iamtonee: First Half

Life's moments can pass you by so quickly and I feel that photographs are one way of holding on to them.

The last 6 months gone so fast. Been to new places and went back to old destinations. Met new faces and seen again familiar smiles of friends. Worked hard on weekdays (weeknights) and play harder on weekends. Lived life for just ordinary days and celebrated life for some special occassions.

Looking on the past six months...

I had a back to back Spring vacation in the Cities of Tapei and Seoul. It was my first trip to Taiwan last March. Had a great time, love the food and going up at Taipei 101 was it's highest point. In April, it was a full bloomed cherry blossom experience at Jinhae, S.Korea. Thou it's my third time in S.Korea, I enjoyed seeing Seoul differently (less its freezing cold weather) apart from the usual autumn season of my first two trip. More flowers than leaves. :)

Behind me is a yellow giant pendulum, a 730-tons tuned mass damper (TMD) of Taipei 101

Travelled down south to Jinhae, S. Korea

Cherry Blossoms (beotkkot)

Celebrated my Birthday this year in Seoul. Cake. Balloon. Ice Cream. Flowers. Gifts. And Chingu•s (friends). It was awesome and a memorable one.

Little less than before, I did find some time to get WoWed in and out of town trips on weekends. Started the year with EK fun. Went to Binondo for a Saturday walk. Watched the Fireworks Musical events at MOA. Out of town trips to Subic. Saw the re-staging of the musical Rent: No Day But Today. A long-weekend return trip bound North to Ilocandia in May. Last summer getaway for a family outing at Laiya, Batangas.

Shop for Charms and Crystal at Binondo

Subic Weekend Adventure!

Last summer hirit at Laiya beach!

As early in January, I joined the Black Nazarene Feast. Went back to Clark Pampanga for the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival in February. Then set aside my Philippine Festival Photo Project. Missed those previously attended festivals like Sinulog in Cebu, Panagbenga in Baguio, Aliwan in CCP, and Pahiyas in Quezon. Had in mind a short list of fiesta to go to, but plans to delay it to next year for Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Dinagyang in Iloilo, Moriones in Marinduque, Magayon in Bicol, Pulilan Carabao in Bulacan and Lechonan in Balayan. Many things to look forward to next year for my photo project.

Pista ng Itim na Nazareno

Bagong Pilipinas. I casted my vote on the first automated Philippine National Election. My candidate did not even made it close to top 3 presidentiables, but I am happy with the result NOYBI. New hopes for the Filipinos with our new P.Noy!

At work. Used up more than half of my VLs. Thankful for the CFL award for IG in April. A little recognition is ok. I deserved it. Hahaha.

New Faces. Anne a new officemate. Juveline met during the Ilocos trip. Did photo shoot for Kristine's Baby Martina while inside her mom's tummy, has yet to meet her soon. Thanks Mommy Tin for choosing me to be one of Little Martina's Ninang.

Family and Friends. Shared time and talent for my friend Kinder Pam on her Kitchen Recipe Bridal Shower and their Sbux postnup shoot in May. A home-coming for Leis in January and for Hazel last April. It's always nice to bond with my good old friends. Very few times spent with my closest friends but must say those were really valued and treasured moments. In June, we had a wedding in the family means to welcomed a new family member. A firstime MOH. My sister's wedding was truly an event to remember. But much to the wedding itself, I pulled off her Korean Bridal Shower. It was worth the prep and budget $$$. And just last week, our Enzo is now officially a schoolboy and started his nursery class.