Six Months to Blog

It's been a while and just realizing it's been 6 months since my last blog. I've been a very, very busy wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt ("oh yeah"), friend and worker (another "oh yeah" to that). I don't want this post to be very, very long so I will briefly give you the highlights of my past six months.

April

• Early April, my father and parent's in-law went back to Philippines for vacation for 2 months. Imagine me being a full-time mom doing the chores. Of course, I have the full support from my beloved husband.


• 5- Jensine started to attend Tae-kwon-do classes once a week.
• 17- I had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam and doctor's appointment -all is well.

May

• Still bringing Jensine for hid Tae-kwon-do classes every week.


• 15- I had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam and doctor's appointment -all is well. My doctor told me to stop my anti-rejection pills.


• 20- I still did not have enough, I helped a friend for her son's birthday preparations with invitations and give-aways. Another passion of mine not many people knows.

June

• 8- Jensine passed his Tae-kwon-do Yellow Stripe Belt Exam.
• 12- had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam bone mineral density test, dental appointment and doctor's appointment -all is very well. I will be back to see them in 3 months.
• First day of work, my manager, was able to arrange with the company for me to work 2 days from home and the other 3 days, I will be in the office.

22- Jensine's Senior Kindergarten Graduation Day / Jerson's birthday

Since, it's Jerson's Birthday, too, the 3 of us went out for lunch to celebrate.

Our Barkada also gave us a Surprised Party, for Jensine's Graduation, Jerson's Birthday and my new job.

July

• 1 to 7- Vacation Bible School at Mt. Zion Church
• 6- Friends from Chicago visited us.
• 22- Explore the beauty of nature in Niagara Falls.
• the rest were just work and home. Adjusting to my new load of commitment.

August

• 5- Brought Jensine to Circus
• 7- Follow up with the denists at Princess Margaret
• 10- Auntie Juliet visited us from California
• 25- Share God's Good News at Kalamazoo, Michigan and had the chance to visit Battlecreek, Michigan.
• 27 - Jensine watched Toopie & Binoe Live Show at Vaughan Mills

September

• 1 to 3- Road trip to Pennsylvania. Visited Lost River Cavern, Crayola Factory, Hershey Factory and King of Prussia Mall

After all these big changes from being very ill, home/hospital stay gal, I probably stretched my energy so much that I got sick middle of September. No worries and no regrets, for today, I am celebrating my 2-Year Anniversary of my Bone Marrow Transplant. On Monday, October 1st, I will have my Anniversary check-up from blood test, Pulmonary Function Test, Mammogram and doctor's appointment.

For all these, all I can say is "God is Good, all the Time". All praises are to Him, our God and Saviour, from whom all blessings flow.

Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia

Our last trip for the year, from December 26 to December 30, we hit the road again. This time, just the three of us, Jerson, Jensine and me. The main trip was to Washington, D. C. We left Toronto at around 11 p.m. for a night trip so Jensine will not be bored for the 9-hour drive. Of course, we brought with us his portable DVD player just in case he will get bored.

Since we were just gonna drive, we decided to pass by Seventh-Day Adventist World Headquarter at Silver Spring, Maryland. Unfortunately, they were close for the tour but we were able to take some pictures for souvenir. Then we headed to ABC Potomac at Maryland.


Next stop, was to get rested to the hotel we are staying, Four Seasons Hotel at Washington, D. C. As one of the premier hotel at D. C. area, we hardly can afford the 3-night stay here. This stay was courtesy of Isadore and Rosalie, with the help of Nan, Bong and Emie (purposedly deleted their lastnames to hide their identities). Thank you very much for making this trip possible!


To welcome my little Jensine, they provided child-size bathrobe and slipper, children's books and activity set, plush toy, balloon and a personalised chocolate chip cookie from the Hotel Manager.


That evening, since we promised Jensine, we are going to swim, Four Seasons Hotel has a two lane indoor pool. This will be his main event for this trip, he misses swimming so much since we stopped his swimming lesson when I got sick.

The next day, we visited National Air and Space Museum, U. S. Capitol, National Gallery of Art Museum, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and Washington Monument. There are lots of things to do and visit at Washington, D. C. but with my not so great condition, we cannot go to see them all. I was already tired half of our plan for this day. And with lots of stops to rest, we did not have enough time to finish our planned-day tour.

This was taken inside the National Gallery of Art Museum where Jensine found a Wishing Well and asked me if I have a coin so he can make a wish. I asked him what he wished for..."I wish for a baby brother or sister." Whew! We need another miracle!

Friday, we went to Virginia to see the Pentagon. Again, every trip, we never missed doing lots of window shopping. At night, we just walk around the neighborhood where we see a lot of high fashion stores, the familiar golden dome of Washington, and Georgetown Mall.

Then, we went back to the hotel for another dip in the pool. Jensine enjoys this a lot since this was also the first time I can go into the water, I don't have my hickman line, so I can do this without fear of any infection to my line.

Late at night, we decided to drive around the city, to see the night view. We walk around the White House, United States Department of Treasury, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.


This is not our first time here at Washington, D. C. About 8 years ago, the Singles Ministry Department of Mt. Zion Church went here including me and Jerson, because we just got married months before the trip. But this trip will be very special for me and my family, since this will be our first trip together, just the 3 of us after my 2 year battle with my sickness. This is the best new year gift for us, after my recovery, to renew, to refresh and to restart this second life given to me with my beloved husband and son.

Illinois

Oh yes, another road trip. This time to Illinois. When Ninong Sangko (Uncle Gani) passed away on 2003, we never had the chance to visit our relatives in Chicago. One of the reason was I got sicked. Now, that I can get out of my cocoon, we planned to visit them for U. S. Thanksgiving.


We left Toronto early Wednesday morning and arrived at my cousins' house before night time. We stayed there for the whole time. We visited Ninang Sangka's condo, not far from my cousins' place.



November 23rd, we had a good Thanksgiving Lunch with Kuya Michael's brother and sister with their families. Thank you for the yummy food we had for lunch like, the Baked Chicken Breast with White Sauce, Roasted Whole Thanksgiving Turkey, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Pancit, and many others.


We visited Nanay Letty at Thanksgiving night for dinner and saw her kids and their families. Nanay Letty and kids are from Malabon as well.


November 24th, Ate Lulyn and Kuya Albert invited us to their new house and we went out for lunch at Filipiniana Restaurant at Niles, Illinois. Thank you very much! Of course, we did a little shopping and a lot of window shopping :) When we get to my cousins' house, Jensine was surprised by her Aunt Rosi, Aunt Len, Uncle Michael and Ate Kennedy with lots of presents for his coming birthday and Christmas.

Next day, we attended Sabbath at Hinsdale Fil-Am Church and stayed the afternoon at the Mariano's Residence, house of Kuya Reinier's brother and sister-in-law. I met Ate Lita's in-laws and heard the sound of Tatay (Kuya Rainier's father) as he played his guitar. It was an amazing sound.


Before we headed Toronto, we went to visit the graveyard of my Uncle with my Ninang Sangka and my cousins with Kennedy. We also passed by at Ate Linda's place to pick up Chicago's finest Cheesecake, Eli's. Thank you very much for the cheesecakes.




This was another pleasant vacation we had this year. I saw my relatives again and be with them again. Surely, Jensine enjoyed this vacation and meeting them since he was still a baby when we last came. He also thinks that it was another birthday celebration for him for he got lot of gifts. We do hope to see them again someday, God permits. Thank you very much for the warmth and joyful thanksgiving. Thank you for the accommodation, food, late night chat and for everything. We hope to see you again!

Michigan

Since March 2005, when I first diagnosed with Leukemia, I was bound to stay home or at least, near the hospital.

April 2006, was supposed to be my first trip out of town, courtesy of the Lumbo family, to Wigamog Inn Resort at Haliburton, Ontario. Unfortunately, I was confined in the hospital and was never allowed to go anywhere even after I was discharged on May 1. So this trip was cancelled. My doctors want to have me very close because of my situation.

Days, months had passed. I asked my doctors again if I can go out of the country. They said yes, but not in tropical countries like Philippines. So then, I was excited to cross the boarder on a road trip. Kuya Orly and Ate Ruby found out and they decided to take me and my family (Jerson and Jensine) with them to Michigan to visit their daughter, Jackie. This will be my first trip out of the country, more or less, just across the boarder.

We went to Andrews University at Berrien Springs, Michigan. We did a lot of shopping, well, mostly, window shopping along the way. It was also Kuya Orly's birthday so they took us out for dinner with Jackie who attends in Andrews.

We attended the Sabbath at Kalamazoo, Michigan were we met the other Mt. Zion members like the Frias couple, Regoso family and Jaraba family. Auntie Josie was there, too. After the service, we found out that we were to attend a birthday party of Tatay, relative of Auntie Milet. We joined them for dinner and stayed at Auntie Maila and Uncle Tito's house for the night.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Kuya Orly and Ate Ruby for this first time trip out of Canada, for everything. The hosts, Jackie at Berrien Springs and Auntie Maila and Uncle Tito's at Kalamazoo for their hospitality. And for all the people we met there, thank you for this good experience.

Ontario Science Centre

Believe it or not, this was my first time here at Ontario Science Centre, as well as Jerson. Needless to say, this was also Jensine's first. This was a free summer family trip from Telus Mobility, where Jerson works. So, I said, "why not try?, anyways, it's free".


I have not been doing a lot of walking trips like this so I brought my cane for safety. It was very tiring for me but seeing Jerson and Jensine having fun, I felt happy too.

There were lots of fun and activities for kids like face painting, balloons, food, music, exhibits and shows.

It was a good day being with my family having fun while experiencing something new!

Summer - 2006

Ontario Place - July 16th

Kids just wanna have fun at Ontario Place. Since, I was not that strong enough physically, I did not go with them.

Picture on the right was taken when Jensine was riding the MiniBumper Boats located in Market Square.

Whiz Kid for young drivers with this battery powered go-karts. Jensine was trying to avoid the pile of tires. After all rides and attractions, they sat to rest while watching the Big Comfy Couch Live!.

Jensine went with his dad, Jerson, and his cousins, Ate Sarah, Ate Gene, Kuya Justin, Kuya Keith, and Kuya Ivan. Oh, I know these kids are more than a handful for Jerson, so they all went with my sister Nancy.

Niagara Falls - July 23rd

Only Ate Nenette and her family is missing in this trip to Niagara Falls. All my sisters with their families were able to come with us. It was also my oldest sister, Irma, first trip to one of the many wonders of God's creations.

Canada's Wonderland - August 4th

This is another summer get-away that I cannot enjoy. Well, with my low immune system, I'd rather see their pictures with smiles in their face in spite of the tiredness they had walking and strolling Canada's Wonderland.

With all the thrill, excitement and live shows, I don't think I am ready for it yet. Anyway, If I was with them, I would probably just watch them anyway. I am not a big fun of rides.

Tilsonburg Beach - August 6th

I need sunlight! We went to Tilsonburg Beach, it was a long drive but it's worth it because this time, we went with Ate Nenette and her family..."the more, the merrier"

We had barbeque, vegetable salad, rice and of course, the famous Filipino rice. As a precaution, I did not go to the water yet, so I guess you know what I did the whole time...eat and to put in the light and warmth of the sun.

African Lion Safari - August 13th

I would say this is my first major summer get-away...because I have to walk, stroll and gaze at the animals God has amazingly created. And best of all, enjoying what my son enjoys and observing and witnessing his happiness as well as Jerson's, are my great joys in life. Sharing his adventures as a family.

Sandbank Beach - August 20th

Another weekend at the beach... again the whole family, my family's side and Jerson's side. What an incredible company we have together.

This summer we have seen lots of God's creation and not only that, being with the family you most love and sharing the joy and wonders of God.

"1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1