icapillas's Xanga

The Venetian-Macau Experience

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:43:53 GMT

My most recent trip to Macau was considered grandest among my previous Macau-Hongkong trips in terms of hotel accomodation. Why so? Because we stayed at The Venetian, the ultimate luxury hotel. Come & see for yourselves...

The Lobby

Touring the Grand Canal Shoppes

We stayed at Rialto Suite which is very spacious, with two bedrooms separated by a hallway. There are three queen-sized beds, a living room, dining room, karaoke room, a mini-kitchen where you can make your own cup of Ristretto, Livanto or Decaffeinato from the Nepresso coffee machine. I have yet to mention that there are a total of six flat TV screens in the room! It's so comfortable, just like living in your own home.

Marble-tiled bathroom with separate shower and bath

The view of The Venetian from the outside.

Must see tourist attraction, the famous St Paul ruins, Macau's most famous landmark.

First constructed in 1580, St. Paul's Church caught fires in 1595 and 1601. However, reconstruction started in 1602 soon after the church was burnt down. Completed in 1637, the church became the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia at that time. Unfortunately, a violent typhoon hit Macau in 1835 and the church caught fire for the third time leaving its glory a history.

There are still a lot of interesting photos taken. But unfortunately, I've already hit my monthly upload limit. Maybe I shall post them in my next blog. Tata for now!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:39:10 GMT

I always love to visit historical places. It stirs the imagination on how things and people were during their own time, and its influences on us now.

Chikhan Towers 赤崁摟, formerly Fort Provintia, is a famous landmark of Tainan City, the ancient capital of Taiwan. It was built in 1653 by the Dutch during their colonization of Taiwan to serve as their administrative center. It was later renamed 'Red-topped Tower' (赤崁樓) in 1945 during the era of Republic of China rule.

The statue depicts Dutch surrender to Koxinga forces.(Koxinga 國性爺鄭成功, a prominent leader who opposed the Qing Dynasty and defeat the Dutch to reclaim Taiwan in 1662.

Stone turtle tablets with bilingual inscriptions (Manchuria & Chinese)

Rachel & Nicole

Caught an airplane in the sky

The walls of the buildings were made from rock-hard bricks of oyster shell lime mixed with sugar water & glutinous rice paste.

Where's mommy?

Time for some chillers (refreshing iced tea & yummy tofu pudding).

It's their favorite dessert, specially Nic's.

Moon Festival Activity

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:09:09 GMT

It was Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) last Saturday, Oct.3. Once again, Taiwan was threatened by another SUPER typhoon. Our spirits were not dampened by the news, however. We headed towards Tainan for the weekend. The weather was sunny in the afternoon, and it became windy at the latter part of the day. Still, there was not a single drop of rain fall. Wooohooo!!! What could be the best things to do on a windy day?

(centipede) (spooky tadpole)

It was FUN!!!

Farm Visit

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:32:55 GMT

I promised my girls to bring them to see Moomoo cow this weekend . These were taken just this Sunday afternoon.

Stopping by for some chillers.

The crushed ice flakes are made from fresh cow's milk. Underneath are rich tasting milk puddings.

Nic having a taste of fresh cow's milk.

Bought this:

The twins watching their dad operate the remote controlled helicopter which wouldn't fly...

Heading for home.

See you next time, fellows!

PS. The following is exclusively for Uncle Michel (http://fauquet.xanga.com/profile/):

Uncle Michel, here are pictures of the twins in their very first kindergarten school uniform:

(Rachel)

(Nicole)

Thank God For the Good Life

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:22:52 GMT

A few days ago, I celebrated my __?th birthday. My good friends made it a point to arrive early at the karaoke bar where we'd usually hang out each time anyone of us would be celebrating her special day.

I feel so happy because aside from having the most wonderful friends which ever part of the globe that I am in and having a loving family, God has been good to me all these years, taking very good care of me and my needs.

I mentioned in my last blog about the typhoon then approaching Taiwan, the country where I presently live. I never imagine that it would cause such a devastating effect. More than a hundred thousand people became homeless because their houses were destroyed by mudslides triggered by the typhoon. Many were buried alive, still many other bodies left undiscovered.

To this day, the news about the victims are still very evident everyday in local TV channels here. As I watch the family of the victims weep and grieve about their loss, deep inside me I am forever grateful that God has keep me and my family safe from the storm., and that I have a comfortable home and a cozy bed to sleep on every night after a day's toil.

To my Xanga friends who sent me messages of concern regarding my condition and safety, THANK YOU very much!!! I truly, truly appreciate them!!!

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:27:20 GMT

It's starting to rain cats & dogs outside tonight as I am typing this blog. All work & classes will be suspended tomorrow due to approaching typhoon. I used to feel elated whenever I hear the "GREAT" news from television during my student days. (which was many and many a year ago..haa). But now, it doesn't mean that much to me, because as you see, no matter how strong the typhoon would be, I'm still obliged to go to work. That's how it is when you work in the hospital.

My little ones are sound asleep...So, I have the luxury of enjoying my private moment, the valuable time I call my very own, before I proceed to slumberland.

Let me share with you some pictures of my twins in sea creature costumes worn during their first ever school program just the other night at Kinder 2 pupils' graduation ceremony. (I remember that not so long ago, I blogged about my twins' first day at school regarding my apprehensions on separation anxiety. This month, they're already done with their pre-nursery, and start attending Kinder 1, Teddy Bear Class).

Nic as Mermaid & Rachel as Nemo

Teacher Joanna sticking blue bling-blings on their cheeks

It's a mother's joy watching her babies performing, dancing on stage. It's like, "oh, my li'l darlings have grown."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:14:08 GMT

Life has been busy, the reason why I've been absent from Xanga for quite a while. Since the start of the month, I seem to be always running out of time. Tight work schedule for the past weeks due to our hospital appraisal (arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am and went home at 9 pm) was really nerve wrecking. My husband Steven has been so kind, helping me bathe the kids, and did the laundry. I think my 3 year-old daughter Nic has started missing me because she's pleading me not to go to work anymore. Good thing my work load has lessened a bit this week, and I get to spend more time with my family (played with my twins, read to them, brought them to the park) and if lucky enough, find time for myself (though it's mostly late in the evening if ever there is) where I can read some books to feed my brain , go over some lectures or simply lie in bed to rest my muscles before I finally doze off to slumberland.

Time flies. This year is half over, can you imagine? Hope the rest of the year goes smoothly for everyone.

Back Home 2

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:27:40 GMT

Despite the heavy rains, God spared us one day where we were able to squeeze in some time for the kids to enjoy the outdoor swimming pool.

Here's my sis Eleanor with my daughters (Rachel & Nicole) & my nephew, Daniel

We visited Orchard, which is known for its beautiful golf courses surrounded by mango trees.

There are a lot of huge malls around Metro Manila where you can shop 'til you drop!

I was soo horrified when I saw my daughter Rachel doing this!!! Good thing there's a glass behind her which kept her from falling! Always keep a watchful eye when you have a toddler with you.

Taking a short break from malling at Cafe Breton

I'm sure the twins had a memorable trip, shared happiest time with their cousin Daniel. They played together, fought over toys sometimes, and yeah, shared single ice cream cone too.

Back Home

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:38:08 GMT

Hello, my dearest Xanga friends, I'm back! Back after a month of being absent from Xanga world. I miss reading you guys! How was everyone?

A lot of things happened to me during our trip to Manila, Philippines. My daughter Rachel (the younger twin) got sick of pneumonia on the 3rd day of our stay, and was confined for 8 days. During that time, everybody was scared of the H1N1 epidemic, and since my daughter developed continuous high grade fever, cough and cold, the doctors in the hospital were highly suspecting her to have swine flu aside from the usual pneumonia. Luckily, her test turned out to be negative for H1N1 which was a great relief to the family. Otherwise, all of us will have to be quarantined!

Then, Nicole, the other twin got sick too, having fever & cough just like her sister. I myself had sorethroat and whole body ache after taking care of my daughter in the hospital for straight 8 days & 7 nights! My mom got sick too & so with the rest of the family members! Gee, that was the very first time it happened to us! I wonder which TOUGH BUG was it which knocked all of us out?

Because of the long duration of people in the family getting sick one after the other, I didn't get in touch with my friends back home as I planned. I was so physically drained!! We were not able to visit scenic spots such as Palawan, Boracay or Cebu as initially planned. My, oh my!!! Maybe I just don't have the luck to enjoy these white sand beaches yet?

Good thing that the TOUGH BUG left us finally! Then it rained. It rained HARD almost everyday during the first week of June. Imagine how disappointing it was to face rainy day everyday while you're ON VACATION!

Here's a glimpse of what we have been doing during the rest of our stay in Manila which include malling, dining , swimming or simply hanging around my mom's house enjoying the rare laid back life.

Hanging around at The Fort with my sister Eleanor, and nephew, Daniel

Nephews Johann, Daniel, Jasper & the twins (Rachel & Nicole)

Stopped by Haagen Dazs for ice cream with the kids

Nicole & Rachel all dressed up to go out

Dinner with mom at Annabel's

My Beef Tenderloin steak

Mom's Parrot Fish

Eleanor about to devour her Lengua Estofada (Ox tongue)

Chilling out at Chili's. Haahaa, what voracious appetite!!

My favorite appetizer, Baked Mussels

More to come fellas!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thu, 21 May 2009 01:56:48 GMT