Masskara!

Checked off my bucket list going to a Philippine fiesta!

Fresh (and really affordable) seafood, decadent cakes, tasty BBQ,  24/7 drinking over 3 days, crowded streets, extravagant masks and all around good times with good friends.

Oh yes.. and a side trip home to see family, friends and squish-able doggies.

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

textures: holy week '11

I love patterns. I love textures. Here's a look at my holy week trip through design-tinted glasses. 

 Kitchen flooring in the over 100-year old Locsin home (Jaro, Iloilo)

  Stone steps at the Talisay Ruins (Talisay, Bacolod)

  Ornate old frame on wall of Balay Negrense (Silay, Bacolod)

  Rosaries galore being sold at Jaro Cathedral (Jaro, Iloilo)

   Exterior facade of Jaro Cathedral (Jaro, Iloilo)

   Open window at Jaro Cathedral (Jaro, Iloilo)

  Friends making way out of banca (Jordan, Guimaras)

   Bamboo at Trappist Monk Abbey (Jordan, Guimaras)

   Door at Miag-ao Church door (Miag-ao, Guimaras)

   Miag-ao facade (Miag-ao, Iloilo)

   Street side cotton candy as (one of many) roadtrip snacks (Iloilo) 

     Empty glass bottles (Jaro, Iloilo)

    Light switch at Nelly Gardens (Jaro, Iloilo)