A Saccharine Life

Hi Everyone, "Of relaxing in the summer sun, just lettin' off steam." -Olaf Sun-kissed skin. Upbeat music. Peals of laughter. A perfect summer getaway. It is my first time to visit Volets, and it did not dissapoint. Volets is a perfect swimming venue for kids and kids-at-heart (and for people who do not know how to swim like me. Learning to swim remains in my bucket list. Maybe I'll learn with Sofia. :D). There's the wave pool, the Olympic size pool, 2 kiddie pool areas, lazy river for the kids and lazy river for the adults. There's no way you can get bored, because there are many pools to switch to, and each one is different from the other. What I liked about the place are the shallow pools. I was not in constant fear for the safety of the kids. I was also able to enjoy being in the water, especially the lazy river and the falling water from the huge bucket.

Hi Everyone, My brother- and sister-in-law spent the weekend at our home. When Barezas get together, the unconventional things are expected to happen. :) Our family and in-laws love food. And because of this relationship with good food and love for unconventional things, our idea bulb just lit up. Presenting... our very own version of Yakimix! We took out our electric stove, put our non-stick grill pan on top, spread some oil, brought out the food for grilling... and voila!  It just cost us Php600. We had marinated chicken, marinated pork, shrimp, squid and hotdogs. It fed 5 hungry grown-ups and 3 kids. Not bad. And we had fun! This is a unique dining experience at home. Everyone can't wait to take their turn in grilling their food. We need a bigger pan. When you do this, just make sure you have a fan pointed an at open window to serve as your exhaust. It's expected to get smoke-y, and oh-so-yummy smelling. We certainly will do this again next time.  Live,...

Hi Everyone, We had fried bangus and daing na bangus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's not that we were abstaining from meat; it's the only thing available in our fridge. :) Fitting for the season, too. The scorching heat of the sun, and the not-working air-conditioning unit of our Tamaraw FX served as our penance.  We decided to visit churches in Batangas. Some are churches I visit frequently before. There's something about churches that makes me feel like I am an intruder when I enter their huge doors. Like there are angels singing, and I should listen quietly. Like each church is wrapped in a thin holy film, and that by just being there, without even saying a prayer, I feel that all my sins are forgiven.  San Roque Parish, Lemery, Batangas (I accidentally deleted the picture of its facade.) Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, Taal, Batangas Parish of Immaculate Concepcion, Bauan, Batangas Basilica Minor of Immaculate Concepcion, Baua...

Hi Everyone, I turned 33 last March something (people close to me would know the date :P). I thought I was just turning 32! And then I realized, it was already 2015, and doing the math (although I hate math), I should really be 33.  Why???! How???! I must be insane in the membrane. Anyway, let's not dwell into that.  [Pause...] Why???! How???! We decided early morning, that we will not celebrate anymore because we bought a brand new t.v. the day before and our pockets were almost empty. Our CRT t.v. was already dying, and it was a step we had to take. O.O (Pat on the back there for finally owning a t.v. beyond the caveman age.)   Daddy had a struck of conscience though of us not celebrating my 33rd (why? how?) birthday. So we decided to have dinner at King-bee, Manggahan. And since it was my birthday, I got to order the dishes I really want (ergo no pure vegetable dish). Haha! Waiting for her favorite Chicharap (yeah, the name's from Chowking;...

Hi Everyone, Pinto Art Museum captivated me effortlessly. The entrance fee of Php150.00 per person was so worth it. It housed a massive collection of paintings, sculptures and art installations. It was a visual feast for anyone who stepped into its doors.  There was a little chapel near the entrance of the Museum. It was very simple. When I entered, it felt like it was only God and me there. There was also a building dedicated for the indigenous art. It was mostly  oohs  and  aahs  as we looked into one art creation after another. The largest painting in the museum was " Karnabal ". I had a hard time fitting this painting in the camera. We almost missed this wing (because we did not make use of the map that was given to us). Good thing, Mama Dolly roamed around the area while Daddy and I were resting.  This was my favorite section of the gallery because the paintings here are more modern, "funkier"; there was a happier less...

Hi Everyone, "... tayo na sa Antipolo, at duo'y maligo tayo, sa batis na kung tawagin... ay Hinulugang Taktak." We had an early family bonding activity this March. Since March is my birthday month, I was able to sway Daddy to visit Pinto Art Museum. I've been wanting to visit this gallery since January, but Antipolo seemed far just to visit a gallery.  It was our first time to visit Antipolo as a family. I've been here when I was a kid, but I have a very faint memory of that trip. Our itinerary included visit to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, eat at My Pot Restaurant, visit Pinto Art Museum, and Hinulugang Taktak. It took us 2 hours to reach our first destination because of heavy traffic in Cavite and EDSA.  When we got to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, a Holy Mass was being celebrated. We were lucky because it was their Archbishop who was officiating it. When I stood inside the church, I felt warmth coming from my...