Where have I been eating?

I’ve decided to put into good use the pounds which have taken residence in my body by sharing where I’ve gained them. Lol. These are some of the restos I’ve recently tried and would highly recommend to all food lovers.

• Sophia’s: The south is lucky to have this resto in their place. They serve authentic Mediterranean foods as the chef is a Greek. (Or was he Italian? They have a background at the back of their menu, I just couldn’t remember) I really think that the price of their food is just right for the taste. I ordered their Mousaka (which is priced at Php310 only) and after the first bite I know I couldn’t return to just any pasta. It has to be as delicious as this. Their pizza (Php290) is how I want my piazza to be. Thin crust, not too oily, and the cheese melt perfectly. Their gyro (php200++) is big enough for two with fries on the side. The location and the ambience is the cherry on top of the icing. It’s a quaint resto with plants outside the window; decors are impression of greek culture, and Mediterranean music playing in the background you could just imagine you’re in Greece. I wish they have a resto nearer!!

• Mom & Tina’s: I’ve only been there twice, and both times I ordered Chicken Spinach Lasagna. Two words: Al dente! The taste lingers in my mouth that even now just thinking about it I’d like to drop by their branch in Dela Rosa to have dinner. I’ve tasted a bit of their Paella Valencia and Beef Tapa as well and both are value for money. If I was craving for tapa and I had money to spare, Mom & Tina’s would be first on my list. And if you order bottomless iced tea, you could switch to three different flavours (green, red and lemon) if you want to try all of them. The ambience makes you feel like you’re in a small country house eating your mom’s cooking. I’m not a big fan of their pastries though, considering that they started as a pastry shop.

• Abé: After a few bites of their lamb adobo, I felt full already. The meat was soft and exquisite. It’s like the perfect comfort food. After all, it’s where good friends dine. Hehe

• Secret Recipes: Their branch in Greenbelt is kind of intimidating so I never cared to take a look. Their branch in Shangri-la is more welcoming though. We were supposed to have lunch at Wham Burger when we passed by Secret Recipes and took a peek at their menu. The prices weren’t so bad. When we tasted their food... the prices didn’t matter at all. They were offering “combo meal” that time, so for Php300, I had soup, chicken cordon bleu with herb rice, chocolate cake and iced tea. Mafi ordered the pan dory fish with caribbean sauce and it was delicious as well. The really intriguing dish in their menu is the tom yum spaghetti, I’ll probably try that next.

• Angel’s Kitchen: Everyone talks in hushed voice because the ambience is that of a fine dining restaurant. We’ve ordered pinakbet rice with bagnet and chocolate bagoong. Doesn’t that make your mouth water? I still have to ask manang ynes to try and do this. It seems pretty easy to do. We were so full after we could barely move. It’s kind of pricey though and it’s not something I would crave, but worth trying.

My gauge for a restaurant to be great: if I leave the place full and feeling happy! Give your taste buds a treat, forget ‘bout watching your weight and try these restos. I swear you wouldn’t regret.

Kumusta naman ang pagiging single?

I was talking to an old friend whom I haven’t seen for ages and we were doing the usual catching up when she asked me the last question I wanted to hear, “Kumusta naman ang pagiging single?” I don’t know if she was being sarcastic or what. Truth is, after being in a long relationship, I don’t want to be reminded that I’m single. It’s like telling a blind person that she’s blind. I mean, there’s no need to salt the wound.

I’ve been in a relationship for the longest time, and when I was thrown in the single world I didn’t know what to do. I’d like to say that being single is better than being in a couple, but there are times when a big chunk of me would want to be in one again. Before you start raising your eyebrows, I’m not going back with him. Anyone who knew both of us would say that we had a good run albeit how things ended but one has to know when a story is over. Neither will I go to a string of dates to fill in the void. Actually, dating made me realize how NOT ready I am to date.

My answer by the way to the question was, “it’s not so bad” and it really isn’t.

There are just times when I want that hug, that voice, that smile which obliterates every hitch around. Sure, friends and family are always around. But everyone who’s been inlove would agree with me that it’s still different, every single thing is different with that special one. Even the fights are special. It’s like the first few minutes of P.S. I Love you where Hilary & Gerard Butler were fighting and all I could think of is that I want to have someone to shout at again. Someone to bicker with, play who’s-got-a-bigger-ego games with, someone to throw the vase at (yeah, I do that), and then say “I’m sorry” in the sweetest tone possible. Darn, I gotta stop myself here!

And although I’m not ready to jump into a relationship yet, I’m looking forward for the time when I can once again sing, “I’m only me when I’m with you” or “in the morning you’re my super double caffeine drink.” That’s how it feels when you’re in love, ayt?

Right now though, there’s no need to rush things. Cliché it is, but I think (after seven friggin’ years) I have to be single and learn to enjoy being one. After all, I’m not so alone. I’ve got my fellow single friends who will make this phase FUN! Plus, it’s one less person on my gift list which means I get to buy more stuff for ME! Oh, the stuff we say to make ourselves happy. Lol

Daughtry singing Poker Gace

need I say more? (^____^)

I have a new fave tambay spot...

...and that is Krispy Kreme along Ayala Ave.

Aside from the free wi-fi, I get to people watch. I usually sit in the stool by the window instead of the couch. In between e-mailing documents to client and facebooking/ blog hopping/ e-online-ing or whatever crap I do with the net, I just stare outside the window and watch people pass by. With my headset plugged playing "coffee & book playlist". It brings some sort of serenity albeit the pain in my back. People watching is not as freaky as it sounds. You should try doing it once. I could just crop out the busses and jeeps passing by and imagine I'm in a street cafe in Paris. :-)

Definitely going gaga

there goes all hopes of getting free tix for Lady Gaga's concert. Out the window.

I so want..no, I NEED to watch this concert. Does this mean I have to skimp on everything so I could buy a VIP ticket? Maybe cancel my cebu trip on september. Hmmm? I can do that. So what if I have plane tickets na, I bought that on sale naman. Cebu will always be there, there will always be seat sales. But it's not everytime that Lady Gaga will come over. Maybe use my mom's swipey and just endure her endless sermons of not being responsible with my money when she gets her bill. Although I'm sure she'll let me pay for this one. My list is long as it is, she won't let this go. Hmmm. Torn. I'm so torn.

*conversation with myself in my brain while pretending to listen during this morning's sales meeting.

I would give up all premiere tickets...

..if I could have one for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Yeah, mafi, I'm talking to you. Hehe. Premiere tickets! Premiere tickets!!




Sooo excited!! :-))

Madonna Pays Tribute to the King of Pop

Check this out!




Even at 50, Madonna can still rock the stage.

For the longer version of the video, click here.

Am I My Sister's Keeper?

Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper is the kind of book that will make you stare at the last page for a long time like every inch of surprise have been knocked out of you.

I read lots of mystery, government/ CIA/ secret service/law involvement, action thrilling books. Halfway through the book I will find myself feeling like Nancy Drew trying to solve cases or guess the whys of the story even before the characters do. By the end of the book, I would close it with either an I-told-you-so little laugh or a heavy, but good, sigh for all the (country-going-to-war-worth) secrets that were uncovered when all the agent wanted to know was whether the nerd committed suicide or not.

MYS on the other hand is none of that. The ending was not something anyone could have expected or guessed. I was in an emotional rut when I was reading the book, so every now and then I would have to close the book to stop tears. I wouldn't want the person in the next couch in starbucks think I'm a wacko who gets teary-eyed over a cup of coffee, ayt?

The book was narrated from different points of view. The narration would shift from one character to the other. Each gets to say their take in the situation hence they all grow on you. As a reader, you would think that you can provide a solution, an equation, a black and white answer to every dilemma but you'll find yourself even more lost than the characters are. You wouldn't even consider picturing yourself in their shoes. Should Anna donate her kidney to Kate and put their lives both at risk when Kate is at the verge of dying anyway? If Sara just learned to let go years before, Jesse wouldn't be that screwed up teenager that he is and Anna wouldn't feel like she just exists so her sister could live. It was wise of Anna to file a lawsuit against her parents.

It wouldn't also make you feel relieved that your family is not stuck in the sticky situation the Fitzgeralds are. Instead, you will find yourself thinking of your own family and how at one point or another you could relate to the Fitzgeralds.

I like Anna's part best. It's like reading all the things you wished you have thought. She's the perfect 13-year old. One who thinks she knows what she wants and can make it on her own but would also curl up in the embrace of her parents. I don't think we ever grow out of that stage. Even at 22, there are times when I find myself at a lost and the only place I want to be is home with my mom and dad telling me what I should do.

I'm not gonna spoil the ending for those who haven't read the book and if you plan to read this book, have a Kleenex ready. *sniff sniff*

**I heard that the ending of the movie is different from that of the book. Hope it's just as heart-warming as the book is.