Let's go to Barasoain Church

We decided to make an impromptu trip to Barasoain church after seeing several signs along the highway.  We all thought that it will be a quick stop over since we assumed that it was just near the exit...  Of course we were all wrong.  As it turns out the church is quite far from the exit!  It was traffic too since the roads leading there are small and congested (due to several road works).  But the side trip was definitely worth it despite all those setbacks :D

It was nice to finally see this historic church up close!  I really wish I had a 10 peso bill to compare it to :D

 The wooden door is decorated with intricate carvings.

 

 It is fascinating to think that so many historic events happened here - The first Philippine congress, drafting of the Malolos constitution and the declaration of the first Philippine republic.  It was also General Aguinaldo's temporary home.  Not sure where he stayed though...  I also can't imagine how it must be to live in a church :D

 I noticed the all seeing eye on the altar.  There is a small cafe and a museum in the church compound but sadly it was closed that day (Mondays closed).  The cafe caretaker recommended that we drop by Bahay na Tisa (literally translates to Stone House) which was just a few blocks away from the church.

Bahay na Tisa is a cozy restaurant serving all sorts of food!  We were expecting native dishes and were quite surprised to see maki, pasta and roast beef on the menu :D

I ordered fried shrimp and salted fish fried rice.  Both were really good!  Actually, everybody's order was yummy :D

It was definitely a good decision to make that detour.  Next time though we will be more prepared with our maps and gps :D  Happy Wednesday folks! 

Kit Kat break movement

I have been very forgetful lately.  Not sure if it is age related (eeps!) or maybe I am just thinking of too many things!  When we go to the grocery I need to have a list of the things that we need so that I'm sure that I do not miss it.  One time I forgot to buy cat food... and of course my cat was not pleased when I got back!

What?! No cat food?

When things are getting out of hand it is nice to take a quick break...  get a nice cup of coffee or something nice and sweet like a Kit Kat bar!  There is nothing better than a Kit Kat break :D

If I can choose what skill I would like to unlock with that Kit Kat break I would definitely pick "never forget any detail".  This skill would really come in handy not only when I am at the grocery or doing random things like everyday errands... but also for bigger things like planning trips and coordinating family events.  

 The original chocolate flavor is still my fave but I also like the green tea variant :D

Have a break, have a Kit Kat!  Happy Tuesday, folks :D

Cats!

My family and I spent the whole afternoon fawning over the cats at the All Breed Cat show last week.  The Cat Whisperer, Mieshelle Nagelschneider was there too but we did not get to listen to her talk since we had another event lined up that day... But it was totally fine because we really just wanted to see the cats :D

Here are some of the photos that i took.  Most cats looked grumpy!  I guess it is because so many people were observing them :D

Some kitties found refuge in their litter box... but most were sleeping

and the ones who were awake looked grumpy

and even grumpier :D

I also saw a hairless kitty!  I think this is my first time to see one up close.  She's so cute and fat ♥

There were a few sociable kitties too like this gray cutie

This super fluffy ragdoll and his owner

too cute!

This blue gray kitty behaved while the judge was holding him

and this one even played with a feather :D  Meow!  Hoping to attend another cat event soon.

20 Ways You Can Be The Best Friend Ever

“The best mirror is an old friend.” 

- George Herbert

How long have you been friends with your best buds?  I wish I kept i touch with my grade school buddies but it was a challenge especially since I was the only one who transferred to another school.  It would have been easier if we had mobile phones and e-mail back then :D  But when I think about how close my mother-in-law is to her childhood friends (That's over 50 years of great friendship!) I realize that the lack of modern communication is not an excuse... You really need to make an effort to keep those relationships alive.

Here are some of the things that I think will help us to be a good friend:

1. Be respectful 

2. Make plans to hang out... and make it really happen!  No flaking and no last minute excuses.
3. Listen
4. Be supportive

5. Be there when they need you

6. Do fun activities together - crafts, game night, cooking, sleepovers (the list is endless!)

making wire rings with my friend :D

7. Be loyal

8. Forgive - try not to to hold on to grudges

9. Be happy for each other - Celebrate happy occasions!

10. Explore and travel together.  

with my friends in Coron, Palawan

11. Be honest with each other.

12. Take time to get to know their families and partners.

13. Remember birthdays and other significant events.

14. Be interested in what is happening in their lives.

15. Make them happy :D  Friend feeling sad?  Try to think of ways to help them beat the blues.

16. Accept them for who they are

17. Be prepared to help when they need you to

18. Guide each other to be better people

19. smile and laugh together

20. Keep updated and talk often - A real friend calls. "With GoUnli20, it’s now easy to call without a need for a prefix and it’s just P20 for unli calls, 15mb of mobile surfing, and 20 texts to all networks! Kaya if you need a friend, don’t call me, I’ll call you!"

GOUNLI20

Thank you ♥

We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary today.

It's been quite an adventure!  Sure there has been some adjusting but all in all the past 3 years have been great.  I am very thankful for so many things. Thankful for love and respect, thankful for family and friends, thankful for relatively good health (yes, we are both overweight now but planning to do something about that soon >:p), thankful for our home (tiny but it is ours and we love it) and lastly thankful for cats ( we I LOVE CATS).

Looking forward to many more adventures :)  Happy Wednesday folks!

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Hey, May!

May has been a pretty exciting month for meow!  Lots of cool events happened in the past couple of weeks.  Sharing the 4 memorable events and photos here :D

 1. We got to see the Tokidoki exhibit at the mall.

Tokidoki creator, Simone Legno was here!  Too bad I missed the meet and greet (it was on the same day as my nephew and niece's birthday party) but seeing the exhibit was good enough for meow.  

2. Next up was the Star Wars event at Resorts World where we got to meet R2d2 and the rest of the gang!

Happy to see members of the 501st Legion, fans and kids in costume!

3. Have you seen the show Resurrection?  Erman and I got to go to the Asia Launch where we got the chance to meet Omar Epps and Kurtwood Smith!  

4. And lastly, the BEST event for this month... going to the All-Breed Cat Show.  I won't post the photos of the cats here yet because the event deserves a separate post :D

Things that make me happy

 Just another random list of things that make me happy :)

Cat pillow!  Yes, it is missing a whisker :D  But I am so glad I was able to bring this kitty home from the vintage fair in Escolta.

alien looking character necklace, dino magnets and a funny cat sticker

My vintage market loot!  I feel happy that I was able to support some of the local crafters and artists. I wish that they will have a website featuring all the artists soon.

it's alive!

Are you afraid of creepy crawlies? I found this green worm inside a head of lettuce that has been chilling in my refrigerator for days.  I was very surprised to see that it was still alive!  I sort of felt guilty just tossing it in the trash so it lived here for a week (in a bowl filled with veggie clippings).  We eventually released it outside when we went to the park.  Not sure if it will survive but I guess it is good that he did not end up in the trash bin.

Funny ads

I saw this funny looking ad at the mall.  Do you notice the gray kitten? :D

It's the cutest :D