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? 

CARAMEL CAKE BY BECKY'S KITCHEN

Let them eat cake!

Among the many cakes in my college barkada's New Year reunion (aka Cake Party), I loved the Caramel Cake from Becky's Kitchen the most. It was E & A's contribution.

We all agreed it's better than Estrel's. Becky's is less sweet so hindi ako mabilis naumay. For me, mas balanced yung flavors nito. Nothing overwhelming. Every bite just made me want more. Anyway, I just learned that we're not alone in proclaiming it as the best caramel cake in Manila. It's among the Top Desserts (2010) in the website of the leading local food magazine, Yummy. (Do I hear 'confeeermed'? Lol.)

I'm craving for a slice as I write this piece. Torture.

CARAMEL-COATED DREAM
Caramel Cake from Becky's Kitchen
(My shot: center kung center! Sorry.)

Among Manila's Top Desserts as per Yummy.Ph
Photo credit: www.yummy.ph

Info from Yummy: Php455 for 9-inch cake

2 branches: 

• Community Center, Suha Street, Valle Verde I, Pasig City
• 1601 P.Ocampo corner Bautista Streets, Singalong, Manila

Telephone Numbers: 

• 671-7606 
• 525-1648

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.

COCKTAILS AT THE CHIJMES

Another former colleague from Manila is visiting Singapore. We had a lovely evening with the blooming bride-to-be, K, at the Chijmes (located at the Bras Basah area, right across Carlton Hotel, Raffles Hotel and Raffles City). 

Chika over Margarita & Singapore Sling
at Cosafe, Chijmes

VERY GOOD
Panna Cotta

VERY FLAVORFUL
Beef Nachos

At the Carlton lobby for our group shot

HAPPY NEW YEAR, K! Again, on your wedding day, do not sweat the small stuff. Just be beautiful, and enjoy every moment! Best wishes to you and J!

ORCHARD ROAD FRI-DATES

Orchard Road is now filled with holiday shoppers. Siksikan! Especially since most stores are on pre-Christmas sales. (That's new to me. In Manila, most sales start January.)

Last Friday, my happy holiday treat was not about shopping but something so much better -- I really love seeing old friends in our new "home." Hubby and I had back-to-back meet-ups. First, a delicious dinner with G and L at the Wine Connection (Cuppage Road. Nearest MRT: Somerset). Next, an after-midnight chikahan with A at the Charlie Brown Cafe (313 Somerset. MRT: Somerset din, hehe).

Wine Connection: Good food. Good wine. Reasonably priced. The service is superb because the staff is mostly Pinoy. Naks.

Charlie Brown Cafe: We were super busog from dinner so we just had the chocolate ice cream (recommended by the Pinay staffer). We'll try the other items on the menu next time. 

At the Wine Connection

At the Charlie Brown Cafe

Capricciosa Pizza
 Good. It was the healthiest / most vegetarian pizza choice.
We'll try the Four Cheese next time.

Bolognese
We love how generous the meat sauce is.

Cheesecake
It has dislodged Uno's in Hubby's favorite list!

Cheese Platter
Love!

Tiramisu
Not too sweet. Like it that way.

We had red wine
with our cheese, pasta and pizza.

Creme Brulee
We like the one from
Le Bistro Perisien better.

Hope you all had a happy weekend!

BON APPETIT

We were Pinoys in Singapore enjoying French food on a Monday night -- hope you also started the week right. *wink*

SG-based friends and former network colleagues G and J met us for dinner last night (Thanks for making time, Ladies! Thanks for joining us R - J's fiance). J suggested we eat at Haji Lane, SG's version of Manila's Cubao-X (Agree ako, similar vibe!). 

We chose this Parisian bistro (highly recommended by J) for our mini reunion - Bon appetit! 

Along Haji Lane, Singapore
Nearest MRT: Bugis

Deja vu!

Parang PSD meeting lang? LOL

Good vibes!
G, J, Hubby and Me.
We love hanging out with people
who give out positive energy.

Familiar chandelier.
Where have I seen you before?

What we had --

bread and butter

Super sarap salads!
Goat Cheese something & Grilled Prawns something
(Didn't take note of their French names, sorry.)

Chicken Breast something
Surprise: May pasta palang kasama.
Very malinamnam!

Another very filling entree.
Ang laki ng prawns! Sulit ito.

Petit four:
White chocolate & Strawberry.
Yummy!

And because the Chef loved how very appreciative we were of their food and their place, he served us creme brulee -- on-the-house! Yahoo!

Creme brulee in caramel, pistachio, and coffee.
Must-try!

Great company. Great food.
We're so looking forward to the good vibes coming our way!

Merci beaucoup!
Thanks G, J and R for the dinner treat.
Most of all, thanks for the never-ending
SG Survival Tips (LOL).
You guys inspire us.

SG REUNION

Change location: from the GMA Network office canteen to Holland Village, Singapore! LOL. Hubby and I had a super fun Friday night reunion with good friends and former colleagues G (who's been living in SG) and L (who's vacationing with her clan). G recommended we go to Holland Village (Circle Line), which reminded us of Eastwood -- rows of restos and pubs. And in case you're wondering -- yes, may windmills. Will post photos of them later.

 Brainstorming-SG Edition
Hehe!

Hubby confirms
San Mig tastes different abroad.

We, ladies, had rounds of Frozen Margaritas.
Perfect for the mainit na chikahan,
naglalagablab na updates!

G recommended we try a Mexican place.
Was it called ChaCha? (Memory gap.)
Dinner treat c/o L. Thank you!

Above: Everything was good!

Two of the strongest, most brilliant, most loving,
most loved, most generous women I know!

After dinner, Hubby and I shared a Banana Split
at Swensen's.

Nightcap at Swensen's.
L's pasalubong: her super patok na mga paninda!
Love the cheese puffs!

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than in miles." (TC)  

ANGELS ON EARTH

Image from englishnetbook.com

A big shout out -- MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT -- to our angels on earth! We're so blessed to be surrounded by kind, generous, God-sent souls.

Thank you to...

1) C and J who are among the nicest, warmest, most helpful couples we've known. Thank you for opening your home to us.  

2) My friends C and P, and P's sweet sister N, for the "SG Life Line." 

I'm overwhelmed by how the pieces fell PERFECTLY into place. I've been so worried about our accommodations. And then they offered help. It started with a simple -- "Tanong namin." And miracle of miracles, merong available! But wait, there's more good news: the available place is in the same neighborhood as C and J's unit! As in the same street, 5-minute walk lang! (No, hindi sila magkakakilala.) What are the chances, right? *jumping for joy* At ito pa ang aliw: the unit owner and I share the same name. Hehe.

And N (who we just met personally today), she really made time to accompany us. She didn't have to but she insisted. Ang bait!

3) A and A, new acquaintances uli, for being very welcoming. 

To every one else worrying about something, anything, totoo ang cliche -- LET GO. LET GOD. He will send angels to show you His Plans are better than your dreams.

CELEBRATIONS AT CAFE PROVENCAL

There was so much to celebrate. Not even Typhoon Quiel could stop us. 

Last Saturday, my college barkada met up at Cafe Provencal, Shangrila Mall for M's baby shower, M's new home, J's birthday and my despedida.

Original plan was to have it in Antipolo, in M & C's brand new home. But with F so praning about the storm, we changed location -- sa Metro Manila na lang, in a mall resto.

The buntis had the privilege of choosing the resto. Hindi Pinoy food, we could have our own corner, pwede mag-ingay. Check, check, check.

After finishing our soups, salads, sausage & cheese platters, pastas, pizzas, red wine, iced teas and sodas, we had games (yes, may games!), thanks to Game Master L who was so prepared. Karir! With props and prizes pa! We're so impressed.

We played Pinoy Henyo (Theme: Singapore); Charades (Theme: Having a Baby); and Guess The Baby's Name. Super fun! We were super gulo and super ingay. We were noisier than the kids at the carousel (na katabi namin). LOL. While Hubby was in National Bookstore (right below Cafe Provencal), he could hear us laughing, at ako raw ang stand-out. Every one close to me knows how loud I laugh. (One time, a cousin found her way to me, in a crowded, huge office floor, by tracing saan galing ang malakas na tawa.). LOL.

I'll miss you, Friends.

Thank you for the years of friendship (happy to have grown-up with all of you!), all the gifts (kasyang-kasya sa luggage!), the tips, leads, SG connections, the inspiring words, prayers...

My beloved UP-CMC Supremes.
We call us that because we all graduated with honors.
But beyond the 'magna cum laude' and 'cum laude' titles,
these people are THE BEST in friendship!

Have a safe delivery M!
Congratulations on your new home M & C!
Happy birthday J!

Looking forward to more life celebrations with all of you!


PS
Where's Hubby? Taga-picture. He loves taking photos. Hates being photographed. LOL

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.