i need POSITIVE Diversion

So, i had to knock into my creative energies to give me a breather.

A breather from people I don't want  to associate with. A breather from conversations that make me NUTS! A breather from people who are impatient, immature and have so much confidence in themselves.  Arrogant, RUDE or should I say selfish, too much LOVE for themselves.

There are people coming and going in our workplace due to the restructure. It is such a happy place before but has now generated too much negative energy. Luckily, I will have the job till end this year but I have uncertainties ahead. Oh, yes, I have and is making me unsure of the future moves, plans but will have give me enough time to prepare for indeed a BIG wave of change is COMING!

So here's a result of the creativity that I have been wanting to do since we arrived from NZ trip.

That Day we Landed on Glaciers
Perhaps one of the most epic, expensive and exciting ride of this lifetime!
This by the way is Cheyenne's favorite in all our NZ escapades. Sometimes, It is hard to please this girl. But I won't forget what she told me the moment we landed Queenstown airport in the midst glacier mountain tops.

She said; " I don't believe Changi Airport (Singapore) is the best airport in the world, it is Queenstown Airport. " How naturally , beautiful it is!

I have to agree. What she said is true.  The place is epic , deserving of Middle-Earth!

and when your HEART knows

"when your heart knows , you can't stop it,  can't explain it,  you can only trust it."


when I married this man, I have no idea how our life would turn out.  I could recall, it was the stage that I am insecure , unsure, arrogant, my pretentious self.

I trusted with my whole heart that I love him but I wasn't ready to see his lows, his weakness against my insecurities, my expectations against his growth. There was a span when we were growing apart. Yes, slowly, the idea of separating from him eats me. I was so ready and sure to give him up and live my life alone! I cringe recalling those days, and I apologize for those dramas.

Fast forward-----our life now. I wouldn't exchange for anything. Our life after 13 years of marriage is indeed the only relationship in this lifetime that have rocked my LIFE in a good way. The children along the way made it even more meaningful but above all else, this man is my favorite person----genuinely, the best friend who makes this world worth living and who amidst all arguments and disagreements is a source of inspiration and strength. Always the better half.

Thank you for not giving up. Oh yes, thank you for despite seeing the ugly side of me, you've chosen to stick around.  You believed and therefore you flourished.

The after-math

Been a month since we took that flight to New Zealand. Life has full of surprises for us and this trip definitely exceeded expectations.  What a wonderful earth we lived! and NZ is so much blessed with the wonders of nature. I am in so much awe, every corner of that country talks to me about LIFE, THANKSGIVING and just to stand still, enjoy moments, breathing the fresh air, taking it all IN!

Life in its purest form. A tree representing hope amidst the changes of the LAKE. It remained beautiful in the low tides. And so does life. This photo represents hope and gratitude of anything that happened, could possibly happen and that innate characteristic of positivity to shine through. LIFE can be turbulent sometimes, it will relentlessly test our aptitude---but the good news is , It is NEVER a RACE to achieve that best version of yourself and while doing so, don't forget to enjoy the MUSIC.

Lately, I have been really out of FOCUS. It is like, there are organization and re -org going through my mind, and not coming through NEAT. For some, they thrive on that, I just can't.  It is nailed in my tendency to be organized.    I can't think well when I go through this stage and it feels like I am only at mediocre of this endeavors I am pursuin'.  Anyway, will need to clean up some clogs and will keep it SIMPLE.  For now, i will take it easy. No stress, no drama. Just living the LIFE.

I have loads of photos from this trip but for now, maybe a snap of my second-born who is growing real FAST and really speaks her mind loudly now which is really funny.

Aussie! oi! oi! oi!

this one ...., to the books!
on the 16th of March 2017, we are finally citizens of Australia. A country that never occurred in my dream. I have never dreamt of working or staying abroad. Thought I would stay through in Pinas and be the Karen that I want my life to be. But GOD had bigger , bolder plans for me. Actually, all my life I tread through the waves of Ups and Downs keeping God in the center , always trusting him.

Oh, next in line --- PASSPORTS!
Cheyenne's school camp coincides with the oath taking ceremony and missed this event.  However, since she is a minor, Chuck accepted the certificate on her behalf.

and just like that, Autumn.

the weather is playing up , wet weekends , cold and hot that sometimes planning for it is a challenge.

BUT, i don't let it stop me from getting out with my kids amidst the fact that I can't drive and Chuck in most Saturdays are not available. Simple, do it on Sundays! Therefore, Saturdays for grocery shopping which I could do on my own and planning for the week's meal. Blah Blah Blah , the story of my weekends will never be OVER. Add to that the ironing and the playing with Kylene and the cleaning a messy place because , toddler. But, I don't mind how messy our place is----it actually is good that Kylene explores stuffs, and keep her interest with toys than gadgets.  Although , the bad mom in me would sometimes hope she stays a bit longer on ipad so that there is peace and quiet home on weekends, I tend to succeed sometimes and that is why, if I am lucky I could stay 3 hours in the kitchen.  Like last weekend. I have prepared 3 kinds of food, and marinated the chicken for Chuck's pack lunch. I love how productive  I was!

So, Sunday when it was supposed to be cold came very HOT HOT HOT even in Bilpin! It is the part in NSW where I was expecting it to be cooler.

and we were picking fresh apples supporting the local farmers and listening intently to their instructions when it comes to picking the fruits. Sadly though, a few comer ignored it and just did whatever they wanted in the farm not putting into consideration the hardwork of the owners. It annoys me . I like visiting farms and be one with the hands of the food I eat and I feel it when they are not respected at all!

That is supposed to be easy to follow. When a row has a 'Check' , then that is good to harvest. Even my 3-year old can follow that!

here's my happy folks! My sis, amidst her " busy" social life joined us today!
To tell you frankly, I am happy when her social life is active!

all i want is a Happy Life.
Amidst the odds, the uncertainties and the anything that comes in Between. (  how gorg my mom is, her lipstick is always on point)

in the yellow fields  of  Bilpin Spring Orchard.

i believe is the worst summer

2017 marks the worst summer ever! How worse? Never a week passes by without a temp that goes as high as 40 degrees! It is mercury rising! Like last weekend was awful. We insisted to visit the Blue Mountains, skipped the Echo Point ( popular among tourists and is accessible) and visited the vintage Leura village. I am charmed by its beauty and OMG! the weather up there in the mountains was absolutely cool. The town actually reminded me of Bowral ( Southern Highlands).

It is about an hour drive from our place which is not bad actually. Had lunch and just relaxed in this slow-paced region of NSW. Hubby told me he is getting old now that he actually appreciates less crowded places. I bet we both are.  Peace , quiet and nothing touristy. I don't even want to get into the hassle of queuing for this popular restaurant.  I couldn't be bothered! There are heaps to explore.

A few second after the car is parked is this lovely mural worth a photo. My mom too obligated to take this seriously.

even this restaurant we randomly stopped by at the corner of the village has its unique charm. My eyes were too quick to pick it up this 3d mural in the walls!

and this shop that the kids took seriously. Told me this should have been the first we visited! We spent $11, that was the budget.

and before heading home, we went to the sublime point look-out that is rarely visited until trip advisor got it published , thankfully!

and finally, the cheekiness of Kylene stands out!so adorbs though.

Roots.

I have ended this year with turmoil and despair of an incident that provoked me to act in full on emotion.  I remembered how the same surge of emotion happened to me 5 years ago while I was in Singapore.

I really wanted to fix my eyes on the culmination of the beautiful 2016 and the the promise of 2017 but I am glad the incident happened for it opened my eyes to basically my ROOTS.  How I was raised and that no matter where  you are in this world----it is not fine to see injustices happening in front of you and not doing anything about it. I have my non-negotiables.  I have done my share in this issue and I have considered this CLOSED. And I know the kind of people I should associate with----i cannot spend more time to this kind. NO, NEVER for you'll never know when they are going to bite back with the mindset they have, whoah! I have never been too critical on a friend like  this.

So----2017!!! We are going to be more passionate of what we believe in. We will be more GENEROUS, we are going to show more examples of KINDNESS,  JUSTICE and our world has no place for SELFISH bitches!


Anyway------------pause from all the nega emo here.  Focus on what matters.  Christmas and New Year that was.  Importantly,  F A M I L Y.

I didn't get a break from work, it feels like I was partying and yet working harder. At least I didn't get to deal with headaches from too much alcohol.  I was very sober! But I couldn't' wait to be in vacay mode again ( i want it soon please!!!)

Here' s to celebrating LIFE to the LIVED Choosing to be always GRATEFUL and  HAPPY no matter what!

That chaos after the gifts were opened! 

May the new year be filled with more memries', more blessings to enjoy and share with!

#BaquialSaletreroChristmas2016

Sorry, I can't get enough of our family photos. Where all of us are COMPLETE! Rarely happens!