Feeding Program

A friend gave me food yesterday and I ate it just this morning. This, bar none is one of the best adobo and laing I have ever had. EVER. And I do not even used to like laing, but I ate this one. 

Thank God for good friends who include me in their feeding programs. :) 

Them who got away

The thing about work is, sometimes you cannot help but get attached. I am talking about people, your work in general or your accounts.

The thing about getting attached to people is, they leave. People you are closest to, whom you have this amazing work chemistry and that you are familiarly fond of leaves at some point. Or you leave them. And when they do, they leave a huge hole that is so hard to fill. If it can at all be filled.

Pao, Jeri, Christine and Edwin 

Today may be the last time I will see Pao and Jeri. Well, more Pao than Jeri because Jeri will just be at Adora Greenbelt. But Pao, he will be leaving the country and will only be back in the next three years.

On Pao's last day, he made me cry. He wrote me this amazingly profound  and heartfelt letter.

Pao was this wonderful person who has been so easy to work with. He was smart, precise, fast and he gets me. He compliments me in ways I never thought possible. One of my best media launches was with him, and we got 137 media attendees!

Out of work, Pao is objective when I cannot be objective. He tells me things upfront, no holds barred. He is loyal and he is a good friend.

Such bond is something I hope I will be able to find soon, with the new set of AEs coming in.

Up North on a Whim...

It has been a pretty interesting weekend. I mean, room mate is the last person to drive anywhere on a whim, so, it was such a pleasant surprise that he agreed to do this! 

With kiddo and two sisters-in-law, we went up the wonderful, beautiful city of pines and then had an absolutely amazing lunch at Thunderbird Resort's Fiesta Casino and Restaurant the following day. The weather was absolutely wonderful, bright and sunny. I wish we had more time. 

Closing Time

Sometimes, it feels you have just reached the end of your strings. That before, you used to let go of things because you just want the person to be in your life, no ifs and buts. But in any relationship--be it friendship, professional or romantic, there will be a point when you just have to let go, that you are not so blinded anymore and that you refuse to give so many chances you end up being the perennial doormat.

Today, I might have reached that. Maybe this is what I need. Yes, I suppose this is what I need. My questions will never be answered. My needs will never be met.

So, why do I even bother?

Maybe you have reached it too.

Nesting 101

One thing I haven’t written about in the blog is where we are currently living. So let me start.

Last year, a few months after summer, there were a few changes in our family life. It has been one of the most strenuous, interesting and moving (literally and figuratively) phase, which will and has probably made dents and marks here and there, leading to where we are now—a place (not so much) of our own.

It was pretty hard at first. No I mean, up to now, really really hard. There were a lot of pinching and crunching here and there. But slowly, and thank God for a lot of unaccounted for blessings and surprises, we were able to get the basic things we need, carpet included.

Living on your own has a lot of dis and advantages. Let me enumerate them, well, all that I can remember now.

The DIS-advantages:

1.   Paying the bills—all of it –for someone who’s been living with her family for most of her life, and well, the roommate’s parent’s for the last 3 years, paying the bills is the last thing we were asked to do. There were some bills but those were minor. Now that we moved to our first home, and you have to buy everything, you feel the little pinches here and there. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for freedom.

2.   For emergency, you rely on yourself. And only your self—last year,I underwent appendectomy. My tummy was aching for a few days already, but I opted to ignore it. I even continued my fitness ritual and went around meeting people that Sunday. The Monday after, when I finally decided there might be a tiny bit wrong, I was asked to just stay in the hospital and have an operation. And there were days when I stayed in the hospital alone, which I did not mind at all. I had good friends who visited me every now and then and some I would have wanted to visit but did not try that hard (you know who you people are—but I forgive you. Everytime.), but most of the time, save the time my dad (who is quite frequently there), I was alone. And you know me, I now love me time.

3.   Eating may or may not be communal—for someone who thrives in communal eating, living on your own may entail occasional solo eating. And cooking for oneself—which most often translates to just munching on carrots/fruits/ cucumbers and other raw items on the fridge.

4.   TV becomes your BFF. Or torrents. Or DVDs. If all else fail, there is always the internet. And work.

5.   You do everything by yourself. Yes, you can have a help or two but when it comes to macro, you do it alone.

The advantages

1.   The first advantage of living on your own is of course, the freedom. Emotional, physical, freedom in all its forms—for someone who lived with her family forever, freedom and privacy is a something that is of utmost importance. There are no in-laws to consider, no other queens, no other rules—just yours and your roommate’s. Sometimes roommates can be overbearing too, but, still, that’s just one person.

2.   Another advantage of living on your own is, you get to plan, prepare and execute a diet, no matter how weird. Simply put, since you are doing your own groceries, you get to choose what goes inside the cart. You can throw a party and you can feed people jelly beans and no one will care. Seriously. 

3.   Living on your own entails (and will train you to be more) discipline(d). With your combined incomes, you more or less know the cash flow on a monthly basis. So, you start to learn about budgeting and seriously sticking to it.

4.   Living on your own makes the other people you used to live with miss you. Sort of. Or at least it makes you indifferent to what they think about you.

5.   Finally, living on your own makes you a little more respected. It doesn’t matter that there are still times when money is not as fluid. Or you cannot cook, period. Or you still fight like babies. In front of all the other people that matters, you are grown ups, you are independent and you get respected accordingly. ##

Summer is gone.

Today marks the end of my more than a week-long vacation. This is honestly one of the most fun I have had since the room mate and I got together and started visiting the in-laws. I have honestly never looked forward to the vacation this much.

For six glorious days, I was able to go to the beach, swim and jog in the morning without a care. Oh it was simply heaven. If only I can do this for the rest of my life. Maybe I can. Or I will. In time.

It was so much fun to jog almost every morning near the beach, although the first time I did it, on a black Friday, I had a dog encounter. There was this huge dog who went to me, kept on barking. I thought I would die then. It was also fun to have such a walking distance access to the beach! Now i kninda know why people want to live here.

One of the best experiences this vacation is Vigan. I have never been there and before the trip, I made room mate promise to take me. And he did, together with his family, we all went on a Saturday. Vigan was exactly what I imagined. Maybe more commercialized, but as beautiful and as preserved. 

There were buildings that can use refurbishing though. But it was all interesting, surreal at times but beautiful. The cobblestone walk, the stone buildings, the beautiful sound of the kalesa and the horses--it was like walking in some period film.

There were of course a lot of local delicacies and food like the bagnet, longanissa which room mate love and which we kinda hoarded ;), local crafts and more! 

On the way to and from Vigan, left and right  were tobacco plantations. Roommate, being the agri person that he used to be, explained that if the tobacco plant has a flower, it is used by farmers to store seeds. 

After Vigan, we dropped by Baluarte, which is really a zoo with a yellow submarine. The animals can freely roam around the place, even the ostrich! There were sheet land ponies, llama, camels! There were also butterflies and snakes and tortoise! 

Ilocos was quite a long trip, but I must say, totally worth it. 

The 100-day photo challenge

Skimming through an acquaintance blog and i saw this. I am therefore challenging myself to do the same. I will start tomorrow.

The 100-day photo challenge

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 08 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of someone you do the craziest things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of your favorite store
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of the sexiest Woman alive
Day 19 - A picture of something you love to do.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you never leave the house without
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 25 - A picture of you from last year
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of your favorite night
Day 28 - A picture of your favorite place in the world
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of your favorite quote
Day 31 - A picture of food you made
Day 32 - A picture of what you did today
Day 33 - A picture of somewhere you went today
Day 34 - A picture of your favorite morning
Day 35 - A picture of your hometown
Day 36 - A picture of your pet
Day 37 - A picture taken at school
Day 38 - A picture of your favorite drink
Day 39 - A picture of your favorite food
Day 40 - A picture of your friends
Day 41 - A picture of your favorite weather
Day 42 - A picture of you listening to music
Day 43 - A picture of you celebrating
Day 44 - A picture that describes your life
Day 45 - A picture of your favorite cartoon character
Day 46 - A picture that you edited
Day 47 - A picture of your favorite animal
Day 48 - A picture of you more than 10 years ago
Day 49 - A picture of you and your best friend(s)
Day 50 - A picture of yourself
Day 51 - A picture of you wearing sunglasses
Day 52 - A picture of you dressed up
Day 53 - A picture of you in a car
Day 54 - A picture of you on your last vacation
Day 55 - A picture of you with a date
Day 56 - A picture of you all bundled up
Day 57 - A picture of you in your backyard
Day 58 - A picture of your hair all done
Day 59 - A picture of you at prom
Day 60 - A picture of you at a sports game
Day 61 - A picture of you in the fall
Day 62 - A picture of you on a ride
Day 63 - A picture of luggage
Day 64 - A picture of you at work
Day 65 - A picture of you at a park
Day 66 - A picture of you in the air
Day 66 - A picture of you doing something childish
Day 67 - A picture of you falling
Day 68 - A picture of you outside
Day 69 - A picture of a crazy night out
Day 70 - A picture of someone you don’t go a day without talking to
Day 71 - A picture of you with people you work with
Day 72 - A picture of you with unbelievable scenery
Day 73 - A picture of you somewhere warm
Day 74 - A picture taken professionally
Day 75 - A picture of you receiving a reward
Day 76 - A picture of you drinking something
Day 77 - A picture of you and friends making silly faces
Day 78 - A picture of you in the dark
Day 79 - A picture of you in the water
Day 80 - A picture of you and someone you love being silly
Day 81 - A picture of you with a character
Day 82 - A picture of someone you love asleep
Day 83 - A picture of you and a teammate
Day 84 - A picture of a school project
Day 85 - A picture of your favorite holiday
Day 86 - A picture of someone who helps you with school
Day 87 - A picture of someone you grew up with
Day 88 - A picture of your dream car
Day 89 - A picture of you at a hotel
Day 90 - A picture of you wearing your favorite color
Day 91 - A picture of you and your friends playing a game
Day 92 - A picture of your school
Day 93 - A picture of your favorite board game
Day 94 - A picture of you and your friends eating
Day 95 - A picture of you on a plane
Day 96 - A picture of your favorite movie
Day 97 - A picture of something you no longer have
Day 98 - A picture of you and your friends out somewhere
Day 99 - A picture that was first on your facebook.
Day 100 - A picture of you smiling

It was all yellow...

Last February 11, Sophie and I painted the UP Hotel yellow to celebrate two milestones--my 30th and her 4th birthdays.

So, as with the yellow theme, we got yellow centerpieces, yellow balloons and an amazing yellow cake. We opted to do the party at the UP Hotel because it is nearer everyone, reasonably priced and the food and service were amazing. The ambiance music was a combination of Switchfoot and then later in the afternoon, played our family favorite The Beatles.

I was expecting--hoping there would be more guests than the actual turn out but Sophie had a blast running around and playing with all those amazing kids. I knew she had fun. And that's fun enough for me :)

Hi, I'm Christine and I am an Aquarian.

I used to read horoscopes daily. Not just horoscopes actually. I used to have so much "pamahiins". Then I attended church. Which is very good. Now I leave everything to prayers and His guidance.

Nonetheless, I came across an aquaintance's blog and we share the same zodiac sign. Its pretty interesting so I posted it here. Here goes...

************************

"For those born Aquarius 2012 year of Dragon will be a year of action. There is an ample amount of energy needing release. 2012 is time to make your move. Sound your battle cry and use a little of the unique originality you were born with. Your creativity is being summoned for the greater good. A coming of age transformation, no matter how old you are, is under way, and it is happening fast. How exciting! 

You can expect much action and focus on communications, with Mercury, the Moon, and Pluto occupying this 2012 year the area of your horoscope that relates to siblings and short trips, and anything that assists this, like cars and kindles, ipods and androids. Our world is rich with communication devices in ways never seen before on Earth, (that we can remember). The lost continent of Atlantis is said to have surpassed our technological advances. There is a supportive trine aspect with mars that is truly a blessing. You will feel called to humanitarian causes, perhaps you will be a spokesman for these causes. There is an urgent sense of needed change, an enough is enough energy that will agitate you into speaking out. This impatient energy will be well-grounded as well. There is something you are building on, a solid foundation is being laid for you to stand upon. 

Being an Aquarius you are mostly going to enjoy all this fast action and energy. Uranus is your ruling Planet granting you with the urge to be free, truthful and independent. Aquarius is often the rebel genius, who enjoys shocking others. A trait that helps you to thumb your nose at convention. Pluto, one of the indicators of the soul’s evolutionary path, is also out to transform your communications. This 2012 year of Dragon you will feel drawn to create harmony through your words or art, self-expression is much needed and with Pluto contacting Venus in your 5th house of creativity you can bet something beautiful will come out of you; this situation is harmonizing. 

Neptune in aspect to Saturn will help you feel a sense of structure to a very unstructured transformation. This 2012 year you may not be used to having to discipline yourself, it’s so restricting, but with Saturn, the task master, in your house of identity, you will come across as very grounded and dependable- this energy will add an air of authority to all you do. The discipline will make sense now and you will feel grateful for the boundaries. 

Chiron with Venus will provide you this 2012 year of Dragon with very healing experiences relating to children, creativity, or romance. Perhaps you will meet someone now who helps you heal this area of your life. If you were stifling your creative self for any reason now you can expect a liberation of sorts, a liberation that may take some effort on your part- resist resistance and you will make fabulous strides towards your positive evolution. 

Jupiter, planet of expansion, faith and Vision in 2012 is in your house of partnerships and negotiations With Jupiter here you can expect luck relating to these areas of your life. A buoyant expansion of activity will leave you feeling blessed with a sense of wonder. Expect synchronicity that shifts your perspective and opens your mind to formerly unseen possibilities. Your sense of self is going to be changed as well. A more creative, perhaps a much deeper you is emerging through all this lucky expansion. Use your discretion when forming new partnerships, but do expect serendipity to arrive at some point this year. You will be learning much about partnership which can be tricky for an Aquarian, but all the magic surrounding these lessons will help you accept the process and appreciate partnerships in new ways. 

2012 year of Dragon is certainly a year with many developments. Exciting changes will keep you busy and your sense of purpose will be clear. You will not be able to stop yourself from rushing in and making a difference, follow your instincts and you will not be lead astray. Your originality will be noticed and your relationships will be productive, supportive, and rewarding. Hard work and originality will pay big dividends this 2012 year. Any transition can be difficult, good or bad, but the Aquarian parts of you will be reveling in all this newness. You are changing the status quo, just like you were born to do, and you will feel that sense of right all the way down to your toes in 2012." Shouts & Murmurs

Buddha Bar dining

Last night, the roommate, my new BFF and I went to attend a food tasting of sort at the what is to be the hottest upscale lounge and bar in this side of town--Buddha Bar. 

Lobster with noodles 

Buddha Bar Chicken Salad, Foie Gras and Lobster with noodles 

Chocolates at 10 PM is really a bad idea, but who cares? ;)
Warm chocolate  pudding,  creme brulee trio and caramelized chocolate something with avocado ice cream

Lamb Curry with Mango Sauce 

Pigging OUT!

Buddha Bar Chicken Salad