Sun Life's Sunshorts

Having a family is life-changing. Old news, I know. But life sure does take a 360-degree turn when reality hits you that you no longer fend just for yourself. You have a family to think about, whose future you want to secure. As much as we want to brush off the unthinkable, as mama bear and papa bear here, we cannot afford to do so. The most we can do is prepare. 

With life and pre-need insurance, we are somehow comforted by the fact that financial stability is covered in times of the "unthinkable."

Insurance plans and policies though, are usually intimidating. Choosing one is tough. Nowadays, there are more twists added to traditional plans which makes choosing even harder!

Sun Life on the other hand is taking a different angle. The insurance pioneer recently launched Sunshorts- five digital short films highlighting love, foresight, and a positive outlook in life.

Sunshorts kicked off with "1945," a Jun Reyes-directed film set in the 1940's. 

With Sunshorts, we better understand the value of long term preparedness. Watch out for the release of the next Sunshorts and know how life can even be brighter at www.experiencethesun.com.ph.


While you're at it, get a chance to win a trip to San Francisco's Great America this September! Click here for details.

It's a Great Time to Get Kinected

We value our 'just us three' moments every weekend. It doesn't necessarily mean that we have to be out somewhere. Sometimes we just stay in. And when we do, we bask in activities that involve all three of us. No one is spared. From water color painting, to building blocks, to several rounds of Jenga, to watching  family-oriented movies and just last weekend-- to getting Kinected!

It's only recently that Mischka appreciated Kinect. Before she was content with just watching her Dad play his Xbox. Now that she's more agile, she joins in the fun! We may have to move the whole Xbox enterprise to a room with less furniture as we foresee more Kinecting in the near future. 

I am sometimes bothered by the fact that Mischka is growing up surrounded by too much technology. I fear that such is hindering her from nurturing creativity the old fashion way. 

Technology however is inevitable. It is here to stay. And for that I am grateful. Thus, I have long learned that the key is to strike a good balance between the old and the new. She may play soccer on Kinect but we also take her to the field for a some kicks whenever we could. Both moments are special and bonding. 

Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party

The Invitation: Mexican Paper Doll designed by my good friend Pen, put together by me and my sister, Mariel.

 The Banner: Ikat fabric-covered paper plates with cut-out letters.

The Cake: A small topper with 25 delish cupcakes. The horse paper-mâché I have just lying around the house was put to good use, dressed up as a piñata.

 The hats and garlands I got from the market and the loot bags are from Ikat fabrics tied with cotton tape.

The Table Setting: The runner was from the same Ikat fabric, the place mat patterns were lovingly cut up by my cousin, Marinez, and the plates, goblets, spoons and forks I got for a song from an old department store in Bacolod. It would have been perfect if the chairs and tables were wooden but apparently those are nowhere to be found these days. 

The happy grandpa, my dad posing gamely with the chilis.

 A Eukalele, a pair of maracas, and the art corner. Some activities for the kids while waiting for everyone to arrive.

 Orange and strawberry flavored juices I got for Php 7 each (10 cents USD) were a big hit! The koala was out of theme but they were just too cute! Served ice cold using my mom's giant terracotta pot. The kids loved it as they can just reach out and serve themselves.

 The bar served margaritas and sangrias for the adults.

 Another big hit (for the adults) was the mustache set I got from the market (Divisoria, where else?)!

The homemade donkey piñata which the celebrant stuffed herself, was the highlight and the 'pin the tail on the donkey' was lots of fun!

 The celebrant who was very gracious all through out her party.

I am a sucker for homespun themed parties that DO NOT break the bank. And this one was just that and more. Everything you see here were handmade and all a labor of love. I am blessed with very resourceful and immensely creative family and friends.

All in all, the birthday girl and the guests had a whale of Mexican fun and at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Other details you might be interested in:

Cake and cupcakes by Joy Jochico (+639194041648) as recommended by CATwife Mia.
Music by Mexican Putumayo
Mischka's dress from Tarte Tatin
Ikat fabric at a bargain from Gaisano Dep't Store Bacolod
Plates and goblets from Lopue's Dep't Store Bacolod

And Just Like That.. She's Two

Two years ago today we were gifted with this little bundle of joy whom, little did we know, would rule our universe since then.

Happy birthday to the daughter of our dreams. You are loved beyond words.

It is an honor to watch the person you are becoming but please, please, not too fast.

Complete

The Mr. is back from a long, tiring business trip and we are once again complete. Le Misch and I woke up early yesterday to pick him up from the airport and he came bearing gifts. Little things he picked up from where he was the last 10 days. Sweet.

Some Spanish and Dutch Goodness.

Those little espadrilles are even cuter on the little girl's tiny feet and those 'Holland' shoes as she likes to call it has gone to dinner out last night and to the grocery this morning already. She refused to wear anything else! Uh-oh...

I couldn't get enough of the Filipinos chocolate snack and of course, the LOEWE! Thank you Mr. P. It feels so good to have you back.

31 and grateful

Every first day of the year I turn a year older.

New Year's eve for me is bittersweet. While I am eager and excited to bid adieu to the year that was and hopeful for a year anew, I am on the other hand a tad melancholic that I am indeed another year older.

This time around, I feel a little different. As I look back, I have a lot to be grateful for. The year that was, was nothing short of crazy. It was all about traveling, shuttling back and forth from Singapore to Manila, and then finally moving back. With a lot of major things happening in between.

Mischka had so many milestones, we have lost track already. I am just glad that she is always so eager to join the ride and the challenges her mama Mikka and dada Mitch decide to embark on. {Yes, she calls us endearingly with our first names.} We are beyond grateful to be blessed with such a trooper of a child, who also manages to be very sweet, loving, and extremely funny. Just with her alone, I have a lot to be grateful for. 

Not to mention my amazing hubby, my dear family {whom I sorely missed over the holidays,} and my friends who are almost like family.

Because of these characters and fixtures in my life, I don't mind being 31. It actually feels great being one.

Cheers to a fantastic 2010 and double cheers to a stellar 2011!

snaps from the weekend

Wining, dining, and reminiscing our (Italian) Lionels, (French) Nicolais and fond Luxasia days on a Friday night. A date day Saturday with the little girl and a blessed, wonderful baptism on Sunday.

The weekend that was.

 

How was yours?

snaps from the weekend

Laid-back is an understatement to define the kind of weekend we just had. Since the little girl is still under the weather, we pretty much just stayed in most of the time.

A fitting, the Ipad, and a whole lot of lounging. The lazy yet rejuvenating weekend that was.

A sneak peek at our main event this month. A dear friend is getting married at the hometown and we are giddy with excitement.

Hubby and I are amazed at how fast she learned how to navigate this new toy. Now she doesn't need our help. She knows exactly where to tap in and out of her apps. Amaaaazing.

I was able to catch up with my monthly reads. And when the baby boss puts down the gadget, I get to enjoy it too. How? I purchased 12 issues of Elle for $8 US!!! (Get them through Zinio.) Now, I can truly say I appreciate technology. 

snaps from the weekend

Now that we're back in Manila, my commitment to surround Mischka with all things beautiful and creative is challenged-- but strengthened.

I was asked a couple of times if I would still blog from here, I thought why not? Life might even be more interesting now that we're back..(wink, wink)

Catching up with good ole' friends, a baptism followed by a hearty lunch, adorning cookies, and a charming art show. Our first weekend at the old town is nothing short of eventful.

 At precious Julian's baptism.

Adorning cookies at Marta's (supposedly) with Emma (too bad she fell asleep when we got there). 'Til next time, Emma!

 It was nice to bump into old friends at the Yellow Door Gallery exhibit of Martin Honasan and Carlo Ongchangco's works.

Happy Tuesday you all!

Phuket Holiday

We can finally tick off Phuket from our long list of places to conquer.  Known to be a party island to sea and be scene, it was a good place to spend our last hurrah before we start another chapter of our mischmashed lives. Oh, but to party was not on the agenda. Quite difficult when you have a feisty toddler in tow. Instead, we made this holiday as spectacular as it can be- for me, for hubby, and for the little one.

An awesomely kid-friendly resort, a day around Krabi and Phi Phi islands, a night at insanely chic SALA, a horrifying-turned-amazing elephant ride, the piquant Thai fare and a whole lot of good fun -- the Phuket holiday that was. 

 Villa 1403 and Thai coffee

The lovely turquoise interiors at JW Marriot, breakfast at Siam Deli, and an early morning swim

Phi Phi Island, Phi Phi Ley, Maya Bay, and the liquid paradise known as the Andaman Sea

 Island Safari, a 45-min (yes 45!!!) elephant ride, baby elephants, and Nhom our mahout

(I was totally smitten with SALA Phuket that I feel it deserves an entry of it's own. Watch out for that!)

So if you ever find yourself in this divine island (and if you happen to have kids in tow), these are our must tries:

1. Stay at JW Marriott (whatever it is you may need for an ideal family vacation, they have it covered)
2. Thai coffee at Kopi de Phuket
3. Jim Thompson (Please don't leave the island without buying anything from here. There are a handful of outlets worth checking out at Canal Village.)
4. Koh Phi Phi, Phi Phi Ley, and Maya Bay (you haven't seen Phuket if you haven't taken a dip where Leo Dicaprio did for The Beach 9 years ago)
5. Taste at Surin Beach
6. The Phuket sunset with a glass of mojito
7. Island Safari (you gotta ride these nellies, at least once in your life right?)

Now I'm not sure if I really want to tick Phuket off our places to conquer list as I am hoping we can find time to go back. 4 full days were not enough, I feel. I'm quite sure hubby and Le Misch feel the same way.

I have been awfully quiet of late due to the big move. But I'm slowly gaining momentum one entry at a time. Need to get my groove back this week! If I had a long list of to-dos in Singapore, my to-do's in manic Manila is even looonger.

So far, so good. Hope your Monday got off to a good start too!

Singapore

I never thought I'd feel this way about leaving this tiny red dot on the map.

Two years ago, we came here fresh off our Mediterranean honeymoon. A newly married couple excited and hopeful of a good life ahead of us in a foreign land. And with us was a bun in the oven a little over a month along the way. So was a bad case of morning sickness. Here I was extremely nauseated and uninspired in a place which I first thought lacked soul and patina.

For someone who finds inspiration even in the most mundane of things, finding none in such a place was strange and a tad bit depressing for me. But looking back, it probably wasn't the place. It was the uncomfortable pregnant phase I was in.

And then this little person came along. It took me Mischka to appreciate this place we called home for two years. It was through her eyes that I begin to realize how blessed we are to have such an opportunity. Singapore was our oyster, we made it rockefeller. So to speak.

Two years, 96 boxes, one 20 foot container later, we packed the treasures and trash we've accumulated to embark on another adventure.

Manila, please be good to us.

Singapore, we are not crossing you out on our map. Not just yet. As we might just be back. Two full years of charm, independence, priceless bonding, and great friends to keep forever -- we have you to thank for.

Here's a round up of our last days and the things we'll surely miss.

 Trying on mum's obi belt while everyone else was busy packing.

Ikea, of course.

Trying out some chairs.

Dinner at Nando's 

Le Misch with her inspector lola pose and her spanking new pink scooter!

Thank you Kara and Lucas!

The clean toilets and parents room, we wish we had these in Manila.

Looking for her bed, her sofa, her cow.. where art thou?

Camping out while we wait for our broker.

Even our plants are not so happy were leaving- and they're staying!

Cotton On Kids, of course!

At the airport.

First to board and found her seat by herself. 

We love SQ!

So farewell, SG! It has been two good years. Thank you.