Christmas in Zambales...

Christmas was spent simply with family. My two kids were here while the other two were not able to join us here because they had other commitments in school that they needed to do in Manila. We had our day full today as we spent half of it joy riding towards north of Zambales. We saw the damage caused by the recent typhoons in the Philippines and it was really a depressing sight. I am also happy to see today one of my high school classmates who visited me and we had the chance to do some catching up even briefly. We are trying to enjoy our remaining days here as we are about to leave in few days.

christmas eve with family... getting ready for the noche buena

food for noche buena

joy riding a day after christmas.... we saw the damage caused by the recent typhoons....

highschool classmate Lydia came for a very brief visit

swimming with my nephew Jeff

Zambales ... here we come!

We left Manila on December 19th, a Saturday to spend christmas with my mother and my siblings with their families in Zambales. The bus trip to Zambales gave me some nostalgic feeling. It was nice seeing my family again after 5 years. We will be staying here until the 27th and head back to Manila before we leave back for the US.

on our way to Zambales

we're home!

one afternoon in Subic

First week in PI

We arrived safety here in the Philippines after a long and tiring trip. My kids picked us up in the airport and brought us straight to the condo. Our first week here in the Philippines was pretty much spent with my kids and some friends. I had a chance to meet up with friends at my former office and it was really great seeing them. They treated me to a sumptous dinner at Gilligan's in Market! Market! My former boss Rinzi also treated us to a chinese lunch, also in Market! Market the following day. I also met up with Laila and Maria in Greenbelt for a nice dinner. All of them gave me nice presents. I really thank them for that very generous gesture. That was so appreciated! Here are some pics i wanna share with you:

(L-R): my son Lui, me, Mitsay, Marilyn and her daughter Jen at Market! Market!

Melba, me and Kino

with former boss Rinzi who treated us to a chinese lunch in Market! Market

Dinner with Maria and Laila at Greenbelt, Makati. Also with us was Maria's son Paolo.

Getting ready for the trip!

Hubby and I are now into panic mode for our trip tomorrow. I guess it's gonna be a no-sleep night for us. We have to be at the airport by 4am and the weather is really bad. I hope they don't cancel the flight or else everything will be affected. I am now checking my "to bring" and "to do" lists to make sure nothing will be missed out. I hope i can have access online while on my vacation. Merry christmas and a happy new year to everyone!