Novice Notes

Buffet 101

2013-10-21T22:44:00.002+08:00

I pretty much love going to buffets. Being surrounded by unlimited food and drinks makes me feel like I’m in some sort of a Fantasy Island. The word buffet is music to my ears, a happy news to my belly, but… a pain to my wallet. If I could just go to a buffet every day of my entire life, I would, but my wallet would definitely not allow it. Did I say every day? That would be exaggerating, of course. So one weekend, my wallet, as generous as she is, allowed me and some members of the family to experience being in Fantasy Island, if only for just a once-in-a-blue-moon affair.

After completing all my chores and errands one Saturday afternoon, I wanted to treat myself and the family to a sumptuous, unlimited-food-and-drinks kind of thing. Buffet 101 was suggested by my mother, as she had already been there with her friends. I asked her if the place was good enough for the price they commanded, she said yes, and so off we went.

I purposely skipped my afternoon snack in preparation for our buffet dinner. I wanted to be really starving so that I would be able to eat as plenty as my belly could handle :D . We made our way to the usual (translation: bad) Saturday traffic and arrived at Buffet 101 (Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City) at half past six.

Buffet 101 at MOA. Parking is available in front of the restaurant (though we had to

park along the street as the restaurant's parking area was already full that time)

Because my last meal was more than 7 hours ago, I was already so famished I felt like a starved caveman in search of food. We went straight to the entrance but were stopped by receptionists because there were no available seats and so we had to wait. The hungry caveman in me wanted to pull out my club, bang it against the wall and demand that we be seated at once (hahaha)! I asked one of the receptionists if she knew how long we were going to wait before we get a table, and she said that she didn't know for sure but that we were number two in the waiting list. Ahhh... The civilized creature in me relented and patiently waited :) . After some 30 minutes, a table had been vacated and we were finally called inside.

Buffet 101 published rates as of October 19, 2013.

Inside Buffet 101. That's how chairs and tables are arranged, except in the area where we sat, as longer tables were set for larger groups. Notice the beautiful crystal curtains that separate the food area from the dining area.

After being seated, I hurriedly went to where the food were. I was in a state of confusion as I couldn't decide what to put on my plate from the many choices available. That, plus my famished state have rendered me quite shocked initially. It took a while for me to get back to my senses (hahaha!).

Food/serving area of Buffet 101.

When the state of confusion had finally subsided, I went back to my table bringing JUST this. I forgot the names of the dishes but it went something like broccoli in cream sauce and prime beef ribs.

This wasn't my plate, but the crabs looked really enticing.

It was hard to take pictures of the food in the serving area because I had in my one hand my big plate, and in the other, my heavy camera. Taking good shots was nearly impossible. But just to give you an idea of what they have to offer in Buffet 101, here are the pictures I took:

Part of the Japanese Cuisine at Buffet 101

Pork Belly at Buffet 101

Rows of food with one plate missing a dish at Buffet 101

Buffet 101 also grills raw seafood. Simply take your pick from among those available, and it will be delivered to you at your table after grilling.

And after a short while, a Buffet 101 staff served my grilled seafood (shrimps, squids, fish) straight to my waiting arms and hungry stomach! :D

My second plate of freshly grilled seafood (scallops, squids, tuna)

After being quite satisfied (just quite!), I was able to think straight again (hahaha!). I saw this delicious-looking steamed fish (Lapu-lapu, if I'm not mistaken) but had to wait in line to get a portion of it. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky enough and all that's left of the fish when it was already my turn was its skeleton. I asked a staff if they were going to replenish the dish, and I was told that it would take another 30 minutes before they do. What?! In some restaurant buffets, they fill up a dish as soon as it is almost nearly gone, and here I have to wait for 30 minutes?! Oh well... but I wasn't even thinking of leaving the buffet yet, so perhaps I will be luckier after 30 minutes. After a while, I forgot about the delicious looking fish, and went back to the food area to try the other dishes I haven't tasted yet. But when I passed by the same area where the delicious-looking fish was, I saw that they had already replenished it, but all that's left were some fishy skeleton submerged in sauce. Oh, not again!

I continued to roam around the food area, and it suddenly hit me that I didn't find any lechon (roasted whole pork)! A feast without a lechon is incomplete and just not right! Good thing I was already way past my starvation stage and my mood was better than it was when we had to wait to be seated.

The thing that saved my night was dessert. The feeling of excitement just came back to me and I couldn't wait to fill my plates with these goodies:

Mouth-watering cupcakes at Buffet 101

Cakes at Buffet 101

I forgot what it's called, but I remember that it was yummy :D

Strawberry and balsamic cheese cake at Buffet 101

A chocolate fountain!

Crepe making at Buffet 101. I asked for a strawberry/blueberry crepe.

The finished product, My blueberry strawberry crepe at Buffet 101

Ice cream, just like everything else, was unlimited at Buffet 101

Meet my gummy, at Buffet 101

Buffet 101 stops refilling food and drinks by 10:15 PM. Before calling it a night, I wanted to have a warm cup of brewed coffee to sort of drown all the food that I have consumed. Oh by the way, aside from brewed coffee, soda, mango juice, iced tea, beer and even red wine were unlimited and overflowing during the buffet.

My final treat for the evening, brewed coffee (with a small piece of a blueberry-topped cake) at Buffet 101

It was one full (literally!) night for me and the family. Though I must admit that I can't say the same thing about my wallet (hahahah!). However, we all left Buffet 101 with a big smile on our faces. Moments just like this are nothing but priceless. And yes, my wallet surely agrees. :D

Picture Quotes

2013-08-09T02:53:00.000+08:00

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky ~Rabindranath Tagore. Picture Quote tags: clouds, sunset, sky, rain, storm, life reflection.

If you have a Facebook account like "most" people do ("most" means over 1 billion!), chances are that at some point, you have actually posted a picture with printed quotes, messages, sayings (or whatever you would want to call them) to convey your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Simple, plain text to put in your FB status box is just not sufficient nowadays (hehe!). And just posting a picture with no words printed on it to express what you really mean is just not good enough. What you need to have is a picture with some quotes in it to help you say what you need to, for that added flair and fashion, no less! (hee hee!). So how do you do it? Well, you need a picture with a quote, and we can refer to this as a Picture Quote.

If you have some cool pictures of your own (meaning you took them yourself) and you would love to have your quotes written on it, all you need is a software (or an application) that has the capability to write your desired message on your own picture. Personally, I choose Picasa to undertake this task. Aside from being a freeware (it is owned by Google and you can download it for free), Picasa is also very easy to use and understand. You don't have many tabs or buttons to press. You just need the icon that says "text", and you may readily type anything on your image with your chosen font.

But if you don't have the patience to do all these or perhaps you don't have the time and the required creativity for the task, I have put here some of my very own Picture Quotes for you. My subject ranges from love to personal reflections. I am still building this up and will add more to the collection from time to time. Feel free to download any of my Picture Quotes (or right-click anywhere on the picture, then choose save picture as) for use in your Facebook page, tumblr, or any other sites you wish (but please don't crop any part of it). Here's hoping to make your web pages more colorful and expressive! :D

It is lovely , when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me ~Ellen Glassgow. Picture Quote tags: birthday, birthday cake, birthday candles, candle, remember birthdays, forget birthdays, somebody remembers

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. ~ Vincent Van Gogh . Picture Quote tags: fishermen, sea, storm, bravery, courageousness

Islands are metaphors of the heart, no matter what poet says otherwise ~ Jeanette Winterson . Picture Quote tags: islands, heart, metaphors, poet

Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh who would ever want to be king? ~Coldplay lyrics. Picture Quote tags: puppet, lonely, string, king

The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to ~Carl Sandburg. Picture Quote tags: moon, friend, lonesome, night, lonely.

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. ~ Thomas Merton. Picture Quote tags: Sunset, love, lovers, relationships, destiny,

meaning of life, life reflection.

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before ~ Albert Einstein.

Picture Quote tags: sunset, woman, alone, places, life reflection.

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down ~ Oprah Winfrey. Picture Quote tags: sunset, ride, limo, limousine, friendship, people, bus, life reflection

One day, you'll look to see I've gone. But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun ~ The Beatles. Picture Quote tags: sunset, follow the sun, beach, life reflection.

I must be a mermaid, I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living ~ Anais Nin. Picture Quote tags: mermaid, fear of depths, shallow living, life reflection.

Picture Quote tags: red roses, love, relationships, Sonnet 116. Quote by William Shakespeare)

Picture Quote (Rabbit, eyes, satisfied with life, life reflection. Quote by Bob Marley)

Picture Quote (God's promises, dark stars, night, life reflection. Quote by David Nicholas)

Pregnancy Over 40

2013-07-10T01:07:00.000+08:00

To be pregnant at 50 is something unthinkable (if not impossible!) back in the days when apple and blackberry were known simply as fruits. With the advent of internet, and modernization of course, everything has become quite realizable. Among other things, the possibility includes pregnancy even when one is already over the age of 40.

And so you might ask, is it really true that one can still be in the family way even after she had already celebrated more than 4 decades of existence on earth? Possible? Yes. Without complication? That is another question. In fact, all pregnancies, regardless of the mother’s age, carry with it some known risks and so precaution from these is really essential. Utmost care to both mother and the unborn child is definitely necessary.

Why do women want to get pregnant anyway? Reasons to be pregnant vary from one woman to another. A beauty contestant once declared that to be a mother is one of the essences of being a woman, and this, I suppose, was the winning answer that helped her bring home the crown. Some would probably say that having a child is a fulfillment like no other; a “dream come true” of some sorts. While others might admit that having a child is a decision based on more practical reasons; having someone by your side, a companion, most especially when one is already in her twilight years.

So after realizing that you do want to have a child (regardless of whatever reason you may actually have), what then are some of the natural ways to get pregnant? Following are some tips that might just help a woman conceive:

Understand your cycle. Understanding your cycle is important because this will help you identify the days when you are most fertile, and thus, intercourse can be planned and timed during this time.
Eat the right kinds of food. Good diet and healthy pregnancy go hand and hand. Avoid processed foods and when possible, consume lots of dark green leafy vegetables plus fresh fruits too.
Eliminate stress. Stress has been always dubbed as a silent killer. And yes, it kills your chances of getting pregnant too. Try to get plenty of rest and also, indulge in some R&R.

Given the ways on how to get pregnant naturally, would these tips work if say, a woman is already 40 years old or even way past this age? There are actually some reports of women who got pregnant at 50! The thing is, getting pregnant, regardless of age, can be tough for some women. Sadly, it becomes tougher with age. Difficult, yes, but not entirely impossible. How to get pregnant at 40, you may wonder? The most important thing to consider is the woman’s general being, her health and overall condition. Success rate of getting pregnant is definitely higher if one is healthy. We probably all know that to be healthy, we must eat properly and stay away from damaging habits and substances. It is also essential to have a good doctor who will help a woman increase and boost her fertility, and also, who will give the right amount of care to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child.

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note: This article was submitted for an online application to which I got accepted. :)

Fish Spa, Anyone?

2013-05-16T14:34:00.003+08:00

I was in a fishy situation recently, and quite literally. Going up north, we stopped at Kultura Splash Wave in the province of La Union for some rest and recreation before heading to our main destination. As I was terribly bored and definitely suffering from the blues, I decided to try something new. The place offered some interesting activities for me to try for the first time, though let me just say that I wasn't really intrested in going on rock climbing or being suspended on a zipline. But just right after we paid for our entrance fee, I saw this tarpaulin and it immediately got hold of my usually fleeting interest, and has stirred back to life my nearly dying sense of curiosity:

Fish Spa sign

Hair spa, foot spa, hand spa... you name it and I have surely tried it. In the name of spas though, experiencing a fish spa remains in my bucket list. I lost no time inquiring about it from the resort's staff, losing my interest in all other things the place offered. As soon as I settled my bags and other belongings, I hurriedly went to where the fish were located and surveyed the spa area. Talk about being excited (haha!) . Havent felt like this for the longest time, and I have our dear aquatic friends to thank for :D

On my way to the spa area, I saw this tarpaulin indicating some interesting information.

Health benefits derived from a fish spa, as indicated in the tarpaulin are: physical rejuvenation, release from fatigue, great enjoyment and recreation, and so on. From the banner also, it says "OTHER NAME: Nibble Fish". This information wasn't good enough for me, so I went around and asked about what the real name of the fish might be. Sadly, no one knew. As I wanted proper answers, I googled about it and this was what I found: Nibble Fish is one of the nicknames of Doctor Fish, which is the name given to the species of fish Garra rufa (Thanks Wiki :D ). Ok, perhaps Nibble fish is easier to remember than Garra rufa (hehe!). Further from the internet, I also learned that if one wants to have a fish spa, caution must be made if the person has certain skin ailments such as psoriasis, or if one has open wounds that would be exposed to the fish. We wouldn't want our dear Nibble fish to suck on those and also, for your own protection as well.

Before finally deciding on getting the fish spa, I had to consider if the cost of 150 PHP for 30 minutes was a good deal. I wasn't sure if this was also the cost of having a fish spa in other resorts or establishments. But since I was already there, why not give it a try and just worry later about the cost? And so, without further ado, i kicked off my Crocs and dipped my feet into the waiting mouths of the Garra ruffa aka Doctor Fish aka Nibble fish (whew!) ... Presenting my attackers, I mean spa therapists (hehehe!) :

The Garra rufa aka Doctor Fish aka Nibble Fish.

So how does it feel like to have a fish spa? Hmmm... at first, the sensation wasn't really pleasurable. It was more like.. frightening! hahaha! Little mouths sucking on your feet and legs. It felt ticklish, and at times, their sucking little mouths would catch me off guard. I was screaming for the first 3 minutes, I think. And I was just glad that I didn't scare off the fish. I had to ask the resort staff several times if the Nibble Fish were close relatives of the piranhas. Or if they weren't really piranhas disguised as something else (hah!). The staff probably thought I was going crazy. To stop my fishy rambling, I had to assure myself that they weren't piranhas. Otherwise, I would've immediately lost a toe a second after dipping my feet into the water. But lo and behold! After the first 3 minutes, I was starting to adapt to the sensation brought about by the fish's sucking; I was already warming to them, and getting used to what they were doing.

The Nibble Fish having a field day with my feet. I highly presume that the fish were all toothless,

because if not, blood would have easily trickled from my feet.

When the treatment was already halfway, meaning I only had 15 minutes left of the fish spa, I didnt want it to stop. I was already feeling comfortable and relaxed from the fish's nibbling of my skin. As i was watching them, I observed that they were concentrating on the areas of my feet and legs that have the most rough skin and hard to remove corns and calluses. I enjoyed seeing the fish's tiny mouths rip off some dry, dead skin cells away from my feet. When from the start the Nibble fish looked and felt frightening, at the time when the treatment was about to end however, they looked lovable and felt sweet and tender against my skin. Ahhh.. I felt my feet became softer, smoother and cleaner after the fish spa treatment.

When the 30 minutes ended, I wanted more (sigh!). However, all things, whether good or bad, have got to end (double sigh!). I really felt good having experienced this fishy situation (hehe!). I think you would too so go ahead and try it one of these days :D

The Famous Manila Bay Sunset

2013-05-06T01:31:00.001+08:00

Waiting for the sun to set at the Manila Bay

     No matter how dreadful a day is, I look forward to the time when the sun will finally set to say goodbye to the woes of the day and to give everyone the promise of a new and a better tomorrow. Speaking of sunsets, have you ever witnessed how the sun graciously sets at Manila Bay? I was there a couple of weeks back and saw for myself that it was beyond beautiful, to say that it was breathtaking is even an understatement. And so yes, it isn't famous for nothing!

    The Manila Bay sunset has cast a spell on me, imprinting on my mind the image of total beauty and absolute serenity.  I can just sit by the bay and wait for nightfall; watching intently as the sun slowly and magically goes  down from the sky and disappears right before my eyes.

     I am aware that the pictures I took of the Manila Bay sunset can never do justice to how magnificent it actually is. But just the same, please allow me to share them with you...

The sun was beginning to set at the Manila Bay. It was so huge and bright that I momentarily lost my vision from the sun's glare.

The sun was slowly going down from the sky and disappearing right before my very eyes at the Manila Bay. Bye bye sun. And so the promise of a new day is soon to unfold.

Oh, and by the way, the Manila Bay sunset is best viewed with your significant other because it is definitely romantic that way! Oh, and that was just me kidding! hahaha! I was with no special someone that day, but that did not diminish the charm and pleasant experience of being able to see the golden sunset at Manila Bay. It doesn't matter really if you are going alone or if you have company. Either way, I strongly suggest that you spare some time to experience this alluring visual treat, which is surely going to be worth your while. Most of all, it is free to enjoy; just how the best things in life should really be. :D

The 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

2013-03-17T23:36:00.000+08:00

Fireworks from the 4th Philippine Pyromusical Competition

What really brought me to the Pyromusical Competition was my desire to take pictures of fireworks display courtesy of the countries participating this year. I have always been a fan of fireworks, and who wouldn’t be? They’re like huge kaleidoscopes painting the skies with beautiful images set in a variety of magnificent colours . So never mind that I have to travel to Mall of Asia and make my way through throngs of people if only to witness the grandeur that the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition promises to deliver.

The 4^th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition - 2013 is held every Saturday and runs for 6 weeks. Countries competing for this year are Japan and Finland (February 16), Taiwan and Spain (February 23), United Kingdom and South Korea (March 02), Italy and the Netherlands (March 09), China and Australia (March 16), Canada and the Philippines (Closing Exhibition). Tickets are priced as follows: Patron with dinner – 1,500 PHP, VIP – 500 PHP, GOLD – 300 PHP, SILVER – 100 PHP.

The show is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM. Let me say, however, that it never starts promptly. If you’re a mere spectator and have no plans of capturing the moment either by photograph or video, then you can be at your ticket’s designated area at 7:00 PM and just inch your way to get a good view of the sky. But if you intend to document the moment, just like me, then let me advise you to be there as early as 5:00 PM so that you and your equipment (tripod, camera, and all your recording devices) can have a good vantage point of the fireworks display.

Having said that let me present you the pictures I took from the 4^th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (2013). As a disclaimer, allow me to remind you that I am a mere novice photographer :D . My budding interest in photography has pushed me to the limits here (ha!) as these shots were a product of so much effort coupled with a lot of patience :D

Fireworks from the 4th Philippine Pyromusical Competition

BOHOL: Danao Adventure

2013-01-27T23:16:00.000+08:00

First, let me just say that I have this enormous fear of heights. Second, and naturally, I hate any activity involving heights. Third, I don't know exactly why I allowed myself to be part of a group, members of which define exciting as being suspended (very) high above the ground. How could something so scary be even near exciting? A different high (pardon the pun) for them, maybe? Oh well, but I couldn't backout no more. You see, we were all going to Danao, Bohol, to experience an adventure.

Everything has been planned, transportation has already been arranged; from Cebu, we were to take a ferry to Tubigon, Bohol, and from there, a hired van was commissioned to take us to Danao. Talk about planning. Aside from being courageous, this group was well organized :).

And so the highly ~~feared~~ anticipated day has arrived. ~~I frightedly~~ We excitedly set our sails for the adventure one early morning in December. Without any sleep and having absolutely no breakfast, I strutted my way to the ferry trying hard not to mind all the baggage strapped over my body. Honestly, though, I felt like a christmas tree, what with all those heavy decorations (baggage) around me! As I was making my way inside the boat, I couldnt help but wonder if I accidentally dropped some rocks inside my bags. Boy, they were heavier than heavy! My baggage must've weighed more than me! Perhaps this was just part of the adventure, so I patiently reminded myself... carry on.. carry on... and I meant it literally.

Star Craft. Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez

The boat ride was a breeze. I was actually hoping to catch up on sleep, but all hopes turned to despair. I was too anxious and didn't have the power to order my nerves to calm down. In my silence, I secretly wished for at least one group member to change his/her mind about the adventure; to back out, to lose interest, to just don't participate! I looked at each and every one of my companions hoping to get any reaction, but they were all peacefully napping. Heck! I was the only one conscious!

The two-hour boat ride has concluded, and we finally reached Tubigon! From there, travel time to Danao was expected to be 2 hours or so... Or so I thought! Our driver, who can be likened to Evel Knievel because of his driving ~~tricks~~ skills, was able to take us to Danao in only half the expected time. Lurking on my mind was, "if I could survive his hellish driving, then every adventure in Danao would seem like peanuts..." Hah! Bring it on then!

And so we finally arrived in Danao. I, dizzy from our almost-roller-coaster land trip, and my group mates, all looking excited without a care in the world! Yes, I was excited too! Excited that I was finally going to leave my very heavy bags in the van for the meantime and that I was going to walk straight at last! We all scrambled to the ticket office and inquired about the rides/adventures offered.

Danao Adventure Menu (as of December, 2012):

Wahig River Air Tour (12-15 mins) - 2,200php
Choco Hills Air Tour (45min- 1 hour) - 6,500php
The Plunge - 700php/pax
Suislide - 350 php/pax
SkyRide 250php/pax
Caving (Moderate) - 350php/pax
Caving (Extreme) - 550php/pax

Cliff Rappel - 600php/pax
Root Climb - 400php/pax
River Kayak - 300php/pax
Village Tour - 300php/pax
Off Road Buggy - 700/2pax, 2 Laps,30 mins
River Tubing - 300php/pax
River Trek - 300php/pax

Reading through the menu is not as easy as ordering from your favorite restaurant's menu. At first glance, I wanted to try the Village Tour. But my group mates looked at me like I was some sort of a freak and they were all like, "HUWATTT?!!" Alright, alright. So I told them I was trying the Sky Ride, if only to appease them a bit. I think they were more scared that I was going to drag them with me to the Village Tour, than say, taking The Plunge or doing The Suislide (he he he!)... but Suislide?! Oh don't you just love how this adventure was appropriately named? Kinda makes me think of one's final slide into some bottomless pit... waaaaah!

Sky Ride at Danao Adventure

The Sky Ride is Danao's version of Tagaytay City's Cable Car ride, which I have proudly conquered some months ago (Ehem!), while the Suislide is commonly known as Zipline in other adventure destinations.

Suislide at Danao Adventure. Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez

My courageous companions, opted for the Sky Ride, Suislide, and the bravest of us all took The Plunge (uhm.. i don't mean getting married). So, what is taking The Plunge like, by Danao Adventure standards? Here you go...

Preparing for The Plunge, Danao Adventure. Photo courtesy of Ruel Marquez

The Plunge, Danao Adventure. Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez

Not meaning to scare anyone, but if The Plunge doesn't go right, i mean if the cables break off somehow, then you'll land on this flowing stream with very sharp rocks to welcome your fall. Ouch!

The Plunge, Danao Adventure. Photo courtesy of Mr. Ruel Marquez

But I guess it was really no great threat for my companion. If this picture is any indication of how much she enjoyed The Plunge, then we should all be taking it just like her! She was even snapping a picture of her smiling self with her cellphone! I'm not sure if she was just inherently brave or I'm just a mere scaredy cat... Make that a mere sensible scaredy cat who values her life and would rather die of natural causes. Thank you. hahaha! :D

And so there you have it, the not-so-brave account of my Bohol, Danao Adventure. Given the opportunity, I would like to go back and try the other adventures on their menu (next time, I'm not going to miss The ~~Plunge~~ Village Tour! hahaha!) :-) Go plan your trip and have a great, courageous, fun-filled adventure ahead of you! :D

The MOA Eye

2012-10-01T03:54:00.001+08:00

The MOA Eye

I am scared of heights. Terribly scared. However, some fears need to be conquered. Most especially if you are planning to take on the Philippine's tallest Ferris Wheel, and I mean none other than the gigantic MOA EYE (Mall Of Asia EYE).

I have probably stared from a distance at the Moa Eye for more times than I could actually remember; always imagining myself seated in one of its cabins, or gondolas as they are called, but not having enough courage to make the image in my mind come true. I would often take pictures of the Ferris Wheel and admire its grandeur from afar, always promising myself that one day, I shall be taking photographs from inside the gondola, as a passenger, no less.

The gondola in front of us @ the MOA Eye

And so the day has finally arrived. The promised day! hehehe! It was a bit early at half past one in the afternoon to conquer the mighty Moa Eye, but I was already there, and no, I will not wait any longer. I knew it was fate, and who was I to challenge it? :D Tickets cost 150 PHP per person for the regular ride, the VIP gondolas, at 300 PHP, don't open till after 2 in the afternoon. Since I didn't want to wait another minute, I secured 2 regular tickets and I was sure glad that there was someone with me to share the momentous event! Ha! I thought perhaps it would be fun to have a first-timer, like myself, ~~screaming~~ enjoying with me as we travel up the 160 feet high Ferris Wheel. And I was correct! We absolutely had fun ~~screaming~~! :D

View from inside a gondola of the MOA Eye

At first I thought those were people, but then they had to be parked motorcycles. My view from atop the MOA Eye

My MOA Eye experience was reminiscent of my first (and only!) Ferris Wheel ride some 15 years ago. The main difference is that the old, conventional Ferris Wheel felt scarier because you weren't inside a cabin to offer you some comfort and much protection. The MOA Eye ride lasted for approximately 10 minutes, just a full round of its circumference. Did I wish for it to be ~~shorter~~ longer than that? Hmmm... I was honestly itching to go down. Not that I didn't enjoy it, the ride was pleasurable and smooth, I didn't feel any change in altitude at all - quite the opposite of my experience from taking the old, regular Ferris Wheel years ago. Though the 10-minute round-trip is ~~more than~~ just enough for me, I must say that I am willing to conquer my fear of heights again, if only for the great MOA Eye :D

The gondolas have become somewhat rusty and could use some cleaning, the windows do look foggy too. View from atop the MOA Eye

Coffee Art and More in A Bag of Beans, Tagaytay City

2012-08-27T22:46:00.000+08:00

Cafe Latte @ A Bag of Beans

I have been a coffee drinker (and lover!) for as long as I can remember. Back in the days when coffee means just being black, I was already a supporter and a fan. I love coffee so much that I'm certainly not going to last a day without a warm cup of it to start my day. And so I do understand why some people need to drive (and travel) that extra mile for their favorite blend. Well, as for me, the gang and I went straight to Tagaytay City, specifically to A Bag of Beans for our warm, rich and delicious coffee. Just perfect for Tagaytay's cool breeze. In A Bag of Beans, they don't just serve coffee, but every warm cup is a work of art...

Cappuccino @ A Bag of Beans

Cafe Mocha @ A Bag of Beans

And what would coffee be without cake? They almost always go together, I believe; they're like love and marriage, or a horse and carriage! hehe! Coffee without cake is... incomplete, boring, and simply not right. :D So to make things right, we ordered these to go with our delicious, aromatic blends...

Mouth-watering Blueberry Cheesecake @ A Bag of Beans

Carrot Cake @ A Bag of Beans

Apple ala Mode @ A Bag of Beans

Oh but how do I end this very delicious post whilst having this intense desire for coffee.. and now cake? The only cure I know is to go straight up to A Bag of Beans, Tagaytay and satisfy this enormous craving. See you there! :D

Android Apps Free - For Camera and Photo Effects

2012-07-29T22:16:00.001+08:00

Do you have an Android phone? I have been in a relationship with my Android phone for a year now, and I must say that the partnership is just getting better and better hehehe... I used to joke about how I am married to my laptop, and that we have two kids; my Kindle reader, and my Samsung Galaxy Tab, which is, by the way, an Android phone. Anyway, what are your favorite free Android applications for your camera and photo needs? I am listing here some of the apps I like best, and if you want to try them out, you may download them from your Play Store. Presenting you with my short list:

Camera 360. This is the best free camera application I have downloaded and used so far. And believe me, I have downloaded quite a lot. The one thing I like most about Camera 360 is its image stabilization function. This function assures me that none of my photos are blurry due to sudden and unplanned hand movements while taking a shot. As a bonus, this app also has awesome photo editing tools for pretty effects; HDR, Lomo, Magic Skin, etc. On the downside, there seems to be a problem with its sharing tool after a recent update. I get an error now every time I try to share my photos via facebook. Oh well, that seems trivial anyway, because there are other means of uploading pics via facebook if you have an Android phone.

Photo and editing by Camera 360 application

PhotoWonder. You have to try PhotoWonder because it really does wonders to your portrait photos. This application has edit, beautify, decorate and effect functions to make your photographs (and of course, you) picture perfect! I know photo editing applications for Android are dime a dozen, but from the dozen or so that I have downloaded, this is the one that can make persons in pictures look pretty without making them look terribly pale or washed out. Funny how this app can make a picture's subject look slimmer, make the eyes look larger (or smaller), give one a better looking, acne free complexion, and much more! With PhotoWonder, you're always ready for your closeup :D

Hair Change. Have you ever wondered how you would look like if you had long hair? Did you ever consider having a very short hair cut, but stopped yourself from doing so because you were scared of its outcome? Have you ever fancied having your hair dyed into a certain colour but you were just so unsure and didn't want any regrets if it didn't suit you? The answer is here, and the answer is Hair Change :D.. Hair Change let's you see for yourself if a particular hair style and colour will suit you before you actually take that plunge ;-) . It has a variety of hair templates for short, medium, and long hairstyles. You simply choose your picture (a headshot) and skim through all the templates to see what hair style (and colour) looks good on you. The app is flexible in a lot of ways and is really fun to use.

PhotoWonder + Hair Change apps

If i haven't stressed it well enough, let me reiterate for the nth time that these applications are free and available for your easy download. As a disclaimer by the way, allow me to say that none of these applications paid me to write this blog hehehe :D Enjoy your pictures everyone! :D

Exchange Links

2012-07-29T20:18:00.002+08:00

Hey dear bloggers! Would you like to exchange links with me? I would surely want to be notified about your posts, and I hope you'd like to be updated with mine. If so, kindly comment here and leave your blog's URL so that I can follow you AFTER you add me up to your list. I'll be checking your site soon. Please don't forget to add me up. Thanks! :)

Captcha, gotcha!

2012-07-18T01:11:00.000+08:00

Is it just me or Captcha is actually for aliens? Before I start, please allow me to define what I cannot read (hehehe!). The term CAPTCHA (for Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart) was coined in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas Hopper and John Langford of Carnegie Mellon University ). A Captcha is a program that can generate and grade tests that humans can pass but current computer programs cannot (http://www.google.com/recaptcha/captcha). When browsing or surfing the internet, you typically find a Captcha whenever a certain site wants to verify that you are indeed human by asking you to correctly identify a combination of letters and/or numbers that are garbled. And I dont mean simply garbled. The characters are actually garbled big time!

I wonder. Are you human enough to type the two words correctly? :D

How about this? I need your help, please :D

Captcha's definition specifically tells us that humans, and not computer programs can pass the test for validation. I wonder. Of course I am human, but why is it that I cannot pass Captcha's validation? Could I be lacking in the required intelligence or are they simply doubting that I am flesh and blood? Hmmm.. Maybe I am just slow in the head. Oh, but I was able to sign up for this blog with Captcha allowing me to get through. Yeah, right. I am officially an alien; part human (sometimes) and part computer program (oftentimes). :D

Fifty Shades of Grey

2012-07-15T04:11:00.000+08:00

Fifty Shades of Grey, the first book of a trilogy by E L James, is a New York Times Bestseller and is intended for mature audiences. There. Having said that, if you are under the age of maturity, this book (and this post) is not for you. Hehe! But how old does one have to be in order to qualify and to be labelled as mature? You tell me! hehehe! The book is heavy on the errotic/sexual side of things and if that is not your cup of tea, then i have again presented a good reason for you to discontinue reading this. Ha! Anyway, before i totally drive you away, here is my brief account of the novel:

Anastacia Steele, the female lead character, was asked to take the place of her indisposed housemate and friend, Kate, who arranged for an interview with Mr. Christian Grey, one of their University's major benefactors. The interview was to serve as Kate's article for their graduation paper.

image from Amazon.com

Mr. Grey is 27 years old, CEO of his own Company, rich and famous, handsome, worldy-wise and enigmatic. Anastacia Steele, on the other hand is 21, a working student, insecure, naive and inexperienced. An apparent attraction ensues on their first meeting, with Anastacia getting clumsy all over and Mr. Grey acting calm and collected on the surface. The fist meeting led to another, and one more, until it became clear to both of them that they cannot stay away from each other. It certainly looks perfect from the outside; a successful, oppulent and powerful businessman smitten by an ordinary, simple and virginal school girl -- the stuff fairy tales with happy endings are made of.

But there is a catch, a very huge one. Mr. Grey is not your typical lover. He is into BDSM (Bondage and discipline / Dominance and Submission /Masochism). His sexual style and orientation is complicated, brought about by circumstances from his dark past. How could the inexperienced Annastacia possibly cope and relent? Turning her back on Mr. Grey is probably a wise decision. Wise but impossible, for Anastacia has fallen in love, deeply and madly, with Christian Grey.

When I was reading the book, all I could think of was "how on earth did this become a New York Times Bestseller?". Anastacia's and Christian Grey's characters were obviously patterned from that of the Twilight series' Bella and Edward, respectively. One can clearly see and identify some similarities between the two aforementioned books,   except that Fifty Shades of Grey was written for mature readers (and rightly so!) because aside from the heavy and graphical sexual content, the book is laden with expletives. Sh*t and f*ck are almost never missing in every page (ok, I may be exaggerating. In every 2 pages probably! haha!) that these have now easily resided in my subconscious (sh*t! ...oooops!).

      The plot is sooo simple and predictable; situations and events are all too common that perhaps you will experience some sort of a déjà vu when you read another romance paperback, and I am talking about the Mills and Boon type here. But has there ever been a Mills and Boon novel to hit it as big as Fifty Shades of Grey? I don't think so.   Perhaps, ~~fuck~~  luck played a big part in making this book a ~~shit~~ hit :-)

Sadly, Fifty Shades of Grey didn't do anything good for my gray matter. And if this is the kind of writing that makes it to the New York Times Bestseller nowadays, I could start writing my first novel too! Who knows just when ~~fuck~~ luck strikes, the next bestseller may have me as the writer hehe! Let's ~~shit~~ hit it! :D

By the way, my take on Book Two, Fifty Shades Darker, is at Pictures, Places and Paperbacks. Please go and see. :D

Happy Father's Day!

2012-06-17T20:47:00.001+08:00

I've always been a Daddy's girl. And I'm not complaining. Being the only daughter (the youngest child having 5 brothers), I guess my father didn't have any other choice hehe...When I was younger, I would often hear my mom say "You should look for a guy who is like your dad; kind, understanding, humble, soft-spoken, etc.." Now, do I blame my mother because I am still single for I haven't found that special guy who is like my father? hehe!

Anyway, I've collected some of the nicest Father's Day quotes and placed them here for your reading. And before I close this very short post, allow me to greet all you fathers out there a very Happy Father's Day!

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection ~Sigmund Freud

Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown. ~Unknown

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Unknown

A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma. ~Marlene Dietrich

By the time a man realized that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong. ~Charles Wadsworth

Tagaytay City - Picnic Grove

2012-06-13T00:08:00.002+08:00

Who has never been to Tagaytay? I bet that the whole lot of the population (Manila-based) has already been there at least once. Hmmm...Was I exaggerating there? :D Anyhow, If you belong to the majority, then probably this post is not for you hehehe :D... But if you have merely heard of Tagaytay, and have not actually been there at least once for a visit, then perhaps you'd take an interest in reading this :D

Tagaytay Picnic Grove

If you are in Metro Manila, and the City seems to be in flames from the scorching heat (I remember it went to as high as 36 degrees Celcius, the hottest for this year as of this writing), then Tagaytay is the easiest and fastest place to reach to cool off from that summer sizzle. Travel time from Manila to Tagaytay would probably take 2 hours, even less if you have your own transportation, and lesser if you have a driver who drives like Evel Knievel hehehe :D

Beautiful landscape at the Tagaytay Picnic Grove

What to do in Tagaytay aside from enjoying its cool breeze? You can go straight to the Picnic Grove where entrance is a measly 50 PHP. In there you can, as its name suggests, hold a picnic with your loved ones while basking in the lovely sights the place has to offer; with skies bluer than blue and magnificently reflected on the calm Taal lake, one sees a picture of utmost serenity. In Tagaytay, everything seems to be fresh and cool. You can feel it in the air, you can see it in the air! I was there a couple of days ago and I took some pictures for you to see. Being there was such a lovely respite from Manila's unbearable heat, minus the very long hours of travel, and minus the extravagance of a major vacation.

Enjoying the sites at the Tagaytay Picnic Grove

Going down to get a better view at the Tagaytay Picnic Grove

There's more to Tagaytay's Picnic Grove than just its beautiful scenery. If you're looking for more than what meets the eye, you may want to try their Zipline and Cable Car rides; kindly click here to read about it from my other blog. I have some very interesting pictures and notes for you there. Check it out! :-)

Happy Mother's Day

2012-05-13T07:00:00.005+08:00

That is probably one of the greetings I've been wanting to receive for myself (hehehe). Unfortunately, I do not fit the title, for I am not a mother (still) :-/ . Anyway and obviously, this is not and cannot be a post about me. This is for those who have had it harder, rougher and without complain; our mothers..

While all of us are the sons/daughters of our respective parents, being a parent however, is a special task that just cannot be casually handed to anyone or everyone. And while we didn't need to do anything to become someone's child, our mothers have to constantly work hard and sacrifice a part of their being in order for us kids to have a good life. I don't need to be a mother myself to be able to say that, but by just being a daughter, I can categorically state that to be a mother means so much more..

Being a mother is a profession, and it is permanent and irrevocable. You cannot be a mother for a day, or for a year, or for a brief moment you may choose to have. From the very day when a child is born, a mother is also born. And the work starts there. And it never ends.

A mother is never alone in her thoughts. She may have allowed you to go out with your peers, or you may have decided to live independently, but a mother's thoughts always go where her child is.

A mother's love is the only force I know that cannot be repelled. You may have disagreed with her a couple of times or you may have disappointed her with your decisions, but a mother's love never ceases to exist no matter the arguments and disappointments.

To be a mother is to be in love forever with your child. And for all their selfless love, forever is probably not enough to show our mothers just how much we love and appreciate them... Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and to you (if applicable) and to yours! :D

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang

(Super)Moonlighting

2012-05-06T04:08:00.000+08:00

The moon has often been said to stir some romantic feelings within us (ever heard of a lovers' moon :-p ), or to be the cause of natural disasters (tsunamis, tidal waves, earthquakes). Some find a full moon lovely, while others think of it as creepy (imagine a halloween witch on her broomstick flying across the night sky with the full moon as her background hihihi!). In movies, a werewolf's transformation is often associated with a full moon; and this is just the kind of bad news a vampire doesn't need (har har!). Thus, a moon can be one's delight, and another's dilemma.

Our moon, with all the fuss and attention it frequently gets, ironically looks rather plain and boring from an earthling's point of view (white with black/gray areas, nothing more). Be that as it may seem, however, the moon remains a mystery (alien life-form inhabitants, don't you think?).

Oh, by the way, if you haven't heard or read yet, we're having a Supermoon tonight! That means that this is when the moon is closest to earth (or perigee); and thus, appears to be at its largest. And since no moon blog would ever be complete without an actual snapshot, I went and took a supermoon picture. So, which side of the supermoon do you see? Is it pleasantly romantic, or halloween-like horrific? :D

The Hunger Games

2012-04-22T02:33:00.001+08:00

I have purposely avoided seeing the movie version of The Hunger Games. Not for anything, really, it's just that for a change, I would like to read the book first before seeing its film adaptation on the silver screen. And as I have already finished the book, maybe I could go now and see the movie, although I'm not sure if it's still showing in theaters. hehehe. Briefly now, here is my account of The Hunger Games, a novel by Suzanne Collins.

Katniss Everdeen, the 16-year old female protagonist, volunteered to join the year's Hunger Games, taking the place of her younger sister, Prim. The Games, which are held annually, require the 12 districts of Panem to send their representatives to compete in the contest that would test the skill, strength and resilience of the players. Each district chooses its representatives (2 for each district, a girl and a boy aged 12 to 18) by way of lottery. The Hunger Games serve as a yearly reminder of the Dark Days, a period in time when Panem's districts revolted against their Capitol, and that this should never be repeated. The contestants from all the 12 districts, or tributes as they are called, are brought to an outdoor arena and are left there for several weeks to fend for themselves. There will be no decent homes nor dwellings, no food served on a silver platter, and the only clothing they would expect to have are the very same garments they had on on the first day of the games. The tributes fight it out with each other to survive. And the last tribute standing is proclaimed the winner. Victory means a better life for the winner and his/her family; an opportunity to escape the hard life brought about by all the natural and man-made disasters that were inflicted on Panem (North America, before all these devastations happened). Losing, on the other hand, means only one thing - death. The Hunger Games is televised all over Panem, and the terrifying reality show is eagerly anticipated and viewed by everyone as a festivity, even if it means that losing is tantamount to dying. Katniss adores her little sister so much that she just could not allow the 12-year old Prim to participate in the battle in the arena. And so, when Prim's name was drawn from the lot, Katniss frantically offered herself to be District 12's female representative instead.

With Katniss as District 12's representative is Peeta, a baker's son who has had a crush on her since they were small. Katniss would often dismiss Peeta's apparent affections for her and would always conclude that since The Games was televised as a reality show, Peeta was just trying to get the viewers' interest. In her mind, she and Peeta are actually enemies in the game, and that means either one of them would have to kill the other eventually in order to win. But a sudden twist in the Hunger Games' rules changes Katniss' mind and (probably) heart...

The book is engaging and full of suspense. The events in the arena are well described, graphic and clear. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read. Anyone except if you are under 17. Now, That is the problem. Because The Hunger Games is a novel written for young adults, suitable for ages 12 to 17. The killings in the arena are so brutal that I get goosebumps and feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck everytime I come across the killing of a particular contestant. And I get that feeling even when I am way past 17. tsk tsk. That being said, I still think that The Hunger Games is superb and a must! Oh well, perhaps 17 is the new 25, and 12 the new... 20? hehe... But I'm pretty sure you're over 17 anyway so go and get your copy! :D

Caleruega

2012-04-15T03:14:00.000+08:00

Caleruega Church (front)

I first came to know of Caleruega Church from a friend, pictures served as my secondary introduction to the place, and my third and final encounter with it finally happened face to face.

Legend has it, and so i was told, that the first guy who would take you to Caleruega Church would eventually end up as your husband... hmmmm... a really interesting prospect if you have someone in mind to either prove or disprove this myth. hehehe. but having seen the church's pictures, regardless of the story that has preceded it, made me want to see it for myself.

And so one sunny weekend, I went there with three others. At first I thought it was in Tagaytay, but it turned out to be in Batangas. I was lucky enough not to be driving, and i was there just to enjoy the ride. It took us less than two hours to reach Caleruega Church. And when we finally arrived, it was in time to witness a beautiful couple getting married. The scene was straight from a fairy tale book, and I was briefly transported to dreamland -- the radiant bride, with her ivory skin, glistened like diamonds in her elegant gown. She looked like a princess on her special day! And the groom was dashing in his dark suit, the perfect prince for his princess bride! I resisted the urge to take their pictures, I wasnt there as a paparazzi and so I wanted to respect their privacy.

     I suddenly remembered where i was, and lost no time taking pictures of the exhilarating sights the place has to offer. The church was not like a cathedral in terms of its size, it was more like a chapel, comfy and intimate. Sitting capacity is probably no more than a hundred. Also, the church is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and breathtaking views. The air smells clean and the place is serene and calm. From atop the hill where the church proudly stands, one is treated to a magnificent overview of the city.

     I will always remember how it was like being at the Caleruega Church; feeling the cool breeze touching my skin as i savour the sights and sounds of nature. I pretty much enjoyed my visit. Go plan that trip and see for yourself :)

Caleruega Church (side view)

Stained Glass Windows Inside the Church

Beautiful Landscape

From atop the hill where the church stands, one is treated to this magnificent overview of the city

Miss (Mr.) Universe

2012-04-12T01:31:00.001+08:00

     Surpise! Surprise! The highly coveted Miss Universe beauty pageant is now accepting candidates who were born male to represent their respective countries in this world wide search and have that once in a lifetime chance to be crowned as the most beautiful woman in the world! There. Were you as surprised as I was? I hope so.

     When and how did this happen? Well, it all started when Jenna Talackova, Miss (Mr.) Canada, was finally allowed to compete for her country's spot in the search for Miss Universe for the current year. Talackova was previously disqualified to take part in the competition after it was found out that she was actually born a male but had undergone surgery to become a female.  According to the Canadian model, she decided to have the sex-change because she was born in "the wrong body".

      I have nothing against gays or bi-sexuals or transgenders. In fact, some of the nicest and coolest people I know happen to be gays. They are talented, caring and generous both with their time and talents. They are good friends and reliable confidants. I respect them and their sexual preference and wish for them nothing but happines and yes, fair treatment and equality, among other things. However, I find it a bit queer (pardon the pun) that someone who was born in this world a male (with the male anatomy of course), would be entering a beauty contest, which was specifically designed to search for the fairest, most beautiful woman in the universe (possessing all those womanly attributes, of course). It is like being a commercial model for a hair shampoo when your hair is not your own but a mere transplant, or modelling for a toothpaste advertisement when you have false teeth, and yes, parading in your swimsuit when the body parts you are actually displaying happen to be... implants?

     "Equal Opportunity" for all does exist. But the line has to be drawn somewhere somehow. Maybe transgender people could have their own world wide beauty pageant wherein all the beauty hopefuls would be on equal footing; none of them would have to be disqualified for what they are nor questioned for what they are not, but each and every contestant would be allowed to shine without the unnecessary controversy. Or perhaps, sex-change women could start a new beauty search that would promote awareness and their full acceptance to society. Whatever they choose to have, it should be without pretense or cover-ups and more importantly, it would tell the whole world their capabilities and highlight their contribution and significance to humanity.

     Oh, I can't wait for this year's Miss Universe! May the best (fe)male...uhmm... contestant win :-)

photo credit: http://twitter.com/#!/JennaTalackova

Luneta Children's Playground

2012-04-10T21:00:00.000+08:00

After more than 2 decades since my last visit here, nothing much has changed. Except that everything seemed to be smaller now.. This was probably what Alice in Wonderland felt! It was pretty much like being in a dream; seeing things again after such a looong time but wondering why they've become so tiny now. Maybe because i've grown bigger, taller (and older!).. but when did all these start to happen? he he he.. i really can't tell...

If you've frequented Luneta's Children's Playground as a kid, then you might recognize these lovable characters too. It's amazing how after all these years, they have managed to survive; still looking just the way they used to. Except that, yes, in my adult eyes, they have now become smaller in size, but nevertheless, will always have a very big place in my childhood heart...

I used to sit between these 'froggies' and everytime i do, I remember my feet dangling and could never reach the ground. now, the adorable kermits just go past my knees, a little over 3 feet perhaps.

the pumpkin house. if only i could go in, the way i used to, just like this little boy. right now, i wonder how i could manage for im almost as tall as the pumpkin!

When i saw this little girl, i got nostalgic. she was the one who welcomed me everytime i went to the playground. still situated right after the entrance, she held a drinking fountain (no bottled water then) where, aside from drinking, i would often wash my hands and face whenever i felt them getting dirty. she seemed so tall then, i had to tiptoe if i wanted to reach for the fountain... but now, i had to look down to get a better view of her. and sadly, the fountain is no more :(

as a kid, i would often slide my way down from these colorful slides and it seemed like forever before i reached the bottom sands. well, seeing these now, i realized the slides werent that long nor wide nor endless :p

The shoe house is a must for every kid visiting the Children's Playground. and just like this little girl, i would often get in, walking upright, and climbing my way up the window. but now, if i wanted to get in, i would have to crawl... thanks, but no thanks. :D

Mount Mayon

2012-04-05T16:49:00.001+08:00

Several years ago, work sent me to Bicol for two weeks.. yes, two long weeks of not being able to sleep in my own soft, fluffy bed, 14 days of not being able to type on my beautiful, newly assembled pc (naks!), and half a month of not being able to see my wonderful friends... but in exchange for all that seemingly sad occurrences, i got to see Mt. Mayon again after so many many years...

I remember first seeing this Wonder of the World a decade ago while on board a passenger bus. It was around 6 in the morning and i can vividly recall that day when i had barely slept because i was not really accustomed to travelling by land overnight. I was suffering from headache, my limbs were numb and my stomach was now growling from my 7-hour trip that already seemed endless! I was growing impatient and was sooo dead tired. Thus, i took a peek from the window on my side to see where the bus had already taken us.. Lo and behold! There she was, Mt. Mayon in full glory!

Twas a clear day, not a cloud obstructing my view of Mayon.. I could very well see her crater and that perfect cone-shape that has made her famous worldwide! She actually looked graceful and mighty at the same time.... oh how could that perfectly shaped, natural wonder be so wrathful as to bury a whole town (Cagsawa) with its massive volcanic eruption?.. yes, beauty and strength combined; serenity and ferocity in one... I was in awe. Seeing Mayon at that moment made me forget all the discomforts i was experiencing.. I wanted to see more, but ironically, the bus, which was previously travelling at a snail's pace for 7 hours, had suddenly acquired wings and was now soaring like an eagle, leaving behind the magnificent view of Mayon, much to my dismay.

That was more than a decade ago.. too bad, camera phones were unheard of back then. But Mayon's beauty was imprinted on my mind like no other 10 mega pix camera could ever capture...Fast forward to the time when, after so many years, i was sent to Bicol because of work... But this time, I was already equipped with my ever ready cam-phone and certainly, i wouldn't let the opportunity pass me by the second time around.. Here she is, a bit cloudy, but still, our world's ultimate wonder, Mt. Mayon...

Only the belfry of the Cagsawa Church can be seen after Mt. Mayon mercilessly engulfed the whole town with its lava following a massive eruption some two centuries ago

Me and Mount Mayon

11 Things About Me..

2012-03-27T00:59:00.000+08:00

From The Pinay Wanderer, 11 questions to answer..

1. Describe your feelings right now.
=> tired. reflective.

2. Kung ikaw ay isang pagkain, anong putahe ka?
=> yung piniritong isda na payat na mahaba, espada ba ang tawag dun? kasi payat ako at mahaba. gets? hehe!

3. Is there anything you own that you can't live without and why?
=> nothing, i guess. although life would be a bit less comfy without some of the things youve become accustomed to having (cellphone, laptop, etc, etc), i dont suppose i'd die if i wake up one morning and find them gone.

4. How does uhog or nasal mucus taste like?
=> depends on whose is it.. eeeeek!

5. Would you rather be attacked by a huge bear or a swarm of bees?
=> omg. i'd say neither!

6. What's the best compliment you've ever received?
=> hmmm. best? maybe the best compliment is yet to come.

7. Kung isa ka sa 5 senses ng ating katawan, ano ka at bakit?
=> 6th sense! ay 5 lang pala hehe! sense of hearing. i have small ears but they definitely go a loong loong way hehe

8. What have you done the day before yesterday?
=> i was at the Luneta, having an awesome trip down memory lane.

9. Proud ka ba sa bansa mo? Paano?
=> Minsan oo, minsan hindi. Proud ako pag nakikilala tayo sa ibang bansa dahil sa galing natin. at hindi ako proud pag may nangyayaring kahihiyan na minsan kapwa natin Pilipino ang may gawa.

10. What advise can you give to the government future leaders?
=> Be frugal.

11. Where do you think you'll be in five years?
=> oh. hopefully things will fall into their proper places and i would be in a peaceful, stress-free place wherever that may be.

11 Random Things About Me

1. I am an evening person.
2. As a kid, i would often go to our school library and read just about anything. all that changed when i became an adult....pfffft.
3. I dont know how to swim, though i love going to the beach.
4. I dont know how to ride a bike. but i have learned to drive a car.
5. I have a hard time remembering streets and places, names and faces.
6. I am not a fan of sweet treats. they would often make my throat itchy.
7. Chicken wings are my least favorite. lemme rephrase that. i dont eat chicken wings. period.
8. I dont and cant sleep with the lights on.
9. As a follow-up to #8, i am a very light sleeper.
10. I dont normally have breakfast, and I'm not usually hungry in the morning.
11. I have a poor eyesight, but hate wearing glasses and too scared to try contacts. i just go about my day not seeing everyone and everything clearly :D

Now, your turn. I would like to read the 11 truths about yourself, please :)

Galang Bisdak of galangbisdak
eymz of I Dare to Share!
witikoi of In My Eyes

The Magnum Myth

2012-03-23T23:52:00.000+08:00

About a month ago, a facebook friend was gushing about how yummy Magnum was. Unfortunately, my online buddy didn't bother to post a single picture of this ohh-so-tasty Magnum. I never gave a thought about it, until my facebook/twitter walls were flooded with testimonials about Magnum. An officemate offered that Magnum was an alcoholic beverage; a champagne or wine or something bottled. Well, as for me, the only Magnum that i am aware of is a type of gun. So how could that be even ahmm...tasty? Until finally, when the commotion about Magnum could no longer be contained, pictures of it were just about everywhere. And so, I guess by now, we all know what Magnum is. An ice cream on a stick! Truly!

But that is not the myth I want to tell you about. I am aware that Magnum has legions of diehards out there, and so before I start, I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. And if you haven’t tried Magnum yet but are planning soon with high expectations because of its superb marketing and advertising, my apologies if I inadvertently happen to burst your bubble. But the hype about Magnum went just a bit overboard. Sure, its chocolate coating is ok, tastes exactly like... well, any chocolate coating on any ice cream bar. Sadly, I didn't find it exceptional. The plain vanilla ice cream inside the choco coat was indeed smooth and creamy, but it was just that -- plain. Save for its consistency, there was nothing else unforgettable about the vanilla ice cream inside. Magnum actually reminds me of the good ole' Pinipig Crunch, although PC is more affordable without the unnecessary mega publicity... Ok, just to be a bit fair, Magnum doesn’t melt fast. I was able to take pictures while it was still inside its glorious packaging. I snapped about ten shots from my camera phone until I got my desired image. And guess what? The ice cream was still intact from its chocolate coating; no spills, no drips, no drops...And that's about it folks, for i have just busted the Magnum myth. On a final note however, seems that everyone is still raving about it, people are queuing in supermarkets for their supply of Magnum, and just about everywhere, when you see someone licking on an ice cream stick, you can bet it's a Magnum... Oh well, maybe it’s just me. But at 50 php per stick, I’m going to pass.

Start.

2012-03-21T22:14:00.002+08:00

The hardest thing to do, as in anything I suppose, is to start -- starting your day, starting with work, starting a new relationship, and yes, starting a blog. I was browsing over tons of blogs here in order to help me get started. However, the more blogs I read, the more I get overwhelmed. What on earth do I write here? As of yet, I have no idea. Maybe later on, I'd have one solid theme, or perhaps a topic I could very well write about. Maybe. Perhaps.
Be that as it may, I have to get this started. Otherwise, I might not even go past the background/layout editing part. As I have read and observed from the bloggers here, the proper way to start a blog is to introduce one's self... Ok then, here goes...I am probably the most unintresting person i know. I was born and raised in the city, the only daughter in a family of eight. Went to University, once aimed at becoming a lawyer, however, lost target. I pretty much enjoy going online, and I mean very much. I dont own a television, hardly read paperbacks or the papers, but i would always surf and browse about anything and everything I need via the internet. Recently, I discovered an interest in photography and thus, consider it as one of my budding hobbies... there.. having said that, I think I have already written my very first blog entry. That was the start i needed. hehehe. Thank you for dropping by. I'd be genuinely glad if someday, I could even be half as good as them bloggers. And yes, I mean YOU. :)