Recent book love

Picture taken from Melissa De La Cruz's official website

I read mostly fiction - lots of books which bring me to places and times I've never been to.  My favorite books are Lord of the Rings, lots of Jane Austen books, Harry Potter.  In high school, we were required to read the classics - Anna Karenina, Brothers Karamazov, Pride & Prejudice, among others. 

I also enjoyed John Grisham, back in the days when I was dreaming of becoming a lawyer, and way before the books became movies.  I used to read Nicholas Sparks too, but felt his books to me too emotional for me.

In college, I devoured Judith McNaught & Jude Deveraux.  After college, I went through the Asian female authors like Amy Tan.  Chick lits are another favorite - the Shopaholic series, the two books of Kristin Gore.  And who could not love Paulo Coelho and Gabriel Garcia Marques?

I used to buy a lot of books - and not from the discounted shelves.  But now, I mostly buy from the sales or discounted racks.  I'd rather buy the new titles for my little one.  And that's where I found Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz.  I couldn't put it down, had to sleep at 3am on a week day!  I enjoyed it a lot.  I didn't have time to hunt for her other books on a real book store after reading the Blue Bloods... you know, life took over.  So I was super elated when E, an office mate, showed me a link of online books and I found 3 more books of Melissa!  I read Masquerade, Revelations and The Van Alen Legacy in 2 days, resting only for sleep, meals and a bit of work LOL  Loved the books and can't wait to get copies of the last 2 books in the series.

Yaki mix - happy mix

Spent one friday night with office friends over at the newly opened Yakimix in Greenbelt 3.  I had the loveliest time - we were there at 6pm and finished at 10pm.  Four long hours with the funiest people I know and the sumptous Japanese & Korean buffet in town.

With the pretty griller and the happy camper

For P550 per head, Yaki mix is all worth it.  Am actually looking for a new reason to go back there... now, would the Barangay elections be a good reason enough? haha

This Crazy Love Affair

I've always loved food, I grew up with my family getting together for meals.  Being with family to me equals food on the table.  I didn't grow up rich, but there's always been food in our kitchen.  Suffice it to say, I was never skinny.  Add to the fact that I wasn't into sports my whole life, I was more into reading books, the "weighty" issue has always been present.

Growing up, I didn't know that junk food was bad.  My mom kept a huge tupperware (and I think it still exists) full of food - from Chippy, to bread, to cookies.  After a meal, she'd be planning on the next meal.  And I honestly thought all families are like that.  I thought it's excusable not to eat vegetables, that only older ones liked vegetables.

And then I got married.  I learned that I shouldn't be eating junk food.  That vegetables are a must on the table.  That chicharon is awful.  That chicken skin can lead to a slow death. 

It's a total paradigm shift.  Slowly, I've started eating vegetables and surprisingly, I actually like them.  I've also only been eating brown rice and paksiw na isda.  I've stayed so far away from chocolates (such sacrifice! :( ).  Although I've slowly become a healthy eater, partly to keep myself alive longer and partly to teach my son, I still have these cravings.  I still long for that junk food fix, or for that chicken skin or for that lechon.  I do keep the cravings in check - I don't overindulge like I used to.

I don't know if I can totally kick the cravings.  I really hope I do.  Or so help me God.

Go away flu!

I've been feeling slightly under the weather since Saturday.  I just overdozed on Fern C and lots of fluids.  I'm quite alright when the temperature's not cold.  So at home, I feel fine.  It's when I get to the office that I feel horrible.  Like yesterday at work and today.  I couldn't slack off too or work at home as it's our peak period.  I just need to brave it out until end of the week.  Sneezy, sniffy and drowsy worker I am.

Little boy's hand writing

Good thing I have my son's letter to keep me up. 

Charice in Glee!

My whole family, including my husband, sat down in front of the TV last Thursday night to watch Glee. Charice certainly did not disappoint. She was awesome! And I loved all the songs in the first episode this season :)

Asian Hospital's Female Clinic

Tropical island or what?

Last month, I had my annual routine female check-up.  I went to my OB Gyne and she ordered series of ultrasounds for me.  I'm all right, so worry not dear lone reader.  Anyway, this is really not about my health but about the spanking female clinic at Asian Hospital.

In 2009, I had my ultrasound exams at the typical hospital room.  While waiting for my turn, I sat on a typical chair in a typical beige hall.

It was a surprise when I was told that the ultrasound is done at another floor and this scene greeted me:

Waiting area (sorry, blurry pic, this was taken using a camera phone)

The waiting area was huge and clean and totally so hotel-like.  The ceiling was of palm trees and they had couches!  Not chairs, but couches!  So awesome.

Relaxed while waiting

September milestone

I biked last weekend and it was a milestone.  I usually bike along an uphill route going to one posh village from our humble village.  Total bike time take an average of 40 mins - from our gate.  Last weekend, I had the best time.  It only took me 27 minutes!  I'm so proud of that time.

Biker me! haha

And then I biked a bit further to this tree-lined street.  I recently discovered this road.  My husband find it too boring coz it's just a flat road.  But to me, it's a little taste of home.  I loved biking long the shades, the air's cooler and there aren't a lot of vehicles passing by.

Love this road

It's finally Thursday!  Can't wait to go biking again this weekend :)