Surprise Surprise

Lex and I have always had this little sisterly competition going on each year, on who can give a better surprise present on our birthday.

She probably outdid herself last Thursday, when she sprang Chef Rob in front of me and get this, my life long crush, Ian Veneracion.

I normally don't watch local TV so its a surprise and a secret that I have a big C (not cancer) on Ian V. And I mean big!

I probably made such a cow of myself when I started saying ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh the moment I saw Chef Rob holding flowers inside the room. And again when Ian went in with the cakes!

And it'd probably be as famous among my friends as soon as I've uttered these words: you and you, this is a dream.

I can't even remember saying anything else except Ohmygosh and thank you and I hate surprises, but not you guys. hahahahaha

So there, again A MEGATRILLION THANKS to LEX, Chef Rob, Ian and the whole staff who made it possible.

I COULD NEVER THINK OF A MUCH BETTER BIRTHDAY SURPRISE.

Al Gore and Nobel Peace Prize

I thought it would not take long before the world recognizes a great man such as Al Gore, and sure enough last Friday, he was chosen as one of the winners of the highly esteemed Nobel Peace Prize.

I have been an Al Gore supporter (fan is what my sister calls it) some 10 years ago, way back in high school. Which is totally weird because for 1. He may be world famous now but back then, Mr. Gore is not that popular in the Philippines. He may be Vice President to the most powerful (daw) country in the world, but here, I doubt if you ask an ordinary highschool freshmen back in 1997, they would actually know who Al Gore is. 2. Hate to admit it, but our country is not exactly the most environment friendly nation. (Just look at how we segregate our trash, despite government efforts, still its futile.)

What I love about Gore is even before becoming green became a fad, Al Gore already wrote books about global warming. As Vice President, despite toning his advocacy, he held seminars about climate change and helped negotiate the Kyoto Protocol. He forsaw what others choose to ignore.

And for that, I applaud him greatly and will remain his fan for his efforts and perseverance to make a difference in our world.

"Time is running out, and we still haven't done anything." - Al Gore

Booey

Nothing this adowable baby can do that won't make us smile.

CEBU

SHANGRILA MACTAN
PHILIPPINE TAOIST TEMPLE
LA GONDOLA at WATERFORNT HOTEL CEBU CITY
MAGELLAN'S CROSS

***text will follow when I'm in the mood to write... soon

Ratatouille

Would you eat something you know a RAT cooked?

The irony of the movie Ratatouille. Despite of my FEAR of those black (brown or white doesn't matter, its still a rat), hairy (icky, scary, creepy) monsters... i mean creatures, I went on and watch the movie with my sisters.

Ratatouille is about Remy, a rat, who has a(n) uber sensitive smell and tastebuds. Unlike his kind who are satisfied with human's left overs, Remy wanted to create food and be a chef (which is rather crazy (a rat cooking, are you nuts?). He was given this opportunity when he met Linguine, a boy who lack the talent of cooking. Together they try to save Gusteau's despite of Skinner who wants to commercialize the restaurant through microwavable foods, Ego whose critics cause Gusteau's death and the fact that Remy is a rat.

Although I found the movie cute and Remy o-kay (thats the nicest I can do, sorry even hamsters I REFUSE TO LOOK AT LET ALONE TOUCH.), I would still scream bloody murder and faint when faced with a real-living Remy cooking in my kitchen.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

After 10 years, Harry Potter finally came to an end. It was a bitter sweet ending. Part of me was sad because there were so many deaths and its like saying goodbye to an old friend, (that's why I didn't finish reading Lord of the Rings Return of the King, I get so emotional). Sweet coz Harry lived a good life and after a long anticipation, I finally get to read the final book.

Book 7 was different. No more muggle scene, fight with the Dursleys (I wonder if Dudley and Harry eventually became friends), then on to Hogwarts, Sorting Hat, Quiditch. It plainly revolves on Harry's quest for the Horcruxes and knowing more about the Deathly Hallows. I don't wanna divulge the whole story, so I might just drop some hint here and there.

References from the previous 6 books were quite nostalgic. Book 7 also tells more about Albus Dumbledore, who he was before he became Hogwarts headmaster. And my favorite part of the book was Severus Snape's story. I never really liked him, till now.

I cried when Fred Weasley died. Having a twin sister, that just plain breaks my heart. As well as Tonks and Lupin, Mad Eye Moony, Dobby and Hedwig.

I'm glad that JK Rowling decided to have an epilogue, although I would have loved to know more about the other characters, I'm just glad that everything worked out for the best.

A great book as this only comes once in a lifetime, I wonder if there will come another book that would be as great...

Our HARRY POTTER collection.

Harry Potter

We always watch Harry Potter films twice, first with Mami and Ri, second, with our sisters. Last week Ri texted us if we're free that weekend to watch Order of the Phoenix, thinking it would only be just us 4, it was a surprise to find out how many we were.

Harry Potter movies, in my opinion, gets better each time. This one is darker than all the other HP movies. I like the part when old events flash backed to Harry, you get to see him really growing up.

Half of our tickets when we watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at Shangrila Mall last Saturday. We were 16.

I can't wait for The Deathly Hallows on Saturday. It's been almost 10 years since I first read The Sorcerer's Stone (It was Tito Audie Gemora who introduced the book to us.) and it would be lovely how everything will end.

Tagaytay Highland

It is always a treat going to Tagaytay Highland with Mami and Mommy Janet. Last Sunday was especially a nice one, because we're going with the entire Tan Lee clan. We're seldom complete but when we're all together its always FUN.

What I love most is our bonding.

The pool at the Country Club (we usually go at the Sports Complex)
w/ Ninay
Ninay, Achi Anzel, Lex and Baby Boo
Our Darling U-weh

La pamilya -- Mami, Bex, Lex and Bads

2nd fl. Lobby area of the Country Club

View from the Verandra

Tagaytagy Highland Country Club

Ben and Jerry's/ Peaches and Papaya

I LOVE ice cream. I sometimes even go to Podium just to buy a cone of Gelato. (wala lang) So when we went to S&R last Saturday (with Lex, Lois and Ranel) and saw Ben & Jerry's I was soo excited. It was worth every 260. I can probably eat the whole pint in one sitting but I won't. This ice cream is better eaten slowly, letting the thick yummy ice cream roll in your tongue as it melts and tasting and enjoying every bite hehe. I also got some fresh peaches. Although it wasn't as good as the one they bring home from China it was okay, (not as yellow) but not worth the 399.75 price tag for a couple of pieces.

I can't get over this ice cream. Its so good.

I love peaches but with its price tag I could've bought 5 big cans for this poor kind of peaches.

IMAGINE how close I've to get to take this! EWWWWW!

S&R

When we were in HS, Achi dearest and Achi D would take us with them to S&R to buy Cat and Dog foods. Afterwards we would share slices of pizza and bottomless Diet Pepsi. Going to S&R was probably (I'm sure it was) a treat for us, although we can't just get EVERYTHING we want, we were given 2 choices of ANY thing we want (meaning it can be junk foods, like a pack of 6 bars of Snickers for me and 2 bags of Cheetos for Lex). Sometimes for good deeds (like Achi D making me weigh in the scale, long story hehe) also allows you to get one more stuff. As we get to college Achi said bringing us there would only mean more expense as we begin to point out more (and expensive) stuff (hehe)


I miss those days. But I'm glad to have found new Pizza buddies with Lois, Ranel and Lex. Plus we don't have to lag around bags and bags of dog and cat foods.

Red Kimono

I love Japanese Buffet. Specially if its serve in front of you sans the line and waiting for food refill that gets tackled by anxious foodies even before it touch the serving platter.

With Louisa, Ranel and Lex, we went to Red Kimono last Saturday for lunch. I only got to take pictures of the appetizers coz I was already too busy eating when the Chicken Teriyaki and Tempuras came. hehehe

The Red Kimono Selection
Crunchy Maki (my favorite)

Pork Gyoza

Crunchy Maki (fried version of the famous cali maki)

Salmon with cream cheese (yum! addicting)

Crabsticks roll with wasabi mayonaise

Zhu @ the Fort

It was Shabu Shabu so I'm okay with it but Achi dearest wanted to go to Mcdonalds afterwards (in short she wasn't happy with it. Actually the whole time she was frowning ang scowling thats how I know she didn't like it, and when we passed by there last Saturday on our way to S&R she was still frowning!) Food was okay but nothing to rave about. The Hotpot Soup (we went for the Dried scallops and wintermelon broth) tends to become salty as they refill the pot. I personally like Healthy Mini Shabu Shabu better. But it was okay, I'd go there if someone asks me but definitely not with my sisters (unless gusto ko mabatukan)

The combo for two (most I wouldn't pick if I'm the one to choose the items)

Yang chow fried rice (nothing special)

Forgot the name something like braised spareribs

I just liked the pot but not the food hehe