Lucban, Quezon:9th Wedding Anniversary

This year, we went to Villa Elma. Based from stories, government officials used to go here in the lenten season to have a retreat in its hey days. It is located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, the mysterious mountain.

I always wanted to go to the beach on our anniversary,but we were still pinching pennies so we opted for a cheap alternative-this serene place with a little trekking.

The place was sprawling, with hanging bridges, via dolorosa steps,viewing deck overlooking Mt. Banahaw, picnic grounds, parks etc. I waded through the stream, but the silt surfaced as I walked and it became murky hahaha. They say you can go swimming there, just pay extra-well I wouldn't do it.

Our marriage is not one without problems. We actually had quite a few misunderstandings these past months from the mundane day to day tasks to future directions and what have you.

J and I are Mars and Venus but God keeps us united. I try to change my attitude that doesn't please God like getting super annoyed, frustrated or angry without explaining why-I can't be feeling these things and keeping it to myself-because it will just cause bitterness of heart. In a marriage it is important to communicate and it is hard if I feel frustrated because there is no way I could talk to J properly. So, we have to sit down with M and R to sort things out sometimes and hear another perspective.

We take the Christian lifestyle seriously so I have realized through the years the importance of the community of believers as God designed it-and marriage is the picture of God's relationship with his people.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Tayabas,Quezon:Malagonlong Bridge tour 2018

This year wasn't a beach anniversary.I watched Kara David's documentary many weeks ago about old bridges and I was so giddy we have 10 National Cultural Treasure under the Historic Bridges of Tayabas, so we visited the longest and oldest bridge during the Spanish Colonial era -The Malagonlong Bridge.



We had an early celebration because the 20th fell on a Wednesday.We went there on the 16th.For the first stop we went to Malagonlong Bridge.From our home in Tayabas-we just took the jeepney to Calumpang (Php8/each) then took the tricycle to Tayabas market (Php 15/each).Next took a tricycle again to the bridge (Php 10/each).We arrived at the place at 9:45AM.

There were people who were doing their laundry,cooking, fishing and swimming. And sadly, where there are people,there will be trash strewn in the area.

We stayed awhile,waded in the water,ate some "puto" from the market, and took pictures of the inscriptions which perhaps are mason's marks.

The historical marker

imagine the many "karwahe" that passed by this bridge

one of the six small balconies with the stone marker from the Spanish era

Puente de Malagonlong

One of the arches

the arches have inscriptions!

mason's marks?

the trail to the arches,the newer bridge is in view here

Next stop is the The Kamayan sa Palaisdaan Restaurant in Lucban.We just took the jeepney again (Php 20/each). The bamboo rafts were all occupied so we just headed to the function hall area. The food arrived fast.Of course I had to order the Sinigang na Sugpo- my only love hahaha!

The sugpo!.later that night I had red arms due to an allergic reaction. 

rice paddies

painting of the Malagonlong Bridge for sale

Okay so after the sumptuous lunch,we went to Summit Gourmet. We just wanted to try it out since we were there already.We walked from Kamayan sa Palaisdaan restaurant (I think they call it the "old one" because there's another one a few meters across from it) and kind of hiked to where the plane is located LOL.

Before going to the plane you have to get a boarding pass -right- at the immigration office LOL with the friendly stewardess. Then they will announce your plane boarding on the PA system.It's like you're going on a flight at the airport it was so much fun!They even have big luggage for props.

at the reception

luggage props- super funny LOL

it was a busy Saturday afternoon

unfortunately they ran out of coffee, they only had hot choco

 I saw many photos similar to this

the airplane 

Alright, that was an early celebration, so for the anniversary day itself,we had our lunch date at Reasons Cafe .I wasn't able to take pictures of the Beef Biryani and the Chocolate Cake-it was so delicious the husband and I gobbled it up fast. My vegan barbecue was delicious from the texture to the taste -it is really like meat! I wouldn't eat pork barbecue anymore.Their coffee is black brew no dairy creamer.-you will feel great when you dine here.

This year is going to be different for us because Jesse is back in the corporate world and I am in the middle of an employment process. The previous months had been challenging because of the health issues we faced - mine part of the ageing process LOL and with that financial drawbacks.

The beauty of marriage is alive in our lives because of God's providence.God had been with us through it all.He encourages,provides and is always gracious -something I have to internalize and live out.

Sariaya, Quezon:Dalampasigan Beach Resort trip 2017

Texting 'til late night,can't wait to meet and be together just the two of you even at wee hours of the morning, drawing that beautiful face on a notebook, so eager to know a lot about the other's hobbies and wanting to do things together, impressing each other,making comments about how the other one looks,often disguised as a rude remark-which is often the opposite,watching movies in the living room, copying the other's style and can't help but give gifts and sweet-nothing notes and like every single post on Facebook and tag one another or call each other with words of endearment,spilling deep secrets without boundaries til dawn and forsaking other friendsand then repeat it all over again the next day- this is not US actually.

I chose the title from the famous movie because of the uncanny similarities (except for the situation of course!LOL) - so much details - the age,The Picture of Dorian Gray,a doll -Marilyn Monroe,Richard Sherman's overactive imagination-I'm kind of like him,I should be a novelist.

If you are in love you will always want to be with that person.You find them perfect,without flaw-so infatuated.You pine for that person.

Song of Songs 3:1-3
All night long on my bed
I looked for the one my heart loves;
I looked for him but did not find him.
2 I will get up now and go about the city,
through its streets and squares;
I will search for the one my heart loves.

So after being married for seven years and still without a child,with all that we have been through-the ups and downs,sickness,and busyness...They say that the infatuation stage only lasts about 3 years (I went to the I Choose Us marriage seminar).Also based on the book with the same title, God wants us to move toward Love Connection-like that described in Corinthians 13.

verse 4 says:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

So celebrating anniversaries is really crucial-just the two of you...this year though Francis brought Black Forest Ice Cream so I'm not sure if he should've gotten away with it!

This year we went to Dalampasigan Beach Resort. I just heard about it and I just really want to go to the beach!It has black sand, lots of cottages ,I mean a lot ,there are even horses! I'm stoked.But didn't ask if we could ride them.The whole resort was like all to ourselves and we had to pay Php500 for it.We only get to stay for about 2 hours though because there is no public transportation at night and we got there around 3:30 PM already and such and such.

Marriage sure is a lot of work-stroking the fire of relationship again and again.You can be attracted to anyone,but love is a choice.God's power is made perfect in my weakness.His design and will for marriage is very profound and it must be held in high honor (Hebrews 13:4)

not so deep ,just enjoy the dip

all to ourselves

fountain

there are horses right there

black?gray sand?

snacking in the cottage

play-ground area

function rooms

Groot tripped Jesse

June double celebration

I had an awesome time on our 5th anniversary celebration in Manila.First off,I visited my mom's home and cleaned the bookshelves and cabinets.It was too sad to depart with some of the books that was ravaged by the termites.I tried to cut out some typesets that I can get inspiration from in my hand lettering.I also cut out some old pictures and illustrations.

Of course,planning ahead had saved me a lot of money.I had bought vouchers for our accommodations and sight seeing.I didn't expect that we'd go to SM MOA because I wasn't so familiar with the place.Had I known it,I would have gotten a voucher for our dinner too!...next time.