my valentine

Balloons on sale at the store

Valentine's weekend just passed. And I'm embarrass to admit that ever since becoming a mama, all lovey dovey stuff have gone out the window. I know people say to keep the romance alive after the kids come but it is hard when you have a 4 month old baby and we are all alone with no one to help out. I doubt the next door 40 year old biker dude will be a likely baby sitting candidate. 

Field of yellow flowers outside Redlands Thrift Store

Anyway, I haven't given much thought to this Valentines Day being so busy with Hannah. But Rockstar surprised me with chocolates while I was still in bed. And then we spend a weekend thrift shopping. The best part, he drove me everywhere and never said a word when I went in and out fitting rooms in various thrift shops. 

Sleeping beauty

And we had a mini adventure at San Bernardino and a McDonald's picnic under a big shady tree while Hannah slept in her car seat. I am a sucker for McChicken. Since it was a Sunday, San Bernardino was practically a dead town with just a couple of pedestrains and homeless people on the street. But nonetheless, it was fun exploring a new city.

San Bernardino Justice Center

We ended the weekend with homecooked steak at home. Just us 3. We have come a long way from a romantic dinner for two but I would not change a thing. Looking forward to many more valentine celebration together.

Sunset in LA

Goodnight LA.

In a Sentimental Mood

Feeling kinda contented listening to 'In a sentimental mood' by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane and holding a sleeping Hannah in my arms. She is 10 weeks old now and time is really flying by so fast. I'm torn between wishing that she will stay her small little cute self or watching her develop into this beautiful girl with unique personality. I can't believe this little girl is mine to keep. I may be bias but isn't she the cutest baby ever. 

I have not been keeping to my promise of blogging more often. Hopefully with the new year approaching, new resolutions will spurn me on *crossfingers*. On that note, 2015 is ending and I got to say that this year have been such an adventure with all the travelling, moving to US, getting pregnant, Rockstar studying and motherhood. Phew.. I feel like everything went by in a blur (note to self: that's why blogging is so important). 

Anyway, since Rockstar is turning 29 tomorrow and today is a momentous day in going to dedicate this blog post to him. I went shopping on my own and left Hannah with Rockstar for 2 hours. It's pretty long considering this is the first  time I've been apart from Hannah since January. Definitely had withdrawal symptoms and I missed her so much. But it was a good 2 hours of freedom. 

Rockstar is an amazing father. He gets better and better each day. Hannah is blessed to have a father who is involved in her life. Just a week back, she gave the biggest smile ever (she just started experimenting with her smile and facial muscles) and I'm glad that Rockstar was there with me to experience that moment. I did not managed to capture in on camera but it was indeed a moment for us. 

Here are some photos of my two loves. 

Holding her..

Playing peekabo

and hide and seek..

Comforting her..

Lazy feeding ;p

Watching cartoons

Feeding on the go

Tummy time

Cuddles..

At the doctor..

Sleepy mornings...

Happy 29th Birthday Rockstar! Loving you non stop.. 

My Fairy Tale Story..

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always dreamed of a tall, dark, handsome man who will sweep me of my feet and we will live happily ever after. And as I got older, I kept my eyes wide opened for that one special man who is to be my Price Charming. I even have a list of criteria that the One should have. Truth be told, the list grew longer and longer at every failed guy that crossed my radar. I was very determined to find that one Perfect Man for me. 

Meeting Rockstar during university was like a game of strategy and wits. It wasn't a love at first sight that most girls dream off. He infuriated me, confused me, even made me doubt myself. I was the girl in the Student Council, head of my lecture class, actively involved in events and societies. He was the total opposite. He was the cool guitarist musician skipping class long-haired scruffy rocker. Watching us was like watching a pair of fighters dance around a fighting ring. But what happened was definitely a act of God. He brought us together amidst all the circumstances and differences. 

After Rockstar proposed to me, I went through a time of doubt. I kept wondering if He was the right one for me. He did not meet all the criteria on my Prince Charming list. I love him but kept wishing if only he could be a little bit more perfect. I did get over my doubt eventually but it took some time of humbling myself before God and trusting Him.

Nine years down the road, I am proud to say that choosing to be with Rockstar is one of the best decisions of my life. I did not know it at that time. If I had stayed blinded by my head-in-the-stars romantic fairy tale dream, I would have missed the chance of a happily ever after. And that is a scary thought. 

I now know that Prince Charming comes in different sizes.There is no one size fits all. If I have waited for a prefect guy, I would still be waiting now. A perfect guy does not appear like in the fairy tales. Me and my perfect guy bring the fairy tale alive together.

Rockstar completes me. Even after all this years, I am constantly reminded that I have actually found the one for me. We may not be perfect but that's the magic of it all. And yes, my Prince Charming and I will keep continue creating our own happily ever after together. 

Baby Bump photo for Week 25

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Living in a tiny Parisian Apartment

I may be getting my mojo back. Was just at the movies a while ago and I saw '3 days to Kill'. That movie was just ok, but the stage is beautiful. It's set in Paris and it reminded me so much about my honeymoon and the places we have been. Rockstar and I were trying to figure out the names of places all through out the movie. 

Anyway, since my mojo is back. Let's talk about Paris. Paris is such a beautiful city. We spend 8 days there for our honeymoon and 4 of those nights were in a tiny Parisian Apartment at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur steps. Doesn't it look so adorable. Very small, with a big cosy bed and a small balcony that looks out into the rooftops of Paris. Just like in the movies. 

The toilet was so small that we had to sit on the toilet bowl just to brush our teeth. And the shower is even tinier than an plane toilet. Just enough to fit in and maybe turn in a circle. I wouldn't know much about that being just 5 feet tall :) Taller people might keep bumping into the water heater just above the shower, so uniquely quirky with it's Tomato Can design. 

The kitchen was tiny too but just nice to be fully functional. There was a fridge where we kept our store bought wine, toaster to heat up frozen pizzas and stove to fry some eggs for breakfast. It was kinda nice impressing my new husband with my skills in the kitchen. Haha.. 

Tadaa.... One of our many meals in Paris. Nothing beats pizza and wine, snuggling in a big cosy bed and watching the sun set in Paris, as the lights come slowly twinkling on, while listening to the soulful cooing of a Parisian singer from the CD player.  

The owners of the apartment provided many guide books and recommendations on places to visit and eat, and various music. They even gave a basket if we wished to walk down to the morning market for some bread and fruits. 

A iron wrought gate, entrance to our apartment on the 8 floor. There are 2 gate, which means 2 security access, making it very safe. Just a short stroll away took us to the bottom of the steps to Sacre Coeur, tiny sidewalk cafes, bustling tourist shops, tiny gift shops bursting to the brim with knick knacks, bakeries, art stores, and so many more. I could spend so much time getting lost, wandering in the tiny alleys and streets of Montmartre. 

A iron cast lif, where we had to open the metal gate, step into the lif, close the gold-lined wooden panels before the lif slowly makes its way down. Very tiny, just enough to fit 2 person. Thank God for it as the apartment was on the 8th floor. But it was also kinda creepy cos every time we passed the 3rd floor, the lights on that floor are off. 

Small, narrow, weirdly angle corridors , leading to our apartment. Check out the huge gold doorknob in the center. I love everything about this apartment. The smallness, the quirkiness and the authenticity of it. Its like everything I've watch in movies. 

View from our Balcony. Isn't it beautiful? No view of Eiffel Tower as we were facing North East. I am so thankful that I got to experience living like a Parisian. It's am amazing experience. If you are going to Paris, I would recommend finding an apartment and staying there. Then you'll truly discover this beautiful city of love. 

Something that made this apartment even better, a tiny Vietnamese store just around the corner that serves amazing Pho. Gosh, I'm craving for Vietnamese now. 

So yeah, my experience living in Montmartre, the artsy fatsy creative area of Paris.  

Sunday Morning & Self Portrait Challenge : Day 2 & 3

I love Sunday mornings! I get to laze in bed and not worry about my phone buzzing or emails to reply.

This morning, I asked Rockstar, "If you can have 1 thing in the world right now, what would you want?". 

He exclaimed, "Teh Ping!!!" (Ice tea)

Me : "-_-". 

So. Totally. Not. The. Answer. 

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Anyway, here's Day 2 & Day 3 portrait. Seriously, its DAMM Hard!!! I got no idea how camwhores does it. I take like a gazillion pictures and none of them looks good to me. Now I know why models are so highly paid ;p

Anyway, I've done some editing to the photos. This is for Instragram sake, and of cos my own vanity. I know some photographers do not agree with photo editing, but please bear with me as the model in question is not very photogenic, hence the need for editing. 

But in case you are curiously, here's both the photos, edited and no edits whatsoever. 

Day 2 picture - I wanted to crop out the background as its distracting and focus on my 'gorgeous' face ;) And I made it black & white so that my eye bags ain't too obvious. 

 Day 3  picture - Sunset car drive on the way for badminton with the family. Seat belt was in the way, so it had to be cropped out. 

So what do you think? Any suggestions on how to take better self-portrait? 

For those of you who are bored with my camwhores pictures, be patient. Travel post coming up soon! :)

Happy working tomorrow everyone!!!

* 'A Beautiful Mess' 30-Day Self-Portrait Challenge.

A Little Secret Hideaway

There are weeks when all you wanna do is just find a place and hide - away from all the hustle and bustle and busyness of everyday life. Where you can snuggle in a huge bed with soft feathered pillow and just watch the sun set over the soft rippling water. Where you can sit, basked in the sun rays as the water laps softly against the shore. Where the wind whispers as it ruffles your hair and send ripples through the lake. Where the birds call and sing to one another as it flies across the blue sky. Where the beauty of the fluffy clouds and distant mountains are such a sight for sore eyes. Where you can hide under the blanket and watch reruns after reruns. Where waking up for brunch means taking a walk to the other side of the lake. Where you can take a dip in the pool, and float and watch the tree leaves covering the entire sky. Where time stood still and all you can do is just be mesmerized by God's beauty and be rejuvenated yourself. Where one night isn't enough and all you want to do is just stay just a little while more on this paradise on earth.  

We will be back. Some day. 

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Rockstar and I took a short trip, two weeks back, to just be with ourselves and take a break from everything. It was much too short :) but a amazing trip nonetheless. If you like to know where, please email me directly. I don't want my 'secret hideout' to be a public notice ;p haha..