Short Stay in Manila

Day 244/366: My Parents

My parents stayed for a night in Manila (which doesn't happen regularly by the way), so I made it a point to spend time with them and accompany them wherever they want to go. Their short stay was fun. I felt like an only child for a while. Haha!

And the Construction Goes On and On

Day 243/366: DLSU Building

I got the chance admire the view from Velasco Building's topmost floor when I noticed that they're starting to put up the letters on DLSU's new building! They kind of resemble Starbucks' font.

Va Bene Pasta Deli

Day 242/366: Pasta

Tucked in the second floor of a building situated in a Petron Gas Station near Dasmariñas Village is an authentic Italian restaurant called Va Bene Pasta Deli. Their menu offers a selection of anitpasti, soup, pasta and salad. Pizza is not included in the menu, but according to the restaurant manager, they can make one as per request. They also accept special requests, whichever way customers want to have their food cooked. A bottle of wine or so can be brought inside the restaurant without any corkage fee. The price range is quite pricey, but once you get to try their house specialties like this one (must try: Organic Eggs Taglioni with Potobello Mushrooms, White Wine Cream Sauce and Truffle Oil), you'll never look at pasta the same way again! 

Silly Tigger

Day 241/366: Tigger

Oh look! Someone's messing around with my hat.

Bought a Book for Five Pesos

Day 240/366: Books

My book obsession urged me to have a little trip to Bookay-ukay this afternoon. The place is just small, but it offers different selections of boos. I was able to buy two books for a total of P25.00. One of which only cost me P5.00 and I AM NOT KIDDING!

For more info, you can visit their Facebook page: Bookay-Ukay Pilipinas ☺

We Crave for Veggies Too

Day 239/366: Caesar Salad

Enzo and I ordered salad 'cause we feel like eating veggies for lunch. For the record, we're not on diet. Haha!

August Birthday Bash 2012

Day 238/366: The August Celebrants!

(L-R) Salas, Aimee, Bry, Roy and Jaser

It's the first long weekend of the month - absolutely the perfect time to go out of town for the Annual August Birthday Bash. Good company, good times! I'm glad I was able to go this year. Looking forward to the 2013 version! ☺

Big-eyed Baby

Day 237/366: Baby Photo

Yes, my eyes are big. And yes, I was a chubby baby back then.

Believing the Impossible

Day 236/366: William Blake Quote

As William Blake puts it, "What is now proved was once only imagined." We're finally done with our final defense and I couldn't have felt any happier! It's as if I'm stuck in Cloud 9 of so much happiness and I don't want to let go of the awesome feeling just yet.

Final Stretch

Day 235/366: Final Paper Draft 

We are ready for tomorrow - Final Defense Day! This is it!

The Skull

Day 234/366: Human Skull

It's a real human skull that we got from our consultant doctor for experimentation. Quite creepy, right?

Potato + Cheese = YUM!

Day 233/366: Marble Potatoes

It would never ever be a love-hate relationship between me and potatoes - especially the marble ones topped with cheese!

So Many Books, So Little Time

Day 232/366: Ebooks

Aside from hoarding hardbound and softbound books, I've been doing the same for ebooks! I already downloaded over a hundred books actually. I can't wait until I'm done with our thesis! There's just so many books to choose from that I can't decide where I will start. This is just so exciting! ☺

The Yakimix Boys

Day 231/366: (L-R) Pat, Nic, Carl and Jam | Photo by Chico Goteesan

The four of them were feeling oh-so-generous that they decided to treat the block in Yakimix! Happy birthday boys! I'm glad I was able to adjust my schedule and join the celebration. Cheers to more wonderful years of friendship! ☺

Coffee Shop Night

Day 230/366: Belgian Chocochip Hollyccino

It's a Friday night which was supposed to be 'eat out night' or 'movie night', but Enzo and I stayed in a coffee shop instead so that I could finish my target task for the night - it's 'coffee shop night' for now! Just a few more days left before our final defense!

C is for Cupcake Too!

Day 229/366: Pat eating his cupcake

C isn't just for cookie because C is for cupcake too! Last night, I was in Serendra, so I got the chance to buy birthday cupcakes for two of my friends. Here's a photo of Pat enjoying his treat! ☺

In a Festive Mood

Day 228/366: Festivity

For the past months, I can't count how many times Enzo has tried to persuade me to eat in Brazil Brazil. So today, I finally gave in and agreed to have our regular Wednesday dinner there. Once you step inside, you'll notice how the restaurant was turned into a vibrant and happy place. A mix and match of colors can be seen in every decoration - from the masks and paintings hanging on the walls up to the centerpieces - instilling the festive Brazilian vibe within every customer.

When Hard Work Pays Off

Day 227/366: The Visual Diagnostic Device

One step was completed last week after we had our reliability run. And now, we're finally on the documentation part in preparation for the final defense. Just a few more steps until we reach the finish line!

Keep Calm and Have a Sundae

Day 226/366: Ice Cream Cravings

Ever felt the need of satisfying your ice cream cravings? Keep calm and have a sundae! ☺

Not Only Humans Can Pout

Day 225/366: Koi Fishes

I have never seen such healthy koi fishes in my entire life! The Nuvali visitors are doing a great job on feeding them regularly. Haha! They're literally stretching out their mouths into big O's for food. After all, not only humans can pout.. Fishes too!

My Dad's Funny Faces

Day 224/366: My Dad

My mom told me not to upload this 'cause my dad looks weird, but why not? I want to show everyone that aside from his serious side, he's can be a joker too and he actually loves to make these funny faces around us a lot. ☺

Purple Stickies

Day 223/366: Sticky Candy

It's closed campus until Monday which means I couldn't enter school to work on thesis, so I decided to go home in Batangas yesterday. It sure feels good to be waking up in your old sweet room on a Friday! When I got out of my bed, I explored our kitchen and found this on the table. It's the sticky candies that we bought from Malaysia two months ago. I'm surprised it's still there and just barely half of it is consumed. Haha!

Old-fashioned Letters

Day 222/366: Old-fashioned Letters

Look, a collection of snail mails! These are some of the letters that I got from my best friend who's residing in New Zealand now. Believe me, some of those are as old as 11 years old - That's half of my age right now!

Gone are the days when people would get hold of a pen, sheets of paper and an envelope to write letters. People have been so engrossed with using the internet, which is of course the easiest and most practical way to update their loved ones abroad, but I'm not blaming technology at all for changing the way things are in the terms of communication because I, myself, is a frequent user of social networks and e-mail. Reminiscing the good old times is just good as reliving the memories! ☺

A Pot of Soup

Day 221/366: Mushroom Soup

It's a good thing my mom brought enough food and groceries when she came over last week. I can't imagine what it will be like if my brother and I would be stuck in our condo unit without food! I couldn't help but be grateful that I live in a safe place knowing how dangerous it can be outside. I just wish others who are unaffected by this appalling disaster would realize how lucky they are given that there are so many homeless and hungry people out there, fighting for the faintest hope that's left inside of them. #PrayforthePhilippines  

A Cup of Hot Choco

Day 220/366: Hot Choco

A cup of hot choco to keep me warm on rainy weather. It's sad to think that there are a lot of unfortunate people out there suffering from the effects of this horrible weather while I'm all cozy, warmed up and safe in my place. I hope everything will be over soon. #PrayforthePhilippines

Reliability Run: Done!

Day 219/366: Group Photo
L-R: Arianne, Keith, Sir Homer (our thesis adviser), Nic & Me

Today is the day that we've been all waiting for 'cause it's our reliability run! Well, at least it's one of those crucial days aside from the thesis proposal defense, final defense, and judgment day also known as the posting of the final grade. I'm not really sure of what to feel since last night, but all I know is that I want everything to be done soon. It was a good day in general and I'm glad the whole thing finished smoothly. God is good! And now, the next step: Thesis documentation! ☺

Right Blend of Tomato and Cheese

Day 218/366: Meat Lasagna

French Baker's meat lasagna is probably one of the best lasagnas that I have ever tasted! It has the right blend of tomato and cheese, not overpowering the taste of the other. It's not everyday that I get to order lasagna, so the subjects for comparison are just limited. I actually love Greenwich's version, but after having this one, French Baker tops the list!

Rain and Everything In Between

Day 217/366: Gloomy

The weather's been bipolar, but mostly gloomy these past few days. Having a rainy weather is cool  (sometimes) 'cause it makes you appreciate your bed even more, but I do wish all these raining and floods will end soon.

Let the Games Begin!

Day 216/366: Cupcake Tower

Enzo and I had a quick trip to Cupcakes by Sonja and I noticed this London Olympics-inspired cupcakes. Let the games begin!

Book Hoarding

Day 215/366: Books

I used to read a lot when I was a kid, but somehow it just stopped. But lately, I've been making comforting trips to bookstores again and every single time, I would go out of the store with a minimum of 3 books in hand. Call it hoarding, but book shopping did a great job of distracting me to waste money on new clothes or shoes that I don't really need. ☺ 

Happiness at a Distance

Day 214/366: MOA Eye

I got a good view of the MOA Eye (Mall of Asia Eye) from where I was standing and grabbed the chance to take a bokeh effect shot. The lights blended each other perfectly!☺