Spring cleaning

I devoted my whole midday to this long overdue chore today. I'm glad I woke up on the right side of the bed, as they say. My boys are out for work so I have the whole house to myself. Pledge, basahan, walis and the mop are my bffs today. Changed our master bedroom's curtains, throw pillow cases, my son's pillow cases and bed sheets, too.

Being financially responsible

Apart from his 'treat' a month ago, we officially 'tasted' my son's share in our household expenses. It's just a meager amount from his sweldo. We agreed that he'll be the one in charge in paying our laundry woman weekly. I just want him to feel what a responsible adult should be. But the truth is, I'll save it and open another savings account for him so that 'may mabubunot siya sa panahon ng tag-ulan'. The more saving accounts, the merrier. Shhhh..

CnT lechon

Of course, apart from the dried fish or daing, dried mangoes, otap, it would be a 'crime' to leave Cebu without tasting or bringing home their famous Lechon. It could be Rico's, Zubochon but we prefer CnT.

dining at Larsian, Cebu

We headed to this eating joint after our mass at Sto. Niño Cathedral. It is known for its wide array of food which comprises of pork, seafood, etc. which are mostly inihaw or grilled over charcoal. 

Basilica Miñore de Cebu

March 22, 2015

The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child (Spanish: Basílica Minore del Santo Niño), commonly known as Santo Niño Church, is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in the 1565. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church established in the country on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebú, a statue depicting the Child Jesus was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. (Wikipedia)

Souvenir shopping

March 22, 2015

Before we headed to the mass, we decided to go souvenir shopping first which could be found near the church. You could walk to the place actually from the Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino. 

Shamrock's Otap

It's a good thing that Shamrock was just a kilometer away from our hotel. Apart from Lechon, Dried Mangoes and Daing(dried fish), Otap is the next on the list of Cebu's famous pasalubong.

Like or dislike

I'm halting my Cebu posts for today. Nakakabahala lang kasi. Issue na pala ngayon ang pag-like at hindi mo pag-like sa FB? Actually, I've been hearing about this for a while na but I just brush it off every time. Last night, I was on viber with my Sis and this topic popped up again out of nowhere. I just told her it is immature if others would think this as a big issue.

Crown Regency Towers, Cebu

March 22, 2015

Tonggo wharf bound

After we rode a banca(motorboat) as we left Nalusuan, two tricycle drivers(p150 ea) where waiting at the wharf to transport us to Gaisano mall where taxis to the city abound. We paid p275 ata. Mukhang napamahal kami, kung Taxi daw p650 babayaran namin hindi pa kami nagpalipat lipat.

While in Nalusuan...

March 21-22, 2015

What to do para di ka mabored...

 Chased both the sunset and the sunrise the next day. Catch me if you can ang peg.

Food at Nalusuan Beach Resort

March 21-22, 2015

The resto stands also on 'stilts', too...

Initially, we almost got turned off by the influx of tourists(mostly Koreans) in the island. It is considered part of the island hopping tour and apparently, part of their stopover is to have their lunch in Nalusuan.

Stilt cottage in Nalusuan

March 21, 2015

We paid p3500/a night for our stay in the island. We rented two, for me and my sis and the other one for my mom and aunt.

Nalusuan Island Beach, Cordova, Cebu

March 21, 2015

The last time when I was in Cebu was June, 2013 where together with my husband we bonded with the butandings in Oslob and gone glamping at Sumilon Island. It was one for the books.

the water was so still and clear as we head to the island

Gone for the weekend

I have always love the sea. It is the ultimate 'day off' for a city dweller like me. Sawa na ako sa pollution, noise or air, and traffic.

Just a brief respite from life's daily grind. Enjoy yours, too!

Photofinish packing

I can't believe I only started packing at 10 pm tonight. Obviously, I procastinated again. Anyway, it would just be for a few days. I will be with my Mom, sister and Aunt. It will be a beach trip and a day for city sightseeing. My essentials: IT receipt for check in, an ID, phones, earphones, wallet, tissue, lipstick, comb, pressed powder, medicines, cash, reading glasses and sunglasses. In my luggage are my swimsuit, digital camera, sunscreen, undies, clothes for two days, shawl, toiletries, snacks, and snorkeling paraphernalia. Set my alarm to 4:45. It's 11:30 pm.

Good night!

Mama's sepanx

I usually feel this when I'm about to go on a trip or someone will be away for a few days in my family. Dapat nasanay na ako. When I was still teaching in a Catholic school, I always participate in retreats at least once a year in a retreat house near the city. Sometimes it would take us two to three days. Ang hirap noon lalo na baby pa ang anak ko. Good thing there's a celphone na. I always make it a point to check on my family. Same with our out of town trips. I feel anxious days before the trip. To appease myself of 'guilt', I cook meals in advance, clean the house, prepare whatever my boys' need when I'm not around. 

Evangelista st., Bangkal, Makati

It is known to be a haven for vintage or antique and cheaper second hand furniture and home decors. We finally explored this famous street in Makati, south of Manila last Saturday.

Black Plums

This officially starts our summer here at home. Our duhat tree in full bloom!

Duhat is a fruit tree found mostly wild throughout the Philippines. Duhat seeds are known for the treatment of diabetes, as are the leaves and the juice from the fruit. The bark is astringent and in decoction is used as a mouthwash and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth.

Medicinal Properties:

• Diarrhea: Liberal amounts of the fleshy portion of the fruit.
• Gum gingivitis: Use a 1% decoction of the bark as a gargle or mouthwash.
• Wounds: Use the bark decoction as an astringent wash.
• In India, seeds used for diabetes.
• Bark used for sore throats, indigestion, appetite loss, leucorrhea, bronchitis, asthma, ulcers and dysentery.

*source: Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders

Gadgets, Errands and an almost Heart attack

I went through my routine as usual in the morning. After lunch, my husband went off first to see his Kumpare regarding their vinyl hunting hobby. I dropped off my son at the MRT station and proceeded to the mall to have my gadgets 'consult their doctors'.

To collect or not

My first Royal Albert ever :)

I'm not the type to collect things. Unang-una madali ako magsawa. Second, it's impractical. Lastly, ayaw ko ng kalat. My husband and son collect Lego toys, action figures, vinyl records and bikes. Ayun they tend to magkalat nga. At ako ang matiyaga magligpit. Huhu.

Baked Macaroni

I cooked this which served as my son's treat for my side of family. It coincided with my sis' birthday celebration today at my Mom's.

Busted Ipad

I don't know what is with this year but my gadgets keep on 'falling apart' one after the other. First my Iphone last January and now the Ipad.

distorted images on my IPAD'S screen

Liezel Martinez, Rest in Peace

Filipina actress Liezel Martinez dies of Cancer- I was having my coffee and donut while I read about this sad news on Twitter. Too young at 47, I know that she had breast cancer since 2008 and its on remission, nag-relapse pala and kumalat na sa lungs. My condolences to her husband actor Albert Martinez and kids.

This always remind me that every morning that we wake up to, we should indeed be grateful.

More info about it here...

How to get fat in a few days

Just try my no fail diet today. I ate burger, fries, aglio olio pasta, bread, soda and halo-halo.

Di pa nakuntento, we had this for takeout earlier.

J.Co donuts

The road to pagtaba is easy...

House of Cards

Between me and my husband, he is more interested in American TV series. He watches Game of Thrones, Homeland, The Walking Dead, among others to lull him off to sleep. I only watched the Newsroom and Modern Family in the past. We finally got the time to catch House of Cards, an American political drama series, today. We both like Kevin Spacey as an actor so this will not come as a surprise. It helped that this series also keep on winning awards and nominations ever since the first episode.

We are currently on Season 1, Episode 8.

wanted: braidy bunch

According to wikipedia...

A braid (also called plait) is a complex structure or pattern formed by intertwining three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibres, wire, or human hair. 

Begin Again and Anchorman 2

We often watch movies on DVD if we weren't able to catch it in movie theaters. Or sometimes on purpose, we really don't. We often label them as ''pang-DVD lang' kind of movies both English and sometimes Tagalog, because spending p200+ each ticket and the traffic that I need to brave through aren't sometimes worth it.

when you're 'jobless'

The last five years whenever I'm out with friends or even with former co-teachers which are rare times, these are the frequently asked questions thrown at me:

S&R and a blowout

After a quick bank transaction, husband and I proceeded to S&R to buy pizzas, roasted chicken for my son's blowout for our office staff regarding his employment. We consider them part of the family already because they saw my son grew up, most of them have been with us even before he was  conceived.

Mission: Lumaki ang pisngi

I noticed in my recent pictures that my cheeks need some 'lifting'. I'm not talking about face lifting though I don't judge people who prefers that. Pera nila, choice nila yun. To each his own. Kung saan sila masaya. Wa ko care. 

Casa Verde

UP Town Center

It's a Saturday night so it's not surprising that a lot of people mostly families are out for dinner. It's our son's treat because he received his first paycheck na so it's his call where he wants us to eat. Father and son voted for Casa Verde, a Cebu based resto over my choice, Banoi's, a Vietnamese resto. Ang boring daw.

Family Mart

We looked for something light to eat while waiting for a vacant table at Casa Verde. My son chose Spam/Egg Pandesal. No picture. I was too preoccupied.

I heard this is a bestseller in this Japanese franchised convenient store. Matikman nga.

Flatware problems

My husband posed this problem early this morning...

H: Ma, ayaw ko nang bagong kutsara natin.

Pagpag at Starbucks drive thru

I had a great time with my Highschool barkada last night despite the sad circumstance. I decided to drop by the nearest Starbucks on my way home for some 'pagpag'. To Filipinos it's a superstitious belief that you go to a place for a pitstop after visiting a wake to shake off the spirits of the dead.

It's a good thing I don't have to go down from my car because I ordered Caramel Frap for myself, Chicken Pesto sandwich for the hubby and a Choco donut for my son by drive thru. Great convenience. Everyone's happy.

another wake aka reunion

I know a lot of people are dying every minute. But if it's someone close or known to you, it's hard not to get affected. A highschool friend called me up early this morning. Apparently, one of our best friend's father died yesterday. In short, we agreed to meet up later to condole with her and her family. Instant reunion, again.

all you can eat pasta

I realized it had been a carbo loading day today. Hindi naman ako sasali ng marathon pero ewan ko ba at ito ang naisipan kong iluto. Champorado for breakfast but sorry, no picture.

For lunch, I whipped this up for my Spaghetti's tomato sauce. I added these sausages...

Copycat

pic fr. dollmakersdream.com

They say "Imitation is the best form of flattery". I agree and if one is confident of herself or secure, this shouldn't be a problem if you're the one being imitated. You usually take the higher road. Hindi mo na pinapatulan because there are other issues that are far more important. I remember when my siblings and I were young girls pa, pang-asar namin yung "weeeh gaya-gaya, puto maya!" Noon kapag ginagawa namin manggaya, our purpose is  mang-inis. We were immature of course. But as one grows up, naiiba ang concept mo about it. At least ginagaya ka. There's something about you na hinahangaan. Might be your good taste on things or your values as a person. Idol or inspiration, they say.

But how does one go overboard?

Facial, Tim Howan, Dairy Queen

Finally, I had my Obagi facial today. It will be my last out of five sessions. I had pimples, small ones on my forehead due to the hairspray I used two weeks ago.

Bank hopping and Dad(+) visit

I had a previous bank transaction earlier from my sis' branch before I braved the famous Monday traffic. Luckily, it was tolerable compared to my SIL and husband's ordeal in going to the airport this morning. Two and a half hours papunta, one hour and a half pabalik. Nakarating ka na ng Baguio nun. Sigh.

Juice it real good

Apple Orange juice

Beating the onset of summer heat with this refreshing drink which I juiced this morning. No to artificial flavored ones which are loaded with sugar. Nothing beats fresh and healthy.

Sleepless in Manila

I wasn't getting enough sleep the past few days. I'm adjusting to my son's sked. His work lasts till midnight. No, he doesn't work in a call center. He is in animation and their clients involve the Nickelodeon company in the US.  My husband is an early riser due to his work and hobby naman- biking which requires him to wake up before sunrise and return home by 1pm at least five times a week. Tapos si Loki our beagle, makakita lang ng pusa tatahol. The problem with me, I'm always having a hard time to go back to sleep. And there are rare times that I will get a power or an afternoon nap.