Sights along the way

Remember when I blogged a few days back about the plan to deliver new bead necklaces to Sonya's Garden?  Well, I'm finally over and done with this long pending task.  Truth is, the necklaces have long been ready, waiting to be delivered since March.  But with the many interruptions and side trips that came along, I sort of forgot.  *Haha. 

Anyway, and just another bit of  persistent reminder, By Beaded Story's 2011 bead necklaces (Lace Bead Cloth, Dainty Lace Chalk and Flora Chunky Beads) are now available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden. 

Bead necklaces aside, here are a few interesting sights along the way.

To jumpstart the whole day Southern journey, Mcdo coffee!

First stop, the Pharmacy to check-out the final art entries of our Children's Summer Drawing Contest. 

Voting of the top 3 entries has begun.  Here's a close-up of my top 3.

A side trip to Kawit, Cavite before Sonya's Garden. 

Emilio Aguinaldo's Shrine. 

Dropped by Kawit to visit a 3rd option for the Pharmacy's team building, Water Camp Resort.  Apparently, no one from the team would dare swim in Liliw's cold water springs nor soak in the deep waters of  Lake Pandin. Same goes for me.

Snack along the way.  Lives to its taste, SWEET corn. 

Me right after the delivery and inventory of bead necklaces in Sonya's Garden. Browsed around a quaint specialty stall  found underneath a lush of bougainvilleas. 

Lovely dinnerware I would love to bring home.  

 The woven slipper that promotes longevity of life.

Sonya's Garden's packed and ready-to-eat salad, with rose petals.

Tis' the season of Mangoes. 

After Sonya's Garden, off we went to Batulao.

Where J. Bond's next bike race will take place. Yes, he is back in action. Wounds from this accident healed and forgotten.

Must be a goat's way of courtship.  First, the head. 

Then, behind. *Haha. 

And, lounging and texting along the hi-way. 

How about you?  Any interesting sights discovered over the weekend?



When feeling crumbly...

A.  Paint the sky with stars...A thought I must keep most especially when the spirit afloats.


B.  Draft 3 wishes.  So here goes:

1. I wish the world would stand still. And, smile.  Even for a moment.

2. My ex-boss replied to a concern I once raised about a disliked task, Customer Service....."The more you hate, the longer it stays. There's a purpose."  True!  I learned.

Now, I wish for appreciation instead of frustration. The pharmacy has a purpose.  Keep this in mind =)

3.  I wish Sister # 4 a blessed marriage to R. I wish I could be there.  But lesson faced and accepted with a heavy heart, Sickness is a glutton for wealth.

And, C. Do what you love most.  I BEAD!  En route to Sonya's Garden this weekend ...

Chunky Bead necklaces.  Click HERE to view all designs.

2011 Bead Lace Necklaces.  

 Available colors:  White, Baby Pink, Grey, Navy Blue, Tan. 

Click HERE to view all designs.

Dainty Chalk long necklaces

Available in green, white, brown.
 

Chunky Bracelets.



Then and Now

Lately, I have been asked by family and friends how I spend my days as an early retiree.  Controlling myself  from shouting out loud FABULOUSLY FREE, I often reply with a rundown of activities from Monday to Sunday.  Most often, I receive a mix of responses. A stunned response upon hearing my jampack list of things to do even as a retiree...or a dreamy reply of wanting to be in my shoes someday.  Well, one thing is for sure.  My Tuesdays are my Saturdays and Sundays combined.  And the rest of the days fall under a weekday. Busy, oh yes but in a much rather fulfilling sense.  I am my own master and my own slave!

I think the inquisitive minds (*haha) are nothing but curious.  So here's a bit of comparison of what was then and now...

THEN

Let's start with events.  Ayala's delegation in its first ever participation in the Makati Day Parade.   Despite the long wait, the end-to-end fashion walk along Ayala Avenue (with floats, characters in costume and celebrities) and the rain that poured mid-walk, I ended high that day...for having survived everyone's whines and complaints.  *Hahaha.

NOW

Medical Missions, my Monday and Saturday events from the day I retired.  This morning's medical mission held at Molino 5's barangay focused on children, while next week is solely for senior citizens.  In this event, I am fulfilled yet emotionally involved.  It is a fulfillment to give and to provide services for the benefit of health.  But it truly breaks my heart to witness firsthand the aches and pains by most especially those in need.   Nothing like the whines and complaints I got from Makati Day Parade's delegation.

THEN

Lunch-ing around Greenbelt's casual dining restos with my closest girls in the office. Missing them right this moment.  But yes, this happened often :)

NOW

There's no such thing as casual dining resto from where I spend my days regularly.  The discovery of street food joints, like the Buy 1 Take 1 hamburgers of Angel's Burger, is marvelous, tasty and cheap.   Sarap!

THEN

Acting goofy with the girls right in front of the big boss's office.  

NOW

This morning's medical mission with the Pharmacy girls and Molino 5's Kagawad Vilma.  Gone are the goofy days, but the talk while at the midst of a medical mission keeps me alive.  All about love and happiness.  *Hahaha.

So to family and friends who asked, hope that bit of info helped.  My days I believe run on the same busy mode and still with a semblance of what was then, but with a much more meaningful sense NOW. Nothing has changed with the beading by the way --- then and now, it happens after my day's affairs.  Aside from Chunky Beads, here's what's coming soon...

 Cheers!  Have a great week ahead of you :)

Tropical Hut Ham(worm)burger

Back then, when Mcdonalds and Jollibee were yet unheard of, Tropical Hut was the only known burger place  in the south. As far as I know, it has been existent on the same corner spot in BF Homes Paranaque even long before I came to life.  Today, it has evolved into a popular landmark and a point of reference I regularly give out for directional purposes.

As a child, my brother and I often looked forward to our once-in-awhile trips to Tropical Hut since burgers and sodas on a daily basis were strictly prohibited. We were trained to appreciate and live with home cooked meals and gulp on milk. Yet, it remains a fact that  satisfying our young carnivorous cravings with Tropical Hut's tasty burgers and a glass of coke felt like heaven.

Until the worm rumor in the 80s happened, which apparently was validated later on by Mother via a "talkative" worm supplier.  That ended the thrill.

Lately, I find myself wondering about Tropical Hut's tasty burger.  Probably an effect from Mother's burger query recently.  She has never forgotten the long ago rumor.  So do I.  This time she expounds further by saying that the main ingredient are organically bred worms anyway.  Nothing to fear.  Though the rumor remains pretty much a rumor, I am doubtful as ever.  Worms freak me out.

 

Before the burger in a chunky bead necklace and during the burger.

But what the heck! I craved and stuffed myself with Tropical Hut's classic burger yesterday, after so many years.

It tastes exactly the same.  Yum! Heaven!  Wish my brother shared yesterday's burger moment with me.



J. Bond adores ketchup on his burger.  And on his french fry too .... Haha!



Coming soon at Sonya's Garden

Been tinkering with smilebox since this afternoon.  I'm still exploring and grasping (more like GASPing)  my way up to this time.   The only intention here is to share with you these Chunky Bead Necklaces and Bracelets  that will soon be available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden.

Click on the picture link below.  This is still  a work in progress,  but I'm eager to share this with you already.  It may take some time to upload, but please bear with me.  I know I'll get the hang of it pretty soon. 

The Chunky Bead collection is a mix of ceramic, clay, chalk,  and wood beads.  The background music by the way soothes me.  Good night!