Frannywanny

I love making lists. This goes for listing off my favorite restaurants in the metro, my things to do, my wants and so on. Blame it on my OC nature but this habit just comes out naturally. To celebrate the end of 2007 and the coming of the new year, I will do another list. As I look back at the past months, I realized that this year has been a travelling year for me. I also realized that through these trips (be it personal or for work), I was able to bond more with Paul, my family and with my friends. I'd like to share with you memorable snapshots taken from the trips that I've had this year: 1) Angeles, Pampanga This was my first out of town trip for the year. Paul and I watched the Hot Air Balloon exhibit at the Clark Aviation Field and I LOVED IT ! Pampanga will always have a special spot in my heart as this is Paul's hometown. Every trip to this province is super fun! I will forever crave for authentic Pako (fern) salad, Aling Lucing's sisig and Perfect Loaf's...

I am currently on a vacation leave until the new year! Yipeee! Unfortunately, since my sister don't have any leave credits yet and Paul is as busy as ever, I have to make the most of my leaves alone and in town. Well, one thing is for sure. I am making the most of these three precious days before I finally drag myself back to work by January 2. Weeks ago, I've decided that this will be my "pamper-me" leave where I'll spend most of my time relaxing and rejuvenating for the new year. Today was Day 1 and first stop was The Nail Loft . This small neighborhood-type spa is slowly getting the attention of girls who frequent the San Juan area. I've heard a lot of raves from my friends and obviously I know i just have to try it out myself. Aside from their long list of services, they have 8 packages available and I find the rates to be very reasonable. Reasonable because they use big name brands like Essie, Orly, L'oreal and Sally Hansen which tells me that they ...

After a month worth of planning, finally I was able to catch the 2nd to the last run of Avenue Q at the RCBC Auditorium. Gaining a lot of raves from various critics and internet bloggers plus my very own sister who was able to watch it last September, I made sure that I will not let this opportunity pass me by without allowing myself to be bitten by the Avenue Q bug. The verdict? I.Ruv.It.!!!! I love watching plays and this one surely ranks high up in my list of favorites along with Trumpet's The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and The Little Mermaid. It amazing to see Rachel Alejandro switch from nicey-nice Kate Monster to sexy Lucy the Slut. It's true that after some time you'd turn your focus away from the actor holding the puppet to the puppet itself. In other words, the talented cast was able to bring all the puppets to life. Felix Rivera ; who, by the way, sang in select Starbucks Coffee stores during my 12 Nights of Christmas project last year, is the lead actor handl...

L ife is full of ironies. For instance, I am scared to death of heights especially when climbing steps or when i'm in roller coaster but i lovee the thought of flying or riding a ferris wheel. Who would have thought that it has been my life long dream to be able to ride a hot air balloon? Although, I've never done this yet, I content myself by watching a dozen of colorful hot air balloons fill up the sunset sky last year at the Clark Aviation Field. It has been a slow, boring week for me at work so imagine my happiness when I landed at this site one lazy afternoon and saw this message: It’s going to be another year of fun, flare and flight at the 12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta ! Happening on February 7-10, 2008 at Clark Economic Zone . Watch out for more details. Yahooo!! See you all in Clark next year!! Ü

T wo decades ago, I was 5 and then I believed in the jolly old man who rides in a sleigh and who delivers gifts to all good boys and girls at the stroke of midnight. Blame our wild imagination in believing that one Christmas Eve, we actually saw him parked his sleigh outside our window. Every year, my sister and I would write a loooonggg letter to this jolly old man in a red suit with a list of toys and whatnots supposedly to "guide" him and his elves in case they do not know yet what toys to give us. Obviously, not everything on the list were given us but we didn't really care. Waking up every Christmas morning is fun as we always come face to face with a big gift bag filled with toys and goodies by our bedside. It was when we turned 12 that we learned the hard truth... jolly old man was actually just sweet and kind mom and dad. Nonetheless, it's always fun to come up with our christmas wish list hoping that we'll receive any of those items listed even if it mean...

this is dedicated to everyone who's been getting more than their usual caffeine fix for that much coveted Starbucks Coffee Planner ... To celebrate 10 fruitful years in the Philippines, Starbucks Coffee treats customers participating in the 2008 Planner Promotion to double sticker credits on their promo cards from December 4 to 7, 2007 between the hours of 12:30-2:00 pm and 8:00-9:30 pm. Here's how: Customers purchasing Starbucks Coffee beverages (except bottled water, bottled beverages and fruit juices) on these dates during the specified times, are entitled to two (2) stickers for every beverage purchased. If a featured beverage is purchased, the customer gets one (1) additional sticker on the featured or core beverage panel of the promo card. If a core beverage is purchased, the customer gets one (1) additional sticker on the core beverage panel only. Sticker treats will be handed out with the receipt at date and point of sale only. A no promo card, no sticker policy will st...

Sonya's Garden (in Tagaytay), first popularized the use of broad beans ( patani in Filipino ) in her salads. The crunchy, salty combination is simply a winner. I got hooked to this type of beans as much as i have constantly been craving for another meal at Sonya's. Thus, just imagine how happy I was when i chance upon a small stall at the St. James Bazaar in Alabang selling packs of...what else?!...Indonesian roasted broad beans! I tried one bag this morning and it was sooo yummy! the mexican bbq flavor made it a bit sweet and still a bit salty, truly a perfect answer to my current craving. It's quite a steal too! We got this big bag for only P25 each! too bad, Alabang's so far away..but at least we have 3 bags left hopefully to last us longer than a week. Whoever knows if this is also sold here in Metro Manila, please be a true angel and leave me a message. Ü