how about a do-over?

If you're given a change to have a do-over, what part of your life would you change?

I have been thinking about that question lately. I was thinking about this specifically:

If I had the chance to take a different course, would I still choose Speech Communication or something else?

Discounting skills, knowledge, and well, interest... I think I'd take Geology or Marine Science. Now this setup would work in a perfect world. Why, you ask? Cos of one thing: I hate Math, numbers. I cannot stand any class involving numbers and computations. Seriously. I cannot even remember how I survived high school! I don't remember even the most basic of formulas, except of course for the simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. And I cannot do simple computations without pen and paper. I can do mental Math when it only involves hmm, 2-digit numbers?

Yeah, I am such a wuss when it comes to numbers. But since we're talking about the "perfect world," anything can happen, right?

So yes, I'd take up Geology or Marine Science in another lifetime. Why? I cannot begin to explain and describe how much of the earth I'd be able to see and experience! While it may not be all about the good and beautiful things, wouldn't it be nice to be able to help in improving the world we live in? Oh, the joys of being able to travel for work and work for travel. I know people who have taken this course in college, and looking at where they are now... They've gone places. They gained scholarships abroad. They've traveled the world!

Like what I've said in my previous entries, I didn't really want to take up Speech. I didn't have any other choice. It chose me. While I don't have any regrets, I just wish we were given more classes to choose from, more Speech electives to take, and be really be a "master" of Speech.

Not just a Jill of all trades and a master of none.


...to be continued.

on writing, part II

Life sometimes has a funny way of playing things out.

A few days ago, I ranted about how badly I want to write again. The next day I decided to open my Yahoo! mail cos it's been ages since I checked it. I wasn't surprised to see more than a hundred new e-mails from different organizations - nothing very important, they're just newsletters, digests, and all other marketing stuff. I really don't know why I love signing up for updates, I don't even read them. Most of the stuff I get go to the trash without being read. Well, that's the reason I don't open my Yahoo! account.

Anyway, amidst the one-hundred-something emails, I saw one that wasn't worth sending to the trash. It was from Essays.ph informing me that my application has been approved... after, hmmm, 10 months of waiting? Hahaha. I actually forgot that I applied for a home-based freelance writing position with them. I applied in April 2010, it's now February 2011.

I guess it's really true what they say -- "Be careful what you wish for cos you just might get it." I never believed in that saying until recently. There really is power in words, whether spoken or just thought of, it might come true. This is in the same line as the Law of Attraction - our thoughts are just powerful. Yes?

Anyway, as I was saying... I find it funny cos just when I thought my writing is going down the drain, an opportunity to write again presents itself.

Good luck to me. :)

1950's Pan de Sal and The Upside-Down House

I have always been a loyal customer. Whenever I use, buy, or eat something and I like it, I'm bound to tag it as a "keeper" until I find something better. I would also check out other products of the same brand and see if I'd like it just the same.

That's what happened when I first tasted Pan de Amerikana's pan de sal. I swear it's better than Pan de Manila's. I also love their Big Boss Loaf Bread and Pan de Amerikana or Pan de Sal loaf.

I "discovered" 1950's Pan de Sal's St. Ignatius/White Plains branch some time last year and I have been hooked ever since. They transferred to a bigger location late last year, still along White Plains. They now have a cafe, and it's home to the world's first upside-down restaurant.

I'm a witness to the new cafe's construction. I pass by White Plains every morning on my way home. The bakery opened earlier than the cafe, and I have always been curious about the theme. The facade looked like this:

Yes, that's a real Land Rover!

And a bicycle!

My curiosity peaked whenever I pass by in the morning to get my daily dose of pan de sal. I would always see this from the bakery counter:

...an upside-down sala?

I couldn't wait to see more of the cafe/restaurant, and I knew I just had to see everything!

I was never able to visit the restaurant when they first opened and I kind of forgot about it until last week. I decided to have breakfast there last Saturday after work. Their menu boasted of cheap (I know it's a bit condescending to use that term, but affordable wouldn't describe how low their prices are!) Ilocano specialties. Too bad I wasn't able to take a photo of the menu, but next time I will. Since it was just breakfast (around 8:00 am), I got myself a plate of longsilog (Vigan longganisa, fried rice and egg):

All for Php 35.00

I think they made their own Vigan longganisa cos there's fresh garlic.
See that garlic bit there?

I was a bit amused with how they fried the egg. How can you
make it into strips but still retain the yolk?

Chicken Arroz Caldo on the side.
One of the tastiest I've tried -- for just Php 30.00

Nice simple breakfast for just around Php 100.00 in a rustic and creative cafe.. Not bad, eh?

The cafe's walls are strewn with really great photos taken by the owner, Jun Dionisio. I could tell that he's a Land Rover fan cos of all the photos with that subject. He also has a mini-Land Rover encased in glass:

And the coolest and most amazing part? The wash room! See for yourself:

I've seen a few wash basins with the same concept, but
this is the most creative one so far...

Path walk leading to the wash area...

The toilet doesn't look like one at all!

It has a floor-length mirror, and look at the walls!

The tissue holder is weird, but a fun way to keep things in order.

The lights and ceiling are lovelovelove! 

An artsy way to decorate walls.
Thanks for the idea! :)

The over-all experience is just superb. I'd give it a 4/5. You guys have to try it out. I've read in Our Awesome Planet that they have another branch in Marikina which is also divine.

With a place as awesome as this, it's really no wonder that they have the best pan de sal. :)