Astrid & Veronika

It's been a while since I've last read a book; this is actually the first book I've finished this year. Yeah, I know, what a slacker. I've picked this up from a Fully Booked sale, because I was out to find books that will allow me to travel places - and this was set on a small Swedish village with a girl who travelled all the way from New Zealand. A first novel by Linda Olsson, it got me interested enough.

And while I can say the book is quite beautifully written, with words poetically-stringed together in an attempt to capture memories the characters have otherwise left unsaid or runaway from, I find it quite gloomy for my liking. I'm just too glad I finally finished a book this year; I'm hoping this would get me back my reading mojo.

It was a story of two women at different points in their lives, but at the same time found themselves at the same place - trying to find footing after their respective lives' tragedies. I've always believed life never runs out of tricks in its continued attempt to pull the rag under our feet, we all just have to find our way back to stand up again. And more often than not, we'd be surprised as to who will help us back on our feet, and how the world shifted while we were down on all fours.

I say it was a good read, but didn't quite make it on my favorite's list.

My Calamansi Pie Epiphany

One day, on my way home from work, I consciously decided to stray away from my usual routine, not to take the cab and just walk my way home. I wanted to explore the neighborhood and I had time to kill anyways. I went inside Wine Depot along Reposo (now officially called Nicanor Garcia Ave actually). I didn't have any agenda, I guess I was just curious.

And I was pleasantly surprised to discover a restaurant inside the store, all the while I thought they were just selling wines. I was looking on to their display and saw a white pie, and promptly asked the girl behind the counter what kind of pie it is. "Calamansi Pie", she replied. My eyes lit up as I love tangy pies. (Figaro's lemon squares and Mamou's key lime pie come to mind, but that's another blogpost!)

And while I think it's quite pricey at Php165 per slice, I ordered a slice and sat down. And just like that, I fell in love. Hahahaha!!! The zesty Calamansi filling complemented the crust perfectly,along with the sweet meringue topping that sealed off the deal. It was Php165 well-spent. I finished off my slice faster than how a lady should, and after finishing it off I decided it would have been great with coffee. Next time, next time. It was a happy discovery and I'm just too glad to have been acquainted to a new love.

I guess that's how we should be with life. Let ourselves stay open for a new discovery, interesting hobbies, an inspiration or maybe even the love of our lives. Expect the unexpected and remember that someone, somewhere, said, that the only way to discover new seas is to have the courage to lose sight of the shore. It is by taking risks, staying open and sometimes even straying away from the carved path that we discover new and great things. It's a huge world, I'm sure there are still surprises hiding somewhere if we just look at the right places.

Yes, I got all this from eating a pie. I take my food seriously, no? =)

Answered Prayers

I've recently added a line in my usual prayer intentions, and from how I see it, God is trying to be funny with His answers. And to somehow drive His point further, I came across this-

Have faith that God will answer your prayers in His way, the best way.

Truth be told, God answered my prayers not in what I had in mind. And I know God knows what I mean. But if I'd really go down to it, He answered it the best way possible, in a way I could have not imagined. In the flurry of our lives, it can be quite comforting to know we have a God with a quirky sense of humor, haha.

Let it be said, though, that I'm still praying for what I originally asked for. 

Sad.

It's sad if someone, whom you've never done any harm to, undermines your worth and basically treats you like shit :(

Taxi

God's Perfect Timing

I am still in awe at how God can plan everything so perfectly, how things fall in place in unmistakably impeccable timing.

 

Keep the faith, God will surprise you in ways you could have never imagined =)

Gayuma ni Maria

 

After one long run session with the BFF in UP Diliman, of course we were hungry. Since we're allowed to carbo-load, we decided to head somewhere to eat.

 

We wanted to go to Likha Diwa to stay in tune with our healthy mode, sadly, they were also staying in tune with their healthy mode and are closing in early. So, we headed to Gayuma ni Maria instead which I've been wanting to try for quite some time.

 

Back in college, there was a Gayuma in the Loyola area and I remember to love the restaurant back then, so my hopes were up for this one. When I came in, I was honestly quite disappointed on the design department. Sorry for the comparison, but the old Gayuma was put together effortlessly with its knick knacks and had an overall romantic feel. Gayuma ni Maria, for me, somehow feels that it was trying too hard to create a quirky feeling, which it sadly didn't achieve.

 

The food, however, was a different story altogether. If the overall design disappointed, I'm happy to report that the food did not =)

 

I can't remember the exact names and prices, but I'll be back (for the food!!), so let's satisfy ourselves with the below pictures for the meantime.

 

My friend had chocolate-covered dory with rice and kamote fries, which I loved! I love chocolate and I love Dory, but I thought it was odd to put them together. But, they did go well together, the sweetness of the chocolate accentuated the dory and created a flavor that's unique and quite a pleasing discovery.

On the other hand, I ordered pasta for myself, which was not bad but was quite unmemorable. So unmemorable, I don't remember what it was now. But believe me when I say, it was not bad, just not outstanding.

 

 

 

I'll definitely be back, and the next time I'll give a more detailed description of the food, with the prices too!