Juliana’s Lair

We ushered in the year of the ox cooped up here at home, and as soon as the crystal ball at Times Square dropped, it was time for a good bottle of champagne, Moet & Chandon (Rose Imperial).

New Year’s eve is the one time when we willingly open a bottle of bubbly and expect the rest of the bottle to go to waste because we’re only two in the household .

We had Thai dinner, brought in (courtesy of the husband), because I was not willing to brave the chill to head out to our favorite Thai restaurant in the Bay. I’m deliberately not posting shots of the food here lest, this site will look like a food blog already. Note: previous posts bear food pics, that’s why. Not long after the clock struck midnight, our phone lines (cell and land line) started to get busy because friends and family were calling. We turned in at about 3:00 a.m.

In Manhattan, in spite of the bone chilling temperatures, it  didn’t prevent the hundreds of thousands revelers from trooping to Times Square. Bundled up in their finest winter gears, they patiently waited for the crystal ball to drop at the strike of midnight. It was a sight to behold seeing the Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in triggering the traditional ball drop, ushering in the new year with a new 12,000-pound Waterford Crystal ball that was several times larger than the ball used last year.

So here we are, hello 2009!

January 1st, 2009 | Tags: new year | Category: celebrations | Comments (13)

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you’. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.
~Ann Landers

December 31st, 2008 | Tags: new year | Category: celebrations | Comments (7)

Two days to go and it’s already the new year. Before the year of the ox  sneaks in, let me document here what was really inside that brown box. The box that I was prohibited from opening sans the presence of the giver. Besides, I wrote on my other blog that whatever is inside the box, it will be unveiled here and someone had commented already that I’m such a tease. Martin, the wait is over. I’m sorry, but as I have written, there is really no big deal to this LOL.

This is the brown box

This is the stack of books. As You can see, they are just books. See? My husband really told me the truth off hand.

These books were presented to me by my husband in two groups. Just so you see the title of the books, I took a shot of them on this angle. These five books show my interest in decorating, baking, cooking and dieting, or should I say, my plan on adapting healthier eating.

Now, here goes the “twist.” All he said was: “I did not pick any boxed present for you this Holiday. I’m giving you these books so that from this holiday and all the succeeding holidays and special celebrations onwards, you will pick your choice of whatever present you want from any of these books. Now, don’t think that I have forgotten the third present for your birthday this year that you have not  received. As I promised you, you will get it on the time that I specified.”

I didn’t know what to say, I wanted to cry, but no, I didn’t. Over and above the possible presents that I stand to get that are discussed on these books, it is my unclaimed third birthday present for this year that I’m very excited about because that one is a battle that I have won! Hopefully when the time comes, my blogs will still be up and running so that I will be able to share what that is.

Now, between you and me, and I hope my husband won’t read this entry. I have already picked up his present for me this Christmas. I thought he remembered but he forgot. Remember that day when I went to Manhattan to the Louis Vuitton and  Chanel boutiques? I went to get a couple of presents for people on our list, and I also got what I wanted for myself. That means, that was not his present for me after all, thus, I am going to pick what I want for this holiday from the books. If only I am not tasked to search for moth traps on the net, I can then commence my online “window shopping” for that present. By the way, I scanned the book titled 101 Things To Buy Before You Die, and I found out that I probably have/own at least a good third of the listed items already.

Next… his holiday gifts from me.

December 30th, 2008 | Tags: christmas | Category: celebrations | Comments (12)

As I wrote in the preceding post, here are pics of that  dinner that my husband brought in from Safran Restaurant. I have to say that the food was very good and this restaurant really deserves all the great reviews they have been getting. The Executive Chef, Laura Lam (formerly of Monsoon Restaurant) really delivers.

Safran Roll (grilled shrimp, scallop, fried calamari, mango and avocado topped with caviar)

Beef oxtail soup

Sticky black rice (steamed in coconut juice)

Black and white mushroom sampler  (shiitake, oyster, woodear, enoki and cauliflower mushroom)

To end the meal we had this cake from Les Desirs Patisserie aptly named as Senator cake (vanilla sponge with lemon filling, fresh strawberries and vanilla icing). Simply decadent!

Now, who cares about dieting?

December 28th, 2008 | Tags: food | Category: daily chatter | Comments (20)

My husband went to Manhattan earlier today for his haircut. He would have wanted to do it after work yesterday, but he left work late thus, he just came home straight. Since I didn’t feel like heading out for dinner tonight, I requested him to just bring in food from whichever restaurant he fancies.

The foodie husband never fails to please. For as long as we’re talking about food, he never would say no to any request. He loves food, and he can recall the names of different dishes of different cuisines easier than memorizing the names of people. He will never say he is tired if you tell him to go pick up some food. There is no complain that you will hear from him, as compared to when you ask him to accompany you to go shopping. Gosh, he hates the malls, the stores, the big crowd and I can never be comfortable being around him while in the stores. A few weeks ago, when my sister wanted to hear my opinion about a piece of modern furniture she’s contemplating on buying, she requested me to drop by the furniture store with her, and that time, my husband was with me. I can just feel his annoyance when we were going around the store, as I also wanted to check out some traditional pieces. He was ashamed to complain though, so he had no choice that time but to go along with us.

Going back to the food he brought home for dinner tonight, all I can say is that he really knows how to shop for food at restaurants. He brought home dishes from Safran, a restaurant on Seventh Avenue specializing in French Vietnamese cuisine. While I’m writing this article, we’re on, what we call as “resting” phase. After eating the appetizer and the first course, we are already full. Because there’s a third course, he suggested, we should rest a bit, and head back to the dining room in a while to finish the third course. Do you believe this? Later, I’ll be sharing some photos of the food. I told him that he bought more than we can consume again. Now, this is the reason why I just keep expanding. I’m really binging!

After the holidays, I should really stick to my diet, as well as religiously do my indoor walking. I just hope the laziness bug won’t keep hitting me. Oh, and those food in unbelievable portions should be banned from getting into my front door. If only I can keep up with my husband then there won’t be any issues. The problem is, he can eat anything he wants in huge portions yet his tummy is still trim. And me? Don’t even ask.

December 27th, 2008 | Tags: food | Category: daily chatter | Comments (2)

Officially now, I’m on the hunt for cell phones for both me and my husband. We have been putting off this purchase forever, and my sister has taken the matter in her hands by presenting us a gift card as one of her and her family’s presents to us for the holiday. She has gone to the point of saying: “can’t you not afford to buy new units?” because whenever she tries to contact me when I’m out of the house, my cell phone is always off. Obviously, she is irked whenever this happens.

Thus, with the gift card that she gave us, each of us can get awesome cell phones. I’ve been mulling over the idea of getting an unlocked phone so that each of us can use our cell phones with various GSM-compatible carriers worldwide. It will be great whenever we travel. This coming year, who knows where our feet will take us again. Apart from that, I learned that with unlocked phones it is compatible with almost any of the service providers for as long as the phone supports the frequencies of each of the providers.

I hope to find the best cell phone that our gift card can buy, identical units would be fine. In a few days, we will soon have  spanking new cell phones, and needless to say, my sister will be one happy caller, as she will no longer just get my voice mail.

December 27th, 2008 | Tags: gadgets | Category: daily chatter | Leave a comment

I did a good job putting away er… eating, the big tin of popcorn. Would you care to see the dent I made on that 6.5 gallon of popcorn?

From this:

To this:

And this was just me eating them whenever I feel like it, all in a span of three weeks. My husband was really surprised to see that the tin is now almost empty, exactly three weeks after it was delivered.

I have to tell you that they are still as fresh as when I first opened it. I always make sure to seal it tight using Glad plastic wrap. It worked, hence, now I know having a huge tin of popcorn like this can stay fresh if it is sealed tight.

It’s amazing that all these weeks while I’m eating popcorn I can manage to surf online; my right hand with the mouse and my left hand with the popcorn. The past couple of weeks I have been checking out faucets, Delta faucets to be specific. We may need to replace our kitchen faucet, and my friend mentioned that Delta faucets are great. So far, I found several styles, the gooseneck, pull out type but I haven’t made a final pick yet. I might finish the tin of popcorn first before I settle my choice. Hey, I need to think!

December 27th, 2008 | Tags: food | Category: daily chatter | Leave a comment

As I previously mentioned, we were at my sister’s home until the wee hours of December 25.  The one thing I missed was, I did not take pictures at the karaoke session. Right after presents were distributed, the dancing began. No, I have two left feet and I can never dance decently thus, I was a total outcast. I can not say the same about singing because if there is anything that I can do that would be it. I even have no qualms singing in public because I had such a good exposure both in high school and college.  I had fun though, watching the rest of the peeps dance and enjoy the music.

Oh no, we’re not dancing here. We we’re just having fun.

December 27th, 2008 | Tags: christmas | Category: celebrations | Comments (2)

Kikamz and Juliana, this is long overdue and don’t think this meme is not going to  get its much deserved space here. It took longer for me to post this because I had to dig in to our albums so I have a photo to scan. Now, you know not to mind the quality of the pics because they are ancient LOL.

Rules of this tag:
1. Foremost, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Pick your sweetest picture when you were still friends and post it on top of the questions and answers.
3. Another pic now that you are together post it after the questions.
4. Share to how many friends you like. Be sure to link them and send them a comment about the tag.
5. Enjoy doing it c:
6. Let your hubby read it too.

These pics were taken more than nine years ago.

Can you remember the day you first met your hubby?
Sure.

When was that? (doesn’t have to be specific)
One beautiful Saturday afternoon in the winter during one of my numerous vacations here in NY.

First impression.
Serious and mysterious, no non- sense guy.

Were you attracted to him?
No.

Were you friends before he became your bf?
Yes, of course.

What was the sweetest thing he did for you?
All those long overseas phone calls from NY to the Philippines.

What are the things about him that you are thankful for?
Oh my, I’m afraid I would not stop writing if I enumerate everything about him that I’m so thankful for. But for the sake of this meme, let me pick a few:
- He is very hardworking, a great provider. I can never ask for more.
- He is very patient with me, no matter what.
- He tries to lead a healthy lifestyle so we can enjoy our golden years together.
- He makes me feel special every single day, and he never fails to pamper me.
- He is God- fearing.
- Our marriage is his priority, everything else comes second.
- He shares my passion for travel.

At the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy October, 2008

Kikamz and Tukayo, thanks for sharing this meme. it was fun answering these questions and it brought back nice memories. Sorry it took me a long time to search for pics from our albums. I’m glad I found some decent pics to share here. I hope I didn’t bore you, now I need to get off here and search for  ball lock pins on the net. I need to read up on it, as I want to learn more about its usage.

December 26th, 2008 | Tags: blogging | Category: tags | Comments (3)