Sunnysideup Perspectives: Goodbye to China (for now)

I’m back! My hubby and I left Mainland China last March 26 so here I am back in my hometown and back to blogging. My blog posts have been intermittent, well even nonexistent since the blocking of blogspot late last year.

In China I learned and observed much about their people, food and culture. There were times when I had to adjust and adapt to some of their ways but overall the experience was interesting and worthwhile. As a newlywed who decided to settle in a foreign land with a language I am not able to speak nor understand, my first few months were challenging. I initially felt like a fish on land, but looking back I will always value these moments because it made us closer as a couple. At the same time the relocation taught and reminded me of wifely values and traits like humility, adaptability, selflessness, openness and thankfulness. I am grateful to have had time to experience and focus on being a wife - a fulltime housewife - with lots of quiet and relaxed time on my hands. It actually felt like a 2 year summer vacation for me.

Anyway this entry marks my return to blogging and soon corporate life. There is so much to share having missed blogging for months. That said, expect that some of my upcoming posts will be about the experiences I had during the half of last year.

And so, let me end this article by enlisting the top 10 things I will be missing in China.

#10.Cooler Weather. Being back in my home country -one that is located in the equator, I definitely miss the fact that I don’t need airconditioning for months.
#9.Our rented apartment which became our home for a while, I just love everything about it - the glass windows, the view of the nearby mountain, the man-made waterfalls below us and the noisy frogs singing at night.
#8.Photo perfect places and things. I think I took thousands of photos during my stay here in China.
#7.My evening walks with hubby. It’s daily our time to bond and talk while exercising.
#6.Shitake Mushroom and KiatKiat Oranges. I just can’t enough of this.
#5. Their yummy steamed dumplings and meatballs which we usually buy at the grocery on weekends.
#4. Bread, Bread, Bread. I don’t know what it is with Madeli and Cai De Xuan but everytime we pass by these stores the smell is just so good. It’s like the Pied Piper hypnotizing the rats.
#3. Pasta by Papponi and Cheese cakes (especially the Japan Cheesecake and Cappucino Cheesecake) by Tiramisu.
#2. Our new friends and Catan playmates Victor, Janna and Jonette

and...

#1. Milk Tea/Nai Cha. My ultimate favorite drink. I’ve tried several brands from MTR, Comebuy, AH-2, EDO. Each one with it’s own distinct taste I’ve come to adore.

Remembering my Mom

Today, January 31, 1010, marks my mom's 10th death year anniversary and in my own little way I just want to remember and honor her memory. I want to thank her for everything - her unconditional love, unending support and numerous sacrifices. Wherever you are I just want you to know that I will always miss you. I miss the concern, the protective paranoia you had over me, the sweetness, the times you took care of me when I was sick, the times you spoiled me, the girl talks and advices. I know we disagreed and clashed sometimes and may have given you a hard time, but I listened -I always listened. There is no guide to being a perfect parent and I know that you did the best you could. Sometimes I wish you are still here to guide me but I know that you are now happy and enveloped in love and peace. I now that your purpose on earth is done: you've done your part, made your mark, and I thank God that you are my mom.

I love you Mommy!

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.

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: 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)

sunnysideup perspectives: I chose to be happy

I started this blog with a commitment to choose happiness. It is my decision to choose to see life positively even when things are not going well or when we don't get what we want. It's easier to choose to rant and be irritated, actually, but I choose otherwise. Once in a while I fail but I get up and try again. Everyday I try to look for reasons to smile and be thankful. I just think that we should live each day with gratitude for all the blessings we have - while we still have them.

In my quest to choose happiness I also carry a few to thoughts to help me, and before this year ends I'd like to share them with you. Maybe it can also help you . . . relax and choose to live with a smile.

1. The grass is always greener somewhere else.

We all know this but we always seem to forget it. There is so much wisdom in this phrase and we should always remember it. To me, it simply reminds me to be grateful and to avoid comparing. It is our nature as humans to always want something. It is good sometimes because it shows ambition and determination, the sad part is we never seem to be satisfied. We always want something else.

Once we acquire or achieve that thing or dream, we want the next big thing. It's a vicious cycle that we can control. Besides if we never decide to settle, we never will - and we may find ourselves constantly in search for something or for someone.


2. Life is not fair.

I remember reading this somewhere and it helped me. It carries truth that may be hard to swallow but its the truth. Life is NOT fair and no one ever said it is. Life is just a journey designed for us to enjoy and learn from. It is not a perfect journey and we should accept this truth. Let go and just enjoy the ride.

3. Be where you are.


We tend to think and worry about so many things that we forget to live today. We think about our next meal, our next career, our next event or activity. We do two or three things at once, and fail to enjoy that moment. A moment that once passed will never come again.

To be where I am is the hardest of all but it has the most impact. It reminds us to focus and give our best today, where we are and to whom we are with.

This would mean that we:

• listen and participate in our conversations
  
• chew and taste our meals
• enjoy our drives
  
• smell the flowers
  
• stop to smile and compliment somebody
• plus so much more!
  

Happy New Year everyone! Let's choose to be happy and enjoy life!

sunnysideup perspectives: When to say I love you

I'm not yet an expert on love and relationships, but I think my short life experience is good enough for me to share some thoughts on love particularly on the much used phrase 'I Love You'.

So how many times and when should one say it?
'I love you' is so overused and so anyone who plans on saying this must be very mindful of their timing. Personally it's not about saying it, it's more about meaning it. If you say it too much, it may lose its meaning. Not unless, of course, you really mean it and it shows in your eyes and actions.

Again, saying it often is not bad, as long as it's true.

How should we say it?
Say it properly. In my opinion, I think it should be said as 'I Love you' - plain an simple. That would be "Mahal kita" in Filipino, "Te Amo" in Spanish and so on. I prefer seeing it this way rather than the "luv yah, luvz ya" ways of today. Maybe it's just my age, afterall, I'm no longer a teener. Its just that it feels more real when said properly, and isn't that what matters.

A few more things.

#1 Treat it with reverence and reserve them for those who really mean something to you. Be careful not to use it as an expression or a catch-phrase.

#2 If you really love someone, say it. Don't be shy and take the risk! Don't lose the chance and opportunity that may never come again.

#3 As a last thought, I also think that our words should be supported by action. We should show and support our love with actions.

• For children:

Are we good children or do we give our parents a hard time?

• For parents:

Do our children feel our support and concern?
Do we support them the right way?

• For couples:

Do we respect our spouse/partner?
Do we compromise or do things that are appreciated by our spouse/partner?
Do we appreciate our partner/spouse enough?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That's it, my few thoughts on loving. How about you? Share you ideas and drop me a message.

sunnysideup tagged: the hubby tag

'Us' with Mr. Behringer. I met my husband during my employment in his company. :)

Can you remember the day you first met your hubby?
We met via email. We were in the same office but it was only during his first office email to me that I realized he existed. :)

When was that? (doesn’t have to be specific)
...That email was sent during my first week at the office.

Our first month together.

First impression.
Not my type. I was wrong to think this :)

Were you attracted to him?
Not yet. That time I was not looking and was busy with me and my career.

Were you friends before he became your bf?
Yes. During my stay in the company we had the same circle. I usually saw him after work for night outs or dinner with the group.

The day he proposed!

What was the sweetest thing he did for you?
As boyfriend and girlfriend, I have 2:
1. He sent surprises - a bouquet of big and beautiful flowers - to my office during my birthdays.
2. I was about to have one lonely and sad Christmas night, so he left his family and decided to spend it with me.

As a married couple:
Just last Sunday, I woke up late and opened my eyes to see a clean house and . . . a breakfast.

Our wedding day!

What are the things about him that you are thankful for?
1. I know that he is faithful to me.
2. When irrationally sad or irritable he tries to understand me.
3. He's a good guy!

I got this tag from Beth. Thanks sis! Now I'm sharing this tag to anyone who wants to share the love story!

*Now the rules are simple.
1. Foremost, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Pick your sweetest picture when you were still friends and post it on top of the questions and answers.
3. Another pic now that you are together post it after the questions.
4. Share to how many friends you like. Be sure to link them and send them a comment about the tag.
5. Enjoy doing it :D
6. Let your hubby read it too :D

Enjoy this tag 'cause I did! :D

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: 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 :)

Thank you series: Welcome to China Lot and Anna!

Last week two more colleagues of my hubby arrived. They will be in China for a month and just like us they were welcomed to China with a dinner in a hotpot restaurant and night out at Alex bar.

All Filipino group, except for CK (a German who's almost Filipino :) ).

We also accompanied them for a shopping day at the Sun Wen Xi road, it's shopping area also called walking street. I was so delighted, afterall, I miss being with women. I truly enjoyed the day with them, shopping is soo much more fun and the dinner talk was absolutely intense. :)

Thank you for the stories, I learned so much from you. Welcome to China girls!

Sunnysideup finds: C-string anyone?

I was supposed to blog about another topic, until I checked my email and read about a "new innovation" in the underwear industry. Just can't help it.

Girls do you think you're ready to wear this? As for me I think I can only wear this with tight pants, maybe when I'm at a gym or something but never as a swimsuit. I mean, I'd be fearful to relive the girls experience in the song - ' Itsy-Bitsy Yellow Polkadot Bikini'. It might be perfect though for tanning (in our garden).

Anyway for more information on C-string, here's their site.

Sunnysideup Perspectives: The essence of a woman

As I was doing the dishes, a thought occurred to me - when a lady becomes a wife she enters a new phase of womanhood; she will enter a commitment that entails more sacrifice and more selflessness. Life is no longer about oneself and ones ambition, but dreams and goals with a partner, for a family. Of course I don't mean that married life will only be full of misery or self neglect. That's simply not healthy and I don't think anyone would want to get married if this is how they view marriage.

There is a thin line between selflessness and low esteem. I don't actually believe that one should be a martyr and stick it through when your husband is a jerk who hurts or abuses you. What I mean is that we begin to see that life is not just about us or our next shopping splurge or the next position and raise we are targeting. I mean, our priorities change, and we begin to see that we are here to live for others - for our family, maybe even our community. Of course if a woman is lucky her submissiveness and efforts will be rewarded with a mans love, respect and care. I think I am one of the lucky ones to have been blessed with a good husband who takes on this role very seriously.

I don't mean to sound like a feminist nor do I intend to trivialize the sacrifices of a man. I mean, I do see and observe how my husband is adjusting to the different demands of married life. How he too is thinking more about our family instead of himself and how he has been learning to take on the role that his dad use to play. Afterall, he too will be a father in the future. He too will be Mr. Fix-it, the stay-in handyman, for everything from home furnishings to shoes. Aside from that he is tasked to be the head and protector of the home and more importantly a Dad :)

Coming back to my point about women, I think what actually makes the adjustment harder for women and girls now is the clash of modern and traditional ways. For us women born in modern times, we are trained and used to independence. As singles we are able to carry our own weight and achieve success. We have our own goals and are able to compete or cooperate with men within the corporate world. A woman is highly regarded when she has 'beauty and brains,' but once they marry they are expected to learn the value of submissiveness. At some point we live double lives. A woman may be the boss in the office but once she comes home she needs to be able to change hats - willing and able to take on a support role. Here's one more thing to think about: Women in Manila (might not be applicable in other cultures and countries) change their surnames once they get married. Personally I don't have an issue with this, just the hassle of going to every government agency or corporate entity, to change your name is sooo tedious. (e.g. Drivers License, ID, Social Security... ooh and even ones email address)

In 1994 Ms. Universe winner, Sushmita Sen, described the essence of a woman, she said "Just being a woman is God's gift. The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman." These words never meant as much to me and they do now. Being a woman is hard but now I see the blessing that comes with it.

I now also understand that being a housewife is not for everyone. Some are best suited as working moms, others for single-blessedness. My sister-in-law explained to me when I asked her about her decision to stop working and be a stay home mom. I am newly married and am not an expert on this. Some people may not agree with me but this is just my perspective - a reflection actually of what I've gone through this year.

Maybe it is safe to ask future brides and single ladies this, "Are you ready to live a life that is less about you and your dreams? Are you ready to lose and give a part of yourself to blend with your future partner?" If the answer is yes, then maybe you are indeed ready for the challenging yet fulfilling new journey called marriage.

To all my fellow newly weds, I wish you well and God bless! May our marriages be blessed to inspire, encourage and make a difference.