Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

I had a chance to join my friends from Marikina Valley Community Portal, Dennis, Jil, Elbert, Randy and JC, in watching the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark Airfield last Saturday, February 14, 2009. Despite not feeling well, I didn't miss the opportunity to watch it for the first time.

We left Marikina before 3:00 AM, all a bit sleepy since we only had a few hours of sleep but I think we were all excited to be there. It was so dark outside and very cloudy; we were comfortably driving along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) where only a few vehicles can be seen at that time.

We decided to take the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway(SCTEX) going to Clark but we inadvertently missed the turn and ended up driving a lot longer than we should have. We also had to take a U-Turn and drive back all the way to the supposed turn going to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

We reached DMIA just a few minutes before the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta formally opens. I was impressed with the conduct of the National Anthem where they had the Philippine Flag flying in the sky being held by three (3) paragliders.

After the National Anthem, I have watched the colorful hot air balloons being inflated and released slowly in the air. There's even an elephant-shaped balloon, a coke bottle and a coffee mug. It was a fascinating sight. We also got to watch the awesome plane flying exhibition.






Thanks to Jabey and Randy for the pictures!

Celebrating my bestfriend's birthday in Baguio City

I was back in the City of Pines the other week. My friends and I left for Baguio City on the early morning of January 30 (Friday). It's my bestfriend's birthday and we decided to celebrate it with a trip. We brought a car going there instead of taking the public transport. Thanks to my bestfriend's husband who patiently drove us to and from Baguio City.

It was a pleasant drive, though I was asleep almost the whole time since I was not able to sleep for the past nights. We passed through the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)which is the shortest and fastest route possible. We likewise took the Kennon Road instead of the Marcos Highway. We reached Baguio City after almost four (4) hours of driving.

We were so excited to be there and we immediately had our pictures taken by the Lion's Club Monument along Kennon Road. The next thing we did was to drive around looking for a place to eat. Since I was there last December, I suggested that we eat in Good Taste Restaurant where I had dinner with my other friends before. Unfortunately, I didn't remember where it is located so we had to drive around, ask for directions before we found it. Our time wasn't wasted, we found the restaurant and had so much fun eating.

After lunch, we decided to find a place to stay and rest for a while. We stayed in Dauz Pension House which is very near SM Baguio and the other places of interest. It's a simple pension house which is large enough for the five of us. I finally slept for a few hours and woke up refreshed. We went out after the wonderful rest and walked around Session Road.

We had dinner in the pension house since we still have a lot of food left from our lunch. It was so much fun simply eating inside our room, having fun among ourselves. I realize that simple things can be so much fun when you do it with people who matters to you.

The following day, we were out of the pension house by 7:30 AM since we were going to buy some vegetables and other stuff that we need to bring home. When we were there, I found a coffee bean store and had so much fun choosing from among the different varieties of coffee beans. I ended up buying Arabica and Mocha coffee beans although what I really wanted was to buy the Alamid or Civet Coffee. I also bought potato balls which I really don't know how to cook but I wanted to experiment so I bought it.

After that, we had our breakfast in Zola Restaurant. I loved the free flowing coffee and the meal which includes bacons, egg, fried rice and a sausage. It was a good way to end our stay in Baguio City.

Incoherent Thoughts

Last night, I cried myself to sleep again as I did the night before
This morning, despite a bad night, I had renewed spirits...
I decided I should go to work rather than stay at home and think
since there is no other subject that my brain can process except you.

I had to go out, be with people, try to make myself busy, but I still can't...
You keep on hurting me... intentional or not, but you still do.
I guess I should stop caring, I should stop loving you...
I should stop doing things for you... things that you don't even appreciate.

I can't take anymore of the rejection, I've had so much pain in my heart
I have never regretted loving you because you made me happy then
I have never regretted the things that I did for you
because I was happy doing them for you.

I thought I was helping you out and making you happy
Maybe I thought wrong because you left me
I don't know what life has in store for me now and for the future
I just hope that whatever it is, it would show itself soon.

My first visit to Mall of Asia

My friends, Jabey and Dennis invited me to join them in going to the Mall of Asia (MOA) yesterday. We decided to push through with it eventhough we're only three. Our other friends, Jil and Elbert have other plans in another mall. Although later in the afternoon, they surprised us by joining us in MOA.

We left Marikina at around 10:00 AM (thanks to Dennis for being an hour late). We were actually supposed to leave by 9:00 AM. We took a jeepney going to the LRT 2 station in Katipunan and from there we went down in Araneta Center Cubao to take the MRT going to Taft Avenue. From Taft Avenue, we took a shuttle service going to MOA. It was quite a series of rides but since it was Sunday, we were comfortable inside the LRT and the MRT.

We were in MOA by 11:30 AM and the first thing we did was to argue (it was actually a friendly argument) on where we will have our lunch. I want to eat sashimi but well the special child (it's a joke... he's normal), Dennis wants to have chicken. I won't be surprised if one day he'll get wings of his own and probably some feathers. So we agreed to eat in Max's Restaurant. It was full packed but we were lucky to be seated immediately. I had chicken, rolls with butter, pancit canton and iced tea, same with Jabey but he had rice instead of rolls. Dennis had a huge half chicken, soup, 2 orders of rice, iced tea and ice cream for dessert. Whoa!!! what an appetite!!! I really got sick of watching him finish the chicken.

After the really sumptuous lunch, they toured me inside the mall. They kept on kidding me since it was my first time to be there. We went hopping from one store to another looking for something to buy. In the end, it was only Dennis who bought a shirt. Though I really had a good time with them. Jil and Elbert joined us at around 2:00 PM.

After the tiring window shopping, we decided to have coffee in "Kopi Roti". I haven't tried their coffee but I have tried the "Kopi Bun" which is really delicious but it's quite sweet for those who are watching their sugar. We tried the soft boiled eggs with soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper and their "Kaya Toast", the "French Toast" and the "Peanut butter Toast". I really enjoyed the peanut butter toast. The others are just okay. I like my own french toast recipe hehe.

All in all, It was a fun-filled experience, especially since I was with my friends. We really had a great time with each other and we were already planning on our next visit to MOA.

Thank you!

How time flies! It's already the 7th day of the new year... 2009. The past year has left a lot of memories in me. Some are good and some are bad. But despite being bad, they are still a part of the past year, a part of the story of my life.

The last quarter of my life had been very colorful for me. It made me happy, made me confused, and eventually before Christmas, broke my heart. I have no regrets, I've been happy for sometime... I guess the tears I'm shedding until now is still worth the happiness that I have experienced.

So, for now, I want to thank the people who became a part of my life...

First, my Ate Weng for always being there, listening to my sobs, trying to console me, supporting me in any way possible. Thank you!

Second, my bestfriend Mhel... thank you for understanding my decisions especially when I know it is not what she wanted for me, still she stayed beside me. Thank you for worrying so much about me, for hearing me out, for always being my shoulder to cry on.

Third, my Marikina Valley friends... Jil, Elbert, Randy, Tita Veron, Tita Babie, Dennis and the rest of the guys... thank you for keeping me company when I need to get drunk and pour out my heart aches. Thank you for listening to me, for giving me advices and for joining me in a simple lunch or dinner. You, guys kept me company most of the time and you never judged me.

And lastly, to you... the person I still love but broke my heart... thank you. "Falling in love with you was easy, but losing you was hard... and up until now you're still the one in my heart." Time can only tell when I can totally forget the feeling I have for you. I just wish you'll be happy because I have shed so much tears just to give you what you want... your freedom. Let's remain friends, just like the old days.

To all of you... thank you so much! May we all have a happy and blessed year ahead.


Photo Courtesy of Engr. Elbert M. Malonzo, RHCT