Ibyang Sanchez, Author at Ibyang

I Embrace Boredom

18 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 4 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Fashion

That was my mantra yesterday. I’ve been off work for two weeks and as much as I’m grateful that I’m given a chance to recuperate in peace (no calls from the office about work), I miss being productive and on-the-go.

How do you know when I’m bored at home? I practice putting make-up. And that’s what I did yesterday.

During school holidays (high school and college), when I’m bored at home, putting make-up on is one of my past times. Yesterday, I guess I was really bored. For the first time in a long while I practiced putting eyeliner on top of my eyelids. I was trying to achieve the smoky look. I’m not sure I achieved that…but one thing I found out is that dark gray eyeliners make my eyes browner. Sorry about the photo, poor lighting inside our room and I haven’t cleaned mirrors for some time (that’s the white blotches). I just realized now that I should’ve just used the point & shoot camera.

In the afternoon, I had this for afternoon tea.

Cheese and olives. Nilagay ko pa sa toothpick eh pwede ko namang kainin straight from wherever they came from. That’s how bored I was hehe.

Today’s my last day on sick leave. Next week, I start work. I’m having mixed feelings about it. I’m really grateful I was given time off to recuperate (with pay hehe) but a part of me miss being “me”. I’m afraid to admit that I miss work but I do miss it. And I miss going out!!!!

Husband’s coming home early from work today and he’s taking me to see “Avatar” as a reward for being a good girl. Yay!

She’s Getting Married

15 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 11 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, Deep Thoughts

She’s one of my best friends in the world. We’ve been friends since she “stalked” me during our sophomore year in college. The better word really was she reached out to me and I’m lucky she did. She was and is always a breath of fresh air when I’m need of a better perspective.

I remember days when we didn’t have school. My parents would drop me off at her place in the wee hours of the morning (they were on their way to work). I’d go straight to her room and she’d still be asleep so I’d lie beside her and sleep too. When we wake up, we’d talk for an hour or two (we never seem to run out of things to talk to) and dial numbers on the phone, inviting our other friends to hang out with us. Sometimes, we get up right away if we feel like going to the mall and shop. Simple, uncomplicated times of our lives.

I remember days and nights we’d talk of boys and love and how it affects our lives. Sometimes, there were tears. Oftentimes, we’d laugh it off as we recall some of the silly things we’d do for the sake of saving love. Now that we’re grown-ups, we know that things happen for a reason…and that things happen for the better.

I remember her following her dreams to Australia and a few months after she arrived here, I visited her. Best times of our lives. Because of her, living in Sydney seemed less intimidating. I believe that one of the reasons why my migration materialized was because we were meant to be in one place. We are sisters and we are to look after each other.

I remember that we are always just a phone call or email away and we will come running just to be there for each other.

I remember that we always celebrate our happy milestones. She taught me that even the tiniest achievement should be celebrated and so we do.

I remember that before one of us goes out of the country, we make time to see each other. It’s one of our rituals and we have no plans of breaking it. That’s why last Saturday, I had to see her and bid her a happy and safe travel.

I remember receiving her email saying that the love of her life proposed! I am one of the happiest persons to know that she’s getting married. My bestfriend’s getting married. And I couldn’t be happier for her.

Saturday in Monochrome

14 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 8 Comments Category: Fashion

Black and White. A classic combination and a favorite of mine. I remember owning my first monochrome fashion item years ago–a black and white bowling bag. That started my love affair with monochrome pieces.

Some days, I’d pair it off with red shoes for some color. But since I can’t wear colors at the moment, I reunited with a pair of monochome shoes that I seldom use.

And strut my way to one of my best gal’s party on Saturday afternoon.

Ensemble: H&M shirt, pin-striped Valleygirl pants, Confetti shoes. Jewellery: Pearl earrings and bracelet, DKNY watch.

All photos by Chris Sanchez on 12 December 2009.

Breakfast during Weekends

14 December 2009 Ibyang Sanchez 3 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, The Married Life, Tips

Breakfast on weekends are sacred. It is the first meal of the day and for my Husband and I, it is a chance for us to re-connect to each other after a whole week of working at the office. A way for us to start our weekend right. For us, breakfast, like a new beginning, is a celebration.

On Saturdays, we usually have a heavy breakfast. Fried rice, eggs, ham, sausages, bacon or corned beef–the works! Stuff we never get to eat during breakfast on weekdays (when we have work, we just have cereal and milk) so we make a lot of effort during Saturday mornings. On Sundays, we opt for a lighter breakfast like pancakes, ensaymada, champorado or oatmeal. On both mornings, we share our meals with a cup of coffee…always with a cup of coffee. Two of the things we like: Breakfast and Coffee.

Other than enjoying our meal, it is during this time that we talk of our dreams and plans, of things we want, of chismis (hehe), of places we plan to go or things we want to do for the day or the weekend. Sometimes we’d watch cartoons if we’re both in the mood to see something while we eat. Sometimes the Husband will play songs we can listen to while we enjoy our meal. It varies. But always our breakfast starts with a kiss (no, that is not meant to sound cheesy at all, I meant that to sound as a fact).

Sometimes we’d have breakfast in our balcony. Yesterday, we did just that. We only had oatmeal and coffee so it was easy to bring it outside. The Husband brought out our camping chairs so I can be more comfortable.

It was one of those perfect start to an unhurried day. And it is probably the next best thing to having a picnic at the park with trees surrounding us while we watch the city come alive in the morning.