more for 2012

It's 6:46 am of the last day of 2011. I've been up for almost an hour, thinking. Reflecting on the year that was. As is customary during swift transitions like this. Another year ends and a new one to ring in.

I'm thinking of a word that would aptly sum up 2011. But the word eludes me. How do you sum up everything that happened in a year in a word? I guess you can't. At least not this year.

2011 has been a life changer. Not just because I went ahead and took the plunge into a life of marital bliss, but also because my life, D and I's, had taken a complete 180 from what it was in 2010. We lost our jobs last year. With not a cent to our name, planned a destination wedding we both knew we couldn't afford, we were scared shitless. But in a fortunate twist of fate, it all worked out in the end. And by the end, I mean the year 2011.

New jobs. New careers. New life as husband and wife. It was like a new beginning. A clean slate. Another chance to do it right.

And I think we did good.

From pinching pennies and eating street food to wining and dining almost every night. From starting each sentence with "when we get our money right" to just making it happen. From anxiously waiting for that next big window of opportunity to open to finally living the dream.

Yeah. 2011 was a good year.

And all I really want for 2012 is to keep with the pace. Keep moving forward. Except for certain life adjustments that will all be neatly filed under New Year's resolutions, I want to keep doing what I'm doing. Only better. More.

Save more.
Read more.
Blog more.
Take more pictures. With an actual camera. Using film.
Exercise more.
Travel more.
More time for creative pursuits.
Eat more vegetables.
Cook more.
Give more.
Pray more often.

If 2011 was good year, I know in my heart 2012 will be great. 

all set

Let's do this, 2012!

boxing day

We woke up on Boxing Day with a hankering for roasted duck. So we dragged ourselves all the way to Chinatown for the best roasted duck in town.

And because the weather has been lovely these past few days, we decided to take a leisurely stroll.

Always a good place to explore. Chinatown never fails to amaze me.

how was your christmas?

Mine had...

Good food. 

Great friends.

Lots of fun. 

And for all this, I am grateful.

Hope yours was awesome too.

a new toy

I've been holding out since October. Always going to the Apple Store to check it out and always coming out empty handed. But not today. Because today, I finally gave in and got an iPad.

I always thought my netbook was enough. What will I do with an iPad? was the question I always asked myself when I held one while in the Apple Store. But after just six hours of owning one now I'm thinking, gawdamn what took me so long?!

I'm excited (and anxious) how this nifty gadget will take much of my time (as if the iPhone hasn't taken enough of it already).

So many apps, so little time! But first things first, Bjork's Biophilia. 

it's beginning to look like christmas

One Saturday D and I ventured out to the supermarket to get our weekly supply of food and sundries when while cruising through the aisles of the supermarket, we spotted their latest selection of Christmas trees on offer. Before we knew it, we were loading the cart with balls in different sizes, bells, stars and what-have-you to decorate the tree with. We went home that day, played Vince Guaraldi on the background and excitedly set up the tree. From that day on, D and I have spent hours staring at it. Like it's our pride and joy.

Certainly, this is not D and I's first Christmas together. But it is our first Christmas as husband and wife. And as cheesy as it may sound, I am excited to start Christmas activities that will later on become our very own family tradition. Something that we'll do with our future kids, and that which our future kids will carry on with their own families. (I suppose playing Vince Guaraldi while decorating the tree will be one of them)

Christmas family traditions are important to me, as it is with D I suppose, but to a greater extent for me. Being a Filipino Catholic and all, Christmas takes on a whole new level of significance. When my Thai friends ask me how we celebrate Christmas back home, I can't truly explain it. The occasion has an emotional aspect that I can't describe. I guess it's an overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement to be surrounded by family. My best memories of Christmas is time spent with family; when the whole family put up Christmas decorations around the house, when everybody pitches in to prepare our feast for Noche Buena, when my whole family goes to confession on the night before Christmas, or when my parents and I complete the nine-day novena mass commonly known as Misa de Gallo. It's Christmas traditions like these that I want to carry on and pass on to my future kids.

As much as I would love to come home to Manila to experience this all over again, D and I have opted to stay in town. But we'll be carrying on something we started last year, a Christmas feast with our Bangkok family, our friends. Like last year, D and I will order a turkey and invite friends to come over and bring a side dish that would go well with the turkey. We'll exchange gifts, drinks lots of wine and enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by family.  I'm excited!  

november weekends

My weekends this month has been nothing short of awesome.

It started with a mini 'moon in Koh Samui.

Several months ago, a good friend of ours got us a good deal to stay at the Renaissance Resort and Spa in Koh Samui. D and I didn't really plan on using it til off season (peak season airfares are ridiculous). But when D got a good deal for airfare from a colleague of his working for Bangkok Airways, we grabbed the opportunity to fly out -- even if it was just for a weekend. 

 Samui, here we come!

This view came with my lunch 

Up early to attack the breakfast buffet 

Followed by a weekend in Manila to celebrate my new niece's christening and watch one of my best friends walk down the aisle and marry the love of her life.

D can't believe how cheap beer is in Manila 

 Hanging out with the bride-to-be a day before she said "I do"

The beautiful bride all dolled up

Then a weekend spent checking out the newly opened Ikea Thailand.  

I've been waiting for this day for years. It's finally here! I was so excited I went twice in one week. And if D didn't stop me, I would have gone again this week.

The happiest place on Earth... at least in my opinion

The infamous Daim cake

This weekend, we're taking it easy. Yesterday, we enjoyed the beautiful day outdoors, drinking beer and catching up with friends at the Ploenchit Fair. Today will be a steady Sunday lounging at home.

November has been an awesome month. Looking forward to a stellar December.

july 24, 2010

Life in a day.

watch

For the past few weeks, uh ok months ok ok, ever since we signed up for Netflix, I've been watching nothing but Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. D says I am obsessed. My poor husband had no choice but to watch it with me, night after night, one after the other. And when D throws in the towel and says enough, I watch it in my iPhone. I even downloaded the infamous tun-dun sound bite to make it my message alert tone. Yes, I am obsessed.

 via

via

I'm now on Season 7 Episode 21. Five more seasons to go... before I move on to Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Ha!

But this week I took a break from this obsession and watched:



and



It was refreshing. Pollock was really interesting to me. I've always been drawn to great artists and their demons. Plus Ed Harris did a really good job, both in acting and directing.

But I especially enjoyed watching Bill Cunningham New York, simply because I found the man in the blue jacket fascinating and the fact that nobody really knew anything about him. He seemed to me as this well-mannered, soft spoken man who wouldn't hurt a fly. But watching the film gave me something more than validate my perception of him. It was watching him educate his eyes. I thought that was brilliant. 

nomnom obsessions

I don't know what it is about me but when I like a dish, I eat it until I get sick of it. True story.

There was the CocoIchibanya Japanese curry phase.

Good Smell, Good Curry. I couldn't agree more.

 I was hooked on this for a month. The smell of the curry haunted me in my sleep.

The Sunrise Tacos Grande Taco Salad phase.

In an effort to be healthy. Ha! The crisp taco bowl defeats the purpose of eating a salad. But it is, in my opinion, the best part.

The Greyhound DIY Nachos with Grilled Chicken phase.

I like the idea of piling stuff on the tortilla chip, creating the perfect bite.

And the more recent (and ongoing!) Kenji Fish Taco and Vegetarian Quesa phase.

Korean food with a Mexican twist. The spicy/tangy sauce kills me every time.

Roasted eggplants, caramelized onions, crunchy carrot and cabbage strips, so G-double-O-D good. 

Oh and of course (although not a dish but just as obsessed), the Dakasi Milk Tea phase.

The best milk tea in town. 'Nuff said.

But out of all the food obsessions I've had and will have in the future, one thing stands true: I will never get sick of eating bacon.

sick for the big sun

Bangkok's gloomy weather these past few days has been weighing me down. I'm in dire need of a weekend getaway. Just like that spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway to Hua Hin last month with one of my BFFs.

last hurrah

I'm 29! And what better way to celebrate my last year of being in my twenties than by throwing a Mexican feast complete with margaritas, jello shots and a piñata.

made in India

Some great finds from my India trip.

new fave ring

comfy Khussa flats

 

arm party

ear ornaments

the perfectly imperfect wooden box

Definitely need to go back to get me some more.