misstinapie

Ever since I lived near my work, I have, for the past years haven't stood in a bus for 3 hours straight. Not only were our legs exerted enough effort already earlier at the hike, but we have to endure the ride back standing! We should have gotten that open air one that came before :-( Other than the unfortunate, we were able to purchase a few delicacies that we came there for other than the peak. We tried the tostado (flower shaped biscuits), torta (mamon-like but with a smokey flavor), chicharon (so many of them around Carcar I think) and the banana meat (meat with giniling filling). + Tabo-an Market + After getting off South bus terminal, we thought of looking for the market. This was not a part of the plan for tonight but thought that to make another stop here the next day would be harder to squeeze in. Since I haven't researched from here I have no idea where Tabo-an is. We got two things that time: 1. The only taxi driver we got refused to take us there since we're al...

Most of my friends who've been to Cebu were all about Oslob and whale watching. Me, being the boring landlubber I am would not hear the end of it so in my own way found ourselves an activity le boyfriend could not resist. Our first "hike". I also find it charming that none of my officemates (who are much more travelled than I am) haven't been, not as much as heard of the place. I love it already. + Osmena's Peak + The peak is situated in Dalaguete, a province 3 hours away from the city. Luckily most of the blogs I read about it speaks of only one bus to take and 2 max rides of habal-habal (motorcycle) depending on your preference. But in one of my research I found another way which would involve a convenient option. And because of that we ended up going around in circles for a good enough time before we managed to get it right. As we were on the trail that day Reagan and I were fooling around on this idea and here I am writing about it:  The Ultimate Time Consumi...

This is officially our First Food Tasting event. Reagan and I have already stopped going to Bridal Fairs mostly because I don't want to anymore. Going at those events only keep my hopes up that we are going to get married soon but is so far from the truth. We don't have a date, I don't even have a ring (why did I even tell him I don't need one?) to even validate that this is indeed happening and not just "one of those talks". My heart sinks a little at those bridal fairs whenever I get the question of "when" so might as well not go altogether. It's a blur on how last weekend (Nov 26) we ended up at Blue Gardens (Commonwealth). We got the easiest way to go there: MRT up to Centris, hailed a taxi there and whoala, we've already arrived. My initial impression going there is not too good, the road is just too cramped for comfort. It is absolutely far from being a subdivision at all. When we arrived there was a bride posing for photos at the fount...

After a few hours of shut eye we are now back in the streets for the ff: to eat dinner and to find that choco mango I kept on talking about ever since I found it online: + Cebu Besto Pasalubong Atbp + Found at Salinas St. it is easy to miss. It's a huge store with barely anything on it that if it weren't for the huge colorful mural on one of it's walls it would definitely pass as a bodega. There are a lot of chocolate mangoes in different stores (even at the airport) but it looks like this brand is not found elsewhere. Got great reviews from those who we gave it to. A bit expensive but every bite of that dark chocolate with the chewy mango is irresistible at best. + Rico's Lechon + Found 7 minutes from our hotel, my officemates were in love with this lechon in particular when a week ago one of them brought it to the office. Initially we were going to Larsian for dinner as well but went here instead since it's closer to home. And as far as I know it's...

Our last meal was still from the airport (5am I think) and we haven't had any meal after. We went in La Fortuna bakery that although they serve meals, the advertised buffet was at their hotel. We wandered inside for a while looking for pasalubong (this early!) but wasn't tempted enough to get any after. The food at the bakery looked promising and because we are greedy, we thought we'd get more of that in their buffet. So we got directions from the guard-- it sounded near but actually walking there is a different story. We arrived there a few minutes before 11 but they allowed us to dig in anyway. + Hotel Fortuna + The buffet was at the 2nd floor and we were the first ones to arrive. I was half expecting they'd serve shrimps and crab but none of them were present. The food is nothing to be raved about and we were left kind of disappointed. Even the OJ lacked taste (as told by Reagan). We did love their fruit salad though. + Taoist Temple + My first temple of such calibe...

Our flight was right on time so as soon as we dropped off our bags at the hotel we set out to find the nearest tourist spot in our IT. I didn't bother learning the routes so we had to rely on whatever we find out along the way. At the reception we were told that we should take the 01K at the terminal right in front. We don't know which of the jeeps, there are just too many  but they were friendly enough to help. The jeep took us a block off from where Plaza Independencia where we needed to walk a bit to reach it. + Plaza Independencia + The park is peppered with a few monuments and sculptures, but not much to look at. It is mostly space, probably for city events that can be held here. As for taking photos, it would be quite tricky since there are a lot of commercial buildings surrounding the park and the electricity lines are hard to evade.   + Fort San Pedro + Like the park, Fort San Pedro is like a mini version of Fort Santiago but is well kept. If you're not into artsy f...

My boss told me about the event for today and was really excited in going because of the free workshops! My sisters and I registered as soon as able. We arrived around a few minutes after 11 (official start time) and the line had already snaked to the whole block. What added to the feat is how hot it was. The only consolation is the line is actually moving. Initially we wanted to go straight to the workshops but unfortunately we have no idea that there were separate online registrations for it so we weren't allowed to participate. We roamed around instead, and participated on a few activities we can join in but not enough to be able to qualify for loot bag redemption. I think I only have 1 point :-( Since there are tons of prepared activities that are either "fully booked" or have too long of a line, we went to watch a movie instead; so imagine our surprise when we were right on time for Buddy's appearance and the rest of the TLC guests on the main stage. It was reall...

It was a Friday. It was supposed to be like my everydays of sitting at the couch, playing mobile games, watching series on tv. But before I was even home I received a call from the hospital where my father works. It wasn't really a distress call so my sisters and I weren't too alarmed. Being the irresponsible eldest I don't really know how to commute there because our Father always brought me there. My sisters and I planned to wait for each other at the condo but the next call was so alarming that I immediately thrown stuff things at my bag of what I might need and went out as fast as I can, tears already rolling down my face in stress. I was muttering to myself that everything will be alright. And as if the universe have carefully timed that Friday, my sisters and I all converged at MoA almost at the same time, fetched by his co workers with our Papa's car. I don't have much experience in hospitals since we rarely have anything to do there anyway, but my worry wasn...

My passport is not yet due but I have a few plans in my head that involved me getting a new one before we go on our next travel. I've been reading the same site about the requirements of securing an ID and 3 documents. I have no problems with IDs but documents I do. I only have a birth certificate and I cannot afford the time it would take for me to get a Barangay, NBI and police clearances. I asked around and got a good answer from a neighbor who just got hers renewed. Truly enough it's the same set I was asked: 1 Government ID (+ photocopy. It seems like they preferred my SSS over my driver's) 1 Document (NSO birth certificate (and photocopy) BUT this is just to ensure that if I was asked a document I came prepared. I didn't have to submit it at all, it was returned to me with the photocopy BUT I can still overhear some of age being asked for it especially the original NSO copy) Old Passport (+ photocopy of 2nd page and last page) Printout of your appointment ...

Maybe the boyfriend wanted to make it up to me with my failed plan*, but I'm nowhere near complaining when he pitched going to Antipolo. We are to rely on public transpo for this day tour and what do you know, it could have never been better than expected! + The Exciting Time of Sitting Down + There are 3 places near my place where we can attempt to catch a shuttle. What we tried first was at Megamall which unfortunately had only one seat left and it was eating our time sitting there waiting for another one to come. I was able to get a Growlithe though! We gave that up after probably a good 30 minute wait and walked to Galleria. Lo and behold we're the first to be on queue that we even got the front seats yay! It was a bit of a long wait for more passengers thought but it was offset by the absence of heavy traffic. We arrived  quarter to 11. + Antipolo Cathedral + For first timers like us it was really convenient that our first stop for the day and the last stop of the shuttle ...

I've been living on my own for almost 3 years now and sometimes I forget to be thankful for the opportunity. I'm in no way at the top of my game but I do know a lot of those in my age who are still living with their parents (this is the Philippines after all) even when they've already rearing kids. I don't have any yet and I don't want to change that soon not unless of course me and the bf truly hitch. But for the meantime I'm on my own and boy there are challenges on being one. Food. I don't shy away at the kitchen but one thing I don't know is how to prep just for one. There are times when I have to eat my adobo for a week and by the end of that stretch it's not amazing anymore. There was even a time I had to throw a batch of shrimp pasta because I've been eating them for so long it started tasting funky. Cleaning. Initially when the boyfriend visits to pick me up before we go out I clean as much as I can. Lately though it has been a rare o...

My unit still smells of longganisa after cooking some for breakfast and now I'm left with a few pieces I would like to "dispatch" as soon as I can. I still don't have dinner and I had a sudden brainstorm, how about egg cups? This is probably the easiest dinner I've ever cooked! Ingredients : 3 Pcs of Longganisa; (preferably one as long as an average finger, not the short stout ones) 3 Pcs of Eggs 1 Small bag of mixed Veggies (corn, carrot, peas) Salt / Pepper / Thyme / Basil Instructions: Preheat oven. Beat egg with a bit of salt and pepper. You can choose to not put any depending on the longganisa you already have but I've put some in together with some dried thyme and basil for added flavor. Squeeze the meat out of it's casing and mix it with the beaten egg. Add the entire bag of mixed vegetables. Prepare a muffin tin / cupcake tin by either: spreading butter or oil on it. You may skip this step although I rarely do when it comes to baking. Pou...

+ Te + The restaurant I wanted was packed so we got here instead. Their pasta is plenty and freshly cooked if I weren't extremely sleepy and tired from all the walking I would have finished my plate. The next morning we had another moment of getting lost on where to go after we've got out of the trains. We found our way in the end. It was a relief since the way there was really steep. + The Peak + We came there around 7 and since it's a Monday, the Sky Terrace was not open until 10am. There are a lot tourists as well around that time, mostly Caucasians. We roamed as much as we can, ate breakfast and ice cream and looked over the peak from whatever building that was overlooking the island. Nearing 10am we found ourselves one of the first in line by the escalators that would reach the Sky Terrace. When we reached it we were disappointed. There's nothing to see anything at all! The fog was so thick you could be looking at a white wall. We didn't stay too long. I did lo...

+ Macau Museum + As to why the Museum was free for the day is a surprise to us (we never bothered asking) and took the chance to roam around. We always enjoy museums and I loved the presentation of the exhibits. It did look like the best way to enjoy it is coming from the top to bottom, where the history of Macau was "narrated". I most especially loved the miniatures and the food spread! Those wax dishes looks tasty! When we got out of the museum we had snacks near the Ruins. We got egg tarts and those beef and fish balls. Quite expensive. In our second day in another country it was such a novelty to me hearing so many people who are openly speaking in our language, one was even yelling over someone the phone. For the entire time we were at Macau for some reason every Filipino is at the Senado Square! We then set out to find this egg tart shop which was hard to find (our GPS is stupidly pointing us nowhere) and found it in area we thought weren't there. + Margaret's C...

+ Mcdonalds + We're trying to make it a thing, visit all the Mcdonalds we can while we travel overseas. So far not yet impressed. I did like the grape jam the breakfast came with. This is also the first time I noticed how there are a lot of old people are working. I've observed this more when we got out of Mcdo, I can't believe I didn't notice it before. + Macau + We walked towards the port for the ferry. We got TurboJet (166 HKD each) economy tickets. It was a pleasant ride even though the waves are a bit high. It was a bit funny when every once in a while you'd hear men on the other side of the boat with their boisterous laughter like as if we were on a theme park ride. We reached Macau an hour later with plans where to go but not much idea on how to. We were successful in finding the shuttle to the Grand Lisboa (free) but had a moment of becoming disoriented on which direction FROM there we should go. We aimlessly wandered around the area of the bus stops until w...