Mama Papaya

One of the things that always brighten my day are our fruit bearing trees. I've written about them so many times here, but this is now the season of Papaya.


Kilawing Papaya with Corned Tuna + Sardines

The papaya tree bears so many fruits that we had to barricade it from "fruit snatchers" inside the village. Lots of people are asking for some papaya but we have to wait until they are ripe. Our family used the papaya in several ways like for cooking, eating it ripe as dessert, and making atchara out of it.



Here is mama preparing atchara from young green papaya fruits. These will be sent to my sister's family in Australia.

After the Storm Santi

Mama cooked spaghetti because she was worried like hell. She heard rattling roofs and so did I. She was awake the whole morning while I slept on the storm. When I woke up, it was over. Nothing like sleep to escape disasters, zombie attacks, nuclear war, etc.

Now it's Halloween and I have no dvds to watch! I am going to catch up on Grey's Anatomy and maybe play boxing on Wii because I've been eating quiet a lot lately. I wonder though why I am staying thin when I should be bloating like a boat already. My last weigh in was 48 kilograms or 96lbs. Maybe fever burns a lot of calories too?

Anyway, happy eating on a rainy cloudy day! Yummy!

Under the Weather

Lately, I have been getting sickly - from stomach problems to fever and now I have fever + colds. Someone told me I must be feigning sickness to avoid certain things but really, do you know how hard it is to be sick? Loss of appetite, chills, and worrying if you have cancer or whatever. It's not something fun to fake.

I think I got stressed last night from trying to work some things, career-wise but I just had to let it go. Wouldn't want to repeat history and I am really seeking work-life balance which is not easy to find. Yet, I am learning to manage myself and proud to know what I can or cannot handle. It's not easy to say NO but now I can.


Frozen Siopao from Fat and Thin and Lucky Me Jiampong

More than anything else, I want to tell you about how I love siopao (again). This is the perfect comfort food for someone like me who is sick in terms of health, and kinda getting sick of life as well. Don't get me wrong but lately, I see things and places and they are all the same to me. Even activities I loved attending, I had to let go this week. I just can't force myself when I am not in the mood. But for Siopao - I'm always in the mood for!

Thank God I have found my fingers tapping and blogging again. For awhile back, I also did not have the mood to blog or write. It's just a phase, 3 months from now I am older again.

More Krispy Kreme Love

Two weeks ago, we were able to treat friends at Krispy Kreme. Sharing KK love with friends was fun, each of them were treated to two doughnuts and a drink of their choice. Then I went home again with Krispy Kreme boxes for my family.



Last Thursday, my day was tiring but look at what Krispy Kreme sent over to their Jaka Branch for us. Azrael and I were at the same branch killing some time :) This is the new Final Four doughnuts celebrating the camaraderie of the UAAP.



Of course, DLSU was not present this time but Ateneo was. I ate Ateneo first! Rivalry aside, all the doughnuts tasted good. Unlike what I usually enjoy like the Chocolate Glazed, Original Glazed, and Snickers Doughnut (my new favorite) - the Final Four doughnuts has a cakey texture that is fun to eat. The doughnut is heavier than normal and goes down perfectly with their signature latte that I always have in super large.



My family especially my Krispy Kreme Fanatic sister Liza was super happy to eat the rest of the batch. Thank you Krispy Kreme for ALWAYS sending our favorite doughnuts! Go now and try the Final Four before they are gone ^___^


Mission accomplished

Krispy Kreme Snickers

Look what Krispy Kreme sent!


Irresistible Krispy Kreme Snickers!

And next week, I am going to bring my family to a Krispy Kreme branch to try these snickers doughnut one more time.


Chocolate glazed with the right amount of Snickers chunks.

Oh I wish Anya was here to enjoy it, I think the best Krispy Kreme doughnuts are in Manila :P

These are so good, they actually replace the Original Glazed Doughnut as my favorite. You might think it is too sweet or chocolate-y but no. This variant only makes the Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts even better! Still, it is best with a cup of coffee - the stronger, the better.

Thank you Krispy Kreme!

Addicted to the Coffee Experience

Not the coffee shop, but the experience of having a cup of something warm. Over biscuits or tiny slices of cake, taking time out to relax and nurture a warm mug is so delightful for me right now. I don't even drink coffee as much, I always get a latte which is more of milk than coffee. At home, I prefer green tea to help me slim down while munching on sinful choco chip cookies.

My last coffee experience (excluding the ones inside my house) is at Dunkin Donuts, it was a cheap treat for me - after accompanying Azrael to the clinic. Apparently, he got bitten by a nasty mosquito. Really, it doesn't matter anymore to me, where to have a hot drink. As long as the place has coffee (brewed will do) and yummy desserts then I am in! I enjoyed a piece of Choco Butternut donut and my companion had Boston Cream. Oh how donuts are shrinking these days!

Trying to find out the rationale why myself is so fascinated with this drinking activity, I guess it's all about the discussion that goes with having a break with a buddy. Or, all the words I come up with and stories whenever I drink alone, in front of my laptop, blogging - like what I am doing now.

I was watching TV in bed and was restless, could not sleep and all I could think about are desserts that would match my tea. Yet, all I have in the kitchen are azrael's leftover birthday cake, choco chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and lots of canned goods. I am doing well now with the choco chip cookies ;)

Have a good night everyone!

SUPER fun at Super Bowl of China

Super Bowl did it again! Another tummy filling and super fun time served on a plate :)


Chef Roy and Bob of Super Bowl

As I am on a diet, flavors become more important - and quality over quantity. Chef Roy of the Super Bowl of China told us about his secret spices that made Super Bowl's dishes more flavorful than ever.

My companions and I agree that the best tasting dish was the Hot and Spicy Chicken:


Hot and Spicy Chicken

I told Bob, Super Bowl's manager, how it reminded me of Indian flavors that rolled into my palette with every bite of the dish. According to him, it does not need any sauce but next time I want to try it with catsup :)


Beef Fillet Chinese Style

Deciding on which are my new favorites in Super Bowl is a daunting task (oh yeah) but this Beef Fillet Chinese Style had to come in second to the chicken. The beef was so soft and the cut was just right for a very fulfilling bite. One thing I avoid in Chinese dishes are the heavy seasonings (read: MSG) but Chef Roy and I seem to be on the same team when it comes to flavor. The sauces are of the right texture and is not too saturating.


Golden Weave Cut US Frozen Potatoes with Minced Pork

If I were lucky enough to eat potatoes and never gain weight, then I will munch on these potatoes. Imported from the US, these criss-cut fries that are crowned with a flavorful mixture of ground beef is the best thing that ever happened to potatoes. I should stop thinking about them now if I want to keep my waist x.x



Also, we were all surprised when Super Bowl introduced to us their mascots - Super Happi and Super Lucky. It was Azrael's birthday and the mascots surely made us happy. Super Bowl even sang to him a song and gave him this sweet plate of dessert.

Inside the restaurant I saw a poster of another dessert called Mango Sago, it really looks yummy! I wonder with my friends how good it was, maybe we'll try it next time because we will surely go back to Super Bowl.

One Rainy Day at Glorietta 5

If I have lots of money, I will hang out at Glorietta 5. Last Tuesday, we didn't want to waste the traffic of going to Manila so we opted to use some golden GC's at Tokyo Tokyo Metro. What a great way to experience dining in the new Glorietta 5 haha :)



It was raining and I loved the big glass windows. I felt like singing "It's Gonna Rain" from the anime Rurouni Kenshin. I loved how we were only the diners around except for another table of teenagers having fun.

Look at these lovely bentos, ahhhhh~


How to translate Chicken Barbecue in Japanese?


Sushi Tray


Something that tasted like a delicious Pata Tim hahaha

I am praying we get to go out again by ourselves, he is starting to realize the beauty of privacy and rediscover the art of dating.



Went home with 5 boxes of sushis for mama. California maki is always the best for me. I miss the sushi rolls in QV.

Rice Bar in Swanston St.

Today was a rainy day so we had to stay at home except for some shopping after attending Anya's general assembly. Vincent said we'll visit a Sushi Bar but we ended up in a Chinese Resto nearby called Rice Bar.


Here's Anya and me getting ready for a dinner out. She likes to watch me putting on my powder and lip balm. She used my powder brush and asked for shiny lips. Then she got her make up kit and we made her cheeks quiet red. We had to fix it with tissue afterwards :)



And as I was trying to get an outfit shot for styleandrelax.net, Anya insists that she joins in the photo.


Finally we got to walk outside, it was chilling cold but I was excited to eat more.


Donald Duck


Chicken Feet & Mushroom

Dinner on a Plane

The only thing that excites me when I fly is the food. Airplane food are always pleasantly organized and complete. They come in tiny containers like little bunch of surprises! :)

The main dish is pork with vegetable rice. Sauce was tasty and the beef was tender that it can be chewed on easily. Chunks of veggies are incorporated with the rice.

I skipped on the bread and butter to enjoy this curious treat right away. It's a cheesecake in a cup by Goldilocks. Complete with crust, cream cheese and blueberry jam. Thanks to this I momentarilly forgot I was up in the air.

After dinner, the movie Marley and Me was shown on the big screen. Good thing I have not seen this one yet! Thanks to that dog for entertaining me for 2 hours. And after this movie, Adam Sandler's flick (storybook?) was shown. I also finished this because I just can't sleep. I wish they had popcorn :)

3AM (Manila Time), the lights were turned on and breakfast was served. It was just Ensaymada from Quickmelt because we were soon to land 4AM (Manila Time).

Krispy Kreme Donut Shortage in Megamall

At Krispy Kreme Megamall today, donuts were running out of stock at around 8.00PM. I went there with Azrael to eat some Chocolate Karnival donuts but it seems that many are also addicted to it now! :)

My video blog (pretending to be a news reporter at the beginning)



Yes, I get silly sometimes too! :p Look at how serious and affected I look because of a shortage in donuts x.x

People lined up and wished that they get the 5 remaining Chocolate Glazed donuts until the man in front of me bought them all. People behind me said "awww" in chorus. Only original glazed donuts were now available. The staff said that they are also experiencing sold out Chocolate Karnival donuts in other branches. I even planned to go to Mall of Asia Krispy Kreme just to eat them chocolate covered goodies.



Then I asked the waiter if more donuts will arrive soon as the manager seems to be on the phone talking to other branches. The staff said that donuts won't make it on time and that they did not expect this many people to be craving for Krispy Kreme on a Holy Week. I kept on peeking inside the donut factory to find out if donuts have arrived or are being baked. And looks like the manager noticed! He went up to me and said there are still some remaining donuts and he wants me to bring them home, for FREE! yey!

Thank you Krispy Kreme, you never fail to make a little girl happy *mwah*

Donuts, aliens, and extra-terrestrials

A review of recent blog posts gives me the impression of a too perfect life. Working or not, stress is still in the air. Pressure are not just behind the soles of my feet but in my head. Of course, behind all the fun and doing what I love there's the question of what does the future hold and then there are nagging sounds that confuse and push you to the boundaries. At the end of the day, I ask - why are we even here alive when ultimately we will all die? Can life make me die while having fun?

Like communicating with extra-terrestrials I ask, why are we here? what is our purpose? are we alone in the universe? I want to find the answers just to know if all the things a normal person goes through is worth getting into. Like planning, saving money, being a slave, surrendering 80% of life in the office, etc. What for?


In 2005, I swear I saw a UFO hiding behind the clouds as I was testing our new video camera. I recorded it but nobody kept a trace of where that tape was. Maybe it was erased for another occasion to be recorded. Why was it up there, do people who die ride these UFO's? Or is the earth just waiting for an alien invasion.

I get too tired of thinking about the right path to take, do what you love or do like most of the population. All I want are donuts.

Maybe the reason we are here is to eat donuts! *lol* it almost sounds blasphemous but donuts make me happy like chips. I just discovered how delicious the donuts in Starbucks are although pricey. The chocolate dipped donut of Starbucks has real chocolate on top of it and I cannot wait to devour one again.


Then Krispy Kreme just released a new chocolate-y donut, just look at this photo. It's called chocolate carnaval and I can't wait to ride it.

All these donuts make me forget all the uncertainties in life! yummy!

Great time at Hermanos Tapas & Deli Bar

Last night we traveled all the way to Julia Vargas to meet food bloggers at the new Hermanos Tapas & Deli Bar. The crew of QTube were present too as they wanted to feature food bloggers, and I got interviewed by Qtube host Andy (the guy). Andi9 interviewed my friend Fran, watch out for the Hermanos feature on Qtube every Thursday :)



Anyway, the food, wine, ambiance were all great especially shared with friends. Jane was there with her lovey-dovey Christian and Paul - Fran's sweetheart. Our table was filled with hearty conversations and I missed Azrael who arrived late as usual. He came from another event for Animax.



I'll write more about Hermanos at Style and Relax and share my very own photos there.
UPDATE: check out http://styleandrelax.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-enjoy-tapas-party-at-hermanos.html

Here's a glimpse of what we had:


USA Tapa



Thank you to Manny, the man behind Hermanos and to Azrael's good friend Spanky :)

Fish & Co. Adventure - Eat your heart out!

Yesterday, bloggers had fun at Fish & Co. Shangri-la Mall branch. Still we have the Island Cove Adventure hangover, and once more - our friends from Yehey! surprised us with another challenge.

We were divided into 4 groups: Philadelphia, Japan, Malaysia, and India (my group). Our task is to design and create a decent presentation of our Fish and Chips depending on our assigned country. Everyone were handed a sash to wear like Miss Universe!



Then came the surprise, everyone has to run to the grocery and grab the ingredients in no more than 30 minutes. Off everyone ran with their sash, mindless of the people staring at us inside the mall. whew!

We picked up mango chutney, bell peppers, fresh parsley, curry paste, lemons, and onions.


Ohmski turns lemon into a flower, Leira prepares the parsley leaves


Tadaa! Our entry: Vishnu Fish Delight

Ohmski was great with plating and knew how to turn a lemon into a flower, and a red bell pepper into a curry paste holder. Our plate is called Vishnu Fish Delight :) We said the red bell pepper is the offering to the god Vishnu to provide many more fishes.



We didn't win (awww) but everyone enjoyed the International Fish & Chips platter. Fish and Chips reminds me of my trip to Australia where seafood was great and fresh. I also love their desserts - Tiramisu and Creme Brulee.


International Fish & Chips Platter


Creme Brulee and Tiramisu

Chris loves his Creme Brulee to the max!