Happy 59th Wedding Monthsary!

November 30, 2011, a  non-working holiday in celebration of Bonifacio Day throughout the Philippines, is also my 59th Wedding Monthsary. My beloved husband gave me delightful midnight surprises. His joyful demeanor triggered giggles and laughter that our little Duday and I enjoyed to the hilt. We had some red wine and mini cakes to cap our simple celebration.

Red Wine and Mini Cakes on our 59th Monthsary

On December 30, 2011, a non-working holiday in celebration of Rizal Day in the country, my beloved husband and I will celebrate our 60th month of being married. It will be 5 years of growing and learning, fighting and forgiving, living and exploring, loving and healing! Marriage is truly a beautiful gift from the Lord!

My prayer:

Father, thank you for my beloved husband, Mosler Paul Lapore. Thank you for the gift of marriage. I am so grateful to have a mate who is my companion through life. Let me never forget that my husband is a treasure and a reward from you. Enable me to love and respect him all the days of my life. Amen. 

Lake Sebu’s Monte Cielo Resort

After organizing and hosting several big events, I am crying out for rest. I want to go on a retreat. I long to go back to Lake Sebu’s Monte Cielo Resort where my body can be reinvigorated, my mind can be renewed, my heart will be refreshed and my soul can be revitalized.

Monte Cielo is not a lake side resort but it offers a spectacular view.

Photo Credits: Edna Omega Garces)

I long to relax in this cool and quiet mountain haven.

Enjoy their overnight accommodations at reasonable rates.

I long to rejuvenate with delectable food fresh from the source.

Monte Cielo Resort's Organic Breakfast

I long to don the T’nalak outfit and revisit the heritage of the T’boli tribe.

I long to feast in the beauty of nature and appreciate the simple things in life.

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A retreat is not possible right now but I hope to go back to Monte Cielo Resort before the year is over.

We are looking forward to another retreat in Monte Cielo Resort!

Location: Purok Pag-asa, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

|For inquiries and reservations please contact Mayette 09179230957|

Manila Ocean Park Adventure

A day before our Singapore trip, my husband and I decided to make our Auntie Susan’s birthday week special by going to Manila Ocean Park. We were glad to find out in the park’s official website that there are special treats for the season. We unanimously decided to avail of the Sun Up Special Mid-year Savers promo at PhP600 per person.

Since we had more than two hours before the Sea Lion Show, we decided to proceed to the Oceanarium. The diverse species of marine creatures in the giant aquariums made us gasp in amazement.

We were surrounded with fishes of different colors, shapes and sizes. Since no flash photography was allowed inside the facility, my husband and I captured some images by maximizing the available light using 50mm/1.8 lens.

Kissed By A Sea Lion

One of the highlights of my family’s recent trip to Manila Ocean Park was the Sea Lion Show. We were at the area 15 minutes before the show, giving us time to choose the best seats. While waiting, we were able to check out the poster outlining the difference between sea lions and seals.

When the show started, I felt like a curious 9-year old Girl Scout trapped in a 39-year old body. Relishing every moment of the show, I almost forgot I was with my mother, my husband and my aunt-in-law. Good thing I remembered to capture moments like this…

Happy Heart’s Day!

Extreme Adventure at Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu, Philippines

What pleasant surprises are in store for us today? Will it be a romantic dinner or an extreme adventure? Will there be mint chocolates or mushy notes? Will there be a creative blend of the 5 Love Languages?  Excitement is mounting!

Infectious Smile

I can’t help but smile. Even if the sky is gray. Even if a storm is brewing. Yes, there is so much to smile about even in the midst of challenges!

My students make me smile.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. ~Joseph Addison

My Weekend Choice

The growing list of things to do is screaming for attention.
Pending tasks are waiting to be accomplished.
There is much to be done.

Butterfly Tattoo, Anyone?

How would it be like to have a butterfly for a tattoo?

Tattoo, as defined by Medicine Net is “the permanent insertion of ink or other pigments below the skin using a sharp instrument”. I cringe  just by reading its definition. I can’t bear the thought of my skin being pierced just to have the desired designs. Besides, I can’t imagine having a mark that I could not erase with water and soap. But hey, I wanted to have the butterfly design on my skin, albeit simple!

Small Fruits, Big Smiles

How can something so simple make me smile this big?

One day, my husband surprised me and brought something that caught my fancy, a bowlful of local cherries! I ate it with gusto as if it were as expensive as grapes and as exotic as durian! He was so glad that it takes only such small fruits to elicit big smiles from me.While savoring each fruit, I made him realize that his bowlful of surprise is fondly associated with joyful childhood memories. That moment, I wished I can climb a tree and pick the fruits for myself.