the prize

In case you were wondering, I did end up getting my free Dynamite roll and Miso soup from Omakase! Happy happy camper.

ps. If you decide to join the contest (and win), and would like to avail of your prize, they require a print out of the coupon, not just a photo on your phone. It's something they failed to inform me in the email, but it's a good thing I decided to print it anyway.

lost at sea

After a late night for Anton's birthday celebration, we got up early for a day trip to Subic. A 3-4 hour drive to a destination is not the best for day trips. You practically waste 6-8 hours of the day on the road. But since we were up so late, we actually needed the long ride to regain our energy. And it helped! We got to Subic at about 1pm and spent the rest of the afternoon on a friend's yacht.  

Really loving the colors of this shot.

(c) Alec Yatco

 It was an afternoon/night of great company, food and drinks. What made it extra awesome was the fact that we were anchored in the middle of the ocean where we took a lot of photos, jumped off the boat, swam, and drank.. a lot. We were only able to spend about 5 hours out at sea, and of course it was a lot of fun and ultimately bitin, but I'm glad I'm able to have enjoyable moments like these. Even just for a while. So short, but sweet!

hbd anton

I'm so happy that Taylor Swift's song 22 became a hit the year that my friends and I turn 22. No matter how annoying it is to some people and how it's so nakaka-LSS, it's still such a fun song to sing and dance to, especially because it's exactly where we're at!

Last Friday was Anton's 22nd birthday and for the first time, he decided to throw something for his friends. Anton's parties before were usually surprises from me or his family, but this time he decided to throw and pay for the get-together himself. Very last minute planning, but I'm so glad that a lot made it still. And in theme!

For his party, everyone had to come in matching outfits with someone else. It was a pair party!
This is what Anton and I wore:

         

Initially we had no plans of buying the same lobster shirt. But we were in Town just a few hours before and saw that Folded and Hung had a "buy two, get 40% off" sale, so we decided to go for it. 

And that is all! I'm actually sad that Anton's birthday weekend is over. I love it when it's his birthday (sometimes even more than when it's mine, haha). Looking forward to more years with this guy!

jap happy

For the first time in my life I am actually admitting to Jap food overload.
Last week, I ate in Sambokojin with Anton. We were just craving so we decided to eat there for dinner.

Last Monday, my sister treated us to Sambokojin for her birthday.

Yesterday, my sister invited me to join her and her boyfriend for dinner in Palms and I decided to order Spicy Tuna salad and Zaru Soba.

In between all these meals, I would occasionally get Jap cravings (still), and would munch on some crab sticks with kikoman and wasabi at home.

Madness I tell you! I don't want to put blame on the monthly cravings (if you know what I mean), but it IS partially to blame + I think I really have some sort of addiction.

And to top it all off...

I got one more Jap meal waiting in Omakase! A few days ago I saw on my FB news feed that Omakase posted an Instagram photo that won the @IwantOmakase photo contest. I immediately searched the page for the mechanics of the contest and found that by simply tagging your Omakase food photo or experience with @IwantOmakase and #iwantomakase, you have a chance to win a special treat from the restaurant. I'm not really one to join online stuff (may have done it twice or thrice in the past and never won), but I just decided to tag all my old Omakase photos on my Instagram.

And I won!!

I had no idea what, but I was happy anyway. I had to send some details to an email and when I did, I got a reply with a free Dynamite Roll and Miso soup to my name! I was the happiest kid ever.

I just checked the Omakase page now and it says that the contest is still on going. So if you want a chance to win a treat, tag away!

project 365

Here I go again making a second, mid-year attempt to take at least one photo a day. I tried this project out last year but failed after 3 or 4 months. I was still in school then, so looking back at that time, I think I got bored because I was doing the same thing almost everyday, not having anything new to take a photo of. I was also too stressed with thesis at that time, so I eventually forgot that I had a little project to work on. Now that I'm working and my schedule is not as much of a routine as it was back then, I thought I'd give it a second shot even if I'm starting July.

I also decided to try again because (1) I downloaded the application on my phone to constantly remind me not to leave a day blank, and (2) I finally upgraded my iPhone 4 to a 5, and the camera is just lovely. So. Much. Better! 

tagaytay

Tagaytay weather is just the best thing right now. My friends and I spent the night there a few days ago, and it was so cool and relaxing that we were even hoping to extend for one more night. We stayed at our friend C3's place (aka Cesar's Palace), which I would think is our group's favorite Tagaytay spot. It's just so secluded and spacious and peaceful and beautiful, so it's a great escape away from Manila. And it's only an hour and a half away!

Now we're back in Manila. Back in the heat. Back to Monday. Back to work. If only our work place and Manila homes could be as quiet and cool and relaxing. I wouldn't mind working at all!