Langkawi Fun!

Yes, it took me some time but here it is -- a post on our short, tiring, but fun Langkawi trip.
After much internal debate on which camera to bring, I brought my LC-A+ but didn't get to use much. I ended up taking photos using my iphone and the underwater camera, the most convenient given that I was on full mommy mode for that weekend!



We mostly hanged out at the beach, then at the pool. The little girl had so much fun! I was worried at first that she'd be scared of the sand under her feet and the waves -- which was the case when we prviously went to Sentosa. But this time around, she was game for the beach, picking it over the pool most of the time.
Apart from beach time, we road a speedboat to a nearby island for lunch and jetski'd. Both times she'd be squealing, "Whee, this is fun!" Her happiness is so infectious.
So even though I got sick after coming back from this trip (and after every trip that we make without her yaya, because I get so tired), we are planning another beach weekend trip next week. Am excited again because I know how much the little girl would enjoy herself!

And so I've read Before Ever After ( by Samantha Sotto)

There is so much talk about the Samantha Sotto (and her book)-- the first Filipina published by Random House New York, that its hard not to get caught up with the hype. I follow Sam on twitter and she sounds like a very nice person that I was a bit worried that I might be biased into liking the book. So before my expectation gets too high, I decided to make do with the ebook version since the book isn't available yet in Singapore, and read it as soon as possible.

As I type this blog post, my head aches with the little sleep I've had the past few days. I tried to read Before Ever After every little chance I've got, between working full day and my mommy duties. Its the type of story that is hard to put down. When I finished this morning, a part of me was sad that the journey is over, even if I did like the ending. But a part of me was relieved that I can sleep early tonight!

I love the journey of the story. I really like the historical pieces because I am fascinated with European history myself (currently obsessing with English Medieval history). I thought those portions were wonderfully written.

Its a romantic book and I liked Sam's take on (all kinds of) love but to be honest, I am currently too sleepy now to remember the quotes of my favorite bits. Nevermind, I plan to re-read this story once I get hold of the actual book. So that I can join Max and Shelly's journey once again.

Went out for a ride...

And just like that, I became quiet again for a while. So sorry about that, my friends. I hope i can keep a steadier stream of blogposts again.

So what has happened the past few weeks? We had that Langkawi weekend. My little girl had so much fun! So much fun that we are doing a short beach getaway again soon! Then we got sick, work got a bit busier and then we did went out for a ride...

My wonderful husband brought over a cruiser for me during his recent trip to manila and we've been busy with that ever since. Not just with the actual biking but sprucing the bike with accessories like front and rear lights, a bell, bike pouch and even a child seat for the little girl. All that's missing is a wicker basket -- and I really want a wicker one, not those plastic types, so am holding out till we find the perfect one.

Growing up I've always loved biking, spending my summer afternoons biking with friends within the confines of our small subdivision. But I never had my owned my bike though, so this one is my first and am giddy with excitement! Can't wait for our family's biking adventures!

To our Papsy with love

Taken during our last family trip before I got married

To our hero, who provided us with our needs,

 and sometimes our wants :)

Who was fun and strict at the same time,

but only wanted the best for us.

Who taught us to value our education and

showed us how hard work pays off!

We honor you and thank you on your special day.

Happy father's day! We love you!

Langkawi ready!

We are off to Langkawi next weekend! I am so excited even if its just a short trip. I have thought of the sand toys to pack for Peyton's first beach outing. Then for myself, I have been debating if I'll bring my dSLR since I am on mommy mode. Or should I just bring my compact LC-A+ instead? Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

But one camera that I'll be bringing along for sure is this Underwater Digi Cam from photojojo:

photo from www.photojojo.com

Tried it out for test shots this afternoon when we went to attend a swimming birthday party. Love the lo-fi images it produced -- perfectly capturing the water fun the kids had:

The happy birthday girl!

Peyton had loads of fun!

Noah's dive

Reese's mermaid swirl

Check out  Berry's cute nail polish :)

Peyton didn't want to go yet...

This nifty little camera is a pretty good deal at just USD35. Its compact and cheap, making it stress-free to bring to a poolside or to the beach with a toddler in tow. Can't wait to use this next weekend, am so looking forward to the fun memories we'll be capturing with this little toy!

Feelin' retro

Instagram has been giving me that analogue, retro photography vibe that I've been feeling lately:

I am not really into videos but I surprisingly had fun when I learned about Silent Film Director, an iphone video app that allows you to put that retro feel on your videos, whether its the 20's movie, '60s or 70's home video feel (complete with the "film projector" reeling sound). I played around with the app and came up with this:



Quirky fun, eh? Try it out for yourself!

Something Blue

So yey, I finally got to watch Something Borrowed, the movie based on a book with the same title by Emily Giffin that I previously blogged about.

Since I pretty much knew the story, the movie did not disappoint. I really enjoyed John Krasinski's portrayal of Ethan most of all (I didn't remember him to be that funny from the book) which made me re-read Something Blue, the sequel story. Ethan is an important part of that story as well, although its about Darcy this time.

I really do hope they turn Something Blue to a movie too.I really liked the sequel story better, even though Darcy's character in Something Borrowed wasn't the type you would root for. She was a selfish person then. However the sequel is set immediately after Rachel and Dex' story so it tells what Darcy went through as she realized her mistakes, tried to be a better person and how she finally moved on. The change in Darcy wasn't an overnight thing, nor was it perfect. But with time, distance and new friends, she did change to the happy person that she wanted and deserved to be.

I like the idea of people changing to be better persons, about growing up, and moving on. Am that kind of optimistic. I hope its something I'd always remember, that change for the better IS possible. For me, for the people around me.

I never want to lose hope.

Off to Langkawi!

Ok, not today nor tomorrow, but in a few weeks, hehe.

Photo from Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa website

Langkawi is an island off the coast of North Western Malaysia. Its our first time to go there and Peyton's first beach trip, if I do not count the two times we went to Sentosa for her to feel sand under her feet. I'll be on mommy mode but I hope to be able to take nice photos of the place (should I bring my dSLR? my lomo?) and have a blog post about it.

Its just a short weekend holiday but I am excited! Its always nice to have something to look forward to :)

Peyton speaks

I realized I haven't written about my (not so) little girl since she turned one  . And it was an embarassingly short entry. I take multitude of her pictures and since they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I didn't think I needed to write anymore! Ok ok, that sounded like a very lame excuse. So here it is, a quick update on Peyton especially for our family and friends back in the Philippines.

Peyton's a very active and curious little girl. But she took her time before talking so I get amazed when she's speak full sentences like:

"Mama, are you ok?"  -- I hear this a lot of times, because I am a klutz and I'd always hit  myself against something.

"Mama, let's play blocks" -- one time when I was working at home. This made me quickly close the laptop. She was right. I mean, I am home, I shouldn't be working.

"No, I am reading" - last night, when I told her we need to go to sleep (she's not actually reading, she was looking at the pictures of her Disney Princesses book)

"Promise, Mama?" - when I told her she can do something after she'd do something that I want, like she can watch Pocoyo after finishing her milk.

 "How about a hug?"  -- when we are already in bed and I'd ask her to go to sleep.

I am amazed with some of the words she'd use, like "beach ball"  as opposed to just a ball, or "toy airplane" as opposed to a just airplane. (I guess coz she knows airplanes are really big)

Her first named friend is Berry. Usually after our playdates, for days, she'd be requesting to , "How about, play Berry?" Whenever I give her choices on what to do for the day like, "Do you want to play basketball? Go to the playground?"

She'd pick the shoes she'd want to wear, "Wear black!" She'd ask her Dada to carry her, "Mimi carry you!" (ok this is weird but that's how she'd say it) And where she'd want to sleep, "Sleep Mama's room!"


She gives her opinion on her next sibling. Our conversation would go like this:

Me: Peyton, do you like a baby sister or a baby brother?
Peyton: Baby sister!
Me: if that's the case, you need to sleep in your own room because the baby would sleep with mama!
Peyton: Hmmm, how about a baby brother?
(hahaha! I guess she doesn't want to be bumped off our bed)

There are so much more fun anecdotes! Peyton at 3 years old is really enjoyable. She doesn't talk much (takes after me, right???) But she gives her opinions, she voices her desires. My most favorite at this moment I guess is when I'd say, "I love you, Peyton..." She'd reply, "I love you, Mama."  Sweetest words, sometimes together with a hug. I melt. (I am sure other mommys can relate!) Bob says that's my weakness. And its so true!

Why do we do things even if we're scared of them?

Last Wednesday I did something I was afraid of doing. I presented during a forum, in front of maybe 80+ people. I did it because I was asked to do. But I do not like presenting in front of people. I hate it because I get scared. I get nervous, even if I know what I’m talking about. The unfortunate thing is, I need to do it as part of my job and I do it at least once a week. So I do it anyway.

I love riding roller coasters! But just right before the big drop, I get scared. I am actually afraid of heights! I’d get a wave of panic, every time. Like, EVERY TIME. But the rush I get after is worth being scared, so I’d do it again, and again, and again!

I am scared of failing as a mother.  I remember telling a college friend while jogging around UP more than a decade ago that I think I don’t want to have any children.  I was scared that I will not make a good mother.  Then she told me, how I can not want any children, when it’s the greatest fulfillment of being a woman.  That made me pause but it didn’t ally my fears. Fast forward to now – I am now living a life with a (not so) little girl who means the world to me. Every night I go to sleep worrying if I am doing the right thing but I never regretted being a mom. I can’t imagine life without my daughter.

I am such a scaredy cat. But I guess there are reasons why we do things even if we are scared of them.. Because there are things greater than fear. A sense of duty. A sense of adventure.  Love and love of life.

Except if it’s great fear, like dying. And hell. So for sure, I can never kill myself. :)

P.S.

And cockroaches. Promise, that’s it!

Cambridge Satchel Love

So I like bags. There, I've said it! If you notice I never really blog about bags much (ok so my list of never before blogged is getting longer), but whenever Bob asks me what I want for any occasion, I'd say, "A bag!" He doesn't like the idea but since I pretty much never asked for anything else, he gives in every now and then, hehehe!

Right now am loving the Cambridge Satchel. Bob got me the 14" yellow one from the website for my birthday and it was such a good surprise because he kept saying no (so really happy vibes from that bag) and the 11" purple I bought two months after (from Schu shop in the Philippines).

The leather smell even lingers in the room after you open the bag!

It might not be for eveyone but am loving the shape (really structured) , the colors ( the yellow really gives happy vibes! And I just have a soft spot for purple), and the price (less than $200)!

Yellow series

Purple series

You often hear it coz its true -- its a good buy for an all leather bag!

Something Borrowed

Ok, on to a less geeky topic.

Last week I saw Thor with Bob and on the way in, I spotted this movie poster:

Went giddy with excitement! Something Borrowed is a movie based on a book with similar title by Emily Giffin. Read all of her books, liked all of her books!

Love The One You're With was the first book I read, followed by Something Borrowed

Although I must admit I loved the sequel, Something Blue more. But still, I would be catching this movie. Its about  being single in  your 30's, best friends with someone more "successful" and then falling for your best friend's fiance. Sound like a realistic mess, isn't?

I know some people who did not like the ending (won't mention it here for the risk of spoiling the story to anyone)  but I did,  and I love Emily's writing style.

Hmmm, I just realized I don't blog much about books which is weird given that its really my number one hobby since I was a kid. I have discount cards to Borders, Kinokuniya and Page One and they are all pretty well used. Goes to show how little I have been writing. Ok I think its time to change that!

Why I think I lived in England during the 16th century

I don't believe in past lives but I think I previously lived in England during the 16th century.

Not that I had flashbacks of that era (although when I was pregnant I had nightmares about the Tower of London) but more because of my love for the England's 16th century history. The Tudor period. The time of Henry the VIII and his 6 wives, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I. It first came about during 2007, when I was pregnant, on my second trimester, and had the chance to visit Bob in Scotland. I remember picking up my first history book about Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I at the Palace of Holywoodrose bookstore in Edinburgh. My collection of history and historical fiction grew after that.

Some of my books :)

Bet that sounds very geeky but 16th century England is actually a very interesting time of history. Its full of action and drama, worthy of its own teleserye version. How women are discarded because they can't produce heirs (Katherine of Aragon). How people get killed because they are in line to the throne (Lady Jane Grey at age 16, can you believe it), or because the King wants a new wife (Anne Boleyn). How two people, cousins, vying for the same throne gets to be scared and wary of each other without ever meeting face to face (Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I). How England's Virgin Queen, Queen Elizabeth I, managed to be single during her entire life at the time when women rulers are unheard of, and women are used as pawns for marriages for alliances. I could go on and on.

The English have seen just about everything in their history, and that's only the 16 century!

My life in lists

Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to be a writer but really never gotten around to it, but not for the lack of trying. She had diaries and journals of unfinished stories. She wanted to take up creative writing in college but her parents advised her against it. So she took statistics instead. She then started a blog, but would slack off every now and then and stop writing. Or write about nonsense things. As you can guess, that girl is me.

I have always struggled with good writing because I have difficulties sharing about myself. And because I am forgetful. And sometimes lazy. I know I would never change, not drastically anyway. So I was glad when I stumbled upon listography, where you get to write in lists!

My life in lists. There is an iphone app version but I prefer actual writing

I would randomly choose a list to write or a list to continue whenever I am in the mood to write. I don't pressure myself to finish one list in one sitting, since I don't get to remember a lot of things in one go anyway.

I love reading and yet I can't even remember all my favorite books!

Some lists are really interesting to fill up

Some are quite hard to fill up!

And there are those I would NEVER fill up, hahaha!

The best kind of lists are those you'd like to remember forever

I think about why I want to write. I think one of the reasons is that I feel like I have something to say, and I want to be able to read that "something" in the future. So I can remember! My life in lists might not fully articulate the "somethings" that I really want to write about, but its a great way to kickstart my brain to recall things!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

I was reading Tin's  mother's day post and thought of writing about my own version as well. Unfortunately, I am really a forgetful person so I can only come up with few lessons I learned from my mom! So I instead, I  thought I'd rather write about the most important lesson I learned from her, and that is how family should always be the priority.

One of our all-time favorite family picture!

My mom would always, always tell us to prioritize spending time with family over friends. She'd say that friends come and go, but family would always be there for you. So growing up, I did a lot of things with my family. Then every Sunday was family day. No matter how late your Saturday night was, Sunday you must get up for the 9am mass. Then over the years there would be conflict of schedules, but we would always go to church together.

I didn't appreciate it much when I was younger and staying at home, (especially since its very hard to get up early on Sunday mornings!) but it was something I understood and valued when I started living overseas. And even before I got married,  I know its the same value that I want for my own family to have.

It is because of all her effort that we turned out to be a close knit family. And I am really thankful for the closeness I share with them. Now even I am far away (fortunately Singapore is not THAT far), I regularly keep in touch with them, many thanks to technology (facebook, twitter, instagram...).

So Mama, thank you! I do not get to say it often enough, we all do not get to say it often enough, but we love you for being our mom. Happy mother's day!

Meeting new friends over at instagr.am

My blog has been stagnant for a while now.

My dSLRs and compact cameras, and lomos have been resting for sometime too.

Not that I haven't been telling stories nor taking photos. But having the iphone and mobile internet just made it easier for me to share over at instagr.am. And I have been making new friends over there too -- those whose work delights and inspires me, and those who like my pictures as well. Its a fun community!

My instagram stats

As always, I take everyday photos. Mostly of Peyton, and some others that I find interesting. I don't post process much except for cropping, filtering and some tilt-shifting... haha, that might sound lot but there are others that really produces art. And I do everything with my iphone coz I am just lazy like that.

Apart from being able to tell my own stories with pictures,  I like knowing about other people's stories too. I follow a lot of really creative people, as well as those who live in places I like to visit -- Paris, London and Japan.

So in case you are in instagram as well, look me up... let's be friends! Would love to see your stories as well. :)

Its Ash Wednesday tomorrow.

I made a commitment to observe the Lenten Season more faithfully this year. To go to church tomorrow. No meat on fridays. But since I like fish, no-meat fridays aren't really sacrifices. So this year, am also giving up chocolates and those bubble milk tea I find so addicting lately.

All forms of chocolates!

Gong Cha's Earl Grey Tea with 3JS

Good luck and God bless to me! :)

You can find a quiet spot...

... not too far from Tanglin Road, not too far from Alexandra Road at the newly renovated Alexandra Park Connector.

Entrance from Tanglin Road

I love how they renovated the place to be more than just a jogging path running along the canal. The landscaped area has a lot of places to sit, small "ponds" and open spaces for kids to run around.

Last year...

I had a week long birthday celebration with many many friends. This year I opt for a more low-keyed celebration -- had lunch with a couple of my closest friends and just dinner with my family and I was very happy with it.

But don't get me wrong, I was excited for my birthday as I was since... forever. I think I will never get too old for it -- I hope I never get too old for it. I guess I am just in a constant happy state these days that I don't need much to make my birthday special.

I am very blessed with family and friends. I am happy! I am content. :)

What's on my (work) desk?

A blah topic really, who would be interested on what's on my work desk anyway? But just in case you're bored and curious :) Not that I was bored when I did this. No, no, no, of course not. Mostly just curious on how photos using the lomolomo app on the iphone will turn out.

keyboard