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Friday, December 21, 2012

AT THE END OF THE WORLD...

At the end of the world
I will be there with you
And we'll throw a party to celebrate
The things we used to do

Like living life, breathing air
Running your fingers through my hair
Oh, this isn't fair

At the end of the world
I will hold you so close
So we won't notice the destruction
Of all we used to know

We will close our eyes
As the waters rise
We'll float away and you will say
"Oh, isn't this nice?"

Ah, at the end of the world
We'll be together, be together
Ah, if I can spend it with you
Then the end of the world don't matter at all

At the end of the world
We will kiss for the last time
And we won't feel the earth collapse into
A mess of flood and fire

We'll be making love
As the sky above falls down over us
We'll be the luckiest ones

At the end of the world
I will be there with you
And we'll throw a party to celebrate
The things we used to do

At the end of the world
I will be there with you
And we'll throw a party to celebrate
The things we used to do
 
So strange. This song kept playing in my head all day.Photobucket
 
(Lenka's "End Of The World". Lyrics from azlyrics.com.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A FORTNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY

I was supposed to write an entry sixteen days earlier today, exactly a month before Christmas Day. But fate unfortunately became uncooperative: I caught a viral infection that day, was confined in the hospital for two days, and was under the weather for barely two weeks; hence this late post, now just two weeks to go before the 25th of December.

As sad as my situation was, I believe I should not let it take away the enthusiasm that I felt toward what I really wanted to share -- that my father's absence on Christmas Day finally ended last year. Now that our family is complete, I'm sure our Christmas celebration every year will be as fulfilling as it should be. With that, I don't think I will be wishing for any Christmas gifts anymore.Photobucket
Sunday, November 25, 2012

SO TRUE!


Got this off a book I stumbled on in a bookstore the other day. Yeah, hooray for books with no plastic cover that always pick my curiousity! I did not take note of the book's title, but I'm quite sure the author's a Filipino. Just thought of sharing it here.
 

Whaddaya say?Photobucket
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

MINKY CHRISTMAS... NO MORE


This is Minky a few days before we bid him goodbye, guiltily so, I must say. Starting from keeping him out of the house as much as possible these past months, we ended up with a bitter decision to “set him free” for good. I bet my sister was glad that she took these photos – our three-year-old Minky’s ultimate mementos. Well, I won’t say I wasn't glad either.

I still miss having him around. In fact, I dreamed of him finding his way back home last night. My sister says she had the same dream, too. And though my brother doesn’t say anything – except for saying “bye bye, Minky!” before leaving the house for work like what he used to –, I know he misses his only “bro” as well.
I just hope Minky’s okay wherever he is. And that he knows I’m sorry for what I did.sorry
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ON POTTERMORE!

Yay! My waiting with bated breath and exasperation for the second book on Pottermore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is finally over! Now there's another chance for me to be of help to my fellow Ravenclaws as the second Pottermore House Cup takes center stage again.


The bad news, though, is that I haven't been able to visit the site lately. The "Visit Pottermore" button did look very inviting, but I opted not to cave in. Yeah, so weird of me not to check it out then and there when I kept on saying that I wanted to explore the Book 2 already. Let's just say putting off things is my inclination these days. Well, at least I've got something "new" waiting for me.Photobucket
Sunday, July 22, 2012

HAIKU NO. 15

Been trying to get back into the writing groove, but without much success. Ironically, the absence of my writing muse became an inspiration for me to come up with this haiku, which I hope comes anywhere near a "real" one. Ha ha.

A vertical line
nonstop blinking
but going nowhere


I know, I know. I have to go somewhere, anywhere.sorry
Monday, June 18, 2012

AT LONG LAST, I GOT INTO POTTERMORE!

After months of waiting with bated breath and exasperation, Pottermore has finally opened its magic-laden doors for everyone and let me in, along with probably millions more who wish to see their name listed as “magical” next to The Boy Who Lived, and partake in his extraordinary journey.Photobucket


But because life happened to me just as the public registration on Pottermore was officially unlocked in April, I was only able to sign up less than a month later. I’ve got to say thanks to my cousin for the reminder though, to think that I was the one who told her about the website. Ha ha.

Choosing my username was quite hard. You see, I wasn’t that lucky to be provided with good choices. Eventually, I just settled with what I thought sounded less corny -- QueenMirror9477 (add me up?hi).

And so there I was, all giddy to explore more of Harry Potter’s world.

Honestly speaking, the experience was overwhelming at first, rendering me slight confusion as to how I should interact with the "Moments" on the computer screen. There were times that I was like "That was it?!" because I had only collected one object. Turned out the key was to repeatedly zoom in and out so as to make "the collectibles" appear before your eyes.forgetful

So far, the most significant Pottermore event for me was when I finally met the Sorting Hat, and "officially" ascertained for myself that I indeed belong to where I have always placed myself in: the Ravenclaw House.yay!


For the time being, Pottermore users are limited to exploring the Philosopher's Stone and following its story. As for me, here I am waiting again -- with bated breath and exasperation -- for the Chamber of Secrets to be unlocked. And while doing that, I'd probably just strive harder to add more to the 39 points I currently have. Ha ha.
Saturday, June 09, 2012

TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN

HOW I WISH OUR CAT, MINKY...


...COULD ALSO DO THIS!


Haay, buhay!Photobucket

(Gif sourced from here)
Friday, June 08, 2012

TOGETHER... FOREVER?

While fate has been confining me in this lovelorn state, I do find it a genuinely happy thing to see people in love, may it be in person or on TV. I look at their faces and see them glow with inexplicable happiness. I listen to them utter words of promises to their special someone and I can sense the sincerity in them. I've always believed that such kind of love is bound to last. They must be really lucky to have found each other, I think to myself, only to find out later that the glow between them has petered out and the promises of forever are broken. Now I wonder, where has all of that lovely feeling gone?

Well, whether we like it or not, finding "the one" requires trial and error (though the romantic side of me insists on only one try and no errorPhotobucket). Yes, it is saddening to hear of breakups, but it is oftentimes needed that men and women encounter a number of tries before finally finding that someone meant for them, or in the language of sentimentals, their "soul mate."

A soul mate, as the ever-reliable Wikipedia says, in current usage refers to "a romantic partner, with the implication of an exclusive life-long bond." Personally speaking, I don't believe that the word should always be attributed as such. Well, your best bud can be your soul mate, so is your mother or your sister, or anyone with whom you have a deep bond. So, in that sense, I think all of us have a soul mate, maybe even more than one.Photobucket

Nevertheless, I can't help but be interested when my brother told me about this YouTube video explaining the Chinese philosophy on why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger.


Cool, eh?Photobucket

(Image from here)



Friday, June 01, 2012

BE STRONG

This must be the most confusing time of my life thus far, when even words fail me. I know there's something I want to share, but because I'm not so sure how to say it, the proper words to use don't come to my aid. But, thankfully, sometimes we come across something that does the talking for us. A poem or a song, perhaps, that sums it up. At this moment, for me it is Room For Two's "Roots Before Branches" that lends me such office. Here it goes...music



ROOTS BEFORE BRANCHES
So many things to do and say
But I can't seem to find my way
But I wanna know how
I know I'm meant for something else
But first I gotta find myself
But I don't know how

Oh, why do I reach for the stars
When I don't have wings
To carry me that far?

I gotta have roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know who I wanna be
And faith to take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world for me

Sometimes I don't wanna feel
And forget the pain is real
Put my head in the clouds
Oh, start to run and then I fall
Seein' I can't get it all
Without my feet on the ground

There's always a seed
Before there's a rose
The more that it rains
The more I will grow

I gotta have roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know who I wanna be
And faith to take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world
For me

Whatever comes
I know how to take it
Learn to be strong
I won't have to fake it
Are you understandin'
The wind can come and do its best
Blow me north and south, east and west
But I'll still be standing
I'll be standing

If I have roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know who I wanna be
And faith to take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world

I gotta have roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know who I wanna be
And faith to take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world
For me

I gotta have roots before branches

(Image from here)
Friday, May 25, 2012

BEING BACK IN BAGUIO BLISS (part 2)

They say that a worthwhile Baguio sojourn is not without dropping by the Good Shepherd Convent along Gibraltar Road (near Mines View Park) for pasalubong (homecoming gifts) shopping. And so, as our way of subscribing to this pitch, we made sure to have a stop at this place on our second and last day in Baguio.

The Good Shepherd Convent, established here in the Philippines in 1912, is being run by the Religious of the Good Shepherd nuns. In deference to their vision of “helping the most neglected and marginalized,” they founded the Mountain Maid Training Center. Chosen youth of the Mountain Province receive educational and livelihood assistance through the profits generated from the sale of Mountain Maid products, most famous of which are strawberry jam, ube jam, peanut brittle, and lengua de gato.
The store is said to be always brimming with buyers, and the time of our visit was no exception. To my recollection, there were others who even bought in quantities that they would leave Good Shepherd carrying two or more boxes of Mountain Maid products. I’m sure that meant more aid for the Cordillera youth.approve photo 1-good.gif

 (photo credits: manilamarketdotcom)
 
Our next stopover was at 50s Diner along Gen. Luna Road. To say that this joint is a favorite among diners -- tourists and locals alike -- is an understatement. To me, it seemed to be swollen with people any time of the day. We didn't even need to go inside for me to say that. Having waited for our turn to have a table for five for at least 20 minutes or so was a proof. And that’s not to mention the scores of other diners who were trailing behind us in the queue.

As its name suggests, 50s Diner has the ‘50s theme in its interiors. Posters of movies and photos of some well-loved people of the entertainment industry during the ‘50s and ‘70s adorn its walls. The music is likewise from those eras. But what really draws people into the place must be its food -- surprisingly inexpensive yet extremely satisfying and generously served. Definitely the kind that is worth the wait.yumyum photo 1-nyam.gif
 

It was good that we had stuffed ourselves before venturing into our next destination, the Chanum Foundation's Tam-Awan Village. Requiring P50 as entrance fee for adults and P30 for students/ senior citizens, Tam-Awan Village is a "model village" set on the slopes of a mountain that gives trekkers the chance to have a glimpse of the culture and heritage of the Cordillera people.
 
Ifugao huts and Kalinga houses can be found as one makes their way to the top. Guests can even rent a house if they're in for village life immersion. The place is also a venue for some local artists to put up their works for sale, that's why paintings and drawings abound everywhere. And if one gets tired of climbing up steep pathways, there's a coffee shop as well.

As for our Tam-Awan Village adventure, sadly we were unable to reach its top, where they say awe-inspiring sights of the South China Sea and the nearby lowlands can be seen. Well I guess I just have to be thankful that at least I was able to unleash the highlander in me. photo 1-gigglez.gif

 
It is said that the best time to go to Baguio -- although I believe its charm never wanes all year round  photo gdaydream_zps078d5378.gif -- is during the Panagbenga Festival. Our visit didn't fall on the dates when the celebration for this year was at its peak. But luckily we were there just in time before the hustle and bustle ended -- the last week of the month-long Panagbenga festivity, during which the Session Road in Bloom is customarily observed.

Stalls of different kinds of products and food outlets were set up along Session Road, which was closed to vehicles. I remember feeling like a kid in a candy store then, overwhelmed by the seemingly endless possibilities of things to discover. photo ikot15_zpsb8092a5a.gif

We spent long hours walking up and down the busiest road in Baguio that day, stopping occasionally whenever we chanced upon something interesting and worth buying. And then the time came that we had to call it a day.

As we were having our self-prepared delightful dinner at our rented transient house, the grand fireworks display began to light up the night sky, signalling the end of 2012's Panagbenga celebration, and our own Baguio adventure.

But maybe, it was just the beginning.


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

BEING BACK IN BAGUIO BLISS (part 1)

RECOUNTING MY FAB FIRST-TIME EXPERIENCES DURING MY SECOND TIME VISIT TO BAGUIO CITY

The moment the bus we were on switched gears to take on that first incline to Baguio City, I knew in my heart that I was going to be in for another memorable trip to what is singularly touted the "summer capital of the Philippines," "city of pines" and "city of flowers." Looking out the window, seeing some familiar sights along the way, I smiled and told myself: "I'm sure this will be more memorable than the first!"

My first brush with Baguio was about nine years ago, an experience I would always owe to my high school. We had a limited time touring around the city then, given that we were there to attend a training.

However, I remember that we still managed to go to the Mines View Park; the Philippine Military Academy; and the Mansion House, though it was closed and we were restricted to just have our pictures taken outside the gate.

Fast forward to March 2012 and yet again I found myself taking in the enticing place that is Mines View Park. My new experiences this time?

A photo shoot with an impressively large St. Bernard...Photobucket

Seeing what's beyond the park...ok

Snapping up souvenir items...forgetful

And, yes, having my first taho with strawberry syrup!yumyum

But revisiting didn't just end with the Mines View Park. Unlike before when we just had to make do with seeing the perpetually photographed sign "The Mansion" through a shut gate, this second trip to Baguio rendered us, me especially, the opportunity to -- finally -- capture this pose-worthy moment.Photobucket


Beyond offering new memories in its familiar places, Baguio of course has so much in store for those seeking first-time experiences in its unfamiliar must-visit locales.

Like the Camp John Hay, the city's opulent golf course and country club, and our trip's first destination. It is its well-preserved natural ambiance that I think will make everyone relish even just a simple stroll along its paved and pine tree-lined sidewalks. No wonder that it figures on almost every Baguio travel itinerary.

Tucked away in this former base is Choco-late de Batirol. Billing itself as "a garden-resto," this rustic yet cozy place serves chocolate-based drinks and snacks, while Filipino folksongs and classical tunes play in the background. Also dotting its walls are paintings by local artists and decorations bearing inspirational sayings, on which your eyes can feast.

And for someone like me who automatically shuns chocolate drinks (but not for this tripno no no), I can say that a cup of Choco-late's Almond blend was definitely worth a try, and so were this resto's other offerings.

Meanwhile, considered the top tourist attraction within Camp John Hay is its so-called Historical Core, which houses historical landmarks such as the Bell House, the Bell Amphitheater, the Cemetery of Negativism, the History Trail, the Secret Garden, and the Liberty Loop.

Partaking in this going-back-in-time experience, we invited ourselves inside the Bell House and toured around this erstwhile vacation abode of then Commanding General of the Philippines, J. Franklin Bell, who is also known to be the driving force behind Camp John Hay's transformation into a military resort.



Remarkably well-kept, this eponymous "museum" basically showcases the history of Camp John Hay and the way of life during the American occupation in the Philippines. Its every room was also inviting that I had to suppress the urge to sit in one of the chairs around the dining table and dive into the seemingly comfortable beds. Even more so frustrating was keeping my fingers away from the keys of the off-limits piano by the front door. Maybe next time.Photobucket

The Bell Amphitheater, on the other hand, can be easily described as an ideal venue for weddings and other intimate gatherings. But for us, it served well its purpose of being a good spot for picture takings.


Wrapping up our Camp John Hay visit was our brief stop at the Cemetery of Negativism, a "symbolic burial place of negativism, said to be man's greatest self-imposed infliction, his most limiting factor, and his heaviest burden." And though it somewhat fell short of my "high" expectations, reading each of the epitaphs was still fun. Having with us a combination of sharp eyesight and quick wit at that very moment, I guess, helped in making the experience a worthwhile one.Photobucket


Dropping by the quaint Mt. Cloud Bookshop found at Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road before having our dinner, meanwhile, came as something of a wonderful treat for all of us in the group, as we are decidedly one of those people who "know and seek out the giddy pleasure of finding, buying, and taking home a good book," for whom the book store says it exists.


Locating its entrance was quite a rub though. I was even led to think that perhaps we could just enter through its open window to save us time.Photobucket Turned out we should go inside the Hill Station Restaurant and take the narrow hallway on the left.

After a few minutes of being absorbed in examining the shop's literature-filled corners and later on purchasing what caught our interest (and in my case what fitted my budget), we decided that our eyes were full but our stomachs were not. Luckily, we were just a stone's throw away from Hill Station resto.

Hill Station has tasteful interiors and relaxed ambiance that created a great impression on me. It is also conducive for get-togethers, as it is big enough to serve such. The accommodating waiters are also notable. And of course my Short Rib Ragu With Fettuccini, along with the time I spent here with my friends, tops the things I would definitely miss about this place. Indeed, dining in this restaurant made for a satisfying conclusion of our Day 1 in Baguio.Photobucket


(To be continued...)

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