August RoundUp

Ear Candy:

🎧 Yes, You Can Use This In Your Vlog
https://youtu.be/8_VCtKoz-Ko

🎧 Changes
https://youtu.be/f0bbDFRYD_A

ay kenat.. barya lang po sa umaga
https://open.spotify.com/user/12146149556/playlist/74rV4sEnlXCmiedQHAyOlT?si=U9bWXNHtSROaOOkOxzk7ow

Movies/TV Series:

Disenchantment
Kakuriyo No Yadomeshi
Cells at Work

Books:

Wind / Pinball
This is What Happy Looks Like
Turtles All The Way Down

Homefront:

Homemade Burgers
Quick Lunch with siblings+mami at 8Cuts

Work, etc.

Full support for the Yellow Team - Sportsfest Volleyball
Ongoing User Requirements Review for the Integrated Expense Management Solution
Minor Prod Support for two java web apps
Hello, NodeJS!

Uy, Chix!

because, go chooks! ahahaha

Waiting for the Final Round.  I heard crush will not attend huhu Still, we will bring it on! ;)

In other news, I feel like the great outdoors is calling me.  I heard plans for a day hike but if the date will push thru I won't be able to join #parentalduties

How was your Aughost month? Ready ka na for the BER months? :)

Ball is Life.. not!

Friends would suprisingly ask me, "Nagva-volleyball ka pala?"

Well.. I don't look sporty at all.  Might have something to do with my height but I do know how to play the basics hahaha I don't intend to level up my skills, much like how I am with everything: mediocre.  Basically, just for fun.

It feels good to stir up the daily grind once in a while.  Expose myself to various elements and spare myself from death due to boredom.

You guys should try it sometime ;)

* * *
I do sound a bit defensive and sarcastic because I think I am. 😜

Second Round

Our uniform is out but will put it on for our next game.  We look like models for Cho0ks to go hence their chicken pose (which I wasn't aware of, sabi wacky lang!)

I didn't get to play much but that's okay since this win's a bit critical.  I'm all support for the team :)

The Streak

Too sleepy to share details.  Happy pa rin as the team won again! :)

Ang sarap ng feeling mo

Dahil dyan napapatagalog ako harhar.. Yung nanalo ang iyong koponan at alam mong may naikontribyut ka.. pasok lahat ng serbis, nakahulog ka pa ng isa na ikinagulat ng lahat kasama na ako hahaha syempre hindi maiwasan may hindi naisalbang bola pero sinuportahan ka pa rin ng mga kalaro mo.. sarapness!

but seriously, I deserved that cheeseburger tonight.  To the next game!

Review: Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Probably the author wanted to make me really understand the condition our lead is going through, I appreciate the effort but it felt dragging already. I maybe rushing to finish the book that I find myself skipping her spiral thoughts and cut to the next scene already. By the time I reached the catch phrase, "It's turtles all the way down" and she has a certain aha moment I just felt utter relief like shouting "Finally!" and almost missed the whole point.

Picked up a few quotes I liked hence the stars :)
* * *

Anybody can look at you. It's quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see. p9 #turtlesallthewaydown

But for some people, the invasive can kind of take over, crowding out all the other thoughts until it's the only one you're able to have, the thought you're perpetually either thinking or distracting yourself from. p45

Your now is not your forever. p93

The question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence. - Edgar Allan Poe p133

Photographs are just light and time. p206

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Free as a Bird

Well, with all the things we post online we are not free from being misjudged.  So, the tween wants a fresh start before she accepts any friend requests and I was more than glad to help *knuckles crackin*

Not sure if it's okay to teach her to be paranoid online conscious but better be safe than sorry.  Anyways, whoever wants to know her better just had to do it the old fashioned way and not by stalking.

Walk the Talk They Say

Choose to eat healthy and just move.  Fad diet program doesn't work on me.  I try to bring my own food at work so I don't get tempted to stuff myself with savory or tasty processed food.  Sure, I give in and call it a cheat day once in a while.  But then I prefer to save that peso for our travel fund :)

Recently, I have't been hitting my daily 10k steps goal.  Need to be more consistent on that or find other indoor exercise routine to follow with this weather.

Cheese Roti Snack

 The tween woke up late and opted for a light morning snack.

There's something wrong with our toaster oven so I cooked it in the pan with a bit of butter until flaky.  I used Emborg Mozzarella Cheese and served folded.  Easy peasy! ;)

Terrific Twos

I love these kind of parties when you know the celebrator is indeed happy on his birthday.  Not cranky nor overstimulated but indeed having a blast.

Quick catch up with loved ones.  No drama here, yey!

Lazy Rainy Sunday Morning

Urin manneyo?! 🤗 Feeling a bit more restless than usual and can't seem to get myself do the usual stuff: read a book or watch something.

Out comes the uke.  Thought I wouldn't be able to play anything anymore.  And yet once I got the thing tuned and I strummed my first chord, I'm already lost in time.

Like I said, the music comes with all the feels.. and when I say all.. the kilig, the happiness but unfortunately also comes with the hurt, anger and sadness.  It's the only way to be able to give a song justice. You've got to feel everything.

A bit risky, yes. Why would anyone put oneself through all that heavy sh*t?  Personally, it kicks me out of my auto-pilot mode and reminds me that I am human.  I just make sure to come back into the now and not be stuck from wherever it took me.

I bite

I haven't been eating out with the gang for some time now with work and all.  Just finished two major deployment yesterday and I feel like I deserve a cheat day.

Because I am so out of it after sending that important announcement to users, I mistakenly went to Makati thinking the hubby is waiting for me there.  Of course he is not and I get to hear a bit of sermon before ending our phone call with me still irritated at my stupidity.

Talk about the odds against me, it's a rainy friday.  Tried to wait for a couple of buses with no success.  I then figured it's best to watch a movie and pass time.

I will not spoil nor review the flick but I do recommend you guys go see it.  Heart-warming and feel-good enough to erase all the negativity from earlier's blunder.

Perks of a Volunteer

 Hey, don't judge me.  Took this real quick and focused on the task at hand. Wipe in. Wipe out.

Carbo loading after all that workout. 

SnR Italian Burger, I like!

Creme Brulee Pretzels

I have two favorite food discount apps proven hassle free availment.  Booky and Eatigo.

One has to read the fine print and terms to avoid any inconvenience.  Having said that, for today I tried the Buy 1 Take 1 Auntie Anne's Creme Brulee Pretzels for P90 only.

It's a super sulit deal for me.  Normally I order Almond Nuggets but for sure the tween will like this variety as well.

Thanks, Booky & Auntie Anne's! 👍

Never just a quick post

Trying not to be sedentary since.. hmm.. forever.  Tempting it might seem to just cozy up in bed with a good book or do kdramarathon, hoisted my lazy butt and went out for a walk.  I am always more often than not rewarded by mother nature with amazing shades and hues I can't help but capture.

And while you're still here, a haggard selca for you. And you're still reading?! Get out of here and move! 😜

What did you do last night?

Geeking out on my brand new D&D starter set. Browsing for character miniatures and must-haves while reminding myself to gather players first who'd join the fun with me.  I would love to be the dungeon master but stepped aside for D and opt to be an elf wizard instead.  Fireball!!!

Oh my photos!

Something is up with my photo hosting site. Eh sabi nothing will change so far. Dubious about it and it's making me anxious.

Peri-peri Chicken for Late Lunch

I have two favorite food discount apps proven hassle free availment.  Booky and Eatigo.

One has to read the fine print and fair use policy to avoid any inconvenience.  Having said that, for today, I used eatigo for my late lunch reservation.

Food was superb paid for only half of it's original price.  When sched permits and craving for chicken kicks in, I wouldn't hesitate to book again.

Power of Invisibility

Apparently, the husband has acquired this unique ability thanks to this photobooth haha worth skipping the company outing already hahaha

We were able to catch up with good ol' friends and always glad the tween is lucky enough to see and know her god parents years after her baptism.

Hi, Majayjay!

Planned to go for a quick easy trek with the fam but I guess they're not quite ready to go on that road with me.  Still went on a more chill outdoor trip to Laguna.  Everybody happy!

Itching to buy that waterproof cam already.  Knowing me, I might get too caught up with taking photos than just enjoying the moment itself.  How do I find the balance, help?! *sigh*

Yup, still growing these two.

Among things I miss

Buying bargain board books for TLG.  It hits me sometimes and wonder should we have another parasite? 😜 It's not that yet late, we're both physically healthy and able.

Funny how a simple innocent inanimate object can fill me with such an overwhelming feeling.

Considering other factors, financial and emotional impact, my resolve of status quo kicks in as quickly as I felt the tinge of regret.

Calmer La Union

When someone says La Union, I'm thinking: surfer bods amongst sea foam and angry waves.

Maybe in our next trip, we'd go there.  I'm happy where they are happy.

Cinco Picos and Silanguin Traverse

Never got to Peak Two but it was a hell of a hike, literally.

I tried to stay in the middle of the group as I usually tend to up the pace and leave the gang complaining with their tongue out panting haha  Couldn't help but go ahead when there was limited shade already.  I feel guilty leaving the group at times but I don't wanna end up drained and be the one dragging the group.

I always say sorry and they understand.  These guys are so cool and they'd still have me in their next climb!

Review: Ready Player One

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had fun making my own playlist and cross-referencing geeky online stuff while reading the book.

* * *
People who live in glass houses should shut the f*ck up. p23

No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful. p199

I was afraid, for all of my life. Right up until I knew it was ending. That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful reality can be, it's the only place when you can find true happiness. Because reality is real. p364


View all my reviews

* * *

I watched the movie expecting it to be of different storyline than the book.  Boy am I glad I had the right mindset otherwise I wouldn't have felt frustrated by the end of the flick.  I understand you can only squeeze so much details from the book and admittedly I was only able to spot a few among countless easter eggs in it.  Not a big fan of Iron Giant and would've cheered more for Ultraman.  For my lack of imagination, I did like the avatars of the High Five.

Piece of Cake

Foundation Certification, check! 

Gearing towards Architect path.  I hope the bosses will approve the rest.

* * *
Can I just brag a bit as official results are in? Percentage score of 95%! :)

Nagsasa Cove Camping

Some Panos I hope would inspire you to checkout this gorgeous cove in Pandaquit, Zambales

Facing the campsite, to the far left is the ideal site to pitch a tent if you want isolation.

Center of the beach, part of the campsite where we stayed overnight.  There are about ten or so camps you may choose, I have yet to check the facilities of the other camps but should I go back I might stay at All Blue Resort.

The stream/lake where we hanged out after our morning hike.

The beach view from where we camped.

Thirty or so minutes hike to get this view of the cove.


We are a group of 7 adults and 4 kids (2 of which are billed as adults already). A big outrigger boat was hired for P400/pax. Overnight camping rate is P130/pax, a small cottage with night light will cost you P400. We brought our own tents complete with minifans and comforter (for the kids).

G+D+K

 My trainees, didn't complain much ;)

Stargazing is so amazing lolz

Thrill of the Ride Called Life

Looks like doomsday for hubby.  Yup, he's not much of a thrill junkie.

With the Elders

Betcha can't wait to have your own wheels.

More elders haha

Panda Love

Miss us already?!

The one who doesn't want to have her photo taken.