More of Tenten's Random Musings...

From a delinquent blogger

2009-07-24T00:22:00.002+08:00

Wow. My last post was May 2009. About two months ago! Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, and the general demands of work, I've been unable to sit down and condense all my thoughts into two or three paragraphs. The tweets and FB status updates satiated the urge for self-expression. In 160 characters or less! Hehe.

Will try to blog about my random thoughts some more here to keep the blog alive.

[Music From the Baul] Be the One

2009-05-31T00:14:00.002+08:00

Be the One
By the Ting Tings

You say it’s not what you do,
It’s what you’re thinkin of
Well I think it’s just an excuse
It’s what you put across
And I don’t wanna be the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one
Makin all the noise
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one

So make sure you’re thinkin it through
You’ve let me down again
Offer me somethin
I know you really meant
Cuz I don’t wanna the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one
Makin all the noise
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one
Hey!

What you gonna offer now?
I don’t wanna be the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one
Makin all the noise
Yeah I don’t wanna be the one
Hey!

What you gonna offer now?
What you gonna offer now?
What you gonna offer now?

This was not my idea
Don’t you keep me waitin
This was not my idea
Don’t you keep me waitin
This was not my idea
Don’t you keep me waitin

Pacquiao Fever After Effects

2009-05-22T02:30:00.002+08:00

Since my pops got his hands on a DVD with the Pacquiao-Hatton bout, he's been watching the 24/7 documentary almost everyday. Hehe. Tonight, I sat down with him and saw all four mini-episodes of the super nice documentary produced by HBO. I really like the last part about what boxing is about. Check it out!

On the surface, boxing is a demonstration of the animal instinct.
But at its heart, it is an expression of all that man is capable of.
The potential to realize the most improbable of dreams
the power of one, to move millions.
the resilience to endure loss,
and to emerge from it with added strength.
the facility to develop the most particular of wisdoms.
the tolerance to live, even when deterioration is inevitable.
with fearless skill, pure faith, and tenacious purpose,
they enter the ring. animals fighting on instinct, men celebrating what is possible.

Let's get it on!

[Music From the Baul] Lisztomania

2009-05-13T00:01:00.002+08:00

Phoenix is back with a brand new album! World release on the 25th of May! Wootwoot!

Lisztomania
By Phoenix

So sentimental
Not sentimental no
Romantic not discussing it
Darling I’m down and lonely
When were the fortunate only?
I’ve been looking for something else
These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes

A Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a ride like a ride oh!
Not easily offended
Know how to let it go
From the mess to the masses

Fall on this (cast in steel)?
Discuss, discourage
On this (best dressed)? weekend
Ending this love for gentlemen only
Wealthier gentlemen only
Now that you’re lonely
Too late too late too late she’ll be late too late too late
So go slowly discourage
We’ll burn the pictures instead
When it’s all over we can barely discuss
For one minute only
Not where the fortunate only
But I better be something else
These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes

A Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a ride like a ride oh!
Not easily offended
Know how to let it go
From the mess to the masses

Oh……
This is show time, this is show time, this is show time
Time, time is your love, time is your love, yes time is your

From the mess to the masses
A Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a ride like a ride oh!
Discuss, discuss, discuss, discuss, discuss discourage!

Atty. Rommel Geocaniga!

2009-04-04T02:57:00.001+08:00

My brother is now officially a lawyer! Thank you for all your prayers!

[Music From the Baul] Death and All His Friends

2009-04-03T00:44:00.002+08:00

Death and All His Friends
by Coldplay

All winter, we got carried
Oh way over on the rooftops let's get married.
All summer we just hurried
so come over, just be patient, and don't worry.
So come over, just be patient, and don't worry.

So come over, just be patient, and don't worry.

And don't worry.

No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end;
I don't wanna cycle, recycle revenge;
I don't wanna follow death and all his friends.

No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end;
I don't wanna cycle, recycle revenge;
I don't wanna follow death and all of his friends.

Viva Coldplay!!

2009-03-24T04:18:00.002+08:00

It's almost half past 4 in the morning, and I still can't believe I just came from the Coldplay concert. Without a doubt. The best concert I've ever been to. Ever. Irving asked me to describe it in one word. I could do it in two. Or three (counting the article). A religious experience. Maila described it to be interactive. I thought that it was also intimate, considering I was sharing this experience with 12,000 other people! These guys just know how to do concerts. Mike described it as something like watching Coldplay in High Definition. Chris Martin is the band's charming, multi-talented front man. He was just amazing. The whole band was amazing. Their music is amazing of course. We were seated with a couple of teenage guys (Singaporeans I think), and they knew the words to the song and they were obviously such big fans.

Security was just vicious!!! I stood up on my seat twice (for Yellow and Fix You). The scary lady with crazy hair (part of the band's crew), asked me to step down from the seat. All the security guys made sure the aisles were clear. Maila and I tried our luck and started hanging out by the extended platform. The security guys asked everyone to be seated and we were asked to return to our seats. Boo. That would have been the bomb (and our dream come true!).

The concert highlights for me...

Life in Technicolor, the beginning and the end. The concert started with this song, and it ended with this song again (only the band sang it).

Yellow - A Coldplay classic! Loved it that they released these huge yellow balloons with confetti inside to the crowd! It was like a big beach party!

Fix You - Who doesn't love this song. It's super cheesy, but then it's still a rock song. I did not cry! Haha! I surprised myself and didn't cry. I think I was often busy cranning my neck and taking as many videos best that I could. Anyway, this was just great. Everyone sang along.

Viva La Vida - Everyone singing "Oooohh.... Ooooohhhh..."

Seeing the band super up close! Sans Chris Martin though. They set up this mini stage close to the upper box area!! And the guys passed by our aisle! It was super quick, but thrilling nonetheless. They sang a Monkees classic, "I'm a Believer", and it was just sooo cute. Hehe.

The mexican cellphone wave. Chris Martin asked the folks to create a wave of cellphone lights. It was pretty cool.

Butterfly drop during Lovers in Japan. It was beautiful!

Sharing the evening with die hard Coldplay fans! The energy was pretty awesome. And everyone practically sang along.

Some things I wish were a little bit better...

My height!! Deng these tall foreigners!! I hardly saw a thing when everyone was standing, I felt completely helpless! I could hear them, but I couldn't see them (for the most part). Booo.

Oh well. I'm just ecstatic to have fulfilled one my life long missions! And i think every other act/band/artist will never trump Coldplay in concert.

25 hours to go before Viva La Vida

2009-03-22T19:13:00.003+08:00

Disbelief and excitement! I almost can't believe one of my life long dreams will be coming true tomorrow. And I am psyched! This afternoon, I claimed our concert tickets at the SISTIC office in Raffle's Mall. I think I was close to tears when I had the tickets in my hands. O.A. Haha.

Anyway, I've been purposely NOT viewing Viva La Vida concert excerpts on the internet. I want everything to be fresh tomorrow night. Haha. I saw this super nice video: Check it out!

More Singapore trip highlights later!

First Day Lah (Part 1): Singapore with the Tanqs

2009-02-27T10:54:00.004+08:00

Wootwoot! We have arrived! Kuya Andre, Reia, and Tita Guste (all smiles and in bright, cheery yellow) met us. Papa and Mama took a while in Immigration (long line) but we finally left the airport. Kuya Andre's new home is a few minutes away from the airport. And it's bigger than their old house. And homier! Hehe! The Gutierrezes were prepared for our coming. A bowl full of spaghetti greeted us and our sleeping arrangements had been made. We had several bags of food (Crispy Pata, Sisig, Tapa, Longganisa (ala Guagua), and canned goods palooza)and still some energy despite the very late hour.

Reia, Kuya, and I finalized our itinerary for the weekend. Friday: Sentosa & Clary Quay. Saturday: Meet with Bawani, Night Safari. Sunday: Mass, Duck Tours, Singapore Flyer, BBQ party here at home. Monday: Free day!

Right now, the ladies (Tita Guste, Mama, and Tita Marison) went off to the market to buy ingredients for lunch. If you ask me, I think they just wanted an excuse to go out. Haha.

Anyway, more updates later!!

On Our Way Lah

2009-02-26T20:34:00.003+08:00

It's 8:32pm. The family, Tito Boy, Tita Marison, and Lola, are waiting for our boarding call here at Clark International Airport. It's true what they say about this airport being nicer than the domestic airport in Manila. We're all headed to Singapore! In celebration of my parents' 30 years of togetherness. Hehe. We have a full weekend ahead, but I haven't gotten my around how busy we will be in the next few days. But it should be fun! The brothers and I will be meeting with Bawani and Santhi, kindered spirits we met last year through Contiki.

Highlights of our trip so far....

Dinner at Everybody's Cafe! A Kampampangan classic in San Fernando. The lengua was super tender. The kamaru (cricket) cooked adobo style and kalderatang kambing (goat) were pretty good.

Just in time in Clark International Airport. We arrived about an hour and half before take off. We breezed through check in (9 pieces of luggage for 8 passengers!) and immigration. The waiting time for the boarding wasn't too long either.

Almost Sold Out

2009-02-19T21:16:00.004+08:00

Four days after ticket sales opened, the Coldplay concert in Singapore is almost sold out! The only available seats are on either sides of the stage. Not really a great view.

Guess who almost sold out today, too? Me! I was in the office for a record 21 hours. I came in the office in my green v-neck sweater. Left the office with the same top on. Ewwwie. We had an implementation that went all night. While asking the implementers the status of their tasks, I tried to do as much work as my brain could handle. I left the office at around 7:30AM. Was knocked out while in transit to Paranaque. Took a bath and just slept through the rest of the morning and the half of the afternoon.

Booo.

Sometimes I wish things were easier. A 9-5 job, which is challenging and fulfilling. Pays well. Not a lot of stress. Great peoeple to work with. Lots of laughs. Not to say that my current job is the exact opposite of everything I just previously wrote. Hehe. I think I'm getting old for all-nighters.

Anthony Bourdain's Heirarchy of Pork

2009-02-19T00:25:00.003+08:00

I'm a fan of Anthony Bourdain! He's a great host, and he has one of the best jobs in the world. He travels around the world and experiences the local cuisine of the places he visits. His show "No Reservations" recently had a Philippine episode! Here's what he blogged about this experience here...

Heirarchy of Pork

By Anthony Bourdain on February 16, 2009 6:55 PM

I'm very nervous about tonight's Philippines show.

I'm all too aware of the fact that the country is made up of over seven THOUSAND islands and that I visited exactly two of them. The food is intensely regional ... I mean, even the difference between the food in Manila and Pampanga -- only a couple of hours away --is striking. So I missed ... a lot.

I'm very aware of how many Filipino fans we have -- and how enthusiastic they are about us (finally) covering their country. I wanted very badly to do a good job on this one. But I fear there's no way we got it "right."

Not that I didn't have a great time. I did.

For one thing, I settled a karmic debt of sorts: Augusto Elefano, who'd argued so fervently for his country of ancestry on the previous season's FAN-atic special had been sent home short of the prize after a brutal interrogation at my hands. Impressed by his zeal and feeling guilty about smashing his hopes and dreams I felt that Cebu would be good to see through his eyes. So we packed him, his wife and baby daughter onto a plane -- and sent them off into TV Land.

What we did get right, I'm quite sure, was making sure that the amazing, porky delights of "sisig" got plenty of camera time. If you've never had this divine mosaic of pig parts, chopped and served sizzling and crisp on one side on a screaming hot platter, then you've yet to have one of the world's best beer drinking dishes. And speaking of pig? It can now be said that of all the whole roasted pigs I've had all over the world, the slow roasted lechon I had on Cebu was the best. This puts the standings in the Hierarchy of Pork as follows:

#1. Philippines

#2. Bali

#3. Puerto Rico

If nothing else, I hope that homesick Filipinos living abroad get a glimpse of some of the food and scenery they've no doubt been missing. And for viewers who weren't previously familiar with the wide and tasty spectrum of flavors available over there, I hope the sight of me shoving a lot of very tasty stuff into my maw provides -- if nothing else -- inspiration to look further.

Source: http://anthony-bourdain-blog.travelchannel.com/read/hierarchy-of-pork

Gandhi, Single Ladies, Calientes, Bridges

2009-02-15T13:48:00.003+08:00

Schmenten's veeday comprised of...

Three hours with a remarkable man. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Also known as Mahatma Gandhi and Bapu. Of the movies I saw on Veeday, Richard Attenborough's Gandhi was the best one.

God bless Jologzbitchin! Haha. I met up with Macky and Bibay late Saturday evening for drinks at M Cafe. We were the official JB Single Ladies and Macky should rightfully be Beyonce.

The best drink of the night goes to Calientes! A wonderful mix of Amaretto, rum, and orange juice. Macky was right in saying it was a traitor.

To cap off the day of hearts, I popped one of my favorite cry-ola fests on the player. "Bridges of Madison County". From 3 AM until 5 AM (February 15th), I was transported back to Iowa, in Francesca Johnson's kitchen. There were more scenes I cried in. Haha. When the end credits rolled, my eyes were swollen and bloodshot. Ahhh. It was a great reminder of discovering a certainty that comes once in a lifetime.

Coldplay in Singapore!!

2009-02-13T00:54:00.003+08:00

My prayers have been answered! Coldplay will be coming to Singapore this March for their Viva La Vida tour! I'm sooo happy I wasn't hasty and insisted on going to Sydney Australia to see them!

Funny how I found out. It was fifteen minutes to 1AM and I was just about to doze off to lala land. My phone rang and I was surprised to see that Mike was calling. God I hope it's not another major! He said, "Hi. Are you sleep? Are you logged on to the internet?" Of course my answer was "No" and he said, "Well, you better check SISTIC. Because Coldplay will be in Singapore." I sprang out of bed the minute I heard Coldplay and Singapore in one sentence.

I've been obsessing about seeing these guys in concert lately. I've been saying to myself, "I need to watch Coldplay in concert before I turn the big 3-0. I must. I must." I know it will be a near-spiritual experience! They've come out with four amazing albums and they're just awesome in concerts.

Internet ticket sales will be open on February 16 and I also started scouting for flights. Woohoohooo!! Advanced Happy Beeday to me!

[Movie Shmovie] Schmenten's Favorite Movies About Love

2009-02-11T01:32:00.013+08:00

Veeday is upon us! I love watching movies, and there are a couple which I don't mind seeing over and over again. Here's a list of my favorite movies about love.

"Some Kind of Wonderful" is truly wonderful. An iconic 80s movie by the brat pack guru himself, John Hughes. I think I've seen this movie more than ten times. I rallied for Watts from beginning till end. My heart was breaking when hers was. And she did look good wearing Keith's future.

Baz Luhrmann is genius! I was just in awe of "Mouline Rogue!" when I first saw it. It was loud and over the top. Just like love! It consumes you and takes over, as seen in Satine and Christian's love story. The use of pop music in the script and the soundtrack shows how universal these lyrics are in expressing our deepest emotions.

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler have undeniable onscreen chemistry (hence they have two movies on my list). Their first tandem was "The Wedding Singer". This movie practically immortalized the song "Grow Old With You". The classic Happy Madison humor plus a simple story about a waitress and a wedding singer.

Who wouldn't want a guy who makes you fall in love with him every single day? The premise of "50 First Dates" is quite unique. Drew and Adam pull it off again. I will always remember Funny man Henry and Forgetful Lucy. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"by Iz fits the end of the movie beautifully.

When I think of "Bridges of Madison County", I think of the towel I need everytime I watch it. This movie just wrenched my heart to its very core. A sad story about a housewife who falls in love with a traveling National Geographic photographer. Everything in this movie was done so subtly. Very Clint Eastwood. The emotions were raw. It's just sad how after they find this "certainty that comes once in a lifetime", they part ways. This movie is so sad, that just thinking about it makes me cry!

In my opinion, "When Harry Met Sally" is a very realistic love story. Strangers who become friends, friends become strangers, strangers who again become friends, friends who become the best of friends, best friends who fall in love. This is the "Annie Hall" of the 90s. Fast, witty dialogue. Harry's monologue in the end was really sweet.

There aren't really a lot of romantic movies which guys and girls both like. This movie is definitely a classic. My favorite scene from "My Best Friend's Wedding" is the scene where Jules was chasing Michael and Michael was chasing Kim. George's reality check was the hurtful brutal truth. Of course this movie reminds us all that when you love someone you have to say it outloud, before the moment just passes you by.

Whimsical and fresh. I heart the French film "Amelie". The movie draws you into this colorful and wonderful world. All the characters are unique, each finding love in unexpected places. It has a fairy tale feel to it, only quirky and European. Amelie is innocent, receptive, and generally curious about everything. She's not exactly your average girl, but you root for her to find love herself.

"Love Actually" is the mother of all romantic comedies. Richard Curtis knows his stuff, and he does it well without being mushy or overly sentimental. It's a great christmas movie, and it's a feel good movie through and through. Everyone who sees it will have their favorite story. Everyone loves the "To Me You Are Perfect" scene. My own personal favorite story is Colin Firth's and the Spanish lady. I love the beginning ("... that love is actually, all around") and the ending (with real people in Heathrow , the Beach Boys singing "God Only knows" in the background).

This movie (or its story) has been remade twice. I think the better remake was an "Affair to Remember". I have many fond memories of the 90s version of "Love Affair". This movie's viewing mileage was pretty high in Unit 502. The story's one of a kind and really bittersweet in the end.

I was 12 when this animated feature film came out. Tale as Old as Time. True as it can be. A classic tale about how love looks beyond appearances. There is something magical about Disney's "Beauty and the Beast". It could be Belle's character. Finally a Disney princess who wasn't princess-y at all.

"Come back Jack." whispered Rose in the biting cold. "Titanic" is an epic movie. Just like any disaster, although you know that most of them won't make it, you can't help but watch it anyway. My favorite scene (where the tear ducts opened) was when Rose reunited with the everyone in the after life. Jack was waiting for her by the clock. Suu-weeet!

Cameron Crowe knows how to tug the heart strings. Three simple words won the gold for "Jerry Maguire". "You complete me." Oh. And the next five words which followed: "You had me at hello." This movie didn't start as a love story, but somehow, as Jerry started to understand himself better (sports agent who grew a conscience), he discovers love in Dorothy and her son.

In a nutshell, the movie "Never Been Kissed" is kinda like the story of my life. Haha. Although I wasn't such a loser back in high school. I was more of a nerd. Anyway! This is the third Drew Barrymore movie in my list. Haha. Macky loves his movie, too. Some of the scenes in this movie hit close to home, and it was such a triumph when Sam (Michael Vartan) came to the field to give Josie (Drew Barrymore) her very first kiss.

"Say Anything..." is another Cameron Crowe great. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack's character) makes this movie. He's probably one of the sweetest guys in movie history. I want my own Lloyd Dobler. He's sweet without being nauseating. He's sincere and sure about only one thing. How much he loves Diane Court. The scene where he serenades her with a boom box (Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes") is a movie classic.

"Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind" is a movie you either think it's weird or you love to pieces. I'm more of the latter. Kate Winslet is awesome and Jim Carrey delivers. I think I'm a sucker for stories related to memories (hence I love "Memento"). This Michael Gondry film combines that with the sadness of break ups. Sometimes in the course of our lives and in our relationships, we become different people and forget what brought us together in the first place.

Let me know if you love any of these movies! Or remind me of others which I may have forgotten!

Happy Hearts day!

Props to me peeps at the Grammy's!

2009-02-10T00:17:00.002+08:00

Woohoo! So happy that several of my favorite artists won in this year's Grammy Awards! Way to go Coldplay!

****

Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Viva La Vida
Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)
Track from: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
[Capitol Records; Publishers: Universal Music-MGB Songs]

****

Best Rock Album
(Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.)

Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Coldplay
[Capitol Records]

****

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Chasing Pavements
Adele
Track from: 19
[Columbia/XL]

****

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Say
John Mayer
Track from: Continuum
[Columbia]

****

Best Dance Recording
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.)

Harder Better Faster Stronger
Daft Punk
Thomas Bangalter & Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, producers; Thomas Bangalter & Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, mixers
Track from: Alive 2007
[Virgin Records]

****

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Sex On Fire
Kings Of Leon
[RCA Records]

****

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

Juno
(Various Artists)
[Fox Music/Rhino]

****
Best Short Form Music Video
(For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)

Pork And Beans
Weezer
Mathew Cullen, video director; Bernard Rahill, video producer
[DGC/Interscope]

****

[Movie Shmovie] Marley and Me

2009-02-08T23:18:00.003+08:00

Last Friday, the girls (Keyce, Epay, Issang, and I) went to see "Marley and Me". I've wanted to see it ever since Irene told me she liked it, despite not being a dog-lover. She had her teary-eyed moments too, so I was pretty curious about it overall. It's a feel good movie! Heartwarming also comes to mind. We have a Labrador ourselves, so I was know how cute these dogs can be. Hehe. What surprised me though were the meaty insights, amidst the very simple story. How life can surprise you. How you can surprise yourself. And having relationships with love in its purest form. I was wiping away tears when the credits were rolling. I was also muttering, "Stupid dog". Hehe. My favorite movie line (apart from the monologue at the end), was "Mend it, don't end it."

[Music From the Baul] Life in Technicolor

2009-01-29T23:50:00.001+08:00

I heart Coldplay. Props to Mailer for introducing the magic of Coldplay to me. They rock. And my heart is just breaking into little, itsy, bitsy pieces because the guys are on the road and I don't think I'll see them live this year. Boohoo.

Anyway, this one's my current favorite track from the Viva La Vida/Prospekt's March album. The video's pretty cool.

Life in Technicolor
By Coldplay

There's a wild wind blowing
Down the corner of my street
Every night there the headlights are glowing

There's a cold war coming
On the radio I heard
Baby it's a violent world

Oh love don't let me go
Won't you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
I could hear the sirens sound
Now my feet won't touch the ground

Time came a-creepin'
Oh and time's a loaded gun
Every road is a ray of light
It goes o-o-on
Time only can lead you on
Still it's such a beautiful night

Oh love don't let me go
Won't you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
Like a serenade of sound
Now my feet won't touch the ground

Gravity release me
And dont ever hold me down
Now my feet won't touch the ground

[Music From the Baul] Dog Days Are Over

2009-01-29T23:41:00.002+08:00

This song is super catchy. I was surprised though at how weird the MTV is. If you have a phobia for clowns, don't even bother watching it. Hehe. But it's interesting. :-)

Dog Days Are Over
By Florence And the Machine

Happiness, it hurt like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children and your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can't you hear the horses
Cuz here they come

And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too. oh.

Happiness it hurt like a bullet in the mind
Stuck them up drainpipes
By someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses
Cuz here they come

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come

The Killers & Coldplay in one concert!

2009-01-29T12:44:00.001+08:00

O.M.G. This has to be music heaven!

January 28, 2009

On Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 5:00 PM (local venue time), members of The Victims, the official fan club of The Killers, will have exclusive access to purchase a VERY limited number of pre-sale tickets to the following show:

War Child presents: The Killers and Coldplay
Wednesday, February 18th - London, UK - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - 18+ Only

To purchase tickets, login to (www.TheKillersVictims.com), go to "The Road" section of the site, click on the event to view information and secret link, and click the "Buy Pre-Sale Tickets" link. The secret link for the pre-sale will become available shortly before the pre-sale begins. Tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Tickets are non-transferable. Limit two (2) tickets per person. Purchase your tickets as soon as possible because this venue only seats 2,000 and quantities are extremely limited. General sale tickets will be available to the public through a lottery system which will open on Friday, January 30th, at 9:00 AM (local venue time).

Pre-Sale Start: Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 5:00 PM (local venue time)

Source: http://www.thekillersmusic.com/story/News/the_killers_with_coldplay__victims_exclusive_presale_on_12909__london_uk

[Music from the Baul] Single Ladies

2009-01-29T00:12:00.002+08:00

Single Ladies
By Beyonce

All the single ladies (7x)

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I’m doing my own little thing
you Decided to dip but now you wanna trip
Cuz another brother noticed me
I’m up on him, he up on me
dont pay him any attention
cuz i cried my tears, for three good years
Ya can’t be mad at me

[Chorus]
Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh x2

(Chorus)Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans
acting up, drink in my cup
I could care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Dont pay him any attention
Cuz you had your turn
But now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to miss me

(Chorus)

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ohx2

Don’t treat me to the things of this world
I’m not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Is a man that makes me, then takes me
And delivers me to destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms
Say I’m the one you own
If you don’t, you’ll be alone
And like a ghost I’ll be gone

All the single ladies (7x)
Now put your hands up

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

End of Month Blog Before the End of the First Month of the New Year

2009-01-28T23:43:00.006+08:00

I can't believe the first month of the new year is almost over. We've been living in our renovated house for over a month now, and I still feel like everything's brand new. A couple of changes here and there, but basically everything's steady sailing...

** What is the difference between settling and compromising? In relationships, couples compromise. As single ladies, we're taught not to settle for anything less than what we deserve. I think the rationale behind the two is similar. We don't settle because we love ourselves enough to know it should be worth the wait. And couples compromise because they love each other enough to know that they should do whatever it takes to make it work.

** Lately, I've been trying real hard not to harbor or entertain negative thoughts and emotions. I figured, it's just exhausting to be angry or upset with someone. The more we try to figure someone out, the more confusing it gets and the more frustrated we become. So I say, "what the heck?" Some people never change. Some people you will never figure out completely.

** Save, save, save. This year, I will try my very very best to save, save, save. I have my "Tenten's Shopping Guide" sheets tucked inside my wallet to guide me through shopping urges. I have goals for next year and I'm hoping to see more of the world when I'm the big 3-0.

** I've put my 2009 Starbucks planner to good use! It's become my gratitude journal for the year. So far, this journal has helped me focus on the good things about the day.

** I can't seem to get Beyonce and Justin Timberlake's Single Ladies SNL skit out of my head!

Tagaytay with mah girls again!

2009-01-26T22:22:00.005+08:00

Last weekend, my Casa Maria girls and I went on our first road trip of the year. We drove to Tagaytay and had lunch at Sonya's Garden. Salad, freshly baked bread, spreads, and pasta galore. Yummy! We made use of the girls' DSLR, taking pictures of the flora, fauna, and our beautiful selves. Haha.

After Tagaytay, we drove back to Paranaque to hear Saturday anticipated mass. Then we had dinner at home. And post meal, we baked the best chocolate chip cookies. And then we had a mini movie marathon. We saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Slumdog Millionaire. I didn't make it to my 12MN curfew (and well, neither did Rommel nor Mark anyway).

Sigh. My girls are so big!! Waah. They grow up so quickly.

[Movie Shmovie] Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-26T21:56:00.002+08:00

Golden Globes Best Picture. Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. I finally saw this movie last weekend, and I must say. It's a triumph! The story's engaging and it was pure movie magic It kinda reminds me of "City of God", only less violent and more hopeful. It makes a social commentary without being too obvious. It just focuses on the journey to finding a love lost. I loved, loved, loved it! I particularly liked the last scene prior to the credits. And I didn't mind at all the Bollywood dance sequence while the credits were rolling. Editing and cinematography were good! I hope this movie snags best picture at the Oscars.

[Movie Shmovie] Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

2009-01-25T13:22:00.004+08:00

I've always wanted to see this movie. It didn't seem like your formulaic teenage romance. And it wasn't! I was ecstatic to see a DVD of this movie in Ate Love's room. Ina picked it out. My girls sure have great taste. Hehe. Anyway, Michael Cera is the usual lovable geek. Not the Seth Cohen hyper kind of geek but the more timid and sweet kind. I love his gay band mates! And the fact that Nick and Norah are musical soul mates. Not something you find everyday. There are several "kilig" scenes, and it's funny! In the end, it just reminds you that good guys are worth the wait.

[Movie Shmovie] Yes Man

2009-01-25T13:06:00.003+08:00

Despite Jim Carrey's overacting tendencies, I still love him to pieces, which is why this movie was a must see for me. After some cajoling, I finally convinced Mike to see this movie last Friday. "Yes Man"' is sort of like Liar Liar, only this time, instead of telling the truth all the time, he needs to say yes to everything. Zooey Deschanel's his love interest, and I must say! She's cute! And a pretty decent singer. The laughs are plentiful. Our favorite part was the Harry Potter Party where Jim Carrey's character came as Harry Potter. A perfect movie for unwinding, after a week of work. And Bradley Cooper's eye candy!

[Movie Shmovie] Bride Wars

2009-01-25T12:39:00.003+08:00

Two Fridays ago, Keyce, Epay, and I went to see "Bride Wars". Not exactly a victorious movie for either Anne Hathaway or Kate Hudson. Storyline was predictable. The best part for me though was Anne Hathaway dancing sexy. It was graceful yet humurous. My take away from the movie... Soulmates can come in the form of best friends. I suggest you just wait for this one to come out on DVD.

The urge to bake!

2009-01-22T23:54:00.003+08:00

Since last Tuesday, I've had the urge to bake. New oven, you see. Hehe.

So I made choco chip cookies from scatch last Tuesday...

And brownies with cream cheese frosting last Wednesday.

I think I'm developing a sore throat from all the sweets I've been making and sampling. Hehe. Next on my list.... Banana bread!

First Love

2009-01-19T18:53:00.001+08:00

This has got to be one of the cutest commercials ever. Haha. McDonalds commercials have always been great. This is no exception.

Enjoy!

Words of Wisdom: Happiness

2009-01-14T01:28:00.001+08:00

I was surfing the net about Happiness (Yes, I wikipedia-d it!) and found this nice entry from the Dalai Lama.

Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.

Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring others' happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But the sufferings which undermine our internal peace -- anxiety, doubt, disappointment -- these things are definitely less. In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense.

What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others' happiness, ethics are necessary as a means to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others' happiness. [Ethics for a New Millennium, by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama]

Dinner with Lery

2009-01-10T12:29:00.008+08:00

We may not do this often, but every time we do, we have a great, great time. Lery Berry (not her real surname) and I had dinner last Thursday at the Stock Market in Bonifacio High Street. We gabbed and gabbed, not caring about the weird looks people passing by were giving us. Who cares if our voices were a few decibels higher than usual? Haha. I think the bottle of wine we finished definitely helped our very festive moods. Although with Lery, the energy is just there even without the alcohol. Hehe.

We first talked about her latest Aussie trip. We had a hoot comparing notes on Sydney. I remember The Rocks, George St., Pitt Street shopping... Ahhh. Sydney's such a magical place, and I'm happy Lery discovered it herself. The bottle of Merlot we finished, coincidentally came from Australia.

Then of course I told her about our Christmas adventures in Boracay with Maan. Wish we could have had a Condo girls reunion! Oh! The things we can reminisce about! Haha. Even though most stories are repeats and anecdotes we've all heard before, they never get old.

The resto itself looks really nice. In Schmenten's words, "very pretty"! I love the combination of green and white. Del Monte owns this resto, the waiter said. Lery and I enjoyed the grilled shrimps in Risotto with Aligue. Ler got a small pack of pomelos before we left.

Quotable quote for the evening... "Hindi ito contest!", referring to the fact that we (Lery and I) are the remaining single ladies in our block and our respective barkadas. She loves me for saying that. Haha. But she hates me for not thinking about her when I bought my SmartBro kit. Yes Ler, I should have gotten the Globe Visibility Kit instead!

I wish to see Ler more than twice a year this 2009! And I wish her continued happiness!!

Merienda with Arief

2009-01-10T12:03:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

My social calendar for the first two weeks of 2009 (a.k.a. the year I turn 30!) filled up rather quickly! I love meeting friends and just talking about anything.

Last weeked, I met up with Arief, Irene's beau, who was quite jetlagged from his Canada trip. Irene called while we were talking about alternative energy sources.

My yellow blouse matched with the wall! Hehe. It was good to see and talk to Arief again. I continue to be amazed at how much we learn from the experiences of our friends. I want my best girls to be happy, and I'm just glad they've found great guys who love them.

Irenie, thanks for listening to me. :-) And I hope I see Arief again!

[Movie Shmovie] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2009-01-10T11:31:00.003+08:00

The jam-packed cinema for the last full show made it pretty obvious that a lot of people were curious about Benjamin Button. Post-MMF, this was a movie I really wanted to see. Golden Globes Noms. Oscar Buzz. And well, simply stating the obvious, Brad Pitt. Haha. It was a three-hour movie, and I didn't notice the time pass by at all. This is a tale of "a man born in an eighty year old body, destined to walk through life getting younger, as the rest of the world grows older." An interesting premise already. I waited with bated breath until the very end, to see if he was truly going to die an infant. The story is just superb. Like Forrest Gump meets Big Fish. It asks you to suspend your belief (I mean, really. Is growing younger even possible?) and it keeps you enthralled. Cate Blanchett was brilliant (luminious as ever). Brad Pitt was... Brad Pitt. Haha. As he grew younger (the more recognizable Pitt), the swooning in the theatre was audible. I highly recommend this movie. A very interesting story. Oh. And a very hot Brad Pitt.

40 Year End Questions

2009-01-05T01:06:00.003+08:00

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Travel myself to poverty. And take running as a hobby.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Haha. Same as last year. Nope. Still need to start saving and getting fit. <-- I wrote this one a year ago, and I still have the same answer!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Marjorie and Ate Abi!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope. Thank God.

5. What countries did you visit?
The Netherlands, United Kingdom (England and Scotland), Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Singapore, Vietnam, China (H.K.).

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Self-Control and patience

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 6. No specific date really comes to mind. I just remember my beeday. It was wonderful, with lots of pleasant surprises.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting promoted this September.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Being more impatient and having more bad mood episodes.
Weight gain! Dengit!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The flu. But not so much.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Alma Monogram Canvas. I should have gotten more! Oh. And my kick ass LG component.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Maan! For coming home after three years.
Sam for coming home after eight years.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Peeps from my project who are waaaay over their heads with the politics and scheming to get ahead. ß Still applies this year!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Restos. Travels.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Contiki Euro trip. The preps were stressful, but everything was soooo worth it.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Up Around the bend by Credence Clearwater
Your Universe by Rico Blanco
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Won't Go Home Without You By Maroon 5

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Less analytical

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Take chances

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Whining and bitching

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it the way I've been spending it for the past two years! Being Food Santa to the project peeps and being the eternal hostess to the family.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.

23. How many one-night stands?
No.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Gossip Girl and How I Met Your Mother! Wattup?!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmmm. I don't want to hate anyone. Waste of time and energy.

26. What was the best book you read?
Twilight! Haha! I was curled up in bed and kinikilig nang bonggang bongga. I want an Edward!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jack Johnson ("Better Together", "Bubble Toes"), Jason Mraz ("I'm Yours"), Rico Blanco ("Antukin"), and the Kooks (their entire album rocks!)

28. What did you want and get?
Several visas and stamps on my passport!

29. What did you want and not get?
the Christmas spirit? Christmas '08 was waaaay too busy.

30. favorite film(s) of this year?
The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, Juno (I think I saw this one this year)

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
A year away from the big 3-0. Dinner with the family and Kars in Crustasia.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
An honest conversation. More time in Bora (Maybe a week). And Blair and Chuck getting together. Darnit. Those are three things.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
More Zara, H&M, and Topshop. Girlie blouses. Blair Waldorf-ish.

34. What kept you sane?
My Casa Maria girls. Weekends with Ate Love, Ina, and Iris. The best spaghetti. Wonderful company. Seeing the girls grow up into young ladies. Waaaah! Not too soon, Ina!
My Jologzbitchin crew. Bora2008 was the bomb. So sweet Karina. Maan's great insights. Macky's priceless hirits. Irving's kindness. Bibay's candor and love for wedding coordination.
My Focus/Accenture family. Yas's antics and booboos (often unintentional). Pesem's sheer ka-EPAL-an, Cel's kookiness, Mike's level headedness and our perfectly planned lamon/shopping sessions.
Years of practice and simple facts/realizations.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Robert Pattinson.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not really an issue. Barrack Obama winning the American presidency.

37. Who did you miss?
It used to be Maan, Keyce, and Irene, but I saw all of them this year!
I missed having my own bed when we were renovating houses.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Darlyein, Maryanne, Bawani, Santhi, and Arzi! Peeps we met on tour!
MG, our Aussie counterpart. I met him in person when they came over to visit, and he was just pleasant.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Know that you need to want something bad enough to make it work.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Come on the risin' wind, and we're goin up around the bend"

Up Around the Bend by Credence Clearwater

Post Mortem

2009-01-05T00:24:00.006+08:00

It's 12:31am, and I have to be at work in a couple of hours. I can't help but dread going back to the office. It's been so nice here at home these past few days. I've grown accustomed to my not so springy bed and my ultra soft pillows. I'm still sorting a lot of my stuff. I'm trying to keep my organizing mojo. Quite honestly, I'm wishing I could get a week of holiday extension to finish up on house stuff, to lounge around some more, and to enjoy our new home.

The holidays have been pretty hectic. One party or celebratory meal after another. Two holiday highlights for me. Uno, Jologzbitchin reunion. Dos, settling in our renovated home.

Kars, Maan, and I tried our very best to make up for the three years of being physically apart. We've had our heartiest laughs of the year in Bora, and we hung out at the Mina's Waling Waling home until 4 AM. Good times. Great times! No teary goodbyes though because Maan will be returning in May. Yay!

Despite a few major defects, we finally moved in the renovated house a few days before Christmas. My brothers and I have been sleeping in our new rooms a week before the parental units moved in. I got purchase-happy for a few weeks. I got new pillows, new sheets, welcome rugs, jars, and a whole lot of stuff for the kitchen. I look around my room with a satisfied grin. This is exactly what I wanted, and my bathroom rocks! Haha. I can't help but smile and be pleased when visitors say they like how the house looks.

I've been the delinquent blogger, I've got to admit. I need to set aside some time to just write about what happened over the holidays. So post-Christmas Day, a few other things happened...

** Jologzbitchin hit the beach! The Minas and the Del Rosarios take on Bora and it was just bonggang-bongga! It seems like a dream right now though, like it never happened! Highlights... the best hotel ever (Le Soleil), kwentuhan in the morning at the hotel room, lounging in front of the beach and having lunch by the beach, Fish bar dinner, Hey Jude, Hey Jude's Jude, Bom Bom's, Juice Bar, Discovery Shores (We're in Room 1!), Maan forgetting her eTicket at the hotel, Macky forgetting his shorts at the hotel, and our funny encounter with a drunken batch mate from college to cap off our last night in Bora. Sweet. Oh. And sleeveless galore. Love it!

** Hanging out at UCC after Bora, just us girls. Hanging out at Miss Desserts with Mau.

** Hanging out at Waling-Waling till 4AM. Reminiscing about college, family talks, and other topics. The time just flew.

** Dampa lunch! The family celebrated Issang's 24th birthday Issang-style. With gastronomic satisfaction.

** New Year celebrations at home. Happy that we have a working oven! I attempted the baked salmon dish from Conti's. This time, I used Cream Dory. Sauce-a-palooza. Thank heavens for Mom's electric chopper, and Issang's perseverance with grating cheese! Quickmelt and otherwise. Lola and Tita Marison welcomed 2009 with us. And I was just happy sleeping in my bed, with my arms sprawled.

** Geocaniga reunion here at home.

** Cutting my hair short. Bye fly away hair.

I can't say I felt the Holidays this year. We've been too preoccupied with settling in the house and JB reunions to notice Christmas and New Year's.

I haven't had the chance to reflect on 2008 in detail either. But this I will say. It was an awesome year. One for the books. A year of travel, reuniting with old friends, and just going with the flow. So I said goodbye to 2008 with memories of places I visited, an empty wallet, and stronger friendships. I'm a little apprehensive of what 2009 has in store for me. I want it to be a good year again.

The Christmas That Was

2008-12-28T02:26:00.003+08:00

Today is officially the 28th of December. Christmas is over and the New Year's up next. I've been monumentally busy with so many things. Moving into the renovated house, sorting through stuff, attending weddings, attending Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, meeting with friends... I most certainly enjoy doing all of them, but this December has got to be the most hectic one in recent history. Quite reminiscent of the years when I participated at bazaars. I had a few Scrooge moments this Christmas. Overall, I wish I could have enjoyed the holidays more.

Anyway, the Jologzbitchin girls will be flying to sunny (I hope) Boracay tomorrow for three days and two nights of fun. We're all very excited! Maan and I went to ATC earlier today to go swimsuit shopping. I had to resort to the generic Speedo suit because they carried my size. Dengit these puppies. Haha. I think I overpacked, and I may need to check in my luggage tomorrow. Again, I am sooo not physically prepared for this trip. I will most likely drool over bikini-worthy bods at the beach.

So many things happened these past few weeks. I'll just do a quick rundown, in the hopes that it will motivate me to write separate entries for them (with matching pictures).

** Project Christmas Party @ Friday's - I resisted the urge to meddle in the planning of the party and execution of the program. Must. Not. Give. In. To. Party. Planning. Itch. I was glad to see that everyone took on to the Hat theme well! I guess they all didn't want to pay 100 bucks for an undecorated hat. Hats off to Mark M. who conceptualized Tina's hat (with the Emo bangs). I appended red bangs to my own black emo hat, and it matched my black and red top (which Mike thinks looks like a woodchucker's outfit.

** Mel and Allan's Wedding - An early morning wedding. Thank God my green floral dress from BKK still fits. Mel was a bonafide bride at her wedding! Choreographed first dance, gazing into the eyes of her husband, super projection for the pictures... Food was overflowing! And we had fun taking silly pictures at the photobooth.

** Dinner with Keysi @ Sofitel - Being the fans of food that we both are, I insisted that Keyce and I have our Christmas dinner at Spiral, my favorite intercontentinental buffet in the metro. The Christmas traffic going to Sofitel did our appetites good. We were hungry when we arrived! Keyce loved the steak, and I had soooo much shrimp that my lower lip swelled a little (allergic reaction).

** CafPpl Dinner @ Kabisera - My blockmates and I see each other at least once a year. Last year, I remember having this conversation with Tere. She thought out loud, "I wonder when we'll all get together and have our plus ones to introduce to the group." Well, December 2008 was the year for most of us. Tere brought Peejo along. Fara brought Mello. Lloyd has a gf but didn't bring her along. He took a conference call in the middle of dinner! And there were two surprise announcements. I was not very surprised at the announcement made in Coffee Bean. I've been reading between the lines of Tere's blog. Haha. A very pregnant Kathy arrived with hubby Jason.

** Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Family - Our traditional family get-together. Never gets old! We had games and the yearly Christmas photo shoot. I was actually more worred about cleaning up after the party. Haha.

** Christmas Day in the office - We've been doing this for three years (Imagine that). This year, I continue to be the bearer of food.

Filipino Remake of "Twilight"

2008-12-24T14:41:00.002+08:00

Oh. My. Gad. Mike came across this gag-worthy article:

ABS-CBN bags rights for local 'Twilight' remake

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/24/2008 9:50 AM

Printer-friendly version | Send to friend

Filipino fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series will soon have another reason to celebrate after broadcasting giant ABS-CBN bagged the exclusive rights to make a local television series based on the vampire novels.

Initial reports said ABS-CBN paid $1 million with co-producer Ignite Media for the rights to the Twilight series.

The new series, tentatively titled "Takipsilim", will reunite the onscreen tandem of Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao.

Taping for the series will start February of next year. Some parts of the series will be shot abroad and the other locations include Tagaytay, Bukidnon and Baguio. The series will be directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.

Source: http://abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/12/24/08/abs-cbn-bags-rights-local-twilight-remake

Takipsilim. Shaina Magdayao as Bella. Rayver Cruz as Edward?!??!

Gloria and Barrack

2008-12-22T01:52:00.000+08:00

Saw this one from Aissa's blog. Haha. Winner.

Jologzbitchin Reunion! Prologue

2008-12-21T03:52:00.003+08:00

Our sister from Socal arrived early morning Friday. We started the "ututang dila" (chat) fest Friday morning over the phone. And we officially saw each other Saturday evening. It was almost surreal to be back in 14 Walingwaling and see Maan emerge from her pink room. We both squealed and gave each other big hugs. Then the waterworks came. Haha. We were teary-eyed and laughing at the same time.

Kathy was nice enough to invite me to their annual block reunion. Kars and Anna Mams have been permanent "extenders" of the block, and being Maan's roommate made me an extender. We had dinner at Aubergine. Food was good! Mard and I had our The Firm convo, and he was making witty and often controversial remarks. Haha.

Karina followed from her officemate's wedding and I couldn't wipe the silly smile off my face from then on. It felt damn good to have the all the girls together.

Laugh trip galore. It seemed like we hadn't seen Maan only a few days instead of three years. Again I was reminded of my early twenties. Single girls were hastily looking for boyfriends, and I just didn't see the need to have one. I had my fab fab friends who kept me sane and who loved me unconditionally.

I'm pretty excited about Bora! No physical preps for moi, so it'll all be Tiyan-da Romero! Maan said we should be talking about stuff in chapters. I can't wait!

Twilight Cuties Part 2

2008-12-11T00:01:00.000+08:00

[Joy in the Little Things] December 10, 2008

2008-12-10T23:29:00.002+08:00

Seems appropriate to have a "Joy" entry after this very long day (I've been having more long (and not so great) days lately. Anyway. To highlight the positive... :-)

(1) SMS Messages, Twilight jokes:
From Bibay: Anong theme song ng Twilight? Eh di DISTURBIA. Bakit? Kasi... BAM BAM PIRA. BAM BAM PIRARA
From Issang: "Ano ba yang Twilight n yan! Napakaunrealistic... Bampira? Hello?? Meron ba nun?" ....... - Harry Potter. Bitter! hahaha.

(2) A walk to clear my head.
I arrived at the condo a little past 9 and I wanted to walk around. I couldn't exactly run because of my asthma. So I walked around Salcedo Village. It was good!

(3) Convos with Mama and Papa.
I love my family. I have a heavy heart today. It came with becoming emotionally invested in work and in the people I work with. Anyway, I've been talking to Mike the whole day about it (Joy (4)), but I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it more airtime with other people. While walking back to the condo, I called Papa to ask about getting Mama's Kitchen cookies from Arevalo IloIlo (my Christmas gift to a few folks) and we just chatted. Back in the condo, I called home and spoke with Mama. We talked about the house, friends and special special friends, family stuff, and their upcoming Cebu trip. I didn't really vent, but it just felt nice to be distracted and not think about other things.

(4) Venting with Mike
It's nice to have someone from work to talk to about these things, uncensored and in all honesty. Thanks for putting up with my "mataray" spells. I need to learn how not to be too invested in work. Deng. How do you do it Muymuy?

(5) The promise of the weekend
I can't wait for the long Christmas break. This weekend's just as good. We have a charity thing planned, so I'm looking forward to that. And our beds! Our new beds will be arriving this Friday, Mama said. House blessing this Sunday too. So things are certainly looking up.

Twilight Cuties

2008-12-09T17:16:00.000+08:00

Win Some, Lose Some

2008-12-07T23:36:00.003+08:00

Today, Tonton, Mark, and I went to Boni High street to check out the Aldo-Charles and Keith-Celio Sale at the third level of Dimensione. I found out that this pair of office shoes I got two weeks ago was cheaper today. Oh well. Just like what I told Remedios. "In shopping, you win some and you lose some."

Speaking of NiHao2008, I was pleasantly surprised when we bumped into Karina and the Figueroa family.

Of course, today's all about winning for the Pacman! Congratzeee Manny! The documentary they showed last night, produced by HBO, was such a winner.

Saturday Twilight, Bazaar, and Prayers

2008-12-07T15:16:00.003+08:00

Inggetera Schments slept 5 hours Friday evening. I woke up relatively early for a Saturday. Lunch at Casa Marias with my favorite girls from Agana. While we were eating Ester's perfect Lumpiang Shanghai, we squealed over our favorite Twilight (the movie) scenes. And by "we" I mean, Ate Love (35), me (29), and Ina (14). Haha. Ina confessed that after reading Twilight, she thought the pronunciation of Carlisle's name was "Car-lees-leh" or "Car-lissle". And while she was watching the movie, she was baffled about this new "Carlisle" character. Hehe. So cute.

After lunch we went up to Iris's room where we watched parts of the movie on an online streaming website. I also showed the girls the Tyra show episode where Taylor and Rob P. guest starred in.

A little past 2, I drove to Alabang to meet up with Mike for the Cuenca Bazaar. We were a little disappointed with the food concessionaires. There were more last year, and we made do with the penne mushroom pasta, BBQ, slice of pizza, and cupcake. I got a good deal with the set of wicker containers, perfect for the photo albums we unpacked last week. We went back to ATC for a few more errands (and shopping revelations! whattacoat! Haha).

In the evening, I went to Conti's to pick up the food I ordered for the prayer meeting. For this month's first saturday prayer meeting, the young working ones were the food sponsors. And we brought it on! Lechon kawali, longanissa, chicken and pork BBQ, lumpiang sariwa, chocolate decadent cake, pansit palabok, and bibingka. Rich was there and some of the peeps had a ball teasing big bro Fonzie about his younger bro.

It was yet another nice day. Good times. :-)

[Music from the Baul] She's So Lovely

2008-12-07T10:33:00.001+08:00

She's So Lovely
By Scouting for Girls

I love the way she fills her clothes.
I love those freckles on her nose.
I love the way she plays it cool.
I think that she is beautiful.

She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
[x2]

your funny, your yummy
you wear a little top
to show your tummy
its easy to seize me
you never ever look pleased to see me

I don't know
I don't know
I don't know
How we'll make it through this.
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know

I love the way she bites her lip
I love the way she shakes her hips.
I love the way she makes me drool.
I think that you are beautiful.

She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
[x2]

your funny, your yummy
i think your dad makes alot of money
its easy to seize me
you never ever looked pleased to see me

I don't know
I don't know
I don't know
How we'll make it through this. [x3]
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know

I think that you are lovely
[x7]
I think that you are beautiful.

She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
She's so lovely
[x2]

I don't know
I don't know
I don't know
How we'll make it through this. [x5]
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know

[Music from the Baul] Everything's Magic

2008-12-07T09:49:00.001+08:00

Everything's Magic
By Angels and Airwaves

And do you ever feel like you're alone?
And do you ever wish to be unknown?
I can say that I have.
I can say that I have.
And do you ever feel things here aren't right?
And do you ever feel the time slip by?
And I can say that I have.
And I can say that I have.

So hear this please.
And watch as your heart speeds up endlessly.
And look for the stars as the sun goes down.
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound.
Everything, everything's magic.
Just sit back and hold on but hold on tight.
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride.
And reach out your hand and I'll make you mine.
Everything, everything's magic.

And do you ever lay awake at night?
And do you ever tell yourself don't try?
Don't try to let yourself down.
Don't try to let yourself down.
And do you ever see yourself in love?
And do you ever take a chance my love?
Because you know that I will.
Because you know that I will.

So hear this please.
And watch as your heart speeds up endlessly.
And look for the stars as the sun goes down.
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound.
Everything, everything's magic.
Just sit back and hold on but hold on tight.
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride.
And reach out your hand and I'll make you mine.
Everything, everything's magic.

Everything, everything's magic.

So hear this please.
And watch as your heart speeds up endlessly.
And look for the stars as the sun goes down.
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound.
Everything, everything's magic.
Just sit back and hold on but hold on tight.
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride.
And reach out your hand and I'll make you mine.
Everything, everything's magic.

Post Crabby Day

2008-12-06T10:17:00.002+08:00

If you are patient, a better day comes. I was, and a better day did come yesterday!

The morning, I was basically catching up on emails. Lunch time rolled around and I went with some of projectmates to visit our Christmas Party venue. Super jologs me had the dismantled car alarm in the palm of my hands whilst talking to the banquet sales rep. Lunch was quick. Or rather, I was so ravenous that I finished my food before Mike finished his! This is a feat, I tell you. We then bought a pill box for my dismantled car alarm.

Meetings and some project activities in the afternoon. We asked everyone to make as many paperbags for our charity event next Sunday. We served our merienda of Mom and Tina's baked goodies.

During the evening, Mike and I went to Shangri-La for some post-crabby-day therapy shopping. On my shopping list actually was gifts for my god son and for my brother. What I did end up buying were two goose feather pillows and a wood chucker top for moi. No regrets whatsoever.

While I was in line for the the ATM, a familiar voice spoke behind me, "Dito lang pala si Edward." I spun around and it was Mark O.! Haha! We bumped into him in Shang a few weeks ago. We asked Mark to join us for dinner at Cafe Metro. And he entertained us the Mark O. way! I couldn't stop laughing.

We parted ways with Mark (who forgot his wallet at the resto) and went back to the office. I swung by Balay ni Juan to pick up Keysi first. After dropping Mike off, Keyce and I had dessert at Xocolat in Serendra. Hola Vida! We talked about the impossible task of packing a year's worth of clothes and things.

It was a nice post crabby day. More nice days to come I hope.

Coldplay snags 7 noms!

2008-12-04T23:42:00.004+08:00

Happy to report that my fave band, Coldplay, got seven nominations at the Grammy Awards! Woohoo!

From the Official Coldplay site:

Good morning. We're very pleased to announce that Coldplay have been nominated for seven gongs at the 51st Grammy Awards. They're up for...

- Record Of The Year (Viva La Vida)
- Album Of The Year (Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)
- Song Of The Year (Viva La Vida)
- Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (Viva La Vida)
- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (Violet Hill)
- Best Rock Song (Violet Hill)
- Best Rock Album (Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)

Chris Martin and the boys are still touring the world. They will be in Aussie next year. And Japan too!!!! I'm crossing my fingers that they will make more asian stops. Perhaps in Singapore or HK! Pretty please!!

Crispy Crablets for a Crappy Day

2008-12-04T22:24:00.000+08:00

Today was one of those crappy days at work. First there was my busted car alarm. When I arrived in Cybergate, the unlock button on my car alarm got stuck. This of course sent my car to go on lock-unlock-lock-unlock mode and then a very long waaang waaang waaang. It was embarrassing and irritating. Luckily, one of the handy guys at the 7th floor opened the busted alarm and took the battery out.

Then my favorite part of the day came. One email. Bam. Another email. Slam. I constantly tell myself not to get pissed off or let it get the best of me. It's hard not to take certain things personally. I'm still learning the finer points of management. There are situations I guess where you have to detach yourself and be more objective about certain things. I need more practice.

Anyway, the low tone of my voice, the slit eyes, the pursued lips, and the general lack of fun things to say clearly indicated I wasn't in a good mood. Lunch made me feel a tad better. Crispy crablets for a crabby girl.

The afternoon went by quickly. Mostly sending out emails. Fire fighting here and there. My talk with a teammate into the evening made me feel better. I really want to make the situation better, but our conversation reminded me that there are things which I can do, and others which are beyond my control.

I'm just glad the day is over. Happy for the convo with Keyce! Who is back in Manila! Hola Vida! My brief break from work, lunch at Chicken Inasal. And finally dinner with Ceasar, where he proved me wrong. He couldn't finish a whole chicken.

[Movie Shmovie] Twilight

2008-12-02T23:54:00.004+08:00

I'm just a girl. Who couldn't resist the charms of Edward Cullen. So last Saturday, my Twilight sparring partner and I, Issang, went to Greenbelt to drool over Edward. Err, I mean, to watch Twilight. I liked the book. It was a level up from the usual Love Stories/Sweet Dreams pocket books I used to read when I was younger. What Edward and Bella had was intense. And 3/4 of the book kept the reader enthralled with the passion.

The movie... well. I think it had the bigger responsibility of explaining the kind if vampires the Cullens were and the family history. They also had to build up on the three other vampires. So what used to be a huge chunk of flirtation, seduction, and passion, fell short. Some of the lines Edward and Bella uttered during the movie felt like they were reading it off the script. But. But. But. The "kilig" scenes were plenty enough to keep the girls swooning after the movie. Like the slow, "Don't move" kissing scene in Bella's room, or Edward cornering Bella in the forest, and the prom, slow dancing scene... Swoon. Where can I get 'em vegeterian vampires?!

Back in business!

2008-12-02T23:43:00.002+08:00

If you guys may have noticed, I've been posting a log of backlog blog entries. That's because our DSL at home is having problems, plus I don't have any internet connection here at the condo... Of course that small fact has changed over the last few days! I finally gave in to SmartBro. Its this wireless broadband internet service. I tried it last week. I borrowed Ate Love's modem and it was working ok. So last Sunday, I went to the Smart Wireless Center and got my very own modem and prepaid kit. Wootwoot. I had some trouble with the connection for the past two days (prolly because I installed the old modem before and didn't uninstall it). But it's working now! Viola!!

May this be the beginning of more and more blog entries! Woohooo!

Now I need to edit my past entries and post them with pictures! So many backlog pics to post!

Back in the Bazaar Scene

2008-12-02T23:30:00.002+08:00

I was the princess of bazaars for six years (1999-2004). Cuenca Community Hall in AAV was my kingdom. I sold bags, fruit vinegar, shirts, toys, watches... After the bazaar weekend, I'd be exhausted, yet happy for the little profit I made.

Anyway, this year, I am back in the bazaar scene. Ate Love asked me to sell her stuff at the Makati Sports Club. Out of boredom, I got my laptop and started blogging away. There weren't a lot of customers to entertain anyway. I still have the selling mojo in me though.

Unlike the bazaar scene a few years back, there is a plethora of bazaars all over the metro. This weekend coincides with the St. James Bazaar, unofficially the largest bazaar in the south. Unlike Cuenca (where we end up sweaty and dirty), the Ayala Hall of the Makati Sports club was cool and dry. Rather nice, but the lack of a shopping hungry crowd makes me want to pack everything up and take a nap instead.

I look over to my left. My neighbors are selling these cute "Little Miss Blue Eagle/Paulinian/Archer" shirts. There's two of them, and the other one just dozed off. I look over to my right. I overheard the group of girls talking to one of the onlookers, saying the bags they were selling are part of their college thesis.

Karina's notepads are the best sellers for today. Sold about 10 sets of three. Not bad at all. It's difficult to sell luxury items at a bazaar where shoppers are looking to get a good deal.

Ramirez-Usi Wedding

2008-12-02T23:30:00.001+08:00

Fourth wedding of the year to date. Our previous senior manager, Ruffy, asked Mike and I to host their wedding reception. It was Mike's debut as a wedding reception host, and I was being my usual O.C./epal wedding coordinator self.

We left the office early (around 3:30pm) and went straight to Makati Sports. The waiters were setting up the tables and the florist was there, supervising floral arrangements. It was a good thing I made a checklist of things we needed to make sure was set-up correctly.

After the set-up was done, we got dressed. Mike didn't object so much about my wardrobe of choice for him. His slim cut black pants, stripped long sleeved shirt (not tucked) and a nice dinner jacket.

We arrived at the reception early. It was a good thing Ruffy had ex-Accenture friends who helped out in the reception booth.

The program started a little before 7. Everything went generally according to plan. Ruffy was the dotting husband, and Kitch was very sophisticated. Mike had two hosting booboos-- calling Kitch's Dad Miguel, instead of Manuel and her sister Melanie, instead of Melinda. But it was all good. Haha.

The Ramirezes are quite the musical family. Over dinner, there was live entertainment courtesy of the Elvis Presley band! With a real Elvis. My parents would have a ball at such a party! The Neneru band performed, so did Sophia (Ruffy's niece), and AJ (Kitch's son). Tito Frank imparted marital advice, "Always say Sorry and Yes Mam. That should do it!"

We also particularly enjoyed the wine. It was sweet and the supply was abundant. Hehe. Miguel, Ruffy's brother, who's a dead ringer for Tito Frank, performed his rockstar best! Singing "Satisfaction" and "Break on through to the other side". His dance moves were rockin'!

We also met a couple of Accenture employees from Ruffy's old project. This couple and gentleman from Accenture Japan.

Lola Marie was there of course and was gushing, when we were saying our goodbyes. She asked me in a whisper, "Who's your escort?" Mwahahaha. Love the ol school talk. Mike almost bought Ruffy's solo picture (outside the ballroom). Wahaha.

So we walked back to the condo, sloshed, but confident in our driving abilities.

Congratulations Ruffy and Kitch! We had a fun time!

Backlog Blog: Nov 27: Getting Things Done

2008-12-02T23:29:00.001+08:00

I'm quite happy to see that I am down to last few pages of my pink MiguelRuis notebook. I had purchased it earlier this year in Singapore. Now I wish I had gotten two, instead of one. I've been diligently listing my to dos for the day. I feel quite happy when I check off items on the list. Most of the time, I just tell myself to get the task over and done with. Putting it off just makes it stay longer on my list.

So I'm pretty glad when I get something done. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. There are several personal to dos though which I haven't been able to do. Like call Northwest so I could claim my KLM miles. Or sort all my wedding files. Or go brisk walking regularly. The alone time I've had here in the condo has made me realize what a procrastinator I tend to be when I'm left defenseless in front of cable TV, or when I'm a slave to the internet.

These past few weeks have been pretty good. I guess missing my family helps. The occasional meet-ups with Karina most certainly uplifts my spirits (we end up laughing about stuff anyway). And well, I guess I'm just more comfortable with myself and what I'm doing. Letting things run its course.

Tomorrow's wedding will be my... fourth for the year! There's Lea's, Jan Sy's, Yas's, and tomorrow, it's Ruffy's. This December, I've been invited to Mel's wedding, so I'm pretty psyched. I've an excuse to dress up again.

Speaking of dresses... Although I've vowed NOT to shop anymore, I can't seem to help myself. I'm running wild again with the shopping. Jeepers. And I haven't gone to the Cuenca Bazaar yet. Haha.

Backlog Blog: Nov 23: A Long and Lasting Love

2008-12-02T23:28:00.001+08:00

Today Yasmin and Al are now one as Mr. an Mrs. Alfred Locnen.

Mike picked me up at around 3:30pm and we went straight to the San Agustin Church. When we arrived, everyone was reciting the Our Father. From a distance, we saw the bride and the groom. Being the very efficient church that they are, the wedding chugged along, with no nonsense pictorials. The entourage was out the door 5 minutes before 5pm.

Yas was the glowing bride! Her gown fit her like a glove. Al was all smiles. And they were just the happy couple.

We proceeded to the reception, Century Park Sheraton. It was early, so we went scouting for a nice envelope where we'd our present for the couple. We ended up going around Harrison Plaza, which was pretty sad, and eating a corn dog.

At around 6:15pm, we went to the hotel and found Amana and Malou, waiting for the doors to open.

The wedding reception venue was nicely decorated! The swags, the crystals, and the nice lighting set the mood. I like the very simple calla lily centerpieces. Eva Poon was the host. She spoke in Chinese in between her spiels. She was very good! She sang two songs, too!

We were equally attentive about the food which came one by one to our tables. The steamed shrimps were particularly outstanding. Really fresh and sweet.

I found out that Malou was a vegetarian. She had nothing to eat, except for the almond lychee dessert. Amana's always fun to talk to. She shared her Singaporean experiences. She's a more adept cook now.

I've always said that the couple themselves really make the wedding special. This is especially true in Yas and Al's case. The love and happiness just emanate from them. It's not the sappy kind. They're like best friends who end up together. There's a lot of friendly, good natured banter. The best man said, "Al married the girl of his dreams." It couldn't have been put in words better. After ten years of courtship, the right time came. Al and Yas finally saw eye to eye.

Madam Grouchy-no-more-Locnen, if you can, please post the best man's speech in your blog. Haha. It was well written and well delivered.

Congratulations to Yas and Al!

Backlog Blog: Nov 21

2008-12-02T21:32:00.001+08:00

Since I've acquired my work laptop, I've had very little instant messaging time. Maintaining both email accounts has been a challenge. My to do list grows throughout the day. And an officemate noticed how frequently I jumped from one screen to another. IT-ADHD.

I try to reassure myself that at least I got the Team Building budget calculation done for this quarter. Phew. A few things here and there are getting done, too. Lots of follow ups to do. A few more people to meet throughout the week, and a wedding to host this Friday! The busyness of the season is slowly creeping up behind me.

At home this weekend, we had to do a lot of serious sorting. The stuff we stashed away in the attic had to be classified. For Throwing Away. For Giving Away. For Keeping. I figured, if it's something I lived without for the past two years, then it's worth throwing away. I'm such a sentimental pack rat, I've come to realize as I saw Flor and Jinky extract folders of papers from the big box of stuff. I kept my high school notes and handouts!! I guess a few years ago, I thought I would need them!

There were a couple of things I couldn't part with still. Like this notebook where I wrote "spur of the moment poems". I'm sure grammatically and thought-wise, they could have been done better, but it's living proof I was creative (or was trying to be) when I was younger. Hehe.

Funny how you think you need certain things, and if they're out of your sight, you forget about them. This reminds us about material attachments. We shouldn't have them, really. Keep just what you need around. Otherwise, you end up having more junk.

[Music from the Baul] Flightless Bird, American Mouth

2008-12-01T11:18:00.003+08:00

I was lured by Edward Cullen last Saturday, and I couldn't resist buying the soundtrack. My favorite song is this one by Iron and Wine (folk-rock singer-songwriter Samuel Beam). The melody is just heart wrenching. But the lyrics... Not what I expected.

Anyway, it was a really sweet song for the last part of the movie.

Flightless Bird, American Mouth
By Iron and Wine

I was a quick wet boy
Diving too deep for coins
All of your street light eyes
Wide on my plastic toys
And when the cops closed the fair
I cut my long baby hair
Stole me a dog-eared map
And called for you everywhere

Have I found you?
Flightless bird, jealous, weeping
Or lost you?
American mouth
Big pill looming

Now I’m a fat house cat
Nursing my sore blunt tongue
Watching the warm poison rats
Curl through the wide fence cracks
Pissing on magazine photos
Those fishing lures thrown in the cold and clean
Blood of Christ mountain stream

Have I found you?
Flightless bird, grounded bleeding
Or lost you?
American mouth
Big pill, stuck going down

Feels Like Home... Lalalalalalala...

2008-11-22T15:51:00.001+08:00

So it's a Friday evening. I'm in my jammies, just about to sleep on our comfy bed here at San Gabriel Paranaque. I've been burping like my Dad in his forties (translation: profusely). I think I'm still hung over from last night's drinking!! Always trust the Central/Tides mixed drinks to bring the life in any party. Haha.

This evening, I gave into my burger craving. Mike and I had dinner at Wham Burger in Shang, did some Christmas shopping, and had dessert at Secret Recipe. Deng. I ate so much today.

Anyway, I got to thinking today about feeling extra comfortable and feeling like home. This was the first week I slept in the condo for five days straight, and I've more than warmed up to the place, the neighborhood, everything! It just feels nice, when something's very familiar. Feels like home.

I think the same goes for people, too. Last night, I can't believe Cel and I spent almost three hours just chatting up a storm! We had to force ourselves to sleep because we had work the following day. It's just nice to be able to bond with people like that. :-) I miss the long drawn out girly conversations! Cel's just a riot. We'd end up laughing in between serious, factual stories. Haha.

Certainly now, I'm at a point where anything goes. I don't want to over-think or over-analyze. Add a pinch of faith. I'm just going with the flow and seeing where the flow takes me. Maybe home. Maybe not. Who knows?

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la .....

Madam Grouchy's Bridal Shower

2008-11-22T15:50:00.000+08:00

Party people, Cel and I are! We organized Madam Yas's bridal shower with her friends last Thursday. It was a bit of a challenge for working ladies like myself and Cel. Haha. But our innate party planning talents and sheer love for Yas made the party a smashing hit!

The theme was "Down Under", free to interpretation of course. Haha. Everyone knows Yas is migrating to the land of Oz so we picked this theme appropriately. We got a room at Prince Plaza 2. Cel did her decorating magic and transformed this gloomy looking place into.... a less gloomy place on a Aussie Independence Day. Haha.

In attendance were Mary, Pin, Jerry, Ging, Litz, Sheryll, Rina, Jen, and myself. We had a simple feast of Pizza, Bugong Chicken, and cookies. Lotsa chips!

The games started a little after dinner. My huge thanks to Rosan's bridal shower exactly a year before for the games! First activity was the create your own bridal gown made of tissue paper game. The girls got their creative juices pumping!

Jerry was a cute cute model!

Mary showed off her Japanese inspired Obie belt and bolero sleeves

Litz proudly carried her bouquet and a sneak preview.

In the end, Mary emerged victorious, thanks to Cel's very animated description of the dress.

After the tissue gown game, the girls gathered around Yas for a round of "He Said, She Said." Of course, the hosts (Cel and myself) having green, dirty minds, made the questions and the answers more interesting and hilarious! Yas took cocktail shots if her answers didn't match the answers Al gave. And well... let's just say that at the end of the game, Yas was smiling ear to ear. Haha.

Then we had one of Yas and Cel's favorite games ever. Charades!! Of course, Charades Bridal Party edition had the category of Filipino porn flicks. My favorite Yasmin guess was "Unanong Eyebag/Pimple" for our lame attempt to act out "Totoy Mola". Of course, a close second was Yas's guess of "Patikim ng Papaya" for the correct answer "Patikim ng Pinya". Jen conceded that she couldn't stop laughing. This was also sort of a drinking game, so we were merrily charade-ing towards the end of the game.

It was gift giving time after that! The girls lined up to give their "Down Under" themed gifts! And wadayaknow?! Madam grouchy ended up receiving a year's supply of pH Care from Jen, His and Hers Razor Shavers from Cel and myself, an animal print thong, a lingerie set, whipped cream, and a complete bridal beauty paraphernalia set.

As the evening was widing down, our last activity was the "Payong Kaibigan" game, where the girls were asked to give sexual advice to Yas. We all wrote our advice anonymously and Yas had to guess who gave the advice. If she guessed it right, the person who gave the advice would take a shot, and if she guessed it wrong, she had to drink.

It was certainly a nice segue to the real shop talk. Haha.

Although some of us met each other for the first time, we all had a grand time, laughing our asses off and making lots of side comments. I hope Grouchy enjoyed herself as much as we did!

[Joy in the Little Things] November 18, 2008

2008-11-22T15:49:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I've made a entry.

(1) My Friday evening with Celgee, planning for Grouchy's Bridal shower. Close to three hours of chikahan! From career, to life plans, to Kylie Minogue's "La, La, La, La, La..." Laugh trip! Wish Grouchy was there. Would have been doubly fun. It's nice to know that despite being older and having core groups of friends, you still connect and bond with new people.

(2) Potato Chips and Flourless Chocolate Cake at Selah. When Jewel and I had our counseling discussion, Starbucks was full, so we went to Selah for some grub. The sweet and salty taste of the chips and the cake was exquisite!

(3) Sweet, sweet family. I've been living in the condo for a couple of days for the past few weeks. My family's been really sweet, checking up on me during the evenings. My Dad has also pleaded me to come home earlier. Haha.

(4) Playtime with Fonzie over the weekend. The Fonze came over last saturday for the Pieta anniversary. While the La Pieta members prayed, he and I just spent some quality time, looking at old pictures and singing the alphabet. He's such a darling.

(5) The adrenalin rush of getting stuff done. This is a geeky, loser item. Haha. It may be the caffeine talking, but there's just something satisfactory about checking off several items on your to do list.

Working, Laptops, Christmas

2008-11-22T15:48:00.000+08:00

It's been a while, but it happened today. I spent 14 hours total in the office. I was in meetings for most part of the day, and I had to play catch up with emails in the evening. This got me thinking if this is the life of other peeps in same level. Meetings and the amount of emails (I have two email accounts I'm maintaining!) can't seem to fit nicely in the 8am-5pm timeframe I'm in the office. Which is probably why most managers bring their laptops to meetings. To catch up with emails, among other things.

Speaking of laptops! I finally got my Manager's laptop today. Well, they finished configuring it today and it has officially become usable. I shouldn't be surprised actually that having one will make me more efficient. So far, the highlight of my working day is being able to archive my old old old emails! I get easily frustrated with the prompting of the System Administrator that my Inbox is full. Ugh. Anyway, I hope my laptop will help me manage my tasks better.

Macmacmac, worry not. I have made a promise to myself that unless absolutely necessary, i will not use my office laptop at home. It ain't as pretty. You know Schmenten. It's all about the pretty.

Anyway, which brings me to another topic... Routines! I think it's worthy to change routines every once in a while. There is some comfort in the familiar and expected. However, changing routines will highlight what's truly important and will uncover a few things you don't necessarily know.

Christmas is around the corner, and I can't help but feel fuzzy inside. It's almost unexplainable, really. I feel fuzzy the sight of Christmas lights, when I listen to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", when I think about the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping... I just wish this Christmas will be a nice ending to this very nice year. The icing on top of the cherry.

The Tenten Geocaniga Show

2008-11-22T15:47:00.000+08:00

It's nice to know that there are certain things about yourself that you learn as you take on a different job or work in a different environment or with new people. I learned today, after our chatty dinner with a former project mate, that I am a control freak. Something I probably get from my Dad. He always needs to have his way and he tends to micro manage. Which I realize, is something I do! Sometimes there's a certain output I want to work towards, and I have a distinct idea of how to get there. I need to be more trusting of other people, loosen the grip on the reigns. Don't get me wrong. I have faith in people and I try my best to equip them with what they need to get the work done. I have to learn to let other people drive when they can. Maybe I'm not much of a risk taker when it comes to things that matter.

Anyway, every day is a new day and no one's perfect. It's good to be introspective and realize things about yourself you can still improve on.

Hurrah for Errands

2008-11-16T23:24:00.002+08:00

Yey! To date, I have completed my remaining errands for today! Well... 'Cept for the massage, which I said will have to wait anyway. I did my remaining errands in order of priority. Naks. Mass. Wilcon for some more light switches. ATC for beautification. I originally planned to just go to one of the parlors in BF, where the services are cheaper, compared to the ones which are inside a mall. But then I didn't have a BF car sticker, and the idea of malling sounded more appealing. Besides, there was a Jesi Mendez in Servicetown, I pointed out to myself.

So to the mall I went. As I was walking to Servicetown, I passed by the Dipping Dots kiosk, where I gave into temptation and bought a Bulla Youghart ice cream bar, which is a dessert favorite of mine. i was able to finish my ice cream bar when I went inside the parlor. The lady at Jesi Mendez gave me a hotoil treatment, pricier than my budget, but then she showed me they used Kerastase. Now, as I am running my fingers through my short hair, I can't really tell the diff! Hope it'll be different tomorrow.

Then I decided to have dinner. I was actually planning on getting a Choriburger on my way home, but then I saw signages that Mexicali had opened! So I immediately thought of Quesadillas. And to Mexicali I went.

After dinner, I got myself a hamper from True Value. The one which you can hang above your door. It's cheaper than the ones they sold at Make Room, so I was kinda happy.

I've been trying to be more prudent with my spendings lately (Apparently, some of Mike's habits have rubbed off). But then Mango came a-calling just before I headed back to the parking lot. Three dresses, 2 purchases, and fifteen minutes later, I scolded myself (not outloud of course) for giving in to another impulse buy. Shopaholic Schmenten replied, "It's a dress I'll wear to Raffy's wedding and Christmas Day (for the Tanqs Christmas party). And the green dress will be my Bora dress." Ok. No more impulse buying from now on!

I made one final stop in Mercury drug to get some meds, and I was done for the day! Woohoo!

Hmmm. Alloting one day of the weekend for errands is actually a nice idea. I should have been doing it for a long time now. Haha.

Other musings... The house is almost ready. Almost. I've been wandering around the further places in ATC. Dimensione has a lot of great stuff!! Funky chairs, bar stools, picture frames, cabinets. Ugh. The list goes on. I started a mental list of things I want to get for my room. Hmm...

Sunday Errands

2008-11-16T15:48:00.002+08:00

To date, I have been able to accomplish 2 out of the 5 tasks I set out to do last night. Visit Wilcon Makati to get more light switches/outlets. Check. Pay for my credit card bill. Check. From my original list, I am now down to mass, massage, and beautification stuff. I think the massage will have to wait.

I'm thinking my lack of motivation to get things done might be caused by the absence of a planner. My 2008 Starbucks planner is laying dormant in the office.

So on my list this afternoon...

(1) Go back to Wilcon (Alabang this time) to get more light switches/outlets
(2) Hear Mass
(3) Visit Parlor

I took pictures of the house (still under renovation) today, and I'm excited about posting them later tonight.

Tsuy Tsuy Muy Muy

2008-11-13T23:56:00.002+08:00

It's a Saturday night, and while girls half my age are out partying, I'm in my comfy home clothes, waiting for the plateful of dinner I just had go down. My parents' prayer group are outside. It's their 5th year anniversary together a group, and they're celebrating it over a simple dinner of home cooked kare-kare and lengua. Last night I had huge plans for Saturday. Errands, errands:

1. Return the light swtiches to Wilcon Makati
2. Visit the parlor to have my eyebrows cleaned and maybe get a hot oil treatment
3. Pay for my credit card bill
4. Get a massage
5. Hear anticipated mass.

So how many of the 5 did I get done? Zilch. Nada. Nil.

I spent the tire day, on the bed. Watching movies on the telly, mindlessly surfing the internet for bed designs, eating, and contemplating on when to get off my bum and do at least one of the things I originally set out to do. There's really something lazily hypnotic about our house. When the TV is on, the bed is super soft, and there's junk food within my reach, all plans go out the window.

My feet miss running. And my appetite's been out of whack lately. Eating and snacking have become a hobby. Ugh. Not really a good thing considering there are two formal events in the pipeline. Yas and Ruffy's weddings. I hope I can still fit in my dress!

So I will attempt to get all tasks done tomorrow, Sunday. Rest day over!

[Music from the Baul] Your Universe

2008-11-12T13:48:00.002+08:00

I'm a sucker for sap. Here's a new one from Rivermaya alum, Rico Blanco. It's a pretty nice song. I like the last four lines of the chorus. I'm guessing this has been used for a wedding AVP.

**

Your Universe
By Rico Blanco

Tell me something
When the rain falls on your face
How do you quickly replace
It with
A golden summer smile?

Tell me something
When I'm feelin' tired and afraid
How do you know just what to say
To make
Everything alright?

Chorus:
I don't think that you even realize
The joy you make me feel when I'm inside
Your universe
You hold me like I'm the one who's precious
I hate to break it to you but it's just
The other way around
You can thank your stars all you want but
I'll always be the lucky one

Tell me something
When I'm 'bout to lose control
How do you patiently hold
My hand
And gently calm me down?

Tell me something
When you sing and when you laugh
Why do I always photograph
My heart
Flyin way above the clouds?

Schmenten's Extended Beeday Weekend

2008-11-10T19:06:00.003+08:00

Having my birthday so close to the weekend had its advantages. My beeday celebration stretched to Sunday. Greetings and lamon abound.

Friday was a slew of meetings. I don't think I can even clearly recall the productive work we did that day. Oh! We had our usual Friday ice breaker and taco bar! In the evening, Mike and I went to Powerplant to see Quantum of Solace. He was quick to point out that I had more food today than him. Ok. So I finished my 1 cup of rice over lunch. Big deal. The Bistek Tagalog was good, and I was hungry. So what if I had two tacos... and a Big Chill shake... and a hotdog.... Haha. Ok. So I did have a lot to eat.

Anyway! The movie wasn't until 9, so we walked around the mall. Mike got this nice shirt at M&S (his favorite store) and almost tried out a Dan Humphrey shirt. Haha. Quantum of Solace was pretty good. And Daniel Craig was bigger than ever. Well, from our vantage point of row A, he most certainly was!

Saturday was all-family weekend! I met up with my weekend girls! Ina, Iris, and Ate Love, at Circles, where we had my celebratory beeday lunch. Ate Love shared her dietary plight. I felt sad for her, as I munched on food she wasn't allowed to eat. Lunch was excellent! Camille recommended the penne in white sauce which was good. I had lamb with mint jelly. And for dessert, we tried the white wine jelly with strawberries. It was delish! Mental note to self: Try recreating this dessert for Christmas!

After lunch (and a lot of playful teasing), we went to Greenbelt for Madagascar 2. It was fun! loved the penguins, Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman. All of who we also saw up close! Row A, yet again. After the movie, we all decided to hear the 6pm mass at the Greenbelt Chapel. I was pleasantly surprised when at the end of the mass, the priest asked all the beeday celebrants and those celebrating their wedding anniversaries, approach the altar for blessing! Cool.

The girls and I parted so I went around the mall, killing time. Since it was my beeday, I decided to wear the black dress I bought a few weeks ago. I got these nice flat black flip flops at Mphosis. I was texting with Issang, and we ended up meeting and going home together.

So preps for the evening inuman began. I took a shower, wore my dress, and drove to Tides for my family inuman!

Some of the usual cast of characters were there, but there were also special guests! Mitchie drove all the way from Eastwood! The kurims of course, ever present. The Maligayas (Milet and Paolo). Ate Love, Ina, and Iris. Bebet. Mark G., Issang, Rommel and Jean. Tita Marison, and then late in the evening, Tita Alda, Tito Mar, and Yssa! Red tide, mojitos, nachos, BBQ, and hotdogs around... We finished up at around 2-ish, I think. I wasn't completely wasted. Haha. I had to restrain myself a little because I was driving home.

Sunday we all got up earlier than planned because of Mama's chatter. We went to Tondo around lunch time for Sophia Esguerra's baptism. More lamon of course, but I was half asleep. Too tired from the evening before. After the party, we did a couple more house errands. Dinner at Thousand Cranes Shabu-Shabu. Then Quantum of Solace for the second time, with the family's biggest James Bond fan (my Papa).

I was quite exhausted from the tiring weekend that I didn't have the energy to get out of bed Monday morning. Too pooped.

*Sigh* Gone are the days when it's almost effortless to get out of bed early despite the late night partying.

Pics of our weekend celebs to be posted soon!

[Movie Shmovie] Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa

2008-11-10T18:46:00.003+08:00

We like to move it, move it! Ate Love, Camille, Ina, and I went to see Madagascar 2 last Saturday. The first fifteen minutes of the movie was pretty much the trailer. The entire movie, we came to discover, has some "The Lion King" elements in it. I liked Alec Baldwin's character. Very Uncle Scar-ish. I'm not sure which Madagascar I like better though. Melman's confession of love for Gloria. So very sweet.

[MovieShmovie] Quantum of Solace

2008-11-10T18:23:00.003+08:00

To date, I have seen this movie twice. My family's kind of a James Bond fan. Papa's been breathing 007 since he was in high school. The same can be said for some of the viewers. They were mostly my Dad's age (some older), almost giddy about the new adventure of everyone's favorite MI6 agent. Anyway, I did like the fact that didn't bank so much on the impossible gadgets. The action sequences were pretty good (Not as intense as the Jason Bourne movies). My favorite part of the movie's Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond. He's ruthless and almost careless. He's no ladies man. He's THE a secret agent. I like Casino Royale better though. I wouldn't mind seeing Craig do another one. Perhaps Paul Greengrass or JJ Abrams directs.

In My Last Twenties

2008-11-07T00:21:00.004+08:00

So today is the day when I finally become a year away from the big 3-0. I am definitely in my late twenties. Yes. I am in my last twenty!

Last night, I decided not to sleep at the condo. Didn't want to spend the eve of the big day alone. This turned out to be a good decision. I ended up chatting with Irene and a few other friends before going to bed. Augmoc happily greeted me a happy beeday, and I got to chat with Irene over the phone.

My Beeday morning started late. I couldn't get out of bed early, hence I arrived at the office late. When I groggily looked at my phone, I had 19 messages! Thank you thank you to everyone who greeted me! I haven't deleted any of my beeday greetings for today, and I think my inbox is full! Haha.

Anyway, more greetings when I arrived at the office. 'Course, there's the usual, "Hindi ka ba magpapakain?" banter. Hehe. Then came the first highlight of my morning. Cellphone rang, and lo and behold! Hollah!! Meriyen from Socal was slammin! Haha. I spoke with Maan for a good 50 minutes! Had to step out of the secured area because I was embarrassed about taking a personal call for an extended period of time. Hehe. Our convo jumped from topic to topic, and I ended up just missing the complete Jologzbitchin trio. I'm totally looking forward to our trip to Bora this December.

Lunch time rolled around (more SMSs and phone calls here and there). Mike approached my desk and shyly handed my a small paper bag. I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised! He gave me this super nice (genuine leather, mind you!) green wallet! Haha. After months and months of calling my white round wallet ugly, he ended his (and my misery). I did dream about him giving me a wallet a few weeks ago, so I guess this is deja vu? Haha. We had lunch at Mr. Choi's. I didn't have to open the menu to know what I wanted to eat. Hehe.

The afternoon was mostly about meetings and work. I got kinda P.O.ed about this one email I received. That sort of brought the dark cloud in my afternoon. I felt a little off until about early evening. Mike noticed this and asked what was wrong. Did I want a cake?, he asked. Hehe. We delivered some news to the leads in our meeting, and they weren't exactly jolly news.

Anyway, I told Mike I hope the evening ends my beeday with a nicer note. And I have to say, it most certainly did!

Mark, my cousin, hitched a ride with me to Makati. We picked up Karina and then went to Powerplant to meet up with everyone else. This was my beeday dinner with the family, surprisingly something I haven't done for my past beedays (Family beeday dinners were typically scheduled during the weekend).

When we arrived at Crustasia, we found Mama sitting by herself. She said Papa got bored and started walking around the mall. A few minutes later, to my surprise, he arrived, carrying with him a bouquet of roses! And that, totally turned my mood around! Haha. I finally figured out what was missing! Flowers! Hehe. It was so sweet of my pops to give me a bouquet.

Then the crew arrived! Rommel with Jean (bearing a box of Mary Grace delights), Yssang, and Tonton and Shayne (bearing a cake from Bizu). We were a table of ten! Food was good. The black pepper crab was worth every dime.

The cereal prawns could have been better. The bottle of red wine did its job to put us in a festive mood. Hehe.

Jokes all around! About Mark's name tagged shirt, his surprised must-not-breathe ID photo, Tonton's eating habits, and the usual asaran. Karina was my jowangertz (beau) for the evening! There was a nice, comfy feeling having everyone together. Tis perhaps a preview? Haha.

The evening finally ended and we exchanged our good byes and final birthday greetings.

So my birthday realizations?

Birthdays are better spent with loved ones of course. You know who cares about you! They put an effort in making the day special and happy.
It's always nice when people (sometimes the least expected ones) remember your birthday.
Pleasant surprises are sometimes answered prayers.
The day's not over till it's over.
More importantly...Tis my last twenty! I better make this year count!

[Music From the Baul] Sex on Fire

2008-11-06T00:22:00.002+08:00

My favorite song for the moment!

Sex on Fire
By Kings of Leon

Lay where you're laying
Don't make a sound
I know they're watching
they're watching

all the commontion
the Kiddie like play
has people talking

You
Your sex is on fire

The dark of the alley
The break of the day
Ahead while I'm driving
I'm driving

Soft lips are open
Them knuckles are pale
Feels like you're dying
You're dying

You
Your sex is on fire
And so
Were the words to transpire

Hot as a fever
Rattling bones
I could just taste it
Taste it

But it's not forever
But it's just tonight
Oh we're still the greatest
The greatest
The greatest

You
Your sex is on fire
You
Your sex is on fire
And so
Were the words to transpire
And You
Your sex is on fire
And so
Were the words to transpire

Good Day

2008-11-06T00:21:00.001+08:00

Not so good days come with good days. Today was indeed a good day. And the New Radicals song playing as I am typing ,"Get What You Give", is a nice soundtrack to my day (if there was one).

The day started with breakfast. Pesem and Mike accompanied me to McDo for my Longga meal. A great breakfast certainly puts me in a better disposition. Hehe. The longganisa was perfect with Angelo's uber spicy vinegar. Yum. Our Execs meeting over lunch was informative and productive. It ran longer than usual, but in the end, we were able to talk about several things.

I had a nice mental break when I met up with my brother to talk about light fixtures for the house. The outdoor kind. We talked about it over dessert (I was late for lunch!), exchanging a few stories and commentaries here and there. The caffeine that accompanied the non-work related conversation was the boost I needed for my remaining tasks for the day.

Emails here and there. And just before 7, Mike, Pesem, and I left the office and traversed EDSA. To meet up with Madam soon-to-be-Locnen Grouchy. Haha. Because of her excellent directions, we didn't get lost and we found ourselves on her doorstep.

We drove to this Thai resto along Banawe and we were just ravenous. Tom Yam Goong was excellent. So was the Bagoong Rice, Beef with basil, catfish salad, among the other thai dishes we ordered. We had coffee afterwards at Figaro, laughing at our silly booboos and work.

Overall, it was a pretty good day! Also got news about a good friend's engagement! Moie and Tuts! They're one of my favorite couples around and I'm just ecstatic that they will soon be Mr. and Mrs. Panga.

I'm just very happy with people interaction. Perhaps one of the reasons I've stayed sane after all these years of working in an IT company is the conscious effort to have some socializing time within and outside of work. Laughing and endorphins are stress busters, I tell you.

Monday Monday

2008-11-06T00:20:00.000+08:00

Day 1 of my week 3 here in the condo. Things are certainly better, and the thought I have for the most part is, "I could certainly get used to this!"

My day at the office could be better. I wasn't my usual cheery self, and for no particular reason. I dunno. I guess lately Mondays have that effect on me. So I was half-looking forward to the evening. I had a few things planned. "Me" time! I planned to jog/run around Salcedo village, maybe buy a deli sandwich for dinner, and before hitting the sack, burn Kars' and Remy's NiHao_2008 CD.

Surprisingly, I was able to do all of them! I bought a tuna sandwich at a nearby Subway (I've been craving for one for weeks now), run/brisk walk around Salcedo village for a good 45 minutes, and as I am typing, Macmacmac is finishing up on the first NiHao_2008 CD! Not too bad, if I do say so myself. Hehe.

This weekend got me thinking about little projects or to dos I can work on during the evenings here in the condo. Amazing what the absence of television could do! Haha! Lemme see...

(1) Make sure all 2008 pictures are backed up on my external hard drive
(2) Make a travel scrapbook of... well... all my past travels! I've been meaning to do this since 2004, but I never got around to actually scrapbooking.
(3) File all my events/wedding print outs
(4) Finish the Twilight Series!
(5) Clean out Macmacmac and organize the files
(6) Blog about our Contiki vacay
(7) Select Pictures for my new room

Seems like a long list, but with the time I have here at the condo, they seem do-able. And I'm excited! Haha. I just hope my allergies don't act up. I'm still trying to figure out where that's coming from. Might be the super cold aircondition unit that's right beside the bed. Or the slightly ajar window that faced the other aircondition units of the other tenants. Let's wait and see.

Meet "How I Met Your Mother"

2008-11-03T17:42:00.003+08:00

For the past few weeks, I've been pouring over episodes of "How I Met Your Mother". This show gives me the same fuzzy feeling like "Friends". And for the past few seasons, I've come to know Barney, Lily, Marshall, Ted, and Robin better. They're all very interesting characters, portrayed by very good actors and actresses. The soundtrack rocks. And just like "Friends", if you watch the show long enough, you'll pick up a few inside jokes. Of all the characters, I love love love Barney. He's New York's best bachelor! And how can he not be?! Son of Bob Barker and advocate of the Bro code. Neil Patrick Harris deserves an Emmy nod for Barney Stinson.

More reason to hover around surfthechannel.com!

What is MU?

2008-11-03T00:00:00.002+08:00

Saturday afternoon, I received an SMS from someone quite young who is very dear to me. She asked, "What is M.U.?" And my reply to her was, "O.M.G." Haha. Immediately, I called for a girls' heart to heart talk a few hours later. She asked me again point blank what M.U. was. And so I tried to define it: "It stands for mutual understanding. When a girl and a guy ("boy" in her case), tell each other they like each other. But then they haven't really talked about the 'relationship' per se, so they're not together (as a couple)."

She went on to share her most recent experience and I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. Of course, I couldn't help but smile all throughout. It was just very very sweet to see something this wonderful and exciting happen to "someone quite young who is very dear to me".

Oh the times.

Hallow's Eve

2008-11-02T23:53:00.002+08:00

Tis the day before the first of November. I've been meaning to post a couple of things in my blog, but I've had a great deal of HK backlog I need to upload photos for. Before my thoughts fly away, lemme put them down.

Twilight - Since March of this year, Ina has been bugging me to read "Twilight", this book about a vampire who falls in love with his prey. The months passed me by and I only took interest in picking up the book when Mike reminded me that the movie adaptation will be out in the next three weeks. And so two Fridays ago, I purchased my first Stephanie Meyer novel. I officially finished it at 5AM, October 31st! I couldn't put it down! And Edward. I want my very own brooding, attentive, and passionate vampire! Haha. It has helped that I am picturing Robert P. as Edward.

Spirals - Thursday evening, I took my teammates to Spirals at Sofitel for some serious buffet action. Overall, it was a fun evening. I somehow felt guilty about the diminished appetite of one of my teammates when I asked him about his lovelife. Haha.

Kings of Leon - This band and their new album have been alluding me! But I am sooo liking "Sex on Fire". Nice catchy tune!

HK 2008 Post Mortem

2008-10-31T01:18:00.011+08:00

A map is your best friend! The map that came with my small travel book was most helpful in finding MTR stations and walking around.

Shopping in HK is truly an overwhelming experience! There's a store in every corner. Getting a good deal though, is a challenge. Unless maybe it's sale season and everything is truly cheaper.

Hong Kong has changed from the last time I went (2002). So many major improvements! It seems more tourist friendly now, and the tourist sites are accessible. Although, I must say, it also seems more expensive now.

The most popular means of transportation from and to the airport is still the Airport Express. Because we were trying to save, we took the CityFlyer (the local bus). It's about 1/3 the price of airport express, and it wasn't so bad! If you don't mind the longer journey and if you have the muscle to drag your luggage to the Ground transportation terminal (which is a loooong walk), go for the CityFlyer. It's actually the scenic route to HK.

Personally, I think a trip day to Macau should suffice. I'm not a really a gambler, and I enjoyed the busier HK streets better than Macau. The Ruins and the Venetian are must sees though. There are free rides (bus shuttle) here and there!

Must see in HK... The Symphony of lights show every 8PM. Be sure to get a good view in TST, somewhere close to the harbor.

Ni Hao 2008, Day 4

2008-10-31T01:18:00.008+08:00

Glad our fourth and last day wasn't a need-to-wake-up-early day. We all got up a little past nine. We decided not to avail of the buffet breakfast. Kars tried to get in touch with CebuPacific to inquire about early check-in. We've been deliberating since the evening before how to kill time. Our flight was at 9:55PM, and we were checking out of the hotel at 1PM. We finally decided to go to Tung Chung anyway (Citygate Outlet Mall), via the MTR and just return back to TST, then take the City Flyer Bus back to the airport.

Packing was surprisingly a breeze. I didn't have a lot of purchases to begin with, which made me a little sad and worried. This was supposed to be my Christmas shopping trip. No BKK this year, but most of the stuff I've been seeing in the stores are slightly more than my budget.

Anyway, we spent the morning packing and taking pictures inside our room. I wanted to use my new red jacket ASAP. And Karina looked like a model for the hotel! Haha. She was still a lola by the way, so she put on some eyeliner. Naks. Dalaga na si Kars. Hehe.

In the afternoon, Remy decided to just roam around the area while Karina and I caught the MTR to Tung Chung. The ride was relatively easy! A little over 30 minutes.

The outlet itself was not that big, which was a relief. We had lunch at the food court first before exploring the stores.

A few more shirts and a new wallet (watch out for my NO-LONGER-UGLY-WALLET!) later, we walked back to the MTR station. Remy was waiting for us at the YMCA lobby about forty minutes after the ride.

The YMCA hotel staff was actually pretty helpful. They helped us weigh our bags (Schmenten's blue suitcase came to about 15 kilos!! Not bad at all!) and they directed us to the A21 City Flyer bus stop.

I have to thank my travel experiences this year for the strength to pull my suitcase and hand carried luggage two blocks down Nathan Road. We had an initial booboo by lining up at the A21 bus stop just before Peking Road, but a nice stranger tapped me and pointed down the street. So we walked further and finally found our stop (where there were other tourists with suitcases waiting).

The bus came five minutes later and we hurriedly got on, dragging our luggage along the way. I channelled my inner amazonista when I hoisted my 15 kilo luggage up. Even the other tourist commented, "Wow. Superman!" Haha. That's Super-Woman to you! Haha.

The bus ride to the airport was less than an hour. Our driver was pretty quick, and there weren't as many stops. We took a chance and got off Terminal 1. More jump shots here. We didn't really care for the other passengers who were passing by (and none of them cared for us either anyway!). Best moment though was when Remy, our jump shot photographer, lost her balance and fell while she was taking our picture.

We were actually right on target, because the Cebu Pacific Air check in counter was in Terminal 1! Wootwoot.

I must say. The Hong Kong Airport.... HUGE. We had to take a train to go to our boarding gate!! There was an ample supply of shops to keep the visiting shopaholic sane.

For dinner, we chose this resto close to our gate. I said to the girls, "I want to be served this time!" We've been eating fast food the past few days. The resto we ate at served a large variety of Asian cuisine. I ordered the Oatmeal Prawns (a.k.a. the Singaporean Cereal Prawns), Sweet and sour pork ribs, Shrimp Dumplings, and Chicken curry. We couldn't finish the food, so I am officially bringing home Hong Kong cooked food!

I brought out MacMacMac. Free Wifi in the airport! we exchanged two emails with Irving, and I chatted for a bit with Epal Pesem.

A little past 9, we walked to gate 46, where our flight was boarding. A few more jump shots of course (on the walkalator and right in front of our gate).

Before we knew it, we were seated on the plane (row 21), and waiting for take off. Poooh. I can't believe Ni_Hao 2008 has finally concluded. It seems like a blur. Probably because so much happened these past four days, and we were simply exhausted at the end of each day. Hehe.

It was very nice going on this trip with both Remy and Kar. My last trip with Kar was four years ago (Uh_huh2004), and we had our BFF Meriyen with us. We're all looking forward to Bora 2008, this December. And the trip which will follow Bora 2008 is Kangkungan 2009. The bank is definitely broken this year! Haha.

Thanks to Kars and Remy for this awesome, awesome trip!! Sa uulitin!

Ni Hao 2008, Day 3

2008-10-31T01:17:00.007+08:00

Of all the days in Ni_Hao 2008, Day 3 was when we woke up the earliest. After breakfast at the Salisbury dining hall, we walked to the China Ferry Terminal, close to the Royal National Hotel. It was a good 15 minute walk, and we were pretty psyched about Macau. None of us have been to Macau before, so this was something new.

A few escalators up, we found the ticket offices. One of the barkers told us to get the tickets from the corner ticket outlet, and the round trip ticket turned out to be less expensive than what we had originally quoted from the internet. Wootwoot! We got three tickets to the New World First Ferry to Macau!

10:30 AM was the departure time of our ferry. We were held up a little in Immigration (as the officer asked Remy to fill out a form). We had our own version of Amazing Race Asia. We ran all the way to the gate, where we made it in time for our ride.

This was a most interesting ferry ride! It was uber fast! Like riding a jetski! The seats were comfortable. And because we were so tired from our walkathon the day before, we slept for the most part of the ride.

We arrived in the Macau Ferry about an hour later. It was more immigration stuff first, and then we were out. Grabbed a couple of maps (with Cantonese translations of the tourist attractions in the island), and we walked out to where most public transportations were waiting for passengers. We decided to get a taxi and head off to Largo De Senado first.

Macau seems quieter and more old-European than Hong Kong. We didn't see a lot of people milling in the streets. The buildings weren't as tall. There was a laid back feel to it. And there were many signs in Portuguese.

The driver dropped us off Largo De Senado. But we entered this interesting hall sorts first and took pictures. Then we crossed the street for the nice cobbled stone plaza. It was smaller than what I expected. Hehe. But it had a lot of old European charm. The small alleyways and the interesting buildings. Although it's also very commercialized! There seemed to be a Sasa in every corner! Haha.

Good thing Kar and I thought about our outfits carefully! Our nice bright colored tops looked good on the photos. Hehe.

We walked down the streets, following the signs to "Sau Paulo", which was the St. Paul Cathedral ruins. We passed by a couple of stores which sold egg tarts. I was quick to sample them, confirming the Lord Stowe's in Manila reassures me their egg tarts are as good as the ones here. There was also another store. A pastiliera, which sold a lot of Macau baked goodies. Perfect location, because we could visibly see the ruins up ahead

I must say, seeing the ruins made the long, sweaty walk worthwhile! This is an iconic Macau landmark, and now we know why! It's magnificent! I don't know how the facade survived! Perched on top of the stairway, it was just so picturesque.

Then came out the camera whores in all of us. Haha. We took a lot of pictures! And I reminded Karina about doing jump shots. So jump shots we did!

When we finally got one right, just when Karina landed, her glasses fell off. And when she landed (after the jump), her foot found her glasses and ka-put it went. She was very sad. And she officially became a lola!

After camera whoring, we couldn't stand the Macau heat any longer. We took a cab to the Venetian hotel, which is actually on a different Island (Cotai). From a distance, we could see this hotel was just huge. It was most certainly a mini-Venice!

Now we know where everyone's at! They're in the Venetian! Playing craps, riding the gondola, and taking lots of tourist photos. Haha.

It was past noon, and we were hungry. I was at first doubtful if there was a food court. We decided to eat at this Singaporean resto, where one of the waiters/cooks was Filipino. He gave us a tip that there was a free shuttle going back to the Macau Ferry. Yipee.

After lunch, we went around the hotel. Walking down St. Mark's Square, and taking pictures with a human statue. Obviously, Karina and I were slightly terrified of it. Haha. More pictures of the nice small bridges, and the gondola with the singing rower.

We found a Promod! And a Zara.

None of us were gamblers anyway, so we got on the free shuttle service to the ferry a little before 5 PM, and we were there a quarter past five. We were on standby for the 5:30 PM ride back to Hong Kong. Thankfully, it wasn't very full, so we got in.

Back in Hong Kong, we were all quite pooped from the Macau day of walking. With the little energy we had left, we went to Toys 'R Us for Irb's Transformers toy and to the Esprit Outlet on Hankow Road (a few meters away from our hotel). I think I prolly reached my shopping breaking point there. After paying for my purchases, I sat down close to the entrance by the sidewalk. Kars and Remy, paid for their stuff and we walked back to YMCA.

Kars, being the expert traveller that she was, started packing her stuff and accounting for her expenses. And what did moi do? Take a sinfully relaxing warm bubble bath.

After my bath, I attempted to steal another free wifi signal. To my dismay, the open network "linksys" learned how to use the WEP Password, and I could no longer mooch off the free internet. Dengit. In my frustration (I was also craving for spaghetti that evening), I availed of the four-hour wifi internet service the hotel offered, which ironically, had erratic connection! I ended up sleeping through the 2.5 remaining hours.

What a vacay! Haha. We end up exhausted after each day!

Ni Hao 2008, Day 2

2008-10-31T00:42:00.011+08:00

Vacation mode for our second day here in Hong Kong! Obviously exhausted from the day before, we all got out of bed past 9 A.M.! Kars and I are loving the duvet! We're both breakfast peeps, too. The buffet selection at YMCA is pretty impressive! I had my usual cereal and other beefast goodies.

Today is our scheduled Hong Kong Island day. We were in no hurry whatsoever, so we ended up leaving the hotel a little before 12. We wanted Remy to experience all the modes of transportation Hong Kong had to offer!

First mode of transpo for today... Star Ferry! A must do, several travel sites have said. A cheap and nice way to see Hong Kong Island from a distance.

Kars wanted to take a your-profile-against-the- HK backdrop photo, but we realized we innately didn't have the bone structure for a nice profile picture. Haha.

The ferry docked at the HK Island Pier. We walked the long walk. Thankfully, there was a long covered walk from the pier to the Central business district.

We immediately saw throngs of Filipinas, happily cavorting. The onslaught of Pinays certainly helped us when we were finding our way. Hehe.

We then took the tram to Causeway Bay. It was not as fast as the MTR, but riding it was an experience of the senses. Interesting busy view of the HK and interesting aroma of the passengers of the tram.

Haha. We weren't sure which stop to get off, so we asked our seatmate and she helped us. We got off the Causeway Bay stop and walked up the street to Times Square. I did my duties to Madam Grouchy at the Gucci store (Yas, kasing mahal lang yung bag sa Singapore!).

We learned our lesson from yesterday's long drawn out stroll of Ocean Terminal/Harbour City Mall. So when we got to Times Square, we got on the elevator, sped up to the top most floor. Then took the trip straight down. Haha.

We crossed the street to Lee Theatre Mall. Checked out Muji, this Ikea-esque Japanese store. Went back to Times Square to have lunch at City Super.

Then we rode the MTR back to Central for the much awaited trip to the super Hennes & Mauritz. Otherwise known as H&M!

So what was my H&M experience like?? Two words. Headless chicken. Haha. We spent a good one hour in H&M. I got Christmas presents, crossing out 11 names on my too-long Christmas list. Yey! I can't wait for H&M to open in Manila.

To recharge and rest our tired shopping feet, I had a Caramel Macchiato at a nearby Starbucks.

After coffee, we hailed a cab to go to St. Joseph's church. When Remy hopped on, she felt something poking her. She grasped the object and found a blackberry behind her!

She hastily and nervously gave it to Karina. Who then passed it to me! My first instinct was to check the call log and call the last person the owner called. No one picked up. We tried a couple other peeps when we finally got connected to "JC". We explained the situation to him and he agreed to meet us at the church. 15 minutes into the 6pm mass, JC arrived and thanked us for finding the phone.

The 6PM mass at St. Joseph, was yet again another Pinoy-palooza. The choir members were Filipinas, and it was touching to see hard working OFWs (who were 95% women), praying.

After mass, we walked up Garden Road to the Peak Tram Station.

The line wasn't very long, so we easily got on board the tram. The ride was good! Pretty steep, and the view of lit-HK was spectacular.

When we reached the Peak, we went around, looking for where we can get good pics. Finally settled by Burger King. We took a lot of nice pics. Thanks to changes to the exposure and steady hands.

We walked around the Peak and later discovered there was a free viewing deck. Dinner tonight was served up by Burger King.

Back down to Central we went, after a lot of photo ops. The walk was pretty decent! A good 15 minutes (without the tourist stops). We rode the MTR back to TST. Pft! What a tiring day!

Ni Hao 2008, Day 1

2008-10-27T00:39:00.013+08:00

Fully awake and slight exhausted, Papa and I left the house to pick up Karina and Remedios. To Terminal 3 we went for our 8AM flight. Check in and immigration was a breeze.

To kill time (and in response to my grumbling stomach), we hung out at Seattle's Best. I had a ham and cheese panini and a cafe mocha. Karina and I, like the crazy girls that we are, started talking about Irving as if we wasn't in Kuwait:

Karina: Bakit ang tagal ni Remedios sa CR?
Schmenten: Ano ka ba Kar. Hinihintay pa nya si Irving matapos sa CR.

The flight to HK was ok. I was woozy for the most part.

The HK airport was pretty amazing! It's huge! We had to take a train to go to the arrival area. Immigration was a little tougher than expected. Remy had to endure a few repetitive questions from the immigration agent. But we all got through ok.

In keeping with the cost-efficient theme of our trip, we decided to take the City Flyer (the local bus) back to our hotel. We didn't realize how huge the airport was and how far the bus terminus was from the arrival hall. We had to walk for another 20 minutes. When we were finally seated on BusA21.

It was an hour to stop 14 (Tsim Sha Tsui, Nathan Road & Middle Road). After dragging our luggage fror two blocks, we finally arrived at The Salisbury YMCA. Cool, cool location!

The three of us got settled in, but we quickly left because we were starving! Our first HK meal was at the Spaghetti House, a classic HK institution. Kars and Remy ordered the chicken scalopini and I had the Risotto Combination which tasted a lot like fried rice. The fruit punch I ordered was nice.

We walked around TST (the nearby streets) to help digest our lunch. Our first stop was the Esprit Outlet. We were overwhelmed! So much nice stuff in one store. We vowed to return. After walking some more we went back to the hotel. Clearly exhausted from the day (sans sleep the evening before!). I took a shower and slept for a good hour.

Late into the afternoon, when we recharged with our siesta, we ventured Harbour city Mall and Ocean Terminal. Both Karina and i have vague memories of this mall.

So we ended up walking around the terminal (up and down, through the nooks and crannies). There weren't really a lot of stores we found particularly interesting. There was this nice paper store where I got a 2009 planner.

5 minutes before 8pm, we walked outside to the viewing deck for the Symphony of lights. The harbour view was a breath taking sight. The post cards do not lie. Hehe.

After a few photos here and there, we had dinner Cafe de Coral, another HK institution. Haha. I had very low expectations of Cafe de Coral, and I was pleasantly surprised that the resto has made several improvements! The price was still fair though.

Because our Sham Shui Po venture turned into a siesta, we decided to go to the Mongkok Ladies Bazaar in the evening. We took the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mongkok. I've been to this bazaar previously, and i was yet again pleasantly surprised to see the bright bright lights in Mongkok. It kinda felt like New York. The hustle and bustle.

We walked around for a good hour, bargaining and haggling with the local merchants. I got the mandatory magnets and chinese souvenirs. By the time we reached the end of the strip, I was dead tired! And frustrated. For the entire afternoon and the evening, I've been looking for the replacement charger. All the computer shops told me they didn't sell the charger separately. This other guy told me to visit the Apple Store, which to my dismay, is closed on Sundays. Pooohoo.

Dejected and tired, we trudged back to TST . BY some divine intervention, the small store right outside the TST MTR station had the new MacBook on display. I ventured into the store, slightly hopeful. And lo and behold! They sold the charger! Woooohooo. Out my frustration, I bought the charger anyway, even though it's priced the same as in Manila.

Poo. What a day this has been. 2 hours of sleep and still going. Not a lot of checks in my Christmas list. I'm still adjusting to HK, I think. I've been so to BKK for the past few years.

It's been hella-fun hanging out with Karina and Remy! Laugh trip!

Travel thought for today...
You can research about the place and the people to some extent prior to the trip. But there's also a thrill in discovering them yourself.

Prologue to Ni Hao 2008...

2008-10-27T00:31:00.000+08:00

Two weeks after 'Nam, I printed out my second eTicket for the month. Karina and I have been planning this trip for a few months now. Kudos to Cebupacificair for encouraging the biyahera in all of us. This was supposed to be our NiHao2008 with Irving, but he had to go to Kuwait on a cross posting assignment. Poohoo.

Anyhoo, the week has been a good mix of hectic and petiks. I've been sleeping over at Cityland since the beginning of the week. Monday I jogged around Salcedo Village with Suzie. Tuesday I had dinner with Karina. Wednesday I B.I.ed Mike into a Tandoori-platter pig out session (It was a treat to actually hear Mr. Goodie-Two-Shoes fib his way out of circuit training). Thursday Pops, Rommel and I had dinner at Malcolm's. Somehow I caught a bad cold and I didn't feel very well. I went back to Paranaque Thursday evening. Friday was yet again another lamon day. Lunch at Secret Recipes and dinner at Pepper Lunch with Mike. This time, I felt awful because my bad cold had somehow rubbed off on Mike and he was sneezing the afternoon and the evening through.

Because of all the work stuff and lamon sessions (hehe), I wasn't able to pack or fully prepare for the weekend trip. I've been to Hong Kong twice, but this time around, we plan to go to Macau and focus our energies more on shopping. No BKK this year for me! Anyway, to make a long story short, I had to stay up all night packing, preparing for the trip. This should be an interesting Day 1!

Ni Hao!

2008-10-27T00:24:00.003+08:00

Tourists and free loaders we are! As I am typing this entry, Karina (& Remy) and I are in Hong Kong! I brought MacMacMac along because I had to buy a replacement for the battery charger. Anyhoo, right now, we are mooching off some free WiFi connection from someone's linksys modem. Haha! I will attempt to blog about our first two days here in the Riviera of the East.

So far, this picture below is one of my favorite pics. Maan! Donde Esta?!

Finally done it.

2008-10-20T00:43:00.004+08:00

From my long, sometimes messy, hair, to my new short short short hair! Finally done it my friends. Cut my hair! Haha. Thanks to Gilbert of T&G. I can't help but feel freaked out when I run my fingers through it at the back. I said good bye to about 5 inches of hair!

Packing, Unpacking, and Packing some more

2008-10-20T00:32:00.002+08:00

It's been almost a week since we got back from our vacay in Vietnam. Most of our bags have been unpacked, presents to friends and loved ones given away. Mid-last week though, I decided to spend two nights at the condo in Makati. Our tiny room here at home could accommodate three people comfortably. Four peeps is ok. Five or six is a stretch. I might be being a brat here, but after a tiring day in the office, a nice comfortable bed would be nice. So I decided to sleepover and fly solo Thursday and Friday evening. Packed some of my stuff again. Was back here at home Saturday evening.

Although I had more space in the condo, I must admit it was tad sadder sleeping by myself. No TV or internet surfing to tempt me. Just this bare window and a not so creepy closet (no moooooy moooooy bear there). The up side to it though was I arrived at the office faster, and I seem to have more time to do things.

Tonight, I packed clothes and stuff good for the next four days. Will be back here at home Thursday evening, and I have more packing to do then! Kars and I are flying to HK this weekend, and I'm pretty psyched! In the spirit of Uu_huh2004, we've dubbed this trip with Remedios, Ni_Hao2008. Kars and I agreed that we will be relaxed during this trip. Try to make it a vacation. Hehe. For any HK shopping tips let me know!

[Movie Shmovie] Tropic Thunder

2008-10-20T00:14:00.002+08:00

To date, I've seen this movie on the big screen two times. First was with Cel, Yas, and Mike. Powerplant Mall, about two weeks ago. I laughed my a** off! The second time was tonight with the family. I was still hysterically laughing. Robert Downey Jr! Hats off to you. He was brilliant as this Aussie method actor who pretends to be an African American GI. I heart Ben Stiller, to the point where I laugh at the mere sight of him. This movie was a great parody of war movies (those classic action hero moves and dialogue ("I can't feel my legs"). If you're a Ben Stiller fan, you will love this movie. The laughs are endless.

Vietnam Vacay 2008, Day 4

2008-10-18T23:44:00.004+08:00

A more relaxing day for our last day in 'Nam. Our flight back home was at 1AM Tuesday. We had the entire day Monday to finish up with our shopping. Our trusty hotel bellboys gave us a good tip about An Dong Plaza, not a very touristy place. It's similar to Tutuban Mall.

Anyway, our favorite store is this one, which sold local delicasies! Several kilos of squid and spicy beef later, we hauled all of our purchases back to the hotel.

The ladies went out again. Hunt for art this time around! We found this really nice painting of Vietnamese vendors. We're excited about framing it and eventually hanging it in our newly renovated home.

Dinner for Day 4 was at Qua An Ngon, also on Macky's list of must-try restos. It was a very busy restaurant. But the service was good! Lots of locals and tourists. Price was fair and the food was good! Happy and full tourists!

On our way out of the resto, we passed by open kitchen, where all the Vietnamese goodies were made. Bananas and chilis! Wootwoot!

Back to the hotel for a pre-departure shower. Before we knew it, we said goodbye to our hotel room and were on our way to the airport.

Overall, it was a good vacation! The first ever Geocaniga family vacay (all five of us complete) outside the country. The food was excellent! We did not tire eating Vietnamese food. Healthy stuff! The best fried rice (was tasty, but it wasn't as greasy as the typical chinese fried rice) and grilled prawns ever. The Vietnamese people are generally simple (not a lot of frills). They're hella resilient, given what their country has been through. On my list of places to go to... HANOI! Vinh our tour guide mentioned it's worth the trip. Halong Bay's beautiful. Next time then!

Vietnam Vacay 2008, Day 3

2008-10-17T20:55:00.008+08:00

Second Vietnamese Tour for Day 3!!

We all got up bright and early on our third day in HCMC. Our tour guide picked us up promptly at 7:30am. It was a long way to the Cu chi Tunnels. I bought the trademark Vietnamese hat at the market the day before. I was determined to milk it for all the photo ops.

We were exhausted from all the touring the day before that we slept through most of the car ride. I'm pretty glad the tour that we took was a private tour, so no one could complain about our snoring. Hehe.

Anyway, we arrived a little past ten. First stop was this area where there was a film showing. A docu of sorts about the tunnels.

Then came our luckiest break yet. We piggy backed on one of the walking tours, with this excellent tour guide (better than ours!). He knew quite a lot about the tunnels! AND he even cracked jokes! Hehe.

If our visit in the War Remnants musuem yesterday showed the horrors of war, our Cu chi Tunnels tour showed the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people. For the most part of their modern history, they've been fighting against foreign powers (the French, the Americans). This tour clearly showed us how they used the tools and materials available to them to survive.

This part of the tour's pretty famous. See why the Viets needed to be skinny! So they can snugly fit into this hole in the ground!

Walking around the tunnels, the guide explained how the VCs created booby traps (using American materials from the bombs they dropped in the area (reportedly, ever square foot of land was bombed at least three times a day during the war!)).

We also tried to go through one of the tunnels. We braved the narrow openings and tunnels and emerged victorious!! AND SWEATY!

The parental units of course just stood by the exit, waiting for us to emerge. They had a photo op of their own, which turned out rather nicely!

Our next stop before lunch was the Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai, we discovered that day, was a religion. A mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism. Victor Hugo's somehow involved in the mix. It's a fairly new religion (established 1926).

Fortunately, we arrived just in time for their daily noontime rituals. All of them wore robes. White robes mostly, and some of the more senior ones wore colorful robes.

After a few photos, we happily got back on the bus (we were sweating like pigs on a roast!). Lunch was the next item on the agenda! Just like the day before, the servings for lunch was aplenty and the quality of the food was good! Today, we saw the french influence on Vietnamese cuisine. A baguette with our beef salad!

After lunch, it was a two hour drive back to HCMC. Muymuy Tonton became jologs Tonton, donning his green jersey!! Eww. Haha. But he does look cute with the signature saigon hat.

After Cu Chi, the slightly rested tourists shopped some more. We found Saigon Square, right beside Ben Than market. They sold more of the for-export clothes. It was like a mini-Greenhills.

Dinner time came. Ngoc Suong Restaurant was part Macky's list of must-try restaurants. I must say. Best dinner we've had in this trip!! Love love love everything they served us! From the fresh sweet and sour fish to the grilled prawns. We were at a loss for words.

Thus concluded our third day in HCMC. More shopping tomorrow!

My First TripAdvisor Review

2008-10-16T15:23:00.003+08:00

I've been a fan of TripAdvisor for quite a while now. I use this site to view valuable reviews about hotels, sights, and restos for a particular place. As with our trip to the UK last April, I heavily relied on the reviews for our hotel and itineary for our recent trip to HCMC. So I was pretty excited to contribute to site when we returned from our trip. And voila! It's been posted!

Click here to read it.

Vietnam Vacay 2008, Day 2

2008-10-16T01:00:00.005+08:00

For our first day in 'Nam, we got up early for our Full-Day Tour of Ho Chi Minh City. We booked this tour through the www.viator.com website (which I highly recommend). Buffalo Tours, the local Vietnamese company hosting the tour, came early. Our guide, Vinh, was meek, but really really nice.

It was nice to see HCMC (formerly Saigon) for the first time in broad daylight. We quickly discovered who the kings of the road are in Vietnam.... The scooters and motorcycles! There weren't really a lot of big vehicles (apart from the tourist buses, taxi cabs, and a few privately owned cars) in the streets. There weren't a lot of a high rise buildings either. The city reminded us of Manila, ten or fifteen years ago. Only cleaner! Haha.

Anyway, first stop on our city tour is the very famous, Reunification Palace . This famous landmark was the home of the President of South Vietnam back in the day. It kinda reminded us of Malacanang Palace, because of some of the opulent rooms.

Tonton and I had fun taking pics with these wall mountings. Hehe.

Here's a view of a busy Saigon street from the topmost floor of the Palace.

Next stop was the Notre Dame Basilica . A very pretty church which resembles the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, minus the scary gargolyes and the intricate carvings on the doorway. This is one of my fave pics this trip. The clouds and the blue sky were a nice backdrop to the bright red bricks which were imported all the way from Marseille in 1877.

A few photos after, we crossed the street to the Saigon Central Post Office. Also quite gothic/French in design! The interior was also quite nice, with phone booths close to the entrance.

Our last stop that morning was the War Remnants Musuem (which is probably my favorite HCMC spot (of those we saw). We didn't exactly need a verbose guide here, as the museum spoke for itself, with pictures, tanks, and war armaments. According to the very dependable Wikipedia, this place used to be called, "The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government [of South Vietnam]."

For the next hour or so, we saw the horrors of war. It was a very visual reminder of how much this country (Vietnam) has gone through.

Lunch was up next and I was impressed that the guide took us to this nice Vietnamese resto which was quite European looking. The food they served was just awesome! Salad was good and so were the other dishes. The bros took this chance to sample the local beer. "333", which they say tasted like San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen.

After lunch, we dragged our sleepy and full selves to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Vinh the guide said that this temple is 200 years old. We lit this spiral incense.

It was Ben Thanh Market after the Pagoda. We were slightly tired, but we had the stored energy for shopping! I heart shopping in BKK, and I found out that in HCMC, the vendors are actually more ruthless! They dragged us into their shops. Haggling is an art form here! Haha. I got a few good deals. Some of which I think I could have done a better job driving the price down. Oh well.

Shopping didn't stop there of course. In the evening (after dinner at Barbecue Garden), Tita Marison and I braved the District 1 Streets in search for the Nigh Market. Which we found, right beside Ben Than.

After shopping, Tita and I walked home. The warm shower I took after a long day of touring was priceless!

Other key things worth mentioning...

Highlands Coffee - Macky recommended this nice local Starbucks of sorts place, which was incidentally, a block away from our hotel. Tita and I had the Vietnamese Coffee with condensed milk and it was fab! I noticed that their ice cubes were minature tube ice.

Lovers Lane at the park close by - While walking, Tita and I wanted to pass by safe places, where we likely wouldn't be mugged. So we saw a flock of people from a distance in the park. So we walked, and when we came closer, we saw that these peeps were actually couples on their motorbikes, making out! Literally tens of them lined up on the dark sidewalk. Haha. Course, us singletons cursed under our breaths. Thank you Fate!

Vietnam Vacay 2008, Day 1

2008-10-16T00:09:00.005+08:00

Cám ơn! This translates to "Thank you" in Vietnamese. First of all, I'd like to thank my family for an awesome, awesome time in HCMC. This was our first ever out of the country trip with all of us complete. Although we didn't really get to sample the bustling night life (I'm sure Macky will scowl at this sentence), it was good just seeing the sights, enjoying the view, shopping, and taking HCMC in.

Anyway, here are our trip highlights...

Day 1 - This trip came to be because of the Low Fare promo rates of Cebupacificair.com (free plugging!). Just to happened that we were also looking for something worthwhile to do for my Dad's 58th Birthday. We initially planned to go to Hanoi (in Northern Vietnam), but CebuPac cancelled all their flights to Hanoi, so we opted for Saigon instead.

Anyway, being a budget airline flight and all, we had the red-eye flight, scheduled to depart from Manila at 11pm, Friday evening. I still managed to work until 6:30pm! We were pretty excited because this was our first time at Terminal 3. And it's pretty!

Happy for the Seattle's Best kiosk close to the gate. This terminal is brimming with so much potential. I hope it gets utilized more soon.

The flight left on time (Yey!) but I could hardly sleep. The crew announced the food for sale, and I was intrigued by the hot chocolate for P80 a cup. So I gave in and tried it. It's actually good! Haha.

One of my favorite parts of any trip... Seeing the stamp on my passport. Haha.

We arrived in HCMC just in time. Their airport resembled Terminal 3. We had some money changed and we contracted a van to take us to our hotel. Our observations of HCMC when we arrived? It felt a lot like the Philippines, minus the tall buildings and the cars. The streets were relatively quiet and clean!

We were all pretty tired and excited to hit the sack.

Back from Nam

2008-10-14T18:38:00.001+08:00

Just got back from our family vacay in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam! I slept the whole day! Will post pics soon.

Highs and Lows

2008-10-09T02:33:00.002+08:00

The past few days have been hella crazy at the office. Last weekend, our project went live and it was what it was. Successful deployment. Rock 'n Roll in production! Haha. The issues and risks we called out were realized. I smugly say, "We told you so!" But then all the problems in production are OUR problems. Hehe.

Anyway, there have been a couple of great and not so great things the past few days... Highs and Lows.

HIGH. Last weekend, I stopped by Ate Love's for burger-fun merienda. Just before my merienda trip, I saw about 4 episodes of "How I Met Your Mother". The last Best Burger in NY episode got my appetite going. Ate Love made awesome crunchy burger patties. I topped them with cheese (while the pattie was on top of the griller) Nothing like a craving satisfied!

LOW. Getting up at 5AM on a Sunday Morning to go to work. Working for 11 hours! ON a Sunday morning. The up side to it I guess is that I wasn't working alone.

HIGH. A rather successful implementation! I'm amazed at the commitment and energy of the people. IT was a really good implementation. We were on top of the issues. Addressing them one by one. The white board we had close to my desk was such a good tool in keeping everyone in the loop about all the open issues.

LOW. After 11 hours of work, I got sucked into this conference all at 11pm. Everyone just sounded tired. The PC was good enough to call it a day.

HIGH. Yesterday, we were forced to work together to bring this code fix into production. It was good to see actual results spring out of team work and determination. The email exchanges from the PC were also nice and uplifting. I really enjoy working with people with positive working attitudes. And it also feels good to be part of the solution. And to drive it towards completion.

LOW. Apathetic & manipulative people. There are some, who despite the amount of work they see you're doing, have the gall to either take credit for the things you do or make you feel inadequate. In my current situation, the boundaries of the scope of my responsibilities are blurry. Which sucks in a way because "going the extra mile" is part of my so-called job (which is pretty unclear to begin with).

HIGH. Managing issues and helping provide solutions. I like controllable chaos (if there's such a thing). It gives me an adrenalin rush.

LOW. Working till late with an empty stomach. The result? Grouchyness! TO those who were still in the office between the hours of 9:30pm-10:30pm, I apologize for any outburst and cries of frustration. I try my best to always stay positive about any situation. Everyone has a break point. I almost reached mine at between 9:30-10:30pm today.

HIGH. Unwinding with my parents. My folks picked me up from work and we had a late dinner at Isshin. It was nice to just unload my frustrations. I constantly remind myself (and so do my parents), that it's just work. If I'm turning into a person who I don't like, then I better stop myself.

HIGH. Good to know that there are Highs and Lows. Nothing is permanent. This too shall pass. This too shall pass.

ERP5 Reunion Part Deux

2008-10-09T00:42:00.005+08:00

Nothing like learning from your mistakes. This time around, when us ERP5ers got together for dinner and Rockeoke, I brought my trusty digital camera!! Camwhores everywhere!

Markova teaches us how to elongate our faces for the camera.

We had dinner at Guava (Papaya, Pesem?) in Serendra. I've been to this resto a couple of times (obviously it's one of my faves in Serendra). They serve good Filipino food at a fair price. We ordered Seafood Sinigang sa Bayabas (which is essentially a tamarind base soup with guava), Binagoongang Baboy (Pork in fish paste), Binagoongang Talong (Eggplant in fish paste), Krispy Tadyang (Crispy Ribs), and Crispy Pata & Lechon Kawali Platter (Deep-fried pork leg & Pan-roasted Pork), and three heart attacks. Haha.

We then transfered to Magnet for some serious Rockeoke! It was kind of a slow night at Magnet. So the hosts JC and Gabe asked for volunteers. Our table was quick to scribble down "The Reason by Hoobastank, Mark Ordonez" on a table napkin. The hosts called Mark out right away and we were cheering.

Mark, armed with his jacket and videoke-practiced pipes, went up stage (ahem, after our persistent coaxing). He sang, pretending he didn't know the lyrics by peering at the song book 70% of the time. He looked kinda nervous!! Stage fright and Mark O in the same sentence?! Haha.

Drinks all around! Aileen's a changed WOMAN!

Mr. and Mrs. Manning!

Gabe used his executive privelege to sing "The Winner Takes it All" Rockeoke style. It wasn't bad at all! Made me a little wistful I didn't have the guts to go up stage and sing "Super Trooper" or "Take a Chance on Me".

More crazy pictures!

We miss you all!! Ivan, Daisy, Chae, Mackie, Aida!

Reliving the ERP5 era

2008-10-03T17:59:00.003+08:00

Yesterday, the biggest mistake of the evening was not bring a digital camera! Rachie flew in from Shanghai a few days ago, so we had a mini-ERP5 reunion! She called the troops! And we had dinner at Dencio's Metrowalk. Me, Rachie, Kwon Sang Woo (Jun, Rachie's hubby), and Maila shared a sizzling plate of sisig and their Pinasugba platter. Then the star of the show came. Mark O.! Followed by Mr. Epal himself, Pesem!

O.M.G. It's been such a long while since I laughed so hard. We reminisced about our crazy Dow days, the bloopers, and memorable outings. Mark was "namamangka" and was entertaining us from the minute he stepped into Dencios. Our extra loud laughter (when we transfered to Starbucks), made a few serious students transfer seats. Haha.

We talked about the many times we'd have our lunch "listing game". Mark buying food for everyone and forgetting to get something for himself. Mark telling Rachie in his most earnest tone, "Alam ko namang nagkagusto ka sa akin dati." Rachie catching Amery and Richmond's sweet instant messaging exchanges. The drama that was Mackie's love life and how she would immediately stand up from her seat when she'd hear the rustling of plastic ("Ano yan?"). Ivan being "tampo" with Daisy when he dreamt that she was cheating on him. Hahahaha... And the list goes on and on. Haaaaay... Those were great times.

Most of my teammates have moved on. Rachie is in China. Aileen and Mark are both with HP. Mackie, Ivan, Daisy, Aui, and Chae are in the US. Rodel is in Singapore (married and apparently a Daddy!). Aida is in Singapore. Gladys in Bangkok. Maila has transfered industries. Jed left the company a few years ago to return to the academe. Mars, Rap, Zalggy, Amery, Sid, and myself are still here with the Firm. The four years we spent together under the ERP5 roof made some of the harsh work realities more bearable and in a way, worth it.

I wonder when we'll have a grand reunion of sorts!

Rommel's Salubong

2008-10-01T21:59:00.002+08:00

Rommel's month-long mastery of law battle ended last Sunday. He was excited and so were we! Haha. Geocaniga Bar Ops took a bow.

Here's the soon-to-be-lawyer studying remedial law, a few hours before the exam proper.

After we checked out of the hotel, Jean, Tonton, and I had lunch at Friday's MOA. Mama and Papa picked us up at around 4, and we went straight to La Salle. Then the hour and half wait began. Here's Papa laughing at the streakers. Hehe.

Everyone applauded this oldie but goodie!

We all shrieked in delight when we finally saw Rommel walk down the invisible red carpet. He's relieved it's over! Next on the agenda... Celebrations when he finally passes! Please pray for him!

All photos courtesy of Jean

You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do

2008-09-28T02:37:00.002+08:00

More recently, I've been doing a few of the things I've been putting off. Things I probably should have done a long time ago. Nothing overly metaphoric here. Haha.

First of all, I finally summoned the guts to visit Tito Mar for my cauterization session to remove some of the bothersome pigmentations around my neck. Tita Alda injected the local anesthesia (which was actually the mre painful part of the procedure). Fonzie was my very effective distraction. While Tita Alda was doing the painful needle stuff, I was saying my usual, "Aw.... Aw... Aw...". Fonzie laughed out loud, saying, "Tita Ten, para ka palang aso!" ("Auntie Ten, you're like a dog!"). I'm glad I got that out of the way. It wasn't so bad! Eyebrow threading is actually more painful!

Second, I've given up YBs just recently. Probably about two months now. Thanks to running! I think this has somehow contributed to the better state of my skin asthma. I need to get a refill of Kuya Lan's miracle solution to take it to the next level. And maybe a hypoallergenic moisturizer.

Next stop... Saving. A healthier bod. Garage Sale. Interior Designing/Decorating.

[Movie Shmovie] My Best Friend's Girl

2008-09-28T02:21:00.003+08:00

Howard Deutch, I'm so disappointed! I'm a huge fan. Being the director of 80's cult classics ("Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Pretty in Pink"), I had high expectations! This movie... Well. Even cute Kate Hudson couldn't save it. The movie tried its hardest to be sort of like "Hitch", but with an a**hole-ic twist. Dane Cook. Hmm... I dunno if I like him. He kinda reminds me of Jerry O'Connell. The movie itself had a lot of crass, over the top moments. The ending was confusing, and well, I didn't really get the whole point of the movie. The soundtrack was pretty ok. For all you cinema loving peeps out there. See "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" instead. I haven't seen it, but I think it's waaay better than this.

Hectic Friday

2008-09-27T01:18:00.003+08:00

Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. Guess where I was at for the most part of the day? Yes, genius. Meetings! They were interesting meetings anyway. Our morning meeting with our Sydney senior exec was the venue of Schmenten's booboo. Because the effing mute button looked very much like the hang up button, I accidentally dropped off from the conference when one of our senior managers was in mid-sentence. Teehee.

Our afternoon meetings were mostly eating and sharing about more goals. Poooey. Fulfilling our new role remarkably well is a great challenge. Not a walk in the park, definitely.

Mike and I have been trying to stay on a diet this week because of our evening plans! As promised, Yas treated us to a filling dinner at Chilis, in celebration of her victory. Haha. It was a three-hour chat fest, which ended with a ten minute black out and the guys teasing me about my Esmeralda/Do-the-Conga blouse.

2 Epals + 2 soon-to-be-Aussies + 1 Wireless Headset buying chap = a fun Friday night. It was great stress reliever, especially after all the stuff we've been dealing with during the week.

I'm just happy it's the weekend. Plans for tomorrow? Got an appointment with Dr. Tanquilut in Teoville. Then maybe mass at Sofitel again for my brother's last Bar Exam weekend! And then meet up with Karina maybe after dinner.

Sunday, Tonton and I will do our final Bar Ops gig, hopefully BE EARLY for the tips we need to give Rommel. I'm excited to see the celebrations afterwards. They say all the water throwing typically leaves taft semi-flooded.

Sweet Sweep!

2008-09-25T22:39:00.002+08:00

After six years waiting, the Blue Eagles reclaim the UAAP Men's Basketball crown! Woohoo! I was in the office when it all happened! I desperately looked for websites with live score and game highlights updates. I quickly scanned through the status of my online Yahoo buddies. Lo and behold, Kim had "Go Ateneo!" beside her name. I popped her and she gave me score updates! We were both very tense! Happy for the 15 point lead and worried when it was down to 3. I called Rommel during the last minute of the game, and the joyous cacophony in the background made me regret turning down Bebet's offer the day before for lower box tickets at the Big Dome. Sweet, sweet victory! Kars and I wanted to go ADMU for the victory party. Haha. But we restrained ourselves. It was raining pretty hard! The team's performance during game one convinced me they were a strong team. The 2002 UAAP finals saw the Archers and the Blue Eagles on equal footing in terms of skilled players. I really couldn't call that one out. This year, stats and sports experts agree that Ateneo was the likely victor. Woohooo!

I was talking to Karina over the phone and she shared some of the funny shirts they're selling in Ateneo. For Baclao, there's an "I AM Nonoy" shirt. And for the team heartthrob, "Iglesia ni Chris Tiu". Mwahaha.

In other news.... On my way home, I decided to pass by our house in progress. While I was making my usual rounds, one of the workers noticed that there was a huge fire a few blocks away from our house, visible from my bedroom window! So when I went home, Tonton, Ate Henny, Flor, and I took our usisero selves and a couple of umbrellas and walked close to the fire. So sad to see families, carrying their belongings and crying. I was relieved when the fire trucks arrived.