Cash-less but still VERY RICH!

Some days our house run VERY LOW on cash. We're not poor, in my world, we're not. But yeah, we run out of cash. Some days I want to go out but would rather not because I've got nothing in my wallet but that's fine. We never go hungry!

A fine example was the day we had this wonderful meal. Not rich enough to dine out but still blessed to have enough money to buy shrimps and this gigantic fish from vendors carrying fresh produce all the way from La Union!

That's a yellow fin. My dad said they used to just eat this raw when he was living in San Fabian. Nothing savage about that just in case it crossed your mind. We eat sashimi raw? Right? Yellow Fin Tuna. Hmmm. I tried to fillet one of these bad boys one time and I was able to get good slices on one side but completely ruined the other half.
Grilled fish. Tasty, let me tell you. And gigantic shrimps!

This shrimp is so big, I didn't really need more. But it was so good, I couldn't help myself. (Reason why I'm overweight) Mind you, I said overweight, not obese. 

Ugh! I can't believe we're broke. But hey! Can't say I didn't enjoy our meal. Good thing too! This one lasted until dinner. The next day was pay day for me and breakfast is no problem in our house. We always have eggs, bread and milk!

I Miss You Nikolette

Happy Birthday Nikolette! I miss you everyday. I always think about you!

I regret that I didn't hug you enough; that I didn't tell you I love you enough. I always thought you were too forgiving. You saw the good in everyone while I was there warning you about trusting people. Countless times you'd come home gushing about how much you're in love. You were so happy. The little things, you always appreciated. When you cry about a simple crush, I tell you it's okay. There will be more love in the future. You're still young. That's what I kept telling you. I thought I knew more because I was older but you knew more than I did.

When you had your first kiss, you were so rattled and excited at the same time. You came home and told me all about it and I just smiled. I didn't share your enthusiasm, your excitement. I regret that. It's like somehow you knew there wasn't going to be forever in our lives so you went ahead and let yourself be happy for every small thing in the world.

I miss you. All the time. Every now and then, I'd think of you and tell myself, you would have been done in school this year. You would have been 19, 20, 21. You would have seen my son. We could be out on a beach right now! And it hurts. Every time I think about you, I feel hurt. I miss you. I try to find comfort in the thought that you're in a better place but it doesn't make me feel any better. I love you so much. I love you like a sister. Years after, I still haven't fully accepted that you're gone.

Awesome Wedding Video

I'm not yet getting married, nor do I see myself walking the aisle in the future. But because a majority of my time everyday is spent online, you won't believe the stuff I see/read/watch in the internet.

I don't even know why I watch wedding related videos but somehow I'm led that way after watching a music video by Rascal Flatts or Eva Cassidy.

Here's my favorite wedding videos! First up, some awesome couple lip syncing to The Time by Black Eyed Peas. Why I love it? Don't ask, just watch it and I swear, you'll flip! I couldn't do a flip or a somersault but I would if I could. This couple is crazy awesome!

Birthday Gift GIBI Sandals

I was so excited because I got a new pair of flats for my birthday! Which was months ago! But yes, this was a gift months ago. I'm posting it just now because I wore it for the first time today!

I was so excited because it's so pretty. The back part is orange, which I didn't take a photo of. But the colors are great! Sadly, this GIBI collection sandals doesn't make me happy at all. The overall design of the straps make it hard to walk without it falling off my foot! Boo!

I got to wear it this day because I knew there would be no walking. Rode the car, got down, sat and waiting for food!

I regret asking this pair as a birthday gift! But I still need to wear it! I don't have a lot of options when it comes to shoes. 

Jerrified

During the time I first started using Tumblr, I met this guy through a common friend. He was funny, intelligent, very witty. I love the conversation we had and I don't even remember it! Anyway, it was a drinking party when I was in college.

He drove me home and I found that a very "gentleman" kind of thing. Since it was 4 or 5 in the morning, I let him crash in my apartment. He was trying to get me to sleep with him but I said no. He asked "Are you serious?" and I said "Yes."

That was it. In my head I'm like, meehh.. Whatever.

He went to sleep and left at 8 in the morning. I knew we weren't going to talk ever again. Surprisingly, he started texting me. It became something regular but no progress. It didn't get any sweeter or we didn't move to "dating."

I started missing him every time he doesn't call or text me. I miss him when he doesn't show up during drink nights with his friends. I miss him all the time. I liked him a lot. So much, in fact. But it never happened. We remained friends for more than a year.

A year later on December 31 2011, just before midnight, I get a call. It's him. Jill! It's New Year! I love you! I'm coming over your place! Let's talk! In the happiest, most excited voice I've heard him in, he's asking me if he can come see me. 

Life's a bummer! A real bummer! Because a couple of weeks before that call, I went official with another guy! How bad is that? I mean, damn! I make bad decisions. Really bad decisions.

This guy is now going steady with a beautiful lady! He deserves a happy relationship and good thing too! I wasn't really his type, nor was he mine. I guess, I just love the conversation. The intelligent jokes and the concern he was showing me.

Heartbroken? Go shopping!

My best friend is going through a very messy break up. Oh wait, let me correct that, she's experiencing the devastating after effect of a break up. Maybe in the future I can divulge all the juicy details about her break up but as of the moment, I'm keeping mum on everything!

My opinion, my best friend's not a saint but she's the bestest friend ever! And if in the future, she gets involved in a criminal act, you can bet your butt I was there with her or helped her cover sh*t up! But, you get the point.

Heart broken, anyone? I've always thought food was a good option to turn to when you're sad but when my girlfriend went on a shopping spree after pay day, I didn't complain. I was glad she did! She bought 4 V-neck shirts, same design, different colors. She grabbed a pair of slippers, black shoes and I forgot. Anyway, due to her depressed shopping, I got a free pair of shoes! I love it! 

She should shop more often. I've been on the losing end for the past couple of months since she went on a drinking/partying spree and I can't drink. Boo! Shopping on the other hand, I'm game anytime! 

A Shot of Valium

Let me share to you how young and innocent I once was. At one point in my life I believed that I would die because of a break up. I believed that my life was over because this guy cheated on me in the worst possible ways. That time I really believed my life was going downhill. Jeez! If I could just go back and talk to my 19 year old self. *smh*

And now, at 24 years old, I'm not saying I'm wise and all-knowing. I'm just saying I'm a little smarter than I was before and as juvenile as whatever I wrote years ago sound like, that was the best way I could describe my feelings. And dude, those are real. 

Things changes over time. When I was 8, I had a crush on my classmate and I thought that was the most important thing in my life! In high school, I felt like "blending in" was the cool thing to do. So, I got drunk. A lot of times! Definitely NOT COOL.

But I guess, it's like that. Priorities change. Falling in love is not similar to having a crush on the cutest guy anymore. And if right now, my definition of falling in love is feeling sad for losing a love that was never mine, well, hell. Ain't that sad?

Birthday Bash for the 25 Year OLD MAN

Had a great night celebrating one of my good friends Birthday. I know he's more like 25 or 26 but all the receding hair line and bald spots are just not helping him out! Happy 64th Birthday Uncle Bien!

Good Vibes. Good People!

Me and Chi arrived late since we came all the way from Taguig but the party was still on! I have to say, this is a very dynamic group and you'll never have a boring moment with them!

That old man pointing and seemingly screaming at me is the birthday man. Behind him is his very supportive group of friends! These people, I have come to know, and loved since meeting them back in college! I'd tag them as "good finds" especially since I met them in the concrete jungle of the Philippines. A place notorious for a lot of scams, thieves, murderers and all the bad you can think of!

Cheers to a group of VERY good people!

I have a video of all the mean things Bien said about his friends but give me some time, since I can't seem to upload the very lengthy speech he made that night!

Green Pepper Gourmet Stop at The Ketchup Food Community

If you're looking for good food that's a little bit above the regular priced meals in Baguio, head on to Green Pepper. It's my first time to visit them but I wasn't disappointed at all! Their prices are a little bit expensive but hey, their name says "gourmet stop," that should give you an idea! And their sign at the back of their menu will tell you that they use organic ingredients! (Which in my market experience, organic is really more expensive compared to GMOs)

 

When you enter The Ketchup Food Community, it's the one that'll stare straight in your face. Well, not really since there's a tree in the middle but you get the point.

I had the Tomato-Basil Soup since I wasn't too hungry. I thought I'll just have something light. But I got a big bowl of yum yum soup sided with two grilled pesto-mozzarella sandwich. This plate can be considered a complete meal in my book. It costs 165 Php. 

My meal buddy that day had Chicken n' Chips. It's deep-fried breaded chicken tenders and potatoes. It costs 175 Php. You can get this plate and order rice because the chicken pieces are big enough for sharing.

That's me enjoying my soup! I know I said I was having something light but we really enjoyed the food, we ordered another one. (FOR SHARING!) This is the Cheese Steak Sandwich! It costs 195 Php which is not bad considering this meal is really for sharing. We had to divide the bread and forced ourselves to finish it. We were soooo full!

Lesson learned: If you want to eat at Green Pepper, better to go with an empty stomach. (Because their food is really filling!)

Their menu says it's a non-smoking area but because we were the only customers that time, the Chef allowed my buddy to have a smoke at our table. On regular dining hours, I understand why it should be a non-smoking area.

GDAY X Comes to Baguio

When a friend shared this photo to me, I got really curious. I've always been curious about Google.

I signed up not even knowing what the event was about. Keep in mind that I don't know what GDAYX means or what GBG or GDG meant. I had nothing better to do and working online has robbed me of the opportunity to meet new people. I need new friends! (Didn't really meet anyone during the event but.. yeah) Haha!

The event was held at Azalea Residences Baguio. It was my first time to see this place and I'm from Baguio. Pssh! Needless to say, I was at awe at how this big mansion was built without me knowing. (I live SO close to this area.)

Typhoon Haiyan (locally named Yolanda) was leaving during this time which is why I was limited to taking photos from the safety of the covered walkway.

I signed up and found out I was part of the GBG not GDG. Google Business Group was for entrepreneurs while Google Developers Group was for, well, developers. 

I thought due to the rain there won't be a lot of people. I was wrong. I mean, duh? It's GOOGLE! Rain or shine, storm or not, people will come. I love the tent, those draping fabrics from the ceiling were amazing. The winds from outside the tent would just blow in and suck the fabric outwards and back in. You can tell by now I was paying attention to the wrong things. Anyway, that's Vincent Tabor on the right, I think. 

The in and out of the wind just hypnotized me and made me scared the venue will get blown away. But hey! It didn't. The program begins with Miss Aileen Apolo, Head of Outreach Google Southeast Asia followed by Ma'am Oni, a dean from UC? See, I've got shady details which is pretty embarrassing since her talk was really VERY inspiring.

Azalea Residences' General Manager also gave a short talk.

After the talk, the group split up. GDG attendees were routed somewhere else and I was too hungry to even notice. Food came a little late, courtesy of Azalea but it was well worth it!

I love that they served food in boxes and wooden spoon and fork! These little things make me happy! Errr.
After lunch, we went on to listen to a number of speaker who talked about blogging, how to use Gmail and its other features. I met a girl named Karen who teaches at Cordillera School of Digital Arts and asked for paper. (Really, I know, how unprepared can I be?)

I loved the event. I attended not knowing what I was going to but went home with so much in my mind. Inspired? Definitely. Motivated? YES. To do what? I'm not yet sure. But I really enjoyed the walk home. Peace of mind for a couple of minutes.

I'm still learning the art of taking selfies so yeah. Hope to get into the Google circle more!

Happy Tummy Lunch

After 3 stressful nights watching over my little boy, went out for a hearty meal with my best buddies! Happy Tummy is a Thai Restaurant in the Ketchup Food Community.

We had Tom Yum (a spicy clear soup according to wikipedia):

Bagoong Fried Rice (Fried Rice with Shrimp Paste)

Chicken Curry

Spicy Squid
Spicy Tofu and Eggplant

I've tasted their Pad Thai once and wasn't impressed but this time, the Tom Yum was okay-ish. Lacked a little heat but still good. I'm not sure about the chicken curry because I'm used to having curry with potatoes and carrots. Their version had eggplants. Which is weird. The tofu and eggplant's nothing special and the rice lacked flavor. I guess I'm complaining too much! Good thing I was with the best people!