Eleventh Monthsary As A Couple: Steel

by: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda - Isidro

Steel is the traditional symbol of an eleventh wedding anniversary because of its of strength and durability. So for our eleven months of marriage, I was reminded of the Stainless Steel 4 Heart Shaped Measuring Spoons that we carry during our travel, as a fitting symbol for the last month-sary that we will be celebrating! (yea, next month  is already our first anniversary! yippee!!). Each Spoon has a heart - felt quote:

1 Tablespoon "A HEAP OF LOVE",

1 Teaspoon "A SPOONFUL OF AFFECTION",

1/2 Teaspoon "A DASH OF TENDERNESS", &

1/4 Teaspoon "A PINCH OF JOY"

Since our eleventh month-sary (August 21) fell on a national holiday, the Ninoy Aquino Day, which means traffic and more traffic for us here in Manila, we decided to have a two - fold celebration. 

On Thursday, we just stayed home for a Just Married movie marathon that Won't Last A Day Without You (some movie titles!). We have all we need - a bunch of CDs we bought from the Video City branch that is closing down, a pack of Happy peanuts that Red loves and a bottle of Chamdor, an alcohol free sparkling grape juice that we bought days back. Except for the cork flying out -of - the - bottle –too- soon incident that hits Red's forehead and left us laughing to our heart’s content, I can say that it was the best date ever that didn't break the bank and didn't require us to drive or dress up! 

Then on Saturday, we went out on a date wearing our identical Hawaian tees. We attended a food tasting event hosted by Executive Gourmet (a catering company that I am considering to get for our organization's event), so it means we had a free lunch date!  After that we went to Caloocan, a haven for motorcycles. Red loves motorcycles and we are planning to buy one so we do not have to use the Volkswagen for small errands. We are considering either getting a Duke 390 (a big bike that can be used for SLEX and NLEX), a Madass Bike from Germany or a Visar (cheapest small motorcycle). While Red was doing a drive test, he brought me to Brillantes Spa salon for a haircut (with bangs!) and a pedicure. We ended the day with me shopping for more clothes and taking home four pieces!

These two celebrations look very simple and cheap to celebrate our eleventh (11th) month-sary. But to me, both times allowed us to be together outside of work and let us exhibits to each other a heap of love, a dash of tenderness, a spoonful of affection and a pinch of joy! 

Tenth Month-sary As A Couple: Diamond Jewelry!

By: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda -Isidro

Tin, Aluminum and Diamond jewelry are associated with tenth wedding anniversary since a marriage that lasted for ten (10) years is said to be flexible and durable (like tin & aluminum) and beautiful like diamonds. So on our one-oh month-sary as a couple (and trying to make - up for missing my husband's birthday yesterday), I decided to fulfill the condition for the cash gift given by a very dear friend, and got ourselves a custom-made matching rings, 14 karat yellow gold adorned with titus diamonds! 

our wedding rings 

My dear friend gave us a generous cash gift on our wedding day and indicated that it should be used for a purchase of a 40 - inches LED TV and wedding rings, two gifts that will always remind us of her. But since we still have our respective old and simple television sets and our simple wedding rings, we held off with the purchase until now. Glad our tenth month-sary is a timely excuse to get those shiny sparkling gem as a gift! 

To complete the tenth month-sary celebration, we wrapped up the day with a visit to the newly opened Fairview Terraces Mall in Maligaya, Fairview, Quezon City. The mall is the biggest integrated medium to upscale shopping development of Ayala corporation unveiled last February 28, 2014. It was our first time there and really impressed with its artful, creative, spacious, lush green looks. From the various dining options, we chose Recipes and ordered Tofu with Garlic Sauce (P135), Chicken Curry (P190), Plain Rice (P38 each), Mango shake (P85) and Dessert of the Day /Buko Pandan with Ice cream (P90). Oh my! The food is really tasty and did not cost us a ton! We love it and were filled! 

Just like the food served by RECIPES which are based from tested recipes, there is also a RECIPE for a Happy Marriage so that we will not only last till our tenth wedding anniversary but until eternity. I found this poem - 

"Recipe for a Happy Marriage"

Combine two caring hearts Melt into one Add alot of love Mix well with respect, and trust Add gentleness, laughter, faith, hope, and joy. Pour in much understanding (Don't forget patience) Sprinkle with kisses and, a dash of hugs Bake for a life time Yield: One Happy Couple

 Author: Unknown

Ninth Month-sary As A Couple: Leather!

The traditional ninth anniversary wedding gift is that of a pottery and willow while the modern counterpart is leather. And since we used pottery as a symbol of our eighth month-sary and we can't think of any willow gift ideas, we opted for anything leather for our ninth month-sary as a couple. 

Leather are sturdy, luxurious and rich-looking and this is what we strive our marriage to be when we celebrate our ninth year of marital bliss. So for our ninth month-sary thingy, we took a trip back to Volkswagen BGC for that "leather" touch. Nah, we are actually considering of buying a new car since our Isuzu Sportivo is already 4 - years old, and Red wants another test drive of the 2014 Jetta 2.0 TDI M/T Trendline!

The Jetta 2.0 TDI M/T Trendline looks elegant and classy, no doubt it is considered a luxurious, small saloon car in Europe and in other markets. Inside the Jetta, we were treated to a "leather" and Cardeol interior trim and a "leather" 3-spoke steering wheel, hand brake lever and gearshift knob! But that is not all. Red loves the comfortable driving experience! He said that it feels like driving a "race car" and yet remains very fuel efficient since the turbodiesel is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with Euro IV compliance. 

So although, I am opposed to owning a small car, I feel that I could make an exception for this Volkswagen variant! Its original price of Php 1.295 Million will be slashed off by almost Php 200 Thousand if we buy the Jetta before the promo ends this month. So, everybody, please have your fingers crossed for our ninth month-sary gift!

Philippine Independence Day and Our First Year Engagement Anniversary

by: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda -Isidro

Our Philippine Flag - inspired Wedding Reception Table Setting 

I love the Philippine Independence Day, a national celebration to commemorate the country's Declaration of Independence against Spain on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces. It was during this day that the Philippine Flag, which symbolizes our country, was first raised and the national anthem played. On June 12 each year, I usually participate in parades and rallies and make miniature Philippine Flags as my way of tribute to those who have shown great courage in fighting for our country to give us the cherished freedom we now enjoy.

Engagement Day Photo in Bacolod showing Philippine Flag -inspired colors 

On a personal level, Philippine Independence Day is my favorite holiday. It was on June 12,1991 when I met Red for the first time, while I was participating at a rally in UP against the US bases. After two (2) decades of separation, Red suddenly appeared, and after dating for a year, has proposed to me and offered to give me freedom from loneliness and lots of love and happier moments together! 

Fruit Cocktail Cake - 2 eggs,1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 tsp. baking soda,

1/2 tsp. salt, 1 – 14oz. can fruit cocktail with juice 398mL, 2 cups flour, 

3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, and 1 tsp. vanilla

Yes (if you do the math! lol), today marks our 22nd year from the time we first met, and our first year engagement anniversary. To celebrate this day, we wore our identical Bacolod tee shirts and shorts with Philippine Flag - inspired colors (red, blue, yellow and white) that we wore during our engagement trip last year. Then I baked a Fruit Cocktail Cake and had dinner at home together (since Thursday is our car's no - drive day). 

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in 
which chance has placed us, but is always a result of a good conscience,
good health, occupation and all good pursuits - Thomas Jefferson

So with that "kiss" from Red and a sweet shared dessert, I  can say that I have no regrets losing my "independence" on Philippine Independence Day!

Banana Split: The Perfect Dessert For Couple Like Us!

by: Mhe-anne L.O.Isidro

Aside from Peanut Butter, Red and I discovered a special dessert for two, that will surely not cause a marital break - up (although it is called a split). With two spoons in tow, we could be on the same boat and enjoy this sweet summer's delight together. Banana Split! 

Banana Split is a dessert made of a peeled banana cut in half lengthwise filled with scoops of ice cream in a row between the split banana and served in a long dish called a boat. Hubby goes banana over bananas while I can't have it because it causes bloating and excessive gas in my stomach. But I go gaga over any flavors of ice cream, while hubby just crave for chocolates.

For our first summer as a couple, we were doubly lucky to have Banana Split for free, not once but twice, courtesy of Pinac Heirloom Capampangan Cuisine and Pizza Hut.

Pinac Heirloom Capampangan Cuisine Resto
2/F UP Town Center, Katipunan, QC

As a reward for making a video message for my mom last May 9, 2014 at the UP Town Center's Reel Love Booth, we were given a coupon for a free Banana Split at Pinac Heirloom Capampangan Cuisine, a resto that showcases the Kapampangan cuisine of Candaba, Pampanga [Philippines]. 

Pinac's Banana Split consists of a peeled banana cut in half lengthwise with three scoops of ice cream - mango, ube and chocolate and topped with red beans and macapuno. I guess I had all the ube (purple jam) ice cream and the macapuno while Red devoured the banana in no time as well as the chocolate and mango ice cream. Yummy! Surprisingly though, we didn't find Banana Split on Pinac's menu. With its taste, I believe that this Banana Split should be a mainstay!

Pizza Hut at SM Sucat

Pizza Hut Banana Split is a dessert consisting of three scoops of vanilla ice cream sprinkled with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and whipped cream lined in row between the split banana. Like Pinac's resto, the Banana Split isn't part of Pizza Hut's menu, but it was served to us last May 27, 2014 as a reward for taking the Pizza Hut Feedback online survey in another Pizza Hut resto.

Banana Split is officially our fave Summer dessert!

Eighth Month-sary as a Couple: Bronze Pottery!

by: mhe-anne ojeda - isidro

It is our eighth month as a couple, so I love everything bronze, pottery, linens and lace. We are in luck as we found ourselves back in Tagaytay, where we actually got married, for Emma and Al's civil wedding celebration we have arranged for them. We didn't have to spend anything to celebrate our eight months of marital bliss!

Sonya's Garden Bronze pottery 

Bronze and Pottery are said to be traditional symbols for an eighth wedding anniversary. We are far from reaching our eight year, but I can say that our eight months of marital bliss is a bronze anniversary in the making. As bronze is a combination of copper and tin, a strong marriage is created by the joining of two individuals who love one another and spend time together. I can say that for eight months, I spell love and time as RED! He quits his job at the call center to help me manage our law firm and be with each other 24/7. And I couldn't be happier with that arrangement!

Sonya's Garden charming blanket

Pottery represents nature, simplicity and the slow creation of something beautiful from just a lump of clay. I am not sure if it is just coincidence or an intentional eighth monthsary gift, but Red has surprised me with a beautiful backyard garden last May 21! I am amazed to see a clean backyard with new plants, peebles and frog grass. In time, I know that we will have a beautiful garden, in the same way as our relationship as a couple, will start to shape into a beautiful marriage.

Estancia Hotel & Resort's Moroccan table linens

Linens or Lace are the contemporary alternative for bronze and pottery. Aside from the charming linens at Sonya's Garden, we found different linens and laces at  Estancia Hotel Resort's special presentation of themed set-up for wedding receptions called "Love in May" last May 18, Sunday. This Moroccan - inspired wedding theme are easy reminders for us that our eight month-sary is something special and colorful!

Peanut Butter: Finding Similarities in Differences!

Raymond and I are at the opposite ends of the pendulum in many ways esp. with food. He loves fish and beef while I'm allergic to them and get dizzy just by the fishy / beefy smell when being cooked. He craves for tocino, morcon and embutido when I can't really stand viands that have a bit of a sweet taste. Then I eat kimchi and sushi nori with every meal which he finds weird. Then he eats pandesal and I eat celery. Oh wait. I'm erasing that part about pandesal and celery. I guess we just found a meeting point one night when we were looking for a snack! He grabbed some pandesal and I got some celery. Then  we both reached for - Peanut Butter!

Pandesal is a Filipino bread rolls which everyone in the Philippines eat for breakfast or snack, well, maybe except for me. I find it bland and has no distinct taste other than the taste of its filling - peanut butter, liver spread, chicken spread, jam or what have you. I haven't eaten a pandesal ever since I was a kid. Celery, on the other hand, is a snack I learned to love during my first trip to the US. My mission friend Dana Cummings brought lots of celery with peanut butter during our drive from Las Vegas to Page, Arizona. I got hooked since then with this healthy snack rich in fiber and protein! But back in the Philippines, it is weirdo to be eating raw veggie as a snack! 

So now, back to the Peanut Butter. Guess I'm gonna see lots of peanut butter in the pantry. More couple date nights. Less oppositions on food. But more meeting points!