1 Untitled

The girl who laughs and talks a lot and seems very happy is also the girl who cry herself to sleep... 

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Genesis 2:18 - Prayer for a Happy Marriage

The Lord said, "It is not good for man to live alone. I will make him a suitable helper who is right for him."

Thank you Father for uniting us together. Help the two of us to truly become one and seek fellowship with You in prayer and unite ourselves to You. Where You are acknowledged Jesus, that is where You dwell and build good homes. Help us, dear Jesus, to have a positive faith, help us to bear each other's burdens, share each other's minds, partake of each other's joys, help us to bring up Your children, that you have blessed us with according to Your will.. We have received everything from You. We give all we have to You. Thank You, Father, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

0 Oily = Ugly

Oiliness is next to ugliness (they say). Not sure why I am blogging this. I just remembered a friend of mine. She'll be here next week for a vacation and I will be her official tour guide. She has been in Canada for 12yrs straight and she's afraid, she might get lost in Manila. I'm excited too! It's been a while that I went out with a friend without thinking that there will be "issues" after. 

She's a college friend. We went to the same university but she graduated with a different degree. We used to go out, gimik together and shop together. When we graduated, she had to fulfill her daughter duties to her family staying in Canada. She got married with a Filipino-Canadian man and eventually lost contact with her... 

5 years ago, I found her in Facebook. I was soo happy. Not sure if she would still recognize me, I added her and soon enough, she accepted, got my number. In less than a day, she was calling my mobile phone already. 

Next week, we will see each other again after 12yrs. I am not sure how she looks like now. But on her Facebook photos, she seemed to be prettier than before. I can barely notice the oiliness of her face.. I remember our classmates teasing her because of her oily face. Because of this, she had several pimples. She always cry about this... I helped her find the best face powder for her face, we got ourselves on facial treatments together and tried those oil-removing films in malls. But none of these worked! I thought she had an oil mine in her glands. I can't help but smile thinking about how she looks like while I was laughing at her. Of course she just stares at me and roll her eyes away from me. Being her closest friend that time, she didn't mind. 

I'll have to wait next week to see her face again. LOL She told me she had a treatment in Canada which helped her "fix" her face. Hahaha! 

Looking back, we still managed to be friends even without communication for 12yrs. And in a snap, we were talking and laughing again as if we didn't lose connection. Everytime we talk over the phone, we usually discuss about our flaws. I realized, this person is a true friend.. I'm excited for next week. I know it's going to be a blast. Not to mention my pasalubong from her. Haha! The jokes, laughters, giggles and never ending story telling sessions. One thing for sure, she got a beautiful heart..

Love,
Nessie

0 Late Post: My Fudge Experience

Today is a low day for me and while I was trying to browse thru my Tumblr photos, I came across with the food we had when I was still in Cebu. At the Fudge Restaurant. This is a pastry boutique in Cebu. Sinfully delicious desserts from breakfast until dinner. This only branch is located in AS Fortuna in Cebu. Not hard to find, in fact, most of Cebu cab drivers knows this place. Not your typical type of restaurant because this is relatively small which I think, can only accommodate 20-30 customers only. Crews, including their Security Guard were friendly. When I was having a dinner there, I even watched the guard feeding a cat staying near the door as if guarding the place too. LOL! Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture of the guard cat. 

photo credit: doispeaks
#888 A.S. Fortuna St.

Pork Chops

Aligue Rice w/ Fried Spanish Sardines

Double Choco Fudge

This is one place which I will definitely visit again once I am given a chance to visit Cebu again. =)

The Fudge Restaurant

#888 A.S Fortuna St (before Joven's Grill)

Rating: 

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2 Here I Go Again!

It's like Britney's song: Oops! I did it again! I just can't help it sometimes. You've probably noticed that the site layout had changed (yet again!). Scarcely a month after a major revamp, I've gone and played with the theme again. This time, it's more of a tweak, a touch up. Oh who am I kidding? LOL It's an almost complete overhaul of the previous design. But I've kept the major theme and page elements that I liked. 

So, what's new with this version? 

• Now, it got 2 columns now
• The header is a collage of the photos I really like 
• Restructured the comments area
• Less complicated font style
• Rearranged the layout of posts on the homepage and listing pages
• Added a search bar

There will still be some minor updates happening in the background. teehee

I love it right now that it maintains its looks in most browsers that I used. 

Comments and critique as always, are welcome. I, thank you. 

0 It's National Chocolate Cake Day!

Happy National Chocolate Cake day!! This is also my 100th post. My FB friend told me on what's the reason to celebrate today. January 27 (US time) is National Chocolate Cake day! Just like what I did when it was the national whipped cream day, I'm making a simple chocolate cake today. It's chocolate coffee cake! 

No-bake Chocolate Truffle Cake (Just chocolate, cream and coffee!)

Ingredients: 

• Butter
• Parchment paper
• Loaf pans
• Chocolate, well-chopped ( I used Hershey's)
• Whipped cream (also knows as heavy cream)
• Instant coffee (I used Nescafe 3-1, since I don't have an espresso)
• Iodized salt
• Cocoa power

Preparations: 

• Lightly butter your loaf pan and line in your parchment paper. This is to make sure that the surface of your cake will be nice and will look great. Set aside. 
• Melt your chocolate in a double broiler (I used a regular kaserola topped with smaller kaserola) in a very low heat.
• While your chocolate is melting, on another medium pan, heat the cream, pour in your coffee (I just used almost 1 teaspoon to avoid the bitter taste). Slowly stir with your iodized salt. 
• When everything comes together smoothly, mix the melted chocolate into your hot cream. Keep on stirring until all component's aren't at all separate. 
• Pour into your prepared loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil (if you have). Refrigerate until chilled. 
• When ready to serve, remove from the pan, dust with a bit of cocoa powder.
• Lastly, enjoy!!

By the way, you can also serve this with vanila ice cream on top or chops of almonds!

Photo credits: 101cookbooks.com

I just grabbed a photo online because, I think, mine is not as deliciously-looking like this. Haha! 

That's it! Happy National Chocolate Cake day!! 

0 Sick Duck

Fever. Colds. Sore throat. Stiff neck. Teary-eyes. Body ache. Name it. One thing I'm still thankful right now is I don't have my monthly visit yet or else dysmenorhea will be included in my list. So hard for me, since I still have to do my "work-from-home" duties while I'm sniffing on my colds.. During these days that I miss my Mom.. She's with her balikbayan sister taking some vacation in our hometown Ilocos... 

Another thing that made me more sad today is that my Grumpy can't be my nurse to take care of me. He can't take a time off from his job since they have a client visit.. Sad... 

I just took my meds right now and will hit the sack after this post.. 

I pray to feel better tomorrow.. 

4 To All The Men I Loved, Before...

This post is walang katuturan, I'm telling you. Bigla ko lang naalala ang mga kalalakihang kinakiligan ko noong ako'y musmos pa lang.. Yung tipong, bibili ng magazine if sila ang cover then gugupitin tapos ididikit sa wall ng kwarto. Meron pang instance na bumubili ng mga wallet-size picture nila sa palengke tapos gugupit ng picture ko at ididikit sa tabi ng face nila. Charoooottt! Kakahiya! Hahahah! Eto sila o.

Romnick Sarmenta

Mark Anthony Fernandez

Jomari Yllana

Jericho Rosales

Ohhhh gosh! Until now, kras na kras ko pa din sila. Oo, ako na, ako na ang jologs! Walang pakelamanan. Pak!

1 Chinese New Year 2012

While some of the blogs I follow posted their greetings for Chinese New Year, I'd like to share my experience in one of favorite chinese restaurants - Ling Nam (Binondo). On my previous post, I don't have any single drop of chinese blood but I love their food. My husband introduced this restaurant to me several years ago. From then on, we would come back if we want to get a taste of some authentic chinese food again.

Ling Nam have four branches already, 2 were company owned and the other 2 are franchise. Been to 2 of their braches - Binondo and in Greenhills. The one in Binondo is their original restaurant. Located in some old Binondo street, this will be a quite of a struggle finding the place if its your first time.

The Wanton Parlor:  616 T. Alonzo St., Sta. Cruz Manila, Binondo   

1st Flr. They have 2nd flr too!

Giant Siopao

Giant Siomai!

Siomai Soup. My favorite!

Will definitely go back!

0 Work-Life Balance

When I was still working with Dell, this is one of the culture they taught us. Learn to balance your work and your life. Work is important because it give you the means to enjoy your life. You don't need your work if you don't have your life. Get it? 

Recently I saw a post in Facebook with the Coca-Cola's CEO speech. Its 30-seconds only! But the message is crystal clear. 

This made me think again. Making me remember that it is not always about my job or my work. Yeah, I enjoy and I love my job and tend to spend 12hrs everyday in the office but I can't remember the last time I had a good talk with my family, can't even remember the last time we attend mass together.. Sad.. 

I remember, one of my mentors told me once before, work smarter, not harder! Staying in the office, working for 12hrs everyday doesn't make you the perfect employee. Manage your time properly and spend equally quality time with those people who are the reason why you are working hard. 

Wake up, Ness... 

1 Bellini's : In Cubao Expo

We don't usually celebrate Chinese New Year with my family. We have no single drop of Chinese blood so this not on our vocabulary. Last night, my husband told me that there's a fireworks display in Cubao area in celebration of this. Since we usually go out to dine, aside from this is the most accessible place for us, just one ride in LRT, we went ahead after attending mass. 

Cubao was super jam-packed. We're supposed to have dinner at Hap Chan but there also a lot of customers waiting to be seated. We walked around and landed in Cubao Expo. I've been interested in this place. You know, I grew up to be a Cubao kid. Cubao - SM, Ali Mall and COD are my playground when I was a kid. This is the only shopping place I knew before. lol! We walked around the Cubao Expo and found some really interesting places to eat. There, I also saw the vntage Valentino shoes brand which is from Marikina. Oh, while walking around this place, I felt like it was 20yrs ago.. 

We decided to have dinner at Bellini's. An Italian restaurant opened on July 1999. Quite an establishment already here but its our first time to visit last night. This is the best kept secret of Cubao Expo, they say. I was so amazed with this place. Really, really, super amazed. The place really looks good. It feels like you are are in the ancient time in an Italian restaurant. Painted walls and ceilings, all showcasing Italian places and scenes. And hey, their waiters are also Italian-speaking. Beat that! Our waiter recommended their Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. This is not actually part of the menu but since I had a hard time deciding what to order, he recommended this instead. So I ordered for this which didn't disappoint me. I love it! 

Spaghetti  with typical garlic with olive oil with the tradition of Peperoncino chili

Blue Marlin Alla Griglia - Grilled fish with butter sauce

Ai Frutti de Mare

Rigatoni Cocinghiale Penne Selvaggi - Really good sauce.
This is also not part of the menu

You can also buy cheese from them!

This place and food is awesome! A bit pricey but its all worth of your every penny. After we finished our food, we were served with their complimentary shot of red wine which was personally made by the owner - Mr. Bellini himself, tastes like sweet grape juice with a bit of alcohol. 

Bellini's is located in Cubao Expo (formerly Marikina Shoe Expo). Go and try this awesome place! =)

0 My Free Lotion

While fulfilling my online shopping needs this morning, I got to Victoria Secret's website and found some interesting deals. Waaaah! I saw this one: 

I get to receive a free lotion for every Victoria's Secret Bombshell or Gorgeous Collection Eau de Parfum purchase. My credit card's almost crying my from purchases last Christmas, so I was really careful not to "over use" it. Hahaha. 

Here are the choices to buy to get the free lotion

Processed my purchase and will wait for its delivery. Here's my freebie

So excited!! 

5 In Sentro 1771

Not sure about the 1771 in its name. My friends A and C, introduced me to this restaurant last Tuesday for our always been re-scheduled - long-awaited get together. lol. The place is really easy to find. Greenbelt 3, just beside Baba Gump. Of course, we had fun, as always. We ordered food like its the end of the world and enjoyed laughing at each other's flaws. haha!

2/L Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 757-3941

Here's what we got: 

corn beef sinigang. can't see the corn beef? me too!

crispy trotter (crispy pata). this is really good but a pit pricey

green mango salad. really good!

ginataang tilapia. yummy!

squash soup

Then we headed to grab some desserts. Was supposedly for a coffee but we ended getting CBTL's iced-blended drinks. 

L-R: red velvet, sunrise & double chocolate

This girls' night out will be memorable to me. Got my first times on dinning in Sentro and then got the double chocolate iced-blended drink. 

Sentro 1711 is actually part of Chateau 1711 Group of Companies. There are actually four: Chateau 1711, Sentro 1711, Sidebar and Cafe 1771. Sentro 1711 leads in a renaissance called modern Filipino cuisine experience by being first to break the boundaries found in time honored and familiar recipes and infusing it with a delectably sophisticated and cosmopolitan dimension. Using only the finest ingredients from both here in the Philippines and abroad, along with the deep understanding of the various traditional Filipino dishes, Sentro 1711 has innovated and re-invented on many local familiar flavors, preserving its many layers of taste and flavor while always adding something new, cosmopolitan and exciting every step of the way. Sentro has been very successful on making its legacy on making its name as your not ordinary Filipino restaurant. 

Overall, the food was great. A bit pricey, around Php 500- Php 600 per person. As for the location, it has a smoking and non-smoking area. The good thing about it was that there were waiters and waitresses in the smoking area so you can easily call them when you need something.