I wish you listened when i said " I never told anyone that before".

letting someone in means abandoning the walls you took so long to build....

Most of our life is a series of images. They pass us by like towns on the highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens. And we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever....

It's amazing how someone can break your heart, but you still love them with all the little pieces.

 

I really thought i was tough enough, brave enough to move on...when you left i was really hurt, i hated you even cursed you..I'm no saint not to do that. The pain was deep and it cut right through me. Before you, I lived my life 'safely' with walls so high,so thick..that no one could climb up my safe zone and hurt me, i built those walls so that if i  feel hurt is coming my way i have a place to fall back on and live my life unhurt,unfazed..I don't wanna get hurt, im tired getting hurt all my life i've been hurt... so dont blame  me if i built this walls...With you, I broke down the walls, let you in my life...a life that i never let anyone in...I was being me to you,coz i trusted you that much and believed in you...Now, Im shattered into broken pieces, the walls are gone and I'm building it up again Yes!Higher..Yes!Stronger...you taught me this..taught me how to love with all my heart..but you also taught me too how it felt to be hurt...the painful part is I love you still..maybe this is how love is supposed to be.....

 

 

I love

to see the ocean's beauty
And the moon that shines above
Alone in the sand lookin at the stars
Wishing someday I would find true love

Wouldn't be nice to see the morning
With the one you love the most
Wouldn't be nice to say goodnight
To the one you hold so close
To your heart, to your heart...

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

I love to sit in fields of green
Looking deeply thru the sky
Watching birds as they flap by
Hoping someday faith will bring me true love

Wouldn't be nice to hold someone
So dear, n near your heart
Wouldn't be nice to hear those words
I love you, from the one
That you love, that you love

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

I love to see myself one day
In the arms of someone
Who will share her life with me
Selflessly, someday you will find your way,
To me . . .

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are, Wherever you are

 

 

Thanksgiving Dinner: Purple Feet

Thanksgiving day. Because it fell on a Thursday and usually everyone in the clan is so busy on a Thursday so we decided to eat out instead for Thanksgiving dinner instead of the usual someone-will-host-the-Thanksgiving- dinner thing (this year no one volunteered, so we all decided to eat out). I really don't know who suggested to dine in Purple Feet, forgot to ask, everyone was so busy catching up with everybody. I used to live in Makati but never tried this place before.I haven’t heard of the place yet previously and it was such a pleasant surprise to discover a new place which looks like a cafe from the Napa or Hunter vineyards. Purple feet is run by Chef Marco and a group of chefs originally from Sofitel Hotel.

Shellfish bisque with Ginseng and Uni foam – I liked the bisque. I can distinctly taste the seafood. This is definitely not a watered down version of a bisque. It was thick and rich and a nice bread roll would go well with this soup.

Shellfish bisque with Ginseng and Uni foam – I liked the bisque. I can distinctly taste the seafood. This is definitely not a watered down version of a bisque. It was thick and rich and a nice bread roll would go well with this soup.

Pan Seared Scallops & Prawn on wild mushroom molded spuds with Armoricaine Absinthe dressing and caviar – The scallops and prawns were nicely done. The spuds were interesting. I didn’t pick up immediately that they were potatoes since they had a different texture to it. Nice but I was looking for a more mushroomy flavor on the spuds though, took antihistamine after dinner, im allergic to mushrooms.

Oyster Palate served five ways - I can’t find my picture on this! I remember the oysters prepared with an Asian influence. There was soy sauce on one, wasabi on another and a fresh one. Nothing mind blowing which is why I probably don’t remember this.

Tenderloin of beef wrapped in Pancetta served with Foie gras, Uni Risotto and a rich Truffle Foie gras sause - This is a winner. The sauce on the beef is made of foie gras, truffles and porcini mushroom giving the sauce it’s rich and full flavor. 

Rack of lamb on strawberry truffle chutney and uni risotto – The strawberry chutney gave a nice tangy bite to the lamb. The lamb was perfectly cooked, tender and not overdone. The uni risotto was a bit undercooked though.

Trio of chocolate : Strawberries coated with nutino, Molten dark chocolate cake, Port dipped dark chocolate truffle - I literally closed my eyes after having my first bite of the molten dark chocolate cake. The cake had a crispy shell with a soft inside and molten chocolate in the middle. The chocolate just rolled off my tongue. The dessert trio were heaveny and the perfect way to cap off a good meal.

Honey Lemon Mint Champagne Sorbet 

Coffee - By far the best flat white I had in the metro. Vittoria beans is used and the coffee is strong, full-bodies and full of arome. I would go to Purple Feet anytime just to have a cuppa!

Purple Feet is such an enjoyable place to go to. I like the laidback charm accompanied by quality food. It would probably have one of the most extensive wine list in the metro having wine depot as its cellar! I thought my meal was value for money. For Php 1,900 I had an excellent 7-course meal which came with wine pairings for every course! This meal would probably cost Php 3,500 in another place. I’m definitely coming back.

PurpleFeet
Wine Depot
Reposo Street
Makati City

Any time you see more negative than positive, check your own heart....

 

I believe...that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become

I believe...that no matter how good a friend is they're going to hurt you every one in a while and you must forgive them for that

I believe...that just because someone doesnt love you the way you want them to, doesnt mean they dont love you with all their heart

I believe...that its taking me a long time to become the person i want to be

I believe...that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.It may be the last time you see them

I believe...that either you control your attitude or it controls you

I believe...that money is a lousy way of keeping score

I believe...that sometimes when i am angry i have the right to be angry, but i dont have the right to be cruel

I believe...that it isnt always enough to be forgiven by others, but to learn to forgive yourself

I believe...that no matter how hard your heart is broken, the world doesnt stop for your grief

I believe...that the people you care most about in life are taken away from you too soon

I believe...that life is more precious than money will ever be able to be


Any time you see more negative than positive, check your own heart !x!

Happiness, Sadness,Vanity, Knowledge,Richness....TIME.

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness,Vanity, Knowledge and all of the others including Love.However, one day it was announced to the couples that the island would sink, so all the feelings prepared their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to stay until the island started sinking. When Love was almost sinking, he decided to ask help. Richness was passing by Love in a beautiful boat. Love said "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No. I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by, "Vanity, please help me!" "I cant help you Love. You are all wet and can probably damage my boat," Vanity answered.Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh .. Love, I am so sad that I prefer to go alone!" Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not listen when Love called her!Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elderly. Love became very happy that he even forgot to ask the name of the elderly.When they arrived to the other side, Love asked Knowledge who was the elderly. "It was Time." "Time? But why did Time help me?""Because only Time is capable of understanding such a great Love."

The Legend Among the Manila Burgers: Ranchero Burger by Tropical Hut

It's no Wagyu, but Tropical Hut's Ranchero Burger is delicious in its own right. At Php99 for the meal (comes with regular fries and a drink), this big burger generously layered with iceberg lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mayo, and for good measure, a fried egg, sandwiched in a soft sesame seed bun is most certainly a bang-for-the-buck good deal. Luckily, there's  Tropical Hut fastfood joint in Robinsons Galleria. Ramsy our IT Specialist likes ordering this burger for lunch and it pretty much could sustain him for the whole day.

Tropical Hut  hamburgers made it pretty big long before Jollibee and McDonald's came into the local scene. An uncle of mine who migrated to the US in the 70's came home to the Philippines a couple of years ago and the first thing he asked for was a Tropical Hut hamburger. Nothing like a visit to Tropical Hut to make you feel like home.

Tropical Hut Hamburger, Robinsons Galleria   

G/Lvl. Robinsons Galleria, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave.

Quezon City, Metro Manila

(02) 755-8000

The Real Love that Everyone seems not to understand...I know they do THEY just dont want to...

Love isn't what your friends or family think; it's what you think. Love isn't anyone else's problem but the people’s in love. Love isn't based upon sex. Love is based upon two people who are exactly alike. Who needs money or cars when you have love? A relationship isn't perfect; it has its good times and its bad times, and when you argue, you make up no matter how bad it is. Cheating is forgivable, but if you love the person like you say you do, there is no reason to cheat because they are the only person you need. Love is forever even if you break up; if you loved the person when you break up, you still will. Love isn't about age; age is just a number. It's about how you treat each other, not how old they are. Love hurts and sometimes relationships don't work out and you will cry, but you will find true love one day. You'll never know when love is going to hit you, and when it hits you, it will hit hard. Once it hits, it’s hard to get back up again. Love hurts, but it's worth the pain.

POST JAPAN TRIP SYNDROME: Kozui Anmitsu Addiction

With the love affair I’m currently having with Kozui Anmitsu, I just have to post a picture of the Kozui Anmitsu Php150. I have had it four times in two weeks and believe me, I live far from Quezon City!  I drive all the way just to have my Anmitsu fix. Anmitsu is basically Japanese Halo-halo and you can have strawberry, mango, taro or melon. I have ordered Melon Anmitsu for the past four times. The melon anmitsu has melon slices, yam (which I totally love!), dango balls ( better version of galapong), pink mashed azuki beans and topped with really really good soft serve green tea ice cream.

Kozui
258 Tomas Morato St.
Quezon City
Tel: 413-2705

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

♥

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. 

♥

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. 

♥

I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. 

♥

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. 

♥

I’ve learned that whenever i decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. 

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

♥

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. 

People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. 

♥

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

♥

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

♥

Hole in the wall Korean resto in Malate: HOA ROA 92

If you’re in the mood for Korean food  then Malate is your best bet in finding one. Korean restos sprout out within this area like lechon manok during its heyday. A lot are Korean owned and hopefully this lends to the food a more authentic taste.

I liked how the Korean restos had such catchy signboards. There is a Mr. Moo and a Mr. Chicken signboard.

We opted for this Korean restaurant along J. Nakpil street just because…

it looked really cool! There were this strange exhaust fans hanging out from the ceilings. You can pull them nearer to the bbq pan while meat is being cooked to absorb more of the smoke.

The place made me feel that I was in Korea actually. The customers coming and going were all Korean and the menu was even in Korean.

One thing we found initially strange about this small Korean restos was that there is a mininum order per table of Php600. The Mr. chicken signboard across the street also offers the same minimum Php600 deal. Quite expensive for 2 people but our curiosities have been piqued enough by these small restos and we decided to give Hoa Ro a try.

I understood why there was a minimum order per table after the free appetizers were served. The appetizers were a *lot*. It’s more than any other Korean resto I’ve been to in Manila. Aside from the standard kimchi, potatoes and spicy pickled vegs, there was also a sweet corn and cabbage dish and two types of soup which were very nice. The appetizers were a meal in itself!

Doi Ji Gal Bi Gui Php300- grilled boneless pork ribs marinated in soy sauce

Gal Bi Sal Php350 – beef marinated in soy sauce

Unfortunately, I think the appetizers were the best part of the meal =). The meat were very very tough and chewy. My jaw actually ached from chewing on the meat after some time.

Ba Ji Rak Kal Kuk Su Php250 – Kind of like our halaan (clam shell) soup only with noodles and some veg. Refreshing but not something I would go out of my way to have.

Summary : Our first Korean hole in the wall foray turned out to be a disappointment but there must be a better one in the area with so many Korean restos! So I would continue to eat on…

The trend with these small places is to offer just a few items on the menu. With Hoa Ro, we had actually ordered 90% of their menu already =). It was just around 5-6 items to choose from. There is also a minimum order per table which seems to be in the Php600 area so that they could offer unlimited appetizers which their largely Korean customers are used to.

Hoa Roa 92
640 J. Nakpil St. Malate Manila

My most painful blog ever...wrote this very short entry for a week....

I am moving on.

I will try not to think of you when i wake up in the morning and ask myself if somehow you are also awake. I have my own life to lead and my whole life to think of. No I won't even think of you while i'm eating my lunch wondering if you're doing the same thing, because sooner or later i know you will.

NO, never again will i go to the comfort room and lock myself in just to have some privacy to piteously think of you, cry, sing or do some silly things because of you. And NO, never will i again think of you last when i go to sleep. Sleep is my only rest, so please don't plague me in my dreams.

I AM MOVING ON.

I'll try to wake up in the morning and smile and think not of why you left but that once that you stayed. And if i feel the need to cry, it will not be for the future that we could have, not for the regrets that i have nor the anger that i feel, but i will cry because of a love that i never was able to share with the only man I felt it for. I will not cry for the love that was lost, and not for who left.

I will give my affections to any human being who is in need of it, but not my heart because i am still trying to get it back from you.

I'll try to hold back the tears when i think of you. I'll just try to smile.

I AM MOVING ON AND HOPING THAT THE NEXT THING WOULD BE LETTING GO ='c

Welcome to my Rat hole!

Welcome to my rat hole! That's how i call my office, well generally my work. Its a rathole in there, literally its kinda dark because i installed dimmers i don't like working in too dark spaces my eyes hurts staring in the light reflections in my screen.  Let may give you a tour... lets start with the emblem at my back, thats the name of the firm i work for, JACTS, well its the initials of the partners who owns it, then the huge chinese chartacter, that means LUCK..we always hope for a good luck...next, at the back of my office chair in the left corners is some ecorative plants, well thats plastic but looks so real, i dont know where the interior designer got that..below the flower arrangement is a pic of someone (dont really wanna talk about now, anyways this pic was taken during our brighter days, but when this blog is published its still there, i guess will always be there)...next, is those stacks of paper well those are billing and payroll reports from the stores we manage, all are arranged on which is which is to be done first...as you can see its along line.you have to finish the whole parade of reports by 6pm...and then in the right side is thermal tumbler, in the morning that contains ice water to perk me up/ or vit water...and in the afternoon 'taho'...the black door like thing in the wall besie the thermal tumbler is a vault or  a secret door...joke!its a vault..and then my office chair, bought it in dimensione...its nice..it doesnt give me a dreaded back ache..then my office table..well that laptop is the main event there!lol...thats my main work horse...if the hard drive of that thing goes down, i dont know what will happen thats why now i bought a back-up storage disk just in case....i have three other work horses, and usually by the end of the day there are four laptops on that desk...2 asus, 1macair and thats a toshiba...my mac usually does all the facebooking...next are the telephone (which i hated so much when it rings, i really dont like taking calls, if you need something (official business) you can tell cathy, and if its personal you can always sms me or message me here in my blog or in my facebook wall, i wont mind...; and then a bottle of water whichi is  ever present and memo pads, stick-ons, notes, staplers, scissors,etc....I like my desk free from mountains of papers, the less papers i see in my table the better i could think....

my day in this rathole if im just from house usually starts at 7 or the latest 7:30...or if im from anywhere i always make sure that i land in my office char before 9..i dont like to be late..i wanna be the first to be there...i feel grumpy if Im late...Mornings here will always be a series of meetings, transmittal flying everywhere, client meet-ups, reports, and presentations. Lunch break, well i decide my lunchbreak time, i usually have mine around 11:30 to 1:00, or depends really on how much time my work load permits., or sometimes we eat in the middle of meetings.since april, our pace here really accelerated like shit!..lol..Afternoons, there we wrestle with rims after rims of papers to do..in alternate with presentations and meetings...it will be a very lucky day if we exit the door by 5pm (never did happen), the earliest i was out was 6pm... :)

i really dont like talking about my work..its really boring and somehow mutantific, and besides who wanna reveal what are the top secret developments of brands...in this rat hole, many ideas where born..some never really reached the door out and landed on that steel trashbin below my desk but some landed in your homes,the paper you read in the morning, in the glossy pages and when you turn on your TV and radio...this is the rat hole too where most business problems are solvedan many stores are born...this rathole is somehow a blackhole of ideas and just everything you can think of...Everyday i live on my toes. I live and run around just to make a living. Sometimes people think its easy out here, but i tell you everyone here has an ulcer,eating and sleeping disorder and most of us has panic distress thing!lol...

This is my life, the life that i always kept behind me. I may look ratty at times but i live for this, i never lived for glamor, honor, recognition or lux...im just living my life...and its the life that was given to me...i cant do anything about it but be grateful for it... :)

A Nice Kept Noodle Secret 2 : Dong Bei

Had dinner here with my cousins last Friday, it piqued our interest on how it compared to Lan Zhou which is our favorite noodle shop in Binondo.

This is a 4-table place. What’s interesting is that dumplings are actually made in one of the tables in the dining area by the staff. Perched on their seats, they stuff pork & chive mixtures into tiny wrappers. Makes the meal an interactive experience.

Dumplings – chives, celery, cabbage, pork Php 80. Specialty of the house. The dumpling wrapper is extremely thin and a bit watery. The staff said that these dumplings are actually placed in boiling water and not steamed as I initially thought. I prefer Lan Zhou’s dumpling though since I like dumplings chewier.

Beef soup Php 100 – Pretty difficult to compare the noodles with Lan Zhou but we ended up concluding we liked Lan Zhou’s noodles better. Firmer and chewier. Soup broth was different for both places. Dong Bei broth tasted made of Chinese herbs while Lan Zhou broth tasted of beef or pork bones. Depends what type of soup broth person you are.

Fried chicken with sinjian flavor Php 180 – I liked the way they cooked the chicken. It was crisp and there was mix of subtle flavors.

Summary : Pretty interesting to compare Dong Bei with Lan Zhou. They are both good and deciding on which dumplings or noodle soup is better is a tough choice. On my part, I prefer Lan Zhou. Which one do you prefer?

Dong Bei Dumplings
Oriente corner Yuchengco Street
Binondo, Manila