MNL – SGP – ADL

MNL - SNG - ADLSeems like I can’t sit still, yes? Memories of the trips to Vietnam and Cambodia early this year is still fresh yet here I am, leaving the country yet again. The Parodist is off to spend some time in Australia. It’s been two (2) years since my last visit. I wonder what sort of changes I’ll be seeing when I get there. I can’t wait to take photos!

I’m sure there’ll be loads of new things to discover but, personally, there are a few *new* things I’m looking forward to that I plan to share. I’ll probably tell you folks about them as they happen.

Anyway, I’ll need to pack this lappytop up real soon and start finalising the luggage. So not looking forward to traveling with such a heavy set of luggage. Pah. PLUS I need to start getting ready for the 10-hour flight on board Singapore Air. Yay for more KrisFlyer miles! LOL.

This reminds me, keep me company during the long wait at the airport. Any plans for the holidays? How are you spending yours? Done with all the Christmas shopping? Also, how’s the “resolution” list going? Getting longer each year? Would love to hear from you!

Hope you folks are well and do wish me Bon Voyage!

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Posted in Gallyvanting Episodes, The Traveler | 11 Comments

Tuesdays with Moleskine

Dream Journal 2Well, for the winner of the Avalon.ph-sponsored Bloghopping Moleskine Giveaway winner, it can now be everyday!

I know it can be daunting to actually write down your dreams. It can feel too pressing to have this sort of wanting for something that’s not exactly within your reach. At least, not just yet. But seeing them on print helps in reminding ourselves of what we want to do with our life or stuff we need to get out of our system or finally owning up to what we are most passionate about. Dreams are golden.

I loved reading the ones who entered blog posts. I discovered new blogs that I can visit even after this contest. Thanks to all who shared theirs in the comments. Knowing that there are people who are not afraid to dream big, inspires me to hold on to mine and to keep on dreaming for new things.

Getting to the point. Quickly listing the names with corresponding points:

Annie – 1 point
Kat – 7 points
Ed – 1 point
Michelle – 1 point
Nerie – 1 point
Phaelun – 4 points
Najee – 1 point
Blue Rose – 1 point
JM – 1 point
Mich – 2 points
Gilbert – 1 point (no link back to the contest post so I can’t count your blog post)
Nick – 1 point
Leirs – 1 point
Pinoy Contests – 3 points
Melissa – 1 point
Astra – 1 point
Markus – 1 point
Leah – 4 points
Maureen – 3 points
Mel – 1 point
Dee – 1 point (no link back to the contest post so I can’t count your blog post)
Gail – 10 points

(Feel free to go over the contest mechanics to determine how I awarded the points.)

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Posted in Blogs & Blogging | 7 Comments

Spending a Night with Jose

Quick trip to a nearby supermarket to assemble the goodies, adamant that the night be spent with Jose.

A couple of bags of Tostitos and a jar of salsa. Check and check.

Lemons. Check.

Ah, yes. Dear old Jose. Jose Cuervo Gold. CHECK!

The mother of all despedidas! Good thing we did it on a Saturday night.

Jose Cuervo | "The Bottle"

Conquered? Yes. Jose did the conquering though. LOL.

Twas a night caught on tape, which will never air. Ever. Thank god!

I woke up Sunday morning remembering EVERYTHING (er, sort of) and all I can was “there’s always a first time for everything”. LOL. Gawd. I had never pictured myself that drunk — happy drunk, I should add.

Filling the seats at the round table were M, K, J, P and myself. L was there to witness the climactic end to this night of drunken debauchery. P emerged as the winner, last man standing so to speak.

Thanks for making it tremendously fun and funny, guys!

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Posted in Gallyvanting Episodes, The Rambler | 2 Comments

An Early Christmas Gift

Clinique and Cupcake Christmas

December is the month filled with celebrations. Of course, the most obvious reason would be Christmas but the month is filled with friends’ birthdays, “Simbang Gabi”, and such, too.

The month is also known for the unbelievably, horrendously, you’d-rather-shoot-yourself-than-drive-in-that-traffic heavy traffic. But this doesn’t really stop people from going out anyway. There are still things to do, events to attend, and so on and so forth.

With all the busy-ness — sometimes, people forget that it’s my birthday, too. Sniff. Not entirely their fault, I know. Because to be honest, even if I do want to throw a party or something, people will be just too busy or worse stuck in traffic to go since my birthday is much too close to Christmas.

Another sad thing about that bit (having a birthday too close to Christmas, that is) people tend to be stingy. LOL. Instead of giving two separate gifts, I would end up getting only one gift hearing them use the too close to Christmas with matching whinging about how hard the times are sort of excuse. Yes, I’ve grown accustomed to it.

Oh, don’t get me wrong! I’m not here to complain. Just stating plain facts. I’m actually grinning while I’m writing this post! I guess I better get to the point.

Perhaps the folks from Clinique is wise to have sent their gifts early. Not only did they catch me before I leave the country, but also saves them the headache of competing with all the rush and traffic that comes with the holiday season.

The gift bag actually contains products for review but the cupcakes are a bonus! I know work’s involved but I love Clinique and reviewing these babies won’t feel like work at all!

Thanks, May! It’s never too early to have a Happy Holiday and Birthday!

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Posted in Blogs & Blogging, Fabulous Beauty, Mood Notes | 8 Comments

Celebrating Wellness

Nurture Spa Tagaytay, GroundsHaving been consumed by work and getting lost in the urban jungle of everyday life, taking time out to focus on your health and general well-being are such rare occurences for some people nowadays. Oftentimes, one can’t help but wonder if individuals even stop and ask themselves, “am I healthy?”

Driving down south, towards the direction of Tagaytay, spending an hour and a half on the road is well worth the time and effort esp if it means I’ll be spending a day celebrating wellness at Nurture Spa Villages.

Proudly Filipino, Nurture Spa is one of the pioneers in the spa industry in the country. They offer exquisite spa and wellness experiences. International standard services include massages, facials, scrubs, body wraps, hair treatments, spa packages, outdoor treatments, and in-room treatments that are inspired by Asian and Filipino healing traditions. They also offer overnight accommodations. Nurture Spa was created to provide its guests a blissful combination of healing and pampering at its best.

Three things on top of my list were de-stress, research, and photography.

Nurture Spa Tagaytay, Sculpture

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Posted in Fabulous Beauty, Gallyvanting Episodes, Photography | Leave a comment