Barrio Girl in the Big City

Tokyo Rush

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 11:22:00 +0000

Whew! Three years had gone by since my last post.

I've always loved jotting down my thoughts, my experiences, my new experiences. But life has taken over that I didn't have time to actually sit down and organize anything.

One of the things I love to do is travel. It is a shared love with my husband and five year old daughter. We started traveling abroad with her on her fourth birthday. And she has caught on the travel bug. Since then she's gone to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Third time's the charm. On her fifth birthday, we went to Tokyo for her to appreciate our love for this beautiful country. It's our third time in Japan so we were pretty much confident that we can navigate its complex train network easily.

We went in November, the tail end of fall season. It was practically raining everyday we were there. So there were days we stayed indoor (malls, mostly) because it's hard to walk around pushing a stroller and getting on-and-off subway stations that do not have elevators. Yes, most subway stations do not have an elevator especially the older lines.

I am your DIY traveler. I like the challenge of researching and putting together an itinerary with the end in mind: enjoy the city for its culture, food and experiences. But I am not the kind that wants to put everything touristy in one trip. In theory, it can be done. But you will be there to take a photo and then off to your next destination. To me, it's not enough.

I like to explore and people-watch. That is why I spend on a minimum half-a-day in one destination. In some instances, museum visits are a one day affair.

Fellow members of DIY Travel on Facebook asked for a sample itinerary. So I thought about the best way to make it available.

Tokyo Itinerary

Sharing some photos from this trip.

Our boutique hotel. Shinjuku Knot Tokyo Hotel

Places of intertest include Mt Fuji, Starbucks Roastery, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Ginza for shopping, Shibuya for the scramble, Hachiko, Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo Tower, TeamLab. Tokyo Disneyland. We didn't go to Disney Sea, might include in our next trip.

Pro Tip:

Japan is a beautiful place to travel but it is one of the most expensive cities in the world. So might as well prepare.

In my experience, it is better to prepare at least a year before the date of travel. Here is the order of my preparation.

Buy ticket (it can be expensive so might as well get it out of the way. In this trip, fare was PHP15K per person).
Start researching your itinerary. See mine below for reference. If it's your first time the things you can do in Japan is overwhelming.
Research your hotel, hostel, airbnb. On this trip, we stayed at Shinjuku.
Apply for your visa. Gather all your documents. And submit to an accredited agency. In the Philippines, there are only three. And my favorite is Discovery Tour (Salcedo Village, Makati) cos it takes only about 3 days for your visa to be released. And it is the cheapest at PHP850 only. Note: You need to ask for a different form if you want to apply for a multiple-entry visa.
Research how will you travel to your hotel from the airport. There are several options: bus limousine (this is like P2P), airport express train, taxi, and Uber. We took Uber because we arrived midnight. Fare: PHP5K. Bus Limo could be about PHP1k/pax.
Buy your train pass. I like using Pasmo as it gets anywhere and in all train lines unlike the JR Pass. Also, you can use it to pay for taxi, food, even your coffee.
Install Maps or Google Map on your phone. Navigation can be a pain but with a digital map, it'd be easier.
Withdraw money at any ATM terminals. I discovered that I don't lose as much money in the forex when I go straight exchange. Service fee is only 3% or PHP150 per transaction.

And this I hope is the beginning of my reviving my blog. So many trips I have to share yet.

Thanks for dropping by. Do let me know in the comments if you want to see more travel itineraries you can reference to, some tips and other things that might be interesting especially for a first-time traveler to a particular country.

Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:54:00 +0000

I have been away for a whole nine months! Whew! By now, I should have given birth to a baby. :)

In a way, I did -- I have re-discovered my love for growing things. I am now a quasi serious container gardener, propagating succulents, growing tomatoes. And even started becoming an entrepreneur.

Green pepper grown from discarded seeds from my kitchen.

Can you believe I actually had lemonade from freshly picked fruits right out of my garden?

I had so many things I wanted to write about. Memories and experiences that made my motherhood journey enriching. My darling little rascal Kate is more than a handful. She's now in a stage when anything that fascinates her merit the level of excitement only a child would have. She reminds me to retain that childlike wonder so often gets buried in our jaded adult life.

She loves airplanes flying over our roof. She'd be giddy with excitement waving at them from our tiny balcony. She loves to "swim" so every weekend we trek to the village pool and she would wade and do jumps with me.

Kate at 22 months! Trying to assert her independence and scaring the wits out of me.

I also live by those teaching moments when she would remember to say her magic words -- please, thank yous, and sorry. Sometimes it's very tempting to just brush off the offense. She was too cute, anyway. But I hold my ground, most often than not. I make her realize that what she did is wrong. Many times, I get rewarded with a fierce hug and an quite "sorry, mommy."

And work life that I juggled (and continue to juggle) while not missing out on the milestones of my kid. In the months that have passed however, living the experiences took center stage. I enjoyed the sleepless nights, the early mornings, frantic work deliverables and the little everyday nothings that filled my day.

Every now and then, though, I would think about going back to this personal space. By nature, I love to share. And perhaps, anyone who would happen to drop by will pick-up something even if it's just a hint of a smile on the things that make to the pages of this journal.

I went through a long hiatus. Makes me nostalgic and dreamy. And hopeful of the many wonderful things I claim to unfold.

I promised myself to share more. Sit down more. Write more.

Cheers, 2016!

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 17:17:00 +0000

I have not written in a long time. Sad. The desire to write again seems so daunting now. And difficult. So, here I am trying to organize my thoughts. Perhaps, I will begin with a story.

Incredible things happened the last year. Work-wise, I dove into another world. It was exhilirating. I learned an entirely different skill set which strengthened my resolve to continue to explore and never be boxed in.

On the personal front, we celebrated a milestone for my little darling rascal Kate. She turned a year old towards the end of the year. It was a simple gathering of good friends sharing a sumptous meal and fun entertainment.

On one hand, 2015 also saw me losing some. I tend to keep a small circle of friends. And the friendships that I have kept over the years have spanned decades. I can only the count the rare few that have drifted away. Yet, last year saw me falling out with an entire group. Just like any relationship gone sour, this one didn't have closure (on my part, at least).

Initially, I was oblivious to it. Seemed like I went through the seven stages of grief. Ha ha ha. Disbelief, denial, guilt... all the way to acceptance. A wise friend once told me that in this life, "you win some, you lose some."

What have I realized? Superficial friendships do not survive even the slightest tremor. Real friendships do not withstood time by just counting off the months and years that roll by. The ones who are true stand by you at your weakest and most trying times. Mature friendships do not sneak around and abandon you.

Life happens though. The rainbow after my little storm is the winnowing of the chaff. The gems most often than not get buried way too deep. Experiences like it unearthed the ones worth keeping, and the ones you have to discard.

Life is too precious to be filled with toxicity and negativity. Onward to a life carefully cultivated and nurtured.

Now that 2016 has rolled by, I made a commitment to myself to integrate work as well as my life outside of it.

I commit to invest more time with my little one. Savor each moment as she's literally growing before my eyes. Each day, she's increasingly becoming independent. I hope to keep her within my grasp, needing me.

I commit to take vacations and dates with my husband. Work and home life can be exhausting and consuming. But we have to take time -- to renew, to reconnect, to realign our hopes and dreams. A little romance now and then to keep the fire burning.

I commit to build a home that encourages learning and loving unconditionally. I hope to create an environment where love is best shown in the gestures and expressions to the people around us.

I commit to nurture my container garden. Build with my hands. Grow my own pocket of greenery in our tiny balcony. Learn to grow tomatoes, pepper and herbs. I don't have to be the barefoot contessa to whip up a meal straight from my mini-garden, right?

I commit to read books to keep the mind sharp and fertile. Never stop learning and growing.

I commit to save more. Spend less. Be mindful of habits. Stay within budget.

I commit to be a better person, friend, daughter, mother and wife.

Here's to 2016 with its bright promises and amazing things to unfold.

Cheers!

Sheng

Johnnie Walker and Romi Garduce

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:12:00 +0000

Last Friday, September 18, we saw ourselves braving the drizzle to attend the Johnnie Walker launch of it's newest campaign, Joy Will Take You Further. I usually don't get invited to this kind of events. But hey, we got a VIP invite from the man of the hour -- Romi Garduce.

Romi happens to be one of the eight or so global ambassadors for Johnnie Walker. He's in league with Jude Law. Ha ha ha. Now, did I mention that Romi's penchant for going after his dream to see the world did not just end with his being able to successfully climbed Mt Everest? Yes, he has seen the world from all the seven summits of the world! Few people can ever claim that.

Friday night was the launch of its new TV ad and campaign. It's exciting. It's exhilirating. Just like Johnnie Walker.

Watch out for timeline 00:22. Makes you proud a Filipino made it to the roster of these elite group of achievers.

Am not a whiskey fan. But I tremendously enjoyed my cocktails that night. It's smooth and suave. Even the one with just ice on it. Whatever you call it.

Mixed with joy.

What I particularly liked about this night is that I saw some friends. And met new acquaintances who shared their perspective in life, much different than mine. Oh, how interesting.

So, yeah, next time I get invited, I'd probably not think twice anymore.

Get your own taste of Johnnie Walker with its wide-array of labels-- red, blue, black, gold, double black. Name it.

Cheers! Keep Walking.

Xx

Sheng

Kate's Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 11:41:00 +0000

My mother took care of Kate the moment she came out of my womb. She helped me during those difficult nights when the baby is incessantly crying in the wee hours of the morning and I didn't know how to comfort her. She'd wake up and take charge.

We knew that she wouldn't be Kate's primary caregiver for a long time. So, when she had to go home soon sometime in August, we organized Kate's dedication so she can be part of and witness it.

On August 9, we invited our close friends who would be Kate's Godparents to Greenhills Christian Fellowship for the very short and intimate ceremony.

She was too excited hours before the ceremony that she promptly slept on the ceremony itself.

Ninong ko si Max. For lack of imagination, we chose Max's Restaurant as our venue for the reception. It rained so hard we feared no one will show up. Yet, friends upon friends arrived bearing gifts and sunny smiles despite the gloomy weather.

We thank God for the blessing of excellent health, generous friends and for God's faithfulness in our lives.

Thank you to all of our family and friends who gave wonderful gifts -- of your time, of your resources. Even those who weren't able to make it, sent their love through gifts. We appreciate the thoughtful toys, clothes and cash gifts. The money you gave will go to her college fund! <3 <3 <3

In a sea of gifts. She didn't know where to begin.

Our little rascal, Sofia Katherine would like to express her gratefulness, for your love, gifts and prayers.

See you all on her first birthday.

Sheng

We Were Liars

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:40:00 +0000

Some people go to the spa to de-stress. I, on one hand, like to go in literature heaven.

My week was very exciting, interesting and crazy -- short of being a heart-attack inducing kind. We were running on adrenaline beating a deadline and we all went around the world looking for someone, a team, an individual who can resolve an issue for us. We've touched based with colleagues from all available time zones. It was heady. It was toxic.

But, oh boy, it felt good. We were on a high. I was thriving in it. But in between those moments is a trough... at this point, I need a good read to stabilize my world. Make everything upright again.

So, I selected from my iBooks shelf the book, We Were Liars by e. lockhart. I didn't know what to expect. It didn't look extraordinary but I started reading anyway.

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

The first few chapters made we wonder if it was worth pursuing. There was much rambling. I thought all along that it was just one of those young adult novels that glorify teenage angst.

Something though compelled me to turn the pages. Each page is painfully heartbreaking. Inner conflict must be the most troubling of all conflicts. And when you're young where and whom do you anchor?

It's a story of a privileged teenage girl who lost a memory of her entire summer. She comes from a family of old money and trust funds. Of relations that pin their future on the will from their patriarch's fortune.

She suffers from debilitating migraines and headaches while she strives hard to reconstruct the events leading to her ailment. But it's elusive. She has selective amnesia. She weaved through daily life occurences and memories. She grasps at shreds and snatches of conversations to understand what had happened to her and the family. What has happened that affected her entire extended family's existence.

The reveal in the end was not what I expected. I kept on thinking she's going to get better and be well. Instead, in the end I cried with her.

That summer in her desire to teach her family a lesson about how temporary possessions are; that in an instant it can be gone so your happiness and future should not be pinned on them. In a night of youthful brazeness, she and her cousins committed arson.

Tragically, it turned out fatal. The people they sought to punish for being materialistic lost more than the antiques, fine arts and collectibles. Young, promising lives were lost because of one single act -- the arrogance of the young, its devastating destructiveness.

And so I wept with Cadence.

Beautiful, beautiful story.

What was on your night table this week? Or at your reading corner?

Sheng

Container Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 08:57:00 +0000

The biggest downside to big city living is the lack of space. There is hardly a plot of land for any attempt to cultivate a garden, never mind the dream of a true pocket garden. Lately, I have been caught by the nesting bug.

I am always on the lookout for any greens that can be added to our tiny apartment to make it seem more livable. And to allow it to breathe. There are still a few more pieces I would like to plant but I think what I have now is a good start.

After much false starts, I actually did the the digging and re-potting of the plants we have at home.

A few weekends ago, I went to the hardware store to buy my gardening tools.

Then two weekends ago, we went to Sonya's Garden and saw these gorgeous herbs.

Tarragon and Mint. Plus, Kira's gifts: succulents.

Basil. And the castaway plants from a conference I attended. The aloe and that other plant I had since summer.

I live on the fourth floor so I usually line them up on the balcony floor to avoid any accidents especially when it's windy.

I patted myself for a job well done. I managed not to kill any of my potted friends yet. Then, my mom shared on what she had done with our left over vegetables. Curious we went to our laundry area. And these are the potted plants thriving there... which by any measure look better than mine.

Kangkong. We can harvest in a few weeks!

Ginger.

This plant is the healtiest among the potted ones I have.

I also have greens rooting in water placed either in vases or in used bottles.

This weekend made me realize that I can have my own potted vegetable garden for fresh ingredients to our home-cooked meals. Or just for garnishing on dishes.

A while ago, I planted cherry tomato seeds. Hopefully, I'll see some sprouts in the next few days. In my wish list are a grafted pine tree, a lemon tree, lettuce and potted hydrangeas.

So looking forward to the next long weekend to scour the city for plants and nice pots.

Do you wish to have your own pocket garden, too? What have you planted so far?

Sheng

Summer Reads

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:51:00 +0000

It's no secret that I love to read. I can spend hours and hours getting lost in a book. But life has dealt me a different card this year. Motherhood seem to require all of my energy and time to care for my beautiful baby.

For months I had been too lazy to read. Yet one day I found myself in the bookstore, grabbed some titles. I started reading again. And I downloaded dozens of titles on my iPad, too.

This summer, my reading list is as varied as the genre you can stumble into.

1. Love, Rosie by Cecilia Ahern

I have read some books of this Irish writer. And they were good. She's a contemporary writer who does not follow the usual romance formula. So I picked this book.

And I tell you, it's such a painful read. It's a story about a man and a woman who were best friends as kids, geographically separated in adolescense but kept the friendship despite the distance. Chapter after chapter, there is an undertone of mutual attraction, love, if you may call it, but a series of unfortunate events in each others life have prevented them from being together.

Decades later they have come to accept that there can be nothing more between them but friendships. However, in a twist of fate and in the twilight of their lives, the universe aligned.

The story closed with Rosie finally achieved her goal of being a hotelier by opening her own B&B. One night, she jogged down memory lane by reading her old letters. And the last one was of Alex, professing his love. It's a missive that was written years ago but did not reach Rosie until recently. As she pined for all those lost years, the bell rang. Waiting by the reception is the love of her life -- Alex.

It's a modern love story that reminds me Love in the time of cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I'm not saying the quality of writing is the same. But there were parallelism. The heart aches, the long stretches of time, the unrequited love, the loneliness, and the hope that springs eternal. And that love conquers all, in the end.

Tearjerker, I know.

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

If you liked Gone Girl, you will love this.

The protagonist Rachel is a flawed character -- alcoholic, loser.

Everyday, she makes up stories about a couple who lives across the tracks where her train to London would pass by. She paints a picture of them living a perfect life. A contradiction of her dire circumstances. At the onset you would think that she's just a wacko. Given the fact that she's a pretender -- commuting to a job she no longer has on a daily basis, sticking to a schedule she no longer need to keep, it seemed odd to be the focal point of this thriller.

You hate her character. You will despise her through and through. Rachel personifies the anti-thesis of woman empowerment. She's a goner.

But a string of event puts her in the middle of the life of the people who live across the tracks. A dead woman (the wife in the perfect couple) set the stage for the drama (more of it) on how the storyline progresses.

There were dragging points but it's mostly a page-turner. And a few scenes that take your breath away -- they scare you. But it's the kind that makes you want to prod on to find out what unfolds.

I love the resolution of the story. There is just the right amount of justice, intrigue and hope. The kind of recipe that keeps me interested with the other works of the author.

3. China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan.

This is the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians. It's chick lit. So, don't expect too much. But boy, this book is hilarious, sprinkled with intrigue. It makes you cringe at times. Better to read this after you're done with Crazy Rich Asians. You'll understand the characters' backstories more.

I know these were my summer reads but the rainy season brought back that usual longing to just curl up in bed, sip coffee and be entranced by the pages of your book of the week.

What's on your reading list? I still have The Rosie Project and This is How You Lose Her on my bookshelf.

This is How You Lose Her on my bookshelf.

Xx

Sheng

Letter to Kate

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:45:00 +0000

1 June 2015

My dearest Kate,

Happy sixth month, darling!

We celebrated your half-a-year ten days ago. In the flurry of things, we were only able to take your sixth month photo the next day.

I am writing to you because I want to start a tradition of putting in a journal my thoughts, my memories, my hopes and apprehensions concerning you. I would have opted to write in a paper journal but experience tells me that papers get lost, pages eaten by moths. And so I have decided to use this digital space as our memory keeper.

When you're old enough to read, perhaps the Internet has evolved then. And the Internet of Things has taken on a more 'tangible' meaning to the everyday life. But as I'm writing this, we only have a vague sense of what it will become. One thing for sure though, we know that there is a permanency in the worldwide web. Even if this letter gets deleted, erased, corrupted or purged, somehow if you look hard enough, you will stumble upon it at some point. Before I digress further, am ruminating on your sixth months in this world.

Exactly on your sixth month to the day, we parted for the first time. I was to attend a five day event for my work. I stayed in a hotel (Sofitel Philippine Plaza) in Manila, about 30 minutes away from our home then. It may seem not considerable but in our time the traffic was horrible and unpredictable, and the event-hours extend until late into the night. Hence, my decision to sleep away from you.

You have to know that this was the very first time that you and I weren't sleeping in the same bed. Saying goodbye at the lobby of our condo was hard; it felt like my heart was being ripped away from me. And there you were too innocent to know that Mama is not coming home for the next five days. You were only too happy to be outside -- because it's what you love to do. Your idea of fun is being outside the house -- in the hallways, pool area, lobby, wherever there are people you can socialize with.

At such a very young age, you like cheering up people especially the old ones. There is one grandpa who is smitten by you because you always light up whenever you see each other by the elevator area.

You smile, coo and laugh at other babies and their nannies. In return, you are rewarded with morning greetings of Hello, Kate! everytime, all the time. Oftentimes, I overhear neighbors inquiring about you when you're not outside yet by seven o'clock in the morning. My heart swells knowing how blessed I am that in my imperfections and shortcomings, God has blessed me with a happy child.

On the last day of my business conference, you fetched me with your dad and grandma. Your feet bounced and your widest grin greeted me. The first embrace we had squeezed my heart so hard I was afraid I would embarrass everyone by crying. I was too ecstatic, too overjoyed to see you, I almost forgot to kiss your dad in greeting.

It was short-lived though. You cried your heart out when the novelty of being held by me wore off. You frantically searched the hotel room for your other mama. You cried buckets. And your tears were so huge I gave up comforting you and surrendered you to the other woman in your life. I would have been jealous by your fierce and young love to her, if she's not my mother. I have never been so grateful in my life until that moment -- other working mothers do not have the same luxury I enjoy -- the care and love of a grandma of her apo (grand daughter).

It took a long while before you were comfortable again to be with me. We played around; gawked at the pretty surroundings, the enchanting Manila bay and the charm of the resort.

When it was time to go home, I held you in my arms. The movement of the car lulled you to sleep while I try to imprint in my mind the tightness of your hug around my neck as you lay your face on my shoulder. I feel like I'm the luckiest mother in the world!

Do you know that you like to eat everything around you including my limbs? Yes, you nibble at your stroller, the railing of your crib, my fingers, your toes, my toes... even my face when you're "nanggigil". One would think that we starve you. But then when fed, you play with your feeding bottle. You toss it around, bite the nipple, toss the bottle one more time before you would drink a few drops. Yes, you were a very playful baby.

We played to our heart's content at night. And even if my eyes were already drooping from sleepiness, a coo and a smile wake me up instantly. I realized that I will never be sleep deprived for long because you are growing too fast.

One day, you were so bald with only a few wisps of hair on your head. I don't see you for a week, and am struck by your seemingly full head that has grown almost overnight.

Your face looks different everyday. The tiny changes amaze me. I cannot trust my memory for in my mind you looked bigger, longer. Your dad must have snapped over a thousand photographs of you. One afternoon, I decided to walk down memory lane, and there you were so, so tiny. You looked so fragile. It made me wonder how was it possible no one managed to crush you.

I love calling you, my little kate. Even if you are bigger than the neighbors' babies who are older than you. I love telling you stories. I love singing my made up song for you, all the time.

I love waking up with you. You are the prettiest sight everyday. There are no Monday blues with you.

When I am itching to travel, I turn to my books so I can hop around the world without leaving you. Yes, one day, we will go on a world adventure together. We will scale mountains and skyscrapers, we will dive in the history of the world, and we will lounge in the grand vistas of nature's beautiful landscapes. We will catch the dancing of the lights, of the aurora borealis of the northern skies in Europe, see the geysers and visit the fjords. Admire the works of the masters and commune with nature.

For that I cannot wait for you to be a little bit grown up so that we can get started on a grand adventure. For now though, I will sleep and dream of beautiful places...

...to wake up with this stunning view. This, I wouldn't trade for the world. No matter the itch if you're not in it.

I love you, my little rascal.

Mom

Labor Day Weekend at Hamilo Coast in Pico de Loro

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:57:00 +0000

Living in a tropical country means there is no escaping the heat at summer time. The upside is summer means time to hit the beach. And that's what we did over the long weekend. So apt as coincidentally we went on a labor day weekend. Cheers to the working class!

Our destination is Hamilo Coast in Pico de Loro. It's a membership resort. But you have many options to stay there even if you're not a member -- one, book at the Hamilo Sands Hotel, two, rent a friend's condo unit for the duration of your stay, and three, stay in one of the condos through the property management office.

Photo Credit: Hamilo Coast website

Traveling these days for me is no longer just thinking about my wardrobe and packing for one. Being a mother now means packing stuff for the baby. The upside? The absolute joy you feel when your planning for your baby's outfits, shoot pegs and yeah, not forgetting her milk bottles, milk and diapers. And sleepwear.

After the overpacking, we managed to leave the house by 8 o'clock in the morning. We took the CAVITEX road going there. I must say the scenic road going to Nasugbu where Hamilo Coast is located, is already a treat in itself. I didn't know such a picturesque place existed. It reminded me of the rock formations and seemingly enchanted highways of Samar. I was in awe and in total disbelief that such a place is just a few hours away from Manila.

The coastal view of the coves is unparalleled. Breathtaking even. And the Kaybiang Tunnel seemed like a picture carved out from those in foreign countries -- it's modern and awesome.

Getting There

Getting to Pico de Loro is very straightforward. By car, you drive to Nasugbu via Cavitex. You get there in two hours or less depending on traffic in Ternate, Cavite.

At the gate of Hamilo Coast, you will be asked for your documents. If hotel guest, your confirmed reservation. If guest of a member, your authorization letter. Note, print the two forms that will be given to you as it will be asked also at the condominium reception desk. After you are registered, the staff will give you a paper bracelet which you need to wear all throughout your stay in the resort to gain access to the facilities. Otherwise, you will be refused entry.

Cost

You have to pay PHP 1,450 per guest entrance fee plus P1000 Hamilo Coast Guest Card worth P1000, it's consumable and reloadable. You need it because cash is not accepted inside the resort.

Included in the guest fee is unlimited access to its electric jeep which will take you to any and all of the amenities of the resort.

Rent on a one-bedroom unit starts from PHP6000 upwards per night during the peak season. The hotel rate can be as high as PHP9000 a night.

Photo Credit: Hamilo Coast website

Net net, it would be more practical to book in a hotel if there's just two adults in your group as the entrance fee is waived. The condo route is the best accommodation option if there are at least 6 in your party to maximize its cost.

Resort Amenities

There are several activities to enjoy -- kayaking, cove hopping, tennis, bowling and other indoor sports, biking, running and of course, swimming. There are restaurants and bars, too when you're famished.

Pico de Loro beach is just okay. The water is not at par with the ones in Palawan. It's not aquamarine but it's clean. The sand along the beach front is not powdery white but it's clean. The beach front is short but it's not dotted with shops and stalls.

What it lacks in feature, it makes up for exclusivity.

We arrived on a labor day weekend and two weddings. Naturally, the place was crowded. And I was disheartened. I was so looking forward to peace and quiet. And having my baby enjoy the sand. But by the second and last day of our stay, the beach is almost deserted. We had it to ourselves for long stretches of time before a family or group of friends will settle in one of the beach lounges.

Experience

The three days we spent there gave us a glimpse of what truly resort-living means. We were so impressed that we went crazy for a while inquiring about membership, buying a unit and all that. It fizzles once you realize the impracticality of it unless you have a whole lot of disposable cash.

So we did what we could. We enjoyed the place. We savored the time that we were able to get away from the city and have a pleasant time with family. I'm particularly thankful that Tyrone and I were able to bring my mom, my aunt and my daughter there to have a shared experience, to bond, to create a beautiful memory as a family.

Would I go back? Yes, in a heartbeat. It's the next best thing to escape the crowd that does not require air travel or very long drive. Although, I know that there are still other places worth exploring in the Nasugbu-Calatagan-Anilao areas.

So, go ahead book your next weekend getaway in Pico de Loro.

The intention is to lounge, read a good book and doze off.

Here's the reality: watching over the sleepy babe. Or,

Feeding this always hungry baby.

And playing our SuperKate game.

Generally, I dipped in the water for a few minutes. And gawked at our little miss, most of the time.

When you're at Pico de Loro, do not forget to drop by the convenience store. It sells the tastiest pan de sal I've ever tasted. And we heard the banana loaf is a good one, too. It sells like hot cake.

Sheng

Mother's Day with Avon | I Want to Be #JustLikeMyMother

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 11 May 2015 02:19:00 +0000

A salute to the unsung heroes, unpaid professional, 24/7 available woman in our lives! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Don't forget to give your mom the gift of gratitude.

Sheng

Wednesday Hump Day

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Wed, 06 May 2015 05:59:00 +0000

Our days are not created equal. Some are smooth sailing. Others, bumpy. Like today; it's the Wednesday hump day, kind of day. It's the kind that makes the grind seems to require more effort than the rest of the days. But you know for a fact that when the going gets tough, it's just a matter of time, and the promise of great day will roll in.

Today, I am reminded not to dwell on the difficulty, on the challenge of hurdling an obstacle, but on getting some difficult tasks done.

When, it's that kind of day, don't overthink it. Know that it must come with the territory.

Do, find your happy place... in your head. And your surroundings.

Xx

Sheng

Summer Greens

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:44:00 +0000

I have been harping about starting my own pocket garden. I am no green thumb yet I have this overwhelming desire to have plants around my house so it can breathe. And with the kind of temperature we have right now, the thing that could beat the summer heat are summer greens. ha ha.

I also like to believe that it helps purify the air. And lessens our carbon footprint. The environment has taken so much beating from us earthlings that I am doing this little effort to provide a liveable place for the next generation. I wish my daughter to see how green the trees are, how lovely flowers are in bloom...

And so here is my first attempt. Baby steps.

I've had my first attempt a few years back. But then neglect and sporadic care led to the inevitable demise. Sad. But I promise to do better this time.

Now, my friend Kira, gave me two pretty cacti from The Green House Project which came with a care instruction. Sharing it here for those who share my absolute absence of a green thumb but nevertheless want to grow their own potted friends.

Succulents Care Instruction

Sunlight

Make sure to give them 4-6 hours of sunlight each day. The ideal time would be sunrise up to 10:30am and late afternoon from 4:00pm onwards.
You can place your succulents where there is a good source of light, e.g., by the window, on the porch, balcony, etc
On rainy days, you could place your succulents under a lamp with bright lights.

Watering

When watering your succulents, first check if the soil is completely dry. You can do this by inserting a wooden stick 4 inches deep or all the way down to the bottom of your pot. If the stick comes out dry then it's time to water.
The ideal amount of water should be 1/4 the size of your pot. Make sure not to water directly above the succulent. Water the soil around the plant.
Overwatering will kill your succulents!

Are you a newbie city gardener, too? Please share your stories.

Sheng

Taipei Diaries: Miniatures Museum of Taiwan

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:57:00 +0000

Not all who wander are lost. But not us. Over dark skies that loom to pour rain any moment, we were lost in the city of Taipei. This was Day 5 of our vacation. And by this time, we were already pretty confident in our commuting skills. After two station misses, I braved an inquiry with the local information office.

It seemed that looking for the Taipei Miniature Museum is going to be really interesting. We were getting contrasting directions and locations. And yes, train stops. We've walked blocks and blocks in the inner city streets looking for the museum but instead we saw art galleries, urban gardens and quaint cafes that are apparently the hangout of local yuppies.

Everyone was so helpful; it was overwhelming. Just when we thought we were at our destination already, we got back right to where our starting point was. It was crazy, tiring, and the hubby and I were already short on patience. I was ready to give up. But we collectively decided to give it one more try. So, we went back to the train station and double-checked the directional signages. That's the beauty of Taipei-- it's super tourist friendly. Tourist spots are marked and have directional signs for tourists to find them easily. Well, apparently except for the miniature museum. We just couldn't find it.

Tired and cranky, I gave one more push and asked a group of office girls if they've heard of the miniature museum. One of those I inquired from showed me the most beautiful smile in the world and told me that it's just one building away from where we were. Boy, was I relieved. ~~It better be worth it.~~

Well, what do we know, the signage is miniature, too! We were looking up at the skyscrapers looking for it when we should have looked down!

Its location? The basement.

The museum is tiny in comparison to the museums in Taipei. But the treasure you'll find here is just short of amazing. Here are some of our finds here.

The attention to details and the scale of the collection is awe-inspiring. My camera wasn't able to capture the beauty and elaborateness of each frame but being there, seeing everything was enough to compensate the street adventure we had to endure.

The experience left me breathless with each breathtaking frame we saw as we walked through the museum. Awesome. Just awesome.

The Miniautes Museum of Taiwan is the first museum to collect miniatures in Asia, gathering artworks from around the world.

The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan

Address: No. 96, Section 1, Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104 Phone: +886 2 2515 0583

For directions, click here.

Sheng

Taipei Diaries: Taipei Eats

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 12:32:00 +0000

A trip to Taipei is not complete without food. To me, it is a gastronomic heaven that is feast of the senses and your belly.

Here are my personal choices.

Din Tai Fung. Xiao Long Bao is almost synonymous to Din Tai Fung. This 1-Michelin Star restaurant originated in Taipei and is now all over Asia. Even heard it's coming very soon to Manila.

The open kitchen shows the assembly of its crew preparing with precision each piece of Xiao Long Bao. Very strict quality control-- everything is measured and weighed!

I am in awe of this restaurant because they take customer service very seriously. The wait staff who takes your order is not allowed to handle the food from the kitchen. Only the kitchen staff carries it and when s/he arrives at your table, the wait staff places each order with care.

Any time of the day, there is a long queue at Din Tai Fung. Interestingly even locals line up to eat here.

After being seated, the wait staff will provide this bag stand.

The xiao long bao is so good we were at Din Tai Fung almost everyday.

Apparently, there is a proper way of eating it.

These beans are super yum!

My all-time fave: chao fan

Next would be the night markets. First stop, Shilin Night Market. This is a crazy market place with underground food court. You will never go hungry here.

Smells like hell.

The famouse hot star that already found its way here in Manila.

We traveled in a winding coastal road to get to the Keelung Night Market. And it did not disappoint.

This is the kind of crows you have to brave to get inside the market.

And then there's a throwback to toilet humor. Definitely, not for the faint of heart.

by the entrance of Modern Toilet

Make sure you wash your hands-- here.

Dining set: tub for a table, toilet bowl for dining chair.

Food served on a miniature toilet.

Sip your soda from a urinal!

Bon Appetit!

Xx

Sheng

Taipei Diaries: The Sights

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:00:00 +0000

The sights in Taipei are a mix of the old and the new.

Day 1 was spent exploring Taipei 101, Taipei's most recognizable landmark. It resembles a giant beanstalk.

For a time, it was the tallest building in Asia. For now, it is the world's tallet green building. And before The Burj Dubai, its elevator system was the fastest in the world.

Damper: a 660 ton pendulum designed to make Taipei 101 withstand typhoon and earthquake.

Interesting art installation. Infinite Life is made from the elevator cables of Taipei 101.

And this commissioned LOVE installation.

The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial.

From the Chiang Kai Shik memorial, we feasted on the thousands of artifacts and art pieces at the National Palace Museum. It boasts of the largest selection of Chinese Imperial artifacts and artworks than mainland China.

A beautiful walkway by the National Museum.

And of course, the obligatory temple stop. Before the day ended, we visited Longshan Temple.

And the most happening place in Taipei is called Ximending.

Within the Ximending district is this famous Red House.

We ended our first day with a feast at Taipei's most famous night market, Shilin Night Market.

Taipei Diaries: What I love about Taipei

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:00:00 +0000

About this time last year, I was in Taipei for a long overdue honeymoon trip. Well, technically, just a regular trip because we've been to different destinations after the wedding. But we've planned, booked and designed our honeymoon itinerary to be in Taipei in 2012. But it wasn't meant to be; I got sick. And so we cancelled the trip.

The following year saw us travel to Korea in Autumn, and braved the scorching summer of Cambodia in 2014. And then, we re-designed our Taipei trip. You might call it a FOMO (fear of missing out) moment but we just couldn't let go of the idea of Taiwan.

So, we were all set to be in Taiwan in April, for seven glorious days. We wanted to hop on a high speed bulet train to the southern part of Taiwan to see the Sun Moon Lake and explore the Kenting Park.

But it turned out that two days before we flew, I discovered that I was six months pregnant! We were ecstatic, surprised and grateful. However, it meant adjusting our itinerary. Yet, despite the tweaking, we managed to see and experience the best of Taipei.

And so I spent the day looking at our pictures and thinking that one day we should visit again with our little Kate in tow.

What do I love about Taipei? Aside from its gastronomic offerings...So many things but what stands out is its ability to marry its cultural heritage with urbanization. The city is home to the largest technological parks in Asia yet trees abound; its forests almost have a creeping-in feel to the periphery of the city.

And don't get me started with its wide, tree-lined avenues.

They do vertical gardens so well.

Very commuter friendly, too. Going around the city is so easy, you just need a tap card called Easy Card (it uses NFC- near field communication) to pay for train & bus fares, coffee at Starbucks or anywhere else, etc.

The train system is similar to that used by the Japanese. It runs on time. Everything is connected. It's clean; well-ventillated. All coaches have bike racks. Elevators are to be used by the elderly, differently-abled and cyclists with their bikes.

Curious that food and drinks are a NO-NO inside the train station. Hefty fines are meted out to those who violate. And so it is clean and organized.

I love that it is bicycle friendly. It has a dedicated bike lane so wide you'd think it's for cars. And a bike you can rent using your tap card.

Visiting Taipei for the first time? Head to its Tourist Information Office. There's one at the World Trade Center adjacent to Taipei 101 to register and be given access to Public Wifi, for life! Every time you visit, you're instantly connected!

Next posts: the sights and food of Taipei.

Xx

Sheng

Going back to Bikram Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 11:07:00 +0000

Tonight, I picked up my yoga mat again and sweated it out at the Bikram Yoga Manila studio in Makati. It's been exactly a year today when I found out that I was six weeks pregnant. And it's been exactly one year ago that I did my last practice in my beginner's form in the hot room.

Yoga essentials: yoga mat, yoga towel, water bottle

Months before I found out the biggest surprise of our lives -- tadah! we're pregnant, I was actively doing yoga: once a day, seven days a week. In early 2014, I came back to the studio to improve my posture, sweat out the toxins and hoping against hope, to lose some unwanted inches. Perhaps, it too prepared my body for pregnancy. I was practicing the whole six weeks of my pregnancy because I didn't find out until the sixth week.

Night after night, I'd go home with aching muscles. There's nothing else much that I was capable of doing except to prepare my yoga clothes for the next day. The one benefit that I swore to be the best is being able to sleep soundly at night and wake up the next day renewed and refreshed.

In the weeks of my practice I've also noticed that my eating habits have been adjusted. I ate a controlled portion at lunch. No more snacking in between lunch and yoga practice or else, I'd pay for it inside the heated room. Dinner after yoga has been reduced to small portions of light meals because I feel like am still very full -- well, considering that I chug a liter of water before practice and another liter during the one hour and thirty minute practice...

After a year of no practice and practically leading a sedentary life, I decided to go back again. It has always been in my horizon that I'd go back after I gave birth... that I'd find a way to fit it in my schedule.

But the reality is -- the first time, the first instance of commitment is always the hardest to start. So what tipped the scale?

My 15 pounds (7 kilos) bundle of joy loves to be carried. She bounces her feet when we're heading out to the lobby, the pool area or even just at the hallway of our building. And boy, she loves it when we do bursts of sprints along the short length of our hallway. Her squeals of delight send me to mommy heaven. But I always end up breathless and panting after such a seemingly simple activity.

And so it dawned on me that I should do something. I may not be able to outsmart time but at least I can ease myself into delaying the setbacks of ageing.

Commiting to practice yoga and living an ~~active~~ (read: it's definition is relative ha ha) lifestyle will help prepare me for the days when my baby's idea of play time is running, climbing trees, scaling uphill grounds, and rolling in the hills.

It would be a bonus if along the way, I'd lose my pregnancy weight. So, here's to my 30-day challenge.

Namaste.

Sheng

Baby Book Library

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 03:54:00 +0000

When I was carrying yet my baby I already came across Internet articles about the value of reading to your child. Some studies have pointed out even to start while it is in the womb.

It didn't pose a challenge to me because 1) I love to read 2) I want my baby to be a voracious reader like me so we can share in the joys and wonders of the literary world. Up until I actually had my baby when the daily grind took over and I had procrastinated and procastinated. Here we are, four months later... my baby has not heard my storytelling voice yet.

When the pedia asked if we had started with reading yet, guilt was so raw I feel like I've shortchanged my baby's future. Our pedia cited a study which concluded that 100 days of continuous reading dramatically increases the baby's IQ level. It doesn't even matter what kind of reading material, as long as you are reading aloud.

Almost panicky, we went home with the intent of introducing Baby Kate to the written word.I literally have hundreds maybe even a thousand titles both in tactile paper back and hard bound, and of course e-books.

Out of desperation, and for the love of this classic, I read my Baby's first book -- The Little Prince.

Kate and her first book -- The Little Prince.

What have I realized? Reading aloud is not easy. It takes practice and patience to achieve an animated storytelling voice when reading the narrative, dialogue and different voices of the characters. And of course, pronouncing the words correctly add to the drama of book-reading to a child who may not know any better yet but whose future get impacted with what you feed her mind today. Tough job.

It's so different when you read it for your personal consumption. Surprisingly, there are a lot of new things I discovered reading aloud this book. It's one of my favorites. And I've read it a few times. But this experience is going to be different. Now, I get to share the highs and lows of human emotions, the hopes and dreams and the lessons that can be gleamed from a story, the story of the little prince, with my baby.

As we slowly build her Baby Book Library, my good friend Zarah bought Kate these exciting books.

If only my child gets influenced by her Tita Zarah in the reading department, I think we're set for life-- am going to have a book loving child.

The past nights, I've been reading to a four month old whose attention span is so erratic I sometimes wonder if it's worth the effort. So, I take comfort in the advice of moms before me who says that as long as they hear the spoken words, they retain something. And it helps in the brain's development. Ok. We read a chapter or two every night. Given the pace, we'll finish our first book in a month's time. Well, well, well. It's for the wee one.

Given the jolt we had last pedia visit, I am now on a mission to get a hold of the 25 Best Books of all time. See here.

At a glance, I should have in my bookshelf at least the following:

Pat the Bunny.

Goodnight Moon.

Peek-a-who?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Guess How Much I love You.

I posted on social media, my baby and mine's first book session. Lo and behold, I received so many comments and suggestions. The beauty of social networking-- like-minded people get to share experiences and best choices. Yay!

To mommies out there, care to share some tips and book titles?

Xx

Sheng

Wine Not?

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:14:00 +0000

I am very fortunate to work in a company that allows me to grow and gives a lot of breathing space to explore my professional interests. Last year saw me transition to a new job so many millenials could relate to-- digital.

Being new to the digital platform, we are still establishing our digital presence and voice in social media and the rest of the digital eco-system. I'm so glad to be part of the birthing process of drawing our digital blueprint. It is such an incredible opportunity.

Years back, I've had a vision of being at the forefront of this platform. I didn't know then how I would get to it. I only had a profound fascination and fixation with the digital world. I was so entrenched to it that I follow the tech trends, new platforms. More often than not, I catch myself to be an early adapter be it in Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Vine.

My digital journey traces its beginnings to my aching desire to find a platform that would host my ramblings and musings. I found myself in multiply, livejournal, wordpress and blogger. Since then, it has been an exciting discovery of the multi-faceted world of the world wide web.

Yesterday, we worked on our collaborative skills. We did a creative session, off-site. Our assignment was to do the Instagram shoot for our summer campaigns. It challenged our creativity and aesthetic tastes while still mindful of our audience and the stories we want to tell.

It was fun. It was therapeutic. It was tiring. But all's well that ends well. So, I thought of chronicling how our day went.

Beautifully laid out table.

Obligatory photo opp... too pretty a setup not to be documented.

And then, we actually worked. If I may say, it can be back breaking. We carried props, table tops, crouched low to level with a bonsai plant, follow the sun's movement for natural lighting, all in a day's work.

Outtake.

Jaypee, our "official" photographer took these Caught Gramming moments.

Four hours of work later that felt like play, we winded down with some wine and cheese.

We did a taste test of the just-introduced-to-the-market #bestopotato. Yum!

Wine and cheese progressed to early dinner. No one remembered to take photos. But I will attest to the dinner fare's yumminess factor -- 10/10.

Dinner turned into a hearty conversation of our digital life with a lot of laughs thrown in. Our gracious boss did not just host the venue.. we were stuffed to the brim, as well.

All in all, it was a wonderful way of disregarding #ShoesdayTuesday replacing it with #CaughtGramming day with the Channel Enablement team.

Until the next creative session!

Sheng

I, woman

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 10:18:00 +0000

March is International Women's Month.

Did you know that one in every three women is a victim of domestic violence? And it's not just all about physical abuse, it can be emotional and financial.

It's so prevalent that it can be a woman close to us, just afraid to speak out. In the society where we live in today, it's still almost taboo to talk about such things.

I'm fortunate to work for a company that advocates for the welfare of women. All year round, Avon supports its partner NGO, the Women's Crisis Center as the shelter for women who need a safe place to speak out about their situation.

March, being the International Women's Month is the designated season to raise fund and awareness. This year, Avon has partnered with popular actor Richard Yap.

If you care enough for the women in your life -- mother, sister, relative, friend, please help us continue support the cause by buying the Unisex Empowerment Bracelet.

You can buy the bracelet here. Or you may get in touch with me.

Xx

Sheng

Afternoon Tea Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 05:46:00 +0000

This is such a late post. But I want to commit it to memory. And be able to thank my good friends who went out of their way to give me a baby shower.

And so this was my third baby shower just a few days shy of my delivery date.

My colleagues and lunch buddies aren't big on surprises. So, they've made it known that they're arranging a baby shower for me. On the day of the event, they still managed to surprise. Good job, guys. And thank you. We will be forever grateful. In the near future, Kate will be able to read this -- she'll know how well she's loved by mommy's friends.

Kat, the game master.

Some of the gifts we received.

Thank you, guys!

I know this was super effort on your part. I am really, really grateful. One day, soon Kate will be very grateful to you, as well. Although, you have yet to fulfill your promises of teaching her to paint, play the piano, play the guitar, and what have you.

Xx

Sheng

Tickled Pink Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 05:13:00 +0000

To say that am floored is an understatement. Good thing I was able to contain my tear ducts, I didn't shed a tear when my Channel Enablement team mates surprised me with the most 'sosyal' Tickled Pink Baby Shower.

I'm so tickled pink that these super busy friends took the time to prepare for my very creative and fun baby shower. Ha ha ha. It helps when you're with the visual merchandising team, campaign energy people, my own group - the digital unit and everyone else that are not from our team but are my friends. Some didn't make it because of meetings galore! We missed you, Claire, Ms Mitzie, Zarah and Mars! I ate your cake and pizza.

The invite.

I'm so amazed that everyone involved did this under my nose; was so clueless! Everyone is so busy. And today of all days is a especially toxic day. Close of the campaign and preps for the incoming campaign -- story of our life in Avon.

The team, despite the toxic events of the day, managed to transform our former APAC Head's office into a tickled pink party venue.

details, details.

The set-up was so pretty. And the food was more than abundant.

Estrel's caramel cake.

Pizza overload... from S&R

I forgot to take a photo of the tub of ice cream and some of the chips. Needless to say, we went home stuffed.

Picture first before the game began.

Some games.

Then, the gift-giving.

Dear Baby Kate, Tita Mei's gift came with a lovely card.

Thanks for joining, Mirs! Wonderful surprise.

Thank you, team! So useful.

This post is three month's late but I just want to take a moment to thank my friends and colleagues who showered with gifts, laughter and good cheer. You are all very thoughtful and sweet.

Not in the picture: CAPE, Mars, and Kaye who needed to step out for meetings. And Jaypee who took the pictures. Ching and her boys -- thanks, Ching for the really pretty set.

Thank you, guys! Kate will grow up loved and grateful.

Xx

Sheng

Succulent obsession

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 10:35:00 +0000

During my maternity leave, I was obsessed with two things: my newborn and plants. I was constantly in dire need to be surrounded by plants. I was wistful. I was itching to start a pocket garden. If it can't be had, at least a teacup garden. Even if I don't have a green thumb.

Before the succulents, there were the terrariums.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

I've set my sights on some gorgeous planters I saw in Landmark. One of these days, I will really set aside some time to put some on my balcony and on the window sill of my tiny kitchen.

For now, these are my reality.

I have this plant for about two years already.

Soon, am going to have a small green space at home for that extra oomph with the added benefit of a cleaner air we breathe. And a tiny contribution to lessening my carbon footprint.

How about you?

Xx

Sheng

Virtual wet kisses from Sofia Katherine

noreply@blogger.com (barriogirlinthebigcity) — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 11:26:00 +0000

It's been exactly fourteen working days that I've been at work since I gave birth. But this afternoon, I realized with a jolt that 14 days is not too long yet it felt like I've been back for a long time already. I am on a catch up mode for 1Q deliverables.

The days are long. And my nights are shorter. Because of this adorable not-so-tiny baby girl, Sofia Katherine. Everyone calls her Kate. To me, she is Bébé.

Kate, 2 weeks old

Born November 23, 2014 at 12:46am.

weight: 7 lbs and 9 oz; height: 17 inches

When I saw my baby for the first time, it seemed like a floodgate has opened up and my heart just swelled with love. And everyday since then, I fall in love with her day by day. I can look at her for long periods without getting bored. Every tiny movement, quirks and manners get magnified. And that precious, precious smile just wipes away the fatigue from accumulated sleepless nights.

that one-eyed peek

that smile...

Day 1 at home. Her onesie is so much longer and bigger.

The first few weeks were a flurry of activities and constant worrying. I worry that she's not sleeping enough. I worry that she sleeps too much. I wake up in the middle of the night when she's not moving to listen for heart beat.

I get frustrated when she's fussy and I ran out of ideas to make her less stimulated. When the crying fits were at its peak, I entertained thoughts of wailing with her. Then, I'd laugh at the absurdity of my thoughts.

When you hug her and she sort of embraces you back, the world is right again.

Happy one month, Baby Kate!

Kate's first Christmas in her Santa dress.

Before we get any decent shot of her, we go through several frames of like these.

Time flies so fast.

Happy two months, Bébé!

Late night photo shoot. Just because she refuses to sleep. So, daddy whips his camera out.

Every day, we bond during her bath time. To me, bath time is a treasure trove of discoveries of new things she can do such as flutter her lids, show her mischievous grin and that fierce look she gives when she's annoyed.

Like a boss.

In the blink of an eye (seemingly), my baby has grown so big I sometimes wonder how I missed it. She's no longer the tiny baby girl that fits snugly in my chest and can be held in one hand. She's now 6 kilos and 27 inches long. Sigh.

Happy third month, Kate! (Read: She now knows that food isn't just what she has in her feeding bottle.)

I'm a girl interrupted. Every night, Kate wakes up and wants to play. She coos. And cries when no one gives her attention. So, I take it as an opportunity to tell her stories and ask her questions. And it never fails to crack me up when her 'responses' are apt to my inquiry.

Am torn between wanting to see her grow and wishing she stays to be an adorable little girl who generously gives me wet kisses all the time. And whose eyes light up when she sees her mama.

Oh, the joys of motherhood.

Sheng