The Married Life Archives | Page 22 of 50

Meet My New Baby….The Panasonic Lumix GF1!

6 March 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 7 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Photography, Tech World, The Married Life, Things I Love

After work on Friday, the Husband and I had our usual coffee date and for once, he was early. He was there already and a package on the table was waiting for me. It was my belated birthday gift!

Meet my new baby….the Panasonic Lumix GF1!

I’ve been very vocal for a long time now that I hope my next camera would be a downgrade from a DSLR. For almost more than a year I’ve been wanting a camera that is more handy than an SLR but possible to interchange lenses. Also, I want a camera that can produce sharp images, food, macro and night shots decently. I want to give my DSLRs a rest from shooting too; only to be used for covering events and not for everyday use. As for the interchangeable lenses, we want a camera that can accommodate our Canon lenses when attached via a converter.

With my said requirements, the Husband and I studied the specs and features of a few Micro Four Thirds Cameras. Our top three options were: (1) Panasonic Lumix GF1; (2) Sony NEX 3 or 5 and (3) Olympus Pen E-P1.

It took us awhile to finally decide on the one we thought was best for us. While I believe that Olympus cameras are good, the Olympus Pen did not impressed me as I thought the colour quality it produced were bland so that was out. As for the Sony NEX, it took me some time to really figure out if it’s a wise choice. I used to be a Sony girl. I’ve used Sony digicams since 2003 and noticed that their cameras produced good quality photos for the first two years and then slowly goes downhill from then. Even their camera’s flash quality deteriorates after two years. It took me three digicams from Sony to figure that out. So I told myself, it’s time to try something new.

Then I finally decided, “Yes, the Lumix GF1 it is!” What convinced me to choose this one was the lens. The same manufacturer of Leica DG lens also makes the Lumix G lenses which is the lens used for the Lumix GF1. I also based my decision on the shots taken by this camera and it was so good, I was blown away.

We decided all of this last year but we waited for the price to drop. We knew that early this year, the Lumix GF2 will come out and possibly the GF1 price will be cheaper. September last year, our “suking” camera store tried to sell the GF1 to us at AUD$920.00 but I declined. It was a good deal then being that the original price was around AUD$1,100.00-1,200.00. Husband planned to give this to me as a Christmas and birthday gift but I told him, it would be wise to wait it out. True enough, the GF2 came out and the GF1 price dropped down.

Why didn’t we buy the Lumix GF2 instead ? Because we didn’t like its features. And we don’t buy a camera just because it is the latest model. We choose cameras based on our needs and what it can deliver.

The Husband initially ordered online but it was taking too long to be delivered so he canceled and went to our suking camera store instead. Asked the manager there if they can find the Lumix GF1 for him (it is bound to ran out as they are not ordering it anymore). The manager rang up other branches of their store and found one in Bondi. The Husband asked it to be delivered to the Sydney branch ASAP and voila, Friday afternoon he picked them up and surprised me at Starbucks with my belated birthday gift!

I’m very very very (can’t say enough, aye?) happy with my new camera. I’m still learning how to use it but so far, I brought it yesterday at a baby shower event and used it along with my Canon DSLR and I’m very satisfied with it. I’ve been gushing about it since Friday night and I’m going to say it again here, “This is one of my best camera/photography/blogging” decisions ever.”

Here are a few shots by the Lumix GF1:

It creates great bokeh. Lens used was the Lumix G 20mm, f1.7

Monochrome shot.

Macro shot.

Very sharp capture.

Perfect for portrait shots! This one’s my favourite. Plus, the dog is uber cute.

I can’t wait to use it for travel, food blogging, night shots and even during coverage of events. My dream of owning a more handy camera finally came true!

A Quiet Valentine

14 February 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 11 Comments Category: The Married Life

We usually celebrate Valentine with the “Kolokoys” (the name we gave our group of friends) but since we all had a busy December and January, we decided to give ourselves a rest from all the partying that we’ve done.

This year, the Husband and I turned Valentine’s Day into a Valentine’s long weekend. We decided to in sync our day-off today so we’ll have an extra day of just staying at home.

We never usually go out on Vday. I remember when we were still going out as boyfriend/girlfriend in Manila, we’d go home early, order take-away food from a restaurant and have dinner at home. Our way of avoiding the crowd in restaurants and the traffic.

Since Vday’s eve was a Sunday, we went to church as usual and dropped by the mall to have lunch and do some grocery shopping.

The only “special” thing we did was eat at this not-so-new Thai restaurant at the mall for the first time. Hi Thai had been opened in Blacktown for awhile now but we never had the great urge to eat there.

We had the Mixed Entree which was the only dish from Hi Thai that I liked. All four components on the plate: puff pastry, spring roll, fish cake and satay chicken were very tasty and flavourful.

Their Pad Thai and Chicken Barbecue were average, not good enough for me to come back soon.

Today, we just rested and enjoyed the quiet of our home. An ordinary day turned extra-ordinary not because it’s Valentine’s day but simply because we are together.

How was your Vday?

She Just Wants Cake

22 January 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 12 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, The Married Life

I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. She said, “I just want cake…a cute, yummy cake.”

So I decided to bring her to Adriano Zumbo’s Patisserie, which she has been longing to experience. Since she wanted something so simple, I knew I had to give her the best.

When I told her where we would go for her birthday, her face lit up and literally jumped for joy. She reminded me of a child, excited and can’t wait for a promise to unfold.

This morning, she woke up early even if she slept late. She said she can’t wait to have her cake. Her birthday cake.

And so we went out early. I took her to one of her favorite beaches and made her ride the ferry (which she loved). She enjoyed the sun, the blue waters, the crowd, her birthday lunch and most of all she enjoyed her birthday cake. She couldn’t stop smiling when she saw it.

According to her, she had a perfect fun day. Even if she only spent the day with me, she felt very loved by people that matter to her because she received lots of birthday greetings. For her that was enough.

I’m amazed at how she craves for the simplest of things even on her special day when she deserves all the best the world can offer. I feel blessed knowing I have someone like her who always choose the things that matter most rather than the superficial. And the greatest thing about her is that however small a gesture may be, she will make you feel how she truly appreciate you.

Happy birthday, dearest Wife. xoxo *C

Some Things Are Certain

20 January 2011 Ibyang Sanchez 12 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, Milestones, The Married Life

We didn’t know we would end up here.

We didn’t know that we’d complement each other.

We didn’t know that we would make a good team.

We didn’t know that we would have enormous mutual respect towards each other.

We didn’t know we’d have this much fun!

We didn’t know that we would share each other’s passion and be other’s champion.

We didn’t know that we would become the best of friends.

We didn’t know that we would end up being together. For the rest of our lives.

Ten years ago, we met and our lives changed. Four years ago, we took that biggest leap of faith and said “We do”. Today, we still know not a lot of things. Most times, we still take each other by surprise!

But some things are certain….
that we will always make each other laugh
that we are each other’s confidante no matter what
that I’ve got his back and he’s got mine
that we will never get tired of holding hands
that we never like complications
that we find joy in the simplest of things
that we love each other…truly, madly, deeply.

To my dear Husband, thank you for four wonderful years of good-sweet-lovin’. I love being married to you!

Boxing Day in Sydney 2010

30 December 2010 Ibyang Sanchez 5 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, Great Finds for the Home, The Married Life

I forgot that malls in suburbs are closed on the day after Christmas–Boxing Day. Due to being busy leading up to Christmas, I guess I’ve really lost my sense of time and forgot about when shops open and close in our suburb during Christmas holidays. Take note that I’ve lived here for five years already and only this year that I forgot that we always go out to the mall on the 27th December and not Boxing Day.

My Husband and I woke up early and even planned to have breakfast at our favorite cafe at the mall. When we arrived at the mall, it was closed and only then I realized that we were a day early.

Hungry and a bit sleepy, we went to the only place opened, McDonald’s, and had breakfast there while we figure out what the heck we will do for the day. It was raining so the Husband thought we should just go home but he took pity on me because I really wanted to go somewhere that day. The only option was to go to City and be part of the mad rush of Boxing Day. So off to the City we went to experience Boxing Day in Sydney.

Boxing Day (26 December) is a great opportunity to go shopping as this is the time of the year that stores in Australia give huge discounts on their merchandise. My Husband and I save up and allot money just so we can shop on Boxing Day because the discounts are really big!

Our first stop was at the Lululemon Athletica (yoga clothes and apparel store) where I found a pink shirt for only AUD$29.00 (original price was $75.00)

And I love their re-usable bags—very inspiring!

On our way to Pitt Street, we passed by the Apple Store and noticed a lot of people inside although Apple never goes on sale even if it’s Boxing Day.

Then we arrived at Pitt Street. Before lunch, there wasn’t much people yet.

But during lunch time, the crowd grew thicker. This was the entrance to Myer. There was a long queue just to get inside. And when you get inside, there were long queues to elevators and escalators, whether you are going up or down.

Street performers entertaining the big crowd.

Traffic in the city was slow. Rarely do we bring the car when we go to the city due to traffic and parking concerns. For us, it is best to just take public transport.

There were long queues everywhere; from going in and out of stores, up and down the escalators/elevators, food courts and restaurants, toilets and even for public transport on the way home. If you are not in a good mood and have no sense of humour, you won’t be able to endure the big crowd that Boxing Day brings.

My Husband and I, however, enjoyed the moment while we were there. It was challenging to shop but we got the stuff we came for. We weren’t able to eat at a decent restaurant, instead we had very late lunch at a food court. It was the first time we experienced Boxing Day in Sydney so we didn’t let anything irritate us or dampen our spirits. We may not do this again but we will remember the fun we had on that day.

Our good buys this Boxing Day:

Christmas wrappers and cards. The best time to buy Christmas stuff is after Christmas! I always buy our Christmas needs AFTER Christmas. So the stuff I bought this year will be used for next year.

Beauty products. If you want to try a new beauty product, this may be the best time to try them out! The L’Oreal moisturisers I bought were on sale for AUD$9.99 each (original price was around AUD$35.00-45.00) so I thought I might as well try them out. This is also the time I replenish on beauty products such as a mascara. I found this Maybelline mascara for only AUD$11.00.

The Husband bought new work clothes. He only buys new work clothes during Boxing Day sale. A few shirts and pairs of pants to last him the whole year and he’s a happy camper. I’m a happy wifey too because we saved lots from all the big discounts. It also saves us time because we never shop for his clothes the whole year.

AFTER Boxing Day, we went to the mall in our suburb and bought a few more stuff. There are lots of remaining items on sale and I’m glad that we found a few Tefals frying pans. I just bought a small one because that’s the only one I need.