The Grad School Diaries: Episode 12 - The much awaited Food Festival

The Development Communication 215 class  for Communication and Culture regularly holds an annual food festival where they invite guests to feast on food from different countries. We were told that it's the much awaited Devcom event because of free food, haha.  Last first semester 2010, our class in Devcom 215 Communication and Culture was not able to hold the much-awaited "food festival" because we did not foreigner classmates to share cultures with. We had a paper presentation with lots of food instead.

I have no more lecture classes this semester so it means I won't be attending any classroom sessions this semester. But my friend Aya took the class Devcom 215 and to show our support, we attended the food festival as her guests.

 The buffet set up:

 I like how some of their classmates were dressed up in their national costumers according to their countries.

Here's Minji (korean) and her co-host (sorry I forgot his name) dressed in their traditional costume. They even presented a short skit and gave us the information about Korean food complete with demo. I feel like I'm one of the front row audiences of a cooking show.

And here's my friend Aya, serving food while dressed as Ms. Philippines-on-the-go:

 My former classmates in Devcom 215 and friends, Yeye and Theia:

Usually food fests are held every Saturday but this year they had it on a Thursday. Too bad I was not able to join the FGD (Focus Group Discussion) because I had to leave during the presentation because of work. I was only gone for 2 hours and worked piled up faster than you can say Kimchi.

Thank you Aya for the invite and congratualtions 215 class of 2012 for the successful food festival! :)

Thank you Dear Lord for giving my Inay another year

My mom was not in the mood celebrating her birthday this year. I keep asking her for her plans but she gives me vague answers. Weeks before, my sister and I cooked up a plan to celebrate her birthday.

So the night before:

 

Cake by Bonggak Pastries ( yes, that's edible) 

When the birthday girl woke up:

My sisters (complete with left-over sparkles from New Years):

My mom had surprise visitors from her breakfast club (dabarkads) at 530 in the morning! 

Thank you to my mom's friends, her consistent breakfast club, I don't mind waking up to the sound of boisterous laughter coming from the living room/dining area or coming from our cabana in our garden. I don't mind having to drive and take all of you home at night after an event you all attended. Thank you for being there for my inay when she needed friends the most.

And to you inay,

I don't mind if it takes me 50 times to explain to you how to upload pictures, or how to fix your email drafts, I don't mind if you take so long at the computer, or spend hours on the phone talking to your sisters, I don't mind if you drag me to your friend's parties that I fall asleep in the couch waiting because someone's got to drive you home. I have learned not to mind your being a backseat driver when you don't even know how to drive. I don't mind carrying big boxes of grocery, carrying refilled water jugs, I have learned not to mind being on call when you needed me to do something for you even if it wrecks my schedule that normally pisses me off. 

I have learned to overlook things that you do that normally winds me up, because what matters most is that I still have you and you're my only parent left. Thank you for being strong for the family (and the whole clan) and for being the one that holds everything and everyone together. 

When I was young, I never really have given much thought and appreciation with my mom’s PR skills. 20 years later, I have learned that her people’s skills are not just not for business sake but she’s actually made friends with these people. I have been a direct recipient of pay-it-forward because of my mom that one time, a former professor of mine who was the former boss of my late dad told me that my mom helped so many people that’s why so many people were there for us when we were going through a very difficult time in our lives.

It was such a humbling experience and I did not know the gravity of my mom’s character that if I can be just half the mother and person that she is, then I would really be grateful and  proud of myself.

Thank you Dear Lord for giving my Inay another year. I pray for my mom's strength, health and happiness and that may she live a longer life because we love her so much.  I am very grateful and I am very thankful of everyday that we get to see and be with her.

Wanted: A role model

I would love to have the opportunity of attending a Focus Group Discussion lead by Michelle Obama. Not to talk about the nation, the world, the economy but to talk about just life and it's learning lessons.

I saw this from my pinterest account today and it took me a while to really learn this.

You know they say you will know who your true friends are by the time you are thirty, I pretty much weeded  some negative people in my life and it felt right. No regrets, more of a huge wave of relief.  The ones that I have kept were actually worth keeping, and the relationship just felt so light, like letting your hair down while sipping a warm cup of hot chocolate. You get that warm fuzzy feel inside when you see them. It felt like home.

Last night, out of nowhere, I got asked why am I still single and that I should lower my standards. Not that they're high, I was told I might be picky. I've avoided that question a hundred times I never learn nor found a way for a good comeback. I just haven't found someone who felt like home. And I don't expect everyone to really understand what it meant so why bother explaining?

Recently I had some realizations [that is not proper to blog about]. Last night I stayed up til late night talking to a good friend and realized how much I've grown. I've made mistakes and I learned from them really well that I felt like my values were re-aligned and just because I have been through some not so great things in the  past, it doesn't necessarily mean I approve of things because I might understand just because I've been there. I'm not saying I'm not going to make mistakes anymore, I surely will but it also means that I will watch myself and my life diligently. I've pretty much lived a dangerous life in my early twenties but we all have to mature at some point.

I'd really love to find a book by Michelle Obama. I would love to hear/read about her life's lessons. I've always been fascinated by empowered women with life lessons. I am still in search for my role model, but for the meantime, I have a bunch of real-life models for "DON'T".

Quick Review: Chubby Habbi's Mediterranean Food

I actually miss the Kebab place in elbi square where my friends and I used to go. They really have this authentic kebab garlic sauce, good customer service, although uncomfortable chairs but there are many other tihngs that makes up for it. I wish we have something like Majid's kebab around UPLB area where it's yummy and affordable at the same time. 

Few weeks ago, my friend Mags mentioned "Chubby Habbi" which sells kebabs and the likes. And since we're always in search for a new place to eat, we decided to check the place out:

Pay as you order:

What it looks from the outside:

That's Frankie after ordering:

 

The menu:

Food:

Frankie ordered this with pita bread. 

I've been lusting for chelo kebab and this seems like a good substitute:

We pretty much ordered the same thing so there are no other photos of other stuff on the menu (Boo!)

Quick Review:

• Reasonably priced.
• Clean ambiance.
• Though their garlic sauce is not as good as the garlic sauce of Majid's (Davao) and Everyday Kebab (elbi square), still its not bad.
• No smoking area within the covered area but you can smoke outside.
• Pay as you order.
• Food rating: 3.5 out of 5
• Contact number:   049-576-9345

Online Shopping: My almost "Que Horror" experience buying gadgets online

I've been planning to get the s95 after reading it from Saab's blog last year. Problem is, I don't know where to get it at a very affordable price. I'm uneasy when it comes to buying gadgets online. I shopped online before but those were just accessories and it doesn't cost a lot compared to buying a gadget online. My online shopper maven friend, Franco, was supposed to shop my new camera for me via ebay but it still is not as cheap as the online sellers in multiply. I have to admit I'm scared to buy something I've never even seen with my naked eye nor touched with my bare hands. This blog needs to have good photos (plus I need it for work too!) so I googled the camera that I want to get and ended up going for the S100 (upgraded version of s95).

So one day, I consulted my photographer friends and they recommended "DBGadgets". I texted the number on their facebook page and got a reply and they said that the color silver is available. I wanted to get the silver one because everyone seems to be going for black. The risk about buying online is they only have 7 days replacement policy and 1 year service repair.

Photo from DBGadgets Page

Then, one day before the scheduled meet up, my friend asked me if I read forums online. It turned out that the S100 has an on-going LENS ERROR problem. I read the thread in the forum and DBGadegets did not answer the question that one of their customers asked about lens error. Freaked out, I texted DBgadgets and told them about my concern and they told me that I don't need to worry because those affected are those with serial numbers starting from 29 to 41 and the ones that they have are the versions starting from 44.

I asked them what if I will get a LENS ERROR on the 8th day when I did not do anything with it, and they said if it's a mishandling issue, they will not replace it. When I asked how will they categorize a mishandling issue, they couldn't give me a straight answer. But since I was really too damn excited for a new camera, I still went ahead with my order.

We met up in Glorietta and it's a good thing I was accompanied by my friend who owns a Canon S95 so he checked the basic settings of the camera.

But to my horror:

• The camera had a BLACK screen with menu writings but it won't do its main function which is to take photos. (I was already feeling scared after seeing the first error, so I prayed really hard to God that if it's going to give me a headache, better show the symptoms now than later).
• After inserting the memory card, it still won't work and the delivery guy was clueless about the product. (God answered my prayer that I am not meant to buy the camera).
• I was promised that the serial number of the camera that I will be getting will start at 44,  but when I opened the camera, it started with 41 - and YES, THE CAMERA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM! They did not give me what they have promised.
• Plus they already have a reputation about arriving late. We were scheduled to meet up at 5:30 pm. guy showed up a quarter before seven.

So I did not buy it and good thing I haven't withdrawn my money from the ATM (bec you need to pay cash for meet-ups). I also noticed that when I asked the delivery guy about the terms and conditions and warranty replacements, the delivery guy and the point person that I was initially negotiating with via their official contact number are saying different things. The delivery guy said, if it says lens error within 7 days I can return it, the other guy said that it's a mishandling issue. I was so frustrated with dealing with them that I did not buy from them anymore even if they're known to have the cheapest price in the market. Mura nga, mamumura mo naman!!! 

After leaving the location, I browsed through my phonebook to ask my friends if they know other online sellers and I came across The Gadget Hub's number. Then I remembered I have GadgetHub's number that I got from Saab's blog and I've had it for a year now and I decided to ask them if they have it. They only sell the black version and it's Php500 more. I asked them if I can pre-order the silver one then they said their supplier said that they won't be getting the silver one anymore because of the Lens Error problem. They have the same terms and conditions and warranty repair but they assured me of the quality of camera that I will be getting.

In short, I felt very comfortable dealing with The Gadget hub. They were very patient with answering my questions, they also volunteered the information about the issue about of serial numbers and told me that I will be getting the serial number starting with 44. I already have an inexplicably good feeling with who I am dealing with so I decided to take the risk and go for it.

We met up days later 3 days later from my last failed purchase and I was surprised that they arrived from the meeting place 10 minutes before the scheduled time! ( I like people who have high respect for other people's time!)

The lady who met me, Marj, was very nice and even educated me about the package in the camera, making sure that I am getting what was promised.

Photo from The Gadget Hub;s multiply account

And I did get what was promised. I am a very satisfied customer and even their customer service and owner was very accommodating even after the transaction.

Every online transaction is always a risk, but sometimes we really have to go with our gut feel. I'm glad I went with mine. :)

The BER months have started knocking the August's pants off.

You know that feeling that your weekends are busier than your weekdays?

That feeling that upon waking up,  you grab a pen and a paper, or you immediately log in to you computer and go to google, or you grab your phone to text a friend about a certain Eureka moment?

Then you take a shower while daydreaming about the plans you'll be making? 

I'm juggling planning a Centennial Celebration at work, a parade participation next month, an inter-cultural wedding to attend to, another wedding that I am very involved in, two girly parties, a much awaited travel plans next sem, plus my MS thesis that needs to be revised while trying to be a businesswoman on the side.

It's no easy feat but if you do it for the people you love, and when you do the things that you love, the HOW process becomes non-existent.  

You just do it.

Cute Rain boots in lieu of Plueys

I've been dreaming of Plueys Rain Boots since last year. And even though I believe in Law of Attraction, it's something that I did not really want to ask from the Universe. I just want the next best thing. 

I just think it's impractical for me to buy Plueys rain boots for 2 grand. It's nice to have really nice and sturdy rain boots but it's not like I need it for my lifestyle. Yes, it's cute to strut in these cute boots but again, UPLB weather is very unpredictable every day. Rubber sandals are a good way to go.

But, it doesn't mean that I am not in the look out for cute rain boots. I was hoping to get something that's inexpensive but just as cute. Then one weekend, my sister came home and got me these rain boots in lieu of Plueys:

Of course, my sister got her own boots too. In a classic Aprille Araguas Fashion, it is in hot pink:

I forgot how much the hot pink boots costs but she got my black polka dot rain boots for less than 300!

Badeya, It's September: The Cosmo 69 Bachelor Bash Month

Yesterday afternoon, the twitter account of cosmo magazine and its staff kept on tweeting about the big reveal. Here's the video reveal:

I attended at least 2 bachelor bash parties with my girlfriends during our early twenties. It was held in NBC tent in the Fort Taguig and usually on a rainy Thursday. It looked more of a sosyal amboy strip bar and it gets even wilder each year:

And these are our crappy photos from my low-pixel camera phone. Digicams (point and shot ones) were really expensive back then (it was in 2005!) :

How I got my tickets? It's for free!

In 2004, I went there with my friend Cecile and we had so much fun. In fact, it's a good thing she already owns a digicam that's why we were able to take these photos.

Since Cosmo was my then life-bible, I always managed to be one of the first ones to email-for-invites because they usually give it out to first 100 girls. I usually get 2, for me to bring a friend and I remember one time that I peer-pressured my friend Rolls to send an email to Cosmo Magazine when I once caught her online. She brought Joy. Cecile brought her cousin and I had an extra ticket for my friend Michelle, who was unfortunately was not able to make it that night.  That's how all of us ended up together.

I remember having loads of fun even though my stilettos are killing me! I remember telling everyone not to wear heels because it's standing room only in NBC tent, then I broke my own rules and ended up going home with a muddy feet!

kebs!

Anyway, the hype on Twitter about the upcoming Cosmo Bachelor Bash brought back really good memories with my girlfriends. Lately, we've been catching up on real-life, grown up stuff. I wish I could say that I really want to go to the Cosmo Bachelor Bash, but I'm pretty much done with the whole Cosmo Bachelor Bash scene.

It's now the time for the ladies in their early twenties to have their share of fun.

But what I miss most about Cosmo is not about these parties, but more of the Cosmo Goes to Work with the Women and the City - a women empowerment workshop that they used to hold at RCBC Auditorium. I had free invites there too so I brought my roommate and the second time, my sister. Good thing we already have a digital camera by that time, I was really happy that I get to have a photo op with my favorite editors. :)