10 Things I can do now that Magkaribal is OVER!

I am not ashamed to admit that I really enjoyed Magkaribal. I have never really been a fan of teleseryes because I can’t stand the overacting that most local actors do. But somehow, I was (unbelievably) drawn to Magkaribal.

I don’t know if it was because Gretchen Barretto was just controversial that I just wanted to watch, or that it was shot in places in Divi that I’ve been to. But I realize how you kinda get drawn into the story…it’s like a drug (or a mac) once you start, you can’t go back. Hahaha!

So it was with great delight that the hubby found out that last Friday, the 5th of Nov 2010, was the LAST day of the show. I was delighted as well — as I realize I can live *normally* again.

And what can I finally do “normally” now that Magkaribal is finally over?

1. watch movies with the hubby!
2. make better reviewers (P prefers homemade reviewers than those I download)
3. work
4. sleep sleep sleep
5. blog more
6. exercise more!
7. have time with the hubby for dates
8. read more
9. surf more
10. and in general, have more time to do other more worthwhile things!

But don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Magkaribal a lot, but I’m glad it’s over too!

The Best Meal we had in that part of 中国

…was along this night market street.

Of course, before everything else, we *had* to have 奶茶, which is certainly creamier than what we get in Manila!

We joined the (seemingly) millions of Chinese (well, maybe a few hundreds only. It just felt like there were so many of them! Imagine Megamall on a Sunday!) shopping and eating. Here were our finds.
We stopped at this shawarma place (of course, I realize now that the shawarma can’t be seen. Olats.) which had chicken shawarma, Chinese style. The roll had cabbage, and the wrap was different…not as thick and it went around several times.

This is what was left of it because I forgot to take a picture. We were starving.

Right beside that, there was a lady who made noodles (we skipped her) and one who grilled veggies and meat. AMAZING!

We got eggplant (I’m tempted to say aubergines because they look sooooo good!), fresh shitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, chicken, mutton. Ay, ang sarap.
Here are the happy campers.

Somewhere along the way, we found this scallion pancake. There are no words to describe how good!! This picture does no justice.

There were candied fruits too, but we didn’t try them. They looked so pretty so I had to take a picture!

Certainly one night to remember!!

North American Groceries

Once, S and I were talking about groceries in North America. He told me that he loved shopping there because the shelves were endless! Imagine an entire lane of just cereal, or pet food, or ice cream! So one of the places I wanted to hit in Vancouver just had to be the grocery. And Save On Foods was the first one we went to.

See these apples? They’re called Grapples. And, just what, are grapples, you ask? They’re apple (imagine small fuji apples) that taste like grapes. YES they do!!! I brought home a pack of 4 and my kids loved it! (Wish they had them here!)

 Look at this — bread. So much variety!!

And they have a place where you can buy bulk-anything!

I think this is the nuts portion

Dried fruits –

Jellybeans till you’re tired of them!

More candy!

Even spices!

Our favorite…Ms Vickie’s!

I thought this was cool — a surprise in the bag!

And ooooh, the ice cream!

The brands of just one product are so much! So many things to choose from! And I didn’t even take pictures of detergent, or floor cleaner…it was so fun in the grocery!

Lent

Last Christmas, I went to (nearly) all Advent Masses because P said that his CLE (Christian Living Education) teacher advised that they should go to Mass during all Sundays of Advent. In an attempt to be supportive, I went with him, took K so that S would have no choice but to join us as well. It worked.

More than that, we did the Jesse Tree over December, I never felt “back in the fold” as I did then.

I’m so Proud!

Because we had guests who arrived last week for my brother-in-law’s wedding last weekend, we were so busy! They started arriving in groups last Wednesday. And this was why we missed this:

Guilt

During this entire Ondoy and Pepeng experiences, there was one prominent word that I felt — guilt. However, it was something I couldn’t (and still can’t!) process.

I felt guilty that the people in so many places lost their homes. I felt guilty I couldn’t give more (there’s a point when you just have to give and it hurts — been there several times). I felt guilty I was thinking of business while people are sardined in evacuation centers. I felt guilty that I couldn’t join my friends in our breastfeeding missions. I felt guilty that I was still living my life normally (save for our basement, lol!) while so many people stopped their lives (for weeks!) to help out.

Beijing Part 2: Inside the Forbidden City

After walking what felt like hours in this place, I know now why it’s called the Forbidden City. It was so huge, it forbids people to from wanting to walk to see the emperor. LOL!

I actually forgot to put sunscreen on the neck so I had a huge ring around my chest, where my shirt’s collar was. Hahaha!

Beijing (Part 1) Subtitled: Exploring the Land of My Forefathers

I am Filipino by birth and Chinese by heritage. When a Singaporean friend ask me several years back what I would say if someone asked me if I were Chinese or Filipino, what would I say? I automatically said, “Filipino”. She said that she would, in the same vein, say “Singaporean”. (She’s Chinese by heritage as well.)

On the one hand, we, who are “not exactly” Pinoy and “not exactly” Chinese, have been blessed to have both worlds. On the other hand, it is also difficult because I have personally experienced being called “different” by other Pinoys.

Mambobola!

So, general rules at the table is no toys — if my father-in-law’s around.

And he isn’t.

So yesterday, K brought some two transformers to dinner. After the meal, he asked Ate N to hold them for him as he was preparing to go back to the room.

I said, “K, you brought them him, you should carry them back yourself.”

10 years na kami

10 years.

S and I have been married for 10 years.  We had known each other 13 prior to that.  We’ve known each other for more than half our lives.  We felt it best to celebrate by renewing our vows.