ice skating

for years now, i have been wanting to try ice skating. when i was in high school, i pestered my parents into buying me an in-line skate. after a couple of months of asking (and saving), i was able to convince them to buy me one. i bought a red and black in-skate.

though it was one the best things to do in high school, it didn't take long for the novelty to wane -- and for my brother to crack my skate. that altogether stopped my skating (though i was never a good one).

lately, or more honestly over the years, i have a hankering to try ice skating. this time, i was able to convince my friends to join me and here we are, trying to skate the the International Ice Skating Rink at the Mall of Asia --

 it's been over a decade since i've been on skates, and the first time on ice, but it still feels the same. it feels great! here, i'm helping a friend find his balance. 

catching snow flakes

*****

one funny moment while i was skating:

me: lei, catch me on video!!! =D

lei: okay!

me (skating away, turning, zooming towards lei): woohooooooooo! 

then suddenly, BLAAAAG!

i fell. LOL. all these was caught on video. 

UP Lantern Parade 2010

it's been years since i have been to the Lantern Parade. this year, despite the rain and traffic, my friends and i were there! these are this year's displays --

Why give up before we try
Feel the lows before the highs
Clip our wings before we fly away
I can’t say I came prepared
I’m suspended in the air
Won’t you come be in the sky with me

-Unthinkable (Alicia Keys feat. Drake)

Perch

my girlfriends and i have this pact that we will try to have one fancy dinner each month. this is to have time to just catch up with what's happening with one another. being together in the office doesn't mean we get to talk everyday -- work gets in the way. so this december, we decided to try out Perch, where one of my friend's sister is a regular chef together with the owner chef. this also became our own Christmas party, where we also played a White Elephant game. it was great to see friends trying to 'steal' the other one's gift, to see them running around the house! LOL.

here are some pictures at Perch:

 family dinner table

 mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper squid dish with potato balls and cream sauce

 paella and roasted chicken -- yummy!

close up of the paella

 welcome to perch!

removed our sandals, running after more gifts :)

and the perfect way to end the night - a cup of creme brulee with coffee...

thank you, chefs golda and hazel! it was one fun night, indeed!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Cafe Perch 

22 Ramos St., Carmel 3, Project 6, Quezon City, Philippines

(02) 927 9767 and (02) 427 4707

*apologies for not being able to write the food's real fancy names :)

life, love, time

the best use of life is to love
the best expression of love is time
the best time to love is now

-fr. conching's sermon today at the parish of the holy sacrifice

the grace of waiting

i took a tricycle ride on my way out of the subdivision. upon arrival at the entrance, i hopped off the tricycle and proceeded to get my purse to pay the driver. but my purse wouldn't come to my hands (accio, purse!) and i had to rummage through my "deep" bag for that small purse. so i said to the driver,

"kuya, wait lang (brod, please wait)."

and he said with a smile, "it's alright as long as you won't take the whole day."

that made me smile -- what a patient man!

*****

i went to the grocery today to pick up some stuff and when i reached the check-out counter, i noticed that i picked up more than what i planned. it took three packages to put in all the stuff and i had to carry them all on my ride home in a jeepney. as i was about to leave the jeep, i asked the driver to wait, because i could not possibly be fast enough in getting down. i was carrying three packages and my laptop bag. the driver then said to me, "okay, take your time." again, that made me smile.

*****

i took a tricycle ride going to our apartment carrying my three packages and laptop bag. when i arrived at our gate, i had to ask the driver to wait because i had to get out of the vehicle first before picking up my stuff. he didn't say anything but he proceeded to pick up my packages and handed it over to me.

what a nice reminder of patience! i like!