Winter Plans

Aldi currently has a promotion with snow gears. I asked Alvin if I can buy for me and the kids. Didn't bother buying one for him because he already has. He bought his when he was sent to Japan for work purposes. He gave the go signal so I bought one for me, Liam and Sam.

We don't have any concrete plans of going to the Snowy Mountains this winter, but I just thought of investing and preparing just in case we have the spur of the moment decision to have a go. Better buy now while it's on sale hehehe

I decided to buy snowtrack suits for both Liam and Sam so I don't have to buy them separate jackets and pants. It would be very bulky and expensive. I made sure there is enough allowance for the kids' suits just in case they don't get to use it this year. As for me, I bought a snowtrack jacket. I still fit in the kids sizes so I got to save ten bucks as compared if I got one from the adult sizes. Still have to buy pants though.

I'm just excited to think of the possibility of having another family holiday and to experience snow for the first time.

Let's wait and see  :-)

Happy Easter! - Part 2

Back to my story.

Days 2 and 3 were spent on two different theme parks. The theme parks were beside each other and were 30 minutes away from our accommodations.

Saturday morning, we got up early (because we were all knocked-out by 10pm for our first night...so were our companions) and we had the chance to check out and stroll along Mermaid Beach, which was only 5 minutes away from our place (by walking). The place was beautiful! Clean, white sands, fresh air!

Some pictures I took while we were there.















When we got back to Montego, the mums had to go out to buy stuff for our barbie night. The kids had a dip in the pool while they waited for us.

Here is Liam taking a morning dip and Sam just watching her Kuya (although she also wanted to take a dip in the pool!) :)












Shops were only open Saturday so we had to buy food for our Saturday and Sunday night dinners. But, I think we got too carried away from the shops. We were already running late! It was quarter to 10 and we haven't left for the theme park yet! We had to rush because our companions still needed to get their passes and might ened up spending the entire morning queueing.

Good thing, we didn't have to queue anymore at Wet'n'Wild since we already have our passes (which had our photos).

The water was cold! Liam didn't get to enjoy the wave pool because he was afraid of the waves! I think the temp of the water triggered Sam's colds the following day.

We just tried out the kids' pool and the Calypso beach (where you ride big tubes as you go around the area).

Here are some of the pictures taken at Wet'n'Wild theme park (Sorry, I'm too lazy to uplaod a lot of pictures).









We ended the day by having our 2nd night of fellowship with our other CFC bros and sis. It was our barbie night! After all, what is an Aussie holiday, without a barbie, right?

It was a good day :)

Happy Easter! - Part 1

Happy Easter everyone!

I know I can still greet you since it's still Easter, technically speaking it ends when Jesus Christ ascends to heaven :)

How was your Easter? I hope that you had a blast, just like we did. :)

As you very well know, my family flew to the Gold Coast over the Easter long weekend.

It was a first for me and my family since we usually spend our Holy Week doing and attending church services. Sadly, I wasn't able to do my online retreat as when we got to the GC we were on our way to our first stop, Seaworld. Well, being away from home didn't hinder us from attending to our Christian duties. In fact, it was an extra effort on our part to really sacrifice theme park time for church services.

On Good Friday, we had to cut short our trip to the Seaworld resort. After lunch,we just watched the Dora show (which Sam really enjoyed), checked out some kiddie rides for Liam, rode the monorail, and watched the Spongebob Parade. After that, we had to leave, even if we haven't explored the entire park. We promised that we will still go to church on that day and a promise is a promise. I bet most people will not do what we did, thinking it is absurd. With the very limited time that we have there, we might have opted to grab the opportunity and could have decided to stay. But we know our priorities :) After all, we have Easter because of what Jesus did for us.

Here are some photos:





















After the Good Friday service, we had the chance to explore Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise.

It was a lovely evening to take a stroll along the beach. The weather was great and the moon was full :) Too bad I wasn't able to capture the beauty of that night :) Not to mention that we were able to see and check out some of the outlet shops in Surfers Paradise :)

After our FASTing turned into FEASTing (thanks to the dinner we had with our other CFC bros and sis), we called it a day.

Another beautiful day was in store for us :)

Gold Coast Holidays Update

The kids unusually slept early, really early, yesterday.

I guess they got tired from our Sunday funday at Westfield Parramatta.

Since by 7pm both kids were already asleep, hubby and I had the leisure of doing whatever we liked.

I, of course, tried to catch up on my e-mails and checked on the new websites I wanted to check for the longest time.

I chanced upon travelzoo by accident the other day, it was one website I wanted to check, if I had extra time. And so I did, last night.

What do you know, through that website, I saw that the myfun website is currently having a promo for the Gold Coast theme parks entrance. Yipee! I was supposed to get the ticket next month, but because of this promo, we had to buy it this early :)

We initially planned to just get the Combo pass for two venues, which costs $100/person. But the promo was offering just $100/person (Super Pass -- unlimited entry) for all three venues already, which we think was a better deal :)If you buy at the gate for the all-day pass, it would cost $80/person, so we aborted that option. The Super Pass is valid unitl 30th June, so (knock on wood) if the weather does not cooperate, and we really can't push thru with the flight and all, we can still re-book it and still use it.


We have to adjust our schedule though, since we now have to add a third theme park in our itinerary and we will only be there from Friday morning until Monday morning.

One more pending to-do: book the car we will be renting during our stay there.

Yup, we already have our tickets! Yipee!

Changes!

We will not be driving anymore.

Because we are flying!

Yes, changes in our Gold Coast holidays.

My family will not be able to join the long drive anymore (plus the overnight at Coffs Harbour) since we will be flying to Gold Coast.


I have already booked our flights this morning and will just wait for the Easter holidays. It was not as cheap as I thought it would be! The usual $60-70 per way fare increased to $149 per way! Well, thanks to the fact that we are going there on a peak season. @-@

Of course, it is more expensive on our part, since we also have to rent a car when we get to GC.Car rental rages from $200-300 for the duration/dates we need them.
Still looking around for Rent-a-Car companies based in GC.

Well, funds quickly going down the drain hehehe. But like hubby and I think, we'll just focus on the PROs of flying than focus on what we will be missing.

Yes, it is more expensive, BUT:
-- at least hubby will not be very tired when we get to Gold Coast and when we get home to Sydney.
-- we get to go home to Sydney early Monday (around 10am) and we can still relax before going back to our usual routines the following day
-- at least I will not be as stressed if Sam acts up in the van (I feels stressed when other people are with us in the car and Sam starts being uneasy and turns cranky on the travel. Other people includes friends AND family other than hubby, liam and myself).
-- the money we might have spent in Coffs Harbour was probably just used to cover for our flights
-- at least we have the option to do what we want to do and go where we would want to go if ever majority of the group are not up for it
-- at least I don't have to look and book again for our Coffs Harbour accommodations and what we will be doing when we get there
-- at least there is another reason for our family to go to Coffs Harbour next time (funds permitting)
-- at least we can still check out other places in Gold Coast while waiting for our check-in time at 2pm (we arrive around 8am in Gold Coast).

There.

Right now, I am happy to know that the place we booked is very near the shops, the church (yes, one of my priorities!), the beaches and the theme parks. And the more important thing is we're not paying too much for a place we will just be using to sleep and freshen up.

We plan to eat most of the time outside or in the shops. But we were lucky enough to have been given tips by my Kuya Jay and his wife, as they have been there late 2010. Food in Gold Coast IS EXPENSIVE, especially at the theme parks!

Speaking of theme parks, I have yet to buy our tickets. Will be waiting probably until mid-March before I buy them. I think every now and then they offer sales for buyers. Right now they sell the Super Pass at $129 per person (x3 for us) and the Escape Pass (2 out of the 3 theme parks) for $99 per person. When they have a sale, they usually give the Super Pass at $99 per person. No harm in waiting right? We still have to vote if it's between Sea World and Movie World (majority agree that we go to Wet n' Wild) if ever we get the Escape Pass.

When I texted hubby this am about me booking our flights, I got this as a reply: "Walang topak ha. I am really looking forward to this."

Well, hon, guess what? Me too!

Note: I was actually telling hubby last night before we went to bed that I was actually surpised we are really doing this. I mean, it's one of those things that I can let go (as of the moment) since both kids are still small. Not to mention that we are reserving funds for our 2nd car. Anyway, why spoil the fun? I know hubby is doing this for me and the kids. I won't think of the expenses anymore and will just make the most out of it. And I'm pretty sure by that time I can already contribute to the funds. All it takes is just 3 casual calls and our flights are covered!

Surprise! Surprise!

We had our usual HH last Friday. Before we started, we had our usual fellowship. You know, sharing stories, kamustahan, update-an. Ivy suddenly shared their plans of going to the Gold Coast over the Easter Holidays. Her in-laws will be coming over again to have a short vacation.

Of course, I was excited. But, I told her it will all depend on my financier -- hubby. (Even if I know that I might contribute something since that will still be in April and I am back to work by Feb. But I didn't entertain ideas).

I was not really expecting that they were really dead serious with this trip. But the whole weekend, I was bombarded with a lot of calls and e-mails from Ivy, who was actually starting to research on the van to be rented and the accommodations. The thing was, after we left after our HH, they shared their plan to the rest, and my Uncle and Auntie told them that yes, they too are coming! Whoa! Ivy wanted to know if we are coming or not so she'll know what type of car she will be renting.

Two dilemmas: It is the Holy Week and even if my mom is not here, I can already hear her telling me not to go since she objects to any member of the family going out for holidays and having fun during the Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. She always told us na lapitin sa disgrasya kapag semana santa at nagbubulakbol ka. I also felt that it was wrong. Something felt wrong. Hey, I'm not KJ or anything, but Holy week is HOLY WEEK and it only happens once a year, right? That is dilemma 1.

Dilemma 2. Hubby. I don't know and I was kind of sure that Alvin would not be interested. We just got back from the Philippines, right? But what do you know, he is the one who does the follow-up on me everytime he has the chance! Even with his texts over lunch! Now that is one surprise! lol :)

Now what to do? I have until Tuesday night if we are joining or not.

Anyway, I also want to go. We actually have two options to resolve dilemma 1. One is, we just follow them on early Saturday, after attending church activities here. But we will be bringing our own car. It would be very tiring for Alvin and impractical since when we get there Saturday is almost over. And at the back of my mind, I feel that it would be better if we join them during the travel because Alvin and Mark (Ivy's hubby) can take turns in the 12 hour drive. Well, actually in the first 10 hour drive as we plan to stay for a night in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and continue with the remaining 4 hour drive to Gold Coast the following day.

So how? Well, thanks to the internet, I was able to research on the Catholic Churches within the area. There are plenty. Thank God! I have already e-mailed 2 Parishes, one in Coffs Harbour for the Holy Thursday services and one in Gold Coast for the Good Friday - Easter Sunday services. There! So no more excuses for us not to attend church services during the Holy Week feels good. Anyway, we plan to visit the theme parks on Saturday and Sunday (which is already ok with my Mom ;)), which means we can attend Good Friday services before checking out the beaches in Gold Coast Central.

What about dilemma 2? It was resolved on its own! Hehe Seriously now, Alvin just needs to check if their last day of production will be on a Wednesday. If that is the case, most probably than not, they will only report half-day on Thursday, and he can just file a leave for that day. If he files a leave for Thursday, they we can join the group in the entire trip!

Like what I have mentioned, the plan is to spend the weekend in the theme parks. We still have still to decide which ones we're going to. We're thnking of going to Sea World and Wet n Wild. We'll choose which is child-friendlier since we have Marcus (1 year old) and Sam with us (1 year and 5 months old). What do you think?

Good thing they alreay dropped the plan of spending another night in Port Macquarie on our way home. It will already be very tiring. I would want to reach Sydney before 9pm so we still have the energy to go back to work (and school) the following day (Tuesday).

I am excited because I know it will be fun. I know it would be fun! But of course, after going on holidays with a 2 kids in tow, in Manila and in Cebu, I know it will be one very tiring trip too! But I'm excited for my kids, especially Liam. I know he will enjoy it. (But he was wishing his cousins will join us for the trip!)

Anyways, now, I actually helping Ivy look for a not-so-expensive accommodation. Nothing fancy. Looking for something like the one we stayed at Port Macquarie last year. We expect to just go there to sleep since we expect that most of the time we will be out to visit and explore Gold Coast.

What about the expenses? Hay, Alvin and I were estimating, we will have to shell out minimum $1000 for this trip (share in the car rental, share in the fuel, accomodations, food and the theme park tickets).

Long drive + challenge of packing light (how do you do that when you have 2 small kids?!) + heat + expenses + tiring day at the theme parks = ? Uh-oh. Are we ready for this? lol

This was just a spur on the moment. Biglaan. Tunay nga, ang mga biglaang lakad ang mas madalas na natutuloy! We plan to go to the Gold Coast when the kids are much older and both of them can remember the trip and appreciate it. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect that we will get to go there sooner than we have expected! We will update you!

Counting the Days

....when Liam goes back to school, for his last pre school year
....when Liam starts with his soccer lessons again
...when Liam and Sam resumes their swimming lessons
...when Liam feels better, with no more fever, after getting 2 needles today:(

... when Sam starts her Gymbaroo classes with me
...when I find Sam's GAP jumper which has been missing for two weeks now :(

... when it's Australia Day and it's hopefully another long weekend for us :-)
... when we go to Lake Macquarie for our Australia Day celebration :-)

...when I get all the letters I am waiting for in the mail
...when I get my first call again
...when I resume work again

... when I get my new bag ;)
... when I find and get my new car :-)

Lead the way, Lord!

Holiday Updates

I already lost track counting how many more days to go before we fly to Manila for our holidays. I'm a bit tensed. There is just so much mental notes running in my head. To ease the stress a bit, once I remember something, I quickly write it down on a paper and transfer it on my "official" to-do list. I just hope and pray that I won't be missing any.

I actually find myself in slow-mode the past few days. And I know myself, when I tend to do things slow, I'm already panicking! This is the first time we're coming home for a quick vacation and so, taking the most out of our trip, we have planned a vacation within that vacation and of course, the birthday celebration of Sam. It's hard pala.

Well, just some updates :
Cebu holidays - check √
Hotel booking, Cebu tour, Cebu flights and Cebu schedule all done. I just have to ring the hotel the week before we fly to confirm our airport pickup.

Sam's 1st birthday getting there
Venue-√
Caterer-√ (we have just chosen our caterer and the food that will be served, but all the payments will be done and coordinating will be done when we get there. We can finalize everything two weeks before the event).
Invites-√ Was able to send invites thru my FB event wall especially for Sam's birthday and by personally sending the invites to the emails of some guests who don't have FB. The others who don't have FB and emails, will just give the hard copy of the invites when we get home).
Guest list - screening hehehe. The place is not really that big, so the number of guests will be crucial. I don't want our guests being squished and feeling uncomfortable during the party. The venue says they can accommodate up to 120 guests (combined kids and adwults), but I don't want to stretch it to that number. I will be okay with only 70 adults and 30 kids. The thing is, I am a bit problematic with the guests. Some issues like, the relatives and other friends and former coworkers. I mean I don't want the party to end up like an adult party because of the number of adult relatives we are inviting! Di BA, makes sense? I invite ka ng magician and face painter,to what, performs for lolos and lolas (extended relatives NA Ito ha)? And the case of the GF of my brother in law whom I haven't met, not even in skype. Hubby wants to invite her, I don't want to. Reason? I don't know her. And, we are not sure if they'll end up together, di BA? Bad me.But I'm only speaking thru experience. I am now friends with the ex of my other BIL, and now even if I want to invite her, cannot be, because it will be awkward for her and my BIL, right? I was actually telling hubby if we can just have a sort of get together for the other extended relatives, instead of inviting them to the party. We still have to decide on that. Good thing, we already decided on some of our group of friends. Our friends who are not super close with us, we will just have a get-together or eat out.

Loots -√ I have actually purchased additional loot bag contents here and we have it shipped to Manila already. But I still want to add some more. This is in addition to the lootbag which is already part of the package we got from the venue. I plan to order the real Dora and Diego bags for the kids. I still have to E-mail my supplier :-) The additional loot bag contents most probably, will be from 168 (if time permits that we get to still go there) or from SM.

Cake -√ Order and design placed. I just need to make a follow-up 3 days before the event. It's a combination of fondant cake and cupcakes.

Games and Prizes -√ The games will actually be c/o the venue as well as the prizes. We will just add one game and will be giving the prizes ourselves. I purchased the prizes here :-)

Entertainment -√ Magician and Balloon twister part of the package. Face painter, I already booked an outside supplier.

Additional - Cotton Candy and Ice Cream Carts -√
Will just have to finalize it with the venue. Will be getting their supplier.

The good thing about the venue is that they will dress up the place already and the host and mascots and sound system is already part of the deal. there's actually more that is part of the package. I will just write about it in my supplier's review after the party :-)

Meetings and get-togethers - getting there

Kikay stuff - almost there. Booked my salon appointment already at Phillippes Salon in Sofitel:-)

Travel vaccinations - √

Travel Insurance - √ we've chosen our travel insurance already and will just be paying it online :-)

It looks short and simple and few, but believe me, there is still so much to fix!

So this is how it feels to go back home hehehe

Well, when we're there will make sure that we will enjoy it to the Max.

Finally, makakapag day off NA si Inday :-)

Aja!

Another lesson learned the hard way.

Well, I thought our dilemma was resolved already, but it wasn't. Well, at least just before hubby arrived from work today.

This morning, I decided to pass by he office of our travel agent, since I was already in the area. Hubby's leave was already approved yesterday and so we decided to contact our travel agent by today.

When I informed our travel agent of our plan to re-book our flight, I asked her how much I needed to pay her. Lo and behold, we had to shell out another $1160 just by moving my and the kids' flight to Manila on the same day as hubby's.

The breakdown:
$225 - change fee (for re-issue of the ticket and the admin fee of the ticketing office of our travel agent) This is for each passenger!
$140 - tax difference between the time we paid in full and the present rate of the tax. Again, this is per person.
$ 70 - fare difference for the kids. So multiply by 2.

I was shocked! More than a thousand? That's big money! I can spend that for shopping (hehehe) or it can already cover for a return trip ticket, may sukli ka pa!

I called on hubby and we decided to sit down and review our options. Good thing, Pauline, the travel agent who handled our inquiry this morning, was very accomodating, and gave suggestions on how we can settle our problem.

Option 1: ALvin moves his flight earlier to join us. That way we only have to shell out $225. --> Can't be! Since he only has 3 weeks leave, if he moves his flight one week earlier, we'll still end up moving our flight back to Sydney, one week earlier so we can all go home at the same time.

Option 2: Alvin moves his flight to join us. As soon as we get to Manila, we contact PAL and have our flights re-booked. That way we don't have to pay the change fee. But we'll still end up paying around $600 for the rebooking fee AND there is no assurance that we'll still have a slot on the date and time that we prefer. So, NO.

Option 3: Instead of spending the money for paying the fees, why not use the money to ask my BIL or SIL to come over for a two-week visit and put their return flight to Manila on the same flight as ours, so at least, I have another adult with during the flight. --> Seriously considered.

Option 4: ASk our Uncle and Aunt who will be having their holidays as well in Manila, if their flight is the same as ours, then problem solved, pronto! --> Sad to say, different airlines and different dates. Well, the good thing that came out from my chat with Auntie Weng was she gave me the push and assurance that I will be ok with it, considering ours is a direct flight. Assistance anyways are given to senior, preggy and passengers with infants on flights, right?

Option 5: Stick with our original plan, I fly with the kids and he follows the week after. Amend some of our things to-do like not bringing any check-in luggage to make it easier for me to travel and to focus on just the essentials -- forms and of course, our kids!

Final decision? Option 5.

Kaya ko yan, with a lot of prayers, and mind conditioning, I know I can.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

Aja!

To Move or Not to Move?

I have a dilemma.

My family and I are going to Manila later this year to have a short holiday, with family and friends, and to celebrate our baby girl's 1st birthday as well.

At the planning stage, we agreed that I and the two kids will go one week earlier than hubby. So me and the kids will be in Manila for a month and hubby just for 3 weeks. Hubby cannot stay and won't stay for more than 3 weeks on holidays. He finds it inappropriate and too long, even if he still has extra 2 weeks of leave.

So, we booked and paid for our tickets. Tickets have been issued.

Hubby's ticket is still not issued as we are still waiting for the travel agency to finalize it. (His ticket has a story of its own).

Now, in less than 100 days, we will be flying already, but I have been receiving feedback/opinions/concerns regarding our arrangement from friends. They worry that I might have a hard time handling/caring for the two kids on the 8-hour trip from Sydney to Manila, all by myself.

Now, we are seriously considering the option that we move our flight to the same date as hubby's. Well, what will I miss in 7 days, if I cut my trip short from a month to 3 weeks?

It's just that thought that I might as well stay longer anyways, we're there already, right? But I have to weigh the pros and cons. In addition to these is the fact that I wanted to go home earlier so I can already prepare for Sam's birthday. I'm finding it hard to prepare when I'm so many miles away! Yes, I get to ask the help of family based in Manila, but it's different when I'm the one personally doing it. I can do it my way. I can't ask too much if I am nakiki-paki. Hay! Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma!

Hope it gets settled soon!

A Very Beautiful Place

My family went on a three-day holiday at Port Macquarie. Port M is a five hour drive from Sydney.

I fell in love with the place.

After visiting Port M, I am definitely convinced that Australia is a very beautiful (and clean) place! The beaches are clean, the forests are protected, there are plenty of trees. The air is clean and not humid. Glad my children will be growing up in this kind of environment :)

Shelly Beach



Sea Acres Nature Reserve



St. Agnes Catholic Church




Port Macquarie Town Centre Marina



Lighthouse Beach




Tacklepoint Lighthouse





Town Beach



Lake Cathie