#listen isaw a post again

[foxstens]

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[choicesaugustchallenge]

WELCOME || RULES || PROMPTS || HOST

First prompt is an AU, second prompt is fandom food (thanks to @choicesmonthlychallenge for the help with finding some favorite fandom foods and @lizzybeth1986 for the food idea) and third prompt is a quote from some of my favorite shows.

Coffee Shop AU | Ramen | “Look! I’m terrible at keeping secrets.”

Royalty AU | BBQ | “If we can light him on fire, I’m in!”

Time Travel AU | Coffee | “Did you mean to do that?”

Roommates AU | Caramel Popcorn | “Love, it sustains you. It’s like oatmeal.”

Boarding School AU | Watermelon | “You ever feel trapped…”

Spies AU | Arroz con Pollo || “A place where everybody knows your name is hell. You’re describing hell.”

Mob/Mafia AU | Vartanush | “All the revenge, and rage, and anger, it ages you.”

Flower Shop AU | Brigadeiros | “You were always going to realize what I am.”

Tattoo Shop AU | Spaghetti al Pomodoro | “What if it’s not a death? What if life just begins again?”

High School AU | Croissants | “[Insert name] with all due respect, I am gonna completely ignore everything you just said.”

College AU | Tiramisu | “You’re a fuckin’ lunatic. I like it.”

Modern AU | Isaw | “Hey, that was a close call wasn’t it?”

Coworkers or Neighbors AU | Cheese | “When you cut loose, you really cut loose.”

Magic/Mermaid AU | Tonkatsu | “You think you’re cute?”

Rescue Services AU (Bodyguard Fightfighter Police Lifeguard, etc.) | Hummus | “There’s always an escape.”

Assassins AU | Breskvice | “This was my mission!”

Rockstar AU | Deep Dish Pizza | “It’s gotta be someone we can all trust.”

Soulmates AU | Mofongo | “Can you not have a bit of respect?!”

Werewolf or Ghost AU | Mashed potatoes | “You are better than you think you are.”

Vampire AU | Chocolate | “Fine, but in protest, I’m walking over there extremely slowly!”

(Post-)Apocalypse AU | Buffet | “Stab me.”

Fairytale AU | Tacos | “Well, I got bad news for you….”

Arranged Marriage AU | Toasted Ravioli | “I’m trying to put the revenge part behind me…”

Celebrity AU | Mango | “You wear [insert option here] well.”

Historical AU | Beignets | “…and he adores you.”

Pirate AU | Seafood | “I’m not going to stand here and listen to you accusing me of things I clearly did.”

Superhero/Villain AU | Raisin toast | “Oh my god, this is happening.”

Book Shop AU | Jambalaya | “Don't worry... you taught me well.” “Eh... not that well.”

Futuristic AU | Birthday Cake | “My name's [insert name]. I'll be your robber here today.”

Thief AU | Mojitos | “I knew you was a thief. But I loves me a thief.”

AU Not Listed | [Your Favorite Food] | “And, um... is that still in the cards, or...?”

[baybert]

That last ask

1. You woke up naked next to the last person you texted, what would you say?

“Well this is kinda awkward, didn’t really see this coming .”

2. What’s going on between you and the last person you kissed?

We cool, i got uninvited to her wedding tho

3. If your boyfriend or girlfriend was into drugs, would you care?

Depends on the type, anything other than but or hallucinogens id be concerned  

4. Is your last name longer than six letters?

Ye, but by one

5. Was your last kiss drunk or sober?

Probably sober? Honestly been so long i can’t remember

6. Have you ever wanted to have someone but you messed it up?

Lmao, Is there really any other way to do it?

7. What does your last received text say?

“Yeee!”

8. How many times have you kissed the last person you kissed?

Too many to count tbh

9. Where was your last kiss at?

Probably at her parents house

10. When is the last time you saw your sister?

Earlier today!

11. What do you drink in the morning?

Usually a fruit smoothie

12. Where did you sleep last night?

Floor of my grandmas living room

13. Do you think relationships are hard?

They are, but they can be so worth

14. If you could go back and change something in the past 5 months, would you?

Less money towards alcohol, more towards tattoos

15. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, any problems?

Not between us, her fiance would be trippin tho

16. Would you rather it be sunny or rainy?

Rainy for sure bro

17. Do you know anyone with the same middle name as you?

Not as far as I know

18. Are you wearing jeans,sweatpants,or pajama pants?

Nah, athletic shorts atm

19. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 years from now?

Probably not i feel

20. Does anyone like you?

Yeah, im pretty sure

21. Have you ever kissed someone with a name that starts with an S?

Yeah, like once 

22. Is the last person you kissed gay?

Nah

23. Is there a person you CANNOT stand?

Is myself an option?

24. Have you ever considered getting a tattoo?

A better question is where i wouldnt consider getting one

25. In the past week have you cried?

like twice, last time was bc isaw a post of this little boy playing at his friend’s grave

26. What breed was the last dog you saw?

Black lab ily Bojack

27. Do you dry off in the shower or out of the shower? 

Out, do People do it in?

28. Have you ever kissed a football player?

Nah

29. Do you think you’re old?

Sure feel like, shit

30. Do you like text messaging?

Yeah, im better at talking when i have time to construct my messages

31. What type of day are you having?

Ehhhh

32. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?

Nah, but i want my eyebrow pierced

33. Do you prefer warm or cold weather?

Cold is better for cuddling, but warm wins bc swimming

34. Is there a person of the opposite sex who means a lot to you?

A couple

35. Would you prefer a relationship or a fling?

A fling sounds fun, but it really depends on who im talking to 

36. Are you a simple or complicated person?

I think im simple

37. What song are you listening to?

Rainbow in the dark- Dio

38. When you say you’re sorry do you mean it?

Usually yeah 39. Is there a girl that knows everything or almost everything about you?

Not, really. Tbh i don’t think anyone really does at this point 40. What made you start liking the person you like now?

She like crazy cute, just really one of those people who’s like a shining light 41. When did you last receive a text message?

1:06 pm 42. What is wrong with you right now?

I’m just a sad guy tbh 43. How well do you know the last female you texted?

Pretty well, i think 44. Does anyone disgust you?

Myself again? lol 45. Would you date someone right now if they asked?

Again, depends on who 46. Are you in a good mood right now?

Been a couple day tbh 47. Who was the last person you talked to in person?

My dad 48. What color shirt are you wearing?

Purple and black 49. Has someone recently told you something you didn’t want to hear?

Boss told us that we gotta finish this one job tomorrow, gonna be a long fucking day 50. Anyone you’re giving up on?

Feel like the opposite happened tbh 51. Do you hate the person you fell hardest for?

Nah, ain’t no one responsible for my feelings but me yo

52. Have you ever thought about giving up on someone but couldn’t?

Nah, if im at that point its probably over 53. Do you like rain?

I love it yo 54. Do you care if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks?

Only if they ain’t sharing 55. Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?

I mean yeah, hasn’t everybody? 56. Do you like to cuddle?

Love to, unless its too hot.  57. Are you shy?

Sadly 58. Do you get along with girls?

As much as anyone else i guess 59. Have you dated the person you texted last?

Been on a date or two, but im not sure if that counts 60. What do you carry with you at all times?

Phone, wallet 61. If you were paid 1 million dollars to spend the night in a supposed haunted house, would you?

Fuck yeah, im be getting to know the ghost n shit 62. Do you think you can last in a relationship for five months?

Done it before 63. Think back to October, were you in a relationship?

Nah 64. The person you like kisses you on the forehead, do you find this cute?

Very 65. Did anything “cute” happen in the last week?

Not really that i can think of tbh

66. How old are the last three people you kissed?

22 23 and 22

67. Would you rather pay to get your nails done or do them yourself?    

I’ll just have my lil sis do em 68. Which do you like better- Zebra print or leopard print?

Leopard i guess 69. Do you have any stickers on your car?    

I got a pogo one on my truck 70. Would you rather listen to Luke Bryan or Lil Wayne?    

no idea who Luke Bryan is tbh, so i guess Weezy 71. Blackberry, Anroid, or iPhone?    

Android 72. When’s the last time you had pizza from Pizza Hut?    

I think like two or three weeks ago 73. Do you like diet soda?    

Nah man, fuck that 74. What color are the walls in your room?    

What room? 75. Are you 16 or older?    

bouta be 22 76. Do you watch Pretty Little Liars?    

Never have 77. Do you have a job?    

I am currently an HVAC Apprentice    78. What are your initials?    

RTE 79. Did you ever have braces?    

Never, thankfully ive never needed em. that shit expensive yo 80. Are you from the south?    

Southern Cali, so nah

81. What does your last status on facebook say?    

“The police force has always been the most dangerous gang in america. Being unaccountable for your actions is a hell of a drug, absolute power and all that” 82. Do you still talk to the first person you ever kissed?    

Nah 83. Are you closer to your mom or your dad?    

Probably my dad, but i love them both equally 84. Have you ever done cheerleading or gymnastics?    

nah, gymnastics is cool af tho 85. What’s the last movie you saw in theaters?    

Rogue one 86. Do you smoke?

Bud,yeah 87. Would you rather wear heels or flip flops?    

Flip flops, heels look uncomfortable af 88. Is your phone touch screen?    

Yeah, shits cool 89. Do you normally wear your hair straight or curly?    

Curly i guess,think its more wavy tho 90. Have you ever snuck out of your house?    

Never had to tbh 91. Would you rather swim in a river, lake, or pool?    

Lake sounds cool 92. Have you ever made out in a car?    

Shit fun yo 93. …Had sex in a car?    

Shits even more fun yo. Especially road head 94. Are you single or in a relationship?    

Currently single 95. What were you doing last night at midnight?    

Sleeping, like i should be rn 96. When’s the last time you saw fireworks?    

Tuesday, cousin and brother put on a fucking show yo 97. Do you like the camera on your phone?    

Its pretty alright, nothing too special 98. Have you ever had a friend with benefits?    

Nah, seems cool tho 99. Have you ever passed out from drinking?    

A couple times 100. Are you friends with people on facebook that you actually hate?    

Why would i do that? 101. Have you ever had a pregnancy scare?    

Like twice 102. Name your favorite Kesha song:    

Only one i know is tick tock tbh

103. Do you have any tan lines right now?    

Farmers tan ftw 104. Would you ever wear cowboy boots with shorts?    

Probably not, i don’t really do boots unless its for work

[empireintheair]

– by ChiChai@Empire-

Christopher@Empire and I made a deal that we would travel to our home countries and beyond once I graduated from graduate school. A couple of years later (and with my master’s degree at hand!) that deal came to fruition.

We kicked off the month of March by visiting the Philippines (my motherland) and experienced how each province has its own charm

For this week, we’ve been literally making our way up Vietnam (his motherland.)  We began in Saigon, spent days touring cities of the country’s center, and tomorrow, we travel even more north to Hanoi.

Christopher and I are now halfway in our Asia tour. In other words, I got a lot to catch you up on!  My first stop for you is Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines.

Metro Manila often gets a bad rap. The usual complaints include traffic, smog, crowds, and globalization. To be honest, I may have whined about all the above a few times myself. But– through it all– Metro Manila has a special place in my heart.

Christopher enjoying our Manila view

Metro Manila, being the economic hub of the country, is the most influenced by outside nations. You can see it in its all-English advertisements, its massive malls housing brands like H&M and Topshop, and its Starbucks at every corner. However, as globalization maybe a mainstream force into the region, there is a rise from locals to push back and gain ownership of their own crafts. (This was even a finding in my thesis!)  That pride in pinoy craftsmanship and artistry is the Metro Manila I wanted Christopher to experience this trip.

Here are some of the places that I took him to get that right taste of Metro  Manila:

Ermita, Manila

Rizal Park aka Luneta National Park

Rizal Park is one of the largest urban parks of southeast Asia. You can see all ages gathering here!–from little kids playing, young adults of the coast guard running, and elders taking an outdoor ballroom class. Also, this urban park not only serves as a place of leisure, it is also a place of history and revolution.

The name of the park itself is powerful. Jose Rizal is known for using his intellect and literature to inspire the masses to rise against Spanish colonization. His statue stands tall in the park and is guarded all day. Along with revolutionary symbolism, the Declaration of Philippine Independence from the US was signed here and political rallies against the Marcos dictatorship were hosted here as well.

National Museum

The National Museum is free! It is FREE! As part of an initiative to promote Philippine art and history, the museum is free for all! The museum consists of two buildings: one focusing on Philippine art and another specializing in Philippine anthropology. As a Filipina-American who grew up with a Western education, seeing the beautiful artwork that Filipinos have made throughout the centuries helped me feel a sense of belonging and pride. I don’t doubt that this has the same affect on other Fil-Ams visiting the homeland. (Will definitely write a separate blog about this later!)

Yabu: The House of Katsu – Robinson’s Mall

Outside influences in Metro Manila is strongly shown in the food. Yes there are excessive U.S. fast-food restaurants popping up all over the landscape but Filipino-owned specialty restaurants are opening as well. Yabu is one of my favorite examples. Owned by Filipino John Concepcion, Yabu brings the classic Japanese katsu to the Philippines. You can eat  pork katsu or salmon katsu or oyster katsu or more with their specialty in-house made katsu sauce and the sesame that you grind yourself.  Read more here.

Bay City, Pasay

SM By the Bay Amusement Park

Mall of Asia isn’t exactly my favorite place to be… uh… It is one of the largest malls in the world– architecturally speaking, awesome! But personally, this mall is so big and so full of tourists that I get dizzy in it.

What I do like about “MoA” is that it has an adjacent amusement park along the Manila Bay. It is the one place that you can drink a mango smoothie while riding the tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines. I’ll take the ferris wheel’s sunset view over any mall.

Poblacion, Makati

You can parallel Makati to San Francisco’s Financial District. Skyscrapers and big-time businesses can be found in this Metro Manila city. For millennials, Makati is home to modern and locally-owned bars and “Instagrammable” foodie spots, particularly in the district Poblacion. Or, “Pobs” (my cousin’s friend is trying really hard to make Pobs a thing lol.)

Tambai

by Zomato.com

At a quick glance, Tambai may seem like another sari-sari store along the sidewalk. Come closer and you’ll see that it is more. Still keeping the classic street-food feel, this cozy restaurant sets up small tables and stools for you to enjoy their oh-so-good yakitori. They even serve local beers, Japanese beers, and US beers to pair with your food. And if you want to stuff your belly with more than yakitori, they have other tapas such as kimchi fried rice and soft shell crab.

Wild Poppy

What’s great about a night out at Pobs is that the bars and foodie spots are walking distance from one another. After meeting up with my cousin Niqui and her friends for a late-night Tambai dinner, we headed to our next stop to get more drinks: Wild Poppy.

Wild Poppy is in a cluster of other well-decorated bars/restaurants. The reason why we chose Wild Poppy is for its chiller vibe and its balcony’s fresh-ambiance. Here we were able to enjoy juicy cocktails (my “Thai-Me-Up” tasted so healthy!) while listening to their jazzy music selection.

For more food and drink suggestions, check out this CNN Philippines Poblacion, Makati food guide here

Caloocan / Home!

For a Philippines blog post with things to eat, you’ll see that I didn’t add any Filipino restaurants. I know, I know. What’s wrong with me? Well! I strongly believe that the best pinoy food one can get is home-cooked. For me, that means the best Filipino food in Metro Manila is from my family’s home in Caloocan, all served up by my Tito Nonoy.

My family and friends made sure we ordered sisig at any place that offered it because sisig is Christopher’s favorite. However, his favorite sisig out of all of the sisig he tried was from Tito Nonoy. Like I said, nothing beats a home-cooked meal.

I love our hundred-year-old house. Supposedly our house is one of the oldest in the neighborhood. You can still tell that it was originally a nipa hut. Up until I was in high school, the roof still had some of its original palm leaves embedded into it. But, because of its traditional Filipino appeal, my family forced Chris and I to take impromptu harana-like photos in the balcony *roll eyes*

Recommendations not featured:

Although we didn’t get to visit all of my favorite Metro Manila spots, I still want to provide more in this guide for you! Here are some:

Quezon City

Eat/ Drink:

The Nook, a Harry Potter themed-cafe in which you can cool down from the tropical heat with a Butterbeer and Cauldron Cake

Pino, classic Pinoy dishes with vegetarian and vegan options. When I went here, my friends and I had both the vegetarian and meat sisig to compare the two. I would order both again.

Mang Larry’s Isawan stand at UP Diliman. My friends who attended UPD say that Mang Larry’s is the��place to get isaw (gizzard.) As unappetizing as that sounds (and looks) you have to try it for its authentic cooking of a street-food classic.

Shop:

Common Room, an arts&crafts and local-made shop. A lot of my favorite local artists’ and brands’ products can be found here. You can get a hand-lettering kit curated by the artist Abbey Sy,  a children’s book illustrated by the watercolorist and tattooist Wiji (who happened to do majority of my tattoos!), and buy Vela Manila accessories which intertwine traditionally woven fabrics with leather goods.

To Do/ See:

La Mesa Nature Reserve, a nature reserve that’s great for a nature stroll or bike ride. Upon seeing its lushness, you’ll have a hard time believing that this rainforest patch exists in Metro Manila. You can  also sign up your group of homies to plant more trees here. You can check out my tree-planting experience here.

Intramuros, Manila

To Do/ See:

Walk this Way Tour by Carlos Celdran, a theatrical and historical tour in Manila’s oldest district: Intramuros. This is probably the most honest tour you can get in regards to Philippines’ colonial history and how that history affects Philippines’ aspirations today.

Bambike Eco Tour, rent a bike and either join a tour group or tour on your own in Intramuros

To Eat:

Barbara’s, Spanish-Filipino dishes with traditional entertainment. The last time I went there, a few elders were dressed in barongs and serenaded each table. Also, it is conveniently next door to San Agustin Church– another historical must-see

Escolta, Manila

To Do/ See:

The Hub Make Lab. Imagine a flea market set-up but with booths of arts, crafts, and apparel. The Hub is the bottom floor of Escolta’s First United Building which is home to several artist studios. You can shop and also drink at either the cafe or bar. They also host night markets on Saturdays in which the artists studios have open houses and live musicians perform throughout the evening. Learn more here.

I hope you find this list helpful for your own Metro Manila adventure! If you do find yourself in Metro Manila, do not be discouraged from its excessive amount of malls and traffic. Despite the influx of  McDonald’s and Forever21’s and smog, a new generation is rising to take Manila back through its crafts. You just need to seek it.

Metro Manila – To Eat, To See, and To Do - by ChiChai@Empire- Christopher@Empire and I made a deal that we would travel to our home countries and beyond once I graduated from graduate school.