Short and Sweet and Sentimental

Every year for the past...who knows how many years, I've always wondered when Julia Fordham would hold a concert again in the country. I miss being swept away in romance land as she sings her song. I have watched all her past concerts, including those performances in hotels and I never got tired of it, despite the fact that she sings the same songs each time. Admittedly, I acquired my addiction to this diva from an ex, however, I have always liked her songs. So, I have been wishing to see her back on stage again.

My wish finally came true last Sunday. Had the privilege to watch her up close (Front seat!Thanks, TZ!) in Glorietta. It was a short one hour performance (which is fine with me because that's how long I can manage to stay seated without feeling uncomfortable), yet, Julia, again, did not disappoint. Never mind that it was not promoted with much fanfare, and that it was held in a public place, as always, she delivered a performance that will make you fall in love with the feeling of being in love! This I know because I watched her past concerts with different dates (fine, exes) and always ended up reeling from the same effect (Heck, I don't think it would matter if I watched it with a girlfriend.)!

And so, to end this post (and fine, because it is Valentine's Day), to quote a line from Julia's song, this goes to the man I am definitely in love with -- "I must have done something right, to be here loving you." I love you, sweetie!

Happy Heart's Day, Everyone! (Okay, I'm not really a believer of this day, so this is as far as I would go.)

Gastronomic Birthday

My birthday this year's on a Friday. We were going to be in Bangkok for the weekend (with my family), so, I didn't plan nor accept any birthday get-togethers. I must admit, the announcement of my birthday being a holiday (end of Ramadan) was anti-climactic. I had really wanted to spend that morning in school with my students, have the afternoon all to myself and leave the evening for my hubby to plan. Since it was going to be a holiday, I had a whole day of nothing planned. Little did I know that Hubby was onto something. Well, I knew something was up, and I was desperately trying to get him to spill the beans (he's bad at keeping secrets, you know), but (clap! clap! clap!), he was able to contain himself until the end of the day.

My birthday turned out to be a day of friends popping-up for breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner! Needless to say, my tummy was filled to the rim that I could hardly move by the time we were done with dinner. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful birthday -- with friends and family around, what more could I ask for?

Here are snapshots of my gastronomic birthday celebration:

Dinner at Cantinetta (the night before my birthday) with my sis-in-law. She brought the uber dense chocolate cake from Banapple (I still have some if you like).

McDonald's breakfast (with 2 bags puto & kutsinta) at home with Myke's barkada (who are, obviously my friends, too). Naka pantulog pa'ko nyan!

Lunch at Secret Recipe with ex-Client, now super good friend, Olivia. Finally got to taste their famous super spicy Tom Yum noodle soup.

Merienda at Via Mare with my best friend, her family and our barkada Rene (Berns & Gats, I'll just see you guys in NYC!). Had Bibingka, Arroz Caldo, Tokwa't Baboy, among other things.

Dinner at La Cucina de Tita Moning with my First Wives Club Kuyug friends. Really good & sumptuous meal! From soup to dessert, yum-my!

Thank you to my hubby for a wonderful birthday. Mwah!

Pictures and story of my Birthday Weekend in Bangkok here.

BESTest

I've always been very careful using the title "Best Friend". I've always believed that one can only have ONE best friend. Once you have given the title to someone, that title stays with that person forever. I read in an email that you can have a lot of best friends. A best friend for a particular purpose -- one to bum around with, go on adventures with, cry your heart out with/to, etc. I call them good friends, or really good friends at that. But really, for me, there should only be one best friend. The person you go to for whatever purpose you may have. Why do you think it uses the word "Best" in it?

I understand that a friendship can and will be tested a thousand times. There will be a lot of conflicts, misunderstandings, fights. And you go through ALL of these (good times and bad as they say) with THAT one friend and still keep the relationship as if it's never been scathed. You do not lose this friendship because whatever comes between you two, the important thing is, no one will feel betrayed (yep, for me, trust is the most essential part of friendship.), ever. And no matter how difficult things may be, you both trust that the other always mean well.

Growing up, I have always longed for a best friend. We moved around a lot, we never stayed in a place long enough for me to develop that kind of friendship I long for. By the time I develop a deeper degree of closeness with someone, we're ready for the next move.

We finally settled when I got to college. That's when I met my best friend. But she wasn't my best friend until 5 years after college. By that time, we have gone through hell and high waters. Let's just say, we fought over guy (among other things) - which I believe is one of the worst things to fight about between 2 girl friends. Our friendship is so strong that our parents have developed a friendship of their own, too! You might be wondering, where do my (ex) boyfriends stand in this. Well, sad to say, none of them stood the test of time. Honestly, I don't believe that a best friend can be replaced. But, on the contrary, something in me also dictates that your significant other SHOULD be your best friend. Makes sense. Thankfully, I never had the dilemma of "should I replace my best friend with my boyfriend-now-my-new-best friend".

Until I got engaged.

My hubby, then my boyfriend/fiance, has obviously stood the test of time and has qualities to be MY best friend. Oh dear. What now? I can't kick out my best friend nor can I deny the fact that my hubby is ALSO my best friend! So, I said to myself, what the hell, they can share the title. However, I have somehow always felt uneasy whenever I talk about my best friend and refer to a girl friend and not my hubby. And I feel worse thinking that people might be wondering why I refer to someone else and not my hubby when I use those words.

And I finally figured it out. My girl friend is (still) my BEST FRIEND and my hubby is (now) my BESTEST FRIEND. Ha! There you go! Makes more sense.

So let me tell you why he's my BESTEST (which is really the point of this post. obviously, you can tell by the title):

1. Let's start with the most obvious. He's my husband. The man I married, for, I believe, the right reasons. The person God prepared for me.

2. He respects and accepts me for who I am, and who I've been. I am not the easiest person to deal with as most of my friends can attest to. And I can shock the most liberated person I know with my past "adventures". Mind blowing for a conservative guy like him.

3. He knows what I want before I even say it.

4. He knows what food I will and most importantly WILL NOT eat. I am very difficult to feed. But he also knows how to encourage me to try eating food I normally wouldn't, like capers. My friends are actually surprise that I order salad now.

5. He's always ready for an adventure. Be it trying out a new resto, watch a tagalog movie, go dancing, videoke nights, pose for a photograph, going on trips, discovering what's out there, etc. How much more fun can it get than going on an adventure with the one you love? Or having someone to drag along (especially those spur of the moment moments) for whatever reason?

6. He's my shoulder to cry on. Even if the things I cry about are sometime trivial or downright ridiculous. Yet, he has the guts to tell me to get over it.

7. He's my kilig absorber. He doesn't mind if I tell him all about a crush. Or have coffee with one. Even calls me kikay. Goes without saying, I can really talk to him about ANYTHING under the sun.

8. He makes me laugh with his jokes. Well, he can make me laugh without even trying (go figure if that's a compliment or not, hehe).

9. He makes me cry, too. Unintentionally, of course. But he knows when to humbly say sorry. Which I really believe makes our friendship/marriage stronger.

10. He stays up with me even if his eyes are already heavier than both of us combined. He doesn't even mind being awakened from his hard earned sleep whenever I feel like talking about something that's in my mind that I can't get some shut eye.

11. He doesn't mind just bumming around. And I know that, this takes a whole lot from someone who feels guilty about not doing anything "productive". You know me, I love to just sleep and chill.

12. Everything I cook/feed him is great! Even my pathetic kitchen experiments. But he also suggests how to improve my kitchen skills.

13. No matter how much of a failure I feel I am, he's always proud of me. He believes in me, no matter what.

14. He understands me whenever I say "I'm not in the mood", and I don't want to talk. Or when I wake up grumpy. Or when I'm PMSing. He doesn't probe. He patiently waits until I snap out of my drama. Then he starts asking :). Because he knows I'll feel better talking about it.

15. He encourages me to try out/learn new things (not just food). He has this immense hunger for learning that it's amazing how much more enriching life can be, even if you know that things are already at its best.

I can go on and on, but this post is too long already (probably wouldn't read it myself!). And with that I'd like to say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BESTEST!

I LOVE YOU!

Making Birthdays Special

My birthday is definitely my favorite day of the year! I get to be a star (in my own right!) for a day. I make sure that it is going to be a special day. That is why I make it a point to celebrate it people who matter. No, not to collect gifts, but to be with those who make me look forward to another year because I know they will be around to share my life's highs and lows with the laughter, comfort and appreciation they bring.

Okay, okay. Gifts ARE welcome, too! Hehe. Admit it or not, receiving gifts makes birthdays special too! Especially gifts like this picture book my wonderful hubby created:

Doesn't that give you a lump in the throat, bring you to tears and make your heart feel like exploding because of so much happiness? It's priceless.

I just love celebrating my birthday.

Next question, please!

Attended a baptism last Sunday and got to see former officemates who ALL asked me, "Ikaw, kelan ka (mag-b-baby)?" or "May laman na ba (referring to my tummy)?" (Years before that was "When are you getting married?", and before that, "Do you have a boyfriend?" or "Why are you still single?", and so on. You get the picture.)

And when I answer "No, none yet." or "Maybe next year." People are quick to react, "Why? Dapat ngayon na! How old are you? O, you're not getting any younger!" (Sometimes I get slightly upset and tell them off by saying, "if you want one so bad, then go make one!")

Do people ask these questions for small talk? Heck, whatever happened to "How are you? Or the weather?" Are they just curious? Curiosity can sometimes, really, kill the cat. I mean, what if you touch a sensitive nerve with those questions? Like when she wants to have a baby but can't have one. Or is it the next logical thing to ask?

I know, I know that once one is married, logically a baby will follow. But the timing depends on when the couple feels that they are ready to have one. And that, I believe needs to be respected.

Every decision, every move I have made in my life was carefully thoughtout, weighed and followed a critical path schedule (give or take a few delays and advances) -- which university to go to, what course to take, when to have a boyfriend, whether/when to break-up/reconcile with one, what career to pursue, when to live on my own, when to enjoy singleblessedness, when to move jobs, when to get married -- all done with calculations I deemed best for me (yes, even my spur-of-the-moment moves).

That is why I've never had regrets in my life. And I definitely do not want to regret the arrival of my own child.

Therefore, the same process goes with having a baby. Proper timing is key. (of course, God still has the final say, but we do what we can to follow the timing we want.) For reasons my husband and I share.

What I always tell my friends who ask me the same questions above, it's similar to having guests at home. When you have unexpected ones, you don't turn them away, you're glad that they're there, but you get stressed thinking of what to serve them, quickly fixing the house, fixing yourself to look presentable, running around like a headless chicken before you can attend to them properly. But when you are expecting them, you carefully plan what to put on the dining table, prepare the house and yourself ahead of time so that we they arrive, you can relax, sit down and spend time with them.

And until that time comes, I (together with my husband) will continue to prepare myself and our home for our future child. So, quit it with the questions and just be pleasantly surprised with the events that will unfold. (Besides, I've only been married for 5 months! I'm still adjusting and enjoying my new role as a wife!)

Lonely Nights

Before we got married, whenever Myke would go on a business trip, I would have separation anxiety a day or two before he leaves. I get really clingy and madrama. But once he leaves, I'd forget about his absence and enjoy singlehood! And just be excited about his return.

Now that we're married, I'm still the same, however there's one slight difference: I start missing Myke when I'm about to go to bed and when I wake up (Ending the day with him makes everything that transpired more meaningful and starting the day with him inspires me to do better.) .

And tonight is one of those nights. Myke's been in Singapore for 3 days now and will be back tomorrow night. I'm having a hard time getting some shut-eye because he's not beside me, and, I'm too excited for his return!

It's gonna be a looonnnggg night....

My First 100 days

I cannot believe how much my life has changed since my wedding day. All good, I must say. So, here I am sharing some of my experiences, adjustments, sentiments as a newly married woman.

Home Sweet Home

• We moved to our new home immediately after the wedding and I still can't get over the fact that our location is near everything -- 15-minute drive to Mandaluyong (Myke's office), 10 minutes to Megamall, Shangri-la, Podium & Galleria, 20 minutes to Quezon City (Gateway), 30 minutes to Makati (and that's because of Makati traffic, otherwise it'll be much faster), 30-45 minutes to Paranaque (my mom's house) and the best one -- 3 minutes to Tiendesitas (it's a 10-minute walk if you want to exercise)! Plus, color coding is not practiced in our part of the metro (I think it's all wrong, but hey, it works for me.).
• It's such a relief that we're not wasting money to rent (I "wasted" money to rent before I got married to live alone. No regrets. 'Twas all worth it. But it's still different to have your own house, knowing that no matter happens, no one can kick you out of it.). At least, the money we put into our house will lead up to us owning it someday soon . And it makes me proud that we are actually buying our own house.
• I grew up having friends over our house all the time. But when I started living on my own years back, I could only have a few people in my little flat. Now, I can have as much friends over, cook a full-course meal and have a party at home!

Lifestyle of a Domestic Diva

• Crossing over from my highly strung life in advertising to a domestic diva/housewife, ain't easy at all. Having so much time in my hands, I had to set a totally new rhythm to my life -- when to clean the house, what time to cook and wake up, when to watch tv (I swear, you can only have so much TV -- and that's coming from a self-confessed TV addict), play PS2, do the groceries, etc. In short, I had to make my own schedule and strictly stick to it, to make sure that I get to do everything or not end up doing nothing at all! I'm still adjusting, but I'm actually enjoying.
• When I lived alone, in Makati, I gave up bringing a car because it was more convenient to commute -- my office was a 5-minute jeepney ride (longer if you take a cab!) and everything else around was walkable, during gimmicks someone's bound to take me home (if no one can, getting a cab would be a breeze). Now, because our place isn't really a "commuter-friendly" area, and Myke is at work all day, I have to drive myself around. I'm not really pleased about it (yes, despite our convenient location) because I have to deal with wreckless drivers, stupid traffic enforcers, traffic and parking (still can't do parallel parking, and no plans of learning, hehe)!
• BREAKFAST. I have to remind myself that there is such a meal! You see, I have stopped having breakfast ages ago. But like most people, it is an important meal for Myke and in the beginning, I always forgot to feed him in the morning!
• And because I prepare his breakfast, I have to wake up early in the morning, too! That's around 6:30am! I never had to wake up this early! Not even when I was working (I'd wake up at 9am for work, mind you.)!
• But here's the fun part, I can go back to sleep once he leaves for work. Hehehe. But, I am now trying not to, while very tempting, because you'll be surprise how sleep can make you gain so much weight!
• Ask me the most convenient place to buy the nicest, most affordable pieces of furniture, house decor, hardware items, food products and I will gladly tell you and even give you a rational for my recommendations.
• From clients, writers, producers and art directors, I now deal with carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, household helps, fellow homeowners and kids! And believe me, shifting from corporate linggo to simple tagalog/english linggo is not easy. I sometimes catch myself speaking in english while talking to helpers (especially when I'm irritated) or use the word "hazard" instead of "danger" when talking kids! And I have to put a lid on my gay linggo supply most of the time!

Woman of Leisure

• Since I cook breakfast and dinner for Myke, I spend quite a lot time browsing through the internet and food magazines, watching food network to boost my cooking skills. I even experiment sometimes. I like cooking, but I must say it is more enjoyable and rewarding doing it for someone special (yuck, mushy!) and for family and friends, too!
• As mentioned, I am a self-confessed TV addict, but believe me, one can only have so much of it. So, I have regulated my TV watching and have started (gasp!) reading books more often.
• Being home for most part of the day, it's so easy to just slack off and be a couch potato, but I have acquired the discipline to exercise every afternoon (either by swimming or doing some aerobics) to make sure I keep my tummy flat and avoid being flabby.
• Because I own my schedule, I can easily tag along with Myke in his business trips, drive to Paranaque to spend time with my mom, meet up with friends who have as much free time as I do, do the groceries and household errands during off-peak hours.

Change is Constant

• I never had to share a bed, a room, bathroom and even TV with anyone. Not even when I was a kid. Now I do. I'm learning how not to wake up every time Myke changes his sleeping position, learned how to appreciate his TV shows (otherwise one of us needs to go to the other room to watch, which we sometimes do:)), making sure that I leave the bathroom floor dry after taking a bath (It's been my habit to let myself drip dry and not to towel off...it prolongs my "bagong ligo" feeling.) because Myke hates a wet bathroom floor.
• I am learning to watch TV with the volume turned down, especially when Myke sleeps ahead. Yes, I like my TV LOUD.
• I now need to add soup or a vegetable dish to every meal I cook because Myke prefers it that way. I dont eat veggies and I am now learning to swallow green stuff. I have to learn to cook food that I do not eat.
• Every decision I make, now has to be consulted with my hubby. Not to ask permission, but to make sure that whatever effect my decision will be, will be fine with him.
• I don't go out as often as I used to. I prefer to be home when my hubby gets home. When I do go out, I don't stay out as late as I used to because I want my hubby awake when I get home.

Go, Grow, Glow

• I am very grateful with all this time I have because I get to practice photography/take more photos, write more often.
• Aside from improving my cooking skills, I have also improved my interior decorating skill, discovered that I have a knack for designing furniture.
• I am now taking steps in realizing my dream to be a pre-school teacher (I'll blog about this separately).

As I look back on how my life has been, how I imagined my future will be, I realized, THAT FUTURE IS HERE! I am living the life I wished for. And I cannot be thankful enough.

Now, I am making a new future with my hubby and a life for our future kids and I can only hope that we will have the future that we picture for ourselves as a married couple and likewise help our kids have the life they imagine for themselves.

Ahhh...life is great!

HVD

I've never been a believer of Valentine's Day. So is my husband. But I think marriage transforms you into such a sap. Look at what is posted on our refrigerator door!

A note from my hubby that reads: TO MY MRS. INCREDIBLE, i know we don't do valentines baby but i've been meaning to tell you that you are really and incredible blessing in my life the way you care for me and comfort me. Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfasts and dinners, the games we play, the growing up together and for simply being you. I love you Anne. Your Mr. Incredible, Myke. (background: The Incredibles is our PS2 game for the moment.)

He is indeed an incredible husband. I know that married life would be wonderful, but no one told me that it's gonna be heaven on earth.

As for the anti-mushy me, I decided to throw a chocolate fondue-wine and cheese get-together with some friends, partly to fire up our fondue set and yes, admittedly to celebrate Valentine's day. Not bad. Fun! And not mushy at all! I think I will make this some sort of a tradition.

Happy V day to all of you. Hope that despite the traffic, the crowd, the absurd prices of flowers and chocolates, this day put a smile on your face and in your heart, as it did to mine (I swear, I've become such a sap!).

Fun way to celebrate V day without the mush.

What's In A Name?

Since the wedding, we have received 3 wedding invites and all addressed to "Mr. & Mrs. Michael Santos". Now, where's MY name? Can't they put "Michael & Anne Santos"?

I was given a very generic name--Anne. Thanks to my not so common family name--Macalino--I am known as AnneMac, to differentiate me from all the other Anne's out there. Now that I'm married to a Santos -- a very common surname, combine that to my first name, what do you get? Anne Santos -- a very generic, common name (who knows how many hits you will get when you google that name!)!

Next question is, how should I be called now? AnneMac-San? My sis-in-law Anya calls me AnneSan now. Someone suggested MacSan. I am seriously toying around the idea making AnneMac my official first name. Considering using the hyphen Macalino-Santos, but I think it's too long (would probably be easier if I had a single syllable family name). I have no plans of not using my husband's name (I know of some who kept their maiden name even after marriage).

Until now, I still have to take a moment to respond when someone addresses me as "Mrs. Santos" or when introducing myself as such. I still make a mistake signing as Anne Santos. I guess it will take time to adjust to this change, but I am not complaining. My only request is to put my first name in wedding invites!

Deliveries

Today is what I call "Delivery Day"-- a day when I sit at home the entire day waiting for furniture, appliances, workers, installers, etc. As in all deliveries, they cannot give you the exact time of arrival, hence, I just wait in vain. Imagine my surprise when this totally unexpected delivery came to the door....

Myke had this beautiful bouquet of flowers (I may not be the sweetie and mushy type, but I am a sucker for flowers!) delivered to thank me for our first month as husband and wife. The card read: Dearest Anne, Thank you for a wonderful one month of marital bliss. I love you! Myke. How sweet is that?!

It has indeed been a month of bliss. I am so lucky to be married to this wonderful person.