My birthday wish list

Another year has come and gone. It has been a challenging and successful ride and I look forward to more challenges and successes this coming year.

For my birthday this year, Von had been asking me what I wanted to do. He asked if I wanted to throw a party like we normally do, but as much as I love parties and seeing friends, the idea doesn't appeal to me as much as it used too. I realized that throwing a party comes with the extra work for preps and clean up. And I didn't really want to exert that much effort for preparations on my birthday.

So what  do I want?  After several deep thoughts, I realized that all I really want is time. Quality time.

@ Izakaya Kikufuji
Dining by the bar in front of where the food is being prepared

Wish #1: Date with my Mister
Friday, Sept 4. I was in Makati for a managers meeting in the Shang. I told Von I'm free the night after the meeting and he planned a special pre birthday date for just the two of us. I told him I wanted a nice dinner for the 2 of us and wanted to watch a gig or maybe go to a comedy bar - it's up to him. Our little boss we left home with Grandma. He picked me up a little past 8pm and off we go.

I didn't know where we were headed as I left all the planning to him. He took me to this authentic Japanese place, Izakaya Kikufuji, whose been on the top list from Booky reviews of well loved places in Makati. The food was orgasmic. The place had a very authentic Japanese ambience and although it was cramped the staff were attentive. I promise I'll blog a review of Izakaya when I find the time.

Dinner Highlights:
Bacon wrapped mushroom and Wagyu sticks

After dinner, we headed to Zirkoh to have a good laugh. It was a blast. Would've been better if I wasn't so damn tired and sleepy,  I secretly wished I didn't spread myself too thin and skipped the manager's meeting so I still had more energy than what I had left. Despite it though, it was still a good night. It is always a refreshing break to get to spend quality time together without Bonchie in tow.  We capped the night at 3AM.

Wish #2: Family field trip
Saturday, Sept 5. To any family with new kid/s, one realization I had is any occasion eventually turns out to be a celebration for the little ones. Despite today being my birthday, all I had in mind was activities for Bonchie to enjoy the occasion. We've been deciding between taking the little boss to Avilon zoo, the real one in Rizal or the smaller one in Tiendesitas, or to Ocean Park in Pasay. All options we knew Bonchie would love as he has this huge interest in animals and all. We finally decided to go to Ark Avilon Zoo in Tiendesitas. One revelation to us from this field trip, despite Bonchie's love for animals as we've observed his reactions to picture books and TV shows is, he is afraid of every one of them in real life. He was scared even with his most loved horse and those cute little bunnies. He was literally hanging on to our arms, clothes, anything he can hang on to with every small movement the animals make. We realized it just might be too early for us to take him to these places as one of two things may happen - he outgrows the fear or he gets too scared he'd never get to outgrow it. We decided to take him back and continue with the field trips he when grows a little bigger and gains more understanding of the world around him. Bonchie did enjoy feeding the fish, which again was a surprise to me as the fishes looked creepy with their big mouths sucking through the water to take the food in. Oh well, it had been a fun afternoon. Despite my worry that Bonchie was scared of everything, I had a good laugh when we saw Bonchie screamed his heart out when he thought the little running bunny is going after him ROTFL.

#vmanalacs @ Ark Avilon Zoo
before the little one realized he was scared of them birds too

We also had a blast testing out Von & Bonchie's gift to me. The Olloclip iPhone camera lens. Here are some of my favorite beginner shots.

Olloclip Wide Angle
Von was just a couple of feet away

Olloclip Fisheye

Wish #3: Time with the extended family
Sunday, Sept 6. My birthday happens to be my father in law's birthday as well. Over the past 7 years, I've shared the day with Pops and had made sure to allot time with the whole family. This year my mother in law planned to prepare food in the condo so we can share dinner there. But before dinner, we had spent lunch with my family at Silantro in Pasig - another one of the top restos from Booky. Another review worthy place, I promise to blog all about it as I've got all my hands up for everything that was served.

@ Silantro Pasig

Silantro's Nachos
the best tasting Nachos ever

After lunch, we had Sunday service in Victory and headed for the condo. It was still early so I had Von and Bonchie take a dip in the pool then I realized... No matter how simple, no matter how routinely, these moments are what matters. These two are my life and these two are my most priceless gifts ever. I could not ask for anything more.

my most priced gifts ever
no need to wait for birthdays to be with my gifts - they are right there

Come night time, my mom and sister came and we shared a sumptuous meal with the whole family. It was simple but fun. It was priceless. A happy and contenting moment. Top it all off with a huge pot of our favorite seafood.

King Crab and Queen Shrimp

Olloclip Fisheye

Wish #4: Me time

Monday, Sept 7. Nothing fancy. Just quiet time with myself. To surf, read, blog and get away from a busy work day. It had been a good couple of days looking forward to spend the same birthday break next year.

another year wiser and stronger

Xoxo,