A love hate relationship with food and other things..

Moved.

2008-08-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

But basically the same thing. Due to recent events and an irresistible offer, I've moved. All food rants, resto reviews, misadventures of this author will now be found at:

Jodythinks.com

feel free to drop by anytime. :)

A post health scare celebration

2008-07-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love sweets. I crave cookies everyday. I am a chocoholic. I consider a meal without Coke incomplete. I am a sugar junkie and proud of it.

Though that may be my undoing. Due to recent events and arising symptoms, I was convinced to get tested for diabetes by my family. Diabetes. Can you imagine? Me. That might as well be a death sentence for the girl who lives for ice cream. I don't even like any coke variant (light, zero) other than the full on regular.

Why did I go? I guess I wanted to know for myself. It was definitely a possibility with me. Mom's whole famly has it, except for her so I can't rule it out. If you looked up the symptoms of the illness online, they're all pretty much unrelated to each other in terms of body parts and such, I couldn't deny I had the sinking feeling it might be true.

So I dragged my scared self (and Mom) off to a certain hospital in Quezon Avenue to get the blood test. And man, the test was bad enough without the results. I didn't know what was gonna happen, and for those who suspect they have it, this is what happens. First they take the first vial of blood. After which they make you drink 75 ounces of this glucose solution thing that you have to finish within five minutes. (i know that sounds easy but gah, that was dis-gus-ting.) After an hour they take another vial of blood. And another vial of blood after that. I felt like a pincushion afterwards, even if the nurse was friendly enough.

I got the results yesterday. Blood sugar levels from each hour were within the normal range (SIGH OF RELIEF). Still have to get the results to a doctor to have it examined though, but I'm pretty much in the clear.

I'm celebrating right now with a chocolate chip frap. Thanks Paul!

Changes schmanges

2008-07-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

So I'm not an IMS anymore. For real this time.

This is what I saw when I got in yesterday morning. A station with everything but a PC. To say it was a shock was an understatement. I guess when they told me I was in at UX i didn't fully absorb it.

As the band aid was ripped off for me I went and hauled my stuff to my new station amidst claps from my so-called friends (Hmph!). I still feel a little out of place. This is the first time I've gotten a roomy station, and the first time I've been out of exile island.

Definitely an out of body experience.

And no, I haven't abandoned my IMS family. Even if they do want me out and have booted me out, I'm still here. Ha!

Just how far would you go?

2008-07-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

To watch a movie.... I went out in the pouring rain. When all my senses were screaming at me to throw on jammies and hide under the covers, I went out. I had to watch The Dark Knight. Everyone I know who's watched it has been pushing at me to watch it, and yeah, I've been waiting to watch it since i saw the trailer in May.

And yes. This is me telling you my 5 readers to watch the movie. I was on tetherhooks the whole time i was in there. Between bites of my cookie, sips of rootbeer and refusing popcorn, (Why did I refuse the perennial movie treat? Last time I went to the movies, I bought a huge bag of popcorn and hardly made a dent in it, so I'm a little off popcorn now.) I could hardly take my eyes off the screen. Definitely not a feel good movie. Definitely not the fun lighter fare that the last two of the series before it (Batman Forever and Batman and Robin).

Definitely a good movie.

My cough is back. I dunno why. I've only just started drinking cold stuff again, and had a chockylit bar again last weekend. Sunday night i was coughing again. Pretty annoying. I haven't even had a crepe yet and I'm dying to. But i won't be able to enjoy if I have the threat of a relapse hanging over my head. I would love to be able to sing without coughing again. I miss it.

I would scream for ice cream.

Say what you need to say

2008-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if we could say what we wanted to say anytime and anywhere? I would so love that. I keep a lot of my outrageous thoughts to myself, for fear of hurting people (and also of sounding like a freak a lot of times) but here goes. Saying what i need to say... But not totally to the people i need to say them to, and no names just airing them out so I don't have to keep them in anymore. Coz I'm getting too heavy around the hips with all the stuff i really want to say and I'm getting bone tired of carrying all the weight. Wahahaha.

To a friend who's constantly getting himself/herself into situations he/she can avoid and then always bemoaning his/her troubles: "Aren't you tired of all the drama? You have everything in the world to be grateful for, Why focus on the bad things?"

To someone random and would totally freak out if I told them this: "You smell so good. How do you do it?"

To a friend who's gone astray: "I know you can be a good person... Why do you have to let the douche in you win everytime?"

To someone close to me: "Please stop being poison. I'm scared of what that might mean to everyone else who gets in contact with you."

To someone who I see all the good in: "I do hope you find the person to make you happy. Coz you're one of the best people i know, anyone would be lucky to have you."

To a close friend: " I love you and all, but sometimes I don't understand your choices. I know you know better, please choose better."

To someone important: "I think you know how much you matter. So please don't be so mean."

To someone I never thought I would like (just like, not like in that way): "Thanks for being a decent person among the sea of crazy. You're a port in the storm."

To someone I'm totally curious about: "You make it really hard to get to know you. I don't know what to do with that."

To someone who knows me: "You don't like me very much huh?"

The Pancake House generation: I has it.

2008-07-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

I am a kid who grew up wanting to go to Pancake house more than anywhere else as far as I can remember. I guess it was my mom's influence, the places we went to were places she liked, and she liked their tacos so we went there a lot as a kid. I still remember the Sundays going to SM North Annex, sitting down eating pancakes and getting milkshakes. It was a time where I could eat sweets for a meal and I loved it. It was the same each time. Chocolate chip pancakes. Vanilla milkshake. Taco and maybe a banana split afterwards.

So the Pancake house ads with the emphasis on Pancake house impacting families for generations are right on the money. We are definitely a part of that demographic.

Long intro. Sunday lunch with the family (minus teh pater who went to Batangas) and I dragged their butts to pancake house coz I wanted tacos. Ate so much. The steak, pancakes, and taco i ordered where polished off within minutes. (I was hungry so sue me.) Half of me felt guilty after eating all that while the more dominant half was rubbing it in my brother's face coz he had to eat a SALAD. To be fair, i like salads. (Notably Chocolate Kiss's caesar) But not as a meal.

And of course since we were in SM North, we absolutely had to go to Sebastian's and eat. Banana cream pie. Macademia white. Mango Sansrival. Eat your heart out.

I can eat ice cream again. I'm human.

And yesterday off we went to MOA. Team Gastos style to (belatedly) celebrate Wick's birthday. Watched Hancock. (It was ok) Ate at those paluto places at the bayfront. Seafood galore. (Dampa at Paranaque is still the best place to do that though.) Took a lot of pictures. Whole lotta fun.

A bit of a segway. While we were walking at the seaside I could hear the water. There really is nothing like it to relax me. I so want to go to the beach now, dig toes into sad, dive in the water, feel the sun on my skin.

Can we go to the beach now?

What's your secret?

2008-07-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a secret. And lately I've been addicted to people's secrets. Well, actually just to postsecret. For the unfamiliar, http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/ is a site which publish people's secrets. Totally anonymous. And on postcards. I've known about this site for a while, it updates every Sunday and it's how i start my week. It's amazing how many secrets I can relate to, from the dramatic to the funny. I hope one day I'll be able to send a postcard about my secret. Whichever one I do decide to share.

Mime weekend.

2008-07-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have been a mime since Saturday. I lost my voice at around 3am Saturday and since then I've been using hand gestures, whispers, texts and yms to get my point across. Now I've improved and now have a semi-human sounding voice, but man was that weekend difficult. Especially since I went to the UAAP opening on Saturday. It's kinda hard to cheer on a losing team when you only have your arms to cheer them on. And by then, the loss of sleep was getting to me (and the cold of Araneta too).

Speaking of the opening, this year UP was in charge. Why wasn't I surprised that they chose to go the all Filipino route? I loved the part with the girls in huge dresses. There were parts I didn't quite get though (Don't tell joannaman that). And yeah, UST lost their first game. Gaaah.

Just shows that when you're coming from a fever and are on antibiotics, don't go to work then go out. If you want to keep your voice. Coz all this coughing i've been doing i think has scratched up my larynx, and given me abs. Wahahaha.

And now i want Ice cold coke, ice cream, crepes, chockylits, smoothies, all kinds of sweet and cold things guaranteed to send me back to miming. I'll just wait till my meds run out and I'm all clear before i indulge in all my food cravings. And i really wanna go to the beach this weekend... Just hope I'm all clear by then. It's wednesday. I have 3 days to get better (including today). Wish me luck!

The picture is of all the coors everyone drank last Friday night. Me being the girly drinker I am, ordered a vodka ice and just sipped beer when i got thirsty.

What i really think

2008-07-04T00:47:00.001-07:00

I found this on the net.... I just felt like posting it. I'm a crappy poem writer. I feel like it was about me. Wahahaha.

Take your vitamins

2008-07-02T23:46:00.000-07:00

Coz I don't and apparently sick is the trend, and i am an unwitting follower. What was a little cough last Monday night turned into full blown all around general crappiness. Fever, cough, sore throat, the works. It got to a point i was shivering wearing several layers of clothing.

I realized i was sick when i didn't wanna do anything but sleep. I didn't even wanna eat. Me. Girl who eats through everything. Though after we went to the doctor I was looking for good old goto coz I knew i had to eat something to take the meds and the thought of chewing really didn't appeal to me.

Speaking of going to the doctor.... I went to my pediatrician. I don't care if people tell me I'm overage, my pediatrician knows me, my history, and even my mom went to her a couple of years ago (which would have made her 52, ha!). And Joannaman went too coz of her cough, so I definitely wasn't the oldest patient in the room.

So yes, the next day I stayed home from work, which i hardly ever do, and slept the day away. I couldn't even get up. But that was a good thing. Coz now I'm back (and apparently blogging).

The picture is the frozen brazo de mercedes from La Paellas cafe in Greenhills. Like what Ate Ria said, a return dish. So yummy. Is there a La Paellas in trinoma/sm north?

A sense of accomplishment and salary burning

2008-06-17T01:49:00.000-07:00

Past few days I've been going to movies. It is summer in the US so this is the time all the fun movies come out, and I've wanted to watch a lot. And lucky me, I got people to go with me to the four movies I wanted to see this week.

Watched Kung Fu Panda first. Laugh and a half. Of course if you're not a Jack Black fan, don't go to this movie. The panda oozes Black, his comedy and the first utterance will definitely pinpoint to the comedian. His voice and Angelina Jolie's are the most recognizable for me, even the personality traits are somewhat what we think of the two actors. I did get a laugh when Karen leaned over the first few scenes and told me that Po (the panda) reminded her of my brother. And while we were walking down to dinner told me that she was reminded of Ren when Po turned around and showed his patched shorts.

Hulk was second on the list. Fun enough movie. The first thing i thought about was how were they gonna explain why his pants don't rip off. Well they did. Edward Norton(the Hulk) always bought the stretchiest pants he could find. It was okay. I do have a weakness for Edward Norton, and the cameo at the end had me weak at the knees.

The Happening was third, and even if we read such horrid reviews, we still went and watched the thing. One thing to say about this movie, it had me tensed up the whole way through. The absurdity of the circumstances and the lack of explanation had me up in my seat the whole time, with me being pissed at the end. I guess it just goes to show you, M. Night is an environmentalist. And he hates people.

Last was Narnia. I've only recently watched the first installment so i was curious. And the boys were so pretty. I liked that they were still kids. The visuals were amazing. Especially the beach. I wanted to jump right in. It was weird. They were all waiting for adults. I was too. Haha.

I felt such a sense of accomplishment after all those movies. It's been a long time since I could watch all the movies I wanted. I lost my movie buddy like a year ago and i've been a little behind on my movie watching since. Now i'm back. No specific movie buddy but i've found different people for different movies, for different days. My inner movie monster's back and i LOVE it.

Even if i do go broke from all these flicks.

What a weekend.

2008-06-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend was epically happy on a comfort scale. (Is epically a word?) Anyway. I was happy. On the going back to basics scale.

Was with Maiq and K saturday night. All the while thinking why we didn't do this more often. (Oh right, with K in law school and Maiq always on duty yeah well) It was a night for laughs and getting older. A little reminiscing and a lot of giggles. With a lot of new infuriatingly funny moments. For one maiq declaring she wasn't clumsy anymore, then squirting lime juice in her eye from the wedge she was holding. Finishing off a pitcher of margaritas. Going back to starbucks to eat a cookie. It was good clean fun.

And a sunday of Amici with the family. We loved everything we ordered. The pasta, the pizza, the gelato. It was all good.

So it was a back to basics good time.

A few hours out of my element (and I loved it)

2008-06-02T23:02:00.001-07:00

Saturday. Went to work. Lunched out with the team. Went straight to SM North to catch Sex and the City.

Sex and the City. I've been watching it for years. The dvds at home are almost unplayable since i watch them so often. (They're on constant play, like Friends) I like how they (well Charlotte) dress. I like that it never is too sad to watch (coz Buffy and Ally Mcbeal can be like that) and the humor is crass but hilarious. And of course, I loved Big. The man's man. The ungettable guy who loved her but made so many mistakes. They made so many mistakes but got together in the end. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing. So i admit I was one of the girlies who waited for this movie to open.

Needless to say I was pissed when the movie stopped about an hour in, the film unrolled due to all the scenes they cut to make the movie a R-13 flick. I'm all for doing it so more people can watch it, but dear, give us the option to watch the film in its entirety. It was somehow missing and we got the gist, but it was still, for lack of a better english term, bitin.

Had dinner at Mexicali. Where we told Mom that the shrimp platter was a happy meal so she looked for it on the menu. And of course, dessert at sebastian's (the raffle's still on and I still wanna win) where they had SATC themed flavors. Not fans of coconut, we had the Samantha themed flavor, Mixed Berry Menage a trois. (i love saying that word, the meaning though... ahahaha)

Headed home to shower and change. RC and Abby were coming from MOA anyways, so I had time. Ken picked me up and we headed to Dolce at timog. (I didn't pick the place, I just went. Haha)

I have to admit this was the first time I've "partied". I am so not a party girl. Those half baked attempts at going to bars in college were just that, attempts. The one time we actually got to a bar, we just drank outside, in the tables they had. When my college friends went through a Basement phase, I was in a "stay at home and sulk" phase. I never really went to bars, I went to places to eat and drink.

And maybe Ken wasn't the best person to drag to this thing. He was apparently over his party phase. And pointed out that the people who were in line outside were overdressed (at which point my ears turned scarlet coz I was in a dress) and overly made up (where I got to breathe coz I definitely wasn't made up). We got in, surveyed the crowd. Didn't dance since it was too crowded. So we went people watching. We gaped at the two girls in front of us dirty dancing on each other, the dad who was picking up chicks for his grown up son, that kind of thing. Sipping on my beer I marveled at this culture that was so foreign to me. It was a mash up of people of all ages, races, faces. Dancing to one beat, that was pulsating through the whole place.

Yes i enjoyed myself. Even if i didn't feel like dancing that night. I was totally out of my comfort zone and I freakishly liked it.

And when it was time to leave I was looking for ice cream. As it was 2.30 in the morning, we did what we could to look for decent places to get ice cream, but alas none were open.

Just ended up hanging out at Starbucks to wind down. Catch up. (And i got a lecture on how the Philippine economy was doing {apparently really really badly}, why am i not surprised) Home before the sunrise, (and my dad waking up) and all i was thinking was, when can I do this again? Maybe not "partay!" but something new. Something other than what i've gotten used to. Why? Coz it feels so good.

Life in song and dance

2008-05-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Across the Universe is a musical set in the 60's using Beatles songs for every single thing sung in the movie. Since i am a Beatles fan i definitely had to watch this film, though it took quite a while for me to be able to watch it.

Needless to say I loved it. The visuals were definitely a treat, with pop out colors utilizing every single shade in the rainbow and then some. And even if the movie took on a surreal quality every time they burst into song, I wanted to exist in that reality. It was a world where it took only the duration of a song to fall in love. Where reporting in the military involved song and dance.

Ladies prepare to fall in love with the unassuming demeanor of Jim Sturgess. From the first scene where he's alone at the beach singing to the audience, if you like the quiet artist type, then you will definitely be enthralled with Jude (Jim's character in the movie). And he can sing too.

And who knew Evan Rachel Wood could sing? I didn't. The bubbly cheerleader turned activist definitely showed off her pipes and a little something else in the film.

If you like the Beatles definitely watch this movie, but if you're a purist don't. The songs in this movie are definitely what you won't remember from the 60s and 70s. Since I am a fan of rerenderings and the versions of this movie included tunes I could actually sing along to (Thank goodness for female versions), it's been three months and the songs are still in constant play in my ipod playlist.

Saying goodbye to summer

2008-05-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm saying goodbye to summer. The afternoons are rainy and i now have to bring an umbrella to work. Not that i mind falling asleep when it's raining, coz I love that.

This is actually an old picture. Socio peeps in Zambales. I remember how it was taking this picture. I'm not gonna point out which of those people I am, suffice to say I'm in the picture. Joannaman's there too.

Sunsets at the beach. Killer. I miss them.

Jatujak (Also known as my first foray into Thai food)

2008-05-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

For lack of any strong cravings of a particular food or place to eat, and just basically wanting to try something new, went to try Jatujak at The Block last Sunday for lunch. I figured, Maiq recommended the place a long time ago and i've yet to try it, why not?

I just have to share this:

Mom: Beef di ba ung inorder ni Jason?

Us: Pork. Why?

Mom: Moo grob di ba?

And she was serious. Ahahaha. Anyway, the moo grob that Esther tried was literally, chicharon and deep fried pork on a salad of cucumbers. We loved it.

We ordered spring rolls of course. This time the fresh kind, which was oh-so-good.

Normally I drink coke at every meal, but this meal felt like an iced tea kind of lunch so i ordered their Thai iced tea (pictured above) which turned out tasting like naicha (which i was craving for at the time yay me). Mom got the mint and lemongrass tea, which tasted like liquefied Halls (yes, the candy). I like mint tea. I like lemongrass tea. But to combine them, not so much.

I am a creature of habit and to that effect I ordered the beef noodles. The soup was so delish. Even Joannaman who is not a fan of meat said so. And the beef chunks were enough to fill you up after a few spoonfulls. Mom ordered the mixed seafood, which was good but way spicy. It was the only thing we couldn't finish. We're all lightweights in that department.

So full to bursting, it was an hour before we felt that we had enough space to eat dessert. Which we had to had to do. Sebastian's you see. Tried two new flavors this time and the ubiquitous chocolate chip cookie dough. Loved the banana cream pie, which complemented the macademia white perfectly. next on the list to try. The honey choco bunny.

3 more rafle entries. I really wanna win the free ice cream for a year. ahahaha.

Going greek.

2008-05-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have had an obssession about Greek food since two years ago I watched this thing about the Greek taverna in Tagaytay. Since then I've been trying to get my friends to go to Tagaytay for this purpose alone. But I haven't been able to convince them yet. Cyma was under my nose all the time. If K hadn't told me that it was greek I wouldn't have known. So at the first opportunity i dragged Joannaman to try the place with me. It was a brightly lit, and that scared the crap out of us. Wahaha. Since the place was almost fully booked with reservations, we were seated in a very visible place. Though uncomfortable, we perused the menu with glee. Ordered three dishes which up to now i cannot pronounce, let alone spell. Suffice to say it was good. And it felt healthy, with the salad greens, tuna, and olive oil on everything.

Be prepared to hear all the servers shout "Opa!" everytime they bring out a flaming dish though. We weren't. wahahaha.

I still want to try the Greek place in Tagaytay though.

Happy birthday Yancy!

2008-05-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

For the voice in my head (and sometimes louder so everyone can hear) pulling me back to earth whenever I feel my ego expanding.

Happy Birthday you loon.

The night of two dinners and once again, utter denial

2008-05-10T00:49:00.000-07:00

So we headed to Trinoma in the hopes of catching the Vanessa Carlton supposed free concert at the fourth floor open space. Got there to find out that it was moved to Cinema 7. So we figured, what's the catch? And then we found out. A single receipt 1500 purchase at Landmark or the supermarket, or at the 3rd floor fancy stores.

So what did we do instead? We ate dinner. RC was feeling steak-y at the moment so we went cruising for a cool steak place. Suffice to say I am not an expert on steak. I don't really eat it unless it's in front of me, and I definitely don't look for it. Browsing through a few menus, we decided on Holy Cow on the top floor of Trinoma. It was good. Had the minute steak, split it with Joannaman since I wasn't really hungry. Have to say, the red wine reduction sauce that the waiter recommended was good. The meat, just ok. (I eat mine medium well, joannaman medium rare, thank goodness it was 2 pieces and they let us do different things) A little fun fact, they let you draw on the table, which had paper tablecloths and give you color pencils to do the job.

Never leave RC and Kiko with 2 tables of blank paper and a box of color pencils. We did. We came back to a table full of drawings of male appendages, too dirty to post pics of here, let's just say i was happy when the plates were there to cover the things in front of my place at the table. We actually helped label the things after the meal. Put hearts and numbers around them. Actual numbers of the people involved haha. We were so juvenile about that. It was a fun incongruent situation, well for me. We were having dinner, steak even, at this nice place, but we were giggling like schoolgirls over the drawings we just created, and the sketches themselves were like the makings of 8 year olds, with corrupted minds.

One track minds, me and joannaman, for we headed to SM North after dinner to get ice cream at sebastian's. After which I raced back to Trinoma to meet Pao and Fae and Martin to celebrate Pao's 22nd, while joannaman went home. Tempura for my second dinner, and for their first. Since I was still burping up the steak, I just had sashimi. And my requisite glass of coke. Ka finally arrived at about almost midnight to just barely greet Pao a happy birthday on his actual day, since she had an emergency.

We were lazy and just went to Martin's after dinner. Picked up a bottle of mint chocolate Bailey's. Finished that in about an hour, whilst talking of crazy crazy things that will never leave that table (I hope).

Loved hanging with my Tripod. It should happen more often. Pao dja read that? Once a week my tuchus.

and P.S. The picture is of the mannequin at Kamiseta, which had no bottom clothing. That's kiko's hand on his leg.

Happy Birthday Pao!

2008-05-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

In honor of his birthday, I'm posting my favorite picture of one of my best friends, Pao Agulto.

He's 25 today.

I kid I kid.

Hugs to Pao!!

We felt the Magic

2008-05-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to bond and recapture our childhoods, the team went to Enchanted Kingdom yesterday. I have to admit, it's been years since I've been and I was feeling excited the night before, but expecting to chicken out at the rides that from what i remember scared the crap out of me. Jungle Log Jam for instance, there's something about that freefall that just made my heart stop the last time i went. And from what i remember, someone who was basically silent during that visit was brought to a scream by that ride. Anchors away too. Simple concept. Huge swing. Stomach dropper. Not once, not twice, but several, and for us weenies (Yes I am a weenie), almost countless times.

Despite these things I was jonesing for the trip. So much so i forgot that anything white was a no-no at Enchanted Kingdom if you don't want to be arrested for indecent exposure. (More on that later) Turns out everyone was psyched for this trip. Everyone was on time, some even early and we got there 15 minutes before we thought the place was gonna open. Turns out they were gonna open much later, at 2pm. Having 4 hours to kill, we decided to get lunch in Tagaytay which was like an hour away. Ate at Diner's. Bulalo, since it was Tagaytay. (Not as yummy as i remembered, but still good) Stopped at Starbucks to kill time, then headed back for teh EK fun.

The venti frap i had was a mistake, gave me a colossal headache even two biogesics couldn't cure. And even though i vowed to not ride Anchors Away I still went and rode the thing. Loved it the first few drops, then halfway through i just wanted the whole thing to end, which i disguised with nonstop giggling. Log Jam too, with RC literally dragging me to the line. I was screaming my lungs out before the drop, but turns out it wasn't as bad as I thought (but i didn't go again like the others, i just took pictures)

Rio grande is admittedly my favorite ride. Though this time i was truly soaked. Somehow i don't remember being soaked to the skin ever here, but this time i was. White anything is a mistake, especially if you plan to ride the rapids four times in a row, which we did. Afterwards, fully chlorinated and dripping wet we went to Flying Fiesta to dry off while a few of us went one round in the paintball field. After a change of clothes we headed back to Anchors Away and then to Wheel of Fate. This was my first time to ride teh pretty wheel, and i enjoyed the experience immensely. Wind in the hair, the lights. It was relaxing even for a height phobic like me.

A day to remember. Even if i did have several faux pas moments.

So I didn't PARTY last Saturday

2008-04-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ish not my fault. Was supposed to go with the guys and party, but my partner in crime Abby had to go to the province, and since the guys were in Chaneeeh mode, i couldn't really go since i know i was gonna cramp their style. So i tucked my shorts into my little paper bag and just stayed at Metrowalk with the older set.

Ok for those who were there and are currently offended, Late 20s set.

Definitely not my core group and for once I was gonna "schmooze". I do not know how to schmooze, so i just talked to the people i was already comfortable with. Think I did pretty well, considering I am still in my antisocial phase and i was hella sleepy at 10 (left past 1am).

So i lost my chance to party, is God trying to tell me something?

I've never gone to those things (since high school but that doesn't count). Partly coz I don't know how to dance, partly coz my friends aren't really the party kind of people. OK, so my college friends had a "Basement" phase, but i couldn't make myself go to Basement, just the name made me claustrophobic. As for the not knowing how to dance, well, that cannot be helped. I have no rhythm whatsoever. Anyone who's seen me dance can attest to that.

Laing baby!

2008-04-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to real Bicolano food by my sister's friend (and now also my friend) David about 5 years ago. One of those nights we went over to his place for his first going to the states party.

Loved the laing, bicol express. Food that i never tried before but instantly loved. Suffice to say my mouth was on fire since they are famous for their spice, but i was looking for it since then.

And i do get my bicol express (well the manila version that's not as spicy) on when we go to the Lung Center sunday market, but the real thing has evaded me, (well unless my friends from the office bring some to work).

So getting back, the person who introduced me to real Bicolano food was as i heard leaving for the states again in a few days. So i couldn't resist a little dig, asking for laing before he left. Lo and behold he asked directions to our house yesterday and arrived an hour later with a lunchbox of laing, freshly cooked.

At this point my sister and I asked each other if we were that close to David to deserve such a gesture. (We didn't think so) But it was so nice. So i cooked to trade, roast chicken (which is really easy, just doing a few things then shoving the whole bird in the oven).

This was yesterday. I don't know what i did to deserve such a happy moment, but thanks.

Restless

2008-04-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

Lately i've been feeling restless. Like I can't go anywhere fast enough, can't do things enough. I want to go everywhere, do everything at a warp speed. It's like i can't get enough time to do all the things i want to do.

And why do i feel like everything's filled with light now? Like i woke up from a bad dream and realized my life isn't a nightmare. It's a good feeling. A strange inexplicable feeling but i have it. I even found the time and the strength to watch a supposedly depressing movie and didn't think it was too bad. Perhaps i really am that happy.

I'm going out to "party" later. Me. The homebody. I don't even know where we're going or who we're going with. I just know that this is something out of character for me and I'm psyched. Just hope this is something i'm gonna enjoy.

Pizza afternoon

2008-04-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing three from our team won the Zeezoobic challenge, coz we got pizza for it.

I gotta tell ya, it's been a long time since i tried Domino's pizza. It was good. Good good good.

Yum. Especially the chicken barbeque one.

Thanks Ren and Vinny!

Sooooo... 22

2008-04-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

What to do in 22? Well I've made a resolution for myself to not take things too seriously. I'm done trying to explain everything, trying to understand every little nuance. I'm gonna take life as it is and just enjoy every moment. I may not be very smart about everything, but at least I'm gonna smile more. And isn't that better than being all sad all the time worrying about every little thing?

I've learned long ago that the worst things can come in the most beautiful of packages. No matter how it may seem from the outside, it can be rotten in the inside. One more goal, listen to other people more. Let them analyze. Sit back and realize that sometimes being on the outside can give a person better perspective. For when you're in it, you may not be able to see it clearly.

Life is good. It's summer. I want to be at the beach at every opportunity.

Birthdays, cakes, sweets

2008-04-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

So I'm a lucky girl. People know me too well. Got 3 cakes this year. Of course one was from my "girlfriend" Karen. She took me out with the gays last Friday to wish me a Happy Birthday before I went to Subic. This is the 3rd year in a row she's gotten me cake. She knows me too well. It was a chocolate thing from Conti's that was soooo sinful. I loved it! It was mousse-y and also cakey at the same time. If i had any more space in my tummy i would've finished it in one sitting.

And what did the gays give me? Oh just a dirty dance in the middle of Trinoma. I had that coming. They had me screaming like a girl, which probably made more people look at us. And we weren't that discreet either. Me trying to run away with Pao holding on to me, and three men dancing provocatively against me. I swear I was dying of laughter and shame. i love those gays. They sure made the trip to the mall interesting.

And of course my IMS federation of gays did not disappoint as well. I totally forgot about the tradition of getting something to eat for a birthday that when we traipsed upstairs yesterday i was all pissed coz i was gonna be late for my plans after work. I even brought a notebook for the supposed seminar. Got there. Three kinds of ice cream, two cakes. I was surprised really. And i love them for doing that for me. It was an afternoon for the memory books. Love my IMS family. Lurve!

It was a happy birthday

2008-04-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

I have to admit i was a little iffy about spending my birthday somewhere without my family or old friends, but i had the time of my life. Spent my birthday with people I've known only a few months but have grown to love.

It was at the beach. There was food. Good people surrounding me. Happiness all around. It doesn't take much to make me happy but hell, I was a happy bunny. Even after an exhausting day of running around and everyone else drunk out of their minds, my friends stayed up until 12 just to greet me a happy birthday. Needless to say I was a girl and I was touched.

Thanks to everyone who made it one of my best birthdays ever!

All the Way Down to Chinatown with Carlos Celdran

2008-04-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

My mom has a huge crush on Carlos Celdran. Ever since she saw him on the Living Asia channel she has wanted to go on one of his tours. Well we found out how to reach him and join the tour. And i would just like to say that this guy is providing a service to the Filipino people.

Informative, engaging, interesting. He will take you on a tour of places you thought you knew and show you things you never noticed before.

This is not something he earns from. The 250 you pay for the tour is for the calesa ride you take to the different places you go. The donation (if you choose to give) is for birth control for the communities you visit during the tour.

Needless to say, he has found four more fans (Ma, me, Joannaman and Esther) to go on all his tours.

On the beach

2008-03-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

If i keep eating like i did this weekend, this will be me at the company beach thing in two weeks.
(only darker)

Oh, i took this from http://chicogarcia.wordpress.com/ .

Back from the longest vacation yet

2008-03-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Since i started working. Have to say this is weird. My first summer working. Already I feel restless. Wanna go places, wanna get away. Fry under the sun. Spend days in waves. Let the world wash away.

Anyway, back to the vacation. I felt like the whole thing was spent with me chewing. Of course I went to the province, and in the province we eat. Even now, I get hungry earlier and more often. Since there, there are snacks in between snacks. Meals are hours long. Food is an event. And i have to say I miss it. I don't get to go to the province that often anymore, especially now that i work Saturdays, since usually we go there weekends.

And it's not just that. When I'm there the world just fades away. I forget everything, problems, confusion, anger, doubt. Only good fuzzy feelings are left. And I really needed that right then. For three blissful days I ate, drank, bonded with my family. Even got to watch Sweeney Todd. (that was fun, that's it for me on any kind of meat pie though.)

So I'm here heavier, happier. And can't wait to go back.

P.S. the picture i took of those guys who flagellate themselves as penance. I love the light effect that i didn't notice until i took it.

Reliving the past.

2008-03-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

I caught a glimpse. Of a life I no longer had. Of something that once was so familiar and so mundane that now is a faint memory. The face that haunts my dreams, the voice I was so used to hearing I didn't know i was going to lose. I guess staying away was the right thing to do. Forget the past, move on. But in a life intertwined you can't help but find out things and the second you do, you're back in that place. Where you never want to be. Broken, wasted, unwanted.

Never let your guard down for a moment. Coz that's when it'll hit you.

Tired. But just about right.

2008-03-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Last day of work. This is probably the longest weekend I've had since i started work. This is gonna be fun. Going to the province (I think) and will be away from it all. That's gonna be great. I've been such an adult the past few weeks. Talk and talk. Decisions decisions. Doing the right thing. Doing the adult thing. I just want to leave it all behind and be a kid again.

I haven't been able to sleep well the past week too. God knows why. Will catch up on sleep and happiness. My goal for the weekend.

How about me enjoying a moment for once?

2008-03-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

I always have to think. I always have to ponder the consequences. Why can't I just live in the moment, and not have to think of all the other things that come with this fleeting bliss?

I'm an adult and i hate that.

Everything I do i'm accountable for. All i hurt, all i make happy, my fault. I have a logical mind and I have to use it.

It doesn't have to be this hard does it?

I would just like to say that i hate the word have.

Food Trip Sunday

2008-03-17T19:48:00.001-07:00

So I would like to report a sense of accomplishment. Got the Anthon Berg chockylits from duty free. I am now in possession of a 24 piece box of Anthon Berg liquor filled chockylits which are disappearing by the day. I found out I can buy from duty free any time (well my father can) so i'm not too worried. Just gonna say goodbye to like a thousand a month (they're $24 dollars per box hahaha).

So had that for breakfast last Sunday, all of us took one bottle each. bottoms up!

After which we headed to Greenhills. This was supposed to be a trip to find Joannaman's "Asa" shirt. And since I had one made special for her birthday, I was forced to giver her the first part of her birthday gift.

Had lunch at Genji. Conveyor belt sushi! Ok so this was

the first time and we were curious if the place was gonna live up to the gimmick. Also we're still looking for an alternative Japanese place since Teriyaki Boy keeps taking the food we like off their menus. The place was cute, the people nice. Sushi was so-so, and we had to order the ebikko gunkan special. Liked their beef udon. Uber beef flavor. Big servings. We got two plates of sushi of the conveyor belt, since the rest was like california maki (which we're not really fans of) or fried stuff. All in all a cute experience. Somewhere to take Kuya Daryle when he gets here from London.

And not bad for like 1k for four people right? Considering one of those people was my brother.

And for dessert, where else? Since I can't exactly drag them to Shang where there's a Hagen Dazs, i took the opportunity to treat them at Greenhills. So i wasn't too thrilled at the flavors... So we all tried different things. Joannaman got Chocolate chocolate chip, I got caramel apple crumble, mom got summer berries, Jase got vanilla caramel something.

So we like Sebastian's flavors better. But i will find that perfect flavor.

Then headed to UP to hear mass. Ate isaw next to the post office. Yum yum yum.

We were thwarted

2008-03-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

We went to Eastwood the other night to try and watch the Mandy Moore concert without really buying tickets. The plan was to just sit at the outside tables of Jack's Loft, drink fishbowl iced teas and watch from there. Lo and behold when we got there the whole of the plaza was covered. Even the terraces of restaurants overlooking the area were covered. If you sat at those verandas you had to pay P2,500. Great huh? So we made the choice of just drinking outside where it's near so we could hear and not see. Ate dinner at Dencio's and went to Bed Room to drink.

Ugh. Beer. I know a lot of people are gonna hate me for this, but i really really do not like the stuff. It's bitter and it gives you a belly. But for the sake of comaraderie i drank beer with everyone else. (We ordered a couple of towers)

So that was a mistake. The day after I was feeling the effects. I couldn't eat much. I had a general icky feeling.

I'm sticking to my haughty-whatever-i-hate-beer rep and sticking to iced teas when beer is the only alcohol option.

It pays to get some perspective

2008-03-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

Last night I got me some perspective. Saw my friend with her family. Get it? Not her parents and siblings, her own family. A husband and baby. Yes I knew she had family. Yes I know she got married. But this was the first time I met her husband. This was not just some boyfriend. This was the person she was gonna spend her life with. Ok so that just hit me. My friend, who I grew up with, giggled over random crushes and shared lunch with now has a family. Her life is no longer just her.

And I'm still here. Planning my next food sojourn. That's it. I am in no hurry to catch up.

In the interest of trying something new...

2008-03-04T15:42:00.000-08:00

Ok not really new. Mom bought a bottle of goat's milk last Sunday and got me to try it. Apparently, when I was younger we were really sensitive for a while and couldn't drink cow's milk. So mom bought a formula made out of goat's milk for us. So she bought a bottle in the hopes of stirring something familiar in all of us.

So I love carabao milk. I look for it every time we go to the province. So i thought i'd like this. But noooo... it had a distinct aftertaste of goat. I felt like i was eating caldereta. Rich but gamey... That's all i have to say about it.

And no more goat's milk for me.

Random thoughts.

2008-02-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

Yes i still can't put together coherent paragraphs.

I want to go to Redbox. Margaritas and videoke.

I am this close to the beach. I can't wait.

After two months, I finally finished this thing i had to do. To say that i was happy elated joyful would be an understatement.

Still thinking if I should buy a PSP. I think I'm just gonna use it as a dvd/mp3 player if i do. Do i really have that luxury?

My movie monster is awake. Or are there just a lot of good movies out there right now? I miss my 3 year movie buddy.

I think I should quit it with the coffee. If i drink one in the morning I feel heavy and jumpy.

My station is too cluttered. One day Imma buy one of those itty bitty desk organizers and fix it. It's just i always forget that I have to buy it when I'm at the freaking mall.

At this rate imma be at the beach at least once a month for summer. Not bad eh?

Due to recent events, I have realized that my inner Maria Clara is alive and well (and fighting me at every turn).

Have been waking up at 11.30pm for the past week. Always at 11.30. Always.

Realizing it's summer, have been scouring every store for a decent swimsuit. Yes. I still don't have the right one.

Want to go to La Union. Surfing. With an instructor so I don't have to paddle as much. Haha.

Want to try at least one new place to eat every month, but afraid will spend all of salary on food. Again.

Found those chocolates I've been wanting to buy since Ja gave me one. Anthon berg liquer filled chocolates. Danish. And not available in this freaking country. Anyone who knows how I can buy them besides online (Yes i checked they're out of stock everywhere online) contact me.

Since i have run out of words

2008-02-28T18:45:00.001-08:00

I'll just borrow from other people. Random song lines.

You made room for me but it’s too soon to see,If I’m happy in your hands.I’m unusually hard to hold on to. -Sara Bareilles: Love Song

'Di ako maktulog, naisip ko ang ningning ng 'yong mata
Nasa isip kita buong umaga, buong magdamag
Sana'y parati kang tanaw
O, ang sakit isipin ito'y isang panaginip, panaginip lang -The Teeth: Prinsesa

Love me, that's all I ask of you. - All I Ask of You: OST The Phantom of the Opera

Kung ito ang iyong hiling
Gaano man kasakit sa akin, ibibigay sa 'yo
Nanlalamig na ba ang pag-ibig mo- Hiling: Paramita

What was it you wanted
Could it be I'm haunted - Best I Ever Had: Vertical Horizon

When you're dreamin with a broken heart
The wakin up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for a moment you can hardly breathe-Dreaming With a Broken Heart: John Mayer

Walang tigil ang ulan at nasaan ang araw
Napa’no na’ng pag-ibig sa isa’t-isa
Wala na bang nananatiling pag-asa
Nakapagtataka, saan na napunta?-Nakapagtataka: Apo Hiking Society

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way -Fast Car: Tracy Chapman

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?-Wonderwall: Oasis

Anong kilangan kong gawin
Upang matigil na
Ang kabaliwan kong ito
Sumpa ko sa sarili'y
Hinding-hinding hindi na
Ngunit heto na naman ako
Hindi na papipigil pa
At di na paaawat
Sinisigaw na ang pangalan mo-Sana ay Ikaw na Nga: Basil Valdez

We laugh just a little too loud
We stand just a little too close
We stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seeing something we don't, darlin'- Let's Give Them Something to Talk About: Bonnie Raitt

sumisigaw, lahat ay sinabi sa 'yo -Panaginip Lang: Paramita

I have tons more lines from tons more songs.. but this is getting tedious to read.

Happy Birthday Bripman!

2008-02-28T15:33:00.000-08:00

In honor of Bripday...The 26th in fact.

Fried ice cream

2008-02-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Yes you read that right. Last week I tried fried ice cream. I figure, Ice cream, check. whipped cream, check. cherry, check. But to deep fry the thing. Talk about making an already sinful thing pure evil.

The verdict?

Loved that they used vanilla( i like vanilla ice cream bleh). And the shaved chockylit on the bottom helped. I liked it. But I like my banana splits better. But it was a great experience. Definitely can't make THAT at home.

And FYI, I am Jack's Loft Iced Tea's bitch. I drank most of the fishbowl and couldn't sleep all night.

Crappy day

2008-02-25T23:19:00.000-08:00

Yes I have had, and am still having a crappy day. My pc at work has been on the fritz since Friday, and Saturday was spent trying to fix the thing's cloaker. To my despair, that was only a quick fix. Today I could not open the program I need to log my links AT ALL. So i decided to just transfer my files and request a new CPU from IT. Well, I have a new CPU. And the cloaker i need still isn't installed. I.can't.work. This sucks. I hate this feeling of helplessness.

It's a good thing i got a dvd burned of Bee movie. I sure hope this works later. Or I am so gonna be pissed.

Random office/work related things

2008-02-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

While I'm doing something non-work related. Overshot my quota for the week since I've been fighting with our accomplishment program thingy.

My reputation precedes me. Because of this blog people don't believe me when I say I'm full.

I attract malice for some reason. Is that coz I'm a single? (God kill me if i become a double)

And to that effect, most of the friends i have from other departments are boys. I really am a dude.

Blind Item number 2

2008-02-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

Who is hiding inside his station?

If you know him you'd know who this is immediately.

Blind Item number 1

2008-02-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

Whose legs are intertwined?

I'll never tell...

It's all in the family.

2008-02-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

No that was not my lunch. It really is in the family. Last Sunday, we went with my brother to enter the Yoshinoya Gyudon eating contest. Since he already is the record holder for one of their branches, this was just a backup thing, and we figured, he already did it once, he could do it again.

And do it again he did. He now holds the record for two branches of Yoshinoya for fastest time eating two bowls of gyudon.

It went by so fast we wanted to enter. But for the life of me i cannot think of what i'd do if i won. We wanted to enter for the most bowls eaten haha.

Figures that when I told people they only said that he was really my brother. My reputation precedes me thankyouverymuch.

I like orchestras

2008-02-13T23:17:00.000-08:00

I really do. But I'm not as bad as Joannaman who wants the Philharmonic to play at her wedding. Nevermind the price of the thing, where would she fit all those people? Then again, she did say she wasn't gonna be the one getting married.

At this point my brother may be the only one who is.

Back to my point. I like orchestras. I swooned when the Manila Symphony Orchestra played with Sugrafree at the Music Museum, so when we heard that they were gonna play with Urbandub at the UP Fair, my sister and I were there. Nevermind that last time I went to UP Fair my phone got stolen. (It was taken from my pocket which I felt, that was violating to say the least) Nevermind that it was last Tuesday and I had work the next day.

Honestly I am not a huge fan of the band, but I like their lyrics. I know like 4 songs by ear. The rest I read.

When I got there I saw a lot of people that looked like the people who took my phone last year (the type kept anonymous but if you know me just ask) and everytime they passed by a took a step away. I like my phone thankyouverymuch. And the contents, please. The pictures alone could ruin reputations. (If those people's reputations weren't already)

Sad though the orchestra only played two songs with Urbandub. But I loved the experience nonetheless. Even if i had to suffer through countless bands I can't stand to hear them. I did see Marc Abaya perform for the album launch/10 year anniversary of Sandwich.

He is so dreamy. Normally I don't like the whole shaved head thing. But he's one of the few who can carry it off. And for a rocker he looks like he smells gooood. And I'm a sucker for that.

We left right after Urbandub. Slapshock was next. I'm really really NOT a fan.

Back to college... growing up.

2008-02-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

Growing up was the nickname of our group of drinkers 3rd year 2nd sem of college. And since I met up with the peeps last Saturday, it felt like going home. Met up at Much's house. Talked. Drank a little. (I had a beer ok? I got peer pressured by rc) It felt nice. Laughing with the same old peeps. RC, Much, Cent, Pat, Julie. Pinay. Oh, I brought Karen along. We had to leave early, but the next time, Imma stay. Mom even commented that she was expecting me to come home in the morning since she knew who I was with.

I think I actually crashed a fortheboys thing. thanks for the invite guys.

Sunday Mom, Joannaman and I went to SM so we could get away from home. Ate at Kimono Ken for lunch. The service was strange.. the waiter kept repeating our order then got it wrong... They wouldn't leave the kikkoman at the table too. The food was fun though. Had the noodles again.. But for the first time could not finish my meal... What is happening to me?

Can i just say I felt like such an adult yesterday? I had to open an atm account since keeping my cash at home makes me wanna spend it all, and the only account i have is the company paycard. So i opened an atm account to keep it away from me. Since I have no ID I had to get my barangay clearance for banking, and yay when we got there they offered to get the cedula thing that i had to get for work. So i felt so accomplished, grownup wise.

But we're not Chinese..

2008-02-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

But mom bought Chinese food to celebrate Pa's birthday. Dimsum and the like. And Pa bought the grilled stuff we love from Ihaw Balot Plaza, this place we've always liked but never visited. It was so beerhouse-y when we suggested the place to Joannaman's friends who were all manly men, they refused to go there. Our dad frequented the place when he was younger so we all got takeout grilled squid and tuna.

I was so freaking full I couldn't even eat the pistachio ice cream Mom bought.

I got a mango bravo from Conti's as cake. And we put the really gay candle on it. Pa almost singed his eyebrows coz he was leaning over the thing before it started to flare up.

It was fun. Just the family. Though Tito Monching, Pa's best friend came over, and after a few hours, Ate Ins, Kuya Uel, and Kuya Butch.

I got a Kuya Butch hug. Weee. He never falters to smell really good. And Ate Ins was beautiful as always. I loved the preppie thing she had going on (then again I am a sucker for preppie).

I am my father's daughter

2008-02-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

And it is his birthday today. Weeee!!

Yes I am my father's daughter in so many ways. I look like him. Well half... While my sister is a carbon copy of my mom and my brother is a twin of my pop a generation late, I am a mix of my parent's features. And from what i see, I inherited a few of his mannerisms and personality traits too.

-We are both awkward with affection, but choose to surprise you in bursts of warmth. Generally though of as cold, we have our moments of drama.

-We can both drink you under the table. Well. When in fighting form.

-We both are ruled by our impulses, and can sometime be in the middle of a project and say (or think to ourselves) "I did not think this through."

-We are creatures of habit.

-We like the time with friends. Sometimes even more than our time with our family.

-Both quiet when pissed, don't talk to us if you don't want to hear harsh words that we'd like to take back when we're calm.

-We like to smell good.

It's my dad's 54'th birthday today.

The postcard

2008-02-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

I took a picture.

Take note of the postscript. :D

What a full saturday.

2008-02-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

And this is from someone who says she's gonna spend less. Yes. I have many projects in the works. For the house, for myself and with that in mind i should be going out less and blowing my salary on food and drink, but here i am, still going out at every opportunity.

Friday was with the gay cliques. First with RC, Ren and Kiko and Karen for dinner at Gateway, then with Pao, Martin and Karen for dessert. We were supposed to go to Bellini's but went there too late. I've yet to introduce to them the wonder of their sweet wine (my favorite alcoholic drink in the whole wide world)but i have time. They're not going anywhere(yet). Went to Butter Diner instead. Nachos, milkshakes, brownies and sick sick sick talk of chicken littles and balls of furies and massagers/vibrators. Fun night. I wonder if we could do this once a week, or at least once a month. So many good movies coming up. I know who I'm going with!

Saturday. Lants(according to ren) out day. Went to Megamall supposedly for the Food Expo, but realized we had little time and no assurance we'd be eating at the thing so we went to Cabalen instead. I was a little apprehensive. I like Filipino food homecooked. (I still do) But went anyway. Eat all you can. I was full after a plate but still went to the dessert buffet and had my simple halo-halo.

Went to Tita Lani's after work. Mark's parents. Since Mark went to the US, Ate Mae got married, and Madel went to college mom thought it'd be a nice thing to do to visit them and we did miss them. Yes. Mark is still the perfect man. And yes he still has to find that perfect woman (coz for sure none of us is). When I heard about his life in the states from his parents I was in awe. I could never do that. Go to a whole new country alone to work. Not having any immediate family within a thousand miles. I applaud Mark. And i miss him.

His mom made pasta and fruit salad. I ate two bowls of the salad. And a plate of the pasta.

But i was still raring to go to Chateau Verde since we couldn't find it the other week. Lo and behold we found it. Date place. Thank God there weren't any couples when we arrived. Since we were full from the food from Mark's we just ordered a salad and dessert. Fun mango themed desserts. Still love my Chockiss though. But if you want directions to the place I'd be happy to show ya. For a slice of cake thankyouverymuch.

And last night Ate went over to Mark's place since the package he sent last November had arrived. I didn't go since i had to arrange my new cabinet (i was kicked out of my room).

When Joannaman got home she was carrying this huge box she told me to open and show Mom. Then told me to read the postcard. (i've yet to scan it but will post it soon) Almost teared up when i read the postscript "Jods get the hypnose." One it was addressed Jods (which is my all time favorite nickname if you say it right). Second, it was so matter of factly written. The rest of the card read that Joannaman and Ate Ana would decide what they would get each since he put random stuff in there. I would get the hypnose. Made me miss Mark even more. I just hope he is happy there. He is still the perfect perfect man. And i feel very lucky that even though i know him from my sister i still got to see what a decent good man is.

Enough of the gushing. I can't wear the perfume yet. It looks so fancy in its case. I don't wanna ruin it. Haha.

Yes. Chockiss. Again.

2008-01-30T16:08:00.000-08:00

So I'm a creature of habit. I love this place. Ok, so I wanted to try Chateau Verde last Sunday after I read about it last week, but since we couldn't find it among the houses at the back of the UP Shopping Center, we just made a beeline for Chocolate Kiss. Ate wanted a salad like I did but she got to order first, so i ordered the baby back ribs. (If they didn't have it the last time i would have just ordered dessert upon dessert and called it a day.)

Having just watched "The Mirror Has Two Faces" again, i ate my meal perfect bite style. To the uninitiated, there's a scene in the movie where her mom makes a big deal about her getting everything on her plate in one bite, every single element in that one forkful. I did that. Since I only had about three elements (the ribs, the corn, the mashed potatoes) i finished my meal pretty quickly.

I knew i wouldn't have room for a whole slice of cheesecake i just split with ate. Of course I had to get cake. It's chocolate kiss! Have you ever gotten that feeling where someting's so good that the hairs on your body stand up? I get that with their blueberry cheesecake. It doesn't take much to make me happy, and food is an easy solution to my doldrums.

Bubbly

2008-01-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

Met my Tripod and Ka for dinner last Wednesday at Bubble Tea in SM North. Pao suggested the place, and since I'm still at a loss for a go-to dining place ever since Teriyaki Boy revamped its menu, I was excited. And hungry. Well, I'm always hungry, especially if I come from work.

Since the boys were gonna be late (both had to do overtime at their work and are both coming from Makati), Karen and I went looking around for a present for Arnold for a while. Note to self: Never lewdly joke about someone if you don't really wanna know. Karen made my ears bleed that night. Too.much.information. After a lot (and I mean a lot) of stores we saw something that Ka really liked. And i saw a lot of things i really liked. Sad that they were stuff for boys though.

At about past 8 and we were way past hunger, we went to bubble tea. Ordered Lemon black teas. I got my usual noodles (I always order noodles the first time i go to a chinese/japanese place) and Ka had a seafood melt. The place was cute. Modern light colors, cushy chairs and a buzzer for every table to call for a server. Strange thing was you had to order at the counter. Oh well.

I loved their tea! Can't say the same for my noodles tho. You see, I like pork broth. So i ordered pork ramen. I found theirs to be too fussy, and it smelled like biscuits. Too many things were happening in my bowl so I just decided to focus on my fun drink.

I was full though. So full I couldn't eat dessert. We were supposed to go to Chocolat for dessert but found it closed, so we just went to gonuts donuts for cupcakes. Well, they had cupcakes. I sat and drank it all in.

I missed my tripod. And I'll never look at Choki-choki the same way again. Pao you are so graphic. Bow.

2008-01-22T17:35:00.000-08:00

Do you remember Dippin' Dots? The ubiquitous ice cream brand of the late 90s? I do. I remember when it first came on the scene and the way that i always wanted a cup whenever we went to SM North, even if it was pricier than most ice cream brands out there at the time. (P60 wasn't peanuts at the time, and it still is for a cup of ice cream.) I loved their flavors and was disappointed when it the fad faded and the branches slowly disappeared around the malls I frequented. Thank goodness for good old SM North, it retained one of its old branches and still served the little spheres of cool yummy ice cream. Even though now it's almost double the price that i remember (P100 a large cup) i couldn't resist when i saw my favorite flavor, the banana split and mint chocolate i've always loved. As i always am with food, one bite was a rush of memories from elementary school. And i felt like a kid again. It doesn't matter that this time I was with a friend and I came from work, I remembered what it felt like when a major trip involved riding the two rides to SM and happiness meant hen lin siomai and a cup of ice cream.

Yes I am growing up. Kill me for the peter pan syndrome post but I don't know. Yeah I'm not getting any younger but I don't want to grow up just yet.

Promotion=Food for everyone

2008-01-19T00:29:00.000-08:00

You know why I love this office? Coz we celebrate with food. Almost everyone has given a food treat at one time or another at this place, and the big boss is no different. To celebrate his recent promotion, Sir Marc, the big gun at this place treated the whole department to pizza and all I can say is, huzzah! It came at an opportune time, since I was craving pizza like air since like yesterday. Now I don't even have to eat dinner. (Ssshhh... I had three slices and glasses upon glasses of soda)

Congratulations to Sir Marc on the promotion! You deserve it, you put up with our crap every single day. It's just sad you're not the one who's gonna be signing our leave forms anymore.

I wonder who'll get promoted next? It seems there are promotions left and right at this place, with the expansion and everything, everyone has the chance to expand or move to a different specialty. A lot of the writers moved to different places, and even a few on our team moved too. So there are 8 of us left. The uber loafers club. Yes. We have a club. But we have no name, I just made that up. This is just coz it's the same people who go loaf each and every time. And I am one of those loafers.

I am so behind on my movie watching. (Damn you movie buddy you hast abandoned thee) And there are three on my list I think I'm gonna miss if I don't move soon. Bee Movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Sweeney Todd. If you're my friend you're gonna offer to go with me to these movies. Oh you're gonna.

I wish I could act sometimes. I have none of the ability it takes to act. I can't even stop my eyes from reacting to different things. Yes. I am that lame. My eyes betray every lie. I can't seem to get them to change.

So what do I do this year?

2008-01-15T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is not a crucial year like last year was. Last year i graduated from college and got my first (two) job(s). I accomplished what I had to do. I set my parents free from another sem/year of tuition and made like the good girl I am.

And yes I bet they're pleased that I haven't brought anyone home for them to meet yet. One of the perks of graduation at home is that I can, with their permission, enter a real relationship. Haven't used that privilege yet, but the other perks like going out more I use. A lot. And I learned that they feel more secure when I tell them I'm going out coz I always have an exit plan aka going home strategy. When you see my neighborhood you'll understand why. But so far I haven't gone home totally alone yet from a night out. So my parents have nothing to worry about. Yet.

I need to learn to drive. I cannot be a useless passenger again this year. Last year I got a student license. Now it's almost 12 months later and I'm still stuck at the garage while my brother is driving us to the province. Pathetic modern girl. If I can drive by the end of the year then I'll consider this a good one. If not. Man. I set only one goal then I'm not gonna get to accomplish just one thing? That's gonna be sad.

And my mantra for 2008 is Work. Everything else will follow.

So will food follow? I hope so.

Am I the only one (that isn't 6) who wants to watch Bee Movie and Alvin and the Chipmunks? Coz I'm being mocked here. What? They're fun happy movies and I need more fun and happy in my life.

Turning Japanese

2008-01-02T16:20:00.001-08:00

I am a Teriyaki Boy fan. Not as much now as before though. It seems whatever my sister and I like on the menu they discontinue and with no warning whatsoever. See exhibit A, my favorite Ebikko Gunkan, gone. I don't have a pic of the Chasyu Ramen but that too is gone. And so is the sashimi with rice my sister loved.

But I still go there. Like last night. It was a light dinner since I wasn't feeling like eating much I nudged Joannaman to just get Kani salad and sashimi for me. She still had rice (after her Mxicali quesadilla thankyouverymuch) but i was too full. So I just split a Kani salad with her and had my salmon sahimi and half an order of ebi sushi. It was a good thing I didn't order more. I was hella full after the sashimi.

And yes, when we saw the "Hot" light on at Krispy Kreme we stopped by. We have no shame. Especially for donuts.

A week ago we tried Kimono Ken at Podium (which i pronounce podyum wahaha) and it was nice. A bit fancier than my home Teriyaki boy but i like it there too. Love their iced tea and Beef noodles.

Finally got to try Sebastian's ice cream after reading about it's yummy goodness online.

It's cool that they let you try first. After trying a few flavors we decided to split a Dublin Fudge (chocolate ice cream laced with Bailey's Irish Cream) and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I loved it! I am a fan of new flavors and these were definitely new for me. The Dublin Fudge had a definite undertone of Bailey's but with no bitterness and kick. The Cookie Dough I still liked even though I am not a lick the bowl after baking cookies kinda person(raw eggs. I am not a fan. well, not anymore). The chockylit chips definitely dialled down the ick factor for me. Wanna go try their other flavors, but would have to go back to Podium. Do i love ice cream that much? (All signs point to yes)

What a wonderful world

2007-12-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

Yes I was home for Christmas. And in those three days I felt no pain, anger, jealousy. Everything and everyone was all good. How could it not be? We had overflowing food, drink, and a videoke machine rented for the whole time there. Plus our adorable mascot Bruno (also known as our youngest cousin Agnelli)

I indulged my every vice. Food. From crabs to ham to bulalo, every taste every craving was filled, and with new people in our midst, new food discovered. Vietnamese spring rolls and this shrimp thing that I loved was cooked by my cousin's aunt from her other side.

And drinks too. I had like 4 liters of coke in those three days. Had wine that was 13 years older than me. Tried my brother's odd concoctions, made a pitcher of my own.

I sang every song imaginable. Sang my effing throat out. Was emo, trashy, oldie all at the same time. I also sang for my supper. While everyone was digging in, I was "ella-ella-ella"-ing all over the place since my uncle who is not to be refused asked.

I sang that song twice. I never realized how much ellas were involved in that song till i did.

And as I predicted, I was picked first for the family raffle. I was the loserest of the losers. Ahahaha.

I'll be home for Christmas

2007-12-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

Yes I'm going home this Christmas. I am a poser probinsyana and call my mother's side home. It's where I feel most like myself. The place where i instantly feel happy just being there. It just sucks that I can't go there more often since I work from Tuesday to Saturday and thus can't catch the weekend when everyone's home. So we go there like three times a year minimum... And as far as i know the family's gonna be complete this year so heck yeah I'm excited! This is gonna be a blast. Uber food trip. Hangouts. Laugh trip. I love going home. Maybe I'm growing up a bit but I'm not excited so much about the gifts and stuff but just the actual going there.

I'm done with my gift list almost. Just need to buy my grandma a zebra print clutch to match her favorite zebra print sheer ensemble. My granny rocks! I can't wear animal print at all... I can't pull it off. I don't have that zing.

I got this adorable cloth flower smiling at me. Just got her today. Yes i already named her Violet. (that was creative, naming her after her color. note to self: Call next dog Woof to add insult) She is perched on top of my left monitor next to the santy claus figure I borrowed from the Christmas wreath in front of our bulletin board. Borrowed is the word I use and it's true. One person keeps calling me a thief bleh. I'm giving santyclaus back. After Christmas I promise.

Santa read this. It is my highly impossible-I've-been-wishing-for-years-why-can't-i-find-this stuff wish list. If you, dear reader (Yeah like I have any) know of where to get these things here in the Philippines please enlighten me so I can finally cross them off my almost decade old wish list.

1. Popular, Boy Meets World, Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch DVDs.
--they were that unpopular that no one will even counterfeit them. And I can't find them in legit DVD stores for the forementioned reason.

2. Kiwi mango lip balm
--Blame my Boy Meets World childhood. I found kiwi. I found mango. I just can't find them together. And no, I won't buy two and mix them together.

that's it. Ahaha. I shouldn't even have bothered to put numbers on the damn thing.

Sing while you're winning

2007-12-18T16:14:00.000-08:00

And sing we did. The long talked about only recently concretely planned team videoke night out was last Saturday and we had a blast. How could we go wrong with thousands of songs, this huge room, food and a bit of booze to give us the extra push to sing our hearts out? Of course our supervisor was the first to sing, and with dance moves to match. Even if it was a Backstreet Boys song that I really don't like, it started off a night of memories.

Things to note about the night:

It was the first time we really went out with Aysa and Vins.
It was our first videoke night.
It was my return to margaritas (drink all you can baby!) And i had two.
RC really came through, even if he did have to commute a hella long way.
I ditched my Ange lakad for this.
We got to advanced-celebrate RC's 21st in style.

Good thing we did, since I woke up the next day sick. Abby too. We couldn't go to the EK celebration on Monday. I still wanna go to EK though. It's been years and years since I've been there and I miss it.

Yeah we went to the Web marketing department party afterwards, but by that time a lot of us were a little under the influence of alcohol and had to leave after a while.

Solitary Apple Crumble

2007-12-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

This was my first ever food trip alone. I dunno I just felt like going around the mall looking for gifts by my lonesome. It was fun. Was weird for me though. Since I never really like doing anything by myself. From a person who doesn't even like to order her coffee from the barista, I am now a girl who sits down and eats dessert with only herself for company. (And also apparently now refers to herself in the third person)

So I ate my Apple Crumble at Cafe Breton. Thank goodness it was still early and there weren't a lot of people around.

Jj joined me like an hour later so I wasn't completely alone though. But i was planning to really just go around alone so that's a huge step anyway.

I also got my kris kringle monito a gift. Out of ideas and not really knowing who it is, I got a sort of generic gift. Hope he likes it. I would.

Also the company christmas shindig was last weekend. It was fun. The venue was okay, the food blah, but we all had a blast. (At least I hope we did). There were some people who really took the theme to heart, donning not only outfits but personalities. Rubs was one who really got into character. The people who won as the personalities of the night were really eye-catching though. The boy in a prince costume and the girl in a flapper dress. Of course Kuya Gabs won as Mr. Body Beautiful, and this girl from the Cataloging department won as his female counterpart wearing this midriff baring dress.

Have to admit it was fun seeing everyone all dressed up. It was like the prom, only a bit looser... (Would your prom feature guys in bras and boxers gyrating as part of its program? I think not) Albeit the party was a little early, it was cool. Especially when our department won the presentation competition.

And even if the band was kinda lame, we all got up to dance. Even those of us with two left feet (that would be me). I did miss dancing, well, the uncoordinated,you-could-just-bob-your-head kind of dancing that i do.

The afterparty was at eastwood, where we were nearest, and when I heard it was at Jack's Loft I was a happy bunny coz I wanted one of their iced teas and dessert. Sadly we moved to Bedroom so I sat down with my definitely no fun iced tea and was attacked by my sleepy demon. Didn't stay long and even fell asleep in the car on the way home (Sorry RC last i remember we were talking).

And yeah, I won a phone. Gave it to my dad. He is the hardest person to shop for ever. So i told him last night in case he didn't like it I'd just sell the thing and buy him something else. Thank God he liked it. This may be the first time I gave him a gift he actually used.

Happy birthday Thursday

2007-12-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

It was Abby's and Jj's birthday celebration here at the office yesterday.

I was a happy bunny. Do you see the ice cream?

I had like a little plate of pansit and cups and cups of ice cream. Ahaha. What can I say? I know what I like.

Feeling like a kid lately. Watched the clip of the Spice Girls' Performance of Stop and all these memories of my insane Spice Girls obsession in my elementary days surfaced. I loved them. I bought every magazine I could, I have their tapes, posters of them covered my room. It's one of the things people from Angelicum remember me for. I even bought the special edition Chupa Chups lollipops just to get the stickers(I hated the taste).

So seeing them perform one of my favorite songs gave me a chill and even made me all misty-eyed.

Really don't get this weenie side of me now. It takes but a little to make me cry. It sucks ahahaha. I hate crying. It's sad. (Well duh) And i feel like such an insipid female when it happens.

Butter Diner and Ka's birthday

2007-12-03T18:47:00.001-08:00

Yes. We went loafing last friday and had lunch at Butter Dinner. Well, they had lunch and I had pancakes and a milkshake. In one meal I filled my sugar quotient for the weekend. But i was a happy bunny. Come on, blueberry pancakes and a vanilla milkshake? Yeah baby!

Yes it was Karen's birthday last Sunday. We arranged a little surprise for her at her house for her. It was a bit harried since our original plan was messed up coz of the unavailability of the presents we wanted to give her, but we pulled it off. I had a little brainwave of making it kiddie themed so we had Strawberry Shortcake party hats and nametags. (Yes, for 6 people) I would've done balloons had i known where to put them. Martin took her out for dinner while Pao and me went to her house to set up.

It really is pathetic of us to have my younger brother drive us to her house(again). New Year's Resolution is to drive. And not just in our garage.

I bought this really pretty candle that makes like a firework but i didn't quite know how to work it so the thing melted its edges on the cake. Still looked hecka pretty though.

It was also the Tripod anniversary! One year. A year of gayness. Boo-ya!

Boss men

2007-11-29T22:40:00.000-08:00

The big guns of the office came over the office for a week from the States to check us out. It went pretty well I guess, coz they were smiling when they left. And they seemed to like our team too. And here I thought we were gonna be grilled on our jobs and told what we should do, turns out

We dressed in corporate wear for the week. Yes, we were posers for a few days. I kind of liked it, playing dress up. But it still didn't feel like my dad's office. Old school offices I like. When we went to DOF last week it felt like my dad's office.

Yes I can watch Heroes now and I'm so happy. Updated and waiting for the 11th episode and apparently this is the season finale. Hoping this'll be good.

Woot long weekend! Since today is a holiday and we're supposed to go to work tomorrow, our boss adjusted the schedule so that we'd go to work today and have a long weekend instead. Woot woot! This is great!

And we just got our salary.

Christmas present buying time!

Planner/Caramel Apple/Weekend Happy

2007-11-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

So it's very easy to make me smile, sue me.

I know this is so bourgeois of me, and those activist friends of mine will sure scoff when I share, but I got my Starbucks 2008 planner yesterday and that fact is why I'm still smiling today. You see the past two years, my life has been chronicled in the pages of these planners. But haha I may be the only one who gets what I wrote. I record my life but I'm not stupid. The really incriminating things I write in a notebook that's kept in a locked drawer in my room. But there are still some things I wrote on those pages that I hope the people don't figure out. My life's pretty unexciting, but I still have my secrets.

I am still a toffee nut- nut though. And will definitely help ate in filling up mom's planner card. It's the best excuse to go to a coffee place everyday and I've used it quite often ahahaha.

And after pestering my sister to get me a caramel apple from SanFo treats when she goes to the movies with Ate Zha yesterday, lo and behold when Mom opened the fridge this morning We saw two marshmallow boulders in all their pink glory.

I got one out and ready to eat it for (an unhealthy) breakfast, I turned on the tv and gah, saw a rerun of The Correspondents feature on rats. Wonderful. This was maybe the first time I lost my appetite because of something I watched on tv. Tried to channel surf, saw CSI. That did not help at all. So no breakfast for me. I just took it to work and ate it at my station. I took a picture for posterity then proceeded to scarf it down. This is really not for the poised. But. Sugar high baby!

And of course, the weekend. Even if I'm hecka broke I'm still going to enjoy my weekend. Maybe just ask my friends to come over and hang out. I want a mojito though. Waiter, where's my drink will be heard all over the house i bet.

Bling.

2007-11-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

I spent half of yesterday looking at celebrity rings at this forum. Man, fame sure makes one shiny. To think their only investment was good genes. (Well, for some of them) The rest of us chumps need to work and save up for decent rings. Maybe it means more if you work for it? I hope so.

So now I'm wearing this childhood ring that I've had since I can remember and it still fits since it has an adjustable band. It's a bit of bling, since it's a birhtstone ring from my grandma and my birthstone apparently is diamond. Now I can wear it to work without fear of scarring someone, coz the last time I wore it to work I gave someone a deep scratch on the arm. Not a very nice thing to give, yes?

I got to have cake this morning! I'm a happy bunny. RC had to go to Red Ribbion to buy snacks for the guys detailing his car, so I tagged along. I actually wanted a slice of banoffee pie, but unfortunately for me, the cakes of the day did not include my new Red Ribbon favorite. So i got a slice of the custard roll and a coke. Made my day. Made my sugar quotient for the day just in that little pitstop but I was a happy bunny like I said. We walked from the office to Red Ribbon, bit of a long way to go for a fix, but it was worth it.

I cannot wait to buy christmas gifts. I just can't.

I had a dessert filled couple of days

2007-11-20T17:21:00.000-08:00

And I love it. I went out from Thursday to Tuesday to eat. That's what happens when I get my salary. I burn money. On food. These past few days have not been an exception.

Had my first red cup as I said. Then had my favorite from SanFo treats, Marshmallow Boulder. Yum. The crunch of the apple, the sticky of the caramel, the mush of the marshmallow.. I love it. I tried the other variations but this is still my favorite.

Although we did eat at Teriyaki Boy, our staple dinner place. Full to the brim. Sushi to the max. Kani salad. Asupara bacon thingy. Watermelon shake. I also had dessert another day at another place. :D but I'll keep that to myself where and what. Someone's gonna kill me if i share.

Had chockiss dessert too. My ultimate blueberry cheesecake. Simple. Home. Rich. Heaven.

Then had a lot of Krispy Kreme donuts the day after. I did not know that if the "Hot" light is on that they gave out original glazed.. So they gave me one, right after i already had a chocolate iced kreme filled(my new favorite).

It's been a good couple of days for me. Dessert wise.

It seems everyone is finding love.

2007-11-16T18:40:00.000-08:00

Or has already found love.. Have lasting love. Rediscovering love.

Yes I'm using the L-word. I'm just seeing it everywhere these days, from my friends, random strangers, people's parents, to right here in the office. Maybe it's the holidays. Maybe I'm just looking, but there it is. Love is everywhere. Everyone's in love.

Everyone but me.

I think the shattered tattered broken pieces of self I have left are still trying to find themselves and fuse back together.

Yes I know that a person can live a full life without a significant other, but what fun is there in that? What passion?

I guess I'm just looking for someone to hold hands with. Yes. Hold hands with. See, you can hug friends. You can kiss those random people if you're looking to fill a carnal desire, but holding hands... that's different. It's not to fill some primal need, nor is it that platonic that it's something you can just do with one of your friends.

So to those people who have that person to intertwine their fingers with at any time... Don't let go.

On a lighter note, had lunch at Chockiss today. Had spareribs and cake. Oh cake. I could eat their blueberry cheesecake at every single meal. I could you know. But i won't be able to move I'd be so fat. Wahaha.

Ate was there. Took her office friends too. We are sisters.

And so it starts

2007-11-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

It's red cup season again. I have been trying to stay away from the bean these few months. One coz I could do without my heartburn, two since I'm at my shirley temple phase and haven't really been craving it unless I catch a whiff of it here at the office.

I heard red cup season started last November 6. It stated for me last night. Toffee nut! I am a nut for this drink. I might even drink it hot since I can feel the chill of the holidays in the morning.

Saw these ornaments at the store yesterday. So adorable. But too expensive for a whim. Kill me if i buy a tumbler. I want one of those personalize yourself tumblers but I can't bring myself to buy one. Same thing why I won't buy havs for myself. haha.

Went around. Found the prettiest eternity ring. It was 8,800. Absurdly cheap right? Considering what people spend on clothes nowadays. So those of you planning to propose marriage, go to Miladay. They have the prettiest stuff.

I want a toffee nut frap. My coffee demon is awake.

Brrr

2007-11-14T15:50:00.000-08:00

It is so freaking cold here. The ac is directed right at me. Come on! Just coz I have the insulation doesn't mean I don't feel the cold. It's a struggle just to type. Brrrr...

So we placed second overall at the company sportsfest. Final day last November 10 at The Zone at Makati. I have a couple of things to say about this. First of which, I never planned to go to the hing. Come on, Makati? It's a hassle just trying to get there. And my dignity! I was volunteered to join the Ball Game by my very enthusiastic IMS peeps, i was just supposed to watch over the games, not join them.

I ended up going after getting this guilt trip pep talk our boss gave just before he had to leave to set up. It was directed at us specifically (exile island people) so I went just for the attendance, and hell, I didn't have plans just yet.

After signing up I was wracking my brains on how to slip away from the Fun games and just go back to watch the basketball game. Good thing a couple of my teammates called me to eat dinner somewhere. We got to walking to PeopleSupport. Oh i missed that place. And I finally saw the stars on ayala avenue. Took a couple of pics, withdrew from the atm, got KFC takeout. Unfortunately when we got back it was just in time for my game. But we won the ball game yay. Leave your dignity at the door people! Haha.

Watched the game after. Sad to say it was a deja vu of the first with them leading at the 3rd and losing points at the last quarter. But they fought hard. 2nd aint bad.

That night was a laugh trip. I had a blast.

It's raining outside. Snuggle under the covers weather. Why am I at work again freezing my tush off?

The first time I realized I was alone.

2007-11-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Last night, for the first time I realized fully my singlehood. Was supposed to meet Karen at Trinoma to go to K's and then go to Pupil's album launch afterwards... Ended up not going anywhere but Trinoma.

You see earlier that afternoon I was feeling pain in my ribs, particularly at my right side. I found it hard to breathe since with every breath I took there was significant tightening around the area. Thinking it would just pass, I went right ahead to Trinoma, happily walking around looking at shirts and the like, with just mild discomfort. But the longer I stayed there, the worse the pain got. Soon I had to sit down. Thinking it might just be like hunger or something I sat down and ate, willing Karen to arrive.

I was wrong and soon even if i was sitting down I could still feel every breath.

Since I was texting my sister at the time I told her about it and she came and got me.

Rested at home. Took some meds.

Sorry Karen I couldn't wait.

That was the first time I ever felt truly alone. I hated it.

So why haven't I posted about my recent adventures?

2007-11-08T22:31:00.000-08:00

It's coz I don't feel like it yet.

From zero to two, I now have two friends with kids. Truly adorable kids. I think I'm godmother to one, but I'm not sure yet.

Feeling a bit emo these days... I think my bangs are starting to affect my disposition haha.

Still broke from going to Boracay and then buying a phone, but still going out at every turn. What can I say? Work hard party harder. So I don't have savings yet, I'm still a kid. I don't have responsibilities to take care of as of the moment. Going to enjoy this pseudo freedom while I can. I'm 21 going on 17. I guess seeing my friends' lives change just like that has made me want to be more carefree.

I.want.chocolate.

I didn't go to the province this year

2007-11-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Usually we go to the province, first my mom's side for Halloween and November 1st, then to my dad's side for the 2nd and the succeeding days after that. This year we stayed home. Since my dad's mom is at our house since no one can stay with her at her house, we couldn't very well go to my mom's side.

I miss my cousins. My family. I miss trick or treating at my cousin's village with no costume (basically just asking for candy at random people's houses) and pig-out sessions at every meal.

Maybe I'm still sour graping about the fact that I was at Boracay at the last family get-together for my cousin Anna's 18th a Fernwood.

Chocolate fountain dammit.

I spent the last few days making Shirley Temples. It's my brother's fault. He brought home grenadine and bought cherries. This is my new phase. I go through food phases. Drink phases too.

I still want a mojito. Can't make one haven't bought mint leaves yet. And i don't want to make an alocholic drink at every meal, I don't want to be hammered at breakfast haha. (Well not right now perhaps later in life. :P)

I am jonesing for maltesers. Too lazy to go to the store. Is there a rainy day bunny who brings chocolates on rainy days instead of easter?

Hungry

2007-10-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

I am so hungry. But i can't go out right now.. Can't even go get water. I am in costume for our team's agreed upon costume day. Of course not all of us went along, but I'm so happy that a lot of us did.

I went as Chun-Li from the Street Fighter video game series. I am in no way Chinese looking but I figure this was easier than my first plan of going as a goth ballerina. (I have a black tutu skirt I've never worn so sue me.)

Got me a new phone. I guess this is a violent reaction to my boracay trip where I had to "rent" my brother's phone for 700 so i could have decent personal pictures.

Now I'm broke and about to go on vacation. Bum baby!

Yes we went to Boracay. For three days. It was paradise. Not too much people which I loved but with a few rainshowers which I hated.

Next stop: Palawan!

Yes I did get pictures taken. It was embarassing and wonderfully fun at the same time. I am not a model. Will never be. :P

Brought Steve, Ka and RC to Chocolate Kiss for lunch. So happy that they liked it. I got new people to rave about the place with me. So now I gotta take them to Beach house for barbecue.

I thought I had the guts to watch 1408. I was wrong. A lot of people thought it was lame but I don't. It's hard to sleep at night. So i sleep way early so i can leave the light on. I am such a weenie.

a kid among grownups

2007-10-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

I have no path, no plan, no idea of what I want to be. A lot of my friends have their big plans of where they want to be in five years, me, I'm feeling my way through. What feels right, what looks like fun, what might be good for me.

I am a kid among grownups and sometimes it kills me.

Coz a few of my friends have (and will have kids).

Maybe this is because I was talking to my best friend earlier and she told me she might get married in a few years. That's huge right? Well it is for me. I haven't even met her long time boyfriend (Well duh they live in the States) and she's thinking of marriage right now..

I'm scared of even introducing a boyfriend to the family. Well i won't have that problem for a while haha.

Photos are coming soon. So not ready. Hope this goes well.

Crazy Friday

2007-10-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Maybe not crazy, but it was a long great fun Friday. Unlike the rest of the nation, we had work. Our boss decided to give us a long weekend and gave us Saturday off. It was loaf day since we (well almost all of us) had finished our tasks for the day.

I almost always finish early (and this is not bragging) coz I hate leaving things undone. This way I know I have time to loaf. Haha.

Anyway, went straight to Cubao after work. (Ren dropped me off thanks Ren!) Met ate at Speedo, tried on suits (stop me i have too much already) then went to Bellini's for dinner (I had a choice of Italian[bellini's] or Japanese[Teriyaki Boy], our usual haunts) I picked Italian since we already went to Teriyaki Boy that Sunday and I wanted sweet wine. Then off to Gateway since we had tickets for Stardust. Tried the Globe Platinum Cinema for the first time. Loved it. Loved the movie, loved the cinema. Not a date place though if you want to get close haha. There's a table between the two chairs. Just a sidenote for those interested.

After the movie we met Ate Ana and Alfie and went to JT's coz they wanted to eat. I was still full from dinner and the popcorn but i still ate. Then off to Pier One for us. Got margaritas and cheesecake. Alfie had a slammer and beers. I am in awe. I fall down after one slammer. Popo followed and drank margaritas with us. Pier One closed on us so we went to Popo's place. I fell asleep there when they were talking haha. I just closed my eyes for a sec the next thing i knew i was waking up. Ate breakfast there then headed home.

I realized that my parents programmed us so that we get annoyed if they text us where we are, then worry when they don't. Bravo Ma and Pa.
Bora. I can almost feel it. Even now I'm listening to "Wish you were here" by Incubus. Definitely gonna load it into my mp3 player. And amber. And bob marley songs. The trip is days away and I'm excited at the same time nervous. Haha. Oh the judgment! I just hope my work dads don't go all crazy and wrap me in a towel if they see me in my swimsuit. When they asked me if i was gonna wear a two piece at the beach they all had disbelief etched in their faces and voices. I prefer not to say whether I am. waha.

I feel like this.

2007-10-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yes. The yellow one. I just do.

Cold. Brr..

2007-10-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

It's so effing cold here right now that I have to wonder if the ac is pointed directly at me. I'm sorry i forgot my parka, I'm wearing a jacket for people that live in a tropical country thank you very much.

So I'm cranky. My eyes are tearing up for God knows what reason and i have windburn on my upper lip. And a migraine for the second day in a row. Combine that with the cold and the fact that we got a cash card and not an atm is making me a not so happy girl.

But I still want a banana split from Cafe Breton. Bring on the cold!

I'm hoping that they don't take away my computer until the new ones get here. I know it's kinda slow like its owner, but i'mattached to it. Literally. Earphones and all.

So our salary we won't be getting until Monday. Meaning my weekend is going to be a lot more quiet than I thought it would be. Haha. Unless one of my friends treats me? To ice cream? And sweet wine?

All right. I'm addicted to the sweet wine from Bellini's. Stop me from going over there and buying a bottle. The waiter already knows me for drinking that each time, i don't want him to call me an alcoholic(again haha).

I'm actually done with the task for the week (Sssssh they might hear me) so now I'm looking for ideas for good pictures. So sue me I'm not feeling very idea centered right now.

Tiny bladder calling. Gotta go.

Sometimes we don't want to hear the truth, but there it is

2007-10-09T17:02:00.002-07:00

Ok. So my parallel universe isn't working for me anymore. Haha. Even there I'm feeling antsy. So it used to be my dreams were these little bits of movie scenes with me in it. Reality is now bleeding into them and it's not fun. Could it be my conscience is getting back at me for being a not so squeaky clean good girl?

Been listening to Sugarfree a lot lately. Ebe Dancel is brilliant and he should not stop writing. I could find myself in his songs, as cheesy as it sounds.

Finally went and got myself Happy Turtle-d. Went last Saturday with Kiko and Ren. They indulged my nuttiness. Got ice cream, hung out a little then headed home. You can bet I'm coming back there. It's a perfect hangout place. It'd be perfect to go to Bellini's for dinner then Happy Turtle for dessert (if you still have room). Definitely recommend it for dates for you lovers out there. To reiterate it's in the Cubao Expo in duh, Cubao.

Sunday I had to go to SM to buy my eho food, ate went with me. As we expected the place was deserted since it was just about the time the Pacquiao fight was on. Ate lunch at Teriyaki Boy. Kani salad, Gyoza dumpling udon, ebi sushi, salmon sushi, ebikko gunkan. Full to bursting.

Somewhere in the office network someone uploaded John Lennon's Jealous Guy. Love that song. Still looking for it now as I'm listening to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. :D

I got DENIED. Again.

2007-10-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Went to Cubao explicitly to go to Happy Turtle yesterday. I figured we'd get to eat there by then. It was Friday and it was dinner time. That's what I thought. Again I was denied. The place was frickin' closed. We were hungry so we headed directly to Bellini's for dinner.

Yummy. Got Penne Capisante (penne with scallops) and a mozzarella pizza. My requisite sweet wine. The waiter remembered us from last time and asked why this time it was just the two of us (coz last time Ate Ana was with us last time) and asked if we wanted a bottle of their sweet wine again. I just had a glass haha. And got dessert. Bianco tartufo.

Full. Happy. I love their sweet wine. I could drink it everyday.

And when we got out of the restaurant I was cursing. See Happy Turtle is just in front of Bellini's. After eating so much to compensate for my disappointment, i see that it had indeed opened.

So we go in and ask their hours. Apparently they open at 6, close at 10 or later and open only on Wednesdays to Saturdays. So now I'm asking my officemates over and over again to go there later. I'm being ignored.

I didn't know i had dads in the office

2007-10-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

So i wear this striped shirt yesterday, one my uncle sent over from the states. It was a little low cut so i wore a tank top underneath to hide the scary. Little did i know my guy friends were my dads at the office and patrolled what I wore. Even giving me jackets to cover up with and telling me to pull my shirt up.

I was expecting them to make fun of me for wearing something girly, but that reaction was way out of my expectations.

Sorry dads. I didn't know it was that scary for you to see me in a girl shirt.

So now I'm wearing two shirts to make up for yesterday. To make my dads happy.

It's friday and that means going out day. I'm just waiting for the requisite last minute asking to go drink somewhere. I actually have plans with Ate and Alfred later but that's like way later so I have time to go out with the mates.

Christmas is coming. I'm not ready yet! Can someone stop time while I catch my breath?

Maybe I was really alone when I was leaning against a wall thinking you were on the other side.

Heavenly Saturday

2007-10-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

So I got my fill of heaven last Saturday. I already was having a good albeit rainy Saturday then, had our usual lunch out and I got my fill of Krispy Kreme donut goodness for lunch, was agreeing with our incentive program after lunch and had a bunch of laughs. Ren even dropped me off at Greenhills where I was going to watch Sugarfree with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Was so excited about this concert. Just think about it. Sugarfree with an orcehstra? It made me drool just thinking about it.

Surpassed my every expectation. We were up in the nosebleed seats since we took a long time to buy tickets, but it didn't matter. I was filled with the violins, the drums, the guitars, ebe dancel's voice. I felt i could die just then.

They really are my favorite band here. Maybe my favorite band period. Wonderful lyrics, nice tones.. Drums. Drums.

Can i just say Kaka Quisimbing is dreamy? Love that he wears a watch every time.

Ate at Grilla afterwards coz Ate Ana wanted their bagoong rice. It was yummy. I forgot what we had with it haha. Suffice to say they were good too. Also had a strawberry margarita. Or should i say margarilla?

Headed to Kripsy Kreme to unwind afterwards. Got the UST donut i wanted, and also a new york cheesecake and chocolate kreme filled one. Couldn't finish them all, also bought one more box of six to take home.

It was a heavenly Saturday. I felt so content just sitting there listening to them. I could listen to them until forever. Made me feel there was still hope in the world for me.

Full to bursting

2007-09-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

It's almost 3 pm and I'm still hella full from lunch. To be fair we got back fairly late but still, I still feel like bursting from all that we ate.

Saturday is lunch out day. This time we went to Greenhills. Supposedly we were going to eat at Teriyaki Boy but we walked around and saw Little Asia. Kudos to their atmosphere it drew us in. I've never eaten there but RC has so he and Isko ordered for all of us. We had spring rolls, beef tenderloin with cheese, lamb stew, ribs and i forgot that other thing. Loved the rolls. Loved the beef. Loved everything. Haha. Isko paid for half the meal. Thanks boss! We wabshu!

Even if i was so full I was still looking for dessert. So we drove through Krispy Kreme and got half a dozen glazed doughnuts and ate it at the office.

So now I'm staring at food still in front of me that I can't eat or I might burst.

Do I abuse my friends? Coz they get me food. And drop me off at home.

The doughnut box came with a flyer for these special UAAP Final Four doughnuts. So basically it had UE, DLSU, ADMU and UST doughnuts. Want those. Will get those. Somehow. :D

Octoberfest was last night

2007-09-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

And i wasn't there. Haha. What would I do there? I don't drink beer, I hate pushing through crowds and I have work the next day. Still we got our salary yesterday so we just had to go out to eat and drink a bit. So we headed to Pioneer and found a place to just sit back and eat. It was Memphis steak place (I'm really not sure what its real name was, suffice to say it had the word Memphis in it).

For a place that has steak as its specialty, well.. Didn't really like it. Tried the T-bone steak with rice. I don't know. It was sweet which is weird for me. The rice was crunchy and the veggies cold. Good thing I had my rootbeer to wash it down. Also tried a sip of Carlsberg chill, since K told me it was good. It tasted like beer. So there.

I am definitely not a gimik girl, but I do feel like dancing. For some reason. I can't dance for my life, but I want to go dancing.

Who was the last person I slow danced with? :P

I got denied by Happy Turtle again. Well, I got denied by RC and Isko and Ren who didn't want to go there anymore after we went to Pioneer. I tried since we were gonna take a cab to Cubao anyway.

No I am not engaged. Mom found my childhood birthstone ring and by the grace of God (and an adjustable band) it still fits. This has been with me since I was like 4 i think. Sure it's bright yellow gold but I love it.

Jumble-y thoughts

2007-09-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

Never stop thinking about them, coz that's the moment they'll appear. When you finally thought you could be happy. Just when you start laughing again. One glimpse and your life promptly falls to pieces. It just goes to show you that you can't YM stealth settings appear permanently invisible to this contact your way to healing.

I'm ok I just want to send this thought out to a friend who just had their heart broken.

Reality is the leading cause of stress. that's my YM status and one that's taken to heart. Yes I live in my own parallel universe where I am blissfully happy and there is no hunger, no poverty, no war, no murder, no heartbreak, no betrayal. This parallel universe sustains me and I like it here. I may never leave. Reality is just too bleak to live in, to see. Why stress myself out?

The team is going to Boracay soon. So much for trying to lose weight. At this point it's too late to do anything and at this point I don't really care. Scratch your eyes out when you see me wahahaha. Love me love my rolls.

I've been told by my dear parents that I've been going out a lot lately. Really? You call two times a week a lot? Haha. I know. But I've been going home early doesn't that get me points? And i always have a ride home. I'm a spoiled friend.

Have you ever thought how much you've changed since you were a kid? I was confonted with that thought yesterday talking to one of my friends since forever. She told me about her shock about how some people have changed since we were kids and i had to agree. A lot of us have changed a lot. Some for the better, some, not good at all. I wonder what category I fall under.

Someday I may have the guts to show my pictures from elementary, but now, they're still under lock and key. Showed one to some of my officemates a couple of weeks ago and got a lot of laughter. So for now, I'm still keeping those under wraps. Just a hint, i was told I looked like a coconut back then. Now? I don't know.

Volaaaaree

2007-09-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

A little clarification on my previous post, those are the same bunch of people, with just different characteristics specified.. John told me I dated so many people i got alarmed that he thought that. Haha.

Went to eat at Volare at Cubao yesterday. Was supposed to go out somewhere to drink but Isko was dizzy so him RC and me just went to eat.

Of course we went to Volare. We were talking about that place for days. Isko made it famous by mentioning that it played the song Volare over and over again, with different versions for variety. At first we didn't hear since there were a lot of people, but once the crowd thinned out, we heard like 4 versions. One fast one, one slow by a man, one slow by a woman and something else.

Had pizza and pasta. They had big servings so we just split. I liked it there. Seafood pasta and Parmesan and prosciutto pizza. Simple. Nice. I'm a big fan of prosciutto.

Didn't like the fact that it was so bright though. I felt like i was in an aquarium and the people who passed by the restaurant could see all that i was doing.

Maybe I'm just partial to Bellini's. :D

Tried to get them to go with me to Happy Turtle for dessert, but since it was a long walk they wouldn't go. This is the third time this place has eluded me. I will get to try their food. (Unless they've already closed in that case I will not be a happy bunny).

Now the song is still in my head. Volare.. wohohoho..

Bellini's twice in a week? How lucky am i? :D

2007-09-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

I am a lucky girl. I started out the week at Bellini's on Monday and ended with it still on Sunday.. How does a girl get so lucky? By cajoling and engineering it that way. I was at Cubao twice this week, both times for the cheering competition. The first time to get tickets, the next to watch it.

With Jj we didn't get tickets but we were happy bunnies still. We finally got to go out after a loooong time of talking about it. After more than an hour of being in line and getting nothing to show for it, we headed to Marikina Shoe Expo to drown our sorrows in food. We were supposed to eat at Happy Turtle but it was closed. It was like 10 in the morning haha. So we tried our luck at Bellini's and thankfully they were open. Well technically, they weren't but they let us in anyway. Even if they weren't even in their uniforms yet. Even if nothing was cooked yet. Haha. Being so hungry we ordered as fast as we could, one pasta for each of us even if they had large servings. We even contemplated getting a pizza to split but decided to order if we were still hungry after the pasta. I got pesto mare and jj got scoglio. I love them both coz they were seafood. I felt so grown up then coz i ordered my favorite sweet wine for lunch with pasta.

It was a good thing we didn't order that pizza coz we couldn't even finish our pasta. We took half of it home and proceeded to go to three malls, Gateway, The Block and Trinoma. I helped pick Jj's new scent. It was like grass so he's all clean smelling. I miss his Aspen though.

Went to Trinoma next. Just walked around. Dropped by All Flip flops coz i wanted to look at something, but ended up going to Adidas and buying something else.

I told myself months ago that i wouldn't buy havaianas coz they're overpriced strips of rubber, but since i got a pair as a gift i've warmed up to them.. But since that thought popped into my head when i was in the store, i asked Jj to go with me to Adidas to try and look for the sandals i loved but didn't have the size at The block. I got the size and boy was i happy. Turns out i was the smallest size in adidas. I left with a grin. Went to the Block to get Mom caramel apples and by then we were exhausted from all the venting and walking around, so we headed home after.

This sunday we went to Araneta to watch the cheering competition with ate. Thanks to JJ for the tickets and the non interest of DLSU to watch it that we got tickets. General Admission so it was the nosebleed section but we went anyways. There were a lot of people outside when we got there still hoping for tickets.. deym.

Was disappointed at the UST routine. I know i could never do any of those moves in a million years though. The UP routine was flawless and impressive. They deserved the win. And to no doubt of all the schools they wanted this the most. You could almost smell it in the air. And since I was with ate, so we were at the UP crowd for the first part of the competition, then moved to the UST crowd for our performance. (what the, our performance?! feeling?)

UST got first place, UP won. And deservedly so. (Pardon my english my brain is fried)

Headed to national bookstore to get sugarfree tickets. Got the 100 tickets since the 300 tickets were sold out. Anyone who has 300 tickets and wanna scalp them I'm willing. Haha!

Went to Bellini's after for dinner. Was supposed to go to Happy Turtle but it was again closed (Do they not want me to eat there?) Ordered a bottle of wine proceeded to talk about Ate Ana's lovelife. Fun!

We stormed the gates..

2007-09-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

We went to mass at Sto. Domingo this afternoon. What can I say, it was like coming home. My heart was just like, I"m back home. I love this church. I practically grew up there. I remember all the crooks and corners of it, i felt suddenly a kid again sitting there. I was picturing myself in my elementary school uniform waiting for the Our Father hoping that my crush would hold my hand. There were also images of all my friends walking up the aisle, ready to take our First Communion, going to the back of the altar to get ready to be collectors.
We even saw that the gate to Angelicum was open, right near SDB. I could see the tree I spent whole days in not going to class.. It was a shame we couldn't go in, as we were sneaking in the gate ate daw this guard getting up to ask why we were particularly going in.
Memories flooded my half awake brain and i felt strangely back to where i used to be, a naive kid with all the hope in the world.

This was a refreshing change from my week. I have been battling my conscience, thinking of all this grownup morality things that geve me stress and is making me lose my mind. This weekend thoroughly made up for it. Even if i was only half awake to enjoy it.

Thoroughly embarassing moment happened last Thursday. Got scared/surprised and burst into tears. I really don't know what came over me. I just went to pieces. Went to clear my head a floor down and found a couple of people who helped me breathe. Thnaks guys. Sorry if i overreacted.

Couldn't sleep that night (what a loon) and ended up sleeping at my station twice that day. Model employee weee!

Took officemates to Rodic's last night, went pretty well. They didn't rave about the place, but they didn't complain either so I'm happy. Also went to Drew's after. With a lot of trepidation on my and Karen's part after the last time we went there, but we had our fun. Escaped to Mcdonald's for a while. Then K arrived and the while turned to a long while, and before we knew it everyone was leaving and we were heading home. Early for saturday, but since we came from work, we were all pretty tired.

Rodic's is famous for their tapsilog. It's been at the UPD shopping center for years and it's been an institution for decades. It's not the usual strips but kind of like adobo flakes, and my brother loves it there. He says out of all the places he's eaten, that's his favorites. Out of everywhere. Me, i like it a lot. But then again i like UP. It's my food haven. I'd go there to exercise (like jog or walk) but i'd end up just going to my favorite places and eat.

And now i want ice cream. Green tea ice cream in fact. From Fruits in Ice Cream. I can get that from UP too. Wah..

New Beginnings

2007-09-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

I guess I just feel like starting over today. New work month, theoretically my slate is wiped clean and i can start anew.

I love that idea right now. Being a whole new person. Not letting the past muddle with the present, and definitely not interfering with the future. I just feel bogged down with the past right now probably. I want to be brand spankin' new again.

Went to Batangas to Tito Jo's one year death anniversary last Sunday. Got up waaay early and sped up the highways to get to Sanpaga in time. We made it in record time, I think less than 3 hours even if we stopped off and got coffee and chips at Petron Laguna.

Oh God coffee. I missed it. I definitely made an effort these past few months to stay away from the stuff, but now I am wanting my addiction back. Got a simple decaf mocha frap with a hazelnut shot. Got that coz my usual raspberry tazo wasn't on the menu anymore and i wanted a bit of a coffee taste in my mouth. As usual I hoarded my snackable brown sugar packets and sipped blissfully at my sin.

Then when we got to Balayan we ate breakfast at home. I ate little breakfast but ate a lot of puto. Went to Mom's favorite manicurist and got french tipped. Then sped off to Sanpago to Tito Jo's house.

It was a smorgasbord. I ate and ate till I was full, and then I ate some more. It didn't help that everyone was plying us with food anywhere we went. They even gave us a lot of food to take home. We got huge bags of chicharon, packs of leche flan, and rolls of embutido to last us the week.

After we got home we headed to Kuya Pak and Ate Myla's since it was their first daughter's baptism too. Andee. Such an adorable baby. Also with such a sweet disposition. She was even smiling as she was sleeping. I wanted to pick her up so bad but she was sleeping, the tired thing.

So this is me

2007-08-31T21:40:00.001-07:00

I believe in the power of the law of supply and demand. If you took basic economics in college you would definitely be familiar with this concept.

Hung out with a couple of college friends last night, with Karen. I truly realized how old we were getting and I'm not liking it. Some of us are taking up law, some are working, some still waiting on jobs, and one even teaching. So what's happened to me? Well, not so much since college.

I work. But i don't know if this is really the path i want to take. Still eat a lot, drink sometimes. Surviving with my tiny bladder, hair that won't fall just right, and extreme aversion to horror anything. It's just like college me, only this time I'm working.

Is this where I thought I'd be at 21? Definitely not. Am i happy about it? I'll get back to you on that.

Sometimes I wish i could just erase my past and start off with a clean slate, but then I think how much those moments of happiness, hurt, anger, embarassment has shaped me into who I am today. That's when I smile and just shrug.

I need a hug.

2007-08-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ok. So work is starting to feel like work. Great. I was having the time of my life enjoying what I did for a "living" when suddenly the job gods cracked down and made it tedious. How did they do that? Well, it started with a ban on games and sleeping at your station(even during your break). Then suddenly we found our folder of stress relievers empty. With no warning they deleted every song, every game, and every picture that our team amassed ever since its inception. We thought that would be the worst of it. Then they had to one-up their fun crackdown. Suddenly nowhere was safe. A guy, supposedly one of the bosses of bosses started going around checking what sites we were visiting. Manually. We know that there was someone who was monitoring our pc usage from somewhere, but this was different. He went around literally looking at what you were doing, asking you to open all the tabs of your browser and when it wasn't a work-related website, he'd ask you to write your name and apparently had it sent to the big bosses abroad. We don't know yet what would happen to those people he caught, just to say it won't be good. He actually told someone he would make it bad for him. Way to improve employer-employee relations.

I actually don't get the fun crackdown. It's not like you can fault the work that these guys have done over the duration they've worked there (I really can't say anything about me, i've barely started there). I just have to say that the other things we do during the workday doesn't really hinder the output of the work. Apparently the growth of the sales of the company urged them to make our work environment hostile? I don't know.

I guess I'm just sad at the way things work.

ice cream

2007-08-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

What's your comfort food? I guess mine has always been ice cream. Probably coz my grandmother sold Magnolia ice cream in her store in the province and we always had all the ice cream we want. I have memories of stirring the ice cream cup until the ice cream turned into mush and drinking it. (Yes i was that disgusting) This unlimited ice cream has made me into an ice cream fiend and i can proudly say that i can finish a popsicle without a drop spilled i was that fast. And i could finish a pint of ice cream in one sitting. Well the second one i can still do.

It's so crappily cold here at my workstation. I have the doggone luck (note the sarcasm) to be situated at the station where one of the two aircons at our part of the office is directed at. Thus it is a must for me to bring a jacket every single day to work. Even if it's blazing hot outside I am here freezing my tush off. I think some of my officemates think that I wear my Socio jacket to show off or something. When really I'm not that proud I'm from Socio, I'm just happy i have a big jacket.

I hate that Unwrapped show. I love it too. I've watched the same ice cream unwrapped episode twice in a week and it's making me crazy for an ice cream anything. Have to wait till Saturday when I go out to have it. I wants a banana split or a sundae. Cafe Breton?

Luk Yuen

2007-08-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Shop we did at Greenhills last Sunday. Being the lazy butts we are, we don't go to Greenhills unless we have a car along, and that usually means my dad is along. He really didn't wanna go there, the day before even offering to drive me to work in the pouring rain if we didn't have to go to Greenhills. But ate and I were set to burn a little money. For me it was a bit therapeutic, going around shopping with actual people rather than my usual solo jaunts to the mall after work.

I was a bit annoyed that now, whenever my dad's along, he insists that my brother drive. I know he needs his practice but still i find myself a little jealous that he's getting all the privileges of driving, when i wasn't even offered lessons. He's 19 and I'm 21. Isn't it a bit backward to consider gender as a factor?

Nonetheless I was happy. I bought a few shirts and a jacket. And even if i promised myself i'd buy something more girlish, i found that i bought the same thing, collared shirts and a comfy jacket. Still have to buy flats though. For work. Can't exactly get away with wearing my flipflops everyday. I've been lucky not to have been caught yet but i don't want my luck to run out.

Had lunch at Luk Yuen. Fun. Chinese. Since it was still sort of raining i got a rainy day order, noodles. I noticed even though we all had different orders, everything had cabbage. So expect cabbage when you order meals here. Got our prerequisite, hakaw, and jason got a side order of spareribs to go with his bento meal thing. The weird thing was i enjoyed the house tea. I have originally abhorred hot tea. This time i had a couple of cups. It was probably the rain. Made me all hokey.

After an hour more of going around we went our way. Everyone was in a better mood after being fed so i urged them to go to Mrs. Howard's for dessert. Got a little nervous since i was the one they depended on for directions and i wasn't really sure of the way. Thankfully we didn't get lost and found the little nook. As for the place, it definitely was a little nook to spend a date in. Thank goodness there weren't a lot of people, so i got to take a lot of pictures around the place. We got a 6pack of cupcakes. Yum. But not as yummy as i expected. I really shouldn't go online and look at food blogs, i get disappointed at the real thing. Still. Good cupcakes. And will try the main dishes when i go back. When i date. Hahaha.

The chump who went to work

2007-08-17T21:47:00.000-07:00

I am the chump who went to work while the smart people who aren't here are sleeping, eating, watching tv, basically enjoying their weekend. Even the music that's playing on my headset right now is mocking me "Good day sunshine" my shiny metal behind. The rain is falling softly outside and it's the perfect time to be a bum at home and where am I? At work. Just goes to show how much I like my work now. If this was my work before I'd definitely stay home and sleep. Yet it was really hard to get up from my bed and comforter and pillows and faithful pink spotted pig. Still i got up, took a bath and badgered my parents to take me to work. Wouldn't you know it, they dropped me off at the mrt. Still it's better than taking those two godawful jeep rides to work. (Those jeep rides are what i hate the most. They take the most time since the drivers always stop at every intersection to pick up passengers, but are actually the shortest distance.) Thank God rc took pity on this poor soul and picked me up from the mrt. We actually had a little problem meeting since i have a horrible sense of direction (Sorry rc.) but hehe finally met near chowking.

Am i the only one getting freaked out at the huge deals these "minor" storms are getting to be? Could this be an effect of global warming? Gone are the days when we laugh at storms for being weenie-ish. Now any low pressure area can kick the country's butt. I actually had a laugh at yesterday's Manila Bulletin headline in which Cardinal Rosales was quoted as saying "Stop prayers for rain." Well duh. Can he think of anyone in their right mind still praying for rain? (Well except for the students who don't wanna go to school)

Went to Gilligan's yesterday with officemates. Was supposed to hang out with the Tripod but they couldn't go, so hung out with the office peeps instead. I wonder if there are still people who think bad of a girl hanging out with all boys? Coz that's what's happening to me now. I hang out with three boys usually. They all have girlfriends so no worries. Well except for our supervisor but well, that's not an issue. Haha.

I am not a big fan of Gilligan's. I like Gerry's thank you very much. But their slammer was the best one we've had so far. Sweet, but traitorous. We all thought it was a weak drink, but after like five minutes were feeling its effects. We got home early since we still had work to go to the next day.

Had a McDonald's breakfast. Yum. I didn't realize i missed pancakes that much until i had them this morning. With the requisite sausage coz i need a balanced meal. Well balanced in the terms that i need a hit of salt with my sweet and vice versa. Otherwise I'll be craving for something else. Man was i full. I already ate a bit at home, but when they asked me if i wanted to get breakfast i went along since it felt freaky lonely in my station. First time i ate a real meal in my station so i kept glancing at the main office cubbies to see if anyone was approaching. Felt like a pig eating all that but a happy pig.

Way too much time on my hands

2007-08-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

So this is my life. Home. Work. Home. (repeat from Tuesday to Saturday) And I'm bored. So you see when my friends ask me to go out it's all i can do not to jump for joy. And also to explain why almost any time my officemates go out I'm there. I'm bored out of my mind and I want to go out. Now that I have the time and the capacity and the freedom, other people are otherwise occupied.

I hate my conscience sometimes. It forces me to be a good person and i feel better for being a goody good sometimes. But the goody goods have no fun. At least not enough fun.

Went to Island Flavors yesterday with the usual office alcoholics, rc, isko and ren. We were already at Pier One but they started craving for that pizza so we got up to leave then headed to Island Flavors. Good good pizza. We had the Island supreme, in large. They had beers and I had a margarita. (such a chick) I really don't like beer. I wanted to like it since then since it'd make my life so much easier, and cheaper too, but i can't seem to stomach the taste of beer. It's cocktails for me.

Crunch time

2007-08-16T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ok. So our team may be going to boracay in like two months. This is both good news and bad news since I want to go to the beach so much I can almost taste it, but then I'm going with my colleagues per se so I have to drop weight fast if i want to go home with my dignity. Haha.

But food is too fun. I may be going to Greenhills on the weekend and I'm hoping we get to try that conveyor belt sushi place Ma says is there. And I'm meeting the Tripod tomorrow. That means eating. So going to the beach and leaving my dignity there. Wonderful.

Went to get ice cream with several of my officemates after lunch earlier. Actually it was supposed to be a major dessert run, but after going around shangrila and realizing we weren't actually supposed to be there we just got some frozen yogurt cones from BTIC. As usual i got my favorite Mint Chip and they got like Bubble Gum, Pistachio, and Triple Chocolate. I love my mint chip yum! Thanks boss for the treat.

Loving (and hating) the rain

2007-08-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

I am usually a big fan of the rain. I have, and still do, walked under the rain (when there's no lightning) for fun. I love the feeling of the drops hitting my skin. Since it never gets freezing here in our tropical country I have no fear of freezing something off.

Now I'm working I'm not loving the rain so much. Gone are the suspended classes where I'd go straight home and snuggle under my blanket and pillows. Now even if it's pouring out, I have to go to work. And since it's like an hour's commute to work on a normal day, it just makes the travel longer and wetter.

Pa got me pizza hut spaghetti for lunch today. Aww. Hehe. Papa has a friend who's a manager at Pizza Hut, thus he always has gift certificates or food for us. This may be the only restaurant he goes to that doesn't serve rice meals. There is one rule when taking my dad out to eat, there has to be rice there or he wouldn't like it.

Sister brought home brownies from Becky's and that is what I'm eating right now. I love their brownies. Although the ultimate brownie for me is my Tita Lita's brownies. They're the chewiest softest things that no one but her knows how to make. Just thinking about them is making my mouth water. Yumm...

2007-08-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

I made champorado the other day. A little too late for the rain, but still i wanted some. I was craving that for a few days, but i didn't have the time for it. When i did have the time to make it, the setting wasn't so champorado-appropriate weather. In fact it was pretty hot. It wasn't my Tita Lita's champorado but since there was no breakfast, the people at home ate it.

Went to chocolate kiss for sunday lunch. Had our essential taho then headed to eat. I love Chocolate Kiss. It's in a little nook of UP. Just filled enough with people not to be scary at night, but not too crowded like mall food stops. Go here if you like pasta and cake. I love their blueberry cheesecake. Creamy but not too creamy. Yum.

We were so hungry we forgot to take pictures haha.