Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Happy Birthday, James!

The little boy of Jing is not so little anymore.

James turned 11 today. He is even taller than me!

I was invited by the family for lunch at Burgoo, PowerPlant.

The birthday boy had his favorite Burger!

The rest of the food....

Ceasar's Salad

Appetizers - Sample Platter

Buffalo Wings

Spaghetti Bolognese

Large Pizza

Chicken Barbecue

James was very surprised by the birthday greeting of the Burgoo waitstaff and obviously delighted by the "surprise".

He told his parents it was his "best birthday ever!"

Happy 11th Birthday, James!

 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Hey, Mom!

That was my favorite greeting to my Mom when she was sick in the hospital six and a half years ago. As soon as I enter the ICU, I would always say, "Hey, Mom!" And... If it was a very good day, I would get a reply by way of a smile ... A smile which reached her eyes.

I do miss her so much! We were so different from each other.

I am very shy whereas Mom was the life of the party..... very outgoing.

She was very comfortable giving out speeches and lectures whereas I would rather write.

She was known for being so well put together and glamorous.... She had this diary and would write down the clothes she wore so she would not repeat an outfit. I was sorting out her pictures a couple of weeks ago and true enough, I noticed that she had a new ensemble all the time.

Hahahaha Check out my photo albums and I do not care if I wear the same things over and over and over. I have a closet full of clothes but I just like to wear my favorites all the time.

I am a very good cook though.... I can name in 2 hands the dishes she prepared for us.

Sometimes....I often wonder if my life would be different if she was still alive. I know I will not be allowed to travel and go to places on my own. Mom was... Super.... Over.... Protective! She would always say, "Oh, No! You might get picked up by strange men!" Hahahaha but is that not the point of going off on an adventure by yourself?

I was very close to my Mom but that was only in the last 10 years of her life because she was so busy with work. Do you know why being sick is such a positive experience for me? That was the only time I had her all to myself. She would drop everything just so she can go home and take care of me. One time, she told her office staff that her "baby" was sick and had to rush home. Then, the new secretary said, "I did not know Ma'am still has a baby." Hahahaha .... I was the baby and I was not a baby anymore then, if I am not mistaken, I was already in college.

So when my Mom had a stroke back in 2006..... She was hospitalized at ICU of Makati Medical Center for almost 3 months. Her friends and relatives would always "hint" to us kids to let my Mom go and not make her suffer anymore.

She was a mother who would give anything.... Do anything.... Whatever it takes... Whatever the cost just to make sure her sick child would get well. That was the kind of mother I had.

Knowing she was willing to do all of that for us, we told her (17) doctors to do everything and anything in their powers just to make my Mom well.

But in the end.... they said there was nothing they could do for her anymore.... Then we had to let go.

Hey, Mom! Wishing you were still with us. There was not a day I did not think of you.

 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Sherman's Treat at Wee Nam Kee

Welcome home, Sherman!

We always look forward whenever you come home. Not only because you always treat us but also because we missed you in the months that you were away.

We enjoyed our dinner at Wee Nam Kee.

We had their specialty..... Chicken!

Roasted....

Steamed....

We tried the other dishes too.....

Crispy Honey Squid

Beef with Broccoli

Fried Noodles

Pork Asado

Sambal Kang Kong

Wee Nam Kee Fried Rice.

We had our dessert at the nearby Coffee Bean and Tea....

Toblerone Cheesecake

Turtle Pie

Blueberry Cheesecake

I was sooooo full! I over ate again!

Thank you so much Sherman and Jing for always inviting us!

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Chinese Restaurants in Glorietta

There are a lot of new restaurants in Glorietta now and there are also some places that have been there for years- one of those restos is Modern China near the Glorietta 4 entrance facing the street.

Tried the Shrimp with Broccoli and Tofu

Crispy Pork

House Fried Chicken with red egg.... Similar to Zong's

Yang Chow Fried Rice

The new resto is Modern Shanghai.

Wait a minute?!?!?! Modern China? Modern Shanghai? Do you think they have the same owners?

The food at Modern Shanghai is so different from Modern China.

Xiao Long Bao

Sautéed Prawns with Scallions

Shredded Assorted Vegetables & Dried Beancurd with Sesame Oil

Pan Fried Shanghai Buns

Steamed Buns with Vegetables and Pork

Shanghai Lily - an oriental mix of lychee, grapefruit honey, mango juice, chrysanthemum tea and Sprite, garnished with mint leaves.

Dessert was Red Bean Paste Pancake.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Trader Joe's "Baratillo"

Welcome Home, Pinky!

Pinky came home bearing loot! We ordered assorted Trader Joe's goodies from her.

She named our get-together as Trader Joe's Baratillo.

She already put our orders in individual shopping bags.

I am not a fan of the Butter Cookie Spread so I only asked for the Chocolate covered potato chips!

Heavenly! Hehehehe I did not share with the others. I only let Mona take one bite, she has her own but will give it to Tita Cena for Mother's Day. I told her to just get from Mama's. Mine is off-limits.

My friends wanted to order food from me but I had to decline because of the heat in my kitchen. I cannot switch on the fan because the flame of the stove will die. I have an air conditioner in the kitchen but I do not want to use it.

I suggested we order food from RK Garden on Jupiter St.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Buttered Chicken

RK Chopsuey

Broccoli with Beef

Minced Pork with Lettuce

Fish Fillet with Taosi

I wanted to transfer the food into the serving platters but they said just to leave the food in the boxes.

Ohhhh I made baby cua paos for the early birds.

We had ice cream for dessert! Arce Ube and Mantecado flavors.

The Biscoff Crunchy Cookie Butter spread complemented the Mantecado ice cream.

Pinky's Baratillo was a success. A lot of people still wanted to get the cookie butter spread but she ran out of stock.

Until your next Trader Joe's Sale, Pinky!

 

Monday, May 6, 2013

May Birthday Celebration

Tita Butchie and Tita Mita are the May Celebrants. We were treated to lunch at Chef Jessie's, Rockwell Club.

I was not able to take pictures of the food because I was " boxed in", I could not get up from my chair.

Everybody ordered soufflé .... I am not a fan so I just got Pasta Bolognese. Tita Tess and PD had the Manolo Lopez Salad, Tita Josie had the French Onion Soup and Risotto. We had an assortment of desserts....

I love ice cream! So.... It was Banana Split for me and PD. The others had Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice cream. (Photo courtesy of Tita Tess)

Tita Mita had her favorite Raspberry ice cream.... It was Grand Marnier Soufflé for Tita Josie.

I cannot believe how fast time went by. We have been having our monthly and birthday lunches since my Mom passed away in 2006. We have learned so much about each other. Our get-togethers were always fun-filled with lots of stories from the past ..... With what is happening with everybody right now..... And plans for the future.

Happy Birthday, Tita Mita and Tita Butchie!