I have been told that I look “suplada” or standoffish or just plain “mataray”. (There are no English translations that I can think of for the two Filipino words in the first sentence that I’m quite satisfied with, let me know if any of you five readers think of one)

I don’t quite agree. I’m just, for a lack of a better word, shy. I am not the type of person who can walk up to someone and just strike up a conversation (I just met one, a colleague named Jean and I think she rocks). I just can’t. However, when I do get approached, I try my best to maintain a flow of words between us, to most of my ability.

I say to the most of my ability because sometimes there really is just more dead air than actual words. For fear of being politically incorrect, unfunny or offensive, some of the things I do want to say are stuck inside my head, only to be told later to someone I’m sure would understand or appreciate the joke.

It is a power I would like to have. Yes, I consider it a power to schmooze, as this will get you places in life, your job, your social status and your future family’s place in the world cemented by the power to rub elbows quite effectively.

This thought did not materialize randomly in my head. Last week, I had multiple opportunities to mingle and widen my social circle with quite frankly such amazing people and personalities were presented to me on a platter. What did I do? I sat in a corner and finished a book. (It was a fun book, but hey, actual people!)

So here I go again, saying next time I’ll do better and socialize more. I will. I will.

Once during a blackout when I was a kid, a frog jumped on me at night. Childhood trauma? Check. So it comes as no surprise that at the age of 25, I still hate them with a passion. Those jumpy, warty, slimy things still make my skin crawl whenever I hear them, and no exaggeration, I run like hell when I see them on the street.

So about 3 years ago when I was given an opportunity to have them for lunch I really was iffy. A friend was offering to order them for me for free as long as I took a bite. I kept hearing about frogs tasting like chicken and whatnot, and I figured what the hell, they were dead and I’d have my revenge.

They did taste like chicken, a bit cleaner for some reason, and as I can imagine, cooked to perfection coz I could actually swallow the thing. It’s just, they came like this. (see above photo) Full bodied suckers that were posed like they were stretching in the swimming pool before they started a lap of backstroke. Needless to say I was staring a good ten minutes before I actually had the strength to venture the taste.

Anyways, I got a bit of revenge, and chalked a notch on the “weird food I’ve eaten” list.

And it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

You can get these at Abe or Cafe Adriatico in the Metro Manila area, and native food restaurants in Pampanga. Ask for Betute.

… to a four year old bunny. Ever since I got this guy I have been amazed that I have him. He is such a cutie patootie, with his black eyes and furry butt.

Not that we don’t get into arguments, I always lecture him when he turns over his just replenished food bowl (which he does a lot, I think for attention).

Usually I just stare at those eyes then rub the part between his eyes and nose (he loves that) and tell him what a cutie he is.

Now all he needs is a woman, anyone with female bunnies as volunteers? You’ll get to keep all the offspring!

I still don’t drink beer, but when I do, this is what I go for. Now don’t go saying I’m hoity toity, I think San Miguel Premium when ice cold is insanely refreshing, but I get tired of it easily and want to give it to someone else when the temperature of the drink succumbs to our tropical heat.

But Guinness here, is so good. Deep, dark, delicious. It reminds me of the bitterness of coffee and the smoothness of chocolate.

If you ever see it on grocery shelves, try it. You may find the beer for you. 🙂

One of the world’s most cliche photo concepts, but still one of my favorites. This is just how I felt that day, giddy, jumping for joy, and not quite believing who I was with and where.

What’s your jump worthy moment of the day?