Up and down: Pico de Loro climb

Doing something for the first time usually leads to a second time.

Ever since my solitary retreat to Mt. Pinatubo, I've been itching for another similar adventure. Hence when I got invited to an open climb, I quickly said yes without asking for details.

The Pico de loro open climb was (successfully) organized by the Ateneo's Loyola Mountaineering Group (LM). I learned tons of things from them; they were very nice and helpful.

courtesy of Ciara

The days before the climb were so hectic that I was only getting at least 4hrs of sleep per day. That said, I was unable to mentally, physically, and materially prepare for the climb. This was my biggest mistake.

First, I didn't bring rubber shoes, I was wearing my little sister's sneakers, which made me conscious of every step I made. I was careful not to slip or anything (I still did - a lot of times). Second, and more importantly, I didn't bring enough water. Water made everything better - the trek, the food, the weather- everything! and I didn't have enough of it! HAHAHA such a poor soul.

My other mistake was not packing lighter. The trek could have been easy, had I not have any heavy backpack with me. I am not sure how I could have packed lighter since most of the weight of my bag was due to water - which I didn't bring enough of. BUT still, I should have packed lighter. I actually got bruises on my hips and shoulders because of the weight I was carrying. I thought that maybe the backpack wasn't heavy, maybe my mild scoliosis is just acting up, but no, the bag was heavy. 

These 2 mistakes led me to think that I cannot do it, that I will not be able to do it, that I should just stay behind and not be a burden to the group. I thought, "there's still a next time, Arlet. Do not be difficult and be reasonable, you cannot do it"

Yet, for whatever reason - ego or something else, I went on ahead, one step at a time. 

I was careful: not jumping and just taking small steps to avoid straining my legs, not talking much to avoid exhaustion, etc. And I did it, one step at a time. 

courtesy of Mica Veloso

Getting to the peak was all worth it. Nonetheless, it wasn't my favorite part. My favorite part of the climb would be the knowledge that I could do it. It makes me wonder how many other things am I not doing (but capable of achieving), just because I'm afraid to do so. I wonder how many achievements have I robbed and deprived myself of. 

Gangster Squad (2013)

"Don't shoot where it is at, shoot where it is going to be"

courtesy of  my.spill.com

Despite appearing to be heavy on the drama and action (during the trailer), Gangster Squad is actually a light movie. It was the classic bad guy vs. good cop story wherein you will never get confuse on whose side you're on. Of course, expect some relationship-complexities for the good guy. You know the drill - the good guy always have to choose between his principles and his loved ones. Of course, we all know what the good guy chooses eventually. And as if on cue, the good guy, almost always, wins.

You should be thankful if it's not a deus ex machina win.

Okay, if you think deeply about the film, and compare it with other mafia films, then you might get disappointed. Hence, I suggest you just watch the movie and try not to think or compare. That way, you'll enjoy it, or at least most of it :) The moment I did that, I was able to laugh more at the movie's humorous conversations - of course not all. I found some lines too cheesy (the bad kind of cheesiness). But in all fairness, I got some lines which I liked - case in point, my introduction, and some other random lines.

"Don't shoot where it is at, shoot where it is going to be"

Given a spin off, such a line might become highly relevant to me, but right now, it is still just a line that I seem to be attracted to. I wonder.

Food Porn: Sugarleaf

Sugarleaf restaurant prides itself with having an all organic and healthy food selection. No guys, I am not on a diet or something. Everyone knows that I just eat whatever I like. Still, it can be a nice change to eat something healthy once in a while - or all the time, if the food is delicious, right?

Well, eating healthy can be delicious if you eat at Sugarleaf (there's one in Makati, and one in Wilson.)

Sugarleaf branch in Wilson

Crab stick and mango wrap

I ate crab stick and mango wrap for lunch. It was yummy! The mangoes used were very sweet and the crab sticks- salty, and then the veggies balances every flavor out. This could actually be a comfort food! It would have been perfect, if there were more. HAHAHAHA I was still hungry after finishing the 6 wraps. Good thing, I brought some cupcakes.
  

Food Porn: Aida's Chicken

Aida's Chicken is known for its inasals. It was actually voted as the best Bacolod inasal back in 2005 -so no question there, okay! How about their other dishes? I ended up ordering spicy pork spareribs, sinigang sa miso, and rice. The food were plentiful and hot (steaming) upon arrival.

Sinigang sa miso

The miso was pungent! It can wash out all other flavors in your mouth (case in point, if you just finished eating lots of cheese Piattos, and have no more appetite to eat dinner, then this is good for you!)

Spicy pork spareribs

Hmmm, perhaps I would have been more satisfied if I ordered their chicken menus, chicken is, after all, their specialty :) So yeah, next time!

Aida's Chicken delivers via Citydel 87878

Food Porn: Italianni's

I've always been a customer of Italianni's Greenbelt, partly because of the free garlic bread (HAHAHA it tastes good!). Still, the place is always packed with people. Hence, I don't find it conducive for catching up with friends. It's too noisy and crowded out there! The Bistro Group should expand this branch. 

Anyway, my friends and I ordered calamares, pizza, pasta (and yogurts and coffee at red mango.)

Fried calamari

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but calamares is actually one of my favorite appetizers. I'll always enjoy calamares even if I have some complaints about it (I love Dencio's calamares, btw!). Italianni's calamares is no exception :)

Pizza Enorme (?)

Pizza Abbondanza (?)

Food Porn: Fog City Creamery

Fog City Creamery will always have a special place in my heart - for a reason that no one will ever know. CHOS. HAHAHA

Fog City's salted caramel

Seriously though, I love the taste of of Fog City's ice cream! I don't know how to differentiate it from other ice cream through words. Unlike other ice creams which are made in big quantities with the help of different machines, Fog City's ice creams are made to order. Hence, you will be sure of its quality. And isn't it sweet knowing that the you're eating something that is made especially for you <3  

Fog City Creamery delivers via Citydel 87878

Food Porn: Cibo

Cibo, which means food in Italian, is a nice place to dine with your family. Of course, the menu is in Italian so I ended up ordering for everyone - not that I understand Italian, but my family somehow trust my way of hypothesizing which ones we should order. HAHAHA

That said, I opted for the safe choices: pizza, pasta, lamb chops (because I don't remember its taste), and a cheesecake.

Parmigiano pizza

The pizza, well, tasted like pizza - nothing out of the extraordinary. Don't get me wrong, I'm just saying that... you know, it should taste like pizza because pizza is what you ordered. Am I making sense here? HAHAHA if it means anything, Cibo's pizza doesn't leave an oily feel to your mouth - unlike most pizzas.

Pasta alla romana