Mantisa Apal

Sarrosa International Hotel and Residential Suites | Cebu City

2013-10-17T20:17:00.000+08:00

When I first visited my sister in Cebu, we passed by this very elegant looking hotel. It was very appealing to us so I told her, that the next time I would be visiting her, we would stay in that hotel. So, I searched for Sarrosa International Hotel online... looked for a deal, and for just 2,500 PHP, voila! I was set!

I already set a high standard for the place, after all, the name bears "International" on it which to me, denotes that they are set to meet the demands and expectations of international clientele. Plus, the sign outside their hotel at night is so inviting that you would want to experience staying in this place.

So the moral of the story, Don't judge a book by its cover! :))

(Sorry I was not able to take photographs of the signage and how it looks like at night. I was advised by friends not to do that for me and my camera's safety. haha)

Does the introduction part of this post appeal to you like it has a disappointed tone to it? YES? Then good! That's what I'm going for here.

Though they have not satisfied the expectations I had in mind, I will still highlight both "hit" and "miss" for this hotel.

Polite and Friendly Staff.
Check in was a breeze.

Not sure if they are going for the modern interior, a traditional one, or maybe a mix of all the design elements from all over the world. I'm not a interior design or architecture major, so please forgive me for being "design illiterate" --if that even exists. hahaha.

Time to check what the room looks like...

Grand Deluxe Room for PHP 2,500 breakfast for 2 included.
Could fit 3-4 adults or 2 adults with 2 children.

The room we had was spacious, had wooden furnishings and carpeted floors. They have cable TV and WIFI access (but only limited to 2 gadgets). The beds were very comfortable, the room did not give off some weird smell and the air-conditioner was great. It feels like we are inside a chiller which is something (I know this will sound weird) I like.

They have a large bathroom with a bathtub (YAY! I like hotels with a bathtub) and a separate shower area.

Bathtub! Horaaay!

and now for the "miss", shall we?

TV in our room was outdated (doesn't bother me much but if a budget hotel can afford LCD TV, why can't this "international" hotel?)
The carpeted floor is both a hit and a miss. Hit because you won't hear the trolley wheels rolling but if the carpets are not cleaned well, they give off this "moldy mixed with sweat" smell which is the smell of the 3rd floor lobby.
The room lights were ORANGE! It is not the elegant yellow-orange light, nor the skin flattering yellow light. It was VERY orange! See the bathtub snapshots? That +10% more orange! Since I'm not good in taking photos, I had a hard time making the photos appealing. Even my best was still not appealing to me. :(
We had a weird experience with the lift. Every time we hit the ground floor button from the 3rd floor, it would go 2 floors up (but the door won't open) before it goes down. How creepy is that?

Contrary to what was advertised, this room does not look "modern" to me.

Moving on...

The buffet area was small but nice. I like how it gives off a lazy yet intimate vibe. Breakfast options were limited but I was satisfied with the food they served. I ended up eating more of their cream dory. It was delish! A must try!

Salad and Cereals

Plastic wrap should be removed upon serving.

I was going more of the floral arrangements here and less of the bread. :)

To sum it up, like in most hotels, there will always be a few hits and misses. Expectations not met, outdated equipment, smelly carpet floors, unflattering lights, scary elevator experience, the list could go on and on. They may have few misses but they did made me feel welcome during my stay and that is something worth mentioning.

As we were leaving, the taxi driver told us the hotel is currently undergoing construction and renovation.

So would I recommend Sarrosa International Hotel? For now, I would say search for other hotel options if you can. But I like to go back after the renovation and construction is done and maybe it will change my mind.

Sarrosa International Hotel

F Cabahug St. Kasambagan, Mabolo, 6000 Cebu City

Tel.No: (63 32) 232-5811 to 18

Email: reservations@sarrosahotel.com

Express Inn | Cebu

2013-10-14T13:09:00.001+08:00

As I was planning the 3-day Cebu Trip, I already anticipated that I would spend 80% of my cash on the first 2 days (and I'm right. haha) so I searched for budget friendly places around Cebu and found many options but the one that offered the most value for money was Express Inn.

I don't have a high expectation set in this place due to the following reasons: First, I paid PHP 1,500 for a family room (good for 3 adults), breakfast included, Second, it says "inn" and not really a "hotel" and lastly, I know prices are sky rocket high in Cebu so to get a room for 1,500 is a good deal for me.

Hassle Free Check-in process, Polite Staff.

I think they are going for a "Halloween" vibe with the masks.

Trinket and souvenir corner

The family room was air conditioned, have a sitting area and a flat screen cable TV. It can accommodate 3-4 adults or 2 adults with 2 children. They do have free wi-fi available but I wasn't able to connect, both with my laptop and pad. I did not bother to complain because I don't need to use the internet that badly anyways. Another head's up, their rooms use the traditional door knob type and not the key card type. No bottled water (or any other beverage for that matter) was given as complimentary.

Family Room at PHP 1,500

Food Guide, Telephone, Safe, Crumpled Survey Form (the paper above the phone directory)

The bathroom was reasonably clean, have shower facility and free toiletries.

Tocilog (Tocino + Fried Egg) for Breakfast.
Had to pay additional PHP 40 to upgrade my free breakfast to this one.

Free breakfast.

Value for money?Although there were a couple of "miss" here and there, I would still say YES. The service was good, room rates were reasonable (plus it comes with free breakfast), the room was clean and location wise, it is just a walking distance to SM City Cebu.

So, if you found yourself in Cebu City on a shoestring budget and in search of a budget friendly (yet have good service) place to stay in Cebu, Express Inn is a good choice. :)

Express Inn Cebu

Pope John Paul St., M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City

+63 (32) 266-7551

+63 (32) 266-7552

Lechon at Zubuchon

2013-10-10T15:38:00.000+08:00

For our first dinner for this trip, we decided to try Zubuchon. We've heard a lot of mixed reviews about it which made us want to try it for ourselves to know if it was worth the "hype".

Based on the search that I did, Zubuchon have 3-4 branches in Cebu, we visited the one on Escario Street.

I have to admit, I got really excited and immediately raised my expectations the moment I saw the place. I was in love with how the place was set up.

I find the logo super inviting not to mention cute. :)

I love the color combination and the lights. :)

Their staff were polite and friendly also kind enough to help us decide which of their specials we should order. So here's what we had for dinner.

The talked about Zubuchon Lechon.

As much as it pains me to say this but for the sake of fairness, I will say it: I have tried tastier lechon (Sorry zubuchon fans). Don't get me wrong, it was tasty and skin was crispy. It just didn't met the expectation I had in mind. :(

To make up for their lechon, I would give two thumbs up to their kamias shake. This was another staff suggestion which I just agreed politely at first because if truth be told I was clouded with hesitation and silently hoping that I would like it. Personally, I was just unsure of how kamias shake would turn out.

After I tasted it, I take back all the hesitation. haha! It deserved its "best seller" title. The taste was just perfect (at least to me). So, for those who will visit Zubucho and was not satisfied by the lechon, try their kamias shake! :)

Anthony Bourdain should try the lechon from Iligan. Maybe it will change his mind. :)

Zubuchon

Unit 2 Bldg A Escario Central

Escario Street Kamputhaw, Cebu City

Phone: +63(32)5835699

Birthday Dinner at Tatay's Grill

2013-10-08T20:58:00.000+08:00

Note: This blog post was suppose to go live on the 27th of September. But due to a lot of hustle and bustle that's been going on lately, I've only got the chance to do it today. As the saying goes, better late than never right? :)

It was my boyfriend's birthday and I planned to take him somewhere nice for dinner. I knew instantly that Tatay's Grill would be the best place to go. It was perfect since, he has never tried it and it was one of my favorite resto. Win-win situation! :)

When I am craving for the best seafood dish, then Tatay's Grill is my "go-to" place.

Apart from the food, I also like the "homey" set up of the place.

Since it is a special occasion we stuffed our bellies with these mouthwatering dishes.(I'm drooling by just looking at them.)

Tuna Belly with onions and tomatoes on the side

My all time favorite Spicy Shrimps.

and last but not the least, the perfectly fried calamares.

Look at that wide grin of satisfaction on the birthday boy's face. I had to take a snapshot of him doing this smile because it was one of the very rare times that he ate all his food without any complaints. Haha. He knows his way around cooking and food that is why it is slightly hard to satisfy his taste buds. :P

I know this is kinda late but still I will say this,
Happy Happy Birthday Ming!
You deserve all the good things that will come your way.
Enjoy this year and stay awesome. ♥

So, for anyone who is planning to treat their someone special to a restaurant that serves great food without the expense of ripping out your pocket, then Tatay's Grill is a MUST try!

Tatay's Grill 'n Bar

National Hi-way Tambo, Brgy. Hinaplanon

Iligan City

(063) 221-1740

I Survived 9 Days Away from Home!

2013-04-21T13:24:00.000+08:00

Last week was a week of firsts, first time (in a long time) that I will see one of my bestfriends, first time to travel this year, first time to meet my boss (who btw, I've been talking to almost everyday for the past 2 years, and (this one is a big one) my first time to travel SOLO.

For many who are unaware, I'm not really a fan of doing things on my own. I always need someone I can converse and ask for "second option" with and I'm not a fan of meeting "new people" as well. So imagine what I feel as I was counting the days for my "first ever solo trip".

So enough about the boring chit-chats, here's a summary of my trip, mostly in pictures.

Day 1

Here is my boarding pass. An evidence that this trip really happened. haha.

My flight was suppose to leave Lumbia airport at 10 in the morning but due to air traffic...
it was delayed for about 1 hour.

I wasn't able to take window shots because I was sitting in the middle. The flight to manila was only for 1 hr 45 mins, but it was the LONGEST 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES OF MY LIFE. I was really uncomfortable and I can't wait for my feet to touch the ground. (or maybe it was just all my emotions clashing that made me feel uncomfortable. haha)

A little after 1 PM, My bestfriend and her boyfriend picked me up in the airport and treat me to Bubba Gump for Lunch.
PS. Forgive my fringe and my face in this picture, I had a really bad headache when I got off the plane. >.<

We decided to talk a stroll at greenbelt for the rest of the afternoon.

I find this distorted croc interesting. I want to have one! :)

Sculptural Cocoon Horse (that's what the sign said)

By the time it was dark, we went to this park (that rhyme!)
i think it was ayala triangle, to just rest our tired feet
(or rather my tired feet).

and for some reason, I was really homesick. I wanted to cry my eyes out. :(

Going Japanese for dinner! :) Karen's boyfriend is Japanese so we ate at this authentic Japanese resto. Thanks Ryohei! :)

This dinner concludes my adventure for day 1.
It was my first time to try authentic Japanese food so I was clueless on what to order
so I just said: "Surprise me!" and I got what I wished for. :)

Day 2

My original plan for day 2 was to go to church with karen. But she had to pack her stuff to transfer to another apartment and I was super tired from all the walking so we decided to cancel. Instead, I stayed at pam's place in the morning and (after seeing pam and her girlfriends) thought of how fun it would be to live with all of your friends. :)

Lunch at Bon Chon

then attended mass at St. Francis de Assisi.

Day 3

THIS IS IT! This is the day that we will finally meet our awesome employers. Pam and I were super nervous as each hour passed. We were thinking what to say, making scenes in our head on how they will be like, how would we keep the conversation going.

After 2 nights of crashing at Pam's place, I checked in at Berjaya Makati. The same hotel that my boss are staying in. (and YES! they paid for my accommodation as well. Click on this link to check out my impression on Berjaya Makati.)

We met at the lobby and they were everything I hoped them to be. Super nice and awesome as always. they even got us some goodies too.

from http://instagram.com/p/X4ajthnOo_/

We had dinner at Fely J's Kitchen for them to try some Filipino dishes.

Adobo, i forgot the other one and binago-ongang baboy.

This is the second best Sinigang I've ever tasted. (Mom's sinigang is STILL the best ofcourse! haha)

Our first ever team picture. :)

Day 4

View from the office space we rented.

This is the office space we were in. Nice huh? :)

I want to have a kitchen. Like this one.

Board room area.

Day 5

Organizing Core Values for our Team.

Goodies that we got for Ray and Carol. But Pam and I end up eating it as well. haha.

Day 2 in the office and I was able to figure out how this coffee machine works haha.

Finally got a cappuccino! :)

Timtam + unsweetened coffee = ♥

Back on track. Ready to Rock!

Another team picture. This one is my fave. :)
(left to right: Carol, Ray, Me, Pam)

Day 6

Off to Puerto Galera.

Hello Puerto Galera.

Relaxing Atmosphere.
Away from the Hustle and Bustle of the City.

Carol's first tricycle ride. :)

Day 7

On our second day on Puerto Galera, we went snorkling and glass bottom ride. :)

Is that Thumbs up for the glass boat ride ray?

Livin' the Good Life! Chaaaar~

A fine day to go Snorkeling.

Second Fave Team Picture. :)

"PRE" sunburned face. hihihi

Day 8

All picture here onwards were taken using my phone. My camera battery won't charge on the last day of our trip. Bummer! I guess I just need to battle on. :(

Discovery Suites Tagaytay.

UNLIMITED CHEESE!

Look Ma! I'm drinking wine. haha.

Looks like someone is enjoying her wine experience as well.

From Puerto Galera, we took a stop over at Tagaytay to see the famous Taal Lake but we ended up having a unlimited wine and cheese tasting followed by a super fancy dinner at discovery suites. Another first for me. :)

Day 9

Time to Check my Baggage in.

YAY! I will be flying back hoooome!

I'm kinda not scared to travel alone now.

I guess that's about it.

It was pretty funny that I was super nervous (up to a point where I really thought of not going) as I was counting the days but after we I got to know how awesome Carol, Ray and Pam were, I want the whole thing to start over and keep on rolling without ending ever!. :))

Stay Tuned for my "eat all you can" and Puerto Galera Experience. :)

*****
Of course! Let's not forget to thank MY sponsors and everyone who made my trip memorable. ^_^

Karen, thank you so much for taking time in your super busy life to meet me at the airport and catch up. I'm kinda tempted to tell the "girls" about our chikkas. hahahaha. (and see the reaction on their faces!) Sorry you got delayed in packing your stuffs because of me. I miss you already.

See you in May! ♥

Ryohei, it was super nice to finally meet you. Although you are new to Makati yourself, you exerted effort to make me feel comfortable, for my first-ever AUTHENTIC Japanese meal and for being such a nice person. Thank you! I really appreciate you taking care of Karen for us. I'm really sorry about what happened. I feel super guilty. Like I am to blame. :( Hope you are doing great now. Looking forward to see you again in May (and this time, hopefully you will get to meet the rest of us, Karen's CRAZY not to mention WEIRD friends. haha!)

(Photo from Pam's Facebook Account)
RM 301 Ladies. Thank you for making me feel welcome and at home. You guys are awesome. ♥

Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam! I know it was our first time to meet but for some reason, you make me feel comfortable. Thank you sooo sooo much for everything. For letting me crash at your place, for arranging the whole trip, for being super warm and hospitable. I can't wait to see you again (hopefully I will be able to meet David too.)

Get to know Pam and check out her travels here. :)

To the super awesome two-some Ray and Carol. No words could ever describe how awesome the two of you are. It was really a pleasure meeting you both. Thank you for the training you guys provided for Pam and I to enhance our skills, for telling me that my mistakes are not mistakes but rather "a learning curve", for somehow imparting life lessons to us, for encouraging us to have a hobby outside of work, for giving us a chance to grow and for being real human beings that we could interact and share our ideas to.

We love working for you 'coz you value what we do.
Stay happy. ♥

PS. Thank you for sending me those flowers for my birthday and for paying for the whole trip. haha.

3N/4D Experience at Berjaya Hotel Makati

2013-04-09T21:40:00.001+08:00

A few days after I receive my booking confirmation at Berjaya Hotel, I began browsing their website to have a rough idea on how my room would look like. It was not really my first choice since I find it expensive, but my boss (who was booked by their agent to stay in this hotel) thought I would be better if I get a room here too so I don't have to walk around or wander on the streets of Makati.

I was greeted with a friendly Front Office Personnel when I checked in.

Waiting Area

The Elevator Hallway

Ta-da! Here's what Rm 1407 looks like.

I would almost give this hotel a two thumbs up. I like how clean my room was, that they have a bathtub, toiletries were organized, towels folded properly, and the Bathroom floor was dry.

But after seeing how they handled the change of room request of my boss, Berjaya lost one thumbs up.

If there is one thing I would like for them to improve, it would be customer service. I didn't like how they handled my boss when she again requested for a room change. I was greeted with a warm and friendly tone when I checked in, what happened to that?

Plus, when we ordered drinks, it took a loooooooooooooooong time for them to bring it to us. (not sure if it was because the hotel was crowded at that time or because they did not understand what we ordered)

Buffet Style

View from the Mezanine Area

Overall, I would give this hotel a rating of 3.5 (out of 5 stars). I'm thinking of staying here again after a year or two just to give this hotel a chance and to see what improvements they have made by then.

Berjaya Hotel Makati
7835 Makati Avenue Corner Eduque Street
Makati City, Philippines 1209

Tel:+ (632) 750 7500

Fax:+ (632) 750 6783

Email:manila.inquiry@berjayahotel.com

Night Out at Marianos

2013-03-18T15:47:00.003+08:00

Are you looking for a place to impress your date?

An intimate ambiance to catch up with an old friend?

or perhaps a restaurant with friendly staff that will accommodate your family?

WELCOME to Marianos!

Marianos features outdoor / indoor dining experience that is perfect for intimate gathering. Be it a catch up chatter with a friend, a dinner with your family or building up that perfect impression on a first date, the "look and feel" of Marianos could surely deliver.

Hello! Welcome to Marianos

Marianos was launched last November 12, 2012. Since then, I have seen a lot of Facebook photos featuring Marianos, which makes me want to try it out for myself.

very creative candle holder! I wanna take this home. :)

They do accept walk-ins, but to be sure that you will have a table,
a reservation is advised.

Here's a sneak peak on what they have on the menu.

Creme Brulee, Php 45
I love this one! I want moooooore!

Beef Ravioli, Php 240
Flavorful and Yummy!

Sauted Shrimp, Php 195
It's Shrimp and I love it! Need I say more? ♥

Beef Short Ribs, Php 265
I was not happy eating this. Don't get me wrong, it is flavorful.. It's just that,
I felt heavy after eating.

Chicken Asparagus, Php 265
This was what mom ordered.

Strawberry Pavlova, Php 120
I liked this very much! :)

Ilaya Beer, Php 180/bottle

There are still a lot I want to try... maybe next time.

So... How's your chicken asparagus mom? :)

For you are looking for excellent service, classy ambiance, expertly plated meal and sinful desserts, then Marianos is a place to try. :)

Little Head's Up! Be ready to spend more than you usually would.

Marianos Home Cooked Specialties

Meadowlark St, Isabel Village, Pala-o Iligan City

Monday - Saturday / 4:00 - 10:00 PM

For reservations, call 221-0095

My Heart on a String

2013-01-14T17:58:00.002+08:00

Hello Everyone,

Here's a really great nail art design for valentines day. I know, I know, it is kinda early to be talking about valentines day but Hey! who isn't excited when the topic is about love? :)

(I wasn't able to do a step by step instruction for this one. It was kind of out-of-the-blue-decision to make this one.)

Have a great day ahead everyone.

Will be posting more nail art idea soon. ♥

- M

Enjoy the Sun, Sand and Sea

2012-12-31T23:37:00.001+08:00

Our stay in Boracay was short. But all the laughter, the out of the blue chatter, the made up scenes in our head just so the cute aircrew from Air Philippines would notice us (ooppps! haha) has made my every minute of the trip worthwhile. The lovely ladies I'm with had so much energy and happy vibes in them.

Vain Plane Snapshot!

In the two days we were there, we stayed at Orinda Boracay. I found this place via booking.com (you can check them out here)

Despite being available to the public, Orinda Boracay's beach front is like a private beach since you can't really see a lot of people chillin' there. Its location made it one of the last options for tourists who are visiting Boracay because it is far from their mall, the happenings and to the other water activities station. But for those who needed some alone time, Orinda could make it to your list of place to consider.

We paid 5000PHP for 2 nights. Good for 4 persons. It includes free breakfast, free wifi, free shuttle transportation from orinda to dmall and vice versa.

Beach Front.

Sorry I wasn't able to take pictures of the room we stayed in. :(

It is also in Orinda where we met our really nice tour guide, Jerone (not sure if I got the spelling of his name right). He was the only person we met that could speak Bisaya, so my friends and I instantly became comfortable talking to him. He convinced us to try the water activities and gave us a very reasonable price for each activity too. :)

Here is a picture of him.

I don't know if he is the only tour guide assigned in Orida or what, but if you happened to be staying there, you could ask the receptionist there for him to tour your around. :)

Some snapshots of Boracay

Clear Skies, Calm Seas :)

Kids and the Sand!

Before I forget, Here's a summary of my Travel Expenses

Dec. 20

P 85 - bus fare from Iligan to CDO

300 - taxi from CDO bus station to airport

1,897 - Plane Fare (CDO - Cebu)

30 - terminal fee (CDO - Cebu)

Dec 21

P 200 - terminal fee (Cebu-Caticlan)

675 - Plane Ticket (Cebu - Caticlan : got a promo fare for this one)

350 (divided by 3) - Fees from Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port

80 - lunch

100 - Terminal Fee

200 (split to 3) - tricycle to Orinda

5,000 (for 2 days, split to 3) - Accomodation

260 - dinner

Dec 22

P 700 - Helmet Dive

700 - Parasailing

70 - dinner

90 - Gelato :)

115 - Coffee from Coffeeworks

Dec 23

P 100 - Terminal Fee (caticlan Jetty Port)

25 - Bangka Fee

350 - Van (Caticlan to Iloilo)

50 - Dinner

120 - Taxi from SM Iloilo to Airport

Dec 24

P 200 - Terminal Fee from Iloilo to Cebu

955.96 - Plane Fare from Iloilo to Cebu (promo fare)

50 - Lunch

200 - Terminal Fee from Cebu - CDO

1,040 - Plane Fare from Cebu - CDO

16 - Airport to Carmen, CDO

9 - Carmen to Bulua Terminal

85 - Bus Fare from CDO to Iligan

Miscellaneous Expense - 700

Total Expense (more or less) : 11,451

Despite the very short vacay, I was still able to do what I intend to do in Boracay. Enjoy the sun, play with the sand and experience the sea. I will sure to visit this place again, tagging along my lifetime partner. :)

A Must Try Activity in Boracay - Helmet Dive & Parasailing

2012-12-28T13:28:00.002+08:00

Day 2 in Boracay started with me waiting for my friends to wake up, getting my daily dose of caffeine over the beach. I am really not the type of person who would spend long hours on the beach, but the feeling of the wind, the sight of the rising sun and the serenity of the beach is so alluring that it makes me want to sit there for hours. It was the perfect way to spend mornings.

Finally, Quality Time with myself. :)

I remained still, until I heard distant chatter and giggling sounds, I knew it was time to pump more energy into my system. My "hyper" friends have woken up from slumber and were hungry for adventure.

Good Morning Boracay!

We haven't planned anything for that day, we just want to enjoy the beach, build sand castles and chill (okay, we were broke! haha). The guide from Orinda approached us and asked if we have activities planned. He showed us this list of the activities we could try. At first we hesitated, the price per activity range from 2,000-3,500, PER PERSON. It was way too much our pockets could handle. But then he told us not to look at the prices, and offered that we could try 2 activities for 1,400 per person.

We agreed that it was a good deal, so we got ready for some water splashing morning.

After filling out some form, a motor boat was waiting for us to take us to our first stop, Helmet Dive!

When we got to their station, everything else was pretty standard. Since we can't hear each other underwater, one guide showed us basic hand signs that we could use to communicate under water, what to do when we feel the pressure building up on our ears and that sorts of stuff.

The "helmet" we used was designed for people (like me) who don't know how to swim. (YAY!) The whole idea was to walk under water while enjoying the fishes and take pictures at the same time. Head's up! The helmet was VERY VERY VEEEEEEEEERY Heavy! You need to submerge yourself from the shoulders down so you won't feel the weight. The guides are there to assist you so no worries really. :)

For someone who does not know how to swim, I was pretty confident that I can handle this activity pretty well. I did! We all did! *insert proud look here*

Here are pictures to prove that I didn't just make this part up. hahaha.

Helmet dive went on for about 15 minutes. You don't have to bring your own camera because the diver will take the photos and hand out individual CD copies. You only have to worry though, that you won't look your best on the captured photos. I guess you could reason that things tend to distort or refract under water. So forgive our faces in the photos above. HAHAHAHA!

After Helmet dive, we waited for the speed boat to take us to our next activity, parasailing.

Us Girls with our super nice guide Jerone :)

In the mean time, more vanity shots from us. :)

A few radio patches have to made to coordinate with the next station. Of course, we took shots while waiting for our ride! :D

All is set, we are ready to rock the next activity!

We transferred to another motor boat with the chute and harness. From what I have observed, the canopy chute (this is the term they used to describe the parachute) can carry 1-3 persons only.

All dressed up and we are good to go. :)

Instructions were given prior to take-off. After checking that everything is secure and in place...

OFF YOU GO! :)

This is another great way to enjoy the beauty of Boracay. High above the blue waters, you can truly appreciate the panoramic view of the sky, the island and the sea. It shuts you down from all the stress in life, all I could hear is the whistling sound of the wind and the giggle of my friends. As the speedboat below continue to control the chute, the wind above sways you from one direction to the other as if playing a tug-of-war. The picture perfect scene and the tugging happening at the same time that all you could ever do is scream at the top of your lungs. :))

If I were to do it again, I would only do it for 5 minutes. 15 mins seems like super short, but when you are up there, it feels like forever! The really exciting part is when you take off and the first 5 mins gliding into the air. After sometime, it made me think... "Now what?" hahaha. For the rest of the time that we are up there, I was just looking at the faces of my friends. It was priceless. The look of excitement combined with the feeling of nausea. None of us want to signal the guide that we wanted to go down, because we are testing our limits like that. :D

I would suggest not to do this after eating. If you are with someone who easily get affected by motion sickness, do not forget to bring something that could help relieve that.

When we were finally back on the speed boat, I was trying to keep my balance as I reached for the seats. I saw my friend was feeling the motion sickness, the guide was kind enough to give her peppermint something to smell on, it made her feel better after sometime. While waiting for the other 2 tourists to finish their round of fun, we battled our boredom with MORE vanity shots! haha.

A 3 hour nap concludes our activity for that afternoon.

I would like to end this post, with another favorite picture :)

PS, If you plan on trying all the activities Boracay has to offer, I would suggest doing 2-3 activities in a day. :)

Boracay Bound

2012-12-27T23:04:00.002+08:00

The sun, the sand, and the sea. Perhaps these are the three most common words that people would utter when asked to describe Boracay. Its popularity assured its spot on every traveler's must visit place list.

Because of the buzz that have been going around the internet on how beautiful this place is, my friends and I picked this place as our first destination in the series of travels we planned.

With less than 3 months to set everything in motion, we checked every airline company that offered promo fares to and from Boracay. It was a funny challenge for us, the promos will be available when we don't have any cash on hand, but would be fully booked when we do have cash.

But thankfully, we were able to secure the tickets and reserve a place to stay.

Let's skip the boring details and proceed to our adventure shall we?

***

How We Got To Boracay:

If the truth be told, we have no idea how we will be able to get to Boracay. I have pictured getting lost and stuff but surprisingly, we had a hassle free travel. Every one we asked was helpful (not to mention that you can see help desk anywhere you look).

Even without a tripod, we still managed to get a decent photo of us. :)

1. We hop on the plane from Cebu that will take us to Caticlan.

Look! Cotton Candy Clouds. ♥

2. When we got to Caticlan, (we just followed the crowd and arrived at an information desk. hahaha) we asked the information desk where to go from there are paid all sorts of fees. (I will provide a complete list of the expenses incurred on the next post.)

Touchdown Caticlan.

3. Rode a tricycle to Caticlan jetty port.

4. Upon arriving to the port, we paid another set of terminal fees.

5. Waited for a small boat that will take us to Boracay.

After 20 mins (or so)...

BORACAY BABY! :)

The first thing I noticed when I got to boracay was the sand. It was super fine (which made my feet feel like they are having a very relaxing foot scrub. haha.)

The weather was just perfect when we arrived as if welcoming us to this beautiful island.

Day 2 of our Boracay Trip coming up. Stay Tuned. :)

PS. Forgive the amateur photograph. :|

Zombie Nails!

2012-10-14T20:51:00.001+08:00

I'm Baaaaack!

It's been a while since I did a nail art. Been busy and pre-occupied with a lot of things lately. New work concept to learn, changes that needs to be accepted and priorities that needs to be sorted.

Despite all the whirl-wind emotions that I have been through this past month, one thing remains the same... That the "walking dead" is keeping me excited. hahaha..

So my nail art for today is Zombie- inspired! :)

Sorry I wasn't able to make a step by step guide for this one, but you can always check out the video version.

Have a nice day everyone.

Spread the Good Vibes,

-- M

Cupcake Inspired Nail Art

2012-08-12T14:13:00.000+08:00

Hello Cupcakes,

Today is a very special day because today is the birthday of my soul sister kim. :)
You can read her rants here. and more about her here.

Although we are very much different, strange enough, we almost always get along pretty well. I don't know if we have grown tolerance around each other or we were just born to become friends.

Either way, I'm really happy we did.

Here is a fun fact though, When we first met, I don't really like her. haha.

Anyways, today's nail art is dedicated to my soul sister. ♥

Here goes:

1. Paint 1/4 of your nails with any color you wish. in this case, I choose pink. :)

2. Paint horizontal white stripes on the tips.

3. With a dotting tool, create a cloud like, fluffy cupcake.

4. Add a red dot on top to serve as a cherry. :)

5. Add a glitter polish to serve as the sprinkles (or use different colors of polish and a toothpick to create the sprinkles) and finish up with a top coat.

And TA-DA!

Your Cupcake Inspired Nail Art is done. :)

Here is the video Version:

***
Looking at the cupcakes makes me feel kinda hungry. hahaha

To Kim,

Happy Birthday. :)
Enjoy your day and I am so proud of you.

No matter the distance or the circumstance, I will always be here. ALWAYS! :)

-- M

Dandelion Inspired Nail Art

2012-08-08T17:17:00.000+08:00

As you guys have noticed, my blog is a little out of date. The reason for this is not related to how lazy I can get at times, but rather the lack of inspiration.

For a few days now, I have putting off making nail art tutorials but I have been on a constant battle with myself. To some, it may look like I lost my mind. But to few people who personally know me, it is a normal, passing stage that I am in every once in a while.

My "life-less" self took control over me.

I have to fight back! I have to win.

So, I have come up with a dandelion inspired nail art. To remind myself, that I need to let loose sometimes, not to over think things and be where the wind will take me.

The step by step and video tutorial will be uploaded soon.

To all the people who are in the same state as I am, don't let the negative vibes take control.

Much Love,
-- M

Last Friday Night!

2012-07-30T18:32:00.003+08:00

For a month now, have been longing to break the monotony of my everyday life. I have been constantly complaining on how I wanted to do something different.

God answered my prayers when He sync-ed our "busy" schedules and FINALLY made our planned overnight happen.

What better way to spend a friday night than with your friends in their pajamas, watching "The Walking Dead" series, munching pizza and junk food.

Ta-da! That is exactly what we did last friday night. :D

AAAAHHHH! Zombies on the screen!

Pizza. (at least what's left of it)

Admittedly, I ate all the pizza on the box to your left. :D

Also, we did some quick beauty session as I showed them my favorite oatmeal mask. Too bad we were not able to take some snapshot.

This little girl ate pizza, watched the walking dead and stayed up all night as well.

Chillin' like a boss. :)

After 7 hours (or so) watching a zombie series, 3 boxes of pizza, a quick beauty session, 2 bags of chips, a barely noticeable influence of alcohol and a "what-will-you-do-in-case-of-a-zombie-breakout" topic, This is how we looked like. haha.

Kai slept around 3 in the morning, kiara was knocked out around 4:30, while kim and I continued laughing until 5:30.

Overall, it was a really fun Friday night. :)

We continued being "awesome" until Saturday afternoon, with the addition of my boyfriend who dropped by Saturday morning. Too bad we were not able take pictures of what happened.

Maybe next time we will. :D

Nail Art Design #5: The Amazing SPIDERMAN!

2012-07-05T23:22:00.002+08:00

I know! I know! I am a bit behind my blogging schedule! (A bit behind? I am almost 2 weeks absent!)

But nah! It doesn't matter, I don't a have a HUGE fan base waiting for my every blog post anyways. *insert "emo-ish" music here*

hahaha.

But I am back!
and so is the amazing spider man movie!
So today, I decided to make a spider man inspired nails!
(with the hope that spiderman fans will follow this blog after. hahaha)

Kidding aside, here is the best that I have come up with. :)

Here's a step by step procedure:

Step 1: Paint 2 of your nails red.

Step 2 : Paint an inverted triangle with the white polish. This will serve as SPIDERMAN's eyes. :)

Step 3 : Using a toothpick (because I don't have a thin brush) and a black polish, make an outline of the eyes you just created. This will make the eyes more visible and precise.

step 4 : Make thin straight lines above the eyes. (Use a toothpick to do this if you don't have a nail art pen or a brush)

Step 5 : Connect the lines with a curve line to achieve the "net-like" look on Spiderman's mask.

Because I have small nails, I decided to paint 2 nails with the spiderman design and then the rest of the nails with a gradient spiderman associated color.

So, for the other nails:

Step 6 : Choose 2 nail polish. 1 in red, the other in blue. To have the gradient look, use a make up sponge. Paint the 1/2 of the sponge red and the other 1/2 blue and dab it on your nails.

Step 7 : Do step 6 until you get your desired opacity.

Step 8 : Finish off with a clear polish.

And you are done! :)

It make look REALLY complicated but it is really easy to do.
You just need PATIENCE (and a steady hand in drawing the lines with a toothpick)

I hope this post is worth the (almost) 2 weeks worth of wait. :)

Have a nice night everyone.

-- M

PS. Here is the video tutorial for this design:

Nail Art Design #4: Doggie Nail Art

2012-06-23T17:51:00.002+08:00

Less than 2 months ago, our dog died. :(
I did a post about it here.

Today, I decided to make a nail art tutorial dedicated to cocoon.

You can choose to vary the design from one nail to the other or do one design in all your nails.

You only need these 3 colors if you wanted to do one design in all your nails

or select 3-4 brown polish to do a variation of design.

Here is the finish look.

Here is a video tutorial explaining how this is done:

Have a nice weekend everyone. ♥
-- M

Nail Art Design #3: Tuxedo Nails (A father's day tribute)

2012-06-17T21:19:00.001+08:00

Who here loves their dad? Raise you hand. :)
*raises both hands*

Today, as a father's day tribute, I have decided to create a tuxedo nail art.

Although, my dad does not wear tuxedo often... but I opt to make this design because it is really fun and easy to do. :)

So, here goes.

The materials I used for this design are the following:
-- Black Polish
-- White Polish
-- Clear Polish
-- Dotting Tool
-- Toothpick

Let's Start!

1. Paint your nails two coats white.

2. When the nail polish is completely dry, do a french tip using a black polish.

3. To create the bow tie, use the toothpick to draw an horizontal X then fill in the sides as shown in the picture.

4. Lastly, with the dotting tool, add 2-3 dots below the bow tie and above the black line.

Finish with a clear polish then you are done. :)

Easy Right?
Go ahead and try it.

Don't forget to greet your father a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

PS. Forgive the cam quality. :(

Here is a video version of the tutorial:

***
Happy Father's Day Papa. ♥

Nail Art Design #2: Blueberry Nails

2012-06-01T14:43:00.002+08:00

Hello Everyone!

This is my second time to document the nail art design I have created.
(and this time, I have decided a video for this one. YAY!)

As usual, I wanted to make a design that is really simple to do.
Let me know what you think, by leaving me a comment below.

To start we are going to use the following:

If you don't have a dotting tool, you can always use a hair pin. :)

Let's Start:

Step 1 : Paint your nails two coats white. Then let dry.

Step 2 : With the green stripper, paint curve lines like you see in the picture.

Step 3 : Using a dotting tool, put 2 - 4 circles on each nail using the darker blue polish.

Step 4 : With the smaller end of the dotting tool, make a smaller circle using the lighter blue polish.

Step 5 : Finish off with a clear polish to give your nail art that extra protection. :)

For a more detailed tutorial, you can view the video below:

Stay Tuned for more quick and easy nail art tutorial. :)

Have a nice day everyone.
Be Blessed.

Nail Art Design #1: Notebook Nails

2012-05-28T14:13:00.000+08:00

Hello Everyone!

Summer is almost over!
(Bummer eh?!)

But I have a nail art design to Rock your first day of school.
The best part is... doing it is as EASY as 1-2-3!

For this design, I used the following:

-- Sansan White Nail Polish
-- Sansan Clear Nail Polish
-- Red and Blue Polish (from Ebay)

So here goes:

Step 1: Paint your nails two coats of white. Let dry for 5 mins.

Step 2: Draw 3-4 blue horizontal lines on each nail.

Step 3: With a red polish, draw a vertical line on the left or right part of your nails.

You are done! :)
(Don't forget to finish up with a clear polish)

Have an awesome first day of school everyone.
Be sure to learn something new everyday,

-- M

World, Meet My Mom! ♥

2012-05-13T11:26:00.000+08:00

I usually talk about a lot of things.

I rant about not so senseless ideas (hahaha) and share pictures of how my day went.

But today, I would like all of you to get to know the person whom I got my good looks from (CHOS!), who took care of me even before I was born and endure the pains of labor just so I can experience what living in this planet feels like.

When I was a child (around 6-8), I never fully understood what a mother is. I just knew that we live in the same house. I call her "mama", I get to see her every night when she is home from work and she make sure I get the things that I needed (and wanted.)

I recall, I used to tell her everyday to bring me MENTOS or FRUITELLA when she come home and how disappointed I get when she arrived empty handed.

It never occurred to me that she is working faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from the city.

When she resigned from her work and had to stay home fully time, that is when I slowly grasp what a mother is and how important her role is in this world.

Not only that, I was able to get to know my mother.
I was able to see how skilled she is when it comes to cooking, sewing, housekeeping, taking care of us and all the other things that moms do best.

World, meet my mom.

(and here are 10 things you need to know about her.)

1. She can account for almost EVERYTHING I own.
Growing up, I found myself complaining because I think my mom doesn't know me as well as other moms know their daughters. I even wondered if she ever know what my favorite food or what my favorite color is. I always envy the kind of closeness which lets a mother know how her daughter is feeling (even thinking) with just one look. (I guess this is what you get from watching too much TV)

But believe it or not, my mother knows EVERY piece of clothing I have on my closet, every accessory I own and all sorts of stuff. It surprises me how she is able to know if I bought a new piece or if I haven't worn something for a long time.

I guess that proves that my mom knows me (and all of my stuffs) after all. :)

2. She can't ride a bike to save her life.
If there is one thing I can think of that my mom can't do, it is riding a bike. (followed by skating, then swimming)

3. She loves thrift shopping.
Every time she goes to the market, she will always came home with another plastic full of items she got from thrift shopping. My mom can find really nice items which costs, 10, 25, 50 PHP! (Yeap! I'm not exaggerating here everybody)

She got me this one:

Can you guess how much this costs?
(comment with your answers below. and win a prize! hahaha)

Hint: Price range 10 - 80 PHP

4. The sun is a FOE, not a FRIEND.
Like a vampire, she doesn't like going outdoors when the sun is still visible. As much as possible, her trips to the market, the mall, or anywhere needs to be done, early in the morning or late afternoon.

Warning: Do not allow her be exposed under the sun, you will really regret this act once her migraine kicks in.

5. She is NOT an adventure junkie.
You can make her cook, do the laundry, or clean the house. But you can never ever make her try extreme adventures.

(mom, sister and me at Danao Bohol)

Well, she did say she tried one rollercoaster-ish ride on Brunei followed by the words : "Never Again!"

6. Playing Farmville and Cityville is her FAVORITE past time.
Before she was introduced to Facebook, she used to play Plants vs. Zombies. She was able to finish everything and was bored with the tree of wisdom giving repetitive advice.

So, she stepped up and learned Facebook. :)

Not long after that, she was addicted to Facebook games that have -ville on it. YES! she even tried playing petville at some point. hahaha.

You can catch her online between 1:00 - 3:00 PM and around 10:00-11:00 PM.

So to all my friends and readers of this blog that have ____ ville accounts, you can add my mom or me (she is using my account to play when she is done with her account) and DON'T FORGET TO SEND OUT GIFTS (on a daily basis). :)

After her plowing, planting, building houses routine, she then (stalks), I mean update herself (but really stalk) on her friends and some people on Facebook. Hihihihi.

7. She is not a fan of Jake Cuenca.
Sorry to all the Jake Cuenca fans out there, but my mom is not a fan.
She doesn't hate him, she just not a fan.

(photo taken from: http://www.pinoystarblog.com)

She is a fan of Xian Lim though. :)
(and pronounces his name "Shan" Lim.)

8. She is an artist.
I think that if my mom was born in today's time, she would be a youtube sensation. Not as a singer or make up artist, but as a DIY instructor.

She can pretty much do any arts and crafts.
She can cook, bake, sew, do cross stitch, knit, paint walls, make jars from paper, design cabinets and chairs, fold napkins, do table skirting, and a lot of other things.

YES! she is talented like that.

9. She is the most honest critic you can ever find.
If you want to have an honest (yet with a loving touch) opinion on things, go see my mom.

10. My Mom wanted to be a Nurse.
I remembered she told us that if life was easier in her time, she would take up nursing. she always liked the white uniform and the nurse cap.
I am pretty sure she would make a really good nurse too.

***
Happy Mother's Day Ma!

I really appreciate everything that you have done for us.

Thank you for the little things you do everyday to make our lives easier.
Thank you for waking up early to prepare breakfast,
for always making sure that there is enough coffee supply,
for constantly reminding me to stop working and get some rest,
for doing my laundry when I failed to do so,
for always having our best interest in mind,
for sacrificing a lot of your dreams so we can have ours,
for enduring the "pressures",
for accepting change,
for giving second (and even third) chances,
for listening to my stories,
for taking care of us,
and most of all for loving us unconditionally.

No matter how we try, words will never be enough to describe how much you mean to us. You rarely get credits for the things you do. This is my way of saying thank you.

I know now, that all the things you did (whether we liked it or not) as I was growing up, you did it with our best interest in mind.

One thing is for sure. We will all be screwed without you.

I know I'm not expressive personally, but I'll do it virtually for all the world to see. :)
I love you ma. ♥

PS. Lez go shopping. :D

Farewell Cocoon :(

2012-04-30T17:40:00.001+08:00

Farewell Cocoon.

No words could ever explain how I currently feel about your passing,

it is unfortunate that I only get to be with you in a very short time.

Thanks for everything.

You will surely remain in our hearts.

P.S. Say "hi" to Dory when you see her.

2012-04-06T22:07:00.002+08:00

10 Random Facts About Karen Mae

2012-01-19T10:56:00.000+08:00

Because I take pride in showing the rest of the world how awesome my friends are, I will continue this series of tribute-to-my-friends-blog.

I have known this friend way back elementary years, but we became super close in high school. (that is because we were seatmates in 75% our high school years) Admittedly, We only have 10% in common, yet we get along VERY WELL.

She is calm, composed and a perfect human representation of the phrase : "Grace under pressure".

Everyone, I would like you to meet, Karen Mae.

(but you can call her Mimie or kits)

For those who want to become her friend you can stalk her profile here:
http://www.facebook.com/karenmae.convicto

or you could tweet her: @mimie_convicto

She is a keeper when it comes to friends, to give you a head start, here are 10 random things you need to know about her:

1. She loves meeting new people.

If I am not mistaken, she is the only extrovert in the group. She loves participating in activities to socialize and meet new friends. she is like a "friend-magnet", you can easily get along with her, maybe because she puts other people needs and feelings first before hers.

2. For someone who was born on Valentines Day, she is not the romantic type.

Normally, we have this notion that when people are born on the Day of Romance and Love they tend to be the romantic type. Karen, is the exception of the rule. (*insert giggles here*) She is not the fairytales-and-princess-and-prince-charming kinda girl. She needs her space. Loyalty and Honesty are kinda her thing when it comes to guys.

What is the point of a guy treating you like a princess when there are several "other princesses" in his life, right kar?

3. She is a dog person.

For me, this is one of the very few things we have in common. We both love dogs. Dogs of all sizes (and shapes?). Yeah, sure, Cats and other fluffy animals are cute and all, but we prefer to have dogs. (unless ofcourse, we can afford to buy and maintain the needs of a Panda)

4. If she would go to school all over again, She would take up Architecture, Fine Arts or Interior Designing.

Karen appreciates art. Well, she is not really the "super" artist type, but I can really see she knows her way when it comes to art. To her, the internet is her avenue to browse for house designs, landscapes, interior details and the like.

5. No boyfriend since birth.

(I have no idea why I included this topic but yeah!)

With her looks, her "long-legged" legs and her "pleasing" personality, surely any guy would fall head over heels. But sad to say, up to today, no guy (no matter how hard their attempt were) was victorious to win her heart. EVER!

(side-note: to Karen Mae's future life partner, You have what it takes to make her take risks, and for that, you have a prize. trip for 2 (and by 2 I meant Karen & You) to El Nido, Palawan sponsored by me. Granting that by that time, I am still alive and earning.)

She takes pride in her singleness, maybe that is the reason why she is not interested in guys. (and no, she is not a lesbian)

Here's a fun fact, when we were in high school, she told me not to devote my full attention to one guy, to keep my options open and date as many guys as possible, so that I will be able to see diverse personality and maybe broaden the characteristics I would like my future partner to have.

This advice, came from a girl who looks modest and reserved.

Looks can be deceiving huh? :))

But seriously, For a person who haven't been in a relationship, she is really great when it comes to tips on how to handle your relationship, and I listen to her more than I listen to my other friends. She gives me a whole new perspective on how I see the situation and all of that stuff.

6. Karen is really OVERLY CONSCIOUS when it comes to her stomach "flabs" and her overall wellness.

I really envy her figure, she has the height and a really slender body type. The type that is usually shown in catwalks and catalogs. To make me even more envious, she has a reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally flat stomach area. No flabs at all. (Please don't mind her when she says this is not true and she is fat. 'coz if she is FAT, then we are all Hippos or elephants or whales even.)

Back in our collage days, my friends and I keep on saying how lucky she is for having a really slender figure. (Friends, listen up!) Contrary to what we all assume, Karen is really conscious when it comes to flabs, all the more in the stomach area. It is true that she wanted to gain weight but she doesn't like to have flabs. I mean who does? She confessed that every time she feels like her tummy part is flabby, she would do sit-ups to keep it flat. (but I am guessing she does more that sit ups because I tried doing it, but I am still stuck with my FLABSSSSS!!!!!)

She is also the Miss know-it-all when total wellness is discussed. She can tell you how to get rid of migraine, lessen your pimples, whiten your teeth, make your hair shiner and all of that stuff. She reads a lot of health and home articles and shares it to us.

7. She does not curse. (not sure on this one. hihihihi)

I haven't really recalled hearing her curse. (does she curse? for those who heard her curse, tell me, so I can revise this item. haha.) Maybe I heard her, Maybe I don't but really, I can't really remember a time hearing her curse. Oh well, she is a good girl. :)

8. She can't ride a bike to save her life.

The fact that she can't ride a bike came as a surprise to me. I mean, how could she not learn how to ride a bike? she has long legs that are perfect to help you balance when you are on a bike? hahaha.. But yeah, SHE CAN'T RIDE A BIKE.

9. Karen has this weird thing.

If you plan to ambush her on a sleepover at your place, make sure you have an extra toothbrush ready. (never mind the toothpaste, just secure her a toothbrush. hahahahah.) She have this weird thing. Whenever she does not brush her teeth before sleeping at night, she will have this dream of her teeth coming off. Well, some people (my mother included) say that whenever you have Tooth-related dream, someone you know/in your family will die. @@ That is really scary right?

So don't forget, overnight with karen = bring extra toothbrush (in case she forgets hers)

10. She is almost ALWAYS LATE.

All of my friends knows the fact that I am not patient enough to wait. They always see me put up the "STRONG" face whenever they're late. But when it comes to Karen Mae, well, she is an EXCEPTION to the RULE. Before, I am running all the curses in my head if she makes me wait for her. I can't explain it but I really can't get mad at her for being late. I get impatient and mad while waiting for her, but when she is already there, whatever negative that I will feel will melt away. Through the years, I have accepted the fact that Karen will always be 15 mins to 1 hour late. haha. She is my ultimate test of patience.

(A note to her future partner, in the future when Karen is late for an hour or two on her own wedding, DO NOT PANIC! She will come. Just tell your guests to extend their patience. She is just BY NATURE a slow poke. hahaha.)

***

I always appreciate having her around. It is different with her. We don't see each other often but she just knows what is going on my mind without me having to tell the whole story.

She, of all my friends, was with me every step that I took to be where I am right now. She was there when I was immature, selfish and forgiving, yet she never left my side.

To karen, Thank you for everything.

For constantly reminding me that being single is a gift,

For helping me survive my first heartbreak,

For reassuring me that my standards when it comes to guys is okay,

For keeping my secrets,

For bearing with my mood swings,

For not judging my mistakes,

and for all the things you did for me which I cannot remember.

I love you so much that I am willing to "unfriend" every person who hurts you.

I heard this song playing and you popped into my mind.
check that song out. :) It is for you (and to the rest of my gal pals)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFqN8oQYRM
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/eraserheads/huwag_kang_matakot.html

To more than a decade of Friendship. *cheers

The K-POP fan : 10 Things You NEED to Know about Kim Chariz

2012-01-10T10:50:00.000+08:00

As the saying goes, "tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are".

Well, if that statement is true, then Judging from my friends, I'd say, I am Bi-polar. :))

This post is a tribute to my friends who helped me keep my sanity when I was facing a tough time, who is always on my side, never afraid to bluntly point to me facts of life, disagree with the way I see things (yet keeping a respect for my opinions) and for coping with my misgivings.

First on the list, is Kim.

You can add her on facebook: facebook.com/kimoiiicheetahrrr

Follow her on twitter: twitter.com/geekyvampire812

or Reblog her posts on tumblr: geekyvampirelf.tumblr.com/

I met Kim when I was in college. And really, I have no idea why and how we became friends. I remembered I used to spend my time thinking how selfish and annoying she is. (this is not back stabbing everyone, she knows I thought she is selfish and annoying) I understand we all have a negative side, but hers was, the most, out-of-this world type. (Again, not back stabbing here.)

Everyone, say "Hi" to kim.

(and here are 10 things you should know about her)

1. She is introverted and possessive.

I guess everyone knows what this means. (side-note: Basically, introvert is a person that I energized by being alone - source: about.com) This does not mean she would not go out with friends and chill. She is open to make new friends, BUT SHE IS NOT THE ONE WHO SHOULD MAKE THE FIRST STEP. she waits until the new person is introduced, converse a little, then she is off to her own world. You see this coming when you see that she is facing a wi-fi ready phone or a laptop. When she is off to the virtual world to "socialize" it is difficult to get her full attention.

Kim is possessive, not only to things but also when it comes to friends. She is open to a friend bringing a "plus one" to the group, but do not make it a regular habit. If you plan to make it regular, be sure to spend time MORE time on her than on your "plus one". She easily feels left-out. (I'm on her side on this)

2. She wanted to take Mass Communication (or Journalism related courses).

Kim wants to be a journalist. In fact, I think she makes a good editor for a magazine or a newspaper. (wait, that is still covered in the journalism field right? :D ) She is good at sentence structure, grammar and all that stuff. In fact, I let her proofread the posts I am writing.

(side-note: to all her friends on Facebook, if you are planning to post something in straight english, please proofread it before hitting post.)

3. If you want to get her attention, KPOP should be on top of your topics to discuss.

While I get confused with who is who when it comes to KPOP, she doesn't.

Fan much? It doesn't end there. She is OBSESSED with this SUJU band (and she wanted to meet them in person one day), wanted to be KOREAN, but the funny thing is, she cannot tolerate spicy dishes. hahaha.

Just talk to her about KPOP, and see what I mean.

4. She wants to become a Vampire. (hahaha)

Maybe this is because of her admiration for the super hot vampire Damon Salvatore, or the influence of too much TV (and the internet).

5. She buys Pumps and heels, but never wears them.

She is a sneakers type, but whenever we go thrift shopping, she sees this platform shoes or heels or pumps and buys them but never really wears them. Weird? well, not really. I call it impulsive. haha.

6. LOVES to EAT but HATES to COOK. (or do household chores)

She knows she is lazy, but won't do anything about it. :)

One time, I asked her, what if you don't have anyone to cook for you?

She answered me with, "then I'll starve"

(hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha)

But the good thing is, she has work, so she can pay people to do stuffs for her.

7. She cannot breathe without Internet.

Despite the fact that she is introverted, she is active on different social media sites. Isn't that weird? A person that wants to be alone, is active on sites that most of the people go to?

Let me state that again (with emphasis this time), She cannot breathe without internet.

If the internet connection was cut off for a day due to maintenance (or other reasons) SHE WOULD FREAK OUT. She can be compared to a FISH on a dry surface.

8. She "Goes with the Flow".

Up to now, I don't know if going with the flow attitude is a good or a bad thing.

She is happy and contented with the "now" part, but do not have a stable plan for the "future" part.

On the 4 years (and counting) that I have known her, I have only seen her made a stand on what she thinks is right, twice. the people who knows her would probably get what I mean, but for those who don't, I'm really sorry but I don't think it is for me to tell.

9. On matters of the heart, she will do things BLINDLY for love.

(I know she will hate me for this part.)

Kim gave "puppy" love a chance 3 times.

The first relationship was with a guy we never met,

the second was with a guy we met,

and the third was with a guy we wished we never met.

and though currently she thinks LOVE IS OVERRATED, I know she is waiting for the right man to come along. (maybe 10 years from now. hahahahaha)

10. She is a mother at 19.

Of all my friends, she is the strongest. Not only because she had to endure the pain of giving birth at 19 but because she faced the "unknown" by welcoming this drastic change in her life.

I am a believer of the "things happen for a reason" quote and I believe being a mother at 19 was not unplanned by God.

She gave birth not only to a baby girl, but also to a "new version" of herself. Having Kiara totally changed her.

Not only did it changed her life, it changes ours as well.

*****

Looking back to all the challenges and trials she'd been through, I can really say that she is a big girl now. (chos!) From college to now, she has the most dramatic transformation. the good thing is, she is starting to grow a backbone. well, I guess she doesn't have a choice since there are two of them now. :) but really, more than the fact that I love her, I am Proud of her for doing the right thing (for most parts that is). ;)

The best thing about her is you can count on her to be ALWAYS at your side. :)

That is what friends are for right?