Day 30: I’m done!

Source: tokketok.com via yvonne on Pinterest

Ah yes, minor cheating aside… I’m finally done with my 30-day blog challenge! Pretty tough to actually think of a topic to blog each day so it is quite a relief to be typing this post. This should help me improve my blogging pace. No promises. I’ll take it one day at a time. Otherwise I’d have to resort to some tweaking again in case I fall short of what I planned.

Speaking of which, I’m getting the hang of Pinterest lately. Makes it easier for me to track photos that are worth blogging about. Follow me there? I should be updating it very soon.

Day 29: New building, same company

They’ve finally moved my stuff over to the new building. Yay! Our account is now officially based there since last week and they had been transferring people by batches. I was one of the last few to move. The new place is like a huge blast freezer. Everyone’s been wearing layered clothing you’d think we weren’t based in a tropical country. I hope the temperature normalizes soon. I’m getting a case of the sniffles already and I’ve only been there for a day. :(

Day 28: Who’s in The Secret Circle?

Britt Robertson is Cassie Blake

Now who would’ve thought I’d actually enjoy The Secret Circle’s pilot, huh? I’m a bit cautious with series catered to young adults lately since I’m way past my teenage years. Haha! But surprisingly, the mysteries that unfolded in TSC’s first episode had me intrigued. Britt Robertson was okay as Cassie Blake, the main protagonist who’s first introduced as an outsider to the mysterious town of Chance Harbor.

After a while it seems she was fated to return to this town all along… to know her true heritage, which for some unknown reason her mother chose to keep her away from all these years. The teenage cast is good especially the resident mean girl, Faye (Phoebe Tonkin), who reminds me of a young Miranda Kerr. Diana (Shelley Hennig) is another interesting character. The quintessential good girl and leader of the teenage coven, she appears perfect yet unknowingly is the daughter of the man behind Cassie’s recent misfortunes.

If there’s one thing that’ll keep me glued to this series it’ll be the backstory between the parents of the current Secret Circle. What caused their falling out many years back that had Cassie’s mother leaving town? Why is Charles Meade after Cassie?

Day 27: Mike/Quinn… a.k.a. my Glee crack ship

I seldom ‘ship couples in a TV show and when I do, they’re not really canon. So I refer to them as my crack ‘ships… couples who give me even the slightest reason to watch the show even if I was never interested in it in the first place. Mike and Quinn is the perfect example. Why? Because Harry and Dianna just have awesome chemistry to begin with even if their characters barely acknowledge each other’s existence.

See? I wish TPTB would have their characters interacting more often this season. Have Quinn hang-out with Mike and Tina. A lady can dream, right? :) 

*photo swiped from Daylife

Day 26: Fleeting fancies

For about a day or two, I toyed with the idea of getting an e-Book reader or a tablet PC for Christmas. Just one of those fleeting fancies I have at random times. It was just so tempting to finally de-clutter my bookshelf and place everything in one device that I can bring anywhere. But being the OC freak that I am, it didn’t take long for me to give up. The formatting just didn’t suit my taste. I wanted it to mirror the exact book itself and not all (free) e-books are like that. :)

Oh well, I guess nothing beats the feeling of holding a real book in your hands. It’s really all a matter of preference. Some people maybe comfortable using a Kindle/iPad/Galaxy Tab for reading while others are not. If ever I’ll get a Tab (IF, being the operative word) it’s most certainly not for the Kindle app.

Day 25: Online friendships

It was so nice to see Jesser again after three years. The last time we met up, she was with Cai and they had just come from Bohol on a vacation. Our online friendship goes a long way back. They were among my first friends in LiveJournal, thanks to our mutual love for Harry Potter. Today we are still Twitter and FB friends… forever bounded by technology. Heehee!

You see, it’s very rare that I get to meet with an online friend since I live in Cebu and most of the bloggers I know are based in Manila. But it’s cool how we interact through each other’s blogs. I really make it a point to comment especially if I can relate to the entry. Sometimes it feels like you’ve known each other forever, right? :)

Hopefully I get to meet each and everyone of you in the near future… if by some sheer coincidence I end up in Manila again.

Day 24: Pizza, anyone?

Source: yellowcabpizza.com via Rose on Pinterest

The big bosses are in town and we had a pizza party last night at the office. If there’s one thing the Cebu team loves, it’s food. :) Haha! We’re not social drinkers and only a few of us smoke. But when it comes to good food, then we have a common interest. I guess this explains why our body mass index is higher than that of our Manila counterparts.

The get-together was done at our new building and needless to say, I’m pretty much excited about moving in. Our account has started its transition and I move either tonight or next Monday. It’s a new environment (in the same company) so hopefully it’ll bring about a fresh start.

Day 23: This is not a story about forgiveness

Now this is one series with an interesting plot line. Former Brothers & Sisters’ star Emily Van Camp returns to primetime via Revenge, a new television drama from ABC. The story centers around a young woman’s return to The Hamptons to take revenge against the people who caused her father’s death and destroyed her family. Here’s the twist, she returns with an entirely different identity. Very Count of Monte Cristo-like, huh?

Aside from EVC, two other familiar faces drew me to watch this with anticipation… Nick Wechsler (who can forget Kyle Valenti from Roswell?!?) and Madeleine Stowe (still a timeless beauty). Feedbacks have been favorable. Now let’s see how this whole ‘revenge’ plotline will unfold.

Day 22: Sinfully delicious!

Surprise! After weeks of constantly wishing for it, I was finally able to order some red velvet cupcakes to satisfy my craving. 

I’m not really sure how it happened, but I found myself one day browsing through the Facebook page of The Cupcake Theory: Gourmet Cupcakes and Hand-carved Cakes looking through their selection of specialties. I had given up trying to find the cupcakes at the mall. It was either no pastry shop had them, or they were simply out of stock. Part of me kept on wishing Starbucks would at least have some red velvet cake but I had no luck whenever I dropped by at their branch in Ayala. So I decided to give TCT a try.

The Cupcake Theory's Red Velvet Cupcakes

The lady behind this successful venture, Arvy, was an angel. She was very accommodating and gladly answered all of my inquiries before I placed an order for a dozen of her best-selling cupcakes. And boy it did not disappoint!

One should never be surprised these babies are her bestsellers...

The cream cheese frosting was my favorite. Its sweet n’ salty flavor complemented the cake really well that you can’t help but crave for more. Now I know why they say it’s addicting. If we did not have any self-control, all twelve would’ve been consumed right there and then. With a seal of approval from my dad and sister, it’s a no-brainer to say that we’re definitely ordering this again next month.

Oh and just a tip, the cupcake is best enjoyed shared with someone. :)

Day 21: Way to go, Shamcey!

People weren’t kidding when they say that the Miss Universe pageant is the bekis’ (read: gay people) own version of Pacquiao boxing matches. As early as 8AM of the pageant day everyone at the office was rushing to go home to catch the live telecast from Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was a rare occurrence. Something that happens only when Pacman is scheduled go up against another hapless opponent in the ring. I made it home by 9AM, just in time for the announcement of the Top 16 on Star World’s coverage.

 

The country’s representative, Shamcey Supsup, sailed through the Top 16 all the way to the Top 5 with a breeze. She was a fan favorite as well as evidenced by the fan scores flashed onscreen during the pageant proper. Then came the dreaded Q&A which can make or break a contestant’s chances (remember ‘Major, major’?). To be honest, I felt that her answer was underwhelming. It was a polarizing question and opinions were bound to be split regarding her answer. But I admired her spontaneity and the fact that she was the only one who never used an interpreter among the Top 5 contestants. For that alone, she was a winner in my book.

Way to go, Shamcey! You did well and made your countrymen proud. That’s all that matters.

Day 20: BOATLIFT–An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience

When Pottermore finally allowed me to choose my wand, one of the questions asked was regarding what characteristic of myself do I value the most. I chose resilience. I don’t know why but it just felt right. Maybe because I’ve always been able to bounce back after experiencing setbacks both personally and professionally speaking. At times when I felt like giving up, I constantly remind myself that I will get through this unscathed.

9/11 taught us how powerful human resilience can be. It’s both sad and amazing how it brings out the best of humanity at times when you need it the most. ‘Boatlift’ tells us of the untold tale of those who helped evacuate thousands from Manhattan on the day of the attacks. Be amazed at their story.

Day 19: Where were you 10 years ago?

I’m watching 9/11 tribute shows on TV as I type this entry. Pretty overwhelming, and I don’t know which one to prioritize. But it will never change the fact that innocent lives were lost in a cowardly act of terrorism perpetrated by people blinded by their beliefs. I still cry every time I watch the memorial service commemorated year after year since the tragedy. It’s heartbreaking. Parents losing their children, children losing their parents, wives losing their husbands, babies born who never got to know their fathers. The list goes on.

I still remember that fateful day (night, for us in this time zone) like it was just yesterday. I was watching TV with my sister when my uncle rushed into the room and asked that we change the channel to CNN. He said the World Trade Center was on fire. No one knew yet that a plane had hit the North Tower. I remembered even saying that they should be fine since we all thought a fire had simply broken out on one floor. A few minutes later, we all realized it was an inferno caused by two planes crashing into the towers. The rest, they say, is history.

We ended up watching the news until way past midnight. It was the talk of the town at school the next day. Who knew all of those happened a decade ago? It’s surreal. Some of those fatalities were even younger than I am today when they died. They will never get to live their dreams anymore. But I will hold on to the thought that they are at peace knowing their legacy will forever be remembered.

NEVER FORGET.

Day 18: Auntie Anne’s pretzels

My sister and I decided to try out something new when we went to Ayala today. So off we went to Auntie Anne’s and sampled what they market as ‘hand-baked soft pretzels’. Real pretzels! Pretty new for someone like me who’s only used to the Jack n’ Jill ones.:) Haha!

For starters, we ordered their Pretzel Treat #1 which consisted of an original pretzel and iced tea. I included a caramel dip as well just for extra kick. My sister was pleased. The pretzel was indeed soft, and was bursting with flavor even without the dip. I love how they’re generous with their drinks. No small cups that could barely even quench your thirst after eating.

Conveniently situated at the 2nd floor of the mall’s activity zone, Auntie Anne’s is the perfect place to hang-out with friends or colleagues especially if you’re meeting for a quick catch-up before other appointments. Consider it an alternative to the crowded coffee shops these days.

Day 17: He’s So Legendary…

Can Puss In Boots be more adorable? :) I spent a few good minutes laughing over this new trailer they released. Antonio Banderas, FTW! I can never picture him now without associating him with this adorable feline. And yes, we are so watching this in cinemas once it’s released. PIB needs all the love! <3

Day 16: Food trippin’ at Spaghetti Factory

Why is it that whenever we decide to go on a food trip, I always end up not bringing my camera? I should really find a bag that’s more handy otherwise I’ll end up missing a lot of great food photo opportunities.

 

One such example is the Spaghetti Factory at Ayala. We love their pasta so much that we keep coming back any chance we got. This was already our third visit, but I have yet to bring Yogi along. So forgive the crappy photos from my Blackberry.

 

My sister's order: Mama's Pasta w/ fettuccine noodles

That visit also made me realize I can never consume a serving of lasagna by myself. I was already full halfway through the meal and several helpings of garlic toast. But perhaps I wasn’t that hungry at that time. Their Béchamel sauce was amazing and it complimented the pasta really well.

Spaghetti Factory's Lasagna - see the sauce? It was HEAVEN!

Garlic Bread - nothing special. We could've done away with it in this meal

I’ll be back, Spaghetti Factory... and with better photos!

Spaghetti Factory
3rd Level, Ayala Center Cebu
http://www.spaghettifactory.com.ph

Day 15: Buffy’s back with… Ringer!

I’ve never been a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar during her Buffy heydays. Her voice was just too nasal, plus she got to marry Freddie Prinze, Jr.! Yeah, I’m a bitter fan. :) Heehee! Eight years after BtVS bid adieu, SMG is back on the small screen with her new project Ringer… playing twins nonetheless. And I must say, the trailer had me impressed. 

I love how it gave us a background of the story without revealing too much which in turn encourages more viewers to check out the pilot to see how this whole mystery unfolded. 

Oh and one more thing… Ioan Gruffud!!! Isn’t he reason enough for someone to check out this show? Tsk! Lucky, lucky SMG!

Day 14: Sorted… I’m a Gryffindor!

My Pottermore email has finally arrived informing me that my account is now ready. Being the eager beaver that I am, I just had to explore it immediately. Never mind the fact that I was due for work in an hour. People weren’t kidding when the say the site is addictive. Here you get the chance to experience what Harry and friends went through during their first year at Hogwarts. The flash site is impressive. You even get the back stories of some characters from the books. 

But what I was really excited about, was to find out which Hogwarts House I’d be sorted into. Judging from the reactions of those who were recently sorted, I had my mind set on going to Hufflepuff. But surprise, surprise… guess where the Sorting Hat placed me after answering all those questions?

Maybe my personality traits are really Gryffindor-like, huh? I can’t wait to further explore the site. It’s bound to be a challenge… it took me a couple of tries (okay, seven!) to perfect the potions-brewing practice! What if I don’t earn any house points? :(

Crossing my fingers that my sister gets her email soon. She’s been checking for it for the past few days and I can tell she’s very excited to start exploring the site on her own account already. Hopefully we’ll get to be housemates too!

So, who’s on Pottermore? Add me up: QuaffleSky99. Don’t forget to tell me your username as well so that I’d know it’s you. :)

Day 13: A day of firsts…

Definitely my favorite from the photo booth we had last Sunday. It was a day of many firsts for me. I zip lined for the first time and it was an exhilarating experience. Again, I regret not bringing my camera to the event. It would’ve been so nice to capture my reaction or even take a picture of the surroundings as I was suspended in mid-air. 

First time ko rin makapag-photo booth. I am such a n00b! Heto ang nagagawa pag hindi social creature. I get so amazed by a lot of things. Heehee! For once, I actually went out with non-WFM folks from work. Truth be told, I was getting this reputation of being a party-ditcher so I decided to conform for once… and I had so much fun!

Thank you, Miss Cherryll for inviting me to your birthday celebration. It was truly an event that I will always remember.

*photo courtesy of Big Chiz

Day 12: Zip line, baybeh!

Today I had my first ever zip line experience. I thought I wouldn’t survive the ordeal, but it’s different once you’re already up in the air. How I wish I actually went for a second round but it was getting quite dark since we arrived late in the afternoon. My only regret was not bringing Yogi with me hence no decent photos of me zip lining except for the part where I was getting prepped up.

The experience has taught me that I had what it takes to conquer my own fears. I should be willing to take risks and learn from them because only then will I become a better person. So what’s next? Bungee jumping? :) Nah, I have yet to gather the right amount of courage for that. Maybe next time. Heehee!

Day 11: Taste some macarons --- check!

Probably not as good as the French ones from Pierre Hermé or Ladurée. But since we have very limited choices in my corner of the country, I just had to try what Vanille Patisserie had to offer when it comes to macarons. Who knew these little creations were so tiny yet bursting with so much flavor?

We opted for three on our first try: tableya (cacao tablets), caramel and espresso. I was not disappointed. Tableya perfectly captured the blend of bitterness and sweetness in its filling that it overpowered my taste buds by the time I took a bite out of the Espresso. My sister, on the other hand, loved the Espresso one although she was a bit disappointed with the actual size of the thing. 

Perhaps we’ll definitely comeback in the future. The visit was only to shut me up since I couldn’t stop babbling about wanting to taste macarons and red velvet cupcakes, the latter of which still remains elusive to me until now.

Paging Mercato Centrale or Banchetto organizers! Can’t you do a one-time weekend set-up here in the Queen City of the South? Or perhaps come-up with a counterpart here? I’d gladly spend my rest days sampling all that you’ll be offering in that event. Heehee!

Day 10: Harry, Ginny and kids (A Potter family portrait!)

Now this is just lovely. Granted that David Yates already screwed up Ginny in the movies, a photo like this still makes you miss having a Potter movie to look forward to each year. I love it, despite criticisms on the ageing make-up, because the casting people managed to find great kids to portray Harry and Ginny’s children. Will Dunn is a charmer. Arthur Bowen’s features look like he could really be Dan and Bonnie’s son. Daphne just reminds me of little Bonnie from Sorcerer’s Stone.

The epilogue better get a special feature on the DH2 DVD! Now where’s the family portrait for Ron, Hermione, Rosie and Hugo? :)

*photo credit to Oclumencia’s twitter

Day 9: The -BER months are here!

Oh how fast time flies! I can’t believe it’s September already. Soon we’d be hearing Christmas carols over the radio. :) Which reminds me to start saving up in time for the holidays. I don’t want to panic when it’s time to do some Christmas shopping. Plus I have Project 2011 to think about. We’re going low key this year, most probably a Kodak Playsport or Playfull so that I’ll have something handy when it comes to random trips with friends.

For happy thoughts, here’s a random photo of the Stark kids (from Game of Thrones) that I found in a message board. Most probably they got it from Tumblr as well.

Too bad their hottie brothers, Robb and Jon, weren't with them. Hehe! I'm still depressed. Can't get over the fate Robb meets in A Storm of Swords. NOOO! I want Richard Madden to stay until the end of the series. :(