A different Beach Experience

I want to go to the beach badly, not only because it is nearly summer but because I want to get away. I need to think things over. I don’t want to elaborate but… Please, maybe a pool will do. I just want to float and drift away.

Anyway this was my feeling during the whole week. I tried contacting Jenni if she was up to an out of town trip but as it turned out she was already booked for the weekend. So, I decided to just spend it alone. Plus, I would be busy with Tricia (my doggie) and Blue’s (Fritz’s dog) mating on Saturday.

I planned my whole Saturday and even woke up early to read “Confessions of a Shopaholic”. I got a surprise call from my cousin, Rhea who was near the area and wanted to use the comfort room. She and Jon are on their way to Payatas to help build houses for the poor. They asked me to join them. I was hesitant at first since I will ruin my plan but Rhea could not just take a no for an answer. I felt that doing something or helping other people would be the best use of my time.

We stopped by McDonald’s to meet Jon’s friends then we proceeded to Gawad Kalinga, an Ateneo community whose thrust is to build homes for the poor. It was more like Habitat for Humanity. We arrived at almost 9AM. We had a quick tour of the place and met some of the residents. The task at hand was to tear down a house and build a new one in a new location. The boys took charge of disassembling the house while some of us painted rust-proofing on the beams under the heat of the sun. For almost 2.5 hours, I painted careful not to stain my favorite jeans (forgot to wear an old pair). It was tiring but felt that I could have done more. However, for them it was already a big help.

Jon, Rhea, Reggie, Dona, Menchu and I had our late lunch at Beach House in UP, known for their good barbeque. Who would have thought I can finally eat there after many years of begging Dom to take me there. The barbeque was yummy and so was the lumpiang gulay. We walked around, passing by UP Library and canteen to look for a CR to freshen up.

I arrived home at passed 4PM. Rhea and Jon stayed to rest and take a bath. Well, I guess I sort of got the beach I wanted only in a different and better way. Hehe.

I'd Rather by Luther Vandross

the song playing in my mind now...

I thought sometime alone
was what we really needed
you said this time would hurt more than it helps
but I couldn't see that
I thought it was the end
of a beautiful story
and so I left the one I loved at home to be alone (alone)
and I tried to find
out if this one thing is true
that I'm nothing without you
I know better now
and I've had a change of heart

I'd rather have bad times with you, than good times with someone else
I'd rather be beside you in a storm, than safe and warm by myself
I'd rather have hard times together, than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heartwhoo-oo-oo-oo yeah

And then I met someone
and thought she could replace you
we got a long just fine
we wasted time because she was not you
we had a lot of fun
though we knew we were faking
love was not impressed with our connection they were all lies, all lies
so I'm here cause I found this one thing is true
that I'm nothing without you
I know better now
and I've had a change of heart

I'd rather have bad times with you, than good times with someone else
I'd rather be beside you in a storm, than safe and warm by myself
I'd rather have hard times together, than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
who holds my heart

I can't blame you if you turn away from me, like I've done you,
I can only prove the things I say with time,
please be mine,

I'd rather have bad times with (please be mine) you,
than good times with someone else (I know)
I'd rather be beside you in a storm (anytime),
than safe and warm by myself (so sure baby)
I'd rather have hard times to gether,
than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart (my heart)

I'd rather have bad times with you (surely),
than good times with someone else (surely)
I'd rather be beside you in a storm (oh yeah),
than safe and warm by myself (all by myself)
I'd rather have hard times together,
than to have it easy apart (you know it)
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart

I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
whoooo.....who holds my heart

Our Early Valentine Celebration

Dominique wanted to celebrate Valentines Day in advance to avoid traffic and other hasles the event brings. He wanted to start our date by breakfast but given his tight schedule, he ended up picking me up at passed 1PM. We had late lunch at Hapchan in West Avenue. Then, we attended a 3:30 Children’s Mass at the Church of the Divine Mercy near Kamias. I did not know that there was such a mass. Most of the attendees were children and even the topic of the priest’s homily was especially addressed and related to them.

After the mass, we went to visit his Mom in his Tita’s house in Kamias. We stayed there for a while or until before "The Buzz" ended. We passed by Hi-top for a while to buy some groceries and then proceeded to Le Souffle for dinner. I was so happy since I wanted to eat there since last month and try their risotto.

The risotto was truly delicious even the Caesar Salad, my perennial favorite order. Well, I had a great time even though we had a squabble just before starting dinner. We were able to redeem the night before it ended. We drank white wine and did toasts to our love, relationship and our careers.

What a happy day!

I helped make two (2) people happy today and what a truly good feeling it is.

As promised Maya, I conceptualized a last minute surprise thingy for her in time for her despedida with the A-holics on Saturday. I made each one think of a “thing” that reminds them of Maya and couple it with an explanation. Shiena, Baet, Winnie and I stayed overtime last Friday just to finish the designs in jpeg format since we wanted them printed like pictures the next day.

Shiena was kind enough to go the mall early to buy a mini scrap book and have the pictures printed. We were puzzling the pieces together while waiting for Maya to finish her workout in the gym.

We had our lunch despedida treat from Maya in Super Bowl in Eastwood. We wanted to keep the surprise until our dessert time in Coffee Bean. We fist asked Maya what she would remember about each of us. It was a heartfelt and memorable experience. I felt like high school again bonding with my girlfriends. Then, after the last statement from Maya with tears welling up her eyes, we decided to give ours in return. I guess she did not expect something like that. It was a fulfilling experience seeing her so touched and happy.

I love making surprises for those dear to me. Thanks Maya for the friendship and memories. I look forward to more good times with you and the A-holics.

As if an entertainer, my next call time was 6:30 PM in Jollibee, Libis. I was assigned by my cousin Rhea to oversee and make sure there were enough guests (at least 20) for Jon’s (her BF) surprise birthday party before they arrive. I made every guest sign on the nice Jollibee card Rhea made and to ensure that it was truly a surprise; I requested the staff to close the blinds and dim the lights. By the time Jon and Rhea arrived, all of us where gathered on the other end of the room and a birthday song played just in time Jon entered the room. It was so nice watching his surprised expression. Of course, I captured it in my Sony Digicam.

The surprise party was a success. Total guests were 29, more than we expected. Rhea was so thankful for what I did. I, in turn was also happy to do it for her. I had a great time playing the games and watching everyone kid around. It was nice to be in touch with the child in you once in a while.

My Character

I got this test from my friend, Jenni. It says:

Impulsive Trip

Dom's complementary stay at Grandview in Tagaytay (from his sister) was suddenly available. It turned out his officemates will not be using the Sunday to Monday slot but the Monday to Tuesday instead. The place was booked already from Sunday to Tuesday so we grabbed the chance to go and visit Tagaytay. I have been wanting to eat in Antonio’s but since this was an impulsive trip I didn’t have the chance to make a reservation.

I left the house at passed 6 AM to avoid my prying parents. Dom and I had mass and after he brought me to Gold’s gym for my yoga class. I stayed in the gym with Maya and Shiena and until lunch while I waited for the aircon of the car to be fixed.

By the time Dom and I were ready to go to Tagaytay, it was already passed 2 PM. Good thing I knew a shortcut and it took us only 1 hour to reach Aguinaldo highway. Grandview was easily accessible, just after the rotunda in Tagaytay. We checked in for a while and headed straight to Breakfast at Antonio’s. I tried my luck and asked the waiter if we could possibly be accommodated in Antonio’s but they were booked and nobody cancelled. Too bad … we just settled for their breakfast food.
As a recommended by our waiter, I tried the Corned Beef and eggs -fresh corned beef, horseradish, sauerkraut, boiled potato and scrambled eggs (P290) while Dom had Antonio’s House burger – USDA Choice beef has no preservatives or additives, ½ pound; house special fried potatoes with sweet and sour and sour cream (P275).

The corned beef tasted weird, maybe because it was not in flakes but was presented in slices of beef. But the taste improved a little once I added ketchup. Oh well. But I liked the burger. It was extraordinarily delicious. I wanted to try the crepes after overhearing a girl telling her BF outside the restroom that the crepes were better than Britton and it was the best crepe she ever tasted. However, I was too full to even drink water. I did not know the servings were big and filling.


Enjoying the view. Too bad the sun does not set on this side.


Since Dom wanted to see Sonia’s Garden, I just said that we would come back for dessert. We did not reach Sonia’s garden because we got lost and Dom just didn’t want to try anymore. By the time we went passed Antonio’s I was still full. We drove some more, trying to look for a spa and decided to chill in Starbucks. I had the Chocolate marshmallow while Dom had his Tazo Zen (green tea). By 8:30 we decided to roam around a little, surveyed the view outside and checked out the other restaurants in the place. We ordered takeout in Carlo’s pizza for our breakfast and had I had 1 scoop of Hagen Daaz strawberries and cream. It was only P80, would you believe? We went home by 9 since we had to wake up early and leave before 5 AM.


Well, we woke up at almost 5 and left the house at 5:30 to beat the morning rush in SLEX. We reached Makati by 5 minutes to 7. I had to take a cab since Dom had to pick up his officemates and go back to Tagaytay. By 7:10, I was already at Gold’s gym getting ready for my workout.

Our trip was fast but at least we got to spend another out of town trip together.

Gimmick 2nd time around

Last Friday, January 28, my officemates organized a despedida gimmick for those who were leaving JobStreet for good, Emmy, Maya and Tiara. I missed all the fun, including the famous body shot of Claude to Raffy because all the team leaders had to stay late to finish the customer base re-classification and re-assignments. I left the office at 10:30 and I would have made it to the gimmick if Dom were not in HK. My dad was the one who picked me up and it was a hassle for him to pick me up in the new Pier 1 along Julia Vargas. What a bummer!

Anyway, come Monday I pleaded with my officemates (those invited only, of course) to repeat the gimmick that coming Friday. “Ulit… ulit..” they heard me saying. Good thing, they were really planning to go out for three (3) consecutive Fridays. Yes, I had a chance! Bad news was our transfer to the newly constructed JobStreet office 1 floor down was scheduled that Friday. Gosh… The bad thing was Baet and Emmy had to stay until all the PCs were assembled and connected. Since, Shiena, Maya, Baet and I were riding with Emmy to Makati, we had to wait. By the time, all the computers were done (about 10:30PM), we were all too exhausted to even attempt to go far. We decided to just have a quick drink in Oodies right in Galeria.

And what a blast it was… we all ordered Vodka Ice except for Emmy. I don’t know but maybe our tiredness mixed with the alcohol. We were laughing and laughing at anything. Everyone was throwing witty and nonsense remarks that made everyone crazy. Then we ordered Tequila and that was when we became tipsy. It felt great after a long time and these girls were with were really awesome. We connected that night.

Pretending to be sober (picture courtesy of Fritz who followed late)

The gimmick energized us and we wanted to dance. We contacted the others in Makati and asked them to meet up with us in Temple in Greenbelt. Yes, we still went to Makati. But by the time we met the others, we were all sober (except for Maya who was really red). We stayed outside Masas since Temple was jam packed by 1 AM. We drank and talked a little. The place was not really conducive for some loud laughter and bonding. The music was loud and we could hardly hear each other.

I had so much fun that I lost track of time. By the time (passed 2 AM), I was calling Dom to pick me up he was already fast asleep and could not get up. I had to take a cab home…but it was okay. Reno taxi was safe and the garage was just outside our subdivision. Till next Friday…

My pasalubong from HK

My honey Dom came from Hongkong last week (January 27-30) and I made it a point to see him last night. Aside from the fact that I missed him in the last 4 days, it was incidentally, our monthsery too. I appreciate his using all his stored energy to meet with me and have dinner in Something Fishy. But I could really see the tiredness in his eyes. I also wanted to get pasalubong and was excited to see his surprise.

He got me the Perfume that I wanted since last year, D&G Light Blue. I discovered this refreshing scent, when I gave a mini bottle to Jenni last year as pasalubong from HK too as recommended by my officemate. I felt sorry that I did not get one for myself when I smelled it on Jenni. My only consolation was she liked it. I was already running out of pocket money at that time, that I had to buy all the pasalubong before I spend them all for myself.

The suprise which I have an inkling, is an album of Seal, "IV". It was not the best of Seal album but at least it contained all the songs I wanted. It brought back memories of college days when I literally played the Seal album (of my brother's friend) everyday after school. It was my solitude.

Yehey! that's 2 checks off my list of wants. Dom says there's more to come but he wants to give the others next week. I am excited!!!