My heart is overflowing with happiness and excitement.  My daughter will be part of the team who will compete for the 2017 Division Schools Press Conference tomorrow, July 22.  She was chosen for Feature Writing for Collaborative Publishing. She's in charge of writing the article while the other members of their team will handle cartooning, editing and lay-outing.

I can sense her excitement being part of their school team.  Even though she missed the last Summer Journalism Camp due to some health issues, she was still chosen by her teachers and trainers. They are undergoing a one-week training.  I also gave her additional tips like being extra careful with spelling and grammar. 

Hmmm, a blogger err journalist in the making? Why not? In fact, she asked me if she can start her own blog a number of times already. Well, let's see! 

Good luck, my darling Thea! We are both excited for the announcement of winners which will be on August 4. Hope majority if not all of the 44-member school delegation will get an award and move on to the regional and eventually to the national level of the competition. 

I am very happy with my new flowering plants. 

 pink rose

bromeliad and money plant. 

June 26, 2017 was a regular holiday here in the Philippines, hence we had a long weekend.  My colleagues and I were supposed to conduct a team bonding activity last June 11-13, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. Going to the beach on rainy day (with thunderstorms) is not safe so we decided to move our resort booking to June 24-25, 2017. 

Our group left Manila at 1:30am and arrived at around 5:30am in Mauban, Quezon.  Before to going to the port, we dropped by the public market to buy food supplies and likewise at 7-11 to grab a cup of coffee or hot choco.  

From there, we went to Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island which is 45 minutes boat ride from Mauban Port (Pantalan). 

Thea and Nichole (my supervisor's niece) at Mauban Port 

It was Thea's first time to ride a boat so imagine her excitement + anxiousness.  She and Nichole were holding hands during our journey to the resort.  I found it too cute and snapped a candid photo of them. By the way, the boat ride was nice, the sea was calm both on our way to the resort and back to Mauban Port last Sunday. 

#friendshipgoals

Cagbalete is a tropical paradise! It may not be the best island in the country but I love it because it's not yet crowded and Pansacola Resort boosts of an amazing beachfront with a long stretch of sandbar. 

mandatory souvenir shot at the resort

I will definitely go back to Cagbalete Island,  my family would love it there! 

xoxo

Raising kids is one of the most challenging and fulfilling jobs in the world - there's no school where we can learn the best techniques for parenting, right? Experience is our best teacher.

To dear our dearest Althea, Mama and Papa's constant wish for you to become a God-fearing, obedient and confident woman. Stay humble, sweet and loving.