AWESOME!

MY CURRENT READ

"Polar ice caps are melting, hurricanes swirl in the seas, wars are heating up around the world, and the job market is in a deep freeze.

Whoa. It's getting pretty ugly out there.

That's why one chilly spring night I started a tiny website called 1000 Awesome Things...

I never imagined that writing about finding money in your old coat pocket, the smell of gasoline, or watching The Price Is Right when you're at home sick would amount to anything.

It seems like maybe these tiny little moments make an awesome difference in many of our rushed, jam-packed lives. Maybe we all love snow days, peeling an orange in one shot, and popping bubble wrap.

Maybe we're basically all the same...

With so much sad news and bad news pouring down upon us, it's fun to stop for a minute and share a universal high five with the rest of humanity."

-- N.Pasricha


Among the awesome experiences listed on the book, these made me say "So true!":

1. When cashiers open up new checkout lanes at the grocery store
2. Having a whole row to yourself on the plane
3. Being the first table to get called up for the dinner buffet at a wedding
4. Finding out your birthday is on a Friday or Saturday
5. Using hotel lobby bathrooms when you're out walking around
6. Taking your bra off after wearing it for hours
7. Waiters and waitresses who bring free refills without asking 
8. When the thing you were going to buy is already on sale
9. Finding your keys after looking forever
10. Finally remembering a word that's been on the tip of your tongue for so long
11. The smell of frying onions and garlic
12. Finding money in your pocket

And the list goes on. I'm still reading the book. And you know what? I'm actually not in a rush to finish it. I'm savoring the list. Ninanamnam ko talaga, haha. It's such a happy read!

***

If I were to come up with my personal list, I'll definitely include our recent AWESOME experiences (that I must blog about, in detail, soon):

1. The realization that our 'wealth' is not in the form of SUVs or designer bags, but in being able to afford  our Singapore Adventure and a very comfortable 'career break.'
2. No-alarm-clock work-day Mondays. 
3. What tops working in your SG home, in your pajamas? Earning SGD in Manila! 
4. Enrolling in not just one but three film schools. So happy for my Hubby!
5. A viral campaign for a shampoo brand. A TVC for a pain reliever. So proud of you, Baby!
6. Applying for a Junior Management position, and getting hired for a Senior Management position. In an industry I've been eyeing. So excited!
7. Our new worlds: film, advertising, retail, marketing, events. 
8. Our parents telling us how proud they are of us. *sniff, sniff*
9. Spending time with someone so young and inspiring, as she wins over the Big C.
10. Seeing a family stay so strong throughout their grieving. 
11. The comfort from having strong family ties. 
12. Tita Time. 
13. Road trips that allow you to have long, heart-to-heart talks with best friends. 
14. Welcoming and ending each day with your Life Partner. 
15. Living the truth in "God's Plans are greater than your dreams." 

TRULY AWESOME!

Thank you, God. 

LIVE FULLY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE

With an expiration of less than twelve hours,

what does Jesus count as all most important? 

"And he took bread, GAVE THANKS and broke it, 

and gave it to them..." (Luke 22:19 NIV).

Jesus offers thanksgiving for even that which will break Him and crush Him 

and wound Him and yield a bounty of joy.

As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. Joy is always possible. 

Whenever, meaning-now; wherever, meaning-here.

Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. 

Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our "Yes!" to His grace.

-- a few of my favorite lines from my current read, 

Ann Voskamp's 

"ONE THOUSAND GIFTS: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are."

PERFECT TIMING.
Thank you to KLG and The Today Show
for the recommendation.

'Thank you' are among my favorite words. My Gratitude Journal is among my most valuable possessions. That's why I easily gravitated to the book One Thousand Gifts.

Living in gratitude is easy through good times, tough through bad. But because I've experienced the truth in this -- The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now...(Ann Voskamp) -- I choose to give thanks, no matter what.

As the book reminds us, Jesus revealed the secret to happiness, through his own example. In his dying hours, He still chose to give thanks. (Mamamatay na, papatayin na, nagpapasalamat pa rin.) The greatest thing is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live.


Today, I'm especially grateful for:

1. Our Amazing Adventure. Wow.
2. Thank you, God, for the wonderful opportunity. 
3. Thank you for all the life-enriching experiences.
4. New perspectives. 
5. The next chapter. 
6. The new road.
7. New Dreams
8. Stronger Faith
9. Our marriage. 
10. Our families. 
11. Tita Time!
12. Our friends.
13. Good health.
14. Our lovely home.
15. Our quiet little life. 
16. Freedom!
17. Current work set-up. (Pwedeng ganito?! Bongga.)
18. Because it can get too hot -- Thank you for cold showers, the swimming pool, the air con, and finally some rain!
19. Successfully crossed-over to advertising after doing TV for more than a decade. 
20. The opportunity of crossing-over into another dream industry. *praying*
21. The reminder to be cautious as to who you let into your life. 
22. Ikea
23. Today's errand was finished in less than an hour. We're pleasantly surprised. 
24. Thai massage. Pinoy dinner. American Idol.
25. Jessica Sanchez. We're in awe of the girl's talent. She's been making a lot of people, especially Pinoys, happy and proud. Final results in a few hours!
26. Be grateful that God doesn't grant us everything we want. Instead, He provides us with everything we need. 
27. God's Plans are greater than our dreams. (I never imagined I'd be where I am now. Again, pwede pala 'to?! Bongga.)
28. Thank you, God, for loving us the way you do. 

Try starting your own Gratitude Journal. List everything you're grateful for. Not of gifts you want but of gifts you already have. That's the dare to LIVE FULLY right where you are. 

ROLES WE PLAY

Today I'm in awe of the many hats life allows us to wear.  

HATS OFF
to a great balancing act!
Photo credit: bluesunstudio-inc.com

My favorite roles: being my life's Leading Lady (you should be too!) and being Hubby's Life Partner. 

Next on the list: Daughter, Sister, Tita, Cousin, Friend.

Being a Colleague, Teammate, Blogger, Copywriter, Project Manager, Events Host, Stylist, Teacher, Student, Classmate, Neighbor, Churchmate, Relative, Acquaintance, Tourist have / had their moments.

I'm grateful that the past months gave me the opportunity to wear more hats. That of:

1. Early Retiree. (Wow that sounds old. Lol.)
2. Dreamer.
3. New Kid on the Block. (In a foreign land.)
4. Housemate.
5. Traveler. (Level up from Tourist?)
6. Job Hunter.
7. OFW-wannabe. 
8. Bum. 
9. Freelancer. (Earning in my PJs has its perks.)
10. Soul Searcher. 

So what's next? 

Do I see myself wearing the Balikbayan hat soon? 

HOW SWEET

SARAP!
Current juice of choice:
Sugarcane Juice from SG hawker centers

I'm currently into sweet drinks: Honey Milk Tea (as blogged earlier) and Sugarcane Juice. If I grow really big, I only have me to blame. Yes, hindi ko sisisihin ang drinks. I take full responsibility for my actions. Hehe.

I know we also have this in the Philippines (Hello, Negros!). But sadly, the juice is not readily available. Mas buko ang omnipresent sa Manila, right? Here in SG, sugarcane juice is sold in almost all hawker centers, for around SGD 2-3 per cup.

The drink's health benefits: it's a natural diuretic and a natural coolant. Perfect for SG's humid weather.

The juice is triggering childhood memories. Sweet summers in Nueva Ecija, early '80s. Afternoons with my Mom, Titas and cousins, at our dear Ima's home. Kinakagat, nginangatngat at sinisipsip namin yung tubo (sugarcane) for the ultimate sugar fix.

Buti na lang may juicer na ngayon! Lol.

FIRST GIFTS OF 2012

Mid-way into January 2012 and gifts are pouring in! 

THANK YOU, God!

1. Today's Greatest Gift: my nephew T. He was the reason why we took a short trip to Manila. The last delivery update when we were still in SG: "Lalabas na. Anytime!" So we booked a flight and waited...for a week! Puro false labor, hehe. We had to fly out Saturday night, wala pa rin. Finally, nag-totoong labor na ang sister-in-law ko the next day, Sunday, when we were already back in SG. Baby T was born today, Monday, 16 January 2012. Pilyong bata ito! Hahaha. Nevertheless, we're very grateful. Mom and Baby survived the delicate delivery. Thanks to our Dear Doc, Ate P who took great care of them. We're all so happy! And way too excited! My parents want to go home for Baby T (sorry, Papa and Mama, hindi kayo 3.5 hours away from Manila). Today, 16 Jan 2012, is a historic day for the Philippines as it marks Day 1 of the Corona Trial. But for our family, Baby T's birth is the more important headline. *confetti blast*

It's a boy! 6.10 lbs.
Today, my niece S is officially an Ate.
Welcome, Baby T! We love you.

   
      2.  The Manila break.
      3.  More projects. *big smile*
      4.  Green Card.
   
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Luke 11:9)

WHY IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

We started the New Year right by taking a short trip to Manila. Yes, I love that it's only three and a half hours away from SG. Yey!

Mandaluyong, Philippines. January 2012.
View from our condo unit's balcony via Instagram.
New Year Must Do: mag-"general cleaning." (That term is so Pinoy!)

With the non-stop reunions (aka kainan), it really is more fun in the Philippines!

Banapple lunch with my brother's family.
 Beef stew, crispy bangus, some yummy cheesy pasta,
blueberry pancakes and blueberry cheesecake.

Made it to our UP Barkada's annual reunion!
E to Me: "Thanks for flying thousands of miles
to be with us."

Cake Party (cakes not in photo)
at M & C's brand new home.
Plus salad, tacos, lechon manok, liempo, white rice.

Foggy or Smoggy? Tagaytay or Baguio?
View from M's balcony. Guess where.

Recipes dinner with my dear cousins and nieces.
Kare-kare, gising-gising, General's Chicken,
General's fried tofu, lechon kawali and kangkong, lotsa rice!

Cafe Breton.
Hubby and I love Breton's Tarzan
so we ordered one each, for the first time!
Miss na miss? We usually share lang. LOL.

More than the country's breathtaking natural wonders (Palawan, Boracay, Sagada, Batanes...) and good food (Hubby and I ate too much Max's crispy pata and Lapid's chicharon during this trip), we enjoy coming home to chika time with family and friends.

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. 

AS RUDOLPH & MRS. CLAUS

It's our first Holiday Season in SG. Yes, totoo ang chismis, the celebration is more "relaxed" here versus Pinas. Proof: Our building was so quiet on Christmas Eve. Parang unit lang namin ang gising until the wee hours of the morning, hehe. 

After church, Hubby and I bonded with our housemates over crispy pata, kare-kare, roast chicken, biko, leche flan and lots of picture-taking. Fun!

As Rudolph & Mrs. Claus
with our SG housemates

Highlights (nope, not our head gears, haha):

1. Video chatting with my family! Thank God for Skype and Facebook.
2. Of course, J, our housemate's 5-yr old daughter had the most gifts. Among all her new toys, guess which one she picked to play with first? Our Hello Kitty Cafe gift! Proud to say consistent ako dyan -- kids choose to play with our gift first, pati sa Pinas. Maybe because I'm a kid-at-heart? I know what they'll enjoy. (And no, the toy need not be expensive.) 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone!

BOTANIC GARDENS

Our first time at the Singapore Botanic Gardens was in February 2010. 

We were there to attend a cousin's wedding. Below is our group photo taken at The Bandstand.

We wanted to see the Garden again, minus the wedding frenzy so Hubby and I went last weekend.

Below is the Botanic Garden gate from the MRT station (Circle Line), it's at the corner of Cluny Park and Bukit Timah Roads.

There were so many benches in the Garden that reminded me of the secret garden from Notting Hill, among my all-time favorite rom-coms!

"For June who loved this garden 

from Joseph who always sat beside her." Some people do spend their whole lives together. -- Notting Hill

Loved the many pocket gardens!

One of the cottages.

Mystree.
At the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.

The gorgeous pedestrian overpass, in front of the Garden gates. Along Bukit Timah Road.

Green.

 Red.

Brown.

Trellis.

We would have wanted to explore the 63-hectare Garden but it started raining real hard.

Here's a harassed me, in one of the cottages, waiting for the downpour to stop. It did not.

So we're going back on a sunnier day for a picnic!

KIND KIDS

Today's simple joy: seeing a young girl, no older than ten, rushing to get a seat in the MRT, not for her, but for her grandmother. Awww.

The scene reminded me of another good girl I know, my dear sister P. Whenever we're out as a family, namamasyal, at medyo napapabilis ang lakad ko, she'd remind me to slow down kasi "baka maiwan sina Papa and Mama." Awww.

Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project

KAIYAK! Being part of an OFW Family, I can so relate! Time with family is priceless.

Nice one, Coke.

For that, I'll open more bottles and cans of happiness. =)

PRECIOUS MANILA VACATION

And just like that Manila equals Vacation! OFW point-of-view na talaga ako, hehe.

Hubby and I made a quick trip to Manila to spend time with our families. Balikbayans from the USA and KSA were home for a month-long reunion. We were able to spend only a few days with them (yung last week nila sa Manila). And those few days were PRECIOUS! So glad umabot pa kami.

Family before personal ambition. That's me. Thanks to CebuPac's cheap fares, the fact that Manila's only three and a half hours away from Singapore, and a prospective employee allowed me to choose my very own interview sked (Yes, ako nag-set ng sarili kong job interview! So pro-active. So First World.) the biglaang trip was made possible. God knows what's in my heart. I prayed - if coming home to Manila to be with my family meant losing a job opportunity then the job's not really for me. The good news: no rejection notices (Yes, they send those.) and while we were in Manila, we continued receiving interview email invites from Singapore (Bongga!).

Best memories from our short Manila trip:

1. Meals with my family. Complete kami for breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner. Precious!
2. Mama cooked my favorite pork binagoongan. Simot!
3. Went to church with the family. Love!
4. We slept in one room, sa house ng parents ko. Siksikan. Just to be all together. Aliw!
5. Reunion parties with the clan.
6. The sight of my sis, nieces and nephew playing. Super cute!
7. Held my Mama's hand in the O.R., during a procedure. The great news: Doc declared her lump clear, on-the-spot! THANK YOU, GOD!
8. My Mama's operation was free! We're blessed with generous, kind-hearted, loving people talaga.
9. Hubby and I appreciated the privacy of our cozy condo in a whole new level. Being home alone, just the two of us, was a welcome break from living with housemates here in SG, hehe.
10. Abe, Serendra branch. Hope you can open a branch here in SG.
11. Manila's cheap massage services. We're happy with Holistic Circle, 5F Megamall.
12. Our "Christmas Bonuses"! *wink*
13. A surprise gift from my dear Tita B. I'm not worthy. Lol.

Love my family!

With my dearest Mama and Sis

My brother's beautiful family.
Look at my naughty niece making funny faces!

My iPad is now filled with family photos and videos, the perfect baon as we continue on our SG Adventure.

We're so blessed! Thank you, God, for loving us the way you do. 

OUR FIRST THANKSGIVING DINNER DATE

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every day, Hubby and I start our devotional prayers with prayers of gratitude. And as I've said over and over, "Thank You" are my favorite words. So this could turn out to be our favorite holiday, haha!  

  

Thank you for the Thanksgiving Table
available at Dan Ryan's.
It was fully-booked everywhere else.
Location: Tanglin Road

Thank you for the four-course meal
we enjoyed!

Thank you for the time spent
with the newlyweds.

Thank you for one of God's greatest blessings --
a loving Life Partner.

Thank you for the healthy house salad.

Thank you for the thick, creamy, yummy pumpkin soup.

Thank you for the filling roasted turkey,
served with stuffing, candied yams,
mashed potatoes & giblet gravy,
green beans & walnuts.
This is our (Hubby & Me) first Thanksgiving turkey!

Thank you for the yummy dessert -
pumpkin pie.

Thank you for our super fun double date!
Gobble! Gobble!

Thank you for the festive lights along
Orchard Road. The night felt extra special.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -- M. Beattie

DOUBLE-DECKER BUS RIDES

Simple joy: SG's double-decker bus rides! Wee!

Riding a wave of memories. Although the most recent are of our Hong Kong double-decker bus rides, the more powerful memory is that of our family's "Sundays at the Luneta park" pasyal, circa 1980s. Terno-terno pa kami ng dresses ng cousins ko noon. We're three, sometimes four families, na laging sama-sama mag-Family Day. And the double-decker bus rides were the highlight for me. Para na rin akong nag-Fiesta Carnival! Lol. Why didn't Manila maintain those double-deckers?

Photo credit: bus and coach photos.com
#86: mine

So happy pag double-decker na-t-timing-an namin ni Hubby here in SG. Bus No. 86, going to church. I feel like a kid riding the bus' second floor - it's just more fun up there, hehe. 

Same route. Different perspective.

11.11.11

How did you celebrate 11.11.11?

Originally, Hubby and I were supposed to be in my dear cousin C's fabulous wedding, as members of the entourage. But with our SG Adventure, we sent our regrets as early as June (we don't want to harass the bride and groom with last-minute paalam, diba?).

Yes, we could have flown-in to Manila for the weekend. But God had other plans. We had an 11.11.11 job application deadline, confirmed only last Wednesday -- ipit na ang skeds! But we can't argue. God always knows best.

So upon accomplishing a campaign presentation, we made the most of what's left of the day. We were free to go out on a date after 6pm. Yey! We had dinner at Gluttons Bay Makansutra (more about the hawker center here). Had fried rice, chicken and beef satay, chicken wings, grilled stingray and Coke. Yum!

Saw a bit of the concert at the Esplanade Outdoor Theater. We stayed for only two songs because we want to catch the lights and water show. Didn't get to check who performed. But they were good. The crowd loved them! (There's an Indian Festival at The Esplanade right now so I'm assuming...)

The Esplanade Outdoor Theater

A full moon on 11.11.11. 

Auspicious? 

The Singapore Flyer

Our date's highlight: watching the amazing Marina Bay Sands "Wonder Full" lights and water show. Free. Best spot to watch: in front of The Shoppes (from The Esplanade or The Merlion Park, you'll only see the building lights). For show skeds, click here. 

9pm: konti pa lang tao.
Waiting for the 9:30pm show.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Ang hi-tech!

Friday sked: 8pm, 9:30pm and 11pm

Here's my video of the final 3 minutes++ of the show.

Just to explain the banter (Sa presinto ka magpaliwanag! LOL):

• We were in awe of the technology. But yes, may igaganda pa ang visuals. Don't you agree? LOL. 

• Music: Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."  Just this year, Hubby and I created an AVP for my Dad using the same song. 

Hope you had a happy 11.11.11!

DESPEDIDA DINNER

My brother, sis-in-law and cousins threw a despedida dinner for us two days before our flight. Over pizza, pancit, lumpia, chicken, and chocolate cake, we reminisced over childhood memories and planned for future SG reunions. 

Thanks for making time, everyone. Thanks to G and C for allowing us to invade their home. Thanks for all the well wishes. *Hugs*

Almost every year, one of us flies out to other parts of the world. Unti-unti na nga raw nalalagas ang magpipinsan sa Manila. What comforts us is the fact that wherever we are, we all know we'll forever be a family (and there's always Facebook and Skype for chika! LOL). 

We'll miss all of you! Love you.

Every one got excited over C's potluck contribution -- the gigantic pizza from Caldag's. Kaya maraming photos with it. Lol.

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).