Ouchie Tummy

My tummy hurts.. I dunno if it's because of the heavy Tapa King dinner I had or too much chocolates I had for the day..

-- choki chocolate sticks this morning for breakfast :)
-- dark chocolate, freebie from my Tivoli birthday dinner, in between breakfast and lunch
-- frozen hot chocolate from Sugarhouse with canonigo on the side for lunch :)
-- lastly, a couple of choki chocolate sticks again after dinner.. DM kse eh, he bought me choki choki again hehehe -- so it's DM's fault now, huh! tsk tsk tsk :)

Anyway, for chocolate lovers out there, I'm sure you're gonna like these facts about chocolates.
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Recent studies have shown that eating chocolate may actually be good for you. Researchers have found that raw and / or minimally processed cocoa contains flavonoids similar to those found in green tea. According to preliminary studies, these antioxidants have been linked to help accomplish the following:

-- Decrease blood pressure
-- Improve circulation
-- Lower death rate from heart disease
-- Improve function of endothelial cells that line the blood vessels
-- Defend against destructive molecules called free radicals, which trigger cancer, heart disease and stroke
-- Improve digestion and stimulate kidneys
-- Has been used to help treat patients with anemia, kidney stones and poor appetite

There are two different kinds of flavonoids called catechin and epicatechins. Catechins, which have recently been found to be abundant in cocoa and minimally processed chocolates could also help prevent heart disease and possibly cancer, as well as boosting the immune system, according to recent studies. Dark chocolate has also recently been found to contain more than 3 times the amount of catechins as that found in tea. Chocolate is also a good source of copper and magnesium, which helps to regulate heartbeat and blood pressure.

Of course eating large amounts of chocolate is still bad for you and could cause weight gain. But, taken in smaller quantities, it could prove to be very beneficial to your health. It all depends on the quantity and the type of chocolate that you are eating.
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So there you go, chocolates aren't that bad after all.. :)

Maybe I just had too much choco today.. ouchie tummy.. =/

A Blogger's Birthday II

And now for the birthday surprise! :)

Dinner surprise from DM at The Tivoli, Mandarin Oriental
Good food, really! From soup to appetizer to main course.. I had the rarest tenderloin ever, bloody! harharhar

One of DM's romantic ideas... :)
Whoah! I was really surprised with the flowers and the happy birthday song from the Tivoli crew.. I was put on spot that time *blushing*.. And.. would you guys believe, even the ex-first lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos greeted me when she passed by our table -- top that! :)

Desserts Galore!!!
Lotsa sweets for my birthday dinner, but DM definitely was the sweetest of all... thanks much, sweetie! ;)

~~~ happy birthday to me!!! ~~~

A Blogger's Birthday

A day before this blogger's birthday:
June 26: I had a late dinner, as in almost 11PM when the food was served, with my utols and DM of course at Dampa, Sucat -- seafoods galore! Too bad, my parents can't make it, busy for some church activities.. It's a noble deed anyway.. so.. no room for tampo, sHenGGie...

June 27: Kilig moment -- when 12 midnight striked, I was beside DM, he's driving, we're mobile and that time at The Fort.. He just gave me a daddy-hug and greeted me. :) Good thing, he can still drive safely while waiting for the clock to strike 12:00. :)

After our so-called mega-burpy-dinner, we just hang out for less than an hour at Padi's Point.. Just a few drinks -- salubong to my birthday -- and for a birthday cheers!

Happy weng-weng birthday to moi! :)
Thanks to my utols -- Dheng and Harree, and to DM.. You guys really started my birthday with a blow. :) I love you guys!

I know other 5 friends who are also celebrating their beerdays today -- beat that! :) I wanna greet them a very happy beerday!!!
1. Jed my friend, happy birthday to you, dudette!
2. Where's the party, Chris Samiano? -- my singaporean friend ;)
3. Edward -- officemate, any treat for the guys and gals here? :P
4. Welcome back from the US of A, Nesz! I hope there are still choc'lates left for me... Even chocnuts will do! ;)
5. Happy birthday, young mom Leah! How's Aussie?

Thanks to the early well-wishers, they greeted me before I started this post, sweeeeet! -- DM of course, utols, Gnet, Joy, Rizza, Che, Irene Vidal and my fellow birthday girl, Jed :)

Smallville Fever

I just love Smallville, I just can't control my excitement with these Smallville DVD's DM lent me. I'm done with 4 episodes yesterday and I'm on my 8th episode now.. I just can't get enough of Clark.. :) I meant Smallville.. Peace, DM! :P No, but seriously.. I think Jonathan Kent, Clark's "father" is more hunky than Clark! ;)

I like Lex Luthor in those episodes I've already watched. Contrary to his villain image, he was very likeable up to episode 7.. :) Oh, I really can't wait for weekends so I can start watching Smallville again.

Greetings:
1. Happy birthday, Jeff a.k.a. Mamang-X! More power to you, bro! :)
2. Happy birthday also to Lisa Consumido, KC's wifey. KC is one of those goody clients of mine when I was still at MDi. More businesses to come, Lisa! :)

On Friends

Friends -- pal : chum : sis / bro : 'tol : pare o mare ; etc.

We call our friends in different names, depending on the way we treat them.. also depends on our moods.. sometimes, depends on how they look when we see them. Different terms of endearment, pet names, usually when we want to annoy them (bad! tsk tsk tsk) and sometimes, to make lambing to them.. :)

But whatever name we call them, they're still our friends.. The one we call in times of troubles, when we want to spread the good news and even the bad news, if we feel like laughing, crying and even if we feel like talking nonsense..

So.. What about "friends"? Ok, lemme share this to you.. I'm in a state of confusion right now. Why? I'll just spare the details when this "confusion bug" pushes through. I dunno if I hope it pushes through or I hope it won't.. See? That's how confused I am right now! Dang!

Good thing, I have my friends with me. :) We exchanged a number of emails a few hours ago, just to think it's still office hours :), but they really made my day.. It's a great feeling to know that eventhough we don't see each other for quite sometime now, they're still there.. Just a call or an email away!

So this post is for them.. Thanks to Jeni for the wonderful advices, Lai for the so-Lai comments and advices too.. to Gnet who never fails to make me smile -- naks! To Dheng who's always silent about things.. duh? :) And to Joy, who's always on stand-by mode (for a couple of years now -- would u guys believe? :D) should I be needing her.. Luvyah guys! And I miss hanging out with you! I just hope our "subic plan" will be for real.. soon! :)

By the way, who has DVD's of "Friends" Season 2? Lotsa backlogs! Borrow puhleeease.. :)

You as a Pencil

I'm feeling a bit inspired at this moment.. I would want to share with you an inspiring parable and I do hope this could make a difference with the way you see yourselves..
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Parable Of The Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget.. and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you will need them to become a stronger person.
3. You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
4. The most important part of you will always be "what's on the inside".
5. On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation is, you must continue to do your duties.
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Allow this "parable of the pencil" to encourage you to feel that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and thus, cannot make a change..

Special Day Today

This journal of mine is dedicated to DM because it's our special day today.

Once again, DM got me with his surprises... We were just hanging out at Seattle's a few hours ago.. As soon as the clock striked 12 midnight, he greeted me and gave me a greeting card.. *sweeeet* But.. what got me really was.. he gave me a pack of "Choki Choki"! :) I know you guys don't get it, but this locally-made chocolate *hehehe* was memorable to us..

Why? Because the first time I came to him -- just to chat, because nobody's available that time ;) -- am I being defensive here? :P We were at Bora then, my first line was -- "Gusto mo?" I was offering him these Choki's chocolate sticks, unfortunately those were the only chocolates available at the store near the place where we stayed.. And he got one (I know he can't reject me *harharhar*). Then we chatted for a few minutes and so.. afterwhich, we were able to eat all those Choki's! Takaw! :P Then he said he still wanted some and asked me where I bought them. To cut the long story short, we went to the little store nearby to buy Choki's and on our way back, he asked me if I want to walk a little -- like in the sand (boys -- they never ran out of strategies, hehehe)! Chills! :) And so we walked in the sand while talking about a lotta things under the moon.. And the rest is history.. :)

DM also gave me these flowers a few hours ago when we're on our way home from Eastwood.. I was surprised for the nth time..

I can say that I had the best months of my life.. with him by my side..
I just hope that we'll never get tired of each other and that what we have now will remain.. for as long as we live.

"Forever should not be referred to as time... rather a place where two individuals go when true love takes them there..."

Tons of Greetings

My journal today is all about greetings:

1. Happy Daddy's day to all the dads out there and most especially to my loving daddy! :) You just don't know how thankful we are for having such a loving father like you. Your kids love you so much..

Sunset at Roxas Boulevard
My family and I went out for dinner at Pantalan in Roxas Boulevard, fiesta! =) Then we had coffee/tea/desserts at Figaro across CCP. Grabe! We had lotsa stories to share with one another. It's like we will never run out of stories and I always enjoy even those small talks of ours. Lastly, I love them most because they are beyond-the-normal-beings! :) Just like me!

2. Happy birthday to my long-time friend, Joy! I hope you get what you want now or should I say I hope you know what you want now. Peace, girl! :) Muah!

3. Happy wedding anniversary to DM's wonderful parents, Mr. and Mrs. Valentino! :) Here's wishing you more of what you have now po..

So there you are, there really is a lot of reasons to celebrate this day! :)

DVD Marathon and Badminton

I watched DVD's and thought of coming up with movie reviews -- sorry, I'm feeling like a film critic now so please bear with me guys, ok? :)

1. Boogeyman

Movie Summary:
In what could be a scene stolen straight out of Darkness Falls, Boogeyman opens in a young boy's bedroom late at night. Various objects and shadows appear to materialize, constantly preventing the boy from falling asleep. To make a long story short, his father comes in to relieve his fears, gets snapped up by the "Boogeyman," and 15 years later Barry Watson is a guy who is scared of closets. When Watson is forced to return home due to a family emergency, he decides to spend the night at his old home, now abandoned, in an attempt to conquer his fears.

My Review:
The movie is light on story but heavy on fog, heavy on slow walking, and heavy on a creaking house. I screamed a few times and I got confused several times which left me thinking and guessing.. I got disappointed with the ending though.. Why? I was still confused even after seeing the entire movie! I was left with a lotta questions.. And I don't like it.. Headache was all I got after watching this horror flick..

Rating: 2 stars out of 100 ;) Yep, I know I'm so mean!

2. Miss Congeniality 2

Movie Summary:
The story catches up with FBI agent Gracie Hart shortly after she successfully disarmed a threat against the Miss United States Pageant while working undercover as a contestant in "Miss Congeniality". Having become a media celebrity following her heroic pageant exploits, Gracie has been spending more time lately at the salon than the shooting range, working the talk show circuit and promoting her book. When her friends pageant winner Cheryl and emcee Stan are kidnapped in Las vegas, Gracie's all-out efforts to jump back into action to save them puts her at loggerheads with the FBI top brass who doesn't want to risk losing their mascot and fear she might not be up to the job anymore.

My Review:
I like Sandra Bullock, so I'll be a little biased here. :) I like her performance in this film, she can be really funny. I also like Regina King, as tough agent Sam Fuller who has anger management issues and obviously, as most other cop films, Hart and Fuller at first were clashing which often cause them troubles, but in the end, they'll be partners and will successfully accomplish their goals together. The story is so common, and yet still funny and entertaining. I never felt bored watching this film and admittedly, I had a good time. :)

Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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After DVD's, I played badminton again with DM and his cousins, like 7pm to 9pm. I need to sweat out coz I was a couch potato the whole day and I didn't like to end my day without even dropping a single sweat. :) Anyway, badminton was a great way of closing my day... I know I'll sleep well coz I'm dead tired after a couple of games.

Friday @ Marina

Belated happy beerday, Edwin! What a cool bottomless-beer-party u got, dude! =P As if you sent an invitation to everyone@mdi.. :)

Anyway, I missed my MDi family, I got to join them at Edwin's birthday bash at Marina, Jupiter and it was really fun! We got to talk about other people's lives hahaha! It was chisms time once again!

Note: Special thanks to Marianne for the supply of EJ! :) Cool!

"Pindang"

Pindang -- tapa

I heard the word pindang from DM, he was always telling me that no other tapa or pindang can compare to his Mom's pindang.. :) We always share stories about our families, especially our moms.. the way they prepare our meals, clothes, things.. the way they nag :) and of course how great they cook! Moms are known for that, I just hope I'll be a good cook by the time I'll be a momma.. :) And yeah, DM's right, I got to taste the famous pindang one dinner time at his place and wow! Sarap nga! :)

And just now -- I tried DM's mom's pindang recipe! :) I just hope my family will love it.. DM and I went to shopwise to buy sirloin a couple of hours ago coz he really wanted me to try to prepare pindang for my family, in which I know they're just gonna laugh when they found out I prepared something for them.. I never cooked, as in never.. Not that I don't wanna cook, it's just that... uhmm.. wala nang paligoy-ligoy pa -- I dunno how to cook! :) But I'm good in desserts, eating desserts hehehe.. Seriously, I know a bit about desserts and shakes, and I'm proud of it, akei? That's all I got! ;) Ok, so I'm done with the pindang mixture.. It needs to be refrigerated, ooops I sounded stupid yata, of course it needs to be refrigerated, sHenGGie!

Tomorrow's gonna be a big day for me :) -- I'm gonna cook the pindang I prepared a while ago! *fingers crossed*

Well at least I'm already prepared for the kantyaw's especially from my crazy utols, deadma ever! :)

Anyway, abangan ang susunod na kabanata! :) Who knows, I can resort to being a chef after my IT career? *whoah* And maybe.. just maybe.. being a chef is a perfect fallback for me... hmmm.. ;P

Gotta end this! I'm already dreaming... :) Goodnight y'all!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Rhose! :)

Vanity Knocks

Time and Date Taken: 10:30AM / Jun 15, 2005Remarks: We hate pix! :)
Flipside : Sorry for the inconvenience. Please bear with us. Thank you. :)

She Bangs!!!

Don't get me wrong guys, I'm not a fan of Ricky Martin, yeah he's gorgeous and all but nah! Maybe William Hung! :) Ok, so why "She Bangs"? Coz I had a haircut, like a few hours ago.. and i got BANGS now! *giggles*

Yun lang! Labo noh! :)

Oh well, one of the side effects of a new haircut.. tsk.. tsk.. tsk..

Blogging @ Seattle's Best II

I'm not a coffee person but I'm here again at Seattle's Best.. it's not the coffee really.. but WI-FI!!! :) I have a part-time job now -- "Blog Editor" for DM's blog site hahaha! I'm pretty sure he's gonna get mad once he gets to read this post.. Well, I'm just doing some magic with his blog pix, that's all.. :)

Actually, it's not all about the blog thing, realization for today is -- there are lotsa ways to enjoy free time with your partner, it doesn't have to cost you moolah to have fun.. Funny at times when you get to discover that there are things you find mababaw and nonsense when you're still single and surprisingly, you'll get to enjoy doing these kababawan pala when you get to do them together with your partner..

I believe that the most precious gift a person can give to his/her partner is "time". It's amazing how much a little "private" time can help repair a rocky relationship and improve even the best of relationships.

~~ sHenGGie logging off with a smile ~~

Smash day Today

What a healthy way to spend a Sunday! I played badminton with some badminton buddies, I had 5 or 6 games.. For someone who's not doing this regularly like me, I used to play badminton regularly like a couple of months ago.. but now, nah.. one can just imagine how tired and sore my muscles are right now.. well, as they say.. no pain, no gain.. I would still want to lose a few pounds :) and these sore muscles can't stop me from getting my target *wish*wish* :)

I had a great time with DM and his family, we had dinner and coffee afterwards.. I really love his pamangkin's :), they're soooo cutie and are really smart kids!
One of my fave pic with Raphael -- DM's nephew with his sis Chinkee
Oh kiddies.. I wonder how it feels to have one.. I wanna have one soon.... maybe in my dreams.. for now, only in my dreams.. :)

Which reminds me, it's kindda late already and I need to get some sleep now.. I promised DM I'm gonna sleep early.. G'nyt peeps!

Blogging @ Seattle's Best

Almost 2AM, still here at Eastwood, blogging :) nothin' much to post for my Saturday journal, nothin' much happened.. stayed the whole day at home, online! Then I went out around 9PM, meet up with DM (and still with DM :D), had dinner at Behrouz, MetroWalk in Ortigas..

Thumb Wrestling -- Best of 3Girl Power Rules :)DM enjoying his defeat :)
Then we had coffee, I meant "our favorite H&D coffee bar", wi-fi, this is our 3rd wi-fi card, would you guys believe? :) Well, I just did some "blog editing" for DM *giggles* and a few edits for my site too..

Gotta go now.. wi-fi card is soon to lapse again :)

Whew! Done at last!

Halleluia! I'm done with the freakin' technical and financial proposal! And YES! It's Friday, work week is over! Yoohoo!
i'm gonna miss u, my office mug -- the girl in my mug is moi :)
I can go home now... and rest.. or maybe blog first.. or GirlTalk first.. or maybe Friendster.. ooops, I'm not yet done with DVC (Da Vinci Code ;), might as well read first.. oh, i'll have dinner with DM before I go home.. hmmm.. so many things to do.. at least those stuff interest me.. Oh don't get me wrong, I love my work and so much thrilled with it.. I just need to have a break at times.. ok? :)

So, be goin' now.. Have a nice weekend, pipol! :)

~~~ shenggie packing up -- la-la-la-la-la -- while singin' ;P ~~~

A Tribute to our Little Ones

Time flies.. I miss my college buddies.. We were always together way back in college.. sometimes serious in school, but most of the time.. having fun! well at least clean fun :) we always clean our mess after each and every fun time! harharhar

It was past 7 years since we graduated from college.. Different career moves.. Some got married and have li'l kiddies now.. Some focused on work -- I'm in! Some stayed single -- I'm in again! :)

This is for my college friends who are now happy moms and dads.. This is the first time I'm gonna greet all of you -- altogether! GRATZZZZ! And it's really a wonderful feeling compiling your kiddies' pix!



I'll soon have one! kiddin :) I'll have one when I get married.. When? That... I still dunno.. No definite date yet, just a definite partner! ;)

Calling DM! Please proceed to sHenGGie's blog site! ;)

Lunch @ Oliver's

Burrrp! I had a quarter of tuna sandwich and a spicy sausage potato @ Oliver's.. what a healthy lunch! :)
Well, it really was supposed to be healthy but DM craved for a Haagen-Dazs Coffee & Almond Crunch.. in which I pretended a few times before that I hate that coffee bar.. but now.. no more pretentions! this bar is sooo sinfully yummy! And so I had a couple of bites.. enough to fill up the amount of calorie a normal being should take for the whole week! =P

On Friendster, GirlTalk and YM

Whoah! It's past 12AM and I'm still alive and typing ;)

I'm currently logged on to Friendster, GirlTalk and YM... i never get offline! ;D

Oh, the powers of Friendster.. who would think Friendster will be such a big hit? even a 7-year old kid can probably have a friendster account ;)

GirlTalk -- kikay stuff.. beauty tips.. fashion talk! hunk search! =P i love this forum!!!

YM -- cheapest (f-r-e-e) means of communication to fwenz -- and of course with DM! =)

We just can't get enough of each other.. We went to work together, he dropped me off to work, we had lunch inside his car -- really fun! and lastly, we went home together.. and now.. still chatting.. and later, phone call before bedtime! hahaha

I wish we'll never get tired of these... *wish*wish*wish*

Nytee nyt!

So-so day...

It was a so-so day for me.. I got home around 10PM.. nice shoes.. sore feet.. =/

I bought tops -- both long sleeves in stripes -- one black and one white -- yey! I had dinner with DM at Sugarhouse, Rockwell.. I just had french onion soup and I so looove Frozen Hot Choco!!!

DM to the rescue a few hours ago -- I had a 4PM meeting at Manila. I didn't bring my car thinking that I'll be with my boss on my way back to work but no! He went to his other meeting also in Manila and I was left waiting for a cab in a crowded area near the Manila Port Area. Lots of cabs, yeah, unfortunately, I wasn't able to get one. *sheesh* Lucky me, I have DM -- DM rescued me! (in one snap) *heaven sent* =)

Realization for the day -- DM wuv me so much =) -- I'm sure I'll sleep well with this thought..

Rainy Wednesday

First blog day.. It's a rainy Wednesday.. sleepy mood.. Good thing, I don't have much work today, just a 4PM meeting at Manila. I'm just waiting for my Boss and alas! He called me just now asking me to go to the building lobby to meet him.. So I gotta go now.. first blog -- nonsense! =)