Mon Kok - Women's Market, Hong Kong

I'm not very good at the whole bargain shopping thing. But my mum, I tell you, this woman can haggle the price of anything, even the things that aren't from the markets ;-P She's definitely someone to learn business and shopping from. So here are just some snaps of us while at one of the markets. It was the Ladies Market in Mon Kok, Hong Kong.

Mobile Creative Suite

A couple of things that keep me sane no matter where in the world I go. My awesome older brother got me a new MacBook Pro for my 25th birthday this year, seeing as my mum has taken ownership of my white MacBook. It suits her anyway, I can't complain :) He also got me Sennheiser headphones seeing as my (well, they were his, but I stole them) Sennheiser (noise cancelling) earphones that I got on our last trip to Singapore are now bust.

My (well, I say it's ours really {mine and Sebastian's}) beautiful new little toy, Canon G11. Much more convenient than me lugging around my dSLR, but at the same time it's a little hard to just pull out too cos it's not as small as a normal point and shoot ;-P I love it no less. Oh, and I included photos of the Lindt macaroons he got me along with my Lindt Velour Chocolate Cheesecake (photo of cake not included) for my birthday :)

Oh, and my Adriano Zumbo sweet treats from my best friend and sister from another mister, Arlly :)

Oh Canada!

Canada? North America? Yea, I know I'm not even in that continent right now, BUT, that doesn't stop me from missing it. I do miss Vancouver. British Columbia is a beautiful place, and it's hard not to long for the breathtaking views of the snow capped Rocky Mountains, the bays, and the lush greenery that envelopes you no matter where you are.

So I know that the photos I've just posted have nothing to do with what I mentioned above, however these are some of the things I miss. Japadogs from Downtown Vancouver. Sushi style hotdogs? Yea I know, seems like it would be gross, but you're wildly mistaken. It tastes damn good! Celebrities love this place, their photos are posted all over their little stall/cart. Sushi pizza from Goldfish one of my favourite restaurants from my neighbourhood, Yaletown also in Downtown Vancouver, and giant bubble tea! Naturally, I got this (taro) bubble tea from Richmond, seeing as it's like, one of the most Asian populated areas in BC! ;-P Food glorious food!!

So Much For Being A Third World Country

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head...

It pissed down rain really hard for about 20 to 30 minutes today. I was afraid that it would be the official start of 'typhoon season' aka 'rainy season,' but alas, it wasn't. Thank goodness for that. I was taking a shower when I felt a sudden wind chill come in through the window, and then without warning, the rain drops just started beating down. I went outside in my towel to take a photograph of a puddle and the pattern rain makes on one of our retaining walls. Pretty, no? Definitely a pattern I can see on a garment. It looks like a painting even. Reminds me of upside down coral. What does it remind you of? The lightness at the top of the second photograph, is the glare from the top of the high wall (that I call a 'fortress').

Here, check out my afternoon mirienda (snack). Mama Nila brought it for me from my favourite Susie's Cuisine, Angeles. Kapampangans make the best damn food I tell you! Empanada special (the only one I've bitten into was a ham and melted cheese one) and ensemada. Next time, I hope she gets me lecheflan and those delicious tarts and even lanka pastillas! Mmm. I'm gaining weight just imagining the possibilities ;-P

Afternoon Cool Down, Poolside

This is no ordinary mango. It's an apple mango. The taste and texture is hard to describe. All I know is that I won't be going back to normal mangoes, and when I'm in a place that I can't obtain any... I know I'll sorely miss them and crave them like a crazy bag lady craves... well, bags. Haha.

4 glass bottles of 240ml Coca-Cola and a block of ice, that's how you cool down in the afternoon in the Philippines. Not to mention, it's the only place in the world (it seems), that I'm really not given the evil eye for drinking such a fat and diabetes causing drink ;-P