#gratefulvibes - ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE - COMMUNITY CHALLENGE, Grateful for unplanned and short getaway :-)❤️

shirleynpenalosa (63)in #gratefulvibes • 6 years ago (edited)

April 10, 2018, a day after the holiday Araw ng Kagitingan. As expected, there were many people who swarmed the office on that day. I praise and thank God because all my fellow evaluators are all present and yes, we really break our leg literally speaking on that day, hahaha. :-D We were able to accommodate and finished assisting them at around 5:30 p.m. already. We ate our lunch around 2:30 p.m. yes, very late lunch because in a government office, there is no noon break. The first 2 evaluators went ahead and had their lunch around 1:30 and then we waited for our turn. All in all, the day went smoothly and well in spite of some challenging clients who are arrogant and boastful. I really feel so tired already and the last thing I wanted to do was just lie down and sleep.

I praise and thank God for His will and goodness, because I received a text message from a very good and caring friend at around 4 p.m. It was an abrupt and another out-of-the-blue invitation. She wanted us to go for a short swimming night out after office hours. I rubbed my neck and my shoulders while twisting my neck in replying her. I honestly wanted to turn her down because I'm so damn tired that day. I received another message from her and she is insisting me to bring my daughters with me. I can sense that she knew I needed a break that day and I know that my daughters need it more than I do. God is so good because I've been wanting to bring my kids out (it was one of my bucket lists) but I still don't have the budget. We were not able to go out to the beach last Black Saturday. And now this friend of mine is offering me an offer I couldn't resist. I am so happy that I am going to bring my kids with me. I suddenly felt energized and excited. So I confirmed my attendance and she readily replied that she will pick us up around 6:30 p.m.

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To cut that long intro, here we are now, picture taking to the max! :-D We went to Villas Buenavistas Resort, San Juan, La Union. We ordered crispy pata, pancit canton, sinigang na hipon and drinks. We also had our cornetto ice cream after eating our dinner. They swim and enjoyed and I was their photographer that night. I used my friend's iPhone. This photo was taken when they (my friends and my eldest Chauncey) went to take their shower.

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We had some selfie while waiting for our orders. I am sorry I was not able to take photos of the food we ordered. Anyway, there will always be a next time around to this cool place. :-)

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Here they are, my two gorgeous friends (they're not yet a steemian, but I am inviting them both). The one wearing a white short is Leah, she's our driver and our sponsor to this unplanned and short getaway. :-)

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And the one wearing white blouse with sleeves is Jomelyn, she works at a government institution also. These photos were taken by my eldest using Leah's iPhone.

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We took some more photos before they finally went to take their showers.

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These are some of my eldest, Chauncey's solo shots and she requested her tita Leah to take her photos with the very beautiful sunset background.

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She's so fat now, I keep on telling her not to eat too much, especially rice in the evening but she doesn't listen to me.

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Me and Carleign wanted to go down and to join them, but Jomelyn called me to ask what's my order. I love the sunset background here, perfect for golden hour photography and Tuesday Orange. :-)

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Well, our order is all set and the trios ready to swim. I look after my toddler because she just had her check up last Monday due to fever, colds and cough. So we decided to just run around the pool while they're swimming.

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I am now the photographer of these pretty young ladies :-)

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All photos are my friend's using her iPhone except for the last three bottom (3) photos (which are mine using my Lumia 535 Microsoft Phone).

Thank you very much for your time and God bless :-)

I am @sashley a.k.a. shirleynpenalosa, a recipient of God's love, mercy and grace. ❤️

Have a blessed Summer month of April 2018 everyone :-)❤️

I am forever grateful to God every day of my life for giving me everything that I need and praise Him all the more for not giving me everything I want. To God be all the honor, praise and glory ❤️ :-)

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