Many Things to Celebrate!!!

In my life now, there are many reasons to celebrate and be thankful for. Last August 8, we hosted a 5 in one simple party in our Bedford home. This i dubbed as the First Party as i am very sure there will be lots of parties i will be hosting on this lovely home.




We had been thinking to baptize Baby Ali in the Philippines but the schedule was so tight by then with all the paperworks and other stuffs and we figured it out why not?Since Coco was baptized in Scotland and Cam in the Philippines why not Baby Ali be baptized in Canada? So, we did it, baptizing Baby Ali in the Bedford's St. Ignatius Catholic Church.



The Christening was officiated by Father Pat Cosgrove and attended by Godparents and our supportive family and friends. The community welcomed Baby Ali and together with his Baptism, we also renewed ours. His godparents are: Mr. and Mrs. Al Brown, Mr. and Mrs.Nathan Scott, Amanda Hillier, Naty Agdeppa, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Craig, Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Donasco and Mr. Salvador Senarillos. May Baby Ali grow up to be a good boy, full of love and full of wisdom.




Now, another reason for celebrating is the blessing of our new home. In Canada, they call this a Housewarming. In my country, when we transfer to a new home, we invited a Priest and let him bless a new place and offer a prayer. We call this House Blessing. I did both --- we had housewarming and house blessing! I would like to thank Father Pat for coming to our place after the baptism and blessed the Father (and mother) of the house, blessed our home and our new van. I feel so blessed after that!



Now, another reason to celebrate is the birthday of my husband, Scotty and our middle child, Cam. Cam's birthday was actually July 28 but since we don't know anyone as playmates for Cam for now (we are only here for over 2 months), it is not practical to have a kids' party for him. So, we decided just celebrate his birthday on the same date as Baby Ali's christening. He did enjoy that day --- opening lots of presents and eating his birthday cake before the dessert time!!! For Scotty's birthday, it was August 10, but since it was very close to August 8 and since he don't want to do anything on his day, we celebrated his day on the 8th.




The last but not the least reason to celebrate is that: August 8 is always a special date for us. It is a date we had been engaged last 2002 in General Santos City, Philippines and wow it was 8 years ago!!! Two years ago, we had a second wedding in Canada dubbed as the 8-8-8 wedding. So, August 8 is a very special date and it is just worth celebrating!!!!

Before i end this post, i just would like to say thank you to all the people who made the party a success --- our chef extraordinaire, Winston; my sister Phoebe; my friends Coney, Ate Lourdes and Kuya Chris. Thanks to the Godparents, the Officiating priest, Father Pat Cosgrove and to my ever-supportive family and friends. Most importantly, thank you, Lord for letting me experienced a wonderful family life. There are just so many things to celebrate and You let me experienced it all!!!

Seeing Pat and John

It was 2002 when i first met Pat and John, a lovely couple who are like family to us. Pat is the cousin of Scotty's dad, Terry. Because of that connection, i always call them Uncle John and Aunt Pat.



Scotty had known Pat and John for ages. Scotty told me that they always come to the lake cottage and spend time with them on the summer. Now, as things changed, circumstances changed, not only Scott will see them whenever they are here in Nova Scotia, but also us...

2002, i first met them at Windsor, Ontario where they live. I was then pregnant with Prisco. We went back again to Windsor, Ontario (2004) when Coco was over a year old and saw them. And then two years ago(2008), with new baby in tow(Cameron), they were on the lake property in Annapolis valley and we visited them again.





Just recently, specifically, yesterday, before they will go to Prince Edward Island with Sharon,Meghan and Katelyn, we spent time with them and they were delighted to see the newest addition to the family, Baby Ali. It was good to see Peggy as well, Aunt Pat's sister.






This is the Aylesford lake in Annapolis Valley that we went yesterday where Pat and John and family were relaxing or reflecting or entertaining family and friends. I fully agree that this place is heavenly. Some lucky people could buy property near this lake, developed this property by making lake chalets or lake cottages. In this spot, there are woodlands that make you feel you are in the other part of the world as it is very quiet and very private. Aunt Pat's dad, the late Dr. Albert MacPhee, bought a property here, developed it and his offsprings had enjoyed it in many years. We enjoyed our stay here as well, no matter how short it maybe! It is always nice to meet genuine people...

I want to thank Pat and John for always a very welcoming couple in this world. They are people whom i feel the positivity in life despite the sorrowful things that are uncontrollable. They are people whom i admired and respected. They are people whom you always want to see even if you're tired, or busy, or hungry! God bless you, Uncle John and Aunt Pat. God bless your family!

Discovering Discovery Center

On Cameron's 3rd birthday,we did not do any fancy party. He still did not have many friends that we can invite, so we'll have to wait until next year for that children's party. Also, i don't feel having a party and Scotty is not here. But Scotty is coming and he and Cam can have their birthdays together!





Here is Cam turning three last July 28. On that day we did the following unforgettable things: kids rode on the bus for the first time, we ate at the Filipino restaurant, we walked in some parts of downtown Halifax, and the most special thing of all --- we learnt many things in the Science Discovery Center at Barrington Street. Yup, we explored science and technology through exciting and interactive experience.




I first heard about this Science Discovery Center from my son who loves science, Coco. Their Grade 1 class had an educational tour here before the school ends and many times he'd been urging me to go back there. I keep on telling him that yes, we'll go back. And so, we did and yes, on Cam's birthday!

The Discovery Center is a non-profit organization fostering interest in science and technology. Me, Phoebe, Coco, Cam and Baby Ali had a virtual science tour. This place houses three floors of hands-on exhibits where the emphasis is on informal learning through play and fun.

They have an exhibit about Diamonds on the first floor, specifically the Canadian diamonds which are highly valued in the world. Now, me and my sister really wish we'll gonna win that grand prize --- a Canadian loose diamond from Charm Diamond Centres valued at 19,000 dollars!!! I can only wish...

The second floor consists of many things but the best one is the Bubble Room where you can blow huge bubbles and watch them levitate around you. It was cool! The kids really liked it! They also went on the Suspension Bridge many times and Coco looks like a scientist at work while using the microscope!





This Galaxy 2 Oil Platform is located on the 3rd floor. Also on that floor, there is this Arch bridge, a maze, and a hall of fame section. Phoebe and me had a hard time cycling while powering a lightbulb! It looks easy but not really. So, it was nice, we had a work-out.







The best experience on that day is the Fire and Ice Showdown on the Theatre Room. It is an experiment where fire made interesting colors and ice(liquified nitrogen) can affect the size of the balloons or do lots of bubbles with the combination of a dishwashing liquid.

All in all, we had an enjoyable time. The kids can run around without getting much attention from other people because kids have freedom to move around as they wish on this place! Thank God! Plus, they really don't know that they are learning lots of stuff! So, yes, it is fun, educational and interactive.

I cannot think of any other activity that can top that on that day.

Cam becomes 3!!!!

When your life is endanger because you are hemmorhaging in your labor,when that baby on that labor died and brought you so much grief,would you remain the same person? Would you try for another baby?

I was fearful, i was indifferent,i was bitter, for a little while only, until,my husband said,"you are not living at all if you live a fearful life!" I was,until, i gave another try and until, we have CAMERON JOHN MACPHEE in our lives.


My husband wrote this on his facebook status : July 28th, 2007 Baby Cam entered this world and changed our life forever. His dimpled smile, laugh, enthusiastic waves, and magnetic personality have gained him so much adoration everywhere he has travelled so far (and he loves the attention). Happy 3rd Birthday Cameron!!! Wishing I could be with you today but won't be long now until I see you again. Love you Wee Man!




Born July 28,2007,Davao City,Philippines,Cam weighed 7.5 lbs and measured 52 cms. When i first set his eyes on him and heared his first very loud cry, i am complete. The pain is worth it.

Today, he is 3 years old, very well-loved, very well-taken cared of. I love you so much,my everdearest boy! Please grow up to be a God-fearing, kind, sweet, smart fella as you are.

Lastly, i wanna share here what i had put in my Facebook: Time flies and time heals. After losing a baby girl, i had this fear not to be pregnant again. But as my husband said, no point in living if you are fearful,so,we tried again & the next baby is healthy & handsome & smart & charming. Lord,thank you,Cam is now 3 years old!Happy,happy birthday to you,my darling Cameron!!!

Back for Good in Canada

After almost eight years of living overseas,after having four pregnancies, after delivering the newest baby boy,ALISTAIR SCOTT MACPHEE, after realizing how tough it is for Coco to keep on transferring schools,after getting tired of packing and unpacking those big boxes of stuffs,after thinking that CANADA is the best place in the world for us, for the kids especially, here we are moving back to my husband's country and finally getting settled.



We are here in this new home for two months now. We love it and we love the community. It is a very peaceful neighborhood. We are very close to almost everything--- the schools,the shops, the public library, the church, etc...My husband picked the best choice for us. I am not yet driving, so this place is perfect for me! The house is wonderful. It is not very close to the main street, so we are far from the cacophony of the city. In our backyard is like a mini-forest with lovely,big trees and colorful flowers that abound the area. Just a lovely,perfect family home.

Finally, we have a place we call ours --- to raise our kids, to run around, to make a mess, to cultivate, to clean and fix, to make anything a normal,stable family do. Finally, we have a place to call a HOME SWEET HOME.

SSA Summer Dinner

I am having fine time here in Scotland. Yes, there are some low moments but they are quite normal. Please excuse me for being inactive in the Blogging World, i am so preoccupied with other things and you know what they are --- kids and family, travel, shopping, fashion, friendships and food.



Talking about Friendship and Food, our SSA Coordinator here in Aberdeen, Scotland, Emilie Wain sent us, the SSA ladies a lovely invitation which stated: "Dear Ladies, We are having a lovely Summer Dinner to celebrate all sorts of things; the beginning of summer, the approaching end of the school term and the appointment of our own Irina Herbert as European Area Coordinator for the SSA! We hope you can join us."

And we did join! The lovely dinner was last Saturday, the 12th of June at Cafe Montmartre, Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen, Scotland and here are the food choices:



Entrées
Cream of baby pea’s soup with fresh mint
Snails with shallots, herbs & garlic butter
Crayfish Salad topped with aioli sauce
Pastry tart filled with spinach, goat’s cheese & crème fraîche




Mains
Duck confit in orange sauce
Stuffed lemon sole with prawns & spinach in lobster sauce
Sirloin steak with french fries, and vegetables, topped with green pepper corn or Garlic butter sauce
Risotto with asparagus, mushrooms & broad beans and cooked in white wine with a provençal aubergine sauce



Desserts
White chocolate tart, served with crème anglaise
Finger sponge cake filled with vanilla mousse, topped with various fruit berries
Lemon & Mango Passion fruit sorbet
Cheese platter

Atleast fifty (50) ladies coming all from all parts of the world attended. We also welcomed two(2) new ladies--- Yolanda Pardede from Indonesia and Blanca Mittler from Mexico. As the new Hospitality Coordinator, it was my task to hand them their Welcome Baskets, which i think was a very nice thing to do!

We do thank our husbands' company for the utmost support to our spouses' association. Meeting these lovely ladies, having nice chitchats with them, developing good friendships are both heartwarming and culturally enriching.

I think everyone enjoyed the food as much as i did as everyone went home happy and full of smiles on their faces. Let's enjoy the summer, everyone!!!

For more photos of the dinner, please click:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3325047&l=edc378c205&id=734535184

Grandad's 80th Birthday!

This is Grandad Larry, 80 years old last April 15, this year. He is the grandfather of my husband Scotty and i considered him as grandad as well. Gramie Joyce, on his birthday party wrote lots of adjectives for him such as : Darling husband, Good neighbour, Sweet Uncle, Radical dad, Awesome great grandad, Good friend, Loving grandad, Terrific brother, and Bestest brother-in-law. Probably, i would add, the Blueberry guy, the survivor, and although he will not show it, an affectionate Grand-father-in-law.


The first plan was: made a big party for him in a hall, but he declined that idea. He is not really up to a big party. He just wanted to stay in the house and have a nice, simple, more personal lunch or dinner with family members . I cannot blame him for that, as he preferred a very low profile occasion and he is really not up to talking to lots of people on that day. He wanted a very relaxing birthday, not a
stresssful one! At 80,he survived lots of health problems even a cancer. So, he is really so lucky and well-blessed.
We know how special is the 80th Birthday for everyone, especially to Grandad Larry who we loved and adored, so our birthday gift for him is for us to be on his birthday. Hence, we flew from Scotland to Canada, most especially to be on his special 80th birthday. We know Grandad was very happy and we had a wonderful time. To you, Grandad Larry, many, many birthdays to come. Cheers to goodhealth, goodhealth and goodhealth!!!

For more photos on this day, please click http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120141&id=734535184&l=69b8d31800

Goodbye,Brother Louie,Louie,Louie!!!

This song reminds me of a grown-up lad named Louie. Brother Louie, a very popular disco song of the 80's keeps on repeating Brother Louie, Louie,Louie in the chorus of the song. Yes, i had known someone named Louie and he might not even been born on the 80's...

He is a very energetic, idealistic laddie with an infectious smile. First grandson of award winner local government official, the only son of his family, the first male local youth chairperson (Sangguniang Kabataan) of our local government. 15 years younger than me, this youth leader has a clear future of being another leader one day, contributing good developmental projects to the youth of Barangay Labangal and General Santos City as well and even the Philippines in little way. He continued the projects and programs i had started before --- scholarship program to the poor but deserving students, sports development, anti-drug abuse campaign, adolescent development program, etc... etc...Ah, i miss those times when i was a very active youth leader and seeing the dynamism on the next set of leaders after you gives you an inner connection.

So, last december of 2007 (i know it seems like yesterday), i bonded with the local youth. The photo here represents three youth leaders in different generation. We had bowling tournament and we had a fun time. The beauty of youth is that energy and vigor is just beaming and giggling and laughter is always around. I could not forget that time and i could not forget this photo.

Over a week ago, i was shocked with a news : Louie died in a vehicular accident. Up to now i still cannot believe it. Just a split of a second, his life was taking away from him. So sad...so terrible... The youthful Louie, his smile and his face just like that will be what we will remember of him. Such a tragic loss of life to his family and friends and to the community. My condolence to his family. I know it is a really terrible time.

Rest well, Brother Louie,Louie, Louie! We'll treasure the memories we had with you. You'll be forever youthful in our hearts.

Valentine's Couple Bunco

This is the first time that gentlemen(our dear husbands) played bunco with us. It was fun and now they know what is the kind of atmosphere --- lots of screaming and giggling. It was wonderful! In the photos here: me and Scott and our party hosts--Sheila and Nelo.

Last February 7, one Saturday when the northeast Scotland roads were all covered with snow, nine (9) sweet pairs did not care about the freezing roads and attended the bunco party-- Sheila and Nelo,Kelly and Sean,Sue and Alan,Lynn and Phil,Becky and Joel,Emilie and Stephen,Elsy and Ken and Annette and Rick; one (1) lovely lady -- Jane, and two (2) cool girls---Meghan and Natasha. Sheila and Nelo , as i previously mentioned hosted the party and Sheila was so gracious enough to give a tour of their spacious, beautiful home. Each participant registered 10 pounds each. The highest price will be 50 pounds for the most bunco wins.




As usual, Table 1 was the controller of the game. There were 15 sets of games. Playing the game does not require any skill at all but mainly pure luck. Of course, delectable dishes were present. The host had done great job while the boncu coordinators, Becky and Kelly made the activity very well-organized.

Now, the prices: 50 pounds for the highest number of wins, 40 pounds for the player who got the last boncu, 40 pounds for the player who got many aces out, a player who got many losses, and lucky draws of 10 pound each. That means many went home happy because the money was spread out among most of the players. Guess who got the highest price? I did and Scott was one of the lucky draw winners of which i unexpectedly picked out!!!!

One thing that i could not forget during that night: this game can be bloody as well as i accidentally scratched Sue's hand while grabbing the dices when she got bunco. Please excuse me, Sue! I honestly really felt bad about it! I hope the 10 pounds you got from the lucky draw was fair enough!



At the end of the end of the party, my shy husband who obviously had lots of fun that night said, "so when are we going to do this again?" I'm not sure when but i was surely happy we won 60 pounds that night as it will help us pay for our baby sitter!

For more pics of the event, please click the following link:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=106664&id=734535184&l=4b480

The Bunco Group Christmas Party 2008

I know that today is Valentine's Day and probably too late for posting Christmas write-ups, but i love to post this one as i enjoyed this party a lot. A party with very good camaraderie, very good laugh and very good food and very good ambiance(not to mention the really funny exchanging of gifts!) is very hard to forget, hence, my blog would never miss that special event in my life! (what a drama!hehehehe!).We had a very good laugh as evidently shown in the photos and posing with silliness and promptness was the rule of the game.


Thirteen happy ladies (Becky,Kim,Carolyn,Jane,Kelly,Prily,Lynn,Sheila,Cindy,Cristina,Emilie,Grace and Glenda) attended the party bringing with them christmas gifts, savoury food, sweeties or drinks to share. The gift was worth 10 pounds or more. There was no boncu game to play,so, no dices to roll just friendships, food and drinks to share.
Our Boncu organizer,Becky hosted the party. Thanks a lot,Becky, just to let you know that we had a wonderful time!

Here are some of the photos, but for more pictures, please click this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103646&id=734535184&l=12784

Let It Snow!

There are still lots of snow today and still more and more will come showcasing that real winter is here!!! It will gonna be a white Christmas, i presupposed. Yesterday morning as i woke up, i opened our glass window and voila! there were lots of snow. It actually started few days ago. With that first accumulation of snow, my boys were excited, especially Prisco and Baby Cam. This is Cameron's first snow, so i knew for sure that he is really so amazed and excited of this new change of season.



With the first gush of snow, we went to Banchory and explore the woodlands. We reached the place called Scolty Woodland Park where many acres of trees were all covered with the silvery, white snow. We had snow fight and Prisco was the champion on this! I love running around exploiting the thick snow layers and let my footprints embedded on them. I felt like conquering their own little world! It was fun! Yes, it is always cold but fun. So, wearing layers is a must!