Craving of the Day

Today I served my big baby [and my little baby] Belgian Waffles topped with sliced pears glazed in maple syrup, whipped cream and pecans.

I love lazy Saturdays--when I don't have to rush to go to work, when I have the time to make breakfast like this and enjoy it, when I can relish the peace and quiet of home and have the hub all to myself.

When the baby comes, things will definitely change.  So I am enjoying lazy Saturdays as much as I possibly can.

The Calla

I saw a similar shot from a photography book I've been reading and I've been waiting for the opportunity to replicate it, or produce my own version of it.

Calla Lily is my favorite flower.  I used a lot of them on my wedding day.  I like the colored ones more, but white callas are more abundant and easy to find.  

Last year, I bought two calla lily shrubs for our little garden.  One of them turned out frail and skinny, and it only blossomed once.  While the other one got big, healthy, and it hasn't stopped giving flowers since I had it--even through the winter.  

This photo was taken under the shade with natural lighting.  To achieve the dark background, I had the hub behind the plant holding a black coat (hehe, thanks Beybee!).  

Just a different angle of the Calla.

Paranoia

The Clock Tower, a landmark at the San Francisco Financial District

In this time of economic turmoil, one can’t help but sometimes get too paranoid.

Today I thought I was losing my job. We’re in the phase of firming up our 2009 budget and because the entire company is cutting costs, each of our business units received challenges to reduce expenses for the year by a specific amount. Along with the $$ challenge, top management was going to provide ideas on how and which part of the business we can get cost savings from.

I’ve been asking for this list so I can finally submit our budget, but it took them a while to send it to me. When I finally got hold of it and looked at the details, I almost had a heart attack! One of the items said “eliminate Ops Director”. Well, this isn't exactly my title, but because my team is also in-charge of operations and there are only three of us directors, I was so sure it meant "me".

So I was going to lose my job and things just started plugging through my head--When were they going to tell me? Is this why i got the list so late--because they were trying to figure out how to break it to me? Am i getting any severance pay? What will i do without health insurance? Can they even fire me when they know I'm about to go on disability? What will I do without paid maternity benefits? How much will i get from unemployment insurance?

So I called Charles--we had a long discussion.  I called my sister too and she got worried sick about me.  There was so much disarray going on in my head that I forgot to do the obvious--verify. How could this have come about? Who would have suggested the idea and how could any member of top management, not one of them based locally, even think that getting rid of me is the best way to save the company money? And so I did what I should have done in the first place. I finally assembled my thoughts and gathered the guts to email my boss to ask if they were indeed letting go of me, if they were eliminating my position.

I don't know if I made him fall off his chair or laugh his intestines out, but in less than two minutes I got a phone call and all I could hear was a voice of a totally-perplexed-but-somewhat-amused individual saying "What are you talking about?!?! Of course that's not you! You sent us the data. You said we didn't need the Ops Director and so we're eliminating the position in the 09 Plan!"

Aaahh...finally a light bulb! I now remember that sometime last year, we planned on hiring an Ops Director and because some plans have changed and we have budget constraints, we decided not to pursue with it. It was an open position that we had on the plan and I was the one who eliminated it from the headcount file for 2009.

I felt awfully embarrassed! How can I be such a dork? I spent almost the entire day stressing myself out and even sharing the anxiety with other people. I should have known better!

But then again, we're in such tumultuous economy where thousands of people are losing their jobs and I just can't help but be concerned of my own. Today, I learned two very valuable lessons: (1) to always know thy facts before reacting, and (2) to be more appreciative and thankful that I got a job that I like and that I still have it.

My heart goes out to all those who recently lost their jobs. :-(

Bird Watch

“Birds” have been my favorite subject lately. For no particular reason, I’ve been taking plenty of bird photos. They just fascinate me!

Last weekend, the hub and I went to the city to check out the local farmers’ market and have lunch. We were headed to the waterfront—an area inhabited by lots of birds. I started taking photos of the birds around, while the hub patiently waited. He too, took a few photos himself.

On the way home after lunch, I wanted to stop by the Marina to check out a park that we haven’t visited before. The park, called Crissy Field, is home to some of San Francisco’s historical landmarks, like an old military airfield and Fort Point—a fort built in the 1850’s used to defend the Bay during the American Civil war.

While the hub checked out the exhibits at the fort, I was out taking photos of birds—again. The hub later said, “you probably have over 50 photos of birds in there”. I said, “no way!” So he took the camera, started scrolling through the photos, and pointed out, “that’s one…that’s two…that’s three…” and so on. Ok then—I did take lots of bird photos, but I took a few shots of the fort relics too!

Just thought I’d share some of my bird photos here.

If I can see it, then I can do it...

Sometimes silence can seem so loud...

There are miracles in life I must achieve...

But first I know it starts inside of me...

Just spread my wings and fly away...

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Photo taken by Charles

Today is Chinese New Year's Eve! As most of us know, Chinese New Year or otherwise known as Lunar New Year is one of the most important Chinese traditional holidays.

This year, the Chinese welcomes the Year of the Ox (or to the optimists, Year of the Bull).  To the Chinese, the Ox is a symbol of prosperity through fortitude and hard work.  People born in the year of the Ox is a born leader, a being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things.  Such people are dependable, calm and modest.  Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work and capable of enduring any amount of hardship.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

The hub is of Chinese origin, so this is something he used to observe back home. But since he is away from family and friends and nobody to celebrate with, I thought it would be nice to at least do something or go somewhere that would remind him of the culture that he was born into.

We started out with Hot Pot dinner on Friday night. We invited a couple of friends over. It was fun! Then yesterday, we went to the Imperial Tea Court in San Francisco where we feasted on Dim Sum, Chinese noodles and really good Imperial grade tea. Their green tea cookies are simply to die for!  I also learned how to drink tea the traditional way using a Gaiwan.  Today, we are planning to check out the Chinatown Street Fair but if it continues to rain, we might just pass up on it.

So to those who are celebrating Chinese New Year [and those who aren't], Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!

Paradise

This image never ceases to inspire. 

It reminds me of how lucky we are to have lived in this world--in such paradise where beauty abounds, where life is all about wonders, all about love and all about living our dreams.

Paradise--I never want to leave! But when I do, I wish I'll be somewhere as beautiful as you!

Baby Boom...Baby Bloom

I just learned today that another colleague of mine is pregnant!

She's the fifth female at work who's expecting and all five of us are due within a 12-month period. And here's more--this isn't counting the wives of three male colleagues in the same office who are also expecting babies this year!

I find it overly strange [and creepy] that for the last seven years that I've worked here, there was not a single pregnancy, and then KABOOM!... eight babies in one year!

"There must be something in the waters..." says one of our co-workers. Or are we having another baby boom???

And by the way, there are three other people I know outside of work who either just had a baby or expecting one.

***

Photo shows my orchid starting to bloom. Since this is the one and only flowering plant that I've kept alive (I am so bad with plants), I get excited looking at the flowers bloom one day at a time. This reminds me of the pregnant women at work--one started and several others followed.

New Hope...

...is what comes to mind whenever I think about the main event of the day--the inauguration of Barack Obama as the new US President.

It is still highly uncertain what he will bring to the presidency or where he will lead the country to, but everything I saw today--from the jubilant faces of the crowd who personally witnessed his swearing in to the tearful women just watching from their homes--everything I saw spells H.O.P.E.

Devotion

I wouldn't really call myself a devotee of Sto. Niño, but my mother is. Every year, she makes a new outfit for the Sto. Niño at the Sto. Niño Parish in Ubujan, Tagbilaran. During the yearly fiesta, she holds a children's party at our house and invites all the kids in our neighborhood for a nice meal and some games with prizes. This year is an exception because she isn't home to orchestrate the yearly event.

I am however a great believer of the Sto. Niño. My sister and I prayed to Him for a child and He granted it. I believe in His miracles. I believe that He protects the innocents. I believe that He is forgiving. I believe that when you want something so bad and you ask Him for it, He will give it to you--you just have to be patient and you have to keep believing.

This golden image of the Sto. Niño was a gift from my sister-in-law. She gave it to me along with a novena/prayer booklet. She said I should always take this along with me and it will help protect me and my baby. I've been doing just that and I know--I believe we'll be just fine.

Pit Senyor to all my fellow believers!!!

Happy Long Weekend

Freshly baked muffins for the hubby, who woke up very early today to clean the yard and water the plants. While I, on the other hand slept until 10:00 a.m.

It's a Saturday! Yippeeee!!! And we have a long weekend ahead--Monday is Martin Luther King Day and it's a holiday!

Today, I treated the good hubby to a home-cooked brunch, I just finished putting down the Christmas tree, and very shortly we are heading to Salinas to see my little nephew again!

I am very much looking forward to the weekend. To those who are in Cebu, Happy Fiesta and enjoy the Sinulog festivities! To the rest of us--have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!!!

Night Shots Metering

I love night shots and I've been trying to get better at it through a little bit of reading and a lot of practice.

So my "hubby", who happens to be very supportive of my "hobby" sent me this article about night photography and how to get good results. At first glance, I thought the second photo on the article looked nicer, but as I read, compared and practiced, I came to agree with the author that taking night photos just right after sunset when the sky hasn't turned completely black is easier, produces better colors and ultimately much better results.

So here's what I got so far. I don't think I'm there yet, but I guess I didn't fail to impress the hubby.  He's quite happy with these photos and said he's going to make them his screensaver at work.  Hehe...

The San Francisco Belle, a charter ferry normally used for parties and private events.

San Francisco Ferry Building, home of some of the city's finest shoppes, restaurants and the San Francisco ferry terminal.

About a Boy

Ever since I learned that we are having a boy, I have unintentionally been observant of little boys and their behaviors. I guess I have become so obsessed about preparing for parenthood or perhaps I am just worried about not being able to deal with what's about to come.

We went to a children's party last weekend and I thought it was just the perfect time to see lots of little kids and observe how they behave. Some of the things I noticed were quite relieving, some disconcerting. There's this one little boy who seems very aggressive, likes to jump and climb, loves noise, can't stay focused and finds sitting still to be ultimately challenging. The mom couldn't eat well or mingle with other parents because she had to keep hounding him in fear that he might break something or hurt another kid.

Then there's this other boy--about the same age who just sat in the corner, extremely calm and shy, quietly following whatever his parents said. He even just ate by himself despite a little struggle to put food in his mouth without getting too messy.

So it's not about the gender afterall. Each child is unique and we all know that! Some people think parents need to start steering the child's behavior early, yet some think these unique behaviors are to be valued rather than trained out of the child.

But how do we really influence these early behaviors? How do we shape them into what we want without putting too much restraint? How do we leverage the child's early qualities and prepare them to voyage through the rapidly changing world that awaits them?

All these thoughts in my mind are straining. I think I might be going too far where I don't need to be--at least for now.

Wolf Moon

Yesterday's (Jan 10th) moon was said to be the biggest and brightest moon of 2009!

According to NASA, the moon appeared about 14 percent bigger in the sky and was supposed to be 30 percent brighter than other full moons during 2009.

Yesterday's brightest moon was also called "Wolf Moon".  According to Space.com, full moon names date back to the Native Americans. Those tribes of a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon.  Their names were applied to the entire month in which they occurred.  The January moon was named after a wolf because amid the extreme cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages.

Charles and I walked outside and into one of the trails going up the hill behind our house, hoping to catch a good view of the brightest moon.  And there it was--big, bright and perfectly round to the naked eye.  This is the best I can capture--I had to crop this photo to make it look a little bigger because the longest zoom I have is only 200mm.

I also wished I was in a good spot to take a photo of the moon right after the sunset when it appeared much closer to the earth like this, and we can still see the horizon with it.  But I'm still happy with this photo.

Shooting Again

Finally!  Our new cam has arrived.  We weren't expecting it until Monday, but it came in yesterday instead.  

It was excellent timing.  We were going to our friend's place for his kid's birthday party.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to practice with the new gear.

So here I am shooting again!  Pictured here is a mirror/wall accent that I badly wanted to get myself since we got our place, but just can't afford.  Our friend's got it and I can only stare in admiration.

I miss...

ALCOHOL.  The smell and taste of wine.  Muscat Canelli.  Merlot.  Baileys on the rocks.  Mojito.  Appletini.  Midori Sour.  Trips to the wine country with dear friends Loraine (who, by the way, gave me a bottle of Baileys for Christmas--what a tease!) and Jim.  Happy Hour on Thursdays after work.

***

Panglao Island, Bohol   February 2008

BOHOL.  White sand beaches.  My old room.  Our pet Russell.  The sound of tricycles.  Childhood friends.  Island City Mall.  Payag Chicken House.  Siopao from Pasunangka.  Mangoes.  Tamarindo from BQ sidewalk.  Fresh Buko.  Hanging out at Asiatika and Metrocentre Lounge. Trips to Loon.

***

NATHAN.  His sweet baby smell.  His face.  The sound of his cry.  I think about him everyday.  I call everyday hoping to hear whatever sound he can make.  Going to see him next week--can't wait!

***

And last but not the least...the CAMERA that took all these photos.  Huhuhu...

36 Years...And Counting

He was 26, she was 25.

He was an aspiring businessman, she was a teacher.

He was from the west side of town, she was from the east side of the same town

They were the exact opposites, but destiny somehow found it's way to bring them together.

*** Taken 36 years ago ***

*** At their 25th year anniversary ***

For 36 years they stood by each other, traveled several roads together--enduring adversities and breaking road blocks.  

For 36 years they've managed to put aside their differences and worked for a common goal.   They've given up their wants and made our happiness their own.

For 36 years they have been our protector, our shield, our role models, our friends.  They have made us very proud!

It's been 36 years and we're still counting...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MA & PA!  

May our good Lord bless you with many more wonderful years together!

A Birthday Journal

Gone to me are the years when celebrating birthdays means having guests over for lunch, snack or dinner, going out with friends or family, or partying until the wee hours of the morning.  

Today, I turned 33 and I had quite a remarkable day.  And here's why...

...

Started the day with an early mass with Charles and my parents.  I thank God for 33 wonderful years, some of them I don't have memories of but I know they were wonderful!

***

A present from my sister and a card with a message that made me cry and want to hug her tight.  I wished she was around.

***

Got to work and was surprised by boxes of delicious cupcakes--a treat from my amazing colleagues.  These cupcakes were sinful!

Had to take a photo through my camera phone.

***

Phone calls from my brother Richard, my cousin Jopie, and dear friends Lori, Lolit and Jewel.  Hearing their voices always make me smile!

***

Received unexpected, very kind tributes from my dear friend Chichi here and my cousin Jopie here.  These moved me deeply and made me very emotional!

***

Lots of emails, text messages and friendster greetings from friends, relatives back in the Philippines and fellow bloggers.  They warmed my heart.

***

 

Beautiful flowers from the hubby.  I was captivated--as if falling in love all over again!

***

I got home to a sumptuous Filipino dinner that my loving parents prepared for me.  My mom baked me a cake, cooked pancit for long life and pochero (beef soup).  My dad cooked my favorite shrimps, fried pompano and exactly 33 pieces of lumpia!  Charles brought home another favorite--king crab legs!  I was so full--I had to try them all!

***

I got my new fast lens and a better tripod!  Too bad I don't have my camera anymore.  We've sold it and haven't got a replacement.  I'll have to wait a while before I could use them.  But now I have one more thing to look forward to!

***

I felt my baby move for the very first time!  What a nice birthday present from somebody I haven't even met!

***

It was quite a memorable day--something I wouldn't trade for parties and dinners in fancy restaurants!  A day I will treasure and remember for as long as my memory lasts.  It was by far one of the best birthdays I've ever had!

My heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who made my day extra special!  I couldn't ask for more!  I am truly blessed!

The Quickening

It started as tiny little flutters

as if something or someone is tickling me lightly from the inside

like real butterflies in my stomach

I felt it briefly...and then again...and again

It caught me by surprise

but then disappeared before I had the chance to feel it with my hands

It was something different

something I had never felt before

And then I knew it was Him!

For the first time today

I felt my baby move

I felt the quickening!

***

Photo taken by Charles

Park Images

San Francisco is so full of beautiful parks, structures and museums, and I just thought I'd share some images taken at a few San Francisco spots during one of our recent strolls around the city.

An old windmill and a new Roman-like structure both at the Golden Gate Park.  

Pretty much all the signs at the Japanese Tea Garden are written in this cottage-shaped piece of wood.

I love bamboo!  It reminds me of power and strength.  Would be nice to have this in our backyard.

I really don't know what this is, but it's cute.

They call this Japanese Maple.  I'd love to have this in our backyard too but Charles thinks we have more than enough Maple leaves to clean up during the fall.

They came in pairs.

LOVEBIRDS--I was trying to photograph them with their hands shaped like a picture frame, but it didn't work.  It's either their hands are too small or their faces are too big!  Hehe...

A view of San Francisco from Twin Peaks.  It was dark when we got there.  Reminds me of Tops in Cebu.  

Let there be Brandy and Cigar

Charles is ecstatic! Well, I am too. We just learned yesterday that baby is growing normally and we are having a BOY! YIPEEEEEE!!!

We both wanted a boy, but a girl would have been equally grand.

If it was a girl, I would (a) already have a name for her, (b) love the idea of dressing her up with those cute little outfits and (c) love the idea of a mini-me!

If a boy, he would (a) be low maintenance since he will be wearing Nathan's hand-me-downs, hehe, (b) have Kuya Nathan for a playmate (my brother-in-law was a little apprehensive about Nathan playing dolls if we were to have a girl) and (c) be close to me since boys tend to be closer to their moms.

But we are having a boy and we are both very thrilled about it.

Charles said he will have his brandy and cigar ready for when his boy comes out!

I wish...

I am terrible when it comes to New Year's Resolutions so I have given up on them a long time ago. When I used to have resolutions, I would either just think about the things I wanted to do but later forget about them, or I would jot them down yet they just stay on paper for the rest of the year.

This year I thought about something different. I thought about making wishes instead--a list of things that I desire, yet they're less binding, less obligatory. Some things I can control, some I cannot. And if they don't come true, I may be heartbroken but I won't have to bang my head against the wall for not making every effort to achieve them.

So for this year, I wish-

- for a safe delivery and a healthy baby

- that charles and i will gain more strength and patience to embrace the difficulties of parenthood

- for more opportunities at work, for my team to stay intact and for better correlation among colleagues from our different offices

- to be better at photography and to meet more people with the same interest so I may learn more from them

- that my parents will have a grand time while vacationing in the US

- that my nephew will grow up to be a vibrant and healthy little boy

- that my cousin and her husband be finally blessed with the baby of their dreams

- that the world economy will start to recuperate and thus help people improve their way of life

- that my brother will finally marry the girl of his dreams

- that at least one of our friends from outside the country will come visit (maybe chichi? hint...hint...)

- that my friend jocab will have a blissful marriage and that i may get together again with my girl friends lori, minerva, lolit, kathleen and joy

- that wars will end and I will hear less and less about innocent children dying

- that at the end of the year, I will find myself checking off this entire list

The Year That Was

Happy New Year to all!!!

While the rest of the world remember the year 2008--from the most spectacular Olympics ever to the collapse of the real estate and the world financial system to the beacon of hope brought about by the election of a new American president, Charles and I also came to ponder upon how the year went for ourselves.

I remember a lot about 2008, but if I have to narrow them down into 10 highlights, they are as follows:

1) We had one of our most memorable vacations--in Cebu and Bohol. Charles' family from Hongkong joined us for the first time and it was also then that we said our farewell and sent our well-wishes to our friend Chichi, who was leaving the company and the country.

2) I visited Europe for the first time. Although it was a work-related trip and Charles wasn't with me, I did get a chance to see the landmarks of London. I dream of going back there and visiting the other European cities as well.

3) I miscarried. We had our first chance to have a baby and I lost it. It was both physically and emotionally agonizing.

4) We lost on investments. The financial crisis not only affected the big guns, but also small-time investors like us who put our small savings on real estate and stock investments hoping to make a little bit more money. Some of the losses we may no longer recoup.

5) My sister gave birth to our first nephew. He brought joy not only to my sister and her husband but also to the entire family!

6) My boss and mentor for the last seven years, whom I have regarded with the highest respect has left our company. I fear that I may not get another chance to work with him or somebody like him again.

7) We made Minnesota a second home. Why Minnesota? Because my new boss is out there and so I go there almost every month. We took advantage of the real estate meltdown by getting a house there for a lower-than-market price. We are currently renting it out and the income is at least helping cut our investment losses.

8) I got a new hobby! I guess most of those who have access to this blog know how I got into blogging. I am enjoying it so far and I am hoping--really hoping that I won't tire out of it.

9) My entire family joined us for Christmas. After ten long years of not spending Christmas together, we finally did it this year! This made our holidays extra special.

And finally...

10) We are expecting our first baby! After a terrible miscarriage, I have mixed emotions about this pregnancy. We are very happy of course, but we also have some fear and anxiety that it might turn out just like the first one. But so far, everything is fine and we are hoping this goes really well.

Just like most people, we did have our share of triumphs and failures in 2008, but looking back I think that I would consider 'the year that was' a quite remarkable one!

So how do you best remember 2008?

***This photo was taken last summer in Disneyland. It didn't turn out as sharp as I want. I find fireworks very challenging.***