Sunday, August 31, 2014

muni muni # 83


Apparently, its been more than a year since my last munimuni. It seems I have not wanted to do some reflection but I think its time to do that once again.

The past few months have been life changing. From working in a call center to becoming a freelancer, things have been going on a crazy roller coaster ride. One of the upside is that I have control of my own schedule. I can stay at home if the weather is pretty bad and I can spend time with my son more.

The downside to it is that I don't have complete control of my income. Sometimes, its pretty okay and sometimes, I barely scrape by. Then again, I just really started doing this whole freelance thing and I am still getting the hang of it.

I've also had a nail spa for a client and I've reviewed a couple of salons which led me to trying out a lot of new things when it comes to my nails. You see, I've always been a french tip, touch of tan, nude, beige, and Italian nude kind of girl. I like my nails looking bare and barely colored. I don't like anything too flashy or colored.

However, with the reviews that I had to do, I needed to be more adventurous and ended up trying new things. Guess what I discovered?

I like nail art. I like the bold colors. I like black nail polish on my feet and apparently, blue, purple, and even brown looks good on my nails. Yes, even now that I do not have that nail spa place, I chose the color blue to be my polish for the week.

Change is good.

I'm also learning to communicate with B better now. Yes, I still have my many mishaps but I'm learning to ask him why he does what he does and try to find out the reasons behind his actions and provide a solution. It's been a struggle because its still easier to just tell him what to do and what to say or think but I've realized it doesn't always work that way.

I've also taken a step, fine, a thousand steps back in something that I have tried to move from because I thought that perhaps, maybe, it was time. When I realized I was wrong, it hurt and there were tears. However, I'm not as weak as I was before so I can handle things better now.

I just really need to let things be and leave things well enough alone.

I'm still very blessed. My family are all safe. We're healthy. We're good. This is all that matters now.
It's a lot more than what other people have.

my dream proposal

It starts out with an invitation to spend the day out of town. Tagaytay perhaps? There are so many scenic spots out there and the weather is just right. 

It will start with brunch. There will be flowers, those stargazers and gerberas I love so much. There will be a lot of it in the venue. It will be a simple brunch with food that I love and a great conversation. Afterwards, we can go get coffee or just go around the city with windows down so that we can feel the wind. There will be a lot of photos taken. 

Finally, it will be time for dinner and it will be somewhere overlooking the city. There will be candles. I don't know how the candles will stay lighted. Perhaps those electric candle things? I just want there to be candles. There will be instrumental music playing. A string quartet is actually more romantic but it would also make me conscious. 

We'd have dinner and after dinner, he would ask me to dance. I don't know. It's a fantasy of mine to dance with a guy while overlooking an entire city. During the dance, he will propose. Of course I'd say yes. 

This whole thing would be documented by friends and family who are hiding somewhere. Then we'd celebrate with the people who matter. Nothing too fancy but its pretty memorable. 

Of course all of this is just a dream because I don't have anyone who will do this for me since I have no one in my life. Guess this one will remain a dream.

243/365 photoblog: Blue


This shade means a lot to me. I've always played it safe when it comes to the color of my nail polish, much like how I am with life and yes, love. I'm always scared and now I realize that I shouldn't be afraid to try new things.

So today, even though I don't have to review a nail spa anymore, I chose this color which I never would have chosen. One reason is to show that I have changed and I am finally open to so many things and the other is to show how I feel. Colors mean something and this color says how I really feel deep inside.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

242/365 photoblog: Make Up


I don't know why but I find myself obsessing over make up. Perhaps its a way for me to divert my attention to something more positive so that I won't focus on the negative feelings I have. If this is the case, then let me drown in the wonderful world of make up which I have ignored for the last 33 years.

Friday, August 29, 2014

done chasing pavements


One of the famous lines from Adele's song is "should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements even if it leads nowhere?" I used to think that people who adhere to this were something awesome and something crazy.

Now I just think they're crazy. We're crazy.

He met someone new. AGAIN. I got hurt. AGAIN. I shed tears. AGAIN. He doesn't care. AGAIN. I'm such a fool. AGAIN. I'm so stupid. AGAIN. I believed him. AGAIN. He lied to me. AGAIN.

You see the trend there? I fell for him. AGAIN. He's still not there to catch me. AGAIN. He's scared. AGAIN. He doesn't love me. AGAIN.

I'm done. FOR REAL. I'm done. I refuse to love someone who will always have his tail between his legs and who isn't man enough to stand by his "supposed love for me."

I'm done. I'm not going to chase pavements anymore. NOT AGAIN.

241/365: 3rd place


My son won 3rd place in today's Linggo ng Wika declamation contest. I am so proud of him. Good job baby.

what can I do ...

Oh what can I do
When he who makes me smile
Is also he who makes me sad?


Thursday, August 28, 2014

240/365 photoblog: Mickey Mouse


My son looked so cute in his Mickey Mouse sweater. :) I got this for him back in Baguio 2008. It finally fit him hahaha.

Bubba Gump

Zomato recently invited some of its contributors to have dinner with them and I was one of the lucky ones to have been invited to meet the Zomato crew. The meet up happened at Bubba Gump in Greenbelt 3.

They reintroduced their old time favorites to us such as the Shrimp Shack Baked Mac which is noodles mixed with shrimp, cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan Cheese sprinkled with bread crumbs.

The result? Ultimate cheesy goodness filled with my favorite shrimp.


We also had the Cajun Shrimp which reminded me of gambas. It's sauteed in hot and spicy cajun butter sauce, served with garlic bread for dippin. I liked that it wasn't too spicy. I like that the shrimp were also fresh. This is the one thing that matters to me when it comes to shrimps.


For the entree, the ones that stood out for me were the Bubba's Baked Seafood and Rice as well as the Bubba's After the Storm "Bucket of Boat Trash."

The Bubba's Baked Seafood and Rice was just so filling. It was an explosion of flavor of buttery shrimp with calamari, fish, spinach, and parmesan cream sauce with a huge serving of cheese. The bucket of boat trash was something new because it now included king crab and trust me when I say that you do not need a shell cracker thingie because the meat just falls off.






Bubba Gump is definitely here to stay. It's a great place to go to if you are with family, friends, or even a date. It's great food, good ambiance, and if shared, its affordable too. 

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* I was invited to review the food. I did not pay for my meal. However, the free meal did not in any way sway my opinion and everything you read here is MY PERSONAL OPINION. 

The Butcher Shop and Pub

Hidden on the corner of Lane P and 9th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City is The Butcher Shop and Pub. I love that it wasn't that visible to the eye because setting foot inside, you just feel this sense of being transported to another place, say perhaps, London?

Pubs are a dime a dozen in London and what makes it attractive to the locals is that pubs are known to serve quality comfort food that won't break the bank. The BS Pub stays true to that.




Talking to Chef Mike, I learned that with pubs, its more about good comfort food that are still affordable rather than high end meat that only a few can afford to pay.

I loved the interiors of The BS Pub. It was homey and it was very unpretentious. It was just tables, chairs, low lights, and really good food. Honestly, I'd take this over a fancy shmancy restaurant.


They have a butcher area where you can choose your meat. It is also prepared upon ordering. Isn't it awesome?


They also have spices to choose from such as Cinnamon-Thyme, Oregano-Cumin, Garlic-Fennel, Hungarian, and Barbecue for your dry rubs. The brush ons are mustard-pepper, peanut butter, spiced bbq, bourbon, and yakitori. 

You can also choose between the beef, fish, pork, and chicken Before that though, we were given the opportunity to try other things on the menu. Some of the things that stood out for me during this review was the Breaded Hainanese Chicken. I had one bite and I went, "oh my! This is so soft and so good!" It was just AWESOME. I can't think of a better way to describe it. It was really something different.


Another thing that caught my attention was how crispy the vegan pizza was. Each bite I took made me marvel because it was a crispiness unlike nothing I have ever tried on a pizza. It was just really different.


Other notable things on the menu were the Dumaguete Sisig which is not crispy but more on the soft, chewy side. I also liked the Sausage Fiesta which is composed of SOD, Weiners, bangers, schublig mustard served on a bed of wicked indiokraut.



Of course, the star of the entire program was the steak. What makes this pub also different is that you get to choose your own steak, your own dry rub, and the brush on. You can also choose the size of the steak you will have.




I chose the Cinnamon and Thyme as  my dry rub and then the peanut butter for my brush on. It sounds weird right? I thought it was pretty weird too but as I said, I'll try whatever is different in a place.


The rib eye I ordered was 200grams which is apparently around 7ounce. When I first saw it presented to me, I had all kinds of doubts especially when I saw the peanut butter sauce. However, I took one bite and knew that I made the right choice.

The meat was medium well and it was really soft. I didn't have to exert too much effort or actually any effort at all. I just simply sliced and chew. The combination of the peanut butter, cinnamon, and thyme with the medium well rib eye of the BS pub was just so good that I actually finished it all even before the others on the table started.

I'm not a steak fan but with this one, I am a fan. I liked that it was just so straight up and there were no fancy words attached to it. There were no fancy words that make you go "oh no, how much is this gonna cost me?" inside your head.

It was just good ol' steak. To me, this is what a real pub is all about. Price for the food is around Php300 - Php700.

The Butcher Shop and Pub
Lane P corner 9th Avenue, BGC,
Taguig City
(02)831-3543
Sunday - Thursday 8AM to 12 MN
Friday - Saturday 8AM to 2AM
*effective September 1, 2014

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                  with Chef Mike and Raj of The BS Pub 
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* I was invited to review the food. I did not pay for my meal. However, the free meal did not in any way sway my opinion and everything you read here is MY PERSONAL OPINION. 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

239/365 photoblog: Bipolar Panda of Grab Taxi


Finally had the chance to try this bipolar panda car of Grab Taxi. It was so cute. It even had a tail. Unfortunately, the ears were not there since it was mistreated by some customers. Boo!

I loved that the taxi driver was very prompt and that he rang me when he wasn't sure of what Waze was instructing him with. I also liked that he was very polite and knew when to shut up.

The car was very nice. It was cold and it was spacious. It was very comfortable. I'm happy that Grab Taxi did not fail me again this time around. I got to my destination on time and did not have any mishaps at all.

I'd definitely recommend Grab Taxi. It's my 6th time to try them and my first with the Panda car. :) 


of pets dying ...


This is Yin. He was my male siamese persian cat. He was very nice, very sweet, and a really friendly cat. He gave way to his sister and his son and would just lounge.

He's gone now.

Is he dead? I do not know. Was he killed? I do not know. Was he catnapped? I do not know. All I know is that one day, he just didn't come home. He was sick, he didn't look well, and he would normally go out but ALWAYS, always he would come home.

One day, he just didn't come home. Some would say he went away to die. I honestly do not know. All I know is that till now, when I see a purely white cat, I squint and stare and look to see if its Yin my cat. Everytime I am wrong, a little bit of my heart gets broken.

I miss my cat. I miss him squishin his face on my face to wake me up. =(

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

238/365 photoblog: Plump Pinay


I got the chance to meet Plump Pinay today and I was a fangirl because they were just oozing with confidence. I felt so little beside them. They were so self assured and their make up just perfect.

They also rocked their outfits and I was kinda envious because Dana was wearing this bell skirt that I have been wanting to wear but haven't because I have big hips. She told me to just "own it!"

I think I will :)

of people who have no sense of responsibility ...

I hate people who have no sense of responsibility. I hate those who say they want this or that but never do anything about it. I hate it most when people promise you something and then they don't it for the silliest of reasons, like say, a headache.

Seriously, who doesn't go to work for a simple headache? This is why paracetamol or mefenamic was invented. If everyone in the world doesn't go to work simply because their head aches, nothing would be done.

Sheesh.  

Monday, August 25, 2014

Janice Hung visits Nail Cocktales Blue Baywalk branch

Janice Hung is a world famous Wushu athlete. She is most known for her prowess in the field of WuShu and until today, everyone remembers her long, flying hair when she did the commercial for CreamSilk in her pink Wushu outfit.

Janice Hung is also an actress, a model, a singer, an events host, and a musical coach, Through all the things that she does, one must wonder, "does she have time for herself?" Luckily, the answer is yes.

Today, Janice Hung was spotted at Nail Cocktales Blue Baywalk getting her manicure done. It's nice to see someone as busy as she is find time to just sit and relax once in a while. 


One thing that the staff of Nail Cocktales Blue Baywalk loved was how approachable and friendly she is. Even though she's already famous, she didn't have a diva attitude. Here she gamely posed with the staff.


Thank you Janice for dropping by Nail Cocktales Blue Baywalk. Nail Cocktales BBW supports you all the way.



Janice Hung website
Janice Hung FB Page
Janice Hung IG account

Nail Cocktales BBW IG account 

237/365 photoblog: Janice Hung


Thankful that though she is now a celebrity, her feet is still rooted on the ground. She earned my friendship way back. Today, she earned my respect and support. People like Janice Hung deserves to be on top because she remains grounded no matter what.

Thank you Janice for supporting me today. I really appreciate it.

Metrobank and Just Thai tie up


Good news for Metrobank card holders who are also fans of Thai Food. Starting today until November 30, 2014, simply dine at any of the two branches of Just Thai and use your Metrobank card to make the payment.

What do you get out of it? You get an extra plate of Thai Spring Rolls when you order one. If you're dining with family, you can order up to a maximum of 3 and instead of 3 plates, you get 6. Isn't that awesome?

What makes it better is that this Thai Sping Roll is so good that you can pair it with rice and Tamarind and you'd be having one of the best lunch of your life.


Just Thai has two branches.

Forbestown Strip (alongside Burgos Circle), Fort Bonifacio,  
Molito, Alabang
(02) 4038718; (02) 519-8135 ; (02) 808-4058
www.inst agram.com/justthaiph

Sunday, August 24, 2014

236/365 photoblog: Forgiveness


I was never a forgiving person. In fact, I was one of those who never forget when someone made an infraction against me. I would remember it, file it away, then use it against the person in a time I feel that it would cause the most number of damage.

You see, I was one of those persons who always needs a verbal sorry. You can make it up to me in so many ways but if you do not say sorry, I just can't forgive you. Even then, I'd still want vengeance. 

To say I was vindictive and vengeful would be an understatement.

However, when one ages and hopefully matures, you learn that holding on to anger damages you more than it damages anyone else, least of all the person whom you are mad at. I realized that I don't need to hear a sorry to forgive them. Heck, I don't even need them to say sorry just so I can forgive them.

I will forgive them not for them but FOR ME. Yes, I will forgive because I deserve to not feel this heaviness inside me. I will forgive because I deserve better.

Lately, I noticed that my son has a budding hatred for his Dad and so I spoke to him and explained why he shouldn't feel that way. I told him that I understand how he feels because I, too, hated my father for such a long time. I told him that when you hate someone, its just a really heavy feeling inside and he doesn't deserve to feel that way. I told him to look on the bright side instead of the bad side.

I know that it won't be as easy as that but I think that its a first step. I just hope that I will be able to instill in him the value of forgiving someone even when that person has never asked for forgiveness.

Lara Renin Collection


A couple of weeks ago, I received a package from Lara Renin Collection. She sent over a bottle of Eau de Toilette and it was in one of my favorite scent. 

I tried it on and liked that it was very light. It stayed for a few hours which was fine with me since its an Eau de Toilette and not an Eau de Parfum.

I also like that the owner is open for resellers. For those who may be interested, click on the link above and start your own business. You won't regret it.

Thank you Lara Renin for this scent. It's very feminine and didn't cause me a headache at all.


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Naturacentials Deep Cleansing and Whitening Bar


I hate soaps that do not lather when I used them. I like soaps that when you use them, create this white thick foam you can lather on your skin. It's just my thing.

I noticed that a lot of organic soaps take time to do that or sometimes, none at all. I don't know about you but I feel like I'm not really getting soaped when that lather thing doesn't happen. This is why I was so happy when I tried this Bamboo harcoal and Peppermint Soap from AIM Global Solutions. Its deep cleansing and at the same time whitening.
 

The orange and black color surprised me at first. It was very different which for me also makes it stand out especially in the bathroom.

This bar lasted 3 weeks with me but then again, I tend to take 2-3 showers every day when I am at home. I think I also ended up bathing for a longer time using this because it just made showering more fun. I could definitely feel the cleansing path and the mintiness of the Peppermint.

Icky factor - 0/5
Effectiveness - 4/5
Recommend: Yes

For orders, please go to MYK Assorted Goods 

of bloggers and blaggers

I have been blogging since 2006. This means that in 1.5 years, I'd be celebrating my 10th year anniversary as a blogger. Yes, I call myself a blogger and I say this with pride. After all, a blogger is someone who maintains a website and writes about personal thoughts as well as information meant to be shared with the online community.

So what makes someone a really good blogger?  Well, you need to:

1. have a blog
2. when attending events, you should be on time and if you are late, be gracious enough to apologize to the host and do not leave until the event is actually done. To be late then leave early is just poor taste.
3. Write about the event within a span of 1-2 weeks. Personally, I have a one week rule because admit it, PR's did not invite you to delay the write up of their event for more than a week.
4. be professional in dealing with people. You won't get invited to all events. If you aren't, please, do not pick a fight with the PR person.
5. take photos and syndicate it. Use the hashtag created by the organizers.
6. thank the organizers for inviting you, RSVP when you should, and give at least 6 hours heads up if you are cancelling on an event. Ethics ethics ethics.

However, with the emergence of events blogging as well as different niches (we didn't have these kind of things when I started blogging) came along the rise of notorious people aka blaggers. These are people who may or may not have blogs but does some, if not all, of the following:

1. gatecrashes an event because theywere not invited
2. attends an event but does not write about it on their blog
3. attends an event and brings +1 or more than that without seeking approval from the PR person
4. demands a token for attending an event
5. is always late to an event and the first thing he does is go straight to the tokens area
6. self proclaims his worth and does not wait for others to praise
7. plagiarizes
8. blog is just full of PR posts ... doesn't write content on their own
9. extorts money from PR's
10. lies and manipulates people to look like he's the most popular blogger (top bloggers never say they are the top since everyone is too busy saying it for them)

There are so many more but these are the ones that are more prominent infractios of a blagger. It's quite sad to see that there are people out there who would abuse the privileges of blogging just for an event, an invitation, a token (which is normally just little things) or a few sum of money.

It's pathetic to be honest.

Bloggers nowadays are one of the best source of news and reviews of products. Bloggers (those who actually do what they are supposed to do and have ethics) are one the most cost efficient ways to get the word out there. The fact that companies believe that bloggers are an effective channel is something to be proud of and to be taken cared of. Unfortunately, blaggers make it hard for bloggers to do so.

"Parang ang bilis lang magblog. Party party lang tapos may gift na. Makapagblog nga!" (Blogging looks so easy. You attend one party and then you get a gift. I'll start my own!)

This is one statement that makes my blood boil for blogging is not easy. It requires passion, dedication, and it requires commitment. Blogging, as with any form of art, comes from a combination of a lot of things. You don't just sit in front of your laptop and have the words pouring out of you. I wish it were that easy. Unfortunately, its not.

I wish there was a list that can be made where all blaggers would be listed and they can just be banned forever from ruining our names. However, there's none. Till then, I will do what I can to ensure that deserving bloggers get more chances and the not deserving blaggers will just remain in their little holes in the wall.

Skillets and Grill

I've passed by this place a couple of times and had always seen it with lights blazing and a lot of people dining. It was pretty surprising because it was quite new and as I've noticed with most of  my neighbors, they do not easily patronize new food places. However, it seems that Skillet and Grill is doing something right so earlier today, I treated my family to dinner there. It was also my way of being with them because I won't be there on Monday when they celebrate my Lola's 77th birthday.



Honestly, I didn't have high expectations of the food. I was just praying that it would be decent. Thankfully, God seems to have heard my prayer because the food was really awesome.

This steak is only Php168. This CornPepper Steak in Mushroom Sauce was cooked really well. It tatsted really good and my little sister finished the entire thing.  


 Now this Pork Sarabasab (Php248) is another revelation. Even though it was filled with a lot of onions, it tasted really interesting. It was kind of a mix between liempo and sisig. This viand definitely needs rice and its absolutely perfect.


The bagnet (Php338) is very crispy and dare I say, fresh. I don't even know why I describe it as fresh but it just look so fresh and so inviting. One bite, one reaction of "oh this is really good!" and the whole plate just kind of disappeared.


 Now this ... this can actually give Aristocrats boneless chicken (Php198). This was really soft, really juicy, and really yummy. I plan to go back soon and have an entire plate all on my own.


My Mom on the other hand loved the sisig (Php145). For me it could have been cooked more but for my Mom, it was absolutely perfect.


This tuna al ajillo is only Php168 which is really a steal because its fresh and it was super soft. I'm not a fish person but I really liked this.


Last thing we tried was the pinakbet con bagnet(Php198) and I have to say that this was really, really good. The vegetables are cooked only upon order and it was even cut just right before cooking.

 
My family and I enjoyed dining at Skillets and Grill. It was the perfect place for us and I am just so happy that we have found a new place. I'll even say this. Skillets and Grill is definitely here to stay.

47 BF Resort Drive
BF Resort Village, Talon II
Las Pinas City, Metro Manila