“There comes a time in life when death calls upon us.
As man abandons his human form
To join our Maker
To the most beautiful place beyond this world…”

Thanks for welcoming and embracing me into your family and for all the smiles, laughter and love that you showed me. You will be missed, Grandpa Z.
Rest in peace.

With so much love,
Joyce

It’s the first day of summer… my flowers are all in bloom. JZ said I should say our but I insisted since I planted all of them.

Life is as always fabulous and beautiful… Happy Monday all!

Much love,
Joyce

Just dipping my toes on HDR even though I am not good at it. This shot was taken yesterday using my point-and-shoot at the Target Field.

We watched the Twins game with the Z family. Thanks mom for the tickets.

It’s a slow afternoon, it’s cold and I am getting sleepy…

Happy Thursday all!

Much love,
Joyce

Even though shooting for events wasn’t my cup of tea, I happily agreed to Star when she asked me to take photos from Aidan’s baptism two Sunday’s ago.

Here are some of the photos I took  from that lovely celebration.

Shots with the godparents

Aidan with his mom — they are look-alikes

With his dad, this time!

The proud parents!

The beautiful Co family (they look like as if they stepped out of a J. Crew catalog)

Aidan is one lucky baby. Star and Waltz are one of kindest people I know.

I hope to see you again soon.

Much love,

Joyce

Last weekend gave me a fantastic opportunity to touch base with some of my friends (and their beautiful offsprings) whom I haven’t seen for awhile.

It is wonderful to realize how time is flying so fast by how fast these children are growing. Oh my.

Here are some of the photos I managed to capture that one lovely Sunday:

(Josh and Sophia)

( Leila and Nikka)

Joey and Sam (talk about starting young, eh)

Most of my friends are asking JZ and I to get on the bandwagon… that is to be parents soon, too. Well, we are working on it. That’s all I can say

Happy Wednesday all.

Much love,
Joyce

Little Ayrton recently became a “kuya” (big brother) to newborn Kimi Sebastian De Leon.

Anyway, JZ said that I was following you a lot last Sunday. I have to admit, I did. I am enamored and it’s so obvious why.

Again, congratulations to the De Leon family! We will visit soon.

Happy Tuesday all!

Much love,
Joyce

I have been asked far too many times now as to where my husband JZ and I went to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. In return, I asked them to guess but none of them got it right so far. Since I am feeling so generous tonight, I thought of making this a giveaway.

The first person who can guess correctly where we went will receive a $20 Starbucks gift card.  Please post your answer as a comment and guess as many times as you want.

(those relatives and friends who already knew because I told you beforehand are not eligible to join)

Here are some photos that might help  (or not).  – these are from the different sites that we stayed/camped at during that vacation.

Good luck!

Much love,
Joyce

I never liked the feeling of being lost. When I moved here to the US almost 10 years ago, I have made it to the point to know where most of the places I wanted to visit are. Mapquest, Yahoo Maps and now Google Maps have been my BFFs and companions and pre-iPhone era, you would have found those printouts of directions in my car together with an atlas and local maps.

I am the sort of the same way with the highway of life and love. While I am not as obsessive-compulsive as former, I preferred to at least have an inkling or two as to how my life progresses and will progress. I remember saying to myself that I will be married by 27, have a baby by 28 or 29, buy a big house at 30 and so on. Get the drift? Well, those plans and dreams didn’t happen at all. I tried having fun and dated guys but nothing seemed to work out. I almost threw in the towel regarding relationships after a big heartbreak and disappointment until I met this passionate, strong and smart man. I was already 30 at that time. (I should be buying a house at that point and not dating)

We were married 2 years after that meeting.

Last week, we went on a backpacking trip to celebrate that union. I am very much reminded of one of the million reasons why I picked him to be my husband. The trip was so ardous — we got lost so many times due to lack of trails and yet he assured me in countless ways that I am in wonderful hands. I may not have told this to him but I don’t feel lost anymore. Wherever we go, it always feels like home. He is now my home…

I love you so much, JZ and happy 2nd anniversary to us. I am looking forward to spending another 50 or so years with you.

And again, since a blog post isn’t pretty without a photo, here’s one of him on a good hair day taken 3 days ago.

Much love,
Joyce

Just want to do a quick post to say that JZ and I are back from a much needed (backpacking) getaway — just in time to celebrate mother’s day with mom Z and grandma Z later.

Happy Sunday and happy Mother’s day to all moms! Have a blessed one.

Much love,

Joyce

Some psychologists believe that the birth order has a lot to do with one’s personality. One example that they gave said that “youngest sibling expects others to do things, make decisions and take responsibility; and oftentimes feels smallest, weakest and immature.”

My, oh my, they got it so wrong.

My beautiful sister Chelle was born April 30th to my parents (and our family) who already have 4 girls at that time (i.e. Bel, me, Michelle and Jot). She defied most of the “psychobabble” norms — as she turned out and grew up to be so independent and responsible, always (or most of the time) confident, uncapricious and not even spoiled at all. She is one tough, talented cookie on top of being so smart, mature, friendly, outgoing and oh so happy. Most elderly even call her ‘happy child’ as she is always laughing in most circumstances.

Anyway — sister dear, as you turn a year older, I just want you to know that I am so proud and very thankful of you. Your personality did affect who I am today because we spent so much time when I was in my 20s and you were still a kid. Thank you so much for all your carefree ways, for always making us laugh, for being the life of any party and for taking care of mom and dad since we are so far away…

I love you and I miss you much. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon. Happy happy birthday, my gorgeous sister!

Much much love,
(Your sister) Joyce