2 Countries per Year Target - 2012 Edition

Part 1: Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya & Johor Bahru

Yes, i committed this goal some time this year and said I should at least visit two (new) countries every year. For 2012, I visited Malaysia and Singapore for the first time with two former colleagues in CorpDev. Technically this is my first travel outside the country without my family/relatives so it was really something! 

We did all sorts of turista stuff in Malaysia. 

Petronas Tower, Check!

Mosque, Check!

Street Food, Check!

Spicy Tom Yum Food,Check!

Mall Hopping & Shopping, Check!

Train, Cab, Bus, Walk, Walk and more walk, Check!

 Petronas Tower with Anie & Anj

 Mosque in Putrajaya now w/ our gracious host, Deng.

Unforgettable shopping experience in Johor Bahru Premium Outlet Store

to be continued.

Travel before you get Married.

No I am not getting married soon. I am reading one of my favorite blogs and chance upon this line.  And I really thought about it and realized its true.  Two of my cousins started to have a family few years back and it seems that traveling is really a set back when you're married and you have kids already.  

So as early as now I will make it a point to visit (at least) 2 countries a year. I started this last year when I turned 25 and visited HK & Macau over the Christmas break with the whole family. Technically just one because I've been to Hong Kong before when I was 3 but I was too small then so let me count it again (Haha!).  

 Macau with Nikki Betos (Dec 2011)

HK Disneyland w/ the whole clan. Here's my and my sister. (Dec 2011)

If i will keep with my promise to visit two new countries a year, I will have a total of 20 countries by the time I am 35. Hopefully then Im hitched.  Or is 35 yrs. old too old to get married? Haha lets see! (Thats another entry)

Next month, I will have my MY-SG adventure with former colleagues. I am so excited. 

I can't wait. Meanwhile, let me think of my next country to visit for 2013.

This is me committing to the universe that I will see the world as I grow older. In my bucket list I even mentioned to travel alone at least once.  Hopefully I may be able to plan that next year. 

Bon Voyage!

Kthnksbye,

K

2 yrs and Im Back!

Yes, my last was still back in 2010. So what really happened in between those past two years? 

Let me do some laundry list.:

I gained, lost and gained (again) weight.  

I got into a new job/role (same company though).

I was able to visit at least 3 local destinations every year (because of work). 

I gained / re-gained and maintained friendships. 

I got a driver license (car your up next).

I partied like a college kid (just because i didn't get to do this before).

I still maintained my status as "single". 

I reached (and celebrated) my quarter life age.

I am not having some quarter life crisis but let me list as well some realizations and learnings I have gained over the past years:

I realized that becoming a wedding planner or a food stylist/photographer is my dream job. (Hence)

I have marked a long term goal (for the first time) that I will be a corporate slave for 10 yrs. only. 

I also realized that I am really "manang" by nature despite my extrovert / ms friendship personality. 

I've learned that there are people who exist in this world who will make you suffer (intentionally). And those type people are those who didn't have happy childhood. (I'm glad i had a good one). 

I've realized that at the end of the day, despite the many acquaintances/friends that i have, there are just a number of true friends that you can rely on. I am glad that over the years, i can now identify who my real friends are. 

There are still a lot of things i can put but for now lets just leave it like that. Lets see if I can keep up with blogging. 

P.S 

For visual updates on my life, there's always Facebook you know. 

kthanksbye!

K 

Re-branding WOW Philippines

So everyone is raging for the re-branding of WOW Philippines.  Honestly, and so am I! Whats wrong with DOT? (Well technically Campaigns & Grey).  They could have enhanced the former campaign na lang sana. Or was it the plan and it just didnt work?

Pilipinas Kay Ganda doesnt have an impact at all in my own humble opinion. Gaaad! Even our own countrymen are not proud of this thing how can other nationalities even appreciate it!?

For more details and comments, read the sentiments of famous lifestyle bloggers Anton Diaz and Ivan Henares.

Hello, Sweet November Contest by PhoebeAnn

I've been reading a lot of beauty blogs lately. So when Im bored at work or my mind wants to wander, I read up a lot online and one of which I always stumble upon is Phoebe's blog. Now she's throwing a contest and I might as well give it a shot. I never won anything online. 

Here are the terms and conditions for her contest.
Terms & Conditions:



1. This contest is exclusive to Philippine residents only.

2. Contest runs until November 16, 2010 11:59PM Manila Time.

3. All contestants must comment on this post stating how they joined the contest (Twitter/Subscription/blog or Facebook entry).

4. A winner can only win once.

5. Winners must claim the prize at the designated meeting area in Makati City after the contest duration (will most likely be on a Saturday). If the winner cannot claim the prize herself/himself, a representative may be sent to claim on her/his behalf. Else, the prize may be shipped via MC Express but the cost will be shouldered by the winner.

For the load of goodies to be won pls. visit her contest link at:
http://www.phoebeann.me/hello-sweet-november/

I'm eyeing on this or perhaps the set from flawless:

just bec. im adoring the cute charm brush and body shop hair brush
(ang babaw ko lang noh?)

Crossing my fingers! If I dont get the lotto prize (which is now 300M ++) might as well have this! LOL!

Join Now!

90s Kid Nostalgia

OMG I stumbled upon this video of FOJ a.k.a Vanna Vanna reunited after 11 years! My gosh before I got obsessed with international boy and girl bands, there was Vanna Vanna! Who would forget their hits like the famous Ivory Song (ang gaan, gaan ng feeling..) Hurting Inside and He Loves Me. 

Oh God how I  missed my 90s hits! Here is a video of Hurting Inside:

Do you still recognized them? I think they look a bit matured now except for the girl in the middle! Anyway,  I just love their crisp and clear voice! How I wish local singers would sound like them. Lahat ng singers ngayun kailangan pabirit ang boses miski simple ang kanta. Di ko gets! Haha

Oh well enjoy the clip! Search youtube for other songs they sang for that show.

Macadamia Sans rival

Hello I'm back! The busy ber months at work is starting to kick in and its my birthday month as well so let me leave you with this heavenly sight.

Macadamia Sans Rival Cake from Gay Vazquez

We've had this for quite some time during family gatherings, thanks to Ate Michelle for always discovering new places to order. Well I never get to take photos of them. Honestly, I am not really a fan of Sans Rival since I am more of a chocolate fan. Anything chocolate-ish (especially if its dark) I consume! Haha! But this one is an exception! My problem with sans rival is that sometimes it gets too sweet to the point that its nakaka-umay but this one was almost perfect. The generous macadamia all over is to die for! I swear! Best served when almost frozen too!

Priced at 900 php

We have yet to try the other products. Ive been told that the choco chips, boat tarts and cashew sans rival are a must try! For orders you may contact:

Gaz Vazquez Kitchen

35 Firefly St. Unit 3B Villa de Corazon, Valle Verde 6, Pasig City

Tel #: 6310125

New GAP Logo (Fail)

Okay Im not a graphic artist of some sort but I do have a very basic background on logo studies (thank you Orgcomm and Miss Sibs) and I'm so not digging this whole change of logo by the brand GAP. It looks like a royalty free clip art! According to this article there is no official word yet from the brand if its just a PR move (intentionally wanting for people to react negatively) or its just I dont know really bad.

I like to quote what Facehunter has tweeted that the New Gap logo is the biggest redesign failure of the decade.

Oh well for sure GAP has an explanation for its change look. Are they re-building their image? Hmmm... What do they want to project anyway?

Here it is. You judge?

from this

to this!

Wanted: Nutella Snack! Now Na!

Saw this upon blog hopping some time last month? Now I don't remember where I got it. Sorry! [My gosh Ms. Diaz will kill me for not properly citing the source oops!] I'm starving now I want some chocolates and then I saw this. Does anyone know if we have this here in the Philippines?

what a sinfully good snack

If only I can have this now while watching the latest episode of Gossip Girl Season 4!

So for now good night!

Back to Blog

Yes, I think its official. I have decided to go back to blogging! I kinda regret that I stopped blogging a few years back because Ive been going around in and out of the Metro, having some (mis)adventures and crazy fun experiences. All of them I wasn't able to document. Well they are all in facebook and/or multiply but back reading my former blog, it could have been better if I was able to publish is at least for myself or in this case online. I could have shared my local trips and give some tips. I also regret the fact that Ive been an slr owner for almost two years already and yet I wasn't able to show my photos to the world (not that I am a pro but they're decent enough).

So after having an active twitter account and realizing that facebook wall pages is not enough to show my random discoveries and musings and of course reading (and getting inspired) to numerous blogs out there, I decided to get back to blogging. I hope I get to maintain this. :)

Meanwhile let me leave you with this random photo I saw a few months back:

dont you agree?

So welcome back to myself in the worldwideweb!

Friday Dinner at Heat

Its a payday friday, its drizzling in the metro and you left the office during the rush hour (6:00 pm) to go to Mandaluyong! So there is no other way I can think of (unless I teleport or I am superman) to get to Edsa Shang from Manila and make it to our 6:30 PM dinner.

A relative is leaving for the states and my Tita is hosting a dinner for her at HEAT (Edsa, Shang-rila). For some reason, I never fully enjoy the selection there. I ate there twice this year already and still no improvement. When I eat in hotel buffets there are some (personal) rules I lived by: Haha!

1. Don't eat rice.

2. Explore the Japanese selection (since this is my fave cuisine).

3. Spot the steak and other expensive items/cuisine.

4. Don't get food you would normally eat elsewhere (filipino lutong bahay food, pizza, pasta and chinese cuisine).

5. Always leave extra (extra) room for desserts! (Since I have a sweet tooth).

So based on my so called rules, Heat didn't leave an impressive mark on me. Aside from the fact that we all had horrible traffic experience going there, I think the food selection felt a bit short. First the Japanese selection was very limited. I only spotted 3 or 4 makis/sushis? The steak wasn't impressive also accdg to my cousin so I skipped that part already. The rest was just OKAY. No specific food that I would really really remember. Although the dessert selection made up for the so-so food! Chocolate fondue fountain was love! Even though I am not a fan of white chocolate I gave it a try! Also, the signature teppanyaki ice cream (the one they cook and chop?) was a winner!

Since I was too hungry for this night, I wasn't able to take that much photos so I will leave with you with this:

some cool interiors at Edsa, Shang

a few from the dessert selection

I think when it comes to hotel buffets I would still go for Spirals at Sofitel on my top list. It used to be Paseo Uno at Mandarin Oriental but I haven't been there for quite some time so it will rank second for now and then Heat for the third spot. :)

Bucket List Updated

When I was younger I have a mental list of things to do / accomplish in this lifetime a.k.a "bucket list". Just last year I decided to write it down because I was too excited to cross out one from my list which to donate blood. Back in college I attempted twice but of course I was rejected since I have a low blood back then (read: orgcomm days = no sleep).

However last year I was able to qualify already so even though I have fears for needles (trivia: in this lifetime i've gone through the whole dextrose thing 7 times already) I decided go for it. Hoping to do it again this year but I just had an operation two months and I dont think I would qualifty for this year. But just to let you know, donating blood will not just help a patient in need but also it will also help your system or blood regenerate (i dont know if this is the right term though). Hope you find the time to donate for blood bank. :)

My Donors Membership Card (oha parang starbucks card lang!)

Meanwhile here's my updated bucket list. I added a new item that shall be my topic for my next blog post.

My Bucket List:

1. Sky Dive
2. Bungee Jumping
3. Jump off a cliff (Tali anyone?)
4. White Water Rafting
5. Zip Line (DONE - Davao 2008)
6. Picture with an international superstar (DONE - PACMAN, 2009)
7. See a falling star (yep i haven't seen one)
8. Donate Blood (DONE - Finally! September 2009)
9. Watch Spice Girls reunite for a concert (i dont think mangyayari pa toh).
10. Watch Backstreet Boys Live for a concert (FEB 2010 - thanks Xtine, Linds, Kring, Melai!)
11. Watch Eraserheads reunite for a concert (DONE - 2009)
12. Live alone in a foreign land for at least 6 months
13. Back pack and travel alone.
14. Go to Greece.
15. Visit Amanpulo and Maldives
16. Watch U2 and/or COLDPLAY Live
17. Visit Rome.
18. Appear in a COKE or GLOBE commercial (miski extra lang as in!)
19. Mag picture sa Pyramid of Egypt.
20. Join a game show on TV (dream ko dati yung Crystal Maze pero reality check miski Game Ka Na Ba ok na! Haha)
21. Donate an Organ just in case I die early on this life (knocks on wood wag naman sana marami pa ko gusto ma-accomplish).
    
    

Trial Post

Finally a blog outside my private life. =)


Posts coming soon...