Saturday, April 26, 2008

What a "bleh" week --

And I am glad it is over.

The past two weeks have been a roller coaster ride for the Ongs. We had to deal with Seth's fever and my food poisoning episode. This week started out really well, with Seth going back to school and earning two stars again.

And then he had a mild relapse and his doctor told him to rest for the rest of the week.

The tickle in my throat last Tuesday turned out to be the start of tonsillitis which decided to show itself on Thursday when the doctor was on her out-of-town clinic, so Johann and I had to wait until yesterday to see her.

Now, this doctor isn't our "real" doctor -- our pulmonologist is away on vacation and won't be back until May. Our other doctor (the one for infectious diseases) is also on vacation. The GP we usually see for mild cases was also on vacation.

I've promised myself that I will be well enough next week to watch Iron Man.

* * *

In other news --

Pushing Daisies is an amazing series. Kristin Chenoweth is so cute! ^_^

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Childhood is a magical time --

I wrote about Breakthrough in my previous post -- how we joined the kids as they explored the live seafood tanks.

One of my nephews, a 5-year old -- was looking at the live crabs. At one point, his yaya pulled out one and it started "dancing" on its string. This amused my nephew to no end and he wanted to share his joy --

So he pulled Johann -- "Tito, tito -- you have to see this!" and dragged Johann to where the crabs were. So the two of them looked on as the yaya pulled the crab out again and my nephew laughed again.

I was charmed and so was Johann.

* * *

Currently reading --

So I finally ran out of romance novels to read so I'm currently juggling/reading the following books:
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
God is my Broker: A Monk-Tycoon reveals the 7 1/2 Laws of Spiritual and Financial Growth by Christopher Buckley, et. al.
For One More Day by Mitch Albom

And I just finished reading Johann's copy of Watchmen and It Must Be Nice To Be Little: A For Better or For Worse collection by Lynn Johnston.

In comics, I'm really enjoying Avengers Fairy Tales -- I love the art and I love how they were able to weave comic book characters into fairy tales.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Interesting past few days --

Last week started out really great --

My aunt treated us to Breakthrough and Johann and I were lucky enough to sit beside the kids so the Grilled Scallops were all ours.

After dinner, we let the grownups talk and we wandered around the area and found ourselves looking at their fresh seafood tanks -- I actually touched a live mussel.

A few nights later -- I suffered food poisoning. No, it wasn't because of Breakthrough. This is the second time in my life that I've had food poisoning but this was far worse than the first one.

During this whole time, Seth was sick as well -- his temperature went as high as 39.5 degrees. Thankfully, he's much better now.

Today, I have a tickle in my throat. O_O

Sunday, April 13, 2008

An update --

Johann and I have always been curious about Tina Fey's new show 30 Rock but we never get to catch it on TV. We finally found a copy of season 1 a few weeks back and watched it.

It is an amazing show -- we couldn't stop laughing! Even Seth noticed how much we laugh -- he would laugh along (I don't know if he understands what he is laughing about though. ^_^)

I still haven't finished watching Gossip Girl -- but, from what I've watched so far, it's a really great series. I'm curious about the books --

* * *

Plan your vacations! Almost free tickets--


Philippine Airlines and Asian Spirit have very nice promos --

Asian Spirit is giving away free* tickets to all their domestic destinations. (Baguio in less than an hour) The promo ends on April 15 and travel is from June 15 to October 15.

*You still have to pay for taxes and fuel surcharge.


Starting Monday, for every 1 domestic ticket you buy from PAL, you will get two free ones. Sale period is from April 14 to April 25 and travel is from June 15 to October 15.

* * *

Two new places in Iloilo --

The wife of one of my HS classmates opened a small bakery called Daily Buns. We stopped by early this week to try out some of their bread. The place smells so good! We bought a loaf of whole wheat bread, which was really yummy. They also serve milkshakes and pasta so we are planning to go back there to try them out.

On our way home from Robinson's Place one afternoon, Johann spotted a small cafe along Ledesma Street. It looked like it had just opened and there were a lot of people inside. Yesterday morning, we decided to drop by Coffee House Beanery for our morning coffee fix.

The girl at the counter recommended their Moccachino so I ordered that and Johann tried out their Latte. Both were very good. We ordered a slice of Tiramisu because it looked tempting.

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The tiramisu was good -- the cake part was a bit dry but I didn't mind that because the cream filling was really yummy (it was tart and creamy and not-so-sweet).

They also serve lunch and dinner and their prices seem reasonable (I have yet to see their portions) -- Oriental Pork Spareribs for PhP90.00, Callos for PhP110.00, etc.
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Monday, April 07, 2008

Happiness is --

Your parents coming back from Cebu with boxes of Leona's Carrot Walnut loaf.

* * *

Happiness is also --

A bottle of Ya Kun Kaya.

But it's sad that I'm the only one who seems to enjoy it in the house.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Yay Rat! --

Strange blog title, I know --

But, it was the only title that came to mind.

E told me that the Year of the Rat was the year to fulfill the unfulfilled. It is the start of a whole new cycle -- the Rat being the first animal in the Chinese zodiac.

And I believe it.

First, Blade of the Immortal is finally getting an animated version after nearly a decade of waiting.

Now, this. A comic anthology based on songs by Tori Amos. ^_^ ^_^ ^_^ <-- this news deserves three smileys

I tell you, my heart is bursting with excitement right now --

^_^

Friday, April 04, 2008

Post backlog part 2 --

I turned 30 this year -- it seems like a such an important age, so I decided to make up a list of "Very Important Things To Do" for 2008:

1. Take the MENSA
- I don't think I'm smart enough to pass it but I would like to experience the test within my lifetime.

2. Join a Scrabble Tournament
- At the English Academy where I taught, one of teachers was legend because she actually took time off to travel and join Scrabble tournaments around the world. I don't think I can beat her (I think my sister can beat her) but Scrabble is one of those things that I think I can do very well in.

3. Travel out of Asia
- This one will be difficult/impossible to pull off because I have an almost-2-year old sidekick who will insist on joining us.

For the past decade, I've limited my traveling to Southeast Asia. (Cost is a major factor) But I would like to visit the US again. The last time I was there, I was in high school and I didn't appreciate it as much. Now, I have a plan and a list of places to visit.

I'd also like to go to Europe with Johann. (This one, we are planning to do when we turn 40).

4. Read A BOOK
Not one of the fluffy things that I read but something with more substance and meat. Like Plutarch's Lives ... or something in that vein.

5. Buy a piece of important Art
This desire to own Art has lain dormant within me for the longest time. When I got married and my most favorite professor gifted us with a Fil dela Cruz print from his own collection, the desire sparked --

Now, I want Art. No, I want the money to buy the Art. ^_^

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Yesterday --

During my tutor session with Kate and David, while I was discussing the concept of deja vu (which Kate had just experienced), we heard a loud crash. I thought something had landed on the roof or dropped to the floor somewhere so we ignored it.

It was Kate who realized that one of their windows was broken. It looked like a bullet hit the glass because there was a clean hole right through -- I immediately checked if one of us got hit. We noticed that there was no hole on the screen so, whatever it was, never got inside the house.

Outside, we found a rock nearby -- so we called the subdivision security to come and investigate the matter. He said it was most likely a slingshot from somewhere and it was probably accidental.

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* * *

Buho Bakery --

I posted about this addicting bread a few months back but I was never able to talk about the bakery that makes it.

Yesterday, I had to mail something at the post office so I decided to drop by Buho Bakery to pick up some mini Pancho rolls.

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Since it was early afternoon, the bakery itself was closed and you had to knock on this small window on the wall to make your order.

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<-- it literally is a "hole" in the wall ^_^

It used to cost PhP1.00 per piece but now the price has gone up to PhP1.25