Call Me Maybe?

So The Husband has been hinting that he was getting me something really fun and cool for no special reason since mid-January. I kind of already knew what it was, because he would forget to log off from the computer and I'd see he was looking at iPhone 5 reviews. Ha. He's not very good at hiding secrets, let's just say.

I had a functioning Nokia E71 - a phone I've had for almost three years. I loved that phone because it was the first one I owned that could go online, provided there was WiFi.

photo from gsmarena.com

Anyway, I wasn't really hankering for a new phone. Truth be told, technology scares me. Wait, it intimidates be. I've never been the kind to always acquire the latest gadgets and gizmos. You know why it intimidates me, like entering the Louis Vuitton store in Greenbelt? Because I knew I couldn't keep up with it - that it will always be several steps ahead of me. That's why I'm raising our daughter the way I am raising her. I don't want her to be one of those kids who are glued to their iPads and PSPs. Kaelana reads books; she just doesn't watch videos on the iPad. She plays outside and rides her bike; she doesn't just play games on a tablet. Anyway, I digress. We're really not a super techy family, except for Cyrus, but even so, we've always been practical. If it works and serves its purpose, it's good to go. If we can do without it, then we will. We won't get something just because everyone has it.

However, said E71 started acting up on me. I've been having problems with it since oh, last year. I've dropped that phone several times, see. But like a cat with nine lives, it always seems determined not to completely conk out on me. I'd sometimes get messages a day or two late. I'm not joking. The reception became super choppy. Worst of all, it would exhaust all battery life after being fully charged because I had made/received a  two-minute call! It was frustrating.

Anyway, so I kind of knew Cyrus was getting me the iPhone 5. I was mostly ecstatic, yet I was on the fence if I really needed it. Yeah, I'm like that. "But my E71 still worksssss", I'd reason out to him, stubbornly. He'd gotten to the point where he'd look me straight in the eye and say, "You need a new phone." Then I would say, "My phone just needs a new battery." He'd simply shake his head and firmly say, "We can afford this. Why are you being difficult?" Yes, ladies and gents, I'm one of the few people on the planet whose arm you'd have to twist to get me to say yes to something as beautiful as the iPhone 5.

So there. Our application got approved. I was getting my iPhone 5. I started getting eggzoited for it. This was a big deal. For me! For lil, old me! Yay!

Then my friend, Alveel, called. For someone expecting - she's pregnant -, she was talking really fast. Turned out, her sister didn't want her iPhone 5 anymore, that she wanted another phone and would I want to buy the iPhone 5 from her? Alveel and I talk (in person, through text or by calling) every day and she's one of my closest friends on the planet, and she really made me an offer I can't refuse. I was giggling while she was making her sales pitch of "You have to get this. It's practically brand new, and oh my gosh, do you know how difficult it is to hear you when we talk? Think about it. No more messages that arrive six hours after. Get this. You have to." The universe works in mysterious ways, indeed. I quickly made up my mind. I was getting that iPhone 5 so I can give it to Cyrus. Why should he get stuck with his two-year-old Samsung Galaxy when we can have matching phones? It was brilliant.

Alveel immediately had the phone sent over through courier with a sweet note attached to it that said: Cyrus, Kiss thinks you should get your own iPhone 5 because you're buying one for her. Pogi points to you!

Needless to say, he loves it! And I love mine too!

photo from applegazette.com

It's light! It's so clear! The apps are so fun! It's fast! And it's so darn pretty! Is it my favorite phone so far? Oh yes. YES!

My 2006-2009 pink Motorazr V3 comes in a close second.

photo from intomobile.com

Heh.

That's Just My Schtick

I like certain things that some people deem overrated, but I believe that life is too short to be so practical all the time.

- Havaianas

I bought my first pair eight years ago when the only store that carried them in Cebu was this stall in Ayala Center's Maze. It was a bright blue pair. I just fell in love. I then started to collect these Brazilian slippers - albeit not as aggressively as my other friends did, although at one point, I did have eight pairs. Eight. I know, I know. That's still a measly number compared to how many pairs my girl friends have - and compared to the collections of true Havaianaticos.

But when people found out I liked Havaianas, some of them were quick to scoff, "At their price, aren't they just rubber flip flops?" Well, whatever.

Anyway, my favorite pair to this day remains to be the Chitao.

photo from skyscrapercity.com

I've given/sold/abused (to the point of disrepair) most of my Havaianas over the years. Now all that's left is my plain gold Slims - classy, classic, and with just a little bit of shine. I may not go gaga over Havaianas anymore, but if I see a pair I really love, I wouldn't mind plunking down Php 800-1500 for them.

photo from surfdome.com

- Breadtalk

I am Pinoy through and through, but I like to get my carb fix from bread than from rice. Ask The Husband. Now, bread from Breadtalk doesn't come cheap. But who cares? My friend, Arvy, and I are obsessed about their breads. When they first opened, we brought Breadtalk Flossses to work to eat during lunch and for breaks. I'm sure our consumption of massive quantities of Breadtalk has greatly contributed to the appalling size of our waistlines. 

photo from breadtalk.listedcompany.com

- Gelatissimo

Ah, my love for gelato knows no bounds. It's Php 90 for a scoop and Php 150 for two scoops. I don't care. When my seven-year-old asks for it, I take her there. No questions asked.

photo from elramoncito.com

My favorite flavors are macadamia and chocomint. My friend, Nicole, liked chili chocolate, and The Husband likes Rum and Raisin.

Here's the little girl with her Gelatissimo treat!

- Boracay

It's not the world's best beach for nothing. I hate it when people say, "What's so special about Boracay? I'm sure it's just like Bantayan/Camotes/Bohol/Sumilon/Malapascua/insert name of pretty enough Philippine beach here." The people who say that haven't been to Boracay. I've been there countless times. I'm from Iloilo, after all. I've been going there since I was a child and to this day, the place is just... heaven. You can say that it has become too commercialized/too crowded/too loud. Whatever. Nothing compares. Nothing.

photo from lakbaypilipinas.com

I will never miss an opportunity to go back. Who wants to pass up on paradise? Not me.

Look! We even went to Boracay during monsoon season. 

That explains the rough waves crashing into shore behind us.

serene photo of our little girl walking on Boracay's beautiful, talcum powder-like white sand

a dreamy photo taken by my cousin, Erik, of our little princess watching 

the waves with the setting sun on the horizon

- gourmet cupcakes

No doubt, the best ones are from The Cupcake Theory. A lot of people think a cupcake is a cupcake is a cupcake. No sireeee. If you think that, then you are missing out on a lot. Their best seller is the red velvet variety but my favorite is the chocolate ones with the mint frosting.

photo grabbed from The Cupcake Theory's Facebook page

There you have it. These are the things/experiences I wouldn't think twice about paying for. That's just me, y'know. I don't mean to sound haughty or snobby or elitist.

 These things may not be cheap but they're not exorbitant, either, so please don't say I'm being hoity-toity. After all, I'm one of the few who think that a Php 150 for a cup of Starbucks coffee is just plain crazy. 

To each his own, correct?