Being Me

Feeding Frenzy

2007-10-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Today's theme was "food," because my entire day was punctuated by it. Funnily enough, considering that yesterday I was just so happily involved in doing what needed to be done that I had my first meal of that day at almost 5:00 pm (and only because I almost passed out).

This morning, I went to our Prism office in Greenhills after what seemed like a very long hiatus (I almost forgot what floor we were on, haha!) - especially since my partner John and I were both sick over the last week. After just a few minutes of conversation, John pulled out his lunch ("You can have half my scrambled egg sandwich, it will make you very happy!"). Speaking of which, you just gotta ADORE this guy: he would have been my absolute-st favorite-st classmate in elementary school if we had in fact gone to school together...but instead he was my favorite classmate in the Landmark Advanced Course, who eventually became my favorite matchmaker and relationship guru, and is now my favorite business partner (sorry guys, I love all of you, but John takes the cake). And, speaking of cake, our beloved Tita Calay whipped out slices of banana cake for John and myself, while offering her own very interesting lunch of pesto rolls. At the end of the hour, John still had half his sandwich (I didn't have the heart) and I'd had about half a slice of Tita C's cake, on the excuse that Gaile had lunch ready and waiting for me at the law office.

Fast forward a few minutes, and I found myself at nearby Santi's to break a PhP500 bill - my parking fee was short of PhP5 and I didn't want to shortchange the attendant. In the process, I spent almost PhP200 to make good on a PhP20 parking fee, as I got tempted by a few grams of Gruyere cheese and a beer sausage.

And that wasn't even lunch, since Gaile had gotten me some beef tapa and batchoy at the new tapa restaurant near the Wack-Wack law office. I ate that while exchanging anecdotes with my law partner Kenneth, and then settled down to review a contract and do some studying, while texting Lianne in Cebu that I remembered the name of my favorite puchero restaurant over there (Abuhan!). After which...

I headed over to the Landmark Education workspace near Rockwell in the pouring rain, toting my cheese, sausage, and crackers. Inside was a hungry posse who demolished the offerings in a few minutes (always a good thing to bring food to the Center, just like a week ago when Luch went through two bags of barquillos a street vendor sweettalked me into buying). Because that was just a snack, I ordered an early catfish salad dinner from Som's next door to tide me over while working...which I was in the process of consuming when Susan came in with bags of food, food, and more food: Kenny Roger's chicken and sidings plus BreadTalk goodies. Yummers.

After what seemed like just a few minutes, Arvy walked into the Center with boxes of revel, fudge, and oatmeal bars (dessert!!), what would have been the perfect cap to the evening...except that Ging appeared next with bags of potato chips, chocolates, and soda! What the heck was going on in here!! (And just in time too, as I had the craving for munchies...duh). Not only that, she ordered even more food from Som's for her own dinner, enough to go around, so I had a bowl of really delish Tom Yum Goong as well.

I was surprised to look at my watch to see I'd spent almost six hours working at the Center (so the food "deliveries" were pretty well-spaced after all), so at around 11 pm, when I got home, you'd think I'd be pretty much full...but there was bistek Tagalog on the table, too good to resist...

And as I started to write this, my Santi's sausage seemed to be a little sad from the neglect, so I'm doing it a favor and putting it out of its misery.

Darn it, I've been gunning for the Lena Headey body, and this is what my day turned out to be. Oh well, Cebu tomorrow is another day...in Abuhan, barbecue at Larcian, crispy danggit...

No Lying

2007-09-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

1. Last beverage - Red Horse
2. Last phone call - Susan
3. Last CD played - Pauline's 2002 compilation
4. Last time you cried - last Wednesday (good tears)
5. Last text message from - Judith

SIX HAVE YOU EVERS.

1. Dated someone twice? Yes
2. Been cheated on? Yes
3. Kissed someone & regretted it? No
4. Lost someone special? Yes
5. Been depressed? Yes
6. Got drunk and threw up? Yes

LIST THREE FAVES
COLORS - orange, blue, white

THIS MONTH, HAVE YOU -
1. Made a new friend? Yes, many, today!
2. Laughed until you cried? No
4. Met someone who changed your life? Yes (everyone I met this month, did!!)
5. Found out who your true friend is? I've always known who they are.
6. Is there something you want to tell someone? No, I'll just go right out and tell them.
7. How many kids do you want to have? This month???
8. Do you have any pets? Yes
9. Do you wanna change your name? No
10. What did you do yesterday? Errands, business meeting, ILP coaching
11. Last time You had pizza? July 2007 in the US
12. What time did you wake up today? 11:30 am!
13. What were you doing at 12:00 midnight yesterday? Reading
14. Name something you CANNOT wait for? The rehabilitation of EDSA!
15. Last time you saw your ex? June 2007 hehe
16. What is one thing you wish you could change? I wouldn't change anything.
17. What are you listening to right now? The fan.
18. Have you ever talked to Tom? Selleck?
19. Who's getting on your nerves right now? No one.
20. Most visited webpage? Friendster, Facebook, Philippine Inquirer, EWTN
21. Coke or Pepsi? Coke (Light)
22. Have you seen anyone naked? Yes, shut up.

I Take the Fifth

2007-09-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

RULES:
1.) You can only say Guilty or Innocent.
2.) You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks!

GAME:
Danced on a table in a bar?
...innocent
Ever told a lie?
...guilty
Had feelings for someone whom you can't have?
...guilty
Kissed a picture?
...guilty
Slept in until 5 PM?
...guilty
Fallen asleep at work/school?
...guilty
Held a snake?
...guilty
Been suspended from school?
...innocent
Worked at a fast food restaurant?
...innocent
Sang karaoke?
...guilty
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
...guilty
Done something you regret?
...guilty
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose?
...guilty!
Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
...innocent
Kissed in the rain?
...innocent
Sat on a roof top?
...guilty
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on?
...guilty
Shaved your head?
...innocent
Slept naked?
...guilty
Made your boyfriend/girlfriend cry?
...innocent
Been in a club?
...guilty
Shot a gun?
...guilty
Donated blood?
...guilty
Eaten alligator meat?
...guilty
Eaten cheesecake?
...guilty
Still love someone you "shouldn't"?
...innocent
Have a tattoo?
...innocent
Like someone, but will never tell who?
...innocent
Hang out with people you shouldn't?
...guilty
Wanted to do something, didn't do it, and regret it?
...guilty
Been too honest?
...guilty
Cursed at someone coz he/she's not calling?
...guilty
Ruined a surprise?
...guilty
Ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you can't walk afterwards?
...guilty
Erased someone in your friends list?
...guilty
Dressed in a woman's clothes (if your a guy) man's clothes (if your a girl)?
...innocent
Joined in a search for Mr Pogi pageant (if your a guy) Ms Beautiful pageant
(if you're a girl)?
...innocent
Got totally drunk one night and you have an important exam tomorrow morning?
...innocent
A total stranger treat you by paying your jeepney fare?
...innocent
Get totally angry that you cried so hard?
...guilty

Lakbayan

2007-08-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Not bad, but there are a couple of thousand more islands yet to set foot on...

My Lakbayan grade is B-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Market Day

2007-08-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today was the first time in a long while that I went grocery/market shopping (not counting the times I was in the US scrounging for ingredients for the handful of dinners I prepared). The baby brother wanted bangus, the eagle wanted galunggong, I'm in a new eat-healthy phase - and so off to market I had to go.

First stop, semi-large supermarket that I've frequented since I was knee-high. The quaint thing about this place, aside from their regular fabulous selection of "sale" items (dried Chinese mushrooms for PhP80 instead of PhP150!), is that the cashiers still punch in the tag prices instead of scanning the bar codes. And, up until a couple of years ago, they still used those antiquated cash registers that went *kachaching, kachaching* as the item was punched. Funnily enough, they're much quicker than those scanner-supermarket deals.

Anyway, at that particular supermarket, I stocked up on a whole lot of tofu. I love tofu; but, aside from the tofu sisig that's been a hit for the catering business, I hardly know how to cook it. But I'll order it like crazy at Sushiya (Agedashi Tofu, Tofu Furai...yumm), Som's (Red Curry), or North Park/Next Door (Sauced Tofu) and be one happy camper.

I think that's my thing - the food I most love is the food I can't cook myself. Seafood is a prime example (next stop, save for a detour at the bookstore, Commonwealth Wet Market). I adore all kinds of seafood - crabs, squid, lobster, fish, oysters - but I can't cook it. That's my culinary Waterloo...and I'm rather grateful that I can actually be a consumer with respect to this kind of cuisine. I could eat paksiw na isda every single day of the year, or chili crab/special alimango ni Aling Tonyang. I cannot halabos a shrimp or ihaw a samaral. I make a mean ceviche, which is probably why I don't crave for it as much; but I will die for adobong/inihaw na pusit, ginataang kuhol, or Chinese steamed lapu-lapu, which I have no idea how to make (I actually do, but it's never quite turned out right). So I leave those to the experts, and just enjoy the end results.

Thus went my Sunday Market Day. I think I'm going to call in my trusty on-call cook to whip up the week's seafood menu, and perhaps cook a few dishes myself (that I won't be eating any time soon - you know how it is when kitchen familiarity breeds contempt). Maybe I'll find a tofu dish I can make and still manage to eat - who knows.

Bakas Ng Nakaraan

2007-08-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

1.Anong Student # mo?
85-***60, password ko pa rin yan hanggang ngayon, kaya secret. Oo, 85!

2. Ano ang 1st choice mo na course?
BS Biology

3. 2nd choice?
BS Zoology (nye)

4. Anong kurso ang natapos mo?
BA Communication (Broadcasting) - double nye

5. Nag-SHIFT ka ba?
Yup, from BS Humanities (Pre-Med) to the fun world of BA Comm!

6. Chinito/Chinita ka ba?
Kinda sorta

7. Nakapag-DORM ka ba?
Frustration...10 minutes away lang ako from campus, no excuse!

8. Nakauno ka ba?
Oh yezzz

9. Naka 3 ka na ba?
Hmph, only in law school

10. Lagi ka bang pumapasok sa klase?
HINDEEE

11. May scholarship ka ba?
Iskolar ng bayan! Ano nga kasunod nun?

12. Ilang units ang naipasa mo?
LAHAT. Pwe! 'Tsura nito...

13. Nangarap ka bang magcum laude?
Ng gising...di ako nerd (masyado)

14. Fave prof/s?
Jess Ramos (totoo!!), Diane Teotico (RIP), Malu de Guzman, Prof. Maranan ng Spanish Department, Pekto Fernandez, Arno Sanidad!

15. Worst teacher?
Asawa ni Pekto...sa PI 100

16. Fave subject?
Sa undergrad, Spanish and Broadcasting Prod. Sa law school, remedial law!

17. Worst Subject?
Punyetang math yan. Physics and Chem.

18. Fave Building?
SM Edsa mwahaha...Plaridel Hall syempre

19. Paboritong kainan?
CASAA, Rodic's, Pampaguena's, SM Food Court...ano nga ba yung may masarap na tapa sa Katips..

20. Magkano ang binabayad sa jeep?
Di ko nagje-jeep (actually, di ko maalala kung magkano, mwaha)

21. Lagi ka ba sa library?
Ano ka, tungak?

22. Nagpupunta ka ba sa Clinic?
Sa Infir-matay?

23. May Crush ka ba sa campus?
Si Francis Pangilinan!!! Proud to say. Senador na siya ngayon, kaibigan at boss ko pa nung unang panahon. Meron akong taste. Kahit siya, wala. (Ooops!)

24. Anu-ano ang mga naging PE m?
Swimming, tennis, PE 1, modern jazz (nye)

25. Kamusta naman block niyo?
Dalawa lang kami ng undergrad (fun di ba). Masaya kami nung law school. Sosyal daw kami. Chorva...

26. Memorize mo ba ang hymn niyo?
Lubos-lubusan, kahit tulog o lasing. Grade 3 palang ako kabisado ko na yan.

28. Nakaperfect ka na ba ng exam?
Malamang.

29. Dito ka ba natutong uminom ng beer?
2nd year college, 1987...

30. Ano ang pangalan ng school m0?
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City!!!

Three Words

2007-08-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

You have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less.
It's harder than you think.

1. Where is your cell phone?:
Right beside me.

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend?
Not beside me.

3. Your hair?:
Behaving itself well

4. Where is your father?:
Flying to LA

6. Your favorite thing to do?
Have a conversation

7. Your dream last night?:
Don't really remember

8. Your favorite drink?:
San Mig Light!

9. Your dream car?
I have it

10. The room you're in?:
My personal sanctuary

12. Your greatest fear?:
Not being liked

14. Who did you hang out with last night?:
ILP, Dad, Mom

15. What aren't you good at?:
Sports sports sports

16. Muffins?:
Strawberry macadamia...yum

17. One of your wish list items?:
A transformed Philippines

19. The last thing you did?:
Answered this question

20. What are you wearing?:
Disney night shirt

22. Your pet?:
Not here yet

23. Your computer?:
Toshiba Satellite laptop

24. Your life?:
Empowerment commitment love

25. your mood?
Getting kinda sleepy

26. Missing?:
Someone out there

27. What are you thinking about right now?
Nothing really significant

28. Your car?
You asked already

29. Your work?
I choose everything

30. Your summer?:
USA vacation fun

31. Your relationship status?:
Single and committed

32. Your favorite color(s):
Warm orange sunset

33. When is the last time you laughed?
An hour ago

34. Last time you cried?
Last Sunday evening

35. School?:
Full blooded Maroon

Four Things

2007-08-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
- Advertising and Promotions Assistant for a major film studio (i.e., dakilang alalay)
- Lawyer: Junior Associate, Senior Partner, Corporate Counsel, Law Professor
- Caterer
- Writer: Newspaper columnist, Travel magazine Editor-in-Chief/writer, translator, book editor

FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
- When Harry Met Sally
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Sabrina
- Sound of Music

FOUR CITIES YOU'VE LIVED IN:
- Quezon City
- Chicago
- Paris
- Baguio City

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
- Project Runway
- Iron Chef
- Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
- Heroes

FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION:
- France
- Republic of China (Beijing, Shanghai, Macau, HK, Shenzhen)
- Italy
- New York City

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY:
- Friendster
- Inquirer.net
- EWTN
- Facebook

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
- Lechon
- Seafood, all sorts of
- Spaghetti alla Vongole
- A very nice steak

FOUR SCHOOLS YOU'VE ATTENDED
- OB Montessori Center
- University of the Philippines
- Universite Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne (Cornell Law)
- Landmark Education

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
- Nowhere else than here

FOUR THINGS I'VE DONE TODAY:
- Witnessed miracles (coached a leadership program)
- Had lunch at Legaspi Market
- Went to Mass
- Kicked some butt

FOUR THINGS I DID YESTERDAY:
- Got fully self-expressed
- Led an Introduction to the Landmark Forum
- Went to the He Cares' 11th Anniversary
- Had a good night's sleep

Idle Time

2007-08-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

1. Did you just wake up?
No

2. Whose car were you in last?
Mine

3. When is the next time you will kiss someone?
Tomorrow, for sure

4. What color shirt are you wearing?
White

8. Last movie you watched?
The Company of Women

9. Last thing you ate?
Chex Mix, see last post

10. Last thing you drank?
SML

11. Where did you sleep last night?
In my bed

13. Are you happy right now?
Yes!

14. What did you say last?
Wala akong boses

15. Where is your phone?
Right in front of me

16. What was the last museum you went to?
Nelson-Atkins in KC

17. What color are your eyes?
Dark brown

19. How was your weekend?
Jampacked with breakthroughs and possibility!

20. When was the last time you had your heart broken?
Last year :-)

21. Who/what do you hate/dislike currently?
N/A

22. What are you listening to?
The airconditioner

23. Are you excited?
Always!

24. What is your favorite store?
Any book store. 168. Target/Walmart/K-Mart (shhh)

25. What day is it today?
Sunday

26. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Having a conversation

30. Are you left-handed?
No

32. What's for dinner tonight?
Had it already. Fried chicken and roast pork - cholesterol!!!

33. What was the last alcoholic beverage you had?
SML

34. When is your birthday?
July 31

35. How tall are you?
5'2

39. Where was the last place you went shopping?
168 Mall

40. Who made you laugh today?
ILP!!!

41. Do you have any expensive jewelry?
Yes, but I hardly use it.

42. AIM or MSN?
Yahoo

43. Where do your cousins live?
All around the country and the world

47. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
1 bro, 2 sisters

48. Would you consider yourself to be spoiled?
No

49. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
Ouch! My legs still hurt.

50. Do you drink beer?
YES!

52. Myspace or Facebook
Facebook

53. Do you have T-Mobile?
Whenever I'm roaming

54. What was your favorite subject in school?
English

55. Do you smile a lot?
:-)))

57. Do you have any talents?
Very many

58. Have you ever been in a wedding?
Very many, not my own.

59. Do you have any children?
About 600, again, not my own :-)

60. Did you take a nap today?
No

61. Ever met someone famous?
Yes

63. Do you want to be famous one day?
I already am. Bwaha!

64. Are you multi-tasking now?
Just breathing and typing

68. What's one of your favorite things to do?
Have conversations

72. Ever been to Las Vegas?
No

73. What are you doing today?
I'm done.

74. Have you ever been gambling?
Sure

75. When is the last time you updated your blog?
Today

76. Have you been to New York City?
Yes, love it

77. Ever been to Disneyland/world?
No

78. Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
Darna!!

79. Last thing you cooked?
Fried chicken and sukiyaki the other night

Present Past

2007-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

PRESENT PERFUME
Dolce Gabbana Blue

PRESENT SHAMPOO
Sunsilk Brown

PRESENT FAVORITE SONG
You are the Universe! (Brand New Heavies c. a few years ago)

LAST FOOD YOU ATE
Chex Mix

LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
Cig case from Gaile

LAST GAME YOU ENJOYED PLAYING
The game of life, heh heh

LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR HAIRCUT
Saturday, a week ago

LAST ALCOHOLIC DRINK U DRANK
San Mig Light

PRESENT PET
Still waiting for that puppy

LAST BIRTHDAY ATTENDED
He Cares' 11th, yesterday

LAST GIMIK/ OUTING?
Last Friday doesn't count as a gimmick - meeting over drinks; Barcino with Miles, last Saturday, a week ago

LAST THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP
Close my eyes. Doh

LAST THING YOU BOUGHT
Two bottles of Lipa Buko Juice, a lighter

LAST MALL YOU VISITED
168!

LAST TIME YOU CRIED
Today - extremely moved by miracles :-)

PRESENT PERSON YOU HATE
No one!

LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED
My beloved Ninang Peng L

LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO
Or whispered at - have no voice: my Dad.

Timeline

2007-06-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

I'm turning another year older in a little more than a month, and 37's not a very bad age to be. Lots of stuff happened in my lifetime, and here's where I stand against recent history's timeline.

I was:

31 years old at the time of the 9-11 attack on America
29 years old on the first day of Y2K
27 years old when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash
24 years old at the time of Oklahoma City bombing
23 years old when O. J. Simpson was charged with murder
22 years old at the time of the 93 bombing of the World Trade Center
20 years old when Operation Desert Storm began
19 years old during the fall of the Berlin Wall
15 years old when the space shuttle Challenger exploded
13 years old when Apple introduced the Macintosh
12 years old during Sally Ride's travel in space
10 years old when Pres. Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr.
9 years old at the time the Iran hostage crisis began
5 years old on the U.S.'s bicentennial Fourth of July
4 years old when President Nixon left office
1 year old when Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace was shot

6%

2007-06-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Fifteen countries, 6% of the planet...there's a whole lot of traveling still to do!

create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

Firsts

2007-06-21T08:20:00.001-07:00

After a long while, and by virtue of some time-off:

Who was your first?

1. Who was your first prom date?
Eek. We went as a group; strict ang parents ko.

2. Who was your first roommate?
My sister Milette.

3. What was your first alcoholic drink?
San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

4. What was your first job?
Senior year college, scriptwriter for a corporate video project of SM.

5. What was your first car?
1982 Ford TelStar, PDD 374!

6. Who was the first person that texted you yesterday?
Kenneth

7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
Jeryc's "father"

8. Who was your first grade teacher?
I didn't go to first grade :-)

9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
Bangkok, Thailand!

10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
Dang, I can't remember. Miles, I think.

11. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them?
Manya from UPIS - and no, haven't seen her for decades

12. Where was your first sleep over?
At Manya's!

13. Who was the first person you talked to this morning?
Jeryc

14. Whose wedding were you in the first time?
My Tito Bing's

15. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Turn off my alarm.

16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Tribung Pinoy - c/o Tito Vlady.

17. First tattoo or piercing?
Ears

18. First foreign country you went to?
Thailand

19. First crush?
Terence Ong.

20. When was your first detention?
Never been.

21. What was the first state you lived in?
Of paranoia?

22. Who was the first person to break your heart?
GH, in Grade 4.

Q's and A's

2007-03-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

1. What time did you get up this morning?
7:30 a.m. awake - but up? 8:30!!

2.Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds are a girl's best friend...

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
The Departed. Eek.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Project Runway - and shows in that genre.

5. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
This morning? I had breakfast/lunch at 4:00 p.m. (forgot to eat, was working). Tuna sandwich and fries.

6. What is your middle name?
Balbin

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Asian - everything Asian.

8. What foods do you dislike?
machang, tamales, rice burgers - ugh. You get the point.

9. Favorite chips?
Doritos Lime, Tostillas, Clover Chips on occasion

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Rediscovering my CCM albums; also a CD compilation I made in Chicago, circa 2002.

11. What kind of car are you driving?
My wrecked Toyota Corolla is still in the garage - so when I don't have a driver, a Toyota Hi-Lux.

12. What is your favorite sandwich?
Tuna with Chippy.

13. What characteristics do you despise?
I don't "despise" anymore. If I did, perhaps lack of integrity, wimpy-ness, lack of direction.

14. What are your favorite clothes?
Everything in my closet. I love to dress up.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would it be?
Europe - particularly the places I haven't been to yet: Spain, Portugal. And toujours France!

16. Favorite brand of clothing?
Vintage hehe. Or my "secret" store somewhere in Ortigas.

17.Where would you want to retire?
Baguio City :-)

18. Favorite time of day?
Sleeping time...

19. Where were you born?
Quezon City

20. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Ballroom dancing - does that count?

21. Pepsi or Coke?
Pepsi Max, Coke Zero

22. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night!

23. Pedicure or manicure?
Pedicures; I don't do manicures.

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
Haha lots, but not on here!!! Going to Japan in April :-)

25. What did you want to be when you were little?
A pediatrician.

26. What is your best childhood memory?
Climbing trees, going to the bookstore with Dad for my monthly supply of Nancy Drews, riding to the province with Lolo.

27. Piercing?
Ears and scream.

28. Ever been to Africa?
No.

29. Ever been toilet papering?
Waste of valuable resources!

30. Been in a car accident?
Yes, see #11.

31. Favorite day of the week?
Monday - it's usually my only day "off" hehe.

32. Favorite restaurant?
Aling Tonya's sa Dampa, Jay-J's, North Park, President sa Ongpin...

33. Favorite Flower?
Orange roses.

34. Favorite ice cream?
Pistachio

35. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Chow King!

36. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
None!

37. From whom did you get your last email?
Zeline

38. In which stores would you choose to max out your credit card?
I've gotten rid of plastic: but I'd spend money on books, catering and kitchen supplies, and my "secret" clothes shop.

39. Bedtime?
2 or 3 am.

40. Last person you went out to dinner with and where?
Kate T., Mikkel, Marzena, Migs, and Lex tonight at Cyma Greenbelt.

41. What are you listening to right now?
The TV in the background.

42. What is your favorite color?
Orange

43. How many tattoos do you have?
Zero

Girlaloo!

2007-02-20T09:26:00.001-08:00

Your Brain is 60% Female, 40% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female
You are both sensitive and savvy
Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed
But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Randomness

2007-02-14T05:32:00.000-08:00

While waiting for a "study group" (what the...) partner tonight, I'm going to allow myself the luxury of a meme:

1. Do you talk in your sleep?
I don't think so. Someone said I do sometimes. The funniest things come out of my mouth though, when I'm pretending that I'm awake (e.g., in the passenger's seat keeping the driver up through "conversation") but am actually dozing off.

2. Red Jello or Blue Jello?
Somehow I still can't find the appetite for anything blue (unless it's blueberries or a blue M&M, and even that's a stretch). Red.

3. What's the song that's getting on your nerves right now?
None in particular. Willie Revillame's Boom-Tarat-Tarat normally would, but now it has, shall we say, sentimental value.

4. What's your favorite color?
Orange. Shows up in my food preferences as well - kare-kare, palabok, garlic sotanghon, yum yum.

5. Window seat or aisle seat?
Window, because I get to sleep against it without bouncing about (while trying to talk)

6. Ever met anyone famous?
Sure. Lots.

7. Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life?
So far so great, and getting ever greater!

8. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
Depends. If it's my favorite alla Vongole, I twirl; if Jollibee I cut.

9. Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah!

10. Basketball or Football?
Basketball; at least that, I understand.

11. How long do your showers last?
15-20 leisurely; 5 when pressed for time!!

12. Do you know how to drive a stick?
That's the only way to go, baby.

13. Do you want any piercings?
I already have four, but in conventional areas. No more, thanks.

14. Are you self-conscious?
Not anymore. Someone always has to remind me I have no more lipstick on.

15. Have you ever given money to a bum?
Derogatory term. And yes, I've given money, food, clothing to people on the street.

16. Can you jog 5k without stopping?
A few months back I actually could, even uphill. Today, *sigh*. Heck, why the heck not?

17. Where do you wish you were?
Perfectly happy where I am right now.

18. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Ooh yes a friend broke her ankle and I got to hitch a ride to the orthopedic hospital. Heehee.

19. Can you tango?
Yes, but haven't done so since 8th grade. I even remember my tango partner's name. Florencio "Bunky" Bacay.

20. Last gift you received?
Brooch from my newest goddaughter's christening last Sunday.

21. Last sport you played?
Uh, poker?

22. Things you spend a lot of money on?
Stuff for the catering business. Books.

23. Last gift you gave?
The Landmark Forum to some special people in my life.

24. Do you have a bank account?
More than one.

25. Favorite FAST food restaurant?
Sushi-ya, if that's fast enough.

26. Can you sing?
You kidding? I'm a wedding singer on the side, he he...

27. Last person you called?
Mike of He Cares

28. What's your least favorite chore?
Laundry!!!

29. Favorite Drink?
Coke Light, San Mig Light

30. Do you eat fish?
Yum! Of course! Just made a crispy catfish salad tonight for dinner.

31. Do you miss someone?
Not really, and he texted earlier anyway :-)

32. Have you ever come close to dying?
From drunkenness, yes.

33. Are you drinking?
How'd you know?

34. Are you eating?
My Mom's pasalubong na hakao.

35. Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Only those closest to the florets. Would probably eat them if given the opportunity though.

36. Do you wear makeup?
Minimally. Chorva...

37. Whats your worst fear?.
I'm fearless!!!

38. Would you ever have plastic surgery?
Uh...I'm fearless!!!

39. What do you wear to bed?
Just a tank top or a big loose shirt.

40. Have you ever done anything illegal?
I take the 5th.

41. Are you a good kisser?
Ask someone who knows.

42. What kind of sneakers do you wear usually?
I hardly wear sneakers. The ones that I have are Reebok and Nike.

43. Is anyone in the room with you right now?
No one

44. Current annoyance?
People who don't honor their word.

45. Do you watch pokemon or dragonball z?
What?

46. Do you snore?
Sorry, yes.

47. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
Spain! Have never been.

48. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
No

49. If you won the lottery what would you do first?
Go on a trip to Europe, buy my parents new luxury vehicles, build my dream house.

50. Gold or silver?
White gold.

51. Hamburger or hot dog?
Burger!

52. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Inihaw na liempo, paksiw na isda.

53. You prefer city, beach, country?
Mountain.

54. What was the last thing you touched?
My yosi.

55. Where did you eat last?
At home.

56. When was the last time you cried?
Today. Good tears! Yeha!

Cinema...

2006-12-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

...one of my greatest loves. Real movies, great films, not just your run-of-the-mill silly commercial Hollywood flicks, although I must admit to indulging once in a while in them (the last one being an ala-Godfather flick I was inveigled into on a date, nice move dude...).

Haven't had time to see as many films as I've wanted, but these last couple of days I finally got off my ever-expanding butt and stuck some into the previously-neglected DVD player:

The Seventh Seal. Not to be confused with the Demi Moore-Michael Biehn apocalyptic Seventh Sign; this is the real deal by Ingmar Bergman. The "limitations" of black and white cinematography add real depth to the piece, and I'm not surprised it's become a true movie classic. Existentialism at its curious-est.

Speaking of black-and-white, a redux of one of my favorite Filipino films, Bayaning Third World, which I found serendipitously at a supermarket on original VCD for P100!! Laugh-out-loud, provocative filmmaking; I loved it even more than when I first caught its 1998 (?) premiere in the theatre. Pinoys are most fun when irreverent!! (Kakabakabakaba, Crying Ladies, and the like).

Finally, Soltnse, or The Sun, a highly intimate portrayal of Emperor Hirohito during the tail-end of World War II. Incredibly poignant, with a gamut of intensely metaphoric cinematographic devices. Interesting that it was a Russian-Italian production; evoked many parallelisms with the extremely compelling film The Downfall on the last days of Hitler, although Hirohito was a more sympathetic character who got to live a happier ending.

I love movies! Hope the next movie date won't be as violent though. :-)

No To Ngarag

2006-12-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

Ngarag used to be my favorite state of mind; in fact, for the most part, it was self-inflicted - and sometimes, when I don't catch myself, it still is. Christmas time was always the worst...running around all over town for work, parties, shopping, and killing myself in the kitchen.

But this year, like many areas in my life, Christmas doesn't seem to be as ngarag as it used to be. I've only missed one Christmas party so far (tonight's Class 1994-A's dinner - I chose to go grocery shopping and do preliminary cooking for tomorrow's big catering event, and to wrap some gifts for two parties tomorrow (Saturday was a stretch - went to three!!!). And yes, my Christmas shopping is in fact over and done with, and I got people pretty good stuff this year (not any lame-a$$ last minute panic purchases!), if I may say so myself. Wrapped them all up rather nicely as well. *Pat on back*

A big help is that I'm not doing the usual stuff by my lonesome (Darna is in hibernation this season) - driving through the traffic jams is delegated to my loyal giant of a hired driver/bodyguard, Jon, and to my designated driver Ding, er, Lex; I have a lot of help in the kitchen now; and I have partners and friends who help out beautifully in areas I need assistance with. 'Tis the season to be tired still, but at least at the end of the day, I'm happy happy happy. :-)

Monday Madness

2006-12-11T06:10:00.001-08:00

From Monday Madness:

1. If you could only read one blog every day- which one blog would be on your daily list?
Mine - haha. Market Manila, I think (nowadays it's the only blog I have time to read anyway).

2. What do you do to de-stress from a hectic day?
Have drinks and conversation with friends.

3. What is your favorite piece of clothing to wear in the winter?
Never really been in the full-blast cold of winter, but a nice suade camel-colored coat from my sister. Yum.

4. Do you prefer discussing problems with a sibling, a parent, a significant other, a psychologist, or a total stranger?
With my best friends.

5. How long have you been blogging?
Since 2004

6. Which side of the bed?
Left :-)

7. How often do you pig out when you eat?
Rarely, and when very very very hungry!

8. Do you watch the space shuttle launches?
No.

9. What's your favorite leisure-time activity?
Sleeping! Heh heh. Conversation.

10. When is the last time you said, 'I love you' and to whom? To my "sis" Kate, a few days ago.

What about hugs? Who is the last person you hugged?
Kuya Joe Dean

One Word

2006-11-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

You can only type one word. No explanations.

· Yourself: Fabulous
· Your partner: God
· Your hair: OK
· Your Mother: hardworking
· Your Father: ma-chika
· Your Favorite Item: pen
· Your dream last night: forgettable
· Your Favorite Drink: beer
· Your Dream Car: Jaguar
· Your Dream Home: roomy
· The Room You Are In: bedroom
· Your Ex: constrained
· Your fear: men
· Where you Want to be in Ten Years: heaven
· Who you hung out with last night: Larry
· What You're Not: machine
· Muffins: banana
· One of Your Wish List Items: freedom
· Time: prayer
· The Last Thing You Did: puffed
· What You Are Wearing: nighties
· Your favorite weather: cool
· Your Favorite Book: Bible
· Last thing you ate: binagoongan
· Your Life: abundant
· Your mood: sleepy
· Your Best Friends: awesome
· What are you thinking about right now: tomorrow
· Your car: wrecked
· What are you doing at the moment: chilling
· Your summer: crazy
· Relationship status: solo
· What is on your tv: nothing
· What is the weather like: cool
· When is the last time you laughed: today

Key West

2006-11-20T08:17:00.000-08:00

Florida, driving down the Keys, May 2007, with my dearest R and co. I'm there! :-)

Bold the stuff you've done Meme

2006-11-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

(Italics are stuff I want to do)

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain (The highest one on the island. Hey, if you're going to climb one anyway, go for the grandmomma of 'em all. *I'll show you!* Killed two toenails in the process)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris (I love Paris in the springtime...)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea - from the shore (Awesome!)
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise (Too many times for comfort)
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (UP v. FEU, UAAP 1987, wahoo!!)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars (One time, in a basketball court beside a dog. Don't ask.)
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger ("Stranger" is a relative term, mwaha)
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (Lately the moment's been going on for months!)
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (No comment...)
42. Had amazing friends (See above. And I love them all!)
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan (Does the airport count?)
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero (Sometimes I still pretend)
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie (Don't ask)
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert" (Haaay...more than a few times: as a legal expert, among other things, and a jologs expert!!)
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark (Ooops, sorry. Cannibalism.)
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone (Does Metro Manila count?)
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently well enough to have a decent conversation
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour (eek - big Mulatto ex-groupie here)
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over (But didn't stay!)
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad (parts of it)
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident

New York State of Mind

2006-11-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

It's autumn in New York, and I think I need a fix.

Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday, from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach, or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound, down the Hudson River line
I'm in a New York state of mind

I seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines,
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens,
But I know what I'm needing and I don't want to waste more time-
I'm in a New York state of mind.

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and the blues,
But now I need a little give and take,
The New York Times, the Daily News...

It comes down to reality, and its fine with me 'cause I've let it slide,
Don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside
I don't have any reasons, I've left them all behind-
I'm in a New York state of mind.

- New York State of Mind, Billy Joel (1976)

Choosing The Red Pill

2006-10-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, now even my "random ridiculous thoughts" blog needs a transformation. The old IMHO - my opinions, my stories, my rackets, my silly ka-chorvahan, is now petrified for time immemorial in this space. I wonder how this new space will "be." :-)