Zeroing In On Things

in the tradition of new year's resolutions, i have listed several aspects of my life that i want to improve on, or shall i say continue to improve on?

health. this should be on top of everybody's list. as of late, i haven't been doing much to better this aspect. i'm not sick or anything (or am i? hahaha). i just want to get into shape and continue my disrupted regimen.

relationships. this is one aspect i'm guilty of overlooking. i need to get in touch with my family and friends more often. i sometimes forget to catch up with them.

career. need to get more trainings and broaden my skills to get more out of the opportunities that will come my way

finances. who doesn't want an improved financial state? this one i really have to work on...after these:

music helps me get by, so it is just right for me to invest on a good pair of earphones

being on-time is a must. this will help me....i think




since memories are priceless, i need another help to enable me in capturing new ones

On Taking A Break

after a couple of weeks hiatus from blogging, i'm back. i just took a long overdue break, reconnected with old friends and made new ones. it's always nice to take time-out from everything and just relax. eventhough my island trip didn't push through because of uncooperative weather, i had FUN.

at least i'll have new memories that will help me get through this bitch of a winter! hahaha

peace out.

Enchanting Fall

i love fall, even more than spring. there's a melancholic comfort in the seeping cold and withering leaves. a lot might find it depressing but it's solitude and serenity that i feel during autumn. here, this is the closest we get to an autumn in new york:

Finally

our shanghai trip finally pushed through yesterday. huey and i went there for a daytrip. our plan was to do her stuff in the morning, have lunch and coffee then go to ikea. we had lunch in xintiandi. it was soooo good.

we had coffee after, haven't had a decent cup of coffee for the longest time. hahaha

was already able to get my stuff from ikea. bought a new table lamp for my room and some small trinkets. i like how you can find unique and useful things from ikea for a relatively good deal. slight headache in the morning aside, it was all good.

On Holidays

there's nothing more exciting than going on a holiday. i'm taking one late november, and as early as now i'm already feeling ecstatic about it. this manila trip will be double the fun than last summer. aside from meeting up old friends, i'll be meeting up with people that i'm really looking forward to get to know. then there's my island getaway, which i've been planning for a long time. woot, woot!

in line with that, we'll be going to shanghai tomorrow until tuesday (yes, i'm skipping work! hahaha). we figured that since the weather is getting colder by the day, now is the perfect time to enjoy al fresco and where better to do that than in Xintiandi. i also need to do my pre-manila shopping to get the stuff that i'll bring back. ah, this is what i call living the life (even for a short time and even if it will cost me an arm and a leg! hahaha)

update: shanghai trip moved to two weekends from now. we have a busy two weeks ahead.

Dark and Bitter

...that's how i like my chocolate. 

 look at this: 

i got to buy this dark chocolate again from a store in Taikang Lu in Shanghai that sells Australian and New Zealand trinkets.  this is good stuff.  the cocoa taste is strong with just the right amount of sweetness.  perfect for my taste.  it reminds me of the "tabliya" (cocoa tablets / balls) that my aunt use to buy for me in Batangas.  it is actually used for making hot coco, but i like eating it like a jawbreaker instead.  

In Lieu Of My Holiday

to maximize my travel in november, i'm thinking of getting a tripod and a nikkor 18-200mm.  i only have the basic 18-55 from the kit.  the catch is, don't know what kind / brand of tripod to get and where.  sana i can find a reasonably-priced one as my trip alone will already cost me an arm and a leg! hahaha.  as per the lens, don't have an idea how much a nikkor 18-200mm costs in manila.  if it won't fit my budget eh i'll make do with my 18-55 na lang.  hay, if any of you have any suggestions regarding what tripod to buy and how much a nikkor 18-200mm please let me know.  (eugene, samahan mo ko sa quiapo ha? sana mura dun. hahaha)

eto sana gusto kong tripod, kaso expensive (Php6600 expensive!): 

Giottos MT 9360

i'll make do muna with a cheaper tripod.  so please send in your suggestions.  sali na! 

Of Breathtaking Vistas and New Experiences

if you ask my friends about me, they will surely say that i'm not the most adventurous person you'll meet.  i tend to be safe if not at all boring! hahaha.  but i'm looking forward to a nice holiday soon.  well, not so soon.  i will keep you guys posted.  surprise muna.  i'm all excited now kasi that is a place that i've always wanted to go to...even before Iza. hahaha

Artsy

last saturday afternoon when we were in shanghai, we stumbled upon a very interesting area of the French Concession. it's an entire block of two or three-storey apartment buildings which were converted to art galleries, restaurants, cafes and specialty shops. Sinan Lu (Road) is a long street lined with trees and populated by Shanghai's Art Deco residential architecture. you will discover many specialty restaurants and cafes while walking along this road. with intersecting streets that have a lot of interesting places and shops to see, you'll never get tired exploring this side of shanghai. too bad i didn't bring my camera, i could've spent the entire afternoon walking around and taking pictures. oh well, there's always a next time.

Shanghai Shenanigans

being a long-weekend, huey and i went to shanghai last saturday to "chillax." we stayed there for three days and two nights. it was a really good trip. saturday we bought some dvds, i got several movies (The Other Boleyn Girl, Once, Breaking and Entering etc.) and some tv shows (Skin and Moonlight). that should keep me occupied for some time hahaha. then we had lunch at Parkson's Crossroad in Huaihai Road (the malaysian noodles is really nice!). that afternnon we went for a facial (vanity, vanity), got my haircut then had a healthy (well, sort of) dinner at coffee bean. haven't been to coffee bean for the longest time. i really like their food. so much so that the day after, we had lunch in coffee bean too, this time in Xintiandi. over-all, it was a really relaxed long-weekend. i enjoyed it a lot.....and did i mention i got a new bag?! hahaha.

Hangzhou Weekend

it's been 2 days since we got back from our weekend trip to Hangzhou and i still feel soooo tired. we left for Wu Zhen at 7am last saturday. after Wu Zhen we went to a cave Jin Xiu Feng Shu Dong (Natural Water-eroded Cave)

sunday morning we went to a park called Lingyin Flying Peak (bakit? hindi ko alam! hahaha)

in the afternoon, we went to Xi Hu Lake
it was really fun. plus, i got to drink my iced almond soy mocha! good thing i didn't wear shorts kasi it was still chilly. have tons of pics pa but go to my facebook na lang.

Fiesta

of the 11 days that i went back, i went out every single day. had so much fun meeting different sets of friends, eating all the food that i want and of course getting my cuppa (iced almond/raspberry soy mocha or a double grande espresso frappuccino) everyday.

with my friends from my previous job



with my "alabang" friends

tribes

with my h.s. friends

You'll Never Forget Your First

it's true what they say about how we can never forget our firsts. as for me, my first ever spa / massage experience is really unforgettable. i had the aromatherapy massage in The Spa at The Fort.the lobby / reception the men's locker roomthe men's shower rooms and jacuzzi the soaking tubthe waiting areathe foot massages area the massage rooms

for their nice facilities, the rates are reasonable. i'm thinking of getting their monthly membership when i go back to manila for a long holiday.