HBDJ!

Jimboi turned another year older and since we are feeling a little Sam&Piolo-ish we decided to celebrate the night with a buffet dinner in Spiral at Sofitel. (Goodluck to my midyear resolution!) It was unfortunate though that my head decided to ache so I couldn't enjoy the evening as much as I would want to.

Anyway, since it was a buffet, food was aplenty! I almost got full just by looking at the selection! I coudn't decide what to eat!!! Pig out itu kahit pa masakit ang ulo! Labo-labo na to, lamon kung lamon na parang wala ng bukas! :P

I started with a Korean soup (I don't speak Korean so I don't know how to pronounce what it's called much more to spell it. Pasensya naman!). I liked it so much I consumed 2 bowls. haha. Then Jimboi asked me to try this Chinese soup which he says his mom always cooks for them. I was about to eat the herb thingie that looks like a bark of a tree but Jimboi told me not to. He said it's there to add flavor and has a medicinal property (to cure what, I'll never know) but you're not supposed to eat it. The soup was good but not as great as the Korean one.

Next I stuffed myself with seafood! I got three oysters, two prawns and a crab. Then I got a grilled prawn and some Salmon Teriyaki which I liked much so I got a second serving. hihihi. I also got a small portion of a grilled fish, I don't know what it is called and I didn't bother knowing, I didn't like it.

Then I sampled meat. A little lamb chops, some roasted chicken and peking duck, a portion of meat in red wine sauce, a little piece of grilled meat that I don't know what is but liked, and a bacon wrapped asparagus which I didn't like. Whew! I took some leafy greens and a bundle of buttered asparagus too! But I didn't take any rice save for the two piece california maki.

When I first saw the dessert bar, I was ecstatic! I kept thinking what I'd have, thinking if I'd have a little bit of everything! lol But by the time I finished my meal, yes I still have room for desert that's not the problem, I didn't have the urge to eat sweets anymore because my head was killing me. I wanna cry! All I could manage to have was fresh fruits and a little halo-halo! :(

So I rested for awhile. I looked stupid slumped on the table when everyone else was busy eating and drinking, but oh well. Then when I was feeling a little better, I decided to walk around and take pictures. When I got back, I sat, and then Jimboi went (I thought then for a few more dessert). But when he got back, imagine my surprise when he got me this.

It's not my birthday but his and I get to have a cake? Weird but sweet! He said he just wanted to thank me for being there and for celebrating his birthday with him. I was touched and kilig and all.

Too bad my "real"gift didn't make it in time, but I think it will be worth it. My "not real" gift was a big automatic golf umbrella which I said he should put in the car because rainy season is just around the corner. Not sweet, I know, but that's not the real gift remember!

We got another surprise after the dinner. When the bill arrived, we were given a 15% discount just for being fabulous! :) Great, right? :) So try Spiral out! :) The food was excellent and the service was great! (Plugging again!)

After that we hung out by the pool area (where I slept for about an hour in the lounge chair! haha), then we took some pictures. We were supposed to watch a movie but I was already feeling a big ball in my head so we just headed home.

Then I gave him my second gift (which still isn't the "real" gift by the way) and it was a nice way to cap the night.

Not Your Daily Routine

There's nothing like a shared cyberspace adventure to spice up your lurrveee life a little.

But you do not want it to be an everyday activity or the experience will be jaded.



And don't do it when you know you have a scheduled gym session the morning after... *wink, wink*

Midyear Resolution

I am not a fan of New Year's Resolution because I end up breaking them anyways. Let me try if changing "new" to "mid" would make a difference. So here goes: I, Princhecha Fiona, resolve to live a more active lifestyle.

I know I am a little bit overweight. I have been since I started working. Currently, I am carrying 42 lbs of fat, of which mostly are concentrated in my mid section. I used to not care. Heck, I still don't care that much. But I am beginning to care a little.

I enrolled in a fitness center last week. No, I don't have a ridiculous plan of growing my muscles bouncer big (I have nothing against muscledmen though, my Jimboi has a gymbod, I just don't see me having that!). What I'm aiming for is that I won't live a sedentary lifestyle anymore. And I want to lose my now-big-soon-flat tummy! Hopefully in 12 weeks time, I'll be in my ideal weight already, one pound a week is not that bad!

By signing up in the gym, I am facing my fear of getting the what-is-she-doing-in-the-men's-locker look. But I'm trying to ignore all those and just do my thing. Let the chauvinist pigs think what they want to think, all I know is that I would just want to use the gym facilities for my fitness. I am not there for any other hankypanky business. I woudn't even want to look at their parading naked asses and bulging, ehem, muscles for crying out loud. I'd rather look at my Jimboi noh! :p

Now, I also have to discipline myself not to always take a cab to and from the office. I figured that I'd cut my transpo budget to pay for my gym fee.

Also, I now have to be conscious of what I eat. Hard as it may sound to a sweet tooth as me, I'd have to figure a way to lessen my "unhealthy" food intake. I wouldn't want to put to nothing what I lost in the gym to only gain it back in the table. I'm starting with chocolates, junk food and candies and with my upsized drink habit!

The trainer at the gym asked me, after 6 months of going to the gym, how do you see yourself? My answer: if I don't see this tummy, then I'm happy!

It's not that hard a target right? Wish Fiona luck but I know she can do this! :p

I can already see a healthier me! See you all at the gym!

Ang Grande Island Team Building Episode- Bow! (updated with pics)

"A breathtaking experience of Adventure, Nature and Pleasure in one Island.

Grande Island Resort, an island paradise set amongst acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and chalet houses overlooking the crystal white sands and blue waters. Its unique tropical ambience makes it a perfect getaway for couples celebrating a romantic interlude or a family vacation where kids can enjoy adventure activities.

Grande Island Resort takes away life’s pressure." Ayan, pree flugging fa di ba?

Gaya nga ng nasabi ko last Friday, nagpunta ang team namin sa Grande Island Resort sa Subic. Mabuti na lamang na kahit may bagyo ay hindi umulan habang andun kami. Kaya may tan line akong baon pauwi kahit papano! :)

Tulad ng karamihang litrato sa mga campaign ads, kaaya-aya ang Grande Island nung nakita namin ang kanilang website. Ngunit, datapwat, subalit medyo parang hindi ata ganun yung nakita ko sa totoong buhay. Oh well, siguro dahil unang bumungad sa akin ang shoreless front beach, sumunod, yung man-made lagoon na walang laman.

Tas syempre para tipid yung kinuha naming rooms eh yung pinakamura - yung mga hotel rooms. Pero dahil medyo ngarag ako the past weeks, magchoo-choosyfruitgum pa ba ako sa a bit of R&R davah? Ok na din naman, medyo malaki yung napunta sa aming room. Tas may cable TV naman, may ref, at may hot and cold shower.

Tsaka yung mga chalet rooms nila mukhang magaganda! Double nga lang ang bayad, kaya kebs na. hihihi Wit na choosy pag nagtitipid noh!

Bawal "daw" magdala ng food sa island, kaya syempre no choice kundi dun lang sa restaurant kumain. Pero ok naman, masarap ang food! Sa unang tingin parang medyo mahal, pero sulit na dahil madami naman ang servings! So lamon galore ang ginawa namin dun! Patabaing baboy ang mga bakla, oink, oink! ahihihihi

Kapansin-pansin ang pagiging winnur ng customer service ng mga staff ng island. Mababait at accomodating silang lahat, kaya tatlong bagsak para sa kanila (plak, plak, plak!)!

O sya tama na ang rebyu! Di ko to forte! ahihihi

Kung kapansin-pansin ang pagiging winnur ng customer service, kapansin-pansin ding walang may facevalue sa mga guests ng resort. (Oh well maliban na lang sa amin davah! ahihihihi.) KALURKI! Walang mga cutiepatootie, nasayang ang dala kong two-piece chicken joy! Ok sige may isang cute pero hindi masyado, so not counted! Umaasa pa naman akong may mabighani akong isang boylet at maitakehome ako sa chalet! grrrrr... (naghanda na pa naman ako ng excuse sakaling mawala ako, lech, di ko den nagamit! ahihihihi). So much for cruising, hunting and possible tyrst! ahahaha

(Ay wait, may naalala lang ako, meron naman akong nabighani pala! ahihihihi May kumindat na boylet pala sa akin. Di ko lang alam kung napuwing ba sya o sobrang lasing lang talaga nya! ahihihi, pero at least nakindatan ako. Meaning, maganda ako! Che!)

Syempre hindi lang naman puro pagpapakataba at paglalandi ang ginawa namin dun! Nung pers day ay naghost kaming dalawa ni Maria Abigael ng Tresure Hunt of sort! Effort kung effort, effect kung effect! Lingid sa kaalaman ng aming mga teammates ay "humiram" kami ng mga personal items nila na nakakalat sa mga workstations nila - yun ang ginawa naming treasures! Josko po, sa lawak ng island, 100 pounds ang nawala sa akin pagtago pa lang ng mga trinkets! At syempre kelangan pa naming sundan yung 2 teams habang naghu-hunt sila ng treasure para maibigay namin yung mga susunod na clues!

Challenging yung game physically at mentally! ahihihihihi (Sample: Maroon is the color of the third number clue.) Umiinit na ang ulo ng mga teammates ko sa pagod at nagbabanta na silang bugbugin ako kung di daw ako magbibigay ng clue! ahihihihi. Pero masaya syang laruin! Bukod sa exercise itu, naeenhance pa ang team work! Try nyo to gawin pag may team building kayo, masaya swear! (email nyo ko if you want instructions and effects... ahihihi)

Next team activity, ang walang kamatayang charades! Pero may twist. Imbes na isa lang ang magpapahula, isa lang ang manghuhula. Lahat ng iba pa ay kailangan magact out. Ang topic: movies. At hindi lang basta movies, susme may mga pelikulang pinalabas pa noong 1940's! Naman! Sinubukan talaga ang aming galing sa pagarte! ahihihihi. At syempre pa, team ko ang nanalo! Heller, para san pa ang Best Actress in Portraying a Tree Award ko from the Academy kung hindi kami mananalo noh! At ang iskor, masyadong malapet! ahihihihi 23-9 lang naman! Winnur davah?

Ang huling activity na nilaro namen ay obstacle race with pass the message! Matapos ka pahirapan magtatakbo, maglulundag, magsusumampa at maggagapang ay may-i-pass-the-kwento ka and it goes a little something like this: "Si Aling(hingang malalim)Bakokang na anak ni(hingal, hinga) Lola Bokokang ay labandera(hinga ulit) ni Mang Inggo na may alagang Kingkong"! Effort di ba, kamustahin? Ahihihihi Pero happy-happy! At naman, tinatanong pa ba kung sinong team ang nanalo? Syempre yung team ko ulit! Aanhin ko pa din yung 400m-run-against-toddlers medal ko na nakuha ko nung family day sa office nila papa dati davah!

Tapos nun, relax relax na. Kain kain. Picture picture (favorite part ko to dahil naapply ko ang mga natutunan ko sa ANTM). Swim swim. Kain kain ulit (mas favorite part ko to!). Tas kwento kwento.

Haaaay, matuling lumipas ang tatlong araw. Parang di ko man lnag namalayan, maya-maya lang kelangan na umuwi. Babalik na naman sa busy-busyhang buhay.

Pero keri na, kahit pano nakapagbonding with the team. Nakapagpahinga ng konti (kung pahinga mang matatawag ang treasure hunt at obstacle race)! Nakapagrecharge gutierrez din kahit paano. Para ready na namang mangarag kinabukasan!

Tama nga ang linya sa website. Sa tatlong araw na yun, Grande Island Resort took away life’s pressure, may cute na boylet man o wala! (naks, plugging ulet? kelangan may bayad na to!)

(Thanks kay Gladymae para sa mga pics!)

Bakasyon Grande in Grande Island

Our team is off to Subic later at 6am for our team building activity. I just hope it doesn't rain for the next three days... :p

See you all on Monday!!! (hopefully with tan lines and all) Mwah!

Theirstory Continues - the beginning of the beginning

A few boring chapters after, they began hitting it off. Soon enough they became close.

Fiona was a head of a committee in CoA. She wittingly picked Jimboi to be under her committee so that they would become closer. And so that she’d have an excuse to check up on him from time to time.

Meanwhile, the organization was teaming up Prince Jimboi with Princess Hakira. And Fiona, being friends with both, was also rooting for the loveteam. Deep inside though, she wished Hakira was her instead.

After a few months, for reasons Fiona did not exactly know, Jimboi took a breather from courting Hakira – just when she was about to say yes to him. A few weeks still, news of Hakira saying yes to another suitor spread within the circle. The news brought a bit of sorrow to Jimboi (Fiona could only point to a bruised male ego as the reason for the sadness - it was after all his decision to stop wooing her).

But who is she to care? Soon enough she became the friend-ready-to-help-a-friend-in-need, the shoulder to cry on. The two pratically became inseparable afterwards. They were together everyday- dining out, having coffee, playing bowling, studying together and getting to know each other deeper. They would even sneak out in the garden late at night and do nothing but gaze at the stars above. Jimboi became a constant visitor in Fiona’s palace.

“Is this it? Is this my chance of having a prince charming I could only have in dreams? Has God finally answered my prayers? Am I hoping too much? Am I misreading between the lines?”

Fiona could only be too happy with all of Jimboi’s time and attention. She could feel him caring for her. She could feel her falling hard for him.

But can all of this really be?

Tips to Avoid Slipping in the Toilet and Breaking the Blue Pail

1. Even if you're too lazy to get your havanas slippers in your travelling bag upstairs, don't ever use your old thin worn out slippers in the john just because it's the one nearby. Never. Even if you really have to go.

2. Use your lola's bakya if you have to, or buy one for your own. And don't ever take it out of your comfort room.

3. Make sure your c.r. is clean and dry. Always.

4. Buy yards and yards of anti-slip mats and cover the whole floor area just to be sure. Buy in diferent colors and designs- you'll never know what you feel like using.

5. Find an apartment with an automatic flush (and while you're at it, the one with a massager too!).




(Disclaimer: Not based on personal experience of the author. But author needs to buy a new pail now.)

Filmus Adictus List for March and April

1. Juno (GB3)
2. My Big Love (Shang)
3. Sleuth (Trinoma)
4. Step-Up 2 (GB3)
5. Fool's Gold (GB3)
6. Horton Hears a Who (GB3)
7. Shutter (GB3)
8. Over Her Dead Body (GB3)