Rejection

I got enough rejections for a day. I've been working in a sales company for several years and receiving a "No" is just a usual thing.  And life has to go on.  I don't linger on the No, but I keep on trying to reach clients that might finally say "Yes". 

The same is true with my personal life. But the rejection is just so hard to bare.  It is like a slap on your being, a total disgust of the kind of person that I am.  It is truly painful.  Nevertheless, life has to move on. I don't want to dwell on that feeling. I may cry, I may be upset and I may go to a binge eating again.It truly hurts big time right now but I know someday I will be okay. It will all be a part of a distant past. I know somebody I'll find someone who is going to accept me of what I am.

December, Chocolate Cake and Ice Cream

It's almost December. The cool air signals the nearing of the holiday. While not all people including myself do not literally celebrate the season with a religious implication, this is the part of the year that we lay more delectable food on our table. This is also the time that we find excuses to forget our diet and miss our daily exercises. Before we know it, we have added couple of extra pounds before the end of the year.

Healthy living requires hard work. And, it is not seasonal. I may not totally abstain from eating chocolate cake and ice cream but somehow, I learn to eat in moderation (well, except for some unusual cases). I realized that the more I hold myself back from eating some food, the more I crave for it.

From Flicker by Kirti Poddar

All rights reserved by Caryl Joan Estrosas

I came across with a short yet helpful article. It is not something new, it is something that most of us know but easily ignore.

According to researchers from Harvard University, an increase in physical activity is linked to an improvement in diet quality.

“Understanding the interaction between exercise and a healthy diet could improve preventative and therapeutic measures against obesity by strengthening current approaches and treatments,” Miguel Alonso Alonso, a researcher at Harvard University, said.

(Read the entire article: Exercise can make it easier to eat healthy)

Chic-Boy Opens @ Dau, Pampanga

      

Pampangos flocked Chic-Boy during its opening last weekend (November 25, 2011) in Puregold, Dau--evidence of how they patronize and love the taste of Cebu's lechon chicken and pork. They serve unlimited house soup and rice; and for additional P25 you can enjoy bottomless iced tea with your meal.


For P99 (2.26 USD) you can  enjoy any of these Chibog meal:
Chicken Inasal (chicken barbeque)
Pork Barbeque 
Inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly)
Cebu lechon manok (roasted chicken)
Cebu lechon liempo (roasted pork belly)


 
 
 

Some of menu may looks unappealing to the health-conscious or the hypertensive. But don't let this turn you off from entering the premise, Chic-Boy also offers inihaw na talong (grilled eggplant), Ginisang kangkong sa bawang (stir fried water spinach with garlic), ensaladang mangga (green mango salad), and gising gising (vegetable dish).


Check out their website for the nearest branch in your area. Interested to know their franchise package? Well, the info is all in there: chic-boy.com.ph


For those who crave for a Chic-Boy during an ungodly hour, lucky if you are located near the following branches:


•112 Jupiter St.(beside Strumms), Makati City
•Units 369- 373 Oversea Mansion, Plaza Santa Cruz (in front of Santa Cruz Church), Manila
•553 U.N. Ave cor. Churruca St. (near Manila Pavillion), Ermita, Manila
•2/F El Molito Commercial Center, Madrigal Ave. cor. Alabang- Zapote Rd., Muntinlupa City
•104 Timog Avenue, Quezon City
•Block 14, Lot 17 Alabang-Zapote Rd., Pamplona Tres, Las Pinas City (across Star Mall Las Pinas)

Chic-Boy, Dau

meal of Cebu lechon liempo with rice, soup, and kangkong

I've been trying to tame my appetite, but not here in Chic-Boy. I wasn't able to resist asking for another cup of rice (whatta a disappointment!). The meal was just awesome. I even thought that I was getting more than what I paid.

Coffee Drinking Experience @ Starbucks

"Where will we meet?"

"Starbucks."

That is a typical conversation between me and a friend planning to meet up.

Starbucks isn't only the place to grab your favorite coffee and beverages, but it is the perfect place to hang-out, meet your friends, do business, date --name it. In my case, it is one of the place where I can work. Some branches within Metro Manila are open 24 hours. You can basically stay in the store for as long as you want. Well, just make sure to order something as a courtesy if you intend to stay longer.

Starbucks Robinson Galleria - Veranda

Raffy busy texting @ Starbucks Robinson Galleria

Below are the Starbucks branches that are open 24 hours (within Manila):

Insular Life Building

G/F Insular Life Building, Ayala Ave. corner

Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

893-6714

M - Fri    - opens 6:00am - 24 HOURS

Sat        - until 7:00pm

Sun        - closed

People Support Center

G/F People Support Building, Ayala Avenue corner

Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue. Makati City

751-0041

M - Sat        - 24 HOURS

Sun            - 6:00am - 12:00mn

Easton Place - Valero             

G/F Easton Place, Herrera Corner Valero St.

Salcedo Village, Makati City

889 - 8291

M - Sat      - 24 HOURS

Sun           - up to 2:30am only

Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Blvd.

Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Blvd., Brgy.  

Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City

584 - 1905

M - Th      - 6:30am - 2:00am

F              - 6:30am – 24 HOURS

Sat         - closes at 1:00 pm

Sun          - closed

Emerald Building - Emerald Ave.         

G/F Emerald Building

Ortigas Center, Pasig City 

631-2936

M - Th      - 6:00am - 3:00am

F             - 6:00am - 24 HOURS

Sat          - closes at 1:00am

Sun         - closed

Ortigas Home Depot - Julia Vargas Ave.        

Ortigas Home Depo, Doña Julia Vargas

Cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Town Center, Pasig City

910 - 5283

M - Th      - 7:00am - 3:30am

F - Sat     - 7:30am - 24 HOURS

Sun         - 1:00am closed

Raffles Corp. Center - Emerald Ave.         

Raffles Center Bldg. Emerald Ave.,

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

584-3340

M - Th      - 6:00am - 3:00mn

F             - 6:00am – 24 HOURS

Sat         - 1:00am closed

Sun         - CLOSED

Net Quad 

Net Quad Building Fourth Ave & 30th St,

Bonifacio Global GF, Taguig City 

555 - 1317

M             - 6:00am - onwards

T - F         - 24 HOURS

Sat           - closes 5:00pm

Sun          - closed

My order is usually a caramel macchiato or cafe mocha (hot, iced, or frappe). I rarely request for another flavor. I sometimes request to have it twice blended for a finer or smoother taste (for frappe). You can also create your own concoction  for added variety.

Starbucks have this comfy and relaxing atmosphere. It just feel like home.  And the baristas are friendly and sociable. 

I had a conversation with a client who was located in US. I don't know if he was joking or something, but he  acted surprised that there is Starbucks in the Philippines. "You have Starbucks?", he asked. "Are you kidding me? Of course, we have--it's almost everywhere. I can't start working without a cup of Starbucks coffee!" I replied.  That was an exaggeration of course. 

Starbucks HK

When me and my girl friends Ivy and Belle landed in Hong Kong on a vacation, the first store we looked for was Starbucks. We were so happy to find one just a walking distance from where we stayed. The coffee was a bit strong compared to what is being served here in the Philippines, which I thought was better. And the cheesecake with real berries, yummy!

Starbucks began brewing in the Philippines in December 4, 1997 at 6750 Ayala Building in Makati City. On its website, it says that the Philippines is the third market to open outside North America.  The overwhelming crowd flocking in a Starbucks store shows  that Filipinos are indeed coffee fanatic not to mention Starbucks lover. Not to over-analyze this scenario, coffee drinking is always at its best at Starbucks.

Featured beverages

It's almost end of the year, when the wind is cold and you started hearing Christmas carols. Starbucks are once again offering seasonal beverages: Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, and Peppermint Mocha. My fave? The Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha.

Pasta and Pizza Galore @ Burgoo

Craving for carbo one fateful evening, Raffy and I decided to meet up at Robinson's Galleria in Ortigas. After several discussions, we decided to have our dinner at Burgoo. It is located at the fourth floor of the mall.

I was so famished that time as I literally forgot to take my lunch because of my busy schedule. My mouth was agape while looking at the menu, I thought that I could devour all the food that they have.

I was eyeing for the pizza. The Margherita looks yummy with its fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.  I was also staring at their cajun seafood jambalaya (mixture of mussels, calamari, shrimps, ham, chorizo, green peas, green bell pepper, white onion, and rice). And ohh my, the desserts! --The Mississipi  mud pie and Oreo cheesecake were mouth-watering.

We finally decided to have tomato basil spaghetti and pizza sampler (combination of four different pizza flavor).  Coca-Cola was simply a must for the meal.

Glad that we didn't order for more. It was enough for both of us. In fact we have taken out few slices of the pizza. For less than a thousand pesos we went out of Burgoo satisfied and loaded.

Check the nearest Burgoo in your area.

Food and Beyond

An essential rule in blogging is to have a fresh and updated content. Sadly, as a blogger things do not happen the way I wanted things to be. (I apologize for the readers and followers of this blog who were waiting for new posts.) The past few weeks had been tough as I faced the grueling task of beating a deadline while  fixing some personal stuff that had been long overdue. To compensate my hard work and to let me enjoy some simple indulgence, I reward myself dosage of sweet treat and delicious snacks that kept me going and smiling.  I have no qualms of being busy at all--hmm as long as there is food to keep me satiated.

Starbucks' Caramel Macchiato kept me company most of the time. The store's chicken pesto sandwich is such a yummy treat but with less the guilt feeling.

Krispy Kreme's chocolate chip baked goodies got me. Amazingly, it is not that sweet making it too easy for me to finish it all up in minutes.

24/7 Jollibee delivery takes my worry away. I need not dwell on what to eat for dinner. I simply place my order online via http://www.jollibee.com.ph/. And viola! In less than 45 minutes, my order is there.

A carbo loading snack of Filipino-style spaghetti kept me company. The deadening silent neighborhood during midnight was broken by the sound of the clicking of the mouse, typing of keyboard, and me munching,

Yummy, Chewy Goodness: Marzipan de Casuy

Cashew Marzipan or Marzipan de Casuy is a delicious and chewy Pampango treat made from milk, cashew nuts and coated with cashew chips. If you visit Pampanga, you should look for Cashew Marzipan for Pasalubong.

Delight your taste buds with this yummy, chewy and nutty balls. This is a very addicting. I am one of the living testimonial on how delicious it is.

Now, you don't have to go to Pampanga to have this for dessert. You may simply place your order and we can discuss about shipment and payment. Visit my Sulit account to see more information: Sulit.com-Marzipan de Casuy.

Bombing

There was a bus bombing yesterday in Makati that killed at least 5 people according to reports.  This is in reminiscence of the previous administration where bombings seems rampant all over the country.

Anyway, my story isn't about the terrorists attack or whatsoever. What happened early this morning was a bit off. It ticked me a bit, good thing that I held my tongue before it could say a word.

I was bringing a plastic bag filled with some of my personal stuff, decors and gifts that I have accumulated at the office for years.  I took an FX in going home.  There were only 2 passengers - one was sitted on the front seat who was a mid-40's looking guy and myself sitted at their back.

Wearing my shades and caring nothing in the world, I placed my plastic bag at the side.

Then this other passenger started talking to the driver.  He was talking about the bombing yesterday; and even warned the driver to be on a look-out for passengers carrying packages.  And how dare he!  He even glanced at my innocent plastic bag.

Anyway, as not to ruin my morning, I decided to listen to the music in my old, rustic N70 phone as not to hear any of the conversation.

Diet mode

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I am doing it. For now, at least. I am eating oats and veggies for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Have a quick snack on fruits and yogurt.  And munch on nuts when I feel like it. I also have biscuits that go handy at work. So, what the heck is going on? Well, the doctor's finding was enough. I have gained more pounds for the past year. Binge eating due to stress and my frustrations in life have lead me to this!  Who wouldn't love chocolate when you are broken-hearted?  An icecream when you get frustrated with work?  It is just so easy to eat and swallow those delicious and comforting food that makes your problems vanish for a moment. It is just so enticing!

But, right now, I have to make a decision whether to go on eating like there is no tomorrow or do something with my excess pounds. I have chosen the latter. So help me God.

Lay Bare

The shave is one of the girl’s best friends. It is true to me and it surely is to a lot of women. But with the discovery of waxing, it is time to re-think.

The thought of being hairless is simply irresistible. It may mean beauty or good hygiene, but where it all began and where the notion of having less hair is better is coming from – I don’t know. But what I am sure of, it feels good.

If you are one of those women who are used to shaving their legs, armpits or wherever, or if you are used to plucking, I think it is time to give waxing a chance. It is really painful for first-timer. I cried when I first did.  I thought the magazine I brought could help me but instead what I did was to grip on it to the point of tearing it. Yes, it is painful.  But as what the staff told me, I had a very high tolerance to pain because I wasn’t yelling or cursing. Yes, it is painful at first but I tell you, after seeing the results, you will surely be glad that you have gone through it.

After waxing, you will notice that your skin is smoother and the hair re-growth is finer.

Lay Bare is the perfect place that I will suggest to ladies who wants to do it.  They use cold sugar wax jelly that is made of sugar, calamansi and honey.  Visit their website at: http://www.lay-bare.com/laybare-ui/

Lay Bare is almost everywhere in the country. They even have branches in some provincial areas already.

Here are their branches in Metro Manila:

Abad Santos

2/F Citiplace, 8001 Abad Santos Street, San Juan

726-6479

Buendia

Upper Ground, Star Centrum Building, Buendia Corner Malugay Street, Makati City

840-2571

Filmore

5081 Filmore Corner Fahrenheit Street, Palanan, Makati City

833-7915

Pearl Drive

2/F Pearl Plaza, 8101 Pearl Drive, Bgy. San Antonio, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

470-2762

Market! Market!

3/F (near elevator), Market!Market! Taguig

556-0743

La Salle - Taft

Mezzanine Level, Burgundy Transpacific Place, Taft Avenue, Manila

353-5304

LPL-Greenbelt

Basement Level LPL Suites, Greenbelt Legaspi St. Makati City

856-1521

SM Megamall

5F Mega A Building, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

470-8872

SM Manila

5F SM Manila, Manila City

353-7520

SM Mall of Asia

205 South Parking building SM Mall os Asia, J.W. Diokno Blvd. Pasay City

475-6272

Robinsons Galleria

Level 3, West Wing, Body Senses, Robinsons Galleria, Edsa cor. Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City

709-1915

Glorietta 3

3/F Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

856-1521

Kopiko Brown Coffee

Contrary to old belief, coffee-drinking has a lot of health benefits. Studies claim that it provides anti-oxidant to the body and even prevent heart disease. One thing is certain, I can assure, coffee is delicious. And it is divine to drink Kopiko Brown Coffee.

I just love this coffee.  It is a coffee mix with brown sugar.  It is so tasty.  I gave up Starbucks coffee and have this cheap and delicious alternative instead. It is only P6 per sachet.

credit: www.femalenetwork.com

Suggested reading: New Study: Coffee Reduces Risk of Heart Disease + 15 Coffee Products to Enjoy on the Go

Corregidor International Half-Marathon: One for all. All for twenty one.

December 19 (Saturday)

At approximately 6 in the morning, organizers, participants and volunteers meet at the dock. We idly spent our time taking pictures of ourselves while waiting for the boarding time.

We got in the boat an hour after.

It was just a short ferry ride. As we were nearing the island, a guy gave us a brief narration of the Philippine history during American colonization.

When we arrived, tranvias were waiting to take us to our hostel.

We had an ocular inspection of the entire race track by afternoon. It was a chance for me to take some shots too.


 

By evening, a carbo-loading dinner was served (mash potatoes, carbonara, spaghetti, pancit, puto, rice and chicken).

 

And to warm the cold evening was a tall bonfire.

 



 

December 20 (Sunday)

The main event. 

At around 6am, we were all deployed to our assigned station. It was drizzling. I thought that we are going to get soaked.  But thank God, the universe conspired and made the weather perfect.

I was at the hydrating station with Pio, my partner. Too bad I wasn't able to take any pictures at all as we were so busy. I even barely see who were coming.

Since we got finished early, we got picked up via van and was brought to the the finish line (actually, at the dock) where everyone else were waiting. By the looks of the terrain, I could tell that it was truly an exhausting, physically-draining and challenging marathon. But at the finish line what I witnessed were faces of triumph and glee of the runners after finishing the entire 21 km track; and the faces of camaraderie.

Everybody was probably exhausted and famished by noon. We had lunch while Edward Tito Kho was announcing the winners.

Ranked first was Dandelion Bumahit  who finished the race for 01:19:01, with a pace of 03:45min/km.

Click to see the list: CIHM: Race Results

The night was all about the partey!  The Session Road played amazingly.  Tuesday Vargas and Miro of Stonefree had their turns.

December 21, 2010 (Monday)

Haven’t seen enough of Corregidor, we decided to stroll.

We left the island at approximately 3pm.

An hour after, the smog of Manila welcomes us back.