Saturday, May 09, 2009
Currently loving...
Sunday, May 03, 2009
How Have You Been?
a rose and spotted carnation
me and Jeri
Venus deMilo

Mama at Pia y Damaso
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Moving On...
Friday, April 03, 2009
Step by Step by Eddie Rabbit
She seems a million miles away
When she walks by
You don't know what to say
You gonna make a move
You better make it now
And don't be afraid
'Cause love will show you how
You take that first step
Ask her out and treat her like a lady
Second step
Tell her she's the one you're dreaming of
Third step
Take her in your arms and never let her go
Don't you know step by step
Step by step
You'll win her love
She looks too beautiful to touch
But your heart keeps talking to you now
Don't give up
You think you see something in her eye
But you will never know until you try
But you gotta take that first step
Ask her out and treat her like a lady
Second step
Tell her she's the one you're dreaming of
Third step
Take her in your arms and never let her go
Don't you know that step by step
Step by step
You'll win her love
Second step
Third step
Don't you know step by step
Step by step
First step
Ask her out and treat her like a lady
Second step
Tell her she's the one you're dreaming of
Third step
Take her in your arms and never let her go
Don't you know
That step by step
Step by step
You'll win her love
Second step
Third step
Don't you know step by step
Step by step
First step
Ask her out and treat her like a lady
Second step
Tell her she's the one you're dreaming of
Third step
Take her in your arms and never let her go
Don't you know that step by step
Step by step
You'll win her love
Thursday, April 02, 2009
I had a dream...again
I have non-weird dreams which I find more special just because...hahaha!
Anyway, this entry is supposed to be for my weird dream...
Last night, I dreamed that I won the Ms. Universe pageant. Hahahaha! EA was there, Mama was there, pageant organizers were there and a roomful of press people were there. It was such a great feeling, in my dream at least, to be considered as the most beautiful woman whatever year it was since it was the first time in a long while that the Philippines brought home the crown. To bring such pride to my country...hahahaha! Okay Ana!!! Stop!!! Dream nga lang eh...Well it was good while it lasted...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wala Lang...
Earlier, since Mama admitted to being bored to death with SM Sucat, we decided to do our grocery shopping at the MOA. I had to swing by the office first since I needed to do some things. This means that by the time we got there, I was already a little tired and very very hungry!!! (Nahuli pa ako ng MMDA and I was issued a ticket on our way to the MOA. Magbabayad pa tuloy ako sa bank.) We had lunch at David's Tea House and it was pretty good. Then Mama and I walked around which worked us up. The mall was just too big for us. I managed to get a few things from La Senza, only because they were on sale. Hahaha! Afterwhich, we continuously walked with hopes of finding the hypermarket. I was soooo tired by the time we got to the North Wing where the hypermarket was since we parked at the South Wing!!!
The hypermarket was too crowded for me and I really started to feel sleepy. Then Mama goes "Anak, may sexy dun sa aisle 3." Hahaha! To those who do not know us really well, we like checking girls out. Imagine Mama and I braving the horde of people just to check this girl out. Mama was so amused with the girl's outfit. It was like the girl was doing her grocery shopping in lingerie. She probably looked hot just with her back profile. But oh my gosh! It was such a waste of effort when I actually saw her. In Mama's words..."Sorry anak, chaka pala!" Hahahahaha!
Anyway, it will be another long week ahead. I hope to feel better tomorrow since I started having the sniffles again. Have a great week ahead:)
I will just think of my pick me uppers last week which would include Bellevue's crispy pata, Pancake House's steamed bangus, Kanin Club's turon kc ala mode, and chocolates.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I had a dream...

Source: Google Image Search (http://media.photobucket.com/image/mike%2Benriquez/irenecara/a80170db.jpg)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I Am Bummed Out...
Because I am tired and the dark circles around my eyes are proof that yes I am really really tired...
Because I was called "churchy" by someone...I thought I could brush off the bothered feeling I had...turns out I was wrong...call me all the names you want, "snob", "anti-social", "masungit", "mataray", but please don't ever EVER call me "churchy" for the simple reason that I am not...The term churchy for me connotes an imposition of ones beliefs and values, and again, I never do that. I have my values but I always respect other people's values and belief system. So yes, if you want to bum me out and piss me off, call me "churchy" and you might not see the light of day. Hahaha!...The thing that bums me all the more was the fact that the person who called me churchy was someone I really really liked...He, of all people would call me churchy?!? Hah! I know I am being "pikon" about the whole thing (I even cried over dinner and I really had my moments hehehe)...but I don't effing care...this is my blog...Hahaha!
Despite me being bummed out, I do not want to end this post on a sour note.
I am thankful for Kanin Club's heavenly turon...a must try and a winner...
I am thankful for friends who take the time to go out with me and listen to my inanities...
I am thankful that I got home safe despite my physical challenges within the day...
I hope everyone enjoys the coming weekend!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Six Years
Saturday, March 14, 2009
For Osangga
Thursday, March 12, 2009
My Pick-Me-Uppers

Top Most Row (L-R): Mango Tapioca of North Park, a new pair of shoes, Big Bob's window popping out
2nd Row (L-R): Georgetown Cupcakes, my laptop (Ford), UCC's Japanese Halu-Halo
3rd Row (L-R): a nice view of the moon although my camera failed to capture it, memories and pictures with good friends I have not seen for quite a while, Boudin's famous Clam Chowder on sourdough (yum!!!)
Bottom Row (L-R): a nice and heavy breakfast, fresh flowers, ROYCE chocolates
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Saturday in Binondo
It was actually cool talking to Taketoshi about things other than governance issues and JVAS policies. I learned a lot of things about him and from him. After waiting for what seemed like half an hour (since we were very early), we noticed a bunch of people gathering in the lobby of the church. There the tour guide stood with several people who will be joining the tour. I was really excited about this because what better way to spend the day than exploring new territories and getting to try out everything it has to offer along the way?
From the church entrance, our group crossed the street to stop at Plaza Calderon dela Barca where the tour guide (not Ivan Dy) gave a very brief et interesting history as to how Binondo came to be. The next stop was this store where tablea was being sold, LA RESURRECCION CHOCOLATE. We were asked to sniff on packs of tablea and it was realy so good, moreso for a chocoholic like me;) I am quite familiar with tablea because my family used to receive supply from our dear Lola Madre. I learned though that there are two ways of drinking tsokolate tablea. One is tsokolate-E (espresso?) and the other is tsokolate-A (watered down). I was not able to take a picture of the establishment since my batteries started conking out on me.
Our next stop was the Eng Bee Tin Mezzanine Fire Fighters Cafe. It is under renovation but the ambiance would definitely tell you that this is a firefighter's cafe, which was established by one of the owners of Eng Bee Tin. This was located on the 2nd floor of one of the buildings. They served us Kiampong rice, fishball soup, and their signature iced coffee. According to the tour guide, this cafe serves traditional hokkien fare and not the usual chinese fare that we are familiar with. I really loved the fried rice garnished with peanuts and garlic and the fishball soup. Gastronomically heavenly I am telling you!!! Taketoshi liked it as well. I was almost done with the fried rice when I remembered I should have taken a picture of it. But heck I was too hungry to even care. I am sure there are pictures out there taken by some other tourist who had the presence of mind to take a picture before devouring the fried rice. If this is how peasant food tastes like, deng!!!
After that hearty meal (I was supposed to ask for a second serving of rice since it is an eat-all-you-can tour, pero nadyahe ako bigla haha!!!), we stopped by a chinese drugstore. The owner was kind enough to give us free candies. Yay! Then the tour guide emerges from the store with two dried lizards on a stick. It is supposed to be a medication for asthma. There are two lizards because of the yin and yang roots of Chinese traditional medicine. The dried lizards on a stick will serve as the "tea" bag as you dip them in hot water. Very interesting yet scary at the same time. There is no way I am drinking the essence of geckos!!!
After the drug store, we made our way to Dong Bei Dumpling. It was your typcal hole-in-the wall food stop. It probably could seat around 20 people max. However, the dumplings they serve are so good, you would want to keep coming back for more. We were served with the fried stuffed pancakes and two types of dumplings. one was plain pork dumpling and the other one was pork with chives dumpling. The pancakes and dumplings (the pork with chives) were hands-down winners! They were served with a special dipping sauce and every bite is worth savoring. I noticed that the wrap of the dumpling was so thin and fine that you actually see through the stuffing. However, it is strong enough to hold everything together and the dumplings here are boiled in water. The beauty of cooking dumplings this way is that you can let the dumplings stand for so long and the dumplings will not dry up, unlike when you steam it. At Dong Bei, they actually make the dumplings in front of you so you can be assured of its freshness.
After a very satisfying dumpling-session, we were led to the Santo Cristo de Longos Shrine. This, according to the guide, exemplifies the Chinese peple's adaptability since it demonstrates how Christianity meets Chinese culture. There was a cross adorned with flowers, and there were incense signifying how distinctly Chinese the shrine is.
We then went to the fruit street, which is Salazar Street. This is where I used more of the action sampler my dear sister EA gave me. I managed to kill time taking pictres here since some of our companions had to get something from one of the establishments. We chatted, took pictures, chatted some more and then off we went to the next food stop. We had fried siopao (which did not look fried at all) and Binondo's answer to Krispy Kreme, bichu-bichu. I liked the fried siopao's bun, as it was oh so soft. The filling was all right, maybe beacuse I was used to Asado or Bola-Bola kind. The bicho-bicho is a different story though. It was deep fried, crispy on the outside, yet inside the bread was soft, the kind that melts in your mouth and it was surprisingly light. After deep frying it, the manong drizzled it with sugar. Y-U-M-M-Y!!! I just had a piece since I had to make room for the remaining food stops. Bicho-bicho reminded me of something like Spain's churros. Taketoshi, being the light-eater that he is, was surprisingly adventurous and tried out all the fare made available to him.
The next food stop was the fear factor segment of the tour. The tour guide asked for volunteers to try out the next offering. Turns out, the star of the fear factor segment was the Tea Egg. Apparently, eggs were marinated in tea for three days and cooked in it as well. The star-anis injects a very different flavor to the egg. I asked Taketoshi how it tasted like and the way he described it was(please do not quote me on this)...It's good. Something like the roast pork, only there is no pork but just the egg. It's sweet and salty at the same time. In short, parang inasadong itlog siguro:) I managed to take a photo of Taketoshi and his egg. I was just too glad he enjoyed it.
After the Tea Eggs, we made our way to the last stop. We traversed Ongpin Street with its traditional chinatown shops and restaturants. There is also the Carvajal Alley Market, one of the more famous sidestreets (esquinita) in Binondo. At last, the final stop!!! We went inside Uy Su Bin Building (an art deco building) to get to New Po-Heng Lumpia House. We were served with half a spring roll each but it was so filling (and refreshing) that it was more than enough to cap off a great food tripping experience. The lumpia was different because it has a seaweed flavor to it. It was sweet, salty, slightly bitter and all the flavors you an imagine come to play in this dish that is usually dismissed as very ordinary. We ate the lumpia with peanut sauce and hot sauce and it was really good. After some picture taking, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the car which I parked near the church.
Taketoshi said that it was good that he did not need to grab dinner anymore since he still had to pack. He needed to hit the bed early since he had to catch a 7 am flight the next day. I drove him back to his hotel, said our goodbyes and I headed home. I was tired but all too happy having shown someone around and I finally got to do one of the things I really wanted to do in a long while. Exploring the places I usually take for granted is one of my life-long goals and the Binondo Wok Tour is a fitting start.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
TGIF
Monday, March 02, 2009
Gee!!! My Hair...
You see the tendrils that are all curled up? These just get worst in the afternoon because at the office, I no longer have the time to comb and fix my hair. So I come in to work, all fixed up somehow looking like this...


Sometime this afternoon, I needed to get my caffeine fix so I went down to the 9th Floor, walked to where the side of Dunkin was and got some brewed coffee. Since Dunkin served their coffee scalding hot, I was really careful with it as I walked towards the elevator lobby. As I was not wearing my eyeglasses at that time, I did not notice the people inside the elevator. Besides, I do not like looking at other people's faces in such a confined space. But what was evident was one of the people in the elevator kept his stance quite close to me despite the available space inside. Then I felt it...he sniffed and smelled my hair!!! I knew it was a mistake when I decided to let my hair down while I waited on my order of coffee. I did it because I saw my silhouette and the curly hair was distracting me because it was weird seeing it that way while the ponytailed part was "contained". So I said, "Heck, if you are going to have your own mind and decide to be wild, then I'll let you be."
Going back to the guy who smelled my hair...what the hell was he thinking?!? When I told Pothead about what happened, he said "Baka may sipon lang at suminghot lang." But I really felt it since I got goosebumps on my forearms out of nowhere and I heard him sniffing in a different way which creeped the hell out of me. I should have told him off, but it happened all too fast which made me ask myself "Did that actually just happen?" I was the first one to get off the elevator and I never looked back. I was too annoyed and a little bit scared to even take a glance at him. Somehow, I blame my shampoo and conditioner, and the Blueberry Bavarian lotion I was using all day to moisturize my hand. My scent probably wafted through to him. But still, it is inexcusable to say the very least. So sa lahat ng mga kaparehas ko ng building, be careful since there is a perv on the loose.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
If I Were an Album...
Artist/Band: Ulbus Glabra "Holgeri"
Album Title: They Think It's Thei Fault
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mga Eksena sa Spa
We availed of their new offering, the Filipino Hilot. This massage has a fresh take on the traditional hilot, where you can derive a lot of pleasure from the pressure. They used Dagdagay sticks from our very own Ifugao tribe. Pressure was applied with remarkable precision on different points of our feet.
Sep asked us to undress and to just leave our underwear on. When she and Chivas left to give me and Mama some privacy, I dilly dallied since I did not hear the initial instruction. Besides, when I hear the word undress, it sort of makes me frazzled. After a couple of minutes, they still find me fully clothed and Sep gives me a smile.
Sep: Ayy hindi pa po kayo ready?
Me: Oh so we are supposed to take our clothes off.
Sep: Yes Ma'am, pati po bra.
Me: Can I leave mine on?
Mama: Virgin kasi!
I was so embarrassed that I only managed an awkward smile. Haaay!
In the middle of our session, Sep used the Dagdagay sticks on my feet to apply pressure. She rubbed one foot at a time and I was squirming on the massage table trying to contain my giggles because I am the most ticklish person you will ever know. Sep stopped since she did not want me to feel uncomfortable and stiff. I said it should be fine so long as she is not bothered by my squirming. She said she was fine with it and she just said that i should relax. I managed to contain my giggling but I had to breathe in a weird way then I heard Chivas go
Chivas: Ay si Ma'am mukhang may sapi!
Sep: Hah?
Chivas: Si Ma'am kakapigil sa tawa nya mukhang may sapi!
Sep: (starts to laugh herself) Ikaw talaga Chivas!!! Gusto matulog ni Ma'am eh ang ingay ingay mo.
I let out a snort as well. Haha!
I did want to get get some shuteye and I managed to. I fell asleep because the massage was really good.
When we were done, they served us with hot tea. They were very very nice and really good with their service. Mama and I plan to come back.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Post-Valentine Greeting
Here comes the night
Once again
I'll be feeling lonely
Oh, if only things could work out like you plan
Where can love be
Tell me why it's so hard to find somebody
Who will stand by me
And take the time to understand
And show me love again
I want the real thing
Or nothing at all
I need someone that I can be sure will catch me
If I should fall
Someone who'll be there when I call
Then I'll know that it's the real thing
I want the real thing
To hold me each night
Someone to love me over and over
Making the future bright
Oooohh someone who'll be there when I call
Just give me the real thing
Where is the moon?
Won't it smile
On just one more dreamer
Let your beams come down
And fill my empty room
Here comes the night
But if there's still a chance
That love can find me
I'll be here
Crossing my fingers
I want to know for sure
That I can feel secure
Knowing I've found an everlasting love
And once I get that under control
Then I won't let go
Facing the Inevitable
I have been nursing my cough and colds for the longest time now and I was never one to immediately go to the doctor if I feel something is a little off with me. However, I started to feel alarmed when last week, I have been having on and off fever for three consecutive nights. I also do not want to continue to tire out Mama at night when I have my coughing feats while she monitors my temperature as well. I never really liked going to the doctor but then I realized I had to when I felt pain creeping up my left ear as well as chest pains and headaches I cannot brush aside. I went to see my doctor as the weekend closed in because I wanted bronchitis and pneumonia to be ruled out. Thank God because my trusted pulmonologist Dr. Mateo said I had nothing to worry about and that it was just my asthma not being controlled. She ended up giving me three different steroids, an anti-asthma, and antibiotics for three days. I got myself an organizer for my medicine and it was quite funny as I got one from my Lola (daig ko pa si Lola since yung organizer ko ang laki hahaha!). I am due to be back at her clinic after three months. I really hope everything turns out all right since it will be very busy at work for the next 3-4 months.
To everyone who sent in their warm thoughts and well wishes, thank you!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
I Got Tagged!
I never took part in tagging activities in the blogosphere. However, as I am in the mood for one now (and out of kahiyaan to E), I am responding to the 25 Random Things About Me. Off the top of my head are the following:
1. I am wearing my yellow smurf statement shirt saying I'M GROUCHY.
2. I just had a very good breakfast from the JEEPNEY Deli.
3. I can cut my finger nails without looking at them.
4. I love dark chocolates.
5. I am now a Fango Facial junkie.
6. I am neck-deep in work but I am also learning to destress and let go.
7. I am blessed to have a family who's always there for me, and wonderful friends who always got my back.
8. I destress with a glass or two of sangria.
9. I love Larry's Bar's Choco-e Martini and strawberry shisha.
10. I can make my irises disappear as I roll my eyes, and can sustain it for a while. (Hahaha! Freaky I know!)
11. I own an action sampler which is a gift from my sister.
12. I have a lot of booze at home, and maybe I'll bring some to Osang's room this week.
13. I have yet to do tita's request.
14. I finally got the closure I was waiting for...on my birthday no less.
15. I learned that work is just work, and that at the end of the day, how you know and define yourself are the things that really matter.
16. I just learned that the adage "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" can be true.
17. I like somebody a lot...shhhhh hahahah!
18. I have been dreaming in color lately (I vividly remember a blue hawaiian shirt).
19. I do not like guys (or anyone for that matter) with no sense of purpose or direction in life.
20. I have blueberry bagels expired in the fridge.
21. I envision myself settling somewhere else with my own family.
22. I miss my sister and papa, and I also miss the beach.
23. I miss my pencil collection.
24. I am looking forward to repainting the house and fixing up the spare room.
25. Currently, my dream destination is Santorini, Greece.
I am not one to tag people but if you want to answer this post, then by all means do so. I hope that you learned something new about me. :)
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Day Off
This weekend dayoff took quite an unexpected turn since last night, when I got home, our water supply got cut. I called Maynilad and found out that we will not have water supply until tomorrow noon. I cannot not have water supply. I just can't!!! Immediately, I thought that Mama and I should just get out of there and check-in at some place where there's water. Hindi kami pwedeng magtiis na walang tubig kasi pareho kami magsusungit at mangangamoy. Hahaha! I immediately booked at the Intercon after some research. I remember that their newly-renovated rooms are reasonably priced based on the recent Christmas get-together my UP girlfriends and I had. Besides, the location is superb and it will be very convenient for us to meet up with Tita Baby and Tito Gen tomorrow, before Tita Baby flies back to the US.
Mama managed to get a hair treatment and I forced myself to get a facial (thanks to FVR, related story to follow). I got the Fango Facial at The Spa (at the old Greenbelt) which was just what I needed. Parang niliha yung mukha ko and I felt the mask tighten my skin, para talagang ni-vacuum pack yung mukha ko. I love it! Pia was my aesthetician and when I come back, she will be the one I will look for. Thanks Pia!
Mama and I met up at SM where she shopped for curtains and I got us some shawarma for dinner. Hehehe. Once we got back to our room, we decided to take pictures of us as requested by my dear sister EA (please bear with the poses and crazyness).
