's day celeb, hubby's birthday, picnic at the park---not bad, eh?!

Me and hubby watched Trevor Morgan, Matt Maher and Third Day in concert at the Langley Events Center (May 11)

Mother's Day surprise sushi dinner treat from my hubby and kiddos (May 12)

Finally! A bit of glamping :P at Fort Camping (Brae Island)
Yey, for canvas cabin!!! (May 13 - 15)

The fridge and TV were nice perks.

Bunk beds and dining table! Is this great or what?

No reason for the kiddos to get bored

The trail around the campground leads to Tavistock Point which gives a beautiful vista of the Fraser River.

Hubby's birthday lunch at Wendel's Bookstore and Cafe

Stopped by Marina Park (along Bedford Channel)

after checking out of Fort Camping

Lunch picnic at Derby Reach Regional Park

Mere two days after, we got to watch Michael W. Smith in concert! (May 17)

There's still a good chunk of May left---and I'm raring to go for more family adventures. Now, I just need this Vancouver weather to cooperate ;)

Hit the Beach in Lululemon (Say What?!)

2012-05-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Yep. You read it right! Lululemon now has a swimwear line - and most of them are reversible! Lucky us :)

Heatwave Beach Bikini - Reversible

($102)

Heatwave Monokini - Reversible - Love ko the tie details :)
($98)

My all-time love Maxi Dress in a Lululemon version nonetheless!
($98)

Flip Out Boardshort - Reversible
($58)

Surf n' Turf Tote - with Removable Inner Bag
($108)

One Love Rashguard
($68)

Freebies!!!

2012-04-30T14:40:00.001-07:00

My mom got me hooked on Mary Kay. You see, she's been into beauty and skin care products since I was little (she used to work as a Franchise Dealer with Avon for about 20 or so years). When she moved to the US, she discovered Mary Kay - and the rest is history :)

I guess one day she really couldn't stand the sad state of my skin affairs - hehe - that she dragged me to the bathroom, told me to wash my face, gave me a cleanser, moisturizer, skin foundation, mineral powder, night solution, day solution - the works!!! I saw the change in my complexion right away and I am happy to report that up until today, this is the only beauty indulgence that I keep.

Now that we've moved, my Mary Kay supplies are gone (so sad!). So I searched online for an MK rep to order from. I got sample freebies with my order (Timewise Great Deal Set) and ANOTHER freebie just for ordering over $50 total! These freebies would be coming directly from MK and not from my rep.

Now, here's the juicy part: somehow, MK forgot to mail me the freebies and the 2-week wait for the items in the mail became a 4-week wait, with no products still. I called my MK rep and she immediately called me to drop off FULL SIZE versions of my freebies! Yipee!!!

I guess it pays to be patient, eh?! :-)

Love ko my freebies: Visibly Fit Body Lotion (left)
Hand and Decolette' Cream with Sunscreen (right)
$70 ++

My Walls Could Talk!

2012-04-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

As much as I miss my terracota red feature wall in our last home in AZ, I just couldn't re-do that here in our rental. So, when I saw a wall decal online, I knew it was the perfect way that I could dress my walls. I started with a simple bible verse in our living room, then I went ahead and splurged on the kids' rooms. Before I knew it, it became the theme of our house that tie everything together!