Changes and DIY landscape

I know there's a big gap in my blog because I haven't been able to write anything for a couple of months. For those who would like to know, I'm back working (yey!), found a perfect job that suits me and my lifestyle but (just like any job) I needed to adjust so I've been taking some time off of blogging and just wrote in my journal instead. But, I really missed sharing the many things that made me smile, laugh and cry so I just want to write as many posts as I can this week and then I'll just set the proper time stamps of the posts once I get a long break from my hectic schedule. Either way, it's the thought that counts right (?) ^_^ . I also want to share that even if I'm back working again, it didn't stop me from experiencing life and  enjoying the fruits of my labor. ^_^
One of the home projects that my husband and I focused on in the month of June (before the heavy rainy season started) is to improve the small patch of land in front our home. Landscapers in the Philippines costs about PHP5000 and up (depends on the plants and the size of the area), since we only needed to have a small area planted, my husband and I gambled to personally take on this small project, and in the end, learned and realized that doing it ourselves really has their own rewards.

finally, a home for the horsetail that my mother -in-law gave us as a gift.

Tagaytay Wedding Venues: Clearwater Resthouse Gardens

Finding the perfect venue to have the wedding reception has been one of the biggest problem for engaged couples eyeing to be wed in Tagaytay. We had the same problem when we were planning our wedding there. So I am sharing some of the reviews and pictures that we took when we had ocular visits during our wedding preps days.

We had our ceremony held at Caleruega Chapel and our reception followed at Clearwater Resthouse Garden. You may check out our wedding pics from my previous post. 

Let me share our review about the places we've visited and some pictures as well.  Let's start off with Clearwater Resthouse Gardens

Clearwater Resthouse, Tagaytay

Travel Asia: Winter in Beijing, China Part 5 (The Summer Palace)

Oh Summer Palace! This is one place that I felt we could have explored more, said to be the largest and best preserved Imperial garden in China and was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1990. It was meant to be, as the name implies -- the Summer vacation home of the emperor or empress during ancient times.

The dominant structure here is the Yu Feng Pagoda that is set on top of a hilly ground facing Kunming lake, the lake itself was actually extended in 1750 by the Emperor QianLong to imitate the famous West Lake in HangZhou. 

As an extensive traveler, the Emperor took notes of every beautiful places he's been in China and incorporated it in the construction of Summer Palace.

view of the Yu Feng Pagoda over a courtyard