A Parisian Surprise

January 25, 2014 / iamsupercarla / 4 Comments

I finally found the time to tell you more about what I saw and did in Paris. It’s mostly for work, though, so forgive me if the narration is not as extensive as any travel blog. There are some things I am legally not allowed to disclose. But this — this amazing moment in my life — I cannot wait to share this.

As I said in my previous blog, I had the opportunity to visit France for a Parisian work thing that I am not legally allowed to disclose. (What an introduction)

You can only imagine how excited I was. It has been too long since my last intercontinental travel and Paris nonetheless! I was almost pissing my pants the entire time I was waiting for my departure date to come. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a compact traveler, especially I would only be there for 10 days. I was excited for the weather (tail end of winter!), for the clothes (boots, leggings and coats!), for the food (macarons, bread, bread, bread, and chocolates!) and most especially, the sights.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

I was debating between getting a museum pass but given the strict work schedule, I don’t think I would be able to maximize its worth. So in my head, after work, I’d just walk around, train around, get lost in the most romantic city in the world. I had nothing planned, but I had my Lonely Planet guide with me. My bags were packed, my plane was waiting and I jetted off in an almost 20 hour flight with two stopovers to Charles De Gaulle Airport, the busiest airport in France.

The beau was quite excited for me and I thought it was because I was so excited for myself. But when I exited the baggage claim area of Terminal 2F, I discovered why he was so excited for me.

He was there, waiting to keep me company for the next 10 days. There. Waiting. For me. In Paris. To be with me. In Paris.

I think I was crying for a good five minutes.

First Time

PARIS. The most romantic city in the world. With all the coffee and desserts and chocolate and wine and fine dining. There with me. Just me. For me.

It was the most romantic experience I have ever had in my entire life. I remember feeling shocked, I remember crying. There was a lot of hugging and kissing (ewww TMI sorry), and a lot of “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE” in a loud shrill voice.

Fifteen minutes in Paris and already it was turning out to be the most memorable experience of my life.

With Allan Again

Recovering

January 17, 2014 / iamsupercarla / Leave a comment

The first 12 days of the year was easily my most romantic ever. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, my very good man followed me to Paris. It was the best surprise of my life.

I just need time to sort all the photos we took, which are not much by the way. I remember someone telling me that although taking pictures make the beauty last longer, it can also make you miss the moment.

And, my dears, we had so many moments.

For now, I wish you all a happy new year and may your heart be filled with a love that only lifts you up.

Resetting

January 2, 2014 / iamsupercarla / 3 Comments

I haven’t really fully rationalized everything that had happened in the past year. To sum it up, 2013 has left me completely breathless, both because of sorrow and joyful disbelief. I guess that’s how life really is. Just when you thought it won’t get better, it balances itself out.

While waiting for my phone to finish transferring photos to this computer, I am looking forward to an exciting 2014 kick off: I’m leaving for Paris in about 10 hours.

The city of freshly baked bread, cheese of all sorts, and wine till you drop. Yes, the city that is beautiful both in the morning and in the evening. The marvel that is Paris, whether inside a museum or picnicking at the park. Yes, I am headed there.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I really could not imagine being more blessed. But for now, I’ve charged my camerassssss (hahaha), reformatted memory cards, and made sure that whatever is left of my day, I capture in pictures. I don’t know if or when I can afford to go there again, but while I’m there, even if it’s just 10 days, I am so making the most of it.

So I guess I get to travel this year after all. Isn’t it funny that I was just lamenting about my incapacity to travel and take photos? Life sure has a way of cooking up a pretty good plate.

Or in this case, cheese plate. Nyaha.

Excuse me folks as I watch the movies that will make dream of Paris until I get there: Before Sunset, Amelie and Taken.

Do not judge me.

Happy new year. :)

Holiday engagements

December 25, 2013 / iamsupercarla / 2 Comments

I have managed to keep a secret. That has to be the ultimate goal I achieved this year.

For a little over a month, my brother Ted has been running around and scouring for the perfect engagement ring for the love of his life, Aidel. They’ve only been dating for a little under a year and well, what can I say? The heart wants what it wants and it wanted a good woman.

So we scoured at Etsy, at Instagram, our local jewelers, and finally, with the help of Brother 1 Paolo (who would’ve thought?!) we managed to find the perfect ring for her.

Le ring

I remember the night before he popped the question. He said he was nervous, what if she says no. My mother and I scoured for every single encouraging word that would lift his spirits but in the end, he only needed to hear one thing:

Tatay would want you to be brave.

And he was.

So atop the Prism Plaza beside the SM Mall of Asia, inside the House of Wagyu Smokeless Grill, he popped the question.

And she hasn’t stopped crying since. Well, she has but you know what I mean. :)

Le cry

Let’s get ready for a December wedding, shall we? :)

Oh Sir Boy, we miss you oh so achingly.

The need for LTE

December 17, 2013 / iamsupercarla / Leave a comment

It was in April when I upgraded my iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 and most people say it was a lost investment, given that they came out with 5s and 5c this September. Hahaha. I can’t completely agree to that sentiment; I’ve quite maximized this amazing piece of technology. Thanks to LTE.

What is LTE anyway? Techno Baboy explained it quite well. LTE or Long Term Evolution is a mobile broadband standard that evolved from GSM, EDGE and HSPA network technologies.

If that already sounds Greek to you, here’s how Techno Baboy broke it down:

LTE is an ultrafast network, with theoretical peak download rates of up 100Mbps and upload speeds of about 50Mbps. In real-world situations, however, LTE speeds will be more modest, and possibly will give you download speeds between 10-20Mbps and uploads of about 7Mbps, something that’s still fast compared to current standards. Just imagine the possibilities with LTE. Instead of depending on Wi-Fi or DSL connection for high-speed internet access, you can access the internet at blazing fast speeds by simply connecting through your mobile device.

I don’t know about blazing fast though. My service provider Globe has already announced (several times) that they are upgrading their infrastructure to 4G, but so far the only LTE experience I’ve had are in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, some parts of Manila and Metro Cebu. The dead spots are freaking annoying, especially when I’m in the middle of Facetiming and then it switches to 3G. It significantly slows down, even if the real life application doesn’t really peak to 50Mbps, may just around 18-21.

It is however fast enough to beat out our home’s PLDT myDSL connection. HAHAHA. 9Gag GIFs load faster when I’m on LTE than when I’m on wifi.

I hope this kind of technology is something that telcos can develop faster. There’s something about the immediacy of informational access that makes so many things a whole lot more seamless. I am all for living a more unplugged life, but given that I am in an LDR, the LTE sure makes 8-hour Facetimes more enjoyable.