All about "B"

Busy yet looking forward would best describe my weekends lately.

First, we finally made the Bold move of ending our "sightseeing" and closing the deal.  I'm sure our property specialist felt ecstatic to have closed his first deal ever.  I thought of him as young and fresh from college.  But how timely he was within my reach  while having dinner in Sentro a couple of weeks ago.  I will share more details of this project in a separate post soon.  This is in relation to investments and building dreams.

And like any other weekend, Bikes and at least three hours of Biking are part and parcel of J. Bond's program.  He's thinking of a 4th bike fit to conquer the slippery trek of the Mountain Province of Sagada soon, while I think of possibly opening a (2nd hand) bike shop someday.  Too much bikes, bike parts and bike-related dvds are lying all around. 

J. Bond's "calming" drink, Tsing Tao Beer.  A bottle a weekend is a must, wherever we are.  Have you tried this?  J. Bond prefers this beer over the usual San Mig Light these days.  I think there's not much of a difference.  Both are called BEER and spelled out B.E.E.R anyway =)

Meanwhile, Beads must be part of our weekend program too.  Here's a typical scene of what happens when I meet with a client.  Client goes over my works.  Bugsy runs around, climbs and jumps on the client.  I reprimand, then carry.  He squirms and escapes.  I run after, then we go through the same process. In a nutshell, I multi-task by controlling Bugsy from being excessively hyper and dealing with the client simultaneously.  I have applied a  variety of discipline techniques.  Unfortunately, not even an inch of progress have manifested yet.  At least, he doesn't bark. 

Bold, vibrant and creative are three words I would describe Happy Starchild's owner.  Her handpainted works on fashion garments (shirts and dresses) is the main reason why I regularly drop by Legazpi Park Sunday Market.  I adore and support crafts that are handmade and handpainted.

A bit of info on who Happy Starchild is.

Really excited over my handpainted Jane Austen top.

Amazed and Inspired.  I'll surely make a purchase this weekend for a dear "happy starchild"  friend who is turning 40.  The 40 roll call has officially begun by the way.  Some are in denial, yet some are looking forward.  I fear it, but I look forward at the same time.  But here's what I think of 40...not young to repeat the same crazy mistakes, yet not old to keep building dreams.  I'm sure my happy starchild friend would make 40 Beautiful.

And Before I cap this post, here is the 4th necklace that fall under By Beaded Story's Flora Collection.  Visit Facebook for more details.

Cheers!

Weekend pleasures in the city

Since 2008, I rarely schedule trips to the city unless for  good reasons--like when Mom's in town, bulk bead deliveries, or special gatherings.  These days, I spend my usual grind within my semi-provincial abode, while on weekends, I go farther south.  In some way, exhaustion from city living would best describe my crazy state four years ago.    It made great sense then to take the plunge on bidding adios to things I thought of as major contributors to stress -- horrible traffic, the challenge to wake before sunrise, late nights in the office,  pollution, congestion, steep parking fees, the corporate brouhaha, commercialism, competition, brand consciousness, the ringing phones, fax messages, the word URGENT, and the battle to plan my week's wardrobe.  I   closed my doors and swore to never look back.

Makati, last Saturday

I lived within this part of Makati City prior to marriage, while my place of work was  a block away. I had lived such life for twelve years.  Little had  I known that I would  in a way still look forward to spending  time in the city four years after.  My timing preference though is on a weekend when offices are shut off and busy streets are free from traffic.  A good relaxing stroll and zero parking fees exist on these days.

At the Legazpi Park, where strangers and dogs converge in the afternoons. When I was a child, I was taught not to talk to strangers.  But with Bugsy, I ignore such rule.  I have interacted with strangers so many times.  We know each other not by our names, but rather by the name of our respective dogs.   Hilarious but true.  Obviously, dogs rule!

Thank God for the invention of dog bags.   I have posted a message in Facebook a few days ago concerning the  lack of indoor pet-friendly places in the Philippines, especially in the city.  It remains a fact that a major chunk of commercial establishments and residential buildings strictly prohibit pets.  I totally understand the rationale behind such rule.  But with my bag, I have mastered the skill of sneaking.

A hot morning at the Legazpi Park Sunday market.  I wore and did a test run of my soon to come Tala necklace here.  It still needs a bit of tweaking, but I have already fallen in love with it.  I'll let you know as soon as this necklace becomes available online and at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden.

These ladies in pretty printed aprons at the Legazpi Park Sunday Market were a happy sight.  They had served their patrons Indonesian meals with zest and vigor. By the time we had arrived (10 minutes past twelve), their dishes were close to finish.  Their booth's name is Warung-Warung Indonesian Food.

The first time I have eaten and tasted Indonesian food.  I'm no food expert and I'm poor in remembering names of dishes, but this chicken dish worked for my taste. J. Bond would  know the name of this dish. He had lived his childhood years in Indonesia. Unfortunately, he ain't within my reach to shed light on this name game.  On my next market visit, I'll surely have my second serving.

Gado-Gado, salad topped with peanut dressing. 

I thought of the lizard as one of a kind.  I brought one home.

A display of ceramic animals by a tree trunk.

Sightseeing, the reason why I take trips to the city these days.  The rest are more like side trips.   Soon, I will share more.

Manna from Heaven Bread Shop, a bread shop located within the compound of Don Bosco.  Have you ever found yourself drawn towards a shop where people continually come and go? I was too curious to let this pass.  I wanted to know what the clamor was all about.  I lined up too.

Malunggay pandesal (bun) from Manna from Heaven Bread Shop.  I went for a tuna bun, but I'll try this on my next purchase. 

Come to  think of it, I may have only needed a four year city hiatus to regain and refresh my views on city living.  I have been very vocal of my dream of permanently residing in a countryside one day, and surely this remains to be the ultimate goal. I long for it, and I absolutely don't see myself anywhere else. 

In the meantime, I  slowly inch my way back to what I thought I had left behind four years ago.  It  feels good and enjoyable in some way.  But this time, I make sure minus the stress...and again, only on weekends.

Cheers to a good week ahead of us! 

Random stuff this month

It seems May is zooming quite fast. While my list of TO DO things  rapidly grow LONGER, I feel happy and grateful with the little things that have come my way despite  few bouts of tears  due to Luke's early departure. Life is moving on, but I still think of my dear friend a lot.

That's Luke on the left on his first visit to the Pharmacy. We were all amused by a crazy friend who danced her signature sexy dance while this photo was taken.  I got cut on the right, but I remember having laughed so hard.  Our customers and staff had laughed hard as well.  We all had a free funny show.

Anyway, Mother's Day was spent at the Legazpi Sunday Market. It was Mama's first (J. Bond's Mom), and I'm sure my own Mom wished she was here too.  Too much to see and BUY.

J. Bond is hooked on rice from the Mountains of Cordillera these days.   He made the discovery while on his recent courageous bike plight in Baguio.

Another vendor selling Cordillera rice.  J. Bond is truly serious about this.  Only if I can push myself to share the same sentiment with him.

Still on Mother's Day. Bugsy must come on our next shopping visit, but  crossing all fingers and toes that no scoopin' happens.

Though I have declared that both my hands have retired from making long arrangements, I recently faced a request for a long St. Benedict necklace with red beads as accent.  Fear of possibly ending the work with painful hands haunted me while in the process of making the necklace.  Surprisingly, I experienced no pain. And best of all, I had made the same exact arrangement for myself too.  I had mistakenly identified the medal as Padre Pio by the way.  But with weeks of query and research, it has been identified that the image is that of St. Benedict. You may read more of his story and the medal's meaning here.

I wore my piece over Sunday lunch at Breakfast at Antonio's in Tagaytay.  I find myself in Tagaytay more frequent these days.  I'm off again by the end of this week.

Guyabano fruit sold by a lone fruit stand right by the gate of Ilog Maria.  Guyabano has perked up my days from the horrible nightmare called summer heat.  I blend the fruit with ice,  milk, and 2 sachets of stevia sweetener.  Creamy and refreshing! Stevia, by the way, was introduced to me by J. Bond.  In fact, we had brought home a potted Stevia plant a few weeks back. I think it shall soon go, but  J. Bond remains positive on its survival.

 The banana trees behind the fruit stand were a sight to see.  Bananas are a mainstay in my fruit bowl.

Green tea flavored Mochi ice-cream from Mochiko Tagaytay is another craze of J. Bond.  He normally eats the ball in two to three bites.  This photo was taken after my clumsy mistake of having dropped the ball in a can of coins. I was told to stop playing  with ice-cream, yet he ate it all.

Like what I have shared in  a recent post, I dream of permanently relocating to the countryside one day.  I have reached  a stage where I see my days in the city as a total misfit. So the adventure and exploration of the countryside have begun.

Dreaming..... This place overlooks the mountains of Batulao.  Lovely and inspiring.

May is the birth month of  Mama (J. Bond's Mom) and Michelle (J. Bond's cousin).  We celebrated their birthdays over green landscape and good food served at Breakfast at Antonio's.

Except for J. Bond and I, this visit was a first for the rest of the entourage.  Everyone felt amazed by the place despite its hidden location and was delighted by the food served.  In fact, J. Bond and I had originally intended of holding our wedding reception here six years ago.  But a maximum of fifty guests can only fit at that time. 

J. Bond's parents.  No such thing as age on feeling young and giddy. All in the mind as they say.

A few days are left before we move on to June.  But there are still much to do and look forward to.  How about you?  What have you been up to?

I'm sure MOTHER misses this

Mushroom rice.  But I had mine with shrimp salpicao.

And this fruit stand that sold sweet and huge Sagada Oranges.

These next three made me stop, look, (and buy).

Cloth purses by Yadu 621.

J. Bond was more fascinated than I was.  I guess he was brainwashed by frequently seeing Yadu 621 bags and purses for sale at the airport terminal.

This multi-functional fabric:  scarf-shawl-belt in one.

Drum beats by the tribal nook.  Really festive!

Swarmed by tourists who had multiple photos taken.

Of course, I had my photo taken too.  Couldn't resist.

I was at the Legazpi Sunday Market yesterday, and I'm sure Mother misses this.