Message from Above

Chin up, cheer up my pretty princess
Let your weary eyes with tears rest
I am here and in control
I can see inside your soul

I know that it hurts and breaks you to pieces
And that nothing right now makes any sense
No words of comfort could calm your heart
You wonder why you have to be apart

Let go my child and let me take control
Don’t be afraid, I’ll catch you if you fall
Let go and let happiness come in
Soak in the love you deny to breathe in

This isn’t the end, your story’s still at work
To get to the next page, my hand you should hold
Together we’ll sail to the best version of you
Towards the love that is eternal, worthy and true

Note to Self

Dear Self,

Remember this: You may be crazy and too much, but to the right person, you will be enough. He will see past your flaws and love you regardless. He will help you tone down your overemotions and never tire of reassuring you (pero bawasan mo din ha).

Like him, he will make plans to be with you. Everything you appreciate about them, the next person will be able to offer for you too.

(God, I still hope it’s him. I still hope he come back). But know this, even if it’s not him, you will be okay. Believe me, you are smart, beautiful, and worthy of love. You are a good person (most times), and someone will come and appreciate that. Someone will ask you how you are, what things you like, and what your dreams are.

Right now, instead of wishing for him, focus on loving yourself more. Do not wallow in sadness. Do not let your fears of losing him be bigger than your desire to be happy. You can do this! Believe in yourself! You will be happy! You’ve been happy before he admitted they had feelings for you, so trust in that. Choose to be happy.

If he really did left without saying goodbye, then stop asking why. It’s just the way it is. Do not regret anything. Don’t think that you messed things up. It just wasn’t meant to be.

You will be loved. You are loved by so many. Just keep on loving, especially yourself. Believe that the universe has something great in store, and when it comes, don’t doubt it, just embrace it.

I’m Tired

I’ve always been someone with a smile on my face. I’ve always been okay. I’ve managed to console myself and overcome grief, guilt, and sadness, and find reasons to smile. However, for the past few days, I’ve suddenly been getting tired of doing it. I constantly find my breathing heavy, overwhelmed with emotions. I find myself wanting to burst out in tears. I find myself just screaming randomly so I can gain control of myself. I find myself vulnerable, too vulnerable to let anyone know.

This, right here, you may or may not even come across because I will probably end up deleting this right after an hour or so. People would message me, and that would just make me feel even more uncomfortable, and I would find myself forcing myself to be okay again. I do not want that. I do not want to be okay. Not at this moment. I am scared of my own emotions. I am scared of being swallowed whole by feelings I have suppressed and never knew existed. I do not know how to be. I don’t know how I should be.

For those with curious and concerned minds, nothing happened. I just woke up one day feeling like this – empty, or maybe wanting to be empty. I seriously don’t know what’s going on with me. I just know this is not the state of mind I want to be in.

This is as far as my controlling thoughts will let you in, so this is where it’ll end.

Don’t worry about me though; I will be okay.

Good night.

Miranda Tries: Pink Peony Nail Salon

Every now and then, us girls need to go to a place where we can relax, escape the hecticness of reality and recharge to slay our daily battles. Fortunately, I found a place that won’t burn a hole in your pocket and yet make you feel like a queen- Pink Peony  Nail Salon.

There’s nothing like a good pampering and getting your kitty claws (I mean nails) in tip top shape, paired with a soothing massage to get you all pumped out for days. Once you enter the salon, you get welcomed by a relaxing aroma and a spa-like music that would get you relaxed already.

Here’s a list of their services for your reference.

 

You will then be seated in a super comfortable chair that makes you feel like a queen indeed.

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They even have privacy curtains so that you would not feel bothered by your neighbors.

And now, let’s talk about the pampering. For pedicures and other foot treatments, your feet gets soaked first in warm water to clean it up, then you get to choose your polish. I prefer clear ones as I’m not that bright-colored nail type kind of gal.

The staff are professional and just wonderful. They handle your hand and feet really gently and turn your nails into the best version possible. Then you end things with a quick massage, and then they invite you to relax for a while as you dry your nails.

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They have branches in both UP Town Center and White Plains. Oh by the way, they accept both cash and GCASH form of payments.

For queries and reservations, you may contact them on this number: (063) 960 4358.

Miranda Eats: Gubat QC

Who doesn’t love hole-in-the-wall type of restaurants? I can’t think of anyone, can you?

Well, if you’re like me that’s out to hunt for crazy good dishes on almost hidden places, allow me to recommend Gubat QC, located in the heart of C.P. Garcia Avenue (near UP NCPAG gate). Here’s a trick on remembering where it is, it’s the street where jeepneys are parked (before the stoplight if you’re coming from Katipunan/UPTC).

 

 

Photo grabbed from Gubat QC Official Facebook Page

 

Once you’ve entered this door, be ready to be transported inside the forest.

Greens. That’s what would catch your eye anywhere you look. They have all kinds of plants which they also use in your meals.

Before you seat down, you’ll have to pick out from their menu which I could say by personally trying almost all (except fried chicken but my friends loves it), everything tastes awesome. Their meats  for lechon kawali and adobo (my top two dishes) are soft and tender while the outside is crunchy and crispy (yes, at the same time).

What I love most about this place is that they use all kinds of recycled stuff as part of their decorations, they even use an old san mig bottle for a fish tank. Also, this is an almost-zero waste restaurant so there are no plastic spoons and fork, well, since you’re in a forest, you get to experience eating with your bare hands. Don’t worry they have a sink to wash away all the bacteria. On the ceiling are books, cards, and other board games you can play to pass the time while waiting for your AWESOME meal (I can’t stress that point enough).

At night, you can come here with your buddies and have a sip of beer and play their drinking game. We usually come here for lunch so we stick to Lucky Nine, and Tong-its, etc.

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And now, the stars of the show, the Lechon Kawali and Adobo served with salted egg and Paco salad. My friends says its even better paired with their amazing chili garlic readily available at the table, or if you’re like me, you can just pour on your Mang Tomas on the salted egg shell :).

Check out more information about Gubat QC by clicking here.

UPCAT Reviewer by Dalubhasa

Hey there college aspirants!

With the UPCAT and other college admission tests just around the corner, it’s never too early to start preparing. Now, I’ve come across a really handy tool that is just the thing you need to get you ready for the big day.

So what is this that I’m raving about? It’s called UPCAT Reviewer by Dalubhasa.  The company may be relatively new to the industry but they are built by a team that knows UP by heart- UP Profesors and alumni themselves who want to extend a helping hand for those seeking to join their beloved alma mater.

One way of doing so is having a free-version simulation app, available in both Play Store and App Store that allows each person to answer questions per category on a timed manner, just like how the UPCAT is done. Not only that, but they also provide solutions so you’ll get to learn as to why it is that particular answer.

So whether you’re a test junkie or a true UP aspirant, download this app and test out your skills!

You can download the app at Google Play Store via
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…
for Android phone users and via
https://itunes.apple.com/…/upcat-reviewer-by-d…/id1333185047
for iPhone users.

 

 

Miranda’s Escapade: Ho Chi Minh Edition

While people splurge on shoes and bags, I spoil myself with escapades at least two times a year. Mind you, the cost of me travelling to another country is way, way, way, cheaper than any luxury brand of bag that you might be thinking of in your mind right now.

So how do I do it? It’s simple really, you just need patience and discipline.

Patience? What for? Well, when I do book a flight, I book it at least six months prior so I still have enough time to plan, to save up and look for that return flight. That’s right, I don’t usually book all my flights in one go. I usually wait for seat sales (Jetstar, Air Asia, Cebu Pac), your name it  for the first half of my trip, and then another seat sale, for the return or next destination ticket.

Here’s some helpful tip in scouting for sales:

1. Mark all the holidays!  Airline seat sales usually comes during a day or so before holidays. My favorite booking time is during December 31-January 1 of their year-end sales, (while people still enjoy a good night’s rest, I hunt down every page of booking dates till I find the one I’m looking for).

2. Download Skyscanner This is a very handy app that allows you to compare prices across different airline. You can even subscribe to an email-service that alerts you when the airfare for a particular flight and date goes up and/or down.

Flight

So how much did I spend on for my flight?

*The rate shown above is already for two people. And they were booked on June 2017 and March 2018 respectively.

Accommodation

Now, what about the hotel? Where do I stay? Well, I could only recommend based on where I’ve stayed, and I say that this one is fairly good. I booked it on a book now, pay later basis of the very trusty Agoda website:

I recommend Duc Vuong Hotel. It costs only around Php900 per night (so only Php 1350 per head for three nights stay). The staff are friendly and are very accommodating. They have a rooftop bar you can dine at at night, and they are at the heart of the city center. I also chose this hotel, because it’s a 5-minute walk from the pick-up point of our tour. Oh yeah, the best part, they provide a hearty breakfast buffet every morning to fill you up for the day’s activity:

Pre-Flight 

Now, before every flight, I make it a point to make a checklist of essentials or travel must-haves so that I’m prepared for whatever situation:

I highly recommend that you invest on a universal travel power adapter which can be bought for only Php 300 at Ace Hardware. It’s green, and have different versions for different types of outlet for the countries I’ve visited. Also, since hotel rooms sometimes lack in sockets, a portable extension might do you some good.

I also bring snacks along, and sometimes even canned goods for severe times of hunger while on travel or when my stomach and the local cuisine does not really agree.

Pre Flight (Activities)

I’m a DIY gal, and I still am, but then came Klook which made travelling a hell lot easier and more fun. Ever since I tried it out, I have not once regret anything I bought from there. Everything is just worth every penny, and true to their word, Skip the lines, indeed.

Travel Sim & Tour

Both photo reflect tours and sim package that are good for two people already. The sim card got delivered to our hotel prior to our arrival so thumbs up for that and it has 4G connectivity. Then the Mekong Delta tour which we availed of is also inclusive of lunch so yey! We barely spent anything on that day of the trip except for food crawling at night at the street market nearby.

Now, it’s not shown here but we also purchased Cu Chi tunnel trip for only Php 621 per head (exclusive of lunch this time).

Pre Flight (ForEx)

Airport rates are pricey. Since 2017, whenever I get money for a trip, I exchange a few bucks at a time, so it doesn’t suddenly hurt my finances. For buying foreign currencies, I’d recommend Tivoli money changer which is located inside Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.

The Tour

Day 01 & 03/04 (Random)

After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we ate Pho at the street nearby for only 30,00 VND. (Vietnam really makes you feel like a millionaire).

After that very enriching meal, we went on around the city.  We went to the following places with the help of our feet (yes we love walking, and so around the city we strolled A LOT).  And oh yeah, we’re culture freaks, so we visited quite a lot of museum.

Culture Park

Entrance Fee: FREEEE! You can hear birds chirping and even participate at various exercises (yes zumba, and pilates, and yoga) happening around with community members, again for free.

War Remnant Museum

Entrance Fee: 40,000 VND per person

Though we may be smiling before we went in, our hearts felt heavy once we came out as we pay tribute to those lives affected by the war. It’s a really good learning experience.

City Hall/Post Office/Ben Tanh Market

We look for post office wherever we go to send ourselves a piece of memory of the trip thru a postcard of course. They usually cost just 5,000 VND per card and 10,000-30,000 VND depending on the country of the recipient.  We literally just went by street by street and look for different places to discover.

For lunch, we just ate around the park or local restaurant, around 500,000 VND spent for lunch and dinner for Day 01, and 500,000 VND for Day 04 prior to flight.

Note: If you’re going to Benh Tanh Market, barter wisely. They tend to overprice products for tourists but you can always barter, and it gets better through time. Usually when they say a particular price, just go for half of the price already, then negotiate until you and the seller’s prices meet.

Day 02: My Tho/Vin Thrang Pagoda/Tortoise Islet/An Khanh

I’m not gonna waste your time on details because it won’t do any justice to the tour. Our guide is fun and helpful, ready to snap your photo. All I can say is that its a definitely must-try Ho Chi Minh experience.

Day 03 (Cu-chi Tunnel Adventure)

Get ready to feel like a guerilla and learn how the Vietnamese fought off Americans using the wonders of nature. Their battle tactics are admirable and so much fun to learn.

Summary of Expenses:

The amount above excludes as you might have noticed the pasalubong, and breakfast which was already covered by the hotel. So might want to add a million dong for pasalubong and other incidentals.

If you’d like a copy of my Ho Chi Minh Travel Starter pack powerpoint presentation, please feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks for reading

Three Good Things

Not every day is a happy day. Some days, you just feel terribly empty, left behind and on occasion, utterly depressed. I revel on the feeling though, I savor it, and let it linger, but not for too long, because in these moments of darkness is where you also find some shimmer- a piece of happiness to hold on to and be grateful for.

Right now, the world is not in my favor- well it never was, but sometimes I like to think that it is and that I can control what happens and how I react, and what would happen next. I just feel lost and defeated when I am not able to take charge of certain aspects of my life, especially those that matter a lot to me- like my work and my relationships. So, here I am, trying to take ten deep breaths while I wait for my client to arrive. Every time I do, I don’t get relieved, I feel even heavier.

So… I explored the crazy, cluttered abyss of my mind for three good things, three good things that have happened to me that I can reflect on and that I can keep thinking about instead of those that weighs me down and here they are:

1. I woke up- Not everyone could be as fortunate as I am to have heard the heavy rain pouring outside earlier. It wasn’t a sunny day, but still a day that I get to be here, and just live.
2. I had a nice chat with a friend on my way to my evening work. Things in my life have been hectic lately and some days I just really want to slow down and rest, and today, a simple opportunity to catch up with someone have meant a lot. I’m happy about how he is progressing in his life, and that I know of it.
3. The last thing, would be this, writing this down right now. Writing could really be quite therapeutic and for someone who haven’t written for a literally a long time, it feels really nice and brought a little smile on my face.

So I encourage you dear one, whenever you are having a bad day, try to recall three good things, hell why not make a habit of having three good things every day in your life, whether it be accidental or planned. You deserve three good things in your life every day and I encourage you to make them happen. When you do, let me assure you, no matter how bad your day has gone, you’d go to sleep feeling contented just by reflecting on those three good things.

 

A Taste of Brown’s Gourmet

Whether it be academics, heartbreak or a heavy workload weighing you down, located in the 2^nd floor of Regis Center, Katipunan, is a place to soothe both your soul and stomach, -Brown’s Gourmet.

Once inside, say goodbye to chaos and let yourself be captivated by the delicious aroma of food being cooked to absolute perfection that will make you forget all your worries. Brown’s Gourmet has a very cozy atmosphere, attracting diners from all walks of life. From healthy appetizers to desserts with a twist, every bite promises nothing but goodness.

Here’s some of my top three dishes that you must definitely make time to try:

Beef Bulgogi Omm Rice

Omelet ,schomelet, here’s a better way of having eggs, paired up and joined with by the awesome bulgogi rice that will keep your craving for more (P250)

 

Crispy Adobo Flakes Pasta

I’ve never heard of a Filipino who doesn’t love adobo, so what better way to enjoy pasta than combining it with adobo flakes topped with parmesan cheese and drizzled with olive oil, this is truly the heaven of all pastas. (P180/330)

 

Whole chicken + 4 Rice + 4 sides

Food are best enjoyed with company, so invite your friends to taste this roasted chicken that contains nothing but pure awesomeness. Every bite is to be savored as the tender meat oozes with sauce that would make you feel like that anime character in a cartoon.  There’s even a bonus of four healthy side dishes you can choose from.  (P640)

 

Other delicious items on the menu:

Caramelized Pear + Lemon Basil Dressing (P150)

Mushroom + Spinach Croquettes (P120)

Crispy Tawilis + Ginataang Kalabasa (P225)

Salt + Pepper Pork Ribs (P195)

Assortment of refreshing smoothies (P110 each)

 

Villa Escudero Day Trip

Are you drained out from work? Do you feel deprived of a stress-free day? If so, then it’s about time you take a break, so you could fully recharge and give yourself that one day of escape that you so desperately need and deserve.

You don’t need to go overseas nor travel far if you’re coming from the country’s capital, the very busy, Metro Manila.  Just hop on to any bus headed to Lucena and get off at Villa Escudero and prepare yourself for a refreshing treat.  Fare from Cubao is Php 190.00

Why Villa Escudero? It’s only a few hours away from the city that you don’t have to book a hotel for an overnight stay. The only noise you’ll hear here are guests laughing, birds chirping and the famous waterfall where you’ll be treated to a sumptuous lunch.

I highly recommend booking thru their website as they tend to have loads of promos and discounts depending on the day that you will be visiting. Also, do book a schedule during Friday-Sunday as that’s when a cultural show is scheduled to allow you to appreciate further the Filipino culture.

Source: Villa Escudero website

WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE

Your day tour pass gives you access to a free museum tour, carabao cart ride to and from the main entrance, buffet lunch by the waterfalls, bamboo rafting and an access to the swimming pool and other resort amenities.

WHAT TO PREPARE

Aside from preparing your stomach from a hearty meal. I highly recommend that you bring a set of clothes, swimming attire, toiletries and beach towel for you to fully enjoy the experience without having to buy them at the shop inside.

The place opens at 8AM and en its day tour at 5PM so I highly recommend traveling around 5:30-6AM so you can have a lot of leisure time to just sit back, relax, and soak in fresh air.

Front entrance of the Villa Escudero Library

 

Get ready to be serenaded by mellow Tagalog songs as you travel to the resort in the carabao cart

Lounge and swim to your heart’s content. There’s even a jacuzzi in the upper pool that is strictly for adults

The edge of the pool gives you this spectacular view of nature that is sure to melt your heart

After your dip, make sure to give bamboo rafting a try and be in the calm, enfolding arms of the the Lake Labasin

Once you get hungry, soak your feet in the water as you enjoy a healthy, picnic buffet lunch in front of the man-made waterfall that used to help operate the hydro power plant. 

Then rest for a while, watch the cultural show at 2PM before heading back home to the Metro.

PS There are also bikes in the resort that you can rent, you can also play some billiards or even go fishing (but you need to bring your own pole) at Lake Labasin.