Dreamwalker

JayJ's Inasal: Almost Good as Home-cooked Filipino Meals

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:29:00 +0000

I'm a sucker for Filipino food, which is not at all surprising as I have lived in this country since the day I was born. Sure, I have visited a few other countries, and I will eat practically anything; but at the end of the day, Filipino food spells comfort food.

The thing is, I have issues finding home-cooked quality Filipino food when out. Maybe I just don't go to the right places. Or I am just to picky when it comes to the flavors I am used to.

I have found a place which I think does a pretty good job. Surprisingly, it's a chain.

JayJ's Inasal.

Here's a sampling of the dishes that I have tried AND liked.

Two-way adobo

This Two-way Adobo is awesome. It's called two-way because at the top, you'll get crispy pork flakes that almost melt in your mouth, and at the bottom, there are tender chunks of pork. If you have no idea what adobo is: the ultimate Filipino dish. Arguably.

Kilawin tanigue

Tanigue is a kind of fish that and kilawin means it's cooked in vinegar and lemon/lime. Think of it as ceviche. Perfect appetizer!

Bicol Express

This dish was named after a train that used to run from Manila to the province of Bicol (I think). It has pork, veggies, and lots of peppers. It is cooked in a coconut sauce, which serves as a counterpoint for the spice levels.

Kangkong

Water spinach stir fried in soy sauce and topped with toasted garlic.

The feast

Obviously, I didn't eat all that by myself, but if you're in Manila and you're looking for good local food for cheap, JayJ's is a good choice.

Energy Boosters?

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:15:00 +0000

This just ought to be a poll. Or a call for help.

I need an energy booster. Something that would pump me up and last for an entire day. I am just so low on energy today that even as I merely sit on the couch working, I need a neck pillow to prop my head up. Pity I can't find my trusty red one.

Seriously, though, what is your best energy boosting tip?

Image credit

The End to Back Pain?

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:53:00 +0000

For as long as I can remember, I have had problems with back pain. I even had to go see a "bone doctor" in high school because it got to a point that I could not sleep properly.

The pain eventually went away, although it would come back with a vengeance now and then. In the recent months, however, I think I have found the perfect solution(s) to my chronic battle with back pain.

Comfy chairs: bean bag chairs from SoothingBeanBags.com. It doesn't have to be those chairs (in fact, if you do not sit properly for long periods of time, it may very well be counterproductive). The idea is to make sure you have a comfortable seat and that you support your back.
Yogilates. Believe it or not, I have started to do some "real" exercise. I have always had my doubts about this kind of activity, but only after several sessions of this yoga-pilates exercise, I am in love! The sessions are slow but intense. Definitely NOT easy, but the way it makes you feel afterward is worth it. Add to that the fact that it does seem to be helping my back! (More posts on yogilates in the future.)
Weight loss. There's those two words again. All I can say now is that excess weight really does make me more prone to back ache.

If you are/have been suffering from back pain, you might want to take a look at these three things. I am not sure I will not have the occasional issue, but I think that the days of incessant pain are over!

Photo credit: Synergy by Jasmine

A Night With the Oldies

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:53:00 +0000

The other night, I had a rather weird experience. I was not feeling too well - I can't remember why exactly - and I found myself watching old videos on YouTube. And when I say old, I mean old.

Think MacGyver.

Doesn't that bring back memories of paper clips, model planes, and duct tape? It didn't end there, though. See more of what/who I spent the night with after the jump.

How about that? I didn't really watch that show as much I did MacGyver, but nostalgia is such a weird thing!

And this???

Don't Hassle the Hoff!

I don't know how old you are, but if you are remotely in my age range, then you are either feeling nostalgic right now or just feeling sick. ;)

Maya's Native Garden: Value for Money Accommodations in Moalboal

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:44:00 +0000

So much for writing for myself more often. The last trip I have been on has been over for more than a month now, and I still have not really written about it. I can always go and blame work, but I'll just take this one on the chin, and admit that I have not been able to manage my time well.

Early in March, I headed off to Cebu for the nth time. That trip was a quite different from the others that I had in 2011 for several reasons.

It was my first solo trip in a while.
I was actually to spend time outside of Cebu City.
I opted for the bus/trike ride instead of having the resort pick me up from the airport.

It was a beautiful adventure.
Moalboal is a town 2-3 hours south of Cebu City. It has garnered the reputation of being one of the best diving spots in the country. If you want to know how to get there, check out the options I discovered when planning for the trip: How to Get to Moalboal.

As for accommodations, there really is no shortage of resorts and cottages in the area. From what I gather, there are two main beach areas: Panagsama Beach and White Beach. The former is a haven for divers, while the latter suits beach loungers better.

Knowing myself, I should have gone for White Beach. However, I wanted to try out something new, and while I can't swim if I can't reach the bottom with my feet and still hold my head up to breath, I really did want to try a fun dive course. Hence I found myself at Panagsama Beach.

After searching for days online, I narrowed my choices for accommodations to three establishments, with only one replying promptly: Maya's Native Garden.

I'll cut to the chase and just say it: I love the place!

Sleeping Quarters and Food

Sure, it is not right on the beach. It only has three huts. It does have everything that one needs, though.

Wi-Fi
Balcony
Decent bathroom with hot water
A bed that will not make you feel like a giant (then again, I am barely over 5 feet so that is not really an issue for me)
A safe (too small for a laptop, though)
Aircon (the smallest and cheapest hut does not have this)
Awesome staff

I had the mid-sized cottage for about a week, and it more than did it for me. Take a look at the pics.

Double bed

Small alcove with shelves for clothes. The safe is in there as well.

The balcony. The other hut is the small one.

The small hut goes for PHP800 a night and is good for two people. The medium-sized hut is PHP1500, which I think is good for four. I think they'll put an extra bed in there if you are more than two. The "mansion" is huge and can easily fit 8-10 people. I think that goes for PHP3500.

Another thing going for Maya's is their kitchen. They are well known for their Mexican fare, and trust me, you will not even really want to look around for other places to eat. They have a little bar and restaurant where you can sit all afternoon without a care.

There is a lot to choose from in the menu, but I would have to recommend the Tortilla Soup and the Ribs. The first will give you all the energy you need to roam around the island. The second will fill you up to the brim and is perfect with ice cold Red Horse. And above everything else, you have to have their bread, which is made by the staff themselves.

Bread made right at the resort!

The Beach

If there is one thing that might disappoint, it is the beach. If you are looking for perfect, powdery, white sand all the time, then you are better off staying at White Beach. If that is not a requisite 24/7, then you are in for a treat at Panagsama. You can easily go to White Beach any time anyway.

To reach the beach from Maya's, you need to walk about 2-3 minutes. The good thing is that it is EMPTY!

The water is still beautiful and warm. It is best to have some aqua shoes, though, as the sand is not too smooth and there are seaweeds. That being said, there is place to sunbathe and the water is still good for swimming.

The Staff

I can go on and on about how wonderful the staff at Maya's is. Let me just keep it short, though. Suffice it to say that they make you feel as if you are part of a family, and that is not an exaggeration. I went on this trip alone, and while they gave me my personal space, I never felt lonely. They even took me out several nights to enjoy the local scene. How often can you find people like that?

Learn more about Maya's Native Garden via their Facebook page.

Games and Distraction

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:50:00 +0000

"What does it matter to you? When you've got a job to do, you've got to do it well."

That's what I always sing in my head when I start feeling overwhelmed with work. I love my job - I have never been shy to admit that. Sometimes, though, I just get distracted by so many other things. C'est la vie, yes?

It doesn't help my case that I really do have a proclivity for distraction. Name it, and it will probably be a distraction for me.

Enter games.

Yes, I am talking about those wonderful pieces of code that catches the eye because of the graphics, sounds, and gameplay. I am not a hardcore gamer - although I do like playing games so much that I wouldn't mind having the freedom to purchase and build gaming computers all I want if I had the time and money. I do know how addicted I can become if I don't watch out. (Aside: There was a semester in uni when I stopped going to classes because of a certain game called The Sims.)
These days, I lean towards simpler games like Bejeweled Blitz, DrawSomething, Angry Birds (though I have not started on the space version as I really am trying to be focused), Tower Madness, and other "easy" iPad games. The point is to take a few minutes of break in between tasks. That always helps with productivity in the long run.

My problem is that I sometimes do not notice time flying by. That is, a few minutes turns into more than a few minutes.

This is a rant against myself. I know better than to allow myself to fall for distractions. Now I'll pat myself on the back for doing rather well today. May tomorrow be an even better day. ;)

Streetfood Tycoon for iPad

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:56:00 +0000

Who would have thought? "Streetfood enthusiasts" now have a virtual alternative to going out to find the nearest food cart: Streetfood Tycoon.

This game was developed by Kuyi Mobile, a game development company based in the Philippines. They seem to pride themselves in creating a "new breed of mobile games". Although I am not quite sure what that means exactly, but I did find myself playing for hours and hours...and hours.

Gameplay

Your food cart

Streetfood Tycoon is very similar to the casual games (for PC) that flooded the market a year or so ago. Think Diner Dash and Burger Island. Streetfood Tycoon is much simpler than those games, though. Basically, you have a food cart which you need to equip. Obviously, when you start, you will have the most basic things. Filipinos would find this delightful mainly due to the food items for sale.

French fries
Hot dogs/corn dogs
Fish balls
Kwek-kwek (quail eggs dipped in batter and deep-fried)

These are staples that you can find in streetfood vendor stalls all over the country.

You can upgrade the food cart, the food items (kwek-kwek is not available initially), the location, and customers.

To-do List and Stats

These upgrades are purchases with the coins that you earn as you go about your business, but you can always opt to purchase game coins (with real money, of course), if you do not feel like waiting.

To sell food, you first check on the customer's order, as seen in the upper left of the screen cap. You then tap on the necessary components, and drag the completed order to the customer. The faster you go, the more people you can serve. If you are too slow, or you serve the wrong order, your customer walks away. Alternatively, if you make a mistake, you can simply trash the order and start over. You also have to clean up your cart now and then (it seems to happen after every third order) so that your customers will be satisfied. You do this by tapping on the sponge on the lower left of the screen.

You can monitor your performance via the Stats screen.

Streetfood Tycoon Stats

The Characters

Aside from the food, the characters - customers - make the game enjoyable. You initially have the basic customers, then you can buy upgrades. The humor might get lost on some if you are not familiar with the Filipino culture, but you definitely will not fail to recognize Hellen Degenerous. (Not sure about the spelling now)

Helen Degenerous

Meet Lady Gogo, who loves hot dogs like nothing else.

Lady Gogo

I love the aliens, if only because they pay a LOT.

Alien

The famous (or infamous) boxer Manny Pacquiao. He buys a lot, but does not really tip well.

Moony Pukhyaw

Even our current President, Pee Noy, made it to the game.

Pee Noy

I found a bug :(
I really enjoyed playing the game - I sat at a coffee shop for at least four hours yesterday playing this game most of the time! However, I have to be honest and say that it got a little boring after a while. I just wanted to get all the upgrades, and move on to a new game.

The game is too simple to keep you engaged for a long time, and after getting all the upgrades, it does not seem to have much of a replay value. If they add upgrades, then things could be different.

Another thing is that I found a bug. A disappointing one.

My ultimate goal was to get food truck upgrade, but once I had bought it, nothing happened. I still had the same food cart I had before purchasing.

Restarting the game and the iPad didn't change anything, so I guess I'll have to give the game another go to see the food truck. ;)

Streetfood Tycoon is free at the App Store.

Things Do Change as You Grow Older

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:37:00 +0000

Yesterday was Sluggish Saturday (my own fault). Today is (somehow) laidback and thoughtful Sunday. And as those days go, your mind tends to wander. Suddenly, like a hook, it snags on a specific stream of thought, and you just can't let go of it.

Change.

That's what I have been thinking of all day. Today's devotional reading was about change. I think that's why I cannot keep it out of my head.

The years that add up and change.

Some changes I have noticed - the good and the bad thrown in the mix.

You become more open to different experiences, music included. I've posted about The Gotan Project, an awesome group that I can't stop listening to right now. If you had asked me five - no, even two - years ago, I would never have even considered listening to them. Now, I am not an audiophile. I know how to play some instruments but I am not skilled. While I don't mind looking at hardware like Morley Volume Pedals, I don't have anything except an acoustic guitar and an electronic keyboard which doesn't work anymore I think. Anyhow, yes, while there are still staples in my playlist, more new stuff is added quite often.
You learn how to be less uptight and controlling. I suppose this does not apply to everyone, and I am not saying that I am not in the least bit uptight or controlling. I have always liked keeping to myself and being in control of everything that happened to me. Unfortunately, the Universe has a different idea and has thrown lots of things my way to teach me to loosen up. Still lots of room for improvement, but I am getting there.
You can't go out all night every single night and expect to function normally. Do I really need to say more about this?
You have to learn how to take care of a baby on your own. NO, I do not have a kid, but at this point, everyone seems to have one. That means taking one for the team at least once and playing nanny when there is a need. Oh, and it won't kill you. ;)

Now watch/listen to this. Gotan Project's Last Tango in Paris. Perfect background music for the day!

Image via smulligannn

New Music: Gotan Project

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:01:00 +0000

They're definitely not new in the scene, but Gotan Project is a recent discovery for me. I must be getting old, as I would never have thought that I would enjoy this kind of music. Their music is an eclectic mix of new jazz, tango, dub, and trip-hop. Go figure.

I have been listening to their first album as background music, and it does work! It does not get you all pumped up, but neither does it make you fall asleep. If anything, the music is rather sexy.

This is my favorite track performed live. I suppose the idea of going South appeals to me as much as the music.

Moalboal Solo Adventure: How to Get There

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:46:00 +0000

Moalboal, Cebu is one of the best diving areas in the Philippines. It is locate about 90 kilometres south of Cebu City. I have heard so much about this place, and when I saw it features on TV some years ago, I knew I'd visit it one day.

This year, I finally was able to make those plans reality.

How to get to Moalboal

There are several options when it comes to traveling from Cebu City to Moalboal. The most straightforward and convenient way is to ask your resort to pick you up from the airport Mactan. Of course, convenience has a price - a nice PHP 2500 at least.

The second option is to get a cab from the city. It is just as expensive, probably even more so. If you think about it, 90 km is not a distance to scoff at, and the cab will not have any fare going back, so the high prices the drivers will ask are rather understandable.

The third option is the most economical and adventurous way to do it: take public transportation. Some may balk at the idea, but it isn't that bad. Bear in mind that I did this on my own, and I more than survived the trip.

The public transport experience

Upon arriving at the Mactan airport, cross the street to get to the Departure Area. Right outside the doors is a taxi stand, where a long queue of cabs are waiting. They are all metered, with a PHP40 flag down rate. Ask the driver to take you to the South Bus Terminal. Depending on the traffic, it should take you about 30-45 minutes. Upon arriving at the terminal, the meter in the cab I took showed PHP225.

At the the terminal, just ask for the bus going to Moalboal - Ceres Bus Line. They have non-air on and air on buses,which run every 30 minutes. There weren't any air on buses when I arrived, though, so I just hopped on the regular bus. Fare to Moalboal is PHP100 for the regular bus, and PHP110 for the air con. Oh, you have to pay PHP10 for the terminal fee.

The driver and bus conductor were very helpful, and they will let you know once you get to the town centre of Moalboal. You won't miss it anyway! Once you get to the junction of Moalboal you will see tons of tricycles and motorbikes. You can take either to your beach resort. I stayed at Panagsama Beach, and the trike ride cost me PHP100. It took about 15 minutes to get there.

TOTAl COsT: PHP435. Now compare that to several thousands!

The thing is, you will have to realise that the bus isn't the most comfortable mode of traveling. More so, it keeps stopping to pick up passengers. There is also a mandatory stop at Barili town. This extended the travel time to almost 3 hours. If you don't mind a little discomfort, it is a perfectly acceptable way of traveling. And you get an opportunity to talk with the locals as well.

The V-hire option

There is another option to get to Moalboal, a happy medium between paying for private transport and taking the bus. The locals call it V-hire. It's basically small vans that ply the same route as the buses, but they only take about 18 people and don't stop along the way. The fare is PHP200, and you get out at Moalboal as well.

I saved this for last because I didnt experience it for myself and I am not sure how that goes. However, from other people's accounts, it is more comfortable. You can ask the cab driver to take you to the V-hire terminal going to Moalboal instead of to the South Bus Terminal.

Tomorrow, when I leave for Cebu City, I will be trying out the V-hire option instead if taking the bus.

The Couch

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:34:00 +0000

I miss this. For some reason, I just found myself thinking of it this afternoon. I know it is just a couch, but it used to be my comfort zone. Yeah, while I do not watch a lot of TV, I do tend to spend a lot of time settled in comfy furniture. And boy, was this couch the epitome of comfort! It may not be leather (but that also means I do not have to worry about leather sofa repair), but that cloth feels really good. :)

In the recent years, I have been without a place of my own. That may not be a big deal for some, but for someone who left her parents' house at the age of 15 and having to temporarily stay with them again more than a decade later, it is quite a struggle. I am not complaining, really, but I cannot ignore the fact that I do long for a space of my own.

It is not like I cannot afford to rent a place. It's just that I need to give myself time to see how life unfolds before I make any major decisions. Don't get me wrong. I am in the best state I have been in since last year ended. Still, I am learning many lessons that I thought I had learned. (Patience ring a bell?)

I am a little low on energy today, hence this introspective rambling, but I am very thankful for the wonderful weekend I just had. I can't help thinking about the past months when I felt like flotsam. Today, I may not have my own comfy couch to plop down into whenever I want to. I may not have everything that I want. But at the end of the day, I believe that my prayers are being answered one step at a time.

Spot the Difference

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:03:00 +0000

On the way to the city the other day, we had to stop at a gas station so that the kids could have breakfast. Not being a breakfast person, I stayed in the parking lot to wait for them. We were still not far from the province, and looking around, I couldn't help noticing the difference in the sky.

Which is which? Tell me?

Another Foray In the City - Shop, Eat, and Drink!

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:57:00 +0000

I have been a city dweller for almost half of my life, but in the recent months, I have been spending more time in the province, and I didn't realize - till now - how much that can change you. I am not complaining, life is good, but the city does have a lot of comforts and conveniences that one does miss after a while.

It's been a couple of days that I have been back, and I am enjoying it more than I thought. While I have never been one to get excited about shopping, it seems that going around in the malls is more enjoyable now.

With people getting married left and right, people celebrating birthdays practically every time I turn around - shopping is becoming a more frequent activity. The good thing is that I think that even if I have to scour the shops for gifts for bridesmaids, it is not a big deal anymore for me. Of course, if you have the option to shop online, that is always a more convenient way to go about things! (Before I know it, I might be posting about shopping for shoes...NOT!)

And if I had this to accompany my lunch everyday, I would definitely not complain!

Paulaner White

It was a late lunch, and I knew it was five o'clock somewhere anyway. ;)

One recent discovery is Draft Gastropub at The Fort. I had lunch there last time I went back to Manila, and finding out that they had vouchers for lunch on Ensogo definitely meant another visit. I paid PHP370 for the voucher and got two dishes for it. One of those deals you can't pass up on! With these two dishes, you can feed two people and still be more than full.

Pappardelle with tender beef chunks

Fish and Frites (Chips as most of us would say)

A leisurely afternoon requires coffee and something sweet to tickle the tastebuds. I stumbled upon this boutique cafe along Jupiter Avenue in Makati called Maitre Chocolate. Everything has chocolate in it, but as much as I love chocolate, I just am not sure about certain combinations. This dessert is something that won't fail to take care of any sweet craving, though.

Hazelnut Crepe

To end the day, I tried out a beer that I had never heard of before. Does Delirium Tremens sound familiar?

Delirium Tremes

It didn't ring a bell with me, but Wikipedia helped this time. Whatever you read/hear about it, just make sure you take it easy. It is darned good beer!

On Cosmetic Dermatology

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:57:00 +0000

I normally do not read celebrity news sites and blogs, but work requires that I keep myself updated on this topic. I have to admit, you get to spend some time without exercising your mind a lot, and sometimes, you come across interesting bits.

One thing that I have come across a lot is Cosmetic Dermatology. This field has been around for ages, and it may even be responsible for low esteem in some people. Still, one cannot deny the appeal and practical purposes of cosmetic dermatology. This is especially true if you have skin problems that cannot be solved by over the counter products.

I used to be very sensitive about this topic, having really bad skin. Over the years, though, it has grown on me, and I am pretty much used to it. I do visit the dermatologist regularly just to make sure that things do not get worse.

Also, if you like soaking in the sun, you really need to pay closer attention to your skin's health. That is where dermatology clinics such as California Skin Institute come into the picture. You may think that you know what to do, but at the end of the day, the experts can help.

I know a lot of people who have not seen the insides of a dermatology clinic their entire life, but trust me, it is worth it. You actually see and feel the difference after a treatment!

Of course, it is not a mandatory thing and each to his own. Still, I think that it is worth considering visiting the doctor just to see if there is anything you can do to better take care of your skin. Whether you are a guy or a girl, it applies.

So, would you consider cosmetic dermatology, or do you think it's for wusses?

Girls' Night Out

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:19:00 +0000

I love it how my cousins, my sister, and I have become real friends, as opposed to only being related by blood. You know how sometimes, you have to "put up" with people because they are your relatives? It is not always follow that relatives are good friends.

Last night, my sister and I went out with one of our cousins for a girls' night out. Well, as much of a night out as you can have in Los Baños. It was fun. It was light. It was intense. It was proof that we are friends more than merely being relatives.

First stop of the evening was Boston Cafe, which I had sworn I would never visit again. The facade of this branch tempted Hannah and me, though, so we gave it a shot.

Hannah in front of Boston

I should have stuck to my vow. I would rather go to McDonald's for coffee next time.

We then went to Bonitos, a popular restaurant in the area, for dinner. We had a lovely meal for almost dirt cheap. (I'll have a separate post for the restaurant and food.)

Hannah and Ate Leslie

Feeling like little girls again.

Sisters

After that huge meal, we moved to LB Square next door for some more drinks. The best shot of the night is this.

Hannah after tasting her cocktail.

And at the end of the night, my tastebuds just wanted something hot and salty. The goto in the alley did the trick! (Goto = rice porridge; I know it doesn't sound good, but trust me, it is!)

Add caption

Babies and Toys

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:25:00 +0000

It has never been a secret that I do NOT want babies. I mean, my own. I have two wonderful nephews and countless cousins, and my friends seem to be busy having their own babies. I think I am good for a lifetime.

I don't feel like having to go through nausea, cravings (I have more than my fair share, thank you), and all that being pregnant entails. Then there's the actual giving birth. I have heard more than enough horror stories about that! Each to his own, of course, and if you want your own kids, that's entirely fine.

By the way, if you are based in Austin, and you have a bun in the oven, you might want to check out the best Austin midwives. Midwives are experts in providing healthcare to low risk pregnant women. They can help you during pregnancy, birth, and even post-partum care.

I do not know if many people still go to midwives today, but they do offer a more than feasible alternative to general practitioners and obstetricians, especially if you are very budget conscious.

All the griping about pregnancy and kids aside, there are certain joys to having kids around. Check this out.

One can't deny that there are kids in the house, yes? I do love playing with them, if only for a few minutes at a time. Our toys - and I mean OUR - are all up there, and we enjoy spending time together.

If you have never tried playing with kids, try it. From Duplo to Fischer Price (?) to books to PlayStation games to plushies to mere sheets of paper - the possibilities are endless! Of course, you have to have some patience as they tend to want to do the same things over and over again.

Now if only you can have kids for rent! ;)

Fiesta Espanyol

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:19:00 +0000

My brief visit to the city yielded a lot of positive results. I am very happy at the way things have turned out. :)

And, you have got to love friends who can come together any time after a long period of not seeing each other and still have a blast. Our most recent get together was themed "Fiesta Espanyol". Good food. Good company. Excellent evening!

Paella

Baked Mussels

With these two dishes alone, anyone would be happy! Of course, there had to be some Spanish wine...

Spanish Wine

...with a dangling bull to boot!

Satisfied tummies make for happy people.

Then you realize you are getting old...two babies when there used to be none...early night...

Life is good!

Oh, and if you are based in Manila, and you want some of that paella (and more), check out Almost Gourmet.

When Casey the iPhone Gave Me a Scare

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:09:00 +0000

Last night, I was all ready for bed and was starting to do my nightly news reading when Casey the iPhone froze on me. I was not alarmed at first because it happens, but after a long while of not responding, it suddenly died. It looked like a brick!

"Brick"

I was naturally scared as this phone is not even 10 months old! It even has the prettiest case ever. ;)

Have you ever seen such a lovely case? I doubt you can find blackberry covers or other phone covers like that. Or maybe you can.
Anyhow, I kept pushing and holding the power button in the hopes that the phone would respond. It seemed like I was doing it forever, but nothing happened. Only after I left it alone for several minutes did it suddenly turn on again, with the home screen displayed. It did not even reboot!

I don't know what happened there, but I hope it is not an indication of anything serious. Has this happened to anyone? Is it a known issue?

Baan Thai @ Los Baños

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Several Sundays ago, we went for Thai food after the evening service. I remember having visited this place many years past, but I have only the vaguest recollection of that visit. In any case, I was excited to enjoy Thai flavors again.

To my knowledge, Baan Thai is the only Thai restaurant in Los Baños, but I could be wrong. This place is rather charming, being an old house turned into a dining place. It is not fancy, but aside from the plastic tables and chairs outside, it is acceptable.

Baan Thai from the entrance

We chose this little nook where we could sit on the floor amidst thick cushions. Of course, the kids loved how they could crawl around.

Had to struggle to get them to sit still for this!

The menu is rather small, but the usual suspects are there. As for the prices, check out how cheap they are!

Baan Thai Menu

We did have issues with the waitress, who accidentally cancelled one of our orders. No one threw a fit, but that was enough to cast a shadow over the experience.

We had some Pad Thai, of course. I liked presentation and the consistency of the noodles, but the flavor was a tad too sweet. The dish was on the dry side as well.

Pad Thai

I forget what this dish is called, but the waitress described it as "pork with kangkong". I think she should have said it the other way around: "kangkong with pork". (Kangkong is water spinach.) In all fairness, the flavor was excellent.

This flat noodle beef soup was the best of the lot. You know that distinct Thai basil flavor? The broth was infused with that. And the serving size was huge! You really can't complain about this dish.

I'm such a bad food writer - I don't remember what this is called either. All I remember is that it was very spicy and had little chunks of meat.

Would I go back to Baan Thai? Well, for 4 adults and 2 kids, the bill was only around PHP 500 (or was it PHP 700). You really can't complain with those prices. However, you should not expect too much in service.

Music Is My Aeroplane

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:23:00 +0000

Music has always played a huge role in my life, and last week reminded me of how much I had been missing it. It's not like I do not have enough music to listen to, but with everything that has been going on, I just seemed to forget to put something on. Also, I simply didn't feel like listening to anything in particular.

After a day of simply sitting down and listening to song after song and watching music concert videos, I realized how much I missed that. Of course, the awesome sound setup helped a whole lot!

Now you know how much I like my "toys", but there is no way in this lifetime that I would be able to have a sound system that would blow my ears away. I don't need jewelry, a gold chain, rings, and all that bling. Seriously. I am more than happy with toys that play music, games, and allow me to work my butt of. :D Thank God for small favors (which are actually big, if I think about it) - a pair of Klipsch S4 earphones and an iPod Nano.

Inspiration comes in tiny packages.

Yes, inspiration does come in small packages, and I am very happy about this "setup". While I am yet base-less (read: still in the process of deciding when/where/if to get my own place), earphones are my best bet. I do not bother other people with the music. They isolate sound from the outside. They produce awesome-sounding music. I kid you not. Awesome is not an exaggeration in this case.

If you are in the market for earphones, I suggest looking at Klipsch. It took me a while to decide to go for them, but boy, am I loving them!

Tell Me Who Your Friends Are...

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:32:00 +0000

These are the best friends you can have in the entire world. I am not exaggerating.

After more than a month of hibernating in the countryside, I hesitantly came back to the city. I am glad I did, even if only temporarily for now. You know what they say about surrounding yourself with people who will welcome you with open arms, no questions asked? These guys have done that over and over and over again.

And they are so much fun! It doesn't matter where we go or what we do. We could go out to a bar. We could go rough it out and have a simple meal on a redwood picnic table. We could chill on plastic chairs. We could go to a fancy restaurant and enjoy a sumptuous meal.

It doesn't matter! When you're with real friends who have solid characters, you are going to be just fine.

Right now, more than anything, I am thankful for these people.

What are you thankful for?

Thinking LASIK Again

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:12:00 +0000

It's been a while since I made a joke about getting LASIK, but I am actually seriously considering this operation. Not now, probably not in the next months, but whenever I don't feel well and my eyes start having that burning sensation, I am reminded of LASIK.

Having worn eyeglasses since I was in third grade, you'd think I have gotten used to not having good eye sight. Still, I bet there is nothing more convenient than being able to wake up in the morning not wondering where your glasses are; nothing more convenient than being able to swim without worrying about your contacts.

We do have more choices when it comes to eye doctors and clinics in Manila now, but I suppose we're still not up to par with the options in, say, the US. For example, if you are based in Austin, you can easily find the best Austin eye doctor in your area. I am not sure about the comparison of costs, however.
So why am I going on about LASIK again?

I want to be able to watch an entire movie (in the theater) without my lenses drying out on me.
I am looking forward to the beach, and I really don't feel like going through the hassle of "saltwater in my eyes with contacts on".
I have astigmatism and toric contact lenses cost so much more as opposed to the regular ones. In the long run, undergoing the procedure is probably going to be more cost effective.
I am getting marks around my eyes from squinting. Okay, maybe that's pushing it, but still...

If I had to do things all over again, I know that I would have taken good care of my eyes. I wouldn't have snuck a book and a tiny flashlight under the blanket after bedtime. I would have eaten more of those carrots.

But as they say, hindsight is 20/20. ;)

Photo via Steve A

Creativity in Play

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:50:00 +0000

Oh, the joy of being a kid. I remember Deepak Chopra saying that babies are full of bliss, that they bubble with bliss. Spending time with my nephews, I believe that. Of course, they have their moments - lots of them, actually; moments when the entire neighborhood probably thinks we're abusing them, but in reality they're only having their teeth brushed. In general, though, when one watches them at play, one can't help but feel happy.

One thing I love about these two is the fact that they still go all creative come play time. They are not the most "well-endowed" kids when it comes to toys, but they have their fair share. For Christmas, we got a couple of boxes of Duplo, which Sam and Eli thoroughly enjoy. The other day, though, I saw them having a blast as they found a different way to play with the Duplo box.

Go Kart baby!

Kuya Sam loves hugging Eli, but sometimes, Eli just wants to pretend he is a Mark Webber in the making.

And, of course, Sam just had to give it a try as well.

It's little too big so I'll turn it upside down.

I remember that, when my sister and I were kids, we didn't have too many toys. I do remember vividly, though, how much I enjoyed pretending that our small coffee table turned upside down was a car. I would "drive" all day long around the very same living room Sam and Eli play in now. Indeed, the bliss that kids enjoy...

Annoying Ringtones

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining about my phone. In fact, I love it. It is the best phone I have ever had, and I have no intention of getting a new phone in the near future. (Okay, maybe when the iPhone 5 comes out.)

I guess I was just bored today because I found my ringtones annoying. Really annoying. There are, of course, other choices, but I just couldn't find one that does not grate on the nerves. Moments like these remind me of the old times (notice I removed the mandatory "good"; as I said, I love my phone) when I could create my own ringtones and use them for my phone.

For those of you who are lucky enough to have that option, I suggest checking out free ringtones mobile 17, which will make your life easier. And more fun. The best thing is that you do not have to shell out money.

Whatever music you want, you can play around with. I wouldn't mind hearing Disturbed's Asylum whenever my phone rings, you know!

In any case, is it true that you can play around with ringtones - like create your own - if your iPhone is jailbroken? Not that I am planning on doing that, but it just makes one wonder. For now, I shall be content with putting my phone on silent. Perhaps tomorrow the ringtones won't be as annoying.

My Quirky Nephews

noreply@blogger.com (dreamwalker) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

It's really handy to have your camera phone within grabbing distance. You never know when the kids pull a funny stunt without intending it. Today, Sam fell asleep playing a game on the iPad.

I wonder if there is any precedent. (Yeah, I have been known to do this as well.)

Yesterday, I walked out the door to see Eli using the clothes hanger as a walker.

Aren't these two boys just precious?