thank God for the greatest gift...

Monday Dec. 15 is one of the happiest moments in my life...God has finally answered our prayer-to have a baby!

I've been delayed for weeks now but the first time i tested was negative. I was not disappointed at all, though i was a bit worried. It might be something else. But i put my faith to God and continued to pray and ask Him to just take care of everything.

Monday, i had my home test and it came out positive. The feeling was indescribable, all i knew was tears of joy rolled my face. Yes, we finally have a baby. And this time, we will take care of him.

God has given us the most precious gift ever and we continue to pray for His protection. We're very thankful to all our families, relatives and friends who have been praying for us.

To my husband, Jonathan, thank you for all the love, support and prayers. I'm sorry i did the test on my own hehehe!...Yup, so unfair. I should have waited for you..next time, make sure you're always around honey:D

the gadget..

pursuing on photography?..not bad isn't it..everyone has the liberty to choose whatever they want to venture in for as long as you have all the means. in my previous post, i mentioned that i dont have any hobby or interest that i really like doing or should i say i want to but just dont have the means and disposition(?)hmmm...

i posted my first ever collection of photoshoot at http://jhole22.multiply.com/ and got positive comments from my contacts. this made me think, how about taking photography seriously?

my husband convinced me to buy a DSLR as a gift for ourselves on our anniversary. wow,thats great!..at last, i won't hear him anymore saying "ganda ng camera nya oh..magkakaroon din ako ng ganyan."

i once bought a camera on my own, a canon prima which i got out of my part time job tutoring way back 2004. it only cost P1890($40). its still doing well(i left it w/ my sister in ilocos).i just don't know if they're still using it, or baka hindi na kasi mas mahal na yata developing sa film? correct me if im wrong. as its also not so convenient to use anymore cause you don't get to see the outcome of the photoshoot, analog eh..but i still love it coz it has captured many of my indelible moments.ssshhh.....

anyway with the new camera that we have, we now have the convenience (and luxury) of clicking for as long as we want...

hobby, interest, blogging and photography

Of all the personal questions i'm being asked, its the part of hobbies or interests i get empty-headed--i just find it difficult to answer!or do i have any in particular?..

Mondays and Tuesdays are my holidays. So unusual and i got no one to be with--most of the people i know rest on Saturdays and Sundays. So i end up spending the days on my own. Doing what?do household chores, watch TV, read one's blog, chat..duh!At least with reading one's blog, i get entertained with the great photos and learn new words too..thanks to my friend Pusang-gala who introduced me into the world of blogging. To cut the story short, i found the blogs of lagalog, the dong, lawstude, ironwulf--and i got struck with their awesome, fantastics shots!Everyday, i check on their posts and all i could say is..ang galing!ang ganda!And I couldn't help but feel desperate, how i wish i could also capture sites and views the way they do..And to cut the story short(again)..last Tuesday, i borrowed my husband's DSLR and had the leisure of taking pictures over downtown Hong Kong. And to exhibit my first collection, here they are..

Chater Garden...sit on the bench, enjoy the green plants around, relax and be refreshed with the sound of the falling water on the fountain! The twin office towers located on Queensway, Admiralty. Lippo Center a.k.a. Koala Tree as they appear like koalas clutching a tree. An extraordinary building design by American Architect Paul Rudolf which stand out among traditional box-type buildings.

Hong Kong's skyline is often compared to New York having numerous skyscrapers all over the city and still counting. International Finance Center(left) is the tallest at the moment with 88 floors. Even the residential buildings get taller and taller. the controversial but picturesque Bank of China Tower. The most prominent especially at night.
The fountain in Hong Kong Park, visitors and photographers favorite spot. ICBC, Cheung Kong Center and Bank of China at the background.

I think ive finally found a hobby im going to love..i think the passion has been fired up, thanks to all travelbloggers for the wonderful pictures, you've inspired me a lot. Now i look forward to my rest days..no more lethargic and passionless me.

2nd Wedding Anniversary-Part 3

Now for the last part of my anniversary series, our exploration to the HK's collection of flora and fauna--welcome to the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical GardensThe Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak with a highest point of 100 metres and a lowest point of 62 metres above sea level. The Garden was divided into two parts by Albany Road, but linked by a subway. The eastern part of the Garden is known as the Old Garden where a Children's Playground, Aviaries, Green House and a Fountain Terrace Garden are found. The New Garden in the west is mainly the home of mammals and reptiles.After an exhausting climb getting up here, Terrace Fountain welcomed us...this is a pleasant place to regain perspective...At HKZBG, i saw animals ive never seen personally before. This ones struck me most.
oopps,that's the poster..here's the real thing-Black and White Ruffled Lemur. They're kinda soft to cuddle..
We spent about 2 hours walking around the garden and i suddenly felt my stomach grumbled. Time to eat lunch, actually late for lunch, already tea hour for the Chinese. We took the road down to Lan Kwai Fong-party central of Hong Kong that offers best dining and entertainment. A world renowned district home to over 100 restaurants and bars. Night owls' destination, flooded everynight by thousands of party animals from different cultures. Just few steps from city's busy Central business district. Our day didn't end here. Next destination was Discovery Bay which i already posted.

Now I look forward to our nexts anniversaries..simple yet meaningful.

2nd Wedding Anniversary-Part 2

It was a long day of celebration. As I promised, here's the 2nd part of my previous posting--invading the Central District! Many of the HK's attractions and sightseeing can be found in this part of the island.First stop, Statue Square. More popularly known as "The Black Man" among fellow Filipinos, the statue of Sir Thomas Jackson stands. He was the chief manager of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and responsible for financing the development of Colonial Hong Kong. With gratitude of his services to the bank and Hong Kong, his statue was unveiled at Statue Square in front of the HSBC's premises. This part of Central is one of the famous rendezvous of our Kababayans on Sundays.

Second stop, Chater Garden. It's located near Statue Square beside the Legislative Council Building and is surrounded by the Lippo Tower, Bank of China Tower and Cheung Kong Center. The garden features pools with small fountains as well as many different types of plants and trees...

...and a domestic pigeon - this one was shot about 2 feet away. We took 9 clicks on him but he seemed to have been accustomed to men and didn't fly away from from us.

...a professional model for a photoshoot!

Third stop - St. John's Cathedral. It is the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong and the oldest Anglican church in the Far East. Few minutes of quiet prayer and meditation...

So much was done on this very special day that cannot be contained in one posting. Next post will be photos taken at HK Zoological and Botanical Gardens and our late lunch date at Lan Kwai Fong.

2nd Wedding Anniversary Special-Part 1

2 years ago when we exchanged our vows in the presence of God, families, close relatives and friends... Nov. 18, 2008 marks our 2nd year anniversary as husband and wife. I'm very thankful to God for everything He has done and He will do in our life..As a part of the celebration, we had a get-away to the biggest out-laying island of Hong Kong - Discovery Bay.
Originally, Discovery Bay was planned as a public holiday resort, and was later transformed into a residential development. DB has a complete amenities, including one man-made beach at Tai Pak Wan, recreational clubs including a 27-hole golf course and a marina (where some residents choose to live on yachts moored in the marina), natural streams and rock pools, bicycle tracks, astro-turf football pitch, basketball court, supermarket, fine dining/alfresco, numerous children's playgrounds and good hiking paths.
Along the shore of a man-made beach, Tai Pak Bay. It's not healthy to swim here though, there are trash floating in the water..yaaiks!
It was a very sweet and thoughtful idea to celebrate another year of being together...as the saying goes, its not the place but the person you are with that makes it MORE precious and memorable! We're just thankful to God for another wonderful and fruitful year together...








More photos on "my anniversary special" next posts...

Buhay sa Hong Kong...

Im having seconds thoughts whether i should write a post on this for reason that i might be misunderstood. I just want to share my encounters with fellow Filipinos. According to Wikipedia, there are about 140,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong and mostly working as Domestic Helpers. Many of them are university graduates but chose to work as maids and nannies for the higher salary they will receive in Hong Kong than they could make at home. Hindi ko po minamaliit ang mga domestic helpers kasi marami po akong kamag-anak at kaibigan na DHs. Isa itong marangal na trabaho at alam ko malaki ang kanilang isinasakripisyo maiahon lang estado ng buhay, makatulong sa pamilya at maiangat estado financial ng bansa sa bawat remittance. Nalulungkot lang po ako kasi marami sa atin hanggang doon lang tingin natin sa ating lahi. Sorry for my words, is there a more appropriate phrase on this? What I just want to say is, can't we be somebody other than being domestic helpers to foreigners?

Almost 7 months pa lang ako sa HK. My husband works as a Landscape Designer and he petitioned me as his dependent. As residents, we have a priviledge of getting jobs aside from domestics. I work as Administrative Officer in a Language Center.

Most of the time, ganito ang usapan...

Kabayan: Pilipina ka?
Aquamarine: Opo.
K: Taga saan ka sa atin?
A: Sa Ilocos Norte po.
K: Ah Ilocana.
A: Kayo po,saan kayo sa atin?
(Filipinos in HK hailed from all parts of the Philippines, Batanes hanggang Sulu)
K: Matagal ka na dito?
A: 6 months pa lang.
K: Day -off mo?
A: Hindi po.
K: San ka dito sa HK?
A: Sa North Point.
K: Stay-out ka ba?
(Some Domestic Helpers are live-out)

Minsan naman sa palengke...
K: Kumakain ba amo mo ng ganyan?

Pag kasama ko naman asawa ko...
K: Anong trabaho mo dito, driver? (Most common job for Filipino men)
K: Isa lang ba amo nyo?

(Deretsang pagkasabi!)

If we are with our friends, they would answer for us. Or sometimes, we tell them in the most subtle way we can..and a deep sigh comes after!

In fairness, many would also ask first what we do here and feel glad to know were in the professional field. "Buti pa kayo" and they would start talking about their employers. How good, how bad..everything!

Muli po, hindi ko minamaliit ang maging taga pagsilbi sa iba. Magkaroon lamang po sana tayo ng mas matayog na pangarap at ipakita sa buong mundo Filipinos are not mere domestic helpers as defined in a dictionary..

Mabuhay ang mga OFWs, mga bagong bayani ng bansa!!!

Importance of Saving(s)..

Benjamin Franklin said: "If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."
Saving a part of what is earned—even a small part—is one way to build wealth.

Sometime in June, I thought of an idea: to have something where we could drop some of our coins or a little extra from our income. We had it as a part of our day to drop a coin or two in it. If we got hold of the new 10HKD(the one w/ a plastic),we would have it in also.

Initially, my husband and I agreed not to withdraw from it but sometimes, certain circumstances just lead us to our "wonder bottle" as we call it. And just say, "isn't it we'll use it for emergency purposes only???"
The last time i checked how much we have saved, i counted a 4-digit figure! Wow, i did'nt expect we already have that much. Maybe if we didn't take out some of it, the amount could be higher. But what is it if you have failed to help your family who's in need? Nothing...worthless!!!

We're just thankful that God is using us to be a channel of His blessing to our family and friends. For the wisdom and strength and being able to save even just a little..In the midst of financial crisis, we're blessed to have a so called "savings"...every single penny counts!

Have a Coffee Break..

"To know one life has breathed easier because you lived... this is to have succeeded. Many people have experienced extreme sadness, neglect, and disappointment in life. How wonderful it is when people can take disappointment, turn it into motivation, and shoe others the very kindness they went without. No doubt, the goodness comes back to them as well. Good, when shared, expands exponentially. 'As God's chosen people... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility...' (Colossians 3:12)"

Yes, living in fast-paced life, everyone needs a break from all the responsibilities this world has to bother us. The words like stress,anxious,tired and so on are signs that we need to recharge our batteries. While many of us take a coffee break(literally speaking) to refresh in the midst of a busy day, the Coffee Break Devotions offers powerful reflections to inspire and energize. It allows you to think about important things of life and to consider new, more fruitful ways of living a life to the fullest-happy and stress free!
Last Sunday, I made lambing to my husband to buy me a copy of the book as I felt the need of having something to energize me and relieve me from my stressors. And I also told him to write a message in it. I did not know the message would be like this. I was so touched. So sweet!!!I always admit, my husband is a lot more thoughtful than I am. Only a few men keep in their minds the important dates esp. wedding anniversaries. (women are so emotional..and I am!toinks) Yes, on Nov. 18, we'll be 2 years married! Time flies so fast. The past 2 years has been so wonderful and colorful. We had our fair share of the downs of married life. They say everybody goes through series of tests anyway. But I must say we're very thankful and blessedthat we victoriously succeeded all the challenges. Now, I could say we're on our way to reaping God' s rewards. I'm also thankful to God for blessing me a loving, understanding and patient husband. We always confess God has great plans for us. As it is written in Jer.29:11, "for i know the plans I have for you"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future".

Cantonese 101

Being in country where English is not widely spoken,its absolutely difficult. Hong Kong was a British Crown Colony from 1842-1997 and finally became a Special Autonomous Region Of China. But being colonized by an English government did not really influence them that much with the language. Communication is one of the difficulties im facing at the moment and that made me decide to learn their language- cantonese. In Cantonese, using the accurate word is a great deal better than having a sizeable vocabulary, especially if you make mistakes with the pitch and end up saying something completely wrong. Its kinda challenging because you really have to say it in the right tone and pitch. But you know what, I've never seen myself speaking Cantonese and I just find it really hard even just the basics..At least I could speak 3 languages then..wish me good luck!

here i am again...

its already half past 3 in the morning and i'm still very much awake. i can't sleep...i am again anxious..on what?.death of a close friend..stroke daw and feeling ko ako din. waah,morbid talaga!!!
me and my husband were taking a walk after a heavy dinner(we usually do this for fast digestion)..i just can't forget the cause of her death and was repeatedly played on my mind. what happened next??un na, my heart started to beat so fast and heavy. its like something was blocking my air passage..my palms then sweating, i felt my head was also expanding. i was just quiet,trying to calm myself.but the more i tried to, the faster my heart beats. i asked my husband where could we find a bench and have a sit for a while. still, i couldn't contain myself..the only thing in my mind is to see the doctor at the soonest possible time. panic attack na naman..maybe after 20 minutes when we're finally at the clinic. i just wanted my BP to be check kasi nga kung anu-ano na naiisip at nararamdaman ko. dami pa nila patients at di na ako makapaghintay. really, what happened to my friend was frightening me. my husband tried everything to calm me down, he had sang a worship song and all that. we decided to just go home and took a medicine. i could hardly calm myself down.we went back to the clinic as it is just 1 block away from our flat. the doctor told me everything is normal, i just need to relax. but recommended me to have the general check-up to fully evaluate my health status and ease me from my anxieties. i am going to have it later,yup morning na ano..i just hope and pray everything would be normal..as i said before,its my faith in God that keeps me holding on..He has great plans and He's not done yet..
they say,if you're having some health problems write it as it is a fast relief. im proving it right, its really therapeutic. i hope i get a sound sleep after this. Thank you Lord. i know i can overcome my fears, worries, and anxities.

in memory of a friend...

im writing this post in memory of a former colleague and friend back in my Dominican College days. Ms. Louie Decena is a friend whom everybody knows as very charismatic, supportive, and helpful. though we never became level partners,i can always count on her on anything especially on work-related things. she would teach simple yet effective techniques in teaching..
she died last friday.according to my former student, she took a bath after arriving from school then tumaas daw BP nya(she's already taking maintenance medication). she was rushed to St. Martin hospital in San Juan but was not attended immediately and waited for like 2 hours. only when the school Directress arrived that the hospital attended to her.
If you read this post, i hope you could join me in praying that this will never happen again. i may not know what exactly happened, it is just so sad losing a good friend just because of negligence if i may say...
To Ms. Louie, we will always remember you, you have left a wonderful memory in our hearts. we know you're finally home. to all whom she left behind, may God be your comfort!

surviving solitary at the office...

Today is the first day having no companion in the office..It just a small company and it used to have 3 personnel that includes the teacher(my boss), me and my companion. And now she had left me. For 2 hours, I would be by myself doing all the tasks. I wonder how long can I survive this kind of environment. I used to working in a noisy environment, surrounded by many students and co-workers. Now its totally different. I'm surviving the first day, I hope it could last long. But honestly, I'm already applying for a new job..I miss being with kids that I wanna go back to teaching. I hope HK schools can give me a chance and give them a taste of my unique teaching styles and techniques hehehe..ang confidence level!!Pls help me pray for it..

HK Clubbing..THE BULL & BEAR

This is a poster inside the Bull and Bear, a popular British Pub in Wanchai, HK. It says: Rule#1. Bartender is always right. Rule#2. If bartender is wrong, see Rule#1.


How about the one written below it?




This is absolutely ridiculous...

I am not really a party-goer, but being with my husband and some friends, this is such a wonderful moment. I got to taste 3 different drinks-bloody mary is worst!!I can't spell the taste-a little sweet, sour, salty and bitter...




The pictures describe the happiness and enjoyment we had that night. We went home AS EARLY AS 4:OO in the morning. Unfair nga kasi ako lang me pasok the next day. Imagine how i was while at the office..no hang-over at least!





How i love to end a week this way...just pure fun!!!

Touring Hong Kong...

One of the newest attractions in Hong Kong is the Nan Lian Garden - a Tang Dynasty-style park that features several precious timber structures, including square and hexagonal pavilions, podiums, multi-layered buildings, and pavilions with thatched roofs.

Every visitor enjoys an atmosphere conducive to serenity and tranquility; an ambience in which they can enjoy moments of leisure and peace of mind, while reflecting on the profound richness of classical Chinese culture.

The one-way circular route allows the visitors to discover the splendour of this lovely garden seemingly unfolds along each step of the way.

Their collection of trees and plants make the place very pleasing and attractive including the Buddhist Pines, bonsai trees, shrubs, flowering species and bamboo; and are accompanied by bizarre rocks and boulders, including petrified wood. The landscape design is so excellent that totally changes your perspective on parks or gardens.

The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection, a gold-leaf covered tower stands at the center of the park. It connects the Lotus pond and Blue Pond that contains a large school of giant koi.

Thinking of a place of refuge, seclusion, or privacy amidst the turmoil of an urban life?..take the road to Nan Lian Garden-Diamond Hill, Kowloon Hong Kong.