EAT. SLEEP. REPEAT.

Sobrang tinatamad nako akong mag-blog ngayon. Tinatamad na rin akong mag-journal. It's not that I don't I'm too busy to do so because my life still is as boring as it was ever since I started this. I came back from my Capiz vacation two weeks ago and still I haven't "chronicled" it. In fernez, I enjoyed it this time. Anyway, here it goes...

Everyone woke up late, including mommy. We only had an hour to prepare and our flight was on a Thursday morning- sabay sa rush hour traffic. Since traffic has been really really terrible on our side of the metro, reaching the airport within an hour all the way from Pasig is iffy- you might make it, might not. So thank God we were able to make it on time for check-in. Yung eroplano lang ang delayed. Pati yung flight delayed. At hindi lang delayed ng minutos. It was an hour and a half hours delayed! The plane took off five minutes before our ETA in Roxas City. 

boredom killed the batt

Albeit the loooong wait, it was a very smooth flight. No turbulence at all. You know, I'd take delayed flights over turbulent plane rides anytime, as in any friggin' time. 

we're in capiz, y'all!

We landed a little before two in the afternoon. My last meal was at 8am and my tummy is used to frequent snacking, so I was already famished. After lunch at my aunt's (where we stayed the entire duration of our trip), no time at all for rest since I had to assemble pa the souvenirs for my cousin's wedding the next day. 

Usually we just go home to Capiz when there's an occasion and this time it was for my cousin's wedding. I had a role which was the commentator for the mass. I hate standing in front of an audience so I really was a little iffy about this. They said I just had to read from a script (the missalette) so I thought, kaya naman. I was able to carry on with the duty, I just a little boo-boo which was not really my fault, mind you. Turned out I also had to read out loud the responses. Oh well. The only picture of the couple I was able to take from the ceremony and the reception was this:

can you see them?
anjan lang sila.

At the end of the day, my feet were killing me and I was already feeling greasy. 

The next day, we headed to my dad's kubo. He used to stay in my mother's house but I reckon mas peaceful para sa kanya ang ganito. Harhar. We went with Uncle E. 

matinding sikat

I enjoyed walking the pilapils. Adventure yun ha! They were narrow and some parts were steep and slippery so if you're not careful, there's a chance you could fall into the mossy waters. 

mukhang alps from afar, diba?

I loved it there. I was saying to my sister that I could stay there if only I have access to clean, potable water and fast internet connection. They already have electricity and cable so I just need clean water, internet and a  working inidoro! Plus, it doesn't matter if the city is an hour's drive away (without traffic yan) basta kumpleto. Sadly, Roxas City still isn't a one-stop shop. The nearest place where you can get most of your needs is in Iloilo. I still ♥ Manila. 

manong showing off his catch (or his muscles?) 

crablets.

They harvested 30 bangus from the fishpond. We had those bangus for lunch. Yummeh!! ☺ 

Uncle saw teeny- tiny crabs along the 'banks' of the pond and he was reminded of his childhood. An image that will remind me of my childhood is echas ng aso sa taas ng bundok ng buhangin. 

Monday we ate lunch at the restaurant by the bay owned by my dad's friend's son. It didn't seem operational  from outside so we still had to ask. The place was pretty. If an outdoor nail spa is feasible, that would be it. 

this is ze life

We waited an hour for our order to arrive which was less than stellar quality. I ordered grilled liempo. I was really disappointed with the liempo because, 1) the meat wasn't fresh anymore, and 2) it was not yummy, I mean how could you go wrong with a simple inihaw na baboy??? Ang daming pa-fancy-fancy marinade eh asin lang delicioso na yun. But the place is really nice. Haha. 

Our cousins invited us to go river cruising. There's this new activity for those visiting the province- a 30-minute cruise along the Panay River. It started around 4pm and supposedly, just in time to view the breathtaking sunset. However, it was a cloudy day; ergo, no sunset to behold. Although I still was able to take some beautiful scenery.

It was so peaceful I really wished I was living there at the time. At the time lang, okay? 

Tuesday was our last. Or so I thought. Turned out our flight was on the 13th, not the 12th. So we had an extra day which were mostly spent in... Gaisano Mall. Gahd, they should consider renovating that mall SOON. As in time is of the essence. It's so old already and musty. They'll surely lose their customers when the new Robinsons mall opens on December. Anyway, thanks to Gaisano Mall and M. Lhuillier cos that's where I got my gold pendant. Yes, I have one already! I wanted one since last Christmas and finally got one already. Yipee!

Aside from Gaisano, we also spent most of the time eating. Medyo naging obsessive ako in finding the perfect inihaw na baboy. The perfect inihaw was on the third try, in Coco Veranda, and I had to give instructions pa that I only want it salted, no more marinades. So that was my favorite and this

baked oysters!

I love cheese! I love cheese on baked oysters more ☺ 

Our flight back to Manila went smoothly as well and it felt as if it only took 30 minutes from Roxas to Manila. 

welcome back to manila

I already miss my bed, my own bathroom and drinking plenty plenty of water. If before I can never imagine living in Capiz, now I can PROVIDED THAT there is clean running water from the faucet, working water closet, fast internet connection and access to everything I need. Mukhang malayo-malayo pa mangyari yan, ano? But you know what's surprising? I actually missed the peace and quiet and going to bed early. 

HANNAH-NANGYARI KAY MILEY?

Lurking on tumblr earlier today and came across this new Miley Cyrus video~

as a Hannah Montana fan (there I said it!), I'm sad that she has come to this. I don't know what her angst is but man, this is just sad. Is she doing this to spite her parents? And you know what's even sadder? That this is supposed to be more of a youth anthem. Yikes. Makes you not want to have children in this day and age, eh? 

Masyadong makamundo at proud pa sila! Anuber. Tsk.

2013 Book Challenge 22/35: I've Got Your Number

via goodreads

It's been a while since I've read a book by Sophie Kinsella. The first book I read by the author was Confessions of a Shopaholic. I gave it as a Christmas gift to my sister. She said it was 'nakakatawa pero nakakinis kasi ang tanga-tanga niya,' so binasa ko. May point siya pero funny naman talaga. Other books I read from her were Shopaholic Takes Manhattan and The Undomestic Goddess. I enjoyed both, I think, but of course not without the 'shet, ang tanga-tanga niya naman' moments. [This also reminds me that I still havent's returned to Juno her Sophie Kinsella books] So here I am with my latest Sophie Kinsella read, I've Got Your Number.

After a slew of so-so books, I needed a good one so as to banish the tamaditis I've been feeling. I've been lagging on my book assignments and I need something to pick up the pace, makakuha ba ng momentum uli. It's almost bazaar season and I might not have enough time to read as much as I'd like to. Anyway, I picked up IGYN because of the good reviews on Goodreads and I kept my expectations low et voila- an enjoyable reading experience.

Poppy Wyatt was engaged to her catch of a boyfriend- handsome, successful and loaded. But in an unfortunate (or was it fortunate?) turn of events, she lost her emerald engagement ring which was a family heirloom and then her mobile phone was snatched away from her. But surprise, surprise- there was a discarded mobile phone in one of the trash bins. The phone belonged to Sam Roxton, an obnoxious, all-business type of guy. And so the story of our not-friends-so-what-are-we duo begins...

It was an entertaining read. Madami pa rin engot moments, which is typical of a Sophie Kinsella novel. It usually starts with a teeny-weeny lie then another lie to cover up for the first lie until it builds up into one complicated mess. But in fairness to our protagonists, it all worked to their advantage.

Another thing, this is such a light and easy read and I must say, mas mabibigat pa nga ang ibang YA reads. But you see, an angst-free love story is possible. And you know what else is possible- a leading man who exudes sex appeal even without going into detail (Yes, I am referring to you Anastasia Steele). Sometimes, a kiss on the forehead is sexier and more kilig-inducing.

P.S. Dear Juno, mukhang matatagalan ko pa maibabalik ang Shopaholic books mo at babasahin ko muna ☺ Thanks. Hehehe.

cluttered. clattered.

"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"

- Einstein

Ay sorry, desk ba? Akala ko kasi bed.

Kasi bed is synonymous to desk in my vocabulary. Haha :P

rockin' it on a friday night. not.

Not.

After yaya duties, my nephews are now home with their parents so I am FREE AGAIN. Can we rewind our lives to when we were just kids? Growing up sucks. Responsibilities suck. Don't get me wrong because I think I like where life had led me today but I really really miss the good ol' carefree days. 

Partida pa nga na I am slightly spared from full-blown adult responsibilities because I still live with my parents and the only personal utility I pay for is my internet connection, practically everything I need is free (food, water, electricity!) and I'm a single lady, baby! Meaning, I don't have to buy formula milk and nappies for my hypothetical babies. Harhar. I just hate the fact that you'd have to actually care with what is happening around the household. So where is all of these coming from? My nephews' yaya left again. I love my nephews and I actually enjoy taking care of them but it is restricting. I can't go on my own lakad. So actually naisip ko na yan kung bakit ayoko pang mag-asawa or magka-anak (of which neither is imminent, haha)... it's because I am still selfish. At least aminado. 

They say we all have an age where in we all stop 'growing.' For me, it's 24. I actually want to say 21 pero parang garapalan na, haha. I am not saying I still look 24 because I think I already look friggin' old. All I'm saying is I'm still 24 at heart. I do not feel 30. What more pushing 31? As if a year makes a looot of difference :P

So anyway... what's a 30-year-old-but-24-at-heart doing on a Friday night? Watching the latest Awkward episode, that is. 

I love Val. She is hilarious. Well,  I used to love Jenna but as of late, she has become very very annoying. So feeling niya popular na siya since she's dating Matty? And oh, Tamara & Jake are annoying as well. Jake circa Awkward season 1 is much much better than Jake 3.0. Which makes me glad I finally decided on Team Matty before the second season ended. 

Remember frumpy Jenna during the second season? I am not sure if that was on purpose, if Jenna was really supposed to be frumpy and chubby. BUT... Jenna has reclaimed her rockin' body this season and I admit I kinda miss frumpy Jenna. And I really don't get her this season. Parang masyado siyang maraming eklat. 

Matty, ikaw ba yan?

Witchels.

Nakakaloka si Jenna, lalakero. And you can't say that she's just confused because she already did this with Matty and Jake. She hasn't done it yet but she's about to do it again. 

This Awkward situation is a little bit similar to what has transpired in Hart of Dixie's season finale. Zoe's heartbroken in Bluebell. George has rejected her after she has professed undying love to him which is not really to be taken seriously by George since it was just a Carpe Diem! sort of thing. And Wade cheated on her. When Jonah Breeland (a BREELAND! Related to Brick who was once Zoe's sworn enemy... Who would've thunk, right?) suggested that she spend the summer in New York (where he is also currently based. how convenient?), Zoe entertains the thought.

Hmm... interesting, don't you think? With George getting frumpier, I sort of have switched my allegiance to Wade. Until now, I'm still the only one I know who once rooted for George to be with Zoe. However, when Wade and Zoe seemed good together, I sort of liked them na rin until Wade cheated on her. So when Jonah entered the picture...

aba'y welcome na welcome ;) They do look cute together. She's a doctor. He's a doctor. Perfect. 

I have this nagging suspicion that after three months, when Zoe goes back to Bluebell, she and Jonah will be an item. Feeling ko lang talaga. 

But wait, there's more~

I feel this is also happening SOON. Well, maybe not right away but during the course of the third season. I'm so so so so excited!

source

Next season, Hart of Dixie will be airing on Mondays in the US so that means I will get my Dixie fix earlier in the week. Huzzah! 

And that is how I will cap off my Friday night. Toodles XOXO

2013 BOOK CHALLENGE 20-21/35: THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and ENDLESS SUMMER

In fernez I sort of had caught up with my personal book challenge of 35 books for the year. Medyo nag-lag ako the months of April and May due to familial duties, y'know. After AB headed back to the States and after I have finished my deliverable, I was back with a vengeance. Not really. Haha. The book I was reading was sort of a 2-for-1 kind and I didn't even notice I was already reading two books! I just realized it when there was a foreword by the author, stating the reason why she wrote a sequel to the first book.

 The book series was by Jennifer Echols. I did enjoy the first book I read from her, Love Story, so when I finally decided that my next read would be a book with summer in the title and I got Endless Summer, I didn't hesitate.

So what do I think of the series by Miss Echols? It really did feel endless. The story was just going around in circles. The same things, the same scenarios over and over and over and over again. In other words, naging redundant na siya. I felt that she could have ended the story right in the middle of the first book. I did not not like it entirely. I think it's just okay. 'Yun lang it was medyo boring.

I need a good read soon. The last book I truly enjoyed was That Boy (Jillian Dodd) and that was six books ago. I picked I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella for my 22nd book and hopefully, winner siya.

Battle of the Cupcakes: Peppermint Patty vs. Peppermint

I'm not big on cupcakes. On cakes, too, actually. I just have a very selected few flavors I like such as Becky's Kitchen's Swiss Choco Cake, Brazo de Mercedes and occasionally Mango Bravo from Conti's. So I never really got into the cupcake bandwagon when it first came here. I had a bah humbug attitude towards it because seriously, who would spend P70 on a tiny cupcake? But everything changed when I had my first Mint Condition by Sonja's.

But I have cupcakes very rarely. Sometimes I do crave for it but given that Sonja's is not easily accessible and I do not know how to drive and can't let anyone drive me all the way there, the cravings just die a natural death.

Mint Condition circa 2009

So when I found out that Sonja's already has a shop in Glorietta, I immediately scheduled for a visit so I can be reunited with my favorite cupcake. However, I forgot which cupcake flavor exactly so when I saw Peppermint Patty, I thought it was my favorite cupcake. I only realized much later that Peppermint Patty was not the cupcake I first fell in love with.

Having a spa, I have always associated the peppermint scent with feet. So Peppermint Patty reminded me of foot scrubs and lotion. No offense to the cupcake, haha. Also, I find the peppermint icing too thick and rich.  I do not know though if mint is different from peppermint. Maybe there is a difference because both have chocolate bread/cake and only icing is different but from what I remember, Mint Condition's tasted better.

I got acquainted with Gigi via a cousin. He once brought home cupcakes for pasalubong. It was Sea Salt Chocolate Cupcake. It was heavenly. So when I went into their shop to buy a Sea Salt Choco cupcake, I saw the pretty peppermint-flavored ones through the display glass. I was actually hesitant at first because it didn't have a chocolate base/bread but I bought one anyway

an assortment of Gigi cupcakes
Sea Salt Choco, Red Velvet & mi favorito, Peppermint

and I was delightfully surprised. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it to be good but it was and it is now my favorite cupcake flavor from Gigi's, more than their Sea Salt Chocolate. The mint frosting was just right- not to thick nor too sweet.

The verdict: Gigi's Peppermint wins!

Although I have yet to taste Mint Condition again and duel it with Gigi's Peppermint. Teka, do they still have Mint Condition in Sonja's? Baka kasi wala na. Just in case, they should bring it back.