Bonding over Popcorn: 2009 - 2010

10. Confessions of a Shopaholic (022009) - this must be his attempt on saying I'm one :p

11. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (072009) - we both cried when Dumbledore died :'(

12. New Moon (112009) - I had to watch this twice. One with office friends, and the other with him :)

13. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (022010) - looked interesting so we watched.

14. Up (052009) - this movie made us cry and laugh. Carl and Ellie's love story was really very touching and when she died, we we're both crying. Russell was just so cute and funny we couldn't stop laughing.

15. Eclipse (072010) - this we had to wait for it's 3rd week as it was always full and we really couldn't get tickets.

16. Inception (072010) - mind blowing (and frying?) :p

17. Grown Ups (082010) - courtesy of our project that allowed us to bring 2 family members to have a movie and dine with us. Since my parents were not into English films and my brother was too shy to come, I brought the then boyfriend and a friend from my previous project. The movie was followed by an ice cream snack and dinner at National Sports Grill, Glorietta.

18. Legend of the Guardians: the owls of Gahoole (092010) - we watched this one in 3D and it was amazing :) 

19. Megamind (112010) - we didn't really intend to watch this one but we didn't have much of a choice. It ended up to be a good decision. :) 

20. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part I (112010)  - oh my. Made me realize how they've grown (and how we've grown older)

Bonding over Popcorn: 2005 - 2008

This blog was made with the intent of being my online diary so I decided to put the list of the movies we've watched since we started dating :) 

1.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (112005) - big fans of the Harry Potter Series :)  Our very first movie together. He was a graduate and a new Geodetic engineer (yey!) then and was trying to find a job. Since he's not renting anymore and goes home to Pampanga, we squeezed watching this movie one time that he had a job interview and was in the QC area.  

2. Happy Feet (112006) - we'll watch anything that looks cute, and Mambo was super!

3. You Got Me (022007) - we're not really into watching too much Filipino films but we like Toni so we watched 2 of hers :) 

4.  Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (072007)

5. My Big Love (022008) - this one's a cute one. He sort of related with Sam's character, and Toni was really hilarious. :) 

6. Iron Man (042008) - Tony Stark's gadgets are cool and SciFi really interests us. 

7. Kung Fu Panda (062008)

8. City of Ember (102008) - anything out of the ordinary and is magical, we'd watch. :) 

9. Twilight (112008) - I started reading the book and immediately got hooked, so the film adaptions are a must watch for me.

Going Japanese

Want Japanese food but on a budget? Why not try Tokyo Tokyo's sumo remix? Well, that's what Hubby and I usually do. Since rice is unlimited, you can go have as many as you want while gulping on their large red iced tea.

Our personal favorites? American Maki (I like it because of the cheese that the California ones don't have)

Tempura and Chicken Karaage with veggies! I love Tempura and how they do their chicken. Soft and juicy with the right amount of saltiness. Their stir fried veggie side dish is also good you can even eat it with rice :) 

Satisfying Japanese meal that is right on the budget. :) 

Itadakimasu!

Tokyo! Tokyo!

2nd Level, Market! Market!

Mckinley Parkway, Taguig

Philippines

Confession

Something to think about :) 

Flashback: Malaysia - Singapore Trip (092011) - Day 1

Having gotten recently married and wanting to spend the honeymoon outside the country, we tagged along with our college friends (not much of a honeymoon I know haha) as there was a Piso Fare offered by Cebu Pacific going to Malaysia. We booked for this September travel as early as February and by that time I still didn't have a passport. Good thing scheduling for a DFA passport appointment can be done online. Getting a passport wasn't that bad compared to getting an NBI clearance. I spent almost 3-4 hours in the DFA office near SM MOA and just paid extra to have my passport delivered after 2 weeks. 

I was pretty excited for this trip as this is our first trip as a married couple and my first out-of-the-country. Hubby had already been to India when we were still dating because of work. It was a 4 hour flight to Malaysia and we arrived shortly after lunch.Their airport was an hour away from Kuala Lumpur and we had to take a bus to get to KL Central where we took our late lunch at KFC. :) KFC MY's rice is a little different and I didn't like it that much. It tasted like natuyong goto. One thing to note also was they do not serve their meal with utensils! We looked around and almost all was eating with their hands. Though we have no problem with that (as we're Filipinos) we opted to ask the counter for some plastic utensils instead. 

We waited for our friend who works in Malaysia to finish work and fetch us so we can settle and rest at the apartment he rented for us. The house was a bit far from KL sentral and since we were a group of 12, we had to be in 2 cabs. James (the friend who works there who also served as our tour guide) was with us in the cab so knowing where to go, we arrived at the apartment 45 minutes after leaving the mall. Unfortunately for the rest in the other cab, since they do not have Malaysian sim cards and James had no way of contacting them, they got lost and arrived 30 minutes after we did. :( 

The vicinity of the apartment was not big on cleanliness. Trash was everywhere and I'm not sure if cars there were cheap because the parking space was overflowing. The elevator was old and I had the feeling that it might get us stuck especially that the apartment was on the 14th floor. Though this was the case, the apartment itself was quite nice considering we only paid MYR 30 per head for 3 nights. It was spacious and had 3 bedrooms, 2 comfort rooms, a kitchen, sala and a dining table. You can use all the kitchen tools, refrigerator, washing machine and the iron. :) 

The first day wasn't really intended for much sight seeing.  We slept at around 10 and was woken up by a Muslim prayer being delivered in speakers loud enough for the whole building to hear it. It was a different experience. :) 

Next stop: Genting Highlands

Bohol - Cebu Trip (092012): Day 1 - Ship Haus, Chocolate Hills and Man Made Forest

After the Loboc River Cruise, we went off to see the Chocolate Hills. This was the main event of the day for me as it would be my first to see them not just in books and postcards. Yey! Along the way, our attention was caught by this Ship-shaped house (that was a tongue twister haha) so we went down from the service and took a picture or two. Picture taking was free, but donations were encouraged. 

After a 20 minute ride, we had our first glimpse of a hill. 10 minutes after that, we found ourselves walking up to the viewing deck. It was a breath-taking climb (literally and figuratively). We were slow in pace for the parents, often taking a short sit at the benches at the sides. It was one cardio, I tell you :p 

It was a beautiful site, being surrounded by greens and a few chocolate colored ones. We stayed at the top for just a few minutes as it was pretty hot at the viewing deck, good thing it was windy. There was a photographer who'd take your picture as if you were flying over the hills. We didn't bother to ask how much as we expect it to be overpriced.  At the bottom were tinderas of various snacks including chocolate milk drinks made from carabao milk. I would have bought one had I not feared my stomach might react to it which would not be good as we still have tons of places to visit. 

On the way to the Tarsier Conservation, we passed through the Man Made Forest,and of course, we parked at the side to take some pictures. It was amazing that this was man made, and from the looks of all the trees, they must have been planted way back. Kuya Cito told us the year, I just couldn't remember it. 

Next Stop: Tarsier Conservation and Butterfly Farm

Bohol - Cebu Trip (092012): Day 1 - Xzootic Animal Park and Loboc River

So after the quick visit to Baclayon Church, we went to Xzootic Animal Park, where you have to pay (if I remember right, P12 each of entrance fee). It's a small zoo along the road side. Since I've been to zoos when I was a kid, this was just a so-so experience for me. The only highlight was that we were able to pet this huge snake (he was asleep). Yes I held him, just once haha. And Hedwig was there too! :p 

We didn't stay that long in the zoo. We just bought some pasalubong and decided to go straight to Loboc River for lunch. I think it's imperative that when you go to Bohol, you have to have lunch cruising the Loboc River. We paid P300/head for the boat ride and lunch. My Tita (who has been to Bohol a month before we did) said that the food depends on the boat you ride. We chose the one recommended by Kuya Cito. The food wasn't really that good as I expected them to be. Some were actually dry, and though it was a buffet, my seconds were just mainly fruits. We were given a bottle of soda each and because I'm not really into sodas, I forced myself to buy their bottled water overpriced at P40 each. :(

Though my tummy wasn't that satisfied, my eyes were. I grew up in the city and I light up really when I see greens. Loboc river was teeming with green life. And the air, so fresh! At the end of the river was a waterfall and a floating hut where locals were waiting for every boat riders to go down and join them in their singing and dancing. 

Next stop: Ship Haus and Man Made Forest

Bohol - Cebu Trip (092012): Day 1 - Baclayon Church

As a post anniversary gala and to let Papa have his first airplane ride, I planned for a local trip and the seat sale offered a trip to Bohol so off we went! :)

 I'm obsessive compulsive, so a month before the actual trip, everything was already taken care of - the place where we would stay and the tour packages. It was just supposed to be a 3 day Bohol tour but 2 weeks prior to the trip, Cebu Pacific emailed and called me saying that the flight back to Manila is cancelled and we needed to pick another one. Having learned from officemates that Cebu is just a 2 hour ship ride from Bohol, I took this opportunity and booked the going home flight a day after the original one and in Mactan Airport. :) This is Papa's first, so he was pretty thrilled about the trip. The flight is at 8:20 am and despite my parents wanting to be in the airport 2 hours before the schedule, we arrived at 7:00, thanks to me being "kilos pagong". :p

Kuya Cito, our driver/tour guide was already waiting for us in the terminal. He worked for Cherry's Home Too were we stayed. We're pretty practical and picked a budget friendly inn without sacrificing comfort. My thinking was, why choose an expensive hotel when you will be out most of the time?

First stop was the Baclayon Church, which I always mispronounce as BACLA-yon. Apparently it's BAC-layon according to hubby hehe.

According to the sign, it is the oldest coral stone church in that region. Hubby has this thing about old structure so needless to say, he was busy taking pictures while being awed of how beautiful the church is. He even wanted to go to the museum but the parents were not that into it, so we didn't.

The altar looked like the one in Sts. Peter and Paul where we got married. The church, since it was old, had a great number of cracks in its paint-faded walls. At the back, there was what seems to be a bamboo organ though I'm not sure. Outside the church was a figure of  Padre Pio which I didn't notice had Hubby not pointed it out. 

*copying the picture from Hubby's blog. 

Next stop: Xzootic Animal Park and Loboc River

North Park Dinner

Wanting some Chinese food, we went and ate at North Park after our window shopping date at Market! Market! It was probably around 7pm and we were 2nd to the list of waiting guest. We didn't wait that long and we were given seats after 5 or 10 minutes. 

The other table occupied by a family of 5 ordered noodles which were tempting but since I wanted rice we went for their Lechon Macau, dumplings and Young Chow Fried rice. 

We've eaten quite a few times at North Park but it has always been at Greenbelt. At the Greenbelt branch, you'd starve first before they serve you your food so I was a bit surprise when ours came in in just a few minutes :) Their Lechon Macau is a must try. It's crunchy and tasty but if you want it with a little vegetable you can opt to get the Lechon Macau with Talong instead. For me, that's their best seller, we just didn't get it this time because we wanted to try the "dry" version. Their dumplings were good as well and the rice was good enough for 3. 

Next time we dine here, I'll try their noodles :) 

North Park Noodle House
Ground Floor,Market! Market! 
Mckinley Parkway, Taguig
Philippines

Tears are good stress reliever :)

I am female, and yes I use that as an excuse whenever I feel like nothing can calm me but a good cry. Today, after 4 years of going through the same process, I cried. I was not promoted. 

That sounded childish, but it's not. (of course, I'd say it's not) I'm not after the salary increase that comes along with it because I got my share of that. It's more of self worth, actually. Of knowing your're doing good, that you are excelling in what you do. Today I cried because I felt stupid, and having been a tutor and lecturer for more than 6 years before becoming a developer, for me that's the worst feeling ever. 

I couldn't even post anything in Facebook, because I wanted to be happy for my friends who leveled up and I am. I just couldn't give a warm congratulations now because I feel bad for myself. No, I'm not envious and no I am not comparing myself to others. I am comparing myself to me, and I wanted so bad to be a better version of me. 

I've cried. I feel better. I've identified my weaknesses. I have plans on how to improve and will implement them as soon as I can. 

Moving forward. :) 

Rating, see you next fiscal year with a smile. :)

Real Beauty

Every girl should feel beautiful, regardless of what others think. 

I'm a Cheater!

Yes, I admit I am. You can't blame me. I can't help myself so I indulged. Eating has always been my weakness. *insert very sad face here* Sigh. 

I know I've posted the challenge of losing weight and yes I was losing the challenge. I am now at 67.1 Kilos and counting and this should stop. *sob* Hubby and I have always been fond of eating. Since we got together, it has always been a dine-in date for us, and now that we're married every weekend is always spent hunting new restaurants or having food delivered for our Friday movie nights, or (being the Kapampangan that he is) him experimenting on a new dish which would always turn out to be tasty! In short, we pig out on weekends haha. Today isn't an exception. He cooked Bistek Tagalog for breakfast and I ate just a little less than usual determined to start dieting but come lunch time, I craved for chicken. I wanted chicken nuggets with fries but changed my mind and ordered KFC's streetwise bucket meal which consists of 6 pieces fried chicken (ours were hot and original combined), 3 side dishes, 3 rice and 2 500 ml Coke. Yes, you guessed right, we finish the lot. Amazing, isn't it? :p 

For dinner, as we were in Market! Market! after attending the BGC The Feast, we had Beef Wanton Noodles, regular Asado Siopao, Pork and Tofu and Nai Cha. Hubby was suppose to take Wanton Noodles but the cashier wasn't able to punch it. We didn't bother to order anymore because the Beef Wanton was good enough for 2 people trying to go on a diet. We shared :) 

I really need to lose weight and I will start tomorrow haha, since I've already eaten today's meals. I need an inpiration or an incentive. 

My inspiration:

Nope, not that much of a big fan, but she really lost weight, and I should as well. Now for the incentive, hmmm.. I'm gonna have to think about it first. :) 

Happy Skin

Since I was a baby, I've had dermatitis. I've gone to several dermatologists but was never really able to get rid of it. Some say it's asthma of the skin and it's not curable. My skin is dryer than normal. During summer or if it's dusty, I'd get this little sores which are very itchy. I would usually (try to) have self control when I'm awake but at night when I'm half asleep I'd be itch-happy and scratch every inch of my skin. Needless to say, I have never worn shorts since I was a kid and had a very low self esteem growing up because I was different. It's a vicious cycle of getting sore, irritated, wounded and watery skin, taking medicines and healing. More than the money spent on the dermatologist trips, my worry was really my skin collecting ugly wound scars. I used to just have scars on my neck and joints but 2 years ago, due to a lot of stress from work, my skin had its worst condition. 

I edited the photos to be in black and white so they'd be less unappealing, but if shown in colored, the redness and puffiness of my skin would be very apparent. My back shone because at that time I was trying putting on virgin coconut oil which, I was told by a nurse friend, had a healing and moisturizing effect. 

There wasn't a part of my skin which did not have gushing wounds. These pictures were taken when I was already "healing" so the sores did not have scabs anymore. 

I was not at work almost once a week because of skin pain. I was taking steroids to heal them and they would, except that they'd come back right after stopping oral medications. Steroids can only be taken in a short period because they are not that healthy, so I'd take them for a week and I had to stop.After 2 months I was forced to be on leave for a week because I couldn't walk anymore. Baths were hard as water felt like alcohol to my skin. My dermatologist gave me Burrow Solution which is supposed to be applied 15 minutes on every wound to dry them. With all the wounds that I had, using both my hands, I only managed to treat each one for 3 minutes and it would take me 2 solid hours to finish. I couldn't sleep at night because of the itch and the pain after I've scratched them. I tried taking in Red Juice, and eating only veggies and fruits, they helped minimize the redness but the sores just won't go away. Seeing my skin in this way brought my confidence to the extreme low. I thought of quitting work and breaking up with my boyfriend of 5 years (now Hubby) because I couldn't let him be with a mess like me. 

I endured this phase for 18 months, often absenting myself from work, visiting the dermatologists almost every week and being on and off Prednisone (the steroid) for a year. I gained weight. I even consulted another dermatologist recommended by a co jeepney passenger. Yes, that's how eye-catching my skin was that even strangers would either give me an are-you-contagious kind of look or would offer help by telling me how themselves or someone they know had the same thing and what they did to cure it. I had sore wounds even on our wedding day! :(

One officemate told me to consult an allergologist for another medical opinion on my condition. I never knew there was an allergy specialist! All I knew was that if it was about skin, you go to a dermatologist and that was what I have been doing for the past n years. Since I was under Maxicare, I looked for one and found Dr. Manuel Canlas and immediately consulted him. 

He's a pretty popular doctor as Hubby and I  had to go back after not making it on their waiting list (capacity  - 60 people only). When we finally made it to the cut-off, we had to wait for 5 hours ( I slept on the bench outside the clinic to pass time) to be attended. I was checked for allergies via skin test where they prick your skin 60 times for 60 allergens, wait for 20 minutes and see what allergen made your skin a bit sore. 

Above is the result of my skin test. For years I struggled with the urge of eating seafoods and chicken because I was told I was allergic to them, so it was a great relief to see that my major allergens were dust and dust mites. Dr. Canlas offered two choices - 1. I take oral and topical medications when my skin is irritated and showing signs of starting wounds. This one would be a lifetime thing tho because as long as you are exposed to the allergens you're sensitive to, you will definitely get a reaction. 2. desensitization where you have a 70% chance of totally getting rid of your allergy.

I chose the 2nd one of course :) It's a process of injecting  you a dosage of your allergen every week and you taking oral and topical medications until the dosage gets higher, your visits get more seldom and you rely only on your immune system fighting allergic reactions. This method usually takes 4 months to a year depending on how serious your condition is. I'm almost on my 12th month and I'm very happy to say that ever since I've been taking shots I never had bad reactions, only the occasional mosquito-looking-bite wounds when it's really hot or dusty. 

No more pus. No more gushing wounds.Now I eat anything I want, I just couldn't sweep the house,the bed sheets and pillow cases need changing every week and the bed needs spraying of anti dust mites every 2 weeks :) 

Thank you Ally for recommending an allergologist. 

Thank you Dr.Canlas for being patient with me. 

Above all, thank you Lord. You didn't forget me and heard my cries. Healing has finally arrived. :)