This year..... (my 2007 re-cap)

I love making lists. This goes for listing off my favorite restaurants in the metro, my things to do, my wants and so on. Blame it on my OC nature but this habit just comes out naturally.

To celebrate the end of 2007 and the coming of the new year, I will do another list. As I look back at the past months, I realized that this year has been a travelling year for me. I also realized that through these trips (be it personal or for work), I was able to bond more with Paul, my family and with my friends.

I'd like to share with you memorable snapshots taken from the trips that I've had this year:

1) Angeles, Pampanga


This was my first out of town trip for the year. Paul and I watched the Hot Air Balloon exhibit at the Clark Aviation Field and I LOVED IT! Pampanga will always have a special spot in my heart as this is Paul's hometown. Every trip to this province is super fun! I will forever crave for authentic Pako (fern) salad, Aling Lucing's sisig and Perfect Loaf's breadsticks.

2) Tagaytay


We LOVE Tagaytay. This can be seen with the frequency of our visits to this perfect weekend getaway. This year, we had three overnight trips to Tagaytay and the best part is we always manage to try out a new place or encounter a new adventure each time.

3) Boracay <-- the best trip of the year!


It has been a while since I've travelled by air and it is also my first time to set foot on the wonderful island called BORACAY. Four fun-filled days spent with my colleagues is not enough as I began to miss Boracay the moment the plane landed in Manila. Boracay, we WILL be back.

4) Enchanted Kingdom, Laguna


as the saying goes: "the magic lives on at Enchanted Kingdom". This place is truly a perfect venue for the young and the young-at-heart. It was my 3rd trip back to EK after 4 long years. The verdict? I LOVEEEE Rio Grande Rapids! Yooohoo!


5) Quezon (via Viaje del Sol)


Self-confessed travel bugs like myself will not stop at anything that will hinder us from travelling. Thus, I'm thankful that I grabbed the opportunity to join the first ever arts and culinary trip organized by the ICAAA last June. It was sooo fun getting to know fellow ICA graduates while visiting new places at the same time!

6) Baguio


My last out of town trip was spent in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines, and in my opinion is also the great Christmas destination as well. Ü Although it was a business trip, I had loads of fun meeting our partners from up north as we tried out yummy food places like PNKY and Cafe by the Ruins.

Come 2008, my goal is to travel some more. This has served as my inspiration to work hard as I know that my ultimate reward would be another adventure out of town or hopefully out of the country.

I thank God for giving me the chance to visit quite a handful of places this year and for the travel companions that I've had without whom my trips wouldn't be just as fun.

Happy New Year!!

The Nail Loft

I am currently on a vacation leave until the new year! Yipeee! Unfortunately, since my sister don't have any leave credits yet and Paul is as busy as ever, I have to make the most of my leaves alone and in town.

Well, one thing is for sure. I am making the most of these three precious days before I finally drag myself back to work by January 2.

Weeks ago, I've decided that this will be my "pamper-me" leave where I'll spend most of my time relaxing and rejuvenating for the new year.


Today was Day 1 and first stop was The Nail Loft. This small neighborhood-type spa is slowly getting the attention of girls who frequent the San Juan area. I've heard a lot of raves from my friends and obviously I know i just have to try it out myself.

Aside from their long list of services, they have 8 packages available and I find the rates to be very reasonable. Reasonable because they use big name brands like Essie, Orly, L'oreal and Sally Hansen which tells me that they really know what girls want! I chose Package 4 that includes: GM (Glamorize Me) Mani/ GM Pedi / Foot Spa. All these for only P550. not bad right?!

I was led to my little corner a.k.a. a couch with drapes beside it for a more private effect and my attendant Mimi offered me a cooling cucumber eye mask. WOW! She gently placed it on my eyes and I immediately dozed off for a short nap.

I felt like a princess! Having two girls (Mimi and Malou) working on my hands and feet scrubing, massaging and later cleaning and polishing my nails. I normally would go for subtle pink polishes but since i'm still enjoying the spirit of christmas and at the same time awaiting the new year, i chose a shiny red polish for my feet. Ü

It was a good start for my pamper-me leave, for only P550 I now have spunking polished nails and soft hands and feet as well!

The Nail Loft is located at Unit 1 City Tower Building, #8001 J. Abad Santos street, San Juan, Metro Manila (beside Mocha Blends). Telephone #s: 723-9445/0920-8587006

Avenue Q - - Give Ruv on Christmas Day!

After a month worth of planning, finally I was able to catch the 2nd to the last run of Avenue Q at the RCBC Auditorium. Gaining a lot of raves from various critics and internet bloggers plus my very own sister who was able to watch it last September, I made sure that I will not let this opportunity pass me by without allowing myself to be bitten by the Avenue Q bug.

The verdict? I.Ruv.It.!!!!

I love watching plays and this one surely ranks high up in my list of favorites along with Trumpet's The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and The Little Mermaid. It amazing to see Rachel Alejandro switch from nicey-nice Kate Monster to sexy Lucy the Slut. It's true that after some time you'd turn your focus away from the actor holding the puppet to the puppet itself. In other words, the talented cast was able to bring all the puppets to life.

Felix Rivera; who, by the way, sang in select Starbucks Coffee stores during my 12 Nights of Christmas project last year, is the lead actor handling both fresh-out-of-college Princeston and Rod, the gay professional who is still in great denial about his sexuality.

Other actors who make up this great cast are Frenchie Dy as Christmas Eve who never fails to make us laugh with every line that she delivers, Rycharde Everley as Brian who is the fiance of Christmas Eve and last but not the least, Aiza Seguerra who's powerful voice is really impressive and is truly very talented.

It was a very light show injected with loads of humor that at the same time, tackled a real issue that every individual be it someone who's just fresh out of college or is at the middle of their career life is dealing with. The message is simple, one should live in the present and take things one at the time. One's purpose does not have to be grand but instead it should be something meaningful and one that would make you a better person day by day.

This Christmas is the time when we should think less of ourselves, set back our worries and instead spend more time making a difference to our society. Simple acts of kindness may begin at our very own home. By saying please and thank you to our helpers or by lending a hand to someone in need is enough to spread the holiday spirit around.

Here's the lyrics of my favorite Avenue Q song entitled For Now:

PRINCETON:
Why does everything have to be so hard?

GARY COLEMAN:
Maybe you'll never find your purpose.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
Lots of people don't.

PRINCETON:
But then- I don't know why I'm even alive!

KATE MONSTER:
Well, who does, really?
Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied.

BRIAN:
Everyone goes 'round a little empty inside.

GARY COLEMAN:
Take a breath,
Look around,

BRIAN:
Swallow your pride,

KATE MONSTER:
FOr now...

BRIAN, KATE, GARY, CHRISTMAS EVE:
For now...

NICKY:
Nothing lasts,

ROD:
Life goes on,

NICKY:
Full of surprises.

ROD:
You'll be faced with problems of all shapes and sizes.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
You're going to have to make a few compromises...
For now...

TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

LUCY:
For now we're healthy.

BRIAN:
For now we're employed.

BAD IDEA BEARS:
For now we're happy...

KATE MONSTER:
If not overjoyed.

PRINCETON:
And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now...

GARY COLEMAN:
For now...

TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...

KATE MONSTER:
For now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

Only for now!
(For now there's life!)
Only for now!
(For now there's love!)
Only for now!
(For now there's work!)
For now there's happiness!
But only for now!
(For now discomfort!)
Only for now!
(For now there's friendship!)
Only for now (For now!)
Only for now!

Only for now! (Sex!)
Is only for now! (Your hair!)
Is only for now! (George Bush!)
Is only for now!

Don't stress,
Relax,
Let life roll off your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now!

NICKY:
Each time you smile...

ALL:
...Only for now

KATE MONSTER:
It'll only last a while.

ALL:
...Only for now

PRINCETON:
Life may be scary...

ALL:
...Only for now
But it's only temporary

Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba dum ba-dum
Ba-da da da da
ba-da da-da da da-da
Ba-dum ba-da, ba-dum ba-da
ohhhh-

PRINCETON:
Everything in life is only for now.

riding up high in the clouds

Life is full of ironies. For instance, I am scared to death of heights especially when climbing steps or when i'm in roller coaster but i lovee the thought of flying or riding a ferris wheel. Who would have thought that it has been my life long dream to be able to ride a hot air balloon? Although, I've never done this yet, I content myself by watching a dozen of colorful hot air balloons fill up the sunset sky last year at the Clark Aviation Field.



It has been a slow, boring week for me at work so imagine my happiness when I landed at this site one lazy afternoon and saw this message:

It’s going to be another year of fun, flare and flight at the 12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! Happening on February 7-10, 2008 at Clark Economic Zone. Watch out for more details.

Yahooo!! See you all in Clark next year!! Ü

dear santa....

Two decades ago, I was 5 and then I believed in the jolly old man who rides in a sleigh and who delivers gifts to all good boys and girls at the stroke of midnight. Blame our wild imagination in believing that one Christmas Eve, we actually saw him parked his sleigh outside our window.

Every year, my sister and I would write a loooonggg letter to this jolly old man in a red suit with a list of toys and whatnots supposedly to "guide" him and his elves in case they do not know yet what toys to give us. Obviously, not everything on the list were given us but we didn't really care. Waking up every Christmas morning is fun as we always come face to face with a big gift bag filled with toys and goodies by our bedside. It was when we turned 12 that we learned the hard truth... jolly old man was actually just sweet and kind mom and dad.

Nonetheless, it's always fun to come up with our christmas wish list hoping that we'll receive any of those items listed even if it means buying it as a gift to ourselves.

Thus, presenting to you my Top 5 Wishes for the Yuletide season:

1) a facial and a massage








every girly-girl's must do. i've been yearning for one since the start of the year, i think it's about time to give in and indulge.. (just a lil bit)

2) Canon 40D












i promise i will be forever grateful to anyone who will give me this *wishful thinking*

3)Sony Vaio laptop











Another toy that i've been praying hard to have for 6 month now...

4) a trip









Looking for a travel buddy. Please apply here. hahaha :P

and after all those material wants....

5) LOVE and REAL FRIENDSHIP











This year, I learned that it doesnt matter how many friends you have but what counts is how those friends are willing to stick around even when the going gets tough. It's true that when God closes the door, He opens a window. I sincerely wish for continuous love and friendship that will last a lifetime. Ü

MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!

this is dedicated to everyone who's been getting more than their usual caffeine fix for that much coveted Starbucks Coffee Planner...

To celebrate 10 fruitful years in the Philippines, Starbucks Coffee treats customers participating in the 2008 Planner Promotion to double sticker credits on their promo cards from December 4 to 7, 2007 between the hours of 12:30-2:00 pm and 8:00-9:30 pm.

Here's how:

Customers purchasing Starbucks Coffee beverages (except bottled water, bottled beverages and fruit juices) on these dates during the specified times, are entitled to two (2) stickers for every beverage purchased.

If a featured beverage is purchased, the customer gets one (1) additional sticker on the featured or core beverage panel of the promo card. If a core beverage is purchased, the customer gets one (1) additional sticker on the core beverage panel only.

Sticker treats will be handed out with the receipt at date and point of sale only. A no promo card, no sticker policy will strictly be implemented.

a new discovery: broad bean snack!

Sonya's Garden (in Tagaytay), first popularized the use of broad beans (patani in Filipino) in her salads. The crunchy, salty combination is simply a winner. I got hooked to this type of beans as much as i have constantly been craving for another meal at Sonya's.

Thus, just imagine how happy I was when i chance upon a small stall at the St. James Bazaar in Alabang selling packs of...what else?!...Indonesian roasted broad beans!



I tried one bag this morning and it was sooo yummy! the mexican bbq flavor made it a bit sweet and still a bit salty, truly a perfect answer to my current craving. It's quite a steal too! We got this big bag for only P25 each! too bad, Alabang's so far away..but at least we have 3 bags left hopefully to last us longer than a week. Whoever knows if this is also sold here in Metro Manila, please be a true angel and leave me a message. Ü