Tick Tock Tick Tock

Don't we all just love new beginnings? Like everything just magically disappears and we can start anew everytime the clocks strike 12 on New Year's Eve. But that's just my imagination talking and everything resumes as normal the minute you wake up the next day. Preferably, minus the hang over.

I can still remember the beginning of this year like it was just yesterday. One of the most memorable new years I have ever had, to say the least and true enough... 2010 will be a year I will always remember.

Looking back, I got engaged! Married! And now expecting a little bundle of joy. Could I ask for anything more?

One of the guilty pleasures is looking at my old blogs from years before and see how far I have come. I've always been into journals and it does enable you to see things and how you learn to see the future in a much brighter place.

This will probably be my last entry for 2010. And what a good year it has been. Dreams came true this year. My God is good beyond measure.

Now, I can honestly, I don't fear being 31 or 35 or even 50. I have God's best with me and another blessing to come very soon.

God is here yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you, Lord!

Paris 2007

It was in my visit to Paris in 2007 that I saw this billboard on the way to the airport:

On Twitter today I saw the news that the girl in this ad, Isabelle Caro, who has had anorexia since she was 13 years old, died at a very young age of 28 last month.

Brings us back to reality. Amidst all the food and merry making, there are people like this in need of a lot of help, support, love and understanding. Kudos for her bravery then to stand up for what she knew others were going through as well.

Christmas 2010

What always makes Christmas so meaningful are the people and experiences that no amount of money can ever buy, and no fancy wrapping to make even better. Simple, true and worth a lifetime.

This was my first Christmas as Mrs. Syching and God has been overwhelmingly generous this year. Too many blessings to even mention. Thank you, Father!

What made me happiest was having my dad and brother come over and just being together as a family again. Ready to start the year right.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Nothing like the original...

my two loves together

Balut and lamb. My dream has become a reality. You would most likely never see these two together in one plate. But this week, thanks to Jenny and Pam, my dream has been realized and I could happily burp like a sailor that night.

before the stretching starts

I am honestly terrified of getting stretchmarks. Not that I am being too touchy about the whole idea of stretchmarks. Its just that my family has a history of unsightly stretchmarks. My brother has stretchmarks from him weight gain and so does my mom from bearing kids.

Came upon this product at SM department store and trying it out for a bit. Just so happy that options like these are available. A friend of mine also suggested a Burt's Bees product. Still have to check that out for myself but only God knows when I can get myself back to Manila anytime soon.

So here's to keeping my hopes up that this works. Or else my sides are gonna look like Wolverine's scratching post.

My little kasoy

It never ceases to blow my mind how technology can bring life to you one step closer. A blessing in every sense of the word.

Yesterday we went to have our ultrasound check. It was beyond words to actually see the heart beating, much less listening to it. I could see the little hands and umbilical cord. God's miracle in something so tiny. As Joey called it, "kasoy" or cashew nut.

9 weeks and a day in. Amazing...

Gonna miss you, partner!

Jing finally left for New York to join her hubby. After more than 5 years of waiting, I think, she is where she belongs and everyone she left behind will just have to make do without her around anymore.

I guess this not only means an end to a great badminton partnership, but days of missing one of the best friends that I have. We've been through a lot and I guess I'm also happy that I found my life partner before I got to see her go join hers. I would have been even more devastated.

But such is life. You live, learn, love, grow and bond. But letting go is also a part of it. Letting go in a bad sense, but also in a good way. Painful and sad, but thats life. Its not the end for us. Just a big change.

Here's to Jing and the Big Apple. Hope we get together sometime soon. 'Til then, thank God for roaming and Jan (our angel).

bow wow wow

Mini pins are kinda hard to sell, apparently. Trying to sell about 3 of Bryan's new batch and so far, no one's biting (figuratively speaking).

Beagles, on the other hand, are a different story all together. Too many bookings all lined up and only a handful of puppies. I guess we know who wins this bout :)

Channeling back the bookworm in me

There used to be a time wherein everywhere I went, I had a book. I could spend the whole day in my room just reading. Just had some drink or snacks to get me through even more leasurely. That was the party animal in me way back when.

Since college, reading has been a bit tough but I could still do it often. Then as I took on more responsibilities with work and I actually got myself a love life, well... Books had to take a back seat. Waaaay back.

Nothing like getting myself pregnant to take me back into that groove. It just amazes me the information that is out there right now. I actually might have a chance to know something about all this after all! Haha!

Right now I'm reading this book and bought the set (minus one which is currently out of stock) from Fully Booked Online. Isn't it just a dream come true? If only Jaime came with each delivery. Just a joke!

About 12-15 of my friends have recommended this book. Majority actually. So I guess it does live up to its reputation. I am so looking forward to all this. Thankful to the Lord that He has spared me from the morning sickness and obsessive cravings (so far). I do get more sleepy now. Never thought that was possible! And I do get a slight tinge in my back after sitting for so long. But Bryan has been so wonderful. He's been taking such good care of me and my sanity. Oh yeah! I am grumpier now. Fun times!

But I do function normally. Although they have restricted my stair climbing frequency down to 2 times a day. That's the price we have to pay for living on the 3rd floor. I dream of the day wherein I am back safely on the ground, where I can actually smell the grass when it rains.

This weekend is something I am really looking forward to. So many fun things to do in Iloilo! I am still in culture shock! I'm bit by bit discovering the little places to buy knick knacks. I can get the hang of this!

Can't believe its going to be November soon. Time flies and its done with 2010.

Trying something different

Learning that I was actually pregnant only confirmed what I was already feeling. I know its such a cliche but it really is a feeling and you just know. Amazing how God works.

Discovering the wonderful world of maternal nutrition and medication. Not that bad. I was expecting so much more tablets, bigger doses and yucky stuff coming my way. Glad to find tiny tablets and milk in my future. Anmum it is for me. Thrilled to find out it comes in different flavors! So far I have seen the regular vanilla, hazelnut dream (love the name!) and chocolate. Fun! I'm looking forward to every milk schedule (which is twice a day)!

Praying fervently I don't end up like my mom. But other than that, its been an easy ride so far! Thank God!

Very grateful to have so many people and moms around me. Family and friends giving tips and pointers. A bit bummed I have to take out coffee, softdrinks, sushi, processed meat and sunny side up eggs from my usual fare. But its going to be worth it.

So here's to a whole lotta milk, veggies and all that good stuff.

guess whats cooking!

As of 12:30pm this morning, we confirmed it with a blood serum test. We're having a baby!

All those years of imagining, what it would be like to find out. How it would be at this very moment. Standing at this time in my life, finally. I am filled with gratefulness and in awesome wonder at the greatness of our God.

This is a miracle and a blessing above all blessings. This could happen to anyone, but He willed it to happen to us. Thank you, Lord. And I still continue to pray for those who are not as fortunate. Perhaps the Lord has something much better and more for them. But in everything, You're will be done, Oh God. May I be indeed worthy of such a gift and responsibility.

Can't wait to go to the doctor tomorrow and see whats in store.

blast from the past

Twitter has opened up so many funny, unusual, profitable and reminiscing doors for me. I am a Twitter addict and I am so proud of it. Love the site!

Anyways, I began following Wil Wheaton on Twitter when I actually started. I had the hugest crush on him since I was in 6th grade. From Stand By Me to his stint in this techie show (title I forgot at the moment). I am loyal and that includes my celebrity crushes.

Pitter patter says my heart. I know... I know... I'm married. Hahaha! I can still laugh from time to time and remember, right? What can I say, the guy is cute, smart and has a really great sense of humor? :D

in a blah stage

Perhaps its based on the lack of being able to produce something creatively. I just feel so boringly normal. Maybe its because my only output lately has been work related or in sports. How Amazonic of me at times! Its like ugh and grunt most of the time with sweat all over. I am Cave woman, hear me roar! Cue in the dinosaurs.

A friend being able to write for a public paper actually surprised me a few weeks ago. Not for anything, I'm proud of her nonetheless. But it sparked that side of me that hasn't been exposed in a really long time. Talk about being stuck in a rut.

Here's to hoping I find some interesting topics to talk about soon. So not to bore anybody in the process.

Pass the sunscreen

Aug 26, 2010...

First trip together as a married couple. How cheesy can I get? Nothing beats a trip to the beautiful islands of El Nido, Palawan. I've always loved traveling. A passion and an addiction at the same time. But I am embarrassed to admit that I haven't done much traveling my own country. I am so glad that I finally have someone to trek around with. Someone who can laugh at my clumsiness and just shake his head as we go.

Thanks to Holcim, we got a trip to El Nido!

One thing I did learn from this experience during the early part of the trip is: never sit behind the pilot of a 19 person capacity plane! Every move he made, ever word he would say I would get freaked out. I guess fear of flying does run in the family.

Welcome to Lagen Beach Resort!

Beautiful view from our beachside room! Imagine we had this morning, noon and night to just sit back and soak it all in.

Or just bum around by the pool with a nice cool drink. The Lagen special is pretty good.

This thrilled Bryan the most. This Monitor Lizard appeared right in front of our room. It was huge. Bryan had this "brilliant" idea to chase it in the middle of the night in the rain.

Miniloc Resort is also a gem to visit. The fishes and corals and even more impressive and its closer to the Big and Small Lagoons.

More pics in my facebook page. I don't think I could do it any justice, but I try. Nothing beats the real thing and the essence of being there in that particular moment.

made me smile

Love times like these when you run into funny tidbits of life. Just made me smile. Good thing I had my camera with me.

On July 25, 2010

On July 25, 2010, my new life began. Thank you, Lord for being there for the past 30 years. Looking forward to another 30 or more with my new half in life and love. May your name be glorified as in the generations before me. May we be blessed by the legacy that speaks more boldly than anything that You are what we were, are and will be. After 17 years, You answered the prayer of my heart because you know you are my delight.

Mrs. Syching... gotta get used to it now :)

Moving in

July 16, 2010:
The day I move most of my stuff to our new home. Well, not me exactly. I just did the packing, Joey and Richie did the lifting and hanging, Pam and Martin took the pictures and was there for moral support. I was left home wondering and checking on my facebook account.
Chinese traditions we followed included me bringing in a week's supply of new things (from underwear to toiletries) and everything had to be in even numbers. Then all wrapped and stuck with a special red and gold sticker. 2 flower cases with flowers, 2 food holders with candies in them and 2 lanterns. Interesting yet stressful at the same time.

I will be indebted to these guys for a very long time. Our place is on the 3rd floor and they had to go back and forth to do it more than once! Lunch was definitely on us!
They had to take my stuff out and hang them, too! Talk about spoiling me. I just made them all promise that none of them would be touching my underwear. I will just be so mortified and die!

My hubby did a pretty good job, don't you think? The rest of the space is just wonderful and I can't wait to move in officially. 8 more days to go and still counting :D

Dorlyn & Rayjay

Their relationship may be one for the teleseryes but I'm glad these two made it to the altar at last! On July 14, 2010, Dorlyn Allares and Ray Jay Palmos are finally Mr. & Mrs. It was a civil wedding so I'm looking forward to the church wedding very, very soon. Never realized Dorlyn and I would be married on the same month almost 1 week apart!

feeling the rush

I never knew how stressful invitations could be! But now I know. First, I couldn't sleep because they weren't done yet. Then I couldn't sleep because I had to write down the people I had to send them to. Then send them. And now I'm stressing because the couriers are saying they can't send some of them because its "too far" or they need a contact number for the ones that are to be sent out of the country. I have only 12 days left!

But I am excited about this one. My best friend Elena will be singing Lea Salonga's "Two Words" during the reception. All those years of seeing her in competition, I'm thrilled that she said yes to my wedding.

Hello July!

I can't believe it... Its finally July. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that one day the month of July would hold this much weight on my life. The month that my life will change forever. Exciting. Daunting. But might as well take the leap.

The things Bryan and I have been going through in June has been more than we have ever expected. But I appreciate it because we get to see each other in a different light. We do work well together. He's the sane and I'm the SLIGHTLY insane/paranoid :D That's in my blood I guess and you can't mess with the gene pool!

30 AND FINALLY!




Funny how I used to dread birthdays. Really. I did. I dreaded it more because it sorta meant getting older and still alone. I know, must be all those Sweet Valley and Sweet Dreams books I read as a kid. It messes you up, apparently.

But now its different. I'm 30 but I'm also engaged. A bit off schedule (make that 3 years off), but glad I'm in this point in my life wherein I'm 98% sure I'm ready and raring to go.

Partying on my birthday was always a thing for me and my friends since we didn't have anybody in our lives then (single ladies inc.). Now its more chill and mellow and just enjoying the company of family and friends. I know who my real friends are so I'm blessed and every time spent is never a waste.

The messages on my Facebook page has been more than I could have ever dreamed and its very humbling. I'm actually worth something to these people for them to take the time to message me and greet me. Little things like that we most often take for granted. But right now, it gives me encouragement and hope that I'm not as messed up or a loner as I thought I was.

The people at work surprised me AGAIN! Can't believe how much they can come up with and still do it almost every single year. Love them and at the same time they can raise my blood pressure just like that. But Hercor won't be Hercor without them.


To top it all off, I have family... As nuts as we all can be.

Friends, too. Although we weren't complete that day, but we are in our 30s! No more sunggod2 :D Its all cool :)

I'm 30! :D

Girl in the white dress

Still hasn't hit me as much. But I do get teary eyed thinking about what my dad would say during his speech. How my dad would be when he walks me down the aisle. Seeing the man I waited for 30 years finally next to me. How everything you dreamed and hoped for, crammed into that single moment that would change the rest of your life.

I always imagined being married. I was one of those girls who always hoped for it and PRAYED for it. I remember Tita Geline teaching me to pray for it specifically since I was 16 years old. And I did. I can still recall moments, like when I would be stuck in traffic on my way to school, I would find myself praying for my future husband and hoping that everything's okay wherever and whoever he was.

Then in one split second, after waiting for so long, he's finally in front of me. One of the miracles that God has up His sleeve that is just too amazing for words.

In all this chaos, I find myself picking out fonts for our invitations, wedding bands, giveaways... I have to pause sometimes and think, "Is this really me?" "Is this really my turn?"

In our barkada I always thought it would be Elena. I always thought I would be one of those really late bloomers. I guess I guessed wrong.

My destiny was almost literally right around the corner. How could I have missed someone who looked like this?

Love this picture! Awww... My dad surprised me when he saw this picture and said, "If this is how my grandkid would look like, I wouldn't mind at all." Awww... I get tears in my eyes again just typing it.

PICTORIAL TIME:
Had our pictorial this weekend with Bordoy as our photographer. Funny how we ended up having it in Talon. But I wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else. Besides being the family's property, this was my family's legacy. My great grandfather, grandfather and father walked this land and made it their pride with all the sacrifices that went along with it. My best childhood memories are from that place. The people there I consider my family.

It was an experience in itself. I am still the kind of person who prefers to be behind the camera. Having all that attention on us was one thing. I am also not a PDA person either. Having tricycles and jeeps go buy at certain locations made me want to sink under the grass we were sitting on.

The experience taught me to appreciate family even more and the family that I will be having soon.

IS THIS ME?
Fitting my wedding dress for the first time. Well, the lining anyway. What an out of body experience it was.

The same place where I had all those bridesmaid dresses made. I think I might have every color already. Then all of a sudden, here I am before a mirror, in white. Is that really me?

What an amazing feeling. What an amazing time in my life. Its not perfect and far from being one. But its mine. No one else's.

Here's to more updates!

Midway Day

Midway is found in Passi City right next to the main highway from Iloilo to Capiz. You can't miss it! Fruits in season and the best Halo2 around! Its my Abuelita's recipe so I'm kinda biased. But its worth the stop and lets you experience the simple yet beautiful life in the country side. Love the green bags, too. Helping the environment as well.

love this dress!

Can't believe this is by SM! Cool dress! Wonder if they have it in Iloilo :D Love!

mga amiga

From Left to right: Elena, Jb, Cathy, Kat2 & Michelle

Got to get together with some highschool friends last May 19 at Sandbar. Interesting how we got together and looking back at how we all used to be and do.

Elena then: The classical singer. Very girly. Glasses and long straight hair.
Elena now: A nurse. Helps out in her family's bakeshop. Still very girly. Still sings. Different shades of contact lenses (love her brown and gray ones!). Hair depends on the season. Still single and looking.

Jb then : the honor student. Leader. Always spoke her mind and knew what she wanted. Popular.
Jb now: Its Atty. Jb now. Teaches in between cases. Married to another lawyer. Still speaks her mind. Currently trying to have a baby.

Cathy then: the school knock-out. Popular. Life of the party. Tallest girl in our batch. Was into modelling and being fiesta queen.
Cathy now: Wife and mother of Amaya. Bakes and joins bazaars. Based in Boracay in her husband's resort there and lives in Manila in between.

Kat2 then: a bit on the boyish side but a such a sweetie. Always a friend to everybody. She had her own clique in highschool but always got on everyones good side. A leader.
Kat2 now: a certified PT. Still a good friend and keeps in touch almost everyday. Still always ready to help out. Single.

Michelle then : quiet. Chess champ. Content with just being in the background. Known her since grade school.
Michelle now: a Doctor! Still rarely get to see her. A bit more outspoken now. Good for her! Still single and looking as well. Wonder if she still plays chess.

Wow its been almost 14 years since highschool. I guess these are the days wherein I can really look back to the life I had already.

Cebu weekend

Hilton Cebu... wish I had my suit with me. Dang! But it was a good day and the break I needed from the monotony of everything thats been going on lately. Aaaaahhh...

Praying for a new Philippines...

Election Day has come and gone, we now know who we look forward to "serving" us in the next 6 years. I do hope they do serve, as most of them have failed to live up to their responsibility time and time again.

It saddens me that some of my personal bets didn't make it. But I do look to the fact and reality that God is there no matter who stands before me. He is the only constant. The only One who has control over everybody's future.

So let us all lay our hopes and dreams in the hands of the only one who has a say in it. Praying for the best. Let us hold on to the victory that is in our Lord. Praying that the people elected will remember their place in our lives. That the Filipino people will finally work together. That we can make our country into a better one.

Congratulations to those who won!

Dumangas stop

Sundays are usually Dumangas days for us. I think we head off to this quaint little hideaway point almost every month. Its just a cool and simple way of beating the hussle and bustle of the city. Get back to the waves crashing and simple, honest to goodness food at its freshest. Shrimp, pork, sibingan... How could you go wrong?

It was such a hot day and we had to do a lot of errands. This was a good way to time out, even just for a few minutes. Then we were back to rushing to our appointments for the day.

The elders

Coming home to this was a classic scene to behold. It kinda reminded me of gossiping ladies on the sidewalks of New York or New Jersey with their sofas out, shades, a fan and just watching the world go by. Well, this is our version. Iloilo style!

This was so funny but something I won't forget for years to come. Its one of those sentimental moments. After all, Abuelita is a part of this picture. Literally.

A few moments later they ask, "What are we looking at, anyway?" Hahaha Classic! Gerard thrown in the mix for extra humour :D

LIB-UG

With only a few weeks left, the madness continues. Its hard to come from a small town where everybody knows everybody and are somehow related to the other in more ways than one. But we vote by conscience and by the way we see that person dealing with the trial up ahead. It may all be games right now but when the reality sets in and the names are announced, thats when a lot of hurt can happen. You think a lot of people have gotten hurt na? You haven't seen anything yet if the people we vote for fall flat on their faces.

Best example I think is Obama. Americans practically worshiped him! The rest of the world fell into the spell of the whole Obama-ism movement. Months into it, what has he done, really? More talk and no work. Bush may had been a clutz and a simpleton but at least he did something. Sometimes not the right things but he did take action the best way he knew how.

I'm scared that people in the Philippines are so caught up in the moment. The mythology of it all. I pray for all to wake up and finally go where their minds take them. Its not a matter of whos popular or unpopular. Its about whats right. And we all know right is not always and never will be the popular choice.

Vote wisely. God as our guide. Only He knows whats up ahead.

Green state of mind