Christmas greetings

May all the sweet magic
of Christmas conspire
to gladden your heart
and fill every desire.

Light up with smiles.
Pace up your walk
May Christmas come and become an everyday happening
Have a fantastic Christmas !!!

Philippines Vacation Part I

Both of us were really excited to have this vacation. We always asked my Maman when are we leaving for vacation in the Philippines. I'm sure our Maman sometimes is fed up with all our questions . Anyway, that's how kids are right !

Before leaving our parents talked to our teachers that we will be absent for 3 weeks. My teacher prepared my assignments so I can catch up. And even if I will be on vacation I will work on something and will not be lost when I get back as I am in the preparatory section. As for Mayumi, she's still in the little section so there will be no complications. What she did was work with us while I do my homework during our vacation. At least she's learning too in advance.

Now, I will be talking about our trip to the Philippines. We arrived morning on November 3 and we were welcomed by Lolo Oscar and went directly to the house. My Lola, Tita , Tito and cousin were there and they were really happy to see us. What was perfect was that my other Tito who lives in another city (Cebu City) came also with his family on that day. Next day, we went to Club Manila East to have a family get together. Mind you this is our third time to go back to the Philippines and this was the only time that brothers and sisters are complete, isn't that great ! That day was really unforgettable because I saw our Maman indeed glad to have spent it with inexpressible happiness in her eyes. This Club Manila East is located in Taytay Rizal. CME Central is a 7 hectares business and leisure complex with seventy (70) air-conditioned and fully furnished villas that are available for overnight accommodations or for long stays. We liked very much this location as it is clean because picnicking is prohibited to keep the resort clean and organize. Upon paying the entrance you will have this blue bracelet water proof as a sign that you paid the entrance. You have a lot of choices to make from bungalows to air conditioned rooms. They are known with their pool waves where you can surf, big slides and kayaking. We were fortunate as there were few people because it's is not consider peak season when we went there. Be careful during summer it could be crowded.

We spent only 2 days in Manila because Papa couldn't support the pollution and the big city. The next day we went to Quezon Province there at least we have big space, the nature and no pollution. This time we could play without worrying about vehicles passing by as there are few of them. The house is located near the rice fields, around 600 meters from the river and 1 kilometer from the sea. There are only animals like carabaos and cows which are indeed amusing to see. We played with our neighbor Carlo and Ashley and they are really nice. Even if we didn't understand each other we manage to play without creating communication problem . We also enjoyed swimming at the river next to our place with them. We have eaten Filipino cracker, sky flakes...wow this one is really delicious! Our parents have eaten big pomelos and fresh vegetables from the garden of our relatives. Fresh fish that fishermen just caught from the sea. Life is really simple and beautiful !

To be continued ......

One down !

It was Friday morning when I lost my first tooth (December 5, 2008) so I should take note of this, it's very important as this is history . Before we left for Philippines my lower tooth was already shaking so before leaving we went to the dentist and have a little check up. Apparently, Maman was afraid because it's too early and normally kids lost their first tooth at the age of 7, well that's what Maman think. But the dentist told us that it's normal and that some could lost their tooth earlier than expected. My dentist made an x-ray of my teeth to make sure that there is already the permanent one. The result is satisfying and that the permanent tooth is ready. I am just waiting for my tooth to go away and have it taken by my little mouse friend.

I have lost the lower left central. We were on the way to school when suddenly my tooth fell down. We were accompanied my Papa and Maman and I felt that my tooth fell down easily without any pain as if I was chewing something. I gave it to my Maman and she kept it . She told me to put it under my pillow because the little mouse will pass by. I waited for the first night but he didn't appear. The next day, after our school I've checked it and my tooth was still there. So that night, I slept very well and when I woke up my little mouse took it away and left a little gift for me !

Autumn in Marseille

Pictures during our Tita Geraldine's visit in Marseilles. We have walked around 1 1/2 hours before we reached to this wonderful blue crystal clear beach in the Calanques. We would like to swim but our parents wouldn't permit us. Well, we understood as the water is around 12°C! They didn't want us to get sick before we leave very very soon !

Wedding in the Alps Part 1

It was almost the end of August when we attended another wedding of our parent's friend. In fact, the groom was a student of my Papa when they we're young. Papa was an "animateur" (moderator) of the kids in Les Iris. It is an organization but an extra curricular activity and not obligatory. To give you an overview of the association and understand their objective here are they :

Objectives of movement:
- The work welcomes young people during their spare time to accompany them and help them become men and Christians fully committed and responsible in today's society.
- It forms a community of dynamic and generous church where everyone agrees to be active throughout the year.
- He accompanies kids & adolescents and allow games and prayer, build and unify all dimensions of person: physical, spiritual, intellectual and fraternal.

Proposed activities:
Games and Prayer:
- Games: great outdoor games and sports (football, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, football, table shuffleboard, billiards.
Library, video games, shop manual and artistic expression, cinema, swimming pool.
- Prayer: Prayer, prayer group, Mass, coaching staff, time for reflection, knowledge of witnesses.
Each holiday camps are organized camps fixed games or skiing (winter), camps traveling on foot or by bike, humanitarian camps.

Now, going back to the wedding celebration.....To avoid cramming we left Thursday late afternoon and it took us 2 hours and a half only to reach the Hotel and this time it was really a beautiful 3 stars hotel. Papa wanted us to feel better after we had a not so good experience the last time. Well this one is quite expensive but at least the service is also perfect. We had a make up room everyday, change towels everyday, shampoos and soap including hair dryer. The room is very clean, a bathroom with bathtub and toilet separated. A king size bed for our parents and a double deck bed for us. Breakfast buffet every morning (eat all you can) ! We arrived at 9PM but we had already our MC Donald's Dinner.

Nice presentation


Our double deck bed near the entrance another door that separates the master's bedroom.

Our parents' bed with Cable television, tables and chairs, mini-bar and wardrobe.

Friday morning we strolled around the villages, went to a river and had lunch in one of the restaurants of St. Véran. Get back to Astragale Hotel to relax a little bit after that long walk to get ready for the mass celebration at 4:30PM. The mass was facilitated by Father Olivier Paslac (another moderator of Iris) who was the priest who baptized me (Mayumi) last year. Like the last wedding attended we had a great weather although the Alps has around 2000 meters altitude it was warmer but thanks to the sun we were not with jackets or vests at all. We've already been to their Chalet in the Queyras Alps when he celebrated his 30th birthday but we did not had the chance to explore the villages.

Okay to give you a little bit idea of the lieu here they are. We will continue sharing our adventures on our next post about the wedding.





To be continued.......

Corsica Part 2

Now this will be the continuation of our vacation as promised. If we speak beaches we usually go to Calvi because Papa grew up spending his summer with his parents and grandparents when he was a kid. He has a lot of souvenirs and he likes the place. And since he would like us to know the place we go once or twice there at the same place and same beach. This time our parents changed their mind especially Maman. She told us that we already know Calvi and she thinks that it's time to really explore other beaches of Corsica since we are grown ups. They have been to beaches of Porto Vecchio when I (Basti) was still a baby. We didn't want to travel too much by car so we went to the famous St. Florent. It took us 1 1/2 hr. travel to reach the center. We had lunch and there and visited the city. Maman took pictures as usual.

We went to Belvédère to see the whole city of Qt. Florent.

This is the dike near the Port of St. Florent. People used to sit, relax and do some picnicking.

A typical Corsican store which serves typical Corsican products.

This is us with Papa with Papa waiting patiently to get on board in the ferry to cross the sea going to that famous white sand beach. La Plage de Lotu/Lodu . 20 minutes travel and we're there !


Arriving there we were just surprised. It is indeed white sand, clean and crystal clear water. Before going to the beach you need to inquire what time for the departure and return to St. Florent because there schedules to be followed strictly. You need to check information with Le Popeye, the ferryboat who will serve the tourists. Please take note of this important advise do not forget to bring something with you (drinks, snacks) as there are no bars and restaurants that will cater for you. Don't forget to bring parasol and sunblock protection cream as it could be very hot during the day. Enjoy and see you again next time :D !

Corsica 2008 Part 1

After the wedding we have attended we went home, re-charged the car, rest for few hours. Then finally we boarded to a ship at 9PM going to Corsica. Good thing it was night travel and we were able to rest completely. Totally burn out as we close our eyes to finally catch up with our sleep. We arrived 7 AM in the Port of Bastia and had quite breakfast in one of the restaurants around the area while we waited for the sunrise .

After a wonderful breakfast Papa needed to drive 1 and 1/2 hour to get to the village with 815 M altitude. At last we arrived at home and our parents started de-charged the car. Open the house, the window clutters, water tank, water heater, refrigerator, freezer and everything that needs to be done during our 3 week stay. Since the house is only occupied once a year (every summer) our parents needs to verify everything and it took time of course while we play around the house. While checking we found out another a big bee house like last year but this time it is located in the salon. The journey was a bit tiring and as we reached our destination... all the fatigue vanished especially seeing this beautiful scenery just in front of your doorstep!

Now, things are clearer the next day. Since we didn't have friends coming in this time our parents devoted their time to do general cleaning and repairing stuffs at home. Since the village is 20 minutes going to the city of Corte we went to picnicking at Tavignanu River within the first week of our stay. A river with clear crystal water, green trees and with impressive big rocks and stones.

Everytime we go to Corsica we hike very often but not this time. Staying at home most of the time permitted my parents to work on some thing very special while we play around and help from time to time. My Maman bought us a small swimming pool to play around with and rehydrate since it's quite hot during the day. While Papa is busy working around the house and Maman too !

The adventure will continue so see you next episode..........

La danse des fesses !

I have created a dance of my own. Didn't know that this dance exists already in Africa. Well, at least when I am punish I just dance and my parents will burst into laughter, effective !

Accrobranche

This photos were taken last year when we went to Vizzavona Corse to try Accrobranche it is difficult to explain in English but it's a forest adventure course. It involves many different things, such as abseiling and going across ropes by the use of ropes used in rock climbing. (a bit like tightrope-walking). It is a secure activity wherein you climb on from lover to bigger trees and the trees are bounded by ropes, bridges in wood, which always have to get through barrels hanging in mid-air. It is some kind of obstacle course. One needs to be very careful because parcours with different level could be difficult.

This is me trying to get through the obstacle.

With Maman trying to teach and boosting my moral

One of the obstacles to cross with

Next time try this activity it is fun! What is great about this is we learn to be confident, the need to control our balance, could also know how to work as a team and vice versa!

I DO !

It's been one week that we arrived in Corsica. We were a little bit tired because we never stopped traveling these past few days. We've been into a beautiful wedding in the middle of nowhere. We have never seen that part of France and it's our first time to visit the Region of Bourgogne. The travel we had is tiring for my little sister, she's like Maman who has a transportation problem so we needed to stop and take a break. The way going to the Hotel is like a turning roller coaster for them, poor Mayumi and Maman. Arriving at the hotel one day before the wedding we took a little promenade in the village and we are 400 something altitude so we have enjoyed the beautiful paysage. The habitants are very nice especially the owner of the hotel where we stayed. Unfortunately, when you go to that lost city do not expect to have a 5 star hotel or 3 star you will never find them. An Auberges or gîtes are the only are the only available in the area. I will not tell you the details of the Auberge it's quite depressing but anyway the owner was so nice that we forget that not so comfortable room.We were tired that we are able to sleep well during the night.

The next day we took our breakfast, went out for a little stroll again and did some groceries. And by 2PM we started to prepare ourselfves for the wedding. At 3PM we headed to La Mairie of Montapas for the celebration but we arrived in the place very very advance. So since Mayumi and I were both sleeping our parents stopped next to a field under a shaded tree and we have slept very well. They took pictures while waiting for time of wedding ceremony. It was 4.15 PM that we started to approached the Mayor' Office and get acquainted with some of the invited.

The ceremony started and people were laughing (but didn't understand why?). It's because my Maman told us that it was funny because there was a German translation so French and other guests were impressed and because we didn't understood the translation...just only when C (the bride) said Yes in French and translated to German :D !

Ceremony has finally done. The bride and groom went out and we threw confettis and rice (as usual) and took pictures of the famous kiss ! Pictures and posing left and right. Chit chatting, laughing and it was just great. While I found a friend under the name of Nikolas , a naughty boy one year older than me. Mayumi made friend under the name of Rose, a very nice little girl who lives in the South as well. I will show you the pictures of the Castle or Chateau D'Anizy the lieu of the reception.

Now can you imagine how it was ? Wedding was really beautiful and my Maman will tell you more about it in her blog soon. So visit her to know more about the details. As for us, we indeed enjoy the wedding and the sceneries that we saw !

Last day

Today is our last day at school and we are happy to be on vacation and we think that we deserve it because we have worked well in class. I (Basti) am admitted to Grande Section (Big section) but will still be a part of the kindergarten. My teacher talked to Maman telling that she is happy of the progress I made during the last 2 years I have been with her. Since I am a very discreet and reserve child during those 2 years I became confident. I am able to express and participate more in class. I was even noted in my report card by my teachers that I can be a leader and my parents were so happy and impressed about it.

Whereas I (Mayumi) started schooling at the age of 2 years and 4 months I was in the Toute Petite section (Very Little class) and I just spent every morning except Wednesdays from 9 AM to 11:30 AM not bad for a little girl. This is to get used to people by socializing at an early age . Next school year I will embark on a normal level which is the '"Petite Section" Little Section. I've learned a lot from my previous class and I am sure I will have changes and new things to share and explore. As for my teacher's evaluation I am also a very timid child, reserve and maybe intimidated because I am the youngest. I am often behave and attentive at class. I understand a lot of things and my teacher thinks that I will be less timid and more confident next year.

Finally, tonight we will be on vacation and we have 2 wedding invitations out of Marseilles, friends invitations and our Corsica travel. Happy vacation to everyone and enjoy the summer !

C'est la fête chez les petits !

Yesterday we celebrated the end of school year 2007-2008 "Fête de fin d'année". We went at exactly 6:30 PM and we were surprised to see a lot of cars parked outside the streets. Maman needed to look for a parking space far from the venue. Anyway, it’s not bad at all to walk 500 meters right and reconditioned our stamina for the presentation. Each class prepared a dance presentation and we have been practicing month ago. Last year our theme was Chinese but this time it’s an open theme. I am also excited for my little sister Mayumi because this will be her first time to go up on stage dancing. She is a timid child not by nature (only at school) and because she’s the youngest obviously she’s a bit intimidated by some of the older children . Nevertheless, she performed very well .

Mayumi is the one wearing white socks

As for me, well my Mom told me that I danced well. She even told me that I enjoyed being on stage and that I have washed away all the timidity in me . We happily danced to the tune of Saga Africa sung by Yannick Noah (French-African who won the Rolland Garros and later on turned out to be a popular singer in France).

Me in the middle

Together with my schoolmates

My Mom succeeded to take some pictures despite of camera problem. Unfortunately they are quite blur . Maman wanted to take a video of us dancing but it was impossible. I think the next plan should be to buy a new digital camera! The party was surprisingly jam-packed. Beautiful presentations are indeed spectacular. I wanted to stay more but we needed to go home because Papa has arrived already. By 8:30 we were on the way going home but the party could end until 12 midnight as the last time. There will be likely a disco after the presentation. I love to really dance but then Mayumi's felt her rumbling stomach and a bit tired of the journey hence it's really time to go, have dinner and get a good night sleep. Though we still have until Friday to completely end the year it was certainly a nice party .