An Afternoon Break @ Nantou Museum

In between Wedding Rituals... took a bit of a couple of hours break and headed up the hills from Shaun's home, to one of Nantou's Museums, Bair Tsang - I, for some photo shooting...

The museum is dedicated to local artists who sculpts using local products such as wood and metal... the Museum pieces had toured worldwide and is one of the city's pride and joy...

The founder and curator, and artist himself, was kind enough to open up for us privately for some photo shooting as the place is just grand and surrounded by beautiful sceneries -- perfect for some really beautiful wedding shots... oka, okay, by a professional anyway... the ones in the ALBUM are just the ones I snapped....It was a great way to spend a 2 Hour break before the Exchanging of the Vows commenced....

Click Here for More Photos

10 Years - 'Nuff Said!!!

January 9th, 2009, not only marks the wedding date for Lyn & Shaun -- it marks 10Years of Togetherness, as well....

Time In A Bottle
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
Id save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That youre the one I want to go
Through time with you

The Wedding Madness Ensues...

Tonite around midnite, we drive to Kaohsiung -- wedding gowns, decorations, Bride & Groom, etc., in tow... It will be a 3 day weekend long exchanging of vows and Chinese Rituals... as the schedule stands, Thurs will be filled with last minute preparations... Friday is for Exchanging of Vows in Nantou -- Shaun's familial place... Saturday is the biiiig event in Kaohsiung (with over 400 Guests!!!) -- Lyn's family home... and Sunday, the rest of the Rituals... again, that is how the schedule stands -- who knows what will actually happen when the time comes... Exciting and Nerve Wracking, if you ask me... and am not even the Groom nor the Bride... LOLs!!!

So that is our upcoming weekend schedule -- Hope you are all having a GREAT start of the New Year!!!
One of the many photos taken for the Wedding Invitations

So Long 2008 -- Hello 2009

So the first three days of 2009 also marks our last few days on Vacation in Manila... so glad it was spent just with the young ones - still on vacation... we just basically hung around, watching vids, swimming, walking about and discovering new places and eating places....

On the 1st, since we are not allowed to spend (some kind of tradition I am always told) - we cooked at home and then walked about the quaint little neighborhood of Tomas Morato district in Quezon City... it was truly my first time walking around the neighborhood... and boy am I glad we did!!! this has got to be my NEW/OLD FAVE area... lots of cute and nice little restos, cafes, boutiques to visit... can't wait to go back...

On the 2nd we shopped (as we are now allowed to) for presents (STILL) at various malls - and Manila never runs out of them!!! Then we went to see a really corny Horror flick @ Rockwell and did some cam whoring about afterwards....

Our last day on the 3rd, we drove to Quezon City again to check out a culinary school.... and then went to The Fort/Serendra area to walk around the shops... check out what's new with ALESSI... and then we were treated by AMEERA for coffee and desserts at Conti's...

Over all, 2009 has been good so far...
More Photos Here

An Afternoon with the Rimandos....

2nd Visit to the Rimando's new home -- close family friends, but a lot more like, family...

As David did not get to go the last time, we decided to get together again for lunch so David can admire the beauty of the Rimandos' new abode.... and since the kiddies are all on vacation still for the Holidays, it was a GREAT time for an afternoon of lunch and just hanging out....

The house is just beautiful... a work in progress, as The Rimndos' put it... a TRUE Labour of Love, as it is their hard work, sweat and time spent on renovating the place.... one look around and I could not help but feel a sense of envy -- not just for the TRULY SPACIOUS HOME, but knowing that it is all done to their liking -- by themselves!!! Even the children Nico & Tricia had their inputs.... a WHOLE FAMILY AFFAIR!!!

David of course, spent most of his time with Sandy in the kitchen -- preparing our lunch... and mostly admiring the space and all the kitchen gadgets... the rest of us chatted and hung out, as we waited to be fed....

Also loved being able to see their 4 year old Lab, WACKY... and TRUE to his name, he is quite WACKY indeed... sooooo playful, friendly and smart... I mean, how many dogs do you know that barks when someone gives a FINGER! and he can do quite a few tricks, too... as far as the Rimnados are concerned, he is the third and youngest child in the house.... and I could not agree more!!!

cHeEsEcAkE, sISiG, & wEnShA

Dec 29th, 2008: A couple of firsts for me here....

It was Kristopher's BDAY, Nicole's BF..we decided to have them over at the condo and give him a little surprise treat.. actually, it was more an an excuse for us to make food.... David made SISIG & Brazo De Mercedes dessert -- from the pages of the KULINARYA BOOK... and Ace made his INFAMOUS Cheesecake which I finally got to taste, after many months of promises.... I was IMPRESSED.... it was so GOOOOOD (PWEDENG PWEDE NANG PANG LABAN, ACE!!!)that I treated them to WENSHA that nite..... but before Wensha we did get in a few more minutes of swimming....

XMas Day : Dec 25th, 2008

The day was spent at my Mom's house... my half brother, Pocholo, was there along with his dad... so it was a day of eating, chatting, bonding... Actually the first for me to spend the Holidays with my half brother... so it was good as I got to know him a bit more....Romy, Mom & Pocholo

In the evening, we decided to stop by EASTWOODS in Quezon City, to check out the CONDO and MALL that is just about to open.... it was a nice way to unwind, checking out the cool mall and seeing the GREAT LOBBY of the new Condominium...

Dec 25th Photos CLICK Here

XMas Eve : Dec 24th, 2008

So am back at work in Taiwan... actually, part work... part getting in the midst of all the wedding preps, still... that one is coming up this weekend but that's for another blog... for now it is all about last XMAS...

This year marks the first yerar that Ace, my nephew, took over KITCHEN duties as he prepared most of our food... of course, Nanay could not help herself, and still cooked and prepared some of the dishes.... the rest he let Ace took reign and just supervised....

We picked David up at the airport late afternoon... then we all had a bit of the apple pie, just to whet our appetites for things to come that nite... showered and got ready for the Evening Mass, very Catholic household here... it was a very lovely service... the Priest had a beautiful voice and sang most of the service... I Loved It -- always the best part of going to church for me, THE MUSIC!

The back to the house for our XMas dindin... so much food... and BEST of all, so much LAUGHTER -- as all XMasses should be.... after dinner, it was time to open up presents.... chatting and kidding about... then back to eating again.... and AS ALWAYS, david is the first casualty of the nite and went right to sleep in the midst of all the holiday commotions...

More Holiday Fun Photos Here

we gave a "DAMN"!!!

Dec 30th, Give A Damn,a BENEFIT CONCERT was held at A.VENUE, one of the newest and hippest places in the Makati area -- boasting lots of different local band, both famous and infamous... two of them are my FAVES: CAPO & Sundown Caffeine.... David and I got to attend along with Ace, Ameera, Nicole, Gretchen & Kristopher...

The night was topped off by hanging and eating at the closest McDonalds...

Was a FUN NITE for me to be with the kiddies... hamming it up for photos, etc -- see more here....

so long 2008, hello 2009...

Here's Wishing for more Greatness, Happiness, Prosperity, Love and Great Health to Us All!!!

XMAS Is For Love Ones!!!

For XMas day, the 25th, I got to see my Mom again this year... Went to see her in Rizal with Nanay, Ace, Nicole and this year, David... for the first time my half brother, Roummie , was there too -- back from working in Saudi... and my brother in the US Air Force called and spent a long time talking with my MOM -- which made her sooo happy.... which in turn, made me happy... after all - isn't XMAS for bringing joys to the people we love....

Cannot wait to ring in the NY... They will be coming to the city on the 31st to welcome it with all of us....

a Family Mart we will go...

The collecting frenzy continues....If your reside in Taiwan, head on to your local Family Mart, as they have started their PREMIUM Program once again.... this program runs through Chinese New Year... this is one I wait for each year, as it is always with a Chinese Theme.... This year Chinese New Year Premium program consists of Assorted Animals, considered Lucky by the Chinese -- right now there are 6 different styles but am told an additional two will be introduced come January... Just right up my alley... They all carry a Golden Coin so they all signify FORTUNE....
As always, those of you who does not collect them and frequents family Mart -- Pls Do Send Me Your Stickers.... Much Appreciated... Thanks In Advance!!!