More Orchard Road shenanigans

Orchard Road will always have a special place in my heart. It's where Jake and I constantly met up last 2011 so we can have quick dates (he was there with family, and I was with officemates) at Ben & Jerry's and Cotton On. Also, for a shopaholic like me, Orchard Road will always be a shopping mecca with all my favorite brands!

316@Somerset has always been my favorite mall. It's where Jake and I initially met up for a quick hi and hello before heading to Clarke Quay on our first time here. Aside from Cotton On, it also has Forever 21, Zara, and Cold Storage where I like to buy giant Hello Panda cans and OWL kopitiam roast instant coffee packs for pasalubongs.

Now, it's even better because H&M has decided to set up shop right beside 313@Somerset! I went crazy inside.

It's best to walk down the whole stretch of Orchard to go mall-hopping. There are nice mini-parks on the side street for cooling down if window-shopping ain't your thang.

I also love Takashimaya mall since it reminds me of Times Square in Hong Kong. My cousin Inah, who has been working at MBS, went with us that day and was a huge help since it rained and she was our expert guide at the underground mall loops and passes. 

She also treated us to this amazing mudpie ice cream cake at Kinokuniya! Heaven on earth, I tell ya.

My sister and I mainly enjoyed Takashimaya since its Kinokuniya bookstore branch was way bigger than the one we visited at the Paragon mall in Bangkok. We also found the elusive original novel of The Phantom of the Opera here! We literally had to drag the heave metal ladder to this corner just so we can get the book before anyone else did (yes, we're THAT obsessed with it).

I also went to Tangs to get Jake's Happy Socks pasalubong. I would totally wear these funky socks if I were into sneakers! There is currently no store in Manila which carries the Happy Socks brand so I was happy to get some for my fashion-conscious boyfriend.

Since it was raining, we didn't get to take a photo of the ION Mall facade. We DID get to enjoy the crazy sale at Rubi Shoes, though! Ah, I wish I lived here if only for the shoes. The Cotton On branches here in Manila only carry a limited style range. Inah even helped mom with her shopping and directed the mudra to her favorite Nine West and Charles & Keith shops.

This really is the place for shopaholics.

Into the land of Chatuchak and Platinum

When in Bangkok, I recommend you stay at Ds67 Suites, a small boutique hotel with an awesome coffee shop in the lobby. The rooms are well-furnished and affordable, the service is great, and it's about a minute away from the nearest BTS (Phra Khanong) station which makes it easy to go around the city.

For a cheap Php 70, when converted, you'll go gaga over their own special brew of iced coffee. In fact, I'm willing to head to Bangkok again just for another cup of that perfect strong blend!

Of course, Bangkok is a shopping mecca for girls like me who love clothes. Since we were there during the worst part of the red shirts rebellion, most of the malls were closed. We DID get to shop at the famous Jatujak--where they sell everything from puppies to clothes, and spent the whole day just exploring two sois (or streets). They sell really cheap dresses and tops and I went gaga over them. You have to be prepared for the heat, though. It can get hot and humid in there, since it's a dry market with no air-conditioning.

We also went to Siam Paragon and had a blast shopping for books at Kinokuniya. Bookworms will love this place. 

And right across the road from Paragon was an ongoing sale of high-end brands. We only checked it out. The prices were still too steep even at 80% off!

But hands down, my most favorite shopping spot at BKK will always be Platinum. Imagine a huge mall only housing tops, dresses, skirts, you name it, they've got it at affordable prices! I remember only paying Php 200 for tops and dresses. I must have replenished my entire wardrobe when we were there. We went back twice and would have gone every day if it weren't for our scheduled tours.

Which explains why I exceeded my baggage limit on the way home. Totally worth it.

The Corrections

I just finished reading Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections after my sister finally put it down last week. I loved it. Why? There are books that are sometimes chilling to read, mainly because the characters and the shit that happens to them are a reflection of your own life. But these books are also the best ones to read, because every page gets you worked up until you realize you've finished the whole thing and can't help but want for more.

I, for one, can see myself in Chip and Denise (not Gary, never Gary). These two have done everything in their power to leave home, live their lives away from the claws of their overbearing mother, and not feel guilty about not spending enough time with their aging parents.

The book accurately translated the dilemma between giving up your life to be in someone else's and starting your own life the way you think you should.

I have seen my mom and her siblings stay here in our ancestral home with my grandparents, unable or unwilling to move someplace else. I have witnessed them one too many times trying to seek my Lola's approval on matters that they, as adults, should have settled on their own. Everything revolves around this house, this life, and I can't count the number of arguments and issues they've weathered in bids to become the most favorite child. When the going gets tough, there are always musings of breaking away and living someplace else.

And yet, I know for a fact that they would never ever leave this place, their mother. But I DO know for a fact that in a year or two, I will leave this house and start a life of my own away from my dysfunctional extended family. I will always come back, but never permanently. I don't need a correction to figure that one out.

Game of Thrones' new girls on the block

Have you met the new girls of Game of Thrones? I just came across the Fug Girls' tweet about how Jayne Westerling looks like Jennifer Love Hewitt. Those crazy bitches were right.

In between stealing flirty glances at Robb and attempting to be a maester in the battlefield, this girl could totally pass for Le Hewitt. I find her boring, though. My latest favorite character (AFTER DAENERYS!!!) is Maergery Tyrell. Girl knows how to bitch and scheme around! And did I mention that she looks like Michelle Trachtenberg? I can't get over how she delivered the "I want to be THE queen" line. I'm totally placing my bets on her against Cersei.

And I loooove her plunging, as in plunging to the navel, gowns. Keep bitching around, Lady Tyrell!

No, don't ask me about Ygritte. I don't care for her and her red hair.

Photo cred here and here

Of scorching hot happy hour sessions

There's no better way to spend a lazy morning by the beach than reading a chic-lit book while getting a tan. I bought the second book of the Sookie Stackhouse series at the airport when I accurately predicted that I would spend early mornings alone while the boys were nursing hangovers or having a head start drinking beers before lunch at the patio. I was not mistaken. Good thing our place has lounges by the beach right under the patio.

We spent most of the day swimming and drinking. Cold beers and cocktails are always the perfect match to the scorching hot weather! I was already nognog from our first day so you can just imagine how tanned I am right now.

wearing Accessorize bikini, Tango cover up

I loved playing paparazzi to these boys! I would run ahead of them like a fool to get "candid" shots. I'm lucky the powdery sand never gets too hot.

Yes, the water's green. I read something somewhere about getting e coli if you swallow the seawater in Boracay. I can only hope the local government officials of Aklan will find it in their hearts to do something about this. All that green-ness has ruined the effect of my photos! There's a reason why Jake and I like to head there off-season when there are less people and the rains wash away the algae: the water's blue and pristine and the shore is clean. Just perfect.

Moving on. I'm always a happy girl when cocktails are offered at buy one take one. I'm even happier when I get to drink my mojitos and cranberry vodkas sunkissed by the beach! 

Hot stuff!

In between beer buckets, these two fools went for a quick dip while the rest of us drank while sweating. Hey, we're at the beach, after all!

We were actually waiting until 5pm for our scheduled paraw sunset cruise. I say it's always a whole lot better to wait in vain with alcohol and great company!

And before I forget, let me just say that I have finally tried Ababu! We used to pass by the place every time we head to Jonah's or whenever I'm at Katipunan. I can't believe they have yummy Persian food at less than a hundred per meal! Plus, the servings are enough to keep you full until merienda. Ayos!

The Papier Tolé Shop of Intramuros

During the last Holy Week season, I was able to re-visit Intramuros and explore the place from a new perspective. This time, I opted for the typical turista point of view and tried to visit places that would attract a newbie's attention. The Papier Tolé Shop has been on my wish list of places to visit in Intramuros every time I pass by the place since I thought it was a paper and stationery shop--and there's nothing more a girl loves to collect than paper and stationery, right? Since we were waiting for the 6pm Easter mass at San Agustin, we decided to cross the street to finally check out the place.

Now, the only thing I know about the art of paper tolé  is how you cut and glue together a single illustration to make a 3D effect of the whole picture. This used to be a hobby of my tita and we have lots of paper tolé  creations framed around the house. I wasn't expecting though that the Papier Tolé  Shop would be filled with unique souvenir items from all over the world. It was like a treasure chest exploded all over the place!

One of my favorite finds, a secret book within a book! 

The sister was also thoroughly amused and can't get over the Russian dolls she found in one corner.

I also found some amazing or creepy (however you want to look at it) head bells upon further exploration of one shelf. I was itching to buy the Thai buddha bell--I'll definitely buy it if it's still there the next time I visit.

Since all the shelves are overflowing with trinkets, you'll never know what you will find. They don't seem to have a method of categorizing the items and it's actually fun to explore the whole place and find unusual souvenirs. They also display their paper tolé creations, there's an artist on site, and sell them for reasonable prices. I particularly love the one they have of the old Intramuros and some French toy shop window.

And look! Origami dragons! I'm in my dragon obsession phase right now thanks to Game of Thrones and these were so cute when I found them staring up at me from a glass case.

Since they have every space jam-packed with different items, it's also rewarding to check out the top shelves or cabinet tops to see what other items are waiting to be discovered. We spied a dainty woven basket filled with stalks full of pearl flowers resting on top of one of the shelves near the doorway. It looked so pretty from afar.

Here's my sister Bernice posing with the masked dancer who greets every customer by the front door. We're definitely coming back here!

And a sneak peek of my next Intramuros blog post, Barbara's! Since they're all housed in one ancestral Spanish era building, you can spy the patio of Barbara's from the Papier Tolé's window by the stairwell. (They were setting up for a debutante party!) It's also connected to a museum which houses authentic Spanish-era furniture. I remembering going there once when I was in grade school, can't wait to check it out again.

Until we meet again, Intramuros!

Three-headed dragon tattoo, anyone?

My obsession with dragons and House Targaryen has led me to dutifully read all five books in the Game of Thrones series (still waiting for the last two books, though). I'm now on book four and let me tell you, it's not an easy feat. I keep falling asleep in between chapters no thanks to George R.R. Martin's tendency to write like he has all the time in the world.

However, his penchant for killing off major characters in the blink of an eye has been effective in its own shocking way. I'm still rooting for Daenerys and not just because she's a khaleesi--those dragons are pretty awesome. And since I'm fond of associating myself with my favorite characters, I have been entertaining thoughts of a dragon tattoo only for the fact that I was born in the year of the dragon. Pretty shallow, right?

I would totally do it if only people wouldn't call me the girl with the dragon tattoo.

Photo cred

Glimpses of Boracay

Bored as I was, I scrolled through my mobile photos and only ended up missing the beach. It's always hard to get rid of a Boracay hangover when you had a blast for four whole days and nights with people you love.

Can't wait to blog about some photoessay about it but these will do for now. Photos from my phone:

Happy hour drinks under the sun

Reading my new Sookie Stackhouse book in the morning while the boys were asleep

Paddleboarding with the boys and trying not to wipe out

Going up to the roof deck of our hotel from time to time to gaze at this

The feel of the powdery white sand on my toes

Perfect sunsets

The stairs outside our room leading up to the roof

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Every Holy Week, I always find myself bored and moping around, looking for things to do and places to go. Last year, Singapore kept me fully occupied. This year, I was left with six whole days (including the Araw ng Kagitingan holiday) of doing nothing and struggling to amuse and entertain myself.

Which means I read a new book (after re-reading most of my old ones).

It's hard to find a book that instantly gets you emotionally invested that you finish it overnight. Between the two of us, my sister and I have managed to fill at least four book shelves with books from every genre. After college, I gravitated towards the stress-free chiclit books for when I want to relax after work. I'm thankful my sister has managed to keep the balance with her "pa-deep" collection.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a difficult book to read, emotionally speaking. You can feel Oskar's despair and confusion with every turn of the page and I always closed each chapter with a heavy heart, wishing he'd find his dad alive and well.

I just found out there's a movie adaptation but at the risk of disillusionment, I think I'll pass 'cause I have no idea how they'll do justice to the brilliance of the book through film. I think I'll just read Everything is Illuminated, another by Jonathan Safran which my sister highly recommends. But first, I must get through Clash of the Kings before they air the third episode of Game of Thrones.