catching up series: used to have friends :P

I warned yah, right? So here we go! I honestly contemplated whether or not I would include "friends" posts in this catching up series because I no longer get to see most of my friends now. Oopsie, what is anti-social? Hehe! But here it is anyway! I just decided to gather everything in a single post so I can easily get this over and done with. I actually realized just now that 2016 was the last year that I was actively seeing friends. Anoba, I'm so tita now! And I mean it literally 'cause all these time that I was on hiatus, I was just very busy with my nieces. More on that soon, of course! (You were kind of expecting that, right?) 

JANUARY

It all started with a mini-reunion the past month and then all of a sudden, I was constant buddies with some college friends. We started the year with dinner and desserts at Maginhawa. From the same month, I also met-up with my closest friends from Accenture. (These people) It was a korean bbq kinda night at Bulgogi Brothers, Greenbelt. I think this was the last time that we were ever complete. Yah know, friendship dramas and falling-out. HUHU.

Wicked Kitchen, Maginhawa

Bulgogi Brothers, Greenbelt

FEBRUARY

We took the close-close-an to the next level when we went to Star City, just the four of us. We were never a group back in college so it was funny that we were doing korny things together when we got older. Up to now, we have this group chat in Messenger that we call "Road to 40" to mock our age. Ironically, we mainly use the group chat to exchange memes. Haha! We refuse to adult sometimes.

Star City 

It was also the month that I decided to go back to the corporate world so I got busy attending interviews and taxing exams. This was from when I visited friends from PLDT/Smart. Remember Tin? My friend from way back when? I think this was the last time that I saw her. Dont judge me! I actually told myself to reunite with friends this year. And guess what? I met up with my high school best friend last month. Yep, after not seeing each other for like three years. :P

MARCH

Another mini-reunion, and in Eastwood no less! Stayed in Eastwood for quite a long time so it had so many memories both good and bad. Say it with me.. Awww! Hehe! I met with another group of Accenture friends because Mark was leaving for US. Remember Foursome? Now both Job and Mark are in the US, and Monique is in NZ. While me, on the other hand, never really liked the idea of working abroad. Pilipinas kong mahal. Haha!

TGI Friday's, Eastwood

Still from March, I went bowling with my college friends. I told you, we were suddenly so close after that December mini-reunion. I can no longer remember what ensued that night but most likely I got the highest score in bowling. Hahaha! Kidding, of course. But if I remember it right, we had dinner right after courtesy of Juni and Den. Thanks, guys! 

Bowling Center, Megamall

APRIL

Maginhawa night, yet again. With college friends, yet again. Random realization: I miss restaurant hopping in Maginhawa. Also, I miss going out with friends. Hehe! You have to believe me when I say that I really haven't been going out with friends for a few years now. Grabe! I've been so focused with my nieces that they've become my only social life. Haha! #superauntie, much!

Maginhawa yet again

MAY

May was the month when I finally went back to the corporate world. Shoutout to Bayview for taking me in. Haha! It was also the month that I started boxing regularly with Noni. I've always loved the sport even if I'm not really good at it. Hehe! And I just thought I'd linked up my old boxing posts, here and here. Nakakamiss!

And since I was a Makati girl then, I got to meet my fellow corporate slaves regularly. Photo below with Sheena and Dwin was taken from Charlie's somewhere in Makati. During that time, the other member of ASDS aka Silina was in Switzerland for work. 

Charlie's somewhere in Makati

JUNE

Another boxing sesh with Noni! And if you're gonna watch the video below, please don't judge. Haha! I love the sport but the sport doesn't love me back. Hahaha! I remember posting this video on Facebook and getting teased by friends because of how I punch. Haha! Tse! Suntukin ko kayo jan, eh!

Also, since I was back to the corporate world, lunch & dinner outs left and right has started again. I can't remember from whom I stole the photo below but it was from a team dinner at Yakimix, Greenbelt. And although it may not seem like it, team buildings like this are so awkward for me. I am a self-confessed introvert so it takes so much for me to socialize especially with people I'm not really close with. 

Yakimix, Greenbelt

JULY

Up next, July! Birthday month! It was a busy month that started with a coffee date with Sheena. I remember us video calling Silina because as I've said she's in Switzerland. It was also the time when Snapchat was a thing. Sheena introduced me to it and I was very unamused. I was reacting like "Ito na yun?" Bakit sila tuwang tuwa? Haha! I was such a grinch!

Starbucks, somewhere in Makati

My teammates at work also surprised me with a birthday celebration. Someone called me to go to the pantry and they were all there waiting with a cake. Sweet, eh? Office perks that I no longer get because I'm working from home now. Although to be honest, I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything else. Because, duh, Caloocan to Makati = Traffic. So never again. :P

Sheena and I met up with Joel, too! Silina's boyfie! He treated us to dinner at Yabu and we ambushed him with love life questions. Haha! That's what he got for meeting up with nosy people. JK, one half!

Yabu at (I don't remember where, Haha!)

And the highlight of the month was when we went to Sandbox, college + Accenture friends combined. At that point, I was sorely missing traveling because the last time I traveled was 2013 pa to Ilocos with my Foursome friends. Wait, let's make it rain with links cause #shamelessplugging..  1, 2, 3, and 4! I am going to write about this Sandbox trip in detail so hold your horses. Hehe! But really, it was like a breathe of fresh air after taking a hiatus (no work = no travel for three years!)

Sandbox, Pampanga

SEPTEMBER

More random dinner outs with Sheena! I remember us having dinner at Paper Moon cafe + froyo at Llaollao. On top of the good food are the realest conversations. 

Llaollao, Glorietta

And then more lunch outs with teammates because if I remember it right, it was Teo's birthday. I am actually blaming the free food left and right why I became out of shape from 2016 to 2017! But the latter year was worse! Haha! I am actually dreading the time when I would work on my 2017 posts. Parang I can't share how chubby wubby I got! And speaking of chubby, photo below was taken from Chubby's somewhere in Makati. See what I did there? :P

Chubby's, Makati

OCTOBER

October was another exciting month because it was the "summer" outing for the newbies. They brought us to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, all expenses paid! We even stayed at Princesa Island Garden Resort, a 5-star accommodation. It was extra fun because from a group of three (Carlo, Mike and I), we got along with another group and we made the most out of our stay. Of course I'll be writing about this in detail too. Because why not, photos galore! 

Bohemian Party

And then finally for October, the Halloween Party at the office. I dressed up as Minnie Mouse by decorating my red skirt with white dots and buying a Minnie Mouse headband. Haha! That's the best that I can do!

NOVEMBER
Up next, November! We pretty much spent the next few months with the people we met from Puerto Princesa. We would have lunch together at the pantry and sometimes go out too! Photo below was when we had lunch at Yellow Cab. Sobrang dami pang lunch outs that we didn't have a photo of. But one thing I realized is that people really just come and go. I'm not even friends with these people anymore. To think we had such a grand time when we were in Palawan. 

Yellow Cab, Makati

And then after what seemed to be ages, I finally met with my high school best friend again. Akalain mo yun! She was about to work as a nurse in Jeddah so we had to see each other. My brother, sister-in-law and of course Mithril, tagged along. The next time I saw her was three years after na. But the thing about our friendship is that we just pick up where we left off. Don't you just love friendships like that?

Pizza Hut, SM Fairview

DECEMBER

And then finally, December! Contrary to what is expected for this month, I didn't have much going on. I decided to skip the Christmas Party at work and no reunions whatsoever! I only got to meet Jhov for dinner at Maginhawa.

And that's it! Wheww! Napagod ako! After this, it's gonna be all about the fam especially my nieces. I am so giddy about this whole resurrecting-my-blog-thing. I don't care even if blogging isn't an IN thing anymore (and probably no one would get to read my posts), I am doing this for myself. FOR MY SANITY. Let's do this! More posts comin' right up!

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catching up series: ASDS in 2015

ASDS what? That was your question, right? ASDS stands for Apple, Sheena, Dwin and Silina. All of a sudden we have a name for ourselves so I'd adopt that here on the blog. And being the OC human being that I am, I will take time to add that label to my previous posts. Once an OC, always an OC. 

So ASDS in 2015. I was able to do a separate post for our first meet up of the year 'cause at that time, I still haven't planned on doing a consolidated post for each group of friends. But now, fortunately, I thought of a way to make my life easy so congratulations to me. Hahaha! Anyway, it was one holiday back in February, we had dinner at Yabu then coffee at Cafe Benne, Eastwood. Or you can check out the link above to read a little more about it. Hehe! After that, Sheena and I had a little fall out. I'm not exactly sure why she got mad but if I recall it right, she got pissed when she was inviting us out and I turned her down for some reasons. Medyo clingy kasi sya. Hahaha! So it was just Silina that I often see. Visited her thrice already but it was only during the third time that we got a decent photo. We ate at Bigoli but we had to leave early because of her work. The highlight of the day was when she pretended to be me and sent Sheena a message. Haha! Nagkabati kami ng wala sa oras. That was in September already, several months of friendship hiatus.

Fast forward to December, we met again. Dwin wasn't able to make it because of the holiday traffic. Or he really didn't wanna see us? Whatever! Haha! It was a night of laughter over pasta and pizza at Linguini Fini and coffee at Starbucks. Joel made it for coffee too. He's Silina's better half. And yes, sya na ang may lovelife. Hahaha! We exchanged simple presents too. I gave them succulents, haworthia attenuata to be exact, and reminded them not to kill the poor plant. Haha! By the way, I have yet to write about my succulent addiction. I'll do so as soon as this catching up thing is over. So many other things to write about actually -- health update, plans of going back to work, bohemian fascination, fashion inspos, new favorite songs and movies, and there, the succulent obsession. Seriously, must finish this catching up thing FASTTTT.

joel's special participation

giftsiess

And then we also met last month. I contemplated adding that here pero hindi kaya ng pagka-OC ko 'cause technically, that's 2016 already -- and my post subject says ASDS in 2015. Hahaha! That calls for a separate post says my obsessive compulsive self. Ciao!

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catching up series: holidate

Happy 2015!!! Hahaha! It's officially two-zero-one-five in this blog and I couldn't be any happier. I'm finally doing good in resurrecting my tiny share of the cyberspace and who knows, the ressurection of my life might just come next. Ha! Forever hopeful, you little one.

So I have here photos with the trio whom I sorely miss -- Silina, Sheena and Dwin. Last saw them on a holiday from the beginning of the year. Yep, ganun na katagal! We had dinner at Yabu then we spent the rest of the night at Cafe Benne, Eastwood. The spotlight was on Silina but I can't divulge how or why. Mahirap na baka mashompal ako. Hehe! Shotout also to Dwin for the impromptu joyride before calling it a day. Ang yaman sa gas! Hahaha!

Sheena's Yabu treat

Silina's Caffe Bene treat

bad case of puffy eyes :3

Out of the three, it's Silina whom I get to see {and talk to} more frequently. I flew to Eastwood solely for her twice already. Ganun ko sya kamiss. HAHA! JOKE! May kailangan kasi ako sa kanya. Pero syempre, miss ko din sya talaga. Hahaha! Hi, teh! :* Anyway, we've been negotiating my next visit but it wouldn't push through because I'm one hell of a lazy friend. Although if she would let me dip my toes in their condo pool, I'd gladly visit her again -- and in a heartbeat. It really isn't so difficult to bribe me, yeah? Hehe!

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treat after treat

How many times have I said I'm blessed with friends? Countless, you might have answered. I never realized that fact until I got tired of work, eventually resign and be a couch potato for nine long months {and counting}. When I left Eastwood and moved back to my parents, my plan was to hibernate. Hibernate?? What? Am I an animal now? Hehe. Seriously though, I was supposed to not meet friends, not update my social media accounts {which by the way happens to be a lot}.. I dunno, probably make my presence unfelt in general. It's weird I know and it's difficult to explain, but what the photo below says kind of sum it up.

via Tumblr

There! I hope it made sense 'cause that's exactly how I felt - just tired of everything. So I took the big leap and left the life I've lived for years. Ha! I felt so brave then. :P Most things after that were as expected, EXCEPT FOR ONE THING {felt the emphasis?} - my friendships here and there.

Supposedly, the point of this post is just to share the treats I got from two sets of friends the last time I visited Eastwood. Yes, that explains my blog title. Turned out, I have lots to say. My brain is puking words, might as well make the most out of it.

Going back, you might have wondered how I came to the realization that I'm blessed with friends. Or you might not have. Either way, here are my reasons in bullet form. Brace yourselves!

• Back in February, I went with my former officemates to Nuvali. I was honestly surprised that I went with them. Why? Because I've always been incapable of carrying over friends from one phase to the next. You get what I mean? I have exactly one remaining friend from highschool and about five {seven the most :P} from college. Hahaha! Binilang ko talaga. :P I'm just bad at communicating and my social skills suck. Trust me. {post here: prelude to summer}

• The next month, I met up with one of my few college friends - Tin. Please don't tell anyone that I told you but.. yes, she's the popular Vleague photographer. Hahaha! She hates it when I do this. :P Anyway, I got a treat from her from Holy Cow. It's a once in a life time treat 'cause she's extremely kuripot. Peace, Shoms. :* We call each other that, by the way. {post here: THE tin pe benito ✌}

• Early April, I was having dilemmas. One day, I was all alone somewhere when I felt that I can no longer contain all the grudges. I sms-ed the best friend for rescue and after few hours we were together in Kangaroo Jack eating four cheese pizza and uhmm.. can't remember what pasta we had. Hehe. On top of everything, it was her treat. Didn't I tell you I am a lucky creature? {post here: best friend duties}

• I really didn't get any treat the month of May but it is the best month by far. And why not, I went all the way to Ilocos then with my Foursome friends. They are what's left of my friends from where I resigned. I told you I am bad at keeping in touch. From around 10 {first bullet}, they're down to four. Looking at the bright side, it seems I can keep these three.{not yet blogged cause I haven't gotten a copy of our photos. halleluia!}

• From my birthday month onwards, I met quite a lot of friends. Early July, I celebrated my birthday with four of my college friends. I share the same birth month with one of them so even if it wasn't our treat, we made them see us. Friends, papasaan ba't makakabawi din ako kami. :P {post here: birthday double up}

• Towards the end of the month, I met with three more college friends - different set from the first ones I met. I am no longer THAT close to them but it was good that after years and years of not seeing each other, we finally decided to catch up. I had to be a bum lang pala. Hahaha! {post here: wetpooh once again}

• Early August, I got another treat from one of the college friends I met back on my birthday month - Jhov. It was her late birthday treat for me, movie plus dinner. We were never close back in college but we surprisingly clicked when we got older. Life's surprises.♥ {post here: percy jackson kinda night}

Wheew! That was a lot! And as if all those are not enough, let's move on to what originally this post is all about - two separate treats I got from different set of friends in just a day. Yaaay!

August 31. It has long been planned that Sheena, Dwin and I will meet for dinner, their treat of course. Everyone's spoiling me. :D But few days after the said date, Mark from my Foursome friends {Mark, Job, Monique and myself} said that he's going to treat us because of his promotion. He chose a weekday originally but I requested for a weekend instead. I didn't want to go all the way to Eastwood for a quick lunch. Hell no! He agreed to have it on the coming Saturday but another conflict came in the form of my commitment with another set of friends - Sheena and Dwin. If I remember it right, we thought of meeting for lunch on the same day instead but we didn't have final plans.

Morning of August 31. I was having the time of my life tinkering with my laptop when Monique called reminding me that we'll meet for lunch. I was like.. whuutt?? I didn't know we'd push through. Hahaha! Imagine the horror! But with Monique's convincing powers.. by 2 pm I was with them in Eastwood. Voila!

We ate at Friday's. Yet again, I know. I swear the lunch was crazy. Andaming kwento, all the more tawa. Plus I really missed them 'cause they are the closest people to me before I resigned. Believe it or not, when I get to work again I want to go back in Eastwood. The place is just too familiar plus they are there. You get the point? :)

Foursome ♥

After lunch, we went to Mark's crib to chill. Made me miss tambay days all the more. I bet you know how it goes, kanya kanyang pwesto.. texting, might be instragramming too, pasulpot sulpot na kwento and tawa. Most of all, silence isn't awkward.  Need I elaborate how important is that?

Come night time, the boys went swimming while Monique and I stayed by the pool side for more chismis. Hehehe. I had to leave though when Sheena texted me that she's in Eastwood already. We waited for Dwin and then headed to Jack's Loft for my second treat for the day.

With these people, I'd say we've outgrown the riot kwentuhan. Must be because we've known each other since we were just starting in the corporate world, we now talk about more serious matters - career, investments, problems.. hahaha! Although I kind of miss our happy-go-lucky days. Travel dito, travel doon. Gastos dito, gastos doon. 

 

Sheena and Dwin ♥

After dinner, we moved to 711. Why in the world did we ditch Jack's Loft in favor of 711? I honestly can't remember. It was a short stint though. We had to leave earlier than expected cause everyone seemed to be tired already. Must be a sign of aging, huh? Uh-ooh!

have you seen my Selecta ad yet? :P

After this one long day of treats, I got more the following days. Honestly, what did I do to deserve all these? Gaawwd, I'm blessed! #TYL

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throwback august 2o1o: puerto princesa city tour

Let's finish my Puerto Princesa series, shall we? From the Underground River, to our Honda Bay Tour and now we're down to our last day - our City Tour.

It was a pretty long day before we finally headed back to Manila. Our first stop was Immaculate Conception Cathedral. I can't remember if we went inside or we simply took photos outside. Memory gap! Bawal ang pork, bawal ang beans.. Hehehe.

At the other side of the street is Plaza Cuartel. Wikipedia said "Plaza Cuartel is the restored ruins of an old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned 143 American prisoners of war inside a tunnel and stands as a grim reminder of World War II." Whatever you say, Wikipedia. But come to think of it, the place is indeed historic having witnessed such tragic event from the past. The good though is that they were able to transform it into an informative city park. Check this blog out. Click! Click!

Next stop was Puerto Princesa's own version of Baywalk. Perfect tambayan if we only had the luxury of time. I bet local teenagers flock the place during night time. :P

The highlight of the day was our visit to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. It was formerly known as Crocodile Farming Institute dahil hellooo, aside from the mini zoo, crocodiles na everywhere. 

We checked out the hatchling house first. There were lots of baby crocodiles separated in different basins depending on their maturity. May mature, may immature. Parang sa tao lang. Choooss!! (para sa pinaghuhugatan ng joke na ito, click here. :P) Hahaha! And by the way, guests are advised to keep a good distance from the basins because some immature baby crocs may snap and leap from their containers. Ouch!

Then we transferred to the older crocodile's den. There is a steel path walk just above the den for the visitors. Silip silip lang from above ang peg. We also watched as the other group fed a crocodile. Tied to a rope was raw chicken; they teased the crocodile with it and eventually let the poor creature have his meal.  I took a video and kept shouting as the crocodile snaps. And guess what, I won't let you hear my annoying voice in that video.

Update 07.25.2013 

Okay, I give in! Here are the videos. The second one's more entertaining. You're welcome. :)

Next we roamed around the mini zoo. They had ostriches, bear cats, porcupines, different bird species, among others. 

Lastly, we had photo ops with a baby croc. If you think about it, this activity doesn't support the welfare of the animal in use. Aside from the fact that the croc's snout is tied with rubber bands, I also saw an incident where the guest dropped the baby croc. But looking at the bigger picture, the funds they get from this activity support, or at least help, in the operation of the entire conservation center. It's really up to the visitors' judgement.

After the long hours spent at the conservation center, we went to Baker's Hill. Tinapay galore. Added bonus was the beautiful place. It's a mix of themed-park vibes and vintagey feel - themed-park vibes due to the looney tunes characters and vintagey feel due to the house, the ornaments and the kalesa. I just had to explain that. Haha! 

Last stop before lunch was Mitra's Ranch. Yes, it's owned by the late senator Ramon Mitra. There's a view deck where you can enjoy the beauty that is Puerto Princesa. The place is perfect for just hanging loose, I guess most especially at night. I wouldn't mind lying on the grass while stargazing.

Then we had lunch at Haim Chicken Inato. Ohai there, Mang Inasal. Haha! I'd say it's good but I really cannot tell if it's better than our very own Mang Inasal 'cause I'm no foodie. And oh, they serve inafish too. Funny, eh?

Of course, we dropped by the local tiangges too for pasalubong. Back in those days, since we're still giddy travelers, OA kame magpasalubong. We learned to mellow in time. Sorry parents, sibs, friends and officemates. :P

And then we had to hit the airport wearing our Palawan shirts and matching ethnic necklaces. Excited young girls.

You may want to checkout Sheena's stories too.

Puerto Princesa is Love: Underground River

Puerto Princesa is Love: Honda Bay

Puerto Princesa is Love: City Tour

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