Writer's Workshop

Part of the reason why we went to S&R Sunday was because Mom had to get food to serve her guests because she was hosting Writer's Workshop for her friends tonight. She invited me to join them-- Usually I'm a bit shy when her friends are around especially for activities like these but for some reason I really wanted to join. Writing is something I WANT to get better at and thought it might be interesting to listen to them critique each other's writing. 

My mom e-mailed me the pieces that would be under scrutiny for the night so I could read them ahead of time. Apparently this is how this goes. I didn't get to finish the readings so I couldn't really follow the story but despite that I still learned so much from listening to these writers convene.

They broke down the pieces by structure, by motivation. They analyzed what the writer wanted the reader to feel.. Where the author wanted to take the reader. Feeling sympathy for the characters. 

There were two stories. A travelogue, my mother said was a difficult read. I AGREE!! I had such a hard time reading it and couldn't really understand all the art mumbo jumbo-- I was confused merely by all the french names and big words. Hello? this was a group of English teachers, serious literary types-- with me who reads Dojo of Wisdom. Hehehe :)) But when they discussed the piece they described as a cubist novel where time is interspersed-- i saw what a complex piece it was full of hidden metaphors and allegories. 

When I write I kinda just talk, aimlessly... But I think I know the voice I write in, or like to write in. This was my first foray into the real world of writing... Very interesting. A lot of new ideas still simmering in my head. My mother actually, in my opinion-- without bias gave the most substantial comments in that discussion. I was impressed. She's a three time Palanca awardee. I am so proud of her for this. She is a brilliant writer.

It has been a secret dream of mine to write. I think it's because my mom writes and you know how you sometimes want to be like them. So many people ask my mom for help on their writing, I don't see why I don't....

The group!

YakiMix

Ate at YakiMix in Tomas Morato with Eugene and Lola Sunday Night. There was a long line outside. Good thing they had gone there early to make sure we got one of the 7 free tables. The buffet opens at 530pm. For only 580 pesos per person, a steal.

Shabu-Shabu

Mushrooms and tofu were the only ones I could eat though.

A good selection of sushi. As in ang dami, I just wasn't paying much attention because I couldn't have any. I only had tuna sashimi.

They also had a lot of veggies and side dishes. But not a lot I could eat. They only had one dish that was perfect. Pechay and mushrooms. They also had String Beans with minced pork-- which is my favorite so I had to have some. They also had shrimp and crab stick tempura at the "cooked" section.

So much stuff grill. All kinds of meat, seafood, even hotdogs and sausages and fishcakes and mushrooms with bacon. They had korean beef pa. Dami, I was impressed. They even had cuttlefish.

Grilling Shrimp

The desserts weren't that impressive. The ones i tried at least. The cheesecake was yucky and so was the chocolate mousse. But they had a lot of nestle ice cream flavors and even popsicles. Eugene had 3 melon sorbetes popsicles. They also had mango sago and fruit salad but I didn't try those.

I SURVIVED A BUFFET ON MY DIET!! YES I CAN :)

All for only 580 pesos?? This buffet is super sulit!

They have 3 branches, MOA and I forget.

The old Anton, Nate and Em would love this!

S&R

After Lunch we went to S&R to buy groceries for the week. Chi wanted to cook this week so he wanted to go get good meat at the market.

I have recently been addicted to S&R. I think I was there 3 times last week. Wednesday I went to buy Ice Cream for Tito Os and Strawberry Strudels for Encounter. Friday we god Pizza and Hotdogs for lunch and Mancom at the office. We got mini Pringles (they're much better than the downgraded Pringles out in the market today-SARAP) and Strawberry Strudels too-- Hey hey we need fuel for 5 hour long meetings. And Sunday with the family.


Here are my favorite S&R finds..

Their meats.

Bounty Fresh Skinless Chicken Breast.

They're the best chicken breasts I've found, the juiciest. Even better than the ones I get from Santi's. I think you can get these at any grocery though.

Strawberry/Chiz Strudels

These are the only things I crave for now-a-days. They're just perfectly slightly sweet. MMmmmmm... :) 

Blue Bunny Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

I think I've bought 10 of these in the past month. I didn't eat them all ah! For the office, for Chi, for Tito Os. Perfect for the sweltering heat of summer. My constant cheat item-- "One spoon lang" "Two spoons please" "Three spoons :)" "Ang laki naman ng spoon mo!"

Cantinetta

We ate Sunday lunch at Canitinetta in Burgos Circle at the Fort yesterday. I was trying to call Taka in the morning to make reservations but no one was picking up. Apartment 1B, i found out, is closed on Sundays. Boo. I suggested Aubergine because we wanted to go to S&R after lunch but on our way there Chi said he didn't want to park there and went to Burgos Circle instead. Mom chose Cantinetta from the lot.

Warm water with Lemons, now a staple.

I was kinda upset that the table that came AFTER us got their bread basket before we did. A good while before we did. I wasn't happy with their bread-- and I LOVE bread. I usually get full from the bread basket already. Or maybe I don't eat carbs anymore-- for the past month at least that it doesn't make me happy anymore?? Could this be true? But Bread and Cheese are my first loves. 

Mom's Crema di Fungi

Cream of Porcini Mushroom Soup

Didn't try it.

Spinaci e Funghi al Vino Bianco

Sauteed Spinach and Mushroom in White Wine Sauce

I originally wanted the Caprese and was disappointed when the waitress came back saying it wasn't available :( But this dish was really good. Although button mushrooms are the only mushrooms not allowed--- pwede na yan.

Grilled Seafood

Prawns, Squid and Blue Marlin

This dish was 850 pesos but there was so much. More then enough for two. It was really fresh and light. The Blue Marlin was really yummy but I didn't eat much of it because it isn't on my list. 

There was so much I ate half of this and half of my spinach and mushrooms and ate the rest for breakfast this morning. 

Chi's Steak

It was cooked to perfection. The potatoes were yummy too!

 Mom's Puttanesca

Had a bite. Yummy :)

The ground floor was full so we were led upstairs. It kinda feels like a dungeon in there.. But I think pretty much all the restaurants in Burgos Circle have that dark feeling inside.
Loved the Food, didn't like the place. Price wasn't all that bad if we had shared since servings were big.

Under the Sea at Mano Amiga

Lynn invited us to celebrate her birthday with the Mano Amiga kids. Mano Amiga is a non-profit school that is my apostolate for Regnum Christi. The school aims to provide private school standard education to less privileged communities with the long term goal of raising the entire community out of poverty by equipping these students with the necessary skills and knowledge to attend the same universities that we do and in turn also the jobs that we can get. It has worked in Mexico and other countries, It will work here too :)

My task was to be the story teller. I was reading "Pollywag Wiggles" I think was the title. But I had to read to tagalog part at sobrang lalim ng tagalog hahaha :)) It was fun though, I hope the kids were able to understand me.

It was nice to just be around the kids for the afternoon. Singing songs, talking dancing, coloring. "Nagee-njoy talaga si Ina magcolor" says Lynn-- and I really honestly do. Haha :))

Coloring with Camille

"The fish in the sea go swim swim swim"

with Ate Santa

with the kids :)

I forget their names--- Nadialyn? and Jaica? Huhuhu :(

Coloring with Tin

Happy Birthday Ate Ms. Lynn

Thanks Lynn for organizing this. I'm so excited to get more involved with Mano Amiga :)

The group :)

Birthdays at Society Lounge

Mitchy set up the Birdcage Black Berry Messenger group that has been a venue for the randomest antics available-- all day and night. From love-team wannabes, to diet plans to BBM tricks to jejejeje from Barcelona care of Nikko, my bbm was beeping non-stop for a few days. Sadly now the hype has died down, not much activity going on people are quiet o BBM now. One day as plans were being thrown around on BBM, We were invited to go to Society Lounge which he claims is the place to be. No one knows where this is-- we assume that we have been out of the loop and have escalated to "LOLA" status that we don't know where cool people hang out anymore. Gone are our "Cool" days when we could skip the lines and have access to free flowing drinks and know pretty much everyone at the club. Last night was  my night to be "BAGETS" and be in the "in crowd" for birthdays at Society Lounge. Blue Label, Patron, Moet and Chandon. Need I drop any more names? Good thing I'm not drinking or else I probably wouldn't be writing this-- unable to recall events from last night.

I really had a blast in-spite my sipping on hot water with lemons all night long. Nice to see a bunch of people I haven't seen in quite a while.

Giza Sy-Tang

The Newly Wed, who is blooming and looks so happy. I am truly so happy for her. I remember chatting on YM with her a couple of years ago as she shared her fears of Ty going into professional basketball-- all those fears futile. :) I love seeing pictures of them so in love on their Facebook.

Darryl Santos

Finally, After 4 years of law school he is back out with us. I really enjoyed catching up with him-- where he's been and where he's going-- where I've been to as well but not so much as to where I'm headed because even to me it isn't crystal clear haha :)) Good luck with reviewing for the bar and I am looking forward to seeing you more often and hearing more of your stories, Da.

Kriska Joaquin

My sister from another mother. I don't see you often enough Kris, and too bad Kace couldn't make it. You should come to Bali with us!!! Go na, Tin is bringing Ate Lala! I wish I could bring my real sister, Kisa too :( Had to post 2 pictures because I love these two!! Parang ang payat ko na!! Sana totoo na talaga hahaha :))

Drei Omega

In Manila for only one night. Our lives have both changed drastically since the last time we saw each other in Cebu. Our two opposite personalities have somehow rubbed off on each other. A more responsible realistic Ina and a more positive Drei. We NEED to continue that conversation Drei. I miss you and I am so happy for you and can't wait till I see you back in Cebu as soon as possible. A Maya date for sure! Oh, and I cannot believe we didn't take a decent picture together-- I had to crop this one!

Bea Garcia

Who has been way too busy to see me for coffee. I guess we had to go through similar things in the recent past, trying times that made us stronger and changed us for the better. Can you please make time for me na because there's still so much to tell you and I really miss you... and Society Lounge no matter how "happening" it is there is not the place for us to discuss our lives the way we've always loved to. I still remember coffee at Mickey's before leaving for Miami last year---- Remember Bey??? Oh how much life has changed since then.

Mike Pelayo

(his beautiful girlfriend Karlene because for some reason I didn't have a picture with him )

Howcome we didn't take a picture? I was really touched with the conversation I had with Mike. Although I'm not sure if he will remember. We were catching up and he was telling me na sama daw ako mag-boxing and that we should hang out more often and we can talk about work and I should call him anytime. I don't remember so well because I was already pretty tired at that time.. But when I woke up this morning I was thinking, I will really collect that from Mike. So Mike lets have coffee or lunch sometime ha? And I need help with the DTI remember? HiHiHI

AND OF COURSE...

Just being with the those WACKY boys and girls is always a wonderful respite from the worries of the world :) Pam Champion of the Night! :)

Almost Forgot....

Half of Anton Martinez!

60 pounds lighter and blooming yihee :)) 

Congratulations Anton, you are my idol talaga hihihi :))

Oh, and Special thanks to Margie for the beautiful shoes that I wore that night. They're so pretty at super tangkad ko! All the boys were getting mad at me. hihihi ;))

Pa's Chinese Ascension

I'm laughing at the title I chose, but I think it is the essence of today's ceremonies. It was Pa's second year death anniversary last week and today is the second year on the Chinese Calendar. I have no idea how they calculate this, but they say its today. So today, we went to China town where the temple with Pa's Chinese sprit is kept ( I suppose I know nothing of this, I just play along) or more accurately--where his portrait is kept to wave incense at. 

Out of all the mornings of late, I chose to oversleep today-- when I actually had a purpose to wake up! Well, I didn't really oversleep. I just woke up as my alarm rang for 6am. I usually wake up WAAAY before that. But today, when we were supposed to leave at 6, I woke up at 6. Hmph! At least I got a proper night's rest.

We left at 630. Dong passed through Ortigas to Aurora all the way to Binondo! I have never been on that street before-- there were so many new things to see which made for a very interesting drive. I love looking out at what businesses are out there. New condo's in the middle of nowhere, Harrison Plaza, SM Sta. Mesa. I should drive around more often, see whats out there. What markets can be tapped.

We got to the temple at around 715. and set up the goodies to be offered. Today Lanie prepared 5 sets of fruits, cookies and pastries and 5 different food I think. We had to light incense and sort of waft it at the buddhas and then stand and bow as the monks chanted for half an hour.

I entitled it "Ascension" because after today he's no longer "newly dead" and is now to be at the higher heaven, i suppose. He no longer gets yellow incense, now red like the rest of the Ty family at the mausoleum. Why does it take 2 years for him to join his ancestors up in Chinese Heaven? I know he is happy there :)

We all ate at Grams Diner for Breakfast afterwards. Chi, Mom, Lanie and I. Chi was getting irritated with me as I kept changing my mind about what to order. Should I order the omelet or steak and eggs? I settle on Steak and Eggs but realize that they're both proteins and should be 1 kind of protein at a time and veggies. So I quickly change to the Omelet, with Mushrooms, Bell Pepper and Tomato-- sounded like what I made the other day. Chi says "Labo Mo!" and argues with me. "You can't diet when you eat out!" "OH YES I CAN!!" Everyone else got the Patriotic Breakfast, Tapa-- my favorite tapa in the world that I couldn't have. ( Secret: I had one bite hihihi )

Leftover from my Breakfast Omelet

with Mushrooms, Bell Peppers and Tomatoes

The Patriotic Breakfast : Tapa

Ina: "Did you like the tapa? That's my favorite tapa!"

Chi: "It tastes like bacon"

Ina: "I know, bacon and tapa in one!"

Chi: "If I wanted Bacon I would have ordered Bacon!"

Lanie: "Hihihihihih :))"

The secret is in their vinegar, i think.

Chi is still stressing over his Philosophy predicament. See, my brother does not speak much tagalog. Or he just dislikes the language. It started with Pa, he forbade anyone to talk to them in Tagalog and told them never to speak it. Pa was made fun of as a kid not being able to speak proper english so he didn't want Chi and Julian to speak tagalog. Hence, their aversion for the language. Julian even went as far as escaping to study in the States to avoid it. Chi is now stuck in Tagalog Philosophy with a certain John Uy who is batch mates with our cousin Mikko and apparently does not give anyone high grades. His Facebook status the other day said "Saying bye to all my hopes and dreams for the first sem! Trapped with Philosophy in FILIPINO T.T. Death." I tell him that he should prove to everyone that he can do it instead of whining and complaining. He should prove to us how big of a genius he really is-- even if it is tagalog. And I know he can do it. But he says "But I don't like-- I hate this I'm going to get a C" ( and anything lower than an A is not a good thing for my brother) I tell him that not everything in life he will like but he still has to pull through it and rise to the challenge, it will build his character and resolve. Let's see how he does. :) I don't think he'll let himself fail.. I know Chi can do it :)