Pocketful of Sunshine May 3, 2008

A lot has happened over the past 2 weeks and obviously I haven’t had the time to update anything here. I can’t even post in GT Since I started at Globe the earliest I left the office is at around 7pm and tumatakas nako nun! Hehe I’m still at my learning curve and I’m sure I’ll get my rhythm soon. But seriously, no one stands up at 5pm sharp! When 5pm rolls in, it’s like 3pm - everyone’s deadma! Anyway, a quick recap of what happened with me — these past 2 weeks it was just house-work-quick yosi with BF-house — day in & day out that’s about what happens to me. I can’t even check my emails because when I get home I just take a quick shower, dress up and even before my head hits the pillow I’m asleep already. Yesterday (May 1), was my Lolo & Mama’s (Lola) 50th Wedding Anniversary! It was a grand celebration - they renewed their wedding vows in church and we had a huge reception at Max’s in Sucat. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I can since they’re not even uploaded to the pc yet.

I’m not a really huge fan of American Idol but I did like that Always Be My Baby rock version by one of the contestants (I know some are cringe-ing saying “You don’t know who he is?!” but as I’ve said I don’t have time to even check my emails what more watch TV). Last night, I caught some parts of AI and saw Natasha Bedingfield’s live performance of Pocketful of Sunshine and I LOVED it! Hehe she’s not even part of the show

Here’s the video of her performance - something to entertain you (and me) while I work (yes, I now bring home work… Pfft).

I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine
I got a love & I know that it’s all mine oh, oh oh oh
Do what you want but you’re never gonna break me
Sticks & stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh oh oh

Take me away, a secret place
A sweet escape, take me away
Take me away to better days
Take me away, a hiding place

I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine
I got a love & I know that it’s all mine oh, oh oh oh
Do what you want but you’re never gonna break me
Sticks & stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh oh oh

Take me away, a secret place
A sweet escape, take me away
Take me away to better days
Take me away, a hiding place

There’s a place that I go that nobody knows
Where the rivers flow & I call it home
And there’s no more lies in the darkness there’s light
And nobody cries, there’s only butterflies

Take me away, a secret place
A sweet escape, take me away
Take me away to better days
Take me away, a hiding place

Take me away, a secret place
A sweet escape, take me away
Take me away to better days
Take me away, a hiding place

Take me away
(I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine)
A secret place
(I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine)
To better days take me away
Take me away
(I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine)
A secret place
(I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine)
Take me away, a hiding place

The sun is on my side & takes me for a ride
I smile up to the sky, I know I’ll be alright
The sun is on my side & takes me for a ride
I smile up to the sky, I know I’ll be alright

Long Weekend April 9, 2008

At work, we follow US holidays so the long weekend that just passed doesn’t apply to us but we still get carried away by the hype. F invited BF and I to go with his family to Canyon Woods to celebrate his parents’ 35th wedding anniversary. He was worried since he’ll be stuck with his family he wouldn’t have anything to so he invites us along. It was such a fun day! Now I’m wondering why he thinks he’ll get bored - his family’s wonderful! Maybe because he’s been living with them since birth, he has seen past the wonderfulness of them already. Anyway, the baby of the family was with us so that was extra fun (baby of his older brother). We had sooo much food! We had CPA (Chicken Pork Adobo), rice (of course), salad (balsamic vinaigrette with strawberries & grapes), bread (focaccia, ciabatta, with herbs, w/o herbs, wheat bread loaf) - which we dipped in balsamic vinegar, olive oil & Parmesan cheese, & lasagna (instead of using ground beef F’s sis in law used meatballs) - this was just lunch! After lunch, we all had siesta. Then when I woke up at around 7 the table was set for dinner already!!! Buhay baboy! For dinner, we still had the bread, rice (of course), eggplant with tomatoes, garlic & balsamic vinegar - super yummy! - fried fish (it was tilapia, I think), steamed okra with bagoong, ensaladang mangga (also w/ bagoong, syempre), pork binagoongan, & left over lasagna. I didn’t eat too much since I was still full from lunch.

After dinner drinks consisted of a 5L mini-keg of Heineken draft beer - which I found too sweet, by the way - red & white wine & juice, hehe. I had both red & white wine and guess what, there was pica pica on the table ready to be devoured! F’s sis in law set up a beautiful cheese plate. It had strawberries, grapes (green & violet), Gorgonzola (love!), cheddar cheese and another cheese that I wasn’t able to get the name of. We also had fish crackers and more bread. I played poker (Texas Hold ‘Em) with BF, F, F’s brother & dad. The first round was just a ‘trial’ round while the next one we had a buy in of P50, hehe. The kuya was joking around that he bets the game will end up with the girl (me!) winning the game, guess what? I did! Hahaha! I joked to BF that we now had money to pay the toll - which is where we actually spent the money on.

It wasn’t that cold in Tagaytay maybe because it’s the summer, I’m not really sure, but it was cooler that night. We slept with the windows open but we still opened the fan, it wasn’t really “Tagaytay cold” enough. Of course, when we woke up food was on the table again. We had sunny side up eggs (I only ate the whites, of course), tapa, leftover eggplant (with garlic, tomatoes & balsamic vinegar) from last night, chili con carne & garlic fried rice. I had a little of everything though I finished up all the leftover eggplant.

We were out of the house by 11am since the owners of the house will arrive after lunch and the caretaker would still have to clean up the house. It was really traffic going back to Tagaytay. We decided to have lunch at Leslie’s - it was super packed! I think we waited around an hour to an hour and a half before we finally got a table. You could just imagine the waiting time before your food is served. We ordered 2 Special Bulalo, 2 orders of Lechon Kawali, 2 orders of Ensaladang Mangga, 3 orders of the Crispy Fried Tawilis, 2 orders of Laing & rice - of course.

While having lunch, another friend of ours I and his girlfriend K texted us that they were in Laiya (Batangas) and asked us if we liked to follow. Since F, BF and I were kinda bitin with the Canyon Woods overnight we replied and confirmed that we’ll follow - not knowing how far Laiya is!!! No one knew it was that far. Anyway, after Leslie’s we made our way to Startoll then Lipa then San Juan then to a dirt road going to the different resorts you can go to in Laiya. I and K were in Pahiyas, so of course, that’s where we went. We got there at 6:22pm already so we didn’t swim anymore, we just waded by the shore and wet our feet. There was a tent of Chowking there so that’s what we had for dinner plus halo halo for dessert, yummy. The boys drank a few rounds of beers and then we settled in the little room. F, BF & I decided to leave Laiya around 2am so as not to get stuck with everyone else who’ll go home the next morning. I was on the bed with I & K then F and BF were on the floor (on cushions). BF was facing towards the bed so he was staring at the space under the bed. He asked F if he wanted to switch places, F asked him if he’s feeling something “funny” that’s why he wants to trade places then BF told him no, he just wanted F’s spot because that’s where the vent of the aircon was. Then F started making up stories about red eyes peeking out from the bed, etc. BF jokingly sat up and pretended to see something then F stood up, opened the lights & panicked because he though BF saw something! It was sooo funny! 2 grown men trying to make themselves one with the corner of the room! Haha! Then and there F decided that he was awake enough to make the drive back to Manila. He was thinking that he didn’t want to travel at 2 in the morning when there was a long dirt road with trees on the side as his only view. I told them its their call, for me I was asleep at the back and didn’t wake up until we were at F’s house already.

My Saturday March 9, 2008

Yesterday was a very looong day. My friend M is getting married in April so we went to the manang who would make the gowns for the entourage to have me (together with a cousin & an aunt) measured for the gown. We both came from a shift Friday night so we didn’t have any sleep. Saturday morning, we left the office at 7am to go home to her house to leave my car & to meet up with M’s aunt & cousin. Thank God they were taking a driver because I wouldn’t have any energy to drive anymore. Divisoria is an area in Manila where you see all kinds of people from different walks of life. This is like the source of everything - fabrics, baking ingredients, baking stuff, ribbons, pans, pots, as in everything at 250% less the price outside (like department stores, boutiques or malls). But you could just imagine how crowded this place is. Don’t take me wrong, I like it here, not only because your thousand bucks can go a long way but you’d be surprised at the things you’ll see & experience. We walked to the manang then had ourselves measured then walked back out. Oh, we brought along 1 of the flower girls (she’s 6 years old) and she was mesmerized! Haha she kept on looking around and taking in the sites - I think she enjoyed herself! We had snacks in KFC but this was inside Tutuban Center already - airconditioned mall type center but with still low prices. We all slept on the way back to M’s house.

 

There’s a new Petron across the highway from M’s place that just opened and it’s like of the many gas stations in the metro that has coffee shops/establishments that was built in it. We stayed at Gonuts Donuts for a while. We were waiting for BF’s text so that we’ll know what time to leave for Mall of Asia. I had a Hazelnut Crunch cupcake (described in their website as walnuts and crunch swimming in smoky choco-hazel frost over chocolate cake) and a Choc-o-hazelnut frappe of some kind. The cupcake was yummy; it wasn’t too sweet and I liked how it was true to its name and had some crunch in the icing. The drink was a different story! It was sooo sweet I didn’t even finish it. M and I were saying that since the cupcake wasn’t sweet it was pretty balanced but no, it wasn’t. The drink was really too sweet for me - and to think I like sweets! M had hot coffee and a Butterscotch sticky roll (no picture in their website yet, tsk tsk) - that was too sweet for me too but she liked it so, good, because that was hers anyway.

 

M’s fiance works at Dell in their Mall Of Asia (MOA) site so she was still with me when I went to MOA. We just walked around when we got there. We attempted to look at Havaianas flip flops in All Flip Flops but there were sooo many people! You couldn’t even get close to the slippers on the wall because there was a crowd gathered in front already so we just decided to go to Crocs and look at their stuff instead. I am in love with the Malindi! It’s like the Prima but the style of this one is its a slingback! I WILL buy one! I will just have to save for it I want to buy one in Mango, Silver or in Turquoise. I want one in Gold but I’m not sure if it’s available, didn’t see it in their website. It’s priced at P1,850 (about $45.6 here. When M’s fiance, N, got out of his shift we decided to have dinner at Gerry’s Grill since M has a coupon that we can use. They ordered a Beef Casserole (P220) and rice while I had Tahong (Mussels) ala Pobre - P135) - now this was yummy! Every time we eat at Gerry’s (BF and I or with friends), I always eye this dish but never got to order it until yesterday. So now, every time we’ll eat at Gerry’s, I will have to order this. After dinner, we just stayed there to wait for BF to arrive. There’s a fireworks display in MOA every 7pm on weekends so we just waited for that. After the fireworks we went our separate ways already. BF and I decided to watch 10,000 B.C. - we caught the 7:50 pm screening - my take on this movie on a separate post. Since BF hadn’t eaten dinner yet, he did so after the movie. We ate at President Tea House over at the new “Baywalk” in front (or back) of MOA. It’s a row of restaurants by the bay. We ordered this yummy beef with rice noodles, siomai and mini siopao (pork buns). At this point, I was so tired already. I’ve been up for 24 hours (and counting) already. BF met up with our friends in Metrowalk but I called it a night already and headed home. I texted my friend who’s older brother put up a home service massage thing and I scheduled for one at midnight; we left MOA around 11pm. The massage was sooo good! The manang that they sent over was so nice. I like massages but I never liked the hard ones. And this manang had the right touch. Ahhh, pure bliss! I fell asleep immediately after that, haha!

Star Wars accdng to a 3 year old March 5, 2008

I found this YouTube link from my cousin’s review page in her Multiply. The kid is sooo cute & adorable. The video was obviously edited at the start but the latter part was not anymore which was where the kid did all the (cute) talking anyway.

Enjoy!ü

Southbound December 7, 2007

First, I want to greet Southbound a Happy, Happy 1st Birthday! Can’t really remember when I first discovered this blog but I’ve been an avid reader (and lurker at first) ever since. Not a day goes by that I don’t visit them, not unless I don’t have access to the internet. They talk about restos, bazaars, little cafe’s in the South and in the Metro that they aptly categorize as Sana Nasa South (loose translation: hope this was in the South). So there, Happy Birthday to you!

BF and I has a friend from the office who was sent to India for about 3 weeks to supervise newly trained analysts. Before this particular friend, 3 other friends were sent for the training. Anyway, he got back, I think last Sunday and come Monday he gave a cute ashtray as pasalubong. It’s not expensive but as cliche as it may sound, “it’s the thought that counts”. I get easily touched by these small stuff. And it truly is the small stuff that matters. Brief background on C — he was an acquaintance first because he’s BF’s team mate then he became a weekend drinking buddy then eventually he (together with his girlfriend, T) became our ‘jetsetter’ buddies. We already traveled to Bohol & Boracay together. It’s so nice to know that we have a ‘couple’ friend we can share problems with who knows us as a individually and as a couple.

Discoveries December 4, 2007

I just discovered this site, Joy of Baking. The link is there in my Blogroll.

So far, I’ve tried to bake Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies. It’s a hit here at home, especially with my brother. I’ve also tried “baking” pizza dough from scratch. I want to bake a lot of stuff! And I think I’ll utilize this site soon. I’ll study our oven when we transfer to the new house; there’s more counter space there.

These recipes are on the top of my “bake these ASAP” list:

• Chocolate Peanut Squares
• Cream Cheese Brownies
• Banana Muffins

Another site (which is also in my Blogroll) that I used to frequent and just re-discovered is Blogthings. It has these random tests that you can take and post to your blog or personal site or I think even in Friendster. Some of the tests/quizzes they have are:

• What carnival ride are you?
• What’s your Native American name?
• What’s your ideal marriage proposal?

These are just a few but there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of tests available. I’m sure you’ll see them here soon.

FX December 4, 2007

I was on my home from work last Friday. Along Sucat Rd., there’s an island separating the two sides of the road. Every few, uhm, meters (?) there would be spaces in between the islands so as cars can make U-turns or go to the establishments on the other side. Since, I’m going straight, whoever’s going to make the U-turn should make a full stop and inch slowly to see if there’s any oncoming cars (like me).

Then there’s this Tamaraw FX that came out of the nowhere in full speed and I almost hit him! I wasn’t able to honk anymore BUT what made me calm down was he raised his hand in a “sorry” gesture. And that’s ok by me. As long as you admit that it’s your fault then all’s good. These Tamaraw FX’s are being used as taxis therefore they are being driven by careless, “I’m the king of the road” taxi drivers. This driver was an exception and I hope that all taxi (and jeepney and bus) drivers are like him.

11 Mistakes every woman should make November 22, 2007

at least once - and preferably soon! Taken from Glamour magazine August 2002 issue.

1. Having a big lunch before shopping for jeans. You’ll buy for the body you have — not one that never eats, sits or exhales.
2. Not checking in with work while you’re on vacation. P.S. Don’t feel deflated when the office doesn’t burn down in your absence.
3. Talking to a stranger. Especially if he’s hot.
4. Completely losing it. A well-timed hissy can be more effective than “please” and “thank you”.
5. Buying on impulse. Impulse is 90% instinct, and yours are generally good.
6. Rambling on in front of a new guy. If he thinks you’re adorable when you’ve forgotten your point, it’s a sign that he’s smitten.
7. “Forgetting” your cell phone. Imagine… giving the world around you your undivided attention!
8. Wimping out. Opting not to bungee jump or sky dive or otherwise behave like you’re on Fear Factor shows a healthy self-preservation instinct.
9. Having unsafe sex - the emotionally vulnerable variety, not the condom-free kind.
10. Making a fool of yourself in public. Wear a big foam finger at a ball game, or belt out “I’ve Gotta Be Me” at a karaoke bar. The joy of it will make up for any embarrassment a million times over.
11. Ignoring the old saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. Your enemies don’t like you; keep them far away. But friends - who can have too many?

I was initially looking for the 100% guilt-free page but for this issue it wasn’t there but I found this one instead - goody! Hehe

Storm’s a-coming November 22, 2007

It’s been raining all night last night (and most of yesterday afternoon) and it’s confirmed that there’s super typhoon coming in. It’ll make landfall by tomorrow - judging by how bad the rains are today already it’ll only get worse by tomorrow. I love the rain. I like it especially when it just hits the ground and you smell the newly bathed grass - hmmm.

Anyway, I was looking for a magazine to read while smoking and I just picked up this old issue of Glamour (June 2005 issue to be exact) and as I was browsing through it I came across the 100% guilt-free page and remembered why I love the magazine so much. Now, I want to find all back issues of Glamour that we have here at home and copy all the 100% guilt-free pages because they’re hilarious and most of all, they’re all true! And, uhm, I can relate, hehe.

Here’s the 100% guilt-free page from Glamour’s June 2005 issue:

Hey, it’s OK…

• if you’re secretly convinced there’s something to that whole hear-the-ocean-in-a-seashell thing.
• to own more eyeshadow than you can possible wear in one lifetime.
• if the only place you’ve had sex is in an actual bed. One location - but a thousand possibilities!
• to start your day with potato chips, ice cream & sausages - as long as you’re prepared to end it with Alka-Seltzer.
• to have a crush on your plumber, our hairdresser, or your daughter’s principal. You depend on them for a fully functional life - it’s only natural.
• to put your Michael Jackson albums away until this whole thing is over. (I guess this is talking about the case he has in court –??)
• to delete any all all chain e-mails - even those from close friends - without opening them (teehee, guilty!).

It’s Thanksgiving weekend, yey! I get 2 days off from work because we follow our client’s (US) schedule. Good thing I’m not a processor anymore because they have overtime until Saturday! Whew. Looking forward to spending quality time with BF.

Rainy Days & Thursdays November 15, 2007

When I left the house for work last night it wasn’t raining - yet. Almost always when I get in the car and start the engine I open my window, of course, the engine’s not heated yet so I don’t turn on the aircon until I’ve drove a bit already. I stopped by a friendly neighborhood convenient store to buy cigarettes, so naturally I’ll have to close my window — but nooo it won’t close! The, uhm, motor’s getting jammed so the window won’t close all the way and the glass is not going in between the rubber around the window. At this point, it has already started drizzling. I was, ok, it’s not actually raining, a light drizzle won’t get thru the itty bitty space of the window. It takes me about an hour - hour and a half to get to work, depending on the traffic but with my schedule it’s always traffic - rush hour sucks. So, it starts to drizzle harder. The car’s constantly moving so I really didn’t get wet. I got to the office safe & dry.

This morning on my way home, it was drizzling again so that’s fine because I survived last night’s drive. I picked up M (same M from previous posts) at Medical City because a processor from the office was rushed to the hospital for abdominal pains (it wasn’t gas, wasn’t the appendix - it was on the opposite side anyway, and popping a pain reliever and putting a hot compress didn’t work either). She was injected a sedative (lucky! haha) and they needed to wait before blood & urine tests can be done so M & I decided that I’ll just pick her up and have breakfast. Before leaving the office I tried my darnest to pull up my window as close as it can so that it’ll at least reach the rubber.

When it rains, it pours. Turns out there’s a low pressure area or something somewhere; that’s why we suddenly have this heavy downpour even if there’s no typhoon coming. We decided to have breakfast at McDonald’s. I parked the car and again pulled at the window (by this time it was raining hard already) attempting to close out the small gap between glass & rubber. I figured it was ok already. While eating, it really rained hard. Subconsciously, I was thinking of my car window and sure that my seat was getting wet already since the car wasn’t moving the rain would just drip in. After eating, as soon as I got to the car and opened the door - whaddayaknow, the seat is wet. Good thing I have a small rag in the car so I just sat on that. I brought M back to the hospital and went on my merry way.

On the way home, it rained even harder! I didn’t think that it would get worse, but it did. Didn’t really get wet anymore because I closed the gap already but still, I’ll have to have the window fixed. So I went to an uncle’s (dad’s friend) shop to have it fixed but the mechanic wasn’t there yet so I just went home and made sure that the gap wasn’t there anymore.

I still enjoy driving in the rain.

———————–

Our 13th month pay was credited today, together with our salary. Woopee! I borrowed P2,000 (rough estimate: $45.45) from M last week so when I checked how much salary I got, I withdrew 2k for her already. She treated me to breakfast though, so that’s nice. I ordered a Big Breakfast (1 sausage, scrambled eggs then muffin or rice - I had rice) plus a hash brown, hehe. Oh and hot chocolate too since it’s raining.

I just finished reading Killjoy by Julie Garwood. I looove romance novels and this particular one, I’ve read twice already prior to my reading it recently, so this is the 3rd already. I’m like that, if I don’t have new book I read old ones. And if they’re old ones, I usually read 2 at a time since I know the story already I just like reading mushy romantic stuff all over again, hehe.

Can’t wait for the weekend!