click on any of the pictures to enlarge…

visitors: 2nd the last week of aug., my sister and ksam graced us by celebrating ksam’s bday at our place.  they were also sweet enough to buy my favorite choice of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory- the Chocolate Godiva CC.  That same week, Aprille came to pay us a visit to see baby Emma since she wasn’t able to go to her dedication.  I always have a good time just talking away with Aprille…she’s got such an inquisitive mind and a crazy big heart for her friends.

Celebrations: The last week of aug., we celebrated my 26th birthday.  On the eve of my birthday, Perze started his surprises, and he completed it on the weekend by setting up a surprise birthday dinner with my family and friends. That weekend, we were also able to dedicate Emma to our Lord.  A dedication is when the parents, along with the family and chosen godparents acknowledge and commit to guide the baby in God’s teachings, and to offer up her life back to Him, for His glory.

School Again: Everyone knows, it’s back to school again, so my bro&parents drove kristie back up to Boston.  But before they did, they stopped by our place for the weekend, as did the Ng’s.  It’s always nice to spend time with the family…wow, it’s just getting bigger (and i don’t mean poundage…).

poconos: my dad and kuya roland both work together for the same company so they both took guests for the annual company picnic for a two day one night stay at a poconos resort.  We stayed in separate cabins and met up during the day to join in the various activities like boating, participating in the obstacle course and high swing, miniature golfing, volleyball, eating,  and just hanging out.  There was just too much to do that we didn’t get to accomplish everything in one day.  At night, they even gave us a fireworks show that equals those performed on independence day, and even better since we were so close to it, so close that we even had to cover Emma’s ears because the booming was so loud.  It was a relaxing weekend, but i wish it was longer so that there was more time to rest in between all the activities.  But I was thankful for the time i could spend with family and friends.  Even the conversations were fun, so ya…maybe next year we’ll be more prepared.

Looks like the next couple of weeks are going to be busy ones, esp. preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But I’m really looking forward to the months to come, esp. because I get to be an aunt as well as a mom, my lil’ sis turns 21, and next year, i finally get to meet my in laws. God amazes me how true it is that blessings are new every morning.

After 2 missed field goals by the 2nd most accurate kicker in the league(No. 1 is Adam Vinatieri of the Patriots) the eagles lost! 10-14. I must admit even before the game bad premonitions have surrounded the team. 15 minutes before the game MLB Jeremiah Trotter got ejected. So stupid Mr. Trotter, I guess you just slipped off fools hill because of that attitude of yours. Whether he punched back or not, was still debatable. We should have been able to challenge that call … can you imagine?

Right now we are at the bottom of the NFC East since all three other teams in the division won their first game. heh it’s still a long season. Let’s see by week 13, then we can decide who are the pretenders and the contenders in the league. Too many superstitious curses surround Philly right now. The Superbowl Loser Curse, Madden Curse, and the William Penn Statue Curse to name a few. Curses schmurses. Time to fess-up and drink the Kool Aid. We lost because we were out classed. McNabb didn’t even run for anything. Just stayed at the pocket all night. Gee D-Mac, you ot those thunder thighs for a reason. The way the Falcons ran all over us, made me miss DT Corey Simon (Colts) and DE Derrick Burgess(Chiefs). On that last possession play where we were 4th and 10 made me nostalgic for WR Freddie “Fred-Ex” Mitchell (Free Agent). Well, what can we do. Keep our heads up and prepare for the 49ers next week.

1-1 on week 2 ain’t that bad. Go Birds! We’ll be back Falcons, we’ll be back.

side note: both teams i’ve rooted for lost in week 1 (Jets and Eagles) on the bright side, both my fantasy teams won. There is a light at the end of the tunnel after all.

We got home from the poconos and I got the chance to watch a bunch of games that were on. I was looking forward to a bunch of games but one game that I was waiting for was the matchup between Baltimore and Indianapolis. Man that was a great game. Talk about a lot of missed chances for the Ravens. Missed interception by Chris McAllister, 3 missed Field Goals by Matt Stover. That would’ve been a total of 16 points. Well, what can you do. The eagles is surely going to miss Corey Simon. I think he did pretty well on his first game considering he didn’t even play in any pre-season games and/or practice in training camp.

I was surprised by the Saints - Panthers game, I did not expect the Saints to step up, but they did. The Giants did pretty well against the Cardinals. That Brandon Jacobs guy is pretty good and kinda scary. He just knows where to find the seams and go through it. Not bad for a 6′4″ RB.

Goat of the Week: Chad Pennington, QB NY Jets. 6 Fumbles, 1 INT. J-E-T-S Choke! Choke! Choke!

Upset of the week: Tampa Bay against Minnesota at Minnesota. This one, I did not expect at all.One fo the few games that I thought was a lock. I guess Griese pulled a slippery one against Culpepper and the Vikings.

One noteworthy comment is that All NFC east teams won their games … of course the Eagles will win their game tonight against the Falcons. T.O. Schmee O. Whatever. As far as I’m concerned he’s still a cry baby. I should send him one of Emma’s diapers. On the other side, Vick still has to learn to stay in the pocket. He’s the most sacked QB in the league for crying out loud. Their Receiving Corps stink, and their O-Line Stinks. My prediction would be 27-10, Eagles.

Fly Eagles Fly!

(more…)

We went to Pocono Valley Resort over the weekend courtesy of Papa. It was their company’s annual retreat. As of the moment, my muscles are going crazy because of the activities that we did. We went canoeing, ran (more like walked) through the obstacle course, played volleyball, mini-golf, ate ice cream, watched fireworks among other things.

ever since we got married, marchesa and i never had the chance to just go out and have fun, this was a great time for us. Emma on the other hand also had the time of her life watching fireworks. We had to cover her ears because it was so loud.

All in all, the weekend was awesome, we got to see the rest of the family and just spent time with everyone. It was a little sad that we didn’t get to celebrate Toto’s birthday since everyone had to go home.

We are looking forward to next year’s company picnic. by that time, there squigly will be out and will be 9 months old. We can’t wait.

today is my brother’s bday…

he turned 29 today. we were all (minus kwistie) at the poconos this weekend, and it was a great time to spend with family, esp. with my brother for his birthday weekend. 

there used to be a time when i feared my brother because he always seemed as if he knew what he wanted and usually achieved what he wanted because he worked hard and he planned hard.  he executes perfection in what he does, which is his strength and weakness sometimes.  but now, being in my mid 20’s, having gained humility in my mistakes and seeing more of the roles in my family, i see and appreciate the part that my brother plays.

now, coming home on some weekends, i look forward to seeing him walk through the door with new stories to share of our lives.  he is one of the very very few people i can confidently say i admire because he is intelligent in practical matters- not completely book smart, but he applies everything he learns to real life.  he built our brick mailbox, installed the wood flooring, introduced us, taught us, and hooked our family up with all the techy toys even before it caught on, etc… he’s just very knowledgeable, even about politics and economy, business, science, computers, while having had the time to learn to mountain bike, hike, off-road, paint-ball, white water raft, and find some way to get our family to go on some nature adventure. 

we’ve had our major heavy fights when we were younger, and i readily admit that our ‘fabila’ personalities still can clash and he still can find to push the buttons that can get me to react, but i also readily will admit how much i admire and love him. 

his heart also balances the weight of his mind.  he supports some of my cousins in the phils. and puts them through school.  he is the one who informs me of world issues that need attention, and is an example of someone who gives to those in need.  and most of all, after he graduated and got a job for aol, he’s never failed to be sooo generous to his family.  no other sibling do i know who gives so graciously as he does, and i cannot begin to list his material generousity as well as his emotional fervor towards those he loves.

he has even started his own business, which continues to amaze me.  i am proud of him as my kuya.  i love you to.

happy birthday. 

i know that all you give to those you love never goes unseen, and you will receive greater blessings.  know that i continually pray for you and your desires in life. have a great year to, and go treat yourself, it’s your last year in your 20’s !!  next year you join perze and ksam.

e d i t :

happy birthday
also go to
camille, darielle, and bunny!!
  

cam: heartwarming ever since she was little, she knew how to be sweet.  she is a little shy, but once you get to befriend her, she is a chatterbox who absolutely loves to laugh.  even though she is highly influenced by aia, i still believe her sweetness shines through!

dari: charming if i were 10, i’d definitely want to be her friend.  i am really looking forward to the lady she’ll become, knowing that she consciously builds herself for God.  at such a young age, she’s already aware of her ministries and being a blessing to those around her.

bunny: entertaining whenever i imagine bunny, i’m always reminded of her sunday dresses and killer smile.  i have to give it to this girl because she has got some sass on her.  she knows how to take the jokes like an adult and be able to dish them back.  she has got spunk on this one.

My little(but very loud) girl is two months old today. She was sooo small when she came out. 5 lbs. 11 oz. now she’s over 9 lbs and she grew more or less 4-5 inches too. She’s one tall girl.

We love you anak. Don’t grow too fast.

Nable: money
A. Merle: Hello Kitty
Colet: clothes
Tan: creepers/butterfly sleeper/check
Galvo: check, shirts & pants
Paul T.: money
Nanay Jovita/Loda: sleeper/jumper
Bayawa: check
A. Nancy Nable: check
Reeny: check, CP clothes
Bation: OshK clothes
TJ: clothes
Ted Eleazar: Carter’s clothes, Learning Drum
Frago: Carter’s Clothes, Grooming Set
Anci: NB Gift Card
Zackey: Check