[Random] Christmas Gifts 2

Thank you to all my friends who gave me a gift for Christmas! :) From all the food, the toys, and chocolate and other bits.

Christmas day, I went to meet CP for breakfast so we can exchange gifts.  He prepared breakfast and I was 20 mins late from agreed time because I thought he was still asleep LOL. We discussed to give each other one major gift and one minor one. I got him the new Mont Blanc Legend scent (paired with toiletries and a toiletry bag) as well as towels and swimming goggles.

He got me a new watch and something still pending.

After which, we went to Catalunya and had a Spanish Christmas buffet with his friends who I got to know as well. Most of us opted for the free flow Cava (or other spirits such as white or red fine and Christmas cocktails). The food was really nice. Quite a different take on last year's Christmas lunch at Marina Bay Sands we had as there was no turkey. On the other hand, they had a very delectable suckling pig and delicious desserts so I'm quite solved with the idea minus the price tag. If you're interested to go next year, make your reservations and pay up 178Sgd.

Afterwards, we went to overeasy for more drinks and just chill and chat over drinks and some snacks. We stayed there for over 4 hours after staying a bit in  Catalunya drinking. Safe to say, I was quite intoxicated after a whole day of drinking for Christmas. Quite a new experience but fun nevertheless!

CH196: Christmas Away

This would be my 2nd Christmas here in Singapore. 2 Christmases ago, I spent it with family when I went to New Zealand for Christmas and New Year. Last year was with CP at the Ritz Carlton. This year, I spent it in the company of friends!

Thanks Richie and Mon for hosting! The food was immense!!!! Thank you tita for the amazing food and the time you took to make all the dishes perfect! A different Christmas altogether, but nonetheless memorable!

With ange and the amazing hosts Richie and Mon

With ange, one of my closest friend here in Singapore. Thanks for listening and all the advices this year!

[Random] Christmas Gifts

It's the season of giving again! The season to go all out and buy gifts...for yourself! Haha

I got my package from NZ a couple of weeks back from my brother. He sent me a Lacoste polo shirt and shoes and an iPhone case. Considering my sister is pregnant, I don't expect her to send any but she said she will. So will have to see what she sends over :) my parents I don't really have any expectations as they gave me a wad of cash mid this year and they bought a condo unit so I'm sure they have their own expenses to worry about.

So...given those reasons I decided to splurge on myself with some things for Christmas! :)

The speakers beside the souvenirs I have yet to give my mom when she either visits me here or I go home to the PH.

I got myself the UE Boom Bluetooth speakers after hounding review after review of the best portable Bluetooth speakers around. I was deciding between this and the Bose Soundlink mini (priced the same) but ultimately decided for the UE Boom given that it's much more portable, water proof and stain proof (as they claim).

The other gift I got for myself is a new perfume since the Chanel Allure my sister got me will run out in a few months and I noticed myself liking sweeter fruity scents more (like the Paco Rabanne XS or the Hermes one I got in London).

Gifts for my parents and sister I'll probably get next year haha to distribute credit card damage. For my brother I gave him a practically new iPhone 5 since I had mine replaced with Singtel after my old one was faulty, so it's most likely refurbished but 2 months old. And of course I got some gifts for my niece and nephew as well. For my sister in law I got her a Ferragamo scent that doesn't smell of "old woman" haha but young and vibrant and still sweet (my preference still towards sweeter scents).

CH143: Ritz, Rise, Etc

Such a wonderful Christmas spending it with a special someone. Well, spending Christmas with your family and friends is special, but to be able to celebrate with just someone close to your heart is a totally different experience.

As was mentioned in the previous entry CH142: Merry ChRITZmas, CP and I checked in to the Ritz Carlton Singapore to have a stay-cation. It was a very wonderful experience. I am not going into the details of it, but to say the least, we were stuffed. More so when we had our Christmas lunch buffet in Marina Bay Sand's Rise.

Exchange of presents was also super fun! Since we were celebrating two different traditions, we had two gift openings. One for Christmas eve and the other on Christmas brunch.

I wanted to tone down my splurge on gift buying considering the damage the US vacation has wrought on my savings. But, it was hard to get out of the gift giving spirit. I got CP a bluetooth speaker for his pad, a new watch he can use casually and both looking chic enough for work as well as a quirky bookcase looking clock.

CP on the other hand gave me a new Armani belt, an iPad Mini and a case for the ipad.

PS: As was said in the previous post, we checked in under the pretense that it was our 3rd year anniversary when it was just our 3rd month. And it backfired in some way. Aside from getting a whole bottle of Moet, a box of chocolate and a very exquisite chocolate cake, we also got a certificate printed out by the staff of the Ritz. To say the least it was very special and thoughtful for the staff to do what they did - except for the fact that we were called Mr. and Mrs. P. hahaha

Pictures!

CH142: Merry ChRITZmas

Christmas is arriving soon here in lah-lah land.
I am surprised every time Christmas comes as soon it will be the new year ushering itself in. Time really flies. Last year I was celebrating the holidays in New Zealand, and here I am now in Singapore coming from a month long stay in the US with my family...and soon, I will have been 2 years here in Singapore!

I couldn't go home this Christmas knowing I don't have enough leave and any more unpaid leaves will not be approved by my manager. So, to make up for it, CP has proposed a couple of weeks back to go on a stay-cation. Since we both don't have enough leaves, will be checking in late - around 4-5pm today.

Initially, we were planning to book for the Fullerton - but it was pricier since the only rooms they had available were club rooms. So, after calling around, we decided to get rooms at the Ritz Carlton instead (Mandarin @ Millenia Walk took forever to send out its quotation). And, for Christmas lunch, we will be heading off to Marina Bay Sands Rise for their Christmas Lunch!

Lots of firsts!
xoxo

Update:
Just checked in to the Ritz under a pretense that its CP and I's 3rd year anniversary when its just our 3rd monthsary.

[Random] Christmas Plans + Cooking

The bad side of using up all my leaves and using unpaid ones to go away to the US for 1 month is that I won't have any choice but to stay here in Singapore over the holidays. The good thing about it though is that CP used up all his as well recently. So, now we're planning on having a "staycation" here in Singapore! Still not sure about where we'll be staying at - but most likely in one of the hotels around the Marina Bay Reservoir...

There's also the question of where we will be having our Christmas lunch in. There are a lot of good and interesting ones here in Singapore in the hotels, but like I told CP, there is no way ever (not yet maybe) I will pay for 280SGD for a course lunch or a degustation style lunch. Not when i know how many people are going hungry - it's such an extravagance which is highly unnecessary!

Also, speaking of food, last night, I was able to cook my first meal ever! Well a decent one I mean - not like frying a hotdog or an egg or something. I grilled up a cordon bleu and put it on top of a tossed salad with ranch dressing. Yummy! Well it was. And now I'm excited to search up what to cook up next to share with CP...

CP and I are thinking of maybe trying to do this weekly or maybe fortnightly. Would be good to learn how to cook and make my own version of Filipino dishes. CP cooked up salmon and tossed up a salad as well the other day. So, it's like a cooking challenge maybe? Good fun and such a fulfilling experience to be able to finally say I cooked something.