Soothing Lake Pandin Cruise + lunch

I’m back…I’m so back!!! I won’t get into details anymore of how busy I’ve been lately for that’s obvious. Our thank you to those people who’ve visited and made us feel special and loved despite of my ‘absence.’ *Huggs* And though I’ve been itching to post my new entry for 2011, I wanted to save the seat for our 3^rd year Anniv trip…thus this post.

We’re always looking forward for January not only because of the new hopes for New Year…but another year for Gil and I as a couple. Apart from our usual itinerary-based getaway, we wanted this time to just relax, to inhale some fresh air from urban settings and simply to commune with nature. Our first destination: Lake Pandin.

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes (pitong lawa) located at Sto. Angel San Pablo Laguna, around 3 hours travel from Manila.
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MOP: Jellyfishing + Sea Lion show & Habitat

JELLIES MUSEUM- The Dancing Sea Fairies

 Coming from an enjoyable Oceanarium tour, we were expecting a lot in this jellyfish meet-up. It's located at the ground floor, left wing coming from the main entrance (but since we came from the Oceanarium, we were led to 2^nd floor exit passing along fish spa, restaurants and souvenir shops. Down the escalator is the Jellies museum.

Manila Ocean Park: The Oceanarium

A lot of things have poured down my way lately (one of the reasons why I actually been in hiatus stage for sometime now). I never knew 3 out of my 5 major goals this year will materialize, one of which was to find a greener pasture (I hope to make another entry for that soon).

As I received my first ever pay in my new company, I took my siblings and my cutest nephew out to Manila Ocean Park last weekend, the bonding I long been wanting to do. It’s also a chance for Bebe (my nephew—Gene Gabriel) to finally meet Nemo in person as he is a certified fan (I lost count already of how many times he watched that movie—as in all day and all night bago matulog!) Exagge!

Gil's National Day

Mish: (while holding the mini cake) My wish? Sana umuwi na zeby ko...

Gil: ako may birthday, bakit kaw nagwi-wish? :)

It's Gil's National Day today and as I thought we could all have the anticipated holiday today, I was awakened from a deep slumber. Kiddin!*

Bought the cake from the nearby convenience store and glad to find few bites left of Toblerone I just had this afternoon courtesy of CheChe. I sliced the toblerone chocos into bits and decorated the mini cake for some personal touch. While we're having this voicecall, I excused to pee and proceed lighting the mini candle, and as soon as the clock struck at 11pm (Japan's an hour ahead), I showed the cake and sang a warm Happy Birthday song. Glad to see him surprised and happy! :)

...sounds corny ne? Who cares?! I damn miss him!

Home Base

I suddenly miss blogging. I was too occupied for some time now since Gil's been out of the scene but I still take time to read posts once in a while.

Just for an update, I've been to Gumaca Quezon-my hometown for two consecutive months, last month to attend to my nephews 2nd birthday and last long weekend for more quality time with my family, which I consider a rare scenario since I only got to spend time with them during long holidays since I started working. But what's 6 hours of land travel anyway? Shorter time of travel if thru private cars.

Coming from Manila, Gumaca is the 8th town of Quezon province passing along Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Lucena, Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel then Gumaca. Two more towns on the south, Lopez and Calauag and you'll be right at Bicol proper, Camarines Norte.

Gumaca is situated along Lamon Bay which separates Alabat Group of Islands (Alabat, Perez and Quezon) from the mainland; right behind those islands is the biggest body of water, the Pacific Ocean.

Pepper Lunch is LOVE

We always love yakiniku-grill it yourself style of eating thus we were surprised (we went in not expecting for any) and delightful to discover an extraordinary yakiniku-sizzle-it-your-way Japanese restaurant located at Edsa Shangri-La lower ground--Pepper Lunch. It was indeed more than ‘pakonswelo’ as I called it after we failed to witness Twilight Saga-Eclipse despite scouting two malls that morning.

 Apart from the usual charcoal grilled yakiniku, Pepper Lunch uses a unique electromagnetic cooker patented in Japan. It might sound just a typical sizzling plate though but this cooker heats up to 260 degree Celsius and could keep foods hot for long. What’s interesting with this was, foods were served fresh and raw (as in may dugo pa!) Kudos to the monitor mounted near the restaurant’s entrance showcasing ‘How to’s’ that we found ourselves in queue to order. Here it goes…

Gil had Cut Steak and Burger- P360 which I was actually eyeing. It comes with a variety of veggies and a separate bowl of pepper rice. It was served as this, before…

Pasaporte

image from: http://fbeupjr.blogspot.com/

It’s been a while since I updated my blog. I just so miss writing but the moment I started typing, I was lost in words. Ganun cguro talaga pag hindi inspired! :)

Not until today that I finally (finally!) received my e-passport! Weeehh! I’m so excited! Yesterday was supposed to be the delivery date (together with Sir Jun’s- an officemate) but upon checking at LBC, wala pa raw sa kanila. Odd kz I have another officemate who renewed for passport that same day I applied (hapon sched nya and finished 9 in the evening) but his passport was delivered Aug.3, two days earlier than mine! The only difference was that he was assigned at 2GO while we had LBC. (I had my e-passport delivered Thursday, August 05).

Bottom line: Ask for 2GO or any other courier other than LBC if you have a timetable to meet.

I applied for an appointment at DFA website. First visit sometime in May, earliest available date was September. When I visited again last June, I was surprised to see July 22 as the earliest and so I, together with two girl colleagues, picked July30- in time for payroll. Few days after, I checked again and earliest date was moved to July20 and so I re-sched. That was morning so I was surprised to hear from Sir Jun and Jeff that they got an appointment on July 06 that afternoon. Needless to say, I had my final appointment on July 06 at 10am.

Bottom line: Be persistent. DFA available dates change from time to time.

Caramel Macchiato (mah-kee-AH-toe)

barista: (greeted) Can I have your order ma’am?
me: 1 café latte please…
barista: (interrupting) is café latte hot or iced?
me: Hot please. Medium sized. (Blenz coffee sizes are Small, Medium or Large)
barista: 1 medium hot café latte (speaking in full accent)
me: And ahm…(hesitant) 1 medium Iced Caramel Macchiato (messed up pronouncing it as Mah-Shi-AH-toh!)
barista: Ok, additional medium Iced Caramel mah-kee-AH-toe (in fuller accent)
me: (napahiya pero dedma) yes, Iced Caramel mah-kee-AH-toe (repeated what he’d said) and additional blueberry cheesecake and Apple Cinnamon Muffin please… (Speaking with konteng taray!)
Gil was beside me, laughing.
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It still makes me smile pag naaalala ko macchiato thing na yun. I really don’t know how to pronounce the word, first time. Buti ba kung Cappuccino lang yun, lol! Anyway, it was our last coffee session together so after Tita Lally, Joy and us been to Chow for Gil’s Lauriat treat, I invited Gil out for a coffee chillax. And for a change, we tried Blenz-A Canadian Coffee Company located at Solaris One, Makati.