I ♥ San Francisco
I mentioned in my last blog entry that I was going on a three-week trip to the United States. The three weeks have passed and I’m now back in the Philippines.
The last three weeks have been amazing. The last time I was in the U.S. was when I was 11. You don’t fully appreciate experiences when you’re that young. I remember I was just so homesick to really explore anything and you can’t really explore without an adult when you’re 11 so the experiences are limited.
This time, I went with my family and at 31, I can say I am able to appreciate new experiences more.
Our vacation started in San Francisco where we stayed for three days. It’s a pity we only were able to stay for such a short time because it was my favorite place. The weather was just so ideal, having come from a place with an average temperature 30 degrees celsius on hot summer days (which for the Philippines comes in March and ends in May). We stepped out of the San Francisco International Airport and a gust of cold wind (16 degrees celsius!) greeted us.
Gabbi and I enjoying the cold!
Outside SFO
We stayed at Residence Inn, a Marriott airport hotel, which is located by the bay, and is really beautiful especially during the daytime. Ours was a two-bedroom suite with a fully-equipped kitchen. The bed was too soft for me but the yummy sausage they served at breakfast made up for the discomfort. Here are some pictures at the hotel:
Mom, Gabbi, and Amico
Loving the weather
Crossing the bridge when we got there
The kiddos enjoying the view
We arrived around 10:00 P.M. so we went straight to the hotel that night. The next day, after the above photo opportunities at the hotel, we headed to downtown San Francisco to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Outside SF MOMA
Cool device where you type in a numeric code of an artwork and
it plays an audio explanation about the artist or the work, sometimes
even showing a video (like how Andy Warhol did his huge works)
A Frank Stella
Gabbi at the top floor bridge
Lesende Reader by Gerhard Richter
Red Liz by Andy Warhol
Femme au chapeau (Woman with a Hat) by Henri Matisse
After the trip to the museum, we headed to the famous Fisherman’s Wharf.
Mom posing
Eating at the Franciscan (which we were told later at our SF tour
was not the best seafood resto at the wharf)
Mom’s seafood pasta
Some Fish and Chips
And a view of Alcatraz
The next day we went on a day tour of San Francisco that made me appreciate the beauty of San Francisco even more.
First stop: the Golden Gate Bridge
Another cold morning
Passing by the beach
A super cold beach! The tour guide said some people actually
try to surf and swim here!
Even after reading this warning
Also stopped at a high point to get a view of the city
Also got to see San Francisco’s Painted Ladies
Here’s another one
Our time in San Francisco was lovely indeed and I wish I can get the chance to visit again soon. Next blog will be about our week in LA!
Quick Update
My family and I are flying to San Francisco tomorrow. I haven’t gone back to the U.S. since I was 11 so I’m quite excited to see Disneyland again at 31 years old and see Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and New York for the first time!
Another big thing I’m excited about is seeing my Dad again after 20 years. Last time I saw him was when I visited the U.S. when I was 11. I’m so happy and excited.
Holy Week Break Update
I am officially on break for the Holy Week. And let me tell you, I am feeling great! I have been dreaming about this break for a few weeks now, usually when I wake up Monday mornings and I think about how great it would be if I could sleep in and plan to read, eat, watch TV or DVDs, and do other relaxing things at home.
Well, I am on my second day of no work now and I thought I’d blog about the things I’ve been doing and the things I want to do for the rest of the break (three full days more of doing nothing).
1. I woke up on the first day of the break in my brother’s airconditioned room (for friends from the US, it gets very humid here in the Philippines especially this time of the year) cuddled up with the cutest baby Shih-tzu ever. It’s amazing that our pup, Audrey, does not wake up in the middle of the night. She sleeps as long as I do. Maybe even longer if I don’t force her to get up. Brought her to the vet to get a vaccine shot in the afternoon and got her some dog vitamins. Aside from this, most of the day yesterday was spent in front of my Macbook or my TV. Very productive, don’t you think?
2. Today was a little more productive. I decided today I needed to make a dent on my reading. I am still reading Watermelon by Marian Keyes (the first 200 pages are quite slow for my taste). I’m a little over halfway done so I should be able to finish by tomorrow, which is good because I cannot wait to get started on my next book. I think I’ll start reading American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Catching up on my reading
In our comfortable balcony
With the requisite reading companions
She wanted to keep me company, too.
3. Right now, apart from writing this entry, I am also looking through the blogrolls of blogs that I follow. I am trying out Bloglines and looking for blogs I can follow using the service. I’ve seen new ones that are very interesting. I am excited to follow them.
Here are some of them:
Locally, there’s chuvaness.livejournal.com who is followed by thousands here in the Philippines and a lovely friend of mine from church, Sam, who blogs at http://www.happysammy.com/ .
Elsewhere, I’m starting to follow Lauren from Texas, Nothing But Bonfires, BooMama, Sweet Bliss, These Little Moments, Callapider Days, and Suburban Euphoria.
4. I went out to walk early this evening. I am still a little wary about running since I don’t have the right shoes yet. I don’t think I ever mentioned it in this blog but I got a running-related injury about a week before my first real race and I’ve consulted other runners and described the pain and circumstances that led to it and consensus is that I might need new running shoes and that I should do gait analysis so I’ll know what’s wrong with how I run. Haven’t gotten down to doing that yet because I don’t really have the budget for new running shoes right now.
For the next few days, I am hoping to watch a few movies on DVD, arrange my books on my newly-installed and newly-painted shelves, work on my to-bring-to-Boracay list, work on a few blog entries for this blog and my book blog, and maybe also do some homework.
Hope everyone else is having a restful Holy Week!
Meet Audrey
I was heartbroken when my puppy Truffles died last February. It was really difficult coming to terms with her death. So when my Mom told me we were getting a new dog, I said I wasn’t ready. I guess my heart was still raw from the pain I went through when we lost Truffles. I didn’t want to fall in love with a dog again.
But no matter what I said, Mom had already decided we were getting the puppy. You know how they say Mothers Know Best? Well, it’s true. I guess she knew this was what I needed to finally let Truffles go.
It’s funny because my new puppy Audrey is so much like Truffles. Sometimes I catch myself calling her Truffles instead of Audrey. She’s a lot more energetic than my former sick puppy but she’s just as loving, just as loyal, and just as adorable. Truffles will never be forgotten. She will always be in my heart. But I am very happy we have Audrey in our lives.
Meet my new baby, Audrey.
Currently in March
Got the idea of this regular monthly post of talking about what I’m currently doing and loving from Kathleen of Kapachino. For those of you who don’t know, Kathleen is my favorite blogger. Do check out her blog. Anyway, looked for the history of her Currently posts and she credits Lauren of Lauren from Texas for the Currently idea. Thank you, ladies!
Current Book(s): I am currently reading Watermelon by Marian Keyes, which is about a woman whose husband leaves her for another woman on the day their first child is born. I love Marian Keyes (my favorite Keyes novel is Sushi for Beginners.) and I hope this one (her first novel) does not disappoint. I am also reading S.H.A.P.E. by Erik Rees. This is a Purpose Driven Life resource and is supposed to help you figure out what your unique “S.H.A.P.E.” (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences) is. Also thinking of starting American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Current Playlist: Whenever Idol season comes, I find myself always passively singing songs the contestants perform. For this week, I’ve been singing “Everybody Knows” by John Legend, sung by Alex Lambert, “Think” by Aretha Franklin sung by Siobhan Magnus, “Sugar, We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy sung by Andrew Garcia.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: I would have to say American Idol. I literally try to work around the AI schedule. If I can’t watch live (6PM Manila time on Wednesdays and Thursdays), I make sure I am at my workstation (where I have a television. Yes, it’s needed for the job, Yay!) so I can catch the episode. I am also still addicted to Honest Tea’s Milk Green Tea with Black Jelly. Anything that good can’t be good for me.
Current Color: I would have to say still purple. I am also attracted anything lime green.
Current Drink: Ice cold water and the aforementioned Milk Green Tea with Black Jelly.
Current Food: Cebu Lechon and Roast Chicken (by Baliwag and Robinsons Supermarket)
Current Favorite Show: American Idol, Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, and The Good Wife. Loved this week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy!
Current Wish List: New running shoes (ones that don’t make my feet hurt), a MacBook Pro, a Blackberry, a new car
Current Triumphs: We had a successful party for our entertainment magazine YES! Magazine two weeks ago. It was tiring but a lot of fun. Here are some photos:
The Gutierrezes Ruffa and Richard being interviewed by reporters
Young actress KC Concepcion
That’s me with popular “starmaker” German Moreno
Current Celebrity Crush: John Lloyd Cruz. 🙂
John Lloyd and moi 🙂
Current Indulgence: Sebastian’s Ice Cream in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Current Mood: Feeling in need of a long break. Weekends are just never long enough. But pretty excited about things to come.
A little customer service goes a long way
I have been getting my nails done at the California Nails and Day Spa (Robinsons Galleria branch) for a few years now and I have always been happy with their services. They do my nails well. I have tried getting mani/pedis, footspa, foot massage, and back massage there and so far, I have no complaints.
There was one time a few months ago when I walked in on a Sunday afternoon. I only had an hour to spare before I had to go to church, so when I was told that I had to wait for around 50 minutes, I said it was okay, that I was in a hurry, and I’ll just come back next time. I couldn’t ignore my unsightly toenails so I tried a different nail salon — Luxe Nail Lounge located at the basement of Robinson Galleria.The treatment was good; nothing fantastic, though. And so I said to myself I would remain to be a loyal client of California Nails and Day Spa.
California Nails and Day Spa went as far as texting me a few weeks later to follow up when I’d be coming back. I thought, wow, this nail salon really goes the extra mile. I joyfully answered the text message that I would be back soon, that I had to get my nails done somewhere else a few weeks before but I still preferred their salon. All was well until the texter replied: Okay po, pwede po malaman name niyo? (In English: Okay, but may I get your name, please?) Quite funny that they had my number but not name. Strike One.
True to my word, the next time I had to get my nails done, I went straight to California Nails and Day Spa. I remember that that was a weekday and I had had a long, tiring day and was eager to have my feet pampered. I went to the salon a little before 7:00 P.M. Was not expecting to be served immediately, of course, but was expecting to be served that evening.
Me: Hi, papedicure ako (In English: I would like to get a pedicure)
Receptionist: Ma’am, puno po. Wala na pong gagawa sa inyo. (I’m sorry but the place is full, no one will be able to serve you at this time)
Me: It’s okay. I can wait and just come back. Just let me know what time I can be accommodated.
Receptionist consulting another receptionist: Naku, Ma’am. Kasi 9 kami magco-close. [Remember that I came in before 7 and they had at least 5 manicurists there]
Me: So hind niyo na ako ma-aaccommodate? (So, does that mean you can’t accommodate me anymore?)
Receptionist: Ma’am, yung mga nandito kasi nagpa-appointment sila. (Translation: The ones who are having their nails done made appointments, they did not walk in {like me}) [I cannot believe the receptionist took a tone with me as if teaching me the proper thing to do as a customer]
Me: Okay. (and I walk out)
Strike 2
I have to explain why I was upset. First, I distinctly remember that I came in at past 8:00 in the past (in 2008) and they were still able to accommodate me. Yes, the salon posted the ‘closed’ sign at 9:00 but while the manicurist (my favorite manicurist) was finishing up, the others tidied up. They don’t really close shop at 9:00 and I knew that from experience. So, I went to Luxe Nail Salon again that evening. By the time I was able to get to Luxe, it was already past 7:00. The salon was also full but I was asked if I was willing to wait. I said yes and that I’d grab a quick bite and be back at 8:00. When I came back, my feet were pampered (better than the first time) and we finished well after the 9:00 PM closing time. No receptionist made me feel bad about not making an appointment earlier or coming in at the hour that I did. And I’ll bet if I leave my name and number, they’d know who they were texting.
I also have to mention that there is a strike 3 but I ignored it before since I didn’t really get affected but I might as well share it, because I know that some people would mind. I came into the salon middle of last year and I was wearing an empire-cut top. The lady receptionist at California Nail and Day Spa as I was paying for a service, asked me if I was pregnant. Good thing I was in a good mood but hello, did no one ever tell her never to assume someone is pregnant? I think though that she might have asked because she was with child. Last time I saw her (also the last time I set foot in the nail salon), she was just about ready to pop.
Needless to say, it is unlikely that I’ll go back there. It’s too bad because the services are excellent. The good news is Luxe Nail Lounge has a new customer in me.
*-*-*
My Mom, sister, and I flew to Boracay last Friday. We were booked to fly to Boracay via Sea Air, which meant we board the plane at the Manila Dometic Airport. Have you seen the Manila Domestic Airport lately? It’s still an old building but it is much cleaner than it used to be! The restrooms were very clean, stocked with toilet paper, and has automatic flush! My Mom said it’s much, much better than the NAIA. She told the restroom attendants, who asked her to put her comments in writing. You know what that got us? A stay at the VIP Lounge! My Mom was so happy she wrote another email to the General Manager. That’s what a little customer service can do. Bravo, Manila Domestic Airport!
Goodbye, Truffles
The day I first met Truffles
Dearest Truffles,
You died today, February 21, 2010, a little before 9PM, in my arms. When I woke up today, extra early because I was participating in a run, I didn’t think it would be the last morning I would snuggle up in bed with you. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I will be heartbroken not to see your big, beautiful eyes staring at me, waiting for me to wake up. I will be heartbroken because instead of having you beside me as I try to sleep for ten more minutes, you will be downstairs, your lifeless body wrapped in a towel and beautiful pink paper.
I know I told you this afternoon that you could go if it’s too painful to continue living. Sweetheart, now I know you were really just waiting for us to say that, because as the hours passed, your body became weaker and weaker. Thank you for trying, for us, for me.
I never thought I could ever love a dog as much as I love you. You are the loveliest, sweetest puppy ever. You brought out the best in me, in Gabbi, in Mommy even. You will be missed terribly.
We will never forget you, Truf. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
My Top 7 American Idol Picks
I am very excited about this year’s American Idol season. I love that Paula’s gone and Ellen has replaced her. And I’m excited to see the new contestants so I can pick out my favorites. Here they are:
1. Katie Stevens – You’ll remember Katie as the sweet granddaughter of a Portugese granny who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Katie’s voice is strong for someone who’s 17 and it doesn’t hurt her that she looks a little like Brooke Shields. She reminds me of Jordin Sparks – young, beautiful, talented, confident.
2. Andrew Garcia – Andrew is said to be half-Filipino (his Mom, I heard, is Pinay) and is quite popular in Youtube. I’m sure he already has a solid following. The guy is crazy talented and I like that he seems like a cool dude, someone you’d enjoy hanging out with. What he did with Paula Abdul’s Straight Up was awesome! It shows that he not only has the voice, but has the creative talent to make it far in the music business. I am absolutely certain we will see more of this guy in the next several weeks, hopefully until the Finals.
3. Janell Wheeler – Janell sang American Boy during Hollywood week and her performance just blew me away. She reminds me a little of Brooke White from two seasons ago. I love that Janell’s got spunk and can play guitar.
4. Haeley Vaughn – Haeley is pop country singer who’s black. How cool is that. She has a great energy about her and, boy, for 16, she’s very talented. She’s very cute and likeable. I like how she giggled after she sang on the first day of Hollywood week.
5. Lily Scott – I love Lily’s voice! She sounds different and she looks different. And I like that she’s confident.
6. Casey James – You will remember Casey as the guy Kara and Victoria Beckham got to take his shirt off during his audition. He’s talented and very cute!
7. Didi Benami – Didi broke down in tears during her audition but a more confident Didi appeared on Hollywood week. She sang “Terrified” by Kara Dioguardi (I love Kara’s songs!) and did a terrific job.
I’m sure that this list will change a bit as the weeks go by. Can’t wait for the next episode!
All About Running
It’s official. I am running my first 5k run on February 21. I registered for the Century Tuna Superbods Run a couple of weeks ago with my friend Leah.
I joined a 5k run in 2008 but since I walked most of the way, I don’t consider it my real first run.
Now I am panicking because I haven’t started getting in the thick of training for it yet! I am not exactly in the best shape; I found myself out of breath every time I tried to run these last two weeks. Plus, had to stop training when my Mom and I joined a detox flush last weekend.
Going to try to jog early tomorrow morning before I go to church but if I don’t wake up early enough (weather is not ideal once the sun is up), I’ll have to run in the gym again next week.
I am really getting interested in running and have been looking through takbo.ph for runs to join this year. Here’s a rundown of runs I plan to join this year:
RUN AGAINST THE ELEMENTS: Ateneo COSA Fun Run 2010 (3/5/10K)
March 28, 2010, 5:30 AM
The Fort
•••
The RunRio Trilogy Leg 2: Nature Valley Run 3/5/10/21
May 30, 2010
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
•••
Takbo.ph Anniversary Fun Run: Celebrate Running
July 25, 2010
The Fort
•••
October Running Festival
October 17, 2010
The Fort
•••
The RunRio Trilogy Leg 3: The 2010 Timex Run 3/5/10/32K
November 21, 2010
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Since I plan to get semi-serious with running, it’s about time I make a wish-list of running-related items. Here goes:
1. Serious running shoes: These are the New Balance WR 1011. They are said to be ideal for high-mileage runners seeking maximum motion control.
2. Adidas MiCoach: I am told this new technology acts like a pedometer, measuring your distance, and measures your heart rate as you run. It tells you if you need to take it easy or to push you when you’re lagging. It is compatible with any MP3 Player.
3. Running Sunglasses: This pair is from Adidas. It’s supposed to have zero-distortion lenses (which I need because I usually get a little dizzy when I have sunglasses on) and traction grip on the temples. Plus it is light-weight.
4. Running Cap: Okay, I have to admit, my head is a little big, and so not all caps fit me comfortably. It’s been difficult to find the perfect one but this one by New Balance looks promising.
Is there any other thing I should have on this wish list? Drop me a comment!
Dreaming of Daisies 