Back in Tacloban! (March 2013)

So in 2010, I went to Tacloban with Charm. We had an awesome time food tripping! I never really finished blogging about that trip though. Blame it on my turtle slow internet connection.

This year, I decided to take Ethel. She was so jealous of all the resto hopping that Charm and I did, so we did just that, when we went there. Originally the plan was, to go to Biri in Samar to see those magnificent rock formations. This is part of the reason why the trip was 4 days. Upon preparing the itinerary though, I found out that from Tacloban, Biri is an 8 hour trip with at least 3-4 stops. I imagined totally freaking out from stress of hopping from van to boat to a habal habal motorbike (that I totally do not ever want to do again after my Davao trip a couple of years ago). Not to mention that the place had no electricity from 6pm to 6am. Ethel would totally die. Haha! I might as well kill her.

So to avoid the unnecessary stress, we decided to just stay in Tacloban and just go around the city.

My 2 Year Old Snapshot is Calendar Worthy! (March 2013)

So I got a nice surprise yesterday when a colleague called me and asked me about which photo I took for our company calendar. I totally had no idea the first few seconds, what she was talking about, but then I remembered I joined a photo contest last October 2012. Winners will get a chance to get a GE camera and their photos published in the company calendar. It was so long ago, I thought, maybe I just didn't make the cut. Turns out, I made it. Yey! I got the October page of the company's ASEAN 2013 calendar. Photo entries came from all over ASEAN and I got lucky enough to be chosen. I'm just not sure if everyone chosen will be getting the free camera.

They wanted a photo telling a story of why I love working for GE. I submitted 3-4 photos and I guess they liked the photo of the street children above. Here's what I wrote about the photo, it wasn't shared in the calendar :

"I work in Finance and sometimes I don’t feel how exactly I’m helping the world by working for GE. I just know that somehow, I’m making a difference by doing my job to the best of my abilities. So when we have GEV activities, my heart swells with pride when I see immediate effects on the people we are helping. Take for example these kids, they were so happy to see us because they know that for that one day during that week, they will have a free meal and time to play with some adults (some of them do not have parents and most are abused). For a day, they will feel safe and loved. These GEV activities make me appreciate what I have and realize that I have more to give."

That photo is over 2 years old. I took it during an outreach activity in Pasig last October 2010. I wonder how the kids are doing. They don't even know their faces got published in our calendar. Hope they are doing better these days. 

For more info, please check out the REAL LIFE FOUNDATION website.

Free Lunch! (Fairview, Quezon City. March 2011)

Before we (Me, K and Etz) went for a UP photowalk, Ethel cooked lunch for us! Twas so delish!!! Thanks looooooveee! Yummeeeeeeehhhh! Those shrimps make me salivate just looking at it.

How To Open Locked Itouch 4 When On Voice Over Mode (and Disable It).

The Voice Over mode in Itouch freakin drove me insane for thirty long minutes last night!

So I was playing with the settings and I accidentally turned on the voice over mode! It was the most irritating thing that could ever happen to someone who doesn't know how to turn it off! I swear, I wanted to smack it to the wall! LOL.

Anyway, I was out of my mind because it automatically locked because I set a password on the auto lock feature and I couldn't open it. I tried to input the code but it wont work! Grrrrrrr!!!

After a while, I finally had the sense to google it but the instructions I read were not helping. I'm blogging about it now in case someone needs the info. Here you go.

1. Your password is in a four number code usually. Input the first number and tap twice on the space (not in any number) and then input the next number and then tap twice on the space again. Do this 4x. You should be able to unlock your Itouch. (Example : If your password is 1234, input 1 and then tap twice on the space below ENTER PASSCODE words. repeat for the next three codes.)

2. Once Itouch is unlocked, go to Home>Settings>General>Accessibility>VoiceOver and click Off. Take note that to scroll down you have to use 3 fingers (i know! who thought about that?!).

 

Hope this helped, so you can avoid going crazy like I did. :)

Foodie Budget Traveler Was Just In Camiguin! (March 2011)

Photo essay of my awesome day at Camiguin two weeks ago. :)

It was like a dream..

Free Upsize At Starbucks! (Until March 7, 2011)

I got me a tall Caramel Frap as usual (Php 135.00 w/ free grande upgrade)

I've had colds and cough for a week now. Been feeling low lately, so I had to take a dose of my happy coffee. Made the coughing worse, but I don't care.

Read and Brew (Fairview, Quezon City. March 2010)

If I lived in Quezon City, RNB would be my ultimate hang out corner. The food is delish and inexpensive. Plus, it's mostly packed with good looking people. Haha.

Seattle's Best + Italianni's (Fort. March 2010)

Met up with BF Jaz before she left for the US last March.We had coffee at Seattle's and pasta in Italianni's. Talked until past midnight, I think. I missed my girls. :)

Brownie Frap's largest drink at 160 Php.

Pinatubo Crater Teaser. (Capaz, Tarlac. 3.28.10)

I trekked Mt. Pinatubo last month! I'm still finding time to post about it. :)

Wait for it!

Molino (Magsaysay Ave., Naga City)

I went to Molino last holy week 'coz i was so excited to eat their yummy Adobo Bits! Plus I was meeting two of my super friends for dinner (and drinks).

Molino Grill is newly renovated. It was closed for months I think and they just opened recently, just in time for the holidays. I liked the new place, it's cleaner and more presentable.

Adobo Bits at Php 135. I was so disappointed because it was not crispy like it should be. I complained to the waiter but he said that there's nothing he can do if the chef  (he called him 'Cook') made it that way. I didn't want to get upset and return the plate coz we might get the "spit treatment" from the waiter. Plus, I was having so much fun laughing with the girls.

Beanbag (Naga City)

I looooooove the coffee in Beanbag! It keeps me awake for hours! During college, coffee here was my cure for drunkeness after an all nighter from Clubmate (a club beside Beanbag in Magsaysay Ave). A Caramel Macchiato would always keep me decent when I finally decide to go home. LOLz.

I had this Caramel Macchiato (Php 80-tall in Magsaysay Ave.) last March 31, 2010 after drinking booze of course. Haha! I always order this coz it's my favorite drink.

Read and Brew. (Fairview, QC)

Because of RNB (Read and Brew), I started dreaming of having a homey cafe just like it, where students like to just sip coffee and eat good food or just chill. Also, it would be like my gallery for my photos that I'd like to frame. I wish I could just flick my fingers and make it happen! Haha!

The place is always full because of the ambiance I think, not to mention the good food and the kind service.

If I lived near here, I'd be a constant patron. I could just fall asleep here. Haha.

Cowboy Express Grill (Fort, Taguig City)

Tagged along for a quick lunch with officemates in a nearby building. I didn't eat again coz I was full, just wanted to take photos. :)

Chicken Inasal (w/o rice) at Php 125. (+20 if w/ rice) They said, Bacolod chiken is still better.

Hai Bar Birthday Party!

A colleague needed a party for her birthday so I decided to invite everybody for a drink before going home. I think she enjoyed herself. Haha. **wink!

Dayrit's flop. (Fort branch)

Went to lunch with my colleagues in Dayrit's near our building. I wasn't hungry so I just took photos. Glad I didn't eat because the food didn't look good enough to eat. They looked like something I would prepare. And mind you, I am terrible in the kitchen. Haha. They said, there was nothing extraordinary in the food either. It was expensive and the servings were small.

Callos Ala Madrilena at 215 Php

Mesa, Greenbelt 5. Makati, PH.

I wanted to have a quiet dinner in a decent place so I chose Greenbelt 5. Greenbelt 5 is not exactly a budget friendly place but I read from a lot of foodie blogs that Mesa offers an affordable menu compared to all the other restos in the location. Mesa is co-owned by Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Megastar Sharon Cuneta's husband. I was not impressed by the food the first time I went there so I thought I'd give the place another chance. This time, I wasn't disappointed. :)

Ice Scramble at the Mall!

I saw this kiosk at the mall and got excited! I miss having scrambles. I used to buy one every afternoon when I was a kid from street vendors at the province.