Oh, Margaret

My last blog post for the month of January belongs to my bestfriend, Margaret. We've known each other for a decade now. We grew up together and I can proudly say that she turned out to be an amazing and inspiring person. She had gone through different challenges in her life but she never let all of these affect her in any way. Instead of giving up, she bravely faced the challenges that came her way for she believes that these could make her a better and wiser person.

(her first sleepover in Laguna three years ago)


(with our friend James three years ago)

She loves her family so much and she values the people around her. Though busy and pretty much occupied with school work, she can still allot some time for her family and friends. No wonder why she is truly blessed.

(after watching Danz Dish 5 in school last year. It was a memorable night!)

Margaret is more than just a bestfriend; I think she is my long-lost sister! ;) I feel so lucky to have someone like her.

Happy Birthday Bestfriend Margaret!!! :)

The Sweetest Story I've Ever Heard

I'd like you to meet Chris Medina, a simple man with a good heart who dreams of becoming the next American Idol. He may be the sweetest guy in the eyes of all the girls in the world right now and I bet those who were able to watch his audition cried. His audition turned out to be so wonderful because he sang from the heart. I almost cried too while watching him on TV a while ago because I was moved by his lovely story. What he said in the interview impressed me: "What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?" His fiancee, I realized, is indeed lucky to have him. I admire this man and I hope he makes it.

I'm posting a video of his audition just in case you haven't seen it yet. :)

I Wonder What's Going On Today

My dad's operation didn't push through (note: he was already inside the operating room) because one of the doctors called up and said a bleeding might occur, due to the medicine he's been drinking since dati pa. They want my dad to stop drinking that medicine first before they could "remove" the lump in his tummy. My dad had been through a lot of tests last week and I find their reason absurd because, hello, they should have found out about it, right? As of this moment, his operation day is rescheduled. Unknown date. Sad. :(

On a much brighter side, my dad's in good condition. We don't blame anyone because if the operation pushed through, his condition could have gotten worse. We consider this as a blessing in disguise. Thank you friends for praying for him. We (our family) truly appreciate it. God is really good. :)

A Little Girl's First Heartbreak

She is only four years old. And she is already heartbroken because she doesn't want to leave a guy named Steven, who happened to be her teacher. Steven might have been a cool teacher to her that's why she cries like it's the end of the world. Oh, the power of teachers. :p

I want to hug this poor little girl and tell her that it's okay.

On a Wednesday Night

If you're feeling down, upset, sad, disappointed or pissed off today, I hope this photo of Elmo makes you smile in a way. Isn't it cute? :)

I'm on the verge of putting up a blog post that's full of negativity but I choose to stay calm and just think of happy thoughts. There's no point in crying over spilled milk. Only the babies do that. ;)

Tomorrow is another day. My game face is on.

*Photo from Tumblr*

The Fortune Cookie

It's my first fortune cookie for this year! A fellow colleague gave each one of us a fortune cookie as soon as she arrived in the workplace. Everyone was excited to open his or her cookie to find out its inspiring message for the day. With her camera around, Kaye began taking photos of us holding our fortune cookies.

And this is the message from my fortune cookie. Aww, I find it sweet and it definitely brightened up my day. :)

*Photo taken by Kaye*

Iccarageous

I call my friend Icca "Iccarageous" because she is a gorgeous girl. Icca and I met when we were still frosh students in DLSU and I feel so thankful because I've got the chance to get to know this bubbly and smart young lady. It's truly an honor to be one of her friends.

Icca's energy, sense of humor and even laughter are really infectious so we have never had any dull second with her. I miss our random moments together!

(This photo of ours is totally priceless. Both of us were beyond happy!)

She is truly one of a kind. It amazes me how she can find time for her friends, family, social life and even God despite her busy schedule in the preschool where she works. With all her achievements and happy aura, I know she will go places and more good things are destined to come her way.

Happy Birthday Iccarageous!!! :)

Do the Pretty Girl Rock

Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson has been playing on my iPod for days and it's on repeat mode! Kaye suggested to download this song and I'm glad I did. It's so catchy, it makes me want to dance! HAHA. I love the video because it's so creative (in my honest opinion) and it pays homage to some of the inspiring and beautiful black women in the world like Josephine Baker, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson and TLC. Moreover, this song tells all the girls to love themselves and to keep remembering that they are beautiful, no matter what other people say. To sum it all up, let me quote Eleanor Roosevelt, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent".

On a completely unrelated note, Keri as Janet Jackson and T-Boz (the lead singer of TLC) are my favorite scenes. :)

The Guy We Love to Hate (Or Hate to Love) Sings!

Tom Felton, who is best known as Harry's arch rival Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, sings very well and plays the guitar. He is also pretty good in writing his own songs. What's more? He just released his album, In Good Hands, and it's available now in Amazon.com.

It's a refreshing change from being a villain to a musician. His music is a far cry from his character in Harry Potter; It's so sweet and calm. I like his music and listening to his songs makes me feel good in a way (I actually searched for the songs in the list from the link I posted above on Youtube. One by one. Haha!).

Here he is with his song, If You Could be Anywhere. Fall in love more with Draco Malfoy... I mean Tom Felton. :)

Get Ready for Autumn

If there's one season that's interesting for me, it would be autumn. The changing color of the leaves from green to orange (in some cases, yellow) never fails to amuse me. My lovely Auntie Sari used to collect autumn leaves whenever she gets the chance to visit our relatives in the States, and I have always enjoyed looking at her collection whenever she shows it to everyone here in the Philippines. I haven't been to a country where there's autumn so I feel very lucky to be able to see, touch and hold an actual autumn leaf.

Last Sunday, we went to Uncle Menor and Auntie Elon's house to have merienda with our balikbayan Uncle Sergio and Auntie Josie (I belong to a very big family tree that's why I have so many uncles and aunties). I was hesitant to go at first because it's an "all-adults" get together, but I still joined my three other aunties and my dad. I brought my cellphone with me just in case I get bored. While eating merienda, I realized that surrounding myself with people 40-50 years older than I am has disadvantages because I get to learn more about our family and their life before. They talked about their younger years, the things they do when they were my age and the like. During the conversation, Uncle Sergio also showed us the photos of my cousins and their children for us to see how much they've grown and changed, using his iPad. He showed us too the photos he took of the autumn leaves/trees in their neighborhood and the robin's eggs he found in their garden.

(A robin's eggs)

By the way, have you seen a robin's egg? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you because the eggs you see in this photo are definitely blue. Now I know that not all eggs are white. Fascinating, right?

(Autumn in Boston's public garden)

Everyone was so happy, most especially Auntie Sari who received another batch of autumn leaves. It was indeed an entertaining afternoon. Contrary to my presumption, I didn't get bored at all! I actually had a great time with them, and I hope it happens again soon. And oh, I'm going to add Boston to my top 8 list (making it top 9 now) of travel destinations. It would be such a delight to finally experience autumn. :)

*Photos from Google images*

The Time is Running

My brain and my friends say I should go for it but my heart says otherwise. February 11 is just around the corner and I haven't made any decision. The final decision. I'm still having second thoughts. Why is it hard to answer this simple yes or no question? Is this a risk worth taking? What if... but what if?

I'm torn and confused. I should pray more. God, please guide and enlighten me.

Wow, it feels like high school senior year all over again.

P.S. Friends, don't get me wrong. I'm talking about the board exams for teachers. The deadline for the requirements is on February 11 and the exam day is on April 3. *sigh*

The Ear Candy

Before I hit the sack tonight, I would like to present my current last song syndrome... it's Misery by Maroon 5 from their latest album, "Hands All Over". I heard they're coming back to Manila for a concert on May 23 at the SMX Convention Center. Exciting! :D

*I can't take my eyes off Adam Levine. Wala lang. :))*

The Ships Had Sailed

What is happening to Pinoy Rock Music nowadays?

Last January 9, the Filipino rock band Bamboo had disbanded. The band's vocalist, Bamboo Manalac, confirmed the break-up in a statement he posted on their website. I've always been proud of these guys because they compose songs that make the Filipinos, particularly the youth, become socially aware and nationalistic. Their songs such as Noypi, Masaya, These Days, Mr. Clay, Hallelujah, Much Has Been Said, Probinsyana, Tatsulok, Kailan and Kalayaan sparked the patriotism among the Filipino youth. I also used to believe that they can do well in the international rock music scene but this happened. Oh well. Like what Bamboo said, "Things change... a chapter closes and a new one begins... We move forward for all the right reasons."

On the other hand, Ebe Dancel, the vocalist of Sugarfree, announced on his Twitter account that he's set to leave the band by the end of February to pursue a solo career. This simple tweet broke my heart because I love Sugarfree. I was one of the many students who screamed and sang along with the band when they performed in DLSU two years ago. And did I mention that their duet with the Manila Symphony Orchestra was epic? I wish I had been there! Mariposa, Hari ng Sablay, Prom, Tulog Na, Wag Ka Nang Umiyak and Nangangawit were a huge part of my highschool and early college life. I'm really sad because one of my favorite Filipino bands has to go.

I'm ending this post with Masaya and Nangangawit by Bamboo and Sugarfree respectively.

So long, farewell.

Note to Self

(From Tumblr)

Was browsing through a magazine which I bought a while ago and I came across this one:

"Accept that things may not always go according to plan--- and most of the time, something even better comes along."

I just feel that it's the perfect line for me today. This month's feature tells me to do my best no matter what and to be more open to the opportunities that come my way. Just what I need. :)

What's up, Bruno?

"The song is about loving someone so deeply, and the pain of knowing that the person you love does not feel the same. The actions in this video serve as a metaphor, and should not be taken literally. I am aware of the power of visual media, and I encourage everyone who watches this video to understand that it is an artistic interpretation of the song, and not something to imitate." -Bruno Mars

Well, what can I say? People do crazy things when they're in love, aren't they? :)

Today's a laid back Sunday

The weather in the Philippines is so unpredictable lately. Sometimes it's sunny-windy, rainy or just plain sunny. But I love it! And because of the weather, there's a reason for me to drink a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. It feels good to have an easy-going atmosphere at home.

So for a laid back Sunday afternoon, here's Train with their feel-good song Hey, Soul Sister from their album Save Me, San Francisco. Enjoy listening! :)

Keep Peace in Your Soul

How inappropriate. Those were the first words that came to my mind when I read a comment from a social networking site. I know we live in a democratic country and we're all free to express our feelings, but I don't think this celebrity has the right to say those below-the belt-words to someone he hardly knows. I admire people who are smart and very opinionated but saying something like that is just absurd, rude and immature. He has gone too far.

Dear celebrity, what happened to the morals/values that your parents have taught you? Oh, please, next time think before you speak. You are a public figure so your life is an open-book. And remember, a lot of people are looking up to you.

A piece of advice:

I hope you have the time to reflect on what you said. It would be much better if you apologize to the person. You've hurt his feelings and you owe him some apology. There's nothing wrong if you say "sorry". I know it's hard for you to do but sometimes you just have to eat your pride and take responsibility for your actions. Hey, it's already 2011. Change your ways. Be a good role model. :)

Thank you for the memories...

It is too shocking to see that DLSU's field looks like this now.

This field has been a part of the university's rich history, and it has made a remarkable impact in the students' college life because big events, such as the University Week, are celebrated here. The cadets from the ROTC and the foot ball varsity team usually have their trainings here to further develop their skills for it provides enough space for them. And it is where the students play frisbee during their free time. I feel sad in a way because it is being demolished in preparation for the Centennial year.

When I come back to visit again, I will no longer see this piece of beautiful land. However, sometimes we have to let some things go, so there would be a room for better things that are yet to come. I'm going to miss it. Definitely.

*Photos retrieved from Milk and Cookies and A Cookie a Day*

The Top 8

I have always been fascinated by people who usually have the time to travel around the world. I enjoy looking at their pictures and listening or reading their posts about their experiences in the places where they had been to. The books I read and movies I watch are also contributing factors. I learn a lot from them and they inspire me to seek adventure and discover wonderful things.

I'd like to share with you the top eight places that I want to visit in the future. In random order, here's my list:

1. Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece is known for its villages which are built on the cliffs and the fantastic view of the sea, volcano and sunset. The movie, Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, introduced me to this paradise. Lena, one of the characters, made me see its grandeur when she paid a visit to her grandparents and to get to know more about her Greek roots. I'm definitely excited to see it for myself.

2. Paris, France

Paris, France is more than just the most romantic place in the world. It is full of museums and galleries such as the Louvre that exhibit world-class works of art like Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa. The Eiffel tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral are a must-see too. I've also heard that the food in Paris tastes great. Have you watched Disney's Ratatouille? Though it is an animated movie, the food that Linguini and Remy (the rat who dreams of becoming a chef) cook looks so appetizing! I'd like to try the authentic French croissant, creme brulee, mousse au chocolat and of course, ratatouille.

3. Italy

Pizza and pasta always come into my mind whenever I hear the word, Italy. I love pizza and pasta and my family can attest to that. These are my comfort food! Meanwhile, I'm currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat.Pray.Love. Like her, I want to feast on Italian food and savor every moment while in Italy. I'll make it even more memorable by paying a visit to the Vatican, tossing a coin and making a wish at the Trevi Fountain, taking photos of the ruined Roman Coliseum and hang-out in Venice.

4. China

China is an interesting place to visit because of its rich culture. The book, Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, encouraged me to go to China someday. Also, I saw Bianca Gonzalez' photo taken at the Great Wall of China and it was amazing. I want to have one like that too.

5. New York City, USA

It is the city that never sleeps, as they say. It is also the home of some well-known landmarks and attraction like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum and the Times Square. I will not elaborate further on this because IT'S NEW YORK CITY! :)

6. London, England

I've been wanting to go here since I became fond of the Harry Potter series. For me, this place is magical and it deserves to be in my list.

7. Seoul, Korea

I love watching Korean romantic-comedy-with-a-little-drop-of-drama shows. Full House, Princess Hours, My Girl, Boys Over Flowers and the like never fail to show the viewers the wonderful tourist spots in Korea such as the Teddy Bear Museum, Changdeok Palace, and Jeju Island. I'm also interested in learning about their culture, thanks to my Korean friends.

8. Egypt

Regina Belmonte once shared her experiences when she went to Egypt with her family last summer. It was breathtaking to see the pyramids, even the camels, from the photos she took from their trip. From her blog posts and article on The Philippine Star, I've began to dream about touching the stones of the pyramids which were built by the people during the ancient times. I want to know too how it feels like when I finally get the chance to be inside those pyramids where the tombs of the greatest pharaohs in the world history are found.

How about you, what are your top 8 travel destinations? :)

*Photos from Google Images*

What happened in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of

My cousin, Luisa, is luckiest girl in the world! She surprised everyone when she shared her weird yet funny experience while walking down the streets of New York. She may have missed the countdown at Victoria Harbour with the family in Hongkong and the California sunshine (where she stays because she studies at USC) for snow but at least she had a greatest time with friends in the Big Apple. It was her first time to spend New Year away from family.

So while browsing through my Facebook News Feed, my jaw dropped upon reading her status:

"did i mention i saw natalie portman walking down the street the other day?"

Natalie Portman. The gorgeous Hollywood actress known for playing Padme Amidala in Star Wars.... walked right past my cousin! Luisa thought it's weird and funny at the same time because it all happened in New York, not in L.A. Of all places and of all people.

It's such a joy to hear something good, like this, in the first few weeks of 2011. Good vibes, right? Haay, I wish I'd see Emma Watson or Zac Efron someday. I won't stop dreaming. Who knows? I might see them sooner than later. HAHA. ;)

I'm leaving you with Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Go and sing your heart out! :)

My Last Hurrah

In a couple of hours, we will finally say good-bye to 2010 and hello to 2011.

The Year of the Tiger has been a great and interesting one for me. A lot of blessings came into my way and no words can truly describe how grateful I am. There may be ups and downs and some twists and turns, but I'm glad I survived and carried on. As I look back, I can proudly say that I have learned and gained so much from the things that happened this year.

Tomorrow, on the other hand, is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. It is the perfect time for us to make a fresh start and live anew. After all, it's never too late to start over, right? Let go of the bad things yet bring the good ones with us, to help us keep moving forward in this journey called life.

Happy New Year to all! Let's make 2011 a legendary one. Cheers! :)

Oh, Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is so big, you won’t even notice me. :)) Feeling like a tourist in Eastwood last Tuesday, the 28th day of December 2010. :)

She's so fluffy!

Friends, this is Kisses. She is my first goddaughter. For some reason, she reminds me of Agnes (from Despicable Me, hence the title of this entry) and Strawberry Shortcake. :)

Don't Stop the Pop

What I've been waiting for has finally come! It's DJ Earworm's United State of Pop for 2010. A lot of people who commented on Youtube said that last year's mash-up is better than this year's. What do you think? :)

The Dare

Balut has always been a Christmas staple at home. Our Christmas merienda wouldn't be complete without it. For those who are not familiar with balut, it is a boiled fertilized egg of a duck. It is usually paired with salt or vinegar to make it more tasty. In the Philippines, I think it is considered a delicacy.

(This is how a balut looks like when you open the shell. By the way, I do not own the photo. It is retrieved from Google Images)

An aunt gave a basket of balut for the whole family to enjoy. Nothing was left in the basket as soon as it was served on the table. Yes, that's how we love this food. While I was eating, I didn't notice that a cousin was observing me and then he said, "Try eating the white part (he's pertaining to the chick). Masarap!". I gave him a why-do-you-want-me-to-eat-that-are-you-kidding-me face. His mom also agreed with him and the rest of the cousins encouraged (or should I say, dared) me to eat the chick (I only eat the "soup" and the yellow part). I hesitated at first but... since I wanted some adventure, I gave in to their request and ate it. My smile turned into a frown while chewing it. I can't believe I just ate a baby duck! Yet I realized it's not that bad at all! I actually liked it. I didn't eat the white part because it's as hard as a rock.

Unfortunately, this is the only photo taken of my "balut eating challenge". I consider it as one of the bravest things I have ever done this year. Had I not tried, I wouldn't know how it tastes like. Thanks to my cousins, Christmas 2010 has become more memorable. :)

*P.S. Luisa, Cente and Keithy, we miss the three of you! Looking forward to celebrating Christmas with you soon. :)*

The Greatest Time of Year

Spread more love, peace and happiness this season. Merry Christmas everyone! :)

The Awesome A Capella

I'm totally too lost for words when a colleague showed us this cover of Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna while having a lunch break some weeks ago. The guy, Mike Tompkins, only used his mouth and voice (no musical instruments at all) and he was able to come up with a cool cover. He is a very talented guy and I think he deserves a spot in the music industry. :)

Tumblring

Have you ever wondered about what's going on in the mind of a person when he or she stares at you? Sometimes, it bothers me because I don't know what he or she is thinking. I wish he or she would be honest enough to tell me so I won't spend the rest of my free time wondering about it. I'm open and willing to listen. :)

And oh, I just want to say it's so fun to blog-hop on Tumblr. It is a haven of interesting stuff. :)

The Better Version

Okay, I know. I posted this one before but I found a better version of this psychological fact while blog-hopping a while ago. I feel the need to post this one. I'm sorry I just can't help it. I guess it still has a big impact on me. ;)

A Meal Like No Other

Last December 10, my best friend Margaret introduced me to Pepper Lunch. Looking for a place to eat has always been our problem and we usually end up at Burger King. I have nothing against this fast food chain because its burgers are one of the bests in town, but we wanted something new to eat. Hence, we entered that humble looking place called Pepper Lunch, located at the second floor of Alabang Town Center.

I ordered Beef Pepper Rice because it caught my attention. Margaret also suggested that I try it because it really tastes good.

(Left: That's my beef pepper rice and my odd geeky look. Right: Margaret and her curry beef pepper rice)

Look at my smile! I had a great time eating this meal. The beef, the rice and the corn are a good combination. Margaret even told me to put the sweet sauce (it's so yummy I forgot the name) too because it will make the meal taste even better. And she was right.

(It's still hot and sizzling!)

Margaret ordered this one. It's called Curry Beef Pepper Rice. According to her, she loved it! She has plans of ordering all of the food in the menu. She is such a Pepper Lunch fan.

What I like about this restaurant is that the diners get to cook the food they ordered. The food is served on a plate, which is not like an ordinary steak plate, because it's a "patented electromagnetic plate that is heated up to 260 degrees Celsius within one minute" (I researched, HAHA). So please avoid touching the plate because it's super hot. ;)

Our dinner at Pepper Lunch was an ultimate dining experience. I will definitely go back there again. :)

By the way, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Margaret because she received an e-mail from the Pepper Lunch team, thanking her for blogging about them. I'm so proud of you!!! :)

*Photos from Margaret's phone. The both of us forgot to bring cameras.*
*credits to http://www.pepperlunch.com.ph*

The Best Movie I Have Ever Seen... Yet

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is definitely the most-anticipated movie of this year. When it hit the theaters last November 16, a lot of people lined up to watch the first part of the final series. Everyone I knew have been talking about it on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. They shared their experiences and how they felt while watching the movie.

Now, it's my turn to share.

Last week, I finally got the chance to see it for myself. I honestly think it gave justice to the book because most of the scenes were how I imagined them to be. David Yates did a great job in this one. This is the best Harry Potter film yet.

One of my favorite scenes was when Hermione and Harry slow-danced one night. Harry may not be the best dancer in the world but he made his friend feel a little bit better. Moving, indeed. The other one was when Ron came back to their tent, explaining how the deluminator brought him to where his friends are. What he said was very sweet and sincere. It was also the moment when I secretly wish I wanted to be like Hermione. :p

I left the movie house with a smile on my face. I'm looking forward to watching the second part of the movie in July next year. It may be the end but its magic will remain forever. :)

The Perfect Match

For some reason, whenever I hear Fix You by Coldplay on my music player, I always feel inspired and encouraged. It uplifts my spirit most especially when I feel sad. I really find it amazing how different kinds of people can relate to the song.

I was surfing my Facebook one day and I came across this video post of my former block mate. It's a nice and touching video of Ron and Hermione. I love this couple and I'm glad they ended up together in the series.

Please watch the video, listen to the song and be inspired too. :)

The Early Christmas Gift

(A day at Serendra: July 4, 2009)

Received the best news ever! My cousins are coming home to celebrate the holiday season with us. We'll have an early Christmas dinner on Wednesday, the 8th day of December. I'm excited to see them again! We may not be together on the actual day (Christmas) but their "early homecoming" really means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to having some fun with them. The Big Guy up there has answered my prayer. What a lovely Christmas gift. :)

Smile!

This year, I learned that looking at the brighter side can help me become a stronger and a much happier person. Our life may take detours and unexpected events may happen, but these should not make us stop from dreaming and achieving our goals. The past three months have taught me to count my blessings and be more grateful for the things that I have. There is no reason for me to be sad because I believe that God has better plans for me. :)

The Magic Still Remains

It was ten years ago when I got introduced to Harry, Ron and Hermione. The film adaptation of The Sorcerer's Stone was a box office hit at the cinemas then and I used to be out of place whenever my classmates talk about it. The ten year old me felt like a loser at that time so I asked my bestfriend, Margaret, to explain to me what's going on because she watched the movie. I also borrowed a classmate's book so I would have a background of Harry Potter. Since that one fateful day, I got hooked on reading the book and started saving my allowance to buy the other volumes. I finished reading all the books and I never get tired of rereading them again. They are one of my most prized-possessions.

I admire J.K. Rowling for her wild imagination. She changed the whole world by simply writing about the adventures of the "boy who lived". Most of us have grown up with Harry, Ron and Hermione and they will be forever a part of us.

I'm 20 now but I'm still looking forward to receiving an acceptance letter from Hogwarts. ;)

P.S. This video gives me goosebumps. The title of the song is Marchin' On by One Republic.

College Life Time Machine

We are all happy to be back in school. Just take a closer look at our photo. It is worth a thousands words. :)

*Photo from Lo's camera*

Crazy Over Peppermint Mocha

Others say it tastes like Colgate but for me it isn't.

I'm talking about Starbucks' Peppermint Mocha. Since the famous coffee shop started its yearly tradition last November 3, I've been dropping by the place just to buy a cup of this popular holiday beverage. I am not a fan of coffee but the combination of espresso, milk, bittersweet chocolate, peppermint flavor and whipped cream makes me appreciate it. It may be too pricey but the happiness I get in return is priceless. On a different note, I can feel the spirit of Christmas whenever there's Peppermint Mocha around.

The baristas give me weird looks for not availing the sticker so I could have the limited edition Starbucks Coffee planner. Unlike the others who are willing to fight tooth and nail to own one, I always say "no, thank you" with a smile. I guess I'm the only customer who does not care about collecting the stickers. A Papemelroti planner is still the best, at least for me.

After working a while ago, I went to Starbucks with my fellow colleague and new friend, Kaye. The day that we've been waiting for has finally come! It was nice talking to someone who can listen and understand what I'm going through. It also feels good to listen, share my thoughts and give friendly advices. I didn't have a dull moment with her because what we talked about was interesting and insightful. Those two and a half hours were not enough, believe it or not. Nevertheless, I enjoyed our short yet meaningful coffee date. Starbucks' theme this Christmas season is right, a cup of Peppermint Mocha (or a Toffee Nut Latte or a Praline Mocha) is a perfect drink to tell stories over. :)

By the way, I'd like to share with you what I discovered while writing this entry:

(Hi, I'm Nana!)

I'm pretty sure I said my name correctly and clearly but look! I have a new name! :p

The Happy Saturday

These are my college friends. You probably know Lo and Icca by now since I blogged about Lo's birthday bash some weeks ago. The girl on the right is Danielle. :)

It was taken last Saturday when the four of us went to La Salle to get our yearbook. Danielle was on the "hot seat" since she didn't make it last October 30. We learned new things from her and she really surprised us with her big news. Lo, Icca and I were kinikilig while she was sharing the big news to us. We're so happy for her! She deserves all the blessings that are coming her way for she's a responsible, obedient and God-fearing friend, sister and daughter. We're undeniably lucky to have her as our friend.

The saying "big things come in small packages" is absolutely true. From our two-hour bonding time, I realized that life surprises us with good things when we least expect them. Ahh, I can't wait to see all of them again in December! :D

Paparazzi, Cars, Carousels and Moving Walls

(A scene from the music video, Overprotected. Photo from Google Images)

Just watched Overprotected from a local music channel. Britney Spears has been a big part of my growing up years! I grew up listening to her songs and she used to be my favorite international singer. At such a young age, she went through a lot of struggles in her life but she was able to overcome all of these. Having said this, no wonder why she's considered as an influential icon in the pop music industry.

Here she is with the music video (I can't put it here because there's no embed). The dance moves are amazing! The song, on the other hand, I believe it's coming from the heart and inspired by her personal experiences. Overprotected is the second single of her third album Britney. :)

If You Ever Loved Somebody, Put Your Hands Up

It was in the year 2002 when I first encountered Nelly in my life. At that time, I was just a simple grade 6 student then who never appreciated rap and rock music. For me, rock and rap music were only played if you wanted to make some noise or annoy some people. I only listened to Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys, and other artists who's known for singing bubblegum type of music. But when I heard Dilemma and Cleanin' Out My Closet, a song by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child and Eminem respectively, my view on rap and even rock music changed. I started to memorize the lyrics of these songs, sing my heart out whenever I'm in the shower or my room and the rest, as they say, is history.

I'm glad that Nelly's (also Eminem) back this year with his new single, Just a Dream, from the album 5.0. This one is quite different from his past songs such as Hot in Here and Party People because it's more mellow and heartbreaking. This song probably reflects his softer side since we are more used to his tough image, as shown in his previous music videos. I wish this would put him back to the top of the charts again. Afterall, it's been eight years. :)

Guess Who's Back?

Twister Fries is back in town! Didn't attend my tutorial class because my students don't really come every Friday (they have this so-called "Friday Sickness). So instead of going to Sta. Rosa, I headed towards the newly opened SM here in Calamba and went to McDonald's to buy some Twister Fries and a Coke Float. I missed Twister Fries and I'm so happy that it's back. :)

Mind-Blowing

There are so many what if's and but what if's in my mind right now. If thinking too much was a job, then I'd be a billionaire. *sigh* Who wants to eat ice cream with me? :)

The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The night of October 30^th is a memorable one for me. My college friends and I celebrated the 20^th birthday of our beloved friend, Lo Chua. Let me share with you some of the photos taken on this day.

(The Gustavian: Eastwood, Libis)

We started the night by eating a sumptuous dinner at Gustavian’s. I was so glad to see Bethel, Lo’s bestfriend, again. The last time I saw her was when we practiced for our graduation rites last June. On the other hand, I enjoyed listening to my friends’ experiences at work. It’s been four months since we graduated from college and a lot of things have already changed. Haay, time flies so fast. It really does.

(From left to right: Bryan (Lo's boyfriend), Lo, Sab, Maryse, Raymund, Mye, Ocha, Icca, Me and Mau; Lorenz is at the back of Maryse)

While walking around the malls’ outdoor attraction, they decided to go to a bar to dance. It took them a long time to decide because most of the bars don't have dance floors (people were just sitting down, drinking and talking). We ended up in The Manor.

(My lovely college friends: Lo, Sab, Icca, Mau, Mye and Maryse)


(This shot has a striking resemblance to Saab Magalona's photo with Diego Mapa. Check it out and you'll know what I mean)


(Dance the night away! Party! Party!)


(They all look so happy, aren't they? Specially the birthday girl.)


(That's me with my forever groupmate, Maryse)

It was the Manor’s Halloween party as well. Guests should be in their costumes so they could go inside. I don’t know how Lo or Bryan (or Mye or Icca or Sab) did it but the bouncers allowed us to enter the bar even if we’re not wearing a costume. We didn’t even fall in line, unlike the others (maybe, we’re VIP’s?). Well, my friends never fail to do amazing things. ;)

Thank you for this extraordinary treat, Lo. It was indeed an EPIC night. :)

So Long, Farewell

This video reminds me of the Eraserheads’ reunion concert two years ago. Everybody sang with Ely, Raimund, Marcus and Buddy when they played their famous classic, “Ang Huling El Bimbo”. I will miss NU107, the radio station that brought Spongecola and Urbandub, my favorite Filipino bands, to St. Scho when I was still a highschool junior.

Thank you NU107.