Vacation Highlights

Before Dec. 11 -- cramming for the wedding; trimming wedding special effects: unity candle (here it is in a set of 3--2 small ones and a big one); veil; coin and ring holders; garters and the bridesmaids gown.We rehearsed on the 9th and then dinner.

Dec. 11 -- wedding activities. We were so blessed because the sun came out for 80's temp. Just the week before the temp dropped lowest in the past 80 years in LA. So the briight sunny day was God's gift as we were wearing barong and I was in formal gown and the beautiful bride was in off-shoulder gown. The wedding was at 2 but reception was at 6:30 to give time for newly weds to have photos taken to include the sunset shots. The reception was held at the Castaway overlooking part of LA. Beautiful place! They had to move wedding a week early to get the place and all they can book was the smallest function room with the view. Good thing it had an adjacent terrace. We partied til about 11. It was such fun!


Dec. 14 -- The whole family including newlyweds and my lola (9 of us) headed for the East Coast. We got to SUPER COLD JFK before 9 and home at my Ninang Stella's house to a HEARTY warm dinner. Pig out!


Dec 15--We took Manhattan on the chilly 15th, divide the group between first timers and vets. We went to Empire State Building and The Statue of Liberty.. Then an unplanned dinner at my Aunt's place at the Yonkers.


Dec. 16 -- We left early for DC with a rented van. Got there mid afternoon. We drove around starting off from Capitol Hill and landed between the White House and the monument and took tons of photos. The group had dinner at Tita Flor's family's residence in Virginia. Syempre pa, pig out again. Forget low fat!!! We divided the group between the young and the restful. With the young staying with my new bro-in-law's family friends who were also sponsors to the wedding.

Dec 17--- We went to 2 Museums, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. Then we went to a Chinese Buffet for Dinner.


Dec. 18 -- we headed north to Jersey passing by to visit our dear priest family friend at the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philly. We had dinner and spent the night in New Jersey at my Ninang Shag's home .. Feasted again. Forget diet altogether!!!


Dec. 19 -- The Good Lord heard our prayers. It SNOWED!!! But not too much, only 3 inches. That allowed our schedule to go as planned. We went to Central Park, Fao Schwarz(sp), Toys R Us, ( grabe may ferris wheel sa loob), Rockefeller Center & Times Square.


Dec. 20 -- Weather was high at 20!!! That's negative in Centrigade. May wind chill factor pa. Kaya effectively negative even in Farenheit! So we had to do most indoors. We started late with a buffet Japanese lunch. Now that was some SUMO meal we had!!! Ang sarap!!! We still decided to visit the Met. Was so excited to see the MET. The dramatic stari climb from the car made me feel like I was appearing in Dr. Zhivago. Got to the door finally very much in need of the heat, until we were told - "Museum closed on Mondays!" Duh!!
Bwiiiiiiiiiiiissseeeeeeeeeeetttt! Anyway, shopping na lang kami around Union Square. Ay mali shopping na lang sila tapos tag along na lang kami ni Philbert.



Dec. 21 -- Back to L.A. It was great to be back there kasi medyo warm ang weather pero just the same I had fun in the East Coast..


Dec 23 -- I've been waiting all my life to go to Disneyland. We were there for 13 hours!!! It got really chilly at night and becasue of the wind, the electrical and fireworks shows were cancelled. Bad trip!!! And to think we waited over 2 hours for that!!! I missed Joshwa and Andie.. Im sure they would really enjoy Disneyland.


Christmas Eve -- Lola, Mama and I prepared Noche Buena dinner at my bro-in-law's house for our family his family and our relatives from Lemon Grove. Then we opened our gifts.


Christmas Day -- We had dinner at My Aunt's family residence and had really fun party. We sang and had lots of wacky games. It was really fun and we ended at 3 a.m.


Dec. 26 - Went to the outlet with Cathy.. It was fun..

Dec 27-- Laundry day

Dec 28-- It was Philbert's 32 nd Birthday.. We just had chinese take out for Lunch. My sister bought Cheescake which was used as his birthday cake during dinner..


Dec 29--Played Pictionary and Cranium all day..

Dec 31-- We went to Tita Baby's house coz it was Ritchie's bday.. ( brother sya ng BIL ko)

Jan 1-- It was time to go home..