PhotoHunt: Wet

It's been ages since I participated in the weekly Photo Hunt blogging. I can see in my Facebook newsfeed entries of fellow photo hunters and I got encouraged to share in today's theme - wet.

Why not, it's raining cats and dogs. There is no need for me to browse on our summer pictures at the beach or pool. I just needed to step out and take a picture of this plant with pink flowers. Sorry, I don't know what this is called but I like it.

Well yes, I took this using my ipad, so it kinda got wet too. Haha! But no worries, the ipad is fine. :D

I love looking at those droplets of water ever since I was a child. It's soothing for me. I feel refreshed whenever it rains. I love the cold breeze the rain gives.  I am thinking the plants, flowers feel the same way too. 

A Friend's Treat at Hanamaruken Ramen

Two weeks ago I met with my friends for a lunch treat. It was a belated birthday celebration by Cookie.  It was a Monday and I had to attend to my work but good enough I was able to squeeze meeting them over ramen and coffee afterwards.

I am not a ramen person even if it's freezing cold (which rarely happens in my country anyway). I haven't tried any ramen place except Ramen X with these set of friends also. But two of them, Chats and Cookie are hot noodles fans. Finally I was able to go to Hanamaruken Ramen where Cookie often visits.

I was happy with what I was having so I did not check this out but it really looks inviting. Big serving, and I mean big! It was shared by Cess and Chats. It's called Happiness Ramen, recommended by the celebrator. Yes, our two friends attested that it was indeed happiness to have ordered shoyu tonkotsu ramen with pork rib.

Happiness Ramen

We partook of these dumplings - Gyoza. I was thinking though I will like it better if there's a bit of crispiness.

Gyoza

Julie had these very appetizing Drunk Man Rice Bowl. Next time this is what I will order....well, after my Project 115. Haha! I was supposed to order this but changed my mind. I like the braising sauce and the tenderness of the pork cubes, and of course, the eggs!

Drunk Man Rice Bowl

This is what I ordered. Happiness Rice Bowl - braised pork rib on top of white rice. I'm not adventurous when it comes to food so I go with what is familiar when I am new in a dining place. I am often correct. I love this! So tasty!

Happiness Rice Bowl

I was not able to take a picture of what Cookie ordered. But I sure savored the time spent with my good friends! I miss them!

Us, toying with Cookie's monopod at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Yes, our pictures are still courtesy of Cookie. :D

The mommies toying with the monopod at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Hanamaruken Ramen.
Cess, Chats, Cookie, Julie, and me!:)

Hanamaruken Ramen
2/F Trinoma Mall, 
720-9283/628-1603

Get-together with My College Friends

It's 2014! Well, yes, it's been three weeks if I may remind myself. It's been really busy. A lot of things are going on in my life and I am just thankful for that. I'd really be dragging posting here if I will go back to the 1st day of January up to today to chronicle what's been happening. I'll get to those as soon as possible. :)

Let me just start my first post for 2014 about my meet-up with my college friends. It was really not on schedule.  As it is often said, unplanned events push through most of the time. This is generally true for me and my friends.

Last Saturday, Jan. 18, my friend and I agreed to meet at McDonald's in Makati because she will be accompanying us to the seamstress who will do my daughter's prom gown. We were on time. My daughter and I were really happy with the way the seamstress entertained us, with her suggestions and comments. I was happy too because the printed design was really clear and the dressmaker readily understood what I want to happen. She is a seasoned clothier.

Our original plan is to go back to the mall and have some ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. But my friend told me our balikbayan friend is on the way to the mall to meet us. It was such a perfect timing so I agreed right away.  I was excited to see all my friends as well as the little son of our friend.  They're residents of the Netherlands and will just be staying in the Philippines for a couple of months.

I can't recall anymore the last time we were with our balikbayan friend, about eight or nine years I guess.  The last thing I know she went to Netherlands with our other friend.

Here we are now.  Still looking young and everyone's happily busy with our own lives.  But as we say, friendship surpass distance.  We need not be together all the time but we know in our hearts we are friends in the truest sense, forever.

Well, the balikbayan gave us a treat at Banapple. My daughter and I were there just recently but we only had their banoffee and slow-cooked chicken sandwich. My daughter and I tried their pasta. They're good!

Lasagna roll-ups, P180

The lasagna roll-ups is delicious! My daughter loved it! It's so creamy.

Fettuccine Magnifico, P170

I had the fettuccine magnifico and I like it.  Well, how can one still go wrong with something as basic as this? :)  It's actually aglio olio.

Terrific Tuna Sandwich, P130

Our friend ordered this sandwich to share with her son. He preferred bread than pasta or rice meals. 

Breaded Fillet  of Cream Dory with  Honey Thyme Mustard Sauce, P185

This is cream dory tastes a lot like what I prepare for lunch.  Nothing really special but I must say Banapple is generous with rice.

Baked Fish Gratinee with Scalloped Potatoes, P185

Again, this baked fish tastes just fine. I'd say though I like this better than the one with mustard sauce.

Banoffee Pie, P95/slice, Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake, P100/slice

And for dessert, we had our cakes!  They're okay.  I'm  not into banoffee. My daughter loves it. The chocolate cake lacks the moistness I want in my cake.

And yes, we love the loots our friend gave us. :) 

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Chateau Melk Chocolade

And since I am a certified chocoholic, this is my favorite among all the pasalubongs of our friend. :) 

My friends and I plan to meet again some time in April for the christening of my friend's daughter.  I really hope our schedules are all okay so we can have a get-together again and celebrate with our families.  :)