Unduly Extended Weekend

Actions have consequences.......

Too much of a good thing is baaaddd tsk tsk.......

ACTION: (Excessive) Reading
CONSEQUENCE: Asthenopia (eye strain), headaches

ACTION: (Overmuch) PlayingCONSEQUENCE: Muscle soreness

ACTION: (Over) EatingCONSEQUENCE: heartburn, constipation, indigestion

ACTION: Self-indulgenceCONSEQUENCE: Paparazzo shots

LESSONS LEARNED:
1. Observe proper reading habits.
2. Too much exercise can make you susceptible to ilinesses.
3. Everything in moderation.

TO DO THIS WEEK:
1. Get enough sleep.
2. Go on a 7-day fast.
3. Plan.

Divaness: More Wakeboarding Shots

Just received these pics of moi as taken by Erwin de G last weekend. Thanks Erwin and Marlene........
O da va, feeling divaness................

O humabol pa, poginess, macho-fafaness!!!!

chuvaness............

Random Questions Answered & Paparazzo Shots: Take 2

I've just noticed that my posts lately have been bordering on either solemn and/or grim and/or serious.

I'm not a serious person.

For one thing, my husband thinks I'm a goofball, my sisters think I'm a lunatic, my brother thinks I'm senseless, my parents think I'm daft, even my own relatives think I'm possessed.

I'm the type who always trips, falls off a bed, and/or trips, slips and falls flat on her back at E.K. To prove that I am indeed the opposite of serious, here are this week's paparazzo shots.......... No, hindi ako nag-iinarte, my eyebags are ginormous as I haven't had deep slumber in the last 2 weeks........Piss off!!!
O see, I'm not at all serious. My parents were right all along.


Questions, questions, questions.............

Here are my answers................

I've been asked many times whether I have background in writing. I've been writing grim tales (as in violent tales, murderous plots, and villainous schemes) in my diary since kindergarten, does that count? I was Literary Editor of my high school paper. I won a Rector's Literary Award in UST during my freshman year for scribing something about Ninoy Aquino. Pretty weird for someone who was then taking Fine Arts. Satisfied??? This is probably because I read a lot, which explains why I have no social life and I only have 2 friends total, which would explain why I have no friendster account. It would be pretty stupid of me to sign up for friendster when I am fully aware that I only have 2 friends. Sedira counts as 1 friend, so that would narrow down my friendster contact to only 1. I do not have multiply either, I have no plans of signing up, so stop inviting me. I do maintain a flickr account, if only to (a) promote my blog, (b) so that I only have to upload my photos once instead of uploading them again and again and again to send to all my relatives, and (c) well, wala lang. I am seriously backlogged in my traffic posts and my very own Shungak Awards. Why? My dear Tito Bennet instilled terror in me. How? By telling me not to use my camera especially at night because I might get into trouble since some fraternity members might just shoot me for aiming a camera at them. So I got to thinking, what the heck, death does not scare me, so I still kept shooting. Now I have dozens of photos to choose from. Among them are pics of policemen and soldiers with traffic violations. Of which you'll see in the next few days as I have something in mind to blog about tomorrow. Apparently, because of Joel's birthday, I've been a little self-restrained. But now that it's been nearly a week, I'm back to my old self. See, who ever said I was serious? mwahahaha

Wild Food Orgy

It's Joel's (and Allan D.'s) birthday so you know what that means...............

I broke my 'I don't cook!' covenant this year. Yes indeed, I cooked. (Of course not by myself. I had a lot of help, pre-party, from Mommy Nita and bro-in-law, Bobby S, and post-party, from the other birthday celebrant, Allan).

My specialty, Tausi Chicken Feet to rival Henlin's and Le Ching's (just give me a holler and I'll give you the recipe)
Joel's Tokwa't Baboy Mommy Nita's Menudo Fried LechonLumpiang Shanghai
Inihaw na Tilapia (grilled to perfection by Bobby S., thank you thank you)
Inihaw na Liempo Joel's Barbecue
Joel's Crabs ??????? Pansit Palabok courtesy of Hector, Au, & Malou (thank you)
Pansit Malabon courtesy of Allan D. (the drinks as well) Yum yum Cherry Cheesecakes by Bobby S.
Early birds, lovely couple Erwin & MarleneBarangay TagayGrabbing a bite.........
High school buddies The ladies......... Aileen, Anna, Vicky, & moi................ Moi, Aileen, Malou, Gerry, Aunora, Hector, Sol, Anna, & Vicky A reunion of sorts.......... Class picture???First row (L-R) Lindley, Aileen, Anna, Sol, Sir Sammy, Hector, Aunora, Vicky, Jing, Allan
Second row: (L-R) Arnold, moi, Joel, Paolo, Gerry, Malou, Julius
BTW, I meant orgy as in excessive indulgence in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving. Not as in sexual indulgence. What the heck were you thinking???

P.S. I should really get some shut-eye. I haven't had more than 4 hours (straight) of sleep in the last 5 days. Everyone left at about 1 a.m. We finished tidying up at 2. It's now almost 3 a.m. (I'm supposed to be up by 4) and here I am still wrapping up this post.................. tsk tsk

P.P.S. Nope, I did not guzzle down alcohol. I do not have plans of dancing the hula ever again.

P.P.P.S. Thanks to everyone present during the party. To the ones who helped, you know who you are, thank you very, very much.........................

One Gastronomical Day

Yesterday was Cel's despedida and Mommy Nita's pre-birthday party (her birthday is today). Bon Voyage Cel & Happy birthday Mommy!

Of course this could only mean one thing.............food!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cel and Mommy started cooking real early. I can only watch in awe. Here's Cel preparing sushi (and she taught me this a few years back) SushiCel's TempuraCel's Lumpiang ShanghaiInihaw na Liempo (all grilled to perfection by Bob's aunt, Auntie)Inihaw na HitoInihaw na BangusFried ChickenSinigang na BaboyMorconPansit Malabon [our only contribution and a bottle of Baileys (Cel's Favorite), sinabi naman sa inyo shungak ako sa kusina] The setting........Ano, gutom na ba kayo???And my favorite part.......dessert..........

Cel's Blueberry CheesecakeYum yum............the best..............Isn't it divine.............And it doesn't end there.........

Cel's fruit concoction with lime & kiwi jelloGrabe, everything was superb. She should really start her own resto..................

Auntie, Daddy Frank, Mommy Nita, Cel, Bobby & PatrickThe ladies, Telly, Cel, moi, Auntie, MommyThe birthday boy and the birthday girl.............Not in pics (sorry, I forgot.... Alvin I, Allan D, Bob's bro, Kuya Bernard)

P.S.
To the ff. October celebrants:

Mommy Nita (13)
Cely Razon (13)
Dante N (13)
Joel (15)
Allan D (16)

Happy, happy birthday!!!!!!!!

Tripping: Paparazzo Shots

My husband calls me a 'paparazzo'. Why? Let me give you an idea, I have about 25 gig worth of photos on my computer alone, that does not include photos taken with my old, dinosaur age (Advantix) Ixus, photos from my cell, and photos that were taken with old analog cameras, like the ones that need developing. If you've been to my flickr site, that's not even half, maybe a third, I'm not sure. I try to edit my selection at ayoko namang puro litrato ng kacahakan ang nandoon.

My Dad (Hi Daddy) was actually the one who taught me how to use a camera. He taught me how to use a manual camera when I was ten. He taught me the basics of focusing, film loading, lighting techniques, which lens to use for what, you get the picture. Although now, dahil wala naman akong high tech fancy schmancy camera, I make do with a very simple Ixus. And since it's so tiny, I get to bring it anywhere I go.

I take pictures of nearly anything and everything. Road conditions, traffic violators, road accidents, pati mga squatters, tambay at nanglilimos sa kalsada. I don't even know what to do with some of them although I don't have the heart to delete them. Nope, I don't like local artistas although I do collect thumbnails of my favorite Hollywood fashionistas. So technically, I'm probably what you can call a 'snaparazzo', noh?

My husband is sometimes annoyed as I take pictures of him while eating, sleeping, walking, even in the toilet mwahaha........Wala raw akong patawad. Trying to get even, he now brings his camera with him and takes my photos. Well, paparazzo style........

I literally had to run away from him haha....... Feeling celeb??? kapal.........."Talk to the bag!"
Just trying to live out my fantasy of being celebrity. O huwag nang kokontra. Besides, can't a girl dream??? haha

Isang Linggong Food Tripping

One thing I love about living the Philippines is that anywhere you go, no matter what time of day, for whatever budget you may have, there will always be a restaurant that's right for you. Kahit saang kanto ka magpunta may makakainan ka.

Between me & my husband, he's the one with a penchant for cooking and eating. Everyone, and I mean everyone in his family knows how to either cook or bake, and boy are they good at it. Name it, they can cook it; kare kare, batchoy, bopis, papaitan, dinuguan, sinigang, and the best barbeque evah from my mother-in-law. His sisters are also virtuosos when it comes to baking cakes, pastries and even bread.

I, on the other hand, am a complete disaster when it comes to the kitchen. I can cook, it's just that disater always looms when I do, so I avoid it at all cost. I probably inherited it from my mother (nangsisi pa), her only specialty being Spam and fried eggs, minsan sunog pa. Consequently, I eat almost anything. Wala akong kaarte arte pagdating sa pagkain.

Since we're out most of the time, we end up eating out a lot. As in fast food. To give you an idea, her's a chronicle of our food trippings for this week..............

SATURDAY: Chowking

(for 4)

Braised Beef

Fried Noodles Tokwa't Baboy Yang Chow Fried Rice Beef Wanton Noodles

SUNDAY: Pizza Hut

(us 4 again)

Cheezy Pops Bacon Supreme

Spaghetti, 2 orders

Ceasar's Salad, 2 orders

MONDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Me & Joel)

Tokyo Tokyo in Trinoma

Beef Misono I told you we have a gazillion coupons. All we have to do is buy their red iced tea and the meal is free. Eat all you can rice too..............

TUESDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Me & Joel again)

Beef Misono ulit.

California Maki

Sayang yung coupons.............Parang hindi nababawasan.........

WEDNESDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Joel & Allan)

Tokyo Tokyo in Fiesta Mall Alabang

Walang kamatayang Beef Misono na naman.

Sorry, no pics. He was with his buddy Allan D. And yes, he did use the coupons...........yet again

THURSDAY: Dimsum & Dumplings Tea Bar

(Me & Joel ulit)

King Dao Spareribs

Braised Beef with Chopsuey

Chicken Feet

FRIDAY: Taco Bell

(as usual, the 2 of us)

Grilled Stuft Steak Burrito

Crunch Taco

Nacho Sprinkle

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

It wasn't enough to fill us up so ended up ordering some more Nachos & Cinnamon Twists

We arrive at Taco Bell around 11:50. There was no one there but us.

Apparently, we were 10 minutes early.

No thanks, I'd rather not.

Unless of course gusto niyong bumagyo haha...........

P.S. If you happen to want Beef Misono, just give me a holler. Sagot ko yung Misono, drinks na lang sa inyo haha........

Tripping at Greenhills.............

Today, we had to go to Greenhills for a few errands.

For those who don't know how the newly renovated Greenhills look like now, here are a few shots..............

Of course come lunchtime, Joel & I were starving. He wanted to go to somewhere fancy. I, being the cheapskate that I am, showed him how much coupons we have amassed. Apparently if you use your credit card (for a certain amount) for your gasoline purchase, you get a free coupon where you get free Beef Misono from Tokyo Tokyo, the only catch is that you have to buy their Iced Tea. So off we went searching for the nearest Tokyo Tokyo to claim our free Beef Misonos. To our surprise, it was undergoing renovation. We head then to the nearest food court, and we find Pilo's Express. While waiting for our order, we chance upon 3 balikbayans, we assumed they were balikbayans since they seemed to be carrying tons of pasalubong. We had a blast listening to their conversation:


Girl 1: O saan tayo kakain? (O, where do we eat?)

Girl 2: Uuuuyyy, miss na miss ko na ang pagkaing Filipino, hanap tayo ng Filipino restaurant. (Uuuyyy, I miss Filipino food, let's look for Filipino restaurant)

Boy: O sige, ako din parang gusto ko Filipino food. (Okay, I'm in. I think I want to have Filipino food as well)

Girl 1: Doon tayo sa TOKYO TOKYO! (Let's go to TOKYO TOKYO!)


After they leave, Joel & I take one look at each other and we started laughing. Since when did TOKYO TOKYO serve Filipino dishes? Doesn't TOKYO TOKYO connote Japanese?


Any hoo, they ended up eating next to our table so we had to shush.

I then order dessert. Upon seeing this Joel says, "Ano ba yan, ayoko niyan, di ko type yan."

I take a few bites and leave the table to get some water. I was gone for about 7 minutes and when I get back,
Hay naku, inubusan pa 'ko.......

If you want to see more Greenhills pics, go to my flickr account.

If you don't want to, e di huwag.

If you don't know my flickr address, malas mo, bahala ka sa buhay mo............


mwahahaha..........

Things to do in Bangkok

On a recent trip to Bangkok, I realized how much activities you can squeeze in a day....at least I had to, having only a full day to tour the city and a full day to do my shopping. I so love Bangkok, the diversity, the tiangges, the food (yum)............. Anyway, here's a list of some things you might want to do (or try) in case you get to visit the Land of elephants...............

Go on a Temple tour









Practice some yoga. Do some asanas.

Pardon me for murdering the Gaurakshasana pose, blame it on about a dozen tourists right in front of me, I can't concentrate...............

Seek the shade. The weather is very similar to ours, so expect scorching heat by midday.

Unless of course you wish to have fine lines, wrinkles, and look like a raisin by the time you hit your 40's.







Don't miss the elephant and crocodile show.















Who knows, you might even get a glimpse of your native flag. Mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas.





Ride an elephant.



Or better yet, do it with a loved one. It's supposed to be romantic. ;-)wink wink




Ride a bare elephant.











But if and when you do, be ready. I was unprepared for this one as I was pulled from a crowd but I gladly obliged. However, I was unaware that Lumpy here was wet, hence my ass was saturated afterwards.

Feed an elephant.




It made me see how much facial muscles I have since I barely notice them when I frown.



Wrestle a croc.






Yeah right.

Seriously though, I miss Steve Irwin.



Go on a dinner cruise.





Request for VIP seats.

Pray though that it does not rain as you'll be here for the next 2 1/2 hours.



If all else fails,

Dance.








(Thai???)









(like an Egyptian perhaps.......)




Or in my case, TRY. Dancing is not of my strong points. I suck at it, obviously.