It’s been a while since I posted Abby videos.  Well, I haven’t really been taking any.  But last night, Abby was at her performance level best again, singing to her Mimi via YM video messaging. She sang what to me sounded like jazz versions of Twinkle Star and ABC complete with dance moves which had me guffawing in the most unladylike fashion. Hee hee.

Ok, enough talk from me.

For her first number, I present to you, Abby singing the jazz version of Twinkle Star. One more thing, ignore all the kalat and my hubby’s sudden guffaw. *wink*

Next up, the jazz version of ABCs.

Before Abby’s final number, I’d like to ask you one question first. Can you name the 7 continents? I sure hope you can! But if not, it’s ok. Here’s a song that will help you remember. Hee hee.

Have a great week ahead! *wink*

PS. I will get around to replying to all the comments soon. Thank you for your patience!

On August 1st, I received an email from Gracie, advising me to checkout the website of the UST High School Alumni Association.  Gracie and I are alumnae of USTHS.  What got me truly excited was that the website has an E-Veritas, the online version of the high school yearbook (Veritas).  Believe it or not, yearbooks from as far back as 1948 are posted online, most of them at least!

So what does my blog post title have to do with anything?  You see, UST HS is one of the ties that bind Hubby and me together.  It was where we first met, a meeting which ultimately led to us being bound together for eternity.  Hee hee.  But our ties with UST extends beyond Hubby and me.  Thank God for the E-Veritas, I will be able to accompany my explanation with some very interesting illustrations…yearbook photos! *wink*

1.  Daddy Cho

You can’t imagine how ecstatic I was to see my Dad’s high school grad pics.  It took me a few minutes of anxious searching.  Finding him was one of my greatest eureka moments ever!  My Dad graduated from UST HS,  in 1962, valedictorian might I add. *wink*

Reading the caption below his photo, I couldn’t help but smile.  He was class business manager (that must be the equivalent of treasurer), a PMT Cdt. Lt. Col., an SCA Catechist and a member of Pax Romana and the Intramural Basketball League.  His motto was, and I quote, “The attainment of today is the foundation of tomorrow.” Serious!  Well, I’ve always loved my Dad’s sense of humor.  Hee hee.  Peace, Daddy!

Here’s the only photo of my Dad that I have with me…

What a difference 16 years make!

2.  Lola Goly

After I found my Dad’s photo, I immediately checked out the faculty pages for the same year (1962) next, looking for a specific lady.  Alas, I found her…Lola Goly, Hubby’s maternal grandma.

Lola Goly was possibly one of my dad’s English teachers.  Although there’s no way to confirm it now, I have a strong feeling that my dad was once Lola Goly’s student.  In fact, one of Lola Goly’s best friends, Mrs. Constantino, was my Dad’s Biology teacher…and mine, too!

3.  Tito Jess

Tito Jess is the husband of my MIL’s sister, Ninang Petite and dad of Saudi Sexpat, Pinky.  He was from Batch ‘64, which means that for 2 years, he, my dad and Lola Goly, were under one building and walking - possibly passing each other -  in the same halls.  I don’t know if Lola Goly became Tito Jess’ teacher, but if that were the case, did they ever think there was a possibility that they’ll be each other’s “in-law”?  Hee hee.

4.  Tita Aileen

Tita Aileen was my Social Studies teacher when I was a freshman.  On my senior year, I found out she was the aunt (by virtue of marriage to Hubby’s uncle) of one of my ardent suitors (oh, I had many! hahaha!), referring to Hubby, of course.  She’s Lola Goly’s daughter-in-law.  It’s funny how Tita Aileen remembers some of my classmates, but not me.  Hahaha!  That’s how well I blended with the classroom walls. *wink* Peace, Tita Aileen!

5.  Munchkin Daddy

Where’s Hubby?

Sirit?

Bwahahaha!  I did ask his permission if I can post his yearbook photo.  Promise!  This is obviously a badly taken picture.  Really!  It doesn’t give justice to Hubby’s inherent good looks.  Naks! His prom photo was a hundred times better than this one!  He was my date, by the way.  Kilig!

6.  Munchkin Mommy

Where am I?

Would you be able to guess which two girls are my close friends/barkada?

That was too easy!  I haven’t changed a bit!  Hee hee!

Well, I have nothing to say for myself.  Hahaha!  Except maybe. “Gosh I look good!”  :P  Oh yeah, Hubby and I graduated exactly 30 years after my Dad did.

There you are.  I’m amazed at how yearbook photos bring about an avalanche of memories…good ones!

Have a wonderful weekend y’all!

Kuha ang mga sumusunod na larawan sa Yosemite National Park (YNP) sa California.  1,200 square miles ang laki nito at binubuo ng iba’t ibang anyo ng lupa at tubig at iba’t ibang uri ng mga puno.  Ayon sa website ng YNP, pinakakilala ito dahil sa mga waterfalls na matatagpuan sa loob ng park.

Ito ang Bridalveil Falls.  Di tulad ng ibang waterfalls sa YNP na nawawawala o tumitigil sa pag-agos depende sa panahon, ang Bridalveil Fall ay patuloy na umaagos hanggang sa mga huling araw ng summer.

Angkop na angkop ang pangalang Bridalveil sa waterfalls na ito.  Parang napakapino ng tubig.  Napakaganda rin ng contrast ng puting tubig at ng kabatuhang may bahid ng itim.  At pagmasdan ninyo…ngayon nakikita ang tubig…

…ngayo’y parang nawala!

May mga taong naglalakas loob na lakarin ang 200 yards mula sa bungad ng daanan papunta sa falls hanggang sa paanan nito pero para maligo.  Wala kaming ganoong lakas ng loob!  Masaya na kaming magmasid malapit sa fall at kumuha ng mga litrato.

Dito nagtatapos ang aking lahok para sa Litratong Pinoy. Kung kayo’y nakakaramdam ng gutom,  may puti’t itim na biskwit dito, ang isa ko pang lahok sa LP.

Kung kayo’y may panahon pa, inaanyayahan ko kayong ituloy ang pagbabasa at samahan pa ako sa pamamasyal sa Yosemite, ngunit nasa wikang Ingles na ang akingn kuwento. :)  Maraming salamat!

oOo

We had a fantastic time at Yosemite.  It was just wonderful to be surrounded by the overwhelming beauty of nature.  Due to it’s size, getting from major scenic spot to another (by car!) can take some time.

Through a pair of binoculars, my little nature tripper got to take a closer look at her surroundings.

We walked a great lot and that’s the only way one can truly take in and bask in the glory of nature.  We’re glad we brought Abby’s stroller along.  It would have been extremely difficult to take a leisurely walk if hubby and I had to alternately carry Abby!  That would have been some workout!

Pushing a stroller against the pull of gravity is quite a challenge, too!  So we still had a fair share of cardio workout!

oOo

From the Bridalveil Fall, we went to Glacier Point next.  And good golly, the view here was even more breathtakingly amazing!  It was just unfortunate that it was foggy at the time of our visit.  That limited the visibility of the gorges/canyons big time!  Due to the high elevation, it was chilly at Glacier Point…chilly enough for a jacket!

From the spot where we stood, we could clearly see two distinct bodies of water.  Can you spot them?

Let’s close in on them a little bit more.

It was chilly but this hiker wouldn’t hear of wearing a jacket!

If it hadn’t been foggy, the backdrop for this photo would be even more perfect than it already is.

oOo

On the drive out back to Mammoth after spending a good 3 hours in Yosemite, (bitin, I tell you!) we, stopped several times, this time, to take photos of clouds mingling with pine tree tops…

…and of lakes, too.

If you’re the type of person who cries at the sight of beautiful things, you’ll be a total emotional wreck by the time you head out of Yosemite.  Hee hee.

The tour ends here. :)  I hope you had fun and thank you for joining me!

I’m very much available!  Here’s a sample of my work…

Puwede na ‘di ba?  It’s a pony, by the way.  Hee hee.  And here’s my happy customer…

We had a face/arm painting session this afternoon.  It’s Abby’s reward for a time-out free week in school.  Now that we have the tools of the face painting trade, I promised Abby a session for every time-out free day.  A bigger reward for a time-out free week, of course, still stands.

Have a great week ahead!  Cheers!

That’s a word I coined using this formula: Bento + Toy = BenToy.  Check this out…

Yes it is a toy.  Abby’s!  It looks so ridiculously real, don’t you think!  Promise!  It’s a belated birthday gift from her Ninang Pinky and Tito Keith.  The Chinois kids, Abby’s cousins, Luigi, Rafa and Marga, gave Abby the book “First Book of Sushi”.

Abby and her belated birthday loots

Care for some sushi?

I love this toy bento box.  It’s so child friendly.  The chopsticks and the sushi/maki pieces have velcro on them.

Look ma, one chopstick only!  Hahaha!

I didn’t realize it was sooo easy to make a tamago sushi…

And check out the nori (sea weed)!

September is beginning to feel like Japanese culture appreciation month here at out home.  First, Abby got a Hello Kitty showcase (last week).  And now, these!  Hee hee.  I’m not complaining.  Gifts no matter the price and size, are signs of abundance. To our Kingdom-based family, thank you again for these wonderful gifts!  Mmmwah!

oOo

The Bento box toy and the sushi book are not the only belated birthday presents Abby received.  MrsPartyGirl’s unica hija, Ninna, also sent Abby a Nintendo DS Game.  I now have to share my DS with Abby.  I don’t mind, believe me.

Ninna, Abby sends you her thanks! Mmmwah!

oOo

Aba, I received a belated birthday present, too!  A few weeks after my birthday, my friend, Nell, sent me a beautiful token of friendship cum birthday gift…

It’s a heartwarming book about friendship.  I hope Nell isn’t suggesting that, if the two of us were to stand side-by-side, we’ll look like the elephants on the book cover.

Birthday card from Nell.  Very creative, ‘no?

Warn birthday wishes from San Francisco

To Nell, thank you, Friend!

oOo

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!  Cheers!