Friday, December 31, 2010

Starbucks in Bacolod

It is my first time at Starbucks in the city. I have avoided Starbucks when I am home because I often drink it in Manila courtesy of my British bosses. I would frequent Bacolod's prides Cafe Bob's or Kuppa (to name a few) because I could not find them in Manila.

But tonight, it was only Starbucks that is open and available as everyone is closing its business to prepare for the New Year's Eve Celebration.  So off we go to Starbucks for my usual frapuccino. So to make it more memorable, I treated my brother to Starbucks and bought ourselves the Christmas featured drinks to complete my missing sticker and get my 2011 Starbucks Planner. Oh yebah!!! Weehh!!!! Now, I'm ready for 2011...hahaha!

I chose the red velvet-y planner and I so love it... but I hate my peppermint mocha frappe. yuck!
Starbucks Planner 2011

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Post Birthday Celeb

Nang Bambi was not able to attend my birthday dinner. So she treated me (together with my brother) for another dinner at Pepe's. Food was great, as usual. Then we ordered drinks (Blue Frozen Margarita) and ooh lala, there goes our world, spinning wildly we can't control it. So we headed to good ol' Cafe Bob's for a hot chocolate to subside the tipsiness.
pepe's
All throughout the night, we were talking nonstop... from the time the food came and drinks followed up to the hot choco we're sipping. Just an update of our crazy lives while we were living it separately to at least get reconnected. Nang Bambs is like and has been a sister to me so she is one of the very few people I have been sharing most of secrets, heartaches and heart thumping included....

New Look for 2011

For almost the whole year, I have been yearning to change my look.  I have reviewed my college pictures and I have been wearing my long straight hair, either loosely, in ponytail or half pony.   I have gone through numerous of treatments just to improve the straightness of my tresses. And that's it.

With the onset of digiperm, I have somehow find the curly look lovable and carefree.  I mean, one could just let loose her hair and let the wind blow it and won't be bothered because being curly means being crazy all at the same time.  There is no such thing as "mahangin ba sa labas?"  But the price to pay for having your hair gone through the digiperm machine is really not manageable so it was a big dilemma.  So even when I went home for the Christmas vacation, I never got my hair permed.

Good thing my good friend and perm enthusiast, Kat, had hers on my birthday to a well known hairstylist in Bacolod.  So the envious me had my hair permed as well after so much encouragement from Kat and mom.  So after about 2 hours of the whole process, this is me with my perm.

curly top
And I love it.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Today, I'm 27

I'm 27 today.  Seems really old but it doesn't matter because I am at the point where I could say I have enough.  I have my family.  I have a lot of friends.  I have work and I go to school.  I am fulfilling my dreams.  But among other things, this year I risked it in love.

Birthday Roadtrip
Today, I met up with Ron to go to Guintubdan at his hometown in La Carlota. Yikes!  I know, it is my day and he should be doing the effort to visit me.  But I didn't really plan on anything for today.  All I wanted was to spend time with family and with Ron.  I have planned to go to Mambukal and just laze around but my family is busy with business that I could not drag them to the resort.  So it was Ron who persuaded me to go to La Carlota instead.

Loaded his motorbike, we drove about 30 minutes from his house to have a nature trip and have relaxing dip in the cold waters from the falls of Guintubdan which is located in the mountain area of the city of La Carlota.  Sad about the place though is that it was not maintained very well by the government.  Picnic tables are dilapidated and the rooms are not available for rent because it was not cleaned, no beds available and it is used as a storage area.  The falls in the middle of the mountains is the majestic scenery that would just capture you.  It would take about 10 minutes to hike down towards the falls but it was worth all the wait.  Cold waters enveloped my being when i took the dip.  When we were there, the place was empty.  All the more that I got excited because I could strut my bikini without  having the whole town scandalized and the people talking and staring at me. I just don't want to be stared at.  The place is not Boracay that people are used to people in Bikinis. It was awesome!  After about 20 minutes, we were joined by a group of teeners so Ron and I decided to leave... hahahaha!!!
Guintubdan
We then took our lunch at a Chicken place where we had loads of food with a bill so small.  Waaaaahhh!!!  I love the life at the province.  Cheap but tasty food....the life!

Before going back to Bacolod, we went back to his place to just pay courtesy to his mom and sister.  Just spent time at their place, with a good massage from Ron.  :)  So that is my day with Ron and how we spent my birthday together.

Birthday Dinner
Spent the night with my family at a sumptuous dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Bacolod, Apollo.  I miss all the good recipes like Ox Tongue, Sepo, and Fried Chicken with chicharon.  So following tradition, I urged the whole family to celebrate with me at Apollo.  We went to the branch at 888 when the main branch doesn't have my usual favorites.  We have requeste the main branch to call up 888 to check availability of our order and we were assured that they would be able to prepare all of them.  When we arrived at the 888 branch, the food was prepared and we have all the place to ourselves.  It was like the place was reserved for me!  The waiters are accomodating and they were willing to take our picture... it was a good night.
Family Dinner - Bday
After that more pictures were taken at the big Christmas tree of 888.

So today, I am a year older.  I have aged but I know I am very much loved and blessed!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Mom's Birthday Party

This year, with mom turning 55, it was a big birthday celebration.  Unlike prior years where mom would only sleep all day, treating herself with rest and then I would drag everybody to the spa for a more relaxing treat, this year, mom celebrated with his people of which the very sole reason of the expansion of her business. They have decided to hold the Christmas party of JHT Marketing on Mom's birthday for a double celebration.

So out are the food, the gifts and the karaoke.  Out are my brothers who played hosts to the party.  And out were the kiddie games played by kids at heart adults.  It was a fun and will be a remembered celebration.

JHT

Christmas Eve

Everyone was busy. Everyone was tired.

Mom was asleep the whole day after meeting (and exceeding) her target. Manong and Grace went out to buy groceries even if I knew for a fact that there would less malls and grocery stores opened because it is Christmas Eve.

So nobody was up to cooking food for the traditional Christmas Eve Dinner. So my brothers, Mel and Rex, got all the cold cuts in the ref and out was the pan and oil for a fast fry. I got all the possible drinks and viola, we have our Christmas Dinner. :)

Noche Buena

Friday, December 24, 2010

Fun Time at Bath

Saph enjoys taking his bath... i think he looks forward to it everyday. Evidence of that is the spills of water on the floor because he is kicking like crazy, excited about getting wet. As he sits in his throne in his bath tub, it is now a relief that he doesn't cry over taking his bath.  But one crazy thing about this little boy is that he stiffens when tap (cold) water enveloped his body.  He doesn't cry yet but you could see that he will become stiff like he is a frozen kid.


funtime at bath


Next summer, I plan to give him a swimsuit so that he is geared up to swim in a big pool. Uhmm, I think he needs a jacuzzi as he would be stiffening too when he is in a pool! :P

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Apple and her Babies

This is our very dear Apple, the husky, joined by her 6 little pups. It was so cool see her breastfeed and taking care of her babies. And even if there was a new face (me of course), she didn't show signs of defense... such a babe!
Apple and the bebes
Husky Trivia
Huskies originated from the Northern part of the world and they are used as sled dogs. Right they thrive in the cold. The name 'husky' is a corruption of the derogative term "Eskie", referring to Eskimos who came to Europe by land migration. Also known for having different colored eyes or heterochromia, huskies are commonly have brown or light blue eyes.

Apple Facts
Our Apple is blue eyed as per my brother.  And she is Philippine born so she is used to temperate climate.  She is initially my cousin's one of many dogs, and now she becomes one of Mel's well loved pets.  And 6 more mammals are in her cage as of the moment as she nurse all of them to be good pets for others (yep 5 of them will be released.. ).

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

2011 Philippine Holiday

Fewer long weekends await Pinoys in 2011


(Updated 7:41 p.m.) With just a a few weeks remaining before the year ends, Malacañang on Monday announced the holidays for 2011. However, there will be fewer long weekends next year as compared to this year.

According to Proclamation No. 84, the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2011 shall be observed in the country:
A. Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday)
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday) C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)
"Proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul AdhaHijra, or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient, will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar," Proclamation No. 84 says.
Fewer long weekends
Even though Proclamation No. 84 cites Republic Act No. 9492—which moves holidays, except those religious in nature, to the nearest Monday—Proclamation No. 84 returns the commemoration of holidays back to their original dates.
Only at least three holidays will give the public long weekends: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; National Heroes' Day (August 29, the last Monday of August); and Rizal Day (December 30, Friday).
For students, there will be four long weekends after the EDSA Revolution Anniversary on February 25 (Friday) has been declared a special holiday for schools.
The public enjoyed 11 long weekends in 2010.
In a phone interview, chief presidential legal counsel Eduardo de Mesa said it is within President Benigno Aquino III's discretion whether or not to move holidays that are not religious in nature to the nearest Monday because RA 9492 says the said holidays can be moved "unless otherwise modified by law, and/or proclamation."
He said the legality of not moving holidays to the nearest Monday was settled when Aquino declared Aug. 23, 2010 (Monday) a regular working day even though former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had moved the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day from August 21, a Saturday, to the nearest Monday.
Under RA 9492, holidays that are not religious in nature can be moved to the nearest Monday "unless otherwise modified by law, and/or proclamation." - KBK, GMANews.TV

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Losing our Year-end Bonus

Our only intention was to watch Little Women but ended up with a weekend full of unplanned activities and splurging on the whim.

I had myself picked up by Kat at the office and we drove all the way to Greenbelt 1 in Makati. It was a long drive with heavy traffic because of the festive season. Good thing we left QC early, we arrived just 15 minutes shy of the play time. We met up with another play buddy, Tina, and spent the fifteen minutes on devouring food from our pre-play place, Wendy's! Good thing we didn't choke.
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Preparing for Little Women. Tina, Kat and I.

Little women was a stellar play!  The ladies who portrayed the March sisters were really into character, all of them gave justice to their roles.  I have watched the movie of this so I have a hand of how they were and understand the plot very much...but surely, the play was even more splendid!  And singing was superb!

After the play, we searched our way to the Ayala Triangle Gardens hoping for deserts and photo ops having read one blog about how festive the place is especially with the inviting lights of the season...but was dismayed that the place closes at 10pm. We were there around 11.

So to fulfill our craving for sweets we decided to hit the ever reliable party place, Eastwood. I was not up to drinking really, just good food and good talk so we decided to go for Starbucks but found the place so jampacked!!! It was as if everybody was there! After deciding to transfer to Starbucks, Petron, we passed by a Massage salon and out of nowhere Kat and I just decided to have an upper body massage! oohhhh la la for a spending spree!!!

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Kat and I at Solemates

After falling asleep at the massage salon and paying our dues, we decided to hit good ol' McDonalds to give in to our cravings....but temptations have been ready to lure us away... we were again on shopping mode when we passed by tiangge after tiangge... we bought accessories and ooohhh!!! espadrille from none other than my officemate, Ma'am Mine!!!  I have been meaning to order one from her because she is from Liliw, Laguna yet we planned on it for next year and not buying off the rack!!!  but for the love of shoes, Kat and I had one pair each but of different colors.
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With Ma'am Mine.  Espadrille in the plastic bag.

Finally, we arrived at Mcdo and ordered our coffee and desserts. Kat had their very lovable blueberry cheesecake while I got a cheaper nutty brazos. It was heaven even if it is just from McDonald's!!!
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My McCafe treat.

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Kat's McCafe treat.

After the treat, we headed for home.  Kat had bunked with me for the weekend and the usual us, can't stop talking, we slept at around 5AM.  Come the following morning, we started our day 1230PM-ish!  Yikes!! We decided to hit UP for a well missed UP specialty of Rodics, Tapsilog but was dismayed that we have to wait 30 minutes for the next batch of tapa to be cooked. Since we  our stomachs were aching and doing a riot, we decided to hit Katipunan and tried something new... we ate Buffalo wings at Chilli Wings and although we had our stomachs filled, it was our cravings and expectations left dismayed.... we kept on comparing the flavour and taste with Buffalo Wings and Things so it was surely is a disappointment.
crazy

solution to kat
Craziness at Chilli Wings

Next stop was St. Francis for Christmas Shopping.... no more pictures to testify the splurge... we were so focus on finding the best gifts that we forgot to take pictures. Hehehe!!! But i love my gifts especially to my brothers and my nephew.. getting excited on seeing their faces when they open them.

Then we decided to eat at the food court because we don't want to drive all the way from Megamall to Quezon City with an empty stomach. Food again..hahahaha!!! love eating really, aside from plays and shopping, this is one thing that I am not stressed about!!!
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Kat's dinner at the foreground, my dinner at the background.

And so that is our expensive but fun weekend. Hope the expensive part doesn't come often...but fun, we sure want you.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

There is a Geek in me!

I have always believe I am a soft geek.

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Been excelling in school for most of the time and often I hate failures.  Same attitude goes with work.  I want to EXCELL that's why I'm giving and doing my best.

So what better way to show the world but to strut out the geeky look.  Hahaha!!! Not my style and I look terrible in those glasses!