My Cutie Little Niece

My 1 year 1.5 months-old niece and still counting...

January 29, 2013
Together with my dad and mom, we were silently watching It Takes Two. When the scene where Steve Gutenberg and Kristie Alley were riding a horse and then the guy bumps his head on a tree, I said "Toinks" and then my niece laughed. She turned to us for confirmation that it was funny, and then we laughed. Not because the scene was funny but because of her laugh. When we laughed, she laughed even more. Cute.

Later that night, she was with my sister. I was playing a game. My niece came closer to me then shouted at me--cause she wants me to set my game aside and pay attention to her. Again, Cute.

January 30, 2013
My mom was making her food. While waiting for it, my sister was feeding her pieces of macaroni from the salad. When my mom was finished preparing the baby food, she called the attention of my niece still chewing a little piece of macaroni. Guess what she did---she lifted up her hand---just like a stop sign. Smart.

Later in the afternoon, my mom was taking care of her. She let my niece climb up the stairs. My niece stopped at the landing then suddenly moved her mouth ( like how you would say "pap-pap-pap-pap"). My puzzled mother didn't understand what my niece was trying to tell her, so she got a flashlight and asked my niece to say "Ah". My niece did what she was told. But she still didn't stop moving her mouth the same way.
Suddenly she took a piece of paper and showed it to my mom. And then my mom understood--my niece showed her a pizza hut brochure. Again, Smart. My sister confirmed that we still had left-over pizza(from the day before). They reheated it and they gave some of it to my niece

Different times

January 31, 2013

7:00 am
It was just an ordinary day---or so I thought. I was running late because I had to blowdry my hair. I know that I could still make it in time for work so I had no worries.

7:30 am
Another long line of passengers. I didn't have to wait long. It was my turn to seat. Seats were filled up and we're on our way. After the first 10 meters, the driver started asking the passengers who gave him a 100php.
I didn't pay any heed to what he was saying because I know for myself that I'm not involved--I gave him the exact fare. Nobody replied so the driver kept on rambling.

8:00 am
I was nearing my stop when I learned what the driver was really angry about. Apparently a passenger gave him half of a 100-peso bill. He didn't notice it immediately so he gave the exact change.

Times are really different these days. Even the mere jeepney drivers are victims. They're honestly earning for their families but some people are just cruel doing something petty like that. And to think that the culprit was an old woman. Not old old, but 40s to 50s old and still able to work. ***sigh***

Best Lasagna

Enough of those "lasagna" that are actually disappointing at first glance. Honestly, 2 short lasagna pasta with tons of bechamel sauce can hardly be called as "lasagna".

For the longest time, I have been on the quest of finding the best-tasting commercially sold lasagna ( for my taste buds, at least) and so far,  for me, it's the beef lasagna at the House of Lasagna located at Q.Ave. Centris.

Beef Lasagna @ 200php

Carbonara Lasagna @ 200php

 I knew only of their lasagna when they offered a "Buy One Take One" promo for their newest branch on one group-buying site that I check everyday. I searched for reviews and behold, they also have a branch in San Juan. Most people say that it's good so I decided to purchase two vouchers. Two--just in case it really tasted good. Sadly, it did taste great and I wished that I bought two more. Oh well, better luck next time.

For my first visit, I used one of my vouchers with SS. The beef and carbonara lasagna were really good. We also ordered their 2-pc Southern Fried Chicken ( I forgot the price..approximately 100-150php). I've read in some blogs that House of Lasagna is owned(??) by Sunburst chicken (another yummy fried chicken joint in Cebu) so I had high expectations for this. I was only disappointed..the fried chicken was dry and small. Totally different from the juicy, big fried chicken of Sunburst. The second visit was with my officemate, a.k.a. food trip buddy. Since she's a lasagna lover, she absolutely loved it. And the rest is history.

Last Friday, January 26, 2013, I went there with SS for my third visit. Since I've tasted two flavors of their lasagna, I decided to try other items in their menu. I ordered 1 Salpicao (350php) served with salad and rice and an order of Baked Mac and Cheese (200php). SS ordered 1 beef lasagna (200php) since he's really a fan of it :)

Prior to serving the beef, they served the salad and I really liked it. I believe the dressing was made with tomato ketchup with a hint of sweetness(maybe honey) and spiciness(hot sauce, i think). Who would've thought that ketchup goes great with greens, right? Anyway, I consumed it in less than 10 mins. (Sorry no pic for the salad, I was waiting for SS when I ate it. And SS had the camera)

Then came the salpicao. I was expecting a large serving. I only got a large plate, with a mini cup of rice and a generous serving of beef. The beef was good though-tender and perfectly seasoned. In my opinion, the price was a bit high, nonetheless, I enjoyed it...so I guess that could make up for it.

I was not through with my salpicao, when my baked mac n cheese came. A+ for the presentation but I was expecting a more homey taste for my baked mac. I guess they used another type of cheese aside from cheddar.

Finally, the beef lasagna came. It is still on the top of my list, even better--they serve an unlimited basket of garlic bread for every order! :)

They still live up to their claim in being the Best Lasagna in Town!

* I revisited this last October 19, 2013 and I tried their Calamari @ 180php. It's coating was crisp and I loved the mayo-mustard dip(I wished they filled up that small ramekin)

Preliminary post

^^This is going to be a busy busy(not to mention expensive) 2013 for me. Lots of work to do, lots of places to visit, lots of restaurants to eat at. I hope everything works out.

^^I'm currently saddened by the fact that I might not be able to purchase my dream jigsaw puzzle - 1000 pcs. Joy of Autumn Leaves (winnie the pooh). I sure hope that they'd still produce it. It's a very challenging piece. Hues of yellows, oranges, and browns - I'd love to put it together. I hope some puzzles with Peter Ellenshaw's works of art would find their way here in the Philippines

^^It's a chilly January. I hope the chill would lessen when February comes so that I could enjoy my trip to Coron, Palawan.

^^I also hope that by first week of July, there would be lots of sunshine so that my trip to Bohol would be extra fun.

So, I really hope that everything will fall into place.