To the North! To the North!

I was supposed to write this blog during the first day... But I decided not to because I wanted to focus on enjoying myself together with my friends with this trip. And so here I am blogging while on the road going back home.

On the way there:

Let's go back 3 days ago... 21st day (or night rather) of March 2013... We hit the road going to the 1st region of the Philippines at roughly 10pm. I can't say we're all in a good mood the night we left Manila... There were little misunderstandings on the given description of the trip.

1st: we thought its all just gonna be the six of us... nothing more, nothing less.... Because the description said: "...PRIVATE van."
2nd: the pick-up point. Again, the description said: "...of YOUR CHOICE (ANYWHERE IN METRO MANILA)". Hassle to the nth level! We hailed a cab just to be there in the pick-up point that wasn't even our choice.

But we put all that aside since we're still at our most comfortable state even if there were 3 strangers at our back...

It was a very long ride! But we did have stopovers... And our morning was filled with crisp, cool wind at a bridge, with a sun rising together with a promise that it's gonna be a great day ahead.

FIRST DAY

Our first stop in the Ilocos region was at Marsha's Delicacies where we grab our mouthful breakfast to fuel our day... Then we headed to Chavit's Baluarte... Which made me so twitter-pated as I saw a total of 5 tigers!!! They made me the 3rd happiest person alive that day... Nope, not the happiest.... Because, I wasn't able to touch them! So near yet so far.... :'(

Anyways, tigers are not the only creature that made my day... There were stags and does which greatly reminds me of Harry Potter... And anything that reminds me of HP is a sure hit for my heart. Oh, geez... Am I suppose to mention all of the animals that I saw there? Woah... I don't know if I remember them all... See, there were ponies (yup the small horses, you know?), reptiles (that disgust the creepy hell out of me... I don't like them really. Well I can tolerate iguanas and turtles.. But snakes and crocs?! I'd rather die.), peacocks, goats/sheeps/rum (i don't really know how to distinguish the three..) then they also have a butterfly garden (that nestled beautiful butterflies and their cycles.) And of course, our newest favorite animal... THE OSTRICH! Note the sarcasm darlings... I've never like that big bird... Hahaha! But an incident made my best friends and I laugh out loud on it... Like literally.. Whenever we mention it... Yup, there is an inside joke on that ostrich sh!t. Haha! I got you curious now ain't I? Hmmm.. Should I share the funny thing here?.. See, we like our things private.... But I swear, it's worth the laugh... So kindly brace yourself from laughing hard. :))

The three of us wanted to have a picture with the ostrich... The ostrich that we chose ain't moving... As in, it's like its immobile or something... So we decided to go in front of it and aim the camera at self-shot mode... The three of us smiled at the camera and as we reviewed the picture taken, we were devastated to find the ostrich missing! And when we looked back into it, it has walked away from us! That unmannered bird! Haha! My best friend said: "di man lang nagpaalam na aalis na pala sya." It's a laughing stock all through out our tour. We decided to label some unmannered people as OSTRICH. Para di masyadong direct... Plus, they'll die in wonder why we call them ostrich... We imagined how someone will react when we call them ostrich... and imaginations are priceless baby! Hahaha!!! >:)

Next stop? The Syquia mansion... The visit at that simple mansion awakens the dreamer inside me. Hearing the phrase "dreams do come true" makes me remember all the things that I was just dreaming before coming all to life... (Like this trip for an instant!) And all the dreams that I have that are yet to come. It's creepy in a good way. Anything that belongs in history pinches my heart a little bit. Always hungry for hidden deets that were not written in any of my history books... It's fun.. Deciphering the past... But it's not a career for me... I'm just a simple... Gossiper.. Well, no scratch that... I barely re-tell the things that I know.... So I'm no gossiper... I'm just a simple... Listener...? Yeah. That's way better. :P

We encountered two tour guide inside the Syquia mansion... The first one talks authoritatively. Do's and don'ts is his thing and after all his reminders he let us lurks unsupervised along the mansion. Then why we're in the "aliping sagigilid's" lair, the second tour guide appears from nowhere and told us that since we are not "alipins" we should roam inside the mansion and not just on the side. I mean, he's like seriously telling us to be offended that we were walking where the alipins had walked. The first tour guide though didn't mention anything about it and he's the one who told us to walk on that side of the house... And I think he (the first tour guide) thought we won't be minding that... I mean, maybe he thought "what you don't know won't hurt you" right? Haha! And please! We're already in the modern times... So practically, why would you mind such? Except maybe you are overly sensitive-stupid-purposely-looking-down-on-others typical kind of person... Let's be honest here, equality in society had been an undying issue ever since... And well, if you're the kind of person who doesn't believe in equality of individuals, I suggest you find the second tour guide when you visit that mansion. Just saying. Haha! And the second tour guide was undeniably... Talkative. He has a lot to say and share. He even told us about the 11 day love story of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda. Haha! Now he is the gossiper! :P

We headed to the potter's place afterwards... Sobrang daming palayok! Haha! It greatly reminds me of my childhood... I used to play "lutu-lutuan" using cute little pots from my grams... And those little pots.... Got shattered just like the friendship that I had with my childhood best friend.... Saaaad! :( Kidding. Hahaha! I don't really care right now... I just thought of those pots! Haiisszt! I regret all the days I wasted with her. Psh. And now I'm pissed. Boohoo! >_<

So let's try to talk about pots.... Yes? Well we just basically watch the potters (I'm not talking about Harry or anyone from his kins... Haha!) make their thing.... That is, making pots! It was my first time to see a potter make a pot and it has been my dream to try to make one... But unfortunately it may take A LOT of time for me to make one so I didn't bother. Though I had a chance to take a picture while sitting on a potter's throne and pretended to be the one making the pot. Haha! We also saw the very long "pugon" where the potters bake their pots. Yes they bake it! Or that's just my term haha! Well, you see they put it inside a big oven! So yeah, they bake it. Don't argue with me.. I'll kill you! :))

We had lunch after that and we're midway our first day... Yesh! We're all excited to have a decent sleep... Or the beach front... Or maybe about our planned drinking session in front of the beach!

We headed to the Light House (that I do not know the name... Basta light house!) And it's a bummer because we cannot go to its very top thing... You know where the controller room is... It's effin' locked out. Psh. But the view is to die for... And I felt like flying out! It's fun to be in high places... Seeing down below takes my breath away! Haha!

We continue burning our lunch down by walking under the freaking sunlight to get to the amazing "Kapupurawan Rock Formation"... They are magical... Haha! Basta ask pareng google about it. Actually the only thing I know about them when I was just hearing about them was that they're white... Because the word white in Ilocano dialect is "puraw"... My pap's Ilocano.. Actually both my parents are.. But I do not know how to speak the language.. I only knew that puraw means white because I remember having a white dog when I was a little girl named Puraw. Haha. Wala lang... May masabi lang diba... But hey! They're like icebergs in pictures! Haha! Icebergs that do not melt! Hihi! It's more awesome in the Philippines! :P

We thought we were already drained out and we'll all be checking in at the place where we'll sleep for the night but we thought wrong... We still have one last destination: the windmills! The description says "breath taking windmills" and I remember telling my lovebabe: "pag hindi ako na breath take sa windmills nayan ha..."

So was my breath taken? Actually... Yes. Not because of the view though... But because of the jump shots we've done with the windmills at our background! Hahaha! But in all honesty, they are beautiful. The windmills I mean. Not just because of their structure but basically because of what they do... See, they supply energy! And the electricity in the North is 40% cheaper babe! That's because of them... Wonderful at their existence. Geez! I wanted to be like the windmills... Haha! That's freaking deep.

After we bid our goodbye to those beautiful things called windmills.... We were finally on our way to Polaris (the resort where we stayed for the night).

We chased the sunset loves! And well, we captured it. Just in time before the sun goes down... Nothing beats the shore at sunset. It's... One of the most romantic thing you know... Specially when you're with your lover. Sheeze! My lover... Where art thou?!?? You... Have been missing a lot! You'll get a punishment from me once I found you! I'm not so good at waiting love... Tsk. >_>

We have beds!!! Haha! Actually, we didn't plan to sleep... We have planned a drinking session right?!.. Pero pinagkaitan kami ng yelo!!! Gaahd! So we passed and planned to drink on the beach the next day.. We spent our night... Talking. My two best friends and I... Hahaha... It might be absurd to say that I've missed them because we're often together the past months... But it's different you know? Business talk is different from vacation talks... I mean... Ugh! It's hard to explain... It's just different. Maybe that's what makes our friendship undeniably good. It's business when business and play when play. Gets? No? Then die. Shoo! Stop reading this. Haha!

It's just overwhelming you know... To be with them at times like this... I missed our little talks... You know what we've talked about? Everything. Just plain everything. From politics to ostrich to whatever else. Hahaha! We talk like that you know... Broad topic. Concise POVs... And we're more matured now... Hihihi... But we're not old! Cannot be!!! No effin' way! Haha! I've read something like this from somewhere out there: "the age you met your best friends will always be the age you act when you're with them." Haha! And I guess it's true. :)

SECOND DAY

We're off to the beach baby! Well, we didn't really enjoyed the beachfront of Polaris the previous night so I'm excited for the beach! Hihihi!..

We've passed by and stopped over the Patapat Viaduct where you can see an amazing view of the sea... And we also stopped by on a water falls beside a road called Paraiso ni Anton.

While we're on our way to the Blue Lagoon... Kuya Rod (I hope I got his name right... Our tour guide/driver on our trip) showed us the the longest zip line they have there... And that's when we realized that our precious magic purse is missing! I thought I still cannot try the zip line... But since we're special precious guest... We managed to get it back! Haha! Talk about connections... LOL. But in all fairness... My heart almost stopped beating with the thought that we lost the money that we worked hard... For nothing. The heart attack that I get!

Blue Lagoon... Was blue! And beautiful. Loved it! And I loved it better at the top view. I flew over it! 'twas a wonderful, magnificent thing! ❤ That's the best part for real! I still can't get over the feeling of flying! See, Hannah's Zip Line is claiming to be the world's longest zip line OVER WATER. And it just feels overwhelmingly awesome to have conquered it... BTW, it was my first time to zip... And I did it the "superman" way! Haha!!! Love it. The wind, the view, the feeling. Geez! It's freaking awesome! I even waved Hi to the people bathing at the sea and they waved back at me! Haha! Yesh! It's freaking good!

Next stop after the beach?... The falls!!! But it takes hard work to saw this beautiful thing... Thirty minutes trekking under the freaking hot Mr. Sun! Plus my annoying slippers... Or feet? Haha! Whatever. Anyway... Hard work pays off! The Kabigan Falls is beautiful and icy cold. Haha! Astonishing piece of nature... It's lovely.

Before we completely head back to where our van was, we stopped over at some stores in the mid way of our way (Huh?) to grab some snack... And my two best friends had a feisty buko drinking contest! All for my buko meat!! Haha! I'm spoiled with them. (Psh. What's new? You're always spoiled with anyone. Brat.) They love me that much... Suck it up. :))

We headed to Laoag City after bathing.... I was knocked out on our way to the city... We all are I guess... Except for my lovebabe.. And all she does was whined about a beautiful view the we had passed where you can see the windmills... Di daw sya nakababa para mag picture dahil tulog kame at walang magpipicture sa kanya... Kuuu! Di pa nagsawa sa windmills eh!

We checked in at Tiffany Hotel and dine at my most favorite diner yet... Macy's Diner... It's love at first sight man! Haha! A time machine back to the 50's! Out of the Philippines and into the North America! The inside of the diner is freaking cute! Then they have a juke box... And it's working! We played Madonna's Like A Virgin and the mood is all set! And the diner is not just about the atmosphere... I also give the food and the service my two thumbs up!

Our planned drinking session was still on a zero progress... We did not do it on the beach because... We chose to enjoy bathing at the see under the sun.. So I thought it's finally about to begin but.... We get out of the hotel to check out the plaza in front of Laoag's Municipal Hall... It's beautifully lit with... Lights. Haha! After checking it out I thought we'll finally be drinking our asses off... Turned out the elders that we're with had been drinking it to half empty already... All we had was a sip in one glass... Which is a kinda good thing because... (I'm sorry lovebabe...) it's disgusting! Tequila + lime juice (margarita sh!t whatever..) Maybe it wasn't just my thing... Well I prefer drinking tequila the way it's suppose to be drank... Body shot!!! Hahaha! Kidding. ;)

THIRD DAY

We grabbed our breakfast once again and for the last time... At Macy's Diner. I was attached with that diner :( saaaad. But off we go... We're up for an adventure and tours at our last day on the north of my beautiful archipelago.

First stop? Get wild and dirty. Literally. Sand dunes adventure darlings! Kindly be thankful that you were not our 4x4 driver that day. Hahaha! Screamings and shoutings at its finest sweethearts... We've already talked that we won't be trying it out because its just sands and the sun's heat was beyond blazing! So I don't exactly know why we've tried it out. As in no idea... I really didn't insist. Swear. Hahaha! Oh. Yeah... I remember... Czarina wanted to try it out... Parang exciting daw eh... And since I'm so madaling kausap and super mapagbigay... Go lang! Haha! But kidding aside, we actually got almost 50% discount... Well, that's the main reason why we really tried it out. Oy sayang yun ah! Andun na kami eh! Dibaaaa?!.. Hahaha! Frantic ride trip that is! I don't exactly know why we're screaming and shouting at the top of our lungs... Daig pa namin yung mga sumakay ng roller coasters na umiikot pabaliktad eh nakasakay lang naman kame sa likod 4x4 truck.. Hahaha! Well, it was thrilling naman talaga. And the wind blows us up. Charaught! Haha! I'm so maarte in this post ha... Hate this tag-lish, coño sh!t. Pardon me.. I'm so pagod kaya! Hahaha!! I don't know where we are na... And I'm freaking sleepy... Ang creepy dark outside the window pa... Mamaya may lumabas na babaeng nakaputi sa gitna ng daan... Just like those freaky ghost stories sh!t. Bakit parang lahat ng taong kasama ko tulog na?!? Pati si Manong Driver yata eh!! UWAAAAHHH!!!

Haha! Joke lang... I'm freakishly bored... Gonna sleep for a bit and then I'll continue this... Will freshen up my mind.. XxoO

April 2013

YAAAAH! It's been 2 weeks and still I'm not yet done writing this huh? Bad, lazy me... Anyways.. Let's continue this. Yes? :))

So, after our wild sand dunes adventure... We headed to the Malacañang of the North. Well, basically that's where the Marcoses lived. It was their former house. Well, I don't know if its still theirs or whoever owns it now, I didn't asked. :P I loved the interior, and the location of that house.

Then we dropped by at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum. We're effin' thirsty.. We bought some buko juice and refreshen up ourselves a bit. Why does buko tastes so good?! haha! Too bad we cannot take pictures inside where the remains of the former president lies. It has been.. My dream to see the remains of the former late president... I don't know why... I guess he just inspires me so much. Or basically because my mama told me that he is the best president that our country ever had. So put all the bad issues about him aside... I think he's a great person in spite of all those negative comments people have about him. Politics is politics and I do not intend to discuss any of it here in my blog. I hate that world. Politics is a chaotic sh!t that I wouldn't dare mingle with. Disciplinarian as he is.. For me he was a true great leader who only thinks of this country's prosperity. And he's also a lover by the way... I'll never forget the 11 day love story that I've learned about him and his wife. :)

We headed to Paoay Church right after that... Correct me if I'm wrong but Paoay Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Well it's famous for its structure. It's my first time to visit that church... So, one wish for me! :)

Empanada tasting time! Of course... It's one of the most famous delicacies of the North... We cannot not try it once we're there. We had the joy of watching the Kuya how to make the famous empanada. CAUTION: Hot!!! Haha! It's best eaten when it's freshly out of the fryer.

We took our lunch and then dropped by on our last stop at Laoag... And that is... Juan Luna's house. I don't know if it has a specific name though... I forgot already. So to put it in a nutshell, it wasn't the original structure anymore. It was said that it was burnt down to ashes and was just rebuild by the former First Lady Marcos. The painter's lair was full of rich history. I love listening to the tour guide's infos... It feels awesome deciphering the paintings... And meddling and looking back on the painter's tragic yet worthy life had been interesting for me. There are vampires on the famous painting Spoliarium! Haha! I always want a painter friend. Maybe JuanLuna was my friend on my past life... They said he was close to the kings and queens of those times... Hmm.. Maybe I was one of his queen friend. LoL.

We headed back to Vigan afterward.. I was personally excited to walk on the streets of Vigan Heritage Site where the old Spanish houses are located. But before we proceed there, we dropped by at the Vigan Church where the cutesy Bell Tower is. Second wish in one day babe! Haha! Plus a chance to get up close and personal with the bells up the tower! Haha! Yup! We climbed up Hunchback's lair! And it's lovely up there! And I being the lovely-unafraid-adventurous-crazy me enjoys the freaking view! Oh the feeling of being on top! Ako ang babaeng walang lula! Haha! Those other tourists up there with us were all afraid that I might fall off or something. Haha! It's epic! Sila yung nalulula for me! Geez! I overheard one saying "Grabe. Hindi siguro siya nagkakape!" Haha! I felt like LOLing on that statement and tell her that: "Oh sweetie, I bleed caffeine!" But I did not... I don't talk to some random strangers you know. :P HAHAHA.

Finally! We're on our last stop! WAAAAH! Ayaw ko pa umuwi nun time na yun... :( I fell in love with the North peeps! Shems. It's friggin beeeyoootifuuuul! WAAAAHH! Gusto ko bumalik dun! Now na! Haha!

Anyways, highways, subways and whatever other ways... After some stopovers on the way to buy pasalubongs... the heart warming free taste of macaroons and all.. I finally walked on the streets of Vigan! Yes baby! That's an achievement. I love vintage. And I always wanted to walk there. Haha! Sunset at Kalye Crisologo! Well, I have a thing for sunset.. Ob-vious-ly. Yay! There's this always longing and wondering inside of me of how would it feel to walk on that street of the past and live those buried rich histories to life.

Oh yeah, I fcuknig remember the ice cream cart that ran out of cones! Sheezenit!

Dear Manong Sorbetero...
Please stock up your cones properly.
Sincerely,
Me who felt deprived of happiness because there's no ice cream for me. :(

Haha! Promise nakakalungkot yun! Amp. But the indigo colored sky takes the disappointment away. Indigo. :") Sheeze, my best friends would think otherwise of it... Haha! Tch. It's not what you guys think! No! Haha! It's my NSN's newest album kaya! Blah. Whatever. Why am I so defensive?! Psh. Bummer! >_< Wahahaha! :))

Hmm.. So after walking through the beautiful street, we took our dinner and make up with my ice cream craze... But in all unfortunate, tragic state... Being the immature kid that I am... I got ice cream on my dress before I finished eating it. Yikes ba? Hmmm... Batok you like?? Haha! I'm clumsy like that. Bata pako eh! :)) Soooo... Since I'm so disgusted with me self... I washed my clothes inside a fast food chain's (Greenwich! di na lang lasagna love ko sa kanila! haha!) restroom. Good thing they have a decent one and their customers are too busy eating to even bother going to their restroom. Hahaha!! So good job! My dress is as good as brand new!

My heart was left in Vigan... May gwapo kasi akong nakita. Charaught! Hahaha! But hey! I really enjoyed this trip with my two BFFs. I hope we can explore the whole archipelago together! Yesh! Haha! Pero malabo... Nagsasawa nako sa kanila... Lagi na lang sila kasama ko! Haha! Actually it's the other way around.. LOL. Nakakasawa kaya akong kasama! All my tantrums and such... Hahahaha!!! Pero wala nang magcha-chaga (arte ng spelling?! Haha!) sakin tulad nila... Ayyiiie! Haha! So...

Dear future lover...
Please be good friends with my best friends. They've been taking good care of me while you're lost in your way finding me. Do you suck at directions like I do? Why are you so maatagaaal?!.. You'll really receive a heart ripping punishment from me once you found me! Hahaha!! And you... Can't replace them in my heart darling... You can't take me away from them. Araso? Saranghae! ❤
Sincerely,
Running out of patience waiting for you!

Dear lovebabe and buko...
Saranghae... Unjaena.. Youngwonhee! Haha! Senyo ko nlng muna yan sasabihin. I know we don't believe in forever... But I wanna be your friend for this whole lifetime! Mianhae... For being so sensitive at times (or always?!.. Haha!) Well, let's be honest here... I'm not really sorry darlings... I mean, it's who I am. And I'll never be sorry for who I am and you love me as me right? But, what I'm sorry for is if (and I know its for real and not just "if") in one way or another I'm hurting you because of what I am. That's what I'm truly sorry for loves. Lastly, gomawo. For being my best friend. :") for loving me, for spoiling me, for... everything we had and will have... For our friendship extraordinaire! Haha!
Much love..
-Daniella (AKA lovebabe/pandan) ❤

*saranghae - I love you
*unjaena Youngwonhee -always and forever
*mianhae - I'm sorry
*gomawo - thank you

Pasensya naman sa Hangul fever ko... Eh nakakhawa kasi si SL's Lovebabe.. Yung original. Haha!

Summer 2013

My first summer without the anticipation for vacation... Haha! Meaning? My first summer outside school... A year had passed and I'm still not over my student life... And I can just remember how my student self would wish for graduation so that i can get schooling out of my life. Geez! That's what you call irony of life. F'ing as always. Tsss...

So it's summer!!! I hate the heat but I'm beating it! I've loved my first summer trip this year! Yay! Not even done blogging about it. Haha! I'm not actually supposed to blog but... Here goes... Moody me.. :))

I don't get why people anticipate summer but once it's here all I hear was complaints about sun burns, tan sh!ts and all that. I was like please! If you don't want a sun kissed skin then go cover yourself with a blanket inside your room and don't you dare ever come out! Whew. People are people... But most of the times... They act like sh!t.

Yeah.. That's just what I wanna say... Haha! Few of my best friends are guilty here... LOL.

"To deny one's past is to deny oneself." -Blair Waldorf

HAHAHA!!! I love going through my old notes, blog posts, diary/planner entry, and the likes... It brings tons of memories and all that sh!tty feeling of nostalgia. There're those moment when you'll ask yourself: did I really wrote this? It's a fun thing to do when you're hella bored. You might remember the feelings but instead of feeling it again... You'll just either laugh or cry about it. But it's always amazing to take a look back; whether the memories will make you happy or sad, you'll just have to accept the fact that once in your life, you felt "it"and you've come a long way to regret, get over and survive all those things. And you gonna give yourself a pat in the back to say that "You did a good job. There's more to come so carry on and live your life your way."

This Line Struck the Sh!t Outta Me

The best thing you could give someone is a CHANCE.

Kahit paulit-ulit..? Kahit Sa tingin mo masyado nang naabuso?..  Ewan ko. Hindi ko na alam. Masyado nang madaming nangyari. Siguro nga lalabas na sobrang babaw ko... At napaka walang kwenta kong kaibigan. Who cares?.. Think and say whatever you want about me... I wouldn't give a damn. Wala naman kayong alam Sa nangyari eh. Hindi namam kayo yung nakaramdam ng naramdaman ko. Ang hirap Sa mga tao Sa paligid sobrang galing magsalita at manghusga... Palibhasa wala naman talaga silang alam. Diba nga "it's easier said than done"? O, di ko nilahat ha... Basta! Sawang-sawa nakong makinig Sa mga kasinungalingan. I've had enough. Sabi nga nila diba "The only people you need in your life are the ones who need you in theirs." Clearly she doesn't need me. Why would I be so pathetic chasing after a friendship that's been abused and neglected? Tanggap Kong ako yung masama. Ok nako dun. Ako na yung nag give-up. Fine. But she's the reason behind it all. Magiging sinungaling ako kapag sinabi kong di ko namimiss Ang presence nia... Oo namimiss ko sya. And I will miss her forever. Siguro nga hindi nmn ako galit Sa kanya. I'm just making a big deal out of this sh!t. We both does anyway. Oo magkakaayos. Well, maayos nmn... I mean there's nothing to fix. It's all good. But it will never be the same.

Chance you ask?.. She had tons of that... I'm the one who doesn't have a single bit. And how can you give what you don't have?

I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really,really,really,really, really really really,really,really, really, don't care.

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My Starbucks Experience

I used to ignore coffee. As a child, I totally do not understand why some people drink it. Then one sunny day, my uncle brought me to this coffee shop where all the people are smiling at me; greeting me like they're so pleased to see me. And from that moment... My heart starts to pump Starbucks caffeine in my system.

I have been a Starbucks enthusiast ever since. My grams always scold me whenever I buy coffee in Starbucks for a hundred plus bucks. Some people say that I'm such a spender and that they don't understand why I am addicted to a pricey thing like it. Well, they don't have to understand it. Please! When did I ever explain myself?

But I am not addicted to Starbucks. I love it. There's a hella big difference. The warmth that envelops my whole being whenever I drop by to any Starbucks store is way beyond unexplainable. It isn't just about the pricey  coffee. It's about how you feel "home" whenever  you step inside the store. The fact that you're welcome to a place is such a big impact.

Every time I visit Starbucks, there came a point that I told myself: "I want to share the warmth that I feel." 'Twas my high school dream to be a part of Starbucks. How does it feel to be the one giving the warmth to every people that visit? And I vowed that one day I'll try working there. I graduated high school, finished my college degree and got bummed after taking and passing my board exam... Surfing the net as usual when I suddenly remember that I'm curious about how the partners work.

Curiosity killed the cat. One fine evening, just one night after I sent my resumé online, i received a text message inviting me for an initial interview, and to put it in a nutshell, I was hired. My first ever job. The moment I started working, I just knew that it's not what I want to do for the long run. The passion was there, but the patience... Well I don't have lots of that thing and unfortunately I ran out of it.

No regrets, only lessons learned. Why.. Of course no regrets! My experience as a Starbucks partner was beyond overwhelming. A dream come true for me. It was not perfect and not always fun... But it was great. I met great people in the presence of my Starbucks partners... My team P. Star. I love them to bits! haha! Guess will never forget them ALL. Hail and praises to all of them. I salute their patience and smiling faces. Missing them so bad right now. Then there are those annoying pieces of sh!ts as well... I don't want to speak ill... SO, let them rest in peace. Shoot! I did not just say that?!.. HAHAHA! Well, they're better off... Dead. :O I'm so mean right now... :) The devil inside me is unleashed! Goodness gracious! I'm sorry, I can't help it... Their faces are flashing in my head and just remembering them pisses the hell out of me. :P

 All right.. So much for that. Gotta get a grip on the evil me. HAHAHA! Starbucks is a people company. It aims to please like my Mr. Grey. Too bad for me I am not a people person and I hate pleasing those abusive ones. But I love Starbucks and we're perfect for each other... But not all perfect are good. And sometimes, you can't be your best self with the one that you love. That's the time when you have to let go. Blah. It's just me. 

It's not just about the pricey coffee... It's always gonna be about the satisfaction and warmth that somehow someone behind that drink, brings to you. It might not be verbal. and most people won't get it... But it can be felt... By a heart that loves. ♥

TVD Hype!

Today,the much awaited season 4 of The Vampire Diaries begins. Well, at least in theUS. I basically don't do this thing, like blog and talk about something thatgot my temporary attention… By that I mean… I don't do reviews. Okay, let meget it straight out for myself. By temporary I mean that it's all I'm in allthis past week because I'm re-watching all the past episodes. And when I saidall I mean ALL. And as I go back… I realized that I've been obsessed with itfor what seems like an eternity. I know, that's one hell of an exaggerated,cliché line… But I don't care because that’s exactly how I feel. I've beenwatching it ever since it started. And well, it's safe to say that I'm a bigfan of the series. The TV series… The one where Ian Somerhalder portrays therole of Damon Salvatore---my main reason for being hooked. I haven't read anyof the books… yet. But we'll get there. For now… I wanna explore my own side ofobsession. 

I amso NOT into creepy thingies… The supernatural and the horror, creepy, freakystories/movies or whatever form they may take is a big NO, NO for me. I have avery wild imagination and stories tend to stay in my mind for quite too longand I prefer being alone so it doesn't necessarily good for me to stock up somecreeper inside my head. I was never fond of ghost stories… Not even Casper! Oranything creepy. Okay, I said that already. Geez! I don't really know where I'mheaded with this. HAHAHA!

So,how does my obsession for the series began?.. Well, let's go back 3 years ago…Back on our old house… See I'm not a TV person ever since I started college…Don't ask why.. No reason behind it.. I just feel like not watching. No bigdeal really. Anyways, my Paps on the other hand can't live without watching thetelevision. The PC's on the living room together with the TV set so basically Icatch a glimpse of some TV shows that my Paps watch every now and then. Thenone night I turn my head on the TV and saw a some kind of a trailer that has asong that nailed to my ears… So I watched the trailer… "Another vampirestory." I said as I'm watching it. Then the trailer ends with the title..."The Vampire Diaries" I was hypnotized by the song… So I've searchedfor it… Never Say Never by The Fray. And I thought it will end there. But I waswrong… It didn't end there. It started there.

Mybestfriend Maricar had given me a website where I can watch American TV showsfor free. And without me knowing it, I searched for "The VampireDiaries". Then the next thing I knew, I'm waiting for the next episodeevery week.

I'vesaid above that Ian Somerhalder is my main reason for being hooked in theseries. Well, it's not questionable is it?... HAHA. Okay, we'll get therelater. He's the main reason but he's not the first reason why I stick to thisseries… This series is one of the few things that make me believe that there'sno such a thing as love at first sight. I didn't like Damon at first. Well, Ifancied him a bit already but… At the beginning, I was so into Stefan andElena's love story… I loved how they love each other despite their differencesas vampire and human… I tend to hate Damon because he's ruining something thatis perfect.

But what is life without imperfections? Life is not supposed to be perfect... That's why Damon exists. Then as the story progressed, it was revealed that Damon is the good one. Well at least for me... He's beyond what he is. Trying to be the bad guy so that he can't be who he wanna be. Complicated. I know. And pity for him... I love complications.

Ian Somerhalder's hotness, sexiness and whole being is to die for. He's not someone to be resist. But he's not the only reason why I'm watching the show. Family, friendship and love... Moving on, forgetting, forgiving... Holding on to the right things. Fighting for what you believe is right and a whole lot more! The other hot casts is hella big consolations. And the epic lines/scripts... And the music. Everything's in sync for a perfect show!

Ain't that just epic? I don't know how to end a post like this... All I know is The Vampire Diaries is one hella hot thing.

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A Weekend of Firsts

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

I flew away from home to get to Cebu… And I brought along with me my best friend Rose Ann. It's a long story why we ended up together instead of me going with some other friend of mine. It was one hell of a weekend getaway! It's my first time to travel by plane on my own… It's my lovebabe's first time to ride on a plane… And it's our first time to be in Cebu. So yeah… Technically that's how it became a weekend of firsts!

We had the most organized, self-planned itinerary! Yup, take all the sarcasm in that statement. Two days before the scheduled flight I asked my bhezzt lovebabe to come for an adventure in Cebu and she said she's game for it… I never thought we'll survived it. We searched all the cheapest hotels, tour guides, agencies  and beach resorts that can accommodate us for a short notice… Fortunately we found them… It was a little bit hassle on our part though... But we got over that.

Our flight took only about an hour or so… Ewan ko ba, kas-kasero yata yung piloto eh! HAHAHAHA!.. Oh yeah, there was a little incident before the plane took off… Well you see, I'm always excited to board a plane… I love seeing the clouds on the windows and admire them closely with my dreamy eyes… And every time I board a plane I always make sure that I'm sited on the WINDOW SEAT. Doesn't matter whether left or right, so as long as ITS WINDOW SEAT. Yes, that's how much I love the clouds… I love feeling close to them… So anyways, I was beyond disappointed when I reached our seat number and there was an old woman (well, not so old) sitting on my seat! Gaahd! But hey, I did held my temper… I might be a brat, but I'm the nicest brat there is… So yeah, I asked her nicely and she said that she's just waiting for me to ask her to exchange seats with her… I was like: "OH PLEASE! YOU KNOW YOUR SEAT NUMBER AND YOU SAT ON THE WRONG ONE THEN YOU'RE WAITING FOR ME TO ASK YOU?!.. WADAHELL.." *just in my thought* Nakakaloka naman kasi. Anyways… That incident reminded me a line from one of the best movie's I'd watched when I was in HS: "Sometimes, you gotta take what's yours" (Coach Carter). But I won't discuss it because we'll get out of line. In the end I got my window seat. ^_^v

Lobby/Cafe area of Fuente Oro Business Suites

My bhezzt lovebabe doing something on my phone while we're hanging out at the lobby.

That's moi... Waiting for my love.

So, our first day was spent in the four corners of our room. We arrived at the airport and we rented a car that brought us to our hotel for our first night… We spent our first night at Fuente Oro Business Suites, but that wasn't our originally booked place… Our contact person just called before we board the plane to Cebu to tell us that they overlooked our reservation and they wouldn't have a room for us, but before I freak out on the phone, he suddenly added that they have reserved a room for us in another hotel… So they still did accommodate us perfectly… At least for me, freaking out over the phone is not my thing naman but I did panic though. So, yeah… We roam for a bit outside after settling in our suite… It's kinda freaky… I mean, not in a negative way but… I just felt I'm a foreign in my own country. HAHA! I dunno it just felt weird. Yeah, it was just me.

My heavenly love mini Macarons!

After checking out what's outside our suites we came back and stayed at the hotel's lobby which turned out to be a coffee shop… It was a coffee shop that offers cupcakes and *drum roll* MACARONS! And that suddenly made my stay in Cebu a perfect one! HAHAHA! It's so awesome! I just felt that there will be macarons at Cebu while I was on the plane and I never really thought that there'll be… Oh, my connection with macarons… It's magic!

I fell asleep after taking a bath… That was probably around 9 in the evening… I don't know what's with me… That was a first in a long time… Here in Manila my earliest sleeping time is 12AM! And I drank coffee for Pete's sake! Usually I don't sleep for the entire night when I had my coffee fill… Probably it's the macaron..? But I doubt, my bhezzt lovebabe stayed up all night! She ate macarons din naman… So I dunno.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

FREE BREAKFAST! I love a decent breakfast! And Fuente Oro provided us one… But we woke up late.. Past 8 AM I guess..? And yes, it's late for me! I don't know what happened with my body clock when I was there in Cebu.

Jump shot at the Beach Front. 

Under the Sea!

Anyways, as planned we decided to spent our second day at the beach! From Cebu City, we took a cab to get to Mactan Island and visit Cebu White Sands at Maribago Beach. We avail their day tour escapade with free buffet lunch.. It is another first for me.. Not at the beach, but 'twas my first time beaching in September! Then my bhezzt lovebabe made some negotiation with 3 Cebuanos to take us in the middle of the sea and snorkel our way through to see the hidden floor of the sea. Snorkeling was first for the both of us as well…

We found NEMO! 

Some scuba divers... We'll try that in the near future. LOL

Freshly dived sea urchin.

Then our companion offered us to buy and taste sea urchin. And we did. It was our first time to try eating an unni (that's what its called, the sea urchin as a food is called 'unni') Do your research about it or try it out for yourself… For me it tastes like crab/shrimp + the texture of oysters all round up in one! It's deliciously good and you have to eat it fresh!

On the way back to resort.

We took our lunch after our little snorkeling adventure and then we dipped on the resort's pool. After having our moment, we packed up and took our private cab (as if you'll get a public one? LOL.) to get to our second suite… From Mactan Island, we travel back to Cebu City to get to Gran Tierra Suites… We checked-in and settle down… Don't ask me how long did our travelling time last because I was sleeping. I felt so effin' exhausted when we get to our room. And just as when we're planning to leave the suite to have a little sky adventure, the rain suddenly poured down heavily! We both thought we won't be able to do what we had planned that night.. Fortunately, my rain gave way for our little night adventure…

The place where we dine and munch our awesome lunch.

A chef in action. HAHA!Seriously, I'm not into food blogging.

A night of firsts… We went to Crown Regency Hotel & Towers and we tried and experienced their Sky Experience Adventure. We first tried the Edge Coaster, that bores me.. HAHA. Well, basically you'll just sit in a coaster which has a tiltable seat that goes around the edge of the building. The view is quite breath taking anyway, you can see the whole city from almost 430 ft above.. I guess that's your consolation. Then we went down a floor and took the Sky Walk Extreme where we stayed almost, more or less 30 minutes at 400 ft above the ground! Talk about being high eh?.. It was fun mainly because of our companions, specially the funny tour guide (well I don't exactly know if he's a tour guide but… let's just call him that.) he's an entertainer! Gaahd! You always laugh when he speaks.. Then he's super makwela and makulet. The most epic thing that he did was when he pretended to slipped right on the edge of the platform where we stand! He was funny indeed. I think I said that quite enough huh?.. Well yeah, he is epicly funny. After having our fill for height adventures, we went back to our suites. The end of our second day.

September 24, 2012

BREAKFAST IN BED. Kewl… haha! We ordered our breakfast the night before and we had it delivered in our room. We got our third and last day packed up with an 8-hour City Tour. We were picked up by our private tour guide/driver with our private car right in front of Gran Tierra Suites. Hahaha. Seriously, it is exclusively and privately for the two of us. I wanna share and put the deets here but… I forgot his name, I lost the business/contact card. But I'm sure my bhezzt lovebabe has them, so maybe I'll ask her. :P

First stop is the Taoist Temple… I felt like I'm the priestess of Suzaku. HAHAHA! I wasn't in the mood to pose for picture that day.. Then later I realized that its Monday. Seriously, I have issues with Monday Madness. Hahaha!

Me as the Priestess of Suzaku.

Our next stop was Museo Sugbo, the place has quite a rich history, it was formerly known as Carcel de Cebu and it used to be the Cebu City Jail and Cebu Provincial Detention & Rehabilitation Center. Museums is one of my favorite places when I was a kid… I have a personal attachment to history… Well, I don't ace in the subject… I hate memorizing dates and such, my point is I love museums! Hahaha! I always get out of the topic… My random thoughts are killing me! Blah. Yeah, so I just love looking at old artifacts and the like… What would it be like to live in those old golden times? Its fascinating. Museums are my personal time machine… Though sometimes, I felt like they just invented the infos and all… But still, it fascinates me… The rich history of my country… It has been told by different people from different places but for me, it’s a great deal to pay attention to it mainly because this is where I came from. It's nice to go back and revisit the past once in a while. Relive the moments and learn from them so as to refresh and look at where you are right now. Appreciate the past to be able to appreciate the present.

SAGING ni ROSE ANN. haha!Detachable hands of statues made of ivory.

At one of the Alleys.

come one, come all!

Right after time travelling, we took our lunch at Joven's Grill & Seafood. It was a lunch buffet and I must say it's quite a battle field. HAHAHA. Their foods taste awesome and superb. I'm sorry I'm not a food blogger so I guess I won't be able to give justice upon describing their menu… So, just try it out for yourself! *wink* They have variety of foods to choose from and for a buffet, they're quite affordable.


After a filling lunch, our awesome tour guide brought us to the Pari-an District of Cebu City. According to him, it used to be the center of trading system in Cebu waaaay back a long time a go. At the middle of the district there came a stone statues of replicas that represents everything about Cebu (A big cross, the Galleon, Magellan, sinulog festival, etcetera, etcetera!) The architect daw of that big piece o' art was the same as the one who designed the EDSA Shrine. We're suppose to go there first but my bhezzt lovebabe saw a bus that stops by with a hella number of people and since she wanna have a private photo opt, she insist to drop by first at the infamous Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. Well, it's kinda cliché. I mean its an ancestral house so by that you'll know that its old… But the thing is… It is considered to be one of the oldest existing residential structure in the country. Wow. Just wow. HAHAHA. Well, according to the care taker, the house was still 95% (if I'm not mistaken by the number… Basta its between 90 and 100 so yeah. HAHA!) at its original state and materials. And according to that kuya as well, the owner still sleeps there over the weekend because they don't want to abandon the house. It's kinda… Creepy. Well, of course it is creepy inside that old house… After all, its full of things, old things to be exact, that has been passed on from one generation to the next… Who knows what histories those thingies have?.. *roll eyes*

the bed

the rocking chair

So after creeping ourselves out, we got out of the house and explore the stone statues… And had a photo opt. LOL. Then we went to see the famous Magellan's Cross and Church and Convent of Sto. Niño. After an intimate moment with God and feeding our soul we went shopping for a little something. Then head to Fort San Pedro, I don't know what it was… Well, it's like Fort Santiago… But I'm not really sure.. HAHAHA! There wasn't any tour guide to discuss it anyway… We just had another bunch of photo opt there. That was the last stop of our Cebu City Tour… We then headed to Mactan Island. And mind you, the traffic was tedious… Good thing our private car has comfortable seats and good AC. Hay! Screw traffic!

Magellan's Cross

Our first stop in Mactan Island was the Plantation Bay Resort & Spa. It wasn't part of the package… But our private tour guide/driver dropped us there nonetheless… I forgot his reason but he brought us there anyway, so… Yeah. The place was BEAUTIFUL. Their rates are quite expensive though.. But hey, it's quite worthy. As in… It's such a beautiful place. Need I emphasize more..? Well ok... The thing is... It's a paradise. Undescribably beautiful place!

After indulging in the beautiful view around Plantation Bay, we stopped by at Alegre Guitars…. It was one of the a very few moment that I regret not being in love with the instrument. Every piece was preciously gorgeous… Maybe if I just know how to play guitars… Then maybe… Just maybe, I'll appreciate the place more. The manong there told us that it takes 5 years for the woods to dry up! Such a long time huh..? Tsk. Nakakainip. HAHAHA. Oh! They export around the world by the way. And that manong strummed us a song. So sweet! I adore people who plays guitar. :") I love music! That's why I love people who makes music.

Cello? not sure though.

the pink one's MINE.

Our final stop for our Twin City Tour was the Mactan Shrine?.. I guess. Well, I don't know what its called! Or I forgot rather. HAHAHA. It was were the great Lapulapu (not the fish please!) killed Magellan… An unfair fight if might say… Magellan's troupe was outnumbered by Lapulapu's. But anyway, I guess the story of this fight was somehow a proof that, we Filipinos know how to protect and cherish what belongs to us. It somehow makes me proud to stand up with or against any other nations. ^_^

That how our weekend went. Mind you, when we board the plane bck to Manila… My bhezzt lovebabe was struck by what do they call it..? Love at FIRST sight. HAHAHAHA. I won't give deets. Ciao!