ESTUDYANTE BLUES

Were you also at your most matakaw when you were in college? I was. I remember those blessed days when I could eat two cups of rice every meal and not gain a pound.

I'm back to being a student (currently attending Fashion School) and I'm scared that even my student appetite is back. Yikes! The scariest thing: I know my metabolism has changed. Now, every calorie will go straight to my thighs! Hala!

Last night, after our class "field trip" to Adora for some fashion inspiration, we held class at Lusso (also in Greenbelt). Ang saya! Eating good food (hindi patagong Skyflakes gaya nung college!) while having class. There really was an ongoing discussion, consultation and review while we were having our yummy dinner. =)

Above: MY 6PM DINNER

I had Lusso's Canneloni Bolognese

(Very Good! Rich in flavor but not nakaka-umay.)

and Iced Tea (OK. Uno's still my favorite.)

My bill: around Php470.

Lusso's famous for their Foie Gras Burger, will try it next time.

Class ended at 9pm last night. Met J right after. Just when I thought I'm done with dinner, I'm up for more! We went to Fely J's (still in Greenbelt). But instead of having our all-time favorites -- their adobo (J's fave) and their crispy hito (my fave) -- we decided to try something new. We ordered their Bistek Tagalog (US Angus black beef), P850. It was good. But we both decided that next time, we'll stick to our favorites.

Above: DINNER AGAIN?!

Where are my running shoes?

LUCKY ME!

Eksena sa salon while I was having my hair trimmed yesterday...

Stylist: Kamusta po Mother-in-law n'yo?

(We brought her for some pampering in the same salon a few weeks back.)

Me: She's OK. Try namin siya dalin dito nang mas madalas.

She looked so fresh with her make-up, thanks to you.

Stylist: Ang swerte po ni Mommy, yung anak nya patawa nang patawa. Rare po yun -- anak na lalaki na laging pinapatawa ang nanay.

Me: Actually! Pati Mommy ko lagi nya pinapatawa!

Stylist: Ang swerte nyo po kay Sir.

(I know! *kilig*)

LIFE LESSON #1,888,307

Somebody's "world's best friend" can turn out to be someone else's "two-faced monster!"

A person's "friendliest office mate" may actually be "friendly" because he's a gossipmonger out to spread hearsays (or even lies!) about every one else.

Somebody's "strength" can be another's "queen of all evil!"

BEWARE!

MOTHER EARTH IS DYING

Flood in the dessert?

Jeddah, KSA

Image from article.wn.com

Floods in the Middle East and Australia, severe snow storms in the US, El Nino and La Nina. With the recent news about the weird (and very alarming) weather conditions all over the world, one question haunts me -- Could overpopulation be the primary cause of these environmental problems?

FIRST DAY OF FASHION SCHOOL

I'm so kilig! Today, for the very first time, J walked me to school, and picked me up after my class. This is a first for us. We met at work so we had no campus dates, walang ganitong mga eksena until now. Yihee!

J took a photo of me on our way to my school.

Taken along one of the Makati walkways.

I'm enrolled at the DFW: Designer Fashion Workshops, located at the iAcademy, along Ayala, just across the Triangle Gardens. After class, we have an excuse to try all the restos across the street. Yey!

Tonight, we were tempted to go back to Wee Nam Kee (we miss their Hainanese Chicken!). But decided to try something new -- Chef Laudico's BFast. As the name suggests, it's an all-day breakfast joint.

Above:

Of course, the adobo addict tried their adobo.

His bfast verdict: Matutulog na lang ako. Yawn.

Above: I had their salmon.

OK, nothing spectacular.

Above: The flourless chocolate cake.

(Cafe Bola's is still the best.)

Maybe next time we should order their best sellers, the "silogs." For today, we can't say breakfast is the new dinner. =(

As for my first day at Fashion School, it's confirmed, "Fashion is now in fashion!"

PS

For more on my Fashion School experience, check out my other blog, My Little Black Book of Style.

CHANGE

"YOU ARE THE CHANGE THAT YOU DREAM."

I'm not really a fan of the "Hero" who said this. But I believe in his words.

I'm proud to say I try to live this truth every day.

My good days are never dependent on other people.

I'm learning to make GREAT DAYS on my own! =)

More on changes and dreams. Five years ago, I pro-actively asked for something at work. Ako na mismo ang kumilos at nagsalita. And guess what? I got what I asked for (with a bonus pa!). Recently, a dear friend was in a similar situation. And I'm so happy for her because she asked, and also received. Yay!

So I say, be a go-getter. Because "the foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."

BIRTHDAY BOY

Highlights from J's birthday...

Above:

My Facebook Status & Wall Photo on his bday --

"Happy Birthday

to my Life Partner, Best Friend, Mentor,

Travel and Workout Buddy, Daily Date!

Love you!"

Photo taken by Rene Mejia,

during one of our program pictorials, January 2011.

Above:

One of the day's many little surprises.

(Thank you, Holland Tulips, for the beautiful arrangement.)

The other gifts, between us na lang. =)

Above:

Cyma's Flamed Cheese

Super sarap!

Due to our toxic work skeds that day,

we thought we wouldn't be able to have a dinner date.

(We were assigned to two separate shoot locations.)

But thank God for good friends / officemates,

ang imposible, naging posible!

We were originally heading to one of our personal favorites, Uno.

But with the biglang buhos ng ulan, it was smarter to head home.

So the Birthday Dinner Date was at Cyma, Shangrila Plaza.

Believe that even detours are God's blessings!

Because we had the perfect dinner of Spinach rice,

which we highly recommend!

And the best chicken adobo...

J: "The best chicken adobo is Greek!"

J is an adobo lover.

So what better way to spend his bday

than to try another version of this Filipino signature dish?

I was happy that he was happy!

Happy Birthday, J!

Everything else I have to say, I've written on the card.

*wink*

PS

We've had several Cyma dates but it was the first time we tried their adobo.

*WINK*

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery."

SING HAINANESE CHICKEN HOUSE

Since Wee Nam Kee's (WNK) too far for daily dates, we're rejoicing over the neighborhood mall Shangrila Plaza's new joint --

Location: 6th floor / cinema floor

Beside Sango

Their Hainanese Chicken is not as good as WNK's but it's good enough, hehe. We've tried both the roasted and the Hainanese versions. Like the latter better. The half chicken order comes with 2 cups of soup and 2 bowls of rice (your choice of plain or Hainanese), for around Php450.

SPEECHLESS

I'm beyond speechless.

Image from pollsb.com

I've received another one of 2011's sweet surprises (and the year has just begun!) -- I made it to Uno's "2010's Greatest Gifts." Awwww.

I really don't know what to say so T allow me to repeat this -- "Know that there's one more person praying for your dreams, me." Happy 2011 (and beyond)!