Waterloo and Sarah G.

I adooooore Sarah Geronimo.

Because she seems ordinary but she is actually a gem. She is one of the most talented people I know (not personally) and I heard she is a very humble person.

I have been preparing for the day that I will finally see her. For the past year, I have been training myself to go up to different celebrities that I see and ask if I can have a picture with them. I have pictures with Jake Cuenca, Kim Chiu, Charice Pempengco and even Mang Dolphy! While I do get starstruck, I thought I did become an expert.

The day came back in June in LAX. She was 3 feet away from me.

Guess what... I choked. I got nowhere nearer than 3 ft and the only connection we had was a "Hello, Sarah!" greeting from me... and from her perspective, that could be anybody else!

This is the next best thing that I have to remember the day... thanks to my hubby.


Aargh! I never thought that Sarah is indeed my waterloo. After months of training, I still can't handle a Sarah G sighting.

I have a few months again to compose myself for another opportunity. Please, please, please, let the universe connive. And I do hope I will not blow it again next time.

Driving.

I had 3 days of being a single mom. Hubby had to go to Hongkong for a business trip.
I really have no problem with the temporary singlehood arrangement. I just don't want to drive.

You see... I have this belief that I was not born to drive. I freak out a lot and I am too slow for the road. I hate buses and I am not good in parking!

But you gotta do what you do. So for 3 days, I drove myself to the office, parked the car and drove myself back home. It was hardwork.

I almost squished the back of hubby's car in the parking lot by less than an inch. Panicked when I thought I beat the red light in Global City. Panicked when I missed an exit in C5 while rain was pouring like the Niagara Falls. And panicked some more when I made a turn to a flooded street.

But I did survived. And the car survived.

Now, I found a renewed belief that I also deserve to be driving car cruising in EDSA or C5.

And thank goodness for automatic cars. They are my best friends now.

Boracay.

Hubby and I started trooping together to this awesome place back in 2004. We've been a regular guest ever since.

Early this year, we went to Boracay with Gab and my in-laws. It was the second time we brought Gab to the beach and I bet he liked this beach swim better.

As expected, Boracay is still beautiful. The beach was pristine, water so clear, and sand so white and sugary.

Stuff here are still expensive but the people's friendliness compensate.

Hope things stay the same for a very long time.


The clouds look really great.




Shot of Station 1.




Daddy giving the boy some swimming lessons.

The Sea of Monsters.

I am enjoying my nights nowadays. My little boy can easily sleep by himself and I have less conference calls... ergo, less stress from work. I cook at night and I am now able to read books before I doze off.

I love reading books and I have recently developed a liking for children's lit.

Finished two books of the Mysterious Benedict Society. Now, I am reading the first of The Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel.

Two weeks ago, I finished the second of the Percy Jackson series and I loved it.



True, it still has traces of the Harry Potter book -- like the boarding school/camp setting, the Voldemort-like Kronos, and the friends who do not seem to be care about their own selves -- but it was fast-paced but not too tiring to read.

I already have the third book waiting and excited to read it... except if I get the paperback version of the 3rd Mysterious Benedict Society piece.

Wowowee.

I am so excited.

I will be watching Wowowee tomorrow. Not that I am a super fan of the show but this gives me the opportunity to go inside ABS-CBN.

Reminders for oneself:

1) Don't forget to charge and bring your camera.
2) Don't forget to charge and bring your iPhone.
3) Don't forget to wake up on time.

The Americana.

One of the nicer places I went to during my last vacay was The Americana. It's a place in Glendale, California similar to Serendra but with a different concept. There are stores, landmarks, restaurants, and condominium units bunched up in one place where one can experience what it's like living in the 50s fast forwarded to the 21st century. (I get the feeling that the ideal America can be found back in the 50s when everything was Pleasantville-like.) They even have a trolley bus which can tour you around the place for free!

The large fountain serves as the focal point.


Families can play at the park.




You can sit around the fountain.


Water here dances, too.


It's a lovely place. Things were even more perfect during our visit because the sun was shining brightly, was not too hot, and they were selling the most delish Oreo Ice Cream Stick for a dollar! (Darn, was not able to take a picture.)

Bowling Night.

I do not go out often with my office friends but whenever I do, I make it a point to have fun. The bunch is composed of happy people so it is not always difficult to enjoy a night with them.

Our team went to Mall Of Asia Bowling Center. Everyone was excited and so perky about the gimmick... the downer of the century was that MOA was suffering from the wrath of Basyang... there was no electricity for the past 3 days. Friday night was not an exception.

Oh well! We got two lanes, some finger food, and 12 glasses of iced water to make up for the heat. We played one game instead of two... and still enjoyed the activity.



I am never good at bowling.




Super hot but no discount. Darn! Probably because people still keep on coming.



After bowling, we searched for an airconditioned place... and found Cafe Breton.

Marianne's strawberry milkshake... something that I'll never try again because of my intolerance.


Here's my mango fruitshake.


My meal for the night -- Chicken, almond and orange salad.


I'm sure there is going to be a next time. I never been to a Pansol weekend with the gang... I hope that's the next gimmick.

Live Ballgame.

My first exposure to baseball was via Nintendo --- way, way, way back. It was through Nintendo when I learned the basics of the sport.

And way, way, way back also... my guy cousins would sometimes involve us, girls, in their game of baseball. I think in my entire life I only played 3 games.

Ron is a sports addict (not in a physical sense... more on the ocular sense -- TV) so once in a while we would have conversations about the sport that he watched for that day. His dream is to watch his beloved sport games live so we would always think of going to the World Cup or the Olympics.

An opportunity came when we were in the US. It was baseball season and the New York Yankees are coming to Arizona to play against the Diamondbacks. Off we went to the Chase Field and witnessed our first ever international sport game LIVE.

Palakol.

Our weekend stay in Pampanga led us to a short swimming session at the 'batis' nearby. Ron said they call it Palakol.

The place was beautiful. Gab and I had a lot of fun.

Other people taking a dip.


Fresh water. Promise!






Cottages were made for the visitors. Only costs P150, I heard.


Somewhere near the Floridablanca exit to SCTEX. We were under one of the SCTEX bridges. Great infrastructure... so first world.

Basyang of Last Night.

I woke up last night to the howling of the winds. Last time I heard (and saw) the winds that angry was during the Milenyo typhoon around 3 years ago.

My little boy was half-awake, half-asleep but he was scared. He was covering his ears whenever the winds were at their loudest.

I had to bring him to the living room and stay on the couch so that he can sleep better. It was around 4am when I decided to bring him back to our bedroom which has a big sliding door.

The morning after, there was sunshine but no electricity. And this was the story until 9pm tonight when we decided to spend the night at my parents' house. (I wonder if the lights are back now.)

Most of us had the same stories to tell about last night. I am thankful that things remained at that. I guess those who were awake last night said a prayer or two.

Pork Afritada.

I am making Pork Afritada tonight.

Again, I am not good on the measurements so forgive me for the lack of details.



Ingredients:

Pork (cubes are fine)
Tomato Sauce
Garlic
Onion
Potatoes
Carrots
Bell Pepper
Peppercorns
Laurel Leaf
Cooking Oil
Water
Salt, ground pepper, patis

How to cook:
1) Saute garlic and onions in cooking oil.
2) Put in the pork. Saute until pink color turns pale. Season with salt and pepper.
3) Pour the tomato sauce. Saute for a bit more time so that sauce will seep through the pork.
4) Put enough water to cover all pork. Put the laurel leaf and peppercorns. Bring to a boil then lower the fire to simmer.
5) Simmer until the pork is tender.
6) Add patis to taste.
7) Add the potatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes then add the carrots.
8) Check the pork, potatoes and carrots once in a while to check if they are tender/soft.
9) Add the bell pepper. Wait until cooked.
10) Serve and enjoy.

Clouds.

It's the time of the month when we are due for a visit to Pampanga.

Once a month, we spend the weekend in Ron's hometown. We visit his family and Gab plays with his older cousins.

The road to Pampanga is nice -- we pass by the North Luzon Expressway, which is no secret to everyone -- it's one of the closest things that we have to a First World country.

The wide roads also open up the sky. I oftentimes notice that we really have a nice sky. Last Saturday, the clouds were extra beautiful.

First Date.

Ron and I had our first date last Friday after our trip... so this was practically the first time that we were alone together after more than 2 weeks.

We went to Fish & Co (Greenbelt 3) because we have the Bistro Card which entitles us to a 20% discount (or was it 10%?).

First up was the Clam Chowder. It was one order only but good enough for two dieting individuals.


Then, we had the Sambal Prawns. If you want spicy, you'll enjoy this. One order has 9 mini prawns so it should be okay for sharing.


The rice of our Sambal Prawns was sorta crunchy... believe we got the last scoop of the old lot. The manager (or manager-in-training) was gracious enough to have the rice replaced. He even asked the kitchen to re-plate the remaining prawns. He gets snaps for that!

Food was fine, people were friendly so I can say that we enjoyed our short stay.


We continued the night with a Toy Story movie date. Ended it with Ron going back to Fish & Co to pick up the credit card that he left. Phew! Thank God for their goodness.

(I later found out that another friend left his credit card in the same Fish & Co. They may need to review their process of billing out. Think their current process is prone to forgetfulness.)

Repost: 30, 40 something and single… YEBA!

(I started maintaining my first ever serious blog in Friendster. I got tired of it... perhaps, too much happenings back then. Will be reposting my favorite entries once in a while. Here's the first.)
August 2006

I was not afraid to die single. I had planned out my life — I was, actually, excited to live it. It would be filled with fun, adventure, fireworks, and laugther.

I was 23 then when I have come to terms with the prospects of living by myself, for myself. I would pack my bags, leave Pinas, and go straight to the US. The plan was to study for at least two months, borrow money for the CPA board exams there, get a job… and yes… find a boyfriend.

If things would go well, I should be married by age 25! If not, I would not get married anymore… Considering the time frame, the latter was more bound to happen.

No problem… New Yawk was there to be conquered. Frank Sinatra once said, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you. New York! New York! Tantantananan”. And I thought, this was the best way to celebrate a lifetime of singlehood.

For sure, I would have a successful career. I am harworking, patient, smart and single. A married woman with kids would not have the luxury of time and energy to join the rat race in the corporate world. True… there are many wives and mothers who have superb careers and happy families all at the same time, but they are the superwomen of the world and I salute them for that. They have big brains, high EQs and super healthy bodies. I am part of the average population — I simply can’t juggle two huge things at the same time.

For sure, I would have lots of money. And they would be more than enough for my parents to grow old in style. By the time I hit 50, I would travel around the world and visit the Philippines every year — giving dollars to my nephews and nieces and shopping to death.

For sure, I would have an apartment with a nice bed and cute kitchen. My OWN rules! Nothing beats that. No one to fight with, no one to think about. Everything in it would be because of me.

For sure, I would have Gucci bags, Manolo Blahnik shoes, Banana Republic clothes, etc. Where else should all of the money I earn go?

For sure, I would date a lot. (wink)

For sure, I would have girlfriends who rock… so I could never lose myself in all the material things I would have. In a city filled with different kinds of people, I know I was bound to find at least one soul who would spare me from all of the brouhaha that would get me out of my wits once in a while.

Everything I said, I wanted to happen. It was more of a direction rather than a dream. I knew then that even if single, I would have the time of my life.

But then, he came… so I had to revise the plan. =)

The blog in Friendster form.

Milk, first and foremost.

One important lesson I learned when traveling with a 2 year old is "Milk is the most important item to carry"... aside from your passports and tickets, of course.

We thought that one can should be enough and went a little overboard with the additional 700 gram pack as our just in case.

WRONG.

Jet lag does not only affect one's sleeping schedule. It affects the whole biological clock including FEEDING time.

This plus my little boy is so Filipino when it comes to the food he eats that he struggles with American food = more milk to consume.

A trip to the Oriental store did not solve the case. We had the same brand but not the exact formula, ergo, not the same taste. That's $13 down the drain and the thought of having to go through the rest of the trip with a crying terrible two...

I had to save up all the milk in the can by reducing his milk sessions by 1oz and the powder I put is 0.5 scoop less.

Still not enough though.

To make the long story short, we had to ask one of the PAL pilots (thanks to my Mom's connections and to Jon for bringing the milk to us) to carry a box of Nido Jr to the United States. That's free express delivery for you.



Super less stress from then on.

You must never underestimate things when you have 2 year old.

Abuelos.

Our second to the last night in Arizona was celebrated via a Mexican dinner at Abuelos in the Arrowhead Center.

The place was an experience already with the very old Mexican interiors. They even have a big statue of San Francisco or St. Francis.

I had the Chicken Chimichanga, which according to their menu, is "wood-grilled marinated fajita chicken with blended cheeses and Anaheim pepper, in a lightly fried flour tortilla." It was a delight having the Chimichanga... one of my Titas does a good job in cooking these so I am missing it a lot.


On the side, I had the Sangria Swirl. I blame this for my gassy evening. I little bitter but it was okay.


Ron had Sonora, by the way.


It was a fun, fun night.

New Love.

This inspires me to blog.





It's a limited edition Asus EeePc and it's pink.

Pinoy Pinay.

Picture this...

Turo-turo in Las Vegas.

Yes, Pinoys are all over and they bring the Philippines to the world.

I got the chance to eat at Pinoy Pinay twice during our Las Vegas adventure. Servings are generous, food is great and the crew are extra friendly. I'm sure our Kababayans get a good taste of home when eating in Pinoy Pinay.

Boba.

No. It does not mean "stupid". It refers to the sweet, chewy tapioca balls that we in the Philippines call "sago".

I had boba in Phoenix and it came with the Thai tea shake. It is to die for.



Boba Vendor at Lee Lee's Oriental Store in Peoria.