What's Up So Far ...

It’s been a while since I last posted and honestly there has been good reason for my absence. I’ve be quite busy with so many things. The rest of November was spent entertaining my family. My last post showed us visiting the Red Rocks in Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Aside from that, we also spent a few days exploring Phoenix, Arizona, spent a long weekend in Las Vegas, and spent a week in the Bay Area. Of course in between that we also did a lot of shopping and driving around good old Los Angeles. It was pretty exhausting being a couple of jet-setting junkies! The last week of November was downtime (if you could call it that). After my mom and Jim flew back to Manila, Joy stayed for a few more days, we had Marc over, and I did a lot of last minute shopping and packing for our own trip back home. Not to mention lots of cooking (as I needed to make sure my husband had meals to eat when I left!). We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Ordinarios (this year it was at Auntie Aida and Tito Vic’s home in Huntington Beach). It was truly a Pinoy thanksgiving for us since we had not only a huge roasted turkey but an entire lechon (roasted pig). Then last two days of our stay in the States, Joy came down with a horrible case of intestinal flu and I was her designated caregiver. Luckily she got better in time. Then finally it was time for us to go home to Manila. This was a much awaited and eagerly anticipated trip.

Honestly, my first few days in Manila are difficult to describe. It’s always good to be home and great to see my family and friends. But in many ways, it’s also not all that I had hoped it would be. We have a full house this year – lots of guests and people staying over. And as with all big groups, it’s very hard for everyone to always get along. So there is a lot of adjusting and a lot of compromising. Which I guess is true in most situations. Anyway, instead of focusing on the “not so good” parts, let me focus on what’s been going great so far.

It’s been really awesome to see my friends. Everyone, especially my best friend, Les, has been all out with making sure I am properly welcomed home. Coincidentally I had the chance to meet up with some high school friends that I have not seen in a while, it was very nice to catch up and just see what everyone has been up to in the last 10 years or so that I’ve been away. Also, there are so many interesting places to eat and shop in while in Manila. I am truly impressed by how many of our malls and eating establishments can rival those that I have seen and tried abroad. And of course, nothing can beat the great deals you can get while shopping in Manila. In the 10 days that I have been here, I have already filled half of my allotted baggage with stuff that I bought in the many Xmas bazaars I have attended! For the next 2 weeks, I have to pace myself if I hope to make my budget last and if I want to make sure everything fits in my one remaining suitcase (although Jojo did promise me space in his!).

My mom has also been all out with making sure that our stay is as pleasant as can be. She’s been making sure we get lots of home-cooked food that we have missed while living abroad. My sister, Joy, has also been my constant shopping partner. She’s taken me to a lot of great places to find great deals. While it would be great to spend more time with my brothers, it is not always possible since they are both working. It is nice enough though that we get to talk and catch up when they get home from the office. One of the best things (family-wise) though is getting to see and spend time with my guama (grandmother). She recently went through heart surgery and is much quieter and subdued now but she still has great stories to tell and is as warm and as caring as ever.

So far, almost half my vacation is over, it’s a good and a bad thing (of course), but hopefully the second half will turn out to be even better than the first. Things are certainly looking up since for starters Jojo is arriving this week (YAY!). We will be spending some time with my in-laws too. Also, the holidays are finally here (it is still my favorite time of the year!). There are a lot of get-togethers with friends in the works. And I know my mom, Joy and my brothers are planning lots more activities for everyone to enjoy!

Visiting Arizona

We spent last week visiting Arizona. While there were many interesting things to see in the cities of Phoenix, Glendale and Peoria, and while we enjoyed very much the hospitality of our friends (Marc's extra-gracious family!), the highlight of our trip was visiting the Red Rocks of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Oh and spending the day shopping at the Outlets at Anthem (of course!).

Here are some pictures:

SEDONA

These are the views that greeted us as we turned a bend in the road and entered Sedona. Truly breathtaking and worth the drive!

Here is a shot of downtown Sedona. There are a lot of nice cafes and interesting shops. Wouldn't it be amazing to live here amidst those gorgeous views? The town is home to many artists and writers. I could totally imagine living here while writing the Great American novel!

We took the Sedona Trolley Tour that brought us around the city of Sedona and up close to some of the trails that lead to the Red Rock formations. It was pretty interesting and we learned a couple of interesting facts about the Sedona countryside and the flora and fauna that inhabit it.

One more amazing shot of the gorgeous Red Rocks. These formations have such wonderful names like Snoopy, Coffee Pot and Sugarloaf which just adds to their charm.

GRAND CANYON

Here we are entering the Grand Canyon National Park. Jojo and I are posing with our matching North Face jackets =) We've had them for almost 2 years and finally found the appropriate occasion to wear them! Of course, it's pretty much just for show =) haha.

We took the Red Route tour up to Hermit's Peak. The tour allowed us to hop on and off the bus at several strategic points.

Here we are at one of the nine stops in our tour (I can't remember which one!). The weather was nice and cool that day which was lucky since we all like cold weather =)

Even with my brother's high-tech camera, these photos can do no justice to the scenery. Standing over several look-out points, I felt almost humbled by the grandness of the view and awestruck by the beauty of nature.

Blogging

One of the things I enjoy most about the Internet is getting to read about other people's lives through their blogs. I have come across many blogs that show me a glimpse of how people eat, play, work, think and just plain live. I read a lot of different blogs and have several favorites. You can find them all on the blogroll located on the right-hand side of my own blog. These include blogs written by my friends. This great way to catch up with what's up with them - (Jin, Clay, Les, Jen, Ina, to name a few). I wish more of them would start blogs! When it comes to food blogs I love (Lori Baltazar's) Dessert Comes First, (Aun Koh's) Chubby Hubby, and Table for Three written by three "anonymous" foodies. Reading these blogs and looking at the food photos never fail to make my mouth water! When it comes to fashion and all things pop culture there is (Cecile Van Straten's) Chuvaness, (Mrs. T's) The Baghag Diaries, (Candy Dizon's) Because Candy Said So, and (Rajo Laurel's) Stylebible. These blogs are my eyes and ears on what's hot and what's not since they are a virtual plethora of who's who and what's what in the world. Also, my two favorite lifestyle blogs (Daphne Osena-Paez's) Daphne's Diary and Frances Amper Sales'(Topaz Horizon). I admire these two women for the way they balance career, family, personal adventures while still being so elegantly chic! I also enjoy reading celebrity blogs like Anthony Bourdain's, Panjee Tapales' (Breathing Space) and Richard Gomez's (Goma Inc.). See how I mix international with local!?. Just as enjoyable are the blogs of "ordinary" people. I have stumbled across and gotten to know several of them through their writing - Sareet, Trina, and Dooce to name a few.

I love how blogs allow us to peep into each other's lives. I guess I have voyeuristic tendencies! (haha). Yes, I know, it can be viewed as an invasion of privacy for some but for the most part, what is shared in one's blog is always left to the discretion of the writer. It is really up to you how much or how little you want to and are comfortable with sharing. In my case, I am quite selective about what I write and very careful about what I divulge. But at the same time, I am also very open about the range of topics and opinions I blog about. I guess that is one of the reasons I maintain my blog. For starters it is a great way to let others know what's going on in my life. For those that want to know, it's my way of sharing what's up with me. But in many ways, it's also for me too. I guess for posterity's sake, it's my way of documenting momentous and not-so-momentous occasions. I write not only about big events but also every day, mundane things. Because deep down, I know major events are remembered but many of the day-to-day stuff (the small, seemingly inconsequential things) are forgotten. I guess in my own way, I want to remember the little things that tell me about who I am and what my life was like in that particular moment in time.

P.S. Pardon the philosophical tone of this post. This was written very early (at least for me) on a Monday morning - before my first cup of coffee =)

Not an "Ordinary" Halloween

Last night we celebrated my brother-in-law, Lee's, birthday. His party had a Halloween theme and so everyone came in costume. It was definitely a night to remember. Here are a few pictures:

Jesse was a suave Count Dracula and Len was his elegant vampire queen (complete with fluttering false eyelashes!). Jeremy was the Blue Power Ranger and Faye was our very own version of a dainty Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

Jay and Cha came as a socket and a wall outlet (now isn't this an ingenious costume???).

Roy was a cross between a scary monk and a dark Sith lord. Marik was a crazy-looking hunchback. Meredith was a knockout Hannah Montana complete with a rocking hairstyle. And Maddie was a pretty Snow White (just look at that face!).

Jojo and I came as mimes! Actually we were twin mimes (which I insisted was a double costume!). We tried to act like mimes and not talk at all - I lasted about 10 seconds! Jojo did a little better =)

Lee (the birthday celebrant) was a priest exorcising a demon (that landed on his head!). Edel was a hot vampire. Jorel was a sinister crypt keeper. Elroy was a ghoulish skeleton (his costume was 3-D!). And look at MJ, our very own adorable Alice in Wonderland!

Jojo was Speed Racer with a hairy chest. Tracy was a dark sorceress with scary eyes (really scary eyes!). Sydney was a beautiful Snow White (complete with dainty shoes!). And Dani was a roly-poly pumpkin! She is just too cute for words =)

One more shot of the Disney Princess Club - aren't my nieces just adorable? Each one of them is a beauty in their own special way. I absolutely love these girls!

The evening ended with a secret ballot where we voted for "best-adult-in-costume" and "best-kid-in-costume". Cash prizes went to Jesse (as Count Dracula) and Meredith (as Hannah Montana). Yay!

Thanks to Lee and Edel for hosting such a great evening =)

Our last name may be "Ordinario" but there's nothing ordinary about how we party! =)

Classic vs Trendy?

If you had a choice, would you rather be called a classic or trendy dresser? I have always been a classic at heart - I love clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that are not only practical, functional and flattering but also stand the test of time. There are a few pieces in my closet that can be considered "trendy" but they are mostly impulse buys or the result of peer pressure. =)

I was having a conversation with Les and Joce recently about the essential items a woman should have in her closet to adhere to the "classic look". Here is the list of those items. (P.S. the list is a mix from various sources - Tim Gunn and the editor of Marie Claire magazine for starters - most of them have almost the same items on their lists!).

10 "Classic" Items every woman should have in her closet:
1. Basic Black Dress - Also known as the "Little Black Dress". Basically it's a dress that can take you to cocktails with friends all the way to a formal sit-down dinner on short notice.
2. Trench Coat - A good trench coat should fit well and should make the user look smart instead of dowdy. It is great for fall and you can pick it up in a wide range of lengths. Basic colors would be camel, khaki, dark gray or black.
3. Dress Pants - Although not necessarily black, this is probably what you want to look for. Black is flattering on all figures, can be used for all occasions, and goes well with everything.
4. Classic Button-down Shirt - The white shirt is a definite classic. But it can also come in many different styles to make it look trendy and not dated or like a man's piece of clothing. Find one that accentuates your best attributes and minimizes trouble spots.
5. Jeans - Everyone has a pair of jeans, but does everyone have a pair of jeans that make them look great?
6. Fresh new (round-neck or v-neck) T-shirts in black and white – These can be worn almost everywhere and for almost every occasion when matched with the right accessories.
7. Skirt - If you need dress pants then you also need a skirt. A skirt is womanly and can be flirty or businesslike.
8. A-line Sheath Day Dress - They can be very flattering, and there is nothing wrong with "dressing up" for daytime.
9. Blazer - A jacket does not have to be masculine. Find one with a proper, fitted shape. Women's jackets should follow the silhouette of a woman's body and accent the hourglass curve at her waist. It is also a perfect piece to put with the skirt or dress pants, and white shirt. Or make it casual with a pair of jeans.
10. Cashmere Sweaters - A bit of a splurge item, a cashmere sweater is nevertheless a great investment. They are comfortable and always in style and, like everything else on the list, can be paired with anything to be dressed up or down for any occasion.

10 "Classic" Shoes and Accessories:
1. Ballet Flats – Perfect for pairing with jeans, slacks and a skirt.
2. A good pair of pumps – One that is versatile enough to go from day to evening wear.
3. Sandals that make you feel sexy when you wear them.
4. Strand of white pearls – a classic piece of jewelry that makes an understated statement.
5. Diamond Stud Earrings
6. Silk Scarves
7. A good push-up bra
8. Perfume – your signature scent.
9. Sunglasses that accentuate your face.
10. Classic Handbag that goes well with any outfit and works for any occasion.

I am trying to build my wardrobe around these (the good thing is I can take my time and shop around for quality pieces without fear of them going out of style!).