July last year, I was only back in Melbourne for 2 weeks and I already purchased a (non-refundable, non-cancellable) ticket of my most recent visit to Manila.
To see the numbers in my iGoogle countdown decrease from day to day was a very effective motivation to work and study well.
My last trip was extra special because Edward graduated! FINALLY!
with Tita Edel, Nanay Mely, Tita Ethel and Tito Ernel
Sosyal na ng St Scho, PICC na ang grad. :)
Aww. Edward and Nanay Mely
with my happiness. :)
my glamorous mum and coolest teacher
From Edward's grad, we joined the party at our High School's Grad Ball. It was at Palms Country Club - also where our JS Prom in third year high school was held so feeling nostalgic. :)
My sister, Jasmine asked me when I got back here if I got a massage from our favourite Aling Vasyon... I just realised then that I didn't even think of it when I was there!
I always say before my trip that I'll be lavishing on spas and massages when I get to the Phils. But my sister said that perhaps because I'm so stress-free whenever I'm there, I do not feel the need. True.
Facials, hair treatments, manis and pedis are never forgotten though! Pa-overhaul talaga!!
Services here are so expensive at dahil kuripot ako, I always always convert and I end up not getting them done.
I do have occasional hair treatments and facials done here but out of serious necessity lang - hindi kasi talaga hiyang ang skin ko sa Melbourne weather. :(
-Ang mga bagong rebond-
Cheska, Ate Rina and I were all counting down the days for our trip back. We didn't fly out the same dates pero nag-abot abot kami.
Edward and I attended the girls' birthday and going-back-to-Melbourne party at their home in the North. We travelled almost 2 hours - super traffic! Kawawa si Mang Rudy for driving.
Jamming with the bonggang band at the party. Next level na videoke.
Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget!!
Gardo and Carding
Ali (Gardo) is a very good friend from GCF South Metro. We both grew up in GCF Sunday school but only became very close when we were prayer partners sa chancel choir na.
The photo was taken at their beautiful new place in Alabang Hillsborough after Japanese dinner at ATC.
It's been a tradition na that Ali and I get something identical before we part ways again. This time we got a very nice Forever 21 dress. I love it!
with the CPAs!
After 3 years, I saw my St Scho blockmates again. Now they're all CPAs!
Gelli, Rachelle, Mela, Edward and I had Italian dinner, then coffee at Cafe Breton in Greenbelt with Vani and Shobe.
It was almost 10pm when we met with Vani and Shobe. They came straight from work. I was already surprised to hear that they were working that late, and found it harder to believe that they still had to return to the office after meeting with us!
I super loved my job even more after hearing about my blockmates' stories of the demands of their work. I really hope they get relief from their overly stressful jobs soon!
Pero in fair, ang gaganda pa din nila, fresh kahit deretso from work, kainis!
The bruhas reunited (we missed you, Mary Lou)
Daye, Mae, Jei, Edward, Carlo and Tita Nely (Daye's mum). Don took the photo
Fresh from the hair salon - my hair coloured and Edward's cut shorter :)
I had a good time with my high school friends at Resorts World but I felt so weak the next day because of the poor vents in the casino.
I have very low tolerance for second hand cigarette smoke, especially indoors! :(
We were just watching how Daye's mum let go of her moolah like its only worth a single lollie . In the end, the mantra was "ok lang, nag-enjoy naman tayo eh". Hehe.
When we were at the Casino, someone won a Merc worth Php1.4m just from the random slot machine draws. Woah.
Edward's blockmates at his birthday/grad party
SMS friends - Joan and Pauline
Lovely to see Edward's classmates, blockmates and neighbours celebrate with him. :)
**
I had to edit this post a couple of times because I kept on referring to the Philippines as 'home' and it gets confusing because although I still consider it my 'home', it's been nearly 5 years since I moved to Australia, so like what Jon says, if I say I'm going home - referring to the Philippines, it's like saying I'm only here in Australia for a long holiday. It's a different kind of 'home' though, di ba? But confusing pa din for blog-reading purposes.
<I became an Australian permanent resident day after I came back! Standard waiting time for the visa is 18 months but I only had to wait 8 months! FAVOUR! I prayed hard and fasted for this! God never fails!>
Home is where the heart is naman talaga and because my closest family and friends are in the Philippines, my heart breaks whenever it's time to leave.
My beautiful niece, Cailey!
I super miss Cailey. :(
Another reason why it's so hard to leave is because I don't want to miss seeing her learn new things. She picks up words and whatever's taught to her so fast! Very smart and charming!
Visiting the Barlis-Paulino's
Leon Barlis Paulino
Isa pang super cute na pamangkin!! Ang bait!
Works in our farm's almost finished!
Lucky Me Pancit Canton lang yan but yum.
My parents' escape. A 3 hour drive to relax lang in the farm.
Dinner at Italianni's Nuvali
winner ang Korean fried chicken at Bon Chon! - with ate, cousins Mae and Esang
Playing with Cailey at home :)
My last night. We over-ate at Bellevue. :( Cailey was so hyper that night!
I've been back for a couple of weeks now. I miss everyone but thankfully, I have things like work and CA, meet-up with good friends, and other majorly exciting things happening (i feel like such an adult! details to follow :) ) that are keeping me very busy. I haven't book my next trip yet but I'm sure before I realise it, it's time to fly 'home' again. :)
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