One of the things I seldom do now that I’m caught up in this “corporate world” is see my family. I get to spend time with relatives in Pampanga (where my mom is from) 1-2 times a month, while I see and talk with relatives in Bacolod (where my dad is from) 1-2 times a year. So imagine how happy I was that for two consecutive weekends, I got to bond with cousins on both sides of the family!

My cousin, Tata, who traveled all the way from Virginia, was here two weeks ago for the pamamanhikan they did in Pangasinan. He’s marrying his fiancee on 10/10/2010. His brother, Siote, flew in from Bacolod to spend time with Tata and their mom. In their very short stay in Manila, we took them to Bonifacio High Street, SM Mall of Asia, Tagaytay, and Wensha Spa. Funny trivia: My two brothers, Tata, and Siote were my only playmates back in the days. It’s not a mystery how I turned out this way!

Siote, Jem, Tata, Jec

Dinner at Pancake House

TGIS!!

Chen-chen, Siote, and Joni in Tagaytay

Deej, Joni, Siote, Chen-chen in Tagaytay

The next weekend, the Manabat Family went to Fontana for an overnight stay before my uncle goes back to the Middle East. The sun was not shining then but I still got the tan lines! Love it.

My niece and godchild, Gracielle, is just the cutest! For a kid who’s just a year old, she’d pose for the camera every time you point it at her. She’s very sweet and she hardly ever cries. I wish my kid would be just like her! Read: not a brat.

Gracielle

Manabat Family

Did you notice? My little cousins, nephews and nieces could easily be mistaken as my kids! I’m so old.