Manila Chronicles
It's always weird when coming back from a long break. I have been clearing my work emails the entire day and I'm not really here. My mind is floating... thinking of my weeklong afternoon chats with my mom while watching tv... that relaxing 90 minute massage...chillin' with my brother. I'd rather do any of those than this. Hehe. As Orange would say, though, it is not "weird", it's just "back to reality".
In a nutshell, I'd describe last week as "bonding time". I did a lot of talking and hanging out with the people who matter most to me - my family and close friends. Our time was short but precious.
Here are the highlights of my Manila trip:
May 20: Retro
My mom and I spent the afternoon and early part of the evening just going around Greenbelt, mostly catching up and discussing the latest events and issues. We had steamed garlic fish at Big Buddha and went off to grab dessert and coffee. This reminded me so much of Friday nights with Rhea and Pam where we'd have that exact same routine --- Dinner. Dessert. Good company. Great conversation.
I, then, spent the night catching up with Jeng at our old Kingswood condo. It felt so familiar, as if I were not really gone for a year. Additions to the place included a 24-inch, 10 year old TV,
which had to be hit everytime the picture tube acts up. Haha. I got my good share of Koreanovelas with that especially sweet scene from "My Girl" as finale.
May 21: Gateway
It was my first time at Gateway mall. Fael and I went to see The Da Vinci Code, which I really didn't find that great. The book was tons better. What caught me by surprise was the Accenture Tiger Woods commercial being shown as part of the movie previews. I saw that and I was like "Huh?". Hehe. I guess they're actively recruiting.
May 22: Rest Day
Sleep. Colds. Sleep. Coughs. Sleep. Headache. Sleep. Fever. Sleep.
May 23: Brother time
Our morning was devoted to Rafael and understanding his latest CT scan results. The doctor was helpful in answering the questions that we had. I particularly had a few important ones and that session helped me comprehend better.
Our afternoon was, then, devoted to Jayvee, who had a few hours of free time. It was good to see him as being on his semi-secluded year, I don't get to talk or text him that often. Moments like these happen seldom with the entire family together - just talking and laughing. It was sweet.
May 24: X-Men
After the yummy eclairs at Jack's Loft, Jumie, Fael and I went to see X-Men 3. One word - Wow. I'm neither a fan of the comics nor the cartoon, but I should say the story is quite gripping. I especially loved that scene with Wolverine trying to stop Jean Grey. Ok, I admit that I loved it because it showed Hugh Jackman's amazing body. Hehe. But aside from that, I think that scene is quite deep... Sometimes, we have to hurt the people we love as it's the only way to save them. True ey?
May 25: Spontaneity
After dinner at the Dampa market, Marian, Shay and I were walking around, thinking of what to do next...when the answer just appeared before us.
Kontessa Family KTV. Hahaha. We spent almost 2 hours singing the weirdest songs and the entertained staff gave us a few songs free. To close the night, we thought of singing our theme song. Then, we realized that we didn't have one. We ended up picking "Thank You" by Dido. Nice!
It is spontaneous moments like this that are most memorable :)
May 26: Falling In Love
I fell in love... with Wentworth Miller. Thanks to Jumie and Fael for introducing "Prison Break" to me. The dude is simply, amazingly, I'll-marry-him-in-a-heartbeat kinda cute. Sigh :)
The TV junkie in me just couldn't let the opportunity pass. After my 90 minute Mind and Body Massage at the Suriya Spa (totally relaxing!!), I went home and started on the series...Then, I was hooked.
Unfortunately, time wasn't enough for me to finish all the episodes. So, to whoever has the entire season, please help a girl in love and send me copies. Hehe :)
May 27: Mi Familia
One thing crossed my mind during the Saturday gimik with my cousins... Time flies soooo fast. Gone were the days when we'd play at Rina's "bahay kubo" and have "Shirt Tales Club" meetings. Now, we were swapping boy stories, wedding plans and future baby names over Chococinnos at the Mandarin Deli (highly recommended) and margaritas at Cafe Adriatico. It was great. I just wish the next generation of Zunigas will be as closely knit as we are.
May 28: Run, baby, run
As soon as I got off the last security checks, I heard the announcement: "PR501 to Singapore, last call for boarding". Yikes. I had to run just to get to the gate on time. I did make the flight... and here I am now, writing.
As I sit here, I kinda wish I didn't hear the announcement, leisurely walked to the gate, and missed my flight. Haha.
Going home is great... always is, always will be. It will always be that only place where I'd feel safest and unconditionally loved.
I'm beginning to wish I was back home...
In a nutshell, I'd describe last week as "bonding time". I did a lot of talking and hanging out with the people who matter most to me - my family and close friends. Our time was short but precious.
Here are the highlights of my Manila trip:
May 20: Retro
My mom and I spent the afternoon and early part of the evening just going around Greenbelt, mostly catching up and discussing the latest events and issues. We had steamed garlic fish at Big Buddha and went off to grab dessert and coffee. This reminded me so much of Friday nights with Rhea and Pam where we'd have that exact same routine --- Dinner. Dessert. Good company. Great conversation.
I, then, spent the night catching up with Jeng at our old Kingswood condo. It felt so familiar, as if I were not really gone for a year. Additions to the place included a 24-inch, 10 year old TV,
which had to be hit everytime the picture tube acts up. Haha. I got my good share of Koreanovelas with that especially sweet scene from "My Girl" as finale.
May 21: Gateway
It was my first time at Gateway mall. Fael and I went to see The Da Vinci Code, which I really didn't find that great. The book was tons better. What caught me by surprise was the Accenture Tiger Woods commercial being shown as part of the movie previews. I saw that and I was like "Huh?". Hehe. I guess they're actively recruiting.
May 22: Rest Day
Sleep. Colds. Sleep. Coughs. Sleep. Headache. Sleep. Fever. Sleep.
May 23: Brother time
Our morning was devoted to Rafael and understanding his latest CT scan results. The doctor was helpful in answering the questions that we had. I particularly had a few important ones and that session helped me comprehend better.
Our afternoon was, then, devoted to Jayvee, who had a few hours of free time. It was good to see him as being on his semi-secluded year, I don't get to talk or text him that often. Moments like these happen seldom with the entire family together - just talking and laughing. It was sweet.
May 24: X-Men
After the yummy eclairs at Jack's Loft, Jumie, Fael and I went to see X-Men 3. One word - Wow. I'm neither a fan of the comics nor the cartoon, but I should say the story is quite gripping. I especially loved that scene with Wolverine trying to stop Jean Grey. Ok, I admit that I loved it because it showed Hugh Jackman's amazing body. Hehe. But aside from that, I think that scene is quite deep... Sometimes, we have to hurt the people we love as it's the only way to save them. True ey?
May 25: Spontaneity
After dinner at the Dampa market, Marian, Shay and I were walking around, thinking of what to do next...when the answer just appeared before us.
Kontessa Family KTV. Hahaha. We spent almost 2 hours singing the weirdest songs and the entertained staff gave us a few songs free. To close the night, we thought of singing our theme song. Then, we realized that we didn't have one. We ended up picking "Thank You" by Dido. Nice!
It is spontaneous moments like this that are most memorable :)
May 26: Falling In Love
I fell in love... with Wentworth Miller. Thanks to Jumie and Fael for introducing "Prison Break" to me. The dude is simply, amazingly, I'll-marry-him-in-a-heartbeat kinda cute. Sigh :)
The TV junkie in me just couldn't let the opportunity pass. After my 90 minute Mind and Body Massage at the Suriya Spa (totally relaxing!!), I went home and started on the series...Then, I was hooked.
Unfortunately, time wasn't enough for me to finish all the episodes. So, to whoever has the entire season, please help a girl in love and send me copies. Hehe :)
May 27: Mi Familia
One thing crossed my mind during the Saturday gimik with my cousins... Time flies soooo fast. Gone were the days when we'd play at Rina's "bahay kubo" and have "Shirt Tales Club" meetings. Now, we were swapping boy stories, wedding plans and future baby names over Chococinnos at the Mandarin Deli (highly recommended) and margaritas at Cafe Adriatico. It was great. I just wish the next generation of Zunigas will be as closely knit as we are.
May 28: Run, baby, run
As soon as I got off the last security checks, I heard the announcement: "PR501 to Singapore, last call for boarding". Yikes. I had to run just to get to the gate on time. I did make the flight... and here I am now, writing.
As I sit here, I kinda wish I didn't hear the announcement, leisurely walked to the gate, and missed my flight. Haha.
Going home is great... always is, always will be. It will always be that only place where I'd feel safest and unconditionally loved.
I'm beginning to wish I was back home...
posted by balletflats | 6:19 PM
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