Ibyang
Ibyang

The Married Life

Christmas Celebrations with Family

Our Christmas week holiday was as balanced as I hoped it would be as we had time for ourselves, family and friends. We are so grateful the Husband’s office shutdown coincided with mine. Our last day of work was on the 21st December so we welcomed the holiday by partying with friends the following day and watching “Les Miserables” on Sunday.

Dates with the Hubby. If we’re not hanging out with people, the Husband and I spent time at home, catching up on sleep, movies and episodes of American TV series. This is the most relaxed of all our Christmas holidays as we didn’t do any major de-clutterings at home (just a few mini de-cluttering of this and that). We went to the nearby mall and had gelatos as we window shopped and do grocery. 
We were able to watch “Les Miserables”, a movie I’ve been waiting to watch. I love it! I have got to say that this I was in awe of the direction of this movie. I admire director Tom Hooper for turning a musical into a wonderful film. Hugh Jackman, Ann Hathaway and Sacha Baron gave stellar performances.

Christmas Party with Relatives. Our family get-together on Christmas Eve was doubly special because we celebrated the 50th birthday of my Auntie Bess. It was a busy but fun day surrounded by family. We left the party feeling very blessed from all the love of our relatives.

Christmas Day was rainy and gloomy. To us who were partied out, it was the perfect weather to stay at home and catch up on sleep. With less than three hours of sleep, we woke up early on Christmas morning to attend mass. 
Our Christmas morning breakfast which consisted of Baked Ham, Egg and Rice, Puto Bumbong, Kutsinta and Ripe Mangoes. So delicious! 
Spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day at home but on the 27th December, we went out to do some shopping. After dinner, we went to see “The Hobbit” with our relatives. We all loved the film! It was three-hour long but we didn’t notice and all of us are now looking forward to the next one.
Koreatown with Family. Shared our love for Korean food with relatives over the weekend. We met up at Strathfield, had BBQ lunch at Won Jo, coffee at My Sweet Memory, shopped at Morning Glory and even had our photos taken via their funky photobooth and had yogurt dessert at Yogurberry. We had so much fun!!! Can’t wait to do something like this again.
Now this ends my Christmas 2012 series. It’s been a love-filled Christmas. The Husband and I are grateful for everyone who’s been a part of it.
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Christmas Celebrations with Friends

We’ve been blessed to spend time with all of our friends during Christmas. During the month of November, my friends and I try to finalize the dates of our Christmas get-together(s) so that by the time December comes in, we’d all be ready to just party. Our parties are usually just spent at home with everyone pitching in for the food. Most common of all the three parties this year: BBQ! Who doesn’t love an Aussie BBQ Party?
with WaWies
with Kolokoys

with Tweethearts
A great bonus was that most of our friends spent Christmas here in Sydney so during our Christmas week holiday, we were able to have lunch with them at Cabramatta. We had coffee at Cafe 86 and then lunch at Pho Viet.
We also had lunch with of my former workmate and friend Mari. It was our chance to catch up and for her to meet Chris for the first time. We enjoyed a Yum Cha lunch at Parramatta Phoenix. 
Discovered this Mango Crepe Roll that tasted so good. It was sweet and refreshing. 

Oh what fun and joy to be surrounded by friends during Christmas season. I look at our parties as a way to honour our friendship with them and also a way of thanksgiving.

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Isang Dekada (One Decade)

We are not celebrating our wedding anniversary but today we honour the day we became a couple. 

We spent a few moments reading thru the scrapbooks I made from years ago and some blog entries during our previous monthsaries. I once shared how we got together (click story here) and the story will never grow old. We always find ourselves amused as we look back on all those memories and realize how much we’ve affected each other…how we still light up each other’s souls until now. 
Chris and Ivy (December 14, 2002)
Our first photo on that fateful 14th December 2002
Ten years (wow!). Such a great blessing to be in love and be the best of friends for a decade. We are truly grateful for everyday that has passed and look forward to more decades of togetherness.

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Friday Night-In with Kolokoys

We had a fun start to our weekend as we had a Friday Night-In with our group of friends, Kolokoys (that’s what we call our group). It’s been awhile since we’ve spent time together. We do meet up for meals or parties every once in a while but hanging out for no reason is something we missed. Having a night-in on a Friday is such a welcoming thing. The Husband and I like staying home on Fridays that’s why we love Friday Night-In with friends. The relaxing experience of being at home, talking with friends, playing with kids and sharing good food are some of the best ways to welcome the weekend. It’s one of the most laidback things as we just all arrive at a friend’s place after work with food to share with everyone. No dress code, no reservations needed, no time limit. Our presence and food, those two were the only things we needed.

Speaking of food, we had lots of it: Cheese and Ham platter, Pork Sisig, Relyenong Bangus, Pork Roast, Baked Spaghetti, Buttered Mushrooms, Green Salad, Apple Pie and Apple Danish (hindi naman kami masyadong mahilig sa apple nyan hahaha). And us ladies enjoyed a refreshing Pimm’s and Lemonade Cocktail and some bubblies before going home (no drinking for the Husbands who drive).

The start of our weekend did set the tone to a relaxing but productive Saturday and Sunday. The positive cheer and love from friends on Friday night was something we brought with us back to our home.

Hope you had a lovely weekend too.

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Koreatown Fri-date

We’ve been hanging out at different suburbs lately so we’ve missed our favourite Koreatown in Strathfield. We took a day-off last Friday and decided to have brunch there amidst the rains, wind and gloom. Such bad weather that it was tempting to just stay in bed and sleep. But our love for Korean stuff proved to be much stronger so as early as 10:30am we were already there hoping to find a place to eat.

We found a cafe and restaurant called “Beauty and the Beast” (39 The Boulevard, Strathfield NSW) that serves Korean, Japanese and Western food. They have a wide range of dishes from snacks, lunch, dinner and even happy hour. I’ve never been more glad to find that they serve Club Sandwiches. They’re my favourite snacks (think Tropical Hut Philippines) since I was a kid and it’s not commonly served in cafes here in Australia. The Husband and I ordered a Club Sandwich with Chips, Kimchi Stew with Pork and Tofu and Pork Katsu–one for each cuisine. The servings were big but we almost finished everything because we were so hungry. Enjoyed the food because it was simply delicious.
After brunch, we went to Hanaro Mart (Shop 16/11 The Boulevard Strathfield) to look at Korean goodies. We mostly bought chocolates, canned coffees and ice cream!
Dropped by Hello Happy and bought some bread. We love their bread so everytime we chance upon Hello Happy we buy a few to take home with us.

For a change, we didn’t have coffee and instead visited the newest yogurt place in Strathfield, Yogurberry. The store’s only a week-old and we even heard construction going on at the back but the place was ready to accommodate customers nonetheless. The weather was freezing cold and yet here we were enjoying a big cup of Taro Yogurt. 

Brunch, check. Korean goodies, check, Korean breads, check. A yogurt dessert, check. A short visit to Koreatown and we got what we came for and more. It was a great start to our long weekend. 

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