Craving for that Pot of Gold.

They say, at the end of a rainbow is a pot of gold. It was never proven on my part; I, in no way, had the chance to see the rainbow’s end as I am, at all times in admiration of its glorious colors and existence. But the moment you see that pot of gold shining so bright all you feel is all the enthusiasm in the world. You simply cannot wait till you get a hold of those little gold coins. That is my sentiment today – I simply cannot wait.

I cannot wait for the Lenten Season to end. I always compare Lent like a Rainbow (I am sure a lot will disagree). I don’t know if you have the same opinion as I do but Easter is akin to the Pot of Gold in my case…

Let me enlighten you with my short story…

I have been committed to abstaining for the past six years. I normally do it during the whole Lenten Period which starts on an Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. I have this belief of sacrificing certain things or practices for the sake of my prayers to be granted. Some are answered while others remain unanswered but I do not complain, all I can be is grateful. This is my modest way of giving back. It’s not so easy to surrender your daily cravings and comfort but because of our strong faith we end up doing our own share of sacrifices for good things to come in the end. No pain, no gain as they say.

My first year was entirely NO MEAT, the second one up to the present is NO MEAT and NO SWEETS but this year was exceptional for sentimental reasons and for prayers to be answered so I am determined to go with NO MEAT, NO SWEETS AND NO BREAD. That said, I am tremendously grueling myself because Bread alone is like my comfort food. Grueling in a good way, if I may add. And now that I am halfway of the abstinence, I am craving it more and more everyday.  

To ease my cravings and to look up to Easter - my pot of gold, I am jotting down my must haves in no time. 

• Batangueno Ice Cream - If you are from my hometown, Ormoc City, I am sure you all love their tasty flavors namely Mango, Ube, Cheese and my favorite - Chocolate. They do not make Chocolate as much as they did before but still they make it for special orders. I see the Ice Cream vendor pushing his cart every afternoon at my high school during the afternoon time and all I can do is sigh. In a few weeks, I shall eat you oh my Batangueno.
• Mayong's Cheeseburger - I love it in every bite. I loved it since I was a kid. It's an all time favorite.
• Ikea's Chocolate Cake - I've been to parties and everytime I get a glimpse of the dessert table, this chocolate cake would always look so inviting. It is moist, rich and very decadent.
• Tita Marie's Corned Beef - It is the real mccoy! I tell you. She is my Mama's sister and her corned beef is epic. My husband Jules would eat it everyday with eggs and rice and I would simply stare at it thinking - I will eat you someday.
• Gil's BBQ - I went there last week with my cousins and they all feasted on Chicken Skin, ISAW (Pork Intestines) and Pork BBQ and I was completely tortured. The smell itself makes you want to crave them more.
• Patchi Chocolates - These Lebanese goodies are simply heavenly to the last bite. I got a whole box to myself as a friend of mine gave it to me just recently. It sits by my bedroom table and I know it is waiting for me. 
• Ondo's Kandingan - Ondo makes the best Humba ever. It is best the day after. Ondo cooks with love I guess and not to mention his concoction, since most of his creations are tasty.
• Magnum Ice Cream - Twitter gets me. A lot of people have been tweeting how good Magnum is ever since it was launched in the Philippines. I cannot wait!
• My very own Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes - I love this creation of mine. Perhaps the only one I crave about.
• Steak - Big Roy's House Steak or any steak for that matter. 
• Siomai and Steamed Rice - Harbour City in Cebu makes the best if I may say. 
• Colette's Buko Pie - I know it will be hard to get because I am in Ormoc but I can eat any Buko Pie in town. I love coconut and all the sweets made from it. 
• Leylam's Shawarma - Jules and I love it for a time. And because it has been months since my last piece, I drool thinking about it. 
• Bacon - Who doesn't love Bacon?
• Yogurt - The joys of Frozen Yogurt is always magical. 
• Roast Beef - Enough said. 
• Bread - Goldilock's Whole Wheat Bread, Sofia's Cinnamon Roll, Mayong's Ensaymada and of course my Wheat Baguette. Oh! I love bread.

And the list goes on and on...

Cake and Confusion.

Here I am again, bravely anticipating for the months, weeks and days ahead. It is awfully and excitingly near all together. I cannot believe that in a few more months, weeks and days, I will be united as one with the person whom I fell in love with not simply knowing - almost everyday.

Looking at the bigger picture, my wedding preparations has been amazingly okay. I know stress comes uninvited day by day but somehow, the whole thing has turned out to be bright and sunny.

I just got back from a recent trip to Manila and today I am going to Cebu to accomplish my wedding chores. I hope I get back home feeling productive and fulfilled. Oh, how I love to write and daydream about my daily tasks in Manila but I have yet to pack and sort my things, empty my bag that hasn't been touched for days, and get myself together.

Time will come that all I will ever do is scribble into a tiny notebook about what stories I could possibly share in this little corner of mine. That day will come.

And as I write this entry, I am confused. There are just too many choices. I am currently looking for the perfect cake for my Pre-Wedding Celebration.

A little help would mean a lot.

My First Choice.

My Second Choice.

And lastly, my last choice.

My Pre-Wedding Celebration is Floral Themed but still it is Formal. I just adore simplicity so much that those huge and fancy cakes don't excite me at all.
Just saying...

My Chocolate Surprise.

I've always been a fan of Cupcakes. There's just a very melancholic feeling every time I take a little bite of it. It has this soothing taste that calms you and energizes you completely. I know I am not making any sense here but if you are an ultimate fan of cupcakes, you would simply understand.

Back when I was studying Culinary, I would stop by at this Cupcake store every time 1.) When I perfected a score in my major exams, 2.) When I did miss a point or two thus not giving me a perfect score in exams, 3.) When I feel stressed out from school, 4.) When I get upset with anything, like about how my day ends, 5.) When I am super happy that I would celebrate it with me, myself and I. And it goes on and on...

I have been a fan of her cupcakes (Cupcakes by Sonja) every since I first tried it and no other cupcake store could beat hers. I tried the most famous ones in the states, but I was disappointed. Cupcakes by Sonja are just so delicious and lovely.

So, I tried to make cupcakes over the years but I never did like the outcome. There was always a flaw but of course others couldn't tell, but I could easily know what it was, from frosting to the base... But it was exactly a week before my 26th birthday that I made a Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate frosting that made me so delightful. I never tasted it, I just brought it to my cousin's house for we had a little tea party and to my surprise, they all couldn't get enough of it. They loved it! So, I tasted it for myself and found a wonderful creation that I just made. I was so happy!

That is the reason why I am calling it, Chocolate Surprise. :)

Sundae-Sunday.

There are just times like this time of the day that you crave for exactly a single thing. Today is Sunday and I am craving for a Sundae. How cool and weird is that all together?

It was raining like crazy last night, but today the sun came out and it shined fairly on us. With all the heat going on, I suddenly thought of a Sundae with warm hot chocolate fudge. Oh my.... I should be dieting for my wedding is also 3 months away.

I am just craving, I wouldn't want to eat ice cream nowadays anyway, but Sundae?

The Land of Smile.

Things that caught my eye in Bangkok, Thailand.

I suppose this men in orange-colored robes are monks or some Buddhist Priest. I really don't know why the color orange, there must be some beliefs associated with it. I see some men wearing the same outfit in Guam 2 years before.


The Floating Market. You literally ride those little boats and shop 'till you drop, I suppose.


Fresh fruits on sale.


One of the best things I've ever had in Bangkok was the Mango Sticky Rice. My good friend Nadine had posted this wonderful dish in her Facebook and I can't stop thinking of it that I had to find it there, and so I did. :)


A picturesque old Elephant. I love Elephants already. They are so huge yet precious. This was taken during the Elephant Show. We rode the Elephants too. It was an amazing experience.


Snippets of Bangkok at night. This bridge was so beautiful all lit up at night.



Bangkok at night time.


One of the many temples in Bangkok.


I wish I had heard of this bells clanging - but I didn't.


I love the roof design of this temple which I learned was made especially for the queen. Very dainty.

Sherry's Strawberry Cheesecake.

Sherry's Strawberry Cheesecake.

My co-intern from Guam and turned out to be one of my closest friends now, Sherry, has made me a perfect indulgence to welcome back my Sweet Tooth. As you all know, I remained sweet less (abstained) for 40 days for the whole period of Lent. It was sort of my way to sacrifice, and plead to God to answer my prayers. And oh, for the record, he did answer some. :)


Sherry was so thoughtful and kind enough to bake for me her Strawberry Cheesecake.
And so, I called my beautiful cousins to gather one afternoon and be with me as I indulge in to this heavenly dish.


My cousins and I agreed and came in to our conclusion that Sherry's Strawberry Cheesecake was a total hit amongst us. It was perfect. She wasn't stingy at all with Strawberries. It was sweet and tangy and creamy. :)


Thank you Girl!

A Beautiful Home.

During my recent trip to Manila, my godmother Tita Jackie, invited my Mama, my Mother-in-law to be and myself to a lovely dinner in her very beautiful home, not to mention the sumptuous meal she had prepared for us, she has been a good cook according to Mama. My Mama loves her Potato Moussaka dearly that she had her made it for dinner.

I met two of her lovely friends too, one of whom gave me a Novelty Teapot, another one for my collection. I will do another post about her House of Collection which is amazing in so many ways soon.

Tita Jackie is such a gracious host. Her home was filled with so much spirit and positive energy. Her house smells like Citronella but that wasn't the scent she used. Her bamboo trees that surround her entire house makes you feel you are heavily guarded and calm. Her water features around the garden gives you a soothing feeling, you can just melt away...

Her collection of Burmese Dancers, Brushes, Paintings are so wonderful to look at, makes you want to collect them too. She got all of her precious items from her trips to Beijing and Hongkong. They look so nice, I tell you. I just love her home.

My favorite painting inside her lovely abode.

This corner houses her telephone booth. So warm and cozy.

It was indeed yummy!

Forget me not's Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. I have to admit I wanted to eat more, but I am controlling myself.

The smartest dog I have ever seen in my entire Life. His name is Spike. He sits at the dinner table like all of us did steadily and he waited until he was given a bite.

Tita Julie was also amazed by this doggie's talent.

The Brush Collection and counting...


Her coffee table all lit up.

Treasure Chest. Oh how I love these too.



The Citronella-like smell comes from this burner.

I wanna go back and eat that Cheesecake.

Thank you Tita Jackie for being a great host.

Monday Afternoon.

My darling whom I hate and love both at the same time, who makes my temperature rise high and low, who makes my world stop and go, who makes me laugh and cry all together, who is addicted to Fish and Chips and who eats a favorite food until he grows tired of it - this is our Monday Afternoon.

At the boardwalk of Sabin Resort Hotel. He said, he would love to wake up to this view everyday, I say, that is possible... You never know.

Oh how we dream of having our Wedding Reception here but the problem is that we cannot predict the rainy days, we don't want to take a great risk of having a party here. But it would really be lovely here at night.

Soothing as it can be. Reasons why I love Ormoc - The bay is just beautiful.


Fresh Pineapple Juice. It's the most healthy drink on top of my list.

Seashells. Oh how I love them dearly...

An old whiskey bottle is transformed to be a lovely flower vase.

Sabin's Fish Burger. I never grow tired of Fish. I love it. Julio is currently making this as one of his favorite, second to Fish and Chips.

Fries. Oily but good.

And how pretty it is when it lights up at night. I wish I can take this home with me...

What I've been up to lately...

What I've been up to lately? Calories galore.

I am so proud of this cupcake that turned out so fine.

My Lacy Oatmeal Cookies.

My Creme Caramel.

And there is more to come...

Watabe.

Oh how I miss my favorite Japanese Restaurant in Guam.
The food is just superbly good.
These are one of the many things that I miss about the island. I have a lot on my list, to name a few - the soft clouds, the fire trees that flowers every summertime, the people with a warm Hafa Adai greeting, the beach and how glorious the sunset is...
But today, I just miss Japanese food. I miss Watabe.

This is how the restaurant looks. Authentic looking.

Can I just tell you that there Sashimi is just sooo good.

My all-time favorite - Beef Sukiyaki. I'm lost for words with this dish.

My friend Nadine. I wish I had met her sooner in this lifetime. She is just the nicest.

The whole gang. Nadine, I, Geremiah, Dong and Tedi Mary.

I miss you Watabe.
But I don't miss your talkative waitress. Hahaha!