Nesting

My living space is a bit tricky - its long and narrow with high white walls. I can't do much to the physical structure unless I want to pay lots of money to bring it back to its original form the day I move out. 

When I first moved into my studio I did one trip to Ikea to buy what I deemed as essentials. Yes, disclaimer lang because I know many are still amusingly shocked that I "survived" months without a mug (bowls did just fine until someone at work took pity on me and gave me a mug, lol), a trashcan (pwede na plastic underneath my sink noh) and a few other things. If I can stuff a pillow case with laundry and use it as a pillow, then you bet I can get used to living simply ;)

Anywho - after half year of living with "bare essentials" - I made a trip back to Ikea to buy a few more things to make my studio more homey. I've always loved my little space, but I love it more now. Perfect for a homebody like me!

I've hosted a few people in my Singapore home (6x to date!) over the last 8 months I've lived here. One of the deciding factors for me in blowing my initial budget and getting my own little space (as opposed to sharing a larger flat with others) was the possibility of having family and friends visit and stay over. Tomorrow, 2 new guests will be arriving - my mom and my tita! First time family will be visiting actually and first time I'll have 2 people over at the same time. 

Palazzito P (yes - hostel chain of Palazzo Plazo, lol) will be full house! It'll be a little tight - I managed to fit a queen-size air mattress in a space as big as the air mattress -  but it'll (hopefully) still be comfortable. I've lived in tighter "happy houses" and it's always been a lot of fun. Trial and error for when Palazzito P reaches maximum capacity in May when my A, M & R come and visit!

I'm trying to keep my "stuff" at a minimum though - less clutter is good for my life and my sunday cleaning days! I'm just waiting for a few more things for my wall and then I think I'll be done - for now :) 

Sorry naman, I've filed away the original photo - so screenshot from PDF will have to do!
Snapped this picture when I was first deciding on whether or not to get it.

Few more pieces to home-ify the place

A little nature to green up the place

Living area transformed into a 2nd sleeping space

Home for the Holidays

Much delayed post about the holidays coming up...!

Hailing from a country that celebrates Christmas very early on in the year, I was very late in feeling the Christmas spirit. So much so that by the time it hit me in mid-December, I wanted to drop everything (ie: work) and just run back to the Philippines.

I figured there were only 2 extreme ways to go: hide or see everyone. After the crazy work weeks leading up Christmas, I was very tempted to do the former. But very happy I ended up doing the latter.

With dinners and errands booked everyday, my week and a half back home flew by. It was so lovely being home that mid-way through the trip, I found myself looking for ways to slow down time and delay having to come back to Singapore.

As much as I enjoyed it though, I have to admit that when I landed back in Singapore, there was definitely a sense of relief and free- breathing. The more I do, the more I need to just be. Thinking I should factor this in next time around if I can help it!

So glad my company gives us the week off between Christmas and New Year. Maybe this year I should do as many of my colleagues do and extend the break a little longer to REALLY make it a holiday. This way, I'll be able to spend it with family and friends, but also quiet time with myself.

ACGC kiddies dinner at BGC. Photo c/o JOM

ACS kiddie couture during the annual Christmas party. Theme this year? Kiddie party! Photo c/o JOM

Matching necklaces for me, my sisters and my mom 

My first social engagement for the break: afternoon with L

Having been part of that semi-circle for so many Chrsistmas' - it was a great change to experience it from the audience!

Dinner with P one evening...

...followed by drinks with X & L

Merienda with some of the Sesqui-Tandres girlies

Stopped by the old office...

... and had dinner and catchup with the soon to be weds!

Playing "who can smile the longest" w/ R - new silly game to add to our roster of random games

Home made mini cinnamon rolls with ice cream at a family reunion

Quiet noche buena with the family

It was a hoot seeing my parents Skyping for the first time together with some old friends from J-Town. First time chatting with each other in YEARS!!

With lola, great grandma and mom

Yummy gingerbread people made by M

Pochi

Bakloo Bear

Eeyore

Lola & lolo at a another family reunion

M's new addiction - fruit ninja

SK's Big Day

SK and I have been friends for as long as I remember. Growing up there was horseback riding, altar girls, forced singing &/or dancing performances at parties, slumber parties, Freshman year.. the list goes on.

Naturally, I was thrilled of course she told me she was engaged. And then.. I felt old. Lol. I think it may have all of a sudden hit me that geez, we really HAVE grown up!

SK married her man in magical Bali about a month ago. It was a lovely wedding, and a relaxing weekend away. Aside from a bit of sweatshop work of manually putting together the chocolate giveaways - my only official role was to host... the actual ceremony. Hehe. So while the other bridesmaids were running about attending to the bride, me and a few other friends spent the rest of the weekend relaxing. Leisurely breakfasts, a good number of hours on a sun bed facing the ocean with smoothies and cocktails, massages, having the most amazing meals - you name it, we probably DIDNT do it because we were "busy" lazing about.

Aside from the obvious bumming, and witnessing SK's dream wedding, it was great to catch up with old classmates and the Titos & Titas from the old crew. All in all - an awesome weekend away I'd say!

Welcome drinks and fragrant cold towels upon our arrival at Ayana Resort & Spa 

Some of Ayan's lovely details 

Pool upon pool upon pool at Ayana

Beautiful door frame @ Ayana

Banana Pancake at Warung Made (nom nom nom)

I think we spent 4 hours just sitting on this sun bed - moving from sun to
sunset, smoothies to cocktails

Love love love this restaurant - beautiful place and delectable French food.
Above is a friend's appetizer of scallops & Foie Gras 

After I had my lobster ravioli & rack of lamb - I finished off my meal with some sinful mille feuille 

Prep the boxes, cut & tie the ribbons, attach the charms.
Godiva goodies handcarried by R from Seattle to HongKong to Bali

SK & C 

The most insane shower I have ever seen - at the beautiful Ayana Villa 

Wedding reception

Wish tree at the Reception

Thanks too guys!

Hotel Heaven

I love everything about hotels: the sheets, the room service, the bathrooms, the breakfast buffet.. I think I could go on and on.

When I'm not day dreaming about marrying royalty (you KNOW you were moved the same way I was when watching Princess Diaries!!), I daydream about marrying someone who will buy me a hotel. None of this becoming a powerful woman and building my own hotel empire - i mean, BUY ME A HOTEL. Yup - found in the same sack of day dreams about  becoming a lady of leisure :)

I was lucky enough in October to have stayed in 4 different hotels - all for different reasons. Thought I'd just immortalize it in a blog post.

One of these days I really will indulge in a stay-cation and spend it lolling about a hotel.

New Old Friends

One of the many things that has helped me transition into life here are friends.

I'm very blessed- a number of old acquaintances live in Singapore, including 2 very dear friends who have been key in my moving and settling in. As Singapore is such a popular transit locale - I've also already seen friends from back home and having visitors pop in over the next few months. 

Come to think of it - I think I've seen a lot of new old faces in my last month & half here than I have in a years time in Manila. Funny how that works.

After visiting a few friends around the U.S. 2 years ago, I remember thinking to myself how it great it was to see old friends in new contexts - getting to know them outside of the world I originally had known them, not hearing about their new stories through email or chat, but actually living it with them for a few days. 

Still experiencing the same sentiments now - same friends, different context. It's a lovely position to be in as you're presented with the opportunity to get to know someone just a little bit more.