Hello 2014!

I can't believe that in 2 hours (in my time zone), 2014 is hereeee!!!!

I know that a word that usually comes with New Year is "Resolutions". . . something I'm not good at, haha!

But as they say, Change is the only permanent thing in this world.  So for the coming year . . .I still don't have any Resolutions, haha!  

What I do have is the desire to change (well, okay, I guess it's still like "Resolutions", I just don't like using the latter word, hehe) . . . 

I want to change. . . 

- the way I think (happy thoughts and positive vibes only!)

- the way I talk (only good things to talk about)

- the way I do things (I want to be more organized, no to procrastination!!!)

- the way I act (to act always with love, kindness, compassion and patience)

- the way I pray (I want to improve my prayer life and my personal relationship with God)

What I'm trying to say is, I just want to be a better person (a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend).

Oh, and last but not the least. . . oh God, please help me in this one. . . to have the will to START dieting and the perseverance to work on it!  Haha!  

Here's to a better New Year for all of us!

Let us claim 2014, it's going to be an amazing year, let's make it happen!  Woohoo!

Wishing you and your loved ones all the best things in life and countless blessings in the coming year. . . 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Photo Source

Singapore Food Diary

WARNING: This post may induce food cravings!

The Holiday Season doesn't only bring good cheer but good food as well!

You're probably fed up with seeing and eating food . . . or may be not!  I think a few food pictures won't hurt.  It is a feast that doesn't come with extra calories anyway, haha!  

This post has been sitting in my Draft folder since June or July (a really late post!) after we (just me, my sister and my little girl) visited Singapore for a few days (I really wish we could have stayed longer!)

To say that Singapore is a food haven is an understatement, simply because it is a food PARADISE!

When I go to Singapore, one place I always go to is the Food Republic in Wisma Atria (a mall along Orchard Road).  It houses the best of hawker food and other good eats in one roof.

This is where I enjoyed my personal faves:

BLACK CARROT CAKE (not made from carrots!)

AND THE BBQ WINGS!!!

Addictive!

This roast pork looks ho-hum but it's surprisingly good,
the skin was crispy and tasty!

After lunch, we were walking around Takashimaya Shopping Center (Ngee Ann City) when I saw a Ladurée counter.  Yep, those french macarons (which don't come cheap, haha!) that everyone was raving about.  I bought a few (Pistachio, Coffee and Chocolate ---which I liked best) to see what the buzz was all about.  

Guess what?!
I still prefer cakes and cookies, haha!  

For dinner, we went to JUMBO Seafood Restaurant because I told my sister that we must have Singapore's famous specialty. . . CHILI CRABS!!!  

Oh how I missed you my Chili Crabs!  

Oh and with a side order of  fried mantou bread please!

Because dipping dunking them in the Chili Crab sauce is pure food bliss! 

We also ordered Cereal Prawns (because I love shrimps)

Hong Kong Noodles (because the little girl loves noodles) and Chicken Satay (my sister's request)

By the way, have I told you that Singapore is a Food Paradise?

A Paradise where everything is just good. . . . so many food. . . so little time.  

Seriously, we should go back! Haha!

Sis, are you there?

For more info about the following food places, please click on the names:

Food Republic

JUMBO Seafood Restaurant

Info about Laduree was taken from Evonnz' blog:

Laduree Boutique
391 Orchard Road, #02-09
Takashimaya Shopping Centre / Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6884 7361

Laduree Counter
391 Orchard Road, #01-24A
Takashimaya Shopping Centre / Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872

A Christmas Story

A very late post!  Would like to share with you something from last year's Christmas!  

Last year, the little girl and I went to visit Hubby in LA and spent our Christmas there.  It was extra-special because it was our first Christmas together!  To celebrate it, we thought of having a staycation somewhere.  It was actually something spontaneous.  I think we just decided on the staycation on Christmas morning, haha!  (Spontaneity adds fun and excitement in life!)  

We checked in at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa located at the downtown section of Riverside (probably around 60 miles from our home). 

Our little girl exploring the room and
making herself comfortable

And the "guy" (a life-size decor) that creeped (not me!) hubby out, hahaha!

The hotel is known for their Festival of Lights which starts the day after Thanksgiving.  It has been said that they decorate the place with as much as 3.5 million lights!  Yep, that's MILLION!  They also have hundreds of decorative figures placed around the hotel which includes angels, elves and carolers.  (The creepy guy in our balcony was actually a "caroler", haha!)  

Did they say 3.5 million?!!

 

The lights in these photos don't even make up half of what was put up!  The Christmas lights were beautiful and amazing and just gives you that joyous Holiday feeling!

But you know what my most favorite lights are. . . .

are the ones that light up my life . . . =)

To know more about the hotel (and its history) and the Festival Lights, please click on this link.

Now Shoe-ING!

Growing up, I remember wearing my mom's high-heeled shoes because I love the sound that they make when I walk.  The tick-tock sound of the shoes made me feel like I'm a grown-up!  (I pretend to go to the "office" everday)  

But I never tried (and thought of!) wearing my dad's shoes. . . .

This little girl is definitely cooler than me!  Haha!

These boots are not just made for walking, they are good for dress up playtime too!

My dear little girl, would you like to try wearing a pair of high-heeled. . . BOOTS?!

You're beautiful!

The little boy has been mistaken for a girl several times already.  Somebody even said he can be the next Ms. Philippines!  (Ummm, I don't really remember anyone from my childhood telling me the same thing, haha!)  

I can't blame them . . . 

Which reminds me. . . .

So people say he/"she" is beautiful, and I claim that he looks like me. . .

I hope this photo convinces you, heehee

Does it follow that I'm beautiful too? HAHAHA!!!

Anyway, this afternoon, we decided that it's time to for him to get his first haircut --- NOT because of the "he looks like a girl" thing.  I actually don't mind when people say that.  It's just that we want it to look neater.  For us Filipinos, it is customary for babies to have their hair cut when they turn 1 year old.  

But we say, we can't wait so we are doing it now, haha!

After a few snip here and there. . . .

Tadahhhhh!

Looking at the picture above, I can only say. . .

My dear little boy, you are growing too fast!!!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Same Old Photo

When Hubby came home for a short visit (2 weeks!) last August, I was thinking of having a family portrait photo shoot but sadly, we weren't able to do so. (kicking myself now)  

The most decent family picture we have was this. . .

it was not even taken by a camera!

So the photo above has sort of become a template for me, haha!  Thanks to Picmonkey, I can enhance and modify my "template" . . . . 

When Ate had to submit a family picture in class . . .

Something I did for Halloween . . .

And to spread some Holiday cheer for Christmas! 

And I think this won't be the last time you'll see this template family picture, haha!  

From our family to yours, we wish you Peace, Love and Joy this Holiday season =) 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

P.S.

I know what I want for Christmas. . .a new family picture! Heehee

What Happens . . .

When you leave your phone and a curious toddler in the same room. . .

SELFIE TIME!