Photography

I have a thousand food and travel experiences in 2013 that I’d like to share and this month, I plan to do just that. So here’s what I planned to do. I will publish these 2013 experiences in real time but in a few days, I will archive the posts in its correct month. If you’d like to find a certain topic, you can always type in what you’re looking for via the search engine on the top left of this blog. 

October is Good Food Month in Sydney and one of the foodie events we always visit is the Night Noodle Markets. The Husband and I saw this as an opportunity for my Mom to also experience this event. 

The highlight of our Night Noodle Markets experience is trying out the Ramen Burger. I’ve read about this kind of burger which came out in America (a link was sent to me by a tweetheart) and has piqued the interest of us here in Australia. A Ramen Burger is basically a burger with noodles as the bun.

I found the queue to getting the Ramen Burger at On Ramen. The line was long. And the wait longer. At one time, all of us waited in silence as the staff announced that they’re not taking orders because of too much demand but we can still wait in line. So we waited. My expectations were low but since I was there and I had time to spare, I stayed in line. 
I ordered two kinds of Ramen Burger: Pork Belly Burger and Beef Burger. Both came with salad and a few slices of watermelon. Beef and pork belly were good! It was juicy and flavourful. The pork belly has a bit of spice so I immensely enjoyed it. The noodles as bun was messy and a bit oily, which was not a surprise. The Husband, my Mom and I shared these two burgers.

The beauty of food festivals is getting to try other dishes from different vendors. We usually get dimsums and spring rolls.
And then we bought Ippudo’s Pork Belly Pork Buns so my Mom can try it. These pork buns are love. A must try when you encounter Ippudo.
The lanterns they set up on the entrance to Night Noodle Markets served as an attraction to everyone. Lots of people taking photos of and with the lanterns. 

The Night Noodle Markets 2013 turned out to to be one of our memorable ones because we got to share it with my Mom. 

I think this statigram is cool as it gives you the five most liked photos from your instagram account. 

Here’s mine:


I love the turnout of this video as it showcased all the things I love: travel in Seoul with family, the icons of my beloved Sydney: Opera House and Harbour Bridge, making good food and being underneath the Cherry Blossoms with the love of my life. 

To all my IGmates, thank you for taking time to look at my instagram photos and for giving generous likes. 
Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I’ll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

We had a sad start to December as we said goodbye to family living in America and the Philippines. There is that sudden silence when family reunions end. And the only way for things to go back to normal is to go back to the usual daily grind. The Husband and I went straight back to work and eased in slowly to our normal. December is always a festive time and it helped a lot in easing sadness we felt at the start of the month. Work has winded down but it is temporary. The last week of December, we focused on relaxing and getting ready for the new year. 

There’s more to my December than just Christmas celebrations and I’ve got my Ibyangrams to speak for it…

Goodbyes, even if temporary, are always painful especially when family is involved.

 New frozen yogurt place at Townhall Station. Their Taro Yogurt was delicious.

 Dried GREEN Mangoes. My newfound love.

 Happy find: HOP’s chocolate-covered Polvoron.

Hubby tried out the Sony lens for smartphones. No plans of buying it…yet.

New grand cru of Nespresso called “Cioccorosso”. A marriage of dark chocolate and fruit notes, sweet and refreshing. Pefect for Summer weather.

Jackie Ohh by Ray-Ban, a 1950s-inspired pair of sunnies. I find its cat-like tips very retro. I wrote about it here

Off to work in a pair of shorts. This was when we expected heatwave temps of 39-41 degrees.

Gifted myself with a little Bodum French Press so I can savour good coffee when at work. Thanks to my dear friend Xingkit for sending me a bag of UCC Blue Mountain Coffee. I love it!

My work area has a Christmas corner! Grateful for mates who visit me, have a bit of chitchat and a chance to say our Christmas greetings. 

My Lomo Fisheye Photos arrived two weeks after I sent it for developing. The romance of film photography is love.

 Snacking on Banana-Q, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, iced coffee and Caramel Sundae.

 My Lumix GF1 has a new baby sister…the Lumix GM1. 

Already loving what I’ve discovered about the Lumix GM1 with 12-32mm lens (in the first hour that I’ve played with it): it weighs 274 grams, height is shorter than an iPhone 5s (it’s sooo small & light), functions can be activated via touchscreen, has built-in Wi-Fi so photos can be sent to your phone, ISO goes up to 25,600 if in manual setting and the sensor has an auto shutter to protect from dust. 

Coco Cubano now open in Blacktown! Located at the 4th Level of Wespoint. Come here for great coffee and meals.

Oh what a gift it is to have good coffee with a great view of blue skies and sunshine.

Tiny chocolates on the side of our coffee makes our drinking experience a little more special.

My pretty goddaughter Madison. We bought her a cup of Babyccino so she can enjoy “having coffee” with us. She was very happy as she drank her pretend coffee drink.

Hello Kitty finds: ID Lanyard, pillbox and insole cushions.

They reminded me of Geishas in Japan so I bought these cards at a nearby shop. Such a cute find.

Gift from my Tita Cyn who knows that I love LeSportsac bags and floral patterns. She said this bag is “So you!” because the floral pattern looked like Cherry Blossoms.

Something fun for dinner: Chicken Sisig. Made a not-so fatty version by mincing chicken breast instead of pork.

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I’ll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

Christmas came in early this year as November was filled with moments spent with family. The whole month, I made efforts to spend as much time with my Mom and relatives here in Sydney and from America. There were lots of going around Sydney, eating out, big and small get-togethers and we even sneaked out of Sydney to spend a day at the Hunter Valley. To have family living in different parts of the world is always a great exercise on being present in the now and being grateful for time spent with them. Time with family is the best Christmas gift we have received this year.

I’m sharing a few snippets of our time together in last month’s Ibyangram and a few other things that made up my November.

Mom’s first Spring visit in Sydney. I’m so happy that she finally saw the pretty Jacaranda Trees that I’ve always talked about! 

Christmas came early this year in the guise of my Mom. So as I have my first cup of my favourite Toffee Nut Latte, I’m spending it with her.

An IKEA breakfast spread. Treating Mom to cheap Swedish brekkie haha!

Wearing Spring hues on a gloomy, rainy day. Wickedly happy colours!

Inspired by Royce’ Potato Chip Chocolate, the Husband created his version only that his one was dipped in Dark Chocolate.

Pastry breakfast for three at the La Renaissance Cafe. 

Exploring Watsons Bay. A charming little beach where we had fish and chips for lunch.

An El Jannah dinner! We finally have an El Jannah branch near our place. It’s the best charcoal-grilled chicken in Sydney. 

Grateful for thoughtful friends. Received a package from one of my dearest friends from Manila and it included a “bling-ified” Snoopy charm that can be used as a chain for phones. I love it! It’s so pretty. 

Spectacular view of a vineyard in Hunter Valley. Our family spent the whole day tasting wines, eating cheese and having lunch and coffee at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Oh and we did a bit of shopping too.

Rewarding ourselves with Adriano Zumbo’s Macarons. Delicious flavours: Pandan Sticky Rice, Toasted Marshmallow, Salted Butter Popcorn, Apple Pie & Chocoron (the one with the smiling face).

Lovely day, lovely wedding. Our family witnessed the beautiful wedding of my cousin. Lots of happy smiles and touching moments.

Afternoon Tea at Max Brenner. Left work early so I can hang out with the family for afternoon tea.

Shared our love for Korean Food to the family. Went to Koreatown in Strathfield for a Korean BBQ Lunch at Won Jo and then ended up having coffee and Bingsu at My Sweet Memory Cafe.
Gold Coin for the Philippines. Our office held a fundraising morning tea for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. We served Brazo de Mercedes & Leche Flan Chiffon Cake (from a Filipino bakery) along with biscuits & cheese, brownies, chips & scones. I’m so grateful to everyone who participated.
My lomo cameras have been calling out to me lately so I bought 3 rolls of 36-exposure films. I already finished a roll of film and currently waiting for them to be developed.

Grateful for my November. Later on, after a few years perhaps, I will chance upon looking at these November Ibyangrams again and all I’ll feel will be appreciation and love.

Would you believe that it’s only recently that I got to explore the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney? I’m glad I finally did and I got to discover it with my Mom. Here are a few facts about this lovely space in Sydney:

Size of Site: 64 hectares
Size of Botanic Garden: 30 hectares
Size of Domain: 34 hectares
Annual visitation for the Royal Botanic Garden: 3,544,344. People attending concerts and major events in the Domain: 433,482; people using the Domain playing fields for booked sports: 59,300
Number of plant species in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney (including the Domain): 8,900
More information here.
Royal Botanic Gardens is a perfect place to relax while communing with nature. It’s also a good place to have a walk or jog or simply have some quiet time alone or with a loved one.

My Mom and I visited this month and there were lots of flowers abloom as it was Spring. Here are some of the snaphots of trees and flowers that we saw during our visit. 

Mrs Macquaries Road Sydney NSW 2000, Australia