the weekend i decided to go healthy!

Nyaks! What a nice title, but in reality, it was difficult. And I am not so sure if I can keep doing this.

Saturdays and Sundays are the only time I got to prepare my own food <especially if budget is dwindling and I am stuck at home>.

Two weekends ago, I was in such situation, so I did the cooking......this time, nag effort.....

First thing in order, as much as I want to go organic all the way, my vege choices are seldom grown organic in this part of the PH. And besides, organic food are pricey.

I got my veges from Robinsons Galleria. They have great choices of vegetables, both organic and regular ones. They carry several suppliers of organic vegetables, but I like the one from the Organicus. My next go-to for my vege needs is the "talipapa" near my place.It does not run out of local vegetables too and I can buy there in small quantities or "tingi"...

 Saturday Menu:

ampalaya, tomatoes and onions

no meat this weekend also,but eggs is in my recipe/menu, so spare me....

a quick kitchen art...before the real stuff......

and this is the ending.....ginisang amplaya....

this is for the merienda..the yellow variety of camote is really the best,,,,

Sunday Menu

 

spinach....don't  fret about the price....a friend gave it to me...

steamed spinach topped with onions and tomatoes...how I wish I know the Korean way of doing this. Theirs taste a lot better....cheaper alternatives are kamote tops/ampalaya leaves.

I am a vege lover (more than fruit), but I just wish I got the drive to do all the slicing....hehehe....I am  sooo lazy doing prep.....anyhow...wish me a whole lotta luck....

one lazy afternoon @ ayala techno

When we girls talk, we talk a lot....and we extended our talk one afternoon here at ayala techno hub.....

Coffee time @ The Coffee Bean!!!

must try = = = triple decker!!!!!

sneakers galore!!

The spirit is willing but the body, mind and heart are not cooperating!

This is the current state of my "active life".:)  Yesterday, I joined a fun run. Not because I am into it, but there were perks I cannot pass up ( and which I will not bother detailing here). I was supposed to do 3K RUN. Instead, I had so much FUN doing .5km (point 5 km, ini emphasize lang po!) and taking shots of fancy and not so fancy sneakers/rubber shoes/running shoes.

 "ASTIG"...... fresh from Singapore!....not mine though....

another cute sneakers from nike

 

look cha! almost the same as yours!

i hope this couple has a colorful life as their shoes!

willing friends posed for a fun shot! clearly NIKE is the dominant brand....

Seriously, I need to lose weight.....a lot of it in fact.....I had several attempts to be more active, but never really had success in any of it.

I am thinking of an inspiration to help me in this goal....a new sneakers perhaps......tsk...tsk...stk.....wish me a never ending luck.... both... to getting a new pair and to losing weight.....

ONDOY? not again.....

To me, it was an ordinary rainy Saturday morning.  As usual, I did my Saturday morning ritual: laundry and brunch. I had no definite plan for the day, so I thought of going to The Medical City to have a routine check up. I was really in no hurry to go because it was raining. At about past 10 am, I heard people shouting that street was flooded and the water was rising quickly. I went out to check, and indeed water was approaching the gate. I took stuff  that I could carry to the second floor. I was fast, in less than an hour I was done.  Later, some of my neighbors helped me getting the heavier ones upstairs.

I am not so sure what made me decide to leave my place. I left when the stuff I could save had all been placed in the 2nd floor. The water level then was above my knees. My landlady took me in. That Saturday until Tuesday, I was with them. 

 Ondoy was an experience that I will never forget. I was scared and I felt so alone.  I was with my very nice and generous landlady (and I am forever grateful to her),  but I had no one to cling to. As the rain keeps  pounding NOW,  the feeling returns....scared and again sleepless....

This is not about London

As I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics early this morning, I can ' t   help  but remember my travel to London in 2001. That trip was a realization, that indeed, nearly impossible things do happen. 

Ours is not a rich family. What we had then was just enough for a decent living . My folks would rather  spend  on our education than on pleasure trips. I am not an OFW, though at some point, I aspired to be one. <These bunch are just so fortunate to have the resources and the opportunities to see the world. > Neither I am a highly paid professional here in Manila. I am just an ordinary employee who happens to know how to balance leisure and the practical things in life.

 As a finance major, I dreamed of going to New York and set foot in Wall Street. <<how I wish this one will come true!!!>>. When I got a job, dreams became more realistic. I wanted to have my own place, go to Hong Kong (because local celebs go there) and buy a car. The first one is done, though a little bit late. The third one seems not interesting anymore. And the thing about travelling. God gave me a blast.

I won a round trip ticket to Europe. It was so unbelievable at first. But it was there, it was announced and everyone was congratulating me. And eventually, I realized that it was just the first step. Visa was the next task,  but boy, it was a walk in the park. No sweat!!! Travel allowance was not problem too. My sistah, gave me the money. The travel itself was smooth sailing. No glitch whatsoever. It was as if everything was laid out for me. All I have to do was to take the steps.

When the entire universe conspires to give you an experience of a lifetime, I guess, you just have to open your arms and embrace what is there for the taking. When you are ready to give back, open your arms and extend to others the learnings of your experience.

Here are some pics of that UK trip. I have no digital cam at that time. These are pics of pics :)

 never miss this!

Back then, I was  so enamored  with Notting Hill (the movie). I was hoping to find my "Hugh Grant" who will sit and read with me in a park. The "Hugh Grant" part didn't happen but at least I got to sit in a bench. :)

  

where Julia stayed

the Parliament House????

There's more to Siem Reap...

Siem Reap, Cambodia
April 1-4, 2012

Our first day Siem Reap was spent exploring the city. There were lots of discoveries. First, being that US Dollar is the unofficial currency. Maybe, the banks we went to, thought that we were stupid asking for our US Dollar Notes be changed to Riel. Sorry, we were just so clueless :)  But there was a considerate bank teller who changed it to smaller bills. He has lots of dollars in his wallet. I bet even the tuktuk drivers have more dollars than us:

This is a tuktuk infront of a khmer house...Well actually this is an ad of a local telco. I took a shot as it is, no camera trick. See real tuktuk driver below.

Tuktuk with a driver can be hired for US$15.00 a day going to and from the Ang Kor Wat. That includes 2 trips (morning and afternoon). Sarap sumakay sa tuktuk parang kang reyna! pwede pa itaas ang mga paa, just like many Cambodians we have seen. The city and the Angkor may also be explored by bike, but you must be superfit to endure the ride....malayo layo din.

Of course, we didn't miss out the buying spree. Sorry, no malls as big as ours in Siem Reap. There is one called "Lucky" but it's more of a grocery than a mall. Souvenirs can be found in the center and old markets. The pic above is the old market....no tourist stuff in this side of the market...I was looking for a skirt and I ended up here.

Got lost and hungry looking for the lone KFC (pa rin!). I ended up eating here, masarap dito at marami gwapo na tourists, but medyo pricey....there was a meet-up later in the evening..Dining is not a problem in Siem Reap, if you know where to go. Near the old market, streets are lined up with western restos.

 looks familiar? because this is the closest I can get to "hotsilog" hahahah

On our way out of the Bayon (?)...It is just amazing!

There is definitely more of Siem Reap than these pics...So, go go go ka na at isama ako....

quick tip....

Recently, Cambodia is in the news because of health issues (some form of hand, foot and mouth disease). I hope this will not stop us from travelling. Let's just take  the necessary care....Ingat!

Long Weekends in the PH 2nd Half 2012!

Half of 2012 is gone. It's time to assess our accomplishments vis-a-vis goals for the year..While at it, include travel plans for the rest of the year. Let's squeeze in some pocket vacay on the following dates:

August 18-19 and Aug. 21, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (Ninoy Aquino Day) (3 days) .....Well, I'm not sure if this one qualify as long weekend, but you can make it long...Don't check in for work on Monday, the 20th....I'l bet you know the consequences :)

August 25-27, Saturday to Monday  (3 days)- This one is a legit, the 27th being the National Heroes Day. Expect celebrations and traffic on historical sites.

November 1-4, Thursday to Sunday  (4 days) - Time to visit our loved ones who went ahead of us. If you want to go out of Manila this time, brace for long lines in airports and bus terminals. Be ready also to extend your elbow and kick some butt just to get a seat ....joke lang!

November 30-December 2, Friday to Sunday  (3 days) - Yehey.....It's my birthday weekend...<frends, u know who u are, save the date and money!!!>.....Glad that ANDRES B. and I share the same sign....hahahha....Best time also to hunt for Christmas gifts/goodies

December 22-25, Saturday-Tuesday (4 days) - do I have to say more???? Cheers because the 24th was declared as a regular holiday.

Dec. 29-January 1, Saturday-Tuesday (4 days)- the NEW YEAR CELEB! time to celebrate....and map out destinations for 2013!

strange layout...the last two days of the month are in the first row

happy planning everyone!!!

quick tip.....

check out list of public holidays in Philippines here=> http://www.gov.ph/2012/04/02/list-of-2012-nationwide-regular-holidays-and-special-non-working-days/

a quick visit down south-Calamba

Two fridays ago, after almost 4 years, I was back in Calamba....This one however, was very quick....

Time has certainly changed the city of Pepe.  This place, just cannot say no to urbanization or modernization (whatever...).. For one, another box-type SM Mall had sprouted. A friend told me that it was opened in 2010.....tagal na talaga. 

inside SM Calamba where I had my quick brunch

more dining options in Calamba...Yellow Cab is here...food was good, but they could do a lot better in service.....YCP is located in crossing Halang...I wanted to try the local fare but I was really in a hurry...

ohhhh dear darla, you really lived up to your reputation.....super like kita....

well charlie chan, you tasted strange,- sweet and spicy...you were a good try....but I'll stick to my pesto next time:)

We managed to drop by Pepe's place. Came in late for the 4:00 closing time, but we charmed the staff to let us in  (but not inside the house). I will not post the pic of the facade because it is  sooooo frustrating......just imagine...stone house painted green....what were they thinking.......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......change to PINK...PINK....PINK next year!!.

painting was the order of the time....entries for a contest displayed at the back of the house......i see promising ones.....

another landmark newly retouched.....these guys definitely need lesson in history/culture appreciation.....

the parish of St. John......never mind the interior...they had it also painted...

quick tip:

The coconut trees in Laguna/Quezon are sick. I have no idea what kind of disease is afflicting the trees. But definitely, it will greatly affect the coco farmers and others who are dependent on the "tree of life" for a living. It is during this time when our help is most needed ..... Let us buy more of Laguna/Quezon products.  I am sure that they've got other stuff to offer...

a lunch in alabel, sarangani.....

when you're in gensan (general santos city), it is best to experience tuna and other seafoods home cooked. especially if you've got a mother who always says, that she can cook triple of the stuff of what is paid in the resto...but sometimes, we sway her with comfort and "atmosphere" of resto dining....but as always we consider price..and a laid back atmosphere...my father doesn't mind driving long too..

this is on ouy way to alabel, saranggani.

driving is nice and easy in alabel.....solo namin highway...hehehe...they've got good highway too...i'm not so sure, but i think it's courtesy of USAID....

its about time.....for sooooo  looooooong, public hospital is still nonexistent in Sarangani. thanks to Pacman, whose battle cry when he ran for the Congress, was for the hospital to be built. nearly 2 years after getting the seat, the plan is in "tarp" :) I am longing for the day that I see it standing.....i know it not easy to build a structure, more so if it is a hospital....keep it going PACMAN....and you guys (i don't know anyone of you...lol) who are doing everything to make this happen!!!!!

A Montana Resort is built in the middle of a fish/prawn ponds...the water around makes you think that its cool...but knowing the gensan/sarangani/south cotabato weather, this cannot make up....

these are mangroves, planted to separate the resort from the ponds.....and maybe to make the place cooler

and finally......4 dishes plus 2 platters of rice (sensya na, carboloading kami :) and drinks.....ain't bad for PhP1,800+++  that also includes the pool entrance....


quick tip....

aside from the pool and the resto, A Montana Resort has rooms where you can stay...and function rooms where you can hold private parties/seminars

if you've got no one to drive you to this place, from gensan, hire a tricycle (or a taxi, if you want to arrive a little bit stylish..hhmmm) that will wait while you do your stuff...you cannot commute cause its quite far from the highway...

Pacquiao vs Bradley Viewing Party (our version)

before the controversial decision, before the bruhaha that came after...this was the scene at the back of my folk's house during the fight........

 this is the general patronage section: on a first come, first seat basis, with cool sea breeze, mosquitos also in attendance

                               balcony section: "slighty" soft seater with electric fan ....hahahhaha

the ring side sec is kinda exclusive, no cam allowed...hahaha


its open house, plus the food (tinanok na saging) and drinks (tubig) is on us!! :)


quick tip:

you get value for money paid for pay-per view during Pacquiao's fight. @Php1,500 (Sky Cable-Gen. San)...your neighbors will surely love you!!!!