Thursday, October 20, 2016

Viking-ing

I remember being happy the first time I was there. It was a weekday, I had lunch with my brother and my partner. I remember literally being glued to the Japanese station -- the food's just perfect! Everything's perfect! So perfect I had this picture taken:


Nyahhhaha! I figured, this is how Vikings eat. Ahhhhh. That was a happy day. I couldn't stop gushing about my whole experience to everybody!

I had a totally different experience the second time I was there. I joined my partner's team for dinner (and they paid for me! THANK YOU!!!) and I remember only 1 food item, the lasagna. The rest was a blur. It's THAT bad.


So I guess, the obvious bottom line is, go there for LUNCH not only because it's cheaper, the food is fresher too! As for me, I'm definitely not going back. For the amount of money they charge per meal, it should ALWAYS be a GUARANTEE that EVERYTHING should be perfect, no matter what time of day. 

Anyway, here are our other pictures:



Have a great day guys! xx

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Sunday Drive

Sunday, early morning, 5am-ish.. Before my brother's flight to Manila, we, along with my partner Briane, decided to drive farther up north to have breakfast and guess what we saw?? These!!!!!


Sa-ang" is one of my absolute favies and I just didn't know where to get them (except in colon where I was once robbed -- not going back there!!)


This is before entering Cebu Yacht Club, by the road. The bigger ones cost Php 10 each, and the smaller ones 3 pieces for Php 20! They also accept orders for only Php 700 for 100 pieces. Isn't that a deal?! I mean, i know I wouldn't be ordering that much but I would certainly go up north again for a fill of these precious sea goodness! Just, YUM!!!! 

Oh, and of course I went to see Cebu Yacht Club! It's my first time and there's simply nothing like the ocean vibe early in the morning. 


And since the restaurants weren't open yet, we had to drive back to the nearest McDonald's for some breakfast. 


What a morning! And as much as I love  French Fries dipped in Choco Hot Fudge Sundae, I'd say, the highlight of my morning was the "sa-ang"! Next time though, I will bring my own vinegar as theirs is a little too bland for my taste!  You guys might want to do the same!

I hope you guys have a great week ahead! xx

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Who Broke My Heart And Made Me Write This Poem???

I used to write many poems, dreamt of being a renowned poet someday. I WASN’T GOOD. I thought I was until I got to read poems by "real" poets. They play with words like varsity. I can’t, which is why I resorted to just blogging. Hahaha!

Anyway, here’s one:

UNTITLED

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting
now,im tired..
im tired of comparing other guys to you
im tired of being insecure to this girl who.. gosh nevermind!!!
i wanna be free!
i wanna be free of this insecurity!
i wanna be free of you!
get out of my life!!!! 

i so hate it when i read or hear love stories
or watch movies
or see lovers and married couples on the streets..
and then all i could ever think of being like that with is you... 

or when I watch band gigs
or flowers, a perfect summer day, white sand, blue waters, sports event, fog..
or when I eat my most favorite food
and all of the beautiful things on earth..
and then all i could ever think of being with is you..

when i share jokes with friends,  I’d laugh so hard, I’d cry..
when i take pictures...
when i make songs and poems and when I dance like crazy..
I wish I’m doing them all with you..

I’m tired of waiting..
but i love you..
and i can't love anybody else..
i don't have the heart to..

**written: December 07, 2006 - THU - 12:36 pm**

Imagine how miserable and mad I was! And now I can’t even remember what happened, and who I wrote this poem about! I can’t even remember feeling the way I felt. Man.. This is why I don't want to be young again. There's just too much emotions, and most of them unnecessary. Tsk.

Have a great day!!! x

**photo not mine**

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Confessions Of A Cook


I love cooking. I love the smell, the mess, the preparation, I love everything about it. It’s my stress reliever! My father taught me when I was about 7 years old. I stopped for a while in college because I was busy studying and doing other things, more so in doing other things (ahem! Ü). And although I know I can cook a decent meal for anyone, I am not the type who can just whip up something from whatever’s in the kitchen.

And so this is my confession:
I. FOLLOW. RECIPES

I follow precisely at first and then later I develop that recipe into my own. And that’s when the fun begins. I add any ingredient I want and you know, sometimes I fail but when I get lucky, I have one very tasty and unique dish to MY (haha!) credit. And I’m definitely going to share them with you guys one of these days! Oh I’m excited! 

Anyway, along with this confession are some tips on what you can/cannot do in the kitchen. Nothing serious, just little something-something:

Go online – My favorite website is: http://www.delmonte.ph/kitchenomics/recipes. It has always been. I love that they categorize the recipes by Budget Range, Cooking Time, For Whom, and Meal/Recipe Type. It makes scouring easier. Of course they use Del Monte Products which made me discover that their recipe mixes (Quick ‘N Easy) are actually not bad. I use the Sweet ‘n Sour and Curry variant a lot. Anyway, here are the recipes I like from that website:
 

 
Pork Pina Hamonada, Hawaiian Wanton, Lumpiang Shanghai, Chicken Adobo with Pina
*Photos from kitchenomics website*


Be adventurous – While I follow recipes from top to bottom, I like to add touches of my own from time to time. I like my food hot so I add Cayenne pepper most of the time. Actually, scratch that, I add Cayenne Pepper ALL THE TIME! I mean, if I can add it to my rice I would. For meat recipes, I also add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce most of the time. Not too much because it’ll overpower the recipe, I love just a hint of it.

BLACK Pepper – I know most cooks will use White Pepper on white-sauce based recipe. I love Black Pepper though. It’s tastier and it smells better. I don’t mind the black spots, they’re like freckles on a smooth skin. I like it.

Soy Sauce and Sugar – If I don’t like the taste of the recipe I follow, those two are my go-to guys. Well, one or the other. I add sugar if I want to make it sweeter and Soy Sauce if I want it saltier. Believe me, nothing could go wrong with these two!

Ginger is only for Fish and Beef – I got this tip from my youngest brother Mac who got it from one of the cooks we hired back then. Well, you know beef with their beefy smell and fish with their fishy smell right? Ginger gets rid of those. On the other hand, pork doesn’t have a porky smell so it’s of no use. 

According to Auguste Gusteau:

“You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. What I say is true - anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great.”
 

 
When it comes to cooking I am not fearless, therefore, I am not great. But I am good and for now, I’d settle for good.


I hope this helps! Have a great day! xx

Friday, January 1, 2016

A New Beginning

How’s that for the most cliché title? Hahahaha!

Hello to you who’s reading this! If you’re not one of my siblings or my closest friends and you want to get to know me, you can check my previous blog: www.xinalia.blogspot.com.


So why leave my previous blog (which by the way has already about 20,000+ page views)? Well, basically because I wrote more about fashion and the lighter side of my life there and I want a more mature and a darker version of it. I did some “growing” last year! Hahaha!

This is me taking a risk and I’m sure it’s all going to be worth it! I hope to “see” you again soon! x