Fourth and Family

I spent the holiday weekend with my mom's side of the family in Southern California.   Family time has been a rarity over the years.  With everyone's crazy work schedules and living situations, it's tough to get us all in one place.  This time we managed to get 9 out of 12 cousins, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, and 8 dogs together.  That is a lot of estrogen and canine.

There's really something special about being with your family.  You can let your guard down and just be you.  Seriously, like the day when you wake up and realize you only have two cents to your name, they're all you've got... and really all you need.

Photos above taken in Los Angeles, CA
Bottega Louie
The Bradbury Building (as seen in 500 Days of Summer)
The Getty 

The beautiful Pacific

{ Ready... Set..}

{JUMP!}

{obligatory jumping shot}

{fun with the underwater camera}

{Island Tour}

{ the pops}

{Popsicles by the sea}

Here's a glimpse of our little family getaway to the Punta de Uian Resort off the coast of Zambales, Philippines. I can't remember feeling this relaxed and happy in a long time. I miss them already.

The Filipino Celebrity Experience

{ Manila Day Concert: Arnel Pineda, Current Lead singer of legendary 80's Rock Band Journey}

{ somehow we only got a picture of his beard and my insanely large face lol}

{The MTRCB Film Awards}

{With Alfred Vargas, Actor & newly elected Councilor of Quezon city}

{Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez}

{ Attending a taping of "Talentadong Pinoy" (Talented Filipinos)}

Thanks to my Aunt who is on the board of the Philippine Film Committee, we were lucky to be able to take part in different facets of the Philippine entertainment industry during our visit. I have always adored Filipino showbiz ( I can watch hours and hours of The Filipino Channel if left unmonitored), so the experience was especially fun for me. You can even catch us on the July 4th episode of "Talentadong Pinoy" =)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Watch out for my giveaway next week!

Island Adventure Sneak Peak

{ I made it! finally got my Master's degree checked off the list }

{Manila Bay}

{Eastwood City by night}

{Punta de Uian Resort}

{Bonifacio High Street}

{Came back from the trip with a whole new do, and I love it =)}

Hi there! I'm finally back and ready to get back into the swing of things. I hope you all are having an amazing summer thus far! Adjusting to all the time changes has made me feel like I've been gone for an eternity, but I'm slowly getting used to sleeping at a decent hour and waking up no later than 1 in the afternoon.

I throughly enjoyed my trip to the Philippines, and was able to experience the country and its culture on a whole different level. We did everything from indulging in spas and relaxing at resorts to serving the Filipino Community. I learned a lot about my family's heritage and spent a great deal of quality time with them (usually around a table of delicious home-cooked food). Here are some snapshots of my trip. More to come soon!

Also, my cousin Alli and I are launching a new foodie-lifestyle blog together that will include reviews of restaurants, cooking videos/recipes, crafts, and other fun stuff. Our first post will include a giveaway, so feel free to join the fun =)

Glad to be back,

Missy

Celebrating Spring with the Sister

{lounging at the Boonfly Cafe in Napa}

My sister, Mandi, just left this morning after spending her Spring Break in the Bay with me. Every time she visits, my clothes and jewelry mysteriously go missing, and somehow I end up gaining ten pounds and spending an excessive amount of money. She's such a bad influence, but I wouldn't have it any other way =)

ps. I've extended my hand mixer giveaway till tomorrow: Click here to enter!

Sisters are like God's way of giving you a permanent best friend

I woke up today feeling grateful to have my sister in my life. She's beautiful, kind, caring, and most importantly my best friend. Thanks for always being there.

If you have a sister, give her a big hug today =)

ps. Thanks so much for sharing the advice your mothers have given you. They are such great women =) You all made my day!

Sometimes you just need your Mom...

On days when I feel like a mess I wish I could just pick up the phone and talk to my mom. She always had all the right things to say. I'm missing her so much right now. 2010 is kicking me in the butt already, but I'm trying to keep myself together.

What is the best advice your mom has ever given you? I'd love to hear it =)

Where I spent most of my teenage years

So this is where I spent my time dreaming, listening to music, and crushing on boys in my teenage years. My parents never touched it after I left for college, so what you see is pretty much how I left it when I moved out many moons ago. Sigh... I would give almost anything to turn back time. Things were so much simpler back then =)

Enjoying Home

Houston's Discovery Green- the city's first "all green" park. Everything used in the park is environmentally safe and friendly =) Hopefully other cities will catch on!

{the dancing recycled water fountain}

{faces of the nation}

{holiday ice skating}

{up up and away on Houston's helium passenger balloon}

Ever since I stepped foot onto Texas soil, I've been in full vacation mode. Did all the important things this weekend: slept in everyday, ate good food, and spent time with my family and dearest friends. It's so good to be home =)