Holy weekend in Tagaytay

A fantastic view of Taal lake and volcano

It was a lazy 3 days and two nights at my Tito's place in Tagaytay. The weather was cool enough to wear a light sweater, a welcome change from Manila and Boracay.

I was content just sitting around the dinner table the entire time chatting with the family. I finally tackled organizing my Australia pictures. That was a time suck, whittling down 4,000+/- shots to 810. And I'm not close to done yet, I'd like to get it to under 500! But that can wait.


Cholesterol loading Filipino breakfast. Longanisa, corned beef, pork and beans, fried fish, fried eggs and fried rice. That's a lot of fried stuff!

I had a 2hr massage from Della, my tita's masseuse, who joined us for the weekend. Man, that girl is strong, sometimes to the point of oww! As in, it hurts so good, if you know what I mean. She worked on my shoulders until the knots disappeared, and my legs felt like jelly when she was done. Ahh, she'd be good after a long distance run...



Isn't this girl a cutie?

My 12 year old nephew whupped my ass in wii tennis. Apparently, form doesn't count for much in wii, it's all about the wrist. :-( But it was payback time when I beat my 8 year old godson in Boggle :-) Ha ha, I'll take my wins anywhere I can. On another note, I taught my cousins and godson how to solve Sudoku puzzles. I think I've got them hooked.


Look at that kid dance!


It was a good weekend. Topping it off, we were greeted by two butterflies hovering around the trellis as we were leaving. It was said that the butterflies were my grandparent's spirit saying their hellos. :-)

A little princess comes to visit

and sleep.

... can't figure out how to rotate this photo.

Crocs, the new rage?

I spent the easter weekend at Tagaytay Highlands with friends. A nice getaway from Manila.

Favorite thing on a hot summer day: ice cream on sugar cones.

As I watched the kids play at Kids Gym, I noticed four kids wearing my current shoe of choice, Crocs. Is this the current rage in town? And why only on kids? So I admit, I am hanging on to my youth and besides, I just don't possess that classic Manila style. I'm too much of a sporty girl to wear pointy shoes.

Breezy evening cocktails on the veranda gazing at the volcano, the lake. Ahh... Listening to the others talk shop, I can't relate. I tune out, basking in the moment, in awe of my surroundings and disbelief that I am truly here. Then I wonder if moving was the right thing to do, or was this another impulsive moment acted on? I'm truly out of my element in this world of the Joneses, but I do appreciate and enjoy living, however small, in their world. What of my desire to simplify? I shall find my balance! As long as I'm true to myself and live within my means, I don't mind being viewed as the provincial sister/bumpkin.

...

An opportunity arose yesterday... a friend suggested I manage his family's resort. He won't be able to pay me a salary, but I will get free room and board, and the run of the house. My time will be my own during the week to pursue watersports. Weekends will be devoted to managing the resort and entertaining the guests. Once I've put in my hours, I can make money as a dive guide or master. Interesting, certainly worth thinking over... This is good, I can be close, but not too close, to Manila.