to my father-to-be

Today is Father's Day, and although you are not officially a father yet I want to honor you today. Why? Because I know in my heart you will be the best father any child could ask for.

We love you poppa!

i keep comin' back to manila

Thanks to a speaking engagement at a conference in May, I had the chance to fly back home to Manila for free. The conference was held in Subic, and just my luck, my parents were going to the beach house that same weekend I was in town.

Being the awesome parents that they are, my parents made sure they were in Subic just in time for my turn to speak on stage. They watched and cheered on as I got on stage and nervously delivered my presentation to 100 or so people.

After the conference, we then made our way to the beach and spent a lovely weekend at El Paradiso with family friends that I haven't seen in ages.

baby bumpin'

Time flies! We're half way there.

This pregnancy has taken me by surprise. I never expected that I would enjoy being pregnant. Sure, it has its ups and downs (the first nauseating three months, the ache-y back, the leg cramps, the mood swings, the irresistible urge to cry at the silliest things, yada, yada, yada). But the mere thought that there is life growing inside me fills me with overwhelming joy. And although I get scared from time to time of what it'll be like on The Day (aka the excruciating and cringe-worthy tale of childbirth), I am excited. I can't wait to see our little one and welcome him (oh yeah it's a BOY!) to this world.

Four more months to go!

epic march

It sure was. Who would've thought a month can turn your life around. It certainly was the case for March. Why?

Epic Germany: Frankfurt - Berlin - Trier - Bacharach - Frankfurt
It was truly a trip made of pure awesomeness. First long haul flight. First time out of Asia. First trip to Europe. First Doner Kebab. First currywurst... You get the idea. The whole time I was there, I had this goofy smile on my face and kept telling D to pinch me cos I can't believe I'm in Europe. It has always been a dream of mine to go, and when I turned 29 last year I told myself I'll make it happen before I turn 30.

 It's ok. I still love Berlin

 A walk along the Berlin Wall

 Soaking up the sun at Sanssouci Palace

 Climbing the walls of Porta Nigra

 Gorgeous Trier

Quaint little town of Bacharach 

And as if the trip in itself wasn't awesome enough, D and I received the most awesome (and I know I've been overusing the word awesome here but what the hell) news three days before leaving for Germany. Can you guess what it is? Here's a clue.

Baby Burckhardt coming out October 2012

D and I are over the moon. We said we were going to try this year but didn't think it would happen this soon. But we are overjoyed, just the same.

Funny story on how we found out: My mom was visiting and on her last day, she saw me making love to my toilet bowl so early in the morning. Upon sight of this, she immediately clapped her hands and jumped for joy. Perplexed by this behavior, I told her I must've eaten bad shrimp or something. She insisted I take a pregnancy test and wouldn't lay off it the whole day. I gave in and got a pregnancy test. We went home after a day of last-minute shopping and I took the test. And whaddayaknow, two lines! I was so excited and shocked and I-dunno-what, I broke the news to D on Whatsapp.

I know what you're thinking. Who does this? Ah well. It was joyous day nonethess.

A truly blessed month. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. The next few months will be interesting, to say the least. I'll keep you posted!

up in the clouds

There are days I just can't be bothered to write about airlines signing codeshare agreements with other airlines or hotel groups launching new properties in the newest booming province in China. No matter how hard I try, there are days that I just can't.

This is one of those days.

Today, my mind is perfectly content to be up in the clouds. And I think it'll be a while til it plops back down into the ground.

Sky over Krabi, Thailand

May 2011

beachin' good time

Weekend getaway at Koh Samet, Thailand

January 2012

happy heart's day

Didn't I just say that one of the things I want to do this year is to blog more? 45 days in to 2012 and here I am struggling to keep up with my resolutions.

I know, I know. Allow me to make up for my slacking. I promise I. Will. Make. Time. To. Blog.

But for now, I leave you with snippets of my Valentine's Day.

Two for my second Valentine's as a Mrs

 Chicken Parmigiana made with love, by D

Something sweet for the sweet occassion

Happy Heart's Day, kids. May you always stay in love.