Music Wednesday: Madonna's Turn Up the Radio

 So, to make my postings more organized, I've decided to 'schedule' certain topics on particular days of the week. 

This is my first-ever Music Wednesday post.  From now on, I'll be posting my music pick-of-the-week on a Wednesday.

Here's a recent song/music video by Madonna called Turn Up the Radio!  I smell come-back concerts worldwide. :)  Oh, and she's back to her techno-pop genre, by the way.  She still has it, eh?

Video courtesy of YouTube / VEVO Madonna Music

Cerchio: Filipino-Asian fusion Resto in QC

When my not-so-little brother celebrated his birthday, we were supposed to have dinner in Romulo's Cafe in Scout Tuason, Quezon City.  I have had dinner here once with my college friends and everything we ordered were YUM!  So, I recommended it to my parents.  Unfortunately, when I called in for a reservation, the non-smoking areas are fully-booked already.  :(  That was a Friday night, so I guess if you plan to dine here on a weekend, you should book at least 2 days prior just to be sure you'll have a table.

So, we settled to dining in Cerchio, in Scout Limbaga, QC.  Aside from having read from the net that they have the same owners as Romulo's, I've eaten here twice before with friends.  Here's what we had:



Singaporean Crispy Squid Heads - my favorite!  It's a bit sweet with a hint of spice (about Php 200+)



Pako Salad - everything in this bowl is FRESH!  (about Php 130+)

Pork Sisig - so cute, right?  Topped with quail eggs (about Php 200+)



Kare-kare: The veggies are fresh and the peanut sauce is authentic peanut! (Php about 300+)




Grilled Salmon on lemon-butter sauce: Pretty good. Not greasy nor malansa.  Cooked perfectly too! (about Php 580)



Garlic pasta with Grilled Chicken - another favorite! It may look a bit dry but boy you should taste it!  It's flavorful!  (about Php 230)

We had their signature mocktail drink - Cool as cucumber (Php95) and it was a refreshing drink which is probably made of lemon, cucumber, sparkling water, and mint leaves (based on what it tasted).

On separate occasions (past dinners with friends) we ordered the Vietnamese Spring Rolls (about Php160+) and the Oven-baked Crispy Pata with 3 sauces (about Php600+), both are also delicious.

And what's a birthday without a cake!?  We took home this lovely chocolate ice-cream cake from Caramia which we purchased in Amici Tomas Morato.  It's one of the best ice-cream/refrigerated cakes I've tasted.  Way better than DQ Ice cream cakes - which are all too sugary for me.  This cake is rich in cocoa and the sweetness is just right. 

If I remember it right this is a Black Forest (about Php 590+)

Boyfriends / Husbands, be ready this weekend!

Was looking for something to wear for this weekend's event (a friend's wedding) in Makati, and saw posters around SM Makati that they'll be having a weekend sale from August 17-19, 2012.  It's a mall-wide sale so... Forever 21's part of it!  Boyfriends & husbands, be ready (for a workout! haha!)!!!

2012 London Olympics Closing: My goosebumps moments and then some

I was supposed to do my laundry yesterday but when as I flicked through the channels on the telly, I chanced upon the London Olympics Closing Ceremonies... & my eyes got glued until my brother took the remote from me! :-\ (only to switch the channel to local news!)

Well, I'm guessing I caught at least the first half of the ceremonies. The production was totally awesome! It was superb! From the lights, to the stage, to the props, to the performers!

I have had 3 major goosebumps moments!

Goosebump moment # 1: STOMP PERFORMANCE
Sidenote: Commentators were saying that this is by far Stomp's largest casting for a performance! This group never fails to amaze me! Sucks I wasn't able to catch them live when they came here for a few shows.


Photo courtesy of: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/viewart/20120812/NEWS03/120812025/Olympics-come-rocking-end-pop-party



Photo courtesy of: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12082012/8/photo/cast-stomp-perform-during-london-olympic-games-2012-closing-ceremony.html

Photo courtesy of: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest-news/article/item149619

Goosebump Moment # 2: Imagine
Sidenote: Soon as the choir hit the first note, I've got goosebumps all over.

Goosebump Moment # 3: Athletes' Parade
Sidenote: I don't know, but seeing the world's athletes coming together to just enjoy and party during the closing ceremony made me a little emotional. I was smiling while watching them have fun and take photos and videos themselves as they walk around the olympic stadium. I somehow have felt how joyful & triumphant (regardless if they won or not) they are at that moment :)

Photo courtesy of: http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20120813/175179563_6.html

 

Photo courtesy of: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/multimedia/gallery/2012/08/12/photo-gallery-london-olympics-closing-ceremony/

 

Photo courtesy of: http://www.thespec.com/photozone/779074--photos-2012-olympic-games-closing-ceremony

And then... some other notable performances/sights:

Nicely done props/stage crew!
Photo courtesy of: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/cars-of-the-2012-london-olympics-closing-ceremonies/

George Michael & his signature dance move!
Photo courtesy of: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/12/london-2012-closing-ceremony-olympics-come-rocking/

Hello circa '90's! Spice Girls atop London cabbies, speeding away as they sang. Fierce!
Photo courtesy of: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2012/aug/12/london-2012-olympics-closing-ceremony-live

Never knew Russell Brand could sing, until yesterday!
Photo courtesy of: http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/olympic-closing-ceremony-weirdest-moments-556362-Aug2012/



Giant Octopus who swallowed.....
Photo courtesy of: http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/olympic-closing-ceremony-weirdest-moments-556362-Aug2012/



Fatboy Slim!!!
Photo courtesy of: http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/olympic-closing-ceremony-weirdest-moments-556362-Aug2012/

Jessie J! Rockin' voice as she speeds around the oval!
Photo courtesy of: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4485487/Record-263million-watch-Londons-Olympic-curtain-call.html

Fashion Print Ads atop a truck roaming around - then coming to life
Photo courtesy of: http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/mmonline.dll/portal/ep/slideContentView.do?contentId=12204535&programId=1080127282&channelId=-1073865027&BV_ID=@@@

I guess, that wraps up my faves (take note, I only got to see the first half of the whole thing!) during the closing ceremony. Now, Rio is gonna have to top that up in 2016! I'm sure they won't have a problem with that because from what I know, Rio is THE place to party (hard)!

Of Wings & Pizza

This is a very very VERY late post. I just think that it is worth posting. :)

Last May, my family & I have discovered this chillaxin' place near our neighborhood - Greenhills Town Center (no relations whatsoever with Alabang Town Center, nor owned/operated by the Ayala Malls).

It's a tiny piece of land of fastfood, restaurants, gastropubs, both commercially known and small start-ups. One of which became my new-found favorite: Red Buffalo Wings & Pizza.


Photo courtesy of their Facebook Page

They offer incredibly yummy wings of different flavor!  We tried 2 out of their 5 variants - their original Red Buffalo Wings and the cashier-recommended Garlic Parmesan-flavored Wings.  And boy my tastebuds were so happy!

From top-left: Original Red Buffalo Wings (hot & tangy!); Fries (hefty serving); Steak Pizza (not oily!); and my Sunday foodscapades group!

Too bad I wasn't able to take a photo of the Garlic-Parmesan (my fave!), but I highly recommend you order it! :)  They have a wide-selection of local and foreign beers by the way.

Aside from the food, what I love most about this Wings & Pizza place is their whole service package.  You have the option to sit inside (aircon) or dine al-fresco.  We opted the latter since there was just the right amount of breeze the time we went there.  Plus, no noise pollution, nor stinking combustion smell around. 

It's semi-self-serviced.  Condiments, water dispenser, straw, plastic gloves (very convenient! i like!), & napkins are put neatly in one corner.  Their high ceilings create an illusion of a huge freespace and the whole place is evenly well-lit.  (Some food places have dimly-lit corners here & there and I don't like that)  Their staff is also quick to respond to whatever needs you may request and are all smiles - big plus!

The place is perfect for casual foodtrips with the family, and best with your buddies.


Red Buffalo Wings & Pizza
Unit 11 GREENHILLS TOWNCENTER
#2 Granada St. Brgy. Valencia, 1112
Quezon City, Philippines
Phone: 654-6997

	Mon - Thu: 11:00 am - 12:15 am Fri - Sat: 11:00 am - 2:00 am Sun: 11:00 am - 12:15 am



The Perils of Online Shopping

I'm in my late 20's and frankly, I haven't purchased anything online yet!  Talk about being jurassic!  Jurassic by the way is a colloquial term we use pertaining to all things (or processes) ancient / aged / antique / dateless / barbaric / old-skool... you get the picture!

Photo from: http://drawception.com/viewgame/BYKsBcEae7/trex-riding-a-unicorn/

For one, I do not own one of those plastic cards.  Agh!  I know, you're thinking "how jurassic can this woman be?!"  Not that I owe anyone an explanation, but simply put, I'm not yet ready to have one.  Especially I have just recently quit my 'real' job.  I'm freelancing now.  I'll probably get into a few details about that in my future post.  Just a tad bit since I wanna make sure I abide by the tagline of this blog. :)

Anyhoo, the reason I've mentioned about buying things online is that I actually NEED to buy a rain boot (a fashionably appealing one and in matte pls!) and a couple of books that I need for my 'real' freelancing job.  Apparently, these books are only available in the US & it's frustrating enough already that they cost a lot... and I'm not being my usual kuripot self.  There's this one book that will cost me around 5k pesos!  Although it's a good thing that Barnes & Noble is on-sale today (I'm just unsure until when this is gonna be), so they took off 21% from the original price.

Plus, there are shipping fees, US Sales Tax fees, Philippine customs fees, which most of the time costs more than the item that you bought!  Then there's a possibility of the item you purchased being lost in the odds of transporting anywhere between the US and the Philippines.  Nakakaloka!  Hoho!

Which is why some of those who share my sentiments would opt to ask favors from their relatives or friends in the US who are either coming home soon or will have a balikbayan box sent over, to purchase for them online and they'll just wire the payment to their US-based friends/family.  I did this once already and it saved me a few thousand bucks!  The only catch here is that any inevitable delays (such as change of flights / dates of the vacationing balikbayan, or in the case of my friend - a <insert cuss here> boss who disapproved her initial leave dates and postponing it further 6 months!)



http://houseofflair.multiply.com/
(i fancy their logo!)

So, what do you do to get your purchased item ASAP with less additional charges and less hassle?  Upon researching for a couple of days (yes, it took me days!), I chanced upon House of Flair.  I THINK, this site is by far the most convenient and with the most minimal additional fees.  From what I understand on how their business works, you e-mail them the link of any US-based online shop that you wanna buy from and then they'll quote on how much you're going to shell out.  Afterwhich, you will need to make a deposit of 50% to confirm your order, and then they'll make it happen for you.  They'll have your desired items delivered right at your doorstep in 3-4 weeks time.  That simple.  It's perfect for those who do not have a credit card and a newbie online shopper like moi!
I haven't tried availing of their services yet, although, I've made contact because as I've said earlier, I have 2 freakin' expensive books which I'm dying to purchase but is only available in the US!  Sent them an email for an inquiry and in just 15 minutes, they replied with complete details.  They even offered to give me a discount should I purchase more.

I still have to make up my mind if I'll give it a go.  I will update you in my future posts.  Meanwhile, if you know of other ways to ship purchases from the US to the Philippines more conveniently & reasonably-priced, share it!!! :)

Hello ebribadi!

So why am I doing this?  I not really sure why.  I just suddenly feel like doing it.   Maybe I have too much in my head.   Or maybe it’s too empty and I just need to keep my neurons working, hence, write. Maybe I just feel like sharing.   Or maybe I just need attention.   Maybe it’s a form of distraction.   Or it could be a way for me to gain focus.   It could be a waste of time.  Or it can also be a productive way to waste time. :-p

They say that one must always have an end goal so you won’t lose track of what you really want to achieve.   But I wanna try not having one (at least for this blog, ha!) and then see how things will go from here.

‘Til my next moonlighting! ;-)