Thank you series: Best Wishes PJ and Joy

The lovely couple!

Last January 23, I hosted and attended a wedding. It was PJ and Joy's wedding! :)

PJ and Joy were my colleagues and I was lucky enough to witness their love bloom. We were all working night shift. I was new, Joy came in a month before me, and PJ was a senior employee. The spark was definitely there and it took me a few weeks to notice it. One thing is for sure, they are meant for each other.

To Joy, my friend who introduced me to Starbuck's Iced Caramel Machiatto, and PJ, my friend with whom "I get along", thank you for sharing your life and 'secrets' with me.I wish you the best in your journey together! May life bring you continued happiness, love and success! God bless.

More photos of their wedding here.

Thank you series: Love my new hairstyle

Wahoo! Tonight I finally got the haircut I wanted. I had to wait two years and I'm ecstatic. I guess I already got bored with my layered long hair.

The first time I couldn't cut my hair because I was preparing for my wedding and had to make sure I had the long hair required for the hair style. The second time I had to skip the haircut because of our travel to China. We were relocating and I didn't want my hair to look so different from my passport. In short I kept my long hair to avoid any possible inconveniences.

Here I am. Took several photos of me. I know, so vain of me! haha :)

My old hair cut


My new cut (with highlights)

Thank you series: Got our wedding album and video

It took almost a year before we got our wedding video and album. Albeit delayed, I am very happy with the results. Unfortunately, I cannot upload the video in Youtube since I still have to convert the video file. I really wish I could share it with you. Next time maybe. :) I'll feature it here once I had it converted. Special thanks to our supplier RSVP Photography, for a job well done. I would gladly recommend them to anyone who is planning their wedding soon.

Anyway, I'm happy that we made the right decision in our priorities. As we all know weddings are quite expensive nowadays but anyone who plans to get married should be decisive on the negotiable and non-negotiable parts of their wedding. This will help you set and stick to your budget. What is important for you and your fiance? What is it that really matters?

As for me and my hubby here is our summary of non-negotiable things.

1. Photo and Video coverage - We wanted to make sure we keep and document the memories. We also figured that 10 or 20 years down the road watching this will help us in our marriage.
2. Catering - Of course, its important to serve good food to your guests. Serve good food and serve it on time.
3. Venue - As they said, 'Location, Location, Location'. I do suggest that one chooses a venue that is not only beautiful, it should also be convenient for guests. Does it have parking? Will you be safe from unpredictable weather? And more importantly is the place special for you and your fiance?
4. Make-up - Yes this is important. We want to be beautiful and flawless on our wedding day :)

On the flipside, some of the items we used were not only customized, they were practical. I always believe that quality is not always assured by cost. I don't believe that items need to be expensive to be beautiful. If you really have the eye, you will see treasures in so many places.

1. Gown - You can design your own gown and have done by a local dressmaker. My mom is a fashion designer so I do know that it is possible to get a great dress/gown at a reasonable cost.
2. Giveaways - DIY! It's also a great way to bond with girlfriends and families.
3. Invitations - We can easily customize and do this at home :)

To end, of course the wedding day is just a day of our lives. It's the marriage that counts so do take time to reflect on the decision to jump into marriage. It's a roller coaster ride - unpredicatable yet exciting!

Thank you series: Back in Manila

I'm sorry for the lull in my posts. I just arrived in Manila on the eve of January 17.

The flight was short but I was quite tired waiting for my flight in the Hong Kong airport. I arrived in the airport at 12noon and had to wait 5 hours. I spent my time reading a book while eating at Popeye's. I boarded at 5:20pm and arrived 8:00pm in Manila. Felt just like yesterday when we left for China.

I'll post more stories when I find the time. I'm just happy to be here with a tight schedule with friends and family! :)

sunnysideup finds: Cute Chihuahua video

I'm such a dog lover. I regularly watch dog videos on Youtube and Yahoo. One of my favorite video/s is a documentary of two dogs, Ramsey and Pablo. Ramsey is a Doberman while Pablo is a Chihuahua. I just can't help but smile everytime I watch them, well specially Pablo.

Here's a sample video.



They also have a blog updated by their owner. Check it out!

Thank you series: Will be on vacation in Manila

Although I dread the traffic and pollution in Manila, I am soooo excited to go back and visit my home town. I can't wait to:

• see my family
• meet my friends
• eat in Jollibee, Gerry's grill and The Old Spaghetti House
  
• play with my dogs and new puppies
• feel warmth. I need weather that averages 20 - 30 degrees.
  
• watch cable and local TV shows that use the two languages I can understand - Filipino and English
• take a road trip to Tagaytay, Quezon or Batangas

Before I left I took this photo that shows our gate, the street village and my two dogs (posed like gargolyes hahaha)

We are flying tomorrow so please expect a temporary lull in my blog. Since I will be on vacation, wahoo! :)

sunnysideup perspectives: I wish I was a great swimmer

You may or may not have read the recent article posted on Yahoo, about the best job in the world. I did, and I wish I had the skills for it! If only I was not afraid of snorkling and diving in the big wild ocean. I mean who would not want to live in paradise, a secluded island, while earning big bucks.

I'd say that probably a majority of us humans would like to live or retire in a picturesque place, that would be perfect! And if I was the lucky caretaker and I do get lonely I'd probably just spend part of my salary flying in my friends and family for a holiday with me. :) My hubby would fly in probably monthly, heck maybe he'd decide to work here too! :)

So if you have the skills and are interested, you can apply here. Applications are open til Feb 22.

Let's wait for the next news and announcement on who got the job! :)

sunnysideup finds: Send a postcard or video from Macau

If you are traveling to Macau, here's something that you might want to try out.

This touch screen interactive machine, called citi guide, is found in several spots in the Senado Square area (Macau Island). It has maps, travel recommendations and a email capability.

It can save you a little money. No need to buy postcards to mail - plus you can send a video. The only thing is that it has no sound. Unfortunately we didn't know so the next time we'll probably just do lots of funny faces and actions. Watch our 'silent' video below :)

sunnysideup tagged: The 4th edition tag

I got this tag from Amy and Iris, my online friends who make blogging so much more fun. I am a trailing spouse, now based in China with my husband. I spend most of my time at home - blogging and building a home.

Anyway, here are a few more things about me (as shown by this tag). This tag is a cool way of sharing more things about ourselves.

4 favorite things to munch on


1. chips
2. chocolates
3. fruits and
4. more chips

4 places I like to visit and why



1. The Great Wall of China. Since we are here in China it's a must see for me.
2. I want to visit England and see lots of old English cottages, maybe a few castles too.
3. I already saw Rome and now would like to see Venice.
4. I also want to revisit Paris, this time with my hubby.

4 things that pop up when you Google my name.
To make this more interesting here's the first 4 results of the image search.


1. There's a beer name Quinnie? :)
2. Good thing this dog is cute.
3. Adorable baby girl with the same name as mine. Looks like my name is getting more and more popular. Even Manny Pacquiao's newly born baby girl is named, Queenie.
4. This is a nice black designer coat.

4 favorite sites for on line shopping

Haha this is funny but I'm a blogger who still doesn't shop online. I still prefer the old ways where I get to hold and observe the item.

Now I want to pass this tag to anyone who wants to share a piece of their thoughts and dreams. :)

Thank you series: It's my Hubby's Birthday

Today my hubby turns 28!

Happy birthday baby :) Your are my gift from God and here is my (amateur video) gift for you!

sunnysideup perspectives: Life without Limbs

Just a few hours ago I watched a video of Nick Vuijicic, a man born with no arms or legs. My tears began to fall the moment he tried to raise himself - just one action that meant so much.

It's just amazing how he has been able to keep a loving and positive life that continues to inspire people.

Please watch the video below. (Source of video was www.4marks.com)



You can learn more about him and his cause at this site. Be blessed!

Sunnysideup perspectives: Inspiration from fellow bloggers

In my recent blog I wrote about our past being the fertilizers of our future.

Today I want to share with you a very inspiring blog I just read. It's about perseverance amidst hardship. It's a very inspiring success story of my fellow blogger, Daydreambeliever.

It's story about how a Filipina fought to finish her education and how it can be an inspiration for others like her. I am one of the lucky ones who never had to work for my education and reading stories like this is just so inspiring. I commend people like her. People who use what they have, they strive to reach their dreams.

Read her blog entitled Keeping On.

sunnysideup perspectives: Use your past to fertilize your future

I have subscribed to Bo Sanchez' videos and blogs. I find a lot of inspiration is his articles and teachings.

Today I just watched his video on Youtube that reminds us to take our failures, pains or sins as fertilizers for our future. We can use our past experiences as a learning experience that will help us. We should also remember that God can make ugly things beautiful.

Watch his video and be blessed!




*Bo Sanchez is an author, a speaker and founder of several organizations designed to help the poor and inspire people. Read more about him on his site.

sunnysideup tagged: Inspiring Blogger Award

I got two great awards from Amy, a girl who also inspires me to blog. Thank you for this award :)

Now I also want to pass this on to fellow bloggers who also make me smile while inspirng me everyday. They are Iris, Beth, Umma (she has this already but still want to include her), Josh and Daydream Believer.

Thank you series: I take a trip around the world in Macau

If you are a regular guest of this blog, you will notice that I have written about Macau in this blog a number of times. To date I have visited the place at least 5 times - that is since October 2008. It's such a small place that I've grown to appreciate more and more.

What I love about this place is that it reminds me of Manila - particularly Binondo or Manila's Chinatown - yet it also allows me to visit the world. Take Fisherman's Wharf for instance, a visit here will allow you to see Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and the Middle East in one day. While a day in Venetian takes you to beautiful Venice.

For more photos, visit my photo blog of Venetian and my photo blog of Fisherman's Wharf.

If your planning to travel soon, a vacation in Macau is something to consider. There are lots of hotels to choose from. From the pricey and extraordinary - perfect for honeymooners - like Venetian and Rocks hotel, to the practical Metropole hotel - perfect for adventurous backpackers.

Note: Breakfast buffet in Metropole is mostly Chinese style. They offer fried noodles, mantao, steam cabbage but you will also find hotdogs and ham.

sunnysideup finds: Hello Kitty on a wedding car

Here's a unique wedding car design. :)

When we visited a church in Macau a wedding was about to take place. I spotted the wedding car with Hello Kitty. I noticed in China and Macau wedding cars are decorated with lots of ribbons, flowers - and sometimes with cute toys like this.

Thank you series: Macau becomes our second home

As Filipinos, my husband and I grew up with a strong inclination to the western ways - specially for (fast)food and entertainment. Although I have adapted more to the food and culture here in Zhongshan, my husband has more difficulty. He still craves for the food and environment he has grown into and although we pledged on eating healthy, a once in a while a fastfood meal is always a treat.

There are several McDonalds and KFC branches here but it doesn't taste the same. As expected the food they served has been slightly modified to appeal to the Asian/Chinese taste. For example:

• KFC's chicken is still good but is served without the gravy. (Again what is KFC without gravy?)
  
• KFC's gogo sandwich sauce has been updated to take on the chinese taste.

Also I have still yet to find a Starbucks store here in our area. Although there are a lot in Shanghai or Beijing, I have not found one here in Zhongshan. The nearest branches are in Macau or Guangzhou.

Thankfully we are blessed with the visa and capacity to travel to Macau regularly. Most of the things we crave for is just 2 hours away from us. Everytime we visit Macau we feel better and less homesick. We get to have the once in a while treat of eating fastfood we crave for. Just this week I got to eat Mcdonalds breakfast meal and my husband also discovered donuts that tasted the way he wanted. We have yet to find a nearby Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme but the patisserie in Macau Tower is good enough. The bread and food they serve is really superb!

sunnysideup tagged: World Wide Web Friendship award

Thanks for this award Emz.

This award has long been delayed, but I wanted to start the year with an award for a few more friends I met online. I am passing this award to Eleanor, Beth, Brix, Flor, Vic, and Richelle.

Happy New Year! :)

Thank you series: New Year Countdown in Macau

My husband and I welcomed the new year at Macau. We booked a hotel and stayed a night. Here's our video of our day and the countdown! :)

Happy New year everyone!