Bean-Discovering… Finding “passion”.

I hate alone-times.

Living life for the past half a decade with a regular companion by my side, doing things alone, especially when eating or hanging-out, is something I’m not used to doing.

Yet, after another relationship which didn’t work out, as all energy was sapped out of me, I decided to recharge and be in a relationship with MYSELF. A couple of times, I then again got derailed, being lured to believe that a “security blanket” exists in the form of a “bald-head big guy” a.k.a. “someone to watch over me.” The thought of having a “prince charming” or a “knight in shining armor” as part of my life storybook, is getting to be an unhealthy addiction. I had to quit.

My “rehabilitation” was spent on reading books, writing and doing some outreach. But to avoid withdrawal from this “cold turkey strategy”, I had to have a substitute.

So while trying to rediscover the things I love and do the things which please me, I went on a search to find a new companion. But since anybody from the male specie is not an option at this point, I had to find “the one” which would give the same experience as the passion of a lover, the sweetness of a boyfriend, the comfort of a soulmate, the uplifting of a sweetheart, and the inspiration of a partner.

Since I’m up for a change in aura, in lieu of bar-hopping, I’ve bean-hopping and I’ve bean-discovering. In a matter of time, I found “the one” – a perfect cup of “Tropical Passion Tea Latte.”

With this new partner around, I find joy even in just browsing magazines or day dreaming of the many “passions” I would soon fulfill… Uh, alone? Well, with my perfect cup, alone-times are to cherish.

no other place like NEW YORK

After watching "Sex and the City", I felt quite nostalgic as I was inevitably drawn to reminisce about New York City... If Carrie Bradshaw thinks that New York is about two L's - Love and Labels, I think there's more to that... I say, there are Ten Things I Love About New York City...

1. Broadway plays

2. Museums and churches... parks... the culture... the feel of the city... the structures... the collections... very inspiring for the "artist" in me....

3. Venues for shows... shows... shows.... 4. Late night dinners at nice restos along the streets of busy New York... With pinacoladas or margaritas on the side...
5. Trains / Subways

6. Roofdeck views


7. "Underground" views
8. Skyscrapers, well-designed buildings and two-storey shops 9. Ferry trips to Ellis Island

10. Of course, shopping.

Yes... Referring to the pictures, it may be said that I did a lot of walking while carrying many shopping bags stashed inside the two huge bags... However, it did not do any miracle on my figure... I ate a lot thinking I'm on vacation.

Anyway, it would be such a blessing if I can go back to New York next year (ideally, before going to Paris... ) (Haha! Optimism to the highest level!) But for this year, trips to two Asian countries ain't bad... Or a trip to Hollywood.... Haha!

C'mon, I need a break! Welcome to dream land....

let's talk about sex...

*So, let's talk about Sex and the City...

We weren't able to wait for payday. On the first night of showing, we headed straight to Cinema 1 of Eastwood City and decided to get "CARRIEd away."

Some people think that "sex and the city" is all about mundane things of New York urban life or all about careless sex and worldliness. It's actually not. As a matter of fact, upon watching the movie, I fell in love again with the "city." For indeed, it's a place for love... labels... and many "layers of life."

*So, let's talk about David Cook's sex. As much as I love his version of "Always Be My Baby" and that U2 song version he did during the finals, I think he's gay. But I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being gay. I just like to bash the numerous professions of "love" for David Cook. My final word - "No, I don't think he'll marry you, girl." So, maybe my fondness (not love) will probably remain with the "boy crooner" (David Archuleta) and no, I don't want to marry him. Maybe I'd rather have him sing on my wedding day if ever I get married. One thing's definite, I'm a fan of his but I will certainly certainly certainly not allow him to sing Chris Brown's With You.

*So, let's talk about sexy bald men. I'm trying to steer away from this penchant of mine for these types... But to my dismay, my most recent choice of guy to get attracted with remains to fall on that type... Sheesh... Oh well, maybe I'll decide to drool over Chris Daughtry, instead. He's coming to Manila on July 2008, doing a concert at Eastwood's Central Plaza.

The Curacha in me.

Curacha a.k.a. "ang babaeng walang pahinga."

Heto ang makabagong kuwento niya. Marunong na nga pala siyang mag-Ingles...


1. Waited for the project set-up to finish on a rainy Friday night... Zzz... It's already 11pm!


2. Aba, nagawa pang mag-TV guesting! (Palusot... gusto lang mag-dessert eh! Harhar...)




3. Went on another trip to Numa Tea Salon... Restless... She had to try the Bailey's Chocolate Cake (Not too chocolatey but it indeed has Bailey, baby!)

4. Despite the hectic work sched and the full social calendar, she managed to have lunch with friends....

5. After a full work week, she still found time to embrace the kid in her - K.I.D.S. Church!

With some of the girls... Teacher Bambi and cutesy Chelsea... All glitters and all smiles with

Kiana...

6. She finished her "three reads" for the month... Elizabeth Gilbert's EAT. PRAY. LOVE. Sidney Poitier's MEASURE OF MAN. The fab mag - CELSIUS (Available at Eastwood City - FREE!)

7. Aba, eh nagawa pang mag-merienda sa Razon's McKinley Hill sa Fort (South)... Take note: Miss from the East yan ha!

8. Higit sa lahat, kahit gutom na gutom na gutom na, nagawa pang litratuhan ang pagkain niya... (Zao is soooooooo good!)

... Ang buhay ni Curacha. Also known as Bambina.

Back to the EAST

After learning that my brother would soon be an Eastwood-mate (after finding out he got a job at IBM), we celebrated by watching a feel-good movie - What Happens in Vegas. After which, since it was still raining, even if we weren't so hungry, we went to eat at Ebisu Grill located at City Walk 2, on top of Starbucks, near The Face Shop and Azta Urban Salon.


While most people nowadays are raving about Sizzling Pepper Steak (Trinoma) and Pepper Lunch (Rockwell) because of the experiential "Japanese dining" which involves this "cooking exercise" as if in yakiniku houses in Japan, my brother and I revisited Ebisu Grill while discussing life and how to live it. We enjoyed (for 500 pesos only), three entrees...




1. Uni Pasta which is cream-based but very tasteful with a hint of fish and generous mix of juicy mushrooms. This pasta does not come with bursting flavors but its simplicity makes it a lovable dish. (Php 245)
2. Salmon Cheese Maki is the dish which has this burst of flavor in every bite. The cheese melt pours to the tastebuds, while the crunch of crispy salmon bits and seaweed wrap balances out the milky feel of the cheese. (Php 85, four pieces)

3. Korrokke is something like chicken nuggets/ cordon bleu. The filling is a mixture of tangy and creamy. Plain but fairly good. (Php 75, four pieces)

So what did he have to say about life and how I should perhaps look at it? Well, in his opinion, there are two types of people - the "play-safe" and the "wild one."

In other words, the "stiff and serious" and the "easy-go-lucky, oblivious of life's cares." But he believes, each person is both, only that people are composed with a greater fraction of one of the two personalities. Hence, although a serious type would also have a wild side, generally, a serious type, would always be the serious type. He believes it takes the opposite personality to bring out from the serious type, this "recessive gene" (hint of wildness). He took Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz tandem as example.

My brother thought "I'm on the safe side..." and he repeatedly said "I need an Ashton Kutcher in my life." He said, "it doesn't mean he is a plain goof ball, though. He is someone who can let loose, but also is cultured, talented and has "some bragging rights." Since I'm safe and serious, "my carefree Ashton" would allow me to let go of my constant need to please other people and relentless desire to be perfect, he added. Meanwhile, the laid-back guy would find order in his life and realize the alignment of his skills toward a purpose through "my being safe and orderly."

Hmmm... Where's this Ashton?

Oh well, I rest tonight thinking of what Cameron Diaz said - "I'd rather be happy doing nothing, than be busy doing something I do not love."

Home of the Passionate Minds...

Fort just has many de-stressing venues. Indeed, it's a writer's / reader's haven. As I've mentioned in previous posts, there are just so many places to spend time for reading, writing and just taking things easy. As time goes by, it is becoming my favorite place.

... From the East to the South, my heart goes to Fort. A hassle-free, easy-park lunch at McKinley Hill (where driving by is a quick "feel good" exercise) is one of my many favorites. Bacolod Chicken Inasal, now open! Their "taba ng talangka" rice is my diet's kryptonite!