happy friday foodies!

Friday once more and I’ve got nothing but leave you drooling on this,

Hongkong Style Street Food –Big Isaw, Tito, Crab Balls, Pig Ears and Breaded Scallops

Tausi Spareribs

Laksa

Pancakes (which are called Egg Puffs back in HK)

Oh, I asked the husband to date me out again tonight, TGIF!

 

Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food

 

#skyranch #skyeye #skyfun

Ever wonder what a tsubibo is? or ever heard the word before?

May is a festive month in my hometown as the town celebrates its town fiesta. I remember my growing up years, my sister and I would normally pack and spent a week before the fiesta at my Ninang Elo’s house. We do this so we can visit the perya (carnival fair) at night and play Bingo and other games including my favorite color game trick. Other than these games that entertain the town folks there were carnival rides too including the tsubibo or Ferris wheel. I can’t remember riding once because of fear, yes I’m scared to try after all the screaming I’ve been hearing from afar. And our small allowance can’t afford to pay its entrance fee before. So, I thought the Ferris wheel ride isn’t really ready for me.

Fast forward to 2000, my first visits to Enchanted Kingdom, my first Ferris wheel ride happen. It was one of the many happiest times, I was able to conquer my fear with the former. I can’t help but love the feeling above and the beauty that my eyes could reach. I’ve gone to EK more than thrice and every chance I don’t pass up riding the Wheel of Fate. Now that there are theme parks developing rapidly the Ferris wheel became a permanent fixture. And it’s now being referred to as the “eye”. Why the eye? Because riders can have a panoramic view of all directions and you can do a lot of eyeing from the eye. I really don’t know the exact reason why it has to be named the “eye”, there are plenty of reasons available online if you’d check. Hehehe

Last year my first “eye ride” happened at the bayside of MOA where the grand MOA Eye stood to its mighty overlooking Manila Bay. I had to do a lot of convincing to Leoncio that we should ride it, it’s one of its kinds in the Philippines and we have to try it, it’s a must I say. After bribing him of a sumptuous dinner after he agreed timidly. So, while I was enjoying the 10-minute ride he was pretending to be fearless. Hahaha

Recently, just this March, a new eye opened at the ridge of Tagaytay. This one called the Sky Eye which stood within the Sky Ranch, the newest theme park at the heart of Tagaytay. We’ve passed this site many times because the place is always packed out but eventually we scheduled the visit to grant the kids request. During Labor Day off, while husband and I decided to spend our one day off at Cavite we squeezed the Sky Ranch visit in the afternoon. The kids cannot contain their happiness and excitement. They’re like me the first time I had my Ferris wheel ride. We paid P50 for the entrance fee (take note that by June 1 entrance fee would double to P100) and you have to pay separately for the rides. The Sky Eye ride priced at P150 per head, the Super Vikings at P100 and the rest of the ride at P50. There weren’t too many rides yet and mostly it’s for kids. Food kiosks were numbered too. So after the Sky Eye ride we didn’t stay too long. Oh by the way the little boy didn’t miss the Thomas train ride. He was the happiest and the scariest while we’re up on the eye. Hahaha. I told the kids that we’re not visiting the Sky Ranch again up until the commercial area is opened.

My Ferris wheel experience was not different from any of you, only that mine had several stops and each stop has something to learn, something to ponder and something to look forward to.

 

 

P.S. I’ll share more photos once my SD card works, hopefully it will…and oh tomorrow will be town fiesta again but after my Ninang Elo’s passing away in 2009 we don’t look forward much on marking this occasion, I miss her and her cooking…

 

getting the hang of it

I’m seeing a very eventful weekend as early as now, there’s my favorite outlet sale happening starting today until Sunday (see flyer above),

there’s this 50% markdown on lunch and dinner buffet (tho this one can really, really wait until the end of May) and,

there’s this country fair I’m itching to pay a visit on Sunday. I also have to keep in mind to squeeze a date with my dear Tating, am still thinking if she would enjoy an afternoon tea in one of those posh Makati hotels. Oh my, I need to fully maximize my two days off this time and pass up the long sleep in the morning, avoid the internet as much as I can and start my day as early as 10am tomorrow by visiting the nail salon. Wow! And if I may add, I’ll date Mrs. F later; I thought this the best way to bond and for me to discuss quite a few things about work and her forthcoming assignment.

Anyhow, this week had been a challenging one for me especially that my attention was called last Tuesday, it still puzzles me where the heck that inkling came from, me and her conniving, probably the buzz went around because they thought we’re close like before. These people don’t really know our history, tsk! I guess this leave me no choice but to continue hating nonsense people at work; mind your own business please. I also had a heart-to-heart talk with two of my staffs; the first was with J, whom I’d started working with in 2010. I appreciate all her comments, her suggestions, her concerns, her initiatives, it warms the cockles of my heart to know she’s getting the hinge of work, finally she’ll advanced and I’ll get to relax on the side. With BJ, which I scheduled yesterday, was a different story. It’s sad that she had to feel that way, it saddened me more that she has to consider other things outside because she’s no longer pleased with the turnaround of events. I value her, a lot if I may say, because she’s committed, she’s hardworking and she’s easy to work with. I cannot recall any faulty issues with her, I never received any complain either. The past four years with BJ was all about teamwork and objectivity. I have bigger plans for her and I hope it won’t go to waste in the end. And I hope she got a better sleep last night after hearing all my two cents worth. Me –behind those defying moments, I felt proud of myself because I think I’ve given and said what’s needed to say including the right choice of words so as not to hurt or make anyone unhappy. I may be a silent creature at work because I choose to detached myself but I can be a roaring tiger if provoked, a small number of people know me by heart and I don’t mind how the others look upon me with hate. Huh!

It still summer in my country folks, I still don’t like much the outdoors but with good things lineup from time to time I’m willing to go and walk around. Remember I’m on instagram, so get your own account and stalk me there. Hehehe…But like what the Barreto’s had been shouting all over the net. “Enough is enough. Leave us alone. Leave my family alone.” Intiendes?

Oh these were my recent photos on instagram in case you missed to like it, hehehe

My latest winning, a masflex sauce pan from the celebrity chef Luigi Muhlach. Many thanks!

And my not so hungry dinner chow last night at KFC, a streetwise bucket meal just for the two of us. Burp! 

 

enjoining what is good

Going home in Cavite and seeing my maternal family means one happy weekend. Last Sunday was another occasion to make merry as we marked someone’s birthday.

It was Joel’s, Irish other half’s, so the generous cousin treats us out at two of our favorite hang-outs in Tagaytay –Yellow Cab and Army Navy. And unlike the previous visits at nightfall we’re out by mid-afternoon this time, I know it was abnormal for us to be out at that early but we very enjoyed the afternoon breeze and the food of course.

If you have been reading my old entries, you’ll know by now that I always look forward seeing my maternal relatives, I have a thing for them that is nonexistent from the paternal side. And every chance of reuniting with them brightens up any gloomy time.

There were supposed to be plenty of photos but my SD card was taken by the Shorcut Virus, no worries I successfully removed it today (well, I guess I downloaded the correct software this time). All photos here from my mini and thank you to Instragram for the instant effects.

And like the old ways our Tagaytay date would not be complete without visiting the favorite coffee shop which we all love for its ambiance, its frappuccino, its sweet treat and all the memories in place through all these years. Starbucks is a must!

We ended the day beautifully without any fret, without any spring of fury, without any whining, I’m happy that way. Tho it’s hypocrite to say that our relationship as cousins isn’t anyway stained with resentment and annoyance, I believe that all things will end well at the right time, when wounds are healed and forgiveness has been sincerely given, in time we’ll be one bigger group again. I always believe that blood is thicker than water so do not let any outsider do evil and create a bigger hole in your heart, please.

It was dear weekend; again our birthday greetings to Joel and many thanks for the pizza treat!

 

Giving Hope at the Ayala Museum

Growing up I remember my keenness to art works and the like. I love doing crafts and DIY. I can spend a whole day doing collages and doodles. I don’t know what happened and suddenly I lost track of those hobbies. Maybe I have come to love the outdoors the reason why I bend over and all of a sudden realized I am really more of an extrovert. But my love for fine art never really dies.

I was surprised receiving an invite from one of my favorites at the blogosphere –Lui, Sweepy’s Keeper and the one behind these pages, Lui is Heaven, Lui is in Heaven, Hounds in Heaven, Ako si Sumo, Bogart in Heaven, SuperPinoyDogSweepy, SuperDogSweepy, I read all by the way and keep track of her updates on what’s goin’ on in Heaven. I highly recommend you start reading hers because it’s not just humorous, it’s inspiring generally.

Anyhow, about the invite I was talking earlier. It was for an exhibit at the Ayala Museum. And since Sunday was the perfect time to go, Leoncio and I dropped by to say hi to the walls. Hehehe. The Giving Hope exhibit which was located at the Ground Floor Lobby is open to public for free and runs from April 6-10 (extended until today-April 18).

At partial view I have to be honest that I wasn’t in awe, I don’t know what I was looking but I felt the room empty until I got a close up view of the exhibit. And I guess that’s the essence of appreciating art, you really have to see what’s beyond those frames and pictures and colors. I admire not only the kids and young adults who work here, but all the people and organizations involve in putting up this project.

The love for art is beyond words and is overflowing. Hope is all over the place.

“to renew hope for those who have lost it and give hope to those who have never had it.” –Consuelo Foundation

I personally love the Shower of Roses, with writings on each piece. The kids aspirations were truly meant, how a kid wanted her mother to come back so they’ll have a happy family once more. I was a little emotional at this point. I’m always like that, I have a big heart for the less fortunate and I felt I was on the same shoe way back years ago. Lui, thanks again for the heads up.

Sunday afternoon made a big difference because I skipped the mall, I skipped buying anything except that I never gave up the love for coffee and long talks with a longtime friend. Yep, I’m reunited with B and I see us doing this frequently.

 

hello Sunday!

Something that I don’t normally prepare is the all-time favorite Pinoy breakfast fare but this morning we happily had it upon the husband’s request. I had my friends drool over it on facebook. Hehehe.

Anyway, the sun is still up on its mightiest but we need to go. I’m just having my hair dry while doing this entry and if you want to stalk me around this would be my schedule later.

–visit the Ayala Musuem to grace Lui’s invite

–short trip at the Supermarket

–dinner at Cucina Andare

–meet up a friend at Starbucks and hang out

See you when I see you!