You Gotta Love HARAJUKU!

Harajuku is my second most favorite shopping place in Japan; first of which is Shibuya. And since we're a family of shopaholics, just two weeks after our Shibuya trip, we went to Harajuku to go shopping again.

Outfit of the Day: Spring (Cryx Closet Jacket, Xo Xo Shades, Forever 21 Tank Top, Love Junkie shorts, Forever 21 belt, Avail wedges, D&G watch, Coach bag)

We stopped by the Service Area along the Express Way to have coffee/tea at Starbucks. Then we found Mochi! It's quite pricey though. It tasted like espasol in the Philippines. Yummy!:)

Along the way, we were listening to Japanese songs in the car. And since we couldn't  help but sing, we used our iPad and iPhones to download lyrics and sing along with the music. It's like karaoke-on-the-go!:)) So funny that my uncle who's driving us put a cigarette stick on each of his ears; but despite that, he still explained to us the meaning of every Japanese song we sang haha. And another way of killing boredom while in the car was taking lomo vanity shots! So cool that MoreLomo app randomly selects the colors. Some of my friends say I do not look like a Filipino anymore haha! Will actually change my hair color soon, I'm just doing some research on what color would suit me best.

Upon arriving at Harajuku, we had lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express. It's one of the best restaurants I've been to. It's right at the entrance of the Takeshita Street across the Harajuku train station.

what Wolfgang Puck said

  Teriyaki Burger

 Rib Eye Steak

Honey Mustard Chicken

 There's the crab and veggies pizza and some salad

 and he only ate the buns!:))

After lunch, we started our journey! There were a lot of items on sale! My favorite Japanese brands so far: Anap and Momo. I think Anap is more of casual clothes while Momo is like Forever 21. It has multiple shops along Takeshita street. There I was able to buy a high-low sheer skirt for 1000 yen only; and my cousin bought for herself a high-low floral dress which I regret I didn't buy. After an hour and a half, were done at Takeshita Street. We then walked along the main road lined with different international brands. My cousin and I shopped a lot from Forever 21 and H&M again. Haha they're actually the safest brands in terms of style and price.

 and my feet died after 5 hours of shopping haha

We left Harajuku and headed to Karasuyama to drop off my Uncle at his place. But before that, we had a Yakiniku dinner place at the nearest restaurant from his home. As usual, I overate again! Waaaah!

there's our car going out the electronic parking space

yakiniku

Then we left Tokyo and headed home. But just when I thought we can get home early, my aunt decided to go to Don Quixote in Yamanashi to buy some groceries. After an hour of shopping, we finally headed home. We got home by 12 midnight. We were all so tired!

Look at what I saw at Don Quixote! So funny!:))

 tired and bankrupt!

Got less than 3 weeks left in my stay here. I'm gonna miss Tokyo!

Late Post: Early Summer 2012

I have almost forgotten that before leaving for Japan, I've already got my own dose of Summer in the P.I. last March. Yeah, I started summer early this year!

My grandma and her brother-in-law and his wife wanted to go to Boracay so I volunteered to go with them and be their tour guide. So I booked a flight on the first weekend of March via Airphil, which cost us around Php 1,200 each. I was glad that my bestfriend came with us too!

We changed rooms each night that we were there. At our first night, we stayed at Island Nook (owned by a friend of a friend) but the next day we moved to a room for 4 at LSM Square which was referred by my friend who's a local there. We got really good rates! They even moved us on the third day at a bigger room for the same rate.

 yeah!

 another col message on a wall at Island Nook

Night 1: We walked by the shore and we had a couple of drinks at Juice Bar.

My bestfriend and I were with the oldies during meals and at daytime activities like riding an electric car. We were able to go around Boracay while on it. But at night, my bestfriend and I were drinking at Juice Bar, Epic, and Summer Place. So cool that a college classmate approached us at our second night and we were able to hang together the next two nights.

Day 2: We moved to a twin room in LSM Square; then we went sight-seeing around the island (Puka Beach, Zorb site, Ecovillage, etc.) while riding the electric car; and visited the Grotto.

 BFF and the grannies

oh, we even had time to watch Gossip Girl since the TV can play a file from a flash drive haha!

 Puka Beach :)

 Lomofied! Swimsuit from Sassa; Flipflops from Havaianas

 driver mode :p

Grotto + Lomo = Cool!:)

Night 2: We watched the fire dancers in Juice Bar and it's the night my college classmate became a friend.

Adi. Dianne. Me.

As usual, we're asleep in the morning. So funny that we're only able to swim on our last day. We did it during sunset in front of White House. We enjoyed chatting while having a glass of Sangria. Then we had a full body scrub and massage. Can anything else be more relaxing than that? And of course, we didn't miss the buffet! Our last day was very relaxing and fun indeed!

Day 3: We moved to a bigger room in LSM Square! And it's our ultimate relaxation day! Sunset swim, Sangria by the beach, Full Body Scrub and Massage.

Swimsuit from NafNaf; Shades from Forever 21

Night 3: Our last night! Dinner at Bite Club, Drinks at Epic and Summer Place :)

 never knew Salt and Pepper can be this SWEET!:))

Adi went to the Comfort Room then this couple making out took his place. So funny that we felt we were all invisible at the table. haha! When Adi came back, he took the opposite seat. The couple left as if nothing happened. We just couldn't stop laughing!:))

I really love how Boracay never fails to make me happy and feel relaxed.:)

Quick Rundown of March Events (Overdue)

Super late post due to the unexpected turnout of events...

My classmate got married on March 21 but I was too busy with work and other errands so I was only able to make it at the reception at Blue Gardens, Quezon City. Gosh, this year a lot of my friends got engaged so I expect to attend lots of weddings starting the second half of the year. No I won't get alarmed even if I'm still single now haha!:)) Anyway, my friend's wedding was cute. It was inspired by cherry blossoms. In fact, they came up with a photo booth with a cute concept.

Last March 22, we celebrated the World Water Day in Quirino Grandstand by having a parade and forming the world's biggest human water drop formation. Despite the rain, the event had a successful turnout. After that, we proceeded to Manila Ocean Park for a music festival and to witness the Lights and Fountain Show.

And as I have mentioned earlier, there's an unexpected turnout of events. The last 2 weeks of March were never easy for me. I was doing a lot of things in school for final exam, final paper, and business plan. I had to quit my job to accompany my grandma and little cousin to Japan. I was forced to make this decision because the company didn't allow me to be away from work for about 40+ days. This made me extra busy with work since I had to fix my clearance while cleaning up my stuff for turnover plus I was still doing existing and future projects that time. My last day at work was March 27 but I had to take a leave on my last day to finish my final paper for school since my flight's on the 28th. It was a tough decision for me, most especially that I was enjoying my job and the company of my colleagues at work. But as always, things happen for a reason and I was just letting God rule my life.

I was so happy after accomplishing all the requirements in school and I was so touched because my friends an co-workers joined me for a send-off. I felt really loved. I had 4 send-offs: classmates, colleagues at work, TNT friends, and the KSP gang. I was so lucky to have them all.:)

 March 24 - Dinner at Tomato Kick w/ classmates

 March 26 - Karaoke night w/ officemates at Music 22

 March 26 - Drinks w/ TNT friends at Dilinger's Greenbelt

March 27 - Victor's birthday surprise and my last Wintermelon Milk Tea at Moonleaf Don Antonio

And on the 28th of March...we flew to Japan. Will be away from the Philippines for almost 3 months. I knew I truly deserved this.:)