Back Home From The Philippines!

It's been a week after we arrived from our long, exhausting trip from the Philippines. Of course, it's always been a long trip, but visiting a family is all worth it after all, don't you think?

This was one of the most memorable trip I had so far with my husband, seeing all my siblings complete.

It was an all summer out activity in the beach, plus big lunch and dinners. I am looking forward to share all these once I get settled. Besides, I have to dig more of our photos, as there are so many lol!

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Times Square Church

November 29, 2008 - NY Bus Tour

It was so cold when we reached New York in the morning. While walking along Broadway St., we happened to pass by Times Square Church. We got curious so we went inside to check it. We were greeted by a guy (a caretaker I guess) and my husband started asking about the church, building, pastors, etc... It was actually an opera house converted to a church. The artistic designs are still there so at a first glance, you won't think it's a church.

The history of this church is much more heart warming for me. It started all from Pastor David Wilkerson when he saw many lost souls wandering on the 42nd street of New York...pimps, drug addicts, pushers, prostitutes, etc. Being a man of God, his heart broke of what he saw, so that he looked up to God, wept and prayed about how can he help these lost souls get back to life. The answer was given...the Times Square Church was up.

Now, the church has over 8,000 people representing more than 100 different nationalities serving and praising God. It's an interdominational church so all people are welcome :). What a glorious start of the day for us. We felt we've been blessed to know one awesome place of worship and the house of God at the midst of a busy city. Nothing is impossible for God!

Rustic Furniture

Needing a furniture at home? I will be...soon :). These rustic furniture symbolize a stress free interior designs inside the home. It's kinda like you are always in communed with nature, inside your home. Besides, when you check on these furniture, they have unique designs making your home more environmental.

The Death Valley National Park

I don't know why they call this park death valley, but this long, thin valley is North America's lowest and driest place yet alos one of the most fascinating. Winter is mild, spring brings out spectacular flowers, while summer provides bragging rights for those who experience the desert heat!
In warm months, daytime temperatures frequently top 100 degress. It went even as high as 134 degrees fahrenheit at the aptly named Furnace Creek - just 2 degrees shy of a later world record in the Sahara Desert.
This national park has 3.3 million acres of deserts and mountains located on the border between California and Nevada. It has bone-dry salt pans, shifting sand dunes, wind-scoured canyons and giant alluvial fans resembling rock rivers tumbling onto the arid valley floor. Death Valley is North America's lowest spot at Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, the driest place averaging less than 2 inches of rain a year.
It must be an interesting place to visit. I am curious about getting its history and getting to see what's in there. Maybe someday :).

Coping Up!

I admit I am running behind my posts nowadays. After our long trip from the Philippines, there has been so many things to be done and many thing to take care of here at home and in the Philippines. I have been becoming too busy nowadays that I coudln't even afford to visit and update my blog anymore...but I won't give up LOL!
On the other side of the news, it was sad that we can't be on the road more often anymore. My hubby no longer has trip opportunities for symposiums which means no more trips for me as well, lol! If ever we have one, it would only be a long needed vacation to the Philippines. Meanwhile, we both agreed to rest for a while from our trips since we are buying a house in the Philippines. We are saving so, no trip expenses until the house would be completely payed...well, there might be trip plans but will be rare.
I still can get the chance to share my trip experiences in the Philippines from time to time :).

Anyway, I am excited for our upcoming house we are getting...a place we call our home! :).

Rainy Manila

As of this date, we are still in the Philippines. It's been a lot of rain here since we came. Many say it's too early rainy season for a summer LOL! But the good thing is we didn't experience so much heat as what we had last 2007. It was cooler and only in the 80'sF instead of in the 90'sF as what we expected.

Anyway, rainy or sunny, we are still having fun, being with our family as well as meeting some friends. Whew! We had been busy every day for our scheduled activities but mostly for fun! Ha! Isn't it cool just being busy meeting loved ones everyday? LOL!

So much activities to be shared! Later!

The Isle Royale National Park

On the northwest corner of Lake Superior accessible only by boat or floatplane is the nation's least-visited national park, - the Isle Royale National Park. This park is relatively untouched by outside influences, an isolated swath of primitive wilderness and is the home to the world's longest-running wildlife study.

During its 3 month summer season, this uninhabited archipelago attracts only about 17,000 visitors on a busy weekend.

From Copper Harbor to the island, you will take a 6-hour ferry ride where you will be greeted by a park ranger upon your arrival. One important thing to remember: Leave what you find and take out what you bring in. Why? The island's biggest attractions: wolves! Researchers also believe that moose arrived about 1900, probably by swimming a 20-mile wide channel from Canada.

Because of the park's self contained ecosystem, researchers considered the park as the longest-running predator-prey study in the world to date.

hhhmmm...interesting park!

Acadia National Park

I haven't visited this park yet, and one target list for me for a trip would be to visit Maine. I haven't visited this State yet, but now I have the reason to go there...see Acadia National Park.
I think I will love the place. I have been hearing and reading reviews from travellers coming from the park, and they were all positive :).

One of America's smallest and most popular national parks, it would be an awesome experience communing with nature - overlooking ocean beaches, deep-blue lakes, remote islands, towering evergreens, seeing the postcard-effect lighthouse and the tallest mountain on the east coast, etc...what more can you ask for being with nature and enjoying its beauty?

Well, I look forward to this itinerary someday, the day when I will be stepping the island of Maine :).

Lake Geneva, WI

The birthday girl, cousin Pearl

Me and cousins before dinner time

Hanging out beside the lake

After spending half of the day at the Renaissance Fair, we thought of driving to Lake Geneva, 45 minutes away from Kenosha.

I like the place - an ideal one to spend a worthwhile vacation during summer. This is the place to escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy city.

We only spent few hours hanging out beside the lake, but I discovered there are many things to enjoy being there. We thought of trying the lake cruise but we were not able to make it for their last trip. It was still worthwhile...we celebrated our cousin's birthday with a hearty dinner!

Fun!

Bristol Renaissance Fair

Aug. 30, 2008

This was one of our most memorable trip visiting our family in Illinois. Our weekend trip was spent going to Kenosha, Wisconsin which is a little of more than an hour drive from Niles, IL.

We visited the Bristol Renaissance Fair there. This fair opens in summer only (in Wisconsin) so when we got there, it was the last day! :).

A fairy on the tree! (She's real beautifully painted!)

Renaissance Fair such as this has been opened for more than 21 years where nearly 31 million guests get the chance to go back to a time when knights were noble, maids were merry, and turkey legs were titanic! - it's where you get to party like it's the year 1599! Wanna experience being in the 15th century? Well... this will be the world you'll get into :).

Am about to eat the titanic turkey leg! :)


The whole gang!


The parade and the performances

You can experience various activities inside such as entertainment, food, games, etc...discover at least 100 free things to do as well!

We had a blast!...I and my husband enjoyed the fun with our family group.

Clifton Hill, Canada

July 12, 2008 - We had one more extra free day, so we thought of visiting Clifton Hill, just 1 block away from the falls and Queen Victoria Park.
Clifton Hill is full of amusements and great attractions. Generally, it's being described as a big amusement park in Niagara that has rides, sports and more. Shopping areas are also in the area. there's a factory outlet there where you can buy cheap items including gold :).
If you love amusements and rides, one day might not be enough. Plan for at least 2 or more days at least.

Niagara Majestic Tours - Canada

July 11, 2008 - We started the tour early in the morning and boarded the bus. It was cloudy, and upon crossing the border, it started to rain. Our trip was rain or shine, so off we go. Our first stop was the Sir Adam Beck Hydro Power plant. For more than 4 decades, this is one of the largest hydroelectric facility of Ontario, and considered to be a natural,, non-polluting and reliable power source that has worked in harmony with the beauty of Niagara.

Then we proceeded to the most popular stop and a very unique attraction, the floral clock on Niagara Parkway. It also has an attractive feature - a 10-ft. wide water garden curving 85 feet around the base of the timepiece.

Then, we had a quick breakfast at Souvenir City, and at the same time did our early shopping souvenirs :).

The highlight of our tour was boarding the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour. Be sure to wear a comfortable clothing (don't wear any make up), and be prepared to get wet! LOL! You will be provided with a rain coat, so you won't be totally soaked!

We got the chance to get an awesome view of the falls by overlooking it through the top of Ramada Plaza on the 24th floor. Here, you can get as many photos and videos as you want, avoiding the crowd :).

Personalized Key Chains

I have some key chains but most of them are the ordinary ones. I have a couple of them that has my photos in it, but I do not use them so often because it's too small for me to see.
Actually, I receive mail offers from Vista Print. Couple of years ago, I was fascinated by their letterhead designs, so I got one set (personalized) which is what I am using ow for my letter correspondence. I have not seen about the key chains in the mail brochures they are sending me regularly, so I am just glad I saw this online :). While I am browsing their various designs, I felt of getting perhaps three personalized ones. Yes, once more I am returning as a customer because they have good quality and beautifully crafted designs. I still am loving my personalized letterheads from them, so since I use key chains, it's a good idea to have some in my purse or wallet :). I consider myself a regular customer of Vista Print so it's time to have my personalized key chains! I use key chains that I tag along on my purses. Since I got several kinds of keys (house, car, cabinets, drawers), I might as well organize and separate them with key chains, don't you think? Besides, I can get them as fancy as I like it to be, and most of all it's personalized. How cool is that?
It must be good to have custom keychains for easy retrieval of my keys. No more hassles in finding my car keys when I'm in a hurry mixed with many other ones.
I love to personalize my key chain with photos and text. I want to have my wedding photo (my husband and I together) on a floral designed template key chain with both our names on it and the date of our wedding at the bottom of it. This would be ideal for my house key. Another design would be a photo of myself with my name on it. I can just add anything depending on the design and shape I will choose.
Surprisingly, the price is so much affordable! It starts at $3.49 so, it's not bad getting at least two-three items with personalized touches. I even discovered it's much cheaper than those we buy at the store which are not even personalized! Well, what else can I say?....I just love Vista Print :).

Gatorland Experience

Entrance Area

May 27, 2008

My husband and I had a free time the whole day going to Gatorland, - an adventure park which is also called "The Alligator Capital of the World". This park is close to the hotel we were at in Orlando, FL.

This was one of a kind experience for us. If you love to visit adventure theme parks and nature conservatory, ad if you love gators and some species of protected habitat, this place is for you...bring your little ones, they would enjoy it! There are so many things to see inside the park. For kids, there's the petting zoo and the splash water park for them to enjoy the fun.

Petting Zoo

We tried the extreme encounters with the big gators with a photo opportunity. It was fun! Thank God!...those gators were too full to chase us, LOL!

Other adventure tours such as birding tours (close sight seeing of bird sanctuaries) can be done via train.

Do you want rookie wrestling with the gators as well? Go ahead...at your own risk! There's a $10 fee for the experience, and another additional fee for photo opportunity.

Emerge Labs OrganicSkinCare.com

Whenever I travel, my skin easily responds to weather temperature. Cold weather usually gives me dry scaly skin on the face (even lips), while sunburns strike leaving most of my skin so sore during summer, the reason why I always have to be sure I get a good skin care lotions or therapeutic skin products in my luggage.
I'm so glad I was able to find Emerge Labs Organic Skin Care, and so I'm now going organic! :). When it comes to my skin I'm really concern about it...well, I think every woman does, right? I've discovered Emerge Labs has the best ingredients containing natural, organic skin care formulas making it a high performance skin care. It is because of the fact that Emerge Labs serves to protect skin stem cells and fights chronological aging. And take note, it's a 100% fresh, organic skin care. Check it today, and try. You'll never regret you did.

Beverly Hills

Mostly considered by many as the "home of the rich", - Beverly Hills, has always been a dream for many to visit. Of course, the famous shopping street of Rodeo Drive has always been an attraction, - known as the world's epicenter of luxury fashion.

There are many places of attractions in Beverly Hills, not to include visiting movie stars' homes. They have world class city parks and gardens, there's the Greystone Mansion, the Farmer's Market (home of many international foods and cuisines), and many more.

It might be better for you to sign up for a tour to go around the city of LA including Hollywood and Beverly Hills. There are good prices for good packages depending on where and what you want to see.

Your Kiddies' Trendy Apparels

Man parents of today who have smaller kids must be proud looking at their kids wearing trendy clothes, and come to think of it, many of these cute kids can model kiddie's clothings and who wouldn't be proud to have a kid that looks so trendy, right?
Now, it's just easy to find your kid's cool, trendy and unique styles of apparels for them. Come and check these trendy collections at rsavenue.com. Most of these clothings are carried by R&S Avenue which are exclusive collections from Kingsley Clothing, Monster Republic, Ooh la la Couture, Harajuku Lovers, Amber Hagen, Munster Kids and more. The good thing with these clothings are being made and matched with branded personality. So if you think your kids are good with either funky, hip, trendy or rock and roll styles, you got a lot to choose from.
Kids are good with apparels which are fun and frivolous such as wearing clever T-shirts, zany colors, etc...Depending on your kid's lifestyle and personality, you can easily pick up clothes that are designed for them.
Summer is fast approaching, and you know...kids always love the beach! There are various designs available for your kid's swimwears too. Your little daughter would absolutely love to have a submarine swimwear while enjoying the cool, crystal waters of the beach or your pool :). In addition to, these swim wears are made up of high quality design, whether it's a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit, combined with a multitude of designs, colors and styles making it a high fashionable swim wear. These apparels are perfect for their summer trips as well such as going to the beach in a nearby town or in some other places ideal for fun in the waters, don't you think?
Why not start getting one today and avail of the free shipping if you buy worth $50 or more.

Grauman's Chinese Theater

Grauman's Chinese Theater is built by Grauman costing to $ 2,000,000. of entire expenses. It had its grand opening on May 18, 1927 in Hollywood. Then it was opened to the public the next day, May 19, 1927.

Grauman's Chinese Theater is not only famous of studio premieres but is as well widely known as the home of hands and footprints of the Holywood stars. This site is always flocked by many visitors and tourists alike (including me) to take photos of the hands and footprints of the famous celebrities; - to name a few, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Temple, Rita Hayworth, etc...

Boating & Alcohol Don't Mix

I think the title of this blog post speaks for itself, don't you think? And it's 100% true! When it comes to driving (and boating) or anything that involves operating moving vehicles/machines, drinking alcohol is always a bad idea. That means Boating and Alcohol Don't Mix. Agree? It's like the same thing when you say - "Don't drink and drive."
It is a sad thing to analyze though that many still refuse to listen and follow the golden rule not until they have bad accidents from driving drunk! Oh my, oh why? do they have to learn their lesson the hard way!

So before planning to have some fun with friends, perhaps you should stop for a while and try to get some vital information about boating safety and the prohibit use of alcohol before boating.

It must be of great help that the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been doing something helpful about this such as strict implementation of OUI (Operating Under the Influence) checkpoints ans saturation patrols, providing boating education classes, etc. Aren't we glad that the Arizona's lakes and rivers are being protected to save lives?
Boating Education has been approved by National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) which includes general nautical information, various boat types, knot tying, anchoring, and many more. if you are interested to take the boating class, don't hesitate to call (623) 236-7325, or you can take the class online as well.

We can always have fun without alcohol, after all. If you can't stand having fun without it, forget about boating (and driving), stay home and drink all you can! LOL!