PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2018 - Our Experience

It's our first time to attend the PTAA Travel Tour Expo and I'd like to share our experience with you guys :)

Okay, so normally we don't really prioritize travels and tours in our family expenses but since there are a few scheduled weddings and reunions we are attending that are out of town, we figured, "hey, why not give this a try?" If we find very discounted and decent accommodations for all of us, we could bring the kids and have them enjoy the hotel while we have the peace of mind that they are close by OR, we could just go as a couple and have a grand time! Hahaha..either way, win-win, right?

While on our way there, my husband's cousin gave me a fair warning - in the form of a picture with throngs of people lined up, all going to the Travel Expo. My immediate reaction was "kaloka!" I mean, I got his message and we're already halfway between SMX and our home and since we were in a Grab/Uber, so there was no turning back. I brought the Little Miss pa naman with me and our fold-away stroller (similar to Baby Zen Yoyo but minus the steep price..sorry na ma's, I honestly didn't know it was a copy of something huhu). I thought that if the line was still that bad, then we'll just watch a movie and stroll inside the Mall of Asia. 

I promise, there's no filter here..just good old sunlight and lots of oil in my face :D

Thank God the crowded lines panned out. We immediately saw a booth for Citi card holders and they provide free entrance for their card holders. We saved PHP 70.00 there :)

Because our destination was just in Tagaytay, we were directed to the second floor of the expo hall. I had a hard time looking for Taal Vista Hotel's booth because their booth number was not displayed. I eventually found them just beside Conrad Hotel's booth.

Anyway, I looked around the area first and found something intriguing. These are religious icons that are for export to the Vatican. What's nice about these is that although designed by Italian masters, they still incorporate local raw materials like lahar. Then they apply an italian varnish/coating to protect the finished product from the elements. You can choose from different finishes like gold or silver antique finish. As a Catholic with a devotion to Mama Mary, I chose the "Mary Undoer of Knots". What this represents for me is that Mary, as our mother always helps and intercedes for us and the many challenges and roadblocks we face in life; and because she has a special place in Jesus' heart (as His mother too), there is a very good chance that our prayers will be granted. I've never understood much as I have now how utterly many "knots" we have in our life. Maybe I was too sheltered? Maybe too naive? That's why I'd like to ask for help and intercession from our Holy Mother and Jesus, to help us in our life and help us undo the knots that life presents.

Okay, and I also got a limited edition item for my mother-in-law. I don't recall what it is exactly but the kind sir who was manning the booth told me that it's a replica of Cardinal Sin's gift to Pope John Paul II.

I booked the Taal Vista room as they said it was discounted. They were nice and accommodating and even gave us a nice notebook freebie. 

But when I asked my husband's cousin, he said their expo rate was still expensive. I checked again online and what do you know? Indeed, there were cheaper options for the same hotel. It was a face palm moment and instant "buyer's regret" but I'll just file it under "lessons learned". 

Ditto for Manila Ocean Park tickets. I gathered from a mommy group that their PHP 525 only expo rate is about the same as the usual discounted rate they give so....there goes not really saving anything! 

We strolled some more and not really wanting to spend more, we headed straight for the concessions before I get "hangry". Besides, we were gearing for a commute back home so I have to make sure our tummies have their fill.

Bags and luggages were also on sale or under installment sales. So too with some sneakers that are only PHP 800, wow!

I got Good Munch's Rosemary Chicken (quite salty for me), Polland's Siomai & Siopao for the little girl.

We eventually headed to the terminal and found the best one to ride. This was our first experience riding the UV Express with stroller in tow! We got off at P. Noval just across UST. I wanted to buy from Tita Nitz but the Mini Stop was more convenient in terms of location. So it is -- Kariman for the mommy and yogurt drink for the Ate.

Would I go back to the Travel Expo next year? Short answer is no. Unless, there is a major compelling reason like really deep discounts to make all the stress, time and effort worth it. The best tip probably would be to research first and make sure to list the prices online and go only if you have a free entrance pass (like showing your card or miles, etc.) and other back up plans aside from touring the expo, in case you get faced with a huge crowd.

Safe travels and I hope you enjoy your destination! :)

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All-out, All-in

At 31, I don't have everything figured out. Quite frankly, where I am now is in a much different place than I have planned to be when I was younger (emotionally, physically, professionally, etc.). There was a time in my 20's when I envisioned myself living and working in a foreign country. There was a time when I'd be all for joining marathons and all the training that comes with it. Basically, there was a time when I thought I'd be everything I want to be and have everything I want to have by 30. 

Such a lofty and arduous ambition, right? At some point during the last couple of years, I was not okay with most everything that's happening..or not happening. I felt like there was a barrier, a road block to those aspirations. The struggle is REAL, so to speak. 

There were also times I'd question myself if I've made the right decisions, at the right time. Was this xx too soon? Is this xx too late? Should I have done this xx instead?? During my lowest points (okay, I'm not even going to blame hormones on this) I'd read, cry and sulk (all the feels!!!!) while my family's asleep. Sometimes Daddy A would wake and see me crying and comfort me, and sometimes he's just asleep! Hahaha.. Real talk? 2014 was especially challenging when we became parents for the first time. Changes here and there, pressure points everywhere.

I can't say I've gotten over all these..but what I can say is that I'm coming to terms with most of them. What helped me most was my husband's love and patience, rediscovering Mama Mary's help through the Rosary and of course, reading God's Word through some helpful books I've stumbled on in those dark times. 

One story that knocked some sense in me was the journey out of Egypt and in the desert for 40 years. Imagine that! Long story short, I truly could relate that right now in my life, I'm in the desert. This does not pertain to where I'm living but rather, what I feel within. But my hope is in God that by leaning in, praying, trusting Him and His plans and working for His glory, He will one day lead us out of the desert season of our life. 

I may be afraid but I will not let it paralyze me. I know now that at 31, life is just beginning for me and my family. And it's okay to not have everything figured out by now. A huge part of our success or failure lies in how we take action. I am God's work in progress. Sure there'll be mistakes, but I'll learn from them. Starting today, I'm going all-out and all-in!

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Thank You Jesus, Thank you Mama Mary..

It was a sleepy Sunday afternoon yesterday while me and Daddy A were on our way to book Z's birthday venue. Suddenly a flash of images appeared in a split second while all I was able to do was to close my eyes in panic. I saw metal, I saw a side profile of a teenager, I saw our car swerve a little. 

When I opened my eyes I feared for the worst. Did we hurt anyone? Is our vehicle, as well as the other vehicle, damaged? What happened?

It was really a good thing that A was behind the wheels that time. If it were me, I can't promise grace under pressure! What was a simple horseplay from a teen hitching a ride from a jeepney could've possibly turned into something horrific, if not for the protection of Jesus and Mama Mary. Some of you may say this is too presumptuous but it was really what I felt at that moment. The night before this, I felt a compelling force to say the Rosary. I was too tired and honestly didn't want to pray if I was not in the proper disposition to. But I felt there was a need, if not for us, perhaps for others who needed prayers the most. 

Again, that was such a poor attempt on my part to offer my mediocre efforts to Jesus & Mama Mary but nonetheless, we are very grateful that despite our imperfect prayers, we are still heard and loved.

Thank you Jesus and Mama Mary, we love you! :)

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Monday Reflection :: Thankless

I feel like I've been down more than I've been up in the past few days or even weeks. There are things that have not gone on as planned. There are also people and events that made me feel..in a word - unappreciated. Not unloved, just..unappreciated. 

Feels like a lonely road...

And it can get disheartening. When you feel you've done enough or at least have tried your best but your actions and efforts just get sucked into an invisible vacuum. When it takes more than words; quite literally it took your blood, sweat and tears to achieve something and it isn't even meaningful (not in the least) for some. Again, what a thankless world! 

This was meant to be a (hormonal?) rant until I realized, how ungrateful have I been myself?

• For all those times I have expected better and better from my family (parents, husband, etc) without realizing they have already sacrificed so much to provide whatever was deemed not enough
• For all those times my friends have given a part of themselves even if they too are busy, even if they too are struggling
• For all those times I have received something and have not expressed gratitude as they deserve
• And so many more

For shame. But what really jolted me back is the prayer we have continuously uttered during Mass, Panalanging Sa Pagiging Bukas Palad. What struck me is that despite praying for this through song, here I am expecting a reward in form of a "thank you" or a pat on the back for doing good. Even more, this made me realize how ungrateful I have been to God, to Jesus. For not being a faithful servant, for always wanting to have the best, for wanting to be the best. 

I know I can never thank You enough, Jesus. Anything I say or do will never be enough for the immense sacrifice You have done for us. And yet despite the thanklessness of this world, You continue to redeem, You continue to save us. Thank You Jesus for loving us! Please continue to guide us that our eyes may be only on God and not on worldly things and agendas. Please help us understand that our focus should be on You, that in any good deed we may accomplish, it is for Your glory. That it is more than enough that we are guided to know and follow Your will. That it will always be more than enough, more than we can ever understand, that You love us. Dearest Mama Mary, please pray for us.

Panginoon, turuan mo akong maging bukas-palad

Turuan mo akong maglingkod sa Iyo

At magbigay nang ayon sa nararapat

Na walang hinihintay mula sa Iyo

Na makibakang di inaalintana, mga hirap na dinaranas

Sa tuwina'y magsumikap na hindi humahanap ng kapalit na kaginhawaan

at di naghihintay kundi ang aking mabatid na ang loob Mo'y siyang sinusundan.

Panginoon, turuan mo akong maging bukas palad

Turuan mo akong maglingkod sa Iyo

At magbigay nang ayon sa nararapat

Na walang hinihintay mula sa Iyo

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