Heading North

By johanna | Published: May 10, 2013

Montalut - We are traveling

Bracing myself for another move, this time back to the North as I go back to university life (yes, a freshman again in my 30s!).

About a month ago, I took down the for sale sign for My Nuvali Home, after deciding to stay put in the Philippines ( I was selling to fund art studies abroad).

So I’m holding on to the house for now, and also holding on, for the remaining 30 days, to the Southern lifestyle I’ve come to really love.

I’ll still be visiting every now and then, but what will I miss about living in Nuvali everyday?

  • biking!
  • the long easy drive on SLEX
  • trail biking!
  • peace and quiet
  • the long easy drive on Nuvali Boulevard, where I usually roll down my windows to let the fresh air welcome me home
  • being so close to freshly-harvested organic produce from Sta. Elena’s Holy Carabao Farm
  • being 20 minutes away from Tagaytay and 10 minutes away from fresh buko
  • being an hour ++ away from the Batangas beaches
  • not needing to use fans or aircon, even during the day
  • wide open spaces everywhere
  • just the sights and sounds of the South:  Mt. Makiling, the birds, the Nuvali lake, the stars at night, the pink-orange-purple sunsets
  • the active energy of Nuvali athletes– the everyday bikers and runners
  • the new friends I’ve made in the South!

What would I cram into the days I have left?

  • more biking!
  • I will probably finally give wakeboarding a good try
  • I would’ve wanted to try yoga everyday, but Breathe, the new yoga studio in Nuvali, will only be opening on May 20 (that’s actually in 10 days already!)

I have a lot in Parkway which I’m saving for another creative build (will first gather enough love and resources — time, energy and funding– to birth another home!), so definitely there are still a lot of blank pages on my personal Nuvali story.  My family also has properties here, so Nuvali will continue to be home in more ways than one.

I will still practice real estate when able, but my main occupation for the next four years will be full-time student.  For any real estate inquiries, please do contact our office as we still have a team of brokers ready to help:

Metro Realty
Registered Brokers since 1975

+632 655.3765
nuvali@metrorealty.ph

Our websites:
MetroRealty.ph
OurTagaytayHome.com

I do hope the Nuvali community grows richer in camaraderie and actual face-to-face encounters. One of my dreams is still to create a physical gathering place for innovative, positive, and active dialogue by way of art, green tech, and wealth creation.  Think art salons of the olden times, but Pinoy version (with abundant food! and laughter! and doers! Bawal all-talk), and with lots of playful spirit.  An open and friendly place for ideas to germinate and get implemented.  Haaaay. Dreams are free. But they also have a deadline.  Baby steps.

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Posted in Living in Nuvali and the South | 1 Response

Nuvali sky at the magic hour

By johanna | Published: April 6, 2013

Nuvali sky March 2013 (1)

Nuvali sunsets turn yellow and pink and purple. So lovely.

Nuvali sky March 2013 (5)

Click here for a panoramic view.

 

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Greens and Patches: a tree nursery in Nuvali

By johanna | Published: April 4, 2013

Took a wrong turn while biking two weeks ago and found our way to Nuvali’s community nursery, Greens and Patches.

Greens and Patches March 2013 (1)

We got to explore a bit of the nursery itself, which had rows of trees with matching labels, just like the fruit tree area at the Manila Seedling bank along EDSA.

Greens and Patches March 2013 (2)

The rest of the area was closed, but the caretakers/gardeners told us they just need a go signal from Nuvali management to let visitors in. If you’re looking to visit, drop by the Evoliving Center for a pass beforehand. Other areas of interest include a vegetable maze, an herb garden, even a pond. I was curious to see the vertical garden… maybe next time.

Greens and Patches March 2013 (3)

I would assume the area is accessible to light vehicles via the dirt road in between Elaro and Montecito in Nuvali Central. Just know that the road is not paved (i.e. it’s just compressed soil), so best to go on a dry day.

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Mass schedule at St. Benedict’s Westgrove

By johanna | Published: April 3, 2013

Sharing for everyone’s benefit:

St. Benedicts Church Westgrove

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New Zealand a la Nuvali

By johanna | Published: April 2, 2013

Been getting to know the bike trails in Nuvali…and so far, my favorite is still the New Zealand trail in Nuvali South.

Biking in Nuvali March 2013 (5)

Biking in Nuvali March 2013 (10)

It’s a scenic, easy roll up, roll down trail across the Miriam College site all the way to the back of Venare.

Biking in Nuvali March 2013 (1)

We thought weekends would be especially crowded at the trail but we were greeted by slow traffic even on a weekday morning:

Biking in Nuvali March 2013 (3)

I’ve been charged by a cow in Batanes, so I know better than to startle a grazing herd.  It took about 10 minutes and a gentle “excuse me” for them to let us pass.  :P

Biking in Nuvali March 2013 (7)

 

I hope they keep this trail open and develop other parts of Nuvali first… it really is a gift to have this just five minutes away!

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Melons and summer harvest

By johanna | Published: April 1, 2013

Such sweet melons from Robinson’s Supermarket Nuvali!

Fruits Summer 2013 (2)

We did a quick stop last night to restock on fruits at home and were surprised to find the fruit pile almost emptied out, but for melons and papayas (even bananas were sold out). Seems everyone had fruit salads over the Holy Week. Was glad for it though– I tend to skip the melon corner on a regular day because I can’t blend them in my green smoothies (melons are best eaten alone). This batch was so sweet and delicious, I finished the whole thing in one sitting! Wasn’t able to take a pic of the uncut melon, but it was of the yellow skin variety. Still have two white cantaloupes waiting on the kitchen counter, along with other summer fruits:

Fruits Summer 2013 (1)

I had to go back for the bananas and mangoes this afternoon, but am happy to share that the squash above is from our own garden. :) The plant grew out of our compost pit last year, so we moved it to a nice sunny spot, and voila– three months after, we harvested our first homegrown kalabasa!

Here’s another happy leafy green that sprouted from a fallen seed:

PEchay at home

Very thankful for the fertile Nuvali soil.

:)

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Back to homemaking

By johanna | Published: April 1, 2013

Home furnishings Apr 2013 (2)

Spotted at the mall yesterday — chair leg covers! Didn’t even realize these things existed. Bravo Daiso!

I haven’t bought anything for the house in over three months, and I think every homebuilder can relate to this: there just comes a point when you want to put down the builder’s hat and go back to everyday life. This happened for me in a very pronounced way — I quit the hardware store (byebye True Value) cold turkey last December and decided I would stop spending for home renovations or decor.

Yesterday I remembered something a friend shared years ago: once you have a house, you’ll forever be renovating and restyling. So true. Little pick-me-uppers that don’t hurt the pocket are a good way to get into the groove of being a homemaker once again… but this time I’ll go at it slowly and remember to enjoy the process.

I think these leg warmers are a fun alternative to foam pads that come in uninspired white or black.

Home furnishings Apr 2013 (1)

Available at the Japan Home Store/Daiso.

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Biking in Nuvali – my first trail

By johanna | Published: February 8, 2013

Biking in Nuvali Feb 2013 (4)

Had my first morning trail ride in Nuvali yesterday — was happy to discover a whole new world right under my nose!

A friend came to visit so we could go biking, which I took as doing 10K rounds around the village. Ten minutes into the ride and we reached the edge of Avida Settings, saw Elaro across the street, and casually decided to head for the Bird Sanctuary (neither of us had been there before).

Little did we know we’d end up on an actual bike trail, and 2 hours later reach Venare via the uphill path behind Montecito.
Biking in Nuvali Feb 2013 (2)

Was an adventure of a morning, what with both of us being first timers on any trail.

We entered the soil path between Elaro and Montecito and followed the signs that pointed to the bird sanctuary.
Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, Nuvali (31)

Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, Nuvali (32) Read More »

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Yoga and dance in Nuvali – free classes ongoing

By johanna | Published: February 8, 2013

Nuvali friends, we will soon have our very own yoga studio/healing space/juice bar so close to our homes!

I went to check out the site last Saturday — it’s going to be located right above Yellow Cab in Solenad 1:

Solenad Yoga Feb2013 (1)

Classes will start in March or April, but the good news is that they are already conducting free sessions every Tuesday morning at the Monochrome, the new events place right by the lake.

Yoga in Nuvali - Breathe Studio

 

Yoga in Nuvali - Breathe Studio

I met Oudine Santos, one of the owners of Breathe, a few weeks back and her fitness vibe instantly rubbed off on me. That same day I took my bike out for a ride and definitively jumpstarted my fitness comeback.   Oudine was all warm and inviting about the Tuesday classes, so I was eager to give it a go this week.

It was Session#3, and my first attempt at Zumba. Until now my muscles are still (happily) complaining from the work out, but I’d gladly do it again!

Was a great morning, what with this to greet us along with the happy smiles of about 25 participants:
Around Nuvali Feb 2013 (1)

Side note: It really is such a gift to live within 5 minutes of this.

Also noted the juice bar component of Breathe, and as a raw food advocate, am mighty excited about this!
Around Nuvali Feb 2013 (2)

Looking forward to next Tuesday’s Yin Yoga, a less active form of yoga that involves prolonged stretching. My introduction to yoga was at a 3-day retreat in Palawan in 2011, where I learned that there are actually a number of different yoga practices.   Yin Yoga was one of those that I found enjoyable (we were holding our stretches by the beach!).  It “targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body.”

Oudine gave a brief on the various yoga styles they’ll be offering (Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin Yoga), and said they will eventually also offer other forms of dance, kids yoga, kids dance and pre natal and Sivananda yoga. You may email her at breatheph@gmail.com for more info.

Meanwhile, here’s the list of yoga/dance packages for those interested to enroll already:

Yoga in Nuvali - Breathe Studio

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Kanin Club – under renovation

By johanna | Published: February 7, 2013

Paseo de Sta. Rosa Feb2013 (2)

Chanced upon this last Sunday, February 3, 2013. Kanin Club is one of my favorite eating places in the general Nuvali neighborhood (note: it’s in Paseo de Sta. Rosa).  Sharing for everyone’s info that they are currently closed and will resume operations on February 18, Monday .

Also saw this billboard for the new Paseo commercial center under construction:

Paseo de Sta. Rosa Feb2013 (3)

This is the one near the Paseo wet market or palengke.  There is another complex being built on the opposite end of the main Paseo block, with Shopwise as one of its locators.

Looks tall enough for a cinema right? Still keeping my fingers crossed…

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Back in the groove of life

By johanna | Published: February 7, 2013

February is quickly becoming productivity month. Seems everyone is “in the zone” and busily buzzing about. A friend put it simply: the Christmas magic is gone, and people are now getting into the groove of life again.

I also finally picked up the brush last week and wet the canvas.

Montalut - Studio Feb2013 (2)

Haven’t painted with oils since 2006 — it was admittedly quite a moment.  I guess it’s also the pressure of the possibility of losing the creative space soon… so every day left in Nuvali has turned more precious. It still breaks my heart every time a buyer looks at the house.

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Posted in Living in Nuvali and the South | Tagged | 2 Responses

I’m selling my house in Nuvali…

By johanna | Published: January 22, 2013

UPDATE as of May 2013:  Decided to hold on to the house for now. House is not for sale anymore.  

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Posted in Avida, Nuvali Real Estate, Resale properties | Tagged | 2 Responses

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