Day 41 - Sampaloc Lake

I went swimming with some friends at a resort in Pansol, Laguna. Afterwards, we went to D's hometown of San Pablo, which is famous for having many lakes. This one is called Sampaloc Lake. I think it's the biggest and most accessible one, given that there's a path around it that you can walk/ride a bike on. I took this photo while we walked on that trail. I don't know the name of the mountain, though. And it's too bad it was cloudy. It actually rained hard that night. Luckily it didn't start until we were finished walking the trail.

Day 40 - Wall Art

Today I went with some friends to Blackhouse Grill in Lipa City to watch them play music. They were amazing, as usual. And the art on this wall's not bad either. :)

Day 39 - Liquor Ban

Elections are coming up so stores aren't allowed to sell alcohol during the voting period. Hence, this sign. I don't know what other occasions merit a liquor ban, but I figured this was worth taking a picture of.

Day 38 - at 4:30 on 4/30

We "closed" another bar today, me and my musician friends. Their gig really started on April 29, but didn't end until the early morning of April 30. Lucky this bar closes at 4 a.m., though we still hung around outside until past that. I took this photo at 4:30. 4:30 on 4/30.

The name of this place is Today X Future, but my friends who are there all the time just call it "Future." Now I call it "Future," too and feel like such an insider. :P

Anyway, music stuff on the floor is property of my friends. And isn't that doorway so artsy.

Day 37 - Power power lang 'yan

It's all about power.

I suppose that is why whoever printed these things thought it appropriate to use a Game of Thrones character as the sample correct answer for how to vote in the coming national and local elections. Though I'm sure GoT nerds would argue that "Khal" is not Drogo's last name but his title, and it perhaps would've been "more correct" if the choice was "SON OF BHARBO, Drogo."

Except, that wouldn't make any sense to non-fans and I think I'm the only one who cares. I mean, this is most definitely the smallest detail anyone can care about this election season. Am I right, people on social media?

Day 36 - On the Grass, Under the Trees, Beside the Mall

Today I tagged along with my friends D&M (and G, who is not in this photo because he was also asleep, but behind me) all the way to Tarlac for a gig. We got there really early so we could explore the area, but because this is still the Philippines, we ended up just hanging out at the mall. It is a pretty cool mall, though. Not at all concrete-y, but grassy and breezy and, because we traveled around 150km to get here, it was mostly impossible not to fall asleep once we'd found a place to sit/lie down.

Day 35 - Alabang Sunset

"I love this place. I take pictures of this place during sunset!" K said when I asked him if he was going to miss working in Alabang.

"Me, too!" was my reply.

And as you can see from this picture, there is a reason why.

Day 34 - #LuisOni Wedding

I'm not quite sure if L intentionally put me at Table 9 at his and O's wedding reception because he knows that 9 is my favorite number. I am very sure, however, that he intentionally put me at a table with these people as J and J are my bestest friends in the whole wide world. A also in pic because he and J are married now and I guess that makes him one of my best friends, too.

Day 33 - My InstaGift

So back in February, our manager issued a Valentine's Day challenge--we have to write the cheesiest love poem ever. And in the grand tradition of me winning Valentine's Day contests, I won again! :D

This is my prize. Gift certificates to SM. I will use it to buy myself a dress for my friend's wedding on Saturday.

As for my cheesy love poem... I may or may not post it here or on my main blog. I'll just put up the link here later in case it does make it online.

Day 32 - Hall

I've taken many a picture of our building's hall before, but here's another one just because. Just because it always looks real creepy when it's empty and especially now that the carpet's gone. I think this would make a nice location for a film or music video of some kind.

Day 31 - Dog Lies Sleeping

My dad who is in New Zealand at the moment asked me to take a picture of our puppy (now looking more and more like a dog). I said I couldn't because he was sleeping. So he said I should take a photo of him sleeping. Ta-da!

J likes sleeping in this exact spot, just by the door. (He kicks the welcome mat away like that, too.) I think it's because this place is shaded, hence, cooler, and also because he wants to know when people are leaving. We can only speculate.

Day 30 - Coffee and Cigarettes

For breakfast today, I had coffee and bread, while my friends had coffee and cigarettes. I'm very, very anti-smoking, but very, very pro-coffee. So... Coffee brings people together? Yes? Hooray!

(My friend M (and perhaps others, too) would argue that smoking brings people together, too. Fine. Maybe it does, but in my opinion, coffee is a much more delicious way of making friends.)

Day 29 - Park Under Maintenance

I had some things to do in Makati today and as I was walking around the city, I came across this park, which is usually very picturesque, and I guess still is but in a totally different way.

The trees here used to look so pretty and perfect. I honestly don't know what happened, why they cut down some branches and things, but anyway, this is how it looks today. I'm assuming they're just going to fix it. To improve things. And hopefully things do improve.

Day 28 - Too Many Feelings, Not Enough Chairs (Part 2)

So after the gig, we all went to Z&K's place as it's near DITO. There were so many of us, the only way we could fit in their house was by sitting on the floor. And nobody complained.

This is one of the things I love about Philippine culture--that camaraderie is more important than most other things. Z&K knew perfectly well that their house wasn't built to accommodate such big groups, but they welcomed us all the same. And they were such great hosts, too, letting everyone know where the restroom was and offering us all water and other things they could find in their fridge. I had a really nice time. :)

Also: The blog title is something my friend C said when she and some friends were at my house and some of us had to sit on the porch the chairs outside were too few. It seems no house ever has enough chairs for when a lot of people come to visit. And feelings are always too many. :P

Day 27 - Outside Looking In

Today, M and I watched our musician friends play at DITO: Bahay ng Sining in freakin' Marikina. LOL. Anlaaayo lang. But! We were able to make it because our friends D&M2 were kind enough to give us a ride. Yey.

So much drama during this night, and not just because of the short drama films that played in between the music acts. But anyways, this is M doing a dramatic pose at the semi-famous blue door of DITO. She's depicting how we want to be artists, but can't, and so we're currently just watching artists from a closed door with some glass panels that are somewhat covered by posters. #Drama

This was a really nice place, though, and I sure wouldn't mind going to it again for an art event I like, if it were nearer the South. :P

Also: It's my 2nd time in Marikina, yo! Congratulations to me!

Day 26 - Lemon Squares and Brewed Coffee

I remember my friend telling me years ago about this particular combination. Or did she just post about it in her blog and didn't actually tell me? Anyway, it was many, many years ago and I'd actually forgotten about it, so when I ordered this in Mary Grace and discovered how amazing it was, you could say that I kind of discovered it for myself. It was only when I got obsessed with it and started ordering it every time I was in Mary Grace that I remembered that my friend used to be obsessed with this combination, too.

Anyway, Americano coffee and lemon squares from Mary Grace Cafe. This is just the best thing to have after any meal.

Day 25 - Hand Drip Coffee

I managed to score some coffee from South Korea and the coffee bags inside the packets look like this. You pour the hot water into the bag and it works like a tea bag. The cardboard stuff on the side is for practical purposes, but also, coolness. And the coffee is super amazing.

When are these going to be available in my country?!

Day 24 - Old and New

The title of this post is Old and New as in this photo, I'm with new friends (and one old one), but we are hanging out in my house, which is something I usually do with old friends.

Then again, everyone here has been in my house at least twice already, so...

Day 23 - Nag-break Lang

I don't know why there are now Grab booths inside malls. I suppose you can book rides from here? Or receive packages? I wanted to ask, but as you can see, the person who's supposed to be here was on break.

Day 22 - Music and Friendship

I know it looks like one of them is singing to the other, but really, sleepersecond's just asking Paincake Patrol a question and both of them are "kind of" drunk.

Also, they are two of the most determined musicians I know. I would say that they are talented, but I know they don't like that term and prefer to be known as determined and industrious instead. So there. Insert more positive adjectives here. Their music is awesome.

Listen to Paincake Patrol here. Listen to sleepersecond here.

Day 21 - Rainbow Cake

I didn't have to go to work today and it was the last day that my mom's voucher for Ace Water Spa was valid so I asked my friend J (who also didn't have work today) to come with me to the North*. As the activities in Ace Water Spa are guaranteed to make you hungry, I think it's lucky that it's in Kapitoylo, this area in Pasig where many interesting restaurants are located.

In this photo, J is smiling as bright as the rainbow cake in front of her, because we love cake and rainbows. :) We are in Epic Cafe where they have interesting cakes, yummy coffee, and cycling equipment for some reason. Anyway, it was my first time here and it's one of those places that makes me wish I didn't live so far away from it. I only felt that for a moment, though, because of course, as soon as I got home, I remembered how much #ILoveTheSouth. LOL. 'Eh 'di ako na loyal. :P

*Note: Anywhere I need to pass through the Skyway to get to, I already consider as "The North." Yes, that includes Makati and Taguig. (Pasig, in this case.)

Day 20 - Rigatoni al Telefono

The restaurant was out of penne so they asked me if it were okay to use rigatoni for the pasta dish I was ordering instead. I said it was fine, anyway what's important is the other ingredients they were using, right? This is my very favorite pasta in the world.

Day 19 - Puppy

My puppy on his first full day in his new home, our house. I took this photo while playing with him in our garage. He's an active pup, even though he doesn't look like it in this picture. He looks pensive here, which I think he also is. Anyway, we're calling him Jon Snow.

Day 18 - Puppies

My brother has a friend who owns one male and one female Labrador. The female gave birth to eight pups last January 11. They gave us one. :)

We got the one who is looking at the floor here. He looks sad in this photo, maybe because his brother is currently stepping on his back, but he made us really happy when we got him. :)

Day 17 - Obituaries

Using my uncle's connections with the media, we were able to place a notice in today's newspaper about my grandfather's death. The date is wrong, though. He actually died early in the morning of March 9, though I guess that doesn't really make a big difference.

Day 16 - Rice

My grandfather died this week :( and this is the amount of rice we needed to feed the people who were at the wake tonight. Lucky my aunt's got a catering business. The cups on the side contain pasta, in case people wanted to eat that instead.

Day 15 - Paincake Patrol in the House / in the South

My friend Paincake Patrol booked a gig in the South so my friend M and I were obliged to attend. Kidding! We really like his music and enjoy going to his gigs and were quite thankful that he finally had a gig in the South so it wasn't too difficult for us to go and see him. In fact, we just walked to this venue after having dinner at my house. Fun Sunday night!

Day 14 - Pre-school Friends

Today my pre-school friends and I had lunch and an "art session" at Designer Blooms Cafe in Alabang. It was to celebrate my friend J's birthday. We ate at around 12:30 p.m. and started coloring pages of the booklets J gave us at around 1:30 p.m. We thought we were going to finish everything by 3 p.m., but lo and behold, by the time any of us thought to look at a clock it was already 5:30 p.m. And we only noticed because it was starting to get dark outside. I love how time flies when you're having fun with your friends. I also love that I've been friends with these ladies since I was 6 years old. :)

Day 13 - House Guests

Here be my brother's dogs Nicki and Ginger. They'll be at our house for the week as my brother and his wife and her family will be in Cambodia for a holiday.

I'm grateful to have them for the time being as they are super duper cute. :3

Day 12 - Some New Friends

Tonight was a little strange for me as I actually went out to a bar with some friends. And not in the South. :P This was taken at The Bourn Food Station on Taft Ave., Manila. And sure, it was near the university I used to go to every day, but when I was going to school there I hardly ever went out. I honestly can't recall a time that I went out at night during the time I was in college. Okay, maybe once, to a poetry reading, and it was actually for extra credit. LOL. As much as I would like to say that I was a nerd, I don't have the grades to back that up so I'm just going to say that I was really poor and lazy.

Anyway, with me here are M, who is an old friend by now, E, whom I met last year and M2, whom I met just a few weeks before this photo was taken. I know I always say that I hate meeting new people, but I really only mean that when I meet crappy people. :P When I meet people like M, E and M2, I do think about rescinding that statement.

Day 11 - Clown Cake

This rainbow cake (but it was named 'clown cake') from Epicurious at Shangri-la Mall was yummy. And it's so Instagrammable, too.

Anyway, I was at Shangri-la Mall today to meet with my former co-worker and friend L. We had lunch and dessert and coffee and talked about lots and lots of stuff. I think the last time we saw each other was at my birthday celebration in 2014. And we weren't able to talk much then as it was a "party" and there were other people around.

I wonder if I will ever get tired of meeting my friends individually for lunch and coffee. I don't think I will. I'm not supposed to anyway, am I?

Day 10 - Pasinaya 2016

The line to see the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra was so long, M and I could only get seats at the very top of the theatre. Hence, this very difficult and then turned out to be mostly worthless shot :P But I think our smiling faces are still able to convey some of the emotions we felt during this day. I say some because we felt a lot of emotions this day. A whole lot. Just ask me about it if you see me personally if you'd like to find out why. ;)

Day 9 - Pot Luck + Cooking in Our Kitchen

Yum! Don't they all look yummy? They all were. :)

So, technically, this was our dinner for Saturday night, but eating these extended until the wee hours of Sunday morning so I think it's fine to use this pic as my January 24 picture.

I hosted a farewell party for a dear, dear work acquaintance who will be returning to his hometown (forever!) in a few days. Since he's been our personal chef for the past four years we've known each other, we requested that he cook us something on his farewell party. He decided to make a chicken dish (it's the one on the lower right of the photo). He deboned it and everything. It's chicken stuffed with feta cheese, spinach and pâté de campagne, whatever that is. The sauce is a combination of orange and mango juice + my grandfather's Martini and chicken bone er, essence, I don't know what I'm talking about. Anyway, it was really, really good.

So that he wouldn't have to cook so much stuff, I decided it would be a pot luck event so our friends brought the other dishes. X brought the macaroni salad, which she made herself, too. The liempo on the upper right of the photo was brought by B. And the creamy garlic potato dish was made by me. All dishes received good reviews. Hooray! We are successful foodies!

R brought red and white wine and our desserts, from C and M, were J.Co donuts and Frozen Brazo de Mercedes.

Day 8 - At Your Local

For lunch today, my former officemates and I decided to eat at Your Local, a hipster-y restaurant in Makati. I ordered their salmon dish and I must say I enjoyed it very much. :) A bit pricey, but that's Makati for you.

Afterwards, we went to Glorietta and bought ice cream from Manila Creamery, which makes artisinal gelato, which made for a very hipster day, culinarily speaking. ;) After having ice cream, I bought another dessert item--Sweet Surrender, a variant of the frozen brazo de mercedes from the outlet of The Suite Life by Ange, also in Makati. And then I got a ride from Uber to get home in time to prepare for a farewell party for one of my work acquaintances. Not a bad Saturday indeed.

Day 7 - Cousins

My cousins M and G are here from Germany, but because they're staying at my aunt's house in Quezon City and have plans to go to the beach and other places out of town, I was only able to see them today, when they stopped over this restaurant near my office on their way back to my aunt's house from Flow House Manila where they tried surfing on the wave machine. They won't leave the country until the end of the month, but since I have overtime work on Sundays and I think they'll be out of town during all the weekends they're here, I think this shall be the only time I see them during this trip of theirs to Manila. Hopefully I get to go to Germany soon and see them there. :)

Photo taken by my brother with whom they surfed at Flow House Manila and also doubled as their driver for the day. :P

Day 6 - Post-Christmas Post

My sister did send these out before Christmas. But because the Philippines is the Philippines, and she lives so far away, I wasn't able to get my hands on this parcel until today. And I had to go to the post office to claim it, too. Why is our postal service so weird?!

Anyway, I'm glad these Christmas cards are here now. I don't think my relatives will mind that they're late. Anyway, these twins are cute enough to wait for. ;)

Day 5 - Red and Black Fish

In 2012, I bought a "coloring book for grown-ups" at the Kinokuniya book store during my 3-day trip in Singapore. I loved it a lot but never thought to take pictures of the pages I've accomplished, I didn't consider them accomplishments big enough to take pictures of to share on Facebook.

Three years later, all the book stores in all the world have many different kinds of these coloring books, there are apps similar to it, and so many people on Facebook are posting pictures of pages they've colored. It's officially become a fad. So... If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Not that I tried to beat 'em.

Anyway, I took a photo of this page to show it to my friend K who was the one who gave me the coloring book this page is from. It was his birthday gift to me last year and I have to say, I am enjoying it a lot, despite it being all trendy and mainstream now.

Day 4 - Brunch

Today, I went with my mom to pay some taxes. And because that is an extremely boring activity, afterwards, we treated ourselves to brunch at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery. This sickly sweet girly interiored restaurant. And as my mother is my mother, here she is on a business phone call. At brunch. On a Saturday. #NoRestForTheWicked

In case you're wondering what we ate, she had the chicken tocino dish and I, the rib eye steak. Both were yummyummyummy. :) We had their chocolate cake for dessert (not in photo), and it was okay. I still prefer their cupcakes, though.

Day 3 - What is it with you and dragons?

meatlug on my desk

"What is this?" K said, picking up the small dragon figurine that was sitting next to my computer monitor.

"It's Meatlug," I said. "From How to Train Your Dragon 2."

He shook his head and gave a small laugh. "What is it with you and dragons?" he asked.

"What? Can't I like dragons?" I said defensively. "And Japan?" I added, even more defensively. "You know, I've always been interested in these things, I don't know why people are only noticing now," I said.

Except, I totally know why people are only noticing it now, but it's unfair anyway. It's not my fault that somebody I know happens to be Japanese and is kind of named after a dragon. That's just sheer coincidence.

Day 2 - Assessment Test

a page from one of the assessment tests

Today I went to two language institutions to take assessment tests to determine which of their programs I should enroll in. And both of them told me the same thing: Your level is neither here nor there. We can't include you in a class.

Apparently, my level is too high for a beginner's class, but too low for an advanced one. Which isn't to say that I can't study at their institution anymore. It's just that I would have to enroll in their one-on-one program, which is at least three times more expensive. So one of the teachers told me to not enroll anymore. "Just study on your own and find a language partner to practice conversations with," she recommended.

Well, isn't that what I'd failed to do in the first place and that's why I looked for language institutes near my house? Why are problems most of the time ultimately circular?