Life and Flavors: December 2010

oh shucks, my blog already turned 1 year and I didn't even notice it. How chorva. But anyway, wassap wassap wasssap world??? It's like how many days before Christmas and I don't even have a plan yet. I'll just sort something out, maybe two days before. I love being stressed out. I'm planning on making a Pate for christmas covered in puff pastry, but UGH, im so lazy to do puff pastry and I don't have trust to those things that you see in the grocery.

So, two-three weeks ago, I flew back to Manila to finally arrange my Spanish Visa for my internship this coming January. Met a few nice people back from the days and some new ones as well. Carlo invited me to her sister's home in Ayala Greenfields, situated right at the mountainous area of Mt. Makiling, Laguna. Fresh surroundings, warm lovely home. And so I met Kuya Dan and Ate Joy and their kids. This family know their food, they've been eating around the world and all that, and it's really nice to know people like them. They knew that I went to Le Cordon Bleu and so they showed me their kitchen....oh boy, it felt like I was drawn back to school. Their kitchen is very french. Probably the best French Home Kitchen i've been to. La Cornue ovens, stoves and rotisserie, those are one of the few things that would welcome you, once you enter the kitchen. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Thank you guys!!!

drawers filled with dry produce

cast iron pans

hard wood counter top

the oven of all ovens!

gadgets

All mommy wanted was a back rub!

view from the patio

gossippp! haha sino kaya

fresh herbs: rosemary, tarragon, basil, lemongrass and chives

curry for dinner

Ate Joy was too kind to do the cooking

Kuya Dan

ate, joy, agnes and eli

nice home

playing with juggling balls from Guatemala

carlo and egg roll

Next thing was the Annual UGL Party. UGL or Underground Logic being one of the best media companies in the Philippines annually celebrates their Christmas Party. Many well known people attend this party and so am I. kidding. But it was my first time at a UGL party, I saw old faces and people back in college. Reunited and drank with them. Innocently, I didn't remember a thing the next morning and was just vomiting toxins from the alcohol intake from last night. BUT IT WAS FUNNN!!!! overflowing alcohols and food and beer and food and everything and FOOD. THANKS!

you literally fight for your way in and out!

groupie moment. We had to! She was just beside us. Armi of Up Dharma Down.

long lost girl, found. Baretz

poch, eena, baretz, maria and Ge. Long time guys

people I haven't seen for so long

CARLY! Been years!

my alter ego.Monty. hahahah. You may recognize him from a popular band, Mayonnaise.

bruno mars!!!

long lost friend. Kyle WATERSSSS!

CARLY!

awesome night GHELS

Third event was our Annual Christmas Party with my best friends. Christmas Kringle theme was to give something "STUPID but Useful". WTH right??? Saw all of my friends except for two people who have been emotionally missing LOL. But it was all good. Fun night. We went karaoke our lungs out and played rock band and card games. For old time's sake. I just love my friends.

kretchie

madame RJ

Honami

alicia keys and katy perry in the house. hahahahah

so serious about the rock band

one of the most stupid but useful gifts of the night! Ice Cream Shower Cap

teh of the night

stupid but useful gifts

our host-ess. chos.

releasing our inner diva. hahaha

music couple

EO - he "WAS" one of our college crushes. hahahaha.

karaoke for old time's sake

yeeh i love my crowd.

party hats from the grocery.

Let me ask, how is Christmas like in your country? Philippines is a Catholic country so it's extra special for us. We have a long tradition of attending "Misa de Gallo" or Rooster's Mass from December 16 until the 24th. It starts at 4:30 in the morning. A completed 9 days of Misa de Gallo is equivalent to a wish come true. And so my friend asked me, are you attending the dawn mass? I said "OF COURSE...NO!" hahaha. It's just too traditional for me. I can't wake up that early. But going around Manila, the street decors, mall displays are fascinating!!! i love christmas.

greenbelt lights