30, fabulous and grateful!

Today, I turned 30…yikes! I cant believe how time flies...yesterday, it was as if I was just your regular ordinary high school kid and now... errr, I am just your ordinary working girl! Dare I say NOT! hahaha

well I am... but in my mind and in my heart I'm an extra-ordinary woman who has lived an extra-ordinary life. (note the emphasis on "in my mind and in my mind" hehehe)

30 for me is like a milestone... a big LEAP on human life...on MY life!

I should and I AM thankful.

Before I started my “30” life I sort of treated myself with some good ‘ol Chinese (I think) cuisine. I bought my favorite Lemon Chicken, Fried Shark’s Fin Dimsum and Yang Chow Fried Rice. And since mom is sick, I bought some Super Congee just for her.

Lemon Chicken

(Breaded chicken with lemon sauce )

Fried Shark’s Fin Dimsum

(Shirmp and pork wrapped in siomai wrapper)

Yang Chow Fried Rice

(Egg fried rice with shrimps, chopped pork asado, carrots, and green peas)

BIRTHDAY DAY ITSELF.

I took a leave from work, as I wanted to enjoy the day without any hassles from the office. At first I thought I would be spending the day just lounging in my bed…as I have no planned agenda. Plus, everyone in the house is sick (they have flu) so I don’t really expect that much. The night before, I bought myself some mango cake. Why (you may ask), because I always equate birthdays with cakes. So for me, a birthday cannot NOT have a cake.

That’s it! That’s the whole birthday plan!

But my mom, (sick as she is went out—without my knowledge—and bought some ingredients forPasta Carbonara and even bought me some Mocha Cake Roll. ) I was really touched. She shouldn’t have exerted that much effort..but she said that I turn 30 only once. :D

my Carbonara...yum! cooked with love

Mocha roll cake

I received two more cakes: Green Tea Cake from our family friend, Tita Alice, and Nocciola Gateau cake from my sister-in-law.

Green tea cake from Tita Alice

Nocciola Gateau cake bought from Amici

Over all, I’m happy. Overall, life has been good to me.

I am thankful.

I am thankful for these:

1) I'm thankful to God--that's a given. You know my heart's desire Lord...thank you for all the blessings!

2) my parents.

Literally, without them, I won't be here. But I am not just thankful to them for my existence, I am most thankful for all the things they've done for me. The sacrifices they've made and the problems they've hurdled just so I can have a shot at life.

We were not financially rich, but they never made me feel I lack things in life. In fact, they've made me feel rich--at heart! Growing up, I have always felt loved.

One thing I'm proud about my parents is that they engraved in me the value of education. They often say that the only "inheritance" they can and will give us is our education. And I've seen them worked hard just to give us just the best kind of quality education a kid can get.

But most of all, I am thankful for their unconditional love. I'm not the greatest daughter a parent could have, but they surely made me feel like I have the bestest parents in the world! Sure, we don’t often see eye to eye, sure we had our "occasional" arguments, but I know, in the end that they will choose my side, that they got my back, that I have an ally in them in whatever battles I might encounter in the future. They never made me feel I’m alone. And for that kind of love that they've given and are giving me, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THEM.

(Ma, pa, if you're reading this... I LOVE YOU FROM MY BOTTOMLESS HEART. The love I have for you is indescribable, and I cry that I don’t get to say these stuff to you often...you always find it corny or cheesy when I say I love you...but you know what, I really do love you. I’d give the world to you both, if I can. You deserve so much more in this world, and I wish in the future I’ll be able to give back even just a fraction of what you've given me. I wish that you know that you are my life.)

3) my kuya

Yes you have a special spot in this blog entry brother! :D Why, you may ask when all our lives we live like we were cats and dogs—always fighting, always arguing. But you know what kuya, you're the greatest big brother a younger (sometimes bratty) sibling can have.

I remember snippets from our childhood—you were always annoyed with me when I try to tag along with your friends but always too, in the end, you allow me to be part of that small group of yours. I know that even if you were playing you kept one eye glued on me, because you're my kuya. because you're job was to look after me, and you did. Thank you!

I don’t know if I remember it by my actual memory of the incident or by countless recollection of our relatives... but this story has been etched in my brain. During that one dusk...I was running after you and your friends, and I fell flat on my face. My head hit something sharp on the ground and you looked back at me and saw me with blood gushing from my forehead. You went to me, took my arms over your shoulders, trying to get us both home. Trying to carry both our weights. You were so scared, so nervous as blood has already covered my eyes and you kept repeating "pitie, wag kang mamatay...pitie wag kang mamatay" ("pitie, please dont die, pitie dont die one me...") I was five back then, you were seven, but the memory was still clear, as if it happened yesterday. And every time I think about that day, I cry.
I cry because I felt your love. No other words during that time can best describe how important I was to you. And you are important to me to, kuya—my greatest big brother!

Plus, how can I not love you when you gave me a cutie niece and a sister-in-law! Hehehe I love you kuya!

4) My niece—clairebear

Claire, you're my constant source of happiness. My daily dose of reality. When things get heavy and world we live in becomes too complicated, I try to look at it in your eyes. The simplicity of things, the purity of one's soul, the good intention of people...

You're eyes are not yet tainted with first impressions, your heart has only goodness to exude, your spirit is still carefree.

You make me want to be a better person, for me to help build a better world for you to grow up in. You may not be my child, you may not come from my womb, but this I tell you, my heart belongs to you. You’ll forever be my baby...

5) family as a whole

I don’t want to put relatives in here as a category, coz the word "relatives" does not depict how closely knit we are! We are "family" in the truest sense of the word. I can always rely on you guys for support especially during those times I need them most! I know I can always count on you! :D

6) there are my childhood friends...

Funny, most of the peeps I grew up with were boys...mostly the friends of my brother. I can count them (YOU :D) too as my friends! (wala kayong choice!haha) You guys became my friend the moment you let me tag along with you whenever you play... but that was years ago. Now i hardly see you because you are all grown men! But just the same I’m glad to have met you and I’m lucky to have kuyas in you. Thank God for facebook, I re-connect with you guys again! :D

7) my elementary buddies and besties.

You know who you are but I’d like to name a few... Kukai and Marsha—my constant friends. Through thick and thin (well I grew thick and they grew thin! hahaha), in birth and lack thereof (they've already given birth to beautiful baby girls, I haven’t given birth, at all! hahaha), despite distance—one is living in antipolo, another in parañaque—we remain friends, good friends in fact. We may not call or text or correspond that much with each other but the sense of "closeness" remains the same. I love you girls! AND ALL THOSE ELEMENTARY BUDDIES I HAVE—GIRLS AND BOYS! (note: only recently did I reconnect with most of them and iloveeeet!)

8) the Blackbeauties.

You girls are the best! 14 years of friendship (and counting) is no joke! The distance was never an issue. Relationships with others did not tore us apart. We always are each others support system. The love I have for your girls is enormous! I love you!

9) KYLA, MAAN, RIA

What? 16 years???? You are the first few people I became close with as a freshman in high school. We’ve all hurdled the battle of being a “newbie”. You guys, I’d like to say, keep me grounded! I see all your achievements in life and I am amaze at how humble you are. You see things in deep appreciation. I love you!

10) DLSU buddies

College wouldn’t be the same without you. We may lack communication now, but you are a major part of my life. Thank you for the wonderful memories. Hope we could re-connect again. I know its partly my fault…I’m sorry! I’ll try to reach out! :D

11) BACKROW GIRLS

Gels, you’re are the GREATEST!!!!! I love you from my bottomless heart! You cannot imagine how I truly appreciate your existence. I love our laughters! I love our crazy ideas! I love how we can make things simple, despite all the complications! I love our friendship and how we strive to maintain its “youthfulness”. I love how we can handle things as a group. I love you! :D

12) ARELLANO PEEPS

What can I say to you guys? I simply am thankful that you helped me get through some toughest years in my life! I just hope we can bring back the old times! Because I missed you so much!

13) EMCI peeps

Thank you because you made me explore the world—literally and figuratively! Your ideas are the wackiest. And you always manage to keep things “real”! Let’s have more dinners/lunches… Let’s have more fun! “D

14) Work.

I'm thankful for my work! hahaha I may not love you all the time! But i'm guessing you're just an acquired taste...hoping sooner or later you'll come around!

30 years has been an adventure! And I’d love to have more adventures in the next more years!!!!

Cheers to good life!

prettytwistedchick

valentine's day

ahhhh its valentine's day once again.

if you're single (like me) you probably dread this day. why? because the moment i stepped out of the house this morning, i am reminded as to my single status. if for couples its valentine's day, for us singles, today is single awareness day! (for others, they termed it as SINGLES INDEPENDENCE DAY but independent from what, may i ask?!?)

yep, that we are!

i'm not bitter or anything (although i project the image that i am bitter hahaha) i am still hopeful that one day, in the near future, love will come my way. :D

so as i've said, its single awareness day... everywhere i go there are flowers scattered, chocolates, people wearing RED dresses/shirts... i, on the other hand, wore black and white dress and pearls (just to be contrary!haha)

since i dont usually wear a dress in the office (it's hard to commute wearing heels + dress) everyone was teasing me as they thought that i have a date.

"nope, i dont have a date" i said. "but i am open to the possibility that at the last minute, someone may conjure enough nerves to ask me out!" hahaha

(to someone who at one point or another toyed with the possibility of spending valentines day with me, you should have had the nerve to ask me out--i learned my lesson, i will not be too grouchy anymore hahaha)

plus I may be dateless today but that does not mean I’m loved-less… I have all the love of my family and friends for now its more than enough… although prince charming is welcome to join the club hehehe...

anyhow, forget about dates...it has been water under the bridge :) on to the main topic:

i loved my breakfast for today! i had one grande (hot) cafe mocha, one dark chocolate macadamia cookie and one FREE VIA ready brew sachet (all from my ever reliable morning cafe, Starbucks!)

yum right?!?

the reason for my early coffee "splurge" was because i'm fueling up for a very tiring day ahead... why do i say so? because my most annoying "client" (if i can call her that--i dont have clients but i have no other way to call her) will drop by the office today (around 1.30pm) hence i need all the ENERGY and POSITIVITY i can get! i tell you, once you meet her, all your energy, patience and strength will definitelydrain!

i just hope it will be finished soon enough! :D

my morning "clients" were pretty much a-okay..i thought today will be hell day but i guess only in the afternoon! anyhow, i'm happy (so far!)

have a happy valentines day!

note: my day turned out pretty calm and uneventful! my annoying "client" was actually tamed today...i wonder why... i should now brace myself for the next outburst!

date-less but not love-less

prettytwistedchick

Abe, where good friends dine

Abe…. Where good friends dine!

the menu cover

Indeed Abe (pronounced as ah-beh) is where good, no make it GREAT, friends dine!

from the group that brought us Cafe Adriatico and more...

Last Friday, Che called for a dinner to discuss our upcoming Baguio trip. I, Mai, Millet and Claire expressed our agreement to attend. The schemers, (yes I am calling them schemers), Che and Mai agreed to meet at Abe Trinoma around 7pm. They said that the late comer will shoulder the bill for the night—having in mind that since I’ll be coming from Makati that I’ll surely be late. Ha! Karma backfired on them, coz I got off from work around 4.30 and was already in Trinoma around 5.30 (a good an hour and a half early!). Che arrived next, around 6.30 and told me that Claire suddenly was not feeling well, hence she wouldn’t be able to make it. Mai and Millet came last—more than an hour late. Che and I were already in Abe around 7pm and Mai and Millet arrived around 8pm.

those in attendance

Food at Abe were gooooood!

Che and I ordered the squid tactics as appetizer…and while waiting for Mai and Millet (so that the waiter will not throw us out if the restaurant for occupying a table). Squid tactics was GREAT! I likened it to calamares only lighter…I like the sauce, a bit sweet and spicy—just the right combo! YUM!

yummmy squid tactics!

When Mai and Millet arrived, we let them know that we already ordered Lamb Adobo, Rellenong Mais, Binukadkad na Pla-Pla and for dessert, Choco Fondue with Fried Suman. But the two added a few more dishes—Sisig ng Pangasinan and Pork Sinigang.

Rellenong Mais...i like!

uber tender Lamb Adobo

(i personally call it ADOBONG SOSYAL!)

Binukadkad na Pla-Pla--it sure was sliced opened!

pork sinigang

sisig ng Pangasinan (although i dont really tasted the difference from other sisig that i'v eaten)

taste of Filipino dessert with a twist!

Choco Fondue and Fried Suman--can you spell YUMMM??

We were stuffed! I loved the Rellenong Mais, it looked llike hash brown but more filling! The Lamb Adobo was soooo tender, felt like the meat actually melted when you bite into it! Binukadkad na Pla-Pla was cool, as weel, I liked their presentation of the dish, but not really THAT spectacular—it was good though, if you’re a fish person you’ll probably like it! Their Sisig and Sinigang was alright as well…:D What I found amazing was their fondue. I never had my suman fried before, so that was surely something new! I realized that fried suman and chocolate is a good combination.

the great friends at Abe

The meal was good but the conversation was even better. We were catching up on what’s going on in the lives of everyone. The real purpose of our dinner was forgotten… we were busy laughing our hearts content!

Then we had a bucket of light beer and calamares at Jack’s Loft. Our Baguio Trip discussion took us about (maximum of) 20minutes. The rest are ladies chitchatting.. (again!) I supposed we never run out of conversation…hehehe

my drink at Jack's Loft

calamares, something to munch on while drinking

Then Che had to leave early (around 11pm) coz she has work the next day. Mai, Millet and I went to Giligans for another round of light beers. I ordered cola this time, as I’m afraid my body will start to react anytime soon on the alcohol content (I only had half a bottle for the whole night!).

at Giligans...felt like a teenager while I was there

We again discussed a lot of topics and future travels. I love spending time with these girls. Not only are they intellectually stimulating to talk to, they’re hilarious as well! Never a dull moment! We (Mai, Millet and I) finally called it a night around 3am…hence I was absent on my yoga class scheduled that morning…haaaay oh well, I had fun! :D

Great weekend indeed! Looks like I really ended the month with a blast!

Realization:

whatever else that maybe lacking in my life, my friends more than made up for it! Sure glad I have great company of friends!

prettytwistedchick

The Black Beauties

Blackbeauties @ 2011 minus Kimmy

Fourteen going on fifteen years of friendships, that's what we have. We started during our junior year in high school and until now that we are career-women (for the most part hehehe) we've manage to nurture our friendship, we've become each other's best of friends—more like soul sisters.

We call ourselves The Black Beauties (BBs, for short). How we came up with that name was already been forgotten. We all have different versions of it. My version is… my earliest recollection when we started to call ourselves as The Black Beauties was when we had an overnight at Lia's place during high school because we did our group term paper at her house. In the morning, while we were having breakfast, Lia and Kim were watching this program black beauty (the story about a black horse) and both of them were in akimbo while muttering (in almost the same intonation and almost at the same time) "black beauty". We all laugh and that’s how it all started. That's the version I have.

Later on we went to different universities but our friendship remained intact.

Distance has never been a problem with us—us having Manila Chapter and US Chapter (for the two changs—yes we call each other changs—who decided to settle abroad). The cyberspace has become a perfect place for us to get an update regarding one another… is started with (now defunct) friendster, then came the multiply site, now facebook, twitter, skype and ym.

Christmas get-together has been sort of a tradition to us. We always allot one weekend for us to meet and greet each other, exchange gifts… especially now that we have little nathan (the fist Black Beauty baby...Christmas is special to us).

For this year, we've decided to meet for lunch on the 2nd of January 2011. Just because that's the only "free" day for ALL of us... we wait in line at Kanin Club at UP Technohub. That was the first time I ate there. At first i thought, "What the heck?!? Why are we waiting in line (i think we were 7th or 8th group in waiting). Why not go to other restaurant? (i must say that good dining place at UP technohub is few!). But Faith swears by the "aligue" rice ( alige= crab fat).

We ordered aligue rice, tinapa rice (smoked fish), crispy dinuguan (pork blood stew), sinigang na baboy, crispy liempo, laing, the rest I have forgotten. (We ordered a lot!hehehe):D

crispyliempo

yummy aligue rice (high blood!!!)

greeny...laing

We are stuffed! the food here is great! no wonder there's a loooooong waiting line outside. worth the trip, worth the wait, worth every penny! :D

group pic with arvin

lovely ladies inthe house! :D

We had our typical exchange gifts at Starbucks but we also bought some pastries at Coffeebean (we have no brand loyalty hehehehe). Talks about our lives—present and future was aplenty!

first official BB married couple

exchange gifts mode

Wish we all get together (COMPLETE) by the end of the year! Until our next get-tog!

Fun times!

prettytwistedchick