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It's the end of the school year and my 5th grader is onto a different heights. But before that happens I want to thank my little nerd for making it through despite me being away every now and then.

Thank you for:

1. Being a dork
2. Being obsessive-compulsive
3. Calling me dude.
4. Studying on your own.
5. Working hard for your future
6. Being lovable
7. For making everything I'm doing worth it.

She's growing up way to fast! So fast that I realized she's talking sense now.

I recently read her notes in Facebook on October 23, 2010 "My Mind Getting Wider."

"If ever you wondered if a child like me would like Geography and History, yes we would. But it takes time to be interested into these kind of topics. Mom, Dad, did you ever notice that when I was a child, I never liked news or Geography and History? I know your answer would be yes.

Mom, Dad, now, did you ever notice that I like news and other stuff, like watching Discovery Channel? And your answer would still be yes. I do hope you know why. It's because my mind gets wider and it needs more information. That's why I'm making a note all about Geography and History. Perhaps this is just the first post about my mind getting wider but this one is about Geography and History, so here it goes

I say Bermuda you say Triangle. Could someone please tell me why accidents happen in that Triangle?

I love the sea, but I love Atlantis more, let's say it's the "Lost City"

When I grow up, it's either I'll be a doctor or  a lawyer, but I don't want to be a pilot, that's why I'm looking up to Amelia Earhart "The first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean". Oh but whatever happened to her?

If Anne Boleyn were a queen who brought up Queen Elizabeth 1, so I would be Kiara Nicole J. Lo, a kid who's about to know more about the world."

*happy tears* I'm a proud mom of a nerd girl!

I've recently attended a wedding and the groom's father gave a lovely line for a toast:

"Here's to love and laughter...ever after." Mr. Brunner

I may be a cynic, but I'll toast to that! Cheers!

My cousin Katya in red and white.

Is this my first post for 2011? Yikes.

Advance Happy Lunar New Year instead.

If I had the power to make time stand still, I would. My daughter's growing up all to fast.

One time when my in-laws were out shopping with my daughter, she brought home a handful. Then she held out one particular shopping bag to me.

Kiara: "Mom...." *teary-eyed*

Me: "What's that?" (I took it and checked out what's inside.)

Kiara: "It's...." (Then ran off to bed and cried.)

Me: "Oh...." (I took out a handful of starters.)

Kiara: *loud cry* "I don't want to wear that! I'm not up for that! I'm too young!"

Me: "There's nothing to cry about. You're not YET wearing these but soon you will."

Kiara: "Please don't say soon mom! Please give me at least 5 more years before I will have to put those on!"

Me: *grin* "Whatever you say."

Now that the horror is over, she'd even go "intimate shopping" with my brothers!

Now it's my time to weep. Please time, go a little slower...please!

Again we are spotted in a pool! I guess we just can't get enough of it. So, "Welcome to El Dorado".

We've been here a couple of times now, though we don't like the waters here but it's the architecture that got the better of us.

And in case you're wondering, no we don't own the place and there were people around, it just seemed like it's all us because we scared them off with a little rawr. Yes, the poses are deadly.

And as a family tradition, the kids do their "air shots" which are cooler than cool.

So 1, 2, 3...JUMP!

It's an all-girl swim day for us. And the water never runs dry with us around.

And one great feature about the place is the slide. The kids love it and we all tried it out -- well, except for my sister. It would have been cool if the water doesn't get caught in my nose as soon as I reach the landing though.

And here's the mushroom shot. Tried to go candid then decided to stick with the usual.

MO2 - El Dorado

Smallville Complex, Iloilo City

One innate thing about our family is that, would love a good excuse to swim. So when someone blurts out the words: "Would you guys want to swim today?" Everybody would be cram-mering to work their schedule and clear it out. I guess it's not only food that brings our family together.

We love the water, we could probably be the lost sons and daughters of Poseidon. And as proof that we could also breathe in the water, we took the liberty to capture our underwater life.

My brother gave us water creature names. I thought he'd give me those cute names, but instead he made mine as a piranha -- don't ask why, or you'll drop dead before the last syllable comes out of your mouth.

And then the water battle begins! I'm not sure how my daughter ever managed to win when she's not all that tough, but what I know about her is, loosing would never be an option to her.

Here's a family of swimmers.

Started with my dad, who at his age could beat me in an endurance swim. All my siblings are swimmers as well, they definitely love the sport but don't want to play the game. And I'm a self-proclaimed retired professional swimmer with the hopes that my daughter would make a good following.

I flew back to Manila just in time for my brother's birthday. Initially I just wanted to visit my little girl since it's been two weeks since I last saw her. Two for the price of one huh?

It was a Saturday so everybody was busy doing their own thing. My brother didn't impose that we should be there but we all tried to. I love family gatherings, and it's quiet notable that food always brings us together. We were so ready to get our tummies loaded!

Our uncle was also in town for a wedding, so it makes him a willing substitute for my dad.

And of course there's my brother's friends who are ever present to support him at any time. I'm guessing they flew in too for his birthday.

Food is served! We had one of almost every kind just so we could taste a little bit of everything. It was divine, we loved it all.

And of course, don't forget the cake courtesy of Sheila. And my brother giggled while blowing his 23rd cake. We love you bro!

Marciano's

Second Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

I wish I could say that I'm back to blogging for good. Unfortunately a lot of things have been holding me down. Right now I'm working on getting back with my old flame...swimming.

It's been years since I've been doing laps and it's surprising that now that I'm a few years older, my body doesn't react as quickly as before. I guess this is how a retired swimmer would feel after years without training. It's not anymore about speed, it's about how long I could stay in the water. I am my own team now, so it's up to me to train myself. Must. Build. Endurance.

I'm lucky to have a family that enjoys the same thing I do -- plus their uber supportive friends.

I am such a lousy blogger. I've been trying so hard to keep up just so I could blog real-time. But something always keep coming up. I'm not making a scapegoat, I'm just saying. *sighs* This photos still date back 3 months ago when we all learned that Achie San and baby Chase will be heading back to the States.

We drove out to Racso's in Guimbal. It's not all that far, but anywhere outside Iloilo sounds far enough already. Baby Chase was aggitated as if he clearly knew what he had to expect. He's really a brillant 2 year old, he amazes me most of the time.

Who ever said that this trip was for the kids only? It's for grown-ups too. Clearly loved the fact that we were practically the only ones there for a swim coz the rest were on their way out.

And oh, the little boy -- LOVES the water! As proof, he wanted to have his "alone time" away from the rest but of course that couldn't be possible.

And my not-so-little girl is obviously enjoying the time she gets to spend with Chase, plus the fact that she gets to soak up.

I could only have good words about a mother's love. And it's even beyond words, something only one can understand when you become a mom yourself. I know you will be a great man Chase. We'll miss you though.

And here's Chase's second mom. Such a lucky kid!

We miss you baby Chase. We miss your loud cries and your high pitch NOs.

My daughter learned to love because she grew up filled with love from the people around her.

Racso's Woodland, Brgy. Rizal-Tuguisan, Guimbal, Iloilo