Our Time Line.

I made a timeline of my relationship with F.B. over the years. Our relationship hasn't been the typical one, but it's been an amazing experience & adventure so far and more to come in the future.

✯ Our Timeline: F.B. & Sarah ✯

✯ 2003 ✯

September 2003: Crossed paths online at Lindsay Fan's Forum. (Lindsay Lohan.)

✯ 2004 ✯

January 2004: Began talking at Lindsay Fan's Forum.

February 14th 2004: First "Valentines" Together. F.B. sent me a picture of roses through a pm message.

March 18th, 2004: First emails exchanged outside the forum.

March, 2004: F.B. saw a photo of me for the very first time.

April 1st, 2004: The first time we ever said, "I love you.", and defined our relationship as a couple.

April 2004: Exchanged Addresses & Phone Numbers. We called each other & sent letters that month. The Lindsay Fan forum closed. We also broke up for about a week or so because of stress, family issues & distance…

June, 2004: I saw F.B.'s photo for the very first time.

✯ 2005 ✯

February 14th 2005: Our first "official" Valentines together as a couple.

April 1st, 2005: Our 1st Anniversary.

✯ 2006 ✯ 

January, 2006: We nearly broke up again. Long distance is so hard sometimes…

February 14th, 2006: Technically our 3rd Valentines Day together.

March 17th, 2006: I bought my 1st plane ticket for the Philippines.

April 1st, 2006: Our 2nd Anniversary.

December 13th, 2006: I left for the Philippines.

December 14th, 2006: The first time we met. The first time we looked in each other's eyes. The first time we hugged & held hands.

December 15th, 2006: The first time we kissed. Our first date out to the mall- we ate at 'Tokyo Tokyo' for Japanese food. Our first movie, 'Happy Feet'. First time we "made out" at the movies- (cuddling & holding hands.)

December 18th-21st, 2006: Our first couple vacation together in Makati City. Our first kiss in public outside on the bench in Greenbelt.

December 25th, 2006: The First Christmas we spent together. F.B. gave me the ring for Christmas that would become my engagement ring.

December 27-29th, 2006: We took another couple vacation to Tagaytay City, Philippines.

✯ 2007 ✯

January 1st, 2007: Our first New Years together.

January 3rd, 2007: I had to leave the Philippines to go home… that was the hardest thing I ever did… (I miss you baby).

January 10th, 2007: The day we got engaged!

April 1st, 2007: Our 3rd Anniversary.

March 2007: Bought my plane ticket for the Philippines!

✯ 2008 ✯

January 2nd, 2008: I left for the Philippines.

January 3rd, 2008: I arrive in the Philippines.

January 7th, 2008: We arrive in Makati City to spend a week. (A special date for us that we won't forget.)

January 10th, 2008: We share our 1 year engagement anniversary together in Makati City and get to go to Saisaki buffet.

January 11th, 2008: We see our first play together at Greenbelt in Makati City. 'Tuesday's with Morrie'

January 20th, 2008: We went to see a Philippine Basketball Game together at the Cuneta Astrodome. Our first sports game together.

January 24th, 2008: I return home from the Philippines.

March 10th, 2008: I buy another ticket to the Philippines. Staying 8 weeks this time!

April 1st, 2008: Our 4th Anniversary.

October 6th, 2008: I leave for the Philippines for an 8 week stay.

October 7th, 2008: I arrive in Philippines. F.B. gives me a red rose.

October 9th, 2008: I get to spend F.B.'s birthday with him and his family. Saisaki Buffet!

November 16th, 2008: For F.B.'s dad's birthday we take a family trip to Baguio for the day.

November 27th, 2008: I celebrate "Thanksgiving" in the Philippines with F.B.

December 4th, 2008: I arrive home from the Philippines

✯ 2009 ✯ 

January 10th, 2009: Our 2 year engagement.

April 1st, 2009: Our 5 year anniversary.

November 24, 2009: I leave for the Philippines

December 19, 2009: F.B. & I were married!

December 19th-21st 2009: Our Honeymoon!

December 25th, 2009: Our first Christmas as a married couple.

✯ 2010 ✯ 

January 1st, 2010: Our First New Years, married!

January 19th, 2010: Our 1st Monthiversary!

January 23rd, 2010: I leave the Philippines.

April 1st, 2010: Our 6 year anniversary!

✯ 2011 ✯ 

February 4th, 2011: F.B.'s visa interview at the US Embassy in Manila. His visa is approved to come to the USA!

March 6th, 2011: F.B. arrived in Philadelphia, PA!

April 1st, 2011: Seven Year Anniversary!

July 4th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st Independence Day in the USA

Aug 31st- Sept 1st, 2011: Our Philadelphia Getaway

September 4th, 2011: The 1st birthday F.B. spent with me.

October 9th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st birthday in the USA

October 30th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st Halloween in the USA

December 9th, 2011: F.B. & I get our own place.

December 19th, 2011: 2 Year anniversary!

December 25th, 2011: 1st Christmas in the USA.

✯ 2012 ✯  

January 1st, 2012: 1st New Years in the USA. 

February 14th, 2012: Our 1st Valentines Day together!  

March 6th, 2012: F.B.'s 1 year anniversary in the USA  

April 1st, 2012: 8 year anniversary!

October 9th, 2012: F.B.'s 2nd birthday in the USA.

November 2012: 1st Thanksgiving in our new place & starting immigration again.

December 19th, 2012: Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary

December 25th 2012: 2nd Christmas in our apartment.

✯ 2013 ✯  

January 2013: 2nd New Years Eve in our apartment.

March 6th, 2013: F.B.'s 2 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2013: It's been 9 years since F.B. & I started dating.

May 2013: Immigration is finished! 

October 9th, 2013: F.B.'s 3rd birthday in the USA.

December 19th, 2013: Our 4th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2014 ✯  

January 2014: 3rd New Years Eve in our apartment.

March 6th, 2014: F.B.'s 3 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2014: It's been 10 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2014: Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2015 ✯  

March 6th, 2015: F.B.'s 4 year anniversary in the USA.

April 1st 2015: It's been 11 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2015: Our 6th Wedding Anniversary 

✯ 2016 ✯  

March 6th, 2016: F.B.'s 5 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2016: It's been 12 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2016: Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2017 ✯  

March 6th, 2017: F.B.'s 6 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2017: It's been 13 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 8th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2018 ✯  

March 6th, 2018: F.B.'s 7 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2018: It's been 14 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 9th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2019 ✯ 

March 6th, 2018: F.B.'s 8 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2018: It's been 15 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 10th Wedding Anniversary!

✯ 2020 ✯ 

March 6th, 2020: F.B.'s 9 year anniversary in the USA. 

March, 15th, 2020: Filed N-400 with USCIS to begin F.B.'s naturalization process!

April 1st 2020: It's been 16 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2020: Our 11th Wedding Anniversary!

✯ 2021 ✯ 

June 23, 2021: F.B. becomes a naturalized United States citizen!

(I'll try to keep this up to date by adding in new things from time to time.)

7 Years!? Blogiversary Giveaway! [CLOSED]

March 17th this blogs turns 7 years old! Though I didn't really start blogging about nail polish until 2011, this little blog started way back on St. Patrick's Day in 2008; more as a lifestyle blog at first. A place to share my thoughts, travels, pets, photography, and long distance relationship, at the time. And it has grown and evolved over the years. :)

Anyhow, I wanted to throw a giveaway to celebrate. And there will be two prizes! 1 USA winner will receive a $25 giftcard to KB Shimmer, and 1 International winner will receive a $25 giftcard to Harlow & Co. Each prize is an electronic gift card, so it is required you have a valid active email address to enter, since that's where the gift cards will be sent. (Please make sure to read the giveaway terms and conditions at the end of this post, before you enter!)

Winners for the anniversary giveaway have been confirmed! Congrats to Lisa N. who won a $25 gift card to Harlow & Co., and congratulations to Sumeet S. who won a $25 gift card to KBShimmer Bath and Body!

Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below, or click here if you cannot see it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions: Giveaway ends March 17th, 2015 at 12:00 am EST. You must be 18 or older to enter. Prizes purchased by: www.tunaynamahal.com. I have the right to request proof of age if it seems appropriate. All entries will be verified. No following and unfollowing once the giveaway ends. There will be 2 winners chosen. 1 USA winner, and 1 International winner. Winner(s) will be selected by Random.org and notified by email. Winner has 24 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. I may choose a new winner at my discretion for any reason. No giveaway only accounts. I am not liable for lost or damaged packages after you have redeemed your gift certificate. KB Shimmer, Harlow & Co, Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin’, and Instagram are in no way associated with this giveaway. Any personal information provided will be used only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

10 Year Anniversary!

My husband & I first started dating 10 years ago today! Yes... on April Fool's Day... lol! 04/01/2004. I can't believe it's been a decade already.... absolutely crazy...

I've cataloged our relationship over the years on my blog so check out: Our Time Line.

And, since I'm feeling nostalgic today, here's a preview of our Mahal Mix Tape. (Song preview links on Amazon).

P.S. I'm a bit incapacitated this week... I somehow strained/sprained my middle finger using the touch pad on my laptop while editing photos... it's extremely painful and my knuckle is all swollen. Never had this happen. :-( I still have quite a few photo's I need to edit, but I don't have many blog posts scheduled. Blah... but don't worry, there will be another nail polish post up on Thursday... Enchanted Polish... so stay tuned! :-)

Painted Polish & Happy Holidays!

These are early Christmas presents from my husband. They arrived today and I couldn't wait to play with them, especially because I wanted to do holiday nails for tomorrow when we go out to lunch and go over my parents house for Christmas Eve. After seeing gorgeous swatches on Instagram, I needed 'Girl on Fire' and 'Kiss me Teal Midnight'.

'Girl on Fire' is from the Painted Polish Hunger Games collection. (I still want Effie & District 12!) It's a gorgeous red jelly polish with red glitter and holographic circle glitter. I needed 3 coats, and one thick coat of Seche Vite to give it that gorgeous shiny look. I did have to go fishing for the circle glitters. I placed a few on each of my nails in between coats. Isn't it gorgeous? I stamped snowflakes with Winstonia Store plate W120.

'Kiss Me Teal Midnight' is a turquoise jelly, with all different colors of glitter. Blue, Green, Purple, Orange... it reminds me of confetti on New Year's Eve! There's also different colors of holographic circles. I used 3 coats & placed the circle glitters in between coats, plus 1 coat of Seche Vite. 

Also, 12/19/2013 was my 4th wedding anniversary. 

I got my husband & I new titanium wedding bands (I like titanium because it's light and doesn't tarnish. Our original bands are titanium too). On the inside of the rings they are engraved with 'Tunay Na Mahal' and our wedding date: 12/19/09. Tunay Na Mahal means "True Love" in Tagalog, my husband is Filipino and we were married in the Philippines.

Happy Holidays!

Easter, an Anniversary & other ramblings.

It's been 9 years since F.B. & I defined our long distance relationship, back on April 1st, 2004! (See our Relationship Timeline). The picture above is the card he got me. :-)

We had a quiet Easter dinner here at home. I made homemade pound cake, (using this recipe). It turned out gorgeous!

Our Easter Dinner. Roast Beef, Onions & Mushrooms, Roasted Seasoned Potatoes, Creamed Corn & Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. We still have leftovers.

I also made lemon butter cream icing to go with our pound cake. 

Peeps & the Little Chick are from my co-worker. 

Also, I'm now obsessed with these iced & frozen cappuccinos from Wawa. They have a specialty drink bar now and you can customize your coffee drink. Soooo good.

I took advantage of the 20% off coupon L'Occitane sent me in the mail.  I got Almond soap, Verbena soap & Rose soap. Love them.

I've been having green smoothies in the morning for breakfast now. I do 1 whole banana, 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt, Half cup of almond milk, Big handful of fresh spinach, tablespoon of PB2 powder, & some protein powder. Might do some strawberry or blueberry, fruit smoothies this week too.

New favorite wine (Besides Sutter Home Sweet Red). I never had Pink Moscato before! It's really fruity and tangy. LOVE!

Typical commuting to work week. I ride these trains 2 times a day, 5 times a week. 45min to 1 hour commute...

Pictures are from my Instagram: @tunaynamahal82

 

5 Years of Blogging!

5 years ago today.... (yes on St. Patrick's Day)... I started blogging...

I've recorded and documented so many things here on my blog. It's my space to just be me. To blog about whatever is going on in my life. It's been a space to blog about our long distance relationship, our marriage, our immigration process. My Pets, my nail polish obsession, sharing recipes, trips I've taken in the Philippines, Philadelphia trips, etc...

I've also made a lot of friends blogging. Like Shannon, and Patty, Karen, Jacki, Stephanie, Georgia, Shawna, (and other friends). New blogging friends like Kelly & Faith. I get to keep up with family & friends by reading their blogs, like my SIL, My cousin Katie, my childhood friend Leah. Thank you for letting me read about your lives too.

As everyone has probably heard, this week Google announced, Google Reader will be shutting down in July of this year. I use Google Reader to follow so many blogs I read, because it's a simple format and easy to use on my cell phone, tablet or computer.

There's a petition that has currently reached over 122,000+ signatures and counting on Change.org. 

It's been covered hundreds of times in media around the world. Google will be watching closely over the next few days to see if the story dies out or if it keeps growing -- and that's up to you. Sign the petition and please share it on Facebook and Twitter. Hopefully Google will see we don't want Google Reader to go anywhere!

But... if they still retire Google Reader, you can still follow my blog through BlogLovin. And you can import all your blog feeds from Google Reader to BlogLovin by clicking here.



P.S. I've started using The Old Reader. I think I like it better than Bloglovin because it's a very simple reader, like Google Reader. You can import all the blogs you follow too. :-)

3 Year Anniversary! (Immigration & the Holidays)

December 19th, was our 3 year wedding anniversary! We just had a laid back anniversary this year.

I took F.B. to see The Hobbit for his anniversary gift. We didn't get home until close to 1am. (The movie wasn't my cup of tea... and it's very long, 3 hours!) We went Tuesday evening and the movies are quite empty on a weeknight!

We decided to stay home on our anniversary and order Chinese Takeout from one of my favorite places, King Wok. (We got an updated menu and it looks like they only sell Chinese now, no more Japanese. The picture below is of their old menu). We ordered so much food though, I think we have leftovers for 3 days now! :-)

So let's talk about immigration again. They received our paperwork and sent F.B. a notice. The paper he received is his 1 year extension. He also got his biometrics appointment for January 10th. Where he gets fingerprinted and his photo taken for his new permanent resident card.

But... our lawyer said the USCIS Vermont center is so backlogged with paperwork it is taking 8 months to 1 YEAR to process paperwork. So we will not know if F.B.'s conditional status removal was approved and he will not receive his new updated resident card for up to 1 year....

I asked our lawyer what happens if it takes Immigration longer than 1 year to process our paperwork and she said in that case his status would be extended but he would have to go to a USCIS center with his I-797 notice and his passport to have it stamped for an addtional year.

Immigration is just so complicated. I thought we were almost done and had no idea it could take 8 months to 1 year to receive his new resident card. Wow... Ugh...

NOTE: Our lawyers Peter J. Gonzales & Shanna Stanton have changed firms. They are no longer with Kahiga Tiagha. They are now with Green and Spiegel LLC, but still located in Philadelphia.

To leave off on a more positive note here is a few of our Christmas Decorations!

Our "Christmas" door. It's already green, so the bow works, lol!

These are our Christmas trees. :-)

Christmas sock monkeys! Just a few of the holidays stuffed animals I have.

8 years! ♥

 

F.B. & I have been together 8 years today! Yes... April Fools Day, (04-01-2004) was the 1st time we said "I love you", and started this crazy journey. Now eight years later, after 7 years of long distance, traveling to the Philippines and immigration (still not finished that!), we've been married 2 years and are finally living in the same time zone together! And while it's not always perfect, it's been worth it. ♥

Check out 'Our Timeline'. I keep it updated and link to old blog entries that tell our story over the years. ♥

F.B. and I are just staying home this year and getting some Chinese takeout for dinner, since I've been home on bed rest due to my back. I'll be back at work on Monday.

4 years of blogging!

Today is my 4 year anniversary of blogging! I started 'Tunay Na Mahal' back on March 17th, 2008! It's been a space for me to share my long distance relationship, our immigration process, life in Philadelphia, travels to the Philippines; my pets & things I love!

P.S. Please check out these items I'm selling on Ebay!

2 year wedding anniversary! ♥

Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary! (Though "legally" our marriage certificate says December 18th. See why here). I get 2 hours of administrative holiday leave, so I am using it to leave work a bit early on our anniversary. We will be heading to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner!

I finally finished unpacking on Sunday! We have internet now too. Yay! January is going to suck with all the new bills being due though... I may have to call the electric & gas company to change my due dates once I pay the 1st bills, so that my one pay check will just be for rent, food, gas & my other check for all the other big bills.

We had my cousin Jessica over Saturday night for dinner. (Darn we forget to get pictures together!) We also Skyped with her sister, my cousin Chrissy who lives in Georgia. We ordered Chinese take-out and exchanged Christmas gifts, had some wine & watched 'The Social Network'. It was a really fun evening.

Our new apartment is really close to where I used to work, before our office relocated to Center City Philadelphia. It's a shame, because if we still worked at the old location I could probably WALK to work! The Chinese take-out place is one that my co-workers used to order from for lunch. :-)

My cousin spoiled us with some Christmas/Housewarming gifts!

Sparkling wine!

Christmas day, we are hopefully meeting with my family to have brunch at a Chinese Buffet & exchange gifts. For New Years Eve, I think my husband & I will just be celebrating here at the apartment. I already bought a small half ham, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, crackers, cheese, pepperoni & Martinelli's sparking cider. And a chocolate chip Panettone cake.