Tag: 0813

Our 2nd Anniversary Dinner at La Creperie Boheme

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Last year we went to Tagaytay to celebrate our first anniversary. I was so bloated at 7 months at that time, and I remember smiling at the thought that a few years from now, we’ll be tagging along two little girls on anniversaries, dinners, and random dates.

We may have another year, or a few months, before that happens. In the meantime, we’re enjoying stolen date nights and making room in our schedule to spend time with each other, without the twins. And often it still feels like I’m a giddy high school girl every time we go out on dates or hold hands while walking.

Hee. More keso later, but for now, let’s talk about La Creperie.

Lovin’ the new La Creperie in New Manila

We had our second anniversary dinner the night before the 13th. We asked my Mom to watch over the twins while we sneak out to have a date, and off to the new La Creperie we go. My husband and I love it. As Martine puts it, their New Manila branch is their most romantic branch yet, and I agree. (Or am I just too in love with my date that everywhere we go feels romantic?)

Celebrating our 2nd Anniversary at La Creperie

Chicken Salad and French Onion Soup by La Creperie

Baked Fish with Dijon Mustard

Happily Married for 2 Years!

La Creperie Boheme

Definitely a place to go back to.

La Creperie has always been known as the place to go if you want to have a feel of Paris in the Philippines. And while Paris is never really in my dream destinations list, I love the Parisian/bohemian ambiance that La Creperie exudes, it feels like stepping inside a totally different world.

And we enjoyed the food! We had Chicken Salad which I really enjoyed, and French Onion Soup and Baked Fish with Dijon Mustard that my husband really loved. For dessert we had Banana Foster crepe and a caramel flavored TWG red tea that I’m crazy about. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back there now, if only for the crepe and the tea.

The salad is good for sharing, we split the soup as well, but you might want to order the main dishes separately if you want to stuff yourself. It was past 9:00 when we had this post-dinner date, and we already had a light dinner beforehand, so it makes sense to share orders. Also, my husband and I like sharing because it’s romantic that way he and I both know that I’m pretty much the one who’s going to devour the dessert anyway, while he finishes everything else. (I’m a dessert person.)

Check out the new La Creperie in New Manila. It’s along Broadway street just in front of McDonalds (E. Rodriguez). For more info, check out their Facebook Page HERE. Thanks, Martine, for introducing me to La Creperie. :)

2nd Anniversary Celebration, Part 1.

Canyon Woods Batangas Baby Moon

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From our anniversary weekend. Here’s more, just because we have tons of them. :)

The resort was huge, and we had it all to ourselves! Because the place was so huge (Have I said that yet? Oh yeah.), we had to take a shuttle to go around from our cabin to the clubhouse to wherever in the vicinity we want to go.

The clubhouse. We had meals at their empty lounge, with a beautiful view of pine trees and the sky. The food can be pricey in the lounge though, so we had one of our lunches in Tagaytay proper, more or less a 30 minute drive away.

The casitas. Although the rooms and the facilities are old and a little worn out, I think it adds to the rustic and country-feel ambiance that Canyon Woods is all about.

And I just looove the floor-to-ceiling glass doors/windows!

The indoor pool. The highlight of our stay has got to be the indoor pool, which we had all to ourselves! They turn on the heater only in the weekends though, so if you’re planning to come here for the indoor pool, definitely schedule your trip on a weekend.

Say hello to my huge belly, at 26 weeks. :)

I think swimming really did me well, especially for my muscle cramps and back pains. 

The outdoor pool. It was pretty much ours during our stay, too. Although it wasn’t heated, the sunshine on our backs evened out the cold water, which made our outdoor swim a really nice experience as well.

Canyon Woods is always mistaken to be in Tagaytay, but it’s basically in Batangas already. We love it and we definitely recommend it! Like I said, we seemed to be like the only guests at the time, but they’re not under-staffed and we were taken care of really well.

A tip: Best if you go there with coupon deals, we got ours from Cashcashpinoy. ;)

I’d love to come back soon, but my tummy is getting bigger and bigger, and we’re getting closer and closer to our due date. I guess this is my last trip, at least for now.

This weekend on Instagram: our first wedding anniversary

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Obligatory instagram post of our weekend at Canyon Woods Resorts:

(1) For the first time the whole week, the sun was shining brightly and we spent our weekend without a hint of dark skies and rain! (2) We woke up on our first morning with sun rays through our room’s glass windows, what a sight! (3) We had our breakfast of eggs and bacon with a beautiful view on the side; (4) ..and we can’t help but stare at the two empty seats in front of us, thinking that soon enough, two little girls will occupy those seats; (5) I’m so thankful my husband is a good swimmer. I’ve always loved swimming, and I’m glad to have someone who’s game to swim anytime! (6) The indoor pool was practically the highlight of our stay, we had it all to ourselves the whole time we were there! Seriously, no other guests but us! (7) My big bulge didn’t stop me from swimming, yeah! (8) Posing by the highway, just because; (9) Pretty casitas by the lake, one of which was our love nest for the weekend; (10) Gotta love having a husband who’s ready with a camera all the time; (11) Waiting for our ride back home, after 3 days of rest; (12) Pasalubongs from Tagaytay.

We couldn’t help but compare how different this August was from last year. How we were surrounded by lots of people, family and friends, on our wedding day and on the days before and after it. This time, celebrating our first wedding anniversary, it was just two of us. And it was really just the two of us, literally, as it seemed like we were the only guests in Canyon Woods that time. The only times we’re reminded that we’re not alone were those moments when I feel tiny kicks in my belly, and we realize that we have two little girls tagging along wherever we go.

The place was beautiful, the moments were precious, and it was just the kind of weekend where we keep marveling at how huge and how wide God’s love is. And yet, in His Greatness, He’s still mindful of the personal details and the little things in these small and short lives we live.

525,600 minutes

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It’s been a year since that day. Being in a long distance relationship for so long, we used to count days ’til we’re together again. But now, we’re counting years together. How amazing is that? More so, how amazing is This God who brought us together; who’s continuously making all things beautiful in His time? Our gratitude is beyond words.

I don’t usually embed videos in my blog, but this one is worth the exception—a beautiful remembrance of our wedding day:

Rhiza and David SDE:) 13.08.11, made by the awesome Marvin Barbarona.

Every time I watch this video, I still swoon like it was just yesterday.

Last Sunday we dined out with my family to celebrate our anniversary. And last night, our simple home-made dinner for two became a small celebration with our disciplers, our Pastor and his wife, who dropped by to surprise us.

But the week has just begun, and something tells me this is going to be one long week of celebration and thanksgiving. :)

Happily Married

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This morning when a friend asked me if I was happy, I realized that I haven’t really been sad in a long time. Sure, I’ve felt a lot of negative emotions—tired, drained, frustrated, stressed out, burned out, discouraged, unappreciated, tired, tired, tired—but looking back, sadness is not one of them.

Whatever my circumstances are, I’ve found that there’s this inner joy and peace that’s taken residence in my heart. And that’s saying a lot because if you knew me when I was younger, you know how my over-thinking would often end up in sudden bouts of depression. More so, if you followed my blog when I was younger, you know that I blogged a lot about my frustrations and self-inflicted loneliness too.

But something about getting married changed that side of me.

You see, I happened to have married a very happy person. :)

Sure, David can be too happy sometimes it drains all the energy out of me lol. But mostly his very optimistic and happy disposition in life is so contagious it balances out my melancholy side. I don’t take for granted how our personalities balance each other out in so many ways; and how, rather than feeling “stuck” in a long-term commitment, I feel like I’ve become a better, less uptight, and happier version of myself.

I know for a fact that the thought of marriage sometimes makes single and independent women worry about losing their freedom and flexibility. I should know, I was a single person not too long ago. I know how it feels, not wanting to lose control of your schedule, your plans, your dreams.

You want to be able to do what you want to do, go where we want to go, and not feel “stuck” in one place. You want to be free to hop from one job to another and search for that one thing that will make you happy. You want to experiment, to try and fail, and then try again. And yes, singlehood does give you all of that freedom.

But in the past 6 months, I realized that there’s also this whole new level of freedom that comes with having someone to make decisions with and, in most cases, allowing him to take the lead. It’s mind blowing for a woman and a control-freak (yes, me) to allow another human being to not just have an opinion in your life but, whose own life has be factored into your decision-making.

Being a wife now, I find myself appreciating more and more this beautiful gift of marriage that God has so profoundly designed. More importantly, I find myself learning (little by little, each day) to let go and to trust more.

I happened to be given the opportunity the past two weeks to share what God has taught me about marriage—first to a bunch of young people in church, and last weekend to a group of young single ladies. It’s a humbling (and funny) experience to talk about marriage and be questioned about my, lol, credibility. You’re married? You’re 28? You look 18! Some young ladies approached me even to personally ask me, “Ate, 28 ka na talaga?” 

Hey, I may look 10 years younger,  and I may not have years of experience being a married person just yet, but what I do know about marriage holds true whether you’re married for 6 months or 50 years: marriage is the illustration of God’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:21-33).

It’s a tough call to live by, but it’s the very reason why marriage makes sense, why it’s worth all the shenanigans that come with it, and why you, singles out there, shouldn’t sell yourself short.

I’ve been thinking a lot about these lately and I’m overwhelmed at what God is teaching me.