Two Years of Domestic Life

Today marks the second year of my domestic life.

I can say that it started not immediately after marriage but figuratively 3 months after our wedding in December 2006. That was when Zach finally migrated to the UK in 23rd of March 2007.

In the past 7 years of my life prior to marriage, I have lived independently and was used to looking after myself alone and added to that was the luxury of having a household help that took care of the chores at home. However, when Zach joined me here in England, we found ourselves having to do almost everything on our own. This, for me, was something to get used to as I have a husband to think about and not just myself.

However, in that department, I am so blessed to have a "new generation" husband who perfectly understands my position as a working wife and shares the household chores with me. He knew very well that ironing was quite a "heavy" task for me thus he volunteered to take over that responsibility while I do the laundry, that is, loading the clothes in the washer. Haha! (But hey! Loading clothes in the washer entails proper planning and sorting. haha!) Zach and I alternate in cooking as he can manage well enough. We have an unspoken rule at home that when one cooks, the other should do the washing up later.

Cleaning is another thing though. Maybe it is natural for us women to be "OC" and men to have high tolerance to clutter, cleaning has always been a struggle. With both of us working, we only have weekends to do the cleaning with him doing the vacuum cleaning and dusting all over the flat and me changing the beddings, sheets and pillow cases and doing the scrubbing of toilet/bath and kitchen. I don't think I can let him or anybody clean the toilet/bath as I would eventually clean it all over again. Haha! I think I am just super-OC when it comes to the toilet, though I cannot really say that I can clean it 100%. Haha! And mind you, I always turn into a nagging thing when I realised that I am the only one working. I know...it's not nice but I just can't help it. (If I am at home, my grandma will surely say "Ka-isip gid sa imo, ubra lang bala kung ubra. Pabay-i ang iban!". Haha!)

I feel I am blessed that I cannot relate to this comic strip. Haha!

The first two years of my domestic life is not that bad at all and thanks to Zach for being so patient with me especially during the times when I am such a pain. I know that these routine will definitely change when time comes when we will be blessed with kids. When it it will come? Only God knows. ;-)

Reunion of the Stars

The STARS* are at it again!

After almost 14 years since high school graduation, we sort of gathered again for the second time (the first one held in Mambucal Mountain Resort in 1997). Though I must say that the "usual" people never fail to get together every December of each year, this time was something major and quite special as the organizers led by Dahneeleine prepared for it early on and invited parents and teachers as well.

The reunion was held in Palmas Del Mar last 29th of December. There was a retro theme and all the while I did not prepare as I thought nobody will bother dressing up. But I was wrong! Almost everyone came in their best retro outfit (well, everyone in the steering committee, that is. Haha!). Classmates that I have not seen since after graduation came and others attended with their partners and kids in tow. Of course, not everybody was able to make it as most of us have been based in Manila and abroad.

The Attendees with Teachers and Parents

Starpipol**

It was so much fun as it seems we were the same giggly teenagers as if we never matured and the same camera-loving individuals who did not overcome the love of flashes. There were parlor games, songs and dances and everybody participated just like in high school. A slideshow was shown showing old and recent photographs of each of us. It definitely brought back NOHS memories.

One of the games facilitated by Robin

A Singing Rostell

Towards the end of the program, the teachers were made to choose the awardees for the night - Mr. & Ms Retro, Youngest Looking Star and The Most Transformed Star (this award had caused a lot chuckles and cheers as it has lots of meaning. Haha!)

The Awardees - (L-R) Abigail, Youngest Looking Star; Tsarevich, Most Transformed Star;
Robin and Rizza, Mr & Ms Retro

Chow time with Janice and Abigail - my high school and college buddies

High School Bestfriends

Definitely, I can say that high school years were the best years of my life. It has contributed a lot into what I am today and it was in high school that I found true-est of friends that are worth keeping and I am actually keeping until now.

Thanks to Dahn and the committee, to the sponsors and everybody else for making it an unforgettable event.

Here's to a lifetime of FRIENDSHIP that transcends time and distance.


More photos here.


Notes:
* Star - our class section was referred to as "Star 1" or "Star 2" to indicate that we were the pilot section of our batch under the Special Science Class curiculum of the Department of Science and Technology. We were actually the first batch of the Special Science Class in NOHS.

**Starpipol - that is how we refer to ourselves.

On Cooking and Baking

As it has been cold and wet after the snow, Zach and I did not really like to be out in the roads. For the next weekends following the snow storm, we stayed home and it was an opportunity for me to do some cooking and baking.

When I came home for the holidays, my sister, Joy, made some really delicious lasagna with signature Pinoy taste. She made her bechamel sauce from scratch with a hint of mushroom flavor making it really tasty and made the well-loved family recipe pasta tomato sauce (not like me who buys ready-made and bottled ones, haha!) I promised Zach that I will "try" and make one for him when I get back here in England.

And here's my first attempt of lasagna using home-cooked sauces.

layered in the tray topped with 4-Cheese Melting Mix - Grated mozzarella, mature coloured Cheddar, tasty Lancashire and Dutch Edam cheeses

At first, I thought that we would have lasagna for the rest of the week but it did not even last for more than 24 hours. Not bad for a first try...hehe!

Having influenced Zach with my penchant for sweets, I have now noticed that our weekly grocery will never be complete without cookies and anything chocolate. That led me to search cookie recipes in the net and here's what caught my fancy.

Chocolate Crinkles

Again, I thought that our cookie jar will never go empty in the next few days. But then, I was lucky enough to see three cookies left when I returned from work the next day.

V-Day...My Way!

Maybe, we were past that stage of having the need to go somewhere and celebrate the big red day - Valentine's Day. With the not-so-good weather and packed restaurants and busy roads, staying home and celebrating at home was the best idea.

So when I was left at home while Zach was still busy at work, I thought of turning our plain Saturday dinner into something romantic just by making the presentation somewhat special.

our heavy Saturday dinner - rump steak with mash and steamed veggies
made somewhat valentine-y with candles, red roses and wine

my surprised Valentine date

Let it Snow!

Even a week before, people were already informed about the snow storm, seen to be the heaviest to fall after 18 years, that was about to hit England and western part of Wales by Sunday. As early as Friday, I was already checking out weather forecast from time to time making sure that the expected snow will not divert somewhere else. Haha! As much as others hate it and the inconvenience it will cause, I was looking forward to it.

You see this part of England where I am rarely get to have snow. In the three years that I have lived here, I was only able to experience snow about three of four times and they were not that much. But well, I admit that one of the reasons why I was eager about it was that in all those snowy days, I was not able to get a “proper” photo of myself and the snow. Haha! Except when it snowed last spring, Zach was able to take a few snapshots before they melted in the afternoon.

So when Sunday evening came, I could not count the times I sneaked a quick look at the window to see if the snow has started. Finally it came and it has not stopped until the morning, or better yet, until the work week ended. It literally snowed for five days.

By 12 midnight this was how it looked like outside:

Like wide-eyed kids, Zach and I stayed at the window and looking at the thick snowflakes and as if that was not enough, we suddenly decided to go outside. Haha! Yes, at 1:00 in the morning!!!



Early the next day, this greeted us the moment we looked outside.

all-white!!!

Christmas Card-like

that's the lake behind me...all frozen

Zach - in the snowy woods

the real English Winter Wonderland

snowfall!

The next day, as the snow did not show any signs of stopping and considering the danger of driving on snow-laden streets and highways, it was widely advised not to go out and drive unless necessary. Almost everybody stayed at home and continued putting up snowmen and playing with snowballs. As for us, it was another day of picture-taking and playing in the snow.

As the lake frozen, snow built up on the surface giving a really nice effect.

one of my "manul" moments

another "manul" moment - gintiklud ko be...haha!

Sure the snow it caused millions of money lost because of the halted business operations brought about by disruptions on all forms of transportations. However, it cannot be denied that almost everybody enjoyed the break from work and the quality time spent with family.