Anatomy of a Beach Picnic

     Growing up I did not like the beach a lot. I hated the sticky, salty feeling my body gets when I am at the beach. I preferred going up to a cool place like Baguio, our country's summer capital. Besides I can't swim. But this all changed when I met and married someone from Palawan. Palawan is a southern island province known for having the best beaches in the world. I still hate the sticky, salty feeling but the beautiful views, clear waters, white and freshly picked coconuts always win me over.

     We have not been going home in Palawan for a long while, years actually.  Last week though we were able to squeeze in a week-long trip. We have really missed it; our old house, the laid back lifestyle, not-so-long lazy days.... It was a great start for the summer.

     This year at the beach, I met these guys. 

     At first I found them scary, very scary but no,  they are my new fave and they were caught right at the island where we' beached' for a day called Pandan.

      So let me share the rest of our beach picnic menu lovingly prepared by our faithful friends on the island Virgie, her husband Mamay and our very own Santi. Hehe!

     Next to my very first picnic in Pandan with my father-in-law where we ate of banana trunk plates, this was the best beach picnic I've had.

Steamed Alupihan Dagat. Pitek or Mantis Shrimp

Chili Garlic Eleven Dot Crab

Abalone Adobo

My father-in-law's classic inihaw na liempo or grilled pork belly.

     It was a great day to be at the beach....and 'eat' at the beach...Burp! Pardon me!

My Birthday Week On Instagram 2013

     It was my birthday last, last Thursday and I had a big bang party....online, facebook to be specific. My offline birthday though was not as crazy. I had the usual mommy birthday, no fun fare, grumpy kids, lethargic husband. What? Whose birthday? Oh well....Where is the 'I baked a cake for you mom.' or the intriguing jewelry box or the over- decorated handmade birthday card?

     For the past years I have dreaded my birthday since even for me it has just become 'another day'. I know I sound like a pathetic, sulking brat. Haha! Enough of that. It has been a busy week work-wise and I am excited about that. 

     Here is my birthday week according to my Instagram photos.... They look fun. Guess it's been fun.... Don't mind me. 

     My week started with a visit to Puerto Princesa. I have so missed this place, I was also here primarily for work but it came as a good break too. In between stressing over work AND WORKERS was eating...lots of it. It was the week of the Negros Trade Fair that felt different since I got used to it being in Rockwell. Anyway, got my freshly cooked piyaya fix and a little early Christmas shopping.

Our bed in Palawan is the only place I can sleep through the night.

A new hotel in Puerto Princesa, Aziza

Back in Manila, we tried Dolcelatte's cronuts. Super Good!

On days when I am bad.... Halo-halo!

Tuna Sisig at Buddy's

Piyaya!!!!

Hacienda Crafts at the Negros Trade Fair. Please go back to Rockwell next year.

Doing Interior Design Work here.

     Looking back the highlight of my week was still my birthday. It was fiesta at my son's school, Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. I heard mass with the boys, celebrated by Cardinal Chito Tagle. The Cardinal is very close to my heart since we share great love for the late Fr. Reddy Corpuz.  To him, he was his mentor and to me, my Godfather and confidante. 

     I get it. I did not need any more fun fare. for this year my birthday coincided with the fiesta and a special blessing from Cardinal Tagle. His homily message was  "ASK!" Ask for protection and guidance from your Guardian Angels. Ask God for your what you want. Be humble enough to ask. Don't be proud. 

     ....Okay next year can I please have..... exactly the same kind of birthday? Thank you!

Slow Living

Something to think about:

 

“Slow Living is the choice to live consciously with the goal of enhancing personal, community and environmental well being. Slow Living recognizes the role that time plays in shaping the quality of our lives. By slowing down we make time to savor our experiences and to connect more fully with others. The process of slowing down involves simplifying our lives and minimizing distractions so that we have more time and more energy to focus on what is meaningful and fulfilling. By consciously choosing to do less, we contribute to reducing some of the negative social and environmental impacts of our actions.” -Wikipedia

Enjoy the rest of the week, people! 

Image and inspiration from Decor8

Starr's Famous Shakes on My Mind

     It is official. It is pointless to deny it. H is on the road to becoming a G.O.M., a Grumpy Old Man. 

     It is not about being picky about the places we go to, it is about personal preference. If he does not want to go anywhere even if the rest of the family wants to, we don't go there.

     Why am I being a brat???

     It is so hot now here in Manila that  I think I can fry an egg on our sidewalk ..... and I really want to step out and get a frappuccino, a smoothie or a frozen yogurt anything BUT my marital third eye can foresee that H will not take me anywhere......=-((( Haha! Yun Lang? Yup, yun lang! (That's It? Yup, That's it!) Look, who is being pathetic now.

      So I will just think COLD and share a little milk shake place, TWENTY MINUTES AWAY FROM HERE. After I finish this post I will simply turn down the temp on the AC and sleep. If you are near Katipunan, you guys might want to haul yourselves out there for me....

Starr's Famous Shakes

A milk shake bar that will serve even the most health conscious with their lactose-free and low-fat options. =-)

Toppings abound! Take your pick!

The choices are fresh and interesting....

Yellow had the banana split smoothie while I had a strawberry yogurt. Both good and refreshing and COLD!

The interiors are cute and had these Warhol-ish posters of stars...I mean Starrs =-)

Our orders took a while since Yellow ordered food too...

I mean any place that serves corn dogs is an instant winner in my book....Hee!

...and we ordered to-go for the boys at home.....

     It is a delight that it is just behind global fast food giant McDonald's in Katipunan, in a neighborhood familiar to a childhood not so long ago....where I could just step out on a hot, blistering summer day and get a cold fix usually it is halo-halo....Haaaay, (Sigh) I feel better already....=-)...Now to turn on the AC....

Starr's Famous Shakes

We serve low fat milkshakes with yogurt options for the lactose-intolerant. Low fat, low sugar smoothies are also available. Have them the classic way or get as creative as you want with all the add-ins.

G/F Unit A-01 Xavier Residences, 

48 E. Abada cor R. Alvero Sts., Loyola Height 

Quezon City, Philippines