My First "CONCERT" Experience: AGAINST THE CURRENT and ALEX GOOT CONCERT!

Alright this happened around August but I just wanted to share it to you guys :)

As I was surfing the net, I spotted a poster, an article.. 

I was sooo EXCITED! I've been a Youtuber fan since my early high school days and I've been supporting them for over 4 years now. I have always dreamed of them having a concert here in the Philippines which I know is impossible to happen. BUT.. Yaaayy! seeing this poster, it feels so Surreal! I was flustered as to where to buy or better, reserve a ticket because I won't dare want to miss this one in a lifetime experience. Then I came across this FB Page saying they reserve tickets for the said event. I was hesitant but yeah, I wanted to see them so much that I took the risk of reserving mine even if there's no certainty. We met up at Trinoma Seattle's Best Coffee then..

Yayy! I GOT IT! I was shaking! I bought a VIP Ticket so I could see them up front :D I can't believe that I would be able to see them, PERFORM, LIVE, IN PERSON! I can't sleep for weeks! Even if it's Finals Exams the week after the event, I didn't think twice to come.  By the way let me tell you, I'm not sure if I could call this a "concert" hence, the title, because I find it weird that they're holding it in CCP Main Theater. I think everyone does haha. Even Chrissy can't believe it! She tweeted about it. It's just that it's not suitable for a band concert. Like how are people gonna mosh, right? How are we gonna jump to their songs and reach our hands to them when you are limited to only stay at your seats? The seats were too far from the stage! and cameras are not allowed! how is that even possible!?

And then the day came..

It was opened by Monique Lualhati, the one who once joined X Factor then The Voice. She was good, really nice voice :) She sang a few songs. 

Then after her performance, the lights dimmed. We were all hyped up. the crowd's cheering then, 5 minutes passed, The crowd grew tired.. 15 minutes passed, They were still prepping the stage. The break was too long! The hype has gone. In my opinion they should've gone directly to the next performance to keep the hype up not have a 15-minute break. Theeeeen.. AGAINST THE CURRENT came in smashing the stage! They totally killed it! 

People weren't supposed to crowd up in front of the stage but as soon as we saw them, BOOM! Everyone practically ran to the stage!  Of course I was one of them haha. We had a "MOSH PIT" anyway ha! 

Chrissy was Amazing! As soon as she stepped out in the light the crowd went CRAZY! She hyped the crowd up throughout their whole performance. She was really adorable and beautiful! And I really love her voice, it was astounding! :) not  the typical high-pitch-voice. 

CAMERAS NOT ALLOWED? Haha! Looks like nobody noticed it :))

It feels like a dream! knowing that reaching out, you're only inches away from your idols. When they look at you you feel like your on top of the world for they are noticing you at that veryoment. haha

 Chrissy doing her signature move!

Right about the end of their performance, the bouncers/security kept on pushing us away from the stage, telling us to go back to our seats or they will stop the event. In the first few seconds the crowd dispersed but as soon as the bouncers were gone, we again crowded to the stage haha. We can't help it.

After their act, the bouncers again pushed us away from the stage and threatened us that we will be banned if we don't go back to our seats. We all went back to our seats disappointed.

And that's when Alex Goot came in..

Alex was incredible! His voice really is wonderful. It puts you into a daze. He filled the room with every emotion a song can take you. It was soft but at the same time strong. You could feel his passion. He sang some covers and of course, his original compositions.

Then after his act, Chrissy came in.. which again made the crowd crazy! haha. It's time for a collab performance!

This moment was really overwhelming. It feels like everything's going too fast. We didn't want it to end. But time is flying rapidly, so we just cherished the moment while they're still "reachable".

And then the event has come to an end! They're waving goodbyes to us and it's really saddening. We can't help but to run up the stage again and reach out to them for the last time. Back to reality. But it is of course, a wonderful experience :) I had a great time, I felt that the price that I paid is worth it :D

And before they left, they took a picture with us! <3 aaaww.. I really miss them so much now!

This was a long post but yeah.. All in all, It was an AWESOME experience! It feels like you're hanging out with them haha. They're all wonderful musicians that really inspire me and I really look up to. And I will keep on supporting them all throughout their journey.

Rate: 20/10!

I'd pay any price just to see them perform again :) 

FOOD TRIP SERIES: Lan Zhou La Mien

Me and my friends met up too early in school so we thought why not have lunch together? And a friend of mine suggests to eat at Binondo, since it's Chinese New Year and all. And then we ate at Lan Zhou La Mien somewhere in Benavides St.

The Cooking Area right in front of the Waiting Area

Rate: 8/10

Okay so I have a lot of comment about this. First, the accommodation is poor. The place is too small. It looks crowded, it feels crowded even if we're less than 50 people inside including the crew. Their waiting area is just at the hallway of the entrance and exit. So it's really bothersome, people keep on passing by us. And we also feel burdened that we're blocking their way. Second, when we already got a table, just as I said, it was not so spacious so we were kind of nudging each other while eating. Third, while eating, we were shocked when someone began to yell at the cashier. She was complaining something about her order not being delivered f I'm not mistaken. Well, that isn't a pretty good environment, right?

Now about the food..

We were told that their specialty here is Beef La Mien but my friend said their dumplings is the best. So we ordered both and another dish which I forgot what its called because its in chinese haha. anywaay, their DUMPLINGS are really the BEST! :D haha I totally loved it! It tastes different from other dumplings I've had before. And the other dish was also AMAZING! I thought it looked like a light food especially there are 5 of us who'll share with just these 3 dishes but we actually got full :) Their self-proclaimed specialty which is "Beef La Mien" though was very disappointing. It tastes very bland. The texture of the noodles would have bee my greatest compliment but it really tastes so plain, like I'm eating raw noodles with soup. they're not complimenting. The beef though tastes good.

So all in all, yeah, I gave them 8/10. Honestly, I would've given them 10/10 because of the food but the service really not that justifiable and the Beef La Mien really ruined it. haha

But you know there's a lot of Chinese Restaurants in Binondo that you could try. I've also tried a number of restaurants there that satisfied my expectations haha. You could give me a heads up whenever you find something better ;)

Have Fun Food Tripping!!

FOOD TRIP SERIES: Starr's Cafe :3

Heeeeyyy.. Who's up for some smoothies?? I AM!! Hahah I've been wanting to experience this Cafe just around the UST Campus.. Starr's Cafe! One of the famous food stops in UST.

We celebrated my friends birthdaaay! :D Happy Birthday Chrystaaaa!

Rate: 9/10

The smoothies were Amazing! The place is nice :) their theme is unique. And they have an LCD monitor which shows youtuber's cover videos that I really like to watch :D so it's a plus to me. The room temperature is also good, not too cold and not too hot. It has the same style as the one in Maginhawa/UP Village called "A taste of Heaven". They also have the same price but due to convenience, of course I'd choose Starr's over the other. So this smoothie is definitely one of my favorites :)

But sadly, there are some downsides. I think they lack a little in accommodation for the place is too small. There are only around 5-7 tables if I'm not mistaken. Then the service is slow. You have to wait for around 30 mins. for just a single order of smoothie. So it's kind of a No-no for me. But yeah, other than that, I enjoyed the smoothie very well and the place is awesome-ish :D haha

I'd definitely go back here once in a while :)

FOOD TRIP SERIES: Coldstone! :3

Me and my high school friends got bored and so we thought we'd go to a place we've never been. and we thought, SM NORTH EDSA. haha yep, it's kinda far from our place. And damn, it was sooo big! haha. We then realized we were straying in the mall haha. We ate at Zarks before we go bowling. Bowling is so rad :D haha I enjoyed it a lot.

And then before going home we saw a neat-looking creamery, and it was the Coldstone Creamery. We haven't heard of this one before and so we wanted to try it. 

Rate: 15/10

I LOOOVE IT! It was SUPERB! Its marketing and service is brilliant and very striking! Eating there is truly a unique brand experience and it being a premium ice cream, met and actually exceeded my expectations. First is the place, the ambiance is splendid! high end themed creamery and a cool place to hang out. The crew is very friendly and approachable which creates a bubbly, fun environment. Also for first timers, they give free tastes once they saw you interested. The accommodation is very well managed.

Also, they have a unique way of marketing their product. While they're preparing for our orders, it was interesting to watch because they're like bartenders.. but for ice cream. They were doing stunts and exhibitions with the ice cream. When my order was up, I walked to the cashier but then the crew shouted "STOP!". I froze. "Catch your ice cream, Jeannie, catch your ice cream!" then acted like he's gonna THROW my ice cream towards me! I was so shocked and tried to manage and then he ACTUALLY THREW IT! hahaha. I was an awesome experience, really. And very good marketing! It is how they market their thick premium ice cream. In Dairy Queen they serve it upside down but in Coldstone, they took it to the extreme level and serve it flying hahaha. After that trick you can see people gathering around the place wanting to experience the same service.

From here you can see why they got a lot of patrons/loyal customers.

The ice cream itself was SPECTACULAR! I was satisfied how the ingredients said in the menu was all visible in the ice cream. I meant the false image advertising. Some stores say for example, it contains choco fudge when in reality they just put some choco syrup. Im pertaining about the QUALITY here. In Coldstone, once they said it has pecans, brownies, its not just any kind of peanut, they'd really put pecans. they don't put just any kind of brownie to cut costs, they put a brownie with of high-end quality. Another food in your "MUST-TRY list".

FOOD TRIP SERIES: Amo Yamie Crib!!

Okay soooo.. I've bee wanting to try this one out and yes, at last! I've had a taste of it just last december haha :) I've known this cafe for awhile now before ko siya ma-try but it only exists in pampanga. Then just last October, I think, they opened a branch in U-belt!! I was so psyched! Amo Yamie Crib is known for its cute appearance because of its crib-like theme and unique dining experience.

I went there with my elementary friends :) We had a reunion after about 5 years of being apart </3 haha. Anyways..

Rate: 8/10

The ambiance is SPECTACULAR! It's a nice place to hang-out with your friends. The food is great. Great presentation. I love how they used a mason jar for the drink/smoothie and the Oreo Cheesecake Flowerpot. Yes, that vase with a flower is not a design but an oreo cheesecake! haha. But in terms of the taste of food, there really is nothing new. The burger bites and fries tastes like any ordinary burger and fries. The smoothies though are delicious! ;) However, The smoothie I ordered, which is the "A-Reese in Wonderland", tastes too salty. Also the service is a "No no". It was a messed up service. It took me a while to realize that only a crew is in charge per crib, where there is 4-7 students per crib, which results to a slow service. Plus, the service crews were not very approachable and welcoming. Another thing is the accommodation and organization. They're having trouble with accommodating all the customers, maybe a reason is that the place is too small. We waited for 3 hours just to get a sit in the house.

I would've rated them 7 if not for the very unique theme and ambiance. In my opinion, what you're really paying for in this cafe is the ambiance, the theme, and the presentation of food. Nowadays, the battle is really about presentation, ambiance and service.