I'm so so so sooo in love with this song! I always hear this wherever mall I go but I just can't seem to know the title and the singer so when I stumble upon this video on a random blog hopping, gee to my delight!



Rock my world into the sunlight
Make this dream the best I've ever known
Dirty dancing in the moonlight
Take me down like I'm a domino

Every second is a highlight
When we touch don't ever let me go
Dirty dancing in the moonlight
Take me down like I'm a domino 

Strict To Dos

I was blog hopping this morning when I got into this site and oh I was inspired! I have been feeling bored lately and I know I just have to inject something new in my life once in a while to avoid exhaustion. I have been trying to accomplish a list of my TO DOs for this year and I don't know but I can't seem to focus and finish it--including ALL things I want to try. So when I was browsing her site, I stumbled upon her list of To Dos and thought I could use it too. I blocked the things I commit to do before this year ends and added some items I personally and wholeheartedly challenge myself to accomplish as well. 

1.Discover a new cuisine, or eat something you've never tried before.

   > I am not sure why I am highlighting this item but I yes, I will try my best to do this. FYI: I am such a picky eater and trying something new (i.e. ewwiii foodies) is one of the greatest challenges I have to face (lol on that).

2. Invest in a business or idea that you believe in.

 (I already have one in mind but that would still take years. Gotta save!)

3. Expose yourself to a different kind of religion or belief.

  > Just to widen my perspective in life.

4. Make a new friend.

5. Make peace with someone who has hurt you in the past and let go of all negativity.

  (I guess I'm not ready to forgive yet but sure I have lost all negativity I had.)

6. Smile at all the street kids and beggars you see.

  > Don't judge me. I don't feel like doing this just because some (if not all) I encounter are the type who abuses when shown with even the littlest kindness. Sorry, I just don't like to entertain. I'm such a coward, especially when I'm alone someplace.

7. Say yes to all invitations.

  >This is scary, lol. but no, seriously, I have a kid and I would rather spend my free time with her than go out. Unless it's that irresistible.

8. Shut off your phone for one weekend.

  > Well, only if I'm with Jay and the rest of my family, yes of course.

9. Fight for a cause.

 > Still have to see what cause would it be, but I am most happy to be part of something meaningful.

10. Have a date with yourself: eat out and watch a movie in the cinema alone.

 > I tried eating out a couple of times already but not watch a movie in the cinema alone. Challenge. 

11. Sit down and have your portrait sketched.

 > I imagine this to be on one of the streets of Europe but I don't think that's possible this year, so maybe I'll include in this list to 12. find a place here in Manila where I can have my fez sketched (mall not counted).

13. Learn a new sport.

  >Boxing? I'm thinking of what sport to learn. I have tried table tennis, softball, soccer, basketball and I know volleyball, swimming and badminton. What can you suggest?

14. Plan a fun day together and ask your crush out on a date.

> How can I get to John Lloyd Cruz, anyone?LOL

15. Donate half of your income this month to charity.

 > Half is a number. I will, but maybe on a different way. 

16. Take art lessons.

 > I have always wanted to! Imma get back to painting, or sketching Or maybe I finally get into that workshop I have always dreamed of joining into.

17. Have your fortune read.

18. Hop on a provincial bus and go on a random day-trip adventure!

 > YES please!

19. Do a juice or fruit cleanse.

20. Purchase an artwork.

 > I'll purchase my own house first so I can hang them all.

21. Write a letter to the teacher who changed your life in high school or college.

22. Write a book.

 > I still have that unfinished story I have written back in High school. I aim to finish it before this year ends.

23. Get an Organ Donor Card.

24. Get a tattoo.

 > I badly want to get my first tattoo on my birthday next year that I already have pegs, but this is still under major thinking. hurrrr~

25. Go 100% organic.

26. Say what you think and feel, and don't lie or sugarcoat.

> I will. One of these days, I'll make another entry for just laying all out on the table. 

27. Invent a 30-day challenge for yourself and see it to completion.

28. Collaborate on a project with a stranger.

29. Open a bank account specifically for your travel fund.

30. Compilation of Amber's pictures 

> No scrapbooks please. I want it to look like a coffee table book~for kids.lol

31. Watch a theater play

32. Make an art piece at least once a week.

> Yes, once a week. I should start being strict on this or else I'll get rusty all the way. 

33. Visit at least three beaches I have never been to

> I'm eyeing Anawangin, Pagudpod and Coron!

34. Finish at least three books you can add to your collection

>Game of Thrones please!

35. Make another list and start from the top! :)

These are the things I have thought of challenging myself to do for the rest of the year. I hope to add more to this list soon! 

Bisou xx,

Raine

Amber Attends Her First Kiddie Party!

Last Saturday, March 10 we attended my boss' twin's first birthday party at McKinley Hills Village Clubhouse. I was excited because it was Amber's first birthday party to attend to. And since Amber's birthday is fast approaching, it makes me giddy to see more party ideas I could use for my little one's first birthday bash. 

Amber wasn't in the mood during those shots hence the long chubby face~lol. But Amber is such a happy baby, she loves seeing kids running around her! She smiles at everyone, so not me!lol. Aww I guess this is the start of attending kiddie parties and throwing one! I'm enjoying every bit of this. :))

Eat Like Vikings Do

Most people would think that buffets are God's gift to people doesn't mind spending hours and hours eating.  I say, it's His gift to people like me who is takaw-mata. Jay and I complements each other when it comes to food. I tend to be impulsive on ordering foods that physically appeals to me and most of the time I regret it. So Jay has to consume those that I can no longer take. Well, not always of course. 

We've been eyeing this buffet restaurant for quite some time already so we thought Vday is the perfect time to finally give it a push. As you may already guessed, we were too late in making reservations. Vday is already fully booked. Also, it came to me that it's not really a good idea for me who has an early morning shift to go on a dinner buffet in the middle of the week. So Friday it was. They we're strict on time. When you make a reservation for 7pm, 7pm you have to be there or they will cancel your slot. This is to give chance to people in line who didn't make any reservation. Good thing we made it through Friday rush hour traffic!

Fellas, welcome to Vikings!

The interior is classy and detailed I must say. Their stations are designed as boats with helmets and armors you see on TV that vikings use. There are different kinds of shells beautifully arranged on every station to add an ocean feel to the place. You can also seat near windows overlooking Manila Bay, but I guess they are reserved to groups and families.

You can choose from different fruit juices, sodas and wines (I think). They even have unlimited beer for everyone!

If you are a fan of Japanese food you can get crazy here for they have a wide variety of sushi and sahimi. They even have a huge fresh tuna at the center of the Japanese cuisine station carved for everyone. Among those, I only had shrimp tempura so I can't tell you if their sushis and sashimis are good. I am not a fan, sorry. They are very well presented, though. 

I can ignore other stations but not this! They have wide variety of desserts--from kakanin, halo-halo to cakes, ice creams, panacottas and more. They also have fresh fruits you can choose from. I was sad, though because they didn't have fresh strawberries for chocolate fountain dipping. But oh well, all other compensated for it so I was still a happy girl.

Jay had an avocado ice cream and it was the best! Seriously. I told him I'll have it last because I was currently 

in a food coma then. But to my dismay, it was all gone when Jay came back to get me some. HUHUHUH. I just had a taste of it and then it was gone. The saddest part is that they do it from scratch, it's their own recipe so I can't find it somewhere else. Truly heartbreaking. Oh well. I have eaten too many good foods to feel bad.

Next time we promise to stay until the closing time--lol. If you are interested, you might wanna check out their site at http://vikings.ph/ for the menu and rate. I suggest you make a reservation because they really get full and you don't wanna wait outside in line. Remember, it's a buffet so people are going to make the most out of what they paid for, even staying up until the closing time. And as I have said earlier, they are strict on time, so be there before your reserved time so your slot won't be given to others. The foods are good but not great. But I guess that's no brainer when it comes to buffet restaurants. You might wanna check it out and tell me how you find it. 

Bisou, xx

Raine

NOMNOMNOM HAPPY FOOD!

Hey there!

Remember the restaurant in Tomas Morato I was talking about here? I have finally got the chance to visit it and try their food just last Valentine's day! And cheezuz, the place is lovely. It was a small restaurant with a homey ambiance. It was exactly my kind of place--private, rustic and creative.

Jay and I planned to have a late Vday celebration for this year because 1.) 14th is a Tuesday so I don't feel like going home late and having to wake up so early for work the next day, 2.) it will definitely be TRAFFIC and 3) our initial choice of place (which is worth another entry) was already fully booked. So Jay made a reservation on Friday instead and decided to just have coffee or afternoon snack after my work on the 14th. But because I change my mind just like, I remembered this restaurant and thought that maybe it was the perfect time to finally pay it a visit. That, therefore gave us a chance to celebrate twice for the this year's Vday! 

Knowing that people will be all over every restaurant in the metro on Valentine's day, I asked Jay to make a reservation for us on this restaurant so we are sure to be accommodated. Good thing it wasn't mainstream and that we arrived early, the place isn't crowded--yet. I was still able to take pictures of the place without being shy-lol. okay, enough of my preludes and let me take you to-tantananannnnnnnnn: NOMNOMNOM Happy Food!!

The place is so tumblr-ish. If you have tumblr account you know what I'm talking about. Oh my, I just love everything about the place! So homey and laid-back, I wanted a place like this of my own. From the bird cages to the roughly painted tables and chairs, I swear I fell in love with the place. The colors blue and white that dominated the interior gives you a feeling of no intimidation at all. And the food? Ahh yes, I almost forgot.

Their food is great, really a happy food. Since it's a Vday, they have a course arranged if you would like to avail. Sadly, their Malinomnom pizza isn't part of any of the packages for Vday and that's what Jay really wanted to try. So we opted to order whatever we like from their regular menu instead. In that case, we are not restricted to whatever is prearranged from their Vday promo packages. 

We had two different pastas and they are both equally good, and I also love the rosemary bread that comes with it. The chicken lollipops were a bit burnt but nevertheless are tasty and crunchy. Their 'Malinomnom' pizza is comprised of all Filipino ingredients such as kesong puti, tinapa, itlog na pula, etc. and also very good. Also, I especially like their flavored strawberry iced tea. Too bad their macarons and tea combo that I really wanted to try wasn't available that night. But we had a sumptuous dinner, nonetheless.  <33

With such a lovely ambiance and good food, I am definitely going back! It's kind of out of my way but with a place like that, I don't really mind. Next time, macarons and tea will have to be available for me! lol. If you wanna come to their place, you may first want to check their site for more information, they even have map as to where they are located exactly. 

Nomnomnom Happy Food

Unit 2, Lower ground Floor, GYY Building

1 Tomas Morato cor. E. Rodriguez, Sts., Quezon City

**Sorry for crappy photos. I had to use my phone for the mean time. 

LOVE VIBE

"Panahon na naman ng pag-ibig..."

LOL.  

Baduy and cheesy I know, but really that's what I remember first thing when love month arrives. ALWAYS. I guess that's one weird fact about me: a song affect me with a great deal like this. If you're not familiar with it, well it's a song by Rivermaya, entitled Panahon na naman. I first heard it during high school at the school gym. My memory can somehow picture that moment which was 7 years ago (?) but fails to provide the details. Anyhow, only that line from above is what I remember from the whole song together with the feeling of a good vibe. Though I never been in a relationship when I was in high school, I felt no bitterness. Swear. For me, it's like Christmas where the air blows you a sense of sentimentality and a feeling of anticipation. Though, technically there's nothing to look forward to, haha~feeling lang. Basta. 

So now that the song is once again ringing constantly in my head and the calendar hits the love month, I succumb to mushiness. Let it be, I am so not like this some other time of the year, LOL. I think you should, too. Savor the mood this month brings regardless of your status. Instead of endless sighs and a long face, go get your self inspired and shoo away the bitterness with these songs currently played on repeat mode on all my players--lol.

I know they are mainstream and most probably you have heard them on the airwaves or seen their video wherever many times now but admit it, it did hit you as itdid hit me big time. I am hoping that one of the lines of these songs would replace Panahon na naman in my head whenever February comes--lol. Valentine's just e around the corner! What are your plans? I hope you all enjoy. Spread the love vibe! *_*

Bisou,


Raine

To the Real World

This year opened with so many things to be grateful for. One of which is me landing on my very first job! Howyeahh~!! Ever since I got back from giving birth, I immediately started looking for work mindlessly. Yup, you heard it right, mind.less.ly. And only a day after my first online application, I started getting calls and one thing I know I'm already attending interviews. Sadly, every interview I get I realized it's not what I want. One by one, I started turning offers down. Don't get me wrong, it's just that I really want to land on something I believe to be truly what I deserve. Besides, I only want my first job to be a great experience for me. I am not rushing anyway and honestly my mom doesn't like the idea of me working as early as now because of Amber. So I told myself I'll wait for the right one to come. 

And indeed waiting did not fail me! I say hello to the real word! To TAX! To the company I waited for almost half a year!LOL

If I hadn't been updating lately it is because I have no time to open my laptop as soon as I get home from work. My office is far from where I live, like real far. But for my own safety I refuse to say from where to where I travel every single day, but if you know where I live it's no brainer. It would be my third week next week and I'm still processing everything about work. It's kind of scary because it's high level and I'm afraid to make mistakes. Howzaaah~~~newbie jitters, LOL. Thank God I have nice colleagues, especially my fellow new hires who are fresh grads too. 

So please be patient with me. I promise to update at least once a week. 

See you around!

Bisou xx,

Raine