Gone too long!

Hiya there! I know it's been a while (or ages) since I've checked my page. Life's been busy, and things haven't been the same for the past year. Some are good, but some were quite melodramatic. But emo aside, I just wanted to check in and make sure that everything's OK in my page and to see how you guys are doing. Another thing, this weather kinda sucks. I am not a huge fan of Winter, believe me. How I yearn the blue skies, the sun saying hello, the swaying breeze, and the chirping of birds as they fly from tree to tree. Hoooo huuummmm, Spring where are you?? Please come soon, I cannot wait to wrap my arms around you! 

I need a pocketful of sunshine, pretty please... ^_^

My Harry Potter throwback

After watching Breaking Dawn with some of my girlfriends, I have come to a conclusion that my obsession for Harry Potter really exists for a reason. And since my husband is a pure science-fiction-kind-of-guy, it all makes sense why he wouldn't want to go watch Breaking Dawn with me! Just the whole "human falls for a vampire, wants to be immortal" scenario is not exactly his kind of fiction. And just as I guessed, after Twilight came out - vampire love stories became a hype among teenagers, hence dominating the entertainment world. Thank God for J.K Rowling, whom I'd call a true genius (sorry Ms. Meyer..) for concocting such ostentatious imagination none of us would have imagined. Gone are the days when every children's fiction would have a morale to every story- and Harry Potter just made the cut.

As I saw the ending of the Harry Potter series, a question stuck in my head: "Where in the world did Ms. Rowling find these out-of-this-universe ideas & words...?" Think of it - Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort (I dont care if I say this out loud), avada kedavra, stupify, quidditch, polyjuice potion, and many many more. I couldn't even enumerate everything, you gotta read the book to find out what I'm talking about. Her mind-blowing imagination sent us to a thrilling journey. One big KUDOS for that! 

The Harry Potter saga may have ended, but the sparks it left in my pure imaginative mind will always remain. I ,therefore conclude, am a true blue Harry Potter fan at heart :D

"Something wicked this way comes!"

A little pep talk

Again, it's Winter. When the days are dreary and warm, and bright but cold. When people take time to do those "backed-up" indoor chores. When I get soooo sad and homesick and can't wait to go home. But then, next month is Spring! And gosh, I am very much excited about the coming months as I jot down stuff on my "goal list" for things to accomplish this year. But I admit, sometimes I lack motivation. And then the procrastination happens. And next thing I know, the year's almost over (sigh).

That's it! I am getting over my fear and just gonna go ahead and do it! Maybe this will be my year. Maybe this time I can do it. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Aja aja fighting!! ☺☺☺☺☺

A Night to Remember ( New Year's Eve )

I have grown up with the tradition of starting the year with a bang. And with a bang, I meant a huge celebration and all that fireworks and stuff. In the Philippines, New Year's Eve is one of the highly celebrated holidays aside from Christmas. But since I am 7,000 miles away from my dear family back home, my hubby and I decided to throw our own party with some of his family members and our very close friends. Although we can't celebrate it ala-Filipino style (again, with the fireworks and all that noise) but I guess I can say we definitely welcomed the year filled with food, fun, laughter, pictures, drinking, mingling, and a whole lotta music!

New Year pull-apart cake

finger foods ala carte

hubby, friends, & family by the bar

the crowd waiting for the NYE countdown!

OMEOMY band playing in our basement

snapshot with friends

CHEERS!!!!

This is by far, the biggest party we've had since I've been here in the US. There were a lot of preparations but then again, it was all worth it. I managed to be sober the whole night (as what a good hostess would do) and by 5am, we were off to bed. Seeing all their happy, smiling faces and their laughter filling up our house is like the cherry on top of this last holiday of the year. Now we are ready to brace for what 2012 has in store for us and hoping for those yet to come.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

" Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? 

     Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! "

Another year has passed, but it all seemed like it was just yesterday to me. Time really does fly fast, and next thing we know, we're toasting champagne glasses and making noise to welcome the year ahead! As holidays were the busiest time of all, I realized that I haven't had enough time to sit down and write on my blog. And so before 2012 knocks on my door, I won't let this year pass without saying Goodbye 2011. This year has been wonderful and the more I lose track of time, the more lessons I also learn. Life has been good to us. And everyday I am very THANKFUL for all the blessings we received. Every once in a while we have our "moments" but then again, I am thankful for it. For it was those moments that made us who we are today. For every time we fell, we rose. And for every tear we cried, we smiled. And for every pain and loneliness, we find solace and bliss. God has showed us how powerful HE really is, and it is only HE who creates our destiny. It was only when I realized that what I got right now is what I really wanted from the start. And that the more we count our blessings, the less problems we have. 

As I look back and wave goodbye to another friendly year, I never forget the years that passed us by. If only life has a pause button, I'd gladly pause a few days before the end of each year and seize every last moment I have with it. But it will never be that way. So it is time for a new year, a new life, a new resolution. As long as there's always something to look forward to, our journey will always be an exciting one. We don't know what's in store for us in 2012, and all we can do is hope for the best. So let's raise our glasses and toast for a bright, wonderful, healthy, and blessed 2012!!!

From our family to yours,

A BLESSED HAPPY  NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

☺•☺•☺•☺•☺•☺•☺•☺

HOUSE SWEET HOUSE

Thanks to Olga Quinn

My house is my pride and joy and I just love spending so much time making it perfect. I had my mom come in and help me decorate because I had absolutely no taste at the end of the day and I knew I’d make the place look like a hot mess. I went to texas electricity providers to keep my energy rates down and I even planted some flowers in the front yard which has just been the best thing ever in terms of my morale and I’m actually planning a housewarming party (which I’m a little late for) very soon! I can’t wait to show this place off to all my friends and hopefully get a gift or two for the house. I really need to get a doormat and I also need some new lamps so you know, I’ve got a ways to go. My mom is coming back for Easter so hopefully by then I’ll have bought everything I need to get this place in the shape she wants it in!

♥ Our 3rd year together ♥

     Remember, remember, the 7th of December...

It was my husband and I's 3rd wedding anniversary yesterday. And all I could think of right now are the sappy, mushy, and cheesy romantic stories. Speaking of sappy, mushy, and cheesy, I saw this chick flick last night, and this scene where they were reading poetry to each other really captured my heart. Well, actually the poem did. My cheesiness can be a bit overwhelming, but hey, that's just normal for a woman in love. If you share the same passion for romantic poetry like I do, then this poem would surely melt your hearts...

 -- Having a Coke with You --

is even more fun than going to San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne

or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona

partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastian

partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt

partly because of the fluorescent orange tulips around the birches

partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary

it is hard to believe when I'm with you that there can be anything as still

as solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary when right in front of it

in the warm New York 4 o'clock light we are drifting back and forth

between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles

and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint

you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them

I look

at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world

except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it's in the Frick

which thank heavens you haven't gone to yet so we can go together the first time

and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism

just as at home I never think of the Nude Descending a Staircase or

at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michelangelo that used to wow me

and what good does all the research of the Impressionists do them

when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank

or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn't pick the rider as carefully

as the horse

it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience

which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it

~ Frank O'Hara ~

There are numerous people in the whole wide universe we encounter day by day, and yet we still don't know who they really are. That's why there's a thing called love - because we'd rather spend our lifetime knowing that ONE person we chose to be with. Love doesn't come easy, but it really does move in mysterious ways. And it led me to my beloved half..

HAPPY 3rd ANNIVERSARY to us, Hun! We may have our ups and downs but we've got our whole lives to make it right. All I wanna do is grow old with you.. ♥♥♥

What are you thankful for?

Today is November 24th, and we are currently celebrating Thanksgiving Day surrounded by people we cherish the most - families, friends, and loved ones. As we sit on the dining table ready to share that bountiful feast, we are reminded of all the wonderful blessings we have graciously received the whole year round. May it be a new job, a new house, a new baby, or a new life - it is still a blessing we have to be thankful for. As for me, words are never enough to express the gratitude and blessedness my heart is feeling right now. But what am I really thankful for? My list is just simple:

I thank God for my wonderful, caring, and very loving husband who is also the "best friend" I've always hoped and wished for. My heart belongs to him.

I thank God for our smart and loyal dog, Kyodai. We love her so dearly.

I thank God for the family I left behind in the Philippines. No matter the ups and downs we've had, they will and always be the family I cherish and never will forget.

I thank God for my husband's supportive and caring family. They are my "home away from home".

I thank God for the new-found friends I have right now. They surely put smiles on my face.

I thank God for the old friends I still have. True and loyal friends, really, are hard to find.

I thank God for my life. It may not be extravagant, but it surely is worth living.

Yes, my list is simple as that. I could go into details, but space isn't enough. Being thankful is more than saying "Thank You". The heart speaks what our mouth couldn't utter. In other words - THANK FROM THE HEART...

Candid Autumn

Two weeks ago, my husband and I together with his niece and her boyfriend, took a nostalgic steam train ride in the Wilmington-Western Railroad. They have this event called "Autumn Leaf Special" and we thought it would be nice to board the train and do some Fall sightseeing in one of Delaware's historical suburbs, Hockessin. So as I bundled up ( knowing it would be 40 degrees on that day ), I also packed my Canon SLR to see if I could take some shots aboard our No. 58 coach.

Here are some of my favorite shots ( sorry I couldn't post a lot as I am a fan of the burst shot LoL... ) and hope you enjoy the panoramic views through my camera's lens ( 'coz I did! ).

A front view of our steam train ( a vintage version of Thomas the Train! )

A combination of the orange, yellow, and green hues make up the autumn foliage

The sky makes an astounding backdrop for the trees' colors

One of the water views along the Hockessin border

Reflections of Autumn

We can only take pictures aboard the train, so these were taken from where I sat. I had to fumble with my camera's settings the whole time as I had trouble with the bouncing of the flash through the window and the sun beaming towards my face since we took an early afternoon train ride. But so far, I still managed to capture the beauty of Autumn right from my seat. 

Ahhh, Autumn what can I say?? Let me savor you first whilst I brace myself for your successor, Winter.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."  ~ Albert Camus

Don't get lost

Ever been in a situation where you get invited to somebody's house for the first time and went to the wrong address? Or driving in the dark trying to find your friend's house and the GPS says "Destination on the right" yet you still couldn't find it? We've been there folks...

My husband drives me around so I can familiarize myself with our neighborhood. I like taking a good look at other people's houses too, which has something to do with my fascination for architecture. Believe me, I am not knowledgeable in construction stuff but I can pretty much tell if a house is just right for my taste. One thing I noticed though is that here in the US, people are free to design their house the way they want it. But the sad thing is, some just don't care. And I'm talking about address plaques. Some people have designed their house too elaborate that they forgot that tiny detail that would make it convenient for their family and friends. Like some of the houses we saw, I couldn't find the house numbers even in broad daylight. I love designs, but I just wish that homeowners would pay attention to some of the essential details of their house. You wouldn't want your loved ones to get lost looking for your house, would you?

Zip it up!

Usually, it's the girls who get the chills easily... but how about the boys? Boys get cold too, you know. And just in time for the cold front to start saying "hello" to our bare skin, it's time to start zipping up!

I have a brother who, I might say, is a fashionista. He usually goes with the flow. But since he's way back home in the Philippines, I just send him stuff to fit his lifestyle. I may have spoiled him a bit, but he's my only brother and I love him to death. With him working come rain or shine, he needs something to protect himself from the nasty outburst of the typhoon. And that's where I come in. I love to shop, not only for myself, but specially for my loved ones. And one of my favorite stores offers these zip up hoodies which basically is the fad in teenagers and adults nowadays. Pretty cool and protective at the same time huh? He just loves wearing it not only for work but for play, too. The funny thing is, in Philippines, you will see guys wearing them even in the sunny weather! I guess you can pretty much say that's a fashion statement for Filipino guys there.

Fashion or no fashion, we need to shield ourselves from the excruciating effects of climate change. At this time of the year, we have to bundle up. Don't worry if you're wearing a bulky coat even if it's not winter yet. If you're feeling cold, I got three words for ya - ZIP IT UP!

Rekindling the passion

After months of hibernating, finally I am back to the blogging world. I apologize to all my dear blogger friends out there who have been trying to get hold of me. And for those who have been very kind to leave messages and comments on my posts, I am therefore grateful and just want you to know that I appreciate it ( *wide grin*). It's really been a long time, (or should I say, almost a year perhaps?) since I posted here. Proud to say my blog's been a year old now! Gosh, that you can call abandonment. Pffft...

So how have I been? Since I'm waaaay behind the seasonal updates, here are just some of the highlights of my so-called life :)

I have immersed myself into baking, and learning more stuff. My contentment isn't fulfilled until my repertoire's big enough to satisfy both hubby and I's craving. Thanks to the cookbook my dearly beloved mother-in-law passed onto her youngest son, I am deeply enjoying and savoring every new recipe my hands could get into.

Springtime gardening was one of hubby and I's favorite activities together. We planted mostly colorful flowers like Tulips, Petunias, Impatiens, Daisies, Begonias, Vincas, Roses, Lilies, Geraniums, and some herbs. One of my friends who was hooked into the Farmville game even quoted that our garden looked Farmville-inspired. That was a compliment :)

Spring was also my Birth-season, officially the month of May. I celebrated my birthday with the help of my good friends and had another fun-filled day with laughter and what can you expect, more eating!

Say hello to Summer! Of course, we wouldn't let the sun shine for nothing! We spent a day at the beach and watched the sun do the rest. As a typical Filipina who wouldn't want to get tan, my heartfelt thanks to Banana Boat for the SPF 100. Hubby refers to it as my "vampire stuff".

I am a certified Harry Potter fan and this is my one-way ticket to the end. As we watched the final epic battle between Harry and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, I found myself wiping away the tears as I bid goodbye to the greatest Sci-Fi story I have ever seen.

To my Filipino friends, this is not the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. These are the Alleghany and Massanutten Mountain Range in Shenandoah, Virginia. We took our annual camping activity to the highest level as we spent a week in one of America's national parks. It was also where we spent hubby's birthday and at the same time, when the Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast which makes it even more memorable I suppose.

Sunset in Shenandoah

Wow, it really has been a while, isn't it? I'd love to share more and fill the gap in my timeline, but space isn't enough. As what others would say, "So many things to do, so little time." As the dreary weather and cold season comes a-knocking, and so is my writing. I guess this proves that if you have the passion for something, it never dies. This is proof. I am back :)

"Life is a journey to be savored each step of the way."