On Hiatus for a while.

As some of you know, my classes started yesterday, April 20. I didn't go to classes since it's the first day and all; I only attended the first one and spent the afternoon with boyfriend and a few friends, I missed 3 classes LOL. Even though my classes are only MWF, I go home 6PM and it's really tiring, I swear I don't have the strength to do anything, I can't even turn on the computer and check out daily sites that I dig!

So I have to stop blogging for a while but I'll continue to visit your blogs and try to do the Town Shootouts, I just need some rest as I'm actually having a bit of a blogger's block LOL. Give me a week or so to rest and adjust to my new environment (new school, new friends, etc.) and I'll come back when I have something to write.

Much Love,

Town Shootout: Native Restaurants and Food

It's Friday morning in here so here I go again and the rest of the Friday Shootout Gang (Reggie Girl thought of that) bringing you another week of free trips, fancy photos, adventures and a whole lot more from Metro Manila, Philippines. This week's episode is again packed with adventures and oodles of goodies and is chosen by the lovely Loida of Welcome to 2L3B's World....

Now you know you want to see some more and perhaps better adventures and photos than this one here so I say click and visit on one or two of those links on the right side of this blog under 'Friday Town Shootout Participants'. Trust me, you will never be disappointed. Also, we're asking everyone up for this kind of thing to join us every Friday. No strict rules - just point and shoot with respect to the theme and improvise a little! Hope to see YOU next week.

This fast food restaurant is called Karasa in 168 Mall, Divisoria, Metro Manila. They have various Philippine dishes like Lechon Kawali (Roasted pig), Sisig (Ground Pork or Beef with Liver) with Egg, Roasted Chicken and a whole lot more. People line up, say their orders and these girls hand it to them on a sizzling plate. On the other end of the line is the Cashier and people sit down on various seats and tables in the Food Court. Mom ordered Talong (Eggplant) in Karasa. I didn't eat it because it looks scary LOL.

Another famous Philippine Dish, Liempo or Grilled Spareribs. Filipinos usually eat Liempo with Rice, sometimes accompanied with Egg and gravy. Most popular and the best tasting gravy (or maybe it's a sauce?) would be Mang Tomas, also featured above. Grilled Spareribs is one of my favorite Filipino dishes!

Saging na Saba. I don't know its English name but it is sliced bananas in a sweet concoction of sugar and sago. Mom prepared this, by the way.

This is one of the Fast Food restaurants in Landmark Food Court, Makati. If there is ever a National Fast Food Chain here in the Philippines, it would be Jollibee, strongly competing with McDonald's.

While at the Food Court in Landmark, Makati, we ordered from Porky's. Mom ordered the first photo. Picadillo with sliced bananas, egg and rice. Ordered the second photo, Picadillo with Porkchop and Vegetables. Of course we'll come back for more. Are you drooling now? LOL.

In my previous post I mentioned going to Guilly's, Glorietta 5, Makati, for my brother's birthday. It was a simple birthday with extraordinary dishes! First photo is Tofu with vegetables; Second is Nilagang Baka. I don't really know what it is in English but it is Beef thrown in with potatoes, vegetables and sometimes bananas. Third is Garlic Chicken and 4th, Fish Fillet with French Fries. Okay, the last one is not exactly a native dish but I just had to put that in because it was my favorite dish that night LOL.

Okay, I really hope you guys enjoyed, that was a pretty long post, sorry for taking so much of your time LOL.

Much Love,

Trip in the City.

Yesterday we went to Alabang, Muntinlupa (also a part of Metro Manila) to pick up a package for my brother as it was also his birthday yesterday. He got some sort of an iPhone called Samsung P2.

It was unbearably hot yesterday, I don't understand why some people can stand the heat! I don't know why but every time I go out of the house for the whole day, I come back sick when I get home in the evening LOL. It's the first time we got out of the house ever since my vacation so I was happy to go out even though it's hot!

CLICK EVERY PHOTO YOU THINK IS INTERESTING TO ENLARGE.

Sky looks like this yesterday before we went out. The clouds look a bit gloomy but trust me, it was so hot outside!

As you can see, Alabang is a little barren but if given a decade more, it would boost and grow like Makati with all the office buildings and maybe Malls. Right now, the place is pretty green. This part of Metro Manila is actually so clean I had a hard time to spot candy wrappers - in some parts anyway LOL.

People under the shade of a tree. Even if under a tree, it's still so hot I'm surprised they haven't taken their clothes off!

We don't often see this kind of architecture here in Metro Manila. This one's situated beside the Highway, I dream of having to hang out in there someday!

One of the busy streets in Alabang. If you click to enlarge, there's actually black fog amidst the roar of vehicles LOL.

A little zooming on one of those Philippine Jeepneys and we get this. The Jeepney is the primary mode of transportation here in the Philippines. And the primary smoke belchers! They're the King of the Streets. Jeepneys are public transportations and if I'm not mistaken, the National Vehicle of the Philippines or something like that LOL. Jeepneys can have a capacity of 18-22 people, depending how long the seats are. They have different routes.

Pretty garden in Alabang Hills. We're on the way to that building in the distance. It was a good walk but still so hot. Yeah, how many times I've used 'hot' in this post LOL.

So anyway we got home, rested for a while and went out for Dinner to celebrate my brother's birthday. He asked his two best friends to come, we ate at Guilly's Island in Glorietta 5, Makati. I didn't take any good shots of the restaurant because there were many people around, it would look weird for me to just snap photos while they talk and dine with their friends and family LOL. I had some shots of the foods prepared but I'll be saving that for the upcoming Friday Town Shootout!

In the meantime here's some photos of the Makati at night.


Okay, hope you guys had fun and see YOU at the Friday Town Shootout. Topic on Friday is restaurants around town and food.

Much Love,

Being given an Award.

I've been given this Neno's Award by Ron Centeno of In My Own Words and Sardonyx of Hula, Scoop, Atbp - Talk about having the same Awards from 2 different people LOL. This may not be an Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, or a Golden Globe Award but I appreciate these two people for appreciating my efforts when it comes to the world of blogging.

Now I have to write why I love blogging. (The award requires it.)

• I originally created this blog so that I can record all the things in my life. Okay, not all as I choose not to share other personal things, just the surface of the whole thing.
• Social networking. It's alright if strangers read whatever I have to say. Eventually these strangers become my friends anyway.
  
• I can explore the world through other people's blogs. Isn't it amazing to see all the other countries in the world I might not visit someday? Take for example the Friday Town Shootout (Anyone can join, ask me about that if interested). It's amazing to have different themes every week and see the world through other people's lens. Usually only pictures but it is awesome having to surf through Canada, US, Japan, China and other countries out of my reach.. for the meantime.
• I blog because I want to let out my other emotions. The other emotions goes to the ears of my awesome friends.
• I can learn loads of things by reading people's blogs. I have a dream to participate in a certain game show LOL that requires brains and show off whatever I have learned through other people's blogs and other mediums. Isn't that awesome or was that just plain nerdy LOL.
• I'm always interested in what people have to say around the world so I'm always excited to read comments and their opinions. And hey, I'll be a Psychologist someday!
• Oh and I also blog to improve my writing because I know I'm not the best when it comes to grammar but absolutely conscious when it comes to it. Oh and I'm not a Writer and never will be even if I try hard LOL.
  

The aims of this award:

• As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

• To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!

• Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it

• Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

• Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

• Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

• Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

I also would like to give an award to these people: (Hope you wouldn't mind!)

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff...
Life is too short to be ordinary...
balut & natto
Crisfield, Maryland
Shadowmoon - Papercraft & etc
Redlan's web of arts
intrepid traveler
An Explorer's View of Life
Zeus Gazette
John abuzz
Shey_strides
Sawdust Action
MAKE MONEY ONLINE FREE!!! -- testimonial of a skeptic
Welcome to 2L3B's World...
Lend Me Your Eyes
Padfoot and Prongs
Blonde Mav's Movie Reviews and Musings
Reena's Thoughts

P.S., I gotta give props to these people who always swing by on my page. You don't have to do a blog about this or tag some people even though that's what the rules say LOL. I just appreciate that you guys never forget to remember me! :)

Much Love,

Town Shootout: Main Street

Yay, it's that time of the week again, Friday Town Shootouts! Before you continue, read this! I actually feature 3 neighborhoods as I always end up going from one end of a certain district to another so yes, I consider the 3 neighborhoods my 'Town'. Here in the Philippines, we don't really use the word town to describe certain locations. Either it's a city, municipality or a province. I live in the capital which is Manila, so I'm going to show you the 3 neighborhoods which I consider my 'Town'. Wait, isn't that a little cheating? LOL. I'm going to show you the best of Manila anyway.

We also don't have 'Main' Streets in here but I understand it's like the busiest and the most important street in a certain place. We sort of have many 'main' streets in here.

OTHER PARTICIPANTS:
Flowers and more in Brazil
The Butler and Bagman Chronicles in Charleston, SC
TRAVELOG in Japan
Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... in Newnan, Georgia
Welcome to 2L3B's World... in Shenzhen, China
Crisfield, Maryland
An Explorer's View of Life in Toronto, Canada
A Scattering in Ontario, Canada
Papa And Mema in St. Augustine

CLICK EVERY PHOTO TO ENLARGE.

That's the Sta. Ana Church in the left and a Police Station beside it. Didn't get a good shot because I can't take my camera out for too long. Someone might snatch it LOL.

Sta.Ana busy Market. I always see the old woman on the right side. A year ago she was selling biscuits now she's only selling cigarettes. Poor lady! May God bless her; she doesn't deserve to work anymore.

Another busy street in Sta. Ana. That is an old school converted to businesses. The tricycles you see here wait all day under the blazing sun.

This is a sidewalk in one of Paco's many main streets. Vendors almost always block the sidewalk, giving little space for pedestrians who are going to cross the streets.

Now we go to Makati. This photo was taken in Makati Ave., one of Makati's many busy and 'main' streets. People almost always encounter traffic in here.


This is not a main street but I just wanted to show this to you guys to give you an idea of the neighborhoods around Manila. The people are always scattered in the roads LOL, tangled wires and vehicles just parked any where people feel like it.

This is one of Makati's extravagant Malls, probably the most popular, Glorietta. This is where I usually go to hang out with friends, watch movies, etc.

Another busy street in Makati.

One busy and important street in Makati. There's the Post Office, a nearby Police and Fire Station which we can't see in this photo, various schools and Call Centers are situated in here. I think this is Gil Puyat Street. Or maybe Avenue? LOL.

Quite a sight in the middle of an intersection in Makati. The Manila Peninsula owns this 'landmark'.

Hope you guys enjoyed as much as I did! Do come to Manila, Philippines, we're probably the friendliest country in all of Southeast Asia. Beat that other Southeast Asian countries! :P Just kidding, haha.

Much Love,

P.S. It's already 2AM in here, I'll edit this post when I wake up in the morning LOL. I have to put in links to the participants.

Banana Split.

If you look at my previous blog, I ranted, the first in a very long time, now I'm feeling all good, I just had to write this post before I go with Mom to buy ingredients for a Banana Split because of the awesome blogger at The MAIN ingredient who blogged about a Banana Split LOL. I really have nothing to write today so I'm just gonna keep it short, just a little update about what's going on with my life - it will also serve as a filler for the Town Shootout this Friday, I encourage you to join us, just take a photo of your Main street and improvise a little! It's gonna be fun, free town/city trips.

• I hope y'all like the new layout, I like the header, it's more appropriate for this Ardent Cosmic Journey. Haha, that sounds funny.. for me anyway. It sounds a little cheesy! I wasn't the one who created the layout, credits go to Pannasmontata.
• It's the Holy Week. While everyone is out of the city, (it's sort of a tradition here in the Philippines to go to the provinces and spend Holy Week there) we'll stay in. We really don't have anywhere to go to! Even if we plan to go somewhere, there are too many bills to be taken cared of.
• It's a good time to go to Philippines, by the way. You'll see the Senakulo the Philippine version of Christ's suffering. It starts with someone carrying the cross, some people slashing their backs with some sort of a cilice, someone getting nailed on the cross literally. It's crazy but it's a sight, I'm sure there would be Filipino bloggers who whould be featuring these things in their photo blogs.
• I have a new boyfriend, I can't believe he waited 9 months for me. I really have no idea LOL. That's one of the reasons I'm feeling all good now, I think I want to party LOL. I have someone new to boss around!
  
• Just a few more days to go before school starts, April 20! I'm practically bored and this is the first time I said that for this whole vacation. I thought movies, books, music, etc. will keep me happy for the whole month! Wrong!
  
• I watched a few movies these past few days: Baler (Pinoys, watch this, it won Best Picture sa Famas), Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (Sort of rude, funny but corny LOL), Marley & Me (A real family movie, there's something for the parents, there's something for the kids, Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson make a perfect couple! By the way, 17 dogs were used as Marley in the movie LOL), Role Models (Paul Rudd is hot, he's like my new favie actor), The Bank Job (It was okay, Paul Statham was good), The Fall (Lee Pace, you're the man and the cute little Catinca Untaru is such a sweetie pie!), and The Savages (I'm loving Philip Seymour Hoffman more).
• I'm still reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, haven't been reading much these days!

As promised, I'll be keeping it short, you're probably bored right now, having to read all those. I think this is my shortest post ever.. for the meantime. I'm gonna take a bath and go with Mom to the Market now!

I hate being a girl.. sometimes.

Featured Blog:
MAKE MONEY ONLINE FREE!! - - testimonial of a skeptic
by TriNi

P.S., Wanna make money online free? In this recession, you know you need it! You can make money just by answering surveys! How cool is that? I'm not going to feature the blog above if it's only a scam! I've seen enough and it's high time for me to share this to you, reader! Absolutely not a scam and hassle free! Hop on over to her blog. Thank me later for telling you!

- - -

I need to rant today. I was having my menstrual cramps yesterday (yes, I have to put that in) and a talk about women shouldering all the burden of probably the whole world. First off, sometimes I hate being a girl. Why? I list them all below!

• Dysmenorrhea. Under this, a woman experiences menstrual cramps; aching of the lower belly, sometimes vomiting and err, constant pooping or a really bad case of pooping. I experience the cramps most of the time and I go crazy like I roll on the floor and well.. I roll around the house hoping there must be one furniture or some space in the house that can make me feel better. Guess what, nothing did! I started to calm down when I asked my Mom and my little brother to massage my back. Good thing I fell asleep. The pain lasts for 2-3 hours every time. Translation: I go totally ballistic for 2-3 hours.

That's just the morning sun - it gets even hotter at Lunch.

• I forgot to say above that we have our monthly period and during those days, women are usually irritated or they really have short temper. Like now, for example, I'm ranting and I'm irritated and I hate this stupid humid weather LOL. I hate the sticky feeling, I hate the roof, I hate the sun, I hate that we don't have snow, I hate the cloudless sky, I hate the stupid rain for not coming around! LOL. But I love you for reading this!

My nephew when he's really hungry LOL.

• Next, giving birth to a child. Not only do you have to walk around having a huge belly for 9 months and having a restricted diet and activities, giving birth to babies is painful! According to my Mom, it's really painful to give birth to a child but after it comes out of the womb, it seems like all the happiness rained down on her or something LOL. Now that's an incentive! She told me she's like the happiest woman ever when she gave birth to me and my brother.

• Household chores and taking care of the kids - we all know what happens in those 2 responsibilities. I kinda hate how the society goes like, "Oh, you're the woman, you have to do this and that while the men have to go to work and blah blah!" Wash the dishes, change the diapers, the list goes on and on! I admire guys who do household chores and change diapers. It's never gay like some people might think.

Shopping for clothes the other day. Ended up buying 2 tops for school!

• Clothes and shopping. Guys can just wear some jeans and some shirt and they can still look good. Women have to wear accessories, match the color of this and that, look presentable, shop for clothes for an eternity, wear this or that because it's the "in" thing, buy signature brands because it's cool and the list goes on and on!

There are a million other reasons why I sometimes hate being a girl but this will suffice for now.

It's funny because I sometimes like the idea of monthly periods because it cleans whatever it is on your system. My Mom gave birth to me and she was happy; according to her, I turned out well, a good kid. I think she's not saying the truth LOL. According to Moms, it is hard work to do almost everything but for some reason, fun. For whatever that reason is, it's one of the world's greatest secrets. I like clothes and shopping (yes, sometimes) because I feel like it is appreciating what the Creator (or whoever it is up there) has given me. Society just makes it worse and fun too, I guess.

There are advantages and disadvantages.

I still love being a woman. Wait, I think I like the term girl or lady better LOL.

If I Was A Man - Jessica Sutta of The Pussycat Dolls

- - -

What are the things you love as a woman? Maybe you find everything above really awesome while I'm very bittersweet at it! As for guys (lucky!), what are the things that you hate being a guy?

Join us at our Friday shootout! Friday's topic is a photo of your main street - the busiest and the most important street in your town. Take a photo of your main street's 4-6 blocks and improvise a little! Be sure to join us, the more the merrier! Anyone can join, show off your town/city/country!

Town Shootout: Wildlife

Featured Blog Post:
The Looban:Life Inside the River Slums (2)
by Dennis Villegas

P.S., Ever wonder how the slums in the Philippines look like? Look no further than the blog post above!

- - -

The awesome guy at The Butler and Bagman Chronicles was the one assigned for this Friday's shootout - Wildlife. I live in the City so forests are miles away from here LOL. Even a good patch of plants and trees are few but I managed to get a few ones for the shootout. Just a few animals for this Wildlife post; I'll make it up with more of plants, trees and shrubs of someone's backyard, hope you guys enjoy anyway. Most of the animals around here (cats and dogs) are tamed. Including them would not be wildlife at all lol! Click photos to enlarge. I recommend it!

Town Shootout Participants:

The Butler and Bagman Chronicles
Crisfield, Maryland
Welcome to 2L3B's World...
Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff...
An Explorer's View of Life
GingerV
TRAVELOG
J9 And Stuff
2009 in Pictures
Friday Shoot-outs from Florida

Make sure you guys participate in the next Town Shootout! Just drop a line to Patty at Crisfield, Maryland if you're interested! :) Make sure to drop by those links above too if you wanna see REAL Wildlife LOL.

This is in a little park in our town. Just thought that everything looks so green and pretty! The plants are pretty wild LOL. Again, photos are better if enlarged! People can go jogging and walk their dogs around this round park. It's a rotunda but I like to call it a "Round Park". There is even a fountain but I didn't get to take a photo of it! Someone might snatch my camera hahaha!

The two patches of land above belong to a nearby Bank. Poor rock trapped in a sea of plants! (I really don't know what to call 'em! Not into Gardening!)

It's pretty funny how we have those Pine Trees in there! (Are those Pine Trees?)

I think this one screams"Wildlife!" the most!

Tamed love birds so it ain't wildlife but I have to put animals in here or else the awesome guy at The Butler and Bagman Chronicles might get angry at me for not following the rules LOL. These birds belong to my Aunt who lives next door.

It's kinda sad to not see birds anymore. There was a time I could still see Robins and lots of them; even Pigeons! I don't even see ants anymore LOL. Just lazy cats and a few dogs. I guess that's what you get when you live in the city.

Hope you guys enjoyed as much as I did putting this together. Will go over to your blogs later, I need to get some sleep!

Much Love,