Life!
Sep 30, 2016
City Buffet Galleria: Could Have Been Better
Jul 29, 2016
Last night, I had a chance to eat again at City Buffet in Robinsons Galleria. In case you missed it, I did my first review of this palce in 2012 and fast forward to 2016, I didn't think there was an improvement. Again, I was not paying for the meal because it was a birthday treat and while I thoroughly enjoy the evening with my best friends, I couldn't say the same for the food.
The dinner buffet on a weekday was at P399, inclusive of unlimited drinks. The aircon was not working so there were huge fans in the dining area. Only a few tables were occupied, so it was not hot nor unpleasant.
As to the food, here are my plates and I think I have sampled everything except for the pasta and pizza. Of course, my first plate was from the sushi section and I had a piece of everything. No, they don't have salmon or tuna, only sushi. And they don't have shrimp tempura, only crabstick and vegetable. I asked, and they said they only serve shrimp tempura during weekends. Hayyyyy!
Anyway, so there was little selection and there were just a few people. But the service was great. The crew were all smiling, and apologetic when I asked about the tempura, and was very helpful in making the sukiyaki.
So, again, will I eat at City Buffet again? If free, yes. But if I were the one paying, I would rather eat somewhere else.
Road to Fab@40
Jul 27, 2016
I will be hitting my 4th decade next year, and so, I am making lifestyle changes today. I started with a gym membership last April, and a commitment to be Fab@40. I also plan to run a half marathon before the year ends. Why? Because I would rather spend for gym membership than maintenance medicine. I would rather out-plank my son and do more push-ups than him. Because, I want to do something today so that I will be more fabulous, and fit, in the next decade of my life!
This is not easy, but I am half way there as I have already the commitment to work out daily. Now, if I can only start to eat properly, hahahah!
Happy Birthday, Inay!
My beautiful mother turned 62 last week. I am very thankful that she is still strong and funny and with her loved ones at this. Sa dami na nyang pinagdaanan, she deserves to be happy. And I hope to be able to do that for her! I love you, Inay!
Once a Potterhead, Always!
Jul 20, 2016
I posted this picture for an Instagram contest that I joined for the 19th year anniversary of the Harry Potter book series. I am really a fan and have completed the books as gift from my co-workers and from my husband because they knew how much I love them.
As to my favorite quote, this one tops the list. Although there are so many quotables in the book, I believe that this one is the best. I wish that J.K. Rowling will write more books about Harry, but we all that its not possible. So just enjoy the books because they are such a great piece of literature.
Link Worth is Still Paying for Ads
Jun 13, 2016
I am happy to report that as of today, Linkworth is still paying for its ads, despite being delayed for more than 2 months, and after many,many emails from me. I have been with Linkworth since 2012 but have only written a few paid posts over the years and then just recently, in March this year. Then, come April, they said I have been paid, based on the payout invoice but it took a lot of emails for them to finally pay me last week. But hey, better late than never, right?
Yey, I now have seed money for my Hong Kong trip next year!
My First Podium Finish
Jun 7, 2016
Last Sunday, June 5 was Universal Robina's Fun Run for Every Juan and I ran 10k. And surprisingly, I finished 3rd in the female category! It was indeed a pleasant surprise because it came with a medal and a certificate, and P2,000 in cash! And it was my first podium finish!
So, how did I do it? I honestly don't know! But I think: 1) There were few female 10K runners, and 2) I ran more than I walk, which was not the normal for me. Anyway, it was such a heartwarming and pleasant surprise so maybe, I will just try to run more again, hahaha!
Papa John's Pizza
Mar 11, 2016
I am not really a huge fan of pizza (more of a burger fan), but when I was given gift certificate from Papa John's last Christmas, we went ahead and tried it. The kids loved it, especially the chicken poppers.
Not sure if I will buy it again though. I still prefer Yellowcab. Or Shakeys (for the mojos, actually).
Thursday Happiness
Feb 24, 2016
1. John Grisham
2. The Walking Dead
3. Survey for Thesis coming along fine
4. Little Store lumpia
5. My first born for bringing me to the office on our motorcycle. It was fun and scary to experience his driving for the first time.
6. Singapore next week! (For work though, hahaha!)
7. Its a holiday tomorrow and I am thinking of going up the mountains. Not very sure if my husband will allow me though.
8. Cleaning my office cube! And finding many shoes, hahaha.
9. Able to sustain no-meat and no-rice, so far.
10. Blogging for keeping me sane, or otherwise occupied. I should be writing my thesis! Hahaha
My First Trip Abroad
Feb 19, 2016
It was already 4 years ago today, but I can still remember my first trip abroad as if it was just yesterday. I was with a group of 5 girls (office mates) who were all younger, yet more traveled than me. So, while I was the oldest, I was the most excited, and the most scared, hahaha. Anyway, it was very memorable because it was my first trip, and it was to cross-off one item from my bucket list- to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
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| Sunrise in Angkor Wat |
Since then, I have been to Cambodia (2x), Vietnam (2x), Singapore (2x), Malaysia and Japan, and I have only begun! So may advise to you is to save, travel, enjoy and repeat! I have never regretted my decision to travel abroad, and my only wish is I could do it more often. But anyway, the few times that I do is really, really fun!
So again: save, travel, enjoy, repeat.
Thursday Happiness
Feb 18, 2016
1. Title Defense finally done and I think, I just might graduate this May!
2. Exercised everyday since Saturday. Yey!
3. New running shoes, thanks Aryssa!
4. Chinese Lumpia from Little Store
5. National Museum last Sunday with Le Familia
6. Free Uber ride with the hubby
7. Survey questionnaire just got approved.
8. Lam Tin Tea House. Love, love their food!
9. Kamote, For diet.
10. No rice and no meat for lent. So far, so good.
Thesis, Thesis
Feb 17, 2016
So, I think that I will finally be able to graduate this year. This is thanks to my classmates, officemates and friends who keep on urging me and encouraging me to go on. So I have to face my greatest fear, of doing my thesis.
So posting in this blog might be a bit sporadic. But I will try my best to still update from time to time.
Thursday Happiness
Jan 29, 2016
1. Van is coming out today, fingers-crossed!
2. Caryl and Roy's wedding last Sunday
3. The wedding reception: the food, the wine and the company!
4. Done with first consultation for the thesis and its looking good!
5. My new haircut
6. The Biggest Loser contest in the office
7. Running and doing NTC exercises every lunch for 3-days straight!
8. Runtastic and Fitness app
9. Pandesal
10. The climb this Sunday, wooohooooo!
Pinoy Street Food: Betamax
Jan 27, 2016
Do you what a betamax is? Those are the forerunners of CDs and DVDs used as video storage and they are now largely obsolete. They are rectangular black thingie with magnetic tapes inside. And the street food above are called Betamax because of the rectangular shape and black color. Betamax is made up of coagulated chicken or pork blood grilled in coal. And dipped in spicy vinegar. And yes, they are yummy, and yet, not for all, hahaha. Are you feeling a little adventurous today? Then try one of these from your favorite street vendor!
Thursday Happiness
Jan 21, 2016
1. Meeting our thesis adviser and having a very rough draft of my final thesis.
2. The car is almost here!
3. Studying how Uber works and praying that we can make it.
4. Nicholas Sparks' The Choice
5. Ramen at Ukokkei
6. Zumba!
7. A bag full of books. I love the smell of real books!
8. My gown for Sunday's wedding
9. Friends who come with you to choose gowns or lend you shoes!
10. Booking a hotel for our May Boracay trip.
Ukokkei Ramen Ron
My first authentic Ramen experience was in Ichiran in Japan and I know that nothing will top that. So when my officemates asked if I wanted to eat Ramen after a training and I told them about it, they were so pressured that I might not like it. But, their fears were for naught. The ramen was delicious! We almost didnt make it because they close at 230 to open again later for dinner. We were at their doorstep at 2:28, but we missed the lunch platter. We ended up ordering the Miso above, and while I didn't get the full Ramen experience, it was still above my expectations. I give Ukokkei Ramen Ron and 4/5 star.
Thursday Happiness
Jan 14, 2016
I am living with gratitude this year, and will start to list down things I am gratefull for. I used to do this last year with my Wednesday Happy Thoughts but I have decided to make my own banner this year. So, here goes:
I am grateful for:
1. Call from a bank saying my car loan has been approved. But, there are still documents to be submitted and such, so I will hold off on the jumping up-down for the moment.
2. Resuming my lunch time exercises, and Zumba 2x a week. Muscles still sore as I type this.
3. Our house is yellow. So bright and cool, hahaha.
4. The Red Queen book series. Finished reading two books, now can't wait for 2017!
5. Two birthday celebrations at the office, meaning free lunches! Yummy dishes! #goodbyediet
6. Didn't need to do the laundry mid-week, thanks to my hubby!
7. Almost done checking Budgets at work!
8. Planning a birthday climb! I need a mountain, soon!
9. New office uniforms!
10. Christmas party at my sister's this weekend! Looking forward to this!
These are just some of the things I am grateful for this week.
Positivity
Jan 11, 2016
This year, I vow to remove negative people from my life. I am done trying my best to understand people. If I am not good enough for them, then I am fine with that. If they can't mind their own business, then it's their problem, not mine. I will do what will makes me and my family happy. And if they are not happy with it, then to hell with them. I have spent far too much time and energy trying to please them and by golly, they are so not worth it!
So for this year, let positivity flow! I will welcome only good vibes from the universe!
