Sunday, August 31, 2008

preparing for marriage

Preparing for a wedding can be challenging and stressful, especially if you're miles from where it's going to be held. It's easy to get lost in all the things that need to be done, the money that needs to be saved, the miles we have to travel, the leaves we have to acquire. And the list just goes on and on. We could get so tied up to making sure all the details of the wedding is perfect that sometimes we lose sight of what really matters--the marriage.

B and I once thought that taking the Marriage Preparation Course is such a chore. We registered for it just so we could get our hands on the certificate required by the church. But, at the end of day one, our attitude was changed. We became interested and was looking forward to the second session.

Each session lasted about four hours and were pretty much the same. Our presenting couple will share personal experiences that had something to do with our topic for the day. Fred and Ruby, our presenting couple, were very open. They shared with us their love story, their struggles, and their mistakes, asking us to not to the same. Reden and I agree that it takes a lot of courage and humility to do that in front of strangers just so you could help them have a married life better than yours. Although their sharing may be a bit boring sometimes, we respect them and appreciate what they do for us. (They even serve us food during the home sessions!)

After the sharing, Fred and Ruby will hand out the Couple Paks. There is a specific Pak for each session. Each Pak discussed three different sections discussing a specific topic. Each section ended with a list of questions that participating couples can answer to help them get to know each other better. Here are examples of the questions we answered: How were problems dealt with in your family? Did your parents have problems handling their emotions?; What does happily married mean to you?; What are the three personal needs that I hope will fulfilled in my marriage?; The thing I like best about your mother is...; What issues have surfaced during your engagement that is a constant source of disagreement between you and your partner?

Reden and I found some questions easy to answer, and some really challenging. Minsan wala kaming maisip, minsan naman a question leads to a serious discussion and meaningful kwentuhan. We both think that if you're serious with the Couple Paks, makakatulong talaga siya. We liked Couple Paks 1 and 2. The third to fifth Paks were a bit too religious and doctrine-based for us.

Although we disagreed with some of the things taught to us during the course, we still learned a lot. Here are some:

- marriage as a sacrament means that we are witnessing for Christ's love together and as a married couple we should serve as an inspiration to others and proof that true love is possible;

- that Reden's perception of me is different from my perception of me and vice versa;

- that sometimes we have to re-evaluate the decisions we have already made;

- that we're really lucky we have great parents and in-laws, and

- that love is a decision you have to make repeatedly.


Aside from that, the MPC made us realize that we are not doing so bad ourselves.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Dark Knight

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
Di ko pa napanood ang Batman Begins when I watched this but I understood it naman. One of those nakakabusog movies. Heath Ledger was great as the Joker. 'Twas a fantastic exit.

Wall-E

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Animation
Wall-E made my heart melt! I love it!

Batman Begins

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
Watched this after I saw The Dark Knight. Christian Bale is perfect as Batman. Kahit walang maskara.

Pineapple Chicken


Description:
Reden's interpretation of his father's recipe (and he learned this over the phone!). Sarap!

Ingredients:
About 500 grams of chicken
Pineapple juice, 1 can
Eight pineapple slices (you can also use chunks), reserve syrup
Tomato catsup, about 2 tablespoons
One medium carrot, sliced
Three to four cloves of garlic, chopped
One onion, chopped
Patis, salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
1. Marinade the chicken in the pineapple syrup (from the slices) for about 10 minutes.
2. Saute garlic and onion until onions are transparent.
3. Put in the chicken (wag isama ang syrup). Saute until the edges are brown.
4. Add the pineapple juice. Simmer until the chicken is fully cooked.
5. Timplahan ng catsup, salt, pepper at patis hanggang maging tama sa panlasa.
6. Add in carrots. Simmer for five minutes or until carrots are cooked.
7. Add in pineapple slices. Simmer for two minutes then serve with patis on the side. =)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

mommy and daddy

Can barely do justice to mommy's avatar. Wala kasing dimples feature.

Mas madali talaga gayahin ang guys. Hehehe.

sinakop ang singapore!

Kagabi, sa sinehan. =)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Rating:
Category:Movies
Genre: Animation
I am not a fan of the Star Wars franchise and this film didn't turn me into one. It did, however, make me curious about the plot of the Star Wars trilogy and the prequels as well. Might try to watch them one of these days.

The animation left so much to be desired. Hindi fluid ang animation, parang mechanical pa. Simple lang ang story pero the pacing was fast enough para di ka mabore.

The movie was so-so. Buti na lang we watched it for free. =)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Monday, August 25, 2008

if I were crazy enough to wear high heels

Then I'd probably buy a pair or two of Louboutins. The famed shoe designer will be opening a store here in Singapore after all.

And, while I'm dreaming, I'd buy myself a couple of Manolo Blahniks, too.

In reality, however, I can't wear heels. I don't have a high arch (I'm actually flat-footed) and wearing high heels will hurt me terribly. I can only walk on flats and if I convince myself to sacrifice for a while, I can wear kitten heels or wedges. I'll choose comfort over style anytime.

If this was not the case, however, I think these would really go well with my wardrobe:

Louboutin Very Prive Patent Pump


Louboutin Rolando Hidden-Platform Pump


Blahnik Buckled d'Orsay


Blahnik Gossado Eyelet d'Orsay


Blahnik Ankle-Wrap Leopard Sandal


Blahnik Snakeskin Pointed-Toe Mary Jane (in turquoise; coz a pop of color is always nice)


Have a great week y'all!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

SERIES: if i were crazy enough to...

This week: If I were crazy enough to buy a Coach bag.

Buying a Coach bag (when it's not even on sale) is crazy for me because it costs so much money--money you can actually use for travelling or eating or you know, experiencing things. I'm not saying I won't buy a Coach bag ever. Pretty things are really hard to resist.

If I ever reach that level of insanity, these will be my top picks. I like big bags because I always have to bring all my things--payong, kikay kit, a book or magazine, my planner, pens, mp3 player
and phone. Dapat may malagay pa akong extra like food! Hahaha. I also prefer leather over fabric, and solid colors over signature prints.

Anyway, here they are.

Large Carly in black

Legacy in amethyst

Multicolor Legacy (for harabas)

Peyton in fuschia


Lindsay vintage leather shopper in teal

Signature stripe denim patent multifunction tote

Till next week!

a place to see before I die

Since I'm done for the day, I started browsing the office's copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Naturally, inuna ko ang places to see sa Pinas. There were only three: Taal Volcano, Banaue Rice Terraces and Amanpulo.

Taal Volcano I already saw. I still haven't seen Banaue Rice Terraces but that's easy. What caught my fancy was Amanpulo.


I go online to check this resort-to-see-before-I-die and I was blown away! Ang ganda! Ang puti ng sand, ang water, pristine. Walang sinabi ang Krabi. I checked the rates and ahahay! So expensive! Nasa USD pa ang presyo!

I sent an e-mail to check if they have special rates for locals. After a few hours, I got a reply from their reservations desk. Meron nga, pero naman, still expensive!

One night is P27,500 (+10% SC, +12% government tax), tapos ang minimum is two nights. Do the math. Bukod pa yung P13,000 net/person round trip airfare from Manila to Amanpulo and vice versa.

Ayayay. Cannot afford lah!

Puerto Galera na lang tayo. Hahahaha.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

glorious Olympics

B and I have been watching the Olympics and it's just amazing to see all the atheletes from around the world strut their stuff and kick butt!


Last weekend we watched Usain Bolt of Jamaica make history as he broke the world record of 9.7 seconds in the 100m sprint. His time: 9.69! Ang bilis talaga niya tumakbo! He is also a fantastic showman. Nagsayaw pa talaga at umikot sa buong stadium after he won. Asteeg!


Then on Monday we watched the men's 3,000m steeplechase final. It was so fun to watch dahil may tubig sa isang hurdle. We were also very amazed at how these men can jump the hurdles. Parang ang dali lang sa kanila ano? Kenya's Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the gold, while his teammate Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong won bronze. France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-B. won silver.


On the same night, we watched the women's pole vault final. Ang astig ng mga babaeng kalahok dito. It's amazing how they can grab that pole and use it to jump. Galing! Russia's Elena Isinbaeva won gold while the American Jennifer Stuczynski earned silver. Apparently may intriga pang namagitan sa dalawa dahil sa trash talk na binitiwan ni Stuczynski before the competition.


Last night we were able to catch the women's balance beam final. Shawn Johnson of the US won the gold while Nastia Liukin won silver. China's Cheng Fei won bronze. We watched Shawn and Nastia on the beam and they were really graceful and beautiful. It was art. Sayang we were not able to watch Cheng Fei's performance.

We also saw the men's high bar final. China's Zou Kai won gold, while Jonathan Horton of the US won silver. The bronze went to Germany's Fabian Hambuechen. Hambuchen and Zou's performance were both awesome but I was really impressed by Horton.

Kasi earlier in the competition, Epke Zonderland of The Netherlands fell from the bar while doing his routine, which started off really, really well. Sayang nga eh. After that, the two Japanese atheletes who followed him seemed to hold back. Ang bababa nga ng scores dahil ang baba ng difficulty. Pero si Horton, he gave it his all. He took risks and threw in stunts that the others were too scared to do.

Sabi nga ni Dawn Fraser, isang Australian swimmer, "the Olympics remain the most compelling search for excellence that exists in sport, and maybe in life itself." And I agree with her.
These atheletes give us lessons that are more than just the usual "live well, eat healthy and exercise." They show us what it means to rise above challenges and the importance of always doing your best and focusing on what you have to do.

wanderlust

Writing about destinations tickles my wanderlust. How can you write about the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro or the Acropolis in Athens or the beaches of the French Riviera without wanting to see them in person?

Since we're saving up for our wedding, B and I haven't been able to set aside time and money for travel. Siempre, imbis na sa travel, sa wedding na lang muna namin ilalagay. But next year, we aim to travel big. Just need to save, save, save and to cut back on mini trips.

Hopefully, we would also be able to visit places in the Philippines we haven't been to yet, such as Palawan, Ilocos and Bicol, and go back to Boracay and Bohol. Ang ganda kaya ng Pilipinas and it's such a shame na nauunahan pa kami ng ibang turista makapunta sa mga lugar na yan.

Hay...Ang saya!

Kayo, san niyo gusto pumunta?

lovely day

It's a lovely day in Singapore. After a few days of rain, the sun's finally out.

Still working from home but will be back in the office tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit better after drug-induced sleeps yesterday. I'm still taking the meds (but no antibiotics, thank God!). Hopefully I'd be able to ward off the drowsiness tomorrow.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The dilemma of a carnivore

I just chopped a whole chicken into parts. It's not my first time, but this was the first time I did it to a dressed chicken still with its feet and head. I felt as if I was killing an animal. Felt so real. But I had to do it or else we wouldn't have dinner.

Friday, August 15, 2008

the shopaholic escapes

Last night, while B was with his friends Kim and Yen, I saw a rare opportunity--an opportunity to shop!!! Mwahahaha! Di kasi ako makadiskarte pag kasama si Reden. Hahahaha.

It's been so long since I went on a spree! I missed the high!

I got a couple of pieces from Dorothy Perkins. I bought enough to gain membership to their club, which will entitle me to 10 percent discount on all regular-priced merchandise at Topman, Topshop and of course, DP. Aside from that, every time I collect 250 points ($1=1 point), I will get a $10 voucher. And if I visit during my birthday month, they'll give me a 20 percent discount voucher.

Hay saya. Hahaha. But I know better than to spend more than I can pay for the following month. I've learned from my "revolver days." Ayoko nang matambakan ng utang.

******
Congratulations B for getting it! Tara na!!!

Hang fayat ko fa! Waaah!

Look at these!

This one was taken January 2006:


While this was taken February 2007:

can't wait!!!

But I read that WB is moving it to July 2009. Ang tagal pa!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Kite Runner

Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Drama
This is the film adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's book. It is a story about loyalty, friendship and redeeming one's self. The movie also shed light on Afghanistan's history and the culture of its people.

Have yet to read the book so I can't say if the film was loyal to the original story. For me, however, the part where the main character risks his life just to find his friend's son is not believable. Parang hindi consistent sa character niya. But people change through the years so sige na nga. Pwede na. =)

The Ant Bully

Rating:★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Animation
Caught this on HBO. Was entertaining enough for me. =)

Persepolis

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Drama
Persepolis is a poignant film based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novels of the same title.

The film's use of black-and-white images is perfect as it brings focus to the story. If the movie were done in live action, I don't think it would be as interesting to watch. If it were done a la Shrek naman, I think the visuals wouldn't match the story. Marjane and all the characters in Persepolis are real people and the film effectively shows that.

Persepolis made me realize that despite our superficial differences, we are all the same. It doesn't matter that we hold different passports. We feel the same feelings and we want the same things, such as justice, fairness, respect and love.

This film is beautiful. Watch it.

Iron Man

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
B and I watched Iron Man yesterday. Ang gandaaaaa!

Robert Downey Jr was perfect as Tony Stark. He was witty and delivered his lines so well. You'd really believe he was this genius billionaire arms dealer na super chickboy at hindi seryoso sa buhay pero sa huli, napatunayang may puso.
Bumagay talaga sa personality niya. Nung una kong nakita yung trailer, I thought "Ay, bakit si Robert Downey Jr and Iron Man?" Akala ko hindi babagay sa kanya ang role as superhero pero I was wrong! Ang galing niya in both drama and action moments ng movie. He was also funny especially nung tinetest niya ang suit niya sa lab at nakikipagusap sa mga robots.

Aside from that, Robert Downey Jr was super hot!!!

Gwyneth Paltrow was also the right actress to play Tony Stark's personal assistant, Pepper Potts. She and Robert Downey Jr look so great together. The tension between their characters was so palpable you could feel it!

Ang galing din ni Jeff Bridges! Hindi ko siya narecognize agad coz he was bald. Pero ang galing ng acting! Nakangiti siya pero yung mata, katakot! Galing!

At siempre, di pahuhuli ang effects! Ang galing din!

Watch it! Watch it! Panalo ang movie na ito!

Juno

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Drama
Finally, after three attempts, nakanood din kami ng Juno kagabi. Super sulit ang pagpupursigi namin makakuha ng magandang seats dahil ang ganda ng movie na ito! Winner! Must-see talaga!

Ang simple lang ng movie na ito, walang special effects, walang dramang mabigat, hindi dragging. Ang galing ng pagkakasulat, napakawitty. Ang daming simple life lessons na mapupulot sa movie na ito at ang daming quotes na touching at ito ang favorite ko:

"In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with." - Juno's dad

I'm so blessed, happy and grateful that I found that person.

Wanted

Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
Trailer pa lang astig na! I didn't know James Mcavoy was hot! Yum yum! At super astig din ni Angelina Jolie, reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Ang cool ng stunts at effects ng movie na ito na talagang mapapatigil ka sa pagkain ng popcorn. Wag niyo na lang pansinin yung plot. I think killing people just because a loom told you so is shallow. This is just eye candy. And a delicious one I must say. Entertaining. Good enough for me.

The Incredible Hulk

Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
This movie isn't as 'wow galing' as Iron Man but I definitely liked this version better than the first one. Hindi mashadong madrama, walang father issues. Mas nagfocus ito sa pagkatao ni Bruce Banner and how he strove to control the monster within. Nagustuhan ko din ang performance ni Edward Norton at ang cameo ng hottie na si Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Starks. Can't wait for the Avengers movie. And Iron Man 2!

Kung Fu Panda

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Animation
This movie is super funny but it also had heart! I love it! Wala akong ginawa kundi tumawa ng tumawa sa antics ni Po. Maganda ang story at maganda din ang animation. Must-see ito.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Antibiotics are friends, not food

I was supposed to write a destination guide for Rio de Janeiro but I'm groggy. I'm taking antibiotics again.

Just two weeks ago I finished one cycle of antibiotics for sore throat. Now I'm taking Cefalexin because I have a nasty insect bite on my right leg. When I say nasty I mean big, red, sore and painful nasty. When the doctor asked me what bit me, I told him I don't know because, well, I don't. It just grew there one day. I decided to see a doctor yesterday because I thought if I don't, my leg will be amputated. Hahaha. You get paranoid when you rely on the Internet for information.

Two weeks ago I swallowed a fish bone (tinik in Tagalog). It was of a small fish they call Selar Kuning. It was not the first time I ate fish or that particular kind of fish, but hey, shit happens. Anyway, I tried to help the slide down my throat by swallowing a huge piece of banana, which I was scared to do for fear of choking. Didn't work. I chewed a slice of bread then swallowed the huge ball I created. No good. I drank gallons of water. Nope, didn't do a thing. I tried gagging so I would throw up. Still no good.

So I decided to consult the almight Google for "ways to remove fish bone stuck in throat." Instead of finding a solution to my problem, i found crazy things like drink vinegar to soften the bone (which could be plausible. In an experiment back in elementary, we soaked chicken bone in vinegar and it did soften after a few days. I just don't know how much vinegar I need to drink to achieve that.) and swallow lots of rice (which is similar to the bread ball). I also found scary things like this woman who only consulted a doctor three days after swallowing the fish bone. Turned out the bone got stuck deeply on her throat muscles and she had to undergo an operation! Gahhhh!

After reading that I asked B to take me to the hospital. East Shore was the closest so we went there. The doctor on duty looked down my throat and didn't see anything. He told me he'd refer me to a government restructured hospital, which is cheaper, so I can get an X-ray done on my throat. East Shore is a private hospital and he said if he requested an X-ray for me and called the resident ENT doctor, it would cost me $300 (about P9,000)! I told him to just refer me to the nearest restructured public hospital. That cut me back $75.

B and I then took a cab to Changi General Hospital. When we arrived, we were disheartened by the sight of people suffering from everything from sprain to broken bones to fever! We decided to just go and wait for our turn. I didn't want to undergo a throat operation!!! About 15 minutes of getting my queue number, I was called by the triage nurse. He checked my blood pressure and asked me what was wrong. Then he told me to wait for my turn.

After about 30 minutes, my queue number was flashed on the screen so we went to see the doctor. Bata pa ang doctor. Siguro he's not even 30. Anyway, he looked down my throat and didn't see a thing. He took me to the ENT room and used this huge metal thingy which will allow him to look deeper down my throat. Saw nothing, still. He scribbled something on my record then sent me to the X-ray room. I was called shortly by the Filipino technician. He asked, "Ano bang kinain mo???" I told him it was a small fish and that it was really irritating. He then asked, "Ano bang luto, paksiw?" I don't know what the significance of the luto was but I told him anyway. "Sarciado." He then asked me to lower my bra strap and just stand straight. Then we were done. We got the film within five minutes and went back to see the doctor.

"There's nothing in there," the doctor said. I said I can still feel the bone there. He then called the ENT doctor and told me to wait outside the ENT room.

The ENT doctor was a young Chinese woman. She led me inside the room again and told me to sit on the examination chair. She said she needs to look deeper and will insert something on my nostrils. She then sprayed anesthesia on both nostrils. It tasted sour and I felt like my airways closed. She said that I should just breath normally so I did. Then she inserted this wire-like thingy with the light on the end inside my left nostril (which I found strange because I felt the bone on the right side of my neck).

The doctor stayed inside my nostrils and throat for a while until she said there's nothing. She said she's sure the bone was there and that it eventually slid down. However, I did damage to my throat and that was what probably what I was feeling. She scribbled on my record and told me to see the GP,who then gave me a prescription for lozenges. Pampamanhid lang daw. (Guess what, the pharmacist was Filipina!) After paying $75, we went home and vowed to never eat fish...with bones again.

Next morning, my supposedly first day back in the office, my throat was really sore. I went to the clinic on the ground floor of our apartment building and he prescribed antibiotics. He charged less than $50.

(We do have insurance, but it's only for hospitalisation. Wala dito nung for outpatient, unless sponsored ng company. Unfortunately for me, wala dahil contractual ko.
)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Year 27--totoo na!

Is it true that when we grow older, we become more serious, more mature?

Here I am at 24.
At 25.


And at 27. (I just realized I didn't have photos of my 26th birthday celebration.)


O deba, ang ganda ko, a la Betty la fea! Mwehehehe.

Probably the most important lesson I learned in the past year was being aware. I swear, ever since I started opening my eyes and my heart and just being in the here and now, I've become happier, lighter and more connected to everything. I'm genuinely happy. Really.

Thank God for the gift of family, friends, love, hope and life.

Like all the years of my life, year 27 will definitely be a great one.

Come on! We had ribs and steak on day 1! Hahahaha. =)

Mwah mwah everyone!