suburban girl

365 bests

2012-02-12T19:22:00.003+08:00

Day 31. A self-portrait.

Two years ago, I started a personal project called "Project 365". The idea (which I got from other photography enthusiasts) is to take and upload one photo a day for one whole year. During the first two months, I was able to faithfully post one photo every day. But after that, I got busy, got too tired, yada yada yada. Sometimes, I'd miss a day. Even a week. During my fourth month, I thought of aborting the project. I mean, what's the point right? Then I realized, more than keeping up with the "schedule", I wanted to prove to myself that I could commit to something for a year. So despite the setbacks, I continued the project. And voila! One year and three months later (Haha, yes, some of my posts were that delayed), I found myself posting my 365th photo! Cool, huh? ;)

And now, looking through all the 365 photos that I took is like looking back at my 2010 and 2011. My favorites are the ones that either came out exactly the way I wanted them to or those that turned out differently (and better) than what I envisioned, and those that perfectly captured my mood the day I took them.

Here are some of them :)

Now I wonder what project I'll do next. Any ideas? ;)

adieu 2011

2011-12-31T10:09:00.003+08:00

"If you think back, and replay your year - if it doesn't bring you tears of joy or sadness, consider the year wasted." -John, Ally McBeal

2011 was all about laughing, crying, dreams, frustrations, and realizations. It was about traveling and discovering what the world has to offer. It was about taking risks. It was about waking up, not knowing if you have been making the right decisions. But more than that, it was about embracing your choices whatever the consequence so long as they're yours.

It was about discovering my inadequacies and appreciating my strength. It was about asking questions and discovering unexpected answers. It was about endings and beginnings.

It was about friendship and betrayal, trust and forgiveness.

It was about family.

What 2012 will be about, I honestly have no idea. But I do hope it will involve bigger dreams, higher leaps and grander adventures. I hope to discover myself some more and learn new things about the world we know. I want to be surprised, swept off my feet either by love or by dreams beyond my imagination. I want exhilaration.

A good friend once told me, "Moving forward is scary. But scarier is standing still."

So adieu, 2011. And thank you. You have simply been AMAZING.

Namsangol Hanok Village, Seoul, South Korea--My last out of the country adventure for 2011.
(Photo taken by Ket Zaide)

seoul cafes

2011-12-26T15:04:00.004+08:00

One thing I love about Seoul are the local cafes.

I found it impressive that while there are a couple of Starbucks franchises scattered across the city, both Koreans and tourists flock to the more unique and charming local cafes.

We made it a point to visit some of them :)

The CNN Cafe

"Managed by YBM, Korea's largest English education company in conjunction with Turner Asia Pacific, CNN Café opened at the Jongro branch of Young Poong Bookstore this week.

It aims to attract the growing number of the self-employed seeking a coffice (cafe-office) and students who use coffeeshops as a place to study or hang out. As well as a study-distracting CNN ticker, the café offers free Wi-Fi, computers and printing services."

Months before the trip, I was aimlessly Googling through the net when I came across an article about the CNN Cafe in Seoul. Being a media practitioner, it definitely spiked my interest so, of course, I made sure it was part of our itinerary.

There was nothing spectacular about the coffee nor the food. I just found the idea that there's this cafe dedicated for news-mongers totally cool ;)

Drink coffee while listening to news from around the world.

Caffeine buzz.

THE CNN CAFE

B1 Young Poong Bookstore

Young Poong Building 33

Jongno-gu Seorin-dong

Seoul

(서울특별시 종로구 서린동 33번지 영풍빌딩 B1)

+82 2 723 6674

The Coffee Prince Cafe

The cafe wasn't even open yet when we arrived but there were already people lined up outside. As popularized by the Korean drama "Coffee Prince", this cafe charmed us with its quaint design and cozy interiors. The coffee ain't so bad too ;)

The owner is probably used to people going there just to take photos so the baristas made sure that everyone inside ordered a cup of coffee each.

THE COFFEE PRINCE CAFE

커피프린스 1호점

Hongadae, Seoul, South Korea

The Roasting Factory Doo Roo

In Hanja, "doo roo" means "wafting fragrance of beans". Appropriately named, the cafe boasted of its hand-dripped espresso and roasted beans. We chanced upon the Roasting Factory Doo Roo after walking around the Bukchon Hanok Village. It kept us warm not only with their coffee but with their comfy and slightly rustic interiors. I didn't actually get to try the coffee and the pastries but Tonee said they were a bit too pricey for the taste.

THE ROASTING FACTORY DOO ROO

Located at the entrance of the Bukchon Hanok Village

in Gahoe Dong, Seoul, South Korea

Cafe 195

Okay, so the name of the cafe is debatable. Madel tried to check its name on the receipt but everything's in Korean. So there haha.

We saw this coffee place after shopping around Insadong. We haven't even gone more than three steps into the coffee shop, we were already impressed by its contemporary design. The whole shop was very spacious with paintings hung on the walls and shelves stacked with books.

CAFE

Insadong, Jongno-Gu

Seoul, South Korea

Holly's Coffee

Now this is Seoul's version of Starbucks. One thing I loved about Holly's is their coffee teabags which you can buy for 5,700 South Korean Won per pack (USD5.17). Each pack contains 12 coffee teabags. Not bad eh? Naturally, I hoarded a couple of packs :p

There were so many other cafes I wanted to check out but four days just wasn't enough to go to all of them. Definitely another reason to go back to Seoul :)

magical seoul

2011-11-26T23:38:00.002+08:00

Autumn in Seoul.

I've always wanted to go to Seoul. Something about South Korea's megacity has always fascinated me. Maybe it's the mixture of old and new, of traditional and modern.

Ironically, this is the first trip that I have not been able to fully plan for. Days before our flight, I found myself panic-shopping for winter clothes. (Coming from a tropical country, I have very low tolerance for the cold!) I didn't even have time to research about the must-go-to places nor learn a bit of the language. (To date, I only know two Korean phrases: Annyeong-haseyo or hello; and gamsa-hamnida or thank you.)

During our first day, my friends and I were shocked by the cold, had difficulty communicating with cab drivers, and, ultimately, got lost.

Yet, I fell in love with Seoul.

The colors, the vibe...everything is so alive! Naturally, I couldn't help but take a gazillion of photos which, I hope, captured even a bit of Seoul's magic :)

I wonder what Seoul looks like during spring when all the trees are in bloom. Well... the only to way find out is to come back. Something I'm looking forward to doing :)

if the shoe fits

2011-08-29T19:14:00.002+08:00

"There's this guy I met after college. We got along really well but every time I flirt with him, I'd feel icky after. Like, what was I thinking?? But there would be moments when I'd think, why not? He's not so bad. Then I'd flirt with him again then I'd feel icky again," I said.

"Well, it's just like seeing a pair of shoes at the mall--you try them on, they go well with your feet, but it doesn't have that 'oomph' factor so you put the pair back on the rack," Kel mused. "The next day, you see the pair again, think it is cute, try them on, but put them back on the rack again."

It was raining hard, the winds were howling, and it was the worst day to be at the beach. But Kel, Mitch, Mike, Ami and I were, and the only thing keeping us warm were thin sweaters, sarongs, and a bottle of brandy. Thus the start of an amusing conversation about boys and shoes.

"Talagang ikumpara ang mga lalaki sa sapatos?" I laughed. ("You really have to compare men to shoes?")

"Well, isn't looking for the right guy the same thing as looking for the perfect pair of shoes?" Kel said. "Sometimes you see a gorgoeus pair of red pumps but when you try them on, they don't fit at all."

Shoes, a girl's bestfriend. Carrie and her Manolo Blahniks.

"Or sometimes, you see a pair that's far from your style but when you try them on, you realize they fit you well and they actually look good on you," I concluded.

Mike, being the only guy in the group had no choice but to laugh and safely stay out of the conversation. Good thing too because his fiance, Ami, was sitting right beside him haha.

"Sometimes, you wear the same pair of shoes everyday for years then one day, you look in the mirror and realize you've been wearing the wrong pair all along--they make your feet ugly and make your legs short," Kel said.

"Can relate?" I laughed. "So how do you describe this guy that I had a crush on years ago but when I finally met him, I lost interest?" I asked.

"Well, he's the shoe you've been pining for for months," Kel replied. "And come payday, you finally tried it on only to find out you don't like how it looks on you."

"Hahaha, nice!"

"Wait, so why did you lose interest in him?" Mitch asked.

"He was too nice," I replied.

"Aha!" Kel quipped. "So you like bad ass shoes with killer heels!" And we burst out laughing.

"Well, I like different types of shoes," I said. "Right now, I'm obsessed over ballet flats. Last year, I was into sandals."

"So you think you've found the right shoe yet?" Kel asked.

"I'm a size 9. It's hard to find shoes that fit!" And we all burst out laughing again.

How long the talk lasted, I forget. All I know is by the time the bottle of brandy was almost finished, we've covered just about every type of shoes (or boys? :p) there is.

We all agree though (in between boisterous laughter and funny retorts) that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what kind of shoes you find--wedges, stilettos, boots, strappies, sneakers or plain ballet flats. They may be from the department store, a high-end boutique, from the U.S., from a garage sale, or they may have just been hiding under your bed the whole time. All that matters is if the shoe fits ;)

If the shoe fits. The scene in Sex and the City where Big proposes to Carrie with a pair of Manolo Blahniks.

the leap

2011-08-24T22:35:00.001+08:00


My failed attempt at a graceful leap during our 2009 Donsol trip.

Okay so remember that post where I talked about my experience jumping off a cliff in Puerto Galera? When all the time, what I was really talking about was taking a leap and taking risks?

Well, I finally did it.

I took a risk and leaped.

The place where I'm about to land is not as far as I originally intended to (or still intending to) but it's a start. What was that saying by Christopher Columbus again? You'll never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. Let's just say the shore ain't that far away from where I'm going but at least I've already removed my anchor.

I know, I know, I'm talking in circles again. I have a knack for that haha.

Bottom line is, a big change in my life is about to take place. But not without the birth pains. I've been sleepless for three weeks now--learning the ropes, acclimatizing myself to the new environment. (No time for errands, to update my Project365, even to bloghop!) But hey, I ain't complaining (Well, sometimes I do rant haha but generally, I'm grateful). And there's also that nostalgia bit. It's hard to leave something you've been accustomed to for years. There's a reason why they call it the "comfort zone" you know. And while the friends you've made will still be around, it's still different when you see and talk to them on a daily basis.

NEVERTHELESS, I'm facing this change head on. Because this might just be the very thing that will encourage me to take bigger leaps in the future.

Do I hear Singapura? Maybe. We never know :)

*Photo taken by the talented Peter Emmett.

shipwrecked!

2011-07-26T14:13:00.001+08:00

Coron, Palawan has definitely earned its tagline as the Philippine's new tourism wonder. It has always taken a backseat from Puerto Princesa and El Nido, the two more popular tourist destinations in Palawan. But over the years, Coron has begun attracting more and more tourists not only from the archipelago but from around the world as well.

Just recently, my aunt from Brazil decided to treat the whole family (Read: Our family plus all my uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces from the Rodriguez side of the family!) to Coron.

We were awed. I mean how could you not be when you see this?

But while Coron is popular for it lush mountains, majestic rock formations, and clear waters, it is also a major attraction among divers because of its wreck dive sites. In fact, in 2007, it was included in Forbes Travelers' "The World's 10 Best Scuba Spots". Scattered throughout the Coron seas are wrecks from the Japanese supply fleet that were sunk during the 1944 U.S. air raid.

"Between The Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 19th and 20th 1944, and The Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 23rd to 26th 1944, the Japanese attempted to reinforce their forces occupying the Philippines.

For divers, Coron's history started on 24 September 1944 when a US Navy strike force of fighters and dive bombers attacked a Japanese supply fleet of up to 24 ships, at anchor, in Coron Bay and around Busuanga Island."

Being the dive addicts that we are, my sister and I just had to go on one of the sites! We chose the Olympia Maru wreck.

The Olympia Maru in its original state. (Photo taken from http://coronwrecks.com)

A diagram of the sunken Olympia Maru. (Photo taken from http://coronwrecks.com)

The skies were clear and we were expecting excellent visibility underwater. So with gear in tow, we set out for the Olympia Maru dive site.

It was a one-hour boat road from town. And when we finally reached the spot, we set off for what I would later call a very surreal dive experience.

You know that part in Titanic where Rose (Kate Winslet) died and her soul descended the waters to reunited with Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio)? That's how it felt like. Eerie and fascinating at the same time.

Dive challenge. We had to penetrate small holes in order to enter the wreck.

Inside Olympia Maru. Creepy, much?

Glass ceiling. Yep, you read it right: ceiling. Remember, the ship sunk sideways.

Twilight zone?

Aside from the wreck's interior, another sight to see is the wreck's exterior. Decades under water have made it a rich marine habitat. The ship's hull and stern were covered with corals and teeming with sea creatures.

Hello, Nemo!

We scoured the wreck for about 50 minutes. And while there were times I got disoriented and dizzy, the experience is now included in my "Best Dives" list.

Safety stop!

Two days later, we visited another wreck--the Lusong Gunboat. But since the waters were very shallow, we got to explore the wreck by skin diving.

Lusong gunboat. That's me swimming towards the boat's stern.

Again, the coral formations that enveloped the wreck amazed me.

The boat's railing.

So yeah, Coron is definitely the Big Boss's handiwork. Imagine--wonders above and underwater. So if you're going to Coron (and you should!), these shipwrecks should definitely be on your itinerary ;)

*All underwater photos taken by Conrado Vidad Jr. and Ainna Vidad

java jazz coffee

2011-06-26T13:09:00.004+08:00

Tagaytay is probably everyone's default weekend getaway when you just wanna chill and hang out with your friends or go on a quick out of town date. AND Starbucks is probably everyone's default hang out place--either the one by the ridge overlooking Taal Volcano or the newer one beside the deluxe hotel, Summit Ridge. That's where my friends and I hang out all the time anyway.

But late last year, we decided to deviate from the usual "brave the cold in Starbucks" routine and drove a little further away from the strip of restaurants more popular among tourists. We decided to check out T-House Tagaytay along Calamba Road but there was a wedding going on and their restaurant was closed to the public. We were about to drive back when we spotted this little quaint cafe just beside T-House--The Java Jazz Coffee.

Java Jazz Coffee.

It seemed like a cool enough place so we took a peek inside...and were instantly charmed.

Inside Java Jazz Cafe.

It's one of those artsy-fartsy cafes that I absolutely adore! The orange walls were adorned with paintings from local artists from Cavite while the floors were decorated with native mats. (Later on, we were told that the proceeds from sales of these paintings would go to a charitable organization in Bulacan.)

The whole place was accentuated with interesting details like posters, books, and native trinkets.

According to their website,

"Java Jazz Coffee opened on 2004 at the eastern part of Tagaytay. The name comes from the owners' fondness for java or brewed coffee while listening to soothing and relaxing jazz music."

And true enough, jazz music was playing in the background. The music we were hearing was soothing and mesmerizing. We were especially impressed by the singer's cover of Sting's Fields of Gold. We asked the very friendly waiter (who was actually owners' nephew) who the artist was. He said it was his favorite Japanese singer--Emi Fujita. (Weeks later, I would go on a mad hunt for copies of her albums and hauntingly beautiful songs!)

So, ambience--> perfect. Music--> perfect. What about the coffee?

Just like everything else in the cafe, their products were all locally-made. I ordered the Cafe de Tagaytay which was rich and strong but not bitter--exactly my type. Some of my friends ordered Tsokolate-eh!, a hot chocolate drink made from pure tablea.

All in all, it was the perfect night cap. And before we left, I bought a tube of tablea so I can create a concoction of my own back home. But of course, nothing beats the experience of sipping hot choco or coffee in a charming cafe with good music to match. So, one thing's for sure--I'm definitely coming back to Java Jazz Coffee :)

----

Java Jazz Coffee
442 Calamba Road, Sungay West
Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines
(046)860269
javajazzcoffee@hotmail.com

*Their website doesn't have a map so I'm posting the map to T-House Tagaytay instead which is just right beside
Java Jazz cafe.

when you begin to doubt, don't.

2011-05-31T19:09:00.000+08:00

Touché.

*Image taken from From Up North site. Thanks, Poca, for the idea!

a walk in the clouds

2011-05-19T19:39:00.003+08:00

Prince Henry: "You swim alone, climb rocks, rescue servants,

is there anything you don't do?"

Danielle: "FLY."

Yes, I'm channeling Drew Barrymore's character in one of my all-time favorite chick flicks, Ever After. I don't know when it started but, ever since, I've always had this thirst for adventure and inkling to always try out new things. Currently, I scuba dive and I've revived my interest in surfing. Years back, I've done spelunking, wall climbing, and wakeboarding. Generally, activities that I like involve the beach (Isn't it obvious? :p) So this time around, I decided to try something new: MOUNTAIN CLIMBING.

Considering that this is a far cry from my usual lounging-in-the-beach-and-getting-a-tan hobby, I knew I was in for a new challenge. While I had a dozen bikinis stored in my closet, I had zero climbing gear and clothes!

But, I thought, what the heck?! I should try this now while I still have the stamina.

So, in a very un-Koryn fashion, I, along with my sister, brother-in-law, and our friend Fritz, signed up for travelfactor.org's Mount Pulag expedition. Mount Pulag is the second highest peak in the country. Ambitious for a beginner, right? I was actually nervous days before the climb. More because I have extremely low tolerance for cold and I've been told by friends who've been there that Mount Pulag is freezing especially in the early morning. I went on panic buying mode and visited my doctor the last minute to make sure I'm in tip-top shape.

Then after days of nervous anticipation, we were finally off to a new adventure.

And adventure it was!

We left Manila around 11:30 p.m. and arrived in Baguio City around 6:00a.m. There were 30 of us in the group. After a quick breakfast, it was a one hour ride to Ambuklao dam where we stopped for a short photo op.

And after that, it was another two-hour ride to the DENR office where we were to undergo a brief orientation. It was a bumpy ride but sleep-deprived me was snoring the whole time (even during the orientation haha).

After the orientation (which I told was hilarious because the DENR lady was really quirky!), it was another one hour ride to the Ranger Station--our final stop before we make our ascent.

We had a quick lunch at the Ranger Station and were given time to prepare our stuff (READ: Make our backpacks AND ourselves waterproof!). I wasn't going to pretend that I'm this hardcore climber (haha) so I paid a porter to carry some of my stuff.

And thus began the three-hour hike to the Camp Site.

The hike was no joke. While it was an easy trail, it was all uphill. After 30 minutes I was already huffing and puffing! (NOTE TO SELF: Return your regular jogging routine!)

Rest time. A 15-minute pit stop.


The destination. So near yet so far!

At one point, I realized I had stopped talking, unconsciously devoting all my energy to every step. And, finally, after three hours (or was it more?), we reached the Camp Site! And yes, it was freeeeeeezing!

Our home for the night.

I was majorly exhausted and after settling in our tent, I was ready to doze off to dreamland when I saw the setting sun creating beautiful hues across the skyline.

Photo op. The other campers didn't want to miss out on the good photo opportunity either.

The Shire. A scene from "Lord of the Rings"? Nu-uh. This is actually the camp latrine. Think: "Slumdog Millionaire". Kinda ruins the image for you, huh? Haha. But these two little huts saved a lot of us more than once :p

My turn in front of the lens. Of course, how can I resist having my picture taken against this gorgeous backdrop? ;)

When I was finally satisfied with the shots I took, I went back to our tent, snuggled in, and went off to a deep slumber.

The next day, this would be the image that would greet me:

But of course, not without another long hike to the summit first!

Endless hiking. Those little dots you see on the upper right corner is actually the Camp Site. Yes. The summit was that far.

My sister (or was it our guide?) said that the summit was just 1.5km away from the Camp Site. It felt more like 5km!

I was just about to give up when the sun began to peek and created this amazing image:

I was in awe. More especially with the sea of clouds blanketing the mountains.

Before going to Mount Pulag, I pictured myself doing a "jump shot" with the sunrise and sea of clouds as my background. But when we finally reached the summit, I was soooooo tired that the next thing I did was sit down and simply take in the view.

Travelfactor.org, FTW! Joven, one of our guides.

After around 45 minutes, it was time to go back to camp.

And then before we knew it, it was time to break camp.

The motley crew. Tired, sweaty, dirty, but happy :)

We set off for another three-hour trek back to the Ranger Station. But not without taking a last look at the most essential part of our adventure: THE LATRINE. Hahaha.

I was dead tired when we got back to Manila. I wanted to sort the pictures right away but exhaustion got the best of me.

The next morning, I reviewed all my photos and thought back to my two-day adventure: I probably wouldn't do it again, but it's definitely something worth experiencing even once in your life.

-----

If anyone of you are interested in going on a Mount Pulag adventure, I highly recommend travelfactor.org--very organized and they really take care of you.

Tavelfactor.org
http://thetravelfactor.wordpress.com
tours@travelfactor.org

stoked!

2011-05-12T09:54:00.000+08:00

I've forgotten how great it feels to ride a wave!

Stoked! Photo take by Luke Landrigan of the San Juan Surf School.

Not my most flattering picture but I love it! See that man in red behind me? That's my instructor obviously happy with my progress haha!

Definitely coming back to catch more waves soon!

point and shoot

2011-05-05T14:18:00.002+08:00

Before I acquired Bono (my trusty DSLR) in 2009, Ixy (my now-non-functioning Canon Ixus point-and-shoot cam) was my trusted companion for more than three years. I was actually a bit sad when he went kaput last year. Aside from him being my first ever major purchase (thank you Christmas bonus of 2005!), I was never without him. During out of town trips, gigs, parties, and even on ordinary days, people always expected that I had Ixy with me.

Ixy also became the "camera ng bayan" (everybody's camera). He went to Germany with PJ, to Beijing with Cecille, to Hong Kong with Madel (Was it really HK? I forget), and to Sanya with Ate Ains and Con. Really handy chap, if you ask me!

Anyway, browsed through my old photo files and came across some of my favorite shots taken with Ixy.

But even before Ixy, there was another man in my life--my nameless Kodak point-and-shoot camera. I don't even remember the exact model haha! I got it for free when I bought a Nokia phone eons ago. It was actually pretty useful too ;) It was the camera I brought during my first ever out of the country trip--Bangkok.

I think I miss having a handy point-and-shoot cam, one you can lug around every day. Hmm. Definitely something to think about. In the meantime, I shall dig more photos from my baul ;)

the royal kiss

2011-04-29T22:24:00.008+08:00

Amidst all the stress and angst that overwhelmed me this week, this made me smile, swoon, and feel giddy all over:

The Royal Kiss. The now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kissing on the Buckingham Palace's balcony. (Photo courtesy of TheInsider.com)

I've never been infected by the Royal Wedding fever until I saw Kate Middleton, a vision in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown, walk down the isle. The ultimate heart-stopper was when Prince William told his bride, "You look beautiful."

Sigh.

Like Mommy Gladys tweeted, Kate's love story is every girl's dream...fulfilling all our wishes to someday find and marry our Prince.

And I believe I will.

Because just the like the rest of the hundreds of millions of people around the world who watched that fleeting ceremony, I'm a sap who believes in weddings and happy endings :)

the perfect therapy

2011-04-24T14:27:00.012+08:00

The sun on my back, the sand beneath my feet, and the sound of the waves calming me = HAPPINESS :)

---

In hindsight:

"Great art is about conflict and pain and guilt and longing

and love disguised as sex, and sex disguised as love."

--Lester Bangs, Almost Famous

sigh

2011-04-08T21:53:00.011+08:00

"I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way.”

--Pablo Neruda

I'm not a poem person. But this line from Neruda just struck me.

Someday, Koryn. Someday.

and the fool sayeth...

2011-04-06T12:17:00.004+08:00

Celebrating my 29th with some of my
closest and dearest :)

I was born on April Fool's day. Coincidence? I think not. It must be some kind of cosmic sign saying that I was bound to grow up with a few inanities and a lot of quirks.

But I'm not complaining. It's been a fun-filled 29 years for me and the future is shaping up to be even more exciting.

It hasn't always been peachy, true. I've had my significant share of lows, frustrations, heartaches, loss, and pain. Would I go through them again? Maybe not. But I don't regret the person they shaped me into. I still have my not-so-glorious moments every now and then but I kinda like me right now.

Am I where I am supposed to be? Honestly, I don't know.

It's still a work in progress. And while it can sometimes be frustrating (largely due to the fact that I am oh-so impatient and will probably fail the Marshmallow Test because I'm terribly EQ-deprived), the process is one whole learning experience.

And I can never stop thanking The Big Boss Up There for it.

In fact, I am making this whole entry all about being thankful (taking a cue from Julia, The Thanksgiving Girl!). I made a list of things I'm thankful for--from the most trivial to the incredibly consequential things--that made this quite a colorful lifetime for me :)

Family.

Friends. The ones I've lost, the ones I've gained, the ones who stayed. Those who tolerate my craziness but pull me back down to earth when I'm becoming too self-destructive. Those who hold my hair up when I've had too much to drink and I just gotta get all those alcohol (and angst) out of my system (cue: scene from Sex and the City!)

People who came into my life and changed it forever.
A fruitful career.

Career mentors and life coaches. Them who pushed me, believed in me, and staked their own rep for me. (You guys know who you are! I'm forever grateful.)
My nephew and niece. My real sanity breaks :)

An adventurous spirit.

Money to buy both my needs and wants.

A curious mind.

Love for photography and the means to practice the hobby.

Discovering my love for scuba diving!
The means to travel.

A resilient body. I've been bad and haven't really been living healthy and I promise to take better care of myself.

Music. I find that listening to songs that match my mood keep me sane ;)

The experience of loving and being loved in return.

Hugs.

Dreams. And the prospect of making them come true.

A tough spirit.

A good education.

A happy childhood.

When my mind has a little too much free time, I have this stubborn tendency to wonder where I would be had I taken different roads and met different people in the past. Whenever I do, I go back to that line from one of my favorite movies, Serendipity:

"Life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. Uh-uh. But rather, it is a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan."

And again, I appreciate life for all its wonderful and exciting possibilities.

So again, a big shout-out to the Big Guy:

THANK YOU!!!

Now let's see what else is out there for me ;)

torn

2011-03-30T21:41:00.001+08:00

Between gifting myself with this....

A 160GB iPod video classic. Because my 4GB iPod Nano just isn't enough to hold my entire music collection.

Or this.

A pair of Mares Avanti Quattro fins. Because the ones I have are too small and short and, well, buying all these dive gears is part of the excitement.

I have a day to decide! *Think, think, think*

orpheus's mistake

2011-03-26T23:37:00.000+08:00

Greek mythology describes Orpheus as the greatest musician and poet whose songs could charm wild beasts and coax rocks and trees to movement. I first read about his story in Edith Hamilton's Mythology book which I read in high school (or was it college already?) Years later, I'd encounter his story again in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: Fables and Reflections.

Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: Fables and Reflections

Perhaps the most famous story of Orpheus is that of his wife Eurydice's demise. Eurydice died after she was bitten by a serpent. Devastated, Orpheus journeyed to the Underworld to bring back the love of his life. When he reached the throne of the Underworld god Hades and his wife Persephone, Orpheus played his lyre and started singing about his search for his beloved.

Orpheus's music was so beautiful that Hades allowed him to bring Eurydice back to the world of the living. But there was one condition--Orpheus must walk ahead and leave Eurydice to follow him. He must not look back because the moment he does, he shall lose her again and this time, forever.

Orpheus followed Hades's instructions. But as they were about to reach the upper world, Orpheus wanted to make sure that Eurydice was really following and looked back. And his beloved slipped back into the netherworld.

Eurydice and Orpheus. (Photo taken from www.englishihonorsmythology.wikispaces.com)

I remember that story because I have been doing a lot of looking back lately--revisiting the past, thinking about how some things could've turned out differently had I made other choices.

And there began my mistake.

I have been focused the past month, looking forward to the future and the things that I want to do. But the moment I looked back, in the same manner that Eurydice slipped back to the netherworld and Orpheus turned away from the promise of the upper world, I momentarily lost sight of my future.

It's a bad habit we all have, I guess. Looking back at what used to be, basking in the comforts and familiarity of the past. But in the process, we lose sight of the things that could be. Of the future whose possibilities, while admittedly can be pretty scary, are bound to be amazing.

I know I'm talking in vague circles. I guess more than sending a message to the few followers of this blog or the random people who chance by it, I'm trying to remind myself of what I need to do--to look forward and focus on the things that I want.

But it's just so damn tempting sometimes. To look back. To hold on. Especially if a lot of the things in the past shaped the way you act, feel, and think right now. And most especially if that past holds all these valuable memories you're not sure you're ready to let go just yet.

today's food for thought

2011-03-23T22:58:00.002+08:00

Glee's success-hungry Rachel Berry.

“No man ever reached excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation”

-Horace

"The point is, I JUMPED."

2011-02-26T14:26:00.009+08:00

"You can't leave everything to fate, boy! She's got a lot to do. Sometimes you've got to give her a hand."

-Leonardo Da Vinci, "Ever After"

No, no, that's not me jumping off the cliff. But I DID jump off that cliff some nine years ago when my orgmates and I went to Puerto Galera. Of course being the ever-clumsy me, the jump came out less graceful than I intended (Read: DISASTER). I planned to do a cannon ball jump but I reached for my knees a little too late and halfway down, gravity took control of my body and I landed on the water on my side with a whopping splash. (I think everybody felt how much it hurt judging from their reactions when I surfaced!) Hours later, the whole of my left leg was covered with an ugly bruise like I was paddled.

With an attempt to pass off the disastrous jump as a humorous learning experience, my friends and I coined up phrase, "The point is, I JUMPED" making an allusion of the life lesson--"You will never know unless you try." (Well, I tried, and I now know what free-falling feels like...As well as the pain that comes after haha.)

Later on, I would forget about the jump, the bruise, and the lesson it supposedly entailed.

But years later, I find myself thinking about that jump, and again, about the life lesson we forcibly connected it to. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not as aggressive as my other friends when it comes to getting the things that I want. I'm lucky. Some things that I wanted in the past, they just happened without me exerting too much effort.

But I'm about to turn 29. And while I'm not the type to worry about age, I've come to realize lately that if I want to accomplish more in this lifetime, it's high time I become more assertive in pursuing the things that I want whether it be about career, travel, love life, or life in general. I think now I'd rather fail because it was not meant to be rather than fail because I didn't do anything at all.

So while I'm still not immune to fear of failure and humiliation, starting today, I am reviving that phrase we coined from that catastrophic attempt at adventure in Puerto Galera years ago. In the process, my pride might get bruised and the outcome might disappoint me but, at the end of the day, the point is, I JUMPED. And who knows, I might get something better in the end :)

amazing angkor wat

2011-02-11T14:12:00.004+08:00

Ces and I woke up real early just so we could see how even more magnificent Angkor Wat is with the different hues of sunrise as its background.

Breathtaking. Just breathtaking.

death by scooter, love by caffeine

2011-02-06T14:54:00.001+08:00

Imagine Taft Avenue but instead of buses and jeepneys whizzing by, there are scooters. Hundreds and hundreds of scooters. That's Ho Chi Minh City for you.

We spent only one day in HCMC but 24 hours was enough for us to savor the energy of the city. (That, and do a LOT of shopping! Haha.) Here are some of tidbits about the city that got my attention:

Scooters everywhere! Like I said, hundreds and hundreds of scooters, that being their basic mode of transportation. There were a handful of cars driving by, most of them luxury cars. I don't think I saw any of them simple sedan-type cars. Either you're maneuvering a scooter or cruising by in a BMW or Lexus.

Cheap shopping FTW! Php 4,500.00 or 2 million Vietnamese Dong will get you far. In Saigon Square, you will find all the cheap but original Crumpler and North Face items. And when I say cheap, think 1/4 of their selling price in the Philippines. Ben Thanh Market, meanwhile, houses all the nice trinkets, coffee, and teas.

Saigon Square.
77-89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening hours: 8:00am-10:00pm

Ben Thanh Market.
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening hours: 6:00am-6:00pm.

Weather in HCMC is sunny but not at all humid. The cool breeze makes for a nice walk around the city.

Vietnamese coffee is love. Strong taste without the bitterness. Rich aroma too. When you buy in Ben Thanh market, they make you smell a big jar full of coffee beans. You'll feel like you just died and went to coffee heaven.

A stall in Ben Thanh market that sells a wide variety of coffee and tea.

Iced coffee. The key, like Ger said, was the condensed milk. Lots and lots of condensed milk!

The backpackers' area bears a huge resemblance to Malate, Manila. The lights, the energy, and all the foreigners everywhere!

People watching. Almost all the restaurants have tables chairs outside, facing the street where foreigners kill their time people watching.

Almost all pubs lining the Bui Vien street are three to four stories high and are built side-by-side.

I would love to go back to HCMC. And maybe next time, aside from burning Vietnamese Dong and drooling over all the Crumpler bags and pretty trinkets, I'll visit the nearby provinces for more adventure :)

-----

A little story of misadventure: In most hotels in HCMC, they ask you to leave your footwear in a nook in the lobby before proceeding to the rooms. Little did I know that that would my first misadventure. It was already our second day in Siem Reap when I noticed that I was wearing a mismatched pair of slippers! Apparently, I had taken the pair all the way from Vietnam to Cambodia.

Mismatched pair. The left one had matte thongs while the right one (the one that was really mine) had metallic thongs.

Luckily, when we came back to HCMC, the other mismatched pair was still there. Talk about finding my SOLE-mate! Hahaha. And that's just the tip of my and my friend Cecille's misadventures.

More stories soon! I just have to stop laughing first :p

Reunited. My pair of metallic slim Havaianas, reunited. I just hope the owner of the other pair finds his or her SOLE-mate too hihihi.

a foreigner calls the filipinos monkeys

2011-01-24T09:19:00.003+08:00

I AM SEETHING MAD. I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS ANGRY BEFORE.

You see I thought this would be an ordinary Monday morning. Like I usually do, I hitched a ride with my sister and brother-in-law from Laguna to Mandaluyong City. When we reached their condominium compound, I got down and went out to get a cab going to Quezon City. When I exited the gate, I saw this foreigner in a nursing uniform (I'm not sure what her nationality is) waiting for a cab near the usual tricycle/taxi loading and unloading spot by the right side of the gate. Knowing better than to join the long line of commuters, I walked the opposite direction until I was at least three houses away and waited for a cab. Finally, I was able to hail one and got in.

I was about to close the door when suddenly, the foreigner appeared, pulled open the door, and started screaming! "HEY! I WAS WAITING WAY BEFORE YOU! THIS IS MY CAB! YOU...YOU...YOU...STUPID FILIPINOS! MGA..MGA..UNGGOY!" ("Hey! I was waiting for you! This is my cab! You...You...You...Stupid Filipinos! You're...Monkeys!") And then she slammed the door and walked away.

I was stunned. And so was the driver. When cab moved forward and passed by her, I rolled my windows down and told her, "There was no line you dumb ass!" And when the cab drove away I could still see her screaming profanities and insults.

It definitely wasn't my finest hour. And I knew it neither the smartest nor the most civilized retort. But I was caught off guard. And this is the first time I've experienced this kind of racial slur.

I felt every blood cell in my body boiling. My hands shaking, I called up my sister. I was so mad and insulted I felt like crying. Insult me, my personality, my looks, whatever, and I would be fine. But insult my race...God! I can't even begin to describe the varying degrees of anger that I'm experiencing right now.

All throughout the taxi ride I was muttering profanities.

I know, being seen as an inferior race is a battle that we Filipinos have been weathering through since time immemorial. But to experience it in our own land...! Call me naive, call me idealistic, but no one has the right to do that to me or to any other Filipino for that matter. If you think you're so superior then what are you doing here--taking advantage of the education my country has offer? Enjoying the privileges my government provide for people like you?

I've been to other countries, some of which have habits as distasteful (or sometimes even worse) as some of the traits we Filipinos aren't proud of. But if there's one thing I've learned from traveling it's that to respect each nationality's idiosyncrasies and appreciate the values that they encompass.

Something that that girl, apparently, with all her first-world attitude, hasn't even begun to comprehend.

I only hope, for her sake, she doesn't come across one of them "tambay sa kanto" people. Let's see how far her superiority complex will take her.

2011-01-18T13:16:00.004+08:00

"The world is full of unexpected twists and turns.

And just when you've gotten the lay of the land, the ground underneath you shifts and knocks you off your feet.

If you're lucky, you'll end up with nothing more than a flesh wound.

Something a band aid will cover.

But some wounds are deeper than they first appear and require more than just a quick fix.

With some wounds, you have to rip off the bandage,

let them breathe,

and give them time to heal."

-Meredith Grey

colors of 2010

2010-12-31T16:55:00.003+08:00

I could write about the stuff I did, the adventures I braved, and the lessons I learned the whole year. But I'd rather tell you the best way I know how--through photos :)

January. Explored the breathtaking crater of Mount Pinatubo.

January. Played wedding coordinator to a high school best friend who got married :)

January. Reconnected and bonded with high school friends.

February. Saw my darling niece turn a year older and my adorable nephew become a protective older brother figure.

February. Met one of the few living staunch supporters of Ninoy Aquino who fought with him from the day he became senator 'til even after he was assassinated--former senator Eva Kalaw.

March. Soaked in my first blast of UV rays in Puerto Galera.

April. Turned a year older and, hopefully, a year wiser ;)

April. Ziplined in Lignon Hill with the magnificent Mayon Volcano as my backdrop.

April. Swam with the whalesharks of Donsol.

April. Played with the deers of Camarines Sur.

April. Explored the numerous islands of the Caramoan Peninsula.

May. Became part of the biggest, most interactive, and most technologically advanced election coverage in Philippine history.

June. Felt like a kid again and enjoyed Genting Highlands with The Brat and my mom.

June. Went on a food trip in Malaysia with the Sister Extraordinaire, the Brat, and my mom.

July. Rekindled my love for reggae and Brownman Revival.

July. Explored Manila and its hidden gems of the past.

July. Went on a gastronomic trip in Binondo.

September. Had a blast bonding with my cousins...er...nieces :)

September. Celebrated a milestone in my career which came in unexpected circumstances!

November. Watched the sunset in Boracay.

November. Enjoyed the island with some of my closest and dearest.

October. Became a certified diver!

November. Took in the scenery and the fresh mountain air in the strawberry fields of La Trinidad, Benguet.


November. Further explored the majestic underwater world of Anilao.

Here's to more adventures, laughs, and milestones in 2011! *clink!*

dear marsy and danielle...

2010-12-07T14:06:00.009+08:00

Soul siblings. (L) Marsy and (R) Danielle
lost in their own little playworld.

Being a kid is the easiest thing in the world. I should know. Ate Ains (that's your mom, Danielle) claims it was easier for me because I was allegedly the spoiled princess in the house ( I still contest but for the purpose of this blog, I will concede in the meantime!). How I wish I had enough senses then to appreciate that "easiness", because if I had, I would've probably done everything I could to prolong my childhood.

Anyway, before you ask your sometimes-loony but gorgeous Ninang Koryn what's the point of this entry (You cannot argue with the gorgeous part or else no gifts for you in the future! Haha :p), I'll get right to it. Contrary to popular belief, I've more than shopping tips and The Art of Drinking lessons to offer to you both (Although, you can rely on me for that too! Oops. I hope your parents aren't reading this hahaha).

Anyway (again), here are some advice I hope you find sane enough to follow in the future:

Don't take your afternoon naps for granted. I know I used to. I remember going to my room, faking my sleep, and then sneaking into Ate Ainna's room to read her Sweet Valley pocketbooks (That's how I got hooked to the series!) I used to think, sleeping is such a waste of time! Twenty years after, I wish I still had time for afternoon naps. Nowadays, I'm lucky if actually get six hours worth of sleep at night.

How the addiction started. Reading my sister's Sweet Valley High pocketbooks was how I spent my supposed afternoon naps.

Enjoy your vacations! When you become an adult, summer vacations won't mean two months of no classes anymore. The most would be a week off from work. Adult vacations have been reduced to mere out of town weekenders. I miss the days when your grandparents would deport me to Sto. Domingo, Albay and leave me with our aunties for a month or two.

Quality time with the cousins. Some of the best years of my childhood were spent in Sto. Domingo where we'd spend the whole day at the beach with my cousins and play patintero at night.

Appreciate your allowance. No matter how small it is! I remember thinking how fun it would be to earn my own money someday. Now that I am earning my own money, I realized, it ain't all that! Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for all the financial blessings and that I get to do and buy most of the things that I want now. But I have to work for it. The only work I had to do then was beg my dad (Your Lolo) to give my allowance a raise.

Appreciate living with your parents. When I was in college, I was envious of my blockmates who were living in a dorm or in a condo unit. They got to party and do everything that they wanted to. My parents wouldn't let me. Your Lolo would rather pick me up at school no matter how late it is than let me live away from home. After I graduated, I went off to live on my own since work was far, far away from our house. And how I miss home! Sure, being independent and all is cool. But I miss waking up to cooked breakfast, having someone do my laundry and clean (really clean, if you know what I mean) my room.

Spend as much time with your family as you can. It's inevitable. There will come a time when you would think hanging out with your folks is too uncool (that would be during your adolescence, methinks). And when you become much older, you'd think some things are more important than being with your family. When I began working in 2003 to 2004, there would be times when a month would pass before I go home to Laguna. I always thought, there'll be other weekends to see my family. I actually owe you an apology, Marsy, because that was around the time your were born. Anyway, I got past that stage and now, I make it a point to go home every weekend. I couldn't bear the thought of missing seeing the two of you grow up :) Even if most of the time you ransack my room in the process hahaha.

Mission Ransack Ninang's Room. That's you, Danielle, doing one of you favorite pasttimes--going through my clothes, makeup, and toiletteries!

Don't hurry growing up. I know some people who, while they were in high school, couldn't wait to be in college. And when they went to college, they couldn't wait to get their degrees and start working. DON'T. BE. LIKE. THAT. Once you reach your mid-twenties, you'll have forever to be a grown-up. Childhood and youth, on the other hand, happen only once. I was lucky that my parents gave me a happy childhood and that I enjoyed my teenage years. So now, whenever shit hits the fan, I have those happy memories to go back to and re-energize myself with.

So there. The list could go on, but, really, at the end of the day, all the lessons you'd need to learn would be from your own experience. And I know you two would be smart enough to appreciate those lessons (Hello, genes?? Hahaha). These are just some salient points from my own experience which, I hope, would make even the tiniest of sense to you :)

Love,
Ninang Koryn

Quality time with Ninang. Don't hurry growing up, kiddos ;) It's still too early for Ninang to miss your inanities.

there's a virus going around

2010-12-02T15:04:00.008+08:00

And it's called "childhood memories".

Kudos to whoever thought of that cartoon-character-as-profile-pic gimmick in Facebook. Last night, I saw a friend change his profile pic into his favorite cartoon character from the 80's with the caption:

"Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday, there should be no human faces on Facebook but an invasion of memories. This is for VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN :)"

And in no less than15 minutes, I saw at lest 35 profile changes (me included!). I had an inkling the the "violence against children" part was just a hoax. But people were fast to follow the trend. Why not? It's fun! My office mates and I kept track of the changes and for every cartoon character that appeared, there was a corresponding childhood memory for me. It made me feel warm and fuzzy all over (Yes, I'm cheesy that way :p). I remember staying up during my supposed siesta time to watch cartoons. I also remember my sister and I taking reign of the remote control and ejecting our parents from the sofa so we could find out where the "Flying House" would take us next or which Bible story would "Superbook" tell.

Up to now, people are still changing their profile photos and I suspect it's because they're also enjoying the "invasion of memories". Here are some of the top favorites (Let's see if you still remember them!) :

Now wasn't that fun? But I've yet to see "My Little Pony and Friends", "Gummi Bears", "Sky Commander", "G.I. Joe", "He-Man", and "She-Ra" photos! How about you? Who's your 80's or 90's cartoon persona? ;)

this is such a sad song

2010-10-28T21:44:00.003+08:00

Somewhere Only We Know

Keane

Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So tell me when, you're gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know?

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go, somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know?

Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So, tell me when you gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know?

This could be the end of everything.

So why don't we go, so why don't we go?

Hmmm yeahh.

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go, somewhere only we know,

Somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know?

i had a date with two sharks this weekend

2010-10-25T09:37:00.002+08:00

There's a calming feeling to it, being underwater. I remember when I was a kid, instead of floating on my back, I'd rather float facing down the water. Also, I'm not an excellent swimmer but I learned how to skin dive as early as 12 years old. There's just something about being submerged in water, seeing nothing but the deep blue, and hearing nothing but the humdrum of moving water that gives me a sense of peace.

Anyway, I've always wondered what it would feel like to stay underwater for more than a few minutes. Hence the interest in scuba diving. My sister was actually the one who got me interested in it in the first place. She's been a diver for what, five years now? She treated me to an intro dive some three years ago and since then, scuba diving has been a long-running contender in my to-do list.

But because of budget, time constraint, blah blah blah, I never got to try it out. Until this year.

It was an impulse decision. Some of my friends got certified a month earlier. Then one of my closest friends from college said she wanted to give it a try. So I thought, what the heck? Why am I bending myself backwards over work if not to be able to do the stuff that I want to? So, dismissing any second thoughts, I called up my sister's dive instructor, Rob, and arranged for my friend April and I to take diving classes.

And so two classroom sessions and two pool sessions later, we finally headed out for our check-out dive.

IT WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE EVER.

I was nervous at first. What if I have difficulty descending? What if I can't equalize underwater? What if I shoot up from the bottom? What if a shark comes out of nowhere and attacks me? (Okay, so the last part is actually an exaggeration haha. But we did see sharks over the weekend. More on that later.) But, like my instructor said, once underwater, instinct took over. And I felt myself gliding like it's a second nature.

We take our lessons seriously. Rob, our dive instructor, giving me, April, and Louie last-minute instructions before our checkout dive.

Weightless. (L) Me and (R) April exploring the depths of the Batangas waters.

We had a total of five dives that weekend. And everytime we went under, I felt myself warping into another dimension, leaving all the worries above water. It was just me and my underwater world.

I didn't actually get to enjoy the first dive. I was so focused on the technical stuff--my breathing, my finning, my mask, and so on. But on the third dive, I became more relaxed and was able to start appreciating the underwater scenery.

We saw catfishes, lion fishes, squids, a lobster, lots and lots of Nemos, and, the most exciting part of it all--THREE FIVE-FOOT SHARKS! (Actually, I'm sure I just saw two but the sister insists there were three :p)

Altogether it was tiring but exhilarating experience. And, suffice to say, I think I found a new hobby to preoccupy myself with.

Underwater lessons.

Next stop: DIVING IN PALAU! Haha okay fine, I'd settle with Puerto Galera first. But Palau is now definitely on my newly-created "Places to Dive At" list ;)

CERTIFIED! :)

*All underwater photos taken by The Sister Extraordinaire and our dive instructor, Rob.

when in doubt, pray

2010-10-19T22:57:00.002+08:00

"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things that I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference."

I think tonight answered just about every bit of question I had about what to do next. I got my sign. A glaring sign at that.

i want!

2010-09-13T23:02:00.002+08:00

The "BER" months are in!

Okay, fine. So September's been around for 13 days now. I'm late, so sue me haha.

Anyway, it's that time of the year when I, being the sometimes obsessive-compulsive freak that everyone knows, begin drafting my Christmas List. I was having fun listing down what to give people for Christmas when I got distracted with the things I want for Christmas. Okay so I've always wanted these things even if it ain't Christmas. Whutever. What's the diff? :p

Anyway (again), lest I forget my priorities (and in case my dear siblings are reading my blog hahaha), I'm listing down the things that I want to buy for myself (But really, if you want gift me with any of these soon, like next week maybe, I'm fine with it LOL).

1. Crumpler Karachi Outpost Bag
A sturdy laptop AND camera backpack--so I can lug around both Perseus (my laptop) and Bono (my DSLR) minus the aching shoulder muscles.

It also has all those extra compartments where I can stash a couple of personal items.

The compartments can be reconfigured so it can also be used as a simple backpack if needed. It's also water-resistant.

2. Crumpler Six Million Dollar Home
For when I'm on a shoot and I just need Bono and a couple of personal items with me.

It can fit a couple of lenses inside and, if the compartments are reconfigured properly, can fit two cameras.

3. Nikon SB600 flash
Because I want better lighting when I take photos at night (Arte. I know right? :p)

4. The perfect brown leather sling bag
Perfect for traveling. Perfect for any outfit. Just perfect. Grabbed this pic from my friend, Abby's site because her bag is just...perfect hahaha.

5. Sanuk. Sanuk. And more Sanuk!
Did I say I'm addicted to Sanuk?

6. A round trip ticket to Greece
I wonder if my "bente-bente" technique would help me save enough money for a trip to Santorini or Mykonos? Calling Miranda!

This trip is actually slated for 2013 (*cross fingers*) but as early as now I'm already sending my "I've been a nice girl" vibes to dear Ol' Santa.

I mean, how can you not dream of going here?

7. Jennifer Aniston's body
Svelte with boobs and butt. 'Nuf said.

I know you can't buy me a body like Jen's but a Bikram Yoga gift certificate would do :p

With that kind of body, I wouldn't have to worry about finding the right clothes that would hide my, er, baby fats hahaha. And I'm tired of hearing people tell me "Ang taba mo na!" Grrr. The next person who tells me that will get a whiplash!

Haha, just kidding.

No, really. I'm not.

ANYWAY (for the umpteenth time), it's time to go back to the list I was originally making. Let's just wait and see what I get to check off this list first ;)

letting the stamps tell the stories

2010-08-09T12:08:00.001+08:00

The Manila Metropolitan Theater. The Post Office Building. Intramuros. These are just some of the places in Manila that we pass by almost every day but don't really pay attention to. Places whose history goes way back to the early 1900's (or even earlier) and whose significance Filipinos have forgotten. And, shamefully enough, I'm one of those who have become detached to the historical significance of these buildings.

But, luckily, I got the chance to revisit these places and the rich stories that make them Manila's landmarks. Thanks to Lawrence Chan's Postal Heritage Walking Tour.

This isn't your ordinary walking tour, though. Lawrence is a stamp collector. And using his collection of stamps as a map to these hidden gems of the past, Lawrence does not only revive the history of Manila but the art of philately as well.

And the best thing about the tour is--IT'S FREE. All you have to bring is your enthusiasm and genuine desire to learn. You see, while for other people, walking tours have become a money-making venture, for Lawrence, it has become an advocacy. While ordinary history professors would make you snooze in the middle of their lectures, Lawrence passion and enthusiasm translates through his.

Let the walking tour begin. Mr. Lawrence Chance starting off his tour with a brief orientation.

The group met at the plaza in front of the Post Office Building in Manila around 1:00pm. While waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, I had a little chat with Lawrence. Apparently, he, along with the other members of the Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club have been doing this as early as 1994. But because they don't do it for business, it's not advertised as much as the other walking tours.

After a few minutes of small talk, the group was finally complete. So we began walking towards our first destination: the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

First stop on Lawrence Chan's stamp map.

Built in the 1920's, the MET is an art deco building designed by Filipino architect Juan De Guzman Arellano. It used to be the center of Manila's glitz and glamour during the time when Manila was still considered as the "Milan of Asia". It became the place for cultural entertainment such as zarzuelas, operas, and variety shows.

But during the liberation of Manila from the Japanese occupation in the 1940's, the MET was severely damaged. And while the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given the National Commission on Culture and Arts P50M for its restoration, the MET is yet to see itself in its former glory.

So far, the only obvious restoration that has been made are the newly reupholstered theater seats.

After exploring the MET's nooks and crannies (and getting bitten by about a gazillion mosquitoes), Lawrence guided us to our next stop: the Manila Central Post Office.

Up next on the stamp map: The Manila Central Post Office.

Built also in the 1920's, the MCPO was designed by the Filipino architect, Juan de Guzman Arellano. It was severely damaged in the World War II but unlike the MET, it was beautifully restored. And while majority of the Filipinos (me included) have moved on from the snail mail era (what with the internet and all), the MCPO makes for a rich historical landmark.

And, as expected, the MCPO has become the unofficial headquarters for stamp collectors.

After a short lecture on the history of philately in the Philippines, snacks were served at the MCPO Annex Building. There, we got the chance to mingle with the other members of the tour.

We were supposed to go to Intramuros next. But because of the weather, the tour had to be cut short. While I would've wanted to hear what historical tidbits Lawrence had to say about Intramuros, I was slightly glad that the tour was over for the day because all the walking had already taken a toll on my legs. Plus, it gives me a reason to join Lawrence Chan's next Postal Heritage Walking Tour :)

The Manila explorers.

-----

The Manila Postal Heritage Tour

Contact Person: Lawrence Chan
Tel. Nos.: 0919.3901671

Email: L_rence_2003@yahoo.com

MALAYSIA: a culinary tour

2010-06-29T17:51:00.006+08:00

You've never really been to a country unless you've tried their local cuisine. So everytime I go on a trip, FOOD is always the first order of business.

During our trip to Malaysia, we had a couple of hits and misses with the dishes we ordered. Except for the Nasi Lemak, Malaysia doesn't seem to have a lot of cuisines they can really call their own. Nevertheless, the Sister and I enjoyed trying out different stuff.

Nasi Lemak.

This dish is considered a national heritage in Kuala Lumpur. Because of its versatilty, the dish is served even during breakfast. That big red glob on the side of the plate is actually chili. I find the Nasi Lemak best eaten by combining a slice of chicken meat with rice, chili, boiled egg, cucumber and dilis. While the chicken actually just tastes like our very own kaldereta, the chili, and dilis makes it more flavorful.

Curry Laksa.

We hit the jackpot when we ordered this dish. It's actually a noodle soup with curry as its base. It's sweet and very spicy at the same time. The curry wasn't at all overpowering and it perfectly coated the tofu and shrimp in the soup.

Barbecue chicken noodles.

What can go wrong with barbecue chicken noodles? ;)

For our next round of food trippin', we went to Petaling Street, KL's Chinatown. I read that Petaling Street becomes more alive at night when the vendors put out their best items and serve their best dishes.

For dinner, we went to the Tang City Food Court. We had a difficult time choosing from the variety of dishes from the different stalls around the food court.

Finally, we settled for the roasted pork and roasted chicken with chicken rice.

Roasted pork with chicken rice.

Roasted chicken with chicken rice.

Covered in sweet sauce, the pork and chicken meat itself tastes bland. It's the chili sauce that actually gives flavor to the dish.

The great chili sauce.

But of course, no dish would be complete without drinks to match! The Sister has been talking non-stop about this supposedly delicious and refreshing longgan iced tea. So we searched the whole of Chinatown for it. After checking several alleys, we finally found it--The Great Longgan Iced Tea stall.

When we got there, there was already a long queu in front of the stall. It must be pretty good, I thought. Finally, we got to buy our own cups. And after I took the first sip, I was instantly addicted.

Basically, it tastes like our very own sago gulaman but with real longgan which gives it a fruity twist. The Sister and I were so addicted to it we ordered four in a row.

Safe to say, food in Malaysia is not of its best attractions. But it's you'd be missing a lot if you at least don't give them a try ;)

nak muay

2010-06-16T09:55:00.006+08:00

I love discovering new places to eat at. And it's a bonus if the dishes are delish but cheap. A good example is this Thai restaurant that recently opened near our office--the Nak Muay.

The term nak muay refers to the practitioner of the sport muay thai, Thailand's national sport.

"Muay Thai is a hard martial art from Thailand. It is similar to other Indochinese styles of kickboxing, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar, and muay lao from Laos."

In my case, the only sport I'm good at is eating, hahaha (I wonder if they have an official term for that? :p). Anyway, Nak Muay's ambience is far from the more popular Benjarong restaurant at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati. But their tasty and affordable dishes make up for the average resto interiors.

For dinner, my officemates and I ordered varying dishes. But of course we couldn't do without Thailand's version of the Pinoy sinigang--the tom yam.

Tom yam goong. Php135, good for 2pax.

We enjoyed the soup's perfect fusion of sour and spicy with a tinge of sweetness which, I learned, was because of the coconut milk.

Since it was my first time to eat at this resto, I ordered a safe bet for the main dish--bagoong rice with pandan chicken.

Bagoong rice with pandan chicken. Php105, good for 1pax.

For a hundred peso-plus meal, it wasn't bad at all. The pandan chicken looks deceivingly small but inside those wraps are actually two chunky pieces of meat. And the rice, oh the rice! The rice is already a dish in itself. It tasted like every granule was coated with bagoong. And it's salty taste blended well with it's green mango topping.

One of my officemates also ordered a bagoong rice meal but this time with chicken and basil.

Bagoong rice with chicken and basil. Php105, good for 1pax.

I didn't get to taste it but I was told it was good as well.

For my drink, I ordered the thai iced milk tea. I'm a fan of milk teas and this particular one didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of sweetness mixed with a hint of bitterness.

Thai iced milk tea. Php80, good for one.

Aside from the ones we ordered, Nak Muay's menu also offers a variety of satay and noodle dishes. Some of which I'm eager to try during my next visit :)

-----

Nak Muay
Mother Ignacia Place
Mo. Ignacia St., Quezon City
*Located right across ABS-CBN Corp.

of sterlings and cattleyas

2010-06-04T17:10:00.003+08:00

I remember it so well. Breezing through isle after isle of multi-colored notebooks, art papers of different shapes and sizes, and rows and rows of black, blue, and red ballpoint pens.

When I was a kid, the last week of May was always a holiday for me. I loved going to the bookstore with my mom to buy school supplies for the new school year. Sterling and Cattleya were my favorite notebooks. But they were too expensive. So my mom always opted to buy me those unbranded spiral notebooks instead. I'd try to lobby, but it would be no use. I'd throw an mini-tantrum for a while. But after I get over the initial tampo, I'd be reenergized and I'd rush down the isles again to stock our shopping basket with supplies. Then I'd walk over to the bags section to carefully pick out what will be my bag for the year. When you're in Grade School or High School, your bag can make or break your reputation. And don't even get me started on school shoes! Haha.

Eeni-meeni-mini-mo. (L) Notebooks of different colors and sizes; (R) Pens, pens, and more pens.

So after I've finished my rounds, we'd line up at the counter, and my mom would pay for my stash.

You could say that when I was younger, I got my high from buying school supplies hahaha. Although up to this date, I still love visiting the bookstore. It's sort of a sanctuary for me. Even if I don't intend to buy anything, sifting through the colorful post-it's and planners actually lifts my mood.

Green, pink, blue, or yellow? I want them all! :p

This afternoon, I went to the bookstore to buy a book. But instead of heading straight to the book shelves, I detoured over to the notebooks stand. A group of kids (siblings, I assumed) were eagerly picking off several stacks from the rack. I could tell from the eager smile on their faces that they were excited about their new loot. Probably looking forward to showing off their new Transformers pencil case. Or their new 5-in-1 ballpen. I laughed. I could see a younger Koryn in them.

Sigh.

How I wish I could be like them whose only worry was which set of FaberCastle pentle pens would impress their classmates. I wanted to tell them to not rush growing up. To savor those moments. Because once they become adults, notebooks would be the least of their worries.

Sigh again.

Before I could get any more nostalgic, I turned to leave the bookstore. But as I neared the exit, something caught my eye. There, in one of the racks, buried under the hundreds of spirals, was a little polka-dotted notebook. I smiled. I picked it up and riffled through the pages. I was tempted to buy it. But then I stopped. Next time, I thought. It may not be there when when I go back, but at least I'd have an excuse to visit the bookstore again...and feel like a kid once more. Even if only for a while ;)

project 365

2010-06-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

It's 365 days of Koryn and everything in between!

Yep. You read it right, folks. 365 days. But don't worry. This project ain't gonna be all about me.

So what IS Project 365?

Well, the idea is you take one picture everyday of anything and everything around you. Yeah, seems tedious but I realized, Joei is right. It's an interesting way to remind yourself to slow down and breathe. AND, if I can commit myself to this one for a year, who knows what other ventures I can commit to?

For this project, I'm housing my photos over at at Flick.com 'coz FB and other networking sites do a lousy job of compressing photos.

You'll also see a slideshow of my photos on the widget box over there at right side of this blog.

SO. Enough yada-yada. For the launching of my project, do check out my first photo here. Enjoy and watch out for 364 more days of shutterbuggin'!

koryn iledan is now back to her regular programming

2010-05-24T15:55:00.003+08:00

Sorry folks, the past month has been uber busy what with all the election stuff going around. Sleep didn't seem to be an option. Neither was rest. So forgive my cyber-absence. Looking through my long "To Blog" list, I feel so ashamed for neglecting my site for almost a month *covers face then cowers in a corner*. But I'm back! And I feel pretty inspired. Aside from my pending posts I'm also cooking up a new photography project. So sit back, relax, and watch out for my upcoming inanities ;) Ciao!

choose wisely

2010-05-03T17:08:00.007+08:00

Seven days 'til the elections. Have you made up your mind yet?

You don't need to be an election officer, a watchdog volunteer, or a media man to be a part of history this coming elections.

Read up on your candidates. Think. Rethink. Choose. Then go out. Vote. And then become a part of the change that will shape our history.

Remember the date:

MAY 10, 2010.

the deer farm

2010-05-01T15:56:00.002+08:00

When going to the Caramoan Peninsula, I learned that the Deer Farm is usually part of the itinerary. Located four kilometers up Mount Isarog in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, the Deer Farm is home to different Australian breeds such as the Blackbuck Antelope, Fallow Deer, Chital Deer, Red Deer, and Elk. Just don't ask me to identify which is which :p

The Deer Farm was our first stop on the way to the Caramoan Peninsula. At first, I wasn't even interested at all. But it turned out to be an interesting pit stop. It felt like we were in an entirely different country.

We tried feeding some of the deers but they turned out to be a shy bunch. So after 15 minutes of goading (and photo op with ze animals), we headed back to the van and went on our way to the much-aniticipated Caramoan Peninsula.

Here, deery, deery. Yours truly, trying to feed the deers but graciously failing to do so :p

the caramoan peninsula

2010-04-23T16:36:00.001+08:00

I first learned about the Caramoan Peninsula back in 2006 while I was doing research for a summer special about the unexplored wonders of the Philippines. Eversince, Caramoan has been on my list of "Must Go Places". Finally, after years of waiting, I (along with some of my favorite people in the whoooole world!) got to explore the dozens of beautiful island found northeast of Camarines Sur.

And after two days of island hopping, all I could say was, "Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!"

I'm still sorting through the gazillion photos I took from the trip (as well as the ones from our weekend with the whaleshark interaction). But for now, here are a couple of snaps which, hopefully, will not only entice you to visit the peninsula, but be proud of our islands as well :)

eto pa!

2010-04-16T23:28:00.005+08:00

I still remember that day, five years ago, when I entered that small, laid-back bar down Timog Avenue and was introduced to the sensual reggae beats of the band known as Brownman Revival. That was the day reggae changed my life forever...Hahaha. A bit overdramatic, yes, but anybody who knows me knows how much of a reggae fanatic I am. Actually, BMR-fanatic is more like it. I used to spend every Friday night at Xaymaca and follow BMR's gigs around the metro and even in the provinces. Heck, I even watched their performance at the SOP Music Awards with Angela, Patricia, Peter, and Jen! My attendance was perfect.

Lately, though, I haven't been able to go their gigs as much as I used to. And last night, when The Favorite Band launched their third album, "Eto Pa"--a mini-EP with six fresh tracks--I was stuck at work and missed the whole thing (which, I was told, was one helluva reggae party!). Fortunately, my friends Madel, PJ, and Brix were there. I was totally bummed about missing the album launch when PJ and Brix did the sweetest thing and got me a belated birthday gift--an "Eto Pa" CD signed by all the band members. Whoopee!

Got it this morning and was super duper elated!

Reggae high. After "Steady Lang" and "Ayos Din" comes Brownman Revival's third album, "Eto Pa".

I still miss going to The Favorite Band's gigs but this will do for now. Thanks, guys! You're the best ;)

Dino, the lead vocalist.

Dennis, the drummer.

Alphy, the lead guitarist.

Jao, the bassist.

January, the percussionist.

Onard, the keyboardist.

Ambet on trumpets.

Jayson on trombones.

Jason on saxophones.

shopping takes a back seat

2010-04-13T23:39:00.004+08:00

The Sister is right. Running helps clear your thoughts. Whether it's the constant motion or the endorphins, it helps. I normally turn to shopping for therapy. But since I don't have time (not to mention the moolah) right now, running is the perfect sub. Whenever I can, I wake up early and take advantage of that one hour of running (or brisk walking) which gives me the opportunity to think about something other than my current frustrations (Damn them frustrations! Haha.)

Oh, and rock music helps.

My current default playlist consists of your everyday head-bangin' rock tunes, some of which are from the early 90's.

Tainted Love (Ramones)

Selling the Drama (Live)

I Alone (Live)

Lightning Crashes (Live)

All Over You (Live)

About A Girl (Nirvana)

All Apologies (Nirvana)

Champagne Supernova (Oasis)

Wonderwall (Oasis)

No Rain (Blind Melon)

1979 (Smashing Pumpkins)

Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots)

Sweet Child of Mine (Guns N' Roses)

Mehn. This ain't good. The last time my Rockumentary playlist was on repeat mode, I ended up throwing soda bottles at the Baywalk beachbreak. Haha.

Sigh.

I need 'em positive vibes soon.

Running in style. I want--the Nike Free 5.0 V4 Women's Running shoes.

dear stress....

2010-04-08T14:39:00.002+08:00

I hate you.

Love,
Koryn

april fool's day

2010-04-05T12:17:00.002+08:00

Twenty-eight years ago, a fool was born. And the world was never the same....

HAHAHA!

Twenty-eight years of existence in this world, and I've still got so much to figure out about myself. Yes, sometimes I worry that I may never fully discover what I'm meant to do or what purpose I'm destined to serve but then, I look around and I see the people I have in my life and the worries disappear. For all the people I've lost, there are the new friends and loved ones I've gained. And for all the people who've stayed with me through all my dreams, nightmares, and through all the beauty and ugliness of the past, THANK YOU. Another year in this world means another year of exploring life for all its wonderful possibilities.

Love, love! :)

Pre-April Fool's Nomnom. A celebration with my newfound sisters :)

summer na!

2010-03-16T16:38:00.000+08:00

My sun, sand, and my San Mig Light ;)

dreams

2010-03-08T17:04:00.001+08:00

We all struggle to make our dreams come true. When they do, we feel like like a million dollars. But when they don't, it doesn't mean life has to suck. We just have to find another dream. A dream that, maybe this time, will bring us to much greater heights :)

feathers and blues

2010-02-28T18:25:00.023+08:00

Daniel Fricke + Jennie Lee Nuptials

Date:
February 20, 2010

Venue:
San Antonio de Padua Parish
Hacienda Isabella
Silang, Cavite

Wedding Coordinators:
ONCE Wedding Specialists

They're going to have beautiful babies, I thought as Daniel, a pure-blooded German, and Jennie, half-Chinese, half-Filipino, exchanged "I do's". It was a hot February afternoon. And I could see the couple's European guests, seated on one side of the church, fidgeting in their seats, probably due to the heat which they weren't accustomed to. But as the couple moved on to their personal vows, everyone was still--listening and getting teary-eyed with every word.

"My father once told me that finding true love is like finding the perfect shoe," the bride said in between tears. "And now, it looks like I've found the perfect shoe. Even if it's not made in China." Then Jennie laughed and hugged her groom.

It was definitely one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to. A fusion of Chinese and German culture. East meats West. Europeans wearing barongs. Chinese and German music sung at the reception.

Our team from ONCE Wedding Specialists enjoyed working with such an enthusiastic couple. Daniel and Jennie lives in Germany and most of the coordination were done through emails, YM's, and Skype. But since Daniel and Jennie were very "hands on", it wasn't to difficult to get the ball rolling. The couple even created their own wedding website for guests who were flying in from other countries.

Everything was done in good taste--from the choice of the church, to the reception venue, to the jazz music which set the mood for an evening of drinking, dancing, and merrymaking.

For the reception venue, the couple chose Hacienda Isabella. The bride's cousin, who was also a stlyist, decorated the place to match the couple's theme--blue and white, capping it off with feather accents.

And come nighttime, the place was filled with lights creating the perfect mood.

One of the interesting parts of the programme is a German tradition--the Log Cutting.

"[In the log cutting tradition] the bride and groom must then cut the log in half, symbolizing the first tough task of their lives accomplished together."

And with the way the newlywed cut their log that night, laughing and smiling the whole time, there's no doubt that Daniel and Jennie will be having a fun, loving, and adventurous married life.

Mission accomplished. Mr. and Mrs. Fricke proud of the accomplishment.

---

ONCE Wedding Specialists
Tel. No.: (02)2166986
Email: once.wedding@gmail.com

seven things

2010-02-27T13:14:00.005+08:00

There's a new blog fad going around.

It's called the Beautiful Blogger Award. Kisses back to Joei who gave me this award... *tear* Hahaha.

And so with every online award are corresponding rules:

Thanks and link up the person who gave you the award.
Pass this onto bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
Contact the bloggers and inform them they've won this fantabulous award.
State seven things about yourself.

And so I pass on this award to my fellow bloggers who, in their own rights, are beautiful wordsmiths and beautiful people: Jen of Sexy Nomad, Atticus of Tales of a Backpacker, I Gotta Go! of , well, I Gotta Go!, and Rain of Litol Figgy Went to Market.

Yey!

*Applause*

And as for the seven things about myself, here are some insy-winsy Truths About Koryn:

I don't litter. It's something I actually feel guilty doing.
I'm addicted to stickers, post-it's, arts and craft materials, and colorful notebooks (even if sometimes, I don't have any use for them at all!)
My favorite Breakfast McDo mea: Sausage McMuffin with egg plus hot chocolate!
I like wearing colorful underwear.
No bland food for me. Either sweet or salty. Nothing in between.
I get cranky when its hot and I'm not at the beach.
Flip-flops are my staple footwear.

I could post more the rules require only seven :p And some of my other quirks, I'd rather keep to myself. Hihihi.

the loves of my life

2010-02-24T11:04:00.003+08:00

They scream, they bite, they run, and they can turn a neat living room into a war zone. And I just love them to death! Meet my nephew and niece--Marsy and Danielle. They're living proofs that good looks and a few loose screws do run in the family...Hahaha!

perseus got a dent :(

2010-02-22T17:31:00.002+08:00

You know how it is when your gadget's new and you notice every minuscule dust, scratch, or fingerprint on it? Well, my boytoy, Perseus (a.k.a my one-month old Compaq Presario) got a dent :( I don't know how he got it, but it's there. It's not really that noticeable (it's not even a centimeter long) but I can see it every time I pull up the monitor. Boo.

Sorry, Perseus, baby. I'll take better care of you, promise.

yogurt madness

2010-02-15T09:04:00.023+08:00

I have a new favorite dessert--FROZEN YOGURT! It's not exactly new in the market but it's only recently that several fro-yo franchises opened in the Philippines. And last weekend, I got my fill of yogurt goodness from two of the more popular stores in town--Red Mango and The White Hat.

Red Mango: Authentic Frozen Yogurt.

For this round, I wanted to try the green tea flavored yogurt. But they ran out so I ordered a 60z regular-flavored fro-yo with kiwi toppings. Man, it was delish!

The sweetness of the kiwi paired well with the yogurt. Every spoonful was delectable!

My friend, Abby, ordered a 4oz strawberry-flavored fro-yo. I was enjoying mine so much, I forgot to try out hers. (Note to self: Order the strawberry flavored fro-yo next time.)

Fro-yo fun. Abby and I enjoying our tubs at Red Mango in Greenbelt 3.

Red Mango Servings and Prices
4oz. = Php80.00
6oz. = Php115.00
80z. = Php150.00
Family Size = Php22

1 Topping costs Php20.00, 2 for Php30.00, and 3 for Php40.00

Store Locations
2/F, Greenbelt 3
G/F, Bldg. A, SM Megamall
2/F, Central Park Veranda, Eastwood Mall

The White Hat: Italian Frozen Yogurt.

Immediately the next day, I took another trip to fro-yo heaven when my sibs and I went out for a movie. My sister, Ate Ains, was apparently more of a fro-yo addict than I. So after buying our tickets, we went to The White Hat in Alabang Town Center to satisfy our cravings.

I kept raving about Red Mango but my sister kept insisting that she liked The White Hat better. And when we entered the store, I figured out why.

What to get, what to get? Ate Ains and Conrad ordering (and paying haha) for our fro-yos.

They had way more choices for toppings--strawberries, kiwis, choco balls, mangos, grapes, pineapples, peaches, Mandarin oranges, Oreos, cranberries, fruity pebbles, granola, and more. There were too many, I had a hard time deciding! (Oh, the dilemmas :p) So, in the end, I opted for a 6oz regular-flavored fro-yo with kiwi and mangoes for toppings.

My White Hat fro-yo. I'll be more adventurous next time, promise ;)

Fro-yo madness.

So there. I found myself a new food addiction. A bit pricey for daily consumption but not bad for weekly binging :p And the best part of it all is, it's.....

YEY!

So if you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you go to the nearest Red Mango or The White Hat store and treat yourself to some fro-yo heaven and see what I'm talking about ;)

The White Hat Servings and Price
4oz. = Php85.00
60z. = Php115.00

1 Topping costs Php20.00, 2 for Php35.00, and 3 for Php45.00.

Store Locations
G/F, Shangri-La Plaza
2/F, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
2/F, New Annex Bldg., SM North EDSA
Basement, Rustan's Supermarket, Makati

www.thewhitehat.com.ph

now showing

2010-02-14T18:42:00.005+08:00

Spotted in Alabang Town Center:

Cinema 4: Percy Jackson
Cinema 5: Dear John
Cinema 6: Love HAPPENES

I'm a grammar and spelling Nazi, so sue me :p I wonder what happEnes next...Hahaha.

GLEE-diction

2010-02-10T10:55:00.007+08:00

Everytime I watch Glee, I fight the urge to stand up, dance, stretch my vocal chords, and sing! Sure, it's pretty stupid how Mr. Schuester didn't realize that his wife was faking her pregnancy 'til the last episode or how Finn believed he actually knocked Quinn up because his sperms swam all the way from his side of the hot tub to his girlfriend's ovaries, but hey, all the entertainment value makes up for the plot flaws.

And I just love how the producers seem to have the perfect song for every scene. I've long ago finished the whole season and still tune in to ETC every Sunday to catch its reruns. It's the perfect feel good series that would reenergize you and wake the performer in you (if there is one haha). Oh if only I had Rachel Berry's voice!

Anyhu, here's my GLEE-diction for the week. True Colors performed by the cast of Glee.

zombified

2010-02-09T22:38:00.007+08:00

Unmotivated.

No other word can describe how I've been the past few days (or is it weeks already?). I wake up, I go where I'm supposed to go and do what I'm supposed to do. I don't have the drive to do more than what is asked of me. And I hate it.

I detest feeling like I'm just going through the motions. That is so unlike me.

There'll be times when I'd tell myself, no, this day should be different. Today, I'll be more productive. And for a couple hours, I'll feel revved up. But after a while, the energy dies down. I'm listless again.

Bah.

I need motivation. Better yet, I need a vacation.

*Image taken from www.ictlessons.wikispaces.com

and so i blog again.

2010-02-06T19:03:00.005+08:00

Oh, and it seems so long ago since I first set foot on the blog-o-sphere, ranting, raving, and talking about practically anything and everything my mind could put a twist to.

And I miss it.

So here I am, finding my way around the blogging world again, ready to unleash my thoughts and pollute cyberspace. Hahaha.

So stick around. And I might just tell you some of my deepest, darkest (and most hilarious) secrets ;)