Last 21 July, we finally got ourselves a little farther from Austin  and took a more or less 2-hour drive to San Antonio.  Big thanks to Dora the Explorer’s cousin, Diego!  We had tickets to the “Go, Diego, Go Live: The Great Jaguar Rescue”.  And to tell you honestly, I’ve really been looking forward to this trip.  Plus, I heard that the actor playing Diego, Richie Portela, was such a cutie. :D Since the show wasn’t till 5pm, we thought we had at least a couple of hours to spare to explore a little of San Antonio. 

The River Walk

When we got to San Antonio at 1:30pm (original plan was to arrive at 12nn!), our first stop was The River Walk.  The river is one level below the city streets and its banks are lined with shady trees, shops and restaurants.  Being in the middle of summer, there were a lot of people the day of our visit.  The restaurants were full and people were just everywhere!  We had lunch at “The Original”, a Mexican restaurant.  While it was a blessing that we got a table by the river in an instant, it took forever to get the menu, to have our orders taken, and to finally eat.  It was already 2:30pm when we finally got to eat.  By then, I was already hungry and cranky! :D  

Nope, this isn’t the river yet!  This is a lanscaped pool leading to the basement of the Hyatt Hotel, which has access to the River Walk.  In short, nakidaan kami sa hotel! :D

Hubby and Abby on a footbridge, which connects both banks of the river.

We had lunch by the river and every few minutes, a boat filled with tourists would pass by.  We didn’t have time for a river cruise. :(

Abby had a lot of fun feeding the ducks tortilla chips!

The Alamo

We wanted to go inside The Alamo, which is one of the famous historic spots in Texas.  But the line was just way too long!  At after 3pm, it was just impossible to enjoy a leisurely walk inside its grounds.  So we just took pictures outside and promised to ourselves that we’ll go inside the next time we visit, which should be some time soon! :D  Across the Alamo were the Plaza Wax and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.  We thought we’ll have better luck getting in the museums since we’ll have to buy tickets to get in (unlike The Alamo which is totally free!).  We were wrong.  The line for tickets was just as long as the line for The Alamo.  After a few mintues in line, we decided it wasn’t exactly our day and left for Haagen Daaz!  Nyahaha!

The Alamo is one of the most widely photographed tourist spots in Texas.  We had to have pics too!

Since we were left with nothing else to do, we just decided to kill time at Haagen Daaz, where the line wasn’t too long!  Guess who was happiest with our decision!

The Majestic Theater/Go, Diego, Go!

By 4;30 pm, we were already in front of the Majestic Theater, which was just a few blocks away from the Alamo Plaza.  People were already lined up, waiting to get in.  A lot of kids were wearing Dora and Diego shirts.  I was really excited for Abby for this show.  Her first real live show!  The theater was just gorgeous and we had very good seats!  Row R wasn’t so bad after all! :D  We also found the souvenirs to be prized reasonably, unlike the ones in the circus!  Hee hee.  So I got Abby a rescue pack. ;)

When the show started, Abby seemed to freeze on her seat.  She just sat there looking at Alicia, who opened the show.  And the show was supposed to be interactive, with a lot of singing and dancing to include the audience!  I ended up being the perky cheerleader for Abby.  I tried my hardest to get Abby to participate.  I drew the line at getting up to dance!  Sobra na yun! For most of the show, Abby sat on my lap watching intently on what’s happening on stage.  This was all new to her, specially since Diego, Alicia and Dora  were real people.  The Dora we saw at Glorietta was a mascot. 

My biggest disappointment was we got an alternate actor playing Diego.  Grrr!  Balik bayad! :D  There wasn’t any mention anywhere that there’s a possibility that an alternate actor would be playing!  Kainis talaga!  As you can see, I’m truly affected.  Hee hee.  Anyway, Abby did say she had a lot of fun!  We’re thinking of watching The Wiggles next…but the nearest venue is Houston and it’s gonna be next month already.  As it is, we already have a full August.  Oh well, bahala na!

Baby Jaguar? Is that you?

Abby, the animal rescuer!

Mommy and Baby Jaguar! :D

The theater was a treat in intself!

Diego and Dora (with Baby Jaguar) riding a boat. ;)

Something Extra

What got me all excited and my heart pounding on our trip to and from San Antonio was the sight of the Prime Outlet San Marcos (and the Tanger Outlet next to it)!  That place is huuuuuuge!  We can’t just exit the highway to take a look because, as I was telling hubby, I’ll need an entire day to “tour” the darned place…plus the fact that I have to save for it.  There’s just no way I’m going there and go home empty handed!  Nyahaha! ;)

In a few days, we’ll be going on another road trip…and another one after that!  Hopefully, these next ones will be better than our first in more ways than one! :D

I would like to thank my very dear friend, Meeya, for bestowing upon me, the Inspirational Blogger Award.  It was most unexpected but very very much appreciated.  :) I was just going about my business of minding other people’s business updating myself with the latest news about my Houston-based amiga, who was also just recently honored with the same award, when she started giving out Blogger Awards herself.  And there it was…my name…immortalized in cyberspace! :D  The “citation” reads…

“Mommy Weng, the Munchkin Mommy: This mom has dropped everything – work, comforts, and all that is familiar – in order to follow her hubby thousands of miles away from home. Sounds familiar? Well, our lives are parallel in that respect, as well as in being stage-mommies to cute little talented girls (ehem!). However, she is an amazement to me in the sense that she has embraced this new life of hers much easier than I ever did. What’s more, she writes with so much positivity and so much gusto that I am made to  re-think all of the things I have taken for granted – the wonders of the newness of domesticity, her dreams for her little girl, the ever thoughtfulness of her hubby – and I happily realize (with a good sigh) that I have that, too!  I am glad that I was able to reconnect with her after all these years - her friendship is such a blessing. Weng, dear, I hope you’ll keep on writing, because when I feel PMS-y about my lot in life, its your stories that pick me up.”

I was left teary-eyed after reading these words.  Really!  Meeya, I humbly accept this award that you’ve wholeheartedly honored me with.  For someone with a very extensive blogroll, it means so much that I’m one of the first five people you thought of.  I will definitely keep on writing!  There’s so much more I’d like to tell you but I’ll save them for later. ;)  In true award-receiving fashion, I am dedicating this award to all hardworking mommies out there – stay-at-home and working mommies alike – who are bound by the same goal, and that is to do everything within (and even beyond!) their power to give their families the best care and the best life possible. 

As per the rules of the Blogger Awards, started by Christy of Writer’s Reviews, I have to honor 5 other bloggers with either the same award that I received (Inspirational Blogger Award) or one of 4 other award categories (Courageous, Creative, Technical and Charity).  I don’t have a very extensive blogroll, but anyway, here it goes…

For those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others.

Pinky of Saudi Sexpat Stories – Let me start by saying that there’s nothing kinky about this site.  Sexpat means “spouse of an expat”.  :D Pinky, like me, left the Philippines to become a full-time “domestic diva” in, of all places, KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)!  :D  That alone is hint enough that she gave up so much more than I did.  Hee hee.  She traded in her power banker outfits for KSA’s “abaya”, the freedom of openly practicing Catholicism, and all the luxuries and comforts of home and being around her closely-knit family to be with her hubby and 3 wonderful kids.  I’m utterly dumbfounded at how she has so amazingly adapted to her new life in a very conservative country.  Through her blogs, I was able to see KSA in a different light and have made me more appreciative of the “freedom” that my hubby, Abby and I enjoy.  Her blogs have made firmer, my belief, that for as long as a family is together, any place could easily be turned into something really really close to home. :D

Keith of Leap of Faith -  Keith is the reason why my first awardee, Pinky, is in KSA. :D  Let me just spell that out, he is Pinky’s husband. :D  Keith is the very first blogging daddy I’ve ever come across.  His odes to his wife and loving stories about his children sometimes make me wish that my hubby had his own blogsite too.  Hee hee.   Keith’s blogs have taught me some very interesting facts about KSA and have almost got me convinced that we ought to visit them some time!  Blogging moms are a dime a dozen, and it’s very refreshing to have a hubby and daddy, like Keith, talk about his take on life, raising kids, and breastfeeding, among other things. 

Abby of Between the Moon and New York City – I’ve only met Abby around March or April this year when she left a comment on my WifeSpeaks slumbook.  Her entries are always a fun read, be it about Philippine showbiz, the hustle and bustle that is New York, and her sometimes sarcastic takes on life.  What inspires me most about Abby’s blogs are the ones about her kitchen adventures.  Boy this girl can cook!  And she presents her food with such creativity….and takes very good pictures of them too!  She has gotten me taking pics of new dishes I’ve cooked (but have yet to post ever!). ;)

The Wives of WifeSpeaks – Ok, this may sound a little self-serving because I’m part of WifeSpeaks…but really, these girls go out of their way to come up with and share their thoughts on a wide variety of topics, which other wives can find interesting and very well relate to.  Keep on sharing, girls! :D

Meeya of Confessions of a Domesticated Party Girl - The Blogger Awards rules do not say that one can’t give out the award to someone who has already received it and so, I’m honoring Meeya with another one.  I consider Meeya to be my blogging mentor.  I first started blogging through Friendster Blogs and discovered that my long lost high school friend has been blogging for some time already.  Her entries had 2 effects on me: one, that I have no right to write because my God, Meeya writes so beautifully well.  And two, maybe I should blog because it seems like so much fun and I often have quite a mouthful to share. Obviously, I chose the former. :D  When I found out that we will be uprooting ourselves from the Philippines to live somewhere else, I was already convinced that I will survive a life of domesticity because a party girl has already done it and successfuly at that! ;)  Meeya’s entries have often been a valuable resource for mommy and wifey matters and so much more!  Meeyagirl, I too am very glad that we’ve reconnected after all these years…even gladder that you just live a good 3-hour drive away!  And I thank God for the blessing that you truly are.  Mmmwah!

 There!  To all ye bloggers out there, may you also inspire others in more ways than one! ;)

I was going to post an entry about something else when something more blogworthy transpired a while ago….

I was comfortably seated on the living room floor downloading pictures from the digital camera to my laptop when Abby came up to me from her little play area, which was just next to the living room right behind the sofa.  “Mommeeee. Loooook,” she very calmly but merrily chirped in a sing-song tone.  When I turned to look at her, what I saw almost made my eyeballs pop out of their sockets.  All I could say was, “Aaaaahbbeeee!  What did you doooooo?”  And proceeded to cover my eyes with my hands as I shook my head.  Upon hearing us, hubby rushed out of the laundry room to ask what happened.  I simply turned Abby around and held her head so she could face the direction of her dad who was at the 2nd floor hallway.  This is what we saw…

Abby entertained herself by writing on her face using one of her markers.  After I recovered from the initial shock, I couldn’t help but laugh about it.  She just drives me crazy.  And that, is an understatement.

This entry has been sitting in my draft box for gosh knows how long and only got to finish it today.  I’m still publishing it for proper documentation as it may become a valuable reference for Abby when she’s all grown up. ;)  

Last June 30, the three of us trooped to the Frank Erwin Center for Abby’s 1st circus (not counting her circus themed 1st bday!), the Ringling Brothers’ and Barnum & Bailey’s “Circus of Dreams”.  It was like a first circus visit for me and hubby as well, because my last real circus was when I was in grade school, around 1st or 2nd grade, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the Araneta Coliseum.  :D

Our tickets were for the 7:30 pm show but as per the show’s website, it would be a good idea to be at the venue 90 minutes before so ticket holders can visit the animals while they are resting between show.  There’s also supposed to be an “all access pre-show” an hour before show time.  Naturally, we wanted to “sulit” our tickets, and by 6pm, we were already making our way from one of the nearby parking lots to the FEC.  :D

Our first stop was the animal cages.  It proved to be a few notches better than our zoo experience because the elephants and tigers were all there, fully awake and roaming around their respective containment areas.  We also saw a few horses and zebras. 

The FEC doors opened at exactly 6pm for the “all access pre-show”.  During this time, circus goers were allowed entry to the main circus area for a closer encounter with the stars of the circus – the clowns, the acrobats, etc. – who were holding mini-shows at different areas of the circus floor.  Those with souvenir programs (like the suckers gullible people that we are) asked for autographs.

  To build up Abby’s excitement for the circus, we told her what she could expect from it days before the show, from the circus animals, to the performances she will see to the circus food.  What’s a circus without cotton candy?  We promised Abby we’d buy her cotton candy not knowing it would be worth almost as much as one show ticket.  Since it’s bad to break a promise, we did buy the cotton candy (which came with a souvenir hat!)….pretzel and hotdogs, too! ;)

The show started on time and lasted for almost 2 and a half hours!  It was as colorful as it was excitingThere were oooohs and aaaahs for all the death defying acts, and giggles and laughter for the clowns and their antics.  Needless to say, everyone’s tushy was glued to their respective seats and everyone’s eyes were glued to the performers.

We’re glad we went to the circus.  Abby kept talking about it for the next few days following the show and kept herself busy by leafing through the souvenir program over and over again.

Next up on our agenda is Diego…not Bubble Gang’s Diego, but Dora the Expolorer’s cousin! :)  We’ll be watching “Go, Diego Go!” this weekend and I’m we’re already really excited! ;) 

Have a great week ahead, y’all! :D

After Abby’s night time bath last night, she was at her performance-level best.  I was quick to take videos and I simply have to share them with you.  She’s no Connie Talbot but grab some Kleenex just the same…in case she brings you to tears due to fits of giggles or laughter. :)  Oh, I’ve included the words to the songs she’s singing just in case you want to..er..sing along. ;)

For Abby’s opening number, here’s her rendition of Hillary Duff’s “What Dreams are Made Of”.  This one’s for Ate Kylah, Ate Sophie, and our family’s original Hillary Duff, Ate Macy. :D

Hey now, hey now

This is what dreams are made of (Hey! Hey!)

Hey now, hey now

This is what dreams are made of

I’ve got somewhere I belong; I’ve got somebody to love

This is what dreams are made of

Abby’s second number is an original composition by Abby herself.  ;)  It’s called “Saw You”.  Or is it “Show You”?  Well, it doesn’t matter. :)

Saw you, saw you (paulit-ulit lang na “saw you”))

Before Abby got tired from singing, it hit me that Abby didn’t have to use the hairbrush and pretend it was a mic because she had a mic of her own!  Ayayay!  So anyway, for Abby’s farewell number, here’s the signature goodbye song from “Blue’s Clues”.

Now it’s time for so long; But we’ll sing just one more song

Thanks for doing your part; You sure are smart

You know with me and you; And my dog Blue

We can do anything; That we want to do

This is my cue to beam with pride.  Pasensya na, stage mommy po. ;) And to answer the question that’s probably in your mind right now, sa akin siya nagmana!  Nyahaha! :P