Somnia et Vita

FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI 8 vs MINI 7S: Take a picture, it'll last longer.

2013-06-10T11:00:00.001+08:00

"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."
-The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

I guess that must be true because I've always wanted to have an Instax camera.
Thanks to the generous people of Fujifilm Philippines, I finally have one!

I know almost everyone has a digital camera nowadays and its so much easier to plug and upload photos than having your films developed and photos printed out. But that's what makes an Instax camera so special.. You can take hundreds of photos with your digicam but with an Instax, each photo you take is well thought out and cherished (mostly because it costs 35-40 Php/ 1.00 USD per photo hahaha!).

You might be wondering as to how different the Instax Mini 8 is from the Instax Mini 7s. My sister has the latter so I get to tell you about their differences. :D

Instax Mini 8

Instax Mini 7S

The Mini 8 has FIVE modes (Indoor, Cloudy, Fine, Clear and *Hi-Key). When you turn it on, the red light will automatically point to whichever mode is suitable according to your environment, and then you can choose to turn the lens to the suggested mode OR you can just use whichever mode you feel like using.
*The Hi-Key mode is used for when you want your photos to look a little bit brighter.

The Mini 7s has only FOUR modes (Indoor, Cloudy, Fine and Clear) and doesn't have the automatic setting that the Mini 8 has.

I noticed that the Mini 8 is a bit lighter than the Mini 7s. I figured that its because the 7s uses FOUR AA batteries, while the Mini 8 is slimmer and uses only TWO AA batteries.

As for the quality of photos, obviously, its not as clear as the ones taken with a digital camera and deciding which mode to use can get a bit tricky. But I think that once you've mastered the "art of taking Instax photos", that is-- knowing how far you're supposed to be from the subject and which setting to use, then you're all set!

Test shots using the Instax Mini 8.
Lesson learned: Move away (at least 2 feet) before taking your picture.

The only thing that makes me a wee bit sad about having an Instax is the price I have to pay to buy a new pack of film. The cheapest I've found online is 350 Php per pack and I'm still on the hunt for something a little more cheaper. I'm stingy, I know.. But that's because I love using this camera so much and I intend on taking tons of photos with it!!!

If you know anyone who sells film that's lower than 350, let me know!!! Hahahaha!

So I guess my planner, my wallet and most of all- my TRAVEL JOURNAL will be filled with Instax photos from now on.. Time to get trigger happy!!!!!

The Instax Mini 8 costs Php 4,100 and is now sold in YKL stores!

Available in White, Black, Pink, Blue and Yellow

With blogger friends during ~~my birthday~~ the Instax party
(Paul Chuapoco, Tin Iglesias, Sarah Tirona, Seph Cham & Trice Nagusara, Marj Sia, yours truly, Valerie Chua, Ana Gonzales and Dani Barretto)

Hope you have a great week and to the kids going back to school today, goodluck and always remember:
SCHOOL IS COOL!
Haha!

Bloggers United V @ SMX Convention Center

2013-06-05T21:31:00.002+08:00

I can still remember the very first time that we had a "bazaar" of some sort together.. We called it "Bloggers Closet" and it was held at my house here in Antipolo. Ever since that day, Pax, Ana and Melai planned to take it to the next level and rent a bigger place, look for sponsors and invite more bloggers to participate.. Then the rest was history.. I'm so proud of them for being able to accomplish all of this despite their demanding work schedule. I was still in the Philippines when the first installment of Bloggers United happened but I couldn't join or help out because I was too busy processing my papers (I was about to leave the country at the time). So I'm really happy that I got to FINALLY be a participating blogger in this event. :)

(*Click here to go back to my old entry about "Bloggers Closet")

Shared the booth with Impulse Co and Kookie Buhain

My kick-ass boothmate :)

I met a lot of new and old friends that day. One of them was Megann, who I've been "online friends" with for a couple of years now and of course, Seph- who I've known ever since his drag-racing days. Hahaha!

Megann, Niche, yours truly and Seph

First time to meet Steph in person! So puuurrrrtyyy!! ♥

Kookie and I with sexy Thysz ;)

I wasn't able to take a lot of photos that day because there was no time (and I had no energy) to take out my camera and go around to take photos of everything and everyone. :( Next BU, I'll be bringing my own photographer na! Haha!

But thanks to the girls who shared their photos with me!!

THANK YOU Rej for this cute gift!!

With Kat and Alex

With Sandra

I am embarrassed to admit that I forgot the names of these pretty ladies so if you're reading this, please do leave a comment so I can follow you on Twitter!

With Joicellene, one of my online giveaway winners :)

Like I said, I didn't have the chance to go around (or even eat) but I just HAD TO take a quick break so I can run to Marj Sia's booth and buy these..

I needed a new set of makeup brushes!

This is my second time to buy false lashes from Catwalk Cosmetics and they're my new favorite!! Who needs freaking Ardell (that costs 400-600 Php) when you can buy TEN pairs of lashes for only 380 Php!!

I love how these falsies have the "natural" look. You can use them during daytime without having to worry about looking like a drag queen. Haha!!

It was SO WORTH IT because guess what? I got all of those for only 900 Php!!! Thanks to the HUGE discount that Marj and Globe G-cash gave me!!

Again, BIG THANKS to everyone who dropped by to say Hello and to all the girls who bought from our booth!

All in all, my Bloggers United experience was stressful but also A LOT OF FUN! It was great meeting some of the bloggers that I only get to see in pictures and also some of the awesome people who visit my blog. ;)
I'm looking forward to BU6 already and I swear I'll be more prepared next time!! Haha!!

In Her Shoes x Bloggers United Giveaway (CLOSED)

2013-05-28T09:15:00.000+08:00

They say every ending comes a new beginning... My bag + BU passes giveaway just ended, which means it's time for a new one! :D

This time, I'll be picking TWO winners and each of them will get:

- a pair of flats (courtesy of In Her Shoes)

- and TWO Bloggers United passes!

The winners will get to choose whichever they want from the Brian Hazy Chevron design.

In Her Shoes is a new online store created by the same people behind the Impulse Co brand.

Add them up on Facebook and they will email you a discounted coupon that you can use during the Bloggers United Bazaar!

Brian Hazy Chevron flats

Impulse Co satchel + In Her Shoes maryjanes

How to join this giveaway:

1. ADD / LIKE us on Facebook

(In Her Shoes / Somnia et Vita / Bloggers United)

2. Tweet me and don't forget to add the BU5 official hashtag: #BU5

(ex. "@honeyandrade I want new shoes and free passes to @bloggers_united #BU5 )
3. Leave a comment on this blog entry with your full name, Twitter username and email address.

Don't forget to do all three steps! :D

This giveaway ends on Thursday (May 30, 2013) at 12 midnight.

Goodluck and looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend! :)

SUITEBLANCO arrives in Manila!

2013-05-27T22:59:00.001+08:00

Here are my favorites from their collection!

I loooove blazers ♥

My favorite outfits are the ones with the "so fresh, so clean" look! Haha!

Have you visited their store yet? I didn't get the chance to check out their stuff the last time I was at SM Aura because there were just too many people and I felt like I couldn't breathe! But I've heard from a lot of friends that Suiteblanco has really nice and affordable stuff! Can't wait to check them out this week!
:)

FOREVER 21 Launch at SM Aura

2013-05-25T20:16:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, I got to attend Forever 21's grand launch at the newly opened SM Aura in Taguig.

Joyce Pring hosting the event

My friends and I are grateful to have been given the chance to be seated at the front row and see the collection up close!

Love the sexy black heels!

My favorite outfit from the show

As soon as these girls stepped out, I immediately turned to my 16 year old sister because it reminded me of how she likes to dress up. :)

Wanderland-ish outfits! :P

After the show, we were ushered to the store and we got to check out two floors of Forever 21 heaven. :)

Blogger friends with Ms. Jane Kingsu-Cheng of Forever 21

(From left to right: Angel, Arnie, Ava, Sarah, Pax, Ana, Aie, yours truly, and Bestie)

Here are some of the few stuff that caught my eye..

Reminds me of Alexander Wang

I can't wait to come back and shop from their latest collection!

Sister Act ♥

Had dinner with friends after the event

Check out the new SM Aura this weekend and don't forget to drop by Forever 21! Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to get updates about their latest promos or discounts.
♥

Impulse Co x Bloggers United Giveaway (CLOSED)

2013-05-24T11:07:00.002+08:00

BU5 is just around the corner and I can't wait to see all my friends again! I still haven't seen some of my blogger friends since I left the country a couple of years ago so BU5 feels more like one big reunion than a bazaar. :D

I will be sharing my booth with Impulse Co and we would like to give away this red aztec bag to one lucky reader! Along with this bag, the winner will also be getting TWO tickets to BU5. :)

Can be used as a clutch or as a sling bag

How to join this giveaway:

- Follow us on Instagram

(@impulseco / @honeyandrade / @bloggersunitedph)

- Post the photo above on your Instagram account and tag us

(ex. "@honeyandrade I'd love to win free tickets to @bloggersunitedph + this aztec bag from @impulseco)

- Follow us on Twitter

(@ImpulseCo_ / @honeyandrade / @bloggers_united)

- Tweet the photo above and tag us

(ex. "@honeyandrade I'd love to win free tickets to @bloggers_united + this aztec bag from @ImpulseCo_)

Doing both (posting on Instagram & Twitter) will mean you'll have two entries to this giveaway/ more chances of winning. :)

Giveaway ends on Monday (May 27, 2013) at 12:00 midnight.

I'll be picking the winner via random.org and will announce the winner on Tuesday (May 28, 2013).

Goodluck and looking forward to seeing you on BU5! :)

The Plant Cafe Organic, San Francisco

2013-05-16T15:35:00.003+08:00

My cousin and I wanted to take a break from all the junk we've been eating ever since I arrived the States so we decided to try The Plant Cafe just right outside of Pier 3.

This salad is easily one of the best (and healthiest) I've ever tried so far.

Dino Kale Salad - $10.00
Dino kale, tomato, red quinoa, avocado, almonds, cucumber, lemon cumin vinaigrette

For the fattening, homemade version of this, click here. Hahaha!

Eggs Benedict - $15.00
English muffin, two poached eggs, turkey bacon, hollandaise, chives

Mango-Lime Chicken Panini - $11.00
Chili-lime marinade, fresh mango, avocado, aioli

Believe it or not, this was the first time I've ever been to a restaurant that serves all-organic food. Just in case you don't get what "organic food" is, it means that these food products were grown without the use of fertilizers, growth hormones, pesticides, etc. Some people believe that organic food tastes much better and has a much "superior quality" than those that were treated with chemicals.

Do you know of any restaurants here in Manila that serve all-organic food?

Anyway.. I know I said we were gonna take a break from all the junk but obviously, we couldn't resist a scoop of gelato. Too inviting.

Hope you're having a good week so far! Its Friday tomorrow! One more day till the weekend! PUSH!!!

The Exploratorium, San Francisco

2013-05-16T14:21:00.001+08:00

The Exploratorium- the museum of art, science and human perception

We passed by this place after we were done walking at the Golden Gate bridge. Didn't really have the chance to go inside the museum as we had only 20 minutes left before we had to drive back to San Jose and have dinner with relatives.

This place is just PERFECT for photo shoots In fact, we saw some couples having their pre-nup pictorials (I assume) on the day that we visited.

Definitely won't miss the chance to check out the museum when I visit SFO again..

Cheesecake Factory @ Grand Avenues

2013-05-09T23:25:00.000+08:00

I LOVE CHEESECAKE.
And I really thought that that was all they had at The Cheesecake Factory. Haha! I was in the States when they opened the very first branch in Kuwait so I didn't get to witness the loooong queue that went on during their first month.
So since I didn't get the chance to try it in the States either, my family decided to take me there a few weeks before we left for Manila.

I reeeeally loved the freshly baked brown bread that they serve while waiting for your order. I forgot to ask what its called but I think its something like wheat bread and it has a slight sweetness to it. I can't quite place the flavor but I swear to you, its pretty good!

Complimentary bread

Barbeque Ranch Chicken Salad
Avocado, Tomato, Grilled Corn, Black Beans, Cucumber and Romaine all tossed with barbeque ranch dressing. Topped with lots of crispy fried onion strings for crunch.

We asked for their best seller salad and this is what the server suggested that we order. Not an exaggeration but as soon as I got to taste it, I understood right away as to why its one of their best sellers. I can't wait to re-create this and do a homemade version!

The next two entrees are my brother's favorites.
My first bite of the Chicken Madeira was just HEAVENLY. I can say that this is one of the most flavorful dishes that I've had so far and I definitely recommend that you try this for yourself.

Chicken Madeira
Their most popular chicken dish! Sauteed chicken breast topped with fresh asparagus and melted mozzarella cheese. Covered with fresh mushroom madeira sauce and served with mashed potatoes.

I don't normally eat wasabi (I compare it to snorting toothpaste! LOL) but the wasabi mashed potatoes that comes with the steak is delish! The meat was tender and the entire dish was scrumptious!

Hibachi Steak
Certified angus hanger steak with shiitake mushrooms, onions, bean sprouts, wasabi mashed potatoes and tempura asparagus

We always order fettuccini for my 7-year-old nephew because its his favorite. We just asked them to replace the fettuccini pasta with macaroni so that its easier for him to eat. :)

Fettuccini Alfredo
Rich parmesan cream sauce with chicken

And of course, our favorite dessert from Cheesecake Factory. For me, the red velvet cheesecake is the best among all the cheesecakes from their selection. I could be biased because I loooove red velvet but feel free to go there and prove me wrong. Hehe!

Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake
Moist layers of red velvet cake and original Cheesecake covered with special Cheesecake Factory cream cheese frosting

I really enjoyed our dining experience at the Cheesecake Factory. The servers were very accommodating and most of all, their food was delectable. Can't wait till they open a branch here in the Philippines!

Ambiance: ★★★★★
Food: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★

Store visit: El Taller @ The Avenues

2013-02-22T13:24:00.000+08:00

My sister has been hooked on making bracelets lately so we decided to visit El Taller at the Souk part of Grand Avenues.

Work in progress

My Mom got this necklace for herself :)

It's been a while since the last time I visited stores like this and if you ask me, I still think Divisoria (in the Philippines) has a lot more cheaper stuff but hey, we don't have Divi here so... This is the next best thing I could find (so far) in K-town. ;) Love the fact that the staff are filipino and they're really friendly and helpful!
So if you're into designing your own accessories, don't forget to check out El Taller at the Avenues Mall. :)

Sakura Xpress (All-You-Can-Eat)

2013-02-17T14:13:00.000+08:00

This blog post is dedicated to my dearest siblings who constantly bugs the whole family to have dinner at Sakura.
I can't blame them.. I've been craving for this salad since last week!

Salmon, Crab and Avocado Salad - KD 4.200

This was during our first visit a few days ago when we were all craving for sushi. We gave their all-you-can-eat lunch a try which costs KD 12 per person. It was soooo totally worth it!!

Shake Sashimi (Salmon) - KD 4.500

Kani Furai (Crab) - KD 3.750

I like their tempura better compared to the one from Fusion. Sakura's tempura is a bit bigger and juicier. :)

Ebi Tempura (Prawn) - KD 4.900

Their Cappuccino Maki is TO DIE FOR!!!

Cappuccino Maki - KD 5.750
(Ebi tempura, avocado rice topped with ebi sushi and cappuccino sauce)

Salmon Maki Moriawase - KD 9.950
(6 pcs. Nigiri salmon, 6 pcs. Salmon maki, 6 pcs. Salmon sashimi)

Volcano Maki - KD 5.900
(Shrimp Tempura, spicy mayonnaise, avocado rice with tempura crisps, topped with crabsticks and cucumber with spicy sauce)

Mixed fried rice - KD 1.850

My parents' really loved this dish:

Salmon Teriyaki - KD 5.700

If I had to pick JUST ONE favorite off of their menu, it would definitely be their Cappuccino Maki. I highly recommend it so don't forget to order it if you ever pay them a visit! :D

My only complain about their service is when it took a while before we got our orders. If I remember correctly, we waited for almost half an hour just for the appetizer/ salad. But I have no complains about the quality/ taste of the food. :)

Sakura Xpress is located in Mahboula, opposite the Ghalia & Alia Towers.
Sakura Restaurant is located inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Farwaniya.
They have a weekend buffet (Friday and Saturday) available from 12nn to 4pm, and an
All-you-can-eat buffet on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 12mn.
(**This may have changed so just to be sure, please call them at 24742000)

Ambiance: ★★★
Food: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★

Makeup Check-up

2013-02-04T11:33:00.000+08:00

Its that time of the year again when I go and check all the makeup that I have and dispose everything that I shouldn't be using anymore. I have really sensitive skin and I break out pretty easily so its important that I do this every 3 to 6 months.
I was left with only a few items after that so I decided to go buy some new stuff as a post-birthday gift to myself. :D

MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo
Maybelline Lip liner in Red

Sometimes, I get a little confused as to when I'm supposed to throw out an "expired" makeup just because I've forgotten the date that I purchased/opened it. So this time around, I decided to put a label on all my makeup so I won't ever forget when to replace them. ;)

The three stars stands for the "3" in 2013. Haha!

I have been using The Body Shop lip and cheek stain for almost 8 years now. :)
By the way, I didn't like the Max Factor lip tint. It made my lips dry and the color wasn't long-lasting.

Click here to read about your makeup's shelf life.

How about you? When was the last time you did a makeup check-up?
:)

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

2012-12-22T13:39:00.000+08:00

Moved on to San Francisco after "resting" a little bit in L.A.
The first place that I chose to visit was of course, the magnificent Golden Gate bridge..

Don't look down...

THERE IS HOPE.

With little sistar!

I don't even know how to describe the feeling I had the first time I got to see (and walk through) the Golden Gate. There was something different about it.. Or maybe its just because of the documentary I watched about the number of people who committed suicide in this place. I thought about what they must have felt or what their last thoughts were before they jumped off.

Anyway, we parked the car at Vista Point and walked to the other end and back. I think it took us around 2 hours but that was because we took our time in taking photos and admiring the topless guys who were going for a jog. HAHA!

If we had anything like the Golden Gate, I'd be up early in the morning for a run too! Not blaming the government for my weight gain, but hey... just sayin'. :P

Layover in L.A.

2012-12-21T13:13:00.000+08:00

After Vegas, we headed to Los Angeles for a 3-day layover.
I'm going to be honest, I was a little disappointed because L.A. wasn't everything that I expected it to be. But to be fair, it might be because we didn't really have a lot of time to explore the place. We didn't even get to go to the famous Rodeo Drive! :-/

Olvera Street (Mexican marketplace)

This was the first time ever, that I had to use a local map to be able to go to the places I wanted to go to.

I had Zee with me when I was in Boston so I didn't really have a hard time.

No one needs a map in Vegas.

But L.A. was different because we didn't have any friends or relatives to show us around. We sometimes found ourselves lost and not knowing where to go next. Haha!

Union Station (Train station)

That explains the randomness of the photos in this entry. I was too busy trying to memorize the map and trying to remember which station to get on and which station to get off.

Outside Madame Tussauds, Hollywood

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Walk of Fame

Lil sis

My Momma and I

Look at that fog!

My Dad met up with some of his friends from college and they took us to this place called the Americana.

It was reall nice and it reminded me of Bonifacio High Street in Manila.

We were so exhausted from our stay in Vegas (which means we had a lot of fun!) that all we wanted to do in L.A. was stay at the hotel and rest our tired feet.

Hopefully, I'll get to visit L.A. again someday.
Have you been there already? Which places would you recommend for me to visit? :)

Las Vegas - Sin City

2012-12-20T20:59:00.000+08:00

Still with puffy eyes and a heavy heart, I arrived McCarran International Airport at around 10 in the morning. I really wasn't sure what to feel because I just left my heart in Boston and at the same time, I was about to meet up with my parents + sister + cousin who I haven't seen in years. Plus the fact that hey... I'm in freaking SIN CITY!!!

I didn't want to be a party pooper so when I got to the hotel, I tried my best to set aside the heartache that I was feeling and repeat the words "GO AND HAVE FUN" over and over and over again inside my head.

Indoor rainstorm at Planet Hollywood

Below are a few things that I will never forget about this trip...

We stayed in this hotel which was also said to be one of the first casinos in Vegas :)

Our room was pretty awesome-- we had a clear view of the Bellagio fountain and our bathroom had a TV mirror. I'm from a third world country so please don't judge me for finding that cool. Haha!

The view from our room!!

There is no "happy hour" in Las Vegas.

Every hour is happy hour for everyone!

Walking along the Strip and the casinos, you can really tell that people go there to let loose and have fun! Nobody cares if you seem like you've had too much to drink and you're laughing too loudly with your friends.. Nobody cares about how short your shorts are and whether you're insecure about it or not. LOL!

Most of all, no one is gonna judge you for drinking Jack Daniel's at 2 PM.... which is exactly what we did!

I will never forget the night that my cousin and I got so drunk and then decided to take a walk at 2AM along the Strip.. That's all the information that I can talk to you guys about because that's all I can remember... Basta ang alam ko lang, ang saya namin nun! Haha!!

Humilata ako sa kalye, sign yan na sobrang saya ko. Hahahaha!

We also got to ride the roller coaster that's on top of the New York-New York hotel and casino. Yup, you read that right-- A roller coaster on top of a building. I haven't been on any thrilling ride in a very long time so it took a while before my cousin could convince me to join her. I wanted to back out but she kept on telling me that "THIS IS VEGAS!!! PEOPLE DON'T COME HERE TO BE BORING OR K.J.!!!".

I guess the most important thing is that we all survived. Haha!

Also got to go clubbing but NO PICTURES because its true what they say that sometimes when you're having too much fun, you won't have time to stop and take a photo. Haha!

I will always remember the very first time I walked inside Caesars Palace.. The scent of fresh flowers at the lobby and the majestic sculptures were so fascinating.

The art of RIchard MacDonald presented by Cirque Du Soleil at the Bellagio Hotel

The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

Oh and we tried the famous 24-hour buffet wherein you can eat in all the buffets available in 5 different hotels, valid for 24 hours. The best one we've tried was the Bacchanal buffet at the Ceasars Palace. OMG THE FOOD WAS SO DAMN GOOD!!!!!

Passing by the Bellagio and watching the water dance to Luciano Pavarotti's Rondine Al Nido was like a dream.. Those were one of the moments when I really thanked God for giving me a chance to see and experience new things..

But still.. I kept imagining how everything would've been twice the fun if Zee was there with us..

Not complaining though.. Still very thankful for the 5 nights we spent in Vegas.

Looking forward to visiting again.. :)

Our next stop was Los Angeles! Will blog about it soon..
♥

NYPL / Bryant Park / Statue of Liberty - Manhattan, NYC

2012-12-18T18:17:00.000+08:00

I would've loved to go inside New York's Public Library but unfortunately, it was closed when we were there (closed during weekends). The NYPL houses MILLIONS of books and is the second largest library in the U.S.A.

New York Public Library

I could spend the entire day inside this place.

Photo Source: Wikipedia

I may have missed the chance to see what its like to be inside the NYPL but guess who I saw right outside of it...
My first ever Hollywood celebrity sighting!!

Stalker pics of Chris Colfer and Lea Michele

They were shooting a film at the time and the director was telling everyone to walk "normally" (aka do not
spazz or stare at the cast) so I really couldn't stay longer even if I wanted to.

Right behind the NYPL is the entrance to Bryant Park.

What I love about this park-- fresh air, beautiful surrounding, and free wi-fi!! HAHA!!

Lots of booths within the park where you can buy stuff like accessories, organic stuff, trinkets, etc.

I sorta fell in love with the trees and imagined how perfect it would be if you could hang lanterns and have a wedding ceremony there. Hmmm. :P

After Bryant Park, we hopped on the Circle Line boat cruise that sails down to the Hudson river and takes you to Liberty Island.

Here are some of the things I picked up from the tour..
There are three bridges in New York, namely the Brooklyn bridge, Manhattan bridge and Williamsburg bridge ("BMW"-- so its easier to remember).

Brooklyn bridge- the oldest suspension bridge in the USA and one of the longest bridges in the world.

NYC consists of 5 "boroughs" namely- The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.

It was FREEZING COLD that day. I had two sweaters on plus that jacket and I was still shivering.

A view of New Jersey from the Hudson River.
If you zoom in a little bit, you'll see the Colgate Clock on the lower left side of this photo. Beside is the Goldman Sachs tower which is the largest skyscraper in the state of New Jersey.

New Jersey / Colgate Clock / Goldman Sachs Tower

The Eliis Island Immigration Station is the symbol of the "American dream". This is where more than 12 million immigrants between 1892 to 1954 passed through to get to America. It closed its doors on November 1954 but the main building was reopened to the public 30 years later as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The tour guide said that over 40% of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island. We didn't get the chance to see the museum though because it is presently closed for repairs due to the damages it has gotten when it was hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Ellis Island

In the photo below, you'll notice a tall building that's under construction. That is where the twin towers/ World Trade Center site used to be, and the building that you are looking at is the future "One World Trade Center". The tower represents new growth and healing to those who were victims of the terrorist attack in 2001.

No longer called "Ground Zero". The One World Trade Center (1 WTC) or "Freedom Tower" under construction

And finally... Meeting the tall green lady for the first time...
As you probably already know, this statue was a gift to the United States from France. The lady holding a torch and a tablet represents Libertas, the roman goddess of Freedom. Back in the day, immigrants on the steamships on the way to Ellis Island would start to cheer everytime they see the the icon of freedom and of the United States.

The Statue of Liberty

The statue is coated with a thin layer of copper and it used to be reddish brown in color. Because of chemical reactions between the metal and salt water, the statue eventually changed to a blue-green color.

Don't ask me how they brought that huge thing all the way from France. I missed that part because I was busy enjoying the moment and thanking God for the wonderful day that it has been. :)

I really wasn't expecting that I'd be able to visit New York last November. There was a hurricane that hit New Jersey and also affected New York at the time and the subway system was badly damaged, making the commute really difficult for everyone.
We walked the ENTIRE day because renting a car would be useless (you'll have a hard time looking for a parking slot + parking slots are expensive) and taking a cab was impractical. We did get to hop on the subway but not all the stations were open. We still ended up doing a lot of walking. But it was alright because it was a great way to explore, plus it burns calories (not like I lost tons of weight haha).

I can't wait to visit again and stay there for at least a week.
Hope you guys enjoyed this post! :)

Times Square- Manhattan, New York City

2012-12-17T21:00:00.000+08:00

"New York City, no matter how well you think you know it, there's always somewhere or someone new to discover."
-Sex and the City

Empire State Building

Its really hard to decide which one I like better-- seeing New York's city lights at night or basking in all its glory during the daytime?

It was a 10 to 15-minute walk from our hotel to Times Square and as soon as we got there, I was thrilled, amazed and also a little confused because there were so many places that I wanted to check out.

I didn't do any shopping in New York for two reasons:
1. The tax in NYC is higher compared to Massachusetts and San Francisco (where I was headed to anyway).
2. I like to take my time whenever I go shopping and I don't like making anyone wait for me to be done (I was with Zee, my Dad and his friend).
All I got from this trip were postcards, memorabilias, photos and the "experience".. which was more than enough for me.

I think its true what they say about New York, that life over there is very fast-paced. I almost wasn't able to take these photos because the people around us were all walking really fast and they seemed like they won't stop for anything.

One of the highlights of our visit was when I finally got a taste of a real, legit New York hotdog. Not the one from the fancy restaurants but something that's from one of the food trucks in Times Square.

Zee had sauerkraut as his toppings and I had spicy pineapple on mine :) YUM!!!

Cab fares in the States is freaking expensive. I remember paying almost 20 USD (equivalent to almost 800 Php) for a ride from Times Square to the bus station, which was like 5 minutes away from each other.

Macy's was beautifully decorated for the holidays and every window had a different story to tell..

One of my favorite window display at Macy's.

Working on this post really makes me want to go back again soon.. ♥

My next entry will be about our visit to Bryant Park and seeing the tall green lady for the first time.. :)

The View - Marriot Marquis Hotel, NYC

2012-12-16T15:57:00.000+08:00

Going to New York City was one of the best experiences I've had this year. It was an "impromptu" trip so we could meet up with my Dad who was in NYC for 5 days. Zee and I had to go back to Boston on Sunday night though because he had to go to work the next morning.

Anyway, here are a few photos of when we went to The View during our first night in the city.

The View is a revolving bar located on the topmost floor of the Marriot Hotel.

They had a buffet of various desserts but we had a really filling dinner so we skipped the sweets and ordered red wine instead.

I remember Zee asking me if I was alright because I didn't talk much while we were having wine.. He probably thought I was getting drunk or something but the truth is, the view from the top was so beautiful, it just rendered me speechless.

You can see the whole of Manhattan as the bar revolves..

Took this photo while we were inside the elevator on the way down to the ground floor.

We had three bottles of wine (forgive our "thirst", you know how it is in the Middle East hahaha!) and my Dad had the most fun. HAHA! Nothing beats being a little intoxicated and getting a bit lost while walking back to your hotel.

..and that was how we capped off our first night in New York.. ♥

First night in New York City

2012-12-15T17:57:00.000+08:00

These are a few photos I took during our first night in New York City..

I remember being on the bus (from Boston) for 5 hours and finally seeing the words "New York, New York" on my phone's GPS. I couldn't wait to get off and start exploring..

I've always wanted to visit NYC.. Maybe its because I loved SATC (Sex and the City)? Or maybe because there was a time when JayZ & Alicia Key's Empire State of Mind was on repeat on my ipod for about a month. Hehe.

But seeing the place really made me understand the phrase "Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.."

We only had the weekend to explore so I didn't have a lot of time to take down notes and take tons of photos of interesting things.. All I really wanted to focus on at the time was the fact that I was standing in the middle of Times Square with Zee.. surrounded by the beautiful city lights..

I really wish we had the time to watch at least one broadway show but there was only so much we could fit in for the weekend..

It was only my first night in New York but I was already so sure that it was my most favorite city in the US. I have yet to visit Chicago but until then, NYC is on top of my list.. Can't wait to go back!

My first Winter Snow

2012-11-12T07:50:00.000+08:00

November 7, 2012 @ 2:00 PM-- the first time I saw snow fall down from the sky..
I can't even begin to describe how awesome that day was.

In my jammies and running shoes. Very very stylish!

I really wasn't ready for it- I didn't have snow boots or even the right jacket, but I didn't care.. I ran outside as soon as I saw the frontyard covered in white..

It was all so magical to me that I really felt like a kid... and I acted like one too. Haha!

I kept thinking to myself, "Wow.. God is really cool for creating snow..".

Yup, that was a poor attempt at being funny, but that was also the truth. I couldn't stop thinking about how God is so awesome for coming up with the idea of snow. :)

I waited for Zee to get home from work and then I dragged him outside TWICE (thanks babe for catering to my every whim) so I can flirt with him in the middle of a snowstorm. Haha! Apparently, I suck at snow ball fights because I'm not very good in making snowballs! I need to start living in Boston so I can get a lot of practice. ;)

♥

Incidentally, that day was also our "monthsary" (8 years and 4 months!). Don't judge me for celebrating monthsaries. I know its corny but we haven't seen each other for more than a year so it just had to be recognized. :D

That's gotta be my most favorite moment of 2012.

Being with the person I love the most + snow = PERFECT DAY.

Couldn't be any more thankful to God.

♥

Natick, Massachusetts

2012-11-03T20:43:00.000+08:00

Walked around the neighborhood with Zee yesterday..

A lot of the times, it still feels surreal to wake up in the morning and realize that he's just in the next room and I don't have to rush in front of my laptop to be able to Skype with him..

Neighbors' Halloween decorations are still outside their house

I have never seen a tree that's as pretty as this..

You know how it is in Shawarma land, there's not a lot of scenery.. So I've really been enjoying looking at everything around me.

I think I'd probably jog more if I really lived here.....
NOT.
Hahahaha!

Hope you guys enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. :)

Going the distance

2012-11-02T11:06:00.001+08:00

Can you guess where I am right now?

The photos above were taken on the day I arrived Boston.

Yup!! You read that right.. :)
After a year and a half of not seeing each other, we're finally together again!!!

I haven't really told a lot of people about my travel plans because I didn't wanna "jinx" anything, hahaha! I honestly didn't even expect that I would be able to visit him this year so I'm really really grateful to God that He made a way for all of this to happen.

The flight from Kuwait to Boston was a reeeeeally long one and I even missed my connecting flight in London! The weather was really bad and all flights got delayed so by the time I got to London, my plane to Boston had already left. I wanted to cry when the staff told me that I might have to check-in at a hotel and wait for an available flight. 0_0 At the time, it really seemed like fate was playing tricks on me. :)))

But when I finally got out of the airport and saw him walking towards me, its like all the stress and exhaustion went away. It was all replaced with butterflies fluttering inside my tummy and one huge smile plastered on my face. My body was dead tired but my heart and mind was doing the happy dance. :)))

I know I sound so corny but whatevs!!!!!! There are no words to describe how HAPPY we are right now..

Its been 4 days since I arrived and so far, everything has been perfect..
Thank you Lord for this early Christmas gift.. ♥

Expect lots of photo dumping for the rest of November/ December.. :)

H&M x Anna Dello Russo haul

2012-10-19T17:12:00.000+08:00

It may seem like I bought a lot but the only thing I own is the pair of earrings in the photo above. Haha! The sunnies belongs to a friend (who I'm really jealous of BTW) and the pretty bracelets are to be sent to another friend living in Manila.

Banana Spring Rolls @ P.F. Chang's

2012-09-29T16:59:00.001+08:00

My family looooves the Great Wall of Chocolate from P.F. Chang's but during our last visit, we decided to give the Banana Spring Rolls a try. Its sort of like the turon from the Philippines, just without the langka.

Loved the mix of the cold ice cream and the warm spring rolls. ♥

Ambiance: ★★★★★
Food: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★

For my Manila-based friends, I heard that they've opened a branch at the Alabang Town Center! Go ahead and try it this weekend with your family! :)

New Cookie at home

2012-09-19T12:58:00.000+08:00

I wasn't able to blog for almost a month because of this little cutie pie.. ♥

My Dad brought her home one day as a surprise and ever since then, my life has never been the same. Haha!!

It's not like its the first time we've taken care of a dog but our dogs (all 7 of them, including my Golden Retriever, Mandy) stay in our backyard where they play all day with each other. Anyway, we decided to let
this new puppy (we named her COOKIE) stay inside the house since she doesn't shed that much hair/fur and she looks too "fragile" to be with our other dogs outside. Haha!

Puppies are so cute and adorbs until it's time to go to sleep at night.. Her breed (Bolognese) is 100% companion dogs, which means they like to hang around you and they thrive on your attention. I wasn't able to sleep during her first 5 nights at home because she'd cry and howl the entire night. I guess its because she misses her parents and her brothers but I can't really make her sleep beside me because I don't wanna wake up with piss and poop on my bed. I was cranky and looked like a zombie during her first week and I honestly almost gave up on her. Haha!! Everytime I think of giving her back to the breeder or giving her away, she looks at me with her puppy eyes and she cuddles with me as if she's telling me not to give up because she's cute naman. :))

It felt like having a child, but the only difference is they don't suck on your boobs. HAHAHA!! I took it as a challenge and stuck it through despite the sleepless nights. I kept thinking, this is just a puppy, if I can't take care of her properly, how can I take care of a real human being in the future? Not that I'm getting ready to be impregnated or anything. LOL!

Anyway, its been 27 days since we got her and she's now well adjusted to her routine here at home. We've taught her a few tricks and she doesn't cry at night anymore. She follows me around wherever I go and she's still such an attention seeker though (hahaha) but there's nothing we can do about that since that's really part of her breed's characteristics.

Now that she's finally 100% comfortable in her new home, I can finally get some decent sleep and make time to keep this blog alive. :P Hope you guys are having a great week so far!