Manila Travel Calendar

Dec 2 - Left MN
Dec 3 - Arrived in Manila
Dec 4 - Went to Max's with mom.
Dec 5 - Had a massage at Tonton's.
Dec 6 - Had ... for lunch. Met Maan at ATC and had Pepper Lunch for dinner. 
Dec 7 - Stayed at home. Had ... for lunch and Tinola for dinner.
Dec 8 - Color coding, stayed at home. Had Mcdonald's chicken for lunch and left-over for dinner.
Dec 9 - Went to Southmall with mom. Ate at Shakey's - pizza and chicken. Also had Red Ribbon chocolate cake.
Dec 10 -  Lunch: Fried bangus for maan and egg for joe. Snack: Shakeys. Dinner: Beef Roast and Takoyaki at Soderno
Dec 11 -  Lunch: Pad Thai and Green Curry with bubble tea from TeaTalk. Dinner: Bubba Gump at Greenbelt.
Dec 12 - Lunch: Leftovers. Snacks: Siopao and Japanese Cake. Dinner: Fresh lumpia from Goldilocks and Wendy's burger. Went to SM with Joe and shop around.  Bought key chains for the Stoddards including Joe and our Christmas ornament.
Dec 13 - Lunch: Jollibee and Wendy's Hamburger. Dinner: Chicken Bacolod with mom. Had the car fix at Toyota Alabang and started laundry.
Dec 14: Lunch at home - eggplant and adobo. Dinner at Cibo Alabang with mom. Had massage at Nuat Thai.
Dec 15: L: Adobo. D: Mexican
Dec 16: L-Tapa Dinner: Jollibee. Went to Phase 1 with Joe and had coffee at Figaro and Zagu.
Dec 17: L: Lasagna from Conti's. Dinner: Teriyaki boy at Festival Mall. Went to Acqua Salon. 
Dec 18: L: Brats. Dinner: Pizza hut. Went to Puregold for the Angel gifts then church.
Dec 19:
Dec 20:
Dec 21:
Dec 22:
Dec 23:Went to ATC to buy ate and Francis' gift. Met with Maan and had dinner at Mary Grace.
Dec 24: Went to Laguna to get Lola and Tonton. Ate at McDonald's on the way. Went to Conti's to get noche buena meal. Had lechon, chicken ham, baked macaroni, macaroni salad and rice.
Dec 25: Went to Tita Hedy's to have lunch.
Dec 26: Brought Lola and Tonton back to Laguna. Had Tokyo Tokyo on the way. Met up with ate and Francis at Festival Mall to have dinner at Teriyaki Boy.
Dec 27: Met up with Jong to have lunch at Fely J's. Went to Maybank and Starbucks after as well. On the way home, stopped by SM Lopez to get watches fixed and $ exchanged.
Dec 28:
Dec 29:
Dec 30:

Thanksgiving 2012

The feast.

I really should take the fam's picture...

First Snow

Coffee in bed

Sure am LUCKY! Surfing the net in bed with coffee made by Joe :)

Happy Birthday Scott!

We went to Spicer Castle Inn in Spicer, MN to celebrate Scott's birthday. We had fun staying at the inn and going to the Murder Mystery Dinner.

Maan's Travel Destinations

1. Spain
2. Portugal
3. Italy
4. France
5. Japan
6. Iceland
7. Switzerland
8. Germany
9. UK
10. Greece

Sana Pasko Na!

I miss Manila's holiday spirit...Listening to Jingle Bells :)

Random Ramblings

I really should be better than this :) I know, I know, it's been a while. For the nth time, this is a comeback....

Many things have changed since the last time I blogged (not counting the food list...) Random ramblings...

I am officially in between jobs for some time now. The new job just did not work out for us. Joe and I both discussed it and decided that it is best to look for other opportunities. Good thing, I already found a new one and I'll start as soon as we get back from Manila. I enjoy being in-between jobs most days but since our grand Christmas vacation is still a month a way, I need something to do. I looked up volunteer opportunities, hopefully I will find a good match.

In the mean time, I was busy preparing our documents to remove the conditions of my permit and shopping for our pasalubong and gifts. 33 more days before our flight, I cannot wait! 


Joe and I also trying to eat healthier. We are transitioning to all organic food. It costs a little more but we feel good about knowing that we are trying to do what's right for our health. Pictures of our salads...

We are trying to eat healthy but it is hard with left-over halloween candies in the house. Why are sweets so good...

We went to a volunteer opportunity at the Lutheran church tonight and helped prepare dinner for homeless families. There were 2 families - 1 with 5 kids ages 12 and below and 1 single mom with 2 kids. I cannot believe how hard it is for the parents and the kids not to have a home :(


I was reading another blog and realized that Galactic Pizza offers organic pizza (whatdoyouknow) Gotta date Joe there! :)

Manila Manila 2011

PLACES  TO GO TO:
San Pablo
Lake Pandin
Tagaytay - Sonya's Garden, Bag of Beans
Batangas
Pinatubo
Nuvali

Greenbelt
Bonifacio High Street
MOA - Saturdays, Light Parade at 6 and Fireworks at 7

Ayala Triangle - Light Parade, every hour from 6 to 9

Megamall for Joe's electronics

Soderno - Organic Market, Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 4pm

Soderno - Night Market, Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 3am

FOOD TO EAT:
Crispy Pata
Kare-kare
Gerry's Grill Sisig
Halo-halo
Taho
Buddys Pancit
Ambers Pichi Pichi
Fishballs
Squidballs
Embutido - Magnolia
Tocino
Tapa - Magnolia
Bangus -
Longganisa Hamonado
Purefoods Corned Beef
Itlog na Pula
Crabs - Dampa
Lomi
Max's Fried Chickenand Lumpia Ubod - Done
Jollibee

McDonalds

Hen-Lin Siopao

KFC Gravy
Conti's Peach Walnut Torte
Banana Leaf - Roti and Curry
Outback - Mad Max Burger
Manila Peninsula's Chocolate Croissant
Pepper Lunch 
Shakeys 
Bacolod Chicken
Cibo

Lawson

I started my new job at Lawson today! Looking forward to new opportunities and new challenges! :) Joe of course drove me to work and gave me a big kiss on my forehead at the sidewalk outside the office building. That's how I like to start my day. I feel bad that Joe has to find a space where he can comfortably work but he loves me and wants to make sure that I am safe all the time. I always appreciate that.

We also looked at an apartment along Shephard Road near the river. We'll  keep looking until we find the right home for us.

P.S. I love you Joe :)

Thank you

Thank you for always making me feel like a "cheeze balls". For always believing in me, I love you!
Wife will work hard to be her old less-grumpy self. I love you :)

Whole Foods - St. Paul

Hi babe! I enjoyed hanging out with you tonight and I am sorry that you do not feel good when we get home. Thank you for showing me around town and bringing me to the Mexican market. Thank you for going to the grocery shop with me and making sure that we eat healthy. Thank you for always putting me first in everything! Thank you for loving our families. Thank you for loving me.

You always make me smile. Every day, I feel blessed that I have you in my life. I love you more and more.

Riverview Cafe

We had fun tonight! After church, Joe and I went to a place called Riverview Cafe. They had live jazz music and quality good food and wines. The menu was 5 pages of wines and 1 page of food. We had the mushroom brie soup that was sooooooo good (that we were even thinking of getting a second serving for dessert), antipasto salad and a pizza. We also had a flight of Shiraz wines from Australia, Spain, California and Washington and Joe had beer. For dessert, we had their melt in your mouth, flourless chocolate cake. 

Yey husband!

Congratulations love for getting recognized at work. I am always so proud of you!I love you <3<3<3

I love you!

I love you for being a good husband, provider and a good person. I love you babe! :)

Baja Sol and Starbucks

Had a good night hanging out with the in-laws at Baja Sol and Starbucks tonight.

I love you!

Hey husband! I love you! :)

I love you!

I love you for forcing me to talk a walk. I love you for wanting to spend time with me. I love you for being a good person, for knowing right from wrong. I love you for listening to me talk about my work. I love you!

I love you!

I love you for making me laugh! I love you for not sharing the cake :)

I love you!

I love you for being patient (again!) and understanding. I love you for being my home, the place where I am safe and loved. I love you for going through our coupons because I want to eat out cheap and then cooking because I changed my mind and then washing the dishes. I love you for shouting back at the TV for the teacher who wants glitters, at the ad that makes our video screen smaller and the ad that tries to sell us paint for our black and white stripes wall. I love you for snoozing beside me while I have my 'me' time just because you want to spend time together. I love you Joe!

Manila

I haven't been back in Manila for more than 2 years now and I am really getting homesick the last few months...

I cannot wait to see my family - mom, lola, ate and baby Timmy!
I cannot wait to carry and play with Timmy! I cannot wait to see and hear him laugh.I love him so much already!
I cannot wait to hang out with my friends and have a good kwentuhan session over coffee.
I cannot wait to have a whole day of pampering without breaking the bank err ... Joe's wallet.
I cannot wait to eat sisig, lechon, lechon kawali, paksiw, crabs!
I cannot wait for December...

I love you!

I love you today for being patient when I was cranky this morning and for buying me 2 uber sweet frappucino coffees and a cake pop! :)

I love you!

I love you very many! And I will love you forever Joe :)

It's been a year!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! A weekend long celebration for the best year ever!

We started the weekend by having a relaxing massage at Zen Spa. Followed by a drive-in movie with Tod and Tina who were celebrating their anniversary as well. Too bad Owen did not join us :)

We had a delicious lunch at Aji Japanese and I had endless sushi. The cakes in Aji looks amazing but we were too full. We walked around Hopkins' mainstreet and then later, drove around to look for "Pulte" but it directed us to the dirt pile (?!?) We also passed by Joe's old house atop the hill where he used to play as a toddler. Oh my cute Joe! :)

For dinner, we went to Amore Victoria. Homage to where it all started 3 years ago... We shared the antipasto salad, penne con shitake and chicken. Again, too full for dessert. We then headed to Whole Foods to buy fresh  cherries that I have been eating a lot. Then bubble tea time! Yey!

Sunday, we shared 3 croissants with coffee at Patricks. Oh yummy! We have to make sure that we are hungry for dinner since its a special date ;) We then went to The Mill Museum to remember our picture taking last year. We had a good view of the river and learned about Minnesota's history in 19 minutes flat. We attended mass at the Basilica and then headed to the secret dinner place. 112 Eatery! I am a really really lucky girl to be spoiled with good food this much. 112 is one of the really good restaurant in Minneapolis. We had (are you ready for this?) Lamb with mint sauce, fried cauliflower, fried bread with prosciutto, burger with brie and pork belly with split pea. We almost finished everything except for the fried bread and a little pork belly. When we got home, Joe is nothing but full of surprises. He had a bottle of champagne and red velvet cake. It is the same as our wedding cake and also my birthday cake last month. Oh man!

We watched our wedding video after having the cake and remembered our wedding. It reminds me how lucky and blessed I am! There were cards and gifts too.

Thank you baby for the perfect weekend anniversary celebration! I love you forever Joe!  <3<3<3

Technology

Long weekend (yipee!) and we spent the whole day surrounded by shiny new things. Joe has a new phone and we got a new tv. Whew! Now we have to figure out how to move our 200++ lbs monitor out the house...

And we are back

After a long hiatus, I am back blogging. Its been a while but good thing is I still remember to take photos. So here is the breakfast that I blogged about 2 months ago. French toast, bacon and egg, perfect way to start a day.

Anyway, what have we been up to the last two months...

March is mommy's birthday month and Timmy too! The newest addition to the family, little cutie pie Timmy is born. Uncle Joe and Aunt Maan cannot wait to see you little one!

April is crazy too. Work and job offer...but this is not for serious stuff so let's just leave it at that.

May looks to be promising...Hello sunshine! Finally after more than 6 months of bbrrrrrr cold, spring is here. A little late but finally here! ?Yey!

Going home

I was in Virginia the entire week for work and I am so GLAD to be home.


Now Joe is cooking breakfast, yes at 1:30pm :D and the house smells soooo good! I can't wait to see it!

Gardens of Salonica

Just come home from a 4-course chef inspired and wine pairing Greek dinner with the in-laws :)

Wish that Joe were here to experience it. The best Greek meal I've had so far!

Travelling for work

I have the sweetest sweetest husband ever! Joe is travelling for work the next couple of days and when I get home today, there is a bouquet of roses and 2 letters (1 for each day) in our bedroom. Ooooooooo.... I love it! Can't wait to read my letter...

t

RollerGirls, Lasagna and Butter Chicken

What a fun weekend!

Friday - Met up with Mr. and Mrs. Broten at bDs Mongolian in Burnsville
Saturday - Caffe Latte and MN RollerGirls Championship
Sunday - Cooked Butter Chicken and Lasagna. Also played 2 games of Carcassone with Joe

Friday fast forward please!

Hanging out

Joe having a talk with the bird.

On eating healthy...

I had oatmeal for dinner but had cookies, candies and chips too.

Joe had leftovers.

Diet is officially on-hold. Go on Vegas buffets!

Congratulations Brotens!

Now we won't say 'ewww' when you kiss in-front of us ;-)

Welcome 2011!

It's been a while since the last entry, things have been so busy! So many things happened the last few weeks - from Joe D's visit, my team's Christmas lunch, Christmas, New Year and Kim and Taylor's wedding!

Finally, Joe and I had a day to relax and do nothing!

Anyway, here's our 2011 New Year's Resolution
1. Live a healthy lifestyle - exercise more and eat healhty
2. Travel more
3. Eat out less