Wordsmith-not

Karmina's Sparkle Rock

2012-01-30T16:07:00.000+08:00

I accidentally came across the sister-duo Karmina when I watched a clip of Tony and Ziva on Youtube. The song used for the clip was Karmina's The Kiss, which I instantly loved. I, of course, searched for more of their songs and was very happy to discover their great music, which they're calling Sparkle Rock. I dunno what that is at the moment, but I like it.

They do remind me of Jennifer Paige (of the "Sober" and "Always You" fame), especially in the song Slow Down. Take a listen here.

But they also have great slow (and melancholy, IMHO) songs like Inside of You and Walk You Home.

Find out more about Karmina and their great music here:

One Book Down!

2012-01-28T09:48:00.000+08:00

I'm happy to say that I'm starting the year right by finishing another book from my list of To Read. Yesterday, I read the last pages of Heist Society by Ally Carter. It was light reading compared to the last 5 Matthew Reilly books I read the past month. And I think it was just the right genre (young adult) and right story (a little bit of suspense, funny, and romance) at the moment. For me, it was kind of like the teenage version of Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes - without the prison story arc, of course. And I absolutely looooooooooove If Tomorrow Comes. It's one of my favorite books and my copy actually has brown pages already (sad).

I'm thinking if I'm going to read Uncommon Criminals, the sequel to Heist Society, or Brad Meltzer's Inner Circle next. Toss coin?

Books to Read in 2012 - Partial List

2012-01-24T21:04:00.001+08:00

Last year, though I had less time to read books, I was able to peruse my way through at least 20. I used to read more than that, but then last year I traveled more and got busy being a mom and a career woman. This year, I'm planning to get back on track and finish at least 30 books. Well, if my list is anything to go by, it'll be a suspense-filled, action-packed year for me.

My Book List

Ice Station - Matthew Reilly - done
Area 7 - Matthew Reilly - done
Heist Society - Ally Carter - currently reading
Temple - Matthew Reilly
The Inner Circle - Brad Meltzer
Lost Temple - Tom Harper
The Lazarus Vault - Tom Harper
The Book of Secrets - Tom Harper
The Templar Legacy - Steve Berry (book 1 in the Cotton Malone series - planning to read all)
The Hunt for Atlantis - Andy McDermott (book 1 in the Nina Wilde series - again, planning to read all)
The Millionaires - Brad Meltzer
Artemis Fowl: The Atlantic Complex - Eoin Colfer
The Tapestry Series: The Fiend and the Forge - Henry H. Neff
Uncommon Criminals - Ally Carter
Witch and Wizard - James Patterson
With and Wizard: The Gift - James Patterson
Witch and Wizard: The Fire - James Patterson
City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
The Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare
The Confession - John Grisham
The Associate - John Grisham

Whew! That's a long list! But I have more than 11 months to go. This should be, uh, easy. =D

Arts and Crafts: Travel-inspired Votives

2012-01-22T09:30:00.001+08:00

If you're planning an intimate party with a few friends, and you want to spice it up with a simple theme, then this blog from Martha's Craft Department just might give you the boost you need. It's simple and it's relatively cheap! I love it, since I'm a wishful traveler myself. Maybe, it can even spark a travel adventure for you and your buddies.

Party in Paris

La Tour Effiel *sigh*

It's 2012!

2012-01-21T09:34:00.000+08:00

Yeah, and the first month of the year is almost over (how time flies!). I've been on a blog slump last year and you can tell as my last entry is half-a-year old. I don't know how many times I've tried to restart my blogging pursuit, but here I am starting - AGAIN. Maybe, I'm just not a blogger kind of person. Or maybe I just want to do a lot of things that I can't really fit into my days no matter how hard I try (could be I wasn't trying hard enough, or I'm a hopeless case in time management).

Anyhoo, I'm planning to at least post 2-3 short blogs of anything and everything a week. I'm starting slow, really slow. I think it's more realistic.

With that, I'm ending my first short post for the year with a "Kung Hei Fat Choi!" or "Gong Xi Fa Cai!"

Happy Chinese New Year! May we all have good luck this year of the water dragon.

Moleskine Luggage Tags

2011-07-27T22:02:00.000+08:00

It's really not a surprise that the traveler in me is lusting over these brightly colored Moleskine luggage tags even if I know I won't be able to put them on any of my travel luggage (no way!). They're way too chic! Plus, they look like mini-notebooks that every time I see them I just want to write something.

These 9.7 x 6 cm luggage tags come in black, green, blue, and pink. It is designed much like the Moleskine notebooks with the rounded corners and elastic closures. More info from here.

I love the green one the most, of course.

I Love: Shortbread Cookies!

2011-03-03T11:14:00.001+08:00

I remember buying a tub of shortbread cookies dipped in milk chocolate at Costco whenever I visit my relatives in California. For a time, I was also able to purchase the same shortbread cookies at a local membership warehouse S&R here in the Philippines. Sadly, I can't find them here anymore. =(

However, there are a few other stores where I can get my chocolate shortbread cookie fix. But sometimes, I'd like to be able to try other variations of this delicate biscuit, like this Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookie from Tiny Urban Kitchen.

Looks divine doesn't it?

Are You Red-y for Valentine's Day?

2011-02-12T08:43:00.000+08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I'm seeing red - literally. Red balloons, red banners, red posters, red shirts, and red stuffed toys. The commercialism of February 14 is at an all-time high, and I know next year it will be even more over the top.

While I'm not the type to celebrate this day, single or not, I'm all for the good things stores bring out just for this occasion.

All the budget airlines Cebupacific, Zestair, and Airphilexpress are offering discounted fares to all domestic destinations. Now, who wouldn't want a romantic (or not) getaway to some idyllic resort or province to celebrate, right?

Bo's Coffee has come out with a cake that's perfect for this Valentine's Day. Their Red Velvet Cake now comes in a mini heart-shaped version for only P150. Get it from your favorite Bo's Coffee branch until February 19.

Starbucks is offering a different kind of treat, a special e-card to your loved one that they can also use to claim their cup of java. Sadly, it's only available in the US.

Astoria Plaza, my family's favorite getaway in the city, presents its guests with an overnight stay that comes with a buffet breakfast for 2, a bottle of wine, and a relaxing massage.

And there are countless sales out there, from expensive labels to department store items, all just waiting for us to empty our pockets and wallets. I say, it's a good time to practice your self control. As many would like to say, take everything in moderation.

I'm steering clear of those red hearts, red posters that scream SALE, and the mall in general. Me and my wallet are not ready.

One Movie Too Many

2010-09-02T09:09:00.004+08:00

Last weekend I had a lunch and movie date (tagalog movie date) with my college barkada. I can't even remember the last time I watched a tagalog movie on the big screen. Not even an MMFF movie. Oh well...We've been planning this 'event' for at least 2 weeks, and we made sure that everyone's schedule was free on that day. Suffice it to say, no amount of planning can ever beat a spur-of-the-moment thing. So, only 3 of us were able to make it.

I arrived at SM Megamall past 1:30 pm, which was waaay past lunch time. Mercie was hungry and I was, too. We decided we wanted something Japanese, so we went to Bubble Tea. I didn't know they had rice meals there as I only order their Taro Milk Shake and Gyoza everytime. I was to hungry to care about the price of their meals (their food is quite pricey), so I ordered what looks good to me - Chicken Terriyaki Doria. Baked rice topped with melted, gooey mozzarella cheese and chicken terriyaki strips.

Chicken Terriyaki Doria @ Php185.00

the spread: taro milk tea, gyoza, and chicken terriyaki doria. YUMM!

After filling ourselves with delicious Japanese food, we went to the cinemas to buy our tickets. To what movie, you ask? In Your Eyes starring Claudine Barretto, Anne Curtis, and Richard Gutierrez. Yeah-hah, it's true. Good thing, though, Mercie has her citibank receipts so I only paid 60 pesos for the movie. Kind of makes watching it bearable.

For me, the movie was neither good nor bad. It was memorable. For one, cliches abound in this movie. Lines like "In time, you'll cope" (advice on the pain of breaking up) and "Kung ang tama ang makakapag pasaya sayo..." are some of the few that I cared to remember.

For another, you can't help but laugh or say "duh" on some of the scenes. IMHO, it just doesn't happen in reality! Even if you've asked your sister to marry your boyfriend to get him a green card or residency status, on their supposed wedding day, YOU don't ask them to kiss ON THE FREAKIN' LIPS!!! There were many instances in the movie that bordered on the insane - well, I exaggerate a little. But really, some scenes just needed to be more real.

Further, the two women were great in the movie, acting their part well, and were very believable (save for the insane scenes I just mentioned). But Richard Gutierrez was forgettable. In the face of two good actresses he was lost and fell flat. There were moments he just stood there and looked like he was reciting lines rather than acting them out. It was not good.

Lastly, the story was, as they say, controversial. In one scene my friend Errol said, "Anubayan, parang incest." I had to laugh out loud because it somehow felt like incest. xD I think that's what made it really stand out from the usual plots of tagalog movies. And the reason why it had good reviews all around. But for me, it's one movie too many. I'll skip the next movie that gets this thumbs up from the media. Or stay away from romantic dramas and stick with comedy, adventure, fantasy, and maybe even action movies.

Almost, but not quite

2010-07-24T23:20:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, I had a movie date with my college friends Errol and Mercie. We watched the much talked about movie - Inception. But this post is not about the movie (but I will have an entry about that in a while). It is about this Japanese burger I accidentally came across while waiting for my dates at the Shang.

That burger is Sango. Now, I am a fan of another Japanese burger called Mos Burger. I first came across this culinary delight during my hiatus in Singapore in the early 2000's. Ever since then, whenever I visit Singapore I'd have my fill of the most heavenly tasting (and most probably fattening) burger I have ever had the fortune of discovering. I even had the good luck to eat one in Hong Kong last January. Sadly, this burger is still an unknown in the Philippines.

So, when I saw this Sango burger at the Shang, I just had to try it. It looked A LOT like Mos Burger. It even had the same structure, and even the same packaging. When I finally got my hands on it, the smell that wafted through my nostrils told me that this was a promising venture. It smelled exactly like a Mos Burger. I was excited to taste it.

When I finally did, it wasn't a disappointment. It wasn't a hooray moment either. But it was a revelation. It tasted a bit like Mos Burger. The sauce was a little on the salty corned-beefy taste side, whereas Mos' sauce was tomatoey. It's almost a Mos Burger, but not quite. Still, i liked it. In fact, I might have that burger once in a while especially when a Sango store is so near my office in Makati. At Php145 for a Master Burger and Php 155 for a Master Cheeseburger, it's worth the little trip and splurge.

The Ultimate Travel/ School Bag

2010-07-16T09:51:00.001+08:00

I really, really hate it when I stumble on links that feature items like these:

It's a travel bag that is small enough to be a school bag. You can even sit on it while waiting for your flight or for the school bus. The double back wheels make it easy to carry up a flight of stairs. It's customizable as well. It's very convenient and covetable (especially when I can think of an everyday use for it - as an MRT chair).

Too bad, it's really a luxe item for me at US$145 or about Php6,000+. Maybe when I win the lotto...

www.zuca.com

Bangkok Trip 2010 - All Aboard!!!

2010-07-06T12:18:00.001+08:00

I'll try to make this as short as possible because I'm not up to writing a very detailed travel blog today. I just feel that I need to get this out of my system so I can move to writing other things. Haha. So...

Unlike my Hongkong trip last January, this was the first time I stepped on Thailand. It was also the first time that I went with just one other person - KC. Usually, when I go on out-of-the-country trips with friends, the headcount at the minimum is 5. Anyhoo, since our flight was scheduled at 9:30 pm on Inauguration Day, KC and I decided to meet at the north MRT station at 3:30pm so we'll have ample time to get to the airport on the other side of the city just in case it's traffic. If no cabbie will take us, we have the option to ride the MRT. Wais!

We got to the NAIA Terminal 3 in about 45 minutes. So we had like more than 4 hours to kill, which was fine with both of us because we needed to change our money to Baht at the airport and we had no idea where it is. So, while waiting for our gate to open, KC and I ate at Yellow cab. At almost 100 pesos a slice, it looked pathetically small next to the humongous slice of yummy pizza from S&R.

We killed more time by walking around the shops and then had some money exchanged to Baht at the currency exchange counter near the international terminal fee booth (rate was at Php1.70 = THB1). After than, we decided to check-in our bags and then wait for boarding time at the gate, and maybe catch a bit of sleep. But since we still have a bit of time to kill, we decided to get some coffee at Bo's Coffee near our gate. Perfect!

At boarding, as expected, everyone stood to line up even if the ground stewardess announced the seat numbers that needed to board first. Guess, everyone can't wait to get their butts on the plane. Inside the plane, I was surprised to find the space between the rows was so small it was impossible to recline the seats without making the person at the back of your seat feel even more uncomfortable. You can't even pass by to go to the toilet! WTF??!!! I don't remember my flight to HK being this sucky.

But even at that situation, KC and I found something to laugh at. The whole cabin was filling up with fog, like a fog machine feeding a stage with smoke. We found it so hilarious and a bit weird that we took pics just to be able to laugh about it again afterward. We concocted all sorts of stories to go with the fog and I'm guessing, since we were the only ones who found it funny, the other passengers thought we were smacked in the head or something.

here's proof of cebupac's fog machine

Everything went back to normal after take-off, thank God! And I was even able to take a snapshot of Manila from the air. It was a pretty sight. Clear enough for the lights to be caught by my measly point-and-shoot camera.

We arrived at the Suvarnabhumi (pronounced as Suwanapoom) Airport just before midnight Thailand time. I was excited to be there for the first time, and thinking of the adventures I was about to embark on. Yahooo! Of course, we just had to laugh at some really unusual things in the airport, like this really big toilet sign that's like 2 feet square.

After breezing through immigration, getting our luggage, and filling our pockets with every map and brochure we could find at the airport, we headed out the doors and rode our taxi to the hotel. We paid THB400 up to our hotel in Sukhumvit. We arrived before 2am and our friendly receptionist Ornitcha (something like that) welcomed us with a smile and great news that we have been upgraded from Standard room to Superior room and she gave us access to the WiFi and our welcome drink coupon, which we can claim anytime.

The room we got was on the 2nd floor (Rm 216) and very near the WiFi router, cool! Inside it was spacious and very clean. The mini-bar and fridge was fully stocked and the cable channels were actually in English (in HK we couldn't watch anything decent)! The bed was already calling to me, so after I settled in, I took a shower. After about an hour, it was lights out. Zzz...

Democracy in Action: The Philippine Elections 2010

2010-05-10T20:03:00.163+08:00

I started the day with a positive outlook that today's election is going to be okay. There never was any history of violence in my precinct, and today was no different. Precincts open at 7am, and just like a kid waiting to open his/ her presents on Christmas morning, I was up before the clock read 6am.

Yes, I was excited for a couple of reasons. First, I get to be part of a historic moment - the first ever automated polls in the Philippines. More than a hundred years after the very first general elections in the country, and after a much publicized debate, we've finally pushed through with the automation of the elections. It's not everyday that I get to be part of something this big, and I will not miss it for the world!

Second, I'm excited because for the first time since I started voting, I am passionate about my candidate. Don't get me wrong, I was also into Roco when he ran for the Presidency in 2004 against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But not as strong as I am with Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, Jr.

The past 2 weeks before this day, I've done nothing but read about his policies and plans for when he becomes president. His ideals on positive campaigning has inspired a lot of people, including me. A previously apathetic citizen has finally seen the light (enter spotlight, please). And bringing that kind of change in even just one person is enough to make me believe that with him at the helm, this country can get out of the quagmire (naks, big words!) the previous administrations (read: plural) has gotten us into. Here's hoping!

Third, I'm excited to see how the nation will fare during this exercise. I want to believe that voter turnout will be much higher than previous elections. It is my hope that there will be less Filipinos who will choose to waive the power to put their future in their own hands.

Ok, enough reasons why I'm excited about this year's elections. On to my story...

So, being automated and all, I expected it to be relatively fast and hassle-free even if clustering the precincts mean more voters crammed into a tiny classroom. My mom wanted us to vote as early as possible. I wanted to vote at around 5pm because I know there will be less people. Guess who won? Yep. We were at the precinct at 7:45am.

It was easy to find our precinct because the school had a big tarp out front which tells you what room and building your precinct is. Luckily, ours was the building next to the gate and on the first floor. As soon as we got to the door a BEI (Board of Election Inspector) gave us a slip of paper with a number on it (mine said 107) and told us to fill-up it up with details - name, precinct number, and voter's list number - so it will be easy to find our names later on. Then, we were ushered into the waiting area to wait for our turn.

When we got there the queue was at number 50+. Looking at my watch, I surmised that 45 minutes at 50 people is not bad. So, I thought that it'll take another 45 minutes before I get to vote. But nooooooo. I got to vote 2 hours later. I was as patient as I could be despite the sweltering morning heat and the lack of nothing to do (because like an obedient voter, I did not bring my cellphone). I was going to endure however long it takes because I don't want to waste my vote. My vote for change. My vote for a better Philippines. My vote for the man who I believe can take on the toughest job in the land.

Finally, at around 10 am I was inside the polling precinct shading my ballot, and being careful not to go outside the borders of the hugis itlog (egg-shaped) I was to mark. Took me less than 5 minutes because I had my kodigo with me. Then, it's time for me to face the PCOS machine. I was a bit nervous that my ballot may get rejected because of something I did wrong, like shading it too much or folding the edges. And I've heard that our precinct has yet to reject a ballot. I certainly didn't want to be first.

As I fed my ballot into the machine, I waited with baited breath (wow, tongue twister) ...scanning...scanning...damn, what's taking it so long...scanning...Congratulations! Ah, relief was instantaneous and it was all I could do to keep myself from jumping and shouting, "Yes!".

It was already 10:15am when me and my dad finally got out of the school (my mom, being a senior citizen had gone on ahead of us, waiting just 15 minutes for her turn to vote). Sweating and thirsty, I asked my dad to find an ice scramble vendor. I just know there had to be one there. And there was! Yey! I bought 2 10-peso ice scrambles for me and my dad and ate it right there under the shade of a house. Hands down, it was the best thing to have on a hot day.

So, how do I rate this automated election day? 4 out of 5 stars! Yes, even with news of violence in some parts of the country and PCOS machines breaking down, I can consider this day as a success not only for the Philippines but for democracy. Hey, Smartmatic and the Commelec has 3 long years to improve on this new process and make the next elections smoother. Kudos to everyone involved.

Sulong Pilipinas!

My Gibo Election Stuff

2010-05-07T10:01:00.000+08:00

As election day draws near, I find myself inundated by election campaign materials from different candidates. However, I've already chosen my main candidate for this year's polls. And thanks to an active volunteer officemate, I got my hands on these cool stuff:

Even our car screams Gibo.

Now, I just hope and pray that the elections will be a relatively (I say this with much skepticism) clean one, and that whoever wins will bring unity, peace, and a positive change in the Philippines. Sulong Gibo!

One day, when I look back at this time, I'll be proud to say that I exercised my right to vote, and I that voted wisely.

I want to bake, cook, eat

2010-05-06T11:09:00.002+08:00

While browsing Tastespotting, I found some very tasty recipes that I want to replicate at home. Granting I need an oven to bake, I can't help but salivate over the chewy chocolate chip cookies and make an attempt to bake cookies in a turbo broiler. *crosses fingers*

Go here for the recipe

And, since I really like tacos and pasta, why not put them together? Perfect right? RIGHT! This is really making me hungry right now. Haha. Anyway, the recipe calls for ground Turkey breast, but I'm not sure it's available where I am right now (if it is, it's probably expensive) so I'll make this with good 'ole ground beef. I'll probably try this over the long weekend before election day (go go go Gibo!).

Taco Pasta Toss

And how about this? A Tiramisu Cupcake! It's pretty cool and nifty. I'd love to try this at home too. But then again, this will be hard without an oven. I'm not sure cupcakes will work in a turbo broiler. So, until I have an oven, I'll probably have to buy a Tiramisu (cupcake or cake) in a bakeshop.

Tiramisu Cupcake, anyone?

Starbucks Campaigns for Earth Day

2010-04-22T11:58:00.000+08:00

Hear ye! Hear ye! All you coffee lovers!

Starbucks is offering to take Php40 off your hot or cold drink if you bring your own tumbler or mug to the store on April 22 and 23.

I'm off to the nearest Starbucks for my White Chocoloate Mocha Frap. Perfect for the sizzling hot weather.

Hong Kong Trip 2010 - Third Day

2010-02-09T09:54:00.004+08:00

Friday, my third day in Hong Kong. Ahhh...the smell of early morning coffee - really early, like 5:30am early. I was still groggy and my brain wanted more sleep but it was time to get ready. We had a full day ahead (KC and I slept late planning the day's activities the night before) and I, personally, wanted to make the most of my stay in Hong Kong. I can sleep back home. =)

Anyway, looking out the window at the thick morning fog told us that we need to jumble our itinerary. ☁ Victoria Peak was supposed to be our first activity of the day, but the view would've been wasted with the fog. So we decided to bump up our second activity - the Mid-levels Escalator. The longest outdoor escalator in the world, the Mid-levels escalator runs 800 meters long and takes you up to 135 meters from the bottom, and crosses about 14 streets in all! Whew! Talk about loooooong.

So, after riding the escalator (about 3 or 4 sections of it), we got off at Hollywood Road (one of the nicest neighborhoods we've seen in HK) to visit the famous Man Mo Temple, one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong with its hanging coiled incense. There was a lot of people inside burning incense and praying. No picture taking was allowed inside the temple so we just stood there watching people praying and being smoked like hams. I wasn't able to appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of this temple since I can hardly open my eyes and breathe inside. After a minute of so, we went out to get some fresh air. Haaaaah!

Inside Man Mo Temple (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

After, we walked back to Soho to get some lunch. Along the way we stopped at Duddell Street where the last working gas lamps in HK are located. It was in my itinerary so finding it like we did, walking towards Soho, was great and a time saver. ✔

Finding the perfect place to have our lunch was kinda hard in Soho with so many choices and budget constraints on our part. It seemed like we would end up in one of our fail-safe American fast-food chain choices. Luckily, our determination to savor new fares was strong enough to keep us looking. We ended on Old Bailey Street where we found Tequila, a Mexican bar and restaurant. We chose 3 orders of their set lunches each with a different appetizer and main course. It was yummy! Well worth the money spent on it.

With stomachs filled and wallets a little lighter, we headed out to our main destination for the day - Victoria Peak Tram/ Victoria Peak. Of course, staying true to our "turista" label, we stopped to take pictures of every famous landmark we pass by. One such monument is St. John's Cathedral. It was beautiful and so solemnly grand inside you can't help but fall silent. The catholic in me found some sense of solace in this place. ✝

After a few more minutes of walking we finally got to the Victoria Peak Tram Station. We bought our tickets ($56 return with Sky Terrace) and patiently waited in line for our turn to ride the tram. It was still a bit foggy and bitingly cold when we started our tram ride up to Victoria Peak. When we got there one of the very first things we did (aside from taking more pictures) was buy souvenirs. I bought this Jordan street sign magnet for HKD10 and some other HK magnets and keychains to give away at home. After, we proceeded to the Sky Terrace at the very top of the tower where you can have a bird's eye view of the city.

Since I'm scared shit of heights and structures with glass railings/ walls, I stayed a couple of feet away from the edge of the terrace and was content on not having any pictures there. But everywhere else is fine with me. It was so cold and so windy that we didn't have too many decent-looking pictures there. Especially me! ☃

After all that cold air seeping into our clothes, we needed to defrost with something hot, creamy, and delicious - COFFEE! The only coffee shop there that didn't have any branch in the Philippines was Pacific Coffee, so we naturally went there. Ah...heaven in a cup! c[_]

From Victoria Peak our next destination was back to the TST harbor where we were scheduled to watch the Symphony of Lights show. For that we opted to ride the Star Ferry, which was cheaper and offered a more scenic route to TST than the MTR. Plus, it was Mimi and Joyce's first time in HK so we decided that they had to experience the ferry ride.

The walk to the pier was long and tiring. But we had a chance to explore more of HK and of course took lots of pictures to chronicle this adventure. The cold weather spurred us because it lessened our tiredness.

The Symphony of Lights show was unexpectedly unspectacular. Yes, it was a feat to coordinate around 10 buildings to light up in sync with the music. However, to a viewer looking for the "wow" factor in a much hyped event, it was a letdown. I enjoyed the skyline of the Hong Kong side more and relished the fact that it was so cold I was beginning to have chapped lips - something that doesn't happen to me in Manila.

I was tired and ready to drop dead at the hotel, but of course we didn't do just that. We wandered about the area and took more pictures at the 1881 Heritage and in front of The Peninsula. Afterwhich, thankfully, everyone agreed to go back to the hotel.

Haaah! So tired, sleepy, and quite hungry - again - I had a little snack before turning in for the night. Tomorrow's another fun-filled adventure day!

Hong Kong Trip 2010 - Second Day

2010-02-04T11:30:00.009+08:00

After staying up late the night before, I woke up early to start my first full day in HK with much enthusiasm. The day's itinerary included the Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung and Mong Kok/ TST for me, KC, and Nini; Disneyland for Joyce, RJ, and Mimi.

The day promised to be a really great one despite the nippy early morning weather ☃ . The Disneyland goers went out earlier and at around 10am KC, Nini, and I set out for the Citygate Outlets. It was a long ride to Tung Chung MTR station and we had to change from the Tsuen Wan line to the Tung Chung line to get to Citygate. However, it still only took us, more or less, 30 minutes.

We shopped and shopped, and gawked at all the designer stores we hear and see only in magazines. Burberry, Kate Spade, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, and Seven7 to name a few.

Carrying bags laden with good stuff, we headed back to the city center and alighted at Mong Kok MTR station. We stopped at Bonjour, a health and beauty shop which became one of my favorite stores in HK. Then we went inside Langham Place where stalls of Mac, Clinique, L'Occitanne, Nars, Shiseido, Kiehl's, etc. are found. It even has an H&M store where KC and Nini got crazy buying stuff.

I got crazy too...because I was able to eat my favorite burger in the WWW (whole wide world) - Mos Cheeseburger!!! Heaven!

After Langham Place, we walked to Tung Choi Street where the Ladies Market is located. We bought our pasalubong for Launch Team and also some for people at home. I was able to buy the "I ♥ HK" shirts, a couple of cute punchers, and playing cards featuring the Erotic Art of the East for my brother in law. Then, we headed home tired but happy, and eagerly awaiting the next day's adventure.☺

Hong Kong Trip 2010 - First night

2010-02-03T15:38:00.005+08:00

My second time in Hong Kong proved to be one of the best trips I've taken overseas. Almost everything I've listed down in my itinerary was followed, and more. It was great. And I had the best company Joyce, KC, Mimi, RJ, and Nini.

Exploring the city on my own terms means learning the ins and outs of commuting, which wasn't hard in Hong Kong. First thing you need is an Octopus Card. This saves you a lot of trouble lining up and getting your ticket from the vendo and of course each ride costs less than a single journey ticket. Plus, you can use the card to pay for items bought in many establishments like 7-11, McDonald's, Sasa, and many others. Reloading is easy. However, you can only load HK$50 or 100 into the card.

Second, you need a hotel with a great location. We were lucky because we got a really nice, cheap hotel (Read: Largos Hotel on Chi Wo cor Nanking Streets) that is literally less than a minute walk to the bus stop and Jordan MTR station. The bus stop was the exact stop for the Cityflyer Bus A22 which travels direct to and from the airport. And at HK$39 one-way is a lot cheaper than taking a cab or even the Airport Express train.

Third, you need a good tourist map and the MTR map as well. Get one from the airport and don't forget to grab all the leaflets and tourist guides you can get your hands on. These will help you navigate through the streets of Hong Kong.

Fourth, you need to plan the night before what you want to do the next day. This saves you a lot of time trying to decide and finding your way around the city. I was in HK for 5 days and yet I felt it wasn't enough to explore everything that this little mega city had to offer.

My first night in Hong Kong was spent walking Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, dining in McDonald's, browsing the stores, and camwhoring everything in sight.

Left to right: outside the hotel along Jordan Rd. -- Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui -- along Parklane Mall -- Parklane Mall along Nathan Road -- dinner at McDonald's -- trying on winter stuff in Uni Qlo at the Miramar Shopping Centre

And the 2009 Golden Globe Winners are...

2010-01-20T10:17:00.001+08:00

The recently concluded 67th Golden Globe Awards, I must say, was a success. In that, many of my favorite people and show won, and because I laughed at almost everything Ricky Gervais said. What made him even more funny was his shameless, shameless plug on his own show and movie, The Office and The Invention of Lying.

For "Glee-ks" like me, Lea Michelle, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison's loss in their respective categories was replaced with a more rewarding honor, Best Television Series for Comedy or Musical. This certifies that Glee is not just a flash-in-the-pan TV series, but a show worthy of all the hype and praises that it garnered over the last 13 episodes.

Of course, one of my favorite come-back star, Robert Downey, Jr., won for his performance as ace 19th-century detective Sherlock Holmes. I have yet to watch this movie, so I will reserve my comments for later. Although, I am quite sure that he brought the old stodgy Sherlock Holmes from the 19th century to the 21st century with his dazzling and witty portrayal.

For a complete list of nominees and winners go to the Golden Globe's official website:

Chocolate Soup for Two

2010-01-15T22:30:00.002+08:00

Kind of reminds me of the local champorado, except this one doesn't have sticky rice in it. Looks really yummy. For the recipe go here.

You know it's election in the Philippines when...

2010-01-11T07:38:00.000+08:00

...you wake up one morning and find your pot-holed national road freshly paved with asphalt

...every lamppost in your neighborhood is tacked with a poster saying, "Merry Christmas", "Congratulations Graduates", "Happy Valentines", or every occasion known to man, and accompanied by a big picture of the aspiring candidate and his/ her name in bright bold letters

...you watch TV and all the commercials are of the candidates showing what they think should be done to help the country and its people

...you find stickers of the candidates on buses, jeepneys, tricycles, and cars

...you enter the church or line up for public transportation and find yourself staring at cardboard pamaypays (fan) of candidates

...surveys are in

...you hear and see debates on the radio and television

...smear campaigns become as rampant as mosquitoes in your house

...photos of candidates are splashed on newspapers

...you are engaged in a discussion at work, at home, and in school about who to vote for

...campaign caravans come into your barangay and a variety show ensues

...politicians who are convicted and in jail can still run for a position in the government

can you add more?

The most famous plaid brand and Emma Watson

2010-01-10T08:00:00.001+08:00

I think that stylish Harry Potter star Emma Watson and luxury brand Burberry is the perfect fashion mix. She, along with her 17-year old model brother, is the new face of the famous brand.

I read that Emma likes to spend on designer clothes and accessories and has been seen on and off the red carpet wearing the likes of Rodarte and Chanel. So, becoming a model for a luxury brand should come as no surprise. Even the hard-to-please press loves her for her age-appropriate style and aplomb. I love her, too. She's so pretty she can make rags look cool.

OMG! A really green Holga

2010-01-09T08:00:00.004+08:00

For those into Lomography, or what I'd like to describe as lo-tech artistic photography, this new addition to the well-loved Holga plastic camera is a welcome treat. Especially for someone who loves the color green like me. And it uses 35mm film! That's really important because other Holga models use 120 film which is more expensive and harder to find. Wish I had this instead of my standard black Holga 135 BC.

Designing a logo and naming a design business

2010-01-08T15:07:00.001+08:00

Earlier this week I decided to try my hand at designing a logo for my planned creative/ art/ scrapbooking business. But of course, naming it is the first step. I tried on so many combination of words that I liked and tried to search for it on the internet. It was kind of disappointing because almost every name I've come up with was already taken. I even thought of using the old name I've come up with a friend a couple of years ago for a web services business because of that, and also because I liked the logo I designed for that name. But I didn't. It wasn't all mine to use.

So, after a day of brainstorming (with myself), I finally came up with a business name I liked. One that also presented a possibility of incorporating my favorite color - sage, olive, celadon, basta green with a tinge of gray and yellow. Concept after concept later, I finally came up with this:

Not sure how well it's going to translate on different types of printing and materials. I don't know all that stuff yet because this is just my 2nd time to make a logo (I used Adobe Illustrator this time). I'm still thinking of changing the type (font) on this, but for now I think this is just fine.

After 28 years...Tron is back!

2010-01-07T17:15:00.003+08:00

Tron Legacy, the sequel to the original 1982 Tron movie, has been set for release in December of this year. I read that this was a much-awaited sequel ever since rumor spread in 1999 that there was going to be one. Finally, in the 2008 Comic-con in San Diego, attendees were treated to a surprise showing of the teaser trailer (by Disney and IMAX) which they labelled as TR2N. In it the emblematic Light Cycle and Jeff Bridges, reprising his role as Kevin Flynn, was seen.

I barely remember much of the original movie from the reruns I've watched on TV. Although, I distinctly recall the Light Cycles (I just learned that this was the name of the motorcycles they used in the movie) and the glow-in-the-dark blue suits. And of course, Jeff Bridges. What makes Tron memorable is its use of computer animation. In fact, it was one of the first movies to ever use such technology. Despite this, the Motion Picture Academy (the organization responsible for the Oscars) refused to include Tron in the nominees for special effects saying they cheated for using computers. That's really funny now considering computer animation IS special effects.

Tron Legacy is still almost a year away, yet I feel that, like it's predecessor, it's a movie that should not be missed. If only to watch the effects and the movie in 3D.

Comic strips to make you smile

2010-01-05T08:16:00.006+08:00

Some cute and witty comic strips to start your day.

Memorable quote from a pandesal house

2010-01-04T09:09:00.000+08:00

While eating hot pandesal from Pan de Manila and cheese pimiento spread made by my mom on new year's day I read this heart-warming quote from the paper bag the bread came in:

"Ngayong Pasko alay nami'y isang mataimtim na dasal at mainit na pandesal."

...awww shucks.

Java Junkie

2010-01-03T08:00:00.004+08:00

I don't consider myself as a coffee connoisseur, instead I think of myself as someone who loves to drink coffee. I particularly like the ambiance of coffee houses because it exudes a warm, cozy feel that instantly makes you relax. Plus, it's a good place to gather with friends and have great conversation.

And because I've always been a kind of Starbucks fanatic, last year I decided to try something new and add a few more coffee drinks to my repertoire. Of the 250 cups (my guess-timate) of coffee I drank, these Java concoctions will continue to be on my list of to-drink for this year:

1. Starbuck's White Chocolate Mocha - my ultimate fave. This one's such a popular drink you'll even find copy-cat recipes on the Internet.
2. Figaro's Coffee Caramel Frost
3. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's White Chocolate Dream blended drink - my recently discovered 2nd fave coffee fix
4. Bag of Beans'(Tagaytay) White Mocha
5. Cafe Breton's Double Cafe Mocha in their oh-so-country-style mugs
6. Seattle's Best's Cookies and Mint Mocha - the perfect Christmas drink. Yummy. Hope they'll make this a year-round drink.

Paramore in Manila on March 2010!

2010-01-02T11:38:00.005+08:00

For a while rumors have been flying that Paramore's concert in Manila was a hoax. I'm glad that rumor turned out to be false and that Paramore is really coming to Manila this year. Yey!

I like this band because their music fall in the genre I like so much - punk-pop-rock-alternative. Yeah, that's a mouthful, but there is such a thing. I especially love their song "Never Let This Go" from All We Know is Falling album, and "Hallelujah" from their Platinum album Riot! So, I will go to this concert and drag someone to go with me if I have to. Hopefully, I won't have to.

Paramore - Never Let This Go

Hit movie trailers of 2009

2009-12-30T14:09:00.001+08:00

As expected, year-end countdowns are all the rage this week (aside from predictions and Feng Shui consultations), and Yahoo! was no exception. According to the popular search engine the top 10 most-viewed video trailers include...tan-ta-na-nah!!

10. Up
9. Avatar
8. Mega Shark VS. Giant Octopus
7. Star Trek
6. G.I. Joe
5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
4. Terminator Salvation
3. 2012
2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

...and the #1 spot goes to...can you guess? I think it's easy. Ok, ok. It's Twilight: New Moon! Hooray for all you Twilighters out there.

A day at the Quezon City Circle

2009-12-29T10:34:00.004+08:00

As a resident of Quezon City for more than 10 yeas, I've witnessed the transformation of The Quezon Memorial Circle (the city's major landmark and monument, and also where the former President Manuel L. Quezon's remains are buried) from a place where you can jog, exercise, ride and rent bikes, go picnic with the family, and eat, to a veritable theme park.

Today, the Circle sports more than just clean and spacious picnic grounds, but also a huge space made up of more than 10 separate outdoor plastic playground sets. Entrance is free and there are plenty of places to sit and watch the kids play. Walk a few meters and you'll find a lane of food stalls and restaurants where you can get your fill of Pinoy street food, junk food, local delicacies, and fast food.

Near the playgorund is what makes The Quezon Memorial Circle such a great family weekend escape - Circle of Fun. The first time I went there there were only a few rides and most of it were for kids. Entrance was at Php30 and rides were at Php30 also. My sister and I rode what we thought was the scariest ride there (and the only one fit for adults and kids), the Frog Leap, which goes up and down about 2 stories high. It turned out to be a worthy ride because it made my palms sweat. But I think that the operator had fun with the controls too much.

My next visit was just a few days ago and Circle of Fun was transformed to an even bigger fun with new adult rides like the Wild Wind, a roller coaster ride with a twisty loop that made me dizzy and shook my brain silly, the Sea Dragon, kind of like the Viking Boat of Enchanted Kingdom only less scarier, The Pharaoh, a haunted house ride, the Octopus Ride, Go Kart, and there's also this Astro Jet ride (I think it's a virtual reality ride). There's the usual bump cars and carousel rides for the kids. But the star of the show was really the Wild Wind ride. Entrance has gone up to Php40 and the rides were at Php50 to 70 each.

And since it was the holidays, the crowds were at an all time high. The single street was filled with walking people, crawling vehicles, parked cars, and vendors. It was chaotic. It was festive. It was sooo damn fun. It's like being a kid again on Christmas day. But then, after a while, you go back to being a whiny adult. Haha.

Wish I'd taken pictures while I was there. Maybe next time.

*photo of Circle of Fun entrance borrowed from http://metatraveller.blogspot.com/

Fashion Watch: Vanessa Hudgens

2009-12-26T09:17:00.002+08:00

I like following certain Hollywood stars for their everyday fashion (read: jeans and shirt). One such person is half-Filipino Vanessa Hudgens. I like her style because it's casual yet feminine at the same time. She can glam up a pair of jeans with high-heeled pumps or wedges and a really nice blouse.

Another great scrap kit from Shabby Princess

2009-12-25T08:30:00.005+08:00

One of my favorite digital scrapbooking artist, shabbyprincess came out with another great kit called, Clementine. Green, blue, red, and yellow all muted down with that shabby, old tint and that I like so much. Wonder if I'll be as good as her someday. Oh well...here's hoping. *cross fingers*

>Oh by the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!!

The Killers in Manila

2009-12-24T08:22:00.028+08:00

So, The Killers, who sang the huge hit "Mr. Brightside", is coming to Manila on the 31st of January 2010. The venue: Mall of Asia Concert Grounds and tickets are available at all Ticketworld (8919999) or Ticketnet (9115555) outlets.

The Killers - Mr. Brightside

Another creative inspiration site

2009-12-23T08:00:00.004+08:00

While browsing the internet (the lazy season is affecting my workload as well) I stumbled upon this great website.

I love the colors and the layout of this website. Of course, I love how it gives you tons of ideas on what to do with your digital pictures. Great, great art.

Move over vampires, werewolves, and wizards - the Shadowhunters are here

2009-12-22T14:30:00.008+08:00

Yes. Move over Edward, Jacob, Bill, and Harry there's a new hero in town. The Shadowhunters from Cassandra Clare's Immortal Instruments saga are here.

I've been in a book slump over the past couple of months until that day when I visited Powerbooks in Trinoma. I was just browsing around trying to decide on what book to purchase when one of the staff approached me and recommended City of Bones, the first of the Immortal Instruments series, to read. She said it was one of their bestsellers, in fact, the new stock just arrived.

I decided that I might as well try the book since I wasn't looking to buy anything in particular, and the book was just a little over 300 pesos. Luckily I did because I really liked it. I even went on to buy City of Ashes, the second book. Got even more hooked and thought of buying the hardbound edition of the third installment, City of Glass. However, the chipangga in me, and because I never ever buy hardbound books because they're too heavy to read while lying down on the bed, won and I ended up downloading the ebook version.

What I really liked about this series is that it took me to a whole new world, quite unlike the ordinary town of Forks, or Bon Temps. Here, it's not just the characters that make the story stand out. Instead a combination of well-developed characters and setting make the books an entertaining read. Plus, you get to meet a new set of "creatures" if you will. There are the Shadowhunters (the protagonists), the demons which consists of many different types (raveners, forsaken, drevak, and dragonidae to name a few), and throw in your usual werewolves and vampires into the mix and you have one hell of an adventure on your hands.

A highly recommended book for those who love this kind of genre, or if you're looking to find something to read after Harry Potter and the Twilight series.

No luck. Next year perhaps?

2009-12-22T11:18:00.001+08:00

My infamous "luck" in raffles and contests is more evident during the holiday season. After all this is the perfect time for raffles and contests because everyone is more generous. And this year, I've joined more contests than I did last year.

There's the moleskine contest by Avalon, which I did not win. Then, there's the company Christmas party, where I did not win anything, AT ALL (and the company gave out more than 70 prizes!). I also joined the 6,000,000 reader by Chuvaness, and guess what? Yes...I was 6,000,005. Darned it!

And last (I think for this year), I joined Yugatech's Great Gadget Giveaway in the hopes of winning any of these prizes: MSI Netbook, Globe Tattoo USB, Modu Phone, and Prepaid Load.

With my luck I'll probably end up with....zilch.

Back with a vengeance...

2009-11-25T12:56:00.001+08:00

...or at least that's what I am right now. Hopefully, I'll be more tenacious in my resolve to keep this blog updated with whatever I want to write about. In a way, I'm thinking of this blog as a creative outlet for when I'm frustrated, disappointed, down, in a rut...well, you get what I mean. =)

So...I'm back!