Family First

My sister and I, years back at our house in the province.

Folks, spam did not get into my blog it is why I was on vacation from blogging. I had just some activities for the past few weeks that got me so tied up. We had team building at work around the third week of April. Last week of April, my youngest brother and my sister came. My sister stayed with me for a week. The three of us, me my sis and my niece, my sis daughter who stays with me had bonding time in those days I am off from blogging.

The last time I saw my sister was October last year. She did not come last Christmas. She is lazy traveling when there are too many people. When she is in Manila that is the time I am on vacation from household chores. She does almost everything, from house cleaning, laundry and most importantly cooking for me and her daughter. Our stories do not seem to let up from our childhood years to our preteens. She is a good cook.  I always missed her cooking style.

My Surprise Visitors

My sister was here in Manila last week for three days visit. Just in time for my youngest brother and his family to visit Manila from Singapore. My sister stayed in my apartment to be with her daughter who stays with me. Mother and daughter had a great bonding in cooking. Yes, my sister is a great cook. Please do not ask how I fair with her. I can cook alright, just the basic cooking. My brother and his family stayed with his in laws. His brother in law has a big house intended as vacation house for all of their family members.

My surprise presents- laptop and IPhone

I had great time with my family members. We visited our parents at the memorial park were they were laid to rest. Ate, chatted, the limited time is not a bother. At least we had bonding time. My brother and his family came to my apartment last Thursday, Oct 20, my day off. I slept late last Thursday. I never thought I could manage to be up until 12 midnight, Friday. My sister left for the province after four days. My brother and his family had a brief stay for five days.

Music Magic

Lauren Alaina

I chatted with my eleven year old niece on Facebook at around 10:30 in the evening last night. I asked for her bet on American Idol she typed without hesitation Lauren Alaina. I thought she would like a guy because she had been a fan of David Archuleta, runner up on 7^th American Idol. 

David Archuleta

My niece loves music. She plays violin as a member of String Ensemble at their school in Singapore. The group won silver in 2008 at Singapore Youth Festival and gold in 2009. Winning for gold the group was treated for a week trip to New York in November 2010. Singaporean kids dominated the group only two of the members are Filipinos, my niece and a boy a year younger than my niece.

Bon Voyage

Violin is a family of stringed musical instruments having wooden bodies whose backs and fronts are slightly convex. It is informally called fiddle. Someone who plays this musical instrument is called a violinist or a fiddler.

My eleven years old niece, only child of my youngest brother loves this musical instrument so much. Last April I posted a congratulatory blog dedicated to her for being a member of a String Ensemble that won gold in 2010 Singapore Youth Festival. Last year their group won Silver. Let us forget about last year. So what if the group won gold this year? Well, the children with their conductor and the chaperon mommies and maybe their daddies as well, are flying to the Big Apple this Tuesday, the 16^th of November. Yup! I typed it correctly, the Big Apple, that is New York United States.

My niece had worked so hard during the practice and so with all the other children in the group. They deserve the reward on their school break. Oh no, please do not get me wrong readers. My niece is not studying in Manila Philippines. She is studying in Singapore. My brother chose to live in Singapore with his wife and daughter because of his job. My Math wiz brother is an Engineer. ( Ahemmm.. do not forget my Christmas present. :) If anyone of my blog readers knows the educational system in Singapore. You would agree with me, the children needed a break or a time to play on school breaks.

Congrats Sarah! Who would have thought you will be at the Big Apple at eleven years old out of your own achievement. I am happy and excited for you. Hey! Send my regards to Snowman, okies?  See you in Manila at Christmas time and share with me your New York City trip.  Love you girl! ♥