Year J, Two Thousand Fourteen

*Everything that was 2014. Entries below were drafted in Shanghai, China - where internet connection is restricted and can drain happiness off you from merely trying to connect online.
*2015 shenanigans to follow... Currently fluttering somewhere in the state of Massachusetts, Land of the Free

I just realized that I have not updated this blog for the last n months years. Here are special random highlights of the year that was.

Starting you off with some classy Bling Bling Holiday greetings from a mall next to Jing'An Temple.

2013 Bling Bling Holiday Greetings from Jing'An, Shanghai, China

(1) New Job
I moved to a new job to teach MYP/Pre-IGCSE Science somewhere in Minhang District, Shanghai.

View of the hallway from the Science and Math Block

My work corner when I started. I was transitioning into the Macbook life here.
Also, there's more clutter on my desk when school is in progress.

(2) New Home
Michael and I moved to a new apartment in June 2014. Our landlady is an interior designer / architect and her place was one of her early projects. Photos taken below during our 1st tour of the house with our property agent.

Entry area reminds me of the ocean. 
Bamboo ladder was kept as part of the house interior.
Property agent's pair of shoes not included.

Intricate detail on the dining table stand - lovingly hand-crafted 
by my landlady and her daughter.

Hallway to the guest bedroom and bathroom

Living room zen area - where we spent most of our times appreciating how awesome life is.

(3) New Adventure: Gourmet Home Cooking

We tried out xinwei to guide us in the kitchen. Proportioned ingredients for gourmet dishes with user-friendly instructions. Mackerel and Ratatouille and Mushroom Risotto were our favorites. Michael took charge of this at the kitchen. My OCD was put to good use during preparation stage.

Michael being a pro at the kitchen

The dishes did not make it to the pictures - they disappeared too quickly.

(4) New Toy: Jacuzzi - our new place came with one, in the master's bedroom because why not

Bubble-bathing because I can

(5) Annual Homecoming Faves
Next to my family.....



the reasons I come home can be summarized below

Boiled Saba Banana in Bagoóng (Fermented Krill or Anchovies)

Singkamas with Suka't Toyo with Sili (Turnip in Spicy vinegar sauce)

Paksiw na Isda (Fish cooked in vinegar and spices) and Kinilaw na Isda (Ceviche Filipino Style)

(7) Hosting our 1st Shanghai Thanksgiving Dinner November 2014
Michael and I hosted our first Shanghai Thanksgiving Dinner. Food was catered from Mr. Harry's .
Captured moments from Michael's time-lapsed video coverage here.

Table details courtesy of Michael and Pinay.

(8) 2014 Christmas Dinners Snippets

At PauPatri Boracay

At Argonauta Boracay Boutique Hotel's dinner spread

At Argonauta Boracay Boutique Hotel's dinner spread

At Mergrande Resort with Davao Family

At Shanghai Filipino Family Dinner

At Mr. Harry's Shanghai for Bashers' Christmas Dinner

Here's to more posts for 2015. I know it's already halfway across the year but I will work on catching up.