Foodie ME

I am the type of person who eats when stressed. I’ve always loved good food and being stressed urges me to experiment in the kitchen. Maybe this is my way of stress release, though that I am not entirely sure. But one thing is certain, I love food. Sure, I’m a but pudgy in some parts but I’m blessed with a small waist and  semi-well-endowed behind so it’s not as bad as it looks. Back to food. I’ve always dreamed of being able to write about food, to share with others how I feel when I cook, how to cook certain food… but a million other people are doing just that, so I wonder if I should go that direction as well. Honestly, I just write to preserve memories, whether it be about food or love or life but since food is my current favourite topic, I write about it more than other stuff.

So my current fixation actually brings me back to my roots once again. (I’ve tried to cook adobo with some success) Now I’m geared towards cooking binagoongan, my style. I feel like when I cook, I am in full control of the flavors I want to taste which of course for me is such a plus. Sure I know restaurants that serve them well, but only you can make how you really want it to be. I say this because it’s true--- only if you know how to cook. Knowing how to cook means you have a vision, and you know how to get there, kind of like tasting a dish and then being able to break down the components ( a bit technical ei?) and knowing how to re-create it the way you like it. I grew up watching cooking shows long before they boomed and created celebrity chefs. To be more specific, I started when I was grade 3, and on discovery channel they had shows like world class cusine, bibba’s kitchen and Caprial’s café (I don’t know what happened to them though). I started with culinary journey baking oatmeal cookies. I learned that your oatmeal cookies taste better if you use half white and half brown sugar. As I perfected the recipe, I started adding other ingredients that I know I wanted to taste in my cookie—cinnamon and raisins. I’ve experimented as well with brownies--- melting marshmallows on the stovetop (indirect heat) and adding it to the brownie batter, can you say awesome? The idea spawned because I did not like eating marshmallows but I did like them as smores. So I melted them. Logical right?

So after my stint with baking, as I matured and started appreciating more of food than sweets, I graduated to cooking pasta. All these Italian cooking shows inspired my love for pasta until this very day. It’s a plus too that my Dad has an herb garden in which basil, oregano, rosemary are abundant and readily available for any culinary adventure I might want to take. I cooked a lot of pastas--- contemplated on actually making the pasta dough from scratch but it’s too tedious for me (especially since my love for food blossomed when I started working for a hotel) because I have work and try to juggle a billion things during my free time on a weekend.

And since I work, I’ve learned so many easy-to-do meals that I can prep myself in less than 20 minutes. At one point, I had a fixation with our oven because I could just pop the meal and use the timer so the food wont burn even if I bathe and dress-up for work. Smart ei? But washing the dishes-wise, bloody hell, anything with tomato drips would harden or form some sorta thing that needed soaking to remove. Now, since I’m lazier, I just cook 5 minute meals.

Adieu for now, this has taken me longer to write than cooking my own food to eat. Xo.

Back

3 years have passed and I was expecting that this page would be non-existent due to inactivity.

I randomly searched for a friend's name back in college and by chance I actually saw old blog posts

about my  life years ago. 

As I read through my old posts, I laughed at myself. Before I used to write, now  just instagram my life.

How the times have changed since then!

Now, I have resolved to write some more and share some more, if time permits me to do so.

My last post talks about september rain... and emo stuff. 

I've forgotten how to write in this manner, as most if my writing is focused on reports, long e-mails--- mostly work-related stuff.

Hopefully, I learn again. :)

September Rains

It's raining again. The weather's all screwed! It's already september and it's supposed to start getting cold. Not wet and cold. Just cold. Wet and cold weather's just good when you're inside the house sleeping your a$s off but not when you're outside.

Sometimes I jump back in time and remember how classes would be suspended when the rains would get strong. How we would call each other up or send messages to each others beepers(during gradeschool days)and say NO CLASSES! Well, work's a whole lot different. Technically, we're supposed to be adults and be able to manage in spite of the weather. It's weird because i still say no classes when I really mean no work. Hahaha. Or say dismissal time when i mean logout or timeout at the end of the day. I laugh at the my attempt to bring back the old days when nowadays, it's just old. Me=old. Wala na yung days. Hahaha.

Leave the chilli's to the professionals

The weekend was a culinary quest. Yes. The quest to make everything related to food taste good. Haha. Made paella last friday, and some oatmeal and sugar cookies, saturday was spent bonding with jed by making our own pizzas and sunday, I cooked the 'vegeman's ' spaghetti for sunday lunch. (frankie hesitated before eating the spaghetti because she saw something green in it Haha. She thought it was vegetables! It was only basil and oregano! )

Well, being jobless kind of makes you 'domesticated'. Haha. Parang animal lang ha. Wahaha. So, I spent the weekend like I said, cooking. Messing up the kitchen for cristy, and the house in general, for her. Well, I taught her how to bake too. I taught her to use the uber fab kitchen aid so when mom wants cookies, cristy can bake them herself! You see, mom loves cookies. She loved them so much she brought some along for karlo to naga, and when the following morning came, I was looking for my cookies. Cristy said mom had finished everything! And to think Karlo wasn't home, the cookies vanished anyway. Well, atleast they were well appreciated. Haha. My paella tasted good to according to pop so am happy about that one, my dad's pretty finicky about the way his food tastes. I say dealing with 1 piece of chili paid off. You see, I put 1 piece of chili in the paella for some spice. I was so brave I dealt with the red chili with my bare hands! I ripped the chili open to remove the veins and seeds, and then ripped them into little pieces and threw them in the paella. After a few mins my fingers were burning so I washed them lots of times. While dinner commenced, the area near my cuticles were burning. I was wondering home I could stand eating while my fingers stung like crazy! I soaked them in milk for 10mins. It was okay when I soaked them. But when I finally washed my hands, they still stung. Rawr. So I let them be for the meantime as I headed to jed's house, I figured he could do something about it (such a baby I am!). And so his mom told me to soak my fingers in icy water, which of course jed dutifully prepared for me. I didn't know my fingers were becoming numb until they were. Haha. It eased it a bit, luckily, the beer I drank when we headed to tonio's grill made me forget about it. So, I say, leave the chilli'ss to the professionals. Hahaha.

I love the fact that I finally got Jed to share my passion in the... Kitchen. Hahaha. Now, aside from the usual drinking, malling, travelling, dining out, we've found another commonground. Our love for food. We've made buffalo wings, cream cheese carbonara, pizzas and siomai so far. Stocked their kitchen with spices essential to making buffalo wings, our ultimate fave (also jed's older brothers fave, jim and bonx's)Which are cajun spices!! Cayenne , paprika and so and so. We're constantly thinking of food we want to cook, and the nice thing is when we cook at jed's house, everybody makes the effort not to miss it.

1st year anniversary

We started our day much earlier than usual (the usual being uom, after lunch!). A quiet picnic at the sunken garden was how we started our day. We went to the shopping center, or as i fondly call it, dilimall, to buy tapsilog at Rodics. Yeah! Who doesn't love rodics? What's better than having rodic's for breakfast, at my alma mater, with the person I love? Luckily, Jed didn't mind Rodic's nor did he mind picnicking at sunken. After all, Ateneo has their own share of huge tracts of greens, but I gotta say, at UP, people don't give a rats ass if your picnicking on a monday morning... Or rather, people mind their own business.

After we had soaked up the morning sun, we headed to footloose, a massage place near new manila. It's actually along Tomas Morato but nearer the E. Rodriguez side than timog ave.
Well, it was about 12nn when we got to footloose. They had just opened so we were a tad bit too early. So... We decided to take our lunch nearby. We decided to try Nasi Lemak at Thompsons Square, along morato too. Finally we ate there! We agreed to eat there for the longest time and apparently, it's a singaporean resto. Tingtingting! Jed had wanted to relive our trip to Kota Kinabalu while I just wanted some singaporean fare. The Nasi lemak Jed ate at Kota was very simple. It was missing some elements which is why he wanted to try the "real" nasi lemak. I was looking for some nasi rendang but they didn't have it. I ordered the hainanese chicken, which is a staple of singaporean cuisine. You can find familiar singaporean dishes here like laksa, chilli crab, bakuteh, mee goreng, ice kachang, kway teow and of course, teh tarik or milk tea! Horay! Jed and i intend to return and sample the other dishes. Oooh and a lot of people actually eat at Nasi lemak, seems like there's a small following. Don't worry, you won't find noisy hs kids or college kids studying there, most people we saw were either office people or older people, I think we were the youngest there hahaha. It's a must try resto if you've got an adventurous palate, or if you want some singaporean fare.

After lunch we headed back to footloose. I'm not entirely sure what thai massage means but i take it that it involves stretching? Jed got a back and arm massage, i got a foot and back massage. Fell asleep during the foot massage. It's pricier than a whole body massage though, but the ambience will easily make you drift into lalaland, like yours truly. Haha.

After our very indulgent day, jed and i headed to his house to chill and use his wifi and do our online obligations together (eg facebook, ym, email, friendster, multiply etc)with our identical wifi-enabled phones. Their couch, which faces the tv, is our fave nap spot. There is something about that couch that makes one drowsy. Or lazy. Haha. So we just sit back and then sooner or later poooof! Zzzzzzz....

Jed and I spent the whole day together to celebrate our first anniv. In fact, he took a leave to spend the day with me. I wish though he could take tuesday off too, but that would just be demanding of me hahaha.

Time just goes by really fast, so better do what you can and not let special days be forgotten.... So you've got memories to share and look back on. Ü

Back and Busy

Back from Singapore with 9kgs of overweight luggage. Haha. Deng, 135sgd down the drain. Haruuummmph.

Got back just in time to attend my mom's special awarding ceremony for ACES (award for continuing excellence in service) given by the metrobank foundation. This is a special awarding ceremony because: 1. The orig ceremony was last january. She didnt make it because she was busy giving a talk at the nat'l university of singapore. So, they created a separate awarding ceremony for her. 2. This award is given every 5 years only, and she is part of the 2nd batch. Plus, this award can only be given those who have already won the 'Metrobank outstanding teacher' award, or outstanding cop award etc. So, this award, according to metrobank foundation is the only award of its kind because it recognizes those people who have won the award and have continued to exhibit excellence in their respective fields. Hence, it's a very prestigious award.

So there I was, groggy as usual but extremely proud of my mom. So were all of her colleagues, from system officials to former students to her present students, everybody was so supportive, so supportive that her guestlist included big names in UP and awardees of the metrobank foundation as well.

Talk about living up to the Legasto/Patajo Legacy in UP. Btw, we were one of the families who won the 3 generations award given by UP during the centennial celeb. Now, all I have to do is live up to it.

Finale: Singapore Sojourn

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.... Hrawr! My bags are not packed yet!!!! Haha. Alas, farewell to my singapore adventures! I'm leaving tomorrow early morning so I have to finish packing by tonight.

I sipped my last store-bought iced tea tarik from the United Square foodcourt. I sipped it on the slow walk home. I took as much of the familiar scenery as I could, pretty soon when I get back and months have passed, I might not remember every single detail.

In the beginning of this fun-filled adventure, my sister Kaye gave me a notebook from Singapore's largest bookstore, Konikinuya (mahirap shang i-remember the first "times" around hahaha) to record my thoughts (Carissa said, to report my thoughts to my sister haha). Some-sort of diary. Everyday I write something. Anything. But usually, my entries are about the places I visited, and they were a lot. As in. From the museums (Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore Nat'l Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Philatelic Museum, Malay Heritage Museum, Chinatown Heritage Museum.... )to the malls (Paragon, Takashimaya, Far East, Vivo City, Suntec City, Explanade Mall, Wisma Atria, United Square, Novena Square, Velocity.... only a few out of the 250+malls in the city!!!)to other attractions (river cruise, singapore flyer, sentosa, botanical garden, bugis village, east coast...), I went to a lot of places!!!! Time well spent resulting to achey legs (as much as 20k steps per day!!!! c/o my pedometer). Kaye made a list of food I should try... I tried most of them... Chilli crab tops my list (from no signboard)!!! Laksa closely follows and then roti prata (Jaja!!! Roti Heaven!!!! You'll love this! Remember banana leaf curry? This one is much better!), chicken rice, satay etc.... Do you know they have a dish called carrot cake? But it's not dessert, nor is it made out of carrots. Haha. It's made out of radish with the texture of tofu. Very interesting. I didn't try the fish head curry... stuck with the regular curry, and of course, ate the japanese curry kaye made at home--- I loved it so much I ate it everyday. It's vegetarian curry, tuna and mushrooms and it tastes FAB!!!

Speaking about Kaye's curry. Ahah! I dub her vege curry dish-- Curry Kee. Haha. Kee kasi mahilig sila sa ganon spelling dito. Wee Nam. Mee Goreng. CURRY KEE! This goes out to you sister!!! For making this healthy curry!!! Btw, her REF/pantry is a hodgepodge of food cultures. And what's funny is it's kind of balanced. Lotsa healthy food, and lots of sinfully delightful food too. So + and - makes 0? Haha.

I don't know, maybe because when we were growing up we would eat any kind of food (even if we were tricked into eating it... eg. Kara's Wasabi experience: The wasabi was shaped into a leaf... or was that a flower, and I asked my dad what it was, he said it was candy... so what would little me do as a kid? Eat it of course!!!) and so we've got a diverse palate, one could say. She's got fresh fruits (strawberries are abundant in her ref, unless I finish it! And lemon is for the water... for detox or to put into sugar-free iced tea, which I do), lee kum kee XO sauce, Jack Daniel's Honey Mustard (Who knew Jack had a mustard line???), cheese slices, frozen dumplings, ben and jerry's chunky monkey ice cream (which I have been consuming in secret hahaha), royce chocolates, muesli, cheerios, milo (just like home, we always have milo), bottled tuyo in olive oil, betty crocker's muffin mixes, chicharon (which I brought for her hahaha and which I consumed... she's doing a lenten sacrifice by not eating meat and chocolates, if I did that... kill me, really), Friday's chips ( hidden away at the topmost shelf of her cabinet, and for a reason. I can't reach it, she prolly can, but she's gotta stretch. Hahahaha. Put temptation outta sight.), pasta sauces, buckwheat twirly pasta, bundaberg light ginger beer (which again I consumed), vege curry (which I finished too hahaha)... italian, filipino, american, singaporean, indian, chinese etc. Although there is a GREAT ABSENCE OF MEAT. Yes, she reminded, because it's lent. Oh yeah. Mah bad. Although she doesn't impose it on me, she makes me eat regular food when we eat out.

Everyday I set out with the following things:
1. Money. (Thank you Kaye!)
2. EZ link card, Top up card 128 (load for singtel), Park Infinia entry card, house key--- The Visitor's kit we call it
3. Bottle of water
4. Snacks
5. Cellphones (singtel and globe)/ camera
6. Alcohol!
7. Maps!!!!

So far, I survived doing tours alone. Once you get the hang of how the cool public transpo works, you're good. It was fun, going wherever, walking the streets, hanging around the bus stops, foodcourts, steps by the bay, although, only problem, i had to take a lot of pictures without me in it, if ever i was in it, it was either taken by another person or my head was strategically angled to include the attraction behind me. Haha. But it was amazing! For such a small country, they know how to showcase their history really well. And they magnify their attractions too. Very good marketing!

Singapore, the land of shopping malls, high-heels, pda couples, designer bags, fake eyelashes and chilli crab! I'll miss it dearly. But most especially, my sister. (nax.) She took care of me, just like an older sister would. Plus, she gave me this opportunity, she made me discover singapore on my own, with some guidance of course, hehe. Well, I'll be seeing her on April, as she'll be diving at Tubbataha (living aboard a boat in the middle of the palawan sea for 5 days!!!)and then of course, she'll be passing by manila too hahaha. But just a visit though, because she is of course based in Singapore, I call her the expat. Sounds like such a cool term. Haha.

As for the bisyos. Cigs and Booze are expensive here (and don't bring reams of cigs in, or out, it's illegal! They are eventually banning smoking here, scary...). In secret, unbeknownst to my sis, while touring sentosa, I stumbled upon CAFE DEL MAR (Head Kandi? sound familiar now?). I paid about 23sgd at cafe del mar (siloso beach, sentosa). Had 1 drink, 1 delicious drink--- my fave, mojito, with a lychee twist, one of their best sellers. And it was happy hour, so one-for-one (aka buy 1 take 1 hahahaha) and an order of fries (big secret!!! Haha. As Kaye tells me not to eat fast food, bk, kfc, mcdo, carls jr--yes, carls is alive here). That was my first and last encounter with booze. Unless, you count the light ginger beer I'm drinking right now as booze, then again, I just checked the bottle, there's no alcohol in it). Oh and as for the CIGS? Bummed from Gen (and it was lights pa, well, beggars can't be choosers hahaha). Hooked up with highschool classmates, Gen Mariano and Carissa Cristobal aka Coco Love, along orchard for some coffee at... STARBUCKS!!! It was fun reminiscing. Deng. We're old. Crap.(Kara takes a swig of her ginger beer, kunyari may alcohol nalang hahaha).

And so this blog ends, but the memories don't.

And yes, I've got tons of pasalubong. Haha.

First taste of Singapore

I arrived at the Changi airport really groggy and looking for a wi-fi connection, just so I could send a ym to jed. It's not exactly cheap to text or call via Singtel using your globe line. Fortunately, there was wi-fi in the airport and unfortunately I couldn't access my EQO (IM thingy Jed installed in my mobile) so I had to use the network. I sent the required "I just arrived here in Singapore" to Pop, Jed and Kaye (who of course was going to pick me up from the airport haha). While waiting for Kaye, I decided to go over to the vendo to see if I could actually get a drink. How come they've got cooler vendos anywhere but the phils.? Haha. Coffee, softdrinks, water, energy drink all in one vendo. Amanda gave me a 50c coin which she said I would use... my brain went ting tint ting!!! But alas! Kulang ako ng 10c to buy a drink hahaha. The vendo doesn't accept bills so where would I get coins? I decided to eat my Bo's Chicken BLT sandwich instead which I purchased in the airport back home. Like I said, I was asleep the whole flight. Lo and behold Kaye arrives, with bottled water!!! I am saved!

Kaye picked me up from the airport in her full suit... jogging suit that is complete with pedometer. Well, it's been a joke around the house that me going to singapore was going to be some sorta boot camp--- Kaye, who is training for a marathon and walks with a pedometer all day would drag me along with her. So seeing her in her full suit--- was this the symbol of things yet to come? Heehee.

Luckily, I was given a break. For now I suppose? Hardly got any rest. No I didn't exercise. We dropped off my stuff at her place (Park Infinia) which was fab. She has all the furniture I always wanted (I'll post the pictures when I get back to manila). Plus, I get my own room and bathroom. And she has a huge flat screen tv. Weeee!

I started my first taste of singapore life getting in a cab. Their cabs are equipped with GPS. Cool. Plus, their dial-a-cab services really work. I mean, they'll even tell you how many minutes before the cab picks you up! The transport services here are so efficient, you don't need a car! I tried the metro, the bus (which are mostly double deckers!) and the cabs. I was given an EZ Link (like a store value card) but you can use it for the bus and the metro.

First activity outta the house was going to mass at St. Theresa's Church. We road the 143 bus. This church is hightech too. They've got flat screen tv's every other pillar insaide the church where devotees can read the responsorial psalm to the hymns to the instructions for communion on it. And it's aircon. Another weeeee! Their mass was pretty long, they practically sang everything they could put into song... and there was this particular reader who looked very asian, but spoke with a british accent. Oh yeah, the colony. I loved his accent. Maybe I should start sporting one too? Hehe.

After mass--- sunday lunch at about 1:30pm (which is about the same time we eat sunday lunch back home anyway). Kaye brought me to Wisma Atria (one of the many malls located along the famous Orchard road)to their like food court, but a much better version of it. I saw the first stall, I was already hungry. We settled at I think the "Fortunate" resto. That's the name. Our table was sandwich between to places so we got hakaw from the Fortunate resto and delicious Shiok!!! from the adjacent jap resto. Shiok was just heavenly. Charcoal grilled eel wrapped with lightly roasted salmon= Shiok!!! Creamy, rich, smokey flavors just tickle your palate. Oh, and of course, I got my first taste of Laksa! It was good!No wonder it's my Mom's current addiction. She has Cristy cook Laksa at home too. Now, it's going to be better appreciated hehe.

What is singapore without shopping. That's practically all they do really. Plus, there's always a sale, according to Kaye. So I should look around first and figure out what I want to buy. Oh and Kaye bought me a new pair of rubber shoes, and a pedometer to match. Wee! I think I'm going to break 'em in today. She bought me a ticket to the Hop-on hopp-off tour bus too. Really cool. It's valid for 3 days and it starts tom., so I'm pretty excited although I have to study the maps here and bring one just in case. Everybbody in Singapore knows orchard road so whatever happens, I'll just take whatever transport that ttakes me to orchard road because from there I can get home.

Went home for a brief "siesta", a break for Kaye who totaled 20,000 something steps in one day. We had dinner at the East Coast, where No Signboard Restaurant is located. The best chili crabs in Singapore! I first saw this resto on the Asian Food Channel and from then on, I have been waiting for the day I'd get to taste it. Kaye ordered a 2Kilo crab and fried shrimp with cereals (raised an eyebrow at this one, turns out the cereals are good too, and it''s a diff. kind of cereals...) and of course, the fried bread which to dip in the chili sauce. Can you say- AMAZING!!! I couldn't get enough! Even my shirt was eating hahaha. So good. I ony stopped eating cos I got full. It's so addicting, right hint of spicyness and sweetness... myabe it's really made that way. So you keep coming back for more.

Anyhoot, have to bounce, gonna cook my "brunch" then head out to explore. I still have to read my maps and list down the nearby places I can go to. If I get lost--- Kaye armed me with a singtel cellphone too! Ciao! Am off to my next adventure!

I just turned 1 week jobless!

So far so good! As my mother calls it, I am a free woman. Haha. I just turned 1 week jobless! I jump into the pool everyday for some exercise, read a book, do some cooking, update my online life, think of my boyfriend, play with my pets, have coffee with friends... it's pretty fun at this point. Aka "hates" me for the fact that when she dropped by, I was swimming, and I had Cristy bring out some delicious cheesesticks (your run-of-the-mill cheese and gouda cheese flavored with cumin) and water for merienda, she said "I hate rich people" and we both just laughed it off. After all, who doesn't want to be a good host? I am jobless as it is. It's funny really, I don't know how I keep my wits about... it's the recession and I'm jobless. Weeee! And to add insult to injury, am going on vacation--- Singapore here I come! I'm going to bunk with my sis, Kaye, who is an expatriate of Shell (not the ones you find on the beach but rather, petroleum it is). Weee! It's going to be fun! I'll stay for 2 weeks and be back on time for mine and jed's 1st anniversary! My gawd!!! 1 year! Weeee! Anyhoot, that's it for the meantime!

JoBLESS in the city

My first blog written on the first official day of being jobless! I'm jobless! Haha. I'm going to start jobhunting tomorrow, hopefully I'll convince Debbie to come join me as well. Going to do my clearance as well and harass accounting heehee. Finally got out of my sales position and I don't feel so bad. In fact, I feel free! Starting to make plans for the future, hopefully it all goes according to plan. Andieluv said that this should be THE year where everything falls into place, so rather than waiting, I intend to do something about it. So even if the recession is in full swing, trust me, there are a lot of openings, you just have to find the nice ones.

Declaration to the universe

I blog because I'm in love. I blog because I'm upset. I blog because sometimes life
is a tad bit frustrating. I blog because I want to share stuff.

I'm in-love. And yes, am sharing it with the whole world. Haha. A friend of mine told me that, if you shout it to the universe, it comes back to you (in seconds... in minutes, maybe years). Something related to the law of attraction. I wasn't paying much attention really, when Andieluv was explaining it over my wild rice and bean burrito, because, simply, my burrito was good and all my senses were aligned and directed to that burrito. So I just caught whatever I'm blogging here. So, immediately after I had wiped out the burrito, I started declaring to the universe a lot of stuff, once or twice (or maybe thrice) I cursed... Andieluv said NO! Don't! So I did my declarations to the universe, and they didn't quite seem like so according to Andieluv. So, like my normal self, I had to justify why I had said such a declaration. You see, I shouted I love Jed, in hopes that it does come back to me and should it reverberate to other people, I was hoping they'd feel the same (not not about Jed, silly!) at one point of their lives. They'd find that someone who they can declare their love for. Uhoh. Mushy.

This is just the best feeling in the world. Life is just to wonderful to be wasted on sadness and pessimism. No, am not changed nor am I reborn. I am just happy. Although it isn't the fairytale every girl dreams, it is nonetheless as close to it. Reality is reality. It never is perfect. It's just making the most out of it, of what is there, and transforming it to your personal fairytale. Watched the Cinderella story? yeah. I felt so giddy after I felt like prancing and dancing. But I ended up doing something different. I ended up looking at him, and seeing that look... and hearing those words. Then I thought to myself, I am so in-love.

Fairways and Bluewater Promos (BORACAY)

B, you're right! Pluggin' while Bloggin'! And I am so doing it again!

The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater is located near station 1 (1 minute shuttle
ride). We're a deluxe resort and we're gated too (it used to be a private membership club). It is not located on the main beach, however, we do have a private beach, our OWN private beach. So those who are tired of the same ol' main beach and would like to experience
some exclusivity (for the most part), try Boracay's biggest resort and the only one
with a golf course (18 holes baby!). Okay, so you're thinking, if they're not on the main beach,
how do I get there if this resort's an exclusive one. Fear not my friend. We offer a free shuttle service for our guests (I repeat: FREE), to the main beach... until Budget Mart or the middle of station 2. Getting back is just as easy. There's a shuttle every 30 minutes infront of Budget Mart, ready to whisk you away to the privacy of the resorts' premises. And for all the party people who end their day at 4am, call the front desk (that's where you checked-in, dear) and have yourself directly picked up... for FREE. Okay okay... blah blah... price? Hold your horses...


First and foremost, I must promote our Valentines Promo called

"Paradise Romance"
valid from February 1-28 at

Php9,999.00 NETT for TWO, 3D/2N stay in a Superior Deluxe Room,
extra night is Php4,000.00.
Inclusions:
Daily Breakfast, Room Massage for two, Special Set Dinner for two, Complimentary fruit platter upon arrival, Complimentary use of the private beach and swimming pool, Complimentary Shuttle ride to D'Mall and within the vicinity of the resort, Roundtrip Transfers from the Caticlan National Airport

Second, if you're in bora for that old adage... summer loving'... here you go!
It's our

Experience Package
at Php4,550 nett per person, based on double occupancy.

Meaning: you gotta be two in a room. So.. drag your best friend cos' you'll need somebody to look after you when you're drunk. Haha!
Inclusions? Simple. Daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers from the Caticlan National airport, Complimentary use of the private beach and swimming pool, Complimentary Shuttle ride to D'Mall and within the vicinity of the resort---- and if you think 2 nights and 3 days aren't enough, go for another night a Php4,000.00 (that still includes breakfast for two)

And... okay... this is a BONUS!

It's our 2+1 Package (TRICK OR THREE'AT)

Get this! Stay for a minimum of 2 nights, get your 3rd night free! How much???
Per night is Php4,000.00, so you have to stay for 2 nights, that becomes Php8,000.00
and whattabout your 3rd night? Like I said! Free! So you pay Php4,000.00 per night, that's for 2 persons already (okay, so that's Php2,667.00 per night--- roughly Php1,334 PER PERSON PER NIGHT), inclusions are:
Daily breakfast, Complimentary use of the private beach and swimming pool, Complimentary Shuttle ride to D'Mall and within the vicinity of the resort

Spread the looove and summer fun!

Questions???? How to reserve? How to pay? That's easy!
e-mail boracaysales@quantumsuites.com or, if you're too shy to go through our reservations, email me at karalegasto@quantumsuites.com.

The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater- Boracay

Wow. Talk about stagnation. Time does fly by pretty fast, and before I know, another year has gone by. Well, Happy New Year!

So many things have changed the past few months. It's been a crazy ride. Really. Adjusting to my relatively new job is made difficult by a person. I guess there is always bound to be something, someone who you will not always like, for one reason or another. Went through a very stressful pre-xmas break. 2 colleagues planned to resign because of the person I am referring to. Luckily, I was able to persuade one of them not to. But now she's on leave for about two months. And it was the other person's last day this friday. So, it is pretty much getting to be even more stressful. But what the hell, I'm tired of ranting so I'm going to stop. Shit happens. If shit falls infront of you, best thing is to avoid it, which is what I am doing just to lessen the mounting stress of work.

Currently, I am with Quantum Hotels and Resorts, the boracay property, The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater. Still in Sales and Marketing... so if anybody wants to go to Bora and experience a whole new side of it, stay with us. We're a deluxe resort, with the only golf course in Bora, and our very own private beach, spa and swimming pools (oh an a butterfly farm to boot!). Inquiries? E-mail me at karalegasto@quantumsuites.com

Getting to know you!

I think drinking starbucks everyday is quite a drain to any young person's finances-- even the yuppies. However, maybe if done every other day, it won't be quite as draining hehe. Every other day lang nga!

At work, the phrase "starbucks tayo" connotes "we have to talk/ I have a problem/ girl talk". And so Starbucks basically was on our agenda twice this week. I wont go into specific details but it felt better when we were able to talk and reminsce about how it all started, and now am leaving, reminsching has gotten to be quite a sentimental thing. I have no idea why am posting this but maybe it's for the sake of remembering? Or annoying? Haha. So far, it's been a year and 3 months, this is what I know about my officemates, old and new. I'm just sticking to the interesting stuff here, hehe

Geneefur/Geneevieve aka GENEE: Hates calamansi. She can even smell calamansi off other people! She plunging necklines to show of her watermelons (heehee peace!). She's a non- coffee frap person. She smokes winston lights. She's the queen of make-up.

Jayleen/Gelenne aka GELEEN: Absolutely does not eat chicken--- of any sort. Gets squeamish at the sight of blood (whether animal or human). Is Mommy and Daddy's girl. Has a secret supply of goodies in her drawer (according to olive!!! haha). She's into the color purple-- anything purple... even post its, which belong to Ms. Vam, our boss, haha. She can sleep under the coordinators table (it's a big table, don't worry.)

Olib/Doogsh/Olivia aka OLIVE: The perfect slimmers world model, she used to be obese, not she's slim and sexy. Does not eat rice, pork, beef. Only fish, chicken and pansit. Hehe. She cooks very delish pancit bihon. Cannot stand being quiet or a quiet room (she's innately noisy). Most of her clothes (minus office wear) are tube tops. She's in heels 24/7. She's a car enthusiast. She's pure chinese yet has a filipino boyfriend.

Sir Gereoneh/ Sir Gerger/ Hari ng Sablay aka Sir Ge: Health buff but smokes and drinks a lotta coke! Consumes more than 4 cans a day. He's got a sideline: Graphic Artist/ webby designer. Will eat anything. Will bum yosi from anyone but never buys his own. Owns a franchise of Kiss King of Balls. Times out at exactly 6pm. On the dot. Nephew of Cong. Singson. Maginoo pero medyo bastos. His fave expression is "I laaaaavvvveeeet!" with matching tongue action. This one you gotta see!

Vam/ Vavam/ Bossing/RM/DOSM aka Ms. Vam: Post-it queen. Writes her bilins on post-its and sticks in on our desk. She's very very feminine. Designer bags are her thing (Balenciaga and LVs!!!). Anything less than those... do not exist. For the men out there, she does not like roses. ONLY tulips! She's not a dessert person, which is a good thing for us because she gives whatever sweets/desserts she receives to us haha. She's a bit OC. She cooks! My fave! Her tuna pasta is heavenly! Absolut Currant is her ultimate favorite--- mix it with sprite and drop a cherry on it, perfect!

So... how about me? I think I'm exempted. Hahaha!

Ta-da! The things you learn about other people that make them unique are the things you will remember.

Birthday at the Piano Bar, Hotel Rembrandt

Upped the ante! Had a small celeb at the Hotel last thursday at the Piano Bar. Invited of course, were my officemates and the Resident Manager Ms. Vam, who is my Boss and some good friends. The GM answered our cry for a bottle of Absolut Mandarin, and San Miguel (with Genee's powers)provided the beer. Haha. Ms. Vam provided the tuna pasta (which we loooove!), Ms. Ria provided the barbecue and Sir Ge and Ms. Ria surprised me with a cake! Awww. Anyway, had so much fun, did a lot of catching up, Genee was her usual entertaining self minus the dancing bit (infront of the GM hahah), bonding and of course drinking. Lisette was our surprise guest! Fresh from the States. I love you L! Sir Gereon surprisingly stayed until 12mn when he usually bounces before 9pm. And everyone stayed past 12mn which of course made me happier. I would have stayed longer but I had to wake up early to do some last minute packing for our Kota Kinabalu trip the following day (Jed was to pick me up at 10am, I bargained for 11am... we settled for 10:30am). Weeee!

After office hours

After office hours couldn't get any better. I think I burned and burped everything I ate just laughing my ass off with the girls! We've made it a habit to go to starbucks to "talk" about our future plans but really just end up talking about oh-so-mundane yet funny stuff. We had a brief dinner at Jobee (which I didnt enjoy much, I think their fried chicken has changed!) and Genee was already all warmed up just throwing comments and silly remarks at poor innocent people eating their dinners. I thought Genee had a bout of diarrhea, verbal diarrhea man! Her silly remarks, witty comments were all so funny I could barely walk straight. Oh and for the record, while we were crossing over to Starbucks, Olive was in such a laughtrip mood that when she stepped into a puddle (she was wearing slippers FYI!) it took her a few seconds to actually realize that her foot was freakin' drowning in dirty water... ewww! Joann and I were right behind her, so we witnessed everything. What else could we do but continue laughing! Then the frontliners (Genee, Geleen and Tina, our practicumer), those who were busy laughing about something else wondered why the hell our laughter at the back was so loud even people in their cars took a peek at the commotion. So, everyone ended up laughing about Olive's now dirty and wet foot! When we got to starbucks, we were planning to use aliases, like real fake ones mehn. Sometimes I think she'd make a good comedy bar host. Her remarks are so funny even the beggar boy outside starbucks stopped begging when Genee started begging from him instead! Whappak! Then I figured, that could work! I should do that too!

So at Bux, for some reason, we got greedy again. We decided to chip in for dessert. A Huge ass cinnamon bun and pistachio choco cake, whatever it's called hehe. Of course, ordered our drinks... Joann, ever Ms. Java Chip. No fail java chip. Haha. Stayed at Bux till about 10:00 and then went back to the Hotel because Dolce was still closed hahaha! Deng! So much for ladies night with my peeps hehe. Genee and I picked Andrea up from the Hotel and headed to Dolce for ladies night, and did, what ladies do on a night out... T-A-L-K about M-E-N. Haha.

Ended the night at 12:30am... still had my 9am work the following day. Maow. After office hours like this on such a mundane day is such a pleasant change for everybody!

CLA Frosh 2002 AB IS LR 27

Did you understand the title? If you did, well hallow classmate! Haha! Paging the gang, you know who you people are! Noel (formerly Nuel back in our Frosh days at la salle) texted me the other other day asking if I had received Es' business card. Woot! I smell a reunion! Ina's coming on December, and of course, destination: Bohol! I haven't seen Es, Kate and the gang since I transferred to UP (Oh wait, I saw Ina before she migrated to Canada!). Of course, I saw Noel a couple of months back, so different from the Nuel I knew back in the days. It has been 6 years since our Frosh year at La Salle, all taking up International Studies under CLA! College of Liberal Arts, home of the hotties, jocks and activists (Kate!). I miss you guys!

August!

Another sunday spent at work! Three cheers for the hardworking people! Haha. Anyhoot, it's august already. That just means one thing. I am going to age another year. Haha. Oh and of course, august 8, 2008. A lot of people are getting married this month, am pretty sure!

So anyway, I gotta straighten up and re-examine my road to financial bliss. Is there work which you actually don't have to work hard at? Not that I'm not happy about where I am now, it's just there are so many things I want to explore, so many things I want to do, but what the hell, this is cliche. I'm sure a bazillion other people have said this. So now, here I am, job-hunting once again, getting out of my comfy chair and exploring other possibilities. As they say in interviews, "exploratory mode". I've done a lot of interviews, I'm not nervous anymore. Unless of course they want to eat me alive or something.

Suggestions? Mere thoughts? Share 'em with me. Haha. Oh yeah, and job openings! Haha

Stressful days

Don't think that only boyfriend's get stressed trying to plan their respective birthday parties. Nooo. Even girlfriends do too. Imagine, trying to think of what to give. What plans to make. Coming up with a surprise for him. Trying to fix your schedule to make sure the "plans" fall into place. Bought a bag for Jed at Debenhams (and he loved it!)and a swiss knife (because of his ROTC background) and of course, mini-cupcakes from shoppesville (katips) which I had to pick-up after work! (In the afternoon I had come from BDO in GH for an exam, then had to go back to work, then had to drive to Katipunan! My gawd!) Then Jed picked me-up from the house and we hopped over to his, and that where I lit all 24 cupcakes with little candles so he could blow 'em. At last it was over. Or so I thought haha! As a girlfriend, I offered to contribute carbonara to his birthday party on friday. So I had to grocery and bring the ingredients to my granma's house for her cook to... cook. Haha. So anyway... next on the to-do list...

For a little unwinding after a couple of Stress-filled days, we celebrated Genee and Olive's birthday at the Hotel (Piano Bar) and all I can say is, it was all good. Olive's macaroni filled my belly to the core, as well as the huge tray of california maki (care of Ms. Ria)and the "bilao" os sisig from Montalban donated by Sir Dan, a friend of the Hotel. Of course, what would a grown-up party be without the alcohol? San Miguel Beer and Absolut Vodka (Currant and Mandarin of course) were made available... and we were free to concoct our own mixes in the bar. Weee! Ended the night at around 12:30am and of course reported to work the following day at 9am haha.

Deng it's been awhile

Deng, it's been a long time since I've last blogged. Work. Play. Looking for a new job. I don't know. Am in a bit of a... I wouldn't say a rut but am so confused about what path to take. Bummer. Although am happy with my current job, I would like to explore other options. How I missed blogging. So many things have changed since May.

If you know of any openings, hahaha, you know where to reach me.