Filters, Filters, Filters!!!

Try walking around a new mall and the first thing you do is memorize the layout. Okay, if that's not the first thing you do, that occupies my time. Then you get to visit this new mall a little more and you go inside stores because there's nothing to do anyway. One of these stores I often just pass by is one that I consider a wasteland - a place that has truckloads of things you don't actually need but end up buying anyway for some reason. It's like going inside a house full of Budol-Budol Gang members. Daiso, this 88-peso store holds a goldmine of things you actually need, things you might need, things you think you need (but you don't!!), and things you never thought you'd need (and still don't know up to now if you need them). 

I had an item in mind even before I left home: paper coffee filter. I am running low on them and with the resumption of work, I might need more. Then we went inside Daiso to kill time. Dang it! It was like finding your true love without looking for it! I found a happy corner!!

Just put coffee into the filter, put this on top of your cup
or mug, then add water! Instant coffee brewer! Genius!

There was one area that housed things I never imagined available here for only Php88! I was so giddy, I got myself coffee paper cone filters, tea paper packet filters, and was about to grab coffee filters that were just like those portable brewers (e.g. Starbucks Origami), except you don't need a brewer - you put your freshly ground coffee directly in it. So much fun for Php88! I know I'm coming back at this wallet trap. I'm currently pursuing water therapy but this recent discovery (I know, I'm late) might pose as a challenge. Still. Happy. Me. Depressed. Wallet. 

Oh My, It Is 2014 Already!

Road trips are made of pure fun. How to add more excitement in a trip? Do it with spontaneity! Let loose, don't plan anything (as much). Just strap to yourself a phone with a working GPS and a screenshot of directions or an idea where to go. Best part is to have road trips with people you love; unless you're more than willing to risk trading a good time with plotting how to throw someone out of the car. 

Then there's the added pressure of getting there safe and sound. Spur of the moment trips when one doesn't know the directions are those that may spell trouble - "Oh, nasaan na tayo?" "Ikaw navigator di ba?" "Left ba or right? Bilis!!!" Yup. The chance that every intersection and fork-road can be the end of a good mood and the start of a silent drive, is additional f-u-n. And the possibility of the most vile question/statement that can be asked/uttered, "Diba ikaw nagyaya?" "Sabi mo dito tayo eh!" Oh, joy from heaven. 

Unless you are drunk (the driver must NEVER be drunk!), remember to pack a few things though, no matter how unplanned or spontaneous or adventurous you think you are:

- car/mobile charger or spare battery

- GPS-enabled phone or map

- money or source of it (atm card, credit card)

- food and water

- good music

- patience

- a good attitude

- an open mind for fun and adventure

Well, I ended and started the year with road trips. One that evolved from a daytrip to an overnight one and another that was initially scrapped but somehow went through anyway! 

First was a long drive to Laiya, Batangas. We just wanted a decent beach so we initially thought of Kabayan Beach Resort but main target was La Luz for privacy and serenity. We tried our luck in La Luz because they don't accept walk-ins (and we were not able to reserve). Hurrah! We got in and there's even one room left. It was meant to be. Good thing we had enough clothes and money. Haha. 

Peace and quiet. Plus some dogs around.

With good company, wine is inevitable. Ahhh... Bliss. I have been to La Luz before and my second time is still pretty much the same. The sand is fine on one side but gets a little rocky towards the shoreline. The sand is not white but more on the lighter shade of brown. The beach umbrellas, the wonderful service, the buffet, and the peaceful place is perfectly fine. We didn't do any water sports or any activities except very little swimming and frying our skin under the sun. We particularly chose the dangerous timeframe you must avoid - 9am onwards, because we're crazy like that.

Just a few days ahead, we ventured to Bacolor, Pampanga for a birthday party. From SLEx a few days ago, to NLEx a few days ahead. Ah, we're rich with experience but so poor with gas and toll money. HA HA. NOT. -___-

Happy birthday, Kristal! We've been true friends to you for 2 years now (we rode the bus last year since no one wanted to drive all the way)! 

Then A Different Cab Story

I love cab stories. I remember the one time I rode a cab, on the last day of work (we have shutdown, baby!), and as usual - I send the cab details to people at home and engage the driver into a conversation just because I want to know the person whom I have entrusted my life with for at least an hour or less of our travel time.

We started with the usual route and traffic conversation starter. I noticed a Blackberry hanging from the rear-view mirror. He told me about his experience with a really arrogant passenger who wanted him to swerve and drive recklessly. He asked the passenger to step out of his cab and he continued with, "Some passengers think just because they pay their fare, they own us already." Then he started talking about Born Again Christians and we then shifted to his son. He asked me if I'm still studying and he said that his son was changed by his Christian friends. He was a dropout of HRM and just spent his time playing mindless computer games. He stopped studying, he didn't have vices and is a good son, well except that he doesn't want to study anymore. Then he got involved with a Christian group. He joined their cell groups and the praise-and-worship band, becoming their keyboardist. Then one day, he told his parents, "Mom, Dad, I want to study again." Given that they are supportive parents, they asked him of his chosen course. He wanted to take IT and the best thing is that apart from the 50% scholarship, he actually wants to have a degree this time.

Then he mentioned something else. His son is not his eldest child. He has a stepdaughter from his wife who had a child with someone who left her. He was bestfriends with his wife and since he was still single then, they got together. He was able to provide for his family and his stepdaughter was able to finish school. Now, she lives in the US where she married a soldier who has a position and has a son. He asked me if I want to see a photo of his grandson who looks like an artista. He was really excited so who am I to say no? He handed me his Blackberry (with the AT&T mark on!) and showed photos of his grandson. He mentioned that when his stepdaughter and grandson visited them (when the husband was stationed in Afghanistan), he brought the kid with him and entertained the passengers.

It was a very good trip. Neither of us noticed that we were at San Juan already. It was a really interesting cab ride for me, one of my most interesting ones to be honest. I even told the driver about my ill-fated encounter with a creeper-driver. He definitely countered that misadventure.

Death: Canine and Eletronics

Late November and early December was a sad and depressing time. Butchoi, our ever lovable Japanese Spitz, passed away. Nov 25, 2005 - Nov 28, 2013. I cried buckets! Yaya Susan cried buckets. She fed and bathed and took care of that dog for a long time. The dog who barks even if you're a block away from the gate. The dog who always barks when I open the car, unless I tell him first, "May kukuhanin lang!" and he somehow doesn't bark at me or the car. The dog who gets crazy when there's a car parked in front of our gate. I'll miss this fluffy guard dog who looks like a white wolf. The bigger version of a normal Japanese Spitz. Japanese Spitz as a breed can't really boast a long life for its line but that doesn't make them less popular. I was just relaying the story to my friends the next day in the office during breaktime and suddenly waterworks ensued. It was my first time to silently weep in public ever since the Great Depression occured. After my dog's death, my phone decided to become a brick. Just like that, they left me. :(

Death Cab for Ruthie

Sweet baby geez, I haven't really posted anything in an eternity even though there were already a number of things I wanted to talk about such as how beautiful it is watching at Dolby Atmos cinemas. Or like how douchey cab drivers are lately. Oh yeah, I remember that!

It was a regular Friday (Nov 8 to be exact). I hailed a cab in front of our office building and had the luxury of choosing between a rickety old Corolla versus a spanking blue and white Vios. Of course, the Vios won. I got in as soon as the previous female passenger got out, lugging with me my laptop and 2 other bags (eyebags not included). Do you have that spider-sense? I don't. But it felt like I had one and it was on red alert. My SOP of texting the cab details wasn't forgotten, yet the last number of the cab was scraped off, so I had to look at the front passenger seat's side to check. Ok. Got the details! The driver was really suspicious. Like, reaaaally suspicious. My gut feel was way off the chart! He looks at me from the rearview mirror a lot, turns the aircon at full blast, and keeps on raising his three fingers in front of the vent. I was reaaaaally nervous already. I was waiting to smell something unusual or feel my lungs contract and then I called up a friend to break the silence (I tried making conversation with the driver but it's just one liners from him).

Finally he spoke. He mentioned that he needs to check the engine. Petron wasn't really full but he said, "Ay walang tubig." After one last intersection, I can't take it anymore. I asked him to drop me off because I forgot something in the office. "Bababa ka na? Bakit?" One foot was out of the door already and I gave him money before he drags me off to zombieland. 

I stayed outside and walked for a while and hailed a cab again. I was so scared I didn't ride a can afterwards for some time again. Yeahp. Who knew that old Corolla was safer than that new Vios? 

Sariling Sikap Series

So when my good friend, Kathy, decides to do something from scratch, she invites me over and lets me wreck all the beautiful things she does. There were grilled seafood and sesame dressings involved in the past, then there are sushis and pizzas present now. We're still thinking of what to do next because she has already baked cookies and even though they're so good, baking cookies is soooo mainstream that almost half of the female population bake. We take in too much caffeine already, making different kinds of caffeinated beverages seem to be difficult to consume - unless we have more people over to drink what we can whip up and share more sleepless nights with us.

Here's the first cheese pizza with dough made from scratch. No shortcuts! What else could go wrong? Pair it with wine, then you're off to lala-land! Lala-land can be synonymous to glutton's world by the way. ._.

That's a freaking 2004 merlot. And some flour on the background.

Then there's the oh-so-common California Maki. Geez, this is so tedious to make/prepare! And it involves a lot of handwork, I wonder how restaurants do this? I love you, Japanese mayonnaise and tobiko! :*

Yes, we're pretty mad about mangoes and crab sticks!

When I make something unpretty, you'll never know if I made one because it'll be in my mouth - gone in 10 seconds, and then I'll deny ever making an "unpretty" sushi. Ok?

Planet Grapes

I have stopped posting about wine not because I have stopped drinking wine, but because I have been drinking faster than I can post or write something about it. I have tasted gewürztraminer, which is my new favorite (sauvignon blanc is still my all time tastes-like-real-wine favorite), riesling, sweet reds, orange moscatos, plus pink moscatos and pinot grigio on the pipeline.

The white zinfandel on the right sucks. Left bottle, goodie!

Oh by the way, since we're here, don't buy Sutter Home's white zinfandel. It's just wrong. Spend more money on some white zinfandels from Beringer. Those, are the good stuff. Sweet as your usual moscatos but with a stronger kick - because they usually reach 10-14% alcohol content.

One more, one more! I posted this review before but I want to keep one in my blog as well. It's about this cozy place called Planet Grapes along Tuscany (near McKinley Hill, Taguig City).

We all just want happy grapes!!

I initially asked the server which of their wines have the highest alcohol content. They have Woodstock fortified wine at 20% but we settled for a Spy Valley 2012 gewurztraminer because I said so. Haha. It's difficult when there are lots of options! The bottle costs Php1,400 which is pricey for wine because you can get 2 (or 3!) good bottles for that amount!

Then again, I can say that Php1,400 was worth it. The service was fantastic! The servers (their male servers look like they can double as bouncers) were quick to refill your glass for both wine and water. They'll ask if you want your opened bottled chilled, so they'll put a wine bucket (with a stand) at the end, where it doesn't take up any space on the table.

There's NO food corkage because they don't serve meals (aside from delis and appetizers). On the photo above, that's S&R pizza. I asked if we can eat it there or if we have to pay. They said it's fine and got our food. Our server went back and presented it with their cutesy plates and cutleries. Our Php200 pizza looked like Php450 when plated that way. Uh-huh.

I'm a wine drinker (you don't say!) and I would love to go back here, even if I can get their wines cheaper elsewhere! That's how much I enjoyed it. Yeahp!

Cheese is usually wine's best friend, but then who needs cheese when you have friends and loved ones as company?

November In A Toothpaste Tube (Nutshell Is Too Mainstream)

It has probably been ten years since I last posted something here. It's just that the internet at the office is not friendly for websites that require a sign-in account, so I'm restricted to just viewing and reading blogs (yup, Harvard Business Review keeps me preoccupied almost all the time, nopes, what are you saying that I'm viewing the Oatmeal in the office?!). I've been doing a lot of things in my leisure - that is, time you have for yourself after work/office hours. And usually with the traffic, leisure is just too little nowadays. I have come to appreciate my weekends and officemates more, because how can you survive being in an environment wherein you abhor the people around you?

This post is basically a catch-up for me. I have been through a lot since I last posted an entry. There were ups and downs, but mostly my days have been pretty amazing. So, what did I miss posting about?

I finally bought a coffee burr grinder. Plus I was able to purchase a single cup brewer. I can bring this in the office or just make a cup for myself without having to clean the coffee press or plug in the coffee maker. Lazy asses, unite!!! Woohoo!!

Meet Wentworth the Miller!

I have been lusting for this one in Amazon for quite some time and then one morning, my friends and I chanced upon 2 stocks of this and I basically screamed in delight. Without having to utter 2 sentences, Neth bought one as well and we were ready to swat away hands that would get it before us.

The coffee brewer on the left, with its ammo on the right.

Then, I have finally climbed Mt. Pico de Loro at Cavite. Time to party!!! I have dreamed of going here and just burn my skin from the UV rays while punishing my legs in the process. The falls as a sidetrip is worth it, even if it'll take off at least 30 minutes of your trek time.

Hello, beautiful.

My November was not just about coffee and mountains, there are a lot of food and merriment involved as well, but since this is just my first post for November, I'll divide my posts into a number of entries just because I feel like doing it. Uh-huh, I'm bad-ass that way!

Cars

When you want something memorable, it really makes a mark when the heavens think you'd really want to make things THAT memorable. You attract and draw that thought towards you 24/7. Since 2013 has been a rollercoaster in almost all aspects of my life (I do have social life and other kinds of "life" you can imagine), September wants to top it. How about having a nasty hit from an elf truck whose owner doesn't have insurance? Some "drivers" (because they just pretend to know how to) should never be driving. Yeah you were issued a license, but the skill and the instinct to drive a truck or a jeepney or any vehicle at all - they're just not there.

Hold your temper. Control your voice. Battle the rain. Drive at night with a bumper that can fall off anytime. Get lost. Suffer from the insensitivity of people with authority over the matter (yes, Mr. Traffic Police Photographer). Stretch your patience from Manila to the bowels of the earth. Be professional even if they're trying to rip you off. Smile, sometimes there's really nothing you can do.

It's such a cold, cold world that I can't get out. So I'll just make the best out of nothing that I have.

That was September 28, 2013. I finished paying off Noah the car last September, too, but how about a fancy October? Repaired car from the event above suddenly had a battery that went haywire. What to do? Just add hot water a problem and we can easily sort out the grown-ups from the whiners. There are adults who are whiners, too! But we're talking about maturity and peace of mind here. Unleash all your social skills and rack your memory for possible solutions. Once again, extend your patience till you reach the core of the earth.

Always have a car or portable charger for your phone aside from extra money. But it helps so much if you have someone close to you in times of trouble. Oh btw, August? I just replaced Noah's battery and I was nowhere near home, I was more than 20 kilometers away from home. Oh glob, automotive problems are one of the loveliest problems to have. NOT. I think I dropped my sense of humor somewhere else along the way.