VIRGIN SHUTTERS

The Greatest Hits Tour: A1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue LIVE in Manila

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:39:00 +0800

Me: WOW!!! Sama sama na lahat. 98 degrees, A1 at Blue. Ang galing gusto ko! Papa, nood tayo. Regalo mo na sa akin. :)
Him: Sige bibili akong ticket. Isa lang. Bahala ka. Huh.
Me: -_-

Palawan Instagrams

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:00:05 +0800

I was out for 4 days and 3 nights to fly to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The boyfriend and I celebrated our 4th anniversary by visiting the Underground River and Honda Bay and devouring seafood (read: PRAWNS) for lunch and dinner.

To make up for my blogging absences, here are some of my Instagram photos while we were there (follow me on Twitter. Hah!). From left to right:

Mandatory self photo while waiting at the airport. My new sunnies is too big for my cute little nose lol.
We ate Crocodile Sisig at Crocodile Farm. Yes, crocodile. Rawr. They also sell Crocodile Sausage.
Photo op with baby crocodile. They’ve got his mouse closed with scotch tape. :(
Boats at Sabang beach which will take you to Puerto Princesa Underground River.
The boyfriend enjoying the feel of the sand on his feet.
Sun-kissed at Pandan Island. We didn’t get to see Snake Island because according to the locals, Willie Revillame already bought the place. Wow.
Sunrise at Sabang Beach. Long lines for Uderground River tour everyday so you have to be there really early. We left the hotel at 4am and reached Sabang Beach at 7am. Gaaah.
Another Sabang Beach photo. Meeeh.

I have lots of stories to tell and photos to brag about. But more on that later. Bye.

Here’s my surprise for you this Valentine’s Day -...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0800

Here’s my surprise for you this Valentine’s Day - first-hand second hand deals from PROJECT RUMMAGE. You know what they say, love is sweeter the second time around. :) Visit http://projectrummage.tumblr.com and click that follow button for quick updates. Like us on Facebook too. Ukaytnxbuy!

PS. No, I’m not home on Valentine’s Day. This is a queued post. I’m out here in UP Sunken Garden for UP Fair. Again, happy Valentine’s day! <3

Sunday School Girl

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:44:15 +0800

I want a new camera, something smaller than my Canon G10. I find it too big and heavy to carry around all day. Thanks to my iPod camera and my 5MP Blackberry phone cam for these crappy photos.

One of my recent thrift purchases is this cute wrap-around floral shorts. It was drizzling outside when I left for school but what the hell.

Him: Sarap ng tulog ng ilong mo ah.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:37:35 +0800

Him: Sarap ng tulog ng ilong mo ah.
Me: Huh? Bakit?
Him: Nakadapa.

Remember that online thrift store called Project Rummage that...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:39:22 +0800

Remember that online thrift store called Project Rummage that I’ve been telling you?

Let me tell you that my very first collection will be out on Valentine’s Day and this animal-printed skirt is included. Yay! I love this skirt but it’s too short for me so I’ve decided to put in my Project Rummage treasure box. If you like it, then follow Project Rummage on Tumblr and Facebook and be the first to know about our latest collection.

I gotta go of take photos of these thrifted gems. Get ready for treasure hunting. :)

Random Text Photos

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:49:00 +0800

Taking photos of printed texts with a VGA camera is just pointless. Exhibit A.

I cleaned my office desk a week ago and found this - Christmas message from our boss from last year. Nice kids receive nice presents: ‘To the beauty, brains and body that deserves more than the world can offer. I hope one day to see you spread your wings and not to be afraid of what you will be. I’ll be here to support you and to make sure that you see this through. Merry Christmas.’

They gave us fortune cookies at work last Chines New Year and mine says “Gamble only what you can afford to lose or might lose what you can’t afford.” Is this about work or what? Heh. I think fortunes cookies taste like recycled paper.

Our lesson last week at school. We’re now on concepts of a good packaging design and our teacher gave us this homework to create or redesign an existing brand. I haven’t started mine yet because I’m busy (then why am I blogging). But I’m thinking of creating a design for a perfume or a toy box. Err, I don’t know. Let’s just cram on Sunday.

I got my APE results last week and these are the doctor’s recommendation. One and two are related to my mild scoliosis ‘cause I’ve been having serious back pains for the past year. Whenever I consult a doctor, they just advise me to take pain relievers wth. I’m disregarding his third recommendation because he probably doesn’t know about this “Work hard, party harder” way o life. Hah!

PS. What your Instagram username?

Where were you while we were getting high?

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:06:00 +0800

Last February, I went to Philippine Travel Mart and I got a good deal of two tickets to Tree Top Adventure in Subic at 50% off. The package includes six adventures to embark on and the normal rate is Php 1,100 per person. I got it for only Php 550. Sweet.

After being hidden inside my purse for almost a year, we finally decided to use the vouchers last month to celebrate our 47th month (hihi monthsaries are fun). We headed north on a Friday night and devoted the whole Saturday to getting our own dose of adrenalin rush at Tree Top Adventure Park. It’s fun to scare yourself sometimes!

Here are some photos:

The park is surrounded by hanging bridges covered with variety of tall trees and foliage stock. It feels nice to walk through the lush greenery after several screams of adrenaline rush. Yes, I screamed.

Everyone must have a signed waiver before you can start with the adventure. I was also asked if I have any physical impairments or heart condition and for about 3 seconds, I debated in my mind whether or not I should tell that I have mild scoliosis lol. I’m not good at lying so I told them and they didn’t care. Hah!

Our adventure package consisted of 6 rides: Canopy Ride, Superman Ride, Trekking Adventure, Silver Surfer, Interactive Free Fall and Tree Drop Adventure (the scariest!).

Interactive Free Fall was first on our list. It pulls you up as high as 90 feet then suddenly drops you down for about five times. That feeling like your heart is jumping? Rollercoaster rush x 100.

Silver Surfer lets you surf in the air while enjoying the lush greenery of Subic. We got to enjoy the majestic rainforest view from 80 feet high. Sounds fun, huh? Lies. What I really did: let out the most awful scream with eyes closed. Hah!

Superman Ride covers 2 platforms of up to 140 meters long and 100 meters high. My butt hurt after being securely suspended face down and feet up.

Canopy Ride is the nature-appreciation ride. We took 5 motorized cable rides from up to 100 feet above the ground. Err, it was a bit boring. We didn’t finish the trail ‘cause we had to rush to Trekking Adventure.

The highlight of Trekking Adventure is the wilderness survival tutorial on how to build fire using primitive tools and equipment. There’s nothing much to do here.

Tree Drop Adventure is the maximum adrenaline rush! I still have my ticket with me because I didn’t try it. Hah! You have to rapell down the side of a 60-foot tree in Australian style meaning face first. I tried rapelling back in college and I cried for almost an hour. Even the boyfriend screamed lols!

Btw, if you’re looking for a place to stay in, you might want to try Ridgecrest Gradens Hotel in Olongapo City. Room is available for only Php 1,100, good for two persons. And yes, with free wifi. Wifi is now a necessity, isn’t it?

PS. Visit Philippine Travel Mart from Ferbuary 17 to 19 at SMX Convention Center for some exciting travel deals!

More photos here.

I love cheese

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:52:00 +0800

There are three things that I always look forward to in February: (1) Valentine’s Day, (2) UP Fairm and (3) our anniversary. If I had to choose a favorite month, it would have to be February. I love the hearts and balloons and flowers and pink-and-reds that we associate with it. I just love the cheese on top of it.

UP Fair and Valentine’s Day

UP Fair is an annual event in UP that happens during Valentine’s week. It is a week-long activity where Sunken Garden turns into a big venue for food booths, carnival rides and musical feast! For complete band line-up, you may visit their Facebook fan page here. (Btw, Rebokultura sounds smart but I’ve always been a fan of the classic UP Fair themes. I thought it should always have the word Fair in it like “No Fairmit, No Rally” and “UP Fair Sale” lol.)

Anyway, Valentine’s day falls on a Wednesday this year and the night will be hosted by APO. I guess the boyfriend and I will watch because it is the second best band line-up. The best line-up will be on Saturday, February 18 - with a 45- minute performance from Up Dharma Down! Meeehh.

February Anniversary

Just so you know, it’s our 4th anniversary on the 21st. We always celebrate anniversaries by going out of town and this year, we are going to Puerto Princesa yey! It will be my second time to visit PPS and I am still excited to see the Underground River and indulge in garlic shrimps at Kahlua or Badao Seafront Restaurant. Yay!

The last time I went there, we did trekking and birdwatching and a quick tour of the Underground River. Work-related. This time, I want to go to Snake Island, Honday Bay. Any suggestions for our itinerary? :)

January was quite a torture to me so I wish February will be lovelier. Toughen up, heart. This month is a treat for you. <3

The Cooking Mama Challenge: Mango Float

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:24:00 +0800

Remember my ultimate new year’s resolution?

Well, the first part of Cooking Mama challenge happened tonight. Best time to play in the kitchen because I was home alone. I didn’t want my family, especially my mother, to be there while I make my desperate attempts to learn how to cook. I guess my mother has become hopeless about my cooking skills that everytime she sees me at the kitchen doing something unusual, she grunts and tells me to back off. Lols just kidding. She doesn’t want me in the kitchen because she knows the kind of damage that I can do. Heh.

First on my list is Mango Float. I said this before but let me reiterate that I am aware that Mango Float does not involve any cooking lol. But I guess I have to learn basic cooking skills first like measuring ingredients, chopping, mixing and plating. So don’t hate, appreciate.

I bought the ingredients earlier this afternoon. On my list were mangoes, graham crackers, crushed graham crackers, cashew nuts, all purpose cream, sweetened condensed milk and Choco Baby. One thing I learned from it was how to choose the ripe mangoes aside from the obvious fact that they should be yellow. According to the friendly SM guy, the mango should smell good when you hold it near your nose. When I was picking my mangoes, I was still clueless. I followed my heart instead.

Here are the ingredients for my first challenge. It cost around Php 700. It turns out that I bought too much all purpose cream. Heh.

The fun thing about this challenge: I got to indulge myself with leftover sweetened condensed milk. The not-so-fun thing was the part when I had to chop mangoes in small cubes. Mangoes are irregularly shaped so it can get really frustrating. And I’m not so good in knives.

I guess I have superb mixing skills. My cream and milk mixture was smooth.

I trust that you all know how to make this piece of heaven on earth. Just layers of graham crackers, mixture of all-purpose cream and condensed milk, mangoes and cashew nuts. You have to place all these in a rectangular shaped container and you’re good to go. Err, I also thought it was just that simple. But just so you know, I had problems fitting my graham crackers in our rectangular container. It just won’t fit. 4 was not enough, 5 was too much. I need special shaped crackers with customized sizes next time.

Here’s the finish product. I put it inside the fride and tomorrow, I shall find out if it’s edible.

But wait there’s more. I still had all-purpose cream and condensed milk so I decided to make another one in chocolate favor. I remember my mother tried to make this as well. I forgot how it tasted but she never tried to do it ever again.

Here are the ingredients. We have additional ingredients like coffee mixture and Choco Baby. Let’s just say that Choco Baby serves as my personal touch to this creation. Lol what am I talkinng about. Anyway,this basically has the same procedure but before placing the crackers, you have to dip them first in the coffee mixture. Don’t ask me why because this is just what I remembered from my mother’s attempt on tiramisu a long time ago.

Here you go. I put Choco Baby on top because anything that has choco baby is yummy.

I hope it will turn out well because if not, I might cry like a baby. Say whuut.

Guimaras Love Spill

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:52 +0800

I’ve been meaning to post these photos from Iloilo and Guimaras since last year but it has been crazy busy at work that I only got to sort these photos out today. Thank you Chinese friends for this non-working holiday. Happy New Year.

Anyway, we had a 3D2N trip to Iloilo and Guimaras last November for our 45th month (yes, we celebrate monthsaries hihi). I got the air tickets from Cebu Pacific last May and bought it for only Php 1,800.00 for two persons. Base Fare was only 4 pesos plus plus plus Cebu Pacific’s other excuses to get money from us (eg. web admin fee, aviation security fee, etc.) Lol just kidding.

On our Day 1, we toured the cities of Molo, Villa and downtown Iloilo. Getting around Iloilo gives you more of the cultural and gastronomical experience than the usual beach fun. There are lots of food to try and churches to visit (we’re not that interested on the latter, though). First on our list was Tatoy’s Manokan along Villa Beach. Based on what I’ve read, when you’re in Villa, you should definitely try Tatoy’s Manokan or Breakthrough. I especially loved Tatoy’s Baked Talaba - Php 100 only for 10 huge cheesy baked talaba. Heaven.

Here’s one of the gothic churches in Molo where we bumbed into our college friend and now a radio jock, Acenabero. Mga pangga! Lols. The place is also near the famous Panederia de Molo and Biscocho Haus. Iloilo’s original biscocho is an all-time favorite pasalubong because it’s so yummy. White sugar on top is a piece of heaven on earth.

We started our tour of downtown Iloilo late in the afternoon. The sun was already out so it was perfect for a quick walking tour. There are lots of places to see in the city proper like the Arroyo Foundation, Calle Real, Fort San Pedro blah blah blah but we were so exhausted we only visited Museo Iloilo. And surprise, it’s already closed. Hah! Anyway, the walking tour was already enough to spot the historic places, food stops and shopping centers in Iloilo.

We capped the night by having a sumptuous dinner at Breakthrough and secretly bringing bottles of beer in our hotel room. Heh.

Day 2 started quite early. Being the beach persons that we are, we hurriedly headed to Ortiz wharf to ride a boat bound for Jordan. From Jordan wharf, we then took a multicab jeepeney plus a short motorcycle ride until we reached Kenyama Beach Resort in Guimaras. A side trip to Guimaras is a must if you’re going to Iloilo.

Kenyama Beach Resort is quite new so there was some construction going on when we were there. Nevertheless, the resort has a good location as it faces the perfect view of white sand, rock formations and emerald green sea. Sunset view was spectacular from our room. Plus free wifi. I could not ask for more.

One of the famous spots in Guimaras is the 18the century lighthouse which is about 10 minutes from our resort. The ancient lighthouse and ruins of a settlement during the Spanish era make a good backdrop for some couple photos. Hah! We climbed up the old lighthouse and a magnificent view of Guimaras beach surprised us. It was scary at the top though. Some serious photo spam follows:

More photos of lighthouse, ruins, beach view and err, our faces.

Aaaaand more photos of the beach, us swiimming and sunset.

Electricity went our for a few minutes while the boyfriend and I were drinking. But it was still a wonderful night. Beach, bottles of beer and a hotel room with free wifi and cable TV. This is the life I would want for the rest of my life.

Our flight back to Manila was scheduled at 8pm so we still had one day to tour the city proper of Guimaras. The receptionist in Kenyama Beach Resort was kind enough to look for a multicab jeepney for the tour. Jeepney rental cost Php 800 which included hotel pick-up, tour of Guimaras and drop-off to Jordan wharf. Fair enough.

It was just a quck tour of Guimaras. We dropped by the Trappist Monastery, Guimaras market, mango plantation and city museum.

When we reached Iloilo city, we headed to Mohon Terminal in Villa and took a jeepney bound for San Joaquin. The southern part of Iloilo offers heritage churches, however, due to lack of time (and interest heh), we only visited Miag-ao Church - a UNESCO World Heritage site in San Joaquin. It was huge and beautiful! The trip to Miag-ao was about three hours and it was worth it.

Getting around Iloilo and Guimaras is an awesome package. Food and beach, need I say more? Visit Iloilo and make sure to do a sidetrip in Guimaras. Perfect getaway.

More photos here.

The Accidental Ombre

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:54:03 +0800

I spent the last day of 2011 in a cheap salon. My friend and I were itching to dye my hair before the new year so five hours before Media Noche, we headed to a friend’s salon with hopes of getting a happy new hair.

I was kind of hesitant to get a lighter shade because it has been dyed solid black a year ago. It looked like a wig lols. I’ve been wanting to have this color back but my fave salon always refuses to dye my hair with brown. Apparently, a lighter shade will not be visible if hair has permanent black color. Also, effects could be damaging because black dye uses strong chemicals. So, I’ve waited over a year for it to fade and grow only to find out that half of it still has strong color of jet black. Hence, the accidental ombre. Heh.

It’s an ugly two-toned hair with medium ash brown at the roots then gradually darkening to solid black at the end - reversed ombre. Fugly.

Good thing we are crazy busy at the office for the past few days that my boss did not notice my new hair color. Our office does not allow light hair color. They are clearly against self expression lol which is the reason why I had my hair dyed black last year. My hair does not affect my work performance, JSYK mamser.

Lesson learned: I will never color my hair black again. Only Katy Perry can pull off the striking jet black hair. Meehh.

I’m thinking of cutting my hair short so I can get rid of the harsh black tips. Or maybe not because I want to keep my long hair. The decisions we make that sculpt our lives. Oh, joy.

An Enchanted Gala

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0800

I rarely blog about our office events and parties because I don’t want to overshare my life lol just kidding. Or maybe I just don’t want my work venting and ranting be a regular feature here. But it happens anyway. So here’s what happened last night. (This is an excuse to blog about something and/or to post my self-appreciation photos. Heh.)

We had an enchanted gala last night for our loyal clients and we were forced (YES FORCED UGH) to wear long gown. I came to office that day with no plans of attending the event, and if ever our boss demands, I was planning to attend in my uniform. When she learned about it, she went ballistic lols. Good thing, one of my newly-married colleagues had extra bridal gown. It was one size bigger than me but what the hell. Plus, I didn’t have stilletos so I borrowed my friend’s gladiator sandals. The gown was long enough to cover my feet. Gah, I looked stupid.

Enchanted or disgusted?

These are the ladies I work with everyday. We all planned to attend the event in our office uniform until our boss’ scream fest. Scream fest is her everyday thing. (I should stop mentioning my boss or else $$$ will disappear.)

I have three favorite parts in every office events. One is when everyone is inside to watch the program; I go out and take advantage of the photobooth rental. Two is of course, when we start filling our empty stomach with yummy treats. And three, when everyone is giving their goodbyes, take cares, whatever; I am usually out of the scene and still in the photobooth to have some self-love. Whoever started these photobooth rentals is a genius.

One thing that I realized: I should invest in shoes. Whenever we have events, I always have this problem of what shoes to wear. Right now, I only have flats and sneakers for my casual days. Or maybe I’ll just keep on borrowing from my kind-hearted friends and save lots of money. Hah!

Office Diaries

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0800

Every single day at work, I receive lots of harassing and stupid phone calls from clients and unknown persons. I’ve been doing it for over two years and my patience is wearing thin. Sometimes, I just want to scream or throw my keyboard away or kick my office chair so hard out of frustration. Some are cute, but other are just a tad irritating. Here goes my office diaries:

Me: Two Bedroom Premier is good for 4 persons.
Client: Kasya kaya dalawa dun?
Me: :|

Me: Two Bedroom Premier is good for 4 persons.
Client: Eh tatlo lang kami eh, okay lang yun?
Me: :/ amp

Me: Please fax it 711- then 4 zeros.
Client: Ah okay, 728-4444
Me: :(

Me: His last name is Keng. Let me spell it out for you. That’s Kilo, Echo, Nancy, Golf.
Client: Ah okay. Kego?
Me: :(

Me: Good morning. How may I assist you
Client: Ate, ikaw ba yung tumawag?
Me: *Leche

Me: Good morning. How may I assist you.
Client: Miss, ikaw ba yung nakausap ko kanina.
Me: Pfft. :|

Me: Let me just verify your email address. That C for charlie, H for hotel, E for echo, L for Lima, S for sierra..
Client: Ay hindi. Kaya naman pala di ko nareceive eh, mali yung pagkakainitndi mo. Pagkatapos ng L eh S. As in S for Sun. Hindi Sierra.
Me: Amfts.

Me: Please spell it out ma’am.
Client: That’s A for alpha, Q for cucumber…
Me: BWAHAHA.

Me: Please spell it out, sir.
Client: I’m not familiar with phonetic alphabets. Anyway, it’s B for birds, err L for love, A for apple, M for marriage…
Me: *cute*

To be honest, I had my share of office booboo too. This one’s the best so far.

Me: (After texting the boyfriend with lots of “I love you,” my phone rang.) Good morning Sales. This is love, este, Adz. How may I assist you?

Lol. Anyway, I just want less phone calls at work. Please stop calling our company. Hah. Just kidding.

The Cooking Mama Challenge: Recipes

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:26:42 +0800

After some grueling weeks of serious research and contemplation lols, I finally came up with a decent list of recipes for my New Year’s Resolution: The Cooking Mama Challenge.

Again, please remember that I have zero knowledge of cooking that even frying an egg is very challenging for me. Even cracking an egg open ad separating the egg yolk is quite a problem. So, don’t be surprised if you think the list has too many kid-friendly recipes. In fact, I considered the following, unfortunately, the boyfriend and friends didn’t approve: fried chicken, hotdogs, champorado and pancakes. Here goes the almost-Junior-Master-Chef list to which I have committed myself:

January: Mango Float

Okay okay, I know what you’re thinking. This might be easy peasy for you but not for me. This does not involve cooking, I know. But still this requires some serious preparation and basic cooking sills like measuring ingredients, mixing and presenting food on a plate. So don’t complain. Heh. Other reasons why this passed the screening: one, I love Mango Float that I can eat it for the rest of my life; two, my mother makes a really good version of it; and three, mangoes.

February: Spaghetti and/or Carbonara

Of course, no party is complete without Spaghetti. I like my Spaghetti with lots of grated cheese on it. And I if I have extra time, I’ll try to make Carbonara too, I like white sauce more, with lots of cheese too.

March: Macaroni Salad

I am actually not a fan of Macarani Salad, but the boyfriend is. It tastes funny because of pineapple tidbits and raisins. Raisins ugh. If I make one, is it okay if I don’t include pineapples and raisins? Can I replace them with chocolates and caramel instead? Lols.

April: Pork Adobo

This and the dry version of it. I think I like the dry version better with lots of bagoong. Wow, this is making me hungry.

May: Chicken Afritada

Afritada is one of my favorite tomato-based dishes and it doesn’t matter of it is chicken or park. I just want it overflowing with big chunks of potatoes. I am not confident if I can actually do this but wth, let’s give it a try. It looks like comliacted tom ‘cause it has lots of ingredients and condiments huhu.

June: Chicken Tinola

My second favorite soup-based dish, next to Nilagang Baka. Whenever Tinola is served, extra rice is inevitable. Heh. And lots of fish sauce too. (My love for salty food is unconditional, I tell you.)

July: Sinigang na Baboy

Who can resist? Enough said. NO OKRA OKAY.

August: Leche Flan

If you haven’t noticed yet, I am a dessert person. Whenever I go to buffet, I always go first to the dessert section to excite myself with what I how I can finish my meal with impressive sweet delights. Nothing beats Leche Flan, not even Mango Float. I should perfect this. I’m allowing myself to fail other dishes listed on this post but not Leche Flan. Hah.

September: Nilagang Baka

Nilagang Baboy never fails. Mine will have lots of potatoes, I swear. And less vegetables. Heh.

October: Kangkong with Bagoong

Yes, Chowking-style. This should be easy, huh?

November: Chicken Curry

My mother cooks yummy chicken curry so maybe I can ask help from her. And the boyfriend loves this, too.

December: Pancit Bihon

Lol I ran out of ideas. I honestly don’t need this on my list because I am already happy and contented with Luck Me Panict Canton. But I can think of anything to add here. If you have suggestion, let me know. Hah.

Dishes that I want to learn but didn’t make the cut for my list because I am not confident that I can actually make it: baked scallops, kare kare, dinuguang baboy, baked scallops, baked scallops and baked scallops.

Wish this cook noob luck. And I might send you some of my creation. Heh.

The Cooking Mama Challenge

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0800

Every year, we make a list of our New Year’s resolution or goals or projects, and oftentimes, we fail to do it. It seems like whatever list you make at the beginning of the year is definitely doomed to fail by the end of the month. Hah. THEY. JUST. DON’T. STICK.

Considering the stuff I juggle every week -work, school, business, it will be hard to commit to 3, 5 or 10 resolutions, hence, I’m only keeping one this year. I want this so bad and I am going to take this seriously. I will hold onto this whatever happens. This is a matter of life and death, yes. Here goes my ultimate new year’s resolution…

The Cooking Mama Challenge. This year, I am challenging myself to learn to cook at least 12 simple dishes. I shall prepare one dish per month. Failure to do so may result to my future self being a bad wife/mother who doesn’t know how to prepare meals for the family. I have rules though: One, desserts are allowed; two, mistakes are okay; three, no one is permitted to make fun of my cooking skills.

Just so you know (and I am not proud of this), I have zero knowledge of cooking. I am so clueless that I even fail in this iPod game app called “Cooking Mama” lols. Just to share, one time, when I was alone at home and thought of cooking an egg for breakfast, I texted my dear mother for help:

Me: Mama, kapag nagpiprito ba ng itlo, nilalagyan ng mantika?
Mama: Tanga!

Lol. Tough love. Last one, when I prepared corned beef for dinner once, I put ginger instead of garlic. They look the same, right?! Don’t confuse me please.

Well, at least, I know how to cook rice… in a rice cooker. Heh.

Anyway, I shall come up with a list of my dish every month later this week. For January, I think I’m going with Mango Float. Remember Rule #1.

Wish me luck. Love, the noob cook.

Q&A

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:18:22 +0800

The first week of the year has been crazy busy that “sleep” sounds so foreign to me now. Work has been so cruel and we expect it to be that way until the end of the month. It’s like the universe is forcing me to quit this job. But my bank account tells me otherwise. I’m confused.

I miss blogging and I have lots of unfinished blog posts in my Drafts. In the meantime, let me clean up my inbox by answering your questions.

But before anything else, here’s a photo of me after working for 15 hours last Wednesday. Heart is breaking because overtime work is charity work. :/

Here you go:

Hi. I already changed my theme and I don’t have it on file. Ask ayazafe. I copied it from her lols.

I miss it, too. Thank you. :)

Errr sorry. If you have the same theme for this year’s Christmas party, let me know and I’ll answer this with all my heart. Hihi.

Anong klaseng pangyayari ba ang tinutukoy mo?

Thank you! I got one at Park Square the other day. TheyHappy New Year to you too.

No, I lost it on the bus. And my Blackberry, too. :( Blame the alcohol and the poor transportation system in the Philippines. Lol just kidding.

Leave a question

Things I did during the last 24 hours of 2011

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:45:00 +0800

12:00 AM Still awake and wasting some time on the internet. Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr. Oh, joy.

12:08 AM I was reminded of airline promos during New Year’s Eve by a tweet from a friend. So I started checking on Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and Zest Air.

12:19 AM Yay Air Philippines on sale! I instantly booked a flight to Puerto Princesa for our fourth anniversary in February. Actually, I asked a friend to book for me because my maxed out credit card was of no use. Trash.

12:28 AM I started sorting out my Inbox. I deleted hundreds of email from discount sites such as Deal Dozen, Metro Deal and Buyanihan. Note to self: unsubscribe to all this shit asap.

12:36 AM Itching to redesign my blog. Tada! But I just finshed this yesterday lol.

1:28 AM I failed to set up a new blog layout and got bored. I spotted my new iPod Touch on my bed and decided to Facetime with the boyfriend for the first time. Facetime first time. Awesome, Steve Jobs.

02:23 AM Signed off and made love with bed. Zzz.

09:52 AM I woke up to a ceepy MMS from a friend. A close-up photo of a dead Tyrone Perez. I was not able to go back to sleep then. I texted my friend and cursed him a lot.

10:20 AM Watched a few reruns of Spongebob Sqaurepants on Nickelodeon while enduring our neighbor’s videoke spree. To hear “Flying Without Wings” and “My Heart Will Go On” in the morning was a bit of a downer.

12:13 PM Headed to the mall with my mama and two of my siblings. We had to buy Christmas presents for our annual New Year’s party. Other things that I had to do: (1) Go to Globe Customer Service and request to have my old number back, (2) Buy a screen protector and case for iPod Touch, (3) Buy gift wrapper and paper bags. Things that I was not able to do because I lack time management skills: (1) Go to Globe Customer Service and request to have my old number back, (2) Buy a screen protector and case for iPod Touch, (3) Buy gift wrapper and paper bags.

1:23 PM Met with my favorite friends in highschool and hanged out. We planned to have our hair appreciation day today. Headed to a cheap salon for hair cut and color.

3:28 PM I spent 30 minutes looking for that iPod Touch cover that looks likes a cassette tape. I see them everywhere everyday and when I finally decided to buy one, there’s none. Ugh. I gave up and bought DVDs instead: “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” and “The King’s Speech” (when I got home, “The King’s Speech” was showing on HBO lol)

4:32 PM It took us an hour before we finally made up our mind on what hair color to use. My friend and I both chose Dark Golden Chesnut Brown. I think I mixed up the words but it was something like that. “Cheap salon, don’t fail us,” I prayed.

6:45 PM My hair color turned out too light, I think. I like it but what I wouldn’t like is a memo from our HR Department. Our office is clearly against self expression. Just kidding. (But the last time I got my hair coloured light brown, I got verbal waningsss from my boss, HR Manager and HR Director. Big deal.)

7:18 PM Home. We started watching “Ang Babae Sa Septi Tank.” LOL at Euguene Domingo’s TV Patrol acting. I die laughing.

10:00 PM I spent the remaining hours of 2011 watching PBB with family, playing with our dogs, Cola and Vodka, and pimping my blog (again).

12:00 MN New Year’s party in full swing! More on that later. Happy New Year!

I will blog more often.

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:35:43 +0800

Give me additional 10 hours per day then I could do that and all the other things that I wish to do every single day (eg. read a good book, take beautiful photos, watch at least one movie per day, play with our adorable dogs and sleep).

One of my goals and aspirations for 2012 is to blog more often. Don’ ask me why ‘cause I don’t even know why I blog. Why do you blog? I’m curious. Just because.

Anyway, to jumpstart this “Blogging Project” of 2012 a.k.a. “More Uninteresting Blog Posts” Project loljk, I created a new layout for my blog. Lots of freehand drawing and fonts with paint splatters of mustard yellow and sky blue.

I have lots of stuff to blog about but I just need more time or just better time management skills to get it done. Whatever it is, I’ll definitely find time for this self-appreciation piece of sh*t that I adore so much.

Blog more often and let’s all laugh about this 40-50 years from now when I’m old and grey.

The Christmas Cycle

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:49:00 +0800

You get freaking excited about Christmas by September. BER months sound so inviting. Shopping, dining and all that jazz.

You feel happy happy joy joy by December. Everyone feels generous, everyone feels hyped up. Party ‘round the clock. That’s how you roll.

You feel the moment of faltering Christmas spirit after the 25th. You go back to business to work. That’s what you get for getting yourself into corporate job.

You feel frustrated and helpless. The joyful Christmas spirit has gone. And your maxed out credit card has come to get what it deserves. You have to pay off Php xx,xxx.xx in debt to have your normal life again.

Then you work for another 11 months and save money for next year’s Christmas season. And so on and so forth.