Happiness all over!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away...
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The official purpose is all-business - witness the processing of high level PCBs in the non-combustion facility of UNIDO in Bataan, Philippines. BUT coming home this month created several beautiful memories that will forever be etched in the memoirs of my life.

First, the ROMERO's FAMILY ANNUAL REUNION. For years now, it has been the clan's tradition to hold its yearly gathering in February. It also serves as a celebration of Lolo Celo's birthday who has passed on and probably anticipates this yearly event in Heaven as much as everyone in the family does.

Simple joys at the Romero's Family Reunion 2012...go orange!

Second, the GRADE SCHOOL DAY of the niece and nephew. I have always enjoyed watching the showcase of talents at the Montessori School during its GS Day. This year, the celebration coincided with my duty travel. How I enjoyed watching Alex sashaying gracefully to Tango and Basti swaggering to Rumba with the Banana Boat Song (6 foot, 7 foot, 8 foot...bunch!). There's talent in the family after all! :)

Awesome talents at the Montessori Grade School Day...

Third, of course, was my BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. I turned ONE! Last year, I said "Life begins..", so there.... It was a simple celebration made special by family and friends. The "radicals" (he..he..) of AUF Batch 87 came and it was sheer fun traipsing down memory lane! It was a night of wit and intelligent repartee!

I turned 1...!

 And then there's BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Part 2 - Fontana  Water Theme Park. It was Basti's first and the little guy just savored the moment. I can still vividly remember his expression while swimming in probably 5 inches of water in the wave pool saying "Ninang, ang saya saya ko!". Pure happiness there!! It was also my opportunity, eherrrmmmm, to don my swimsuit again! As they say, NO GUTS, NO GLORY!!

All smiles at Fontana Water Theme Park....

And then it was over...:(

Of course, the mission and the annual leave had to end. Time to go back to Vienna where the hubby awaits. Its always the same feeling - torn!! While I am excited to go back to the comforts and safety of my surrogate home, a huge part (pun intended :D) of me longed to stay. So, there I was at the NAIA with a luggage-full of native vegetables, tocino, longganisa and Mother's homecooked dishes, emoting like Ate Vi!

The 20-hour trip over and the cute chauffeur from Emirates waiting with the limo (ok, ok.. its free service from the airline...he..he..),  Vienna's sunshine greeted me. And look what awaited for me at home! This pretty bunch absolutely dissolved all the melancholic feeling....thank you, loves!!

Blissful contentment.....

Wait, it aint over yet! Almost zombie-like having almost no sleep, a party awaits...this time its the Aguman Kapampangan's fete for Feb-Mar birthday celebrants! What a delight!!!

Felicity of Community...

Then, 15-hours of glorious sleep....Thank you GOD for all these!!!