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? 

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!" 

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!"

"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. 

Happy Birthday, Wends...

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

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! 

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.