I Miss You, Ormoc!

I've been in Tacloban for all my life so when I was assigned in Ormoc for a new job, I was really nervous but ecstatic!!! Hello, I'll finally be able to experience the meaning of independence (said my 23 year old self). Aside from the better career opportunity, there was another reason for my excitement. Haha! But that's all in the past now.

The experience of living alone, sleeping alone, eating alone especially during dinner, doing grocery alone, and doing anything by myself have not only make me miss my life back home but more importantly it taught me to be decisive, responsible, and resilient. 

I would not have managed the life-away-from-home without my officemates, boardmates, friends, and of course Ian. These people have been my boredom killer and my second family. I would not have survived without them.

Although I was glad to be back in Tacloban, I also missed my life there especially in the office/branch. I admit that it was challenging working in the branch because:

1. language barrier - speaking in Bisaya is not my thing. it was always hard talking to clients. but eventually i learned the dialect later on.
2. you have to be patient all the time because you're dealing with clients every minute
3. being in the operations means that you just can't leave your station anytime you want (even if you want too pee already or you're super hungry)
4. you can't use the internet easily, haha!
5. you can't txt or make calls as often as you want
6. month end. duh.
7. i have to wake up very early on Mondays since i'll be travelling 
8. can't really eat a decent meal (always eating out)
9. homesick
10. you missed the happenings back home! grrrrr!!!

But it was also fun, memorable and quite a learning experience too, because:

1. i met IAN :))
2. dates with above-mentioned guy (how i miss YOU!!!)
3. when the Bank closes, everyone is on a happy and chika-chika mode already
4. i can really be me - loud, giggly, and perky (haha, at least when there's no client already)
5. i'm with the champions! 3 years in a row! i'm so proud of Ormoc Branch, kina-career lagi ang presentation every Christmas party, haha!
6. meeting clients every day; meeting new people and old friends
7. foodtrip 
8. teleserye-watching with boardmates
9. i have privacy in my bhauz (coz right now I'm sharing a room with my sister which is totally fine with me but there are times that I want the room all by myself)
10. i grew, i believe :)

There's actually nothing permanent in life. Who knows, maybe next month or after a year, I'll be going back there. What's important is that we are flexible. And we always make the most of our time. Cherish the people we meet. Treasure each experiences life gives us. Savour every pain and joy that comes our way. 

Instead of doing my assignment, I became nostalgic and opted to blog instead. *sigh*

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A (Food) Trip Down Memory Lane

The movie Namets has inspired me to look back on our almost two year's journey (and counting...) through the places we've been (ahm, restaurants actually) and the foods we've eaten. You see, food has been one of the primary ingredient of our relationship. Dates would usually revolve around eating, watching a movie, talking, eating, walking, sightseeing, eating, cuddling (aaawww....), taking pictures, laughing and even doing nothing, haha! Well..there's usually eating in between... haha! Am I still making sense here? :) 

So here are some of the 24 captured moments we had while eating (and taking pictures of course):

Jose Karlo's

Sabin Resort

JCS

Sunzibar - OUR FAVORITE IN TACLOBAN :)))

Starbucks

Sbarro

Tokyo Tokyo

Pancake House

Krispy Kreme

Calea (Bacolod) - favorite pastry shop :)))

Bob's (Bacolod)

Alexis pizzeria

Bar 21 (Bacolod)

Aida's (Bacolod) - Another FAVORITE!!! :))))

McArthur Park (Bukohan) - cheap date :)) but super fun!

McDo

Rafael's farm

Bebida's - favorite place to get drunk, i mean drink :)

Big Roy's

Bo's

Calda

Mamerta's (Ormoc) - one of our go-to's when I was still assigned in Ormoc

Ocho's - YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pardi's

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NAMETS!

Ever since I first went to Bacolod in 2007, I immediately fell in love with the place. I told myself that the place is so livable and lovable (haha...). Seriously, Bacolod is a beautiful place with a rich culture and delightful cuisine. I surely enjoyed the second time I went there last year (which I blogged here). Every day is a new experience for my tummy! :)  So watching Namets was like travelling back to Bacolod. I'm glad Ian recommended me this movie. This isn't just about Negros cuisine. It's also about appreciating your own culture 'coz it's one way of discovering yourself.

Namets! is a 2008 Filipino independent film directed by Jay Abello. The film was a finalist in the full-length feature category of the 2008 CinemalayaPhilippine Independent Film Festival.^[3] The film's title is a play on the Hiligaynon word namit, which means "yummy" or "delicious".

Jacko Teves (Christian Vasquez) owns Puccini's, an Italian restaurant in Bacolod City. When a monstrous cock fighting debt sets him at odds with Boss Dolpo (Peque Gallaga), he offers his restaurant up as payment. Boss Dolpo brings in Cassie Labayen (Angel Jacob) as a consultant to renovate the restaurant. Much to Jacko's dismay, Cassie decides to offer Negrense cuisine instead of Italian. The pair then set off across the province re-discovering the unique aspects of Negrense food.

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Polka Dots

 polka dots to polka dots.  maxi skirt borrowed from my sister :)

forever 21 dress worn as top. i like wearing flats..this whole ensemble is just so comfy!

i've been hesitant to wear long skirts since i'm petite. but i just want to! :) finally got my wish! haha!

bag and accessories by bf :)

advance happy birthday to me :) been wanting to have a  "sports watch"

lunch at Mang Inasal with family. missed their chiken kasi!

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Thank You God!

This week has been intoxicating for me! Every day was a busy day at the office that everytime I went home, I’m already exhausted. I was not able to do an assignment for my Research class (Promise! This Sunday I’ll finish you!). But, mind you, I’m not a couch potato at home. Since we have no helper, everyone must do certain house chores. So I still have to do my assigned tasks no matter how tired I am. *sigh*

It was not only the busyness that caused my intoxication. I was worrying so much!!! I was praying to God every day, telling Him how much I needed help and guidance.  I was telling him how down I felt this week. With work, school, and the future. I’m such a worrier! Seriously, I was really not myself lately. Have you ever felt that feeling that you want something so bad yet it seems so impossible to achieve??? I was feeling hopeless and helpless... But GOD is just so good... No, He's the greatest! He rescued me... He proved to me once again that there is no problem too big. He showed me that He is ALWAYS there for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH DADDY GOD... just when I thought there's no more hope, You gave me light...

Now I feel better and lighter once again. Ready to face the world! :)

But how I miss Ian... We get to spend for fifteen hours only after seventeen days of not seeing each other. I'm not complaining though because we'll be together again next week! Yipeeee!!! Isn't it nice to wake up each day when you have something to look forward to? Your family, partner, work, mission, bucket lists! Whatever it is...may we wake up with optimism and a happy heart :)

I love their coffee :)

I miss you!

For the love of Coke, that's why we ate at Mcdo!

At last complete na rin!!! The other three glasses are not shown lang.

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Goody and Majestic finds

I'm no make-up expert but I just love Majolica Majorca - a Japanese cosmetic brand under Shiseido. They have such a cute and unique packaging and mind you they're affordable too! How I wish that they're available here :(

I'm somewhat "monolids" that's why I need an eyeliner and a mascara to enhance my eyes. I'm not really into liquid eyeliner but Majolica's is quite easy to use (but I still need more practice though). Their mascara also improves the length of my eyelashes. Next time, I'll be buying their Lash King to lengthen and thicken my eyelashes! Haha, forgive me for sounding so vain! :)

free makeup (MOA, May 2012)

 For a long time now, I've been looking for a hair accessory that will free my eyes from my hair...(if you know what I mean, haha!) At the same time, an accessory that won't damage my hair... I've been hearing/reading about Goody from my favorite bloggers and I thought it was not available here in Tacloban. So, I was just so happy when I found Goody products in Children's Place (Burgos Branch). I was having a hard time if I'll buy the Bun Spiral or the Updo Barrette. I thought that my hair can't do a "bun hairdo" yet, so I opted for the barrette.

"Goody's Ouchless Flex Updo Barrettes are soft, flexible and offer long-lasting style with Goody's revolutionary Comfort Hold teeth and a no-metal design to prevent hair breakage. With a stylish contoured design and zero snags, these versatile clips allow you to lean back into your favorite pillow and indulge in true comfort."

Now I can work better in the office with my hair in place, without damaging my hair. Surely I'll be buying more Goody products in the future - to style my hair more often and effortlessly. :)

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My Top 10 Favorite TV Shows

Here's a compilation of my top 10 favorite (US) tv shows of all time. Actually, this list goes beyond ten. It's just that I forgot some of the shows I used to watch when I was younger. Haha! So in no particular order: 

*credits to Wikipedia for the details.

1. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

Set in Manhattan, How I Met Your Mother follows the social and romantic lives of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and his friends Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan) and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris).As a framing device, the main character, Ted, using voiceover narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and his daughter the events that led to his meeting their mother. 

2. ONCE UPON A TIME

Once Upon a Time is an American fantasy drama television series created by Lost and Tron: Legacy writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz,that premiered on Sunday October 23, 2011, on ABC. 

3. PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Set in the fictitious town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, the series follows the lives of Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson), Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale) and Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell), four girls whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse). One year later, they begin receiving messages from a mysterious figure using the name "A" who threatens to expose their secrets. At first they think it's Alison herself, but after she is found dead, the girls realize that someone else knows their secrets—including long-hidden ones they thought only Alison knew.

4. THE LYING GAME

Filmed in Austin but set in Scottsdale, Arizona, the series is about Emma (Alexandra Chando), a foster child who finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton (also played by Chando). The girls were separated at birth, with Sutton being adopted by wealthy parents and seemingly living an ideal life. Meeting prior to the pilot episode, Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues information about their birth mother in Los Angeles. Initially excited to do this favor for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has many hidden secrets. Now Emma must continue to cover as Sutton continues her search for their birth mother. When Sutton reclaims her identity, Emma's future is unknown, as the twins, along with some of their closest friends, attempt to sort through the secrets of the people around them. 

5. FRIENDS

Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. 

6. LIZZIE MCGUIRE

Lizzie McGuire is an American teen sitcom which premiered on the Disney Channel on January 12, 2001 following the premiere of Zenon: The Zequeland ended February 14, 2004. A total of 65 episodes were produced and aired. Its target demographic was preteens and adolescents.The show's mixed media format stood out from the rest of the Disney Channel's programming of the time and, in essence, became the channel'sflagship and definitive show of the early 2000s (decade).

7. THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

The series follows the life of Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) a 17 year-old girl, who falls for a 162-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley).Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Stefan's vicious and malevolent older brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) returns with a plan to wreak havoc on the town and a revenge against his younger brother. Both brothers begin to show affection towards Elena, mainly because of her resemblance to their past love Katherine Pierce. It is revealed that Elena is a descendant of Katherine, who eventually returns with plans against the trio. 

8. REVENGE

Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) comes to the Hamptons for the summer, renting a home next to the Grayson family to enjoy a bright summer. However, it is revealed that Emily has been to the Hamptons before as a little girl. In reality, Emily is Amanda Clarke, whose father was framed for a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison for life. She was permanently separated from him and never saw him again. Now, she's returned to the Hamptons, intent on getting revenge against those who wronged her and her father, the top of that list being Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), matriarch of the Grayson family and the woman whom her father loved and who, in the end, betrayed him.

9. SEX AND THE CITY

Set and filmed in New York City and based on the book of the same name by Candace Bushnell, the show follows the lives of a group of four women – three in their mid-thirties and one in her forties – who, throughout their different natures and ever-changing sex lives, remain inseparable and confide in each other. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, the quirky series had multiple continuing storylines that tackled relevant and modern social issues like sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, safe sex, promiscuity, and femininity while exploring the difference between friendships and relationships.

10. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL

America's Next Top Model (often abbreviated as ANTM) is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry.The show was created and is hosted by talk-show host and model Tyra Banks, who also serves as the head judge and executive producer of the show.

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