T+N Explores: Manila museums

Noah and I planned to go on leave last month, just because. Haha! Actually, it was for no apparent reason at all. We just wanted to relax and spend some time together before he leaves again for a business trip. Since Noah is a big museum fan (spell G-E-E-K!), what better suggestion did he come up with but for us to tour around Manila's famous museums. We had been planning this for a long time but didn't find any common time to do it. I was kind of hesitant at first but I thought, what the heck. It might be fun to discover the places where our national heroes and ancestors frequented and made their marks. So I went along.

And with this, I thought of starting a new section of this blog: T+N Explores. This is to document and write about reviews of our adventures. Obviously, T+N stands for Tam + Noah, just in case haven't figured it out yet. Hihihi. :P

1st stop: Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a historical park located inside of Intramuros, Manila. It is said to be where Jose Rizal spent his last few days before his public execution in Luneta. A museum is found within the park that showcases certain garments and stuff owned by Rizal, as well as copies of his literary masterpieces. The place is actually nice and picturesque. In fact, a pre-nup photoshoot was being done when we were there.

Parking: Yes (pay parking)
Entrance fee: 75 pesos (adults)/person

2nd stop: BSP Metropolitan Museum
This was actually an accidental stop. Haha. Honestly, didn't really enjoy this museum  much coz most of the exhibits were closed and those that were left were the ancient gold and pottery and the art gallery. I'm not sure of their formal names but that's what I can remember. Hihi. Didn't appreciate it and i kinda felt short-changed. :/ No pictures here because it's not allowed.... Boooo!

Parking: Yes (free)
Entrance fee: 100 pesos/person

3rd stop: BSP Money Museum
I actually  liked this one because the history/evolution of our money interests me. I've learned a bit about it in one of my econ classes but to see the money for real is a nice experience. It started from rocks/minerals, which were used as currencies back then up to the paper and coins that we have now. We also discovered that the Philippines had different kinds of money during the different foreign occupations of the country. One of the most interesting pieces for me was the note sent by then President Marcos' assistants to one of our national artists to give instructions on the portrait of President Marcos to be reflected on the bills.

The exhibit was really good and worth our time. And to top it all off, entrance was free! Haha! Just note that bags are not allowed inside the museum. They'll ask you to leave it in their provided lockers. This wasactually nice since we got to go around without the burden of our bags. :D As a result, we forgot to take pictures. hahaha.
Parking: Yes (free)
Entrance fee: Free!!! :)

4th stop: MOA Eye
Oh the MOA Eye. Haha. As the name implies, it is our local version of the London and the Singapore Eye, which are huge ferris wheels overlooking the cityscape. It is found beside the Mall of Asia, on the side near the Manila Bay. The ride is actually bitin and i think will be better if you ride it at night. And in my opinion, hmmm you could probably do better things with your 350 pesos. Hehe! :D

Parking: Yes (paid; MOA's parking space)
Entrance fee: 350pesos/person

So that's about it! We spent the whole day traversing Manila and exploring these spots. It was a nice and fun day and even though I didn't enjoy 100% of the places, the day's adventure was a nice refresher from a busy work life. :)

Here's to my special guy on his special day

Here's to the guy who can make me laugh (and cry) the hardest.

Here's to the guy who'll try to make everything okay.

Here's to the guy who makes sure he's there for me whenever i need him, and even whenever i  think i don't.

Here's to the guy who'll always patiently walk with me even though he just had a long and tiring day.

Here's to the guy who can always see the brighter side of me.

Here's to the guy who'd give and do anything just to be with me.

Here's to the guy who'd always serenade me whatever the circumstance is.

Here's to the guy who'll never run out of trivias and stories whenever we're together, and even when we're apart.

Here's to the guy who's never afraid to be silly with me in public.

Here's to the guy who has shared his life with me, and is willing to share the rest of mine with him.

Here's to the second awesomest guy in the planet (next to tatay hehehe). 

I know i've been a pain in the a$$ the past few months, but thanks for sticking with me after all that.

To my bestest best friend and my love in the whole wide world...

Happy 26th birthday!!! I love you Noah Jethro Duran!

Random Life Lesson #3

At this age and point in your life, you will have control of your future self. What I mean to say is that this is the time where you make those big career and personal decisions, which will more or less define your future being. In my personal opinion, the mid to late 20's is where you should already be done experimenting on who you are gonna be. You should already have an inkling of the type of career  that will make you happy and fulfilled. As well as the type of people whom you prefer to be in your life for the next decade or so. You have the control to define these things. So be wise in your decisions. Live a healthy lifestyle. Take the next plane to your dream destination. Explore the world while you can and while you still have the earthly strength to do so. This is your chance to mold your life in the bright future that you've always envisioned it to be. Don't forget to let the Lord guide you in all these things so that you would know where to go and what to choose. And so as the adage goes: live. laugh. love.

Hello there

So i just found out that i can now update my blog using my ipad. Oh so fun!!!! :)

Okay so anyway, updates updates updates.

1. Remember my previous post about my driving force? Well i am pleased to announce that i have accomplished it. Hurrahhhh!!! A car of my own! It's such an awesome thing, the comfort of going wherever you wanna go when you want it. Though it is not a brand new car, it still does the work and is still very much presentable. I hope we can be together for a looooong time, until Noah can buy me my dream SUV. Hihihi

2. I have come to realize that i have a considerable number of subtle fans. Yeah, subtle fans. Those who are not out in the open of telling me and other people of how they kinda in a way look up to me. But most of them are those that you would be able to take notice coz they suddenly do or say things that you have just showed them. Such as expressions, style of writing/typing, dressing style, manner of talking, ambitions in life, stuff/material possessions, etc. hahaha i know this is kind of self serving and very much arrogant, but i honestly dont know how to deal with them. Im not mad, but im a bit puzzled with how to treat them. I find it awkward actually. But then again, imitation, they say, is the subtlest form of flattery. Oh well...

3. I am so thankful to God for constant people in my life. They know who they are. And correspondingly, some would also know whom they are not 😜 thank You, Lord, for having people whom i can turn to about whatever and who wont judge me. I know i've said it a million times, but id just like everyone to know how awesome it is to have such people in your life. They should be treasured and never neglected,

4. I am peeved by people who cannot stand by their words/thoughts/opinions of things. I cringe at the times when i see someone interacting with a person whom i know they have ill feelings with. You know if you cant keep your words (or update me with your sudden change in feelings), then it would probably be a good thing if you could just keep it to yourself. Haha. I am that critical😏

5. I love my/our dog. She's so adorable


xxx

Everyday amazing

Just thought of posting random things that simply amaze me. I plan to list them down just in case I forget about it in the future... So I could always remember how it is to be happy with these "little" things... Hahaha :P

1. Left-handed people (and more so with ambidexters!)

I read somewhere that generally, left-handed people are those with more creative juices. And so far, they haven't disappointed me yet.

Shout out to my nanay, the *only* ambidextrous person I've met so far!

(picture from www.nibs.com)




2. Polyglots (even those who speak dialects that I don't know, which is basically everything other than Tagalog)

Some might find it annoying, but me, I looooove hearing other languages and dialects. They're like music to my ears. Most of the time I find myself staring at them, with my mouth open. Haha! Since I am only capable of speaking and understanding English and Tagalog, most learned and well-traveled people won't have a hard time impressing me in this department. The thought of hearing foreign "sounds" and seeing people communicate with them is just so lovely. I also have high regard for people who can work through these languages without any difficulty and any twang/accent. Take my boyfriend for example, who can shift between his native dialect (Bicolano) and Tagalog with perfect ease. So adorable!
(picture from http://graphics8.nytimes.com)



3. Twins, triplets and other multiple births

Doesn't it amaze you how the human body can conceive more than one baby at a time? I wonder how it feels to have someone who has shared the same womb as you did at the same time. That's such an intimate experience. haha! Also, someone who shares almost the same genetic code as yours. It's really amazing! And also super cute.
(picture from www.nytimes.com)




4. Pilots

It's just so amazing and mind-tickling how a person can navigate in the air, without seeing where the final destination is. Not even familiar landmarks that could tell them where they are at the moment and to guide them where to go next. Sure they have contact with the airport control tower or whatever, but it is such an amazing talent to be able to "fly" in the air and lift a jumbo jet carrying real live passengers. It is probably the closest (and less riskier) thing that a person can get to being airborne (and by this, I mean Peter Pan-like airborne). (picture from www.eu.fotolia.com)




5. The life of royalties

I wonder how awesome it is to be a princess. Or a queen. How it feels to rightfully and legally be authorized to wear a crown. It may be similar to the life of movie celebrities, but these royals are mixed with etiquette. We may always think of those ball gowns, preppy shoes and tiaras. But monarchs will always be symbols of grace and the high life. At least for me. I'd also want to know what the downside is of being called Princess Tamara, other than being followed by the paparazzi everywhere. Haha. For me, princesses will always take the level of fairies and goddesses in the aspect of amazement. (picture from www.businessinside.org)

Driving force

Have you ever had that dream that keeps on entering your mind. Playing with your thoughts. That goal in life that makes you stare out the window and lets you miss your train stop because of the awesome daydreams it brings you? I think everyone does, right? And with this, I'd like to share mine :)

I have always dreamed of owning and driving my own car...

hello! wanna hitch a ride?

my car is so awesome!

yes! excuse the pixelated and professionally edited pictures. hahahaha! i just wanted to emphasize a point here... and that is, I look good with and in a car. hihihi! so there. I really really want a car. it is one of my driving forces why I've immersed myself in this corporate world. why I've been enduring the 40-hour work week. and why I've been commuting to and from quezon city/makati/pasig even up until late at night, and sometimes even during weekends. well of course there's career growth and enhancement of knowledge, but having my own ride is one of the top items in the list. preceded by owning a house and having a beautiful family :)

Lately, this dream is sort of becoming a reality. It's slowly inching its way into my own hands. I asked the help of my tatay to find me the best car deal that I can afford at this point in my life. I will be turning 26 this year, which means that by the time I'm 31, the car debt is over and done with. And from there I can proceed to loaning some more (for my own family's future house, which I'll probably do with the help of the ever-loving husband to be). The different possible (and dreamy) scenarios have been haunting me the past few days... me driving to work... me driving to work while singing to the cool music playing on my car stereo... me driving with my boyfriend out of town... me driving... me driving... me driving... ahhhh! my mind is so flooded with pictures of me driving. hahaha. I really hope I can make this happen. And soon. Many thanks to my tatay who has been patiently searching and inquiring for me.

Don't worry, the next car picture that I'll be uploading with me in it would be of better quality. Not cropped. Not downloaded. Not pixelated. You know why? 'Coz it would be real!!! Please dear Lord, please!!! :):):)

Random Life Lesson #2

Avoid lukewarm friends at all costs. They are just plain emotional baggages. Lukewarm friends are those who are just  with you when it comes to certain topics of THEIR interest. They are also the ones to have a mediocre kind of relationship with you, and with the rest of their FB friends list, Twitter followers and BBM contacts list. No, Tam, your friendship with them is not as special as you thought it were.

At the same time, don't ever forget to keep in touch with those rare people who have never failed to make you smile and laugh (out loud), made you feel comfortable and were in one way or another your secret keeper. You know you have those true friends whom you have a certain connection with that does not change despite the time and distance apart. Those who will always be there whenever you need them despite your shortcomings.

Random Life Lesson #1

Never ever force yourself into other people's lives, not unless they clearly tell/show you that they want you in it. Another way to look at it: attach yourself to people who have shown mutual appreciation for everything that you've done for them and have exerted at least an equal amount of effort to be a part of your life. Otherwise, you may end up getting hurt and/or appearing like an idiot.

A Tagalog Post

Gusto ko magsulat in taglish. Wala lang. Gusto ko kasi mag blog pero ayaw ko mag english. Hehehe :P

Okay so some realizations ulit.

1. Sa tingin ko, may sakit ako sa utak. Or more like sira sa ulo. Haha. I feel so fat. As in obese fat. Though tumaba naman nga ko, given na. Pero hearing people say it over and over again is taking its toll on me. Kaya lang, di ko naman maisip or ma-classify ang sarili ko na anorexic or bulimic or whatever. Kasi kahit na palagi ko naiisip na tumataba ako sa bawat kagat na nilulunok ko, deadma lang. Tuloy lang sa pagkain. Tapos pagkatapos non maiyak iyak ako sa feeling na sheeeet ang taba taba koooooooooooooo!!!

2. Sa tingin ko, tatagal ako sa work ko ngayon. For the first time in my entire 5 years of working, ngayon lang ako nagkakaron ng sense of fulfillment kahit papano. Parang tama lang itong mga work na binibigay sakin. Di naman ako super busy pero andami ko ginagawa! Walang masyadong idle time, not even for facebook. And talagang nasstretch ko ang aking intellect. Siguro dagdag rin na parang intertwined ang lessons namin sa school and yung pressing issues sa office. Tapos mas dagdag pa yung sabi ng officemate ko, na nagagalingan daw sakin ang boss ko and gustung gusto na ako ipromote, kaya lang di pa pwede gawa wala pa ko 6 months. So in short, f na f ko.

3. Sa tingin ko, di talaga maiiwasan sa isang tao ang magyabang. In our own little ways, aminin mo man o hindi, nakapagyabang na tayo. Totoo yan! Ako man e. Yung tipong sinasabi pa how perfect they are in an "ako-nga-ang-jahe-dito" way. And talagang no matter how high na ang level ng friendship mo with a person, may certain threshold ka lang talaga. At narereach mo yon. At talagang mapapasabi ka sa isip mo: t*ngina ang yabang nito. feeling. o sya sige ikaw na ikaw na.

4. Sa tingin ko, ang laki na ng inimprove ko when it comes to THAT. Yung mga close friends ko would know what I'm talking about. See I had this stage of confusion in my life. And sabi ko nga dun sa isa kong post, nalagpasan ko na sya. And ngayon napatunayan ko na sa sarili ko na THAT is not worth all the trouble. Little by little, natutunan ko na ang art of isnab towards THAT. Di ko lang alam ang talagang pakay nya sakin. Medyo vague sya. Pabugso bugso. Pero I am hoping na tumahimik na once and for all. Without burning bridges preferably. I mean, sino ba may gusto ng kaaway diba.

5. Sa tingin ko, deads na deads na ako sa aking boypren. Hahahahaha. Well not naman that level yet na kadiri obsessive. Pero talagang I appreciate him now more than ever. I appreciate mga ginagawa nya, mga sinasabi nya and how he's not like the other guys. Di nga siguro perfect in terms of the norms ng society, pero in my heart he is. I've blabbed about this a million times, but I guess words are not enough to let people understand how awesome he is in his own ways. And in my own standards. After all, yun naman ang importante diba? But then siguro that's what's special about being in a relationship. Having something na kayo lang nakakaintindi and kayo lang nakakaramdam, no matter how odd it may seem to other people.

Ayun lang. La dee da dee da

Ah true

For realssssss :) <3

The Day My Boyfriend Saved Me

It was Tuesday and I have a class in UP Diliman at 6pm. I usually leave the office at around 5pm, but today I got to leave a bit earlier (around 4:30pm) because most of my officemates were leaving as well. I decided to tag along since I know that I can make up for time with our full flexi work schedule.

So we rode the car and I told them to drop me off in Shang so I could ride the train for faster travel. I got at the station; used my Stored Value card and waited in for the train to arrive. When it came, I squeezed myself in, remained standing while listening to music on my iPod and got off the Quezon Ave. MRT station. It was around 4:55pm. I didn't have the chance to grab lunch that day so I was starving. I thought of buying myself some donuts and siomai which I could munch on during class. The saleslady already gave me my plastic o' donuts when lo and behold!!! My wallet is nowhere in sight!!!!

I searched for the precious thing inside my bag, turning it inside out. But it was nowhere to be found. I returned the plastic to the lady and got off the first flight of stairs down. I was panicking. I looked outside and thought of what I can do. waaahhhhh!!! so much for leaving early.

Since Noah and I were chatting through BBM along the way, I told him what happened and he told me to calm down. He said maybe I should ask Zella (one of my friends in class) if she's coming to school and maybe I could get her help. So I did. But Zella told me she wasn't coming to school. And Noah was kinda worrying too that time. So he suggested the unsuggestable: he leaves his office to fetch me from the station and accompany me to school. At first thought I was like uuuhhhhhh coz I know it would take him a long time to get to me (his office is in Taguig and I was "stranded" in QC). But he assured me he'll be as fast as possible. So I went inside the mall and try to cool myself down... down.... down... After about 30mins he BBM'd me saying that his already 1 stop away from me. Ahhhhh I was able to smile and breathe a sigh of relief. When I saw him coming out of the station I felt myself grinning stupidly. He was also sweet enough to remember that I haven't had lunch yet as I saw him holding a plastic bag with food in it! oh yeah!

I got to school at around 6:10pm. Not bad. But this experience was definitely something. I know we've been through mega rough patches, but knowing that there's this guy who'd go through all the trouble and hassles just to get to you and make sure you're alright is one in a million. And with this, I have resolved something that was bothering me for the past couple of months. I know I'm home. And somehow I know God is poking me in the head, pointing to the right way.

And with that, I'd like to thank you :)