Celine's Life Adventure

It's our last 24 hours in Manila, and what do we do? Eat all the food I have wanted to eat ever since we arrived. Morning We started the day with Jollibee breakfast. Yes, 900-calories of fast food! Then, I got a haircut from Salon de Matt in Pioneer and deposited the wedding gifts we received to our supported charity. Afterwards, we went to Makati City. We have time, so I got a pedicure, foot spa, and massage. It was great! Pedicure and Foot Spa Afternoon Even though we just ate a lot of things from Jollibee, we went to Giligan's and ate all the things I love: Kare-Kareng Gulay, Garlic Fried Chicken, and Sisig. Then, we went to Razon's of Guagua for Halo-Halo. We started walking to Via Mare Oyster Bar to meet with Ninong Boss. He gave us beautiful words of wisdom as we continue our married life together. Evening After our meeting, we went back to Go Hotel to finalize packing our bags. We're flying in the morning. Then, we had di

It's our 4th day in Manila. It's Wednesday, July 3, only three days before the wedding. Breakfast Today, we decided to go to Pan de Manila for some pandesal breakfast. We also got cafe mocha (because they don't have hot chocolates) and ate it at the store. This is the most nostalgic breakfast so far. After that, we decided to buy some taho. Pan de Manila for breakfast Taho Lunch For lunch, we went to one of our favourite restaurants, Alex III (Alex the Third) in Quezon City. They used to have boneless crispy pata which everyone loved (except me because I don't eat crispy pata). Crispy Pata Our whole family is there (including father). The lunch is to celebrate Kuya's graduation, so we extended the invite to Uncle Deo, Aunt Vickie, and cousin Stacy as well as Uncle Fred and cousin Raf. We ordered a lot of good food. Unfortunately, Jomar and I had to leave early because we really want to drop by QSR to meet and catch-up with Ms.

It's our third day in Manila. The agenda for today is to spend time with Uncle Deo, Aunt Vickie, and cousin Stacy. They are family on mom-side who flew all the way from the US to celebrate our wedding. Breakfast We (Jomar, me, Ate Ro, Kuya, and Baya) had breakfast at Chowking. It's always sweet and fun to spend time with the siblings. After eating breakfast, Kuya Lito (our ABC car rental driver) arrived, and we picked up mother from the condominium, and off we go to Grass Residences near SM North EDSA. We, finally, saw Uncle, Auntie, and cousin. The last time we saw them was 2017 (I think) when they visited us in Vancouver after their Alaska cruise but before their flight back to California. Kuya didn't see them at that time because they're busy working so the last time he saw them was more than ten years ago during our first time in the US. Intramuros We drove through Quezon Avenue and Espana, saw Quiapo Church, then inside Intramuros. Jomar and I fi

I'm not entirely sure what to call this day. With 2 hours of sleep, I was awake at 4:00 AM. The first order of business is to have breakfast. We waited for freshly cooked fried chicken from Ministop. Yes, my first meal back in Manila is Ministop fried chicken. Ministop Fried Chicken for breakfast We went to the 7:15 AM Mass in Greenbelt Chapel - starting our vacation right. We went to Landmark to do some grocery. Then, to NAIA Terminal 1 off we go, to pick-up parents and siblings who arrived with China Airlines. All the folks waiting for loved ones at the Airport They were exhausted. After much discussion and debate, the five of us (Jomar, me, Ate Ro, Kuya, and Baya) went to Shakey's for lunch. Mojos! Mother requested Chowking noodles to go. Thankfully, my husband is such a trooper and went to buy the Chowking while we finish up lunch. Then, we went with Kuya to Gardini Fashion Center to do his only fitting for the wedding. Thankfully, everything fits perfectly,

It's my last full day in Philippines and I am heartbroken that I will be far from Jomar again. Today, we had breakfast in KFC. KFC back here is so much better than the one in Canada. Sorry KFC Canada. I also missed their gravy. KFC After having breakfast, we went to Salon de Matt. Haircut is so much cheaper here. For $10 CAD, I could get a great haircut plus tip. In Canada a haircut would cost $30. Moreover, the haircut in Manila includes shampoo. New Haircut Picture After getting a haircut, we went to SM Megamall. My mom asked us to buy contact lenses for her. I also end up buying her preferred coffee from the Philippines. Lastly, for myself I purchased Goldilocks baked goodies. Coffee mother wants. We were supposed to go straight to Glorietta for lunch with Ms. Aileen. Unfortunately, we forgot our gifts for her back in the condo. From SM Megamall, we had to stop by the condo then go to Glorietta. Meeting with Ms. Aileen and Jay My vacation is now com

It's my third day back home and it feels great to take a break from my routine life in Canada. Date with Jomar When I planned my itinerary for this vacation, Jomar requested that we have a date. I moved things around and told him that I would free up Tuesday morning and we could go out then. I asked him to surprise me with what he had in mind. Manila There is a building along Pedro Gil that look likes a dome. I have been curious about it but didn't thought of checking it out. Apparently, it's the National Museum Planetarium. It was close for so long until recently and Jomar wants us to visit the Planetarium while it's still open. We went there at around 9:00am after having the remaining Kare-Kareng Gulay for breakfast. The exhibit was okay. There was nothing that made me say wow and it was last updated 2009(?) so the information is a bit outdated. National Museum Planetarium Jomar also wanted to see one of the shows which costs Php 50.00. It was a 30-minut

For my second day in Canada, Jomar and I spent the morning having our planning meeting. It took us the first 3 hours of the day to discuss our plans. Then, I had "Me" time. I went to Let's Face It to have a facial. After that, I went to Chowking. I got my first dose of cultural difference between Canada and Philippines. I was in front of the cashier and said, "Hi". She just stared at me impatiently. I gave her my order (Yang Chow fried rice) and she offered toppings which I declined. What's so shocking about the encounter? Well, in Canada, there's always pleasantries and small talk. Always. When ordering, the cashier would almost always ask, "Hi there, how's it going?" or "Hi there, what can I get for you today?". They don't just stand there and wait for your order. It's different. When I was new to Canada I always feel awkward about the pleasantries and small talk but now that I am used to it, I am surprise when it does

The first time I tried Peri-Peri Chicken I had to Google search what it is and its origin. "Piri-piri chicken is a spicy dish with roots in both Africa and Portugal." - www.epicurious.com Below is the Peri-Peri Chicken I have tried so far. Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken at Kapitolyo, Pasig, Philippines Eduardo's Peri Peri at SM Light Mall, Mandaluyong Philippines

Recently, I moved near to restaurant and food melting pot - Kapitolyo in Pasig City. Guided by our dear friend  +Mitch ,  +Jomar  and I am starting to see the many restaurants Kapitolyo has to offer. Bà Nội's (The Fresh Flavour from Vietnam) 12 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig Our first dinner together was at Bà Nội's. It is a Vietnamese restaurant that used to have a branch in Makati. I was able to try their food in Makati, and here I am eating their food again. We ordered the food below: Ga Hho Cari Ha / December 16, 2013 Bu Loc Lac Corn Trang Steamed Rice / December 16, 2013 Goi Cuon / December 16, 2013 The food was good. Though I am not a fan of Vietnamese cuisine it was still good food and as always great company.