I'm surprised I've never written about Cyma!

Really, I am.

Cyma is one of my favorite restaurants. Ever. As in. Hahahhaha, seriously, their Roka Salata is one of my favorites. And very healthy, too.

I order it all the time whenever I'm there. Actually, I sometimes go to Cyma just to have Roka Salata =)  It's healthy, has interesting textures all thrown in and going well together =)

And last time, I also had their chicken kebabs, which was good but reminded me so much of Go Greek's kebabs =)

I'll definitely be back to Cyma; I just love this place <3

Quebiertos: Not Your Usual Glorified Carinderia

I've recently discovered a quaint and unassuming new restaurant that will surprise you in many ways. It actually is a glorified carinderia serving regional, local dishes. However, if one looks a little closer, Quebiertos actually takes being a glorified carinderia a notch higher with its well-thought of dishes and free valet services to boot!
 

Quebiertos is a no-fuss restaurant serving good food, set in a place that does not intimidate and a line-up of dishes that does not disappoint.

My personal favorite is their Kambing Platter, which you cannot easily find elsewhere in Manila. The platter serves Kambing in three ways – Kaldereta, Papaitan and Kilawin.

 

The Kaldereta is rich and creamy; one is convinced Kaldereta was invented precisely for Kambing. Next is the Papaitan that gives off a good kick just the same. But if I would have to choose one from the three, I would probably opt out for the Kilawin. The meat is tender and it has just the right spices to achieve that raw and refined taste reminding you how exactly it tasted when it was served in your own home.

I would also recommend the Inihaw platter with its complete set of chicken, pork and fish grilled to perfection and kept juicy all throughout.

 

I personally liked their stuffed Lumot or squid which was served in a sizzling plate. I was initially surprised because I didn’t know squid also come by the name “Lumot”, literally translated as moss in English. You can get stuffed squid anywhere, but Quebiertos’ version stands out because they use other ingredients not too common used for stuffings elsewhere. I will not declare it here but take my word for it when I tell you you’re in for a good treat.

Be sure to leave space for Quebiertos' signature dessert - Suman Crepe - Suman and mango cubes are sandwiched in paper-thin crepe and is richly lathered with chocnut syrup. It’s a curious creation, a visual feast and a delight to your taste buds. And to top it all, it only sells for Php65!

Quebiertos definitely redefines being a glorified carinderia. And the next time you’re in Quezon City, visit Quebiertos and let it endear you to its charms.

Quebiertos is located at No.117 Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City. It caters to dine-in clients, offers function spaces and family KTV for reservations. Quebiertos also offers free delivery for a minimum purchase of Php300.

What Do You Pray For When You Don't Know What To Pray For

I once asked my dear friend, Lhory, what do I pray for?

She told me, in her most candid self, "Ipagdasal mo kung anong nasa puso mo.".

On Compatibility

Had a random, spur-of-the-moment thought earlier.

Out of nowhere, I realized that you can't really force compatibility. It is never about one person going at out of her way being the person which she thinks her partner wants her to be. Well, up to a certain degree, I guess you'd have to compromise and meet the other person halfway. But if you start overhauling your personality, your habits, your routine, your wants and your aspirations for that other person, then there must be some dysfunction going on somewhere in the relationship.

I think compatibility is about you being yourself, and finding a person who appreciates the person that you are. And of course, it follows that you feel the same way towards that same person =) It's a two-way street. And I don't mean just appreciating the good stuff, I mean loving you in all your nice, sweet side, and more importantly, adoring you when you're at your smelliest, ugliest, bitch-est mode. Ok, at least endure, if not adore.

And as I write this here in the office, I realized this goes for relationships, as much as for work. Hahaha. Bottomline, if you have to work so hard for it, then at one point you'd get tired, eh? And some genius once said, find a job which you love and you'd never have to work for the rest of your life.

Here's sending a message to the universe that I'd find THAT person and THAT job I'm compatible with =)

If you only...

Then you'll know that I cared, but I just didn't know how.

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.