AND SHE BANGS! SHE BANGS!

I last time I had bangs was in elementary and it wasn't a good memory. I was a chubby kid with a bid round face, didn't even know what I was thinking. Since then it has been etched in my mind that a full fringe is not for me. But I tried to disregard it. Two to three years ago (I know, not even that long), I stupidly cut my bangs. Just because. When I got in the office I was too conscious about it that I had to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes. When I asked my friend if it looks ugly, she just laughed at me so after that time, I really promised myself that I will never, ever have bangs again. 

But then as they say, promises are made to broken, right? I have been itching for a new look for my hair while keeping the length. The thought of having a full fringe crossed my mind but after having two failed and embarrassing attempts on it, I don't have the confidence to try again. My friend, Melissa, however, convinced me that it will look good on me. So off I went to a hair salon to have my haircut before I even change my mind. Spoke with the hair dresser and when she told me that the bangs will look good on me I said to myself 'This is it!'

And I am quite happy with the result. I've also received a lot of compliments on it so I guess the moral of the story is that if you want something, you may not get it right the first few tries but if you are determined to get it, make sure you are properly guided and you have the experts to help achieve it. 

It's early in the morning...

and I am writing a blog post... hurray!!!

It is 1:46 in the morning, to be exact. Tried sleeping but my mind just kept wandering and I ended up in front of the computer. I figured this is a good time to do a blog post because (1) I haven't had an update in the past days and (2) i find that i work better under a quieter environment.

Well look what we have here. I got this one shoulder top at Joe Fresh (I love that store) for under $5! Even though it's black, it's still perfect for the summer for me. I can either dress it up or down. 

Most of the time when I write a post I end up having a brain fart. I don't know what to say, what to share, what to write about. Maybe I am just not as gifted as some people when it comes to writing - but hey, does  getting a "Best in Journalism" award count? So yeah, I feel like I am too conscious on whether I am sharing too much already and I end up filtering a lot of things. The solution? Well I am not sure yet. Maybe I shouldn't over think, as I most of the time do. Like what I am doing now - just letting all the thoughts flow from my mind to my fingers typing every word. 

So yeah, back to summer. I am glad to be experiencing 30 degree weather these days. Reminds me a lot of the Philippines. You that it's warm but not that warm type of day? I love it. My husband, however, doesn't like the heat. I am still amazed at how he survived one month of heat in the Philippines. I guess that's what love can do. 

^^Hope I can sleep better after I write this. Goodnight!

To Bangs or Not to Bangs...

That is the question.

I had my first ever haircut in Canada yesterday after almost a year of not having any. Why you may ask? One is that being used to getting haircut as cheap as $1.5 to $15 (maximum) in the Philippines, I find myself hesitant to shell out $20 (cheapest) to pay for 'just' having my hair trimmed. Second, I planned on growing out my hair anyway. When I noticed the split ends on my hair, however, I decided that I needed that it's time. 

While at the salon, the girl asked me if I ever had my bangs cut before. I told her there was one time I did it myself and the result was not pleasant at all. I remember asking one of my colleagues "pangit ba?" (is it ugly?) and she just laughed which means it's that bad. I've also always thought, or at least that's what people have told me, that my face looks rounder with bangs on so I just veered away from it. I have to admit though that I've always been jealous of girls who rock thick full on bangs and I am just contented with imagining myself with it because deep in my heart, it's not for me. Anyway, the girl said that she thinks I would actually look good in it! She's the first ever to say that to me! Eveeeer! I just hid my smile and thanked her. 

Back in the house, I told my husband about the whole story and he said, he would still prefer me without bangs that he likes how my hair is right now.

Well, the question still remains - to have bangs or not to have bangs? 

Maybe sometime in the future, who knows, right? For now, however, I still prefer how my hair is. 

Trip to Freddy

To celebrate our first anniversary, my husband and I had a quick trip to Fredericton. He loves the city and I've never been there so I'm curious as to why. We booked a Victorian bed and breakfast, packed our bags and was blessed with an amazing weather. It's a smaller city than Moncton but I love the old city feel of it.

A year ago...

Oh wow! time flies! a lot of things have happened recently and I am so happy to share them. First off, my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary! I so thankful for all the blessing that we have received in the past year. A year ago we were discussing about the logistics of the wedding, if our financial situation would even allow my mom to go with me, our set up after the wedding, etc. I am the type of person who has to have a plan and a back-up plan and diving to something without any concrete plans was scary for me. However, we took it one step at a time and trusted that everything will be okay. My husband, on the other hand, has the hakuna matata mantra (which I love) and he taught me how to chill once in a while and that sometimes, you just have to let things go.

Our wedding day was simple and intimate but very fun! Everyone we know has their distinct memory of that day and that makes us happy. Being married with the love of your life is awesome. It's the getting to know you, play house stage. We definitely discovered some things about each other that we didn't know before and loved each other more as each day passes. Here's to love, happiness and laughter!

my life lately, according to phone pictures

here are some pictures of what i have been doing lately, aside from working. weather has been really nice this week with positive temperatures. 

 sushi with my friends and soon to be husband and wife, melissa and mike. melissa made some of the cutest cookies for my wedding. 

raspberry lemonade-vodka-sprite concoction

ramen with a gourmet twist. this stuff is so good although not really the best for your health (argh! why oh why?!)

St. Patty's Day drinks!

Decided to use our bread maker for the first time and bake some cookies. i love the bread! i will make my own bread from now on. 

Baby it's cold outside

this week has been VERY (times 10?) cold here and I am not exaggerating coming from a girl who has lived most of her life in a tropical country. my husband is complaining as well and that is something. this week the temperature decided to stay along -26 to -25 C so i dared not risk of getting frostbite except for a quick trip to the grocery or to joe fresh (i loooove joe fresh! but that's for another post i guess). needless to say, i don't have proper outfit posts to show here as i am mostly in my pjs and lounging around the house.  

oh the joys of staying at home!

Since we have a lot of time in our hand...

once my husband has found how to create wooden sprites, he couldn't wait to get started. after the pre-cut woods we ordered from Maine have arrived, we started working on them. I love the painting part while he loves putting the blocks together more. after a few nights, here's the result! i must say it feels so good to see it once it's done, there's some kind of fulfillment. since we don't have a decent sign outside our door, i decided to make one. thus, the dragonfly. 

one more day and it's Friday! hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Oh! 2012

you have been an awesome year.
i had some life-changing moments in 2012 and i couldn't be happier and thankful with everything that 2012 brought me. i got married, gained a new family and have been surrounded by very good people.
looking forward to 2013! in fact, jesse and i have written down things that we want to do in 2013 and we are excited.
here's to more happiness, love and awesome people!

Merry Christmas!

Greeting everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying the holidays as much as we do. My husband and I are in our jammies while getting stuffed with the yummy treats and prepping the gifts for the stockings (the tree is overflowing with gifts). 

This is our first Christmas as a married couple and we are loving every minute of it. I hope my mom can spend Christmas with us next year though. Anyway, it's just few hours before Christmas in this part of the globe... can't wait!

Snowfall

Proud to say that this is not my first time to see and enjoy snow. There is something so magical with snow falling, isn't it? 

I Love...

... the moon tonight while we were driving. seems like it's sleeping and comfortable up in the sky
... my nephews William and Zach, they are just adorable. yes, they are brats sometimes but how can I resist them when Zach flashes his smile at me and when Will hugs me tightly?
... this day. I had a wonderful day with my husband and although this is the first birthday that my mom and I are not together, I know for sure she'll be here soon
... sushi! my gosh, my husband and I can't get enough sushi
... or japanese foor for that matter
... ramen!!! you can give me ramen everyday, three times a week and I'm happy, seriously
... my new boots! I scored a pair of Frye boots for less than 1/4 of it's retail price (happy dance). They maybe 2 sizes big on me but a pair of thick socks and insoles and I'm good to go
... shoes. just as my husband loves games. I asked him to bring me to Winners this afternoon so I can just surround myself with shoes and just look at them. I know, weird but I'm happy just looking at them
... this guy

... yep, i love him a lot 

... toast with margarine and raspberry jam

... my awesome family and friends who remembered my birthday

... my mom for just being the best

My Biiiiiirthdaaaaay

Oh yeah, it's my birthday y'all! And I am grateful for everything, I would have to say I had an awesome year and I am looking forward for more great things to come! Here's an article that I saw from another blog (geez, I forgot to bookmark the blog but I'll try to look for it again, promise) that I find very apt to getting older and hopefully, getting wiser. It's a very good read and although you may have heard some of the things in there before, it's nice to be reminded of them again. See the article here

Wishlist

clockwise from topmost left: 

1. Frye Jane Tall Boots 

2. Frye Shirley OTK Boots

3. H&M x MMM black boots

4. Arson Flame Western boots

5. Hudson Etty Tie boots

6. Action Buckle Side boots

11.11

I remember when Jesse tells me to make a wish whenever 11:11 hits. I, would then close my eyes and think of what I wanted to happen. I asked him why 11:11 and he said, he doesn't know, just what was taught to him growing up.

November 11 is known to Canadians as Remembrance Day or the Poppy Day, when everyone remembers the men and women who fought and continually fight for Canada in times of war and peace. It is normal to see people wearing a red poppy on the left lapel or near the heart during this time or nearing November 11. It is my first time to witness a Remembrance Day ceremony and I find it really heartfelt. You see, the Philippines doesn't have Remembrance Day but there are a lot of holidays to celebrate specific heroes and historic events (i.e. Jose Rizal Day, EDSA 1, National Heroes Day) but I feel like it just became as 'one of those holidays' where people book an out of town trip. There maybe ceremonies held but it's for the government officials and even though it is broadcasted live on TV, I doubt that people are watching them. So yes, it is sad. I heard one foreigner commented that Filipinos forget easily and I am afraid, sad as it is, it is true. I hope Filipinos can learn to remember how freedom was achieved and learn to value and protect it.

I like that even though one day is allotted for their heroes, everyone is participating. We went there with the entire family including kids in tow. It's a very good way to teach the younger generations history and the value of freedom we are having now. Here are some pictures during the Remembrance Day Ceremony:

Frye me to the moon...

I am not sure if the title has something to do with my post but I just thought it sounds cool. Anyway, Frye boots have the reputation on being "the best boots you'll ever own in your entire life". They are made of the best leather and are made to last you a lifetime. I had my first pair of leather boots in 2008 (if I'm not mistaken), they were a size smaller than what I usually wear (I'm a size 9) but I squeezed my narrow feet in them thinking that since they are leather, they will expand through time. They actually did, although probably a few cms but even so, I get a lot of compliments whenever I wear them. 

I've always believed in buying investment pieces especially in shoes. Yes, they maybe expensive but I will get a lot of wear in them and will have them for a very long time. Hence, I tend to gravitate towards classic styles and leather materials. I guess that's too much introduction when all I want to say is that I want a pair of freakin' Frye boots! I particularly would like to have the Shirley OTK riding boots.

Don't they look awesome?! The problem is, they way out of my mini budget. But a girl can dream, right? One day, I will own you girls! (I hope they are not phased out by that time though..hehe) 

P.S. If the pictures are too small, try this site.

Etsy or Regretsy?

Remember the last time I told you how I love Etsy? Well, right now, I don't know if I feel the same way. I had a bad experience with one seller when I had to cancel my purchase. Take note that the items has NOT been shipped yet. I have been very understanding of the seller's situation since they have been affected by the  recent storm. However, I really had to cancel because I will not be needing it anymore and the item has not been shipped yet. Aside from a nasty response,(which the seller has apologized already, that's good), the purchase has not been cancelled and no refund has been issued. I asked other folks in Etsy about it, especially when I saw the item relisted in the seller's store. They said the seller has no obligation to cancel or issue a refund, which I completely don't understand. I mean if the item has been shipped and all then of course I would not have cancelled it but NO shipping ever occurred yet. Can I at least get a refund, since the item is still with the seller? 

Anyway, I am giving it until this week since the seller is in NY and probably still recovering. Hopefully I get my refund in time. 

Please note that I am NOT generalizing all sellers in Etsy. In fact, the first seller who I transacted with is a lovely person, very fast in responding even if she has another full-time work. I haven't received my item yet from her but I know it's on the way. 

Etsy Love

I want to share a new discovery of mine (okay, I maybe the last person who discovered this but better late than never)  - ETSY! I can't believe I discovered it's awesomeness just now, well yesterday to be exact. I've heard about it before and probably have visited the site once but didn't give it much attention. But everything changed when I explored the site. You know that feeling you get when you go in a place and tell yourself, "how come I've never been here before?" Uh-huh, that's how it is. 

I've been looking for the perfect tall flat boots and I find eBay frustrating (I'm not patient with the bids) and I found them there. I love the layout of the website, the sellers are very nice and I love the fact that you can find a lot of good stuff in there. I actually think that it's cheaper than eBay. So therefore, I conclude, I love Etsy.

Moms are the best

My mother in law is the best and the coolest. I treat her as my own mom especially while my mom is still back in the Philippines. She spent the last weekend in our apartment - our first ever guest to sleep over (!) and I tell you it was such a fun weekend! Dad and her always treat us whenever they are around and we are very thankful for that. Jesse and I have planned that once we are more financially capable, we'll be able to give back to them and surprise them with something. :)

So, going back to our fun weekend, after a visit to the farmers market in the morning and had lunch at Pink Sushi (oh yeah, we love sushi). Mom and I went thrift shopping after and scored a lot of nice stuff! I got a J crew and Old navy sweaters and a couple of band shirts and these awesome belts! I'll have an outfit post of them next time. 

We were in awe of this vegetable but not sure what it is. Thanks to our friend Corina, they are called romanesco broccoli, a type of cauliflower. they're cute, huh?

SUSHI!!!!! 

 Mom is not a fan of raw food so she got herself the yam roll. They're yummy!

Jesse's family LOVES games (that's probably why he's obsessed with them too). They've got a closet-full of board games and a gazillion computer games around the house. Mom bought us another game called Farkle Frenzy, which we played after dinner and was so much fun. Whenever there's a new game, we immediately give it to Jesse to read the instructions and we let him explain it to us after. 

The following day consists of walking, going to Costco (where Mom and I said we won't buy too much but ended up having a lot of items in our cart) and going around the mall. Having her was so much fun! Thanks mom and we love you very much!

Mom in her successful attempt to use the chopsticks and holding the roll for 2 secs. 

Cultural Difference

In the Philippines it is very normal to give some of your food to your neighbors especially when you are new in the neighborhood. My mom always shares whatever she cooks for the day to neighbors and the neighbors would do the same. It's a natural thing for Filipinos and it's considered rude to decline. It doesn't matter whether you've eaten or not. What we do is we transfer the food to our own container, return the container/ bowl/ plate to the owner and happily thank them for the 'gift'...

Now, imagine my shock when I went to the old lady in Apt 8 and offered her a bowl of steaming pansit (stir-fried noodles), as my attempt to be friendly, only to be declined saying she already had supper. That's the first time that has ever happened to me...ever... Jesse said, it's not usually done here. Yeah, I get it but still, isn't it a bit rude? Oh well, as the title says - cultural difference. :)