Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Yay for Irvine!

I'm a huge fan of the Food Network show, Dinner Impossible and its star chef, Robert Irvine. He can be a bit mean, but I can tell that he's someone who just really wants to make a good impression when it comes to his cooking. He's serious about this. Anyways, he really does soften up after each chaotic mission. He's quite charming, really. 

So, a new season is about to start this coming April 8th and I'm excited. Chef Irvine went away for a bit and another chef took his place for a bit, but it wasn't the same. Now, he's back! He gives us a little peek into his missions in the upcoming season here in his blog. They all sound exciting, but I am most excited about this Yahoo! gig he's going to do:

“The Yahoo! Search Scramble”
Robert visits Yahoo! headquarters in the heart of Silicon Valley to celebrate the anniversary of Yahoo! Search. His mission: make the top 15 most-searched dishes, with a catch – each dish must be made with a randomly assigned top-searched ingredient! Can Robert overcome the strange pairings and successfully feed 450 Yahoo! employees in just eight hours, or will this be Dinner: Impossible? 

Monday, March 30, 2009

Closet/Room Shopping

My mom is great. She's my personal shopper. There are countless times when she will go home from the mall with a bagful of clothes for me. She believes that I don't use my full fashionista potential. She then attempts to squeeze this so-called "potential" out of me by encouraging me to splurge on clothes or by purchasing clothes for me.  I get lazy quite frequently, so most of the time, when either my mom and I buy clothes for me, I seldom end up placing the shopping bag in one corner; forgetting that a new piece of clothing was left abandoned.  
My mom and I were rummaging around my room the other night; opening shopping bags with unknown things in them and look what I found:

Untouched, brand new clothes; some purchased by me, some by my mom. Ha! I feel like I just went on a shopping "SFREE!" 

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Happy Birthday, Yennie!



You're such an amazing person and I love you. As you turn 24, I wish you more happiness, good health, and more feet killing Vegas trips. Cheers! 

P.S. "There's a Blind!"

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

"I am Hip-Hop" Too... Sort of...

My ears are weird; accustomed to many kinds of sounds. From my grandma's naturally loud voice, to songs in different languages I don't understand, to rock and roll, alternative, indie to hip hop... my ears have been graced. However, the people that know me the most will probably categorize my favorite kind of music to be on the alternative side. It's understandable, growing up in the Philippines where alternative/rock and roll pretty much ruled the airwaves, I am definitely more accustomed to that kind of music. 

But hey, I like hip-hop/RnB too! Maybe not as much as when I was in high school, but I still am a fan (especially when it comes to the clubs). However, I rarely find myself being able to listen to a whole hip-hop/RnB album, because most of the time, you just want to skip to the popular singles. But there are those rare albums that really really impressed me that I thought I would share with you. 

Puff Daddy & The Family- NO WAY OUT
Okay, I thought of adding this one out of honesty, after all, it is the best policy. (You like that rhyming there huh? All in the spirit of hip-hop). Anyyywaayys, as I was saying, this I think is my first hip-hop album. I mean who didn't like this album during my high school days? Who does not keep the memory of Puff Daddy flinging his arms like crazy as he twirls non-stop on the VMAs as he gives tribute to Notorious B.I.G.? I don't know about you, but that "performance" is forever scarred on my mind. I mean, almost all the songs in this album was a hit! If you didn't like this album during it's peak, then you were not a cool kid... and I'd like to think that I was cool. One more thing, I knew all the words to "All About the Benjamins." Yeah! I was that cool! 
Jay Z- THE BLACK ALBUM
This was Davis days. I remember getting the album from my roommate "for the heck of it." For some weird reason, I will find myself listening to it constantly and being constantly impressed. I even find myself enjoying its little skits. I loved "December 4th."
Kelis- KELIS WAS HERE
This album is AMAZING. I can't stress that enough. This was released back in 2006, and to this day, I still play it. The only single that probably left a mark on many is "Bossy." Let me tell you, those "many" truly missed out. In all honesty, I didn't expect myself to be such a fan after that earlier "Milkshake" release. It was a random day that I ran into an amazing review of this album. I decided to give it a try, after all I was quite impressed with "Bossy." Every single song in this album had character and I'm not sure how successful this CD came to be, but it is one of my all time favorite albums.

Kanye West- GRADUATION
I liked the album. Then, I saw him in concert and truly saw that the man has the right to be so big-headed. He's talented. His concert was a one man show and yes, he does "talk with so much emphasis." I felt the album empowering. For example singing to "Can't Tell me Nothing" after visiting a high end store and no one willing to help you, because they just know that you're not going to buy crap; or singing to "Goodlife" after passing a test you absolutely thought you will fail at. See what I mean? Empowering! Admit it, the guy's good. 

Lil' Wayne- THA CARTER III
Out of every single one in this entry, I think this is the most unexpected. Initially, I liked it because it sounded good and the beats are good. But then, I really listened and his lyrics are just insane. He's clever, plain as that, or maybe, he really is a martian. 

Beyonce- I AM SASHA FIERCE
I always say, Beyonce deserves everything she has because she really does have talent. I admit, I like her past songs here and there... and then I hear this album. Now, I can't wait to see her in concert. This album is amazing, but I'm particularly obsessed with "Halo," "Smash Into You," and "Radio." I listen to this album almost "errryday!" Listen to it and I think you'll agree, she is Sasha Fierce. 

Monday, March 23, 2009

Happy Birthday, Wends...




I wish you happiness, health, and success, Wends. Happy Birthday! Luv yah!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Getting Used to it

I put a lot of thought into it, and I eventually gave in. I need to splurge on a new lens for my camera. This is mainly because I'm trying to get involved on certain projects that may require a better lens in comparison to the lens kit my Rebel XTi came with. I was able to buy the 28-135mm lens from the internet at a decent price. Many call this lens "an excellent walk-around" lens. I'm still playing around with it, so I don't know if I would agree to such label yet. Judge for yourself. Here are untouched photos taken with the lens. What do you think? I'm loving the image stabilizer feature! I'm no professional photographer. In all honesty, I qualify as beginner when it comes to it. I'm very much interested in taking a few photography classes and lately, I find myself filling my search tool bar with words such as "photography in a nut shell." I think I'm starting a new "phase." An expensive phase that is... aaarrggh! 







Monday, March 16, 2009

Nike Logo it Out

Apparently, pretty much my whole vacation that I filed for this year was approved by my boss. Eh, maybe he didn't approve one or two days here and there but, I feel confident that it shouldn't be a problem. My "Hello, Philippines... again" moment is closer to realization. I was able to chat with my cousin, Tan from the Philippines today for a good while. I told him the news about the approved vaca. He told me about a few places in PI I should look up on the internet; some places I may be interested in. 

Elephant Island:
This island, according to my cousin attempts to mimic or give the impression of ala Greece, Santorini. This is the only decent picture I can find on the internet. It sounds like a cool place though. Hmm... that island does look like an elephant lying on its side, doesn't it?

Eskaya Beach Resort in Bohol
 



It looks beautiful! But, I heard it's a bit pricey. But to be able to relax in a place like that should be amazing. It sure would beat my hospital shifts!

Of course, there are the new "super clubs" around. He told me to check these two out:

Club Bureau


Club Manor in Libis
Tan told me that despite all these new places, the good ol' Embassy is still a hot spot. 

For all I know, these places are hella old already, but to me they are new. The fact that I may be possibly setting foot back home again excites me. What will make this trip more special is the fact that I am going with my friends. I'm really hoping that it pulls through. I'm long overdue for some major R&R.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

SMITTEN!

If you don't know by now, I am an avid fan of TFC (that is The Filipino Channel to you). I am a "phase" kind of person. I have my weird phases. Let's see... my past phases included  The OC, G-shocks, K-pop, Lacoste shirts, Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga... yada yada yada. I'm afraid to go on because I think I'm starting to scare you. Though, I will now admit to my current "phase." 

((ahem)) Hi, I'm Apple and I am a KIMERALD addict... 
Yes, no other than Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. Kim+Gerald= KIMERALD. 

I saw them in person when I went to the Philippines last year. They were right in front of me, but my mouth uttered no words because I was starstruck. Kim is very pretty and Gerald is soooo good looking. Here's a photo I took during the show:
 
I just like their chemistry. Nakakakilig sila! There is no other way to put it. I don't know how to say NAKAKAKILIG in English. That word was born Tagalog. I am addicted to their soap, Tayong Dalawa. It's definitely my stress reliever. Wait... let's pause. Am I "weirding" you out yet? Yes? Okay, good, that's the point. I will make this all valid with three words: GERALD ANDERSON'S HOTNESS!

Monday, March 9, 2009

SNES Owner Status


The good ol' Super Nintendo is classic. When I was young, I remember when we couldn't afford to own one of these. I would stand outside one of my friend's house who owns one and watch him play as I secretly pray that I get invited in so I can play, even a little. I don't know how, but I managed to own one after a while. I left my console when I had to go here in the US. After a few years, I got into one of my weird phases and decided I want to get one. So, I was able to buy one from ebay a few years ago. I still have it. It works fine. I haven't played it in a while, but I doubt I will get rid of it. Everytime I see it, it really reminds me of how far I've gotten in this life. Not necessarily from rags to riches, but who would have thought that I'll be where I am now? 

Anyways, simple video games can be so much fun from time to time!

Apple does Proust

The Proust Questionnaire is a questionnaire about one's personality, first popularized by the responses given by the French writer Marcel Proust. 
When I went to see the YSL exhibit, there was a section where YSL himself answered the following questions.
 I thought it would be interesting to answer these myself. 

W
HAT IS YOUR CHIEF CHARACTERISTICS?
- Compassion
WHAT IS YOUR MAIN FAULT
- Gullible
WHAT IS YOUR MAIN QUALITY IN A MAN?
- Wit and romance
AND IN A WOMAN?
-Strength
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE HISTORICAL FIGURE?
- Jose Rizal
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE HEROES IN REAL LIFE?
-No other than my parents
IF NOT YOURSELF, WHO WOULD YOU BE?
-Anthony Bourdain- solely because of his job.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
-When I make my love ones happy.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF MISERY?
- Isolation
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
- In the Philippines.
WHAT TALENT DO YOU WISH YOU WERE GIFTED WITH?
- The ability to make each and everyone feel special.
FOR WHAT FAULT HAVE YOU THE MOST TOLERATION?
-Selfishness?
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PAINTER?
-Van Gogh, Juan Luna
AND COMPOSERS?
- hmm... too many.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
-Lately...Purple
WHAT DO YOU HATE THE MOST?
- When people fight because of money and when people don't appreciate what you do.
DO YOU HAVE A MOTTO?
- In life, complete satisfaction is impossible. 
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO RIGHT NOW?
- See the world...

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Relax! Just Do it!


This month, work is giving me a little break. I will only be working three days a week compared to my usual four days per week. In a way, I am glad but, in a way, I am also somewhat disappointed. It's just that less work means less moola. It should be okay, after all, I really ought to be saving these days. With more free time in my hands, I plan to make sure I get the R&R that I deserve without spending too much. Hmm... I really should use that massage gift certificate MS gave me.