Hello Summer, Goodbye Manila

The late sunrises and cool evenings have come to pass. I don't know what the weather bureau has to say about it, but I think summer started on Monday. It's not so much the sun -- we have that all year round -- but the humidity feels like a sweater I can't remove. In this heat, all I do is daydream about being by the ocean. There, my body will match the brine, and I will float aimlessly...

On Friday, I'm going to visit a friend in Hawai'i. We've been planning this trip together for months, listing down all we want to do, eat, and accomplish. Once we started making plans, I found it harder and harder to concentrate on my daily routine (thus, this extremely delayed post!) I think the anticipation of a vacation is one of the things that heighten the overall experience.

I love making plans, especially on my cute Kikki.K planner with stickers

The friend I'm staying with in Honolulu is a yogi, and she has prepared a pretty packed itinerary filled with the things I love most: food, nature, and fitness. She and her husband have also graciously included a trip to Kona and Kauai, after having mentioned that I'd never been and have always wanted to go. On top of my excitement to explore another side of the world, I'm looking forward to being in the company of two strong ladies I'm proud to call my friends. That in itself will make this a great vacation. I'm so grateful to have found people with the same thirst for adventure.

By my next post, I should already be on another island, miles away from my beloved, native islands. So, so long, farewell, Manila! See you soon!

Love and Brownies

February, by virtue of Valentine's Day on the 14th, has now become casually referred to as the month of love. I've never placed any specific importance on celebrating Valentine's, but I've never hated it either, even when I was single. I'd taken the opportunity to do little things for my family and friends, like writing them little notes or giving them small tokens. 

My boyfriend and I also celebrate our anniversary on this month, so we've been extra appreciative of one another these past few days. He gave me flowers and new charms for my Pandora bracelet, and I baked some Chocolate-Strawberry Truffle Brownies and prepared a strawberry-white wine sangria for the weekend.

Chocolate Brownies with Choco-Strawberry Cream Cheese Ganache. Recipe from Taste of Home. I love this because it has some of his favorites: coffee, strawberry; and some of mine: chocolate, pistachios.

I modified the recipe slightly by putting some slices of strawberry before the final layer of ganache, and topped it with roasted pistachios.

 

Sangria made from white wine and fresh strawberries; in a champagne flute because why not!

My initial, and his enabling of my cherry blossom obsession

Beautiful bouquet wrapped in pink and green (can anyone tell me what those long, pink flowers are?)

What's so interesting is, we were both subconsciously aware of each others' love language, and these were the best ways we thought we could make each other feel special. If you haven't heard of the 5 Love Languages yet, it's based on a book originally released in 1995 that talks about ways people receive and express love. The author, Gary Chapman, claims these love languages are gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, and physical touch.

Brief descriptions of the Love Languages. This screenshot is how mine were ranked when I took the quiz on his website.

While I love the gifts themselves, I appreciate his acts of service of taking time out of his whole days at work (sometimes even 24 hours,) and how he knew what kind of flowers I'd find pretty, and what charm would be significant. My act of service was preparing food I know he loves (strawberries!) Both of us blocked off an entire day to just hang out, watch movies, and play with the dogs. 

I find these love languages to be helpful, not only with him, but with friends. It's nice to know what makes people feel valued, and on the flip side, good to be aware of what could damage a relationship if not nurtured. 

This month, I'm going to choose love every day, and hopefully it becomes a habit that I can keep up for the rest of the year. Happy Sunday!

Win of the Week: Rope Climb

Made it more than halfway! Photo from my friend Aly (who climbed all the way to the top!)

Only on my second day back at CrossFit Greenhills (after a month-long hiatus,) and I conquered the rope! I tried this once late last year, and couldn't understand the footwork; but took a mental note to pursue it as a new goal. Earlier today, with my Morning Crew, and with the help of "unusually-perky" Coach Stephen, I managed a few squat breaks (will double check this term) and almost made it to the top! I probably could've done it, but I belatedly realized that it was a bad day to wear shorts. 🔥 I got rope burn on my thighs! 

As with many skills, this can't be done by anyone at just any point in time; but it can be done after some training. I'm proof of that, and that's why I love CrossFit so much: I always win at something after I put in the work. 

Wanna try the rope climb? Here are some of my tips as a newbie climber.

1) Wear pants!

2) Put the rope between your legs, and twist it around one leg once (refer to picture.)

3) Clamp the lower end of the rope with the other foot.

4) Position your hands slightly higher than your head and engage your arms for a pull. (The boys said they engaged their lats.)

5) Scooch your legs up closer to your butt, like a reverse squat (or a ballet plié!) without losing your feet's clamp on the rope.

6) Stand up from the squatting position to hoist yourself upward.

7) Repeat from #4.

That's it for my Win of the Week (I should launch this as recurring theme.) Off to work! Happy Tuesday!

P.S. It's my first time to post from my iPad, and there aren't many formatting options!

Four Weddings in Four Weeks

Some people don't like attending weddings, but I love them. I see them as opportunities to dress up, take photos, get together with friends, and in some instances, reconnect with old ones. With my choral background and my current profession, I've also been asked to sing for many a ceremony and dinner reception; but whether I'm there as guest or as hired service, I try to enjoy every moment.

Every wedding has a distinct quality, because most of the time it reflects the personalities of the bride and groom. It may be grand or simple, of mixed religious denominations or races, in a church or on the beach -- one thing is always constant: and that's love between two people, witnessed by many more who love them. More than the fun, I always feel inspired and hopeful after every wedding.

I was blessed to start the year with, as the title suggests, four weddings, one for every weekend. Eight very different people, and four loving unions, in various locations. I attended a traditional Catholic one at a church, another on a beach, the third was on a garden by the bay, and the last was atop a hill.

Singing and dancing with the bride and groom at the center

On the first Saturday of January, one of my sisters from the UP Concert Chorus got married. At their dinner party, they asked us to help entertain their guests with a few love songs, but the best part was when both the bride and groom sang and danced with us. That is simply how we celebrate best.

Their dream wedding by the beach. Photo by Veejay Jimenez at Acuaverde Beach Resort

The Friday after that, one of my best girls from the same university choir tied the knot on the beach. "Twice a bridesmaid, never bride," is hopefully not true, because this was my sixth (6th!) time as bridesmaid! As with so many of my friends' weddings, I helped in the preparations from crafting bouquets, to putting make-up on some members of the entourage, and singing for the service and party (see us dance in the cut.)

Arm-in-arm with Chuck, determined to give the fiercest walk down the aisle =)

My handmade, personalized bouquet, labeled our mutual pet name, "Forvy" (short for Forever) 

Sparklers that evening, photo by Veejay Jimenez

My best Girlies, and their little Girlettes, with the new Missus in white the day after the wedding

Beautiful garden wedding that caught the sunset at the bay. Photo by Proud Rad, at Sofitel Philippine Plaza

I felt truly valued to be invited to such a small, intimate wedding, by one of my oldest and dearest friends. Aside from finally seeing her marry her love of almost a decade, I got to spend time with some friends whom I hadn't seen in a while. (See more of their gorgeous photos in Proud Rad's public album.)

Yesterday, I went to my fourth and final wedding of the month. The funny thing was, I saw the groom at the third (garden) wedding last week, and he asked if I could sing at church for his wedding in a week. After some last minute coordination, some of my friends from the Gala Quintet agreed to join me.

A quaint chapel on a hill in Montecito, Nuvali

Sunrise singers, the Gala Quintet *love*

Perfectly packed chapel

At this age, I have a better understanding for practicality, so I never take it personally when I'm not invited to friends' weddings; but consequently I have a deeper appreciation for when I am invited. I'm grateful for all my friends who have wanted me there on their special day. I have loved every single one, and continue to pray for their marriages and families.

Goodbye, January. You flew by wonderfully!

P.S. -- Funny, I saw through Timehop that in January 2015, I attended four weddings and a baby shower. This year, I attended four weddings and a baptism. I'm glad I always start the year with love and life.

The Catch-Up Storybook: Favorites from the Holidays

December came and went, and we're more than halfway through January 2016! WHAT HAPPENED. I don't like saying, "I've been busy" because that's a lousy excuse for anything and everything; but rather, other things needed to be prioritized. But I'm back, and this year is looking up and up. To transition, I want to share some of my favorite things and photos at the moment (acquired and taken sometime during the holidays.)

Obsessed with my tropical printed City Sneaks!

Currently my favourite tank from #GingersnapsPH

A Chef's Classics holiday product shoot with Carl, director of Belle Studio; things are really not fancy behind the scenes (: #LetsCookPH The final videos are embedded in the cut.

Finally have these limited Swiss Miss Knitted Tins that I'd been eyeing for 3 years!
(The chocolate is okay, too!) #TheSweetLife

Bought all the Mario Kart Happy Meals from McDonald's in one go because I can't resist Mario Brothers!

The Elvis Press Me: secret menu at Mr. Graham's Sandwich Shop uses the same pan cubano as the Cebuano, but is a sweet-savory blend of bacon, bananas, peanut butter, and marshmallow cream. I swear, it works!

Not sure I'll ever get to wear this beautiful Filipiniana "terno" again, but I want everyone to know that Reneé Salud remains one of the best designers in our country. I LOVE this gown, I'm so honored to have worn it.

My Kikki.K planner, band, and matching pen from Ate Karen has arrived. It's been tradition that I get my planners from my sister at the end of each year, so she sent one from Australia. The K makes it look customized for me!

The new RCS in 70s garb. Special thanks to our Baihana sisters for these tutus! #PLDTPasasalamat2016

Don't judge my junk! BonChon Philippines' Bacon Kimchi Krazy Ko-Dog is battered and fried for a crunchy exterior and has a pretty good flavor profile (sorry, cheat food.) #BonChonKrazyKoDog

A photo posted by Katherine (@kaichypoo) on Dec 16, 2015 at 7:25pm PST

"On top of many other things like work, mentorship, and countless free meals, I'm so lucky to have a boss who's a great gift-giver that considers both wants and needs! So sorry, but we are living in a material world and I am a material girl!" #HerschelSupply #Klimt 

My mom used to give me #books on Christmases and my birthdays, from fairytales, to children's stories; and later poems and young adult fiction (the latter is still my favorite genre.) The book that transitioned between those and more adult ones was a collection of Edgar Allan Poe's greatest works -- and I loved it. I fell in love with his unusual plots and dark characters and influenced my early writing of shorts. So receiving this today was more meaningful than, I think, the givers thought it would be. It's beautifully hard bound, with a ribbed spine, and gold leafed textblock. Thank you so much, @shmapet and @martyarnaldo!

A photo posted by Katherine (@kaichypoo) on Dec 27, 2015 at 7:54pm PST

I'm thankful my job lets me try on different hats (pun intended) and costumes, like this traditional T'Boli garb from the indigenous tribe in Southern Mindanao. We shot a music video for the Department of Tourism's program in #ASEANTourismForum2016, where we also performed live.

That's it!  What I'm not highlighting is the holiday inches I've put on, but that's why in the next couple of entries, I'll be talking about the diets that I've tried recently (and through the years) and let you know which ones worked for me, and which ones I couldn't stomach  (literally and figuratively.) I'm determined to dedicating 2016 to good choices for health, finances, work, and relationships.