Healthy Eating and Learning How to Drive

Haha, I wish I can be more creative with my title, but this is as creative as it gets, hahaha.

And with that, yes, I'm trying to eat healthy ("trying" being the operative word) and learning how to drive =)

The road to healthy living...is an expensive one, hahaha. I'm just starting to map out my meals, and it's been quite expensive so far with the salmon and the brocoli, but I'm enjoying it so far =) But I still have my fail moments like earlier, where I ate a huge slice of brownies and lots of chicharon. Oh my =( But I will carry on, and start living right.

Driving! I've started learning how to drive and it's just exciting, this one I'm just giddy over =) I think it's something I can really, really get used to =) and enjoy =)

Life goes on; and I've seen darker days, let's move on to happier ones =)

Comfortable

Sometimes it feels like I was forcefully displaced from my old, comfortable life. Back then everything was familiar, and I was literally and figuratively home. I had my own room, living under our own home in the province where I can do anything and be comfortable about it. My parents took care of me in amazingly loving ways, my cousins, nephews and nieces lived next door and everyday there was a house party. My friends could come over anytime. Life was comfortable, in a totally different sense.

And I never realized how wonderful  life was back then. Until now, when I don't have it anymore.

Believe me, all the cliches you hear are true. Don't wait before life comes in and makes you realize all the good things you have now. Life's ways could sometimes hurt. Big time. 

But this is not to say life is not good now, anymore. If I think about it, my life is actually more comfortable now, literally speaking. I live in the city, not more than 15 minutes away from work in the early morning, and everything is just so nearby - the malls, groceries, church etc. And everything is just a cab ride away. I am being taken cared of, quite luxuriously by my aunt these days. It's all good actually, and I like it.

So while not discounting how blessed life has been recently, let it be said that I look back at my old life, with fondness, and with longing that doesn't stop me from enjoying what's in front of me right now. I think that's exactly one of the things life has been wanting to teach me after all.

Foodie Finds @ Ortigas

As a number of friends work / live in the Ortigas area, I would often go to Megamall and Shangri-La to meet up with friends to eat or just hang out. Recently, I've gone more often in Megamall and have had a few great foodie finds =)

First stop is Yabu, The House of Katsu.

Yabu, for me, is not your typical Japanese restaurant. I don't think there was even sushi in the menu. The specialty of the house, as the name suggests, is Katsu.

I ate their alone and had to ask the servers to guide me all the way. They first had to ask me the grind the sesame seeds (?) I'd use for my sauce.

Yabu actually had different choices for sauces and condiments which I liked and splashed my food with :)

Then came my food :)

1 Rosu 90g (with soup, rice and slices of fruit), Php 327.60 (with VAT and SC)

At first, I thought, what could be so special about Katsudon? But boy, I was glad I tried this one out. The meat was so tender, it was tasty, and i love the dressings for my cabbage. I'd have to mention that the cabbage is unlimtted! And I'd have to commend the staff; they were very, very cordial and attentive. I spilled my soup, and they hurriedly offered to refill my bowl at no extra cost =) Price was a bit steep, but I'd say it's worth it!

Next - my green tea cheesecake from Akiba Cafe!  

Green Tea Cheesecake, slice, Php130

Hhmmm, I don't find the green tea flavor strong enough for my liking, but I'm glad I tried it all the same =) Note, though, that I haven't been craving it again.

But of course, there's always go-to restaurants like Cibo, this time at Shangri-La.

Cibo is nothing new, but I still like their food just the same =) I'd list them as comfort food, but they can be quite pricey.

Hhhhmmmmm, their Creamy Cabonara is one of my favorites =) I generally order Carbonara whichever restaurant I am eating at if I do not know what to order or if I'm not sure what I want. That said, Cibo's definitely tops my list.

And their Flourless Chocolate Cake is love =) With real slices of strawberries plus the gooey chocolate, aaahhh, the perfect cap to a hearty meal =)

Ok, that's it for the meantime, let's revisit the list soon =)

Green Tea Chocolate!

Yet another green tea discovery!

Meiji's Meltykiss Green Tea Flavor is love <3

1st trip of the year: Mt. Pinatubo!

Wow. Time heals all wounds. That's my first thought after laying my eyes on the majestic Pinatubo crater.

More stories after I've settled down!

A Dream Starts Here.

Hehe. Sometimes, I dream of how my wedding would look like. And these are some of the details in my oh-so-lovely dream =)

I would be wearing a Veluz Gown.

 

The Philippine Madrigal Singers would provide my background music.

I will walk down the aisle of the dreamy Caleruega Church.

Reception would be at Sonya's Garden...

...where we would be served an awesome, hearty meal =)

Cake would be by Penk Ching

An Epiphany.

You are stronger than your pain if you draw your strength from God.

I'm claiming you, 2012. Bring. It. On.