My 32nd B-B-B celebration!

Wasn't back yet to blogging when I celebrated my 32nd birthday last August. So, I would like to turn back time and marvel once again on how I celebrated my natal day with some special people.



Celebrating birthday the "negrita" style

This year was different because it was the first time I celebrated out of town. I belong to a family who value old traditions, and that means celebrating special occasions over a simple dinner in a small group of family and friends.   My birthdays were always celebrated simply.  No regrets though, because I enjoy simple pleasures and I have gone past the age of staying awake until wee hours of the morning partying. Ang last gimmick ko, 2001 pa. First job days. Alcohol free for 10 years! haha! Now, a bottle of San Mig light is meant to be consumed for 3 hours. Marami pang yelo yan!

This year, I together with my hubby and our couple friend, Ron & Vinay, went to one of the most sought resort in our local country, Bellaroca!
 

Elephant shaped Bellaroca Island

(elephant facing right partially submerged in water)

 Bellaroca is an elephant island in the heart of Marinduque.  It was called an elephant island because it visually looks like one on a side peripheral view.  An illusion of an elephant's body dipped in water. And just like an elephant, this resort really had humongous offerings.  Every bit of the 3 day stay was all worth it!   Kulang ang 3 days!

The famous arc where Bellaroca got its logo

Bellaroca has the highest standard of service amongst all the  boutique resorts I have been into by far.   Hospitality, customer service, amenities and of course the breath taking view were all superb.  Food comes in way too pricey though, literally pricey.  But the 4 of us managed to sneek in some good food from our own baon.  Buti nalang may dala kaming Transformer na Ref! haha! This is one memorable part, thanks to Ron!

Though this trip was deliberately planned to fall on my birthday, my hubby and his bestfriend Ron was still able to pull off a surprise.  For one, my hubby isn't really fond of surprises, so this one also was a first. :)


With the super maalagang Bellaroca staffs
who served us during the semi-surprise dinner in one of the open terraces
(1:1 ang service!)

The birthday dinner was a part of the many beautiful things in Bellaroca. 

Here are a few of the others -

   

Infinity pool inside the Villa room

 

Road way up

One of the Alfresco areas



Massage areas

 

Lobby
(At our back is a Koi pond)

And that was my B(eautiful) 32nd B(irthday) at B(ellaroca).

A Happy Comeback

A Happy Return

After almost 3 months of personal time, I returned to the familiar place and faces of my then daily life - my Abenson HR family. 

And just like most homecomings, this one was a happy return.  

Thanks to this wonderful team who showed me their understanding support.  They who wished, hoped and prayed with me as I went through a personal endeavour and journey.   With their presence, I continue to keep a strong faith that God is preparing me up for something greater and bigger.  The cheerful smiles,  generous hugs and sweet surprises made the comeback a lot easier and happier than I thought.  :)

Thanks to these sweety-heads who work with me side by side each day -  Ron, Jam, Kaye, Ena, Hang, Via, Jehna, Beng, Marrie, Sheryl, James, Ria, Kate, Tonnie, Boyet, Nevs, Corine, Connie, Eb, Glenda, Avic, Bryan, Joel, Ronald (+ a name of our new guy to follow). 

I can't forget Ma'am Marian's motherly love for me of course. Siya talaga ang pangalawang Nanay ko. :)

I am all ready to hear the daily quirks, love-hate disagreements and even the noisy endless teasings!  I realized that a "day" is still different without you guys.

(I won't last a day without you?! haha)

Name Game

Taking a stub on my name.  Just for fun!

Come on everyba-deh!
Ah say-ah  let's play a geheym!



1. YOUR NAME:
   
    Mary Grace Mariano-Zulueta

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first three letters of your name, plus izzle):  
   
      Marizzle , Graizzle - gangsta ba ito? parang disney name ata.

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and fav animal):   
     
      Blue Terrier  - haha! mukha naman akong stuff toy, di naman to detective!

4.  YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, current street name):

      Mariano Hontiveros  -  WEH?!!  tunog cast ng Mexican telenovela. wag nalang!

 5.   YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name):

       Zulmaman - ok! parang generic name lang ng gamot!

6. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink):

       White Mocha - super nga talaga ito, super drink! haha

7. IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of  your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 2nd letter of your dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name):

       Aliar – pwede na. 

8. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (father's middle name):

       Francisco

9. GOTH NAME: (3rd favorite color, and one of the name of your pet)

       Pink Butch

Hehe! Try nyo din, pangpatawa lang. :)

Lootbag: Purrr...Paalll

Yesterday, I received a "Just-Because-Gift" from my girlfriend Pizza (yes, that's her name) and her hubby Jayson.  No reason. No occassion. It's a just gift.  Happiness!

They decided to give me something they wish I'd grow to like..(like muna, pwede love after nalang?)



Purple and Pink Starbucks Thermal Tumbler


I missed buying one of the pink limited stocks last year and she even looked for one when she went to HK but we both weren't successful looking for one. I guess she remembered it and bought me this. Don't you just really love a dear girl friend?  



My favorite picture of Piz & Jay (yep, Jay is there)



Jay and Piz just celebrated their 32nd birthday this month, Happy Birthday to our dear-good-ol-couple-friend!  Love you both!

Thanks for the no-reason-at-all gift! And I know that that's a suhol to love The Purr-Palll!

For all the surprise thingies I suddenly receive, I'll name my entries of gratitude as A LOOTBAG! So this goes as my 2nd gift inside my lootbag. :)

Lingering Scenes Saturdays (LSS)

Saturdays being our "movie day" of the week, I'll turn to my favorite scenes from my favorite movies across time.  I'll name this entry LSS. Just like how songs linger to my mind all day long.  These are lines and scenes from my favorite movies. And since I do movie reruns on a saturday, I'll tag it Lingering Scenes Saturdays a.k.a. LSS.

And so for my first entry:

LSS#1 - The Notebook

     Scene:   When Duke (Senior Noah) was reading for Allie and their children came to visit.

(photo courtesy of google)

Duke (to his adult children): "Look, guys. That's my sweetheart in there. I'm not leaving her. This is my home now. Your mother is my home."

How lovely and inspiring to witness how love can grow unconditionally, tested by time and even self-awareness.  Having to love someone with all your heart despite trials and not being reciprocated back because of memory loss. 

What I learned? True love is self-less.

Prayer for Peace of Mind and Heart (from a Prayer Book)

Eternal, Holy God, 
I come to you burdened with worries, 
fears, doubts, and troubles.
Calm and quiet me with peace of mind.
Empty me of the anxiety that disturbs me,
of the concerns that weary my spirit,
and weigh heavy on my heart.
Loosen my grip on the disappointments and grievances 
I hold on to so tightly.
Release me from the pain of past hurts,
of present anger and tension, of future fears.
Sometimes it's too much for me Lord,
too many demands and problems,
too much sadness, suffering, and stress.
Renew me spiritually and emotionally.
Give me new strength, hope, and confidence.
Prepare me to meet the constant struggles of daily life 
with a deeper faith and trust in You.
Let your love set me free, for peace,
for joy, for grace, for life, for others, forever. 

Amen

Am being watched!

Oh! The Husband is looking at me! (look closer!)