Sunnysideup perspectives: A Night without hubby

I arrived in Manila midnight of April 29. I will be in Manila for a 1 month vacation. Lot's of things on my calendar. I'm planning to attend a workshop, catch up with friends, undergo a complete medical check-up, and work on some errands.


Maybe it's a bit selfish of me to take a trip this long without my hubby, but I just felt the need to. It's something I need to do for myself. I have to admit though that it was not easy. Days prior to this trip I was torned between excitement and sadness. I look forward to the long to do list I have in Manila, yet I feel sad that I will be leaving my hubby behind. My first night was also terrible - I did not sleep. I am now no longer used to having all the bed to myself. Now I have more understanding and respect for the hardships felt by our OFW's who are far from their families and children.


If there's one thing, I am reminded of the fact that I'm so greateful and lucky to have such an understanding husband. I am also reminded that my decision - to take a sabbatical from the corporate world and be a trailing spouse to support my husband - was worth all the sacrifice!
When I return to China on June, I will be a better me - refreshed and rejuvenated!

Thank you series: My greeting on the Morning Rush!

Finally, after years of listening to Chico and Del I finally got to hear them greet me. Well thanks to Twitter, it's so much easier to send a message. Twitter is so much easier than calling their (very hot) hotline or sending an SMS. :)

More power Chico and Del! You always make me smile in the mornings. When we were in Manila you kept us sane during traffic, and while we're here in China you keep us company with your top tens and your conversations - the "winner hirits".

Note: If you are a fan of Chico and Del's The Morning Rush, you can join them at Twitter.

sunnysideup finds: Hannah Montana and The Climb

I'm not (yet) a fan of Miley Cyrus, but I got to watch the Hannah Montana movie yesterday. I didn't expect it, but I liked it! :) I especially appreciate two songs on the movie: 'The Climb' and 'Butterfly Fly Away'. I like the huskiness and rockstar quality of Miley's voice, and the words/lyrics were excellent.

The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
*I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
Cause...

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

I'm now listening to it online and I'm now looking forward to checking out (even buying) her album, also want one from Taylor Swift. You can watch the official music video at MTV.com.

Thank you series: Fruit, Fruit, Fruit Juice

My hubby and I went to the market last Saturday to buy fruits for our planned diet. This is part of our "serious" desire to lose our winter weight/bulge. Not only are we now getting regular exercise daily we also drink more fruit juice.

Anyway here's what we bought for this week: 20 apples, 10 large carrots, 15 oranges, 20 bananas, 7 corns, 20 large tomatoes, 1 full bowl of cherry tomatoes, 7 stalks of celery, and 1 small bowl of wild berries.

All this for 100RMB (that's 700Pesos or 15USD).

Fruits are just so much cheaper here in Zhongshan, and that's one thing I enjoy! I've been a fan of fresh fruit juice even when I was in Manila. I love drinking them shaked with lots of ice cubes or just juiced/concentrated, but I always have it without sugar. Well, except in Jamba Juice! :)

My fave fruit juice places are:

Jamba Juice (US)
Juice Avenue and Fruit Magic (Philippines)

and

of course our house for my own blends. :)

sunnysideup finds: Yoville is fun!

I just discovered Yoville through Facebook. I've gotten tons of invites and only yesterday did I succumb to my curiosity. I have no regrets, so far.

It's a fun game that allows you to live in an online village. As a Yovillian we can:

• make new friends
• work in a factory and earn (Yoville) money
• customize and dress-up our characters
• shop for clothes and accessories
• and best of all...furnish our apartment!

Now all I need to do is figure out how I can earn more. I really want to see how my Yoville dream apartment will look. :P

On my first day at Yoville, this is all I've got - still so much to buy and see.

sunnysideup finds: Ka-blogs

Calling on all fellow Pinay/Pinoy bloggers living abroad!

I just found Ka-Blog (Blogs ng mga kababayan sa abroad) , it's a blog that aggregates and collects Filipino blogs for listing.

Join and be part of this group. As Jim Paredes said on his blog, "Our OFWs can be the storytellers, narrators and witnesses of how the lives of ordinary Filipinos can move ahead if the system only allows them to. Their very lives are testimonies to this. Where for years, their dream of becoming something had not been possible in their homeland because of the social inequity and lack of opportunities, now they are proud, productive and prosperous people."

Let's share our stories!

(PS. I also read that they acknowledge and award inspiring bloggers. Read the details here.)

Thank you series: A Typical Filipino Sunday

My hubby and I spent Easter Sunday in Macau, and with us was his colleague, Dada. We attended morning mass in Igreja de Santo Agostinho (San Agustin).

The mass was celebrated in Tagalog/Filipino, and for an hour, we felt we were in Manila. I miss attending mass and at church I sang my heart out. It was a special day for me - my Filipino and Christian spirit. (If you want to know the mass schedules in Macau, you can read it on my past posting.)

Later that day, we also did some shopping and picture taking. It was another great opportunity for me to practice on photography. (For photos, please visit my photo blog).

We capped the night with a foot massage to relieve our tired muscles. This is specially good for me and my hubby as we have been running, walking and exercising for days. (Our "serious" effort to lose our winter weight.)

PS. I also got an Easter tag from Amy. It's a cute one; feel free to grab it! :) Happy Easter everyone!

sunnysideup perspectives: There's a Time for Everything

Today is Good Friday, and it's time for us Christians to pause and find the moment to honor and reflect on God's love.

He just needs us to listen, pray and make time for Him.

As written in the Bible, "Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone!

sunnysideup perspectives: Holiday walks with Hubby

I'm feeling so much better. No attacks and stomach pain for past few days. Even better my hubby had a long holiday weekend so we were able to spend more (quality) time together.

One of the things I cherish most are my walks and talks with my hubby. I just relish and enjoy such moments. I think it's a girl thing. Most women love the attention, the time and the listening ear. Maybe not all women will agree, but I really think that "attentive listening" is one of the best ways for a man to show his love and affection towards their spouse.

It's the "small" things that really matter. A compliment and a listening ear goes a looong way. :)

Anyway, we had a great time. We visited another pagoda here in Zhongshan. We walked and talked for hours, had a plateful of Sushi for dinner, and took lots of photos. By the way, lately my hubby has been influenced by my interest in photography. It's another activity - aside from eating - that we both love. We are now practicing together. Well he is using our point-and-shoot digital camera, while practice on our new DSLR. :)

Here are some of our pics, but I will upload more of them on my photo blog.

sunnysideup tagged: More Blog Awards

I'm so bad with tags; I'm always late. So Sorry. :(

Needless to say though, I am very thankful and appreciative of all the tags and awards I get. To all of you fellow bloggers, my online friends, THANK YOU so much. My cyber world is just the way I love it - filled with friends and sharing. Now all we need is a cup of coffee! :)

OOh, before I forget, I would like to thank Amy for the 'I heart your blog award,' and Beth for the smart blogger award. They are two great people I've met on the web. Both of them are inspiring and lovable women who spread sunshine - both online and offline.

So here's the rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her awesome blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated!

Accordingly, The recipient of this award is not your everyday blogger, if you visit their blog, one thing for sure, you will learn something that is really worth the time you spend reading their post. Their post is always well-written, with good grammar, very insightful, inspiring, thought provoking and you always wish that you've written it. They always have a great stories to tell,either about life, about themselves, or their family. Once you read their blog, there's one thing that will stuck to your head, that they are absolutely, no doubt, a Smart Blogger!

Link the one who gave this award and let them know you posted it.

Pass this to as many Smart Bloggers as you can think and make sure to write something about them, like what makes you think they are Smart.

Let them know they have an award.

Now I want to pass on both awards to Kat. Her wedding blog is simply. . . awesome!

Thank you series: Happy Birthday Daddy!

It's my dad's birthday today, and he's turning __! He said he's now over 40 hahaha :)

I wish him a long and healthy life of bliss and blessings. May God bless you always!

This is me on top of my dad's shoulders.

This is me as a - flower girl - on his wedding. :)

Love you Daddy-kins! You're the best! I'll see you in Manila soon.

Sunnysideup Perspectives: In Sickness and In Health

Last Friday, March 27, I had an attack of severe stomach pain. I think it was Gastritis. It's the same symptoms my hubby got last year. I also recall that, as his wife, was the first time I took him to the hospital. Anyway, last Friday was also the first time I ever had trouble with my stomach. It was terrible. My stomach was ultra sensitive to red meat and other types of food. I resorted to safe diet of oatmeal, banana, boiled egg (whites only) and lots of iodized water. One mistake in food intake would result to stomach pains and throwing up.

I will be seeing a doctor soon. I am going home to Manila for a complete check up.

Anyway amidst all this, I'm thankful and lucky to have a hubby who loves me. This reminds me of our wedding vows, "For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...." We have committed and vowed to loved and cared for each other, and now he is taking care of me really well. People tell me that I have a great husband, and yes, I definitely agree!

Thank you series: Dogs First Birthday

I know my last post was sad so I'm posting a happy one.

I just want to greet my dogs Lilo and Champagne on their first birthday. They just turned one today! :)

16 days old Lilo and Champagne

1 month old Lilo


1 month old Champagne

I wish I was there to see them. Soon, I will! I will also get to play with our new puppies.

Lilo

Champagne
(I did not know she was pregnant when I took this photo)

Champagne with her 6 new puppies, born last March 8.
(She had puppies even before she turned one. Tsk Tsk!)


This is Miki, father of the puppies, and our little "stud muffin." :P
(He's a boy dog ...with ribbons.)