I have decided to move my blog to another account. You can still preview my past posts here but for future posts, you may visit me at: happymonthsary.net

XOXO,

kai

Dolphy as a Pinoy Icon - Eastwood Mall Exhibit

There are some places that Cy and I have been meaning to visit but do not have the time to do so. That’s why I love holidays like May 1 — going to Charlie’s and going to Eastwood Mall may seem “ordinary” things couples do but for us it’s a pretty big day haha.

We started the day by catching up on Smallville at the condo then we headed to Charlie’s for lunch. We’ve been hearing a lot of rave reviews about this Car Wash/ Burger joint and finally we got the chance to go.  Unfortunately, Cy and I thought this place is overrated. Cy had their supposedly famous Angus Beef burger–Cy though it was good but not great. I had their fish ‘n chips–and I found it also good…but not great. Overall, we figured that people raved about this place because it’s very affordable considering their food is of pretty good quality and the servings are generous but we would still prefer Brother’s Burger, Good Burger, and Chelsea for burgers.

fish 'n chips

angus beef burger

After lunch  I bought a muffin and a cookie at Mrs. Fields then we headed over to the Eastwood Mall. This mall is great! There are still a lot of closed stores but the place has this chic yet laidback feel to it. There are a lot of restaurants and stores that seem to be unqiue to just Eastwood. You walk to the sounds of Brazilian Lounge music and their movie theatre area has some pretty posh coaches and tables. We were also lucky enough to check out their Exhibit of the Pinoy Icons which was pretty cool. Overall I highly recommed this mall for all you mall rats out there–this place is very chic and has that exclusive feel to it.

getting me some muffin and cookie before walking around Eastwood Mall

outside the eastwood mall, which reminded me of HK's time square only more peaceful

we were lucky to get a chance to see the pinoy icons exhibit at the mall

goofing around outside the manor

 XOXO,

Kai

If ever you were kind enough (haha) to read all my entries thus far, then you could really say that all our monthsaries from 1st to the 11th have been different and special–not just the monthsries but even the dates we’ve done regardless if there was an occasion or not. So naturally, our very first anniversary together HAD to be perfect. It’s taken me months of preparation to fix my surprises for Cy and I’m pretty sure it was the same case for him as well. Since we both planned stuff for each other, it had to be done in 3 parts.

Part 1: Sunset Sailing

Part 1: I had this coordinated months ago and made sure that we had our own paraw for Sunset Sailing–but of course it had to be special so I had it decorated (the theme was starfish and shells), had some snacks prepared (cheese sticks and quesadillas), and we had our very own “butler”. It was both our first time to try the sunset sailing in Bora so we really had fun!

Part 2: Next up was a candlelight dinner for 2 at Friday’s. Again, it was not just your usual dinner for 2–I made sure that we had our very own special table, decorated and arranged just for us, and to make it even more exclusive, our table was separated from the rest of the guests

Part 2: Candlelight Dinner for 2 at Friday's

Part 3: Cy outdid himself with his surprise for our 1st Year Anniv—he got us a Royal Villa all to ourselves at Tirta Spa. It was such a breathtaking experience. No words can even describe it. All I know is that for about 3 hours, we were treated and pampered like royalty in this heavenly place.

Part 3: As we climbed up the stairway to Tirta Heaven, a gong sounded off to announce our arrival

on our way to our Royal Villa

welcome to Heaven...

Outside our Royal Villa

After our treatments at Tirta, I wanted to buy anything that would remind us of our experience but they didn’t have any souvenirs–instead, they sold Havaianas flipflops so I just got one for me and one for Cy just so we had something to remember our anniv by.

Overall it was an amazing anniversary experience and I am looking forward to more annivs to come. A lot of people tell me that our monthsaries are very cute but they highly doubt it if we will still be in that “honeymoon” stage after we had our anniv–this is a common, cynical belief w/c I wish to defy–just as Cy and I have defied couples who fight–cuz w/ no exaggeration, we probably had 1 or 2 arguments in the whole year we’ve been together.

Before I met Cy, I wasn’t the type who would celebrate monthsaries–I even forget it. I guess with the right person you sort of get inspired to do these things–especially when both of you are really into the surprising-competition type of mindset.  So here’s to more monthsaries and ideas to come!

XOXO,

Kai

For our 11th Monthsary, it was time to try something different Part 1 was a buffet dinner at Discovery Suites, and for Part 2, Cy said there was going to be a “surprise” …with the requirement that I had to wear pants and rubber shoes…I eventually figured it out but it was a great idea just the same—Cy’s surprise turned out to be a day at the driving range in City Golf Ortigas…Cy said he wanted us to try something that we both haven’t done before–it was definitely refreshing and it’s not as easy as it looks pala! I felt like I needed a pop of SKELAN after! hahahah. Afterwords, we headed to GB3 to buy my bag then went home to Cy’s house to have some pizza with his family. Another awesome monthsary for me and Cy

Cy surprised me with a driving range date! He even got a pro to teach us the ropes

after a tiring day at the driving range, we had pizza w/ Cy's family--this is our fave Viva Sicily pizza at Pizza Hut

I guess the insight here is to try a sport or an activity that both you and your significant other have not tried before and something that you both can learn together. What makes it fun is the fact that you’re both newbies and you’ll cheer each other on as your progress. Also, monthsaries need not be celebrated with just the two of you–it makes it also fun to have it with family!

XOXO,

Kai

I discovered this amazing place from Anton’s www.ourawesomeplanet.com Anton says “Chef’s Table will probably get my vote for the best restaurant in 2009″ and so far, it’s got my vote too.

The pictures don’t even give justice to the entire experience. Just imagine—an exclusive dinner for just you and your group and right in front of you is the Chef’s table. I gave Chef a given budget and told him to “Surprise Us” with anything (except for beef, chicken, and pork of course). Each dish was very creative and definitely something you’ve never had in any other resto. Chef also shows you the whole process…from how he makes the food to how you should experience it with your senses.

Chef Bruce preparing our meal right infront of us

Picture Perfect: this is what it means to be REALLY special when Chef Bruce is cooking for you

appetizer: Halaan Soup w/ Clams

Tartar Duo - One word: FIREWORKS!

literally the most tender and juicy calamares I've ever tasted

2nd main course: SUPER TWISTED! Lapu-Lapu in crusted potatoes---w/ Ube mash mind you! This one is HEAVENLY!

Twisted Dessert: Our dessert has lobsters!

There’s so much to share about this place but I urge you to try it for yourself….and do it na now before his prices shoot up!

For reservations, Contact Michelle Lim at 0918-8871277 or 0922-8712777

And I encourage you to tell them to “Surprise Us” instead of ordering their set menu. Or give him a theme!

XOXO,

Kai

I’ve always wanted to take Cy to Salcedo Market but we normally have our own things to do on Weekends–but we finally got the chance to do so! It was short though, just about 45 minutes tops. But Cy enjoyed it–it was his first time to see the wide variety of stalls that sold freshly cooked food from Pinoy to French cuisine. We got some samosas to munch on while walking around the area. Cy bought his mom some bagels and I got my friend some Shrimps.  Finally we had our early breakfast by the playground. Cy got lamb steak and I got spinach veggie lasagna.

I’m sure most of you guys have already been to Salcedo Market but for those of you who have haven’t, I highly recommend that you do. It gets a little hot in there though so be sure to wear shorts or breezy sun dresses. Make sure you have enough money to spend as there will be a lot of stuff to sample!

XOXO,

Kai

For our 10nth monthsary, I had the pool area at Greenbelt Parkplace reserved for a private dinner picnic for two. I prepared for it the whole afternoon– got some blueberries, bananas, and yogurt from the supermarket, then prepared some sandwiches and pasta for the picnic. Come evening when Cy arrived the condo, I had my picnic basket with me and escorted him to the 8th floor where the pool area was. I knew Cy already had a hint as to what I was up to for our monthsary but I think he still loved the fact that I had the pool closed all to ourselves, I had some food prepared, and that I was busy fixing the table and trying my best to have the candles lighted on a very windy night.

This was really such a beautiful night and I do hope this once again inspires you all to do something outside of your usual movie-dinner date ideas

It was absolutely fun preparing for this lil picnic

XOXO,

Kai

We decided to celebrate our 9th Monthsary at InYo–I’ve eaten here before w/ my family and didn’t quite like it but I thought it would be nice for Cy to try it also. Overall we weren’t happy with their food (I swear, I could not for the life of me understand what the fuss is about) but the experience of just being there w/ Cy was still precious (naks).

Then after our dinner, Cy and I did some “day-off” strolling at the park execution at Marikina hehe. Which was again very fun and different–it really pays to be extra game about this kind of things. Finally, Cy gave me some cute gifts that super touched me–he had some customized note cards and a daily planner made just for me

after our fancy dinner, we kicked it back, day-off cheesy style by having a walk in markina's festival park underneath the stars, beside the riverbanks haha

great gift idea from cy: he got me customized stationery at mommypads.multiply.com

There are a lot of good monthsary ideas here that I do hope you’ll learn from

XOXO,

Kai

This has got to be the 2nd sweetest thing someone has ever done for me (1st was when Cy asked me to be his gf of course).

Cy said he wanted to have dinner w/ me dec 22 a day after my bday…”just us” cuz we pretty much spent daw my bday w/ family…

On our way to “dinner”, apparently somewhere in Serendra w/c he wouldn’t say where exactly, he said we had to stop by at Fully booked to buy something for his brother. He was wondering where the art supplies were so I said it was at Fully book’s basement floor. So we started looking for it…

then Cy saw Fully Book’s private Cinema and started inquiring. The one in-charge opened the cinema and explained how much it was to use it etc. etc. then I saw RENT flash on the screen. I tugged Cy’s sleeves and said “uy Rent o” and then people started entering the private Cinema, all lined up in front a’la Seasons of Love…as the same scene started playing din on the screen…then I realized that the people lined up were Darien (Cy’s bro), Alden, Katrine, Kenn, Mabeth, Tita Beth (Cy’s mom), Allan (Tita Beth’s bf), Charms, and Mareng Edge. Then as Cy and I sat at the front row, people also started sitting on the cinema seats and it was Sandra, TJ, Anna, Ian, Mica, and Marc.

They all sang Seasons of Love, performance level with blending ito! Then they sang Happy Bday, there was a cake for me also and I blew the candle, then Cy made an amazingly touching, tear-jerker sweet speech (but I controlled my tears…naka eyeliner eh.haha), then we celebrated at Life Cafe aftewards — aka Sidebar.

friends and family performing Seasons of Love just for me

Cy giving his uber sweet bday message for me

all my friends and cy's family who were in on the surprise

dinner and drinks at Sidebar after

Cy’s bday surprise for me I think is very inspiring for all you lovebirds out there haha. Sometimes it’s not even about the expensive gifts–it’s all about the effort and being with loved ones and friends

XOXO,

Kai

Cy's homestyle baked potatos

Cy's pinoy style omelet

my Creamy Pesto Fusili Pasta with Kani and Smoked Salmon

my famous eggwich!

Cy surprises me w/ the DKNY Delicious Perfume!

So I guess what I’m trying to show you guys here is that once in awhile, why not cook for each other instead of dining out? It’s fun and it makes it sweeter. Also, laidback is always so much nicer and cuddle-friendlier

XOXO,

Kai