August is considered as the "ghost month" because it is the seventh month in Chinese lunar calendar. Traditional Chinese folks believe that this month is unlucky especially in terms of traveling, on investments, and businesses. No wonder sales and promos of different establishments fall during this month! Although considered the ghost month, I don't believe August will bring lesser luck!! It'sjust half-way through the month and I feel like I'm becoming more blessed! <3

1. Not my own luck but my friend's. After more than a decade, my childhood friend, Dedeth, will finally see and be with her parents in the states!!! I feel so happy that she'll finally fulfill her American dreams, study abroad, and catch up with her parents at the same time!! She had a #dethpedida more than a week ago, and instead of feeling sad that we won't be able to see her for at least 5 years, we all felt happy and proud for her! I think she's not just lucky but indeed blessed! Hooray for reunions! We'll definitely miss her because she brings sunshine to our group, but we know we can still see each other again soon! :)
Epic #dethpedida! I think everyone got drunk! HAHA
2. For the first time, I was able to watch an actual shoot of a TV show! I was one of the audiences in Chef Boy Logro's cooking show, Idol sa Kusina. Our episode will be aired on 23 August, and I think I'll always appear in the background! Haha. At first I was not included in the list of audiences from our company, but thanks to Sir Al, he gave me his slot!! HAHA


 Update:
I did appear frequently on the background! HAHA It was awkward watching my awkward self trying to smile all the time HAHA Nakakahiya :)) But I had the most supportive friends and relatives ever!! Kala mo ako guest eh! hahaha. :D


3. For almost a month now, I've been on my no-rice diet. I'm getting used to it, and thank God I'm not craving for rice! But I think I've been eating too much sweets HAHA Anyway, I noticed that some of my pants fit kinda loose, as well as some of my shirts. Based on my record, I've lost 2.5kg in three weeks! But it doesn't physically show yet, of course. And I don't want to feel confident about it! The more confident I get upon this weight loss, the less stricter I can get in terms of my diet. So, I'll just continue this habit, more frequent zumba sessions after office, and less lounging during weekends! My progress may be slow, but I can get there!!!! (Side chika: I was happy when our masseuse noticed that I'm losing weight! She even asked if I got sick. HAHA)

4. Experienced yet another first time and 'lucky' moment when I had a staycation in Taal Vista Tagaytay! Already blogged about this experience, check it out here! HEHE

5. I'm really saving up for our family's incoming HK trip. I'm thinking of other means of having extra money, and I thought of selling my old, pre-loved clothes! My mama and I have been doing this at least once a year, and spend the earned money in buying school supplies or necessities of my cousins Carla and Noreen. But this time, I'm the one in need so the proceeds will go to our HK shopping money! HAHA. So, I created an IG account where I'll sell my pre-loved and brand new clothes/ other stuff. Check it out!! :)
Will be selling some of the YS flats I bought (as featured in one of my previous posts) since my mom doesn't approve of the design; thinks these may be too age-inappropriate for her and my tita's. Should've bought the larger sizes for me instead!!! choz. BILI NA GUYS!!

6. Recently received a job interview invitation from one of my dream companies!! Yay! I feel so blessed! <3 My college professor recommended me to her friend in that company, so I'll be having my interview on the 3rd of September!!! Just in time since my contract will *expire* by the end of September. Although I was planning to extend *here* until December so I can get Christmas perks and bonuses! HAHA But if this opportunity would be great, I'll forget about the bonus (bye Go Pro) and take this job!!! :))


And since this post is about all the luck I've gained this month, I'll be ending my post with a quote, "The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act." -Barbara Sher



Had a different Friday last week since I had a mini vacation in Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay! Thanks to my generous aunt and uncle, I tagged along with my Lola before she goes home to Batangas from her 3-week vacation/rest in Manila. So, yay!!

It was my first time to stay in Taal Vista, and I just loved everything there! Besides the perfect bed weather in Tagaytay, this hotel has a very homey ambiance! Too bad I wasn't able to swim or jog around the oval since it was raining that time. Anyways, all four of us just bummed and relaxed the whole day, the perfect "staycation."

Before heading to the hotel, we passed by Josephine's Restaurant for lunch. Everything was delicious, especially the Crispy Kangkong, I almost finished the whole basket! HAHA But I can redeem myself by telling you I'm currently in my no-rice diet, so the Kangkong served as my carb source! HAHAHA

Sumptuous lunch at Josephine's
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, I told my Lola not to touch anything since I'm gonna take photos for documentation first! Hahaha. She agreed, and even posed for the photos.

This is probably the before and after shot! HAHA
Restroom
Day and night mirror shots with the bathroom door and desk!
We stayed at connecting rooms, 320 & 321
For dinner, we dined at Taza Fresh Table located at Taal Vista's hotel grounds. Initially we thought Taza's just an ordinary cafe, but obviously we were wrong. It was a fine dining restaurant, offering international cuisines! They were also proud to tell us that they use only organic and fresh ingredients! It did not disappoint, and everything we ordered were perfect and delicious! We were also fortunate to have met the chef, Chef Jayme Natividad, who happens to be Ninang Sarah's Sister's friend. He even gave us complimentary pita bread and Spinach with Bacon Jam (the bacon's homemade!!) Check out Ms. Patty Laurel's blog post. Her photos justify more how nice the food and the place was! :)
What we had for dinner:
Pork Cheek Ravioli, Pita bread and Spinach with Bacon Jam, Moroccan Chicken and Hummus, Lobster Fetuccine, Pan-seared Chicken, and Spinach and Kale Soup (last two not in the photo).
There were also some funny convos during our dinner!
BTS 1:
Ninong Nani: Nay, gusto nyo 'yung pan-seared? (pertaining to the pan-seared chicken)
Lola: Ha? Ayoko na ng pansit!
BTS 2:
Me: I'll have Pork Cheek Ravioli..
Ninong Nani: What? You have enough cheeks already!

Evidently the puns and jokes were brought to you by my Ninong and Lola! It definitely runs in the (our) blood! lels

So the following day, we had our breakfast at Cafe Veranda for the complimentary buffet. Afterwards, we strolled around Taal Vista Hotel and checked out the view of the Taal Lake. Unfortunately, it was quite foggy and we were not able to see the lake clearly! My Lola and Ninong also didn't want to walk around since "mahamog" daw. HAHA!

I was still 'preparing' when this photo was taken! Haha! 
Don't mind the fog, the view's still perfect <3
  


I was happy that I got to rest for a bit in a different environment. The cold breeze in Tagaytay was definitely one of the main reasons why I love there. Hoping I could stay longer in Taal Vista next time! :)