B-day in Beijing

I slept in and woke up at 10am today. Missing the hotel breakfast, I just munched on the left over red bean pastry I bought from the local bake shop yesterday then I started to prepare for bargain shopping in no other than the bargain shoppers paradise - the Silk Street. The last (& first) time I was here the shops were all in the sidewalk similar to what we have in Quiapo, Manila but now they've all been moved to a multi-level building. Check this out ...



I was at this building from 12 to 5pm and was back at the hotel just before Manny finished work. For dinner, hubby brought me to one of the chic new restaurants in Beijing and we both enjoyed the good food and conversation, with me sharing how I won and lost on bargains today.



That was how my day was spent ... I am officially out of the Roman calendar (uh-oh) but I have so much to be thankful for - one just waking up each morning feeling at peace, happy and healthy is already a blessing from God; living & spending quality time with my loved ones is another and the list could go on. I also have some fervent prayers waiting to be answered but I know He hears them and will grant them in His perfect time.

To everyone who remembered, thank you!

Coming Home

Yes, that is one facet of my out-of-work experience and has always been part of the game. We've planned for me to join hubby at least once on his trips to Hong Kong & Beijing and there isn't a better timing than this.

First, I turn a year older during the trip and forecast says it's going to be an unusual winter bday celebration going from +3 to -8 celsius. May not be fun for some but something different we get to experience together (can someone remind me of this post please when I start to whinge? hehe). Second, this trip is 3-weeks long allowing me time to swing by Philippines for a 10-day catch-up with my family & loved ones.

Sweet! So to all those dear to me, I will surely see you back home. Fishballs, dirty ice cream, tupig, mangga, facial, salon, spa, hot humid weather, and bum-tarat-tarat whatever that is .. here I come!

Grey's Season 3 in 3 days!

I was envious of friends who told me they've seen Grey's Season 3 so after NY-day we started downloading the files ;) and voila, in 3 days I've been made up to date :) . Well there were just 11 episodes so far so I guess that's not bad at all because that was in between laundry, ironing, cleaning, changing linens, shopping (groceries, just wanted to clear that!) & cooking - in fact I just finished cooking dinner for tonight and its just 2pm, ha!

I am so enjoying the woman of leisure in me right now. How long this will last is perhaps up to me (hmm, if not the bank account)!

So I guess I have to start picking up on where we left off on Prison Break.

Happy 2007!

How did we welcome 2007?

Hubby & I decided to just watch the NY eve Sydney fireworks from the tellie as watching it live seemed to require a lot more planning than we thought. We have neighbor friends, Mae & Alex with 3-year old son Rafael celebrating their first OZ NY, who had to be onsite by 6pm to get a decent spot. They witnessed the family fireworks at 9pm live but re-affirmed our decision to stay home instead as the crowd was getting worse.

We then invited them for bubbles and pasta over at our place & we jointly watched the 12midnight fireworks from the tellie. The impromptu NY eve get-together turned out quite a good idea after-all, since both of us didn't have families to celebrate with. The booze helped build the festive mood and we stayed up exchanging experiences in the land down under till past 2am - when 3-yo boy couldn't stop himself and blurted "Daddy, let's go".

The morning after, hubby & I were visited by our dear friends, and movie-buddies, Leng & Sherwin for NY lunch. Hubby prepared maki sushi (which was not bad for a beginner, thanks to our friend chaz) and we caught up with each other's holiday happenings & family and relatives stories while watching XMEN1.5 all over again.

It was a simple NY celebration for us yet the kind of thing we'd like to keep doing as there's nothing better than sharing quality time with your loved ones, friends included.

Happy New Year everyone and may 2007 bring as much blessings, less pain and more happiness in our lives. God bless!