A Night To Remember

It’s been a long time since I went to a club or disco (not really sure how the young ones call them nowadays), watched a live band, went bar hopping and increased the alcohol level in my body.  🙂

Last night was the first after so many years. Long ago (yes, it seems so long long ago), hubby and I love to go out for night gimmicks – whether it’s just the two of us or with friends.  Sometimes, it’d be watching a live band, sometimes go dancing, sometimes watching concerts… and of course at times just hanging out in a bar for drinks (though I really don’t drink much which eventually became nil since my first pregnancy and my acid reflux attacks thereafter).

Last night, we brought a visiting friend from Canada for a night out, and another friend (who is very familiar with all the club joints here in Manila as part of his work) joined us. First, we had some light dinner, drinks and watched a live band at Spicy Fingers in Greenbelt. Then, we went to Mint (in Fort) for some drinks and finally, went disco dancing at Embassy (in Fort) until 3:00 in the morning.  Since we had to bring home our friend, hubby and I arrived home almost 4:00 in the morning.

I felt I’m really getting older. While at Embassy, I found some of the music didn’t really match my taste for dancing (though there were some good ones), and I don’t think I could dance as well as before anymore. Haha.  I also wasn’t used to the flashing and blinking lights anymore. At times, it gets too much I feel like getting a headache but luckily, it never came.

In any case, it still was a great night for all of us. It was especially a special one for hubby and me, as it relived the good old night outs we used to have together. Nowadays, we go out but for more quiet gimmicks like  movies, dinner or drinks at a friend’s house.

I realized, once in a while, it is nice to do some of the old fun activities that we used to share. It adds spice and spark…. 🙂

On Love and Relationships.

This would have made a good entry for Valentine’s… but since I only had time to view Dee’s tag the other day (been busy lately), it’s as good as a post-Valentine entry…

Thanks, Dee, for the tag.

This is about why I love my husband.

It’s actually an easy and a difficult question for me. Easy, since there are a lot of things, small and big, that I can list down as to why I love him. Difficult, because all these things put together still doesn’t seem to be enough to quantify what makes me really love him. Because it’s not all about just these things, it something more which I can’t quite really capture in words.

For someone I have known for twenty-six years (since grade three), and someone I have romantically been with for nine years before marriage, and someone I have binded myself to in matrimony for eight years, all the good and bad moments together have made the definition of love transform through the years in a deeper meaning. It’s not all about the feeling and the companionship, but it all translates to commitment.

I love him because he brings out the best and the worst in me, making me learn and realize things about myself I wouldn’t have without his honesty. I love him because he has been my best friend ever since. I love him because despite what he is going through, he is still always considerate and thoughtful about how me and our kids are doing. I love him because he is such an excellent father (and would be an even better mother than me) to our kids. I love him because he is a great husband in so many ways. I love him because he always ensures that he gives us the time we need with him despite how busy his work is.

I love how he stands by his principles. I love his passion, his enthusiasm, his positivity and his love for life.  I love how he keeps his word. I love that he knows his priorities. I love how he is committed to be of service for HIM and our spiritual community. I love his thoughtfulness, his dedication and his funny-sweetness. I love his child-like mischievousness and naughtiness.

And after all things said and unsaid, I love him simply because I DO.

Now, I’d like to tag all of you reading this as I’d like to know why you love your husband (or your wife)…

Overwhelmed.

I’m quickly taking a breather… as I log in to my blog tonight.

I feel overwhelmed thinking about upcoming activities, projects, chores, tasks, etcetera, etcetera. I used to be so good in multi-tasking. Now, I only seem to be able to focus on one thing at a time. Yes, one step at a time before moving on to the next… Otherwise, I end up stressing myself. Is this part of getting older or what?

There are times my mind just blanks out if I try to think of so many things at the same time… I’m not sure if that’s an accurate catch but that’s how I feel sometimes.  That’s probably why I easily get distracted. Need to focus.. focus… focus… zzzzzzzz!

Learning = Photo Fun!

I’m officially done with my second day of photography classes last night.  Four more to go. The class was supposed to end at 10:00pm but we ended at 11:00pm. I didn’t mind though. It was fun and interesting.

This is the first photography class (ever) that I attended. Years ago, I never thought I’d be attending such a class, as photography wasn’t exactly on my list of things to learn…

Well, I love to look at photos and ever since I also love to take photos of different subjects – my family, kids, friends, travelled places, accessories (for our business), events and parties.  But that was it. All for posterity’s sake. I never considered myself to have the eye of a good photographer. It was my other sister who took lessons before and whom I know to have that “creative eye” for it.

But since studying Digital Arts three years back and working with Photoshop since, I started to appreciate good photos more. I enjoyed looking through artistic photographs, and became more interested. Not to mention that I also became interested to know how to capture  good photographs which I can make as subjects for my paintings.

And now here I am… and enjoying it!

We submitted our first photo project last night. Although we get to choose our own subject or theme, it still was a very difficult one for me having to consider all the criteria needed for the photo. I took a thousand photos (literally) of different themes in the last three days before I felt satisfied enough to submit one. Yes, we had to choose and submit ONLY ONE! The selection process actually gave me a headache.

This was the final selection I decided to submit…

It was good to hear all the critique – both good and bad. The good points, of course, made me feel good about what I did right, and the bad points didn’t actually bring me down but made me feel better since I got tips on what things to improve on.

And I believe that is what learning is all about… being open-minded and wanting to know where and what to improve on… and there will always be room!

Can’t wait for Day 3 on Friday… 😀

Fashion Snapshot #1: Asian Finds

I don’t consider myself a “fashionista” but I do appreciate and love certain fashion novelties.  There are a few fashion brands, items and shops where I really love their stuff!

And so I just thought of doing this “Fashion Snapshot” segment in my blog where I feature some items I bought or found or would love to have…  and of course, the shops whose merchandise I love!

Most women, if not all, love jewelries and accessories. I have yet to meet one who doesn’t.

From our online accessories business, I have known quite a number of ladies who collects jewelries, real or faux. Some love to collect those unique or one-of-a-kind, others love those vintage-styled, some like those made from sterling silver, and for those more financially blessed, they go for the real deal.

The photo above shows a (synthetic) turquoise earrings and pendant set in 92.5% silver with very small gemstones. It was a present from my parents during my recent birthday.

Well, I was actually the one who chose this. They asked me to come with them to Alabang last Friday, and had me choose what I liked from Asian Finds (they were on sale from Feb. 9 to 15). I especially love the detail on the pendant (and even the backside of it).

I love their earrings, pendants and bracelets with semiprecious stones or synthetic stones set in sterling silver. I especially love and prefer those made with Turquoise and Black Onyx, even though my birthstone is Amethyst.

If you’re not familiar with Asian Finds, it is a small shop at the Upper Ground Floor of Alabang Town Center selling mainly jewelries and a few other accessories. Very nice jewelries I should say. Most of their jewelries are priced from Php1,000 up. A bit pricey for some, but I guess price is relative.

You’d be surprised how fast most of their items get sold. That’s why as my sister would put it, “if you find something you love, better buy it immediately… If you think about it for a few days (even just for one day or sometimes even just hours) before buying, chances are when you go back, it’s already sold.” And it has been true!

Asian Finds also offers lifetime free cleaning. 🙂

Kanin Club

One of my sisters had a craving to eat out with the whole family (our side of the family) last night, and so we went to Kanin Club at Westgate in response to her invitation.  It was our post-valentine dinner.

Kanin Club is usually full on weekends, so despite arriving early in the restaurant, it was, yes, already full and we had to wait (for 30 minutes or was it more?).

By the time we were seated, we were all hungry. It was my first time to eat there so I wanted to take photos of the food we ordered. Unfortunately, hunger made everyone lunge at each served food, and there was no chance for me to take any photos… else I might suffer their hunger wrath… Hahaha.

This was the only food I was able to take a photo of… since everyone was satiated by then.

This dessert is a Kanin Club original. It is a modified version of the usual “turon” as we know it. It is like a “halo-halo” in a roll. It has bananas, purple yam jam, macapuno strips and monggo beans wrapped and deep-fried in a rice paper roll (with melted sugar and sesame seeds on the outside), and served with ice cream on the side.  Very delicious!!!

The other dishes we ordered were :

• Bagoong Rice – fried rice mixed with bagoong (salted and fermented shrimps).

• Sinangag na Sinigang – fried rice with the sinigang flavor.

• Squid in Salt and Pepper – calamari, quick-fried to a crisp in a zesty mix of salt and pepper.

• Binukadkad na Tilapia – whole, deep-fried, crunchy tilapia.

• Crispy Liempo – light and crunchy pork belly strips ready for dipping in three kinds of sauce.

• Crispy Dinuguan – spicy pork stew flavoured by vinegar and pork blood like European blood sausage modified to contain crispy chicharon bulaklaka and crispy pig internals.

• Tom Yum Goong – hot and sour Thai soup, with shrimps, squid and mussels, flavored with freshcut lemongrass, limes, mushrooms and chilies.

• Kanin Club’s Vegetarian Delight – banana blossoms and three kinds of mushrooms, with wheat vegemeat and tofu, sauted in vegetarian oyster sauce.

• Pad Thai – the Thai national dish : stir-fried rice noodles with egg, Thai fish sauce, chili, bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, tofu and topped with crushed peanuts.

I loved their Crispy Dinuguan and Crispy Liempo along with the Bagoong Rice and Sinangag na Sinigang. I couldn’t have any of the soup since it was hot and spicy, and my tolerance for spicy food is very low. The squid and the tilapia were also good. The Pad Thai noodles were very “thai” and may be an acquired taste for some people (such as me).

Definitely coming back for more!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s one of those mushy days again especially for lovebirds… but for those who are single and consider themselves “loveless”, don’t fret… think about your family and friends who love you dearly and whom you love in return. Valentine’s day is all about love and it doesn’t have to be just about romantic love.

Two days ago, I received a very sweet Valentine greeting from my eldest daughter.

Here is the card she made for me and hubby…

Despite knowing it was a school project, I was still really touched. She was very proud of her Valentine’s gift for us… 🙂  For me, it’s a very simple effort from a five-year-old but very meaningful.

It just goes to show we don’t need fancy and expensive gifts to make our loved ones happy this Valentine’s. 🙂

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, everyone!

Did you know?

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas.

HB To Me!

Yesterday officially marked the thirty-fifth year of my life. That’s thirty-five years of blessings and challenges that have made me who and where I am now.

It was a typical day for me. Nothing fancy or special done yesterday. I didn’t have my usual birthday “pakain” or treat with friends and extended family. Together with hubby and kids, we just had a simple dinner at Alabang. It was a nice dinner. We had pizza and pasta. Then the kids went to play in the activity area.

It was good to hear from friends though, especially those I haven’t seen or heard from in a long time and some who are actually living abroad already. Their thoughtfulness made my day. 🙂

For this year, my birthday prayer is for good health and happiness for myself and family, for more blessings and opportunities this year, for strength and courage to pursue the goals in my list this year, and the grace to listen and accept His plans for me.

An Early Birthday Greeting

I received an early birthday greeting  from Nestle Club this week.

Inside was this note which hit right on target as most of what was written were similar thoughts I had been keeping since 2009 started.

It goes :

“Dear ….,

What thoughts usually run through your mind as you celebrate another year? Are they whispers of gratitude for all the wonderful things in your life? Are they words of love for your family and friends? Are they feelings of satisfaction for all that you have worked hard for and accomplished through the years? Since it is your special day, take a look at where you are now and how far you have come. Appreciate the wonderful accomplishments the past year has brought and say thanks to the special people who continue to inspire you.

Find much contentment in the life you lead today by celebrating each experience which has brought you to this moment. Revisit the crucial turning points in your life and draw strength from every triumph and defeat that has turned you into a wiser, more compassionate and more courageous person.

And as you look ahead, never give up on your hopes, wishes and dreams. As you add another year, continue to live life remembering…
that how you live in the present determines how you will think of the past…
that no dream is too small or too impossible…
and that the only real limits you have are the ones you put on yourself…”

I like what was mentioned in the final paragraph. It’s exactly why I changed my blog design and put the “Dare to Dream. Dare to Imagine.” text on top of my blog header early this year.

So I will always be reminded.

Unexpected.

With voice cracking and moisture brimming in my eyes,  I say:
“Thank you Dee for sharing this award with me. Thank you for believing in whatever crap I have written here in my blog…”

Bow, thank you! 🙂 Hahaha…

But seriously and honestly, Dee, thanks!

This “Honest Weblog” award is a first and definitely unexpected. I blog because it’s relaxing and serves as an outlet for me, but I never really expect stuff like this.

Nonetheless, it’s fun…

Anyway, the award rules go something like this:

“When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!”

Okay, so here goes ten things about me…

1♦ If you haven’t seen a Chinese-Filipina who in the slightest hint doesn’t show any Chinese features and speaks Cebuano instead of Chinese, then you gotta see me. I’m a deep-set eyed morena who doesn’t even speak and understand Chinese. You can say the only visible evidence of my Chinese ancestry is my last name (maiden name)… which is actually now my middle name after I got married.  I’m a mixed breed Filipina (sounds like a dog… hahaha) — mix of Davao-eño, Cebuano, and Manileño — having been born in Davao from Cebuano parents and grew up in Manila.

2♦ I’m a frustrated artist, frustrated musician, frustrated photographer, frustrated swimmer, frustrated tennis player. Writing these down made me realize I seem to have a lot of frustrations. Hahaha.

Makes me wonder where and what I’d be now if I seriously pursued one of these. I wanted to take Fine Arts in college but never did. I’ve been told during my younger days I had the potential to compete for swimming. I was much better in piano and guitar when I was young but never really took it to heart. Arts, music and sports seem to come easy for me, yet I took it all for granted.

3♦I love to read. I’m a sucker for romance (and vampires)… Yes, I’m a fan of the Twilight Saga. I’ve probably read it a hundred times – all four books. But even then before that existed, I love reading about vampire stuff already… and romance. I also used to like supernatural, dark and weird books from authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice and Christopher Pike. Now, I don’t think my heart and mind can take anymore scary stories.

4♦ I’m a Computer Science graduate (which explains my computer addiction) who only worked for two years applying the technical education I learned, then moved on to do IT sales and marketing for four years for one of the top worldwide IT company… and who has now finally drifted to the world of arts and crafts.

5♦ I never knew how to cook until I got married. And my teacher in cooking? No other than hubby! He taught me all the basic meals – nilaga, sinigang, tinola, etc. I never imagined I could learn to cook and now, I’m even learning to cook more special meals like kare-kare (well, for me it’s special and one of our favorites).  But cooking has never been one of my passions. I’d rather bake. Now baking is something I know how to do since high school (but haven’t done in years).

6♦ I’m a water person. There’s nothing more relaxing than being in or near water — a beach, a pool, a lake. I especially love the sound of the waves rushing to the shore. That’s why I love to swim and I love to windsurf. Ironic though, one thing I am afraid to do is scuba diving. Imagining myself underwater makes me feel claustrophobic.

7♦ For five years, I lived (with my family of course) in an exclusive housing compound with only 32 houses with big sprawling lawns for each house and no gates or fences (just like in the movies), just trees and shrubs dividing the perimeter of each house. It has its own school, golf course, swimming pool, tennis court, pelota court, huge baseball field, bowling alley that cost 5-peso per game (during that time), a large field with helipad and a local phone where you dial only 3 numbers to call your neighbors. Those were the days!

8♦ One of my fashion fetish (and shopping weakness) is swimsuits… I think I have a collection enough to open a boutique.  Okay, so that’s an exaggeration. I just can’t help myself especially if there is a sale or a nice design! I even had a few of my own design made and customized for me.  When I was younger, my fetish was with shoes (and still is, though this one’s more controllable now). Hubby would joke then I was like Imelda Marcos.

9♦I am now 5 years sober from being a softdrink addict. I haven’t drank softdrinks since abruptly stopping in 2003 due to an acid reflux attack (which I was unaware of) that got me rushed to an Emergency Room because I couldn’t breathe anymore.

10♦ I’m a night owl (making me a late riser). My mind thinks more clearly and faster at night especially when everyone’s asleep. It’s one thing I need to change though especially when my eldest daughter starts grade school next schoolyear ’cause that means waking up very early for me too.

So, that’s ten things about me… my “long” ten things I should say. Sorry ’bout that.

And now I’m supposed to pass it on… tooooo…… Via, Bing, Light, Blogusvox, Gibz, Ayen, iMom, Momisodes whose blog entries I enjoy reading (and two of them don’t even know of my existence… bwahaha!)…