expect the unexpected...

who knew i would stay up late last night watching charles dickens' great expectation.  and yes, that is gillian anderson from the x-files series.

happy holidays...

**let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

quaint town...

it's has been one of the longest weekend i had in a very long long time.  saturday had to drive to my uncle's house for a family party.  the drive was suppose to be 1.5 hrs but because of the traffic in almost everywhere, it became a 3 hours trip.

earlier today, went to an outlet mall to do my last minute christmas shopping.  since it not so often that i travel with most of the kids (i.e. nieces and nephews), i decided to take them to some random historic towns along the hudson river valley.

newtown, ct - an american tragedy...

**credit: thenation.com

**credit: kennethinthe212.com

this is my better side...

**the camels @ the radio city music hall christmas spectacular...

a wedding to remember...

this past saturday, i went to my high school friends' wedding (the bride).  it was a very intimate event since there were only 70-80 guest.  i don't normally like to post what i wear but my cousin wanted see (so here you go).  in honor of world aids day, i decided to go with the red bow tie.

**red bow tie, velvet black jacket from H&M, shirt from Zara, pants from Banana Republic, and shoes from Johnston & Murphy.

during the cocktail hour, i saw this guy standing literally next to me and i was saying to myself, he looks familiar.  i thought he was just a friend i met a long time ago.  i had to ask the other guy standing next to me if he knows this guest.  he said "that's colin farrell, the actor".  WTF!!!!

**colin and my lucky friend, donna

i learned from other guest that my friends' father and colin are friends.  such a nice guy to attend a wedding.

christmas tree 2012

after a few months of trying to figure out what to decorate the christmas tree this year, i just decided to use all (well half of it since it's just too many) the decorations collected throughout the years.

**my nephew nicky helping me decorate the tree...

**one of my fav decoration.

happy thanxgiving...

**Modern Family take on Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving...

after watching twilight...

saw this guy shopping for fresh produce at union square greenmarket.  instead of carrying tons of bags, he is using a wheelbarrow.  one word - GENIUS!!!!

my sister wanted to eat tacos.  she remember a taco bell nearby but i wasn't in the mood for taco bell.  i took her to a small cozy restaurant called dorado tacos located at university place.  it seats about 20 people but not as rowdy as taco bell. and the food is great.

i love my twinkies...

say it ain't so.  hostess twinkies might be a thing of the past. READ HERE

where's my twinkies!!!!

pi = 3.14159

"to lose your mother, well, that is like losing the sun above you"

- excerpt from the book "life of pi" by yann martel

inspiration needed...

just trying to decided what to decorate the christmas tree for this year.  last year, it was rustic and gold.  the year before, it was all about the balls. and the year before that, butterflies.  i was thinking of origami but it's too time consuming folding hundreds of papers....and it was already done about 5/6 years ago.  i'm not sure what to do but i need to think soon otherwise it will be a holiday disaster.  

fifty shades of...

...NOT grey but chicken.  WARNING: Rated R trailer...i think.  Not suitable to watch at work.

i vote for...

New York being a democrat state, it's already known that the NY State Electoral votes will go to Obama. 

voting is tomorrow and i'm still undecided on who to vote. oh well, as long as i vote, that's what count.  question is: (a) four more years OR (b) four new years?  we shall see...

**rockefeller center promenade

tanga means stupid...

while searching for a chandelier frosted glass @ homedepot, i found this:

a little generosity...

being a member, thought i should share this:

Our doors are open to help anyone impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

All of our clubs are opening their doors to Hurricane Sandy victims allowing full use of our facilities. If you need to take a hot shower, charge your cell phone, or recharge your body with a stress-reducing workout, our club is your club. All we ask is that nonmembers bring a towel.

click here for locations.

Q&A

Q: what photo of yourself do you wish would go away?

A: most of my pictures during my high school days especially post 2nd year.  i had a sudden growth spurt during the summer break.  i went from 5'2 to about 5'8 in height.  i was glad i was tall but the weight took a looooong time to catch up.  all my pix looks like i do not eat at all.

and NO, i am not posting any high school pix. :)

oh sandy...

**credit: theweatherchannel.com

for the two decades i've been living here in NYC, this would be the 5th time i've experience that the nyc subway system came to a halt:

• 9/11
• blackout of 2003
• strike in 2005
• hurricane irene in 2011
• and now this, hurricane sandy, 2012

i too am peculiar...

“i used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. i had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was.” 

- ransom riggs, miss peregrine's home for peculiar children

i just finished reading ransom riggs' miss peregrine's home for peculiar children.  i just stumble on this book while looking for something to borrow from the library.  i didn't even realize that it was a children's book until i completed the whole book and did some research.

click here to get the synopsis of the book - miss peregrine's home for peculiar children.

for a children's book, i'm surprised that it captured my imagination.  i could not help myself but finish it in one sitting.  it's an easy book to read and the pictures do help with the imagination.  without ruining the ending if you want to read it, the biggest disappointment is the ending.  like most post regarding about this book, the question that comes to mind is that if this is going to be a series?  i do hope so because it leaves you wanting to know more.

oh yeah, there is a plan to make this book into a movie according to some websites.  i just hope that they do justice.

picnic anyone???

i was wearing my red gingham shirt today and i asked my niece emily how's my look.  she said i look like a picnic blanket.  not sure how to react.  i just said cool.  :)

hi, my name is is nick...

i always find it amusing when the barista at starbucks write names on your drink and the name written is not what you told them.  in this case, they wrote nick when i clearly said my name is mike.  sounds so close anyway.  LOL!!!!!

inevitable...

have you seen the new commercial for chanel no. 5? brad pitt??  don't get me wrong.  i like him on mr. and mrs. smith, but c'mon, seriously??

this is what nabbing a $7 million campaign looks like...



now, what can YOU do with $7 million??

takip silim...

**sunset @ laiya, san juan, batangas, october 2011

ito ay ang aking lahok sa Sarranggola Blog Awards 4 sa kategoryang larawan (photoblog).

crossing my fingers and toes. :)

the bar downstairs...

had a great time last night with my co-workers.  first, jenny and i went to our usual after work hang-out spot, tonic, which is a block away from our work.  she had to leave early since she had a prior engagement.  so after jenny left, i met with another co-worker, dana, who was coming from the gym.  the original plan was for dana to meet us at tonic.  but dana got a text from her boyfriend who was in another bar with his colleagues.  since the bar where i was was starting to get crowded (the yankees were playing for the ALCS title), i figured the other bar would be a good change.  so dana and i went to this bar called "the bar downstairs" located at 42nd and 5th ave.  at first  i thought we were lost since we could not find the door.  lo and behold, the door was literally in-front. 

like the main entrance, the decor of the bar is very minimalist.  going "downstairs", it was all wood.  once your in the basement level, there are no signs to say where the bar is except a massive door.  upon entering, you know you're there since the place was packed with midtown white-collar workers in their late 20's up to maybe 30's.  definitely this is an after hour work spot.  

the menu selection was not that great but their drinks are concoction of premium cocktails, wines, and beers.  i had only one drink - yes i said one - but it was just over the top good....and very strong if i might add.  i had a few drinks already prior to going to this bar so i didn't want to push myself over my limit.  and i will admit it, the one drink that i ordered was about $15 (pricey).  i guess you pay what you get.

please meet mr. hyde...

i finally found my shoes!!!!......well i actually saw it sometime last week.  i heading out the store door after purchasing a pair of khakis when something tells me to look to my right.  i'm not sure why but lo and behold, i saw my dream shoes.  i wanted to buy it right then and there.  but since i can purchase it for a good discount the week after (which is today), i bid my shoes a see you later.
 

**mr. hyde from banana republic.

**took a picture of the current display at rockefeller plaza...while waiting for my sister.

first timer...

less than a month ago, i completed my very first registered run.  it's only 4 miles (or 6.4 kilometers) which by no means can be compared to a marathon.  i figured if i run 5 to 6 miles every day, why not.  see where i stand and maybe, just maybe, try a marathon in the near future.

 i finished 952 out of 1,897 male runners.  the best part about it, my pace was 8:05.  my original plan was hit at least close to 9.  not bad don't you think....

being organic...

it was an usual warm temperature earlier today here in the city.  my sister and i decided to walk around union square greenmarket.

morgan quilted solid jacket...

 

i was trying to search for work shoes but i found this nice tommy hilfiger morgan quilted solid jacket.  i first saw the trap green color but i prefer the midnight blue.  i am all set for old man winter, but i still need to buy a new pair of shoes!!!!

don't you just love her...

the best part of watching the emmys this past weekend was the modern family skit.....or is it???

elmer who???

i was trying to help my nieces earlier today sort their stuff toys collected throughout the years when we found a gift i gave to my eldest nieces 6/7 years ago.  i am amaze with the pristine condition and vibrant colors.

**elmer the patchwork elephant

and they call it, puppy love...

**decorative pillow from Target.

is he for real???

as most of you probably know, i try to avoid posting here anything that deals with politics or news.  if i do, it's something that bothers me so much that i cannot help but actually say something.  

the main topic in most news channel this evening was the comments made by presidential candidate gov. mitt romney.  i don't know what he is doing but speaking about the "other 47 percent" will not help him at all with his election.

he even commented on the the women of the tv show "the view".  

gym time...

"...hoping to see enough pics of ripped torsos to activate an eating disorder".

**from a guys' dating profile. 

sin city...

oh my.  it's been over a month since i last post here.  am i going back to my old habits?  better not since i enjoy doing this.

anyway, it's been a very busy past few weeks for me.  let see, i was working, running, relaxing during weekends, working, running, relaxing again.  my usual weekly routine.  so yeah, i've been busy.  :)   actually this past month has been hectic.  work seems to be getting busier which is a good thing but i need a break every now and then.

**make way for ducklings statue @ the boston public garden

the whole family had a mini vacation this year.  unlike last year when we went to florida for a week and was stranded due to hurricane irene, this year we went for a day trip to boston which is about 3-4 hours drive from nyc.  after our boston trip, we had a relaxing trip to the beach the day after to unwind before the kids start the school year.

**my adorable nieces and nephews @ the boston public garden  

what else?  about a week a ago, i went to las vegas (a.k.a sin city) to hangout with my high school friends.  all of them are from the west coast (california) while i on the other hand was the lone east coast representative.  we had a great time and enjoyed reminiscing high school stories.  we are already planning to meet again sometime next year - going south of the border - mexico.

**my high school friends @ the cosmopolitan hotel, las vegas

**one of the very few tall trees @ red rock canyon national  conservation  area , las vegas

**on the left corner past the mountain is the famous las vegas strip.

very red...

...cherries

greatness...

...we're all capable of it.

this is my bronx...

**distant view of the manhattan skyline from whitestone bridge - connects the borough of queens and the bronx.

what is going on...

took me a long time to decided on how to begin this post.  i don't know if there's any logic to this madness/craziness going on but here goes...my last post was about a friend's friend who died from cancer.  now this post is about a relative of mine - i believe 3rd/4th cousin on my mom's side - who died this past weekend.  the sad part about it is that they - yes, they - are siblings, about my age and here's the worst part, they were killed.  i don't want to discuss the details on how it happened but it was tragic.

we are very close them - literally and figuratively.  besides being related by blood, they're our neighbor in my mom's hometown.  heck, their mom is my godmother.

i don't know anymore...i just don't.  

rest in peace em-em and liezl...

    

heaven has a new angel...

Heaven Has A New Angel 

your pain is gone 

your stay was short

your memory will last forever

you've touched so many 

loved by all

there for us we were about to fall

a whisper of an angel your words will be

the glory of an angel your light shall be

our new guardian angel you will be

heaven has a new angel 

- by mark petro

i learned today through facebook that one of my friend's friend passed away early this morning from cancer.  from what my friend told me, she was battling the disease for 2 years and was diagnose during that period from 98% of getting cured to 0% chance.  i didn't ask much since i know my friend is still grieving.   


i met her only twice but during that period, we had fun and we could have been great friends....probably that's why i am still in shock.      

rest in peace....ellien    

something about this adam guy...

i was looking at some recent post of one blogger and found this commercial made by a Dutch insurance company.  not sure why it was banned since it was viewed 23 millions times on youtube. 

please do not judge until you finish watching the thing.  after that, talk among yourselves.

this is my bronx...

starting today, i will start a segment here in my blog called "this is my bronx...".  it will be photographic view of the city where i currently reside.

why do it?  well outside the the borough of the bronx, people has this misconception that the bronx is dilapidated, dirty, and a very scary place.  people tend to remember only the "south bronx" of the early 60's and 70's when crime was high, empty housing projects, and so forth.  but that was a few decades ago.  also,  i can say the same thing about manhattan's harlem area or east brooklyn.  anywhere you go in this world, there will be areas that even today, you would not dare to walk alone during night time.  am i right or am i right??

on that note, i present you, this is my bronx...

there are plenty of trees on the street where i live...

i run because...

..."when i see a hill, i don't complain.  i get over it." - anonymous

RUNNYC @ Strawberry Fields in Central Park doing timed hill repeats.  the regular run wasn't bad, it was the uphill running backwards (**repeats) that killed my legs.

it's all about circles baby...

presenting japanese pop artist Ms. Yayoi Kusama in collaboration with Louis Vuitton. 

the wax sculpture was so life like, i had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't her.

peekaboo. i see you...

while waiting for the traffic light to change on 6th ave. right in-front of radio city music hall today, this lady (probably in her late 20's/early 30's) riding a bike was trying to beat the light.  she was pretty, wearing a tank top and a very very very short skirt.  as she passed by from where i was standing, i looked at her and noticed something i'm not sure i'm privy to see.  this young couple standing next to me all of a sudden started laughing.  i got curious and asked them if they saw the same thing.  the woman said yes and she just keeps on laughing.  her boyfriend, also laughing hysterically, mentioned something about not having decency anymore in this world or something to that effect.  i joined the laughing while crossing the street and said to myself, only in New York.

3 or 4???

after work last friday, i headed to my favorite barbershop on greenwhich village.  i noticed that it was not crowded which is odd since it's a very small shop that has a good following.  i guess i was lucky to arrive early.

once seated, i told the barber that i want a short haircut - sides and on the top.  the barber asked me if i want the sides 3 or 4?  i don't even know what he was talking about but i figured it has something to do with the cut.  i said 3 hoping that i made the right choice - which i did (whew).

after completing the sides, he went straight to the top.  while cutting my bangs, i noticed that it still a bit longer than what i would normally prefer.  i am not trying to get a military haircut or going for the spike look.  i was just trying to get a shorter haircut.  i asked the barber if he can cut it a bit shorter.  now here is the funny part about this conversation.  he told me that if get it shorter, it won't look good.  i don't normally get such advise but i like his honesty.  i told him that i am aware of **that.  i just thought it was still long and if he can cut it just a tad.  he said he will cut it but not too short so i agreed.  i'm just glad that the barber knows what he was doing and that he gives his opinion.  i the end, the cut looks great and not the ugly short hair.

**during my high school days, a part of the curriculum in order to graduate is military training class (known as Citizen Military Training or CAT).  it's for both girls and boys and it's often held on a saturday.  one of the requirements for the boys is to have a military haircut.  it was a shock especially if it's your first time having a very short hair (almost like no hair at all).  

someone like you...

before i end the day, i found this country singer david nail who did adele's cover hit, someone like you.  i like adele's version but adding a country twist to it is not bad at all.  in fact, it actually sounds great.

i am hot....really

for someone who prefers winter than summer, this weekend is not going to be easy. the following excerpts is from cnn.com:

Around 4 p.m., the thermometer in St. Louis read 105 degrees, the ninth straight day it has topped the century mark in that Missouri city. That may sound bad, but it's relatively cool compared with the 110 degrees the National Weather Service is forecasting for Saturday.

A similar story will play out in many other locales. New York should hit 100 degrees, as should Lexington, Kentucky. And in Washington, D.C., the thermometer is expected to reach 103 degrees, and the heat index will make it feel like 113.

 i miss you snow.....