Born to go places

Klei Ann Sorreda | PH Twenty-three year old adult who still have the delusions of a 17-year old. I live to make the people around me motivated with my words and I dream to become an inspirational writer someday.

[thekleidoscopex]

Leaving 2017 behind but certainly will never forget 💫 . . . . . Only wishing for a better health for my family, decisions with less regrets and genuine happiness for the people I cared most. Here’s to a wiser and lessons learned taking into actions. 2018, my fearless soul is ready! 🌈 #2017bestnine #welcome2018 #another365days #newyearnewhope #newyearnewme #char

[thekleidoscopex]

Catching up series Part 2 Updates | Eiann’s favorites NETFLIX + SERIES Since I got my first ever post paid plan during the early quarter of the year, I had the special privilage to enjoy 6-month trial of Netflix. I am telling you guys, with Netflix around, your procrastinating skills could be doubled. You’ll definitely do a lot of binge watching and then you’ll notice that you almost missed sleeping! I have watched several series but the one which stood out among the rest is my fave, Riverdale. RD is now on its second season and it just finished airing its mid-season finale. Seriously, series of events are getting creepier but more exciting. I am loving the twist on its second season. It was a mysterious type slash young adult slash romance slash suspense slash a mixture of unfortune and twists, quite similar to Pretty Little Liars. By the way, my Netflix free subscription ended like pretty several months ago and I am doing the catching up on RD’s episode in Fmovies. You know, I think I couldn’t handle two paid subscription at the same time (the other one is Spotify) like it was such a wrong move/not wise for me. So yeah, I can handle going to free sites to watch latest episodes. If you haven’t seen an episode of Riverdale, why not try it?! LANY and LAUV

When it comes to music, I still listen to the same genres which are Indie, Alt rock, some country and a bit of Pop. I came across LANY first when I downloaded their full album in Spotify and their band kinda made a little noise. I came to love their songs immediately after listening to their famous single, ILSB. My boyfriend and I almost made it to their concert in Ayala malls but yeah, things happened. LAUV is just another album I listened to because my boyfriend and I share the same Spotify account. He told me to listen to his favorite which is Adrenaline. I didn’t like it at first but then after a week or two, I couldn’t stop listening! Up to now, I still ramdomly listens to some of their songs. SOURS AND SWEETS I don’t know what has gotten into me to be this happy whenever I taste a legit sour candy especially tapes. We have found this one at the Baking essentials Store located in Mega mall. Proven enough, there are some happy things which money can buy. Lol. Just an update on my baking life, I finally found the perfect recipe of Chocolate Chip Cookie. When I say Cookies, its a different story compare to my obsession to sour tapes. I have tried several cookie recipes and finally, I found the one with the best outcome! I have baked several batches of those cookies already and all were consumed immediately. I made the cookies really chewy inside and a bit crispy on the outside — definition of perfection for me! I’d love to share where’d I got the recipe and how I did it some time in the near future. This is the second blog post for this day! I’ve been wanting to share this topic for so long. I am so proud of myself. *high fives to self* P.S. Riverdale photo + edit not mine

[thekleidoscopex]

Catching up series Part 1 Photo dump | Wrapping up first half of 2017 I went kinda off when I saw that my last post for this blog was January 2017. Since we are almost folding 2017 calendars, might as well do a little look back on what happened to this roller coaster-like 2017. And also to do a little catch up for this blog. Well, this year has been full of ups and downs, but thankfully, more ups. Challenges in life, career, love and family had tested my adulthood — big time. I feel so blessed that God had given me a fearless soul to fight them throughout the year, with or without a company. WORK Work has been a contant source of stress for me. I went to my lowest point during the early 2017. It came to the point wherein I feel like a robot who wakes up and go home sleepy and uninspired. In other words, it had been a big deal for me. No matter how hard I try, my job is something I did not learn to love. Until one day, God did a magic to me. I became motivated to do good, that’s why I am justifying that it is true when someone tells you that God worked out something for them — because he did it to me too! My ‘malasakit’ to work seemed to be re-activated and everything purposely came into its places. The truth is, we/I cannot make everything work out in just a snap. I still haven’t figure out the job that will make me truly happy. Maybe I have something in my mind but that won’t support my needs enough to make it a source of living. That’s why keeping my job is the best option as this will support my way of achieving long term goals. Ever since God did me a work, I started to worry less and trust more. TRAVELS AND GOING PLACES Part of my job is to travel into places to do audit, observe and evaluate. This activity is my colleagues and I’s personal favorite as this will serve as a little escape from the work load and the like. Mostly, places I’ve been assigned to are those which I haven’t been to and it was such a sweet serenpdipity. This year, I’ve been to Subic, La Union and Nueva Ecija. We all have our opinions and standards when it comes to places but going to a certain place for the first time is such a surreal feeling! Another blessing is that I have someone to keep me company every time. Also this year, I had a few travels with my boyfriend’s office mates. I truly appreciated their initiatives in tagging me along when they have something in mind. We’ve been to Baguio and Masasa Beach in Batangas this year! FAMILY AND LOVE This year as well, my mother faced a serious illness and it tested our family ties. This particular happening is the primary reason why 2017 is such a year to remember for me. My family is truly blessed to have overcomed this. Well, let us say we have overcomed it for the meantime but my mother have to do further tests next year. We are very thankful to the Lord for giving our family especially our mom the strength to carry this. It only proved that sticking together, not giving up and providing each other a helping hand would be a great aid in surpassing unfortunate events. During those lowest points in my life, my boyfriend was the constant person who did not leave my side. This year is our 4th year of being together and we still stick with each other no matter how complicated life gets. We may have faced individual hardships, we somehow feel that connection that made us feel like at the end of the day, we are not alone. And I feel so blessed with that. How about you, how was your early 2017?

[thekleidoscopex]

Photo Dump: Food Life 2016

We are now living in a world wherein photography plays a huge role. Just this year, I became really fond of taking pictures of good looking presentation of food or just simply doing a flat lay! I must admit that flat lays need a bit of effort because you will literally stand up and find that perfect flat angle to capture the perfect image as a whole. And I still haven’t fully mastered that art. :(

So yeah, owing a few updates here on my blog, I have few beautiful ‘foodtographs’ to upload which were taken in 2016. Well, the previous year was so far the year where I had the most ‘foodventures’. Through the years, this hobby has been shared with J, of course and it gets stronger every year! We still aim to try different cuisines and new restaurants in town.

Sharing with you now the top 3 I had in 2016:

1. Din Tai Fung (try the Salt and Pepper Squid and Chocolate Xiao Long Bao!)

2. Sambokojin (not the first this 2016 but still the best buffet so far!)

3. Conti’s (their signature desserts are given to be heavenly, but try their rice meals as they are good as well!)

If you haven’t tried those, you should consider! This year, I am aiming to try more and maybe improve my shots!

[thekleidoscopex]

I'm afraid you are mistaken — saying you love me when all you love is the thought of someone by your side as you grow older. Yes, right. The thought of someone means it can be anyone — not particularly me.

[thekleidoscopex]

It's the journey that I appreciated a lot. I have learned to accept the things which you can and cannot do — without compromising much. I know that you are going to ask me to spill out the gift I wanted to receive instead of suprising me with your wild guesses. I have learned to lived with it. I have lived with every single thing you are able to do and I still think it's the most wonderful thing in the world. The truth it, this journey has taught me to appreciate the intangibles — the feeling I get when you tried to surprise me but I knew it from the beginning or the experiences you went through just to get that 'hard to find' gift you thought I am dying to have. Nothing beats the effort somebody put on a certain thing. I think it makes the memory perfect. It created a strong connection between people who shared it. I think that's when we can call it love. I think love is when somebody tried to put it into words but she failed because the feeling is too flawless.

[thekleidoscopex]

Surprising J

Last 22nd was my boyfriend’s 22nd birthday. Unfortunately I weren’t able to take a leave from work due to load. Even though he has told me several times that he doesn’t want to celebrate, I know deep inside he still wanted something special to happen. In the past few days, things have been tough for him and as a concerned girlfriend, I wanted to somehow lighten things for him so I planned a little surprise.

Evening of 21st, I had a minor, insignificant issue on his continuous dance rehearsal every after work. I did a little sulking but I don’t think he noticed at all. When I asked him weekend before his birthday about his plan on his birthday, he told me he doesn’t want anything aside from rest and hopefully his problems would be lessen anytime soon. I kinda wanted to back off from my initial plan, thinking he might not appreciate stuffs like happy surprises. So I did. I decided to do the Plan B wherein I will just do a plain visit to their house after my work. But things are little playful at times, my work load didn’t allow me to leave office on time. I tried to rush things but it didn’t work ‘cos my boss just asked me to submit a report that night. 7PM, I am still hoping that I could make it. But I didn’t. When I told him I won’t make it, I know he felt really sad. Every thing is much harder, sadder, more frustrating for me because I know I am the last resort for him to at least smile on his birthday. And I didn’t make it. Nothing is more disappointing than that, right?

But that doesn’t stop me from creating an uplifting surprise for him. I planned my small surprise on the 23rd. I had this one accomplice in making it work and that is his office mate, Kuya JC. I sent him a private message the night of 22nd while writing a letter. It’s been a long while since I gave J my hand-written letter. And I know he’s going to be really happy about it. I was glad that Kuya JC was very accommodating and supportive. I felt that he was also excited about the idea. Thankfully, I got to left office at 7PM and I went directly to the nearest mall to buy a cake a some foods for his team to nibble. Passed 8PM, I arrived to their place and was surprised by 4 girls who welcomed and helped me with the stuffs I brought. I didn’t really expected that since I never really thought he is close with his team. I didn’t expect that effort from them. However, I was happy that they were there for the surprise. That was very much appreciated by me. Moving forward to the surprise, I know he was surprised even thought he has told several time that he noticed some hints prior to it. I was really happy to see him a bit relieved that day. His team mates were just teasing us and the were so funny to be with. No wonder J loved their company. I waited for their practice to end so we can go home together.

The moment we left, he told me that his birthday wasn’t sad after all. And that made me smile, and my heart, too. I told myself, “that’s what all my effort is all about, to make him feel loved at the end of the day, at the end of every day.”

[thekleidoscopex]

Hongkong, 2016 November

Still in awe every time I look at the photos I took in Hongkong. I couldn’t help but miss this country more.

2 AM in the morning, we drove all the way to NAIA. Since that was our first travel, we chose to left early so we can fixed problems that could arise in case. That wasn’t my first time in the airport but the first time that I will be the one to send off. We had some heavy breakfast since our Day 1 in Hongkong was supposed to be DIY. Basically, we had to make ourselves ready. It was just a short time air travel, approximately just 2 hours.

Day 1 - Ocean Park, Night market

Upon arriving in the Hongkong airport, we couldn’t take our eyes off the massive area it got. It was so big that you have to take another train to reach the immigration. Simon, our tour guide, meet with us and send us to another cab that will take us to our lodge. Our lodge was very simple. Well, it doesn’t have to be grand in the first place. The friendly guard really took our hearts. He tried his best to deliver us the message he wanted us to reach. Language is such a very big barrier in visiting another country, really, but people there are very much willing to do their best in breaking the wall between us.

We took the MTR (MRT-like) in reaching the station that could take us to Ocean park. We took a double decker bus afterwards. Those were the normal mode of transportation in Hongkong. And people, no matter what your status is, seems to not mind on taking a public transportation (one of the things I noticed). Once again, we got overwhelmed when we saw how huge the Ocean Park is. You can take a cable car (for 200HKD) or a train (for free) to reach the other side of the Park wherein you can witness breathtaking view and death dying rides. We took one, actually. I forgot what it’s called but it resembles the Flying Fiesta found in EK, but with a twist. Their food was kinda not my comfortable food and it was a bit overpriced. We have witnessed different animal shows that awakened our childhood. We got tired around 5 PM. Thankfully, we almost wandered the whole Park. Later that night we planned on visiting Mongkok for cheap finds in Ladies’ market. Hongkong in the midnight was perfect. Well, I lam fond of seeing night/city lights so that add up to it. It was a serious bargain in the night market. We bought few pasalubongs like key chains, magnets and other cheap stuffs. Sellers are very willing to lower the price for you. Reaching home was very much awaited since our feet was really abused. I forgot to mention that we stayed in Heritage lodge. Just a walking distance from Mei Foo Station.

Day 2 - City Tour, Disneyland

Day 2 was included in the purchased package. It was an itinerary and the call time was 8:30 AM but then the receptionist called us around 8:20 and they are telling us to hurry up. Obviously, Hongkong citizens don’t practice Filipino time, yep. We visited Jewelry shop, Aberdeen Fishing Village and Garden of stars, to name some. I really appreciated the view in Hongkong. Like I can live there forever. The cleanliness of the streets, no traffic every where, the disciplined and respectful people are very impressive.

In the afternoon, we went to the happiest place on Earth, the Disneyland! I am telling you guys, Disneyland is truly the happiest place. I’d like to give additional justice on that. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how matured, or not fan of any disney characters, you will enjoy this place. You will reflect much on life, really. On how much you want to go back on your care-free days. The whole time I stayed here, I don’t feel anything but joy and excitement. Although the food is undeniably costly, you wouldn’t care at all because damn, you are in Disneyland dude, you gotta live this moment! My most favorite is Donald Duck’s 3D show, It’s a small world and the fireworks!

Day 3 - Wandering around the city, going home

On the our last day, we rewarded ourselves a little more sleep. We slept until 11 AM then started to pack things up and freshened ourselves for our last stop which is the famous mall in Tsim Sha Tsui. And we got lost... for good because if not, we won’t be able to taste their Egg Tart! Yep, the food which I really appreciated in Hongkong. You gotta try that when you visited some time.

So yeah, we got lost but we found ourselves of course. And we actually reached the place around lunch time. Tsim Sha Tsui is a bit crowded compared to other places in Hongkong. We wandered around the mall and left by 4 PM to go back to the lodge and wait for our service to airport.

My main advise to your future travel in Hongkong — get your feet ready to long walks. Yep, it’s true when you get exaggerated advice from people that Hongkong will make your suffer from a lot of walks. But every thing is worth it. Every single sacrifice is worth it. Hongkong left me this impact that living a simple life is enough. Seriously, going back in the Philippines is not what I wanted to do after staying in HK for a few days. I have his separation anxiety and I seem to compare every thing to Hongkong. I will definitely go back to that place and maybe stay a bit longer.

[thekleidoscopex]

Hongkong, 2016 November

Tried to channel some blogger poses in the busy and peaceful streets of Hongkong. Special thanks to my official photographer who’s always ready when I say, “hey, take a picture” or who will say “stay there, I’ll take a picture”.

[thekleidoscopex]

Tips and experiences from an Amateur

Since I did another batch of baking today, I feel like in the mood to share some useful tips which I think one rookie can consider prior to starting his/her baking agenda. All will be based purely on my previous experiences. Please take note that I am no above an average baker and I only take baking as a hobby during leisure. I am still in the process of learning and still experiencing failures up to now.

I couldn’t bring myself to remember the exact day I started to be interested in working with an oven. But the freshest thing in my memory is that my brother loves to try different pastries before and I was his kind of assistant until he stopped and I took over. Ever since that day, Baking has been that one constant thing that fulfills me, most especially when I succeed on achieving the perfect texture and taste. Every time people tell me that my finish product is good, I couldn’t help but feel complete. Then I would remember the reason why I do it - because it makes them happy.

So, let me share some Baking lessons and few things I have discovered:

1. You need to have the patience in looking for the best recipe

Needless to say, an amateur will depend on the recipes found mostly on the web or cook books. You will come across different blogs, videos that teaches how to make this or that, now you have to a. Read reviews, comments because some people certainly have tried those. An amateur (unless you are one hell of a courageous baker) will start with the safest one. The one with the highest number of positive feedback. b. This one is based on my experience, choose fool proof recipes. I have learned this during my journey to making French Macarons and to finding the best Chocolate Chip cookies. Fool proofs are those ‘certainly you can never go wrong recipes’. There are some blogs (which I really look up to) that shares some recipes trying out different ways or different ingredients making sure that they’ll come across what usually went wrong that hinders you to achieving the best or what will work for you.For instance is, showing what the Macaron would turn out if you tap or not the cookie tray. Baking is very sensitive that a single step missed out can affect the finish product. c. If you have been looking for a recipe but still couldn’t find a perfect version of it or the same taste, texture is what always turns out, try to distinguish the difference of the recipes from one another. I’d like to try recipes with sense of uniqueness, making me try using ingredients I have never worked on before. For example, this particular recipe of Banana loaf calls for a shortening, which is very unusual from the recipes I have previously tried. My curiosity will now take over and I’ll end up choosing that one to try. With incidents like that, you’ll discover the key to working on the perfect version of the recipe you have been looking for.

2. Make it half

In trying out new recipes, we have to admit that the chances of success is not always a hundred percent. So we have to be wise and cut every measurement in half. You can always work on another batch once proven that the recipe works for you. Practically, this saves money.

3. Be careful in using substitutes

There are times wherein the recipe calls for a nearly hard to find ingredient or currently unavailable at home.Oftentimes, we depend on substitutes, going over the closest ingredient possible. I have tried several substitutes that works. We just have to be mindful and do a lot of research. If an ingredient is unavailable and you couldn’t find any thing with the same feature, may you could consider using another recipe for the meantime.

4. Cleanliness and orderliness creates a good vibe

I love clean environment when working in the kitchen. It just makes everything lighter. As much as possible, wash the utensils you are done using and keep it so the space won’t be too crowded (unless you have a really big kitchen and a working area, then I don’t see any problem). That’s why someday, if I’m going to look for a house, I will choose the one with a really huge kitchen!

5. One key to achieving a heavenly taste is really the quality of ingredients

Yes, I am referring to those expensive ones. The truth is, Baking is an expensive hobby for me. Using high quality ingredients is one of the most significant part of baking. For instance is using an imported labeled Chocolate Chips vs. local brand, the imported one’s taste will be the preferred over the other. We must face the reality on this one. However, I think I have heard some stores/cafes offering whole sale ingredients which I think much cheaper (not sure). We can always make effort in looking for some ingredients that could work for us.

6. Don’t be discourage of failures

Up to now, I still encounter failures. The dough failed to rise enough, the failure to achieve the macaron feet, failure to make the cookies crispier. We must accept the fact that we are no professionals and professionals also start from the bottom. We can take a rest after a failed process, but remember that the hobby is still there, waiting for you to recover and try again. It’s a try and try again process like the other. Some recipes are given difficult and we shouldn’t be hard on ourselves. Try to look for ways, for much effective ways. Try fool proof, or anything else possible. There are unlimited chances in Baking.

7. Bookmark recipes

Once you have come across that key recipe that works, bookmark it immediately! Seriously, it saves time and effort. I have this on the list since I found this really really good recipe but I don’t remember where I got it. So I started bookmarking a lot.

8. Bake only when in the mood

Based on my experience also, we should not force ourselves to bake. Do it when you’re free, happy, inspired or in the mood. Believe me, it works. Especially when you fail, you will accept it much faster. And every thing will feel lighter.

9. Be inspired. Watch videos.

The primary reason why I bake is for other people’s appreciation. I some times bake for my boyfriend. I once baked a birthday cake for him and I am glad that he liked it. My dream is to bake a Matcha cake for him. I hope I could do that someday. Going back, being inspired to make something for others is the most fulfilling ever. It gives me to motivation to have patience, to be very mindful of the steps and to have that perfect finish product. At times, when my lazy bones are taking over, I watch cooking shows. It makes me inspired to do the same as them. My favorite is Bake with Anna Olsen and every thing about Asian Food Channel. It helps, you know.

And the list are still pending for more. I couldn’t help but love baking more. I am planning to take short courses once I save up enough. I hope the list would help you even a bit. I would love to share more experiences with you soon.

[thekleidoscopex]

Most awaited Month is coming, indeed.

November is our scheduled travel to.. Hongkong! Yup, my excitement is seriously taking over my body right now. This will be my first travel out of the country, as well as the three person who will be going with me - my brother, his girlfriend, and my boyfriend, Jopol. We took a package from this legit Travel agency since we’re first timers. It’s better to be safe than to.. get lost. Though getting lost would be fun, I think?

We will be staying for three days from Saturday to Monday, so all have to take a leave from jobs on Monday. The package includes trip to Disneyland, one of the reasons why we our kiddie butterflies are exploding. The rest of the trip will be up to us. We plan on abusing our foot on touring the city, most probably on the third/last day. Right now, I am still trying to learn the routes/transit for us to conveniently arrive to best places in the city. Since the hotel will be a little far from the city, we really have to prepare ourselves in getting lost, kidding! Good thing is that the hotel will provide a free shuttle to MTR (railway in HK) which will take us to the urban areas. I am also watching some vlogs and reading some travel blogs/articles on what to expect upon arriving in the city. Reviews and videos are very much helpful and makes me want to prepare more. Since this will be my first time traveling abroad, things to bring/essentials are also significant to consider and learn. Aside from the adventure, we are also thrilled to try some of their specialty foods. I wanted to try their cafes, noodles and of course, street foods! Yay!

Preparations also are exciting especially shopping for OOTDs! Since we will only be staying for three days, I don’t want to be exaggerated with buying too much clothes so just ample and not too expensive since I need to prepare myself to spending too much on requested pasalubongs! There goes another thing I am very much excited, the street shopping! I hope ladies’ night market shopping will be pushed through since I love shopping for thrift finds.

So yeah, those are the thing I am most excited on our trip. And yes, I will be blogging of our trip for sure! If you have advice, suggested trips or destinations, more importantly, convenient/easy routes, please do share it with me as those will be very much appreciated.

[thekleidoscopex]

Most people love unplanned trips, drives, regardless of how long or short they may be. We won’t exempt Jopol and I on those since we are also a trips enthusiasts. We love sweet serendipity. We love going out of course, most of the time when people ask us where we are heading, we will respond either “saan ba tayo?” or “hindi pa namin alam”. Then we head out with nowhere to go.

Ever since he started bringing his car, he picks me up and drops me off every time we go out. Most of the time, we go over the nearest mall or mainstream coffee shops or plainly in his house and watch a movie. We have been planning for some long drives and maybe in the near future, we can get to try those. We both wanted to try night drives with our favorite music playing while singing our hearts out as if the end is near. I don’t know but I am fond of the thought of night drives with indie pop song in the back ground. I always anticipate that the feeling would be infinite.

Well, today was just one of those usual drives. We went to the nearest mall and tried this “kinda new to him, but not to me” home of buffalo wings and other finger foods. When it comes to foods, we choose the in between ‘unhealthy to a little unhealthy’. I have to blog separately for the food topic since I have a lot to say and the title of this blog series is contradicting to that one. I think preferences and reviews on restaurants will be an interesting subject to blog also (hashtag ideas overflowing right now). Going back, after trying out some foods, we didn’t stayed that long in the mall since it’s Monday again tomorrow and we have to go back the soonest time possible. We just went for some thing to take home for my parents and his niece. Originally we planned on just grabbing some thirst quencher so we didn’t have a reason to stay actually.

This day ended up happy, as always. And I am looking forward to more drives with my J.