Ha ha! Forgot to put the title.

I am at my boutique/store and starting

to get bored. I was browsing the news feed in FB and saw a shared post of my friend, Ads' blog and read it. Her post reminded me of my still pending post that was supposed to have been published last January 1. But because of a number of pictures I added, I had difficulty editing it particularly since I am using a tablet, thus the reason. Haha! Anyway, to keep my blog "alive" again, I'll put the pending post aside and start publishing whatever runs into my mind. Right now, it's....

PS: I checked my blog and saw that this post does not have a title, hence the title above. ;p

Blogging...I miss you!

Last night, I was looking for a slimmer picture of myself on my phone when I remembered I had one posted in my blog.  I went on browsing the posts I had and to my delight, I was amazed on the chronicles that I have written and totally forgotten, especially the simple thoughts that have been running on my mind on days I am bored.  It is indeed a joy to have a diary to look back to.

So now, I will find time to post regularly...I am hoping.   :)

2010 it was...

I want to look back on what this year has and hasn't offered me but I don't like to itemize them.   I know I have done fairly well but okay, I can't help it.  LOL.  So, allow me to cite some of the remarkable and not so ones.  Hehehe!

Blogging - much, much better than the past 2 years.  Even if I haven't posted for more than a month now as I got very busy with other things (I know a very lame excuse!), I was still able to post 98 to date as compared to 11 of 2009 and 7 of 2008. Hahaha!  A remarkable achievement indeed for me.  It's a dream come true to reach this far.  :D

Career - Nothing has progressed from my position to my current company, if that what's you call a career in a BPO industry is. I've been in the position for more than 5 years and I know I'll still be until I resign.  LOL.  The good thing though that happened was even if my title remained, the compensation increased with other benefits.  Not bad at all.

Other careers - Baking or make-up?  2010 was somewhat good in a way as I've earned money from these two hobbies.  I just needed to choose and focus on which between the two I have to maximize my time to earn more.

A new career/venture - I've always loved direct-selling. Even when I was younger, I used to sell different products to friends and relatives for I like talking about products I know could make them look and feel good.  The last quarter of this year introduced me to Organic Beauty products.  Thanks to my friends, Nikki and Collyn who shared them to me and convinced me to sell them.  So, yes I am now a dealer of Human Heart Nature, All-Organics and Venus & Mars beauty products as well as Precious Herbal Pillows.  Another source of income for me that helps my friends benefit from them by not having to use chemical products.  It's a win-win situation. :)

A political career -  Yes, I won in the recent Barangay election as a Councilor last October.  I landed 4th (3rd elected has a point over) out of 16 candidates who ran in our place.  Being in the politics is not new to me as I was the first elected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson 18 years ago. I just had to give that career up to give way to my father who wanted to run then and since he finished a 3-term service already, I grabbed the chance to replace him last election.

Continuing education -  Hmmm, it seems like I can't remember of any classes in baking that I attended this year when last year was full of it.  I also didn't attend any make-up class.  But, don't be surprised!  I enrolled in a reflexology and massage class!!! LOL.  It was the least class I had in mind but I took the chance when it was offered in our parish and be part of it for I thought it was just a day's class for me to learn the basics.  It's an 8-session class and I already missed 3 days of classes due to a very busy schedule.  A consolation I have is I've learned a few basic of everything.  :)

Travel - This is where I fell short. :(  I didn't get to go out of the country this year.  We canceled a trip in Kota Kinabalu and Brunei which I am supposed to have with my sisters and other relatives.  Unfortunately, it coincided with my mother's operation and we all were not in the mood to travel.  I am glad though that even if I had to cancel another trip in Cebu because a friend who's supposed to go home from Greece didn't make it, I was able to have a Northern tour (Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte & Ilocos Sur).

Food for the Brain - I spent most time in the Internet and yes, I learn a lot from blogs I follow and sites I visited.  However, I missed reading books.  I bought 3 books and I was only able to read 1.  A book given to me Christmas of last year is still yet to be opened.  This is getting bad! LOL.  I bought a few food magazines but I just browsed at them.  I missed those nights when I would read each new magazine from cover to cover.

Gadgets - This is what surprised me most this year.  I always claim I am not into gadgets and I can live a simple life with a simple phone that I can use for a call or text. Much more, I am not into music, so I don't need an iPod.  But guess, what? I bought myself a 5th gen iPod and a Blackberry Bold!  Oh, well! There's always a room for change. Hahaha!

Exercise & Diet - I lost on this!  I gained about 7 to 8 pounds this year!  Even though I bought a treadmill and iPod so I can walk anytime at home, still it didn't help.  Discipline is the key as they always say.  I don't have it!  Much more, laziness consumes me. Arrrgh!

Friends - I didn't reconnect much with my friends and I don't think I gained more friends this year. :(

Family - I don't know how to assess how it has been this year but one thing's for sure, I miss celebrating occasions when our family is always complete (so those who are far, make sure you are home when there are celebrations).


Love life - What I should I say? LOL. I am looking forward for next year.  Hahaha!

Spiritual life  - I know this is another big down for me.  I can count the times I attended mass this year and I feel bad, of course, when I used to attend daily mass a few years back.  I will reconnect with the Lord this coming year and be acquainted with the saints and angels again. :D

After this list, I can say, 2010 is not bad at all  for me.  I bet, you now know what I am looking forward this coming 2011.  

A great post by my cousin!

I was at work when my sister, Mau sent me a message telling me about a note in an answer/defense to the accusations of "buying votes and being rich" that my cousin, Katrina posted in Facebook.  My uncle is running for re-election for Barangay Chairman and his opponent's daughters who are actually 2nd degree cousins of ours are making accusations of our uncle or rather family.

I was not able to read it at that time as I was still busy and already wanted to go home for it was beyond my shift hours.   So, when I got home , I immediately logged in to Facebook. It was admiration and pride that I felt while reading it of cousin,  a truly educated person

Here's the note that was posted on his brother's account for she's not a friend in Facebook of  the people she wanted to talk about and be heard:

The other side

by John Francis Eli Padua on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 1:58pm

People may think of me as a reserved person, one who does not care. But, I DO. I just don't do a lot of talking. I weigh things first. I do a lot of thinking rather than blabbering tons of balderdash words. Well, let me tell you my story.

I. Freewill

Like my father, I abhor politics. It is such a dirty stuff. I am a private person. And I love to keep privacy to myself. That is why I never added Quinoy before here in fb to protect that privacy. However, I cannot forever set my self in silence. After reading so many babbling, I cannot contain the reasons unceasingly bugging my head. Mahirap manahimik if you know other people enjoy trampling your name.

I am blessed with a mind that can think rationally. And for me, I have the obligation to enlighten others with the perspective I am blessed with. Leaving these thoughts to myself, I think, is selfishness. And so I decided to stand and speak. Let my voice be heard.

I respect older people. They have more wisdom than I have. They have experienced more things than I did. But somehow, sometimes, a new perspective from the younger generation is a good source of a new direction, I guess.

I am a youth. And I hope, I would be able to speak in behalf of them.

This obviously is a campaign material. I do not deny this fact. But, no one had asked me to do this. Let me put an emphasis that I did this on my own will.

But, let me say that I would try my very best not to trashtalk the other party. I do not like that kind of game. It's just not my cup of tea. Besides, I have confidence in my uncle's ability, so bakit ko kakailanganing manira ng ibang tao? The strengths of my uncle are enough to persuade voters. I need not to strike the other candidate's weaknesses. And I would not like to copy their tactics, I might be called a copycat. I'm afraid. *shivers. I am educated. And I would not yield to ways that would degrade my personality. Such routines of lying to get the sympathy of people.

II. Nobility

I am proud to say that we came from the lineage of a noble man, Eliseo C. Ronquillo, Sr. I believe that everybody will agree. I hear so many stories about my grandfather and I am so proud of him. My grandfather's visions are definitely outstanding. He planned the streets of barangay Quirino. People back then ridiculed him because the roads were too wide. But he said to them as according to what I heard from Lola , "Hindi naman para sa atin ang mga kalasadang ito kundi para sa mga anak ng ating mga anak." See. He visioned the future. Who benefit from these roads today? Hindi ba tayo din? It is of no secret too that Lolo donated land for a high school, for a Catholic church and others. See again. Because of the land, many were inspired, many got education, many had a new way of seeing life and many became victorious in life. Who would have thought of donating a land for the benefit of many?

Even before my grandmother and my mom have told me that Lolo shared 1/3 of the purchase price of the lot for barangay Quirino, I already knew it. There is a bookshelf in our house in Quirino and because of my fondness of books, I have found a piece of yellow paper wherein a simple history of the barangay is written. I have told my mom about it when she told me the story and she said that that piece of paper is written by my grandfather himself. I am so proud that I had a grip of a great man's handwriting. Unfortunately, the books seemed to be thrown already. However, I hope, the story will never die. And that the nobility of my Lolo will never be forgotten by the people whom he loved and will be told to the coming generation. My Lolo is generous. And I can hear many attestations to that. Hindi lang galing sa mga kamag-anak, pati na rin sa mga hindi kamag-anak. If my Lolo would just like na sarilinin ang kayamanan, why would he worked so hard when he would just freely give a part of what he had worked for? Isn't it a proof of genuine care for others? He never hoarded too much for himself and his family. Whenever I'm slacking, mom always tell na nung sila ang nag-aaral ay kailangan nilang magpitas ng kalamansi at iyon ang ibyabyahe sa bus at ang napagbentahan ay yun ang allowance nila. Kung they are selfish, eh di sana they kept everything for themselves. They never stepped on anyone to gain the lands they own now. They never stole it from anyone. Why am I retelling this story? Because I want to show what the background of the person whowould like to serve people is. My uncle was bred in a family that knows how to share. And I believe that our task, bilang tagapag-mana ng dugo ng aking Lolo, is to preserve the NOBILITY he has passed on us. And he, uncle, has a part on the task. Not to boast what we have,  but to be as living reminders that whatever we have, we have the task to share. Because in sharing and blessing others, they will be in thanksgiving to the Lord who has entrusted us these things. And that is not glorifying our name, rather, glorifying God.

III. Defense

I have read a lot of comments about the fiesta. People saying fiestas and parties are not the measure of success. Indeed, they are not. But can you agree with me that they are somehow a reflection of hope and a drop of booster for the people? To those criticizing the money splurged during the fiesta instead of just spending it on a more productive one, do not worry. Before you all emerged, I was the first one to criticize that spending. But I realized that people need to broaden their horizons. How can a community progress if they are locked up in one idea? Kung may masayang fiesta, wouldn't people think na kahit madaming problema,there still is a reason to celebrate the wonder of life? That there still is hope? Na let us strive to be able to have a bountiful harvest and aim to have excess to put one happy fiesta again next year. Let us work hard for this community to progress. Fiesta, an icebreaker amidst the heat of politics. It was the time for the people to enjoy. That is why spa and other recreational activities were invented. To have a break. Take a sip of wonderful life. Then, if you're ready to go, stand and work hard again. Bakit, was the page in Quinoy got filled with thanksgiving to those people who contributed much? Hindi naman ah. Natadtad ba ng negative comments ang Quinoy, a fan page which is supposed to be unbiased, when the pictures did not give much of a justice to those who worked hard for it? Gaya nga ng kasabihan, "Ikaw ang nagsaing, iba ang kumain." Did you hear anything from my uncle or my mom sa Quinoy? No. Because the happiness of the people they intended to share the blessings with is more than enough to pay off the hardwork and the money spent. Gaya nga ng point ko kanina pa, kung ang iisipin lang nila ay ang mga sarili nila, they should have spent the amount on theirselves di ba?

They say walang nagawa si tito sa kanyang termino. Then you must have covered your eyes for you not to see the things he is working at. He got so many things for the barangay. The multicab, the dumptruck, everything that is in the barangay hall and the projects for the people. People must be eyeing for the unfinished covered court. He is working on that. Hindi nyo ba naappreciate that sa dinami-dami ng barangay sa Aurora, nabibiyayaan ng napakaraming projects ang barangay natin? Progress is not a one-shot process.

People are blabbering about this mahirap vs. mayaman thing. This is hilarious. I find it funny and annoying at the same time. When I looked backed at the past, who stepped on who? Sino ang nanlait kanino? Sino ang nangikil kanino?

They call us mayabang. Pinangalandakan ba ng mommy ko na wala kaming utang? Marami kami nun. Teka lang, I am getting confused. Is it my mom running or my uncle? Hahaha. 'Coz they seem to be striking the wrong person.

I am proud of my uncle. Who can step out and say that he used his position to his advantage? Ninakawan ba nya ang kaban ng bayan? May nakita ba kayong mga acquisitions nya simula nung nanungkulan sya? Gumanda o lumaki ba bahay nila? Nagkaroon ba sya ng magandang sasakyan? The answer is no. Instead, ang barangay ang dumami ang acquisitions and improvements. And hindi namin pinagdadamot ang tulong namin sa ibang tao. Even private na sasakyan at gamit namin ay nagagamit sa paglilingkod sa mga ka-barangay.

IV. Hardwork

Whatever God has blessed us with now, it is all a product of hardwork. Lahat makakapagpatunay na ito ay pinagpawisan at pinaghirapan. Again, have we stepped on anyone? Have we resolved to stealing? No.

And to those saying na mayabang at mapagmataas kami. I am brave to say that we are otherwise. We experienced hardships as much as you are or even more. So why should we look down kung sino kami before? My mom is a farmer. Blessed she is that she can tilt her own land but she handed soil. She got dirty. We did. Have you tried to eat na bagoong at sibuyas lang ang ulam  sa loob ng isang linggo? We did. Have you experienced to do all the chores since you were grade 2? We did. Have you tried to wake very early in the morning to harvest coffee or calamansi everyday? My mom and uncle did. Hindi kami nanlalait ng mahihirap because we have experienced what they are going through. And I believe na pahiram lang ang lahat kaya we do not have the right to boast. During Christmas and New Year, we share the same table sa mga nagtratrabaho sa bukid namin. During birthdays, lagi silang imbitado. For fools and jealous people, sharing is boasting. But for wise, sharing is an act of generosity and kindness.

V. For The Youth

I myself has a vision. Kapag nakikita ko yung mga maliliit na bata na anak ng mga nagtratrabaho sa bukid namin, I always hope that they will not end up doing this kind of thing forever in their lives. Being a farmer is a noble thing, we are farmers. But what I'm trying to say is for them to open their eyes to other things. I always hope that their parents through us would have a new way of looking at life. That they will get inspired at hindi inggit to the point of they will say things against us even though hindi naman totoo. Tapos they will work hard to be able to send their children to schools. And these children who have broaden their horizons will be the pioneers who will revolutionize everything. With rational, ambitious and diligent people, a progressive community is on its way.

I never thought of getting super rich. What I always wanted is to have a peaceful life. And a peaceful life includes a peaceful and progressive community. I always think to myself kung maimumulat lang nila ang mga mata nila sa ibang bagay na pwede nilang makamit kaysa sa i-contain at limitahan ang mga sarili nila. I am thankful enough that I have parents who are not self-contained, who have visions and who are hardworking.

I believe every individual is packed with potentials and capabilities. As youth, we truly are the hope. If only an effective catalyst can unlock these potentials within us.

Here is a secret that I've been keeping in my head. You know why instead of the youth showing signs of hope, they seem to be walking the other way? I guess because they have no good examples. Leaders corrupt, leaders steal, leaders lie, leaders think only of themselves. What do you expect the product would be? That is why the change must start now. And that is why we need a responsible leader. A good leader who can lift our visions to a higher perspective. A firm leader who will support us and who will guide by setting as a good example of unselfish leadership. Less talk, more actions.

Who needs a leader who believes in hearsays and reacts uneducatedly? Who needs a leader who says one thing then contradict what just have been said? Who needs a leader who says one thing then acts the other way? None.

What we need is a leader who inspires. We, the youth, are so fed up with the negativity of life. We need someone who can uplift our morale and give us hope. We need someone who has so much that he can share rather than someone who claims to have nothing then steal.

Youth, time for you to make your stand.

WE NEED NOT A LEADER WHO WILL DO EVERYTHING FOR US. IF THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR, WE ARE ASKING TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO BE LAZY. WHAT WE NEED IS ONE WHO WILL INSPIRE AND CAUSE US TO MOVE.

VI. Final Stand

Para sa akin, ang isa sa mga main reasons kung bakit ninanais ng aking tito na mahalala bilang punong barangay ay upang ipagpatuloy ang pangagalaga sa mga taong unang minahal ng kanyang ama. Hindi upang pangalagaan ang kanilang pangalan. Hindi upang magpasikat. Hindi upang makilala. Hindi upang magkaroon ng political dynasty. (Besides, sino ba ang may political dynasty?) Kundi upang ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ng aking Lolo. Upang manguna sa pag-angat ng kalidad ng buhay. Upang makapag-bigay inspirasyon. And that I guess is a mark of a good leader. A leader do not all the things by himself, he shows directions.

I pray that whatever the outcome of the election is, it will be for the benefit of the people. People always complain about the government officials in the national level. Hindi ba nila naisip na nag-umpisa ang lahat sa barangay level. So, if you have not chosen good barangay officials, what then is your right para magreklamo? You had the privilege of choosing a right leader for your benefit, but you failed to use it.

I know that when this is posted in Quinoy, I'll get lots of trashtalking. But criticisms are good, they make me a better person. Pero kung mapadpad man ito dun, at least, I know I have laid my stand educatedly. I have stated my propositions without making up stories. I would like to say na hindi ako naghahanap ng kakampi. But, with what I did here is just to express the other side. (Because people just hear one side most of the times.) As my professor said na hayaan mo na tirahin ka ng tirahin because at the end of the day, a lot of comforters will be with you. And as by not talking too much, he added, you dignify yourself and prove that you are educated. At least now, I'm relieved na nailabas ko na ang na sa loob ko. And with a verse I'll end this note.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free. Proverbs 19:5 

NOTE: This article was posted under John Francis Eli's (Katrina's brother) account in Facebook for Katrina is not connected with the Quinoy account where all the blabbering were posted.

I am dreaming of this!

It's raining and all I can think of is food!  What is it with rain that makes us always hungry? Hahah!

First food that came to mind was soup .  And I saw these pictures! Boy, I salivated!  Darn!

So what is this?  It's Mama Chabeng's (my sister's mother-in-law) version of Sinigang na Lechon (roast pork in sour soup) that she served us when we had brunch at their house in Isabela last June.  Our family loves sinigang soup but we always have fish, beef and pork for that dish.  Lately, I have fallen in love with Sinigang na Lechon and Corned Beef  (not the typical sinigang soup we have daily) but haven't tried cooking them at home.

Hmmm, maybe I should cook this one of these days!

Welcome, rainy season! I hope it will  not end till the end of the year.

The Internet and I

I must admit I am addicted to the Internet. I spend most of my spare time online  to read blogs  and do surfing which brings me to numerous articles or stories that I read until my eyes tire.

My days are usually like that until I decided about 2 weeks ago to minimize my online hours.  Because of this, I had to do away with blogging.

Inasmuch as I would like to stay away with it for I know better things can be done offline such as watching TV/movies, reading books or cooking or baking,  I can't anymore.

I miss writing and documenting anything about me or people or events surrounding me.

So, I am back! I will be posting more often now even if it requires me to stay long hours hooked to the Internet...

I heart Jason Statham!

image from http://www.exposay.com/jason-statham-2009-spiketvs-guys-choice-awards---arrivals/p/30257/88/

After watching The Expendables, I am more than convinced I heart Jason Statham. Hahah!  While typing this, a smile drew my lips as I have never felt "kilig" (this emotion is no longer appropriate for my age...lol)  for a long time since Brad Pitt during my college years.  Nonetheless, age is just a number, so allow me to feel this current state of euphoria. ;-)

I've watched Jason Statham on Snatch, The Transporter, Transporter 2 and Italian Job to name a few of his movies but seeing him again at  The Expendables make me realize I really do like him.  He's got this cute charm on his last movie. Lol.

He's so sexy! I love him in suits or in casual. Feast your eyes on the following pictures. Hehe!

photo from http://connect.in.com/jason-statham/photos-1-1-1-9a6d0b6e14b21a7cb69af76070277c05.html

photo from http://justjared.buzznet.com/photo-gallery/1824791/jason-statham-dip-02/

images above are from http://hipcelebrity.blogspot.com

photo from http://www.popsugar.co.uk/Pictures-Jason-Statham-Rosie-Huntington-Whiteley-Cuddling-LA-8723981

As we grow older, our tastes in things change.  I prefer action flicks or feel good movies.  So, it looks like I will have my ever first time collection of movies - Jason Statham's movies now that is. I am excited!

By the way, he has never been married but "since April 2010, he has been datingVictoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley." - from Wiki of course. :D

Coffee & Chips Ahoy - you're the "culprit!"

I am wondering why at this time I am still wide awake and doesn't feel sleepy at all when I woke up early the day before. I have an early shift today and I am already three hours short of my regular sleeping hours.  :(

Until I realized the reason for this!  I drank two strong cups of two different flavors of coffee (cappuccino and mocha)  from our canteen's coffee machine.  Whew!

It was late afternoon of yesterday when I was feeling cold in the office and I wasn't bringing a jacket nor a Pashmina.  With such state,  coffee and Chips Ahoy popped into my mind as a snack amid my piled-up work.  Yes, those two are tandem.



You can say, I am not a coffee-drinker, though once in my life I became addicted with coffee which I was able to overcome and never did try it again until recently when I discovered coffee goes well with sweets,  a combination introduced by a close friend of mine.  With that, I started pairing it with some of my baked goodies but only one stood out - my Food for the gods.

Without Food for the gods available, as this sweet is only baked when I am in the mood, Chips Ahoy is the answer.  I salivate just thinking of those two pairs.  It took me almost a month to get tired of Chips Ahoy and coffee.  LOL.  The calories have piled up!  No wonder, one pair of  jeans I was supposed to wear yesterday didn't fit me!

Looking at the picture of coffee above makes me want be a barista now.  Haha! I always want to be someone. Huhu. By the way, those pictures are not mine.  I got the picture of the coffee from this site which will show you more pictures of interesting coffee art so do check them.

It's funny that I chanced upon this site where I got the picture of Chips Ahoy. There's a description of this famous cookie that says "Made in America, (Not the Spanish version!), delicious 340g,(12oz),  bags of the delicious Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Cookies." It makes me curious now on how the Spanish version tastes like.  Hmm, I should request for that as Pasalubong on my sister's next trip to Spain. :D

Gosh! I really have to sleep now or else I can't report to work later.  I am still not sleepy as of this writing and you, coffee and Chips Ahoy are the "culprit" but not for long!

Nite/Mawnin! :D

I wanted to travel...

I was surfing some places a while ago and thought I would blog this.

Ever since I became interested in maps which was during my high school years, I told myself, I will travel the Philippines and the world.  A dreamer! Hahaha!

I became more interested in geography that I would always check each country's information and calculate the distances from each other.   Well, not all countries though.   I was more interested  with the countries in Western Europe. I want to go there not just to meet the people and to check places but to sample  authentic food as well.  I want to go to Italy for its pasta, pizza and gelato, Switzerland for its chocolates, Spain for its paella and tapas and France for its foie gras, crepes and macarons to name a few.

Recently, there's one country I have been dreaming to see.  Well, I haven't tasted any of its food yet but this picture is enough for me to visit it.    Guess, where it is.  :)

(Photo from http://www.iexplore.com/)

Calling my friend, Jay!  Please bring me here.  Hehehe!!!

Blogging before 12 AM

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed that I have some short, random posts and that I often mention I want to have one daily.

I laugh at this for it makes me I compete with time just to make a post everyday.  Sounds weird? It's indeed weird. Hahah!  Just sharing this now, makes me smile about it.

Okay, enough of babbling. Let me tell you why.

I often work in a late afternoon shift and arrive home at around 11 PM.  So that makes me rush and go online immediately to be able to have a post for the day before the clock ticks at 12 AM.

Tonight is no exemption.  I am about to post a different topic but when I saw the time, I know I can't make it before 12 AM  and uploading pictures may take so much time.  So here I am just sharing my thoughts.

=)

Great!

Today is a GREAT day!

I woke up just in time to prepare for work,  had a GREAT lunch with my friend, Honeylette  who shared  GREAT chikas and had a GREAT dinner with my team at C' Italian with lotsa GREAT food. Hehehe!

Added to that is a GREAT work that's stress-free, all just for today.

No wonder I have a GREAT smile on this picture with Abbey taken about 2 hours ago after our dinner.



Thank you, Lord for this GREAT day!  :D

Positivity

I am looking for a wonderful week ahead.  Sunday is the first day of my week and I wish to start it right by attending an early Mass tomorrow.  So, good night for now. :)

PS. More posts this week as I am optimistic of all things. :)

Of feelings and weather

You ask me what part of the day I like and I'll tell it's dusk.  I am a person who don't get up early so, dusk must be it.   That's just the reason. Hehe!  Kidding aside, I like dawn as well.  I have worked in the graveyard shift for a long time and traveling from work to our house after my shift makes me awake just seeing the beauty of nature and the coolness of the air at dawn.

Call me weird but I like a gloomy atmosphere too.  There's a kind of feeling that you wanted to cry and feel depressed but on the other hand, another feeling that makes you happy for reasons I can't explain in words.  LOL.

Here's a picture after my shift from a graveyard that I took about 2 weeks ago and made me sad and happy at the same time.  WEIRD, huh?  The dark clouds were threatening a heavy rain that didn't happen though. This is the same busy street that I posted here.  I am glad that it was now finished and widened.

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.

Half and Half

Yay!  First half of the year has ended and looking back, there's nothing much that  is remarkable that happened except for baking where I was able to do my first fondant cakes and blogging where I had more posts as compared to the year and a half  since I started to blog.  Hehe!

I just can't wait for the year to end. Just kidding of course!

I have lots of things in mind to do before the year ends so I better start this month.  So many ideas running that I want to happen be it with cooking, baking, make-up, fashion, photography, travel and studying here and abroad.  Hahaha!   A lot, huh? It's as if I have enough funds to cover all of them.  Well, there's always "The Secret", right?

Oh, there's one more thing, it's a wishful thinking really and it's another "secret". LOL.

I wish all of them would materialize this year.

...

June is almost done and I haven't posted yet most of my activities this month, particularly the much-awaited birthday party of my niece, Cheska.  I am talking about procrastination again. Darn!

So, today and the next few days, I will start little by little putting the updates on my blog.  I wish I can finish them before June ends.  :D

Is summer over?

I've been meaning to post this last week  but I couldn't find the right time as I was busy with baking and preparing for my niece's 7th birthday party.   Added to that is the no internet connection on places I've been to.

It has been raining the past week I left Pampanga and I was lucky to have another close-up pictures taken on my current favorite tree, the Flame Tree.  This tree is just near our office so on one of our breaks, my team and I decided to head to Mini-stop and pass by this beautiful tree to have a glimpse of it and a picture taken. On our way back to the office, raindrops started to pour.  If I remember it correctly, it started raining last May 29.  It rained daily until I left Pampanga  on June 5.  I have no idea if it rained still after that.  I guess, El Nino has ended and we're welcoming La Nina now.  I just hope not too much rain nor typhoon.

Isn't the tree very lovely? With its vibrant red-orange color, who would not be awed by its beauty?

I felt I was in another country when I saw the soil topped with fallen petals.  Actually, I always feel there's autumn season in Clark Field, Pampanga when some trees change their colors and leaves start to fall. Hahah!

Click the picture to see Abbey's smile. Heheh!

Abbey, Me & JB

Abbey, Jlyn & JB

Yours truly.  Have a "flame tree" weekend and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Goodbye IE, welcome GC!

My cousin, John saw me using Internet Explorer as my browser when we were on vacation a couple of days ago.  He suggested that I try Google Chrome and told me it's a lot faster than IE.

Today, I remember what he told me while surfing in IE and my patience is slowly dying.  So, I decided to download Google Chrome.  Boy! It was indeed fast and amazing!.  Interface is a lot better too as my window is maximized. I am not a computer techie and didn't even think a browser can make a big difference. Heheh!

Thanks, John for the suggestion. I can now blog faster and post more because of this. :)

Region 2

Finally after 4 days, I am now able to connect to the Internet.  Thanks to e' Place, one of the high-end restaurants in Cauayan, Isabela. 

I've been out of contact so to speak since Saturday, June 5 because  my family and I had to travel to Cauayan, Isabela to attend my niece's 7th birthday party. In the hotel that I am staying, there's no Wi-Fi! It saddens me that I can't connect to the Internet at night before I go to sleep and access my blog to document my day's activities. Such bad experience makes me buy Globe Tattoo or Smart Broadband just to be online whenever and wherever I am in any part of world. LOL. It's as if I  am traveling  often.

Anyway, this post is about some funny lines that caught our attention and put smile on our faces  on our way to  Sta. Ana, Cagayan. 

Posted at Jotay Resort & Restaurant in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

 

Found on the entrance of one of the sellers of imported cars in Sta. Ana still.



Blurred shot but if we have cd-r-king here, they have dvd-r-king  in Cagayan.

Stress & Starbucks

Last Sunday was a stress for me at the early part of the day. Why?  Traveling from our place to Angeles City takes more than an hour with the usual 7 to 15 minute travel and this is the worst day so far for the week as there was no police managing the traffic.  Do they ALL get an off during Sundays that no one is seen working on the traffic?!?

What I really don't understand too is why do our government plan on doing roads when it was already the rainy season and classes are a few days to come which will cause heavier traffic and postponed work.  Added to the injury is why do they have to lift the "truck ban" when roads are being done or repaired? (I've heard one of the candidates agreed to lift the ban in replacement to his votes!)  Please help me understand this. It's causing much inconvenience on the majority of the people and it's really getting into my nerves!

The heavy traffic that I get to see and experience daily!



So being pissed at an early day, what did I do to cool myself? I was on my way to work but decided to drop by at SM Clark first. LOL.  Well, it's not really SM that I had in mind but the Green Tea Frappucino of Starbucks.  This frap is my favorite! I was offered to add hazelnut flavor to it and agreed as it was just free with my receipt from HSBC card as perk.  It was my first time to taste it with hazelnut. Boy, it was heavenly!!! I think will be always ordering this with hazelnut from now on.  Since I didn't have breakfast yet, I decided to pair my frap with Ham, Bacon and Gruyère Quiche.  I wasn't disappointed and finished it all before I even reached my office. Talking about hunger and forgetting about the 240 calories of the frap alone.  More and more calories are piling up my now heavy body. Hahah!



When I took out the green tea frap, I was contemplating on my order. That is a choice between the quiche and the chocolate cake.  I was thinking of the chocolate cake the whole day. Do you know that feeling?  So the night after my shift and dinner with my friend, Nola, I invited her to Starbucks to check on the chocolate cake.  I was disappointed.  The chocolate cake that I was eyeing that morning has been sold out.  :(  SADNESS!  I ordered the offer of the day instead - Espresso Frappucino and Rum Cake.  I wasn't that happy.  The cake was so-so while the Frap, well it's not my favorite. Hehe!



Rum cake. It was moist and buttery but the taste of the rum was not that distinct. It was covered with white chocolate and topped with pistachio nuts.  I don't think this will pass for a second order for me. 



That ends my meal on that day. I don't want to get stressed again as I eat too much.  This is a bad thing for me as I don't get to exercise.  So, help me please!   Will you remove the traffic in our place and speed up the road widening?  Calling the government of Porac and Angeles City!!!