Meme: "Garando likes to..."

A few weeks ago, I found this meme over at Alice's blog, I thought it was really FUN to do so I gave it a shot. Very simple instructions:

1) Go to Google
2) Type YOUR FIRST NAME and the words "LIKES TO" all in quotation marks... "Alice likes to"
3) Report back on the first ten things that come up for your name

I used "Garando" and ended up with zero results. DUH. So I tried using my real first name. I was surprised when Google came back with the most outrageous results! Now why does this happen to me all the time??

Results (All copied from Google as is):
1) ** likes to Beep
2) ** likes to chew the fat with Bob during coffee break
3) ** likes to enact bondage scenarios
4) ** likes to bet that's all
5) ** likes to keep fit by running, cycling, swimming, gym and martial arts (though not all at the same time)
6) ** likes to write about community, technology and changing the world
7) ** likes to study algae
8) ** likes to work in all areas of his craft, particularly illustrating children's books
9) ** likes to use repetition to highlight important ideas
10) ** likes to watch dvd's and play with the buttons on the machine

To summarize:
Garando is a sporty, healthy, and fit *beep* who loves to re-enact bondage with Bob where he chews fat and play with various buttons on a machine.

After getting his degree on algae research he now writes children's books about changing the world via altering the community, taking advantage of technology, and doing a lot of gambling. All the pages of his books are identical with the first page.


Garandee mode:
What shall I cook for dinner? Read More......

New Header

I finally found the time to make a decent header for my blog. I wanted something that can showcase what my blog is all about with just one look.


Made four designs this morning and constantly asked Garandee for feedback. This is the only one that made her smile... devilishly.


Garando mode:
I ATTACK you, Garanduu!! Read More......

Our Backpack Chronicles: New Delhi (part 1)

Series Two: Do & Dee & Delhi

“HOTEL RAK”, that sign you see at the background was our second hotel. This hotel is probably one of the best ones at Main Bazaar because it had knobs on its airconditioner.


Yes, knobs to control the fan speed and the temperature. The first hotel didn’t have any so I had to cover the airconditioner with pillows and blankets to control the temperature. Garandee’s teeth were chattering so hard I was worried I’ll need to thaw her out the following morning.


Garandee and her huge backpack. I worry that if she fell backwards she can never get back up... you know, like a beetle or a turtle.



One of the best things about walking around Delhi was the opportunity to take photographs of people as they go about their business. Here are a few of my favorite ones…




You just gotta love the fabulous Sari’s the ladies wear in India. They're sooo colorful! Garandee even had a couple of Sari’s when she was working as a part time waitress in an Indian restaurant in Tokyo.


One of my biggest regrets was not having enough time to visit the Hindu temples around Delhi…


Rickshaws! You will not believe how many of these I dodged while I was walking around Delhi, it was absolute “Rickshaw Rampage”!

I remember riding one on our first day…

Garandee: “Do, are you ok? You’ve been hitting the roof of the rickshaw a lot.”

Garando: “Yeah, as long as I use my hands like a helmet, I’ll probably survive. OW!!”

Garandee: “Kawawa… try to duck lower.”

Garando: “If I did that my face will hit the handle bars. YOUCH!”

Garandee: “Oh, right… how about… DO!! LOOK!!”

Garando: “Huh?? What? Where? ARAYKUPO!! (Ouch!!)”

Garandee: “There’s McDonald’s here!”

Garando: “Big deal, there’s McDonald’s everywhere. UFFF!”

Garandee: “But how can you have a burger restaurant in a country where cows are sacred??”

Garando: “Hmmm good point.“

Garandee: “di ba? (isn’t it?)”

Garando: “Driver, can you drop us off at McDonalds? I wanna get me some Big McGuru and Masala Fries!”

Rickshaw: “SCREEEEEEECH!!!”


Next stop: Delhi Belly!


Garando mode:
This is me inside the rickshaw.
Read More......

The Blue Day

Sorry, I thought I was done with my shirt posts, but last Tuesday...

Garandee: "Eh? I thought you were planning to wear this shirt today?"

Garando: "No, today I'm wearing this blue one."

Garandee: "Why?"

Garando: "I received an email that today's a BLUE day."

Garandee: "BLUE day?"

Garando: "Yes, the entire organization must come to work wearing Blue."

Garandee: "I see... Interesting."

Garando: "There's probably another photo session... I dunno."

Garandee: "Is there a flat-stomach day?"

Garando: " ... "

Garandee: "...then you'll be in trouble."

Garando: "It's not so bad when I tuck my shirt in. See?"


Garandee mode:
Talk to da hand!! Read More......

Garando And His Fancy Shirt

Last week, just after breakfast...

Garandee: "WOW! You're finally wearing the shirt I gave you!"

Garando: "Huh? uh... yeah."

Garandee: "I can't remember... when was the last time you wore that?"

Garando: "Hmmm... almost two years ago?"

Garandee: "IKAW! You should wear it more often! It's really nice you know. Besides, that was my present!"

Garando: "Yep, that's the idea."

Garandee: "Good!" (fixes the creases and pulls on my sleeves)

Garando: "Uhh... the collar's kinda BIG."

Garandee: "Nyo. That's normal."

Garando: "Really? Don't you think the fabric's a little too glossy?"

Garandee: "Nyo! It makes it look classy."

Garando: "uh... It's a bit too PINK."

Garandee: "Pink looks good on you! That's a nice shade of pink."

Garando: "uh... um... hmmmmm..."

Garandee: "Go now! Hayaku! Hayaku! (Hurry!) Here's your bag and your wallet... Go! You'll be late for your meeting!"

Garando: "but wait... uh... I look like a gigolo... maybe I should..."

Garandee: "BYE BYE!!! See you tonight!"

Front door: "SLAM! click!"

Garando: "uh.... bye..."


Garando mode:
Getting ready for another busy week! Read More......

The Glorious Bento Days

Garando: "sigh..."

Garando: "double sigh..."

I miss the glorious bento days when I still had that "magic bento box" Garandee gave me.

Why magic? Because since then, I always had the best lunch boxes ever in my entire life! Enough to make me very popular around the office. Ok, only 5 people knew about it, but I guess that's popular enough.

Nevertheless, nothing's more authentic than having a Mongolian make my Japanese Bento.

This is a tribute to some of the best the bentos that have come and gone. May their memory live forever in my sophisticated gut.


Exhibit #1
1) Chicken, hard boiled egg and radish boiled in a soy sauce based stew.
2) Baked Greek Kofta with shaved almonds
3) Salad with no dressing (I spilled it all over my desk)



Exhibit #2
1) Sauteed sweet & spicy chicken, Chinese style
2) Fried spring rolls, Japanese style
3) Salad: Greens with tomato and steamed broccoli with no dressing (I misplaced it)


Exhibit #3
1) Nikujaga: Sukiyaki beef, potatoes and konyaku stewed in a sweet soy sauce broth.
2) Rolled chicken breast katsu with mozzarella at the core
3) Steamed broccoli & a deep fried minced chicken ball


Exhibit #4
(this came with Exhibit #3)
1) Lumps of Japanese rice topped with furikake and pickles
2) Steamed broccoli & deep fried minced chicken ball again


Exhibit #5
1) Beef yakiniku
2) Deep fried prawns covered with sliced almonds
3) Rolled tamago
4) Rolled cold cuts with boiled asparagus at the core & the biggest bean I have ever seen in my entire life

If I didn't heat my magic bento box in that blasted microwave in our office pantry I would still be living the dream.

Not much Garandee can do with a warped triangle bento box. Now I have to settle for recycled plastic take-out containers.

Garando: "sigh..."

Garando: "sob..."


Garandee mode:
At least it's microwave safe!

Read More......

Meme: "Have You?"

Tagged by Sheng! Almost everybody else I know got tagged already so I won't tag more people. Feel free to join though!

1. Have you ever been on TV?
Apparently, Yes. My Dad said he saw me clapping my hands on primetime news.

2. Have you ever sung in public?
Yes, and they almost called security.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
Nope. If I did that I'll pass for an albino already. Not that there's anything wrong with it, I just like to maintain the contrast.

4. Have you ever eaten frog legs?
Yes, it's no big deal. Did I mention I'll dare to eat anything?

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?
Someone gave me a keychain with a preserved bug inside.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
Nope, but I've walked into clear glass a couple of times. Plus I've hit my head on low hanging signs and ceilings quite often. I swear to God I'll find a way to invent that rubber stopper that I can conveniently wear on my forehead.

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?
No the last time I cooked for myself I got food poisoning. I cook for others and I'll likely end up in jail.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?
I've stumbled on some people. Sometimes on purpose.

9. Have you ever done volunteer work?
Yes, but I probably need to do more. I volunteer around the kitchen a lot as Garandee's taste tester, does that count?


Garandee mode:
Grabe mainit! Gusto ako summer! (super HOT! I love summer!)

Garando mode:
Tottemo Achui! Watashiwa shinu! (super HOT, I die!) Read More......