Goodbye 2010. Welcome 2011!

I can say that 2010 is my toughest year.


I'd like to thank all my friends for being there through thick & thin, high & low, happy & sad.


Thank you for bearing with my drama, my, stories, my whining, my all. :)


Looking forward to a more fun, more fruitful, and more ice-breaking moments with you guys.


Happy New Year!


2011, bring it on! :)

Thank you, Marlboro

A few months back, PMFTC (Philip Morris) sent us (the participants) a CD of the pictures and videos taken during ‘The Marlboro eXperience’ (TMX) event.

When I saw this picture, I was really sure that it was me in the photo. But some of my friends didn’t believe me. Anyone can claim naman daw na sila un, with the mask and helmet on. Hahaha!

Then today, after receiving a couple of daily newsletters (and I really mean daily) from Marlboro, I was surprised to see a familiar face in the header (mast head?) of the newsletter.

I wanted to shout, “AKO YAN!!!”

For fun, I forwarded the newsletter to some of my friends just to prove that it was really me. Well, with the high-res photo, no one now can deny that it’s really me! (And how many times do I need to say the line, “It’s really me!”? Hahaha!)

I don’t know why, but the newsletter made me smile.

Thank you, Marlboro, for the post-Christmas gift.

100th Post: Birthdays & Surprises

It’s almost the end of 2010.

If you know me too well, you know that as early as the start of –ber months, I am already way thinking ahead. I am already thinking about my birthday.

Some people get excited about Christmas. Some loves Valentines Days. Others like to dress up on Halloween.

Me, I have a thing for birthdays.

I get uber-excited for birthdays. My own birthday. My best friend’s birthday. My officemate’s birthday. Everyone’s birthday.

I plan ahead. Like in the office, I usually initiate the collecting of funds to buy a decent birthday cake. We try to surprise the celebrant (even though she’s expecting the surprise na) as much as we could.

I believe that since it is someone’s birthday, he or she should be treated well. Not only well, but really special.

There are downsides for my uber-excitement for my birthday though. I tend to expect too much. Well, not too much. I just expect. Period.

I expect people (especially my friends) to remember my birthday. And for me to know that they remember, I expect a greeting.

Given the various ways of reaching me, I don’t see any reason why someone is not able to greet me on my special day. I have two mobile numbers, Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, and Yahoo Mail. My birthday can be seen in Friendster and Facebook. I believe our yahoo group sends a birthday reminder on the day itself. My birthday can also be seen in our office’s intranet. So, can you blame me if sometimes I make tampo to those who forget to greet me?

When I expect something and it does not happen, I get sad and frustrated. But after a few hours or days, I am back to my old expecting self. I look forward to my next birthday. I wish that something great would happen on my next birthday.

In addition to loving birthdays, I also love surprises. To preparing a surprise for someone and to be surprised.

I am yet to be surprised. Big time. (Get the hint!)

*Did this post make sense? I just wanted to say something, you know. Hahaha!

5 Things I'm Thankful For #13

It's my 13th 5TITF (pinilit talaga gawan ng acronym? hahaha!) post.


Let me just say my week started right.


What's the best way to start your week right? Make it a holiday! :)


Well, let me get to my 5 Things already...


1. Lunches, Dinners, Coffees, etc. I know this results to additional pounds, but the endless talks and laughters with my dear friends and colleagues are all worth it. (I just need to exercise more come January. Hehe.)


2. Again, my dear Best Couple Friend. We had the best tapas last night. ('Coz it was our first time to try it. Hahaha!) Nevertheless, had so much fun with you guys last night that it deserves another spot here in my 5TITF list. :)


3. Holidays. Thank you for the extra day-off. (Though I'm dreading 2011 because the current administration will not be practicing holiday economics anymore. *sigh*)


4. Friends, officemates, etc. For the Christmas gifts I received the past week. (Keep it coming! Hahaha!)


5. My Brother, J. It's his birthday today. I know we do not get along well, but I'm sometimes thankful he is here. My reason? I really don't know. (Labo ba?)


How about you? Do you have anyone to thank today? :)

Here Tishie Tishie's First Giveaway!!!

One of the blogs I follow is doing a Post-Christmas (New Year?) Giveaway.


I haven't met her personally, but I hope I do soon.


If you have time, join Tishie's First Giveaway to win this beauty loot

Photo from Here Tishie Tishie

Merry Christmas! :)

5 Things I'm Thankful For #12

Since Christmas has just ended, and we're only a few days away in bidding 2010 good-bye.


I'd like to do a Things I'm Thankful For This 2010.


1. X. For simply being there. For shaking my world. For reminding me that I can be better. For being patient with me. For the endless laughters. For everything. I love you.


2. My Cute Sister. For your touching post (click here to read more). For following almost all my bilins. For being so matipid. 


3. My bestfriend, J. For being a shoulder (or an ear?) to cry on. For the endless chikahans. For making every get-together worthwhile. For just being there.


4. Our Best Couple Friend, J & G. For making Coron an ice-breaking trip. For our regular dinners and post-dinner lakads. For listening to my rants and tantrums.


5. My friend, ex-officemate and officemate, T. For our never-ending IPs. For sharing the latest happenings about everyone we know. For listening to my happy anecdotes, my office rants, my bloopers, my everything.


6. Stylebible. For the biggest and most wonderful prize I have received this year. :)


7. Blogs (Chronicles of Vanity, Mommy Fleur, Topaz Horizon, Here Tishie Tishie, Ooh La La, Ems Express). I don't know you all personally but I really read your blogs. Most of your posts inspire me to believe in things, in true love, in happy endings, and other good things. Continue sharing your stories and blessings to us, readers.


For everyone who, in one way or the other, is part of my 2010.
To someone who smiled at me.
To someone who sent me a nice-to-read email, or SMS.
To someone who has helped me with work.
To someone who gave me a piece of mint.
To someone who stood by me.
To someone who said hi.
Basta to everyone.


Thank you.
:)  

Thoughts

I have so many thoughts running in my mind right now.


That I can't seem to write it down, type it or say it loud.


I don't know why, but lately I've been so tamad to do things.


I don't see the worth of what I'm doing.


I'm not talking of a particular thing here, but I just feel bored.


This is why I'm so looking forward to December 31.


This marks the end of 2010.


A year that shook my world hard.


Hard enough that I almost fell.


Strong enough that I almost lost it.


I am really hoping for a good 2011.


Not expecting anything grand.


Just plain good is fine with me.


So please, 2011, be nice. :)




*This is non-sense post. I'm just pouring my heart out. :)


Merry Christmas, dear readers!

Kit & Kay

Attended a wedding yesterday.


Enjoyed every moment.

Got teary-eyed. Cried. Smiled. Laughed. Mixed emotions.

Congratulations and Best Wishes, Kit & Kay! :)

Will. Blog. Soon.

Promise.


Happy Tuesday, everyone! :)

Laya Personal Dining

Early this year, I've seen Laya Personal Dining in various FB photo albums, food reviews, and the likes. I've been planning to visit Irene (the owner) and try out Laya.

As my post-birthday treat for X, we went there a week after his birthday.

I'm not much of a food critic so please do not expect culinary terms and grand words describing our experience. I might just come up with the words, "yummy", "super", "sweet", among others.

Here are the dishes that we had for our 6-course dinner. Enjoy!

Spiced Tuna Tartare with Wasabi Cream Sauce on Wanton Chips

Trio of Appetizers:

Crabstick & Cream Cheese Dumpling with Spicy Mango Sauce;

Shrimp & Chicken Wanton Bag with Thai Sweet Chili;

and Stirfried Kaffir Lime Pork in Lettuce Wrap

Shredded Chicken & Pomelo Salad

in Palm Sugar & Tamarind Dressing

Grilled Spice-crusted Chicken Strips

with Mixed Greens in Ginger Soy Dressing

Cocconut & Lime Sorbet

Fresh Lime & Mango Sorbet

Crispy Pork Belly in Brown Sugar Glaze

with Chili Coconut Taro and Organic Red Rice

Herb-Marinated US HangingTender Steak in a Red Wine & Rosemary Reduction

with Spiced Crushed Potatoes

Malay Pisang Goreng Banana Fritters in Gula Melaka Sugar Syrup

Dark Chocolate and Black Pepper Tart 

with Candied Ginger & Basil-infused Crème Anglaise

Turon with Chocnut Dip.

This 6-course set menu is priced at Php750.

Laya accepts lunch (Saturday & Sunday) and dinner (Friday & Saturday) reservations. 

They are usually fully booked every weekend so it would be better to reserve a table before going there.

Click here to know more about this place.

Stylebible Shopping Spree

This is the one I've been raving about.


I can now share because it's over already.


Yes, I won another raffle / contest.


This time, it's with Stylebible.


Honestly, I already forgot how I joined this contest.


I was surprised to see my name in their promo page.


I won Php12,000 worth of shopping spree. (With no less than the managing editor of Stylebible, Isha Andaya)


I don't have pictures from my camera to upload but grabbed some from Hal & Royce. (Thanks girls!) 


I'll post photos of the items I bought with my GC's next time.

2000 from Espada. 2000 from Luca. 4000 from Wade. 4000 from Maldita. Isn't life fun? :)

Royce. Star. Kat. ME. Isha. Hal

Just to add, because of this shopping spree, I was able to cross out "Buy a complete outfit" from my 30 Things to do before 30 list. :)

5 Things I'm Thankful For #11

It's been one hell of a week but I know I still have so many things to thank for.


1. 168 / Divisoria. For being less crowded this morning.


2. My friends (and clients). For patronizing my butterscotch bars.


3. My TV Series. You keep me sane. :)


4. Daniel Matsunaga and Fabio Ide. I heard the other side of Xerxes because of these guys. Hahaha!


5. PNoy. Thank you for the Nov 16 non-working holiday.


Anyone you want to thank today? Go ahead, thank them. :)

Sagada Adventure

You want to try something new? Are you ready for an adventure? Are you not afraid of heights?


If you've answered yes to all three questions, you can try and schedule a trip to Sagada!


I'm too tamad to write now, so let's do a photoblog. Detailed itinerary, fees and accommodations to be posted soon. :)

The famous yoghurt from Yoghurt House

X, by the hanging coffins

We spent too much time for breakfast so we all (expect for Kat)
ended up sitting in the jumpseat for the 6-hour Baguio to Sagada bus ride

Lambak. Talampas. Talon. Bundok. Bulubundukin. Burol. Kapatagan.
What else did we miss? :P

This is only the beginning...

While waiting...

Kaya natin 'to, Kat!

Going down.

Nice, no?

Yikes, Survivor look ba?

15-minute ride on top of the jeepney

I Heart Stylebible

I love the articles.
I love the events.
I love the mall.
I love the promos.


This morning, I was doing my usual rounds of blog-hopping. I was trying to avoid Stylebible's The Mall due to lack (or is it absence?) of self-control when it comes to shopping.


"I will just look to see pretty things." I said to myself.


I was browsing various shops and found these beautiful stuffs in the mall.

Dress from Amour

From Amour, too.

Floral Dress from My Little

Peeptoe Bootie from Rome. 

Floral Peeptoe Pumps from Miss D. 

Bag from Ichigo.

Anyone generous and kind enough to give me any of these for Christmas? :)

Beckham on Ellen

Saw this on my sister's tumblr







I'm not a fan of Beckham, but this is funny. :)

Butterscotch's Back!!!

Every Christmas, we bake these sweet, tasty and oh-so-yummy butterscotch bars.


We wanted to start early this year, so we're now accepting orders.


Perfect for Christmas giveaways, dessert for those potluck Christmas parties, or simply perfect for snacks. :)

Box of 16 (bite size) - Php75.00

Pouch (6 pcs.) - Php35.00

For bulk orders (10 boxes or more), please allow 2-3 days lead time.


We can deliver or schedule meet-ups, depending on our availability.


You may place your orders by leaving a comment here or by sending an SMS (0928-5067875).

5 Things I'm Thankful For #10

It's been months, I think, since I last posted my "5 Things I'm Thankful For".


I believe I cannot delay this any further.


1. Stylebible. For the amazing, wonderful, and exciting shopping experience we had yesterday. Kudos to Lhen & Patty for making the almost 4-hour spree more fun with their job & fashion-related anecdotes.


2. Isha Andaya. For such great tips on fashion, on how and what to wear during certain events. For the fantastic afternoon. For spending her time with us.


3. X. For laughing at my out-of-this-world jokes last night. hahaha!


4. My best friend, J. For your love and your willingness to spend a thousand more just for me. hahaha!


5. My cute sister, R. For downloading my TV series and copying my movies into a DVD. :)


How about you, want to thank anyone today?

30 Things To Do Before 30 (as of 11.04.10)

Just updating my list. :)

As much as I want to, I can not disclose the whole list here in my blog. So, I'll just post some.

• Apply new color to my hair
• Travel alone
• Go to Singapore with X (booked for June 2011!)
• Cook a 6-course meal for X (soup, salad, main dish - meat & pasta, dessert)
• Exercise. Jog and do at least 50 crunches per day (so far, I'm successful with the latter one)
• Try the famous buffet in Makati Shang, Circles
• Go out of town with my cute sister
• Buy a whole outfit (dress, accessories, bag and a pair of shoes) in one day (woohoo! will be able to this on Saturday. Wait for my blog entry on this)
• Plan a birthday surprise (I did a minor one yesterday)
• (work-related)
• (work-related)
• Ride the Space Shuttle at Enchanted Kingdom
• Go back to Boracay
• Go to Puerto Galera (with X, J and G)
• Try Tamilok in Palawan (I'll do this in December on our Coron trip)
• Learn how to clean the bathroom
• Attend a High School reunion (does not need to be a formal reunion, right?) 
• Reconnect with S or D (Done, with D. But I'll have to do a followup A-SAP!)
• Write down at least 100 "5 Things I'm Thankful For" (I did 9 already)
• Buy a designer bag (let me add: OR receive a designer bag as a gift)
• Take a 1-week leave from work (filed it already. get ready, Coron!)
• Have a my-favorite-movies-marathon for a whole day (My Best Friend's Wedding, Up Close & Personal, Clueless, Pay It Forward, Sound of Music, Annie)
• Buy a new phone
• Save money enough for a down payment for a real estate property
• Sing ONE (I repeat, ONE!) song loud enough to be heard by X
• Learn how to cook Adobo and Sinigang
• Print at least 100 pictures from the past and make a scrapbook (planning to already, for gifts)
• (censored. hahaha!)
• Surprise weekend get-away. I should drive.
• Say, _ _ _!