The Biggest Burger in Town!

My work in the Marketing Department of one of the country's well-known real estate companies drains my energy and stresses me out most of the time. When I received my bonus and 13th month pay, I decided to reward myself for all my hard work and I thought that  a once-in-a-while splurging won't hurt my budget.

My officemates and I decided to go somewhere we haven't been before. Cherel, our copywriter, is fond of reading food blogs and read about the biggest burger in town that Bar One is famous for. We went there after office hours not expecting too much. It is located at the fourth floor of Holiday Inn Galleria Manila in Ortigas. I haven't been to that part of Robinson's Galleria. And going there is already a first for me.

You will be greeted by this ceiling to floor poster

at the entrance of Bar One, enticing you to come in and try the burger!

Rowel, my co-graphic designer, act surprised (with the menu prices?!)
while we were still waiting for our order.

Our biggest burger! Really prepared for sharing! :)
This burger can feed eight people, so at P850++, this is reasonably priced!

Ha ha ha! Though we're really hungry, we managed
to pose like this before eating!

Cherel and Choi, our copywriter and my co-graphic designer,
with their slice of the burger.

The live band #X 80's, which we didn't know will perform that night, was a plu.

I went home a bit late and with another slice of the burger for take home which Gabby ate as soon as he saw it! Indeed, once-in-a-while eating out can really take the stress out of our system sometimes. And I'm glad I tried it. :)

Family Day before Christmas

Gabby and Sunday had fun last night! They attended the Family Day thrown by the company I was presently employed at. Almost all of my officemates at our department brought their kids and those who are still single just enjoyed the night. Gabby and Sunday before the partySunday enjoying and hoarding the balloons?!Gabby with my officemates' kidsFred was so proud of Gabby that night because our son
just enjoyed the party. He danced, joined and won games and
didn't fight with Sunday! :)Me and the kids while eatingKids listening to the emcee's instructions for the gameFor the finale, Chuckie, KFC's mascot,
danced to the tune of Nobody by the Wonder Girls.
If Gabby and Sunday were happy because they attended the Family Day, I was happier! I am happy because we don't work Saturdays at the office and there are company events like this that let me bond with my kids. Thank God for this! :)

One Sweet Saturday

When I knew from Cherel, our copywriter, that 24 Best Desserts will be held at the Atrium of the SM Mall of Asia, I decided to buy my gift for the company's Kris Kringle there so I can drop by and check on the desserts, too. I love desserts and all things sweet!

Since I came late, I didn't know if the desserts that were on display were the ones created by Unilever Food Solutions Chefs Joanne Limoanco and Ryan Lastra and FCAP members. What I know is they all look yummy!!!
Coconut Custard CrumbleMerry Berry PannacottaI forgot to check the name of this dessert!Banana and Sago PannacottaSapin sapin PannacottaTerky Coffee PannacottaI also forgot the name of this :(
There was a cocktail on the later part of the event, but since I was in a hurry, I only got to taste the chocolate cake from Kitchen's Best. Yummy!!!

Have a happy week ahead! :)

Eat and Go: and that's just what we did!

One of the fun-filled parts of working again is having the resources and chances to visit new places or try new foods.

And that’s what I did last week. Though eating out after office hours with my officemates was an impromptu decision that may make a dent on my budget and add another pound on my weight, off we still went to Eat and Go at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.
   I didn't want to order anything heavy but the menu was so inviting that I ended up ordering pasta! :(


The place isn't that big but just welcoming enough
to talk with friends or eat out with your loved ones.
The food on the menu boards are inviting, too!What I ordered: Seafood MarinaraSeafood Marinara, Corn and Carrots, Salmon Steak
for Cherell, our department's copywriter :)Spaghetti in White Sauce, Baby Back Ribs and

This is what I enjoyed most: Fudgee Ice Cream! It's so yummy!!!

Corn and Carrots for Choi, one of my co-graphic designers.

My officemates really love to eat. And so do I! We’re planning of dining out at least once a month after this. One of my officemates even came up with the idea of setting up a blog with all of us contributing our gastronomic exploits.

I will be sharing them with you here for the meantime. Have a happy Wednesday! :)

I'm the Electrolux Blogging Contest Winner!

pic courtesy of Jesse of Nancy Harel PR Agency
One of the best things about blogging is gaining something from it: friends, freebies, invites from blogging events and contest prizes.

When I learned that I won the Electrolux Download-a-Frontload blogging contest, I was so happy! I didn't believe it at first when I read their congratulatory email! I even asked them several times if I really won. I even googled for their names if they were really connected to Electrolux! (Sorry guys, spams and hoaxes are some of the things I don’t want to encounter these days.) When I realized that it was true, I felt so happy!

I am so blessed! Who would think that my honest post about my desire to own the Electrolux Frontload washer would clinch the grand prize for their blogging contest? I didn’t. And when you didn’t expect something and it was awarded to you, it’s such a sweet surprise. :)

And if I may, here is my acceptance speech:

I would like to thank my blogger friends who took the time to post their comments on that Electrolux post. I believe your comments and insights helped the judges choose me. Thanks so much!
Rafter of The Deadbeat Club
Rossell of Topics on Earth
John of Sailor's Musings
Rose of Rose's Obstacles and Glories
Anney of Blog ni Ako
Reena of Reena's Thoughts
Salen of Sassy Mom's Corner
Meryl of Places, Events, People, Good Food and My Life
Amy of Amiable Amy
Jodi of Values, Reviews and Business
Nancy of Review My Opinions
Payatot of Payatot, Lahat Dito Chubby
Ate Beng of Beyond My Quiet Zone
Also, I would like to thank Jesse Herrera, Alvin Sagario and Ms. Ylana Harel of Nancy Harel & Associates PR and Advertising Firm, the PR agency of Electrolux Philippines. They were so nice in informing me about the details of the delivery and the pictorial (which they did to archive the pictures of the contest winners).

Thank you most especially to Electrolux Philippines for having this wonderful contest! Never in my lifetime did I imagine myself owning one of your products!

Last but not the least, I thank God for talking to the judges (whoever they are) and letting them know that someone like me deserve to win this contest!So there, blogging really has benefits. And one of them is winning that high-end washer! Have a wonderful weekend to all!

Jungle Themed Party!

Last Saturday, Gabby and Sunday attended the jungle-inspired birthday party of Sophia, the daughter of Fred's officemate. Though it was raining, I didn't let the kids miss it because we knew it would be fun and it was held in Racks, our favorite restaurant! :)
Kids enjoyed this story/magic/show part.Gabby was all out while dancing!Diego, Boots and Dora danced with the kids, too.Photo Opp with Dora!Very cute and useful lootbags! Mommy loves the contents! :)
I am silently hoping that I could give my kids that kind of birthday party. They had their Jollibee Birthday Party when they were just a year old. But all their birthdays that followed were celebrated in our house.

When I asked my kids if they want that kind of party, they said no--to my amazement! They said they only want to celebrate it in our house where anyone can come or at their school with their classmates. How simple my kids' wishes are! And how blessed I am to have them! :)

The Aftermath of Ondoy: The Less Devastating Version

We have been busy for the past few days cleaning up the mess Typhoon Ondoy left. Wet books, toys, clothes, furnitures, etc. But I cannot say it is difficult. I cannot complain. I just have to watch the news to see how blessed we still are. Wet stuffed toys and shoesSorry, dolls!
But that's the only way to dry your strands of hair-for now!:) Dolls' clothes and more children's shoes!A big basin of toys washed with detergent and disinfectant.

I am still blessed that most of my kids' toys were kept in the upper cabinets and those that got wet will only have to be washed and dried. Other kids lost all of their toys!

It will take a few more days to finish all my cleaning tasks. But as I've said, I cannot complain. This is better than cleaning mud-soaked things! How I admire my fellow victims (the more devastating version) because they still go on with their lives, pick up the pieces again or try to start anew. It breaks my heart to see their plight but it also inspires me to be more thankful and appreciative. God bless them! :)

I Don't Know How To Wear A Pashmina!

When Ria sent popsicle molds for my kids, I didn't know that she sent something for me, too. When I opened the package, I was surprised when I saw a pashmina for me!

I haven't used one before. I thought then that I would only buy pashminas for its function more than for fashion. I only associated wearing pashminas to cool weather. Was I wrong!

Now that I have my own pashmina, I noticed more and more people are wearing them. But because I don’t know how to wear one, I searched the net and found this:photo source
My research also led me to know pashmina’s versatility. It is an accessory which we can use as protection for cool climate, as belt, soft pillow or blanket when we travel, as sarongs or cover-ups on the beach or just as a plain scarf.

Thanks again, Ria for this lovely gift. I would surely use this now that cold weather has begun. :)

Insulated Lunch Tote or What?

Gabby and Sunday doesn’t have classes the whole week because the Department of Education suspended the classes on all levels. The classrooms in National Capital Region and nearby provinces were being used as evacuation centers for people who were left homeless by Typhoon Ondoy.

But instead of being jubilant, my kids said they want to go to school already. They miss their classmates and the idea of being in school. I felt happy hearing that. Some kids would choose to stay home so they can play more but my kids know which is better.

With kids like that, I can’t help but think of ways to reward their love for studying. I am thinking of buying them something they love. Toys, maybe? What about toddler backpack? Nah, they’re too old for that. Nap mats which they can use on their nap times in school? Maybe. Or insulated lunch tote to keep their lunch warm and fresh? Or maybe I should just bring them to the mall with me so I can be sure that they really like what I will buy them. Being understanding kids, I know they won’t buy things Mommy cannot afford!

Ondoy Aftermath

I went somewhere in Pasig last September 26. On my way home while inside a bus, the storm was raging but I braved the gusty wind and rain upon reaching my destination because I didn't want to back out of my appointment. At about 12pm, I was glad that I was through with my agenda for that day.

I didn't know that while I was inside that office for two hours, typhoon Ondoy was unleashing its fury. I was so shocked! All I saw on my way home was water, water and more water!
Water was everywhere EDSA-PasayWater was below the knee-deep in EDSA-Taft Extension in Pasay CityA view from LRT-Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia)
I took those pics so I can remember all the streets I had to brave just to get home! Never mind the dirt and germs, I was more concerned and afraid of tripping or falling in open manholes! It was just an experience I won't forget. :(

But I was in for a bigger surprise when I came home! MORE WATER IN OUR HOUSE! The kids were at their Lola's house, Fred did all the moving up of the appliances all by himself! And our house was in knee-deep water!Just add three more steps down that cemented stairway
of our neighbor. That's how high the floodwater
was in front of our house--thigh deep! There used to be sofas and side table here.
They got all wet and will be unavailable for sitting for a while. :(

But I still thank God my kids are okay, Fred was there to save some appliances and I was able to get home safe and sound.

Seeing the others who were left homeless, with relatives missing or have died, I must say God still took care of us--as He always does! :)

Have a happy week ahead! :)

A Weekend for Future Bookworms

After going to church last Sunday, we went to SMX in Pasay City to attend the 30th Manila International Book Fair. I decided that letting them go to fairs like this and that of Doulos is one way of supporting their love for books. Filipinos love to read and it shows here.Booth selling children's books A schoolbus for a booth, nice idea!
Inside, there are computers where kids can browse and play. Shelves and shelves of books abound Boy: I wonder why there aren't no games here?! Kids, including Gabby and Sunday enjoyed this laser harp! Sunday being "electrocuted" at the Diwa Publishing booth I love listening to the participants
in this storytelling contest. They were all good! Gabby and Sunday found a book they really like
and it costs P3000! Too pricey! Books, books, books!

I want to develop my kids' love for reading. I believe in its power.
As what Dr. Seuss said,
“The more you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
So be it. :)