An evening of rockin’ and rollin’

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Last Friday, the accommodating (ahem!) other half of mine conceded to my whim over again. I was promised an evening out so I took it seriously and marked my calendar for the Friday date with him. TGIF came and I was already preparing for our night out when I thought of calling him to confirm where and what time we would meet. But the enthusiasm turned into disappointment when I learned that he was about to go out with his colleagues(again!). It was a total bad trip! “No way!” I told myself. I was very upset but I don’t want to sulk in one corner and spoil my time, while he paints the town red.

“Meet me at the usual place. I’m about to leave now!” was my text message to him. When I arrived at the place, he was already waiting. Hurray! My anticipated “night out” materialized though in a shot gun manner. Ha ha. Who cares?! He supported my whims and didn’t become a KJ anyway. I’m happy with that! Otherwise I’d be nuts!

He asked where I want to eat and the usual food that comes to my mind is Chinese, specifically Peking duck that time. So he parked at Lutong Macau in Jupiter St. (we're in Makati City). We ordered half of Peking duck which was partly to be eaten with wraps and half I thought was as is, plain roast. But it turned out differently which I didn’t like as much.

Peking duck cooked further for lettuce wrapping..

Crispy Peking duck skin on crackers.


Peking duck to be wrapped in lettuce.


Wrapped with hoisin sauce

After the Peking duck dinner, we proceeded to RJ Bar only few blocks away. We were to go to Merk’s Bistro and Bar in Greenbelt-2 but I changed mind when I learned it was RJ’s night. As early birds at the bar we thought of leaving the place for a while. but the crews informed us there’s only one table left unreserved and we may lose it. Not wanting to miss the surviving table, we stayed on. It wasn’t long when guests flowed in and the place suddenly became full packed. We even overheard few arguments over reserved tables. Ha ha..!

Everyone wanted to be accommodated simply because it was RJ’s night. I spotted some celebrities and socialites on the dance floor. Their faces I knew but can’t recall the names. Though we didn't boogie down the dance floor (scared to be caught on tv . he he.). I was keyed up with the hip sound. It was a lively rockin’ and rollin’ night with the young and the olds alike.

The stage

The crowded dance floor.

The lady singer with RJ himself.

RJ's music is revitalizing! I really enjoyed a lot! I'm now toying with the idea of utilizing my imaginative shot gun again if deem needed! ha ha..

'Hope you guys are having a good week. Thanks to all for the time spent.

Beautiful Blogger Award

I wanna thank Chubskulit for passing on this award to me. Whether deserving or not, doesn't matter to me. It's the thought that I count actually! Thanks again, Rose!

As a requirement I have to list 7 things about me.

1. I don't eat pork.
   
2. I love Chinese and Japanese foods.
   
3. Peking Duck is my favorite dish.
   
4. I'm insomniac and needs to take sleep enhancing vitamins.
   
5. I love the music of the 70's and 80's.
6. I love road trips.
   
7. I love summer time and the beach.

Passing this to all of you, my lady blogger friends coz you are all amongst the beautiful people of blogland.

Our Hong Kong Trip

I wonder how Hong Kong looks now (pretending it's not shown on tv or other media)! It has been more than a decade since my friend and I visited the place. I remember it was then the time when the sovereignty of Hong Kong was about to be turned over to the government of the People’s Republic of China after the British Government took control of it for nearly 100 years. The place was too busy then for the preparation of the grand ceremonial event and we were busy as well exploring each and every nook of the territory.

We only had four days and three nights to explore the place so we practically didn’t spend much time staying in our hotel room. My friend who I was with has toured the place before. Thus I trusted her to be familiar with the place somehow. So when she asked me to stroll around and shop at the Night Market of Mongkok, I readily agreed. We reached the night shopping area without difficulty and got thrilled with the super low-priced goods I witnessed around. We almost forgot the time with our bargain shopping as it was late night when we decided to take MTR and go back to our hotel room. But trouble came into view when my friend could not recognize the right direction to our hotel. We alighted from MTR on the wrong station and we had tough time asking for directions coz the people we got to ask doesn’t understand the English language. My feet and legs were already aching from the long walk but there was no one who knows how to translate our queries to Chinese language. Translation is done thru sign language but we only got negative result. Nevertheless, we reached our hotel after bumping into one Filipino young guy who politely accompanied us to our destination. We learned later that we could find many translators around the hotel.

It wasn’t entirely a good experience for us but our Hong Kong tour, even already more than a decade ago was significantly a fantastic one to remember!

Valentine Hang-over

A couple of days already had passed but I’m still into the Valentine thingy! Maybe because it quickly slipped away without any fanfare for me at all. For many years that went by, I don’t remember a single Valentine’s Day that wasn’t observed by us, meaning, hubby and me. Alright then, I have to state clearly that it was for the reason that we were usually with our couple friends; we are one gang composed of couples who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day together. We would go dining out in some cozy restos, have fun in music bar, or simply go videoke singing in whoever’s place is available and have potluck party.

Few days before the special day, Feb. 14, our friend E, was asking where’d we gonna spend the coming Valentine’s Day. She is our coordinator with regards to the gang’s get-togethers. I told her that we have plans of going to Tagaytay with our Niece-in-law and the other in-laws family this time. And so, I guess, E herself went with her own personal date with her hubby. Hence, no valentine celebration came up for the gang.

The night before V-day, N-i-l sent text message inquiring if we will push through the Tagaytay plan. Daughter made known her reluctance, expressing her concern that Tagaytay would be fully jam-packed. It was seconded by hubby and son so by those hesitations, the plan went pfft.

In lieu of the Tagaytay outing, hubby gave a consolation to dine out to the nearby Chinese Resto instead. Since it was set at dinner time, he went out to bike and promised to be back early. But what do you know?! You think he came back early? Nah, the biker arrived 7:30 pm! The big kiddos were by now grouchy. “Pa, do you think we could still find a vacant table in the resto by this time?” the girl complained. Our excitement to go out has vanished. And again, another plan got aborted. But my mind was set. I’m not gonna cook! Already starving perhaps, son stood up and took over the stove. Weeeee! His cuisine? Sauteed corned beef fresh from tin can with matching fried hotdogs and all the left-overs he found in the ref! Yikes? 'Tis not! For me, it was a considerably special dinner coz it was prepared by son while I had fun time in front of tv. ha ha!

The gang in one of those Valentine's Day Get-together.

That's how we had our Valentine's Day folks, just in case you want to know. But I'm not giving up! Am still anticipating a rain check celebration of the day of hearts. (hint! hint!)

A Tag from One Gorgeous Friend

This may be late but in appreciation, I'm still posting this cute tag. Giving Sheng a big Valentine Hug for this.



Here are some simple mechanics:

1. Post this tag in your blog (multiple blogs allowed) with these mechanics.

2. Don’t forget to use the widget linking the site.

3. Post a photo of anything that has the color red.

4. Include also a saying or quote related to LOVE or the LOVE MONTH.

5. Tag as many as you can and instruct them to get back to Arlene’s site to leave their url if they have joined.

"Love in your heart was not put there to stay ...love is not love till you give it away"

I hope all you folks had a wonderful day of hearts!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year too!

It's Valentine's Day once again! Time to express love not only to your spouse or sweetheart but likewise to your kids, parents, siblings and friends. Let Love be felt around you! Color the day red!

Happy Valentines to all!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

I'm not sure if I spelled it right but whether right or not, I just want to greet all my Chinese friends a Happy Chinese New Year! May this Metal Tiger Year brings everyone a bright and prosperous year!

And as always, my Filipino-Chinese friend, Susan Young-deLeon never missed sending me a Tikoy every new year that comes. (Thanks a lot my friend! ) Tikoy is our Pinoy term for this sticky Chinese delicacy. I was told that it is said to bring good luck to the recipient as well as the giver.

I hope you all have a lucky Lunar Year!

Music Bar for All Ages

Back in my younger years, frequenting the Music Bars, Folk Houses, Discos and the likes are amongst the favorite pastimes I enjoyed spending with friends. I have enjoyed tremendously those years that as I reached this advanced age, I can’t help but long for the live music that brings me back to those days of wine and roses- the heyday of my life.

Oftentimes now, I long for those sounds that take me back to the treasured moments of my youth. And how glad I am that hubby somehow understands my fondness for music. Last Friday, I asked him if he could bring me out since it’s one of those oh,soooo boring days! One thing I like with hubby is that he never turns me down, oh well, he does too sometimes, but only if he can’t refuse an appointment. (ahem!) And most of the time, it’s like automatic to him, that the place he would bring me to is Dungeon Bar, the music bar of Camelot Hotel in South Triangle, Quezon City. That’s where we spent our date last Thursday after taking a buffet dinner at Tramway Restaurant in Timog, Quezon City. Dungeon Bar is located at the basement of the hotel. The area is not so big, it's dimly lit and is often visited by customers of all ages. The scheduled band players that night were named Oldies but Goodies (the ages of the band members are evident on their band’s name) and another young and exceptional group whose name is quite hard to recall but the flawless, sexy bodies of the lady singers will always be remembered, especially by men.

I think, I’ll forever appreciate being brought to Dungeon Bar. The Music Bar for all ages.

The celebration of two

There was no plan at all to celebrate daughter’s birthday. She was contented at home coz it was no work day and she was with her netbook and dvd’s. Thinking that we’re not going out to celebrate, I just cooked for her a little spaghetti and bought her a small birthday cake. She blew her candle and that’s it! Celebration is done. Or so I thought! I was wrong coz there was a call from Sil asking us to go out for dinner. She wants a combined celebration since she had just celebrated her birthday last Thursday, February 4. Daughter was more than glad agreeing to the idea. And so we headed to our usual dining place, the Emerald Restaurant in Roxas Blvd. Although far from our location, we all preferred that place for its good food. It was just us, her family and ours, though her's wasn't complete. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the food we ordered, like steamed Lapu-lapu, Shrimp salad, fried chicken, pancit canton, corn soup with quail eggs, beef with broccolli. and some I forgot the name. As we were about to finish eating, I remembered I have my camera with me but the food were almost gone. Anyway, I was able to catch a few.

I love roses that I can't help but post this.

This is half of the bouquet she received from

a friend. It was as if it's mine that I was the

one who arranged them on flower vases while

daughter is watching by.

Her little birthday cake.

The simple spaghetti.

The 2nd round of yang chow fried rice.

This' what has remained of the steamed lapu-lapu.

The other dishes were nowhere to be found, (lol!)

The two celebrants seemed to have enjoyed their birthday celebration. It is all what matters after all!

To all of you, have a great start of the week!

Janina, this is for you!

It’s good that this day, Saturday, February 6, 2010 hasn’t been over yet. I still have time to post this birthday greeting for my unica hija, Jaja as we fondly call her. I was supposed to post this last night but I had a visitor here in the house in the person of my SIL. We had a good talk that I’ve completely forgotten about the posting. I only saw today the bouquet of roses that was sent to her and only then was I reminded that it's already her birthday today. Anyway, I'm not late yet. Happy Birthday my dear dawtah!

Cabanatuan's Batutay

Cabanatuan is a city in Nueva Ecija., a province in Central Luzon. My sis, my brother (God bless his soul) and I, had considered it as our home town together with the town of Talavera although we were raised and born here in Manila. Most of our relatives are all in those two towns so it's not surprising if I talk about those places like we all originated from those towns. Last week, Sis and I were back in Cabanatuan after many years of absence sadly because of a cousin's demise. It was a combined sad and happy reunion for all.

Whenever in Cabanatuan, we never forget to pass by the City Market to buy the ever popular Cabanatuan Longganisa called Batutay. Batutay is their name for their beef longganisa. I really love them that it'll break my heart if I can't bring home some. That’s why when we had the chance to sneak to the market early Thursday morning before the Interment, sis and I had a market shopping spree. We bought those that are not available in our place like the Batutay and the favorite exotic food of mine, the Day old chicks. I was also looking for frog meats but I’ve been told that it’s not the season for it. Anyway, we felt like shopping in Baguio coz the veggies like broccoli , cauliflower and the likes were so fresh and cheap. Sis’ car’s compartment got jam-packed with all our loot.

The time that should have been exclusively spent to sympathizing with grieving relatives had some other beneficial affair. It's that once in a blue moon market shopping in Cabanatuan, our beloved hometown.

Uncooked Batutay (Beef native sausage)


The cooked Batutay. Yummy!

The delectable Day old chicks.
This needs deep frying and vinegar dip.
Wanna share?

I hope you are all enjoying the week. Thanks for dropping by!!