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Iya
Bacon & Bangles
Posted by Iya Santos on January 13, 2013
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/bacon-bangles/
My 2012 in a Nutshell
A gigantic nutshell nga lang! :p 40 questions about this fantastic year answered!
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? Eat crickets, sleep by the lake, go on a blind date. Find the common denominator. Hahahahahaha!!!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t remember making any for 2012. I think I made wishes lang. For 2013, my goal is to exercise. Yep, I will. I will bring sexy back.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A couple of friends and relatives did, like Anj, Kat, Cat, Herchell, Ate Bec etc. And yaaay ang cute ng babies nila! 🙂 None of my besties gave birth though. But according to Kang, buntis na daw si Geri. Hahaha!
4. Did anyone close to you die? My paternal grandma passed away. Sadly, we weren’t close. I relearned to value people while they are alive because of this.
5. What countries did you visit? None, much to my friends’ dismay! Di bale guys. Nagwowork na ang pag-pressure niyo sa akin to get a passport. Konting pwersa pa. :p
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Time and money to travel. This will be a challenge considering my calendar of (work-related) activities for 2013, but I believe that God will help me find a way to satisfy my inner Dora The Explorer.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 14 / September 23 / October 11… all dates had something to do with answered prayers. :o)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Quitting smoking for real.
9. What was your biggest failure? Letting a close friendship crumble. I know maaayos rin ito someday. No rush. Okay naman ako. Sana okay rin siya.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? Nothing serious, thank God! Na-untog lang, tumaas ng very light ang cholesterol at bumaba ang RBC. May toothache ako ngayon, praying that this will go away now na so I can eat ice cream later!
11. What was the best thing you bought? A cellphone for Daddy. A Nokia qwerty. Inexpensive but made but my erpats very happy.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? A lot of people that made me proud this year, but I will have to choose my godson Makus. I’m a very lucky ninang to have a perceptive, sensitive, sweet, cute, smart, and artistic inaanak. I love you very much, sweetheart!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I refuse to answer this due to legal purposes. NYAHAHAHA.
14. Where did most of your money go? Hands down, food. Takaw takaw, kaya naghuhugis bakulaw. (Yep, inasar ko sarili ko.)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? A promise I am still waiting to be fulfilled. :o)
16. What song will always remind you of 2012? Human League – Together in Electric Dreams
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Definitely happier
b) thinner or fatter? Also definitely fatter
c) richer or poorer? Moneywise, same-same. In other (more important) things, most def richer!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travel and read.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Work (I mean I should have been more efficient so I didn’t have to work long hours hehe) and I wish I weren’t so paranoid.
20. How did you spend Christmas? With the familia, with lots of food, lots of kiddies, lots of games… by the beach!!! Bongga!
21. Did you fall in love this year? YES, the kind that answers to 1 Cor 13. Uuuuyyyyy. Curious ka kung kanino? Well, I had to fall in love with someone in order for me to fall madly in love with JESUS. I will dance with Him and I believe that He will let the right man cut in. ;o)
22. What was your favorite TV program? MasterChef!!! US ha. Nadadramahan ako masyado sa MasterChef Pinoy Edition. 😐
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope. Hate is a fleeting emotion for me. Tampuhin ako pero hindi ako nagtatanim ng galit o panibugho o kung ano pang malalim na Tagalog dyan. Nakaka-pangit lang ‘yan.
24. What was the best book you read? Hands down, the Holy Bible. Ang exciting pala magbasa nito ha. Akala ko dati boring eh. I used to skip OT books and lengthy verses. 😛
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Casting Crowns for my walk of faith and Calvin Harris for my tugs-tugs-tugs/working under pressure moments. Listened to a lot of 80s and 90s music this year.
26. What did you want and get by year’s end? A small and special birthday celebration. Could have been more special, but… :p
27. What did you want and not get by year’s end? The reason for the BUT in #26. Too complicated to mention. Hehe. Basta I am working on my pagiging matampuhin and katarayan. What a complicated combination. Sorry sa lahat ng naging affected. :,(
28. What was your favorite film of this year? The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, and Rurouni Kenshin
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Drinks with close friends, watched The Hobbit, and faith-talk over coffee and bibingka with Oryx.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Hmmm… An iPad? A beach trip?
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? Still simple and laidback. Maybe girlier because of the dresses. :p
32. What kept you sane? Who. Jesus. ❤
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Batman and Thor!!! Tsaka si Ted Mosby. Hehe.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? The RH Bill, of course. I am pro-discipline and self restraint. It’s already there, so let’s deal with it. I believe that God let it happen for His purpose and glory.
35. Who did you miss? Wala. I was able to let go of the people I should not miss anymore. (Pat on the back, self.)
36. Food that you ate the most this year. Pizza and siomai and pasta and vegetable sticks!
37. Who was the best new person you met? It’s a tie! Si Atty. Argel and (this year ko lang talaga totoong nakilala) si “Pastora” Jan. Both made me re-assess my values and they inspired me to become a better version of me. Medyo hindi lang halata na better version na ako. Wait lang. :p
38. Top 12 closest people to you this 2012. Mama, Daddy, Jap, Jan, Joel, Kat, Dave, Mommy Colleen, Donnie, Eunice, Cindy, and Mafi
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012. LESSONS– To be more patient. To exercise more tolerance. To have faith in the inherent goodness of people. To completely trust in God’s unfailing love including His perfect timing.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I could be your dark enclosure/ I could be your romantic soul/ I could be your small beginning/ I could be your soothing universe/ I could be ordinary/ I COULD BE THE ONE
This is in line with my prayer that I would like to be a reason for joy, a source of strength, a channel of blessing, an answered prayer.
2012 has been a wonderful year for me, not by most people’s standards, I guess, but so what. :p Ang importante masaya ako at may peace of mind. I’m thankful to all those who have been a part of this year and I hope that you still will all be a part of my 2013. Thanks to my family, friends, colleagues, and churchmates! Thanks even to those strangers who were sent to touch my life!
Cheers to a more blessed year!
—–
listening to: Donna Lewis – I Could Be The One
Posted by Iya Santos on December 31, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/my-2012-in-a-nutshell/
What a fun way to end the year!
So blessed to have spent the last few days of 2012 with friends and family!
Saw some of my college friends last Friday. Dinner and drinks at Tavern Asia in BF. It was a night of reminiscing and laughter. Realization? Nag-attend ba talaga kami ng classes namin? Eh puro tambay ang mga naaalala namin na mga kwento! Hoping that there will be another barkada reunion this March! 🙂
Celebrated Daddy’s 63rd birthday in Harbor Point, Subic. We had lunch in Cabalen, watched Sisterakas, shopped, and had dinner in Ben’s Kitchen. It’s a simple celebration that shows how simple our family is. Lamon at tawa, solb na kami! Kami po ang pamilya Santos na naniniwala sa kasabihan na, “The family that makes lakwatsa together stays together.” We, thank you! :p
—–
listening to: Gandang Gabi, Vice
Posted by Iya Santos on December 30, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/what-a-fun-way-to-end-the-year/
Sweets from my sweets!
So I chose a baduy title. 😛
But hey! I think it’s sweet when people give me food. Except when they obviously can’t finish it anymore and they think I’m a trashbin. 
These are some of the desserts given to me by family and friends this 2012 captured via Instagram.
1 First Baker Silvanas from birthdaymate Ava. These came from Nueva Ecija. It’s not so sweet and the creaminess is just right. Hindi nakaka-uta. Ang sarap. sana available rin ito sa Manila. Bibili ako ng isang truck.
2 Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans from bespren #2 Alex. If you are familiar with the Harry Potter series, you would know that there are beans that are delightful like those flavoured marshmallow or licorice, and there are those that will make you turn green like snot or earwax. Sa Sg yata nabili ito.
3 J.Co Donuts from Ate D. Though my donut of choice will always be Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed, I cannot binge on it when “needed” (depressd, pms-ing, or with takaw friends) because it’s just too sweet. J.Co donuts is better for those like me who likes dessert but do not like super sweet stuff. My binge-donut of choice is AlCapone. It has white Belgian chocolate and almonds. I also like Berry Spears and Avocado Dicaprio. Not only because of the names but because masarap. Anobeh.
4 Royce’ Fromage Blanc from Pastora Jan. Nakaka-adik itong white chocolate potato chips na ito. I love the sweet-salty combo. I wish someone would come up with a cheaper version of this. Magandang ipang-regalo ito.
5 Bibingkang Kanin and Suman sa Lihiya from my Mama and Tita Nida. My mom and her besty always make these native cakes when there are special occassions. These are also the usual pasalubong I give my friends. I am not fond of kakanin, but these two have made it to my nomnom-list.
6 Espasol from Atty. Argel. He calls this world class espasol from the Guimba Espasol Dream Team. It’s less sweet and it’s chewier than the ones from Laguna. Masarap ito i-pares sa matapang na kape.
7 Cibo Tiramisu from my archenemy Dave. Hands down, my most favorite dessert (after leche flan) is tiramisu. Cibo’s is one of my most faves even if its texture is… flaky. Their Mango Panna Cotta (yep, that yellow orange stuff over there was just so-so.
8 Mary Grace Cafe’s Grilled Ensaimada from my fellow-triad member Carlo. I’m including it here even if it tastes savory because it also tastes sweet (duh). Eat this with their Tsokolate Eh. Or is it Ah? Basta, the hot tablea hot beverage. Perfect for rainy evenings.
9 Ferrero Kusschen from kapatid na Joel. Chocolate covered hazelnuts from Germany that my bro bought in Singapore. Hehe, labo. My friend Katharina told me that kusschen means kisses. Mwaaaah to bro for giving me these. Peyborit ko ang hazelnuts!
10 Turones (mini turon) from Jolly Jeep na nilibre ng hindi ko na maalala kung sinong teammate ko. This is my favorite merienda. I like to pair this with lomi. Cheap thrill. Ten pesos lang itong turones, 5 pieces.
11 Abe’s Sikreto ni Maria from Babe Homer. This is very easy to make. It’s just suman topped with vanila ice cream and bucayo and served with ripe mangoes. I am thinking of making this for media noche (kung sipagin, probably not, nyahaha). I will add buco strips and sago.
12 Starbucks Truffle Cheesecake from Shani Black. Hah. This is probably the best cake in Starbucks. Hello, truffle na, cheesecake pa. Self explanatory na dapat, di’ba? :p Shani and I call this “non-metaphorical celebratory cake”. Please don’t ask why.
I’m positive that 2013 will bring more desserts. Friends, don’t fail me. Hehe!
Thanks for feeding me and making me fat! 🙂 We’re all in this together. :p
—–
listening to: Tonyo harrassing Rals
Posted by Iya Santos on December 28, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/sweets-from-my-sweets/
Pasko 2012
I woke up tired on the 24th because of the travel from Makati to Bulacan to Bataan the day before. I do not regret going to my cousin’s wedding and my niece’s dedication in Malolos though! I loved that the event was elegant yet casual. Ang sarap makakita ng couple na alam kong nagmamahalan talaga. Ang sarap rin ng may bagong inaanak lalo na kasing cute ng inaanak ko. At shempre pa, ang sarap ng pagkain sa Kulinarya Tisa, win ang pastel de lengua! Congrats and best wishes, Kuya Edmund and Herchell! Be dedicated to Jesus forever, Baby Alfa!
{with Lola na super bata with her jetblack hair / with one of my favorite couples / yiheee kissy!!! / with Alfa cutie patootie}
—–
I got my heart trampled on a couple of hours before the Christmas Eve Mass. God sent encouragement through an unexpected person. :p Sorry God for the brief moment of letting my heartache snatch the attention that’s supposed to be for Jesus’ very special day, and thank You for using my bestfriend as an instrument of Your unfailing love for me. 🙂
The message was this:
“Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days- when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great- and you turn to God alone.” – Rick Warren
—–
We didn’t have Noche Buena in Lola’s house because the family gathering was moved to Christmas afternoon. We found out the itself so we only had a short time to prepare. We had only 4 kinds of food but it was just right for us… hello, tatlong piraso lang kami sa pamilya! We had ham with honey glaze, Pinoy spaghetti (with lots of hotdogs and mushrooms), ice cream (Coffee Crumble and Cookies & Cream), and butterscotch! Saraaap! Ang lakas nga maka-children’s birthday party ng handa namin, ‘no? But sabi nga ni daddy, fitting naman daw kasi birth daw ni Baby Jesus. Oo nga naman!
{Merry Christmas from our family to yours… Malayo man kayo, malayo rin kami! Hehehe!}
Pero sa totoo lang, mas bet ko ‘yung food namin ng Christmas lunch… ‘yung nirequest ko na bulanglang (bunga ng malunggay + kamote + fish + bagoong), rigadillo, lechon paksiw, minatamis na saging… kaya naman ako nasasabihan ng mga kamag-anak ko na MALUSOG. :p Thank you Lord for the bountiful blessings! 😀
—–
Spent Christmas day waiting for my godchildren, nephews and nieces to visit me at home. The first kids that visited me were- my nieces Michaella and Madison. The little girls were accompanied by their parents Ate Ching and Kuya Shawn. They are very lucky to have such adorable daughters! I’m kinda bummed that I won’t be able to see them again before they go back to Greece end of this month. 😦
My other cute pamangkins Reese, Sean, Verene and Seth also came to visit. We saw the rest of the kids in the afternoon when we went to the beach for our clan’s get together.
{kengkoyan time with Ate Ching, Mica and Madie}
There were lots of food in the get together. Our contribution was my Mama’s specialty suman sa lihiya (that she made with the help of Tita Nida, and si Daddy ang pinagsungkit niya ng niyog at pinakuha ng dahon ng saging na pambalot, hahaha). There’s also puto with anise, cuchinta, lechon, chopseuy, menudo, dinuguan (my favorite), pansit malabon, fruit salad and lots of buco.
There were a lot of kids that attended the party becauseof the games. The event was spearheaded by my cousin Mafi and her hubby Jeric. Ako ang official photographer na taga-upload agad ng pics sa Facebook for the benefit of our relatives abroad that we miss so much and sana makasama namin next Christmas!!! The games for the kiddies were basagang palayok, facedive sa flour, sack race, ang walang kamatayang Bring Me, and patagalan ng Merry Christmaaaaaaasssssss. There was also videoke for the kids at heart. :p
{with my nephew Rion / pabitin aka the hang-game nyahahaha / with my pudrakels, mudrakels, and grannygoose / cutie maddie!!!}
So obviously (and thankfully), YES is the answer if you ask me if I had a merry Christmas. I hope yours was merry, too. 🙂
—–
listening to: Wham! – Last Christmas
Posted by Iya Santos on December 26, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/christmas-2012/
‘Tis The Season. ‘Tis The Reason.
I saw this image on Pinterest and it instantly made me tear up. I am guilty of not always remembering why we are celebrating Christmas. God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us and someday bring all of us who believe home. It’s not just the highlight of, but the reason of the season.
We’ve become so busy making wishlists, buying gifts, preparing the noche buena, planning vacations, that most of us have forgotten to prepare ourselves in honoring the birth of our Savior. I’m sure that He approves of us celebrating this special occassion with being with our loved ones eating good food and exchanging gifts because we are sharing our blessings to one another, but hey… Wouldn’t He like it more if we’d all take a moment to reflect on who Jesus is to us? It’s His birthday. Do we already have gifts for Jesus? How about we start with a heart that remembers, recognizes, and rejoices that He is our greatest hope, strength, courage and joy!
Jesus, thank You for everything. May we honor You with how we celebrate Christmas.
Happy birthday, Jesus!!!
—–
listening to: Christmas carols
Posted by Iya Santos on December 23, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/tis-the-season-tis-the-reason/
Friday Five: Birthday 2012
1 Surprises
I love surprises! I started receiving surprises a week before my birthday. Friends gave me pink and red roses, mango cake, caramel candies, bangles, chocolates, a portrait, cologne, perfume, make-up, et cetera! The biggest surprise was a voucher for Sofitel’s Sunset Buffet kasi talagang sa company email ko pa sinend ni Sarit. Hahaha! Bongga! 😀
I wonder when I’ll get my tablet. :p
2 Salubong
I finally got the small get together that I always wanted. There were only 5 of us (me + Jap + Cindy = Donnie + Jan) in Chili’s. I expected 7 but 2 of them couldn’t make it. (You know who you are, I miss you both. Kitakits before the world year ends!) I posted an invite on Fb a couple of hours before the salubong but decided to delete it because it might turn into a drinking session. And well, you know that I am trying to control my alcohol intake. :p
We were a fun bunch, especially when Donnie started talking about the end of the world, Palestine, Harry Potter and being a patrol ng Pilipino. Trust me, everything is connected.
After Chili’s, Jap and I had coffee in CBTL to catch up (haha as if hindi kami magkatelebabad ng madalas) and so I can stay awake for the…
3 Simbang Gabi
It was my first time to hear go to the dawn mass at St Paul Church. It’s a pretty church. Magaling pa ‘yung pari mag-sermon. 🙂 I should go there more! It wouldn’t be a problem since it’s very near where I live. As in isang tumbling at isang kembot away lang.
Loved that I was able to hear the homily about Jesus being the reason for the season. This is the reason why I chose to have a small celebration this year. I don’t want to put a larger value on my birthday than the bigger party on the 25th ever again. 😛
4 Sine (at Soup)
After only 4 hours of sleep and a loooong time of finishing my McDonald’s lunch with Ate B, I rushed to Greenbelt to see Oryx so that we can see The Hobbit.
Nothing to say but I loved it because of the part that it looked like a musicale. Nyahahaha! Dwarves are more awesome that Elves! Or Hobbits!!!
Went to Via Mare after. Yehey! Three of my favorite things: wild mushroom soup, bibingka, and talking to my favorite boybud about my favorite topic!
5 Senti/Saya
M y 31st birthday was most def the smallest and simplest I’ve had. It’s also the most special. I guess it’s because it’s the only one that didn’t stress me out. (Well, except for the short time when this person posted something on my timeline that made my head hurt. Anyway, moving on.) I may have not received all that I asked for but this birthday surely has made me feel extremely blessed.
Belated happy birthday to me! Thanks to all those who remembered!
Thank you God for the privilege of living this life. 🙂
—–
listening to: One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
Posted by Iya Santos on December 21, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/friday-five-birthday-2012/
Birthday Wishlist 2012
Ask and you will receive… so here it goes! Here’s my birthday wishlist for this year. :p
leather bags (in camel, caramel or any nice shade of brown… white is also okay) * jewelry or accessories (i prefer rings and bracelets/bangles) * makeup (eye shadow, bronzer/blush) * iPad, iPhone or Galaxy Note * maxi dresses * watch (black, gold, or rosegold) * flatscreen tv
flowers (pink, yellow, white, peach) * boots (camel or black) * running shoes and gear * aviator sunnies * promise to bring me to Tagaytay, Vigan, Boracay, Bicol this 2013 (of course I expect you to keep your promise) * dinner in Spiral/ Antonio’s and the likes
*teehee*
—–
listening to: Kuh Ledesma – Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa
Posted by Iya Santos on December 10, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/wishlist-2012/
A big check for Samurai-X!
Last Friday…
Cindy: Let’s watch a movie later.
Me: Okay!
Cindy: Rurouni Kenshin.
Me: Uhhh… ehhhh… Maglalaba pala ako.
I didn’t want to watch Kenshin because it’s not my 90’s anime of choice. I preferred Sailor Moon over Samurai X. I also did not want to go to MOA and face the Friday night traffic. But I couldn’t say no Cindy.
Cindy: Sige na. Bukas ka na maglaba.
Me: Kung hindi lang kita mahal, hindi ako manonood ng Kenshin!
My other friends who already saw the live action movie all said that it kicked some serious ass so I just told myself that it can’t be that bad for me. The only things I know about Kenshin is that he wears a red (or burgundy?) kimono and that he’s a battousai (slayer). I checked the Wikipedia page of Rurouni Kenshin to equip my mind of the things to come and so I wouldn’t be slow in understanding the 2-hour Japanese film.
I was not at all surprised when people clapped after the movie. Ang ganda ganda GANDA!!!!!!!!! I even updated my Facebook profile with- “Kenshin, Kenshin, you’re the best! Kenshin, Kenshin, above the rest. Gooooooo Kenshin!” :p I did not mind the uncomfortable seats in the cinema and relying on subtitles the whole time because of the fast and the furious fight scenes that made blood and violence visually appealing and the nakaka-kilig moments of Kenshin and Kaoru.
I read that there’s going to have a sequel and I plan on reading the manga and watching the anime to prepare for it. Btw, I call it cartoons and I get condescending looks because of it. Anime is Japanese cartoons. I don’t see the point of being technical. Anyhoodles, if the sequel is another SM Cinema-exclusive, I will have no qualms of going to any of my least favorite malls- MOA and Megamall. Anything and anywhere for The Wanderer! Hahaha!
I liked the movie so much that when Cindy and I had coffee after, I told the CBTL barista that my name is Kaoru. :p
—–
listening to: Sting – Roxanne
Posted by Iya Santos on December 10, 2012
https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/a-big-check-for-samurai-x/
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