* . . Memoirs of A Young Bride . . *
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Karl & Alanna's Wedding
Monday, November 30, 2009 / 11:28 AM

KARL & ALANNA

MAGALLANES CHURCH
11.28.2009






More photos to follow...

* * * * * * * *

BEST WISHES!

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Bless and Her Baby, Reese!
Sunday, November 29, 2009 / 1:01 AM

Last Sunday, we attended the baptismal party of Reese in Dragon Gate.
Reese is the baby girl of my good friend, Bless, who I worked with in Chinabank. :)


WELCOME TO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, REESE!!!

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Stop and Smell the Roses
Saturday, November 28, 2009 / 8:03 AM

But suddenly, I don't understand this rat race anymore...


I want a simple life.
I want to stop and smell the roses.

I want to hear the music before the song is over.

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Umenoya
Friday, November 27, 2009 / 1:07 PM

Because Sta. Rosa is highly-industrialized with lots of Japanese engineers,
there a whole lot of restaurants serving authentic Japanese cuisine in this town. :)

UMENOYA

Umenoya must be one of my favorite Japanese restaurants.
I've been here several times long ago and the food never failed me. :)

SASHIMI PLATTER

TENJYU BENTO

Ebi tempura glazed with sweet sauce and topped over Japanese rice
Served with several sides such as eggplants, miso soup, and coffee jelly!
Absolutely delicious... This has always been my favorite in Umenoya! :)

YAKINIKU

Fine slices of fatty beef and vegetables grilled on open flame
Served in a hot sizzling plate... Hubby's all-time favorite :)


Things I look forward to since I started working in Laguna...
Getting to try the Japanese restaurants in this town one by one. :)


* * * * *
UMENOYA
STA. ROSA
LAGUNA

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The Engineer's Wife
Thursday, November 26, 2009 / 12:02 AM


I once dreamed of marrying a doctor, a lawyer, or an architect.
A doctor who would know how to heal and nurse my wounds.
A lawyer who can defend me when I am weak and oppressed.
An architect who would sketch and build our dream house.
But ironically, I find myself married to an engineer.

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It's A Pizza Party!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 / 5:06 PM

PIZZA PARTY!

11.17.2009
Edmund & Didi's House

FRAN, SAB, DIDI, AND JANE

BAKED FISH

GAMBERI FRITTI & PASTO

FORMAGGI & NAPOLETANA

PASTA ALFREDO

HAWAIIAN PIZZA

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Oh My Little Boy...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 / 2:17 AM

I've been thinking B's and typing B's while at work...


Brandon... My handsome little boy!
Mommy misses you so much!

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Just To Be Myself...
Monday, November 23, 2009 / 1:03 PM

For the longest time, I had let another define me...



ALIVE
Jennifer Lopez

Time goes slowly now in my life
Fear no more of what I'm not sure

Searching to feel your soul
The strength to stand alone
The power of not knowing
And letting go


I guess I've found my way
It's simple when its right

Feeling lucky just to be here tonight
And happy just to be me and be alive

Love, in and out, of my... my heart
And though life can be strange
I can't be afraid


Searching to feel your soul
The strength to stand alone
The power of not knowing
And letting go


I guess I've found my way
It's simple when its right

Feeling lucky just to be here tonight
And happy just to be me and be alive

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Good Ol' Gymboree Days
Sunday, November 22, 2009 / 11:09 AM

Nine months after I left Gymboree, I came back to visit the teachers and the little children. I was saddened when I found out that most of the teachers I've worked with before have already left Gymboree for better opportunities. But I was happy to see the familiar faces of children I used to play with. The children have grown so much in the span of nine months. They have gotten bigger, cuter, and smarter. I was glad to see Cleon, my favorite boy, when I came that day. Cleon was playing with a bag of water with a fake fish inside. I carried him in my arms and was surprised at how heavy he is now. Cleon is a little heartthrob and someday, I know he'll break a lot of hearts. Gymboree is such a happy and colorful place with all children. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I looked back on the days when I would sing and play with the children. But that chapter of my life is already over. I have moved on but I will always remember the bright and happy days in Gymboree.

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Mommies & Girlies
Saturday, November 21, 2009 / 1:48 PM

Last week, I had the chance to hang out with Edlyn and her daughter, Mia.
We thought it would be great to have lunch and let our little girls meet and play. :)



Edlyn is also one of the firsts who got married and had a baby in our ICA batch.
We aren't exactly close but we share a common life now... that of a wife and a mother.
Coz we are in the same chapter of our lives, it is easy for us to relate with each other. :)

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Brandon's Brownies
Friday, November 20, 2009 / 7:00 AM

BRANDON IS 2 MONTHS OLD!

Whenever I play with his chubby cheeks with my finger,
Brandon would suddenly flash a smile so angelic and innocent. :)



Whenever Brandon turns a month older, I prepare a little celebration.
Nothing extravagant and overboard... Just something sweet and simple.
Such as buying a box of homemade brownies for the family to munch on. :)

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Christmas Dress
Thursday, November 19, 2009 / 5:12 PM

CHRISTMAS DRESS

Sophie is wearing a Christmas dress from Laura Ashley.


The dress is beautifully made with chiffon, satin, and velvet.
It has little floral embroideries sewn on its chiffon bodice,
a petticoat underneath to make the dress puffed up,
and a red satin sash tied around the waist. :)

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Karl & Alanna
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 / 11:12 PM

I used to love to be the subject of the photographer and the focus of his camera's lens.
But this time around, I was the photographer with an SLR slung around my neck,
capturing special and candid moments of my brother's engagement. :)


KARL & ALANNA

CHOI GARDEN

11.15.2009












CONGRATULATIONS!!!

My first attempt on photography... Not bad, I suppose. :)
But I shall remember not to wear high heels next time!

PS. Big thanks to Tiffy for lending me her Nikon D40. :)

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Karl & Alanna's Engagement
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 / 9:17 AM


訂 婚


Karl and Alanna had a simple Chinese engagement in
Choi Garden.



CONGRATULATIONS KARL & ALANNA!

It isn't very hard to see how very much in love the two of you are. :)

PS. Thank you for giving me the privilege of being your official amateur photographer.
Photos taken from the SLR to follow within the week... I'm still working on them!

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Souvlaki
Monday, November 16, 2009 / 1:34 PM

I once read that SOUVLAKI is the hamburger of Greece.
I had this giant plate of souvlaki in Cyma last week. :)

LAMB SOUVLAKI

Small peices of skewered lamb grilled over seasoned hardwood fires
Served with warm pita bread, roasted potatoes, and garlic sauce


* * * * *
CYMA
SHANGRI-LA PLAZA
MANDALUYONG CITY

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Old Classmates
Sunday, November 15, 2009 / 4:21 PM


Friday nights at Promenade... You'll definitely see a familiar face.
It could be a childhood friend, an old classmate or even an ex-crush. :)

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Sleeping Child
Saturday, November 14, 2009 / 8:14 AM


The only thing worth stealing in this world is a kiss from a sleeping child.

LOVE YOU, BRANDON!

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Little Lady
Friday, November 13, 2009 / 3:02 PM

LITTLE LADY

She goes lah-dee-dah while she turned heads!


Sophie is wearing a ribbed tank with green circles from Little Miss.
A fuchsia ruffled bolero and a denim mini skirt from Carter's.
A pink hairband with eyelets handed down by Mommy.

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So I've Started Working...
Thursday, November 12, 2009 / 7:21 AM

And so I quit being a housewife and happily went to work on the first week of November. I woke up early, took a shower, blow dried my hair, and picked something smart to wear in my closet. I had a quick breakfast with B and a long and painful goodbye to Sophie who cried so hard and wouldn't let me go. Soon as we arrived the office, B did his rounds while I waited for him in his office. I looked around me and said hello to the people in the office. But they were all so absorbed in their work. Their eyes practically glued to their computer screens. I was the only bubbly person in a room full of serious faces. It didn't take me long to realized that I'm the only one who wasn't wearing those heavy safety shoes. I've violated the company rule and I wondered if I would be given a memo. Somehow, I feel oddly displaced but I had kinda anticipated that, anyway. I find myself thrown into the world of engineers and I am the only one of my kind. I do not understand the technical language they are speaking but I seek comfort in knowing that B will hold my hand and guide me through this. This is a strange new world to me and I must admit that I am intimidated. But now that I have walked into this office, there is no more looking back. I have started a new chapter of my life where I will be managing a business with B. Yesterday, I was a plain housewife. Today, I am a businesswoman. Life... It is a constant change, isn't it?

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Driving Lessons
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 / 6:45 PM

FOR LITTLE SOPHIE, DRIVING LESSONS STARTED A LITTLE TOO EARLY.


Sophie rebelled against her car seat while she struggled to crawl and climb her way to the front seat. She cried a bucket of tears demanding to get behind the wheel and sit on her Daddy's lap. Hubby can't seem to say NO to his spoiled princess, broke the rules, and let her have her way. Secured in her Daddy's arms, Sophie pretended to drive the car, steering the wheel left and right. Sophie always has a way with her Daddy. *SIGH*

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In Ways Silent and Unspoken Of...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 / 2:55 PM

You and I... We have quite a strange and odd relationship.
We hardly talk... We always run out of words to say.




But in ways, silent and unspoken of, you have showed me that you care.
And I am deeply moved by your constant presence and selfless ways.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DHIA!!!

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I Quit Being A Housewife
Monday, November 9, 2009 / 11:41 PM

When I was a little girl, I never really had any big ambitions in life. While my friends dreamed of being doctors or lawyers, I dreamed of getting married and becoming a housewife. I never really saw myself working in the corporate setting. Right after I graduated from college, I had the chance to work in a bank for two short months before B and I tied the knot. Since then, B has given me the luxury of becoming the housewife I dreamed to be. I spent my days decorating our house, doing groceries, and learning to cook. I had all the time to do whatever I wanna do and go wherever I wanna go. But it came to the point where I felt null and empty. Exhausted with my meaningless pursuits and superficial claims. I've always wanted to be a housewife but I was no longer happy. I wanted to do more so I can be more. There is something I badly wanted to prove to myself. So I decided to work once more to fill this void and challenge myself. I am now working together with hubby in his new business of which I am totally unfamiliar with but have committed myself to learn. I now go to the office thrice a week learning something new each day. And just like that, I said goodbye to the housewife I once was.

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Soul Sisters
Sunday, November 8, 2009 / 2:08 AM

Sometimes, I can't help but feel that you are my soul sister...
You are one of my best friends and someone I've always admired.

PAMMIE & SABBIE

I reminisce those days in high school when we were both young and naive...
How we fell in love and how those boys broke our hearts and made us cry.

Now we have both grown and matured so much since our high school days.
You will finally walk down the aisle and marry a man who is truly worthy of you!

CONGRATULATIONS PAM!!! :)

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A Boy Named Brandon
Saturday, November 7, 2009 / 1:18 AM

I've always wanted to have a baby boy and so I took the big risk of being pregnant once more. I played with chance in hopes that I will beat the odds. April... I remember struggling to analyze the black & white sonogram that flashed on a screen before me. I was looking right between the baby's legs and I felt frustrated coz I can't seem to understand the hazy image. The moment the doctor revealed that I was having a boy, I was overjoyed. Then I officially started baby-shopping. I shopped for baby blues and navy blues, tiny leather shoes and sneakers, until B raised the red flag. I already had a name for him even before he was conceived. He was to be named Brandon, a name so close to his dad, who I wanna be his inspiration as he grows up. On the last few days of summer when autumn leaves are starting to fall, Brandon was born into our lives. I remember that last push followed by the triumphant moment of release... my newborn baby boy placed in the comfort of my chest and arms. That special moment when I first saw Brandon. His round little face, big eyes, and tiny button nose... One glance and I instantly fell head over heels in love with him. I could go on and on yet no words can ever express how special this baby boy is to me. I may have not beaten the odds but this child is Godsend nevertheless. My wish has been fulfilled... I finally have a boy. He is the only son I will ever have in my life. Mommy loves you so much, Brandon!

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Capricciosa
Friday, November 6, 2009 / 8:22 PM

Last week, I had dinner at Capricciosa, the new Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.
Quite surprisingly, I learned that Capricciosa is owned by an old friend of mine. :)

CAPRICCIOSA

SPAGHETTI AGLIO OLIO E PEPPERONCINO

Spaghetti cooked with olive oil and garlic topped with spring onions
Capriciossa's Aglio Olio was rather dry and lacking in that garlicky taste :(

PANNA COTTA

This famous Italian dessert is topped with sweet strawberry syrup
It's sweetness is just right but I find the gelatin too thick and heavy


* * * * *
CAPRICCIOSA
GREENHILLS

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A Little Sophistication
Thursday, November 5, 2009 / 3:30 PM

Sophie is all dressed up to go to Aunt Alanna's bridal couturier.
She is going to have her measurements taken for her flower girl gown. :)


Sophie is wearing a fitted pink shirt from Snoopy,
checkered schoolgirl skirt with suspenders from Gingersnaps,
and a pair of pink patent ballet flats with eyelets from Joe.

As far as I know, only Sophie can mix CUTENESS with SOPHISTICATION. :)

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