Feel at Home at Café Cristina

I’m a coffee addict.  I can’t live through the day without my daily dose starting at 3 a.m.  My addiction for coffee goes way beyond Starbucks, but it’s still on top of my list.

There’s a whole lot world out there of emerging coffee shops around the Rizal area, particularly in Antipolo.  It is not that far away from where we live.  I have been to a few ones before and it just so happened that after visiting my niece, Soyon, at the hospital, we came across this coffee shop just in front of Shopwise (along M.L. Quezon St.)  – Café Cristina.

Café Cristina has a spacious and safe parking area.  Before entering the café, you will be greeted by a landscape and you will definitely notice the cozy ambiance of the place right away.  You will have that homey kind of feeling because of its interiors and decors, not to mention the dim lights, the music and cool air.  They even have an indoor fish pond.  They also have free WiFi connection.

Food is served in generous amount, from all-day breakfast to finger food, pasta, sandwich, desert, smoothies, tea and coffee.  The taste is yummy and scrumptious.  We had Club Sandwich with Potato Chips on the side, Carbonara and Iced White Mocha.  It’s a plus point that they use muscovado sugar.

Club Sandwich

Iced White Mocha

 Carbonara

Overall, the place has a lot to offer than your typical coffee shop.  Just being in there makes you want to stay as long as possible, and I will definitely come back.

Mommy Dearest

I hate that you had to leave me when I was still yet at the top of my teenage years.  It has been almost seven years since you’ve been gone, but the pain still hit me as hard as it was the very first time.  It was hard for me to accept that I have lost you physically, because I wasn’t ready.  I wasn’t readied enough or strong enough to let you go.

I can still remember your sweet kisses and warm embrace, the way you hugged me tight, which did not change from the time I was a child up to my last days with you, which makes me long for you more.  That, during my college days spent away from you, you used to call me and asked me what food I want when I get home, am I eating healthy food, am I doing my best at school and if there is anything that I wanted.  I never realized that it was going to be very soon, and I have been regretting the times I had not spent with you, the times that I should have been with you.  Because I didn’t know how hard you were fighting for your life, that every time I talked to you, you seemed to be doing well and all so cheery as if it was your usual self, and it was only until then that I realized you thought me of first, as always, you didn’t want to give worries to your “spoiled little princess.”  

I was not able to talk to you during your last days because it was too late when they told me about your worsening condition in the hospital.  I thought it was just your usual “regaining strength three-day confinement”, but when they fetched me at the apartment in the wee hours of morning, I knew right there and then, something was happening.  By the time I got there, I didn’t stop talking to you except for the time I went home to cry and cry.  I knew you heard me and you understood every word I said, even if I still have many words left unsaid, I tried.  I cradled you into my arms until you last breath, because that was the best that I could do, and the most painful moment in my life, that I have finally have to let you go.

I have never imagined my life living without you, leaving me in the care of all the boys in the house, leaving me with so much responsibilities that I wasn’t brave enough to face.  I have begun to think and act at a more matured manner, to think of things that not a normal 18-year-old girl does.  I certainly went through a lot.  I have to become strong to hide my fears and insecurities, but sometimes, I have too much to handle that all I want to do is run to you and cry myself out because I know only you could make me feel better, because there was only one you.  I wish I could have spent more time with you.

I miss you so much that whenever I see mother-and-daughter bonding together, I wonder how we would look like if those were us, now that I have grown.  I miss the times we used to go out by ourselves and had fun shopping and eating together, not to mention you always get me what I want because you always tell me your “princess” deserves nothing but the best, but what I miss the most are the times I used to sleep beside you, because your soft hands caressing through my hair is a sure way to make me sleep, I guess that’s what you call “mother’s touch.”

I really wish you are here now, so maybe I would stop thinking bad about myself and start feeling good instead, I know you can ease away my resentment and sentiments in life.  That’s what you do best, you always find good in us – your children, even though how bad it seems.  But then again, I know you’re not coming back, but I know somewhere out there, you’re just there listening to me, and who knows, maybe right now you’re blowing kisses and whispers to my ears…  I know I will see you again someday… and you are always in my heart, Mommy dearest…

Mother and Daughter Painting By Romantic Artist Cheryl Oter

A Take on Love

Love is a struggle – a sweet struggle to keep the relationship working at its best despite of the flaws.  There is no such thing as a perfect love story.  Because behind every relationship, there will always be something that will rock your make-believe world of fairy tale even though how small or how big it is, be it a tiny misunderstanding or a huge row, both of whom must learn how to listen, to accept and eventually to forgive.  This is a continuous battle that both persons must conquer in order to win.  This is not a thing that can be measured, because it does not matter who loves the most or who loves the less, but rather, how much are you willing to give up and how far can you go to may it work for the best of both persons.

Love must never be abusive.  There is a thin line between love and hate, and really, if you can work it out, do not cross that line.  Surely it can hurt you the most, but that’s when you know it’s real.  Always keep the faith, the trust.  They go along hand in hand with love.  They are the elixirs to keep on believing and fighting.

Love, when it’s true, gives you complete surrender, unquestionable sacrifice, yet you do not regret any of it, but instead, you work hard to give your very best and keep it burning.  Life becomes more meaningful.  It defines you, gives you purpose and becomes your reason for breathing.  Because when you learn how to love, you learn how to live. 

Of Periods and Gluttony

Being a girl, there comes a time in our lives – I mean every month, that we go through this one stage of womanhood, that is, having our “periods” (for the regulars, of course, it’s once a month).  A lot of men didn’t know what we are going through when we are having these “days”.  So lucky are the girls who have guys who completely understand and feel for us while we have no choice but to go through it.  Take for example Ryan.

One time, I was having my period, and I was so hot-tempered and couldn’t set straight what I really want to eat.  I am at home the whole day because I am suffering from a bad case of dysmenorrhea.  Even though I have been complaining all day, Ryan was just patient. I told him I wanted to eat something but I could not figure out what it was.  He really wanted to cheer me up.  To my surprise, Ryan did buy all my favorite foods, or the usual foods that we buy whenever we are in Angono and hauled all that stuff to our dining table – Pao-Tsin shark’s fin with hainanese rice and buko pandan drinks, Zagu’s cookies and cream, Dunkin Donut’s munchkins and strawberry filled and boston kreme donuts and BCT bunwich, Ruffles, Hello Panda (yellow one), Oishi potato chips (yellow one), Lapid’s chicharon, Red Ribbon’s cinnamon roll, Jollibee’s hot fudge sundae and French fries with mayo, 1.5 L ice-cold Coca-cola.  He told me that since I cannot decide what I have been really craving for, he might as well bring the foods that I might have wanted but cannot think of.  Instantly, my mouth salivated, but I am not in capacity to eat all of those, of course I did share. :) I might have succumbed to gluttony on that day, but the hell I care.  It’s not that often that a guy shows up in front of your house and does this kind of thing.  I’m the kind of girl who loves to eat, it’s just a good thing that I have a fast metabolism. :) So who says you can’t feel good when you’re having your periods?  Eat me.

Kidding aside, Ryan does bring me food from time to time.  Sometimes he would just appear in my place at idle hours just to bring me something – be it McDonald’s one-piece chicken (that was the latest, when he showed up during lunch time while I was still working and I almost had a heart attack when he suddenly peeped into my room) or cheeseburger meal(which he left in my room while I was away along with a glass from McDo and a note on top) or Float, a slice of pizza, a box of Oreo and Twix (which was  given to me a decade ago and I still have the boxes), a dozen donuts, or my favorite, Starbucks caramel frappe, a slice of blueberry cheesecake, cinnamon swirl and/or Belgian waffle with caramel topping, that guy really does know that a good way to Bubbles’ heart is through her stomach.

So every time I am having those days, I know I don’t have to sulk that much, because Ryan is always there with his endless tricks to boost me up.

*Image from: http://www.dipity.com/tickr/Flickr_belgian_waffle/list

Just When You Least Expected It

PART II OF RYAN BLOG :)

Ryan never fails to surprise me. Last weekend, we went to MOA solely for the 31st Manila International Book Fair (later did I find out that MOA is on sale too!).  I've been begging him for months to accompany me because I know he would get bored knowing I would spend most of the day rummaging the books, and I couldn't seem to stop talking about it the whole week because I've been really looking forward to it. You see, he has no interest in books, while me, I have this kind of book addiction. Whenever we go out, I always make it a point to drop by all the bookstores we could find, where he patiently looks for books especially authors that I like. One time, I told him to just go look for something else if he's getting bored, but then he told me, "Why would I do that? I can see how happy you are when you are out here searching for your books, and it's just too cute a moment to let it pass by, because what I see in you is pure, genuine smile whenever you found something that you like, and that makes me happy too."  But wait, there's more!

So back to the book fair, we walked back and forth, bought these and that, and I know he's getting tired already but he stayed with me.  But then, he was really exhausted that when he finally saw an empty chair inside National BS, he told me to go around and just let him sleep for a while.  I didn't ask why he seemed so tired and I am not so tired, so I left him there to sleep (he's the MASA kind - masandal tulog) , after about a few minutes, National was getting fully occupied because VP Binay was there and the Pupil too. So I got back to him after I've paid for my books, (wow am I so glad with the books I've got!).

After endless hours of bookfairing, we hurried back to the mall to get some shopping done since they're on sale. I didn't want to buy any clothes because I've bought a lot of books already and I didn't feel like fitting any of them as there were lots of people and my feet were starting to ache, but Ryan was able to find one and I bought it as an exchange gift for accompanying me to the book fair. Afterwards, we decided to eat since our stomach were already rumbling.  We ended up eating at Tempura after waiting for about 15 minutes.  It was a good thing they gave us a nice seat.  I enjoyed my meal but Ryan didn't.  His tempura was not the way he wanted it to be (lasang cheese popcorn daw), so he shared my food, which I forgot the name, but the california maki was great, and so was I full but I still managed to have some Picole ice cream, yum yum!

It's getting late so we decided to go home since it would be a long drive, a really long drive, because at 10 p.m. it was still traffic!! When we were nearing C5, he asked me to have some coffee first at Starbucks Silver City because he needed some fix since he was kinda sleepy and wanted a booster, so I said OK. And here's where the sweet part is....

Since it's a weekend, we parked quite far away from Starbucks.  When we finally settled, (I opted to stay inside because it was hot that night and I've had enough second-hand smokes throughout my life), he said he was going back to the car because he left his phone. While waiting for him to get back, I started to read some of the magazines there and since I was sitting with my back facing the door, I didn't notice when he came back.  And when I looked up, what did I see? Ryan holding up more than two dozens of white and red roses!   With all the people staring at us, a whole 30 seconds passed before I finally recovered and accepted the bouquet and kissed him shyly in front of everyone. I knew the girls out there were green with envy.

Now why did I say it's when you least expect it? Because THERE WAS NO OCCASION, and to think I was the one who should be doing those things because I was the one who asked him a favor. And there he was, with his bouquet of roses, and what's even more surprising was there was a letter, you see, the only letter he gave me was about a decade ago and it was written in a notebook paper, but what he gave me was a love letter written in a stationery - he even sprayed his perfume on the paper.  That made the night again memorable. :)

While driving home, he told me that was the reason he was tired, because he wasn't able to get enough sleep.  He has been running all day getting things done.  He has to be awake to wait for the flower shop to open and pick up his order and then go to Merriam to get the stationery. So I asked him why did he do that. He just told me, "I want everyone to see how much I love you.  Nakikiita na yan ng mga kakilala natin, so kahit di natin kilala gusto ko pa din ipakita." As simple as that, and my heart melted again for the nth time. I went home feeling so in-love and the night ended beautifully..

So who says a guy only manages to be sweet when there is an occasion?  Ryan proved me wrong. :)

How Sweet It is to be Loved by You

As I write this note, my heart is filled with gladness.  Knowing that someone loves you despite of your flaws, willing to stand before you with all of your indifference, wanting to give everything your heart desires just to make you happy - these make feeling in love a whole lot better...

Ryan and I were eating at Jollibee a while ago, and while I was taking a bite of my chicken joy (without extra rice :D ), all of a sudden he became so emotional and even teary-eyed. These were his exact words...

"You know what, I never wanted to be your friend ever since, because all I want is to be your lover, to share my life with you forever. Iniisip ko palang na mawawala ka sa buhay ko, nanginginig na ako, what more pa pag nawala ka. Di ko kayang mawala ka, life would never be the same without you.  I've lost you before, I won't lose you again." 

Yes, it's cheesy and corny, to others it may seem, but if you're as in love as I am right now, you would know the feeling. It's one of the most "kilig-memorable" moments Ryan and I have shared, just when you least expect it, at a not-so-romantic place,  someone is telling you he loves you, isn't it great?  If being in love makes us cheesy and corny to the highest level, I won't give a damn, because I know what I'm feeling is good and it's just the second best thing, because having someone to love you in return is the best of them all.