Japanese Dining

I'm on a 4-day Japanese cuisine eating streak now. Unintentionally.

Day-1, Beef Curry Rice for late lunch slash early dinner
Day-2, Chicken Karaage Don
Day-3, Cheesy Beef Ramen

I just noticed my streak last night and I've been wondering if I would be having Japanese dish again today. Well, I didn't have to think about it. My mother made Peanut Butter Ramen for breakfast.

Japanese food, turned out, is really my comfort food. No particular dish. I guess it's the whole experience. Even for home cooking, I would go for Japanese or Indian. And it's usually vegetarian. If it's a meat dish, I would look for it's plant-based alternative.

Now Playing: Aimer - コイワズライ

Back in the Abyss

I'm still nursing myself from this abyss and it's getting more challenging as the days go by. The whole system is also out of whack. Sleep, since time immemorial, imposes a continuous challenge. And I need it the most nowadays for proper recuperation. It's stressing me out.

I haven't been watching dramas lately, though I really want to watch Yumi's Cells 2 but it's not available in legal platforms in my country. Annoying. Sometimes I watch Overlord, a Chinese costume drama. Recently I found out that Dilireba has a new drama - The Blue Whisper - but I'm only past the pilot episode. Dilreba Dilmurat is one of my favourite actors and I am particularly inclined to watch her fantasy/costume dramas so being unable to continue her recent one right away just says a lot about my current state.

With how things are going since a month or two ago, I'm kind of anxious when the night is approaching. Most of the time, I find myself lacking sleep, missing meals on time, and having unusual symptoms - back pain, headache, stomach pain, and dizziness - with the last two being the most prominent. And these past couple of days, I think I'm experiencing joint pains at night. Talk about ageing. Or maybe it was because of those stir-fry tofu.

I really hope I could recover fast and get back on my feet. It's troublesome and has affected my work. I've been calling in sick a lot. Wouldn't be surprised if my cortisol level is causing haywire in my system. Thankfully, I believe, I'm already past the desire to "cross the bridge" though I'm kind of an empty shell whenever I'm in the abyss. Well, I could only hope for the best.

Music: Lovi Poe - Under

Caffeine Surge

Haven't had coffee or anything with caffeine these past 10 days that my first intake gives me an unusual anxiety. At least it's only physical, though it may have been aggravated by my current thoughts and emotions.

I actually have to drink osmanthus tea to calm myself. This new favourite drink somehow soothes me, though I'm not sure if it actually has that effect or if it's just personal. I love sipping a hot osmanthus tea, which I usually brew with butterfly pea and honey. I'm having a plain one this time. This anxiety feels a little urgent. Or maybe I'm just being lazy.

It doesn't help that I haven't read from Mo Dao Zu Shi manhua's the current The Untamed episode that I am watching. And I don't remember this in the donghua. So the live-action was adapted from the novel. Now I'm a little itchy to read it. I hope it's available in WebNovel.

Reminds me though, perhaps the T2 matrix also keeps me tachycardic. I initially thought my duty will start on the 18th. Good thing I check our Viber group and found out I'm off for work tomorrow. No wonder the shuttle service schedule didn't match, with what I thought. I was hoping I could sleep late again tonight. Okay, I didn't sleep late. I actually slept a little past 4 o'clock. Talk about supposed normalizing my body clock. Perhaps I could learn from Lan Wangji.

I wonder what's in store at the borders tomorrow. By the way, my caffeine induced anxiety still lingers.

Now Playing: Do As Infinity - Fukai Mori

Catch Up Sleep

It's not uncommon for IOs to have irregular body clock, especially during this ECQ days. NAIA Terminals 2 and 3 are closed so we've been all assigned to T1. Given that there's not much flights, we're on skeletal work force. I don't know with those from other terminals but as for us from T2, we have  3 days work then 2 days off in total. How that's distributed varies. Thankfully for me, it was 3-2 recently. Meaning, I get 2 days off ahead before T1 changes terminal-admin.

Working first then take my leave off duty is my cup of tea. But as I just finished my shift yesterday, I felt I had to catch up with sleep. My intention was only to take a nap, two hours the most. As I've been sleep deprived recently, I went on 5 hours of sleep, which is just an hour more than my average regular sleep.

Of course I skipped dinner albeit unintentionally,  but I had a midnight meal of instant rice meal - a Thai Red Curry, which I never thought existed.

I haven't gone back to sleep yet since my waking up from my "supposed" nap. It'd be nice to have a normal and healthy sleep pattern. Besides the basic benefits, I need to get rid of my eyebags. I look like a panda minus the cuteness.

Now Playing: Cocco - Raining

A Breakfast to Remember

This was taken when Erika and I had breakfast together. I think that was the first. On the last day of the month of June and the last day of the first half of the year, apparently.

It was quite a memorable moment. No. It was really a memorable moment, which lasted for an hour, because during all those time something at the back of my mind was gathering tidbits of memories not related to what Erika and I were talking about.

Also on this day, I confirmed something about my curiosity. My assessment was right and I was glad. I still am.

I ate a lot during this breakfast. Erika too. I had garlic rice and beef tapa with egg as well as macaroni soup. As for my coffee, it was pure black just as I want it to be.

Now Playing: Queenie and Patricia - Sound of Silence

Alien feels

Posted on May 8, taken after attending the Sunday service. I haven't eaten dinner so I got hungry and had to grab something that won't disappoint my tummy and wallet. Thus, Subway..

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When you are tan/morena while all the other customers in the sandwich pub you’re eating at and those passing by outside are yellow-skinned, it’s good to see MontAlbo massage spa just across the street with Baybayin on its signage (though not obvious in this pic). I’m assured that I’m still in the Philippines. ☕

I almost wondered if I was going to see Dr. Kang and Cpt. Yoo as well as Ji and Kim (though the thought of seeing Wang and the younger Kim was more exciting). 

#WhenInMakati.

Thoughts at Cafe de Lipa

This is basically a copy+paste from my IG post last Sunday. Most of them.

I love going to (and of course buying from) homegrown shops. I feel like I’m significantly and consciously contributing to the Philippine economy. 😉 The thought of being another customer of the shop helps the business stay and be sustainable makes me happy. 👍 Although foreign-owned enterprises still provide jobs (Thank you, foreign investors!!), Filipino-owned shops obviously go domestic to get their raw materials, etc., at least mostly. 

If I would spend 💰💰 I’d rather do so on Filipino products. Makes me feel less guilty. 😏 I still buy foreign products but I stick to Filipino First Policy. 😇

Para sa ekonomiya! ☕

It’s also good to know that Cafe De Lipa is still here at Market! Market! Late college days or post-college pa nandito ang shop na ito. It’s been years! Congratulations!! 🎉

Now Playing: IU ft. G-Dragon - Palette

Korean Dinner at Don Day

23 January 2017, Monday.

Just a week after having a Korean dinner with my college mate Angie, I've had another, which was a buffet, and this time with teh family though just Tita and Perry with the driver. It was the latter's treat.

We went to Don Day in Antipolo proper. The largest photo in the collage was my first set. I've added more. As always, I eat more than typical girls. The experience also made me eat more pork than I did in the last decade, or almost. I'm not fond of pork, and I don't eat it saved for some particular situations, but Perry insisted. Not complaining though. Good thing I jogged the day before and on this day's morning. It was very helpful.

Now Playing: Lea Salonga - Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile

Korean Dinner at Ye Dang

16 January 2017. Monday

My college friend Angie messaged me early January inviting me for dinner (or lunch?) because she's been craving for Korean food at the time. Truth be told, another friend of mine invited me for Korean barbecue before Angie did but, even as of writing, I still haven't had Korean barbecue with this another friend of mine. :(

So I did the scouting for Korean restaurant. I remembered seeing some along Meralco Avenue, basically near Metrowalk, whenever I commute. I decided to go for Ye Dang and it was easily agreed with.

There were just the two of us but we ordered as if there were two more people with us. *shrugs*

We ordered a beef dish, which had a very tender meat that I still long for it, and seafood noodle. Oh, we also had an egg dish that was technically an omelette Korean style but I forgot the name. The side dishes were given so we had those. Of course, a Korean meal isn't complete without soju so we had a bottle. The one we had has the face of IU, whom I knew because of The Producers.

We may have had a lot of food but we also had a lot of stories. Well, Angie did the story telling, as she's always had, while I was the good listener. I've always been, or at least mostly, the listener. I enjoyed listening to her but I'm not sharing anything except for the fact that the stories she shared inspired and made me wish I could write a screenplay for it.

Now Playing: Lea Salonga - Reflection

Binondo

I saw this article from Manila Bulletin's Panorama about Binondo that made me long to visit the place as well as others that had been historically significant.

A couple of weeks after reading this, I saw Dr. Crickette's post about "Planning A Binondo Foodtrip." Man, I haven't really thought of going on a food trip in Binondo but the Panorama article and the blog entry caused me a change of heart. Because, why not?

Speaking of change, I decided to invite two groups of my friends for a food trip in Binondo, separately. Both agreed though one eventually made some changes. We'd still have food trip but no longer in Binondo. Doesn't matter, because what's important is that we'll be together having fun.

Now Playing: Idina Mendez - Defying Gravity

Ginseng

I've known for a long time that ginseng has been a favourite of East Asians. But its amazing benefits didn't hit core until I watched a scene from The Producers where Baek Seung-chan, played by Kim Soo-hyun, offered Ra Joon-mo, played by Cha Tae-hyun, a ginseng. It was just an instant drink but it seemed to be still popular and acknowledged.

So I felt happy when I found an instant ginseng, which also had honey. I've also found some that I can just add to water, either hot or cold.

Ginseng should really be one of my regular drinks as it helps against fatigue in a sense that it increases stamina and boosts energy. Plus, it has anti-aging properties. No wonder the Koreans and Chinese love ginseng, with the former topping the "vampires" list of Asia.

Cucumber Shake

I haven't thought of cucumber shake before until I've tried one at a cafe in Intramuros. It was so refreshing that when teh family had lunch a couple of days later, it was what I ordered as soon as I saw it on the menu.

Cucumber shake is just lovely. I already miss having one. I must try making one next time.

Lugaw for Breakfast

I've been eating lugaw or porridge quite often until I got teased about it. I did enjoy having porridge for breakfast, whether with egg or chicken. I should try having both next time.

There is just something exciting and calming about porridge. Perhaps it's just me. Also, it makes me feel more Asian, if there is such a thing.

First Lunch for 2017

I'm not sure if I've mentioned that I've been craving for East Asian foods since last month. I still do. Anyway, Jun Ji-Hyun kind of influenced me that I felt really compelled to eat a Korean dish. However, I couldn't go to an old-school Korean restaurant yet (at the time) so I sufficed myself with a commercial restaurant.

Below was my first lunch of the year: fiery spice bibimbowl from BonChon. I shed tears.

Last dinner in 2016 and first two breakfasts in 2017

It's already 2017 and I've been thinking how to improve myself this year. So I was thinking what were the most recent changes in me, in late 2016 that I'd be carrying into 2017.

For one, I've been eating more northeast Asian foods. Whether Korean or Japanese, I just couldn't get enough of the cuisine. I felt like I'm getting more in touch with my Asian heritage

Because why not? Asians are known for having a diet that helps prevent obesity. My last dinner of 2016 (above) was in Yanagi, a restaurant at Midas Hotel & Casino along Roxas Boulevard. It's obviously a Japanese restaurant but I did not choose it. It was there by default.

I also had a steak but I wasn't able to take a photo. Even so, it was like Japanese style beef steak. Point is, it's still Asian in quality.

Despite the options available and those I've tried, I think I enjoyed and wanted more the fruits.

Asians are known for eating fruits for desserts unlike the Westerns who prefer pastries and sweets. I guess it's one of the reasons why I'm becoming more "Asian" lately. The lifestyle is healthy and simply my bet. Of course Asian countries have pastries too but they just seem different than those in the west.

My first breakfast of the year consisted of lots of yellow foods. Except for the danggit and beef tapa.

I felt good when I ate fruits first before the actual meal. It seemed like I was craving for fruits. Too bad there was no citrus available when I had breakfast.


So I had soft scrambled eggs, slices of hard boiled egg, salted egg, roasted potatoes, a few mushrooms, tomato slices, beef tapa, and fried garlic rice.

My second breakfast of the day was not so Asian. Egg omelette, cucumber slices, tomato slice, lettuce, and five slices of smoked salmon. It wasn't spectacular. I just hope I got enough nutrients with how my breakfast was cooked.



I also had a fresh watermelon juice. I chose it for hydration purposes. But I didn't know it's mega overpriced. Thinking about it, the juice was more expensive than the egg breakfast. Methinks of clarifying the price tomorrow.

Well, I'm going to eat now. Writing about food makes me hungry.

Now Playing: Autumn's Child

Forced Eating

I've been into a lot of forcing myself to eat. I had to, lest I'd suffer other GI conditions. I also want to make sure that despite my loss of appetite, I'm still eating on time or around meal time.

I mentioned yesterday that I've suddenly had my appetite back but it was only for a short period of time. When I got home, it seemed like my appetite was lost again. Still, I ate. I even consumed 12 pieces of kimbob. Yeah, all of those on the right.

Whenever I think about it, I would be reminded of Shim Chung (Jun Ji-hyun) in Legend of the Blue Sea. No appetite, huh? So what happened to those two hard boiled eggs?

Anyway, I'll have to prep now as I'd be heading north. It's been a while since I've been to Pangasinan. The last time was also around Christmas time.

Now Playing: Gackt - Last Song

Conditional Appetite

I've lost some appetite lately that I even found myself not eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner yesterday on time. I had eaten lunch very late, but only because I forced myself to eat. It was the only meal I had yesterday. I don't know what happened. But my loss of appetite seems to have started when I was under the weather last week, which got me absent for two consecutive days.

So I was happy when I suddenly had the urge to eat earlier while I was in SM Taytay. I was already aware that I've lost appetite so I took note of what happened or what I was thinking at the time I had my appetite back. Well, if it had nothing to do with merienda time, I was particularly thinking of someone, whom I've only met yesterday. Also in SM Taytay.

Someone got the attention of the curious cat in me because my encounter yesterday was unusual. I don't want to write further, maybe in another time.

As I've also been thinking of Taiwan, especially Kaohsiung, lately, I decided to have some Korean dumplings which only cost $1 per order.

I've also ordered Bibimbop (?), which is a kimchi maki. I miss eating kimchi. I haven't bought another pack because I'll be going north this next couple of days. I'll just purchase it when I'm back from Pangasinan. But I wish I could go to Baguio before going back to Manila.

Now Playing: Utada Hikaru - Flavour of Life

Sunday Thoughts part-1

Things are taking awfully slow before they could set in, before I could set in. It's annoying and definitely unnecessary.

I wonder if it has something to do with the mandatory need to be totally alone after being with a number of people these past couple of days. They were not unwelcome but, as usual, I just feel the need for total solitude. Well, a dog's presence is not unwelcome.

Perhaps losing my supposed baon today also affected my mood. It sure did until I got to ride the shuttle where there was a trader of packed pancit-malabon, pancit bihon, palabok, and kutsinta. All but the latter, which costs P5 per piece, only cost P15 ($0.30) per pack. I bought a pack of pancit-malabon and pancit bihon. I also purchased two pieces of kutsinta. Having done so, I thought I had a bargain today. At the same time, it made me miss the old-school Filipino community where there used to be traders roaming the streets. Perhaps there still are some or few but the things of the past had a different feel. Maybe thinking about it now gives the different feel.

I have already tried the pancit-malabon. It lacks enough 'sahog' or toppings, which were no surprise, but it still has few slices of hard boiled egg. I was also given a piece of calamansi or Philippine lemon so it's still almost complete. By the way, my P15 as I thought quantity-wise has been sulit. It filled three quarters of a big bowl. Had I asked for more calamansi I might've been very satisfied. I'm not so satisfied only because I want more.

Hopefully, things will be fine after this.

Now Playing: Coldplay - Birds

Sleepless Saturday. Almost.

Saturday gave me a very interesting day. Interesting, this time however, translates to sleepless.

I went straight to HotLG in Pasig City for the end of the 3-day P&F, which was followed by a short meal then on for the Shabbat service. As it was a birthday Saturday for those born in November, there was a special treat for our senior pastor. She was born in November.

The food we had was a typical Filipino carbs on carbs. Yes, literally. Not complaining though. It's our thing. It actually made me wonder how I would have dinner with teh family as we're scheduled for a dinner at SM Aura before watching Annie the musical.

Scrap SM Aura as we went straight to the Newport Mall. I was still full so I only had cappuccino and macadamia cake. I was supposed to have a pistachio cake but turned out it was no longer available.

When I tried the cake, I felt bad for it. It seemed like no one wanted it until it was offered to me (as alternative for the pistachio). It was good. But I guess if no one wanted you it'll show one way or another.

It was a pretty cake. If my digestive system was only at its best last night, I would devour it without a trace. I would even have had a meal. Well, "if."

The cappuccino was pretty frothy. Fine with me. I think it was also the first time I had an art-coffee. However, I fell in love with their cookie. The side cookie. It was so tasty I could cry, but I didn't.

After our dinner at Cafe Maxims, we went straight to the theatre for Annie musical. The last time I watched a musical was back on September 2014 in Baguio.

It was quite a busy day since I left the office so it's obvious that I didn't get to have a proper sleep. I had on and off naps while on the road but that's it.

I think Annie musical was interesting. I was wondering who authored Annie. There was that great depression feels and a looming world war. Or maybe I was just particularly curious from the start. I don't know.

I'm not going to write a review or any reaction about it. Perhaps some other time, if I'm in the mood or if I remember.

This was me after watching Annie and very much longing for bed and sleep. Even now.

Black Pearl Food Trip

Yesterday was Sunday and that meant another visit to Legazpi Sunday Market. This time I was with Eycee. We had an Indonesian meal plus chicken and pork isaw (intestine). Of course the latter was not mine.

I also bought smores and red velvet cakes as they were offered for P100.00 together. Yeah! I just felt like having some sweets to share with my officemates.

Besides Eycee, Jonel was also able to have a share. We ate the cakes while watching Kababalaghan on ABS-CBN. We only watched it because it was hosted by Noli De Castro and, of course, reminiscent of his Magandang Gabi Bayan - All Souls' Day special back in our childhood years.

Now Playing: Eraserheads - Huwag Mo Nang Itanong