Friday, June 30, 2006

An unwritten rule
I'm back at my parents' place for the weekend.
We just broke our no-Internet-chez-parents rule.
Because you see, we both work at home.
We both have our little work stations.
Most of the time we are always online.
So our deal was to go Internet less, whenever we visit the parents.
To break away the monotony of being 'connected' all the time.
But sis has a deadline by Sunday.
We came straight here after checking out of Linden Suites.
Voila.
She gets to file her story.
I get to blog.
We will leave it at that.

World Cup
Games scheduled for tonight are Germany vs Argentina at 11 pm.
Italy vs Ukraine at 3 am (Saturday)
Boy oh boy I hope Italy wins.
Or I might not see his Gorgeous Highness play again.

Cannavaro

For the uninitiated, that's Fabio Cannavaro.
The Italian defender who is also the captain of team Italia.
No, he doesn't play naked, unfortunately.
And neither was I surfing the Internet for naked pictures of football players.
My sister forwarded the above image to my inbox.
If you thought I was a World Cup freak, you're wrong.
My sister is the bigger World Cup fanatic.
She reads every World Cup related news on the Internet.
Then she proceeds to pepper me with trivia of the players while we watch the games live from the comfort of our parents' couch.

A true Linden Suites story
Our room was located on the 17th floor.
You need to insert the key into a slot just below the numbers inside the elevator to reach the executive floors.
This morning after breakfast, we went to the jacuzzi.
We soaked for about 1 hour then had to go back to our room from the 9th floor where the health club is located.
My sister inserts the key. Then she pressed 17.
The freaking elevator won't move.
A message kept repeating 'Insert key to gain access to executive floors'
Or something to that effect, I wasn't paying attention.
After several tries, the elevator closes and it descends to the ground floor.
Door opens and tata!
We had this deer caught in the headlights look on our face as a bunch of Japanese businessmen in suits entered the elevator.
We tried to do the whole insert key into slot scenario again, it won't work.
So we went out to the reception area to have our key checked.
I looked like a ragged doll in the oversized bathrobe.
The hotel slippers were too big for my tiny feet.
And worse my curly hair was dripping wet.
To say that I was embarrassed is an understatement.
The worst thing though is that I couldn't stop laughing.
I have this tendency to giggle a lot when I'm nervous.
So you can imagine the giggle fit I had this morning.
Geeez.
Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I'm here online blogging from my room in Linden Suites.
That's my sister's laptop.

Linden Suites

Yesterday (Thursday) sister dearest and I checked in around 3pm.
We relaxed in the indoor jacuzzi which is located at the health club on the 9th floor. We soaked in bubbly warm water until hunger pangs set in.
And also the skin on our fingers turned pruney.
Then we ordered pizza delivered to our room.
I took a long bath. The bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
As if, I didn't just spend hours soaked in water. Heh!
Well there are two things I always take advantage of when I stay in hotels => Hot water and a bathtub.
A luxury I cannot afford at my crammy condo unit.
Then we capped the night with a late dinner at Azzurro.
The Greek restaurant located on the second floor of Linden Suites.
I had Ravioli stuffed with spinach for appetizer.
A Horiatiki Greek salad for my main course.
A nice blend of tomato based sauce for the ravioli and the feta cheese with vinaigrette for the salad left a pleasant taste for my palette.

I think that all these sleepless nights has totally messed up my body clock.
It is already 2:50 AM and I am wide awake.
But this image is so inviting.

Suite 1706

I better just lie down and try to sleep a bit.
I have about 4 hours before the health club opens at 6 A.M.
Yes, you guessed it right.
I'm going back to the jacuzzi before I check out at noon, today.

Oh by the way, excuse the blurry pictures.
I used my cellphone for the shots.
I will post more pictures taken with my digicam.
In our hurry to rush over here to the Linden Suites, I forgot the cable that connects the digicam to the laptop.
Maybe next week when I get back to my place.

Signing off from Room 1706 of the Linden Suites! =)

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Tonight
I'm back.

Because there are no live matches.

Today and Tomorrow.

For the past 3 days, I've consumed soccer like a sponge.

I'll hopefully sleep like a baby, tonight.

I thought I was a nocturnal being.

But I think.

Even owls need full uninterrupted sleep every now and then.

My mind is totally blank.

So it can only process short sentences.

Tomorrow night I will be here.

For an overnight stay.

I might go for a soothing massage.

Or relax in the jacuzzi.

But I'd probably just end up.

Sleeping, sleeping and sleeping some more.

Bliss!

Oh France and Italy won their games.

I'm happy as a clam.

My brain is shutting down now.

Sleep time. zzzzz

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Crunch time
I'm off to my parents place shortly.
I'd probably stay there for the whole week.
Or maybe not.
My favorite teams Italy battle Australia on Monday and France play against Spain on Tuesday.
So even if the commentary would be in Japanese, it's fine.
The positive part is I get to see the games, live.
The drawback is I don't have Internet access there.
Thus I probably won't be able to bore you guys with my World Cup posts by blogging about it non stop. Heh =)
But that is just a minor inconvenience for a few days.
Surely I can survive without my computer.
Or can I?
We'll see.

Before I go.

A short tribute to the Swedish team.

Sweden 2006
They lost to the host nation Germany, last night.
With 2 goals to nil.
Young Lukas Podolski scored twice.
Sweden played with just 10 men.
After Lucic was given a red card.
Larsson could have made it 1 for Sweden.
BUT he missed the penalty shot. WTF???
Oh well!
Hasta la bye bye to Olof Mellberg, Freddie Ljungberg and most especially to you pretty boy, Henrik Larsson.
You should have scored that ONE goal against Germany but unfortunately you blew it. Such a disappointment!

In the second game, Argentina got quite a scare from Mexico.
Mexico scored first within 6 minutes of the game.
Then shortly after, Crespo (ARG) made it 1 for Argentina.
The score remained 1 - 1 for the rest of the match.
The game had to go to full extra time.
No golden goal rule is instituted for this World Cup.
Then a powerful kick from Maxi Rodriguez (ARG) found the net.
The 2nd half of the extra time found Mexico desperately trying with all their might to even the score.
But finally Argentina prevailed and won.
Argentina 2 - Mexico 1.
Who would have thought that Mexico would give the mighty Argentine team a game worthy of extra time.
Way to go Mexico! Great game.
The unpredictability factor of the game just strives on. Woohoo!

Alright I'm out of here. =)

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Another World Cup post
Yes to my 3 loyal readers out there, you better just get used to the fact that I am going to keep blogging about the FIFA World Cup as it unfolds in Germany.

So you can either read on.

Or read another blog which talks about more important stuff.

But if you are kind enough to loiter, then thanks! =)

Alright now on to the World Cup.
Last night or rather early morning here in Manila, I was glued to the TV once again. Solar Plus mercifully broadcasted the France vs Togo match live at 3 A.M.
The first half saw my Frenchies players try then miss. Try again and miss yet again for about 8 times to score a goal past the Togolese goalkeeper, Agassa. It was quite a thrill to watch him save all those attempts.
I was getting an ulcer because I knew that France had to win by 2 clear goals to progress to the second round.
Half time - it was time for me to empty my full bladder which was about to explode. I don't dare go during the game in case I missed all the action of offsides, free kicks, tackles, any yellow cards being shown and of course any precious goal.
Second half - French Coach Domenech stuck to the same line up. Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet even Franck Ribery continued their onslaught attack towards the goal. I was already getting soooo frustrated. Blah!
Then birthday boy and current captain (Zisou Zidane who was also celebrating his 34th birthday was suspended for this game) Patrick Vieira, 30 years old yesterday FINALLY scored the first goal for France.
Then in a span of 6 minutes, Vieira made a vital pass to Thierry Henry whose foot kicked the second goal in for France.

Allez Les Blues

So France managed to avoid any form of embarrassment by NOT being eliminated from the World Cup. Next Tuesday, France goes head to head with Spain.
But till then I'm just really relieved France made it worthwhile for me to stay up till 5:30 A.M. Phew! All these sleepless nights just to watch 10 guys in shorts chase around a ball to score against two goalkeepers. I ain't complaining at all! But kudos also go to Togo for a good game. They didn't relent, they really played well against the 1998 World Cup champions.

Friday, June 23, 2006

World Cup Update
Last night, Solar Plus showed the Ghana vs USA match live at 10 p.m.
It wasn't the game I wanted to see live but I stayed glued to the TV. Nowadays my TV is permanently on Solar Plus and my little condo unit is buzzing with the drone of the commentators annontating the games.

It was an exciting game. Ghana scored twice against the USA. Woohoo!
The first one was a legit goal passing through American goalkeeper Keller's hands. While the second was a dubious penalty that referee Markus Merk from Germany awarded to Ghana. Stephan Appiah, the Ghana captain scored on behalf of this west African nation whose teams goes by the name "Red Devils".
It is refreshing to see other football obsessed nations aside from the usual European/South American teams go through the final 16 round.
Way to go, Ghana!

Since the Italy vs Czech Republic match was also on, I had my computer logged on to the Internet to monitor the live match play by play on the official World Cup website.
I ran up and down the stairs to my bedroom, every 20 minutes to check if Italy had scored against the mighty Czech goalkeeper, Petr Cech.
They did! Marco Materazzi and Filippo Inzaghi netted the ball, twice.
Pavel Nedved with his curly blonde mane from the Czech Republic had his numerous efforts thwarted by Gianluigi Buffon.
The Azzurris, as usual played their defensive game. But Nesta was replaced due to an injury within minutes of the first half, while Francesco Totti only found his bearings in the second half of the game. Italy still won by two goals to zero goal effort by the Czech Republic.

So Italy and Ghana are in for Group E.
Italy whose team members are currently embroiled in a very controversial illegal betting/game fixing scandal would play against Australia on June 26. While Ghana will battle the giant Brazil, the next day June 27.

Later at 3 AM (Saturday) local time, three teams will battle out for the top two positions in Group G. Switzerland, South Korea and my beloved France. Switzerland vs South Korea would just need a draw to reach the next round. While France who plays Togo NEEDS to definitely score at least 2 goals if they want to level the field.
Gosh I'm amazed how lackluster France's performance is in this World Cup. A team composed mostly of aged players who aren't delivering the goods as they are expected to. France are currently in third place in their group standing. It all boils down to how both matches play out later. Very nerve wracking night. Quel horror if France doesn't qualify for a place in the second round.

But my friend Philippe said:
"Attend ce n'est pas fini pour la France, j'espere qu'on va gagner"
("Wait it isn't over for France, I hope we will win." )
How's that for some positive wishful thinking, huh?

Allez les Blues!!!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Funny SMS
Women are like places
Age 15 - 20: Palawan => Virgin & Unexplored.

Age 21 - 42: Boracay => Hot & Exotic.

Age 43 - 54: Manila => Dirty & Polluted.

Age 55 UP: Jolo => Only the brave dare to go!


Yay I'm still hot and exotic! (kuno) =)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

A little game
Try playing this game about parking perfection.

Warning:
It is very addictive. Don't play when you are @ work!
I managed till level 3 then I ran over the little doggie!
Teehee. =)

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Funny!

drinking problem

Sunday, June 18, 2006

His Family, Movies and good food.
Those are just a few of my father's favorite things.
So what better way to spend the day that honors the "padre de familia" than to indulge his whims.
Lunch was at "Chinese Monk" in Rockwell. We feasted on salted fish fried rice, classic pepper steak, seafood hot pot, oyster cake and mango pudding with sago. It was our first time there and we immensely enjoyed their tasty cuisine. Much to our chagrin though we found out it would be closing down by the end of this month. Quel dommage!
The film was a very interesting tale of a bank robbery with a twist. Great cast, excellent script and artfully fluid direction by Spike Lee.
We all had a great time.

I have a deep affectionate bond with my father.
He is my life, my source of inspiration, my everything!
There are not enough words in the dictionary to express my sentiments towards my father. So I won't even attempt to make this post, an emotional tribute to my Dad. The only guy in my life I love unconditionally far and beyond the edge of this vast universe.
I'm glad, Father's Day was indeed a happy one. =)

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Situation # 2334 a guy might come in handy
Normally I stay in during Saturdays and Sundays to avoid the maddening crowd at malls.
Today, I ventured out for the following reasons:
  • A dermatologist appointment.
  • A quick trip to AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines) to get my sister's car registration papers.
  • Lunch at my parents' place. To my utter delight I found out that their Japanese channel broadcasts live World Cup games. Yay! I'd probably spend the quarterfinals week over there.
  • We went to the Shang Cineplex to watch another French film ("Nouvelle France") which was entirely in English.
  • Grocery shopping

  • Suffice to say it was a long day and I'm exhausted.
    We got back home, parked the car then had one last item to do before we could rest our weary bodies.
    Place the new '06 car stickers on the license plate of the car.
    A rather simple task:
    1) Take off screws of the plastic cover both front and back.
    2) Place aforementioned stickers.
    3) Reattach plastic covers

    So why did it take us almost 2 hours?
    Because the lighting was pretty bad, the tiny screws kept falling on the floor, the little flashlight needed new batteries, the first time we reattached the plastic covers the screws won't fit.

    Times like that I wished we had some willing human of the male variety to help us with such "manly" tasks.

    Or do we?

    We did get it done, after all. =)

    Friday, June 16, 2006

    Pleasant distractions
    Aside from the normal work load and the usual errands (grocery shopping, bills payments, bank transactions) this past week has been mainly consumed with zombie like tendencies towards 2 things:
    1) Watching French movies at the Edsa Shang Cineplex.
    2) FIFA World Cup.

    Factor in the fact that I've been pigging out way too much by eating out almost daily (Little Asia in Greenhills, Teriyaki Boy, House of Minis [steaks], Jollibee). Then because I'm so matakaw, I stuff myself with Boy Bawang corniks while watching the games.

    So.
    I get by on few hours of sleep.
    I feel my jeans tighten from overeating.

    But.
    I'm also hoarse from cheering on my favorite teams.
    I dream in French with English subtitles.
    That is, if I do remember le reve when I wake up.

    Throughout the numerous things that beg for my short attention span, I find comfort in looking at my computer's wallpaper. A picture I took of the Koi pond at the Boracay Regency hotel, last April. It momentarily relaxes me amidst the mayhem and chaotic aura of my soul.

    Koi pond, Boracay Regency hotel

    Yes this is nothing but a vain attempt to post a picture with my blog entry. Nice picture though, n'est pas? =)

    Thursday, June 15, 2006

    World Cup Fever
    I guess I'm a select few who is caught up in the frenzy of the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
    I watch all the features about it.
    On different channels like CNN, BBC, Solar Entertainment, DW TV (Germany), TV 5 (France) even Arirang (Korea).
    I catch a few matches on Solar Channel.
    That is when they decide to broadcast them.
    Usually the games are shown a day behind.
    The live matches are on channel 67 of my TV.
    But it is pay for view (you pay P6000 for all the games) I get clear audio but the visual is scrambled.
    I listen for a few minutes till the distorted pictures give me a headache. Then I switch the TV off because it's already 4 A.M.

    Here are some of my observations:
    1) Familiar names and faces have moved on to being coaches. Juergen Klinsmann for Germany and Marco Van Basten for Holland.
    2) Ghana was a revelation. They really rallied and gave Italy a fair fight. They continuously attacked and tested the impenetrable Italian defense.
    3) The Azzuris (Italians) are in good form. I noticed most of the players have shaved heads. Cannavaro, Totti and even Del Piero are sporting the "Jarhead" look.
    4) There is a big controversy about the ball being designed in a different way. It makes it harder for the goal keepers to catch.
    5) I still don't like the English team, never did. :D
    6) I like the all yellow outfits of the Swedish team. They look like giant bananas in perfect contrast with the green soccer field.
    But why oh why did Henrik Larssen shave off his gorgeous dreadlocks??? He still has a beautiful face, though. ;)
    7) Ronaldo looks fat and sluggish. Brazil seemed a bit off their game but maybe it is just a warm up and we can expect a lot more from them.
    8) Zisou Zidane, Thierry Henry and Fabian Barthez are still in top shape and playing for Les Blues (France). Yay!
    9) The game has really evolved with the help of modern technology. Now we can see instant replays from different angles. The referees are armed with a device attached to their jaw and earphones so they can communicate.

    Ooops France vs Switzerland is now on.
    Allez la France!

    I'm logging off.

    Wednesday, June 14, 2006

    I got tagged by Single Guy
    Four jobs I would really stink at:
    1) Pilipino Teacher - My family always laughs at me when I mix up the conjugation of verbs in Tagalog.
    2) Nanny/Yaya - I don't have any patience nor tolerance for kids, I might end up crying like a baby from frustration.
    3) Taxi Driver - for the simple reason that I don't know how to drive, I will forever be a back seat driver.
    4) Tech Support - I would just shout at the customers for being so freaking stupid.

    Four pretend monickers I'll never live up to:
    1) Miss Spic n Span - cleaning is not my forte.
    2) Miss Adventurous - I'm not willing to try anything new. Even getting me to taste a new flavor of ice cream is an obstinate task.
    3) Miss Shopaholic - I'm not patient enough to shop till I drop.
    4) Miss Ambitious - I don't aim for anything, never did.


    Four movies I will NEVER watch again, ever:
    1) Solaris - George Clooney's little outer space adventure. Zzzzzz.
    2) Dumb and Dumberer - I watched this with a date. They (the movie and the guy) were both stupid!
    3) The Exorcist - Linda Blair's demonic possessions, her head turning around in 180 degrees. It permanently scared me off horror movies.
    4) Crash - Take note the one by David Cronenberg. A film about people who get off from watching people who are injured or perish in car accidents. Totally sick and perverted fetish.


    Four places that I would NEVER live in:
    1) New Zealand - there are more sheep than people there. I'm more of a city gal.
    2) Siberia - I love cold climates but freezing my tiny butt off for long periods of time is certainly not pleasant.
    3) Japan - Lost in Translation in a materialistic haven. Ugh!
    4) USA - the American dream? No, thanks.


    4 Things I HATE to do on my weekends:

    1) Clean the house
    2) Go to crowded malls
    3) Cook
    4) Watch a movie in a jampacked cinema


    Four TV shows I used to geek out to:
    1) Battlestar Gallactica
    2) Charlie's Angels - when Jacklyn Smith left the series, I stopped watching.
    3) The Wonder Years
    4) Hill Street Blues

    Four cigarette (or liquor) brands I've tried and enjoyed:
    (I don't smoke)
    1) Carlsberg Beer
    2) Corona Light
    3) Foster Light Ice (Australian beer)
    4) Ouzo (Greek drink)

    Yeah, I'm a beer guzzling brat!

    Four things I CAN live without:
    1) Hot Weather
    2) Bills
    3) Cigarettes
    4) Credit cards

    Four of my favorite cholesterol laden foods:
    1) Dinuguan
    2) Crispy Pata
    3) Taba ng Alingue
    4) Chicharon

    Four places I would rather be in right NOW
    (if I had the money that is):

    1) Paris, France
    2) Florence, Italy
    3) Bali, Indonesia
    4) Any stadium in Germany for the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2006.

    Monday, June 12, 2006

    Araw ng Kalayaan
    The invitation read:
    "Hinabing Gunita" - A grand asalto presenting a brief history of the Philippines through a rich tapestry of music, dance and tradition.
    Venue: Main theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines
    Date: Sunday, June 11, 2006
    Time: 8 p.m
    Attire: Filipiniana, Formal

    I haven't worn a Filipiniana outfit since my father retired from the diplomatic service over 5 years ago. So last night, I ransacked my wardrobe for any formal wear. I just decided to go with my simmering little black dress which amazingly still fits me. Woot! I tied my hair in a little bun, how dalagang Filipina, no? I accentuated the dress with the only native looking choker I could find, wore my black pearl earrings and my black heels.
    On a gloomy rainy night complete with thundering bolts of lightning illuminating the sky, my sister and I went off to the CCP.

    We were regaled for 1 1/2 hours. A musical journey that utilizes ageless Filipino classics and Filipino pop songs to reflect the realities of our history and the realization of our nationhood. The songs were given modern day interpretation but with strong linkage to our past.
    Songs like "Sino ang Baliw?", "Iduyan Mo", "Habang may Buhay". Timeless classics lyrically composed by Levi Celerio, Rey Valera, George Canseco, Ryan Cayabyab. They were powerfully performed by talented singers like Dulce, Bituin Escalante, Grace Nono, Jed Meddala and The Company among others. The Ramon Obusan dance troupe and Ballet Philippines entranced with their smooth moves. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra provided the melodious score for the performances.
    A rich colorful presentation of bright hues adorned the stage, the performers dressed in our native costumes, their loud melodic voices booming through the venue.

    It really makes me nostalgic of my former life, my "diplobrat" phase when attending diplomatic functions dressed to the nines in stiff native attires was the norm. Soirees where we showed the invited foreign guests how proud we were to be Filipinos. We saluted and feted the valiant efforts of our ancestors, the defenders of our culture, our race and our freedom.
    Ah, the good old days. I meant my good old days.
    I'm not sure I could have survived all those hardships during the Spanish invasion era nor the atrocities during the harsh Japanese imperalist occupation of our beloved land.

    Anyways.

    The last part of the show ended with Lolo Pepe (Jose Rizal if he had lived to a ripe old age, portrayed brilliantly by Nonie Buencamino) addressing the audience. He told us not to lose hope for our country, to celebrate the greatness of its people and most of all to cherish and safeguard our freedom. For the finale, all the performers were on stage, waving flags (which they also distributed among the audience) and we all sang the National Anthem at the top of our lungs.

    So let's all have a good, peaceful 108th Independence Day, today.
    Let us stop bickering among ourselves, be proud of our race, hold our heads up high and not give up hope for this nation. We must praise God to high heavens for our often forsaken and much maligned freedom.
    Happy National Day!!!

    Friday, June 09, 2006

    Cute!
    This picture of baby Shiloh Nouvel was bought for a whooping US$4.1 million by Getty Images.
    They in turn sold the rights to both Hello (Europe based) and People (USA) magazines.
    The money will be donated to a charity institution.
    But still isn't it exploitation?

    Oh well.

    All together now .... Awwwww how cute!

    Shiloh Nouvel Jolie Pitt

    Thursday, June 08, 2006

    Vive le cinema Francais!
    Event => the 11th French Film Festival.

    Venue => The Edsa Shangri-la Plaza Cineplex.

    Duration => June 8, 2006 - June 18, 2006.

    Schedule => click here.

    Wednesday, June 07, 2006

    An interesting article
    My BFF* emailed me this article about Dubai.
    Pepe Escobar is a Brazilian writer/contributor for the Asian Times, a publication based in HongKong.
    It is a long diatribe but a fascinating read nonetheless.
    He nailed it with his apt description about life in the UAE.
    A place I called home for 6 years. (1995 - 2001).
    I admit I do miss my lifestyle in Dubai.
    But at the same time, I am saddened to read about the way it is developing into a rather faux society.
    I figure you know what I mean by that.
    I am more of a traditionalist.
    I firmly believe a place can progress and strive in these modern times without losing its rich cultural and historical identity.

    Dubai: The Capital of Globalism
    Dubai will soon boast the world's tallest building, the largest hotel, the largest this and the largest that. It's well on its way to becoming the first modern Arab metropolis, but in this triumph for globalization, the whole glittering facade is supported by an underclass of "invisible" foreign workers with no rights. - Pepe Escobar.

    *BFF - Best Friend Forever

    Tuesday, June 06, 2006

    Sign #234 I'm an Internet junkie
    Last night, I was already nicely tucked in bed reading a book.
    I came across a word I didn't understand.
    Instead of reaching for the dictionary which I conveniently put on my bed side table, I get out of bed, switch on my computer, patiently waited while it booted up then I logged on to the internet.
    I go to this site, key in the word and read its meaning. I grasped the context of the word vis a vis the sentence in the book. I then log off the Internet, go through the motions of shutting down my computer, go back to bed, read a bit and fell asleep with the lights on.
    I am too lazy sleepy to switch the lights off but I patiently go through the routine of booting up my computer just to check a word.

    Go figure!

    By the way, the word was pedantic
    Main Entry: pe-dan-tic
    Pronunciation: pi-'dan-tik
    Function: adjective
    1 : of, relating to, or being a pedant
    2 : narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned
    3 : UNIMAGINATIVE, PEDESTRIAN

    Sunday, June 04, 2006

    Healthy snack
    I have to admit I'm not one of those health freaks who counts every single calories they eat in their food intake. I don't restrict myself when it comes to food, I can eat anything well except ampalaya and asparagus. Ewww.
    But I *do* watch the quantity of food I gobble down and eat almost everything in moderation.
    So after a delicious home cooked Sunday lunch at my parents' place, I was rummaging through my mother's pantry for some items I was in short supply of in my own pantry. Gosh, if you saw my mother's pantry you would think she owes a grocery store with all those items stuffing her kitchen cabinet to the brim.
    So anyways, I came across this box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal. Each box contains individually wrapped instant oatmeal packs. You simply add water (hot or cold according to your taste) and voila you have a nutritious healthy snack to munch on. It can be served for breakfast. Or for those in-between-meals-time which we tend to devote to junk food like potato chips and peanuts. Hmm now don't get me wrong, this doesn't necessarily mean I would completely stop bingeing on junk food. No siree that would be a violation of my human rights.
    So back to the Quaker instant oatmeal packs, it comes in two flavors - Vanilla and Chocolate. I have to warn you though it has a rather strong distinct vanilla taste. It might be too sweet for your taste. Personally, I don't mind it since I have a rather sweet tooth. But I'm not sure about the chocolate flavored oatmeal. I mean, sure I love chocolates et al but I still prefer to eat champorado with tuyo which would definitely taste much better than oatmeal, right?

    Hmmm now I'm hungry again!

    Friday, June 02, 2006

    Pamper Me Friday
    I felt it was time I got out of my little work station for some pampering aka my alone time.
    I made my way to SM Megamall.
    First stop, the beauty salon for hot oil treatment and a trim.
    Next, I dropped by the chapel to murmur a little prayer.
    Lunch was a piping hot Shark's Fin ramen and California Maki with iced tea. After paying some bills, I figured I still had time to sneak in a movie.
    So I entered cinema 5 to watch a film that makes a big deal about a guy in his 30s who still lives with his parents. Heh obviously it is a Western culture thingie, try that scenario here and people would just shrug and go "So what?" While I was watching, my sister texts me to say it is raining heavily and was wondering where the heck I was. I told her I was watching Matthew McConaughey and I would be home shortly. Shortly was an understatement since I had to wait for hours for a taxi and worse I didn't have an umbrella with me.
    But believe it or not, I still had a smile on my face.

    Why?

    Well simply because my hair smelled of apple mint conditioner and my naturally wavy (buhaghag) hair is straight, not a single curl on my thick head, for now. Yay! =)