EARTH-SHAKING KIND OF LOVE

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Luzon at around 1:15am today, July 26, 2011.

I felt the building shake but I thought I was just dreaming (slept at 11pm).

The quake did not wake me up. It was J's hug that did.

The tremors lasted for around 30 seconds. Hubby was holding me, comforting me, being very protective of me the whole time. Awwww.

Yes, in the middle of an earthquake, I was still my mushy self, thanking life for allowing me to experience a love so strong it shakes me to my core.

I LOVE LIFE!

BIG LIFE CHANGES

"Big life changes are, by their nature, terrifying. Being scared means that you've really thought about what you're leaving and what you are planning to get into. Fear isn't a sign that you shouldn't be pursuing something - it's a test of whether you want it enough to risk failing at it."

-- Samantha Sotto

Author, "Before Ever After"

chuvaness.com

ARE YOU OK WITH "JUST-OK"?

In her new book "Marriage Confidential", Pamela Haag examines the growing trend of 'semi-happy' married life. If you're coupled up - or want to be - you've got to read this. -- page 192, Glamour, May 2011.

Excerpts from the magazine interview...

Glamour: Why did you decide to write this book?

Pamela Haag: I was drawn to it by the marriages that I saw every day, including my own. I'm married to a great guy, and he's a wonderful husband. But nonetheless, over the years, I haven't felt totally fulfilled by marriage. So I conducted a survey of almost 2,000 people and found that many of them felt the same way.

Glamour: Is that the "semi-happy marriage"?

Pamela Haag: Yes. It's not that the marriage is terrible, with people who are arguing or miserable. But they're stuck in an ambivalent stage... "Are you going to get any better, or is this it?" That's the soul of the semi-happy question: Is this all there is?

Glamour: So how does one avoid falling into a semi-happy rut?

Pamela Haag: It's more about how you live in a marriage than whom you choose. I think people in happy marriages live like they're on vacation all the time, in the sense that they're paying attention to each other and trying to have some fun. Marriage should be enjoyable rather than just hard work.

---

I can't agree on this line enough: I think people in happy marriages live like they're on vacation all the time, in the sense that they're paying attention to each other and trying to have some fun.

For more of my two cents worth on the topic, you may read the following blog entries: (1) Making Marriage Work; (2) Life Partner; (3) Stay Silly.

I say - never settle when settling down.

Wishing every one lots of love, love, love!

PAELLA CRAVING

After seeing a Spanish cuisine-themed cooking episode on TV, I found myself craving for paella. Pumatol naman si Hubby. He really loves me. *big smile*

Above:

Dulcinea's Paella Valenciana

Good for two, less than Php500

Waiting time: 30 mins

Since it was too biglaan to have the paella delivered (according to the internet, the best ones are home-based, for delivery or pick-up), we decided to walk to the nearest Spanish resto, Dulcinea. We know it's not among the best paellas in town, but it was good enough for a hungry wife. We had it with a pitcher of fresh fruit shake, with mushroom soup (comes free with the paella), and churros for a happy ending.

What have you been craving for lately? Did you give in?

Buen apetito!

READY TO BLOOM

God wants you to know that you will blossom.

A flower starts deep under the dirt and has to fight against gravity in the darkness before finally breaking free and opening its bloom to the sun. You may feel like you're in darkness and everything around you is muddy, but keep pushing toward the Light and when the time is right, you will burst into blossom.

That you've got what it takes. God won't give you more than you can handle. Although there may have been times you thought the world was caving in on you, you got through it. You are much stronger than you think and with God's power, you are stronger than you can imagine. So charge ahead, you can handle it.

-- an inspiring email, forwarded by our dear friend N

THE END MAY BE THE BEGINNING

"Do not pity the dead, Harry.

Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love."

-- Dumbledore

Hubby and I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on opening night (last night), on 3D, for free. Not bad for non-Harry Potter fans, right?

By the middle of the movie, I was uncomfortable with the 3D glasses na. During our recent Transformers 3D date, my eyes got itchy from the glasses. Last night, there was no itching. But I preferred holding it, away from my eyes. I didn't want it resting on my nose. I wanted distance! Lola much? LOL

I read the first book. But never got hooked. I remember seeing the first two movies with my baby sister. But we never turned into fans. As for hubby, he's still a Harry Potter-hater. (But don't hate him for that, he's never been mainstream.)

After last night's screening, I think I'm buying the complete movie box set. HP 7.2 got me curious -- what did I miss in between? So the end for most may be the beginning for me. Hmmm.

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BIRTHDAY WISH 2011

It's my birthday month!

Photo: picasaweb.google.com

As a believer of "Ask and you shall receive," I'm listing down gifts I won't mind receiving lots of (hint, hint).

In random order:

1. Flannel pajama set in plaid. (I have only one pair. To say it's being abused is an understatement.)
2. Super comfy ballet flats. Size 8 1/2.
3. Black hair elastics. (I keep losing them. No rubber bands please.)
4. Fiber supplements. (Health is wealth. LOL.)
5. Chocolates.
6. Claritin. (Items 5 & 6 must come together. Pasaway.)
7. Band aid. (The stylist in me.)
8. Black folding umbrella. The smaller, the better. Water-repellent material preferred. (Umbrellas have short life spans in my hands. Need to buy every so often.)
9. My cheap gel eye liner from Watson's. Brand: In2it. Color: Dark brown.
10. Prayers

Hubby and I usually travel on my birthday. This year, I'm asking God to allow us to take what could be the greatest journey of our lives. Kahit wala na ang ten items listed above. Yun na lang po.

Life has taught me God's plans are greater than my dreams. I'm looking forward to a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

STAY SILLY

A child-at-heart marries a funny man. Expect lots of silliness.

Our current silly thing: dancing to imaginary songs. I love putting my feet on his. And we'd jump-dance around our tiny little condo, laughing out loud.

Crazy!

DARE TO MAKE THE LEAP

Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.

-- John Wayne

I'm currently enjoying Katie Couric's "The Best Advice I Ever Got." It was serendipitous how the book found me, how I found the book. I think it'll be instrumental in the major life events of the coming days. *wink*

From the cover --

What was the tipping point for Malcolm Gladwell? What unscripted event made Meryl Streep who she is? How did Mario Batali cook up his recipe for success? In this inspiration-packed book, Katie Couric reports from the front lines of the worlds of politics, entertainment, sports, philantropy, the arts and business -- distilling the ingenious hard-won insights of leaders and visionaries, who tell us all how to take chances, follow our passions, cope with criticism, and, perhaps most important, commit to something greater than ourselves.

Delightful, empowering and moving, The Best Advice I Ever Got is the perfect book for anyone who is thinking about the future, contemplating taking a risk, or daring to make a leap into the great unknown. This book is for all of us, young or old, who want to see how today's best and brightest got it right, got it wrong, and came out on top.

GOING SOLO

This is a date blog.

But because hubby and I are both independent spirits (we love being together but no we're not clingy), we enjoy Me Time.

What have I done solo?

1. Go to fashion school on my own. (But hubby always made sure he'll be able to pick me up after class.)
2. Shop alone around Manila. (I'm not a group-shopping kind of gal.)
3. Shop alone in a foreign country. (This I love doing! I try to do it every chance I get. Kahit a few hours lang na mag-isa.)
4. Watch a movie. (Once! And that's enough experience, hehe.)
5. Eat out.
6. Eat out, alone, in a foreign country. (Proud of me!)
7. Wait for hubby, family and friends in cafes (books and magazines come in handy).
8. Commute.
9. Go to church.
10. Visit the doctor.
11. Grocery.
12. Gym.

I wonder if I'll survive flying alone, to explore another country by my lonesome, ala-Eat Pray Love? I was supposed to do something like it last year. But my hubby and parents got too scared for my safety so no, it didn't push through. Hats off to every woman who's traveled alone.

Before anyone can enjoy your company, you should be able to enjoy your own. So if you haven't gone solo, I say go! *wink*

MOVIE DATES

Which one was worth the popcorn calories?

TRANSFORMERS 3: DARK of the MOON

Above:

We watched this on 3D for free!

(Oh, life's simple joys!)

Our rating: 3 of 5 popcorn tumblers

Sabay pa kami nang matapos, "Overrated."

But the 3D work was really impressive.

We watched on Day 2, right after hearing

all about the Opening Day hype.

We expected way too much.

IF YOU ARE THE ONE

Above:

2 of 5 popcorn tumblers

(DVD movie date)

Sana rom-com na lang all throughout.

It went dramatic in the middle, na-off ako.

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi's so pretty.

Buti na lang masarap siya panoorin, hehe.

BIUTIFUL

Above:

3 of 5 popcorn tumblers

(DVD movie date)

We liked Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel more.

But Javier Bardem's performance is superb, as usual.

Warning:

Make sure you're in a beautiful mood when you see this one.

Too sad.

X-MEN FIRST CLASS

Above:

4 of 5 popcorn tumblers

We were pleasantly surprised!

Maganda ang storya --

which is always the backbone of a good movie, right?

Bonus: Another title we got to see for free!

Thank you to our "Fairy Godmother."

SUPER 8

Above:

2 of 5 popcorn tumblers

Failed miserably at being 2011's version of E.T.

Good thing we didn't pay for the tickets, hehe.

Another free movie via our "super pass."

RED RIDING HOOD

Above:

2.5 of 5 popcorn tumblers

(DVD date)

It kept us curious -- who's the big, bad, wolf?

We guessed wrong!

Best thing about it: the cinematography.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

Above:

3.5 of 5 popcorn tumblers

(On DVD)

Was pleasantly surprised with this one.

Thought I'd be bored by a period circus film.

Instead, I was so moved by the love story.

Heard the book's even better.

How did you find these titles?

OPENING NIGHT

Barely six months into "serious" photography, hubby's first (group) photo exhibit is up! Claps and snaps! *very proud wife* Could this be proof that anyone may excel in anything he puts his mind and heart into?

Sharing the highlights from opening night...

J: Tilak Hettige's Dawn to Dusk 2 photo exhibit opened Monday, with National artist Benedicto "Bencab" Cabrera cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Premiere wedding photographer Patrick Uy, along with other members of the prestigious Camera Club of the Philippines, also graced the occasion. But putting one over everyone else is surprise guest, Hayden Kho! Who would've known he's into photography. Isn't he into videography? :)

Above, clockwise:

My writer-photographer-creative director-

martial artist-mountaineer-fencer-medical miracle

Hubby with one of his photos;

Us;

with photography enthusiast Hayden Kho;

ribbon cutting ceremony with hubby's mentor Tilak Hettige,

National Artist BenCab and premiere photographer Patrick Uy.

A: All the photos on display were taken at the BenCab Museum, Baguio City (where I ate and read while their group was at work). The exhibit will run until July 10 (with possibility of being extended according to Tilak) at the Camera Club of the Philippines, Makati City. It's open Monday to Sunday, 10am-7pm. Thanks to every one who've taken the time to drop by (special mention to our friend E who came on opening night). I'll try to post hubby's photos here after the exhibit.

Love on Display

Picture Perfect

Mr. & Mrs. M