Nurse.Wife.Mom

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Date Night at Kandle Café

Looking for a place to have a date this Valentine's Day? Try Kandle Cafe

It’s the love month once again! And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, most of us are probably looking for a place for a perfect date night. On that note, let me recommend you a place we recently discovered: Kandle Café (more…)

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Family Vacation: A Week in South Korea for Php 60,000 ( 1,200 USD)

Family Vacation: A Week in South Korea for Php 60,000 ( 1,200 USD)

Last year, we were able to finally mark this country off our bucket list. We went to South Korea for a week-long vacation: staying 3 days in Jeju and the remaining 4 days in Seoul, and spending around Php 60,000 ($1,200) all in (good for 2 adults and 1 child). Here’s how we did it: (more…)

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Ansan Starlight Village's Light Festival

Ansan Starlight Village’s Light Festival

A day before we left Seoul, we decided to have a quick side trip to Ansan Star Village which is located in Gyeonggi-do Province. It is an hour and a half subway ride from the city and best visited when night falls. This attraction features many of Van Gogh’s masterpieces which you can marvel at during the day as well as plenty of photo zones for your selfies and family pictures. (more…)

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Sunday Dinner at Balkan Makati

Feeling carniverous? Try Balkan Restuarant's meat dishes. More on the blog:

After a visit to husband’s paternal grandmother yesterday, we dropped by Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati to see the much talked about Festival of Lights where lights on trees dance and sparkle with music. Watching the lights with all that crowd made us feel exhausted and famished so we went to find a nice place to eat. (more…)

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Teseum Seoul: A Day with Teddy Bears

If you love teddy bears just like us, you must visit Teseum in Seoul.

The Teddy Bear Museum – or Teseum – is a must visit attraction in Jeju. If you’ve seen the Korean drama Goong (Princess Hours), some scenes were filmed here. However, due to time constraints during our tour in Jeju, we decided to skip this museum. Luckily, we found out that there is Teseum in Seoul so we paid a visit. (more…)

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Myeongdong Kyoja: Home of Kalguksu and Korean Dumplings

A must-eat restaurant in Myeongdong: Myeongdong Kyoja

Perhaps one of the things one shouldn’t miss when in Myeongdong (except shopping, of course) is dining at Myeongdong Kyoja. (more…)

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Last August 2, Samsung has introduced yet another addition to their flagship smartphones – the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. We badly wanted one after seeing the announcement video but it wouldn’t be available in the Philippines until August 20. By some stroke of luck, however, we were able to get our hands on it earlier than the release date and we’re so excited!

Okay, so before we start with the unboxing photos, I bet you are also curious why Samsung named this phone as Note 7 instead of Note 6. From what I’ve gathered, seems like Samsung just wanted to be consistent with naming their phones. They wanted the new phone to be in line with the S Series (Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge) released earlier this year.

On with the unboxing! We pre-ordered from Globe and it came 4 days later. The package includes: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Box, free clear cover and Samsung battery pack.

The box design is similar to the ones for Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

The Note7 is available in 4 colors: Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Blue Coral. When we pre-ordered, only the Gold Platinum is available so we don’t have any choice.

The contents of the Note 7 box include a box containing the ejection pin, headphones, fast charger, USB connector, Micro USB Connector and Extra S Pen tips.

Enough with the accessories, let’s take a look at the Note 7 itself.

The Note 7 looks very similar to the S7 Edge except for a few minor additions. Just like any other Samsung devices, the power button is found on the left side while the Volume keys are on the right. The front, top part has the Light sensor, Iris recognition LED, 5 Megapixel Front camera and the Iris recognition camera. Its dual edged screen has a 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED Display. The Front bottom part is where you’ll find the recents key, home key/fingerprint recognition sensor and the back key.

At the back are its Dual Pixel 12 Megapixel OIS Rear Camera and heart rate sensor.

The top part has the SIM card and memory card tray, just like the S7.

This is the bottom part of Note 7 and here you’ll find the headphones jack, USB Type-C jack, speakers and of course, the S Pen.

Overall, for me, the design of the Note 7 is an upgraded version of the previously released S7 Edge. What I do like about it is that the screen is maximized with the slightly curved edges which also makes the phone easier to hold. The Note 7 is also light despite being a bit big but I don’t have any issues with its size because I like big phones (it is easier not to lose it if it’s big). The Note 7 also came with 64GB internal storage and an expandable memory up to 256GB. Imagine how many apps and movies you can store on it. Samsung has made the Note 7 and the S Pen dust and water resistant. Maybe just a few splashes on the screen is okay but I still won’t risk dipping it in the water.

Here are a few notable features of the Note 7 which we are really excited to try:

The iris scanner as an additional and tightened security feature. Now you can unlock your phone and log in to your online or social media accounts by just scanning your irises.

 Screen-off memo function. Write directly on your screen, no need to unlock your phone and open notepad to jot down notes.

Create GIFs with just a click of the S Pen.

With the charger jack changed to USB Type-C, you can charge your phone without having to worry if you have inserted it the right way and accidentally scratching the bottom part of your phone.

We’ll do a test of the Note 7’s apps and functions on our next post.

Finally got our hands on the new #SamsungGalaxyNote7. See unboxing photos here: Last August 2, Samsung has introduced yet another addition to their flagship smartphones – the Samsung Galaxy Note 7…

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Hello! I just dyed my hair with the lightest color I have ever dared to use (which I will post about some other time), as a celebration of me turning 30. Aaand while waiting for my hair dye to settle, I’m continuing our #theabellastraveltoSouthKorea.

Amidst the modern city of Seoul are five palaces, home of the royal blood during the Chosun Dynasty. Almost every first-time tourist includes a visit to at least one, if not all, of the grand royal palaces so, on our second day, we paid a visit to the largest and the most beautiful palace – Gyeongbokgung Palace.

It was Saturday and our second day in Seoul. We were very excited to tour the city and even more excited because our Korean friends and their son will join us for the day. Our friends, S and J are a married couple I met 8 years ago while I was working as an ESL teacher. That time, it was just the two of them. Their son, H came a year after. Thanks to them, we get to experience something memorable during our trip.

Our friends picked us up from our Airbnb apartment and then we went to Hanboknam, a hanbok rental shop near Gyeongbokgung Palace.  Actually, I told them that we are contented with just renting the hanboks inside the palace or the ones for free at the tourist center in Myeongdong but they insisted we go to this shop. You’ll find out why later.

S took care of the rental procedures because obviously it’s easier if they speak in Korean and I think she had all these planned since the night before, I’m so moved. We were given 30 minutes to choose our clothes and change into them but since its early morning (around 9am), they are not strict.

Here is a picture of me and little K in our hanbok 

The Kings

Our “Gongju” (princess)

And “Wangja” (prince) who is busy looking at the accessories

I honestly thought we would just take pictures but…

Entrance to the inner palace grounds

Entrance to the inner palace grounds

Tadaa! We toured the palace in our hanboks. Apparently, entrance to the palace is free if you are wearing a hanbok.

Other tourists were amused with how we are dressed so we ended up having to take pictures with them. Lol!

It was summer then and considering the layer of clothing we have on, it was unbearably hot. Notice little K looking grumpy in every picture.

No more eyes because of the sun. Sorry little K!

Behind us is Geunjeongjeon Hall where the king formally granted audiences, given declarations or received envoys.

  On the Yeongjegyo bridge leading towards the Geunjeongjon Hall

  The queens: Me and S

The Royal Family A

I love how intricately designed the ceilings of the palace are.

The intricate design of the Geunjeongjeon Hall

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion connected to the palace grounds by a bridge

    Do we look authentic enough? 

    One last family picture inside the palace

  We walked inside the palace for about 2 hours, stopping frequently to take pictures. I don’t know what made us able to endure wearing layers of clothes under the sweltering heat of the sun. It was even a miracle to get little K wear it for that long. I guess we just didn’t want to pass on this opportunity to dress like royalties which we only see in Korean dramas. Despite the heat, we enjoyed every bit of this experience. We even decided that we would wear traditional costumes of the countries we will go in our future travels.

After 2 hours of sightseeing inside the palace grounds, we gave up to the sun and headed out to have lunch. I would like to be back here in autumn or spring.

Here’s more information about Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3) Exit 5 (Enter the Gwanghwamun Gate)

Entrance Fee: Adults(19-64) KRW 3,000, Youth(7-18) KRW 1,500

Operating times: 9:00-18:00, closed on Tuesdays

Changing of Palace Guards: every hour from 10:00 until 14:00

  We were royalty for a day at #GyeongbokgungPalace. Read what made this experience memorable. Hello! I just dyed my hair with the lightest color I have ever dared to use (which I will post about some other time), as a celebration of me turning 30.

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Butterfly Wings

Sharing this beautiful song from little K's #kindermusik class

Sharing a song from little K’s music class which I find very beautiful. Happy Humpday everyone! My Butterfly Wings When I want to try the most amazing things, I put on a pair of my colorful butterfly wings. I’m suddenly lighter than air, With a rush of the wind in my hair, And whatever fantastical place I can dream of, My butterfly wings take me there.   I float on the wind, I flutter from tree…

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Problems with My Samsung Galaxy S7

Problems with My Samsung Galaxy S7

Last March, I decided to replace my old phone with the new Samsung S7. I bought it directly from a Samsung store and it even came with a free VR. My new phone is so awesome. It operates fast and smooth and I can do a lot of things with it. It’s like the modern and upgraded version of those bulky palm tops we use to have before. What I really love the most are its camera features. It takes really…

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Kara on Disney Junior

Send a birthday greeting to your child on Disney Junior. Read how:

We’ve wanted to get in on Disney Junior’s Birthday Book ever since its song got stuck in our heads. I tried to register Kara on the Birthday Book for her 1st birthday last year but unfortunately, she still isn’t qualified. So we patiently waited for another year, made sure we registered early and voila! We saw her on television! (more…)

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Just because we craved pancit bihon #lunch

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Started a new series on the blog plus check this stream in the middle of the city. Link on my profile. #theabellastraveltoSouthKorea #theabelladventures (at Cheonggyecheon Stream)

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New Travel Series + Cheonggyecheon Stream

Our first night in #Seoul #theabellastraveltoSouthKorea #abelladventures #CheonggyecheonStream

First, let me tell you how my week was so far: I was so sick these past few days. I had a terrible headache, I’m feeling nauseous, and I’m having stomach cramps. Before you start thinking these are probably signs of being pregnant, let me just say that my period came today (as scheduled). So yeah, I’m feeling a little better now. (more…)

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Ginisang sayote for my little girl's lunch today #tamangkain #veggies (at Cainta Rizal)

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Sundate after Kara's #kindermusik class

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Lessons Learned from Hi5 Story of Doodle Dot Farm

Funny how sometimes adults can learn valuable life lessons from children's stories. Read here

While browsing YouTube for children stories, I came across a storytelling segment of Hi5, a famous children’s show. The story goes like this: There was a farm called Doodle Dot farm and there lived three farm animals: Hetty the Hen, Rover the Dog and Creamy the Cow. One day, the three animals were arguing over who worked the hardest: Rover said he has the hardest job rounding up sheep. Hetty…

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