Missing my grams

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

My grandma is not as mobile as she used to be, and as much as I wish I could be there to wheel her around the mall or even just keep her company every so often, I can’t. I am glad though that she has a caregiver with her to assist her with all her needs. I know how tough and challenging it can be to work as a caregiver since I have close friends in Sydney who works as one. They tell me that sometimes there are issues with the equipments they use on their patients which just makes their job more difficult because of faulty fittings, etc. An NMEDA qualified dealer would have been able to assist, since they are able to conduct on-site assessment to custom fit motor vehicles to suit individual needs. Come to think of it, everyone would need certain things which other people may not have a need for. This goes the same for the equipments and vehicles used by disabled people.
Perhaps if my grandma was slightly younger and stronger, she would have been able to benefit from NMEDA dealers’ assistance on her car requirements that way she can visit the shopping center more often! Okay, now I really wish I was back in Manila!

Pinoy Food

I am missing a few things, scents, texture, sounds from the Philippines. I told myself I would not not go home every year, but I would not be travelling to Manila this December..... Made me think about the family gatherings I will be missing, friends I will miss seeing, tradition that I would not be experiencing, childrens' carols I won't be hearing, Christmas midnight mass, Noche Buena, Media Noche, Christmas traffic along Edsa, etcetera.

I've decided to surrender to sulking about missing my Pinoy delicacy. Here they are in order of taste bud recollection and memory.

1. Piaya = from Bacolod. I like them heated up in the microwave for half a minute. Bit warm. And crunchy.

2. Authentic Binagoongan = from any Pinoy resto. I remember eating it at C2 in Shangri-La (not sure if that resto still is there). Best with steamed rice. Yum.

3. Quickmelt Ensaymada = from Shangri-La. I am pretty sure it is still there (?!). Love taking a bite right after heating it up for a few seconds! Droool.

4. Teriyaki Boy's Chicken Teriyaki and Nasu Abura Itame = from Megamall. Oooh I think I am soo tempted to just fly to Manila anyway. Hmm.

5. Asado Siopao and Dumpling = from Shangri-La again. I am obviously an Ortigas baby! Yum, with that brown sauce for siopao and soy/lemon for dumpling.

6. Smokey's Hotdog/Cheesedog or Jolly Hotdog = from Jollibee. I am just wanting it right now. Hotdog on a stick.

7. Burger Machine burger = from my boyfriend's neighbourhood stand. Yum.

8. Jollibee Spaghetti with extra cheese = from where else, Jollibee Megamall. I am getting so hungry.

9. Lumpia Sariwa = from Goldilocks Megamall. I remember a lot of other yum goodies from Goldilocks!

The list can go on and on. I will stop here for now, before I am so tempted to book my flight back home. :D

Wanting to spend time with family

Okay, everyone is getting older. I spoke with my parents last week and told them that I was wanting to spend more time with them. Sometimes I feel like I am missing out on too many family gatherings and celebrations by being too far away. I went on and telling dad that it was not really very enriching personally, if I don’t consider traveling to Manila every so often just to spend time with them. I told him it would have been good if one of my siblings decided to live here as well. Dad said him and mom were both willing, in case I get to work on and process their resident visas. I asked him how mom was doing, and whether my other siblings were doing anything to provide her with Menopause Symptom Relief, you know at their age this is a big thing. Dad said mom was coping pretty well. That’s a relief to hear. Although he said that every so often mom gets hot flashes and gets really moody as well. Aside from that though everything is normal. I wonder if when my time comes I would feel the same discomfort? I hope not. Oh well, time will tell. Meanwhile, I am still a bit homesick.

Easter Break

Everyone's got their own Easter tradition. Whether your family spends the whole day in solitude, or whether you travel to the beach to unwind and spend time with family, or whether you attend religious retreats. Each one may have their own way of celebrating Easter.

When I was younger my siblings and I used to take part in Easter egg hunts. When I was a bit older I was the one commissioned to make and decorate the eggs (boil, paint) and then hide them around the house. Sometimes we'd use chocolate eggs, only to find later on traces of ants because of unfound choco easter eggs!

We'd also travel to the province, passing through a number of churches to do the Way of the Cross. Ocassionally my family would go with a procession. Once we went to Clark ( a couple of hours away from Manila) to see people doing the traditional self-flagellation on Good Friday.

Being in Sydney, I actually haven't identified my personal tradition here. I guess because I don't have family here to spend it with, plus I've spent Easter back home three out of five times since I've lived here. One day I will be able to say. Oh, but last year hubby and I went to the Royal Easter Show at the Olympic Park! This year we are going again!! Hmm! Maybe a start of one tradition?

However or wherever you spent your Easter, I pray that you had a meaningful, solemn and relaxed time.

AMANPULO PALAWAN PHILIPPINES

Photo says it all. Peaceful island...

Enter Site : AMANRESORTS

ANTULANG, DUMAGUETE, PHILIPPINES

The name does give quite a funny sound to it, especially if you are a local.

But the whole place is mesmerizingly unique, as it's name is different. Where else would one find themselves on a cliff's edge and still manage to dream a tranquil setting.

Sunset Cruise. Magical Dive. Calming Sea. Gentle white sand. Warm Smiles.

Activities are endless. Whether you are adventure seeking or soul searching. This is for you.

Accommodation for all. Whether you are on a budget or on a no-budget. This is for you.

To experience Antulang, is to fully experience oneself. One's senses.

ANTULANG

Dumaguete City Booking OfficeTel: (63) (35) 225-8899, 422-2600Fax: (63) (35) 422-2461Mobile: (63) 917-700-2766 or (63) 920-947-6373Email Address: info@antulang.comContact: Anale or Monique

Manila Sales Office:Skyteam Travel & ToursUnit 1015 Cityland Shaw TowerShaw Blvd. corner St. Francis StreetTelefax: (63) (2) 914-5526Mobile: (63) 917-815-2108Email Address:
skyteam@antulang.com
Contact: PearlFront Desk, Antulang Beach Resort:Tel: (63) (35) 427-0112, 427-0113Fax: (63) (35) 427-0115Mobile: (63) 920-947-6368Contact: Bernice