Thanksgiving Weekend

I spent the weekend with my relatives at Bakersfield. They picked me up from my apartment last Friday at around 2pm-ish. We ate at Chowking for lunch and I ordered Halo-Halo and Siopao while my uncle is doing grocery at Seafood City. It's a 2hour drive to Bakersfield and I slept all throughout maybe because I was so tired with the early bird shopping Darwin and I had earlier. It's Tita Imee's birthday last Friday so there's a lot of guests, food and of course drinks. I get a chance to meet with AJ's friends again, Melissa and Rizza and we had interesting chit-chats while drinking Alize Gold Passion. After a few drinks, we decided to leave and headed to downtown Bakersfield. They told me that it's their time to show me around. We met up with Yohan and drove around the city. I cant believe there's also bars and clubs in Bakersfield coz everytime I go there, I only hit the mall.. But it's nothing compared to the colorful and lively LA. That's fosho! We got home just in time for videoke but I'm not in the mood to sing. I stayed with my cousin instead at their den to setup his new iPod.

Saturday, woke up at 10-ish and I was so lazy. The weather is really bad. It's raining and windy.. We had aroscaldo and palabok for breakfast and that just saved the day of laziness. We're supposed to go malling but I stayed home instead and started reformating my cousin's computer. At 4pm-ish, we attended the house blessing of Tita Ding, one of my aunt's friends. Pigged out again, chit-chats about "kikay" stuffs and had margarita. We left early coz AJ's sick and I feel like hitting the bed already.

Another weekend without Darwin and I missed him terribly. Got 2 missed calls from him because I was busy uploading mp3s from my cousin's PC to my iPod. I called him and it's a nice 30-minute talk and it's one of those long phone conversation we had. The longest was 2-hours when we're still dating.. Can someone beat that? hahaha

Sunday, left Bakersfield at 8am-ish and said goodbyes. Here's a picture with my cute cousins taken before I left.

The Grand Canyon

Left LA at 8pm, we stopped at Barstow to pump gas and drink some coffee, played Wheel of Fortune slot machine at Primm Casino (it's an hour away from Vegas) and we won. Woohoo!!! I dont want to gamble that night but Darwin insisted. He inserted a $5 bill and as I see his credits decreasing, I cheered.. SPIN A WHEEL!!! We got one spin a wheel and it stopped at $25 hoping it would be $1000. But the probability to get $1000 is very slim. Atleast our $5 turned into $30. We're both jumping for joy on our way to the parking lot. I forgot how cold it was and how sleepy I am. We arrived in Vegas at 1am, took a hot shower then slept.

The next day, we left at 6am for Arizona. I told Darwin to take freeway 93 going south but the only freeway he knows in Vegas is I-15. The directions I got from mapquest doesn't connect from 15 because I searched the site not specifying the exact address as a starting point. My reason was.. I dont know his uncle's home address.. As I was thinking on what to do next, I should have taken one of the hotel's address as the point of origin.. I just kept quiet coz I know the trip is not well planned.. I have the itinerary and all but I missed the "how to get there" map. What I have is very generic from the Grand Canyon Explorer He told me it's ok and he hugged me.. We ate breakfast at McDonalds and took 15 north and we finally saw 93 south. I was really relieved.

We passed by Hoover Dam and it's not what I really expected.. I thought it's really big like what I saw in the movie, "Fools Rush In". The Nevada and Arizona "line" is not there as what was depicted on the movie. Darwin told me that that scene was shot on a different location. Some Hollywood magic. There's a clock tower for Nevada and Arizona since Arizona uses mountain time. The dam is under construction and we need to slow down a bit. The drive after the dam is very loooong. We stopped over at Kingsman to pump gas and do some stretching then we took 40 East to Williams. We listened to Darwin's mp3 collection in shuffle mode and when "Silvertoes" by Parokya ni Edgar played, both of us laughed.. If you listen closely to the lyrics and how they wrote it, it's really funny.. I hate "feeling" girls especially those who I know and looks like "Ogie Diaz".. hahaha (Forces... more kwento later) We reached Williams at 10am and the Kaibab National forest is breathtaking.. after 2 hours of driving and just seeing plain desert, finally there's life in here.





It's another hour drive to the Grand Canyon from William and both of us were wondering where the canyon is.. The entrance fee is $20 and the forest ranger gave us a map. We ate lunch at Market Place and we both had fried chicken with mushed potato and biscuit.. yummy!! While eating, we planned where to go first coz there's so many points to go to like Yavapai Pt., Angel Pt., Mather Pt., etc. It's freezing up there and the it's foggy that's why the shots are not that clear. They say it's best to go there during summer. A picture paints a thousand words.. Here goes...

At Bright Angel trailhead






At Yavapai point, the view is great here






We left the Canyon at 2:30pm and drove back to Vegas. We took it for 4hours only since we already know where we're going to. The only delay we had is the incident at Hoover dam because the car that's infront of us is very slow. I think he's doing it in purpose. We ate buffet dinner at Seafood Village in Rio and it's really good and VERY expensive. I had two prime rib!!! Imagine that.. I was very full.







Went to Venetian to walk and take pictures. We went to Alladin afterwards and played Wheel of Fortune slot machine again, but this time we lost.. $60. I wont play that ever!!! I had Cosmopolitan for cocktails while playing it. Went home at 11pm. Tired and exhausted.







This is too long.. I will continue this... laterz =)

Maah Week

Arizona... here we come!!! Darwin and I will go to Grand Canyon this weekend. Just got the Sony T11 camera with 256MB memory stick pro duo that I bought yesterday.. Expect lots of pictures on my next entry =)

Here's a quick rundown on what happened this week..

Last Monday, I cleaned my room and had laundry.. mostly housekeeping. I love cleaning and making sure everything is organized.. Darwin told me that I'm weird coz I love cleaning.. who doesn't want to have a clean room? hehehe One time I cleaned his room and all his things were re-organized and he had a hard time looking for the receipt that he needs for reimbursement, his books and some magazines =) Well, he is used to it right now. =) Tuesday, met Darwin and we watched "Before Sunset"... Oh, I still get so connected with the characters.. they are so REAL.. kileeg pa rin =) Gave my Casio Exilim to his uncle since he's going back to the PI. It's for my mom and it will get there this weekend. Wednesday, grocery for our out of town trip and for my dinner that night.. I had Ralph's roasted chix.. yum! Thursday, went to Fry's to buy the Sandisk memory stick pro duo for the Sony T11 camera, watched "The Elf" but wasn't able to finish it.. got sleepy! ZZZzzzZZZ.. Today.. I'm excited!!! 3 more hours and I'm outta here!!!

Headsprung

Last Saturday, we woke up really late and had we brunch at Goldilocks. After lunch, we went to Beverly Center to shop.. I didn't buy anything though but Im really eyeing on that Channel sunglasses.. LOL. I was really tired and I cant walk anymore so we decided to go back to my apartment and rest. We were caught in traffic for 45minutes and AJ got really pissed. He doesnt want to live in the city daw.. hehehe While resting, we watched "How to Loose A guy in 10 days". The guys slept after the movie and AJ accompanied me to Starbucks to hangout. I got a call from Ollie that there's a mini-show in LA. The band is Anapolis and there's a also a comedy show by JoJo who is really.. REALLY corny.. almost all his jokes came from forwarded emails.. It was fun though coz AJ and Rizza participated.. I finally met Tins boyfriend. John and she's with Miguez too.. I met her last year at Freestyle's concert in Grand Coliseum.

Me, Tins, John, Miguez and Ollie at the Anapolis mini-concert in LA



After the show, we went to 3rd St Promenade to eat at Hooters. We got there before the kitchen closes (that's 2am) and we ordered the big platter and some fries.. The guys were really drooling over the hooter girls...



The girls at Hooters


With our "rude" waitress


The hooter girls sings for AJ (it's not really his bday)


Sunday, met Darwin and he looks really tired.. He went to Mammoth to snowboard with the gang last Saturday and it's a back-n-forth trip.. We're supposed to go to mass but we just rest. Left at 3pm to go to the Hiphop class in East LA and Darwin accompanied me coz I might get lost (so sweet of you sweetie). It was fun, learned two routines and the song is Headsprung.. Oooh, that really shaked my booty.. hehehe Mads, Ollie and I were giggling at the back coz we're having a hard time following our instructor.. But she's good.. and entertaining.. Bought dinner at Kalesa Grill then went back home.

Clubbin at The Highlands

My cousin and his friends are visiting for the weekend. They got lost on their way to my apartment maybe because I dont know how to give directions or AJ is not listening to what Im saying. LOL They arrived at around 930pm and they rest for a while then changed for clubbin outfit. The plan was to go Century Club but since it's Latino night there on Fridays, we decided to go to The Highlands instead. The line was really long when we got there (even at 12mn - yeah.. coz we're caught in traffic). MTV is there to offially release Eminem's new album. There crowd are mostly white and armanians... you can see small groups of Asians.. What I like in Highlands is their lounge area at the 2nd floor coz they play old school and you can sit and relax and it's not that crowded. The club is open until 3am but we decided to leave 30 minutes before coz they played Salsa which Im not really into..

Rizza, Melissa and Me


AJ, Yohan and Rizza


I just took a shower and I still feel dizzy.. Need to go back to my bed and sleep.. ZZZzzzZZZ

Oh... Don't beg...

There are lot of good movies lined up this month, there's After the Sunset, Bridget Jones 2 and National Treasure which I'll definitely NOT miss. Last Wednesday, I watched "The Incredibles" with Darwin, Sher, Chai, Jannie and her brother at Burbank. It's really funny and the computer animation is SUPERB. Thanks to one of Pixar's animator who is a Filipina.. it looks so REAL talga.. A must see for all ages!!! The movie has similarities with the Bond movie... like Edna aka "E" who is a gadget-master same as "Q". She's quite a character.. my fave line of her is "Oh... Don't BEG" LOL. It's surprising to see that the theatre is full on a Wednesday night. Oh.. and we got free popcorn!



Yesterday I took my pea coat that I had dry-cleaned. I thought I wouldn't be able make it coz they close at 7pm. I called the store and I asked if they can wait 5 more minutes before they close coz I'll be late. They're nice enough to accomodate my request. Went to Fashion Square then ate In-n-Out for dinner coz I was really craving for their cheese burger.

Darwin bought the Before Sunset dvd at Fry's and we're supposed to watch it last night but both of us are too tired and sleepy na. ZZZzzzZZZZ

Pamper Day

Yeah!!! Last Saturday, I went to the salon to get a haircut coz I look "losyang" na with my mega long hair in chok-chok.. LOL I told Linda (my hairstylist) that I want it layered-shoulder-length-cut.. As we were chatting, I asked if they do artificial french tip.. I want it coz it's easy to maintain and it avoids chipped or broken nails.. From what I heard you can go back to repair it and you'll just add $5. They dont do artificial french tip but I still had my nails done.. It's a nice relaxing experience and it's my first in the US.. got a massage too coz in the PI I dont get it.. I feel so pampered talga...





Friday, Darwin and I watched Around the World in 80 Days with Sherwin and it's very hilarious.. Sherwin noticed my giggle and it's weird daw.. hahaha After the movie, I had combination fried rice for dinner. I've been craving for Thai food since last week... I learned how to play poker (thanks sweetie) and I won.. hmmm Beginner's Luck!

Sunday, coffee at Starbucks and had brunch with Roanne at Midori sushi.. Dejavu! I was so full again with all that rolls and sushi.. Went to Fashion Square afterwards to walk and window shop. Mass at 5pm then rest.

If Only...

Last night, Darwin and I watched "The Grudge" at 3rd Street Promenade. I already warned him that I become violent if i watch horror movies... I might bite or drastically pull his shirt just to cover my eyes. And I did.. He's telling me.. "Ano nakakatakot dun?" or he'll scare me everytime I look at him with what the kid does.. Waaah!!! with his mouth wide open.. Instead of getting scared.. I can't help but laugh.. It's the first time we watched a horror flick together coz I know he's not into it.. We saw a lot of flaws on the movie (SPOILERS!!!)... like how come the sister of Mike looks so scared already when it's the first time they see the house.. or why Bill Pullman jumped from his apartment right after he saw his stalker... It's nothing compared to "The Others" and "What Lies Beneath" that gave me sleepless nights and tickled my brain a bit.

I can feel Christmas coming already. Christmas lights & decors, chilly weather, and the coffee aroma that smells so good. What makes it perfect is that I'm walking with someone I want to be with.. I'm happy.. and I think he is too (check his blog)... I dont want this year to end yet. I guess I'm scared.. scared of what life has to offer me in 2005.. If only I could stop time I'd do it... I'd do it.

Love is what I need to help me know my name...

What an amazing line!!!

This song struck me when Darwin played it on his iPod on repeat mode. He likes it.. now I like it too... It's a DEEP song and as I was surfing for its lyrics on the web, I found a site that actually analyzed the song. It's at phoenixcentre.com.

Love's Divine
Album: Seal IV
Artist: Seal

Then the rainstorm came over me
And I felt my spirit break
I had lost all of my belief you see
And realized my mistake
But time through a prayer to me
And all around me became still

I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name

Through the rainstorm came sanctuary
And I felt my spirit fly
I had found all of my reality
I realized what it takes

'Cause I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name

Oh I don't bend [don't bend], don't break [don't break]
Show me how to live and promise me you won't forsake
'Cause love can help me know my name

Well I try to say there's nothing wrong
But inside I felt me lying all along
But the message here was plain to see
Believe me…

'Cause I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name

Oh I, don't bend [don't bend], don't break [don't break]
Show me how to live and promise me you won't forsake
'Cause love can help me know my name

Love can help me know my name.

Trick or Treat?!?

Yesterday, we went to Glendale to eat at Max's.. I'm craving for their crispy chicken.. But when we got there, the wait is long and it will take an hour to be seated. NO WAY!!! I'm so hungry.. I can eat anything and I want now.. LOL We headed to the mall and as we're lookin for Carl's Jr., Darwin saw a poster with fried chicken on it.. Without second thoughts, we ate there.. I forgot the name but it's at the food court.. A lot of cute kids on their unique costume are all over the place. Obviously, it's Halloween. The one that I like most is the one with the Angel outfit. If ever I'll attend a costume party (which I havn't been to any yet..) I want to be an Angel.. haha boring ano..

Hear mass at 5pm... Bought candies at Walgreens just in case kids knock at our door.. Grocery at Seafood city then cooked kare-kare for dinner.. While cooking, I called mom.. They just got home from Dad's mausoleum.. (Eternal rest grant unto dad's soul, Oh Lord.. And let perpetual light shine upon him.. May he rest in peace.. Amen) I was able to talk to DJ and MM. DJ's asking for his gift coz he's gonna be 24 on Nov. 7.. I told him kiss na lng.. LOL.. MM told me that the PDA she got is very useful for her.. =) JC is working that day so I didnt get the chance to get upates on him.. The 25-minute phone card is not enough but atleast I was able to hear from them again. It's nice to get in touch through email and chat but it's still different if you're talking over the phone.. I miss them soo much..

Watched Shark Tale at Universal Citywalk last Friday.. It's hilarious and a must see for all ages.. Lenny is really cute and he sounds like a homo-shark.. hahaha The day after that, Darwin and I went to the California Auto show in Anaheim. I get to see a closer look on the Scion xA but I fell in love with Toyota Prius and Hammer H3 which will be out on 2006.







After the car show, we hanged out at The Block.. I didnt see any shops that I'm interested in.. Got tired and hungry so I had churizo and we rested at some Boba place. It's like Zagu in the PI and we call it Black pearl back home instead of Boba.. It doesn't have that much of flavors though.. like Cookies n Creme or Buko Pandan that I really like.. We headed home to rest. When it's time for dinner, we decided to eat sushi at Midori in Sherman Oaks. I wanted to play pool after sushi but Darwin is not into it. We had coffee at Borders instead and I read Cosmo until the store closed.

That's it!