we’re off

It’s our first major out of the country trip (hopefully not the last), and we’re all very excited. We have two other good friends joining us for this adventure, and it’s going to be a blast!

We’ll be leaving tonight and will spend two days in Singapore and three full days in Kuala Lumpur. But I’m most excited about the food. I’ve read great reviews for the hawker stalls with cardboard display from various sites and I even have a list of what to order and where. Chili crabs here I go!

Needless to mention, Riza and I are ecstatic!

rolling him in

Here’s a really funny picture of Yuan when we were getting ready for my sister’s wedding last December. After taking a bath, he was playing and jumping on the bed, and we were struck with the idea of rolling him in the towel (sort of like dental implants Plano). We thought he’d cry but he ended up laughing and was even calling the attention of other people to look at him.

We’d really miss him. About two more weeks and he’s leaving.

coming together

It’s exhilarating to see how we as a people come together when the going gets tough. What happened in Haiti was devastating, but what we should all do is not point fingers and put blame on anyone or anything, and start helping. The Philippine National Red Cross accepts donations via cash or check, and even text, just look at the details here. They need all the help they can get, from medicines and prenatal vitamin to food, water, clothes, etc. Be wary of bogus organizations asking for donations though.

Help Haiti. NOW!

glimmer of hope

Like most folks, Riza and I have also been keeping up with the developments of rescue efforts being done at Haiti. The city suffered so much destruction from a recent earthquake that it is in ruins. Their officials are trying to hold some form of government, but with so much destruction and very little resources, they can only do so much. There’s chaos and anarchy. Armed with broken bottles and machetes, People are fighting for whatever food (from canned goods and rice to rum and beer) and medicine (whether it’s for mild bruises, treatment for hemorrhoids, or anesthetics).

(Photo Source: Members of the Filipino peacekeeping troops treating injured kids.)

But this morning, when all hope seems lost, a small glimmer and some good news from Haiti surface. An 18-month-old baby girl was pulled out of the rubble. She was covered with dust but was nevertheless healthy despite being stuck for six days. There was an eight-month old baby pulled out of his collapsed house after five days. With no food and water, and with the kind of heat that they have, it’s a miracle that they babies were able to survive.

It’s now a week after, and we hope and pray that more and more survivors can be found.

Paseo de Sta. Rosa

If you think the flower stall along the road was our last stop, well, it wasn’t. Not long after that, we reached Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Specifically, Paseo de Sta. Rosa. We didn’t stop there just for allergy relief; we want to check out the outlet stores too. They have Crocs, All Flip Flops, Levi’s, Benetton, Sisley, Gas, Speedo, Adidas, Nike, and Haviannas. But their newest addition was our prime target, Debenhams and Marks and Spencer.

We had a hard time finding these two new stores. These new stores are actually located at the back, at the new phase 4 of Paseo de sta. Rosa, and they are just beside each other. They have huge discounts but the selections are very limited. Still it’s worth checking out. You never know, you might just find a good bargain.