Three, Two, One

This is about our family holiday in Singapore.

It's my third time there, Alvin's second and the kids' first.

It was a short holiday, tiring, but not as tiring as I expected it to be.

I'm sorry, but I will have to pass uploading most of our pictures there, as that will consume a lot of my time again. (I'm actually killing time, while I'm uploading the pictures for the photobook of my parents' anniversary).

First, we availed of the Singapore Stopover Holiday promo which allowed us to choose a hotel with discounted rates and have access to fourteen attractions for free. Not bad. I loved SQ the first time I flew with them, so I knew I was in for a good 8-hour trip. I wasn't disappointed :)

We stayed at Hotel Royal at Queens, not  really a five star hotel, but it was okay for us. After all our travels, we have learned that we need not an expensive hotel, since we just need a place to sleep in and freshen up. It was a good hotel in terms of it's location. It was very near the train station and since SG train system is very, very good, it was a major plus factor.

We got and finished checking in at around 4:30 and we headed off straight away to the Toys Museum and then to our Hippo River Cruise. It was a relaxing 45 minute cruise along the rivers of SG but the humidity was just too much for us to bear. We had our first food trip after the cruise and we tried the oyster omelet. We ended up taking the cab after we ate, which was a good decision, because as soon as we got inside the cab, it rained cats and dogs, not to mention the thunderstorm!


Second day was allotted for Sentosa and the Universal Studios which was not part of the SQ promo. The kids loved the place. We didn't push them to see everything (yes, sayang ang bayad)until they were very exhausted when we saw some signs, we asked them if they wanted to go back to the hotel, and they said yes, straight away! We had the chance to freshen up after our trip before heading out to Orchard Road to meet my SIL based in SG and a little night shopping.

Third day was allotted for Jurong Bird Park. I forgot to put on mossy spray for the kids and Liam had already a LOT of mosquito bites after only 10 minutes! The kids, especially Liam didn't enjoy the park :( because of the mossy bites he got early on. Good thing the bird shows were excellent so Liam's mood changed for the better :) Again, learning from our past experiences of the effects of pushing kids to their limit, we decided to goback to the hotel after having lunch at the Bird Park, freshen up, have the kids have their afternoon nap, and then went out again. We went to Singaopre Flyer before heading back to Vivo City to have dinner with my good friend's family. They are based in SG. We also had to chance to meet our respective inaanaks, we are ninangs to our respective second borns :)

Fourth Day, we had the chance to do some shopping (FINALLY!), check out Esplanade, other malls which were near the hotel and go back to the Merlion Park, when there were still no people or tourists around to take their pictures. Yes, we were early!

Overall, the humidity added to our exhaustion, but like what I said, Alvin and I already learned our lessons  from our previous trips. It's not about touring the whole of SG and pushing the kids to their limits. It's a trip that we wanted to enjoy not on our phase, but with the kids' phase. There were a lot of walking! If we sensed they were starting to act up, it was a signal for us, that they were already tired. So, even if we still wanted to try out a new place, we sacrificed that. We travel to have good memories with the kids. Happy kids = happy parents.

Even if we were not able to use and go to all 14 attractions which were part of the SQ promo (a reason to go back perhaps?), it was still a memorable trip. Especially the food trip! I started gaining weight at the plane with the yummy food SQ offered and it continued as we tried different dishes from the different cultures SG has to offer. What is Singapore if you don't try out different dishes from different cultures?

Now when we play airport-airport with the kids, I can see that they are using their memories from our past trip and encorporates them into our role playing. Nakakatuwa.

I don't know if there will be another chance to go back to SG, if ever there is, it won't be in the near future. Need to travel and check out other countries and continents out there! :) Till we meet again Mr. Merlion!

thank God for apps I get to combine some of our many pics in SG

 

another output from the app I use :)
 at SG Flyer, Jurong Bird Park, Orchard Road and Universal Studios

Passing Up on Melbourne

Passing up a chance to travel again is, sigh, a big thing for me.

The whole family is going to Melborune, doing the long ten-hour drive from Sydney...all except us :(

Alvin can't take a leave from work anymore.

Next option was just the three of us, me, Liam and Sammie. All was doing okay. I've paid my share for the house we're renting and bought tickets for Liam and myself for the Australian Open. But I changed my mind the last minute.

Our short drives last week (1 to 3 hour drive) made me realize that driving for ten hours, with the two kids, especially Sam, without their Papa, is going to be ONE GREAT challenge for me.

My Kuya suggested that Liam still goes with them, anyway, he already has the ticket. Liam is all for it and is really looking forward to it. I know it's a good exposure for him, since he is taking tennis lessons.

Sigh. Passing the chance to explore  Melbourne, other parts of Victoria - the 12 Disciples, and watching the Australian Open? More sigh.

Anyway, hopefully, we'll get the chance to travel again, as a family, soon.

I'll write my experience of Liam being away for four days on a different blog entry.

Wishing to Travel (more!)

Hubby and I were not born rich so we were not given the privelge of travelling overseas while we were growing up. Back then, it was very costly to travel (well, it still is, right?)

Anyway, when we got together as bf-gf, our careers just started as well. Well, I don't know with this guy but after only 2 months into the relationship, he already suggested that we open a joint account. I also wanted one but I didn't push the idea since I already learned my lesson from my previous relationship. But at the end of the day, I agreed.

Family responsibilities (we helped out in the expenses at our respective families/homes) and our joint account prevented us from travelling (outside the country)together. It prevented me from travelling outside the Philippines even if I wanted to. Well, this was aside from the fact that my father really didn't allow me to go out with him on out-of-town trips without Alvin asking permission on my behalf and telling my Papa all the details of that trip. We had out-of town trips together during our bf-gf stage, one was in Fort Ilocandia with his family. The second one was in Puerto Galera with his BE brods. Third one was with my sister going to Baguio. The last one that I can think of was in Zambales with my family. Hubby was usually with us when my family spends the weekend at Westin (now Sofitel).

We were not really in a hurry to travel because we know we have a lifetime to do that. But of course, we still had this longing of travelling to other countries. Sadly, it is the first one to go when a new need arises (Remember the movie UP? That was why I was crying the whole time I was watching it!)

Blogging about our ref magnets collection a couple of days ago made me yearn to travel outside Australia. No hurry for us.

Hubby and I decided that when we go outside Australia we would prefer that we do it as a family. Not alone --> not just the two of us. (Of course, that would be a bonus, but if we are to fund teh trip ourselves, we will do it as a FAMILY). We both want that our children's first memory of a particular country includes their Papa and Mama. I was actually inspired by my friend Mitch, who also took her whole family in a European vacation. It's expensive and hard to travel with kids, but I think it will pay-off in the future.

I think it's different when you travel as a family. It is more expensive, tiring and harder BUT it's happier and more fulfilling as a parent. Minsan lang sila bata. If they grow up and decide to travel again, they can still do so, but that would be a different case, since they already have to pay for it (or we can if I win the lotto, why not?).

Anyway, as I've said, we already have a short list of countries we wish to visit as a family but we will have to wait a while when:
a. the kids are a bit older, both of them can already remember the trip/s
b. when we have enough funds for these travels
c. when all of our passports are already BLUE, making it easier for us to go to countries which normally require a visa if we still use our Phil passports

We would like to grab the opportunity of travelling with them while we are still physically capable. I hope we will be given the chance to make this simple dream a reality, SOON. :)

Ref Magnets as Souvenirs

Call us late bloomers, but we actually are!

It was only recently when hubby and I decided to change our ways of collecting souvenir shirts from places we have been to (or visited) as a couple or as a family, to guess what? Yes, you guessed it right! To ref magnets!

It was impractical to keep on buying shirts as keepsakes from our travels as it tends to shrink! (talagang shrink no, not us getting bigger? hehehe ok, ok, I admit, we have outgrown the shirts we have purchased before and these shirts (mostly our travels to the Philippine provinces) have been taking so much space in our cabinets we decided to donate or give them away -- which we later regretted).

I tried snow globes. Good luck! It ended up as dust accumulators!

And so, when we got our own home here, we decided to start collecting ref magnets! They may accumulate dust, yes, but at least they are usueful and it does not take too much space in our cabinets! It's still there even if we gain weight or lose weight. They are not very expensive. With the ref magnets though, I prefer the rubberized one as it does not break even if it accidentally falls off the ref.

Here is a photo of our very small collection.

We have 4 ref magnets from our out-of-town trips here in Australia -- Canberra (for the Floriade), Port Macquarie, Kiama, and Port Stephens (Nelson Bay). Too bad the other towns we have been to do not have their localized ref magnets. Most of them just offer the generic Australia magnets. This collection could have been a lot more.





We also have 4 ref magnets from the tourist destinations Sydney has to offer: Featherdale Wildlife, Taronga Zoo, Museum of Fire (Penrith) and Luna Park. Again, there are a couple of places that did not offer ref magnets :(



And of course, we have ref magnets to other countries we have been to (as a couple). Guess how many? Hehehe. Two. Makes me think that we should add more soon! :) We have Singapore and of course, the Philippines! (+Cebu on the side ;))



So there. Hopefully, with our travel plans for this year and the years to follow, we would be able to collect more and relive the thrill and excitement of every travel experience we have had as a family :)

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!

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!

School Holidays!

Yipee! My two-week school term holidays is here! I welcome it with much glee! I guess having to work more frequently the last two weeks made me savor this break. This break is definitely a much-needed break for me, considering that I am starting to feel the pregnancy symptoms again!

So what is in store for me for the next two weeks? Well, for one, my parents will be coming over from Manila and will be staying for the next two months here in Sydney. Their visit means more travels during the weekends for our family with my brother and sister's families. Aside from being busy with our parents' visit I will be busy doing my back log for the house chores I have missed doing while I was working the past two weeks. These include - mowing, laundry, ironing, and cleaning of the house. The last one will take most of my time because it entails 1001 things (or more. It's just those small things put together that eats up all the time. The funny thing is, at the end of the day, you'd realize you'd be doing more the next day. You would not really run out of things to do when you're at home. May it be cleaning and organizing the cupboards or cabinets. Sorting the clothes, sorting the files, sorting the baby stuff, oh the list will be endless!

Since it's the school holidays by nephew and my niece will most probably stay with me and my son the entire day. So that's a baby-sitting job for me as well. No worries because they are a bit older already than my little tot so it's not so hard to take care of them whenever they are around. But we might go out every now and then to go to shops that offer kids' activities during the school holidays.

Cooking and shopping? Well, I think we still have to empty our freezer of left-overs before we start going to the shops again to buy some more food to eat and cook at that.

Readings. I promised myself that 2 weeks before I have my next meeting with my REd group, I should be done with my presentation. But up to now, thanks to nausea and acid reflux, I really haven't had the chance to sit down and read and concentrate on my studies. I need to be always two steps ahead because of my condition. I would also want to brush up on my reading on blogging.

Surfing the net.Facebook. Friendster. Multiply. Inquirer. Philstar. Job -hunting. Blogging.Computer addict? Maybe :)

Sleep and takes lot of rest. My body is telling me to and with my condition, I just can't ignore it.

There, I am pretty sure this school will not be a boring one! Busy days ahead for me!