To the Year That Was and to the New Year to Come

The countdown to midnight has begun. We are only a few hours away from 2011and we'll soon say goodbye to 2010.

It has been a fun year for me, I guess. I have traveled out of town more than twice. Coron Palawan was our first getaway, then CDO-Camiguin and Baguio. I've also been to Zambales again with my kalye friends before summer was over. Also I've been able to explore Intramuros and Luneta. And before all was over, a swimming trip to Pansol and a road trip to Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay.

No Long Weekends in 2011

This sucks! Almost all the holidays for next year landed on weekends. Yes, this is very very sad news especially for someone like me who relies on long weekend to satisfy my wanderlust.

All Saints Day, National Heores Day,

A Walk to the Walled City: Intramuros

Yesterday was Rizal Day. I just remember it as I was going home from work. I was used to doing nothing at home at times like this but the government transferred the holiday to another day (December 27) instead of commemorating it on the 30th. If I were Rizal, I'd be angry with this. It was like you are going to be sentenced to death at a date earlier than you expected!

You see, Rizal Day is the day that Jose P. Rizal was sentenced to death at Bagumbayan, now Rizal Park, on December 30, 1896 through firing squad. He was considered as the Philippine's National Hero. He is a doctor, a novelist, a sportsman and a certified chick-boy. Yes, he has all that talent. I bet if he lived up to this day, he would also become a blogger and we would comment on his post and we'd follow his blogs (lol).

Buying Pasalubong at Loumar's Cafe

I just remembered that I will blog this place we found in Tagaytay. It is called Loumar's Cafe. They sell Buko Tarts here and other pasalubong. We knew this from Kat who said that the buko tart here is good. We actually called it "Buko Buko Buko Buko" because Kat stuttered when she was telling it to us (*lol*).

On our way back to Manila from our Sta.Rosa-Tagaytay roadtrip, we stopped by Loumar's Cafe. Thier place is so nice. They have a sort of garden outside the store and as you go inside, They have a lot of pastries for

Eco-Friendly Products at Ilog Maria

After our short Pink Sisters stop over, we went to Ilog Maria at Silang Cavite. It was just near Tagaytay. Actually, it is along the same road from the Pink Sister's Convent. Just follow the road leading to Dasmariñas Cavite and be very keen in looking for the big sign at the road (right side if you're form Tagaytay) that tells you you're near Ilog Maria. You could also look for St. Paul's Seminary since it is near that sign.

As you see the sign, go straight the dirt road. It is a one way dirt road that I

I am Visible!

After about half a month of blogging, I can finally search this blog in Google! woot!

Hoping that Luck is on My Side

Since Joanna has overflowing luck the past weeks, She decided to try it out again. We went to a Lotto outlet a while ago to get a ticket. We didn't have any numbers in mind and so we opted for a lucky pick. We bet on the 6/55 Grand Lotto which will draw tonight at 9pm. Yeah only minutes from when I am writing this. I hope that she showered me with some luck a while ago.

I hope I'll win! I hope I'll win!!

My New Techie Gadget: HTC Desire

I just got my HTC Desire thanks to Elouise who bought it for me in Hong Kong a few days back. I asked her for this since stock of this model is out here. I am not sure when it will be on stock again but I figured that I might get a good bargain if it was bought in HK.

The first time I tried it, i was really amazed. I loved it already. HTC Desire is a smartphone runs the Android Operating System, version 2.2 "Froyo". To further describe its features here is a short rundown of it:

Make a Wish at Pink Sisters

I woke up early a while ago because my mom will go to Tagaytay. I requested that I would come with them and go to Pink Sisters Convent. It is located at the road along Olivarez Plaza. You will find a sign saying "Angels' Hills" and you should turn right there. At the end of the road is a small chapel where visitors could pray and also, you could see the pink sisters (the nuns dressed in pink) there praying near the altar.

It was the second time I went there but my mom was a regular. She was the one who taught me to pray there and ask for a special intention. There in the small corner of the chapel is a small booth wherein you could write down your request in a small piece of paper and place it in an envelope. You will then drop it in a small box and the nuns would gather it there. They will then read and pray for all those special intentions.

Cleaning Tools for My Nikon D40x: LensPen and Giottos Rocket Air Blower

A few weeks back, I asked Joms to buy me a LensPen and a Giottos Rocket Air Blower at tipidpc.com. I often ask him to buy me stuff there even though I already have an account. I am not used to dealing with those people and he is actually good on it.

I haven't tried the product weeks after I bought it but since I wasn't doing anything a while ago, I decided to try it. The LensPen is a tool for cleaning dust particles on the surface of the camera and on the lens. Here is the product overview (if you can't read the text click here can't make the image larger 'coz it ruins the layout of the page >.<):

My Christmas Presents

When I was a kid, I remembered getting ready for the gift giving on Christmas day with a large plastic bag on hand and as it finished, this plastic bag is nearly impossible to carry for a little child. I also remembered that as me and my cousins get older each year, this bags weighs more and more light. We got used to this since we had our chance when we were younger. We just got a little upset but that was alright since there are still gift for us.

Today, we all have our own jobs and there are already younger generations after us.

Dinner at Bag of Beans

After our failed attempt to go to Calaruega (we didn't know they close at 5:30 -___-), we decided to go back to Tagaytay and just eat dinner. We planned to go to Leslie's for their yummy bulalo (because it is raining and it would be very nice to sip something hot) however, it was all traffic going there. As we passed by Bag of Beans, we decided to just eat there (and also because I said on the way to Calaruega that we should try it there).

We parked our car and went in their place. The part facing the road is a small

9 Mornings of Simbang Gabi

Another Simbang Gabi series completed this year! I was afraid every Advent Season that I wouldn't be able to complete it because of all the parties and drinkings I had since I worked but I was challenged every year to be able to finish the whole 9 days! weeee!! ^__^

Our Parish

Design a Smile from Havaianas Philippines and Operation Smile

Millet and I had a girl date yesterday and we thought of looking for the new designs of Havaianas. I was planning to buy one since the one my AA Family gave me 2 birthdays ago was broken ='( .

We first looked at Glorietta but we decided to check out their branch at Greenbelt 5.This branch is much more convenient for shoppers since it has less crowd. Also there are designs here that we didn't find at the Glorietta branch.

After much thought and asking for sizes, I settled for this:

Unique color! Thanks Millet for picking!

Love at its Purest Form

I read a story about Sabrina Parker, a young girl who is very very sick but was able to experience love the way every girl should have.

The first time I saw it on Yahoo! news, I wasn't able to see the link because of blocked sites at the office. However, the next day, I saw another one saying she already passed away. I would have ignored it because the link is once again blocked but something in me felt intrigued on the picture on Yahoo! News, so I Googled her name and fortunately enough I have found a site which tells her story and I am much more surprised that what I have found is her whole story. Her Love story.

Aqua Doodle: Drawing Mat for Kids

My cousin Joyce asked me a favor the other day to look for Toy Town in Glorietta 3 to buy a gift for her little daughter, Kaile. She asked me to look for Aqua Doodle, a toy for kids that will enable them to write doodles without staining the floors and walls. How does this work? They use water-only drawing tool that is non toxic and is very safe for children. This means that the marker only contains water and will only work on the mat provided. The writings will soon disappear in time and new doodles can be written.

Late Lunch at Kanin Club

I always wanted to try this place out because of a review I read few years back. At that time, Kanin Club has only 2 branches, Paseo de Sta. Rosa and Westgate, Alabang. Today, they already have a branch in UP Technohub and another one has just opened at Makati Triangle Gardens. So what is so special about this place? Well, for me, when you say Kanin Club, I think of Crispy Dinuguan. Yes, you heard it right, Crispy Dinuguan (I won't repeat because I might start drooling at the very thought of it).

Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay Roadtrippin'

Together with my high school friends, we planned to celebrate Katrina's passing of the board exam. We planned to go to Enchanted Kingdom to have a little fun since we haven't been there since our high school days. Here is what happened:

Meeting place was at Shakey's Pacita (our usual meet up since our CSA days) at 10am. I was still at home preparing to go at that time. Why? because my high school barkada usually go there an hour after our scheduled time. A habit most of us call Filipino Time but for me, it is really how they do things. I got used to it since back in the days, I was always on time and they weren't.

Mid Summer Night's Fairy

Behold! 'Tis but a fair wood sprite perched upon a mossy branch in the misty gloaming of a midsummer's eve! From her periwinkle crown to her sweeping purple satin hem to the iridescent span of her swallow-tailed wings. she's scarce bigger than a lightening bug. But lest she fool you by her tiny size, remember well her magical powers. Save the stitching of her enchanted glowing wand for last, then watch as she cast her mystical spell over all who pass close by.

Roasario: An Official Entry to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival

We went to Smart Communications, Inc. Christmas Party held at SMX Convention Center last night. We were not exactly invited but we're still Smart employees so we are welcome (I think) to come in.

They have a nice program lineup and it was hosted by Wilma Doesnt and Mr. Fu. They have lots of performers such as Jon Santos who impersonated Charice Pempengco, The New Born Divas who are a product of TV5's Talentadong Pinoy, Leah Salonga (my heart melted when I heard her sing! I want to watch a musical starring her!! *hearts* *hearts*) and Jennelyn Mercado who sang and promoted her movie for the 2010 MMFF together with Isabel Oli and Yule Servo.

Rockin' with SmartHub at Casa Armas

I should have posted it last night but I panicked when I remembered that it was already December 16 and a few hours form that moment, I will get up for Simbang Gabi (This is for another post), It was already 1am and I only have 3 hours to sleep! X___X

Anyway,we had our first ever Christmas Party for Smart Hub, Inc. at Casa Armas Tapas Bar y Restaurante in Greenbelt 3. We rented the whole place. It

In the End it Doesn't Even Matter

Linkin Park's In the End keeps playing again and again on my mind since we sang it last weekend. We had a Christmas Party with my Lunch Buddies at work at Pansol, Laguna. We stayed at Harong ni Charing, a private resort. It had a karaoke beside the pool so we sang our hearts out until morning. 

The funny thing about this song is the karaoke had only the lyrics for the non rap

Twistix: A Unique Potato Snack

We were at Festival Mall Alabang for our weekly grocery when we noticed small stalls just outside Shopwise Supermarket. Christmas is fast approaching and they placed it there for shoppers to come by and see their products. One of the stalls there was a food stall which is very new to us so we decided to try it there after we do our grocery.

Twistix is a new snack stand wherein they sell potato chips served in a

Preview of the 2011 Belle de Jour Power Planner

I won a 2011 Belle de Jour Power Planner for the second time! yey! The first time I won, I got picked at wmn.ph as one of their winners in a contest. I already bought one and so I sold it to my office mate. This time, I got one for answering a BDJ survey and suggesting something to improve the planner. I wasn't expecting that my suggestion be picked but they did and I am so thankful since I will not buy one for 2011. Here is their email to me:

I Just Love to Roam!

Roam: To move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu

 That is how wordnetweb described roaming, and yes, I just love to roam in
search for anything. But not limited to food and definitely not for employment (I usually look for careers online but I am just loving my job now and it would take a while before I change employment again). I like to roam around, travel, go to different places, learn something new and explore. I like to taste different food, appreciate and fill my tummy with different cuisines may it be local, international or exotic. I like to lurk around the web to look for different things, random things, anything that pops in my mind at the moment. 

This is officially my first blog post of anything and everything I want people to know. It is not everyday that I talk to an actual person about everything I want to talk about and so I decided that this blog be my channel. So, to anyone who is interested (or will be interested), this blog will tell the story of my life. All my hobbies, addiction, travels, food trips, rants and all that goes in between.

This will be a beginning of a new chapter of my life and I hope it goes well. To all, thanks in advance if ever you decide to support my little space in the world wide web.

cheers! :)

~ jeri