Since my mom passed away in 2021, my dad has been traveling alone quite frequently. Even at 77 years old, he remains very active and independent, continuing to visit places like the United States, Canada, and different parts of Europe on his own. I admire how he keeps exploring the world at his age, staying curious and open to new experiences. He even attended the Paris Olympics and made the most of the experience, enjoying the atmosphere of such a major global event. He also visited me when I was working in Singapore, which was a meaningful time for both of us since we don’t often get long periods together. Right now, he is back in Paris for a three-month stay, spending time with a high school friend at a church seminary. It gives me peace of mind knowing he has old friends there and a comfortable place to stay while continuing his travels and daily routines abroad.
This Month's Quote
“Procrastination turns simple tasks into stressful problems. The longer you delay, the heavier the task feels. Small progress today is better than perfect plans tomorrow.”
Mario Galaxy in the Cinema with Kids
Movie night with family...
We previously watched the first The Super Mario Bros. Movie as a family and everyone really enjoyed it. This time, we watched the sequel, which was still enjoyable, although I personally felt the first movie was better and more fast-paced. The sequel was entertaining enough for the kids, but it did not have the same energy and excitement that made the first film stand out for me. Overall, though, it was still a fun family movie experience. Jace was also very cooperative throughout the show and stayed calm the entire time without making any unusual noises, which made the viewing much more relaxing for us. Our only real concern was that the cinema at SM City Marikina was extremely cold. Since it was a weekday screening with fewer than ten people inside the theater, the air-conditioning probably felt much stronger than usual.
Ikea and more Ikea
No brainer assembly...
This month, we bought and assembled several additional IKEA furniture pieces for the house. At first, I focused on reassembling some of our existing IKEA items, including our old white tables and the MAMMUT kids' table and chairs, which had been disassembled during the move. As we continued organizing the house, we realized that the kids needed more furniture, so we purchased two bed frames, a wardrobe closet, a floor lamp, and two work table sets. I spent time assembling all of these items and was able to complete everything except for the lamp. The lamp requires electrical installation and mounting work that involves going up the stairs, so I decided to leave that for later. For now, the only thing I have done is install the light bulbs and prepare the lamp for final setup. While assembling furniture can be time-consuming, it was satisfying to see the rooms gradually becoming more organized, functional, and ready for everyday use. Ikea philippines.
Buying a Dashcam after getting a questionable violation
Road evidence and insurance...
After being cited for what I believed was a contestable yellow-light violation, I unfortunately did not have any dashcam footage that could have served as evidence. Without proof to support my side, I had no choice but to settle the ₱2,000 fine, either through City Hall or the online payment system. The experience was frustrating, but it also served as a valuable reminder. Going forward, I plan to be more cautious when approaching intersections, especially when the green light starts blinking, and simply stop whenever it is safe to do so rather than risk a violation. I also intend to purchase and install a new dashcam as soon as possible so that I will have video evidence available should a similar situation arise in the future. ddpai z50.
Challenges of unpacking unsorted Balikbayan boxes
Sorting sorting sorting...
This month, I continued working on clearing and organizing four balikbayan boxes that had been sitting in storage. Along the way, I also had to deal with several old furniture pieces and appliances, deciding whether to relocate them, dispose of them, or find better storage areas within the house. My goal is to completely clear and organize all the boxes by the end of June. As of the end of May, only two medium-sized boxes remain unopened, although many of the items that have already been unpacked still need to be properly sorted and stored. The process has been more time-consuming than expected, as it involves deciding what to keep, donate, discard, or relocate. In addition to the physical items, I have also started planning a cleanup of important documents, paperwork, and digital files. Organizing these records should help reduce clutter and make it easier to find things when needed. While there is still a fair amount of work left to do, significant progress has already been made toward creating a more organized and manageable living space.
Summer vacation in Spring Highlands with Family
Summer vacation...
Before Papa left for Paris, we took a short summer getaway near Antipolo with my side of the family. It was a simple day trip, but it was a nice opportunity for everyone to spend time together before his departure. Among all of us, Joyce seemed to enjoy the trip the most, especially the time spent swimming and playing around the resort. The location was only about a 30-minute drive away, although the trip took a little longer because I got lost along the way. I blame Google Maps for sending us in the wrong direction, and we had to turn back and retrace our route before finally arriving. Despite the minor detour, we made it to the resort around 9:00 AM and stayed until about 5:00 PM. It was a short but refreshing break from our usual routine. The pool was cool and enjoyable, which was perfect for the summer heat, and the lunch served was surprisingly good. Most importantly, we were able to relax, catch up with family, and enjoy a carefree day together.
To top it all off, Papa generously covered all the expenses for the trip. As always, nothing beats free accommodation, free food, and good company. It may not have been a long vacation, but it was a memorable family outing and a great way to spend time together before Papa's three-month stay in Paris. Springs at Eastland Heights.
Udon and Tempura Craze, limited our pallet
Every now and then, a bowl of udon paired with crispy tempura makes for a refreshing and satisfying meal...
My daughter really loved this place. Aside from ramen, she’s also very happy to order udon, especially when she wants something milder and more comforting. Joyce particularly enjoys Japanese and Chinese noodle dishes, and she always gets excited whenever noodles are on the menu. Marugame has become one of our go-to casual restaurants whenever we’re craving Japanese food. We like that the food is served quickly but still tastes fresh and satisfying, especially the udon bowls and tempura sides. The self-service style also makes the experience feel simple and relaxed, which works well for quick family meals.
Recently, we’ve found ourselves eating Japanese cuisine quite often—around four to five times a month. It has slowly become part of our regular rotation, whether it’s for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or just to satisfy sudden cravings for something warm and savory. Marugame udon.
Papa is back in Paris for a three-month stay
Dads' gateways at 70...
Basically, my dad has been traveling alone quite a bit since my mom passed away in 2021. Even at 77 years old, he has remained very active and independent, managing to visit places like the United States, Canada, and several parts of Europe on his own. It’s impressive how he continues to explore the world at his age, staying curious and open to new experiences. He even went to the Paris Olympics and made the most of the trip, experiencing the atmosphere and energy of the city during such a major global event. He also visited me in Singapore when I was working there, which was a really meaningful time for us since we don’t always get to spend long stretches together. Now, he’s back in Paris again for a three-month stay, spending time with a high school friend at a church seminary. It’s nice knowing he has old friends there and a place where he can settle in comfortably while still continuing his travels and daily routines abroad.
Mama
We have visited mamas' grave this 31st. Its her 5th year death anniversary Good Bye Mama, Rest Well
Planning big but doing nothing about it!
Plans but no actions...