My Boracay Souvenir

This is actually a very late post of mine.  We went to Boracay last February of this year, but this how much Boracay as always can captivate my heart that I chose her as the topic in my blog today.  

It was actually a surprised from hubby that we had this unexpected trip to paradise as an early summer treat for the 1st quarter of 2014. It's nice that we travel via PAL although my first time via Kalibo and that's the only thing unacceptable to me on this trip.  Upon landing in Kalibo airport we ride a private van for a 2 hour road trip going to the pier for a ride in a boat to finally reach the paradise island. The road trip is not so friendly as it almost make me have a goose bump where I would be needing an air sickness bag more than I did in the plane! The long road trip with many turns and curves like a trip going to Baguio...., just like that.

Our flight was early night of 6:10 pm. 45 minutes flight, 2hours road trip and 15minutes boat ride will bring you to Boracay island paradise. 

Hefty family dinner at sea side

After our check-in in the hotel, we rest for awhile, dress up and off we walk around to look for a place to satisfy our hunger pangs after the long road trip.  We find Gerry's Grill to be just perfect wherein we dine al fresco by the sea side. Ordered their signature dish sisig, adobong pusit, barbeque chicken and to have soup we pick the sinigang sa ulo.  We also ordered lobster in the other local restaurant beside them.

Fresh lobsters is also a must-try in Boracay. 

Gerry's Grill Sisig is the best.  

Would also be nice to try Mongolian Grill..there are 2 of them catering mongolian dish.  

Because Boracay is one of the most sought tourist destination in the Philippines, I would suggest she is best enjoyed in the morning. Early morning we wake up and enjoy the solidarity and calmness of the beach with still very few people in the white-sand beach.  

As always it's sad when you wake up and it's your day of flight back to Manila.  Three days, two night sin Boracay is just so "bitin" as everyone would say. But then, ofcourse I'm sure to go back. Will take Caticlan route next time. :)  

Have your hair Boracay-braidified for only P175.  :)

So long, Farewell

I decided to write my last blog for this year 2013 by reflecting on some of the things which I believed either I shouldn't have done or I've done it in the wrong way. Like the way I might have handled my career path; disciplining my only son; financial matters in the business; being anti-social once in a while (I have less dinner or night out with my girls this year compared to last year); and even my social media relationship. Therefore, if we make reflections over the years it's just prominent that we also make now a listing of the things we ought and decided with whole heart and full will to do and to follow to be able to accomplish what's in My Bucketlist for the year 2014.:

Let's start with the 10th Resolution in My Bucketlist. This quote is indeed so true as people usually drained themselves thinking, sorting things out which in the long run they don't really have the power to control. But.... The only thing we have power on is ourselves. The way we will react to every situation laid in front of us. 

9th Resolution - I will not concern myself anymore what other people will say. Specially if their comments are mainly coming out from their "green-eyed" monster. Last year of 2013 I would usually concern what other people will say or even feel. But then, tables turned it's their turn to speak or concern if they are hurting other people (like me), I saw that they're not even sensitive enough to my feelings. So I thought, "Oh.., I've been so concern about not hurting them in the past on what I might have done or said....but here she is....so insensitive and self-centered. 

This 2014, I'll just BE ME. 

8th Resolution - too much of saying "Why me, why me..?!" 

Specially with a colleague who have this "crab mentality". 

Well here's for you now...."TRY ME!"  :) 

7th Resolution - I'll make this short. I promise myself to make my long long "dream baby" - a new business, that's what I mean! 

6th- I've been long wanting to learn how to bake and eventually have my own bake shop. This year 2014, I promise myself to give my heart's delight by fulfilling this dream. Kiddos! Wish me luck! :) 

5th Resolution - a quote very we'll said by Buddha. 

Worry is one of the culprit that pops up inside my mind every once in a while. 

But this year, I decided to make it powerless and eventually throw it on the trash. 

I've been doing my daily physical exercise, keeping track of my weight scale and minding my eating habits. I believe this mantra of the great Buddha works hand in hand with my current healthy lifestyle.  :) 

4th Resolution - uhmmmm...., this quote makes me smile! As I thought.....time to make a wish! Or literally, what should I ask for..?! What is it that I've been wanting but I'm not receiving because in the first place I didn't ask for it! This saying is very true my dear bloggers.  I remember a situation in the office wherein I wouldn't be getting this "new thing" had I not asked for it insisting I deserved that after a long wait and that I can be more productive using and working with it more than giving me an old crap. And the ambassador got my point! :) 

In Jesus term: "Ask and you shall received; knock and the door will be open unto you."  

3rd Resolution - let's include what the late Paul Walker quoted: 

 Sometimes all that really and should matter in our life is Family. How are they, if they are okay, fine, healthy and happy. Everything else just follows. Even if you'll get all riches in the world but your family is not beside you for you to share all this richness.....I assure you, you'll feel so lonely and you'll be nothing but a loser. 

2nd Resolution - this is just a modern version of what Christ has been teaching us - to: "Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you."  Even if we don't agree on certain things with our colleague in the office (even if she's the most _____hole you met in your entire life).... Still, still be kind to her. Because what that person is doing you wrong is a statement of herself and not you. Besides our haters got crazier when they see that despite everything they fault on us, we're still kind, sweet and happy!!!! :) 

1st Resolution - as always we should put this thing on top of our list! Or else we cannot do what the rest in My Bucketlist. 

This saying is a reminder that karma still works. Relative to no. 2, we should keep in mind that what goes around, goes around like a boomerang. Besides this is what the world needs in the real essence of healing the world. Let's heal this world with kindness, truthfulness, honesty and with love. 

There you go my dear bloggers. I hope I will be able to open up a little if not the whole of your two eyes in this little reflections we did over the year of 2013. 

Christmas Trinkets

Christmas Eve and I just thought I just have to write my one last journal before December is over.  Seeing all the Christmas trinkets during this holiday season is a real candy to my eyes. For me, they bring me back to my childhood. They make me remember that I was once a Santa-fan child, a believer of "there's a gift inside your Christmas socks". And make me accept that it's my son's turn now to wait for Santa and believe in the spirit of Christmas. Carry on,  read on and learn a little from me as I share you the meaning of different Christmas trinkets.

Snow Flakes - I always dream of a white Christmas. That's why I soooo love snowflakes. White colors in Christmas simply represents the purity it has in color. Simply pure heart that Our Savior ask from us mankind.

The Candy Cane - remember the "Bethlehem" statues neatly placed by your mom beside the Christmas tree...? Then look at the shepherd's crook, which is used to bring lost lambs back to the fold. Now you know, this candy cane are not just for sweet tooth but to remind us that Jesus our Savior is calling us back to the fold!

The Candle - reflects light. The 3 Kings on the way to finding the Bethlehem follow the light coming from the star above. That's why during this Christmas Holiday we always lit a candle on the dinner table, on the front door or lawn, or besides the Christmas tree to mirror a starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem. 

The Star, Color Red, Reindeer and Christmas Tree - all are very symbolic and obviously represents each scenario happened on the day of Nativity. The Star is a sign that the prophecy was fulfilled and symbol of hope for mankind. That's why on top of our Christmas tree the star is the star of trinkets. Red color is as always a symbol of LOVE.  And the Christmas Tree or Fir Tree before is the symbol of Evergreen - green is a symbol of HOPE. And of LIFE. It's like the fresh breath if air from a new born child. 

And Santa said: "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas..." 

Noodles Festivities!

One of the foods that I can consider as a Filipino staple is "pancit" or rice noodles.  What made me say so is simply because of its easiness to prepare (it has many ingredients but are always available in the market and are cheap), its accessibility (every city in NCR have their own specialty on preparing this delicious noodle rice) and it's being delicious to eat yet very much affordable.  Therefore, I would like to share to you some of my favorite "kinds" of pancit to eat.  

Pancit Palabok - I love this native pancit because of its mix taste of sweet and salty mix sauce.  I love it more when it is decorated with many green and leafy veggies.  But the best part is topping this rice noddles with hard boiled eggs sliced thinly and scattered all over the top. 

I would usually pair "palabok" with donut. :)

Mongolian Noodles - are also  a heaven to eat. Around 2009 our baby Healthy Mongolian Grill became a trend.  People love to eat this hot and they enjoy watching their noodles being cooked live! There are many ingredients in a mongolian noodle.  Hence, a "buffet style" set-up is much easier for clients to be choosing what ingredients they like to put in their customized meal.  As some would prefer chicken meat for a pork meat.

Choose your own ingredients! :)





Our long buffet table to feast on! :)

                                       

Japanese Ramen - a very popular noodle soup in Japan, although Ramen noodles are originally Chinese style noodles, but it's been changed and improved.  This is so popular food to eat when in Japan, that Ramen street carts open late at night, to sophisticated Ramen specialty shops  in the city.  Here's a little knowledge on ramen:  Ramen has two components, the noodles and the soup.  You can use Chinese noodles, wheat noodles (a healthier version so as they say), and angel hair pasta are also use. For the soup, it could be soup in soy sauce (meaning it is tasted using soy sauce), Miso, and Shio or salt.  Broth of either chicken, pork or seafood are use as the base to be seasoned with soy sauce, miso or salt.  :)  That's why you can find in the instant cup noodles, saying: "Pork Flavor", or "Chicken Flavor" and the "Seafood Flavor".  

                                         

Kuwait Noodles -  Arab countries have the saffron noodles as they call it.  It is same with the noodles of Singapore.  As my work let me enjoy this import products every once in a year after our yearly International Bazaar.  This noodles is superb in its being "al-dente".  The pasta noodle is not easily spoiled also.  Because of it's many goodness, I have come to conclude that their noodle is one of my favorite.  I tried cooking it garnishing it over with only some basil leave on top (or spinach will also do), and some sliced hard-egg...halas! ready to eat!  



Buddy's - last, last Sunday our family had a chance to eat dinner after mass in Greenbelt Chapel.  Just across the street is Buddy's Restaurant. Off we went and experienced a native dinner like no other.  For me, in this fast growing business in the rice noodles or "pancit" in native tongue, Buddy's was able to survive over the years.  Still, they cook so fresh, they cook so good and they make the original pancit lucban best! 

I love its taste after pouring some native-seasoned vinegar.!

My Mommy's Mami - yes you read it right. For me, still the best kind of noodle (recipe) to eat is my Mom's Mami Noodles.  Last time I visited my parents house, my mom prepare her original Mami recipe.  Since then, I've been wanting to visit every week. But ofcourse, she can't afford to be just repeatedly preparing and serving us her Mami.  :)

Mom's original recipe ingredients are:  first class mami chinese noodles, hard-egg, toasted garlic for toppings 

Cupcakes Galore!, Anyone?

Should have been last month that I published this blog about the random blooming of cupcakes in the city everywhere! But since I'm the kind of blogger who hardly find time to just sit down in my favorite off-white, dirty beige couch (designed like the one you saw in the movie Up!) with either my leather (Starbucks) journal book or just write everything directly in my iPad, found time just now. Anyway, I assure you my dear readers that you will get a concrete points and tips as to whose baking the best cupcake in town! Read on...! ;)

my couch?! the box is where i put my stationery journals..

The very first cupcake I tasted in the market was Hazelberry by Ara. Well you should have heard that after a year of enrolling in a culinary/baking school, former actress Ara Mina or Hazel Reyes in real name, has got her golden hands in baking cupcakes and cookies. And I would say she's a success on this. My finger crossed her IG site one day, and upon reading all the "yummy and delicious" comments there, block off the date specified for her next bazaar.

It was Sunday and the venue is in Centrist Mall in Quezon Avenue. Tagging my husband along (but mostly just for the purpose of driving for me), he and my 12year old son accompanied me. I was lucky enough to meet ms. Ara herself or Hazel she was nice and accommodating. Telling me about the different pastry she herself made as testified by her cousin and all her corteus staff there!  Okay, to finally share you my rating on her cupcake goodies I tried the very famous Red Velvet Cupcake. "Heaven"....was what my mind says after taking my first bite. The bread was soooo soft and the top icing is so enticing. Just very right sweetness that complement the cupcake's body. I tried the oatmeal cookies and their just so perfectly created. I remember hating the store I previously bought on my oatmeal cookie bag because I was so craving that time and I badly needed one. Whooah! It was awful coz the cookie might be a week old already, so hard and textures not good. I know should not be mentioning which store I bought it. ;)

So the ending, you should have guessed it right, I take home with me 2tray of Hazelberry Red Velvet Cupcake; 1bag of Oatmeal Cookie ( thinking it would be healthy for my little John); and 1box of coconut macaroons. And my husband beg me we should go. The price? Red velvet at P400++ cookie at P175 and macaroons @ P200++.  Then a bonus pic with the artist.

My next cupcake adventure was in the Royal Touch Cupcake. What attracted me first on this place to come is their interior design of : it's like calling His Royal Highness' Cupcake but of  modern touch. There's a four-seater table and there's couch or sofa style too. Each table is adorned with cute and very dainty flower arrangement in small cute and dainty pot or some are in vase. Me and my friend order cupcake according to its appearance, I guess. Not being familiar yet with each and every flavors taste I pick the ever famous Vanilla Cupcake. "Second Heaven" I'd say. The cake is soft, taste fresh but I hate the event that one slice the body is falling apart already. Does that mean it's not well-done, too much flour or dough? Or just not "fully made-up body". I don't know but anyway aside from the fact that it's delicious taste is well complemented with their free house tea (every order of 3cupcake) I can't taste the vanilla flavor at all. I don't know what to say now.....uhmmmm, it's yummy and delicious I swear but I can't taste the taste I supposed to taste as it's cupcake name says: "Vanilla Cupcake".

Vanilla Cupcake was next in my bucket list. As this cupcake shop has been long time booming in the industry and is so accessibly located in the Glorietta mall I found a day after a mass one Sunday afternoon with my John to go and visit the place. The shop is very. Dainty, neat looking, so "fairy-tale like" and so Audrey I'd say. We're so lucky enough that day to be sitting just exactly on the beautiful chair I was eyeing. I ordered Red Velvet Cupcake ( since the staff highly recommend it as their best seller) and for John he ask for chocolate (well, what can you expect for kids choice).  They provide

free drinking water contained in a goblet (wow, sosssy!) although I ordered a hot chocolate marshmallows for my John. :) since this place has been taking the first place in town because of its exposure and  growing branches I expected too much. Well here's my taste-findings.

Light sweetness only, soft cake, soft icings and flavorful chocolate. Fair enough, I guess.

 

 

 

they also offer Hot Choco with Marshmallows (like our fave Swiss Miss)!

Two thumbs!! for their chocolate flavor. Kids love it!!

 

Vanilla Cupcake's Halloween cupcake!!




 
I gave my little John a surprise cake on his birthday last November 6, and as told you I don't have much time to sit down and stay in my favorite chair located at "my own space" in one corner of our house, mows the only time I'm free for this journal. We just had a simple celebration of  John's birthday over a dinner in one of the pizza parlor in the place. While seating and waiting for our order I come across this "Cupcake by Sonja" just across the escalator in front of our restaurant that evening.  And so I thought maybe they also have a little bit of cakes for occasion. Off I went. Although the dine-in setting is not attractive for me at all, unlike the Royal Touch Cupcake, wherein you want to stay forever for a day, I found their cupcakes a little limited in numbers. (Which I like most, so that I wouldn't have a hard time making my choice). I asked the very friendly staff: "Do you have special cupcakes for occasion or birthday in particular?" "We can put a candle on top of the cupcake ma'm, but as for the flavors here's all we got". She recommend the chocolate flavor or the banana and mango flavor as the most kids choice. I chose the banana since I know John like eating banana fruit might as well he likes banana flavored cupcake. Besides it's the only cupcake there with a blue-colored icing on top and it's simple. To make the story short, I asked the friendly staff if she can deliver the cupcake just across the restaurant we're dining in after around 20minutes. Without any hesitation she and the other male staff there easily agreed! I was surprised but thankful their so accommodating. ;)  And that night for me was the best "cupcake night" for me. Before making my first slice of the cupcake, I try to smell it......and I did smell! It's so light sweet and freshly-baked smelling! With this I got even more excited to finally taste Cupcakes by Sonja. Delicioso! Delicious! Yummy and taste so newly, freshly baked, sooooo soft cake and so nutty icings. And then I finally said this is the "Best Heaven".

So there you go my dear readers. My blog and rating for each four cupcakes I tasted in town!

The Royal Touch Cupcake - Heaven
Hazelberry and Vanilla Cupcake - Second Heaven