Mama versus Mango Tree

Ooops!

The mango tree is full of fruits this summer! Mama and Kuya Bernard are very happy. One afternoon they were picking mangoes and Mama asked me to take her photo.

She posed under the fruits, with her hands touching some of the mangoes. Then, the mangoes started to fall off the tree!


Take Two!

These mangoes will turn yellow once placed in the fruits basket.



Delicious!

Mama Papaya

One of the things that always brighten my day are our fruit bearing trees. I've written about them so many times here, but this is now the season of Papaya.


Kilawing Papaya with Corned Tuna + Sardines

The papaya tree bears so many fruits that we had to barricade it from "fruit snatchers" inside the village. Lots of people are asking for some papaya but we have to wait until they are ripe. Our family used the papaya in several ways like for cooking, eating it ripe as dessert, and making atchara out of it.



Here is mama preparing atchara from young green papaya fruits. These will be sent to my sister's family in Australia.

Enjoy at La Mesa Eco Park

Everyone enjoyed boating and paddling



Been wanting to go to La Mesa Eco Park to support the project and hopefully, to help increase the number of real parks in the Philippines. We lack public parks that everyone can enjoy a picnic at or bond with their families for free. All we have are malls, malls, malls.


Lopez Picnic Grounds


Amphitheater

Yesterday was a good time to go since it is a holiday. The picnic group was made of Nanay, Michael, Kuya Bernard, Mama, Liza, Azrael and me. I had to coerce Mama to go although her tooth was aching. Everyone needs to release sweat and connect with the environment.



As usual the BFFs enjoyed their day out. We couldn't help but reminisce our days in Australia and plan our next trips. Actually, we called this day our Planning Session.


Monkey eating Mama



I am very happy everyone decided to join and let loose. I hope you too can visit La Mesa Eco Park so that it may continue to provide families and young people a place to enjoy fresh air and learn more about nature.

Atis Tree Bears Fruits

The Atis tree in our garden bore fruits again for the second time. I took a video of myself picking the fruits. You can see that there are two atis trees and both of them are very fruitful indeed. Atis fruits are loved by ants and it makes atis picking challenging.



I had a great time doing this video (and eating the fruits). Atis trees will bear fruit after 3 years. How I wish we have a huge land to plant more fruit bearing trees. Mama says that her Kaimito tree is now flowering and will bear fruits soon as well.

Happy Birthday Mama and Liza

Double celebration and I feel that my weight is also doubling with all the food and birthday treats!



The two July celebrants really wanted a birthday with a bang. Liza, the food monster got the best spread of food on her birthday. We ordered everything from Amber, and Liza won't celebrate her birthday without a cake from Red Ribbon.



Mama enjoyed choosing kitchen wares as my gift for her in Podium. She also got a Michael Jackson DVD for us to enjoy on her big TV.


I wish that I have my mom's beauty, why does she look younger now and she has this glow on her skin. She also learned how to chat and use my laptop.


Lola Techie, only younger

Sovereign Hills

Woke up extra early today for this trip today to Sovereign Hills. And oh was it worth it! I felt like I was inside a book, or a movie where there are gorgeous looking horses, carriages, ladies that remind me of Jane Austen, and everything Victorian!



My sister Joni said I should wear my new Ralph Lauren marching band tee, which I had to plead for and ask my mom to purchase for me. I have never been so correctly dressed for an occasion. Along the way, I bumped into these guys.



Then we had lunch at New York Cafe. Plates, interiors, and even the staff were historically dressed. Tito Eric and I ordered Beef Curry (we love Indian food). Liza had bolognee, mama just had a creamy rich potato soup.


Mama and Me


Beef Curry Yummeh

Sovereign Hill is a town that revolves around gold mining. Mama was so excited by this fact and tried her luck in finding/sifting gold. Also, a goldsmith showed us how gold is melted and turned into bars.



Mama and me looking for a big gold nugget!


Tito Eric trying his luck


Cute goldsmith

There was also a Chinese little town inside, reminds me of Tamahome. You can enter the little houses and tents as well. After the long walks, we settled into a nice spot with a refreshing view. Enjoying lattes, hot chocolates, donuts, and chips.


Inside a chinese grocery


Me and Tito Eric camping

Again, all thanks to Tito Eric who lurves country side driving. We've been to so many places already! :)


Everyone had a great memorable time

Apple Picking at the Farm

Tito Emboy, my mom's cousin in Australia brought us to an apple picking farm today. We went with mama, nanay, and my sister Liza.



Our first stop was his favorite shop that sells freshly picked fruits and vegetables, nuts, and organic products. Everyone enjoyed choosing a snack for the road and some pasalubongs. The store keeper already knows Tito Emboy because he and Tita Cora come here every time.

Then off we go to pick apples! red, green, and even orange.



I didn't know we'll have so much fun. We literally ate the apples straight from the tree. So fresh, sweet, and juicy! The best apples I ever had.



Everyone especially Mama and Nanay had a great time having their photos taken, climbing the ladder, and driving through towns.


Tito Emboy wears red, like apples.

Thank you so much to Tito Emboy and his wonderful family :)

Long Day at the City

Today I woke up early to finally walk around the city by myself, or at least with my little sister Liza. Our travel mate and mama's BFF Nanay also arrived in the morning via Philippine Airlines. She was very energetic as usual without any signs of flight fatigue or jetlag. She pushed mama to come and join our walkathon.



In the end, all 5 of us trekked towards the Victoria State Library then to the shopping centers in the city. Joni, me, Liza, Mama, and Nanay. It was very cold but I bet all of us were itching to spend some.



At Bourke street, I found my little heaven of fashion. It's called Sportsgirl and at last, I now own a pair of those liquid latex tights.



Liza and I asked to be left while the others fetch Anya from school. The two of us went to 3 different shopping malls - Myer, David Jones, and Target. Next time we'll go back again to shop even more :D Now I am happy again.

With frozen faces and tired legs, Liza and I just had to grab a seat at Mcdonald's. I was also curious at how this fastfood branch would be different from the one in the Philippines. Everything here is self-service and you have to pay for ketchup. The burger also looks lonely.



That's all for now, we'll be flying to Sydney in a day or two to celebrate Anya's 6th birthday there.

Tagaytay 2009

Mama, Liza, Azrael, Me, and Kuya Bernard went to Tagaytay one Monday morning. Our mission is to eat at Josephine's and have a fun relaxed time with the family.



At Josephine's after eating, the three of us took turns jumping in front of the camera. Az brought his tripod. I am very frustrated because I feel heavy when I jump and I look like a frog heehee but it was fun taking these photos!



Mama enjoyed her fresh coconut and Kuya Bernard enjoy pointing to the volcano.



After the lunch, we passed by a hotel being constructed and Mama thought it was a condominium with units for sale. We stopped by to ask because she really wants a place here. Turns out it is a hotel and the sales lady accompanied us to another building which is their condo version.



It was nice but Liza and I investigated the place and took lots of photos to "feel" if it was worthy to be called second home, naks! Here is Liza and me re-enacting washing of the dishes while talking behind the sink.



Of course there's the photo beside the fireplace and the swimming pool.



All we can say is that the weather is lovely. We then continued to the zoo since Az has not been there and POOR ANIMALS! They are in little smelly cages they can barely move and all they can step on are iron bars and cement when they are surrounded with the mountain. I hope PETA visits Residence Inn Zoo.

Anyway, Mama picked up more plants and enjoyed looking at the flowers. We went home with many plants, fruits, and goodies from Good Shepherd.



It was such a great time with the family! I love my life suuuuppeerrr...