Our first Christmas in Yaounde is not bad at all!! Wherever we are we stick with our little tradition that we started since Claire came into our life. On the night of Christmas Eve I usually prepare a good dinner...after dinner Jeff will put the star topper on the Christmas tree and then later before going to bed Jeff and Claire will bake a cookies for Santa and we put claire to bed...of course Jeff eats the cookies and drinks the milk to make Claire think that Santa stopped by and brought her presents. Christmas morning we woke up with excitement especially Claire and I! So still in our pajamas the three of us sat under the Christmas tree and start looking for our name on each gift. I'm happy with what I got this year, the Cameroon home soccer jersey is so cool!!! Thanks baby! I also got a wii which is the reason my shoulder is hurting now hehehe..and of course my swiss army watch that is on my wish list and to top it all my Bobby Flay collection has expanded and I thank my loving Mom in law for that beautiful gift. Claire got a outdoor goal set with a soccer ball and some accessories for field hockey and lacrosse. She really likes it and is kicking the ball all the time now! She also got a KidJam musical toy from Grandma...she's really enjoying that too, and is already making different music and mixes. We went over to our friends place in the afternoon and had a BBQ...some burgers and chicken, plus some fish and my ratatouille. We had a great time...Claire and the girls went swimming...on Christmas day! Then we all went swimming again on the 26th!! Only in Yaounde!! I'm sure we'll jump in on New Years day as well!!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas in Yaounde!!
Beachaddict11:03 AMChristmas, Home jersey, KidJam, outdoor goal set, US Embassy Yaounde, wii game
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Milk and Cookies for Santa
Baking cookies
Our family little tradition on Christmas Eve
Our Family Christmas ornament every year
Glad to spent Christmas in Yaounde!
Claire with her new red dress and her outdoor goal set
Wii game for Christmas who could ask for more!
Showing off my Cameroon home jersey!!
Our first Christmas in Yaounde is not bad at all!! Wherever we are we stick with our little tradition that we started since Claire came into our life. On the night of Christmas Eve I usually prepare a good dinner...after dinner Jeff will put the star topper on the Christmas tree and then later before going to bed Jeff and Claire will bake a cookies for Santa and we put claire to bed...of course Jeff eats the cookies and drinks the milk to make Claire think that Santa stopped by and brought her presents. Christmas morning we woke up with excitement especially Claire and I! So still in our pajamas the three of us sat under the Christmas tree and start looking for our name on each gift. I'm happy with what I got this year, the Cameroon home soccer jersey is so cool!!! Thanks baby! I also got a wii which is the reason my shoulder is hurting now hehehe..and of course my swiss army watch that is on my wish list and to top it all my Bobby Flay collection has expanded and I thank my loving Mom in law for that beautiful gift. Claire got a outdoor goal set with a soccer ball and some accessories for field hockey and lacrosse. She really likes it and is kicking the ball all the time now! She also got a KidJam musical toy from Grandma...she's really enjoying that too, and is already making different music and mixes. We went over to our friends place in the afternoon and had a BBQ...some burgers and chicken, plus some fish and my ratatouille. We had a great time...Claire and the girls went swimming...on Christmas day! Then we all went swimming again on the 26th!! Only in Yaounde!! I'm sure we'll jump in on New Years day as well!!
Our first Christmas in Yaounde is not bad at all!! Wherever we are we stick with our little tradition that we started since Claire came into our life. On the night of Christmas Eve I usually prepare a good dinner...after dinner Jeff will put the star topper on the Christmas tree and then later before going to bed Jeff and Claire will bake a cookies for Santa and we put claire to bed...of course Jeff eats the cookies and drinks the milk to make Claire think that Santa stopped by and brought her presents. Christmas morning we woke up with excitement especially Claire and I! So still in our pajamas the three of us sat under the Christmas tree and start looking for our name on each gift. I'm happy with what I got this year, the Cameroon home soccer jersey is so cool!!! Thanks baby! I also got a wii which is the reason my shoulder is hurting now hehehe..and of course my swiss army watch that is on my wish list and to top it all my Bobby Flay collection has expanded and I thank my loving Mom in law for that beautiful gift. Claire got a outdoor goal set with a soccer ball and some accessories for field hockey and lacrosse. She really likes it and is kicking the ball all the time now! She also got a KidJam musical toy from Grandma...she's really enjoying that too, and is already making different music and mixes. We went over to our friends place in the afternoon and had a BBQ...some burgers and chicken, plus some fish and my ratatouille. We had a great time...Claire and the girls went swimming...on Christmas day! Then we all went swimming again on the 26th!! Only in Yaounde!! I'm sure we'll jump in on New Years day as well!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Fon du Mankon!
The Mankon Palace gate
Claire with the traditional dress
We are the Mankonians!
Bowing and clapping 3 times is how to show respect to the Fon
Fo Angwafo III S.A.N
The mankon traditional dance
The gun salute. You can see the real Elephant tusk an entrance to the Fon throne.
The Horse show
The Fon and the steer horn
Beautiful kids
Beautiful kids
Claire and the d'jambe
Dancing to the beat of the d'jambe
Claire's new found friends
Accident along the way
Two pig sunbathing on the bus roof top
Car Loaded with plantain and banana
Just one of the many beautiful view (overlooking) of Bamenda
We just took a 3 day trip to the North West province of Cameroon. A very interesting experience and a fun time. The embassy got an invitation to attend the 50th year celebration of the Fon du Mankon in Bamenda. We left Yaounde Friday morning and got to Bamenda late afternoon...we went on convoy which makes our trip more fun. A very long drive along some very bad roads! We checked in at Ayaba hotel...our stay at that hotel is really something to laugh about and we learned our lesson never to stay there again! On Saturday we all dressed up and headed for the festival. We got to sit in the covered area with all the local officials and other foreign representatives. Things got off to a late start due to the late arrival of the governor, but it was very interesting to watch and learn. Lots of dancing and shooting of guns! Even the Fon got into the act a little bit. The people were very nice and were happy to see us there. We left and went to grab a late lunch which was another experience in itself...some of us ordered sandwhiches off the menu and it took an hour to get them! For sandwiches! We also were invited to dinner with the Secretary of Health which made up for the sandwiches! On Sunday we stopped at Prespot Pottery before heading home and bought a few things. Then we began the long drive back to Yaounde...finally arriving just after 7pm. We were all quite exhausted from the weekend, but glad we did it and not to mention our car is covered in dirt and dust. We wish Fon Angwafo III S.A.N and the people from Mankon continued success!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Stand out Filipino Dish.
Beachaddict10:07 AMAdobo, Beef caldereta, Filipino cooking class, Leche flan, Pancit bihon
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The cooking Demo start
Showing off my cooked caldereta
Pancit Bihon
Beef Caldereta
Chicken Adobo
. Leche Flan
The coolest Waiter-Bartender
I held a Filipino Cooking class yesterday at our house..My guests are all from the embassy. Everything went well. I started my cooking demo on a Chicken Adobo dish followed by a Beef Caldereta dish and the last is the Pancit Bihon. 3 dishes! I even had some leche flan for dessert, made it the night before but it wasn't part of the class. I can say it was a succesful class. The guests love and enjoy the food and the good company. Jeff is my waiter-bartender for that day and he did a great job serving drinks to everyone and in helping me with my class...wouldn't have done it without him. I was surprise with my skills lol!!!
Showing off my cooked caldereta
Beef Caldereta
I held a Filipino Cooking class yesterday at our house..My guests are all from the embassy. Everything went well. I started my cooking demo on a Chicken Adobo dish followed by a Beef Caldereta dish and the last is the Pancit Bihon. 3 dishes! I even had some leche flan for dessert, made it the night before but it wasn't part of the class. I can say it was a succesful class. The guests love and enjoy the food and the good company. Jeff is my waiter-bartender for that day and he did a great job serving drinks to everyone and in helping me with my class...wouldn't have done it without him. I was surprise with my skills lol!!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Lions Made it with a Big RoaRRRRR!!
Congratulations!!!!! Victory to the Indomitable Lions!!You Made It to The WORLD CUP 2010!!!!! The team is pretty impressive!!! 2-0 Win over Morocco.
Happy Weekend Cameroon!!! Drive safely :)
Happy Weekend Cameroon!!! Drive safely :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Marine Corps!!
at the dance floor
Last night the Marine Security Guard Detachment in Yaounde celebrated the 234th Marine Corps birthday!! The Marine Ball was held at the Hilton. Guests started arriving at 1800H. Everybody dressed up so elegantly in their gown and men are in their tuxedo…my Jeff dressed in his Navy Choker whites . The Marines in their Dress Blue and I just cant stop admiring them in their distinctive uniform. The guests got to shake hands with the US Ambassador and the Marines at the receiving area and the ladies got a rose. There are dignitaries and guests from different embassies around town and as well as the FSN from the USE. There were also a group of Navy Seals there who came up from Limbe...they are on a deployment in Cameroon. At 1900H the ceremony started and was done beautifully. The Marines presented the colors, and the ambassadors speech is inspiring and the message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps General Conway was shown on a big screen. The cutting of the cake is a tradition at the Marine Ball, they use a Mameluke sword to cut the cake as it has special meaning to the Marine Corps. It was a three course menu dinner and me and Jeff chose the buffalo steak and it was just ok. A moment after everybody's done with the dinner the dance floor is open and of course the famous YMCA song that gets their feet moving...the Ambassador joined the dance floor too and she dance gracefully and very jolly. We danced the night away until my feet hurts but everybody seems to have a good time especialy me and Jeff. The last time I attended the Navy Ball is in 2004 in Bahrain with my Navy guy and its quite an experience for me. Seems like every year we got the chance to attend the Marine Ball and Im looking forward to it already... Ho-yahh!!
Last night the Marine Security Guard Detachment in Yaounde celebrated the 234th Marine Corps birthday!! The Marine Ball was held at the Hilton. Guests started arriving at 1800H. Everybody dressed up so elegantly in their gown and men are in their tuxedo…my Jeff dressed in his Navy Choker whites . The Marines in their Dress Blue and I just cant stop admiring them in their distinctive uniform. The guests got to shake hands with the US Ambassador and the Marines at the receiving area and the ladies got a rose. There are dignitaries and guests from different embassies around town and as well as the FSN from the USE. There were also a group of Navy Seals there who came up from Limbe...they are on a deployment in Cameroon. At 1900H the ceremony started and was done beautifully. The Marines presented the colors, and the ambassadors speech is inspiring and the message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps General Conway was shown on a big screen. The cutting of the cake is a tradition at the Marine Ball, they use a Mameluke sword to cut the cake as it has special meaning to the Marine Corps. It was a three course menu dinner and me and Jeff chose the buffalo steak and it was just ok. A moment after everybody's done with the dinner the dance floor is open and of course the famous YMCA song that gets their feet moving...the Ambassador joined the dance floor too and she dance gracefully and very jolly. We danced the night away until my feet hurts but everybody seems to have a good time especialy me and Jeff. The last time I attended the Navy Ball is in 2004 in Bahrain with my Navy guy and its quite an experience for me. Seems like every year we got the chance to attend the Marine Ball and Im looking forward to it already... Ho-yahh!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
International Day
Today ASOY Claire's school celebrated the International day or what Im used to know a United Nation's day. When I was in elementary school back in my hometown I always join the program everytime my school celebrate the UN day and for those students who can afford or willing to spend will be assigned a country to dress up in the national dress. I remember I once wear the national dress of Puerto Rico, the program includes parade around my village where my school is. I remember also making a flag of the the country you were assigned by your teacher and that will be credited as your second grading period. We made the flag out of Colored papers and band paper and use a bamboo stick for the pole and we wave it during the parade. International Day is one of my favorite programs/activities when I was a kid and even up to now its always been its a very colorful ,lively and educational event.
Today I got a one of a kind experience in my life perhaps...I carry and wave my own beloved Philippines flag! I was asked to participate in the program and to carry my flag with Claire beside me. I got goose bump and very proud while presenting my flag.I got to wear some of our national clothing(kimona&sarong) for the flag ceremony, and I cooked some pancit bihon as well for the international food tasting after the program.
Claire and her class are wearing the national dress of Kenya. All of them look so cute and adorable in their costume! The students did a great job in their own respective presentations. It was a nice program and so glad to be a part of it. Anywhere Im living, I always am proud to be a Filipino....I even keep a small flag at home..Viva Philippines!! as my good friend Steve says.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fun Halloween
RENO 911
Ahoy Matey!!
Yo hoho and a bottle of rum!
Arrrgh!
at Claire's school
Harem dancer and the princess
Go Mountaineers!! WV
Pre halloween party at our neighbor.
Its truly been a busy halloween for us... Friday our lilttle Claire attended the halloween party at her school...it was fun, she was happy to see her classmates dress up too but she freaked out a little bit when some of the older kids scare her with their monster and scary mask costumes. She had a cotton candy we know its just all sugar but isn't she supposed to get a treat on halloween.
Right after ASOY we're heading to the embassy for the haunted house. Jeff plays a role at the haunted house as a zombie pirate and I got to dress up as a vampire.. The marine house is turned into a haunted house and the CLO did a great job in the preparation and decoration of the hunted house. We did a pretty good job in scaring the kids too..after the haunted house the kids will go to the parking lot for the TRUNK or treat, 12 cars volunteer to decorate their trunk and they all did a great job our car was a pirate theme. The kids has a blast going back thrice for for the treat tryin to collect more chocolate and candies as they can. Claire sat down in a corner and started to unwrapped the candies and trying to eat them all but of course daddy say no! We went home tired and exhausted fell asleep right away as soon our head hits the pillow.
Saturday night is halloween party for adults that's us. Claire have a sleep over at the Royster's place...For the adult halloween we are a pirates kinda Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann hehe the party was fun, marine guys dress up like RENO 911 the roller blade guy is hilarious. and my first experience playing beer pong whew!I got drunk there. But we really had a good time!
Its truly been a busy halloween for us... Friday our lilttle Claire attended the halloween party at her school...it was fun, she was happy to see her classmates dress up too but she freaked out a little bit when some of the older kids scare her with their monster and scary mask costumes. She had a cotton candy we know its just all sugar but isn't she supposed to get a treat on halloween.
Right after ASOY we're heading to the embassy for the haunted house. Jeff plays a role at the haunted house as a zombie pirate and I got to dress up as a vampire.. The marine house is turned into a haunted house and the CLO did a great job in the preparation and decoration of the hunted house. We did a pretty good job in scaring the kids too..after the haunted house the kids will go to the parking lot for the TRUNK or treat, 12 cars volunteer to decorate their trunk and they all did a great job our car was a pirate theme. The kids has a blast going back thrice for for the treat tryin to collect more chocolate and candies as they can. Claire sat down in a corner and started to unwrapped the candies and trying to eat them all but of course daddy say no! We went home tired and exhausted fell asleep right away as soon our head hits the pillow.
Saturday night is halloween party for adults that's us. Claire have a sleep over at the Royster's place...For the adult halloween we are a pirates kinda Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann hehe the party was fun, marine guys dress up like RENO 911 the roller blade guy is hilarious. and my first experience playing beer pong whew!I got drunk there. But we really had a good time!