At Lavender Street.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Mercato By Night.

We live less than 5km away but we have never tried going to Midnight Mercato ever since it opened.

Three Fridays ago was the perfect time. My work was on monthend close mode so that meant overtime. Overtime meant synchronization with my hubby's office hours.

Welcome to Midnight Mercato!

From Digicam Shots

We went around first and saw all types of food. There were pastries, burgers, sausages, tempura and street food! Of course, street food in sushyal version.

There were squid balls, chicken balls, kwek-kwek.

From Digicam Shots

We also saw barbecue, isaw, betamax, etc.

From Digicam Shots

Just like street food, you order then they cook.

From Digicam Shots

They also have samalamig (which is also called Sago't Gulaman).

From Digicam Shots

Here's what we had.

From Digicam Shots

All these plus hubby's bagnet and rice for more than Php300. Not bad. But if you grew up in UP... expensive.

While I appreciated the experience, I definitely think this is not the hangout place for hubby and me. It was a bit crowded. Eating place was al fresco so it has a good number of smokers nearby. Indeed... I am getting old.

From Digicam Shots

We ended the night with a chocnut Mochiko ball which was delicious.

I would not mind stopping by again but if I would be made to choose between the two Mercatos, I would pick the morning version.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Bro!

Happy Birthday, brother Lou Vince!

Happy Father's Day!

You will never guess where hubby spent 3 hours of Father's Day.

He was at the emergency room of The Medical City because of hip pain.

From Iphone loads

Two years ago, we spent my birthday, our anniversary and Valentine's Day at The Medical City due to gastroenteritis. Apparently, he is still at it.

I just have to say that Medical City service is still excellent. The best of them all today was the guard on duty at the exit door of Discharge Patio. His name is Rohwen, I think (shift on Sunday runs over 4PM to 7PM). Hubby was limping at the parking lot and we expected no help because no one was outside. Rohwen went out, asked if we needed wheelchair, gave us a wheelchair, assisted hubby, bended the rules so we can enter at the exit area, and assisted us until we got to the elevator, even provided directions to the ER. Whew! If someone from Medical City is reading this, please give him an award or something with cash prize.

The orthopedist ruled that it was just muscle pain so we headed home for a 3-way Father's Day celebration -- my Dad, hubby, and my sister's husband.

We had salad, soup, spaghetti, pizza, and Arny & Dading's pichi-pichi.

From Iphone loads

Hon, thank you for being a good father to our son. I hope you are enjoying every minute of fatherhood and that you will continue to love us no matter what! I love you.

And to my Dad, thanks and Happy Father's Day!

(I hope my Mom does not get tampo because I did not write something for Mother's Day in my blog -- I did greet her offline... so Belated Happy Mom's Day to you. I love you, both!)

iPhone 4.

With the intention of being advanced on phone software and technology, I upgraded the OS of my iPhone 3G last year to iOS 4.0 without waiting for the reviews to come out. So, I paid the price and have been enduring a very slow phone for about a year. Slow as in counting to 10 before I could access say the message function.

I could not wait any longer so even before the August expiration of my Globe lock-in period, I had to approach them for a phone change. Believe me... it was not easy. Even with a plan upgrade and my willingness to pay a cashout, it still took me several weeks, several calls and several approvals just to get a new unit via the Loyalty Program.

But all is well that ends well. Even if I went through all the hassle, I am still loving Globe for the next two years because of this...

From Digicam Shots

Never mind the iPhone 4 White. Mine is clad in red.

From Digicam Shots

And where is my iPhone 3G now? It's with hubby. OS downgraded to 3.1.3 -- thanks to Lifehacker. He said he is loving it even if pre-owned. I told him that if he gets lucky, he might get an iPhone 5 next year... ;)

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Design Inspirations.

Activities for our house move are picking up so I am getting excited by the day.

Our contractor will start with the renovations next week (I hope!). Deliveries and installations then need to be coordinated.

But since we are working on a VERY limited budget, the house can still be considered bare even with the renovations. Design of the interiors and how it will feel homey must be figured out by moi.

I do have an artistic side but have only used it on cheap stuff. I need to be careful about this. I cannot, for the love of my husband, purchase a furniture and set it aside if it does not fit the intended concept.

The internet, indeed, is a wonderful invention. I have found good websites that I super recommend for amateurs like me.

Design Sponge Online. It features sneek peeks to houses of real people, not celebrities or royalties. They have a good mixture of lifestyle write-ups from gardening, parties, cooking and some do-it-yourself stuff.

From Digicam Shots

Desire to Inspire. It focuses more on houses, both interior and exteriors (including the garden).

From Digicam Shots

Martha Stewart Online. I go directly to the home decorating portion of the website. This has a more organized presentation so you get to your topic in mind the fastest. They have a link for decorating, gardening, home improvement, painting ideas, organizing, etc.

From Digicam Shots

And, of course, we have the Urban Zone on TV... now aired on Fridays. It starts very late at night but I make it a point to watch.

From Iphone loads

I've grabbed some ideas already. I hope it turns out well and not too expensive. Update you soon.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Old Flame.

It has been a while since I last stayed up late for a tennis championship match. Last Sunday, I did -- it was the Roland Garros - French Open finals.

From Iphone loads

It was a much-awaited match... between the most sought after tennis rivalry of today.

Roger Federrer

From Iphone loads

versus

Rafael Nadal

From Iphone loads

I rooted for Fed not because I do not like Rafa. For me, they are both tennis talents. I just thought that I would go for the underdog this time... Fed being third seeded (Rafa was first).

And since clay courts are Rafa's territory, he did win the championship.

From Digicam Shots

I was not heartbroken.

Several years ago, it was different.

I was a tennis addict (I sucked at playing it though). And I was a loyal fan.

Tennis will never be the same without these two greatest rivalries.

Monica Seles vs. Steffi Graf

From Digicam Shots

Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi

From Digicam Shots

I was a Seles fan and a Sampras fan.

In my younger years, not a lot cared about tennis. But even if I had no one to share and discuss the game highlights with, I still spent several nights trying to be awake just to watch their Championship matches with their arch rivals. Probably because I loved the sport and found a lot of sense in it.

And just when cable tv became affordable and sports channels famous, I grew tired of tennis. Or perhaps, I just got old... and my idols got old.

I did enjoy last Sunday's match though. I was suprised that I still remembered the rules. I must admit some of them have become hazy in my memory already. But I think I have rekindled an old flame. I am looking forward to the Wimbledon championship match... even if it will not be between Federrer and Nadal.