Hello, remember me?
I know, I know...
It's been a while, right?
When was my last post again?
February!!
Gosh.
And it's like, what month are we in now?
Nearing June, right? Right.
Before the flower month ends,
I will be alive again.
Promise.
Let's make a pinky promise.
Because you know what?
Despite the lack of sleep due to our new "baby",
blogging keeps on haunting me.
And so, I gave in.
And so I am back.
And so let's begin.
Sharing everything that makes my life as a wife and a mom a blissful experience.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
MTV Cribs: Manny Pacquiao
Monday, January 24, 2011
My Birthday - Good food. Good times. Good fun.
.............................
January 23, 2011 -- Happy birthday to me!! Yesterday, I celebrated the anniversary of my 25th birthday. Of course I am not giving away my age, for they say that most of the time, I do not look like it. Thanks to my own Belo and Calayan in the form of positive attitude, happy disposition in life, love of comedy film, and music. And the biggest factor of all--my big man and my little man, who when I watch play and make a fool of themselves together, give me that instant face lift. These are the reasons, I suppose, that make me not look my age most of the time. That's most of the time, I am stressing that out, for there are times I look older than my real age. I am thinking the culprit would be sleepless nights due to deadlines,or due to paperworks brought home, or due to my little man's unpredictable sleeping behavior, or due to dvd marathon. Lack of sleep that brought stress, that brought sagging of the face, wrinkles, fine lines and out-of-this-world tantrums. Sleepless nights can really bring out the monster in me, physically and attitude-wise. Other than that, not patting myself on the back, a lot really say I do not look like my age. I really hope so.
Prior my natal day, my cousins planned of a dinner date for all of us. We went to Yakimix in Tomas Morato. Original plan was in Trinoma branch but due to the long queue, majority decided to shift to Morato. Elmer and I were the first ones to arrive, and by then we found out that we did not have a reservation! Yakimix, now gaining a large population of followers, is full especially on weekends. Reservation is a must, really. We were like 18 hungry ones, so we had a hard time arranging ourselves in one table. After a long 1 hour of waiting, we finally had a taste of their all-you-can-eat dishes. Japanese food reign on the buffet, yet there were some Filipino food (I saw a crispy pata) and surprisingly, Italian (there was a pizza there, I swear!) Sushi person that I am, my tummy feasted with different kinds of sushi they have there. I enjoyed their salmon and tuna sashimi so much. Valued at more or less 650.00 per head (depends on your add-ons), with a lot of food on the buffet, this rate is not bad at all. Later that night, we transfered to Starbucks and there we welcomed my birthday. I felt so old, who wouldn't? I am the eldest of all the cousins, and there they were with me. But I also feel so young, for despite the age differences, we still have times like this bonding with each other over some plateful of yummy dishes.
I usually celebrate my birthday in two days. The birthday itself, the 23rd, with my Rockville/Bonifacio family, and the day after with my Fairview/Kimpo family. My Rockville treat would always be at home. My dad dreads going out for whatever reason so you will find me dialing numbers of food delivery service so I can still treat my family in the comforts of our home. Not losing hope each year, I still announced my plan of treating them out on my birthday. I expected my dad's usual contra-reaction. Surprisingly, dad just kept mum about it and everybody was kinda surprised of this big leap (big leap na talaga 'to!). So on my birthday, I treated them for lunch at Romulo Cafe.
I am not at all new to Romulo's and in fact I also blogged my first Romulo experience here. We ordered the bestsellers: kare kare and flying tilapia. This time, we added another best seller on our table--the pancit puti. Everybody raved about the food we had at Romulo Cafe.
Later around 6;20pm, we went to the restaurant where I put my reservation for dinner with my Fairview family. Yes, this time, I celebrated it with them on the day of my birthday itself. The restaurant, whenever I pass there, stirred my curiosity for aside from the great interiors that can be viewed from outside, the place is always full not to mention the peeps lined up outside patiently waiting for their names to be called. So because the place really looked interesting, I decided to bring my Fairview fam there. The restaurant's name is Lugang Cafe. Quite an odd name for a restaurant, I thought. Later I found out that this restaurant is the famous Bellagio in Shanghai that is known for their delicious Taiwanese dishes. Now in Manila, they changed Bellagio into Lugang, one of Taiwan's best places.
Lugang Cafe's interior is awesome! The walls are of different designs. Our side of the wall have bricks with mirror-like posts in front that when viewed from several meters away looked like a weaving pattern. The wall in front of (but a bit far from) us have a different pattern in which I cannot describe blow by blow for I had no chance to scrutinize but it looked like a weaved pattern of some solid material in immaculate white. Our couch has black and white swirls that goes very well with the wall behind it, while some couches in the middle are made of cream leather material. For some reason, the chairs remind me of Gucci and Chanel patterns. Lugang Cafe's door is a massive one and is really beautiful, that kuya Edmund, the one that has an eye for what's pretty when it comes to furniture and interior, noticed it at once.
We ordered Lugang bestsellers: 3 cup chicken, beef with crullers, spicy dory (fish), and golden rice.
..............................
January 23, 2011 -- Happy birthday to me!! Yesterday, I celebrated the anniversary of my 25th birthday. Of course I am not giving away my age, for they say that most of the time, I do not look like it. Thanks to my own Belo and Calayan in the form of positive attitude, happy disposition in life, love of comedy film, and music. And the biggest factor of all--my big man and my little man, who when I watch play and make a fool of themselves together, give me that instant face lift. These are the reasons, I suppose, that make me not look my age most of the time. That's most of the time, I am stressing that out, for there are times I look older than my real age. I am thinking the culprit would be sleepless nights due to deadlines,or due to paperworks brought home, or due to my little man's unpredictable sleeping behavior, or due to dvd marathon. Lack of sleep that brought stress, that brought sagging of the face, wrinkles, fine lines and out-of-this-world tantrums. Sleepless nights can really bring out the monster in me, physically and attitude-wise. Other than that, not patting myself on the back, a lot really say I do not look like my age. I really hope so.
Prior my natal day, my cousins planned of a dinner date for all of us. We went to Yakimix in Tomas Morato. Original plan was in Trinoma branch but due to the long queue, majority decided to shift to Morato. Elmer and I were the first ones to arrive, and by then we found out that we did not have a reservation! Yakimix, now gaining a large population of followers, is full especially on weekends. Reservation is a must, really. We were like 18 hungry ones, so we had a hard time arranging ourselves in one table. After a long 1 hour of waiting, we finally had a taste of their all-you-can-eat dishes. Japanese food reign on the buffet, yet there were some Filipino food (I saw a crispy pata) and surprisingly, Italian (there was a pizza there, I swear!) Sushi person that I am, my tummy feasted with different kinds of sushi they have there. I enjoyed their salmon and tuna sashimi so much. Valued at more or less 650.00 per head (depends on your add-ons), with a lot of food on the buffet, this rate is not bad at all. Later that night, we transfered to Starbucks and there we welcomed my birthday. I felt so old, who wouldn't? I am the eldest of all the cousins, and there they were with me. But I also feel so young, for despite the age differences, we still have times like this bonding with each other over some plateful of yummy dishes.
 |
| Yakimix in Tomas Morato |
 |
| I enjoyed a lot of sushi in different colors and shapes (and calories!) |
 |
They also have a shabu-shabu |
I usually celebrate my birthday in two days. The birthday itself, the 23rd, with my Rockville/Bonifacio family, and the day after with my Fairview/Kimpo family. My Rockville treat would always be at home. My dad dreads going out for whatever reason so you will find me dialing numbers of food delivery service so I can still treat my family in the comforts of our home. Not losing hope each year, I still announced my plan of treating them out on my birthday. I expected my dad's usual contra-reaction. Surprisingly, dad just kept mum about it and everybody was kinda surprised of this big leap (big leap na talaga 'to!). So on my birthday, I treated them for lunch at Romulo Cafe.
I am not at all new to Romulo's and in fact I also blogged my first Romulo experience here. We ordered the bestsellers: kare kare and flying tilapia. This time, we added another best seller on our table--the pancit puti. Everybody raved about the food we had at Romulo Cafe.
 |
| I do not know why despite my knowledge of Romulo Cafe's swirls of black and white interior, I still wore this blouse. I only noticed it when my sis pointed it out. What a booboo!   |
Later around 6;20pm, we went to the restaurant where I put my reservation for dinner with my Fairview family. Yes, this time, I celebrated it with them on the day of my birthday itself. The restaurant, whenever I pass there, stirred my curiosity for aside from the great interiors that can be viewed from outside, the place is always full not to mention the peeps lined up outside patiently waiting for their names to be called. So because the place really looked interesting, I decided to bring my Fairview fam there. The restaurant's name is Lugang Cafe. Quite an odd name for a restaurant, I thought. Later I found out that this restaurant is the famous Bellagio in Shanghai that is known for their delicious Taiwanese dishes. Now in Manila, they changed Bellagio into Lugang, one of Taiwan's best places.
 |
| Elmer, my big man, enjoyed the couch of black and white swirls that goes very well with the weave-like wall behind it. |
We ordered Lugang bestsellers: 3 cup chicken, beef with crullers, spicy dory (fish), and golden rice.
 |
| Spicy Dory is a personal fave. The dory fish is so tender, and the spicy-ness is a bit powerful yet not that kind that will make you quit munching anytime. In fact, I had this without rice, so to appreciate the taste more. I love it! |
 |
| No meal is complete without the rice. |
 |
| Small chicken parts cooked in 1 cup sesame oil, 1 cup rice wine, and 1 cup soy sauce, hence the name: 3 Cup Chicken. I love how the marinade of three different sauces blend well together coming up with a yummy dish. p290 good for three. |
 |
| Beef with chinese crullers is my personal favorite. It has thinly sliced beef, that was so tender with crunchy bicho bicho, all embraced by the tasty sauce. This one is a steal for P280.00 good for three. My lovely SIL's gave me cakes from Conti's. I was really craving for a Mango Bravo and they turned into mind readers that day for they gave me just what I craved for. We finished Mango Bravo so fast! My little man loved it too!! |
____________
Yakimix - 2nd floor, Forum Building, 270 Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
Reservation is a must - (02)3857500
Romulo Cafe - 32 Scout Tuazon corner Dr. Lazcano, Tomas Morato, Quezon City
Though they allow walk-in's, it is still wise to reserve- (02)3327275
Lugang Cafe - 115 Connecticut St., North Greenhills, San Juan
Reservation up to 6:30 only and they allow 15mins allowance.
7:00 pm onwards are for walkin's - (02)7757599
..............................
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Precious Moments Haven
..............................
Having a collection, I guess, is part of growing up. When I was in grade school, I would collect Sanrio items, Hello Kitty being the queen of them all. In high school and some years in college, my collection of Sanrio stuff dwindled and my attention went to these dolls that are so adorable because of their teardrop-shaped eyes. These dolls, famous around the world as Precious Moments, are the creations of Samuel Butcher. He gave Precious Moments sketches as gifts to friends and relatives, until 1970 when he and a friend formally started a business out of it. They sold greeting cards and posters of Precious Moments and the response in the market was overwhelming. Not long enough, Enesco, a global leader in giftware, garden, home and decor industries, approached Samuel and requested to make a three-dimensional figurine of Precious Moments. When he saw the first sample of the porcelain figurine, he knew right then that it was Precious Moment's time to shine. And it's been shining so brightly up to this day.
*This video shows how Precious Moments are made*
The success of his creation did not satisfy Sam. Since he is a man of faith and devotion, he showed his honor to the Lord by building a chapel inspired by Precious Moments. It was opened in 1989 and millions of visitors came to share the faith and admire his works. The chapel, located at Carthage, Missouri is a sight to behold with angels, stained glass, and different art works from Sam. In almost every corner, there reflected Sam's faith and devotion to the Lord--angels everywhere, framed prayers, and other stuff that shows his belief to his creator. The grounds where the chapel was built is called Precious Moments Park.
Here in the Philippines, there is also a Precious Moments resort found in Kalibo, Aklan. Owner of this resort is none other than Samuel Butcher himself. Sampaguita Gardens, as it is called, is a vast land that is popular to tourists landing in Kalibo. Being a Precious Moments fanatic, it was quite an experience for me when we stayed there. There were couple of Precious Moments life size figurines, and a lot more in their showroom. Tons of Precious Moments in different sizes, themes, colors, and figures made my eyes twinkle in delight. The stuffed dolls were placed loosely everywhere, but the porcelain ones were secured in the cabinets. Despite my buffet breakfast disappointment (I am a sucker of breakfast buffets but theirs was a turn-off), I still look forward to finding myself inside the Sampaguita Garden grounds.
Now, there's a thought that's been bothering me since that Sampaguita Garden Resort experience... shall I revive my Precious Moments collection or not? Hmmmm....
...............................
Having a collection, I guess, is part of growing up. When I was in grade school, I would collect Sanrio items, Hello Kitty being the queen of them all. In high school and some years in college, my collection of Sanrio stuff dwindled and my attention went to these dolls that are so adorable because of their teardrop-shaped eyes. These dolls, famous around the world as Precious Moments, are the creations of Samuel Butcher. He gave Precious Moments sketches as gifts to friends and relatives, until 1970 when he and a friend formally started a business out of it. They sold greeting cards and posters of Precious Moments and the response in the market was overwhelming. Not long enough, Enesco, a global leader in giftware, garden, home and decor industries, approached Samuel and requested to make a three-dimensional figurine of Precious Moments. When he saw the first sample of the porcelain figurine, he knew right then that it was Precious Moment's time to shine. And it's been shining so brightly up to this day.
*This video shows how Precious Moments are made*
The success of his creation did not satisfy Sam. Since he is a man of faith and devotion, he showed his honor to the Lord by building a chapel inspired by Precious Moments. It was opened in 1989 and millions of visitors came to share the faith and admire his works. The chapel, located at Carthage, Missouri is a sight to behold with angels, stained glass, and different art works from Sam. In almost every corner, there reflected Sam's faith and devotion to the Lord--angels everywhere, framed prayers, and other stuff that shows his belief to his creator. The grounds where the chapel was built is called Precious Moments Park.
Here in the Philippines, there is also a Precious Moments resort found in Kalibo, Aklan. Owner of this resort is none other than Samuel Butcher himself. Sampaguita Gardens, as it is called, is a vast land that is popular to tourists landing in Kalibo. Being a Precious Moments fanatic, it was quite an experience for me when we stayed there. There were couple of Precious Moments life size figurines, and a lot more in their showroom. Tons of Precious Moments in different sizes, themes, colors, and figures made my eyes twinkle in delight. The stuffed dolls were placed loosely everywhere, but the porcelain ones were secured in the cabinets. Despite my buffet breakfast disappointment (I am a sucker of breakfast buffets but theirs was a turn-off), I still look forward to finding myself inside the Sampaguita Garden grounds.
Now, there's a thought that's been bothering me since that Sampaguita Garden Resort experience... shall I revive my Precious Moments collection or not? Hmmmm....
...............................
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sun, splash and sand with little man
..............................
Boracay! Yes, my little man experienced Boracay already, and I am so proud of him. Barely two years old, he already experienced the sun, the splash and the white sand of Boracay.
Prior to this, I was worried on Migo's reaction to his first airplane ride. I prepared my "resbak" just in case he gets cranky inside the plane. I uploaded the Ipod Touch kuya Eric gave Elmer and I last Christmas (a huge thank you, kuya Eric!) with videos that would make him settle--Mickey Mouse singing the Clubhouse theme, trailers of Despicable Me (his favorite film this time), Eensy weensy spider nursery rhyme video, and Spongebob Squarepants video. I also loaded my bag with his favorite bread, some candies, and I also prepared milk. These things would perfectly pacify my Migo. Though it was his first time, he did not misbehave and that was quite unexpected. He was not malikot, he did not cry, and he was good all throughout the ride. As a matter of fact, he even fell asleep halfway through the ride.
Boat transfer goimg Boracay was a different story. It was sooooo hard for Elmer and I especially with three traveling bags in tow, plus a little man attached on my hip. I had no choice but to allow the manongs to carry Migo to the boat. Me carrying him from the shore to the boat was impossible, so I really had no choice but to resort to the manongs.
Elmer's cousin, pretty Annie, arranged everything from transfers to accomodations. Must be a not-so-easy task to arrange and be responsible for almost 60 pax, but since it's Annie's forte, she did it with ease. Everything she arranged went perfect. We stayed in Paradise Garden found in Boracay's station 3. The place was decent enough and big for all of us Kimpos who were there. The staff was polite and friendly, always greeting us and giving us their beautiful smiles. Just eight minutes going to the beach, this place is cool enough to stay in.
The three of us went out for a walk past twelve noon and the first thing we searched for-- food. When we were in Boracay last 2005, we were hooked with this humble resto that served cheap yet really delicious food. I am talking about Smoke. We desperately searched for it (we already forgot where it was located), and luckily after almost an hour of looking, we found it. The diners there were mostly tourists, and if I remember it right, there were only two tables occupied by Pinoys. I ordered spicy chicken, my usual favorite. The food, after all these years, YUM!!
After the food trip, we went to the water for it was already time for my little man to have fun with Boracay sands and waters. He enjoyed it so much! He enjoyed Boracay for two days! What a lucky little fellow!
Boracay! Yes, my little man experienced Boracay already, and I am so proud of him. Barely two years old, he already experienced the sun, the splash and the white sand of Boracay.
Prior to this, I was worried on Migo's reaction to his first airplane ride. I prepared my "resbak" just in case he gets cranky inside the plane. I uploaded the Ipod Touch kuya Eric gave Elmer and I last Christmas (a huge thank you, kuya Eric!) with videos that would make him settle--Mickey Mouse singing the Clubhouse theme, trailers of Despicable Me (his favorite film this time), Eensy weensy spider nursery rhyme video, and Spongebob Squarepants video. I also loaded my bag with his favorite bread, some candies, and I also prepared milk. These things would perfectly pacify my Migo. Though it was his first time, he did not misbehave and that was quite unexpected. He was not malikot, he did not cry, and he was good all throughout the ride. As a matter of fact, he even fell asleep halfway through the ride.
Boat transfer goimg Boracay was a different story. It was sooooo hard for Elmer and I especially with three traveling bags in tow, plus a little man attached on my hip. I had no choice but to allow the manongs to carry Migo to the boat. Me carrying him from the shore to the boat was impossible, so I really had no choice but to resort to the manongs.
Elmer's cousin, pretty Annie, arranged everything from transfers to accomodations. Must be a not-so-easy task to arrange and be responsible for almost 60 pax, but since it's Annie's forte, she did it with ease. Everything she arranged went perfect. We stayed in Paradise Garden found in Boracay's station 3. The place was decent enough and big for all of us Kimpos who were there. The staff was polite and friendly, always greeting us and giving us their beautiful smiles. Just eight minutes going to the beach, this place is cool enough to stay in.
The three of us went out for a walk past twelve noon and the first thing we searched for-- food. When we were in Boracay last 2005, we were hooked with this humble resto that served cheap yet really delicious food. I am talking about Smoke. We desperately searched for it (we already forgot where it was located), and luckily after almost an hour of looking, we found it. The diners there were mostly tourists, and if I remember it right, there were only two tables occupied by Pinoys. I ordered spicy chicken, my usual favorite. The food, after all these years, YUM!!
After the food trip, we went to the water for it was already time for my little man to have fun with Boracay sands and waters. He enjoyed it so much! He enjoyed Boracay for two days! What a lucky little fellow!
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