ME RANTING (with facebook timeline segue)

I am pissed. If you have been my friend/relative you know that I have been wanting to drive or learn how to drive for the longest time now. In fact a dear friend said, "You haven't done it already? I thought you crossed that from your to-do list last year?" Well, unfortunately, I haven't got the time to do that, with the bar exam and criss-crossing and hopping from one job to the next, so no time.

I finally got the time to get it over with by actually planning to do it last week, with my cousin Jheisha. She was free because it's her school break so she has at least a week. We planned to get lessons from Aplus where we need to pay P4,300 for 10 hours. That can be enough. If I needed to learn some more, maybe Google and Youtube can fill in the gaps. Hehe!

So I was ready to withdraw the money I have been saving for this time. Unfortunately, the money I saved through BPI Save Up cannot be withdrawn because I needed to go through a lot of inconvenient steps. Worse, I think BPI has got the worst call center support. They do not answer when you dial the 89-100 line and it has been going on for several days now. I can't go online because apparently I do not have my password and account number, things that I don't know of. I did not enroll my BPI account before so I can't possible have the password and account name...My only hope lies in the hands of an operator, who at the moment is not answering my calls.

So basically, my driving lessons have to park again.

Anyways, has anyone of you heard of Facebook Timeline? Well, it's facebook's latest attempt to lure its people in and prevent it from becoming archaic like Friendster (has anyone heard of this?). It is suppose to be  the story of your life according to my BFF Mark Zuckerberg (tehehe!). If you want to know what I am blabbing about, go check this site and check out my new profile... http://www.techspot.com/guides/444-get-facebook-timeline/

PS: It will ask you to enter your phone number in your account to get a confirmation code. I suggest that for your own safety, remove it after you are done creating the timeline. Anyways, that's it! And oh, I'm still pissed.

Weekend at Mall of Asia (MoA)

Okay so I think I'm taking way too many breaks this month. I went to Baguio and now I went malling. Well, while I hate losing money because I don't conduct classes teaching English online, I just can't let this time pass. My brother and his girlfriend are coming to Metro Manila for a short visit and of course, I miss my brother. Second of all, nothing makes me soo excited than shopping. His girlfriend told me that they were coming here to shop because MoA is throwing in a huge sale. So off we go to MoA right after my Saturday afternoon classes.

I was so psyched to find that most stores went on sale. Too bad I'm saving up for another solo adventure and also I can't blow another chunk of my salary on clothes alone. I also need to save for the bar exam. So, while I was surrounded by amazing pieces, I have to stay away. Luckily, my brother brought his camera so I just took a few pics along with my accomplice, Melanie.

Oh, by the way, do check out SM Department Store especially Shopaholic, Betty and all that line. I just think they have all the Fall Fashion Trends right down to a tee! They have polka dot skirts, tribal printed tee shirts where you get a short hem line in front and a longer hem line at the back.. those types, and oh, they also have snakeskin-printed blouses which I find so adorable even if they cost P799.00! We bought floral blouses too for my mom and I hope she loved them because they are just so cute.

Anyways, here are a few of the pics we took.

blouse- thrifted; skirt- Shopaholic; blue skinny belt- Genevieve Gozum;
 bag-  my cousin's; watch- Tomato
flats- Penshoppe

I'm wearing the feather extension I got from Shopeuphoria

Having fun at the Men's Section! LOL!

We just found all these Christmas decors and Santa Clause adorable. The biggest one with the lamp post
is only P1,499.00. That is my brother's girlfriend, Jean Gay.

Posing in front of the Science Discovery Center near Seaside Blvd. With me are Jean Gay and Melanie.

Part Three: Baguio Escapade

I woke up early on my third day in Baguio City. I was thinking of heading back to Camp John Hay to try out their zipline but then again, I chickened out. Heights aren't my thing. Bumping my head in one of them pine trees knowing how huge of a clutz I am, is not either. So, I went to see the Baguio Cathedral instead. It has expanded a lot over the years just like any church in the country.

But before that, I know I promised to show you what I had for dinner the other day in Choco-Late de Batirol. It is a quaint cafe near the Gate 2 Exit of Camp John Hay that serves chocolate drink prepared the traditional way. Through beating it in a batirol. I think we still have one like that at home.

Here's a peak...

Oh, this is what I wore when I strolled in Camp John Hay. I so love the skirt!

It was a chilly walk going out of Camp John Hay. I think people here
will not have any reason not to exercise or jog...The weather is so perfect.

This is the very unique signage in front of Choco-late de Batirol. Very artsy, huh?

I got this bittersweet blend (traditional flavor) for P80. Kinda reminds me of what
my lola used to prepare back home. Look at the guitar-shaped holder. Cute.

So, that was it. That's what I had at the quaint store called Choco-late de Batirol along with probably the most expensive Bangusilog I had so far.. LOL! Overall, I spent P280 for that dinner. Whew!

Sunday came and like I said, I went to Baguio Cathedral. Of course I went in to give thanks for a very safe and awesome vacay. I gave thanks to Him for making things happen for me at this point.

Now, for the pics. Aren't these the awesomest pics of the church or what?

I don't remember this statues being there when I went to Baguio when I was younger.

Overall, that was a good vacation. See you for yet another Solo Lakwatsera adventure!

Part Two: Baguio Escapade

I woke up and I was still cold--- that's how I remembered how I woke up last Monday. I had a long list of places to go but I was dragging myself to take a shower. I think I finally mustered the courage to bathe in cold waters at 9AM or 10AM. I forgot. But I do remembered it was sooo damn cold!

I got dressed and wore my Get Laud brown cardigan, my thrifted nude blouse which you all have seen from my posts before and instead of wearing the usual shorts, I wore leggings and my go-to flats from Penshoppe. I know I'd freeze if i wear shorts and people will stare like, "What the?!"

I will break down all the sights for you. First I went to the Mansion. The lawn was redesigned, of course, to give way to the symbol for which this present administration is popular for--- yellow ribbons!

It was overcast that day so sorry for the un-awesome pictures

tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree....   :-)

We can't come anywhere closer to the Mansion. This is the farthest I can go...

So after visiting the Mansion, I headed to the Pool of Pines which is just right across the Mansion. There you will see manongs and manangs who are selling all kind of stuff--- from puppets to huge oranges. I sampled one of the oranges and it was so good I did not mind paying P140 for three oranges.

See the Mansion right across?

It's called Pool of Pines because of the reflection of the trees in the waters.

After checking out the pine trees lined up in that area, I proceeded to the Wright Park. I saw a lot of manongs selling strawberry taho--- it's a soy-based snack which can also be a good source of protein. Frankly, I find this way too sweet for me. I guess I will still stick to the all-time favorite caramel taho.

This is for P15 per serving. This is way too sweet for me...  :-(

I saw the structure seen above at the end of the Pool of Pines. I think it's more like a place to rest and relax. So here, I ate and savored my strawberry taho...

Yummy!

Then I noticed some great art pieces exhibited by its artist. Sorry but I actually forgot his name. His initials are A. Cayabyab. He sells his paintings depicting Filipino culture and tradition and you can buy his art pieces for P1,500 a piece. It is wayyy cheaper than those expensive ones you see in exhibits in Manila.

These will make any bare wall look amazing. Let s all support Filipino talents.

Look for this artist in Baguio City if you have hotels or restaurants. His works are all oil-in-canvass.

After I indulged myself with all these art pieces, I suddenly began to feel hungry. So I ventured to look for, pinicpican, which is similar to tinolang manok (boiled chicken with ginger, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and some veggies) except that the process by which this dish is prepared is different. The chicken's feathers are torched and not plucked. So the skin will appear dark and well, burnt. It also has less veggies. But still it tastes good especially on a cold day like this one. I found the best tasting pinicpican (as per my cab driver's suggestion) near Baguio Plaza in Sagada Lunch (or something)... They serve it for P70 with rice.

Later that afternoon, I went to Camp John Hay and took a stroll to the Butterfly Sanctuary. According to the caretaker there, butterflies are most active in hotter temperature. They require 30 degrees celsius to e fluttering and active. Since the temp in Baguio was down to less than 15 degrees, they will still. It was as though they were bored and sleepy. So you won't find any flying butterfly here. But the good thing about this is that they are unmoved by any photo ops activity. Deadma lang...

Very bored butterflies in my head, thanks to Tatay Loloy, who carefully arranged them

There are two species of butterflies here. They also breed these here in the sanctuary.

I went to a stroll along the pine tree scented streets of Camp John Hay afterwards. well, I had no choice since there were fewer taxis plying that route. Word to the wise: wear flats. I'm glad I did but I hope I wore shorts so I could have tried the zipline. But I think I still look adorable in my skirt. Shown below when I posed near The Manor, a very posh and classy hotel inside the camp.

tribal printed skirt (which is very F21-ish) from Shopaholic at SM Baguio (P445); tanktop (thrifted)
cardigan from Get Laud (P350),  thin blue belt from Genevieve Gozum (P50)
and sandals from Parisian (P699)

Then I went for a taste of what Choco-Late de Batirol has to offer... will post that tomorrow. 

Byers people! Thanks for reading

Baguio Escapade Part 1

It's not the first time I'm headed up north to what is internationally dubbed as "the Summer Capital of the Philippines"--- Baguio City (pronounced as Bag-yow City). I was here when I was 13, and stayed for almost a week at Teacher's Camp. Last time I was here was ten years ago, for a quick org meeting. The difference between those times and this time is well, I'll be travelling alone, that's one. Also, before, somebody plans out the itinerary for me and I've no control as to where and when to go. Now, not only did I plan out everything but I'm shelling out on my own as well. Consider this as a personal treat I owe myself since graduating from law school. I have not had one moment to rest since graduating because I immediately looked for a job. I think I sort of deserved this...

This post will be divided into three parts-- one for each day I stayed in Baguio City. First off, I left Manila via Victory Liner at 11am and reached Baguio City at around 5pm. It was a very foggy afternoon and good thing no accident of whatever nature happened.

It was raining when I arrived in the city. My friend was nowhere to be found so I took the liberty of finding my own transient house to sleep in before it gets too dark and too cold. Luckily I found this place in 42 Cabinet Hills. I stayed there for 2 nights at P350/night.

Guess what? No aircon, no fans. Who needs them? I was cold all through the night though (lamigin kasi)..    :-(

After this, I immediately took a cold shower (yes, no heated shower  :-(  ) and went to SM Baguio for dinner.  By the way, since I don't know the place, I was advised to just take taxi cabs wherever I go. So that part kinda burned a hole in my budget... Anyways, I had dinner at Shakeys while being mesmerized by the lights in the parkview area of the mall.

I got this view and crisp pine-scented breeze. These were free of charge of course.

That's it for now... I'm so tired. Tomorrow, I'm headed to Wright Park, The Mansion, and Camp John Hay. It's gonna be a long day, so, byers...