Missing winter...

It’s almost December but we still have very warm days here in the Philippines. Every day since I got here I would wish for U.S. weather. Jeff mentioned that it has been noticeably cold in Lakeview lately. Well, it’s wintertime there anyway. I think some places up in the north even get snowed already. It's perfect for people who want to experience ski vacations. I've never done it and I know Aspen is one of the great places to try it. I'd better stop thinking about snow and cold weather. It's pure torture considering how uncomfortable our Philippine weather here. It's hard to think and write with all the pounding noise in the background. Arrggghhh!!! Today is the feastday of our town and they are having disco a few blocks away from our apartment. We can clearly feel and hear the vibrations made by their sound system. God, I so miss the quiet town of Lakeview, Arkansas.

Acne...Go away!

I’ve been struggling with adult acne for so long. I’ve tried a lot of over-the-counter acne medication but nothing seemed to work. The closest positive result I got was from Obagi Acne Therapy system. It dramatically controlled the breakouts but it didn’t completely remove the problem areas. So I’m still desperately in need of an acne treatment. I’m thankful Cebu has plenty of derm clinics, facial spa, aesthetic centers and the like. First week of my arrival, I went to Ruiz Derma in SM. They did an acne high frequency treatment on my face. Sad to say, I wasn’t satisfied with them so the week after that, I gave Ellen’s clinic in A.S. Fortuna a try. I’ve read good reviews about them over the internet. The facilities are not outstanding but I’m quite satisfied with the results. I had High Frequency Acne Treatment again, the aesthetician was very good in removing all my white and black heads. After the thorough facial treatment, I tried Diamond Peel. I still continue to use my Obagi treatment. It seemed to work great. My family even noticed the changes. It got rid of my active acne and dead skin cells. To be able to see great results as far as Diamond Peel is concerned, I have to do 4 to 6 sessions. I went there today for my 2nd session and I bought some night cream as well to help lighten the acne scars. I expect to have a much better face in the next month or so. The cost of the treatment that came out of their receipt printer is no joke. It's reasonably lesser than the overrated Belo Clinic though. I understand that I have to shell out some bucks if I want to look better. I hate it that I have acne. It's a fact that I have to face. But I'm glad that I'm finally doing something effective about it.

@Yellow Cab before the DP session

My mom turns 49!

It's my mama's birthday and we ate at Gerry's Grill in SM. Two of my cousins were with us and so was our new helper. It was my first time to try again authentic Filipino food. We ordered Seafood Soup, Blue Marlin Steak, Sizzling Chicken, Inihaw na Pusit, Lumpiang Shanghai, Chicken Finger Foods, Adobo Seafood Rice, Special Pansit Bihon, another flavored rice (but couldn't remember the name), Lechon Kawali. I missed these foods and I didn't think about weight gain that night. I allowed myself to binge and I'm glad that I did. There's no food like this in the U.S. This is part of the vacation, you know, to enjoy Filipino foods so I didn't feel guilty, hehehe. It was funny because the restaurant's crew sang a jolly "Happy Birthday" song for mom and they gave her a free scoop of mango-flavored ice-cream. I was happy that mom enjoyed her birthday celebration even if it's just a small family gathering. She was fashionably dressed in red and was the most photographed person that night.

We are all excited for next week. My sister Jingle, BIL John and nephew Bren will be arriving from Illinois. Mom, Dad, cousin Libby and nephew Andrave will be flying to Manila to meet up with them there. My sister is going to treat them to Manila Ocean Park, Star City and Mall of Asia. Mom is busy packing for that 3-day weekend trip. She wanted to get a Kipling luggage but I told her to use my Samsonite luggage instead. It was big enough to fit all of their clothes for that trip. She was excited to see her grandson again. Bren was still 2 when he first visited them and the words he knew of speaking that time was "Over there" and "I did." We would always laugh whenever we ask Bren if he farts and he would respond "I did." But now that he's 4, I bet he can fluently speak English with an American accent better than anybody living in the house right now, lol! This is going to be a fun Christmas for my family.

Rediscovering Philippines

I’ve been here in the Philippines for 2 weeks now. I’m enjoying myself so far. We go out everyday to take care of some wedding stuff. It’s hot and humid here as always, hehe. It helps a lot that I don’t have to ride on jeepneys all the time. I’m glad that my dad is always willing to drive the family van for me whenever I need to go to SM or Ayala or even to meet up with my wedding suppliers. Today I had to say no because my destination is only 2 kilometers away so I told him I’ll just ride on a jeep, that way we can save gas. I must say it’s really such a blessing that we own a vehicle here, though I can’t drive here of course. I always get nervous with the bumper to bumper traffic here in the Philippines. Not to mention the way drivers seem to disregard basic road rules. I can now understand why Jeff and my brother in law would say they don’t want to drive in the Philippines, lol. Anyway, things like this only make the Philippines more unique and enjoyable. Other than missing my Jeff and my Wii back in the US, I love being here! The fun has just started.

Me and my youngest sister Jhazel

Home Sweet Home

Vacation officially starts last Sunday. It feels wonderful to finally see my family again after 2 long years. The flight to the Philippines was long, boring and very exhausting. I had to take 4 different planes, Chicago to Hongkong the longest and most turbulent. I've admitted in my previous post that I was a scared flyer. But being on 4 different planes for more than 24 hours made me less fearful and I have come to not over-react to the weird sounds that planes make and the unexplainable feeling that flying gave me. The scariest part for me is Take-off and Landing but I must say these are the most enjoyable experience anybody could have when flying. I hate turbulence the most. For me, I think it's the most uncomfortable feeling especially when you're in their very "bulilit" lavatory, lol! My butt hurt from sitting for long hours. I wasn't thrilled walking through the airports for the check-in process and gate transfers, but I haven't really had a hard time with it so it ain't that bad. Chicago airport is huge and confusing but so long as you pay attention to the airport signage and wayfinding systems, you'll be fine. Generally, it was a good experience and it was all worth it.

My family didn't get much sleep as well because of excitement and anticipation. You see, we were all excited, lol! I've always wanted to eat in Jollibee again so that's the first thing I did when I arrived. I had my much needed Jollibee fix on my first day. Yipeey!!! Even if I was exhausted, I didn't sleep that day. I tried to get my body adjusted to the new time zone. It was hard for the first 2 days. I'm very much fine right now though. I've been busy with the wedding preparation. It's taking so much of my time but this needs to be done so I can relax when Jeff gets here next month. So far so good...I'm enjoying Philippines!

Have showered and freshen up after a long flight

Me with my mom and nephew Andrave

With mom, aunts and cousins

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go

This is it! I'm leaving for a vacation to my homeland Philippines. My flight leaves early tomorrow at 6:20 A.M. XNA airport is 3 hours away so hubby will drive us to the area tonight and just stay in a hotel so I won't be late for my flight tomorrow morning. I'm actually nervous. I'm scared of flying. I wish I have hubby with me. My family back home were all excited. My mom, dad, youngest sister, cousins, nephew and aunts are going to pick me up at the airport. Whoa! A big entourage huh! Nothing screams I'm welcome and they're excited to see me again, lol. I can't wait to be in the Philippines again. I'll try to update my blog as often as I can. I'll share photos of my vacation especially my upcoming wedding. I may not be able to drop EC everyday for at least the first week but I'll do the best I can. Please pray for a safe flight for me!

Torn

My flight to the Philippines is in 3 days. Am I excited? Yes... Am I lonely? Yes... How could I have felt these two things at the same time? Well, simple. It's been 2 years since I left my country and family back home. I've missed them. I want to see them again and spend Christmas and New Year with them. However, it tears my heart to leave hubby here alone. The fact that I'm leaving on Friday didn't sink in until last night. He just held me and I cried like a baby. We're going to miss each other so bad. Our only consolation is that the separation is temporary. He'll follow me in December. Just like the old days, we'll chat everyday and talk on the phone every Sunday until we can be together again. Haay! I know it's sad but he was only allowed to take a month off from work so I guess we'll just have to deal with it. I won't be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and Dad's kin. I've always spent it with them since I got here. Philippines does not celebrate this occasion so I'll just to have catch up with them next year.