July on Ibyangram

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

Past Winter seasons were usually spent hibernating at home. July, being coldness month in Sydney, is when we spend weekends holed up at home, catch up on sleep and do nothing. That premise changed this year as this was probably the busiest July we've ever had. We celebrated Christmas in July with friends, found ourselves having dinner in the city a couple of times (so nice to walk at night in Sydney even if its cold!), helped Hubby with a photoshoot assignment and played tourists along with a visitor from Japan. 

Here are a few unforgettable photos of my July:

Sculptures on Six. An event hosted by Westfield Sydney where we found ice sculptures on the food court area of the mall. Here's award-winning ice carving artist, Kenji Ogawa with is creation, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Christmas in July lunch with friends. Had lunch at Criniti's and caught up with our friends in celebration of June birthday celebrants and Christmas in July. 

We finally got ourselves a proper set of photography lights. Currently getting used to setting it all up. Quite tedious but oh so worth it.

Soju to give a bit of warmth on a cold night. And these wasabi green peas that are sooo addicting.

The Husband surprised me with a Cronut from Brewtown Newtown! Grateful for the Husband's thoughtfulness.

New Tim Tam flavours! The Red Velvet's higlight was the cream cheese filling which gave the Tim Tam a salty taste. The Peanut Butter tasted like Butterfinger--which I realised I didn't like. 

Weekend Juice: Cherries, Blueberries and Coconut Juice. Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, and very hydrating. Perfect for Winter weather. The Snoopy & Lucy glasses were courtesy of my dear friend Hilda.

Birthday Noodles for my Mom's birthday. Cooked Pancit Bihon in celebration of my Mom's special day.

New Oliver Brown Cafe in Strathfield. Ordered a cup of Hot Chocolate with Crunchy Cereals coated in chocolate while waiting for the Husband.

Pandesal is Love. Pandesal and Nespresso coffee for our morning meal. 

Egg Pie, a beloved Filipino dessert, a favourite of mine and reminder of my childhood in Manila. Created by Starlight Bakery (Doonside).

Sushi fan from Japan! I love it!

Momoka-san in Sydney. Showed Momoka-san the sights of Sydney on the last weekend of July. She's a foreign exchange student from Japan and she stayed at my relatives place. We hung out with them so we can also spend time with my auntie, uncle and cousins.

Cabbage Flowers. Purple plants in Hyde Park. They reminded me of dear friend Biselle, who loves Purple. They looked lovely. 

-o0o0o-

June on Ibyangram

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

Winter officially started in June. The weather has become colder by the day. Although we have a lot of "sunshin-y" days, it can never be too warm as the sun has moved away from this part of the continent. The days are shorter, the nights longer and darker. This season calls us to hibernate, slow down, hug our loved ones closer and find comfort in the things that make us happy. 

While I would love to just sleep Winter away, life has never been busier. My June has been a mixture of staying at home, doing some photography, helping the Husband with his projects and spending time with loved ones. I miss blogging...writing and doing photography for the blog. I wish I could easily find time to sit down and blog as regularly as before but it's just not possible at the moment. The Husband and I are working on a new site we bought (ibyang.com) which will hopefully be up and running soon. I'll keep you posted! In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy my compilation of June's Ibyangram.

The first day of Winter was cold and gray. Perfect for having a cup of tea.

Amused at the huge-ness of this Upo (long melon/bottle gourd). Oh the possibility of so many dishes I can make from this! Grateful to my friend, Rache, for sharing the harvests from your neighbor's garden.

The first Monday of June was a public holiday so we had lunch at home. Baked meatballs, stir-fried Long Melon some Banchan dishes: cabbage and radish kimchi.

I'm so cold that I just had to wear my ski socks on a Saturday morning.

I bribed the Husband with sweet watermelon & tea so he can watch The Legal Wife's finale with me haha. The Legal Wife is a Filipino tv series which I watched for a few weeks. 

My photograph entitled "Walking Under A Thousand Torii Gates" is now housed in a 42cm x 52cm frame. This photo was captured while the Husband was walking under the torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. 

I seem to eat more ice cream in Winter. For tonight, Salted Caramel ice cream with wafer biscuits that tastes like Otap

A simple pleasure from America. My first Kate Spade bag.

The green stuff I bought all for $5.25! Some afternoons, I dropped by the Asian supermarket and find veggies which are on sale.

Winter Solstice. Shortest day of the year in Australia. It was a beautiful day so I hung outside our balcony and sunbathe for the a few minutes.

Sunrise hues of pink, orange and blue. The view from a moving train. 

My morning fuel. Whole grain flakes and various seeds & nuts topped with Avocado.

Pandesal, Ensaymada & Spanish Bread. Filipino breads for brekkie.

A pair of Winter slippers for a Socceroos fan. My twitter timeline were mostly about the World Cup especially in the morning. I'm not a soccer fan but I enjoyed reading news and hoorays of soccer fans around the world. 

From my parents with love. Finding comfort from chocolate-coated dried mangoes in this cold and windy day.

-o0o0o-

May on Ibyangram

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

After a subtle April, the last month of Autumn was festive and filled with sweet memories with loved ones. According to news, we've had a warm Autumn to the point of tagging the weather as an "Autumn Heatwave". A first time for me to experience such weather in Sydney. The nice thing about it was it matched the kind of month I had. The month of May brought warmth to my heart and I think it's a good way to end Autumn season.

Here are a few highlights of my merry month of May:

Last month of Autumn. Days are getting shorter. To watch the sunset, there is a need to be home early.

Buddha's Tears: Green Tea With Jasmine. Served in a flask. Having my "Me" time in a tea shop called T2. I love their teas. A must try when in Sydney.

What tea time looked like with my family when we celebrated Mother's Day.

Sweet treats from my sweetheart. A token of gratitude because I helped him with a recently concluded project.

Toblerone Crunchy Almonds. Something we picked up at the departure area of Sydney International Airport. I think it's meant for departing passengers only as I never see these in the arrival area of the airport or in aussie supermarkets.

Leisure reading and a cup of strong flat white at Kinokuniya. Friday "Me" time.

It's been awhile since I've cooked anything Korean. So instead of our usual Thursday dinner date in Koreatown, I went home early and cooked Beef Bulgogi. Jal meokkesseumnida!

Vivid Sydney 2014 started on the last week of May! It found the event quite crowded even on a weeknight. We went out to see thrice and took a few photos. I hope to share them soon.

His and Hers Taho. At our Sunday lunch party with relatives, one of my aunties taught us how to cook Taho (sweet tofu).

Friday Tea Time With Girlfriends. Spent an afternoon catching up with dear friends while savouring delicious cakes, coffee and tea at Cheeky Chocolate Cafe.

Rainy Saturday. The gloomy weather outside provides the perfect backdrop for my nap. Darkness is a gift when one needs sleep. 

Cadbury x Pascall collaboration = so good!

Japanese dinner at home! Okonomiyaki and sushi rice with seaweed. Itadakimasu! 

Goodbye Autumn, hello Winter!

April In Ibyangram

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

April felt like lightning...it went too quickly in a good way. Each day was filled with productive tasks, spending time with loved ones and a chance to reflect and better myself.

The Anzac Bridge on a backdrop of blue. 

Autumn.

Real cherry blossom flowers in my tea pot. Something I picked up when I was in Japan. The subtle floral flavour of cherry blossom flowers makes me feel like Spring time.

A cup of Kibunye Burundi. Floral aroma, fruity taste, sweet and clean finish.

Getting cooler by the day. Time to bring out my Hello Kitty socks to keep my feet warm during sleep time.

Dough Collective, my newfound bakery in the city. Their bread tastes good based on the samples they have out for the customers to try. Bought the Ham & Cheese Toast, Chocolate Baguette & Cheese & Garlic Baguette. 

Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Stew). Dinner on a cool night.

Cloudy with a little wind. Refreshing to have a bit of walk at the park on a Saturday morning.

Saturday lunch date with Grandma. 

Alone for lunch so I decided to have some Sushi. From the sushi train: Fresh Salmon, Scallops and Chicken Karaage.

Attended training today. Learned about the Myers-Briggs personality test and learned a few things about myself in the process.

I attended a session on MINDFULNESS. It was an enlightening experience! I now have a deeper understanding of its concept and how I can be more present in the moment. I also learned how to go thru mindful meditation while at a standstill and while doing an activity. So grateful for this gift of knowledge.

Hubby gifted me with a new trolley bag and it arrived at the office so I took it home with me on Maundy Thursday.

This Hello Kitty foldable eyelash curler is such a useful find. It's lightweight and doesn't take too much space in my little beauty purse.

Captain America. Enjoyed the movie.

It's almost the middle of May and lately I've been pre-occupied with a few commitments. Time passes by so quickly when I'm busy and enjoying. I wish I could blog the way I used to but it seems I'm unable to do so at the moment. Maybe one day. For now, I hope you bear with my intermittent blogging.