where the moon shines

We had out Valentine’s Dinner at Chop House. It’s at the 4th floor of Trinoma, where the Al fresco restaurants are.  We weren’t planning on a V-Day date, so this isn’t really one. That day, we went to Trinoma specifically to buy barong and slacks for the boyfriend. He needs those for a friend’s wedding on Saturday (and I have nothing to wear for that!). It was a successful trip, but it was almost dinnertime when we finished up.

Our first choice for a meal was Cafe Breton, but we weren’t used to having crepes for dinner so we decided to just have milk shakes and then move on.

Can you guess which one’s mine and his?

So we walked around just enough for the boyfriend to finish a stick of cigarette and then settled on having steaks at Chop House. We hadn’t been there before so this was going to be interesting. But then again, aren’t all steaks just the same?

I have to admit though, I liked their steaks a little better because they were tasty even without the sauce. We both chose the Hickory Smoke sauce, but there were a few more choices being offered (gravy included), and this was served on the side instead of being poured over the steak already.  I had mashed potatoes with mine, while Alfred had garlic rice. The dishes already come with the buttered corn and carrots that one expects with this kind of meal.

First to be served though, were the drinks. Draft beer for him, house blend iced tea for me (the glass was huge!).

Next up is probably what I loved most in the entire meal, their house bread:

I loved their bread so much I had to have an extra order! They’ll give you three pieces on the house, with herbed butter, and you can order two more for only twelve pesos. These were really good, very soft inside. The herbed butter wasn’t that special but the bread’s really yummy.

Then there’s the main course (we didn’t have soup or salad anymore, no dessert either).

This is the US Prime Beef Bistro Steak that Alfred ordered, medium rare. I didn’t think it was enough for him, but having a tall glass of milkshake before dinner kept him full. I like my steaks well done, but this was so yummy I didn’t even mind that it wasn’t cooked the way I liked!

This is my plate of US Prime Beef Minute Steak. Thumbs up! Very tasty and cooked just right. I hardly even used the sauce because it was that tasty. The mashed potatoes were creamy too. Perfect combination. I told the boyfriend that next time we could just share a plate of this (one order of steak) and then just share another plate of either salad or pasta. That way we wouldn’t be eating too much. Haha.

The venture into this restaurant was a success, I don’t regret it. Would we go back? I would, but not so sure about the boyfriend. I guess if he was given a choice between Chop House or Steaktown, he’d still choose the latter. I would too, if we were talking about value for money. Still, Chop House isn’t so bad.

And because it was Valentine’s Day, Trinoma was giving away freebies for people eating in their Al fresco restaurants. So happy to have received mine:

Okay, so I know that maybe some of you are thinking: isn’t Vera supposed to be trying to lose weight? What business has she eating this much?! Haha. I know right? Don’t worry I don’t eat this much all the time. I am seriously going to have as much balanced meals as I could, and figure out how to add mobility to my day too. I really think that for me, the key isn’t cutting off too much of the food, but needing to move more (sayang, we can’t use the stairs in the office anymore). That’s probably the key not just to losing weight, but getting clearer skin too. As they say, eating right and regular exercise can be the best acne treatment right?

You are the music in me, by Troy and Gabriella, from the High School Musical 2.

It was on the Disney Channel this afternoon, and I realized that I didn’t see it before. Big deal right? Haha. Wala lang.  The kids here are fans of HSM, and we even took Esban to see HSM3 in the movies. He sang along with the cast on their first song (first scene)!

Anyway, I really like the melody of this song and felt bad that Troy and Gabriella didn’t get to perform it in the talent show. Affected? Haha! I’m just a fan of musicals kasi I love singing along too. And watching movies like this one remind me of a younger me. Hung up on theater no?

Before I tuned into the kiddie channel though, I checked out the Home Shopping Network. They showed the Big Boss Grill which was really interesting if only for the donut maker attachment, hehe I seriously would buy one, only it costs 5k and I do not want to spend so much on something I probably won’t be using everyday. Then they showed the AirMax pillow. It might just be the answer to my problems: sleeping, headaches, backache and sore shoulders! I am super close to trying sleeping pills just to get to have quality sleep even just a few times each week, but maybe the right pillow can solve my problems instead. It costs somewehere around 2500 though. If I get one for myself, I might as well consider getting one for the boyfriend – will it cure him from snoring too?

Oh well, this is my fourth time joining Music Monday but the first time on this blog. If you’re up for a sound trip, follow the links:

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Do I really want to get married in December?

Last night, Alfred commented that it’s me who doesn’t really think of getting married this year. Where’s this coming from? Basically, he’s set the date and has told anyone who asks (okay, not all) of the plan. But I keep on challenging him; playing the devil’s advocate. Will we have the budget to make this happen? That’s my primary concern. I am sure we will still be together by that time, I’m just not sure if we will have the money to make it happen the way we want it. Or the way I want it.

We both are not so good at saving money. The biggest problem: spending the money even before we have it. My credit card allowed for that behavior; it’s a bad habit and I’m trying to break it for both of us. I’ve talked about saving before and even shared what the plan is this year. But I just can’t be so sure we have enough time.

Truthfully, we should have started this a long time ago. Back when I just started earning decently – like when my salary was doubled when I first worked in this company or when his also increased when he moved here, and then again when he moved to where he works now. But we didn’t. Sure I have a savings account, and I do have money in it but it isn’t even half of what my brother has saved up already even after loaning me the dough for getting our (condo) units beautified.

I can save – as evidenced by the two and a half year’s worth of loan payments I’ve already done. If I saved even half of that amount in the previous two years, I’d be well on my way to paying for a grand wedding. LOL. But I can be easily shaken too. When I say I want to buy something but feel like I don’t deserve it, the boyfriend is there to convince me that I actually do deserve the treat. He also tells me, for example, that buying new clothes is actually called for (which is true). Yes I have all the stuff I bought, and there’s plenty of evidence of all the good food I’ve eaten over the years, but there’s just not THAT much to show for the almost five years I’ve worked here. And I still owe my brother some money.

I realize that by blurting these words now, I am admitting a weakness. And it’s not just for myself but for the boyfriend too. That’s not good because I have no permission to do that. He reads my blog and I know his feelings might get hurt too. But I feel like I must get this out. Because I also know that no matter how his attitude towards saving is, there is no excuse for mine. And I can’t blame him for enabling my shopaholic tendencies or encouraging the swipe mentality. We should just both look forward and change the error of our old ways.

You know another reason I’m anxious about a December altar date? I don’t trust myself to lose enough weight to become the gorgeous blushing bride I want to be. That’s another thing I have to commit to actually do, and there is no time to waste. I must lose weight fast! :S

These days everywhere you look you will be reminded of one of two things: Valentine’s Day and the Chinese Lunar New Year. Both happy occasions fall on February 14 this year, so there’s double celebration, and double reasons for donning red.

As soon as the month rolled in, you would have already seen decorations and promotions relevant to Valentine’s. One of those that I didn’t mind, and actually participated in, is the Facebook promotional that UNICEF Philippines is running:  I Love UNICEF. Here’s their description from the FB album:

Hello UNICEF friends and supporters! In celebration of Valentine’s Day, UNICEF Philippines invites you to Show Your Love for UNICEF! Send us your photo with an “I Love UNICEF” sign and make a statement for children’s rights. Take a snapshot using your webcam, digicam, analog camera or cameraphone with your kids, best friend, special someone, classmates, neighbor, teacher, officemates, everyone and we will post them in the Show Your Love for UNICEF album. Please send any photo up to 200kb with your name and where you are in the world to psfrmanila@unicef.org from February 8 to 14, 2010. Happy Valentine’s Day from your UNICEF family! Click away for children’s rights!

Because I believe in UNICEF’s projects and worked with them in the past, and welcome the inspiration for taking more photos, I sent in my entries of course. My nephews were very willing participants too!

Adam and AJ were here on the day I decided we would join in. They so happily went to find a piece of paper, markers and crayons, and worked together to make this sign. While taking their photos, I also told them a little of what UNICEF does.

The next day, it was Esban’s turn. When he was very small, I took him with me to the UNICEF’s offices while running an errand for work. He doesn’t remember it anymore but it was a fun day. When I told him about it, and what UNICEF does, he said that it was like my old work at Asia ACTs. That part he remembers

Go, make your own I Love UNICEF sign and show your support for this organization dedicated to upholding the rights of children! Fan them in Facebook too Or if you just want to look at the photos, they are here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=186352&id=102248760571&ref=nf

On a very different topic…

We were talking about bloated tummies at work this morning, and how women get bloated during menstruation. I, of course, had to comment that such was the case with me. LOL. But also that I am bloated every time anyway. Haha. Seriously though, I feel bigger than ever. I feel and I look it. It’s sad really. I heard that bloating and constipation (which I suffer from sometimes too) are symptoms of a colon clogged with too much wastes. Yes, I have been reading up a bit on colon cleanse reviews and it does seem a good idea to do that every once in a while. Not just to lose weight too, but for overall wellness.

After about two months of being sniffles free, my allergic rhinitis is back. My nose has been itchy, and sometimes I wake up with colds but it eventually goes away as the day goes. My eyes are watery again, and sometimes look tired. It’s probably my fault too because I don’t regularly take anti-allergy medicine, and I should do so at least every other day.

But what am I really allergic too? Probably dust. So we should change our bedsheets very often. How soon is that? Or, maybe I should get some of those allergy bedding I’ve seen around some sites. Maybe it will help? At least it will help eliminate the trigger of allergies overnight, it would be a whole different story when I get to work.

Anyhoo, I am really so happy because I got three ‘somethings’ today: a Windows 7 mousepad, and a Microsoft Arc mouse that is sooooo cool! And I also got The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

I hope to someday share the yummy food I make from Ree’s recipes