Crazy girl

Before last night, I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a Katy Perry superfan. Now, I’m a certified Katy Cat!

That girl is amazing! And such a sweetheart, too–it was really nice of her to turn her concert into this fundraiser for the Ondoy-ed Pinoys. But her goodness of heart aside, I love that she’s so cheeky and sexy and naughty and adorable. Exhibit A: Towards the end of “You’re so gay,” as she sang, “And you don’t even like boys… And you don’t even like…” She stopped, went to those at the front row and asked, “How do you say ‘penis’ here?”

Then she goes, “Po-to-tay? Po-ta-tay?”

Ops.

Also, as she closed the night with “I Kissed a Girl,” she went up to the crowd and, well, kissed a girl. Sayang, if only I was a couple of meters closer! Nyaha.

Anyway, I’m definitely downloading getting her album na. KP rocks.

P.S. Thank you, MTV, for the tickets! And Aia, for your generosity. It wasn’t the same without you and Lhen, my concert buddies! :s

October recap

No, I’m not yet dead. I’ve just been a very, very bad blogger–again. Hay hay hay. Plus, October’s been a pretty busy month, too: there’s us being displaced by Ondoy (ergo no DSL for two weeks), birthdays left and right (mine and Andy’s, included!), and then of course there’s work and rackets and friends and love life and Cafe World and a ton of other stuff. Like I always say: So much to do, so little hours in a day.

Anyway, being the busy girl that I am (teehee),  here’s a quick and lazy-ass recap of the highlights of the past month and a half:

—-

I turned 24!

Ugh. I hate the sound of “24.” I feel like I haven’t been 23 long enough. Plus, it saddens me to know I can never sing Plumb’s “Real” with the same conviction anymore (“Look at me I’m 23 / Beautiful, a sight to see tonight…”) Boo!

Anyway, I celebrated with a mini-pizza par-tay at the office on the 14th (too bad I don’t have pics!) and a seafood par-tay on the 18th with my crazy high school friends. And if you’re wondering why my cake says Happy Birthday, Wynona,  trivia: I was actually a big fan of Winona Ryder back in the day (in large part due to Reality Bites). But then she got a little too loony for me after a while. So that’s that.

Back to my birthday: Long story short–at Dampa, we stuffed ourselves with my favorite things in the world: buttered shrimps, baked tahong, ensaladang mangga, and heaps and heaps of laughs. Dangerous combination, if you know what I mean.

—-

Andy turned a year old!

The baby’s now a, er, lady! Andy turned a year old last October 26. Kuya got her a bag of yummy bacon treats,  Dong got her a pretty name collar–in pink, too!–while I gave her a gazillion kisses and nipple twists. She loved everything.

—-

I spent Halloween writhing in pain.

No accompanying photo for this one, unless you want to see me in my vomit face.

The only thing you need to know? Don’t buy from Sisig Hooray in Robinsons Pioneer. They make good stomachs go really bad.

—-

I now have rubber shoes!

I no longer run in my Crocs, thank you very much. I now have my own “real” pair of rubber shoes! (I say real since apparently, those Tretorns I used in grade school and HS don’t really count). I got these right after Kathy, a trainer at the gym, told me I couldn’t work out in my Crocs since it was against the rules (huwaaaaaaaat). So I scoured for the prettiest (and discounted!) pair I could find, and found these. The next day, I tested my new rubbers and ran five kilometers for the Pasig River Run in Roxas, only to realize later that I had forgotten to take off the price stickers (yep, stickers as in plural: the original and the discounted price). Kahiya.

Okay. That’s it for now. Will Cafe World muna.

Later!

Gusto kong magswimming…

NOT!

pakisipsip na, please?

Saw a couple of “binatang butetes” in the water yesterday. Afraid! (“Binata” since they’re no longer baby tadpoles, but not yet fully developed frogs. Mukhang eels. Eek.)

it's starting to smell, too

Oddly enough, it’s been like this since Saturday. Apparently, there’s nowhere for the water to go. So not unless authorities can pump the water out outside our village soon (where it’s worse), I’ll be lounging outside in my bikini…. NOT! (again)

Hay hay hay.

Back to work!

Ay, Ondoy!

Yesterday, while I was sulking about my ruined Saturday plans,  fuming over my uncooperative USB (which refused to let me watch any of the shows I brought home!), and whining about how my day had gone to waste, thousands of Filipinos were already up to their necks in rain water, many unable to go home due to the torrential floods, and dozens already dying! And yes, it made me feel really, really bad.

Haay, Ondoy, why did you even have to come???

I used to think how lame a thing it was to die because of a storm—I’ve always thought it was such an unlikely, even ludicrous, thing! Probably because I grew up associating storms with happy, school-free days spent playing at home, eating champorado by candle light and enjoying the cold as we watched the rain pour harmlessly outside.

But now, after watching videos of  people and cars being whipped by the raging floods, “Death By Storm” doesn’t seem so implausible. And the statistics prove it, too—73 are now dead!

As for our situation here at home, we’re still flooded in (though thankfully, the water didn’t go beyond our garage). Out on the street, it’s still knee-deep; while according to some friends in the area, it’s still waist-deep right outside our village. Ergo, it’s impossible to go in or out–not unless you’re riding a jetski! My mom actually still hasn’t come home yet because of the floods. But don’t worry, she’s safe and sound in our lola’s house, also here in Pasig.

So far, no serious harm done—in our case, at least. Power’s back on (obviously!), though still no cable, and no Globe or Sun signal (Consequently,  Frances, my boss, thought I was seriously flooded in because I wasn’t replying to her texts! Hihi. Sorry for the heart attack!) Anyway, I’m not gonna post pics of the flood situation here anymore; it’s NOTHING compared to the situation in Cainta/Marikina [though technically, we're in Cainta nga pala...]

Swimming season?

For now, I can only hope and pray and wish.

I wish the water recedes soon—since yesterday, the flood hasn’t even gone down a bit! It’s gonna take a miracle!

I wish all those who needed rescuing have already been rescued at this hour, and that they’re warm, dry and have food in their stomachs.

I wish for love and comfort for those who’ve lost their loved ones in the past two days. I do not know what else to say.

I wish for strength and hope for those families who lost their homes, or are still missing family members.

And I wish we can all move on—and learn—from this. Pray, pray, pray, everyone!

And oh. Boo you, Ondoy!

Photos from REUTERS

Yogi-Bear

Guess what, guess what: Had my first ever yogilates class today!

It was super fun–save for those moments when I’m reminded that I’m no longer the flexible, limber little girl I was during my ballerina days. Sumasakit na the lola joints and muscles. Ayayayay.

And oh, the instructor’s very good. Medyo di ko lang napigilan sarili ko at first.. Pano ba naman:

Instructor: “Okay, in-heel…”

Me: Huh?

Instructor: (after a few seconds) “Exhale.”

Me: (Biting my lip, pigil na pigil) Ahh.

—

Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to more of his classes.

Conversations with Sabine & Enzo

Travelled 500+ kilometers last weekend to see my much-missed cousins. Came home to Manila missing them more!

——

Scenario: Lying in bed with my favorite person in the world, 6-year-old Sabine, and discussing her new life in the Visayas capital.

Me: (fishing) Who’s your best friend na?

Sabine: Christian (her classmate).

Me: (aghast) Hindi na ako?

Sabine: Christian nga.

Me: So, what, I’m just your best friend in Greenwoods?

Sabine: Mmmm… Yeah.

Me: (still hopeful) Eh who’s your best friend in the whole wide world?

Sabine: Christian.

I gave up. [Christian's a girl, BTW!]

Sabine the dramatista.

——

Scenario: Out having dinner. Enzo, 7, was seated beside Kuya, fiddling with his toy robots and quietly discussing boy stuff. Tita Chie, Enzo’s mom, sat on his other side.

Tita Chie: (Leaning over to Enzo & Kuya) Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?

Enzo: (In that cute, slightly paos voice of his) Mind your own business, lady!

Tita Chie: Anong sabi mo??????

Us: (Tawa)

Enzo with Curly (or is it Jade? Jake? Wah!)

——

BTW, Enzo’s fave new phrase is “You’re a nutcase!” He even wrote Russ a letter that read: “Dear Russell, you are a nutcase. Die, Russell. Love, Enzo.” Sabine, on the other hand, is already having body image issues. Her classmate daw kasi told her that she’s fat (And take note, they’re just Grade 1. Kaloka!)  Meanwhile, their older sister Angel, 11, is too dalaga na for stuff like these. Haha.

Gotta love ‘em, eh?

Andy’s first photo shoot!

I left work a bit earlier yesterday to pick up Andy and bring her to her first ever photo shoot! And no, it wasn’t just for vanity’s sake ah! It’s actually for this pet story I’m doing for Total Girl magazine.  I can’t really post (yet) the photos we’re going to use in the article,  but here’s one of me and Andy looking pretty in pink! (That’s a halter top she has on, by the way! )

She’s photogenic, yes? Had to bribe her with lots of treats to make her stay put, though.

Anyway, I can already feel it—”stage mother” tendencies, I mean. Teehee.

Photo by Dakila Angeles

i ran 5km… and lived.

Can you believe it?

Me, the girl who never exercises, the sleep-a-holic who despises early mornings, and the lazy ass who can’t withstand any strenuous (or potentially strenuous) physical activity for more than five minutes, has done the unimaginable: Today, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and dragged my butt down to  Fort Bonifacio to join the Globe for Run event, where I ran the whole of all five kilometers, just for kicks. (oh, and for charity!)

Might not sound like a big deal to some, but believe you me, it’s a gargantuan feat for yours truly. Even more so because the last time that I really ran was back in second year college (which was five years ago!) during P.E. class! And, like I said, I don’t really exercise, so I’m not exactly what one would call fit.

Which is why it came as no surprise that I had quite a tough time running the race. I’d run, and then after a minute or two, I’d be too breathless so my sprint would be reduced to a walk. That’s how I was the whole race, run (or, like Dong said, “brisk walk”), and then walk. Then run, and walk. Mahirap sha ah!

Our friend Kaye, on the other hand, ran the whole time. She’s very sporty (she regularly plays frisbee, bowling and is a jogging enthusiast), so she had no trouble working those legs and those lungs. She finished the course in 38 minutes, I think. While me and Dong (who could’ve ended with a better time but instead chose to be slow and by my side during my ordeal… nyaha), finished after 57 minutes.

Kuya and his girlfriend Tiks and her brother Shoti were also with us. We started the race 5 minutes ahead of them yet they managed to finish earlier! Shiyett, I feel like a lola.

team maitim: (from left) shoti, tiks, kuya, me, dong & kaye

the fake na fake running pose

Check out my footwear, BTW. In the sea of rubber shoes-clad people, I believe I was the only one wearing Crocs–and it wasn’t  to make porma or anything ah! You see, I do not own a pair of rubber shoes, or even sneaks for that matter. Haha. Another testament to my un-sporty-ness.

Physically, (despite the panting and the minor leg cramps) I felt great after the race!  I felt more energized and upbeat, considering it was 7:00 in the morning when we crossed the finish line. I might will even do it again! I hear there’s another one coming up next month, this time slated in the evening.

Anyway, our “healthy” morning ended with a hearty breakfast at McDo, and me crashing on my bed at around 9am. Sarap.

Visit http://runrio.com for schedules of running events in the metro

New crushable

*Spoiler alert!*

I watched HP6 (again!) last night with Rose, Kaye, Tabs and Dong, and I have to say that the movie gets better the second time you watch it! Ron gets even funnier (I love the “Lav” scenes!), Dumbledore becomes even more endearing (making his death even more depressing), and Draco becomes less annoying (I’ve finally come to appreciate his “tortured” look, despite the bulging facial veins).

But more importantly, Cormac McLaggen gets even hotter. Haha! He’s the new Cedric Diggory, alright.

Meet 22-year-old British newcomer Freddie Stroma, who plays Hermione’s gorgeous (but arrogant) admirer Cormac. Aside from his good looks, this guy’s got a neuroscience degree, too! Oha, beauty and brains!

Of HP6, he says: “The scene I love the most is when I am slowly licking my fingers and looking at Hermione.” Haha, funny scene that one!

Like him, too? Check out this video, where he’s dancing in his undies for an ad!

Cute!

HK is looove

Finally, I have a stamp on my passport. And yeah, it took me 23 years! :s

Last month, I embarked on my first ever overseas trip. Destination? Hong Kong! Me and the fam (that would be my mum, dad and big bro) took a break from our busy, busy lives and headed off to the land of kimchi air, MTRs and sosyalin truckers (as in shirtless and porcelain-skinned men in trucks! you don’t see those in the Philippines!).

Here, the top N things I loved/will always remember about the trip, starting with…

1. The in-flight snack.

how cute is this?

Though I didn’t particularly like the ham sandwich (too much pepper!), I found Cathay Pacific’s snack spread super cute—like a kiddie meal! Cute pa the plastic dishes and spoon and fork (not pictured). A far cry from the potato chips-and-C2 combo I’m used to getting  during flights. So yeah, I was pretty amused. Babaw, I know!

2. The airport.

it just goes on and on and on

Huge, huge, HUGE airport. I was surprised to find out that we even had to ride a train to get from one end to the other. You can just imagine how probinsyana-ish I must’ve looked while traversing the place.

3. The sprawling city and its breathtaking sights!

i wish we have double-decker buses, too!

During our city tour, we got to ride on an open-top double-decker bus (not the one pictured) and received strict instructions NOT to stand up or else we will DIE. How? Decapitation due to low signages. Understandable warning, yes, but a bit morbid. Gah.

condo central

Apparently, condominiums are all the rage in HK! I didn’t see a single residential house at all when we were there. My mom says only the super rich have houses, set up in secluded spots on the hills.

L'nina tower

We stayed at the L’Nina Hotel which, according to our tour guide Lee, is the tallest hotel in HK (80 floors!). Didn’t get to appreciate the height though; we were located in the lower floors (19th? 24th? I can’t even remember). But I did love the free internet in the lobby. The best.

view from our room

day-off shot at the avenue of the stars

4. The MTR.

this is how trains should be!

I love how their train system is super convenient! You can go practically anywere in HK via the MTR. Plus, there’s no tulakan, no gitgitan, no long lines, no delays. They even have an electronic board counting down the minutes until the next train arrives.  The best part? It’s never puno! Pwede mag-party.

Oh how I wish I could say the same for our MRT.

5. Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

brad pitt: the younger years

I didn’t know Madame Tussaud’s had a branch in HK, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was one of the first stops in our itinerary. Here’s me and Brad, and oh, Angelina’s arm. Teehee.

oh becks!

Nyikes, my face looks distorted here, but you can make out the glee, yes?

einstein schmeinstein

Okay, I didn’t think I was worthy to be in the same pic as he is. Haha.

ume-emote!

Aside from harrassing the statues, we also tried the “horror house” inside the museum (who knew?). As usual, I just screamed and screamed all the way through. Nice. Check out our “before” photo with Tita Cora and her sons.

the "terrified" look. ay. someone's not following instructions!

There’s one statue that I regret not posing with at the museum: Michael Jackson. Dineadma ko pa siya! Shyet, if I only knew.

6. Disneyland!

the destination warranted a "jump for joy," ergo...

lovin' the pink!

my fave attraction!

I totally loved the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters! Those aliens can suck it! Ha!

find the hidden mickeys!

i looved this show (well, except the chinese dialogues!)

ahm, pa-autograph?

He signed, “Your pal, Mickey Mouse.” Cute!

breathtaking!

It was my first time to watch a fireworks show with accompanying music (and Disney tunes, at that!). Needless to say, it was absolutely MAGICAL. It made me feel lightheaded and warm and fuzzy and like a little girl all over again. Amazing.

7. Ocean Park!

Man, that theme park was big.

whose cheeks are chubbier? hehe..

on board the cable car

po, isdatchu?

Another first for me: seeing a panda!

the abyss turbo drop

Ah, the Abyss! This ride is probably the highlight of our Ocean Park experience. It takes you up 20 floors high and then drops you straight down in a free fall, only to take you up again (yeah, may bounce effect!). Crazy, crazy ride, but I’m glad I went for it (with Kuya!). Makalaglag puso.

(I didn’t have a nice shot of the ride, so I got this one off http://www.flickr.com/photos/phoenixation/2960506881/)

8. Mong Kok!

Yay for shopping! The Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok reminded me of Divisoria—only cleaner, more organized, and with less people. Here, bargaining is a must! And here’s what I’ve learned: vendors tend to lower their prices further once you’re starting to walk away. As in! You’ll suddenly hear them shout, ‘okay, $180!’ (say, for a $200 bag). Another step and then it’s ‘$150!’ And before you know it, you hear ‘$100! That’s final!’ At least that’s what happened to me. Haha. Loveeet.

tired but (obviously) happy

My purchases? I bought a nice pair of heels, two bags (one’s a chain link purse and the other’s big, spacious and purple), tons of shirts (pasalubong for mr. russ), a bag for him, too, loads of necklaces (at only $20 or P120 each!) and many more little trinkets! I wish I bought more shoes, though.

9. The Signages.

Kuya and I were endlessly amused by the signages in Engrish. No offense to HK peeps ah, I actually found these cute!

sorry pervs, no porn! (posted on a free-for-all computer at a mall)

or else die.

yes, just one.

The english is good on this next one; it’s just not something I’m used to seeing plastered on a trash can. But in all fairness, napapanahon.

beware swine flu.

use "Yau Ma Tei" in a sentence.

Siret? “Ang sakit ng tyan ko. Yau Ma Tei.”

Haha, corny!? Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

10. Tour Guide Mike.

me and mike

This guy’s super funny. His fave phrase? “Bye-bye.”

He’d go: “If you not at  meeting place at 6-oh-clak… bye-bye.”

Or: “Stay close. If I don’t see you… bye-bye.”

And: “If you not on bus… bye-bye.”

Haha. Way to make a point, eh?

11.  KFC’s Egg Tarts!

yuuum!

You’ve got to try their egg tarts! It’s around $6HK a piece at KFC and it’s super yummy! I actually bought two boxes to eat during our flight home and got super sad when I ate the last one.

12. Family time. Naks.

the cheeky bunch.

Given our super hectic work schedules, we usually only see each other at dinner time, sometimes incomplete pa. So it was actually nice to spend five whole days with the fam, despite their kakulitan! Haha!

Okay, that’s it!

Wow, this post turned out longer that I planned.

Bottom line? Refer to this entry’s title. And I sure hope I could go visit again soon!

Now, I shall sleep.