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Showing posts from September, 2013

Cousins Who Love Sweets

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at Gusto for dessert and tea http://instagram.com/p/e4C78Emscn/ It's been a while since the three of us (cousins and I) got together for lunch or dinner.  We bump into each other every so often (because Cebu City is that small), but usually with one of us hurrying to school to pick up the kid/s, or in the middle of an errand.  Earlier today was one rare occasion when all three of us got to sit down for a leisurely meal and chika.  We then drove to another place just for dessert and tea.  Time and traffic seemed to cooperate, just lovely... On another note... I have no intention to turn this site into a food blog but one might get that impression since my previous posts were about restos I've been to or food I've tried.  It's just that recent lunch invitations from close friends and cousins were timed a few days apart, hence the seemingly endless pics of food and such. Of course there are "dry spells" too when days or even weeks pass without me venturing out

Light Lunch At Little Saigon Big Bangkok

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6PM Double Dinner Date

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Contadina At Antica Osteria

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http://instagram.com/p/ezN8FdGsZJ/

Junk Food Friday

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http://instagram.com/p/ewb5b8mscz/ We are not big fans of fastfood chains like McDonald's, Jollibee, KFC, and such.  Even our youngest boy is more interested in the toys that come with McDonald's happy meal than the food itself. And with the trans fats and other unhealthy ingredients that go with the food, I say, good for him that he doesn't crave for it at all!   This afternoon was different.  We noticed the newly opened McDonald's branch at Aegis' building.  It looked very much unlike the other outlets, so we got curious enough to check out the place.  It was spacious.  People from nearby offices came and went the whole time we were there.  Looks like business is good despite the fact that they are new and that there is another McDonald's outlet within half a kilometer away. We had spaghetti (for the free toy), fries, coke float, coffee float and blueberry sundae. I  couldn't say much about the food as they were just consistent with the other branches...

Friday School Run

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http://instagram.com/p/ewVsfuGsY6/

Thirty Minutes Early For Lunch With Girlfriends

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When I learned that lunch was at Tavolata along A. S. Fortuna St., I immediately planned to leave Lahug an hour before our 12 noon appointed time.  Unpredictable traffic on Gorordo Ave., Salinas Drive, Banilad and Mandaue areas can make me paranoid like that.  Factor in the rains, a sure recipe for a jam and that would just be horrendous.  It turned out to be one smooth quick drive, thankyouverymuch, and I got to the place a good thirty minutes early.  Ha! Tavolata offers mostly salad, pasta, and pizza.  They have main courses too.  Prices are on the high range, but they have a set lunch for P450 which includes soup, salad, main course and tea or coffee.  Being a first-timer there, that's what I ended up having.  I figured that should give me a taste of several items on their menu.  And incidentally, these turned out to be good, at least for my taste.   So... after checking out the menu, what is there left to do, right?  Sitting solo in a classy place like this one prompted me to

Last Year When Ma Was 74

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http://instagram.com/p/es6MsEGsTR/ A not so old photo for Throwback Thursday... Ma turned 75 years old last Sept. 22... :)

No, He Is Not Playing

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Afternoon Sweets At Cafe Caw

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http://instagram.com/p/emE9LDmsWV/ After our xiao long bao and noodles lunch at Fung's , we walked to the new Cafe Caw next door.  Because I saw a post from hubby's niece, J, about this new place for desserts, coffee or tea, it was out of curiosity that we chose this over the more familiar Dessert Factory nearby.   Maybe because they were still on soft-launch, I found their selection of food and drinks quite limited.  That didn't stop us though.  We got a red velvet cupcake for M and a cup of brownie ala mode for me.  Being fond of sweets, I liked how our orders tasted, even if I thought they were a smidgen sweeter for me.   What I loved about the place, which I'm sure M would agree with, was the overall appeal of the quirky pastel colored tables, wooden chairs, long couches, loveseats and armchairs.  There were birdcage stickers,  framed mirrors and pendant lights too that were colorful.  We were amused at the fancy things we saw.  Even my teeny tiny ala

Lunch At Fung's

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http://instagram.com/p/emCxb2GsUu/ When M texted to ask if I was free for lunch, I confirmed my availability and immediately thought of where to go.  Then I remembered hubby being curious about this new noodle house along Salinas Drive.  Each time we passed by, we would see the parking area full and we would wonder where these people were going.  Apparently, people were there for Fung's.  I thought M and I should give this a try for our lunch date. At 1145am, the place wasn't crowded yet.  M and I were ushered to the 2nd level where they had their dining area.  It was a small place with just enough tables and chairs for not too big groups.  Soon, the lunch crowd started trickling in. After checking out the menu, we decided on their xiao long bao and specialty noodles.  We also ordered pork (I forgot what it was called) and shared a cup of rice.  Except for the pork which we found so-so and a bit on the fatty side, we loved their xiao long bao and noodles.  For wh

Ma's 75th Birthday

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http://instagram.com/p/ekCaBfmsc9/ We celebrated Ma's diamond year today at Big Mao...  Praying the Lord may bless Ma with all the best and with more special occasions to celebrate with the family.

Copy That!

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http://instagram.com/p/ejngmDGsQ4/ A new #linnorstoleherlook entry...

Harvest Moon Fest

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http://instagram.com/p/ejYPX1msSR/ At my MIL's place, we played another round of the dice game today, but unlike last week, this time we had all hopia as prizes.  My MIL won the top prize, thus she got the biggest hopia in the bunch.  Lucky lucky! :)

Hopia Like It

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http://instagram.com/p/ejKJhFmsQQ/ At the Jesuit church this morning, the priest announced that hopia will be distributed to everyone right before the final blessing.  This is to celebrate the harvest moon or more popularly known as the moon cake festival.   With us in the pic are my Ma and Pa.  We were in red because Ma also celebrated her 75th birthday today.

Food Trip Saturday: Canvas Bistro

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http://instagram.com/p/ehd5oZGsVT/ Couscous, chicken with rosemary, adobo baby back ribs, salmon with dill, not in pic- rose wine, platter of pork skewer, meat pie, etc and desserts for SIL's birthday... Cost - free!!! 

Food Trip Saturday: Harbour City

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http://instagram.com/p/ehcbS8msTU/  Late lunch for 3... steamed fried rice, quail egg siomai, yang chow rice, stewed pork rice, beef spring rolls, not in pic - tea, buchi and siopao asado... cost php440. :)

Pit Stop

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Mooncake Shopping At Manila's Chinatown

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http://instagram.com/p/eXwnkHmsWz/ This is one of the many reminders that my sons are half Chinese and half Filipino with a trace of Spanish... :)

Because They're Now Back In School

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http://instagram.com/p/eV-HTNmsc6/ When I started doing yoga last October as my health regimen, the men in my family were not interested.  They stuck to their choice, working out in the gym.  The sons were under a trainor for a while.  That was during one summer which of course stopped when school started.  Then track and basketball in school became their form of exercise.   I guess they thought yoga was only for women.  I don't blame them.  More than half of the studio attendees were women.  Perhaps that reinforced their aversion for it.   Long story short, I dared the middle son to join me one day.  It wasn't instantaneous.  It took some convincing.  When he finally did, he sweated buckets but liked it.  The firstborn followed during his term break.  With the two sons being open to yoga, it wasn't long before the hubby joined. Now, hubby and I do yoga 2-3 times a week.  And whenever the sons are in town from university, they set time to join us as well. Yoga has become a

Family Selfies

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http://instagram.com/p/eR9d85msSF/ ... and a bit of send-off shopping for our boys before they fly back to Manila for their second trimester at uni.

Mooncake Festival Dice Game

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Last Day Before The Boys Go Back To DLSU

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We Just Stumbled Upon Something

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http://instagram.com/p/ePEVesGsU7/ ... at True Value, and found the perfect reason for selfies. :P

Post-Intrams Lunch

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http://instagram.com/p/eOqxuEGseK/ My sis-in-law's resto, Canvas, is running a promo right now and what perfect timing for us to try it out earlier today after the opening of the son's school intrams. We ordered corned beef, pork medallion, herb battered fish, and burger. And one of the dishes was free as part of their promo. Sweet! It was a good deal for us plus, sil also gave us 3 yummy desserts for free!   Two thumbs up!

Full Force At The Grade School Intrams

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http://instagram.com/p/eOLUeFmsfp/ Thank God for hubby's flight from Manila that got to Cebu on time.  He was able to be at school before the presentation started.  He also saw Jake march as class captain and escort to their class' muse. The family proudly watched him together with his class as they danced onstage.   By 12noon, Jake's class was judged as the most colorful team. :)

Blaming The Kardashians

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http://instagram.com/p/eMidLomse-/ After watching on tv the Kardashians' lovely Greek vacay at Mykonos and Santorini, we suddenly had the craving for Greek food.   So by lunch time, the sons and I were at Cyma and were ordering our lamb and chicken gyros. Yeah, we'll take any excuse  just to eat out... 

Trying To Rock 'Em Shades

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http://instagram.com/p/eJ-5gyGsSr/ I bought this pair online for about 4 USD...  I thought it's cool that it's inexpensive plus this wraps around my existing prescription glasses. So, how do i look?  Hehe Nah, don't answer that. LOL

Cheap Thrill

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http://instagram.com/p/eJ8zChGsQ-/ The college boys from the green university visited their blue high school alma mater today to join us in getting Jake.   As we were having our snacks in the cafeteria, one of the sons commented how much more his existing allowance could buy here in Cebu versus what he could buy in Manila.  I just snickered and thought:  Ha-ha! Well that's Manila for you... 

Early For Vinyasa

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http://instagram.com/p/eH6ce3msXL/ Trust me, they really are more energetic than that. ;)

Like A Tree

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I Did It!

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http://instagram.com/p/eEiDCwmsYb/ It didn't happen as fast as I wanted it to even if I was taught the (headstand) pose the first few days of my yoga practice last year in October. As in most things, it took me a while and a lot of practice. K, our Ashtanga instructress, has always been encouraging in all of the sessions I attended with her. J, the lead yoga instructress, once said that with constant practice, it will just happen. I have made many attempts with help from my son, my hubby or the wall.  I finally dared to do it without the security of the wall behind me... just the watchful eye of hubby and his ready helping hand to straighten me when I start to lean more on my right. So 11 months after my first, though only for a few breaths long, it actually happened.  I proudly held my own.

Don't Try This At Home!

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http://instagram.com/p/eCHxoxGsYM/ Somebody's having too much fun!!! 🍻😆

Following The Scent Of The Sea

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http://instagram.com/p/eBUvv-msUS/ Due to tight schedules, w e were not able to avail of our complimentary accommodation at Maribago during summer.  Last Saturday, the college sons just got back in town from Manila for their trimestral break, just in time for the long weekend in Cebu (Osmena Day, 9/9).  I saw the opening, made arrangements and luckily got our preferred date. Yes!  So now we're still here as of this writing. We like it that there are beaches in Cebu that are just a short drive.  Maribago is one of them.  Today is not scorching hot and not rainy either.  Everybody is having fun and enjoying the remainder of the Monday holiday at the beach.  Thank God for family, for the accessible beach, for the p erfect timing and so far, for the perfect weather too.

Because It's A Holiday Monday In Cebu

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Twosome

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http://instagram.com/p/eBBpotmsQo/ Resort-hopped last night (Sun) with the Khos for extended bonding and photo op.

Legwork

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http://instagram.com/p/eANReMmsV_/ The sons while copying the copycat at Movenpick Resort's fancy restroom...

Cool As Cucumbers

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http://instagram.com/p/d_okdkmsY7/ For this long weekend in Cebu (Osmena Day on Monday), we opted to avail of Maribago's complimentary accommodation.  

We're Here...

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They're Baa-aack!!!

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We All Used To Work Together At Islacom

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Officially Done With 1st Quarter!

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http://instagram.com/p/d8cPnpmsXg/ On to the next!  And this time he will do his best to pull up his grade in Language. 😌  

Staking A Claim?

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http://instagram.com/p/d6iHofmsSu/ I'm not really sure if hubby was unaware of the "thought bubble" prank going on behind his back. He said this was taken during one of their team's Christmas parties in SGV Consulting (Makati) in 1989, one month after I joined the company. Yup, I was fairly new then that they weren't even sure of how to spell my name. Here's a side story to that... When we became friends, not yet a pair, he would get flustered when I was anywhere near his desk where his stash of office pics was kept. This pic* was his little secret (pala). LOL *from hubby's old files and posted with his permission (haha!) for Flashback Friday

Not The Butter :)

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http://instagram.com/p/d361TeGsS5/ Hubby brought this home today - a box of Speculoos Cookies, yummy pasalubong from a colleague.  ❤

He Didn't Take After Me

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Regular dismissal today was at 246pm. However, due to the upcoming intramurals, son's class wouldn't be let off until 4pm to allow them some time to practice. So I waited, watched some students in the lower levels while they played "dampa" with popsicle sticks, cops and robbers, hide and seek or some other active game. It was definitely ruckus and mayhem at the Grand Lobby. And as I sat there, a young girl almost tripped over my foot.  As far as I could recall, my grade school years were not as rowdy. Don't get me wrong. I'm saying this with amusement. I marvel at the stamina of youngsters these days. I guess, the only time they are physically active is when they are in school. Right? At home or anywhere else, it's computer, internet or gadget gaming, or tv time. So I try to give our son extra time to play after classes just to partly expend energy.  Thirty minutes before 4pm, my thoughts took me back to the 70s during my early grade school yea