tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15448971966900119352024-02-09T02:39:12.757+08:00It's a beautiful life!Food blog. Travel blog. Wedding blog. Fitness blog. Fashion blog. Lifestyle blog. Beauty blog. Anything blog.Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-37181685670123283172010-03-21T03:31:00.003+08:002010-03-21T03:36:30.373+08:00I have moved.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://deaguwapa.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://deaguwapa.com</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I finally got my own domain, whoopee! I also moved over to Wordpress.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://deaguwapa.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://deaguwapa.com</span></a><br /></div><br />I hope you can follow me there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://deaguwapa.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://deaguwapa.com</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you, <a href="http://guwapa.blogspot.com">http://guwapa.blogspot.com</a>. I had oodles of fun with you, but it's time to move on.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">See you at my <a href="http://deaguwapa.com">new blog</a>, my dear friends!</span></span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-26771161003688486062010-03-17T03:54:00.007+08:002010-03-20T15:36:51.731+08:00Meet Cello<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4419615405/" title="cello by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4419615405_ff69c0b262.jpg" alt="cello" width="399" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br />This half-Beagle/half-Lhasa Apso pup is my brother Momon's baby. He's the new apple of our eyes, everyone in our household is in love with him.<br /><br />I have learned to clean up doggie <span style="font-style: italic;">pupu</span> and wipe doggie <span style="font-style: italic;">wiwi</span>. I never did that with <a href="http://guwapa.blogspot.com/2010/02/django-boy.html">Django</a>, the yellow Lab I share with Abet, but that's because Abet does all the dirty work. But Cello is just so cute and so tiny and a little toilet paper and Lysol is enough to take care of his mess.<br /><br />I'm just so smitten with this puppy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4419822680/" title="DSC02245-edited2 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4419822680_94d6331da2.jpg" alt="DSC02245-edited2" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4419821756/" title="DSC02241-edited2 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4419821756_81678a1f6d.jpg" alt="DSC02241-edited2" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><script name="f10f710e-33f2-11df-8bba-123139069a14" src="http://izearanks.com/itk/show/guwapa-blogspot-com" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-20731111392069077722010-03-10T23:31:00.008+08:002010-03-13T05:32:31.149+08:00Jonker Walk, Malacca Food TripI received today a positive comment on one of my <a href="http://guwapa.blogspot.com/2009/11/tune-hotel-kuala-lumpur.html">blog entries</a> about our backpacking trip last October, and I realized that I haven't posted anything about that trip in four months. It's a shame, really, because I still have a lot of stories and pictures to share about that adventure. I have my notes in my Moleskine notebook to remind me about our trip--that it wasn't just a dream--but my notebook doesn't have photographs. I did plan on documenting our trip on this blog so I can read back and look at our pictures and reminisce, but things got busy in December. Anyway, I'm going to pick up where I left off. My last entry about the trip was about <a href="http://guwapa.blogspot.com/2009/11/afternoon-in-malacca.html">our afternoon in Malacca</a>, now let me tell you all about our food trip in Jonker Walk that evening.<br /><br />If there is one thing you need to experience in Malacca, it would have to be Jonker Walk (or Jonker Street or <em>Jalan Hang Jebat</em>) in Malacca Chinatown, and it is best to experience it in the evening when it's alive and bustling with activity. The street is lined with antique stores and houses, and in the evening it is closed off and becomes a night market where food stalls abound.<br /><br />We got to Jonker Street just before the sun set, and most food stalls weren't open for business yet. We were already famished at this point, though, so we decided to snack on the fare of one of the tables that were already ready to serve.<br /><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4381426917/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4381426917_067e7b0460.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">30 sen (P4.25) apiece, except for the sticks with pink tips which are 40 sen (P5.50)</span> </p><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4381427261/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4381427261_39c2a3f3cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">cucumber was free :P</span> </p><div align="left">We tried the refreshments from this stall: </div><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4381427521/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4381427521_0c44537091.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><div align="left">Abet liked the drinks here, we came back later in the evening.<br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4382186404/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4382186404_1b29ecd24f.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I enjoyed the sweet-sour lime and plum juice</span><br /></p>For dinner we tried Malacca's most popular dish at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.chickenriceball.com/"><strong>Restoran Famosa</strong></a>: <u>chicken rice ball</u>. Chicken rice ball is similar to Hainanese chicken rice (our favorite dish in Singapore), except that the chicken-flavored rice is served shaped like golf balls.<br /><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4382186586/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4382186586_05974616fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Abet's roasted chicken rice ball</span></p><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4381434017/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4381434017_4856e72a7f.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">my steamed chicken rice ball</span></p><p align="left">Good and cheap, but I still prefer the chicken rice in Singapore. We walked around after dinner <em>para magpababa ng kinain</em>, and before long, we were ready to sample more of what Jonker Walk had to offer. Our pick this time: <em>siomai! Siomai</em> of different shapes and sizes and colors. We tried seven of these:</p><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4382186822/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4382186822_d3edf4f6c6.jpg" width="499" height="500" /></a></p><p align="left">Abet loves <em>tubo</em>, he wasn't able to resist the sugarcane juice vendor.</p><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4382187014/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4382187014_e70972b58b.jpg" width="500" height="297" /></a></p>I still haven't had my dessert at this point, so I bought a stick of assorted fruits dipped in chocolate. This wouldn't have been so bad if there wasn't a cherry tomato in it. Blech. A chocolate-covered tomato isn't really my idea of dessert.<br /><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4381428789/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4381428789_38190b1643.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><p>To cap off our evening, we had shared a bowl of <em>cendol</em> at <strong><a href="http://www.jonker88.com/">Jonker88</a></strong>, a museum-cafe which is probably the most popular spot on Jonker Walk:</p><p align="center"><a title="Jonker Walk by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4385003878/"><img alt="Jonker Walk" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4385003878_d9edaa6895.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><p>Sorry, super blurred photo (again, DSLR n00b here). This was seriously the best thing I ate in our entire 11-day trip. I first fell in love with <em>cendol</em> when we were in Singapore last year, and it is now on the list of my top 10 favorite foods. <em>Cendol</em> is a similar to our <em>halu-halo</em>, except that its main <em>sahog</em> is red beans and green rice "noodle strips." There's the finely shaved ice, and coconut milk is used instead of <em>evaporada</em>. Then there's that dark brown syrup made from palm sugar that tastes just like the <em>latik</em> of the <em>biko</em> my momma makes.</p><p>Whenever I reminisce about our trip to Malacca, I fondly think about our Jonker Walk food trip (and the <em>cendol</em>, of course). Blogging about this experience and seeing all the food pictures above makes me want to go back. Since I don't see a trip to Malaysia in the near future, I think I just might drag Abet soon to a restaurant named Malacca along Jupiter and see how it compares to the food we enjoyed in Jonker Walk. If I'm lucky, the <em>cendol</em> will taste just the same.</p>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-43514607253165363702010-03-08T01:56:00.003+08:002010-03-08T02:47:55.995+08:00My MarchWell, looky here. I can't believe it's the already the second week of March. Actually, I can't believe that it's <u>already March</u>, didn't we just celebrate the holidays?<br /><br />I'm loving my March so far! At the home front, it's been very happy and fun lately, we're really blessed. We're all excited about Joe's vacation mid-month, and we're glad that he's now a <span style="font-style: italic;">yearling</span> or a third class cadet--that's a second year student for us civilians.<br /><br />This month, I've also been doing good with my fitness goals. I have a rather ambitious goal for this Lenten season, and I'm well on my way to achieving that by Easter. I've been trying to eat well since Ash Wednesday, but I amped it up at the start of the month by going to the gym after work. I actually went four times last week, and this week I'll aim to go <span style="font-style: italic;">everyday</span>. I'm on a roll! During lunchtime, I now utilize a phrase I didn't really use before: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Half-rice lang po, 'te.</span>"I am so getting my sexy back this year!<br /><br />Has anyone seen <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/">Alice in Wonderland</a> yet? I'm a big Tim Burton/Helena Bonham Carter/Johnny Depp fan, so this is something I've been looking forward to since last year. The reviews on my friends' Facebook statuses are mixed, but Abet and I are still looking forward to watching it in 3D. We'll wait for a couple of weeks for a) our paychecks, because we're currently poor; and b) the opening weekend crowd to die down (but it's mainly the former, haha!).<br /><br />Speaking of movies, I've been "craving" for some movies lately, I'm making Abet download random movies I'd like to watch again: Land Before Time, Fern Gully, The Cutting Edge, Drop Dead Fred, etc. Maybe it's because I'm getting older (aren't we all?), but I want to watch movies from my childhood again.<br /><br />And speaking of poor, Abet and I have been staying in a lot recently. Weekends are now spent watching movies and TV shows on his laptop instead of going out. We take turns choosing movies. So far he's picked Somewhere in Time, I've chosen The Graduate and Children of Heaven, a beautiful Iranian film about a brother and sister and shoes. We also make the other watch our favorite TV shows: he's now watching How I Met Your Mother and Glee, and last night I watched the pilot of Ed (ancient, I know, but it's his favorite). We just make popcorn with their cool electric popcorn maker. I guess we'll be having more of these <span style="font-style: italic;">tipid</span> movie nights in the next <strike>18 months</strike> 20 years.<br /><br />You know what I'm most looking forward to this month? My boyfriend's birthday! Abet will be turning 29 this year--<span style="font-style: italic;">pwede na nang mag-asawa!</span> :D<br /><br />Have a good month, y'all!Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-20046529046127920152010-03-02T22:02:00.001+08:002010-03-02T22:06:52.909+08:00Father & Son<p align="center"><a title="Father & Son by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4400671867/"><img height="331" alt="Father & Son" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4400671867_d446aaff52_o.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><span style="font-size:78%;">From </span><a href="http://gatekeeper.tumblr.com/post/416853155"><span style="font-size:78%;">That Girl</span></a><br /><div align="center"> </div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-43375891883042621342010-02-26T22:57:00.004+08:002010-02-26T23:12:38.174+08:00Django Boy<p align="center"><a title="Django Boy by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4389193869/"><img height="500" alt="Django Boy" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4389193869_a669c80891.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Django at 8 weeks old; Django at 3 months old</span></em></p><p align="left">I miss that puppy. He's humongous now at 2 and a half years old. </p><p align="left">This is just a filler post, I don't have much time to blog right now. No time to make these cute scrapbook pages, either.</p><p align="left">Have a good weekend, everyone! I know I will!</p>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-61965101821103980012010-02-16T22:26:00.010+08:002010-02-17T03:55:02.255+08:00The Search for the ChurchAbet and I had our hearts set on getting married in Caleruega in Batulao, Batangas. It was the church of our dreams. In fact, we made a down payment last year because the weekend slots for 2011 were getting filled up, and we wanted to make sure to reserve our wedding date—a date we decided on back in 2007. However, late last year, we decided to be practical and have our wedding in Manila instead to save on out-of-town fees that most suppliers charge for Tagaytay weddings. To be honest, it broke my heart, and <em>sayang ang deposit.</em> But what the hey, we wanted to be practical.<br /><br />So, early this year, we started looking for churches in Manila. We had two requirements: (1) the church needs to be air-conditioned, because Abet will just <u>melt</u> in the Manila heat if it isn’t, and (2) it needs to be small, because we only have around 100 guests and I don’t like vacant pews and a <em>pangag</em> look—I want the church to be filled up.<br /><br />Looking for the perfect church wasn’t as easy as we thought because of one major reason: our preferred date is a Sunday, and most churches do not allow Sunday weddings. We had to cross out our top 2 choices: Archbishop’s Palace and Magallanes Church. *sigh*<br /><br />Now, I refuse to move our wedding date. It is our fifth anniversary as a couple. October 16 is a very special, very memorable date. The last three October 16’s were beautiful celebrations of love, and we’ll celebrate it yet again this year. We celebrate the 16th of each month, we've done it the last 40 months, and 16 has always been our number. <strong><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">(Happy 40th month, love!)</span> </span></span></strong>It doesn’t make sense to me to change our anniversary date.<br /><br />So on to our search for a small, air-conditioned church in Manila that allows Sunday weddings. We narrowed it down to a handful (not that we had much choice, really): St. John Bosco in Pasong Tamo, St. Pancratius in Paco Park, Pope Pius in UN, and St. Ignatius in Camp Aguinaldo. We started with our ocular last weekend, and here's the church we decided on:<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438880979420534754" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S3rJbzH9V-I/AAAAAAAAAbs/XAcHEKgL8c4/s400/wow+calaruega+church.jpg" border="0" />The Transfiguration Chapel</strong> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;">pic from </span><a href="http://riandrew.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Riandrew</span></a> </p><p align="left">Yup, we decided to push through with our Caleruega wedding! I'm so happy! </p><p align="left">This is really where we want to get married. I even think that Abet wants this even more than I do, he was the one who suggested Caleruega in the first place. If we get married in another church, we'll be <u>settling</u>, knowing that we have our hearts set on something else. I'll just keep on justifying to myself over and over and over that we made the best choice. In short, <em>lolokohin ko lang ang sarili ko</em>. </p><p align="left">Marrying Abet will be one of my biggest dreams come true, and it will still be the happiest day of my life at that point if we get hitched in Las Piñas City Hall. But if it is possible to make another one of our mutual dreams come true, why not? </p><p align="left"></p><p>Of course, getting married in Caleruega comes at a premium, and I'm willing to sacrifice for it. I'm willing to give up all my other wants, but not the church (and the groom, of course!). I probably won't be getting my dream suppliers for the cake, the invitations, and the hair and make-up artist among other things, but that's okay. Yes, I already have a list of who I want. I could probably even give up <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/k-by-cunanan-catering/309988215715">K by Cunanan</a>, the caterer I'm in love with, and probably have our reception at Sonya's Garden instead. We'll see about the reception. I will focus on getting my top 3 wants: the church, the photographers, and the rings, in that order.</p><p>I'm very pleased with this recent turn of events. Boy, am I glad that I didn't have the heart to cancel our reservation before, I kept putting it off. I'll be a Tagaytay bride after all, a Caleruega bride.</p>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-54999103853174970382010-02-11T23:01:00.002+08:002010-02-11T23:47:22.172+08:00February 11, 2010Today is Joe's 18th birthday.<br /><br />Today is the 12th anniversary of my dad's quadruple bypass surgery.<br /><br />Today, my mom had her defense for her dissertation for her Doctor of Business Administration degree. She's now Dr. Mama! :D<br /><br />I just love February 11!<br /><br />Happy birthday to my dear brother, and congratulations to my dear mommy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">--=-=--<br /></div><br />I can't believe that Joe is now 18. We're ten years apart, which makes me... <span style="font-style: italic;">ancient</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4348911566/" title="Baby Otik by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4348911566_72bba4d0a3_o.jpg" alt="Baby Otik" width="332" height="319" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I don't care how big he grows, he will always be a baby to me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4348166663/" title="Baby Otik by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4348166663_79fba51739_o.jpg" alt="Baby Otik" width="311" height="392" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-19782704668507694732010-02-07T00:04:00.007+08:002010-02-07T00:34:37.445+08:00Mario wedding cakesCheck out these lovely whimsical Super Mario Bros. wedding cakes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TmWqC3hI/AAAAAAAAAak/Uckqad2As-A/s1600-h/mario1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TmWqC3hI/AAAAAAAAAak/Uckqad2As-A/s400/mario1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435162612432297490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TsSg-rjI/AAAAAAAAAas/JnGBIQik53o/s1600-h/mario2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TsSg-rjI/AAAAAAAAAas/JnGBIQik53o/s400/mario2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435162714399747634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TxXK9nuI/AAAAAAAAAa0/8Q6XImFiL-k/s1600-h/mario3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22TxXK9nuI/AAAAAAAAAa0/8Q6XImFiL-k/s400/mario3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435162801548926690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">From <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-sweets-when-mario-marries.html">CakeWrecks.com</a></span><br /><br />I wouldn't mind having a cute Mario cake for my wedding. However, I'm afraid Abet might want to suggest something crazy such as a Star Wars cake. No way, not even if it's as pretty as this Millennium Falcon cake:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22WMSi9hvI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2nUrLFwxnd0/s1600-h/starwars1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22WMSi9hvI/AAAAAAAAAa8/2nUrLFwxnd0/s400/starwars1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435165463187130098" border="0" /></a>Or this Star Destroyer, perhaps:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22WYCThRiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/CjTXO4z0qtg/s1600-h/starwars2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S22WYCThRiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/CjTXO4z0qtg/s400/starwars2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435165664985826850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Also from </span><a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/06/sunday-sweets-star-wars.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">CakeWrecks</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, Abet, I know what these are. No, we're not getting one.</span><br /><br />I guess we'll be sticking to a traditional cake.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">--=-=--<br /></div><br />Yes, m'dears, I'm already thinking about my wedding cake. I take cake very, very seriously. :) In fact, we've already shortlisted our suppliers to two--my dream cake supplier which is a tad pricey, and the less expensive option that's so yummy and classic that it wouldn't be at all painful for me to compromise.<br /><br />Ah, so many decisions. Good thing I really don't have to make any yet at this point.<br /><br />I do want me some cake, though.Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-76011388839091562912010-02-03T22:30:00.004+08:002010-02-04T01:03:53.778+08:00Norman Rockwell on Google<p align="center"><a title="Norman Rockwell Google by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4327250417/"><img height="280" alt="Norman Rockwell Google" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4327250417_1702d2ae77_o.jpg" width="484" /></a></p><p>I love this commemorative doodle for Norman Rockwell's birthday on Google today. </p><p>I loved a Norman Rockwell painting before I knew what it is, this particular one that hung in the dentist's office when I was a kid:<br /></p><p align="center"><a title="Norman Rockwell by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4328192790/"><img height="450" alt="Norman Rockwell" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4328192790_55fe71c60b_o.jpg" width="360" /></a></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I'd find out later that it's entitled <strong>Before the Shot</strong>.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br>When I got older, I found out that Norman Rockwell is my father's favorite painter. He had this as his desktop wallpaper at one point, <strong>The Runaway:</strong></div><p align="center"><a title="Norman Rockwell by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4328192982/"><img height="400" alt="Norman Rockwell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4328192982_230f606aaa_o.jpg" width="375" /></a></p><p></p><p>I'll have a print of this painting in my house when I grow up.</p><p>My dad also introduced me to these two humorous works, the <strong>Triple Self-Portrait...</strong></p><p align="center"><a title="Norman Rockwell by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4328193066/"><img height="400" alt="Norman Rockwell" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4328193066_33696cf300_o.jpg" width="282" /></a></p><p></p><p>...and <strong>The Gossip</strong>. Check out the expressions, especially that of the first/last lady:</p><p align="center"><a title="Norman Rockwell by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4327481265/"><img height="440" alt="Norman Rockwell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4327481265_90c994a349_o.jpg" width="410" /></a></p><p>I'm actually browsing more of Norman Rockwell's works on <a href="http://www.art.com/">art.com</a> right now and they're all brilliant. Go check!</p><p><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Happy birthday, Norman Rockwell!</span></em></strong></p>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-33780881994858588522010-02-01T00:09:00.008+08:002010-02-01T16:42:48.221+08:00Barns + BunnyMy dear college friends Barns and Bunny finally got married last Saturday after 7 years! This is the couple I third-wheeled on the most. Back in college, Barns would take Bunny home with me in the back seat, and then he'd drop me off *hihi*. It was a wonderful wedding and I'm glad I got to witness the two of them become man and wife.<br /><br />Bunny was the most beautiful bride ever! Here she is just after she entered the church, she was absolutely radiant:<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a title="Bunny the bride by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4319315772/"><img height="500" alt="Bunny the bride" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4319315772_69f19b8cbb.jpg" width="292" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Naka-jackpot si Barns!</span><br /><br />One thing I love about friends' weddings is seeing everyone all glam-ed up.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a title="Barns + Bunny by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4318595731/"><img height="375" alt="Barns + Bunny" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4318595731_5e3f5ed4e5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">SPECA girls</span><br /><br /><a title="Barns + Bunny by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4319392244/"><img height="375" alt="Barns + Bunny" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4319392244_81f3065c99.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Locus (loosely defined by Speech majors as <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"kunyari may tinitingnan"</span>)<br />with Dr. Bulan, one of our favorite professors</span><br /><br /><a title="Barns + Bunny by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4319392368/"><img height="375" alt="Barns + Bunny" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4319392368_dd078e7e07.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Japan-Japan with the bride and (crazy-happy) groom</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">I loved my long purple dress, I hardly get dressed up these days. I kept my make-up simple though because I'm not really into make-up. Just Bare Escentuals mineral foundation + mineral veil, NARS Orgasm blush, MAC Lipglass in Pinkarat, and two coats of mascara, no eyeshadow.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a title="Barns + Bunny by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4318601199/"><img height="500" alt="Barns + Bunny" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4318601199_a2c3489ab4.jpg" width="401" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br />My make-up was practically gone by the end of the night, we were having too much fun to bother retouching.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a title="Barns + Bunny by guwapa, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4319334468/"><img height="375" alt="Barns + Bunny" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4319334468_5446fa2b7c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /></div><br />My friend Krst'll told us that night that we look alike, and today the photo above got a comment in Facebook that <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">magkamukha daw kami</span>. We get that a lot, and what I always say is: <u>mas guwapo ako!</u> Sorry, baby, I love you dearly, but it's true! Mwahaha!<br /><br />Overall, it was a wonderful night, I had loads of fun. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to attend because I had what seemed to be sore eyes last Wednesday and was sent home for it, but by Friday my left eye was good as new (I irrigated it like hell). I got to dress up, saw Abet in a <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">barong </span>(he hates it, but I think he looks dashing), saw friends I haven't seen in a long time and had fun, enjoyed good food and the mobile bar (I hoarded the M&M's, shhhh...), and most importantly, witnessed two soulmates get married.<br /><br />I can't wait for Adel's wedding in April so I can dress up and have fun with my friends again!<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Congratulations and Best Wishes, Barns and Bunny! </span></div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-16557304706929426712010-01-31T21:44:00.003+08:002010-01-31T21:47:49.787+08:00Because funny is always in fashion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S2WJdXWTxcI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wpnNfB9Be-Q/s1600-h/tina+fey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S2WJdXWTxcI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wpnNfB9Be-Q/s400/tina+fey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432899663069169090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/01/tina_fey_lands_vogues_march_co.html">Tina Fey will be on the March cover of Vogue!</a><br /><br />I can't wait to see this, Tina Fey is one of my ultimate girl crushes.<br /></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-91990989244825691592010-01-29T22:56:00.005+08:002010-01-29T23:16:09.440+08:00Krup-krupEn route from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, our van stopped over at Kampong Thom, a province two hours from Siem Reap. A stall on the sidewalk had crickets...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4311782502/" title="crickets in Cambodia by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4311782502_9e7647853a.jpg" alt="crickets in Cambodia" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />and beetles (or what I hoped were beetles and not roaches):<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4311047147/" title="crickets in Cambodia by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4311047147_12c883b894.jpg" alt="crickets in Cambodia" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />I don't really care about edible insects, I was more interested in the persimmons and pomegranates in the next stall.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4311784142/" title="persimmons and pomegranates by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4311784142_d3d668e318.jpg" alt="persimmons and pomegranates" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />Abet, however, wanted to get the crickets. He sampled some and liked them, so we bought a small plastic bag for 7,000 riel--around P80--for <span style="font-style: italic;">pulutan </span>in our hotel room later that evening. They weren't too bad, actually. Perfect with beer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4311069705/" title="crickets in Cambodia by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4311069705_d6038fea21.jpg" alt="crickets in Cambodia" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Please excuse the girly fingernails--he's a guitarist.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4314005418/" title="crickets in Cambodia by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4314005418_728c9dc204.jpg" alt="crickets in Cambodia" width="500" height="188" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Yum!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On the way back from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (towards Vietnam), we passed by Kampong Thom again. This time, we bought a tarantula for 500 riel (P6). Neither of us ate it. We'll stick to the crickets next time.<br /></div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-73901129447732137802010-01-20T02:36:00.003+08:002010-01-20T02:40:31.826+08:00Bet you didn't know that...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S1X74mlT53I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ENzRK0oeSq0/s1600-h/jan19_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/S1X74mlT53I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/ENzRK0oeSq0/s400/jan19_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428521875713288050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">From one of my daily reads, <a href="http://www.learnsomethingeveryday.co.uk/">Learn Something Everyday</a>.</span>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-11217578894581478472010-01-17T23:56:00.008+08:002010-01-19T04:06:49.695+08:00My best impulse buy ever...which was also the most expensive, was worth every single cent.<br /><br />I just bought a guitar.<br /><br />It's not for me, of course. It's for Abet. There's this guitar lent to him by his friend Joseph who is based in China. Abet's been using it for several months now, and he really loves the sound of this particular instrument. Now, with musicians like Abet, finding an instrument that one is really <i>kasundo</i> with is no easy feat. It's akin to finding a girlfriend or boyfriend. He is partial to the sound of this guitar and wanted to buy it months back, but the owner wasn't selling.<br /><br />Last week, the owner offered to sell him the guitar, but Abet declined. He said he has other expenses to prioritize; he has a trip to Bangkok (short-term) and our wedding and beyond (long-term) to save up for, and that guitar wasn't in his priorities right now.<br /><br />Of course, I couldn't let that offer pass up, could I? It would just absolutely break my heart--and his, for sure--if that little piece of <strike>plywood</strike> spruce and glue and varnish would be sold to someone else. So I did what any supportive girlfriend would do: I e-mailed Joseph and offered to buy the guitar behind Abet's back. It cost as much as our budget for one person for our 6-day/5-night trip to Bangkok with accommodation at a 5-star hotel this June. <span style="font-style: italic;">Pikit-mata akong nagbayad, </span>and I paid for it as soon as I could before I could change my mind.<br /><br />Lest you guys think that I'm Abet's sugar mommeh, let me say that I paid for it from our joint money. I did some quick calculations and realized that we <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> afford the guitar. I know I should have discussed such a major purchase with him before I made any decisions, but if I did, he would have hesitated and talked me out of it. He's as worried about our wedding and our post-wedding finances as much as I am. Besides, his face was priceless--just priceless!--when I handed him the deposit slip today. I didn't tell him what I did, I just let him figure it all out. He actually teared up a bit, much like how my sister May teared up when Abet gave my family a beautiful guitar two Christmases ago. Oh, he was so happy! It was all worth it. Honestly, I was a bit worried about how he might react. I did have to promise him that I won't ever do something like that again, though. I won't, I promise. I don't think that will be allowed once we're married.<br /><br />He was so happy today, he gave me impromptu guitar lessons. I think it's about time I learn--the guitar is half mine, after all.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" ><strong>*EDIT*</strong><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >The boyfriend had a violent reaction to this blog post. It's <u>spruce</u> <span style="font-style: italic;">daw</span>, not plywood. Foyn. :P</span>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-82953966981551603662010-01-10T23:00:00.001+08:002010-02-07T00:39:38.055+08:00Money, money, money...<span style="font-style: italic;">must be funny in a rich man's world.</span><br /><br />I just realized that I'll be thinking about money everyday for the rest of my life starting now. :-/<br /><br />Abet has decided to stay here for his MA instead of studying in Japan, the pros of staying here outweigh the cons by a ton. This change of plans brings us back to our original plan: get married next October on our 5th anniversary. Our original date was October 16, 2011 (we decided on this just after being together for a year), but Abet had decided to study in Japan and he wouldn't be home on that date. We were to push the wedding to April 2012. Now we're back to the original plan.<br /><br />Which means we'll get married in 21 months.<br /><br />Which means that we have only have 21 more months to save up.<br /><br />Which is too little time, really.<br /><br />We actually started saving together in 2008, depositing an equal amount monthly. Yes, we went where angels fear to tread: the joint savings account. We do have some money stashed away (in BDO in MoA, to be exact), but we counted our money and made a wedding budget earlier today, and we realized that we don't have enough. We won't have enough if we put in the same amount we've been putting in all these months. No, wait. We'll have enough for the wedding we want, but that's it. No money for the 1 month advance, 2 months deposit on rent, no money to buy a refrigerator and a dining set and 400 thread count sheets (<span style="font-style: italic;">¡Que horror!</span>), and no money for a honeymoon (an even bigger <span style="font-style: italic;">¡Que horror!</span>). We'll have to amp up our savings.<br /><br />My goodness.<br /><br />I've never really thought about money as obsessively before. I make some, save some, pay my credit card bills, and spend the rest. The only thing I majorly saved up for and spent was travel. Now, I have the wedding to think about. I'll probably obsess about this--what we can and can't afford, what nice-to-have's to let go of, what to prioritize with our budget. After the wedding, there will be the rent and bills and groceries. Then we'll have to buy a car (I don't want to be a pregnant woman a-commuting). Then we'll have a baby. And then another baby. (And maybe still another baby.) Then the babies will grow up and go to school and go to college. Of course one of our ultimate dreams is to have a house of our very own sooner than later, so we'll also have to work on that.<br /><br />It won't stop.<br /><br />I wish I did some major splurging yesterday before I realized all these.Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-6696783204274908432010-01-06T21:21:00.009+08:002010-01-11T02:25:40.400+08:00A rather late year-end postI didn't plan on filling this out for 2009, I've been lazy with my blogging lately, but reading other people's 2009 surveys made me want to write my own. After all, 2009 was an eventful year--exciting, difficult, stressful, amazing, fun, tiring--and truly memorable.<br /><br /><em>Thanks for the memories, 2009. You were fun, but I'm glad you're over. I'm looking forward to more fun and exciting stuff for 2010.</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?</strong> Pray like I've never prayed before. Having our baby brother enter the PMA was extremely difficult for our family. We have very limited contact with him, all we could do was pray for his health and safety, and for him to be strong. The worst is over now, though. We're done being through a wringer, and we're immensely proud of Joe.<br /><br /><strong>2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?</strong> I resolved to travel more with Abet. Check! I also resolved to save more. Check! I resolved to take better care of my skin and figure. Check on the former, big fail on the latter. So for this year, my number one resolution is TO GET MY FRIGGIN' SEXY BACK! Dang, I used to be hot. I want to be hot again.<br /><br /><strong>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</strong> Vanessa gave birth to Gab in May, Jarwin's wife gave birth to Jaden in June, and Chris's wife gave birth to Marcus in August.<br /><br /><strong>4. Did anyone close to you die?</strong> Humans, no, praise God. RIP to my three pet fish.<br /><br /><strong>5. What countries did you visit?</strong> Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, baby!<br /><br /><strong>6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?</strong> Exercise, still!<br /><br /><strong>7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</strong> I have three:<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">19 March 2009, the day we found out that Joe got accepted into the PMA Class of 2013</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">20 June 2009, Joe's Incorporation Ceremony, the day we first saw him since he entered the Academy in April--it was just after he finished two months of military training and we barely recognized him</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">26 October 2009, the day I saw the sun rise over the Angkor Wat</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</strong> Planning our 11-day, 5-city backpacking trip! And being under-budget at that.<br /><br /><strong>9. What was your biggest failure?</strong> Missing Joe's Recognition Ceremony because of our delayed flight home from Vietnam. I know it wasn't my fault, Typhoon Santi was beyond my control, but I'll always feel a tinge of regret whenever I think about this.<br /><br /><strong>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</strong> Just a bad case of </span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626"><span style="font-size:85%;">costochondritis</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.<br /><br /><strong>11. What was the best thing you bought?</strong> The backpacking trip. Every single peso I spent was worth it.<br /><br /><strong>12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</strong> This goes without saying: my brother Joe's. He's doing really well in the Academy. We are mighty proud of him.<br /><br /><strong>13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?</strong> The Ampatuans.<br /><br /><strong>14. Where did most of your money go?</strong> Travel and savings. No complaints here.<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</strong> Every single trip to Baguio to visit my brother got me excited. I was also excited about our trip to Davao last March to attend my friend Maedeleine's wedding. It was Abet's first time in Mindanao, and I saw my dearest high school barkada who are some of my favorite girls in the world. Of course, we were excited as hell about our backpacking trip, we were counting down months. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>16. What song will always remind you of 2008?</strong> Jai Ho, Nobody, and that "I don't care" song</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:</strong> </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Happier or sadder?</strong> Happier! (Yay!) </span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Thinner or fatter?</strong> Fatter! (Boo!) </span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Richer or poorer?</strong> Richer! (Yay!) </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>18. What do you wish you'd done more of?</strong> Read, and see more of the Philippines. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</strong> Eat. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>20. How did you spend Christmas?</strong> Joe can’t come home (or even go outside Fort del Pilar) for the holidays, so the family was in Baguio from the 21st of December until after New Year’s Day. My family was lent a lovely house with 3 bedrooms, a fireplace, and a gorgeous view of the mountains and pine trees. Christmas Day was spent inside PMA with Joe and the other Charlie boys whose families weren’t able to visit, and Christmas evening was spent in front of the fireplace.<br /><br /><strong>21. Did you fall in love in 2009?</strong> I kept on falling madly, deeply in love, over and over again. He's wonderful. I love him so much. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>22. How many one-night stands?</strong> None. Never have.<br /><br /><strong>23. What was your favorite TV program?</strong> Glee! I've converted my family into Gleeks-even Abet, who has proclaimed himself president of the Quinn Fabray Fan Club</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?</strong> Yes. Let's leave it at that. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>25. What was the best book you read?</strong> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bonk-Curious-Coupling-Science-Sex/dp/0393064646"><span style="font-size:85%;">This book</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">:</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 350px; height: 522px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://shaunmiller.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/bonk-cover.gif" border="0" /> Her first book, Stiff, which is about human cadavers, is entertaining, funny, and informative and is one of my favorite books. This book about sex is even funnier. I got my hardbound copy at 50% off. </span><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>26. What was your greatest musical discovery?</strong> None again. I’m outdated.<br /><br /><strong>27. What did you want and get?</strong> For Joe to get into the Academy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>28. What did you want and not get?</strong> Still world peace. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>29. What was your favorite film of this year?</strong> Disney-Pixar’s <em>Up</em>. This is now one of my ultimate favorite movies. I watched this with my brother Mako, my sister May, and Abet on Mako’s laptop in Baguio.<br /><br /><strong>30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</strong> On my 27th, I had food from Amber’s delivered for my officemates, watched the first 7 episodes of Glee with my mom (even if I have already seen them), had dinner at Teriyaki Boy and dessert at Mom & Tina’s with May and Abet, and then May and I got our third and last cervical cancer shot.<br /><br /><strong>31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?</strong> Still the "I'm wearing the first thing I grabbed from the sampayan and handed to Ate Inday to iron" look </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>32. What kept you sane?</strong> Abet and chocolate<br /><br /><strong>33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</strong> Michelle Obama<br /><br /><strong>34. What political issue stirred you the most?</strong> The Ampatuan massacre<br /><br /><strong>35. Who did you miss? </strong>JEMIMA!!! Still my buddy, Jemima. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>36. Who was the best new person you met?</strong> All the new bloggers I’ve discovered! I’ve been privately (friends-only) blogging on Blurty, LiveJournal, and Multiply since 2003, but I just discovered the joys of writing on and reading public blogs.<br /><br /><strong>37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:</strong> Prayer and faith are really, truly powerful.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:</strong> Year after year, it’s this: </span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">You ain’t seen nothin’ yet...The best is yet to come, and won't that be fine...The Best Is Yet To Come, Frank Sinatra<br /></span></em></p>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-89836583287756271772009-12-15T18:57:00.008+08:002009-12-16T02:18:35.429+08:00Snippets 12.15.09<ul><li>My parents and I went up to Baguio last weekend to watch the 100th Nite Show at the PMA, the annual cadet variety show held 100 nights before graduation. I was bursting with pride when my brother played the cello.</li><br /><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SyeM6sC-tbI/AAAAAAAAAYo/aaJWczKGZr8/s400/100_9724.jpg" /> </center><center><span style="font-size:78%;">the parents + open & close parentheses</span></center><center></center><center><li><div align="left">During the program, they had a fashion show wherein the cadets modelled all of their official uniforms--17 different outfits all in all, from their pajamas, to their excercise uniform, classroom uniform, study uniform, to their full parade regalia. They even have a bathing attire (gray bathrobe + white towel) that they wear to and from the shower and loo! Cadets can have as many as six "costume changes" in a regular schoolday, maybe even more.</div></li><li><div align="left">Baguio was exceptionally chilly last weekend. I wonder how much worse it will be this Christmas and New Year. The place we'll be staying in for the holidays has a fireplace, I hope my dad and my brothers can get it to work. I'll be bringing hot chocolate with marshmallows. And whiskey.</div></li><li><div align="left">Our monthly paydate was moved from the 25th to the 15th of the month. I don't like it. We're now paid on the same day as everyone else, which means longer queues in ATMs and in banks.</div></li><li><div align="left">Yesterday, I had one of my lightest workdays ever. I must have worked just a total of two hours max, I was able to watch the last five episodes of Glee on my computer. <em>Bitin</em>, super! I hate it that I have to wait for March for the next episode.</div></li><li><div align="left">It's been almost two months since our backpacking trip, and I still have to post our Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh photos and stories on Facebook and here in my blog. My notes are still in my trusty Moleskine. This is why I can never be a travel blogger, or a <em>blogger</em> blogger. I procrastinate too much. That, and the fact that I can't really write and take decent photos.</div></li><li><div align="left">Interacting with our counterparts in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, etc.) is just all in a day's work. And every time, every single darn time I speak to someone in Austria, songs from The Sound of Music play in my head for hours afterwards. Like today. LSS to the max.</div></li><li><div align="left">I can't wait to see my boyfriend tomorrow for a midweek date. I still have vacation leaves for the year that I need to use up, I filed one so I can have dinner with my beloved. We'll celebrate our 38th month. I still refuse to use the word <em>monthsarr</em>y, it's not even a word.</div></li><li><div align="left">Abet's trip to Bangkok next June has just been confirmed, and I'll tag along again, of course. Six days of glorious authentic Thai food, I just can't wait! He will probably be busy the entire time like he was when we went to Singapore, but I don't care, I'll have a blast on my own. </div></li><li><div align="left">I am seriously craving for Royce' chocolate-covered potato chips.</div></li></center></ul>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-43263574730027668452009-12-04T16:29:00.005+08:002009-12-10T03:15:36.011+08:00Happy birthday to me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxjIeuhLz-I/AAAAAAAAAYg/iNrBvL5nJ24/s1600-h/birthday-cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 371px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxjIeuhLz-I/AAAAAAAAAYg/iNrBvL5nJ24/s400/birthday-cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411295382494498786" border="0" /></a>I'm having a really good day today, I love it!<br /><br />I'm on vacation leave (I <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> work on my birthday), but I celebrated earlier with my officemates and ate a ton of food. I re-watched Glee, with my mom this time. I ate a ton of food again at home. A package of chocolates arrived for my sister from one of her PMA suitors, which <span style="font-style: italic;">I'll</span> get to eat anyway. My sister and I will have dinner with Abet later at Mom & Tina's (her pick) before we get our third and last cervical cancer shot at my office. Oh, and our cash Christmas gift from Shell (in lieu of gift baskets) was credited today. Wheee!<br /><br />I'm off to collect my birthday kiss from my favorite boyfriend! Good day, indeed!<br /><br />Toodles!Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-30883103808515670982009-12-02T01:15:00.009+08:002009-12-02T01:31:34.833+08:00Pug EnvyMeet Pugly, my officemate Bennie's new baby:<br /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410318239476705618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxVPxhHTaVI/AAAAAAAAAYI/9xREIrQFzwc/s400/PC010063.JPG" border="0" /> He's got the face only a mother could love:<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410318537851201762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxVQC4pU6OI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/8PmCAcxhnyU/s400/PC010052.JPG" border="0" /> But I think he's just adorable:<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410318683585327186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxVQLXjDMFI/AAAAAAAAAYY/xyy5vFUGeO0/s400/PB300035.JPG" border="0" />Three of my officemates now have pugs (Jarwin has Teddy and Jerry has Kimi). They're all siblings. I am so envious I want to cry.<br /><br />I can't afford to get a pug right now. First of all, I don't have the money to buy one, and secondly, I just can't take care of it. I can't deal with doggy poo. I share a Labrador Retriever with Abet, but Django lives with him, so I don't do any of the dirty work. I just play with him on weekends when Abet has already bathed him and cleaned his pen.<br /><br />But I really, really, <em>really </em>want a pug.<br /><br />Maybe I could convince Momon to handle the cleaning of the dog's poo, save some money, and maybe I'll change my mind when Eliza's mommy pug has another litter.</div><div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-2530296156479557612009-11-28T17:51:00.003+08:002009-11-28T21:13:51.794+08:00An Afternoon in MalaccaMalacca or <span style="font-style: italic;">Melaka</span>, two hours away by bus from Kuala Lumpur, is a vibrant little city teeming with history. It has been listed as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">UNESCO World Heritage</a> Site in July of 2008. There are many interesting historical sites in Malacca because of its rich past, having been colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British.<br /><br />We only had half a day in Malacca, and here were some of the sites we were able to visit:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140609292/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4140609292_1748081500.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Memorial Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan<br /><br /></span></center>We didn't go insid<span style="font-size:100%;">e the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Memorial Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (Proclamation of Independence Memorial</span>) b</span>ecause of time constraints, we just passed by, but here you'll be able to see exhibits about Malaysia's history from the time of the first sultanates leading up to the country's independence.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140610146/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/4140610146_a97ae57d04.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="375" height="500" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Famosa </span>is what remains of what used to be an old Portuguese fortress. The fort was destroyed during the Dutch invasion, all that's left are the walls. I can't believe we weren't able to take pictures of the cannons just in front of this entrance.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4139854183/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4139854183_793fb073a5.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">goofing around inside A Famosa<br /><br /></span></center>St. Paul's Church is just up the hill from A Famosa. The path to the church allows you to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the town.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140615174/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4140615174_65c39c9572.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="240" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140687450/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4140687450_86bb4ddd8e.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">St. Paul's Church, built by the Portuguese in 1521 was once the prayer house of the Portuguese Catholics and became a fortress in 1567. When the Dutch took over, it became a burial ground for their noble dead. Some of the tombstones are still along the walls inside the church.<br /><br /></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140624218/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4140624218_7d8468c30a.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="480" /></a><br /></div><br />A statue of St. Francis Xavier stands outside the church ruins (with one hand missing). He was buried here briefly in 1553 before his remains were transferred to Goa in India.<br /><br />We went down Bukit St.Paul (St. Paul's Hill) towards the Red Square, and we saw that we were 10,632 kilometers away from London:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140724056/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/4140724056_216336ac96.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="375" height="500" /></a></center><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Red Square</span> is the beautiful square around <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christ Church</span> and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Stadthuys</span>, both red buildings, like most of the buildings in this area.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140723546/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4140723546_dfd6d75280.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140724914/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4140724914_ec16b0e8a5.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Abet </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >inside</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> the Stadthuys<br />(Don't ask me what he's doing there, I have no idea.)</span><br /><br /></center><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4139964231/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4139964231_9f04da54f0.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christ Church</span> was built by the Dutch from 1741 to 1753. This is the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia. We didn't go in, but inside are hand-made pews dating back to 200 years ago.<br /></div></div><br />Also in the square is the <b>Tang Beng Swee Clock Tower</b>, built in 1886<span style="font-weight: bold;">...</span><b><br /></b><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4139965145/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4139965145_26b149caba.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="375" height="500" /></a></center><br />...and this fountain.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140019165/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/4140019165_0405009b10.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="222" /></a><br /></center><br />Trishaws, <span style="font-style: italic;">pedicabs</span> decorated with bright plastic flowers and blasting pop music from speakers, are a common sight, each more gaudy and louder than the last.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140032471/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4140032471_44412d47e8.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4140805650/" title="Malacca by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4140805650_6ff5dd26e6.jpg" alt="Malacca" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />The sign above points to the Eye on Malaysia, a 60-meter tall portable Ferris wheel that used to be in Kuala Lumpur but was transferred to Malacca just last November 2008. This is just one of the tourist attractions that we didn't get to visit because we didn't have the time, among them Bukit Cina, Hang Li Poh Well, and other churches, temples, forts and museums. Half a day in Malacca just isn't enough. Still, I'm glad that despite our limited time in this historic city, we were able to experience the very vibrant Jonker Walk that evening.<br /><br />Jonker Walk post coming up next.Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-23373445241702334322009-11-27T18:50:00.011+08:002009-11-28T16:49:36.315+08:00Fenix Inn, MalaccaAbet and I are King and Queen of Cheap Accommodation. The cheaper the hotel room, the better. We're out most of the time anyway, the room is is just a place to rest, shower, and leave our things, so as long as it's safe, clean, and in a good location, we're fine. I do have one additional requirement though: an ensuite bathroom. I like to take my sweet time inside the bathroom, and I have this habit of arranging all my toiletries in the bathroom as soon as we arrive and keeping them there until it's time to pack up, so no shared bathrooms for me, thank you.<br /><br /><div>This is why we ended up in Fenix Inn in Malacca. It was the least expensive room we found online which had its own bathroom: RM98 (P1,372) on weekdays and RM118 (P1,652) on weekends for a double room (we were there on a Friday night and paid the weekend rate). It was pricey for our backpackers' budget, but we really didn't have much choice.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408747130003302498" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/Sw-626PCqGI/AAAAAAAAAXg/t3lN9W2eqdY/s400/P1011007.JPG" border="0" />The room was small but fully carpeted, and this was actually my favorite among the five rooms we stayed at during our trip for one good reason: the sheets. They were of high quality/high thread count and were soft as butter against my skin. There was also an extra pillow, a big plus.<br /><div> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxDbsdocgyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/-CYmkOofr84/s1600/P1011016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxDbsdocgyI/AAAAAAAAAXo/-CYmkOofr84/s400/P1011016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409064709386961698" border="0" /></a>Room comes with wired internet. Abet was able to connect when we arrived in the afternoon, but after we got back late in the evening, the internet connection was down. Abet was told by front desk that it would be down for a week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxDgE0DkmyI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ko25zZr-wv8/s1600/fenix+bathroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SxDgE0DkmyI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ko25zZr-wv8/s400/fenix+bathroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409069525769689890" border="0" /></a>Bathroom was nothing to complain about. I wish I could say the same for my photography skills.<br /><br /><div> </div>Overall, I would recommend Fenix Inn to anyone travelling to Malacca, who, like me, insists on an ensuite bathroom. It's around 10-15 minutes away from Jonker Walk where all the action is, but it's near enough to the most popular attractions such as Christ Church, A Famosa, Stadthuys and St. Paul's Church. The rates are more expensive than the average backpackers' accommodation, but the bed was definitely worth the price. If you love good sheets like I do, you'll appreciate Fenix Inn.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">--=-=--<br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Fenix Inn</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">156, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">75000 Melaka, Malaysia</span><br /><a href="http://www.fenixinn.com"><span style="font-style: italic;">http://www.fenixinn.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">reservation@fenixinn.com</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">606-281 5511</span><br /><br /><div></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-40112042759308290982009-11-27T03:33:00.003+08:002009-11-27T03:57:46.758+08:00Presents!It's been so long since I gave my parents gift-wrapped presents. I'm sure parents still love the feeling of tearing open gift wrapper to see what's inside. I can't wait for them to see what I got them, teehee!<br /><br />It's my dad's birthday today, so he gets a present. I got him <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-American-Four-Years-Point/dp/sitb-next/061809542X">this book</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4136002263/" title="Absolutely-American-E4R279L by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4136002263_81f725a181_o.jpg" alt="Absolutely-American-E4R279L" width="250" height="350" /></a><br /></div><br />I still have some gift wrapper left over, and my friend Jarwin just got back from Vegas and brought me some M&M's Premiums Dark Chocolate. I wrapped a box up with a note for my mom:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4136761652/" title="100_9642 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/4136761652_41da3a6ba2.jpg" alt="100_9642" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />Fun! They each have something to open from me! My mom will give me some of the chocolates, anyway, hehe. The M&M's are so good. And shimmery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4136002231/" title="100_9647 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/4136002231_25b7197625_m.jpg" alt="100_9647" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The gifts are on the piano waiting to greet them as soon as they get up. I hope the 'rents like them!<br /></div>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-82419847621214085902009-11-23T00:11:00.012+08:002009-11-24T00:19:26.557+08:00A Day in Kuala LumpurWe started our first full day in Kuala Lumpur with a mad dash to the Petronas Tower in KLCC. We wanted to be in line for tickets by 7:30 so we can go up the Skybridge before lunch.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124546865/" title="trainstation by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4124546865_7a603fce3f.jpg" alt="trainstation" width="500" height="334" /></a><br />picture-picture at the train station</span></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(My mother calls that my 'girl scout' dress. She hates it.)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We got to the ticketing center just before 8am, and there was already a long queue for the free tickets, even if ticket distribution wasn't until 8:30. We got tickets at around 9 am and were scheduled to go up at 11:15am. We hadn't had breakfast yet, so we had a quick meal at KFC in Suria KLCC, the <span style="font-style: italic;">sosy</span> mall adjacent to the towers.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4125326026/" title="nasi lemak enak by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/4125326026_f927681d22.jpg" alt="nasi lemak enak" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">nasi lemak enak at KFC</span></center><br />I had <span style="font-style: italic;">nasi lemak enak</span> with one-piece chicken. <span style="font-style: italic;">Nasi lemak</span> or coconut milk rice is one of Malaysia's most popular dishes and is usually served with anchovies with <span style="font-style: italic;">sambal</span> (chili paste), sliced cucumber, and peanuts (the one in KFC didn't have peanuts).<br /><br />We still had time to spare after breakfast, so we went around the mall while I ogled the display windows of luxury shops: Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Jimmy Choo... oooh la la! My eyes feasted over beautiful items I can't afford. We also checked out <a href="http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/indexohb.cgi?AREA=05">Kinokuniya</a>, the Japanese mega-bookstore chain that we first experienced in Singapore, but we didn't buy any books yet.<br />We went back to the Petronas ticketing center 15 minutes before our scheduled time and browsed the gift shop while waiting for our visit.<br /><br />Before we got to go up the Skybridge, we had to watch a short 3D video about Petronas Company and the towers and then had to go through a security check. We then took the high-speed elevator to the Skybridge on the 41st floor, 170 meters above street level. Visitors only have 10 minutes on the bridge.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4125482792/" title="Petronas Skybridge by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4125482792_8462d68611.jpg" alt="Petronas Skybridge" width="500" height="177" /></a></center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/Swl4dRevVwI/AAAAAAAAAWo/FxNuLhkHrck/s1600/P1010369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/Swl4dRevVwI/AAAAAAAAAWo/FxNuLhkHrck/s400/P1010369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406985271938864898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/Swl4szISzuI/AAAAAAAAAWw/wkNWTdabdNQ/s1600/P1010410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/Swl4szISzuI/AAAAAAAAAWw/wkNWTdabdNQ/s400/P1010410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406985538669563618" border="0" /></a>There are interesting exhibits about the towers on the way out from the Skybridge visit. Afterwards, we window-shopped some more until it was time for lunch.<br /><br />Lunch was at <a href="http://www.nandos.com.my/">Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken</a>. Nando's is a Portuguese restaurant chain whose specialty is chicken in either lemon and herb, medium, hot or extra hot <span style="font-style: italic;">peri-peri</span> sauce, <span style="font-style: italic;">pero-peri</span> being the humble <span style="font-style: italic;">siling labuyo</span>. It's sad that the Philippines is not among the 26 countries in 5 contintents that Nando's has branches in, because the food was really good. Sigh.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124742405/" title="P1010447- by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/4124742405_04a32848f1.jpg" alt="P1010447-" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1/2 chicken in lemon and herb sauce, corn, coleslaw</span><br /></center></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4125512242/" title="P1010454- by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4125512242_b2f1a3e7b0.jpg" alt="P1010454-" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">chicken kebabs in hot sauce, Mediterranean rice, and potato salad</span><br /></div><br />I took home a bottle of one of their sauces. This is my best friend during my diet days when I eat nothing but boiled chicken. :D<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmAjPtmLpI/AAAAAAAAAW4/EyQ7q81Jx64/s1600/100_9501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmAjPtmLpI/AAAAAAAAAW4/EyQ7q81Jx64/s400/100_9501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406994170636545682" border="0" /></a>Beside Nando's was Famous Amos, the cookie shop, and the smell wafting from its direction was just heavenly, we just had to buy some cookies.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmCe6w6TkI/AAAAAAAAAXA/FqBuwK9bkN8/s1600/P1010476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmCe6w6TkI/AAAAAAAAAXA/FqBuwK9bkN8/s400/P1010476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406996295317081666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">free smells</span><br /></div><br />After lunch, we were off to the KL Bird Park. On the way there, however, it rained. We had to cancel. I guess I'm not meant for bird parks. We had to cancel our trip to Jurong Bird Park at the last minute went we went to Singapore last year (we ended up on the Singapore Flyer) and now this. Drat. Anyway, look at the design of this train station, the Kuala Lumpur station on the KTM line. It's an attraction in itself:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124857205/" title="2 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/4124857205_921acf290b.jpg" alt="2" width="437" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Since we had no where else to go (the rest of the places in our itinerary were outdoors), we proceeded to Pavilion Mall in Bukit Bintang where we planned on having dinner anyway. We got some books at <a href="http://www.timesbookstores.com.my/">Times Bookstore</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmLERLGXcI/AAAAAAAAAXI/0LrxrHZEH5A/s1600/P1010566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmLERLGXcI/AAAAAAAAAXI/0LrxrHZEH5A/s400/P1010566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407005733080686018" border="0" /></a>We wandered around the mall (again, more designer stuff) until it was time for dinner. Ah, we waited to have dinner here for months, and it was one of the things we were most excited about with our backpacking trip: Carl's Jr!!! Yep, the burger chain that we sadly no longer have here in Manila. I'm such a fan of Carl's Jr back in college, I celebrated two birthdays here--including my 18th birthday! We were so excited to eat here that we didn't get to take any pictures of the food. This was after we wiped everything out (and we ordered <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot)</span>:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124922769/" title="P1010595 by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/4124922769_4150b73937.jpg" alt="P1010595" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />Dessert was at Baskin-Robbins, our first time, and I had another one of my "why-don't-we-have-this-in-Manila???" moments. We shared a bowl of Pralines 'n Cream, Jamoca® Almond Fudge and Rum Raisin:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124940431/" title="Baskin-Robbins by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/4124940431_327249daf3.jpg" alt="Baskin-Robbins" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />My boyfriend was a happy, happy boy.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44562340@N08/4124947755/" title="Baskin-Robbins by guwapa, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4124947755_70dd3858d7.jpg" alt="Baskin-Robbins" width="500" height="222" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner, we walked towards nearby <a href="http://guwapa.blogspot.com/2009/11/jalan-alor-experience.html">Jalan Alor</a> to buy more dried meat to take back home.<br /><br />It was a good day, even if it wasn't exactly the day we had planned. We went back to our hotel happy and full and excited to read our books. Back in our room, we enjoyed our Famous Amos cookies, with beer for him (!) and with Yakult for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmR6s_aswI/AAAAAAAAAXY/EAY5nV7bpOU/s1600/P1010654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JaUH8ZH1l-0/SwmR6s_aswI/AAAAAAAAAXY/EAY5nV7bpOU/s400/P1010654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407013265330582274" border="0" /></a>Afterwards, we got a good night's sleep to prepare ourselves for another adventure-filled day ahead.<br /><br /></div></center></div></center>Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544897196690011935.post-68572983558923852762009-11-13T05:23:00.004+08:002010-01-13T00:56:05.899+08:00DomesticatedMy heart skipped a beat when I read this in <a href="http://hunnynicquee.blogspot.com/2009/11/corningware-corelle-pyrex-and-visions.html">Nicquee's</a> blog:<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">What: Corningware, Corelle, Pyrex and Visions sale up to 70%</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">When: November 12-15, 2009</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Where: Kitchen World, 3rd Level Eastwood Mall</span></span><br /></div><br />I didn't realize I've gotten so domestic to get all worked up over a sale on cookware! I think it's partly thanks to all of the baking I've done lately (but I haven't really baked in months), but I know it's mainly because I get excited when I think about our future home. Yeah, I know, I'm thinking way ahead. I'm probably more excited about having our own home more than our wedding, haha!<br /><br />Abet and I have agreed that we will not be one of those couples who have the nice wedding and then go back home to live with the parents. It may work for some, but it's not for us. Besides, Abet will be 30 years old then, which is really too old for a married man to still live in his parents' house. We'll probably be in a tiny, tiny shack, but it will be our own (albeit rented) kingdom where we're king and queen. I'm scared and excited at the same time.<br /><br />We bought some stuff for our future home during our recent trip, and I'm already planning on accumulating stuff over the next two years before we settle down (and just stash them in Abet's room for now), things we probably won't prioritize once we start paying rent and bills. I want to start buying pretty plates and glasses, so that on those evenings when we'll just have<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> jolli-jeep</span> takeout for dinner, we'll still be pretty fancy. I made Abet promise that once we're married, our bed will never have less than 350-threadcount sheets, I guess now is the best time to get a few sets (I have very few indulgences and good sheets are one of them). I think I'll start buying luxurious bath towels while I can still afford them. I've always wanted a stick-on clock like <a href="http://www.topazhorizon.com/">Frances</a> has in her home, I want to have one <em>now na</em>. I want an oven, a pretty birdcage for my future <a href="http://images.google.com.ph/images?hl=en&client=firefox&rls=com.yahoo:en-US:official&q=gouldian+finches+images&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=bn78SqCMIcuCngep4rT6Bg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQsAQwAA">Gouldian finches</a> (another thing I made Abet promise to get me--I'm not as demanding as this sounds, I swear), a beautiful Mama Mary statue, bookshelves... Ooooh, I could go on and on!<br /><br />I hope I'll score some Corelle plates at this sale, it would be a good start.Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03431798036469408639noreply@blogger.com2