The Cookie Dough Monster brought tears in my eyes...

Yes, the cutest Cookie Dough Monster, Jordan, brought tears in my eyes when she won Big Brother 11...

[Photo from CBS]

Yay!

She first won the final HOH (head of the house) competition. Thank God she didn't have a blonde moment when they asked her the tie-breaker question. And thank God she took that dirty and disgusting thug with her,Natalie, which opened all of her chances of bagging the price...

[Photo taken from Big Brother Spoilers]

Mr. L and I were really on the edge of our seats when Julie was counting the votes. Such a nail biting moment! We had all of our fingers and toes crossed  and even our legs were crossed and as our luck would have it--- Jordan won! The best part was when my future husband, Jeff, won as the favorite houseguest. I knew it! The good will always prevail over evil... meaning Natalie. I felt bad for Kevin though I saw the hurt in his eyes but there was no way Jordan was going to win BB11 if she took him with her.

I was also very proud of Lydia and Jessie for voting for Jordan (rather than disgusting Natalie). You both changed my opinion of you...

And you know Jordan deserves winning, especially after she said what she was going to do with the money like putting a down payment for a house that she wants to get for her family and putting away some money for her aunt's kids...such a sweetheart!

Thank you America for voting for Jordan and Jeff :) I am so happy for BB11 sweethearts, Jordan and Jeff! Most especially for Jordan for proving that she is not as ditzy as we all thought she was lol.

Now, what the heck am I going to watch on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays?!! Argh!

I hope Natalie goes home...

Mr. L and I have been watching Big Brother 11 for the past couple of months. We've been so addicted to it. To our demise, we've never watched the past seasons (too bad we never saw Mike Boogie, Will and Evil Dick's episodes). Well, I was addicted to the Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 in the Philippines in 2005 but never got to finish the ending because I moved here.

Yup, our Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights have been solely dedicated to Big Brother. I would always watch the after hours in the wee hours of the night and would often check out the BB11 Spoilers online. We discovered that Natalie has poor hygiene (not taking a bath for a week!)...Happy to discover Day-Yum-Yum (magical unicorn) was a silent houseguest...We voted for Jeff to get the coup d'etat...We were happy to see Ronnie, Jessie and Chima (diva brat) go...But was really disappointed, broken-hearted and sad to see hunkeroo Jeff voted out of the house...

And now the time has come for the final 3. Hopefully, hopefully, the cookie dough monster Jordan won't fail
us and wins the final HOH to save her a spot in the final two...

[Photo from CBS]

Whatever happens I just hope Natalie "know it all---bismatch thug" ends up going home...I would be happy to see either Jordan or Kevin win this...Jordan needs the money the most and Kevin simply because he is funny! But Natalie should honestly and seriously go home...

Jordan, cookie dough monster, do it for Jeff! :)

Bag of Rice + Wet iPhone = Happy Marriage

Friday morning.

Mr. L was working from home and since I am unemployed I was home too (oooh shocker! lol). We were doing our normal morning ritual: coffee, eggs and sausage....Mr. L goes on a bathroom break for his uhhhmmm daily dump session lol...I was in front of the computer typing away...when I suddenly heard something drop and Mr. L sounded upset.

So I hurriedly asked Mr. L what was wrong and he said that he dropped his iPhone in the toilet...he runs to our bedroom...grabs my hair dryer and tissue from my vanity table...knowing how obsessive compulsive and germaphobe I am...I was upset that he was touching my stuff and was worried that he didn't wash his hands after saving his phone from our toilet...Lord, knows what was in there when he dropped his phone...So I asked him to wash his hands and we were both upset already...and were already in a fighting match. He was upset because he felt I was more worried about my fear of germs rather than his iPhone getting soaked in toilet water. I was also upset at him for dropping his phone (which I gave him as a birthday present) in the toilet and asked him why he always had to bring his phone in the bathroom. Was he that attached to it that it couldn't wait a few minutes? Argh!!!

The fighting match started to mellow down when we were both googling stuff online on how to fix his wet phone. One of the things that he found online was immersing the iPhone in a bag of rice. So we followed this procedure.

Late in the afternoon, tensions between Mr. and Mrs. L were no longer present...I heard his phone ringing...He picked up the call...It's working...The phone is working...The bag of rice worked! And although our emotions were very tensed earlier that day, we were both relieved that his phone was fixed and we didn't have to dole out any $$$ to get the phone fixed.

So, the bag of rice saved Mr. L's phone and our marriage that day lol :) Phew, thank God!

Baby Shower Invite

Yes, I received this baby shower invite last Friday. It's cute!

I don't think I've ever attended a baby shower in the past. I think I always had an excuse not to go and just send out the gift to the expectant mother so they won't get upset. The ones that I've attended that I recall of were the ones that were held at work so I guess I didn't really have a reason not to go. I'm really not fond of going to baby showers because I don't know what to expect  and what's hard for me is not having any intimate friends in the party to talk to which is usually the case here in the states.

Another thing too is I get bored easily. I seriously think I have ADD (lol) and can't really stand being in the same room with other people that I don't know for such a loooong time and try hard to make conversation. I get bored! I always need something to stimulate my mind! Also, I don't have kids, so its really a struggle for me to make conversation about babies and kids! Arggh!

So, I got this in the mail alright and this time I need to go. I need to go not because I like going to baby showers but because this baby shower is being thrown in the honor of Mr. L's best friend's wife. Let's call Mr. L's best friend, "Letter-A." I know how much Mr. L adores his best friend, Letter-A, and I wouldn't want to cause any ill feelings between them. Although, Mr. L and  his best friend, "Letter-A," don't see each other that often because we live in different states (we live in NJ and Letter-A and his wife live in NY lol), they speak on the phone almost everyday and sometimes a number of times in day to update each other about sports, music, their wives and life, etc. They are almost like brothers! Sometimes I even tease Mr. L that I think he should ask Letter-A already to move in our house so they could live happily ever after. Because of this, I have decided to go to this baby shower alright because I don't want to disappoint Mr. L and I don't want to upset Letter-A. I want to be a contributor to their blissful relationship.

How time flies, it seems only yesterday when I attended Letter-A's wife's bridal shower.

Here's a photo from Letter-A's wife's bridal shower in 2006. Luckily, the girl that's standing beside me kept me company the whole time (unfortunately, her name escapes my memory) and was a source of great conversation and let's not forget that I was also happy to be joined by the company of some red wine that time which increasingly distracted my ADD lol. I was truly happy to have chanced upon her that afternoon because one of my husband's friend's wife who I thought I was going to hang out with didn't even care to spend time with me that day (oh well, her lost not mine).

So we already bought the present online for Letter-A's wife's baby shower and this is what we got them--- A Fisher-Price Newborn to Toddler Rocker. I wanted to make sure that we pick out the right gift so I asked Mr. L to pick it out himself since he knows the couple very well. How cute!

We are having it delivered to our house. I can't wait to wrap it in wrapping paper. I have to think of an artistic way of wrapping the gift and must pick out a gender neutral color for the wrapping paper since the expectant parents don't know the gender of their baby yet. Hmmmm, what to get, what to get?

I am somehow excited already lol. I wish it was my baby shower though lol. Well, I guess its also great to attend this baby shower so I can pick out ideas on what must done on my baby shower when the time comes. I just hope I have someone to talk to that day and they don't have crazy games that are quite challenging for someone like me who doesn't have a baby herself and is totally clueless about motherhood.

I am very happy for Letter-A and his wife because they wanted this little bundle of joy since like forever:)

Note to self: Must remember to RSVP before October 11th lol

Cendrillon is closed :(

I am sad.

Cendrillon Restaurant in NYC is closed.

I didn't even get to try their food. I've always wanted to try it. It was listed as one of the Filipino restaurants to try in Time Out's Eating & Dining in NYC book in 2007 and I have that book. I was watching "Life Pinoy Style" just moments ago and they featured the owners of Cendrillon making ukoy. Now, I am craving ukoy. Such a waste that I didn't get to try it! I am upset and feeling very regretful! I should create a list of Filipino restaurants that I should try back here...

There is light at the end of the tunnel, they are opening a new restaurant in late September, called "Purple Yam" in Brooklyn a little bit far! Hmph! But I must try it!

Note to Mr. L: Please, please, please Mr. L, can you take me to "Purple Yam" in Brooklyn when it opens in late September?  Pretty Please? Please add this in your very tight football schedule please make Mrs. L happy? :)

For more info about Purple Yam, please click here:
http://www.cendrillon.com/

Donna and Frenchie

Last June, Mr. L and I met up with my mom’s girlfriends from Manila, Donna and Frenchie, who were both vacationing and travelling around the US and it just so happens New York was part of their itinerary. Their itinerary also included California, Boston and Vegas.

We weren’t sure where to take them for dinner because as you know there are just damn too many good restaurants to try in NY and since they are my mom’s girlfriends I wasn’t sure what type of cuisine they preferred. So I emailed them a bunch of restaurants and I also included the URL of their corporate websites so they can take a peek at the menu because we wanted to make sure that they both enjoyed their dining experience. Out of the long list I sent them, both Donna and Frenchie chose Tribeca Grill.

Mr. L then made the reservations for Tribeca Grill. Reservations in NY are very I repeat very very important and are an absolute must when dining in the city. You would never want to dine in a good restaurant in NY without a reservation because that diminishes your chances of dining at the restaurant of your choice.

I was really excited to see them because it always gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling whenever someone from home visits us. I think the last time I saw both of them was on the day of my church wedding in 2005 or maybe not lol I honestly don’t remember anymore. I was sure Mr. L would enjoy their company as well because both Frenchie and Donna have lived abroad and are well travelled so I’m sure we won’t run out of things to talk about and Mr. L won’t feel left out because I’m sure the topic of our conversation will be endless. I just wanted to make sure that everyone enjoyed that evening and there absolutely won’t be any dead air lol.

On the evening that we were meeting them, Mr. L and I both rushed to drive to the city because it was raining that day and we were quite sure that traffic would be worse due to the fact that it was a Friday evening and it was raining. As expected the traffic was indeed heavy that day. I kept calling Donna and Frenchie to give them an update that we were almost at their hotel and I also kept calling the restaurant asking them to hold our reservation because traffic was just too heavy.

Finally, we were already with Donna and Frenchie and we were already on our way to the restaurant.

When all four of us reached the restaurant we were happy that they truly held our reservation. So they seated us and we ordered a bottle of wine and appetizers and then the next thing I remember is we were already intoxicated---and we had our main course and dessert. I honestly don’t remember much because we were so deep in conversation about so many things ---- doing normal catch-ups about life in Manila, family and friends to almost anything under the sun. The dinner conversation was great and I was right Mr. L and Donna and Frenchie were a click. There wasn’t any dead air and the conversation just went on to the point that we closed the restaurant down lol. Imagine that?

As Mr. L asked for the check, we were both surprised to find out that Frenchie already paid for it? Both Mr. L and I were so embarrassed because we wanted to shoulder the check since they were both visiting us. How did she do that? Or better yet when did she pay for the check? Were we that deeply entranced with the dinner conversation that we missed it? So I was begging them to go for dessert or dinner the next night so we can pay for it but they declined they said that they already have plans and jokingly even said that one dinner is enough to be with us lol.

I was so embarrassed but very much delighted of this experience. We both expressed our sincere appreciation to them for meeting with us and for paying for the dinner. It was definitely nice to see them because they’ve been our family friends for so long. They both saw me growing up in my awkward and bratty stages to now being a married woman. So it was truly a wonderful and great experience to be re-acquainted with your mother’s girlfriends. Both Mr. L and I enjoyed that evening.

To Donna and Frenchie, we truly appreciate your visit and for treating us to dinner at Tribeca Grill. Hopefully, we can make it up to you when we visit Manila or on your next visit here. We look forward to hanging out with you…

Some photos of the meal we enjoyed...
Soup


Main course: Fish...

The Melting Pot

A couple of months ago, Mr. L and I celebrated our 4th Church Wedding Anniversary at The Melting Pot, Hoboken, NJ.

Yes, Mr. L and I celebrate a number of anniversaries in a year: our civil wedding anniversary, our church wedding anniversary and we also celebrate the year I moved here. As you are already aware of, I’ve recently written a little something about our civil wedding anniversary here since the date has just passed. Here you go to give you a little background,

http://pinaylombardi.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-5th-civil-wedding-anniversary-mr.html

Again, Mr. L and I have yet to celebrate our civil wedding anniversary this year. As for celebrating the date that I moved here in New Jersey, I will talk about that soon. I guess when the date of the anniversary comes closer. (Note to self: must blog about why we celebrate the date that I moved here in NJ).

Okay, back to our wedding anniversary. 4 years ago, Mr. L and I were finally married in the church (in the Philippines). The exact date of our church wedding was the 29th of April. One of the happiest moments in our lives to be wed in the house of God… Here’s a photo that I wanted to share with you of this joyous moment in our life…This photo was taken during the reception of our wedding...

Four years later, Mr. L and I celebrated our church wedding anniversary by having dinner at the Melting Pot. Mr. L and I love trying new places and restaurants. As much as possible, we avoid going back to the same restaurants we’ve already tried. We also prefer independently owned restaurants rather than chain restaurants. As some of you may not be aware of the prices of the food being served at chain restaurants are actually quite expensive with poor quality and taste, whereas, more often than not you get to taste good quality food from independent restaurants. We want to always make sure that we always broaden our horizons by always trying something new.

I remember when Mr. L and I just started dating he was so afraid to try so many things particularly trying new dishes and food which was quite the opposite of how adventurous I am when it comes to dining. His excuse was that he was allergic to this and that. Yeah right?!! I introduced Mr. L to eating sushi, Japanese rolls, oysters and whole lot of other food particularly seafood and Asian cuisine and we soon discovered that he wasn’t allergic to anything! I guess his fear of trying new things comes from his upbringing.

I grew up in a household that love to eat and quite daring in trying different cuisines. Oh, not to the extent that we eat dogs, cats, snakes or rabbits, etc. Growing up in the Philippines particularly in Manila has also greatly influenced my palette. Although, the Philippines is a third world country, we have different cuisines that are available worldwide within our reach and not too pocket heavy as it is here in NY.

So we ventured to The Melting Pot which is a fondue (and hotpot) restaurant. It was our first time to try this restaurant. The food was very scrumptious! My favorites were the cheese fondue, the salad and the chocolate fondue. I definitely have to buy a fondue pot so I can recreate this experience at home lol. Quite honestly, I was a tad bit disappointed with Mr. L that evening because he mistakenly thought that lobsters were included in our main course. Grrr! But nevertheless, our dining experience was still wonderful despite of that mishap. The service was excellent. They also seated us in a private area that was intimately tucked in ---that was definitely a plus because I can take all the photos that I want. The server also guided us throughout to make sure we enjoyed our dining experience that night. The best part was the maitre d’ of the restaurant greeted us a "happy anniversary" which caught us by surprise I guess we told the server and the server told him. Although, this is a chain restaurant it is quite deliciously exceptional from other chain restaurants. This was definitely a wonderful way to spend your anniversary!

The Melting Pot Menu...

Preparing the cheese fondue...

Trying out the cheese fondue...

Salad

Preparing the main course...

Adding concoctions to the main course...

dessert...

chocolate fondue...

Here's their website: http://www.meltingpot.com

Happy 5th Civil Wedding Anniversary, Mr. L!

Last Monday, September 7th, Mr. L and I celebrated our 5th Civil Wedding Anniversary! Wow, how time flies! It seems only yesterday when it was 2004 and we were both wed by our relative and “ninong”, Lolo Bambit, at the Max Fried Chicken Restaurant located at the Quezon City Circle.

[This was made and given by Aunt Nancy right after we had our Civil Wedding in 2004.  We have this framed in our hallway.] 

Being totally clueless about civil weddings and as such, I guess we both didn’t know what to expect, what was going to happen and what to wear. I seriously don’t think we were both dressed for the occasion and I even remember leaving the house with drenched hair so excuse’ moi. We didn’t really invite a lot of people because our intention was to have the big celebration of our matrimony at the church with our family and friends the following year. We only had the Judge (our Lolo Bambit), my mom, Remy and two of our civil wedding “ninangs” and witnesses (Tita Rose and Tita Mindy). All we both knew that day was we were going to get married and begin our exciting journey together.

Here’s a photo us of in the midst of exchanging our “I do’s…”



That day was filled with excitement, happiness and anxiety. We were both excited and happy that we were going to get married that day but at the same time feeling anxious. I was anxious because I had a test that I had to take that day for work and Mr. L was leaving that night. I guess Mr. L was anxious too because he was leaving that night. It was almost a bittersweet experience. It was sweet to be married that day and yet bitter because we were going to be apart once again. But we didn’t mind any of that drama, we both knew being miles away from each other was but temporary and we had so many years and a lifetime ahead of us to be together.

So here we are after 5 years, although we have gainfully increased our weight compared to that picture taken above… still happily married …more understanding of each other’s quirks…more accepting of our individuality…yet very much aware of the need of each other’s presence to strengthen our solidarity… continuously striving each day and leaning on each other to face the challenges of life…yet very much enthused of what is yet to come…

[Greeting cards from my mother-in-law & father-in-law and Nana & Grandpa Lil'...]

Mr. L and I haven’t celebrated our 5th Civil Wedding Anniversary yet…We will do so next week, the 18th, because that was the only available date. I will talk more about it soon. I will post pictures soon of how we celebrated our 5th Civil Wedding Anniversary.

Coincidentally, Labor Day this year fell on our Civil Wedding Anniversary and my in-laws invited us for a barbecue. We also got a few treats from them that day: a bottle of hand sanitizer (from my father-in-law); two bottles of Clorox Cleaner (from mother-in-law she bought from BJ’s) and some snacks from Aunt Jan (ooooh, I love free snacks!)

So there. Again, Mr. L Happy 5th Civil Wedding Anniversary! ILU, I can’t wait for our next adventure! You really are my partner in crime!

Kohr's at the Boardwalk

I am so upset with  myself for not taking a picture of the orange cream frozen custard and fresh fruit orangeade that I had at Kohr's (manufacturers of frozen custard). How disappointing? I guess my mind was totally somewhere else lol. I guess I was so focused on consumming my frozen custard and gulping my orangeade that I didn't get to take a picture of both of them. How sad that I don't have any pictures to show you.

The only photo that I have is a photo of their stand at the Boardwalk, Seaside Heights NJ. Here you go:


So anyway I really loved their orange cream frozen custard it reminded of the taste of Magnolia's twin popsies so I felt reminiscent of my days in kindergarten, grade school and of the birthdays we had and attended because they would always serve Magnolia's twin popsies lol.

I also enjoyed my fresh fruit orangeade very much so that I was looking for the recipe when I got home so I could make one myself lol. It was very refreshing and you can taste that it's made out of freshly squeezed orange juice. Oh well, better luck next time.

Here's their website:
http://www.kohrstheoriginal.com/

3 Brothers Pizza at the Boardwalk

Last Saturday, Mr. L and I with the Cabreras, Dan and Frankie went to the Boardwalk at Seaside Heights, NJ to celebrate our last hurrah for the summer. We had so much fun and took a lot of pictures. Unfortunately, I'm going to probably post some of the pictures that I took some time next month because I am already about to run out of space from my free Flickr account for this month.

Here are pictures that we took of the dinner that we had at 3 Brothers Pizza...


Mr. L ordered a pepperoni pizza:


I ordered a chicken parmigiana pizza:


The slices of their pizza are really humongous...check out our plate. Mr. L didn't even get to eat his second slice. Ha, that's what you get from eating with your eyes...


Right before we headed home, Mr. L bought an Italian sausage sandwich:


Here's their website:
http://www.threebrotherspizza.com/about_us.html

Big Ticket Item

A few months ago, I purchased my first ever big ticket item. This is totally out of my character since I am very “kuripot” or stingy. How did it happen? Well, I was really feeling down that week about work. I was struggling at work and was losing my mind and was in desperate need of some form of release. As most of you know, I am really not into sports so there was no way I was going to express my frustrations in the field of sports. I have already exhausted to my mother and Mr. L my frustration, desperation and  already cried for help. I have already prayed for strength and the will to go on. I have already contacted 2 of my closest friends that are unfortunately overseas to plead my case. So what is a desperate girl to do who is left without any options but to go to the mall and go shopping.

My intention was to look for some summer dresses at that time since summer had just begun. I went to the usual spots where I usually buy my clothes but didn’t find anything. Mr. L and I kept walking around the mall because I felt empty and needed something to fill me. I felt like my quest to go to the mall to treat myself a little something was futile. So we kept walking and walking and walking until I finally decided to ask Mr. L to go with me to my favorite online store. I say favorite because I would always go to their website just to see handbags that I coveted because I felt that it was very imprudent to buy such handbags so I never had the chance to purchase anything from them. I also always thought that I usually get tired of wearing the same handbags over and over again that I usually send old handbags and handbags that I haven’t worn in over a year back home to the Philippines for my Tita Pia and my mom to enjoy or if they both don’t like them they are more than welcome to give it to someone else or our housekeeper, dear old Manang Delia. Yes, I usually send old bags back home to the Philippines so that someone who I appreciate will enjoy it rather than donating it to Salvation Army.

But somehow I realize how my age has affected my buying habits (in terms of handbags) compared to how I was when I was in my teens to my early twenties. When I was younger and single, I practically changed my bag every day. I had to make sure that my bag matched and complemented the outfit and shoes that I was wearing for that day. I would have different sets of handbags for work, daytime, and night time (like going out or “Gimmicks”). I would usually wear a big bag when I’d go shopping and go to work so I can stuff everything that I needed in one bag and I would usually have a teeny bag when I go out to clubs at night. Even the colors of the bags that I had were much brighter compared to the bags that I have now. The bags that I owned then were so much trendier whereas now they are more conservative and classic. I also tend to value quality nowadays rather than quantity because I noticed that although some of my cute bags were inexpensive they usually get broken very quickly. Also, I noticed that the more inexpensive a bag is the more uncomfortable it was to wear that I usually hurt my shoulder after carrying them after quite some time. Don’t get me wrong I don’t have a lot of good quality handbags since I am still transitioning.

So back to the day when I purchased my first big ticket item…and so Mr. L and I walked in to the store. I was quite hesitant to walk in because I remember being snubbed by the female attendant when I walked in there for first time a couple of years ago. This time the experience was very different, a middle aged Asian woman attended to me who was very warm, helpful and knowledgeable. So I asked her if could check the signature bag that most people get for the first time. I also checked the first big ticket item. Wow, it was amazing!

I’ve always wanted to get the bag “that most people get for the first time” (Note: Mr. L was suppose to buy me this bag a couple of years back for my birthday or was it as a Christmas present but I declined because I wasn’t sure how long I was going to love that bag and I didn’t want to waste Mr. L’s money) but somehow that bag just didn’t feel right. I wanted to go big well not really almost big so I opted to get my first big ticket item option.

Oh, it was a very unsettling feeling! I stood there for a while not sure if I should get it. I wasn’t convinced to get it due to my then situation at work and didn’t really want to spend any amount of money nor did I want to have any credit card debts. I froze for a bit and was carefully weighing in my decision. Mr. L told me that I deserved this big ticket item because he knows how much I wanted this bag so much. Every night I would go to this store’s website just to check the handbags over and over again. He even offered that if things go down south he will definitely help me pay for this big ticket item. So, I finally got it!

So, this is finally me signing my life away for my first purchase of my big ticket item. (Please excuse my hair; I didn’t get to blow-dry my hair when we left the house that day.)

After purchasing my big ticket item, I still wasn’t convinced if I deserved to reward myself with such a big ticket item that I decided to call my mom. She comforted me and told me that it was okay provided that I don’t do it that often as long as I do it at least once a year. She said that I should consider it as a reward to myself. After hearing from the two most important people in my life that it was okay---I was okay. I guess I did deserve it.

Mind you, just before I was left without a job I made sure I paid for my first big ticket item so I didn’t have to burden Mr. L and didn’t have to worry my mom about any hanging credit card debts.

This what I received in the mail after the purchase of my first big ticket item: a brochure and a letter. How cool and sophisticated. I was excited to see this in the mail and I'm keeping it as a keepsake. I'm not going to lie I kind of felt important lol

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum NYC

Mr. L’s was on his long awaited week-long vacation last week and so we decided to visit Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in the city. This summer we have decided to stay local since we wanted to save all the money that we could and besides we’ve always wanted to dedicate one week to see the different sights and tourist attractions in NY before it gets really cold. There are just so many places to visit and experience in NY. I actually have a long list of places to visit and we aren’t even half way through lol and to think I’ve been living here for almost 4 years already. Imagine what it would be like for Mr. L living here his whole entire life and haven’t had the chance to explore the Big Apple completely. Ha! Shame, on you Mr. L!

I remember when I first moved here, I told Mr. L’s best friend Dan that I will dedicate one year (ha, imagine that one year) to visit all of the sights and tourist attractions in NY. He told me that it will take me more than a year to do so because there are just so many places to visit and see. In my mind, I kind of challenged the possibility of seeing everything that needed to be seen in NY in one year. And guess what? Of course, I have to admit I failed miserably! Yes, there are just so many places to see here and there are a lot of factors that hindered me from accomplishing my goal such as the daily grind of living in the US (household duties); events, birthdays and holidays to be spent with family and friends; being strapped for cash since entry to these places can get really costly; weather conditions (extremely cold and snow) and just for the simple reason that we all get lazy and a lot of us especially those that have been living here all of their lives simply neglect the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful city.

Yes, believe you me a lot of the locals here have yet to experience the greatest sights and sceneries in NY. Shame on you! I personally feel competitive when I see some of my friends that don’t live here visiting places in NY that I haven’t set foot in. Ha, if they’ve been there I have to be there because we live here! Why can’t we enjoy the same experiences? This is what prompted me to create a small list of places to visit in NY but I find myself adding to the list as the years go by. The more local I become the more I realize that there are still a lot more to be added to my list and so the adventure continues.

It was our first time to visit the Wax Museum and we were both equally excited to see it. There are just so many to see ranging from famous personalities --- actors and actresses; politicians; singers and band members and athletes… ah the list just goes on. We were also able to enjoy walking around their horror section (which was really scary, you can even ask Mr. L) and watching a 3D movie, "SpongeBob arrives in Jellyfish fields” (this was really cute a lot of bubbles and you can really smell the pickles ah you’ll understand me more when you visit).

One thing that was really a funny experience from the visiting the museum was when we were waiting for our turn to take a picture with NSync. We were patiently waiting for this Asian woman to finish her turn to take a photo of NSync. Both Mr. L and I and another couple were kind of getting impatient with her and wondering how perfect she wanted this picture of NSync to be because she’s been standing there for quite some time with her camera focused on NSync. So there we were (Mr. L and I and the other couple) waiting and waiting for her like the stupid fools that we were. And then it hit all of us (Mr. L and I and the other couple) that this girl was actually made of wax lol we just all stared at each other and laughed hysterically. I wish we took a picture of this figure from another angle because she looked real lol.

There’s just so many to see and unfortunately I can’t upload all of the pictures that we took and besides my pictures will do no justice to such a great experience. But it was definitely worth it and both Mr. L and I enjoyed our visit. Before we left, we bought magnets of course to add to our collection. Here’s one magnet we bought which is actually a photo of Mr. L and I with President Obama’s wax figure lol. It’s really blurry because I took a photo of it using my phone.

I’m glad we visited the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. We can definitely remove this from our long list of places to visit.

Here’s their website:
http://www.madametussauds.com/NewYork/Default.aspx

What's in my bag?

I love watching SNN’s (Showbiz New Ngayon from The Filipino Channel) “Bag Raid,” where they raid the bags of Filipino celebrities to find out what bags they’re sporting these days and see the contents of their bags. I love it! This segment brings out the Filipino chismosa in me because I get so intrigued by the brands of their bags. Sometimes you even find out how much celebrities are willing to spend for a bag. This segment also shows you the quirkiness of some celebrities, like some of them collect toothpicks or wet towels from restaurants, airplanes and hotels. So funny! So shallow, yet I find myself watching it all the time because I have a little chismosa in me. Oddly enough, I also keep track of this segment because it gives me an idea of what type of bags I should be on the lookout for and what’s trendy in Manila, etc.


Anyway, here’s my take on this segment. I wanted to share with you what’s inside my bag.

So, this is a Coach bag that I used as my office bag and laptop bag when I was still working. Nowadays, since I am unemployed the last time I used this bag was when I went on an interview. But I always keep this bag on standby for future interviews.


I bought this bag early this year, when I started to work in the city. I needed a bag that was sturdy and big enough to carry my office laptop, walking shoes and all of my basic stuff (meaning my entire house). It wasn’t really my first choice bag but I decided to buy it because it wasn’t as expensive (as the other bags that I wanted) and it looked professional compared to the other “girly” bags that I had. Plus, it had the room to store all of my stuff. Was it sturdy enough? Yes, to the point that I think it was breaking my shoulder because this damn bag is freaking heavy! My husband tried carrying it once and was shocked how the hell I could carry such a heavy bag? He always wonders why I have so much stuff in my bag. Well, I guess that’s my inner Girl Scout in me talking always wanting to make sure I’m prepared for everything (basta Girl Scout laging handa!).

When I was still living in Manila and was still single, I think most of my bags were teeny and I didn’t really have a problem making do with only a few things in my bag: like face powder, blush on, lip balm, driver’s license, cash, tissue paper, mini-perfume and an ATM card. But I always loved using oversized bags because I always had more room to put my stuff in.

So anyway, here’s what’s inside my bag:

-Keys
-wallet
-umbrella
-compact mirror
-Tic Tacs
-hand sanitizer
-tube of hand lotion
-brush with hair scrunchies
-oil blotters
-panty liners and tampons
-iPod
-mobile phone
-reading glasses
-map of NYC
-toothbrush and toothpaste in a ziploc bag
-make-up kit/grooming kit (kikay kit)
-lipstick palette, lip balms and other lip products
-MetroCard
-Advil
-Dramamine (for biya-hilo)
-Band-Aids
-Mini-Tide to Go
-Small bottle of perfume
-pen
-bag of cough drops
-bag of chewy caramels (I love snacking!)
-tissue paper, baby wipes and wet towels
-notebook
-folder with resumes

So there, that’s what’s in my bag.

What about you? What’s in your bag?

Just a little note to introduce myself...

I guess I never really had the chance to introduce myself. It should have been the first blog that I've written. Well, enough of the "should've," "could've" or "would've." Here's a little note of introduction from me to you...

I am a happily married Filipina or in colloquial terms a “Pinay” who is married to an Italian-American residing in North Jersey. Almost four years ago, I was uprooted from my motherland, the beautiful Philippine Islands, where Filipinos smile their sorrows away. I moved here to follow my heart. I am settled and yet quite unsettled living in the Garden State. Living here in the US has been quite a humbling experience. I have learned a lot and yet still have a long way to go.


No matter where I go, nothing beats life in the Philippines where people always wear a smile on their faces as if it was a fashionable item that went well with their daily wear. Although, the weather is very humid, it kinda sets the tone of how overly warm Filipinos are.

My husband and I were both not born with a silver-spoon. We worked very hard to get everything that we have with little or no help from anyone. We are your typical family that is starting out with little to no money saved in the bank yet we have big dreams and hopes for ourselves and for our future brood. We want to enjoy life’s little pleasures and luxuries before our last breath.

I love to cook and bake. I love taking pictures most especially pictures of meals or food that I’ve enjoyed. I am also very obsessive compulsive and a perfectionist to a fault.

Please enjoy viewing my blogs as they are an expression of who I am, who we are, the experiences and challenges of living in the US and having an inter-racial marriage. I hope you find my blogs useful and inspiring to your lives.

Birthday Wish

So this year, sometime late next month I will officially turn into my early 30’s. How sad! What to expect as a new chapter of my life unfolds? Perhaps, a new, stable, everlasting and promising career? Perhaps, the first member of the fantastic brood of Pinay and Mr. L’s legacy to humanity (lol)? Perhaps, the castle of our dreams with white picket fences and a backyard so we can officially buy a grill to host our first barbecue ever?


What to expect? What to expect? What will happen? What is meant for us for next year? What’s in store for us next year? What will God bestow us? Which of our wishes and dreams will be bequeathed? So many questions, so many prayers and so many hopeful aspirations that are yet to be answered leaving me excited and hopeful that the best is indeed yet to come.

Living in the “land of milk and honey,” “land of opportunities,” or “land of dreams” I have been left not to expect anymore. When I first came here it seemed that everything is indeed within your reach. Don’t get me wrong honey; it is within your reach if you have the monetary funds within your reach as well. I always used to tell my husband that whenever I willed something in my head or yearned for something to happen nothing or no one will stand in my way. Don’t get me wrong I haven’t murdered anyone nor have I lied, cheated or stolen to get where I was. Yes, I didn’t make a mistake that is correct to get where I was.

I am a firm believer that I am a go getter but recent events in my life just don’t seem to go my way. It has been a mind f*** to be without a job. How unfortunate it is for me to feel that I am nothing without a job --- or better yet that I have defined myself that I think I am someone if I have a job. I really believe it. The world is in the palm of your hands if you do have a job.

I have been asking myself over and over again was it my fault that I am where I am? There really is no one to blame you know. We are basically the authors of the stories of our lives since we decide what happens next in our lives.

Yesterday, a former co-worker of mine who I thought was a true friend of mine failed to pass my true friend test. Here she was working for a great company (I’m sure she had the whole works: great salary, great hours, 401K, sick days, vacation days and personal days and so much more). We did our normal catching ups and I have expressed to her that it has been a freaking struggle to find a decent job and to go on interviews without anyone conning you. She freaking said everything that needed to be said, like we should hang out soon and don’t be a stranger, yadda yadda… But one thing that I was hoping for her to say was “why don’t you check out our career section and let me know if you find something in our corporate website?” Nothing! She didn’t offer any of that. I guess once again I hoped better yet expected so much again which I honestly should quit already. Quite frankly, I don’t want to hang out or have coffee, etc! I want I need a job! You’ve been jobless too before you got this recent job of yours so I’m sure you know what it feels. Oh don’t get me wrong she expressed false humility alright, when I asked her about her job she nonchalantly said, “She didn’t want to talk about it because of my current situation because she really loves her job and here I am feeling the way I am feeling…” I don’t really want to harvest ill feelings towards anyone so I just started to think that the reason why she has that job is because she needed it more than I do. She has so many bills to take care of (like student loans, car payment and a recent $600 ticket); she has more responsibilities (like taking care of her adorable niece) and she someday would like to live on her own.

I am starting to believe that our prayers, dreams and aspirations don’t necessarily go unanswered…they are just shelved until the perfect time to receive them comes our way.

For my upcoming birthday next month, what I want and need the most is a JOB --- a job that I love and will love me back. A position for a company that I can happily settle in that doesn’t offer empty promises. A place where my heart will happily sing the words --- contentment, satisfaction, love and everlasting. A place where I can say “I am home.”

I will choose to forego the usual birthday wine and dining in a fancy restaurant with Mr. L…for a JOB.

I would like to get a job and receive either of the following bags lol only of course if Mr. L’s budget permits to do so. If not, I am more than happy and obliged to have this gift shelved as well just when the perfect time is bestowed on us.

or

Again, more than ever what I am truly wishing, and hoping, and thinking, and praying, planning and dreaming each night to receive as my birthday gift for 2009 --- is a JOB!

4th of July Cupcakes

I'm sorry to be sounding like a broken record...but yet again...here is another long overdue photo that I took of the cupcakes that we brought to the Cabreras' 4th of July bbq this year.

Isn't it cutie cute-cute? Don't get fooled they're actually cupcakes. We bought them from a local Italian bakery from our neighborhood. They are just tooo cute for words lol :) I just couldn't resist them lol we had t get them.

Easter Sunday Treats

Here's another round of long overdue photos of treats that I made for Easter Sunday 2009 to bring to my in-laws down the shore...

food for the gods:


sugar cookies:




white chocolate biggies and sugar cookies:


Hay, I used to always tell my mom and Mr. L that I think I would end up dying of diabetes...because I love eating sweets.  I don't think I have a sweet tooth, I think I have a set of sweet teeth. :) lol

Celebrating 4th of July at Dim Sum Dynasty

These are super long over due photos from my phone of what we ate to celebrate 4th of July this year. We are so "nationalistic" most especially my husband who really is an American (unlike me I was recently a naturalized American citizen) that we are celebrating 4th of July the second time around eating asian cuisine. This year we had Cantonese Cuisine at our favorite intimate restaurant Dim Sum Dynasty at Ridgewood, NJ. Last year, we had Japanese food in the city. How bad, no? Oh well, I woke up that day lol we just woke up that day craving Chinese food. How sad! How patriotic?

Here's what we had:

Treasure Platter for 2: 2 honey ribs, 2 money bags, 2 crab claws & 2 satay chicken.


Dim Sum Club for 2:


Yang Chow Fried Rice:


Mr. L's Orange Chicken (I think?):


My Jumbo Shrimp with Spicy Sauce:


Oh my, all I can say is Food...Glorious Food!

Indigo Smoke

A couple of weeks ago, the Cabreras invited us to have dinner at Indigo Smoke in Montclair, NJ. It's actually a fast food but the place was designed tastefully that you wouldn't even think that the place is actually a fast food. You only realize this because you actually have to order your food from a cashier and wait for them to call you to get your food. The place is very quiet (except for the kids that were running like crazy that evening lol) and they were playing easy-listening/jazz music. The decor of the restaurant is very home-y and comfy. I can definitely say it's not your usual fast food place. The only thing that was lacking in this restaurant was a live band playing lol :) Also, the place is BYOB so that's definitely a big plus that you can bring your own beer (for this occassion hubby and I had San Mig light beer) or  a bottle of wine.

The food was very affordable and yummy!

For appetizers, we ordered honey blossom bbq which was my favorite because it kinda tasted like Pinoy style bbq (sweet!):


We also had bbq wings:


Our side dishes were: mac and cheese (which was really good considering I'm not a fan of mac and cheese theirs was really good); corn on the cob and bbq baked beans (which was also very good better than Hunt's Pork and Beans lol):


And of course the finale was the Baby Back Ribs which was very moist and flavorful:


This is definitely a good find. Thanks Jeff for inviting us to Indigo Smoke :)

Website: http://www.indigosmoke.com/homepage.php