The Nothing-But-Eat Day: Post-Birthday Treat

- September 29, 2012, Saturday.

- Today was a busy day. After my early-dismissed morning class, which I'm quite thankful for, I rested and freshened up at home before meeting my friend Margarette at Lucky Chinatown Mall for a light lunch.

- I saw my former classmate Karen, who's working under Megaworld, and had a chat with her until Margarette came to meet me/us. We later left Karen alone at her booth, while Marga and I ate lunch at Kogi Bulgogi to satisfy our Korean-food craving, although I only highly suggest Kogi, if there are other better (and more authentic) choices.

- Marga and I went to do some errands, and each bought a cone of ice cream, and met Clarisse and her brother Jason for our dimsum "tea party." Clarisse baked me a box of Ferrero-cored nutella cupcakes (heavenly beyond words) for my birthday. (Thank you!!)

- We later visited my friend Pei Mei in her store in City Square to do some errand-shopping again. Fortunately, I was able to catch her baby, who was sleeping soundly in her store. I've only seen the baby through photos and videos during the past six months of the baby's budding existence.

- Clarisse, Margarette, and Jason went home around 6, and left me to join my evening agenda. I passed by Lucky Chinatown again to meet my friend Oi Kwan, who just arrived from Hong Kong earlier today for a very very short vacation. She was with some of her high school friends, whom I was also glad to see again.

- As for me, I went to meet up some of my high school buddies in Yellow Cab. My friend Karel and I shared the bill, since we both shared the same birthday. Oliver contributed the drinks.

- My friend Bless suggested that we go to Lucky Chinatown after dinner, and she and Genevieve would treat us to dessert as a post-birthday gift.

- The five of us stayed there until the mall was about to close. It only meant that we haven't really had enough meet-ups (or short but long gatherings.) Still, I can say that I made most out of my day, and I'm thankful that I was able to spend time with everyone today. :D:D:D:D

Oculars: Visit, See, Meet, Watch

- September 8, 2012, Saturday.

- As another free Saturday, I wanted to roam free once again. I had been itching lately to go on antique-store hopping to look for Filipino ethnic wear, just in case I'd be able to purchase a nicely-priced piece. I initially planned on scouting the whole Mabini Street right after lunch, but a bit of laziness kicked in, especially since I'd also be meeting friends for dinner at Lucky Chinatown Mall right after.

- Instead on going to Mabini, I planned to do things step-by-step, and decided to go to nearer Intramuros, and take my time to explore the place, and if got lucky, I might even find myself a handsome ethnic piece.

- I first went to Silahis, an antique store in Intramuros, and remembered why I didn't buy anything there: the price. Since there were also only a few pieces of ethnic clothing, the lady in the store directed me to the second and third levels I never knew Silahis had. The second level was also an antique store, with pieces not only from the Philippines, but from nearby countries as well. Tradewinds Bookstore was also in the second level. The third level was an art gallery (mostly paintings on canvasses.)

- I later visited The Papier Tole Shop, and as always, it was filled with wonderful gift items that I would've wanted to take home, but didn't really need anyway. The shop was right outside the San Agustin Church, where a military wedding was held. The bridal car was a handsome white limousine.

- My last itinerary on my antique-store hopping was the Mananzan Handicraft store near Fort Santiago, and as expected, I wasn't able to buy anything.

- I passed by the old said-to-be-haunted Aduana after a short snack at Ministop, and walked all the way to Chinatown, then to Lucky Chinatown Mall.

- I was able to encounter my elementary classmates Giselle and Janine, with their moms, on separate occasions. I met Giselle and her mom at Dunkin Donuts, on my way to meet my dinner friends, but Giselle's mom was eager to catch up with me (and my with her, and Giselle,) so she treated me coffee. Haha. (Thanks auntie!!) I met Janine and her mom outside a store.

- I later met Charmaine, and went around the mall a bit before meeting Danica at Sumosam. Eric followed shortly. Too bad Samuel wasn't able to come.

- We had a hard time finishing out dinner since, as the name of the restaurant implies, the dishes were in large servings.

- Danica planned to watch a movie, and decided to watch "The Watch," starring Ben Stiller. I planned on treating the guys to cake, but since they/we were still full, they just wanted mochi ice cream. They were surprised that I treated them, but I said my birthday is coming up, so it was my little treat to them.

- "The Watch" was a bizarre comedy-suspense alien film. I felt the suspense more, since it was already quite late in the night, the last show I think, and I really have a big imagination - the same reason why I couldn't sleep after watching even the lamest horror film when I was little. The comedy of the film helped a bit in easing the discomfort of watching a suspense film at night. (Still wondering how I managed to go through a semester of Horror Film class in college, and made it out alive.)

- Danica offered to give Charmaine and me a life home, while Eric trod home, and me telling him to not get eaten by aliens. It was an interesting Saturday.

The Long-awaited Dinner: Tofu And Tea Delights

- August 29, 2012, Wednesday.

- After months of postponing and rescheduling, I was finally able to arrange a dinner meeting with my friend Samuel.

- While waiting for Samuel at Lucky Chinatown Mall, I was able to encounter former schoolmates Dennis and Reggie at random. We spent some time eating donuts and bench-hopping at the center atrium, and catching up with each other.

- I met Samuel around 7:30pm, and went to Shi Lin to have dinner. Samuel seemed to hungry (I was too, secretly,) and so we ordered a feast. My favorite for the night, aside from the noodles with spicy sesame and peanut sauce, was the Taiwanese tofu. The tofu was very silky, almost watery, and lightly sauced.

- Samuel and I talked a lot; we haven't seen each other since last December, I think. (I never realized how long it was since the last time I saw him.) Thanks to technology, I was able to regularly keep in touch with him though.

- We went home as the rain showered the city with glee, and we were able to hail a cab that would send us home, after several attempts. Hopefully, I'll be able to hang out with Samuel more, soon.