it's february, and i'm getting by

Yes, I have been missing out on blogging lately (yet again). Well, let me blame work and the fact that we still don't have a phone connection at home (this shall soon be resolved, I hope).

Anyway, it's already February, and things are looking up. The past two months have been harrowing, work-wise, but I'm getting the hang of things. It's probably because I have something to look forward to, which is our 3rd wedding anniversary!

Francis and I are cooking up a short getaway to none other than Baguio (we never get tired, do we?). He's in charge of booking accommodations, and I hope to tick that off by tomorrow. As usual, the excitement has me already planning for what to wear and where to go. Gotta ask a friend who was based in Baguio (and is now studying on Romania) about new places to visit. Food trip galore again!

So I guess the next entry will be about a new Baguio experience. I know there are new things in store for us there (but I do hope to find the trees in the SM area still standing).

what made my 2011

Some friends say that 2011 wasn't a good year for them. For me, it was a mixture of the good and the bad. I may have expected too much of this year, and so I have resolved to just keep my expectations for 2012 in check. Still, I have a lot to thank for, and I choose to count my blessings, for they still trump the unpleasant things that have happened.

1. Our new home
Until now, I'm still thrilled over the fact that Francis and I have a place to call our own. This is such a big blessing for us. The holidays found us so busy fixing the house and decorating it for guests, and so far, we like what we've accomplished. Our small abode is still a work in progress, though, and we're taking our time to make it as cozy and Baguio-ish as we want it to be.

2. Baguio trip with mom
It was two (or was it three?) years in the making, but I was finally able to bring my mom to my favorite city last July. Unfortunately, my sister was not able to join us because of her work, but it has been a fun experience with mom and hubby. I was finally able to share with mom why I love Baguio so much, and based on the pictures (she became an overnight camwhore in Baguio, haha), she had a great time as well.

Mom looking out Vocas' window

3. My first out-of-the-country trip
An opportunity to travel out-of-the-country presented itself when Francis was assigned to Vietnam for almost two weeks last August. Though we've planned to really fly out of the country on the latter part of the year, Vietnam was hard to pass up. So we took a peek at our finances and decided that it won't hurt if I follow him in Ho Chi Minh. It was a fantastic trip, what with all that rich history, delicious food and to-die-for coffee!

Taking in and documenting the flurry that is Saigon

4. Ovarian scare no more
Had a little health problem that involved a functional ovarian cyst. Thank the Lord it was nothing serious and it resolved itself a few months after, so there was no need for another invasive surgery. It was such a relief to hear the good news from my OB, considering what I've gone through last year with my ectopic pregnancy. (Speaking of which, that ugly feeling still crops up whenever someone I know gets pregnant, but I hope this year will continue to heal me so that I can finally rid myself of that ugly, nasty feeling.) It was another scary health issue, but the Lord answered our prayers; had it continued swelling, I would have gone under the knife again. But after two weeks of observation, a miracle happened and that swelling went kapoof!

5. Real Living's 101 Great Condo Ideas and Makeovers
I've worked so hard on this project, which was assigned to me by RL's EIC, and I have nothing but thanks for the oppotunity. Working on the book kept me sane from all the stress that my day job brought. What made this endeavor more fun and fulfilling to do is the fact that the team I've worked with is such a nice bunch of people. This book definitely made my year.

This is still available in all leading bookstores, 

so go get a copy for only Php120!

6. First holiday in a new nest
Like I have mentioned, this holiday season is extra special because it's the first one we've spent in our new home. Despite the chaotic schedule of cooking, cleaning, organizing and entertaining, this season is one of the best yet!

Our humble abode

So when you think this year didn't really make it to you best list, count the blessings--big and small--and things will take on a new perspective.

Happy New Year, dear friends! I pray for an abundance of blessings for the coming year!

ho chi minh part 1: a gastronomic affair

Before my trip to Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon), I've already heard a lot about how good the food there is. I just didn't have the idea that I'd fall in love with one of their staples there: iced coffee with (condensed) milk, locally known as ca phe sua da.

But before I get carried away and rave about my new caffeine fix, let me take you to a rundown of some of HCMC's dining places, all in which ca phe sua da is a fixture, alongside other more famous Vietnamese delicacies. Let the foodie trip begin here!

ho chi minh sneak peek

Because I still haven't gotten around to writing about my four-day experience in the city formerly known as Saigon, let me share first a few photos.
 

A more decent post will be up soon!

this little girl is super giddy and excited!!!

I have a confession to make: I haven't traveled out of the country yet. It's a shame. But at least somehow I've already gone around the country (but not yet enough). Anyway, before I further digress, I am super happy and giddy and excited to announce I can cartwheel right at this moment that I finally am flying outside the Philippines! Yay!!!!

Where to? Here are picture clues:

 (All photos from wikipedia.com)

Another item in our bucket list will soon be ticked off! Praise God for this marvelous blessing! I'll definitely make sure to indulge all my senses in this city! Yayayay!

back in baguio

So I went to visit my Cold Lover again, this time with my mom, who's a first-timer. We left Manila early Friday morning; since Francis still has work and can't afford to take a leave (like I can), we decided that he'd just follow on Saturday.

Anyway, instead of going through the details of the trip in words, let me allow pictures to speak. These photos were taken using my phone's RetroCamera application. I'm not really a fan of lomo photography, but I couldn't help but use RetroCamera to capture my favorite Baguio City in a different light.

So here's another Baguio story...

counting my blessings

Because I can foresee that the following weeks will be crazy busy, allow me to reflect on happy, blessed things that happened recently/is happening/will happen soon:

Ice Cream Assassins with UR Face Radio DJ Sick James;
that's me and hubby, screen cap courtesy sis (thanks, Sis!)

1. After two years, our pseudo-band reunited again for an exciting radio guesting last June 21! We were all so stoked about the prospect because the last time we got together was for our wedding. The one-day-only practice had been a breeze, and the guesting itself was fun, fun, fun despite the downpour! Like I said, it's so good to have been back on the mic again.

Many, many thanks to UP Music Circle, our ever beloved college org (yes, I'm one of the founders, and yes, I am that old but shut up, haha!) for inviting us; and of course, to UR Face Radio for letting us crash and do our thang. Do listen to a collection of songs from Music Circle's bands here, and don't forget to check out Ice Cream Assassin's Coffee Dew (that's us!)!

2. There's this book I'm working on, and I can't say yet what it is so as not to preempt things. But here's a clue: it's going to be pages and pages of coooool ideas about nesting! My team is busy completing the whole thing, and I do hope we can manage to remain on schedule. I can't wait for the launch, which is going to be on the latter part of this year!

3. Every day, I am so tempted to skip work because of the sleepy weather and our cozy, cozy home. As mentioned in my previous entries, our dear nest still needs a lot of work and sprucing up, but I'm so, so in love with it already. I probably wouldn't mind staying in and just being lazy all week long. Happy sigh!

4. Hubby and I have become responsible adults recently when we decided to take a leap of faith and plunge into investments. It's not much, but it's a start. We hope and pray that we'll be blessed by it so we can share the blessings!

5. One word: Baguio. There's a trip coming up soon, this time around, hubby and I will be bringing my mom along. I promised her a Baguio trip two years ago, and it's about time that I keep true to that promise. So I'll be packing scarves and jackets and boots again real soon. Hurrah! (Plus, a Baguio trip is well-deserved after the chaos I'll be going through the next few weeks.)

Well, it's true that when things are looking down, you just have to count your blessings. I look forward to counting more (minus the things-that-are-looking-down, haha!)!