Happy Birthday Princess Norielle!

Late afternoon yesterday we had a big party to celebrate the first birthday of my niece and goddaughter. I can't believe it, it has been a year already!... Oh the days have really passed by so fast. I still remember how we celebrated Christmas eve in the hospital last year (Norielle was actually not due until December 30th... she's a week early, she probably wants her Christmas gifts too..lol).

The party took place at her Grandma Aida's house (only ten houses away from ours...hehe). There were plenty of food, such as fried rice, barbecue, hotdog with marshmallows, fried chicken, egg roll, spaghetti, pancit, beef steak, menudo, lechon and more. We also had puto, kutsinta, bico, maja blanca and leche flan for dessert...yummylicious!!

party food

lechon (suckling pig)

homemade castle birthday cake

birthday balloon

December 24, 2010 was Norielle's first birthday and a very special one. The weather was nice, perfect for an outdoor party. Young and old guests alike enjoyed and had fun during the event. Santa Claus even stopped by to celebrate with us...lol.

the birthday Princess

blow your candle and make a wish

crushing her cake

wow! piles of presents

she wants a piece of that egg roll

birthday girl with daddy Santa

opening her gifts

Happy 1st birthday Baby Norielle! What a precious bundle of joy you are, very cute from head to toe. You're a very special little angel sent for Mommy, Daddy, Grandmas, Grandpa, Aunties and Uncles to love. Best wishes for your very 1st birthday... Tita Ninang loves you very much!

Theme Parks to Visit in Florida

Christmastime is just around the corner (the best time to visit a theme park with its beautiful Christmas decorations, lights, and fireworks). Florida has plenty of theme parks to keep you and your family entertained and excited. In Florida theme parks you will have fun feeding the animals or watching live family entertainment or spending fun-filled day with all of your favorite rides (yay! roller coasters) and attractions.

Check-out the list of theme parks in Florida that I have compiled. I already visited all of this parks (too bad I lost all of my pictures when my laptop crashed...huhuhu! Note to self: always keep a back-up. I did keep my theme park passes as a souvenir...yey!). Nevertheless, I know will visit them again someday and I will share my pictures here when that happens. ;)

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom theme park, one of 4 Theme Parks in Walt Disney World Resort, captures the enchantment of fairy tales with exciting entertainment, classic attractions, backstage tours and beloved Disney Characters.
via: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/

Epcot

fridge magnet from Epcot

Epcot

Epcot theme park, one of 4 Theme Parks at Walt Disney World Resort, sprawls across 300 acres—twice the size of Magic Kingdom theme park—and is divided into Future World and World Showcase.

Future World

Future World is full of sensational attractions—including one of the fastest attractions in all Disney Parks—as well as inspiring entertainment and shows, all of which focus on technological advancements, innovation and wonder. In Future World, ideas become reality.

World Showcase

Beyond Future World, if entering from the main gate at Epcot theme park, is the World Showcase area. World Showcase is a collective of Pavilions that wrap around the World Showcase Lagoon. Inside the Pavilions, find shops, attractions and restaurants that represent the culture and cuisine of 11 countries.

via: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/

Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, one of 4 Theme Parks in Walt Disney World Resort, offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hollywood-style action with live shows, thrilling attractions, backstage tours and special events that only happen in this Disney Park dedicated to entertainment.
via: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, one of 4 Theme Parks at Walt Disney World Resort, is full of attractions, adventures and entertainment that reflect Walt Disney's dedication to nature and conservation, and in doing so, the Park leads the way in animal care, education and research.
via: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/

2-Park Pass

fridge magnet from Universal Studios

Universal's Islands of Adventure
Around every bend is another epic adventure. Around every corner awaits another once-in-a-lifetime thrill. Take an unforgettable journey through the uniquely themed islands of Universal’s Islands of Adventure^®, where the world's most cutting edge rides, shows and interactive attractions bring your favorite stories, myths, cartoons, comic book heroes and children's tales to life.
via: http://www.universalorlando.com/Amusement_Parks/Islands_of_Adventure/islands_of_adventure.aspx

Universal Studios Florida
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen, and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios^®, the world's premier movie and TV based theme park.
via: http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme_Parks/Universal_Studios_Orlando/universal_studios_florida.aspx

I can't find my SeaWorld passes but I found my map of
SeaWorld... it's in San Diego though. ;)

stuffed toy from SeaWorld

SeaWorld
SeaWorld takes you on a one-of-a-kind journey to the wonders that exist beyond the oceans door.
via: http://www.seaworld.com/

Busch Gardens

fridge magnet from Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens
Experience up-close encounters with amazing animals, take an unforgettable safari across the Serengeti Plains, test your courage on pulse-pounding roller coasters, take in a stage show, and colorful live entertainment all year long.
via: http://www.buschgardens.com/Bgt/Explore/Overview.aspx

Holy Land Experience

t-shirt from Holy Land Experience

Holy Land Experience
The Holy Land Experience brings together the sights and sounds of the world of the Bible in a unique and interactive way unlike anywhere else.

It is a living, biblical museum that takes you 7000 miles away and 2000 years back in time to the land of the Bible. Its combination of sights, sounds, and tastes will stimulate your senses and blend together to create a spectacular new experience.

But above all, beyond the fun and excitement, we hope that you will see God and His Word exalted and that you will be encouraged in your search for enduring truth and the ultimate meaning of life. 

via: http://www.holylandexperience.com/about/about.html
 

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center
Orlando vacations aren't complete without a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Just east of the most popular Orlando attractions and theme parks, NASA's launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.
via: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/  

My New Car

I just bought a car! And today I was able to drive it home (oops! actually, my brother-in-law drove it home...hahah. I just took it for a test-drive). I still need to familiarize myself with it and gather courage to drive it...lol. I bought a 2007 Honda Accord from my friend and co-worker's husband...he has his own dealership and he gave me a very good deal. =p

my new 2007 Honda Accord

my car keys

cute "Thank You" card from my dealer

Although my new car is already three years old, it only has a low mileage of 21,000. It is very clean inside and out and spacious too (thank you very much Mr. Tony... I so love my new car!). I'll take it to a Honda dealer next weekend to check if it is still under the manufacturer's warranty (crossing my fingers).

Lucas Honda of Jacksonville

Kim & Gerald Visits Florida

Last Saturday we went to Kissimmee to attend the Fiesta mo sa Florida 2010 event. The featured celebrities were Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Erich Gonzales. Barangay USA's Gelo hosted the event. This is the second year of Fiesta Mo sa Florida event but this is my first time attending. The admission fee was $20 for regular and $100 for VIP (expensive).

It was a three-hour drive from Jacksonville to Kissimmee. We were late at the event because we watched the Finals of Showtime first. Since we were late, I only caught a glimpse of Erich Gonzales...according to my friend who got a closer view of her, she looks like a barbie doll (my friend was one of the VIPs because she paid $100).

this is the only picture I got of her and it's blurry

I was disappointed when we were watching the featured movie "Paano ko Sasabihin." It was very uncomfortable because you either have to stand-up or sit on the floor. Only the VIPs (those who paid $100) gets to sit on the banquet chairs. There were available chairs and some people (that only paid $20) took it but after a while the organizers walked-up to them and took the chair back (very mean). The movie was good but there were some parts that I missed (I could not focus because my butt were hurting from sitting on the hard floor). :D

Credit: inbcs1b1a

Synopsis:
What if the attractive mute guy you meet on the metro train thinks you're also deaf? Are you ready to pretend to be deaf? And what if you were both just pretending so as not to disappoint each other?
Paano ko sasabihin is a romantic comedy about two souls entangled in loop of lies, hoping that true love will straighten everything out.
via: http://www.abs-cbnglobalmovies.com/paanokosasabihin/

After the movie screening, there were other local entertainers that performed. Then Gerald Anderson finally came out, he sang two songs "Closer You And I" and "Ngiti." Right after Gerald, Kim Chiu came out and sang two songs too. She sang "Teardrops On My Guitar" and "Dahil Minahal Mo Ako."

After their solo performances, Gerald together with Kim sang the theme song of their teleserye "Tayong Dalawa" (it was funny because somewhere in the middle of the song Kim was about to sing but it was only Gerald's voice that can be heard...it got obvious then that they were just lip-syncing. I think it was supposed to be a duet but it ended up as Gerald's solo). =)

the "kiss"

After Gerald sang their theme song, four people from the audience paired into two were chosen to play a game. A clip from Kim and Gerald’s movie “Paano Na Kayo” was shown and the players were to re-act Kim and Gerald’s role from that clip. It was a funny segment because the players had to improvised and adlibbed most of the lines. Kim and Gerald judged who did the best (or the funniest) portrayal.

After the game, Kim and Gerald performed one last song. I can't remember the title of the song but this time Kim and Gerald really had a duet. ;)

After the show, we decided not to go to the picture taking and autograph session since the line was so long. Instead we head back home but we stopped over in Orlando first (that's another story though). :p