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!