Adventure # 7 - To the South We Go!

Alabang was the destination of choice for our Valentine's Date this year and we really had no set plan except for dinner at Le Petit Cheri in Molito. Suffice it to say, we super enjoyed winging it. We ended up driving past a branch of Project Pie, making the snap decision go and scarf down an artisan pizza, going to the supermarket next door and ended up buying my cat a new collar, and finally, going to Molito where we both tried out the Magum Gold?! and deposited ourselves at Le Petit Cheri for some French fare. 

We also wanted to hit Magnum Opus if we had the chance (because, TARDIS) but unfortunately, I think we spent too much time in the supermarket. I really want to go back to Alabang and try out all the food places in Aguirre Avenue! It's a shame we don't journey South more often—I'll see to it that we change that. 

Project Pie is my personal slice of heaven. You get to choose your pizza, out of 6 customisable bases, (285php) and add all the toppings you could want for no added cost! The pizza people behind the counter strongly advised us not up everything on it. She was particularly adamant about it going, "Sir, no. No. Just don't. Please don't." when Nox asked if anyone has ordered it already. Then her colleague by the meat toppings station chimed in with a reasonable explanation—it will be hard to have your pizza cooked through-and-through if you put everything on top. He said it'll be like eating raw food. :| 

However, he did say we could have all the topping IF we only put a smidge of everything so that the pizza still looks like a pizza (not a small mountain of toppings) and it cooks evenly.

They sell Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay in itty bitty bottles for 280 php!

View from the second floor.

Tada!! We chose pizza # 6 (grilled chicken, sliced red onion, cilantro, mozzarella, gorgonzola, bbq sause) with parmesan, pepperoni, italian sausage, crumbled meatballs, Canadian bacon, proscuitto, caramelized onions, fresh mushrooms, rosemary, artichokes and black olives. Well that was a mouthful of toppings!

Adventure # 6 - Anniversary Celebration

I had such a great time last Feburary 8, when Nox and I celebrated our 5th anniversary together! YAY. I won't elaborate as much and would let the photos speak for themselves but man, that Spiral at Sofitel was definitely worth it.

We also had a quick (a bit late) lunch at Lola Cafe + Bar of Dynamite ( Deep-fried green chill fingers and cheese with salsa dip) and Fish and Chips (Three pieces beer batter fish and homemade tartar sause). We deliberately ate lightly for lunch as we had a spa appointment right after. Then it was off to stuff ourselves (daintily).

I've also been dabbling at pointed pen calligraphy lately (and a bit of water-colour as well). For more about calligraphy, visit The Curious Calligrapher! They have a wealth of information for beginners and the calligraphy circle is very, very friendly. :)

Lola Cafe + Bar's interiors.

Exposed bulbs IN mason jars!

Dramatic silhouette shot of Nox by the bay.

Dramatic silhouette shot of me by the bay!

Adventure # 5 - Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year was something I have always looked forward to. Not only because we get to have a quick do-over of our failed resolutions, and not only because of the good food, but because of these amazing lion and dragon dances. You see, I grew up right smack in Chinatown (Binondo, Manila) and every day of the week leading up to the new year of the lunar calendar, these amazingly disruptive, colorful creatures will come dancing down the street every ten minutes or so, accompanied by a cacophony of drumbeats and firecrackers. 

I was initially terrified when I first learned about this tradition. Dragons and lions?! I used to cover my ears and bolt from the study into the safe confines of my parents' bedroom, using my elbows to turn the doorknob and my foot to kick the door shut. Then this fright turned into fascination and we eagerly anticipated the dances and drums that stalled traffic to a standstill down Juan Luna Street—we would lean as far out as we could from our 5th floor balcony to catch a glimpse of them dancing into a shop. I also remember a memory of pretending to be a lion with pillows and blankets! Then as I grew older, me and my dad would venture out, every first day of the Chinese new year towards the dizzying streets of Ongpin in search of these lion dances (and yummy food to bring back home).

There was also that one time when we dangled an angpao (money envelope) and Chinese cabbage from the 5th floor of our building to get a pair of lions to dance for us and bring us good luck for the coming year. There was a mad scramble for more rope on our side and a step ladder on their side as our original rope was too short and the lions couldn't reach it! In the end, the did find a stool/monoblock and managed to reach the envelope.

It has been a good fourteen years since we've lived there—and lion and dragon dances aren't as prolific as they used to be when we were still in the thick of the celebrations. Nowadays, I actively search for these little slices of tradition to revel in the brightness and loudness of it all—banishing the evil away and welcoming a prosperous new year. 

The following shots were taken on February 1, 2014 where they had the Lion Dance Exhibition at Eastwood City. Admittedly, it was a bit uncoordinated (with 15 lions in all, what do you expect?) but it nevertheless satisfied my yearly search for a good dose of tradition.

Just a note: There's a world of difference between lion and dragon dances. The creatures featured above are lions. While the creature below is a dragon. I'm a bit peeve-y when it comes to the differentiation of the two and couldn't help but cringe a little when people call them the wrong things.

Happy (belated) New Year! 

Inspiration # 1 - Exposed Bulbs

I dream about designing my own home, one day— Even as a child, I was quite frankly, obsessed with floor plans. I used to scavenge for those real estate flyers around the house and pour over the itsy bitsy floor plans, imagining what it would be like if I lived there. I would daydream and sketch out my own version where I re-arranged all the plan-view furniture to suit my tastes.

I probably have some of those drawings stuck in a drawer somewhere.

Amazing how eventually, after all those years, I managed to land a job that had me designing those real estate flyers for a time! But now, instead of just imagining what my furniture could be like, I could actually go out there and get them if I want to! One of those pieces will definitely be a handful of exposed bulbs.

Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? There's something about exposed bulbs that gives it a sense of charm with a dash of nostalgia. And these little darlings are as versatile as they can be! Paint the caps a bright and bold color (think turquoise or salmon) and the instantly give you a pop of modern.

Encasing them in mason jars is another charming alternative.

What do you think? Would you love to have a bunch of these yourself?

Click the photos for their sources!