Eventful Saturday

Food Blog!

I made strawberry cheesecake yesterday morning. Got this recipe from a friend (Thanks, Gina!).

Mauie and I, certified foodies alike, decided to collaborate on a food blog which will contain of course, food - those we cook and those we eat on our dine-outs. This recipe, of course, will be my first post. It's already under construction.

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Da Vinci!

Finished reading the Da Vinci Code already. One word... WOW!

Can't wait for the movie! And did you know that this book already has a sequel in the making? It's entitled "The Solomon Key"... Can't wait for that too!

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First OB visit (it's not what u think...)

I've been putting off visiting an ob for the longest time and i just couldn't delay it any longer (mostly because of my husband's insistence).

About 2 years ago, after doing the breast self-exam, I felt a lump in my right breast. I was scared as hell! But after some research (and a lot of wishful thinking), i felt a little at ease... I found out that not all lumps are dangerous. So I chose to just ignore it.

And then, a couple of months back, i did the exam again, and i felt another lump. That's when i considered having a check-up. But i was too terrified of whatever the results may be. And it took me this long to finally go. Jon even had to tell my mom on me. My husband and my mom ganging up on me was just too much...

Since i don't know any ob's, I had to settle for my mother's own. The check-up was over in just a few minutes. Or so i thought. Her initial findings was that the mass/es she felt were fibrocystic in nature (or, in simple terms, tissues or fatty layers which were formed coz of hormones). But i wasn't relieved by what she said. I wasn't satisfied by her "probing". So to be sure, she requested a breast ultrasound.

I was so nervous, not only because it was a man who was on the ultrasound room (is that what u call it?), but because i was readying myself of what might be "there". After a few minutes, I got the result. Yup. There are hypoechoic solid masses at BOTH breasts, two at the right and one at the left.

Conclusion:

category 3=probably benign finding; malignancy is highly unlikely, e.g. fibroadenoma (initial short interval follow-up).

Although it was not at all good (because when i went back to the doctor for her interpretation, she was a little surprised - she asked me to return after another 6 months for another ultrasound), it was enough reason to heave a sigh of relief... at least for now, i am safe...

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First Impressions...

We (there are 8 of us) went to Tagaytay and had a late, late night dinner at Leslie's.

Looong photoshoot after.

Proceeded to Starbucks for coffee afterwards. As we were talking, somebody suggested that we give our impressions on each one present there. Guess what? Most of them thought i was "suplada" at first...

Honestly, I'm not at all surprised about that. Yup. Most people's initial reaction of me is that i'm a snob. Now, not to risk sounding like i'm defending myself, but....... ok..., well..., i guess i AM defending myself... =D hahah! So..., why do people perceive me as "suplada"? These could be some of the reasons....

Here goes... one. I'm shy. No, really. It takes time for me to warm up and be open to people. Especially girls. I believe i was a man on my past life. two. I have very poor eyesight... I am nearsighted. During high school and college days. I have too often received comments such as, "nakita kita sa _____, isnabera ka, di ka namamansin ha!" or "kinakawayan kita eh, inisnab mo naman ako"- there is only one explanation for these -- i didn't see him/her. three. I am not plastic. I am diplomatic but never plastic. When i don't like u.., i DON'T like u. Period.

So, does these make suplada??? U decide. I'm okay both ways. Like i said. i'm multifaceted... =D

Currently reading...

I know what ur thinking... But hey! I devoted most of my time last year to wedding preps (includes losing weight, of course! =D) that now is the only time i am able to read this highly acclaimed book of Dan Brown... (Started reading it yesterday afternoon and i'm hoping i could finish it by Sunday).

The only book that i've read the past year was Mitch Albom's "The Five People U Meet in Heaven." (I also loved his other book "Tuesdays with Morrie" - cried buckets of tears over this one).

It was a quick and fascinating read. I'd have to say i loved it more than Tuesdays... It has a very interesting plot and Albom presented heaven in a very COOL manner. Oh, and I also loved the "Filipino" part of the story. =)

This book made me conclude that our lives are ALL intertwined and that everybody has a purpose on this earth. This also got me thinking about the people that have influenced and have great impact in my life. All in all.., Five people is a wonderful, not to mention tearful, read!

Now back to my reading... =)

Surname Dilemma

This gives me the headache.

I am now in the process of changing my name (personnel, BIR, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, Philamcare and Philhealth records). Two months ago, I was sure that i wanted a hyphenated surname, now i'm not so sure anymore... :(

I was able to talk to our personnel officer and I was told that some government offices don't really allow/encourage this because this might cause major problems in their records. In a way, they were discouraging me from using this kind of name, too... This might give me some difficulties later on daw, for instance, when collecting insurance claims and the like. ...What's the big deal bout it? What's the purpose of having this kind of option if, in the long run, it would only present problems to those who use it? No fair. Aaaarrghh!!!

On the other hand, if this would mean much hassle for me, then, i should just give in and change my name the way most married women do, right? ...i mean, it would even be advantageous to me because the name i would be taking is really short. But then again, i hate to let go of my surname... :(

Kung pwede lang wag na lang magbago ng pangalan eh... (i'm juz kidding, hun! ...heheh :D)

Odd tasks at work

It was a busy day at work. It wasn't really "work" per se. It was some of those on-the-side tasks we perform at the office...

Today, we catered. =)

There was a book turnover (from the German embassy) ceremony at the FSI library this afternoon and as part of our austerity measures, our boss decided not to order food from the DFA caterer and decided that since we FSI people are multi-talented and very versatile, we just do it by ourselves (this was last Friday). So, that afternoon, some of my officemates already bought the things needed for this event.

Come Monday morning, i went to the property section to collect the requested champagne and wine... When i got back to my desk, the chaos started. My phone didn't stop ringing and people were quite panicking already because as it turned out, the secretary of foreign affairs is gonna be there and wanted to invite this people and that. That's when our admin officer suggested to my boss that we just have the food catered. She agreed... but only to add up to the food we are to prepare.

The food preps was fun! I enjoyed every minute of it with my tissue folding technique to wrap the glasses for the juice (this would be MY legacy to the FSI, i believe...heheh - sorry i forgot to take a picture); and the hors d'oeuvre making.


And as always, it was a job well done. Everyone loved the food and the presentation... Another successful FSI accomplishment in the bag!

At the Bridal Fair

...nope, i'm not preparing for a wedding again... hahaha! :D

Got so excited yesterday when I read Tin's tag (thanks Tin!). Found out that OUR on-site video is being played at the Wedding March Bridal Fair at the NBC Tent, the Fort. I was informed by Miss Tess of Realtime Video just today that they are giving away their demo reel and our video was included there! Since today is the last day of the fair, Jon n I went there this afternoon to see it for ourselves (call it narcissism, i don't care! -hahah)!

...And we did! =) It was such a nice feeling, seeing our wedding played right before thousands (okay, okay.., hundreds!) of people, and hearing comments like "Wow, ganda!" ;)

nbc tent behind us....................... jon n bronto at market!market! after the fair

Coffeehouse-hopping

Met for coffee with the same group last night, this time at Seattle's ATC. And what's a gimmick without... you guessed it right... pictures!

Papa's Birthday

It's Papa's __th birthday today. The family went to Vivere Skyline at Vivere Suites to celebrate this happy occasion. It's already my third time to eat here but the view from the 31st floor still managed to take my breath away. Food was deelish, as always... i had caesar salad and seafood crepe (yummy!). Most of us had the drink of the month - green tea and strawberry blend - which came with a cute teddy bear. Love it (both the drink and the bear =) )!

Just before we finished eating, Papa was pleasantly surprised when the waiters came to our table, sung the birthday song, and gave him cake... (I discreetly told the manager of the resto earlier that it's his birthday...)...just like what Jon did to me when i celebrated mine. =)

Friday night out

Dinner at Fridays with Lon and Mauie.

Watched Meet the Fockers afterwards with them plus Aion and Lex. FOckin' hilarious! Watch it if u still haven't. =)

Went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to meet Gina after the movie and coffeehouse-hopped (is there such a word? hahah! :D ) at Cafe' Adriatico at Westgate and stayed there til 3am.

On missing my family (yes, dogs included)...

It's one reality of life... U really can't have it all...

Yes. I AM HAPPY. Very happy in fact, in this new life that i have chosen... But still, a part of me longs for the life I left behind... and I'm not ashamed to admit it... I'm HOMESICK.

I imagined this before.., months ago before our wedding. I knew that I would be greatly saddened by the many changes my married life would bring... Back then, I dreaded the packing of my things! Until now, whenever I would go to my old home and find some of my stuff lying around, there's still a twinge of pain at the thought of bringing it "home".

The past holiday season was just awful. Though Jon and I visit my family almost every day, I would find myself crying in the middle of the night, still terribly missing them. ...my mom and her cooking, my younger sister who sometimes always acts as if she's my elder sis, my funny and kulit brother, and even though my dad passed away almost 2 years ago, I miss him now more than ever *sigh*; ...my dogs Sonic, Poochie (who recently got sick and died :( -- which added up to my distress) and Jersey; my messy room full of memories; and yes, even my Saturday morning balloon-making! *double sigh* ...I miss our closeness, our playful banter, and even our occassional tampuhans. I miss our kwentuhan and "bonding" sessions. Gawd, how I miss them! :(

But I have to consider myself lucky... picture this... they live just a few streets away from where we're living now...

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(thanks to my very understanding husband for helping me in this adjustment period and my new family who are all so bait to me... =) )

Tiring Weekend

Saturday.

-Market day. Despite our late night gimmick the other night, we had to wake up early to buy our food supply for the week.. :D

-Jon is ninong once again to a neighbor's son. Saw some DFA people at the reception and it was, well... weird!

-Since it was a payday weekend and i have just received my clothing bonus at the office (I'm also praying for another much bigger "blessing" this month), Jon and I had planned to go shopping at Greenhills after the binyag. I slept in the car all the way to our destination... When i woke up and saw where we are already, I got so excited right away! Oh, the many many great finds waiting for me!!! :D

There weren't too many people that day, thank goodness. I was able to buy a badminton shirt, white blouse from F&H, pink spaghetti blouse from Sari2, another white blouse from Link, dangling earrings and a hair straightening iron. Jon was a bit disappointed coz there weren't too many choices for him.. He was only able to buy 1 pair of shoes. I was looking for maong pants but after countless tries, I couldn't find one which suits my taste. I guess that's enough reason for another shopping trip to the mall next weekend... =)

When we got home, i cooked sardines (used small bangus for this) for breakfast the following morning.

Sunday.

We had 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep! I thought we finally had enough rest to last us this week but the activities of the day left us both again, exhausted (Jon specially). He was assigned driver for the day and together with 10 of his relatives, we went to Batangas City for their feast day. We got to visit the newly-built SM Batangas too...

We got home a few minutes before 9pm already. After quick dinner, I still had to iron our clothes (for work the following day) that I had to pass on my promised massage (So sorry, hun.. i'll make it up to u, promise!). We were dead beat!

Quadruple Date

4 couples + dinner (Brother's Burger) + donuts @ Gonuts + hilarious movie = fun, fun, Friday night!!!

da couples

A Nice Surprise

I miss my mom's cooking... breakfast to be exact. In the 25 years of my existence, I would always wake up to find her delicious meals laid on the dining table before I go to school, and later on, to work... Ergo, breakfast is an important part of my day.

And since I came back to work, I haven't had one...

Not that I'm complaining... U see, at my new home, people are used to having their breakfast at around 730am. I'm already on my way to work by that time. =) I could prepare it myself, but I usually don't have enough time, not to mention energy, to do that on mornings when all I really want to do is just snuggle close to my hubby and pull the covers up...

Just when I thought that it's gonna be another breakfast-less day, I was pleasantly surprised to find Jon (who i left still sleeping when i showered) preparing breakfast inside our room this morning! I was sooo touched to see him there looking over the breakfast maker (making sure that the egg and the spam won't get burnt), ruffled hair and all, that I hugged him ever so tight and kissed him (sans toothbrush - heheh)! I have such a sweet, sweet husband, don't i? *sigh*

SPAM n EGG with LOVE! =)

...it's gonna be a good day! :)

The Year That Was...

(got this from pazette)

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done?
Got married! =) and gone cruisin'...

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Yep! I lost weight! Yipeedipee! =D
I didn't have the time to make a list this year, though... Never too late?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep. My cousin.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no one.

5. What countries did you visit?
Singapore
Penang, Malaysia
Phuket, Thailand (1 and a half week before it was devastated by the tsunami)

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
killer abs and gorgeous legs --- (dream on! :D)

7. What date/s from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory?
feb 1 - the day Jon proposed
120904 - our wedding day

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Became a wedding planner
Got married and traveled abroad on our own!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Can't think of any...

10. Did you suffer an illness or injury?
Thankfully, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
wedding stuff.
Jon's chrono watch and DVD player

12. Where did most of your money go?
wedding stuff
clothes, shoes and blings
pasalubong
Christmas gifts

13. What did you get really, really excited about?
Our wedding and HUNNYMOON!!!

14. What song will always remind you of 2004?
PERFECT DAY
FEELS LIKE HOME
U MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Happier definitely!
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner! (Thanks to Atkins!)
iii. Richer or poorer? Richer... in love... =)

16. What do you wish you'd done more?
Spent more time with my mom and siblings.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worried about the wedding too much =) ...It turned out perfect!

18. How did you spend Christmas?
With both my family and new family... =)

19. Did you fall in love in 2004?
That's a big YES! =)

20. How many one-night stands?
uhmmm... None.

21. What was your favorite TV program?
Didn't have much time to watch eh...

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No one! I'm full of loooooove at the moment!

23. What was the best book you read this year?
Five People u Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
-?

25. What do you want to get in 2005?
slimmer figure
good health not only for me but for my loved-ones.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
Before Sunset

27. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Turned 25 last year (but I still feel 16 inside! =D ).
Celebrated it with my family and treated them at Vivere Skyline.
Went to Tagaytay the next day with my hunny, stuffed ourselves at Josephine’s and he treated me to a spa package at Nurture Spa. Romantic dinner after. The best!

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Daddy walking me down the aisle... =(

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004.
fab and funky

30. Who/what kept you sane?
JON. The thought of being married to him.

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ethan Hawke. Johnny Depp. Lindsay Lohan.

32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Didn't have the time for this, either.

33. Who do you miss?
My dad.
My family and my dogs...

34. Who was the best new person you met?
our wedding suppliers, especially alex f, chito c, and tess a. =)

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
That a friend will say "I'll be there when you say you need me" but a true friend will be there... whether you say you need her or not...

Back to work...

back to reality... =)

i had mixed feelings bout coming back to the office today... i was both excited ('bout seeing my friends and officemates again, and, of course, getting my Christmas presents - heheh!) and scared (like a child going to school for the first time in her life) at the same time! Jon tried to calm my nerves as he drove me to the bus station this morning, but to no avail... And guess what? I even forgot my ID! I seriously thought of going back home and extend my leave for one more day but one officemate saw me already so I had to drag myself in the building...

Though i think i've made the most of my vacation, i still feel that i didn't have enough time for R&R...(abuso, noh?!) ... in fact, i'm sleep-deprived! The parties, reunions and get-togethers, not to mention our DVD marathon nights, left us drained and so in-need of another whole week month of hunnymooning... ;)

okay... gotta work now... but first, lemme just catch up with all the "chismis" here... ;-)

Our First Month

For 8 years, whenever the 9th of the month comes, we do something special. It need not be something outrageous or expensive... we just make it a point to spend some quality time together... (that's one secret of a successful relationship right there... :D )

Anyway, today marks our first month as husband and wife (and also my last free day before i go to work and the last day of carbo-loading)... We have nothing really special planned (we're off to Makati later), but just bask in this marital bliss... =)

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One month after the wedding, i'm still not through with my wedding kwentos and suppliers ratings... so sorry! watch out for it, though. =)

Our Wedding Pics

After days of selecting from over 1500++ pictures, i've finally finished uploading our wedding pics at our webshots. I sooooo love how our photographer Chito Cleofas, captured this momentous event of our lives. He's just superb (and humble too)! 'nuff said. =)

Take a look at them yourself... comments are highly appreciated... thanks and enjoy!

click on the pics to view ceremony and reception pics

New Year, New Life, New Blog!

Countdown's over... I now leave my first abode and will now reside at my new home.. :)

do visit me from time to time!