The Road to Sagada

Last year marked the beginning of new friendship through common friend. We've only shared our thoughts and emotions via Facebook, while we're oceans and miles away from each other. There are differences but comes also the common grounds: our love for pictures, scenic beauties and the desire to travel. So we came up with the perfect plan to pursue our desire and started it all by planning the trip to Sagada. It took us almost one year of planning, inquiring and searching to make it all happen.

Since me and my friend were the ones in the Philippines then, we took the responsibility of putting it all together, from transportation to accommodation; from the tour guide to itinerary.

Matter of fact, we were used to just paying our share of expenses and our other buddies will do all the hardwork. So this travel to Sagada is a memorable one for us, because it's our first time to do it all on our own while the rest were in Boracay.

And the long wait was over. It was a mix emotions for us considering some of my friends dreamed of stepping into the land of Sagada way back high school days. And the dream was fulfilled last week in time for thanksgiving. When the other side of the world was celebrating for their bounties, we're in Sagada, celebrating and strengthening our  lasting friendships and forming new ones.

Detailed story of our trip coming up. Just needed a few days to think how to sum it up. Cheers!

The Tale of the Coffee Jelly

I was supposed to keep this for myself. This was the story why I always smile every time I see coffee jelly from Starbucks. And by the time I'm writing this, I'm trying my best not to smile, it was a success nonetheless because the smile I was containing burst into laughter.

Once upon a time (last year), I went to a rainy morning travel to the center of the country to meet two lovely friends. It was indeed one of the happiest day of my life (though I was a bit stressed then), thanks to them for cheering me up. We had a long talk over lunch and yes, we never finished everything that we ordered. One of my bestest friend have to leave soon to meet another friend. Me and the other were left and so we decided to head to Starbucks for a coffee and further chattering ( I guess coffee is just an excuse, cause our real purpose is to chat). 

It took us a while in walking to find the place ( excuse us, we're not familiar with the shop's location - we've met halfway folks).  To cut the story short, we headed to the counter and ordered our drinks. Chocolate Chip Cream (grande) for me and she opted for the Christmas offerings. While on the counter she asked if they can swap her order for a Coffee Jelly for the same higher price with an additional penny as I can recall and that would make the drink venti. Everything was settled, we waited and had our drinks. Off we go to the seats.

We had a wonderful day full of chat and a baby (from the other table) playing beside us in between. When she's about to finish her drink with only jellies left, she realized that her drink wasn't venti but just grande. We burst into laughter!!! What else can we do? She's done with it. LOL. 

I think what made us forget to check the size is our eagerness to catch up with each other in person. And since then, coffee jelly never fails to  put a smile on my face. I always think of her whenever I let  myself indulge a tall, grande or venti.

Why I wrote this? Because it's a bliss to have immortal awesome memories shared with friends. Let's meet halfway. Shall we?

The Itchy Fever

Another typhoon hits the country and it’s raining hard outside last Saturday morning. Because I’m a nocturnal being working on graveyard shift, rainy Saturday for me means difficulty of going home. We cannot discern when the rain will stop so we decided to go out of the office not minding the fickle weather.

As fickle as it can be, the rain poured so hard when we’re outside. My shoes were wet; the crying sky ignored my umbrella. We (me and my friends) decided to take refuge on the nearest establishment called “Molito” (a small mall). Though smaller than a regular mall, it has what we need, food and food. We’re so hungry folks! A girl was standing on the main entrance with handful of leaflets. She gave us one and we hurriedly went to the second floor. However we hurriedly went down again to ask for another leaflet. Why? Because of the “Buy one take one Meal” offered by Mang Inasal. It’s a chicken meal which goes with unlimited rice. You know I’m a diehard fan of chicken so, no question from me when they decided to have our lunch there.

sorry folks, this is the only picture I got

no camera on hand

I devoured the chicken and 2 cups of rice for a nice price. It’s so delicious especially when paired with an ice cold coca cola. The crew then offered me a third cup of rice but it was I who said no. Hello, my stomach is so full. Imagine me - one of my hand touching my stomach and the other one swaying left and right as a signal to the crew that I don't want another cup.

Afterwards we went upstairs because Raj-Raj (one of my friends) needs to buy something. We agreed that we’re all exhausted and sleepless so we decided to go home but of course not until she got what she needs.

Came Sunday morning my whole body has small red dots and my hands were itching. The chicken no matter how delicious it can be, brings allergic reaction to my body. I didn’t ate in moderation. I should only eat a chicken meal once in a week but I broke the rule and this is my consequence, an itchy fever. Before the allergy came out, I lavished myself the past week with chicken burgers (plural) and other savory chicken meals for lunch and dinner.

If you’ll ask me, will I break the rule again, honestly, YES but not until I get rid of these itchy red dots. 

Ready to Go

 Our bags are packed we're ready to go.
As we bid goodbye to summer's rays of sunshine, 
we welcome the rainy season by waging war against typhoon Chedeng!

I will pass this way but once if there's any good that I can do
Let me do it now for I'll never pass this way again
I will see this day but once if there's any kindness I can show
Let me show it now for I'll never see this day again
Tomorrow may be too late my friend to do all the good that you planned
So reach out to those who need you and lend them a helping hand
I will know this world but once if there's any love that I can give
Let me give it now oh Lord please show me how
For I'll never know this world I'll never see this day
I'll never pass this way again 

       -Glen Campbell

I Got a Blog Award

I had a long weekend, as you all know guys I am not blogging when it's rest day because I am trying to stay away from computers and I apologize I wasn't able to visit your blogs. 3 days of vacation really tempted me to jump on a computer, read your posts and leave my comment as well as to read the comments on my post too. It was a success, I was able to control myself and give myself enough rest (2 thumbs up for me).

As of today, I am following almost 50 blogs from people around the globe, from all walks of life with different experiences (cooking, mom, photos, and other stuffs) and I am visiting each and every one everyday and read all post. Believe me, when you followed a blog you like,  you will end up loving it and looking for new updates everyday because you are learning something from it and that's how people grow.

When I logged in today, I hurriedly read the comments on my blog additions post. I read each comment one by one and left a comment too, to thank my friends who left their comments about the new look and additions on my blog. I also got an award from NYC Island Gal. I was like a child who won tons of candies from a parlor game. 

My First Blog Award

CONFESSION: You know what really makes me feel happy? It's the excitement of logging in and read the comments of your friends who are reading your posts, that somehow you also shared something worthy of reading and that they learned something and new idea from it. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS (teary eyed).

Thanks to my Blogging Friends

I was about to write a new post for today but I will do that plan tomorrow and would take this opportunity to thank all my followers who leave their comments on the previous post about Mama.
I was just quiet in the corner, reading your blogs and leaving my comments and planned not to write another post so that I could gather the thoughts from other followers who answered my question. I know if I would put my gratitude letter in the comment below yours, you would barely notice it. I just want to let you know guys that I really appreciate your suggestions and advises and they helped me a lot to regain my focus and go back to blogging again. Acknowledgement, gratefulness, gratitude, thankfulness, whatever you call it, I am thankful to everybody for giving me some bits of advises and I can say that I am now 50% to coming to a final solution.

My heartfelt gratitude to my blogging friends below:

1. TB of Year 31
2. Mishieru of Upsidedown
3. Island Gal of NYC Island Gal
4. Dionne of City of Dionne
5. Jessica of Kitchen Belleicious
6. Pam of The Thrifty Things
7. Coreen of Velvet Over Steel
8. Rachel of The Diary of a Dreamer
9. Betsy of Joyful Reflections
10. Janjan of Between Me and my Thoughts
11. Nathalie of Brooke in the Big City

My gratitude as well to all the other followers who followed me back. 

CONFESSION: I was teary eyed when I read your advises. I wasn't expecting it. Thanks :)

Wish Granted

My friend ( and a mom in the office) hand me a plastic bag earlier today. She told me that she had difficulty carrying it from home (I'm used to it because she's always like that, frank and straight to the point- however, that is just a joke). I was surprised when I opened the plastic and saw this hand bag which I requested from her a long time ago (the exact date I cannot remember anymore). She told me it's a gift for my birthday last May 05.

My new bag

Below is a picture of Lauren (we fondly call her SK) with Mads (Madelaine) our graphics artist. They're so happy and you can see it in their smiles. Isn't it? I requested them to hold the bag so I could post it here. After that, I removed all my things from the bag I carried at work and transfer it all in my new bag.

Lauren and Mads with my New hand new bag