Magbabagong taon na naman mamayang hatinggabi. Kabi-kabila ang sinasabing pampaswerte at pantanggal ng malas – mula sa pagkain hanggang sa kulay ng damit. Pero kanino nga kaya umaayon ang swerte, sa nagbebenta o sa namimili?
Three celebrations in a week 31 December 2008
Dec. 24
I spent Christmas eve at home with my parents and brother. We ordered Fried Pigeon, Crispy Pata, Ox Tongue in Oyster Sauce and Beef with Bihon and Sate Sauce from Apollo Hilado. It was our first time to try their Crispy Pata and Beef with Bihon and Sate Sauce. However, the latter didn’t pass my mom’s taste.
Exploring marine lives in Ocean Park 25 December 2008
Getting to Ocean Park Hong Kong was easier by bus than by MTR. From Yuen Long proper, we took the bus 968 to Lippo Center. Because it was rush hours, my uncle advised us to take the bus from the terminal so that we could have our seats for the 45 minutes travel time. I wouldn’t dare to stand for this duration because the same foot was aching from our previous tours.
After alighting the bus at Lippo Center, we easily found the bus 629 directly to Ocean Park. It was also right beside the Admiralty MTR station. We could take the same route in going back to Fairview Park but my uncle decided to let us take the MTR for a change and to experience squeezing into the train during rush hours in the afternoon. Had he attempted riding our MRT or LRT during rush hours, he would say theirs was much better. Hehehe…
A truly magical experience! 20 December 2008
When the majority dreaded Monday to go to school or to work, Val and I were excited for our first real adventure together. We will be going to Disneyland by bus and MTR – by ourselves! We were advised to bring extra coats because the expected temperature was 16-18 Centigrade.
My uncle lent us his Octopus cards which are widely used in MTRs, buses, parking areas, public payphones, vending machines, etc. In addition, we had our maps and my uncle’s route instructions written on a piece of paper to make sure we were on the right way.
Family day at Ngong Ping 360 18 December 2008
It was a Sunday, the day after my grandmother’s cremation; Val and I were supposed to go to Ocean Park. They said Disneyland is too crowded during weekends and the time will be spent mostly waiting for our turn. Not to mention the entrance fee is more expensive during weekends. However, the plan was changed. It was my Aunt’s last vacation day before she went back to work. They suggested to go to Ngong Ping 360 situated in Lantau Island. It would be everyone’s first time to go there – including my father.
Final farewell 18 December 2008
We arrived at 11 pm last Thursday night and had our dinner right away. The flight from Manila was delayed for an hour and 20 minutes. We had ample time to rest the next day before we went to the funeral homes.
My uncle took Val and I for a walk at the Fairview Park Town Centre. He oriented us on where to take the bus if we wanted to go to the downtown area. He showed us some shops, wet market and fastfood chains.
First times and second times 12 December 2008
It was my first time to go to NAIA 3 alone. I was to fetch Val since he would arrive 11:30 am which was too early for us to check-in for Hong Kong. My brother was able to consume his remaining leaves since Wednesday so he and Vima could send Papa to the airport after lunch.
It was Val’s first time to arrive in the new airport. As long as you go along with the arriving passengers and are able to read or ask for directions, you’ll never get lost. Val came out fine but hungry while I was hungrier. Hehe… We each ate the chow fan toppings I bought from Chowking. It was easier to eat this rice-in-a-box inside the building considering that there were no tables at the waiting area. I discovered later that there were tables and chairs at their shops section in the upper floors and any one can eat there – passenger or not.
A bittersweet trip 11 December 2008
After my wedding, my father has since brought up the plan for Val and me to go to Xiamen and Hong Kong so that my maternal grandfather and my paternal grandmother can meet Val personally. Both grandparents were too old to travel all the way to Bacolod for our wedding. Due to scarcity of funds and Val’s hectic schedule at work, this trip never pushed through until today.
My carbonara and mango float 10 December 2008
Papa requested me to cook spaghetti carbonara for my brother and Vima to try. They didn’t have the chance to taste Biboy’s spaghetti carbonara when they had their vacation last August. It was Val and Biboy who did the cooking before but I am familiar with the ingredients for carbonara.
It was two Saturdays ago when we bought all the necessary ingredients for carbonara and mango float. I cooked the carbonara for dinner last week. A day or two after that, I made the mango float – this time, with real mango slices. 
Who’s to blame? 10 December 2008
I went to NBI Carriedo yesterday to claim my clearance for local employment. I had to apply for a new copy in order to change my last name. As I left the building, sidewalk vendors along Carriedo St. were hastily clearing their goods and were evading the city hall personnel. This is one of Mayor Lim’s pursuit to free the sidewalk and the whole Carriedo street from obstructions.
I calmly advanced my way toward Quiapo church. Suddenly, just a few feet away from me, I saw a short old woman about to collide with the cart of a lady vendor. The old woman, who seemed unaware of all the commotion, was walking very very slowly. I saw her carrying a can and a walking stick ; I took a closer look then noticed that she is blind.
Ngumiti ang kalangitan sa gabi 4 December 2008
Pauwi na ako galing Cubao MRT station noong lunes at dumaan ako ng skyway papuntang Gateway mall para sumakay ng LRT2. Napansin kong nakatingin ang mga tao sa kalangitan at parang may pinipicturan sa taas. May gumamit ng camera pero karamihan cellphone. Nung una akala ko may mga magagandang statue ng santa klaus o xmas tree. Paparating na kasi ang xmas eh. Syempre tumingin din ako sa taas. Nakita kong maliwanag ang moon tsaka parang may star na kumikislap sa taas nito. Napaisip ako… Ano ang nakakaaliw dun? Baka dahil sa maliwanag ang buwan?
Lunch with friends @ Cyma 3 December 2008
Three would arrive from Dian, two from Boni, one from Diliman and another from Project 6. We all came from different locations but when it comes to food, we always gather together wherever the agreed venue is.
We usually meet at Glorietta but last Sunday the venue was at Trinoma Mall. This was suggested by Lyn so that she could attend to her mom’s needs in case there was an emergency.
Papa’s day out 2 December 2008
Our stay here in Manila is extended until the 2nd week of December. It has been a week since the last time my father was outdoor. He requested for a lunch out last Saturday because everyone was free. My brother chose SM Mall of Asia because my father was never been there. SM City was the only mall he is most familiar with. MOA was also an appropriate place for him to take a walk to stretch out those muscles and to move his joints. Hehe…
We decided to have our lunch at Super Bowl of China. We seldom stroll in MOA thus we had to check out the location of Super Bowl from their directory. As we moved our way to the restaurant, we came across a huge xmas tree inside the mall. I took some shots with Papa for his souvenir. Hehe…
