REUNITED WITH THE BESTIE IN BUFFALO, NY

July 1, 2022July 2, 2022 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Had the chance to be reunited with my bestfriend Carla whilst accomplishing my SSN.

I’m just so grateful that I have a generous and hospitable friend who welcomed me & my baby with open arms. Yes with my baby Zac. I am committed to give the best of everything and I know breastmilk is one of them. Having a 25-hour flight, 3 plane rides to& fro, 3 hand carry baggages plus pumping every 2-4 hours, it was very challenging indeed. I don’t even wanna think about it nymore. Anyway, it was a delightful 7-day stay.. Buffalo, NY is a very homey place, I can sleep whenever I like, eat unli pinoy foods like I’m in a carinderia (thanks to Carla’s mama) & I get to talk and bond with my friend whom I’ve never seen in more than a decade but the tight relationship is still there…we were talking like nothing has changed, well except for the subjects, we kinda take it to the higher notch a lil bit since we’re both mothers na. I’m just so happy to see my friend so successful, she’s too bashful to admit it, she doesn’t even want to be praised but I think she deserves all the glory & appraisal because she’s really magnificent & I knew she would go this far even when we were just on 6th grade. She’s got this positive energy that lifts you from dark abyss, I learnt to love studying & going to church because of her influence. We used to go to their house & eat tuyo ( my husband call it stinky fish) together with Dana & like finish the entire serving of rice from their humungous rice cooker. Her mom used to be shock by it, she’s got 6 kids but maybe it felt like 8, because we’re like their adopted children finishing off their rice supply. Hahahaha. There are so many things, so many memories I could recall but I am now a mother & have only a wee time to write so… the purpose of me making a blog is that I want to share the beautiful places I’ve been to. I promised to ingrain it in my heart but the mind is feeble so I should at least secure it in my blog site.

NIAGARA FALLS

First off, we went to Niagara Falls, the one that links US & Canada via the Rainbow Bridge.

Seeing this makes you believe amidst the crimes & violence you hear all over the world, living is still blissful. And this spot is just one portion of the Earth. Like a piece of cake that you keep wanting for more…Aren’t you excited to discover more of what our planet Earth has to offer? I am so mystified even Bibip is having this good vibe.

The next day we went to the Smith Farm, visited the Sacred Grove & Hill Cumorah. This is a very significant place for us Mormons/Latter Day Saint because it is where our Prophet Joseph Smith prayed and received the revelation about our true Church and the rest becomes history, our story.

SMITH FARM

In here, Joseph Smith and his family dine in together & Smith Sr. Would read the Bible especifically James 1:5-6 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Lucy Smith’s high chair borrowed by Bibip for photo’s sake

Shared beds of young Joseph & his siblings. He prayed here constantly before tucking in to bed.

Joseph Smith would come out from here & find himself in the Sacred Grove, persistently asking for the Truth.

So here are our young pioneers in a wagon.

Bibip is tired, rest assured he had lots of fun under the sun.

Ate Olea. A ray of sunshine, that’s what she is. I miss listening attentively to her stories. Take note, ATTENTIVELY. Or else, you’ll get lost.

It was believed that the golden plates were hidden in the higher deck of the cooper shop and surprisingly the mobs weren’t able to find it.

THE SACRED GROVE

BOOK OF MORMON PRINTING PRESS COMPANY

After visiting the Sacred Grove, we went to The Book of Mormon printing press owned by Wriggt company and I learnt how tedious a job it was printing thousands of copies that it took them 6-7months to finish all of it.

Then smudge the ink like a peanut butter with these lil pom-poms…

Glued the spine of the book to keep them together…

Put a leather cover to make it more special…

And that’s how they made the first batch of Book of Mormon copies. It’s such a marvellous work and a wonder.

HILL CUMORAH

There’s a room in which we could just sit and stare at the Christus while listening to the comforting message of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Bibip and the plates, they are both GOLDEN.

Before we left, Carla brought us in a lake where we had a picnic. Just chillin’, waiting for the sky to go dim, not minding the white mosquitoes flying around us. We ate insarabasab, sweet watermelon & corn. I ate with all my heart’s content. It’s nice eating when all of us are enjoying the foods. Not minding other people’s preferences (like my husband’s or toddler’s perhaps).

Bibip loved the cuddles. Thank you Tita Carla!

Thank you Sister Guerrero for the yummy insarabasab!

Then the next 2 days we got to rest… I was able to secure everything I want, including the crumbl cookies. I can’t stop saying thank you and I hope me & my dear friend will meet again… We plan to meet up, only us, no mini-mes, just us…hopefully in Hogwarts haha. We will make it happen.

I hate saying goodbye but this is life as we know it.

BbZ: I don’t wanna go home Mums, let me stay with Ate Olea l, I love it here! 🤣🤣🤣

Emirates Palace, Eid Mubarak! 🌙

July 21, 2021July 21, 2021 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Had the chance to experience the grandeur of Emirates Palace Hotel Resort.

Every month we flee out from our li’l pen and enjoy life in the city, at the same time to have family bonding with the Tita and Tito of Quentin.

And this resort gave us a 50% discount as a govt staff and so we grab the chance to feel the royal vibe staying in this Palace.

A quick trivia, it is actually the 3rd most expensive hotel that was ever built in the whole world and it has its own waterpark inside.

When we check in, the receptionist welcomed us and made us feel special. Seriously, the staffs here are exceptional, they treat you like a king/queen, no matter what races you are from. And I find it so thoughtful when they gave a Camel stuffed toy to Quentin and that really made his day! He clung on that toy since then.

I underestimated his size, we could hardly button his shirt 😅

We stayed in a Coral Suite, Quentin took the green apple while we eat the nuts. From the balcony you can view the astounding waterpark. We can’t wait to go and enjoy the plunge but of course the baby needs to sleep.

The room is so majestic and our favourite part is the tub, the water is coloured blue and my Son stayed there til his palms and soles became wrinkly, honestly, he stayed there maybe around an hour.

So when he finally woken up we went immediately to the pool area but then unluckily it is closed by sunset already due to covid safety guidelines and securityreasons.

In the next day we had our palace breakfast by the garden. Everything is aesthetically served. We ate a lot except for the kid who’s like magnetised to every single flower and bird he would see. He even met a falcon and you could see his jaw dropped in amazement. He stands in awe in everything he sees cus its all tantalising, can’t blame him.

Then finally!!!!! We were able to go swimming in the waterpark. There’s no one around, only us are there maybe because it’s day time. The waterpark has a man made water falls and river so the current kinda flows you in one direction.

The staffs gave us mango Sorbets and wondered if we were aware that we can also try kayaking, paddling, camel riding and have a palace tour for free and that we really don’t know. So straight away we went on a tour, there’s also a bee area, would love to feel their warmth but can’t take the risk for my kid.

Then we went paddling me and my boys, we’ve got life saving jackets so the toddler I believe is safe even if he tumbles, it’s so fun bcus everyone enjoyed it. I was just laughing most of the time cus my paddling won’t synchronise with Fred’s, my child keep exclaiming wow al though all he does is to lie down like a boss and play with the paddle.

Next stop is the camel ride.

Again my risk taker hubby took Quentin with us, Quentin thought it was a horse, he’s saying neigh neigh during the ride. I thought he would cry but he liked it, while for me it was really scary, it’s hard for me to balance, it’s much more unstable compared to an elephant ride. Nonetheless we all had fun. We also took pictures with their old Arabic majlis style dining area. It’s very interesting, all the utensils and flasks, thinking that a genie might come out as I rub it and one of my 3 wishes would be to let my family in the Philippines experience what we had just experience that time.

All in all Emirates Palace has been the best hotel I’ve been so far. Impeccably splendid and deserves its 5 stars. It’s one of the getaway to remember and if given the chance, we would come back here again.

Our Spur Of The Moment Staycation in Umm Al Quwain

February 27, 2021 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Experiencing the ravishing beauty of the Persian Gulf here in Umm Al Quwain rather than living in despair thinking that we can’t go home in our own countries… afterall we create our OWN HAPPINESS, so here are the details of our li’l adventure.

It was just an impulsive decision and yet we’ve got no regrets coming to Kite Beach Center. It has this caribbean vibe, the resto, beach, cabanas, huts and even the gym, all of us did enjoy it, uhuh including the TODDLER.

This toddler is fascinated with flowers, plants and bumblebees so just by seeing these has put him in a trance already. This is how he learns, we let him experience different things thru nature and traveling.

“Look at that!,” my son shouted. His imagining it as a real car, such an artsy way of making a table out of a vintage car.

Whenever we want him to divert his attention aside from doing his usual tantrum, we just show him a picture of any animals he could see.. so there you go, you got me with this flamingo mums.

This table boat is insta-worthy so I might as well have a picture with it with my clone, thank goodness there’s a cheetah portrait over there or else he won’t cooperate.

We rented a cabana for us to relax and chill while we beachin’. Everything is beautifully woven. All 4 eyes on him of course, we were very mindful of him when we upstairs cus kids just don’t see danger.

My two boys, they’re not into taking pictures but my asian blood just can’t stop snapping everytime I see their handsomeness. (chuckles)

We didn’t expect that it comes with complimentary mixed fruits and drinks, saves us a dime for a hungry kwek-kwek.

One thing that really hooked us up just by browsing their page before coming here is the TARZAN GYM, it made me curious so I showed my husband since he loves working out, it really looks cool.

This TARZAN GYM is one of a kind since all the equipments are made up of wood making someone renewed and strong in spirit as he works out.

I wonder how he could carry this heavy stuff while he complains on carrying the bags, trolley and the baby? 💁‍♀️

Okay, so he’s tryin to convince me that he’s Tarzan. 😆 It’s his fave disney hero, he even want to name my boy, Klayton before.

Curiosity Queks, looking at his future self. 🍃

Might as well try it. We killed it son!

Can’t stop laughin since my hubby is making fun of me. Got no energy working out but these gym equipments are just so fab!

He just discovered the lion carved on this seat and he got excited!

Did I gain muscles guys??

The beach is alive & joyful. The bouyant salty waves scared my boy at first but later on, he lets himself face it fearlessly then he tumbles as the wave crashes on him so he falls and then gets back on his knees again and on repeat. And yep, that’s my boy!

Waves come and go, but our love for you will never go, it is constantly overflowing my boy.

It’s supposed to be my annual leave this Feb-March but covid won’t allow me to go home. I don’t wanna dwell in sadness. I gotta breakfree and make my family happy. Our mental health is more important than anything else. Spare some money, time & energy into trying out something new, whether it be a hobby, go on a hike or discover places you haven’t been into. This is our li’l adventure, we cannot travel far so we decided to explore the other emirates rather than just stare at a plain desert. Sure there’s more.. seek and ye shall find.. There’s gotta be more to life. 🥀

Mummey: One leg front and don’t look at the camera!

Baby Q: Otei mummey.

Me this happy, channeling my inner dino self, I keep roaring with joy! Such a fascinating day for me! Thank you for taking some time to read! God bless ya’ all~ 🐣

Sayonara, Japan🌸

February 29, 2020March 1, 2020 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Most of us were once addicted to watching animes- playing pogpags/text cards with their fave characters on it, singing japanese OSTs that we can’t even understood, feeling pretty like a sailormoon, pretending to be like Gohan and does the kame hame wave and so on. Remember when we had to run from school going home just to watch Doraemon? Or rush eating just to watch Ghostfighter? These kinds of madness are made possible, thanks to Japan. Never thought we could make it, visiting this very breathtaking country is really beyond our wildest dreams!

We’ve got 4 days but since we’re adults who need to slumber before we explore, we actually just got 2 days to tour Osaka.

Day 1 THE ARRIVAL
We arrrived in Kansai Airport, Osaka, Japan at 12 noon. Though it was freezing cold, Super Mario & this mushroom humanoid gave us a warm welcome.

We were amazed with everything we see and the most astounding of ’em all is the bathroom. The toilet is automated, it has like a remote control in which you could just click a button & have a sitz bath, there’s even a bum cleaner, click it & a splash of water will sprinkle whatever you are aiming to be cleansed.

Even this baby changing station is so relaxing & comfy to my baby, he didn’t even cry like he’s used to cus he loved it. That’s him & Batang Tita.

S-CREA KITAHAMA

We stayed in here, it’s nearby the bus station. We were actually clueless of the password of our rooms, Shadow Travel& Tours agency might be that very busy to arrange it with S-Crea. We actually picked this agency to not burden ourselves from these stuffs. I don’t know if they did it right. After we gave the downpayment, we were always seen-zoned thru chats. They assisted our family members to acquire the Japan visas. Then after inquiring from people, even a blogger already gave us the instructions on what trains to take going to our hotel, Shadow T&T changed our hotel the day b4 our flight & didn’t give us the password. Thanks for S-Crea for helping us out, they easily responded to our plea. So after that very hassle experience we were able to enter our own rooms at 5pm.

It’s so cozy staying here, everything we need is provided, including the umbrellas that we ended up not taking anyway that’s why it rained.

Day 2 Osaka Tour

We first visited the Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It’s a museum with 9 floors showing the history of Japan & Hideyoshi. I’ve learned that he’s a Lord from rags to riches, and when I say riches, he contributed much on Japan’s wealthy culture.

We were about to visit the Plum Garden near the castle but the rain chased us so we ended up buying souvenir umbrellas just to survive the rest of the day.

Here’s the tram we have to ride going to Osaka Castle.

These 2 guys in both ends are our extended family members, so blessed to have these calm & very understanding people added to our family. Hope it will last all throughout eternity.

OSAKA MUSEUM HOUSING & LIVING

Here’s our next stop, it’s an indoor attraction in which we could wear kimonos including geta slippers and have a tour to a japanese village of the past during the Edo era.

Heating up foods with stones or microwave ovens, which one would you prefer?

We finished the tour at 4pm and wolfed down foods that we don’t even understand just to fill in our empty tummies.

Hozenji Temple

Then before going home we visited this Buddhist temple, it’s located near Dotonbori.

Arigato Gozaimas to our kind tour guide who represented Japan very well. She’s very respectful, calm & meek. She carried my baby that weighs a ton when they forbid me to carry him because I’m wearing a kimono. She even gave us very oishi chocolates as gifts.

Day 3 UNIVERSAL STUDIO
Harry Potter World

Let us step into the World of Harry Potter & pursue that flighty, temptress adventure where our imaginations can go beyond limits.

Quentin-chan is fast asleep so he’s bound to his Dada’s chest.

Me awake now mums, where are u…

Lovin’ this chocolate frog, reminds me of HP and The Sorcerer’s Stone scene in the train when Harry, Ron & Hermione 1st met.

Battle of the wands. Dada used to read Harry Potter when he was in grade school, while I just started reading it when I was in high school. I was influenced by my friend Carla. We can’t afford to buy HP books back then so we just borrowed them from our school library. I love the Harry Potter movies, but a movie is not enough to contain all what’s in the book.

Just got sorted. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw & Slytherin, respectively. There’s no doubt about it.

Quentinomoto: “Not Slytherin, not slytherin” (whispers)
Sorting hat: SLYTHERIN!!!!!!!
Quentinomot: Iehhhhhhh!!!! So what if I got an emotional range like a teaspoon just like Harry..why was he sorted in Gryffindor then? Nande????

Dada is longing for this Bertie botts. He can’t wait til my mums take a picture of it.

Lovin’ this cold butterbeer even if the weather is a chilla. Must try to make one, just need to mix butter, cream soda and caramel I guess. We got the mug as a souvenir of course.

Taking our baby with us to Hogwarts!

Elmo, Cookie Monster & Bert mascots were there willing to take pictures with us along the Sesame Street.

Batang Tito.
Quentinomoto: My Dada said I look like Tito Dimpowl

My mother sacrificed a lot for us & I’m just happy to see her happy. She’s way more beautiful & stronger than the rest of the family. It’s just that she’s a bit stubborn haha but we still love her. Love you mums!!!

I regretted not taking the Forbidden Journey ride so I went along with my husband, Alvin & my 2 siblings with this ride. I didn’t love it, I was so scared like Malfoy, I thought I’m gonna die, I just put all my energy holding on the bar and thought that Quentin needs me so I must conquer it & shouldn’t faint. Never will I go to a rollercoaster rides again.

We stayed from 9-4pm in the Universal Studio. We deserve a buffet since we skipped lunch. He all the time resists to sleep but this time he passed out. Haha. Nap time is life for my kwek-kwek.

So I have to wait for all the letters to be complete before I take a shot of them with this cliche universal globe.

FOODIES

Guardian of the Titans bun, anyone? It tastes yummy. Dunno what to feed my baby so I gave him a bite, he got loose stool afterwards.

Quentinomoto: Thanks to my Tita Kazo, my 2nd mother for taking care of me & letting Mama enjoy his japanese buffet. I love you lots, Tita.

Green mango or yellow mango. Both of them are candies to my eyes.

Day 4 SAYONARA, JAPAN

On our 4th day we have to fly back again to Philippines. It’s so tiring yet we were bewitched by Japan’s awesomeness. Bringing the Harry Potter World in their country is unbelievable, it seems so so real! Japanese people are very helpful & treat everyone with respect that you will be too shy to litter or do something silly in their place. The foods are all cute & delicious, it’s just that they are all packed, they come in handy but Quentin’s tummy are not used to it. It is sort of exciting riding on different trains, tryna talk in Niponggo with the Japanese people for instructions. It cost an arm and leg bringing the family together but the happiness they felt being in the Land of The Rising Sun is priceless. Hope it didn’t end too soon but it has to anyway. To the well-organized mind, saying goodbye means there’s a next great adventure coming up. So for now, SAYONARA JAPAN.

Quentinomoto: I wanna stay here, mums!!!

Sugar & Spice, and Everything Nice 👶

July 22, 2019July 24, 2019 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Hi! Here’s my 1st blog about my baby…

Our Lil Quentin was born on June 18, 2019 at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, the 1st hospital I worked for in the UAE. The nurses who took good care of him were Maam Vienna, Carla & others (sorry if I wasnt able to ask the names). Thank you for L5 vip ward & Ms. Mona for giving us a comfy room & also for Ate Regina, the Lactation Consultant for helping me fulfill my pledge to breastfeed my baby exclusively.

Our Quentin is like a mystery we have to solve, it’s honestly draining. It costs me a bucket of tears, cracked nips, sore boobies, sleepless nights &crazy moments that made me switch into a wicked witch to my baby, I resented the times I did that.

When he’s crying like a grunter, we all wish that he would calm down & sleep. Yes, his cry is like the noise when someone’s starting a motorcycle or when the grinder is busy grinding the gravel. But when he does sleep soundly, it feels like a golden moment, I would stare at him & mumble the words, ‘I miss you.’ How ironic life can be lol.

He carried with him a pocket full of pixie dusts. He glittered lots of blessings in our life. Miracles have come & I am so grateful. My company has given us more benefits that will help me physically & financially. Friends & church members have reached out giving me food to eat, when I dont have time to cook while I’m busy puzzling my baby. I have supportive families on both sides, my mother in law helps me a lot in soothing the baby esp. when I snap, my husband tries his best to do his father duties at night to give me a spare time to sleep & my parents’ advice & listening ears have helped me get back to my sanity when I’m having those so-called-blues.

Another blessing we had was this opportunity to have a free photoshoot sesh from Sugar & Spice Studio. The photographer is very gentle & expert in handling my baby during the photoshoot. My baby slept all throughout, that ability is so grand, I could trade myself to a baby shusher gadget. All the photos are so stellar, makes me believe that angels exist here on Earth. It all looks like my baby is on a state of convivial solitude, thanks to the calming hands of the loving photographer. It will soon to open by the end of August in Deerfields Mall. They are doing home service photoshoot, free of charge with different packages starting at 1400 dhs only.
For newborn photoshoot here are the packages

Silver Package
1400
2 set ups
5 photos USB only

Gold Package
1900
3 set ups
10 photos printed & w/ USB

Diamond Package
2200
4 set ups
15 photos printed & w/ USB

Platinum Package
2900
5 set ups
20 photos printed & w/ USB

They are catering clients here in Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Al Ain. If interested contact 0505546566, # of the owner of the shop.

My baby is a mix of Len&Fred and everything nice. I am so into him. May God bless him good health & comfort. I hope we can mold him to be a gentleman like his Dada. I love you, my Quentin, my Najma ⭐, my Qamar🌙, my Galbi ❤, my life, my everything…. 🤱

The Babymoon in South Africa👶

February 8, 2019February 16, 2019 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Hi! Almost half a year of being dormant.. lucky that I have the time flexin’ my old coconut, so I shouldn’t let go of this momentum to grope for words & relay my experiences to you guys. We planned to have our trip to South Africa even right b4 knowing that I was pregnant. I really wanted my husband to be happy & I can say that our capade for 8 days are the best times he had in years.

Whenever I visit a foreign country, I would thoughtlessly say I will visit it again but the truth is I knew I won’t go there again since there are more fascinating countries that I would love to discover. I was thinking, what’s with South Africa other than the Safari? Never thought I’d be more astonished to this place more than ever. Just like detailing lyrics in a song, South Africa is more than the wild animals.

GOLD REEF CITY

Last time I came here, I was single and the Gold Reef City Amusement Park was closed. How ironic it is that now that I’ve got a baby in my womb & can’t do rides, the entrance gate is so wide open. Haah
We agreed to do the Gold Mine tour and while waiting for our time slot, we just carry on walking and amused ourselves with these picturesque places.

Gold Mine Tour

When we had the tour, they geared us up with the equipments needed in gold mining then we went underground thru a mining shaft elevator & they cautioned us that once there’s a power failure we might walk up coming back so it’s not advisable for expectant mothers. Stubborn as I was, I didn’t declare that I’m pregnant since I have really a penchant for underground discoveries. I bet the monumental ruins of the past holds a fascination for all of us.

Man’s desire for a big time gratification made it possible for him to sacrifice his time, health & safety…searching & digging for gold, it never came easy.

It’s too obvious that he gets frantically excited seeing explosive bombs and machineries. Things which most girls like me can’t relate into.

FOODIE 🍞🍔🍟🍕🍗🥞🌭🥩🥪🍧🍹

What excites me everyday waking up is the thought of eating. What’s up for breakfast? Lunch, dinner? What about morning snack, aftie snack, midnight snack? Here’s some of the food that we’ve eaten, the reason why I gained 2 kg in a week, deym.

Fred’s theory (it’s not Freud lol) is – tummy satisfaction makes a happy wife. I aint gonna say anything, let these photos speak for themselves.

LION PARK 🦁🐯🐅🐆🦔🐿

Before we left Johannesburg, Fred & I got to bond with his sister Shelley’s family. We went for a self-drive tour in the wild.

They are so beautiful. They are the fastest so I made sure that the car door beside me was locked up.

Reminds me of the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy. I would really want to taste its big egg just like the actors did in the movie.

Hyenas. They were the enemies in the movie Lion King but I don’t see them the same way as the movie portrays. They are also beautiful in their own unique features.

Got to feed the girrafes with the kiddos 🦒

Got to cuddle the cubs again, I easily get frightened explains why I’m always at the back of my husband.

This lion cub has a cruel intention, he’s licking Dinè’s toes and the next thing we knew this cub is already running after her.

Uhmmm…

Uhm… I honestly dunno their names but the kids do. They are all familiar with these animals and I’ve realized you can’t just cage in yourself in a room & self study, most of the times we learn when we go out & interact with people.

Thank you Shelley for letting us stay in your humble abode. These kids have grown wittily and lively. They are very respectful, sweet & caring to me especially Dinè. I hope I could raise my child same way like how these kids were raised.

DURBAN 🌳

Out from the busy streets of Joburg, here we landed to the peaceful place of Durban. First thing we did is we climbed up the hill together with Claire & family and yes including the dogs too.

Then we met these people and let lil Scarlet ride on their horse. I’m sure one of the horses name is Gunther. That did stuck in my mind.

In the afternoon, here comes THE BRAAI. After Church, the family came over to have a braai to welcome us here. All the big sausages, beef fillet, steak, porkchops, rashers, chicken sosaties are all perfection. I need rice tho. (Asian prob)

The Baby Shower

Much to my surprise, they organized a baby shower for us! I dunno what to say, I was too shy. I’m just an Asian girl surrounded by white people who are showing love to me and to think I am just new in their family. It is definitely God’s grace. I’m so grateful for the clothes, the lil dino and the mats & towels for changing nappies or for burping…oh I’m new to this kind of stuffs so I actually dunno how to use them but i will learn… I will learn soon.

The next day, we strolled Durban and Fred introduced me to some of their tourist spots. We went to the Japanese Garden, Minitown and Durban South Beach. I was not in the mood for these due to lack of sleep tho I was the one who planned this trip. Believe me, being pregnant is no picnic. You can’t just pick yourself and enjoy every moment. If it’s time for tantrums, I’ll feel gloomy for the whole day.

JAPANESE GARDEN

MINITOWN

DURBAN SOUTH BEACH

GRANNY’S DAY OUT

The next day, our goal is to have a day out with Granny Gladys. Fred & his family had lived with her Granny for 11 years so they are pretty close. Just being with Granny reminds me of my lola in the Philippines, oh how I miss her. I really had a fun time getting to know granny.

Butterfly Garden

We went to the butterfly garden had a quick tour and observation on how they metamorphosize from caterpillar to puppa ’til they spread their wings as a fully-grown butterfly. You can see that every stages of life is amazingly beautiful.

They feed on mangoes & oranges and it made me crave for nectars too. Lol

baby porcupines

Tarantula? This creature feels safe in granny hand.

We had a small meal on a cafe and granny told stories that gave me a silver of hope & weasel me back into my dream-building habit. I am inspired with her story how she became the 1st South African woman who owned an insurance company, how she had those achievements even after having 5 children. Honestly when I found out that I was pregnant, I cried & talk to my mother first because it’s not how I planned it to be. I don’t wanna get pregnant yet cus i thought it will halt my career & other dreams. But listening to granny’s success inspired me. A LOT. Everyone of us has the capacity to dream big, I dunno how beyond is beyond and that’s the mystery that I have to keep on unlocking.

Thank you Claire & TJ for accommodating us in your lovely home. I hope I could be a smart mother like Claire, she’s younger than me but she took care of me alot.. I don’t wanna embarass myself here but thanks for everything Claire.

So thankful of this man, I feel God’s love wrapped around me every time. He’s my angel here on earth.

I’m slowly removing the thorns that pricked him in the past, the shards of broken glasses that he mistakenly stepped into & the random regrets that come & go. In turn, he puts to calm my constant scream inside, he puts to rest my anxiety, lowers the pressure & just stay right beside me. I just love the fact that we’re together in carrying the crosses that we have to bear. We got this.

So thankful to Mommy Jillian for molding a good man like Fred. She sacrificed a lot for Fred and without her help we couldn’t have met here in Abu Dhabi. And to this lil clingy girl, pretty Scarlet Rae, I subconsciously miss you so much that I am acting like a baby to Fred and I even mimic all of your funny lines like “Uppie, cuddle, ice lollie, Uncle Freddie poopin” hahahaha.

When we travel we usually search for the beautiful spots and plan to visit all of them in our short stay. Once we are in that actual place, 2 things can happen, either it will fill you up with amazement and glorify the greatness of it or it can also dismay you like, okay, that’s it Minitown? In the Japanese Garden, the yellow tree is the only astounding stuff they have. What we can’t search of and can’t expect to happen is the learnings you acquire by meeting people. Surely no man is an island. Just by listening to their conversation & observing their styles are already jam-packed knowledge in my head. That’s the sweet hereafter. It’s more than the pixels. Peace of mind seeps back to me & my OB doctor was right, this vacation is a must-have. South Africa is already my 2nd home and I’ll say this again… we’ll keep on coming back, SA.

Nothing feels like HOME.🏠

November 8, 2018November 8, 2018 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

Pale and pink. The differences don’t end there. It is more beyond the colour, our lives are completely changed and everyday we have to cope with it. Lifestyle, food preference (rice or bread), priorities and a lot more. We are still in the process of acculturizing for we’re stuck on each other’s lives now. One way to make it easier is to immerse him to the actual beauty of the Philippines and that we did last September. I’ve visited his place last year and have considered South Africa as my second home since then. Fred is really excited to visit my hometown and I am glad I didn’t let his hopes down.

In about an hour, we will reach Laoag City. He’s all giddy inside.

First off we did is to walk the dogs that were encaged for almost a month in our house. Those are Justice & Mercy with him and the one in front is our miracle baby, Romeo.

The Sinking Bell Tower

This is the only place I found historical in our place. It is called Sinking Bell Tower because it is mysteriously sinking an inch every year. (I didn’t even know about this before & yep I just googled it so I could say something about it while trying to be a tourist guide wannabe to my husband.) It was built during the Spanish Era so some 300+ years ago. (That is a thing I know of. It’s buried deep into my schemata.)

And of course, we got to attend the Church that knitted us together. He became fat after a week and sure he will get mad of me while reading this. He lose it all when he went back to Dubai, that’s how easy men lose weight. Everything is just so easy on them. They don’t even get pregnant. Dammit.

Im loving my eternal friends. Wish them all the best that the heavens could offer.

My father treat us family for dinner and Fred fell in love to the Crispy Pata dish. Well, I was just able to take a vid after we ate so, this is all I could share guys.

He was able to experience Kalesa (horse carriage) ride as well. He rode right beside the Kalesa driver.

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We went for a Lola’s day out. We pampered her with anything she wants to have but of course my granny actually aren’t after the worldly things, she just wants to spend time with us, her grandchildren, that’s all she asks for.

PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE

My mother’s hometown is in Paoay and my relatives there gave him a warm welcome. That’s him with my aunt, cousin& baby sister.

The Paoay Church. It’s one of the oldest Church in the Philippines. What more could I say? I’m too lazy to google.. I just wanna say it is truly captivating due to its enagmatic beauty.

PAOAY LAKE

Well this is the mystique Paoay Lake, it is well known that in the past, a Church stood in here. According to the grannies, this particular place sank because people goes to Church with the motive of impressing others of their expensive ornaments and dresses. Because they are too much prideful, God was angered and punished them by sinking this particular town.

BANGUI

Okay, so now we gonna check on those enormous windmills found in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

He likes walking barefoot and I just love taking photos of him cus he’s so damn pretty. Yes he’s a pretty boy. How I wish he could do the same, but he can’t. I dunno if it’s just me not being photogenic or him being worse of taking pictures. He makes me look like an auntie in pictures & I don’t like it.

My loving mother. I love her so much. I pray for her to be healthy and fit always. I admire her selflessness and unimaginable strength. Mothers are amazing, I appreciate her even more as I enter new phases in my life.

PAGUDPUD

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Isn’t he lovely? Isn’t he beautiful?🎶🎵🎶🎵

Gosh, I’m too drawn to him. I gotta stop.

BANTAY ABOT

My father translated it as Mount Hole. Well done, father, well done.

He is that happy 😊

BAGUIO

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Fred loved walking in Baguio, it has lots of pine trees and he felt like it’s somewhat alike with Durban, South Africa. But then I think Baguio is more industrialized, there are too much buildings & traffics, the fog & the smoke are suspended in the air. Durban is a lot greener.

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Ate Feann and family tour us to different places in Baguio and I feel like thank you is never enough, they are too caring and nice. Ate Feann has been my mentor in life and I am so grateful I am one of her friends.

NORTH CAMBRIDGE CONDOMINIUM

We actually went up to Baguio to accomplish something big. I’m glad my husband and siblings were there to support me as I inked a contract for a condominium in North Cambridge located in Bakekang, near SLU Annex. I just want to have something that could mirror my blood, sweat & tears. I couldn’t just let my money be sleeping in a bank, it has to be seen somewhere and it has to grow, so this is my personal decision. There you go people. Investment, insurance and travel can go along. It doesn’t mean that if I travel, I don’t invest as well. And no matter what you choose in life it is fine as long as you feel fulfilled and you enjoy it.

I’m planning to have it as a restplace to stay with, but if you wish to have a transient stay just approach my brother Dimple Tabarejo contact #09754993185

The Last Night

On his last night, he asked me to go to Shakey’s because he heard from a friend that the pizzas are great there. And it’s true. He loved it.

Eye on the price, baby 👼

And here’s his favorite brownies. He ate 2 dozens while we stayed in Baguio overnight and before the flight my brother gave him another dozen as a pasalubong. Thanks Dimple.

There are still a lot of places for him to discover. I honestly don’t appreciate my hometown to be a tourist spot since I lived there for a long time and I am used to seeing those things. But seeing him react like everything is a wonder made me realize that seeing something new really amazes the eyes and makes you learn a lil bit more. I am happy I was able to visit home again. My family is my home and I will always go back to where I truly belong. I feel blessed that I have a husband now and I love him with all my aberrant hormones and constant pees. If you know what I mean. There’s gotta be more to life and I can’t wait for what’s next.

A journal account of a goal digger

August 6, 2018August 11, 2018 / lenasattic / Leave a comment

This powerful adage keeps jabbing ideas on my frontal lobe prompting my body motor to key in my racing thoughts.

On the safe side, women will think that way, I was once one of them actually. Back when I was a kid, ideally, I wanted to marry an established guy that will make me feel like living in a bed of roses, that I won’t even need to raise any of my digits to do something ‘nymore. But everytime I brought this up, my mother would always say, “Han a dapat a kasita. Agsarak ka ti pada ni papam, marigrigat dati ngem nagaget a agubra para iti pamilya tayo.” (Don’t be like that, just find a man like your father, poor as he may, but is hardworking and has goals.) Back then, I just thought my mother has always a good way to brush up my painted fantasy. I have also thought what some people or relatives are accustomed in doing. What if I marry a guy from the States, even just a match up or a penpal just to live there in America then I’ll become rich. Then my father would rebutt me by saying, ” Han dapat a kasta. Han ka umasa ti sabali a tao tapno makapan ijay States. Makapan ka States by using your talents and intelligence. Mamati ak kenyam” (No. Don’t use other people just to enter America, you can go there by using your talents and intelligence. I believe in you.) By then I just thought my father has always a good way to make me believe in impossible things. But thinking about it now, I was raised by 2 good people always correcting me when I was having corrupted thoughts acquired by my social environment.

We are destined to do things, the plan of God always prevails but actually God given us the freewill to pursue what we will become. So I am an OFW for 3 years in Saudi and now 2.5 years and counting here in the UAE. Did I depend myself on a guy? Nope. I struggled to become an independent woman, I even planned to stay single til 30 but then our Plan Maker has his own tricks. I met my husband when I was 26, now married at the age of 27. Now, the reason why I’m writing this is most people in my place think that when you marry a white guy means you’re leeching over him. Well I want you to scrap that idea guys. I married a YOUNG guy who is struggling to reach his goals, just like I do. Practicing adulthood hand in hand, although we still do sing along with Disney songs while strolling on the car and throwing premature tantrums just to get each other’s attention. Haha. So maybe this is what being “joyful” means while struggling through the process of refinement. We are both dreamers and still on our baby steps towards the ladder of our chosen careers. We have separate bills that we pay individually. We’ve got separate earnings, separate needs, wants, investments that we spend our money with. I’ve got a family in the Philippines that I support consistently and I won’t ever hand over that responsibility to my husband. Don’t judge us by our skins or races where we come from. My parents motivated me to be patient with my man and that I must be with him through the highs and the lows and I am blessed to have a guy who can handle my crazies. And I won’t give up on him, I know he can do greats things, I believe in his potentials.

There are some ladies who are full time moms and can’t work at the same time and I respect that. You are doing a great job. There are some ladies who juggled with being a mom and having a career at the same time and I respect that. Good job. Whichever strategy we choose in building our families I think will actually suit the needs that we have to fulfill. Let’s give a non judgmental approach into this matter, since all families are individual & unique, and your circumstances are different to mine.

These are just shared ideas, unstructured since I created my website as an avenue for a free text. Again blame it to my brain salad and my love for neologism.

*picture qoute c/o google

Our Beach Wedding in Seychelles 💐

May 5, 2018May 7, 2018 / lenasattic / 2 Comments

When I was a flower girl in weddings, what I was always rooting for was the moment when I hear the words, ‘you may now kiss the bride’… Now that I am a bride, I am rooting for the moment when the officiator said ‘you are now HUSBAND and WIFE,’
that moment when we’re free to do whatever we want,
that moment when we turn our what if to why not,
that moment when our fantasies become living realities & can add them up to our happiness stash….

3 months before the wedding we were just planning casually, like we did last year, no tentative dates but if our circumstances permit, we want it the soonest. Delays got me down last year due to time constraint, idea conflicts & bi-national marriage issues.

1 month before the wedding, still I didn’t feel any excitement… I was even perplexed that I am more looking forward to the Backstreet Boys Concert on April 20 than my wedding on April 3. Could you imagine?

Then a week before the wedding, I started having cold feet & hiccups praying everyday that everything will turn out fine. When I received the itinerary for our big day, tears welled on my eyes but I used all my might & strength to stop my emotions to flow that time cus I was at work & had to deal with a toxic patient.

A day before our flight to Seychelles, I didn’t really prepare that much… I just put on my usual yoghurt mask, that’s it. The rest was making myself happy by watching My Gf is A Gumiho w/ my roomie, Carla.

I actually never dreamt of a beach wedding.
Fred has a church friend who’s also married to a Filipina and they recommended Seychelles where you could just rush in for a wedding, only copies of birth certificates & passports are required, that’s all, thanks. No more freakin’ authentication and extra papers that are so useless.
I didn’t have any hassle organizing it cus the agency wedding-in-seychelles.com did it all.

Beach Wedding Package
– 7000 dhs (including all legal papers)
Guesthouse-1000 dhs (3nights)
Flights- 2000 dhs (discounted special tickets from Emirates Airways orig price is 5600 dhs)

It was such a relief that God did help us carry our financial load all through out the way… we opted for a guesthouse- we had our room, own kitchen & veranda. It’s self catering, so we were able to act out our role as husband and wife living on the same roof, something that we could hardly do when we come back to UAE since he’s working in Dubai & I am working in Abu Dhabi Western Region. Plus, it’s just 2 minutes away from the beach.

For my wedding dress I just bought it online in Jollychic for 120 dhs& the shoes maybe 30 dhs & the rest of the accessories 50 dhs. (Yes, im a thrifty buyer, addicted to online shopping. I’m good with the cheap & fancy ones since I will only wear them one time)
I had no proposal, I really didn’t like that… I warned him not to do it, I didn’t want things to be OVERLY DRAMATIC. (No offense to others who had proposals. Girlfriends, I did watch your proposals, I even cried cus I am genuinely happy for you guys) I only got my wedding ring & it’s not even costly, I forced him to not buy expensive ring for me cus heaven and earth knows, including all of my families, I WILL LOST THAT RING, sooner or later. (You better watch out Fred.)

April 2
We had our flight at 0855h, I had my day duty on April 1, after my duty at 8pm, I quickly went home for shower & pack my stuffs, Fred fetch me up & we drove all the way to Dubai Airport. We arrived at 1am and Fred was so nervous & making me feel all dizzy, him walking back & forth for 5 hours. When our tickets were clinched that’s the time that we became excited again. He was too nervous because his staff ticket will just be confirmed on the day of the flight. So we were praying for 5 hours with real & pure intent. (I’M SURE ALL THE TRAVELERS OUT THERE WOULD AGREE, BELIEVE ME THERE IS NO PERFECT TRAVEL. DISASTERS ARE ALWAYS ALONG THE WAY. BUT THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF IT.) We even didn’t know if our chauffeur from the guesthouse will arrive cus theres no confirmation but again thankfully, we saw a man holding a sign board w/ Fred’s name on it. We arrived at the guesthouse & had a rest for some time…then had a walk along the beach on the late afternoon and shop for some groceries. We ate our dinner & prayed before we sleep.

April 3
THE WEDDING

Hey babe, I’ve got no vows
Lets get real, ‘que sera sera, what will be, will be.’ 🎶
I’m gonna marry you so that even if I’m tired & toxic from work, when I come home there’s still you who loves me.
I’m gonna marry you so that someone will cook for me when I’m hungry & lazy.
I’m gonna marry you because eating alone got me lonely while eating with you is oh so lovely! 😄
I’m gonna marry you cus 2 is better than one, it’s not just a maybe Taylor Swift, it’s for real. 🎶
I’m gonna marry you because I wanna discover the other worlds & I need some company. (just cus I’m not good with directions 😓 haha)
I’m gonna marry you because of the imperfect you, that fits the imperfect me & we a work in progress baby…
I’m gonna marry you cus I love you retard but you love me more, your freak wifey. 💏
As I outline your face with my fingertips, I am glad this is not an illusion.
Thanks for saving me from my hopeless drudgery…
Together we will battle our own Goliath or Captain Hook in life, we will shove the Icebergs, soon they will be over as time goes by.
Like the oceans turned to deserts here in the UAE, 🏜
Like the mountains turned to fairy chimneys in Turkey, ⛰
Our love for each other can shrink but be reborn over & over beautifully. ♥️
A hug from you a day will be a therapeutic pill for me, thats all I need, no need for a painful shot baby, just you. I love you.

April 4
Half day tour & the other half we had some rest. (There’s a separate blog detailing Seychelles.)

April 5
Departure at 0815h. & at 1pm we reached Dubai, snap back to reality, let’s go back to our separate homes & this is our life.

This is not a traditional Mormon wedding… we are all expected to marry in the Temple, that’s every girl’s dream in our Church. I’ll just let people do the talk, cus they don’t really matter anyway. We got married to do the right thing & be legal in this country. If you are gifted with solid depth, you would understand. And for the two of us, I know that God is with us since day 1 til the end of the wedding trip, blessings continually pouring in thru all the uncertainties. In my book, they are the best. This is our choice. And temple sealing is our next target. Thank you for reading, God bless you all.