• Life Lately

    A Day Out: Errands and Pullen Park, Raleigh, NC

    June 10, 2024

    Yesterday turned into a surprisingly delightful day, starting with a simple errand and ending with memorable adventures. My brother-in-law needed to get his guitar serviced, so we headed to Guitar Center. While he went inside to take care of his guitar, we waited in the car, planning the rest of our day. Our stomachs led us to our next destination: the Oriental Store in Raleigh.

    Walking into the Oriental store felt like stepping back into the Philippines. The aisles were packed with familiar Filipino goods, bringing a wave of nostalgia. From snacks to condiments, it was like a mini homecoming. Although the prices were significantly higher than what we were used to back home, the craving for those familiar flavors made it worth it. We decided to have lunch there and ordered some of our favorite dishes: longganisa, Bicol Express, laing, and BBQ. The food was fantastic! The portions were generous, and every bite was a comforting taste of home. The longganisa was perfectly spiced, the Bicol Express had just the right amount of heat, the laing was creamy and delicious, and the BBQ was tender and flavorful. It was honestly one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time.

    Despite not feeling our best, we didn’t want to waste the day, so we decided to make the most of it and headed to Pullen Park. Even though it was extremely hot, we pushed through with the idea of having fun at the park. The place was bustling with people, all soaking under the sun and playing with their families.

    My nephew was over the moon with excitement. He got to ride the paddle boat, the train, and the carousel. We also joined him on the train ride, which was a lot of fun and gave us a great view of the park. The sun was blazing, but it didn’t deter anyone from enjoying the day. Everywhere we looked, families were having picnics, kids were running around, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy.


    His laughter and joy were infectious, lifting our spirits and making us forget we weren’t feeling well. Watching him have so much fun was the highlight of our day. We ended up enjoying every moment, from the rides to just being outdoors together. The day was a perfect blend of cherished memories and simple joys, proving that sometimes, a bit of home and family fun can turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

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  • Life Lately

    A Tuesday in Cary, NC

    May 22, 2024

    Yesterday was one of those wonderful, unplanned days that end up being unforgettable. We decided to take a spontaneous trip to Downtown Cary Park, just a 20-minute drive from home. Honestly, I didn’t know exactly where we were heading, only that it was somewhere in Cary. As we drove into downtown, I couldn’t help but notice how much it reminded me of Wilmington with its charming streets and friendly atmosphere.

    We found a spot in the public parking area and headed straight to the park. It was absolutely beautiful – the kind of place that immediately puts you at ease. After a bit of exploring, we started to feel hungry. We stumbled upon a little stand and treated ourselves to some rose ice cream and coffee. The flavors were as delightful as they sound, and they gave us the perfect boost to continue our adventure.

    As we walked around the park, we discovered a lovely botanical garden. It was the perfect spot to rest for a while. My brother-in-law took a nap on a bench while my nephew and I roamed around, marveling at the beautiful plants and flowers.

    Around 5 PM, I asked my nephew if he wanted to check out the playground. He enthusiastically agreed, so we left his parents and my mom in the botanical garden and made our way to the playground. We had an absolute blast climbing, hurdling, and even taking turns on the slide. It felt great to let loose and have fun together.

    After a while, we heard my nephew’s dad calling his name – it was time to go. We reluctantly left the playground and regrouped with the family. Our day wasn’t over yet, though. We headed to a nearby Korean restaurant for dinner. The samgyupsal and hotpot were delicious and the perfect way to end our spontaneous outing.

    All in all, it was a fantastic day filled with laughter, relaxation, and quality family time. Sometimes, the best days are the ones you don’t plan at all.

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  • Life Lately

    A Day in Durham, NC

    April 3, 2024

    Hey! I’m so excited to share our recent trip to Sarah P. Duke Gardens with you all. It was one of those perfect spring days where the sun was shining, and the air was filled with anticipation. The warmth of the sun and the clear blue sky set the perfect backdrop for our adventure.

    We had our hearts set on seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. While they were playing a bit of peek-a-boo with us in the gardens, we were thrilled to discover a stunning display of cherry blossoms on the Duke University campus! The sight of the delicate pink petals against the blue sky was absolutely enchanting.

    Everywhere we looked, there were bursts of color and the sweet fragrance of flowers in the air. We couldn’t help but pause every few steps to take it all in.

    One of the highlights of our day was visiting the Duke University Chapel. Its intricate architecture left us in awe. We spent some time exploring the grounds, taking photos, and simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

    But you know what the best part was? It wasn’t about the cherry blossoms or the grandeur of the chapel. It was about being together as a family, sharing laughter and creating memories that we’ll cherish forever.

    Our stroll around the campus and gardens wasn’t even planned, but sometimes the best adventures are spontaneous. As we strolled hand in hand, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like these. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that bring us the most joy – like spending a beautiful day surrounded by loved ones in a place as Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

    After our unplanned stroll, we headed to Red Crab Juicy Seafood for dinner. I had been eagerly anticipating some large sea crabs, and my cravings for seafood were finally satisfied – from succulent shrimp to juicy crab legs, all seasoned to perfection.! The delicious meal was the perfect way to end our day.

    Sure, we may not have found what we were originally looking for in the gardens, but what we discovered was so much better: the beauty of nature, the warmth of family, and the joy of being present in the moment.

    I am already looking forward to more unplanned trips like this one, where the unexpected becomes the highlight of our day.

    Sending you all lots of love and sunshine from our springtime adventure at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Duke University campus, and our delightful dinner at Red Crab Juicy Seafood!

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  • Life Lately

    Thank You Note

    November 2, 2023

    Hey everyone, I’ve got some exciting news to share—I’ve been promoted to a Senior position, Senior System and Application Engineer! It’s a pretty big deal for me, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. But you know what’s on my mind now? Sending a thank-you note to my Head. Yep, it’s important to show appreciation, and I want to make sure I get it just right.

    So, “thank you for the promotion” is a good start, but I think I can do better. After all, this isn’t just any promotion. How cool is that? I’m thinking of putting a little extra effort into my thank-you note to really let him know how grateful I am.

    I mean, they appreciate gratitude, right? And what better way to show it than with a heartfelt thank-you note? It’s like saying, “Hey, thanks for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity.” Plus, it’s a chance for me to express my excitement about the new position and all the cool stuff I’ll get to do.

    But where do I even start? So yeah, sending a thank-you note might seem like a small thing, but I think it’s important. It’s a chance for me to acknowledge all the hard work that went into getting me to this point and to show my boss that I’m ready to step up and make the most of this incredible opportunity.

    Wish me luck!

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  • Life Lately

    How I Celebrated My Birthday

    August 24, 2023

    I cannot remember the last time I shared my birthday celebration with my colleagues. Usually, I take vacation leave to spend it with my family or friends. This time, I have decided to go to work on my birthday, since I am saving the remaining 1-1/2 leave credits I have for the Christmas Holiday.

    Since, I know my colleagues very well, I was not expecting anything from them. Never in my thoughts had a slightest idea.

    My colleagues were taken aback when I showed up early than my usual. Their hands were full putting up the birthday banner they diy-ed. I could not help but giggle at their faces. They were caught off guard. Anyways, I let them finish whatever they are doing.

    At around 11:30am, my sister and nephew called. My nephew got me the sweetest birthday wish. And as we were talking, I was surprised to hear my colleagues singing behind me.. The cake and the gesture.

    Sales and Engineering Team

    I took SNM/ENG out to lunch and PMD colleague to dinner.

    Later that night, I took a walk around the neighborhood. It was so nice to just enjoy my own company.

    Happy Birthday, Self.

    Thank you everyone who wished me a happy birthday.

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