Diario de Mascarenhas

Can you believe its December again?...Christmas has come, and another year has passed. When I look back at what happened this year, I sigh with happiness for the good times, and then in grief because of the sorrowful events. I guess the best part of the year was getting married the second time. This time in church, and with the company of my family and friends. It was a most memorable occasion. And of course, our trip to India was amazing. Meeting the family for the first, and spending 20 wonderful days being pampered by Mom and Dad is a once and a lifetime experience. The saddest part, is what has become the successive loss of family members of the Yap family. First with Kuya Rollie, then Auntie Linda and now Kuya Allen. May God prevent any more loss. We look forward to the coming year with so much hope and anticipation. More changes are meant to happen. I pray that it will be all for the best.

One of the prettiest places I have ever seen, such beautiful sceneries and clean surroundings, Waiheke is a must see in Auckland.

Life certainly deals us many ups and downs, and I would say that these are challenging times for us, not only Steve, Suzie and me, but also my side of the family. It has been a very difficult moment for my mama's side of the family right now, what with the passing of a very good aunt, Auntie Linda, and then now an Uncle Jun is sick and is in hospital...I guess one has to keep strong and be more faithful and trustful that all has its reasons, and that things happen for a purpose. That's the challenge that we have to face.

We embarked on a 40 day holiday to Philippines & India on 3rd Aug.20 days in each country was just not enough as we had to catch up with family , friends not forgetting the umpteen malls to visit !! Davao, Philippines was good as always & i loved the fried chicken in Jollibee.They also have "bottomless" iced tea.It means a never ending serving just in case any of you get ideas!!We got hitched (again!) & you can view pics by clicking on the link below. It was Zai's first visit to Mumbai , India & she had a first hand experience of travelling in the ever crowded local trains of Mumbai.Mum & Dad took good care of us and we had a selection of the local fish to savor on.And yes "Indian" Chinese food.Yum as & you wont find it anywhere else.The lollipops , chicken chilly just to name a few. Wedding pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwiboyz/sets/72157600564692796/

We have been so busy at work lately that I am so eager to start the vacation. I looked at the calendar and realised that we will only have 20 days in the Philippines and another 20 days in India. When I think about it, 20 days is just not enough and I know time will just fly specially because we will be thinking about the wedding on the 19th of August. This is one of those times when I really wish I had a million dollars, so I dont need to work and just relax for a year, do nothing but just enjoy life....Well well, at least i get to have a break.

We celebrated Suzie's b-day at Tagore, a nice Indian restaurant in the Viaduct. We had so much food and enjoyed the beautiful ambiance of "fine dining" in one of Auckland's prime spots. On Monday is our 2 years and 2 months wedding anniversary and we are planning to celebrate at the Skytower...and oh we will also be celebrating the approval of my PR application....Its amazing how time just pass and 2 years is an accomplishment I would say and this day and age. Zharina, my sister, has finalised the wedding card which we will be sending to friends. Six weeks to go and we are off to Philippines for the Church wedding and to India to visit family and friends...we are so excited...

Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code has generated a lot of controversy.Being a Catholic i personally feel that if one's faith is strong enough then there is no need to take heed of his views. Christianity has survived the test of time for ages & will continue doing so.After reading a few chapters of the book all i can say is "Father forgive him , for he knows not what he writes...!!

News & Info www.nzherald.co.nz www.stuff.co.nz www.xtra.co.nz Moving to New Zealand www.immigration.govt.nz Tourism www.newzealand.com/travel Parnell,Auckland...the City of Sails (that's where we live) www.parnell.net.nz www.aucklandnz.com/ Places to eat www.eatout.co.nz www.menus.co.nz Auckland Weather Auckland Weather Forecast, New Zealand

Rika has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Evelina, who was born on Friday April 7. It is such an amazing thing and perhaps one day, Steve and I will also experience the joys and trials of parenthood. Most of my friends have their own little bundle of joy or joys, and it would be an interesting sight to have Steve as a father. Hats off to all mothers and fathers who try their very best for their children. Special mention to our mothers, Antoinette and Margiolina, who raised good children. It is a true reflection of how great parents they are. And soon, we hope to embark on the same path. May we be as wonderful as they are.

And so lonely while Steve is working...Just finished my Mills and Boon book, a nice one after so many boring books I have read of late. To be honest, I dont like reading so much of this stuff like I used to. Its a part of "knowing" what really happens in a lovestory, that when I read these novels now, I just think what nonsense. But I still enjoy them somedays, like today, when I have nothing much to do. I have been doing a lot of wedding plans for the past few months, that I there is little left to do but daydream of the big day....

Is about to change, as Steve will be working on Saturdays and Sundays for the next 3 months...the work timing is so bad, but the timing of the job is perfect as we will be off to Philippines and India in 3 months to get hitched, again!!!Yes, again. Being Catholics, we feel the need for the blessing of the Church, and it will also be a chance for my family to see us get married, because the first time(civil wedding) Steve's family and friends got to witness it. It would have been wonderful if everyone could be there to share the ceremony again, but its just not possible. So we are busy preparing everything. The funny thing is Steve has to get a visa for India but does not need one for the Philippines. I also need to get my visa application here done, so I'd better get into it now.

DON'T QUIT When things go wrong , as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low & the debts are high, And you want to smile , but you have to sigh When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest,if you must,but don't you quit Success is failure turned inside out- The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit- Its when things seem worst that YOU MUST NOT QUIT !!! Memorable Quoutes Jesus Christ: "Let tomorrow take care of tomorrow’s worries." Albert Einstein: "There are only two ways to live your life: One - as though nothing is a miracle, the Other - as though everything is a miracle." Kirk Hammett of Metallica: "No matter how bad it gets, sooner or later things sort...

And this is me....Steve !!

Hiya !! Its me Suzie....the Wellington harbour is in the backdrop.

Zai near a Marae (Maori HOUSE) Free Counter

Kia ora !!