2011 In Review: Quarter 2

Life threw me a fast one in Quarter 2.

Birthday month was full of travel: took a few days off over Holy Week with some dear friends and loitered around Guimaras, Bacolod and Iloilo. Then on the evening of my birthday, I flew to Seoul for a few days primarily to attend the wedding of a high school friend. It was my first time to all of these places.

Birthday month was a big one for career as well. A friend unexpectedly popped up out of nowhere one Friday evening to let me know that she had referred me for an opening at her firm. I interviewed via Skype the following Thursday morning, I was offered a job that evening and I resigned the day after. Quickest hire I've ever gone through and they had ever done. A month after that Friday, I clocked in my last day at work, hoped on a plane to Singapore early Sunday morning and started work (and life) at my new firm in Singapore.

My 29th year was definitely off to an exciting start.

Weeks that followed included house hunting (and finding!), immersing myself in work, and doing all the things that I needed to do to get myself well acquainted with my new life.

None of this would've happened as smoothly as it did was it not from the encouragement of friends and family.

Holy Week in IloIlo

With old highschool classmates in Seoul

Traveling with friends never gets old

Seoul tour-guide and JKT friend

Seoul

Exploring Guimaras

Wedding in Seoul

Visita Iglesia 

Day off in Seoul

J during one of our first SG get togethers

Doggie love

w/ K after my first day of work

L's bday bash

My favorite homecooked bday fare

First brunch with N and his family in SG

The start of a long love affair

Work!

Day in the life of a DM 

Last drinks with B+C beloveds

Stuffing my life into a suitcase

Last tres marias lunch before the move

LPS w/ visiting Sir Jo

My host for a week

First house guest in SG!

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

Royal (Design) Wedding

Went home to Manila over the Chinese New Year break for a number of reasons. One big reason was to attend the wedding of two dear friends I made during my one-year stint at my previous firm. 

Devil was truly in the details for this wedding, so I wish I had (1) brought my big camera, and (2) had more time to take pictures. Given my outfit (ie: tiny bag) and my wedding duties (reception host & 1 of the well-wisher speakers) - iPhone snapshots had to suffice.

It was a tasteful, beautiful and intimate wedding. I expected nothing less from the up and coming family of design, but still, it blew me away! The whole affair was straight forward and simple, yet elegant and fun. Couple really did away with the frills and focused on making it an affair their guests would enjoy - very telling of the generous two. Ceremony was solemn and happy (go ACS! hehe). Bride & groom glowed and looked perfect. Cake and food was DELICIOUS. Reception venue was unique and beautifully dressed.

Congrats and big big hugs E + T. You 2 surely know how to throw a wedding! Do it again together next year? hehe.

Invitation wrapped and beautifully tied

Monogram and layout on page perfect captures both personalities to a T!

Love love love - segregation of info, iconography, fonts chosen

No detail left out!

ACS serenaded the couple for the ceremony. Luckily, my kiddie loves were part of the cast
so got to hug them, even if it was for a few minutes

ACS sings - 20+ were available that day! 

E & T tie the knot! 

Lovely table settings - perfect with the magnificent food that evening

CCP reception - beautifully dressed! Bagay with the woodland creatures theme  

E & T - well... T & E. lol

Photo op with first family of design

Long time friend of the E and friend from ACS - got to spend QT with Tr & her family at the reception

With the newly weds (PS: I LOVE T's gooooowwwwn) 

Bumped into Bizu owner and freshmen year barkada - Auds!

2011 In Review: Quarter 1

A little bit late, but better late than never I must say!

Wanted to recap my year in quarters, and as always, through pictures!

2011 was an awesome awesome year - ups and downs but steady climb upward and onwards I'd like to think! Year of blessings for sure.

Through it all though, a constant theme that ran through my 12 months (and all my years I forsee!) is new experiences- no matter how big or small. Through work, travel, family and friends.

Work: photoshoots, books, avp shoots, and event design with B+C, TATLO and ACGC 90th anniversary with ACS, and a build for Renovate to Educate.

Travel: back to baguio for the first time in over 20 years for the wedding of a friend's sister, and first time in Donsol to go swimming with whale sharks!

Family & Friends: continued making new memories with long time friends - dinners, lunches, sleepover all wrapped up in nonstop laughter and merry making. And well, time with family of course!

thank you e.gavas for the photo