Showing posts with label Married Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Married Life. Show all posts

Sunday, December 30, 2012

twelve 2012 highlights

*in no particular order*

one: bawled throughout the phantom of the opera



two: attended the natasha wang pole workshop 



three: was pleasantly surprised by wicked's ending



four: acted real immature in universal studios singapore



five: experienced pregnancy and being a parent for the first time 



six: arya, the sweetest KSP dog in the whole world





seven: rediscovered baguio thrice



eight: had an eating spree with my best friends in boracay



nine: got crafty



ten: finished reading the entire bible



eleven: finally got my 7 year long wish to go to casa san pablo



twelve: esther <3


*what are your 2012 highlights?*

Monday, August 6, 2012

Old Manila Date: If These Walls Could Talk + MyKitchen by Chef Chris

C and I had an Old Manila date last weekend. I've planned it more than a month ago because we're on a tight budget lately and we cannot afford to spend much on entertainment (thank God for friends who give us free movie passes!).

I was browsing through C's Enjoy booklet one day and saw a deal for Carlos Celdran's walking tour.

Photo from Walk This Way
Both of us have been to Fort Santiago many times - I've been there for a field trip and even for a Christmas party scavenger hunt - but the Intramuros tour gave us a new perspective on Old Manila. It also increased our Filipino pride and made us grateful that we were born in this mix-and-match culture. I wouldn't say much about the tour because you have to experience it yourself :) 



And there's so much more to explore in Intramuros! There are quaint little shops and restaurants I'd like to visit. I'd probably go back there, skip Fort Santiago, and roam around the area. 

I also look forward to do the Imelda tour in the near future. I'm always amazed by her and can't wait to learn more (crazy) things about her :D Oh and of course the Binondo Food Tour

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The same day I saw the walking tour voucher, I got an e-mail from Deal Grocer about a promo from MyKitchen by Chef Chris. Everything just came into place then. 


The Deal Grocer promo was for a half-and-half panizza and we ordered Kristina (bacon, ham, caramelized onion, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms) and Verena (tomato and white truffle oil enhanced cheese sauce topped with scallop, prawns and sun-dried tomatoes). We also ordered Osso Buco Maestri because C loves osso buco and risotto. Their tiramisu was huge and was enough for the both of us.

Next time I'll come back there with friends and family so we can try out more stuff from their menu :D

Everything was worth the rainy trip to that area and we didn't even spend full price! 

Of course the best part was spending time with C. I even noticed that he didn't check on his phone *that* often even if there were two major basketball games on :)

Do you have other budget-friendly date ideas? Please share!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Valentine's Day at Il Piccino


The last memorable Valentine's Day date we had was 7 years ago in House of Minis so I got excited when C asked me out for V Day. We went to Il Piccino in San Juan, which is ran by our chef friend, Natalia (who trained in Italy!). 

They usually only accept reservations for a group of 6 or more but for the month of February, they accept reservations for two.

Here's their Valentine's Menu, which is available this Love Month:



risotto and mahi-mahi

calamansi granita and lambchops

pralines and hot chocolate

It's definitely a far cry from our last date! We enjoyed the food and the ambiance of the place. We just regretted not getting the ravioli but good thing they also supply in Connie's Kitchen. Will probably get some soon to cook at home.

photo c/o Cris and Carlo

If you're looking for a different kind of date place or you really just want to enjoy delicious food, you can check them out on Facebook or contact them at 0917-8291900 / 02-9648034 for questions or reservations.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Honeymoon in Bali (Part II)





meat lovers, remember this place
Bintang is my name in Indonesian




Kuta beach is a long walk or a short cab ride away from our hotel. The sand brown, a bit grainy, and surprisingly clean even though there were a lot of people. The sea was also clean and the waves were about six to seven feet high. We took surfing lessons which was really fun. The instructors were very helpful so we both were able to balance on our long boards after some time.

We hired a driver (thank you Kitsie!) who was very helpful with planning our itinerary for the day. He suggested we watch a Balinese show which we found weird because there were some Western slapstick incorporated with traditional dances. We were went Ubud and walked around the Monkey Forest where monkeys were free to roam around. Our driver insisted us to try out babi guling, their version of roasted pig, which is served with some spicy sauce and crispy pork (?) on rice which is best eaten with Coke or beer. We also went to Bali Green School (which deserves its own entry). Of course, a honeymoon wouldn't be complete without the prerequisite sunset viewing which we did in Tanah Lot, one of the known temples in Bali. Dinner was on a cliff overlooking the sea. 

I loved every moment of our honeymoon. Exploring new places are best done with the people you love. 

Honeymoon in Bali (Part I)

Our temporary home



Dinner date


We went on a bike tour

Visited a coffee and tea plantation

Kopi luwak



On the fields of Bali (pun intended)

Entrance to a  family compound
Buffet after biking



A couple of months ago we had our delayed honeymoon in Bali. We didn't plan for it much but thanks to Kitsie, Tring, Frommer, and Lonely Planet, we had some ideas on what we wanted to do.

We chose Bali as our destination because it's unfamiliar territory for the both of us and we wanted to have (safe) adventures during our honeymoon. It wasn't the quiet oasis we imagined it to be. We stayed in the Kuta area which is mostly populated by tourists. But despite the noise and the traffic, there was something relaxing about Bali. Wherever we went, we could smell incense and frangipanis. Tradition is important for the locals and we often saw women in batik clothing offering flowers to their gods every morning. Bali reminded us of home but it's also completely different nonetheless. 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Wife of Noble Character (Proverbs 31:10-30)

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, nor harm, all days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchant with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her;
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Engagement

August 8, 2009 – A typhoon destroyed the main bridge to Iba, Zambales and that was why my closest friends, my then boyfriend (now husband), and I went to Tagaytay instead. Despite the change of plans, it was still a good day because everyone was in a jolly mood. One of my best friends even bought me a yellow umbrella out of the blue.


That night, my boyfriend and guy friends suddenly announced that we’d have a nice dinner in an Italian restaurant with a great view. I was a bit disappointed because I was looking forward to eating bulalo in one of the family restaurants in the area.

The boys were right, the restaurant was fancy and the food was wonderful. To make the most of the view, my friends wanted to take photos outside. While posing on the bench, my boyfriend suddenly knelt in front of me.  I heard my girlfriends scream. I heard myself scream.

My then boyfriend (allegedly) said, “Bitsy, for five years you’ve been the best part of my day. Would you be the best part of my life?”

Of course, I didn’t hear a word he said. But his actions said enough. Of course I said yes.


That day was one of the best days of my life, even if I didn’t get to eat bulalo.

Our wedding is also one of the best days of my life. I’ll tell that story another day.