Samurai!

Recently, I realized that when I look for gifts for the husband, they are not available. Why? Because they are limited releases and the only chance to snag them would be at a high mark-up from resellers. It is sooo frustrating. Jordans, NMDs, hats, jerseys and even watches.

So, when this handsome (or beauty), Seiko Prospex SRPB09 - Samurai,  came up while I was on the hubby gift hunt and it just so happened it was being released at the same time, I wasted no time. I immediately went on an online hunt for this product. I was getting deflated when it was turning up on the reseller market already. I did snag one from here: River Edge Jewlers. The good news, no state tax (from where I am at)! And it seemed like a legitimate and an authorized seller. I am so happy I didn't have to resort to the gray market to be able to purchase one. It seems that the demand in Asia and my home country was driving the price up. I managed to get it at a lower price than the reseller I got in touch with. Luckily, it didn't seem like this was as popular here so I had less competition and plenty of chances to buy it. Also, I don't think there would be fakes in the market already for a model that was just released. It made it easier buying it online.

 

 

It's supposed to be an anniversary gift but I couldn't contain my excitement so I ended up showing it to him anyway. It was a success of course! He loved it! Big points for the wifey! :)

This is not an apple watch review

When I learned of those smart wearable devices, I contemplated on getting one for me or for my parents but it felt too expensive for me. The stingy side of me prevailed. While I could see some benefits, I thought rather than depending on technology for monitoring my step count etc, I should just try harder to lead a healthier and active lifestyle. I also became a technophobic with thoughts of exploding cellphones and now to actually attach one to the wrist might be a bad idea. So, I thought to myself, I don't need one and I will not be a slave of these "innovations". To some extent, don't you feel that if we become too dependent on them, the future as shown in the futuristic/fictional movies Wall-E or I-Robot will soon become our reality. 

 

Fast forward to December, my friends gave me a fitbit Flex2 as a prewedding gift (I trust that they were not subtly hinting for me to lose weight.) and then my now husband gave me an apple watch. So, of course I had to use it. I wanted the fitbit because I got jealous and envied my friends who were trying to one-up each other in terms of the number of steps taken. Anyway, since I couldn't use both so the fitbit was left for my mom to use. I have but used my apple watch almost everyday since. I have configured my watch in a way that it displays a lot of info on screen including: step count, date, time, temp in Celsius or Fahrenheit (still trying to get used to the temps units...), and my hometown time. Although I am able to track my step count, I don't think my habits have changed to actually conscientously meet a daily goal. I have gotten used to seeing this explosion of data when I glance at my wrist that on the occasions I end up wearing my other watches (mostly because I failed to charge the watch), I feel that the information I am told is insufficient, as if my wrist is lacking and naked. Sure, it tells me the time, which is what a watch is supposed to be for in the first place. But what's the temp (which is quite good to know especially winters where I am at can jump from lows of 40's to highs of 90's the next day.)?, How many steps do I have (as if it mattered and makes any difference)?, I need to know! I have yet to maximize the watch so other than that, it has been just handy for quick reading of messages while teaching or driving, for doing one minute planks, and camera timer functions. My main deal is that wish I could pick up calls from VoIP apps such as viber, FB messenger etc. without having a bluetooth headphones with me. I am still resisting those Airpods which again are chargeable devices. My carbon footprint is just terrible with all these things and how much glued and hooked I am to them.

 

Now given that the watch has now become a staple, it makes me rethink if I should get that watch I've been eyeing on for a while now. Maybe I shouldn't and just get a D&G Sicily instead (no, that designer bag story still has no conclusion). 

Gundam at Diver City

photo taken by me Aug 2014

So as earlier announced, yesterday was the last day of the Giant Gundam to be on display at Diver City in Odaiba. However, not to fret it is supposedly going to be replaced by another one by 2019 that will supposedly walk this time, 40 years after and before the Tokyo Olympics (Article here). If the teaser during the last Olympics game was any hint on the theme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics then having this robot as a showcase is not going to be a surprise. 

Had the chance to visit the statue and watch G-Party 35 "RISE!" show back in 2014. I was not a big fan of Gundam so I didn't know what to expect from the show but my brother was. I am not sure if he was exactly a fan in the truest sense of the word but he would save all his lunch money back then just so he can keep on buying those Gundam Robots that he could build himself (so did my cousin). I did watch some episodes of them back then when it was aired at a local tv station. Nonetheless, robots are robots so the geek in me was thrilled to watch the show. I was pleasantly surprised to see that at least it turns its head and some other light/laser projections as well. My research obviously went as far as knowing the show schedule but not what was in the show actually. Nonetheless, sometimes it's better to see for yourself right?

Mom and Dad wedding gift

Original plan was to have a family tree necklace made for my mom with all our birthstones in it. Due to lack of time and budget, I ended with my backup plan which I got from Amazon. It still made for an emotional day and some waterworks.

 

Dad,

Of all the walks

We have taken together

This one is my favorite.

As the first man, I have
ever loved, when you
give me away, know I
will always be your
little girl.
Thank you for being the
best dad anyone could
ever ask for, I love you
with every inch of my heart.


Mom,
To dry your happy tears,
on my wedding day,
as you have always dried
mine. Your love and support
has made me into the
woman I am today.
As I start the next chapter
in my life, I will need
you more than ever,
You have always been
there for me, I am
blessed to call you
my mother and best friend.
I love you.

Discovering the joys of cooking

For almost two weeks now, I have been consistently cooking without having to resort to a fast food/korean place to restore my appetite. There used to be a time that I'd be eating the same for 3-4 days at a time (and adobo/porkchop almost every week). I thought I was hopeless. For some reason however, it just started to somehow click with me.

1. Smaller and freezing portions
The portion sizes here are terribly huge especially if you are cooking only for one. The solution: smaller containers for storage and freezing. This allows what would have been leftovers to be saved for a rainy day, and allow some variety on other weeks when cooking is not possible (or more because of laziness kicking in). I hated to waste food (which was how I was brought up as well) so even if my dishes didn't taste great or have been served for the nth time, if it's not spoilt I would still try to eat it until I no longer can.

2. Meal planning and not wasting ingredients
Adobo and pork chop were really easy because of the availability of just the right portion sizes for them and not requiring extra ingredients. However, when this recent cooking stint started, I actually sat down and thought about what ingredients I had in my fridge, what I wanted to do with them and what else can I cook with the remainder of the ingredients. In short, I had to plan for and maximize the ingredients, again, because of the portion sizes.

3. Cooking as a past time and stress reliever.
I'm the type that NEEDS to eat. I get cranky and therefore HANGRY when I am hungry. Therefore, I would exchange hitting the treadmill than not having anything to eat, at least that ended up the case for now. I do terribly need to find time to go though. Nonetheless, to some extent, I am actually interested to cook these comfort foods (reminding me of home) not just so "I can eat to survive".

Realizations:
1. Cooking and meal planning can get cumbersome eventually.
2. My mom did it for xx years. I admire her more and more for all she did for us. It is not easy especially when the household would start to develop their own tastes.
3. I would like to try more while I can and there are not a lot of other chores that might bump cooking as lower priority. Maybe even baking?
4. I'm partially more driven to cook because I want to be able to serve something decent for the husband.
5. I don't do measurements. At least not yet. Writing/Sharing recipes in this blog might not be feasible.
6. Thank you to all other bloggers for your ideas and posts. While I don't really pay attention to the measurements just the ingredients and the general instructions, they have really been helpful.

I really do hope this is not just for show though.

#jediswifecooks Exhibit A: Beef with Cauliflower and Mushroom in Oyster Sauce

#jediswifecooks Exhibit B: Pork in squash and beans 

 

#jediswifecooks Exhibit C: Chicken Chopseuy (using veggie leftovers from above)

 

#jediswifecooks Exhibit C: Gambas

 

#jediswifecooks Exhibit D: Beef Nilaga (sans beans)

 

 

#jediswifecooks Exhibit D: Ginisang Pechay/Bokchoy (leftover Bokchoy w/ Brussel Sprouts, Sesame Seeds in Sesame and Olive Oil - Nasobrahan sa Oil)

 

P. S. Veggie dishes are important to me as I can't eat long enough without them. Brussel sprouts and spinach ban chan are the easy go to fixes for my veggie needs/cravings.

Take Shelter

Living in a tropical country in the Pacific Ring of Fire means getting used to having two seasons: the wet and dry, as well as the occasional earthquakes here and there. So storms, lightnings and thunder are not quite new but terribly strong winds and a tornado alert can be quite alarming especially if it's your first time. A strong gust of wind making you more aware of the weather outside and knowing that the houses here are not made out of cement (reinforced with steel bars) makes you apprehensive. Back home, your primary concern would be getting flooded. Never mind the winds. And then, a text alert informing you of a potential tornado in your area and asking you to take cover. Then you realize, where the shelter is exactly at your place. You pack some things and head for the walk-in closet with a blanket.

Well, apparently, one of the places to be if a shelter is not immediately available, would be the bathtub. And instead of blankets, pillows are advised to serve as a cushion for a good night's sleep while waiting it out. Ha! It's for any possible debris that might fall. Now, the difference with storms that you're used to with this one. It could come pretty quick and after 15 minutes the warning is lifted.

Finding my First Designer Bag

Admittedly, the insecure part of me longs to have a designer bag for once. I've been resisting just because but then there are extra funds right now which got me thinking. Now may be the time to splurge and indulge before more adulting kicks in, before kids, etc.

With the mindset that I will not buy and spend that much money on a bag after this, I'm down to choosing amongst the following: 

1. Speedy bandouliere 25 

2. Speedy bandouliere 30

3. Siena MM

4. Siena PM

5. Turenne PM

You have no idea how many hours I've wasted reading forums, looking at the designer websites, Nordstrom, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, etc. just to find me a nice bag. I've considered MCM, Prada, YSL, Givenchy, Gucci, etc. But eventually ended up with the above. I also got addicted to Bao Bao but I think it's best to go for a classic considering I don't plan on following trends and be supporting a lifestyle that would get me to buy bags every now and then at those price points.

Aside from the reasonable price, I want somewhat low maintenance thus, the aversion to leather. Prada is still in my head though but it seems one of the five is the most feasible and reasonable. Problem is, I said I want to get only one and yet here I am toying with the idea of getting the Siena MM now and then a Speedy Bandouliere 25 sometime in the future... *ugh* Why did I have to be this insecure to want to buy one? "Yayamanin kasi!!!"