These Days

Happy new year, everyone!  We took last minute pictures yesterday night and I had just enough time to post this on FB and greet everyone a happy new year.  New years are great for all the possibilities.  People have more positive outlooks, I love it.  But we have to remember that this renewal CAN happen everyday. =)

We went to Power Plant mall to see the "animals."  Now we know how to get there by jeep.  Going home, we took advantage of the free van from the mall to Buendia.  You can have fun on a budget! =) Dinner at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Playing with the table ad.  I love this set.

UP Diliman is one of my favorite places on earth. When Caloy and Charm invited us to go for a picnic there, I was immediately on board.  It was a Sunday so cars were banned around the Acad Oval.  Good for Neil, who took advantage of the expansive space and just walked and walked and walked... On the tree On the tree Walk, walk, walk Neil got tired. Neil and E-em Friends

I am feeling inspired to update this blog more often. =) Where from, you ask?  This blog:  http://vanessaschrotenboer.squarespace.com/blog-old/tag/52-week-project . Stay tuned!

Ok, what's left to see of NY after the very packed first day ?  Still a lot!  November 21, 2010 .  We started the day a little late, around 10AM.  The first agenda was to go see the Brooklyn Bridge .  We took the train from Newark, got off near the NY City Hall, and walked the whole length of the bridge.  It was a relaxing walk and we just took our time taking in the sights.  It was chilly, thus the gloves. The Brooklyn Bridge It was almost lunchtime when we got to the other side.  I posted an FB status about what I saw in NY and someone suggested we check out Grimaldi's .  It's on the Brooklyn side of the bridge so that was our destination for lunch.  They weren't open yet when we got there but a considerable queue has formed outside.  Good sign!  The food must be really good.  Since we were a party of 2, we got ahead of the big groups.  Yey! Grimaldi's - Best pizza ever! And the pizza was superb!  I will declare that it's the best p

November 2010 is memorable for me because I got to see the 'city that never sleeps' for the first time.  Hello, New York! I was hosted by good friend Joel ( Thanks, Joel! ), and he toured me around all the must-see places in NY.  It's always good to have a local guide.  I saw a little bit of everything in the short but jampacked 2 days I spent there. I arrived evening of November 19, Friday.  I flew in from Atlanta, after the week-long business trip.  Joel picked me up at JFK and right off the bat, I had a quintessential NY experience - the subway.=)  Joel's apartment is actually in Newark, New Jersey so we had to change trains a few times, then walked ~15 minutes to his apartment.  It was cooold! November 20, 2010 .  We left the apartment past 9AM, walked to the station in NJ and spent some time exploring the area along the Hudson River before catching the train to NY.  We got off at the station close to Ground Zero and had hotdogs for breakfast from one o

The third installment of OPM2, the current preaching series in Victory is entitled 'Machonurin' or the men who have abdicated their roles as the head of the family.  The series explored the Biblical concept of manhood. Ephesians 5:21-25 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... Genesis 2:15:23 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will mak

I am celebrating a milestone today.  It's my first year anniversary in IHG.  Happy anniversary to me! :) I started my career in one of the best technology companies in the world (Hello, Intel!) so I had very realistic expectations for my company #2.  I've heard it said by ex-Intel employees that one will be disappointed because Intel standards are hardly met, if ever.  I do agree for some areas, but overall, I believe I chose a good #2. My IHG appreciation list: Flexi-time, my work hours 2-11PM, which gives me the whole morning to just stay at home and be with Neil. The business trip to Atlanta + vacation to Los Angeles and San Deigo in May/June this year. Upcoming business trip to Orlando + vacation in LA.  (Booked tickets today.) The opportunity to manage. First executive checkup. An entirely new business/industry to learn about. Fun officemates! As in every place, there are a few things that could be improved, but I'm keeping things positive today so I'

Today's preaching notes... The topic for today's preaching is still on the OPM (Original Pilipino Mindsets) series, specifically 'Kanya-kanya.'  As Filipinos, of course we know what this mean.  It means you take care of your business and I take care of mine.  That might not sound negative, per se, but it does become detrimental when under selfish motivations, we look out ONLY for ourselves without concern for others, even taking advantage of them or harming them. Simple and very common example: driving in Metro Manila.  If there are no traffic lights and cars are left to their own diskarte at intersections, then there will be chaos.  While drivers are looking out for themselves, they eventually end up in a worse place, along with everyone else. Main Verse: Galatians 3:26-28 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor

September 25, our friends C+C invited us to go to the beach the following weekend. Without hesitation and without consulting R, I said yes. I've been wanting to go somewhere far from Makati I decided we should grab this opportunity.  Not having a car has been a major factor why there hasn't been any out-of-town trips in the last year.  So I was really excited, not just for me, but for Neil to see the beach again. After some Internet research, we decided on La Luz Beach Resort. It was one of the cheaper resorts in the area. It looked nice online (don't they all?), a few friends recommend the place and there were good reviews. That's what it takes to choose in the Internet age... C+C came to pick us up on Friday. We were spending the night at their house in Dasma so we can start the drive early the ff day. We left around 9AM, and arrived at the resort past 12NN, and hungry. First stop, buffet lunch. They served pinakbet, lechong manok, grilled fish. Then we brought ou

The last topic in the Infinitude preaching series is Omnipresent.   God created everything but is apart from His creation.  He sustains everything by His word. Jeremiah 23:23-24 "Am I only a God nearby,"    declares the LORD,    "and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places    so that I cannot see him?"    declares the LORD.    "Do not I fill heaven and earth?"    declares the LORD. In the Old Testament, God instructed the Israelites to create the tabernacle where God can physically dwell with the people.  The people rebelled by worshiping idols so God withdrew His presence from them.  But Moses implored for God to remain with them as they journey to the promised land. Exodus 33:15-17 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other peop

The second preaching for VCF's Infinitude series, about the infinite attributes of God. Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.  His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. How do we know that we have power? 2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promis

VCF's current preaching series is entitled INFINITUDE , which focuses on the infinite qualities of God.  We've covered Immutable, Omniscient and Omnipotent the past 3 weeks and the last topic today was Omnipresent.  This is a rather interesting church month for me.  I wasn't able to attend the preaching on Immutable because our yaya took the day off and I watched Neil.  For Omniscient, we attended at Victory Alabang (our home church), Victory Fort for Omniscient and finally Victory Makati for Omnipresent.  Hehe... This is the advantage of having multiple locations doing the same preaching series.  BUT it's important to stick to one home church and regularly attend there.  We just had out-of-the-ordinary circumstances this month, thus the hopping... I wasn't able to post my any of my notes so I'm just catching up now. OMNISCIENT Main Verse:   Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16  1 O LORD, you have searched me        and you know me.  2 You know when I sit and when I ri

I finally bought my camera gear a better house. :) I got a Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home.  I like that it doesn't look too much like a camera bag, and I can configure the space inside using velcro separators.  Before this, I was using Richard's old Sony videocam bag, which had space enough for the camera+lens, and nothing else.  The Crumpler is still a bit roomy for my current stuff but I have a few more things I want to get, as soon as the budget allows. Weee! :) I bought the bag from ebay.ph and it was unused.  The seller got it as a gift and did not use it at all.  I checked the retail price and I actually bought it at 40% off.  It pays to check ebay!  At first we worried if the seller won't come through (which I think is normal if you're transacting with a stranger), but I made sure to check ratings and ask a few questions before completing the transaction.  It's hard-earned money after all.  But I got the bag and I'm happy with it. :)

I had a very out-of-the-ordinary Saturday. :) Em and I joined Carlos Celdran's Intramuros Tour called 'If These Walls Could Talk.'  For free.  I won 2 tickets to the tour as a consolation prize to a contest he ran on his blog. I think it was past 11PM when I arrived home from work on Friday.  I slept at 1AM (?), set my alarm for 7AM and woke up at 6AM.  Somebody's excited. :) Em and I left the house at 8AM.  We took the jeepney to LRT, then LRT from Gil Puyat to Doroteo Jose station.  The info we got from the Internet said we can then take the jeepney going to Quiapo/Pier.  We asked around and found that we have to walk farther to catch the jeep, which they said pass by that area rarely.  Toinks.  Bad info.  As it was already 8:40AM, we just decided to take a taxi to the Manila Cathedral.  We made it, with a few mintues to spare.  Around 9AM, Carlos arrived and we on our way. The tour started at the Manila Cathedral and ends at the San Agustin Church.  I've ne

I love coffee.  That's no secret.  When Richard and I got married, we received 3 coffee makers from friends who know about my coffee-love. The thing is, I enjoy the vendo variety as much (well maybe not AS much) as the Starbucks or Coffee Bean variety.  I'm the easy-to-please kind.=) I took a break from the caffeine when I was pregnant and nursing, but now I'm back to enjoying at least one cup a day.  I signal the start of my work day with a visit to the Nescafe vendo at the pantry.  A few times, maybe I buy from Starbucks as a treat.  I am kuripot and think that they're expensive.  Especially when compared to the P5 per cup from the vendo! :) Anyway, the last few days, I've been taking my coffee black.  Before, I always pick #5 (coffee+cream+sugar) but I've been feel the sugar in my system even after drinking 2 cups of water post-coffee.  I have sugar-umay so I tried black and surprisingly, liked it. I am now a convert.

We went to the Salcedo Market last Saturday, and Legaspi Market last Sunday primarily to look for the yogurt that Em wanted to buy.  Unfortunately, we didn't find it in both markets, but we did try out a few new things. We've been to the Salcedo Market a lot of times before (practically every Saturday when we first moved to Makaati) but there's a lot of stalls so it never gets boring.  I always look forward to trying something new every time.  We tried the paella negra from Margarita.  Yummy!  The rice was soo soft and 'creamy.'  We also bought (the usual) fried cuapao with pancit filling, taho and lumpiang hubad. Last Sunday was our first time at the Legaspi Market. We don't usually go there because it's quite a long walk from the condo. But being a fan of Salcedo Market, I wanted to check it as well.  The area is smaller but they have more non-food wares like books, art, health and beauty products, etc. Jamming at the park. Ne

Three days with the new sofa, Richard decides he didn't like the height.  He actually didn't see the actual model at the store before he bought it.  There was just one similar model at the showroom but it didn't have storage.  He ordered the one with storage, and was not informed that it would be more elevated. :( Since we are in the Philippines, I really thought we were stuck with the sofa.  But Richard called Blims and they said we could exchange it for another model.  Yay for Blims!  So we looked at other designs Tuesday, and we got the new sofabed yesterday.  It's lower so better for Neil, converts to a good-sized bed and still has storage underneath (though smaller).  So, I think we're happy with this one na. :)

I woke up from my siesta yesterday and found this sofa in the sala! Daming s-a words. :)  Finally, we have a decent sala furniture, after 10 months in this condo. It feels more a little more homey now. We used to have just a mattress here and it served as a multi-purpose area for Neil.  I think he doesn't miss the old setup. The great thing about this sofa is the storage under the seat.  Finally, we found something that's multi-purpose.  We've been scouring the furniture shops for something like this months ago, but they didn't have it then so we kinda gave up on the sofa quest. Then one day, Rich came home and told me he ordered a sofa. Without me. Waah! I wanted to be part of the decision, too! Anyway, he brought 3 color swatches for me to choose from. That's my contribution, the color.  But I have to say, he did a good job choosing the style.

Carlos Celdran's Intramuros tour on September 4!   I learned about his tours years ago and it has been on my mental list ot things-to-do, but just haven't gotten around to doing it. Finally, the date has been set.  The best part is that it's free. :)  This is a consolation prize of a contest that he ran on his blog .  Yey! I am going with my sister. :)

I bought a new Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens!  I bought it on ebay.ph on August 11, paid for it on the 12th and received it on the 13th. :)  Cool! I wanted a lens that has a wide aperture.  I also read somewhere that this is the next good lens to buy, after the kit lens.  I have been practicing with it for the past few days.  Getting used to the fixed focal length. Here are my first few shots: I don't know what this flower is called... Neil up-close. Jump! This is over-exposed because I did not have time to set-up. Open area at the condo.

I was doing so well with my one-book-a-week reading plan until April this year.  Somewhere along the way, this got deprioritized.  I just managed to finish my 17th book for the year - The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder. For a Gaarder book, this was an easy read.  It tells the story of Joachim, a young Norwegian boy, and a mysterious and very old hand-made Advent calender.  Advent calendars are opened every day starting December 1, leading up to Christmas Day.  (I would like to start this tradition in my family).  Anyway, the calendar that Joachim got had folded notes for each day.  They tell the story of a young girl named Elisabet who was traveling back in time to Bethlehem to the day that Jesus was born.  Her journey started when she followed a sheep.  She was then joined by an angel, more sheep, shepherds, more angels, the 3 wise men and kings. The mystery in the story is that a girl, also named Elisabet, disappeared in 1948.  As Joachim and his parents read about Elisabet

A few months ago, I started to draw again. I don't remember the last time I drew but I just decided to pick up this hobby. It was something I've always wanted to do more consistently.  I've been keeping a stash of drawing supplies at the back of my clothes cabinet. One day I brought them out, and so starts my return journey to drawing. It's something I want to get better at, and practice makes better. :) I have a few books on drawing, bought years ago. I'm rereading 'Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain' by Betty Edwards and this time, also following the exercises. I'm also reading 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron. I've been drawing on and off, depending on my free time.  This is my most recent exercise.  The next assignment is to draw another hand holding an object.  I'm still considering my objects. :)