Thoughts, Experiences and Reality

Movie Watching: Terminator Salvation

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Me and my friends watched "Terminator Salvation" after work last Friday at the Blue Wave Marquinton Mall here in Marikina City.

The movie was full of action, the scenes were great but I didn't quite like the story itself or maybe I'm just tired of the Terminator saga and never thought another one would come out at this time or maybe it was because I wasn't feeling very good that time that I misjudged the movie.

I may not like the entire movie, but the actors are really good. I like Sam Worthington (Marcus Wright)very much. He has portrayed the role well, in fairness to him. I also like the actor who portrayed John Connor too, but only next to Sam.

But the fact that I have my friends with me that time, watching a not-so-good movie with me when I could have been alone and lonely at home, still made the activity worth it.

It's fun being Single too!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:01:00 +0000

It was Thursday last week, when my friend, who can be very impulsive at times, asked me to come with him to meet another friend from Surigao. We have not seen him in person yet, so we traveled all the way from Marikina to the Mall of Asia (MOA) to take the opportunity to meet him. Although, for a very good reason, he wasn't able to make it and we did not get to meet him in person.

Anyway, we took the LRT going to Recto and from there took a jeepney going to Buendia and then a shuttle going to the Mall of Asia. It was quite a long route but we enjoyed talking non-stop inside the jeepney. We talk about life, relationships, fun times and even heartaches.

We finally reached MOA a few minutes before 9:00 PM. We were already starving so what we first did was find a place to eat. There are so many restaurants to choose from but we both decided to eat in a restaurant named "Bangus" (milk fish). It was our first time to eat there. We ordered Aligi (crab paste) Rice, Fried Bangus belly with sweet Sampalok (tamarind) Candy Sauce with Crispy Kangkong and Buko Shake. We definitely enjoyed the food since we both love bangus belly.

After being so full, we had to walk a bit inside the mall to look for some change of clothes since we decided not to go home that night anymore. We both bought two shirts and shorts, after a few minutes of choosing from the racks.

When the mall was about to close, we decided to stay at the bay side. We sat there and once again talked about anything and everything under the sun or the moonlight would be more appropriate. We don't always agree with everything but we respect each others opinion. We stayed there talking until 12 midnight when the guard told us that we have to leave the place already.

We don't know where we will go but we decided to take the bus going to Cubao. It was about 1 or 2 AM when we get there. We don't know where to stay so we decided to just stay in my house since we will have to go to work the following day. We took a cab and got there before 3AM.

It was so much fun. Doing simple things, not having anyone to worry about someone, not needing to ask anybody's permission to go to places. I never realized till then that sometimes, it's fun being single too.

WW: Beautiful Creation

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Thanks to Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT for this beautiful picture.

A year in Marikina Valley Community Forum

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:21:00 +0000

How time flies! I didn't notice that I was already a member of the Marikina Valley Community Forum for a year now.

It was my friend Mhel who invited me to join this group. The site was up for only a few months before I was eventually able to register. I can no longer recall how many members were already there when I registered but I was glad that I did since everyone warmly welcomed me to the site. But it was only on June 13, 2008 when I first joined them in an "EB". I met JC, Vinzer, Elbert, Angelo, Randy and Jabey. Dennis, who works in the same institution as mine, was also there.

We met outside the Bluewave Marquinton Mall and from there, we proceeded to Yellow Cab and had pizza and pasta. They are all young, lively people who are photography enthusiasts and computer geeks. I enjoyed being with them even if it was only the first time I met them. I had fun listening to them, joking with them and just talking and eating with them.

It was not the first time that we went out together. It was followed by a lot more gatherings, dine outs, photo shoots, parties and road trips. I always have fun being with them. I gained new friends because of this forum and I thank JC for that.

Thanks to Jabey for the photos.

Our angel has turned 1

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:59:00 +0000

A year ago, another blessing was given to our family; My sister gave birth to her first baby, a little angel she named "Arwen Beatrice". She was 5.17 pounds and was so small then.

And last Sunday, May 17, she turned a year old. We had her party at home. A lot of children from the neighborhood joined the fun. There were three (3) clowns who entertained the children, led the games and played some magic tricks. All the visitors were thrilled.

There was also a big blue cake with Little Mermaid design. The children had plenty to eat; they had spaghetti, chicken, waffles and the chocolate coated wafer sticks which even the adults liked. They also had ice cream in Macapuno, Cookies and Cream and Cheese flavors.

It was so much fun despite the rain. The party started at 3:00 PM and went on until 6:00 PM. We were all so tired but thankful that our friends and relatives have come to join us in celebrating Arwen Beatrice's 1st Birthday Party.

To all our neighbors, friends and relatives who were there... Thank you!

Bob Ong's Kapitan Sino is now available!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:54:00 +0000

It was early this year when I first heard that Bob Ong is about to release his 7th book in May. Since then, me and my friends were all waiting excitedly for this book.

We were even quite disappointed when the first week of May passed and it was still not out in the bookstores. It was only on Monday (May 11) when I called Visprint Publishing that I found out that "Kapitan Sino" will be available in Pandayan Bookstores by May 13. I immediately called Pandayan Bookstore on Wednesday morning to verify if there are available stocks of Bob Ong's book already. I was so excited when the sales lady said that the book was already available but they only got a few stocks.

I had to make a reservation and promised to pick it up the following day. Luckily, I had the chance to go to the Pandayan Bookstore branch in Cainta, Rizal and finally got myself a copy.

After the success of Bob Ong's books: ABNAKKBSNPLAKo, Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino, Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas, Alamat ng Gubat, Mc Arthur, and Stainless Longganisa,Kapitan Sino is finally out in some bookstores. You can buy it for only P175.00.

A night out in Metrowalk Ortigas

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:47:00 +0000

It was my friend's birthday last May 3 and we (Hanzel, Steve, Oyo Boy, Me and the birthday girl Atty. Princess)celebrated it by having lots of fun in Metrowalk, Ortigas.

We started the whole night of fun by having dinner in Oyster Boy. We ordered Beef Kaldereta, Baked Oysters, Kangkong, and Adobong Pusit. The latter being Hanzel's favorite. I liked the oysters very much... I actually had four big oysters. I think I ate most of it.

After being full to almost the brink, we looked for a good place to have a few drinks while playing billiards. We found the "Elbow Room" on the second floor of the Metrowalk. It is a nice place, with a singer to serenade those who are not busy playing. We actually had two buckets of beer and played billiards for two hours. I don't really know how to play billiards but I enjoyed trying to hit the ball and make it go to the nearest hole possible. We stayed there until 1AM, just playing, drinking, talking and having fun.

To end the night out, we had coffee in the nearest "Starbucks" that we found on the ground floor of the Metrowalk. I had a cup of hot coffee while they all enjoyed their frapuccino.

We were still a little bit drunk, tired and sleepy when we decided to go home. I actually slept while on the way home, that's the good thing about not having to drive.

Fun has ended and by 3:30 AM, I was safely brought home by my friends.

Trapped!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:36:00 +0000

I usually stay for an hour or less in the office after my work hours have ended but yesterday, I was so engrossed at what I was reading that I did not notice that it was already 7:00 PM. I have stayed in the office for two hours after my work. It was then that I decided to turn off my pc, tidy up a bit, turn off the lights and call it a day.

It was also at that moment, as I reached the end of the hallway that I noticed the doors are actually locked. I am inside the office building, on the 2nd floor, all alone and I’m trapped! I started to panic… but then I had to think of something.

I remember my friend, Dennis, is still in the other building since I said goodbye to him over the YM before I turned my computer off. I hurriedly opened my office again, looked for the phonebook and there I found Dennis’ office number and dialed. It seemed to me that the ringing of the phone has taken an hour before it was picked up. I panicked again and thought he just left but there it was… the sound of his voice on the other end of the line and I was relieved.

I told him to come over to my building and tell the guard downstairs that I was locked up in the 2nd floor but I guess I really wasn’t thinking well that time because he thought of a more sensible way. He asked the guard assigned in his building to radio the guard assigned in mine and tell them I was trapped.

It was another long wait… which I think took only seven (7) minutes as I recall now. I had to turn on all the lights in my office and in the hallway. I don’t feel good being locked up, I almost felt like I was suffocating so I had to calm myself down. It wouldn’t look good if the guard arrives and see me passed out in the office anyway, so I had to be brave.

The guard on duty finally arrived, saw me inside, opened the locked doors and apologized profusely for his mistake.

Bloggers' Friday Night Out at Source Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Last Friday, I had the chance to attend a bloggers' party at the Source Bar in Ortigas, Pasig City with two of my friends. It was a bloggers' party and at the same time the launching of the all new Playboy Magazine.

I was surprised at how different the bloggers looked that night in comparison to the bloggers' wifi testing recently held in SM Marikina. Everyone is garbed with their night outfit and looks ready to party.

We got there by 8PM and a few people were already there. A few minutes have passed and the bar was almost full with nice looking people. Everyone seems happy to be there, including me.

Playboy mags were handed out to the early birds and later that night, prizes were given away to lucky game winners. We left even before the party was over so I never had the chance to see who the sexiest male and female bloggers were that night.

It was a fun-filled evening and I was glad that I was a part of it.

A weekend with my friends

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:08:00 +0000

I was up early last Saturday, though I had a hard time sleeping again that Friday night. I'm getting used to sleeping only a few hours at night nowadays. Anyway, I was up early to do my usual chores that goes with living alone... my laundry, watering my plants, feeding my fish, tidying up the garage, doing the dishes, cleaning the house and a lot more.

I started early because I am expecting my friends to be coming before lunch time. True to their words, Jabey and Dennis came at around 11:00 am while Jil and Elbert came a few minutes after them. I already finished cooking pork adobo (which was requested by Dennis) by the time they arrived. I prefer to eat hot rice so I had to start cooking it when they arrived. It wasn't lunch time yet anyway. I also steamed the rest of the siomai left in the fridge.

We had lunch by 12:00 noon with the usual bantering as to who will prepare the iced tea and who will prepare the table, etc. I enjoy hearing and seeing them like that. We're always like a big family and I am always happy having them to join me at home.

After lunch, we watched the Slumdog Millionaire. And then another friend (Rodel) joined us after an hour or two. We then had "halo-halo" since the weather is getting hot already. We bought it from my neighbor... the house right beside mine. I also cooked potato balls, which Jil liked.

We then watched another dvd, the comedy concert of Pooh and Pokwang, which we already watched two weeks before but still made us laugh the second time.

The day ended so soon... it was already 6:00 PM and they had to leave so that they won't have a hard time waiting for a jeepney to bring them home. I was again left on my own... missing them. But it was a happy time and I appreciate my friends' effort so much.

(Pictures will be posted soon)

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:29:00 +0000

I had a chance to join my friends from Marikina Valley Community Portal, Dennis, Jil, Elbert, Randy and JC, in watching the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark Airfield last Saturday, February 14, 2009. Despite not feeling well, I didn't miss the opportunity to watch it for the first time.

We left Marikina before 3:00 AM, all a bit sleepy since we only had a few hours of sleep but I think we were all excited to be there. It was so dark outside and very cloudy; we were comfortably driving along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) where only a few vehicles can be seen at that time.

We decided to take the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway(SCTEX) going to Clark but we inadvertently missed the turn and ended up driving a lot longer than we should have. We also had to take a U-Turn and drive back all the way to the supposed turn going to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

We reached DMIA just a few minutes before the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta formally opens. I was impressed with the conduct of the National Anthem where they had the Philippine Flag flying in the sky being held by three (3) paragliders.

After the National Anthem, I have watched the colorful hot air balloons being inflated and released slowly in the air. There's even an elephant-shaped balloon, a coke bottle and a coffee mug. It was a fascinating sight. We also got to watch the awesome plane flying exhibition.

Thanks to Jabey and Randy for the pictures!

Celebrating my bestfriend's birthday in Baguio City

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:04:00 +0000

I was back in the City of Pines the other week. My friends and I left for Baguio City on the early morning of January 30 (Friday). It's my bestfriend's birthday and we decided to celebrate it with a trip. We brought a car going there instead of taking the public transport. Thanks to my bestfriend's husband who patiently drove us to and from Baguio City.

It was a pleasant drive, though I was asleep almost the whole time since I was not able to sleep for the past nights. We passed through the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)which is the shortest and fastest route possible. We likewise took the Kennon Road instead of the Marcos Highway. We reached Baguio City after almost four (4) hours of driving.

We were so excited to be there and we immediately had our pictures taken by the Lion's Club Monument along Kennon Road. The next thing we did was to drive around looking for a place to eat. Since I was there last December, I suggested that we eat in Good Taste Restaurant where I had dinner with my other friends before. Unfortunately, I didn't remember where it is located so we had to drive around, ask for directions before we found it. Our time wasn't wasted, we found the restaurant and had so much fun eating.

After lunch, we decided to find a place to stay and rest for a while. We stayed in Dauz Pension House which is very near SM Baguio and the other places of interest. It's a simple pension house which is large enough for the five of us. I finally slept for a few hours and woke up refreshed. We went out after the wonderful rest and walked around Session Road.

We had dinner in the pension house since we still have a lot of food left from our lunch. It was so much fun simply eating inside our room, having fun among ourselves. I realize that simple things can be so much fun when you do it with people who matters to you.

The following day, we were out of the pension house by 7:30 AM since we were going to buy some vegetables and other stuff that we need to bring home. When we were there, I found a coffee bean store and had so much fun choosing from among the different varieties of coffee beans. I ended up buying Arabica and Mocha coffee beans although what I really wanted was to buy the Alamid or Civet Coffee. I also bought potato balls which I really don't know how to cook but I wanted to experiment so I bought it.

After that, we had our breakfast in Zola Restaurant. I loved the free flowing coffee and the meal which includes bacons, egg, fried rice and a sausage. It was a good way to end our stay in Baguio City.

Incoherent Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Last night, I cried myself to sleep again as I did the night before
This morning, despite a bad night, I had renewed spirits...
I decided I should go to work rather than stay at home and think
since there is no other subject that my brain can process except you.

I had to go out, be with people, try to make myself busy, but I still can't...
You keep on hurting me... intentional or not, but you still do.
I guess I should stop caring, I should stop loving you...
I should stop doing things for you... things that you don't even appreciate.

I can't take anymore of the rejection, I've had so much pain in my heart
I have never regretted loving you because you made me happy then
I have never regretted the things that I did for you
because I was happy doing them for you.

I thought I was helping you out and making you happy
Maybe I thought wrong because you left me
I don't know what life has in store for me now and for the future
I just hope that whatever it is, it would show itself soon.

My first visit to Mall of Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:56:00 +0000

My friends, Jabey and Dennis invited me to join them in going to the Mall of Asia (MOA) yesterday. We decided to push through with it eventhough we're only three. Our other friends, Jil and Elbert have other plans in another mall. Although later in the afternoon, they surprised us by joining us in MOA.

We left Marikina at around 10:00 AM (thanks to Dennis for being an hour late). We were actually supposed to leave by 9:00 AM. We took a jeepney going to the LRT 2 station in Katipunan and from there we went down in Araneta Center Cubao to take the MRT going to Taft Avenue. From Taft Avenue, we took a shuttle service going to MOA. It was quite a series of rides but since it was Sunday, we were comfortable inside the LRT and the MRT.

We were in MOA by 11:30 AM and the first thing we did was to argue (it was actually a friendly argument) on where we will have our lunch. I want to eat sashimi but well the special child (it's a joke... he's normal), Dennis wants to have chicken. I won't be surprised if one day he'll get wings of his own and probably some feathers. So we agreed to eat in Max's Restaurant. It was full packed but we were lucky to be seated immediately. I had chicken, rolls with butter, pancit canton and iced tea, same with Jabey but he had rice instead of rolls. Dennis had a huge half chicken, soup, 2 orders of rice, iced tea and ice cream for dessert. Whoa!!! what an appetite!!! I really got sick of watching him finish the chicken.

After the really sumptuous lunch, they toured me inside the mall. They kept on kidding me since it was my first time to be there. We went hopping from one store to another looking for something to buy. In the end, it was only Dennis who bought a shirt. Though I really had a good time with them. Jil and Elbert joined us at around 2:00 PM.

After the tiring window shopping, we decided to have coffee in "Kopi Roti". I haven't tried their coffee but I have tried the "Kopi Bun" which is really delicious but it's quite sweet for those who are watching their sugar. We tried the soft boiled eggs with soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper and their "Kaya Toast", the "French Toast" and the "Peanut butter Toast". I really enjoyed the peanut butter toast. The others are just okay. I like my own french toast recipe hehe.

All in all, It was a fun-filled experience, especially since I was with my friends. We really had a great time with each other and we were already planning on our next visit to MOA.

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:05:00 +0000

How time flies! It's already the 7th day of the new year... 2009. The past year has left a lot of memories in me. Some are good and some are bad. But despite being bad, they are still a part of the past year, a part of the story of my life.

The last quarter of my life had been very colorful for me. It made me happy, made me confused, and eventually before Christmas, broke my heart. I have no regrets, I've been happy for sometime... I guess the tears I'm shedding until now is still worth the happiness that I have experienced.

So, for now, I want to thank the people who became a part of my life...

First, my Ate Weng for always being there, listening to my sobs, trying to console me, supporting me in any way possible. Thank you!

Second, my bestfriend Mhel... thank you for understanding my decisions especially when I know it is not what she wanted for me, still she stayed beside me. Thank you for worrying so much about me, for hearing me out, for always being my shoulder to cry on.

Third, my Marikina Valley friends... Jil, Elbert, Randy, Tita Veron, Tita Babie, Dennis and the rest of the guys... thank you for keeping me company when I need to get drunk and pour out my heart aches. Thank you for listening to me, for giving me advices and for joining me in a simple lunch or dinner. You, guys kept me company most of the time and you never judged me.

And lastly, to you... the person I still love but broke my heart... thank you. "Falling in love with you was easy, but losing you was hard... and up until now you're still the one in my heart." Time can only tell when I can totally forget the feeling I have for you. I just wish you'll be happy because I have shed so much tears just to give you what you want... your freedom. Let's remain friends, just like the old days.

To all of you... thank you so much! May we all have a happy and blessed year ahead.

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT

Right love at the wrong time...

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:35:00 +0000

I'm sure everybody knows the song "Somewhere down the road" which was originally sung by Barry Manilow. It's a beautiful song that kept on popping in my head these days. But is it true? Can it really happen?

We had the right love
At the wrong time
Guess I always knew inside
I wouldnt have you for a long time

Those dreams of yours
Are shining on distant shores
And if theyre calling you away
I have no right to make you stay,

When do we know that it's the right love? What if you really love each other and yet it still doesn't feel right? What if he chooses to be with someone he doesn't love, dumped you that he said he loves so much, just because it's the right thing to do?

Letting go is just another way to say
I'll always love you so...

Let go... move on... those have always been the advice of friends... those are the things I myself want to achieve. But how? Someone told me time is the best healer... Do we really forget the feeling over time? Do we really forget the person we love so much? Or is it just there in our hearts... we keep hiding it and try hard to suppress it but it's still there.

I really don't know the answer to all those questions... I really don't know what the future has in store for us but then we have to live each day as it comes. Accept the fact that life is never fair...

Personalized Gift Ideas are very cool!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:32:00 +0000

It's less than a week before Christmas and I'm still worrying about what to give my friends, relatives and colleagues, I guess most of you are having the same predicament at the moment. We're all very busy finishing our work before vacation that we never even noticed that Christmas is almost there. But hey, there's still time left and it's so easy to order online nowadays.

Especially since Pexagon is offering personalized holiday gifts. You may choose from Personalized Thumb Drives, Personalized Pens, Business Card Flash Drives and Wooden USB Flash Drives.

Pexagon offers Personalized Thumb Drives which are available in 14 colors and up to 16GB in capacity. You may also have a two-line personalized message engraved on the reverse side, how cool can that be! It would be nice to give your younger friends since they are so colorful and hip.

They also have these Personalized Pens that are so affordable and can accomodate a free line of personalized laster engraved text.

I'm sure your colleagues and business inclined friends would also love the Business Card Flash Drives. Three lines of personalized text can be engraved on the front side of this flash drive and it has up to 2GB capacity. It's so unique, actually this is one of my favorites, and the prize is just right for its purpose.

And of course, they also have Personalized Wooden USB Flash Drives! You can choose from two colors with 2GB and 4GB capacities. This would look good on a leather briefcase and this would really make your boss remember you if you give it to them.

What are you waiting for? Visit the Pexagon Technology website now and avail of the 20% discount they are offering.

Road Trip Part 2: Revisiting Baguio City

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:44:00 +0000

After sleeping well that night, I woke up at around 6AM. Elbert and Randy woke up way too early to make sure they'll catch the sunlight. Still feeling lazy but refreshed after that very wonderful night of rest, I showered and prepared my things since we already agreed that we will be going around Baguio City again until before lunch and then we'll be leaving for La Union after that.

So, we decided to visit Tam-Awan Village which is located in Pinsao Proper, Baguio City. We took a cab going there and paid only P47.00. I really like the idea of taking cabs in Baguio since the fair is so affordable and it is more comfortable travelling that way.

We had breakfast in the cafe in Tam-Awan Village, I had Tocino with Egg and brown rice, and the other guys had beef tapa and longganisa. It was my first time to eat brown rice... I was fascinated by it... the color is actually almost violet, I'm not really sure if it was fried or boiled because it is quite moist and a bit sticky. I liked it though. The coffee was also very good that's why I had 2 cups of it.

After breakfast, we went around, check out some of the artworks displayed in the gallery and bought a few things at the souvenir shop. I bought a pair of dangling, blue earrings for myself.

I would have loved to see the inside of the "Dukligan Hut" (Fertility Hut) but it was occupied that time. So we were contented to just have our pictures taken outside some other huts.

We went back to the hotel then and prepared to leave for La Union. On our way going to the terminal, we bought some more wine... strawberry wine, rice wine and the other two that I can no longer recall. It's still sitting on top of my table at this time, though the rice wine is almost gone.

I'll be telling you about what happened to us in La Union next time.

Photos courtesy of Randyblu... thanks so much!

Marikina Valley Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:22:00 +0000

I've been a member of Marikina Valley Community website since June of this year. It was there that I met my new friends. The MV group is not just a website, it's where real people, real friends meet. It's a website that binds different kinds of people together.

On December 13, 2008, we held our very first Christmas Party. It was a simple gathering yet a fun-filled one. We shared the food that each of us brought... we had pancit palabok, mussels, puto, cake and ice cream. Some of us even had beer afterwards.

It was a successful party because of everyone who participated and helped out in the preparations. I want to recognize them here, through this post... JC for leading the whole thing and for keeping MV, Ayumie and Maroni for bearing with some of our immature ways and for bringing the palabok and cooking the delicious spicy mussels, Elbert and Jill for coming to the party (i'm really glad you did), Dennis for the ice cream, Jabey for the the venue, photos and the yummy puto, Jard for the funny moments and for the beer and Vinzer and Alex for the roasted chicken. Thanks, guys for your cooperation. Till next year! Cheers to our friendship!

Wordless Wednesday: Pretty Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:40:00 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT
Location: San Miguel, Bulacan

Road Trip Part 1: Revisiting Baguio City

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:55:00 +0000

My first Baguio City Experience was sometime in October 2001. I went there with three (3) of my friends but we only stayed there for the whole day. We took the bus, left the terminal at around 10PM and arrived in Baguio at 4AM. It was very cold, the cool wind really made me chill when I went out of the bus. We slept for a while, went out to walk around Baguio the whole day and then went straight to the bus terminal going back home.

This time, after seven (7) years, I went to visit the City of Pines again. My friends and I agreed to take the bus, leave on November 28 (Friday) since the November 30 holiday was moved to December 1 and we won't have to go to work for four days. But eventually, most people have thought the same way we did and so when we arrived at the bus terminal at around 10PM, we were surprised by the huge crowd gathering inside the terminal. To make it short, we were not able to leave that night. We had to wait for the 5AM bus to take us to Baguio City. It was a very long wait, we were all very sleepy and tired but we decided to just stay there and wait.

We arrived in Baguio City the following day (Saturday), a little after lunch time. With my heavy back pack behind me, we walked the streets of Baguio City and had lunch in a restaurant named "Zola". After satisfying ourselves with the food, we then had to find a place to stay. As we have already expected, it was hard to find a place to stay since there were really a lot of people in Baguio that time. It being a long weekend and we found out later on that there is a Nursing examination going on that time.

We eventually found a place in Camp Allen with the help of a cab driver. It was a small hotel named "Robol 88", it's got a rooftop where we can have fun while seeing everything around us. We paid the accomodation for a day since we were still unsure of our plan for the next day. We slept for a few minutes and went out to take a walk. It was a very long walk but I did not get tired, I enjoyed every moment of it, seeing a lot of people, enjoying the cold weather, seeing beautiful flowers and breathing fresh air.

It was the most pleasant long walk I had. We went to SM Department Store, bought some small things to give to our friends back home and sat outside SM. It was already past 6PM and it was really very cold out there.

At around 7PM, my friends, Randy, JC and I decided to have dinner in a restaurant nearby. Randy said that the food there was great and so we decided to try it out. We ordered buttered chicken, lumpiang shanghai and rice and we were really surprised with the amount of food we saw on our table when all the food were already there. They really gave us big servings and we never.. however we tried... we were never able to finish everything. But the thing that they served us sodas without ice is something that really amused me. We looked around on the other tables and we found out that all of them are satisfied to be drinking their sodas without ice and there we are trying to figure out why they served it without ice. Eventually, we requested for ice from the waitress :)

On our way back to the hotel, we bought a small bottle of strawberry wine just to try it out and then we bought some bottles of beer from the convenience store. We decided, despite the coldness of the weather, to drink on the rooftop. It was very very cold, I had to put on a warmer jacket and socks. But my hands are still very very cold as well as my face. The cold wind kept on blowing but we stayed on. The strawberry wine tasted very good... we should have bought a bigger bottle :)

When we finished the wine and a few bottles of beer, we decided we already had enough so we went down to our room and slept. At around 3AM we were awaken by the ringing of one of our cell phones. Our other friend called to let us know that he is already at the bus terminal. I was so sleepy so I just let the two guys fetch him from the terminal. I slept like a baby till morning :)

(photos courtesy of Randy and Elbert)

to be continued...

Get discounts on Vacuum Cleaners!

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:44:00 +0000

This morning when I went out of the house to go to work and saw the car in front of the house, I nearly changed my mind. The car is so dirty inside and out that I really would have wanted to get my hands on it and clean it.

I don't need to go to a car wash to have it cleaned since I already got a vacuum cleaner at home. It is one of the most reliable home equipment that I have at home since I use it to clean the car and the house and it really helps me save on my cleaning time by 50%. However, I really want to buy a smaller vacuum cleaner that I can easily pull wherever I wish to clean. Something that's light weight and very handy and while I was browsing the net, I had the chance to visit EZVacuum.com, a site that offers a 10% discount on your entire order of vacuum cleaners and stuff.

They really have nice vacuum cleaners bags belts filters brushrolls machines that you can choose from. Availing the discount is as easy as buying over $20 worth of their items.

As I was having a hard time thinking of gifts that would be very useful to my friends, I just had a thought, why not give this to my special friends? I'm sure the price would be worth it and it would really make them happy.

COMELEC registration ongoing

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:31:00 +0000

I went to the Commission on Elections Office this morning to accompany a friend who is going to register as a voter for the first time. We arrived at around 10:15 in the morning bringing with him a valid Identification Card (ID) showing his present address and a photocopy of said ID. Since he is already 24 years old, he was not required to bring a birth certificate anymore.

We spent exactly an hour for the registration. We started out by submitting a photocopy of the required ID and in return the staff gave my friend some forms to fill out. After filling out the form, we returned it to the staff and waited for his name to be called for verification of the details on the form. The last step was for his biometrics and his picture to be taken.

The registration started on December 2, 2008 and will end on December 15, 2008. But don't fret, that's just a Christmas break... they will be accepting registrations again starting January 5, 2009 until December 15, 2009.

For registrants who are 18 years old and below, you must bring a copy of your birth certificate and one (1) valid Identification Card (showing your present address) with its photocopy. Birth certificates are not required for registrants aged 19 and above.

WW: Waves

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:40:00 +0000

Location: Sebay Resort, San Juan, La Union
Photo Courtesy of Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT

Letting go

noreply@blogger.com (Rizza) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:39:00 +0000

People come to our lives when we least expect them to. And when they do, we tend to love them and care for them so much that we give up so many things just to be with them. Sometimes we even tend to give them our whole lives thinking that this person will stay forever. I, for one, do have the tendency to depend my happiness on the person that I love. I neglect my friends and even my own family when I'm in love. Just to make that person feel that he is that much important to me, that he is the only one that could make me happy.

But then despite the years of being together there can't be no assurance that he is going to stay. Despite giving everything I can, still I can't make him happy, I can't give everything that would make him stay and love me forever.

And now, I'm left with another heartache, with a big empty space in my life... Why did it end up like this? Have I done anything wrong? These are just two of the questions I've been asking, which still remain unanswered.

I don't want to keep him in my life when he is no longer happy... I don't want to insist that he stays when I am no longer the person he would love to see when he wakes up. I don't want him to feel caged and suffocated by my love for him. There is nothing more to do now... than to let go.

I still have my heart, though it's already broken, I still know how to love, though I don't know if I should love again because loving again may mean another heartache.