Advanced Summer Vacation

I'm back!

Have lots of updating to do. My cousin's already here. I've been to Boracay, to Capiz and back and still 2 more days left of being the hostess.

First and foremost, Danielle's really really nice. She was no primadonna at all and she actually shies off whenever she feels she's given special treatment. She's really down-to-earth that even if she's uber rich and holds a high position in a big company in the States, she still remains grounded. We even taught her how to do the boom-tarat-tarat! And mind you, she doesn't sing it with an annoying American accent. Her favorite Filipino dishes are pancit and lumpia. We made her eat dinuguan (pig's blood stew) and she actually said it's good, but upon finding out that it is made of pig's blood, she didn't finish the serving on her plate.

According to her, she doesn't really care about Manila, etc... she just wants to meet the cousins she hasn't met yet. Awww... Swet but still I take little offense that she doesn't care about the other half of her heritage but I guess I have to blame her father for that.

Of course, communicating was a little funny since all of us didn't want to talk to her. My sisters, other cousins and I were joking about having nosebleed. Harhar. We kept elbowing one another as to who would answer the phone when she calls. But we were able to survive, right? So I guess we can speak English after all. Haha.

First stop out of Manila is Tagaytay. We had lunch at Viewsite, took pictures. Then went to Sonia's Garden to take a look at the place, took pictures. Then we went to Taal Vista Lodge and took pictures again.

The view of Taal Volcano from Viewsite

The view of Taal Volcano from Taal Vista Lodge

Next stop is... Boracay! I loved the beach but I enjoyed more during our last visit two years ago. That was already two years ago? Oh my, time flies. Of course I enjoyed also this time but we were minding our companions that we really can't just do what we want. Before we do something, we always have to check on them. I guess that's the price we have to pay for being the hostesses.

My cousin was so awed by Boracay. She liked it so so much. She said it was much better than the Carribean, the Mediterranean, the beaches in Florida, Jamaica, Bahamas and the Hamptons! Plus everything's dirt cheap for her here. I guess we never really know what we've got unless it's taken away from us. I mean that literally since the island is practically owned by the foreigners. Even the people who have inhabited the island for years were stripped off the rights to their land.

We went island hopping and snorkeling. The boat ride was very rough with those big waves and all. The whole time I was worried if the camera's still okay and hasn't gotten wet yet. Snorkeling was much difficult too due to the big waves cos it was hard to swim through them. But still all good since I saw lots of fishes such as clownfishes aka Nemo, angelfishes, blue fishes, yellow fishes, and other colorful fishes. And we also saw this humongous electric blue starfish!

Picture I took while island hopping...

That's Crocodile Island over there...

And I took breathtaking pictures of the sunset in Boracay.






Am I good or what? Yaks ang yabang.

After Boracay, we went to Capiz already to attend Maayon's town fiesta and the coronation night. We took Danielle to the farm so she can see it and also to see a carabao and have her picture taken with it.


And yesterday, it was a gluttonous day. We practically just ate the entire day. We also went to Flat Rocks, a resort in Baybay in Capiz.

As much as I'd like to say This is the life!, I can't cos it's too friggin' hot!

That pretty much summarizes my vacation and stint as a hostess/yaya of my cousin. I guess we did a pretty good job since she said she's enjoying her vacation here... so far. And tomorrow, we're off to Greenhills for some bargain shopping.

Ciao!

Kung Hei Fat Joy!

Happy Chinese New Year! I hope business will be good this year!

Woohoo! I'm already in Level 14! In my Spanish language classes, I mean. Well, 10 more levels to go before I get to graduate and hopefully, be able to speak Spanish fluently. I still have the same teacher, Sra. Ana, the prof who loves to do monologues. Haha! We have new classmates but I don't really like them. They're so snotty! I swear!

~o~

It was Abbey's 6th birthday yesterday. The family went to Ate Lisette's crib yesterday at Tandang Sora to attend Abbey's birthday party. We had baked mac and barbecue (my fave!) and freezer-cold Coke (just how I like it). As usual, Charlee was so cute but she had to sleep early since she was wasn't able to take a nap during the afternoon. We also got to meet Baby Rafa, Ate Lisette's nephew. My parental units had to go home early since my dad wasn't feeling very well. Ate Che and I stayed since we could hitch a ride with Vicky and her boytoy going home.

~o~

Now that we're done with the rave part... I'll start ranting.

Well, business is not doing too good nowadays. After that all-time January high, we're digging the lows. And I thought business was easy... Clearly I was wrong about that. Still am not working my butt off to make business really click... I am still in my vaycay mood since I'll be off to Boracay this coming Wednesday. Oh yes it's a baddie but I promise that I'll make up for it after Danielle's visit.

I'm turning a blind eye on my problems. I know I should be alarmed right now that we're not doing so well nowadays and new competitions are sprouting here and there. Well, I guess they never knew the potential of a maniped and now that they know, they're ripping us off the idea.

Shoot.

I'm shutting down ... Don't want to think about that yet... I still am not in the right mind to worry about those things. I'm friggin' frustrated but all I can do right now is think about it. Think and worry. And it's driving me bloody crazy!

Josette discussed to me yesterday about the 4 different temperaments: Sanguine, Melancholy, Choleric and Phlegmatic. I told her, based on her description of each personality, that I think I'm more of the Phlegmatic-Melancholy type. I took the test here and I was right, I am a Melancholy Phlegmatic person.

Yup yup. I know myself indeed.

At last I'm done with all the license renewal thingy. Now I can sleep soundly at night. But earlier today at the city hall, I was really on the verge of tears for fear that I would be paying fines amounting to not more tham 10,000. Well, there was one permit that I wasn't able to secure for last year's permit but I was able to talk myself through it. I just hope that the people who "let it pass" won't ask anything in return for it.

Entonces...

Tengo hacer mucha practica para dominar espanol. Si aprobo nivel 13, el sabado que viene, sere en nivel 14. Maravillosa, eh? Solo diez niveles mas y sere terminado con el curso. Pero si me gusta realmente hablar espanol perfectamente, tengo practicar todos los tiempos.

Entonces (otra vez) tengo probar a escribir mis "entries" en espanol.

El ano nuevo de los chinos sere este domingo que viene y mi prima de Nueva York va a venir aqui en Filipinas. Si, estoy emocionada pero todavia tengo pensamientos malos sobre ella. Ella va a pasar solo diez dias aqui y mas de los dias, mi hermana, otra prima y yo acompanaramos al Boracay y Capiz. No quiero tener expectaciones porque no quiero a frustrar. Mi prima que viven en Nueva York tambien dice que ella es amable y agradable pero todavia no se que es la verdad. Pero este domingo, voy a descubrir.

Shocking news

... at least for me.

First, it was Lee Eun-joo who committed suicide almost two years ago. Just recently, U;nee, a Korean singer of Call Call Call fame was found by her halmone hanging by her bedroom door, dead just at the very young age of 26. And just today, another Korean actress committed suicide. Jung Da-bin of Attic Cat fame also committed suicide and died at 27. Both were said to be suffering from depression and were taking anti-depressants but when family members talked to them, they seemed okay. I guess you never can tell...

So what does this mean?

It means that the world is so screwed up nowadays that people as young as them are taking their own lives. May they rest in peace.

At talagang affected ako, 'no?

Once you pop, you can't stop... K-vid edition

I'm so in love with Korean love songs and their videos. That's me, always in love with love.

I love how their videos seem like mini-movies that tell brief stories of bittersweet love.

Anyway, here are the videos of some of my favorite Korean songs.

Here's Lee Seung-chul's song included in the drama Phoenix/Firebird. I love love love this song. Same goes with the drama. The lead actress's good except we won't be seeing more of her since she committed suicide almost 2 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYKdHwNCxwk
Bad trip, the author has disabled the embed feature kaya I can't put the video here. Xmas, view mo yang video, si Han Ji-hye yan. I super love this video, too. I first saw it in Pops in Seoul and since then, I'm in love with it. After that day, I frantically searched on the net where to download this song. This was from a Banjun drama starring Han Ji-hye and Eric Moon. Eric's schnoz is so big I can't believe I had a crush on him before.

Kiss's Because I'm a Girl video. The video that started my Korean-video fixation. I remember Xmas and I spending lots of time on the phone discussing whether or not the guy is gay. Pero pamatay pa rin ang 8-minute video na 'to. Also memorable 'tong video na ito since it made Juno cry. Haha! Si Juno ay bato kaya bilib ako sa video na ito. Juno, peace!

I love Park Hyo-shin's voice and this is one of his videos..

Used in the drama Mianhada, Saranghada, another drama I love love love. Ajusshi, saranghae!

And here's the ultimate kasi it's almost 11 minutes long. Although I don't really like Jo Sung-mo, I super like the video. Take note of the elevator scene.

So there, some of my fave songs and videos. I can't understand most of them that's why I rely on the videos to understand the song. But I also like the melodies and the voice of the singers.

I have a problem nga... Lately, there are no good Korean songs and videos coming out. New videos coming out now are more of the those annoying, synthesizer-like songs that remind me of Shalalala and the Sexbomb dancers. :(

Yoon Do Hyun's Saranghaet Na Bwa

Translation of the song...
I think I loved you
translated by: Yoonie (also credit: aheeyah.com)

Separating with someone is easier than meeting them,
that cold person took all of my heart.

I don't understand why I miss them so much.

I think I loved you, I can't seem to forget you
I keep thinking of you, that it's hard to control.
I think I'm regretting, I think I'm waiting for you
I didn't realize it at first but I feel nervous
whenever I someone's back image resembles yours.

Memories fade as the seasons change, someone coldly stated.
I live each day empty without love,
so I wait for someone to take in my imperfect love.

I want to act like I didn't see you
look away with a hurtful glare.
At least once I want to look behind me
and believe that you were hurt before.

I think I'm a fool, I'm unable to say a word
not even a quick hello to ask how you are.
I think you're happy, your bright face
continues to make me feel less important,
just like how your features are fading away.

Soon I'll meet someone else
whose beauty resembles yours.
Still that person won't be you,
so I think I'll be sad, you're a person I can't forget.

Rip off!

Oh, okay, it's supposed to be based on Wuthering Heights. But why does The Promise still come across as Korean-movie rip-off?

I'm annoyed at GMA Films, first, for starring Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin together in another movie. Ako lang ba ang nakakakita na wala silang chemistry? As in nil, zilch, nada! And it's just irritating that they often show the movie's trailer on tv.

And no, I don't get kilig when I see their piggyback-ride scenes.
Which leads me to the question... what's with the piggyback rides? I'm really sensing a rip-off. Korean movie rip-off, that is. They can't pull it off innocently pa. Ang halay ha! Puh-leeeze!

Could someone please tell the GMA people to fix the way their talents speak. Richard Gutierrez sounds like a mumbo-jumbo dumbo! He's such a big oaf. He really reminds me of Big Moose. Angel Locsin, on the other hand, talks funny. Ash in. She speaks with an annoying 'sh' akin to Regine Velasquez' "Pinoy Pop Shuperstar." Plus, as a rich girl in the movie, why does she say I pramis? Can someone please fix their speech? It's super super mega over annoying. Buti na lang most of their fans are... nevermind na nga lang.

Pakiusap lang ha.

So-called business trip

I was back in Divisoria's smelly and dirty streets once again. Yesterday, I had to accompany my sister to get sample shirts for her another venture.

Keri lang.

Actually, the Divi part was the last venue in our itinerary yesterday. We went to Ortigas to buy Glutathione for my sister's friend in the US, went to BoKap to deliver the Gluta, went to the printer to have the sticker labels for the lip balm and mint giveaways printed and finally, to Divisoria to buy the shirts. It was sooo tiring but the day ended with a much-deserved Mocha Frap.

I wasn't able to buy stuff for myself but my sister bought Ugly Betty DVD. I downloaded the series already in my PC however, since that PC conked out again and I don't know when it will get fixed, I told her to buy it na lang.

As for today, I still have lots of things to do. I still need to go back to Pasig City Hall to finish securing all the permits and licenses, pay my taxes, deliver the give-aways to Elen, call Buy and Sell and tend to the spa.

Anyway, my sister and i are making wedding/birthday/baptismal give-aways. They're not the usual ugly give-aways that you wouldn't have any use for. It's practical and useful. For any inquiries, just post a message here. Thanks :)

Bad trip.

Remember the journal I designed??? I wanted to "laminate" the cover and tried Art Attack's technique: slapping on a mixture of equal parts water and PVA glue (Elmer's). Bad idea. Maybe this only works on tissue papers. Ngayon mukha nang dinilaan ng baka yung cover ng notebook ko! Waaahhh!!!

Oh well, charge it to experience. Now I know that I shall never use that technique again. Argh.