I'm back. without virus I hope

I still have my stuff left unpacked - that or left to gather and bring inside the cabinet.

I'm home! Nothing really beats that noh? Despite how much I grew accustomed to sleeping in literally different beds, going from place to place with only a drawn map in yellow pad in hand, and falling in love with friendship and partnership, I actually feel more safe. (Or safer. Same difference?) Must be that this time I wouldn't have to outwit over-charging cab drivers, nor get paranoid over one cough to be swine flu virus.

Anywaaay,
That weekend felt longer than it actually was, idunno how that happened as it should have been the contrary. Mady mentioned that and I can only agree. Credit goes to Cebu Pacific low fare promo of course, and well, my boss for the leave approval.

For what, you might ask?


[images from last April visit.]

Pollution nor traffic can deter my happy spirits. Although hating over-charging cab drivers all the more, I guess I will always love going back to the capital.

With no actual particular plans set, I tagged along Madeline and Jany, joined by Gucci-boy and Ela tagging along whoever, hehe. Endless pigging out and going around places, I got to know each other's partners and fell in love with them in the process! As it is, both Gucci and Ela captured my heart, and I can only wish everyone to be happy and in love :)

Sigh.

I have soooo much memories to remember for that trip, and as it would go, it would be the nth time for me to whine about missing my camera! (I am forgetful, am I?) A trip to Cubao Ex even made me think if I should go lomo...



Wouldn't that be exciting? And well, expensive.

Anywaaay, so here are my new discoveries from that trip. I'll probably post other details next time when I get a copy of the few pictures from Ela's phone and Gucci's cam.

To visit:

1. Cubao Ex (short for Expo)
This is near Gateway Mall. If you love vintage and anything unique (short for weird, hehe), then this place is for you. There were a looot of artsy fartsy stuff I wish I could have brought home! Spells expensiiiveee. Jany and Seleena said that it was like Outpost here in Cebu, only more artsy.

Idunno if I can describe that as that though, but I'd say it's like a square village with outer-corner houses, as well as those in the center, wherein knocking in each door would be a surprise.

Seleena said I should try the drink with yakult in the mix at I love You store. Although I have yet to remember the name, I'd half agree with Seleena when she said it's gastronomic experience.


2. Malls
This is everywhere! Hehe. I have only a few more to visit to complete the list but it wouldn't be Manila if you don't get to drop by even one of them.

List as far as I can remember right now: Rockwell, Trinoma, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta, Ever Gotesco, Glorietta, Edsa Shang, SM MOA, SM Megamall, Landmark, Star Mall, whew.
Added to this list: Gateway and Mall 168 (Divisoria :D)

Tag: Endless walking, endless spending, comfortable footwear needed

3. Palladium
This is Mady's and her family's place at Shaw area. Although it would require you actually knowing someone from the village, I can only imagine the potential of the place for photo-op, hehe. The Europian structures, as well as pillars were lovellyyy.

And Ate Jovit's room's shower? Extra lovellyyy.

4. Glorietta: Food
The afternoon on our arrival, Gucci treated me and Mady at this Buffalo wings resto at Ortigas area. Although the food was really yummy, I couldn't help answering Jany's question where I'd like to have dinner with "somewhere there's rice!" Hehe :)

Sooo...
That's Recipes for me. Dinner was reaaaallly yum. (It's a Pinoy resto serving rice, hehe.)

Then there's Cold Rock. I soo felt like Prinsesa that time uttering "happy!" endless times after seeing all the goodies. (It's an ice cream store where they mix in your choices of ice cream and add-on goodies - as chocolates, candy sprinkles, butterscotch, et cetera, and molding it into a high-calorie but yummy treat)



Try something new:

a. Try the scratch and win lotto. Probability of winning might be close to null, but nothing beats believing in luck sometimes. Hehe.

b. Play a board game even without knowing the rules. You can always make your own!

c. Ride LRT and MRT with only map-drawn directions as guide. Adventure anyone?

d. Play with Gucci's car freshner with these tiny balls, get really fascinated with them, and get happily surprised when he gets you your own :)


To be continued...
(sleepy)

life of the party is rebooting

I used to be so technically inept. However, because of my work, I have had more patience, and although I have not entirely mastered the craft, I say I'm all good.

It's about two in the morning, and I wonder why I'm sleepy in the morning. Kapeesh. Anyway, I have overlooked my inbox in facebook, which now says 58 messages.

One of which was an album post notice and comments from Bookie and Dondon saying how nice it is, with Ate's album "my last summer" noting:

"so if (or when.. hehe) my memory fails me, these pictures will be my bitter sweet reminder. good times!
yes, im already doing a countdown :D soooo excited!!!"

With a compilation of pictures of her friends, and family, us :)


Ate will soon be leaving for Canada. She will be joining my brother-in-law and their little big boy, Josh. It has been one year since they were happily wed. Although I can only dream of riding that long-hours plane ride abroad, I can only wish of that life-long happy ride to family, partnership, and craziness. Haa :)

My tribute to the party girl who will be signing off to log in to a winter-cold temperature happy life.
To the girl who:

1. sleeps with her mouth open. Haha :)
2. dances like there is no tomorrow, more often than not with a drink on her hand ;)
3. smiles with her lagus showing.
4. sings, and shouting the verses, with me - however out of tune we are
5. jumps up and down during new year's eve, not because she believes she'll grow any taller, but because it's tradition, and traditions are nice.
6. cheats height and wears about 3 inch heel shoes.
7. loves salvaro.
8. eats a lot, but does not get fat. unfair.
9. thinks Steve grew fat, but loves him anyway.
10. gets her way around me, calling me chariot, with that waving ym smiley when we chat


I love you, Ate! Get Daddy and Mama cute barikdats and joshuas.
Mwahmwah!

i'll be doomed tomorrow

I am a perpetual procrastinator. I blame it on Boys Over Flowers, finishing 18 episodes during the weekend.

whattodo, whattodo...

I have about 10 items on my to do desktop sticky note.
ghad, help me tomorrow.

Times like this, I wonder if I can escape work.
Get a new one? Break free?

[Images taken last May 22. He tends to get away from from his make-shift leash, for the lack of better term because I am already sleepy. I'm usually the tasked person to run after him. Just like Kuya telling me to up clean Jayjay, and that he's giving him to me, when I said he should clean jayjay's poop because it's his.
P.S. I covered his eyes on the last picture, bad attempt at doing without the red eye glow.]

finding our niche

In a family of about, what? 50 cousins, it's impossible to find peace during gatherings! Let alone order! It's a happy riot, nonetheless.

Survival of the fittest.
Scream, shout, do anything to make yourself known.
As they say, you are unique, just like everyone else.

That spells "niche".

Anyway...
Honey and Ate Kit were talking about how they have been (perpetually) mass readers.
Achie Bing semi-complained that she has forever been a bridesmaid (and never a bride?).
I fully complained that I was never a flower girl in any of the weddings that they had a part of. (Tawn pud.)

And Marba? She just grunted at us.

She used to scream a lot before. (Stuck feet in the car, "Call the doctor, call the carpenter...")
She used to quarrel me a lot before. (Gives me a looot of reason to fight back! Haa :D)

More than what she used to be before (although she still screams a lot), she has definitely found her distinctive niche... that make us unworthy, haha :D.

This is a taste of what I was meaning. Passion and love.
dance dance dance :)



I almost cried after this performance! It was beautifullll!
Unless you are really keen, you wouldn't even notice the slip!
I love you Marba! I am very proud of you! Mwahmwah!


[Images taken last May 23, 2009 at Noi Dison's Wedding using Donzki's P&S]

and did I just say number 6?

Hehe. I am smug today. I like to be smug sometimes, especially on few occasions that I can. Smug smug smile with that!

I have personally told only a couple of people about this site. I feel that I still need to place a loooot information about previous travels that would compose this travel blog that it is supposed to be.

But anyway, it brings a smile when people say nice things about what I am currently enjoying - besides taking pictures. Rambles, but nonetheless keeps me virtually present.


James emailed me saying this is a good start. He is currently connected with a big local company that I'm not sure if I can mention. I always smile when I see him because I can remember Mr. Miyagi of Karate Kid. (You're not born in the 1980's of you don't even get a recall!) Anyway, I have visited their office a couple of times, and the rest of the guys have been really warm. One of the things that they share is enthusiasm for great pictures. Jeff, one of the other guys there even taught me few tricks on curves (pp). Then there's Orville and Christian that I have worked with in few projects. I also smile when they kid around at their office, distinctively saying "Allrriigghhtt" and calling each other with pet names.


Soooo...
on from getting side-tracked, I was supposed to come up with a review of public comfort rooms of the places that I had and will be visiting - as suggested by James. I told him I thought it's a great idea,and that when and should I get to have the joomla site up, I'd have that section, and name it "James's Corner"!


Second off, I got a message from Norfelly.



Chronicles of a professional photographer wannabe! yahu! :)

He got married a month ago at Argao, down south of Cebu. I was among those surprised but very much happy to receive the invitation. He's one of the first logic designers in the company, and he remains grounded despite his expertise and responsibilities. If there's one thing I wish for him though, that would be not getting rattled by any unexpected circumstance. Hehe. Picturing it out, type in ":-SS"in YM,

Anyhow, I told him that my presence would be my present for this wedding! Having my cam with me at that time, I fell in love with the place and captured as much as I could. I love how dramatic the church was, facade and more so in the inside! Frescoes! I doubt if someone ever visited the place and didn't sigh looking up.

Here are some of my favorite captures.



[Images captured last April at Argao, Cebu]

Other pictures here. Congratulations again, Norfelly! Cheers to simple celebrations, and new beginnings! :)


P.S. I just got outside the office and saw the looming horizon, setting for for the day.
The shades of blue were loovveelly! Missing my camera, though.

Top 20 Things That Make Me Happy:

I find myself unable to catch sleep. Feeling jet lag :)). What with waking up three in the afternoon! Anyway, I find myself blog-hopping in multiply, and on Bianca's (Gonzales - yep the celebrity) page. When I started out months ago, I found inspiration from her writing. If anything, I find few things in common with her, as her...

• Writing Style. She's a list type of blogger, than the narrative paragraphs one.
• Travels. She likes to go around and travel new places.
  
• Interest. When she travels, she makes sure she gets a picture taken - with her cartwheeling in it. (Only I'd dream of being able to! So I'm very much content with posing beside a kilometro.)
• Pictures. A little kid in me, I find picture books more interesting. Although I've grown to love Judith McNaught like - thick novels, I'd say I'll forever be a picture book girl.

Anyway, I've came up with my own list of top 20 things that make me happy.

1. Rainbows
2. Capturing "nice" pictures
3. Short trips or long travels
4. East West's Mango Sushi Crepe
5. Family gatherings, especially when everyone's complete (or almost)
6. Getting commended with my work (work work, or not work work. Haha)
7. Friends
8. Beach!
9. Birthdays and Christmases
10. Accomplishing my tasks for the day
11. Hearing from someone that I look pretty :)) and knowing they are not lying!
12. Seeing my (toe) nails clean
13. Coming up of eat-able food for everyone
14. Chocolates
15. Surprises. Giving or receiving them
16. Pretty landscapes and picturesque scenery
17. Chick flicks and feel-good movies
18. Proving someone wrong, or proving I am right! Evil grin with that! Hehe :)
19. Skype's bear hug and demure laugh
20. Ordering coffee jelly, and seeing my name spelled right



[Isn't the rainbow really pretty? The girl at the center is prinsesa taken at Portofino, with the rest of the pictures randomly selected. Lower right picture with high school friends taken from Kei's cam.]

"it was long overdue. and not easy to do. but i have learned,
as should you, that one has a choice to be happy. and take away
toxic people people in one's life who do not share in one's
happiness :)"

From one of the email exchanges I had with Ate. It sounds poem-ish, but I believe that was not purposely rhymed, but getting the point across that yes, there is nothing wrong if you sulk and get sad and even get depressed, but it is greatly your choice if you get yourself winded up in it after a looong time.

the boss gets what the boss wants

As I'm watching Judy Ann & Ryan's Wedding Special (the making episode), I'm laughing with the friends of the couple, as well as the couple go about the preparations and arrangements.

I wonder if they can count how many laughs people belted out in that episode, I'm sure it would be a headache! Hehe. Although Papa Tito was complaining how long it was, among other things, I thought it was really cute.

They wanted a happy secret wedding, and they got it.

Same went for J(y)osi and Jaja's beach wedding that I was invited to last week Sunday, as well as Noi Dison and my new cousin-in-law, Ellen's, yesterday - only crashing out the secret part.

Like many others, I love love stories, and I love happy endings (or new starts?). :)
If I were getting married, I'd like mine to be a mix of those that I have attended, but definitely keeping it happy as a common denominator.



Anywayyy...
Jill, sent me a message that the ad was published, about two weeks ago? I've lost track of time, and I guess I have been kinda busy not to have scanned a copy of the actual ad. I still have yet to get my own copy from her, which reminds me!

Anyway (again), her boss wanted some color splashed on the ad. Although my favorite of the two lay-outs was not chosen, I'm still as glad that one of my two favorite pictures was.

Boosting my confidence in capturing pictures a level notch higher, here's the second ad that I had laid out for Pueblo El Grande Ad.


And here's the image that went through publishing. Isn't she pretty? Haha :D






Mare, as I told you through text, the boss gets what the boss wants.
So no worries, we'll be bosses some time. :)

Full House

I come from a big family.
I come from a very big family.
I come from a very big and happy family.
I come from a very big, happy, and loud family.
I come from a very big, happy, and very loud family.


...et cetera, et cetera? Got the point most probably on the second line. Ha :)


Summers before were spent at Bogo.
Not "usually" nor "more often than not".
That was how it used to be before.

Daddy has about nine siblings. So I guess one can easily imagine the branches of that, and even
the branches of the branches?

Loud voices, boisterous laughs, getting really excited even just passing by the "Welcome to San
Remigio" signage, kuluk kulok...

Even while I'm typing off right now with everyone asleep upstairs, and Marie mindlessly talking
in her sleep beside me, I'm smiling. I can distinctly remember the smell of Elf - the orange truck
that we got us from and to Bogo, with everyone crammed in the cushions spread out at the back.

Thinking about it now, I can list endless notes about what and how I remember how it was before.
And...

Thinking about it now, I'd make a mental note to do it one free time!


[Images taken last night after dinner, with ate and noi bebe's camera]


As Papa Tito explained to Steve weeks ago during the Manila family gathering that well, the gathering,
is and will never be completed without the, now tradition, pictorial. Although I still don't have my
camera, Noi Bebe compensated for such misfortune! Nikon D90, drroolll!


As the saying goes, you can choose your friends, but not your family.
Not that I mind getting forever stuck with this one! :)