Revisiting Sydney

Spring has arrived, yay!

There are lots of things I'm looking forward to this spring - warmer weather (seems like we've had cold weather all year), beautiful flowers, birds chirping. But one extra special thing I'm really looking forward to - our visit to Sydney!

I haven't been to Sydney since November 2007, which was with my family and my hubby (fiance back then). This is the first time that hubby and I will visit Sydney on our own (well, almost. My cousin and her bf are also visiting Sydney same time as us). This is our birthday celebration for hubby. :)

We're so excited, we have already booked accommodation, dinners and a performance for our stay.

We'll be staying at the Old Sydney Holiday Inn. Basically, we were sold by the amazing roof top view of the harbour bridge, the harbour, and the Sydney Opera House. It is located at The Rocks, which is an ideal location - close to shops, restaurants and the famous landmarks.

One of my pressies to hubby is the performance we will be seeing - "The Taming of the Shrew" by Shakespeare at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. When I purchased the tickets online for the performance, I also purchased the Gold Show Plus Package, which gives us the below:


A 2-course pre-theatre meal (per person) at one of their Gold Partner Restaurants:
Aria
Bilson's Number One
Cafe Sydney
Kable’s (Four Seasons)
Wildfire

2 x interval drinks (per person) at their Theatre Bars,

and our choice of:

1 x voucher for The Essential Tour (per person) OR
1 x Parking voucher (per transaction)

We chose to have supper at the Aria Restaurant (because Matt Moran is our favourite chef on Masterchef Australia), and selected The Essential Tour of the Sydney Opera House. Hubby has already gone for a tour of the Opera House but I haven't. I really want to take the tour, and hubby doesn't mind going again.

We have also booked at a couple of restaurants which my Colleague highly recommened - The Guillaume at Bennelong, and at the Cafe Sydney. I really can't wait to dine at these places because not only am I excited about tasting their meals, but seeing the magnificent view! All restaurants have the views of the harbour and the Opera House.

Another thing we are thinking of visiting is the Taronga Zoo. Although hubby has already been there, he doesn't mind visiting again. Maybe combine the Zoo with a cruise back and forth? We'll see as the date comes closer.

Hopefully we are able to meet with relatives and friends during our short stay in Sydney. It will make our visit even more special. :)

I'll end this post with some images of the locations we are visiting. Thanks for putting up with my excitement. :P

Old Sydney Holiday Inn

Cafe Sydney

The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare play)













Aria Restaurant

Guillaume at Bennelong

Loving Our Dates

I really gotta get back into blogging religiously. Gotta find the time, gotta find the time.

Last Thursday, 14 May 2009, hubby and I went out on a date again. It's not a date where you do numerous things, but just a simple date. Just how I like it. It's nice to just go out with hubby, just the two of us, relaxing and spending time together.

I might not have mentioned before, I barrack for the Carlton Football Club (in AFL) - and I am VERY proud to announce that we have a new recruit. My hubby! My hubby has gladly joined our team. Now watching footy when the Blues play is so much funner. lol :P

As a "welcome to the team" present for hubby, I got him a CFC beanie. Oh, I also got one for myself. :D

We walked through the shopping centre and walked past the Body Shop. I had remembered that my hands were starting to crack (always happens during the cold seasons coz I love washing my hands in somewhat hot water) and I misplaced my cream, so I bought another tub of Almond Oil Hand Rescue Cream. If you have hands that are extremely dry, try this, it's really good and the smell isn't strong. Perfect.

To top it off, we went to our favourite place, Max Brenner.  This is my favourite part of our dates, when we get to bond and talk about anything - plus of course, the yummy drinks and desserts. :)

Love you long time babe. Heehee. :*

First Date

Yesterday (12 May 2009) while at work, hubby sent me a text message saying that we will be going on a date that evening by watching a movie. I was thrilled to hear of this as we barely get to go out with just the two of us.

I replied to his message saying I was very excited about our date. He then replied saying he was excited too, plus a question "do you know why we're going out on a date?". I got stuck. I had no idea that there was an occasion. Minutes had passed and he hadn't told me why, so I gave him a call. He still refused to tell me, but gave in after a while.

It was the day - 9 years ago, we had our first date. :)

I was surprised to hear this from hubby because normally I am the one to remember dates - anniversaries, birthdays, you name it. But this time, I had failed. I was so proud of hubby for rememebring!

We had dinner at home with the family before we went off to Hoyts. I was the one who drove as hubby is not yet used to driving on the left side of the road. We had the best parking spot! It was like it was reserved especially for us. Woohoo.

We settled for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner.

Of course, we cannot watch a movie without popcorn and choctops! Hubby had the banana choctop, and I had butterscotch.























It was a feel-good movie, somewhat a chick flick. But we enjoyed it anyway. Well, I enjoyed it. :P

On our way home we drove by McDonalds and decided to pay a visit. Hubby had a standard long black, I had a small hot chocolate, and we shared a slice of double chocolate cake.

















Before we headed home we bought some Maccas for Papa and my brother. We love our snacks after dinner. :)

Thank you for a wonderful date my love! I truly enjoyed it. :*

Mother's Day Present for a Non-Mother

Last Sunday, 10 May 2009, was Mother's Day. We started the day by attending mass, then having an unplanned brekkie at Maccas. :D

After that we headed for the Cemetery as it was also my Grandfather's birthday.

Soon it was time to go to my cousin's place, as we were going to celebrate Mother's Day there, as well as her birthday and her son's birthday. All 40+ of us immediate relatives were there to celebrate this special day.

While mingling with my relatives, we came upon a well-known (and loved) topic in the family - shopping. :P My Aunt shared with us her newest acquisition - an uber gorgeous Mimco bag. All of us were going gaga, as it was a nice bag and it was on sale! The original price was around AU$245, but it was on sale for only $80!

It was sold out at the branch in the City (where my Aunt got it from), and was also sold out at our nearest shopping centre. So, we dialled the outlet at Bride Road and BINGO, they had stock there. Without hesitation, I reserved 2 - one for me, and one for my other Aunt.

Upon hearing that, my other Aunt also said she wanted one so I rang the outlet again and requested then to place 3 bags on hold. Minutes later, another one of my Aunts heard about it and wanted one as well. Again, for the third time, I rang the outlet and reserved 4 of the same bag!

Since I am now a "Mrs", I had to inform my hubby of my soon-to-be purchase. Lucky for me, hubby wanted to pay for it! I insisted that I pay for it myself, but he wouldn't let me. I obliged. :D

Not long after, four of us headed off to Bridge Road to collect our bags. Good thing we rang before going there because after we purchased our bags, there was only 1 left.

Funny thing is, the travel time took longer than the time we took to buy the bags. Haha.

Here are a couple of pics of the much loved bag.





The Mimco bag from the front.

The view from the bottom of the bag.












This bag is extra special because hubby gave it to me, even if I'm not yet a Mother. :)

Thanks be! Mwah! :*

Returning Blogger

I have been absent from the blogging world for too long.

I missed blogging about the significant events in my life.

I missed blogging about my shopping finds.

Most of all, I missed all of my blog sisters! :)

Fingers crossed that I will be able to continue my blogging like I did before I went on holiday.

I am Home

Many things have happened the past six weeks - majority I have failed to blog.

Among the many wonderful things that happened during that time, I would say one event was a miracle.

My husband got his migration visa approved!

We had always wanted to come back home to Melbourne together, for good. However we really weren't expecting our prayer to be granted.

At precisely 2:03PM Manila time on the 20th of April, a very important letter arrived in my husband's email inbox. The letter which would change our lives forever - the approval letter.

I was in the Philippines visiting my husband during this time, and this letter was received five days before my flight back to Melbourne. Upon receipt of the approval letter, we tried all channels to be able to grab a seat for my husband, so that he could fly home with me.

Once again, with God's help, the day before I was due to leave, we were able to secure a seat for my husband on the same flight as me.

Thank you all for your wonderful support, most especially for your prayers.

It is true that whatever is meant for you will be given to you - when you least expect it, at the perfect time.

Now, My husband is here with me.

Now, I am finally home. :)

Another Step Forward

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to once again email the Australian Embassy. I thought this was the perfect time to contact them (while I'm in the Philippines), in case they wanted to see the both of us during my stay here. As per routine, I received an auto-response from them acknowledging my email.

This afternoon, on our way back home (in the car) from Laguna, Arthur received a phone call from his older sister Joanna. She informed Arthur that the Australian Embassy rang the home phone requesting for him. Since Arthur was out, Ate Joanna gave Arthur's mobile number.

What we felt during that moment - 50% nervousness and 50% excitement.

After a couple of minutes Arthur's mobile rang again (3:04PM Manila time). On this instance, it was the call we were eager to receive.

It was our Case Officer. She discussed with us the two outstanding requirements:

1. Single Status Certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages of my State.

2. A question on the Form 47SP which we missed.

That was it. That is all that she is asking for!

We were very happy to hear that there were no major requirements. The things they are requesting for are quite easy to achieve. Once we obtain these documents and lodge them, I'm sure it won't be long before Arthur gets his visa.

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Thank You for being our source of faith and strength.

Apologies Fellow Bloggers

Hi everyone! I just want to apologise for not being able to blog and answer/accept your tags. I have been overseas on holiday (and I still am overseas) and I haven't had time to post. Hopefully when I get back to reality, I will be able to get back into the blogging world.

Miss you much sisses! Mwahugz! :)

News from the Department of Immigration

On Sunday, I had a brief conversation with my cousin Lyn (who just recently migrated to Australia). She was asking about the progress of our application for hubby's migration. I informed her that the application is just about to click to two months, and we haven't heard anything as yet. Lyn advised me to email my Case Officer and ask if she requires any additional information.

With that in mind, I finally decided to email our Case Officer. I was a little hesitant at first, as I felt that I would once again get unuseful information. But then I thought again, and figured I won't lose anything anyway.

So yesterday at 1:35PM Melbourne time, I emailed our Case Officer, with the hope of receiving a favourable response.

I was shocked to see a response by 1:44PM, only to find out that it was only a system-generated message to acknowledge the receipt of my email. It was depressing to see that I have to wait upto 5 business days before I receive a response from the department.

After reading that acknowledgement message, I went to lunch knowing I won't receive a response (but still hopeful).

When I got back from lunch, I had a few minutes to spare so I checked my emails again.

I was VERY surprised to see another email from the department at 2:11PM.

I clicked the email with much excitement (and nervousness, I admit).

"Thank you for your email..."

I read on.

"... we have received your documents and they have been forwarded to the Health Operations Centre in Sydney for medical opinion of our Medical Officers of the Commonwealth"

WE ARE PROGRESSING! YIPEE! :D

The email didn't come from our Case Officer, but it didn't really matter. It was a relief to find out that our application is actually moving. I'm hoping now that the Medical Officer would check and approve hubby's medical results as soon as he/she can so that we can have hubby's visa approved before I come back to Melbourne.

Thank you for the prayers everyone! Please help us to continue to pray for the speedy release of hubby's visa. :)

Coffee Break 1.49

Yay, sis Jan has started her Coffee Breaks again! :)

Here is the question for Coffee Break 1.49:

How does one have a vavavoom body this beach season?

I can't really relate to this Coffee Break as I pretty much consume whatever I feel like eating. Hopefully when hubby and I are together we can arrange some sort of healthy arrangement/s.

But if you ask me, I'd say:

1. Exercise

2. Healthy Eating

3. Confidence

I'd like to emphasize point number 3 - confidence plays a major role in having a vavavoom body this season (and for any other season for that matter). You may not have the "perfect" or "ideal" body, but keep in mind that most people don't (guys and girls alike).

So, ladies (and gents) - keep healthy, chin up, and feel great! :)