Shopping to BEAT the Summer Heat!

Hello! Hello! kamusta naman ang init ngayon? parang steamed siopao lang ako lagi. Kahit naka-aircon ka, ang init pa din. Tapos tataas pa ang meralco ulit, ang init-init na nga. Haiiiiiii.....

Enough about my rants, my tipid beat-the-heat trick is going to the mall :)  sabi ni Mr. Panda hindi daw yun matipid haha :)  pero pag nakikita ko ang meralco bill namin, sana nag mall na lang ako haha :)

During my beat-the-heat trips to the mall, I bought a few things for my pamangkins :)

I got these books from Powerbooks ATC Branch. Super Mura 10ph - 50 php lang! perfect for preschoolers too :)

P10.00

You are my Sunshine Blogger Award!

It's been three weeks since I found out about Ian, I'm no longer crying but there's still a part of me that want to know what really happened with that tragic incident. Ok, stop. Tears alert. :) :) :) :) Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.  I was browsing my favorite bloggers' pages when I learned that I was tagged with the Sunshine Blogger Award :) :) Thanks Jacq! Super touched ako :) Your tag is perfect for my Happy thoughts time.

The Rules

1. Post a picture of the Sunshine Blogger Award.

2. Post 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer 11 questions from the nominating blogger.

4. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

5. Nominate 11 wonderful bloggers that you feel bring sunshine to the blogging world.

6. Write 11 questions for your nominated bloggers.

11 Random Facts about ME :)

1. My second name is French. A popular name for the royalties in the 1800's.

2.  My childhood summer vacation was neatly packed with piano lessons, ballet lessons, painting classes, baking classes and swimming classes by a PAL trainer. Some of these, I continued even when school started.

3. I don't eat vegetables. My tummy aches when it tried to digest veggies. I know, I know... its weird hihi :)

4. I have a food phase thingy. For two weeks, I eat toasted peanut butter sandwich every night. As in literal na midnight snack. MInsan, I have the cheetos addiction. Or M&M's ice cream for a week. Ganun, hanggang maumay ang taste buds ko. I'll move to another food addiction.

5. I'm not sure if this a very mild case of OCD. But I can't sleep unless I double check all doors minutes before I go to sleep (kahit ako pa nag lock ng doors earlier). 

6. When I used the public washrooms, I always lock-unlock-lock the doors mga three times. 

7. I wipe my utensils and check my water glass very closely when dining out.

8. Gusto ko magkaron ng pet... Panda. Panda na pet. Mag-iipon na ko ng bamboo haha

9. I had three jobs from 3 different industries. Hospital/Hotel/PR Communications.

10. I love kids :) kahit stranger kids :) sometimes, may kids na lumalapit sakin sa mall tinatawag ako ate/mommy haha :) 

11. I married my bestfriend. And that was the best decision I've made. :)

11 Questions From Jacq

1. Are you a morning or evening person?

--- evening person :)

2. Your favorite travel destination?

--- anywhere basta may disneyland :)

3. Your favorite food?

--- fried chicken & liempo!

4. Describe an unforgettable moment.

--- when hubby and i decided to try to take a step from our friendship. I just arrived from Boracay ( work related) and hubby (then - bestfriend) suggested we go to church and after the mass, we had the big talk :) wave of emotions :)

5. What is your usual daily routine?

--- since I'm a bum.... I woke up late...lunch...tv....nap...dinner....tv.....midnight snack...sleep. Buhay piggy! Hubby works at home and usually stay up late because his office is based US. I accompany him while he's working.

6. Black or white?

--- during my i-feel-fat days...black :)

7. What makes you happy?

--- my hubby, my family,my pamangkins

8. Any beauty tip you want to share?

--- soft ponytail and pearl earriings brighten your face.

9. What type of music do you listen to?

--- errrr..... wala. as long as positive ang dating ng music. Ok sakin :)

10. Name a gadget which you can't live without.

--- when I was still working, my blackberry. 

11. (The usual HR question) How do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?

--- I hope I will have two kids and a home - based business  :)

11 Questions for my Nominated Bloggers.

1. Your weirdest childhood dream? :)
2. Name of your first pet.
3. Sesame street or Batibot
4. French fries with ketchup  or mayo.
5. What is your best vacation/getaway idea?
6. Hot or cold water
7. Light shower at night? Yes or No?
8. SUV or Sedan?
9. Describe your 7th birthday.
10. Condo or House and lot? why? :)
11. Why do you love to blog?

11 Nominated Bloggers of Mine :)

1. Angel of http://www.invisiblestilettos.com/

2. Rae of http://scatterbraintures.com/

3. Leah of http://leahdeleon.com/

4. Maita of  http://mrsdiazchronicle.weebly.com/

5.  KittyKat of http://homebaseddiva.blogspot.com/

6. Mommyfleur of http://mommyfleur.com/

7. Helene of http://mrsmommyholic.blogspot.com/

8. Nathalie of http://blackshirt13.wordpress.com

9. Jean of http://jeanquiambao.net/

10. http://tailofsnowbear.wordpress.com/

11. Miss Chievous of http://gastronomicca.blogspot.com/

Thank you and hope you'll enjoy answering the questions too! :) :)

I'm sorry, I'm a bad friend

Last Wednesday, I was watching glee reruns. There's a song that reminded me of my old friend. Since 2002, there were no news from him. He used to pop to my house monthly or every 2 months, the longest was 6 months. My family especially my mom is close to him. They will spend hours talking about stuff, he had the patience to keep up with my mom's endless topics. That was 2002, the last time I saw him, we had an argument. 

Then he disappeared from my life.

I thought he was upset with me and abandoned our friendship.

2012, I was planning my wedding. I tried to look for him. Because he promised he will always be there for my big moments. We will be there for each other for our big moments. I tried. I searched thru social media and endless google. Nothing. We don't have common friends din talaga and I don't want to go Nancy Drew and look for his parents' house.

2014, I'm happy. Happy with my Mr. Panda. I could not ask for anything more. I resigned to the fact that my dearest friend abandoned me. It's ok, things like that happen. Friends come and go.

But last Wednesday at 3am while waiting for my husband to finish his work. I typed his name again at google.

And I saw his obituary. He was killed at May 19, 2005. I didn't know. 9 years. I cried. I cried myself to sleep, Mr. Panda is hugging me. That afternoon, I went to the memorial park with my mom and  my husband. His grave was a few feet away from my relatives (and we visited them regularly) my mom cried and I tried to hold back my tears. But for 3 days, my tears wont stop. I lost my friend. No closure of our argument. I want to apologize to him and tell him I didn't mean what happened years ago.

I'm sorry I teased you about your name and our 5 years age gap. I'm sorry I missed your birthdays and didn't give you gifts when you visited me every Christmas day. I'm sorry when I brushed you off  before. I'm sorry when I cringed with your sermons. I'm sorry for the times I was at home for your afternoon calls. I'm sorry I hated you for some time, for missing my big moments. I'm sorry I was not there last May 2005. I'm sorry for the words left unsaid. I'm sorry I'm a bad friend. I'm sorry I was not able to tell you I got married at my 28th. I'm sorry Ian, I'm really sorry.

Another 3-0 Birthday Treat! @Sambo Kojin

I guess my birthday posts are proofs how much I love food! I promise after my birthday posts series, I will take a break from posting foods! baka umay - umay na kayo hihi :) my wedding sisters ( two ladies who are super close to my heart ang kept me sane during my wedding preps) with their respective hubby and boyfriend treated me and Mr. Panda to Sambo Kijin as birthday treat :) we went to the nearest branch which is the one in SM Southmall. I only took photos of the ones na we had :)

I went to the crabsticks area bec Mr. Panda loves them :)

My 3 - 0 day 7: Outback Steakhouse

My favorite girls - my nieces - and our familly baby, Thirdy, met up for dinner to celebrate my 3 - 0! They surprised me with a cake that the 2 kiddos, our princess and Thirdy, were licking the sides of the cake while singing Happy Birthday to me! Hihi! kaya pala they kept on telling me lets blow your cake na! Sila pala excited!

My 3 - 0 Day 6: Lasa and Maple @ Alabang

Continuation of my 3-0 Birthday Celebration! My Kuya treated us for dinner for my day 6, and he picked Lasa at Alabang. Its located across Acacia, same building of Army Navy. And we're very pleased with the interiors and we really enjoyed our dinner!

Love love the green lamps! and the loft structure remind me of the 28th (our first panda home)

this leads to their kitchen and ang ganda ng stairs nila ha!

Liempo Sisig

Crispy bits of pork belly quick fried with capsicums and red onions 220.00

Tokwa't Baboy

Deep-fried hard tofu and lechon kawali dressed with local aromatics and soy vinegar 200.00

Kalitiran

Slow braised oyster blade with rosemary infused onion-shiitake jus garnished with steamed asparagus spears 470.00

Plain Rice

 

Sharing 150.00

Garlic Crispy Tadyang

Crispy boneless beef ribs, topped with toasted garlic. Served with soy vinegar. 250.00

And we had desserts at my favorite Maple (which is right across Lasa)

Forgot the name but this is huge!

Chocolate Skillet Cookie (around P250.00)

Peso Power:

LASA 4/5

Maple 5/5

Mrs. Panda's Foodie Reviews

Lasa

- the interiors is modern filipino

- the owners were there when we dine and they even approach our table to check on us

- ang dami nila servers! 

- the servings are a bit small for the price but super malasa na konti lang need mo with rice (ifyouknowwhatimean) haha :)

- lahat ng orders namin 5 stars! ang saraap

- the sisig liempo have the perfect spicy taste!

Maple

- servings are good for sharing! we were 5 in the group may take home pa kami (take note:my family are sweetaholics!)

- i like the forbes branch more than the alabang. medyo masikip

- the servers are as usual very courteous and prompt

Will I come back? YES!!!!

Jap Food Addiction: Ramen Kuroda

Mr. Panda is still at his Jap Food Addiction phase :) One thursday, 30 minutes before dinner, he craved for Japanese food and we quickly dressed up and went to the busy road of BF Homes. 

the laminated menu :)

S & R Member's Treat April 2014

Yesterday, we dropped by S&R Alabang Branch :) I was surprised walang nakapark sa road and ok din ang parking sa loob. Wala din pila sa entrance. Mabilis din sa cashier. Yun lang, wala masyado good buys :(  

Easter 2014: Egg hunting and Staycations!

Holy Week is 2 weeks away! and I know most families (like mine) take advantage of the holy week to bond as family and do some relaxation after "magnilay-nilay" as my Mama used to say :) 

I compiled a list where you can go for staycations (mostly hotels with Easter promos) and where to go for egg hunting for the kiddos!

Acacia Hotel Manila

5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue,

Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang,

Muntinlupa City 1781

Telephone: 720 2000 / 588 5888

Email: enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com

http://www.acaciahotelsmanila.com/contact

EASTER ESCAPADE

April 19 and 20

Php 6,695 net
Inclusions:
Buffet breakfast for two (2).
Tickets for two (2) to the Easter Sunday Party.
Free Wifi.
Complimentary shuttle service within Alabang area.
Use of the swimming pool and fitness center.

My 3-0 day 5: Fish and Co

For day 5!!!!! I'm super happy when Mr. Panda brought me to the doorsteps of the newly re-opened Fish and Co. at Greenbelt! When Fish and Co. closed before I was so upset na sabi ko talaga hindi ako kakain sa Siklab! Haha! Well, kumain ako dun once kasi gusto talaga try ni Mr. Panda. For the month of March, twice na ko nag dinner sa Fish and Co. Hindi masyado halata namiss ko ang Fish and Co. :)

Peri Peri Prawns!

My 3-0 Day 4: Racks Restaurant and The Cake Club

Hello! Hello! I'm back! Grabe ang init ngayon noh! Stay hydrated guys! baka ma-heat stroke tayo sa init ngayon! and the kiddos, alagaan natin sa prickly heat powder too :)

Here's my 3-0 day 4 dinner! Mr. Panda picked Racks Restaurant @ the fort strip because he knew this is one of my comfort restos since gradeschool :) then we went to the Cake Club at HIghstreet Bgc for desserts :)

Full Slab Baby Back Ribs with two side dish (around) P850.00