Hello 2010! :-))

Countdown by Widgia.com

I won't bore you with my litanya of how 2009 sucked big timefor me. I think I've said that a couple of times in this site. Two things are certain though, I am stronger and better. I have learned a lot, met a lot of people, opened my eyes to a different world. Charge everything-- good or bad-- to experience.

And I have to say that I'm hopeful for 2010. My year picked up a bit this December...it could only get better, right? I'm excited for what God has for me next year! I trust in His good, perfect, pleasing will.

Here's my new year's resolution: I won't just sit around waiting for that something to happen, I will make that something happen. Which means, less daydreaming and more action! I know, new year's resolution never really worked. SO maybe should call this one my action plan. Hmmm?

I've reconciled with a lot of issues. Let go of my excess baggage. Less bitter. Less sarcastic. Happier. More positive. I'm off to a good start, right?

*What you just read may a bit incoherent...blame it on the a..a..a..alcohol! Have a great new year celebration everyone! Have to do a lot of shopping pa...and oh, today is also my mom's birthday! Yey! She claims she's 35 and some fall for it coz she really looks young. People are amazed when I tell them she's my mom. I don't look like her, I don't look a Manuel or a Felix. I'm a Ligwang through and through. I would have loved it if a bit of my Manuel or Felix blood manifested. Okay, I'm blabbering here...HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Keep safe. :-))

xoxo, d

Someone say snap?

That's three, people! Three of my havaianas snapped in one week. What are the chances, right??? I couldn't be more frustrated as I have no more flip flops here in tugue. I can't live without flip flops, its my default footwear! And I don't really like the two pairs of havs I have left in Manila.

Maybe it's the cosmos telling me to buy Ipanema, afterall, they're my client. Still, that's three thousand bucks down the drain. Thank goodness I have Grendha sandals for my everyday errands here.

Awkward!

Ever been in that situation where someone said they love you and you were dumbfounded, not because you were knocked off you feet, but because you've got nothing to say back?

Will you say Thank you? Be honest, and say you're not in the same place? Or just laugh it off as a joke?

I opted to do the last one. Awkward!

Hey, it's Christmas! :-))

Maybe it's just me, but I seriously don't feel the "Christmas spirit" like I used to. Maybe it's because of the tragedies that we've just had as a nation or maybe it comes with age (Yikes!). But Christmas is still CHRISTmas. It's a time to celebrate Bro's birthday. Time to be with friends and family. Sheesh! That sounds so mawkishly hokey! But there's truth in there, eh? Let's just take this holiday as it is, and enjoy! I'm starting to enjoy mine as the never ending foodfest and laughfest started already! With that, let me share my favorite Christmas quote and poem!

Merry Christmas y'all!

FocusMedia Christmas Party '09

The FocusMedia Christmas party went better than we expected. The theme was Fashion Night bordering to costume party. Everyone pretty much prepared for it. I guess I'm quite guilty for not really dressing up much. I planned to go as Katy Perry but work got in the way I wasn't able to do much shopping. I went for a simple little black dress with the headband as the accessory! :-)) Everyone was just beautiful and handsome!

The best part of the night were the performances. We were divided into three groups. Our group did a sort of banana split. Dinno and I played Bhoy and Khrissy aka Boink and Crazy; then the girls did a dance show-off and the boys did a bro, brod, bru (still including Dinno, may matinding pangagailangan sa pera eh! Lol. Peace!) Our group won only second place because there was a dead air with the dance number (may excuse?? can't still accept! Haha) but Dinno won as the performer of the night.

Another highlight was the "pass the bouquet" game with cold hard cash as the bouquet. :-)) No one went home empty handed. It could only get better for our company! Yay! :-))

Meet Familia Zaragoza

With nothing to do after the party...we decided to play our alter ego: The Familia Zaragoza! :-))

after Birthday thoughts

...went home at 4 in the morning, missed work and slept for 12 hours! I love it!

...my friends and I went out to celebrate last night. It was for my birthday and E's as well. We had so much fun. Booze + great company= laugh trip all night long. What is it they say about alcohol, it kills the weak brain cells and all that's left are the "intelligent" brain cells. Lol. And I felt absurd that I've been ranting. I was just lookung at the glass half-empty!

I think I'm off at a good start. Maybe this year will be a good one. Know what, I'm going to claim it! THIS will be my year!

xoxo, d

Birthday thoughts

What I planned to do on my birthday?

Go somewhere unfamiliar...alone!

That may sound sad but there's something about this idea that appeals to me. I seriously planned on doing that this year. But because of grown-up stuffs I couldn't just leave. (May ganon? Lol)

I don't see the point of celebrating getting old. Not when you're nowhere even halfway to where you imagined yourself to be when you're 23. I just can't help saying this again for like the nth time--but yeah, this is the worst year of my life! Can you believe that, I'm still in my early 20's and I've had "the" worst year. Please don't tell me that this is just the beginning. Yeah, I know, what's worst for me may just be normal for others. But trust me if you knew the details of how my year went, you'll agree with me. So let's not thread that road. I'm turning 23 in a few seconds and boy how I wish I could stop time. But remember what Paul Ellis said? "The world ain't slowing down for nor one." So here I am looking at the clock and wishing that when the clock strikes 12, my luck will change for the better.

Emo much? Lol.

I just take refuge in the fact that I'll be seeing my friends later. Will laugh all the bad trip away!

You know what, I just need a new perspective. So for my birthday, I'll be singing the soundtrack from one of my favorite movies, RENT. Let's be mawkishly hokey together and sing with me, eh?

♪♫♪♫ 525,600 minutes..how do you measure the life of a woman or man? In truth that she learned, or in times that he cried? In bridges she burned or that way that he died? ....It's time now to sing out though the story never ends. Let's celebrate remember the year in the life of friends...Seasons of loooove! ♪♫♪♫

Re-loving an old hobby

My mom said I've always loved cameras and taking photos when I was a young kid. I've wanted to always hold the camera. I wasn't a cam-whore then. I'd like to be behind the lens. I remember seeing my tito's collection of vintage cameras when I was in grade school and said to myself I would to the same-- I would never sell any of my cameras and that I will also buy old cameras for display purposes. I remember being inspired by a collection of sunset photos I've seen in a bookstore. I remember watching my tito lay for hours in the sand to get long exposure shot of stars. I begged with my mom to buy me a SLR. I remember when I first got a hold of my SLR, I took a shot of everything around me. And I remember walking along the streets of Manila with my SLR in tow to take pictures for a photography class...and enjoying every minute of it. I remember processing my own film...standing in the dark room looking at the pan waiting for an image to appear, hoping I had the right exposure. And when the silhouette turns into concrete image I would grin from ear to ear. I remember saving up for a DSLR. But somewhere, I just lost interest. I didn't touch my cameras (except my digicam when I take photos of myself. Vanity! Lol and of course, of my other vain friends. Tee hee), I gave all the "film processing tools" to a classmate, I would appreciate photos but do not fancy to take one. Then a few months back, I started blog hopping. I came across lots of photography blogs and was suddenly filled with a little bit of envy and inspiration with their creation. Of course, I didn't immediately took action. I let this "want" brew inside first. (what an excuse! Lol) Recently though, I decided to stop hoping to be good at taking photos but actually get my butt moving to take photos. I promised myself I'm going to start saving up for a DSLR again, something I've been obsessing about in the past month but have never really done anything to acquire one. In the meantime, I will practice with my SLR. It's more expensive because of the films and processing but hey I gotta start from somewhere, eh? I've taken it out of the bag and have cleaned it together with all the filters. Will start shooting as soon as I got my expired films. (Yeah, I want to experiment with expired films.)

In lieu of my re-loving photography, I also want to buy toy cameras. My officemate, J, has recently bought a Holga and I think I like the idea of just shooting without looking at the viewfinder. Shooting without thinking. Just point and click. Point and click. I want these toy cameras:

Holga cam in white and red! In that exact same color. But if you're planning to give me one for Christmas, I'm willing to accept it in any color! Lol

Diana with Splitzer

Lubitel 166

Don't they look just so cute? Of course, they're much cheaper than a DSLR. So my dilemma is, should I pool in all my money to buy a DSLR or acquire these toy cameras first then save up again for a DSLR? Hmmm. If you give me any of these, I promise I will use them and not just have them for display. But I would really appreciate it better if you give me a DSLR. I'm not choosy on the model as long as it's a Nikon! Haha.

My new project!

I've been eating....a LOT!

It's the time of the year again for parties, reunions, and all that holiday hoopla. And boy, oh boy, am I not ready. Why? Have you seen the calories and fats that have taken residence in my body lately? Sheesh!

"Depressed much? Eat much!" Yeah, that has been my motto. And blame it on my wanderlust to try out new restos every now and then. I've been meaning to do some dieting but for some reason, food magically shows up infront of me. Blame it on the people around me. Lol. Crash diet worked well for me before, maybe I should do that again. And maybe do some exercise again. Get rid of that butt mark in my couch. I need to lose weight...FAST. I've pulled this stunt before, lets see if I can do it again. Hello, project starvation!

Green in the city

I don't think I've said this enough. But I love living in Makati even with all traffic on weekdays. I work in Ortigas but I chose to still stay in the apartment in Makati. There's something about the city that appeals to me. I'd like to state a few of the reasons, but Jessica Zafra pretty much said most of it..in a more sophisticated way so just visit her blogsite, will ya?

But one thing I've always admired about Makati is how they've kept the parks clean. Go to other public parks in other cities and boy, you'll see signs of vandalism everywhere. You'd be afraid to touch anything for fear of contracting any disease. Nyikes!

This our sidetrip in Washinton Sycip park in one of our visits in Legaspi Sunday market. Its just across Legaspi park. We walked around and hang out in the gazebo for a while where there's a marble Sungka. (What's the english of sunka? Educate me please. Lol) It's really refreshing to see a lot of greens. Makes me miss UP! If you work near the park and feels intoxicated, why don't you walk around the park for fifteen minutes. Or have lunch there. Do it Central park style. Come to think of it, this is the closest we have of NYC's Central Park. Lol.

More La Photo

Hehe. Just another version! And of course that subject is me..what the heck did you expect? Lol Loving this application! Stop laughing, ayt? I was going for a wacky picture!

La Photo Cabine

I've always wanted photobooth-like-photos-ala-a lot like love! I don't think we have that in Manila. Or maybe, I just don't know where to find them. But I stumbled upon this website...it's the closest I can have of a photobooth photo!

Have yours here!

FM goes to Advertising Congress

My first time to join the ad congress, and it didn't quite go as I expected or wanted. But hey, who am I to complain,eh?

More of Vintage Gaga

You're probably wondering who's Vintage Gaga*...Vintage Gaga is Lady Gaga sans wig, crazy make-up and even crazier outfits. Although with the same crazy antics that we now all love!





....And here's my favorite Vintage Gaga song, Wonderful!

Where have I been eating?

One of the things I love about Makati are the weekend markets: the Salcedo Saturday market and the Legazpi Sunday market. The Makati weekend market is a hodgepodge of dishes from different countries, desserts, snacks, plants, and just about anything. (The weekend "market" is actually in a parking lot which is closed on weekends.) I used to go with my officemates from my previous work to the Salcedo Saturday market because it's just walking distance from our office. We would have breakfast there and buy herbal breads and desserts. Since I've transferred to FM, I've never been back to Salcedo market. I recently learned from a friend that there's also a Sunday market in Legazpi Village which is the same with what is seen in Salcedo. You could just imagine my delight. So I dragged my cousin there last Sunday even if its unusual for her to wake up early on a Sunday morn. We were quite early, so we roamed around the parks nearby. (Will post pictures later) The walking worked up our appetite so we were ready to eat anything we could get our hands on. Here are some of my fave:

They let us taste their products and I gotta say their cakes are so delicious. Their best seller is the lemon meringue which we bought. I ♥ personal chef manila!

This is the old froyo's. They changed the name to Dave's. I'm a yoghurt lover, and this is the kind of yoghurt that I like. It has a tangy and sour taste to it.

I just can't get enough of apple pie.

Sapore Vero's olive oil is very cheap as compared to those in the groceries.

We also bought rosemary powder, cinnamon and curry powder.

I first tasted baklava when my Tita went home from vacay in Saudi Arabia. There are also other Arabian desserts sold here such as sobyet with semolina cream and other variants of the baklava.

These are also other foods that you can find in the Legazpi market:

There are also huge burgers, authentic French crepes, longganisa (which is so yummy, by the way), Monteqilla pasta (a fave from Salcedo market! So happy to see them in Legazpi), pica-pica, native products, etc.

I wish I have taken more photos but I was just distracted with the smell and the foods around me. Lol. Went there again this morning, it's just the perfect way to start the Sunday before heading off to church! :-))

Soon is now, Pau!

me (jokingly): maf, your face made it to my blog! It'shard to penetrate my blog!

blah blah blah (chit chats I cant remember)

pau: hopefully soon, mine would too!

Well pau, soon is now! LMAO

Tara na sa Cagayan!

When people ask me what to see in Cagayan, I'm usually stumped. I don't know any tourist spots in Cagayan worth recommending. I've been to a couple of beaches there in Sta. Ana, a friend even has a resort in Claveria which we renamed as ANC's (Anna nac Cagayan, a college org) resort house, and of course there's the Callao Caves but none that is worth 10 hours of butt-aching travel. I never invited any friends (from manila) to visit our province maybe because the first thing that comes to mind are the thousands of tryc in Tuguegarao. And there's really nothing to see in Tugue as it is pretty much a (small) city sans SM and the bars close at midnight. Lol

Then comes this show/ video featuring Aguib & Palaui beaches and other sites there. Gawd! I'm so amazed. Can't believe I just live 3 hours away from this paradise!! This will definitely be in my vacay list next summer. Oh I could just imagine the sun, sand and sea. Please take me there...NOW NA!



*do watch the vid and maybe you'll be inspired to visit Cagayan! :-))

1+1= Spoof!

What are the two hottest things in Pinas right now? New moon and Pacquiao! Expect nothing less from Pinoy but to make fun out of it! Saw these photos from Facebook, so I cant give proper credit to the makers. To whoever you are: Clap clap clap!




There's also an edited-FHM-cover of Aling Dionsia but I can't bear to post it. I'm cringing to the core! Lol

When it rains, it pours

Disclaimer: This entry is about relationships and break-ups so I probably will cite from personal experience. I know its been months, and you're rolling your eyes thinking why am I still ranting about it and you're sick and tired of reading 'bout my emotional weather reports. If you are, well you can't really do anything about it, can you? Its my site I can do whatever the hell I want with it. Yoy may, afterall, opt to leave my site. If you choose to read on, then thank you! Lol. :-))

When it rains, it pours. Apparently, that adage also holds true for break ups. In the past two weeks, I've heard four friends who just broke up with their boyfriends or who are in an almost dying relationship. And they've again proven me that the girl holds the steering wheel in a relationship. The boy may cheat over and over, he may be a total jerk, a scrub and the worst guy you'll ever encounter but if the girl is determined to make a relationship work, the relationship WILL work. And a relationship will end if the girl wants it to end.

I have stopped giving advices with relationship problems because truth is no one ever really listens to pieces of advice given by others. Most often than not we pretty much have an idea onwhat to do, we're just afraid to jump in. Afraid of the consequences. Afraid to be alone. Afraid to be mistaken. A friend asked me how I mustered enough courage to leave THE relationship when everyone knows I've built my life around this relationship. I guess I just came to a point when I realized that I shouldn't work so hard for love. That it's time to admit that a story is over. And that it's time to give up.

So for any one out there who may be in the same boat as I was 10 months ago, I want to share a song I kept listening to before I closed the door.

*Buffering will take some time and the vid is not so good you might not appreciate it so better download the song! Its Givin' up on You by Lara Fabian. Download her other songs also, she's one of my fave! :-))

A rare case

There was a time when I was a Twilight fanatic. And was so crazed when I got tickets for the premiere night. Man, I was all about Edward & Bella. Then I read New Moon, and I wanted to kill myself while reading it. It was one of the worst book I've read. Ever. (Sorry Twilight Saga fans). You would think I'd stop reading the whole series, eh? But no, I still read Eclipse. Its the most dragging book ever. I continued just for the sake of finishing, although I skipped a lot of the pages because the story was going in circles. SM redeemed herself though with the fourth book, it was a BIT better than the other two. Not best, but good enough. Anyways, what I was really gonna say is about the upcoming movie, New Moon. I wasn't really keen on watching it (although I'm pretty sure I'm going to watch anyway for the heck of it. Lol). Until I saw this trailer. This is the best of the three trailers. And I'm also excited in seeing Dakota Fanning, its been a while since I last saw her in the big screen. Am a big fan. So maybe this will be one of those rare cases when the movie adaptation is better than the book. Coz if not, then the movie would suck big time. Except for Twilight Saga uber fanatics, of course.

A reblog

I'm reblogging this not because I'm Ms. Bitterness but because I find it really funny. Swear! And this shouldn't be accounted on me because I'm just reblogging this, I never said any of these. (Although I want to. Tee-hee) Besides, I was still living the "pretend world of couplehood" when this top ten was aired. Lol. Enjoy!

RX TMR's Top Ten Things to Say To a Loved One Who Cheats
from Strange Fruit

January 30, 2009 → The Top Ten Things To Say To A Loved One Who Cheats

1. Undoy – “To SYPHILISLANDIA with you, you horny bitch!”
2. Mr. Perk – “Okay, quits na tayo.”
3. No name – “It’s sad that you cheated on me, but what’s sadder is that I still love you as if it never happened.”
4. Starbuko – “If you’re going to cheat, sana man lang level up, not level down!”
5. Mr. Perk – “Of all the lies that you’ve told me, “I love you” is my favorite.”
6. YñaKì – “Nangangati ka lang pala, pinakamot mo pa sa iba!”
7. Cheyenne – “Ha! Read our pre-nup, LOSER!”
8. Oscar dela Hopia – “Sorry is not synonymous with I won’t do it again.”
9. Umerz – “Sa pangit niyang yan? Go. Sure ako, true love yan!”
10. Geyp – “You’re like baboy na nag-swim sa mud. You’re like, ew.”
11. Neil – “You lose. I’ll find someone I’ll love as much as I loved you. But you’ll never find someone who’ll love you the way I did.”
12. Toytuner27 – “You cheated on your husband to be with me. So I expect nothing less from you.”
13. Eien17 – “If love is a game, I demand a rematch!”
14. Pasturyo – “Ang pagmamahal ko sa y0 ay parang talaba…patay na, nakakapit pa!”
15. Espeks – “sabagay ganito yata talagaTama ang sabi nila…pag madaling nakuha, madaling agawin.”
16. Loipogi – “I understand. Sa bagay, I’m sure nakakasawa din ang guwapo, kaya tumikim ka naman ng pangit.”
17. Mama K – “Diba sabi mo noon mamamatay ka pag nawala ako? Puwes, simula mo na!”
18. Lee Marvin – “Hon, may naghahanap sa yo. Karma daw?”
19. C.VanillaBen – “Ano, nawala ba naman ang kati?”
20. Andi – “If you can’t be faithful, I hope you were careful.”
21. Cheryl – “Sabi ni Andrew E. humanap ng pangit at iibigin kang tunay? Eh bakit ikaw?”
22. Dru – “Hell hath no fury like a diva scorned.”
23. SC – “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
24. Doc Cameron – “A perfect match: a dog and his bitch.”

Where have I been eating?

My officemates and I have been meaning to try out the Cookbook Kitchen earlier this year pa but for whatever reason we never did. Finally though, we were able to eat there last Wednesday. It's in one of the inside streets of Mandaluyong so you have to be familiar with the place otherwise you'll get lost. We actually consulted the map before heading out but we still got lost because we missed the street (Socorro St.) where were supposed to turn right and Luna Mencias is a one way street! (So keep that in mind should you plan to go there.) We didn't mind going around again because we know we're in for a treat! And boy, were we right!

The place wasn't at all intimidating. You might mistake it even for a tuto-turo from the outside. It's one of those house turned into a dining place. But don't let the looks of the resto fool you because they serve one of the best foods I've tasted. There were three of us but since their foods are good for two, we ordered two of their best seller dishes-- the Parmesan Crusted White Fish and the CBK Chicken.

Parmesan Crusted White Fish

CBK Chicken

Don't they look just yummy! (It tastes better than it looks because we're not so good with taking photos. Lol.) The parmesan cheese blends well with the fish. It's very succulent and light. Just a few bites and I felt full because of the richness of the taste. The CBK chicken is just as delectable. It has cheese, ham and basil stuffing with Italian pesto. I know I can't go back to eating ordinary chicken breasts after tasting it. Lol. I also I knew I was full yet I can't stop myself from eating more because I know I'll regret it. It didn't end there, though. What better way to end a sumptuous meal but with an opulent dessert. We ordered the strawberry shortcake which is huge enough for three but Mafi wanted to have cake. She ordered for their bestseller cake, the Kitten's scarlet cake, unfortunately they ran our of it so she opted from the Helen's moist chocolate cake.

Helen's Moist Chocolate Cake

Strawberry Shortcake

Perfect! If you're wondering about the prices, its relatively cheap. We each spent Php300. So worth it unlike one of those commercialized and overpriced resto you find in the mall.

Cookbook Kitchen is definitely going in my list of heaven-on-earth-restaurants.

Maf and I just can't get enough of this. Desi taking the pic