Thank you series: My Starbucks Collection

I love Starbucks! I just always had a good experience with this coffee shop. I've reached the point of knowing the crew and being their friend. They know my favorites and just confirm if it's the one I prefer for the day.

I also got a lot of freebies, well this just compensates for my regular, before work, trip to Starbucks. I got free drink for a survey/s or as part of the discount coupon attached to the (then) planner.

Now I don't get to visit them as often since there is no Starbucks in Zhongshan, but when I get the opportunity I do grab a cup in Macau or back in Manila.

Oooh check out my new collection (this replaces the annual planner I used to collect) .

sunnysideup tagged: Honest Scrap Award

Got this fun award from Beth (a fellow blogger and artist).

Honest Scrap Award Rules:

When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!

Now, here is a list of 10 Honest Things about Me! :)

1. I always see the good in others and may seem naive. Only thing is when someone loses my trust, it's gone forever.

2. I love Starbucks!

3. I don't like pretentious people. Yes, I just can't take plastics! Enough said.

4. I can drive like a madman. I just forget that I'm a lady sometimes. The buses, jeepneys and motorcycles of Manila get on my nerves. Good thing I'm getting a break from driving here in China.

5. I can last a day without drinking water. Yes it's not a good habit. I'm working on it. Good thing my hubby loves drinking water so he influences and reminds me to do so.

6. I am a sucker for romantic chick flicks. Ive seen movies like "Ever After" and "Love Actually" countless times. I also love Jane Austen and all her works!

7. I am an only child.

8. I can be OC sometimes. Yes, just like my mom I prefer having three sets of slippers: one outdoors, one for the bathroom and one for the house.

9. I love junk food. My favorites include Pringles, Taquitos (red) and al Piattos flavors.

10. I am a TV addict!
Yes, if you let me I can watch several marathons of CSI and Reality Shows (Survivor, The Apprentice).

I am passing this award to Amy, Iris, Jacque, Daydream Believer, Kris, Emz, and Hip Cool Momma.

sunnysideup tagged: Have you ever tag

This is 1 of three delayed tags I should have done last month. I'm so sorry for the delay friends.

For this first tag I have Amy to thank. She's a successful blogger, based in Mississippi, who always takes the time to visit my pages and ask me how I am. Thanks sis!

1. Have you ever been on TV? Yes I have. I got to be an extra for TV commercials. One was for a hair shampoo and another one for a snack food.

2. Have you ever sung on public? Yep, several times. I remember singing during Christmas parties for our village, college dorm and company.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond? Never, and will never will!

4. Have you ever eaten frog legs? Yes, as a child I was forced to try. They said it tastes like chicken (naniwala naman ako) :P

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated? Yes I did. It was at school for Christmas celebrations. I got a terrible item as an exchanged gift. I was young and I cried as soon as I opened it. In fact I think I had three (separate) aweful experiences. The items I got were as follows: an ugly hanger set, a pack of soap, and a corporate freebie bag with logo.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post? Lamp posts, no; glass doors, yes! :)

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more that 15 people? Not yet. I think the maximum was 4.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others? So many times and I remember them all :) hahaha

9. Have you ever done volunteer work? Yes, a number of times. I still do when I have the chance.

Since I'm posting three tags today, I am passing this on to anyone who is interested to share more about themselves. Enjoy!

Sunnysideup finds: Clothes with the Philippine map

I just adore this dress by Collezione. It's a simple black dress with a (silver) map of the Philippines at the bottom. This comes in other colors and even comes as a tube top dress.

And this is me accessorizing it with a red belt, bag and shoes (sorry didn't get the shoes in the photo). Ooh also wore a black and white jacket cause it was a tad bit chilly that day.

To pair, I also bought a black shirt with an embroidered blue map for my hubby. Check it out.

Is it not cool? I plan to buy more when I go to the Philippines next month. I got a text message/SMS from them today telling me about their new designs. Maybe I'll get the striped tube dress I saw the last time, plus more polo shirts for my hubby.

Sunnysideup finds: Confirm your Relationship Request

Yes, I'm finally in Facebook! It took me a long time to join but I'm glad I did. As soon as I got in I already had three invitations, and in a span of 30 minutes I had friends and wall comments :)

Oooh! Let me share one thing I found really amusing - it's the 'Confirm your relationship Request.' I wanted to link my hubby to me. If you recall the part where we can update our status, I wanted it to say that I am married to (my hubby).

I know this is Facebook's way of protecting us but I just found it initially funny. I guess it was just unexpected.Here's a snapshot of the page that my hubby had to approved to give me permission :)



I know it's not clear but it says, "You have a relationship request from (my name)."And at the bottom it asks, "Would you like to confirm your relationship with (my name)?" My hubby can then choose to Confirm or Ignore!

Amusing! Reminds me of sites that also requests us to confirm if we are humans :P Who would have thought such things can be asked. I mean imagine someone asking you these questions 10 years ago!

Thank you series: Happy 20th Anniversary Behringer!

Last Saturday, I had the privilege to attend the 20th anniversary of Behringer. My hubby works there and I was invited. I really enjoyed it - felt as if I was watching a live entertainment show for China TV. Chinese culture is so rich and colorful. Let me share the photos with you. :)

'The opening act'

'Simply Amazing and Breathtaking'

'The hosts, performers and awardees'

'Hosted by Kevin, Smile, Penny and Show'

'The band'

'Employees moving with the beat'

'My favorite "Face Changing" performance'

'Awarding Ceremony'

The costumes were outstanding, the performances were really impressive and like a game show they even had a raffle (my hubby's colleague was lucky enough to win a cash prize).


'Noel wins!'


'Employees with their cool costumes'


'Myself with the beautiful costume-clad ladies'

'My hubby's colleagues and boss'

'Alberto with the Chairman, Mr. Behringer'

'My hubby with his boss, CW'

'Chalito, Lot, CW, Mhy, Anna and Jason'

'Jason, myself, Smile, Penny and Vincent'

'Myself, Smile, Wilson and Penny'

We also got this loot bag and these little handheld drums.

Accidental New Blog Layout

Dear Friends,

I was experimenting and I accidentally changed my layout. I was not able to save my links. I will try to fix this today.

Kindly leave me a message so I can keep your URLS. :) Thanks!

Thank you series: One more Domestic skill learned

Two nights ago my hubby asked me to shave his head. He has been sporting this haircut since I introduced this idea to him a few years back. Thing is he always had it done in the barber shop but here in China its been a DIY thing for him and his colleagues.

Well, I'm just glad I didn't hurt my hubby. I know it's safe and all but I've always been afraid of blood and keep on imagining I will push it to hard and hurt his head. Anyway, here's the result.

And this is what I used...

Thank you series: Our Korean and Chinese dinner dates

As you've read here recently we just celebrated our wedding anniversary, and as always we celebrated events with dinner. For Valentine, we decided to eat in our favorite hotpot resto. It's a 20 minute walk from our place and is near the Scenic hotel. It was great exercise too because the resto was on the side of a hill.

Then for our anniversary we ate at Korean restaurant, located in the 5th floor of the Century hotel here in Zhongshan. Unfortunately I could not tell you the exact name of both restos simply because I can't read the signs :) but I can share the food photos with you.

The food was great! My hubby had his fill of beef and balls in the Hot Pot resto.

'The Regular and Spicy soup to cook our food in. The one on the right is very spicy'

'Thinly slice beef'


'My Fave'



'The Sauce mixture. I think this is the secret'

At the Korean place, it was veggies galore. What I love about this restaurant is the superb service and freebies. Our attendant was very attentive indeed and I never had to ask for anything. All the veggies were free and we even got a choice between free ice cream or coffee before we left. The beef and the pork were a bit pricey but I'm sure that compensates for the great service and free stuff we got :)

'Our table full of Veggies'

'Pork, Beef and some Crepe Veggies'

'Free Vanilla Ice Cream'

sunnysideup perspectives: First year Wifey Learnings

Today, February 17, is our first wedding anniversary and I'm trying to list down all the changes and things I've learned about myself, my hubby and our marriage.

Here it goes. It's been 365 days since our wedding and:

• The most popular question I get is, "Are you expecting?"
  
• We just got our wedding album and video which we always view to reminisce.
• We truly enjoyed our wedding but I still wish I can redo my wedding gown.
• We both gained weight.
• We are now based in China and our, rather, my first few weeks here was tough but my hubby helped me with the adjustments.
• I noticed a stigma on women, particularly, housewives.
• I've learned to enjoy life and take it one day at a time.
• I've successfully influenced my hubby with my love for fruits, veggies and ... MILK TEA.
• He has in turn influenced me to eat more donuts and chocolates.
• I've learned that the bathroom and all the activities in there can be a cause of argument between husbands and wives. (It can make and develop wives into a nag)
• I've proven that I am a lucky woman married to a man who can and is willing to cook and wash dishes (sometimes).
• I've also accepted that men are truly addicted to TV or Computers. They need this alone time.
• I appreciate how (amazingly) sweet and mushy my husband still is.
• I believe that there is no issue that an open and trusting communication can't work on.
• I am able to cook food that my hubby can eat (well except for three unsuccessful recipes)
• I've proven that I can stay at home all day (without getting bored) as long as I have an Internet connection.
• I am beginning to enjoy the life of a trailing spouse.
• I love how my support and love inspires my hubby everyday.

Thank you series: Happy Hearts day!

Happy Hearts day everyone!

It's our first Valentines day as husband and wife today. As then boyfriend & girlfriend, we don't usually celebrate or go to restaurants on V-day. We've always preferred quiet evenings at home with homecooked meals eaten in front of the television. For me at least, this is the perfect evening. I love staying at home with loved ones, sharing a great conversation over dinner and a cable movie.

Anyhow this year will be a little different, afterall we are not in Manila (and we don't have cable access). We plan to go out tonight. We will be visiting a local hotpot restaurant here in Zhongshan, then we will have two hours of body and foot massage. Oooh I can't wait.

Oooh by the way, since it's valentines and in 3 days it will be our first year wedding anniversary. I want to share my anniversary gift for my hubby. Here's another amateur AVP from me. It's an AVP that compile years of photos of me and my hubby. From our first days as a couple to our first Christmas as Husband and Wife.

Happy Hearts day and Advance Happy Anniversary Baby!

Thank you series: Our wedding video

I remember mentioning our wedding video in a blog I wrote a a few weeks ago. Anyway, I was finally able to convert the file and upload it on YouTube.

Allow me to share it with you. It's done by our supplier RSVP Photography. I'm happy with their work and like the MYMP song they used. It's entitled 'So Perfect.'

Thank you series: I have great friends!

"A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away." - Arabian Proverb


God compensated my lack of siblings with lots of amazing friends. Our recent trip to Manila was filled with friends and laughter. I just want to thank everyone who made time to meet us. Unfortunately I didn't have time to meet all my friends though, so for those I was unable to meet. I'll see you on my next trip.

Thank you series: Family day at Sonya's garden

Two days before our flight back to China, my hubby and I decided to take a trip to Sonya's Garden with my dad and stepmom. I just love this place - the food, garden, everything! :) It's such a beautiful place; simply picture perfect! (For more photos, you can also visit my photo blog)

We also visited a nearby church to give thanks!