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The downside of living in a small town is having limited places to hang out in. We just decided to check out the coffee shop that's in our family friend's old house.

We love the cozy ambiance. We love the tea and the smoothies!

And the wall artwork is way cool.

What I love about the place is there's a variety of books and magazines that you can borrow.

And my brothers love that there's wifi and of course it's a good getaway from the common coffee shop crowd.

Well hello there, it's been a LONG time! I can't say that I'm back for good, but we'll see.

Life has been swell for me and that probably took a toll on my blogs. One thing's for sure though, we continue to do what we love...dining. It's a first in years since we re-visited this Italian restaurant in Iloilo, and like all things, it had some minor changes, but it was all good.

Tonight, I have two of my favorite boys all for myself. Jason and Jerard.

When you're with the boys, you act like them, eat, laugh and talk like them. It became less about the food and more about of the people you're with that makes you enjoy every bite.

Al Dente

Sarabia Manor Hotel, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City

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 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.

Flowers -- are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

This photo was still taken over the summer, but I want to share with you my amazing Saturday. This weekend I get to spend a day out with my daughter. I missed our bonding, it's the time when we'd get to talk about a lot of other stuffs besides school. We left "mom and daughter" at home, we went out as friends.

We were out to look for tokens for her friends in school. It took us a few minutes to find something for the girls.

Kiara: (holding out for something) Mom, I think they need a fan.

Janiz: I don't see a reason why. Uh hello, in case you're living in a cave, we're in the rainy season.

Kiara: Uh mom, haven't you heard of the word humid? It happens, uh, in case you're living in a cave.

Janiz: Fine, get the fan so we can move on from this.

Kiara: *opens the fan, wide-eyed and surprised* Oh oh oh, I so love Spanish fans!

(The lady next to Kiara was surprised by the reaction too.)

Janiz: Sorry *smiles*

Kiara: Oh my, was I that loud? *embarrassed laugh*

Janiz: Big yes. So we're good here? Can we move on to the boys now?

(The last part doesn't sound right, I was waiting for a reaction but you just don't get that from a 10 year old.)

Kiara: *searching* I'm not coming up with anything mom. This is hard.

Janiz: Give them a pen or a paper, something they can use. Boys don't appreciate cute stuffs, it has to be something efficient, something they can use.

Kiara: Mom, I'm too exhausted to think, please do the thinking for me but not a pen and a paper puhleez!

Janiz: Ok, I'll give you an idea worth your while...give them a kiss.

Kiara: MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *dagger look* Can you not?! Lady, you just earned yourself an award for the world's lamest mom! *argh* No mom would say what you just did! Shame on you! *stomps off*

That was one major major piss off for Kiara. While I had my evil laugh plastered on my face as though I just made the best joke in my lifetime. But on the after thought, I am scared as hell in the coming years, it won't be easy but I will tough it up. And although I love the fact that she can be my friend and all, but there's a part of me that wants to pull her back to when she can only muster up the word "mom" with her cutest little smile.

I'm SO yesterday -- I know! This event was over the summer and I'm just posting it now, nearly three months in the making. This was the time when my brother's shirt business was shortlisted to provide shirts for an event organized by Sofie Garrucho.

FHM a men's magazine brought its Vixens to the City of Love. And I could tell that men are a little agitated about this. I love how FHM has made money out of men's weakness. What a way to do business, i likey!

Men hovered around to watch these Vixen slowly undress to bare essentials. I love that this night I was one of the boys, sipping some beer, eyes on these women, appreciating beauty and curves in a men's perspective. I completely left my last drop of estrogen out the door. It's so easy to be a man...I love it!

But my jaw-dropper wasn't the ladies barely covered, but the people showing off their love to my hometown through our statement tees.

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

While I have "California Girls" playing at the back of my mind. My girls are doing their thing, and they're not from California, but they're wearing PJs! So I'd love to call them "Pajama Girls"!

They were their very own production team! There's the set, the director, camera girl, etc.

CAST:

Cute Girl: Katerina Ysabel Te-Jardiolin

Nerd Girl: Keanna Shatella Te-Jardiolin

Rocker Girl: Kiara Nicole Jardiolin-Lo

And they've achieved that look wearing PJs! Amazing! And here's their best shot by far:

I love you girls! You make my heart fat for being such cuties!

My "Pajama Girls" are undeniable...

Fine: Nerd Girl, Keanna Shatella

Fresh: Cutie Girl, Katerina Ysabel

Fierce: Rocker Girl, Kiara Nicole

...you got it unlocked. West coast represent (are we even in the west coast?), now put your hands up!

P.S. Special thanks to our house-helps for tirelessly cleaning up after the girls. When these three are all grown up, I promise you'll miss the mess!