5 little t-shirts

There is something happening right now that will become a life changing moment in less than 4 months.... I was looking forward to another ski trip but a blessing came along :)


It has been both good and bad the past 23 weeks... from "all day sickness" to almost getting the flu... from feeling the small flutter to the actual first movement... from the back pains to finding out the gender... from seeing her in 4D for the first time to buying that first little clothing... despite the difficulties (as i would call them), seeing the little angel fit into these 5 little t-shirts will all be worth it! :)

Twenty-something?

Thirty, flirty and thriving! Okay... so maybe not flirty (it just rhymed!)... but definitely no longer in the twenty-something range. Not so long ago that i just turned 18... how time flies. I was contemplating on throwing a big birthday bash but instead decided to do something I've never experienced before. Growing up in a tropical country, skiing was something i have always wanted to try. For sure an experience like this would be unforgettable.

The twelve hour drive through the desert-like environment seemed like forever. Due to last minute decisions, we grabbed the end-of-season deals of winter hoping that there will still be some snow left on the ground. An hour away from the destination, and all we see are teeny-weeny patches of snow on the mountains. For sure, the resort wouldn't rip us off right?? We continue to drive through winding roads and thousands of trees but still no snow. We were starting to think the navigator took us to the wrong place (I swear they can sometimes throw you off!). The temperature was dropping, there must be snow somewhere! As soon as we turn the curb, there just behind the resort was the white covered mountain! Phew! Although the surroundings wasn't as white as we expected, we were happy enough to see snow on the ground! I had to remind myself that it is almost Spring.

The next day as we head out to the slopes to join our ski class, heavy snowfall poured on us. It was the most amazing experience! For the first time in my life, i see falling snow... i feel falling snow... i could just lay on the ground and be happy. So much for my wishes - i did spend a lot of time on the ground because i just couldn't balance myself on those darn skis! The first 15 minutes of the class was all about the basics. For sure i knew it wouldn't be that hard. Out of the whole group, i fell first. That goes to say how the rest of the day went. :)



By 5pm I WAS SORE. I could barely move a muscle. How could the 5 year old glide down the steep slope with no poles?!! A soak in the hot tub for half an hour helped relieve my muscles. I was so tired. A dose of 500mg of Tylenol knocked me out at 8pm!

I woke up feeling so much better. My mind was set to accomplish a goal that day. I was determined to make it down the slopes without falling. The whole morning was spent on the bunny slopes just mastering the basics. I actually was starting to get bored after a few tries. Unbelievable! In the afternoon, i told my husband i wanted to go to the higher slope. The slope where i fell so hard and slid down the hill TWICE on the first day. The slope where i swore i wouldn't want to go on for the rest of the trip. He looked at me with the "Are you sure?" look. But i knew i could do it. And so i headed toward the lift for the higher slope, my husband tagging along with a smirk on his face. By 3pm i definitely knew that I LOVED SKIING! :)

We had so much fun, my husband and i decided that we are going to do this at least once a year. This definitely was the perfect birthday celebration so far.

Unforgettable indeed.

Lone Cypress

I haven't been in scrapbook mode for quite sometime. Laziness has eaten me up... and since it is a new year, i am trying to get back on track :) Below is a really simple layout using the Spontaneous collection from Shabby Princess.


These photos were taken at Pebble Beach in California, in the famous 17 mile drive along the coast. The Lone Cypress, as it is known for, is perched over the Pacific for hundreds of years. Even though Monterey cypress trees prefer this area's rugged, bare, granite headlands, the Lone Cypress is a testament to the hardiness of these trees. It has withstood Pacific storms and winds for roughly 250 years. Fences and cables now offer added protection in the hopes it will live to be 300.

Rainy Thanksgiving

What do you do when you suddenly notice something that is really un-noticeable? Get a camera. I think it is the smallest non-important little things that make the best artistic pictures.

My hubby and i were on our way out to do groceries when i noticed perfectly formed rain drops on the roof of the car. I ran inside the house and got my camera while my hubby patiently waited (with rolling eyes that is) lol.


For the first time, we hosted the yearly thanksgiving celebration. I have never cooked so much food in my entire life haha. And because i knew i was faced with a challenge i started cooking the night before. It was definitely stressful, but since everyone liked it the stress paid off! I was waiting all day to take pics of my menu... i was so hungry i remembered AFTER everything was gone grrr...


Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the Christmas season... it was fun setting up the 7 ft tall tree... red, green and gold... so festive :)

In the city that never sleeps

People, pollution, traffic, fashion, buildings, lights - it reminded me so much of the city i lived in for 1 1/2 years... a city where i told myself i would never work in but i ended up in it anyway. Two years ago, during my first visit to New York, i was confined on one street - 5th avenue. We had too little time to go around and enjoy the Big Apple. But never again will i spend Christmas eve at Rockefeller center. If i were claustrophobic i would have fainted.

It took a 5 1/2 hour bus tour and 7 hours of walking to see what NYC really does have to offer. I was being a tourist - so sue me. :)












We saw THE Harry Potter (yes the real one) during an evening stroll on Broadway. He was getting out of his show and was standing in front of a small crowd of fans signing autographs. He seemed shorter than what i expected. Although i wasn't star struck, it was pretty cool to see a movie star.

A false fire alarm on Times Square occurred and 5 fire trucks amazingly made its way through the traffic. As the firemen jumped off and hurried to the site in all their gear, a mob of touristy women started to fuss all over them. The next thing i know, on of my colleagues has been asked to take a photo of two women with three of the firemen haha. And as my NY local colleague stated "New York firemen are HOT!".

After more than 12 hours straight in the city that never sleeps, where life is literally on the fast lane... i was about ready to go back home. It is definitely a great place to visit, lots of famous sites to see, but somewhere i would never want to live in.

Texas Longhorns

One year and two months in Austin, and only now am i officially a UT football fan! They are the #1 college team now in the US. And they just deliver an awesome game every time.

I never really watched football and never developed an appreciation for it. I found it boring actually. When i first arrived Austin i was confused at why every where you looked there was a Longhorn icon - on cars, people wearing orange from head to toe, on t-shirts, in shops, just EVERYWHERE. I laughed at it then... I support it now! Haha!

And so I sit there (we had really great seats by the way) in the gigantic stadium that seats more than 98,000 people, people wearing the popular school color - burnt orange, and you just feel that team spirit! My mother-in-law looked at me in the middle of the 2nd quarter and asked me "Do you even understand football at all??"... i reply "No!" but i cheer on anyway... as the canon was fired and startled me once again - the Longhorns scored a touchdown.

I am slowly learning the football lingo... I am hooked!




The opponents cheerleaders trying to keep their team spirit up! Too bad they went home with sad faces!


The UT cheerleaders - SO MUCH BETTER!


Waiting for a touchdown to fire that canon.. i learned to cover my ears after the 3rd time!


The GIANT flat screen TV - AWESOME! And yes Olympic gold medalist (swimming) Ian Crocker is a UT Alumni.... and so many other Olympians!


The Longhorn band opening the game!




Longhorns fanatics!



Great game - we WON... of course! :)

No Pain No Gain

My shoulders hurt... my arms hurt... i feel like i sprained my neck. The things we do to entertain ourselves. My hubby and i woke up Saturday morning and we were craving for some fun. It was a beautiful day so we decided to go kayaking at the lake. One thing i have not tried at Lake Travis.



It's 1pm in the afternoon and we are set to go. There were a lot of people spending the day at the lake. From kids wrapping up their summer rowing lessons... to families trying to entertain their kids... to individuals just out for some workout... to couples canoing giving their pet a chance to swim and enjoy the last days of summer.




We spent an hour at the lake and my arms were definitely put to good use! It was starting to get blazing hot so we decided to dock. I got out of the kayak wet from my waist down... half sun-burned... starving and parched... but despite all that, it sure was loads of fun! And i still manage a smile.


We headed downtown to get something to eat. Jo's, a local diner, seemed like an interesting place. After all the exercise, we tried to eat as healthy as possible. Fresh melon juice, a greek salad and no meat BBQ sandwich was perfect to satisfy our hunger.



Right across from Jo's are several shops. A stroll was about to take place when i saw this Italian ice cream shop as soon as we crossed the street. My hubby could not lure me away. And so i ordered this strawberry cookies and milk ice cream. We sit on one of the small tables out on the side walk, i raise up my leg, i start to feel my sore arms... i munch on my ice cream... Aaahhh what a great way to relax on a sunny Saturday afternoon.




Then off we go to continue our stroll before i head home to take a nice nap. The upper half of my body is sore! Is it possible that i may have gained an inkling of a muscle?? :)