Destination Thursday

Let's travel, follow my feet to random experiences

//image via

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do in life. 

The excitement of planning, landing in a new country, figuring out how to get around and seeing breath-taking sceneries or amazing architectures just make you feel so alive doesn't it?  Travel allows me to look at life in a different perspective. During my last trip to Europe with the hubz, we went for Boxing Day mass in Florence, Italy. We didn't even think for a second the day before that we will be in Florence the next day. It was an unplanned trip. We decided to get the train tickets the night before from Milano Centrale railway station (We were based in Milan) and off we went. A random thought creeped up during the mass ... I just thought about how fortunate I am to have the means to experience so many faraway cities, food and culture with my loved one(s).

So! I am aiming to start a new series called //Destination Thursday which will document my favorite travel memories, packing tips, surviving long hauls and cool seasons (for those living in the tropics, like me!), dream destinations, related gift ideas and so on. I hope I will be able to keep this up so ... wish me luck!

Saturday Reflection.

Love this post from Live Creating Yourself. Poignant thoughts about love and marriage.

“Marriage is those two thousand indistinguishable conversations, chatted over two thousand indistuinguishable breakfasts, where intimacy turns like a slow wheel. How do you measure the worth of becoming that familiar to somebody—so utterly well known and so thoroughly ever-present that you become an almost invisible necessity, like air?”

“People always fall in love with the most perfect aspects of each other’s personalities. Who wouldn’t? Anybody can love the most wonderful parts of another person. But that’s not the clever trick. The really clever trick is this: Can you accept the flaws? Can you look at your partner’s faults honestly and say, ‘I can work around that. I can make something out of it.’? Because the good stuff is always going to be there, and it’s always going to pretty and sparkly, but the crap underneath can ruin you.”

Words by Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

photos via I Am Beyonce. Thanks 

Specially for the city dwellers

I came across an adorable post by Joanna Goddard who lives in Manhattan NY with her husband, Alex and toddler son, Toby. Like many of us city dwellers, she struggles with the fact that we do not have outdoor areas to hang out in after a long day.

This is a true case of making do with what you have and having fun with it! After a lightbulb moment, they sneak out to their fire escape space via the bedroom and they have made it into a ritual after their baby falls asleep.

Cute I say!

PS. I shall make better use of my decent balcony from today!

To a new year - 2012

via

Did you have a good time? I have been really busy with the family get-togethers, big meals, shopping for presents and decorating the home for the festive season. ... and with the blink of an eye 2011 came and went. Am pretty pleased with how it went.

It was not an easy year. It was a year of transitions. Ironically, I am with the Career Transition Team at work. We aim to facilitate a smoother transition for military personnel who are at the tail-end of their military career by organising Networking Events/Seminars to get them ready for the Corporate jungle. I also contributed (and still am!) articles to the bi-annual Career Transition magazine. It's a great feeling to have your articles published.

The hubz and I also finally got our own place to stay. It's fun but really tiring as well. There arent any more piping hot meals (thanks to mommy!) on the table when you get back home from work and we constantly have to think about household chores, being organised, meals.. things we took for granted before.

So! 2012 is here. It will be a big year with more transitions. I don't have any resolutions, but will attempt to accomplish some "goals" in my bucketlist within the next couple of years. One of which is to go for a design course.

*I'm totally ashamed of not updating my blog this past month. ... and I am not gonna make any excuses for it.

In the blink of an eye ...

... it's {december}. it means we are getting really close to

... everyone is winding down and getting into the spirit of giving.

... and making merry.

... for me, there are a few to-dos at home.

{Images via top to bottom: vivaamore, annnniegirl, pinterest, thebrickhouse and mols}



Fitting a square peg into a round hole

I came across a blog post by a pretty well known blogger, erin gates (from elements of style) about "... letting people down by not feeling the hormonal frenzy of motherhood pulsing through [her] veins". The fact that she has the burning desire to travel, explore, work hard and take time to straighten exactly what she wants and need in life totally resonates with me. I also do feel that turning inward on myself will make me a better parent someday down the road, though it might sound selfish.

There is so much excitement in my life right now. Finally having my own mini-office, toying with ideas of possible business ventures, exploring, feeling. And you know, regret is a hard pill to swallow. So what if someday down the road, the kid you have is seven instead of ten? But, I seriously think I will be kicking myself if I had no chance to take up a design course or go for a safari in Kenya (just saying, don't get worried dear hubz) just because I went down the other path (to have a baby) which has no turning back.

Observing people and their bratty kids around me also puts me off and I get absolutely annoyed at parents who just sit around and not do anything to correct their child's acts of defiance. Yes, its a typical part of growing up. Toddlers act out cos they are learning to develop independance. However, having said that, it doesn't mean parents should condone the behavior because its hard to sort through what behavior is simply part of growing up and what indicates a brat-in-the-making. I read that part of that is for the parent to find out through observations what typically causes tantrum eruptions and find a solution to avoid those triggers. Anyway, I am well aware that its definitely easier said than done, which is why until I think I am ready to be effective in parenting ... I will continue to drag rugs and lamps up and down my hallway.

{random picture by yours truly}

Where's the love?

I didn't realise that its been almost a month since my last post. I'm still around, busy shuttling back and forth the new apartment, work and my current home (my parents!). It's been an eventful month and things are slowing down. The apartment is doing great and I seriously can't wait to do a house tour for you lucky people (!). Another reason for my silence is I could not find anything blog-worthy ... until now.

Next time you see people getting ready for photographs, go behind them.

.... thats where u'll find all the LOVE. {via here}

Keeping it real

Hello! I know I disappeared for a while now. Things have been so hectic with the new house. We had to cram everything (errands, scouting for essential items for the house etc) into the weekend as the hubz and I work in opposite ends of the island. We are also just too tired to go out during the week days. I know this is just the beginning (and we are already feeling quite overwelmed). On a brighter note, we managed to get ALOT done over the past weekend. We decided to do without a few items on the renovation list to cut down costs, bought a "manly" deep brown leather recliners despite my protests that we are deviating from the theme of the house we agreed on [cosmopolitan] and that the couch is just too sloppy for my liking -- Hubz 1 Me 0. We also bought a 47 inch tv despite my protests that the size is waaaay too big for our apartment -- Hubz 2 Me 0. We found a refrigerator that it not too big for our apartment at a reasonable price, $1000 less than what we expected to pay -- Hubz 3 Me 1. But you know, who cares about the theme. I am secretly excited about everything - even the huge tv. What is important is that we should be comfortable in our own house and being in-charge of decor, I'll just work around everything. Afterall, the design blogs and magazines I browsed all this time should come to a good use, right?

I've been following Jen's blog for quite some time now and I just love her home tour segments. The homes she features are real homes, they look functional, lived in and most importantly stylish. Here are some favorites. I also plan to incorporate most of the ideas in my home.

{From Tanya's Townhouse Tour}

Who says leather sofas are sloppy?

{Erica's Home & Nursery Tour}

Love how the owner clusters alchohol and make-up essentials. Check out the holder for the make-up brushes and python tray!

Re-cap 2010

I started following blogs on interior/design/photography in 2009 while planning for my wedding and 2010 started with me wanting more visual treats as, "... the more you see, the more your eye and taste evolves." I'm taking a quick look back over the past year, which has been relatively a big one imho, being married and all.

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Pantone color of 2010 {Turquoise}  

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Leggings were big in 2010

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Could NOT get over bib necklaces.

{lonnymag}

Sophisticated mobile mini-bars.

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MORE DIY inspiration

Stay-cation in Ritz Carlton Singapore with the hubz to celebrate Valentine's Day that coincided with a super long weekend 'cos Chinese New Year.

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Got bangs.

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 Inspiration for our new apartment + SATC II

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On the career front, I was entrusted with new portfolio - corporate events. The above was the venue of one of my more successful events. 

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We bought a Canon DSLR for the hubz to explore his interest in photography.


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Went ga-ga over Eames chairs and managed to purchase a replica (!)

{picture by the hubz}

Our long-awaited trip to visit my bestie in Austin, Texas. That's Lake Travis behind us.

{pictures by yours truly}

TONS of shopping at Texas outlets.

{picture by yours truly}

San Francisco getaway for the weekend from Austin, TX 

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 Party planning inspiration. 2011 will see more parties in an effort to get our friends together more often.

{lisa sherry interieurs}

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MORE inspiration for our new apartment. There is SO much to look forward to in 2011 including collection of keys for our new high-rise (39th floor) apartment! Be excited for us!

"Did you walk a path that wasn't yours?"

Have you ever felt that – without regret – you have chosen and are on the wrong path, and though you wish to be free of it, abandoning this road will cause much more chaos and hurt than staying on it? (Sue-Ann Marquis)

A friend of mine, M, posted a blog entry by Paulo Coelho on Facebook and now, I have bookmarked the blog. Sub-consciously I've always thought about my career - am I happy? am I feeling stretched here? where to next? and so on. But the last few days of 2010, especially after an introspective evening with ex-colleagues, I continued the self-examination and started thinking about changing the career path because I feel that I am not maximising my potential and to top it off, there's no progression. I do not want to just settle.

The hubz constantly reminds me that even though I was at jobs that do not pay that well, the experience I have gained is invaluable compared to individuals who have not left their comfort zone. But not exploring and working on my strengths is slowing eating into me and my greatest fear is a dead brain and a lost soul, living day to day just for the sake of ... stability.

So! This year, I am planning to take a course on Visual Communications for an introduction to software application, applying color, typography and so on. It's never too late to work on what you are passionate about. Following which, I hope I am able to stop procrastinating and do something about venturing out on my own.

So peeps, A Toast ... 

To Moving Away.

To Never Too Far.

To Growing Up.

To Settling Down.

{Source}

...and when it rains, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there is no rainbow

{source}

There has been a shift in weather here lately. So, instead of cool, crisp air lucky ladies in opposite ends of the world experience, that calls for a fashionable coat, we get humidity which makes it irksome to be out and about. The change in weather also means many people fall ill and that includes the hubz. Yesterday was spent checking the body temperature and making a trip to the hospital to ensure the temperature hikes weren't anything to get too worried about.

Hump day

 

{source: fashion star}

Well, its not been too bad today. The day started off on a good note when I learnt that the former boss of my partner in crime at work tendered his resignation. Let's just put it this way, we were never impressed with the way he works. His resignation will also implicate former colleagues we are not big fans of. I know ... bitchy bitchy.

My team and I received compliments from our customers for an entire year's work. They complimented me specifically for competence and professionalism in organising the events, which totally made my day. They are very difficult customers but this calls for a celebration as I survived the entire year!

It also feels wonderful when we brighten up someone's day. I bought my team-mates some accessories from Forever21 and am glad they started wearing it immediately.

We are also 2 days away to the weekend! YIPEE *pop champagne*

Vacationing in The Lone Star State

Last month, the hubz and I took a vacation together to the United States. We've been there on separate occasions before. Myself to New York in 2005 to visit my bestie, Suyin before she moved to Austin, TX and the hubz to San Jose, Cali for a conference.

It took us 24 hours to reach Houston via Moscow, Russia and 3 more hours to Austin. We learnt upon reaching Houston that Suyin was hospitalised due to a virus. Thankfully, it was not serious and she was discharged the next day. SO! Our first stop was the hospital and we had her family home all to ourselves the first night.

Located a wonderful community in Austin - Steiner Ranch, it is a picture perfect home.

The next couple of days were pretty slow-paced with canoe-ing, inter-community soccer games for the kids in the park, BBQ by the lake, being introduced to family and friends, daily movie nights and so on.

Because Round Rock Donuts was featured on MAN vs FOOD, we had to go try those evil gluteny things since we were already in Austin. They open at 4 AM everyday (!) and, we loved the cinnamon twists (pretty sweet!) and piping hot glazed donuts.

If in that area:

106 W Liberty Street,

Round Rock, TX 78664

Knowing how much we love donuts, our new friend, Paul, brought us to one of the Krispy Kreme outlets (pictured above) where they gave out samples fresh out of the oven. we were in donut heaven!

We are such big fans of MAN vs FOOD that airs on TLC, I tell you. The last evening in Austin, we went to check out The Salt Lick. A rustic place in the midst of rolling hills, century-old oak trees and native wildflowers that is supposed to serve the best BBQ in Texas. The service is impeccable and, just look at all that meat!

If in that area:
18300 FM 1826
Driftwood, TX 78619

We decided to check out the Six Flags in San Antonio, TX. It was SUCH an eventful day and my first roller-coaster ride - the Goliath, an inverted coaster (top centre) was enuf to put me off the other rides *gag* My stomach was churning and my head was spinning in the hot sun by just watching The Scream (bottom left and centre) in action. The guys, the hubz, Suyin's hubby, San and Paul enjoyed the day and almost got on all the rides.

... and of course, the highlight of our stay in TX? Shopping, shopping and MORE shopping! I understand that they've got the best outlets in America (pls correct me if I'm wrong).

Besides shopping, I'm so glad that I managed to catch up with my best friend of 10 years. Since the time we knew each other, we were inseparable at work and outside the office. Just like all good friends, after 7 years living in opposite ends of the world, we easily picked up where we left off and I believe we are still going strong. I love that the hubz got to meet her finally and I love that our 2 husbands do get along really well. We had some wonderful times together with them. ♥