Recapping a Very Busy Week

The last week of October was so busy, I only had little time to do some things, but I am grateful for it more than anything. This is going to be a lengthy post, so let the recapping begin:



Saturday
26 October 2013

Us three girls traveled to Makati City early morning today - mom and I attended the "Breaking Bread with Our Heroes" cooking demo / class at The Maya Kitchen, while sister went on her way at the Salcedo Weekend Market and Ayala Triangles to walk and jog around. I always receive an invitation for the monthly featured class at The Maya Kitchen, and when I introduced my mom to the person who always invite me, she told mom she has to come with me every month. Mom liked the idea and I think she will be my constant classmate every month.

Sister met us after the class and we went to SM Mall of Asia to purchase our airline tickets. There was a big difference with the price we saw online and the price the airline staff told us, so we didn't buy it. Instead, we just roamed around the mall - had snacks at J.Co Donuts and Coffee, and rode the MOA Eye. At J.Co Donuts, I chose to eat their newest flavor - the Cheese Cakelicious, mom went for Avocado DiCaprio (we always order this whenever we eat there), and sister chose the Tiramisu when her favorite wasn't available yet. When the drinks we ordered were served (sister went for the Matcha, mom and I shared the JCoccino), sister saw her favorite donut (Green Tease) was already available and ordered one as well.

Roaming the grounds of the mall, we saw this big McDonald's Happy Meal Box, with sides like a blank canvass for people to paint whatever they want to. Mom and I took turns, and I heard someone shouted my name. To my surprise, it was my online friend - the Panda Bear. He and I have been online friends for years now, even if it was seldom for us to exchange text messages. There were a few instances that we wanted to meet for some snacks (and I hoped to visit their place during the fiesta), but nothing pushed through. It's good to finally see an online friend in person.


Sunday
27 October 2013

As brother's wedding day comes closer and closer... the more we are stressed about the airline tickets. We all know that an airline fare gets more and more expensive as the date of the flight comes near, so we truly had to purchase our tickets now. Yesterday, we were at the Air Asia Zest office, because they had the cheapest fare going to Cagayan de Oro, the staff told us that the fare was at 2,800 pesos each way and that was the promo fare, check-in luggage not included. It surprised us because a few days ago, the amount was only about 1,700 pesos each way (that was the reason why we didn't buy tickets at the office).

I messaged my brother and we thought of booking the flight at Cebu Pacific, but even if their base fare was cheaper, the total amount was still more expensive. Turns out, the 2,800 pesos projected on the Air Asia Zest website was all-in, with included 20 kilograms check-in luggage. In the end, we chose to book at Air Asia Zest, and the fare was lowered because we didn't opt for the travel insurance and we downgraded the luggage allowance at 15 kilograms per passenger.

One thing to be grateful for - our next door neighbor allowing us to use her credit card to purchase the tickets, so we didn't have to scramble to the nearest LBC office to pay for it.


Monday 
28 October 2013

Mom and I went out to walk and jog. My mom is 64 years old, but she's kind of a showoff that she didn't want to stop to take a breather after jogging around the plaza and hopping on the stairs. I told her to rest once in a while, but she wanted to show the people around that she can still do things at her age. Oh well...

After an hour, we went home, ate breakfast and went to the polling precinct to cast our votes for the Barangay Elections. Her being a Senior Citizen, she can immediately proceed to the polling place bypassing all the people lining up, and of course I went with her, because last May during the National Elections, some senior citizens and people with disabilities were allowed to let their companion vote with them. When we got there, the watcher asked me to line along with the rest because the line we first went to was strictly for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and I could only watch my mom from afar. I told him, what happens after she vote - let her walk home alone, or let her wait for me until I finish casting my vote? Good thing, another watcher heard us and told the man that it was written that SCs and PWDs are allowed to have one companion. Anyway, we were done in under 30 minutes, and we treated ourselves for a good 20 minutes walk back home.


Tuesday
29 October 2013

I went to SM Mall of Asia for a food tasting activity at Fish & Co., featuring their new dishes. So many dishes tried, but each plate of food were shared by four people, so it was just fine. After, I went to meet with my sister and we had an early dinner at Figaro (my treat).

When we got home, there was a package waiting for me, which contains the books I ordered from another Instagram seller. Buying the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" completes my Harry Potter UK version collection. Yihee!!!


Wednesday
30 October 2013

Quite a laid back day for us, but of course, mom and I went on another morning walk and jog.



Thursday
31 October 2013

Sister's duty at work was until later at night, so today, us three girls went to Novaliches to find a dress mom will wear for brother's wedding. It is true that Baclaran and Divisoria are two places where one can buy cheap items, but a few years ago, my mom got to buy a formal outfit for another wedding at Novaliches for a very reasonable price. Baclaran and Divisoria are way too far from our place - stressful to go there as well - so we checked back at Novaliches, and she was able to find a dress for a great amount. We were also lucky to see a Merced Bakeshop branch where we bought our favorite Pineapple Pie and a few baked goodies.

Lunch, we ate at Jollibee where the girls tried their newest offering - the Thor Burger, which is actually the champ size of the Cheesy Bacon Mushroom burger. I had my usual choice (Chickejoy + Spaghetti), but I did try another new from Jollibee - the Kisses Mix-In sundae.

It was still early, so we went to SM Fairview to pay our bills and we bought mom a new stove because our current stove is on its verge of retirement.  One regret I had today was buying nail polishes... because I didn't know I had the chance to check Booksale, and I got to see awesome titles, but couldn't buy it anymore because the money I brought wasn't enough already. I just hope the books would still be there when I go back.

Anyway, as soon as we got home, I cooked our dinner and painted my nails. I sported the blood splattered nail art for this Halloween and I love it!

Biggest crappie this week was not traveling to La Union to light on dad's grave this Undas (All Saints / All Souls Day). With my sister's shift at work, and the news going around about houses being robbed because most are away visiting their dead loved ones), I just couldn't risk letting mom home alone during the night. We did message Aunt Julie to tell we won't be there, and she understood our situation. We will just travel there next year.

I am starting to feel better now - less dizziness and no more headaches, but I still am not eating pork.

* Jenn *

 

Holiday with K, Week 3

Last post about the holiday recap.


Day 15, 29 June 2013
With a typhoon entering the country, K and I couldn't make specific plans. We both wanted to travel to Bataan and I want us to visit the house (turned museum) of Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite, but because both of us weren't sure when the rain would fall, we decided to just cancel all plans. The day didn't go to waste, though... because today we went to do something K wanted to do since his last visit - ride the PNR train. It would be our first time to ride the PNR train, and even if the train was packed with people, it was a fun ride. As a side trip, we took the trolley from one station to another - something I wanted him to experience. The rain poured about 10 minutes before reaching the station, so as soon as we arrived, we quickly hailed a taxi so we could eat lunch. One sad note, though... we received a text message from Sun Cruises saying our Corregidor trip scheduled the next day will be cancelled because of the typhoon. Oh man!


Day 16, 30 June 2013
Both of us got up late because we didn't know what else to do for this day, with our Corregidor trip cancelled. I still wanted us to go to Cavite, but before I got to tell him my suggestion, he told me he was browsing thru Trip Advisor, and one of his peers there suggested we go to the National Museum, and that's where we went. After roaming around, we went to Robinson's Manila to watch a little bit of badminton, then we ate dinner at Tempura before walking back home (to the hotel).


Day 17, 01 July 2013
This has been K's fourth visit to the Philippines, and in all visits, he has checked several places in Manila City, so for today, I just didn't know where else to take him. Good thing I remembered the Baluarte de San Diego, and even if it was just a short visit, I think it had been good. After this, we walked towards Ristorante delle Mitre to eat late lunch then walked towards Rizal Park just to unwind. However, it rained again, making us go home early again.


Day 18, 02 July 2013
Another late waking up time for us, and I thought we would just stay indoors because we had to check out by lunch time. By 10am, he asked if we could walk towards the boulevard, and there we just had a heart to heart talk. We poured our concerns - mainly asking for apologies for each of our shortcomings - but of course, despite the low points of this holiday, it had been wonderful. At our best, I think we cared for each other and I guess that mattered most.

After eating lunch, we parted ways. He went straight to the airport, while I went straight home. I was already home when he sent me a text message saying he was already going to the immigration office, meaning he won't be able to message me after that one. After 24 or so hours, I received an e-mail from him saying he got home safe.

I still don't know if he would have the chance to travel back to the Philippines, but of course part of me is hoping for that. K had been one of the best people I have met, and should he travel back here, I'd make sure we visit the places we weren't able to.

Holiday with K, Week 2

Continuing with the holiday recap...


Day 8, 22 June 2013
We left Guimaras around 11am, and the minute we arrived in Iloilo, we quickly took a jeepney ride to Robinson's Place because K had to purchase a mobile phone so he could phone home. Check in time at the Urban Inn was around 2pm, so we took our time at the mall - eating lunch and walking around. At the Urban Inn, we were given a different room, but it still had the balcony we preferred. K was able to phone home, I was able to read a little... and for dinner we went to Smallville. We originally wanted to get pissed at Rooftop Brewery, but trying to locate it was such a hassle, until one person told us it has been closed for about a month. So much for foreign beer brands for me... but we were able to eat at Afrique's, a restaurant where we ate at during our last holiday.


Day 9, 23 June 2013
This had been the darkest day of the entire holiday. I don't want to go through the details, but today we were just apart. Must be the full moon? I don't know.


Day 10, 24 June 2013
The morning was rough. I have said something to K that made him flip, but the good thing about the two of us is that we can voice our concerns and talk about it. We left Iloilo with renewed spirits and traveled to Boracay via bus. It was a long, long, bus ride... and we were just tired. At the end of the day, we still couldn't connect well, but I know we will turn it around.



Day 11, 25 June 2013
Staying in the island for the entire day helped with our connection. We practically stayed by the beach in the morning and again in the afternoon. We also took the dip to enjoy the waters of the beach - a truly refreshing thing to do. It had been a great day today - giving us the most amazing sunset I have seen. This picture is pretty, yes... but this image didn't actually captured the entire magical moment. On this day, I have come to understand why this beach has been named one of the best... it is also the best beach I have visited.



Day 12, 26 June 2013
Another beach bumming day for us... but we explored more of the island - walking towards the post office so K could mail his postcard as well as visiting the church. Before eating lunch, we took the time to enjoy the water again, and in the afternoon, we checked the other beach - where most water sports activities were done. We also got to check out a bookstore where we got to buy two books, and even if today's sunset wasn't as beautiful as yesterday, it was awesome as well.


Day 13, 27 June 2013
Time to fly back to Manila. We arrived at the airport early again, and once more we were asked to board the earlier flight. The weather was great, but because the plane was small, it was uncomfortable for me. There were only about 20 passengers in the plane, so K sat on another seat so he could take pictures from the window. A few minutes before touch down, K moved back next to me... because he knew how I hated landings. He was there to hold my hand, and for that I am so grateful. We stayed at JMM Apartment Suites located at the Birch Tower, but because it was mid afternoon when we arrived and we weren't able to eat lunch, so we ate first and just stayed indoors.


Day 14, 28 June 2013
We wanted to go to Corregidor, so first thing we did today was book a Corregidor Tour via Sun Cruises. After eating lunch, we went to The Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City, where we had loads of fun. It was like being children again!

... to be continued tomorrow.