Reinventing Date Night

My dear friend PZ sent us this article from the New York Times and the barkada had a long discussion on this over email:

Reinventing Date Night for Long Married Couples

Well, just to share how we "reinvented" our date , here's our story:

It was the last day of a three day weekend in Manila. Our agenda for the day: to clean the house thoroughly as we have been remiss on this the past few weeks after our US holiday. We had a simple lunch of pork adobo cooked lovingly by E while he straightened out our kitchen cabinets (yes, he is indeed a multi-tasker). My responsibilities were to thoroughly scrub the two bathrooms and clean the 2nd floor, while E, in addition to the above, had to vacuum the 1st and the 2nd floor, and clean the 1st floor. I told him I would have gladly done everything if I had my Roomba:-)

We finished cleaning in the afternoon and were planning to go out for dinner, but we were too lazy to go out by then. Instead we just watched a very Pinoy movie, One More Chance, starring our favorite love team John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. If you haven't watched it by now, WATCH IT!

Cleaning the house and watching a very pinoy (as in nakakaiyak) love story with my love, now that was a perfect date!

Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad and I
Birthday lunch at Crustasia, Podium
Dessert and coffee at Sugarnot
Baby S and Ninang going shopping

We celebrated Dad's birthday today at the Podium. We had lunch at Crustasia and had our favorites Crab Maritess (cooked in olive oil and garlic) and the Fish Head Curry (this family's all time favorite because it reminds us of our "stay" in Singapore).

If you are to meet my Dad for the first time, he would strike you as the quiet, low-profile type. And most of the time, he is. But, he can also be the "bangkero" in conversations with family and close friends. He would also be the one to come up with all these funny and witty jokes:-) My Dad was a marketing and sales person most of his working life here in the Philippines and in Singapore, and this is why he knows how to deal with people well. He is easy-going and you would feel right at home with him. We are thankful that he continues to be the generous and understanding father that he is!

To Dad, we pray for many many more years of health and happiness!

Party Time

For no specific reason, my dear college barkada got together last month in our home. It was a fun night, the guys bonded over wine and mentalk, while the girls talked about the men;-) The kids were kept busy by the HSM movie. Thanks guys, for a fun night! Kelan ulit tayo magkikita? I miss you na!

Revisiting Subic

I can barely remember my last Subic trip, that would be maybe 5 years ago. This weekend, E and I, together with my family went to Subic and stayed at my Company's staffhouse. I didn't expect to have a fantastic time, but I did! (So sorry I completely forgot to take pictures! I guess documenting is still not in my blood...). We stayed at a renovated navy officers' home in Binictican and we loved the place! Some highlights of our stay:

1. Shopping at Royal Subic and Freeport Exchange. Prices at Freeport Exchange were slightly cheaper. We bought mostly food stuff (mint chocolates, chips,canned goods). Lay's potato chips sold for USD1.80 (Php73.35) while in Manila groceries, those are selling for Php95.
2. Dining along the Boardwalk (Waterfront Drive). There are several restaurants there, our choice was Pier One, which had an al fresco dining area as well as an airconditioned area.
3. My 17-month old niece had a fabulous time in Ocean Adventure and Zoobic! These are great ways to introduce animals to kids, and to increase kids' awareness to animals. My niece kept saying "wush, wush" which her dad figured out meant "fish".

Fast Forward

It's been almost a month since E and I got back. We've been making up for the time we were away and have been extremely busy. But nothing can wipe away the smiles in our faces, we're so glad we went on that trip! Just some updates:

- I'm currently on leave from teaching. Sometimes I miss it, but sometimes I'm just glad that I don't have to rush in the afternoon and I can now take my time at work. I even have time to organize my files (i.e. throw away stuff I haven't touched in 6 months or stuff I know I've already delegated). My target each day is to fill my trash can! I'm also glad I finished documenting highlights of our trip. I had such a major sense of accomplishment when I finally wrote about the Terminal 3 of Changi Airport :-)
-I'm currently "back-to-school". I'm now undergoing training on the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Everything I learned in Accounting school, I now have to forget! Everything has changed:-( I'm stressed but extremely challenged.
- E is back to travelling regularly again as part of his job. That means I have to think of a lot of ways to be busy again, especially now that I'm not teaching.

I guess that's it so far. Stay tuned.

I'll be alone on Valentine's Day...

(Amalfi Coast, Italy, March 2007)

But still happy!

To the guy who makes me happy wherever he is...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I Miss You!

(Hubby is in Malaysia on business)

The New Terminal 3 of Singapore Changi Airport

On our way home to Manila, our flight from Los Angeles landed at the new Terminal 3. It was amazing! And I should have taken a picture of the bathroom. It was more posh than a hotel's. Singapore Changi Airport wins my vote as the Best Airport!

Our Last Day in the US

Korean Grill Buffet with RT and DT
Our home in Anaheim
At LAX with SP
Waiting for boarding time

January 17, 2008. On this day, I felt sad. Sad that we will be leaving the US na, and sad because it also means the end of a glorious vacation with E. But yeah, some good things come to an end. And, it was really time to go home and go back to work (have to pay the credit card bills!). If only everyday could be a vacation day:-)

Anyway, our last day was filled with last minute purchases at Best Buy, Costco and CVS Pharmacy. RT also brought us to South Coast Plaza, this posh shopping mall in Costa Mesa, for our last ditch effort to find sister-in-law P's Chanel bag. Still no such luck there. But it was fun window shopping, and we did manage to purchase something! Oh, I have to mention my dream purchase: Roomba, the cleaning robot (about USD250 at Costco). Of course I said dream because E put his foot down and said it would be a foolish purchase. You see Roomba is an automated vacuum cleaner, and you all know how I hate vacuuming. The US has everything!

RT and husband DT took us to lunch at a Korean grill buffet, and you guessed it, we finished our quota for eating that day there.

And then, it was time to go to the airport...

To the T family, thank you for your generosity and welcoming us to your home. And thank you for taking time out to show us the best of Southern California. We are truly grateful!

More Big Bear Pictures!

Finally... SNOW! at Big Bear Lake

January 16, 2 008. We leave for Manila the next day and there's still one more thing we haven't done on our "To Do" list: See snow! And so RT, with children M and B, brought us to Big Bear Mountain, around 1.5 hours from Anaheim.

We had lunch at Mandoline Bistro (40701 Village Dr., Big Bear, CA 92315, Tel: (909) 866-4200), a romantic restaurant set in a chalet. Its specialties are "fusion" salads and appetizers such as the Seared Ahi Tuna Thai Salad , and twists on Italian cuisine such as the Tequila Chicken Fettuccine.

We walked around the Village and found the perfect place for our dessert: North Pole Fudge and Ice Cream Co. --- and I had this heavenly choco mint fudge!

And then we drove by the lake and took a lot of beautiful pictures!

Thanks RT, M and B! It was such a fantastic experience!

Nightlife at Universal City

We loved this place at night! The lights, the atmosphere, everything.

E and I just had Tommy's burgers for dinner but it felt like we were at this hip nightspot. Tommy's burgers are a must try. What's so special about it? Chili with your burger!

Universal Studios-Part 4

Where we had lunch
It's Bart! (Private joke of college barkada)
Hilo pa from the Jurassic Park Tour. Why didn't we see this before we got in???
My Hero!
Is that you Arnie ?

Universal Studios- Part 3

Universal Studios - Part 2

Family Dinner, Universal Studios

RT's family took us to dinner at Honda-ya, a Japanese restaurant recommended by our nephew M. It's supposed to be a hip-hap (short for hip and happening, just in case you're not familiar with the term :-)) place for the young. We had a great time bonding with the family. And you all know how E and I LOVE Japanese food.

E had to have this picture. Our nephews and nieces watch her on TV and learn Spanish from her.

With E's officemate SP who was also in LA at the same time we were

January 15,2008, Tuesday.

It's our Universal Studios day!

Highlights of our day:

-The Studio Train Tour (photos in the next entries). Wisteria Lane was my favorite. Also Jaws and The Fast and the Furious.

-The Jurassic Park Tour , which was not for the weak at heart. Remember to read the Warning Signs (which we obviously did not!)

-Nightlife at the City Loft (will write on this once I've uploaded the rest of the photos)

I would have to apologize for the voluminous pictures, but I'm having a hard time choosing which ones to put here...please skip the photo entries if you're getting bored:-)

Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Downtown Disney

January 14, 2008, Monday. Our hosts for the next few days were E's cousin RT, husband DT and their children M and B. We stayed at their sprawling home (complete with swimming pool) in Anaheim.

On our first day with them, 19-year old B (our niece!) drove us to downtown Los Angeles. Our first stop, a must see for all tourists, was Hollywood Boulevard. We kept our eyes wide open for star sightings... but no such luck. We walked the whole length of Hollywood Boulevard stopping for souvenirs and pictures. B and I, both fans of MTV's The Hills had our picture taken in front of Geisha House where LC celebrated her birthday in The Hills' 2nd season. As we walked along the boulevard, we learn that the farther from the Kodak Theater and Walk of Fame vicinity, the cheaper the souvenirs! Of course we bought at the first store we saw. We wanted to kick ourselves. After that long walk, we took a break at The French Crepe Co. (#408 Hollywood & Highland,6801 Hollywood Blvd, (323)9600933 ) and loved the La Napoleon Crepe with Nutella and Strawberries!

E with niece B at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
You would have to click on the picture to read "HOLLYWOOD" clearly in the background

Our next stop was of course, Rodeo Drive. We had fun looking inside a number of stores, but no, purchases were out of the question!

Rodeo Drive!

After walking through the "Golden Triangle",the 16-square-block area surrounding Rodeo, B drove us through Beverly Hills, home to the stars and the rich!

After the long day in downtown LA, our plan was to go to Disneyland and spend the evening there until the fireworks. We were meeting my friend from college BS and his family there. When we got there at 5:30PM (already dark as shown in the picture), we were told that the park was to close at 8PM (this was all throughout winter) and that there were no fireworks! Huh??? Then why would we want to pay USD70 ? So I called my friend and told him that we would just meet them at Downtown Disney at their most convenient time. E and I spent time going around the stores, buying souvenirs (we are after all in Disney, even if we didn't go in the park) and window shopping.

Downtown Disney at 5:30 PM (it was dark already!)

Snacks with college friend BS with wife S and son N at Rainforest Cafe, Downtown Disney

BS treated us at Rainforest Cafe. You would have to visit this Cafe! It's a whole new experience. We had a great time updating each other, it's been 18 years after all.

Next Stop: Los Angeles County

Carlsbad Premium Outlets
Glendora

Are we in the States or are we in Manila? (West Covina)
E's special request for dinner

January 12-13, 2008. Our friends A and G (E's sister C's very good friends) will be hosting us for one night in their home in Glendora (Los Angeles county). Being good friends that they are, they drove all the way down to San Diego to pick us up. On our way to Los Angeles, we made a stop at Carlsbad Premium Outlets for still more "bilins" and last minute shopping. We found out here that prices for the same items were already higher than when we shopped at Woodsbury in New York and Jackson in New Jersey. So, that's one more lesson in outlet shopping, sometimes timing is key, we just have to figure out exactly when prices are at their lowest. Sales tax in San Diego is 7.75%, while in the Los Angeles county, it is 8.25%. So, bilins being bilins, we still had to buy even if the same items cost a little higher. After a few hours, we headed to Glendora. A and G treated us to a Japanese dinner of bento. And it was good! Thanks, A and G!

The next day (Jan. 13, Sunday), we went to Holy Mass, and then A and G treated us to brunch at IHOP (International House of Pancakes). I had the International Passport (two eggs, two bacon strips, two pork sausages and crepes), and I finished it all --- my excuse: it is BReakfast and lUNCH...

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of shopping : TJMaxx, Walmart, Target, Ikea...

At TJMaxx, we bought a couple of bed linen for our home and my Mom (prices of bed linen we bought ranged from USD27-35, containing fitted and flat sheets and 2 pillowcases) and more bath towels at USD4. At Walmart, it was a couple of bilins (Airwick, shampoo, etc). At Ikea, our favorite things such as tea light candles, flatware, colored paper napkins.

Oh, and I am impressed with how Filipinos have made their presence felt in Los Angeles County (West Covina) --- a whole mall of Filipino groceries , restaurants, banks, etc. It was just like being in Manila!

San Diego - Part 2

Ice cream at Ghirardelli's with Tito B and Tita N


Hotel del Coronado, Coronado IslandLunch at Uno's

January 11, 2008, Evening. One of the highlights of our San Diego trip would have to be the visit to the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop (643 5th Avenue) with Tito B and Tita N. I am a mint chocolate lover and one of my favorite brands is Ghirardelli's! And E as you already know by now is an ice cream lover, so this is such a wonderful treat for us! Thanks Tito B and Tita N! A bonus of that trip to Ghirardelli was being in the middle of San Diego's nightlife district. It was exciting!

January 12, 2008. Tito B, Tita N and D brought us to Coronado Island, the seaside resort of the rich. We went to the posh Hotel del Coronado and daydreamed that we were guests of the hotel. We walked along the beach and imagined ourselves in one of the cabanas. Some parts of the hotel reminded me of Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte, and some parts, the Manila Hotel.

We had lunch at Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar and Grill, and we loved the Shrooms Pizza! Fresh marinated mushrooms, spinach, garlic, mozzarella and grated Romano, yummy!!!