prepping for the big move

Packing loads and loads of our stuff for the big move-in officially started this holiday season. The first one to get packed: our shoes. All our shoes are now stuffed inside a big balikbayan box, and guess whose pairs took up 99% of the space? Yes, mine. Next up would be all our reading materials and then our clothes. This is gonna be hard work!

I'm down to these pairs for
the next two or three weeks

Francis and I are both nervous and excited about the whole process of moving out from this 60-square-meter pad that became our home for almost two years, and moving in to our smaller unit but a place we can truly call our own. The unit improvement already started last week, which means we already have to start organizing all our stuff to see which ones we should keep, donate, throw and sell.

Yesterday, together with our architect/friend, we canvassed for lighting fixtures, paints and wood at Ortigas Home Depot. Of course, this part got me excited, but we didn't buy yet because we still have to check out other home stores to compare prices.

The many choices for pin lights. We're going for the small ones with LED,
as they are more eco-friendly than CFLs, so yaaay!

Crucial for us when it comes to lighting fixtures are the main lights for the major rooms. I saw these pretty drop lights perfect for the dining area.

The first one looks like a good repro of a Cobonpue piece, which will fit perfectly with our design in mind; the one in the middle looks like a futuristic spider web sans the scary factor; the last one is like a giant ball of candy hanging from the ceiling!

Aren't they nice? Unfortunately, neither of these is The One yet (but if it were down to these three, I think we'd go for the Cobonpue knock-off). Buying this kind of home furnishing is like buying shoes--I need to fall in love with that piece that won't let me sleep until it's in my arms. Good thing we're not really rushing to purchase main lights because installing them won't be necessary until the latter part of the unit improvement, when all the divisions and painting are already done.

So far, this is how our unit is transforming.

Me by our soon-to-be pseudo-walk-in closet

We can't wait for the new year to find us in our new home. We can't thank the Lord enough for this really, really wonderful blessing!!!

holiday ho-hos

Happy holidays from me and Francis!!!

As expected, my favorite season has been busy with Christmas dinners and get-togethers.

Before I took a two-week holiday, my friends and colleagues from work had a simple Christmas dinner at Amici in Megamall. But before I was able to sit down and savor my spinach cannelloni, I had to first do a quick shopping for a few more gifts and, um, a pair of shoes that haunted me until I bought it (more on my recent shoes streak in another entry).


Francis and I spent last year's holiday season all by ourselves holed up in our pad (because it was our first Christmas together), so this year, we spent the Christmas Eve at Francis' place in Novaliches. Despite my bad colds, which almost escalated to fever had I not drank medicine on time, the simple celebration had been nothing but fun!

For a change, we had Buddy's pancit lucban instead of the usual pancit palabok (haha!). My sister-in-law whipped up a delicious carbonara (which Francis, the ever bully big brother that he is, incessantly teased her about). I, on the other hand, made some blueberry cheesecake, which my sis-in-law absolutely loved (thanks, sis-in-law!). Come 12MN, we all gathered 'round the Christmas tree for gift-giving/receiving. Francis and I got personalized mugs with Flat Tops as bonus, a cute yellow alarm clock (I already have a spot for it in mind in our new home!), and a nice cotton tee for him and a shower/body lotion set for me from my sister-in-law. As for hubby's gift, I opened it the night of the 22nd because I'm that excited (I have low EQ, I know)-- it's Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume. I absolutely fell in love with the scent! It's citrusy with hints of light floral--no overpowering sweetness that makes me choke--just sweet enough for my taste. Methinks I'll buy another one when my first bottle runs out. Yay!


I also gave hubby his gift in advance, because he already needed it--a nifty pair of Sanuk Pick Pocket (already his second pair from me!). I like this new pair better, though, because it looks more street-smart than the rugged Kingston.

Kingston vs. Pick Pocket

Anyway, before we left Novaliches on Christmas day itself, we visited my mom-in-law's grave to pay our respects. I bet everyone missed her this holiday season, because she's usually the punong abala whenever there's a special occasion. I missed my grandparents, too, because they used to add cheer to an already cheerful celebration. Oh well, I guess the holidays make us more sentimental this way.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas celebration, and didn't lose focus on the real meaning of the season--when Jesus came to us to be our Saviour.

Now let's look forward to the coming New Year!

this is my december

The last month of this year seems to be the consolation for everything depressing that happened the earlier part of 2010, and I am very grateful for these blessings because I know the Lord used these to help heal me. As Og Mandino said: “Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.”

So here I am, counting my blessings.

1. Last week, I had a reunion with my best college girl friends, thanks to the non-working holiday. After so many years, the four of us had a fun dinner at Cafe 1771 in El Pueblo, then coffee right after at Cafe Breton in Podium. Six hours of chikahan still ain't enough! It was really terrific seeing friends you've known through the highs and lows of college. It's really great to have reconnected.

2. Real Living December issue is already out, and its pages have not just one, but four of my articles--and they're all about Baguio! Because of this assignment, I experienced my favorite city like I never did before: I was given the opportunity to do an ambush interview with National Artist BenCab, we had a bonding moment over coffee with another known visual artist Ben-Hur Villanueva, I was able to explore other shopping spots for home decorating, and I had the chance to experience the very cozy ambiance of PNKY Bed and Breakfast. It is one of the best Baguio trips I've ever had so far!

3. Aside from RL, my piece on where to bring balikbayan friends and relatives this holiday season is also out in Good Housekeeping December. My photos also accompany my article, and I'm really, really thankful because my prayers to have my photos published have been answered this year.

4. Speaking of photos, Summit's newest addition to its websites, TravelBook.ph, also carries a couple of my photos of Baguio and Bolinao, as well as some of my blog entries on traveling in my other blog. It's just really fantastic!

5.The unit improvement plan for our new nest has finally been approved (after a week of delay). This means that the next few weeks will see the construction of our unit's partitions, etc., and we'll soon start packing our stuff in preparation for our move in by January. It's gonna be a new year in a new home that we can call our own! My husband and I really praise God for this big blessing because aside from finally having our own place (after renting a studio unit for two years), the preparations for the big move have made us closer.

December is really proving to be a great blessing, and I can't wait to add to my list. I hope everyone also has blessings to count!

P.S.
Please grab a copy of Real Living and Good Housekeeping December!

this is what 12 years look like...

Grotti's fare

12 years look like mushroom bruschetta, frutti de mare pasta and triple sausage pizza.

And, well, 12 years also look like these two hungry people who rained on their own anniversary celebration because of their terrible headache, and so they just went straight home right after dinner and slept soundly.

On a serious note, being together for 12 years is just..AWESOME!!! We can't thank the Lord enough for keeping this relationship stronger each year!

busy saturdays

Mi mama strangling me, hahaha!

Since our unit in Sofia Belleve was turned over to us last week, our weekends (and sometimes even our non-working holidays) are now pretty packed with plans and arrangements for our unit improvement. Our architect friend, Renan, has also been busy coming up with layout permutations that can best maximize our small space. Just yesterday, we met again with him so we can submit the (almost) final layout of our unit--floor, electrical and plumbing plans. We're giving it a week for approval and then construction of all the necessary partitions and everything else shall commence. Francis and I are really excited because if everything proceeds as planned, we'll be able to move in to our new nest come the New Year.

We invited my mom to tag along with us yesterday because we know she's kind of excited, too. We showed her our bare unit and the model unit as well so she can better appreciate the new home of her panganay. Teehee! We also showed her the lounge fronting the swimming pool, and I think she seemed happy with what she saw.

Because we finished late with our errand in Sofia, my original plan to cook lunch at home got scrapped. We ended up dining at Chocolate Kiss, which I can't really complain about because it was hubby's treat. Haha!

Hainanese chicken for me and mom

Come the time to settle the bill, we were quite annoyed when the attendant told us their credit card is offline. Before ordering, we actually asked them if they're online and we were told they were. So because our cash wasn't enough, Francis had to find an ATM asap, which left me and mom bawling over because we found the situation really funny. We were already imagining washing all the dishes as punishment for not being able to pay. Yes, it's so shallow but that's how we are, haha!

Mom in between guffaws

While we were waiting for the rain to stop,
mommy got busy checking out the ongoing art class

We weren't able to go home right away because of the downpour, so we waited it out for a while before hailing a cab back to our place. Mom was excited because we told her that we already have a Christmas gift for her, and that we'd be giving it to her that afternoon. We're glad she loves the dress we got for her. We had to give it to her in advance because we know she needs a new one for a wedding. We spared her the trouble of buying it herself.

I'm really happy to see that my mom is proud of us and our new place, even if she doesn't say it. And Francis and I are very much thankful to the Lord for giving us a very wonderful blessing in the form of our own home, considering what we've gone through early this year.

welcome to our home (part 1)

That's our building in front of the clubhouse!

The long weekend has been such a fun one mainly because we already got to see our new pad! Well, we've already seen similar units for turnover, but it's different if it's your own unit you're asked to inspect.

Saturday morning was our schedule for our condo's orientation, where we were acquainted with a handful of other unit owners and were given a run-down of rules, privileges and everything else that comes with being a unit owner. Francis and I were very much interested on the part about home improvement, because we definitely have to hire pros that will construct partitions for our now bare pad. We plan to copy the layout of the model unit for our 40-sqm nest, which we plan to decorate in a Baguio-meets-zen style.

We were presented with two options: either we go for the in-house contractor or another contractor referred by our agent. We really didn't like both so we opted to meet with Francis' high school friend who is a licensed architect. We sat down with him yesterday and laid out all our cards--the look we want, our budget, etc. So now we're just waiting for his proposed plan and see what we can do from there.

With the limited budget that we have for now (we're praying that we get enough provisions for more improvements real soon), I'm strapping myself up for sacrifices. I bet I'd have to choose between one thing over another, and just that thought is really keeping me on the edge of my seat. Of course, if we had all the money in the world to spare right at this moment, we'd go all out. But we'll take our architect friend's advice: never rush. It's just that my head is so full of so many plans that it might break my heart a little if we can't have everything in one go. Still, I'll be patient. I know that if we want our house magazine-worthy (and our pockets not left empty), we shouldn't hurry things.

So there. But there's another issue: I think Francis is confident enough with my taste that he actually wants me to play the ID for our place, since, he said, I already know exactly what I want. That, and we're hiring an architect anyway, so he said designing the pad shouldn't be a problem. Now that I'm mulling over the idea, I think I may be able to do it, considering the style we're going for isn't really something complicated. I mean, how complex can zen be? Plus, I am such a Baguio lover that I think (think is the operative word here) I know what Baguio elements should be incorporated. Still, I am nervous about it. Maybe I can ask a friend from RL to help me out? Let's see.

Anyway, here are some photos of our place. If everything goes smoothly as planned (we're praying everything will!), the new year will find us in our new nest!

The small playground and the pool. Hello, night swimming!

The unveiling of the windows, haha! Francis and a technical personnel inspecting the kitchen sink. Now the kitchen needs a lot of improvement, and I'm so excited about it!

The hideous pipes that need to be cleverly concealed,
and the bathroom sink that will be made over in the future

It may not be our top priority now, but in the near future,
we'll have to re-tile the bathroom. In the meantime,
we'll repaint the walls to a warmer color to set the mood.

My husband looking excited and
nervous at the same time, hahaha!

Oh my, oh my, oh my! Adult life can really be exciting! Thank You for this big blessing, Lord!

korean madness

As the samgyeopsal sizzles...

When I suggested to my friends that we next eat at Woo Ri Jib, an authentic Korean resto along Kalayaan Avenue, I thought it was just one of those plans that would remain just a, um, plan. So when Archie brought it up again, I was quick to set a date--a payday weekend.

So last Friday, me, Mems, Dit, Archie, Jen and of course, Francis excitedly trotted to Woo Ri Jib. It took us a while to figure out which Korean dishes to actually order, but we ended up with the usual fares Francis and I have whenever we're there--kkanpunggi (spicy chicken wings in special sauce; we made sure to have it mildly spicy) and hae-mul pajeon (Korean pancake made of egg, spring onions and seafood). Plus, we had to try the famous samgyeopsal--pork strips fried in their own fat using a hot plate. We had fun wrapping the cooked strips in either lettuce or shiso (sesame leaves).

Of course, we had to try soju; but being a non-drinker that I am, just a sip of the alcoholic beverage made me crumple my face. Haha!

The soju shot glass

After the filling dinner, we headed to Nice Mart, a Korean convenience store on our street that resembles Mini Stop (hello, yellow-and-blue theme!). Each of us grabbed some ice cream on stick for dessert and took our time with photo ops as if we were in Korea for real, it was crazy!

An-nyung-ha-se-yo!

Then the gang endured climbing up to the 5th floor sans an elevator to briefly hang out at our place. I always love having friends over our small pad. But after an hour or so, they had to go because for one, Archie still had a morning flight to Cebu to catch, and it was getting late already. Oh, but he and Mems didn't go home empty-handed. When they saw the home stuff we were selling (check out Our Yellow Room's website), Arch and Mems immediately bought one each. Now we only have one item left before we re-stock! Haha! (Up to now, we haven't really gone full-blast in this little biz venture of ours since I had the operation. We hope to get back on track come next year, though.)

After another stressful week at work, it had really been an extra fantastic and blessed Friday!

this feels really good!

Take control of your spending habits now!

You know that feeling that you're doing a lot of things but you find joy in doing them (no, I'm not referring to my day job, hahaha!)?

Like I've mentioned in my previous entry, I've been very busy lately with things that I love doing: writing and taking photos. I feel so blessed to have been given a number of opportunities to have my articles and photos published. In fact, the October ish of Cosmo Philippines has my photos and a major article (yes,this is me urging everyone to grab a copy!). Yay for October!

My Baguio and Pangasinan pics; images for the books
Heart of the Matter & The Carrie Diaries, plus Powerhits 2010 and
Recovery CDs are mine! Weee!

Other than this, I have something else being cooked up. I can't divulge it now so as not to preempt things, but I'm really excited about it. I'll spill the beans as soon as it's official.

Thank You, Lord, for all these blessings! To You be the glory!

there is nothing else but gratitude

I am relishing this weekend because after about three weeks of being busy at work and with my moonlighting (as a contributing writer and photog), I finally have a couple of days to rest.

I am not really complaining. I actually feel very grateful to the Lord for throwing me blessings in the form of writing and shooting stints, and there's been a lot these past weeks. It's such a wonderful feeling to be doing what I really love--monetary compensation a plus, of course!

Oh, and as if the past weeks' blessings weren't enough, my long-awaited passport has been delivered yesterday! Well, I really didn't have to wait long. DFA made good with their promise of delivering it 20 days after my appointment at their office. Now I feel like my world has just gotten bigger, and adventures will soon come rushing in! I can't wait to travel outside our beautiful country and explore the rest of this beautiful world!

Also, I think hubby and I will soon be moving in to our new home, perhaps by the end of this year (or by January next year, the latest). Though that means bigger expenses, we're both excited about our own home and how we're to decorate it. We know that the since God gave that to us, He'll also help us with everything we need to make it our lovely nest.

October is proving to be a month full of blessings. I hope it's also the same with everyone!

our future baby boy will become a gigolo

Early this day, while we were strolling at the mall, Francis and I saw a booth selling Halloween costumes. And so...

Me: Pag may anak na tayo and nag-school na sya, ano kaya Halloween costume nya?
Francis: Pag lalaki, gigolo!

(Me: When our future baby's already in school, I wonder what his/her Halloween costume would be?
Francis: If he's a boy, he'll go as a gigolo!)

Um...okay...That scared me.

byline whore...and then some

I have been churning a handful of write-ups lately, most of which, I am happy to say, have my byline. I am already on my third article, and there's one more to go before this week ends.

I admit it's not really an easy task, especially when I get distracted by the Internet. Boo. Actually, the hard part there is getting distracted in the middle of transcribing an hour-long interview. I hate transcribing. Anyone who says it's fun to do can get my share. But the writing part is very much welcome. It's weird, but I feel...happy when I write. There's a certain challenge to it that brings me this awesome fulfilled feeling after I've typed (or edited) away the last few concluding words. And of course, there's a byline. In my job at a semi-ad agency department, nobody cares about credits because, well, there's none. Most of the time, though, that works because at least no one would know you did a mediocre material based not on your own concept but on the one who pays you to execute their concept. So you see.

Anyway, it's good to be able to write a decent piece of article. It keeps my brain alive. (And it's also good to know that someone else is cramming to beat deadlines, i.e., my husband. He's not writing, though; he's trying to map out river basins, whatever that means.)

Before I ramble on some more, let me get back to my deadline.

a sneak peek

I was finally able to bring my Sanuk to Baguio!
This is me waking up at 7am to lounge and read at
PNKY's garden before embarking on a long shoot day.

I have been terribly busy this week--so busy that I am barely blogging. In fact, I was horrified to discover that my last entry in my other blog was two months ago! (Well, I just updated it, so there.) My aim to regularly (as in weekly) blog seems to be failing. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I blame work.

Anyway, I've been busy lately mainly on things I love to do. Just recently, I went up again to Baguio on a writing assignment, and it was fun, fun, fun! Because I am not yet allowed to divulge the details, let me just say that my recent trip is one for the books. Why? Two names: BenCab and Ben-Hur. These photos will prove that I've rubbed elbows with these two art maestros.

Me with the crew and National Artist Ben Cabrera

While Ben-Hur was happily regaling us with his stories
and lessons in life, I just had to have a photo op!

That's all for now! Imma get back to transcribing my BenCab interview (which was on-the-spot, I barely have prepared questions; but more on that when I'm already free to talk about the details of the trip). I'll come back with more stories to tell as soon as I beat my deadlines.

my books will now be happy!

Finally, after almost a week of waiting (yes, that's already a long wait for me), I am now a proud owner of an Aklat Eklat leather book jacket! I am so happy! Now, I no longer have to pressure myself into (plastic) covering my books before I even read them--no more fraying the covers!

The label comes with care instructions at the back.

I used to feel very uncomfortable reading an uncovered book; thanks to Aklat Eklat, I can now immediately devour books (I am sounding like an endorser here, I know!). But of course, I'd still wrap them after reading in case someone else wants to borrow my treasures.

My initials (yay!) and the built-in bookmark.
Isn't that convenient, not to mention cute?

I'd definitely buy another one in a bigger size and a brighter color combination. For now, I shall read in peace and with panache, as Aklat Eklat says!

P.S.
Now where can I buy a leather protectant for my book jacket? Any ideas?

yes, i am all for immediate gratification

So last night was almost a downer if not for Despicable Me. Two things: First, Aklat Eklat made a mistake with my initials so I had to return the item and wait for a few more days for the correct one. It's just weird that I had a feeling something might go wrong with the book jacket I ordered, and something did. Bleh! But Aklat was kind enough to promise me the new jacket will be ready within this week. Good thing they have one more of the color I chose; otherwise, I'd have to wait for three weeks--and that's torture for me! I want my book jacket asap, before I go to Baguio for a writing assignment. I want it with me making my book feel all cozy and snug in that cold, magical place.

Second, I forgot to use my Citibank "coupons" to avail of a movie discount. I totally forgot that I have receipts worth a Php200 discount, all because I was so stoked about my book jacket. So hubby and I ended up paying the full price for the movie. But since we just opted for a regular showing (no 3D for us for this one), we didn't have to shell out a lot.

Now my night would've ended in such tragedy if not for Despicable Me. It is such an adooooorable movie! The overflowing cuteness made up for the so-so plot. It made me forget how upset I am. And to be honest, I think the Minions upstaged Agnes when it comes to cuteness overload.

If you don't find the Minions cute, then poor you!

tonight, i have a plan

In a few minutes, I shall zoom past the office lobby door and rush to SM The Block to:

1) watch Despicable Me with the hubby

"Does this count as annoyin'?"
(Image from michleong.blogspot.com)

and 2) get my super awesome leather book jacket from Aklat Eklat!

Image from aklateklat.multiply.com

I am so stoked!

Then maybe tonight or tomorrow, I shall blog about my Aklat Eklat purchase. Then I will read and read and read and read. Yay!