Streets of Paris

Magnifique journée in Paris: Deuxième Jour

Sortie (exit) from the subway





Chocolate!



zher tem Mady & Da Da





Mady is getting her groove on & waving at the locals




Bonjour from the Babarans!



Kissy Kissy Da Da






















Madysen is taking a nap





Today was magnificent, filled with adventure and lots of new things. We started off with a short train ride to the Eiffel Tower after sleeping in until noon. We grabbed a quick bite and walked to the tower (actually we just stayed by the maritime museum which has a great view of it). There were so many different people there from vacationers to locals to break dancers and couples kissing with families enjoying the scenery as we were also doing.

We then walked to the Arc De Triomphe. I swear I felt like I was in a movie having seen these famous landmarks all over Paris. I had goose bumps the whole time at the Eiffel Tower and on top of the Arc. The view was so cool. Luckily we only took the elevator part of the way. Others had to walk up a couple hundred steps. It was hilarious seeing people out of breath as soon as you see them going to the top. I guess it's one of the advantages of traveling with a baby. By the way, Mady was the star today, as usual. Parisians were in love with her. She was offered a peach on the train, the owner of a restaurant where we ate for dinner carried her and kissed her hand a few times. She kept waving at everybody inside the trains. Mundo and I had more conversations with the locals because of her. Luckily, we've been reading our French phrasebook. It made it a lot easier talking to locals.



Mady had a long nap time after Mommy and Daddy shopped around Champs-Elysees. As the sun started to set, you see the lamp posts starting to light up where we ended our evening walk at the Louvre. Along the way it reminded me of Central Park where there were golden brown trees starting to look like Autumn orange leaves. There were lots of old buildings in between and more fountains. The road leading up to the Louve was a long dirt path filled with benches, grass and more fountains. You can see the Eiffel Tower behind us from afar lit up so bright with spot lighting circiling the city. It was such a beauty. Once we got to the Louve all I gotta say is that it was ORGASMIC. It is nothing like you see in the pictures or in the movies. I was left with a magical feeling as if I was in a town in itself. This huge building wrapped around the entire place and in the quad area are the 3 glass pyramids next to a bunch of infinity pool like fountains. We sat down and admired this beauty then Mady woke up from her long nap. When she opened eyes she immediately had this big smile. It made it even more complete. Mundo and I can't seem to thank each other. How we got here and where we have been. We are so fortunate.

Paris Oui Oui!

After our long flight and subway adventure we made it to Paris, finally! Once we settled in the first thing we did today was go to the Supermarche (supermarket) and stocked up on food and drinks for the apartment. We went to a bakery and bought a baguette to go with the red wine, pate and cold cuts and some macaroons. The weather is fairly similar to Oakland. Mid 60's and a little cloudy. We walked around a few different districts and familiarized ourselves with the subway. Let's just say we are getting a cardio workout! Coming from the airport was off the hook with our luggages. Parisians are nothing like what people say. They have been so friendly and helpful. Maybe because we are with Madysen and we just looked confused as to how we were going to drag our luggages up the stairs on the subways. These subways aren't anything like BART or the New York Subway. I felt like we were in a time machine with steps looping underground these circular stair cases. It was pretty cool. Mady loves stairs so we were able to keep her entertained during the subway rides. We had dinner at an Asian restaurant and had some Pho and Chinese food. It was pretty amazing considering how tired we were from our travels. Afterwards, we walked around and found some random parks, churches and plazas in and around the river area. Then we headed out to the river and saw a landscape view of the Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. The energy and vibe out here is so cool. It's Tuesday night and everyone was chillin' on the streets outside the restaurants enjoying a glass of wine or a late night dinner with friends at these small bars. It's quiet and the buildings are awe inspiring. They are so cool to look at. I have yet to see a 90 degree left hand or right hand turn. The streets are filled with cobble stone and mini alleys full of small cafes, restarants, shops and etc. There are fountains with people admiring the water as they converse amongsts friends. There are lots of Parks. I can't wait to take Mady! We only walked around for a few hours and I was already jumping up and down. I am so glad that we are here for 4 days! Paris reminds me so much like San Francisco except with more history and obviously a whole lot busier like New York. There is so much diversity. You see people playing bocce ball or whatever they call it here and while people are playing at these small parks in between the alleys you see them with wine bottles snacking along the benches. Pretty darn cool! The language barrier isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Bonjour and Merci is pretty much all that I've been saying all day. Haha. Mady is asleep now. Mundo and I are about to enjoy this bottle of red wine and pate and copa and pancetta and THEN some rest. Tomorrow is going to be amazing. Au revoir!

I am Mrs. Babaran and Madysen is 1 year old!

This morning, I was asked to speak at our church during the afternoon mass to share my RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)experience and this is what I said. Good afternoon. My name is Mari Babaran. During this time last year, I had just given birth to my beautiful daughter, Madysen. Her Dad and I knew that we had been given a gift. I joined RCIA shortly after this because my husband and I wanted to not only get married in the catholic church but to also raise our family in a loving faithful community. Just last week, my husband and I stood here before God, our family and friends to join ourselves in the sacrament of marriage. A few months earlier I was able to share my daughter's baptism with my confirmation. These are all things I would not have been able to experience without the RCIA program. My journey with RCIA has confirmed why I was brought here in the first place. With the passing of my father this past year RCIA serves as an outlet for me during a very challenging part of my life. It helped me find answers and peace. As I stand here today I realize the blessings and gifts I have is because of God. RCIA enhanced the faith that I already knew I had in me. I remember walking into my RCIA group for the very first time and meeting Greta. Instantly I felt at home. Our group bonded and shared our lives and experiences. We celebrated accomplishments and consoled each other during rough times. 6 months of learning,sharing and growing in our faith with my RCIA group was a rewarding experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. The tools gained through this experience will serve me well for the rest of my life. It was the best decision that I made. I stand here before you sharing the gifts and blessings that I received in this community. I would've never known all that I have here at St Philip Neri if not for the RCIA program. I pray and hope that anyone considering to join RCIA will go along this journey. The journey that has helped me be a apart of this church, a loving community that my husband, daughter and I will be a part of for years to come.

I felt that after all of what I have gone through this year, today brought me back to the basic.. MY FAITH. My family will always be my priority. I love calling Edmundo my husband. Our daughter, Madysen completes us. At the end of the day I can't help but to feel very blessed. These things just don't happen. Granted that I've worked hard to get to where I am today yet I truly believe that there is a greater power and plan for all of us. This moment has been the only time where I have finally sat down and reflected on what has happened. I had so much fun celebrating with our loved ones during our wedding. All of the planning and hard work definitely made it all worth it. Edmundo and I will always remember 9.10.11.
Life isn't perfect nor are we. I know that him and I will loook back at the day when all of our friends and family witnessed our devotion, love and commitment promise to each other when times get rough.

It is so hard to take it all in. I am so overwhelmed. I feel like I am still HIGH from all of this joy continuing up to Madysen's first birthday just a couple of days ago. Her birthday party at the zoo was wonderful. Tomorrow we leave for our 28 day trip to Europe for our honeymoon/ family vacation. I told Edmundo that I can't wait to finally experience the world with him and Madysen. I know that we will grow from visiting these places. Tomorrow we will be in Paris by midnight. New adventures new surroundings and new experiences. I am looking forward to being lazy and enjoying my family now that we have come to the finish line. Marital and familial bliss can't come soon enough. I know that I am already there but I have not been able to enjoy it as much nor soak it in since it's been so overwhelming. Wheeeeww. Time ro relax after our long flight at least.

Where did 2010 go?

I can't even describe my thoughts and emotions. Life goes by too quickly and why is it only that when you lose something or someone is when you realize how precious life is? It makes me weak when I think of how easily your life can be taken right in front of your eyes. 2010 was the best year. After coming back from Shanghai with Edmundo, we got pregnant, engaged and gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Madysen Paige Mucio-Babaran. With that said, my relationship with my father was at its peak. He met my future husband and loved being a lolo (grandfather) and I was a happy girl. Everything felt right and went in the right direction with friends and my big family. Being a Mother is the best gift ever. Even better is when you have the support of the people who love you. My family went through a lot during my Dad's illness from scheduling when and how to take care of him. I signed up for confirmation for our wedding this year in September. Each week, I realized that God is the center of my life and that I should share this with everyone and especially act it out as a example of my belief in Jesus. It's hard being perfect. What I embrace the most is sharing my faith with my father in the most trying time of my life. He seemed at peace and never once did he express any negativity towards his life being near from death. He always told me to follow Jesus. In the end, during the last 2 weeks of his life he was at peace with my Mom. The night before he passed, I gathered all of my siblings to let out their emotions with our Dad near our side. Who would've known that night would be the last night we would all talk to my dad. It turned out to be a very touching time for all of us and I will never forget it. He passed away the next morning after leaving my Mom's to Mady's appointment. I have so much to mention about my Dad. How do I begin my life again without someone who I longed for approval, unconditional love, support, guidance and best of all someone who I loved to call Daddy. All my life I had struggles with him and during the time when I finally saw him him for he was I accepted his role in my life. Then it was taken away from me. I am struggling with my faith as I do not have the answer to my own questions. I should pray more or go to church but instead I am turning away from everything and everyone because it hurts too much to just be myself. I feel like I've lost apart of me.. my Dad. Now, I am concentrating on my daughter, Madysen. I am always thankful for her and Edmundo. God loves me and I have to keep telling myself this everyday. Hopefully this pain goes away. 2011 is a new chapter and so far I am struggling with how things are going to be without my Dad. God please give me strength and heal my heart.