Viewing:

Cheers to the New Year!

To love, laughter, food, friends, discovery, adventure, surprise, wanderlust, change, forgiveness, opportunity, choice, commitment, and all the things that made 2013 worth it. May they reappear in new, surprising and amazing forms in the coming year.

Let’s drink to that!

Sunset margaritas El Nido

Frozen margaritas on the beach at sunset are always a good way to end any trip. It exactly how Marlon and I ended our adults-only trip since Tala was born, the details (and gorgeous pictures) of which I will most definitely share with you when we return to normalcy.

With my wishes for an amazing 2014, I raise a sunset margarita to all of you. Cheers to the New Year!

1 Comment
Posted on December 31, 2013
Category: Wanderlust · Labels: , , , , ,

2013: My Year in Travel

The plan for 2013, believe it or not, was to seriously cut down on travel. Looking back at the year in travel, that was clearly a fail.

We might have failed, but we didn’t fail miserably—we had so much fun doing it! Tala’s arrival only slowed us down for the first three months; it wasn’t long until we got itchy feet again.

Berlin Oberbaum Bridge street art

Berlin, Germany was our first trip of the year, and our first with Tala. Cheap eats, great nightlife, street art, Tala’s first museum visit, blogger meetups, and a redemptive visit to my favorite hangout, the Badeschiff, were some of the highlights that cemented Berlin as one of my favorite cities in Europe.

Monkey installation building Berlin

A monkey-covered building I saw in Mitte. Anyone know what it is?

Fueled by so much inspiration, I went on a blogging bender from just five days in Berlin. Look at all these posts!

Tala’s first flight, my first giveaway
Street art sightings in Berlin
Nhow Hotel Berlin
Breakfast in Berlin
Berlinische Galerie
Date night: Berlin edition
A walk to remember
Badeschiff: The return

Alicante Spain beach

As a couple, patience is not one of our virtues. That really showed in our spur-of-the-moment weekend in Alicante, Spain—the result of a too-long winter, a dismal spring, and a summer that seemed to take forever to get to Amsterdam.

Extra large mojito Alicante

Oversized sparkling sangrias (plus mojito o’ clock !) on the beach, cooling off in the Mediterranean Ocean and excellent restaurants mere steps from our hotel justified our spontaneous and kinda crazy getaway.

Alicante: Playa Postiguet
At the beach with baby
Out and about in Alicante
Alicante: Where to eat (and eat and eat)
Maastricht Selexyz Dominicanen

Closer to home, Maastricht was another weekend destination we revisited this year. Good food, contemporary art and a visit to one of the world’s most stunning bookstores made this a fun and fulfilling weekend drive.

Weekend in Maastricht
Selexyz Dominicanen: Heaven for booklovers
Bonnefanten Museum

Naxos port

Greece was actually the only trip we had planned to take this year. As the Big Trip of 2013, Greece did not disappoint. This country captured my heart with its warm and friendly people, mouthwatering food, picturesque villages and beautiful beaches—not to mention the underlying thrill of its epic history and ancient myths. We loved our time in Naxos…

The beautiful beaches of Naxos
Exploring the port of Naxos
Away from it all in Apiranthos
Traditional charm at Taverna Lefteris

Santorini sunset

and ticked a big one off the bucket list in Santorini—even if a sick baby and husband made our trip less than ideal.

7 great places to catch the sunset in Santorini
Oia: Postcard perfect Santorini
Atlantis Books in Oia, Santorini
Greece: a few last things

Dusseldorf Christmas market ferris wheel

In December we managed to squeeze in a visit to the Christmas markets in Dusseldorf, Germany. Gluhwein, gingerbread and gallivanting in the cold got us all revved up for Christmas and put us in the holiday mood for our trip to Manila.

Not bad for two first-time parents with a new baby, eh? What a year it’s been… and it’s not over yet! This weekend, I get to strike another long-awaited destination off our travel wishlist in celebration of our sixth wedding anniversary. I’m so excited!

Comment?
Posted on December 27, 2013
Category: Wanderlust · Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

All I want for Christmas is..

Two front teeth

Look what Santa brought us for Christmas morning!

Tala’s teeth really started coming out since we arrived. She started teething nearly three months ago, and now her teeth are here. I don’t blame them for not wanting to come out in the cold—looks like all they needed was some sunshine.

From Tala, Marlon and myself: Maligayang Pasko! Have a merry, merry Christmas everyone!

Comment?
Posted on December 25, 2013
Category: Calligraphy, Motherhood · Labels: , , ,

2013: My Year in Books

When I was pregnant, my mommy friends told me to read as many books as I could before the baby came. Looking back at my year, I actually got to read quite a few! I love reading, so I’m glad I still managed to eke out some precious page time, even with the demands of a new baby.

Receiving a Kindle as a no-occasion present from Marlon enabled my reading habit to flourish. Instead of just staring into space—or lovingly into my baby’s eyes, as TV commercials would have you believe—during Tala’s numerous feedings, I held my Kindle in my free hand (one-handed activities rock!) and read while nursing.

Book reviews are not usually my thing, but looking back, I decided these books were worth sharing. So, in no particular order, here’s a one-time-big-time review of my year in books.

[Read more...]

3 Comments
Posted on December 23, 2013
Category: Motherhood, Shopping & Finds · Labels: , , , , , , ,

DIY hand-lettered Christmas cards

I always make my own Christmas cards, but after having Tala, I realized this year would be different. Nobody would care about my artistic ideas anymore—everyone just wants to see the baby!

I wanted to give the holiday photos my own unique style without going the standard “family posing under the Christmas tree” route. Inspired by this Elle UK spread featuring Michelle Williams and some cool hand-lettered script, I created my own set of hand-lettered Christmas cards using Tala’s black-and-white holiday photos.

I hope everyone I’ve sent them to has received them by now, so I can share them without spoiling the surprise!

Hand-lettered baby Christmas card

I started out with a simple “Merry Christmas!” to warm up. To soften the stark black and white photos, I decided to keep the script fun, loopy and childlike, rather than ornate or fancy.

[Read more...]

2 Comments
Posted on December 20, 2013
Category: Food & Drink · Labels: , , , , , ,

Nine months!

This is a bit late, but… Tala turned nine months old in the Philippines. Yay! She’s now spent as much time in the great wide world as she did inside my womb.

Tala 9 Months Old

As you can see, I’ve been having fun with her hair. This is my favorite hairdo: the baby Bjork.

[Read more...]

3 Comments
Posted on December 19, 2013
Category: Life in Amsterdam, Motherhood · Labels: , , , , , ,

Home for Christmas

The last few days have been a little crazy. Packing for three weeks in a totally different climate and preparing for a 15-hour flight with an almost nine month-old baby have taken up all my energy and mental space.

Aside from the staple oversupply of diapers, milk formula, wipes and outfit changes, my diaper bag and handcarry contains various odds and ends designed to entertain an active infant: pink fluffy pompoms, crinkly foil wrapping paper, a pair of fabric coasters held together with Velcro, a rattle and a squeaky rubber giraffe. I can’t say I’ve ever traveled like this before.

After all the preparation, I think we’re as ready as we can be. In a matter of hours, Marlon and I will be in the air with our wriggly little babe and all we’ll be able to do is pray and wing it.

Then we’ll be home for Christmas.

Christmas parol

Parols in Las Pinas, photo by my sister

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t dreading a few things. The heat and humidity are the least of it; malling as a primary leisure activity and baby jetlag (let’s play from 2am to 10am!) are somewhere in the middle; traffic, parking and so much time spent in a car are the worst. Being confronted with these things makes me realize how much our lifestyles have changed living here.

But then I think of Tala finally meeting Marlon’s side of the family, of my mom and sister’s excitement at being with her again, of her baptism, of her being introduced to a circle of people who love her beyond just Mama and Papa.

I think of Razon’s halo-halo and Mary Grace ensaymada, of National Bookstore and Landmark, of Uniqlo and Muji. I think of singing at Simbang Gabi with my Ateneo Chamber Singers family, of vitamin D coming FROM THE SKY (not a bottle!), of having an abundance of people to watch over her while Marlon and I get some time to ourselves. I think of El Nido (!!!) for our sixth wedding anniversary and I think… well, that’s got to be worth it. Right?

Here goes. Deep breath in… wish us luck, and see you in Manila!

P.S. Know any great places to eat and to go with a baby? Leave a comment and I will be eternally grateful.

7 Comments
Posted on December 13, 2013
Category: Manila Girl at Heart, Wanderlust ·

Christmas in Amsterdam: Winter scenes

It’s almost time to fly to the Philippines for Christmas! This first half of winter has gone quickly for me. I’ve noticed a big difference from previous winters, when I would get to a point when I was practically crawling to the plane and towards the sunshine.

Maybe it’s because of Tala, who constantly pulls me into action, leaving me zero time to mope on the couch. Or maybe it’s because I finally started taking vitamin D supplements.

Whatever the reason, I’ve enjoyed roaming the city this winter, absorbing the subdued way that the Dutch celebrate Christmas. I’m savoring the quiet restraint here, knowing I’m about to be assaulted by Christmas cheer in Manila (where everything is always an assault). With my camera in my coat pocket (yes, it fits!), I’ve captured a few winter scenes around Amsterdam to share with you.

Amsterdam ice skating on Museumplein

Surrounded by three of the city’s most important museums—the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum—under a glowing winter sunset, the ice skating rink at Museumplein is one of the most picturesque places to enjoy an afternoon in the city. There’s also a skating rink at Leidseplein, but this one is bigger and more photo-op worthy.

Amsterdam winter canal Prinsengracht

The elms have shed all their leaves now, leaving them floating on the canals like shining gold coins in the water…

Winter pigeon bare branches

and leaving stark, bare branches that only the hardiest of Amsterdammers could stand to nest in.

Amsterdam oliebollen stand

Brightly lit gebakkramen, or pastry stands, popped up all over the city in the late fall. Their main offering are oliebollen— big, deep-fried balls of dough that are a popular cold-weather treat, and one of the few seasonal street foods you’ll find in the Netherlands (raw herring is another).

The fact that oliebol literally translates to “oil ball” should tell you why I’ve avoided them so far. It’s also quite telling that the Dutch word for “baked” (gebakken) also means “fried.” There’s almost no separating the two here, just as there’s no separating the Dutch from their deep fryers.

Amsterdam Christmas lights Utrechtsestraat

Every neighborhood has its own signature Christmas lights—nee, sorry, winter lights—that they put up every year. These are on the Utrechtsestraat, a nice but rather high-end shopping street just outside the center…

Amsterdam Christmas lights Nieuwendijk

in the old city center, on Nieuwendijk (which I think is one of the seediest streets in Amsterdam, but looks pretty anyway)…

Amsterdam Christmas lights Haarlemmerstraat

and on the Haarlemmerdijk, my favorite shopping street in the Jordaan.

Amsterdam Prinsengracht by night

The winter nights may be long and dark, but Amsterdam’s canals reflect light and make the nights brighter. On evenings like this one, when the water is mirror-still, it’s just beautiful.

Now I’m getting sentimental. Sssh, don’t tell… but I might actually miss Amsterdam while I’m gone!

2 Comments
Posted on December 12, 2013
Category: Life in Amsterdam · Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Christmas in Amsterdam: Tree of Light by Studio Droog

Now that Sinterklaas is over, the Dutch are finally letting Christmas into their lives. Christmas trees are popping up all over the city: on sale in every neighborhood, dragged home by strapping daddies and excited kiddies, beaming out into the night from cozily lit apartments.

While walking recently, I caught the eye of a woman in the Jordaan who was decorating her Christmas tree by the window. We smiled at each other before I walked on; it was one of those nice little Christmas moments I’ve been searching for lately.

Yep, I’ve been searching. By far, the most impressive Christmas tree I’ve seen this season is the one that hangs in the huge, light-filled Rijksmuseum lobby. It’s a Christmas tree from the future—a 3D holographic tree!

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum holographic Christmas tree

Created by *the* Dutch design company Droog, the Tree of Light is the biggest ever 3D light projection of a Christmas tree to date.

It brings together the work of Anne-Mari Ahola of Ahola Production Design and content by Maurits Engelen of Eyri with the technical expertise of head contractor The Beam Brothers, projection specialists tasked by Droog to manage the project. Maarten ten Holt and Michel Taanman from Van Dik Hout Decor created scale models for testing before commencing on the final construction.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum Tree of Light1

Menno Iping from The Beam Brothers was kind enough to share a few fascinating technical details from behind the scenes:

- The tree is projected on a ‘canvas’ measuring 6 by 7.5 meters, which is actually made up of 33 acrylic panels in different depths.

- The acrylic panels use nano parts of titanium oxide to capture and reflect light while still keeping a translucent look (which for me, adds so much to that quiet, magical feel!).

- A total of four projectors with a stunning light output of 20,000 AnsiLumens each were used to make the animation visible in the light-filled atrium of the Rijksmuseum lobby.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum Tree of Light2

I love the animation on this tree. I would have uploaded a video, but I can’t get my Final Cut Pro to work. Projected onto a translucent fabric that moves with the slightest breeze, the tree rotates ever so slowly as it twinkles and drifts overhead. It turns from green to blue to icy white, with a burst of stars along the way.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum Tree of Light3

This Christmas tree is quiet, it’s restrained, but it’s no less beautiful—just like the Dutch approach to Christmas. Sinterklaas uses up all the pent-up holiday frenzy, leaving Christmas much more subdued, but meaningful nonetheless.

I like how this tree is a soft, deep sigh instead of a big, shiny, over-the-top wow; I love how it gives people passing through Rijksmuseum tunnel an opportunity to stop, look and savor a moment of peace amidst the relentless holiday rush. With Christmas just two weeks away, we all know how hard those moments are to come by!

What’s the most impressive Christmas tree you’ve seen this season?

Comment?
Posted on December 11, 2013
Category: Life in Amsterdam · Labels: , , , , ,

Christmas in Amsterdam: Vintage tram ride with Santa

As a young family, we’re constantly discovering and creating our own family traditions. Marlon and I are both the youngest children, so we love finally being able to make the rules now that we’re parents—especially where Christmas is involved!

Not only do we get to draw on our own growing-up experiences of Christmas, but also on the traditions of the country and community we’ve chosen to live in. Because we live in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas becomes woven into our holiday fabric; because we live in cosmopolitan Amsterdam, friends from all over the world show us many new and different ways to celebrate Christmas.

Over the weekend, we found a new family tradition right here in Amsterdam: Santa’s Vintage Tram Ride.

Amsterdam vintage tram ride with Santa

Organized by the Amsterdam Mamas, a network for English-speaking parents in Amsterdam, Santa’s Vintage Tram Ride sets off every December from the Electrische Museumtramlijn Amsterdam.

This little museum dedicated to vintage electric trams is housed in the former Haarlemmermeerstation, a lovely old brick building in the Old South of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam vintage tram museum

The museum’s collection of old trams come from all over Europe and are in perfect working order. They ride every Sunday from Easter to the end of October, and can be hired for special events—which is exactly what the Amsterdam Mamas did for Christmas-loving young families like us.

Amsterdam vintage tram conductor

Christmas with children is truly something special. It was a joy to see all the excited little ones climbing aboard this stately old tram from Vienna…

Amsterdam vintage tram ride with Santa Claus

and sent off by the man of the hour, ringing a big gold bell… Santa Claus himself!

[Read more...]

4 Comments
Posted on December 9, 2013
Category: Life in Amsterdam · Labels: , , , , , ,