Surprise Getaway

This is that time of the year when Shaun seems to get a few perks from various companies, through his work... All in the name of Happy Chinese New Year, of course.. :)

 

The ride is always a treat....  easy access....  plus the Special Train that takes you from BeiTou to Shin-BeiTou, the actual HAVEN for various luxurious hotels and hot springs is just too CUTE....   the Trains are painted in fun and colorful styles depicting the various activities one can do in the area...  The station are also decorated with Fun Art Installations - also using the theme of relaxation and hot springs....  These fun displays, as well as the view from the leisure walk, are truly eye catching took us a bit of time to actually get to our Hotel....

Always one to share, this time around we get to trek to Beitou for an overnight stay at this luxurious Hot Springs Hotel: Grand View Resort.  What a place it is....  soooo LUXURIOUS and pretty and serene....  Maybe it is because it is a Monday - or the HIGH RATEs for accommodation (About $400US a nite!) - but the place seemed empty....  as if aside from the staff, we were the only other inhabitants at the time.  Makes it even more FUN and RELAXING to be there...   Not only do we get to outdoor Hot Springs - our Suite also have a couple of Private Hot Springs overlooking the mountain scenery and the perfect place to catch the beautiful sunset....

The FUN Ride to BeiTou

Good Thing I can take my work everywhere and anywhere for the most part.... A fine way to start the work week, if I may say so myself!!!

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Suite!

Now this is what I call a Surprise Getaway Break!!!

Complete with a Beautiful Sunset to Boot!

Fun Friday!

Yesterday was break for me from the work week....   got to go to the GYM....  got to do some work....  then had a tasty lunch with Sue - complete with Goodies and Fun Chat!

A bit later, had a nice FRESH BAKED BISCOTTI Surprise courtesy of Mr Wu.... 

plus a Matinee of "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" at the MIRAMAR Complex....

...then it was back to work...  and a trek to the Library with Juju in tow....

 

Silver Linings

Just caught this last night on DVD....  I had no idea what this film was about, really - bought the DVD simply because I heard the 2 main actors are Oscar Shoo Ins - as well, as the film itself...  and of course, since the main actor is a FAVE HOTTIE of mine: Bradley Cooper.   Let me tell you, sometimes it is BEST not to expect anything, then one can just go with the movie and enjoy it so much more for what it is!

 

The movie is very well written....  the family drama, the conflicts, even the light moments all makes sense.... of those films that pretty much ran the gamut - from heavy drama to comedy...  which is why I understand now, why the movie and all involved were lumped in the  MUSICAL/COMEDY category in the recent Golden Globes - the drama was subtle but packs a wallop.

 

BRAVO all around to all actors - principal and supporting.... much deserved OSCAR Nominations - yes, even for the Mother! Bradley Cooper is just getting better and better as an actor....  I do not often get to see him in dramas - but he can totally carry the weight of it all...  he is cvery much so, a capable actor and given the right roles - he can only shine so much more....  and ma how handsome and sexy he is.   Jennifer Lawrence, for me was a revelation.... as if am watching a different actress from the one who played Mystique and Kat of Hunger Games... and then there's Rober DeNiro - what more can one say about this guy...   truly one of the best actors of all time - he never misses!!!

 

MORE INFO HERE: Silver Linings IMDB

UNIQLO Field Blouson

Loving this new UNIQLO acquisition of ours - Men's Field Blouson!  

 

This one was actually purchased in UniQlo, Philippines - did not see it in Taiwan's UniQlo shops at all over the Holidays - so am quite Happy we were able to venture to their shops in Manila....   The style is so versatile - works with casual clothing, as well as, semi-formal look.   The jacket comes in 4 color variations - Black, Beige, Orange and Blue....  it was a toss up between Orange (seemingly the HOT COLOR right now) and the Blue - a striking shade of Royal Blue.  The latter won and am satisfied with the choice as in this shade - it becomes a classic piece, to be worn for many Winter/Spring Seasons to come....

Direct Link to UniQlo's "Field Blouson" Collection - CLICK HERE!

 

 

Humpy Wednesday!

This the week is possibly my MOST FAVE TIME to post....  simply because to ADMIRE & SHARE a few EYE CANDIES...  without feeling any GUILT!  Hehehehehehe....  On that note here's my choices for the week:

BECKS modeling his H&M line for all of us to OGLE!

Jake Cuenca - Not really so much into him lately...
but I do love this shot plus the Bench Undies he's got on.

 

A model for a local company in Manila - love his Tats!

and just because I just saw The Paperboy on DVD - Zac!

catching up....

Just back from a trip to Manila....  boy oh boy, am I behind in blogging....  already the 22nd of January and this is only my 3rd entry... and the second one is INCOMPLETE....  where has the time gone???

 

This should have been my RESOLUTION for the year - have more downtime, so I can do the things I enjoy...  things that calms and relaxes me.... - such as blogging....  well, I can only try to be better from this moment on...

So, on that note, am restarting off with a few quotable quotes that I wish to LIVE BY and sharing it with you all.....

This one below is from the PREVIOUS YEARS but still very much WORTH KEEPING IN MIND!

KHH: Jan 2013

Started off the year with a week long (almost!) trip to Kaohsiung... Took the speed train early morning of the 3rd... Got to KHH for a quickie lunch, then on our 2 car rentals, headed on even further South: Kenting...

The 2 hr plus drive was blessed with beautiful ocean side views and a sunset.,. Plus nice stops for Java, delicacies, photo ops, and even a Temple stop.... Then we arrived at our Hot Springs destination, and refuge for the night.. Just in time for a dip in the Hot Springs to end the night.., but of course, the warm hot waters got us all hungry and we made a dash for some more delicacies for a midnight snack!

The following day, a local sumptuous breakfast greeted us, then it was another dip in the Hot Springs... It was way past 1pm when we finally checked out and be on our way for lunch and the drive back to Kaohsiung.,,

 

See More Photos Here - KHH:Jan 2013!

Jan 1st, 2012

In a little over an hour, the Holidays will be officially over.....  another year has ended and another one has begun...  Have survived another End of the World threat...  Have survived another year....  Overall, 2012 - the DRAGON year - was not so very good to me....  too many things happened...  too much losses....   To think it was my year, as I was born the year of the Dragon...   I can only hope the SNAKE year I will fare better....   Ironically, am scared of Snakes!!!  EEEEK!!!

 

I was a bit weirded out by this year's Holidays...  even the main reason why I opted not to go to Manila - first time in the last soooo many years....   with Mom gone, I felt it would be too sad to be there... not to mention, same time last year, I was with her and saw her go through some of the most painful days of her battle with cancer...   Still, I did get a bit homesick, XMas has a way of doing this to us, I suppose....  didn't someone say that, "XMas is the time of the year when most gets really homesick -- even when they are home...."  This I felt very much....   still, I managed....  survived....  and even enjoyed the Holidays - as much as I could....  Thanks to my family and friends here in Taipei, of course....   They helped make me forget some of the pains of 2012...  the longing....  the emptiness....   Helped me get through....  for this am Grateful!!!

 

So, on to 2013....  am ready.... as ready as I could be....  I just Hope and Pray that it will be a better year for me - for everyone....  if not Great, at least smoother....  already it is shaping up to be a busy one with upcoming trips to Kaohsiung and Manila....  and hopefully, the US sometime soon, too!!!   Here's hoping... and on that note, I bid you all a...

HAPPY NEW YEAR filled with WONDROUS POSSIBILITIES!!!

 

Look who's under the Mistletoe!

Am sure You would not pass a the chance to Kiss him... Happy Hump Day!

we're not ready!!!

Where has the time gone???   it felt like DEC just started and now already the 15th and I have not even been able to put up a Christmas tree!!!  Boo Hoo....

Well actually, I have had a Tree for the last 3 days now... yes, I finally broke down and got a tree for a change... not just the bare white branches I have been using the last few years... not that am tired of it, I actually LOVE it and still have it set aside....  But for a change, I opted for a real tree - one that I could put lights and decorations - something I have not really done in a long time.... 

 

Am mainly doing it for Juju and some other kiddies that will be coming around for the Holidays....  always great to see their eyes light up when they see the XMas tree for the first time... and the eyes lite up, as the tree lights are lit....  sooooooo worth it.....   not even done yet and you can already hear JUJU saying: "WOW"!

 

Okay now for why am I not done yet....  it isn't because I am working slowly here...  I actually have all I need since Friday... ornaments, garland, ribbons, tree topper,  etc... all except for XMas lights...  something as ordinary as a regular strand of clear lights that twinkles, on a white cord...   simple request - you would think...  but three days in a row...  run around all over Taipei and I have not had any luck getting any....  mostly green corded lights and the ones on white cords are just way too advance - hence, too expensive....  even did another run in a couple of places with Juju today on the hint for the said lights....  NO SUCH LUCK....  not even IKEA had them........waaaah....

.

Just waiting for those darn lights!!!  Grrrrrr......

====================

Lyn came to the rescue - she got online and searched for just what I wanted and found them...  Luckily enough they have a next day delivery service so they should come in tomorrow and I should have my Tree done by the end of the evening ....  WOO HOO!!!

 

 

"It's that Time Again!"

The time to be festive and merry.... to see family, friends, love ones and wish them all the BEST for the Holiday Season and for the year to come.... to get Sentimental for those XMasses past, but also Hope for more Great Times to come in XMasses future....  But we MUST ALSO REMEMBER to HONOUR our dearly departed and to share in not just  the Season has to offer - but to actually share to those in need.

As you all know, it is also my MOST FAVORITE HOLIDAY....   not just for the presents, but those are welcomed, too...   but I just feel that this time of the year becomes extra Magical as people tend to be more caring, giving, and genuinely nice to one another.   It is a time when one can be a KID once more....   relieve the Joys of XMas pasts.... and as we get older, see the Joys through the eyes of the younger generation.

This time last year, I spent one of my loneliest XMas' ever - seeing my Mom go through pain from Cancer.... now she is gone.... and with my Nieces and Nephew all giving their own lives in Manila and the US - I decided to stay in Taiwan, instead....  Not really a place where XMas is much celebrated - except in Malls and Restaurants and mostly for appearances sakes - not by tradition or anything more....  So far, Juju and I have visited a few places just to catch their Holiday Decorations....  nothing too outstanding so far - like the window displays of Macys, or Saks Fifth Ave or Bloomingdales, the ones I grew up on -  but none-the-less, FESTIVE.

Still, it matters not - as I know that one can FEEL THE SPIRIT OF XMAS - anywhere and everywhere....   and I am one  to see to it that I have a JOYOUS one with what I happen to have, who am with, and where ever I happen to be..

Starting with hunting for  a TREE!!!

Quick Hump Day Entry!

Channing Tatum must really be THANKING  above now....  not only is he PEOPLE magazine's SEXIEST MAN ALIVE for 2012,  GQ also got him on the cover as their MAN OF THE YEAR!!!

We pretty much know that all of these, comes from the recent success of his film Magic Mike - so Mr. Tatum, if you are taking notes, get MAGIC MIKE 2 going already!!!