Our new normal

Hanging out at the park has never been a thing for us before, but since the move to Perth we've found it has become a great new option for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

So here we are at a nice little park, the sun partially covered by clouds, the cool wind blowing on our faces, the birds flying around looking for seeds I suspect.

I saw another family just arrived with a little (super)boy with a bright red cape. He's run and started going across the rope bridge while his mum set down a portable table and filled it with snacks and drinks. Two girls went to the water fountain to have a drink after playing on the swings with their Dad.

My wife has dozed off on my shoulder as I type this. The general calm and quiet, and the cool wind lulled her to sleep, as I am being lulled to sleep myself. And so I should stop before I begin sleep blogging...

Seems such a normal thing to do here, taking a nap in the park on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I guess this too is part of our new normal.

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Perth Weather Post

Testing my Blogger App to see what the post will look like!

Just added a photo of this morning's weather update. We're down to single digits eh? Bring it on winter!

My Awesome Virtual 30th Birthday Party

Turned 30

Welcome to my virtual birthday party!

In *real life* my Tatay, my wife Liz and I went to Sandalford Winery in Swan Valley (Western Australia), where we had a sumptuous lunch and enjoyed some wine tasting. We later went to Nguyen Phat in Girrawheen to this huge Asian supermarket. We were in "panic buying" mode (hehe) and bought everything from Silver Swan Soy Sauce and Datu Puti vinegar, to Boy Bawang and Barrio Fiesta bagoong.

In the Philippines, my Nanay and my aunts and cousins ordered some pizza and a cake and sang me a birthday song over Skype video and blew my cake for me. Awesome! My sisters got in the act as well, singing (typing) on Skype. (Ain't Skype grand?)

I'm turning 30!

Turning 30

Hello to all the (loyal) readers of Reyjr.com! Guess what? I'm turning 30 on Sunday! And in celebration of my birthday, I'm treating myself to a virtual party on my blog, and you're all invited. :)

I'm putting together a collage of photos with people holding up a sign saying "Happy Birthday" to me. (Simple joys, haha!) and I'd like you to send me one of YOURS [email: admin@reyjr.com].  I would really appreciate it if you could! That would be really awesome. 

I will post all the photos on this blog (with a link to your website/blog if you're a blogger). ;) 

Thanks in advance!

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Change my world

This is my first proper post for 2012, and my first "diary type" post in quite a while. There has been a lot of changes going on in my life and none of them minor...

Finding "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" on YouTube

 "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration"

This has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time: "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" release in 1992 and executive produced by Norman Miller, Gail Hamilton and Mervyn Warren, is a reinterpretation of the 1741 oratorio "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel - yes it is a famous classical piece usually sung during Christmastime - but was transformed into an extraordinary mix of African-American music including spirituals, blues, ragtime, big band, jazz fusion, R&B and hip hop. The result, pure joy in music.  The album received the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

I've had the privilege to sing the original Handel's Messiah many times during my days in the choir, and I've also had the privilege to perform the "Hallelujah" from the above-mentioned album - complete with choreography! I'd like now to share with you what I mean, in case this is your first time to hear about it - and if not, I invite you to listen in to these selections from the 2 beautiful pieces of music...

Random Halloween Conversation

Rey: Let's find something scary to watch on TV.
Liz: Sige.
Rey: *Channel Surfing* (Zombieland, A Christmas Carol...?!)
Liz: Wala naman...
Rey: *Channel Surfing* Ano ba yan, Halloween night wala man lang nakakatakot na movies sa cable TV?!
Liz: Wala nga...
Rey: Ayan, CNN na lang, nakakatakot ang nangyayari sa Euro.
Liz: *tumbling*

Oh well, we didn't get our scare fix this Halloween, but hopefully we get to watch the current "Walking Dead" Season 2. Haha.

Songs I'd Love to Cover Part 1

As most of you know, singing is a great passion of mine. When I was younger (and more uninhibited LOL) I would break into song all the time, I would sing at home in the bathroom, in the car, while walking in the mall, waiting for the next class... practically anywhere. You know it when a song catches in your brain and you just start singing, softly at first then, suddenly when you hit the chorus, you sing out loud like nobody's business. ;)

If I was to make an album today, and will be doing a cover of any song I want - these songs would be in my short list. Or if I was asked to make a set list for me and my imaginary band these songs would definitely make the cut...

1. "Before We Come Undone" - Kris Allen

This wasn't a huge hit for Kris Allen, but the beat of this song is really cool, it just makes me rock it out like a rockstar (even though I don't even know the words haha). I also like how the song is dramatic but not overly dramatic, sexy but not trying hard.

Remembering 9/11

I could never be able to make a blog post tribute worthy of the tragedy that was 9/11, but hopefully this short post will be able to convey my condolences to the victims, and send to them a message of remembrance and hope.
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It has become one of those events where people ask - "Where were you when it happened?"

I was at home. I received a text message from a friend telling me to open the television to CNN as the World Trade Center in New York City was hit by an airplane. I was mortified by what I saw - one of the twin towers with smoke billowing from one side, and watched in horror as an airplane crashed into the other tower...

The Uber Prestigious Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2011

Last year, six out of my Top Ten EIB choices landed on the winners list. This time around, I enter the writing project (now on its 5th year) much like my first time in 2009 - not knowing any newbies and eager to discover some really interesting blogs. I'm hoping to get to know some new bloggers in the process as well. :)

Reyjr checking in!

Hello Reyjr.com readers and passers-by (haha)!

I just wanted to do a quick update about what's been happening around here and check-in to see what you guys are up to.  It's been ages since I last posted something like this, you know, like a Diary type entry.

This is not going to be lengthy, (but as some of you know I tend to ramble a little bit when I do these kinds of posts) I just wanted to share with you that...

Choco-late de Batirol in Baguio is heaven in a cup!

The rich chocolate aroma wafted in our general direction, and all of us went... "mmmm... sarap!"

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Chocolate de Batirol, the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon

Inside Baguio City's Camp John Hay is a little restaurant called Choco-late de Batirol. Oozing with character, this rustic resting spot is the perfect place to spend a cool and sunny Baguio afternoon, sipping chocolate based drinks while reading a good book, or just hanging out with friends and family...

Pacquiao vs Mosley - Pacquiao wins by unanimous decision!

Pacquiao vs Mosley Recap

Fight recap below...