day 383 | january 26, 2010 | Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a quaint place to get lost in. I stayed in Deejai Backpacker Inn inside the 4 walls of the old city, and used this as my jumping point for leisurely temple-hop adventures. It's far enough from the center of activity that I could enjoy relative quiet and wi-fi in peace at the lobby; and close enough to the action that my favorite temples are only about 10 minutes walk away. 

day 378 | july 14, 2010 | chalet, hotel equatorial

was on the lookout for a place that is reminiscent of our favorite date restaurant in manila, old swiss inn. it was the resto where H committed a few first date missteps (grin); as well as the place where we discussed marriage seriously before talking to my mom about it the next day. 

chalet is apparently an old favorite in kuala lumpur, though this is the first time H and i tried it. it's dimly lit and very cozy, with only about 16 tables, most of which are set-up with comfortable couches against the wall. when we walked in, there was a string trio playing music for the patrons, and the servers were very sharp and polished. 

i made the commitment to shoot everything with my nifty fifty, and thankfully, the H has already signed the marriage contract, so he just sat back and let me do my obsessive thing. =) 

day 376 | july 14, 2010 | of pink rabbits in the meadow and dating anniversaries

six years! congratulations to us, darling. we haven't killed each other...yet! here's to my partner in crime who is sometimes a five year old boy who gets excited by thomas train sets, nerf guns, and zones out to cartoons. my technical support who almost always provides me more information than i've requested. my worrier who lets me get away with a lot of things just because. my sleep-deprived cyber warrior. my adoring roo (and red) daddy. my rock steady. the chink in my armor.

we've both tripped along the way. but i hope that when we look back several years down the road, we'll smile knowing it was your hand tucked in mine, and mine in yours.

photo credits:
top -- manila pre-wedding by raul wong roa (2006)
bottom -- rooftop view from the makati condo i used to live in (2005)