FOR THE RECORD

I still love my "besteezy." We will always be awesome and have that undescribable bond! I'm here for you! That's one thing that won't change.

SO NOT OVER IT

One of my favorite/happiest/best moments of 2007 STILL:

Jota Angelina

Kababayan's 28th Annual Pilipino Cultural Night

May 5, 2007
taught by: Amanda Dueñas & Rohmel Reynoso
choreographed by: Barbara Ele

composed by: Nitoy Gonzales

I can't say that I have worked hard for everything I've gotten lately.. but Maria Clara is a great effort of mine that I can never forget or discredit. Growing up with Kayamanan Ng Lahi, I had always seen the "big kids" do this dance and never thought I'd get the chance to be in their dancing shoes. It was one of my childhood fantasies, like those of little boys aspiring to be fire fighters, NBA players, or doctors. I just wanted that moment to shine and feel so empowered.. by one dance, for just five minutes, in a costume.

When I first went back to my directors and dance coords at KNL to learn the choreography, I was so intimidated. I could barely keep up with the choreography, and I was forced to learn it in one session. But I went back home and mastered it on my own, rewinding videos until the remote control button was nearly worn down. Next obstacle that I had to face was teaching it to 9 other people! Well, luckily I wasn't alone. What made the biggest impression on me during this process, was everyone's will power and individual inputs. They felt how much this meant to me, and made it a group effort. Jota Angelina is a special dance that had to be done right. You have to be able to smoothly transition from happy energetic, to somber dramatic, and to make all your movements big and distinct. To see all of it come together in the end - 5 months of rehearsal, for 5 minutes on stage - was like a dream I still can't believe was real. Every kick of the dress, stomp of the foot, click of the castanet, twirl of the manton, emotion portrayed through facials, body language, and tempo.. was absolutely perfect.

This is what you get when you mix yelling, sleepless nights, cramped feet, phenomenal teamwork and dedication into a parking-structure-shaped bowl. Line the pan with sweat and tears. Bake for 5 months. Sprinkle with love and smiles. A sweet sensation that lasts longer than any red velvet cupcake that Sprinkles or Team Dylan&Amanda can make.


I LOVE all of MariaClara!

GR/EATS

2050 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
310.478.3242

price range: $7-10 per person

Nestled in the Japantown of West Los Angeles, gr/eats is not the typical ramen, sushi, or curry restaurant. It also offers a salad and sandwich selection, infused with Japanese and seafood elements.

Inside you will find that it is pretty much a "hole in the wall," as you literally sit elbow-to-elbow with strangers, or, fellow epicureans. The walls are painted plain white and sporadically mounted upon them are various art pieces. So you get this feeling that you are eating in a tiny art gallery!

As for the food, I ordered the Wild Salmon Sandwich and Dylan ordered the Seared Tuna Sandwich. Both were good, but nothing special. The most noteworthy part of our meal was the Mixed Fries! That means: fried potatoes, yams, and bananas! ..all together in harmony! Who else does that?? Really now. Another thing that caught us by surprise was a complimentary scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. Ain't that special!

When you leave, be sure to check out the neighboring GR (giant robot) and GR2, Asian pop culture boutiques, with which the restaurant is affiliated.