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.)

Visiting the Santa Catharina Cargo Ship.

On Tuesday we got to visit my Father in law here in Philadelphia. My Father in law is a ship captain and gets to travel the world. (He goes back home to the Philippines for around 6 months every year). The ship he is on right now is trading between Costa Rica, Columbia and Philadelphia.

So on Tuesday my husband and I drove down to Pier 82 at Coloumbus Blvd, on the Delaware River to meet up with my Father in law. (The last time I saw my Father in law was January 2010, and F.B. hasn't seen his Dad since he came to the USA in 2011).

The ship was docked until the next morning. They were unloading lots and lots of bananas, (that are probably in almost every supermarket in Philadelphia right now.) My Father in law gave us a tour of the ship and we got to visit for about 2 hours. I should have worn my sneakers, instead of flip flops though! Lot's of stairs in the ship!

We needed guest passes to tour the ship.

They were unloading bananas.

Map of the Delaware River

My husband pretending to "drive" the ship.

My Father in law showing us the ships radar.

All of us.

Up on the deck. You could see the sport stadiums, etc in the distance from up there.

Historic ship also down at Pier 82, that Philadelphia is trying to restore. The SS United States.

In my Father in laws office on the ship.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge on the way home, stuck in traffic on I-95.

My husband got some Pringles from his Dad, from the ships private stash. Lol.

My L'Occitane Obsession...

My L'Occitane obsession started on my honeymoon in the Philippines in 2009. We stayed at the Manila Hotel and they had the verbena L'Occitane toiletries.... I was hooked. (Philippine residents, there's a L'Occitane in Greenbelt 5).

I don't get to shop from L'Occitane too often. Once a year, or twice a year at the most. Infact the last time I had purchased anything was back in April of 2011, the year my husband arrived in the USA and we had visited the King of Prussia Mall. I stocked up on Verbena lotion then! L'Occitane is not cheap, so it's something I get to splurge on once in awhile. My favorite scents are Verbena, Almond, Rose for Reines.

During our little weekend getaway in January, I got to check out the L'Occitane shop on Walnut Street in Philadelphia... and rekindle my obsession with L'Occitane!

Here are some L'Occitane products I've been using lately:

 Verbena Hand Lotion. Almost done this bottle, the new bottle is square & 10oz now instead of 8oz.

 Sample size of the Almond Oil Bodywash. I LOVE the almond scent.

Valentine's Day gift from my husband. Almond Lotion.

 Almond hand lotion & Rose hand lotion.

 Rose solid perfume. It smells like fresh cut roses. (Not on their website).

The free Shea Butter gift set I got with my order.

Goodies I got during our weekend getaway in January:

Almond soap, Verbena soap, Almond oil body wash, Verbena hand lotion, Almond lotion, Rose solid perfume.

Other posts about L'Occitane:

L'Occitane Verbena Lotion

More L’Occitane Products! 

Weekend Getaway! 

More Foreign Snack Foods (Philippines)

Because October has 5 Monday's this month, I somehow get three paychecks instead of two.. It's always fun when that happens, because then we get just a little bit of extra spending money. So the husband & I decided to order from Phil-Am Foods again. We ordered so much this time, it came in 2 boxes, lol.

(Click on each photo to enlarge it).

All the goodies! I also ordered more Vaseline shampoo again.

The frozen goods. We've tried the Siopao & Pork Tocino before. The Fish & Shrimp Balls will be boiled in soup, they are like dumplings. The pastry Ensaymada; look like round biscuits, they have shredded cheese on top, but are sweet and remind me of a cheese danish.

Squid & Anchovy jerky. It's crispy & crunchy and a bit fishy tasting. But not too salty. We love these. Of course... you may be a bit freaked out, because the crispy little anchovies still have eyes! :-p

Haven't tried this yet, Spicy Squid Cubes, but I love trying new or exotic foods. We will probably have it with some white rice. 

This just look fun & interesting. Curly Spaghetti! Lucky Me Brand makes a lot of ramen noodle soups. 

 Haven't tried these yet either, but Leslie's Brand makes Clover Chips which we love.

These were just okay- the flavoring could have been stronger. We really liked the Green/Yellow Bag of the Marco Polo Shrimp onion & garlic chips better, those melted in your mouth!

Regent makes our all time favorite chips, Tempura, Sashimi & Labzter. These Chicken Teriyaki ones are new. The flavoring is strong and I really liked them.

I've blogged about these before. Baconette Strips are so good! They are shaped like little bacon slices. But they are light and crispy with a nice bacon flavoring. There is no meat in this product.

My brother Scott did a review of them on YouTube here:

Dinner tonight! Shrimp soup with shrimp balls. Pork barbecue on a stick and a salted duck egg. Everything was delicious!

Similar Blog Posts:

Goodies from Phil-Am again!

Yay! More Phil-Am goodies!

Phil-Am Foods

Philippine Snack Foods

Foreign Food Cravings

Taste Testing (Asian Aisle) 

Not another flood.... (Philippines) :-(

Manila and surrounding provinces in the Philippines had a bad monsoon on 8-7-12. It flooded so bad they had to open the dams, which cause more flooding. It was almost as bad the flood back in 2009. Sadly my in-laws house was flooded again though we don't know how badly. :-(

My Father in-law works as ship captain and is back out at sea. (He helps transport cars, fruits, etc to different countries). My mother in-law had to stay with my Sister in-law & family at her 2 story house. The flooding at my SIL's house reached the garage but from last reports hadn't gotten into the house. And we pray that's still true. Their power was out for 3 days and they were conserving their cell phones so we didn't hear much from them. We still don't really have any definite detailed updates at the moment.

Everyone is okay from texts, facebook, etc (Friends & Family). Which we are very thankful for! (Thank you for all the prayers!) It really sucks that my in-laws house got flooded again. My husband remembers being there for the 2009 flood. He knows how hard it was and how hard the clean up was.

(Flood survivors lining up for aid at the municipal hall of Cainta. We were married there in December 2009). Source 

(I just realized after publishing- the photo above is from the 2009 typhoon).

I was checking Twitter every hour looking up keywords for Cainta Rizal and their villages name (gated community), to find current updates. The flood waters were reported waist high at my in-laws village. Though the flood waters are subsiding. My husband said they shut off the power automatically when flood waters reach a certain level. It's also rainy season over there right now, which doesn't help matters.

We are just thankful everyone is okay. Including our niece who will be 1 years old on August 21st. She had a little cold, but from last reports is doing better.

Our Niece Zia!

If you want to donate to the Philippine Red Cross to help with relief efforts (Over 2 million people were effected by this storm), there are ways to donate on their website (Including Paypal).


Article on the storm on CNN

Yahoo Philippines Article

6ABC Article

 

Philippine Food Review Videos!

My brother has reviewed a few Philippine food products I've given him on YouTube! :-)

Chocnut:


Salted Duck Eggs:

Similar Blog Posts:

More Foreign Snack Foods (Philippines)

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Yay! More Phil-Am goodies!

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Goodie's from Phil-Am again!

We had a little extra money this past paycheck. So I got to order some Scentsy stuff from my cousin Chrissy. And we ordered some more Philippine goodies from Phil-Am Food again. Yay!

This time I ordered some frozen items to try. It's $8.99 extra for them to ship frozen food to you, but it comes in a Styrofoam cooler with ice packs shipped in a regular box. And everything was still frozen when it arrived. (It only took about 1 day to be delivered to us from New Jersey to Philadelphia, even with regular shipping).

(Click on photos to view full size).

Our loot: Snack foods, soups, canned quail eggs, sauce & seasoning mixes, pancit noodles, etc, etc, etc!!!

Vaseline shampoo is the best! I also love this purple Palm Olive shampoo. It has coconut oil in it. It leaves my hair really soft & shiny.

The Vaseline soap I wanted to try. Icy Cool sounded neat- but it was disappointing. It just smells like... soap, lol. Like Ivory soap or something. Nothing special. I thought maybe it would have eucalyptus or menthol or mint in it...

The frozen goodies! Pork siopao, Pork Tocino & Lumpia! (Lumpia is like a skinny spring roll/egg roll). 

For dinner on Tuesday we had Knorr corn & bacon soup. (We usually get corn & crab- I ordered some of those too, hehe!) And we tried the frozen siopao. They were amazing! You steam them wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for about 2 minutes each. They were pretty large. The bun had a really nice sweet taste and the meat inside had actual pork chunks & the sauce was savory. We definitely would order the siopao again!

We had the pork tocino tonight for dinner. We had a 'Pinoy' breakfast, as my husband said. I cooked up the pork tocino, and we had it with fried eggs & rice. The pork tocino was really good.

And because I always like trying new stuff. I ordered these seaweed chips. They are made in Thailand.They were more poofy than crispy. But still really good. The flavor is salty & a bit fishy, it reminds me of sushi in that way. The seaweed itself reminds me of spinach.

Similar Blog Posts:

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