It's always nice to try different types of cuisine. But with my dad's tried-and-tested mentality, that rarely happens. Or if we do go out somewhere new, he whines on and on about how the food could have been better or how it's still better in Chicken Bacolod so much so that we end up in Chicken Bacolod the next time we eat out.

But this time around, when we tried the new Korean restaurant along Aguirre Ave. he didn't bitch complain at all! Let's all hope and pray that we've finally found an alternative to good old Chicken Bac :)

Sitting on the floor. Pretending to be koryans too

Mr and Mrs

The appetizers

I can't wait to go back there :)

It's a little blurry, but here it is, a photo-op with my new favorite host, Tito Boy (naks! close na kami :)

Can I just say that I thought he was so fabulous? He was so comfortable on stage that he had the audience eating from his hand in no time. He would throw one liners about himself every now and he never ever hogged the attention. Unlike a certain co-host...

Basta, I am now a fan of Boy Abunda.



The Dove girls: Raya Mananquil, Patricia Hizon, Kate Torralba, Pam Pastor, Nicole Fonacier and Liza Ilarde-Cuenca



With my fellow journalists (walang kokontra!!) Therese and Bianca.

I think my first event went well. The food was good (not great but considering it was hotel food, it was ok), the program was interesting, the product didn't need a lot of spin doctoring and, most importantly, the goodie bag was fabulous.

Until the next time? :)

Now excuse me while I do my part and churn out a report on the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty Website launch.

I'm going to my very first press event today :)

Somehow, somewhere the Ogilvy Dove Account Executive got wind of Kikay Exchange and promptly sent us an invitation. Apparently we were invited because of our "influence" in the blogging sphere.

Who would have thunk it?!

But seriously, I'm just excited by the mere fact that we were invited. I guess this is what the Oscar nominees mean when they say that it's already an honor to be nominated. Or maybe not :p

Alrighty, I'm off to my very first sortie. Hopefully, when I get back, I'll be all press-like, but more importantly, I hope that I'll return with a picture together with the original homeboy, Boy Abunda (who's hosting the event).

Later!

P.S.

Things are gonna get more interesting 7 1/2 months from now. Congrats to D & M!

My curse is being overly sensitive in a household that readily dishes out criticism as if it was a steaming bowl of sinigang.

That and having parents who gloss over accomplishments but nitpick on shortcomings. Ninety-eight percent accuracy and yet they dwell on the two percent. There's just something so wrong with people like that.

Hay naku, I'm too old to be having parental issues.

Curfew? Give me a break.

The thing is pa, I'm such a pacifist that I always end up giving in just to keep the peace. And to stop them from nagging. They have nagging down to a science.

To reiterate, I'm too old for this shit.

Maybe I'll just zone them out. Block out the constant stream of nagging.

Going, going gone.

Busy busy busy bee, that's me!

My mom's secretary/ receptionist/ assistant/ midwife (Tim Yap has nothing on Ate Nenet's "slashiness") went on leave and told me point blank that she timed it with my semestral break.

O-kay. I guess that means I'll be the secretary/ receptionist/ assistant but thankfully not the midwife! Whew.

I'm becoming quite adept at this, I mean I no longer cringe when I assist in a pap smear or gram stain procedure. Yes boys, I see vaginas all day long. However, contrary to those feminine wash commercials, they're not as pretty as flowers.

And that's my part-time job. But it was more interesting before. Way way more interesting.

-o0o-

Check out the Miss "A" Kit promo at Kikay Exchange.

But more importantly, be aware that if you're a Kikay Exchange reader and then you proudly declare yourself to be one when you order from the distributor, you'll get all these freebies as well as free shipping anywhere in the Philippines!

Aren't you glad to be kikay? :)

I am going to start on my Law and Economics final paper now.

NOW!

now?

And I am going to finish it by Friday.

FRIDAY!

friday?

Help!

I want to go on a road trip where the OST (official soundtrack) would consist of songs from Hagibis and Parokya ni Edgar. That way, everyone would be on instant vacation mode right away.

Oh yeah, and include VST & Co. in the mix as well.

La la/ la la/ la la/ la la laaaaaaaaaaaaa......

*********

Another example of the Pinoy crude sense of humor. But what the hell, it's funny shit :p

Galing mo, Bebeng!

Registered nurse si Bebeng sa L.A. Kasama nya ang kanyang ina na nagpagamot doon. Namatay ang ina nito. Dahil sa kamahalan ng pamasahe pabalik sa Pinas, nagtipid si Bebeng. Pinauwi na lang nya ang kabaong ng kanyang ina na mag-isa.

Pagdating ng kabaong, napansin ng mga kapamilya niya na nakadikit ang mukha ng ina sa salamin ng ataul. Nagkomento ang isang anak, "Ay, naku! Tingnan mo yan.. di sila marunong mag-ayos ng bangkay sa Amerika! Nakudrado tuloy ang mukha ng inay."

Upang ayusin ang itsura ng bangkay, binuksan ang kabaong. Aba! May sulat na-nakastaple sa dibdib ng ina. Kinuha nila ito at binasa. Ang nilalaman ng liham ni Bebeng:


Mahal kong itay at mga kapatid:

Pasensya na kayo at di ko nasamahan ang nanay sa pag-uwi riyan sa Pilipinas dahil napakamahal ng pamasahe. "Ang gastos ko pa lang sa kanya ay mahigit $10,000 na. Ayoko nang isipin pa ang eksaktong halaga. Anyway, ipinadala ko kasama ni nanay ang mga sumusunod...

Nasa likod ni nanay ang dalawampu't apat na karnenorte at isang dosenang spam. Ang adidas na suot ni nanay ay para kay tatay. Ang limang pares ng de-goma ay nasa loob ng dalawang asul na Jansport na backpack na inuunan ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo.

Ang iba't-ibang klase ng tsokolate at candy ay nasa puwetan ni nanay. Para sa mga bata ito. Bahala na kayong magparte-parte. Sana'y hindi natunaw. Ang pokemon stuffed toy na yapos-yapos ni nanay ay para sa bunso ni ate. Gift Ko sa first birthday ng bata. Ang itim na Esprit bag ay para kay Nene.

Ate, nasa loob ng bag ang pictures ni inay, japanese version ng pokemon trading cards at stickers. "Suot ni nanay ang tatlong Ralph Lauren, apat na Gap at dalawang Old Navy t-shirts. Ang isa ay para kay Kuya at tig-iisa ang mga pamangkin ko. Maisusuot ninyo ang mga iyan sa fiesta.

Suot din ni inay ang anim na panty hose at tatlong warmer para sa mga dalaga kong pamangkin. Isuot nyo sa party.May isang dosenang NBA caps sa may paanan ni nanay. Para sa inyo, itay, kuya, dikong, Tiyo Romy. Bigyan nyo na rin ng tig-iisa 'yung mga pamangkin ko at 'yong isa ay kay Pareng Tulume.

Ang tigdadalawang pares ng Nike wristband at knee caps na suot-suot din ni nanay ay para sa mga anak mo, diko, na nagbabasketball. Tigdadalawang ream ng Marlboro lights at Winston red ang nasa pagitan ng mga hita ni nanay.

Apat na jar ng Skippy Peanut Butter, dalawang dishwashing liquid, isang Kiwi glass cleaner at tig-aanim na Colgate at Aqua Fresh ang nakasiksik sa kilikili ni nanay. Hati-hati na kayo, huwag mag-aagawan.

Isang dosenang Wonder bra ( Victoria 's Secret ata ang tatak)gustong-gusto ni Tiya Iskang society natin, suot-suot din ni nanay. Alam kong inaasam-asam nyo 'yan, tiya. Anim na lipstick lang ang kasya sa bra. Ang Rolex na bilin-bilin mo tatay, suot-suot ni nanay. Nakatakip sa Nike na wristband. Kunin mo agad, Itay.

May isinisik akong zip-loc sa bunganga ni Inay na naglalaman ng $759 dollars. Hindi na ako nakatakbo sa ATM. Puede na siguro sa libing iyon.

Iyong tong na makokolekta, i-time deposit niyo Kuya para pag namatay si Tatay may pambili na ng ataul.Ang hikaw, singsing at kuwintas (na may
nakakabit pang anim na nail cutters) nagustong-gusto mo, ditse, ay suot- suot din ni nanay. Kunin mo na rin agad, ditse. Ibigay mo ang isang nailcutter kay Jay bakla sa kanto.

Tanggalin niyo ang bulak sa ilong ng inay, may isiniksik ako 3 diyamante sa bawat butas. Ibangon niyo lang si inay at tiyak na malalaglag na ang mga iyon. Konting alog lang siguro ng ulo.

Marami pa sana akong ipaglalalagay kaya lang, baka mag-excess at si nanay pa ang maiwan. Basta parte-parte kayo, tatay, kuya, ate, dikong, ditse. Para sa inyo lahat ito. Bahala na kayo kay nanay.Pamimisahan ko na lang siya rito.

Balitaan ninyo na lang ako pagkatapos ng libing. Alam ni ate ang email ko. Paki-double check ang lista kung walang nawala sa mga ipinadala ko.

Nagmamahal,
Bebeng

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Yesterday, I went to school to get my yearbook and the guidelines for my Law and Econ final paper.

Unfortunately, the guidelines were still not available (one week delay!) but thankfully, the yearbook was :)

I ended up having an extended lunch with a blockmate (hi JP!) at the canteen and then getting up at 4pm to meet G for an early dinner.

How's that for a productive day?

***

Here's my yearbook page :)
(Note: Images are clickable)



This was my contributed article



Block write-up courtesy of Toni



Block collage



Past yearbook posts can be found here, here and here.

P.S.

If anyone wants their yearbook pages posted, or if anyone else has a request for a certain person's yearbook page to be posted, just give a holler :)

I rediscovered this place we used to frequent when I was younger.

I had to buy a wedding gift and since I was too lazy to go to Southmall, I suddenly remembered Tag Tales and dropped by after I bought dog food from the market.

Tag Tales used to be beside Tropical Hut grocery and we'd go there for school shoes, gifts, toys, vitamins, towels, soaps etc. etc. It was the only PX shop in BF Homes during that time and thus everyone went there for their fill of PX goods.But I guess the mall culture caught up with this little store and with Rustans and Southmall 15 minutes away, it suddenly lost its niche.

So anyway, Tag Tales can now be found between Watson's and the old Nelo photography shop along Aguirre Avenue. The stock is no longer as impressive as it once was but I found a treasure trove in its glassware selection.

I bought 12 pieces of great crystal glasses in 3 sizes for 540p including giftwrapping! Mrs. Anciano, the proprietor, still has the touch when it comes to fancy giftwrapping. I remember before, I was so amazed when she made these ribbons suddenly curl up just by running a scissor blade through it. Her personally wrapped presents always had this air of elan about them.

The shelves are sadly mostly empty now and dusty as hell, but there were still quite a few good finds. I wanted to snap up the Revlon mini mascaras, which were selling for 185p, but I just ordered a big stash of makeup from Everyday Minerals so I'm currently on a makeup moratorium. There were also these children's leather shoes which would be perfect for my godchildren this christmas. I'm not gonna put the price here because I intend to put it in a fancy box and make it appear 5x more expensive than it actually is :)

Somehow, being there reminded me of Meg Ryan's bookstore in "You've Got Mail". The effect of the big establishments on the mom and pop stores was the same with Tag Tales. Even Mrs. Anciano said that she's even thinking of moving on to another business venture because her sales have dropped tremendously :C

On another retail story, I was shocked to find out that Scholl's Party Feet costs 509p in Mercury Drugstore but I bought mine in PCX Glorietta for 644p just two weeks ago!! Talk about a total rip-off!

So if you're thinking of buying soft soles for your killer heels or pumps, avoid PCX Glorietta with their overpriced wares.

I have a new hobby...





...and that's being pretentious by posing with borrowed cameras!

Seriously, I just wanted to document the first time I fiddled with an SLR. To remind myself a few months from now that, yes, it did happen. That I didn't just dream it all.

But for all the artsy-fartsy appeal and all the thingamajigs the SLR had, I'm still a point and shoot kind of girl. Give me a digital camera that I can put inside my handbag and I'll be as happy as a clam.

It's funny how people have been reacting to my new hairdo.

Even while I was having my hair cut, two of the stylists kept on walking behind my chair, clucking their disapproval saying things like: "Sayang naman ang buhok mo mam" or "Anong nakain niyo po at pinaputol niyo lahat yan?"

Hehehehehe

Then today in school, I fielded bizaare questions like "Did you breakup with your boyfriend?" (No) and the more obvious "Did you have your hair cut?" (Yes).

All this over a simple haircut :p

But if truth be told, I was fairly anxious over chopping my hair off because I've worn it long for over 3 years now and I couldn't quite shake the fear that short hair will make my face appear rounder than it already is.

Still, I've been thinking about doing it for quite some time now (as G can attest to. "Just do it already! It's just hair!"), and although it would be more dramatic if it was prompted by some drastic event (perhaps like breaking up?) I'll have to 'fess up and say that I was more bored than anything else hence the surprise visit to my neighborhood salon.

So now I have short hair again, my head feels unbelievably light and i no longer recoil from my morning look in the bathroom mirror (Sadako!).

So yeah, it's all good :)



Speaking of haircuts, I was not the only one in our house who underwent a makeover. Meet the most gwapo inhabitant of our house:



Margot and Drago brought Killer to the groomer yesterday, hence, the spiffy look.

I never knew he had a face under all that hair :p