Back to the Yesteryears...

My mom (and brothers) came here for a short 3 weeks visit and because we teased our mom that this vacation was for her. We actually decided on a couple of shows that my mom would surely enjoy and remember from before.

This was highly recommended by my brother, Eric. Jersey Boys and Frank Valli do rang a bell and I decided to go for it when I found a ticket on sale for a weekday spot. I told my mom that we are watching Jersey Boys and she said she doesn't know what Jersey Boys was... Ooops! To make the long story short, we did enjoy the show (a lot) with the rest of the senior citizens in the audience. I guess a lot of the younger set of audience decided to watch a different play that they are more familiar with. My youngest brother was blown away with this play and the songs that goes with it. Rated AAA :)

* Jersey Boys- September 19, 2012

* * * * *

JERSEY BOYS

September 19, 2012

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Vancouver, B.C.

We also decided to do another oldies but goodies show for our Vegas trip. Australian Bee Gees looked like a promising show with a good rating online so we went for this. 

My youngest brother looked wide eyed and out of place as they sang their songs but he ended up enjoying when he heard some songs that he finally knew which was a total of 2-3 songsl. Me and my younger brother, Eric knew a bit more but my mom enjoyed it and danced to the last few songs by the end of the show. 

* The poster

We also got the chance to take a picture with the Australian Bee Gees... Mom was like a Starstruck fan excited to get a picture taken with the group lol

* Not a wax figure...motion at the end :(

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THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW

September 30, 2012

Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, USA

From a Mother to being a daughter once again

It was nice to be a daughter once again. Not having to be the one taking care of everyone.

It was refreshing to be the one being taken care of this time around.

I didn't realize how much I miss my mom until we saw each other last September.

...How she listened, comforted and just loved me with all my imperfections. No judgement.

I wish you guys were not so far away...

Beyond all lessons, beyond the model she provided, 

my mother gave me a parent's ultimate gift;

she made me feel lovable and good. 

She paid attention. 

She listened; 

she remembered what I said.

She did not think me perfect, but she accepted me, without qualification.

-Fredelle Maynard

MISS YOU GUYS

For the Moms...

Adapted by Jim Fowler

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,

but have not love,

I am a housekeeper ­ not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love,

my children learn cleanliness ­ not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,

and fault them for every mess they make,

but have not love,

my children become people-pleasers ­ not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy,"

the taxi-driver to every childhood event,

the counsellor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,

then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.

Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children

have faded away into insignificance,

And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,

dishes with missing place settings,

and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,

But the greatest of all is the Love

that permeates my relationships with my children.

Mandarin Lessons at Tzu Chi

Kimi started her Mandarin Chinese (immersion) at Tzu Chi.

We were contemplating if it was a bit early or if she will have too much on her plate right at this point since she is doing full day school as well for this year. We decided to try it out anyway and reasoned that we had Chinese when we were in the Philippines right from pre-school anyway. We can pull her out if she really hates it, you just have to say goodbye to half of the tuition fee. It was a good price of $190 for every Saturday of a whole semester (5 months).

We were able to witness the start of the class and the teacher spoke at least 98% mandarin, and I could see the blank faces of Kalen and Kimi as they try to decipher what the teacher was instructing them through her hand gestures or through the other classmates who came from Chinese-speaking families.

I asked Kimi how it was at the end of the class, and she said that she doesn't understand but she will learn in time... (Whew!) Atta Girl :)!

* First Day at the Chinese class

I just loved this poster gracing one of the wall...

* * * * * 

MANDARIN CLASSES

Burnaby, B.C.

Sweet Break with DQ

When there's a will... (and boy, mom can have that will)

...there is a way.

We are in the first week of school with the gradual entry, and yet we found a way to get together for another last hurrah...

I came on the second shift of  the meet up and missed Mommy G who was already on her way to work but was able to catch Mommy S and Mommy Jo :)

We spent the day at the play area in Brentwood and went to DQ with the Buy 1, Get 1 $0.99 for a sweet break...

* DQ Promo Jrs

* * * * *

BRENTWOOD TOWN CENTRE

Burnaby, B.C.

Glossybox: August 2012

My Luxebox Fall Box came a day earlier than Glossybox's August... 

Recap: From last month's box, I was able to make use of the Eucerin hand cream for the remainder of Summer. The nail polish, I was able to use once. The Pedix Rescue Balm was used once as well. The Dove Body Wash is the next in line once our body wash rans out.

As for this month's box:

* The Same Glossy Pink Signature Box came later than usual...

* Beauty Menu

* Glossy Goods :)

Sebastian Potion 9 Lite- 50ml

Full Size: 150ml/ $20.95

* My hair is getting a wee bit long and my perm schedule has been delayed again and again. I hope this product works for the meantime

Biore Make-Up Removing Towelettes- 10ct

10cts/ $3.99

I tried one and it was okay. Sort of like wet wipes.

Kryolan for Glossybox- Special Edition for GLOSSYBOX members only

I got the Glossy Pink shade. I am not sure if this is one of the shade or the only shade for Glossybox but I liked it and being a lipstick novice, I am not that intimated with the shade of this one

Kryolan Classic Lipstick- Full Size

4gr/ $16.99

I got shade LC101. It's way too red for my taste but if I do get used to coloring my lips, I might like this one.

Befine Fine Food Skin Care- 5 10ml

50-150ml/ $24- $30

Food for the skin literally. I got five sample packets of: Befine Food Skin Care 

Single Serve Night Cream w/ cocoa, millet and rice bran

Single Serve Pore Refining Treatment Scrub w/ coconut.jojoba and citrus

Single Serve Exfoliating Cleanser w/ brown sugar, sweet almond and oats

Single Serve Gentle Cleanser w/ sugar, mint, oats and rice

Single Serve Warming clay mask w/ cardamom, arnica, and pomegranate

Trend Trunk Mystery Gift Card

A mystery gift card that could worth as much as $250... I'll pass. I don't need to add more to my credit card bill... Thank you.

Elastoplast SOS Blister- 1 sample

5 units/ $5.99

This is perfect for the upcoming Las Vegas walk-a-thon we are going to face... This goes into my travel bag :)

* * * * *

GLOSSYBOX

August 2012

Loose Button Luxe Box: Fall 2012

Loose Button decided to change their subscriptions from a monthly one to every 3 months. I don't mind that fact especially since it will give them more time to prepare and make each box better than trying to do it monthly plus the fact that I also got Glossybox at a monthly subscription

* A New and sleeker box

* The box is a keeper...

and loved the monogrammed initial on my beauty menu

* The Goods

* Loose Button's product

The prices of the full size are not listed in this menu card anymore. I would love to see the prices on it just to have an inkling how much the products I got estimates. They did put some logos with categories as follows: Rare sample, Product Launch, Exclusive Sample, and Full Size Product.

Let's go to the loot :)

Vichy- Proeven Daily Dark Spot Corrector

I got 5 sachet at 1.5ml each. I actually bought the full size before this samples and I think they got this product right. I can actually bring these when I travel- Perfect!

Eyeko- Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

I was asking my brother to look for these and I was surprised to find this in my box as well. I am running out of eyeliner and they read my mind. Full Size Product and an Exclusive Product. No need to purchase :)- Happy.

Vera Wang- Lovestruck

I got the 4ml test tube like bottle that is longer than the normal sample size. A Product Launch. I don't like to receive perfumes but so far the ones I do get, I like the smell...

Calvin Klein- Beauty

I got the normal sample size of 1.2ml. I love the smell of this one

Loose Button- Exfoliating Pad

A Full Size and Exclusive Sample of course. Will try them but I think they are for the body rather than the face.

China Glaze- Safari (Fall Collection) Nail Lacquer

I got a deep dark red this time: Prey Tell. A Full Size. I don't know if I like it but will definitely try them on my toes.

Moroccanoil- Luminous Hairspray

I heard raves about this product from mommy friend, Glenda. I am excited to try them. Listed as a rare sample but I heard them sent out before from another beauty box. I love them anyway so I am not complaining.

I love the box a lot. Almost everything is something I would love but has been contemplating on getting so... THANK YOU LUXE BOX... Keep it up!

First Day in Kindergarten

 You know the drill. Waking up in the morning, brushing the teeth, dressing up, sitting on the dining table trying to spoon oatmeal after oatmeal and then  rushing to the door to get to school in time.

...but this time around, I am the one pulling Kimi out of bed with breakfast ready for her to eat and reminding her again and again to hurry up as we are about to get late for school, as she retorted that she is still sleepy. 

It is a cycle alright, and I am surprised to find myself as the one preparing for my daughter instead of being the student as I was years before. 

Now I realized how hard it was to be in the school routine once again...

...but it is exciting just as well, especially seeing Kimi reach another milestone as a Kindergarten in a new school.

* Welcome sign

* Personalized Bus Signs...

* Kindergarten...

They had the names of the student all over the room as if to personalized each area to one student..

* Kimi's desk for the year

* Alphabet with the kid's name below their initials

* Personalized sticks

* There is Kimi's stick

...of course, mommy, daddy and some special friends came for a look as well,

* Mommy, Auntie Glenda and Kimi

* Proud Papa

* * * * *

ST FRANCIS DE SALES

Burnaby, B.C.