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.