Tag Catch-ups

Got some busy catching up on some tags given by my good blogger pals, TiggerLily, The Big Heart Award. Thanks so much TiggerLily! A real wonderful surprise to an anxious week for me.
I would like to award this to the following people:
Malou
Steph
Candy
MizzM
Cayla73
Bethie
Jhen
Valerie

Got tagged by Steph on the below:
****************************************************
In 8 facts about yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going.
Here are the rules:
* Each blogger must post these rules first.
* Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
* Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
* At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
****************************************************
1. i am too trusting.
2. i keep a stash of junk foods at home and at the office.
3. i have a cleanliness obsession.
4. i relax by painting my own nails with &/or without design.
5. i love reading gossip - people &/or entertainment, than the news...though i have to do the latter one for work.
6. i am so lazy to workout...but to power-shop is different issue.
7. i love soup.
8. i enjoy watching the sunset & loungin' (reinforces the lazy personnae).

I will be tagging TiggerLily, Malou, Cayla73, Bethie, Jhen, Candy, MizzM, and Valerie.

I already got one firm offer and is currently waiting for another one to respond soon then I can decide better on what will my future will be. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I choose the "right one" for me. :D

After playing for the "Fed", I decided to slowly start playing golf again once/twice a week again.
I realized that I do need the exercise and get back to seeing my old golfing pals. This is aside from getting back to my old handicap and performing well at the "Fed".
I learned a lot at last Thursday's Fed...
*like being calmer during tournaments;
*getting better focus on the game while tuning out the rest of the world;
*taking chances and believing in myself.

Resto Review:
CAV, Bonifacio Global City
3*/5*
- a bit on the pricey side
- Claim-to-Fame: wines and the wine dispenser/vending machine
- we didn't feel like having wine so opted out though they have wine pairs for their courses: 3 (php850) or 4 (Php1190) courses option.
- the lobster bisque was on the salty side but Ed's pastrami corn soup was decently better
- love the duck dish especially the duck and the mushroom risotto that came with it while Ed enjoyed his "Variations of Lamb"
- Valrhona Souffle was super while Baked Alaska wasn't as eventful
- might come back but maybe further down the road


Title: Affections of the Heart
Kit: Affections of the Heart by Shabby Scrap Designs (Deanna Patterson)
Template: h12x12 Template – Bracket It by Doodleboogs
Font: CloisterBlack BT
Program: PS7.0







Title: A Moment Defined
Kit: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Template: 12x12 Template - Table of Contents by Doodleboogs
Word Art: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Program: PS7.0








Title: A Day Started...
Kit: Queen Prissy Pink by Deanna Patterson
Template: 12x12 Template – Bracket It by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: CK Becky
TYFL!

Settling

With regards to the work front, I'm still scouting around and seeing what's available. There are few more options to check-in so I better do that. My brother told me to just be patient and give it some time since it's only recently that I started to look and something like this shouldn't be rushed into.
For now, I'm so lazy to look and send out CVs since I need to still fix-up their place and get "settled". I hope Ed knows how much hassle to look for the "right furnitures" with the "right prices". Each day is about trying to remember what needs to be done for the house/parents/Ed/relatives, meetings to be attended, jobs to be found, etc.

Our Vday dinner was delayed (for now) since we both didn't feel well (read below) so we decided to move the celebration to after my trip to HongKong instead. There are a few more places that we are considering in passing. Hoping this will push through. :)

This entry was inspired by the song of Tara Maclean's "Settling" for this entry. Aside from loving the song, I love the lyrics to it. Settling, to me, used to have a finite/defined/constant time in my head but as I grew to where I am - it doesn't seem to be the case. It's so many questions about yourself and who you are whenever life throws you a "curve-ball" or two, which happens quite often. There will be times that life is just so "wrong" to me but I have to keep moving and striving to get to a moment of peace and contentment so keep me sane for the people who care for me.

*****
Resto Reviews:
1.) Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante (Italian)
Ground Level, Imperial Palace SuitesTimog-Morato RotondaQuezon City
Tel. No.: 925-9224
- this came highly recommended by my brother. As per him, the Quezon City branch is better than the one in Glorietta 3.
- Cheddar Chunk ~ middle was cold/frozen...might have been the cause of Ed's & my stomach problems right after...might want to avoid the risk of waking up 5am to eat meds.
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta ~ pasta was a bit overcooked as per Ed but as side from that, sauce was great!
- Napoli Pizza ~ so-so. I wish the pasta was bit thinner (it's suppose to be a thin crust pizza), lighter and crispier.
- huge portions; definitely for sharing; be weary and not try anything else but the pasta & pizza; this place gets packed very quickly so plan ahead, if you would like to head there.

2.) Joey Pepperoni (Italian)
G/F RFM Corporate CenterPioneer cor. Sheridan St. Mandaluyong City
Tel. No.: 631-1688
- Pastas ~ Putanesca, Shrimp Gamberi & Pesto Cream...all perfectly done but portion
- Joey Pepperoni Pizza 8"~ nice, crunchy and tasty...just how I like them.
- good & cheap; a lot of corporate events held here often so the both times that Ed & I went, we were seated at the al fresco dining area; note that portions are small for guys.

3.) Cuillier (French)
Unit 1C-06 & 1C-07 Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City
Tel. No.: 916-7394; 856-63325

******
Kit: Affections of the Heart by Shabby Scrap Designs (Deanna Patterson)
Template: 12x12 Template - Vertical Split by Doodleboogs
Program: PS7.0
Font: Geometr231 BT
Journaling: There’re always two people in ever picture: the photographer and the viewer. In this case, it would be four.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

Job-hunts are tough especially when markets are not really doing so well and everyone is starting to look for work at the same time as you. There will always be jobs around but the main problem is choosing the "right job" for you.
The dilemma of having to weigh-in the advantages/disadvantages of each sort of job is just frustrating to me because the answer isn't as cut-and-dry for such a life-altering phase of one's life: money&stress versus experience, fixed versus flexi-time, goals-oriented versus deliverables-oriented, late nights versus later nights, clients versus silo, same level or level up, take it or wait for the next offer...etc.
Hay...frustrating indeed.
Everything's currently on hold, a lot of planned trips, as I sort this out. I hate having to make people wait on me so i hope to get all of this fixed up as soon as possible.

When One Door Closes...

It's great to be back...to Manila, to my family and friends, to my old roots and at the same time be a "mrs". :) Since I've been settling, there are random things that happened - one of my CT's got dissolved and I resigned (for now) from another CT. I believe I have a lot on my plate as of date so I do not want to have my designers wait for me to get my life in-check again before creating things...plus I sometimes feel a bit bogged down these days.
But as that saying goes "when one door closes, another one opens up" - one of the dissolved CT's designers asked me to join her to be one of her CT, which I was honored since I love her work. We'll see how this one goes.
I'm slowly getting back to creating since I have to prepare and condition myself to "normalicy"...now we have heard this before already.

Ed and I are adjusting as husband and wife...very new to us since we see each other's peeves.
Wish us luck...don't think it gets easier.

Manila Foodscape.
Since Ed and I are getting used to living together, we have decided to have "weekend date nights" - wherin we would go out to try a new resto and/or catch a movie. We have tried quite a bit already that I'm unable to update immediately here so check out the below's short summaries.

11.Jan.2008 - Queen's (Jupiter St. Makati)
Review: Indian-Malaysian cuisine. Friendly and hospitable service. The menu's a lot so we had to ask for recommendations. I always thought that the resto only served Indian and be fine dining...but I guess I was wrong...or they have changed their menu.
Verdict: We both love our orders - Nasi Goreng (vegetarian) and Indian Lamb Curry (?)...so nice! We are still remembering the taste of them. :D
Rating: 4*

18.Jan.2008 - Purple Feet (Reposo St. Makati)
Review: This resto has a shared space with Wine Depot wherein you can purchase the wine there and consume it there. Cuisine is home-style cooking and in any way you want. The ingredients available were posted on a big black chalk board...like how I remember school used to be. :)
The chief came over to help us out since it was our first time and recommended Ed have the grilled ostrich with pasta siding while it's the pan-seared cobbler with mushroom risotto for me.
I had a glass of recommnded white wine while Ed had their michiatto for dessert. Oh, and I tried their penna cotta.
Verdict: Food was prepared and cooked very well. It's a simple enough resto since we both think that we can do it at home...though we won't since Ed would love to go back there again when the time comes to check out their awesome lamb chops while it's the prime rib & seabass for me. :P
Rating: 5*

20.Jan.2008 - Pia y Damaso Restaurante (GB5)
Comment: Saw it when it was soft-opening in December. Place is quaint and cozy. Service is good and hospitable. I like the mod/vintage feel. Menu is a fusion of western and filipino food like bibingka waffle, chocolate with goat's milk for their tsoklat eh.
Verdict: Recommended for merienda and what we had - Tsoklat Eh with Toasted Ensaymada while their Mint Tea is something to try since it's the store's own special blend. A bit pricy as per Ed since the merienda combo of drink and ensaymada is already Php250. I like the coziness and peace of the venue since it's small and thus can't accommodate too many people.
Rating: 4* for me while 5* for Ed

24.Jan.2008 - Cantineta (Power Plant / Rockwell)
Comment: had lunch with gal pal, KC. We ordered the cannelloni pizza and the truffle cream pasta.
Verdict: Love the pasta with its al dente noodles but not too happy with the cannelloni since it was basically like a pizza turnover...not as nice as what a regular pizza could be. Service is fair but we were seated in a hotter location...airconditioning is not enough for the venue. Oh, this is already after the lunch hour rush since we started lunch around 1pm already.
Rating: 4.5*

25.Jan.2008 - The Maison (GB5)
Comment: Ed and I went off to check out this new resto at GB5 that my mom, brother & family went recently. The Barkada ribs came highly recommended so even if it was just Ed and I, we made room for this scary beef ribs portion. Note that this portion is good for about 3-4 people. Pig-out time!!! :P
Verdict: Barkada ribs were absolutely a great choice since they were scrumptiously nice, tender and juicy. The meat basically was falling off of its bones - just how we love it! Ed enjoyed the Honey Chilli dip while it was the BBQ sauce for me. We had a side mash potatos with our meal.
Rating: 5* for the barkada ribs and service

*****
Kit/Designer: An Old Acquaintance Elements and An Old Acquaintance Papers by Deanna Patterson / Shabby Scrap Designs
Photo Credit: Imogen Photography
Program: PS7.0
Notes: This photo was taken as a recent pre-nuptial photo shoot that I found quite interesting. It was our first time to go through such a photo shoot and was a real cool experience. :)

Reem Acra Gown

After a lot of questions/queries of my gown from various people and WatW sisters, it's gives me great pleasure to let people know that it's a Reem Acra gown called "Knowing You". Mom saw it in an InStyle Weddings ad and the rest was history. :)
I ordered the gown and bodysuit that came with the ad to get the closest look. :)
The sleeves are a bit different from the photo because Reem doesn't offer that particular bodysuit since it's only for the ad and it's houte couture. Boo! :P

An Apology to a Supplier: Eva Poon

My apology for one of the suppliers that I mis-rated due to some misunderstanding.
This comes from both, my husband and I, in all sincerity.

************************
Dear Readers,

I would like to retract and apologize for my unfair review of Eva Poon. Like all sisters, I am not here to destroy a supplier or anything. My husband did not recall his discussion with Eva on the song charge - which is an extra charge from the hosting charge that was indicated on her contract that my husband gave me to file and review. We later decided on having a song or two, which he didn't inform me of the extra charge though he agreed with Eva directly thus he was later surprised on the wedding night to have to pay the song charge.
Please see the REVISED REVIEW of Eva Poon below that I honestly give in pure sincerity.

MC: Eva Poon (MNL)
Rating: A++++++++
- delivered well on the day; impressive and problem-solver, especially when we had one of our guests wanting to sing unexpectedly and out of the program schedule
- some turn-offs: very opinionated especially on certain suppliers but it's a personality that comes helpful to those who are unsure of certain suppliers that one books since she has most likely seen a lot of weddings to give an opinion.

I apologize profusely for any confusion this as cause any brides who booked or are interested of Eva. I have edited everything and again, apologize for this miscommunication.


Regards,
Cheryl&Ed
2007.12.09
sac.moh
http://currant7.blogspot.com

Our Wedding by Pat Uy

Some photos by Pat Uy are up on my multiply site. :)

Ed and I had a real blast reliving it again and again since we were able to get the softcopies from both our photographers, Pat & Ebe. There were tons and tons so it was crazy uploading only a few. :P

I thank everyone who came from all-over the world and can't wait to see you all again.
Thank you for sharing our big day with us!

Eddie & Cheryl