Birthday surprises

First of, here is my disclaimer once again... I know I have neglected my blog once again. But I have a good excuse this time. I finally found the courage (and still working on it) to start vlogging. Now, I just have to make sure I find balance on blogging and vlogging. I know there are some moments that the camera doesn't capture that a blogpost would be able to explain. Anyways... that't that!

I remember when I was younger, my mom once said to make sure that if I'm gonna make friends, I make sure that these friends would be there for me not only for fun times but would stick with me in the roughest days. Up to this day I still remember those words as if she just told me about it yesterday. This guy is one of them.

I met Sai couple of years ago. It wasn't an instant connection but I knew I wanted him in my life. Having a huge circle of friends, it's hard to concentrate on connecting with each person and my story with Sai is no different. Ok maybe it is. Not until about last year when we started connecting more compared to when we just met. It was September if I remember correctly. Seattle hosted a NAGVA tournament and Sai together with couple of my friends stayed at my place and that't when it all started. After they left, I find myself sending text messages with him more than usual and the rest is history.

As months went by, I have traveled to the bay area numerous times either by myself or with my closest friends from Seattle. Fast forward to April which is Sai's birthday month, I thought I would organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. I put everything together from a distance in Seattle and the surprise birthday weekend is gonna be in San Francisco. I discovered that it wasn't hard to put something together like this when it's for somebody close to your heart. Tons of the plans changed last minute but it still worked. One of them was me hiding from him until Saturday when I got in the city on Thursday. But at the back of my mind, Sai would be mad when  he finds out that I've been there for couple of days already and would think I wasted those days instead of us hanging out. Sai's BFF Jennica, who then worked at the same place as him had a brilliant idea of me picking them up after work and that's when it all began.

Watch my vlog post below to see how it all went down on each day.

 

Saturday came and Sai thought it was the end of the surprise. Little did he know that his "Auntie" Ryan is driving up from LA with Eli and my "daughter" Tatiana. I dropped him off and picked him up at work that day using his car "Olaf". He mentioned earlier that he wanted to work out before all the celebration happens, so that was perfect timing for me to plot a new plan for his second surprise. I hijacked Olaf from him and drove back to my son Nino's place to wait for the Ryan and them. Upon arrival, I went to pick up Sai for his second surprise. I didn't know where to go after that so I did what I do best, winging it! I asked him what he wanted to do and sure enough we ended up at a Korean BBQ place and went out for some drinks and dancing.
   

Saturday came and I was not done just yet. We went to the Castro area early in the morning to play volleyball open gym and went to my favorite breakfast place in Daly city afterwards. (I always, I mean always make sure to eat there whenever I visit). Sai needed to do errands and I made his Inay ("mom") Roel plan a fake dinner plans with him that night. He sure did fell for it. Meanwhile, we were all busy making food at Nino's house. We managed to sneak in some grocery time in between the weekend. Totally had to be sneaky. Jet and Roel drove in from Sacramento that afternoon. Couple of days before the surprises, I learned that Sai sent a text message to them inviting them over the weekend to celebrate his birthday but they made it look like that they were in LA for another friends birthday. Alas, Sai fell for that as well.

My vlog below pretty much sums up the whole weekend of surprises.

That weekend was such a blast. It makes me so happy see everybody smiles and hear their laughs most especially Sai, it was his birthday weekend after all. I have no clue how to top this all off for the next birthdays to come but hopefully I'll figure something out. Thanks to my sisters and everyone who made this weekend possible and so much fun! Miss y'all!

I love you po Chinitoh!

not using xoxo,

ChaCha

Road Trip to San Francisco part 2

I have posted this vlog several weeks ago but I wasn't able to post it here on my blog to share. The rest of out weekend in the bay was quite nice. Nothing majorly scheduled but just playing it by ear. I didn't care much about the sight seeing stuff coz we all know that I've been at the bay for so many times. But at the same time I was with a couple of first timers.
 The first part of the vlog is where I left off from the first part of the roadtrip. And then we went on our day and I finally got to see the new Bay Bridge, had a great lunch at my favorite spot Tselogs that serves some of my favorite filipino dishes and then was at the Golden Gate Bridge look out for quite some time because we all got separated. 
It is not too much content but I just wanted to show how happy I get whenever I am around these bunch of people whom I will get to see again next week. Yes, i'll be at the bay again and hopefully I would be able to vlog again. I need to get on it for the start of my year and hopefully will have a good track through outt the year. not using xoxo, ChaCha

San Jose 2013

I can't believe that its been a month and I still haven't finalized this blogpost. I ws waiting on some pictures to come up and this is the best that I can find from our trip to San Jose for a volleyball tournament (like usual) but above all, to hang out with tons of friends. 
The night before we left, Bitter, Sean and Tyra decided to stay at my house so that we can just get shuttled from one area to the airport. It's much easier and we get to have some drinking night as well... again, like usual. Haha! On top of that, I was of course packing last minute. Nothing new with that with my travels!

Photo time while hanging out and drinking. This was our usual situation. My sofa bed on the living room spread open and Bitter (at the very back) would be under the sheets. And next thing you know...

This happens!!! He always passes out in the middle of our good times! What the hell?!?
We got into San Francisco and got to our hotel where our friend Roel works and hooked us up with a room. Nothing fancy but it was a decent hotel room that we just needed. Little did I know there's gonna be tons of us in one wing of the hotel. All Pinoys (Filipinos) ! All Bakla's (Gays)! We took a nap when we got there to catch up with some zzz's from the previous night. I didn't even sleep coz I was more entertained drinking versus packing. We finally ventured out lil before 2pm after having a slight delay with our car situation.

I remember this joint that my friend Junarta took Mappy (from Chicago) and I when we visited 2 years ago for the Sacramento tournament. The filipino joint called Tselogs was so good that I wanted the "ladies" to experience as well. As soon as we got there our eyes was feasting over the menu for we all wanted ever single item. Good thing there was 4 of us that we can all order different kinds to share and experience. We all agreed to order the specialty of the house like Tapsilog, Tocilog, Sisigsilog and the likes. But what is a filipino breakfast without some Garlic rice and some Lumpia on the side. It was just as good as I remember, if not better. We were all full and was ready to nap again. 
But since we are by the city already, why not see the Golden Gate bridge? I've seen the bridge numerous times and I've been with Bitter there, Bitter and Sean has seen it together but Tyra has never seen it and the look on her face was priceless.

I've never driven at the bay before whenever I visit but this time was different. Since I was more familiar of the area I was the designated driver for the tour. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but I just hate driving more so in a place where I'm not as familiar with the driving situation.

Tyra snapped some pictures right away!  (which she still yet to post explaining the delay of this post)

I took the same shot the last time I was there on July last year. When Bitter and I was there moons ago, we were only able to see the view from the other side of the bridge but this was better. You have the view of the city and a nice view of Alcatraz as well.
We then rushed back to our hotel to get ready for our registration for the tournament. Imagine 4 people with one shower/restroom is kinda chaotic (maybe smelly lol).

It was so good to see my Chics again!

A group pic with Panda, me, BJ and Chics at Hi Tops in Castro area.

It's always good to see this guy.  We got hungry on our way back after the rather boring clubbing night at Castro. The Cafe was not the ticket that night! So I called "Daddy" for our usual... Jack in the Box!!! He drove all the way from Sunnyvale which was quite a distance from where we were staying at but because he loves me so much, he'd do it anyways. LOL!

Meet the 2 lovebirds. You should have seen the twinkle in their eyes once they saw each other. It was so cute. Almost puppy love. No, they are not together but we just kept insisting that they look cute together. Haha!

Game time!!!
The competition was pretty good like every year that I've been there. This tournament is close to my heart because it was one of the tournaments when I started traveling for volleyball. I've met so much people who I still treasure to this day.

This is Daddy's baby Baileigh who I adore.

Being silly with Baileigh!

Daddy trusted me to bring her outside with me coz I promised her that we would go to the park.  She saw this dog (forgot the name) and got so excited!

This is a pic of us when she was 4 months old in Vegas and now turning 3 at the Bay. I can't believe how fast she's grown. She was just in her mom's belly when I first met Daddy.

After pool play on Saturday, we were so excited about partying all together at the hotel. There was tons of us there and I can't believe we were able to fit in one room. Dudz, Heart, Tony and JenJen presented their business but I could tell not even half way thru it that everyone was just excited to drink and party it up.

Here's is my team at the tournament... Team SuperFish!!! (L-R) Panda, Koi, Momma Fish, Smash, Scruff, BJ and Angry Bird) We did well in the tournament and progressed nicely unfortunately we didnt medal. But what matters is that we had fun and fought a good battle.

Here is a cute action shot from the tournament

I played libero like usual and good thing my knees held pretty nicely all weekend.

This next series of pictures was when most of us got together at the other gym while watching the semi-finals til finals. Ok, let's be honest... we barely watched any games but there was a beer garden and other drinks around so we just started the party right there and then. 

Trying to do a nice group pic...

And this where it got all crazy. LOL!

Never trust those red cups!

Immitating the Charlie's Angels with Tati and Victoria

The San Jose NAGVA Spice Gurls!!! LOL!!!

Another family pic with Daddy, Ninz and Peachy. I love them so much!

A picture with Daddy while we were at Ninz place with everybody drinking the night away.
I didn't get to sleep before our flight home. Went back to the hotel after driving the drunk baklas. Took a shower and took off to the airport. We even left Ian at the hotel coz he won't wake up but miraculously made it to the airport in time.

My first night back home, Daddy Facetimed me and look who it is... Baby Baileigh!!!

We got to chat a lil bit and missing her so much that night.. Ok Daddy, you too.

It was a fun trip over all like always. Our family is growing with newer generation of volleyball players coming in. I feel so old around them but keep me young coz all we do is laugh about everything and anything!

Can't wait to see everyone next month for a real vacation in LA. No volleyball tournaments and just pure vacation!

not using xoxo,

ChaCha

I left my ♥ in San Francisco

I've been lazy with blogging lately that I am so behind on things. I always tell myself that "I will blog today" but just the motivation is not there. First off, I finally found an iPhone app that puts watermarks on pictures. I've been looking for one in forever and now that I have one, I am too lazy to edit pictures which is another reason why I haven't been blogging. Not that my pictures are great because most of them are just taken from my phone but I've seen some of my pictures on other blogs before without any link back or credit.

Anyways...
I was in San Francisco couple of weeks ago for a volleyball tournemant. It is my 4th year in a row of participating on that tournament and it just never gets old. I love the Bay Area so much that everytime I have an oppurtunity to visit I would go. I have so much friends who lives there and they help my stay feel at home.

This time, I went with fellow Seattleites Grimace and Big Momma Fish. We decided to make a team the last minute since we have nothing to do. Haha! We picked up other players to fill in our team with Ginger Albatross Rich from Canada, Michael and Adam from Arizona, Dennis from Hawaii and Angry Bird Oliver from San Jose,CA Like the usual, I was only able to take some pictures from my iPhone3gs. I'll grab some more pictures on my fb once I collected more tagged pictures.

I've only seen the Golden Gate from the park before the toll gates and wanted to see it from another perspective. My friend Tony and Jet took me and couple of the Seattleites to the other side overlooking the bridge. It was GORGEOUS! I can just picture the opening credits of the Charmed which I love and actually seeing it was just breathtaking.


I call this trip my trip on a budget. My trips to San Francisco has always been inexpensive since I have friends to stay in and show me around everytime. I decided to save some more money from doing carry ons instead of checking in my luggage which cost $25 per bag and I also took public transportation to and from the airport in Seattle. I can do this again!


My friend Sheona took me and Raja from Houston to an In-n-Out joint. I've had this before but Raja was a virgin and she was so excited. 1 Cheeseburger with Fries and Milkshake sealed the deal for me.


For dinner, we feasted in a Korean BBQ place to celebrate Heart's birthday. It was delicious but it wasn't Palace Korean in Seattle or Sunya in LA.


I can never get tired of this view overlooking the city from Heart and Tony's house. I love the variety of the weather which goes from cloudy just like this picture to a super clear view.
This is my "sister" JhenJhen and I when we just woke up and enjoying the view. Another sister of mine Jel who lives in Chicago was there too. The last time we were together in San Francisco was about 4 years ago and it was just about time for a reunion in the Bay. We went sight seeing at Fisherman's Warf togehter with JhenJhen who took this shot for us. The view of the city from Fisherman's Warf.
Tell me why did we stay here for 30 minutes just to watch the Sealions annoy each other and make their noises? Haha!

Thanks John for the picture.
We met up with other friends from Chicago who wanted to go to this dessert cafe in Little Italy. The walk was horendous from the Warf that my feet started hurting coz I was wearing my sandals but it was all worth it. I couldn't help but reminisce the first time I was in San Francisco in 2003 (?) once I saw Monalisa restaurant with my super friend John. We ate dinner there and it was delicious.

Steps of Rome Caffe is a lil dessert place filled with tons of sweet treats.
I ordered a Tiramisu combined with couple of glasses of white wine. It was SO GOOD!

We went to registration down in San Jose,CA that night. I didn't have much pictures that night coz I was a lil "tipsy" prior to getting there so I just sat on a corner hiding from humiliation. LOL!
Daddy and I at the gym.
Team Hyphy and Thai Iced Tea on Semi-finals was the match of the weekend for me. It was a showdown of Polynesians and Thai players. Amazing!!!
This was the view from our Hotel on a beautiful Monday.

We started our day with some yummy breakfast at Cafe Flora at Market St. I highly recommend this place for breakfast with their specials. It was "Bear weekend" when we were there so I had the Bear Special breakfast like most of us did.

Ginger Albatross and I at breakfast.
After breakfast Tony and Jet and I played catch up and went to Sausalito with some appetizers and drinks. We didn't really care that it was just 3pm. We are such TROUBLES together anyways.
View from Sausalito.

I can't wait for my next trip to the Bay. This trip made me realize how much I miss the city. I would visit twice or three times a year but been slacking lately.

not using xoxo,
ChaCha