Design for International School Brunei - Canteen

A very simple design for International School Brunei- Canteen. The existing facade is very simple, no design at all, just a tarp for the Signage is added. This is a low budget project so the owner just wants to spice it up a little and add something to brighten up the place. So I added a drop ceiling in wood veneer with recessed halogen lights. He originally wants some hanging lights but I think it will just add more obstructions to the existing wild wires above. So I opted to cover it up with the drop ceiling and add more lights. To add more color, I added some menu board at the top and above the window.

Day 1- Pinas Vacation

Kids Ahoy Adventure

I found Kids Ahoy through TV, I saw it in GMA, some cute kids learning photography, after that I looked it up in the internet and I found kids ahoy. When I saw their multiply site, I was pleased to see that their doing all kinds of things, nature treks, arts class, lots of beautiful happy faces on their site.
I left a comment on their site a few months ago, but when I learned that they are only offering the photography class for 5 years old and above, I lost interest because I'm really just after the photography class at that time and since I'll be enrolling Jea to Kiddo Academy already I didn't bother looking at kids ahoy again.
After a few months I checked Kids Ahoy's site again and saw more nature tripping pictures. That got me interested again, I would like my daughter to experience that. I would like her to see trees and insects and try to climb a tree. I like her to meet some more friends and for me to spend some more substantial bonding time with her.
I'm a single mom, so its double pressure for me to spend some quality time with my daughter since she doesn't have anybody else but me. I play with her, read her books and go to mall with her and eat all those happy meal. But after a while it becomes a routine, buying her more toys doesn't teach her good manners either. I don't like her to think that I love her because I bought her favorite doll. I want her to remember that we had so much fun doing, this and this and this. I don't like her to tell her friends that she knows that I love her because I buy her a lot of happy meal toys and we eat a lot of chicken nuggets. So I told myself, this will be fun. So I called up Kids Ahoy and registered for the open house. I thought its a really formal school that I have to reserve my attendance and all.
So we went there last Saturday, we are too early, in fact we had to stop by Dunkin Donuts first on our way just to kill time. We are already in Aurora Blvd. at 12:15 and the class is for 1pm. It wasn't hard for me to look for the location, I just looked for the street name and at end I saw this beautiful spanish era house with some banderitas. I knew this is the one since I saw it from their multiply site, but it was too quiet, it looks like just a house, no screaming kids yet so I knew I'm still too early. Teacher Aia welcomed us and tell us about Kids Ahoy, up to this point I'm still thinking that she will go on on telling us about the fees, school rules, guideline etc. The usual topics that I would hear in a school orientation, but this was different. She led us through the house and showed us the spaces and tells us about the children. By this introduction only, I already knew that the children is the most important part of the school. In my mind that is really good, you wouldn't hear the teacher tell about you that I'm a good teacher because I graduated here and took all this courses, (most preschools are like that.) This school is great because we have this and we offer that etc. Teacher Aia talked about the kids, how they love it here.

Then came in the mommies, they are so accommodating. They welcomed me and Jea as if we knew each other for a long time already. They acted as friends, and not the flashy mommies that I find in other schools. Although a little shy at first Jea likes being there. They we're allowed to run around, draw on floors and walls. A lot of freedom, freedom to have fun and just be kids. No pressure, just playing and having fun. In this school they are not limited on what they can do, on what they can learn. There is no big poster about rules, that tells kids on what not to do. In fact I didn't hear anybody say no.
When I heard teacher Aia said, let's play "Taguan base" my eyes sparkled, in my head wow, the kids can run, they can be kids. They can really play the way we used to. There is no Computers, PSP or other techie stuff that the kids nowadays have known as "play" in Kids Ahoy they can actually play.
On top of all this, when I got to talk to the wonderful mommies there, I learned that this is a community, that the parents and the kids are really friends, the teachers teach like its their own kids that they are teaching. Its more personal and more sincere. They did not organize this group to earn money, they have a vision of having a place where their kids can learn and have fun, together with their mommies. "Learning" that is a lot different from what other schools are offering. I don't know how to really explain it. For me I went there to look for a place to spend some bonding time with my daughter. To find a place where she can learn more stuff and have fun. Looks like I found more than that.
Its not just Jea that found new friends, me too. I'm glad to find Kids Ahoy. Looks like Jea and me will be spending a lot of our weekends with them.
In fact I got so into their vision, I understand their passion that as I drive home with Jea I kept on thinking what I can teach. I'd like to teach there too, even without pay.That way I dint not only got to spend some precious time with my daughter but I can also share it with her new friends and my new friends. Can't think of something yet, I think I can teach arts and craft too, but teacher Aia is already doing wonderful things with that. Hopefully I'll come up with something, hopefully they will allow me to teach too.

This are some excerpts on my conversation with Jea as we were driving home:

#1
Me: Did you had fun?
Jea: Ah, yes mommy, dun nalang ako school ha.

#2
Me: Next week we will join their nature trip, we will climb trees.
Jea: Pano yun? Pano tyo climb trees?
Me: I don't know baby, they will teach us.
Jea: Siguro, parang Monkey!

Phone Pal

Last weekend, I asked Jea to dial the number of Nang Nang Pau, just for me to see if she already know the number, if she can already identify and read numbers. She pushed the buttons as I dictate it to her 4-0-0-8-0-x-x. And she did fine, for me I'm already proud that I know that she can read numbers already. Tuesday, when I went home, Tsang told me that Jea was talking to somebody on
the phone that morning. She dialed the number then talked to somebody named "Pinky". So I thought, she just dialled some numbers and it just so happened that she reached somebody named Pinky, who actually talked to her. Its funny, if you think about it. If you'll get a "wrong number" caller who has a soft and cute voice, that ask about anything and everything, not knowing who she is, but certain that she is just a kid playing with the telephone.

The next day wednesday, Tsang told me again that Jea was talking to the same girl 3x the whole day. So I thought Jea is just making it up, that "Pinky" is just an imaginary friend on the telephone. But this is the surprise. Pau actually called the house asking Tsang about the phone calls, apparently Jea was actually calling their house. I asked Jea to dial their number twice, just to see if she can read the numbers. Looks like I under estimated her powers again. She didnt just know which number is which but she actually memorized Nang nang Pau's telephone number. Pinky? Pinky is actually "jinky",Pau's house help. She has been calling their house and talking to Jinky, asking silly questions. They became phone pals... really funny, amusing, but at the same time.. Im so proud that she again, exceeded my expectations.

How Nang-nang found out? She actually answered the phone herself. This was their conversation:

Pau: Hello?
Jea: Hello?
Pau: Sino to?
Jea: Sino ka?
Pau: Nang-nang (she already recognized Jea's voice, but she still thinks that Tsang was the one who dialed the phone)
Jea: San si Pinky?
Pau: Sinong Pinky?
Jea: Yung katulong mo?
Pau: LOL


I didnt get the rest of the conversation.. I'll ask Pau about it this afternoon.. I'll just continue this next time..

Look ma, I got Stinky..I got dirty.. but see I had Fun!!!

We had a horrible typhoon last weekend. It rained for 3 days straight. Jea has been begging if she could play in the rain. I wouldnt want her to, because she might get sick. Bu I also wanted to because I know how much fun it is to play in the rain. I went to ahe rain countless times with my cosuins and playmates, and until now I can still remember those days since I had so much fun.

We live in sampaloc, and for those in the Philippines, its a commen knowledge that whenever it rains, we will always gonna have flood. Even though so many years has passed and, countless repairs are made in the drainage and streets of Manila we still get flood on rainy days.

That morning we just watched the rain from our window, but come around 11:00 am we her cousins went out to play in the rain. Its already flood and they were like swimming in the flood. So when Jea saw them, she begged some more so that I would allow her to play outside. I was hesitant at first but what the heck. They are kids, and they have to enjoy. They should know how to have fun. She may get sick or got hurt in playing in the rain and the dirty flood water but at least she experienced it. So I said ok, I even went with her to gpo play in the rain.

I put some oil to her backa nd body so that she would not get cold, then off we go. She is so excited, she was practically running down the stairs. As we went in, the fun started. She played and splashed water to her cousins. Nicole, LJ and Riza was all there playing. At first she wont let go of my hand, but when she realized that its safe enough she let go and run with them. She was laughing and laughing. They were catching ball and just running around.

The water was dirty but at least there is no "imburnal" now, not when we were kids. Now, sewer is really underground. I our time, the canal(sewer) was at the edge of the road, and you can literally see the "dirt" floating around.

So that was the first and hopefully the last time that I will allow Jea to play in the rain and flood. But, then again.. we'll see. I had so much fun too..

First day of school

ang unang araw niya sa eskwela. Bagamat sa simula ay takot pang bumitaw sa aking kamay sa kalaunan ay nakisaya na siya sa kanyang mga bagong kaibigan.. First day... ready for the adventure...
Watching the other kids as they sing and dance during circles. Hope next time she will join.
So behave in her classroom

3rd birthday the continuation

in After Manila zoo we went to Robinsons Place Manila for lunch. Up until then I still don’t know where to take them, as we went up the escalators some hostess gave as discount cards for Gumbo. We went another flight of escalator, but as I computed the bill in my head, we decided to go back to Gumbo. Not a bad deal we had soooo much to eat. We ordered Carbonara, Pepperoni Pizza, Baked Ribs and we also got fish and chips and chicken wings for FREE, all in huge servings. We had a feast. All was so delish. The pasta is so creamy. Ribs? Sarap to the bones. Fish was huge and tasty, comes with the fries too. Wings was a bit spicy, I would have liked it better if it has the same sauce as the ribs. And the pizza? Heavenly. We love the food. For Jea? She loved the corn on the cob. It’s a side dish for the ribs. She didn’t eat anything else, we even ordered another corn serving.

Service was great. The best one was the celebrant herself she served pizza to all of us. I had to rest for awhile from eating. I was so full. I thought I can eat some more but I opted not to. After a while I noticed the crew was grouping and I realized that they are going to sing for Jea. So I prepared the camera. And I was right,in a few seconds, they headed to our table singing. Something about the restaurant and the food that they offer, not really in line with the celebration, but it was fun. Jea was so shocked, she just stared at them. She didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t got the chance to explain to her whats happening. I was laughing and laughing at her reaction. They were giving her a hat to put on but she wont take it. She’s so cute. She didn’t know what to do. But I know she understood what was happening. They brought her a sundae with a lighted pink candle. After their food song they ended it with a “Happy Birthday” and I told Jea to blow the candle and she did. Its as if she’s so ready for it. Or she just wanted them to end their song.

Here are the pictures:



After the lunch we went to timezone. As soon as I got the card loaded, she took it from me and went straight to the car ride. She swiped the card and took off. We on the other hand tried the stacking game. We almost won a cellphone. Almost. While playing Jea run to us and took the card again and went back to the car ride and swipe. She did it for about five times. She loves the game. Its always the one that she takes everytime we go there. We also went shooting balls, and the “bowling” machine.

Fun didn’t stop from there. After the games we went to watch Kung Fu Panda. Jea slipped while we were in line to buy tickets and she cried for a while, but I manged to calm her down after when I showed her the happy meal toy.

At first Jea was ok, she like the lights the line the way to the seats. She’s eating popcorn like it’s the last meal that she’ll take. But a few minutes after the movie started she got scared and asked us to go home already. Again, I convince her to wait for the movie to end. She was also like this when we watched Shrek 3 a year ago. She’s scared of the loud sounds. So I took her to sit on my lap and hugged her so that she will not be scared, I gave her, her bottle and in a few minutes she doze off. It turns out that she’s just tired and already sleepy. She slept soundly while the oldies watched cartoons. When the movie was about to finish just in time for the climax Jea woke up and asked to go to the bathroom. I didn’t get to see how it ended, but Jea and I had fun washing our hands in the bathroom. I know its not quite equal, but I think washing hands is far more exiting that watching the ending. As long as im with the most important person my life.

the gift

I know I’m suppose to give her a Kitchen Set, but with the lack of time and budget for it I fail to give it her on her birthday. I will still give it to her next week. When I have enough money for it hehehe. I’m glad Nong nong and Nang nang Pau gave her a gift. I really didn’t expect them to since Kuya already gave an advance gift about 2 week before when he brought home “Lucky” a 5inch flower horn, in replace to the deceased “Buga” that Jea received on her 2nd birthday
>from Tupe. Thanks so much Gudo!!!!!! And Pau.
Back on the new gift, they were already opening the gift when I got home. Its quite an expensive gift, even more expensive than I’m willing to give for Jea. I have to thank my family for giving what I cannot give and loving Jea as much as I love her. They gave her a “castle”, it’s actually a easy to assemble tent, shaped

Turning 3! part 1

We were supposed to go to Lamesa Ecopark but we opted to go to Manila Zoo instead since Papa suggested it and I would like to give importance to what he say. I dont know if he knows it but, I decided to follow his suggestions rather than to pursue the "birthday picnic" that I have planned and ready for Jea's birthday. I told myself, we could have much more bonding moments with Jea every weekend. But on her birthday which I'm sure the Papa will not miss, I want her to spend this day with Papa, on whatever way he wants to celebrate it. Although he missed the Lunch with us, I hope he had fun with the few hours we spent together. I know Jea did. It’s actually a good suggestion; Jea is looking forward to it. She's excited to see the animals. Hope there was a lot more.

Manila Zoo is a lot different from what i remembered it to be. It’s also a little nostalgic to go back there. It’s as if remembering my childhood. It’s not so clear though, but i remembered Papa pointing to the Elephant and I was as excited as what I saw in Jea. I remember him giving directions on how to pose as he took our pictures. I remember feeding the giraffe (I wish Jea can do that too). I remember the orangutan, yes, its the same orangutan that we saw when we are little. Its evident, the orangutan looks so old already; makes me pity him for staying in that cage all those years. I also remember that there was a lion, which we didn’t see on our last visit. There were about 3 or 4 tigers in a pit, but now they are all alone in their respective "homes". What awed me was the arapaima, (huge fish). I don’t remember seeing it in Manila Zoo. I only it this year in Oceans park, on Mama's birthday a few months ago. Its huge, even bigger than the one in Ocean Park.

Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I love the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!


I dont care what the critic say, they might be looking for something else. In my opinion it delivered what i expected of it. It has the same excitement, action, effects, romance and comedy of the first 3 installments.

Ok, honestly, i didnt want to see it at first. I stayed late in the office for 2 consecutive nights and I really want to pass on the movie to spend some quality time with my little girl. But i had to go and accompany my mom. You bet im glad i did. When i left the cinema, i had a smile up to my ears. Its as if im 7 or 8 years old again, feeling the same awe as my first glimpse of the hero about 18 years ago.

I love the fact that this sequel ties all the other 3 before it. It gives a nostalgic flair that brings you back to your childhood. Some of the characters of the previous ones either emerge again here or is somehow linked in the plot. I would still like it better if Sean Connery is still in the cast. The storyline is a classic plot that the 3 Indy films portray. Looking for some ancient artifact that if somebody gets it gives either vast wealth or emmense knowledge that can give deeper realization of our past and what the future has instore for us. It has the same ancient setting with secret passages and clever keypoints that gains Indy entrance to ancient chambers where treasures or enemies await them. Where he tries to read hierogliphics and legends that he at some point studied to reach the Crystal Chamber.

" Same old same old" as Harrison Ford himself said. Yes the plot is almost the same. Yes, some of the characters is the same. Yes Harrison Ford is already old at 65, but he delivered his character very well. The movie didnt try to perseve him as a the young energetic hero as the first 3 movies. Infact they made his character to be quite obvious that he is already old, even introducing a new sidekick character to be later on revealed as his son. But for me, nobody can play Indy but Harrison Ford. Even the young actor sidekick cannot keep up with the energy and wit of the old man. For me Indiana Jones is a part of my childhood, a part of my history and eventhough they will come up with a few more installments to this, if its not by Harrison Ford its not Indiana Jones. Thay can even come up with new movies that has somehow the same plot like Tomb Raiders by Angelina Jolie or American Treasure by Nicolas Cage or the Mummy by Brendan Fraser(but i will also watch the sequel to this movie). Nothing came close to Indiana Jones, where i first got to see the pyramids, where i first got to meet Harrison Ford, and made me more curious of the ancient world and probably also the future.

And did i mention the movie is very funny too!!!

Kiddo Academy

This are some of pictures of Jea at Kiddo Academy on her first trial class. All of the pictures are inside the playroom. We can see that it has a huge playroom, but dont be mislead its not all play. She also had so much fun in class. She didnt even realize that she's also learning. I'll try to upload the "lesson" if i figured how to convert it since its in video.

Party for Three....Here it goes again...

We are at the time of the year that I have to plan another birthday party, sure... time really does fly...I just uploaded the pictures for Jea's 2nd birthday now I have to plan a new one.

Ok i really have tight budget this year since, Jea is also be enrolling in school this June. I want to have a simple party that the kids can enjoy. I figured I can just set up a playdate for the kids. The theme for this year would be Teddy Bear since, this year Jea developed a special fondness to teddy bears. Special her special friend "Pink bear". She cant sleep without it. My plan is to have it in a venue where the kids can enjoy. This is all for the kids. Its a "childrens party" right? So id like to have a simple cake made of cupcakes. Then the decorations would be, what else but teddy bears. If i can still afford it I would also like to give away small teddy bears as souvenirs. For activity I can give out cup cakes for each of the kids and let them decorate it themselves. For games we can do a dress up your teddy. I can make shirts, hats and booties, whoever finish first will get a gift.

For snacks i would like to have finger foods only. Maybe pizza or rolled sandwhich in bite size only. No messy spaghetti. I can add up some chicken lollipops. For dessert they can eat their cupcakes. The problem would be the food for adults, sandwhich and cupcake would not suffice. Im thinking or serving Pizza too and chicken, some mojos. I can just order from pizza hut.

First Class

April 24, 2008

First Trial Class
Kiddo Academy

The night before I already told Jea that she is going to school the next day. I thought it will not push through since she has high fever that night. She was so sick that she vomitted a few times. I was all eyes on her, I kept watch all night. I kept on telling her that she has to be well tomorrow if she wants to go to school. I kept her motivated so she would cooperate in taking her medicines, and she did. The next morning, I checked on her at 5am. She still has a little fever. But at 7am she was already active and so excited to go to school. So we prepared to go to school. I brought lots of clothes and milk good for 3 bottles. She had juice for baon. She was so excited that she wanted to go down as early as 8am. I told her that we still have to wait for Nangnang Pau because she will join us. But Jea insisted. Pau and Kuya arrived arround 8:30 and we got a taxi immediately.

It was s long ride, and Jea was so active and attentive. She wont take off her backpack for she said she might forget it in the taxi. She also kept on reminding us that we should hang on to our bags. We are all anxious on what will happen. When we reached GA Tower, Jea and Pau are already impressed by the lobby and we patiently waited for the elevator.

When we got in, Pau liked it already. Jea was a little quiet, maybe nervous of the new sorroundings. So we went to the office and I asked teacher Jo if she can have her trial class today. She said ok, but it will start at 10:30am pa, we arean hour early. So we headed to the playroom first. Jea likes it so much, she pretended to be chef sheffy. Buying stuff from the groceries then cooking it in the restaurant. I was a little busy with the phone since i will turn it over to the office that affternoon. Wish i spend more time playing with Jea, rather than being preoccupied with the phone. After some time teacher Jen told us that its time for the class so the 3 of us headed to the AVR. Apparently thats where they do their circles. At first there where only 3 kids then came the others. Jea wont join them. The whole school thing and playing with other kids are so new to her. So Pau and I joined the singing hoping she would join to but she cried. So we stayed with her but still singing with the kids. At the last part she also sang a few lines.

Then, next is the class. We send her in the classroom and at first she still wanted to cry. she wont go in, she wants me with her. But teacher Jen talked to her and showed the stamps and was able to convince her to sit. We watched from the glass windows and as I saw Jea sitting in the chair with teacher and other kids I realized that it is her first class. That indeed shes already a big girl. I got teary eyed at that point. So we watched her, paint all the macaroni answering the teacher and talking to the other kids. Slowly she got comfortable and started to have fun. She made Pink Macaroni necklace.

28 years....

28 years... honestly I dont know what to feel... After all the things that happened in the past years I thought we wouldnt go this far. Its a long journey alright, as I look back I dont know which time is the good or the bad days. At times, I even think that the bad days are far longer than the happy ones. But, at this time,it seems like it doesnt matter anymore. It doesnt matter if we spend rough times, it doesnt matter if it feels like there so much heartaches, tonight what only matters is that "we made it all through that, i woulndt know if we are victorious or still hanging but we are still here, One Big Happy Family"

I am proud to be part of it, I may not be proud of my contributions to the family, if ever I made some, but I am Proud to be who I am. I am, who I am because of this family. I am proud of my daughter that we may not be the typical family, being a single mom, I am proud that she is coping up well. I know I'm not the greatest mom, but I am trying my best. I am proud of my Kuya, because no matter if we see him as meak and looks like he is unaffected of all the things thats happening, sometimes it even feels like he doesnt care, I know that He has SOOOOOOOO Much loove for our family. He managed to stay calm and courageous for all us. He tried not to take sides because he understands that in a Family, there is no side, there is no left or right. A family is only considered ONE, as a whole, together.

I am proud of my parents, that even if there are a lot of things that they dont agree on. A lot of times, that they dont like the things thats happening between them, between us. There are even a lot of times that they hated eachother. They managed to forgive, forget, understand eachother even if they they really dont. To be there for eachother, even if they are not talking to eachother. And to STILL LOVE eachtoher even if it doesnt show.














This family is still together after 28 loooooooooooooooooooong years!!! Through thick and thin, In richness and in poorness, In sickness and in health. May we never part.