Some Forgotten Moments

It's throwback Thursday again. I made time to scan some old photos. I want to finish the album I've been scanning since last month! I think I scanned 60 photos in 2 hours. I have an old printer, so it really takes time.

It was satisfying to scan this batch from the album because it reminded me of that time we were complete (as a family) for Miggy's birthday. Good thing I took photos of the cake because it's the biggest clue on what year the photos were taken. 2002!

We also went to a number of outings. It was one of the last few times we got to visit Pasacao. Life got busy after that and my parents eventually sold the property. My parents loved going there since it's where my Mom grew up. I still remember the scar on her leg which was caused when she fell while playing with her siblings. It was one of the reasons why she was so strict with me!

Fun times from 24 years ago!

#BeKind #StaySafe

6 Years Ago at the Height of the Pandemic

By July 2020, we had gone through different versions of the "circuit breaker". We were stuck in Singapore and continued to work from home. It was the busiest time for our team and I had to find ways to shake off the stress. 

Our usual stress busters which included going to the mall, dining out, and walking around were limited. Like everybody else, I turned to home hobbies. 

I tried making Dalgona Coffee -

Baking -

I even tried making Filipino bread, like pandesal -

Cooked our own food -

Of course, I also tried my hand at growing veggies!

One thing I wished we had back then? Miggy. We were separated for almost two years. 

And, it would have helped also to have a pet. My plants though served the gap.

My respiratory therapist told me earlier to be careful. COVID-19 cases are increasing again. That's why I still wear a mask when we go out. My cardiologist has reminded me to stay away from trouble. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: June Double Birthdays

I never expected that Sweetie and Miggy's birthday would happen back to back. We've been celebrating it as a family for almost two decades now. We do it usually with family, but it's just us the past ten years and sometimes with friends. 

The boys don't like huge parties, so the smaller the celebration the better. This year we went on a day trip. It's been 3 years since we went on any kind of trip. We just couldn't leave anytime because of our fur babies. 

June 2010

Whatever way we celebrate, it's been an annual tradition to eat noodles and give toys as gifts. That started 16 years ago and the boys enjoy opening their gifts. Sometimes it deviates when they want something useful, but toys usually work :)

If it's just the three of us celebrating, we dine out. We tried traveling after the pandemic, but that's how we all got COVID-19 for the first time. We were stuck with someone very sick in-flight. A week after we were all very sick. And that's another reason why we haven't been traveling. 

What's most important for us is to be together on this special day :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Visited DLSU as a Child

When I was a child, my siblings would bring me with them to school. Both were enrolled in engineering courses at De La Salle University and were active in their organizations. I'd go with them to ensure they went home early (haha).

The flour game

I remember one visit so well. My sister had an org activity at the College Canteen. What I remember most from that day was a game where they had to find coins hidden in a pan full of flour. Ate explained that they disinfected the coins since the players had to find it with their mouth. It left a lasting impression on me and I had no doubt I'd eventually study at La Salle. 

c1996 (?) Me and Tappy in the CR, haha

True enough, I eventually walked the same halls and ate at the College Canteen, ten years later. By this time both my siblings were already professionals and had their own families. Everything still looked the same by then, but eventually new buildings were built and the College Canteen was painted. 

2011

The last time I visited a few years ago, I barely recognized some areas of the campus. The College Canteen was gone and the library moved to a new building. I'm sure a lot more changes have been made in the past few years. 

2018

*I still have to scan photos when I was a student

#BeKind #StaySafe

A Googleplex Throwback

I was a scout for Google in my past life.  That's what they used to call us (being lone feet on the ground). It was hard and we coped by having calls with our regional scout siblings. We had one international meet-up in Mountain View in 2007. We were not complete since the others couldn't get their visas on time. 

When I was cleaning up my childhood home, I found a framed photo which I made back in 2007. It included the names of the other scouts and then CEO, Eric Schmidt. I did that so I don't forget their names, especially since the others were from other regions. 

We were late for our meeting with Sundar because we had to
ride a bike to transfer buildings. It was hard!

That week with the other scouts was one of the highlights of my stay at Google. We got to meet the CEO and I remember meeting the current CEO, Sundar Pichai (he was still a VP back then). Ahh, but what I remember most from that week was learning how to play bocca and meeting fellow Pinoy Googlers. 

And here's little me with my Chilean and Colombian siblings, Jim and Francisco.

We bonded by figuring out what words in Filipino was similar to their language.

We planned to write a book a few years ago, but everyone's so busy. I guess we'll have to wait until everyone's retired, haha. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Care Bear Stare!

Look what I found while sorting stuff. My Care Bare sticker book! I think I was in 4th grade when this came out. I remember saving my allowance so I could buy stickers! And sometimes (when lucky), I'd be able to convince Mom or Dad to buy some for me at National Bookstore. 

I wasn't able to complete the book. I missed just a few and I guess I just gave up since it would eat up my allowance. I loved the textured stickers the best. I don't think I had any other Care Bear items, so I got myself a stuffed toy a few years ago while traveling. It was an indulgence, but it made my inner child happy (haha). 

I'm actually surprised the sticker book survived. I thought it was washed away already during Typhoon Ondoy. Together with it were my high school newspapers. I placed them inside a plastic folder. The plastic folder did a good job. It bore the wear and tear of time and temperature.

Great find! It reminded me how simple life was back then. I've been trying to remember those  days before the harsh world infiltrated my being (weh drama!). With so many things going on nowadays, finding childhood things that made me happy gives me joy.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Old Paper Mache Project

While sorting Mom's things (yup, I'm still at it), I found one of my old paper mache projects. Yup, I went through a paper mache era too. I've been wanting to do this project again for the longest time. I didn't have a photo of it, but how I made it is etched in my mind. 

It's a cute humpty dumpty basket (well half of it). I covered half a balloon with newspaper and when it was dry I added legs using plastic cups. It took awhile to take shape and a lot more time to make it stand steadily. After that I painted it and added the buckle. Mom must have added the sequins because I don't remember adding sequins to it. 

I actually bought some gawgaw awhile back since we had a gazillion papers from the boxes when we moved back. Got so busy, so I ended up donating the papers for use in schools (the quality was really good and reusable).

Anyway, I was so happy to find my old project. It has definitely seen better days. I just took a photo and thought about keeping it. It was so dirty already and there's no way to wash it (it will likely disintegrate). I'll just keep the happy memory with a couple of photos and maybe when I eventually have time I'll make a new one.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Childhood Toys and Clips

I was so happy when I found my Barbie collection. I lost hope that I'd still find it, but I knew Mom kept it for me. I was probably in high school the last time I brought out my collection. I boxed them all up and kept them on the upper shelves of my room. Years passed, I moved out and I knew it was just there. 

It took awhile, but they finally showed up. My 12 Barbie dolls, the bed, and all their clothes. Since the collection wasn't moved for decades, it accumulated a lot of dust. I cleaned the bed and the clothes first. I was happy to see the bed was still intact with little repair needed for the linens. 

Washing the clothes took awhile, apparently I have a lot! Good thing I had the dolls wear homemade clothes because their original clothing are still intact. I giggled when I saw the clothes I tried to make. I think it was the reason why I stuck to quilting, I couldn't get the logic of making clothes (except skirts!). Mom made a few and they're still beautiful. I'll make a proper photo shoot of the clothes when I have time. 

Together with my Barbie stuff were my clips from childhood! I had very short hair back then and my Mom would just clip them on me. I think it's a Goody set. Looks like I didn't use it that much, so I just took a photo and sent it for donation. Hope a baby girl would be able to use it more than I did :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Experienced Disneyland at 2'C

Disney has been losing money according to reports. Losses mainly due to their streaming platform, Disney+, and movies that didn't reach box office targets. I hope this doesn't affect their park. It reminded me of the last time we visited Disney in Japan. I always wanted to bring my family there since I have happy memories of Disney from my childhood. 

It was dead winter when we went to Japan. Uncle Fumio warned us that since it was the holiday season sometimes Disney would limit the number of people who'd come in. He was so surprised we were up and out before his advised time, haha. 

We had to get some coffee before we started going around because it was too cold for me. We got in around 6:30 am and we had some breakfast first to warm us up. By the time we were finished it got a bit warmer (5'C) and we headed to the Star Wars ride (priorities!). Hearing the main theme of Star Wars always gives me the happy shivers. 

It grew a bit warmer by noon. We rode just a few rides since the lines were very long! It was, after all, the New Year holiday week in Japan. Most memorable for me was the parade. It brought me back to the times I got to visit Disney when I was a child. And the fireworks were really amazing. 

Just one tip, don't go during winter, haha. It totally slipped my mind because the tickets were really affordable for that time! Well, whatever we saved we spent on winter clothes. Disney is one place you should experience at least once in a lifetime. Well, twice. One, when you're a child. And two, when you bring your child to experience it too. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

No Throwback Today

I was planning to make a post on my top 10 most read posts of the year today. Unfortunately I'm still not feeling well. The boys forced me to rest so I could recover faster. Bad AQI is really my kryptonite.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a better day.