Gayuma ni Maria

IMAGINE THIS: It's Friday. You feel too lazy to finish your tasks for the day. Suddenly, your phone beeps. A text message from your friend. "It's Friday! Let's hangout!". SMILE, SMILE, SMILE. Something to look forward to at the end of the day.

OCTOBER 8,2011: My friends (Lianne, Bryner and Len) fetched me after work and I was really surprised to see Lianne driving their family car. It was my first time to see her take charge of the steering wheel and I think she's doing a great job. To think that she took driving lessons just for a week! Anyway, I've missed these people - the laughter, gossips, bonding moments. It's been a while since we last saw each other. It's friday, no work the next day, the weather's perfectly fine - this is gonna be one hell of a ride!

With no exact plan in mind, we drove past the busy lanes of Edsa. I wasn't aware of the fact that I was holding on to my seat while catching up with my friends. Am I scared? No. Not just used to the person driving. Haha! No offense meant there, my dear. There goes the latest news: Lianne's visa just arrived and will be leaving any time soon. Len's now a professor at UAAP and somehow enjoys work plus the favorable benefits given to them. Lucky you. :) Bryner, bubbly as always, is now a freelance graphic artist and at the same time photographer (you already!).

Here's the catch: We ended up at the busy streets of Quezon Avenue particularly at this unique and extraordinary resto along Anonas - Gayuma ni Maria. Being the first timer in the group, I can't help but appreciate every single detail about this place. The facade mundane as it may look was already decorated with halloween effects. I just find this way too early though. The inside view was in contrast to its outside because of the exquisite and cozy restaurant set up. We were ushered to an empty table and were given the menu cards. My friends would like to occupy the small tables on the second floor but unfortunately, somebody has made early reservations. Just our luck.

Menu with a twist: I can't help but laugh when I've read it. It was like, this is so crazy! It's not the typical menu card. You won't see the real or usual names of food since they've changed everything and came up with crazy ones. Good thing there are descriptions below each meal. We really can't concentrate on what food to order because we've been laughing uncontrollably. Too happy eh? Just to name a few of those dishes:

Chinoy in 7th Heaven: Fried Chicken cooked with herbs

I Love You, Cross My Heart: chicken breast topped with cheese,
mushroom and asparagus

Once You Go Black, You Never Go Back: cocoa-crusted cream dory
with chocolate sauce

Rock Me, Baby!: hickory barbecue pork ribs served
with mashed potatoes 

                                                            And the weirdest dessert ever!

Beats Sex Any Day: chocolate cake topped with butterscotch
sauce and chocolate bites

* Thanks to spot.ph for the pictures. :)

So, are you tempted enough to try all of those dishes? Well, they're really a must-try!
Let the Gayuma experience satisfy your taste buds. Bon Appetite!

"A good friend is hard to find, hard to lose, and impossible to forget."

I didn't have second thoughts writing this blog. Right from the start, I knew this was what I really wanted to do.

This entry is especially dedicated to a person so close to my heart - my confidante, my boo, my partner in crime... LIANNE.


Top 10 things I'll definitely miss about you:

1. The "Panlalait" Moments - deserving to sa top 1!! :)) yes, i will definitely miss this one. This may sound bad but I have to admit that this is what I really enjoy doing with you. Those expressions such as: Ganda mo teh?..Maghihiwalay din kayo...Mean girls rule! will be unforgettable. Kalurkey!

2. Crush Hunting - we've been doing this since high school days. I find this so natural already. Whenever we see "prospects" around us, our faces immediately light up as if somebody has switched on the bulb. This calls for operation papansin! Haha.. Humiliating at times, but then it leads us to new friends and acquaintances. Fail tayo dun. :))

3. Heart-to-Heart Talk - waaaah! I don't want to cry.. Pero honestly, you have been a good listener when it comes to my love problems. We both share the same sentiments. I talk, you listen and vice versa. Single man ako or taken, kasa-kasama pa rin kita. Haha. You know everything I've been through because of love, love and nothing but love. My kabaliwan, kilig and heart shattering moments - lahat un alam mo. I'll miss that kind of bonding Boo.. :(

4. Sleepovers - Sleepover pero walang tulugan. Anyare?Haha.. It's as if I don't have any right to close my eyes because I'll miss a lot of things that might happen. Remember our surprise party for you? Kung natulog na siguro ko, wala ka ng ka-jamming nun..feelingera lang ako. :p

5. Three-way Call - Aminin! Of course, it's always part of the plan. You will call this particular person without him/her knowing that I'm on the other line. OR I could be part of the conversation just so there would be no awkward moments. Ang galing talaga nten!

6. Partners in Crime - whether you like it or you like it (no other choice, my dear), WE REALLY ARE PARTNERS IN CRIME! Expertise na nga ata nten to e. That's what makes our friendship unique. Through thick or thin, we'll stick together.

7. Letters - though we don't do this anymore, I can still recall how eager we are to give each other letters. If we have time nga sana we could reminisce by reading again those never-ending exchange of notes. I'm sure, sasakit tyan nten sa kakatawa.

8. EMO mode - yes boo, you've read it right.. I'll miss those days when you just feel like being an emo for a day. You always think and say weird things which makes me laugh nlng. Ikaw na ang may moment to shine. Emotera ka lang teh.. :p

9 and 10. MEMYGIRLK and MEAN Boys and Girls: our group will never be complete without you. We are the life of the party! Chos! I can't imagine I'll attend this year's christmas party and reunion without you.. :(

Haaay... I never meant to write those things to make you cry, Boo. I just want to reminisce those special moments we've spent together which unfortunately, will take time to happen again. In a few days, we'll be miles apart but I hope this will never affect the friendship we've nurtured through the years.  Tried and tested na tayo. Haha

I'm so happy for you! :) Continue reaching for your dreams, stay strong always and keep the faith.
I'll miss you boo DEFINITELY. Keep in touch. Most of all, AHLABSHOO! :))

                 Listen to the lyrics of this song... "...because I knew you, I have been changed for good."



Last but not the least... here are some of our pictures Boo.. have fun.... :) No crying ah!

UPD Experience

October 1, 2011 - Saturday - UP Diliman

Despite the coming typhoon that day, my officemate and I pushed through with our UPD trip.  She asked me to be her subject for her thesis paper. She invited me to come over so I could take the much awaited psychological and intelligence tests.

The moment we entered the campus, I was really surprised at how big and spacious the whole surrounding is. Honestly speaking, it was my second time to go there. First was when I took the dreaded UPCAT exam.
The view was so nice and very relaxing to look at.

This statue reminds me so much of the oblation run held yearly inside the campus. I wish to witness that one of these days. Haha..

The ever popular UP Ikot jeepney that brings you from one building to another. In all fairness, the fare is one peso cheaper than the regular fare so that gives you Php7.00. However, you must be patient enough to wait because at times it takes more than 5 minutes for the next jeepney to arrive.

I've also seen joggers of all ages as we entered the campus. I was really tempted to run that day but that's not the main reason why I was there. Some other time, I guess.

Here are some of the pictures I took during the trip:

This one's really funny. I saw this the moment we stepped on the second floor. It thought this was just a joke but there were really participants going to the testing lab. I guess this was just their way of lightening things up. Nice motivation. :p

 Looks like from a kindergarten classroom right? I wonder who the teacher was. She forgot to remind her students to erase the writings on the board.. :p

 This shot was taken after I answered the tests. I just want to have a proof that I really did something productive there. :)

 The examiner / proctor. She was really shocked with the results. Literally.

 I thought this was really the signage. Pinoy kung pinoy. But it was supposed to be "Male Toilet". Guess
 somebody was in the mood to fool around and decided to erase the other letters. Tsk tsk. Detention?

  This old, stylish bike was just parked at the back of the guard's desk. While he was not around, I decided to ride on it so I would have a souvenir.

  We had our late lunch at The Chocolate Kiss Cafe located at the Bahay ng Alumnae. I really love this place. It was so classy and cozy plus they really serve great food!.. Their bottomless iced tea is a must try!..

I will definitely go back to the campus one of these days. I could probably invite some of my friends to run a few laps and then have some food tripping exercise right after. :p

Ciao!