Christmas Is In The Air

It's 39 days more to go before Christmas. And there are a lot of things to do on my list.

Here in the Philippines, Christmas is one of the most festive holidays; we celebrate Jesus Christ's birth. Many people around the world celebrate this holiday with a festive meal.

I, myself, have decorated our house with Christmas tree, Santa Claus, lanterns, and Christmas lights. Although it's still November, I was so excited to decorate the house to feel the spirit of Christmas. Aside from decorating the house, I have started wrapping some gifts for my kids, "inaanak", and to other family members.

I have listed down our plans for the holiday season, including on what to cook on Christmas Eve. Even my husband is checking if we could stay out of town. I am not yet sure where could be the best place to be.

And last weekend, we went to SM City Tarlac; they already have Christmas decors too. It's amazing they created one, where aanyone could have a picture or "selfie."

Leonids Meteor Showers Tonight

I'm a little bit excited about tonight's Leonids meteor showers. It's on the news that we can watch for shootingstars from midnight until dawn tomorrow.

PAG-ASA said that Leonids are one of the most abundant meteor showers, in which 10 meteors per hour is expected. As a matter of fact, the Leonids had a 15-minute meteor shower witnessing 1,000 meteors per minute in 1966.

Tonight I will wait for Leonids meteor showers to witness how bright the sky would be. It would be a great experience because this happens not all the time.

Amazing 3D Wall Paintings

3D is getting much popular these days. These artworks are usually seen on the streets, walls that gives us a 3-dimensional optical illusion viewed from a certain perspective.

For me, 3D paintings are breathtaking. They are like real ones and you'll be captivated once you get the correct angle. I know how to draw but I don't know how to paint. So I know creating these artworks is really tough. But considered as challenging because you are making a painting that will appear like real ones

At SM City Tarlac, there's a 3D wall painting. The picture above is taken at the lower ground floor. My daughter was amazed when she saw her picture. She exclaimed, "Oh, that's cool mom!"

Trick or Treat 2014

All kids love trick-or-treating during Halloween in many countries. Usually children in costume go from house to house or from one tenant to another in malls. It happens during the 31st of October. In some houses, they decorate their homes with artificial spider webs, jack-o-lanterns or other Halloween decors.

My kids love trick or treating because they get many chocolates, cookies, and candies. Aside from that they also like wearing different Halloween costumes to trick. It's already four consecutive years that they are joining this activity at SM City Tarlac, where they roam around every tenants asking for some candies and chocolates.

And this year, not only they joined at SM in the morning; they also participated at our company's treat-or-tricking activity in the afternoon. We've got many chocolates and candies, which we also share to other kids in the neighbor.

Experience New World Makati

I have a 2-day training in Makati so I need to book near the Academy. I have chosen New World Makati over Dhusit Thani and Fermont because of its great location and great services.

New World is located just in front of Greenbelt 3 and near Landmark, so there's no worry where to dine or shop.Their staffs are vvery approachable and kind. As I open my suite at the 18th floor, there is peace of mind and comfort. I got what I wanted like wifi connection and cable TV. The room is clean and elegant. And you can say that it's really a 5-star hotel. They've got world class facilities indeed.

The breakfast is a buffet, where you can take all up to your limit. I think I've tried everything like pancakes, sausages, bacons, fresh fruits, fruit shakes, berries, nuts, yogurts, and a lot more. They've got many selections and all taste great!

If I have given another chance I'll choose New World again and again!

Isdaan Floating Restaurant Revisited

I think it's been 2 years since my last visit to Isdaan floating restaurant in Gerona Tarlac. Yes, Isdaan is a great place for taking pictures because there are many statues all over the place that includes Bhudha statues. Aside from that there is a new boat ride which all kids may enjoy.

We took many pictures and my kids love taking pictures with the angry birds. They climbed upstairs to take picture with the Budha statue and they even ring the bell after making a wish. But what my kids enjoyed the most was feeding the fishes every where.

We ordered bangkang sisig which has the original pork sisig and fish sisig. The taste is good and it has sili jalapeño that made it more delicious. We also ordered Mama Chit special, which is a bilao of different fried foods like fish, chicken, vegetable, shrimp, and many more. It tastes good especially crunchy ones. I was not able to try the Binagoongang okra, talong and ampalaya because it was consumed by my mother and her sister. The lumpiang shanghai is my kid's favorite however it's a little bit expensive. We also liked the pansit canton con lechon but it's kinda oily. We also tried their leche flan and taste even better.

Flowers For Him

Do you think it's right to give flowers to men?

Yes, men like flowers too. Indeed flowers can be a nice surprise for your man whatever the occasion is.

It's a special feeling to receive a flower because a family member or a friend or a thoughtful boyfriend or girlfriend is thinking of you. Traditionally a man would give his wife a bouquet of flowers, but today flowers can be a great gift for men as well.

There are a lot of reasons why it's nice to send flowers to men. You may send flowers when a job well done to say congratulations. You may send him when you wanna cheer him up when he's not feeling good to say "get well soon." Placing a flower next to his bed will surely brighten up his day. Or if you wanna apologize, flowers are a great way to say sorry.

Now if you're thinking of sending him a flower, you may contact Flowers and More (Tarlac Flower Delivery ) anytime!

The Art of Ikebana

I am fond of arranging flowers. As a matter of fact I am making some bouquets for birthday, anniversary, valentines, and for any events. I sometimes arrange wedding flower arrangements, thinking of becoming a florist someday.

Now I plan to make some Ikebana. We knew that ikebana is the Japanese way of arranging flowers with art. It is a way putting nature and humanity together. As for me it is a creative way of making flower arrangement utilizing some living branches, leaves, grasses, and blossoms in one container. With proper combination of shapes and colors, it forms a great floral decoration.

The idea behind ikebana is to build a link between indoors and outdoors. Thus, we can see different types of plants in a single arrangement. And for a single type of flower being used, it should bring its full implication about nature.

It's been a past time for me to create one ikebana every week. It's a good feeling creating one!

Huat Chan: The First Authentic Chinese Restaurant in Tarlac

Are you craving for Chinese foods? Then Huat Chan can be a place to be. Huat Chan is an oriental inspired restaurant located at Mc Arthur highway, Tarlac City.

At Huat Chan they serve the finest Southeast Asian cuisines, best for any event like birthday, baptismal, debut, wedding, conferences, and meetings. What I like in this restaurant is their eat-all-you-can during Tuesdays. I can get all of my favorite menu. Aside from that they've got good services, courteous and well trained staff.

Lovely Guinea Pigs

My kids wanted to have another pet after our goldfish was not able to survive due to days of power interruption.So I asked them what they wanted. My son like to have a dog, my daughters wanted a baby cat. But we have another pets in mind. We wanted a guinea pig

We get 4 guinea pig from my hometown beacuse my cousins have 12. They are small yet cute and lovely pets. We bought them a bamboo cage where the can play and sleep. The cage is situated on our backyard where my kids play too so they can interact with the guinea pigs. We adopted 4 guinea pigs so they are not lonely. They are herd animals that they wanted a company. One of them is a male so later they can have babies.

We feed our guinea pigs with grasses and feeds pellets. They love grasses so we usually get from our neighboring vacant lots. They also like bananas and carrots.

We love spending time with the guinea pigs. It takes away our stress from work. Thanks to them for being sociable animals!

Delicate Beauty of Orchids

I have a little and nice garden in our house. And now gardening is a past time, which takes away my boredom, stress, worries, emotional as well as mental tensions.

I love flowers and I started collecting orchids because they are graceful and elegant flowers. They are simple yet rare and exotic beauty.

Orchids are popular houseplants despite of being expensive. Each of us has a reason why we love orchids. Some probably like them because it signifies wealth, strength, or love. For me, its because of its rare and delicate beauty.

There are many varieties of orchids. With its 20,000 to 30,000 varieties, it's proven to have the largest variations. We have Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Cattleya, and butterfly orchids.

Cowan in Tarlac Philippines

I enjoyed tasting different kinds of foods especially Japanese cuisines.

Many of our Japanese staffs dine at Cowan restaurant maybe because there is no other Japanese restaurant near our area. So one day I visited and dine here and found out that they've got great menu. And from that time it's got every month that I wanna eat here.

What I love at Cowan are California maki, tempura, cowan salad, and miso soup to name a few.

Zoobic Safari, Philippines

We, together with my kids, are very excited on our field trip ti Zoobic Safari. My kids can't sleep well when they've known that we will be going to Zoobic Safari already.

There are a lot to see at Zoobic Safari. There are many varieties of birds and I can't even memorize them all. But my kids have the experience to feed some birds on their hands. They were not afraid since these birds are lovely.We alsi tried feeding some tigers but we are in a sealed jeepney as we go to their dwelling place. Of course it's for our safety. Aside from that we also have encounter with many crocodiles as we go to the Croco Loco. It's quite nervous to see them in person. I hate crocodiles. But my kids have enjoy evert minutes of our stay at Zoobic Safari!

Tropical Fruits from Pangasinan

I like when someone visits us from our province in Pangasinan. Expect to have some pasalubong from them.

I always get a cavan of rice, 1 bundle of banana, mango fruits and a lot more. Therr are also some rice cakes or kakanin that my kids love to eat. There are also corn bits, banana chips and peanuts that everyone will surely like it. It's truly a blessing to have them all!

Favorite JCO Donuts

JCO, I think is the fastest growing donut and coffee chain in Indonesia. Now it's invading Philippines.

JCO is popular because of its good flavors and donut quality. Alcapone is the most famous donut and most wanted by most people. There are many varieties of donuts available at JCO that includes Glazzy and Tira Miss U. All of these flavors have a great taste.

Now we can see JCO in many locations in the Philippines like in many branch of SM City, Ayala center, Alabang Town Center, Eastwood city, Araneta center, Trinoma, etc.

Azaya Tarlac City for Wedding Venue

Azaya is a resort found in the north, particularly in Tarlac City. It is the former Coconut Grill. Azaya is known for its cozy environment. Thus many of us like to book for an event here.

There are many things to do at Azaya. It's a great place for wedding events. One can actually choose from indoor to outdoor wedding event. There's a swimming pool great for adults as well as for kids. There's a lake where one can catch some fishes like Tilapia. You can also rent a room with videoke. And there's a lot more to do. You may visit the resort at all times.

Lechon Liempo to Celebrate

There are many reasons to celebrate! We celebrate when good things happen to us, when there is a birthday or anniversary, or even when we got good grades in school or when we are promoted at work.

For every celebration we always have Lechon Liempo. It's crispy and delicious, which always satisfy our craving. I'd love the way it is cooked in the Turbo broiler, which ended up juicy and crispy and scrummy! And aside from Lechon Liempo, we also cook pansit, spaghetti, and some other chicken recipes.

Valentines Day 2014

It's always lovely to celebrate Valentines Day! The entire world is inlove and we can feel it all over. Yes, Valentines Day is not only for lovers but it's for everyone who care and love someone, towards a family, peer, friends, colleagues, etc.

There are many ways to show our love to someone. Some gives flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, and other stuffs. My husband gave me a bunch of roses and a cake! I gave some flower bouquets to my kids too. We dine in our favorite restaurant too. Such a lovely day indeed!

New Year, New Favorite

Gone are the coffee days. Hello to a new favorite, smoothies!

Smoothies are not only delicious but also a healthy drink. I just love its thick smooth and flavorful drink of fresh fruits pureed with ice cream, yogurts or milk. Not only me who have been into this drink but my whole family enjoyed it too.