BEST OF BEIJING - 3

BEST MEMORIES FROM TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE

Bulol by the Tian'anmen Gate aka The Gate of Heavenly Peace. It separates the Square from the Forbidden City.

Bulol in front of the Mao Mausoleum

Together at the historical and world's largest city square. Behind us is the Monument to the People's Heroes.

While we were here, I said a prayer for the Filipino tourists, the Madrigal family, who were killed in Tian'anmen by a Chinese farmer in August of 2005. I'm not sure China ever apologized for that tragic event.

BEST OF BEIJING - 2

BEST MEMORIES FROM THE FORBIDDEN CITY

Be ready for a very long walk. We both wore our Converse. J has always been a fan. Me, I'm not yet sold. There was pinching on both pinkies. So I'm still searching for the most comfortable travel shoes.

We were in awe of the entire complex!

Photo taken by J from the Jingshan Park.

I felt honored to freely walk through the once off-limits historical complex which served as the home of emperors for almost five hundred years.

Above: Rubbing the door knobs for good luck!

Above: We tried to walk through the less crowded areas.

Above: A smiling bronze vat?

Above: The Sunday morning crowd.

Above: The branch-interlocked cypresses symbolize loyal love.

The last emperor and empress of the Qing dynasty

had their picture in front of the trees

to show that "we wish to fly in heaven, two birds with one pair of wings,

and to grow together on earth, two trees with branches interlocked."

(Awwww.)

But the most fun sight: this kid’s pants! No need for diapers, hehe.

Entrance Fee to the Forbidden City: RMB60 each (Php360)

BEST OF BEIJING - 1

BEST THINGS ABOUT HUTONG INN

Winner location!
Address: No.17 Zhangwang Hutong, Jiu Gulou Street, Dongcheng District Beijing.
Hutong Inn is only 20-30minutes away via taxi from the Capital International Airport Terminal 2 -- where Cebu Pacific lands / flies. (Our taxi fare from the Airport to the Inn: RMB100 or PHP590. Taxi fare from the Inn to the Airport: RMB 75 or PHP442.5)

The Drum and Bell Towers are located right behind Hutong Inn.




The Guloudajie Subway Station (Line 2) is a mere 5-minute walk from the Inn.

Tian’Anmen Square is only 5kms away.

Hutong Inn's near what seems to be a version of Malate.

Two blocks away from the Inn are rows of pubs and shopping stalls.

The culture!
For a taste of local life, enter a hutong (Wikipedia: In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences).

Hutong Inn’s neighbors…





So cheap!
As budget travelers, we go for cheap. We paid for RMB300 or roughly PHP1,770 a night but got upgraded to a RMB350 / night room (Thank you!). The room had a double-sized bed, toilet and bath with hot & cold water, aircon, cable TV. Expect not-so-pretty room interiors for this price. If you’re maselan, this is not the place for you.

Hutong Inn's "lobby"...

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

And my most dishonorable fault of all: Though it takes me a long while to get to this point, the moment I have decided that somebody is unforgivable, that person will very likely remain unforgiven for life – all too often cut off forever, without fair warning, explanation, or another chance.

It stung me to read it, and I’d certainly never codified my failings for anyone so honestly before…

…People always fall in love with the most perfect aspects of each other’s personalities. Who wouldn’t? Anybody can love the most wonderful parts of another person. But that’s not the clever trick. The really clever trick is this: Can you accept the flaws? Can you look at your partner’s faults honestly and say “I can work around that. I can make something out of that?” Because the good stuff is always going to be there, and it’s always going to be pretty and sparkly, but the crap underneath can ruin you.

I’m not suggesting that anyone should learn to tolerate abuse, neglect, disrespect, alcoholism, philandering or contempt…

…What I am talking about is learning how to accommodate your life as generously as possible around a basically decent human being who can sometimes be an unmitigated pain in the ass.

-- Elizabeth Gilbert, "Committed," Chapter Four (2010)

MOO-RE!

I've been hearing raves about Jam Foods Angus Beef Tapa. Check OAP's blog entry, Oh Tapa of My Dreams! So we finally tried it after hooking up with my schoolmate M, owner of Jam Foods, via Facebook.

Our verdict: We want moo-re! The Angus beef tapa was tender, very juicy, and yes, bacon-y (Yum!).

Happy breakfast! =)


We ordered 1 kilo for Php500 (plus delivery charge of Php100) from Jam Food's Pasig distributor.

LOVE-LY SIGHTS

Love was all around us during last month's Taipei trip.

A pre-nup pictorial?
Location: Street between New York, New York department store and the Viewshow Cinema Complex.


One of the stores along the Wedding Street, located across the National Theater.


Charming Plants


The street is one long stretch of bridal stores -- gowns, video, photography, flowers, etc. How convenient!






Bridal Car


With Barbie & Ken!


Love at the Taipei 101.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

There is no greater risk than matrimony.
But there is nothing happier than a happy marriage.

--Benjamin Disraeli, 1870,
in a letter to Queen Victoria's daughter Louise,
congratulating her on her engagement

BALLET, BURGER, BURRITOS, BOOKS

Our Saturday Date Night Menu


STARTERS
Army Navy Burger & Burritos

We arrived at the CCP Complex at 7pm. So we had enough time for a quick dinner before the 8pm ballet. Like hungry soldiers, we attacked Army Navy.

I love their basic burger! So juicy! Php135.


J loved the Chicken Burritos! It's even better than the burger. Php135.
Yes, burritos before the Ballet, we're really non-traditional, hehe.


Army Navy at the Harbour Square, right beside the CCP.
I think there's a branch opening along Emerald Avenue, Ortigas soon?

Photos from Army Navy's website



ENTREE
Ballet Philippines' September Gala

Bravo!
So glad we got complimentary tickets c/o the network and BP's corporate tie-up. [I heart my job. =)] Looking forward to the season's next performances.


Ballet Philippines launched its 41st season entitled "The Hero's Journey" with the September Gala. Evening performances were accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.


DESSERT
Fully Booked, Boni High Street

Our perfect night cap: a trip to the bookstore!

I got Nina Garcia's new book. =) J got two Classic titles.



What was on your date menu last weekend?

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+?

OUT OF THE PICTURE

In our marriage, hubby's the photographer, I'm the subject.



But because limits exist only in the mind, I refuse to be boxed. Picture this: (1) I was the "lampa" in P.E. class, all my student life. As an adult, I worked on that by going to the gym, doing yoga (Bikram Yoga included) and trying boxing. No grades to worry about. Just my personal learning satisfaction. (2) I was always afraid of the stove. I never thought I'd be able to cook, ever. I changed that. I faced my fear. I've been cooking for more than five years now. And I'm actually enjoying every recipe experiment. See my No Kitchen Diva blog entry, April 2010.

Now, I want to take better photos. I don't want to stop at being the "model" in this relationship. LOL! And so I got excited when my college friends decided to gather for a Photography 101 session. C and P are Pros, they do weddings and magazines. And they were willing to teach us for free! Such good friends!

Our Photography Class, somewhere near our beloved U.P., last weekend. Photo c/o E. (The rest of our sample shots are confidential, hehe.)


My work requires having The Eye.


But after the Photography 101 session, I realized my TV work experience (12 years and counting) is no assurance that I'll do well with the technicals. I was overwhelmed! Now I know why sometimes it takes a while for Hubby to take the picture. Ang dami palang tinitimpla!

I enjoyed posing more than taking photos!

Photo taken by M, from our Photography 101 class. (Oh, I miss my cheekbones! Now, all I have are cheek-fat! LOL)


I love learning so yes, I'll continue to try taking better photos. But being a photographer (the real kind) is definitely out of the picture. *wink*