The Unemployment Diaries v2.0

A Not So Good Day

2010-07-21T10:56:00.005+08:00

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

11:34 am

Dunno why, but am not in the mood for anything... If it's the corned beef/egg that i had for breakfast or the fact that I wanted to stay in bed today... I don't know

Feels like a Monday... when in fact, it's really just another normal day.

Maybe i'm just under the weather or am just feeling bad about myself and criticizing myself too much today... I DON'T KNOW!

MENOPAUSE MUCH?!?!

Oh well... Hope the day goes by smoothly and quietly... But knowing how the universe reacts to my "off" days... It'll be a busy day.

A Weekend of Happiness...

2010-07-19T11:54:00.005+08:00

Monday, July 19, 2010

1:25 pm

Alright, so the weekend went by fairly quickly. We planned an impromptu despidida party for one of our good friends who apparently will migrate to the US on the 20th. My place was the venue, and it was the first of many parties to be held at my pad. So super mega cleaning and arranging to death ako early Saturday morning to prepare. Had to go out to do a little shopping and purchase a few minor decorations for the house. Also, Daddy lent me his credit card to catch up on the second mark down of the mid-year sale... Wow!! I was excited. The best dad ever!!

So I headed on over to Rockwell and purchased a few things from the regular stores (Zara, Topman, Lacoste, & A/X). Since it was already the second mark-down, it was a gem to find things I ACTUALLY LOVED in my size. Right after, headed on down to Glorietta/GB to buy the finishing touches for the apt, fruits, a leaf, and a rug to bring the whole room together. Project Make Room Better - ACHIEVED!!

Apart from that, I also found a few things that I actually thought I had to have... Sorry Dad... I kinda also HAD TO charge it...

Grenade Frogskins! The perfect color for the season!

New Loafers!! LOOOOOVVVEE!

After much walking, and to kill off the guilt of overspending, I decided to indulge in some good ole Jap Food. Sakura was it!

Shrimp Tempura with Cold Soba & Spicy Tuna Sashimi. Yumm!

Headed home right after to fix the house and make a checklist of things to buy at the grocery.

Happy Monday!

2010-07-19T10:43:00.005+08:00

Monday, July 19, 2010

11:52 am

Mondays for me, are usually the days i'm begging to be stuck in bed, under the covers, blanketed in a cloud of darkness, but surprisingly, today, am the complete opposite.

I missed my supposedly 7am gym time this morning, but I did however find time to cook a turkey-spam omelette and two slices of french toast (egg overload much?). I'm suprisingly very "cheery" and happy at 9:30am. Wow! Hoping to watch inception later after all the good and "OH MY GOD, ANG GANDA NYA!" reviews.

People in the office talking about it already, and i told them let's discuss tomorrow! :-)

Eeeergh To Globe!!!

2010-07-16T14:48:00.006+08:00

I'm honestly currently extremely annoyed with Globe!! Those little fuckers and their hidden charges!! This is my bill for two months... I understand the international roaming charges, but for GPRS?? WTF?? First world country ba tayo teh at meron GPRS?!? WTF?!?!

Or am I secretly being tracked... Whatever it is... It's just annoying!!

Anyways, got my plan upgraded to unli browsing, coz apparently the "sorta-I-talk-english-that-you-can-barely-understand" call center agent that assisted me (and kept putting me on hold, by the way) informed me that i was online for 24 hours everyday on my Iphone for the past few months... WTF?!?!

Ang ganda!! Sobrang ganda talaga!!

Isang malaking hassle sa MASSLE ito!!

Blah Blah Blah

2010-07-16T12:06:00.005+08:00

Friday, July 16, 2010

2:04 pm

Yesterday was a "medj" day. Was feeling alright in the beginning but got a bit antsy/restless towards the end of the day and headed straight home instead of staying in the office to enjoy the weekly drinks in the office (aaawwww mheeen!!). My fickle minded self was deciding whether to gym or to lie in bed and just sleep before our recording later that night.

I decided to go for gold and hit the gym, since i've been to the gym thrice (so far) for the month of July! God! What a waste of monthly dues. Eeergh... Anywhoo, decided to have dinner at Little Tokyo afterwards and had my usual order of Maguro, and then also tried the Maguro Zuke Don, which was just pure LOOOVE!! Wish I took a pic, but wasn't in the mood to take pics at the moment... It had the perfect wasabi kick that I crave for all thematically Jap food. (I even add wasabi to Miso soup... O diba?!)

Afterwards, headed to Mile Long for the recording, and as always, I was early. Decided to take a walk, kill time, and find the nearest convenience store to buy some smokes and release the tension I was feeling.

Sat outside Shell for 15 mins and enjoyed the silence and time to myself. (Probably need more moments like this)

The stillness of the night. (Not advertising Sprite Zero in anyway)

The recording went well. The team headed to Bugsy's afterwards to unwind and eat Southern Porkchops, (which apparently is good!). See below an internal survey that was developed to why people go to Bugsy's!

HAPPY WEEKEND GUYS!!

A Night of Darkness

2010-07-15T13:50:00.011+08:00

Thursday, July 15, 2010

3:36 PM

After the scary and WINDY night, that was Typhoon Basyang, almost half of the country was left in dark for almost an entire day. A few companies closed shop, while most schools rejoiced to a day of no classes. As much as possible, I tried avoiding heading home coz I knew for a fact that my humble and ever so GHETTO neighborhood, THE Cityland compound, would be last on the list to regain power.

So I headed to gym right after work, and to my surprise, even the ever so posh Salacedo village was still in the dark, (except for the companies of course, and the extremely upscale condos that had power generators as big as a Mini-stop).

Ponti building was black dark!

Seems like there were lights, but in person, that's just my camera making everything brighter.

After the gym, I decided to pass by Buendia to see if by any chance Meralco decided to add us to the list of areas that would be blessed with electricity. Crossed fingers - FAIL!!

So I decided to drive down to Shopwise knowing they're open 'til 11pm (thank god for Shopwise). Picked up a bunch of useless things (tissue, crackers, jams, and a copy of the new Preview) and saw one of the wittiest (and can i say one of the stupidest) named products on the market:

Clara Ole's Orange You Glad Vinaigrette and

Clara Ole's My, My Parmesan Vinaigrette!

KALOKA to the NTH power!!

Finally decided to go home, have some cold leftover Aglio-olio, took some melatonin, and fell asleep in the heat.

YUM! I love cold pasta!

Goodnight guys!

A Work In Progress...

2010-07-15T10:54:00.002+08:00

Thursday, July 15, 2010
11:20 am

Like all things that undergo a long numbness or a sudden null... reconstruction and and a major update is always a must. With that, bear with me as I update everything on this site and bring it up to 2010. Similar to last year, my focus will still be the same... Food, wants & dreams, escapades, trips, and basically anything under the sun...

It's Been Too Long...

2010-07-14T15:57:00.005+08:00

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

4:48 PM

It's been over a year since I blogged (and visited) the site that I once loved and dedicated a third of my time to (let alone my heart). It's really been too long...

A lot of good things has happened since then. Actually, let me correct that... A LOT OF GREAT THINGS has happened since then...

I left the blog with a heavy heart... A heart that was surprisingly quickly mended due to an acceptance of a feeling that I've felt a few months prior to the actual "heart-breaking", but was just really afraid to act on it. My final words last year was that everything happens for a reason, and that in time, we'll see the bigger picture... And in no time, I did.

Currently, I'm in a great place now. A place I never thought I'd reach in such a short amount of time. I'm in a different agency, with better career opportunities (in my opinion, of course), a great set of new friends (and of course, let's not forgot the old set of friends that I LOVE oh so much that are still there), a humble small home to call my own, a practical and domesticated mindset, a less materialistic approach to everything that I do, and an unrealistically crazy love that has matured into something I've always wanted and wished for.

I grew up guys... Or at least I think I did...

Welcome back!! :-)

NEW PRODCUT ALERT!

2009-04-18T14:30:00.005+08:00

To all you tanners out there...

Before heading out to Bohol, I headed out to the grocery a few hours before my flight and started buying my beach toiletry neccessities...

Tanning lotion. tanning amplifier, sunscreen, aloe cooling lotion... And with a little wandering here and there... I saw this... Hawaiin Tropic's Royal Tanning Blend Continuous Spray...

This was extremely nice to use... It was easier than the tanning amplifier and the original royal tanning blend... Hence the name, continuous spray, it was truly continuous (well, that is until it runs out)... perfect for lazy beach dogs such as myself... LOOOOVE!

Anywhoo, here I am after Bohol... Sad, Semi-bloated, but GOLD!

Little Tokyo - Kikufuji

2009-04-18T13:33:00.013+08:00

Last March 27, 2009, VGF Jon and I finally pushed through with our plan to eat at the now INFAMOUS Jap Food district in Makati... Little Tokyo.

Before all the huss and fuss and blog "ingay" about Kikufuji and the other reasonably priced restaurants in the area, Little Tokyo was really just a hole in the wall watering hole for the Japanese community and it's businessmen. I remember going there, circa 2006 or was it 2007, and we barely saw a single Filipino diner there... Now... The parking lot for Little Tokyo was packed with cars... mainly still from the the Jap communities, but the clients consisted of a large amount of Filipino diners...

The food was of course authentic... and it was really just good Japanese food... I wouldn't scream all out for it like I would about Tsumura in Salcedo... But it was reasonably priced and value for the money... Beats Teriyaki Boy and Omakase by a mile and then some...

The interior... Very Dojo noh?! Typical Japanese restaurant...

We decided to sit by the bar... Was hoping to get the seat by the Sashimi area, but sadly to say, it was taken...

Oysters... A little photography shot here and there... Alam mo na...

MMMMMMM... Shake Sashimi... My weakness...

The new Japanes craze in Manila... Spicy Tuna... The meat was extremely tender and just plain out YUUUM!! The "ang hang" - spiciness level was just right... But the spicy tuna from Haiku is still the best for me... MMMMM... Yum!!

Chicken Teriyaki...

Gyudon - The Filipino Favorite

Walking around...

VGF tying the rusty swing out...

A Sad Day

2009-04-13T09:42:00.007+08:00

Monday, April 13, 2009

On my blog, there a few things that I tend to cover... Bags, restaurants, shoes, and basically anything shallow... But today, let's do something different... Let's talk about something deeper, something more personal, something that i've totally forgotten and lost...

Let's talk about me...

The past week have been a whirlwind of highs and mega lows... Ending... well, with a mega LOW. In life, I believe there's a balance, a balance of good events and bad situations. I mean, we all can't be happy all the time right?!? RIGHT?!? Haaaay... So anyways, something that I never thought and expected to happen, has happend...

I lost my partner in crime...
My confidant...
My LOML... =(

They say things happen for a reason. Things occur because there's something bigger, better, and greater that's suppsed to happen that mostly everyone involved, at the present time, probably can't see. But I guess in time, (keeping my finger crossed) we'll see the bigger picture.

As of now, I don't know how to go about my days. I don't know how to cope... But I guess in time... I'll know... We just have to keep moving forward and realize that more often than not, life goes on...

It always does...
(Secretly, I'm honestly praying and sincerely hoping it does...)

Til next time...

Nature Will Take Its Course

2009-04-07T11:48:00.000+08:00

Tuesday, April 7, 2008

Happy Tuesday you guys... =)

I've been so out of the BLOG LOOP for the past few weeks due to the influx of workload am getting at the office! Grabe! The work is just over... But at least, the redeeming factor is that you actually get to see the work in progress... =)

Anyways, during the weekend, I headed on over to Hong Kong for my parents anniversary. We shopped like there was no tomorrow... Or more like, my parents and my sister shopped like there was no tomorrow... I did however pick up some good pieces, and a lot of office wear... So am quite happy and satisfied... I'll upload a few pics when i get home...

I have utang pa of a few restaurant reviews, hopefully i'll get to post it within the week... =)

Til tomorrow. =)

Thursday... Wooooo-Ooooooh!

2009-03-26T10:43:00.005+08:00

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Okay, so the week has progressed faster than I would've expected...

So many things unfolded this week... Plans, resignations, PLANS, and well, and my cluelessness-NESS...

Gosh... It's not what you all are thinking, am not resigning... NO NO NO! Hehe... I like my job (so far) to ever leave it, but you never know... My blog is called the UNEMPLOYMENT Diaries... So in the words of my B-B-Btot, you can never can tell... Hehe... Anyways, am trying to soak up all the information I could from everyone here... Somewhat like, you know, a SPONGE! A big fat sponge with skinny jeans and "lumuluwa" na fat sa sides (or in short, a bad case of fashionably-inexcusable muffin top-PING). I do hope I get thin here...

I have sooo much to say but so little energy or will power to say it... or to be exact, to think and type about it... I'll do a-super-di-super-mega-out of this world update this weekend... or friday night, casue am thinking, I might be going home early... will probably be a bit tired to go out... anywhoo, let's see mizzzzie schwiissy...

Til next time...

Mega post promise...

GG on Rollingstone

2009-03-23T01:03:00.008+08:00

Rollingstone's got your Gossip Girl fix this month...
I LUV it!!
I'll buy a copy tomorrow... =)

Notice how Blake Lively's eyes are enchanting in every pic!!
She's GORGE!!
THE ULTIMATE EYE CANDY!!

God! They both seem soooo NAUGHTY!!

I honestly thought this should have been the cover!!

This is toooooo CUTE!!! Very Paris and Nicole, circa 2005

Leighton loves her twizzlers!!

I SOOOO love this shot!!! V's FREAKIN-Fierce here!! While Chuck's workin' his excrutiatingly SEXY legs...

Seems like an uberly FUN shot!!

Reminiscent of the OLD Rollingstone's shoot of the cast of FRIENDS (Rachel was hiding half her face under the covwer as well)!! Why does Nate look like a girly-GIRL here?!?

Seemed like an extremely FUN PHOTO SHOOT!!

(With photographer, TERRY RICHARDSON)

IPHONE OS 3.0

2009-03-22T14:14:00.011+08:00

OMG!! I've always criticized the Iphone for lacking sooo many features... But with the upgrade that'll come this coming JUNE or JULY!! I know for a fact that I will stop complaining, and simply LOVE IT!!!

For the complete article, checkout iLounge. (Pictures taken from same site). Here's some of the pictures to wet your appetites!!

The improved homepage... =)

One of my favorite new features... Expanded keyboard for my fat fingers!! LOOOOVE!!

One of the three features the world (myself included, has been waiting for), COPY - FREAKIN PASTE!!

The second of the three... Multimedia Messages, or better known in the PI as, MMS!! LOOOOOOVEEE!! I sooo can't wait for this!! All we need now, is TEXT FORWARDING!!

A minor detail, which I highly find important, an exact Call Log!! WAAAAAAHHH!!!

Something I deem useful for those alone int he car singing moments, a FREE voice recorder!! Keeping my fingers crossed for a video recorder!! =)

There's more new features actually, but these were the few that I personally, just LOVE! For a complete list and details.. do read the article from iLounge.

Punyetang Deja Vu

2009-03-22T14:09:00.002+08:00

Gosh... Can I just say... Is this deja vu all over again?!? My god!! I swear, I don't know what am supposed to realize... Eeeerghhh!! I can't divulge the info yet, cause it hasn't happend.. but from what someone told me, it'll happen in a few weeks... Aaaaaahhhh!! Am sooo SCARED!! As in!! It's like someone's throwing me in a den of LIONS... yet freakin again!

Punyeta! Punyeta! PUNYETA!!

How do I react?! How do I handle this?!

In the words of Bob Sinclair... (World) HOLD ON!!!

A Quiet Day...

2009-03-22T13:45:00.002+08:00

Sunday, March 22, 2009

It's Sunday everyone... Happy family day!!

So it's confirmed, my family and I are going to HK on April 3-5. Yay!! H&M and Joyce, here I come!! My parents said were going to Disneyland, sooo... ummm... I guess, I should say yay to that as well. yay (sigh).

I don't see the purpose of Disneyland. I'm 25++ and Disneyland isn't really my thing... I'd prefer to waste my day hoarding the malls... But let's see... You never know. (FYI, I don't ride rollercoasters... ahem ahem)

Anywhoo, last night, B, VGF, and I saw Taken.
It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOD!

My god! I was really at the edge of my seat... The whole plot, the timings, the execution, the acting... It was JUST PERFECT! Liam Neeson rocked his role! (RIP to Nastasha Richardson... He must be so sad now)... I loved how he worked his skills in the movie. I especially LOVED, as in MEGA LOVED, how he found Marco!! GOODLUCK!

Taray!! If you guys could actually see me while I'm writing this... My feet's jumping around trying to remeber the scenes... God! Go watch it!! I swear... I haven't had a movie affect me this way since Crash, Million Dollar Baby, or Cinderella Man.

Check out the trailer!! Just love!!

Filling The Room

2009-03-20T10:24:00.001+08:00

Friday, March 20, 2009

It’s been a week… Eeeerghh…

Do you guys ever feel that feeling of irrelevancy? That feeling of serving no other purpose than a room filler? Well, that’s what I’m feeling… I feel so dumb and “air-headed” amongst the people here… I’m guessing, the fact that am new and quite clueless about a lot of the processes and logistics of the industry is a major factor, but I guess also, the fact that maybe, well, I am a bit of an (and this is badly put), an “air-head”. Eerrrgh! Major eeergh….

Anyways, I’m quite sure that this is the career (advertising) that I want to pursue… And I guess, in time, I’ll learn everything… In TIME… But I do hope it happens soon… Because I feel so “hiya” to my boss, who’s working so hard and goes home like SOOOOOO LATE! Grabe… Sobrang nakakahiya talaga…

Ay naku, I’m trying to think and look for POSITIVE things today…

I SHALL smile…

Til tomorrow…

Call Me Bee...

2009-03-18T22:42:00.003+08:00

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Busy as a Bee ang drama ko kanina... It might sound simple to most, but my lack of actual brain activity for the past how many months made writing a contact report quite challenging... Ahahaha! Am I that stupid?!? Oh well... It's done...

You know what they say... practice makes... YOU PERFECT...

Soooo... Been so out of the "BLOG LOOP" this week and can I just say... IT SUCKS!! I left the office at 8 today and decided to just skip the gym altogether and head on over to Gb5 to look at new stuff... Some Window Retail Therapy for the soul "kuno".

Went into Marc and checked out the Mr. Marc tote... It was LOVE!!! Just pure Looooove!!! But I thought that 9000 for a canvas rectangle tote with no inside pockets was worth the price...

No no no!! But on the other hand... The drawing was just soooooooo overly over cute, and the color... Well, the color... It was GORGE!! And to make matters worse... There's only one piece left... Haaaay... Moving on... I shall decide this weekend...

They also had the Hugo shoulder/backpack bag!! This was toooo DIE FOOOR!!It was 17500... the material was the "NEW" canvas, which is somewhat like the shiny canvas that converse uses for it chucks... Anyways, this was cute... Especially now since i'm in the market for backpacks... Hmmmm....

Anywhoo, my therapy translated into frustration, and I knew for a fact, I won't... eeergh.. strike that... CAN'T leave the mall without buying something... I ended up buying cute little khaks from Zara... Something for work I guess... Seemed practical at the time... Especially since the mall was closing... Mega panic buying... Ahahaha....

After, I headed home, hoping to watch Gossip Girl 18 cause I downloaded it last night... only to find out that the download was a failure... Eeergh... Downloading it again now... Heard it was good... Hmmm... Can't wait...

Anwyhoo, I shall put a cast on my teeth now and shock my clammy hands...

Til next time...

The First Of Many Firsts

2009-03-16T13:25:00.003+08:00

Monday, March 16, 2009

OMG! So my anxiety is defintely on an EXTREME HIGH today... Today was my first day of my new JOB! My god... My hands were clammier than usual, my throat was dry, and my words, well, they weren't coming out. It's really just a good thing that everyone here is SOOOOO friendly and accomodating... Love it...

Anywhoo, just giving you guys a little update...

Til next time...

Goodbye Somni...

2009-03-13T16:19:00.002+08:00

Friday, March 13, 2009

It's Friday the 13th you guys... Be safe... =)

Anyways, today's my last day here at Somni... The moment I got in, Camille looked at me with a frown. I think it was a sincere sign that she was going to miss me... Awwww... Well, i'm gonna miss her too...

I'm gonna miss the whole office. I feel a bit sad in leaving. A part of me actually wants to stay, while the other wants to try new things... Anyways, I don't have much to say today, except, Happy FRIDAY the 13th you guys!! Happy Weekend!!

Wish me luck for Monday. I hate first days!! Eeeergh!!

I Can't Go!!

2009-03-12T12:53:00.003+08:00

I wanna attend!! But I have work... Eeergh! How I miss being UNEMPLOYED AND TIMELESS (like my beauty... Just playing)... Gosh, I have to find another teacher or soap making. I missed my freakin class last week... Double eeergh!

Hunger Pains

2009-03-12T09:30:00.011+08:00

Thursday, March 12, 2009

For the past two days, I've only been allowed to eat "white" food; food that won't stain my teeth; food that won't share it's color with the open pores of my newly whitened teeth.

Yes you guys, I had it bleached...

The whole procedure was a bit tiring. I felt a few stings during the procedure, but that was about it. The pain excruciatingly came after. Sudden THROBS came from my teeth being exposed to cold air...

I stayed quiet for a day... Hoping to keep my mouth closed to minimize the pain...

Today, it doesn't hurt as much anymore.

What does hurt is my stomach. Since yesterday, I've only been eating oatmeal, nesvita, and bananas. GOD HELP!!! Am going crazy...

And to top that off, I was reading food reviews the whole day yesterday, at Click The City and varius FOODIE blogs, and I came across one of the many simple pleasures in my life. PEKING DUCK!! Yuuuumm!! Am salavating just thinking about it...

And it doesn't help at all, that Ms. Epilepsia's review of the duck and the resto (FU by Hai Shin Lou) was so vivid and right on!!

"There was a collective gasp in the room when the duck was brought out. Its vibrant, golden skin glistened with oil and through the cracks; fragrant steam was lovingly beckoning out appetites." - Yuuuumm!! Am salavating just thinking about it...

I will definitely have duck this weekend! If not at FU, most likely at Summer Palace which is always much more convenient for my dad, who shall be paying for dinner. Hehehe.

I've actually never tried Fu. Sadly to say, I've been quite conservative when dining at Serendra. It was either, Chelsea, Abe, Mamou, or Portico. The rest I considered as reaturant clutter. Maybe it was due to a few bad dining experiences at the other resto's that made me doubt the other restos, but anywhooo... Am excited!!!

DUCK!! DUHHHHCK!! DUUUUUUHHHHH-AAAAAK!!!

Yummm!! I shall pretend to work now! Hehe!

Til tomorrow you guys... =)

An Errand Full Day

2009-03-10T20:48:00.003+08:00

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Today, I played hookey and decided to do all my errands...

To make sure I didn't forget a single thing, I wrote it all down...
Ended up with a full page of seemingly useless and shallow errands that am sure would raise a few eyebrows.

A few of the importants things on the list:

1. Get my medical for Saatchi.
2. Go get my teeth cleaned.
3. Pick up and drop off laundry.
4. Pick up RR's card for Mike
5. Get jeans cut.

Some of my seemingly shallow errands

1. Look for new Iphone and camera casing.
2. Find the perfect notebook for work next Monday.
3. Look for a "fun" pen. (fun being, subtly attention getting)
4. Look for colorful plastic folders or handout/xerox holders.
5. Purchase the perfect top for my 1st day of work.

Anywhoo... I didn't get to completely check everything off, but I did however manage to do most of the important things that I know I wouldn't be able to do on the weekend. Soooo APPLAUD FOR ME. =)

I did however forget to get my (64) little warts (ewwwww) removed which was suppoed to be done since Sunday... Healing usually takes 6-7 days... I start work at Saatchi in 6 days... What to do?? Gosh!

Suggestions anyone??

Raf Simmons Eastpak Collabo

2009-03-10T00:38:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday, after attending Erina's baptism, I headed on over to Bratpack at GB5 because word has it that the Raf Simmon's Eastpak collabo finally arrived... Given my current obsession with bags, I wanted to at least see the collection, and hopefully own one...

Upon arriving at the store, the window display was the bags... They were GORGEOUS!! The one I wanted was the mesh duffel... and from the looks of it, they ran out of stock of the denim with camel/beige leather accents...

Anywhoo, given my background on previous Eastpack bags, I would've imagined the bag to cost between 6-10K at max... I thought they'd do something similiar to what CDG did with H&M (which was make the prices reasonable and affordable for the everyday man), but no... The one I wanted (Mesh Duffel) costed 22k. The backpack costed, if I remember correctly, 14500. My god... I had to pass...

And due to my sudden disappointment, I lost all will to take pictures of the bags and the window display... Eeeerghhh...

Ewww...

2009-03-09T17:53:00.005+08:00

God... I have nothing against Karylle, but the Marie Claire cover is horrendous... She looks like a third world malnourished dancer... Not high fashion at all!! And she still looks pretty depressed... JUST EEEEEWWWW!! No love for this cover...

Yesterday still hasn't gone!

Who's Fierce??

2009-03-09T17:38:00.004+08:00

Sasha Is!! Don't you just ELL-OO-VEEE-EE the cover?!

I'm Jealous... My Peg!!

2009-03-09T17:25:00.005+08:00

God! How I wished my body looked like this... Eeerghhhh... This is my peg or my goal for MY body... Never hurts to dream, right??? I'm targeting April? or May?? Hmmm... 2010?? Hahaha!! Or maybe even 2011...

Oh well, PAPEL!!

Camera Applications For The Iphone

2009-03-09T16:27:00.012+08:00

My love for the "extremely hard to text on" Iphone has extended to downloading appz on the Itunes store... I recently downloaded QuadCamera, Camera Genius, and Camera Bag. All three applications serve their purpose quite well, but could be a bit slow at times... Especially Camera Genius.

Camera Genius basically tries to maximize the capability of your camera by adding anti-blur, "touch-anywhere" click, sound-clicking... and a few more seemingly useful features which ironically, I find irrelevant... But if you really analyze the application, it isn't really as useful as you might have thought it would be...

Camera Bag on the other hand is a LOMO application that translates your picture into various formats, such as Helga (which am guessing is the same effect as the Holga camera), Fisheye, Mono, an Instant Camera, and many more... It was actually at first, quite fun and interesting to try out all the settings, but after a few days, it did get tiring... I do see a few uses for a few of the options... Better than Camera Genius, HANDS DOWN!

And lastly, my favorite out of the three, Quad Camera, which takes 4 or 8 shots consecutively to catch everything while it's moving. Really nice... I use it LIKE everyday... And the camera has a whole of set of picture quaity effects such as Dull, Vivid Color, Grayscale, etc.... The only downfall to this camera is that, since at time's the pictures are taken quite fast, you end up with a few blurry pics...

Here are a few samples... I used the 4x1 format, but they have other formats such as 2x2 or 8x1 or 4x2. I strongly recommend this to anyone who'd like to make the most out of their Iphone's Camera...

While waiting for mass to start...

On the stair master... The Controls...

Stuck in traffic... Dull Effect...

Vivid... 1 minute interval of pics...

Who Did It Better??

2009-03-09T15:45:00.012+08:00

Summer's coming up, and BIKINI'S ARE EVERYWHERE...
Here's Angel and Anne looking like million dollar sex kittens in their billboards!

Loves it! Loves it! Loves it!!

The Fierce Shot! Winner ang stomach ni Anne! But cleavage ni Angel... I'm lovin both swimsuits!!

The pa-DEMURE shot... Loving Anne's swimsuit... They should've used a two piece for Angel here, but her fuck-me-pumps are STELLAR high...

The Bombshell Vixen shot! OMG! Their both steaming hot!! Can't decide!! Anne's swimsuit is hand-painted! WINNER!! But honestly...

I can't decide... Comments???

Here's extra shots of Angel... Couldn't find other pics of Anne in her Twinkle Ferraren for Freeway series...

The I'm a DONA walkin 'round my house like a GODDESS shot!

My favorite shot is this one... This is all over the Folded and Hung Stores... LOOOOOOVEEEEE!

Sweaty Hands???

2009-03-09T15:03:00.006+08:00

I have had sweaty hands (and sometimes even sweaty feet) ever since I was a kid. I have been desperate to try to find some way to minimize the sweat, but nothing has worked. It has actually stopped before, but that was when I went on a very strict and limiting liquid diet... I'm guessing, in theory, all the toxins in my body was flushed out, and somehow that cleared my sweat glands... or something something...

Anyways, I came across this video on the net a few weeks ago, and out of desperaton, I will try the treatment out tonight...

Reading the reviews, I'm going into this with a positive outlook and hopeful expectations... Kepp your fingers crossed people... HOPE IT WORKS!!

Who's Your Daddy?!?

2009-03-09T10:04:00.012+08:00

Last Sunday, I heard mass and had dinner with my parents at Clawdaddy!! I've eaten here a few times already, and can I just say, yesterday was the best dining experience I've had at any Clawdaddy/New Orleans branch to date... Just the best!!

The waiters were attentive and they gave us everything we needed without having to ask for it. The food was also quite good...

Best RIBS EVER!!

Who's your Daddy???

The complimentary corn... This was unlimited...

We got the Smoked Salmon with (correct me if I'm wrong) mango vinegarette? This was okay... Not bad, but nothing special either!

This is one of our staple orders here... Crab Maritess, which is basically crab with garlic and olive oil... Super YUM!! We got one 2KG crab. It was huge!! Perfectly cooked!!

We also got the BBQ set platter which included a slab of the YUMMIEST baby back ribs I've ever had in my life, BBQ sausages, chicken, and 3 side dishes!! This was just oh soooooo so so so so soooo GOOD!!

Our waiter Joel, who was quite attentive and knew the menu front to back, sliced the ribs tableside....

I LOOOOOVE!!!

Mommy with her Clawdaddy Bib!! They also gave us several hot towels to wipe our hands when needed... LOVED THE SERVICE!!

The trashcan in the center of the table... They also gave us a marble slab with a big ass stone to crack the crabs ol' skool style... But we did get nutcrackers as well. =)

I didn't get to take a picture of the entire restaurant cause it would be kind of rude to take pics of other people... Anyways, overall, the design of the place was signifacnt to their theme which was very "Chesapeake Bay-ish"... LOOOOOVESIT!

They had garage doors, big sardine cans, paintings... The ambiance was very fun... It's definitely a family oriented resto. =)

I would definitely comeback... Even if only for the ribs... I called the house and told them to save me the leftover ribs from yesterday... Baka the helpers might eat it...

'Til next food review. =)

Monday Blues

2009-03-09T09:22:00.004+08:00

Monday, March 9, 2009

So I'm doing things a little different today... Or better yet... I'm being indifferent today. Hehe... Hope I don't cave. =)

Anywhoo, for the past few weeks, I started to realize a few things... (1) that am bored, (2) that I miss my two best friends, and (3) that sometimes, we tend to expect too much from the people who are close to our hearts.

I miss my G1 severely... I miss having someone to call at 3pm or 2 am to bitch about what injustice I came across... She has been there with me through thick and thin. Through days of extreme low morale, to days of sky-towering happiness, she was there.

She never left...
She stayed...
Like a true friend...

Anyways, though I've always appreciated having a lot of friends (or acquaintances), I would actually be more happier, and more satisfied with having fewer friends who I can honestly say, are my real friends. I envy B's relaionship with Jah... Maybe that's what sparked this?! Anyways, I don't know... This is all a bit heavy... especially for a Monday...

So I shall stop...

Let's start the week right you guys...
Reviwe of Clawdaddy coming up...

Happy Friday!!

2009-03-06T09:55:00.008+08:00

Friday, March 6, 2009

Happy Friday you guys!!

My last day at work is a week away... God, it seems so close... Aaaargh... Am so scared... New office, new environment, new everything. I'm literally trying to mentally psych myself up for all the changes that are bound to occur. Am getting goosebumps just thinking about it...

Anywhoo, last night, I was bound for the mall to AVAIL of a long overdue diamond peel (with a facial of course). My skin has been through a lot the past few months... The colder than cold air in the office, the dirty and polluted makati ave air, the aridly dry weather... Eerrgh... How "kawawa" my skin... Gosh!! Anyways, after the treatment, my face was feeling mighty fresher than FRESH! and it was just heaven!!

I SHALL be back this coming Sunday to get some warts removed...

Isn't that just nasty?!? I didn't even know my face had 64 little warts growing and feeding on my skin... Eerrrgh... Just eeeergh.... Anyways, Sunday will be an exciting and FUN day. I'll be attending Erina's baptism, or more like the reception. I love seeing my college batchmates... They are truly a breath of fresh air... Jusssssssssst LOOOOVVVEEEE!!!

I was actually planning on wearing shorts to the reception.. errr, BAPTISM, because it was of course Sunday, which is an excusable day to WEAR SHORTS... Yes, I declared it, SUNDAY IS WEAR SHORTS day... well, at least it is for me... Anyways, before I got ahead of myself, Jho texted and asked me about the dress code... I couldn't say shorts... so I said casual... And then she said, maybe something casual, but not SO casual (huh?!? what does that even mean?!?)...

So I guess shorts is SOOOO out of the picture..

Also, this Saturday, I'll be attending a soap making class... How FUN right?!?! I've actually been excited to go to the class since I signed up for it... I hope we make good soaps... The soaps B and I bought at Ilog Maria are so nice... Really wished I would've bought more...

Right now, i'm in love with their carrot soap!! I use it LIKE everyday for my face... It feels so refreshing, and my skin feels so much smoother after, and it's smells soooooo GOOOD!! I mean, my usual facial wash (which I shall not name) costs almost Php2000, and it doesn't feel as good as the Php60 soap from Ilog Maria... It was just love!!

Hmmm... But of course I wouldn't stop using my cleanser... Can't wait for the class... By the way, you guys should also try their lip balm... It's sooooo GOOOOD!!!

And lastly, yesterday, my favorite girls from Ralph texted... They suggested that I come by because they reserved new shirts for me... One of each of the new custom fit tees in a medium... God, I love them to pieces... I guess it helps when you give your SA's gifts on xmas right?? I love them... I shall be headed to Shang this lunch to see which ones to really hold so my dad could purchase them... Ahihihi... as much as I love the Ralph SA's... I love my dad even more....

And while I'm at Shang, I'm secretly keeping my fingers crossed that they have this at Burberry...

Now, i'm really not the scarf type of guy... But if I had this scarf... I'd probably reconsider... Anywhoo... Don't you just love?!?

Til the next post... =)

Loafers Loafers!!

2009-03-04T14:24:00.008+08:00

I so love loafers... am dying for these Gucci ones.... Errrgh!! Can you say LooooooVEEEEY!!

I love the Red/Taupe/White ones!! I wetted my CKs! Just love!

If was to choose one, I'd pick the BLUE one... or the BLACK one... or the RED one... or the WHITE one... ERRRGH!!! I can't DECIDE!! I WANT IT ALL!!

Who Likes???

2009-03-04T13:51:00.011+08:00

God!! Katie looks HOOOT in these pics. I love her! Her beauty is timeless.

(except this one... I don't like this one.... She looks a bit old when she frowns... GO TEAM PIERCE!)

Pamana

2009-03-03T13:41:00.023+08:00

For dinner, B and I checked out the new restaurant offering from the Ongapauco Family. Pamana. The ambiance, the way the place was set up, the actual house was very subtle and classy... The place has the mom's house feel. Several picture frames, antique furniture were scattered all over the place... My mom would've loved the place if she saw it...

The first floor showcased Happy Ongpauco's offerings from the kitchen. Taba nang talaganka, gourmet vinegar, fruit jams, and other bottled goods were being sold.

The waiting area...

The table setting on the first floor... No plates were the same...

The wall of memories... Heart Evangelista had a few pics there... So did Donita Rose...

It was a bit too windy to stay outside.. but I loved that there was al fresco dining here...

Using a sungka gameboard for the condiment tray was a very good idea... I just wonder how long the garlic and the chopped red onion had been sitting out there...

Pinaputok Na Tilapia

Ginataang Gulay

Tagaytay Bulalo

Overall, the food was pretty ordinary... Imagine eating at Barrio Fiesta, with better ambiance. =)

Unbearable Lightness of Working?!?

2009-03-03T09:45:00.022+08:00

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

More and more everyday, I'm dreading the environment at the office... I'm not dreading the people or the actual place, but more on the feeling that am of no use. Everyday I come in and do nothing... It's like they're all just waitng for me to leave... =( Anyways, I honestly have no idea...

Anywhoo, am just going on with things... Day by day...

So as promised yesterday, here are the pics from Boutique.

We stayed at the I Dare Room.

First thing I felt was the intimacy and privacy of the room. It was Beautiful.

The bed was HUGE! With pillows to die for!!

The sofa which we used as a place for our luggage...

The perfect arsenal for a subtle and "reconnecting" night... a flatscreen, ipod dock, DVD player...

We were given a choice of 2 soaps (I picked mango butter, while B picked peppermint). We were also given a scent for the room. We got a citrus scent. It was lovely.

The room was filled with various notes... This being one of them... was a great touch. =)

Our view from the terrace.

Breakfast in bed... B got the Hawaiin set while I got the American set. It was a prefect breakfast. The tray was however a bit heavy. We almost broke the plate moving the tray outside... Hehe.

A parting gift... Cheesy but nice!

The Boutique experience was truly worth it... The ambiance, the intimacy, the privacy, and the all out service was definitely outstanding...

Will definitely come back...

By the way... There's a surprise in the closet... *wink* *wink*

Hehe...

I LOVE BOUTIQUE!!

Still On Weekend Mode...

2009-03-02T10:52:00.004+08:00

Monday, March 2, 2008

It's yet again, another MONDAY!

Mondays used to be such a happy day for me, now, it's pretty much a drag... I don't feel like getting out of bed; I don't feel like sitting in the office and hearing the "clacking" noises of the many keyboards...

Eeeerghhh...

This weekend was pretty fun for me... Though B was sick and grouchier than usual, it was truly a blast... Friday, the gang headed to Embassy for the Addidas event. Haven't been to Embassy for over a year, and I haven't been to Embassy Fly for God knows when. The place pretty much looked the same. I guess they renovated a bit and opened the old VIP area and moved the DJ booth to the other side, but overall, the aura of the old Embassy was still the same...

Emerson was dancing (yet again) and RR, was doing her salsa moves, and VGF was eyeing prospects... Definitely a good night! Just wished RR didn't lose her phone. Good karma will come her way, that's for sure! She got a new phone the next day. =) Then on Saturday, B and I headed over to Boutique... Pictures and reviews will follow, once I upload the pics...

The place/room was BEAUTIFUL.

The service was IMPECCABLE.

Love was all over the place... Was really just a place to fall in love all over again... JUST LOOOOOVE! We also had dinner at Pamana, which is also owned by the same owners of Boutique (the Ongpauco Family).

Anywhoo, full details when I upload the the pics...

Hey Hey Hey!! NOW!!

2009-02-26T11:33:00.003+08:00

Thursday, February 26, 2009

The days have been dragging this past week... It's like everything is so... "KATAMAD"!

Vicky Vs Boy

2009-02-24T10:44:00.003+08:00

Quotes taken from http://sassyqarla.com

Vicky Belo (when asked about her competition and the use of actors as well):

"First of all, I felt really bad kasi ako naman ang nag umpisa ng mga bati bati ng mga artista, di ba? And I was years ago, so I feel bad kasi ginagaya lang nila ako. Sana naman magkaroon naman sila ng sarili nilang unique, ano.. marketing ano.. And all I would like to say is, If you want to look like BOY ABUNDA, go to Doctor Calayan, If you want to look like Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual, go to Belo."

"Well said!" Mo exclaimed while laughing at his chair, and everybody in the crowd laughed. But Vicky Belo made a quick response, "Joke lang yun ha!" but Mo counter act saying that, "It's true,"

Boy Abundo's Reaction:

"On Cam mga kaibigan, sinabi ko po na long before all this artists, big stars got there into her life, I WAS THERE. BUT, we had more good times, we had more happy times than quiet times. Akala ko po maganda ang aking sinabi. Kahapon right after THE BUZZ, first caller po was Ruffa Gutierrez at sinasabi nga sa akin na kung ngarinig ko na yung sinabi ni Dr. Vicky Belo sa Central, sa kabila. Ah, hindi pa. That was the first time I was hearing it so, hanggat may text messages na pumasok po sa akin, sinabi ko, hindi naman siguro sasabihin sakin ni Vicky ito. Baka nagkakamali lang dahil malalim naman ang aming pinagsamahan at matagal ang aming pinagsamahan. At ang sabi ko nga, wala naman kaming pinag awayan ni Vicky.

NASINDAK PO AKO, nasurprise po ako. Hindi po ako makapaniwala. Luminaw na ang lahat ng mga sinabi niya, yung mga konteksto ng kanyang interview, nabigla po ako dahil I first didn't expect. Nang sinabi nga niya na If you want to look like Boy Abunda, go to Calayan. If you want to look like Dingdong Dantes, go to Belo. Ahm, dahil kaibigan ko pong matalik si Dr. Vicky Belo for many years. We were good friends, we were very good friends. I served her well as a professional. Matagal na panahon na nagsama kami ni Vicky. Vicky, if you are watching, alam mo na kahit kailan, kahit kailan, hindi ako namuhunan sa gandang panlabas dahil alam ko wala ako masyado nun. Alam mo na namuhunan ako ng lakas ng loob, sipag, tiyaga, dasal. At Vicky, wala akong ilusyong maganda. Wala akong ilusyon. Pero wala rin, wala rin ninuman may karapatan manlait sa aking pagkatao. "

"Vicky if you are watching, you know that I didn't do anything bad to you to deserve this insult. Wala akong ginawa sa iyo."

OMG! I don' know what to say...

Was Vicky Belo really looking for a war? Or does she really just want to be talked about?? My god... Who would challenge Boy Abunda?! Persoanlly, I don't like him, but isn't it a bit suicidal to go against him (am guessing Kris Aquino na rin since they're kinda good friends)...

Anywhoo, that's Filipino showbiz chikka for you...

Shame and Happiness

2009-02-24T08:37:00.015+08:00

Tuesday, February 4, 2009

Yesterday, I said i'll treat myself this March with a new bag... Well... That was, I guess, the idea...

We all met up yesterday at GB5 to basically catch up and look for B's bag in Marc... When we got there, the bag was already sold out, and it actually already went on sale a few months back... The bag was from last falls collection, but it was featured in Metro Him just recently... Tsk tsk TSK!

Is the Philippines that behind that even our publications feature items that are old and unavailable?! My god... that's a shame! Anyways, B really wanted the bag... The only duffel bag avaiable at Marc was an ash wool duffel that looked, well, kinda not worth the price... But I kind thought it was simple and quite nice... Pwedeng pang gym. =)

Good news though... We passed by Fred Perry and the Swear Collabo is now on sale... from 8++, it's down to 6++...

The Red and White Version of the S**R & Fred Perry Collabo.

I like the red, but knowing how boring I am, I would opt for the white one if I was actually going to buy it.

Anywhoo, am eye-ing some white sneakers as well in Fred Perry... They're quite reasonable at 4500. =) What do you guys think?? Should I get it?? couldn't find a pic of it... but it's pretty generic looking, but nice... By the way, I'm easily pleased... Hehe.

Royce also has a store in GB5 already... Not sure though when it opened... I do hope they don't open too many stores too quickly... I would've preferred to line up at Rockwell... Long lines are never bad for a business and a great way to build hype.

Anywhoo, like I said, I was going to buy myself a bag this coming March... But, something, (in the form of RR), happened...

And...

Well, March came early... I got the Beaubourg. =)

Some More Lovin!!

2009-02-23T17:42:00.009+08:00

Is it just me, or don't you just love these tri-color docking shoes from Bottega???

PURE LOVE AND HAPPINESS!!

Bag For March

2009-02-23T16:47:00.012+08:00

Okay... So i've been looking around, and I SHALL reward myself with a bag this coming March... I probably deserve it.. Whatchuthink???

Some of my choices...

Bottega Venetta: Ash Coated Sardegna Canvas Vachette Tote

The ash coated one isn't available in Bottega Rustans anymore... This was my first choice. Only the baby blue one

Louis Vuitton: Caxos Naxos In Taupe

You can't go wrong with Louis... But it is however, way over budget if i'll be paying for it with my own hard earned money!

Ferragamo: Maxi Logo Weekend Bag

No details available on this yet... It looks so retro and "pang matanda", but I LOVE IT!!

Gucci: Large Tote With Two handles in Orange
This isn't here yet... Sucks... Asking JP (my Gucci contact) if it's available already... Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Sigh.... LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!

I think I wet my pants... Hehe

Happy Monday

2009-02-23T15:31:00.004+08:00

Monday, February 23, 2009

So, days are getting shorter and am literally not responding to things fairly well... Hmmm... Menopausal?? Dunno... did that make sense???

Gosh, am killing thoughts with the idea of a new bag... My god! Looking for bags is sooooo ORGASMIC... Out of nowhere, i tend to smile at the sight of a bag i like... It's like a slight tickle... Only if I had so much money to burn... I'd buy them all...

I never thought I'd have a sudden materialistic urge for bags, but I do... They all look so pretty and so... LOVE! just LoooooooVeeee (hence LV)!!!

I'll post the pics of the bags i'm eye-ing soon... there's so many of them... am so EXCITED!! am looking for Bottega's number in Rustan's... Their Sardegna for 2009 looks really really NICE! It's so like... MEE!!!

Til next time...

10 Signs That You're addicted To Facebook

2009-02-16T10:17:00.003+08:00

Monday, February 16, 2009

Okay, so I did my morning ritual of going online and checking yahoo news, and one of the four headlines that came out was, "Addicted To Facebook??"

It was actually quite an interesting read...

10 warning signs that you may be addicted to Facebook

1. Facebook is your home page.

2. You update your status more than twice a day.

3. You have over 500 "friends" half of whom you've never actually met.

4. As soon as you step away from your computer you're on FB on your phone.

5. You are a FB stalker. You qualify as a FB stalker if you

a) click on someone's profile more than once a day even if they haven't messaged or tagged you in a photo.

b) have dragged and dropped more than 3 FB photos (not from your own profile)

c) actually go to a place mentioned on someone's page in hopes of seeing them in real life...creepy!

6. You change your profile picture more than a 12-year=old girl.

7. You have checked your FB page while reading this article.

8. You clean up your "wall" so it looks like you spend less time on FB.

9. You are a member of more than 10 groups and respond to every event invitation "attending"
even if you have no intention of going.

10. You change your relationship status just to mess with people.

So I guess, i'm addicted to Facebook! Hehe!

Happy Monday you guys... =)

Whoa!

2009-02-13T09:24:00.009+08:00

Friday, February 13, 2009

Today is somehwat a happy day for me... SO.... HAPPY DAY TO ME!! Sadly to say I'll be spending the day alone but I'm still quite enthused and very optimistic about how the day will progress. I shall be getting a detox wrap, a body scrub, and a body and foot massage later...

Well, that is my initial plan... Hehe...

Anyways, if you all haven't heard of the Rihanna and Chris Brown scandal, then you must be living under a rock... A photo of a badly beaten Rihanna has surfaced, but am guessing it's a fake... Anywhoo, I can't get enough of this story... I love them both equally, but Chris Brown deseves no love for beating a woman... Am guessing his career is over...

But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, let's wait and see how the story evolves and am sure the truth will come out...

What Do You Guys Think??

Redefining Moments...

2009-02-12T09:59:00.004+08:00

Thursday, February 12, 2009

At times when we're given a choice, a choice which could make or break our future, we always tend to put it aside, hoping that one day, we'd just wake up and know the right answer, right there and then...

For the past few weeks, I've been heavily contemplating about an extremely important decision. I started this blog as unemployed gym bunny, who held time in his hands, and now, I'm an employee with no time to spare. Though the change is rather refreshing and quite enlightening, something new has blossomed out of the ground. A new oppurtunity, a new, or better yet, a second chance at doing something I love (or probably loved) to do.

In my 27 years, I've come to like only a few things, working out, shopping, eating, watching re-runs of old series, baking and cooking, crying, and of course, talking. In my "new oppurtunity", I get a second chance at advertising. A career which involves so much human interaction, so much growth, emotionally and proffesionally, and ample amounts of new friends. But with new oppurtunites, comes a whole set of new problems. An unstable working environment, a new set of officemates, a new set (more likely than not) of duties (and am guessing more), and of course, the long and toxic hours.

But you know what 50 Cent says, Get Rich or Die Tryin... In my case, go for it or quit after..

Anyways, I shall be tendering my resignation today... I feel a bit sad passing it in, but sometimes we have to do what we have to do. I'm 27 and my career path is still uncertain. I'm still lost, and doing what I want to do, and experiencing what I want to experience, while I still have the luxury to do so, is a MUST. I feel more than blessed and happy to be given this oppurtunity...

I will miss Somni... Or at least, most of it...

Til next time...

Travel Cafe - GB5

2009-02-06T10:26:00.014+08:00

Sunday, February 8, 2009

It's becoming quite hard to blog in the office now... So squeezing and trying to allocate time during the weekends to show some love to my unread and might I add, unknown blog, is a must!
Anywhoo, last February 2, was my birthday... My friends surprised me on the 30th, which shall be discussed in another entry...

So, on Feb 2, B and I had dinner at Travel Cafe. I've been reading great reviews about the place and the extremely "touristic" theme of the restaurant...

In regards, to the place, I loved the ambiance!

I loved the fact that they had little videos showcasing the wonders and beautiful sites of the Philippines! I'm a sucker for anything patriotic! Hehe! I even wanted to ask one of the waiters where one of the places where on the video cause I totally missed the part where they had the name of the place.

It was a beautiful beach somewhere...

Now, on with the food!

For starters, B and I had the Chicken BBQ. This was served with some lettuce and a small serving of green mango salsa. I'm guessing we were supposed to eat this like a wrap... Hehe... B liked it. Personally, I found the BBQ flavor too strong... But, it wasn't bad. The lettuce and salsa was a good variation to this... Seemed a whole lot healthier. =)

For our next course, B had a serving of (cream of) pumpkin soup, while I had the clam chowder. Both served on bread bowls. Now, I didn't get to taste the pumpkin soup, but am guessing by the way B devoured the soup, it was pretty good.

The Clam chowder was actually quite nice as well. The flavor of the clam was fairly strong (hence the name), so beware. People who are allergic to clams, I suggest you stay away from this. I did however wish they had more potatoes and carrots in this. It was however still LOVE!

And lastly, for our main course, B had adobo stuffed with liver. I had the kare kare. Both were pretty regular and ordinary. Nothing to scream out loud for and just rave about. The adobo had the flavor of my yaya's adobo, while the kare kare lacked the "kare kare flavor" in the meat. The presentation was fairly good. Nothing over, but not scattered. Just perfect.

The service here is just great. That's what you'll really rave about here... The waiters were attentive and did everything right. they served everything course by course and waited for both of us to finish every meal before serving a new set.

Service was just great!

Also got some brochures for Bora and Palawan. Hehe. =)

Travel Cafe is located in GB5.

$15 Dollars A Week

2009-02-06T09:38:00.002+08:00

Friday, Feb 6, 2009

Okay... It's been over a week since I last posted an entry... MY BAAAAAD!!

Anywhoo, I was watching CNN this morning while slowly "eclipting" my legs on the elliptical, and I saw a feature on a guy who's living in Japan... He lives off $15 a week!? My god!! Converted to pesos, that's only like 750 pesos!?! What is he thinking?!

Hmmm.... but come to think of it, his reasons are fairly reasonable... He wants to buy a house, wants to buy a car, and of course, he wants to buy his girlfriend a bonggang bongga valentine's gift...

I was thinking about my own expenses, while slowly pacing myself on the elliptical, and I realized that I actually do tend to spend too much on my daily habits. Everyday, I have at least two large freshly squeezed oranges juices at Fruit Magic (135 each). I pay like 200-300 pesos a day on parking. Then I have like 5-10 side trips to 7 eleven a day... My god... give or take a few pesos, I spend almost what I make in a day... eeeergh... NO WONDER!!

Good thing my dad pays for gas...

Fatter Than A Cow

2009-01-26T14:36:00.010+08:00

Monday, January 26, 2009

I can honestly say that I am a bit disgusted with myself... My stomach is bulging, my legs are, yes... THICK. My face looks like a siopao. My god... I could be Judy Anne's Before picture...

Ever since work started, my dieting habits and health conciousness-NESS have gone right out the window... I mean when I started work, I still ate healthy, camote, egg white omelette, juice, and all the other things I used to eat. I guess, I just really lack excercise. =(

Ironcially, given my current over-the-super-weight dilemma, my birthday is coming up, and I can't help but look for possible birthday cakes... There's so many!! And greedily, I WANT IT ALL! or at least I wanna try it all... Hehehe...

Here's a list of all the ones I want from Karen's Kitchen:

Luscious Lemon Kiss

I LOVE LEMONS!!

The Duchess Apple Pie

Looks so good!!

Banana Cream Pie

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries, Cream and fluffy sponge... How could you ever go wrong??

Red Velvet Cake

Caramel Mousse

Salted caramel, Caramel Mousse, and rich chocolate cake... MMMMM

Chocolate Ganache

Now, I hate chocolate cakes, but looking at this... I might just end up reconsidering. =)

Please refer to their other selections at Karen's Kitchen.

In Limbo

2009-01-23T10:09:00.005+08:00

Friday, January 23, 2008

Yay!! It's friday!!

For some odd reason, I woke up with a smile and loads of hapinesss!! Don't you just love it? Cause I do... I haven't felt this way for so long... So am just all LOOOOOOV-ie DOOOOOV-ie today.... Hehe...

Well, anywhoo, I did something sneaky last night... I got an interview somewhere... Ahihi... Dunno if that's why I'm happy... But It turned out pretty well... I LOOOOOOVE THEIR OFFICE!! So LOOOVE! Anywhoo, am still thinking about the whole thing.

What to do?
What to do?
What to do?

Gosh!! I don't know!!

Am still undecided... lost... and confused... but at least the redeeming factor is am more than happy... Am ECSTATIC!! I'm guessing it'll just come to me... Hehe... It always does...

My hands are freezing... The office is honestly an ICEBOX! My freaking golly gosh gosh!
(do you all hear my purkiness?!) GOSH!

Anywhoo, might not be going to Hed Kandi tonight... I'll probably get some QT with you know who... Hehehe... Happiness!

Til the next post...

???

2009-01-21T10:19:00.008+08:00

Wednesday, January 21, 209

Am planning my birthday... Wohoo! am a bit excited! Hehe... Also have to plan my Valentine's day as well... Gosh...

Anyways, B said i should just show up on the date of my birthday... Hehe... Given how compulsive I am with things... I can't keep my mind off the obvious... THE DETAILS!

Anywhoo..

Here's a promo I saw for Valentines...

It's at the new boutique hotel on the corner of Makati Ave and Pasay Road (aka the old Mars Disco). Though the price is a bit steep, i'm pretty sure the experience will be well worht it. A five course meal, a romantic room set-up, and of course QT with the one you love.. how else could you go wrong?!? Right?! Hehe...

Though the flyer is a bit tacky, I'm betting the experience will be worth it.

Anywhoo, I'm finally going to the Boutique in Tagaytay. I've been dying to try the place since last year. GOD!! Am really excited... I was opting for the I Dream or I Lust room, but sadly, they were already booked... I ended up with the I Dare room... Hehehe!

I Loooove This!!

2009-01-18T15:44:00.003+08:00

I love this Mcdonald's commercial... I saw it like a few days ago and I was SOOOOO KILIG!! My god... It was so heartwarming and it was just so out of the the usual direction that the TVC's of Mcdonald's usually take, which is to have Sharon Cuneta eat in front of the camera... Hahahaha!!

MMFF

2009-01-18T14:53:00.010+08:00

Okay... So am extremely behind with the reviews... But better late than never... Riiiiight?! So, let's start with the much anticipated Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat.

The movie had it's moments and overall, it was quite good... It fulfilled its part with, of course, making you laugh, but it did however fail at expressing and building some type of character development. The movie to me, felt forced. It was like the producer just wanted to milk out all the remaining success of the first one, and try to bank more mula on the movie (or Ai Ai for that matter)! Ka ching- ching! How very SCREAM (Neve Campabell) or locally, Mano Po! Hahaha

Oh well, you never know... Another installment might be released... Scream and Mano Po, respectively had 4 sequels each... Hopefully, (if there will be another one) the story will be more thought out and developed. I loved the first one!! Next up... We have Baler...

The movie, if i'm not mistaken, won best picture and Anne Curtis took home best actress... Now, I only saw these two out of the 8 or 9 movies, but I believe that the awards the film receieved were well deserved, especially the best actress award. Anne curtis was just astonishing in the movie. Her acting, her presence.... It was just remarkable... My god!! Didn't know she was that good... The movie's storyline was somewhat, very Romeo and Juliet (the forbidden love factor), so it was nothing new, but I believe it was however still portrayed and acted out quite well. Jerichos' optimistic and quite passionate outlook on life made his character so attractive. He was perfect for the part...

I however found only one thing wrong with the movie... They casted that comedian (don't know his name), as one of the serious leaders. Everytime he said something serious, I, and mostly everyone in the audience laughed. And given the serious tone of the movie, they should've really just casted someone else...

Anywhoo, I actually wanted to watch One Night Only, but by the time I found free time to watch it, it was showing in selected cinemas already... =(

Oh well... PAPEL!!
Til next year's filmfest... =)

An Apologetic Bum...

2009-01-18T14:12:00.004+08:00

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Due to the sudden influx of work and SEVERITY of the drastic "new business neccesity" agenda at the office, it has come down to literally finding time on the weekend (or weekday evenings) to blog or at least post something on my blog... The past month (December), I have posted a lot on this site... At least an entry a day. I found the blog amusing, and to be quite frank, addictingly habitual (if that is a phrase).

I've been reading blogs for quite some time now, and whenever people would apologize about not blogging or finding and alloting enough time to write, I would think it was a pathetic excuse to say something on the net... BUT now... I understand...

These are people who are apologizing to themselves because I'm guessing, they love their blog to PIECES and no matter how many hits or traffic they receive in a day... Or whether the blog is popular or not... The blog has a become a part of them...

I NOW understand...

So with that, to anyone who does follow my blog or read it from time to time... I'm sorry, hopefully not for wasting your tim, but for not being able to properly maintain my site as I would've liked...

Til the next time...

Work, Work, WORK!!

2009-01-14T09:24:00.008+08:00

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Work is really starting to pile up here at... ummm... work. I'm guessing that's a good thing, hehe... Anyways, I have a few thoughts lurkng in my head and it's a bit heavy. The thoughts are a bit confusing (or maybe, I'm just confused), so I honestly still don't know how to act towards it. Ayyyy! I've been trying to weigh the pros and cons of both situations, and somehow, I honestly can't decide!!

Anyways, on a lighter note... American Idol starts today! I loove AI! Gosh... I can't wait... and to be quite honest, I can't wait to see the many rumored changes that are supposed to take effect this season.

By the way, B and I saw The Curious Curse of Benjamin Button last night... (and like yesterday, review to follow).

Will probably head straight home after work... am dying to see if Slumdog Millionaire lives up to its GG heights. Will also watch the final episode of Lipstick Jungle tonight. =( I loved the second to last episode (Lover's Leap)... Where Victory proposed to Joe... Gosh... I kept crying... I loved what she said... I looooooved it to pieces...

Here are the lines.

Victory: Don't you still want to marry me?

Joe: I do... but...

Victory: No but. Just I do. I may not be able to bank roll you mr bennett... yet... but I know how to keep you looking sharp. You own my heart, Joe. Whatever else you do or don't have, you'll always own my heart.

Joe: I know what you're gonna say, it's only money and i'm sure that you're right. The only problem is I don't know who the hell I am without it

Victory: I know who you are. You're the man I want to marry

Am actually quite disappointed and sad that they cancelled the show... I wished they would have given it more tiem to grow and establish a fan base... I do wish they reconsider and decie to keep the season going... Haaay...

Anwyays... back to work, work, WORK!!!

'Til tomorrow...

The Zest Air Accident

2009-01-13T10:17:00.021+08:00

As many may have heard, one of Zest Air's planes had an accident last Sunday. Our flight was a few minutes from boarding when the plane had the mishap. From what I heard, the plane tried to land the aircraft twice. The first time it decided to take off again (because it didn't get to land properly), while during the second try, the plane ultimately broke one of its landing wheels and well... the rest was history...

The wind was fairly strong, which most of the people considered as one of the main reasons why the plane had problems landing... Anywhoo, I just decided to post most of the pictures I took so that you guys could better visualize the chaos that was Caticlan Airport...

We couldn't get past the fences... but if you look closely, you could see the damaged plane.

These were the luggages being removed from the planes that were about to leave. *ahem ahem* the plane we were supposed to be on.

The fire truck leaving the scene...

The fire truck, with much aggresiveness, went through the gate and broke one of it doors.

The bystanders watching and taking pictues of the fiasco.

People wait in horror with a mix of excitement.

The police finally arrive.

People converge at the gate, trying to look at what's happening.

Dunno why they had military people there...

And sadly to say, the ambulance was the last to arrive...

Another wary fire truck arrives...

Luggages flood the road...

We were then transported to Kalibo airport...

We were left there to wait for the next available flight out... WHAT A DAY!!

Being stressed out, my brother and sister (with myself included) decided to kill time and monopolize on the massage services at the airport... It wasn't any good... I think I ended up with more stress and more pain on my back than when they started...

Well, at least, it productively killed time...

The masseurs massaging my brother's fat legs... My bony feet makes its debut on the right side.

It's Been A While

2009-01-13T09:12:00.007+08:00

Tuesday, January 13, 2008

It's been awhile since I've been on. Been a bit busy and preoccupied with work and a few personal matters... Hehe... Anywhoo, lemme just summarize my last week.

Monday to Thursday, I went about my business as usual... Work,morning gym (actually only twice last week), a massage on Monday, movie with B and VGF on tues (Baler), dinner again with B on Wednesday at Pollo Loco (and they do have a branch at MOA), and lastly, watched probably one of the worst (and slowest) movies of the year, The Spirit with B and VGF. Gosh! It was actually a busy week... Hehehe...

(Reviews on the movies will be up later today (not like anyone cares... Hehehe)

Anywhoo, during the weekend, my family and I took the Boracay trip that I told you guys a few weeks ago... The trip was.. ummm... So-so... Probably because half the time I was in the room sleeping bcause my head ached like a mug! My god.. Am thinking about getting checked...

Anyways, I've never been to Bora on a January. The air was cooler, the water was higher, colder, and bluer... The weather was also a bit gloomy and short drizzles were consistent (I didn't get a tan (MEGA SADNESS!)). The island could be literally disguised as a foreign country due to the amount of foreigners on the island. I barely saw locals at night or in the hotel. Gosh! VGF would've died of happiness! :-) And

It was actually darker than this...

On our early flight back on Sunday, the Zest Air (aka Asian Spirit) aircraft had problems landing in the Caticlan airport and basically had an accident. I'll post the pics on a seperate post...

By the way, am officially (and REALLY) back!!

Feels Like A Monday...

2009-01-05T10:16:00.002+08:00

Monday, January 5, 2009

Some things never change... Like today...
Feels soooo much like a Monday (probably because it is a Monday)... =(

You all know that feeling of grogginess. That feeling of "I wanna stay in bed a bit longer and not go to work today" feeling. That's what am feeling!

Anywhoo, I almost fell asleep and snored inside the sauna... GASP the HORROR! My god! "nakakahiya!" I was aware that I was sleeping but I honestly didn't know for how long. If I remember correctly I went inside the sauna at 7:45 am... When I woke up, it ws 8:15 am! GOSH! I was mortified... Hopefully, no one I knew saw me!

I'm trying to go on a diet today, but so far, it has pretty much been a struggle... To eat or not to eat! I had Teri pack me oatmeal and banana palms for lunch, but sadly to say, my lunch didn't make it to 12... the palms barely made it to 9 am, and if the oatmeal was any good, I would have eaten it as well...

Goodluck!! I need to detoxify!! I have so much alcohol and ham fat flowing in my blood from the holidays!! Ergh! I brought apple juice to work to cleanse my system, but I can't stand myself to open it... Grrrr... My stomach hurts....

=( til tomorrow.

Confessions...

2009-01-04T22:47:00.001+08:00

Just saw this... I can't wait to watch this!!

"OMG! You speak Prada!" Hahaha!!

Not Yet Ready!

2009-01-04T22:37:00.004+08:00

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Okay, so tomorrow, work officially resumes... =(
I honestly though I was ready to go back to work, but right now, now that it's so near, honestly, I"M NOT!!

God!! Tomorrow will be a very restless day... Will probably head out to the gym in the morning and workout again at night... I'll be headed to good ol' Bora on friday... So will try to shed some weight... or (probably) just FIESTA HAM WEIGHT! Hehe..

Anywhoo, I have a wedding today... My 4th friend who got married in the last 6 months... GOD! Who's next?? Hopefully not me....

Anywhoo, the daily blog resumes tomorrow...

'Til tomorrow!!

The New Year Blues...

2009-01-02T00:19:00.004+08:00

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Every January 1, I try to pay attention to every detail that I do... It is the beginning of the year, so optimistically hoping, I'd love to start if off right... I try to make everything in my room clean, neat, and very orderly. All my laundry should be done, all my clothes are ironed and properly arranged. Coins are placed in bowls, drawers and doors are opened, lights are all turned on... ETC ETC ETC!!

But somehow, something was wrong this year. My laundry was still at the cleaners, I had excess clothes in the hamper, my room wasn't as neat as I would've liked, the garbage can was missing, my stomach was bulging, my head was somewhere else, but most of all, I was sad... I was unhappy... =(

I honestly didn't know why... I couldn't figure out what was wrong??

I have all the reasons in the world to be happy today... but somehow, I wasn't... It was sooooo hard to smile, and even harder to keep it on. I had to attend the (extremely early) morning mass with my family, and then attend the mayor's ball at night... You probably couldn't imagine how hard it was for me to keep a pleasant face. Gosh, I do hope I didn't come out looking very "platicky" or "prude-ish", I'd hate people to have that impression of me cause am naturally very bright and sunny... Let alone, genuine...

Am keeping my fingers crossed that the entire year won't be anything like today... =(

Today was really a bad BAD day... I SWEAR!!
My mind was just really preoccupied with something... =(

A New Appliance!

2008-12-29T23:45:00.007+08:00

Someone gave my dad a new mini fridge...
Ummmm... I didn't know how to react to that...
We already have 3 in the house... Hehe...

What to do with it..
What to do...
Hmmm...
Am thinking...

Taaaaaaaaaah - daaaaaaaaaah!!

It's in my room... I took it.. Hehe... =)
Now all I need is a big ass flatscreen TV and i'm all set... =)

Any donors??

Koreanas! A No Kwenta Post!

2008-12-29T23:30:00.007+08:00

I work near Makati's Korean village (aka Downtown Makati).

Here are some seemingly fun and fierce Korean Girls that I took pictures of while stuck in traffic...

Don't you just love the whole Sakura (Street Fighter) look...

I felt bad for this girl.. The little boy wouldn't leave her alone... I'm guessing he kept begging for aguinaldo (or the Balenciaga bag she was holding)... Hehe...

Anywhoo, just to make things clear.. I love Koreans... I love Kimchi and Bulgogi... I am not a racist... I just happend to notice I had pics of them in my phone... Hehe... =)

Here's some trivia I learned from a friend of a friend:

One of the major reasons why Korean'sa are coming to the Philippines is because of the great weather for golfing... =)

Shusyal! Golf NA!

Kuya's Gifts

2008-12-29T23:05:00.013+08:00

My brother and sister got me a bag for xmas. I was secretly hoping for a tote, but I guess they decided I needed a duffel more. Am actually not feeling the bag yet, but I guess i'll get used to it. The red handles are a bit off for me, looks a bit feminine. Hehe. But I am very thankful.

I'm guessing this will be my new gym bag...

With that, my brother also got me a new wallet... I was asking for the graphite one, but he said, they didn't have it at Neiman anymore, so he got me the classic one...

Beside the wallet is another wallet from Tita Teng. She gave me a coach wallet, which was quite small but soft and perfect for everyday use. =)

Which one should I use first?! Hmmmmm....

And oh yeah, my brother, also got me a plain belt which is SOOOO ME! Hehe...

Thanks Kuya and Rhea...

Loved the gifts... =)

Okay... Am Officially Bored!

2008-12-29T17:24:00.005+08:00

I've never liked being idle... Even when I was unemployed... I've always tried to keep myself busy and tried to keep my head in tuned with some type of priority... Did that make sense?!

Anywhoo... As I am typing this... I am bored out of my wits... My brother and sister are here, and I can't leave the house... I can't go to the gym, I can't get a massage, I can't go to the movies, I can't go to the malls... I just can't... And furthermore, my mom is driving me crazy! I can't be in a room with her for more than an hour! I swear... I'll go crazy!!

Also, I am forced to attend some event in ummmmmmm... Delilas?!? I will drive my brother and sister there and watch the show with them... Gosh... What an eventful day?!?

My brother is stuck to his PC like a moth to a flame...

AM BORED!!

I LOVE!!

2008-12-29T14:19:00.005+08:00

Since my brother and sister are here, am trying to soak in all the internet time I can get... And here's one of the things that I found while rapidly browsing the net.

Louis Vuitton's Monogram Canvas Beaubourg!!

I have an obsession with totes bags!! I swear!! It's just pure LOVE!!!

I LOVE!!

Ay EL - O - B - E - U

2008-12-29T13:48:00.006+08:00

Gosh...

I was watching Startalk (I think it was that one) last Saturday, and I couldn't figure out whether I should feel sorry or annoyed at Hayden Kho... Gosh... The video here is the same as the one they aired on Startalk, but I think it was longer...

Anywhoo, am just amazed at how people enjoy watching other people suffer... Or better yet, amused at how interested people are when celebrities go crazy... GOD!!! The whole thing got so big and GOSH! Just... GOSH!!

Well, I guess this means more publicity for Vicky Belo then... Hehe... Even my brother wants to visit Belo Clinic next week... Haaay!! I actually wanted to walk into Zunic a few weeks ago and get a quote at how much i'd spend to get thin again... I am literally a Fiesta Ham!! (I LOOOOOOVE FIESTA HAM AND FRUITCAKE!!)

NO JUDGMENT!!

And oh yeah, have you guys seen the Alfred Vargas Liveraide TVC?? Is it just me, or has his face been botoxed too much that it doesn't move?? I can't find the clip!! Errrrrgh!!!!

The Season Coming To An End...

2008-12-29T13:33:00.003+08:00

Monday, December 29, 2008

The new year's just a few days away and I can't wait!!

My brother and sister arrived last night. They'll be here a little over a month, I think...

Anywhoo, I wasn't there to pick them up at the airport cause I had a Christmas party last night. That was FUN! Ms. Sikat (aka S.) planned a great get together! Good food! Great company! and a extremely LOUD game of twister! We should do this every year you guys... =)

Anywhoo, I came home this morning to an empty house... Which isn't at all bad because at least, I could post an entry... It's been a few days since I posted anything... My fresh from the PROMISE LAND siblings visited my dad in the "municipio" and am guessing, visited my grandma, who lives pretty near...

Anyways, I can't wait to get back to work... Not because I miss work, but because, the season seems a bit gloomy. Driving to Antel to meet B and co. yesterday seemed a bit sad. The streets were empty and stores looked closed... Everything seemed dead and silent...

Can't wait for the new year... =) I honestly can't...

Just in case I don't get to greet you guys on the day itself...
Advance Happy New Year!! =)

I'm Soooo Confused

2008-12-25T23:32:00.007+08:00

So I've already talked to my mom about getting me a camera for xmas... I should be able to buy it this week... Yay!! =)

Anyways, here's my dilemma:

Am torn between the fashionable Sony Cybershot T700 or the reliable Canon Ixus 870 IS! Grrr!! The price of both cameras pretty much lie on the same plane (the Sony being a little cheaper)... So deciding is just tooooo HARD!!

The Canon Ixus 870 IS

Everyone's telling me to get the Canon, since they are known for taking great pics... But doesn't the Sony look so much cuter and sleeker??

The Sony Cybershot T700

But the Sony is just so NIIICE!! I had the first sony touch screen one (DSC T100) and it still works... Do you see how big the screen is?? My god!! It's huge!!

Waaaaah!! Am so confuuused! HELP PLEASE!!!

Shane Mercado Does Single Ladies!

2008-12-25T19:04:00.002+08:00

Unless you've all been living under a rock or don't own a TV, then you would've probably seen (or at least a part of) Beyonce's Single Ladies video... At first, personally, I thought the video was a bit rushed and ummmm, too simple... But after seeing it over and over... and need I say one more over... The video got good... Even the song got addictive... Hehehe...

Though I didn't extend my love for the video (like Shane Mercado), I did however workout to this song one day over and over... Watch Shane Mercado's version of Single Ladies... He has it down to every single hip pop and hand wave!! I loooves it!!

It's Finally Here!!

2008-12-25T09:04:00.008+08:00

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas is finally here.

My parents and I waited for 12 o'clock to hit, and then slept. It used to be a whole lot funner, but I guess that was because my whole family was here... I already gave my parents their gift on the 23rd, so they didn't get to open anything anymore.

They, didn't get me anything.. =(

I was left to open B's gift...

B got me an ipod speaker dock. =) Hehe... Thanks B. I looooves it!!

Anywhoo, this morning, I expected to get up hearing christmas songs and people carolling in the background... But no! I woke up to the loud and "GHETTO-NESSES" noises of the loooong 4 block line that was waiting in front of our gate to get their christmas aguinaldo. My god! The line seemed never ending...

This is where they enter...

This is my secret shot of the line from the 2nd floor window...

This is where they exit...

Anywhoo, I do hope they finish before lunch because I'm trying to get out of here... I think we're hearing mass, then we just might watch a movie...

It is by the way Filmfest season... =) Dunno what to watch though... Am thinking... Maybe Baler?? but I doubt my dad would like that.... I'll seee....

And yeah, B also got me Wall-E!!

He's so CUUUUTE!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! =)

Diva and Halo By Beyonce

2008-12-24T09:33:00.003+08:00

Okay... So I guess Beyonce is releasing two songs at a time... I wonder why??

Anywhoo, I would've picked a better song from the Sasha Album... Video Phone, Sweet Dreams, or even Radio?? Of all songs... Diva?!?! I can't find a video that I could actually post on the site, but it's actually nothing special. The video, am guessing, is inspired by Lady Gaga. The shoulder pads, the futuristic shades.. God! Not lovin' the video at all...

On the other had, I'm lovin' Halo! It's one of my favorite songs off the I am... Beyonce album... The video however, is nothing special... Am a bit happy though that they didn't give the video the b&w treatment like the previous three, but it's still cheeeeezie!

Does she always have to wear a dance suit??

Anyways, check the Halo video out for yourselves...

Hope she'd start focusing on making better videos though... That should be her new year's resolution...

Enjoy!!

Broken Strings - James Morrison & Nelly Furtado

2008-12-23T00:08:00.013+08:00

In 2007, I fell in love with Jame's Morrison's Undiscovered album... It was so real! His lyrics, his whole style of singing, and of course the rawness and raspiness of his voice... It was just beautiful; it was something that I haven't heard for in a while. I was truly in love with his album... Took me more than 6 months and endless begging from people who rode my car to make me stop playing the CD. Haha!! And from time time, I still play it when am by myself... Hehe... Just great lyrics and an amazingly beautiful voice!!

Anyways, after a year, he released his new CD last October (which I got this christmas as an exchange gift), entitled, Songs For You, Truths for Me. The album is a 12 track album that lingers on the truth of life, love, and break-ups... His lyrics, like before, were well written and well thought out. And his voice still had the same rawness and "realness" like his previous album but infused a more jazzy tune/feel to it which added that extra ooomph to make some type of transition or growth from his previous album.

All of the songs on the album are actually quite good, but I guess in terms of standouts, here are my personal picks (it's actually more than half of the CD):

The Only Night
You Make It Real (the carrier single)
Please Don't Stop The Rain
Broken Strings (my favorite off the whole album)
Nothing Ever Hurt Like You
Once When I Was Little
Dream On Hayley
Love Is Hard (the lyrics are awesome!!)

And with that...

Jame's Morrison released my favorite song off the album, Broken Strings...

The song is a collaboration with Nelly Furtado, (who by the way, I miss like CRAZY, so come out with a new CD already!!). Their voices blend so well together.

The song's message was rather "optimistically-sad" (if that is a term), but it a very realistic song. The message was just out there... I loved it!! The video on the other had was bordering on being extremely cliche to being overly cheezy and corny!

But props to them both, because they both DO look pretty damn good!!

Just LOVIN' IT!!!
Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the song as much I do!! (This song is on endless repeat in my car right now... Hehe)

And as an extra, here's a live performance of the song with Keisha from Sugababes. It's not as good as Nelly's version, but it is also well sung...

Hmmm... I wonder if I listen to enough British people, I might be able to get their accent... Just a though... =)

Goes to show you that you can never go wrong with a good song... =)

Smash Into You - Beyonce and Jon McLaughlin

2008-12-22T23:32:00.002+08:00

My God!! I didn't know the song was just a remake... The original was Smack Into You by Jon McLaughlin....

Both versions have a different vibe to it, but both are equally LOOOOVE!!!

Here's a duet version that I found online... Keeping my fingers crossed that they do release an official duet!!

Lovin' it!!

Jon McLaughlin and Beyonce Duet

And also, here's the original version by Jon McLaughlin!! Greatness!!

Jon McLaughlin Version

Enjoy you guys!! =)

A Relaxed Friday...

2008-12-22T13:43:00.010+08:00

For the past few weeks, I've been trying to scout and finish my Christmas shopping... I'm 2/3's done which is quite a relief for me... I couldn't be anymore happier...

Last friday, VGF Jon and I went to the annual Karl Edwards bazaar to look at possible gifts in the hopes of stumbling upon some rare finds... Our other friends were MIA cause of their office XMAS parties... =(

We ended up buying utensil holders from one of the "kuchi-kuchi" stalls there. Aside from that, I also got a top for my mom from, wait for it... "Glam Couture". Hehe... It was a very nice top, which somehow would've made my mom look skinnier, well, that is if it would've fit... Hehe... But it didn't... So in short, the top will probably be given to my sis.

Anyways, VGF and I ended up at Boni High and browsed all the stores there and the stores on top of Serendra. I bought some necklaces at Souk and a simple halter top/dress for Rhea. I also saw some really nice rain boots, which I was more than excited to fit and buy, but given how judgmental people here in the Philippines are, I opted to just oogle at them.

Anyways, we had dinner at Pasto, which was just a bit overwhelming. We ordred a lot, or more like, I ordered a lot! Hehe! An order of crostini/dip, two pastas, and a large pizza... Gosh... I'll discuss it in a later post...

Anyways, RR joined us after dinner and we all ended up at Theodores. Their sale was still on going so most of the stuff was 40%. Anywhoo, I ended up picking up two Swear (S***R) shoes.

You like??

I am however starting to regret buying the silver ones because they are a bit on the flamboyant side, and like Lau said, silver was SOOOO OH OH LAST YEAR!

Anyways, what do I now about fashion right? ABSOLUTELY Nothing!

El Pollo Loco - Megamall

2008-12-22T12:48:00.011+08:00

Circa 2001-2002, I loved megamall...

Dunno why... Maybe I had fewer needs and not so great expectations for material things, but I loved Megs (Mega's nickname). Through the years, more and more malls popped up and mushroomed all over the Philippines and made Megamall quite obsolete and a haven for an overly stressful shopping experience (probably due to the massive amounts of traffic and just plain out YUCKY vibe of the mall)...

Last week, during my sudden MIA, I was craving for El Pollo Loco (EPL)... One of the (now) very few reasons that's left to visit Megs. EPL is located on the ground floor of the mall (National Bookstore side), beside Wendy's. God, I was so craving for it that after 30 minutes in the gym, I packed up and drove to Megs... Being stuck in a state of "laidback-ness", I was in no mood to race and make haggle the people for parking spaces... So I proceeded to the very top level and parked effortlessly in one of the many available spaces... This is a decision I will soon regret...

Anywhoo, back to the main focus of this entry...

El Pollo Loco. =)

I ordered their 2 piece chicken meal with 2 regular sidings and two tortillas. I added extra salsa which is definitely a must when eating here...

The two piece chicken with spanish rice and coleslaw! Yum!!

The salsa was very refreshing and tasted like it was made on the same day! Perfect!!

After a very good dinner, I went around the mall and scouted for possible gifts.

Wasn't able to get anything... =(

So here's one of the major reasons why I dislike Megamall:

I left the mall at 10 pm... I was parked all the way on the 5th floor... Cars were jammed everywhere... Given that there was only one exit, you would think people would line up in an orderly and civilized fashion. BUT NO!! People on every floor (aside from the 2nd I think), were trying to cut in line which made people wait longer and longer...

I got out of the mall parking lot at 11:15 pm... Doesn't that just wanna make you shoot people's tires and break their headlights?!?!? God!!

People here are so "bastos"!

Vacation Mode

2008-12-22T10:28:00.006+08:00

Monday, December 22, 2008

For the past two weeks, i've been a bit on the down side... My body's been quite uncooperative, my head's been hurting, my eye's have been dreaming and trying to close every chance it could possibly get...

Simply... I've just been tired...

The whole merriment and the whole "let's eat ourselves dead" motto of the season has taken over and has made me, sadly to say, lazy... Right now, as I type away, I am dreaming of lying in a big whirlpool with boiling hot water and extremely strong water pressure circling my (now) extremely fat body and just resting (hopefully til I die).

I want to relax. That's basically all I want to do right now... Relax, relax... RELAX!!

So I'm offically on vacation mode...

I can't wait til the 24th... 2 weeks of doing nothing... Or at least two weeks of not working and hopefully 2 weeks of thinking about no one but myself... I plan on pampering myself silly... Even if it means breaking the bank open and spending more than I should on spa treatments...

I will be pricked, wrapped, rubbed, exfoliated, cleansed, but most of all, I WILL BE RELAXED... I'm so ready!!
Can't wait!!

A Little Too Not Over You - David Archuleta

2008-12-17T11:23:00.004+08:00

This has got to be my favorite song from Archie's album... The beat is so pop/r&b! The lyrics are simple which makes it so "addictive" and easy to sing too... Hope this makes an impact on the charts!

And YES!! This video is sooooo OH-OH Jesse Mccartney!! The whole concept and production has Jesse McCartney written all over it!!... But I still find the video quite cute in a "candy-pop-ish" type of way...

I'm Back!

2008-12-17T09:25:00.005+08:00

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Good Day Forward this Picture

After a two day hiatus (probably due to some lethargic bug floating around the office), I'm back... The past two days have been anything but productive. I was a bit more lazy than usual at work; I didn't get to go to the gym (due to the sudden increase of cars everywhere). I strolled around the mall hoping to find gifts for the 20 helpers in the house, but sadly, I ended up leaving the mall empty handed... Haaaaaay.

All in all, the past two days were really disappointing...

Anywhoo, on a better note... I finally got my car back today! Yay!

For the past week, I've been driving the Mazda. I hate that car. It's a bit too small for me. I prefer my cars BIG!! Hehe... Plus, the cargo room is quite small...

Really happy I got my baby back... And she's all fixed up and ready to go!

The CD player is working again! Yay!
The damage in the front is fixed! Yay!
And yes, while it was at the casa, I got it tuned up na rin!!
YAY!!

Smiles all around!

IT'LL BE A GOOD DAY!!

I was singing like a mad man to Miley's album in the car!! I'm sure anyone who would've seen me would've gotten a good laugh... So smile if you saw me on my long drive to the office... I drive a red SUV (with no tint... Haha!)

Anywhoo, B and I won't be able to watch a movie today... Something came up... Oh well (papel)! I could probably try to do something productive (keeping my fingers crossed!!), I guess, like go to the gym or buy my siblings their gifts... I'll probably pass by Rockwell before heading out to Ortigas again.. Let's hope the traffic won't be as bad as yesterday... Hoping for the best...

And while we're on that subject, can I just say... The traffic was horrendous yesterday! It took me 2 hours from work (Makati) to get to the gym (Ortigas)! MY FREAKIN' GOD!! Da HELL!! So am guessing, panic shopping mode has voraciously hit the people (of Ortigas) already! Help me GOD!!

Anywhoo... I have ton's of things to make kwento A-BOUT...
Tons and tons of things...

Will be up by the end of the day...
Right now, i'll finish this karaoke chain letter that I got from VGF Jon...

Let you guys know my score (on the Karaoke chain letter) later...

A Lazy Monday...

2008-12-15T22:44:00.003+08:00

Monday, Decmber 15, 2008

It's payday today...
So why do I feel broke??
Or maybe, I'm just broken down...
Hmmm... I don't know...
I'm too tired to expound or elaborate on anything...
Too lazy to think and make my mind work...

Tomorrow, will be better...

I hope...

Happy thoughts...

I hope...

What A Great Year...

2008-12-14T20:30:00.004+08:00

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Today, I spent the entire day at home...

My body was too tired to go to the gym to try and workout all those calories I've been taking in. I've been too exhausted the past few weeks to even move at times. I told good friend Jon about it and he felt the same exact way. He asked if we were getting old? I honestly didn't wanna say yes, but the truth of the matter is, we were, or better yet, we are (getting old).

Time is inevitable.
Time is on-going.
And maybe at times, we try to close our eyes in hopes that time will just stop, only to open them again and realize we've wasted 5 minutes of our day with our eyes closed hoping that time would stop...

But, as we all know, it hasn't...

2008 is almost over and like every December for the past 4 years, I've reflected about the year. I've reflected about the changes that happend; the new memories that have been engraved in my heart; the friends that I said goodbye to this year; the many awkward moments that I have experienced; and of course, I've come to realize the vast new oppurtunities that are before me.

Now, I probably won't go into details with certain things, because I guess, it is quite personal, but I believe 2008 has been a good year for me. It has been a good year for my family, and I think it was a good year for new and humble beginnings for my friends. But with that said, I'm actually more than happy to see 2008 go. I'm ready to see it go in the sense that, i'm done with new beginnings, I wanna live life, start life, and I wanna embody life.

I'm ready to begin...
I'm ready to live.

Before, being unemployed, I took into account my frivolous ways. I realized how careless I was. How immature and irresponsible I was... Now, that am working (even for just a month), I've come to see how lucky I was, and how much I took my "lucky" life for granted... I always had time to spare. I always had energy to burn. I always had patience to see the day through. Now, all of that is slowly passing and going away. And in my opinion, that neccesarily, isn't a bad thing...

I've had a few hardships in life, and I think I was brought up properly by wonderful and more than great parents, who through severe hardships and countless obstacles, somehow managed to come out on top, or at least somewhere near there... We've come across nasty people who amidst scandals, only tried to belittle us and somehow dig a deeper hole for us... And, maybe that is the realities of life...

Life isn't pretty.
Life isn't pink.
Life shouldn't be so easy...

So with that, I will try to work this year.
Work hard, and try to show my dad, that I can...

That I can be more than just his little boy who used to give him a kiss for 20 pesos...

I can...

So here's to the few remaining days of 2008...

What a wonderful, wonderful year it was....

Cheers.

One Of My Many Loves!!

2008-12-14T12:54:00.006+08:00

Meet Lexie!!

My sister's dog... She's been away for almost a year so i've been taking care of him for the past months... I just got him cleaned and cut... Isn't he (the most) adorable??

Oh so GWAPO!

He looks like a stuff toy here... Hehe...

In-Yo Fusion Cuisine

2008-12-14T09:54:00.030+08:00

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008

B and I had dinner at In-Yo Fusion Cuisine.
I've been dying to eat here since March of last year. Due to it's location (Quezon City), I've been postponing my visit 'til there was some excuse to be in the area.

Well, today there was a very very GOOD reason... *wink* *wink*

Today, we planned to finish our Christmas shopping so that we weren't rushing next week. God! Behold the number of crazy and wild Christmas shoppers in the malls next week. Am sure the gift wrapping section will be pandemonium, let alone the expected long lines at the grocery and at the local department stores. Arrrghh... And don't get me started on THE parking a.k.a chaos in a box!

Anywhoo, B and I headed to Tiendistas to buy the frame for the dining room. It was still there (thank God, or else I wouldn't have heard the last of it from B!). Hehe... So we we're planning to go to Metrowalk after Tiendisitas to check out the store, (I think), of Gary Dulatas (hope this is correct). The stall carries imported items from McQueen, Evisu, and a few other brands (that am guessing, they bought from their many travels). Anyways, that plan was scrapped when we saw the traffic on Julia Vargas. We headed over to the new bigger and better Podium a.k.a Eastwood Mall! Hehe... I'll talk about the mall in a later post. Today, it's all about In-Yo!

Anyways, I'll speed track a bit and get right down to business...

I made reservations for today at 7:30 pm. We however, arrived at 6:30 pm, and suprisingly, we were happily accomodated and seated on the second floor of the quaint and homey place. The whole ambience was so perfect. The background music, and backdrop, the whole feel of the place was just perfect. (LOOOVE!!) My expectations, place-wise, was pretty much met. I did however imagine the place to be much bigger, because from the pics that I saw online, the place seemed a lot like Prioes Cafe (garden-wise) in Fernwood Gardens. But to be quite honest, being smaller doesn't neccesarily mean it's a bad thing. I liked the place! The fact that it was smaller made the place even more intimate and so much more conducive for those subtle nights of blissfull "memory-making". Hehe...

The stairs going down to the first floor...

It's pretty much an UPGRADED FAT MICHAEL'S!! Looove!!

The second floor dining area...
We were at the table at the far right (by the window).

So moving on...

Let's go to the most important thing on the agenda... THE FOOD!!

I'm no food critic. I am just someone who loves to cook, bake, and EAT! And with that, all I can say is that the food they served was a taste of HEAVEN! It surpassed all my expectations and definitely lived up to all of the rave reviews people had about the food. Though it was a bit pricey, I would've gladly paid twice the amount of our bill because the food was just oh so-so-SO-SO great!! The only thing that I could've probably suggested is that they improve thier wine list and add a wider and extensive selection. We were sadly just forced to pick red or white. Urrgh...

So with that, here's our first course:

The Oven Baked Sushi Prawn Roll.

I wanted to try the Trio of Foie, but sadly B didn't feel like having it tonight, so we opted for this one which didn't disappoint at all. The flavor of the nori and the baked prawn was perfect. And that cream on top was a slice of heaven.

God! What was that?! Yummmm!!! The dressing they used for the salad was also very good. I loved it!! Guess i'll have to try the Foie on our next visit. =)

Next on the menu was the Soup of the Day (pumpkin soup)... (no picture due to an overexcited blogger, hehe). The soup came in a small mug with a cloud of froth 2/3 past the cup. This was nothing special, but it wasn't bad. I found it a bit bland at first, but after adding salt and pepper. The taste was just right. LOVE!

And then, dum daradam!

The main courses...

I had the Honey-Glazed Salmon with Wasabi Mashed Potato.

This was truly to die for. The salmon steak was tender and cooked to perfection. B never eats salmon, but I was forced to give B half of it (need I say more??) In short, it had LOVE written (or more like grilled) all over it. The mashed potato was also a dream! If you've been following the blog, you would've probably realized that wasabi is one of the many simple pleasures I deeply hold in life. This was just perfect. I could've definitely had more.

B, on the other hand had the Hanging US Tender Steak with Veg and Cheese Risotto.

The steak was perfectly grilled to medium-well. I preferably would've had it rare though. Hehe... Like I always say, steaks are meant to have blood. Anyways, this was also good. Though I thought it was quite thin, the serving was pretty large. The cheese risotto was nothing special, I would've probably preferred a mushroom or asparagus one instead. Hehe...

And for dessert, we had the Mango Pavlova. Being a pastry major, I've preferred, more often than not, to end every meal with something sweet; something to balance the palette's endless number of emotions. This was quite good... Though I would've thought it should've been called a Mango Cannanogi (did I spell that right), minus the name, it was the perfect ending to a sinfully wonderful dinner.

This was truly a great place!

Given the limited number of tables and seats, always remember to make reservations before coming here.

Happy Eating!!

Restaurant Info:

In-Yo Fusion Cuisine, Katipunan
66 E. Abada St. (behind Katipunan Ave.), Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 928-6459

Pic Of Tom's Shoes

2008-12-14T09:45:00.003+08:00

I posted a quick little note about Toms Shoes arriving at Anthem in GB5.
Couldn't post the real pic I took because for some odd reason my computer in the office can't upload any of the pics from my Iphone...

Anyways, to those who are interested, here's the shot...

Toms Shoes in GB5

Quarantine - Scream 'Til There's No Tomorrow!

2008-12-13T12:01:00.003+08:00

Last friday, the gang minus VFF Earl saw Quarantine at G4.

Though my eyes were closed or tucked under my hoodie half the time, I found the movie enjoyable and very"nakakagulat". The movie had me screaming and jumping out of my seat more than I can remember. As Lau said, the movie was a cross between Resident Evil and Blair Witch Project. The treatment and somewhat "live" feel of the movie was perfect for the entire story. I wouldn't give the story applause or any kind of award, but I do however find the ENJOYABILITY factor of the movie very good and something that your "barkada" would enjoy seeing together...

Go watch it!
Just be prepared to scream out loud!

Enjoy!

On The Lighter Side...

2008-12-12T12:17:00.005+08:00

I got three shirts yesterday from Ralph... Hehe... They said that they missed me cause they haven't seen me for like a month... I told them I missed them as well... Glad to be back... Hehe... Though they informed me that they haven't gotten new shirts in my preferred fit (custom fit), I still managed to find some nice preppy stripes that I'm guessing, would probably always be in style (Hopefully!)

And as a plus, I love friendly sales people... Makes me wanna buy more! Keep up the good work sales people of Ralph Lauren Shangri La! Applause. =)

Also, I finally found time to watch the final episode of Gossip Girl for December... Next one I think will be on January 5. All I can say is, OH MY GOD!! AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JAN 5 EPISODE!! Hahaha!! It was a very heartwarming and touching episode, but was also frustrating and, ummm... ANNOYING at the same time!! GRRR... I won't give any spoilers, but it was a good episode... =)

A Bit Of Annoyance...

2008-12-12T10:42:00.003+08:00

Friday, December 12, 2008

Am more than disappointed that the whole week I did nothing but rant and vent out my problems and disappointments... Today, my daily serving of venting is on an issue that I am quite strict about... money...

Financially speaking, my family is quite okay (NOW). I mean, everyone in family has a set of nice watches, expensive jewelry, nice bags, a (good) car for each of us and a spare for days of "coding"... I mean who wouldn't be contented right? Haaay...

Like I've said in a few previous posts, I am very simple and not all all materialistic. I can live off the Gap and cheap juices. I can live off low quality steaks and liver pate... I can live off Neutrogena and impostor cologne (okay, maybe not that..) In short, I am simple... But quite frankly, what's up my ass today is, after receiving an email from someone close to my heart, I find out that some things never change. Some things that I thought would've (and more than likely SHOULD'VE) been settled and quite done with and resolved (over and over and over). I can't and probably won't go into details... But I feel extremely terrible for him...

My message for him:

Be strong but caring.
Be firm but always fair.
Be rational and stay practical.
Be loving but remember your means...

Discipline isn't an act of hate,
It is an act of love...
And lastly,
Life is only as hard as we make it...

'Til Tomrrow...

Kung-Fu Shoes Anyone??

2008-12-11T16:23:00.024+08:00

I'm quite boring and conservative when it comes to shoes (or is it really my fashion sense as a whole who's just plain boring and conservative?? Right _(fill in the blank)_?! Hmmm...) I'm definitely not one to spend P10K++ on footwear, but maybe in time, I just might... Hehe... I mean, the most impractical and expensive thing that I've probably bought was... I think... a P9500 collared tee... Hmmm, dunno why I bought it though.

Anyways, moving along...

Last night, while walking around GB5 to finish my christmas shopping, I saw something that caught my eye right away! B and I passed by Anthem and I saw a new line of shoes there... It was Toms shoes. They offer very simple and quite comfortable shoes... Perfect for everyday casual wear I think... Perfect for my ("so-called" sense of) style. Actually, I bought something similiar to it in Bangkok when I visited last July. B calls them my kung-fu shoes or my ballet flats (ahahaha!). But no matter how much they've been mocked by a few of my friends, I still wear them and love them to pieces! Hehe.

Anywhoo, I opted not to try them on last night, hoping that I'd finish my Christmas shopping first so that I could finally start shopping for myself (I made a pact (with myself) that I wouldn't buy a single thing (for myself) until I finished all my shopping), because knowing how I am, I would've ended up buying them... Hehe...

So it was a pretty good thing I didn't (or so I'd like think)...

This morning, while my terrible headache was secretly trying to kill me or gasp, ruin my day, I couldn't get the thought of those shoes out of my head... They were beautiful (or so, I thought (and still think) they are)... So I gave in, and drove down to GB5 during lunch and tried the shoes on... My plan to buy two out of the three colors turned to zero out of the three because sadly to say, they didn't carry my size (us-11 eur-44). Sucks!! Anyways, had my brother order them in the states already... So am excited!

These are a few of the styles on the website:

The ones available in Anthem though are in the following colors/styles: Natural, Dark Green, and Gray Plaid

They sell for 2650 each...

EXTREMLY LIMITED SIZES!! THE BIGGEST SIZE THEY HAD WAS 10

AVAILABLE ONLY IN ANTHEM GB5.

Called all the other Anthem stores, and sadly to say, they don't carry the shoes. They came out early last week... So get them while they're still fresh. I will have to wait for my brother first... =(

Grrrr... I really really want them!! Guess I'll get the advans in SM first! Sucks!! Btw, the ones I bought in Bangkok was only 150 baht... But of course the quality of this is sooo OH-OH much better...

Check out their website HERE.

I'm sooo loving and feeling their cause! Makes me love them even more!

Toms Shoes' cause:

"For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. One for one."

The Attack of the MSG Infused Paksiw!!

2008-12-11T10:27:00.007+08:00

Thursday, Dec 11, 2008

I woke up today with a heavy hangover. A hangover from a bowl of Lechon Paksiw and a mighty big serving of "ginataang kalabasa" from Ebun. YUUUUM! It was quite good actually, but on my way home, I had this throbbing pain building in my head...

Did the food have MSG?? God... I've never felt this much pain since I last ate at Superbowl! I slept right away when I got home (by that time, the pain was intolerable)... Kissed my parents goodnight (pleasantly surprised that my Dad was home), changed into my hanes and dozed off...

When I woke up, the pain was still there... I almost called in sick for work, but I hesitated since I only allowed myself only two absences a month... Hehe... But I was however, an hour late for work... =( Oh well... That's what I get for indulging too much good-"bad"-food.

It's a slow day...
ACTUALLY, it's been a slow week...
Been wishing for Friday since umm... last monday...

Anyways, I'm still a bit light headed... and quite slow moving...
Til tomorrow...

And oh yeah, my dad never ceases to make me laugh and make me realize how badly they think of me... He came up to me this morning and said...

"Nakainom ka nanaman kagabi ah."

I didn't say anything anymore... Didn't feel like proving him wrong today... =)
Maybe later (that is, if he's home). =)

Madison Grill

2008-12-10T10:13:00.013+08:00

Last Saturday, before RR bought her first designer wallet, we all headed to Madison Grill to have dinner. I've heard great reviews about The Trinoma Branch, but never had the chance (or more like gather the will to drive all the way down there)... Thank God they brought it to Makati! Now it's even more accesible... Hehe...

If I'm not mistaken, Madison Grill, M Cafe, and Chelsea have the same owner, or same chef... Kindly correct me na lang if I'm wrong... Anywhoo, I love all three restaurants... I actually had dinner at Chelsea the night before (Friday). Hehe.. As always that was great... I love the Garlic spread that they served whenever you fiish ordering... Just never forget to ask for salt when it's there... It does a great job of enhancing the flavor!! Just love!!

Anywhoo, back to Madison Grill... I would definitely recommend it to anyone... Though we didn't order any steaks or anythign from the grill, (which I'm guessing is probably their specialty), we all enjoyed the food... good thing Jah-Jah Was there... She loves taking food pictures... I, on the other hand don't... Hehe...

**Note**

The names aren't accurate since I didn't take notes... Hehe...

Am naming out of memory and taste.

Freebies

Sun-Dried Tomato Foccacia with a Oil Diluted Pesto Dip!

I could've had more of these... Yum!

Appetizer:

Spinach Crisps with a Rich Tomato Paste-Like Dipping Sauce

This was awesome!! The best out of everything we ordered...

The Tom Yum Pizza!

OMG! It honestly tasted like Tom Yum soup... Just great... the toppings were overflowing... and I honestly couldn't say one bad thig about this...

The MAIN COURSES:

Beer Battered Fish With French Fries And Some Type Of Aoli.

The fish was so succulent! My god... Jus thinking about it makes me hungry... God!!

Seafood Linguine with Tomato and Vodka Sauce.

I was actually a bit hesitant to order this, but B wanted it, so I got it... It was good, but I think it lacked something... I couldn't get any of the vodka in the sauce... Was the only thing we didn't finish... Maybe because it came last... =)

The Rosemary Roasted Chicken

We ordered two half chickens (so that makes one whole chicken, hehe). This was the first one that came... And we devoured this like hungry street children begging for coins... It was cooked to perfection. The meat was literally close to coming off the bones and the flavor of the rosemary was heaven!! Love!!

The Maple Roasted Chicken

This was the other half of the chicken. We actually renamed it to hamonado chicken or pancake chicken. Hehe. The flavor of the maple was rather strong, and in my opinion was the weaker out of all the dishes we ordered... The maple, I think candied the chicken making it hard and feel over cooked (which I'm guessing, wasn't). We actually finished this as well, eventhough it wasn't as good as the others...

All in all, the experience here was great... I would definitely be back...

My food reviews really do no justice whatsoever to the excellent food that they served... It was truly a wonderful night of food... Love it!!

And after doing my research, I found out that the chef from Madison Grill Trinoma, Chef Loujay Jurilla (a very good friend of my cousin Pamy) is the one who revamped the menu... God! I was supposed to have an interview with him for a pastry chef position...

Gosh, really wishing now that I went... Am starting to be a fan...

Maybe I should ask Pamy to try to pull some strings again... Hehe

Breaking the Routine...

2008-12-10T09:18:00.003+08:00

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008

I broke my routine today...

I went to the gym at 6:30 am... Wow! That felt different... For the past 2 months, I've been a bit tired and too exhausted to hit the gym for more than hour... Been too lazy and too bored to work out after work... I don't know if it's the lethargic mechanical duty of sitting down and barely speaking to anyone for 8 hours, or if it's the extremely cold temperatures in the room that makes me too tired to workout at night, but I honestly just can't lift those damn weights...

So today, I tried something new... B and I will be hittng the mall after work to hopefully finish our Christmas shopping or at least try to get past half of the names on the list, because am quite certain that in no time, Christmas will be right around the corner asking for those wonderful, well thought out gifts... Hehe... So anywhoo, I had the idea of waking up at 5:30 am today so that I could get to the gym by 615-630 am, and hopefully be at work before 9 am... My intial thought was that, I'd be too sleepy or too lazy to go lift some weights... Boy was I wrong...

I was up and about at 515... My lunch was already packed by Teri who by the way, am soooo OH-OH appreciating (she's gonna love her gift!). Got to the gym at 615, as expected and started working out... I got to do everything! and I wasn't as tired and lazy as I normally would be... Hehe.. I was definitely, pleasantly surprised..

I guess I'll be trying this routine for a few weeks and hopefully, I'll see if it suits me... =)

With that, I'll give my Top 5 Reasons (Observations) Why Working Out Before Work Is Better.

1. Your body is awake earlier, and you'll most likely be more active throughout the day...

2. Fewer people working out, and most of the ones who ARE working out, are working on a time frame, meaning the turnover of the machines and the dumbells are quicker and faster... PLUS, fewer people to irritate you because they're texting whilst resting on the machine or talking to their fellow gym members while people are waiting on them to finish their business.

3. Since there's a time frame for the people working out, most of them could care less about each other... Which in my opinion is the best way to work out... No hassles and no worries...

4. There's not as much traffic... I'll admit that I do live quite far from civilization. 45-60 minutes away to be exact... And with that damn morning traffic, my drive usually extends to 75-90 minutes (if I'm lucky)... Which to be quite blunt about it... SUCKS!! So now, given that I get to the gym at 6:30 am and finish by 8-8:30am, i'll get to work shortly before 9 because the gym is oh-so close to my office... =)

5. I can actually do more things at night... Like pass by the mall, do my weekly "clothing-holds" at Ralph, or just meet up with friends and have a grand ol' time... Isn't that just great?? It's like I got a part of my day back... Yay!

Anywhoo, none of the bosses are here yet... Hehe...
Hopefully they'll be late again... Keeping my fingers crossed (just playing).
I love my bosses... Well, almost all of them...

Anywhoo, 'til tomorrow...

One Clear Sign That It's Christmas Time...

2008-12-09T23:28:00.009+08:00

The MMDA are scattered everywhere...

Probably trying to make an extra buck for their NOCHE BUENA...

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk...

I've been using this intersection for the past month, and not once was there a police officer here! Now there's two!! GOD!!

I take extremely terrible pictures with this phone... I totally missed the MMDA! Can you guys see him?

If you guys were standing beside me, you'll see 4 MMDA's at the end of the street with 4 other guys to check your car's pipe exhaust... GOSH!!

Btw, this all within a two block radius!! My god!!

Now I know why they call them "buhaya!".

So be extra careful my fellow drivers!! Good thing my dad could always back me up.. Hehe!!

Some Great Gift Ideas!!

2008-12-09T09:36:00.016+08:00

Buying gifts for our loved ones is one of the hardest things to do... Well, it is for me... Like I've said in a previous post... Buying gifts for people should be given plenty of thought and should be chosen especially for the person you're giving it to. Something that they'd want or probably need.

Gift certificates, handwash, mugs, gift baskets, picture frames... Their all good as regular gifts... Gifts for people... ummm... we HAVE to give gifts to... Gifts that require no thought and hold no sentimental value... Personally, I like giving (and receiving, hehe) gifts that I'll remember from time to time... Gifts that make me say, wow, "I thought about buying that." Those are the gifts that I would greatly appreciate... I do hope you all catch my drift... Hehe.. =)

Anyways, with that, here are some wonderful gift ideas that I would consider giving to people:

1. Kiehl's "Ultimate Man" Body Scrub Soap

I love this soap... The scent is totally refreshing and the light "exfoliators" embedded in the soap is a real treat... It also has a cooling effect which I love love... LOOOOVE!!! Pefect for those after workout showers!!

Price: If I remember correctly... 750-800... (the bar lasted a little less than a month (2-3 showers a day)) It's well worth it!!

2. Nalgene Water Bottles - The BPA-free ones

Ever since I was introduced to Nalgene 4 years ago... I've been a fanatic... I've told all my friends about it and heavily advertised it's durability... I once dropped if from our rooftop (our house is 4 floors), to see if it would break... It didn't... It was however scratched... Which isn't bad at all... I love it... I have two of these...

Be careful though not to place it in the freeezer with water... It's durable, but it does have a tendency to expand... Hehe... My second one did... Sucks... But I still LOVES it!

Price: Ranges from 675-1250, depending on the size and style (my suggestion is, the bigger the better)

3. The Body Shop's Lip Butter Line

I am an enthusiastic lip balm-lip care-lip gloss lover... I am infatuated and truly in love with the wonder and beauty that is THE LIP!! So with that, these are one of the inexpensive yet very "orgasmic" lip balms that I've tried... Try it and see for yourself... I actually prefer the original flavor, the papaya. That was heaven... My lips felt so good afterwards... Almost felt the same as my ultimate favorite lip balm by Ole Henrikson... Now that was to die for...

Price: 295 (I think)

4. Shiseido Men's Eye Soother Gel

God! I swear on this!! Actually, I swear on the entire Shiseido Men's line... I LOVES!! Hehe... I would actually appreciate anything from the men's line (except the ab defining gel, which by the way, DOESN"T work at all!! What a waste). Anywhoo, the eye soother is probably what most people would appreciate (and it's the cheapest amongst the entire men's line)... I mean, who doesn't have dark circles? or tired eyes? Even the "pinaka" well rested person has bags and dark circles from time to time... This does wonders... after a day of using this, your eyes will definitely feel and look a whole lot better.

Price: 1550

5. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1

If there's a few things Kiehl's is famous more, it's their Lip Balm #1. Try it for yourself... It's fairly cheap and quite reasonable... Say goodbye to chappy lips.

Price: 450 or 495, not quite sure...

6. Fully Booked Planners

The new year is upon us which mean, new goals, new plans, new aspirations, but most importanly, a whole new year, meaning a whole new calendar system... Though am not a consistent planner user, I do however, end up buying one every year at Fully Booked at the hope of actually using it and planning my week (or life??)... Hehehe... And they're quite attractive with various themes, covers, and designs which I would imagine, could suit and fuflfill everyone's taste... And they're pretty inexpensive as well...

So it's truly a perfect gift for the holidays... =)

Price: Ranges from 650 - 1800

7. Philosphy's Mr. GingerBread Man Hot Salt Scrub

From time to time, we all DO need to scrub our bodies... Take 30 mintues out of our day, at least once every two weeks, and scrub that dirty-nasty dead skin off. Hehe... It can however get rather tiresome from time to time, and I'll admit that I don't get to do it as much as I used to, but I would if I could muster the energy to stand up and head for the bathtub to do the deed... Hehe. The benefits of this is quite visible... You'll see the results and feel all smooth and pampered right after taking a shower... Perfect before heading to bed or before getting that body of yours out in the sun to get a tan...

Btw, the scent of this is so refreshing... The others I've tried from Philosophy's hot salt line are pretty okay as well, like the mint and the candy cane. Am thinkng of buying the margarita after my two jars of Mr. Gingerbread man is finished...

Price: around 1550 (I think)

So far these are my ideas... Will add more if I think and see anything else...

Hope it was helpful...

'Til Tomorrow. =)

Desiderata - Max Ehrmann

2008-12-08T15:29:00.006+08:00

This poem was sent to me by my BFF who, I'm hoping isn't lost, but pretty much unsure of her future goals... Life is rough.. Break-ups are rough... And I couldn't be any more proud of how she's coping with whatever happend...

Life does go on...
But most impotantly, we have to move on...
We have to know when we've lost
But we also have to know when anything is still worth saving...

So with that, enjoy this poem and ponder on the simplicity of the thought...
It's beautiful...

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
Be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
And listen to others,
Even the dull and the ignorant;
They too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
They are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
You may become vain and bitter;
For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements, as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
For the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
Many persons strive for high ideals;
And everywhere, life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
For in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
It is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
Gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
Be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
No less than the trees and the stars;
You have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
Whatever you conceive Him to be,
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Cadbury Drops??

2008-12-07T23:01:00.005+08:00

Those who know me know that I tend to be quite picky with my chocolate...

This is one of the many Cadbury chocolate variants out there on the market... It is however rather new since I just saw it last week at 7-11 while buying my daily 2 bottles of fit-n-right.

Personal Judgement:

It was very reasonable for P50! A real bargain I think!! What makes me love it though is the ease of consuming it! It's so ROLOS! Am loving the pop it in your mouth and suck it 'til the chocolate's all gone factor!! And the caramel variant is just a treat on its own. The candy bar was much harder to eat cause whenever i'd break the bar, the caramel would ooze out...

I honestly love this!!

Go out and try it!! I'm sure you'd enjoy it as much as I did!!

Pop and suck you guys!!

The Rush of Spending TOO MUCH

2008-12-07T14:38:00.010+08:00

Despite the worlwide economic crisis, people nowadays are buying designer items left and right... Me, being not included... Hehe...

Given that am quite frugal and not as excited about buying bags as my brother, sister, AND mother, my need for an expensive bag is at times non-existent. The branded bags that I do have are either given to me or are hand-me-downs from my brother... Hehe.. Am so kawawa...

Anyways, the past two weeks, a very good friend of mine bought her first-ever designer bag, shortly followed by her first designer wallet. Both by Balenciaga... Given that I have this "inggitero complex", I opted not to accompany R when she bought her bag... Hehe...

But last night, when she bought her wallet, I was there... We did the whole walk around GB5 and looked at all the stores to see if there was anything nice... There was!! Lot's of it... A beautiful bag from Tod's, the new graphite Damier line at LV (I reserved a wallet, which I'd probabaly get next week), and finally, a beautiful tote bag at Prada...

Now, while at Prada, all hell BROKE lose... RR was convincing me to buy the bag that I wanted...

This bag:

Isn't it beautiful?? It's bigger that it looks...

After much convincing... I gave in... The bag was literally and mentally mine already...

The card was swiped... The authenticity card was filled out... And I was feeling emotions that i've never felt before... Is it the rush of buying a designer bag? God... The feeling is quite addicting!!

I honestly didn't know what I was feeling... My first designer bag that I would've ever paid for! God! I was blissfully sweating... My clammy hands were wetter that usual (yuck!)

So as the saleslady was wrapping the bag and checking everything, B told me to check it first... Make sure everything is okay... And right then and there... My high went away....

The bag's clasp was defective... It didn't click... It didn't lock properly... I asked for new stock, and there wasn't one... It was the last piece... I didn't know what was happening... I suddenly blacked out and my mind went dark...

Grrr... I ended leaving Prada unhappy and without a shopping bag... SUCKS!

I did however do my research this morning and found out that the bag that I wanted is retailing at $750-800. Prada here was selling it for P81,000... Converted, that would be... $1620... Twice the price...

I was saved... or spared...

Things happen for a reason...

Guess I'll check the prices when I go to Hong Kong this coming Jan...

Can't wait...

I'm also lovin' these other Prada Classics:

Black Leather Boston Bag

Medium-sized Messenger Bag

Small Messenger Bag

Aren't they so nice?

Guess i'll be emptying out my savings this January... =)

Another Love...

2008-12-07T13:53:00.011+08:00

It's been quite awhile since I've gone into Cartier to look and "oogle" at my now EX-LOVE, the Cartier Chronoscaph 21. After my dad clearly made it obvious that he wouldn't approve of this watch, I went and paid Cartier a visit Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to her (and of course, try it on one last time... Hehe).

So while trying it on, I tried to see the flaws of this ever so perfect and beautiful watch (of course this was after my abrupt realization that I wouldn't be receiving this, this yuletide season... (AZIIM!! bitter much?! Probably! Hehe)). And there, while looking at myself and making cute little poses by the long mirror, I saw the flaw... It was TOO SMALL for my hand... Hehe... I don't know why I never noticed it before (I was probably blinded by it's "gorgeous-ness! Gosh!), but it's really just TOO SMALL!! Looks more like a girls watch now... Oh well...

Problem resolved... Or so I thought....

While walking out... I tried on another watch!

This is why I hate trying things on!

The Santos 100!!

OMG!! It's so BEEE-YOOOTIFUUUUUL!! My hand didn't want to take it off! Even the mirror agreed!! It was so huge (and perfect for my freaskishly huge hands) and looked so well made!! The leather was beautiful!! The face is classic Cartier, and you know me... I love anything CLASSIC!! Aargh!!

God! I don't know how I'll ever ask for this...

I guess i'll have to earn the BUD-JAY by myself... =(

Indulge Yourself...

2008-12-07T13:07:00.004+08:00

My parent's room is undergoing an extreme facelift, thus leaving my room a storage room for ALL their "kayamanan". With that, early Saturday morning, my dad came into my room to place one of his many rolexes in one of the spinning watch holders that is secretly hidden in my room... He was informing me that he was looking at another watch (God! does he really need another watch?!), and asked that if I wanted a new watch (he got me a Submariner a few months ago, hehe). Of course, I couldn't say no...

So I started telling him the watches that I was looking at, mainly the Cartier Chronoscaph 21... Hmmm... He didn't listen...

This is the watch he's eye-ing for me and for himself, (mine being two-toned, his I think, being solid gold)...

Rolex's Cosmograph Daytona

(Dunno when i'll get it though... hopefully christmas or my birthday... Hehe)

My dad's belief on watches is that you only buy ones that you could later on sell at the same value or at a higher price... He technically calls it an "on hand savings account". Hehe...

That's why whenever he sees the Technomarine that I bought out of impulse (or was it camaraderie (since everyone I was with bought one as well), or is it jealousy (I tend to forget the real reason why I bought it)), he always gives me a rather heavy yet brief lecture on not throwing money away on items that quickly lose value...

Technomarine's Diva Dmitri

And sure enough... B, texted me like 2 weeks ago, and informed me that the Techno that I bought was now 50%... GOD!! Just after 1 year?! I hate to say it, but my dad knows his... SHEIT! Hehe...