Starbucks Adventure - 1st Stop
As mentioned on this post, mi amiga Lianne will visit all the 12 branches featured in 2011 Starbucks planner. We initially planned to go to Intramuros for our first stop but at the last minute, we had to detour, I will reveal the reason next time, but this is definitely a pleasant detour. ;)Yesterday, 29 January, we had our first stop in Corinthian Hills, very near Megamall where we met and had lunch. We arrived at Starbucks at 2pm. We transferred from one seat to another, we finally settled on our third seat where the chairs were more comfortable and the electric sockets for charging our laptops were within reach.
Lianne ordered Java Chip (grande) while I ordered my staple Caramel Macchiato hot, tall. After four hours of chatting and blogging in between, I got hungry, I ordered tuna pandesal for both of us and another Caramel Machiatto, hot, this time I ordered short for the very first time.
Here are some photos to document our first Starbucks adventure. Yesterday was the very first time that my Vivienne Tam hp mini "travelled." I used it for almost two years just inside our home. We also brought our planners, the inspiration for our adventure. We stayed there for almost 8 hours, the longest time I ever stayed in Starbucks. We had so much fun, so much chit-chatting, blogging and caffeine overload. ;)
Before I forget, there were 13 branches featured in the planner(January 2011-January2012), not 12, the 13th branch is called 32nd and 7th, located at the Fort.
Well, more than the adventure, this is our way of bonding and catching up, our celebration of more than a decade of friendship!;)
One Day..
My dear friend, Rocel, told me that this book, One Day by David Nicholls, is a good read. I really trust her judgment because I know that she is intelligent, a wide-reader and has a very good taste especially with books. She also suggested some Dalai Lama books, everytime I drop by a bookstore, I inquire about those books. Just today, while waiting for Lianne at Powerbooks, I looked for Dalai Lama's books but the titles I was looking for were not available. So I asked for David Nicholl's One Day, I was told that it's out of stock, but I was directed to his other books, while browsing through his books, I saw a copy of One Day, at the back of "The Understudy." That was the last copy, so I asked the saleslady if I could get a discount, they gave me 5% discount, well, better than nothing. ;) With this new addition to my books, I already have 10 books on hand waiting for my time and attention... I hope I could stop buying and start reading. ;)
Yesterday, after more than a month of intermittent reading, I finally finished "By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept." So now, I can move on to the next book on queue, Emily Giffin's Love the One You are With.
More Davao Photos
This is the continuation of my previous post...
We left in the afternoon of 13 January, arrived in Davao at around 7pm. Gillian's friend, Julie, picked us up at the airport and dropped us off at Microtel. Eia, Gillian and I headed to Penong's for our first dinner in Davao, Penong's is just walking distance from Microtel.
The next day, 14 January, we woke up early for our Pearl Farm Day trip. We arrived at Marina Wharf at 8am, the boat trip to Pearl Farm is less than an hour, so we reached Pearl Farm at around 9am.
After taking a few photos at Pearl Farm, we decided to go to the nearby island, Samal, via speedboat provided by Pearl Farm.
The itchy feet of Eia, Gillian and Ryah ;)
After taking some "me" time and taking lots of photos, we all got tired. I literally dozed off, Gillian took this photo.
At almost 2pm, we got hungry and decided to go back at Pearl Farm for the buffet lunch. This is the last photo at Samal Island.
Last few photos before leaving Pearl Farm.
The next day, 15 January, Eia met her friend from General Santos in SM Davao while Gillian and I headed to Eden Nature Park. The first few hours when we arrived there, it rained so hard so we just stayed at the "fishing village," ate some snacks and chit-chatted non-stop. ;)
at the fishing village
Our tour was scheduled at 1:50pm, thank God the rain stopped just in time for the tour. ;)
We left at Eden Nature Park at 3pm. We looked for Blugre coffee shop to try durian coffee, Blugre coffee shop in Matina Square was still closed so we looked for the other branch, we finally found it on the third stop. I liked the taste of durian coffee and also tried 2-cheese egg scambler, yummy combination. We went back to Microtel at around 5:30pm to get some rest before Julie picks us up for dinner, she invited as for dinner, it was also the birthday celebration of her eldest daughter, 5 year-old, Nina.
Here's Julie with baby Imma, the main reason why we were in Davao. ;)
The next day, 16 January, we attended baby Imma's baptism. After the ceremony, we all headed to Emerald Restaurant for the reception.
We attended mass at 6pm. Just before the mass ended, it rained so hard. We stayed inside the church for almost an hour after the mass because we only have one umbrella. We planned to have dinner at Blugre in Matina Square, but since it was so hard to look for taxi, we eventually settled to take the jeepney and went to Gaisano Mall first thinking that we could find a taxi there easier. Well, since it flooded, it got harder to find a taxi but thank God, we did get a taxi and was able to have dinner at Blugre. I ordered durian gatchpuccino again and 2-cheese egg scambler again.That's our last night in Davao, truly one-of-a-kind experience but it was all worth it.
We forgot to take photos of our room, here's the facade of the hotel.
That's all for our Davao trip.
If given a chance, I will definitely come back to explore more landmarks.
First Travel for 2011: Davao
Early last year, Gillian mentioned to Eia and me that she would go to Davao in January 2011 to attend the baptism of her friend's baby, she would be one of the godmothers. Gillian asked if we want to go with her... and before we all know it, the three of us were off to Davao! ;)
We left for Davao on 13 January and went back to Manila on 17 January.
We left for Davao on 13 January and went back to Manila on 17 January.
I don't have a digicam so I just used my lomocam, Golden Half Chelsea. Here are some photos taken using my Chelsea.
14 January, at Marina Wharf, waiting for our transfer to Pearl Farm
When we arrived at Samal Island, which is just 5 minutes away from Pearl Farm, we were so delighted because noone was there, the island's just for the 3 of us! ;)
Here's Eia and Gillian, taking some "me time"
Guess who? ;) This is for picture-purposes only... Thanks Gill for taking this photo.
Taken by Eia, this is our favorite spot because of the sunshade. ;)
We left Pearl Farm at 4pm. I enjoyed our trip back a lot, the sea, the horizon, the sun and the skies, the music bed, the "me" time, everything. I was literally teary-eyed, I felt so much peace in my heart while I was communicating with God, thanking Him for the wonderful time with my wonderful friends on that wonderful place.
We saw this very beautiful peacock, so white and ethereal!
Save Mother Earth Now. :)
Some more photos from Gillian and Eia's digicams will be shared on my next post...
Longchamp
I've been wanting to write about Longchamp. It was last year when its Le Pliage line became (so) popular in our country, you'll see it everywhere, some authentic and some are imitation. I personally wanted to have one or two Le Pliage bags because of its form and very unassuming style, but when I checked it in Rustan's, as expected, it is expensive. Well, if I will forget about practicality, I can buy one, but being practical weighs more than my wanting to have it. Thank God. ;)
Late last year, I read a blog post about it and there's a photo of a Le Pliage bag that I immediately liked, it is for the Spring 2011 collection. When I checked the website, it wasn't there yet, but just today, the site already features the Spring 2011 collection. While looking at the collection, all I can say is "haaaayy." ;pGod's message for me today
Dear Ryah,
Don’t compare yourself with others. It’s useless.
Find your worth in my love for you.
I love you,
God
P.S. You’re the best, Ryah.
Starbucks Adventure
In November 2010, I received an early Christmas gift from a dear friend, Leslie. She came across my blog and she learned that I wanted a Starbucks planner. For the 2011 planner, one Starbucks branch is featured per month. While I was browsing the planner, I "wished" that I would be able to visit all the 12 featured-branches. As to when, how and with whom, I just don't know.
Two weeks ago, mi amiga Lianne emailed me and told me that she also received from a friend a Starbucks planner, same color as mine, velvet red. She mentioned that she wanted to visit the featured branches. Aha!!! My wish was heard! Talking about the power of thinking! ;)
I listed below all the 12 featured-branches:
1. Cebu Ayala
2. Camp John Hay
3. Lipa
4. Solenad
5. Boracay
6. Corinthian Hills
7. Katipunan
8. Intramuros
9. SM Sky Garden
10. Bacolod
11. Jupiter
12. Tagaytay
From the list above, if my memory serves me right, I think I was able to visit Starbucks branches in Cebu Ayala and Tagaytay.
Lianne and I agreed to start up with our Starbucks adventure this coming Saturday, first stop is the one in Intramuros. We plan to chat, to blog, to take photos, to enjoy the experience while sipping our favorite "bonding" beverage!
Going Green
In my pursuit to "live green," I bought a book entitled Green is the New Black by Tamsin Blanchard in October 2009. Well, more than a year after, I still have not finished reading it. I reached only halfway but no worries, I have plans of reading it until the end, very soon. :) Based on the few chapters I have read, I realized one thing, going green as a lifestyle is not yet 100% feasible in our country because of two main reasons:
* first, we have to accept the fact that organic (natural, eco-friendly) products (from beauty to home products, as well as organic fruits and vegetables) are more expensive than non-organic, artificial products;
* second, several necessities (including clothing) and wants (bags, shoes) are not yet locally produced (thus expensive) and not readily accessible, so only the ones with means can apply this kind of lifestyle, they can shop online or travel and buy items, materials which are "ethically-produced."
But this reality should not stop us from doing small acts of going (living) green. Every small act counts. If there are times that I fail to bring my ecobag and I happen to shop or buy something, if it can fit inside my bag, I will tell the cashier not to pack or put it in a plastic bag anymore (early on, even though I have lots of ecobags at home, I will still buy an ecobag if there's one within my reach just to avoid using plastic bags). If I have to choose between products and I see that one brand is organic or naturally produced, I will choose the organic one even if it will cost me a little more. Using recycled paper at home and in the office, using both sides of the paper, using a glass when brushing your teeth to save on water, turning off your computer, lights and other appliances when not in use, are just some of the simple ways we can go (and live) green.
If money weren't an object, this is one lifestyle I would certainly and happily put into practice, 100%. Not only good for mother earth but also good for our health. ;)
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new year, new hope, new life, new me