Friday, August 24, 2007

Good Food and Great Company


Since I'm in such a weird mood tonight, I'll blog about something that makes me happy.

What else, but food?! Here's a preview of some of my food trips this month. As they say, good food gets better with great company... Or something like that. So the not-so-good pictures in this entry are of good food and of course, the greatest company.


I had dinner with Miki at Chocolate Kiss a few Thursdays ago. I really super duper love Chocolate Kiss. It was the first time that I had dinner there and I was surprised that someone was playing the violin. Very romantic.

In the menu, my favorites are chicken ala kiev and the spare ribs. The cakes are all good. But I absolutely love their devil's food cake. Marshmallow icing, yum!

As usual, there's never a dull moment with Miks. The topics of our conversation were absolutely not dull -- let's leave it at that. That night I got and spent time with some of the things I missed: driving, chocolate kiss, and Miki.

The following Thursday was work from home Thursday. I ended up having dinner again at Chocolate Kiss. This time with Jensen. Topic of the conversation? Hmmm... Ah, kung kaya ko daw ba magmahal ng panget.





One Friday night dinner with friendskami was at TOSH (The Old Spaghetti House). I had THE BEST eggplant parmigiana in THE WORLD! It didn't even taste like a veggie. Another of our favorites is Colossal Chocochip ala Mode. Hot+cold=yummy-ness!!!

Afterwards we went for videoke. Aha, kala ko di kayo kakanta ng Careless Whisper?!?





On Papa's birthday, we were renewing my passport. (How very lucky of Papa.) When lunch came, where would we go but to MOA?!?

We had lunch at Italianni's where the folks were kind enough to sing happy birthday and give us free dessert. Ye-hey!

I don't really have my Italianni's favorites as I don't often eat there. Plus, everything there tastes great! Well, it MUST taste great.

Again, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA!!! At thanks sa libre!



Because Kris and Pau were jealous that they were just able to eat our leftover food from Italianni's, we had to celebrate Papa's birthday again last (rainy) Saturday at Conti's.

That's me and Krissy. And there's Pau drinking her mango shake unassumingly. Family time is sometimes spent laughing loudly in a restaurant. Or bickering sisters or teasing Mama on her tardiness and Papa on his impatience. Sometimes even them asking me to foot the bill.

Going back to the food, I love the baked salmon at Conti's. Their chicken ala kiev is also good. We tried their spaghetti with pesto and even Mama liked it. But I think the best Conti's has to offer is their mango bravo. I won't even try to describe it - just try it for yourself. One thing about it though, it keeps me coming back for more.



I was just going to accompany Flo buy her takeout lunch last Tuesday. But what do you know? The next minute I'm lunching out with her at Bubble Tea - a new store in Megamall - while my baon sits patiently on my office desk.

This is real tea with tapioca balls. None of those powder mixtures. Flo had her kiwi slush while I had my black mango tea.

They also had a selection of dishes to choose from. They were a bit Asian- or Japanese-inspired. Of course I couldn't stay away from my safe food so I chose garlic pasta while Flo had gyudon.

What Flo and I talked about... Ha! I couldn't even remember!


Today at lunch, Kev, Jensen, Flo, Nhiza, and I chose Tender Bob's over Shang Foodcourt. Friday lunch out wuhooo!

Kev says the beef salpicao is good. I had the baby back ribs and it was okay as well. Their desserts also look yummy, though I haven't tried.

We basically talked about someone's private love life in a private conversation that I'd rather not divulge here. But I really enjoyed today's lunch as I didn't even realize that we spent almost two hours talking and devouring red meat.




After the coffee talk today, Flo and I went to The Fort to try out dinner at Secret Recipe. It was a great night that lifted my spirits.

Their lamb stew was to die for. As in! You should try it out (as Flo's bff suggests). They also have yummy cheesecakes. We tried the espresso cheesecake which was of course, yummy. And look! They ran out of regular adult fries, so they gave me kiddie letter fries instead. How often do you get kiddie fries once you're already an adult?

I talked the whole night long. Good thing Flo enjoys listening. It was such a good restaurant with great food and ambiance - perfect for a Friday night out with a girl friend!



I know this entry is quite long, but I really had tons to say. In closing, I guess I can only just be thankful to be privileged enough that I can fill my tummy with all this good food. And I also know that I should be MORE thankful that I'm VERY VERY lucky to be surrounded with the best people in the world.

I guess that's it. Just give me good food and great company, nothing more. Then I'll live a happy life.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Maligayang Kaarawan!


Para sa...
Kaibigan ng marami,
Anak nina Mommy Luz at Daddy Bening,
Kapatid ni Uncle Ronnie,
Uncle nina Ate Cel, Ate Mai, at Ate Mitzi,
Papa ng makukulit na sina Chubbs, Kris, at Paula (pinakamakulit),
at kabiyak, "deng", "lab", at katuwang ni Belen,

Maligayang Kaarawan mula sa aming lahat!!!
At maraming salamat sa lahat lahat lahat!

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Nostalgia


I remember conversations and cakes, late afternoon sunshine and rain, bookworms and smiles, the funniest movies and Christmas songs, bracelets and hugs... A collection of simple yet important memories – this is what you are to me. When nostalgia hits, I realize how much I’ve held on to these memories. Then I think if there ever was a way to let go of late afternoon sunshine and cakes, conversations and bookworms, the funniest movies and rain, Christmas songs and bracelets, smiles and hugs... But then I realize that I can’t just forget all these memories. Or you. Hey, I miss you.

(100 words)

© Isabel M. Casas 20070809

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Perfection in Boracay


        

When asked about our trip to Boracay, I can only give one-liners like, "Sarap!" or "Saya!" and it would describe our three days in the island. The trip was a real vacation for all of us - spent lounging in the beach, drinking Jonah's fruit shakes, swimming in cool waters, sharing funny experiences, and eating a lot.

When I first saw the beach, I felt that the view was too much for the eyes. With the color of the sky rivaling the bluest blue of the sea, miles of the beach's powder-white sand, and the sun shining brightly, everything was picture perfect.

The company was perfect as well. I wouldn't have enjoyed so much if not for you guys. We spent a lot of time laughing and singing and talking and modelling(!) and oh, waiting for a James Ingram song to be played. 

So there. It was the perfect vacation in the perfect place with the perfect company. That's why I went home with a smile on my face, rested and recharged, with a tan that I absolutely love, and pictures that prove the perfection of Boracay.
 

    

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Boracay!!! July 2007




Boracay! :)
July 28-30, 2007 (bitin!)
Krizel, Rolan, Ryann, Eric, Tanya, Steph, Flo and Chubbs!

funfunfun! :) Where many things that happened didn't happen at all (hahaha) :)

Gasthof - Beach - Bite Club - Beach - Andok's - Beach - Jonah's - Beachbeachbeach - Sunset sailing - Paradiso Seafood - Beach - Charles Bar(?) - Paradiso - Beach - Sarap sarap food near the airport + lots and lots and lots of kwentuhans! Sarap magbakasyon! ;) Thanks guys! :D