X-Men: First Class

I've watched this film a couple of months back and I can remember that I enjoyed the movie quite well.

Directed by Matthew Vaugh, the movie dates a couple of decades back, when Professor X was still Charles Xavier and Magneto was still Erik Lensherr. It showed the 2 most iconic mutants as best friends rather than today's archenemies.

I remember being quite entertained by the main characters' "bromance". Hahaha. Nevertheless, though I'm not the series' biggest fan, I appreciate seeing a glimpse of its story and its beginnings. Always best to understand your past so we can all move forward, right?

My first ever Pesto Pasta

I've been learning how to cook in the past few months. It's such a nice discovery that I can do it, and that I can enjoy myself while learning the ins and outs of the kitchen. It's been really fun =)

One of my most recent concoction is this - Pesto Pasta! I have always loved Pesto and I'm just too glad I was able to make this one. Although, I only bought myself bottled Pesto; next time I'll try to do my Pesto from scratch!

I always have to have brocolli in my food! I also added in tuna and mushroom for my sauce for added taste and texture.

 My very own pasta *beams with pride*

Green Tea Fix

My favorite Starbucks drink is Green Tea Frap. I like the slightly bitter tea aftertaste and crave for it regularly. But as in most Starbucks drink, while I'd say it's worth it, it can still be quite pricey. So, imagine my giddiness when I found a cheaper alternative for my green tea Fix - S & R's Green Tea Smoothie!

At Php 99 and at a size which is a little smaller than Starbucks' Grande, it's definitely a lot cheaper as Starbucks' version is already priced at Php 145 and that's just Tall. S&R's version is somewhat more artificial in flavor, but is yummy just the same. I'd definitely go for this smoothie next time I'd have my green tea craving.

White Oleander

White Oleander is a story that speaks of the bond of a mother and her daughter, that sacred bond that ignores time, distance, beliefs and even how they treat and feel about each other. That sacred bond, that is ultimately based on love, longing and belonging.

Ingrid and Astrid Magnussen are mother and daughter living a somewhat average life, as average as a home headed by an artistic single mother can get. Everything changed when Ingrid fell in love with Barry Kolker and later found herself heartbroken. She then went for revenge by murdering Barry using her favorite flower, the poisonous white oleander. When she was imprisoned, Astrid at fifteen years old had to go through several foster homes, thrusting her to the harsh realities of life way too early and without the guidance of a mother. Astrid coursed through her young life alone and away from her home and her mother, but always finding herself never free of her grasp.

What I personally like most about the book is how beautiful the words are. And how much it spoke to me. There were times it was painful to read, but it was so real, you find yourself nodding in agreement as you read. I intentionally hold on to the book and did not finish it immediately, savoring each page. I rarely reread books I've already finished, but this one I intend to read again. Beautiful, poetic, real.

Sharing one of my favorite lines from the book, and it came to me at a time I can relate to it the most:

How vast was a human being's capacity for suffering. The only thing you could do was stand in awe of it.

Mozu's Choco Lava

Just had to post one of the many desserts I heart <3

Choco Lava, Php 125 from Mozu Cafe

Shared this heavenly piece of dessert with a few of my girlfriends from the office. Words that will justify this escape me now, but please believe me when I say this is sooo good. I will edit as soon as I am capable of writing something more fitting again.

Bar Dolci's Gelato

During our last fostering activity, I finally had the chance to try out the Gelato at Bar Dolci. I've been eyeing to try this out the last time I was in the Burgos Circle area, but I remembered being too full at that time.

Instead of getting a small cup with just one flavor which would cost Php120, our team lead let us get the Php200-peso cup with 3 flavors. Gelato overload!

I got Thai Tea Milk, Ferrero and Starciatella. And all three were very good - I highly recommend them! One of my teammates got Pistachio, which I also liked. I also tried their supposed bestseller, Salted Caramel, but I didn't quite like it (apparently, this is James Yap's fave, according to our ate server). On my next visit, I'd try Chocolate Mint, Extra Dark Chocolate and Chocnut. Yes, I'm a chocolate lover =)

I'd definitely go back for the other gelato flavors, cocktail popsicles and their colorful macaroons, which I've heard are also good =)

 

Bar Dolci
F133 Forbeswood Heights corner Burgos Circle Area
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
(63 2) 4153333

Pagbilao with my girls

I realy like going to less popular, exotic places around the country. I just think that when I get old it will be a lot harder for me to go to these wonderful, raw places with no modern accommodations, organized travel routes and sophisticated restaurants.

And so yet again, I went on to take the road less travelled with my two best girlfriends with me.

This time the chosen place is a secluded beach cove in Pagbilao, Quezon called Puting Buhangin, its main attraction other than its fine, white sand is the cave on its one end called Kwebang Lampas.

And so I searched up the net, packed up my bags, went on to ride a southbound bus to Quezon, went down to Lucena, and from there we asked around how to get there. We had 2 more jeepney rides, a very bumpy tricycle ride, a short banca cruise across a lake and a 10-minute trek, and we're there. Travel going there is just ok for me, but I'm not sure if it's the kind everybody can take. Hehe.

One landmark to check if you're on the right track is the Pagbilao Power Plant. If you see this phallic tower, then you're right on track.

When we got there, I think it was well worth it =)

I'd have to be honest though, this shot was taken after everybody left and we had the beach all to ourselves. The beach can get a little crowded, so if you opt not to take one of the huts (we didn't), better secure up your spot. This was my view while I lying down on the spot where we laid our mats for the length of our stay.

This shot of the coconut trees up above my head would inspire me for weeks ahead. Life can be so good =) I think up to now this is still my phone screensaver =)

On other end of the cove is a cave which actually just opens up to the open sea, at one point there were also some kids jumping off from the cliff above the cave. Actually looked exciting. One day, I'd do that =)

We went there to explore a bit and of course, to get some more photos!

The place was well worth the travel. However, be warned - there are no available running water facilities and shower areas. So we went back to Manila without fresh showers. So while I have no regrets looking up for the place, I'd probably won't necessarily be back there anytime soon. And besides, I have a rule: No same destination twice. Haha =)

It wasn't the most relaxing trip, mainly because of the travel (we took public transpo!), but I felt recharged after. I guess the sight of the beach, swimming in the crystal clear waters, along with the sacrifice of the commute can be quite good for the soul =)

If you're planning your next trip, I'd say you should consider Pagbilao =)