Got It! October 27, 2009
Dead Until Dark on my bookshelf 
I got the first book of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris as a birthday present from my very good friend Nashy. I also got a gorgeous scarf as a pasalubong from her recent trip to Baguio. I’ve been wanting to buy the first book of the series for so long, but I’m so thrilled now that I got it for an early birthday present. With my birthday only a mere 3 days away, I have no expectations whatsoever. I do plan to have a good time and to blow a candle on my birthday cake. I’ve already made early morning plans with a friend, whom I’ll be spending my birthday breakfast with. And except for the birthday dinner and happy hour with the family, I’ve made no other plans so far.
Well, there will be no roses or sweet-nothings this year I guess, but I think I’ll be fine. I hope so. I never thought I’d be able to say this conviction in my lifetime, but now I can: Even with a broken heart, life can still be grand. Jessica Zafra got it right, nobody dies of a broken heart. It’s actually a case of swallowing the bitter pill for me, since I was the one responsible for getting my heart splintered in the first place. I can only wish for forgiveness and love on my birthday, but I am not in the position to say that I deserve it now, or if I still deserve it period. Missing my cheri is all I ever do these days, but I know I’ll get by. After all, everything has a time under heaven.
In the meantime, I have Charlaine Harris to keep me company. I’m still on the first few pages, but already I’m looking forward to more books.
Wish me a happy birthday, will you!
Searching for a Wedding Theme? Go Bali! October 27, 2009
Last week, the family was invited to attend a Bali themed wedding party at the Country Village Hotel. The simple wedding ceremony was held at a secluded chapel, in the hilly areas of the city. While the ceremony was simply routine, the after wedding party was anything but.
beuatiful asian lanterns
Arriving early at the reception, we were able to appreciate the well-planned Balinese setting. There were Asian lanterns hanging from the draped ceilings, and the lighting was subdued enough to bring out a romantic yet festive atmosphere. Happy, pulsating Balinese drum beats greeted us as we arrived at the venue, so it was difficult to feign excitement. I almost wanted to hop and grind in my orange summer dress! LOL.
drapes and summer hats
As you can see there were also lighted palm trees, which were strategically scattered all throughout the venue. To add a bit of privacy to the outdoor setting, drapes were hung, but these were also ingeniously tied with native summer hats for that authentic and exotic beach feel.
Me in my Bali summer dress
That’s me, taking a pose beside the cupcake tower and the dainty fondant wedding cake. I donned an orange and fuchsia number, with a cinched waist. The hunt for the perfect summer dress began since the time I received the invitation. Of course, any occasion presents the perfect excuse to add another dress to my wardrobe, so I was more than happy to begin my search. The search ended when I found this pink-strapped orange dress at Mags.
roses, mums, lilies
Okay, roses are not exactly too-Balinese, but what wedding is complete without roses? It’s a good thing that Malaysian mums, ferns, and some orchids and lilies were added into the flower arrangements, so as to create a more eclectic, less formal feel. The roses came in yellows, peaches, and whites, while the mums were either bright pink, white, or orange yellow.
roses and candlelight
And I should tell you how I adored the table settings. Each table had more than three candles, an exquisitely arranged floral bouquet, rounded stones, and smaller pebbles that remind you of beaches and glorious sunsets. The tables were just the right size, so they were both cozy and intimate, seating only about six to seven people each.
the view by the poolside
The venue was right by the pool moreover, and with the sound of the Balinese drums and the pull of the exotic ambiance, it was easy to forget that we were partying in a small hotel within the city of Cagayan de Oro.
cupcakes!
Finally, I should say something about the desserts. I think every wedding should have delectable, mouth-watering desserts. Well, these sweet treats are nothing fancy, just a few chocolate and coffee cupcakes with butter icing, cheese squares, Chantilly bars and tarts, but they were served profusely and were delightful to the taste buds.
The wedding was one of the most fun celebrations I’ve been in; there were none of the strict formality and stiffness prevalent in many traditional weddings, and everybody came to have a good time. The emcee captured everyone’s attention with her crisp voice and effortless segues. The girls came in their cute summer dresses while the guys were dressed down to their short-sleeved polos, light-colored slacks, and loafers or sneaks.
Nonetheless, there was elegance to be seen everywhere – from the lights to the flowers and from the dainty desserts to the first-class photography. It was a happy affair, which is what every wedding after-party should be.
To Jojo and Charise, may you stay in love, for life!
I Just Need To October 22, 2009
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Stop for a while and take a few deep breaths. This whirlwind existence is interesting, but pretty exhausting. I miss my lazy weekends, movie and DVD marathons, books and hot chocolate, leisurely me-time, and some belly dancing classes in the evenings. I miss having unplanned dates with someone who loves to hold my hand and smell my hair. I miss taking my dog to the beach. Heck, I even miss doing the laundry during quiet Sunday afternoons.
And even with all these chaos, I still plan to take up some Web Design and Dreamweaver courses and an English writing-related diploma course next semester. What am I thinking? It’s almost November. As if all the holiday rush, year-end parties, and gift hunting deadlines are not crazy enough. As if I am not stressed enough.
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Well, breathing is enough for now.
A Potluck, Strawberry Punch, and Margarita Party in One! October 16, 2009
The potluck party with the grade school buddies at Odessa’s place was a huge success. There was food – pasta and lots of meat-, dessert, and lots of drinks, too. For the ladies, some strawberry cocktail punch and lemony margaritas, while the guys had their usual beer. It rained heavily several hours before the dinnertime party, but the precipitation failed to “rain” on our parade. We all had a whale of a time sharing stories, trading jokes, drinking booze, playing with Odessa’s wacko dog, Jacko, and of course, posing for pictures.
Our bartender for the night, Angela, who I hope will be our official bartender from this party forward, devised a wicked strawberry punch highlighted with spiked gelatin bits. And by spiked I mean the gelatin cubes had alcohol in it. So there I was munching on the gelatin, not realizing that I was actually taking in more alcohol than I initially thought. As for the lemon margarita, it was divinely delish, and if not for the strawberry punch which I gulped down unthinkingly, I would have had more.
the wicked, wicked punch
the gradeschool gang!
the party planners
Odessa, our lovely hostess, in black.
jacko!
A Chaotic But Fun Weekend October 13, 2009
I spent the weekend attending baking classes, working on pending projects, spending dinner and after-dinner laag with a girlfriend, shopping for a new hobo bag (a great steal actually! ), skipping sewing classes, going on a Sunday road trip with my brother’s girlfriend’s family, gazing at a waterfall, swimming, taking photos, and pigging out. Phew.
I actually needed Mentopas after the road trip, especially after hiking, swimming, and sitting in the car for almost four hours. It was chaotic, you can say that, but it was also fun. Now I just need to catch up on my sewing classes. We were tasked to sew our very own sleeveless blouse last Sunday (thank God Mae and Estee were there, so I merely copied notes!) – and that involved taking all the necessary measurements, tracing patterns, cutting them, and tracing them again on a blousy piece of fabric. Then the lingerie comes next. And then the dresses. I’m feeling both excited…. and… and… apprehensive. I can’t imagine sewing my own dress and actually wearing it. That would be phenomenal.
Now some snaps.
chat, nash, me
majestic
the girls
loveliness
Vanilla Saturdays October 10, 2009
Peanut Cookies! LOL!
Off to my baking class this Saturday morning. Ciao!
Why I Love A Frozen Strawberry Margarita October 7, 2009
happiness in a pitcher
There are many reasons why I love a strawberry margarita.
One. It has a lovely color. I love pink, but not the cheesy-schmaltzy shade of pink you see on baduy curtains and school uniforms. See that lovely coral pink concoction above? That’s the strawberry margarita from Macumba Cafe. I almost did not want to touch it! How divine.
Two. I love strawberries. I like how they look like small human hearts (not that I want to devour human hearts, no), I love how they smell (gosh, that smell! I can bathe in it!), I love how they taste sweet, tart, juicy, and crunchy (the seeds!) all at the same time.
Three. It has tequila in it. It’s margarita, so of course!
Four. It reminds me of my favorite drink way back in high school, the strawberry Fruittislush. Ah, high school! Why didn’t I flirt as much as I wanted to?
Five. The blended ice is a real thirst quencher. I always forget that I’m drinking alcohol, until I’d realize that my knees almost feel like nothing and then I’d suddenly crave for my bed.
Six. I want to name my future daughter, or my granddaughter, or my neice, Margarita. Margarita Manuelle for my future daughter, if that guy takes me into his life again and whisks me into marriage. Ah, daydreams.
Seven. It’s girly. Daintily sipping on a margarita sounds more feminine than say, gulping down beer, don’t you think?
So how would you like some strawberry blended margarita for tonight?
Dreaming of Hoarding October 7, 2009
ALL THESE.
All the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.
brain candy 1
brain candy 2
I know I know, seven of these books are the same (the first collection has seven, the second eight), but I just had to post as many pictures as I can so I won’t be able to refuse myself. We are all visual creatures after all. And books are like chocolate candies to me. I read (eat) them very slowly and I like watching them on my shelf (in the fridge). No rush, no impatient consummation whatsoever where eating or reading is concerned, but first I just have to possess them.
Yes. Off to the bookstore the soonest possible time.
A Plea from My Heart to Yours October 2, 2009
There has been nothing worth writing these days. I haven’t written in this blog for weeks. Caught up in the haste of trying to make a living and trying to live a life, I had no time left for creative pursuits. But now I have a reason to write and perhaps even to make a simple plea.
After typhoon Ketsana pummeled Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, and Rizal and left thousands of families homeless, penniless, starving, and lost, it’s difficult putting up an indifferent countenance, pretending as if nothing is wrong with this country. And now, typhoon Parma is already heading toward the same ravaged cities and municipalities, just when many of the homes are still submerged in murky flood waters. It’s disheartening, yes, but with the number of Filipinos helping each other out, it’s easy to be hopeful despite all the loss.
If you are reading this post, and if you are a kababayan, please don’t forget to offer your prayers, and maybe a bit of the contents of your wallet too. You can donate in cash or in kind– bottled water, powdered milk, noodles, dried beans, rice, and even extra clothes. I have heard that SM is willing to ship grocery donations to Manila, so if you are in the provinces, you can shop for groceries and ask for SM to transport your donated goods. Aboitiz and Negros Navigation offices are also willing to accept donations.
If you are somewhere near Manila and its neighboring cities, and you have some time to kill, don’t hesitate to volunteer at relief centers and do what little you can to help. No, we don’t need to do great things, we are only asked to do small things with great love.
And if you have some extra cash to spare, please feel free to make cash donations and pledges. If you can put off buying that pair of shoes for another payday and give the money as a donation, may you be blessed a thousandfold. The collective sum can be used to feed more people should this recent typhoon intensify and should relief goods begin to run out. And if there is anything left, the cash donations will be used for the rehabilitation of villages and the reconstruction of homes and buildings ravaged by the catastrophe.
The environment needs your help, too. Accordingly, clogged waterways and garbage-ridden river ways have contributed to the heavy flooding and may very well be the reason why some of the villages in Pasig and Rizal remain submerged in water, six days after last Saturday’s typhoon. If you have the time, do some research about proper waste segregation, garbage disposal, and environment conservation. It is never too late to start our awareness on the environment. The time is NOW.
Lastly, please don’t forget to pray. Pray even during odd times, and ask that the people who suffer be given enough strength to endure everything — loss of lives, loss of loves, loss of living. Go to Church and light a candle for those who are hungry, cold, disoriented, and those who have started to give up. If you are a practising Catholic, please pray the rosary for the whole month of October. And to the rest who are free spirits, ask your God, whoever you conceive him to be, to heal this land and its people.
We can always help.
