HUBBY's HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A Happy Birth-Date in Chinatown, SG
20 January 2012

We celebrated hubby's first Singapore birthday in Chinatown (MRT Station: Chinatown. It's along the Purple Line, same as our town, Punggol). Three days to the Chinese New Year, the place was extra festive so it felt like everyone was celebrating with us. Happiness!

Date highlights:

• Authentic foot reflexology c/o very well-trained therapists. Heaven! 
• A mini dimsum feast along the Chinatown Food Street. Yummy! 
• Our devotional prayers that day. Blessed!
• Affirmation: Life is amazing! Singapore was merely a dream during Hubby's birthday last year. And now, eto na, we're actually living the dream. Wow. 

Hubby took a video
of the 45-minute reflexology session
but I'm still unsure whether I want
to expose my tired feet here. Lol.

We love that you don't need dipping sauce for
the dimsum here. Malasa na sila as they are.
I'm not a siopao fan in Manila.
But I'm loving the char siew bao here in SG!

Happy birthday to my Life Partner & Daily Date! I love you. I won't say much here dahil ang haba na ng private birthday message. At yun ang mas mahalaga. *wink* Here's to growing old with you, Baby! Mwah!

UPS AND DOWNS

Birthday message to Hubby: I love that we choose to take the roller coaster over the carousel. *wink* Here's to more life adventures together! Happy birthday to my Life Partner and Daily Date! I love you.

Photo credit: askmissa.com

Life's ups and downs are more bearable, more meaningful, more fun when you go through them with someone you love.


Thank you, God...

1) for allowing us to get off 'that crazy carousel' just in time. Lol.

2) for the 'tickets' to this roller coaster ride

3) for allowing Hubby and me to take this adventure together (Bow ako to those who are on the roller coaster alone!)

4) for allowing this journey to shape us into the best versions of ourselves

5) for the fresh perspectives (seen from the highest of highs and the lowest of lows).


We're so blessed. 

GREATEST GIFTS OF 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, let's all count our blessings. =)

Photo credit: candyfortoes.com

Among the greatest gifts I received this year:

Material

1. iPad2: Hubby's birthday gift to me (Wish come true!)

Non-Material (and far more precious)

1. Fashion school.
2. My birthday gift to me: Freedom! Read more about it here. I'll forever remember 2011 as the year I took the BIG LEAP into the great unknown.
3. Our gift to us: Living out our dream! Hubby and I have been living in Singapore since the last quarter of 2011. We left our comfort zone to follow our hearts and explore the world. (Praying that we receive the "working in Singapore" gift soon.)
4. Career Break. At the start of the year it seemed impossible, even after reading this article from Lonely Planet. But guess what?! We've been enjoying our longest vacation leave ever!  
5. Spending time with our family, even for just awhile. My parents and sister came home to Manila for a month. We got to be with them only for a week. But that one week was priceless. And for the very first time in my life I flew alone (alone!) from one country to another -- just to be with my loved ones. (Hubby took another flight because of a scheduled job interview.) 
6. Being able to hold my Mama's hand in the O.R., all throughout a medical procedure. The greater blessing: Doc declared her lump clear, on-the-spot! Fatty tissue lang! Yey! And the bonus: the procedure was free. We're blessed with kind-hearted, generous, loving doctors and nurses in the family. 
7. Being able to tell my Papa, "Now that I'm a Pinoy abroad like you, lalo akong bilib sa iyo. For so long, you faced the challenges of being an OFW on your own. Idol talaga kita!"
8. Learning every day about WHAT TRULY MATTERS IN LIFE. We're grateful that we have enough. Sometimes nga, more than enough pa. Even on career breaks. We're overwhelmed by the blessings. 
9. Our SG Adventure has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. And it has shaped Hubby and Me into stronger individuals and more loving partners. If a couple can laugh together through rejection, discrimination, and a stretch of "no paydays muna," then they must really be meant to happily journey through life together. *wink*

2011: Another year filled with
life, laughter and lots of love!

THANK YOU, GOD, for loving me, loving us the way you do. We're forever humbled by Your grace, love, mercy and faithfulness. May you continue to bless us all in 2012 and the coming years. We know Your Plans are always greater than our dreams. 

N's BDAY TREAT

Over vegetable kare-kare, crispy pata, crispy tilapia and loads of rice (Oh, I'll miss Pinoy food), we celebrated my dear friend N's birthday in advance. As usual, mas busog kami sa kuwentuhan. 

The night's surprise: Hindi lang si N ang may gift. Ako rin! They got me items from my birthday wish list. Thanks, Friends! That was so thoughtful of you. 

True Friends J, N, M. And me.
Taken at Finio's, Tomas Morato.

Their despedida gift for me. Thank you!

Hindi naman ako masyadong masaya.
Look at that BIG smile! LOL

PS
Where's Hubby? He took all the photos above.

PHOTO BOOTH PICS

Photo booths are now event staples in Manila. Below are a few photos from my niece's birthday merienda. It was no party. But friends of my brother and sis-in-law were so thoughtful to gift her with the photo booth experience, for free. Such good friends! =) The kids and the feeling kids (kami yun, haha) had so much fun hamming it up for the cam.

The bday girl with her cousins and guests.

S #2 enjoyed changing head gears. Here with Yayay.

With my dear cousins and sis-in-law.

Us again with E and Hubby J (nakatalikod).

MASSAGE DATES

Two massage dates this week. Ahhhh, love it!

Monday: Ton Ton Massage, along Shaw Blvd. 

Only Php250 for a full body Thai Massage if you go between 12nn and 6pm.

We so needed this in the middle of all the errands, packing and never-ending To Dos. 

I'll surely miss Manila's cheap spa treats. We've tried the massage services in SG's Chinatown and Bugis areas. They're also good. Their forte: reflexology. But nothing is as cheap as Manila's Php250 (approx USD5) one hour, full body service. 

We'll definitely go back to TonTon before flying out. Cheap lang naman eh. *wink*

Wednesday: The Spa, Trinoma, QC

This was part of Tito C's never-ending birthday celebration. He treated every one -- there were eight of us -- to a massage of our choice. Happy bday!

Hubby and I chose the Combination Massage -- Swedish on our backs, Shiatsu everywhere else (oil only on our backs, dry on the rest of our bodies). 

We missed The Spa. Since saving up for The SG Dream, we've gone only to the more affordable spas (Holistic Circle at Megamall and TonTon). Wednesday's massage reminded us that The Spa's treats are worth every peso. Yes, you do pay for more. But you'll see and feel the difference. Alam mo kung saan napupunta ang pera mo. Love it there. (Highly-recommended: Traditional Hilot at The Spa.)

We all felt so relaxed after our massages. Too relaxed and too happy that we pigged out at Abe's Trinoma -- crispy pata, sisig, laing, gising-gising, pinaputok na pla-pla, sinigang na bangus sa bayabas, loads of rice. Hala!

Tito C's never-ending bday celebration!
Photo taken by Hubby.

BACK-TO-BACK BDAYS 2011

We just enjoyed back-to-back (Sunday and Monday) dinner celebrations with my dear relatives. These are among the moments I'll surely miss when we move to our 'new home'. Good thing some of them have booked their Singapore trips. Yey, family reunions in SG by November!

Sunday was E's birthday dinner at YakiMix, Greenbelt. She has a "younger" celebration with her friends this weekend.

My YakiMix favorites:

• From the sushi bar - salmon sashimi
• From the 'for grilling' station - salmon, the asparagus rolled in bacon, bacon strips, spicy chicken in skewers 
• From the cooked meals - crispy squid with the very garlic-y vinegar dip, steamed pechay
• From the dessert bar - ube ice cream  

Happy Bday, E! We love you!
Photos: Mine

Titos, Titas, cousins, pamangkins.
Wish my parents and sister were here.
Not in picture: Hubby J (The official photographer. LOL)

Monday was Tito C's turn. We had cocktails and dinner at Conway's, at the Shangrila Hotel Makati. I ordered the Singapore Sling (Bakit kaya? LOL) and the burger (definitely for sharing). What else we shared: the appetizer sampler (I liked the lechon kawali), calamares, kebab sampler, nachos, etc.

Happy Bday, Tito C! We love you.
It was too dark in Conway's to take photos
kaya konti lang ito.

Most fun for me: Aside from the chika, I'll say the band. I forgot their name but they used to perform on "The Sweet Life" (a QTV show I used to handle). Their repertoire: very mainstream -- current pop favorites, 80s and OPM. I liked that they sang Sharon Cuneta's "Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" and Apo's "Panalangin" (the re-arranged, more modern versions) for our balikbayans. Hubby's so NOT into mainstream music. Ako ang mainstream, obvious ba? But we had a fun time. Thanks to the great company of people we love and love us back. Awwww.

SUNDAY WAS SMURFS DAY

My brother and I grew up watching Smurfs in the '80s. So it's exciting to see the cartoon making a come back in 2011 -- with a 3D movie pa! We now have a shared experience with the Facebook / iPad generation. Aliw!

My niece S: Who's your favorite Smurf, Tita A?

Me: Smurfette, of course.

S: Me too! We're the same!

LOL

With the Smurfs movie released last month, my niece wanted a Smurfs-themed birthday (Syempre, uso.). Nothing grand. Just a simple merienda with family and friends.  

To continue the tradition, Hubby and I gifted S with cake and cupcakes from KiddieParty.com. We're very happy with their creations and service. 

Sharing with you some of the moments from S' celebration...

Our bday gift to S.
The Smurfette cupcakes were the first to go, hehe.

Our suki: Eloisa Tan of KiddieParty.Com
Her number: 6330949
Her email: eloisatan@yahoo.com
Flat cake 9"x13": Php1,500
Cupcakes: Php45 each, minimum order of 24pcs
(More elaborate designs are available.)

My brother, the bday girl,
and my blooming preggy sis-in-law.

G with a balloon that says
"Happy Smurfs Day!"

Seriously thinking about her birthday wish? LOL
 Love the shot! Photo by J.

S #2 enjoying the slide.
Ganda rin nito! Another photo by J.

 S, A, X enjoying the cupcake toppings.
Kids have such simple joys. Love it!

E's so dalaga na!
S and E are celebrating back-to-back bdays.

Lovely Mom & Daughter

Cam Crazy Cousins at the Photo Booth
Photo by J

RETIRING AT 35

I'm retiring in a few weeks, at age 35.

For the first time in my professional career, I'll have the chance to enjoy a month-long (or more?) vacation. The longest I've gone on VL since after college is only two weeks. So I'm really looking forward to the long break.

As I mentioned in my past entries, this is my 35th birthday gift to me: freedom!

Freedom to:

1. Wake up to no-alarm clock days
2. Attend morning yoga sessions (without worrying that I'll be late for work)
3. Run all I want
4. Read all I want (lots of books in line)
5. Nap when I want to
6. Take long hot showers
7. Spend time with my family (My parents and sister are scheduled to come home soon!)
8. Spend time with my nieces
9. Maybe even bring / fetch my niece S to /from school (I'd love that!)
10. Spend time with my relatives (Balikbayans by September!)
11. Meet up with friends
12. Practice my make-up skills
13. De-clutter the condo
14. Pack for SG
15. Organize a garage sale
16. Try out simple, budget recipes
17. Organize files
18. Do photo shoots with my Hubby
19. Plan out the next chapter of our lives
20. Enjoy DVD marathons
21. Watch films at the cinema for free (Yey, free!)
22. Walk around the city (Confession: I haven't seen all of Manila. What a shame!)
23. Volunteer for charity work
24. If I have extra money, maybe enroll in more fashion / hair / makeup workshops
25. Do nothing

The list excites me! But I have to admit, the no-more-payday reality is haunting me. But I know I / we will survive. Sandali lang naman. Hindi naman ito forever. We've saved a bit, of course. But we don't plan to drain the "Singapore Dream fund" dry.

This is where our childless by choice stance comes in handy. No child will go hungry with our decision to "retire" now, nang sabay. If ever, kami lang ang magugutom. Hahaha! (Thank God our families have pledged to feed us pag nagkagipitan. LOL.)

So how do I plan to survive the no-payday-for-awhile reality? I've been reading "simplifying your life" articles. And I'm actually inspired to try the ideas! Operative word: try. My recent ukay-ukay success may have been the first step towards...zen. Hmmm...

Sharing with you ideas to Simplify Your Life, from ZenHabits.net:

The Short List
For the cynics who say that the list below is too long, there are really only two steps to simplifying:

1. Identify what’s most important to you.
2. Eliminate everything else.

Of course, that’s not terribly useful unless you can see how to apply that to different areas of your life, so I present to you the Long List.

The Long List
There can be no step-by-step guide to simplifying your life, but I’ve compiled an incomplete list of ideas that should help anyone trying to find the simple life. Not every tip will work for you — choose the ones that appeal and apply to your life.

One important note: this list will be criticized for being too complicated, especially as it provides a bunch of links. Don’t stress out about all of that. Just choose one at a time, and focus on that. When you’re done with that, focus on the next thing.

1. Make a list of your top 4-5 important things. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What 4-5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.
2. Check out their website for the complete "Long List"

BDAY PICTORIAL

Hubby asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Right away I said, "a photo shoot."

We're really a team, you see. He's into photography. And I'm practicing my styling, hair and makeup skills. A photo shoot would definitely be a perfect birth-date! So we turned our tiny condo into a photo studio. The first hour was devoted to hair and makeup; and the background, lights and camera set-up. The second hour was all test shots, experiments and adjustments. By the third hour we've found the "formula" and started having so much fun.

LABOR of LOVE

Through Hubby's Eyes: Me at 35

Dear J, thank you for always making me feel like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world (even though we both know I'm not!). Hahaha! Thank you for loving me, seeing me the way you do.

BDAY BLAST

I knew my 35th would be a very special birthday. It'd be the year when I'd finally step out of my comfort zone to finally explore the world. It'd be the year I'd be spreading my wings. New country. New life. New job.

My gift to me: FREEDOM!

But as usual, nothing tops God's gifts -- the wonderful people in my life. Birthday bonding with my parents and sister abroad was via Facebook video chat. Birthday date with my Hubby: my dream pictorial (hahaha!). Will blog about it separately.

My other birthday dates...

A simple lunch at my cousins' Inasal place.

Above, clockwise:

With two of my favorite girls, S and S;

My dear brother's beautiful family

(another pamangkin on the way!);

S and S with books from Tito J and Tita A

(Yes, ako may bday pero ako ang nagbibigay ng gifts. Love that.)

plus a new Barbie from Grandpa and Grandma;

our Bday Lunch Group;

my yummy birthday cupcakes from little S;

a birthday surprise;

my dear cousins K and D;

my "30 something" cherry cake.

If you're in Marikina, try Ar-J's Manokan!

Above:

My business-savvy cousins opened another business:

an authentic Inasal joint,

in front of the Blue Wave Mall in Marikina.

AR-J Manokan gets to two-thumbs up from us!

Loved the Inasal (Paa) with unlimited rice

and their Kansi!

Hubby J had the Inasal (Pecho) take-out.

We agreed it had a lutong-bahay flavor.

Yung may pagmamahal sa preparation, not so commercial.

Our super busog lunch group also had

chopsuey and KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka).

Everything is so affordable.

My cheerleaders and best friends.

Above:

L and F are in town!

It was the perfect time to meet up.

We had dinner at Banana Leaf (YakiMix was super puno), Podium.

Then dessert at Cafe Breton.

See our big bags?

Dami kasing gifts!

My dear college friends have been instrumental

in my finding the strength to finally do IT.

For the nth time I say -- I may not be rich, famous or powerful, but with my marriage, family life and friendships, I know I DO HAVE IT ALL. It was a blessed birthday. Thank you.

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!

BIRTHDAY BOY

Highlights from J's birthday...

Above:

My Facebook Status & Wall Photo on his bday --

"Happy Birthday

to my Life Partner, Best Friend, Mentor,

Travel and Workout Buddy, Daily Date!

Love you!"

Photo taken by Rene Mejia,

during one of our program pictorials, January 2011.

Above:

One of the day's many little surprises.

(Thank you, Holland Tulips, for the beautiful arrangement.)

The other gifts, between us na lang. =)

Above:

Cyma's Flamed Cheese

Super sarap!

Due to our toxic work skeds that day,

we thought we wouldn't be able to have a dinner date.

(We were assigned to two separate shoot locations.)

But thank God for good friends / officemates,

ang imposible, naging posible!

We were originally heading to one of our personal favorites, Uno.

But with the biglang buhos ng ulan, it was smarter to head home.

So the Birthday Dinner Date was at Cyma, Shangrila Plaza.

Believe that even detours are God's blessings!

Because we had the perfect dinner of Spinach rice,

which we highly recommend!

And the best chicken adobo...

J: "The best chicken adobo is Greek!"

J is an adobo lover.

So what better way to spend his bday

than to try another version of this Filipino signature dish?

I was happy that he was happy!

Happy Birthday, J!

Everything else I have to say, I've written on the card.

*wink*

PS

We've had several Cyma dates but it was the first time we tried their adobo.

I HEART MY SISTER

‎"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." - MCG.

Happy Birthday to my dear sister P.

You keep me a child at heart. Love you.

Above: Goofing around Hong Kong Disneyland

Above: Loving the sun, sea, and sand of Palawan

Sorry my phone call woke you up on your bday (haha). I miss you and our regular "sisters only" dates. But I'm happy to know you're blooming where you are. Ate's so proud of the person you're growing up to be -- very strong (you've adjusted to your new environment really fast), super smart (perfect Math exams! promoted to the Honors Class!), creative (still into arts & crafts), respectful, thoughtful, caring, tech-y (our low-tech parents are so amazed!). See you soon!

YIN-YANG

J's FB status last Saturday: "After attending a Hello Kitty-themed children's party, we were off to a tattoo convention. How's that for yin-yang balance?"

From pink...

To black...

I love the range of colors that paint our dating life! =)

********

Now, allow me to share my inked hubby's thoughts on "Dutdutan X: A Decade of Artistic Ink," written Saturday, Sept. 25. (Maybe one of these days I'll also share a photo of his amazing back piece. *wink*)

Top Three Mainstream Moments at Dutdutan X

Okay, Philtag's event is a decade old. But Philtag is the Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild and Dutdutan is a tattoo convention. Never mind that there was a mixed martial arts competition yesterday and a bikini open tonight, but I have never seen the World Trade Center filled with so many people. On second thought, alternative has been mainstream since the '90s. I just wonder whether their appreciation of tattoo is beyond skin deep.

3. Local tinseltown's current toast, celebrity couple Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez posing atop the hood of a vintage muscle car.

2. Robin Padilla asking for permission from his “wife” if he can take off his shirt on stage and show off his tattoos: “Magpapaakalam muna ako sa asawa ko. Dahil ang mga tattoo ko ay dating pag-ibig. Ayos lang ba na ipakita ko?”

1. Robin Padilla showing off his tattoos: “Alam n'yo po, ako rin ay punung-puno ng tato!” Then shows his collection—one on his bicep, one on his chest, and one on his back. It's just that his three fistfuls—even when combined—will be dwarfed by the single backpiece of the little girl in one of the booths, gamely posing for photographs, exposing a bit of her boobies.

Anyway, after seeing all the tattoo flash, tattoo artists, and tattooed people, I'm now itching to shave my legs. Nothing kinky, though. I just want to get large leg pieces. I'm thINKing of having them done by Tatay Nero, the famed founder of Philtag, with his pointilism style.

The right leg will be a contemporary rendition of ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints), inspired by the works of Masami Teraoka and Hisashi Tenmyouya, perhaps with a hint of modern hentai or traditional shunga.

On the other hand, or more aptly, leg, it will be a reworking of the propaganda posters of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, circa Mao's era, jazzed up by the Propaganda Pop and Cynical Realism art movements of the '90s, as represented by the works of Wang Guanyi and Yue Minjun, respectively.

My piercings have almost all closed up and I haven't been inked for over a decade. Maybe, it's about time.

MY “MAJOR, MAJOR” LIFE LESSONS

I’ve got no delusions of joining the Miss Universe.

[Photo: Kissfendi.com]

But I must admit, I’ve been thinking about the Ms. U 2010 question for Miss Philippines, “What is the biggest mistake in your life? And what did you do to correct it?”

One week after the pageant, I finally have an answer – In life, there are no mistakes, only lessons learned. (LOL!)

Allow me to elaborate.

In my 34 years of existence, here are my (to borrow Venus Raj’s now infamous quip) “major, major” learnings. Thank you to all the teachers who came into my life in different forms, shapes and sizes.

1.God is in the details.

2.The best gifts from your parents: a happy childhood, a good education. (Thank you, Papa and Mama!)

3.Time does not heal wounds. Love does.

4.Believe in love’s second chances.

5.If he likes you, you'll know. If he doesn't, you'll be confused.

6.It’s true love if you bring out the best in each other.

7.Happiness is living the life you want. So it's important to know what you want.

8.Marriage will work if both parties work to make it work.

9.My kind of commitment: all or nothing.

10.Life is short. Live each day to the fullest – show your loved ones how much you love them; tell your loved ones how much you love them; don’t wait for special occasions to wear your dresses or your red lipstick; go on daily dates; face your fears; dare to be different!

11.You need not be rich to see the world.

12.Fashion is a right, not a privilege.

13.Surround yourself only with people who lift you up.

14.Life is no fairy tale. But there are always big bad wolves! Don't let their big teeth scare you. Fight!

15.Talk is cheap. Gauge character by the person’s actions.

16.Don’t be fooled by people who “help” only to get something in return.

17.Never lose the child in you.

18.Choose a funny person as Life Partner. Laugh out loud!

19.Let “thank you” be your favorite words.

20.The road less traveled could lead to a very happy place. (Glad I took it with you, J.)

What has life taught you?



PS
I've changed #20 for the nth time.
Dami kasing lessons!
Should I make this list 50+?

LOVING LONG WEEKENDS

Who doesn’t love long weekends? For my 34th birthday, J gave me, us, exactly that. We left for Taipei Friday, July 30, and returned to Manila Tuesday, August 3 – a five-day weekend we loved, loved, loved!

[Photo: Mine. Giant "Love" installation, Taipei 101 entrance.]


Taiwan is not on people’s “to visit” list. And somehow that was an additional attraction to us.

So why Taipei?

1) Seeing new worlds is one of our joys. It doesn’t have to be a popular destination. Besides, we’re not really into popular choices (we’re childless by choice, remember?). As long as the place has points of interest, is safe to visit, and within our budget, we’re game!

2) It was part of Cebu Pacific’s seat sale. Wala kaming pinalalampas!

3) We got interested after catching episodes of Discovery Travel & Living’s “Fun Taiwan.” Confession: J finds the host Janet Hsieh very pretty (crush niya!). We actually had a silly wish: to see Janet filming while we were in Taipei. Such fans! LOL






According to the Lonely Planet, “In the first decade of the 21st century, Taiwan is increasingly drawing travelers of all stripes: from spiritual seekers looking to experience the island’s religious heritage to gourmands in search of the perfect night-market­ meal to computer geeks scanning the horizon for the latest high-tech gadgets. Taiwan offers visitors a hypermodern skin, an ancient Chinese skeleton and an aboriginal soul.”

True!

Thank you, Taipei, for a super fun birthday weekend!


For more on our Taipei trip, check out Top Taipei Picks 1, 2, 3, and 4.