latest updates!

Delayed anniversary gift
We really wanted to have something special for the 1st wedding anniversary but due to some unexpected events, it didn’t go as planned. And being the practical people that we are, we’d rather ask what one wants instead of making surprises. I know! I know! Of course I would love to be surprised at times too.

Anyway, we got ourselves an iPod. Yes we bought 2 iPods… a black one for him and a white for me… both 30GB iPod video. At 1st I was telling him we’ll just get the 4GB nano. We don’t need a much bigger capacity anyway. I mean how much songs can you actually listen to right! Besides, I want the limited edition nano. But Nano is priced at $199 and just for an additional $50 you’ll get the 30GB iPod video. Will you still have second thoughts?!

iPods are usually charged in the computer using a USB cable. But we’re not always in the computer so we also bought a USB power adapter.





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Casino Royale




When I 1st saw the preview of this 007 comeback movie, I was like… Who the heck is this guy! No offense but I think Pierce Brosnan is way…way more good looking than Daniel Craig. Then, on a Friday AM in the bus, I saw someone reading a paper with Daniel Craig in the front page saying “The Best Bond movie since Connery”. I got curious and asked Irvin if he wants to see the movie and apparently he said yes.

And so we went to see the movie yesterday. We went for the 1st screening where tickets are half the regular price. Daniel Craig? He is hot… as in “macho”. He did great in the movie… acted like a real pro… a veteran. And I definitely recommend Casino Royale. It was so worth it. The actions were breath-taking and definitely wasn’t boring.

And for those of you who wants to try the strategy game, click this…

You can also listen to the music played in the movie…

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Olive Garden



Irvin and I have been to some restaurants and so far, he finds the food quite ordinary until we went to Olive Garden. He liked the food so much that we’re thinking of going back.

House salad…




Minestrone soup…




Chicken parmigiana…




Shrimp risotto with asparagus…




Chocolate mousse cake (which I find kind of different and I didn’t really enjoy)…




I forgot to take a picture of the bread sticks though…

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McLaren
Our big boss got a new car from Mercedes Benz. I hope he won’t mind that I’m blogging about it. I guess not! I even told him I took pictures of it (from the parking lot at work) to show to Irvin. Besides, he was the one who said it costs $450k anyway. A co-worker said there’s a price difference between a sports car and a racing car. I didn’t even know. This McLaren is considered a racing car that’s why it’s very expensive.





Who wouldn’t want to have this luxury car anyway!

if i could turn back time...

Then... skinny, Now... gained some "ehem" pounds (actually 13lbs to be exact. lol);

Then... young looking, Now... very matured looking;

Then... smooth & clear skin, Now... breaking out (haven't adjusted to the weather);

Then... lots of friends, Now... not really (most of them have their own gimmicks... mind your own attitude);

Then... I was home (in the Philippines), Now... I am in my adopted country (New York);

taken during the product launch in 1999(credits to Jonel for e-mailing this)

birthday wishes and some tributes...

HaPpY bIrThDaY, Tita Baby!!! May you have many more healthy years to come! Stay pretty always! :)

*****
Today is Tita Baby’s birthday but let me just share some of my experiences with my two great aunts…

Having grown up in my grandparents’ care (till the age of 12), I got more attached to my relatives on my father’s side. Papa has 2 sisters of whom I’m really close with. I don’t know how you would exactly call it but Filipinos have this expression of calling your 3 daughters (if you happen to have) “tatlong maria”. They were saying I was a darling when I was a kid and they didn’t really consider me as a niece. I’m more of the 3rd “maria”. Even some neighbors thought I was the youngest sibling…

Tita Aba and Tita Baby are cool aunts. It’s just fun whenever I am with either one of them. I just love talking to them… just about anything under the sun. I could spend long hours on the phone with them and not even feel bored.

Tita Aba and I used to go to Marikina Sports Center to exercise. We always had a good time and I just miss it! We both love eating. Oh and let me not forget her super yummy spaghetti and spare ribs caldereta. Tita Aba is always there to listen, to laugh with you and give you support whenever you need it.

Tita Baby, on the other hand, would talk more about beauty regimens. She always tells me you could stay young and pretty if you just take care of your skin. She’s been living abroad for so long now. I was still young when she went to Jordan (after she passed the board exams for nursing I think). She’s also been to Vienna, Austria before she settled in Switzerland. Despite that, she never forgets to keep in touch. She’s told me so many things on survival. I guess there are just some things that only people who are in the same shoes would understand.

So to Tita Aba and Tita Baby, thanks for being there… always! :)

birthday greetings!

Happy Birthday to my childhood friends Aileen (Nov. 6) and Karen (Nov. 5)! Wishing you guys all the best always! Mwah! :)

The Famous Filipino Adobo

Most people say the 1st dish that one would learn making is ‘adobo’. Why? It’s easy and simple. The ingredients are very basic too not to mention that it doesn’t get spoiled right away even without refrigerating. Sure I know how to cook ‘adobo’ but I think I prefer Irvin’s…

I just asked him to modify it a little by adding some potatoes which he never did before. And it’ll definitely taste better with salted egg and tomatoes on the side. No salted eggs? Hard-boiled eggs can be a substitute too.

Hmmm... now I feel like eating 'adobo'. What about you? :) This recipe might help...

Recipe:
8 whole chicken legs (about 4 pounds), cut into drumstick and thigh sections
1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves
1/2 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, crushed lightly
1 cup water
3/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Chopped scallions, for garnish

Accompaniment: Cooked rice

In a large kettle combine the chicken, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 1 cup water, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer it, covered, for 20 minutes. Add the soy sauce and simmer the mixture, covered, for 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken with tongs to a plate and boil the liquid for 10 minutes, or until it is reduced to about 1 cup. Let the sauce cool, remove the bay leaves, and skim the fat from the surface.
In a large skillet heat the oil over high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it saute the chicken, patted dry, in batches, turning it, for 5 minutes, or until it is browned well. Transfer the chicken to a rimmed platter, pour the sauce, heated, over it, and serve the chicken with the rice.

*You can also use pork meat instead of chicken if you wish.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

I just wish you the best of everything that you truly deserve! I love you!

Vachon's Wildlife Sanctuary

Backgrounder: Tita Laling, a 1st cousin of my mom, is married to Kenneth Vachon from Leominster, MA since 1988. They have a son named Joseph “Joe” Edmour Vachon who is now 13 years old.

For 40 years, the Vachon family has operated Grandview Country Club. Uncle Kenny said it was never easy being a greens keeper… you start from 2AM till 2PM everyday. They think they had enough and so they shut down the golf course on November 2001.

They have then decided to make the former Grandview Country Club into a wildlife sanctuary. Uncle Kenny and his family has donated 148 acres of land for wildlife… a home for black bears, moose, hawks, deer, red foxes, beavers, coyotes and other kinds of birds. Charles Wyman, a representative of the Audubon Society said they are very grateful for this gift. This land will forever be protected and preserved, he added.

I remember when we had to make a trail for this land. Uncle Kenny was cutting down the small trees using a chainsaw. Tita Laling, Joe and I had to pick those up and throw on the sides and put a pink ribbon to mark the trail. It was an extraordinary experience for me. I had fun! I even saw the trails which the American Indians did hundreds of years back.

Furthermore, they have renovated the 2-storey building which they plan to rent out for weddings and other events next spring. Uncle Kenny, Pepey (Irish term for grandfather), Tita Laling, his brother Uncle Dennis, his friend Tim, and David have worked so hard for this project. They have just started when I came to the country more than 4 years ago. I was a witness to everything they did. I recall Tita Laling saying she didn’t even think she could paint. She has just done so many things she thought is impossible for her to do. Uncle Kenny can actually hire a contractor to do the job but… he just has this “passion” which maybe not many of us have.

The party they hosted on October 7th to introduce Vachon’s Wildlife Sanctuary was a fun-filled event full of support from friends including the mayor and the ex-mayor. The flowers for the centerpieces were gorgeous. Their planner Erin did a great job. Food was good. The Mariachi Band performed really well that the people really had fun listening to and dancing with them.

Two thumbs up to the Vachon family!

Click here for more photos…

And for some articles from their local paper…
Worcester Telegram and Gazette News…

Sentinel And Enterprise…

1st Wedding Anniversary, etc.

Anniversary

It was around this time (10:42AM) a year ago when Jasmine was preparing me, using all her powers to make me look and feel beautiful on one special day… my wedding. Yes it’s been a year since we got married. I couldn’t believe how fast time flies! I couldn’t be happier knowing that he’s now here with me. We’ve waited for such a long time… I’m very thankful for having a husband who loves me so much… who accepts me for who I am… who supports me in any way he can… who understands my flaws… who adjusts to our differences.

Originally, we’ve planned to go to Tavern on the Green to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. We really want to make it special. For us, there is nothing like the 1st for anything. But everything that we planned just remained a plan. Irvin has to work today (this’ll be another story). He just got home a couple of hours ago and right now, he is sleeping. I’ll just go out later to buy some Chicken Caesar Pizza and Shrimp Parmigiana which he likes very much.

Also, we went out for dinner last Wednesday. Let’s just say it was an advance celebration of our anniversary. We were supposed to go to Cheesecake Factory but ended up going to Red Lobster. It’s been a little over than half hour that we were waiting for the bus to go to Cheesecake Factory and it was getting late. I was so desperate asking Irvin why we can’t push through our plans. He enjoyed the food anyway. We had…

New England Appetizer Sampler (Crab meat with Mushroom, Scallops wrapped with Bacon, Breaded Shrimps)

New England Clam Chowder Soup





Caesar Salad and Biscuit





Shrimp and Lobster Pasta





Salmon New Orleans





And he had Heineken Beer and I had Strawberry Margarita…





Yep there was no dessert! We were just so full we didn’t even finish what we ordered. Too bad I missed the best part! :)

Irvin’s job

Irvin has been working for almost 3 weeks now as a cashier at a BP station. He is ok with it so far other than the shift being 12 hours and he has to stand most of the time. He doesn’t have a permanent schedule yet so there are times he works during the day and sometimes at night. It’s kind of hard for us at 1st. Imagine not being able to see each other for a few days! He leaves in the PM before I get home and arrives in the AM when I’m already gone. That’s one big sacrifice that we’re currently facing. He works mostly with Filipinos so I think that’s a plus. He has already adjusted in a way with his sleeping pattern.

Anyway, he would always set the table with the food already prepared before he goes to work. I remember the very 1st day he went to work when there were two plates on the table which made me cry. Why? He said he did that so I won’t think I’m eating all by myself.






Then there was a note saying…






He would leave me love notes most of the time and I find it really sweet. Oh and there was this time that he was on a rush and he just sautéed sardines for our dinner. He sprinkled it with parsley making it look like an Italian dish. Haha!





Party in MA





We are going to MA on October 5th to attend the opening party of the Vachon Wildlife Sanctuary. Tita Laling has been so busy these past few days and so is Uncle Kenny. Everyone is just excited for this. We’ll be there for 4 days and we hope to come back for Thanksgiving. Probably not… Irvin said he couldn’t ask for a vacation every month. We’ll try our best to spend Christmas there. Anyway, it’s not really a formal party. The invitation said… casual. So here’s what I’m going to wear…





TV shows

I’m getting so hooked on Grey’s Anatomy. I don’t know but the twists of the story… the life’s experiences of these interns just makes me so interested that I wouldn’t want to miss an episode. Irvin and I have also been watching Prison Break and Vanished on the Fox Channel. Actually, there are a lot of nice new shows this fall on TV. I just couldn’t watch everything. I kind of feel bad also that I can’t watch CSI because of Grey’s. But maybe I should since I noticed they’ve been replaying Grey’s episode during Fridays for 2 weeks in a row now. Hmmm… Oh and I shouldn’t forget Dancing with the Stars. I also like this show. It’ll be great if I could learn to dance the way they do. If I could just dance like that, I think I could lose a lot of weight and have a nice lean body. What do you think?! Haha!

Birthdays, New Baby, New Job

August 30 - Dudes
September 9 - Manuel
September 15 – Uncle Kenny
September 18 - Rene
September 24 – Tita Laling & Tito Ariel
October 1 - Olan

Happy Birthday, guys! All the best! Mwah!

Congratulations, Rommel and Cherry for a healthy and pretty new baby!

My sister Aou has finally found a job at Watson Wyatt. Though it’s just a contractual job, I’m still happy she was able to get it. Congratulations, Aou!

Storms in the Philippines

’Milenyo’ (Int’l Name:Xangsane) has just left a few people dead when it struck the southern part of the country. And now ‘Neneng’ (Int’l Name:Bebinca) is coming in. Read more...

Let’s just hope that it will not cause much damage and that everyone will be safe.

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This is all for now! I hope to blog often in the coming days.

busy! busy! busy!

Hello, friends! Thanks for dropping by. Sorry for not updating my blog lately. I'm so busy with work that I couldn't really find the time to blog even on my break... not even at home. I am just so tired from a day's work and there are still some chores to do.

I'll try to get back to the usual soon so please come back again... :)

9/11 remembered

It’s been 5 years since the gruesome attack of the then Twin Towers in New York City. Many people died. And for the ones that are left behind, it was a painful and shocking experience. Some have already moved on. But some are still mourning… finding it so hard to accept what happened. And so today, let's offer some prayers for everyone affected by the terrorists’ attack of 2001.

Related articles:

Solemn tributes mark 9/11's fifth anniversary

Special Reports - 9/11: Five Years Later

The Victims

How We Should Remember September 11

Children of 9/11 old enough to ask about Daddy

Pataki: Why we remember 9/11

hilljohn is in CA!

Hilljohn, a friend of Irvin since childhood, arrived on the 6th with his Mom. Irvin said he might go to a school in CA. I could tell how happy and excited Irvin is. Too bad CA is not anywhere near. We could actually go there but I don't have any more vacation days left. We'll just see him and Bernard (also a friend of Irvin) next time. He'll be here for a while anyway.

Labor Day Weekend

I was so exhausted with all the shopping that we did. Actually, I still am. We went with Manang Fely and her family, 2 days in a row, to Woodbury Commons on Sunday and Tanger Outlet on Monday. Shopping is really fun in the US whenever there is sale. You can get a lot of good deals from brand name stores. Irvin and I, having no car yet, took this opportunity to get some of the things we need/want. I have nothing else to say… well, I’m freaking too busy with work these days.

past weekend...

Tito Nilo along with some friends reached NY at around 3pm last Friday, August 25th. But we didn’t get to see him till almost 9 that night. Also, we were glad to have met a lot of people from Cavinti (Irvin’s hometown)… and it’s as if they’re just around the corner being only a few blocks away from us. Tito Nilo stayed at our apartment that night.

Come Saturday morning, Tito Nilo was busy preparing for the party at the Sheraton Hotel while I was making breakfast. I cooked tinapang bangus, longganisa, fried eggs and fried rice. I also made sure Tito Nilo had his coffee (since we don’t usually drink). So we all had breakfast and soon enough, Tito Nilo’s friend came to pick him up. I was so tired that I just slept the whole afternoon. Then we went to the house of “Tita Dulce” for dinner. We brought a cake from Tai Pan as it was her birthday the day before. There were endless chatting, reminiscing of the past and laughters. We had so much fun! It was so great to have mingled with those people. Well, we didn't get home till 1AM. :)

Tita Luding’s (Tito Nilo’s wife) niece took us to the flea market on Sunday. We were just lucky to find reasonably priced coffee so we bought some (to be sent to the Philippines). Tito Nilo left that same afternoon for Canada.

joke time... cool signs?!

A friend (Hi, Cielo!) forwarded me this email. I don't intend to make fun of Filipinos. No offense po! I just think it's cute! And I'm sure this will make you smile. Would you believe there are also 'cool signs' here in NY?! I just don't take pictures. Hehe! Anyway, here it goes...

BAKA DIPINDI SA KINAIN?!.. nyahahahah


o ano pa hinihintay mo?!.. mura lang ang Bres! nyahahaha


Flease Pollow Rules! nyahahahaha


Wow Kol Shus! nyahahahaha


Bagong Ani eh! hahahaha


Eto malupit!!!.. pinag-isipan talaga yang mga "RULES TO BE FOLLOWS" NA YAN!.. nyahahahaah

A friend's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Badoodles! Wishing you all the best as always! Mwah! Take care... :)

celebrity look-alikes

I learned about this website through Pat. I think it's cool and fun so I tried it. Now...

Which celebrities do I look like?
1. face fully made up (picture from the wedding)



2. regular day photo



What about Irvin? - This only proves why a lot of people mistakenly think that he is Chinese...

Tito Nilo is visiting!

The phone rang at almost 10 pm last night. Irvin and I don’t usually pick up the phone. For all you know it might just be some telemarketers (I know they’re just doing their job but sometimes it’s just hard to make them understand what the word NO means). Anyway, as soon as I said hello, the caller said “Who is this?” I was like... WHO... IS... THIS (with a kind of sarcastic tone in my voice)? Then he said “This is Nilo”. In my mind I was like... Uh-oh it is Irvin’s uncle from Canada! I felt really awkward having heard that and said “Tito Nilo, si Faye po… blah blah blah”. Whew! I apologized to Irvin afterwards. I don’t know but I have this attitude that I believe I should be the one asking who the caller is and not the other way around. It’s no big deal! I just hope he didn’t take any offense on that.

And so, he called to let us know he’s coming this Friday. He’ll be attending a 90th birthday party of another relative (which Irvin doesn’t really know of personally) on Saturday. Irvin offered our apartment for them to stay so he’ll meet them up somewhere tomorrow.

I can tell that Irvin is really happy and excited so I’m giving it my best to support him. I, too, am excited. This will be the 1st time we’ll have guests in the apartment... a relative you know! We then went to bed kind of late talking about what we are going to prepare for them… where could we take them if ever… and that we also need to take them to the party. Tito Nilo used to live in NY about 30 years ago. A lot of things have changed already so it’ll be a good time for him.

Life is never easy... abroad!

Economy in the Philippines has not really been good lately… prices of commodities continue to rise, unemployment is still a problem, pay is not that pleasing to majority of people, etc. etc. Each and every individual faces different challenges everyday. And with that, most Filipinos aspire to come to America or let’s just say to go abroad. They think that coming to America is the solution to the many problems they’re dealing with. (Admit it or not, being abroad, they expect a lot from you which sometimes makes me sad. I hate to say this but I feel like I have a big dollar sign written on my face whenever they see me or talk to me.) But hey, it’s not only in the Philippines that you’re to struggle at. Life is hard everywhere. Having a better life demands a lot of sacrifices. It doesn’t just depend on money. We all have our own challenges to face... only that in different forms.

It is true that America is the Land of Opportunity. But it’s not as easy as you think it is. There are laws to comply with and there are procedures to follow. As days pass, they get stricter and stricter because of the terrorists threats. There are also a lot of people here who don’t have jobs believe it or not. Luck doesn’t always knock on your door. And unfortunately, not everyone gets it either. Yes it’s easier to save up if you’re earning dollars. Imagine an exchange rate of P50 to a dollar! But… consider the cost of living in the state you’re at. You also spend dollars for your day to day needs. Sometimes you become sick as hell worrying about your future. There are so many what ifs in your mind. There’s no one you can really count on but yourself being in a foreign place. Some people here couldn’t even get support from relatives… being said, what more can you expect from friends then? I’m just lucky I have Tita Laling and Tita Gie. Likewise, Manang Fely (then landlady and now a principal sponsor in the wedding) has treated me like a family ever since. Also, homesickness will be your greatest enemy. It’s difficult to be away from family and friends. Perhaps, you may be thinking you can overcome that but it’s hard and costly. Tendency is for you to make an overseas call often. The only benefit that I got from that is I lost a lot of weight. You also have to adjust yourself to a new culture. Back home you have helpers to do the chores for you. Here, you have to do everything yourself. Oh and let’s not forget the weather! Imagine yourself chasing the bus in a snowy and chilly weather. Do you still think life is easy abroad?! You tell me…

facing my fears...

Many say I’m too organized… from being orderly, neat, keeping things on schedule down to planning the days ahead. Tita Laling even calls me a ‘neat freak’. My manager at work always reminds me to loosen up. Well let me tell you something… I may look like I’m fine… it may seem like everything is manageable… it may look as if our life is on a really smooth-sailing ride… it may seem like nothing is wrong… but I also have my own fears.

Back then… whenever people would ask me when I’m going to get married, my favorite tag line was “it’ll come”. I was already past the age of 25 but still I felt that it’s still not late. I was 31 when we tied the knot. We’ve waited long enough for that day. And everything seemed to be taking its place little by little. I'm one of the few lucky ones who made it to America where I feel like saving up is easier. I was able to finally get Irvin to join me here. God has been so good! I know that and I’m very thankful for that!

Now I’m already at a stage where I want to start having a family… to have a baby. But can we manage it? Irvin doesn’t even have a job yet. He couldn’t find an employer to sponsor him. Getting an odd job hasn’t been easy either. We can’t even buy a car. It’s ok though… anyway we both agreed that it’s not a priority for now. I’m currently helping my family too financially. Economy has been really bad these days in the Philippines. And in as much as I want to give more, I just couldn’t. There are bills to pay and with me being the only one working, I’m afraid my earnings won’t be enough if we’ll have a baby. Uncle Ken (Tita Laling’s husband) once said that I should have a baby now… that I don’t have to worry too much… that planning is good but sometimes it’s better off taking the risk… that I’m not getting any younger… that we’ll be able to figure it out when the situation comes. Irvin and I also think the same way. We feel that it’s better to have a baby now while he’s not yet working. Well you don’t want to be working and spending all of your earnings for a baby sitter! This is the perfect time… He can take care of his own child and maybe after all my papers are done, our kid will be 2 or 3 years old already. Then we can just take him/her to a daycare and Irvin can start working. And Irvin doesn’t have any problem with that. Whew! What a very great plan I have!

But I’m still confused... not sure on what is the best thing to do! It’s so funny how I detail all my worries and yet, I’m also the one justifying them. Am I really scared? Or I’m just being paranoid? What should I do?

Aou

As per my April 18th post, I can’t be happier that my sister finally graduated from college. It was also in that post where I’ve attached a photo taken from a personal camera… disposable I think?!

Now… here are the graduation pictures taken by a professional photographer…

Aou looks radiant and pretty though… I asked her… How come you look like Gladys Reyes (a drama actress in the Philippines) in these pictures?! Do you not agree? Or is it just me?!

Message for Aou:
Iba talaga nagagawa ng make-up at camera na pang-pro noh?! Joke lang ha! :)