Filled With Love, Gratitude & Strength

I just had an amazing long weekend with three of my closest friends at a healthy resort up north. This getaway took awhile to happen. For years, we've always dreamed of having some time off together, just us girls. 

When we finally decided to do it, the planning was easy, flights and accommodation were booked in just two days and we were all set. 

For three days, we found refuge in a healthy spa in Byron Bay where we ate healthy food and enjoyed activities that stretched our muscles and soothe our bodies. The big bonus was being with friends whom I never tire of talking and listening to; women who inspire me with their wit and warmth.

A special thank you goes out to our families for letting us do this. For taking care of the home while we are away. It's never easy going away especially on weekends but our family supported us. 

I'm filled with so much love, gratitude and strength from the healthy journey I had with dear friends. The weekend reminded me to take care of myself more and to always surround myself with positivity. It was an experience of finding my core once again. I'm very grateful. 

Stra Heajanggug (Strathfield, NSW)

Stra Heajanggug is one of those Korean restaurants that we like to frequent. It's just a few minutes walk from Strathfield train station so it's very convenient whenever we are in Koreatown. They consider themselves a traditional Korean restaurant as they offer dishes that remind you of home-cooked meals in Korea.

We've dined here a few times and here are some of the dishes we've tried:

Steamed Jokbal or steamed pig's feet. Lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and spices, topped with salad. Jokbal is one of Korea's famous appetizers, street food and accompaniment to alcoholic drinks such as Soju. The pig's feet were sliced thinly and very tender. We've only had this once in order to experience the taste of Jokbal and wouldn't mind eating it once in a while.

Kimchi, Tofu & Pork Soup. Not for the faint-hearted. Very spicy; the kind of hot I like. The kind of hot that's comforting during cold nights.

Beef Ribs Soup. The beef was so tender that it almost fell off the bone! The soup had a balanced flavour of sweet and salty. This is my favourite Beef Ribs Soup to date. Some nights, we only come back just to have a bowl of this. 

Stra Heajanggug feels like home to us. From the simple but cozy ambience of the restaurant, the Korean Dramas they play on TV, the promptness of the staff and of course, the delicious food they serve.

Stra Heajanggug

Shop 28/45-47, The Boulevard 

Strathfield NSW 2135

Phone: 02 9746 7500

The Lion King (The Musical)

This is one musical that I truly enjoyed. The movie "Lion King" was a great movie with songs that made us fall in love, laugh and cry. The musical production gave us that and more. To see the characters come to life and perform in colourful costumes were a sight to behold. At the end of the show, I loved the musical more than the film.

I'm most amazed with the actors because other than act, sing and dance, they also had to control the puppet above their heads. The task wasn't easy but their movements were graceful, as if they were one with their respective puppets. 

My favourite productions were: "Circle of Life" (start of the show), "I Just Can't Wait to be King", "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?"

A few photos to remember:

A peak at the orchestra which was located below the stage.

The Husband and I outside Capitol Theatre.

Rafiki in wax, located at the ground floor lobby of Capitol Theatre.

The Lion King will run until 31 August 2014. You can buy tickets via Ticketmaster. If you have time this weekend, check out the website for tickets and see it before it ends. 

Jack, Patch Adams & Chris Nielsen (Thank you, Robin Williams)

I grew up watching his films. He's known for being a brilliant comedian but in all of his films, my favourites were about celebrating life and death: Jack, Patch Adams and What Dreams May Come. 

Robin Williams 

1951-2014

I don't have very much time these days so I'll make it quick. Like my life. You know, as we come to the end of this phase of our life, we find ourselves trying to remember the good times and trying to forget the bad times, and we find ourselves thinking about the future. We start to worry , thinking, "What am I gonna do? Where am I gonna be in ten years?" But I say to you, "Hey, look at me!" Please, don't worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you're ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day... make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did.  - Jack 

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly without complexities or pride. I love you because I know no other way then this. So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand. So close, that when you close your eyes, I fall asleep. - Chris Nielsen (What Dreams May Come)

What's true in our minds is true, whether some people know it or not. - Patch Adams 

Death. To die. To expire. To pass on. To perish. To peg out. To push up daisies. To push up posies. To become extinct. Curtains, deceased, Demised, departed And defunct. Dead as a doornail. Dead as a herring. Dead as a mutton. Dead as nits. The last breath. Paying a debt to nature. The big sleep. God's way of saying, "Slow down." - Patch Adams


Thank you, Robin Williams, for the gift of laughter and inspiration.

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. 

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