Eclipse & Filipinos

I watched Eclipse today at SM Clark with my youngest sister, Mylene and we were both frustrated! Frustrated not with the movie but with the people watching it and place where we viewed it.

Even on its  3rd or 4th day with two cinemas  available at SM to choose from,  people of different ages swarmed the place.  Yes, I anticipated that the movie house is full on a Saturday as the movie is a phenomenal success as the previous ones (Twilight & New Moon).  But what I did not anticipate are teenagers nicely seated in the aisle/stairs chit-chatting while the movie is starting. Oh well, I just had to be myself and glared at them while saying in Pampango "Nanu, mipagkwento ta namo?!" (Okay, are we just gonna be chatting here?!)

I also didn't expect a noisy couple seated next to me (my sister was seated 3 seats apart from my chair as there were no more seats available except those that are very near the screen which I didn't like).  The wife who's pregnant kept on telling stories from the book of some scenes so her husband can catch up with the story and reacting while saying YUCK whenever Bella kisses Jacob!!! How rude is that?!

Lastly are the employee and activities of SM.   The female security guard of SM kept on walking multiple times throughout the movie and insensitive of the people whom she might  be blocking their sight.  How discourteous!  There was an orchestra playing at SM Activity Center at the time we watched the movie and I mistakenly thought the music was a background  from the movie while Edward and Bella are exchanging sweet words at movie's ending.  Indeed a very disappointing experience.

With all these frustrations, I told my sister while walking out of the cinema that I wished manners on how to watch a movie were taught in school.  This way, Filipinos will be able to show respect of their  seat mates and all people surrounding them in the Cinema.  Movie houses regardless of location (be it at the Podium, Greenbelt, SM, or elsewhere) will not be the issue then for its the people's discipline that would matter.

"Pasalubong" from Vietnam and a Treat

Last June 3 at around 7 AM when I was starting to get my sleep (I worked from a night shift  on that previous night), I heard loud knocks from our main door and shouts of  my name.  My sister Azha (Maritza) has just arrived from Vietnam to attend my niece's birthday party which was to happen in the next 3 days.  She was calling me to open the door for her.  Well, I was the only one at home so I had no choice but to get up and open the door.

It's a good thing my disturbed sleep was compensated with her luggage bag's content.  All sweets and nuts and Vietnamese coffee which I all love!  THANKS!

Nut & Coconut Nougut.  Haha! Rhyming...

Noodles.  Azha brought different flavors.  I prefer the spicy one.  This one tasted like our "Tinola".

Cashew nuts with honey.

Nescafe Vietnamese Coffee.  I love it!

Sesame seeds. One of the seeds I love in this world. :)

More sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, peanuts and cashew.

More candies...

and peanuts...

and more sesame seeds...

and MORE pasalubong for me to come hopefully! LOL

The following day she invited me to go shopping.  We were supposed to go to Marquee Mall but was running out of time as it was already late afternoon and she and her boyfriend, Art will be traveling to Isabela that night while I and my sister, Mylene will be baking the cakes and cupcakes that we will be bringing to Isabela the following day.  Talking about cramming again. LOL.

We decided to go to SM Clark instead.  While at Plains and Prints checking on some dresses, my youngest sister, Mylene and her boyfriend, Lucky arrived in the boutique and we were surprised because both boyfriends were wearing Astro Boy shirts! I can't imagine my "future" boyfriend wearing such. Hahaha! Oh well, unless he is in his 20s which I doubt will happen. LOL. What's with Astro Boy anyway?

Lucky and Art in their Astro Boy shirts. Be the judge and tell me who wears it better. Hahaha! Just kidding.

Azha trying a Plains & Prints dress.  I tried this same dress at Marquee mall to purchase for another sister but the size may not fit her so I didn't buy it.  I asked Azha to fit  it. She looks good on it. Unfortunately, they don't have her size.

Mye & Azha

Me & Azha. We all love Buko Express.  That deserves another post. ;-)

Azha trying a fashionable pair of Parisian shoes.  She loves it but she already bought a new pair of shoes in Celine so "regret" just fell on her. Sorry for you. Hehe!

We ended up at Gerry's Grill for our dinner.  My camera gave up so no pictures of food were taken. :p

This post is for Jinks...TY! =)

Today, I met up with my high school friends, Merve and Roch at SM Clark.  This mall is the most accessible place as most work in Pampanga are inside Clark and that includes mine and Merve's.

The last time I saw my high school friends was last December after Christmas.  It was Jinks, Merve and I who had lunch together at SM Clark.  Roch was not able to make it as she was nearing her delivery date (she was pregnant at that time).  It seems our friendly dates revolve around SM Clark. LOL. 

Me, Merve and Jinks taken last December at Gerry's Grill.  To Merve - I indeed gained weight comparing this picture now from the one we had today.  :(

Before we separated ways last December, we talked about meeting in May in Manila to visit Jinks who will be on a short vacation from the US.  This did not happen as we lost track of the date and Jinks didn't inform us that she was already here. I only received a text message from Merve last week telling me we should see each other since Jinks brought us some make-up for her "pasalubong". She just left them at Merve's house and Merve didn't even see her. To this date, we have no idea if Jinks is still in the Philippines.  LOL. What kind of friends are we, huh? Hahah! 

It's funny that our group which we named, No Guts, No Glory last High School only chance to see each other at least once in a year during December for exchange giving which is oftentimes requested or planned by Jinks or at times when we get packages from our other friend, Sherrylynne who's currently residing the US.

Today, we had another reason to meet and this is for the make-up to pick-up.  LOL. Thanks, Jinks for the pasalubong. You know what though, your presence is better than the make-up you gave us.  Feeling lang. Hehe!  Actually, I can't wait to try them tomorrow before I go to work. ;-)

The best friends in the group - Merve and Roch.  It was nice to see Roch after more than two years of not meeting with us.  We know the reason now and I am glad all is well in her life.  :D

Me, Merve and Roch taken a while ago at Pancake House in SM Clark.

Jinks & Sherry, I hope you can go back to the Philippines soon to complete and the NGNG group and hang out together.  I am sure we have so many things to share about.  We're missing both of you.

A date with my bestfriend, Grace

May 17 is one of the important dates I always remember.  It's the birthday of the kindest, selfless and most caring person I know in this planet.  She's my best friend, Grace.  I've known her since I was born and  we practically grew up together.  Today, I spent the afternoon with her to celebrate her birthday which I missed last Monday.  We had a late lunch at Gerry's Grill.  It's the only restaurant that we always frequent together (including Riza, our other childhood friend on some occasions when she's in Pampanga). 

After having full stomach, we watched a local movie with an English title (ironic, huh?) - "You To Me Are Everything" .  It makes me wonder now why our movies are titled in English.  Just for this week,  the two movies I watched  - "Here Comes The Bride" and "You To Me Are Everything" are both in an English title.  What's with having a Filipino title? 

Grace (I call her Auntie Grace at times for she's my third degree aunt or Gara when I am about to tease her) - the ever shy person that never outgrew that  behavior. 

We both didn't have breakfast and lunch and it was already almost 3 PM so we ordered a lot but didn't finish it all. "Takaw mata at tiyan." LOL.  Our order of Chicken Inasal.  The chicken was somewhat dry.  I prefer Mang Inasal's version over this. 

My all-time favorite side dish of Gerry's Grill - their Pinakbet.  I love how the sauce tastes a little sweet and how the "chicharon" complements the whole dish. 

Sizzling  Sisig Tuna.   For me a Sisig is not a Sisig if it doesn't have a liver incorporated on the dish.  This dish is delicious in itself but it could have been better if chopped grilled chicken liver was added.  Just thinking of it makes me say YUMMY!

Buko juice or Young Coconut juice.  Very refreshing!  I had a urinalysis (pardon me for saying the  word when I am talking about food...hehe!) and have a positive result :(  prior to having this lunch so this drink is a heaven-sent for I was about to order plain water which is boring when you're dining out.

 We opted not to have dessert.  That saddened me because a meal without dessert is not a meal for me. Haha!  I had to discipline myself though because I have an LBM (again, sorry for the word. LOL).

I couldn't control myself though.  I bought small Lindt mint dark chocolate from SM department store that were on sale (buy 1, take 1) and ate them while doing a little shopping. LOL.

Here's a teaser of the movie we watched.   It's a feel-good movie and I can say that being a hopelessly romantic person (hahah!), I was able to appreciate it.  I loved the scenic view in Benguet.  Just don't mind the high-pitched voice of Marian Rivera and corny lines in the movie.   

 

the kids in us...

Last night after my shift, my sisters, our friend and I had a date.  We all met up at SM Clark around 8 PM.  It's easy for my youngest sister and I to go there as we are both working in Clark.  We planned on watching the last full show of "Here Comes the Bride".

On our way to the cinema, we passed by "World of Fun".  Manel and Tin "nagged" me and Mye to try a game/ride at World of Fun. They told us we would enjoy the experience and that it's somewhat similar to Rialto in Enchanted Kingdom.  Oh well, Mye and I both gave in after being "pestered" by them. LOL. 

 Mye, Manel and Tin while waiting for our "ride". 

Mye with our mini rider.  There was a couple inside before us.  Can you see the guy's hand in the rider?

It was our turn! We need to wear seatbelts. It was as if we're going somewhere farther. Hahaha!

 Yay! The game and ride was about to start.  We chose number 3 which is a Space Roller Coaster.  It was fun indeed for I have a partner who kept shouting! Haha! The ride could have been better and more realistic though if I was not seeing bright light on my lower left side from the outside.

 On another story, since I am talking about games and being kids, last year my colleagues and I went to an off-site team building and went crazy over Lazer Xtreme in Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

 It was cool seeing the leaders in their vests and laser guns.  LOL. This group was my team's enemy. 

 

My group.  There was a father and son who joined our team and they were good so we WON! Yay! There was no price though. :P

 I love this game! It is a great way to really lose weight. Look at all our hair! They were a mess after so much perspiration from running and fighting even if the whole gameroom is fully airconditioned.  This is a must try for groups having team building or for friends who just want to go bonding.  It's a lot of fun because there are times you get confused on who your enemies are. Hahah! 

Credit:  Lazer Xtreme photos are from Joy's camera.