Free Starbucks Drink

Yes! free Starbucks drink, you’ve read it right; I’ve got free Starbucks drink yesterday. It is one of HSBC promo for their credit cardholders. All you need to do is present the charge slip amounting to P2000 or above and your credit card. You can redeem any of the Starbucks beverages or 3-pack Starbucks VIA ready to brew.  Be sure that you redeem the freebies within thirty calendar days from the purchase or transaction date. Faded charge slips are not honored.

This HSBC promo is really perfect for coffee lovers or Starbucks fan but this promo is not for me, I have so many charge slips that I have not used because I am neither a coffee lover nor a Starbucks fan. One more thing, the nearest Starbucks branch in our place is Shell SLEX branch, so it is not accessible. On our way home, we drop by at Shell SLEX to redeem the free beverage.

We’ve got two mocha frappucino for free (P135 each) and we ordered one mango peach cream pie P110 and honey glazed donut (P45). Our damage is only P155, not bad.

I do not like their honey glazed donut, krispy kreme donut is much better. The mango peach cream pie is just ok, I love their banoffee pie but it is not available that time.

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Day 17 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

photos from google

When Japan was hit by tsunami, I have realized that we can never really know when it is our time. We can lose everything we have in an instant just like how tsunami swept the properties and people lives including the young, old, rich and poor people.

If it happens in the Philippines, I do not know how I will be able to survive it. If I will not survive, am I really ready to go and do I know where I am going? Leaving in this world is not a problem if you know where you are going, so having faith and relationship with Him is really important, not because He needs us but we need Him more than anything.

“No place is secure than to be in God’s hands”

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Contis

Mother in law was here for a quick visit so my husband decided to bring her to Nuvali but weather did not cooperate because it was raining when we got there. We were not able to ride in taxi boat and we were not able to feed the koi. We had our lunch in Contis; it is really one of my favorite restaurants because of their lengua estofado and mango bravo cake.

We ordered apple potato salad, chicken ballotine, lengua estofado, parmesan fish fillet, philly cheese steak, roast porkloin, blueberry cheesecake, mango bravo and ice tea.



Apple Potato Salad (Php 130.00)
Apples, potatoes, carrots and chicken chunks

Philly Cheesesteak (Php 175.00)
Thinly sliced grilled steak covered with sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers and cheese on toasted baguette

Roast Porkloin (Php 195.00)
Boneless loin of pork with special gravy, served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice

Lengua Estofado (Php 290.00)
Tender slices of ox tongue in mushroom sauce, served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice

Chicken Ballotine (Php 225.00)
Meat-stuffed boneless chicken breast rolled in creamy sauce and served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice

Parmesan Fish Fillet w/ Parsley Sauce (Php 230.00)
Served with buttered vegetables and almond pilaf

Mango Bravo (frozen) (Php 120.00)

 

Blueberry Cheesecake (Frozen) (Php 70.00)

We were all satisfied with the food, service and price.

Solenad, NUVALI

Tel. No: (049) 3026050 / 55

Mobile: (+63922)8819126 / (+63905)2545110

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Day 16 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of someone who inspires you

My family is my number one inspiration; they inspire and give me reasons to live every day. I know that I am not perfect, I have my own weaknesses but they inspire me to change for the better and be a good wife and a good mom.

My mom and my aunt is my number one inspiration when it comes to faith. They inspire me to have faith in God even in times of hardships and pain. They inspire me to give more without expecting anything in return and to forgive and love more.

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Day 15 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of something you want to do before you die

photos from google

I know that life is too short to experience everything we want but if God would allow me and permit me to do so, I would love to:

1.       Explore the Philippine islands.

2.       Travel around the world, at least one country per continent

3.       Experience cruise ship.

4.       Learn how to drive, swim and dive.

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Currant Cookies

Hubby is back from his Shanghai trip and I am so happy that he brought me a box of cookie. I thought it was a butter cookie but I was wrong. Kjeldsens currant cookie is a little bit sweet with different texture but I still love it except for the currant because I do not like dried grape. Perfect match for hot chocolate drink or coffee. Another favorite from Denmark.

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How Motherhood Changed Me?

We always hear this phrase when we are still young, “wait till you become a mother” and we did not pay any attention. But now that I am a mother, I have realized that it is true, that you will learn to appreciate your mom once you become a mother.

 Motherhood is not an easy job; it is very different from the corporate jobs because there is no day off, no salary and no resignation. You cannot earn any trophy, medals, or promotion. It is a lifetime contract that you cannot revoke.

I never expected that motherhood will change my life; not just a minimal change but it turned me upside down. There are so many changes in my life including my health, career, lifestyle, social life and outlook in life. I never thought that I could give up my career just to take care of my son. I never thought that I would be happy in doing simple things with my family. There are a lot of sacrifices that I have done but I have no regrets because I love my family.  

There are so many lessons that I have learned in my journey as a mom, I have realized that it is easy to become a mother but it is very difficult to be a good mother. I have my own fears if what I am doing is right or wrong, if my son would grow up the way I want him to be, a God fearing man and a good citizen. I know that I can choose a husband but I cannot choose my child, and he cannot choose his parents too. So I always pray that God gives me more wisdom and strength so I could be the best mom that I could be.

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Day 14 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of someone you can never imagine your life without

I am pretty sure that most of you would agree that life would be harder and difficult if we lose someone we love. I cannot or do not want to imagine living my life without my hubby and my son. My life became complete when I married my husband and when my son was born. I could no longer ask for more except for long life so I can be with them every single day.

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Day 13 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of your favorite band or artists

photos from google

I’m not really into music but these are my favorite band and artists. I like Hillsong and Gary Valenciano because I love the message of their songs, it is really inspiring. I also like The Company and Nina because I never get tired listening to their music. I remembered when I was still working; Nina Live album is like a national anthem in our office.

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Day 12 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of something you love

photos from google

I always love to have quality time with my husband and son. It really completes my day when we are together; even we are just doing simple things or doing nothing at all.

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Day 11 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of something you hate

photo from google

I hate people who are unfaithful to his girlfriend, wife and vice versa. I really do not understand why there are people who cannot stick to one partner.

Famous quote from unfaithful movie

Tracy: Having an affair is nothing like taking a pottery class.
Sally: Could be.
Tracy: No. It would start out like that, and then, um, something would happen. Someone, uh, finds out, or someone falls in love, and it ends disastrously. It always ends disastrously.

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Day 10 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of the person you do the most messed up with.

It would be my sister and my college friend, only good and fun messed things.

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Day 9 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

photo from google

There is no one else that I could think of except Him. He is always there for me no matter what. If “footprints in the sand “is my favorite poem, here is my favorite song for Him.

Through It All

You are forever in my life

You see me through the seasons

Cover me with your hand

And lead me in Your righteousness

And I look to You

And I wait on You

I’ll sing to you Lord

A hymn of love

For your faithfulness to me

I’m carried in everlasting love

You’ll never let me go

Through it all

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Day 8 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture that makes you laugh.

photos from google

Sometimes looking at a picture will makes you smile or even laugh especially babies and kids picture.

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Buttered Garlic Shrimp

One of my favorite foods is buttered garlic shrimp because it is so easy to prepare, to cook and to eat. Lol! All you need is shrimp, butter, garlic, salt and a dash of cayenne pepper to add some kick. You can have your buttered garlic shrimp in less than ten minutes.

See the compete recipe here.

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Day 7 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of your most treasured item

Bible, pictures, videos, photoalbums, netbook and cellphone are my most treasured item.

Bible – for some people it is just a mere book but for me it is a treasured item. I may not religiously read it every day but I know deep in my heart that this book gives strength, love and hope as we face the issues of life.

“Cling to the Bible; this jewel and treasure

Brings life eternal and saves fallen man;

Surely its value no mortal can measure;

Seek for its blessing, O soul, while you can” –Anon

Pictures, videos and photo albums – if there is one thing that I would save in case of flood or fire, it would be pictures, videos and photo albums because I could no longer have them again. Pictures and videos are memories of the past or glimpse of what it used to be.

Netbook and cellphone – because these gadgets, help me to communicate and connect with my family, friends and other people even when I am just at home.

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My Son’s Artwork

My son’s completed his summer class program yesterday and I am such a proud mother seeing his certificate of attendance together with his artwork. I know that his artwork is not perfect because the color goes beyond the line, but for me, it is perfect (stage mother).  So this artwork is the reason why his two shirts and jeans have stains. I never expected that he will enjoy his summer class and I am sure that we will miss going to school.  

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Day 6 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.

photos from google

If there is one person I would love to trade places, I guess it would be Kate Middleton. Do I have to explain further? I just want to become a princess even for a day. I want to know how it feels like.

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Day 5 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of your favorite memory

I guess my three months vacation in Norway is not only my favorite memory but it is also one of my unforgettable experiences in my life. There are so many first time experiences that happened in a span of three months.

1.       First out of the country with siblings.

2.       First time to ride in an airplane, 4 different types of airplane. (domestic and international flight).

3.       I was able to go in different countries because of stop over. (Thailand, Germany, Norway and Denmark).

4.       First time to ride in ferry boat and ship.

5.       I was able to experience winter, spring and early summer in three months.

6.       First time to catch a fish, pick mussels on the shore and draw milk from the cow.

7.       First time to drive a farm tractor, to see a cow in labor and to see lamb.

8.       First time to work and earn. (cleaning garden).

9.       First time to celebrate Equinox.

10.   Celebrated the Philippine Centennial with Filipino community in Norway.

There are so many things to tell but these are the highlights of my trip.

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Day 4 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of your favorite night

I considered this as my favorite night because this was our first new year as a family and we celebrated it in Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay. This was the first time that we welcomed New Year away from home and away from noise of the metro. No pressure in preparing New Year’s food and no need to buy firecrackers, it was a time of relaxation in the cool breeze of Tagaytay. It was really a night to be remembered.

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Day 3 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of the cast from your favorite show

photos from google

These are my favorite series or show that I've really watched, if I missed some episodes or if I want to finish the series, I will search the internet for copy of episodes or buy DVD copy of it.

1.       Sex and the City

2.       24 Series

3.       Prison Break

4.       Desperate Housewives

5.       Baker King

6.       Queen Seon Deok

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Banana Cupcake

For the last three days, my husband keeps on begging me to bake banana bread because it’s been two years since the last time I have baked a cake, cupcake or any food. Finally, I gave in last night so I baked banana cupcake. It is just a plain banana cupcake because I no longer have baking ingredients in my pantry. It was my first time to use gas oven, it is not complicated as I thought. So now, am thinking to buy baking ingredients again to enhance my baking skills and learn new recipes or enroll in baking school? (wish I have time).

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Day 2 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A picture of you and the person you have been close for the longest.

They are the people that I have been close for the longest time and I still have communication with. (church friends, college friends and Haribon friends).

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Day 1 (30 Day Picture Challenge): A Picture of Yourself and 15 Facts

1.       Born on August 23, the same birth date of my brother and niece.

2.       Third child in the family.

3.       Graduate of Business of Commerce major in Business Administration in UST

4.       Married at the age of 24

5.       My hubby is my first boyfriend, first ex boyfriend and definitely my last one.

6.       Mother at the age of 26

7.       Full time mom now, has worked in bank and BPO.

8.       I love to travel when time and budget permits.

9.       Frustrated flight attendant and singer.

10.   My comfort foods are pizza, fries, ice cream and cake.

11.   I want to learn how to drive but I am still overcoming my fears.

12.   I love to swim but I am not a good swimmer. Lol!

13.   I am afraid of heights but I was able to climbed Mt. Maculot and Pico De Loro.

14.   I can’t live without internet and cellphone.

15.   I love to read inspirational books, parenting books, travel magazines, parenting magazines, etc.

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Poquito Mas

We went to Paseo de Sta Rosa yesterday to look for restaurant where we could eat our lunch, we are really hungry that time so when we saw this poster, we immediately went inside to check the food.

Poquito Mas restaurant ambiance is not really inviting but since we are hungry, we took achance. We are not expecting that we will enjoy their Splatino buffet (Spanish, Latino and Filipino) but we're really satisfied. P299 eat all you can is really worth it. They serve soup, salad, dessert, fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, pasta and others. I am too shy to take picture on their buffet table so I only have limited picture of the food. I love their pork caldereta, rosemary chicken, roast porkloin and palitaw. The service staffs are all friendly and nice.

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Cardholder

I’ve got this from hubby; it is a cardholder that you can use to store your calling cards, atm, credit cards or memberships cards. It can hold up to six cards, so if you have limited card slots on your wallet, this is a better alternative for storing your cards.

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I love Eng Bee Tin

Another pasalubong from my hubby, hopia mongo and ube from Eng Bee Tin. I really love their hopia especially the hopia mongo, the filling is not too sweet. This is the only hopia that I eat, too bad, they only have limited store.

Eng Bee Tin

650 Ongpin St. cor. Nueva Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Masagana Citimall, GL-8, 2410-2432 Taft Avenue Near Corner Libertad Street Pasay City

Masagana Superstore, TM. Kalaw Street Metro Manila

518 Quintin Paredes Street near Binondo Church Metro Manila

B-1 & B-3 Agora Mall, San Juan Manila

Level 2, Walter Mart Center, Chino Roces cor. A. Arnaiz ST. Makati

284 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. Quezon City

G41-42 Ground flr, Victory Central Mall, Monumento, Caloocan City

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Danish Butter Cookies

Hubby gave us this butter cookie last night. He got this as a prize from his team building. I love the taste of the butter cookie because it is not too sweet. I wonder where I can buy this “Wonderful Copenhagen” Danish butter cookies.

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Mother's Day

I almost forgot that this Sunday is my “day”, Mother’s Day. I am not expecting anything from my son because he is only 2 and 7 months old, so I was so shocked when he gave me this card after his class. This is my first Mother’s Day gift from my son. I am so touched and it really made my day. I really appreciate his effort for putting all the glitters on this card.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms!

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Cebu’s Lechon

Every time my hubby will go Cebu, I only have one request; do not forget my pasalubong and he knows already that I want Cebu’s lechon. He was not able to buy CNT lechon so he opted to Cebu’s Ayer Lechon.  This was supposed to be our dinner but because of the “plan delayed” of PAL, it became a midnight snack. I really woke up just to eat this lechon. I always love Cebu’s lechon because it is flavorful, tastier and cheaper compare to Manila’s lechon. No need for liver sauce or any condiments for their lechon. The only difference of CNT lechon and Cebu’s Ayer Lechon is the skin, Ayer’s lechon is rubbery or makunat. (i've tasted both lechon as pasalubong)



P375 for 3/4 kilo



It may not look good on the picture but believe me it is yummy!

Two months ago my husband bought two kilos of CNT lechon and it took us 3 days to eat it but now, after 12 hours, no more Cebu’ Ayer Lechon (3/4 kilo).

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E.R. Experience

Last week when my son was not feeling well, we immediately brought him to Asian Hospital without eating our dinner. We stayed there for more than two hours waiting for his stool sample but we did not get any so finally they decided to give us stool collector just in case my son’s poop, we can go to nearest hospital to have it check.

I am used to their E.R. facilities and services but this is my first time to see their room for infants and children. The room has a television to entertain the patient.

If I did not panic, my damage will be P500 for pedia check up and not P1500+ for E.R. check up.

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