The Mickey Mouse Burger charm hangs from my wallet and the Stitch charm hangs from my phone.
^_^
Thursday, September 09, 2010
I'm craving burgers ...
I wonder why ...
The Mickey Mouse Burger charm hangs from my wallet and the Stitch charm hangs from my phone.
^_^
The Mickey Mouse Burger charm hangs from my wallet and the Stitch charm hangs from my phone.
^_^
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
More on The Book Depository --
There are 2 websites for The Book Depository --
A (dot)com website (which I assume is in the US)
and a (dot)co(dot)uk website (which is the original one based in the UK)
Both websites look the same and sell the same books.
BUT --
There are small price differences between the 2 websites.
Before you make your purchase, check both websites first! -- and remember FREE worldwide shipping.
For example:
Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed by Tracy Anne Warren
.com price = $7.61 (SRP = $7.99)
.co.uk price = $7.89 (SRP = $10.77)
Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare
.com price = $7.19 (SRP = $7.99)
.co.uk price = $7.10 (SRP = $7.99)
* * *
My Book Depository Experience --
We ordered some books through the .co.uk website on August 13.
The first book arrived on August 24 and the 2 other books arrived on August 26.
They were delivered directly to the house. (A savings already since I didn't have to pay the 40 pesos handling fee when I claim Bookmooch-ed books at the parcel section of the post office.)
We were able to use the 10% discount (which ended yesterday) and I'm merrily reading my books now. ^_^
A (dot)com website (which I assume is in the US)
and a (dot)co(dot)uk website (which is the original one based in the UK)
Both websites look the same and sell the same books.
BUT --
There are small price differences between the 2 websites.
Before you make your purchase, check both websites first! -- and remember FREE worldwide shipping.
For example:
Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed by Tracy Anne Warren
.com price = $7.61 (SRP = $7.99)
.co.uk price = $7.89 (SRP = $10.77)
Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare
.com price = $7.19 (SRP = $7.99)
.co.uk price = $7.10 (SRP = $7.99)
* * *
My Book Depository Experience --
We ordered some books through the .co.uk website on August 13.
The first book arrived on August 24 and the 2 other books arrived on August 26.
They were delivered directly to the house. (A savings already since I didn't have to pay the 40 pesos handling fee when I claim Bookmooch-ed books at the parcel section of the post office.)
We were able to use the 10% discount (which ended yesterday) and I'm merrily reading my books now. ^_^
Friday, August 13, 2010
Yay! Happy update! --
Am so, so happy that The Book Depository now ships to the Philippines --
The Book Depository offers FREE worldwide delivery.
Yes, I said FREE.
The Book Depository offers FREE worldwide delivery.
Yes, I said FREE.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Massage --
Living in Katipunan has spoiled me for life -- everything I need is just a few steps (well, more than a few) away --
One of my favorite places in Katipunan is the Natural Spa -- and I used to go fairly regularly.
When I came home to Iloilo, one of the first things I looked for was a spa --
Never found one that I was compelled to try --
But, a few days ago, I woke up with a really tired back and I was desperate for a massage -- we found a flyer for a massage-at-home service stuck to our gate --
Being fatalistic, we saw it as a sign and gave it a go.
We called the number and set an appointment. I was pleased that the two masseuses arrived on time and they had their massage kits (with oils) ready.
A quiet hour of pampering costs PhP299.
And they are available 24/7!
There's another one that also offers home service -- will try them next time.
Home Bliss
Tel # 033-8564499
One of my favorite places in Katipunan is the Natural Spa -- and I used to go fairly regularly.
When I came home to Iloilo, one of the first things I looked for was a spa --
Never found one that I was compelled to try --
But, a few days ago, I woke up with a really tired back and I was desperate for a massage -- we found a flyer for a massage-at-home service stuck to our gate --
Being fatalistic, we saw it as a sign and gave it a go.
We called the number and set an appointment. I was pleased that the two masseuses arrived on time and they had their massage kits (with oils) ready.
A quiet hour of pampering costs PhP299.
And they are available 24/7!
There's another one that also offers home service -- will try them next time.
Home Bliss
Tel # 033-8564499
Friday, August 06, 2010
Lava Cake!!! --
It's a gloomy day here in Iloilo --
Thought it would be a perfect day to try to make Lava Cakes. (Perfect for me -- poor helpers, though. They have to clean up after me. And it's raining.)
I used the recipe I found on Shine because it seemed like the most straightforward Lava Cake recipe I've encountered.
I started this morning by making the chocolate balls that will become the lava center --
Finished making the cake after lunch.
The recipe said it would take 13 minutes to cook. We set the timer to 10 minutes and I asked one of our helpers to check on it. I was surprised/worried when she called on the intercom a few minutes later to say that the timer had gone off but the cakes looked raw. I rushed down stairs and took a look.
They were, thankfully, fine.
Only problem was that the chocolate balls were too big so a bit of the "lava" is peeking out from the top.
They're cooling right now so I'll take more pictures later when we actually eat them.
* * *
Apparently, it's already "later" --
Johann and my sister couldn't wait any longer and ate two of the lava cakes. (Gave 1 to the helpers so they could have a taste.)
It's yummy -- I mixed dark and milk chocolate. I'm not sure if it's gooey enough, though. I wonder where I went wrong...
Thought it would be a perfect day to try to make Lava Cakes. (Perfect for me -- poor helpers, though. They have to clean up after me. And it's raining.)
I used the recipe I found on Shine because it seemed like the most straightforward Lava Cake recipe I've encountered.
I started this morning by making the chocolate balls that will become the lava center --
Finished making the cake after lunch.
The recipe said it would take 13 minutes to cook. We set the timer to 10 minutes and I asked one of our helpers to check on it. I was surprised/worried when she called on the intercom a few minutes later to say that the timer had gone off but the cakes looked raw. I rushed down stairs and took a look.
They were, thankfully, fine.
Only problem was that the chocolate balls were too big so a bit of the "lava" is peeking out from the top.
They're cooling right now so I'll take more pictures later when we actually eat them.
* * *
Apparently, it's already "later" --
Johann and my sister couldn't wait any longer and ate two of the lava cakes. (Gave 1 to the helpers so they could have a taste.)
It's yummy -- I mixed dark and milk chocolate. I'm not sure if it's gooey enough, though. I wonder where I went wrong...
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Somewhere in this picture is a zucchini --
The infectious disease specialist who came to see Anya really loved our garden. She told us her father in-law, who studied agriculture, maintains a vegetable garden also. She sent over these really small zucchini from their garden.
They're so small!!!
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Some recipes I want to try --
Bob Blumer's Chocolate Wontons
Lava Cake
Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake
This cheesecake recipe <-- I like the recipe that is listed on the Philly Cream Cheese box because it has sour cream but this one looks interesting.
Schweinhaxe <-- saw this featured on Anthony Bourdain. I think pork is slowly replacing chicken as my favorite meat.
Lava Cake
Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake
This cheesecake recipe <-- I like the recipe that is listed on the Philly Cream Cheese box because it has sour cream but this one looks interesting.
Schweinhaxe <-- saw this featured on Anthony Bourdain. I think pork is slowly replacing chicken as my favorite meat.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Wow --
I read in one news article on Yahoo that Chelsea Clinton and her husband were supposed to read this poem as part of their wedding ceremony --
I looked it up on Google and it made me go, "Wow" --
The Life That I Have by Leo Marks
The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
Wasn't that a lovely poem?
* * *
Another poem --
About 2 weeks ago, I was feeling really sh*tty about myself -- as usual, I overthought the situation and felt like my brain was going to burst.
Long story short: I felt like my high school self and I felt all the awkwardness and gauche-ness that comes with being that age. And it annoyed me to feel like that because I'm 32 years old and should have overcome all that.
Anyhoo, a dear friend was kind enough to listen to me through my pity party --
And then an off-tangent idea came to mind and it was this poem:
Bonsai by Edith Tiempo
All that I love
I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.
All that I love?
Why, yes, but for the moment -
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son's note, or Dad's one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a young queen,
A blue Indian shawls, even
A money bill.
It's utter sublimation,
A feat, this heart's control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand's size,
Till seashells are broken pieces
From God's own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.
I'm fine now, by the way. ^_^
I looked it up on Google and it made me go, "Wow" --
The Life That I Have by Leo Marks
The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
Wasn't that a lovely poem?
* * *
Another poem --
About 2 weeks ago, I was feeling really sh*tty about myself -- as usual, I overthought the situation and felt like my brain was going to burst.
Long story short: I felt like my high school self and I felt all the awkwardness and gauche-ness that comes with being that age. And it annoyed me to feel like that because I'm 32 years old and should have overcome all that.
Anyhoo, a dear friend was kind enough to listen to me through my pity party --
And then an off-tangent idea came to mind and it was this poem:
Bonsai by Edith Tiempo
All that I love
I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.
All that I love?
Why, yes, but for the moment -
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son's note, or Dad's one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a young queen,
A blue Indian shawls, even
A money bill.
It's utter sublimation,
A feat, this heart's control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand's size,
Till seashells are broken pieces
From God's own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.
I'm fine now, by the way. ^_^
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Funny thing --
Johann and I celebrated our 5th anniversary last July 23 --
I had the idea of asking our friend, C (who was going to Singapore) to buy a copy of SFX for Johann. (It's one of his favorite magazines.)
I didn't tell him because it was going to be a surprise.
What I didn't know is that Johann had also asked C to buy some M&M Peanut Butter for me.
He didn't tell me because it was going to be a surprise also.
=^_^=
* * *
Postponed anniversary --
We had planned to watch a movie and have dinner at the newly-opened Mandarin Tea Garden inside SM City on our anniversary but we had to postpone our plans indefinitely --
Anya's yaya's mom was sick so the yaya had to go home. It turned out that the mom had typhoid so the yaya is currently on quarantine for 2 weeks.
I had the idea of asking our friend, C (who was going to Singapore) to buy a copy of SFX for Johann. (It's one of his favorite magazines.)
I didn't tell him because it was going to be a surprise.
What I didn't know is that Johann had also asked C to buy some M&M Peanut Butter for me.
He didn't tell me because it was going to be a surprise also.
=^_^=
* * *
Postponed anniversary --
We had planned to watch a movie and have dinner at the newly-opened Mandarin Tea Garden inside SM City on our anniversary but we had to postpone our plans indefinitely --
Anya's yaya's mom was sick so the yaya had to go home. It turned out that the mom had typhoid so the yaya is currently on quarantine for 2 weeks.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Top 10 Uses for Nutella
Article here.
My favorite is to mix Peanut Butter and Nutella on a sandwich -- great energy boost and a really yummy way to greet the morning. ^_^
My favorite is to mix Peanut Butter and Nutella on a sandwich -- great energy boost and a really yummy way to greet the morning. ^_^
Thursday, July 08, 2010
I love you, Steven Moffat --
When Johann started watching Doctor Who, I resisted. I don't like very long series that I have to catch up with -- and it takes forever to find the previous series/episodes.
This was the case with Doctor Who. We came in at Season 5 with the 11th doctor (Matt Smith) and had to scramble and find Seasons 1 to 4. Thankfully, Amazon UK has this amazing boxed set which was on sale -- and we bought it.
And we've been spending an hour or two every afternoon watching an episode or two of Doctor Who.
But I digress -- Johann's been squealing about Doctor Who for about a month now and I've ignored it -- until one afternoon, when he watched The Vampires of Venice. We had to stop halfway through because he needed to go back to work.
I was stuck at home -- dying to find out how the episode ended. So I did. By myself.
Then I watched The Girl in the Fireplace. And now I am hooked.
(Here is where Steven Moffat comes in.)
My sister and I have an uncanny ability to love directors/writers without knowing them. Apparently, even from our younger days, we've unknowingly followed Ridley Scott and James Cameron.
Such was the case with Steven Moffat, who wrote The Girl in the Fireplace and several other episodes of Doctor Who.
I've shared Doctor Who with a few friends and I always recommend a Steven Moffat episode for them to watch --
Russell T. Davies who was responsible for jumpstarting the show in the 21st century has stepped down after Doctor Who Season 4 and Steven Moffat is now "running the show" --
For the curious, here are the episodes of Doctor Who which Steven Moffat has written (so far):
1. The Empty Child
2. The Doctor Dances
3. The Girl in the Fireplace
4. Blink <-- Carey Mulligan guest stars in this one
5. Silence in the Library
6. Forest of the Dead
7. The End of Time Part 2 <-- uncredited
8. The Eleventh Hour
9. The Beast Below
10. Victory of the Daleks
11. The Time of Angels
12. Flesh and Stone
13. The Pandorica Opens
14. The Big Bang
Titles in bold are Season 5 episodes.
He also wrote Time Crash -- a five-minute Doctor Who "episode" which was shown for a charity benefit show.
Information gotten from IMDB.
This was the case with Doctor Who. We came in at Season 5 with the 11th doctor (Matt Smith) and had to scramble and find Seasons 1 to 4. Thankfully, Amazon UK has this amazing boxed set which was on sale -- and we bought it.
And we've been spending an hour or two every afternoon watching an episode or two of Doctor Who.
But I digress -- Johann's been squealing about Doctor Who for about a month now and I've ignored it -- until one afternoon, when he watched The Vampires of Venice. We had to stop halfway through because he needed to go back to work.
I was stuck at home -- dying to find out how the episode ended. So I did. By myself.
Then I watched The Girl in the Fireplace. And now I am hooked.
(Here is where Steven Moffat comes in.)
My sister and I have an uncanny ability to love directors/writers without knowing them. Apparently, even from our younger days, we've unknowingly followed Ridley Scott and James Cameron.
Such was the case with Steven Moffat, who wrote The Girl in the Fireplace and several other episodes of Doctor Who.
I've shared Doctor Who with a few friends and I always recommend a Steven Moffat episode for them to watch --
Russell T. Davies who was responsible for jumpstarting the show in the 21st century has stepped down after Doctor Who Season 4 and Steven Moffat is now "running the show" --
For the curious, here are the episodes of Doctor Who which Steven Moffat has written (so far):
1. The Empty Child
2. The Doctor Dances
3. The Girl in the Fireplace
4. Blink <-- Carey Mulligan guest stars in this one
5. Silence in the Library
6. Forest of the Dead
7. The End of Time Part 2 <-- uncredited
8. The Eleventh Hour
9. The Beast Below
10. Victory of the Daleks
11. The Time of Angels
12. Flesh and Stone
13. The Pandorica Opens
14. The Big Bang
Titles in bold are Season 5 episodes.
He also wrote Time Crash -- a five-minute Doctor Who "episode" which was shown for a charity benefit show.
Information gotten from IMDB.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
I want!!! --
I don't craft or do scrapbooks --
But the acquisitive in me wants to get this.
It's a Cuttlebug Machine. It's currently less than $60 for the machine.
World, don't get this for me. I wouldn't know what to do with it when I get it.
But the acquisitive in me wants to get this.
It's a Cuttlebug Machine. It's currently less than $60 for the machine.
World, don't get this for me. I wouldn't know what to do with it when I get it.
Photos! --
Johann got the Hipstamatic App for his phone and he's been taking pretty pictures with it.
I really like this picture he took of me. (Yes, I'm reading a romance novel. Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter. Very nice story!) We were waiting for our haircut appointment at the Korean Hair Salon in Ledesco.
The slippers I am wearing have a very interesting story -- and they only cost 40 pesos.
I had a perm when I went to Tokyo last September and the curls are gone now. I'm thinking of getting another perm at the Korean Hair Salon and I found this picture in one of the magazines there. I showed it to the owner and she told me that I could probably get it done next month when my hair is the correct length.
I'm really excited to get it done! (I wonder how it will look with all my grey/white hair. Hahaha!)
Photos of the kids using the Hipstamatic in my other blog.
I really like this picture he took of me. (Yes, I'm reading a romance novel. Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter. Very nice story!) We were waiting for our haircut appointment at the Korean Hair Salon in Ledesco.
The slippers I am wearing have a very interesting story -- and they only cost 40 pesos.
I had a perm when I went to Tokyo last September and the curls are gone now. I'm thinking of getting another perm at the Korean Hair Salon and I found this picture in one of the magazines there. I showed it to the owner and she told me that I could probably get it done next month when my hair is the correct length.
I'm really excited to get it done! (I wonder how it will look with all my grey/white hair. Hahaha!)
Photos of the kids using the Hipstamatic in my other blog.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Epic fail morning --
The concept sounded sound -- cream cheese and blueberry in pancake --
The initial plan was just to swirl blueberry topping into the pancake batter but I read a recipe that mixed cream cheese in pancake batter.
I figured I could mix both into the same pancake batter. (Did I mention it's a whole wheat pancake mix? Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Mix Pancake & Waffle, 10 Grain 26 oz
)
It looked pretty but the inside was still mushy and wet --
See the lovely fleck of cream cheese?
Mushy inside! T_T
Good thing we had bread.
At the same time, Johann decided to experiment on the proportion of coffee grounds (Yes, C, we "brew" our own coffee now. ^_^) And the coffee was too weak -- and we had put in the same amount of condensed milk into our cups. Our coffee tasted like warm sweet milk.
This does not bode well for the rest of the day ...
The initial plan was just to swirl blueberry topping into the pancake batter but I read a recipe that mixed cream cheese in pancake batter.
I figured I could mix both into the same pancake batter. (Did I mention it's a whole wheat pancake mix? Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Mix Pancake & Waffle, 10 Grain 26 oz
)It looked pretty but the inside was still mushy and wet --
See the lovely fleck of cream cheese?
Mushy inside! T_T
Good thing we had bread.
At the same time, Johann decided to experiment on the proportion of coffee grounds (Yes, C, we "brew" our own coffee now. ^_^) And the coffee was too weak -- and we had put in the same amount of condensed milk into our cups. Our coffee tasted like warm sweet milk.
This does not bode well for the rest of the day ...
Thursday, July 01, 2010
It works! --
I read that you can "recover" scratched discs using metal polish. Article here.
I tried it on one of Seth's Little Einstein's discs -- a lot of the shallow scratches disappeared -- the deeper ones are still there -- the most important thing is that the disc doesn't skip or pixelate anymore when we play it.
Caveat: Don't try this on super expensive/super rare discs. We only tried the metal polish yesterday and we don't know about long-term effects.
I tried it on one of Seth's Little Einstein's discs -- a lot of the shallow scratches disappeared -- the deeper ones are still there -- the most important thing is that the disc doesn't skip or pixelate anymore when we play it.
Caveat: Don't try this on super expensive/super rare discs. We only tried the metal polish yesterday and we don't know about long-term effects.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Afraid of yeast --
I stumbled upon this recipe on Allrecipes.com -- the concept sounds simple and I was going to give it a try.
I have all the ingredients ready (went to the supermarket and got them) -- but I can't find the ... courage to make them.
I'm a little intimidated by the whole yeast rising thing. (What if it doesn't rise? What if I bake it wrong?)
The ingredients and the recipe have been waiting patiently for over a month now -- initially, I reasoned that I didn't have enough time.
This afternoon, I had already asked my sister to watch Anya while she was sleeping so I could start on the dough.
And then I decided not to.
So I'm sitting here, with the recipe in the window tab beside this blog entry, wondering when I'll have the confidence to make them.
* * *
Jealous of my younger brother --
My youngest brother came home from Japan (for good) bringing with him all sorts of yummy gadgets -- he has this wonderful breadmaker that can make bread in 4 hours.
When I was in Manila, he baked a loaf for our parents and they raved about how good it was.
I have a friend who works in the same department at their university who mentioned my brother's bread no less than 3 times in the span of a 2-hour conversation. (A conversation where we were supposed to catch up on our lives and not discuss my brother's bread. Grumblegrumblegrumble.)
He also has this amazing microwave/"real oven" combo that sits on the counter. It's that small -- but it can bake things properly. Like pizza!
And he's making his own yogurt.
~sigh~
Meanwhile, I've subjected the people in our house to a really chewy dinner of beef stir-fry. The beef was so, so tough that the table was so, so quiet because everybody was just focusing on chewing it.
I have all the ingredients ready (went to the supermarket and got them) -- but I can't find the ... courage to make them.
I'm a little intimidated by the whole yeast rising thing. (What if it doesn't rise? What if I bake it wrong?)
The ingredients and the recipe have been waiting patiently for over a month now -- initially, I reasoned that I didn't have enough time.
This afternoon, I had already asked my sister to watch Anya while she was sleeping so I could start on the dough.
And then I decided not to.
So I'm sitting here, with the recipe in the window tab beside this blog entry, wondering when I'll have the confidence to make them.
* * *
Jealous of my younger brother --
My youngest brother came home from Japan (for good) bringing with him all sorts of yummy gadgets -- he has this wonderful breadmaker that can make bread in 4 hours.
When I was in Manila, he baked a loaf for our parents and they raved about how good it was.
I have a friend who works in the same department at their university who mentioned my brother's bread no less than 3 times in the span of a 2-hour conversation. (A conversation where we were supposed to catch up on our lives and not discuss my brother's bread. Grumblegrumblegrumble.)
He also has this amazing microwave/"real oven" combo that sits on the counter. It's that small -- but it can bake things properly. Like pizza!
And he's making his own yogurt.
~sigh~
Meanwhile, I've subjected the people in our house to a really chewy dinner of beef stir-fry. The beef was so, so tough that the table was so, so quiet because everybody was just focusing on chewing it.
Movies --
Movies we've missed --
1. Toy Story 3
2. The Karate Kid
3. The A-Team <-- though I am NOT a fan of Bradley Cooper
4. Shrek Forever After
5. Prince of Persia <-- I really wanted to watch this one
6. Robin Hood
Movies I'd like to watch but we'll most likely miss watching on the big screen --
1. Eclipse
2. The Last Airbender
3. The Sorcerer's Apprentice
4. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
In the meantime, we are busy watching the first 4 seasons of Doctor Who. And we are still busy debating about whether we like David Tennant or Matt Smith better. (No question on the sidekick -- we both like Amy Pond.)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sort of back --
When your child gets sick and you are stuck in the hospital for days on end, life changes somewhat --
Your entire being is focused on one space -- and on one tiny little being in the process of recovering.
And even when you get out of the hospital, one forgets to breathe during the countless days of watching and waiting for things to either get better or to get worse.
I'd like to think that we're over that obstacle/gigantic mountain/impenetrable fog and now we are moving on --
And I am always and eternally thankful for the people I have around me -- for my husband who knows that I need to go out and have time for myself, for my sister who knows that helping me with my books is helping me with my life, for my children who know that silly dancing can improve everyone's mood, and for friends near and far who touch base now and then.
* * *
Cute site --
Thanks, C, for sharing this --
Hot Guys Reading Books
I discovered a new words, thanks to the site -- adorkable -- =^_^=
Your entire being is focused on one space -- and on one tiny little being in the process of recovering.
And even when you get out of the hospital, one forgets to breathe during the countless days of watching and waiting for things to either get better or to get worse.
I'd like to think that we're over that obstacle/gigantic mountain/impenetrable fog and now we are moving on --
And I am always and eternally thankful for the people I have around me -- for my husband who knows that I need to go out and have time for myself, for my sister who knows that helping me with my books is helping me with my life, for my children who know that silly dancing can improve everyone's mood, and for friends near and far who touch base now and then.
* * *
Cute site --
Thanks, C, for sharing this --
Hot Guys Reading Books
I discovered a new words, thanks to the site -- adorkable -- =^_^=
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Book buying --
It amuses my friends that I read romance novels almost full time.
Yesterday, I surprised one of them by actually going to National Bookstore and buying a *gasp!* non-romance novel title --
I've been curious about Stieg Larsson's series and, with my National Bookstore discount card, I was able to purchase the first book in the series cheaply.
It's going to be my airport reading later -- and I'm wondering if I should cover the book up in my lovely Ouran High School Host Club book cover or display it proudly to the world.
In romance novel news, I just finished 2 books from Patricia Rice's Magic series (Malcolm Women + Ives Men): Merely Magic
and The Trouble with Magic
. I have the last book in the series
waiting for me in Iloilo.
I'm glad she has a new book slated for release this coming July.
Yesterday, I surprised one of them by actually going to National Bookstore and buying a *gasp!* non-romance novel title --
I've been curious about Stieg Larsson's series and, with my National Bookstore discount card, I was able to purchase the first book in the series cheaply.
It's going to be my airport reading later -- and I'm wondering if I should cover the book up in my lovely Ouran High School Host Club book cover or display it proudly to the world.
In romance novel news, I just finished 2 books from Patricia Rice's Magic series (Malcolm Women + Ives Men): Merely Magic
and The Trouble with Magic. I have the last book in the series waiting for me in Iloilo. I'm glad she has a new book slated for release this coming July.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Current guilty pleasure: Magazines --
It started late last year, when I received an email from Amazon.com informing me that the subscription to Real Simple was on sale for $5 -- (that's less than $0.50 per issue) --
Shipping is restricted to the United States but, if you have someone who can receive the issues for you, it's really worth it.
Right now, the sale is for game magazines:
$5 for a one-year subscription to Nintendo Power or to the X-Box or Playstation magazine!
Shipping is restricted to the United States but, if you have someone who can receive the issues for you, it's really worth it.
Right now, the sale is for game magazines:
$5 for a one-year subscription to Nintendo Power or to the X-Box or Playstation magazine!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Check this event out:
Manila International Storytelling Festival --
It's going to be in November 2010.
The website still features last year's event -- but, based on the information that's listed there, it looks to be an interesting event. ^_^
It's going to be in November 2010.
The website still features last year's event -- but, based on the information that's listed there, it looks to be an interesting event. ^_^
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Games for the iPod Touch? --
So, I finished playing Crystal Defenders and Plants vs Zombies on the iPod --
One night, I was so bored, I finished the Highlights Hidden Picture app -- (am just waiting for the free picture pack for May ...)
And I'm playing Settlers of Catan right now --
But I'm in the market for new games --
Suggestions please?
(Stuff that's on the iPod now: Cluedo, Tradewinds, Cooking Mama, Trivial Pursuit, Game of Life, Farm Frenzy, The Settlers, Build-a-lot, plus a shedload of games for Seth.)
One night, I was so bored, I finished the Highlights Hidden Picture app -- (am just waiting for the free picture pack for May ...)
And I'm playing Settlers of Catan right now --
But I'm in the market for new games --
Suggestions please?
(Stuff that's on the iPod now: Cluedo, Tradewinds, Cooking Mama, Trivial Pursuit, Game of Life, Farm Frenzy, The Settlers, Build-a-lot, plus a shedload of games for Seth.)
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Cup Noodles --
We currently have a box of Curry Cup Noodles that my brother sent home in a balikbayan box.
His friends mentioned that there's even Cheese Curry Cup Noodles and it's actually delicious. O_O
I decided to look online and stumbled upon these very *ahem* interesting flavors:
Milk Seafood Cup Noodles!
Chili Tomato Cup Noodles!
My personal favorite is the plain Cup Noodle or the plain Seafood Cup Noodle. ^_^
His friends mentioned that there's even Cheese Curry Cup Noodles and it's actually delicious. O_O
I decided to look online and stumbled upon these very *ahem* interesting flavors:
Milk Seafood Cup Noodles!
Chili Tomato Cup Noodles!
My personal favorite is the plain Cup Noodle or the plain Seafood Cup Noodle. ^_^
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Busy in the kitchen --
Johann and I have been busy trying to fulfill our kitchen dreams -- trying to cook up our versions of favorite restaurant dishes
Last week, we decided to go for it --
I started out with Eggplant Parmesan, which is one of my favorites at Sbarro's -- I knew the basics: eggplants, tomatoes and cheese -- but I never thought to try cooking it until I spotted lovely eggplants being sold at Iloilo Supermart-Atrium. They had these amazing "Black Beauty" eggplants from Baguio and I bought a couple.
The eggplants turned out really well and even our helpers enjoyed it. (Theysuffer try out all the food experiments that I do.) --
Inspired by my success, Johann decided it was time for us (read: me -- with supervision from him) to make French Onion soup.
We didn't have white wine or sherry, which all recipes call for so we went with the basic ingredients: onions and a mix of chicken and beef broth.
We topped it with store-bought garlic bread (baguette) from Tinapayan and drowned the whole thing in mozzarella --
It was really, really yummy! We made it twice the same day!
Next on my list is carrot cake. I just want to make carrot cake so I can make a double batch of cream cheese frosting and eat that. =^_^=
Now, to get the mixer, the cake pan, and the rest of the things I need to bake the cake.
Last week, we decided to go for it --
I started out with Eggplant Parmesan, which is one of my favorites at Sbarro's -- I knew the basics: eggplants, tomatoes and cheese -- but I never thought to try cooking it until I spotted lovely eggplants being sold at Iloilo Supermart-Atrium. They had these amazing "Black Beauty" eggplants from Baguio and I bought a couple.
The eggplants turned out really well and even our helpers enjoyed it. (They
Inspired by my success, Johann decided it was time for us (read: me -- with supervision from him) to make French Onion soup.
We didn't have white wine or sherry, which all recipes call for so we went with the basic ingredients: onions and a mix of chicken and beef broth.
We topped it with store-bought garlic bread (baguette) from Tinapayan and drowned the whole thing in mozzarella --
It was really, really yummy! We made it twice the same day!
Next on my list is carrot cake. I just want to make carrot cake so I can make a double batch of cream cheese frosting and eat that. =^_^=
Now, to get the mixer, the cake pan, and the rest of the things I need to bake the cake.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
I think I want a sewing machine --
I don't know how to sew --
But I would like to get a sewing machine so I could try to learn how to sew --
I want to make fabric book covers so I can read my romance novels in public --
According to Martha Stewart, this is the best one for beginners:
Isn't it cute? ^_^
It's $74.95 on Amazon.
* * *
Other things I think I want --
- Fuji Instax Mini
They used to sell these locally but I guess they stopped selling them because of poor sales.
- A new digital camera. I really love the advertisement for the new Ixus with the miniaturizing feature.
- More rubber stamps and stamp pads. I really love the stamps from Kodomo no Kao. I bought some when I was in Tokyo.
But I would like to get a sewing machine so I could try to learn how to sew --
I want to make fabric book covers so I can read my romance novels in public --
According to Martha Stewart, this is the best one for beginners:
Isn't it cute? ^_^It's $74.95 on Amazon.
* * *
Other things I think I want --
- Fuji Instax Mini
They used to sell these locally but I guess they stopped selling them because of poor sales.
- A new digital camera. I really love the advertisement for the new Ixus with the miniaturizing feature.
- More rubber stamps and stamp pads. I really love the stamps from Kodomo no Kao. I bought some when I was in Tokyo.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Clash of the Titans: the remake --
I have vague memories of the original -- I know I've watched it twice, at least --
Johann didn't want to watch it, at first because he read reviews that said it was only so-so --
Ah, but the lure of Sam Worthington was too strong to resist and we finally watched it on its third week of showing here in Iloilo.
And, you know what? It was actually pretty good. I was entertained for the entire duration of the film.
And Sam Worthington is oh-so yummy ...
There's news of a sequel and I wonder what they're going to do in that one.
Interesting class from Ateneo CCE --
The Ateneo Center for Continuing Education and
the Philippine Wellness and Spa Association (PHILWELL)
invite you to
the High Performance Spa Management Certification Program
Wellness is now considered a booming trillion-dollar industry. Be equipped with sound business principles that will let you gain an edge against competitors with the High Performance Spa Management Certification Program. Learn detail-oriented operations, clear-cut financing and top-notch customer service from the country's top industry leaders. Gain insights from case studies of spas in the Philippines and in Asia, and discover how your business can outdo the rest.
Successful participants may earn the title Certified Spa Manager.
This course will run from May 24 to June 4, 2010, from 9:00am – 5:00pm at the Ateneo Salcedo Campus.
For additional information, please click www.cce.ateneo.edu
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
We made Ribs!
I saw a really simply recipe in Yummy but couldn't follow it to the letter because we didn't have the ingredients to make the sauce.
We took the basic principle: boiling the ribs before grilling it to guarantee fall-off-the-bone tenderness and took a bottle of Hunt's Hickory BBQ sauce.
We actually took a lot of shortcuts -- we had to boil our ribs because we didn't have a pressure cooker (which the recipe suggests) --
Am glad our ribs turned out nicely. ^_^
We actually made it twice -- the first one, we boiled the ribs in water. The second time, we boiled it in a combination of pineapple juice, barbecue sauce and water.
The second version smelled so, so good. ^_^
We took the basic principle: boiling the ribs before grilling it to guarantee fall-off-the-bone tenderness and took a bottle of Hunt's Hickory BBQ sauce.
We actually took a lot of shortcuts -- we had to boil our ribs because we didn't have a pressure cooker (which the recipe suggests) --
Am glad our ribs turned out nicely. ^_^
We actually made it twice -- the first one, we boiled the ribs in water. The second time, we boiled it in a combination of pineapple juice, barbecue sauce and water.
The second version smelled so, so good. ^_^
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
R.I.P., Fr. Galdon --
Not in a silver casket cool with pearls
Or rich with red corundum or with blue,
Locked, and the key withheld, as other girls
Have given their loves, I give my love to you;
Not in a lovers'-knot, not in a ring
Worked in such fashion, and the legend plain-
Semper fidelis, where a secret spring
Kennels a drop of mischief for the brain:
Love in the open hand, no thing but that,
Ungemmed, unhidden, wishing not to hurt,
As one should bring you cowslips in a hat
Swung from the hand, or apples in her skirt,
I bring you, calling out as children do:
"Look what I have!--And these are all for you."
- Edna St. Vincent Millay
At the start of every PDC, (Prayer Days for Coeds), Fr. Galdon gives a talk and ends it with this lovely poem. I remember sitting there across from him, and he opened his hands palm up as he said the last lines of the poem.
And it was then that I understood what love was. And it made me cry. (I still cry every time I read this poem.)
I took his courses, Great Books 1 & 2 in my junior and senior year -- and I loved his class. He inspired me to teach the way I did -- and to think the way I do.
"It Pedends!" he would exclaim playfully. (It Depends.) -- reminding us that everything was about having a point of view and challenging us to HAVE a point of view.
He will be remembered always and he will be missed always.
Or rich with red corundum or with blue,
Locked, and the key withheld, as other girls
Have given their loves, I give my love to you;
Not in a lovers'-knot, not in a ring
Worked in such fashion, and the legend plain-
Semper fidelis, where a secret spring
Kennels a drop of mischief for the brain:
Love in the open hand, no thing but that,
Ungemmed, unhidden, wishing not to hurt,
As one should bring you cowslips in a hat
Swung from the hand, or apples in her skirt,
I bring you, calling out as children do:
"Look what I have!--And these are all for you."
- Edna St. Vincent Millay
At the start of every PDC, (Prayer Days for Coeds), Fr. Galdon gives a talk and ends it with this lovely poem. I remember sitting there across from him, and he opened his hands palm up as he said the last lines of the poem.
And it was then that I understood what love was. And it made me cry. (I still cry every time I read this poem.)
I took his courses, Great Books 1 & 2 in my junior and senior year -- and I loved his class. He inspired me to teach the way I did -- and to think the way I do.
"It Pedends!" he would exclaim playfully. (It Depends.) -- reminding us that everything was about having a point of view and challenging us to HAVE a point of view.
He will be remembered always and he will be missed always.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Blog Post # 801: A good day in the kitchen --
I love shopping for meat.
I love going to the supermarkets and pretending to know what I'm doing when I tell the guys behind the counter that I would like that particular piece of meat and not the one beside it.
Last week, Johann and I found ourselves in the meat section of SM City and we found a really cute pork loin all ready to be marinated and cooked in the oven.
Never mind that we have never roasted a pork loin before.
Never mind that we don't even have a good marinade recipe.
We went ahead and bought it.
I started looking for some nice (read: easy) roast pork recipes and I was drawn to this one:
Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin on AllRecipes.com
What was most appealing was that it only needed 4 ingredients -- one of which was the pork.
The cook and I (mostly our cook, but I was working hard directing her) made the marinade and poured it over our pork loin and left it to marinade overnight.
I was planning to have it for dinner the next day (yesterday, Sunday) so we preheated our oven at 4pm and left it at gas mark 6 for 10 minutes to get it nice and hot.
We sliced some onions and potatoes (by we, I mean the cook) and placed them on the bottom of our pan.
Then we placed our pork loin on top, reduced our oven temp to gas mark 4 (which is about 350 degrees)
and set our timers for 30 minutes.
Total cooking time was 1 hour but we checked in every 30 minutes just to see if we were going to have a really good dinner or a really bad one.
At 1 hour, I stuck a knife in the middle (I saw this trick on Martha) to test the temperature of the meat -- I wasn't sure what the right temperature felt like but I knew that our meat could stand a bit more cooking. We let it go for 20 minutes more.
We actually let it rest for about 20 minutes.
At exactly 6 o'clock, we sliced into the meat and nearly wept at how lovely it turned out.
We piled the onions and potatoes in with the sliced pork and served it like that. It was a big pile of yummy fat, tender meat and extras. ^_^
We will definitely try roasting pork again -- maybe with a different marinade. (We're thinking of making it Chinese style and marinading it in Char Siu sauce.) ^_^
I love going to the supermarkets and pretending to know what I'm doing when I tell the guys behind the counter that I would like that particular piece of meat and not the one beside it.
Last week, Johann and I found ourselves in the meat section of SM City and we found a really cute pork loin all ready to be marinated and cooked in the oven.
Never mind that we have never roasted a pork loin before.
Never mind that we don't even have a good marinade recipe.
We went ahead and bought it.
I started looking for some nice (read: easy) roast pork recipes and I was drawn to this one:
Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin on AllRecipes.com
What was most appealing was that it only needed 4 ingredients -- one of which was the pork.
The cook and I (mostly our cook, but I was working hard directing her) made the marinade and poured it over our pork loin and left it to marinade overnight.
I was planning to have it for dinner the next day (yesterday, Sunday) so we preheated our oven at 4pm and left it at gas mark 6 for 10 minutes to get it nice and hot.
We sliced some onions and potatoes (by we, I mean the cook) and placed them on the bottom of our pan.
Then we placed our pork loin on top, reduced our oven temp to gas mark 4 (which is about 350 degrees)
and set our timers for 30 minutes.
Total cooking time was 1 hour but we checked in every 30 minutes just to see if we were going to have a really good dinner or a really bad one.
At 1 hour, I stuck a knife in the middle (I saw this trick on Martha) to test the temperature of the meat -- I wasn't sure what the right temperature felt like but I knew that our meat could stand a bit more cooking. We let it go for 20 minutes more.
We actually let it rest for about 20 minutes.
At exactly 6 o'clock, we sliced into the meat and nearly wept at how lovely it turned out.
We piled the onions and potatoes in with the sliced pork and served it like that. It was a big pile of yummy fat, tender meat and extras. ^_^
We will definitely try roasting pork again -- maybe with a different marinade. (We're thinking of making it Chinese style and marinading it in Char Siu sauce.) ^_^
Sunday, March 07, 2010
The cutest thing! (As of 6:56 this morning) XD
I don't know what I was doing browsing through Amazon Japan --
But I stumbled upon the "Hobby Kitchen" line of Bandai and found myself entertained by all the cute gadgets Bandai has made for kids 6 and up.
I found this especially teeth-achingly cute. (It's not yet 7 in the morning. Forgive the modifier.)
It's a mini ice-cream maker. From the looks of it, it's the size of a single mug serving of ice cream.
I can imagine my two kids sitting at the table grinding the top -- trying to make ice cream for their beloved mother.
But I stumbled upon the "Hobby Kitchen" line of Bandai and found myself entertained by all the cute gadgets Bandai has made for kids 6 and up.
I found this especially teeth-achingly cute. (It's not yet 7 in the morning. Forgive the modifier.)
It's a mini ice-cream maker. From the looks of it, it's the size of a single mug serving of ice cream.
I can imagine my two kids sitting at the table grinding the top -- trying to make ice cream for their beloved mother.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Busy-ness --
On my bedside right now is a magazine that my brother brought home from Japan -- it's called Minna no Techou (Everybody's Journal <-- ?) --
It's a lovely magazine that features diaries and how people use them.
I cannot read Japanese so I just looked at (and enjoyed the pictures) --
It's really amazing how dedicated some diary users can be -- they have different-colored pens and even stickers to mark out special events/important notes.
I told my brother how lovely it was and he showed me his diary --
He travels around a bit and meets with different people -- and his diary was a mix of Japanese and English.
And it had cute dot stickers!
I was so aliw that I went to National Bookstore and bought a set of small dot stickers for my diary as well.
I didn't get a moleskine journal this year -- when I went to Tokyo, my brother pointed out all the cute "other" journals and encouraged me to get something unique.
Since my little girl is all pink and cute, I chose the Cath Kidston one with strawberry prints.
<-- that's a folded up menu from the Peanut Butter & Co in New York, which C sent over together with the lovely jars of PB
I carry my diary in my bag -- and I have a pen with me. My diary doesn't really have a lot of important events or appointments (except my kids' doctor's appointments) because I really don't do much here -- but it does carry important notes and ideas.
It's a lovely magazine that features diaries and how people use them.
I cannot read Japanese so I just looked at (and enjoyed the pictures) --
It's really amazing how dedicated some diary users can be -- they have different-colored pens and even stickers to mark out special events/important notes.
I told my brother how lovely it was and he showed me his diary --
He travels around a bit and meets with different people -- and his diary was a mix of Japanese and English.
And it had cute dot stickers!
I was so aliw that I went to National Bookstore and bought a set of small dot stickers for my diary as well.
I didn't get a moleskine journal this year -- when I went to Tokyo, my brother pointed out all the cute "other" journals and encouraged me to get something unique.
Since my little girl is all pink and cute, I chose the Cath Kidston one with strawberry prints.
<-- that's a folded up menu from the Peanut Butter & Co in New York, which C sent over together with the lovely jars of PB
I carry my diary in my bag -- and I have a pen with me. My diary doesn't really have a lot of important events or appointments (except my kids' doctor's appointments) because I really don't do much here -- but it does carry important notes and ideas.
I love diaries -- and I'm glad I've consistently kept one for the past x years. It gives me an idea of the state of my life and the people around me --
I've been reflecting while reading the magazine -- the idea of "busy-ness" --
Long before business was associated with commerce and the making of money, it was used to describe occupation (yet another word that had nothing to do with money...) --
I like the idea that life shouldn't just be about work and money -- but that there are other things out there that are just as worthwhile.
Which is why I am impressed and inspired by people who have decided to take a different path in their career and have succeeded. (<-- another tricky concept. An old professor would smile and ask, "What is one's definition of success?")
And I look at my life -- and my blank pages and I wonder if I am being "busy" --
If I really am busy when I tell my son that I can't play with him because I'm too busy.
And it worries me sometimes that I haven't done anything of merit (to myself or to my family) --
So I have promised myself (a belated resolution) that I will try to do something -- one thing -- a day.
And it starts today with this blog post and this reflection. ^_^
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Books, books, and more books! --
For lovers of romance novels and chicklit, please check out Starry Night Books on Multiply and my Ebay listings.
For lovers of Science Fiction and Fantasy, visit Critical Hit Books on Multiply. Hubby has an amazing set of Uncle John's Bathroom Readers and The Mammoth Book of ...
For lovers of Science Fiction and Fantasy, visit Critical Hit Books on Multiply. Hubby has an amazing set of Uncle John's Bathroom Readers and The Mammoth Book of ...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sunny mornings --
It's been dreary and cold these past few days -- the wind's howling and the day is gray.
But I'm surprisingly chipper --
Maybe it's because of these:
I have a long-standing love affair with peanut butter -- (and Nutella) -- I used to have "peanut butter" Wednesdays which (d)evolved into "peanut butter" everdays.
I love it on pandesal or on toast ... or on a spoon.
These two jars of PB are from The Peanut Butter & Co in New York. A friend went there recently and was so wonderful and got these for me. (Thankies thankies, C!)
I usually have two or three different peanut butters open at any one time ... but these are too precious so I started with the Dark Chocolate Dreams ...
I'm nearly done with it. (I don't want to be!) So I'll be enjoying the White Chocolate Wonderful next.
Oh, and my favorite mix? Peanut Butter on the bottom half of the bread and Nutella on top. ^_^
For some strange reason, while I was writing this blog entry, this was the song in my head:
Sunny all the way
Something new is dawning
Bet it's called today
Something new is dawning
Bet it's called today
Smile a sunny morning
Sunny is the style
Even if you're yawning
You can yawn a smile
Sunny is the style
Even if you're yawning
You can yawn a smile
Come on and smile bees and bunnies
Wake up birds and trees
You'll find if you're sunny
Your morning is a breeze!
Wake up birds and trees
You'll find if you're sunny
Your morning is a breeze!
Life can be so berry
Berry, berry grand
Mornings can be merry
Give the sun a hand
Berry, berry grand
Mornings can be merry
Give the sun a hand
Smile a sunny morning
Sunny all the way
Something new is dawning
Bet it's called today
Sunny all the way
Something new is dawning
Bet it's called today
Bet it's called today!
<-- it's from Strawberry Shortcake!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
32 --
In a few hours, I will be 32 years old. (At around 9am)
I read back to old blog entries to see what has changed in my life in the past 7 years that I've kept this blog.
One curious thing was an IQ Test that I took in 2004. I decided to retake the test --
And the result is:
You are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level. These talents make you a Word Warrior.
Whether or not you recognize it, your vocabulary is your strongest suit—use it whenever you can. Since your command of words is so great, you are also a terrific communicator — able to articulate big ideas to just about anyone.
Your wordsmithing prowess will also help in artistic and creative pursuits. The power of words translates to fresh ideas off paper too.
Since you have so many words at your disposal, you are in a unique position to describe things in an original way, as well as see the future in your mind's eye. In short, your strengths allow you to be a visionary — able to extrapolate and come up with a multitude of fresh ideas. And you are in good company — bask in the brilliance of Word Warriors who have walked before you.
William Shakespeare let loose the power of his pen. His ability to articulate the most subtle nuances of human nature and to create colorful characters are why his stories still have a major impact — even 400 years after he first wrote them. Whether you put pen to paper or use your understanding of the words around you to come up with creative approaches to problems, your potential as a Word Warrior is terrific.
I was a bit worried at the start because I know I've probably lost brain cells in the past year or two ... so now I'm a bit relieved that I can still think properly when the situation calls for it. ^_^
I read back to old blog entries to see what has changed in my life in the past 7 years that I've kept this blog.
One curious thing was an IQ Test that I took in 2004. I decided to retake the test --
And the result is:
Word Warrior
Your IQ Score is: 135You are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level. These talents make you a Word Warrior.
Whether or not you recognize it, your vocabulary is your strongest suit—use it whenever you can. Since your command of words is so great, you are also a terrific communicator — able to articulate big ideas to just about anyone.
Your wordsmithing prowess will also help in artistic and creative pursuits. The power of words translates to fresh ideas off paper too.
Since you have so many words at your disposal, you are in a unique position to describe things in an original way, as well as see the future in your mind's eye. In short, your strengths allow you to be a visionary — able to extrapolate and come up with a multitude of fresh ideas. And you are in good company — bask in the brilliance of Word Warriors who have walked before you.
William Shakespeare let loose the power of his pen. His ability to articulate the most subtle nuances of human nature and to create colorful characters are why his stories still have a major impact — even 400 years after he first wrote them. Whether you put pen to paper or use your understanding of the words around you to come up with creative approaches to problems, your potential as a Word Warrior is terrific.
I was a bit worried at the start because I know I've probably lost brain cells in the past year or two ... so now I'm a bit relieved that I can still think properly when the situation calls for it. ^_^
Monday, January 04, 2010
Plans for 2010! --
It's the beginning of a new decade!
And I'm turning 32 soon! >_<
Here are some things I'd like to do this year:
1. Learn how to "lechon" a pig
<-- our driver and I have had lengthy discussions about this and I am determined to learn how to do this properly before December. I wonder how people get the mix of flavors and spices right. How does one practice?
2. Learn how to sew
<-- the better title would be "Buy a sewing machine"
3. Organize my bookshelf (and Johann's)
4. Organize my closet. Believe it or not, I don't have a lot of clothes and I only have 1 pair of shoes (Pink Prima). I think this is the year to update my closet.
5. Buy a new pair of shoes
<-- I'll probably do this in Singapore.
6. Buy a new pair of glasses and update my prescription
<-- At our family's Christmas party, I couldn't read the name off the raffle ticket because it was blurry.
7. Blog/write more
<-- F, a friend in Cebu, and I were texting our one-line reviews of some of the romance novels we've read and it was amusing. She asked me if I've ever written a review and I told her, no -- perhaps this year I can write one. ^_^
8. Re-connect with friends
<-- I hope you are still my friends!!! >_<
My sister and I are also looking forward to our annual trip and, this year, we are going to Singapore at the end of January. (It's a post-birthday trip for me and a pre-birthday trip for her.) And we are taking Seth with us! (Still undecided whether this is a good idea or not. O_O)
I'm also planning my little girl's 1st birthday party and baptism. It's a bit tricky because her birthday is on March 27, which is the last weekend before Holy Week -- am certain most people will be away by then so we are moving up the celebration to the week before (March 20) -- but now we are competing against schools booking venues for their graduation balls.
I have a theme in mind already -- now I just have to think of what I want to happen. (More on this in our other blog.)
Also plan for Seth's birthday in June. Maybe something smaller. Maybe just in school. Not sure. ^_^
And I'm turning 32 soon! >_<
Here are some things I'd like to do this year:
1. Learn how to "lechon" a pig
<-- our driver and I have had lengthy discussions about this and I am determined to learn how to do this properly before December. I wonder how people get the mix of flavors and spices right. How does one practice?
2. Learn how to sew
<-- the better title would be "Buy a sewing machine"
3. Organize my bookshelf (and Johann's)
4. Organize my closet. Believe it or not, I don't have a lot of clothes and I only have 1 pair of shoes (Pink Prima). I think this is the year to update my closet.
5. Buy a new pair of shoes
<-- I'll probably do this in Singapore.
6. Buy a new pair of glasses and update my prescription
<-- At our family's Christmas party, I couldn't read the name off the raffle ticket because it was blurry.
7. Blog/write more
<-- F, a friend in Cebu, and I were texting our one-line reviews of some of the romance novels we've read and it was amusing. She asked me if I've ever written a review and I told her, no -- perhaps this year I can write one. ^_^
8. Re-connect with friends
<-- I hope you are still my friends!!! >_<
My sister and I are also looking forward to our annual trip and, this year, we are going to Singapore at the end of January. (It's a post-birthday trip for me and a pre-birthday trip for her.) And we are taking Seth with us! (Still undecided whether this is a good idea or not. O_O)
I'm also planning my little girl's 1st birthday party and baptism. It's a bit tricky because her birthday is on March 27, which is the last weekend before Holy Week -- am certain most people will be away by then so we are moving up the celebration to the week before (March 20) -- but now we are competing against schools booking venues for their graduation balls.
I have a theme in mind already -- now I just have to think of what I want to happen. (More on this in our other blog.)
Also plan for Seth's birthday in June. Maybe something smaller. Maybe just in school. Not sure. ^_^
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Conversation at lunch today --
Maybe it's because we've been eating leftover spaghetti since December 30.
Or maybe it's because there was a fire 2 blocks away from us last night and we had to rush home from a dinner with our uncle and his family who spent New Year in Iloilo.
Or maybe it's because we slept at 11 because we had to air out the house from all the smoke.
Or maybe it's because we woke up this morning to a house littered with ash and we spent the morning vacuuming.
Anyhoo, the conversation:
Me: (After taking a bite of baguette) I never did understand baguettes. Even when we were touring in France. I always found them too difficult to bite into.
Johann: It's the combination of textures. Crunchy outside. Soft and chewy inside.
Me: Yeah, di ba they talk about that in Gourmet Rhapsody? How bread contains many textures -- first, hard crust and then soft inside. And when you keep chewing, it becomes sticky. I still don't understand french bread. Especially in sandwiches.
My sister: It's because we aren't French. I can't imagine the French rhapsodizing about our Kong Kee Siopao and Love & Kisses pizza.
^_^
* * *
Excerpt from Gourmet Rhapsody --
You storm it through an initial encounter with the barrier of crust, then yield to wonder the moment you are through, as the fresh soft interior consents...
... chewing bread, unlike pastry, or event sweet breakfast rolls, leads to a surprising result, to a ... sticky result. As you chew and chew upon the soft interior, a sticky mass is formed, which no air can penetrate: the bread adheres -- yes, like glue. If you have never dared to take a mass of soft dough between your teeth and tongue and palate and cheeks, you have never thrilled to the feeling of jubilant ardor that viscosity can convey.
* * *
The fire --
We were about to leave anyway, because it was 8 o'clock and I had to be home by 8:30 to put Anya to sleep. Our driver knocked at the glass behind us and kept signaling to me. I thought he was asking me if I wanted him to bring the car around to the front and I kept signaling back that he should wait for us.
Then he pulled out his cellphone and pointed to it. I checked my phone and my heart stopped when I read the message:
"Grabe ang smoke diri. Damo na bombero." (The smoke is unbelievable. A lot of firemen/firetrucks are here."
The message was from Anya's yaya who was at home watching Anya.
I called home immediately. The only question I asked was, "Is it our house?" and the yaya answered, no -- but the fire was near our house.
We rushed through our goodbyes and sped home.
We were about 3 blocks away and the smoke was so thick that our driver had to turn on the hazard lights because the visibility was so, so poor.
When we arrived home, I went to get Anya and the two yayas and brought them to the car. My parents brought them and the two kids to the Christmas light display at Angelicum School.
My sister and I stayed home and turned on every fan we had in every room to clear the smoke.
Thank goodness it was a windy night and the air helped to clear the smoke faster.
This morning, we looked out our window and saw the black patch of grass and trees where the fire was. It was a grass fire -- thankfully, no houses were affected by the fire.
We are now dealing with the soot, ash and burnt debris that keeps blowing our way because of the wind.
So now my sister and I are thinking of our emergency protocol -- what does one do when there is a fire nearby?
The yayas said the initial smoke was so black and so thick that they couldn't see across the street.
I am grateful that my kids' yayas are calm and level-headed. They kept Anya in our bedroom upstairs with all the windows closed and a fan running. Seth's yaya closed all the other windows in our house.
Or maybe it's because there was a fire 2 blocks away from us last night and we had to rush home from a dinner with our uncle and his family who spent New Year in Iloilo.
Or maybe it's because we slept at 11 because we had to air out the house from all the smoke.
Or maybe it's because we woke up this morning to a house littered with ash and we spent the morning vacuuming.
Anyhoo, the conversation:
Me: (After taking a bite of baguette) I never did understand baguettes. Even when we were touring in France. I always found them too difficult to bite into.
Johann: It's the combination of textures. Crunchy outside. Soft and chewy inside.
Me: Yeah, di ba they talk about that in Gourmet Rhapsody? How bread contains many textures -- first, hard crust and then soft inside. And when you keep chewing, it becomes sticky. I still don't understand french bread. Especially in sandwiches.
My sister: It's because we aren't French. I can't imagine the French rhapsodizing about our Kong Kee Siopao and Love & Kisses pizza.
^_^
* * *
Excerpt from Gourmet Rhapsody --
You storm it through an initial encounter with the barrier of crust, then yield to wonder the moment you are through, as the fresh soft interior consents...
... chewing bread, unlike pastry, or event sweet breakfast rolls, leads to a surprising result, to a ... sticky result. As you chew and chew upon the soft interior, a sticky mass is formed, which no air can penetrate: the bread adheres -- yes, like glue. If you have never dared to take a mass of soft dough between your teeth and tongue and palate and cheeks, you have never thrilled to the feeling of jubilant ardor that viscosity can convey.
* * *
The fire --
We were about to leave anyway, because it was 8 o'clock and I had to be home by 8:30 to put Anya to sleep. Our driver knocked at the glass behind us and kept signaling to me. I thought he was asking me if I wanted him to bring the car around to the front and I kept signaling back that he should wait for us.
Then he pulled out his cellphone and pointed to it. I checked my phone and my heart stopped when I read the message:
"Grabe ang smoke diri. Damo na bombero." (The smoke is unbelievable. A lot of firemen/firetrucks are here."
The message was from Anya's yaya who was at home watching Anya.
I called home immediately. The only question I asked was, "Is it our house?" and the yaya answered, no -- but the fire was near our house.
We rushed through our goodbyes and sped home.
We were about 3 blocks away and the smoke was so thick that our driver had to turn on the hazard lights because the visibility was so, so poor.
When we arrived home, I went to get Anya and the two yayas and brought them to the car. My parents brought them and the two kids to the Christmas light display at Angelicum School.
My sister and I stayed home and turned on every fan we had in every room to clear the smoke.
Thank goodness it was a windy night and the air helped to clear the smoke faster.
This morning, we looked out our window and saw the black patch of grass and trees where the fire was. It was a grass fire -- thankfully, no houses were affected by the fire.
We are now dealing with the soot, ash and burnt debris that keeps blowing our way because of the wind.
So now my sister and I are thinking of our emergency protocol -- what does one do when there is a fire nearby?
The yayas said the initial smoke was so black and so thick that they couldn't see across the street.
I am grateful that my kids' yayas are calm and level-headed. They kept Anya in our bedroom upstairs with all the windows closed and a fan running. Seth's yaya closed all the other windows in our house.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sayonara 2009! --
It's the last day of 2009!
5 Favorite Movies of the Year
1. Up
2. Star Trek
3. District 9 <-- I was determined not to like this movie and I didn't, at first, but it has a way of drawing you in and captivating you
4. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
5. Julie and Julia
This week, we received a package from my brother and he gave us a R2 copy of Nausicaa so my sister and I watched that and we also watched and re-watched Howl's Moving Castle (so, so beautiful!) and watched Ged's War Chronicle (Tales from Earthsea) and I just unearthed Neko no ongaeshi (The Cat's Return) and we're planning to watch that tonight. Notice a trend? ;-P
5 Movies I'm looking forward to
1. Sherlock Holmes
2. Iron Man 2
3. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
5. Toy Story 3
5 Favorite TV Shows
1. Glee
2. Top Chef
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Amazing Race
5. True Confections on QTV
... also Entourage, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Battlestar Gallactica
5 Favorite Magazines
1. Yummy
2. Real Simple
3. Domino/Blueprint <-- too bad these are discontinued
4. Romantic Times
5. Dwell <-- though I don't buy this anymore
5 Favorite Books
1. Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barberry
2. Anna Godbersen's Luxe series (4 books: Luxe, Rumors, Envy, Splendor)
3. Nigella Lawson books (How to Be A Domestic Goddess, How to Eat, etc.)
4. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore <-- romance novel. Her debut work.
5. Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh <-- another romance novel. Made me cry. Made me stay up late.
<-- also Real Simple: Celebrations and Domino: The Art of Decorating ... and all of Anne Stuart's historical romances
5 Best Purchases for 2009
1. An iPod Touch (for my sister)
2. My Reisenthel Allrounder <-- a German brand which I discovered in Tokyo
3. Our Tokyo plane tickets (thank you to Philippine Airlines for the insanely affordable promo fare.)
4. Our Wii (Whee~)
5. 400-thread count beddings <-- My mom got them when she was in the US and I'm glad she did. Amazing! Now I'm spoiled...
5 Favorite Places in Iloilo
1. Booksale
2. Tinapayan at Atrium
3. Kopi Roti in Smallville
4. Iloilo Supermart at Atrium
5. Daily Buns <-- such a great place to buy bread
5 Discoveries for 2009
1. The Crispy Pata at Cafe Laguna
2. Having only two friends here in Iloilo (and always loving the lunches/dinners/conversation with them)
3. The Kopi Trio at Kopi Roti
4. Cebu <-- I was there twice this year and I love, love, love the place. I want to go back! >_<
5. The Korean Hair Salon inside Ledesco Village
<-- also Anne Stuart, the historical romance writer who is now writing mostly romantic suspense
5 Things that Made Me Go "Wow
1. San Miguel Brewery stock hitting 9.6 this month (when it was 8.9 at the start of the month)
2. Anna Godbersen's conclusion to the Luxe series (Splendor was amazing)
3. Tokyo and takoyaki
4. Uratex Senso-memory mattresses
5. The presidential candidates for 2010 (some were "wow" in a good way and others ...)
Happy Thoughts for 2009
1. My romance novel business <-- and hitting Power Seller status this month
2. Cebu and Tokyo <-- Tokyo deserves a blog entry of its own ... and I'm working on it
3. My children (and my entire family: parents, siblings and husband)
4. Two jars of peanut butter from The Peanut Butter & Co <-- thank you, thank you to Char who got them for me. Makes my mornings oh-so-bright and peanut-buttery wonderful ^_^
5. Life and all it's possibilities!!!
5 Favorite Movies of the Year
1. Up
2. Star Trek
3. District 9 <-- I was determined not to like this movie and I didn't, at first, but it has a way of drawing you in and captivating you
4. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
5. Julie and Julia
This week, we received a package from my brother and he gave us a R2 copy of Nausicaa so my sister and I watched that and we also watched and re-watched Howl's Moving Castle (so, so beautiful!) and watched Ged's War Chronicle (Tales from Earthsea) and I just unearthed Neko no ongaeshi (The Cat's Return) and we're planning to watch that tonight. Notice a trend? ;-P
5 Movies I'm looking forward to
1. Sherlock Holmes
2. Iron Man 2
3. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
5. Toy Story 3
5 Favorite TV Shows
1. Glee
2. Top Chef
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Amazing Race
5. True Confections on QTV
... also Entourage, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Battlestar Gallactica
5 Favorite Magazines
1. Yummy
2. Real Simple
3. Domino/Blueprint <-- too bad these are discontinued
4. Romantic Times
5. Dwell <-- though I don't buy this anymore
5 Favorite Books
1. Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barberry
2. Anna Godbersen's Luxe series (4 books: Luxe, Rumors, Envy, Splendor)
3. Nigella Lawson books (How to Be A Domestic Goddess, How to Eat, etc.)
4. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore <-- romance novel. Her debut work.
5. Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh <-- another romance novel. Made me cry. Made me stay up late.
<-- also Real Simple: Celebrations and Domino: The Art of Decorating ... and all of Anne Stuart's historical romances
5 Best Purchases for 2009
1. An iPod Touch (for my sister)
2. My Reisenthel Allrounder <-- a German brand which I discovered in Tokyo
3. Our Tokyo plane tickets (thank you to Philippine Airlines for the insanely affordable promo fare.)
4. Our Wii (Whee~)
5. 400-thread count beddings <-- My mom got them when she was in the US and I'm glad she did. Amazing! Now I'm spoiled...
5 Favorite Places in Iloilo
1. Booksale
2. Tinapayan at Atrium
3. Kopi Roti in Smallville
4. Iloilo Supermart at Atrium
5. Daily Buns <-- such a great place to buy bread
5 Discoveries for 2009
1. The Crispy Pata at Cafe Laguna
2. Having only two friends here in Iloilo (and always loving the lunches/dinners/conversation with them)
3. The Kopi Trio at Kopi Roti
4. Cebu <-- I was there twice this year and I love, love, love the place. I want to go back! >_<
5. The Korean Hair Salon inside Ledesco Village
<-- also Anne Stuart, the historical romance writer who is now writing mostly romantic suspense
5 Things that Made Me Go "Wow
1. San Miguel Brewery stock hitting 9.6 this month (when it was 8.9 at the start of the month)
2. Anna Godbersen's conclusion to the Luxe series (Splendor was amazing)
3. Tokyo and takoyaki
4. Uratex Senso-memory mattresses
5. The presidential candidates for 2010 (some were "wow" in a good way and others ...)
Happy Thoughts for 2009
1. My romance novel business <-- and hitting Power Seller status this month
2. Cebu and Tokyo <-- Tokyo deserves a blog entry of its own ... and I'm working on it
3. My children (and my entire family: parents, siblings and husband)
4. Two jars of peanut butter from The Peanut Butter & Co <-- thank you, thank you to Char who got them for me. Makes my mornings oh-so-bright and peanut-buttery wonderful ^_^
5. Life and all it's possibilities!!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
My thoughts exactly --
A noiseless patient spider,
I marked where on a promontory it stood isolated,
Marked how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launched forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be formed, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.
- Walt Whitman
Am feeling a bit bleh this evening -- and this poem sums up what's going through my mind right now. (I hope I understand this poem correctly ...)
I'm so glad I had to chance to study lit in university and then getting to study it again for my (unfinished) M.A. --
I don't get to touch poetry much these days, but it is comforting to know that it is there ... and in its simplicity of form, it expresses in loudly and clearly the complexities of the human condition.
Thank you, thank you to Eric Torres for sharing Whitman with me.
Thank you, thank you to D.M. Reyes for Possession, which I will dig up tomorrow and will read and finish before the New Year.
I marked where on a promontory it stood isolated,
Marked how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launched forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be formed, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.
- Walt Whitman
Am feeling a bit bleh this evening -- and this poem sums up what's going through my mind right now. (I hope I understand this poem correctly ...)
I'm so glad I had to chance to study lit in university and then getting to study it again for my (unfinished) M.A. --
I don't get to touch poetry much these days, but it is comforting to know that it is there ... and in its simplicity of form, it expresses in loudly and clearly the complexities of the human condition.
Thank you, thank you to Eric Torres for sharing Whitman with me.
Thank you, thank you to D.M. Reyes for Possession, which I will dig up tomorrow and will read and finish before the New Year.
A great find! (Or, when you're in Iloilo...) --
We discovered a lovely Korean Hair & Beauty Salon in a nearby subdivision!
My sister had her hair cut there yesterday and it looks amazing! (And very affordable! 250 for a haircut!)
My sister was a bit worried because she hates trying out new things and hates (even more) trying out a new salon -- her hair is a bit tricky to cut because it is sooo thick --
When we saw the Korean stylist make the first few cuts (she calls them "slice"), we knew my sister was in good hands.
The shop doesn't have a name but it's located along the main road of Ledesco Village and is a straight line from the entrance to the subdivision.
Store hours are from 10am to 9pm and, for appointments, call 3006559 or 3290602.
I'm planning to get my perm re-done there this January. Am excited! =^_^=
My sister had her hair cut there yesterday and it looks amazing! (And very affordable! 250 for a haircut!)
My sister was a bit worried because she hates trying out new things and hates (even more) trying out a new salon -- her hair is a bit tricky to cut because it is sooo thick --
When we saw the Korean stylist make the first few cuts (she calls them "slice"), we knew my sister was in good hands.
The shop doesn't have a name but it's located along the main road of Ledesco Village and is a straight line from the entrance to the subdivision.
Store hours are from 10am to 9pm and, for appointments, call 3006559 or 3290602.
I'm planning to get my perm re-done there this January. Am excited! =^_^=
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Where is this year's wishlist? --
For the past how many years, I've published my Christmas wishlist earlier and earlier --
This year, I'm a bit surprised that I haven't posted one yet and even more surprised that I really don't have much on my list.
1. New pair of glasses <-- this is on my list every year. And I go to the optical shop every year but I could never find a pair that would convince me to give up my old pair of glasses.
2. The following Anne Stuart books: <-- yes, yes. Historical romances.
- Lady Fortune
- Prince of Magic
- Lord of Danger
- Shadow Dance
- A Rose at Midnight
3. Time to read books. ^_^
4. A new pair of shoes/Crocs <-- I really love my pink Primas but they are old and they are my only going-out shoes.
5. An afternoon at the newly-opened Dulcinea in SM City-Iloilo <-- but I'm getting this one early. We're meeting friends for dinner and then having dessert there. Yay for Churros and cream puffs!
This year, I'm a bit surprised that I haven't posted one yet and even more surprised that I really don't have much on my list.
1. New pair of glasses <-- this is on my list every year. And I go to the optical shop every year but I could never find a pair that would convince me to give up my old pair of glasses.
2. The following Anne Stuart books: <-- yes, yes. Historical romances.
- Lady Fortune
- Prince of Magic
- Lord of Danger
- Shadow Dance
- A Rose at Midnight
3. Time to read books. ^_^
4. A new pair of shoes/Crocs <-- I really love my pink Primas but they are old and they are my only going-out shoes.
5. An afternoon at the newly-opened Dulcinea in SM City-Iloilo <-- but I'm getting this one early. We're meeting friends for dinner and then having dessert there. Yay for Churros and cream puffs!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Strange customer service --
I went to PLDT last week to inquire about how to apply for a new line and internet plan --
I was surprised when the lady who attended me informed me that it would take 3 weeks, at least, to process my application because they are in the process of changing systems.
I inquired about their latest offer -- the one where you take home the kit and you can install it yourself.
Her reply? "Ah, ma'am. Wala pa kami sina." (We don't have that yet.)
I was surprised (baffled at this point, actually) because PLDT has banners of said offer all over the city.
I asked for a pamphlet or any information and she gave me an outdated one that explains how an internet modem works.
When we arrived home, our helper handed me a flier. Apparently, PLDT had a roving caravan handing out fliers on their new offer. O_O
When I went to Globe, they told me that I could get the phone and the internet in 3 days. (Globe did it in 2 days.)
Yesterday, my husband and I went to the Smart Business Center in SM City. At the door, the guard asked us where we wanted to go. I told him, "Customer Service."
His reply? "Nga-a? Ano tani ang ubrahon mo didto?" (Why? What do you want to do there?)
I told him I wanted to inquire about Cignal TV.
He handed me a flier.
There wasn't anything more I could do or say except to say thank you for the flier and leave.
(There weren't a lot of people inside Smart, by the way and a whole row of Customer Service people were available.)
I was surprised when the lady who attended me informed me that it would take 3 weeks, at least, to process my application because they are in the process of changing systems.
I inquired about their latest offer -- the one where you take home the kit and you can install it yourself.
Her reply? "Ah, ma'am. Wala pa kami sina." (We don't have that yet.)
I was surprised (baffled at this point, actually) because PLDT has banners of said offer all over the city.
I asked for a pamphlet or any information and she gave me an outdated one that explains how an internet modem works.
When we arrived home, our helper handed me a flier. Apparently, PLDT had a roving caravan handing out fliers on their new offer. O_O
When I went to Globe, they told me that I could get the phone and the internet in 3 days. (Globe did it in 2 days.)
Yesterday, my husband and I went to the Smart Business Center in SM City. At the door, the guard asked us where we wanted to go. I told him, "Customer Service."
His reply? "Nga-a? Ano tani ang ubrahon mo didto?" (Why? What do you want to do there?)
I told him I wanted to inquire about Cignal TV.
He handed me a flier.
There wasn't anything more I could do or say except to say thank you for the flier and leave.
(There weren't a lot of people inside Smart, by the way and a whole row of Customer Service people were available.)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Fun Contest for all of my Creative friends! --
I still have post backlogs but I've been busy with some home-related things for the past week --
But I thought I'd share this with everyone --
Design your own Lomo LC-A contest.
Contest ends January 2010.
But I thought I'd share this with everyone --
Design your own Lomo LC-A contest.
Contest ends January 2010.
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