sunday blues

Home on a Sunday. I dislike being home on a Sunday. I've kinda grown accustomed to Sunday lunch outs with the family but since daddy's flight back to the province is today, lunch was rescheduled yesterday. Okay na rin. We were almost complete- MIA were AB and Vicky's hubby.

Anyway, just wanted to post that I thrifted three books this week: a Sweet Dreams book, John Grisham's El Informe Pelicano (yes, it's the Pelican Brief en español. good luck na lang sa akin) and Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride. My best buy would be the Sarah Dessen book I only got for P99 considering that it's hardbound. FTW.

Time to read ☺

lie to me

The drama had a really, really good start and it got me hooked so bad that I kept on clicking the next episode button. Considering that I watched Lie to Me on online streaming, it must be really really good because I didn't wander off youtube like I always do when doing stuff on a computer. However, when it came to the latter episodes, I wasn't that hot about it and it actually took me several days before watching the series' final two episodes.

My thoughts:

1. Yoon Eun-hye is an amazing actress and I think she's perfect for roles like Gong Ah-jeong. Although I don't like her as Yoon Eun-hye the celebrity because I think she's maarte, I like her as an actress and think that she plays her roles very well. Yes, all her roles are almost the same but if that's what she does best, why not? She also reminds me of my friend from high school. 
2. But Lie to Me reminded me so much of Lovers in Paris. Ki-joon (Kang Ji-hwan) reminded me of Ki-joo (see, even their names were similar) with his no-nonsense approach to things and his perfectionist ways, Ah-jeong reminded me of Tae-young with her cheerful and pleasant attitude towards things, Sang-hee reminded me of Soo-hyuk with their artsy fartsy form. The angle of two brothers being in love with the same girl. 
3. Which may have come to the attention of the writers or producers or whoever of the series so they tried to change the course of the story, hence the less than stellar ending. Sang-hee gave up on Ah-jeong just like that. Wala man lang cry-cry. 
4. After they resolved the lie that they weren't really married, the title of the series has lost its relevance to the story. Lie to Me nga tapos wala nang lie? Like in Lovers in Paris, they met in Paris but the majority of the story happened in Korea but the culmination was still in Paris. They could have thought of one more lie that could have made the ending more dramatic. Just thought it was a little anti-climactic.
5. But what made me stick through it was the chemistry between Kang Ji-hwan ang Yoon Eun-hye! I literally was feeling it on my fingers and toes- giddiness galore! I forgot the other kilig scenes but here's one I remember because it's one of the more recent scenes I watched- Ah-jeong wanted Ki-joon to go home already but Ki-joon didn't want to...

Ki-joon laid his head on Ah-jeong's lap...
Ah-jeong: Hurry get up!
Ki-joon: Don't want to
AJ: Your head is heavy
GJ: Because my brain is full of Gong Ah-jeong

I DIE.

But who cares even if it was anti-climactic? It was heavily laden with kilig scenes and all I could do is squee with glee and be giddy and think if these stuff happen in real life. But no, I am not expecting for someone to sweep me off my feet and love me forever and ever because if there's one area of my life where I'm keeping my expectations low, this is it.

business with pleasure

Three consecutive days spent at the mall. Although all were necessary and not just out of whim, I still feel guilty that I was in a mall for three days straight. 

DAY 1: GLORIETTA and GREENBELT

The only planned lakwatsa day out of the three days I was out. Perfectly planned this day to be my lunch with Ycel in the morning then a trip to my supplier in the afternoon when AD gets off work. 

Lunch with Ycel at Cyma- our last lunch before she jets off to far away Hungary. For one year (according to her, she'll only stay there for a year) I will lose a movie, lakwatsa and lunch/merienda/dinner companion and much much more. The most 'accessible' friend I have and also one of the most cherished ones. I will miss you so so so much and I hope Hungary sucks so you'll be back after a year. Haha, just kidding :) Just bring me authentic Hungarian sausage when you come home and no I don't mean that in a bastos way. Seriously, enjoy Hungary at sana makahanap ka diyan ng jowa! :) 

ycel's slobong- teal nail polish & singapore keychain

french macarons from bizu with my morning (3-in-1) coffee

After our feast lunch, she had to go to work and I to go about my business and wait until my sister gets off work. And since I still had my movie pass, I decided to watch Harry Potter. I honestly thought the movie would be done by 4:30 but it finished a little past 5. Buti na lang umabot ako sa office hours ng aking supplier or else sasabunin ako ni ate ng bonggang-bongga kung bakit nanuod pa ako ng HP.

DAY 2: SM MAKATI, GLORIETTA, LANDMARK and GREENBELT
Kamusta naman at sinuyod ko talaga ang malls sa Makati? Anyway, while watching HP yesterday, I received a text from a customer regarding an order. I waited until the next day (which is Day 2) to reply to wit she inquired if I have the body oil in other scents and she's asking for samples. So now I have to go back to my supplier because I ran out of stock already. Hay, for a want of a nail...

So I called AD and lo and behold, she's still at home... at 8:30 in the morning. She took the morning off from work and would be on her way to work pa lang which means I can hitch a ride! Impeccable timing, don't you think? Coincidence or determinism? Hmm... Anyway, so I was in Makati AGAIN. After lunch with AD and a little gallivanting, she had to go to work and I was left again meandering the halls of the malls. So I finally got my Brow Buddy because it was on sale at 25% off.

I fricking hate my low EQ.
No movie, lakwatsa or National Book Store purchase for the month of August, unless it's free and/or shouldered by someone else.

Back to my dealer where AD fetched me after work. Chatime @ Bo. Kapitolyo after. I liked it better than Serenitea.

DAY 3: SM CENTERPOINT (cool, huh?)
Had to go to my other dealer for my supply but instead of my usual routine, I went to SM to meet with mommy who was there for the sale. Free nga lunch ko pero napagastos din ako. Sana lang I could have done a lot of things with the time I spent just sitting there, waiting. Oh well.

So there goes my 3-day mall tour. My dream is to be a landlady of leisure although I think the universe didn't get the landlady part. I sure got the leisure part covered now, I hope being a landlady is in the nearest future. Dear Universe, I am a LANDLADY OF LEISURE. Amen.

moony mondays

While most of the world is dreading Mondays, I, on the other hand, love love love Mondays. I can do everything my heart desires guilt-free.

Watching the last two episodes of Lie To Me and doing a little reminiscing on youtube





Miss those days... watching Soy in Pops in Seoul on Arirang TV every Friday. Grabe how time flies. I love Korean MVs because they are already mini-movies with cute, sad or sometimes tragic love stories.


A Wolf's Attraction! Loved this movie to bits! How can you not? The story's nice and Jo Han Sun es muy guapo. I have to find my copy of this movie and watch it again. And The Classic.

Full House. Another series I loved. Why don't they make series like this more often? Before there were a lot of good ones then. In fairness naman maraming bagong series na maganda ngayon like 49 Days, Cinderella's Sister and Lie To Me. 

week 29: the week i got a new sharpie

MONDAY

Mommy, daddy, AD and hubby, V and I went to Cardinal Santos for mommy and daddy's eye check up. What I thought would be a quick consultation with the doctor took four hours. Good thing I brought my book with me; I had something to keep me busy. Mommy has macular degeneration daw- so I guess her kalabasas and carrots didn't do their thing. V has glaucoma on her left eye. Thank God for 20/20 vision! I will never take it for granted evaaaarrr! We had lunch in the hospital's canteen- kung saan ginto ang ulam. A viand's serving costs P95. In fairness, masarap naman siya at enough for one meal.

After Cardinal Santos, went to PSE in Makati to have our flu vaccines. I was expecting it to hurt but it didn't- yay!

Went home then went to the coolest mall, Sta Lucia, with J1 and J2. We had merienda at Lotsa Pizza which was cheap but yummy and supposedly after we have merienda, the kids are going home and mommy, daddy and I were going to watch movies. Them - Temptation Island. I - Transformers. Pero late na daw so wis na :( Hay Transformers, kailan ba kita mapapanuod?

TUESDAY

I've been a good girl and went to the shop today although I stayed in the mezzanine or outside most of the time. But still I was there. I wasn't able to do my sermon because we had customers from 2pm until closing time. Oh goody! But I sweat there's this one employee I have I oh so want to fire already.

Anyway, my childhood friend and playmate M came to the shop to demo her galvanic chuva. In fairness, effective siya but it's too pricey. And they say the galvanic wand only helps skin to absorb the serum better so even if it's not of the brand she's promoting, it will still do the work. After our session, we ordered pizza from this new pizza place in our village- di ko masyado type :( I ordered cheese & garlic and I'm not so sure about this but isn't there supposed to be tomato sauce underneath all those cheese and garlic? And the crust isn't crunchy. I want crunchy crusts. Expensive pa! I hope they do something about it.

WEDNESDAY

Early morning trip to the bank then tried to open a new account in a new bank but my requirements weren't complete so didn't push through with it- frickin' 1x1 picture. So I just went to the mall and watched Transformers 3.

THURSDAY

Stayed at home and did research on the computer and blogged.

FRIDAY

Rex Manning time! Must make my presence felt hohoho! At least I've been going there more frequently than before and I stay longer hours. Props to me ☺ AD and I went walking in the village- better than nothing, ya?

SATURDAY

Didn't go to Spanish class because I had to go all the way to Alabang to pay for my booth. Actually, I should've asked if I can deposit payment so I wouldn't have to go all the way there and spend P220 on toll. Puede pala magbayad sa bangko. Argh. I didn't tell my sister or else she would've scolded me haha. Went back to the metro and parked the car in Gateway, took the train going to Recto. AD and I went to Divi to look for trinkets and other whathaveyous we could sell in the bazaar, additional inventory ba. Super daming intsik at mukhang mga authentic kasi hindi marunong managalog. Boo. Bought a digital weighing scale for my ingredients. Weeheehee!

SUNDAY

Lunch at Megamall with the extended family but sans daddy. A cousin will be going back to the US tomorrow so had a little despedida lunch for her. Kare-kare, crispy pata for lunch. MSG- galore. Had dessert in Amici- strawberry banana ice cream cake! We saw Delamar in Amici- starstruck moment! A little side trip in St. Francis Square for me DVD fix. I wanted to go there because I wanted to get a copy of the Ancient Aliens series but I forgot so I ended up buying 7 new movie titles.

book 2011- 09: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

I'm so glad I have three of Fulghum's books- all hardbound and thrifted from Booksale =)

I remember I first encountered Mr. Fulghum’s works in the school library 15 years ago- a paperback version of this same book I’m writing about. I was intrigued by the title and thought to give it a try and I think that was then that I began to have a penchant for reading essays. What is interesting about Mr. Fulghum’s writings are his profound thoughts about ordinary things. I certainly wouldn’t come up with such meaningful ponderings about a mushroom nor would I contemplate about the further reasons of a catalog’s existence other than to inform a consumer of his options. I wish I were that brilliant.

The main feeling evoked from reading this book was nostalgia. I was inundated with memories from my childhood and how much time has passed since then and that I think I dislike the thought of growing up.

One of his anecdotes I liked very much was about the time when they would play hide-and-seek when they were kids which reminded me very much of my childhood- playing taguan with my playmates in the street during brownouts (power shortages). Anyway, he said he liked the game Sardine better. Sardine is played with the “it” hiding while everyone else will find him and when someone finds him, he’ll hide in there with him. This he related with God- that He is a Sardine player and when God finds us, He gets in there with us, accompanies us. See, how Mr. Fulghum could put meaning into seemingly meaningless children’s play…

Or how he makes us realize our worth via his relationship with his barber- that we all fill important places in another’s life even if we think otherwise and for this reason, we are not insignificant. Don’t sell yourself short. You may never have proof of your importance, but you are more important than you think. I should remind myself this, always. 

Aforementioned nostalgia is recurring theme in this book and right now, in this stage of my life, I want to be a kid again- free from responsibilities and worries. I look at my nephews and wish I were back to my childhood. I'm glad I read this at the most opportune time. Here's the snippet from the book that most describes what I want:

I want to be five years old again for an hour.

I want to laugh a lot and cry a lot. 

I want to be picked up and rocked to sleep in someone's arms, and carried up to bed just one more time. 

I know what I really want for Christmas. 

I want my childhood back.

Sakto. My thoughts exactly. I can vividly remember those times when coming from a pasyal, we would be home nighttime and me and V would be asleep on our sisters' laps so they wouldn't wake us up and just carry us to our beds. Sometimes I would wake up during the process but I would pretend to be still sleeping. The life...

But I guess we all have some growing up to do. It is a fact of life- we all grow old, take on grown-up responsibilities as much as we would stay kids and be carefree all our lives. Another fitting snippet from the book: There is a terrible and wondrous truth working here. Namely, that all things live only if something else is cleared out of the path to make way. No death; no life. No exceptions. Things must come and go. People. Years. Ideas. Everything. The wheel turns, and the old is cleared away as fodder for the new. So that pretty much explains why I can't be a kid forever. Bummer. Haha. Oh well, I think I'm doing a pretty bang up job growing up. Though it's not coming up roses all the time, I think I am getting by just fine.

That is why I feel sorry for kids nowadays who are in a hurry to grow up- donning lipstick and heels, getting knocked-up in their teens, robbed off their innocence at such an early age. I hope they realize how awesome it is to be a kid and understand that it will not last very long so they should enjoy it while it lasts. 

Love this book. Love that it made me feel not alone in my issues and angst against growing up. Love that successful, established people do feel the same. It feels good to know I am not alone.

Do we shine?

Are we part of some pattern in somebody

else's night sky- a projection of their imaginations

and wonderings?

-- Robert Fulghum

• daddy home from the province
• daddy's dinuguan
• new product finds: hair-grower shampoo and stem cell face soap
• movie date w/ myself ♥
• the new mouse for AC's notebook
• three juxtapose finds
• more organized space
• J2's 8th month birthday
• being able to borrow and/or swap clothes with my sisters
• sister living on the next street- a place I can seek refuge 
• talks w/ AD, being able to tell her I feel sad
• Sun Cellular's 3-day unlimited internet connection for P100

is this the part 2 of my quarterlife crisis?

Nalulungkot ako. Lungkut-lungkutan.

Thing aren't going my way and I hate it when things don't go my way.

{image here}

tumblr has been a great help to me in days like these. It's as if God is talking to me through it, never mind the countless nude pictures and profanities I also see in it. LOL. Plus, there's always something to be grateful for even if it's just the fact that both my parents are still alive and healthy and strong or I have two adorable nephews who never fail to put a smile on my face even on shitty days.

I'm almost done with my Fulghum read. I was supposed to read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and HP and the Deathly Hallows after but I guess I would have to put first things first (read: financial security aka how to have my first frickin' million before age 30) and read Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. Will watch HP7.2 sin leer los libros.

P.S. There are so many people, so many things I miss that I want to cry.

project 100: transformers: dark of the moon

After my failed attempt to open an account with a certain bank (I forgot to bring the complete requirements), I decided to treat myself and go to the nearest mall and watch Transformers: Dark of the Moon. I was actually planning to delay it further but since time is of the essence here- they might stop showing it in the cinemas- so it's a go. Well, yes I can still watch it on DVD or HBO but I want to watch it in the cinema- big screen, Dolby Digital sound system. I think I should have not waited too long to watch it cos the malls/ establishments reserve their better-smelling cinemas for the newer movies. But I guess it was better seeing it in a ratty, musty cinema than never at all.

I was first in the cinema and I was thinking "Am I the only person in the planet who hasn't watched this? Ang loser ko naman." I was actually scared because I was literally the only person inside the cinema. Then I grew more scared when two men entered the cinema and sat right behind me. Pero mukha naman pala silang mag-jowa so I didn't mind them much.

My thoughts:

♦ Oh my Shia! He's not the cutest but I swear I superduper like him! He's dorky and he wears those flannel shirts- exactly just my type. And what's even better- he's a geek but he knows how to kick ass, or maybe he just knows how to run really, reaaaally fast.

Eeep. What a cutie! But these freakin' geeks (ie. Sam Witwicky, Chuck Bartowski and John Cusack in most of his movies) always get the leggy, gorgeous girls which means even with geeks, I don't stand a chance. I can't remember much of Transformers 1 and 2 and Dark of the Moon shows an angry Sam. Only 3 months of unemployment, fresh out of college pa and in an ailing economy- he shouldn't be that frustrated. But I guess he's mayabang so his ego is hurting. But still, he's so adorkable.

♦ Rosie Whitington- Hutley. Or Rosie Huntington- Whiteley. Whatever her name is... is stunningly beautiful. But her pouty lips were distracting me.

Amazing how she can run like there's no tomorrow in those heels, in jeans that tight and still look perfectly put together nary a strand astray. Samantalang kami binaha lang ang bahay, hindi pa kami naghakot, eh mukhang basahan na. Pero in fairness, nadumihan naman ang white blazer niya.

But although she is gorgeous, I find Megan Fox's appeal different. Although we know that the movie can do without a girl (a hot one at that), but the boys need to have their eye candy.

♦ It's the end of the world and aliens are taking over the world but still all Sam can think about is his girlfriend. How cheesy, no? He even chose her over saving the world. Even if his hot girlfriend dies... after saving the world thrice, I'm sure he'll land another hottie in no time.

♦ Is it just me or this installment is medyo magulo? Maybe it's the chaos and destruction all around. There were also times when I can't tell an Autobot from a Decepticon. I had to keep reminding myself that the Autobots are the colorful, sleek cars/vehicles and the gray, drab-looking ones are the enemies. Maybe it's just me, actually. I wasn't able to fully concentrate on the movie because I was thinking of other matters like firing this certain employee.

♦ The moral of the story: Wag makisawsaw sa hindi mo away. The warring factions of Cybertron made Earth their battlefield and who suffered the most? Humans. Buti sana kung meron silang superpowers which could help the human race (actually, just the population of Washington DC) rebuild what was destroyed. Ang kaya lang naman nilang gawin eh mag-transform from an automobile to a robot and vice-versa. Wala rin naman silang maraming pera :(

Love it. Though the first Transformers movie still is the best among the three, in my opinion. I don't know how else they could make another sequel now that the Decepticon leader has been destroyed. And without Shia La Beouf? Let's see.

week 28: humahangover

From vacation, that is. Hay excuses. I've been suffering from this hangover for five years now.

MONDAY

My cousin's wedding. Went to SM Bacolod to buy mommy's accessories and to have lunch. Had our maniped and my hair "managed." That part of my dress which is directly under my kili-kili was too high and was scraping my pits big time- as in I can't move my arms too much. My kili-kili were in pain! Though it was a good night- with lechon that delicious ;)

TUESDAY

Went around the city scouring for the best but not too expensive pasalubong- must have went to four pasalubong shops for this. Visited my uncle's grave and had lunch then finally had macaroons at Felicia's. Flight back to Manila which was, fortunately, turbulence-free. Maja Salvador was in the same flight we took and I didn't see her!!! Boo. Not that I am a fan. Chismosa lang talaga ako.

WEDNESDAY

Back to regular programming- PRETEND TO GO TO SHOP BUT BEG OFF AT THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE EITHER I STUMBLED ON SOMETHING GOOD TO WATCH ON TV OR MY SISTER ISN'T USING THE COMPUTER ERGO I CAN PLAY CITYVILLE and BLOG. Boo. My self-discipline and EQ is slowly slipping down...

THURSDAY

Went to the shop then did some work then went home.

FRIDAY

Caught up with my latest Kdrama fix- Hotelier. Then went to my printer to pick up my flyers which were downright plain and fugly because I forgot to say what color of paper I want them printed on. Then spent the rest of the day cutting the flyers with my cutting contraption.

SATURDAY

We have class again! Whoopeedoo! :) Love it. Finally, I get to have my "event" on Saturdays again. Well, I already consider this my event because I'm almost always holed up in this little village of ours. LRT rides! Lunch con chismisan with las amigas! Los descansos! I super missed this during the break. The only thing I didn't like about it- gastos. I had to pay for my tuition. &^$#$%$%$% growing up $%@%$%$%##$#.

Went home right away because we're having lunch at home together- daddy cooked dinguan, my favorite ulam in whole wide world!

SUNDAY

Had to pick up our bigas (c/o Juno) from Juno's kuya in UST so we went to a restaurant around the area. We had lunch at Muy Hong which was not muy delicious. It was okay. Second time to eat here, actually. Team Wai Ying still. Dessert afterwards at Lia's Cakes. We had Avocado Cake, Chocolate Decadence, Ube Cheesecake and Strawberries and Cream Cake (not so sure about the last one). Loved Chocolate Decadence w/ the strawberry one. I love desserts!

project 100: the last song, adjustment bureau

The Last Song
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Caught the first 20 minutes of this on TV one time and thought it was interesting enough to make me download the movie.

My thoughts:

• It was once fun watching Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. I thought she got it figured out and wouldn't go down Britney's or Lindsay's path which was self-destruct? What happened? What's with the pout that actually reminds me of a rat snout. Seriously, what's with the pout (relative of the kissy duck face)? 
• Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, which is slightly obvious because it has all the elements of a Nicholas Sparks love story: the story set near a beach (yung beach na may tala-talahib), mega-lampungan courtesy of the bida actors and last but not the least, someone with a terminal disease (kung sino man siya basta meron).
• It was okay. Nothing really special. 

 The Adjustment Bureau
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I don't what made me want to watch this movie so bad. I'm sure it wasn't Matt Damon, so maybe it was Emily Blunt. I liked her in The Devil Wears Prada and I think her English accent is lovely. And when I first saw its trailer, I thought the love angle was promising ;)

My thoughts:

• So talaga bang wala tayong free will? Everything is predetemined and we only decisions we make are those trivial ones such as choosing between Coke and Pepsi? But I guess it would be moot because we live our lives anyway, no matter what. We wouldn't really know if my decision to write this entry was my own decision or was actually predetermined. Ginugulo lang ni Sarte at kung sinu-sino pang philosophers ang utak natin. According to Nietzsche, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  And crazy because Nietzsche went crazy. Bawal kasi masyado nag-iisip.
• Higher risks, higher returns. After all the chases and shiznits, they were finally "allowed" to be together. So does that mean that if we really want something we should go to the ends of the earth pursuing it? Which brings us back to the topic of free will vs determinism- when Matt Damon's character pursued Emily Blunt albeit warnings that they shouldn't be together, how does he know for sure that that wasn't part of his determined path? 
• It was okay. A little boring though.

Yay! Nakadalawa uli ako :D Though I really really want to see Transformers and hopefully I can still catch it on cinemas. For sure wala nang 3D but I guess 2D will suffice. Also wanna watch the final Harry Potter movie but would need to watch the one before this.

GTG. Will be flyering early tomorrow.

week 27: a blur

I was not able to take down notes on my planner and I can remember only a handful of what happened last week like when we went to the airport to bring the meds to my cousin, watched movie on a workday during work hours, delivered an order, claimed my free tall mocha frap, went to Facial Care Center for a sesh (which, by the way, has a sucky manager and I don't even know if she's the manager- that woman who had a fugly nose job. Her. What a bitch. And a hard sell, might I add), then stopped by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Ortigas to make usi at Chico & Del's 15th anniversary episode (the place was packed so ended up eating at McDo instead), juxtaposed and went home with 3 finds, had yummy yummy inihaw na baboy for lunch c.o daddy, went to Bacolod for my cousin's wedding.

Yun lang pow.

bacolod bits

I'm baaaack!!!

Went to Bacolod with mommy and AC for my cousin's wedding. I'm glad I went because I needed to get on a plane once in awhile, acclimatize myself with plane rides in preparation for my NY trip. Yesss naman, parang may visa na tayo ah! Law of positivity, y'all! Speaking of plane rides, our flight going to Bacolod was hella scary- turbulence galore! Call it OA but images of Lost were barraging my head BIGTIME. We were able to make if safe and sound, hopped on a PUV and headed to Saltimboca, our home in Bacolod for three days.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS

Saltimboca Pension
The room was okay. As long as it's clean, has airconditioning, TV with cable and clean bathroom with hot water then I'm all good. Not really a fan of fancy schmancy shizz. Plus, we'll be out most of the time. We just need a place to sleep and our room served that purpose.

However, I can't say the same with customer service. They were super inflexible and couldn't accommodate simple requests. Take my sister and her egg- she had a continental breakfast (which already comes with the booking) which consisted of bread, ham and sunny-side-up egg. She asked if she can have it scrambled. NO. It was a super simple request that didn't even require any additional ingredients, still they told her flat out that they only serve eggs sunny side up because it was what management instructed them and have their molds for cooking eggs. Or when I asked for hot water at 10 in the evening... closed na raw kitchen. But in fairness naman, after a few minutes someone came knocking on the door- hot water for me :) But I guess that was after they heard us commenting on how poor their customer service was.

THE FOOD

What I love about vacations is the justified excessive intake of food. And since Bacolod is in the Visayas region, seafood galore!

♦ Imay's Service was slow. We came ahead of the table next to us but they were served before us. Aside from that, I can't say much because I wasn't able to eat much. I had to buy instant noodles on the way home (why I asked for hot water).

♦ Pala-Pala Bacolod's version of our Paluto. Our was Paluto our version of their Pala-Pala? Hmm... Anyway, had scrumptious seafood- sinigang na lapu-lapu, chili garlic lobster and baked tahong. Nomnomnom~ Although baked tahong could be yummier with cheese on top.

♦ Felicia's Bacolod's teeming with coffee shops- there's one in almost every street corner. Others were suggesting another place for coffee and dessert but since AC told me that Felicia's has macaroons, I knew I had to go. The newlyweds took us to Felicia's. I opened the door and as soon as I saw these pretty, pastel-colored pastries, I was giddy with joy~

Aren't they pretty? Well, they do look pretty but I was a little bit disappointed with the taste. I had no idea what macaroons taste like and I was kinda expecting a different taste. So that's how macaroons taste like. It's okay but it's not just my cup of tea. I love sweet stuff and it's not sweet enough for me. Maybe I'll enjoy the next time I eat a macaroon without any expectations in the way. Bizu has better macaroons daw. I'll try that next time.

So far those are the only food joints we were able to go to. I was disappointed that I didn't get to try Calea which was just beside our inn. Also, we weren't able to eat at an authentic inasalan.

AROUND TOWN

One of the things I liked about Bacolod is the seemingly laid-back way of life, which maybe explains the proliferation of coffee shops. Stopping at a stoplight for a mere 30 seconds is considered traffic. Anywhere 5 minutes away from one's house is already considered far.

Commute going to and from somewhere is a breeze with their fiera-type jeepneys and taxi drivers who never asked for dagdag. Another thing, Bacolod is a pedestrian city and I love it because I love walking around new places, cities as long as it feels safe.

During our first day, we went to church in their Cathedral which was beautiful. I wasn't able to take a picture because there was a mass right after the one we attended was finished. I thought I understood Ilonggo but I guess my knowledge of the language isn't enough for me to understand a mass said in pure Ilonggo. It's the thought that counts, right? :P

To the ruins afterwards. With the clan, we rented a van to take us to The Ruins, the ancestral home of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. The mansion was burnt by the Japanese during World War II. Albeit already in ruins, I still felt how grand it once was.

Picture-picture overload. Well, what else would you do in a place where there's nothing else to do but take pictures? Take A LOT of pictures and capture the beauty of the place. I can just imagine how they used to hold parties in their spacious garden and share chismis with their amigas. Haha.

On the second day, AC, mommy and I went somewhere we haven't been to yet- SM! LOL. We needed to buy accessories for mommy and we know handy dandy SM has just that. Lunch at Yellow Cab- Dear Darla and Charlie Chan! Before we went to SM, we had our nails done and to complement my fuchsia dress

RAWR! Since it's already automatic for me to compare their work to ours... not that I am biased but I still think that ours is better and you actually get more value for your money. The hand/foot massage which comes with the manicure and pedicure took only 20 seconds, both arms/feet already, they didn't use base coat and they didn't clean the lagpas polish. And they also charge P70, the same price we charge for ours, but I paid P100 because I picked an imported polish (which actually leaves you no choice but choose an imported polish because there wasn't much in their local brand nail polish selection). But I still loved my nails afterwards ♥

WEDDING DAY

The reason why we went to Bacolod- cousin's wedding! After we had our nails and hair done, went back our room to dress up. Whilst my nails are perfect, why once fluffy, straight blow-dried hair started to go back into its hilo state. Pag kinulot, dumederecho. Pag dinerecho, kumukulot. ANO BA TALAGA, KOYA? Kainez. Anyway, aside from my hair, I listened to AC and didn't use the wedge sandals AD told me to wear with my fuchsia dress. Hay, I should've never listened to AC. I will never listen to her again. So I wore this fugly black heels to the wedding. Buki. Enough about me...

B & E had a very nice and solemn wedding. Again, at a small chapel in a village. I swear if I get married, I'm picking a small chapel. Medyo parang hilo lang si Father at ilang beses siya nabulol. The bride was resplendent in her beautiful white wedding gown.

Reception was at the L'Fisher. Delicious food, most especially the lechon they served. After the program and dinner, disco dancing with the fabulous live band. Their song selection was nice and they got everybody dancing. Ako naman si Manang ayoko masyado magsayaw kasi masakit kili-kili ko- masyadong mataas ang dress ko. Boohoo. Their giveaways are cupcakes

which reminds me I hadn't eaten mine yet.

This is my second time in Bacolod and I still enjoyed my vacation. Well maybe because the first time I went there I didn't get to see the city that much. I would definitely would want to go back to Bacolod because I still have yet to try their cakes and pastries at Calea. But I hope next time I'd be with fun company.

monte carlo hangover

A mí me gusta esta pélicula

Did a little googling and found these online:

 

All images from here

Realizations:

1. I love love love Leighton Meester- unconditionally!
2. Crocs are ugly. Still looks gargantuan and ugly even if it is Leighton wearing it.
3. It's not all glitz and glamor. Just look at Katie Cassidy's sweat pants under her skirt. It must have been very cold when they shot this.
4. I want jewel-encrusted sandal flats.
5. I need to lose frakkin' weight.

project 100: monte carlo

Playing hooky from Rex Manning BIG TIME. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak. After that trip from the airport, went with AD to her office which is conveniently located in the mall. In fairness to me, I did some market research also, so there was quasi-work related and not purely play. After lunch, I did another round of market research then decided to watch Monte Carlo because they won't let me in Transformers in the middle of showing.

You might wonder why I spent P160 on a movie starring Selena Gomez whom I expressed non-like of... You see, I just realized that there's some kind of love-hate relationship here. I am annoyed at her because of her character in Wizards of Waverly Place, but then again I used to watch it religiously. I think her head's too big for her body and she has too much hair, but I am actually envious of her tresses. And I really do think she is beautiful. And thin. *sigh*

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So what do I think about Monte Carlo?

• Paris is breathtaking! Every time I see the Eiffel Tower in movies or on TV, I get all giddy and I know I just had to see it in person. 
• I love the Gossip Girl connection- it's Blair and Juliet! I know I just admitted that I semi-like Selena Gomez but even if I didn't, Leighton Meester is reason enough. J'adore Leighton Meester ♥ I love that we have the same wavy hair. Suddenly, I appreciated my medyo-wavy-medyo-curly hair but the similarity ends there... oh how I wish I could have waist that tiny. Frak. 
• Saw on tumblr that the plot is pretty familiar. Remember The Lizzie McGuire Movie? It's pretty much the same, actually. It's a good thing I wasn't able to watch the Lizzie McGuire movie and I do think that Monte Carlo is way better than that (and better wardrobe, imo). 
• Cuteness galore, especially that Riley. Man, the dimples are to die for and I don't even like dimples. The accent- LIKE! But does his shirt always has to be unbuttoned?
• I will not delve into the impossibility that two, unrelated people look exactly alike. But if they were raised in very disparate backgrounds, wouldn't it be all too obvious?
• And it gets all cheesy when they were found out, or actually they outed themselves, and then they make this speech about wanting to help the poor and it doesn't really matter on whose neck the bazillion necklace is. The real Cordelia wants them arrested but aside from her, no one in the crowd of megauberrich people thinks so. It's just that in the real world, these megauberrich people who have $6million (kahit $3million lang nga eh) to spare on one necklace are just as snooty as Cordelia was. 

I enjoyed it so I guess it was a well-spent P160. I'm actually a sucker for movies like Monte Carlo~ sorry but mental age is at the range of 18-24.

My current LSS. Just when Selena Gomez says that "she's no beauty queen, she's just beautiful her," does she realize she just said that the ugly ones are even uglier? Okay fine, beauty is in the eye of the beholder na nga.

Update on my Project 100 Movies this 2011: I have seen 42 movies already. Only 58 movies more. Although I was in the same number at this time last year, this year looks promising ;)

not a fan but...

I just had to check out this Shakira and Rafa Nadal music video on youtube because my Rafa-obsessed friends were raving about it. Actually, na-late na ako because I keep on forgetting about it. I wanted to see this because I've always found Rafael Nadal not that attractive. I would even describe him as matigas ang mukha and people (non-Rafa fans) would agree with me when I say he looked like a Taong Tabon. But man, this video changed all that

muy caliente, no??? 

Anyway, since we're youtube-ing na rin, might as well post this Selena Gomez-Shia La Beouf chuvaloo

I didn't like her during her Wizards of Waverly Place days and I still don't like her now (though I still wanna see Monte Carlo) and this Shia incident made me not like her even more. She has the Bieber already; hands off Shia, please :) Thank you. Speaking of Shia, excited to watch Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon on Thursday. As usual, I will be watching it alone using my sister's handy dandy free movie pass while I wait for her to get off work. Toodles xoxo

project 100: green lantern, waiting for forever, departures, something borrowed, unknown

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Green Lantern
Free movie at buti na lang free siya. This movie sucked big time. Hindi ko type ang story, hindi ko type ang costume at hindi ko type and characters. In other words, HINDI KO SIYA TYPE. I expected a lot from this movie because it's a Marvel Comics adaptation and it's Ryan Reynolds. But even Ryan Reynolds didn't make this experience worthwhile- I thought he looked funny. Does he have a lazy eye?

And oh, did you see Blake Lively's waist (or it's non-existence)? Kainis no?

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Departures
This one is very, very nice. I liked it. After reading its synopsis online, I thought it would be one of those serious drama movies typical of award-winning movies. Well, it's still drama but sprinkled with comedy which made the movie even more charming.
Daigo gets a job as a coffiner (or coffineer?), a job that the Japanese considers "dirty." It's beautiful how the movie has shown Daigo's transitioned from someone who initially just did it for the money to someone who loved what we was doing in spite of what other people think.

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Unknown
It's Liam Neeson! With whom I had a little crush on when he played Qui Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace. I loved and enjoyed Taken so I also gave Unknown a chance. Aside from romantic comedies and teenybopper films, the other genre I like is suspense-mystery-thrillers. Like in Unknown, I initially thought there was this huge conspiracy which included his wife, that the wife had planned all this. I was in awe when it was revealed later on that she was not really her wife and they are just assassins on a cover because I didn't see that coming. I like to get ahead of movie plots and try to guess how it's gonna end and most of the time, I get it right.

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Waiting for Forever
Waited for this for forever!

About this boy who non-stalks this girl who has made a difference in his life. He doesn't stalk nor follow her. Apparently, he just goes where she is. I like the line of thinking here.

Tom Sturridge annoys me but I don't if it's him or the character he played. Had Rachel Bilson not been in this movie, I might have stopped watching altogether. It's a cute and sweet but kinda creepy love story. I guess it's nice and beautiful in an okay kind of way.

Tom Sturridge. His pouty lips annoy me but they look good on Angelina though.

She's so pretty! She's not drop-dead gorgeous as other Hollywood actresses are and she's small and cute but I guess that is her appeal.

The movie is actually a bit sad. Here is Tom Sturridge with his pyjamas and his happy-go-lucky, tumbleweed-in-a-desert attitude which most people frown upon. He lived most of his life on the mantra that "Everything's peachy," then he realizes one day that not everything is peachy- that scene broke my heart.

"I have enough of you in my head to last forever." Awww...

“If you ask me, there’s a moment in everybody’s life when you are helpless, just helpless with hope and trust, and then something happens… something too big to understand, and then everything changes forever.”

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Something Borrowed
I am conflicted whether to read a book before I go see the movie adaptation or vice versa. Though I still loved both.
They tweaked it a little bit because instead of Hillary, it was Ethan. Even if in the book I hoped it would be Rachel and Dex in the end, in the movie I hoped that it would be Rachel and Ethan in the end. Well, it's just that in the book, it was clear that Ethan doesn't like Rachel in that way; whereas in the movie, he did. And Dex in the book was more likable and Dex in the movie isn't as charming and sweet and adorable. They should have gone with a Rachel + Ethan ending. Ohwell.

week 26: halfway into the year

Oh yes we're already half done with 2011 which means we're just 173 days until Christmas. Oh joy! I love love love the Christmas season ☺

MONDAY

A few errands before I meet with my friend A in Megamall. A trip to my bank and then to my sister's bank afterwards. AC asked me to get something from her bank and approach our customer MC who works there about her transaction. Before I leave MC told me, "busy na busy ah." I felt guilty inside because after that, I'll be going on my guilt-free lakwatsa with A.

I was in Megamall at 11am and spent an hour just strolling in the mall, waiting for A. I was doing something on my phone when this foreigner approached me. I was stupefied. I thought he was one of those weirdos who would what time is it etc etc etc. Well, turns out he was trying to sell me something. After several demos and offers, gullible me succumbed and bought a facial scrub. I want to hit myself in the head. I think I actually hit myself in the head.

A and I finally met. We had lunch at Bon Chon. Bon Chon is overrated. It's yumminess is not commensurate on how much people rave about it. Plus, it's expensive. P165 for three pieces of chicken drumstick? C arrived. After lunch, had coffee at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf- a deviation from my usual. Kwento overload, updates on life, careers, TV shows, movies and love (or the lack thereof). C had to leave early. I went with A to Greenhills to fetch her sisters and mom. We went to Eastwood after that. Happy Lemon and chicken nuggets! Saw my sister there. Made my other sister come, too.

I'm one very happy and contented bunny ☺

TUESDAY

Rex Manning today. I'm so proud of me ☺ After V had her massage, we had isaw at our favorite bbq turo-turo. Yun lang. Parang sayang araw, no?

WEDNESDAY

Delivery day! Went to AD's office and we had lunch together. Lunch at Shakey's. Bunch of Lunch costs P138 now. When I was in college it only cost P92. I feel old. Free movie ♥ watched Green Lantern while waiting for AD to get off work.

THURSDAY

Inventory day- made supplies for July- which took almost the entire day. I was too tired and amoy pawis to go to the shop. V was out so I had a chance to use the internet. Watched Waiting for Forever. Happy Lemon pasalubong.

FRIDAY

Still not done with inventory management. Labeled the stuff, etc etc. AC called and asked if I want to go to the Japanese film fest at Shangri-la Mall. Of course I wouldn't pass up any chance to lakwatsa =) bwahahaha! Asked AD if she wanted to also watch- yes. I was spared of commuting because AD would still be coming home because her hubby would be coming along with us. As it was still early, had the chance to watch Something Borrowed.

Traffic going to Shangri-la. Must have been the pack going to the malls to watch Transformers 3. Arrived at Shang just in time for the movie. The film we saw was Departures- very nice Japanese movie, I liked it. Dinner at Shakey's afterwards. Shakey's along Julia Vargas has TERRIBLE TERRIBLE customer service. Waiters and waitresses were in super mega dabog mode.

SATURDAY

Divi day with AD, AC and Ate Jo.

I was already borlogs last night so I forgot to set my alarm. AD called me at around 7am and told me they're going to fetch me already. Actually, it was her call that woke me up. Imagine that. Kakagising mo lang, wala ka pa masyado sa iyong ulirat tapos sabihin sayo Papunta na kami diyan. Ngayon na. SUPER MEGA OVER ALIGAGA MODE  na ako. Sabi ko, "10 MINUTES." I don't if it really just took me ten minutes to finish taking a bath and all the other rituals basta alam ko masakit na ulo ko maaga pa lang.

Divisoriaaaa- where business and pleasure meet. Although not actually the pleasure we have in mind. Let's just say that I get excited over little trinkets and thingamabobs that they sell there. May kwenta man o wala. Fortunately through the years, I have learned how to control myself and buy only the stuff I need. The only stuff I bought for myself are 6 boxes of Nerds, sampaloc and a green cellphone case. And oh, I also bought cracking nail polish ☺ that's quasi for me pero mas sa shop siya.

Left Divi at 7pm. Had dinner at AD's house- chicken bbq c.o BIL.

Once again, I'm one happy and contented bunny.

SUNDAY

Early morning grocery shopping to buy ingredients for today's lunch. Today's sponsor I am. Menu consists of inihaw na baboy, broccoli and inihaw na talong, and Coffee Crumble ice cream. Watched chismis after lunch. It's been a long time since I last watched these showbiz chismis shows on TV.

OMG. The highlights of my day are FOOD. Kailangan ko na atang maghinay-hinay sa pagkain. Although I am not getting heavier when it comes to the scale, I feel heavier when it comes to movement, et al. I tire and get out of breath more easily. Everything's flabbier these days. Even my arms who used to be my pride and glory... well, not really, it's just people were amazed at how small my arms were considering that I am fat. But now the arms are also fat. Buhok na lang ang payat sa akin. Tse. Must. Take. Diet. Seriously. Tapos maya-maya, "Ano'ng diet?"