Sa ating pagtahak sa landas ng buhay
Marami-rami na rin tayong natagpuang tulay
Piliin mang maiwan sa simula at maghintay
O makipagsapalaran at ituloy ang pagbaybay…
Nawa’y lagi tayong maging matatag
at humingi ng gabay
at maging masaya’t payapa sa ating napiling paglalakbay.
…or more appropriately, “WASPS UP!” 
I just had the strangest thing wake me up this morning. Still woozy from sleep and glancing out our bedroom window, I was certainly very surprised to see “insects” flying about outside. I first thought they were flies but they were certainly much bigger… 
This got me up, understandably, since this is definitely not commonplace in this kingdom. Unlike in Manila where ants, flies, roaches or mosquitoes are a dime a dozen, I can honestly say that I’ve only seen these “creatures” in our home (or even outside) THRICE at best – and we’ve been here almost 3 years!
Upon closer observation, these are what I found swarming outside our window with some resting on our window sill…
Wasps (or bees?)! Very strange indeed…
And there were more of them! Notice the blur of the one flying in the background? Seems like their nest was disturbed or something since they were frantically flying about in all directions…
Well, I guess I have to add ”wasps swarming outside my window” to my growing list of “firsts” here in the kingdom – along with hail at the onset of summer and the recent downpours (with matching lightning bolts streaking clearly in the sky!) we’ve experienced more often than usual weeks ago…
If you ask me, this is just plain WEIRD and adding this to the recent events elsewhere like swine flu and the worsening global economic crunch, I certainly can’t help but think what the world’s coming to… (*sigh*)
Good thing I still am blessed to have this…
…to plant the much-needed smile on my face everyday – the “weirdness” in the world notwithstanding. 
Be safe, everyone, and keep the faith!
Remember our enjoyable corniche weekend?
Well, I just wanted to share with you what made this weekend even more “memorable”… 
I admittedly had no problem understanding the top portion of the sign – in fact, we even moved to the non-grassy area to continue the boys’ soccer session after we read this.
But the bottom portion? Well, let’s just say that it left me both confused and amused! 
Buhay Saudi nga naman… ang saya-saya!!! 
One realization we had when we moved to this desert kingdom was that it apparently afforded us many opportunities to enjoy ourselves without parting with a lot of moolah 
This is definitely a far cry from most of the “recreational activities” we were used to back home (watching movies, going to the mall or Time Zone, eating out) which almost always entailed cashing out.
Whether it be going to the beach, to a picnic, fishing or “just chilling”, we were pleased to discover that we could actually have fun family time without “breaking the bank”, so to speak.
And some “serious” bonding time we had last weekend when we drove off to the nearby Dammam corniche after an early brunch to enjoy the comfortable breezy weather! Let the pictures speak for themselves… Just goes to show how simple pleasures could still be “excessive” – at least where fun is concerned!
Be forewarned, though, this is obviously a PICTURE-HEAVY post!
At the end of the day, there were only these…
PS Finally, as a fitting “blog-ender”, let me share with you some more snapshots (this time in slide show format) from that memorable corniche weekend. Enjoy!
“Lord, you have made so many things! How wisely you made them all!” (Ps 104:24)
Marahil marami ang magtataka sa inyo kung bakit ito ang lahok ko ngayong linggo. Sa laki naman kasi ng tahanang ito, mistulang gusali na siyang maituturing, hindi ba? 
Ito ang Nelly’s Garden, o The Lopez Mansion, sa lumang bayan ng Jaro sa Iloilo, Pilipinas. Itinayo ito noong 1928 ng mga ninuno ng kilalang angkan ng mga Lopez – sina Don Vicente Villanueva Lopez at Dona Elena Javelona Hofilena – at ipinangalan sa panganay na anak nilang babae na si Nelly. Nakatayo ito sa apat na hektaryang lupain at ngayon ay isa nang museo at popular na “wedding venue”.
Isa pang mala-gusaling istruktura na nakatawag-pansin sa akin nang bumisita kami sa Iloilo noong 2007 ay ito…
Ang Kampanilya (Bell Tower) ng Jaro Cathedral. Kakaiba siya dahil nakatayo siya sa tapat ng katedral at hindi sa tabi nito. Hindi lamang siya kampanilya kundi isa ding “watch tower” kung saan makikita ng mga bantay o sundalo kung may papalapit na mga Muslim na mananakop noong unang panahon.
Para mag-”sight seeing” sa iba pang mga gusali, bumisita lamang sa Litratong Pinoy dito.
Notice anything different here?
Nope, it isn’t the oozing chocolatey goodness (?) on Rafa’s front teeth… guess again.
It ain’t the pie too, silly… (that’s actually reserved for a separate “serving” in my online kitchen later).
Our two “tweens” are finally proud owners of “eye candy” (literally, that is)! After making good on their long overdue eye doctor appointment, our two boys were at last able to put their “eye woes” to rest when they were prescribed specs to aid their vision (both were diagnosed as myopic – much like me and Keith – who else would they take after, right? 
).
Although wearing prescription glasses doesn’t exactly bode well (eye)health-wise, being “pre-pubescent” sure does wonders on a person’s point of view – needless to say, both boys were even thrilled to wear such specs – must be related to ”upping their coolness factor” or something like that! The logic now escapes me honestly… 
Ah, to be young and near-sighted indeed!
… for a short (and cute!) “commercial break”…
Thanks so much to Twinkie for sharing this fun find!
Now back to regular programming…
Ito na siguro ang masasabing kong “ideal” na hardin para sa akin – buhay na buhay at makukulay ang mga halaman, maayos, malinis at may lugar pa para umupo at magpahinga! Samahan pa ng malamig na simoy ng hangin na dumadampi sa pisngi habang ika’y nagliliwaliw – haaay, ano pa nga ba ang hahanapin mo?
May kalayuan nga lang ang hardin na ito sa amin ngayon… pero ang mga alaalang iniwan mula sa aming pagbisita sa kanya ay tiyak na palaging magbibigay-saya at masarap sariwain at balik-balikan!
Kuha ang mga ito sa pabulosong hardin ng HK Disneyland Hotel (kung saan matatanaw din ang Dagat Tsina) noong mapadpad kami doon noong Agosto 08.
In the 32 months we’ve been here in our desert home, I’m ecstatic to say that I’ve managed to tick off yet another item from my “Things I Wish Were in the Kingdom” list – woohoo!!! Take out those party poppers, bring out the marching band and clink those Saudi champagne glasses – for it’s definitely time for a celebration…
What’s the “big fuss”, you say?
Well, a few days ago, I’ve just had my first-ever Swedish massage session AT HOME! So I’m sure you’d completely understand if I gloat – hahaha!
And yes, never mind that the boys’ bed creaked so bad everytime pressure was applied on my back, or that the flourescent white bedroom lights seemed to (slightly) take away from the “spa-like ambience” I’m forever dreaming of (note to self: next time, schedule the massage when it’s a “non-AI” night so that you can have the session in the privacy of your own bedroom! ) – I’m just H-A-P-P-Y to get all those darn kinks and knots out of my sore, aching muscles – total bliss indeed! (*sigh*)
Many, many thanks to our dear doc pal (you know who you are!) who recommended the therapist to us from their ultra-posh “alternative medicine department” (yes, they actually have this in the uber-classy hospital he works for!) and of course, to dearest hubby who took pains to drive the therapist from her hospital accomodations and back just so she could do my “treatment” (*ahem*) at home.
And here’s to a “spa”-ntastic, “spa”-bulous and stress-free week ahead for all of us!
As we welcome yet another Easter season, may our lives continue to be renewed and refreshed by the graces and blessings from our Lord’s abounding and selfless love. And as each one of us treads through life with our own crosses and Calvaries, may we not lose sight of the ultimate price our loving God paid so that a glorious resurrection may always await all those who hope, trust and believe.
San Agustin Church and Museum, Intramuros, Manila
A meaningful and blessed Easter to all!
For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. I ask God from the wealth of His glory to give you power through His spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to know His love – although it can never be fully known – and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.
To Him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:14-21)
… for a short (and cute!) “commercial break”…
He Said...She Said...