Let's get cozy...

I found these dainty cushion covers and warm fleece throws a few weeks ago...just before it started snowing. They look so nice and warm in the living room. They are not luxurious and they didn't cost much but I just love them so I'm sharing them with you. By the way, I got them from Latham's at Potter Heigham, after a chilly but wonderful boat ride with my husband.

PS: Dear friend Wen - I promised to post the photos of these cushion covers so here they are! Hope you like them!

Here comes the Big Freeze!!!

I was only reminiscing winter last week and guess what? This morning, it was snowing!!!! Just when I thought it was only the start of autumn!!! It was a beautiful, beautiful sight! I don't normally open the curtains and if I do, I make sure that I draw the net curtains (I am very private!) but today, I opened all curtains and removed all the net curtains so I could look out the window and see how lovely the snow looks as it slowly falls from the sky.

I had a nice English breakfast with husband whislt we were looking out the windows. It was, indeed, a beautiful, snowy morning!

Heavenly

Blackpool and B&B

Blackpool, LANCS. - After taking me to Fleetwood, my husband and I went to Blackpool. We didn't know that the Illuminations had started so we've decided to stay there for the night so husband could show me what the Illuminations were like. We opted to stay in a B&B (Bed and Breakfast). We knew that B&Bs have the homely-feel, if you know what I mean. I like the atmosphere in B&Bs. Sadly, we were both disappointed when we went into our room. It was so small (well, what do we expect? B&B rooms are really small!) but the fact that it was the 'family room' that was given to us due to it being fully booked really shocked us! Although, the good thing about this place is that the hosts were absolutely amazing - friendly and hospitable. People seem to enjoy their company that's why they keep coming. The dining room was filled with thank you cards from all over the country. I bet they come because of the 'true Lancashire hospitality' that you experience in the place. The lady of the house, Linda, introduced us to other guests when we had tea at the bar before we went to bed. In the morning, she made sure we were welcomed and we felt at ease and at home. That's what you don't get when you go to a posh hotel, I guess.

Fish and Chips in Fleetwood

Fleetwood, LANCS. - To be honest, I am not very fond of fish and chips, unless I am starving. But in Fleetwood, you wouldn't want to miss their fish and chips. I don't know exactly how they do it, but the fish doesn't seem to be soaked in fat (cooking oil), it doesn't come dripping...and the chips are just exactly right! So, when hubby and I were in Lancashire and were done with the errand that we were there for, we drove to Fleetwood and had a lovely fish and chips. I wouldn't miss it for the world when in Lancashire! The photo on top was the meal I had whilst in Fleetwood. that was fish, chips, curry sauce and mushy peas! It was so yummy!!!!

Come and have some with me!

Ooops, sorry....couldn't wait!!!

Are you ready for winter?

Mood: Glad it's Saturday!

If you are in the Philippines, you are probably experiencing rain right now. In America, some of my friends say it's now getting chilly. Here where I am, it varies each day. Today, although it is sunny, the wind is quite cold. I can no longer wear a plain T-shirt just to put rubbish in the bin out of the door. I have to wear something thick.

So, are you ready for another big freeze? I am no longer dreading winter like two years ago. In fact, I am looking forward to wearing boots, gloves and coat. I have now learned how to layer my clothing. I have learned that if I wear layered thin tops, rather than a single thick jumper, I will be warmer. So, I want to think I am ready for the big freeze this year. I like feeling the cold wind on my skin. As long as I'm all bundled up, I don't mind. In fact, for some reason, it helps me to get rid of my headache when it is cold. I just go out, get some cold fresh air and in half an hour, my headache is gone. Without paracetamols. Or Aspirin. So, I am not really worried about it being cold. What I am dreading is the effect of not seeing the sun much. It is the winter blues I am worried about. Hopefully, it will not be as bad as when I first came to England more than two years ago. I think the trick is to keep your mind off it. Perhaps it's more psychological. Perhaps if my mind gets busy, I will be OK. I was better last year. I didn't cry much. I didn't get stroppy much. And hubby said I was a lot better so I guess I will believe it.

This year, I hope that the lesser amount of sunlight entering my eyes don't affect me much. I am looking forward to taking photographs and capturing winter memories once again. I am looking forward to walking on snowy pathways and look back at my footprints in the snow. Yes, I know, I am shallow. But winter, to me, is another beautiful season. So, yes, I want to look forward to it.

Ummmm, errrr, I mean, I am looking forward to it.

Remember these shoes?

Remember these beautiful red shoes that I was supposed to wear to the Summer Ball not too long ago? I finally wore them! We went to a banquet a few weeks ago. I totally forgot to tell you about it. I know, I know, you want to hear if they killed my feet. No, not really. Surprisingly, they were comfortable. I got home with a smile on my face, yes, because I could still walk after wearing them! Ha!

Born for each other

Do you remember David Pomeranz? He is a singer that became really popular in the Philippines a few years ago. I remember him having a concert with Sharon Cuneta and also guesting in Sharon's show. I don't find him exceptionally good but there is one song that he sang that I really really like. I have been listening to romantic music lately. No, I haven't taken any romantic pills lately but for some reason, this song keeps playing in my head. I keep thinking of getting married all over again to my husband and dancing a slow dance with him once again with all our friends and family looking, in the soft, lovely tune of David Pomeranz's Born For You. You know why I love the song? It's because every word of it seems to match the things that I want to say to my husband every day. Imagine the odds of the two of us meeting! I was halfway across the world and really, it seemed that the powers of the Universe conspired for us to meet - yes, exactly what the song says! That was five years ago when we met. ..and 3 months from now, hubby and I will be celebrating our 3rd Year Wedding Anniversary. It seems almost yesterday when we got married. Now we're turning 3! I didn't want to wait for December to sing this to my better half, so here's my favourite song for you, dear husband! Mwah! Born For You David Pomeranz Too many billion people Running around the planet What is the chance in heaven That you'd find your way to me Tell me what is this sweet sensation It's a miracle that's happened Though I searched for an explanation Only one thing it could be That I was born for you It was written in the stars Yes I was born for you And the choice was never ours It's as if the powers of the universe Conspired to make you mine And till the day I die I blessed the day that I was born for you Too many foolish people Trying to come between us None of them seems to matter When I looked into your eyes Now I know why I belong here In your arms I found the answer Somehow nothing would seemed so wrong here If they'd only realized That I was born for you And that you were born for me And in this random world This was clearly meant to be What we have the world Could never understand Or ever take away And till the day I die I blessed the day that I was born for you What we have the world Could never understand Or ever take away And as the years go by Until the day I die I blessed the day that I was born for you

Wells Next-the-Sea

Another very nice place that I will miss in the winter due to it being extremely cold near the sea. So, see you Wells Next-the-Sea after winter!

Let's DIY!

A month or so ago, hubby and I got fed up of looking for the perfect bed for our boy. We looked everywhere and there wasn't any bed that we liked. They all cost so much and yet they didn't look as strong as we would expect them to be. But maybe we were looking for something that will last a lifetime. We were looking for something different from the wooden bed we used to have that just suddenly fell apart - and to think that when the middle broke, we were asleep!!! Okay, enough of that as you might imagine something else.

Above photos show the DIY bed that we have finally decided to get. It didn't cost a fortune and by the looks of it, it is strong enough to last for years. Hubby and I assembled it last month to get it ready for our boy. It was very easy to do and boy it looked really good when we finished.

Do you like DIYs? I do but not all of them. Not all DIY items are good. Some of them are just rubbish. Take for example the DIY desks and shelves. I don't think they will stay the same when you try to move them around the house. Some will just fall apart when you lift them up. But with this, I think we've made the right choice!

For my dear Ruby

This blog is for an amazing friend, my dear Ruby Calampiano. Bie, do you remember those times when you'd give me European travel magazines or you taking me to travel agencies so we could get the latest copies of their European travel brochures? I do. I remember looking at those photographs, the Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the River Thames. Little did I know that one day I'd be married to someone who lives where these places are based. Little did I know that one day I'd be here to see these places which remind me so much of you.

I used to dream of the two of us with our families travelling the world. I still dream of us together. I know it won't be like the old times anymore when we would be working late, when we would have late dinner then whether or not it was a Friday, we would be sitting in front of the TV watching a very good film until the wee hours of the morning.

Bie, this is to thank you for your friendship. For all those times when you were there for me. For the years that you mentored me and made me a good HR Analyst. For the years that we attended SOMM which practically was like having a 'life manual.' For those very nice long chats about the books we have read or films we have seen or life and life's lessons. I cannot thank you enough, Bie. You are like a sister to me.

So let me just say, this is for the dream for us to be together again.

Top Photo: The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben taken on the boat whilst cruising the River Thames.

2nd Photo: The London Eye (Pardon me, I think I misspelled the 'Eye' and made it 'Eyes' so I've corrected it now.

3rd Photo: Harrods

Bottom Photo: The Tower Bridge

Sheringham's Charm Part 2

Top Photo - A nice little hotel

Middle Photo - The Lobster Pub and Restaurant for the family, including dogs!

Bottom Photo - Hubby walking along the coastal footpath going to the town centre of Sheringham

Sheringham's Charm Part 1

The tranquil sea...

There's one place that hubby loves in Norfolk. Sheringham. The sound of the seawaves. The long stretch of beach. Families getting together, joking and laughing. Birds trying to get your fish and chips. Ships from afar. Shops. Ice cream during winter. Name it. Sheringham has got it!

More photos to come!!!

You are loved...

Mood: Well-rested. Spent the weekend with husband! For those who do not know, I am a member of the on-line group called NTPhil which stands for New Thought Philippines. Each day, I receive an email from the group with lots of all things positive. Although I do not read most of them everyday, I save them in the folder or sometimes even delete them altogether - yes I am so guilty of this. But today for some reason, I opened one of the emails and clicked on a link that showed me a wonderful 1-minute film called 'Has Anyone Told You?' I was deeply touched by it so I want to share it with you. It is a beautiful reminder that we are all loved. That no matter how painful it is with any of us at any given moment, we are being cared for and looked after by the Universe. So friends, this is to tell you, that you are loved. Please give yourself a chance to see a very lovely film, it only takes a a minute or two to see the entirety, please click here. To a dear fellow NT student and Moderator, Victoria Suarez, thank you for sharing this wonderful film. May you be blessed.

The Beauty of Hunstanton

This is the beautiful Hunstanton, my favourite place of all in Norfolk. Hubby and I took our dear friends Ed and Karla there last month. It was a pity that we weren't able to take dear friends Jemi and Orren. Above is a photo of us (Ed, Karla and myself) in front of a fish and chips shop overlooking the sea. The town centre is actually on top of the hill and when you're on top, sipping a cup of tea, it is lovely looking down watching all the birds and the kids playing. I tell you, it is such an amazing place.

This photo (above) was taken from the seafront.

Another lovely photo, a scene from the top of the hill. This is what you see when you're enjoying the heat of the sun and having your piping hot fish and chips. PS: I dedicate this post to a very very dear friend of mine, Wen Ahles. This is for all the phone calls we've had talking about Hunstanton and our dream of going there and writing our manuscript by the sea. This is for that dream that I know will come true.

Animated Conversations

In animated conversation with Jemi, Orren and hubby. This photo was taken by my better half and I liked it. I like looking at how jolly I was that weekend. It's kind of nice to look at ourselves by detaching ourselves from the picture. It's like imagining you are not the person and just observing what actually happened. So by looking at this photo, I become a mere observer, not the actor, not the person in the picture.

Revisiting London with Jemi

Mood: Still sleepy...it's Friday night and I will get the chance to sleep all morning tomorrow!!! Woo-hoo! My favourite day is Friday!!!

I have to tell you before you proceed that I am not a travel writer. I am not very good at describing places. I think I do not give them enough justice. I cannot seem to find the perfect adjectives to describe a place. I always check the on-line dictionary and thesaurus just to find the right words. So bear with me, I beg you.

On my birthday last year, hubby took me to London - for the first time. I was in awe. It was a long-time dream to see The Houses of Parliament and The Buckingham Palace (although during my first few months here, I kept calling it 'The Birmingham Palace'). But we were pressed for time last year. So this year, with my dear friend Jemima and her hubby Orren, hubby and I went to visit London again....and this time we went on a cruise!

How exciting it was! It was like visiting the place for the first time again. This time I got to see St Paul's Cathedral up close and I was able to take a proper photograph of the Westwinster Abbey. Plus - I took photos of me and Jemi with the Big Ben and The Houses of parliament behind us!!! This time we were not so pressed for time - although we still felt we were because we wanted to do so much and go to so many places all in one day but of course, we couldn't. London looks like a giant city to me, everything seems to be huge! We still had ample time to go back to anywhere we like but our legs and feet were just so sore and we were all starting to get cramps that we just all gave up and had a meal at Liverpool Train Station. That was the last meal we had together before Jemi and Orren left. In two years, they were the very first who came to our home and spent a weekend with us, this is why husband and I find it to be so special having them in England. Jemima was like a childhood friend, someone who knew about my family background, who knew my Dad and Mum, my sister and brother. Although we had to catch up on a lot of things - practically almost 20 years of not seeing each other, we still felt so comfortable with each other. We still talked like it was only yesterday when we were together doing our term papers, projects and assignments in college. Ok, stop Len, stop, this is supposed to be about London. Yes, I know, but Jemima made the London trip more memorable and more enjoyable so, actually, this is about her, isn't it? Ha! I better stop now as it is pretty obvious I am starting to rattle.

Yes, London became even more beautiful with a very dear Jemima in tow. Of course, it wouldn't have been much fun without our hubbies to carry our bags, haha!

I told you, didn't I? I am not a travel writer. And this is not a travel blog.

Top photo: Me and Jemi sticking out our tongues, behind us is The Big Ben Bottom photo: Orren and Jemi in Norfolk, near the Norwich Castle