mini-dates are a lifeline

..it makes life better.

it makes relationships better.

it makes our hearts go round.

it makes us a better husband and wife team..=)


***

i took adrian to a mini date this afternoon for just a little recoupe and regrouping.

adrian and i do this regroup and reconvening away from home, away from the energy of work, and the mundane..and away from the computer, because when were at home, him and i are at our respective computers typing away (him on his work), while i, on my research (or Facebook,haha).

so today, we had a little date. not planned. not organised. just a "come,lets go, lets make an ordinary saturday evening special by chatting".

so we did.




my date




the place..cafe rouge




chatter chatter chatter





pleased missus...



***

on another note:

a few saturdays ago, i attended a first year old's birthday party. she is my grandniece Anya=)

my!! this little madam is now growing..why do i say so? she now knows she's being photographed..just look at the head tilt=)




such a tease=)..

im her grantie ragen, and adrian is the grancle=)

i dont mind being a grantie at all=)


**

have a beautiful sunday my loves.

birthday celebrations

every year, i find birthday celebrations quite redundant.

dont get me wrong, i find that mine or my love one's birthdays are one of my most favourite days of the year, but celebrating it is sometimes a dilemma as you have so many friends and as much as you want to celebrate it with all of them, trying to squeeze everyone in for your birthday date has to be arranged 3 months in advance.

that pressures me to arrange something 3 months before, which i find too boring when celebrating birthdays. birthday parties should be (if you must, but not necessarily) spontaneous, and requires less arranging if you have to have one.

more often than not, Adrian and i celebrate birthdays with just the very immediate of his family and or very closest (who might be busy too).


this year, i had the stress-free thought that my birthday is just me, Adrian and a very special family member Kharla.

initially, the plan was to spend it in a cottage somewhere in the middle of the country, together with good friends Cheryl and Glen, but they were in Brussels the time we planned the cottage holiday. (not to mention i was doing a research in the middle of it all) so that plan was scrapped.


the next best thing to do was to have the celebration with just the three of us in london in the usual way, a nice dinner in one of our favourite restaurants and a show too.


Adrian booked the Mamma Mia musical for the three of us on the Saturday (a day before my bithday), and a dinner at San Francesco--one of the best Italian resto's in London (a must try) just near the Westend..


And the next day, we spent another dinner in one of the INdian resto's locally after a (rainy) day in Maldon estuary to do some sightseeing for our very special guest.


Here are some photos from my canon compact (i couldt bring an SLR to the show) to remind me of the days...






just before we started..this was how close we were..=)

she's excited to see her first Westend show. (and it wont be her last, i promised her)




squirming in her seat from the cold

during the intermission..grabbing soem drinks at the lobby

mr. and mrs. shot

the birthday made special because she was there=)

having some ice cream

the ending of the show

i did this discreetly. i was still approached by one of the attendants (*ulk*)

by the billboard...it was so sunny on that saturday

suroy suroy around shaftsbury avenue

the obligatory touristy stops..chinatown

on the way to covent garden..we bumped into a happy group of hen partygoers

they were enjoying too much, i must say

at Covent garden, the square...

watching the show down below

the greatest friend anyone could wish for

two of my greatest allies..=)

birthday girl..=)

listening to Adrian's silly stories

how was the calamaris?

tiny restaurant..cozy,and owned by a proper italian gentleman

the rule is: no digging in, before the shot=)

kharla's order: pasta in white wine sauce




by leicester square...the temperature getting too cold at this time.

we all love the National Gallery..its such a beautiful building, dont you agree?

there was something going on in Trafalgar square the next day

coffee break and people watching at a coffee shop across Trafalgar Square before we head home:-)

**

the only evidence of the next night..after a tour around maldon estuary and got drenched in the rain...


we had dinner at an Indian restaurant...our favourite Masala Hut..





she enjoyed her first authentic indian/punjabi meal..

bless, look at our drenched faces.haha..

***

our friends cheryl and glen were booked to see us that same week for another night of wine and food to celebrate my birthday and for them to officially meet Kharla, but then the next day after my birthday, we found out Glen had a heart attack.

Kharla had to meet my best buddies in the hospital.

i was so sad because of Glen's illness, but thankfully, he's had an op and it was successful.

its a happy birthday overall =)

there are not enough hours

...to do all the things i want to do in my day.

if i could switch research and reading academic books to blogging i would. but i cant. (for now).


i feel cruel, to say the least, when i look at this online journal i call my blog, and that the last update was in a different month.


the most recent notable thing that happened to me was my birthday. (dont ask how old i am, i stopped counting at 26).

[the weird part,i also have to pause to really think of my real age. for now, my mom is the only person who knows it, but she's on good stipend to keep mum on it, and its stipulated on our contract to never give it away,haha]. *joke*


before i digress even further, the recent birthday was really a beautiful one. because it was the one, in the last 7 years which i spent with Adrian and someone from my family. since i moved to this country i have been celebrating my birthdays with newly-formed friendships,and new acquaintances (not bad either), as all my love ones are back home. (although, not to discount the fact, my husband,Adrian is always there, he also realises that i crave that familial ties on birthdays).


this year was different. my cousin Karla and my bestest friend in the planet flew all the way from cebu for it. we started celebrating on a Saturday (my birthday was on the Sunday), with a show at the Westend. Mamma Mia was a great show. It was a treat from Adrian, and a dinner at one of our fave Italian near Drury Lane, San Francesco's. Then on a rainy windy Sunday, celebrated with mass, a birthday brunch and a tour around Maldon estuary.

On the saturday celebration, the three of us enjoyed Mamma Mia, and the dinner, not to mention the late night walkabout Trafalgar square and Victoria. London was abuzz that night, amidst the chilly wind.


We got home just before midnight. And by midnight, i was handed a really special present from all my family.


It was in DVD form. And i was truly chuffed to say the least.


My sister edited the video (hurriedly) i might add, to send to me,just before Karla was leaving for the UK.


its such a beautiful birthday present. The humor, and love, i could feel from it so abundantly.

***

Starring:

Mama, Jojo my brother), Roi (brother), Joan and Sean (cousin/cousin-in-law), AUntie Libeth and Uncle Victor, Tonyrose (cousin), Tita Tootsie, Suzette, Auntie Teresa, RUby and Ana..and Bob (the dog).

Birthday video , birthday gift from my family (2010) from chelo aviso-stevart on Vimeo.

***

thank you's are very much in call for:

Aileen Siroy- for that beautiful birthday blog..and to be amongst your friends who are such admirable people, i feel like im not worthy to be amongst them in the same page. (but so privileged to be).Thanks Ai.. Your friendship and love, i will treasure and take care forever=)

Therese Habana- the phonecalls to greet me (at 3 am UK time!,haha)..greatly appreciated and much adored. And to hear Mr. Habana (who was a classmate in HS of mine) greet me was such bonus=) I still had to pinch myself thats it indeed the two of you together. Beautiful tandem you two=)

Lynette- beautiful postcards from her part of the world and a card. How awesome to be remembered that way? Thank you Nette, you definitely are not only thoughtful, you have a very sensitive and loving soul..=)

Multiply, Twitter and FB messages- thank you from the very bottom of my heart . Waking up to birthday messages are such wonderful platform to spring from.

***

Thank you, all of you, for making this girl a happy bunny:-)

his birthday in pictures

thrusday night..28th of january



dinner at an oriental restaurant...with the bro and sis in law..(sorry, it was the waiter who took the photo)




indian restaurant this time ...friday night..




we love our indian food




group pic




and a karaoke party at tash's..saturday night..not part of his birthday celebration but it turned out that way, lol..

mika missing + birthday excitement

*photo of myself and my cute niece Mika*



i really miss this babe..

i kept watching her video tucked nicely in my digicam. i have not downloaded it yet.

knowing my luck with computers, i just want it to be safe without getting it lost.



***

im supposed to be tucked in bed nicely right now, but not yet.

im secretly plotting my surprise to adrian tomorrow.

im also wrapping his presents (2 new books, which he wanted to buy for a long time but he couldnt be bothered to order).

ohhhh, i love birthdays..

especially those birthdays of people i love.

a day off for my man

today i was told i shouldnt come in to the prison because theyre finishing off some requirements i need before i can do one-on-one client contact.

{UK prisons and hospitals are so particular with the safety of staff and inmates/patients}


so what am i to do?


go and grab the opportunity to go get something for Adrian, who is celebrating his birthday this week (28th).


here are some pics from the most generous man i know...

photos taken from the recent christmas fairies giftgiving at St.Johns community (december 2009)..

(PS: i still we all the fairies a report from the giftgiving...i will , promise!)
















it will be difficult to get something for someone who is always so giving of himself to me and my family,and to all those i love.

Aileen

***

well, what can i add, except, you are the epitome of a true blue artist to me..

you've got that midas touch, and anything you put your heart and mind into,

people just seem to swarm around you and want to be you.

keep that smile, and that hearty laughter, and that tenacity to chase where light and happiness springs.

most of all, keep that spirit.

a generous heart, eyes that tell stories from childhood, and

creativity thats just borne naturally from you.


happy birthday dearest Aileen--the one who not only chases light,

but also captures it.

x



PS: remember when that photo was taken? that was pre DSLR days for all of us (if im not mistaken)..but yet, you can tell we were so into photodocumenting our every move and meet-ups, a DSLR was in order...again,we have to thank you for paving that way. letting us believe photography wasnt an alien thing.

gosh, we will be having a repeat of photoshoots like this soon.

photoshoots, that arent contrived or posed, just normal, happy documentation of our get togethers..

a bunch of girls, bound by intellectual (and sometimes, corny/funny) conversations, laughter, food and YOU.

Patricia Alix-Villa--the birthday girl

(photo stolen from Patricia's collections)

***

Patricia, you are such a remarkable woman.

I'm so honoured that you consider me a friend.

I thank the internet because if not for it, you probably would not have looked my way and took me in as a friend when we were back home. (different circles and social strata,LOL..your pedigree is of a higher status than mine, thats for sure=).

You are a blessing, an inspiration, an always a wonderful friend for coffee (which means youre a good listener apart from a great conversationalist) amongst many things friends do.

You definitely are the epitome of fun and class combined in one. Someone i admire and idolize yet, i feel comfortable at the same time.

On your birthday, I thank the heavens, I got lucky.

Its not everyday i get to befriend someone like YOU in this lifetime.

from one libran to another: keep the equilibrium rockin!

***

PS> i thank tita Loy today for bringing you into this world too...

Happy birthday Roi...

let me appreciate this brother of mine today, and recount his wonderful ways. a birthday greeting to my brother Roi..

-he tells the most awesome jokes.

-everyone in the family (relatives alike) has high respects for this man.

-he bakes the tastiest cheese muffins and inherited my mom's culinary skills. --and by next year, is planning to enrol in a proper chef university.

-he has my dad's temperament

-he has the best hospitality skills.

-never a dull moment with him. he makes the best punchlines. (not as good as mine,LOL).


-he loves children, and the neighborhood children loves him back. they all come a-knocking on the door to look for "Tito Aga" (which they thought was Roi's name,LOL).

-he loves our niece Mika, so much, he has an album in his ipod called "mika" which are all baby songs,LOL.


-he is so loving to his girlfriend Suzette,and very loyal too.

-a peacemaker, and would try to resort to bringing peace in all arguments.


-he has loads of friends.


-he is Jojo's (our other brother's) bestfriend.

-he loves his sisters so much.


-he looks like my twin.





he still has 'baby hands',we tease him about that still now,LOL..and he is our MR.Clean




just like my papa, you always see him in white tshirts (to my mama's consternation, kay gasto kaayo sa chlorox,LOL)





on his "normal" behaviour.



***


Roi, my baby bro, i love you for all of the above..and alot more...

i wish you so much in this life and for you to achieve your dreams and hopes...

and Bayoi, please be healthy always...God has big plans for you (an internship here in the UK, a restaurant, a wedding (filipiniana to noh?LOL), and my future nephews and nieces..and more)...

i feel it in my gut- youre soaring to great places because of your attitude and personality.


palangga kaayo tika. but you know that already..=)


always,

imong kaluha...(pweh!,LOL)