Fruit and Vegetable Carving

It has been almost two months since my last post. I have been really busy in the past weeks, both at work and at home, primarily because our house help already left us. :( My time for blogging was dedicated to doing household chores like cooking, cleaning, washing the dishes but not washing and ironing our clothes. Thanks to my mom who has been so sweet in taking responsibility of making our clothes clean and well-pressed. :) Without a house help around, I really felt being so much a wife; it's quite hard but it's satisfying enough though.

Now that I finally found time to update my blog, I was thinking of what topic to write about. I was browsing through my files of photos until I saw this picture, an apple and tomato carving which I did last year. Apart from cooking and love for food, it also interests me to expand my culinary skills by learning food styling and fruit and vegetable carving. The husband of my sister-in-law, who is a chef and is a multi-awarded fruit, vegetable, and ice carver taught me the basics. I never would have wanted to try ice carving as it requires more effort and energy to do it considering the tools that will be used in order to transform an ice into a wonderful work of art. So, as a baseline, we started working with an apple and a tomato. The apple has been amazingly transformed into a swan while the tomato, into a dainty flower. For photographic effect, I just arranged brownies on the side. :)

By the way, it requires different knives in varying sizes in order to carve different fruit and vegetables. For the apple and tomato, we just used a small one but it's the one really used by a professional. Hmm... the tools are really something to invest on in pursuing this kind of interest. I've tried using an ordinary small knife but it's hard to achieve the desirable result.

A Day of Bonding

Last May 18, we were off to our destination but my husband was not yet disclosing where we will go. I was totally clueless but when he drove the way going to UP Campus, I got an idea that we are going to Antipolo, Rizal. Ok, I knew it! (haha) We are staying overnight in one of the resorts in Antipolo. :) What a pleasant surprise! Since he just wanted it to be somewhere near, budget-friendly yet romantic, Overlook Resort is not a bad choice.

On our way to Overlook Resort, we saw directional signages leading to a Swiss Restaurant called Vieux Chalet. Curious about the food they serve, we agreed to visit the place. We were welcomed by the restaurant's homey atmosphere. It also boasts a romantic mood and gives an overlooking sight of the metro. We difinitely enjoyed our food while romantic songs were being played on the background. The cool climate ultimately completed the whole romantic feel.

It was a simple and memorable celebration; a celebration of love and togetherness. To us, being together as husband and wife for a year is already an achievement. But of course, we both knew that we will still battle tons of challenges ahead of us. As long as we will live with our promise ... "till death do us part", and with trust and faith with each other, we believe that we can make our marriage last.

Spice of Life

On May 19, it will be our first wedding anniversary. My husband and I both took a day off from work for a simple celebration. Prior to that, we've had several plans but it ended up to going somewhere peaceful and relaxing yet a budget-friendly treat to ourselves. My husband was able to book a place somewhere near but he is not telling me where it is. Some sort of a surprise? Hmmm .... I wonder where he will take me and what surprises he has for me. Oh well, this is what I call spice of life -- colorful, bountiful, fruitful, exciting, adventurous and definitely fun! I can't wait for Monday :)

This year I truly enjoyed summer with my husband. After recovering from miscarriage, we purposely took advantage of the opportunity that we could travel a lot this year, explore the beautiful places of our very own Philippines. We started with Boracay, my husband's first time to set foot on the paradise island. It's my third time to be there but it turned out that he knows very well about the place. We've been to other beaches that boast their own charm. A short trek to Mt. Luho was a bit challenging to me but when we reached the summit, true as they say, it's all worth it!

Next in line was another visit to the beach in Bgy Pundaquit, San Antonio Zambales. I never knew there is such a hideaway somewhere in Zambales. The resort we stayed in was Punta de Uian, and we just loved our room -- a taste of nature in a minimalist orientation. The resort was the temporary home of the local Marimar. It was a serene place perfect for a much deserved relaxation. This trip was another challenge for me because I was obliged to do another trekking from one island to another, I went up a lighthouse via difficult stairways, and I rode on a small banca for 30 minutes from the resort to Capones Island. These experiences are all new to me. I never knew that I can survive all these new life-chaging experiences but I'm just glad I did. I guess that's one beauty that marriage brings to me -- discovering a new person in me because of my husband's influences. He was trying to let me go out of my comfort zone transforming me into the best person I can be.

We also conquered the roads of some towns of Laguna for the holy week Visita Iglesia, inhaled fresh air of Talisay Batangas, and satisfied our taste buds with fresh fruits and mouth-watering delicacies of Tagaytay.

Among all the travels we had, our trip to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte has been ultimately the most challenging and memorable. Together with nine good friends, we were able to survive the life on a deserted island. It was an experience that really tested me -- physically and emotionally. I also consider it a humbling experience and made me reflect to be ever grateful for whatever I have now, most especially the comfortable life I live as well as the material possessions I have. Back to the basics as I call the life we lived in Calaguas Island. There, there's no electricity, no MWSS water, no comfortable bed so we slept on the sand, no soft comfy pillow, we took a bath from a well, no network coverage to use our cellphones, our night light only comes from the bright stars and lightning, our music comes from the chirping of birds, noise of hermit crabs, and the resounding whistle of cicadas.

Living a life of "back to basics" just for one day is an authentic source of great wisdom that my husband unveiled to me. The memories we had created in such wonderful island were etched in the fine sand of Calaguas beach symbolized by our hands.

Roses and their Colors' Meaning

The rose is likened to a lady. Its velvety petals, a lady's supple skin. Its different colors represent the make up she wears that give her added glow.
Its scent is characterized by her charm that mysteriously attracts a man's attention. The beauty of a rose remains a mystery until it has fully bloomed. Like when a young lass transforms into a lady, the beauty exudes naturally.

Roses are also the common flower given by a man to his girlfriend, especially at the stage of courting. The flower's charm simply captivates emotion that it has become an icon of romanticism.

Roses are one of the popular choices of brides as their bridal bouquets because they are never out of fashion. Since roses come in different vibrant and gentle colors, they fit any wedding theme and color motiff.


Here's to refresh you with the meaning of rose colors:

1. RED - Love, Beauty, Courage and Respect, Romantic Love, Congratulations, "I Love You", "Job Well Done", Sincere Love, Respect, Courage & Passion

2. WHITE - Purity, Innocence, Silence, Secrecy, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness, "I am worthy of you", Heavenly

3. PINK - Appreciation, "Thank you", Grace, Perfect Happiness, Admiration, Gentleness, "Please Believe Me"

4. LIGHT PINK - Admiration, Sympathy, Gentleness, Grace, Gladness, Joy, Sweetness

5. DARK PINK - Appreciation, Gratitude, "Thank You"

6. YELLOW - Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me, Jealousy, "I care"

7. ORANGE - Desire, Enthusiasm

8. PEACH - Appreciation, Closing the deal, Let's get together, Sincerity, Gratitude

9. PALE PEACH - Modesty

10. CORAL - Desire

11. LAVENDER - Love at first sight, Enchantment

12. BLUE - The unattainable, the impossible


COMBINATIONS:

1. RED & WHITE - Given together, these signify unity

2. RED & YELLOW - Jovial and Happy Feelings

3. YELLOW with RED TIP - Friendship, Falling in Love

The Outcome of my Wedding Choices

After 1 year of preparation, the big day has finally come. On May 19, 2007, everything was all set for our memorable day.

The entrance to the church where I managed that elusive yet ecstatic march down the aisle.


This was the day when we professed our lifetime promises to each other ... for richer or for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part.

At the reception, we were both happily greeted by our families, relatives, friends, and guests as the emcee introduced us - the newlyweds. I couldn't restrain myself from smiling. I guess it's but natural when you are feeling really happy inside. A friend once told me that during her wedding, she was smiling all day without her jaws getting tired. It was only after the celebration that she felt the exhaustion. In that sense, she was right. I experienced the same too.


The entrance to the reception (Mr. Hardinero), where our photo exhibit of prenuptial photos were gorgeously displayed.



Before we ended the day of a joyous moment, a last glimpse of such romantic sight with wonderful families and friends who shared with us in the merriment will keep on reminding us that the life we will share together promises a beautiful tomorrow.

Photos by Edwin Tuyay (Ephotogallery).

Our Prenup Pictorial at The Greenery Baliuag, Bulacan

Tita Ellen Tuyay suggested two locations for the prenup pictorial, one in Pampanga and the other one in Baliuag, Bulacan. We searched the websites of the two locations in the internet. From the pictures that we saw, we have chosen The Greenery in Baliuag, Bulacan primarily because my husband's interest with lighthouses.

We were asked to bring eight sets of clothes. As much as possible the color of my top should be of the same color as that of my husband's. Why? Because the solid color will bring out the best in our pictures. It was as if we were celebrities heading to a pictorial. I was with my Mom who temporarily served as my P.A. :P Thanks, Mom! Also with us was our stylist and make-up artist friend.
It was a two hour trip; the place is quite difficult to find. The map that we were able to download from the website did not provide complete directional information. Thanks to our driver who patiently asked for the right directions.

We arrived at the location at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon, the best time to conduct the photo shoot because sun has started to set offering a better lighting. Our photographers arrived one hour late because they also got lost. See, it was their third time to go to the place but it was really not that easy to locate. After a short while, we were all ready and started the photo shoot. We were both asked to pose like models so we felt we were like models shooting for a lifestyle magazine. The Greenery was a perfect choice because it has different themes and favorable sceneries that differentiate the mood of the photos taken.

panoramic view of the lighthouse

the light house up close illuminated by the moonlight

a gazebo at the end of a pathway overlooking a pleasant view of the river

the railway leading to verdant views

tall trees in a row, a perfect spot to strike a pose

The photo shoot lasted for three hours. It was tiring but it was very rewarding when we saw from the preview of our photographers' SLR cameras that our pictures were excellently done.

The prenup pictorial is included in the package. For Metro Manila locations, no additional fee. For locations outside Metro Manila, the groom and the bride have to shoulder for their transpo, food for the entire troop, and P3,000 fee for the photographers.

The Greenery's charge for the use of the venue is P2,000. It also has different ballrooms to accommodate themed weddings. For more info, visit The Greenery's website.