A Friend-ly Gathering

It has been four years (or maybe more!) since I last saw my beautiful friends from the university and so when the chance came for us to meet, we didn't let the chance pass us by. I also wanted to hand over the shoe box of pens and pencils I have collected from my friends and classmates at graduate school in Germany for our little project Pens of Hope in Davao, so it was just the perfect timing.

© Photo by Mervz Mosqueda via Facebook

The little girl decided to lie down while waiting for my friends to arrive.

It was a Saturday and we decided to meet at Yellow Hauz, a quaint coffee shop in Davao City. While waiting, me and little girl ordered some refreshments. After a few minutes, Kikit and her hubby Dan, arrived carrying snorkel gear... They just came from a day of snorkeling at Paradise Beach Resort at the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). It must have been very nice to be with schools of fish, I so envy them.. Hehehe! 

A smile and a shoe box full of hope!
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Pens of Hope Page on Facebook

Anyway, before we forgot, we handed over our shoe box of pens and pencils and Kikit asked to make a souvenir shot with my little girl as the model.

After three pots of hot tea, two other girl friends, Ate Tess and Shugar (along with Sweet, her little girl) arrived. It was almost time for dinner to we transfered to Matina Town Square and opted to dine at Kanto bar and restaurant.

THANK YOU for the wonderful time! Until next time...
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Facebook

Indeed, it was a wonderful evening filled with sensible talk, laughter and wonderful company. It may have been years but it is heartwarming to know that the friendship remains. Even if we grow in numbers (family members are always welcome in the group) and we live far apart, it makes me smile to know that when we come home again, we have another family to come home to... our SICO family. :)

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Friendships Never End

Last weekend, a good friend of ours visited us for the weekend. We knew him from college and we were involved in the same organizations. He is connected with the Australian National University where he is taking up his Ph.D. and is doing medical research. He is "on tour" to give a talk in various medical universities all over Europe and he decided to drop by since it's on the way. He came with a friend and it was nice to see an old face again. 

It was raining last Saturday morning when we fetched them at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Stuttgart Main Train Station). We had breakfast at home and let them stretch and refresh. Thankfully, it stopped raining in the afternoon and so we were able to show them around the city. Our itinerary: visit to the Mercedes Benz museum, walk around downtown Stuttgart and show them some of the popular landmarks, drop by the vineyards, stop by Porsche Museum, Filipino dinner at home.

It was an eventful day and I am hopeful that they enjoyed their stay with us. Dinner was quite long but worthwhile. We caught up with each other's lives over green mungo soup and shrimps, rice, two bottles of wine and ice cream for dessert. I can say that it was a long day but a great one nonetheless. 

Truly, no matter how far we may have gone, no matter where fate may have taken us, friends will always be friends.

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Thankful

Dear Marce Pehpot,
Oh, what would I do without you? You have made my blogging life so much more meaningful. Did I already tell you that you inspire me? Oh yes, you do. And more than that, I admire and envy you at the same time. You are so active in your blogging career while simultaneously raising three boys, a husband and a little lady. I wouldn't have any idea how you actually do the things that you do but I salute you. I bless the day when you asked me to become Sati's ninang (godmother) because that was the day when I got to know you better. I am sometimes ashamed because I felt that I do not exert so much effort in being a godmother. I apologize for that.
You are always so generous and kind. You would willingly give link love to those who need them. Your are always enthusiastic in sharing your blogging experiences and would even tell how you earn online. You would go out of your way to surprise someone. You were always the first with the brilliant ideas. You are always ready to lend a helping hand.
Now, why the letter? I just want you to know that I am thankful. Thankful that even though we haven't met yet, you accepted me and became my friend. Thankful that you have helped me in so many ways. Remember our YM chat yesterday and you instructed me to do something? Well, I already received the good news last night. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten the courage to do it.
Thank you Marce Peh! May God bless you more.

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