Cebu - Quest Hotel and Magellan & Lapu-Lapu Monument

Ok continuance from my Cebu visits. Oh forget to tell, Cebu is one of small Islands in Philippines and their main religion is Christian, about 99% in fact. You can read part I here.

We stayed in Quest Hotel and conference centre which is located smacked in the middle of Cebu town. There is a big shopping mall right opposite of the hotel - Ayala Mall and we can just walk there by crossing the street. Anyway, the street is a 2 ways with 4 lanes, so it's quite dangerous actually considering their traffic is craaazy (but somehow we manage to do it - they might mistaken us for locals hehe)

A 3-star hotel but it's neat.

Table decor

At lobby, while waiting to check in

Another view of the lobby

My room. Unshared.

The gift basket from the company. Cebu is well known for their homegrown mango.

The free tidbits - mineral water and their famous dried mango.

Normal stuff in the mini fridge. Chargeable.

The bathroom. Separate shower and toilet. No bathtub.

The sink and basic amenities. And yes, I brought my pump!

Which I religiously used, and dump in the sink. Because I am too lazy to pack it and freeze it. Too much hassle for me since there is no direct route to KL, need to take the interconnecting flight. Anyway I pump 2-3 times and dump everything. Looking back at this picture reminds me that Emir was heavily depended on me that time. Kesian dia :(

After freshen up, we wend for short tour to see Heritage of Cebu Monument at Chinese Street. That area is the first trading centre for Cebu.

Street view - their cab

Another view. The town looks kinda old right..remind me of Teluk Intan (Perak) and Besut (Terengganu) city.

The heritage of Cebu Monument, or Magellan & Lapu-Lapu Monument as the local calls it.

It's about the native - some big ass man (Lapu-lapu) killed Ferdinand Magellan (with his spear). Ferdinand is the one who conquers Cebu and the native is not satisfied. Then they fight in the water (in one of the river) and Lapu-Lapu is almost naked (hey! they are native) and Ferdinand man is wearing the kick-ass metal armor so they lost in the battle because they can't stand the water with that kind costume resistance. Something like that.

Statue of Ferdinand Magellan

The ships and some storyline

Another view from the statue

It was a very hot day so I barely can focus on the story hehe. Oh ya, their climate is more or less like us but they are cooler most of the time. Slightly cooler.

Next to it is the fire station.

Their yummilicious mango. I didn't have a knife so I asked the hotel to cut the mango for me. Juicy and sweet but I still prefer the Indian mango as it's more fragrance and sweeter.

Cebu - The Journey Begins

This is a very long due entry. I was thinking to skip this story but it is too good to pass. This is my first outstation work, and first time away from the children. The best part is, it was in Cebu, Philippines! Place I never dream or plan to go. It was a very interesting work, or trip I'll say =)

Anyway, it was in January 2013. I know it's stale, but since it's not everyday story, do me a favor and hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed the journey ;)

I went there with couples of teammate for a training and it's a 5 days trip. Five days may sound too short for a normal vacation but for a mom with 2 small kids, this will be my longest trip ever! And I was still breastfeeding Emir that time. I was so nervous about it, about how the kids going to be without their mom, how are they going to sleep, how Emir going to drink the milk, you know..petty stuff..but kinda important to me. I wonder how my husband going to do it without me (but he DID it! My superman ;)). Anyway, my mom did a favor and came down to my place to lend a hand and keep an eye of the kids. Thank you mommy!!

MrComot sent me to the airport and decided to bring Zahra. 

We left Emir at home with my mom after lotsa milk and kisses and hugs (and he was asleep when I left). Sobs.

My boarding pass. We took Cebu Pacific Air from KLIA to Manila for a brief transit and the took the interconnect flight from Manila to Cebu, using Cebu Pacific Air as well. 

In KLIA. Charging hub. All plugs are taken.

It's midnight and not so many flyers

Another scene in the airport

Our flight ;)
I was sooo excited and nervous at the same time. I know I'm going to miss my family so much (especially the kids) but I can't wait to have this short break too.

Manila airport (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)

And ISO 9001 certified

We reached around 5AM and get ready for Subuh (Fajr) prayer. Philippines main religion is Christian and I'm quite surprised to see that their airport facilitate this.

A proper prayer room for us. Most international airport (in non-Muslim) country just have universal prayer room.

Had a hearty breakfast before we board to Cebu. Coffee Philippines style, it is black sans sugar, with condensed milk for you to opt.

Soft boiled egg with pepper and soy sauce, and toast with peanut butter. The bread is thick and slightly heavier but it's yummy nevertheless.

Cebu Pacific Air to Cebu is FUN! After we flew on the sky, the stewardess will play some game like guessing game with simple questions, related to Cebu Pacific Air and Cebu itself, where you can get the answer from the flyers and pamphlet at your seat. It's so easy that anyone knows the answer I guess, because I know! Hehe! Too bad I am too shy and the other boarders are very sporting, they raise their hand in jiffy! Baru terfikir-fikir nak angkat tangan, orang lain dah jawab dulu :P Anyone that answer it correctly get the flight's gift like the CPA soft toys, their t-shirt, etc. So fun right!

Compulsory shot. The earth view ;)

Safely arrived! It's about 2hrs journey from Manila to Cebu.

And I took a picture with one of the friendly airport policeman.

Road view in Cebu. This is their main transportation - Jeepneys. It's a word combo from Jeep + knees because it's so packed that you knee will touch other's.

Another one. Most of the shops still close because it is early in the morning

Random man selling balloons. 

Ok next journey will be up soon!

Kids Handmade Wrapper

This is Jun 2013 activity.

The story starts like this, I had a wedding to attend on the weekend, and I bought the present already, but didn't have any wrapper in hands. 

And that time, I was all out doing sort of craft activities. Wow me! Such a fun mom, need to kick the mojo back. So I was thinking to do handmade wrapping paper instead of start the car engine and drive all the way to nearest stationary shop, for 1-2 pieces of wrapping paper, that might not have nice design at all. 

We have a lot of oil paper in stock and so toilet paper roll. Yes, I keep all my toilet paper roll because I'm such a keeper. Normally MrComot will throw them away but I used to dig up the dustbin immediately after that and hid it in the kitchen drawer. I don't know why I did that. Pretty weird. I could have told him not to throw it.

Anyway I got this idea to let the kids do some stamping and turn it into wrapping paper, and they love it so much! It's the kiddos first time experimenting with water color and stamping technique so I just them went freestyle.

But Zahra keeps the rule. Emir can use only blue color and she gets the pink and purple. Princess!

It's a bit messy so I let them play on the tiles directly as it will be easier to clean later. I used old Buncho poster color that I have since I was form 3. Told ya I love to keep stuff, and they come to use after...years. LOL.

End result. The mix is a bit diluted and it took a whole night to air dry it.

The end result is pretty neat (I said so because I am the mom! Haha..but honestly, it's not a pretty wrapping paper =/) so I made a crepe paper flower in two tones for a pop, to divert the attention from that weird looking wrapping paper.

Honestly, I find it a bit weird to give wrap that wedding gift with oil paper even though it's decorated. After all, it's an amateur handmade stuff! But Zahra was so excited and keep on saying "Zahra nak bungkus hadiah kawan mommy!!" I just suck it up and hell yes, why not!

And she's so so so proud of it! I'm glad I have the gut (after having a looooong thought) to wrap it with it. It's such a big deal to her.

So the gift safely reached the newlywed and I hope they like the present, and don't mind the wrapper! Hahaha. Well...it's handmade that you won't find it anywhere else and 100% with love! ;)

Ask her to strike a pose before we off the wedding. Cheeky princess! ;)

What I Want for 2014

Ok, time for fun entry!! What I want for 2014 (read it like how I met your mother tone, so fun! lol). Ok kidding. Anyway I just loveeeee to do this. Haven't I? Listing out all the want thing. So superficial! Yeah, superficial stuff is FUN! Hehehe!

You can read my wanting list for 2013 here: http://aandes.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-i-want-for-2013.html

In fact you can use the search button on my blog and type "what I want", if you would like to see my other side of being *childish* *cough* *cough* throughout the year.

Yes I do think wish list is kinda childish :P

Ok enough ranting..here is the review of what I want last year, and lets see, did I get it or not.

2013 Wanted stuff:

1) Printer for craft that can wifi and scan

Well, I GOT IT!!!! In fact I bought it early of the year - January 2013. Or was it December 2012? I couldn't find the receipt though, it's shucked in one of my drawers. Nevermind. Anywaaaayyyy... it's a big and shiny black inkjet Canon PIXMA hmm forgot the model. But it's super niceeee! Double way, poor my printer, it is bought and left unloving after that, until now, that I feel like crying. 

Yes!!! It's still unopened after a year. I'm just busy you know =/

My poor printer dumped together with Zahra's doll. Well, at least you got a pretty companion.

2) A vacation - local / oversea doesn't matter

WE DID!! I almost forgot about this, because I didn't blog about it. Proscrastination. By the way, we went to PENANG!! And had loads of fun! Will try to blog about it (even though it's so last year! Booo!)

3) Bias tape maker

Got it! But you guess it right. It receives same fate with my printer. Sobs.

 

sorry baby. Maybe I should sell you?

4) Rotary cutter set with mat and ruler

GOT IT!! And been lovingly used =D

I've been using it for almost everything, from fabric to paper and to measure

5) New curtain and sofa cover for the house, current one has been stuck (and unwash) for 4 years! 

Errr...NOPE! Let it remains unwash for 5 years will ya! =D

6) A proper built-in sewing table

Well, I did get a sewing table handed down by MrComot's auntie, but to say built-in, it's not. So how do I put this. 50-50! I think the table is good enough for me as I'm not settling down my art's room quite yet. So I don't plan to get a proper one..maybe later. Much later. So this is my new sewing table, which has pretty red and pink ombre drawers. And I stuff everything there. What an eyesore! =/

Nice drawers dude! But...I see junk is killing you.

2013 needed stuff:

1) 365-project 

I didn't make it, BUT I did the yearly book with photobook.com.my and it's awesome! Gotta make it yearly. Nanti I show!

2) Open my blogshop, seriously, I bought too many! Need to let go some stuff. 

I DID IT. Yeay yeay, andes did it la la andes did it. Well, literally...not really. I did make some arrangement on to open the blogshop, like setting up a domain, upload pictures, register with SSM and whatnot BUT, I never get it launched in 2013. So will make official announcement later and maybe some giveaway! *ambitious mode ON!*

Anyway some hint below....presenting you the cutest bee on the block!

3) Finish my pregnancy journal (Zahra and Emir).

Errrrr...NEXT!! *totally forgot about this! Gah!!*

Haha..it's fun right?! I never knew I wanted so many thing? Goldfish!

OK, now lets talk about what I want for 2014.

Hmmm...hmmm...

Hmmm...

HMMMM...

I can't think.. of..any. Really.

Really.

Woooooaaahh! I AM OLD. I don't know what I want anymore. All I want is to be happy. Ever after. 

And maybe to paint some room, and stencil my kitchen with blue waves. And maybe assembling my printer. That poor dude.

Yes, I want to do that this year. Lets get serious.

1) Do some stenciling/painting. Blue waves for my wet kitchen

2) Another stenciling/painting for the front wall, golden blocks perhaps.

2) Assembling the printer and print awesome wall art!

3) Do the yearly book

4) Again...pregnancy journal (Zahra and Emir). Lets face it, I have to repeat this until I come out with one!

There's something missing. I need to buy something this year. Wait..let me think about it.

.

.

.

.

Oh yes, my ultimate no 5

5) I want a wooden swing!! In fact, it was on 2011 list. Memory returns =D

*pic googled*
The kids must lovin it!

So how about you? Berangan tak rugi! Hahaha

All and all, I want to be a better muslim and person, a fun mommy and devoted (as in, wake up early, cook some nice food, keeping my tone low) wifey. I can do this! 2014, bring it on!!

*image googled*