JA.nelle

I Wed Ding

2006-06-24T03:02:00.001+08:00

I love weddings. But it's such a paradoxical thing to even associate weddings to me. Me and a wedding? Nah...

I attended one relative's wedding held at Calaruega. Nice choice of "church." I was told that the Transfiguration Chapel there is fully-booked all-year round for nuptials. I kept on thinking if the bride and groom just want to ride the hype for the famous wedding venue. But we were told later on by the maid of honor that Calaruega was a special place for the bride, who by the way studied HRM in UST, because they had a retreat in Calaruega when they were in fourth year college. She vowed to get married there. And so, there they were...

Anyway, it was funny how the bride's father (my father's nephew, they're almost the same age... uhuh, go figure! We're a huge and complex family!), was really not that smiling. He was crying when he "gave away" his daughter on the altar. He was half-smiling during the photo shoots. He gave a "best wishes and God bless" - only speech. He invited my father to a drinking session later at their house. He was, obviously, unhappy.

It wasn't hard to see why actually. The bride, his eldest daughter (out of four children), is pregnant. I'm not dumb to put two and two. She is just 23 or 24... very young to get married especially when she's at the peak of her career in a cruise ship (where she and her husband met). And because she's pregnant, she has to tie the knot. Fast! Although harried and all, the couple seems to be so in love. And that is all that matters right?

I wouldn't even try refuting that claim for the fear of being branded as a leftist (when it comes to love) again. But when we bid adieu to the girl's parents, the mother laughed and wondered why my younger sister and I didn't join the bouquet-throwing ceremony. She teased my dad for not letting us join it, maybe for the fear of seeing us catch the bouquet and be the next one to tie the knot. To which my father replied, "Hindi pa pwede!," with much conviction. And I could almost hear myself saying, "Don't worry about it, pa. It won't happen to me." (Uhuh... Insert rebuttals here...)

I Wed Ding

2006-06-24T03:02:00.000+08:00

Lo Ve Su Mm Er!

2006-04-21T21:23:00.000+08:00

I don't know how to swim. And I feel stupid. Not because I don't know how but inside this hard head of mine, I know I should be one of those people really skillful when it comes to swimming... for the plain reason that I live a mere kilometer (or less) from the beach.

Yup... and hindi rin ako mahilig magpunta sa beach and I hate summers... NOON. But due to the lack of vacation time (uhuh, work!), I now appreciate the sea, the sand, and the sun. I feel so lucky to have a province I can just go home to when I'm stressed out and in dire need of relaxation and peace of mind.

So last holy week, I went home to La Union (with my family, of course!). I was ready to shout "I LOVE SUMMER!" the moment I stepped out of our car and into my (beloved! haha!) hometown's ground. Everything just spelled V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

But of course, how can we forget that it was, more than ever, a moment to reflect and ask for forgiveness.

Last Maundy Thursday, our house became the second stop to the Way of the Cross. And after the prayers, my sister and I joined the Stations of the Cross procession with our grandma and cousin Samantha. We thought we'll just walk from house to house in our barangay. Little did we know that we're supposed to walk through 4 barangays until we reach our church (which was about 3-4 kilometers away from us!). It was a barrio walkthrough. And though it was tiring, the journey was my sacrifice and it took me back to my roots. Now I know why I'll never give up the rural life. I love the simplicity of it all.

And then on Black Saturday, we went to the beach. At akala ko, walang tao since I couldn't hear them passing by our house. Yun pala, everyone was already there! (Some even went at 12 midnight!) It was a different (and weird) landscape from the last time I saw it (which I can't really remember when). The water was moving away from the 'shore' and the movement left a small 'river'. So before we reached the "real" sea, we crossed this little "pond" of leftover sea water. It was like 'tobacco field - sand - water - sand - sea' thing. And it was lovely.

We went again on the afternoon of Easter Sunday (really relishing every minute of the no-work days!) And it was a whole family affair since my parents and two brothers were there with us. We also took our two labradors - Simba and Nala (blame the names to my Lion King fanatic cousin!) - with us. Halfway through, Simba was already huffing and puffing. Sa sobrang pagod niya, lawit na buong dila! Haha! And I'm actually fearing that this dog might suffer heart attack from the shock of walking a long distance for the first time! Anyway, Simba was already afraid of the water. Nala was more "water-friendly."

Ngayon ko lang na-realize that I'm so lucky to have nature so close to me. Habang ang beach eh nasa panaginip lang ng ibang tao, ako, nasa tabi ko lang.

LOVE SUMMER? I DO NOW.

Ha te Re Un Io Ns?

2006-04-02T13:44:00.000+08:00

I hate reunions. Or so I thought.

Feeling ko kasi, puro pataasan lang ng ere ang nangyayari sa mga reunions. Yung tipong sino ka na nga ba ngayon? Ano na nga ba ang narating mo pagkatapos mong grumaduate ng high school? Either matutuwa or malulungkot ka lang naman sa sagot mo eh.

But reunions are inevitable. Mangyayari at mangyayari yan whether we like it or not. May makakaisip na magkita-kita muli over food and chit chat. And so it was no surprise that our high school valedictorian thought of that five years later. I wasn't a killjoy kaya naman, okay lang. Come what may. I'll see whoever I'll see. I'll hear whatever I'll hear. And I'll say whatever I want to say.

After invitations sent via email and text... and some rather subtle planning and all... akala ko okay na, but two days before the set reunion day, kinancel ng pasimuno ang lecheng reunion na yan. And heck, she didn't even bother to tell us earlier di ba so that naagapan ang pagkalat ng maling balita. But anyway, sanay na kami. (Although syempre, sana may nagbago naman after five years di ba?! Hanggang ngayon ba naman, may iwanan pa rin?! Hmpf!)

Anyway, we can't possibly just cancel everything and tell everyone na hindi na tuloy. Considering the fact that na hindi naman namin alam kung sino ang pupunta. So itinuloy na lang namin. COME WHAT MAY. BAHALA NA!!!

And eto na nga ang outcome:

1. Jaja and Camille: Ang mga sumalo sa kapalpakan ng iba. That morning of the reunion day, Camille was having 'problems' of her own, and I was going to baguio. Clueless kami kung paano itutuloy ang reunion. Pero, go na lang ng go. Ituloy na lang kahit na anong maging kahihinatnan. Hahaha! 2. It was midnight at kami na lang ang natira. Out of... ilan ba ang pumunta? Sorry, late ako kaya hindi ko alam eh. Hahaha! That's Loren, Jefferson, Heherson, moi, Mae, Cheryll, Tomas, and Thyme. 3. Sila ba?! Haha! Paul and Danver goofing around. As always. 4. With Son... ang sumalo ng venue. Mabuti na lang, nakita nya kami ni Mae nung time na naghahanap kami ng venue. We guess, he was really supposed to be at the right place at the right time. 5. The early batch. Michelle, Cecille, Raymond, Dennis, and Ivy. See the differences? Hmn... 5. Cath, mainggit ka!!! Haha! Joke lang. Mae and I with Julius... one of the members of CKC Elem BAtch 1997.

Thanks for coming, pipz!

Siguro nga, hindi naging perfect ang reunion na yon... but then, who cares? As long as we had fun. And we didn't spend the time asking the dreaded 'What happened to you?' question.

What's important is that on that fateful day of December, 2005... we came home... at last.

Pic Tu Re SaF Ter

2006-03-31T23:06:00.000+08:00

Nahanap ko na ang aking Blueetooth dongle! At eto na ang mga pics namin... Yihee!

1. The Early Birds. Akala ko, ako na ang pinaka-late sa aming tatlo nina Pao at Candice. Pero, ako pa rin ang unang dumating sa RP. Mga pasaway! Anyway, Pao arrived in his pink polo (which was screaming, 'bading ako!!!' haha!) Anyway, here we are sa Round Eyeglass in Malate, waiting for Candice (as usual). TRIVIA: Crush ni Pao yung naka-bonnet sa likod ko! Eherm! 2. Inuman Sessions. Yeah right. Di pwedeng San Mig Light yung drinks eh. Colt 45 lang daw. (as if naman may magbabago kung San Mig Light nga ang isinerve sa amin... wala, di rin ubos yon!) 3. After the gig, emote kami sa Baywalk. Hmn, okay naman kaya lang, sana sariwa ang hangin. Hmpf! 4. Candice in Emote Mode. Wala eh, can't over talaga. Kaya si Candice, nakabuo ng analysis. Coward men don't deserve her. Whoah! Atta, girl!

Another round of coffee conversations. This time, with Anj, who was gone for a while. Anyway, we were doing something for a friend that's why we bonded on a Sunday... just after the Saturday I first tasted Colt 45, Pao 'fell in love' with a band member, and Candice suffered her first 'heartbreak'. Ehem! Haha! At dahil wala na kaming pera (pakshet naman kc, layo pa ng sweldo day!)... si manong balls at Mini Stop na lang ang tambayan namin after.

Fi Gar On Igh Ts

2006-03-27T00:09:00.000+08:00

It didn't really start as Figaro nights... but it ended up as such. As always.

I had the opportunity to watch Candice's brother's band (named 'Pepe's Meat Band'... i know!) last Saturday. Hmn, okay naman yung songs nila. Although I really think, I will never ever blend in with the crowd at the Round Eyeglass Kape in Malate. Damit pa lang, day! (Right Paolo?) Kung sila black kung black, pastel kung pastel naman kami ni Pao! (me in light green, Pao in pink!) And of course, I don't drink. Although I took a sip from my bottle of Colt 45. (Walang lasa!)

And then, we're off to the busy streets of Malate. (Hindi para rumampa. We were looking for something else to do and somewhere else to go to.) Dyos ko, puro mga bading! Kung hindi man, bi. (Pero para sa akin, pareho pa rin yon.) Yung iba, wala, weirdos lang talaga. Not really my kind of crowd. I'm sure, hindi rin nila ako feel.

Anyway, nag'trek' kami papuntang Figaro Baywalk. The funny thing about that is lumabas kami sa street na medyo may kalayuan sa Ped Xing so ang lola Paolo namin was trying to coax us in just crossing right we were (kung saan may island at may sign na 'Bawal Tumawid' sa kahabaan ng Roxas Boulevard! Kung hindi ba naman baliw ang Paolo na ito. Depressed ka pa rin ba, day?!). So the prim and proper moi and Candice said no. Etong Paolo na 'to proceeded in walking at the middle. Nung hindi kami sumunod, nagpapadyak (bakla style) sa gitna ng kalsada! (Too bad, the cars were far away pa. Hehe!)

So off we go to Figaro. We chose seats overlooking the bay. And we talked and talked and talked... until the wee hours of the morning. Hindi ko na sasabihin pa kung ano ang pinag-usapan namin pero may mga linya sina Pao at Candice.
PAO: Hay nako, ang gulo talaga ng isip ng mga lalake. Mabuti na lang bakla ako!
CANDICE: Hindi naman ako yung nag let go.
Nako, anong mga issues itoh?! Haha!

Aside from that, close to nature na naman ako (well, sort of). Naalala ko ulit na gusto ko ng magbakasyon. Sigh.

Some observations sa kalaliman ng gabi sa Manila bay. (Mababaw lang mga 'tong mga 'to dahil ayaw kong mag-reflect at magmuni-muni. Although I was hoping na sana makakita ng falling star... syempre wala. Kasi minsan lang ako makakita ng star sa Maynila. Yung shooting star pa kaya!) Three seconds ang pagitan ng pag-ilaw ng lighthouse (the red one). Tapos, sa kalayuan din (kasi nga madilim, nakikita pa rin), may isa pang lighthouse which emits a red faint glow na five seconds naman oras. And then, there were two large 'boats' in the middle. Yung isa, I know, belongs to a school. The other, I dunno. Tapos, there were two moving lights from afar. Ewan kung ano. Mabilis eh so imposibleng ship or boat. (Hindi ko sinasabing UFO sila. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung ano. Haha!)

Hindi ko na matandaan kung anong oras ako nakauwi. basta ang alam ko, tulog agad ako paghiga ko sa kama.

BTW. Eto gusto ko lang sabihin dahil hindi ako makapaniwala eh. NAGTEXT SI KEL!!! Meaning, nagparamdam ang lolo Kel! Finally. After centuries of waiting. Hehe! Sa sobrang tagal na, himala na ang makita ko ang pangalan ni Kel sa inbox ko. Miss ka na namin oi!

>> PICS LATER (Habang hinahanap ko pa yung bluetooth dongle!) <<

SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Dahil sa isang importanteng bagay, may meeting uli ang coffee friends. This time, ang Figaro na tambayan namin talaga. Greenbelt.

As usual, kaming tatlo ulet nina Candice at Pao... this time with the original coffee queen na si Anj.

Kuwento... kuwento... kuwento...
(Si Candice, heartbroken pa rin. Can't get over the event last night. Kaya naman medyo mataray ang lola mo. Haha! Si Paolo naman, natipuhan si Figaro waiter, Oh well, what's new?! Haha!)

And then, lakad kami sa Ayala Avenue to look for manong squidballs. And then, Mini Stop.

Wala, hindi rin namin nagawa ang original na plano naming gagawin. Oh well, there's always
next time.

'Next time' means this coming Tuesday. Haha!

>> PICS LATER ulet (Hinahanap ko pa rin ang nawawalang bluetooth! Kaasar!) <<

Ch Illax

2006-02-18T12:24:00.000+08:00

After a heavy work week, I found time to chillax with my good friends Pao, Candice, Anj, and Ramil one Friday night (when I almost screamed 'Thank God It's Friday!!!). It's something I'm really looking forward because we didn't go out on Valentine's. (It's a ritual, by the way, na kami-kami ang lumalabas tuwing Valentine's.)

1. GROUP PIC!!! After weeks and weeks, we're hanging out together again. Haha! Still, may mga absent pa rin. Kel and Ivee, next time hindi na pwedeng umabsent! May multa na! ;) 2. THE GIRLS 3. with Paolo, who was waiting for his 'asawa'. It's supposed to be 'meet-my-bf' night eh. 3. Si Candice na ngarag. Problemado sa mga katotohanan ng pagiging isang dyaryonalista. Hehe! 4. Kung nakakapagbloom talaga ang love, si Anj ang good example nito. Ang saya nga sigurong ma-in love! Yihee! ;)

Ba Rga InH Unt

2006-02-18T11:38:00.000+08:00

Conquering Divisoria with my shopping buddies, my mother and sister. (Not in picture are my father and older sister) What perfect day to visit 168 Shopping Mall but Sunday. Contrary to other stores in Divisoria which are closed on weekends, stalls inside the 169 mall are open. Good grief! There's lesser traffic when it's Sunday at Divisoria. Lesser people too.

So, armed with... er, just cash, I went to 168 Mall and bought to my heart's content. Some of you, rich kids (and not-so-rich ones pretending to be allergic at erm, dirty places) outthere maybe wondering what in the world is there at 168 Mall that it's fast gaining popularity (more than you do). Well, simple. Nice finds at discounted prices. Okay, so some of them are not really of good quality but who cares? People change everything every once in a while. And some of them are actually the same stuff you find inside the bigger malls and department stores. So why waste good (hard-earned) money?

SHOE SO MURA: 1. I want one of these open-toed shoes but sad to say, I'm only asking for money from my mother so I didn't buy one of these. I settled for a Chinese sandal instead at P150.00. Next time, I'll be sure to grab this metallic pair! 2. I'm not sure what the inspiration was for these cute sandals / slippers. Is it ethnic? Indian? Whatever, these pairs will definitely make your feet sparkle. Those colorful studs will bring glam to the most boring outfit you have in your closet. They go for PhP250.00 a pair. A little haggling skill will make these slip-ons yours for PhP50-PhP30 less. 3. MIX STAR!!! I love this slipper. Super comfortable sa paa. You can't go wrong with these ones. I was eyeing the white ones pero wala ng size ko (damn these feet! kidding!). So, I settled with just staring at these colorful pairs. Just wishing that someday, my size will come! Haha! 4. These slip-ons are on sale for PhP200.00 a pair. They were 'in' two to three years ago. But still, you can wear these on your ordinary 'lakad' moments.

ETC. ETC. 1. Keychains! I know they're so ordinary yet, just look at these adorable dahlins! You can buy your initials or some cute cartoon character like Pooh and Minnie Mouse for PhP20-35.00 only. C'mon! You know you can't say no to your inner child! 2. Slimming lotions, placenta, slimming capsules, hair wax, shampoo... you name it, they have it! They offer Hongkong / Thailand brands. Some of them, you can't even read but just by the very catchy pictures and labels, you can't go wrong. Although you better check if they're the original ones. Do you think Watson's will offer these products soon? Hmm... 3. Wallets and purses! Too bad, I don't have much to put inside so I just walked past them. Sigh! 4. Decorative items for your desk. There are colorful 'stained glass' effect pen holders, genie in a bottle-inspired lamps, oriental cups, and some weird looking desktop thingamajigs. 5. They have what you need. School supplies, beauty supplies, hardware... just about everything! I love this place!

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? 1. Spandex tees! There was a time I was obsessed with these shirts. I have every color of these. You can wear and pair these with just about anything in your wardrobe. And for 2 pieces at PhP150.00, you can have them in all colors! 2. Caps, and more caps. There's also this 'Muslim' inspired caps. 3. Bath towels, hand towels, face towels... TOWELS!!! 4. Blouses from Thailand and Hongkong... cute and artsy for just PhP150.00.

ACCESSORIZE IT! 1. Bring on the bling! You'll find every kind of jewelry here. The silver ones are the most popular although the bohemian earrings haven't lost their glitter yet. 2. For BAGaholics like me, this is heaven! But avoid buying the 'labeled' bags. Although the designs are cute, you wouldn't want using 'Pucci' or 'Diore' bags on the street. They look really uh, cheap. Settle for the good-looking metallic and 'leather' bags. They're stylish - minus the fake labels. 3. Where's the sun? Sport these sunglasses. 4. More and more bags...

SHOP AND BE FULL 1. Try Reyes Barbecue! Eventhough it's not offering Chinese food, it has the best barbecue in town! Their liempo and squid are the best! Yum! 2.Bibingka all year round. At PhP60.00, this bibingka is creamy. It has red egg and coconut shavings to boot! 3. Assorted candies and junk food. 4. Noodles in green, red, and blue wrappers. (That's different flavors but I can't read the labels. They're in Mandarin! Although the picture features prawns, beef etc... I just don't know the dish. Hehe!) 5. Don't ever forget to eat at the food court (third floor). If you're not so comfortable eating 'other' dishes than what your tastebuds are used to... there's always Jollibee. 6.Time for dessert! At PhP10.00 a scoop, you can't go wrong with Milko.

Bir ThD AyB Ash

2006-01-27T23:33:00.000+08:00

My brother celebrated his twenty-uh, twenty-third birthday last January 8, 2006. (I know, my blog post is kindda late already...na naman!) And being the friendly-friendly guy that he is, he has lots of friends from all over La Union who flocked to our house and drank and ate to their heart's content.

Meanwhile, we (meaning my parents and sisters) have to travel another 5 hours just to make it to his birthday celebration. Not that I'm complaining coz I also wanted to go anyway (or else, I'll be left at the house with my youngest bro who, again for the nth time, refused to go).

There was a videoke... which kept on breaking down (because of our voices?!). Hahaha! And of course, beer and pulutan. No need to mention what the food was. Basta, FOOD!!!

Anyway, here's some pics but it's all us. It's taken by my camera phone so no zooming in and out for the meantime. The film used... uh, not yet developed, I think.

1. Some pre-beer moments before my bro's barkada takes the "stage" away. 2. Who's missing?! May I just remind you again that we are five children in the family. But my youngest bro... he stayed in Manila. Nothing unusual there. 3. Tres Marias again! We usually (always) have this kind of pics. The three of us smiling and everything and somebody looking will ask who among us is the fairest. No comment. 4.This one, wala na lang talaga kaming magawa! 5. Kindda blurred, I know. Papa's singing to his heart content. Hindi nya nagagawa sa Saudi yan (ows?! haha!).

Pass IonI Npa Ges

2006-01-27T23:25:00.000+08:00

This one is a late post. But I just remembered to paste this one coz two of my closest pals in HIP has bid goodbye to the office.

These were taken during the Christmas Party of Hinge Inquirer Publications last December 21, 2005.

1. Lyna and I with our close-up smiles. Hay, mamimiss ko ang kakulitan ng pretty girl na ito. (Bruha, isama mo ako sa Dubai!!!) 2. Some Hollywood stars in town: Ms. D, Super Girl (Aiza), Emily (Mitch), Mean Girl (moi), Julia Roberts in America's Sweethearts (Eva) 3.The Sorority Sisters: Jamie, Lyna, Jaja, and Arlene (Lynzkie and Arlene, we'll miss you! Good luck on your new careers!) 4. The Editorial People 5. The HIP Family 6. Hindi ako sumasayaw. Swear! (My Humps, my humps, my humps, my humps!)

Pam Ili A

2006-01-27T23:15:00.000+08:00

This is one rare picture. Two years after, we have a family picture again. COMPLETE!

Tha Nks Giv Ing

2006-01-09T00:30:00.000+08:00

After the new year, we went to Manaoag for our thanksgiving moments. (I don't have any pics during this time coz aside from the fact that we're not supposed to take pictures inside the church eh we didn't do our usual (meaning the times we went here in the past) routine: hear mass, line up to wipe the statue of our Lady of Manaoag with our hankies, go to the souvenir shop, and buy some native food (puto, kutsinta, espasol). We just prayed.

There are so many things that I am thankful for. Actually, the life I lived and the life I'm living now, yun na yon! I'm thankful for everyone and everything in my life. Kung imemention ko pa isa-isa, kulang na ang space na ito.

We also went to Silverio's to eat (late) lunch. At dahil hindi ako masyadong nagagwi sa bahaging ito ng Pangasinan eh ignorante ako kung bakit itong restaurant na ito ang agad na pumasok sa isip nila (my uncle, aunt, lola and ate) when we ask kung saan maglulunch. Eh kasi naman pala, this is one of the best (if not the best) seafood restaurants in Pangasinan. O say mo! With matching band playing pa kahit na 2:00 na ng hapon. Nasa may tabi pa ng palaisdaan so feel na feel ang pagkain ng seafood. Parang fresh catch lahat.

Basta ako, enjoy sa crabs! (Did I fail to mention na seafood ang pinakapaborito kong food sa balat ng lupa {at tubig} at ang crab... ang nangingibabaw sa lahat!) So kahit messy sya kainin, walang pakialaman! Hahaha!

1. View from Silverios' veranda 2. Habang naghihintay ng food (na ten years bago dumating) eh may I pa-picture sa railing. Yung seafood kasi eh hinuhuli pa! Echos! 3. My father dearest 4. Mga masisiba kumain! (picturaran effect habang ang mga oldies ang sumasagot ng bill. Hehe!) 5. Ay mga pa-cute pa rin kahit gutom na!

Ne Wy Ea R

2006-01-09T00:15:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
(although late na ang aking greeting dito sa blog ko.)

Anyway, gaya nga ng sinabi ko, hopeless case ako pagdating sa mga new tear's resolutions so I won't bother to make my list.

Safe kami magpaputok ng mga firecrackers. Iniwasan na ng aking family yung mga delikadong paputok eh so hanggang lucis, piccolo, fouintains, at roman candles na lang kami. Basta yung maiingay, kina Kuya Jong na yon. I don't know what's the thing he was holding called eh. Para siyang makeshift bamboo na mas malapad at mas malaki yung hole tapos parang canon ang effect. Basta ganon. Yun na yun. Haha!

Anyway, wala, hindi pa rin kami nakaligtas sa mga badly made firecrackers. The roman candle, which spewed out colored balls, went awry. Bumalik ba naman yung flare, instead of flying away from us. Nasugatan tuloy si papa sa palad nya (and he will be driving us to Manila the following day!).

Other than that, wala naman nang nangyari pang iba. Sam was crying kasi takot siya sa mga paputok. Parang kami nung mga bata pa. (Don't mention this to anyone pero never pa akong nagsindi ng five star or any of that kind of firecracker. Sa watusi nga lang, takot na ako eh! Hanggang pop pop lang ako! Shhh... tayo-tayo lang nakakalam nyan ha! Hehe!)

Here's some of our pics during our own ceremony of opening 2006:

1. A fountain of lights... na hindi masyadong halata kasi medyo hindi maganda sa gabi yung camera ng phone ko. Basta fountain yan. Promise! 2. Ang kukulit! That's my bros goofing around. 3. Bilao Galore! Inspired by what we ate sa Kubong sawali in SM BAguio , we prepared our own version of their combo sa bilao. Pero syempre, mas marami yung samin. There's barbecue, calamares, fried porkchop, nilasing na hipon, tahong, deep-fried bituka ng baboy, sauces, seaweed and cucumbers. Kakagutom noh?! 4. Oily ang kinain, oily na rin ang mga kumain. Not to mention, inaantok na. 5. Ay mukhang ewan si Marvin. (But we were the ones who suggested that he do that pose with the remaining lucis sticks... haha!)

Bag Uio Ina Day

2006-01-09T00:01:00.000+08:00

There's no doubt. We couldn't pass up Baguio. Not this yuletide season. Just thinking of all those sweet and sour pasalubongs... Baguio, no doubt, is the country's summer (and Christmas) capital. I mean, who loves the sun in a cool, wintry ambiance?! And, all those choco flakes, choco mallows, choco crinkles, chocolates... ok, stop me here. I'm sure you're getting diabetic by just reading the word CHOCOLATES.

For all those who still don't know (and I wonder why), Baguio is not known just for its strawberries (strawberry jam, strawberry wine, strawberry preserve included), peanut brittle, and sundot kulangot (you've got to know these!) anymore. There are a lot of pasalubong (take note: edible) that have sprouted in Baguio's famous market and souvenir stalls.

You're under some kind of a rock when you haven't tasted Mikasan's choco flakes (the best brand) or the chewy crinkles (used to hate crinkles... but this kind, they're the ones I only eat) or a new strawberry product... strawberry jelly (just the right sweetness).

Anyway, here's our Baguio visit (as if we haven't gone there for the nth time!)...

1. Just look at that road... foggy and chilly still even though Christmas has gone (sorry, my cam phone really didn't get the FOG that was all over the road 2. Backseat pa-cute... with bro Marvin and sis Len. We didn't have anything to do! 3. In Kubong Sawali (hope got that name right) in SM Baguio, where we load up on calamares, grilled meat, and seafood. Yum! 4. After all the shopping, we stopped by Fiorgelato (my idea of course!). Can't pass up on ice cream in Baguio! (weird me!) ... but then I ordered mochaccino instead (coz they ordered banana split already)!

Cra ZyW Eek Ends

2006-01-04T00:13:00.000+08:00

Just had two crazy weekends. And I can't seem to grasp the intensity of what happened during the holiday season (whirlwind itoh!). We celebrated Christmas and New Year in La Union. Just imagine three days of vacation, mostly spent on travelling alone. Almost 4 (in our case, since papa was driving like he was driving in KSA) hours of travel to our province (papunta pa lang yon!) and another 4 (or five or six... depends on the driver) hours going back in time for office days.

Imagine my shock when my sister and I braved the December 29 crowd at the bus station. The line was so long it was already swirling through the entire Partas Pasay terminal. And thank god, we didn't bring so many things (oh well, as if we need to bring lots anyway). I was already staring at disbelief with all those people carrying two or more bags and even guarding boxes and boxes of i-don't-know whats (lucky relatives in the provinces!). I was only carrying one backpack (sigh of relief in here!) And while I was waiting for our tickets, I took some photos...

1. Waiting...waiting... waiting... 2. OMG! line of passengers leading to the counter. Believe it or not, we arrived at the station at 9pm but we waited for hours and hours (I was losing my patience, I was ready to head back home in Makati!) 3. FINALLY!!! After almost 7 (freaking SEVEN hours!!!), we finally got our tickets. I boarded the bus ahead of the others and when the engine started, I doze off to sleep!

Int Rod Uct Ions

2006-01-02T11:56:00.000+08:00

After every other blog site I've tried and signed up on, I decided to start a new one with blogger.com. This will be some kind of a photo blog chronicling (hayop sa word) my life. Well, not really. Yung mga gusto ko lang i-share. (Ano ba, pa-mysterious effect pa rin ako eh.) And there will be some pics to show you that I'm telling the truth (not that I have plans not to tell the truth anyway!)

NEW YEAR, 2006
After the fireworks gave their best performance and the fountains hissed their last agonizing cries, I welcome 2006!!! The year of the Fire Dog. It officially starts on January 29, 2006. (For those who'll ask why not January 01?! Heller, Chinese calendar kaya!)

Got this from a website (paranormality.com):
The year of the Dog: is a year for reflection and to assess ones values. There will be disturbances, revolts, but as the Dog is always on the lookout, honesty will always rule the day. This year will see great benevolent and idealistic deeds and various unusual changes; a time when broadmindedness and fairness will be supported. Although this year is one of great cynicism a sense of balance and tranquility will be upheld.

I am born on the year of the RAT, and according to the site, the dog is in harmony with the rat (that's probably because they're both plotting against the cat... wink*, wink*). So I'll probably go with the flow or whatever this year.

Anyway, kahit na year of reflection and assessment of values pa ito, there will be no resolutions for me this year coz the past five years have been mute witnesses to my inability to abide by my lists. (eat less, work more, be nice, stop making sarcastic side comments, avoid chocs and desserts, go to the gym, organize things, keep in touch with least favorite friends, understand more, no to modd swings, blah, blah, blah...) Never mind what I can or can't keep. I'll just do my best (some kind of a gasgas line, I know!) And, I also don't know how to make predictions (lI'm leaving that to Madam Auring, or maybe not!).

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"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."