EXCITED! I'm so terribly excited right now because... drum roll please...

John Legend's new album is coming out on October 28!

I've been waiting for this for a month or so and I'm expecting this album to be more worldly than his last two because of his Show Me campaign. True enough, the first single is lighter and evidently more inspired by his work in Africa.

<3 there isn't anything left to say...

This is extremely frustrating, sad, annoying, heart-breaking..


I CAN'T TASTE ANYTHING! I can't taste, I can't smell. My favorite senses in the world!

There are blueberry muffins in the oven right now, I can't smell it baking in all it's wonderful homey goodness. We had soft tacos tonight and I couldn't taste the chili that I made nor the guacamole or the wonderful juicy grilled and perfectly charred chicken to go with it.

If this goes on any longer.. I think I might just slip into depression. Life is really dull without your taste buds, please don't take them for granted. I'd give up internet for my sense of taste and smell back.

If there is one thing good that has come from this, at least I appreciate texture better.

Singapore was inspiring. The people there are so progressive! The streets oh so clean. The food was a great mix of cultures. Things to try in Singapore: Kaya Toast which makes a yummy breakfast, Laksa (We tried the Katong Laksa which was not spicy enough because they knew we were foreigners, how nice!), Otak otak (I dont think i've tried something like that before.. grilled fish paste!), the Curry Puffs are to die for! and many more.

One of the best parts of the trip is.. my new blanket! I grabbed it as soon as I felt it in the store. It's a Brookestone Cuddle Blanket and seems to soothe me so well. I fondly call it "binky" and I seem to look forward to getting into bed just to feel it! Woke up today and it was raining and I was rolled up in bed with it, very cozy. It literally feels like i have a million bunnies on me, without their paws of course.

I have to go make guacamole and chili now.

It really gets on my nerves when people, restaurants, food, work, practically anything are deprived of the proper respect and credit they deserve. But, I truly and utterly respect them because they continue to do what they do despite it all for the sheer love of it. Don't worry, you know your worth.

Humans and Chimpanzees have more than 98% of their DNA in common. So what exactly does the 2% consist of? Can't really be too much huh? That really explains a lot..

An article on El Bulli (Rated #1 restaurant in the world as of the 2007 rating):

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,1614018,00.html

Comments? Violent reactions?

Favorite line: "Is it possible that the best French restaurant is not in France?" HAHAHA!

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0%2c%2c1613997%2c00.html

My hat's still off to Keller. ;)

Good just isn't good enough.. I feel really bad for actually admitting that to myself right now because I'm so happy and life is just good. Just give me one second to myself because I know what I have to do and I will do it.


Well, today was interesting to say the least. Well actually so was yesterday and the day before that. They've left me all alone to man the sautee station and.. woah. Not to mention there is an overkill of testosterone in the kitchen. I'm the only person there who is capable of PMS-ing now. I feel guilty for leaving work today although I did go overtime a bit.

Anyway, next week we jet off to Thailand! 31st to the 3rd. Get back 3rd, I think leave for Boracay 4th, get back on the 6th I think and then Anilao for the checkout dive 7th to 8th. Orientation on the 10th to 12th after that.. So, I will be MIA. :D

Woah, I think I've forgotten to breathe within the last 3 days... My life seems to simply revolve around FOOD and TRAVELING. I doubt i've been in a car this much since.. yea, I can't even remember. But, I love it. Can't complain. Not to mention, I really love the people I'm doing all these things with. :)

Day One:

Finishing touches on Acacia's kitchen in Greenhills
Kidnapped Rach! Nyaha!
Basically brought all over Greenhills by Olibear
Leave Promenade, straight to Serendra for dinner at Hossein's with Josh
Dessert at Xocolat after dinner and bum around High Street

Day Two:

Diving at 8 in the freaking morning!
Lunch at North Park and the next thing we know, were off to Tagaytay
Arrive at Tagaytay and then we're off to Anilao.
At Anilao, meet Olibear and see the b-e-autiful resort.
Leave Anilao, back in Tagaytay for dinner
Back to Manila

Day Three:

Lunch with the family
Cook cook cook! Kitchen testing the whole day for Acacia and on the menu:
-Lager Beef Stew
-Open Face Pastrami Sandwich
-Hot Chicken Wings and Blue Cheese Dressing (awesome with cerveza negra!)
-Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts and Strawberry Dressing
-Chocolate Chip Cookies (Exclusively for May)

Back to work and more food on tuesday.. <3

Oh.. The rain is here. But summer a'int over yet! ;) Cheers!

Just got off from work and I'm as sick as a dog. I blame it on the weather.

Once again, I was falling asleep this morning as I made pesto. I don't understand why making pesto makes me so sleepy! Anyway, 10 kilos of tomato sauce, 4 liters of bechamel and half a liter of pesto later... I still love my job. I'm in a really good place right now and quite happy with summer. It's been the most interesting one so far. I don't regret anything for now, especially the fact that I took Culinary Arts. Without a doubt, a lot of blood, sweat and tears (all literally!) is required in this field but, I feel so fulfilled after a day at work! I know this is right, as of now I cannot do anything else in the world. It's great knowing that you belong somewhere, hope it lasts.

Just out of the blue, I think one of my most favorite things to smell is garlic and onions being sauteed in olive oil. Mmm.. It's wonderful.

Hello world! :) So, first and foremost I just want to say it is very weird putting my thoughts down like this. Woah. Not so sure what will be coming out of my mind and onto your screens but, I'll just wing it. I want to start off with a quiz.. *sings: Getting to know you.. *


1. Does it matter to you if your bf/gf smokes?
Yup, makes my nose twitch.

2. How about drinking?
Once in awhile and in controlled amounts. :) drunken stupor is not hot.

3. Do you want someone you can't have?
We always want what we can't have but, I'm happy!

4. If someone liked you right now, would you want them to tell you?
I guess. Depends on the situation but, I'm naturally curious.

5. What's your favorite sport?
Errr.. volleyball? If diving counts, thats it for now. :D

6. It's Saturday night, you're home alone.. what do you do?
Watch AFC! or go on the world wide web.

7. Can you do the splits?
Yikes! I can try?

8. Do you like roller coasters?
Woohoo! Yes I do.

9. When's the perfect time to have a boy/girlfriend?
It really depends on your goals. But, hey. I'm married to the kitchen. :D

10. If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
I really don't know.

11. Whats your favorite band?
None in particular.

12. What are you doing this weekend?
Spending time with friends! Welcome back mai!

13. Whats your favorite restaurant?
Oh god.. hahaha! We need a minimum of 3 hours to discuss this. But, French Laundry favorite to work in! <3

14. Do you usually fall for the right or wrong girl/guy?
Hmm..

15. Have you ever hugged someone?
I can't express how important hugs are!

16. Ever kissed someone you weren't attracted to?
Nooooo.

17. Do you like anyone right now?
:p sneaky sneaky! You're gonna have to work harder than that to find out!

18. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
It's different with each and every one.

19. Which do you prefer, beach or the mountains?
Both! :D

20. What kind of phone do you have?
Motorola Razr (It's magenta and I wish it weren't)

21. Computer or laptop?
Laptop no questions asked. And a Mac to be exact.

22. What is your favorite store?
Gourdo's and Cook's Exchange.

23. Jeans or sweats?
My super comfy jeans.

24. Which year has been the best so far?
2006 was wonderful! But, 2008 so far seems to be topping it.. ;)

25. How old are you gonna be on your next birthday?
Wow.. the big 2-0

26. What should you be doing right now?
Nothing :D :D :D

27. What is your favorite tv show?
Let's just stick to AFC and Gossip Girl

28. Color?
Orange and blue. Sometimes yellow and red too.. Frick, I love the rainbow!

29. Are you attracted to girls/guys that smoke?
Nope, you asked me this already.

30. Have you ever fallen on your butt in front of a crowd of people?
Hahaha! Yes! In front of the entire high school population. XD

31. What do you do when you're at home?
Cook and experiment! Read, watch some t.v, get on my laptop.

32. Whats your favorite subject?
CA 101 so far.. ;)

33. Where do you want to go to college?
Enderun. Nyaha!

34. Do you like to go to concerts?
Not really, but depends on who's playing and who I'm with.

35. Favorite type of music?
Well, thats very hard. I like all genres but, can't live without one song. :) - Desert Sunrise by Brett Dennen

36. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
Left

37. What annoys you?
People who just don't care and those who take advantage of kindness. There's more but moving on :)

38. If you had one super power, what would it be?
Just one? ;) The power to make anything happen!

39. Ever got a Saturday school?
Not yet but, this semester I will.. :(

40. Been kicked out of class?
I don't think so. Oh! Yes, once I think in grade 2.

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOU
1. Are you single? - Yep
2. Are you happy?- Very much :)
3. Are you bored? - Yes!
4. Are you sad? - About some things, yes.
5. Are you Italian? - Si senor! Haha!
6. Are you pregnant? - no, that's just my belly. :p
7. Are you cute? - Don't ask me!
8. Are you cool? - It's summer for godsakes, everyone is sooo hot. ;)
9. Are you smart? - I am smrt!
10. Are you hot? - Like everyone else in Manila.

TEN FACTS
1. Initials - GJKO
2. Nicknames - Gen, Genny, Bum Bum, Kitty, Kits
3. Birth place - Manila
4. Hair color - Brown
5. Hair style - I'm not sure what it's called since it's grown out already.
6. Eye color - black
7. Birthday - October 26
8. Mood - Happy!
9. Favorite colors - we've had this discussion
10. Left or right handed - right

TEN THIS OR THAT?
1. Love or money?- Love!
2. Hard liquor or beer? Chardonnay please
3. Cats or dogs? - I'm a kitty who likes dogs
4. A few best friends or many regular friends? - Few best friends
5. Television or Internet? - Internet
6. Pepsi or coke? - Coke
7. Wild night out or romantic night? - Neither. Can't I have a cool trip to Africa?
8. Money or Happiness? - Happiness for sure
9. Night or day? - Day
10. YM or phone? - YM

TEN HAVE YOU EVERS
1. Been caught sneaking out? - I think I have. Wait, no that wasn't me.
2. Been ? - Lost? Confused? Been what?

3. Done something you regret? - Haha! I like to see them as learning experiences
4. Bungee jumped? - No :( But I will one day!
5. Scuba dived? - Yessss! I love the fish and the water and I can't wait for more!
6. Finished an entire jaw breaker? - Yes and my tastebuds hated me for it.
7. Changed a diaper? - Not yet but.. that would be interesting.
8. Cried because you lost a pet? - a river.
9. Wanted to disappear? - oh yes.
10. Been in love?- Yup.

TEN IN A RELATIONSHIP
1. Smile or eyes: The smile. :)
2. Light or dark hair: Dark
3. Hugs or kisses: Hugs are the best!
4. Intelligence or attraction: Those and more..
5. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship
6. Trust or love? Well, you can't really have love without trust..
7. Long distance or close? Close
8. Call or text? - Call
9. Older or younger? - Older
10.Looks or Personality: - Both? :D Haha


TEN LAST
1. Last phone call you made: Paula
2. Last phone call you received: Paula
3. Last person/people you hang out with: Mai and Char
4. Last person to text you: Ching
5. Last person you tackled? - Oli
6. Last person you im'd? - I forgot!
8. Last person you hugged? - Char
9. Last person you slept with - Errr... My pillow count?
10. Last person you laughed with: Mom


1)Who did you last go out with?
- More like stay in with. Mai and Char :)

2) What do you want to receive on your birthday?
- I'm not sure. I'm pretty happy! OH! a beautiful convection oven.

3) Reach your hand out to the right. What do you touch?
- A red dart.

4) What time did you sleep last night?
- 12.30

5) What's the wallpaper on your computer?
- French Laundry pictures

6)What can you hear besides the computer?
- The aircon, music, May clicking on her mouse.

7) Do you agree to the saying "to Forgive is to forget"?
- Nope.

8) When was the last time tears started to roll down your cheek?
- I don't remember and I want to keep it that way. :)

9) What/who makes you happy?
- good food, good company and my dreams.

10) What makes you sad?
- That's very vague.

11 ) What are your favorite books?
- Cookbooks

12) What would you like to have right at this moment which seems totally impossible?
- A star.. (Both kinds Paula)

13) Who will you turn to if you have a huge problem?
- Family and friends. My knife? haha!

14)What's your favorite song at the moment?
- Desert Sunrise- Brett Dennen

15) What was the last song that keeps ringing on?
- None lately but the last one was No Tomorrow by Orson.

16) What was the best event that happened last year?
- :D

17) Where did you go today?
- Market Market for flowers, lunch at Shinjuku, grocery shopping at Landmark

18) Last thing you ate?
-Yummy noodles

19) Who were you with?
- My family

20) Have you gone to the beach just w/ your buddies? ?
- Yes and I loved it! :D

21) Do you love sunsets?
- Yes! I love anything to do with the sky.

22)When is your b-day?
- October 26

23) What are your wishes for your birthday?
- Answered this already

24 ) Who do you wanna be w/ on the day of your birthday?
- My friends and family.

25)Have you ever felt that you've been taken for granted?
- Yes and it wasn't nice

26) Thing/s you regret??
- No regrets, just lessons.

27) What do you want to do besides answering this survey?
- Make fresh pasta.

28) What's the most important sentence/s that lingers in your mind now?
- If we did all of the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

29)COOKIES n' cream or double dutch? ?
- Cookies n' Cream although I'd like something else!

30) Chocolate cake or brazo de mercedez? ?
- Neither, I'm craving for a yummy creme brulee right now.

31) Do you like spongebob?
- He's pretty cool. But Patrick's kinda cute too.

32) Do you know how to play the guitar?
- Hahaha! no.

33 ) Who's the last person you texted?
- You asked me this already!

34 )KFC or Kenny Rogers?
- KFC (hotshots mmm...)

35) Beach or CAMPING?
- Both! I haven't really tried to camp but looks like fun!

37) Hotdogs or cheesedogs? ?
- Hotdogs with everything on it

40 Do you like Shawarma?
- Oh yes!

41) Is there someone you're missing right now?
- Yea.

42) Do you love someone right now?
- Of course I love lots of people :)