millennium hilton hotel, bangkok

breath-taking view... the millennium hilton hotel in bangkok boasts sweeping city views. we were able to see the city lights... the chao praya river... from the top of the hotel. we enjoyed a night cup while looking down at the well-lighted city of bangkok.

at the top of the millennium hilton

grand palace

it was the official residence of thai king during the 18th century until mid-20th century. the grand palace has an area of 218,400 square meters.

shopping in bangkok

bangkok

it's a pleasure to be in bangkok... a definite advantage to have tonton eras living in bangkok:-)

first time to try ovaltine drink

océane was happy running after guwapo... disturbing him on his sleep... caressing him... letting him inside the bedroom and then closing the door. oh she wanted guwapo to keep in the room with us.

guwapo, tonton eras' cat

funny time... océane with a yellow nose:-)

really for kids:-)

dinner & coffee

thai food for our dinner which gus have selected. then we went at villa place for stroll and coffee at starbucks.

holiday pictures in thailand were taken by gus & moi. cameras used were: my casio exilim ex-s600, kuya eras' leica v-lux 1 and olympus 1030 sw (it's waterproof & we used it alot). thanks!

cabbages & condoms restaurant

this restaurant & resort is very unique. ate yssa stayed there during their 2006 christmas holiday with tonton eras. thai food is good and guaranteed not to cause pregnancy. lol kidding aside, the concept of their restaurant is to promote better understanding and acceptance of family planning. oh it is something that is needed in the philippines --- the better understanding and acceptance of family planning.

over-looking the sea

definitely a breath-taking view especially during sunset. we ate at lim pah at ban ampur. our thai food was again delicious (thanks gus for choosing good food & not the spicy one.. lol). océane was very sleepy then but when food was served, she was suddenly wide awake:-)

dinner at lim pah at ban ampur

pattaya beach

shopping in pattaya

shopping at villa place, factory outlet and anywhere there was a place to shop. we shopped like crazy... kuya eras' wallet was very tired but not yet broken becoz it was only our first weekend in thailand and just in pattaya:-)

shopping at royal garden cliff resort

hard rock hotel pattaya

while in pattaya, we stayed in hard rock hotel. superb!!! we had lots of fun especially océane who was crazy staying in the pool. it rocks to stay in hard rock hotel pattaya especially with kids. lots of activities for children and océane had lots of fun.

hard rock hotel

our bedroom

swimming like a fish

the foam party.... océane had a blast and wanted more:-)

océane painted her own t-shirt

i watched océane having a blast swimming from our hotel room at 7th floor

nongnooch tropical garden

under the soaring heat, we explored the nongnooch tropical garden.... it is about 600 acres of beautiful botanical garden.

oh yes with the soaring heat, the umbrella served its purpose -- a little shade and no sunburn. lots of ice-cream and bottles of mineral water.

viharnra sien

on the road...

at the back of tonton eras' car

summer vacation memories

here our pictures....

at charles de gaulle airport, paris on our way to thailand via thai airways

after many hours of our journey, we finally arrived in thailand. kuya eras was at the arrival area waiting for us. oh it was soo good... and océane was very excited to see her tonton eras. guess our first stop at the airport.... the starbucks café! kuya eras asked océane if she wanted to buy something to eat & drink and immediately she replied 'yes.' kuya eras brought her at the upper floor where starbucks café is located. océane was very surprised that there is a starbucks in bangkok:-)

at suvarnabhumi airport (the new international airport in bangkok)

océane was busy moving & running around in kuya eras' flat. she was very happy with huge television sets in the flat. the one in kuya eras' bedroom was delivered the day we arrived. océane wanted to bring back in paris one of kuya eras' televisions:-)

just relaxing.. eating & watching on tonton eras' new 50 inc sony bravia

we went out for lunch at central world.

tonton eras et moi - lunch at central chidlom terrace restaurant

shopping at central world

after some shopping... kuya eras & i had a traditional thai massage with océane. she was busy playing quietly with her ds while we had our massage. then we had dinner at... where océane had fallen asleep while eating her food.

grill n gravy restaurant

we're back in paris

although, summer vacation is not yet over... océane & i are back in paris now.

our body clock is still set in philippine time zone. the first day, we both woke up around 3am and today it was at 5am.

our favorite line is: "it's cold here!" what can you say? after all for more than two months, we are used to the temperature of 30°C or higher. then, it is suddenly 16°C here! of course, we are cold!!!

in thailand...

summer vacation in thailand


oh yes, my daughter and i are here in thailand for our summer holiday. we've been here since 20th and having lots of fun.... and shopping:-)

it's hot here. well, that is compare to paris temperature when we left. however, i've heard that it's hot there now. oh well, we're here and we are intend to enjoy every moment.

pictures coming.... that is when i'll have more chance:-)

a bientôt!

juin...

june.. still spring


yes, it's already the month of june and time passes by quickly. we are loaded with océane's school activities and on the 19th the two of us are flying to asia. geez, after five years, we'll be in thailand & the philippines!

océane had a check-up with her doctor this afternoon. we got prescription for her basic medicines to bring for our summer journey. next week, she & the rest of her class will be in normandy for 3-day trip. i've started preparing for her stuff.

bonne fête maman!

mother's day (in france)


ah, océane has been waiting for today's event. we woke up late this morning after a long fun night at paris' latin quarter which is another story.

first, océane handed me a letter and when her papa woke up she gave me her gift which she made at the school. oh she's so proud of it and telling me where to hang it. nothing beats a hand-made gift from your own child. definitely a labour of love.

mother's day (but not yet in france)

it's a mother's day around the world except in some other parts of the world like france. oh yes, the mother's day here in france will be on the 25th of may. anyhooooo, happy mother's day to all the mothers in the world!

she's 7!

beautiful spring day in paris

oh yes, she's 7 years old today!

océane woke up at 6 o'clock in the morning with double-chocolate birthday muffin

birthday gifts

chocolate birthday cake she wished plus a surprised of confetti

i remember vividly how it was for me seven years ago. around this time, quarter to one in the morning... i've been feeling the pain.

seven years ago, the weather was not good and while at the labor room of american hospital paris, it was gloomy. however around 10am the sun came out and became such a beautiful spring sunny day. today, it is a very beautiful day. since bernard is in china working, océane & i had her birthday lunch at hippo (her preference... coz of the special birthday dessert with matching birthday song). here she is at hippo....

the birthday girl

it's my birthday!

oh yeah... it's my birthday today and i wouldn't miss this day. lol

i woke up with snow on the rooftops of all our neighboring buildings. hey, the first time in my life to see snow on my birthday! a very special day to begin:-) ahhhh god is good!

got a birthday email from kuya eras. text messages from my relatives... then the phone call greetings from my family begun. what a nice birthday....

then again, my birthday celebration started saturday. i got a birthday package from my cousin jojo during lunch time. had an advance birthday dinner celebration at home and a birthday gift from my 2 loves. sunday, a birthday lunch at hippo with the resto staff singing joyeux anniversaire to me while serving my dessert. then a birthday dinner in a chinese resto. for my birthday breakfast this morning, i had cinnamon dolce latte plus cinnamon roll. a lunch date with jackie chan & christ tucker:-) not bad, huh?

happy spring!!!

oh yes, yesterday is the official springtime even though the current temperature here is winter-like. a new beginning... something to look forward... let us all celebrate life!

cinnamon dolce latte

ahhhhhhh it's soo good the starbucks cinnamon dolce latte! i'm having one right now and it was a good choice for my morning to perk me up.

right after bringing océane to her school, i headed to the nearest starbucks right on the opposite of saint philippe du roule catholic church. yes, hoping for a good tuesday like this coffee drink:-)

shit happens...

few days before the school winter break, exactly on 21st february, océane sprained her left foot at the school courtyard while playing with her friends. the evening was difficult -- she had swollen & painful foot that sleeping was very difficult. she shared the bed with us and we spent most of the night trying to make her feel comfortable.

first thing on the friday morning (before 8µam) was going to the clinic. we spent the entire morning at the clinic waiting & waiting... for the doctor, to be called in, for xray, xray result.... just lots & lots of waiting. a stabilising ankle brace for her left foot. saturday.. another visit to the doctor.... come wednesday, another visit to the doctor. thursday, another xray and come friday morning.. a visit to her pedia. this time, it was so much better. we really prefer her very reliable pedia.

diagnosis... yes sprain. a part of left foot moved/disaligned and needs to be straightened/healed. the stabilising ankle brace is the solution. she must wear it all the time (except when she'll be taking a shower & going to bed) until end of march. no sports for her at the school, no running, less movement, short walk, no jumping or climbing trees, etc.

it is not easy at all... winter break holiday has been changed. we are staying at home and hardly going out to keep océane's foot rested. restraining her movement is the most difficult task since she's very active girl.

then last friday afternoon, i got a flu virus... fever, cold & sore throat. i still have cold and i don't feel strong yet.

another thing, that started sunday evening or monday morning (whichever) is bernard's left kneecap is aching. as in walking is extremely painful. geez, he can hardly walk! then he is leaving for china on friday for a week work!

oh i tell you, shit really happens!!!

crêpe day

happy crêpe day!!!


my daughter told me that today is crêpe day. in france, crêpes were traditionally served on candlemas (la chandeleur), 2 february. this day was originally virgin mary's blessing day but became known as avec crêpe day referring to the tradition of offering avec crêpes. it is believed that if you could catch the crêpe with a frying pan after tossing it in the air with your left hand and holding a piece of gold on your right, you would become rich that year.

happy birthday,b!

happy birthday, honey!

losing the first tooth

around 5:30 this afternoon, while having her snacks (madeleines, longues marbrées chocolat) at home, océane lost her lower front tooth. oh she's so happy! she's been waiting to lose that particular tooth because the tooth-fairy will leave money under her pillow the next day. lol on my part, i am glad it happened here at home and i was with her. i was afraid if it will happen while she's at the school she may misplaced the tooth. few minutes after losing her tooth, bernard arrived and we all shared the special moment.

here is océane and her tooth. the tooth tin box was something i bought last year at le bon marché.

wednesday

happenings:
- 1st day of the winter annual sale here in paris. people are fighting, pushing and are totally crazy! of course, with 50% discount on most items who wouldn't right? lol
- school free day for océane, so gotta keep her busy:-)
- phone call from manila. talked to almost everybody with océane singing bahay kubo to tita men. btw, tita men is my aunt on mother side and everybody calls her tita. océane calls her tita also. hahaha
- océane's check up with dr marion. her weight is 20.7kg while her height is 119cm.

whole day at louvre

océane's class will be at louvre museum today for a whole day workshop.

back to school

it's back to school today for océane and she's happy with the thought of seeing her friends again.

three kings

happy three kings!

afternoon saturday

a short afternoon outside with océane... we went to scrapbook store and checked out the latest. it was a little crowded since there is a 15% off by invitation only promo. however, most of them has no invitation. lol

the signage within our building that says eight floor

friday

océane was required to see a dentist and today, we brought her to her first official dental appointment. although, she had regular dental check up at the school once a year, this is her real first with all the record and all.

her doctor is dr marc binder. one lower front tooth of hers is moving already and according to her dentist, it will fall off within 3 months. he said, it is normal for a child to lose the baby teeth beginning at 5 years.

here she is, all smile:-)

grey thursday

a very cold grey thursday. i spent most morning taking down all the christmas decorations.

i took picture of the building right outside of our window. also, here's the photo of my first ali edwards' book. i've always like her scrapbooking style and almost everyday, i check on her blog. she's amazing individual!

santa & oreos

this morning, we searched for a santa claus figurine that kuya eras requested from me to find for him. finally, we got lucky at galeries lafayette and found one. however, when i was paying for it, the price and code doesn't appeared. we were advised to go to the terminal cashier but it was the same. the woman phoned and someone came and tried... got lucky and was able to pay for the european santa claus. it was really nice.

santa claus figurine (by sia) for kuya eras

we just got 2 boxes of new oreos from my cousin jobeth. this is the kind that is not yet (or may not be here at all) available here in france. jobeth is so thoughtful to send us oreo cakesters. océane & i wiped-out 1 box in few hours.. eating like pigs. lol

project 365

bonne année!


i just read ali edward's blog and found something interesting.. project 365 honestly, it sounds interesting and i may do it. here's the number 1:

my new toys - definitely a small notebook & ipod 3rd gen. nano. océane playing with her ds lite