Shameless!

I'll explain later. LOL! :D

The Deluge

By now I’m sure that many of you are no stranger with what happened to Manila and the whole Luzon last Saturday. Think a month’s worth of rain came pouring down in just a day! My Tita was recalling to me what she saw in the streets yesterday when she went to work. She was soooo scared she remembered the Deluge in Noah’s Day and she kept on praying for her dear life.

I am very thankful that we live in a sturdy house and we’re safe. No one was out except for my kuya who preferred to stay put in his office. I often complain about this area we live in but I realized I should be grateful we were not hit with 6-ft flood like most of you have seen in some media sites. My friend in Oz told another Filipino friend about what happened and that friend assumed her family is safe because they live in a rich village but you see, typhoon Ondoy did not make an exception of the rich and the poor. I have a rich friend their two cars got submerged in the flood in their area. :(

Our Saturday dinner was a mixture of leftover and I can only be thankful as I think about the families who lost their houses, means of living, loved ones even due to the calamity. :( The least we can do is to say a little prayer for them. (-,-)

And remember, if we can offer more than just a prayer,

Prov 3:27

"Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing, when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do [it]. "

My Eventful Monday

In a few hours, Wil will be flying back to Toronto. Awww. Be safe and I know you are the moment I see a comment on this post. LOL! Anyway, he fulfilled most of his agenda in his visit except for the Wensha Spa and HK-Macau, which was supposed to be scheduled early this week. Well, I sort of convinced him not to push through with his last countries because last Monday was a holiday and I could make lots of plans for it. Despite the many cancellations, I was able to pull another friend of mine for Wil to meet – Michelle. :)

About 1:30 PM (30 mins earlier for me, COOOOONG-GRA-tulations! Haha!), we were already at Starbucks Shang contemplating which movie to see. We opted for The Ugly Truth. Don’t you think Katherine Heigl has that same role in her 27 Dresses?? And what’s this Gerald Butler as a TV personality? Maybe he should just stick to being shirtless like in 300. LOL! Hahaha!!! But there are scenes that are just soo funny!

Next stop, around 5 PM, we were at Boni High St and thank heavens the weather was a bit cooperative by then because it was time for: THE PHOTOSHOOT! Hahaha!!! Prior to this, I already asked Michelle to girly up a bit and she turned up in our house around 12:30 PM wearing this cute dress from Kashieca. :) I once fancied that dress while window-shopping and I’m glad I didn’t go for it. That dress suits more girls of her age (below 20 that is). :P I, on the other hand, went for my Dorothy Perkins dress and my DP shoes. :P

Oh gosh, that shoot was a bit embarrassing. Because of Wil’s paparazzi cam! I wasn’t able to ask how long the lens measures but all in all it’s a whooping 15kgs!!! Golly! Wil, permission to take this pic, ha? :P


And when we’re shooting by the fountain, something "beautiful" happened. Weeee!! Hahaha!!!

After taking some shots, someone with an SLR approached us. He asked if it is okay to take a photo of us coz they are scouting for “stylish women”- head spins at the sound of those words - who will be featured in their website. Gosh, like he had to ask! I knew it! Dizizit! The break I’ve been long waiting for! Hahaha!!

After the shoot, the guy asked us to be seated over their area to answer some questionnaires to write on our photos. It says in the agreement that they can edit whatever our answers are so that it will appear more tasteful to the audience. Gosh, I hope they’ll just edit whatever I put into it coz I’m so overwhelmed with what happened I can’t bloody think well. LOL!

Wil, then acting like our manager (haha!), reviewed carefully the terms and agreements and questioned on one phrase, which is the authority to use the photos on other sources (which can be mags for all we know) so he demanded we put our email addresses in the paper for future notifications. Thanks Wil! Ohmigosh, images of me in glossy magazines!! Err, kC don’t get overexcited okay?? It's not yet sure, haha!!

Btw, I forgot their publishing company’s name but they are promoting the Equal Low Calorie Sweetener. After the questionnaires, he gave us goodies from the said product. :) Nice! And he asked one more shot of key items in our ensemble like for example Mitch’s űber-cute black bag and for moi, mi Leopard flats!! Weeee!!!!

Next scene, dog-walking. Haha! There are just too many cute pups in that area, I asked the owner to take this one. Hihi. :D

Well, she could’ve been űber-cute too, except that she keeps on scratching my leopard shoes!! Hahaha!!! I’m not sure what exactly she sees in it! So to prevent my shoes from getting damaged, I had to bend and play with her instead. :P


I suddenly wished I just brought my Bettina. Sayang. After some time, my grip got loose on her tie she escaped and ran and ran around! I had to help chasing her! My gosh, she runs sooooooooo fast!! The maid helped me get her! Whew! Buti na lang! Else, I’ll be dead with the owner. Haha!!

Sun is already setting down by the time we finished the dog-walking scene. :( I made sure they try first some Sonja's cupcake before we finally headed to Eastwood for dinner. I just knew Wil hasn't visited it yet.

We picked Mr. Kurosawa for dinner. But I still liked Sumo Sam more. :P

Sonja's cupcakes

So hindi ko naman tinadtad ng pics tong post noh? Hahaha!! Sorry Wil, I know you don't want me uploading too many of 'em. But really, I love your shots! :) I must say, bitin talaga ang photoshoot. :P Thanks talaga for everything! :) I wish you luck on your lurve-lyf on your return. Yeeeehaaa!!! And if not, don't be like that tambay song you came to like when we had dinner in C2. Eeeuugh, it's repulsive! LOL!

P.S. Congrats on your new condo! Thanks in advance for allowing me to rent it for free in the future! WAHAHAHA!!!! Geese couz, that's so thoughtful!! BWAHAHAHA!!!

Leopard

Sometime November last year in a post entitled Jane of the Jungle, I blogged about how during that month I was able to acquire different animal prints of bags and shoes. I didn't think it was the trend though, it was just a coincidence that those items were really on good sale. But I think I will have to bring leopard print back with this below:

I know I already have the heeled version of that, although it's of different tone, texture and even the print itself. I tried resisting having a flats version after seeing them in various shoe outlets (Stella Luna even have matching bangles) but when I tried them, oh my! She's just the very epitome of comfort (which I must admit is not my number 1 category when it comes to my shoe picks! LOL!)

Angela, squeal!!!!!!!! Hahaha!!! I know you'll love it!!! :) And I know you want details, I got it from Dorothy Perkins. ;-)

Isn't she a beaut?? That baby is so lucky, she'll be coming with me to SG on the 1st week. Weeee!!! :)

And while we're still at the topic, I just saw Betty's look-alike. Let's do it ala Perez Hilton. Haha!

Left: Bettina Right: A Sloth Bear, Hahaha!!!

I knew it! Betty is not a Lhasa Apso ( I just learned the breed the other day and I keep on forgetting it! LOL!) but rather a SLOTH!! Hahahaha!! Nothing, just making fun of our baby. Hihi! Amsobad! :P 'Ope you're still enjoying the holiday. :)

Endurance to the Next Level

If I may just recommend, I think it's pretty effective! :)

Curiosity was first piqued when I heard of this from Samantha in SATC. Then saw a short clip of Vanessa Hudgens doing this class. I thought, if Hollywood celebs do this, why not me??? LOL!

I first started with the basic and absolutely loved it! Poses below were clips from the Pilates Mix by Kristin McGee and I loved the challenges. If time permits, I wanna do this everyday! LOL! Addict!

To Cathy & Joy, I know it's been forever since I promised you that I'll burn you a copy. Promise talaga. :)

Hmm, looks easy huh? Wait 'til you see for yourself! Haha!

Really good for the arms.

And that dog-split push-ups is quite a challenge. Thank heavens there are variations! LOL!

Now for the legs,

WHOA!

Actually, not whoa! LOL! I've been doing that in my basic version but here they added the twist,

- the leg bicycle. Yay!

To those in doubt, apart from the gym that's my only secret! No help of medicines or technology. It's not nilagang itlog and saging na saba either (quoted from Shiela's "favorite" actress)! LOL! I mean, just look at how hard the poses are. :P I don't know why I'm so defensive. Haha!

So, are you up for the challenge? Haha!!

Sorry for this whole nothingness. Just wanna distract my mind from something bad that happened this week. Have a happy loooooooooooooooong weekend everyone! :)

Ms Tardy

So far, everything’s according to plan. You know guys yang si Wil, he wanna try whatever’s been posted in my blog. Hay naku, next time I will coordinate with the establishment’s owners coz they should give me commissions or something for referring their businesses. Hahaha!! As per checklist, New Bombay, check. C2, check. Yehey! Last night, I was back @ Rockwell to explore more of what Classic Cuisine (which is working its way on my list of fave restaus) has got to offer.

Lisa & Wil came in early (meaning I was late again, haha!) so like what happened in New Bombay I already informed them of my choice of food via SMS. LOL! I was rooting for their other kare-kare (the real beef one swimming in peanut sauce) but they ordered the crispy pata with kare-kare sauce that I tried last time. But ‘s okay. Who’s Ms. Tardy to complain? LOL!

Okay my discovery for tonight is their flair of mixing two types of Filipino dishes together. Take for example the Malabon Seafood Stew which is fish fillet with clams and mussels mixed in Palabok sauce. Ang galing! Very impressive! (Other voice in me: But of course KC, duh? Hadn’t you noticed it the last time? It’s been written in their profile here.) My gosh, I’m so amazed it just goes to show how I’m such an ignoramus when it comes to anything culinary. LOL!

And btw, mental pat for me on the back and a treat of Starbucks Coffee Jelly (:P) for detecting that slight taste of okra in their Crispy Ribs Sinigang. If you remember, the Ratatouille film gave me this respect for people who can distinguish the ingredients of a certain dish. I think I’m already working my way to becoming a chef! Wahaha!! Last time, I just wanna do a California Maki! Ngayon, chef na! Echusera! Hahaha!! I really really like the sourness of the soup. Yaaaargh! Patay na naman ang diet! :P

So okay, I was late. 2 hours but does it matter? I have my reasons. First, I may be a freelance (of sorts) but let me clear that I still follow our SG office time. Second, my place is far from Makati. About an hour away. Third, duh?? Isn’t it obvious yet?? I mean why Lisa has been joining us?? Meeting new acquaintances is one exciting part of traveling, is it? I’ve practically known Wil for years now and I was giving time for the two to get acquainted. So there, I just worked a whole slew of reasons for my tardiness and I could rationalize and rationalize ‘til I was blue in the face, which is why I don’t quite understand why there were some “agreements” made during my absence the details of which are being held back from me. (Hand closes into a fist, beats the chest three times then sniffs!) Its hurts. Hahaha!!

But seriously, sino ba naman ako?? Who am I? I was just the girl who introduced them both. I mean, he can meet Liz out of the blue just like a “poof” right?? Riiiiggggggghhhhtttttttt!! Whatev! I wasn’t over a bad incident yesterday. If there are valid reasons for that secrecy, then they just have to make sure its something INEFFABLE. Oops, I’m not cursing. I just learned the new term. Thought it might apply. LOL!

Finally, sans the food we have quite a good still here. Someting that's facebook-taggable. You know, the thing which you can show to your parents. Coz really, wassup with mumsies joining facebook?? Hahaha!!

Okay, time for outfit. I was wearing my first Zara shoes (purple!!! and high - yay!) I got last week on 70% off. Yeba! :D

I hope you noticed the imbalance of dishes we had (too meaty!!), I got guilty I went for 30-min work-out right after. Haha! Whatev, I still feel fat! Boo! (o__0)

House Parties: Bon Appetit! :)

3 consecutive days man! I was on a roll! LOL!

Thursday night: I attended a mini get-together @ my long-term friend Mae's house near our place. So sad coz the next day she and her siblings will be leaving for Bahrain. The trip was unplanned due to the passing away of their father. :( She and her big sisters are the ones I grew up with. They're the ones responsible for molding not only my spirituality but my love for music as well.

We had house shabu-shabu as you can see from above. I haven't got details as to where to get the ingredients from above but it's so convenient (not to mention yummy) the way it was cooked. I think I'm gonna suggest to my mom to prepare something like that someday. :)

And in the still above, there's that same old piano infront of which we used to seat together years before. Hay, reminiscing lang. But I'm happy she still continues her passion for music by performing in Bahrain. Looking forward to their return next year. :)

Friday night. @ Brian's house in Mandaluyong.

The supposed to be gimmick last Friday kept on being cancelled for various reasons. There's Bri's granny's passing away also last week (I visited 2 wakes last week :c) and this week was the heavy rain. But 's ok. Cathy had this brilliant plan of cooking dishes for us. Not only it is intimate but is cost-saving as well. Oh and did I mention it was too sweet of her??? :)

She cooked Pesto Squid Pasta, Tomato pasta (with cheesedogs, tuna and mushroom combined), Kare-kare and Fried marinated bangus! Grabe noh? Super dami. And the thing is, everything's delicious. Haha! I must say my fave would have to be the squid pasta coz it was my first time to try such kind of pasta and I had too much of it. :P Cat is expecting a review in this blog but I'm not that expert on food reviews so this is the only thing I would like to say - Of all the restaus serving yummy dishes she'd introduced to us, the food she prepared last Friday beat all of them. Why? Coz they were prepared with LOVE!! Yiheee!!! Sobrang cheesy!!! Hahahaha!!! But it's true talaga, Cathy has this way of making her friends feel special. Kaka-touch. :P

After the dinner, we had a quick pictorial in Bri's bonggang-bonggang living room as you can see in my solo pic above. :D Then afterwards we headed to Eastwood for a LFS of I Love You, Beth Cooper. My only comment is Hayden's so sexy I wish she should've just stayed in those shorts for the whole film rather than that maroon dress. :P

Saturday night. I was somewhere in BF Homes for a mini celebration of a friend of a friend. I met loads of people from other congregations and I had an overload of California Maki too. Yay! For some reason, I had this sudden urge to learn how to do a maki. And I'm not sure if for someone like me with zero knowledge on cooking (absolute zip!), it will be quite an easy thing to begin with. But hey, you gotta start somewhere right?? So the next question is WHEN can I dedicate time for it? LOL!

Hay pig-out, pig-out, pig-out. Must be work-out, work-out, work-out next week!

2nd Mtng

Because I forgot to mention these to you guys this afternoon, I’ll just sort of collate them here. It’s about the comments and reactions I got from my blog and at home.

1. Home. My aunt saw ALL your pasalubongs. Tita asked “Nanliligaw sayo?” LOL! Me: “Hindi. Friend ko yan from Canada nagbabakasyon. Malaki utang na loob sakin nyan.” Hahaha!!! Hay naku Wil, I had to make up a story pa. Kasi naman, ang hirap mag-explain. Haha! :))

2. From Rai-yan (hi! If you’re reading! =): “Safe ba?” So funny! In my last post, did it sound like I just met ya recently? LOL! Anyway, I don’t meet strangers personally for a start. That’s too risky. Wil didn’t know this but I already sent detectives back to Toronto early this year to investigate on him. I only decided to say yes and meet him when they confirmed that he has no criminal records or what. Hahaha!!! Joke lang. :P So okay I did some tracing and I just found out that your first message in my FB was way back Sept 28, 2007! Whoa! 2 years ago, I’m surprised myself! Haha!! So yeah people he’s not a stranger. :P

And while we’re at it, let me expound on this a bit more. While it’s true I have friends online that I haven’t met yet - there’s Erdal from Turkey and Kev from US – but, a big BUT, the process on how I met them was unintentional. It’s not like I entertained their “Hi! ASL please!” on chat. Noooooo!! I’m not into chatting. I just hate how one guy reacted when I told him about Erdal saying “Pumapatol ka pala sa ganyan?” as though it’s a very degrading thing to do or that it was so desperate I did it on purpose so I can meet love online. Duh???? I’ve no plans of doing that. On a sidenote, I think maybe he was just being bitter coz I turned him down years before. LOL! Anyway, each one has different story on how I met them and I made sure to set the precedent right at the onset. Haha, reading my reply to Wil’s message a while ago just reminded me on how snob I am to strangers. Oh you should’ve known about Erdal’s, I think I scared him at the very beginning. Hahaha!! Hay, I wish I could tell about it one day when I finally meet him. So again, it’s true I’ve already lots of friends here but I welcomed them all to my life as friends because of the very simple reason that we click. * wink* Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to have gifts when they visit PH! Hahaha!! Then I'm promoting Phil tourism pa! See?? I'm doing this all for a good cause. Hahaha!!!

3. From Cathy. “Kayo na?” LOL! Hahaha!!! LOL!!! Funniest question of all. Wil said it himself, “It’s incest.” And this is my statement; I don’t have plans having Pelayo squared for a surname. :P Alright?? Everything cleared??

Hay naku Wil, you’re just like my job. Too complicated of a set-up to explain. :P

As promised, here’s us again @ New Bombay (yey!!!) Glorietta for lunch meeting.

Okay. Let me just comment that this picture is all sorts of wrong. Hahaha!! I think yung wall ang kinukuhanan ng picture ni ate and not the three of us. It's not the Indian-upholstered seats or the paintings up above but SIMPLY THE WALL! Hahahaha!!!!

And I promised, I will not blog about Lisa's GRAND exit! LOL! :D

Day B4 26th

Was a holiday! =)

Morning was spent with my visiting relatives from Aklan! Morning videoke with my little nieces. To which I always find myself asking, "Why do we bloody always have an ice cream during times like these?"

Actually, more suitable question is, why can't I control my eating habits? After solo-ing the microphone for about an hour, I know it's bad for the vocal chords to eat anything cold but I can't help it! :P

So hello, tonsillitis!

Which explains the swelling of the cheeks above. LOL! And look! There's more ice cream in the table! Yay!! Yay!! Yay!! Hahaha!!

The evening was spent with friends. We watched Kimmy Dora. Cathy was so dead set in seeing this. And it's such a laughtrip! Eugene Domingo is sooo funny! I can't recall the last time I watched a Tagalog movie on the big screen. Probably sometime high school or college??

Anyway, it's the first time we went out with a group of five. And yup, I was the 5th wheel! Ugh! Joy came with her Jendel and Cat as usual with Bri. Actually I didn't feel bad, left out or what. I believe it was even more advantageous as the waiters were giving me the extra attention. LOL!! Just kidding. :P

These were taken @ Sumo Sam, Shangrila.

EB of the Year

He’s simply the best cousin one could ever have! LOL!

Many of you who have noticed the frequent mention of Wil in this blog need not wonder who he is anymore. Haha!

He was just once a stranger “insisting” in my FB’s inbox that he’s my cousin since we’re of the same surname. Hahaha!! Just kidding. He was just asking. Then I could remember the nerve of him asking help about a certain limited edition Adidas with Philippine flag logo. Sorry Wil, this has just to be out. :P

The next thing I know he’s becoming one of my blog’s regular stalkers from Ontario! Hahaha, he’s in Cebu now he can’t read this! :P So fastidious on my fashion choices but always pleased like a father whenever I splurge! Tsk, talk about the real shopaholic! Trust me, he’s the real deal! :P

Now he’s here in Phils. It’s been a while since we knew each other virtually and it’s high time to meet. He’ll be here for about a month and is gonna do lots of photography in Cebu, Palawan, HK, Macau, and other countries in his agenda. :D

Last Tuesday I was so pressured on what to wear. He’s practically scrutinized me in every detail of my clothing before. So after about 3 changes of ensembles, I opted to dress down in the most casual clothes I could ever muster. Haha! Tank top, skinny jeans and yellow shoes! Vuh-ry casual! Grabe ang hirap pala I-meet ang blog reader. They might come up with expectations! :P

So at Greenbelt, I was hoping he’d somehow match with what I’m wearing but NOPE! I think he’s wearing about 3 articles of colothing for top. :P Still too formal for me even if he paired it with jeans. :P Now my time to pick on him. LOL! I tagged along my friend Lisa for the dinner @ Chili’s.

If you noticed a box in the table, that’s my brand-spanking new Nikon S60 Coolpix courtesy of Wil! Hahaha!!! Grabe, it’s so much for a pasalubong! I was just teasing him on donating one of his SLRs everytime I learn that he’s gonna upgrade to a new one but I didn’t expect he’ll give me a digicam! Weeeeeee!! =) Not only that, he’s got for me pairs of shoes, chocolates (Brookside Almonds and Ferrero Collection, yum!!!) and Mango gift certificate! Yay! He really knows what his cute li’l cousin likes!! Hahaha!!! Lisa has gifts too! :)

The dinner went along just fine. We were talking like we’re real cousins and know each other for a very long time! And get this; I’m amazed that he knows what my type of guy! I don’t remember mentioning about it in here. And it turns out; he’s quite serious on his comment before about finding me a husband while he’s here! LOL! I thought he was just kidding. Well then goodluck to him! Haha!! I was about to do the same but he already updated us on his situation. :P

So now that Wil has come, I think Kevin should come next! Hahaha!! :P

With his arrival and my childhood best friend Mae from Bahrain, I have this feeling that September is gonna be a good month! I love September! :)

6 Time's The Charm: SG6 Highlights

Since it's my 6th visit here, I will be doing 6 highlights for the last visit:

a. Food. For the first night I tried Indonesian dining @ Indo Padang with my Indo counterparts. I also tried some Arab dining @ Café La Caire and I can say outright that I’m not a fan. :P Some buffet dining @ Hyatt hotel allowed me to have Chili crab and Indian dining. :) Sarap, sarap! Katakem-takem… Hehehe.. :P

b. Indonesians. We were just joined by another technical consultant in Indonesia. So at night, I was accompanied by a total of 3 TC counterparts and 1 developer, which are all Indonesians. These guys’ sense of humor combined! Migosh, hilarious! Haha!! They just had me cracking up most of the time. Although at times, a conversation that initially started in English turns out to Bahasa Indonesia after a few minutes would have me and Nam (counterpart from Thailand) staring at each other clueless as to where the talk is going to. Haha!! It’s funny. You know when Indonesians overhear Filipinos talking in Tagalog, they would say that they can home in on some of the words but for me, I don’t notice it. :P Although at times most of my convos with them would start on comparing words in Bahasa Indonesia – like one time in the Geylang bazaar I noticed that bili and pili have the same meaning for both languages. Cool! :D

c. Geylang/Ion Mall/ Choa Chu Kang. New places I visited on my 6th visit. This Geylang thing, I only thought of it as a forbidden area from the feedbacks I was getting before. I didn't know they also have these nice lightings, food tripping and shopping bazaars. I wasn’t able to shop though coz most of the stuffs are room decors and things I could see also in Divi. As for the Ion mall, well yeah I liked the Aquarium type ceiling or whatever you call that special effects. :) Too high end. But look! There’s Harry Winston! Wala lang, just saying. :P And CCK, is where my besty Joy is currently staying. ;-)

d. Joy. I thought I already lost my bestfriend. My visit last April was very dull. We didn’t talk so much and I felt like she was mad at me or something. I was wrong. Even if we didn’t go around this time, it’s okay. She’s opening up her problems to me and I was updated on her life. :) My bestfriend is back. :) She'll always be the highlight of my stay. :)

e. Posh. Kudos to those who noticed the shoes-es in the background. I really brought them. You know I have this thing in my shoes-es that each of them has their turns in traveling also. Wahaha!! So you see when I say during check-in “Oh no, please don’t hit 20!”, it’s not me being cute and all. I received comments saying there are tricks on packing and trust me - I know them all. I can wear too much clothes en route the country I’m going to but you see, it’s not the clothes. It’s the shoes! Haha!! Funny, I was so protective of my black gladiator shoes I was thinking of just bringing it along inside the box and not have it checked-in inside the luggage. But then I remembered, pointed/sharp objects are not allowed for handcarry right?? I’m not sure if I’m gonna escape the inspection points with those heels in my paperbag. Hahaha!!!

f. Blessed. Granted there were mishaps in the hotel (they’re starting to become inevitable, hahaha!!), but there are things to thank for. Like how I was allowed to check-in though I was late, not feeling any cramps or being attacked by the big D during this “girly stage” – really a biggie for me coz you just don’t have any idea what happens for worst case scenario, it might make me miss a day of the training and become bedridden for a day; given food gifts as present by a colleague – a very sweet gesture :) and just being able to travel and go back here. Small blessings we must not take for granted and must thank Him for. :)

Speaking of blessings, another visit on October might be too much for this year but I’m still hoping it’s a go. :)