MY 46TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

(I know I'm already 50 now but as I was looking at my drafts I saw that I wasn't able to post this.... I was leaning towards not posting it anymore but then I saw how some of the special people in my life were still with me during this time, and how everything was just boringly "perfect." Maybe it's their way of saying that they're still with me??

Praying that life goes back this again...)

--------------------------- 

Another birthday passed and you know what that means:

I'll be 46 este... 36 years old now.
I'll be hotter.
I'll be sexier.
I'll be wiser.
I'll be delusional.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Seriously though what gets me all emo emo these days is how at my age I'm still crazy, weird, and childlike. I thought that when I get older I'll automatically become matured and be like those genteel Moms in Disney films. But nooooooh... I think I'm becoming worse with age. Maybe that's why the boys are so ashamed of me.

CHE!!!! Is it embarrassing to have a Mom who gives the name "Mati Da Pogi" to the barista so that when he calls it out for claiming, people in the cafe would know that Mati is indeed pogi??!!!! Cool kaya!!!!!

I've also started to accept that I am not like other women/moms out there because my craziness is always equal to happiness.   

Anyway.....

So yes, with my big 4-6, I thought it's going to be MEH and ordinary especially because of the pandemic. 

Turns out, it's still my best birthday EVER. 

I know you might say it's OA of me to say my birthday celebrations this year are fun when it's really ordinary and "tipid" to what others do. I don't know. Maybe that's just me. For me I always find joy in the present. And I think I've always claimed that as long as I have my family and my favorite friends, I'll be happy.

Eh pano yan, may delicious food pa?

Sharing with you again my birthday celebrations for turning 4-6... este.... 3-6. He he he he he! I once learned again that it doesn't matter if your celebration are grand or simple, as long as your family and true friends are with you, it will still definitely be AWESOME. 

(Belated) Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!

MY 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

And the day has finally come...  

I turned 50. 

When I was younger, 50 was like oldy-oldy with grandkids and a ton of accomplishments. 

But ENNNNNNNGK (buzzer sound na matinis) when turning 50 was around the corner, I realized that I didn't have a lot...

a. I didn't have grandkids (not that I know of... well I better don't).
b. I didn't have a lot of major accomplishments BUT I'm working for a boss whom I idolize and respect soooo much in the number one noontime show in the Philippines.
c. I didn't have a lot of friends (well..... just valued the reals and so lazy to make new ones... ha ha ha).
AND
d. I didn't have the reality of what I projected for when I turned 50. 

But you know what? Honestly? Seriously? 

I'M JUST FOINEEE WITH IT.

Of course there will always be room for improvement and goals to accomplish, but the good thing though is that I'm not as worried nor insecure of my non-achievements as I did before when I would celebrate my earlier birthdays. 

So yeah! The golden 50??? Yohooo!!!!!!

I got actually so excited for 50 because my family and I had a lot of plans -- I saved for multiple travels and plotted all the restaurants that we'll be eating in. Yep. If you saw my other birthdays where we did a lot, trust me, it was going to be double this year. 

Or so we thought. He he he he he he! Dan! Dan! Dannnnn!!!!!

I don't want to get into details but like they say if we were initially planning to go West, plans went for the East. He he he he he he! It's okay though because no one may have warned me about life going to be this way (thank you "FRIENDS" series) we still had a LOT to be thankful for. And I think one of the main reasons why I'm now so FOINE and thankful for everything is that life has a way of putting trivial matters in perpective. 

So saying that plans did not go the way we wanted to may be an understatement, but believe it or not, EVERYTHING was still memorable and had it's own special charm to it.

We had many unexpected celebrations but they are all something which I will definitely not forget!

One of the best things too is that we have yet to do our initial plans... so yeah, there is still something to look forward to and excited for....  ha ha ha ha! Party party tugs tugs!

Also, looking at the bright side and valuing what we have right now. I just know and pray that everything's going to be better by the grace of God. 

So here I am sharing also my simple celebrations... yet I assure you, they're the most memorable, unforgettable, and somehow romantic for me.

And if you ask if given the chance if I'll change anything for the last 50 years? (Well.... apart from hoping that I should've followed BTS sooner so that I'll be able to watch when they were in the Philippines....) 

I would say, not a minute.

:) 

I'm 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaah!!!!!

SENIOR CITIZEN NA AKOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS 2022

I know it might be too late by the time I post this, but I cannot just ignore CHRISTMAS especially that we had another blessed celebration this year. 

Of course, I would have preferred for my Dad and BGP Mariane to be with us, still, we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus and it always bring a feeling of gratitude and comfort in my heart. Happy too that we have a new member in the family to party on during this holiday season. 

So with that, thankful we are once again together for Christmas, thankful that we did our usual traditions (most especially the picture by the tree... tee hee) and most of all, thankful FOR ALL THE FOOD. Ha ha ha ha ha!

May be a belated Merry Christmas coming from ERICJAZ FOODIES, but still, here we are. He he he he he!

ENJOY! I know we did!

YOOO to the HOO!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2022 (PART TWO)

As much as I want to always blog, I need to finish recording data and I could do more so at night. Too sad though that I haven't documented much of what's happening in my life in the past few months.

SO, I apologize if this recap came out late. I'm trying my best to record everything to the best of my abilities. Like I mentioned in the previous post, if there's something that I learned in 2022 is to ALWAYS cherish every moment. 

And in my case, blog about it as well so that I won't ever forget it. 

You'll understand more in the next post. For now, enjoy... or be traumatized. 

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!

Here's the second trimester of the year. Don't block me just yet. 

MAY 

May 3, 2022

Dinner at The Alley!

Because will always choose and treat my guys whenever I can (especially if I have b…. Buni… haha) 🙂

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2022 (PART ONE)

Another year... Another blog.

And yep, IT'S 2022!!!!!

I know I have been one lazy (or busy?) girl from the previous year that I wasn't able to blog as much as I used to. OKAY fine. I admit. It's not just work, it's BTS! Ha ha ha ha ha! I promise though that I will be doing some changes this year.... 

And one of them is to be more active again in ERICJAZ FOODIES!

This will still be on a personal level though as I have always maintained how ERICJAZ FOODIES is like my online diary. Sometimes I have to admit that I'm doing this more also for myself then the happiness of the people I get to share it with is just the cool sweet end of the deal.

So here I am again with the recap of the year that was. I'm actually doing this on a January so I don't know what 2022 has in store. Like what I said in my New Year's post, this time I'm not gonna say "BRING IT ON," or "EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE BETTER." Instead, what I'm hoping more for now is that "LET EVERYTHING WORK OUT with the help of the power of prayer."

So yep, I'm writing this right now, hopeful and still optimistic of what this year holds for all of us. And since it has helped me so much in the recent years, will believe in the power of prayer that whatever happens, everything will work out.

First things first though... Hmmmm... 1 month in and I have broken many numbers already. ESPECIALLY number 1!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Okay. This is not counted. Ha ha ha ha ha! Still, there are many items that I do promise to work on.

And was I able to accomplish them? Hopefully. In the meantime, sharing with you our important and memorable moments from the first quarter of 2022!!!!

JANUARY

January 1, 2022

IT'S A NEW YEAR!!!!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS 2021

I don't know if it's the pandemic or that I'm turning into a grumpy senior citizen (tee hee) but I really didn't feel the holidays coming up. Sure there were the usual decorations, lights, and chilly weather, but I don't know. It's just not the same.

Of course, shy and suplada me really preferred staying at home or going out with family and/or super close friends. So I can't really blame the covid again on that. In fact, it's one aspect of the pandemic that I preferred -- having an excuse not to see the people I so don't like (tee hee).

Maybe because of work din that I wasn't able to feel the holidays? I got some assignments that got me sort of busy, but still, I was thankful naman because my work is a blessing. So I'm not really blaming that. Truth be told, my work gave the season a little more excitement because I had the funds to order what I liked. Ha ha ha ha! So yeah.. that's not the reason. 

Whatever it is, I'm glad that come the actual day of Christmas we got all that we wished for -- family was together, food was soooo damn awesome, we were all crazy laughing and happy, we got the gifts that we wanted (plus more), EVERYBODY agreed to take a lot of pictures (hay sobrang challenge with my family yan ha ha ha ha), AND that we all felt the love blessings around us.

It was really a blessed day to celebrate the coming of our Lord. So it may be different from before, but I'm not complaining. We all don't have a choice but to accept the situation these days and just make the most out of it. So party on!  As what I would always say, it's the best Christmas celebration yet! 

Many burp moments pa! He he he he he!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

OUR AWESOME YAPPY 2021 (PART ONE)

It's the New Year once more and amidst the pandemic that we just experienced last 2020, I am so hopeful that we'll have a better one this 2021.

Because really, anything "better" is a welcome change. I would always say "kahit nga hind super or much better, basta BETTER!" Ha ha ha ha!

For the first part of 2021, I'd say, things are looking up. I cannot go into all the specifics but I'm so thankful that some of my prayers are already being answered. And since what I'm praying for is to receive what's best for me and the family, I know that where we are now is what the Lord wants for us.

Now that's a very comforting thought right?

For this new year, I don't want to challenge it with a lame "bring it on" nor dare it to overthrow the last one.

What I plan to do is ACCEPT 2021.

I'm doing this post at the first month so I really don't know what's in store for all of us, but yeah, whatever it would give us I would still embrace it.

Like what I would always say, there's always something to be thankful for. 

So yeah, here's to the start of the New Year where we will accept it with all the knowledge and values learned from the previous one (because you gotta admit, though 2020 majorly sucked, there were still many "AHA" moments there).

In that way, I personally believe that 2021 will then be better for all of us.

Eow pozh 2021!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

ANDREI'S 14TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

It's my baby bunsoys birthday and syempre, pandemic or not, Yub and I will do what we can to make it an unforgettable one.

Last year, we had a surprise party for him when the bunso turned 13 years old.

This year, even if turning 14 is not as grand of a milestone as when he officially became a teenager, we still wanted to give him a celebration to honor our loving and talented bunso.

Of course, there may be no staycations nor multiple dinners at our usual birthday restaurants, but still, our munting celebrations were filled as much love as we could all muster.

So HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS my dearest baby bunso!!! We love you soooooooooooooooooo much!

OUR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2021

Good-bye 2020!!!!

Based on the posts and comments of other people, many were happy to say adieu to the year that was. Some would even go far as wanting to  get rid of 2020 saying that it's the worst year ever.

I understand and respect where the strong emotions are coming from especially with the pandemic. My family also experienced losses because of it. Still, I want to (try) to look at the bright side and appreciate what we still all have: family, close friends, our humor (ahem... tiktok vids??), a roof above our head, our means to earn, our lives, our food, and of course, our faith.

2020 is the year the we could all do without. Still, I want to recognize that because of 2020, we all learned something, appreciated what we had, treasured those who matter, and renewed/strengthened our faith.

2020 may be a bad year but remember that there were still smiles, there was still love, and we still had each other. To me, it would still count as a good year.

Yun lang it will be the "leastest" of all good years. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Sharing with you our celebration in welcoming the New Year. Let's all hope and pray that 2021 will be better, even for just a bit.

EOW POZH 2021!!!!!

(Teeheee)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

OUR YAPPY 2020 (PART THREE)

And there you have it. The last trimester of the year. I know I have been saying this over and over again, but let me say it once more: who would have thought that 2020 was going to turn out THIS way????

Now the expression "Hindi naman aalis ang (destination) na yan..." is just so ironic now. With the pandemic, as much as we wanted to go somewhere, we cannot do so. For everyone's good, we have to stay at home or limit our social life unless it's something very important.

It is so sad too that we have friends and relatives who've had deaths in their families. I could only imagine the pain they are going through during this time where everything was just beyond our control. It's just unfortunate that we also cannot be with them during this very difficult time. Instead, we offered prayers for their loved ones. Just overwhelming na talagang "sunod-sunod."

May be hard to believe but the saying "There's no place like home" gives much comfort now. It got me realizing that even with the crises going on, we should still all be thankful especially if we have a loving home to sleep in.

So yes, 2020 may be a very trying year for all of us but let's just try to see what we could learn from the experience. Corny as it may sound, I believe that from the darkness there will always be light. So really, let us learn from what happened to us in 2020 and be ready with a positive attitude for 2021. Things may not return to what it used to be but let us just be thankful for what we still have.

With that, let's take a break from the defiant "Bring it on 2021" or focusing on greeting the new year with a glamorous bang. Instead, let us say our prayers and believe that everything will be better soon.

Until then, let us still thank the Lord and appreciate all of the blessings that He has bestowed us this year. Believe me, there is still a lot. Hence, this post. I'm taking notice of all of it. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Promise, we still had a good 2020. For 2021, let's all pray, that it will be great!

YEHESSSS! 

OUR YAPPY 2020 (PART TWO)

Never in a million years (as if I lived that long) would I have thought that a certain Covid-19 would paralyze our social, economical, professional, educational, etc., etc., system.

We were all caught unawares!

Still with that pandemic, many of us were able to discover more about ourselves.

I for one appreciated more how cool and loving my family really are especially when I see others post about how bored they were and how they wanted to "break free" from their "prison." Never did I feel that because everyday had a different kind of simple fun in them. I rather enjoyed being in solitude with my family doing simple things like cooking (we play loud music and try out new recipes), cleaning (promise ang kulitan namin at who will wash dishes is so funny), eating (kwentuhan galore), movie nights, praying the rosary, etc etc. Truth be told, I enjoyed our extended family time more that I wasn't able to join zoom or group chats. My focus really became the people who I was with -- my family.

A friend (itago natin sa pangalan na Mareng Gail) told me that at our age, we should now choose to be with people who makes us happy.

And with that, I'm thankful I am "stuck" with the people who not only make me so happy but they also make my life complete. As a result, we really didn't mind the ECQ too much because it became an extended "home-cation" for us!

Sharing with you the second trimester of our year 2020! Usually my "end of the year specials" only have 2 parts, but for this year, I divided it into a threesome. I know that 2020 is the year where many things went wrong and there were no gimiks/outings that happened (too much). Still, I want to remember the good times that we had during the start of the year and I'm grateful that there were still many that I want to remember.

Rock on!!!!!!!!!

I swear that it's still a great year!

OUR YAPPY 2020 (PART ONE)

As much as we were all excited to face 2020, I got to admit that it started off hard. Many events happened that were sooooo unexpected like:

The explosion of the "used to be quiet" Taal Volcano...
The death of a basketball icon...
The discovery that a deadly virus is already within the country...

AND THAT'S JUST THE FIRST MONTH!!!!!

Still I know that things will improve. As they say, when you're at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up. So yes, even if the year started off on the negative side, I was still bursting with positive vibes because I believe and I have faith that everything will turn out better... if not, awesome!

And yes, I know it will!!!!!!

And then on April....

NOT!!! (This is Jaz from the future).

I found my February self (when I wrote the upper intro) so adorable because I'm all hopeful and feeling like it's still going to be a fun summer.

HOWEVER.

Saying that we didn't know what's coming was indeed an understatement. Yep. It surprised us all. Still, I'm glad the Lord blessed us with so many things that we were able to cope with this pandemic and made it into an experience.

Believe it or not, we still managed to have a fun summer because we were with FAMILY.

No we're not stuck at home.
No we're not bored.
No we're not getting crazy and impatient.
No we're not daydreaming of going out of town or out of the country.

I am with the people whom I love soooo much and I'm happy that they're cool too that everyday was still enjoyable.

Because I'm HOME.

Of course, some days tend to be the same (like we're in Groundhog Day), and we would also get into each other's nerves. But at night, after praying the rosary with the family or when I reflect about the day's events,  I just get this warm and cheerful feeling inside that get me all thankful and looking forward to the next day. As a result, it makes me so grateful that even if I hear or read numerous complaints from other people that they're bored or that they're having such a hard time this ECQ (just because they can't travel or socialize), I cannot relate because I am experiencing the opposite.

As they say, HOME is where the heart is and I'm thankful that during this pandemic, everything became pleasantly endurable because of the people I love.

Sharing with you the first part of our 2020 and the start of our experience with this pandemic. You'll find that it is more detailed as we stressed on how there is always something to be thankful for and I wanted to look back at this time with a smile.

:) 

GERRY'S GRILL (2020)

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

THE YAPPY BUNCH were with the BP Group for a staycation in Belmont Hotel and since we got out late, we thought of having our lunch there.

Last night's dinner was a disaster (haaay look na lang in the other blogs he he he he) that's why we thought that for lunch, we should go for a restaurant that we have already tried, tested, and enjoyed before. Of course, we also have to consider the price because we are ALL kuripots in the group. BWA HA HA HA HA HA!

In the end, the winner for us was GERRY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GERRY'S!!!!!!

MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION 2020

It's MOTHER'S DAY. And unlike our previous celebrations, we will just cook and stay at home. Come to think of it, how we're going to celebrate this Mommy event is much like the person we're honoring -- simple yet special. She's not one to expect (or require) lavish celebrations. Like my Dad, my Mom is also the "We don't care where we go, we're happy as long as we're together!"

TEKA. Mantra namin yun ah!!!

Yep! I got it from my parents and I'm so thankful that for this day, we didn't feel "stuck" or "wawa" because we'll be staying at home for MOTHER'S DAY. In fact, we enjoyed the privacy, the practicality (tipid kaya), the food, and the company!!! Promise. I'd rather have THIS than celebrating in a 5-Star hotel with other people.

I think everything about that day was perfect.

Syempre, I have the PERFECT Mommy e!

Teka... Ako din pala! He he he he! Okay lang. I would rather honor the "bestest" lady in my life first.

And syempre, how will I do that?

WITH FOOD! 

(Belated) HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

THE YUB'S 2020 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

It's Yub's birthday once again and even if he's not too much on grand celebrations, we still want to honor him and thank his ugliness for all the love and hard work that he has given us (I'm a bully I know. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Well, as much as we want to make out-of-this world gimiks for his birthday, we didn't because of the following reasons:

a) There was an incoming pandemic.
b) He wanted everything simple.
c) He didn't plan anything for my birthday naman e so why should I plan anything for him??? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

Ignore the last one. Matindi ang hugot ng senior moments ko non! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Anyway, whatever the actual and pure reason, we did what we can to thank the big Chinese panget on his birthday. And based on his big smiles and thank yous, he's happy.

Syempre that made us all happy na din!

(Belated) Happy Birthday Yub!!! We love youuuuuuuus panget!!!!!!

BELMONT STAYCATION (2020)

One upon a time before the pandemic....

It's the month of February and that meant Team Navarro will treat the Bawal Panget Group with a staycation in BELMONT HOTEL!! And yep, even if we've been doing so for a number of years now, WE'RE STILL EXCITED!

Because why wouldn't we?

We'll be having a getaway with our family...
We'll be meeting up with long time friends...
We'll be eating at our favorite restaurants...
Our staycation is courtesy of Team Navarro...

And best of all...

We'll be celebrating the birthday of a special and generous lady!!!

So yeah, even if we've been doing this every year, we're still VERY excited because we have new experiences, make more special memories, and we'll have a bonding weekend with the family!

Let the fun begin!!!

TOKYO DISNEYLAND (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

I don't care if I'm already 30 years old (tee hee), I would ALWAYS go to DISNEYLAND whenever I have a chance.

And our JAPAN 2019 was no exception.

The great part too is that my boys agree! Yay! Great minds think alike talaga!

While planning for the trip, my sister and kuya discussed how they would go for the places the Mommy would like (museums, parks, ramen restaurants, etc) since the trip was for her anyway. I then asked permission if it's ok for the boys and I to not join them for one day because we would really like to go to the popular DISNEYLAND SEA in Tokyo. My siblings said that it's manageable and when we told my Mom, she said the best thing: She wants to join us in DISNEYLAND!

Wohooooooo!

Turns out, she hasn't been to DISNEYLAND (in our US trips I was only able to go with her to Universal Studios), and wanted to go there with us.  Yayyyy! Now this would make our trip there more memorable!

While looking at their website though I read reviews that DISNEYLAND SEA could get SO crowded and rides were more for thrill-seekers. However, DISNEYLAND SEA is exclusive to Japan only and it would be a shame to miss it.

We all agreed that the comfort of Mommy is more important. Good thing too that when checking the rides and attractions, we saw that they featured the classics (Snow White, Peter Pan, merry go round, etc) that we were all familiar with. TOKYO DISNEYLAND is a much better fit for us!

Besides, my family could always go back for DISNEY SEA, and with the Yub!

So with that...

WOHOOO! WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!! 

And we're back to the happiest place on earth... In JAPAN!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART THREE)

It was our last day in JAPAN and though I'm the type who would rather stay in the hotel or go to the airport way early to prepare for our flight, I agreed to go out with the family.

Yup! Japan is just THAT awesome that you should explore it all you can!!!!!!!

It's our last day!!!!!!!!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART TWO)

Part two of our 2019 Japan trip had more "happenings" because my kapatids planned on more places to go. The great thing about our 5 day stay though is that we didn't jam all the sights that we could handle because we didn't want to get Mommy tired -- we just took our time and rested when needed. The result? We always had our beauty rest before every tour and looked great in pictures!!!!

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

Like what I mentioned in the previous blog, I really had SO MUCH FUN in our Japan trip that I swear, I still had dreams of being back. My sister chose places that captured the essence of old Japanese culture instead of the flashy modern spots that's more like cheap tourist attractions. Kaya, wow, it was really super awesome. Even if we only went to parks, palaces, volcanoes, etc etc., I appreciated more the natural beauty of Japan!

The only (super slight) downer in our trip is that the Yub wasn't able to join us since he had work. Too bad because I was counting on him to handle our bags and taking care of the nitty gritty (he he he he). It's okay -- in his place I've got two very dependable little guys who assisted their Mommy and took care of all the heavy lifting (they know that I had a bad back).

I'm so happy that with our Japan trip I was also able to see more of how my two little guys were growing up to be fine gentlemen.  It was truly a memorable 5 days with the boys and my family.

Thank you so much Mommy for planning this and treating us.

Now let the sharing begin!!!!!!

JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART ONE)

THE YAPPY BUNCH already went to Korea last 2019 so we didn't make any plans to go somewhere far. For budget reasons, we only wanted to have one out of the country trip a year -- so we are definitely staying put for awhile.

HOWEVER...

My Mommers have always wanted to go to Japan, but since Daddy is so busy with the family business, she didn't make any plans and just preferred to stay at his side.

For her 75th birthday last year though, the Mommers wished to go to Japan with the family. It was supposed to be just her treat with the apos but then her loving son and daughters joined in (sons-in-law were invited but can't join due to work). The Mommers said the Japan trip will not only be her blow-out to us for turning 75 but it will also be our birthday gifts for the year as well (ha ha ha ha ha... even if she gave us gifts naman).

So yay... It will be our first time in Japan with the Mommy and kids! I'm sure it's going to be an epic vacation!

You know what? It was! Yung tipong, I still dream about it up to now. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

:)

We're in JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!