It's Vea with a Vee!

The Last Sunset of 2011

2011-12-31T20:20:00.000+08:00

So my family and I are having a pretty low-key New Year's Eve tonight, just the way I like it. I am celebrating it with my cousin and her boyfriend here at Hotel H20. They are are in town for the holidays and we have been pretty much out and about these past few days, just showing them around.

I told them about the Manila Bay sunset and how they should see it because I heard it's one of the best (if not the best) sunset views in the world. So today, since we were just staying in, we decided to wait for the sunset. My cousin and her boyfriend had an amazing view from their room. It was facing the bay so it was absolutely perfect

This was how it looked like before the sunset.

The last sunset of 2012

Okay so pardon me for the low-res photos. I took these photos using my Blackberry since I still haven't purchased a new camera after I lost my old one in Bohol. These photos do not give the view ANY justice AT ALL! The sunset was absolutely beautiful. It was perfect! I am so glad I was able to witness the last sunset of 2012. Now I know why the Manila Bay sunset is the best (i'm pretty sure it's the best now after seeing the whole thing) in the world.

4 more hours before we welcome 2012! Wishing you guys a wonderful new year ahead!

Year-Ender Obligatory Post: 2011, The Year That Was

2011-12-31T12:04:00.002+08:00

So it's New Year's Eve and both my Facebook and Twitter feeds are all about how great 2011 was and how people are looking forward to an even better 2012. I'm mostly non-conformist but I feel as though I have to give credit where it's due. 2011, was after all, am awesome year for me.

I'm not about to give a blow by blow account of how my 2011 has been. If I can just describe the year that was in one word, it's AWESOME.

2011 was definitely not a walk in the park. Things did not always go as planned nor end up the way I wanted and hoped it to be. I lost a bunch of people who are very dear to me. Sure, it was tough but it can't be forever raining now, can it? Towards the end of the year, I realized that despite how things turned out, i gained more than what I lost. Truly, things always work out for the best. :)

The Big Guy up there has been gracing me generously with blessings I seriously think I do not deserve. I have nothing but overflowing gratitude towards Him. Never has He left me with nothing. He's always, always, and i mean ALWAYS provided something for me all the time.

So I was multi-tasking and browsing my photos on Facebook while drafting this blog and I just realized how 2011 was a very interesting year for me. Here's are the highlights:

I sang in Church for the first time for my former boss' wedding.

I was able to be part of UST's 400th year celebration

I took part in a medical mission and was able to circumcise eight little boys

I travelled and went to the beach all by myself. Got to meet a really cool bunch of people.

Two of my childhood friends got married! They were high school sweethearts.

One of my closest girlfriends got married and moved to the US to be with her hubby

I celebrated my quarter of a century! Twenty-five years baby!

I finally found a job that i love and enjoy.

It also comes with the coolest bunch of people to work with.

I went to Bohol for the very first time and got to see the infamouse Chocolate Hills (which were not so chocolatey during the time I went), and the cute little tarsiers! They look like Yoda!

Last but most definitely not the least, the biggest highlight of 2011: NEW FRIENDS!

The '41th' floor crew

So thank you, 2011! Thank you, Lord for the year that was and thank You because I know 2012 is gonna be soooo damn epic, it's gonna knock my socks off. I claim it! So end of the world or not, let's go by the song and party 2012 away like it's the end of the world! Cheers!

Wishing everyone a spectacular 2012 that is beyond awesome! Happy 2012, people!

Help Calm Your Stressed and Scared Dogs on New Year's Eve

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000+08:00

It's New Year's Eve in two days and it's something our dear pets do not look forward to.

For four years, I have seen how scared and stressed my dog Lily bun was because of the fireworks every New Year's Eve. I would always feel so helpless and think that if only I could sound-proof the room for just one night, i definitely would!

So this year, I wanted to make sure I do something about it. I went to Bow and Wow in Greenbelt 5 and found this

Calming Chews by Pet Naturals

What I really like about these calming chews is that it's made of high-potency natural ingredients so that gives me all the relief that it will be good for my Lily Bun. It also helps manage dogs who have separation anxiety. A pack costs Php 368.

I gave Lily one of these bone-shaped chews earlier and she was really relaxed. I just wish I had known about this sooner though. It would have been perfect if I had started feeding Lily with this a week ago so she'd be all calm during the New Year's Eve but oh well it's not too late anyway.

Here are some reminders to keep your pets safe and comfortable during the New Year festivities: (Source: PAWS Facebook Page)

Don't bring your pets to the fireworks and firecracker displays
Keep their collars and dogtags on at all times - make sure your contact details are visible on the tag and the collar is secure.
Give your dog lots of exercise so it would rather sleep through the festivities than stress over it. SPECIFICALLY, exercise, water, and potty your dog an hour or so before the festivities start.
On New Year's Eve, keep your pets in a safe and secure room where it cant get out and people are to go into. Give them a bed and blanket to burrow into. Close the windows so the noise is muggled and they cant get out. Just leave enough ventilation. Play relaxing music. Turn on air conditioner if that is an option. KEEP THAT DOOR CLOSED.
Check your fence and make sure it is secure and keep your gate and front door closed. Many dogs escape run away in fear and get lost on New Year's Eve.
NO WATUSI IN THE HOUSE. The pers might lick them off the floor and the explosive material in it is fatal if ingested. In fact, keep all those explosives inaccessible to your pets.
Anti-sress aids that work:

Thundershirts available at BetterDog (very snug body wraps for pets)
Pet Naturals Calming Chews, Back Flowers Remedy, Homepet Anxiety Relief available at Bow and WowDog Appeasing Pheromone

Don't cuddle or baby your pet when it is stressing out. Give it a safe and comfortable place to settle and burrow into.
Keep dangerous food away from your pets. Read the dangerous food list on the WebMD post at http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat

Sleep is a Good Thing

2011-12-28T17:59:00.000+08:00

Siesta with Lily Bun

My mom took this photo of me and Lily Bun earlier during siesta. Aside from time, sleep is definitely something I am in poverty of. I am glad and grateful that I get to have a 10-day holiday break to spend time with my loved ones and of course, to catch up on sleep.

Now if only I can sleep for twelve straight hours. I dislike how I would automatically wake up before 9 in the morning no matter how late I hit the sack the night before.

When you are sleep deprived, you would definitely want to make up for it by getting a good deal of shuteye as soon as time permits. I'm sure I can pretty much speak for everyone by saying I want to be able to get as much sleep as I can so I can be fully energized come 2012, right?

So for all you guys who are on holiday break like I am, hope you are getting all the R&R you can get. Sleep is good. Go get tons of it. =)

GMCI Hollywood Red Carpet Christmas Party

2011-12-24T13:37:00.002+08:00

GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI) held its annual Christmas Party last December 22 at the Robort Bar and Lounge in Makati. This year's theme was Hollywood Red Carpet Glam. Everyone dressed to the nines and looked absolutely fabulous! Check out the photos below.

I chose Gwyneth Paltrow during the 71st annual Academy Awards in 1999 as my peg. She wore a pink Ralph Lauren gown. It is said to be one of the most iconic and "one of the most greatest dresses in the history of red carpet of the Oscars"

Here's what I wore to the party. It's not made by Ralph Lauren but i thought it was pretty close to what Gwyneth Paltrow wore. This gown was made by Jun Perez. Accessories by Cuy Legazpi.

Alma came as Victoria Beckham. #ALMbisyosa

I super love this shot. Avery paparazzi-ish Victoria Beckhom shot.

Sara and Michelle came as "queen of burlesque" Dita Von Teeese

Brad Geiser came as Arnold Schwarzenneger

Jules came as the smokin hot Megan Fox.

Tony as Robert Redford who had his hair dyed specially for the occasion.

My good friend Aylnn channeled Julia Roberts and her iconic black and white Valentino gown during the 2011 Academy Awards.

AJ as Nick Jonas

Erickson as Jason Statham. Yeah! Haha.

Cuy as Rachel Zoe. Fabulous!

Amor came as Barbara Streisand

Drew came as Jeremy Scott and won as the Male Start of the Night!

Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow

Victoria Beckham, Dito Von Teese and Gwyneth Paltrow

Erick, June, Gretch and Katt! Super love this cool team!

The men of GMCI in their hollywood glam

The fabulous ladies of GMCI

It was such a fun-filled night. A perfect way to end the super busy year. Thanks GMCI! :)

Photo credits: Alexis Villafuerte and Amor Maclang

Help the Victims of Sendong

2011-12-20T09:23:00.001+08:00

While most of us are busy preparing for the holidays, people whose lives and properties are now devastated by the typhoon Sendong are in desperate need of help.

You may help by donating to RED CROSS cia SMS. You may donate in these amounts: 5, 25. 50, 100, 300, 500, and 1000.

To donate, send RED<AMOUNT> to 2899 for Globe and 4143 Smart

Ex. RED 50. This transaction is FREE.

I urge everyone to help and donate. Any amount counts! These people need us! It's after all the season of giving.

God bless the Philippines.

2011-11-01T02:03:00.000+08:00

I had no plans of attending any Halloween parties this year but due to sudden change of plans, I found myself thinking of a character with a costume that is easy to come by. And since animal prints are in, I thought of Pebbles Flintstone...the teenage version that is.

I had to borrow and wash my dog's toy bone so I could use it to complete my Pebbles Flintstone look. Glad it worked out well.

Republiq was already packed when we got there. I was not really aware of the theme, which was Heroes and Villains, but yeah people were in all sorts of costumes. There were A LOT of people dressed up as superman, wonder woman, captain america, batman, robin, thor, and joker. Too bad, it didn't occur to me to take pics with people with awesome costumes. There was this one particular Joker that I like He was dressed up as a nurse just like in the movie when the real joker blew up the hospital. Anyway, here are just some of the pics with my friends from the party:

Zorro and Pebbles Flintstone

Tigerlily, Pebbles Flintstone, Wonder Woman,
Greek Goddess, and A Sexy Kitty (?)

Some guy with a really cool costume.

Little Red Riding Hood and Pebbles Flintstone

Me with Gab who also came as Zorro

It was really a fun night. I think it was, by far, the best Halloween party i have been to. Next year though, i'm really planning on putting more effort into my costume. That's for sure.

9-10-11

2011-09-11T20:47:00.001+08:00

One of my favorite couples (they probably don't know this but they have always been one of my favorites) got hitched yesterday, September 10, 2011. Hence the title of this entry.

One of the Rina and Glenn's pre-nup shots!
Totally loved the vintage theme.

I have known Rina and Glenn since forever. We went to the same school for elementary and high school and I have witnessed how they became classmates, to being close friends, to being a couple and just yesterday, I have witnessed them pledge forever.

They have been dating for more or less 8 years...For the last couple of years, I would ask either of them if I would be hearing any wedding bells soon and boy I sure was overjoyed when I finally saw their relationship status on Facebook change from In A Relationship to Engaged, and just last night, Engaged to Married!

I feel so fortunate to have witnessed the wedding. It was beautiful. One of the best weddings I have been to. What makes it more special is the fact that I have been friends with the couple since we were little kids. Rina even pulled down my shorts in front of a lot of people during one game when we were still kids. I cried and run to the nuns out of extreme humiliation! Haha. And Glenn, I had him draw Squall Leonhart ( a character from Final Fantasy 8) in his boxers and holding his gunblade. Good times.

I have always thought that they were perfect for each other since they are both funny and highly creative individuals. They're both always game. I don't think there was ever a dull moment in their relationship.

The wedding was also a mini-reunion of some sort because I got the chance to see and catch up with my friends and classmates from elementary and high school. I haven't seen them in so long but yeah, some things just never change.

Of course, I just had to have a pic taken with the newlyweds!

1st pic: Look how happy Glenn is!

2nd pic: The lovely bride and I. She's just so classy like that.

With the "Revenjers"
I used to hang out with these guys way back elementary
and high school days because believe it or not,
I was a hardcore gamer back then.

With Gigi (left), who is now a mom of two beautiful kids and
Celine (right), who flew all the way from the US with her
fiance to attend the wedding.

After the program proper, it's party time!
People dancing to THRILLER!

The Revenjers..again.

Back in highschool, they have this little notebook filled with
drawings that they would pass around during class. It's
kinda like they're little role-playing world they like
to call "Revenj". Awesome stuff if you must know.
They coined themselves the Revenjers.

One more groupie shot with the newlyweds before heading home.

It was definitely a fun-filled night! To Rina and Glenn, thank you again for inviting me to the wedding. I said it a lot of times and I'll say it again now, best wishes and congratulations to the both of you! Stay madly in love!

Pet Express

2011-08-30T14:14:00.002+08:00

Lily Bun and I at Pet Express.

I had nothing better to do yesterday so I took my dog, Lily Bun, out for a check-up and some well-deserved and definitely long-overdue pampering. Been wanting to try this place called Pet Express. I chanced upon it a few weeks ago during an expo at the SMX Convention Center.

Pet Express is located at the south wing of SM Mall of Asia. It is this huge store that sells all kinds of local and imported stuff from pet food to grooming essentials to vitamins and medicines to pet coutures to beds and tents and the whole nine yards. It also has this big grooming station and a veterinary clinic which I find really cool and convenient because it's basically a one-stop shop. I never left that place without buying anything for Lily. So many cool stuff, i promise!

You can shop and go around with your pets.

I love the concept of the place. It is really convenient because everything is there and it is a pet friendly place. It's also a place for dogs to socialize. Lily, however, is not very sociable as she is not used to being around dogs. I think Lily had a great time while we were shopping around. Put her inside the cart so that it would be easier for us to move around. I was able to get her food, treats, a bag, her favorite pet milk, and a new harness.

From L to R: Lily's new baby book, Doc Lily checking Lily Bun's temperature

After shopping, I had Lily checked by the vet at the clinic inside the store. Apparently, the vet and Lily share the same name. :) She weighed Lily Bun and did all the necessary check ups for a dog. Consultation fee is priced at Php 350. It's a one-time payment for regular check-ups. How cool is that? All their doggy vaccines are on 20% discount til the end of September. So she gave Lily the 8-in-1 vaccine and the anti-rabies vaccine. I also got her dewormed. All in all I spent Php 1500+ on consultation, deworming and the vaccines. Not bad.

I wasn't able to take photos of the grooming because I was really tired by then. I did not expect that there would be a lot of pets waiting to be groomed when I got there. Lily and I arrived at the shop around 3 pm and we finished at 9 pm. So lessons learned. Always book an appointment.

A newly-groomed Lily Bun. :)

They groom pretty well. I like how they would first take the dog's blood pressure and have the vet check for any illnesses before putting them in line with the other dogs to avoid contamination with other dogs. Anyway, below is a before and after picture of Lily. Pretty cool huh?

Quoting my friend Cali, "from scruffy to fluffy"

Pet Express has a few branches up already but I like going to SM Mall of Asia because it's their biggest branch. I highly recommend this place for dog and cat owners. They take very good care of the pets there. :)

A Taste of Korea

2011-08-21T16:19:00.003+08:00

First Time: Korean delicacies

Yesterday, my friend Kim invited me to have dinner at this Korean restaurant in Makati . I have never tried Korean food before and since i'm almost always up for something new, I accepted the invite.

Pardon me for missing out on the details and names of the things I have tried last night. Was really exhausted and hungry from work so I did not make any effort to take lots of pictures and make a mental note of the things I had.

All I remember was Kim brought me to this restaurant located in this little Korean community near Rockwell. I had no idea what to order so I told Kim to order whatever is good, so he ordered Samgyeopsal. It's basically pork that was fried on the little stove thingamajig on our table. The waitress came out with a plate of two kinds of lettuce, two kinds of sauces and a whole bunch of side dishes. Apparently, the side dishes were free. Cool.

Kimchi

Of course we also had Kimchi on our table, but remember how i said I am almost always up for something new? Kimchi ain't one of them. I did not have enough guts to try it out last night. Probably next time.

After dinner, we went to this Korean KTV place just a block away from the restaurant. It was a pretty chill place and their song lists are very updated! I was very pleased. Wish we stayed a little longer. We left after a few hours and headed to Resorts World for some easy money. But that's another story.

I would love to try more Korean delicacies. My friend Des was telling me about this dish she liked so much. I'll probably order that the next time I eat in a Korean restaurant.

Crazy Stupid Love

2011-08-21T14:11:00.009+08:00

I finally got the chance to see Crazy Stupid Love last Friday. It was a sweet escape. Just what I needed after a long day at work. The movie lived up to its name. It's crazy. It's stupid. It's definitely all about love. It was light, funny and cute. Don't get me wrong,though. It's definitely not in a crazy-stupid-bad-dramatic way. It's actually the opposite. It's light, funny, cute. I totally enjoyed every part of the movie.

I loved the soundtrack as well. Everything was just right. Not too mention how amazingly and overly hot Ryan Gosling is! I guess I could say that it is definitely a feel-good movie coz I felt better after watching it. It seriously took most of the stress away.

I would really love to watch Crazy Stupid Love again. I absolutely recommend everyone to see it! :)

My verdict: 5/5

Missing In Action

2011-08-13T20:21:00.001+08:00

I just got off the phone with my best friend.

She is home for the weekend. She and some of my friends are in Vigan, Ilocos Sur as I type this blog entry and they are about to have dinner. I was supposed to be there with them but I had to bail the very last minute because of work. The Ilocos getaway is scheduled today until the 15th. Unfirtunately, I have to be at work on the 15th to prepare for an exhibit on the 17th.

I am bummed because aside from the fact that I am missing out on the Ilocos getaway, I also missed out on the chance to see and hang out with my best friend. I don't really get to see and talk to her as much as I want to anymore because she moved to Singapore to work there and we are both really busy. Also, I haven't seen and hung out with my friends in ages. I miss all of them and I really need to see them soon. :(

Things have been really busy these past few weeks that I am in dire need to release some of the stress. This weekend would have been a great opportunity for a relaxing getaway and catching up with them. But oh well... the stress continues. *sighs*

The 45-day countdown begins

2011-08-09T00:05:00.000+08:00

I broke someone's heart today.

My boss'. He is a really nice and sweet man which made it all the more difficult to tell him that I was leaving the company just two months after he hired me. I know it's too soon but I have my reasons. Otherwise, I would not even think about resigning.

It sucks, though, that the company has a 45-day turnover period. Normally, it's only a 30-day period (or even less) in other companies. I have no choice but to comply and give my best. It's the least I can do for my boss. I feel pretty bad I let him down. But oh well. I'll make it up to him in one way or another. That's for sure.

I'm just hoping the next 45 days will be over before I know it. I can't wait to start working with the other company that offered me a job. It's challenging and definitely gonna take up a lot of my time but i'm so looking forward to it. I'm all about the busy-ness, toxicity and the stress because I love how productivity brings me fulfillment at the end of the day.

So yeah, i'm gonna make the most out of those 45 days. Let's do this!

My name is spelled V-E-A.

2011-08-08T00:28:00.001+08:00

I am very delighted about my new blog and since I am in a writing mood, I might as well give a brief introduction about the title of my blog - It's Vea with a Vee!

Those who have known me long enough are definitely aware that it is a phrase I use every time I introduce myself or get introduced to. It even comes along with the peace hand-sign gesture to emphasize that Vea is spelled with V and not a B.

My name has always been misspelled or mispronounced since time immemorial. It's either because people got used to hearing the name "Bea" around and rarely do they come across someone named Vea or they just have pronunciation problems. I do not have anything against them, really, I just don't like it when my name is spelled and pronounced differently.

So that's all there is to it. I guess that makes my blog a public awareness of how my name is spelled and pronounced as well. Haha.

Meh. Lame-ass entry, I know. Can't sleep.

"No, I don't feel any pressure right now" - Janina San Miguel

2011-08-07T21:39:00.000+08:00

I started blogging when I was 16.

It was nothing but an online journal to me. I would post daily entries of just about anything if I could, but then inevitably, each year became busier as I entered college, graduated and joined the work force soon after. It just came to a point that blogging became such a chore already. I had to go through a series of hiatus over the years that eventually led me to deleting some of my blogs. In other words, I got lazy of the fact that I had to maintain a blog and have all this pressure about posting regularly.

This blog was born out of boredom on a very lazy Sunday. It's about time, though. I have been wanting to get back to blogging but i have been very busy and yes, very lazy too. Haha. Having said that, I am imposing myself a no-pressure blogging. It simply means that I would post entries just whenever I feel like doing so. That way, I won't have to feel obligated and end up deleting this blog again.

On that note, I would like to officially welcome back myself to blogging. :)