Thank you series: Refreshed from a 3-day weekend with hubby

Simple things make me happy. Like:


- a feel good friday night relaxing while watching a feel good movie
- a drink of wine while overlooking a great view
- going out on our 100peso (equivalent to 2 USD) challenge dates. That means getting to spend just that much on a date and focusing more on the company rather than the environment or things.
- a cup of vanilla ice cream (sugarfree of course)
- a hug from my hubby
- a compliment from a friend
-drinking my favorite coffee or milk tea
- a comical moment with my dog



and of course,



- a long holiday weekend that provides quality time to reconnect and talk and relax. Something I just had last weekend. It was refreshing :)



Hubby knows how tired I was so he cooked and helped me clean the house. Thanks babe. I'm now fully charged for the week ahead. :)

Thank you series: Off to Manila for the weekend!

By 4:45pm, our cab driver Dennis will be picking me up. We will then proceed to my hubby's office to pick him up as well. We expect to exit China and enter Macau by 6pm. We will be taking the Cathay Pacific flight to Manila for a weekend with our families.

I'm hoping for the weather to clear up though. It's been raining for days and the weather is dreadfully cold and wet. I really look forward to a little warmth (surely I'll get that in Manila hehe).

Anyway stay tuned for my weekend stories :) Particularly my update on the Collezione items I'm dying to buy. I really loved having the Philippine map on my dress (read my old post to see the dress). I'll definitely get more of that!

sunnysideup perspectives: Always a Child at Heart

I don't think I will ever grow up. Well not in a negative way! I just mean that I don't think I will ever grow tired of enjoying the simple things of life. :) I guess that's why my husband and I get along sooo well. It's just because we enjoy both the small and big things that life brings. Sometimes I catch us talking about the silliest things while laughing hard. I thank God for that!

I thank God that both of us find joys in many things. I also pray that as we won't lose it as we both grow old in our marriage.

This weekend we had fun with the game Jenga. I also remember playing this as a child. I think back then it was Uno Stacko I got to play. Well this game is both enjoyable and good for manual dexterity. I think we played for an hour or two. I lost in all the games but it's ok. I had so much fun! Maybe it's also because I was taking too many photos. :) I just find it soo cute how focused my hubby is.

Thank you series: Pinoy Pre-Christmas at Alex bar

Last Saturday, I joined my hubby and his colleagues for a Filipino feast. Instead of attending the nearby Octoberfest we decided to go to this food and music fiesta! It was held in one of the popular bars here in Zhongshan. I enjoyed the buffet of Filipino food (something I don't get to cook). The food served included:

• Sopas (Filipino Milk-based Soup with macaroni, veggies and hotdog)
• Pakbet (Veggies sauted with Shrimp seasoning)
• 2 types of Longganisa (Sausage like, Seasoned Pork rolled and fried)
  
• Menudo (Tomato based sauce with Pork, Potatoes, Carrot etc)
  
• Dried Squid
  
• Adobong Pusit (Squid Sauted and Boiled in Soy-sauce, Laurel leaves, Garlic, Pepper)
• Adobo (Pork or Chicken Sauted and Boiled in Soy-sauce, Laurel leaves, Garlic, Pepper)
  
• Giniling (Minced Pork cooked with veggies)
  

Yummy!!! :)

Note: Did not take a lot of food photos. I guess I was just too excited too eat, hahaha!

This is me - excited to eat!

My hubby and his colleagues.

Yummy eh :)


'The band'

Thank you series: Best Korean Restaurant for me

Thursday night, my husband's boss asked us to join him for dinner. He took us to a Korean Resto located in one of the malls here in Zhongshan, China. My verdict... it is the best Korean resto for me. I loved the veggies and the dressing. It was simply superb!I ate so much that I had to literally loosen up my pants. Uh-Oh need to get back to my diet this week. Tsk Tsk!

Note: I love it that most Korean restaurants offer the veggies for free but this one even offered free ice cream for dessert!

Don't know the name of the resto. This is my only clue.

'The Menu'

'Food feast'

Cooking Beef with onions and mushrooms.

Not sure what this is..but it was good.

'Greens'

'Our Apron or Bib?'

'Group pic'

Thank you series: More old friends from Manila

I had a blast last week. Why?

1. Because I felt Christmas and had a pre-celebration
2. Because I got to spend 5 great days with one of my bestest-bestest friends
3. Because I found a community

It's just 3 months since I left Manila and I'm pleased to see one of them here. It's also funny how my friends never got to meet each other since I left. Isn't it ironic that I met one of them first, in Macau, when all of them are based in Manila. :) Gosh these girls!

Anyway this was truly a blessing from God. Last month, I was chatting with my friend Jill. She was saying how she wished she could go to Macau while I was saying I wished to have a community ( a way to serve God). Guess what about three weeks after our chat she buzzed me again to say she had to go to Macau for an event. Even better, she asked me to help her. What a blessing! Truly God's ear and heart is BIG to hear us always :)

So there we were, serving God while enjoying the time together with our husbands and a community.

Here are some of our photos during their visit.

BFF's


BFF's near a Temple


Pretty Jillie :)


Jill and Jon (cable ride)


Kuya Obet and I (Cable ride)

Surfing!!!

Jill, Jon and an ... anchor

Me with my baby on event night.


Christmas Tree of Pledges


Group Picture :)

Paskuhan sa GK: The Pinoy Spirit

Amidst hard times and uncertainty, when recession and job loss is happening everywhere, Filipinos always remain jubilant, hopeful and resilient. They persevere and survive.

When I attended the Gawad Kalinga Paskuhan event in Macau, Dec 5 and 6, I was awed by the camaraderie and hardwork that my fellowmen exuded. And as I travel and see more of my fellowmen spread across the globe, an intense feeling of admiration and pride grows in me.

Tired from work or even out of work themselves, they took the time to spread the word for our poverty stricken fellowmen in the Philippines. I witnessed firsthand how they shared their time and talents to support a great cause - Gawad Kalinga.

Filipinos based in Macau, work late at night to build a sample of a Gawad Kalinga (GK) home.


With The CFC Community of Macau. These are the "Tito's or Uncle's" who lead this community. Working hard to build another GK village in the Philippines.


The Single for Christ members who shared their time and talents for the cause.


The CFC community celebrating Christmas with a cause - Paskuhan (Christmas) the Gawad Kalinga way.

Now you may be asking, what is Gawad Kalinga? It is a movement/program that uplifts the lives of the poor in the Philippines. More than just providing them with houses, this program rebuilds their lives and their spirit. This is a program that allows those who are more enabled to help and share their blessings. Watch this video to see how this program changed and touched lives.

Gawad Kalinga, is being supported by corporations, private citizens, as well as non-Filipinos who believe in the vision. One of them is GK Champion Dylan Wilk, one of the richest men in UK under the age of 30. Listen to a podcast where he explains his passion to fight poverty.

Also here is another video compilation of GK champions/GK heroes.

Thank you series: Paskuhan sa GK (A Personal Experience)

My friend, Gawad Kalinga mission worker, Jill invited me to serve in their event in Macau. It was the Paskuhan sa GK held in Macau last Dec 5 and 6. I spent 5 days in Macau, hence the silence in my blogs. I was there to serve in Gawad Kalinga.

This was such a great thing for me. It was refreshing, rejuvenating and challenging. After being used to a life of solitude and blogging in our Condo here in China, this event awakened my blood for service and activeness. Another truth is that although I am an event person, I've never been in part of production before. This is my first time to be in charge of the audio playback and it was quite a rush. Usually I'm a host, coordinator or organizer but that's it. At some point I even got scared of my friend, who was the event director too. Didn't want to make a mess or disappoint her. Glad our friendship is strong enough to love each other amidst STRESS and impatience. It was also a good thing that things worked out :)

Anyhow after this experience, I have more respect and awe for the people inside the control booth. Those who cue the audio, video, powerpoint and lights. Never thought it can be sooo stressful. Important stuff that add life and power to any program.

On a hindsight, I also think that this event was God's way of growing me and my friend Jill. We grew our friendship and we grew as persons. Thank you!

Jill (our director), Andy (our Studio Contact),
Jon (Jill's husband and our Video and Powerpoint guy)

'Light Control'


'Video and Powerpoint Control'

'Audio Control'


Now we can smile! (after the event)
That's me, Jill, Dylan Wilks, Diane and her sister.

Thank you series: Old Friends from Manila!

Welcome to China Jaime and Cindy!


(From left to right) Jaime, Cindy and me! :)


Jaime and his beautiful camera :)


A view of Zhongshan from Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park


Here's a prenuptial shoot in the park.


Cindy and I. Yep we do look like locals unfortunately we don't speak and understand the language. :)


Cute couple, Jaime and Cindy, with the "Hot pot"

November 30 - December 2. It's our first time, my hubby and I, to have guests here in China. It's been 3 months since we got here and I'm glad to have my friends come over. Of course I warned them in advance, yep they were my guinea pigs! I still have yet to get use to the place and language but we managed. Oh well, lucky are my next guests since by then I would be a better tourist guide hehe :)

I just hope they enjoyed their short stay and got a lot of insights during this "exploration" trip. Worthwhile enough to let them forget the camera we lost. :(

Thanks for the gifts and for being such great guests. See you in Manila soon!


Note... Here are some of my insights from this trip:

• Best to remind guests to bring RMB or HK dollars as pocket money especially if they plan to shop. US dollars are hard to exchange when containing stamp marks from banks.
  
• Dinner in the 'Zhongshan Revolving Restaurant' is always best done on the first day/evening.
  
• Socks and Winter clothes are advised (at least until March)
  
• Always double check restos and cabs before leaving, just to make sure we did not leave anything.
  
• Foot and Body Massage in country club is well appreciated. Also great way to end the day.
  

Thank you series: Our Christmas slippers

Over the weekend and during our grocery time, my hubby and I found a pair of slippers.

Not only is it sooo cute and comfortable, they also give our home a feel of Christmas!

Just perfect for the cold weather we have now in China. Got each for 15.9RMB or 111.30 Pesos.

Thank you series: One day budget trip in Macau

It's my second time to visit Macau and at the rate I'm going, I'd probably be visiting Macau once every month. Last October it was to celebrate my birthday, this time (November) it was to be the tourist guide of our friends who are here on a business trip. On December, I expect to go there again to attend a Gawad Kalinga event.

Anyway for our trip my hubby and I prepared a packed day for our friends. We only had one day and we had to make sure that we make the most of their visit. I'm just glad that they enjoyed amidst the hot sun and aching leg muscles. According to them, it felt like 'Amazing Race' but it was all worthwhile.

Check out our itinerary. (Consider that we came from China mainland and that we only had a day. We also opted to make this as cost efficient as possible so we opted NOT to stay overnight although we were very much tempted to stay the night so we can do some shopping the next day :) ).

7:30 am Left our houses to catch the bus.
7:45 am Arrived in Fuhua hotel and bought our bus tickets. We took the bus ride from Zhongshan to Zhuhai/GongBei. Cost per person is 20RMB per person

9:00 am Queued in China immigration, exiting China.
9:15 am Queued in Macau immigration, entering Macau.
10:35 am We exit immigration and ... arrive in Macau. We began taking pictures! Incidentally it was the day of Grand Prix Eliminations. :)

10:40 am Took the number 3 bus and headed for San Malo. Cost per person is 2.5Macau Pataca per person

10:50 am We arrive at San Malo. After a few minutes of deliberation we decided to eat lunch at Pizza hut.

11:10am Lunch is served!

12:00noon Began our sightseeing in San Malo. Visited Ruins of St. Paul and the Macau Museum.

1:30pm Took the number 33 bus to Taipa. Cost per person is 3.3Macau Pataca per person
2:30pm Got a little lost but we found the Venetian eventually. It was ok though since we got to take a few more photos of the streets of Macau.

3:00 to 5:30pm Time spent admiring Venetian (inclusive of idle/rest time. We just had to sit a while to relax our aching feet).

5:45pm Left Venetian via cab going to Macau Tower. We opted to skip the 'free bus ride of Venetian' to maximize the time. Cost of cab ride for 4 people is 50 MOP from Taipa to Macau tower (Not bad eh :P )

6:00pm Arrived in Macau Tower. We also visited the stores Toys R Us and Warner Brothers. As always shopping and photo moments took a little longer.

6:45pm Arrived at New Yaohan mall and had our dinner at Sakura Tei. Yummy! :)

7:30pm More sightseeing for us at Wynn and Lisboa. We enjoyed the bright lights and the 'Dancing Fountain.'

8:30pm Tired to the bones, we now decided to go home. We hailed a cab who brought us back to the border. Cab ride to border from city for 4 people costs 50 MOP.

8:45pm Now we had to exit Macau immigration and enter China immigration.

9:30pm Done with immigration. Less people when it's late so queue was faster.

10:05 Now time for us to take a cab home. No more bus at this time so we had to take a cab. Took us 10 minutes to negotiate with the cab for a ride from border to Zhongshan City. Cab ride home for 4 people costs 200 RMB.

11:00pm we arrive at the Zhongshan. Now we needed another cab who will bring us home. Had to hail another cab who knew Zhongshan better.

11:30pm Arrived home. Cab ride home for 4 people costs 50 RMB.

A few things to note:

• In Macau, HK dollars are accepted by stores but I do suggest that you have your money changed to MOP (Macau Pataca). This will help you save a little more since HK dollars is a little higher that MOP.
  
• Venetian is such a big place, you need at least 1 whole day to visit it's every nook and cranny. However you can prioritize what you want to see. Maximize the available touch screen floor plans found at the lobby. There are also free maps for you to refer too.
• Gondola rides in the Venetian cost around 105MOP per head for adults and 60MOP for kids. It's cool, romantic with live singing from the boat drivers.
  
• Venetian is also in Taipa island so best to group your visits. (Example: Taipa island = Venetian. Macau island = St Paul Ruins, Macau Tower, Grand Lisboa, Fountains of Wynn etc)
  
• The area of Grand Lisboa and Wynn are best visited at night. The lights are amazing so day trips are suggested in Macau tower, the Museums, St. Paul Ruins and the shopping area.
• Cost of activities in Macau tower are: Bungee jump = 1700MOP Skywalk= 780MOP Entrance fee to enter the tower = 100MOP