Days and nights must be slipping so fast. Have you flipped your calendar yet? I just did it this morning and hello! It's February na pala! Welcome to the love month- the idyllic time of the year when flowers and chocolates are flooding! Women are giggling with glee, because finally, here's to a bunch of fresh red roses, a fluffy teddy bear or a sweet romantic escape! Kilig! 

Speaking of escape, me and my husband recently had our anniversary staycation (and an advance valentine celebration too, before he left for work) at one of the most romantic place in the region, Tagaytay. Why not? It's chilly, scenic and a perfect quick destination for a total rest and relaxation. Not to mention the long list of nice restos ideal for a table-for-two dinner date.

This is the year and January is the month when we celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary. Did i just said 10 years? How fast time flies. It's been a decade past since we pledged for our vows and exchanged "I Dos", but what could be happier than to celebrate it with that one special person whom, for all these years has been my source of [stress], i mean strength and immeasurable happiness. Hahaha! Yes, i'm a happy wife to my husband of 10 years and this deserves a special celebration! 

Trick or Treat is a special time of the year that me and my kids would always look forward to. They've been joining the yearly festival since 2011 and they love it for three reasons: the (1) sweet candy treats, (2) the games with loots and prizes and of course (3) the costumes! October of every year is the season when both funny, cute and scary costumes are out in the shops and kids were excited to wear and follow different characters annually. I must say that this year is quite different from all of the years that we've been through, because as much as i wanted to dress them up cute and colorful, last week became a different vibe. It was their first time to dress in black and looked scary (but they're still cute)! Anyhoo, we agreed to that effect because we just wanted to follow the theme for this year's scariest costume party! And i wasn't expecting that it'll be that super spooky! 

Halloween parties from 2011-2014

While planning our trip to Ilocos, i had listed quite a few number of hotels and resorts where we could stay overnight, considering the budget, location and safety. Searching through the internet and reading some other blogs i came across this transient home in Saud Beach. I was actually wondering how nice it could be in reality, because it got a good rating from travelers- budget friendly and nice! I wrote it down on my list but honestly, its the least on my options.

Our first trip to Malaysia together with our kids two weeks ago is one that I consider an "all-of-God's" favor trip. The moment we set foot on the plane going to Kuala Lumpur I felt His presence. Not only for the provision of finances, the P88 pesos air tickets, our safety, food and allowances but I also got so much favors for our accommodation. 

We stayed for two nights at Johor Bahru, Malaysia and another night at Kuala Lumpur. The trip was very tiring, especially for the kids. On the last two days, my husband got sick, my son is having some leg pains and my daughter is ongoing medication but she managed to keep a cheerful disposition. Then my camera lens was broken. I guess I was the only one who stayed fit as a fiddle. But God has always been a source of strength and healing. And in Him we are highly favored! 

One of the things that I consider when booking hotels for our trips is comfort and security. Some people may scrimp comfort and would settle for a lesser hotel to allocate the budget for shopping. But It would be nice for me to settle on the contrary. Because tours are tiring and exhausting, and it's always nice to have a cozy space that you can call a home while on vacation. I know there are a lot of budget hotels around that will not compromise my standards, hence, searching for hotels gives me great pains and consumes most of my time. 

I was given the favors of booking a first class hotel in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia. It's classy, homey, spacious, comfortable and most of all it's FREE! 

We were actually booked from 3 different hotels by Ensemble E-travel, but confirmations are hard because of the volume of tourists who are visiting Puerto Princesa that time, [according to them]. So, from Asturias Hotel, to Fleuris and then to The Legend Palawan, finally we got a room for 2 nights plus 1 night FREE! I really don't know why they booked another night for us, anyhooo i thank God for it. 

Our Hongkong trip was a quick and a not-so-well-planned one. I acquired the air tickets out of my impulsiveness and also because we were confident to travel with another couple who ended up not joining because of an urgent and unexpected matter. When I heard the excuse, I was actually having second thoughts if we will still pursue the trip. But then, after thinking a hundred times, I told myself, "Sayang ang plane ticket! Tara lets go!" My husband and I decided to pursue the trip and I booked our hotel 3 days before our departure.

I always do a lot of research, reviews and blog reads before finalizing a hotel but Panda Hotel is an exemption. Why? Because I booked it through a travel agency and I was too busy to do searches because I wasn't really sure if we're going and I was cramming 3 days before our flight due to a lot of to-do list. So I relied on my travel manager's advise and there we go.

Hello Panda! 

My first visit to Subic wayback 2002 was a Lions Club International Convention. As part of my mom's active organization memberships years ago, me and my sister have the perks of visiting new places from time to time because my Mom wouldn't want to leave us home alone. 

It was a group tour and we stayed in Subic Homes for three days. I love the place because it was clean, quiet and comfortable. The place where we stayed is very nice and cozy. I'm happy I was able to visit it again after 9 long years, now with my husband and kids as well as my in-laws. 

The place has the same clean and quiet surroundings. And I noticed some improvements with the housing facilities in the nearer areas. I booked a unit with 3 bedrooms plus a servant's quarter near the kitchen and a garage at Binictican Heights. I was actually referred by a cousin in a website for the contacts. The place was big enough to accommodate a party of twelve (12) including two kids and a nanny but quite creepy and old unlike the other units just a few blocks near the entrance and the pool.

Family Living Area 

Crown Regency Residences served as our home for three days during our family vacation in Davao City. My initial reaction with the place was quite good, spacious and comfortable for my kids and the rest of the family members especially my parents. It has a home-like ambience and charming mediterranean architectures. Some areas of the room needs to be refurbished though the interiors are quite nice and clean. (Some of the photos are courtesy of Crown Regency and Tripadvisor, I wasn't able to take more photos because I was too busy attending to my babies' needs).

Facade of the Hotel