A KID at 25 - My very first HAPPY MEAL

A lot of people would agree that I am a HUGE Jollibee fan. I love their menu, their staff and the store locations are ridiculous (in a good way because they are everywhere like Angel's Burger or 360 Pharmacy).

A few days ago McDonald's opened a branch at our building and everybody got excited and so was I, not because I love the place but because I know a handful of people who enjoys eating at the place which meant that before it opened at our building we had to walk around 4 blocks to get to one, now we don't (teehee).

So, yesterday when we took our break from helping a friend out with his Demo, we decided to eat at McDonald's and I decided that I was in the mood for a burger. When I got to the place, I was overwhelmed with happy emotions that ordered a Happy Meal. Yep my VERY FIRST HAPPY MEAL at 25. I got crazy excited. Did you know that a happy includes a toy.. I mean score!! a toy and a meal at the same time. So this is what i got.

Thanks Iggs for taking this Photo. I LOVE HAPPY MEALS

The above photo is when i got the Happy Meal and I got caught up with the excitement of checking out what the toy was. I got a beautiful PONY, MY PONY..

My Little Pony, a prize i got with my happy meal

This is Apple, I named her that because she has a big ass tattoo on her back, I brush her pony tail all day and tell her how my day was ( Crazy right? 25 and childish)

Not so Kung Fu Panda

Along the lines of the Happy Meal Red Box was this little fellow. I named him Fho.. hahaha

Cool penguin

An this little guy, is Pinky...

Friends for Life... Awwww...

Shared my  Happy moment with friends at work

It was a Fun Day, I felt like a kid again and it felt awesome.

I have a strong belief that in order for you to live life to the fullest, you have to lower your expectations, make as many mistakes you can, never aim for perfection and never forget the KID in you. Not only will you maintain your compassion, it will also make life a little less stressful. GET A HAPPY MEAL NOW. :)

How to Host a Themed Dinner

It has always been my dream to live like a van der Woodsen or a Waldorf ever since I watched the Gossip Girl Series. Though I am not that fortunate to inherit the looks, the body and the bank account, I did inherit something much more fulfilling, PERSEVERANCE. To "feel" a little bit like Blair and/or Serena I planned to host a dinner party at my place.

Below is a list of tips and guides based on what i did last weekend for my American-Themed dinner party

Tips:

1. Never bite off more than you can chew - Do not over and under estimate and always make sure you have a plan B (B for Blair.. teehee). Make sure you have resources and location already covered.
2. The Guest List is like the Ten Commandments - Always make sure that you do not commit mistakes when listing the people attending your shindig. One thing I learned when it came to the guest list was to never invite people that makes you scared, insecure, nervous and/or uneasy, it ruins your night and you'll be focusing more on the mistakes rather than enjoying the night with friends and family.
3. Decide on the Theme or Menu at least a week in advance - the theme is important because it sets the mood and the Menu fulfills the mood (teehee). When it comes to the menu, always have a plan B so your world doesn't end when the ingredients fall apart.
4. Clean you Place - have a general cleaning the day before so you won't have to worry about it on the day of the party.
5. Prepare everything at least an hour before - more than an hour everything gets too cold and just in time doesn't leave you enough time to take a shower and prepare yourself.
6. One of the main reason why people don't like to host dinners or party is the clean up - what i did was clean in between. If I'm waiting for something to boil, i cleaned the pots and pans that I already used.
7. One more thing... HAVE FUN... its supposed to be a gathering of friends and family... relax and enjoy.

I found that Carbon (a local market place in Cebu) is the best place to shop for meats and vegetables and pretty much everything else for a steal but if you prefer to get them from big stores like SM, Ayala, Metro Colon or anywhere else then that's fine too as long as you get everything you need.

The MENU

The Burger - Mixed Meat Patty (Beef and Longganiza, salt, pepper and rosemary to taste), Caramelized Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Button Mushrooms, Lettuce and some Cheese

Sweet Corn (tip to make the corn more sweeter - when boiling the corn add a tablespoon of sugar)

One of the best seller for the night - quartered potatoes boiled, then seared in olive oil, butter, a dash of thyme and flat leaf parsley

Second best seller that night is the Sun Cooler. Orange Juice with sliced real fruits (Watermelon, Orange, Apple and Calamansi) - Mooon Cafe inspired

It was a Fun night and I really felt like one of the characters in Gossip Girl. Check out the blogs below to see how they felt when they got invited to my Elite (ahem) soirée.

http://theunfoldinggene.blogspot.com/2013/09/saturday-night-dinner.html

http://themoxieme.blogspot.com/2013/09/alics-simple-american-themed-dinner.html

Off to my next Adventure... Japanese, French or Zombie.. teehee.. I don't know.. What do you think? Let me know.. :)

My very own Bucket List

Thing I want to do before I turn 40

I found the Slytherin notebook my sister "gave" ( more like she had no choice but ) me and saw an entry I made a few years back. It had everything that i wanted to since 2011, maybe that's why I titled it Bucket List. Let me tell you the two reasons why I'm blogging about it now. First, carrying a notebook everywhere is 50% fun and 50% bulky so I'm keeping my records online (easy update). Second, I wanted to share it because the more people know, the best chance for me to get all the information I need to achieve it. :)

Here's the list in exact order when I wrote it down. Every time I complete an item on the list I will place a picture below it and update this blog so you too would know.

• Go on a date
• Get a new BlackBerry
• Get a Passport

• Apply for a Visa
• Enroll in a Gym
• Enroll in a French Class
• Learn a New Language (Russian, German, Hebrew and more)
• Travel to Places iv'e never been to

Dumaguete, Dipolog, Dapitan and Dakak

• Travel Internationally

Thailand

• Quit
• Quit Smoking

Smoke Free for 8 months now

• Minimize Rice intake
• Lose weight
• Get over GF_ (sooo stupid, I am actually hiding this.. hahaha.. sssshhh)
• Get a Tattoo
• Boycott Fast Food Joints
• Save P10,000 and put it in the bank
• Get New Clothes (preferably when your thin)
• Go to Boracay 1 more time
• Get a Massage
• Boycott Carbonated Drinks
• Spend the night at a Hotel
• Travel Alone
• Give yourself something special for your birthdays

Birthday 2013

• Visit Pat-pat in Ilo-Ilo
• Eat somewhere fancy
• Take family on a fancy vacation
• Apply and get a job outside the Philippines
• Pay off Credit Card
• Finish Loan
• Take singing lessons
• Buy a Laptop
• Travel to Manila
• Practice Wicca More
• become a Hybrid in the Training World
• Sit through a Play

Les Miserable, Facebooked, Sister Act the Musical and a few more local plays

• Learn how to Surf
• Bake a Cake

Mug Cake - It counts teehee

• Wall Climb
• Fly
• Go Fishing and Catch Something
• Host a Dinner Party 

• Host Brunch
• Throw knives like on Hunger Games
• Be in a Play
• Dance like there is no Tomorrow
• Meet McFly (or any of the Band Members)
• Meet the Cast of Harry Potter (or any one from the movie)
• Take a picture from the outside of the Halliwell Manor
• Meet the Cast of Friends ( Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross)
• Learn Martial Arts
• Shoot an arrow from a bow (lotsa times)
• Fire a gun (safely) 

How to make your Mother Happy

 

Birthday Bash 2013 - 58 and loving it...

Edible Birthday Cake ( it was hard eating the "body" part but off with her head... teehee)

So my mom celebrated her birthday yesterday and she had a big surprise. For the last couple of years, we celebrated hers and my dad's birthday here in Cebu at The Port Sea Food Buffet but this year was different. She had that cake above and Lechon and a whole lot of food. The bad part for me was, we (my brothers and i) were not there but she celebrated it with her brother and sisters, my lil sissy and my dad with a few cousins.

Her birthday tarp ( tarps are becoming pretty popular in Calbayog)

Foooood so many fooood.. (love makes the world go round... so does food)

Dad with the Roasted Pig (Lechon) Yummy!!!

Brother and Sister for Life

Mama Isa looking for a seat to eat the treat which was neat. (rhyming - not my forte)

I called them yesterday and they were having Fun. I'm glad they did. Wished i was there with them but me in spirit did the job.. hahaha plus, if i was there? I would've locked my self with the roasted pig and that awesome cake in a room for weeks calling it My Precious... hahahaa..

Off to my next adventure with the Mad Hatter!!

ZEN - Work||Life Balance

If you feel that you're dragging yourself to work then 

you're doing it wrong.. Its not your work. Its you.

www.nearsightedowl.com -

#BalanceTips

1. When you go home, spend time with your family, they are the reason you're working. Don't sleep immediately.

2. Do random small projects that will make you proud of yourself. Although supporting your brother or sister financially is great, self fulfillment doesn't kick in till they graduate. Add small stuff like decorating you room or learning how to not burn fried eggs.t makes sense..

3. Visit places during days off that will not cost you much. Don't be a bum or a couch potato during Rest Days. Try going to Ayala, SM, Cmall, Emall, Park Mall, Mall Mall and all the words that ends with Mall.. They're free and it gives you the chance to meet someone you know randomly.

4. Don't be afraid to admit that life can sometimes be boring. It only stays boring if you want it to.

5. Have some alone time once in a while. You will only feel depressed when you have friends and don't know what to do on your free time. Why not focus on you and get a massage. *wink

6. Never forget to smile even if you have to fake it... It adds to your mood and it'll make your day a bit better.

7. And last but not the least. Never judge a co worker and question why they are in their position when they clearly don't know what they are doing. Why? Because your stressing yourself with something that you have no knowledge about. Cause if you did? You should have applied but didn't. Let them do their job and focus on not screwing up yours.

8. Smile. I said already but it makes sense..

Life's always better when you smile! :)

Through the looking glass

Everybody is looking for ways to be happy. Some chooses their career, building it from the bottom and not stopping till they get to the top. Some does everything the can to stay close and build a lasting relationship with their family. Some chooses material things over emotions. Some finds comfort putting other people down and some looks for love that they had before from others that cannot give the same. To be honest there are a lot of reasons, a lot of choices and a lot of things to consider when it comes to being contented and being happy. No one really gets contented with what they have. Even me.

I don't blame the choices people make to fulfill whatever it is they need to fulfill. As much as it hurts me, I can never decide for anyone but my self. I can't blame the person who chooses their career or the person who likes judging me and putting me down. Why? because that's what makes them happy. And I get judged because of that.

I envy anyone who can honestly say that they've loved or is in love. I admire them for they chose to be happy by looking for love and being loved. Every one loves differently and in today's society where gender, race, financial capacity or physical appearance are mere words, makes love abundant. Unfortunately because of how we think people are going to judge us, that love dies even before it beats.

Take me for example. Some who knows me would say that I live in a dream when it comes love and let me vaguely tell you why.

I am living a fantasy. I am waiting for someone right, someone not perfect but can make perfect memories with me. Someone who will knock me off
 my feet, make me feel gushy, make me feel safe, wanted, protected and loved. Someone who will come to my rescue and fall in love with me like what happens in movies and fairy tales. I want the whole shebang. And although I don't necessarily look the same as the characters in the movies nor have the same "qualities" i get judged for acting like i do.

Life is funny that way. If you're someone like me there are a few things that I wanna assure you and you may take this however you prefer.

First. You are never judged for no reason! You just have to know whose judgments count. I have a lot of friends who judges me all the time but I accept the ones that matters. You are never alone in this world so learn to keep the company that matters. :)

Second. You judge too like I do. If it makes you happy by all means continue. For me? I try very hard to keep it for myself (emphasis on "try hard"). I am not the type of person who likes confrontation and conflicts. i think.

Third. Let yourself be judged. It's life! you will always be judged.

Fourth. Never lose who you are and what you want. If you feel like a girl and want to wait for Mr. Right then wait! they're not going to live your life, you will. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't listen.

Last one. Make mistakes, make a lot of them. Be stupid. Be alive. Be wrong and be you. its less stressful when your not always right. Trying to be perfect is high maintenance. :)

 Be with friends who cares for you because you're you and not someone else. I am.

Love Love Love... then EAT! hahaha...

(listening to Nina's SOMEDAY on loop - this song touches me) :p

Walking on the streets of Bangkok

Khao San Road

Sawatdee Khap, the most common Thai phrase that i personally used when i was "back packing" in Thailand. I prepared myself for this trip for about a year, listening to MP3s on Learning Thai, googled tourist's spots and a lot more. So here are a few pictures of my trip there. 

This is Breakfast, the best stir fried rice I've tasted since i got there

I don't really know this guy's name but he is really friendly plus he made us breakfast twice... pretty cool

Munching on a few Squidballs while looking at the front view of the Siam Paragon.. Yumm

a collage of my "walks" around Bangkok - thanks Makoy for the effect

this is a shot from inside a TukTuk. it cost like a hundred Baht to travel using this mode of transportation (minimum)

Eating Ice Cream at Swensen's - me LOVE!!!!!

went inside Siam Center to find this HUGE MAGNUM ICE CREAM display filled with MACARONS

at the SCALA THEATER, waiting for Tong and Mew hahaha hopeful

Inside WAT PHO TEMPLE (The Reclining Buddha). Offering Satang Coins (i cant even remember what my wish was.. distracted? or was I wishing for something near?)

SATANG coins 

an Altar right below the tummy of the Reclining Buddha - totally look like a local right? teehee... 

Dinner for two.. I'm sorry I meant dinner for EW... lol.. crickets and bugs for the heck of it

Big ass Magnum Ice Cream... yum!!

Walking the streets of Khao San looking for a bargain

Enjoying the warm Sun 

Got the tickets to WAT PHO (the Reclining Buddha)

The famous RECLINING BUDDHA

I look like an authentic Thai person right? cool...

Inside WAT PHO

This the most "FRIENDLY" palm reader I have EVER met in my entire life!!!! EVER!!!

I love how they created this.. couldn't imagine how long and stressful it would've been

I love this shot. it looks like I'm in the States or sum sum... hahaha but its in Thailand a few block from where we saw Kishni again

an Awesome shot by Makoy (lilies)

I miss Thailand

This trip happened last June 2013, a few days after my birthday. I am starting love traveling and will plan on traveling again next June of 2014.. will let you know of my next adventure down the rabbit hole