My Top 2018 Whatevers:
Wow Moment: It’s listening to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concierto by Ryo Goto in Manila Cathedral. For the entire duration of the show, I felt like it was one of my most present state, because it was just…wow. The sound of a live orchestra playing a classical masterpiece inside the cathedral made for an eargasmic experience. Just staring at the details of the structure while overhearing the haunting echoes of strings made me feel like I was experiencing one of the videos of Charlotte Church in real life.
Heart Pumping: That critical moment when we were understaffed in the restaurant and adrenaline is just overcoming the fatigue of doing a 12-hour shift because customers just kept pouring in from opening until closing. That was quite an experience I can say that highlights my 2018.
Unexpected: Without doubt, owning a restaurant.
Most Stressful: The whole month of August was just the most tiring time for me this year. I felt like I was being choked by time pressure every day for the whole month. I was so miserably stressed 80% of the time.
Most Annoying: Dealing with customer queries online really. Some people just don’t read the most obvious of details.
Scariest: At the AirBnb where we stayed in Taipei. The night prior, my friends left me on my own as they flew back to Manila for a 3am flight, so I was alone in the room for one final night at our AirBnb because I’d be transferring to a different place that day…and I swear I woke up to the sound of a voice whispering in my ear something I couldn’t decipher. It sounded like a young teenage girl saying two words in some Chinese language. I was completely alone in the room in a foreign country for the first time, and I just had to experience this paranormal thing. I was more than happy with my decision to transfer to a different place that day.
Worst: Hearing the news of Anthony Bourdain’s death. I was affected more than I thought I should. Also, just having to lose two more of my close relatives this year.
Heartbreaking: That moment as I was staring at the coffin of my aunt and saying my goodbye one last time. That was horrible.
Un-luckiest Moment: One of our bazaars in BGC High Street, it was raining hard that day, and it when it stopped I went out to one corner of the tent, all of a sudden water came gushing down on me soaking me wet from my head down to my torso. Of all the corners and timing, I had to be the one under that spot when what seemed like a pail-full of rainwater that collected on the tent’s edges spilled over. The worst part was that I was in shock that it took me more than a second to move out of the way, receiving about 70% of the water. I was soaking wet and got a lot of pitiful stares. Sad, really.
Stupidest: Eating at that Taiwanese restaurant near my AirBnb at Yongkang area. I wanted to have an authentic meal by trying out a restaurant who didn’t know how to speak English. Bad idea. I mean, I did get to eat a real tasty meal after nodding my head at most of everything the old lady was pointing at thinking that she was pointing at the ingredients of what I ordered, only to realize that by doing so I ended up with three separate dishes that cost me so much for one meal. It was the most expensive meal I spent on the entire trip, costing me almost 700NTD─more expensive than the meal we ate at some fancy hotel! I remember messaging my friends upon receiving the bill, swearing on never to nod whenever I didn’t understand what old ladies were saying. That experience prompted me to cancel one café I was saving up for hoping I could try it on my last day, as well as buying extra pasalubongs on my way back because my cash was drained all of a sudden causing me to be wary of any old lady waiting on tables. Never again!
Regretful: I wish I hugged my cousin Patrick a little bit longer when we said our goodbyes, not knowing that it would be our last hug. I felt that day that while I was saying goodbye to him because I was hoping to see him again for Christmas this year, he knew we might not ever see each other again. It was the longest hug I got from a cousin, and I’m glad that was how we parted ways that day. He died on Good Friday this year.
Most Kilig: For a moment there, I felt like I met my soulmate…just for a moment though.
Coolest: Making it to Jiufen and seeing the lanterns I always dream in photos up close.
Heart Warming: It’s seeing people make an effort to see me. At this age, I’ve come to realize that more than anything, it’s really human relationships that matter.
Proudest Moment: At first I thought it was opening the restaurant, but as it turned out it was actually months after I opened it. My proudest moment was inviting my whole family over, the big clan flew in from all over the country for a cousin’s wedding, and it was a perfect moment to invite them for lunch. That moment when I saw them enter the store feeling proud of me, in turn that was the proudest moment for me; showing them that I have achieved one of my longest and biggest dreams.
Cutest: Cuddling with an akita over at the Airbnb I stayed in Taipei. I someday see myself having an akita for a pet…I just need someone to give me one because they’re too expensive to buy. It’s either an akita or a corgi.
Most Fun: Driving a golf cart around Las Casas de Acuzar. I barely drive because I’m too lazy, but when I do I feel like a kid. It was the first time I got to drive a golf cart.
Wildest: Traveling solo in Taipei for a couple of days. I guess that sense of freedom and independence is so liberating that it was amazing to have lived through those days.
Most Challenging: The first two months of running the restaurant.
Magical Moment: Seeing rows of cherry blossoms blooming in Qingjing farm. It was a childhood-dream-come-true. And also having myself card read.
Mesmerizing: Experiencing spring season for the first time. I love flowers and a cool weather, those two mixed together made me happy.
Awe-Inspiring: Conversations with people I met on Couchsurfing.
Best Feeling: The moment inside the Pedro Calungsod Chapel…when I realized that I am happy with my life now, and how things are turning out.
OMG Moment: Realizing that I’m 30…officially above and over the twenty-something years.
Best Discovery: The recipes we use for our chicken flavors. It was a couple of trial-and-error, several modifications until we got it right…especially the satay sauce I formulated.
Favorite 2018 Drink: Matcha infused espresso by Starbucks…the one drink they got right more than CBTL.
Favorite 2018 Food: Beef Pares at Marikina, Spicy tofu and eggplant dish, our chicken wings especially the Classic New York flavor
Best Thing I Ate: Those sugar coated strawberries at Raohe market.
Favorite 2018 Dessert: Tsujiri matcha soft served ice cream, that Taiwanese ice cream popiah I ate in Shifen, M Bakery’s fudge brownie and blueberry jubilee
Favorite 2018 Restaurant: Chicken Studio
Unforgettable Meal: Our lunch at Old English Manor
Favorite 2018 Hang Out: Chicken Studio…there is nothing more fulfilling than to be in a place you own and seeing the place run.
Favorite 2018 Songs: Rewrite The Stars, Never Enough, Getting Over You by Lauv, DARIN MUSIC AREA - 니가 잠든 사이에 나는, Leaves by Ben&Ben, Always by Gavin James, Nandemonaiya of Kimi no Na wa by RADWIMPS and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Favorite 2018 Movies: The Greatest Showman, Black Panther, Kimi no Na wa, Mortal Engines (story sucks, but the cinematography was right on the money)
Favorite 2018 People: People involved in Chicken Studio, my partners, employees and certain customers. Some guests from Couchsurfing who stayed with us. Chris Broad of Abroad in Japan.
Will Be Most Missed in 2018: Anthony Bourdain, and having to scratch out the possibility of ever seeing new episodes of his show or reading any of his new books. My cousin, Patrick. My aunt tita Suzette.
Achievement Unlocked this 2018:
1. Owning a restaurant
2. Getting in the food business
3. Achieving all my 2018 goals!
4. Travelling solo abroad…for the first time
5. Getting to explore parts of Taiwan
6. Renewing my driver’s license and passport
7. Opening another bank and checking account
8. Surviving the food industry
9. Driving a golf cart
2018 Realization:
If anything is good for pounding humility into you permanently, it's the restaurant business. - Anthony Bourdain
I need to rekindle my relationship with my family as they are everything.
Lesson Learned for 2018:
It’s amazing how much kindness and hate you can find in strangers.
Hangry people are the worst.
2019 Bucket List:
1. Do something special for my parents’ birthday.
2. Do more blog posts…like seriously.
3. Improve my fitness level…like even more seriously.
