La Trinidad: Strawberry Plantation

 
 This is an overdue post. Yeah I don't have a good alibi. But I was really too busy, too occupied or should I say too in love, to think about posting this at that time. Hmmmm that's quiet a nonsense alibi isn't it?

February 16, 2009 on our last day in Baguio, we grab few hours to feel the strawberry plantation of La Trinidad. It's a next town from Baguio City. These is where you can get good prices for strawberry jams and fresh strawberries. If you want to pick it on your own, the farm owners will let you. And then you'll pay for it and take it home. 

We only spent 45 minutes there since we're trying to catch the 10am bus for Manila. We were already in a rush when we reached Baguio. Good thing we were still able to catch the last 10am bus. wew... or else will miss our plane. Thanks to a responsible colleague who managed to lead some happy go lucky people like us. 

That last statement there made me think, I know if I have written and posted this blog at that time, that colleague would have been, "my lover", hehehehehe but then past is past and reality bites!

 

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The Role of Bloggers as New Media

Check out this SlideShare Presentation by Ria Jose of http://www.riajose.com

I miss the summit but thanks for sharing their slides. I know it's a lot better if I'm there. But here's a goal for 2011, I'll never miss a summit. Not anymore!

The Role of Bloggers as New Media

View more presentations from Avatar Media.

SOFA School of Interior Designs

 

And I can hear them screaming my name. January is approaching and Certification classes is about to start.  How will I afford this? I have been inquiring for details about this class, and I have been eyeing this since I received an invitation from SOFA School of Interior Design.

This motivates me to work harder. Work harder to earn money for school. I only have 1 month to go. wew... this is it. 

Your Assignment = My BLOG

A question was thrown to me, when a friend of mine is working on her essay assignment and the question is "What is your dream? What are your goals in life?"

Some people dreamed of becoming an actor, some as an architect, some as a businessman. They study things related to their dreams, they work on it, they get masters degree and some even PhD. If you ask a child what her dream is, they will definitely give you a profession, that they idolize, could be a direct influence from a family member or an adult friend. For a while I laughed coz I thought how come an MBA class would suddenly give out an essay assignment with such a question? For a second I thought, this people are old enough to still haven't reached their dreams, or perhaps even just know what it is. But now that you've asked me, I can't seem to think of any.

Maybe if you have asked me 6 or 7 months ago, I can give you a list. I admit I used to plan ahead. In school professors would usually tell us to plan things out ahead, know what you want, make a time table and accomplish things just as planned. For many years, I have been such a person. I plan things out ahead. I want things to be in order and just how I wanted it to be. I can't go to places when the trip is not planned out properly, aside from I need to book vacation off ahead from work, I just want things to be in order. Expenses should be accounted, accommodations should be booked, tickets should be purchased ahead for a no hassle vacation. When planning out for activities like going to school, the schedules should be known ahead, cash should be ready on hand, the requirements should be intact and I know what I should be after finishing school. In my day to day activities, I have a to do list where I write things that I wanted to accomplish during the day like do the laundry, pay bills, clean the house, cook for breakfast/lunch/dinner, do this and do that.

If I was asked this question 15 years ago, you would probably hear me screaming to death becoming an Architect. I am so into arts and craft and yes Architecture will always be my first love. But due to financial limitations, Architecture is not offered in MSU System, I have to choose another course, and So I picked Engineering course at first, because it was the "in" course at that time. But it turned out I find it so boring so I shifted to Biology, and true enough I found the excitement that I was looking for and at that time, for that short time, I dreamed of becoming a DOCTOR. But after multiple immersions I know by heart that I am not for it. So I decided to work.

If I was asked this question 6 years ago, you would probably hear me saying to be an office worker. And yes that dream came true. 2 years after I dream of becoming a Team Leader, and Yes that dream came true too. I dreamed of traveling to places spending my own money  and that dream came true too. I dreamed/wished/longed for? (hahaha) falling in love and yes it came true as well.  When I was working in an office setting I have been planning to invest into something, I have a list of things that I should do and should accomplish. Planning to buy things or own a house was part of the goal with a matching time table when and where. While working in an office I dreamed of working from home and now that I am, I couldn't ask for more.

If I was asked this question 6 months ago I would probably say "to be a  mother and a wife..." and a longer list after that (hahaha). 6 0r 7 months ago I have envisioned a life with someone, accompanied with dreaming having "our" own house, "our" own business, "our" own car and some other material things for the so called "us". But none of them came true. I was so disappointed, frustrated, devastated? exaggerated but true. I felt so down and lost hope. But I've got the message. It was so clear to me. Straight on my face, I can read it without my glasses, "Dreams won't come true if it's not meant to be and if it's not the right time and the right person".

And now I realize, dreams do change as you come of age. And if you ask me now what I want? and what's my goal? I can't give you even one. As I try to think about the things I have now, I believe I never dreamed about having these things big time. What I mean is I never have acknowledged such things as an ultimate dream. I enrolled culinary class out of nowhere, and became a Chef out of the blue. Now that I have the chance to revisit these things, I realize I once dreamed of becoming a Pastry Chef.

My dreams 6 months ago may have not come yet, but in God's time I know it will. Now I never think of it as a big deal to dream really really BIG. I may not be able to enumerate what my dreams are now, like really now, but whatever it is I know it'll pop in my mind the moment that I already have it. .. So how's my Arche then? hehe

Thanks to that assignment my friend... this is such an assignment! hehehe...

 

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How to Handle Forgetting Someone's Name

I am guilty with this. Honestly I keep on forgetting someone's name. Either I call them with a wrong name, or never state their names at all. It's quiet funny but some people find it offensive. Oh well, good thing I found this video on how to handle forgetting someone's name. I just hope I can live with it.

Impact of Blogs and Social Networking Sites to Businesses (Visayas Blogging Summit)

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Impact of Blogs and Social Networking Sites to Businesses (Visayas Blogging Summit)

View more presentations from Janette Toral.

How to Get Knowledge

How to Remember Things

Stumbled this video somewhere in YouTube and I find it very helpful, logical and practical. :D Enjoy!

My Curiousity with male urinals...

 

 

Honestly I just got curious with how Urinals really work. Of course I'm a female and haven't really tried using it, but when I get in to a UNISEX Comfort room in one of the Fastfood chain here in Iligan City, my curiosity strikes so I went ahead and figure out how this thing work. (hahahaha) And I was surprised how water flows down to the drain after pressing that button.

Hmmmm I therefore conclude... that it has a flash... hahahahaha I wonder why some men still forget to flash toilet bowls or even Urinals after using... maybe they haven't figured out how it works?

 

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Homemade Quick and Easy to make Tropical Weekend Fruit Salad

Homemade Quick and Easy to make Tropical Weekend Fruit Salad

It's already 2pm when I grabbed something to eat, so when the family arrived for dinner, I'm still full. And since they brought fresh fruits with them and a ripe Papaya from the back yard is available, I decided to make a home made tropical fruit salad.

Here's What you need;

Fresh fruits like Ripe Mangoes, Banana, Watermelon and Ripe Papaya
Nestle All Purpose Cream (Chilled)
Condense Milk

Here's How;

1. Whip chilled all purpose cream and add condense milk up to the desired sweetness.
2. Cut fresh fruits to bite size portions.
3. Mix fruits in a serving bowl or cup and pour the cream mixture on top and serve.

You may want to serve the cream and mix fruits separately and use cream as a dip.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

***also featured in http://www.xyzaspeaks.com

Reminiscing Boracay

I've been trying to account where I have been for the last 5 years that I have been trying to earn on my own. I happen to come a cross this old photos I had when I was in Boracay last December 6 to 8 2008. As you can see this photo was taken on our last day in Bora.

As I can remember we purchased a zero fare tickets from Cebu Pacific Air and the trip were just so in time for the 13th month pay so it was not really a budget trip but a luxurious one. We took the Caticlan Flight and from the airport we walk few steps going to the port and ride a motorized boat going to the island for Php 25.00 and an additional terminal fee of Php 50.00.

'Twas the most memorable trip ever.

Chowking's Sweet and Sour Pork

Chowking'sSweet and Sour Pork Lauriat

 Another meal added to my list. I don't know why but I just love sweet and sour meal.  The sweet and sour pork is back, now not as a rice topping. hmmm... yummy...

Just posting another backlog from a bunch of bloggable pics stored in my hard drive. :D

Taken from Chowking Limketkai @ Cagayan de Oro.

Love Ko To! McDonalds

 

Mc Donalds will always have a big place in my heart. Although there are bittersweet memories attached to it, the fries and mcflurry will always be the best for tandem for me.hihi

Not to mention the great memories I had with McDonald's of The Walk in Asiatown IT Park, Cebu City :D

A Fine Frenzy - Almost Lover Official Video

Almost Lover lyrics


Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind, images
You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes, clever trick

Well, I?d never want to see you unhappy
I thought you?d want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?

So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me in the shade
And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you would never ever forget these images, no

Well, I?d never want to see you unhappy
I thought you?d want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?

So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot try the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind

So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy to walk
Right in and out of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Why can't you just let me be?

So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

Tabor Hills

A blast from the past. I once visited Tabor Hills in Talamban Cebu City. Here are few snaps that I had using my Alcatel camera phone last December of 2009.

Catholics usually visit this place during Holy week.

The Dormitory

The way up!

Chocolate Hills

This is our very first family vacation since I left home to work in Cebu. The very first trip for 5 years where we're complete. I so thank God for this day!

Few snaps from Bohols' Chocolate Hills last 10.21.2010 using a point and shoot camera.

Ready to go up?

siblings

wish you were here with me

A view from the top

Cebu's Larsian Barbecue

Cebu's Larsian has been my all time favorite barbecue haven when I was in Cebu. I am a super fan of barbecue. For almost 5 years staying in Cebu, my palate has been accustomed to Larsian barbecue's taste. Now that I have left Cebu for good, I will never miss a chance to dine in Larsian every time I visit Cebu City.

This has been our favorite after work dating place when I was with that special someone before (hahaha). Hmmm Cebu you'll always be a part of me. 

Taken during my latest visit in Cebu last 10.20.2010. Cebu's Larsian is located beside Chung Hua Hospital in Fuente Cebu City

My all time favorite!

Thanks Dimlight Barbecue

They have good PR girls too :)

Took the pictures using a simple point and shoot China Made digital camera.

Chef's class learning the basics

fresh and yummy... slicing it the correct way

Red Ribbon...snacks?

ahhhh dessert...

Starbucks Coffee Finally in CDO!

Finally! Starbucks

an amateur shot from Nique.. checking out the new tumblers

hmmmm the Christmas blends...

Finally Starbucks is here. Eventhough it's in CDO, I'm happy that I don't have to fly to Cebu when I crave for one. I have my little booklet now, I hope I can get the planner. But even if I won't, the taste of Starbucks coffee will always be in my favorite coffee list.

Starbucks Coffee House is in Limketkai Business Center in front of McDonalds. See you there!

Banana Cue (Sweetened Fried Banana on stick)

Banana cue and Camote Cue a Filipino all time favorite snack.

Banana cue (Sweetened Fried Banana on stick) and Camote Cue (Sweetened Fried Sweet Potato on stick) is a Filipino all time favorite snack. It's budget friendly too. Now a days it costs Php 5.00 to 10.00 per stick. 

During the All Saints day we bought around 20 sticks for snacks while in the cemetery visiting the grave of Grandpa and GrandMa in the Clean and Green City of Oroquieta.

Explore Balicasag Island

 Exploring the underwater world of Balicasag Island. This is one of the must try and must go places if you'll be visiting Panglao Island in Bohol. Visiting the Island is part of the island tour package that Kuya Dodong offered. However, snorkeling is optional. Majority of the tourist would not try snorkeling, but I tell you this is one of the fun part during the trip. Swimming with the fishes, touching them and most of all having pictures with them. I highly recommend you bring a underwater/waterproof digital camera or purchase a disposable or reusable underwater film camera from Bohol, because it's already x3 from the original price when you'll but it in the island.

In this photo, we used a Kodak disposable underwater film camera.

If your planning to have a vacation in Panglao Island Bohol, you may want to get Kuya Dodong's island tour services. You may contact him through mobile 0908.153.4117. We got the island tour  for only Php 2000 and that's good for 6 already. The boat is medium size and clean. They also have snorkeling equipments available for rent but I would recommend to bring your own if you have one.

Christmas Wishlist #2: Alcatel OneTouch Net

Ever since high school since the soap-like shape model of Alcatel [OT Club db] was released in 2000, if I'm not mistaken, I have been an alcatel fan. Got an alcatel as my very first phone.

Now I have 2 alcatel music phones; my 1 year and 9month old OT-V770, which was given to me as a gift and a 2 years old and 11months OT-C700A phone which I bought for my dad, but I am using it now since he got a free phone from his Suncellular postpaid subscription. I love Alcatel most specially when it's white.

my p@ulcatel: Alcatel OT-V770

Now that the qwerty , touchscreen and dual screen phone are on the move, I wish Alcatel will have these features in their new phone models. And these phone right here just answered my very wish. I have been scouting for qwerty mobile phones ever since I started working from home. I need a good quality and affordable one.  I need to stay connected with my clients, to answer their questions and/or inquiries and keep updated with friends through Yahoo and Facebook even when I'm on the go. I am currently using my existing OT-V770 to stay connected because i love its' wide screen, but I was thinking if only it's qwerty it would be so much easier. And Alcatel OneTouch Net is definitely an answer to my cry.

My OT-V770's 7 hour talk-time battery never fails me, how much more OneTouch Net's 9 hours talk-time. People on the go will surely love this, coz I certainly do!

Purple and White has always been my color, and as u can see  Alcatel OneTouch Net is definitely for me coz it's so me. I so want this for Christmas!
 
So now I'm updating my Christmas wish list(s);

1. THE “Relaks, Puso Lang ‘Yan, Malayo sa Bituka” PLANNER 2011 « yoshke.com

2. Alcatel OneTouch Net - oh yeah! So please help me win this, by simply clicking on the like button in my comment in these album in Alcatel Facebook Fan Page. Please please please.

Xy-Za Yape is working as an Independent Virtual Assistant specializing in General and Medical audio transcription, article writing, blogging and webdesign. For more information you may visit http://www.xyzaspeaks.com and click on the contact me page.

Solitary winter breeze

Here's my entry for  SEAIR Batanes Winter Bloggers' Tour! For more info please visit http://www.flyseair.com/ 

 

Ever since Batanes was featured in Kay Susan Tayo in GMA, I never stopped wishing to be there. But work always comes in the way. Schedules won't meet, vacation leaves unapproved and worst no companion.

ANY CHARACTER HERE

I always have wanted to travel the country and the world with him. Batanes with a lover would be perfect right? The foreign land like scenes are breath taking. The beauty of Batanes is mesmerizing.  The cool breeze combined with a warm embrace from a loved one completes the romantic scene...[Read More]

Xy-Za Yape is working as an Independent Virtual Assistant specializing in General and Medical audio transcription, article writing, blogging and webdesign. For more information you may visit http://www.xyzaspeaks.com and click on the contact me page.

Ilo-ilo: How will I do this?

I am scheduled to attend the Visayas Blog Summit 2010 this coming November 27 to 28, 2010. Tickets whre already booked since June, I'm already registered, so what's the dilemma? where to stay!

I don't know where to stay yet and the date is approaching. I've been searching online for a budget friendly place to stay for at least 4 days. Yup that's right 4 days. I will arrive in Ilo-ilo on the 25th and leave for Cebu on 28th. My blogging services has been down lately and I haven't really been generating much income from the 3 sites that I have. It has been down for almost a year and just went back blogging last May. Now, the real issue is not actually "where to stay" but "How to pay?"

I have a Level 2 Chef's class to attend to and I don't have that extra money yet for the trip. I know it's my fault because I know I have this scheduled trip but I haven't planned properly my finances. I admit that's my weakness.

Now I'm having second thoughts in attending because I have concerns in going there;

1. FUNDS. Funds funds where will I get this? I admit I have a good paying job but I also have mountains of bills. I have spent quiet big the last time I traveled with the family in Panglao. So there, I'm still thinking on how I can afford this trip.
2. TRAVELING ALONE. This will be the very first time that I will be traveling super duper alone ILG-CDO-CEB-ILO-ILO route. I have been to many places, attended a lot of events but I never traveled alone before. I usually go in groups or with someone. This trip will definitely a big adventure for me most specially that they speak a different language. I
3. DIALECT. I couldn't help but wish that an Ilonggo specifically "kuhl" could accompany me. But then again, he's an untouchable now and I guess it's a big no no to disturb him at this time. I myself is not ready to see him. But of course, Ilonggo's can definitely speak Filipino/Tagalog of course ,I know it shouldn't be a problem but it's an advantage if atleast I know the language ,for me to haggle and I can use it during negotiations most specially when you're trying to get the best price for pasalubongs right? Well I guess this is a very selfish excuse, I apologize. 
4. HIS THERE. Ilo ilo is not a big place and I'm afraid to bump into him or even see him whatsoever. This is a very lame excuse or alibi I should say. But seriously I'm not ready for such an encounter.

Although I know some friends who's still in Ilo-ilo right now, most specially the Med graduates, but I couldn't seem to contact them now, I tried email, FB and text approach but to no avail, no replies. That makes  me more undecided.

But I was thinking, BLOG SUMMIT only comes once in a year. The discussions there will definitely help me big time as a blogger. Checking on the schedule of activities I know I will get a lot there. I can enroll in the next Chef's Class schedule on January and continue my culinary class from there. 

So I guess I made up my mind, I should attend the BLOG SUMMIT. I guess I need to make some extra extra work starting today until the 24th. How will I do this? I guess it's me to discover.

And oh by the way you might care to donate for me to get there? pretty please??? I'll be super duper happy if you will.

So I'll sleep now... Nighty nighty!

Xy-Za Yape is working as an Independent Virtual Assistant specializing in General and Medical audio transcription, article writing, blogging and webdesign. For more information you may visit http://www.xyzaspeaks.com and click on the contact me page.

Website Update

I just created a page for my website. I hope you'll like it. just simply click on the Facebook like badge which is also found in this site and care to visit my domain.

Xyzaspeaks.com is the first domain that I bought and was hoping to be solely using it, but I know I can't leave my readers from this page. This page has been with me for almost 4 years now and is still doing good in ranks. Way better from the new site of course.

The badge looks something like this;




'Til the next update my avid readers. I need to go to the city proper to buy some ingredients for dinner. See you around guys!

Xy-Za Yape is working as an Independent Virtual Assistant specializing in General and Medical audio transcription, article writing, blogging and webdesign. For more information you may visit http://www.xyzaspeaks.com and click on the contact me page.

which is which

 I was checking the stats of my blog last night, because I wanted to delete one blog site and maintain only 2 sites. My oldest blog which is http://lindle323.blogspot.com has not been updated for months or years now. I was thinking i should let go this blog. However, when I check on the stats and it's earnings, the blog together with http://kuhlwithme.blogspot.com is earning way higher than my own domain.

My http://xyzaspeaks.com is using a WP platform. I admit I'm more comfortable with blogger. So now I'm confused which one to let go. I also thought of migrating the stuff from my own domain to the highest earning blog. wew... what to do?

Xy-Za Yape is working as an Independent Virtual Assistant specializing in General and Medical audio transcription, article writing, blogging and webdesign. For more information you may visit http://www.xyzaspeaks.com and click on the contact me page.