Black and White Photos

With the advent of digital cameras coupled with an idiot-proof digital imaging capabilities of personal computers, my collection of black and white “feeling photographer” photos significantly increased over the last three years, and the number also became directly proportional to the amount of travels and holidays I have had.  While most people collect cliché pieces from destinations they have visited (e.g. fridge magnets, key chains, shot glasses, mugs, t-shirts, etc.), I consider my set of photos as the priceless souvenirs of my indulgence and exploration moments.  To bring it to the next level and make them real conversation pieces, I finally managed to do what I have been wanting to produce – a mini-collage of choicest photographs that serve as wall ornaments, this time in the flat that I just recently moved-in to.

9 of 400+ favorite photos

Unintentionally, the “black and white” minimalist concept caught my eyes while roaming around Ikea to find inspiration as to how my new abode would look like.  After a couple of weeks, I successfully managed to furnish a bare 1-bedroom apartment, while bringing to life the deconstructed theme found in the value-for-money home store.  With no background in interior design or architecture, below is the bare minimum that I managed to put together.  Not extremely proud of it (yet!) as there are still tons to buy to complete the picture, what matters to me at this point though is that I really feel good every time I enter my flat as I am bound to enjoy a relaxing time in a place that reflects my personality – may be colorless, but has that endearing impact that you simply can’t and won’t ignore.  :)

Living Room

Living Room

Living Room

Living Room

Dining Room

Dining Room

Dining Room

Dining Room

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Bathroom

Balcony

Balcony

Apartment Hunting!

On my second week in Singapore, I started the tedious and difficult task of apartment hunting.  While finding your own space is an exciting chore, it is also quite stressful especially in a country where rental cost is extremely high.  The choice is either you spend a huge sum to stay in the city or save a few hundreds but live in the outskirts.  Being practical at this point, I opted for the latter, considering that the transport system here is fairly efficient and everything seems close to each other in terms of proximity anyway, a 30-minute travel is actually not bad.

I used an agent to help me find my new home and she shortlisted the options for me.  Bottomline, we both agreed that I would do the hunt in East Coast, an off-city area which has the greens, parks and beach – away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.  With this, I already adapted the mindset that I would be working in “Manhattan” but will be living in “New Jersey”.  :)

Below are some of the nice options that I’ve seen…

Cosmo Condominium: A very new development fit for singles!

Cosmo Condo: One-bedroom unit, never been occupied...

Cosmo Condo: Modern and minimalist living room

Cosmo Condo: Kitchen and wash area

The Bay Shore Condo: Resort-type, feels like being on vacation everyday...

The Bay Shore Condo: The tower where the unit is...

The Bay Shore Condo: The very inviting pool...

The Bay Shore Condo: Tennis courts and barbecue area

Park East Condo: High-rise condo with nice balconies...

Park East Condo: One of the two bedrooms in the unit

Park East Condo: View from the unit's balcony

Park East Condo: The family pool

Forgot the name of this one...

After a couple more weeks, I managed to move-in to the condo I have chosen.  Which one?  Find out later…  :)

isang buwang walang baboy

32 days na ako ngayon dito sa jakarta at simula pagdating ko hanggang ngayon e di pa ulit ako nakakakain ng ulam na baboy. hindi pa naman ako ganun natatakam sa pork, pero ang lutong pinoy ang mejo hinahanap ko na. kaya, kahit di ako ganun kasipag sa bahay considering sobrang busy sa trabaho, i decided to cook adobo!

intially, naisip ko na magluto ng pork adobo, kaso pagpunta ko sa carrefour, wala akong nakitang baboy. kesa naman lumayo pa ako para pumunta sa ranch market, di bale na, bumili na lang ako ng manok – halos tumilaok na ko dito sa kaka-manok dahil 5x a week ata ang pagkain ko ng ayam (yan ang bahasa para sa chicken – i’m starting to learn now… hehehe!). in addition, bumili ako ng usual ingredients – toyo, suka, bawang, asin, paminta, mantika. kaso lang, may catch nanaman, wala akong makitang cane vinegar, apple cider at red wine vinegar lang ang meron. tapos, wala rin yung tipikal na toyo na yung tipong datu puti or silver swan! so i ended up buying red wine vinegar and kikoman soy sauce na manamis-namis ang lasa.

the seasoning ingredients...

pero dahil isang buwan na kong di kumakain ng adobo, kahit di pareho ng lasang pinas yung naluto ko, ok na rin. good enough para masabi kong kahit papaano, may lutong bahay na pilipino ulit akong natikman.

apat na pirasong manok at with adobo seasoning ingredients

the final product...

malamang next weekend, sinigang naman!

bagong bahay, bagong buhay

after almost a month of hotel life, sa wakas, nakahanap na ako ng magiging bahay ko dito.  exciting actually yung paghahanap dahil ang dami mong pede pagpipilian simula sa simple hanggang sa pinakamagarbo.  buti na lang, magaling yung agent ko, simple lang naman ang brief ko sa kanya – nasa apartment complex (condo kumbaga sa pinas), malapit sa opisina, hindi binabaha pag umuulan, malapit sa malls or other recreational areas at may swimming pool, gym (as if naman nagy-gym ako…  hehehe!), tennis court at kung anu-ano pang pedeng amenities.

may dalawa akong nagustuhan, pero naging prakitkal ako sa pagpili.  i preferred the option na may 3 bedrooms (para pagpumunta dito ang family and/or friends ko e di na sila magho-hotel), bigger space at nice furnishing.  kahit wala ito sa sudirman (ito yung parang tipong ayala ng makati), ang importante, hindi daw bumabaha dito at 20-30 minutes away lang sa opisina pag umaga (with jakarta traffic na yan).  matapos maayos ang pirmahan ng kontrata at bayaran ng opisina at ng agent, nakalipat na ko nung nakaraang sabado!  at heto ang aking lugar tulugan sa susunod na labing-isang buwan o siguro higit pa ng buhay ko dito sa jakarta…  casablanca mansion nga pala ang pangalan ng apartment building na to…

ang tulugan, apat na unan, at makapal na komportableng kumot (comforter in short, di ko alam sa tagalog e!)

closer look at silip ng lampshade at mirror

ang bintana at kurtina ng tulugan kasama ang patugtugan

ang sala, tv at kurtina ng balkonahe

ang sofa, carpet, side table, plorera at painting

nagpapaka-photographer lang (oo, sunog ung picture vj, alam ko! hahaha!)

ang foyer... isa sa mga paborito kong lugar ng bahay

ang mga regalo mula sa mga kaibigan sa pinas - picture collage at coffe table book

ang kitchen at kainan

ang bilog na table

ang ikalawang kwarto... sinong gusto bumisita?!

ang ikatlong kwarto... sinong gusto pa bumisita? kaso tiisin lang ang floral bedsheet at single bed! wahahahaha!

ang view sa balkonahe... swimming pool at playground ng mga bata...

naisip ko lang, matapos ko humiwalay sa bahay ng dad at mom ko kahit noong sa manila pa, ikapitong lipat ko na ito.  well, bagong bahay, bagong buhay.  exciting para sa akin!