First off, we had a lovely sunset today. That different kind of orange tint that's oh so delightful I can almost lick its deliciousness.
Second off, I need new pants. My size 0 GAP pants is loose already; suffice it to say that ALL of my office slacks needs to be overhauled. I've been having breathing problems, some shortness of breath, whenever I eat more than usual hence I've been cutting rice intake. The feeling's great (!!) albeit I didn't realize that I'd be needing to buy some new wardrobe.
Third off (this is what you get when you're a chickadora and you get to spend the whole afternoon, walking around town, ALONE), I think i'm fast becoming a semi-vegitarian. When I entered my suki meat shop (Kind's Meat) in Bando, my nose crinkled at the smell of raw meat; almost making me gag. I had to hurry buy my ration for the week and go out the door before i do gag. What I read in Eat, Pray, Love didn't help as well - "Eating meat is eating the fear of the animal on the moment of its death". So goodluck to me later on with my Adobo dinner.
So, to real business.
I never am one to plan ahead. I tried planning time and again and yet, almost always, something else happens to thwart me from my plans. And usually, that something is so much better than what I had anticipated. And so I choose to just be caught with the moment, and decide later on on my course of action when the moment forces me to decide. Well of course having this kind of attitude had put me in tight spots a number of times already. But once I get past the tight spots, the experience gets more exhilirating, more memorable. It's sort of like smelling the flowers while you walk about the garden. Enjoying the moment. Basking in in the present.
But don't get me wrong, time and again, I do feel the need and praticality of planning. With planning, you get to know where you're heading and what you need to do to get to where you want to go (not just in short trips but life in general). Hence, when the situation calls for it, I do plan.
My RFA will be up come end of April and every now and then, I thought of what I want to do should I get to be extended or if they decided to let me rest for a bit and have me packing my stuff for Manila.
Wants. On that field, I have a lot though. I have lots of it that I utter one of it almost every hour of my waking day (or even in my dreams haha). Some shallow, some so deep and so deeply ingrained that I can almost feel it oozing out of every pore of my body. For those wants (I'd call it heart's desires), I rarely share it for fear of spoiling it the moment I utter a word of it. There are times though when I wanted to shout these desires to the world; so then the world could conspire in making this desire come to fruition.
(whew, this blog's taking quite so long!) And here, i'm gonna share some of those shallow ones...
1. I want to learn a new language.
So then, what language?
French is the one language that I have often considered as like music to the ears. And I would love to learn it to feel its velvety texture on my lips, on my tongue, as I utter the musical notes, myself.
But France is not the one place that I'd like to go to. It's one of the places I want to go to but certainly not the first one.
I want to go to Italy. Really really really want to go to this place that I can almost feel the desire oozing out of me and smell it in my sweat. haha.
So I want to learn Italian. For starters, I just borrowed "Italian for Beginners" from the Noge Library this afternoon. Let's see how it develops...
2. I want to learn to cook gourmet food. But first, I have to have a big kitchen to work on. But then again, if you really want to learn, small kitchens wouldn't be a hindrance.
3. I want to learn how to bake. There's lots of stuff/gadgets available in 100yen...
4. I want to learn how to drive.
5. I want to go practice bikram yoga and go to the yoga center driving my own car. And then have some relaxing tea after, with a book at hand.
6. I want to take some time off from work and really work on doing something new; something pleasurable.
I want, I want, I want. This and more....
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Saturday, 14 March 2009
issues
A few pages into "Eat, Pray, Love" and i'm hooked. (thanks for this Kitty). It's so timely to be reading this. As I am on a search, myself.
As I walked my way home in the rain earlier, with a cup of Tully's Cafe Mocha (supposedly their couples special for Valentine's-White Day), I thought of things of old, things of new, things of yet to come. It was already 8:30pm but I still can't decide whether I'll eat, much less where to eat. I thought of not eating but my stomach seems to have a different opinion. Hence when the train got to Bandobashi, I just decided to buy Oden (quick bites dipped for some time already in some special steaming stew available in any konbini).
But I met some friends and colleagues on the station who was heading to the same apartment as I am and we chatted animatedly on our way home about the status of projects in our company that I totally forgot to drop by at the konbini. When we started to part ways, it was then that I remembered that i'm going home to my pad without food in tow. No dinner yet at 930pm. They were so gracious to invite me to join them though. And surprisingly, despite the current mood I was in, still, I had a great time. And had a (at least) brief respite from troubling thoughts that I've been having.
The whole day, despite the numbing pain in my abdomen, I have to have a clear mind to address issues at work. Half of me wants to complain about work but half of me chastices the other half for wanting to complain. Haha, a split personality indeed.
As I walked my way home in the rain earlier, with a cup of Tully's Cafe Mocha (supposedly their couples special for Valentine's-White Day), I thought of things of old, things of new, things of yet to come. It was already 8:30pm but I still can't decide whether I'll eat, much less where to eat. I thought of not eating but my stomach seems to have a different opinion. Hence when the train got to Bandobashi, I just decided to buy Oden (quick bites dipped for some time already in some special steaming stew available in any konbini).
But I met some friends and colleagues on the station who was heading to the same apartment as I am and we chatted animatedly on our way home about the status of projects in our company that I totally forgot to drop by at the konbini. When we started to part ways, it was then that I remembered that i'm going home to my pad without food in tow. No dinner yet at 930pm. They were so gracious to invite me to join them though. And surprisingly, despite the current mood I was in, still, I had a great time. And had a (at least) brief respite from troubling thoughts that I've been having.
The whole day, despite the numbing pain in my abdomen, I have to have a clear mind to address issues at work. Half of me wants to complain about work but half of me chastices the other half for wanting to complain. Haha, a split personality indeed.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
last year in the twenties
This birthday was really weird in that I have no pictures of where we ate at as well as the people I hang out with. So i'll try to document what happened in the most concise way I can. =)
March 6 dawned gray and dreary, with the kind of rain that would make you want to stay in your bed. But still, I walked with a light step, greeted the rain with a smile and a mantra - i'll take this rain as a blessing...
To be honest, it actually took some effort not to be sad, at the start. From the start of the week, i've been feeling hermetical and socializing took some amount of energy. For a couple of hours last wednesday, i perkep up a bit with the karaoke with people from the office. Bevs' blooper was such a blessing really that it pulled me out from feeling anti-social.
When my day came though, there was a big part of me that wanted to stay at home. But then again, I bounced off my bed and told myself that there's only one day in the year which i can consider as MY day thus I should not ruin it by feeling dejected and lonely.
Generally, it was a good day. Though the stress at work was still manageable, bothersome people-who-think-my world-revolves-around-them made it more stressful. But then again, getting stressed by them just proves them they're right hence, I didn't pay them any more attention than what was necessary. After all, I have a life to live. This makes me think though that I wish I could someday say this to their face - "get a life! and stop bugging me."
Had the traditional lunch at Hardrock as well with some friends and collegueas in Process and Piping which was arranged by Gali (so nice of him). Along with the renovation, HR have also changed their cake and memorabilias; one of which was a VERY big keychain with your picture on it. haha.
Was really thankful for Kitty's sweet deed - delivering flowers to my desk. =)
Hehe, you may find me weird but that has been one of my secret wishes. hahaha. Anyways, with that, people knew it was my birthday, greeted me and gave me sweets that by late afternoon, i already had a toothache from all the sweets I had. Sano and Tae-chan gave me a cake as well. So thoughtful! I laughed when Kitty told me that Sano was so bold as to talk to Kat to confirm it was my birthday even when they don't know each other.
To top the special day, Kat and I had a special dinner at a (surprisingly) fine dining resto in Yokohama. Good food, good food. Afterwhich, we headed off to my place, for oden, cheese snacks and liters of Plum Wine to set the mood of our chikahan.
So really, it was a good birthday. Really thankful for Kitty for helping me keep myself from feeling dejected on my birthday =D.
The following day, (7), was a fun day of girl talk and food binge.
Maj, Zoey, Kitty and I were supposed to meet at 1145 in Hiroo Station for a birthday lunch at Cicada (Zoey's a birthday-mate). But I woke up late and got lost in Shibuya (although I've been there nearly every week already) that I only arrived at Cicada at 1am, harassed and very hungry.
Cicada was yummy as always and still the favorite. *_* The couch at Starbucks was also very relaxing that we hanged out there for hours and hours. Afterwhich, we explored Ebisu and then the Ebisu Garden Place where Domyugi waited for Makino in the drama Hana Yori Dango. Had dinner there as well but the food in the resto we chose was so lousy I lost my appetite - even up to now. haha. Which is a good thing na din as I am on a diet. hehehehe..
March 6 dawned gray and dreary, with the kind of rain that would make you want to stay in your bed. But still, I walked with a light step, greeted the rain with a smile and a mantra - i'll take this rain as a blessing...
To be honest, it actually took some effort not to be sad, at the start. From the start of the week, i've been feeling hermetical and socializing took some amount of energy. For a couple of hours last wednesday, i perkep up a bit with the karaoke with people from the office. Bevs' blooper was such a blessing really that it pulled me out from feeling anti-social.
When my day came though, there was a big part of me that wanted to stay at home. But then again, I bounced off my bed and told myself that there's only one day in the year which i can consider as MY day thus I should not ruin it by feeling dejected and lonely.
Generally, it was a good day. Though the stress at work was still manageable, bothersome people-who-think-my world-revolves-around-them made it more stressful. But then again, getting stressed by them just proves them they're right hence, I didn't pay them any more attention than what was necessary. After all, I have a life to live. This makes me think though that I wish I could someday say this to their face - "get a life! and stop bugging me."
Had the traditional lunch at Hardrock as well with some friends and collegueas in Process and Piping which was arranged by Gali (so nice of him). Along with the renovation, HR have also changed their cake and memorabilias; one of which was a VERY big keychain with your picture on it. haha.
Was really thankful for Kitty's sweet deed - delivering flowers to my desk. =)
Hehe, you may find me weird but that has been one of my secret wishes. hahaha. Anyways, with that, people knew it was my birthday, greeted me and gave me sweets that by late afternoon, i already had a toothache from all the sweets I had. Sano and Tae-chan gave me a cake as well. So thoughtful! I laughed when Kitty told me that Sano was so bold as to talk to Kat to confirm it was my birthday even when they don't know each other.
To top the special day, Kat and I had a special dinner at a (surprisingly) fine dining resto in Yokohama. Good food, good food. Afterwhich, we headed off to my place, for oden, cheese snacks and liters of Plum Wine to set the mood of our chikahan.
So really, it was a good birthday. Really thankful for Kitty for helping me keep myself from feeling dejected on my birthday =D.
The following day, (7), was a fun day of girl talk and food binge.
Maj, Zoey, Kitty and I were supposed to meet at 1145 in Hiroo Station for a birthday lunch at Cicada (Zoey's a birthday-mate). But I woke up late and got lost in Shibuya (although I've been there nearly every week already) that I only arrived at Cicada at 1am, harassed and very hungry.
Cicada was yummy as always and still the favorite. *_* The couch at Starbucks was also very relaxing that we hanged out there for hours and hours. Afterwhich, we explored Ebisu and then the Ebisu Garden Place where Domyugi waited for Makino in the drama Hana Yori Dango. Had dinner there as well but the food in the resto we chose was so lousy I lost my appetite - even up to now. haha. Which is a good thing na din as I am on a diet. hehehehe..
Thursday, 5 March 2009
unbirthday
I read a couple of (separate) blogs last week referring to the word unbirthday. And from what I inferred, it's a feeling you have when you feel like there's nothing to celebrate and you feel like you're not in your element.
And between the clashing of wills with a colleague at the office and some personal issues to contend with, I just feel like that since the start of the week - so unbirthday.
This evening though, I checked what the word really means and Wikipedia says "An unbirthday (originally written un-birthday) is an event that can be celebrated on any day that is not the person's birthday. It is a neologism coined in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, giving rise to the song "A Very Merry Unbirthday to You" in the 1951 Disney animated feature film Alice in Wonderland."
And funny how today, it was applicable to me as well haha.
Bevs mistook my birthday for today and hence, early morning, she sent a reeeally cute email greetings on the email with the whole Process Department on carbon-copy. And the greetings just kept on pouring thereon..even from those who knew my birthday. haha.
The mistake was a blessing in disguise actually. It perked me up...tons. =D
So there, it was a very merry unbirthday for me today. haha.
Anyways, A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!!
And between the clashing of wills with a colleague at the office and some personal issues to contend with, I just feel like that since the start of the week - so unbirthday.
This evening though, I checked what the word really means and Wikipedia says "An unbirthday (originally written un-birthday) is an event that can be celebrated on any day that is not the person's birthday. It is a neologism coined in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, giving rise to the song "A Very Merry Unbirthday to You" in the 1951 Disney animated feature film Alice in Wonderland."
And funny how today, it was applicable to me as well haha.
Bevs mistook my birthday for today and hence, early morning, she sent a reeeally cute email greetings on the email with the whole Process Department on carbon-copy. And the greetings just kept on pouring thereon..even from those who knew my birthday. haha.
The mistake was a blessing in disguise actually. It perked me up...tons. =D
So there, it was a very merry unbirthday for me today. haha.
Anyways, A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!!
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
my kind of winter
It's been a warm winter. And hence, when mid Feb came and we were barely hitting below 3degC, I gave up hoping I'd wake up one day to find a snowy landscape outside my window like how it was last year.
So boy was I reeeally happy when last Friday, it snowed!! As Maj pointed out, it's like a "Friday treat". Though I woke up at 9 then and was making a dash to the office cause I was already soo very late, I was thankful for waking up late cause then I can enjoy the snow outdoors.
Then, the following day (Saturday), we went skiing. Hence, more lovely time with snow snow snow! =D
And then again, this evening, it snowed. Though it was mixed in with the rain, I'm still so very happy to see them make their graceful fall. I hopped my way back home and even lifted my face up to feel the snow on my face. haha. Snow-crazed, yes I am.
MMMMM!!!! my kind of winter. =D
So boy was I reeeally happy when last Friday, it snowed!! As Maj pointed out, it's like a "Friday treat". Though I woke up at 9 then and was making a dash to the office cause I was already soo very late, I was thankful for waking up late cause then I can enjoy the snow outdoors.
Then, the following day (Saturday), we went skiing. Hence, more lovely time with snow snow snow! =D
And then again, this evening, it snowed. Though it was mixed in with the rain, I'm still so very happy to see them make their graceful fall. I hopped my way back home and even lifted my face up to feel the snow on my face. haha. Snow-crazed, yes I am.
MMMMM!!!! my kind of winter. =D
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
a different kind of monday
I commenced my workweek yesterday by going out of the office early at 5 to go to Shibuya (CC Lemon Concert Hall) and watch Jason Mraz in concert!!!
The dude is just sooo cool!
He started off with "Make It Mine", then off to "The Remedy" where he let the audience sing a couple of lines, then "You and I Both".
Unexpectedly, he sang "Lucky" solo. Their live versions of "If It Kills Me" and "Live High" were really good and much much better than the CD cover perhaps because of Toca Rivera's blending in. I'm as much a fan of Toca Rivera as I am with Jason actually, cause the guy is just sooo damn good on 2nd vocals.
Zoey, Kitty, Maj and I had a great time raising our hands up with every "good job" on "Dynamo of Volition" and danced as well to "Butterfly" and "Life is Wonderful"
Though I was a bit disappointed he didn't sing "Bella Luna", still, I swooned with "A Beautiful Mess". My, this song is just so beautiful!! And of course the evening wouldn't be complete without "I'm Yours" though I think I called it a night already the moment he sang "A Beautiful Mess"..sigh..
n_n
The dude is just sooo cool!
He started off with "Make It Mine", then off to "The Remedy" where he let the audience sing a couple of lines, then "You and I Both".
Unexpectedly, he sang "Lucky" solo. Their live versions of "If It Kills Me" and "Live High" were really good and much much better than the CD cover perhaps because of Toca Rivera's blending in. I'm as much a fan of Toca Rivera as I am with Jason actually, cause the guy is just sooo damn good on 2nd vocals.
Zoey, Kitty, Maj and I had a great time raising our hands up with every "good job" on "Dynamo of Volition" and danced as well to "Butterfly" and "Life is Wonderful"
Though I was a bit disappointed he didn't sing "Bella Luna", still, I swooned with "A Beautiful Mess". My, this song is just so beautiful!! And of course the evening wouldn't be complete without "I'm Yours" though I think I called it a night already the moment he sang "A Beautiful Mess"..sigh..
n_n
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Jason in Grammy's
I finally found some time to sit and look up the results of the 51st Grammy Awards last Feb 8 and check if Jason Mraz bagged the three awards for which he has been nominated; namely:
-Song of The Year
-Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
-Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical)
But huff and alas, he didn't make it. huhu. Nevertheless, Jason's still a winner for me =D. The guy is just sooo cool!!! And I can't sit tight waiting for our Feb 23 date (big grin!) =D
PS
I'm happy though that Adele bagged the "Best New Artist" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" (for Chasing Pavements) awards. Truly love her Chasing Pavements song and vid! Couldn't wait to try out the steps myself..hahaha
-Song of The Year
-Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
-Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical)
But huff and alas, he didn't make it. huhu. Nevertheless, Jason's still a winner for me =D. The guy is just sooo cool!!! And I can't sit tight waiting for our Feb 23 date (big grin!) =D
PS
I'm happy though that Adele bagged the "Best New Artist" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" (for Chasing Pavements) awards. Truly love her Chasing Pavements song and vid! Couldn't wait to try out the steps myself..hahaha
Saturday, 14 February 2009
hearts' day
Happy Valentine's Day!
It sure is a freak day today here in Yokohama. It should be the dead of winter but it felt like the last days of Summer what with the 20degC temperature we had today. Kitty and I were walking around Minato Mirai wearing only short sleeves, with our coats in our hands.
I missed my winter! tsk tsk.
Quite a productive day today though, shoppingwise. Got mugged at Zara (yet again!) while Kitty was mugged at UCB haha! We were supposed to go ice skating but due to the vey hot weather, the ice rink turned to swimming pool. ~_~
Had a reaaaal nice lunch though at Salon de Nina (Paris) topped with the fruity flavored tea that you can't help but smile with satisfaction.
A nice valentines day..even though celebrated by a couple of singles..haha.
It sure is a freak day today here in Yokohama. It should be the dead of winter but it felt like the last days of Summer what with the 20degC temperature we had today. Kitty and I were walking around Minato Mirai wearing only short sleeves, with our coats in our hands.
I missed my winter! tsk tsk.
Quite a productive day today though, shoppingwise. Got mugged at Zara (yet again!) while Kitty was mugged at UCB haha! We were supposed to go ice skating but due to the vey hot weather, the ice rink turned to swimming pool. ~_~
Had a reaaaal nice lunch though at Salon de Nina (Paris) topped with the fruity flavored tea that you can't help but smile with satisfaction.
A nice valentines day..even though celebrated by a couple of singles..haha.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Twilights
Though I was already hooked with Book 1 of the Twilight Series, the golden glow of the sun streaming through the heavy curtains into my room was by far a stronger force; hence making me scramble for a quick shower and out my front door in 30 minutes' time just so I could catch the sunset before buying more food supplies to get me through my hibernation. (^_^)
I was feeling naughty again and walked out my door just as how Jeniffer Aniston sometimes appear in Friends..hehe..I had a jacket on anyway so it wouldn't be noticed. hehe.
Anyways, it felt good briskwalking around the neighborhood. The cold was just about right and I could feel myself warming up with the walk. In no time at all, I was in Maita Park, running towards the swings. Softly swinging to and fro, I read on with The Wedding...
One thing I realized though...When the holidays started, I immersed myself on love stories, be it book or movies. I felt that I need to do it...to keep myself believing that true love can still happen; that it does exist...to keep myself from getting deluded, hardened, unbelieving in love. And it was effective, for a certain time at least.
After the rush of the New Year (from the party, shopping and all) and when I resumed with the movies I was watching and book I was reading, somehow its effect waned. Where before just days ago, I would be instantaneously touched and get teary eyed, I realized I have no warm feelings for romantic settings anymore... As I read on how Wilson described the surprise he prepared for his wife on their anniversary, I could only think of how big a fire hazard all those candles can be..and to think that he left all those candles burning without somebody inside the house!!
So there. I wonder where the romantic side of me went to as the new year came up.
I read on till I realized that I was already reading by the light of the streetlamp nearby. I then closed the book, played with the swing and basked in the twilight whilst staring at the blue gray sky. It was lovely! So lovely I had to force myself away from the swing since it was already getting very cold and my hands were getting chilled already - reminding me to wear gloves the next time I'd do this.
I briskedwalk to the market, confident that the fish stall I eyed earlier which sold shrimps (of just the right size for deep frying) was still open since it was just a quarter after five. But apparently since it was the holidays, they closed at 5. I settled myself on salmon anyhow and decided to buy tomorrow and since i'm going out my house tomorrow - again to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
I'm looking forward now to an evening reading Twilight, Book 1! =)
I was feeling naughty again and walked out my door just as how Jeniffer Aniston sometimes appear in Friends..hehe..I had a jacket on anyway so it wouldn't be noticed. hehe.
Anyways, it felt good briskwalking around the neighborhood. The cold was just about right and I could feel myself warming up with the walk. In no time at all, I was in Maita Park, running towards the swings. Softly swinging to and fro, I read on with The Wedding...
One thing I realized though...When the holidays started, I immersed myself on love stories, be it book or movies. I felt that I need to do it...to keep myself believing that true love can still happen; that it does exist...to keep myself from getting deluded, hardened, unbelieving in love. And it was effective, for a certain time at least.
After the rush of the New Year (from the party, shopping and all) and when I resumed with the movies I was watching and book I was reading, somehow its effect waned. Where before just days ago, I would be instantaneously touched and get teary eyed, I realized I have no warm feelings for romantic settings anymore... As I read on how Wilson described the surprise he prepared for his wife on their anniversary, I could only think of how big a fire hazard all those candles can be..and to think that he left all those candles burning without somebody inside the house!!
So there. I wonder where the romantic side of me went to as the new year came up.
I read on till I realized that I was already reading by the light of the streetlamp nearby. I then closed the book, played with the swing and basked in the twilight whilst staring at the blue gray sky. It was lovely! So lovely I had to force myself away from the swing since it was already getting very cold and my hands were getting chilled already - reminding me to wear gloves the next time I'd do this.
I briskedwalk to the market, confident that the fish stall I eyed earlier which sold shrimps (of just the right size for deep frying) was still open since it was just a quarter after five. But apparently since it was the holidays, they closed at 5. I settled myself on salmon anyhow and decided to buy tomorrow and since i'm going out my house tomorrow - again to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
I'm looking forward now to an evening reading Twilight, Book 1! =)
Thursday, 1 January 2009
greeting the new year with a smile
Well I did greet this new year with a smile.
First off, we had fun popping off our party poppers (the closest thing to "fireworks" that we could get our hands on around here) after our countdown; thence raining confetti to each other. After Joey led the prayer, we then had a toast with our sparkling Apple Cider (it was soo yum!!). I had a big laugh as people really did raise their glasses to Gali's "To Ate Marj's lovelife!" hahahaha. But of course after that, we toasted to happiness, more bonuses, more shopping and travel! =)
After the media noche, people just settled down to watch movies. "Surf's Up" was real funny but I just wasn't in the mood to watch "PS I Love You" so I curled in bed beside Glo and Joey as the rest watched on. I wasn't able to sleep though as I had a nasty stomachache and was still wide awake even after the movie was finished and everybody else was already asleep. I stared at how the dim light from the bulb cast a dramatic effect to the colorful confetti left hanging on the beam. That, coupled with the soft, "mushy" music that Gali has left playing in his MacBook, it somehow made me anticipate of romantic moments yet to come...
What made me smile even wider though is caused by the apparent symphony of ...(tsada!)...snores within the room. Haha. Each one seem to make a different kind of sound and at different interval from the other that it seems like each snore has it's own personality. haha! I wonder how mine would sound..=P
I dont blame the "symphony" though for not being able to sleep as I've been in a room with people who snore real loud but still, I slept like a babe. As my stomachache abated, I reflected on the last year and looked forward to this year. And though a tear finds its way to my cheek every now and then as I had a runny nose cause it was just sooo very cold (I couldn't sniff as people might misunderstand and think I was crying! no siree! hehe), most of the time, I found myself smiling....
Was finally able to sleep at 5:30am (I started to try to sleep since 2:30am! haha) but had to wake up at 8 as most of us were getting ready to leave already. Caught an hour's nap at my place later on before showering and heading off for an afternoon of shopping and foraging of perfect cardigan/shawl and shoes to match the evening dresses I bought at Zara. And wouldn't have expected it but I was successful and finally found the right fits after weeks of searching..=P..Bought other stuff besides...
And what else to highlight a productive day but have a luxurious dinner at one of your favorite diner? Had a long dinner at Royal Host. Albeit alone, still, I had a great time enjoying the food, several cupfuls of matcha and plum tea whilst reading "The Wedding".
A productive day; one that's hopefully a harbinger to a productive year ahead.
Happy New 2009 everyone!!!
First off, we had fun popping off our party poppers (the closest thing to "fireworks" that we could get our hands on around here) after our countdown; thence raining confetti to each other. After Joey led the prayer, we then had a toast with our sparkling Apple Cider (it was soo yum!!). I had a big laugh as people really did raise their glasses to Gali's "To Ate Marj's lovelife!" hahahaha. But of course after that, we toasted to happiness, more bonuses, more shopping and travel! =)
After the media noche, people just settled down to watch movies. "Surf's Up" was real funny but I just wasn't in the mood to watch "PS I Love You" so I curled in bed beside Glo and Joey as the rest watched on. I wasn't able to sleep though as I had a nasty stomachache and was still wide awake even after the movie was finished and everybody else was already asleep. I stared at how the dim light from the bulb cast a dramatic effect to the colorful confetti left hanging on the beam. That, coupled with the soft, "mushy" music that Gali has left playing in his MacBook, it somehow made me anticipate of romantic moments yet to come...
What made me smile even wider though is caused by the apparent symphony of ...(tsada!)...snores within the room. Haha. Each one seem to make a different kind of sound and at different interval from the other that it seems like each snore has it's own personality. haha! I wonder how mine would sound..=P
I dont blame the "symphony" though for not being able to sleep as I've been in a room with people who snore real loud but still, I slept like a babe. As my stomachache abated, I reflected on the last year and looked forward to this year. And though a tear finds its way to my cheek every now and then as I had a runny nose cause it was just sooo very cold (I couldn't sniff as people might misunderstand and think I was crying! no siree! hehe), most of the time, I found myself smiling....
Was finally able to sleep at 5:30am (I started to try to sleep since 2:30am! haha) but had to wake up at 8 as most of us were getting ready to leave already. Caught an hour's nap at my place later on before showering and heading off for an afternoon of shopping and foraging of perfect cardigan/shawl and shoes to match the evening dresses I bought at Zara. And wouldn't have expected it but I was successful and finally found the right fits after weeks of searching..=P..Bought other stuff besides...
And what else to highlight a productive day but have a luxurious dinner at one of your favorite diner? Had a long dinner at Royal Host. Albeit alone, still, I had a great time enjoying the food, several cupfuls of matcha and plum tea whilst reading "The Wedding".
A productive day; one that's hopefully a harbinger to a productive year ahead.
Happy New 2009 everyone!!!
Monday, 29 December 2008
The Wedding
Haha, I now feel like my eyes' all puffy, with tears just on the brim...blame it on Nicholas Sparks' "The Wedding", haha.
It's the holidays, and what with all the parties being over and done with (there's only the big New Year party left), I've nothing to do but read, watch movies/dramas and sleep as late as I want as my friends whom I always hang around with are on homeleaves right now.
My day started at 2pm (the previous day ended at 5 am this morning though..haha), ate my sausage lunch whilst watching "Goong". I finally forced myself to take a bath so I could go out, catch the beautiful sunset (believe me, sunsets on a clear spring/autumn/winter here in Japan is truly breathtaking!), take my coats to the dry cleaners, take a stroll, look for sparklers/party poppers for our New Year party, and enjoy a cup of coffee after withdrawing some money from the ATM.
Wanting to have some privacy and to limit chancing upon somebody I know in Starbucks Kannai and to try out a new coffee flavor, I chose to stay at BadAss Coffee Shop. It turned out a good decision as the Hawaiian songs and later some Jack Johnson songs was relaxing and sooo sets the mood...to emote..hehe. The Kona cafe au lait laced with banana was somewhat weird; but it was sweet and it somehow fitted in with the mood.
Though I know, ideal guys could only be found on a Nicholas Sparks novel, still, I can't help but be melodramatic and be a hopeless romantic as I read the book. I started reading the book since the other night, but I just could not read it straight, as I find my eyes welling with tears every now and then. haha. There was this one part of the book where Wilson was recounting when he first realized he was falling in love with his girlfriend (who was to become his wife). Having read the last sentence of that chapter - "I knew what it meant to finally fall in love" - I have to stop reading and look up so as to keep the page from getting wet with a fallen tear. I had to look up to keep those darn tears at bay.
Having had finished my coffee (Can't afford to be sentimental in the coffee shop haha!), I left the coffee house and hopped my way home.
Maybe, my ideal man is still out there and that he just doesn't exist within the pages of a novel. Extra wait, Extraordinary, as a reading in Didache once said...
It's the holidays, and what with all the parties being over and done with (there's only the big New Year party left), I've nothing to do but read, watch movies/dramas and sleep as late as I want as my friends whom I always hang around with are on homeleaves right now.
My day started at 2pm (the previous day ended at 5 am this morning though..haha), ate my sausage lunch whilst watching "Goong". I finally forced myself to take a bath so I could go out, catch the beautiful sunset (believe me, sunsets on a clear spring/autumn/winter here in Japan is truly breathtaking!), take my coats to the dry cleaners, take a stroll, look for sparklers/party poppers for our New Year party, and enjoy a cup of coffee after withdrawing some money from the ATM.
Wanting to have some privacy and to limit chancing upon somebody I know in Starbucks Kannai and to try out a new coffee flavor, I chose to stay at BadAss Coffee Shop. It turned out a good decision as the Hawaiian songs and later some Jack Johnson songs was relaxing and sooo sets the mood...to emote..hehe. The Kona cafe au lait laced with banana was somewhat weird; but it was sweet and it somehow fitted in with the mood.
Though I know, ideal guys could only be found on a Nicholas Sparks novel, still, I can't help but be melodramatic and be a hopeless romantic as I read the book. I started reading the book since the other night, but I just could not read it straight, as I find my eyes welling with tears every now and then. haha. There was this one part of the book where Wilson was recounting when he first realized he was falling in love with his girlfriend (who was to become his wife). Having read the last sentence of that chapter - "I knew what it meant to finally fall in love" - I have to stop reading and look up so as to keep the page from getting wet with a fallen tear. I had to look up to keep those darn tears at bay.
Having had finished my coffee (Can't afford to be sentimental in the coffee shop haha!), I left the coffee house and hopped my way home.
Maybe, my ideal man is still out there and that he just doesn't exist within the pages of a novel. Extra wait, Extraordinary, as a reading in Didache once said...
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
brains, innards or....fish balls???
Limapuluh was easy to find surprisingly; it was situated inside a commercial square called La Place which somehow reminded us of Greenbelt. It was raining last Sunday hence it was just as good that we've reserved for a table at the dining room and not at the terrace. I like the ambiance at the bar area though (^^) but we were there for lunch so we've no choice but be in the dining area. As we weren't able to book for a table at a Michelin-starred resto, Kitty and I decided not to dress up. Hence we looked like maids (and our guy friends, like driver/boy helper hahaha) next to Zoey and Maj who were dressed fit to dine at L'auberge.
Having been frustrated with the Michelin-starred resto, we ordered the most expensive lunch set they had - which was still waaay cheaper (1/3?) than L'auberge or Quintessence or even Merveille. Among us, only Kitty and Zoey can read Japanese and hence we all didn't bother to look at the appetizers and entrees since it's a lunch set and the choices we have can only be either fish or meat for the main dish. Besides, the menu we found on the website were pretty safe (I don't eat liver/heart and the like) so order the set, we did.
As it turned out, you can't have a choice of your fish or meat. I mean, there's only a limited number of beef dishes and if they ran out of it already (as what happened to our guy friends' orders), you have no choice but to take the deer entree. Us girls chose fish but it was somewhat frustrating to learn that we could not have the certain dish we want; they can only give us 3 of this certain fish entree and the other one will have to make do with the other fish entree. Having no choice, we just said okay.
Water was readily served in a bottle on our table - it's free so there's no great-tasting water this time, like what we had in Vinoteca and Cicada. The Champagne we had was also just left to sit on our table - not cradled on a bowl like in Vinoteca and Cicada. We also miss the olive oil & wine dip in Vinoteca and the different olive oil choices in Cicada (you can choose among Californian, Spanish, Italian, Greek and French olive oils!).
My spirit was getting gloomier by the minute as it was really becoming evident that the restaurant we chose was not really that special. I mean the place was good actually and the bar was impressive but then the choice we had wasn't as special as location for our December fine dining.
My spirits somewhat rose though when they served our appetizers in front of us. The presentation was nicely done that I thought that it was living up to it's "French restaurant" claim.
Ate the vegetables first. Nice. Took a forkful of the thingy on the middle our plates whilst asking each other "what's this?". The crunchy part was nice. And then I saw an intestine-like shape on my food and said "is this brain?". But we rationalized that it's unlikely to be brain since it's too big a serving and hence should be more expensive. I was still poking my food and just ate the crunchy parts and all the while saying "masarap naman dba??" until Maj commented that it seems I was not really convincing them of the taste but that I was saying it as like a mantra..to help me get through eating it; which I still didn't finish by the way. When finally the main dish was served, we asked the waiter what was the appetizer. Said it was "Shirako" and gestured to say that it was part of a fish's entrails; making me relieved I didn't eat the entire thing. I had two glasses of champagne, had my main dish, had a strong coffee with uber chocolatey chocolate cake and yet the taste still lingered. Even when we were already having karaoke 3 hours later, the taste still lingered.
Later that evening, Kitty sent us this link for us to learn what Shirako is.
http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/25585/
Blech!
Who would have thought that a "rare treat" such as sperm er, cod milt would be served us that lunch??! We asked for something memorable for our dine out and we sure did get it hahahaha..
Having been frustrated with the Michelin-starred resto, we ordered the most expensive lunch set they had - which was still waaay cheaper (1/3?) than L'auberge or Quintessence or even Merveille. Among us, only Kitty and Zoey can read Japanese and hence we all didn't bother to look at the appetizers and entrees since it's a lunch set and the choices we have can only be either fish or meat for the main dish. Besides, the menu we found on the website were pretty safe (I don't eat liver/heart and the like) so order the set, we did.
As it turned out, you can't have a choice of your fish or meat. I mean, there's only a limited number of beef dishes and if they ran out of it already (as what happened to our guy friends' orders), you have no choice but to take the deer entree. Us girls chose fish but it was somewhat frustrating to learn that we could not have the certain dish we want; they can only give us 3 of this certain fish entree and the other one will have to make do with the other fish entree. Having no choice, we just said okay.
Water was readily served in a bottle on our table - it's free so there's no great-tasting water this time, like what we had in Vinoteca and Cicada. The Champagne we had was also just left to sit on our table - not cradled on a bowl like in Vinoteca and Cicada. We also miss the olive oil & wine dip in Vinoteca and the different olive oil choices in Cicada (you can choose among Californian, Spanish, Italian, Greek and French olive oils!).
My spirit was getting gloomier by the minute as it was really becoming evident that the restaurant we chose was not really that special. I mean the place was good actually and the bar was impressive but then the choice we had wasn't as special as location for our December fine dining.
My spirits somewhat rose though when they served our appetizers in front of us. The presentation was nicely done that I thought that it was living up to it's "French restaurant" claim.
Ate the vegetables first. Nice. Took a forkful of the thingy on the middle our plates whilst asking each other "what's this?". The crunchy part was nice. And then I saw an intestine-like shape on my food and said "is this brain?". But we rationalized that it's unlikely to be brain since it's too big a serving and hence should be more expensive. I was still poking my food and just ate the crunchy parts and all the while saying "masarap naman dba??" until Maj commented that it seems I was not really convincing them of the taste but that I was saying it as like a mantra..to help me get through eating it; which I still didn't finish by the way. When finally the main dish was served, we asked the waiter what was the appetizer. Said it was "Shirako" and gestured to say that it was part of a fish's entrails; making me relieved I didn't eat the entire thing. I had two glasses of champagne, had my main dish, had a strong coffee with uber chocolatey chocolate cake and yet the taste still lingered. Even when we were already having karaoke 3 hours later, the taste still lingered.
Later that evening, Kitty sent us this link for us to learn what Shirako is.
http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/25585/
Blech!
Who would have thought that a "rare treat" such as sperm er, cod milt would be served us that lunch??! We asked for something memorable for our dine out and we sure did get it hahahaha..
Thursday, 11 December 2008
December fine dining reservation hullabaloo
It's my turn to arrange our fine-dining experience for this month and it being December, we all agreed we can have it on a more special restaurant albeit, a bit more expensive one. Having had Italian, Mediterranean and Mexican in the last three months, we thought of going French this time. And, as we've been having strings of parties since the beginning of December, we had no other option but to have this month's "dinner" to lunch. Hence, I took the temerity to look up Michelin starred French restos around Tokyo as lunch set menus are usually a lot cheaper than dinner.
In no way was I prepared though with the reservations hullabaloo...
I asked Kitty, Maj and Zoey to choose between L' Auberge, Mervielle, and Nouvelle Ere.
L' Auberge (http://www.hiramatsu.co.jp/eng/restaurants/aubergedelill-tokyo/) has been our first choice as its main branch in Alsace, France has been rated 3-stars for 41 consecutive years! It opened its first "branch" in Japan last May and has been rated since as Michelin 1 star resto in Japan. We found ourselves racking our wardrobes, thinking about suitable outfits (even thinking of shopping for clothes!) fit to enter the resto's double doors at the top of a large staircase. haha. I even looked up in the internet how to correctly pronounce the lunch set that we were planning to have; though I was having some trepidations that what if, wine/champagne is not yet included on the set?? I just assured myself though that we can always order a Moet et Chandon Champagne. Safe huh? hehe.
Merveille (http://www.eatpia.com/merveille/index.html) was our second close choice as it's more homey than L'Auberge and cheaper by maybe 1k yen..=P And as Zoey put it, we can eat at our element here.
Nouvelle Ere (http://www.augoutdujour-group.com/no/index.html) was awarded by Tokyo Michelin Guide 2008 one star as well but somehow it took the back stage in our selection process.
When finally I've confirmed the number of attendees in this month's dinner (we decided to invite our guy friends on this usually-girls-night-out event since it's a special month anyways), I called up L'Auberge, with the intent of asking as well the proper dress code in their resto. Hence, I was not prepared when I was told that they were fully booked already, both Sunday and Saturday for the whole month of December, both lunch and dinner.
Called up Merveille. Fully booked as well although they have a vacant table this Sunday - which is not our option since we couldn't have a late night out on a Sunday. Nouvelle Ere, same reply. Called up Au Gout du Jour (http://www.augoutdujour-group.com/au/index.html) as well, but again, the same "sorry, fully booked reply".
Undaunted, I looked up more French restos and fell in love with Quintessence (http://www.quintessence.jp/english/concept.html), a 3-star Tokyo Michelin guide awardee.
I gave my friends other alternatives as well so I also suggested Joel Robuchon (http://www.robuchon.jp/ebisu/robuchon.html) and Bistrot D'artemis (http://www.bento.com/rev/2655.html).
Of course, Quintessence won with Bistrot D'artemis in second.
For reservations, you can only call Quintessence at 9:30~11am and 3:30~5pm. I couldn't even get through!!!! Their hotline was really hot..always busy...=( I tried calling minutes before and after the designated time but I got a recorded answer that they only receive calls for reservation at so and so hours..
Already saddened, I called up Bistro D'artemis but got the same sad reply. Even expensive Joel Robuchon was fully booked as well!
Huff! Either people in this part of the world are French crazy or it's cause we are in recession that people only go fine dining for lunch or there just are hundreds of "ladies-who-dine" or it's just that time of the year when people would like to get together and spend more than usual..huhu..
This evening, I called up the revolving restaurant in Hotel New Otani (http://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/restaurant/sky/) and for the umpteenth time, got the "sorry we're fully booked" reply. I looked up My Humble House (http://www.mhht.jp/) which were among our choices last October (Cicada won that time) but they're only open for Dinner, no lunch. I read in Metropolis that this is fast becoming as a favorite together with Cicada in Hiroo (our favorite so far!!!^_^) and Legato in Shibuya. Hence I looked up and called Legato (http://www.legato-tokyo.jp/en/shibuya/home/welcome). But they dont serve lunch on saturday and sunday.
Phew!!! I've looked up a number of restos and came to like a couple or two of them, only to be disappointed..sniff..
We finally settled on Limapuluh (http://www.englishok.jp/shops/limapuluh/) where finally there's some available space for us. Zoey said this is Indonesian for 50. An article in Metropolis (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/592/bars.asp) told us there's lots of "eye candys" here. Haha. Hope we'll get that bargain and enjoy real good food and service as well.
One good thing to note though. We need not shop for new wardrobe. haha.
And oh yeah!! I just remembered. Originally, we actually planned to have this month's night out as a Cirque du Soleil (http://www.zed.co.jp/home_en.php?skip=1) experience. However, when I inquired for ticket availability a couple of weeks ago, I was informed that weekend performances for December and January are already fully booked.
Tough, huh! =P
In no way was I prepared though with the reservations hullabaloo...
I asked Kitty, Maj and Zoey to choose between L' Auberge, Mervielle, and Nouvelle Ere.
L' Auberge (http://www.hiramatsu.co.jp/eng/restaurants/aubergedelill-tokyo/) has been our first choice as its main branch in Alsace, France has been rated 3-stars for 41 consecutive years! It opened its first "branch" in Japan last May and has been rated since as Michelin 1 star resto in Japan. We found ourselves racking our wardrobes, thinking about suitable outfits (even thinking of shopping for clothes!) fit to enter the resto's double doors at the top of a large staircase. haha. I even looked up in the internet how to correctly pronounce the lunch set that we were planning to have; though I was having some trepidations that what if, wine/champagne is not yet included on the set?? I just assured myself though that we can always order a Moet et Chandon Champagne. Safe huh? hehe.
Merveille (http://www.eatpia.com/merveille/index.html) was our second close choice as it's more homey than L'Auberge and cheaper by maybe 1k yen..=P And as Zoey put it, we can eat at our element here.
Nouvelle Ere (http://www.augoutdujour-group.com/no/index.html) was awarded by Tokyo Michelin Guide 2008 one star as well but somehow it took the back stage in our selection process.
When finally I've confirmed the number of attendees in this month's dinner (we decided to invite our guy friends on this usually-girls-night-out event since it's a special month anyways), I called up L'Auberge, with the intent of asking as well the proper dress code in their resto. Hence, I was not prepared when I was told that they were fully booked already, both Sunday and Saturday for the whole month of December, both lunch and dinner.
Called up Merveille. Fully booked as well although they have a vacant table this Sunday - which is not our option since we couldn't have a late night out on a Sunday. Nouvelle Ere, same reply. Called up Au Gout du Jour (http://www.augoutdujour-group.com/au/index.html) as well, but again, the same "sorry, fully booked reply".
Undaunted, I looked up more French restos and fell in love with Quintessence (http://www.quintessence.jp/english/concept.html), a 3-star Tokyo Michelin guide awardee.
I gave my friends other alternatives as well so I also suggested Joel Robuchon (http://www.robuchon.jp/ebisu/robuchon.html) and Bistrot D'artemis (http://www.bento.com/rev/2655.html).
Of course, Quintessence won with Bistrot D'artemis in second.
For reservations, you can only call Quintessence at 9:30~11am and 3:30~5pm. I couldn't even get through!!!! Their hotline was really hot..always busy...=( I tried calling minutes before and after the designated time but I got a recorded answer that they only receive calls for reservation at so and so hours..
Already saddened, I called up Bistro D'artemis but got the same sad reply. Even expensive Joel Robuchon was fully booked as well!
Huff! Either people in this part of the world are French crazy or it's cause we are in recession that people only go fine dining for lunch or there just are hundreds of "ladies-who-dine" or it's just that time of the year when people would like to get together and spend more than usual..huhu..
This evening, I called up the revolving restaurant in Hotel New Otani (http://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/restaurant/sky/) and for the umpteenth time, got the "sorry we're fully booked" reply. I looked up My Humble House (http://www.mhht.jp/) which were among our choices last October (Cicada won that time) but they're only open for Dinner, no lunch. I read in Metropolis that this is fast becoming as a favorite together with Cicada in Hiroo (our favorite so far!!!^_^) and Legato in Shibuya. Hence I looked up and called Legato (http://www.legato-tokyo.jp/en/shibuya/home/welcome). But they dont serve lunch on saturday and sunday.
Phew!!! I've looked up a number of restos and came to like a couple or two of them, only to be disappointed..sniff..
We finally settled on Limapuluh (http://www.englishok.jp/shops/limapuluh/) where finally there's some available space for us. Zoey said this is Indonesian for 50. An article in Metropolis (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/592/bars.asp) told us there's lots of "eye candys" here. Haha. Hope we'll get that bargain and enjoy real good food and service as well.
One good thing to note though. We need not shop for new wardrobe. haha.
And oh yeah!! I just remembered. Originally, we actually planned to have this month's night out as a Cirque du Soleil (http://www.zed.co.jp/home_en.php?skip=1) experience. However, when I inquired for ticket availability a couple of weeks ago, I was informed that weekend performances for December and January are already fully booked.
Tough, huh! =P
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Fonda de la Madrugada
http://www.fonda-m.com/space.html
This month's Dinner was organized by Maj (referred to her before as Flounder) and with an almost unanimous votation, the mexican theme won.
If you're in Japan and you're looking for an entirely different atmosphere from your usual everyday japanese atmosphere, I must say this resto's one of those places to go. Though situated in the midst of Harajuku, it felt like we were transported to an entirely different country as we made our way deeper into Harajuku's underground. Yep, the place was sprawled underground Omotesando's busy street; with two floors of authentic Mexican atmosphere (at least as compared to what I've seen on TV haha). Food was good (though Cicada's was better) but it took us 3 looong hours to finish the course we had..haha. Servings were so big we are seriously considering not eating tomorrow. It's not only the servings though..it's the number of dishes as well. Like, usually, in your dinner course, you only have 1 or 2 appetizers right? But with the dinner course they had, we have 3 big servings of appetizers. Plus a soup with some rice on it. Plus three kinds of main dishes. Plus 2 kinds of desserts. Good thing the mint tea we had somehow helped us digest some of what we ate in the last 3 hours. haha. It wasn't enough though and that we have to go to another cafe just so we can have another tea, to help us digest some of the food we ate. haha. I must admit, if not only for the shoes I was wearing, I would like to walk my way home. =P
The place is interesting...posh yet squatter-like, haha (we were thinking if the couple on the table next to us were TV personalities or the girl at least, a model). But it does give you a Mexican feel. Complete with a group of guys serenading you with Mexican songs. Their Volare was good!! While we were racking our brains though on what song to request, we were reminded of J Lo's and Marc Anthony's "No Me Ames"..beautiful beautiful song....Just learned this evening though that No Me Ames either means "Dont Love Me" or "You Don't Love Me".
Anyways, it's my turn next month!! Hmm...I'd like it to be extra special as it's gonna be our Christmas dinner of some sort. Have no idea yet though on what theme it'll gonna be..
----------------
(No Me Ames translation..)
Tell me why you're crying...
Of happiness.
And why are you drowning?f
or loneliness
Tell me why you take my hands so strongly,
and let yourthoughts carry you away
I love you so much
And why is that?
Crazy stubborn person,
stop doubting it any longer
Even though in the future there will be a huge wall
I'm not afraid, I want to fall in love
Dont love me, because you think that
I may appear different
You dont think its right
For us to see time go by together?
Dont love me, I understand
the lie that it would be
If your love, I don't deserve,
dont love me, just stay another day
Dont love me, because I am lost,
Because I changed the world,
Because its destiny
Because it can't be,
We both are like a mirror,
And you would be my own reflection
Don't love me, you would be dying
Within a war full of regrets,
dont love me to be on this
Earth, I would like to throw your enormous love
for the blue of the sky
I dont know what to say to you, that's the truth
When people want to, they know how to hurt
You and I will depart, they would not move,
But in this sky dont leave me alone
Dont leave me, dont leave me, dont listen to me
If I say to you "dont love me"
Dont let me.
Do not disable my heart with that
"Dont love me"
Dont love me,
I'm begging you,
leave me with my bitterness
You know well, that I can't,
that its useless,
That I will always love you
Dont love me,
because I would make you suffer
with this heart of mine
that was filled with a thousand winters.
Dont love me,
so that way you can forget of your gray days.
I want you to love me,
just to love me
Dont love me, you and I will fly,
With with the other,
and we will always be together
This love is like the sun
that comes out after the storm
Like 2 comets on the same path
-----
ang kulit din nila ano??? mahal naman pala isa't isa bat sinasabi pang wag mo ko mahalin???haha
This month's Dinner was organized by Maj (referred to her before as Flounder) and with an almost unanimous votation, the mexican theme won.
If you're in Japan and you're looking for an entirely different atmosphere from your usual everyday japanese atmosphere, I must say this resto's one of those places to go. Though situated in the midst of Harajuku, it felt like we were transported to an entirely different country as we made our way deeper into Harajuku's underground. Yep, the place was sprawled underground Omotesando's busy street; with two floors of authentic Mexican atmosphere (at least as compared to what I've seen on TV haha). Food was good (though Cicada's was better) but it took us 3 looong hours to finish the course we had..haha. Servings were so big we are seriously considering not eating tomorrow. It's not only the servings though..it's the number of dishes as well. Like, usually, in your dinner course, you only have 1 or 2 appetizers right? But with the dinner course they had, we have 3 big servings of appetizers. Plus a soup with some rice on it. Plus three kinds of main dishes. Plus 2 kinds of desserts. Good thing the mint tea we had somehow helped us digest some of what we ate in the last 3 hours. haha. It wasn't enough though and that we have to go to another cafe just so we can have another tea, to help us digest some of the food we ate. haha. I must admit, if not only for the shoes I was wearing, I would like to walk my way home. =P
The place is interesting...posh yet squatter-like, haha (we were thinking if the couple on the table next to us were TV personalities or the girl at least, a model). But it does give you a Mexican feel. Complete with a group of guys serenading you with Mexican songs. Their Volare was good!! While we were racking our brains though on what song to request, we were reminded of J Lo's and Marc Anthony's "No Me Ames"..beautiful beautiful song....Just learned this evening though that No Me Ames either means "Dont Love Me" or "You Don't Love Me".
Anyways, it's my turn next month!! Hmm...I'd like it to be extra special as it's gonna be our Christmas dinner of some sort. Have no idea yet though on what theme it'll gonna be..
----------------
(No Me Ames translation..)
Tell me why you're crying...
Of happiness.
And why are you drowning?f
or loneliness
Tell me why you take my hands so strongly,
and let yourthoughts carry you away
I love you so much
And why is that?
Crazy stubborn person,
stop doubting it any longer
Even though in the future there will be a huge wall
I'm not afraid, I want to fall in love
Dont love me, because you think that
I may appear different
You dont think its right
For us to see time go by together?
Dont love me, I understand
the lie that it would be
If your love, I don't deserve,
dont love me, just stay another day
Dont love me, because I am lost,
Because I changed the world,
Because its destiny
Because it can't be,
We both are like a mirror,
And you would be my own reflection
Don't love me, you would be dying
Within a war full of regrets,
dont love me to be on this
Earth, I would like to throw your enormous love
for the blue of the sky
I dont know what to say to you, that's the truth
When people want to, they know how to hurt
You and I will depart, they would not move,
But in this sky dont leave me alone
Dont leave me, dont leave me, dont listen to me
If I say to you "dont love me"
Dont let me.
Do not disable my heart with that
"Dont love me"
Dont love me,
I'm begging you,
leave me with my bitterness
You know well, that I can't,
that its useless,
That I will always love you
Dont love me,
because I would make you suffer
with this heart of mine
that was filled with a thousand winters.
Dont love me,
so that way you can forget of your gray days.
I want you to love me,
just to love me
Dont love me, you and I will fly,
With with the other,
and we will always be together
This love is like the sun
that comes out after the storm
Like 2 comets on the same path
-----
ang kulit din nila ano??? mahal naman pala isa't isa bat sinasabi pang wag mo ko mahalin???haha
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Petroleum Refining Conference
Got my first experience in attending an international professional conference today. And it was a curious experience as I got to learn the latest in petroleum upgrading and some of the latest concerns in our field. What was actually more of a challenge for me was to interact with the different learned professionals and talk/interact with them on a professional level whilst devouring my sushi.
Was so happy though that for once, nobody considered me a "young girl" and conversed with me on an equal level and listened as well to what I have to say, albeit they did most of the talking while I did much of the asking haha.
Was surprised though that they remembered me from earlier (I always thought people would easily forget my face..hehe). And was happy with one of the presentor's reaction (and my boss' at that, hehe) to my question to him earlier during the conference; hence paving for a longer professional discussion when later we talked during dinner.
Well, for some, my experience today might be just the usual everyday affair for them. But still, i'm gonna note this as this was my first time. And i'm gonna note this cause for the first time, i'm not a "young girl/lady" anymore.
I was reminded though with today's lectures that there's soooo much that i'm yet to learn about my field.
Anyways, i hope tomorrow's gonna be just as great, or better.
Was so happy though that for once, nobody considered me a "young girl" and conversed with me on an equal level and listened as well to what I have to say, albeit they did most of the talking while I did much of the asking haha.
Was surprised though that they remembered me from earlier (I always thought people would easily forget my face..hehe). And was happy with one of the presentor's reaction (and my boss' at that, hehe) to my question to him earlier during the conference; hence paving for a longer professional discussion when later we talked during dinner.
Well, for some, my experience today might be just the usual everyday affair for them. But still, i'm gonna note this as this was my first time. And i'm gonna note this cause for the first time, i'm not a "young girl/lady" anymore.
I was reminded though with today's lectures that there's soooo much that i'm yet to learn about my field.
Anyways, i hope tomorrow's gonna be just as great, or better.
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