MWAH!

"Be with a guy who ruins your lipstick,

not your mascara."

-- Glamour, September 2012

MWAH!
Out on a date at Cyma, Shangrila Mall.
My lipstick: Perpetual Plum by L'Oreal.

THE CHANCE AT A MOMENT

The London 2012 Olympics has come to a close.

Amidst all the event highlights and lowlights, one tweet won gold for me --

"What will never change about the Olympics:

the respect I have for someone

willing to invest four years

for the chance at a moment." 

-- sports business analysts Darren Rovell

Relate. Relate. Relate.

I'm no athlete. Far from being one. But I know how it is to invest and commit 'everything' to a dream. Yes, for the chance AT A MOMENT. 

Sometimes, you wish the moment could last longer. But once you realize how glorious the moment was, you know it's more, more, more than enough.

Everyone who risks is a winner.


Cheers to us!
A

BEING BRAVE

"If you had a chance to change your fate, would you?" 

-- Princess Merida, 'Brave'

Photo taken by Hubby, from today's movie date. 

Brave's storyline was a little bit...underwhelming. 

But it touched me because I'm still in my "reflecting over life" birthday mood. What a year it has been! Exactly twelve months ago, we bravely took the big leap into the great unknown.  

Fade in music:

"What a journey it has been

And the end is not in sight

But the stars are out tonight

And they're bound to guide my way..."

Hope the past twelve months have been as exciting, as blessed, as awesome for all of you. 

"Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one's destiny intertwines with many others. It's the one thing we search for, or fight to change. Some never find it. But there are some who are led." -- Princess Merida

Bold and Brave

A 

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

-- Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8



We enjoyed our time in Singapore.
Now, it's time to pursue new dreams.

-- A & J

LOVELY LEMONS

If life throws you a lemon, make lemonade. 

This is how we beat the heat.

Simple Joy: Homemade Lemonade and Lemon Iced Tea

PS
Follow me on Instagram. OutOnADate.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

Through the toughest of times...

HOW TO HANDLE REJECTION

Ouch!

Of course, rejection hurts. But as the cliche goes - if it doesn't kill you, it can only make you stronger. So how does one handle life's NOs? 

Here are seven tips from pickthebrain:

1. Don't take it personally.
2. Think positively.
3. Listen to the rejection carefully.
4. Be kind to yourself. 
5. Have confidence in who you are.
6. Know that everyone gets rejected.
7. Try and try again.

And five more how-to-deal tips from Dragos Roua:

1. Let go of perfectionism.
2. See it as a learning opportunity.
3. Be aware of your programming.
4. No rejection, no growth.
5. Rejection is essential to success.

Stay inspired by all the successful people who never gave up. Bill Gates (a college drop-out), Oprah (was told she's "unfit for TV"),  Michael Jordan (was cut from the high school basketball team), J.K.Rowling (Harry Potter was rejected by 12 publishing houses), and the list goes on. Be among them. 

ARE YOU IN A ROMANTIC RUT?

More on marriage, from one of my favorite shows, The Today Show --

• A study revealed that if you're bored in your marriage at 7 years, you'll be in real trouble in 16. (Me to Hubby: We have very good chances of staying crazy in love until our 75th year. Yey!)
• Some people's idea of marriage: "I can lay back, roll out of bed in my sweatpants, never brush my teeth again, and that's unconditional love." To which KLG says, "That's the relationship you have with your dog." (Me: Oh, the perks of being vain. Haha!)
• Tip: You have to try to keep that excitement going. (Me: The operative word there is TRY. Yes, people, it takes effort, from both parties. You don't wait for excitement to happen. You two should make it happen.)

Watch the full segment here.

I'll end this with my favorite marriage quote (chanced upon this when I read the book, "Committed"):

"There is no greater risk than matrimony.

But there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."

-- Benjamin Disraeli

SURRENDER TO GOD'S PLANS

As I always say, God's Plans are greater than my dreams...

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

says the Lord.

"They are plans for good

and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope."

-- Jeremiah 29:11

New Living Translation

STARSTRUCK AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

So inspiring!

One of our last dates for 2011: seeing the Musee D'Orsay Paris collection at the National Museum of Singapore. The exhibit features "Realists, Impressionists, and Post-Impressionist paintings, photographs and drawings from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century." The name droppables: Vincent van Gogh, Jean Francois-Millet, Paul Cezzanne, Alexandre Cabanel... Entrance fee was at SGD11 each. But HSBC credit card holders get 50% off so we paid only SGD 6 each, a total of SGD12 (approximately Php420). Yey!

The National Museum facade.

Nearest MRT: Bras Basah

Our date shot. 

Huma-haunted house?
Forgot what the sculpture's called.
Update: It's Ju Ming's "Living World", 1986

DATE HIGHLIGHT: I was totally starstruck by one of Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces, "Starry Night Over the Rhone." It's different from his more popular work, "Starry Night." Mas nauna itong "Over the Rhone." Got teary-eyed when I came face-to-face with the painting. ANG GANDA. And the quote from Van Gogh touched me -- "For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." (Relate!)

"Starry Night Over the Rhone," September 1888.
No-flash photography was allowed.

The lovely interiors of the National  Museum.

Old meets New.
Two design aesthetics in one building.
Compare the right and left sides. Fabulous!

Bonus exhibits: The Singapore Living Galleries: (1) Film and Wayang, (2) Fashion, (3) Photography, and (4) Food. Unfortunately, no picture-taking allowed in those galleries. 

Here's to reaching for the stars and more dreams coming true in 2012!

FIRST IMAX MOVIE DATE

Our first IMAX movie date ever: "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," at the Shaw Theatres, Orchard Road (nearest MRT: Orchard). Tickets: SGD20 each. Good thing the movie was worth it. Pang-IMAX siya!  

What we liked best about the film: Technology failed too many times during their mission. So the team's success depended largely on the agents themselves, hindi sa kanilang hi-tech gadgets. Pasok sa tunay na buhay!

No Plan. No Backup. No Choice.

I know we're all facing life "missions."  When our missions prove to be overwhelming, take these inspiring quotes to heart. No they're not from the film (hehe) but from three accomplished individuals who made so many things possible in their lifetime.

• It always seems impossible until it's done. - Nelson Mandela
• It's kind of fun to do the impossible. - Walt Disney
• Nothing is impossible, the word itself says "I'm possible!" - Audrey Hepburn

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

One of our favorite quotes / moments from the film: 

Ernest Hemingway to Gil (Owen Wilson): All men fear death.  It's a natural fear that consumes us all. We fear death because we feel that we haven't loved well enough or loved at all, which ultimately are one and the same. However, when you make love to a truly great woman, one that deserves the utmost respect in this world, and one that makes you feel truly powerful, the fear of death completely disappears. Because when you are sharing your body and heart with a great woman, the world fades away. You are the only ones in the entire universe. You conquer what lesser men have never conquered before, you have conquered a great woman's heart, the most vulnerable thing she can offer to another. Death no longer lingers in the mind. Fear no longer clouds your heart. Only passion for living, and for loving, become your sole reality. This is no easy task for it takes insurmountable courage. But remember this, for that moment that you are making love with a woman of true greatness you will feel immortal. 

Hubby and I looked at each other and I asked, "Kaya fearless ka?" 

He smiled. And then we kissed. 

A lovely midnight movie date in Singapore, thanks to Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris."

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPEECH

Feel-Good Film

My favorite moment from the film "New Year's Eve": Hilary Swank's character's speech (finally found it online, hope this is the correct quote) --

"...it's (the ball) suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.


To remember both our triumphs and missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what new year is all about -- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be. 


So when the ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."


***
RELATE. RELATE. RELATE. At this point in the movie, umiiyak na ako nang bonggang-bongga. At tawa na nang tawa ang asawa ko. Lol.

We're so blessed to be where we are right now. We're so blessed to experience the ups and downs of this Great Big Adventure. We're so blessed to be allowed to dream bigger dreams. And to pursue them together.

Here's to the promise of a new year!

BLESSED

Read this online...

Some people are so poor

all they have is their money.

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

A BETTER ME

"Given the chance, who would you want to be like?" Co-attendees in the management seminar I attended some time ago named heroes, celebrities, saints, their idols. I answered, "I just want to be the best version of me."

(Ms. Universe, is that you? LOL.)

Naalala ko ito because I'm currently a fish-out-of-water, one who has chosen not to merely survive, but to live and love life.

Last month, I wrote about the firsts I'll be facing as we take on our SG Adventure.

I'm happy to share that I've stretched myself WAY BEYOND my comfort zone. I'm proud to have grown SO MUCH as a person. In less than a month! Sometimes, ang joke ko nga kay Hubby - "Ako pa ba ito?" Haha.

The Job Hunt. I'm excited over the endless possibilities -- including a possible career shift. Would love to try working in the fashion or beauty or tourism industry. But if I'm meant for TV or Advertising pa rin, go! I've turned down offers, FYI. With the major gamble we've taken, itotodo ko na.Yes, I'm being choosy.

Housemates. Ang dami kong opinyon. But I've learned not to sweat the small stuff. So matahimik at mapayapa akong nakikisama. Especially since we're living with such kind-hearted families. Living with strangers is a whole new ball game. I've always been grateful for the comfortable life I've lived. Pwes, lalo ko pa na-a-appreciate yun ngayon! Haha! Everything talaga, even the littlest of things, pinagpapasalamat ko every day. I choose to be grateful for what's here, right now. Wishing for the comforts I left behind is such a waste of time and energy. Ang dami ko nang kinalimutang kaartehan! Starting a new life entails starting from scratch. Ganun talaga. So tiis-ganda ang drama. Less arte = lighter load. (Note: Less arte lang, hindi zero arte.)

Laundry. I never thought it'd be so easy with hi-tech, first-world machines. No sweat naman pala maglaba! Especially since Hubby and I do it together. Yey!

Living in a foreign land. Comparing Third World with First World would be unfair. Worlds apart talaga. I'm just thankful I'm in a clean, safe place, where you can see where your taxes go. The public transportation is so efficient (I know when the next train / bus is arriving). Senior Citizens are always part of the planning (That's why I'm bent on bringing my parents here). The government prioritizes education (SGD5 a month lang ang tuition?!). There are efforts to make it a greener country. Etc. No, it's not a perfect place but I'm not looking for perfection. I actually think perfection is overrated. Ang point ko lang, I'm happy to be here, living out a dream (kahit pa may language barrier, kahit pa second-class citizen lang kami).

"The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." So here's to our best lives and the best versions of ourselves!

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO?

"What I know for sure: Often we don't even realize who we're meant to be because we're so busy trying to live out someone else's ideas. But other people and their opinions hold no power in defining our destiny.

What has made me successful is the ability to surrender my plans, dreams, and goals to a power that's greater than other people and greater than myself.

Before making any major moves, I first ask: What would you have me do? Who would you have me be?

And then I try to live the answer."

-- Oprah, from the O magazine

MY FIRST E-BOOK

I just finished my very first ebook (an Amazon gift from my dear friend L - Thank you!). It's Samantha Sotto's "Before Ever After."

Loved some parts, hated (too harsh) didn't like the other parts so much.

Was intrigued by the premise: Shelley is a young widow, mourning the death of her husband, Max. One day she meets his supposed grandson, and learns that Max could still be alive, is actually 200 years old and immortal!

Going back to the many lives Max has lived started out very interesting and yes, fresh. Until it became a drag -- 200 years old na nga kasi!

Told Hubby about the story and his reaction -- "Highlander?" Have you seen the film and the TV series? I didn't watch either. But reading through the plot lines via Wikipedia, I see the similarities. Hmmm.

I'd still recommend that you read "Before Ever After." Pinoys, let's support our kababayan. Besides, I'm a believer of shaping your own opinion about things. Huwag nakasalalay sa opinyon ng iba. *wink*

Sharing with you some lines I liked:

• We change at least one person's life just by being born. If you don't believe me, go ask your mother.
• If we accept time for what it is, how it flows and how we flow with it, I doubt very much that we would continue wasting loads of it by constantly checking our watches.
• Where we are now is where a lifetime's worth of steps have taken us.
• You can make a child believe a lot of things. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny...just about anything really, except love. You cannot make a child believe you love him if you don't.
• Children know when they're loved. It's when you grow up that you're more easily fooled.
• As the body rots, so does the cage that traps us in our worldly concerns. When my legs became too weak to carry my body, I stopped pacing with worry. When my fingers became twisted, I stopped pointing blame. When I lost my sight, I stopped seeing illusions. It may be dark in the pot that I am simmering in, but I can see more clearly than I have ever seen in my life.
• My dear, you might be surprised at how much happiness you can find in the pages of the shortest of love stories. Unlike penises, their length truly does not count. (LOL)

As for reading printed material versus e-books, I'm surprised to enjoy both equally. I used to have apprehensions about Kindle (was afraid it'd be uncomfortable for my eyes). OK naman pala. The thing I love most: I can carry 20 plus books in one iPad, how convenient! Plus there's an instant dictionary app for words I do not understand. I don't think I'll give up on the printed versions though. I'm open to trying everything new, but I'm still old-school in a lot of ways. That's just me.

HAVE FUN

Here's what I shared with my dear colleagues on our last day at the network...

Follow your fear
Prepare don't plan
Do what you say
Say what you mean
Know what you don't know
Don't hold yourself to other people's standards 
Own a pet
Call your parents
Create a comfortable living space
Be happy for other people
Cultivate friendships
Stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves
Understand what realistic expectations are
Don't lie
Get to know your gut and then listen to it
Say you're sorry before you're too embarrassed to
Always wear clean underwear
Be on time
Be nice to receptionists
Appreciate other people's talents
Identify people who don't have your best interests in mind
People will disappoint you
People will amaze you
People will inspire you
Overlisten 
You will disappoint people
You will amaze people
You will inspire people
Don't drink too much alcohol
Remember that the old lady who's taking forever in line is someone's grandma
Be curious
Ask questions
Give yourself a break
Have truthful conversations with yourself
Think about your day in the shower
Reflect on your day before you fall asleep
Reward yourself from time to time
Have a good clean joke at the ready
Have a good dirty joke at the ready
Silence can be golden
Have someone you admire evaluate your handshake
Be humbly confident
Smell good
Don't let the highs be too high, so the lows aren't too low
Get to know you
Learn to like you
Let people love you
No one does you better than you
Want what you have and you'll have what you want
Lead with justice and judge with mercy
Don't let your mouth overload your rear


--"But mostly, have a really fun time"
Emmy Award-Winning Actor Eric Stonestreet

9-10-11

How special was 9.10.11 to you?

The day marked a milestone for us. For the first time, J and I proudly stood as Principal Sponsors to a dear couple's wedding. Yes, we're now Ninong and Ninang. Doesn't that sound old? LOL.

L and C's 9.10.11 wedding was lovely. You could see them in every detail. Very creative. Very personal. Very cheesy. And since I'm all about cheesy (proof: this blog) I really appreciated it. I loved the AVP short film they produced about their story. Talo pa ang ibang Asianovela!

As I shared with L and C before -- "There's no greater risk than matrimony. But there is nothing happier than a happy marriage." (from Benjamin Disraeli, read this from Elizabeth Gilbert's book 'Committed'.) As for working (operative word: WORK) on a happy marriage, here's what I have to share...

1. Making Marriage Work, read here
2. Is It Worth Fighting For?, read here
3. Life Partner, read here
4. Stay Silly, read here

Best wishes, L and C! 

Red-Letter Day

Clockwise:
It was great seeing our team mates again! Miss you, Guys. (Do not cry.)
All smiles si Ninang.
That's us down the aisle.
The lovely newlyweds (Photo taken by J).
With my beloved Kumares N and L.
More of our dear friends, D, M and N.
With lovely ladies N and H.
The reception venue.