life of a scout in all weathers

Mimi speaking, I went for a 3 day camping and was happy to have slept in the middle of the forest with all my colleagues and parents organizer. It was all fun and educational as we were taught of  values, leadership skills and compassion for others, to name a few. Every kids shared the assigned task given by the parents like tidying up after every meals, washing the dishes, throw the garbage to the bins and more others. My parents went to the place on the last day to contribute and play with us.  Help every scout to prepare our stuffs and get ready for the departure. Went home tired but happy !

While Mimi went back home, I Basti left for a one week camping too with all my colleagues. It was a 3 hours trip from where we live somewhere in Drome south of France. The camping was a success. The place  was just perfect. They all liked the costume Mom made. It was a very simple costume...( Casper your friendly ghost ) but very popular in the camp. I was the star of the night :D ! It was my first time long week camp out and it was very interesting as we are  taught to be responsible person. Taking care of our own stuffs, cleaning the camp, division of assigned task given by the leader and a lot more.

The leaders teaches a few pointers on where and how to set out our camp. It's not good just plonking your tents just like that or  anywhere. Check the place if there is running water down into your tent because it could be invaded by wasps, ants or mosquitoes. Camp-fires are typically  associated with the camping experience. Being able to start a good fire is not as easy as it seems as it takes many years of  practice and familiarity before you can light a fire using the minimum of materials. We are enable to do a various duties around the camp from lighting a fire to constructing a camp, taking care of equipment and use it effectively. It is essential that every scout be trained how to use and look after every equipments correctly and safely.

We cannot wait for another camp out !

Magic Disney

After that wonderful wedding the next day was brunch with family and close friends. We have spent half of the day eating, talking, playing and taking pictures is a must to do. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when we bid goodbye to everyone. We are so excited to our next destination !

According to Psychologist encouraging people to dream and and if you believe those dreams can come true, it will definitely happen ! We totally agree. Every child has a dream, a dream to travel, a dream to become a ballet dancer, a dream to become a doctor, well those are great dreams for the future and it's not impossible to happen. But for the moment, we aren't dreaming for those yet. We only want our wish to be granted. A simple wish! We have waited for so long on this occasion to be realized. It happened last Summer when our parents brought us to Disneyland Paris....for us one of our dreams came true !

Entering the gate, we were speechless ! It was really magic . Not only us were mesmerized but out parents too. We passed by the Main Street, USA - the charm and hospitality of a small town in the United States from the early 20th century. We have strolled past Victorian stores before taking a carriage to go eat ice cream at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour. Like the good old days, when Walt Disney was a boy.

Fantasyland - is the most wonderful country. This is where fairy tales and stories that inspired the Disney animated films come to life like magic. We have seen the show of all the disney characters and we were really happy to have met them.

Frontierland - Walk in the Wild West legendary riverboat cruise, mad rush to board the mine train Big Thunder Mountain ", playground Pocahontas - The Indian Village for your kids, and chills guaranteed to Phantom Manor. It was like we are living in the far west.

Adventureland - awaits you with its share of laughs and chills. You'll encounter pirates on the high seas, you will avoid the danger with Indiana Jones and you will climb the trees to the Cabane des Robinsons. We will never forget that stroll on the boat !

Discoveryland - is that predictions of visionaries come to life. Explore the outer reaches of the universe with Space Mountain: Mission 2 or Captain EO Michael Jackson. Wow, this is so cool !

Everything is really magic ! Can't wait to visit it agan when our little sister is big enough to enjoy all these wonderful rides and attractions. Last but not the least, we are very happy to have met TIta Nikki, my Maman's first cousin and her very nice husband Tito Allen. We have dined all together, talked and laughed the whole night. PERFECT !

tie the knot

After Chiara's arrival we have been so busy , that is why our blog is not updated. Sorry, we need to help our Mom in our own very little way. We try to adjust as well. of the new life we have. We are a growing siblings so we make sure to at least do our part and make life easier for everyone. Okay, enough for that because we want to share with you our Disney experience after this wedding post.

We know this post is super dooper late. We went by car as we have attended a wedding of my Papa's cousin's first in the North of France before heading to Disneyland. Of course, it's the best time to also visit relatives as we see them very rare. The wedding was just fantastic and we both have a nice opportunity to be a ring bearer and flower girl .

The Abbaye

The newly wed and us

It was incredible and impressive as there were 250 persons invited for the "vin d'honneur" (it is a cocktail served between a marriage ceremony and before going to the reception). Everyone celebrated and enjoyed that wonderful wedding day.

we did it !

Hello there, we've been so busy with all the things happening around us. And because Maman is a bit tired....guess what the coming of our third sibling demands a lot of time. She's working out on everything before the baby arrive. We thank her for still updating our site despite of busy schedule.

Last Christmas we have spent a wonderful white celebration between us in the Alps. We have enjoyed skiing with Papa while Maman gets some rest. We got the best gift ever this Christmas, I got my 3rd medal (3éme étoile) for ski while my sister got his snowflake medal (flocon). And just spending quality time with family will always be the best gift to celebrate the season. We'll share some of our photos to end this post ! Have a prosperous 2010 to all.

The proof that we have passed the ski test !

Visit of Londoners

It's been 4 months since our last post. A lot has happened since then. Summer was great and we did enjoy those 4 months hiatus without blogging.

As usual we have spent 3 weeks vacation in Corsica and did a lot of activities. Though, while on vacation we were worried as there was a big fire during the day we left Marseille going to Corsica. The fire started far from where we live but it has reached our district. According to the news, there was 1,3000 hectares damaged by the fire caused by the military people. A Legionary from Aubagne who is responsible for carrying out shooting tracer bullets which is the origin of the drama. He has been suspended and placed in custody. We will not go into details but we are really released that our house is safe. We think of the victims and we pray and hope they will recover soon and get the help they need.

image from google.com

That was the sad part of our vacation. But as we always say, life must go on. Mama's friend finally visited us last summer since last Spring we came to London to visit them. Since they have lost contact with each other after 12 years they are reunited. Now it's their turn to visit us. We have toured them and here's the pictures.

The train going to Notre Dame de la Garde

At the park

Playing at "Plage de la Gracieuse"

It was a nice visit and we enjoyed their company a lot. Thanks for visiting us and we will see next time. See you on our next post with a big bang !

C' est que du bonheur

Nous sommes en vacances depuis début Juillet. Et puis nous avons eu la chance d'avoir un long weekend grâce au 14 Juillet donc nous étions allés à Lyon. Nous avons visité des amis qu'on ne n'avons pas vu pendant 2 ans passés. C'était génial car il y avait beaucoup du monde donc beaucoup d'nfants également. Ils ont une grande piscine et les enfant ont pas mal de jouets qu'ils ont pu partager avec gentillesse à tout le monde.

Nous avons partagé ce bonheur dans le pré!

At puis la suite, en rentrant à Marseille nous étions allés voir d'autres amis qui sont venus depuis Paris. C'était l'occasion de revoir d'autres amis franco-philippines que nous avons rencontré l'année dernière. Là-bas

Voila, les vacances chez nous ! Le soleil, les amis, la piscine, le bons repas etc. Le bonheur quoi ! Bonne vacances à tous !

Jampacked!!

A month of not blogging well sorry we have a valid reasons for that! To recapitulate our last month escapade here are they !

1. We went to London and visited 2 good friends there for one week.

2. Hiking with 4 groups of families 13 kids present so it was really a blast.

3. Organized cleaning and maintaining of beach property owned by the office of our Papa. Free t-shirts, hats, gloves, appetizer, paella lunch and dessert ! With a lots of activities like poney riding, kite making, etc.



4. Wine tasting for our parents with friends in the morning. Later that afternoon picnicking at the owner of the vineyard who's been Papa's friend since his university days.




5. Visited Tati Makis and Tonton Alex in the Region of Alpes Maritime. Went at Chateau de Gourdon did pedalo and swimming.





Activities we did were amazing. We get to discovered many things, visit new places, meet new people and vice-versa. It's pretty tiring but we liked it anyway !

Spring break !

We have 2 weeks spring break every year. This time Papa took a one week leave to be with us in the Alps. This year we're taking the chance to really go skiing as the Alps in not far from Marseilles. Since there are less skiers the ski lesson offered is only every morning from 9AM to 12 Noon. My Kuya had his première etoile (first star) already last month and so Papa took this chance to enrol him to pass the deuxième etoile (second star). Therefore, we have one week skiing to take the challenge. As for me Mayumi speaking, I already got my first medal (poussin) piou-piou so this time I'll try my best to pass the second step and get that second medal. We will tell you more about our ski adventure and the result as soon as we have them. We still have 2 days left before passing the big challenge. For the moment, we will enjoy the sunny side part from the Alps. Work hard for that medal. That's our goal and to enjoy our family spring break to the max !

We did it !

We're back from our winter break. And we have a good news for you. I got my première etoile and Mayumi (Poussin) did great as well. I think, skiing with my Papa almost every weekend has helped me a lot to pass the test. I have learned many things from him. Skiing for the first star course requires a pair of sticks. Indeed, it allows me to learn and practice to change movements inside the tracks. To start with a sequence of basic skidded turns on a route suitable materialized. These skills in terms of "crossing" skis parallel to allow for maintenance of the angles on square. And to know how not to take dangerous slopes. I went with my ski monitor and students of the same level to practice skiing before the exam. Friday we passed the test and fortunately I made it and others did not. I am sorry for those who didn't make it but I am sure they will have get their première etoile the next time. While me, Mayumi had my first medal Poussin with Piou-Piou club. This is my Kuya practicing with the slopes and jumping a little bit !

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 ......

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 !