Sans The Sugarcoating

I would be lying if I didn’t say I expected a bouquet of roses or chocolates this Valentine’s Day. Given the circumstances, I learned that there are more important things than teddy bears and serenades. There’s a higher form of love that cannot be expressed by material things.

It’s not the one between me and my boyfriend, it’s the one between him and his family.

A rose from the restaurant’s staff

The first thing I did today was go to St. Luke’s to visit Joren who spend the night there. He was looking after a family member who has been sick for some time now. We couldn’t have dinner out today since he had to look after his siblings so we had lunch out instead.

Burgoo has the most edible Ceasar salad. Why? Because it doesn’t taste like leaves and I love the parmesan cheese on it. Definitely something people who don’t usually eat veggies (like me) should try.

Top: Shrimp Arrabbiata; Bottom: Shrimp & Ribs Platter

School went on as usual except our classes were cut short. Before our second class, the boys of our block surprised us girls with roses and balloons - which they popped! There were petals inside. Anyway, it was a sweet gesture.

Ended the day with a turbo chicken and pizza dinner at the Villanos together with his siblings. Hope you guys enjoyed your Valentine’ Day! :)

11:03PM, Feb 14 2012 29 | Comment?

Out of the Cold

And into the warm weather of Manila!

The family got home Monday night after a grueling 7-hour trip from La Union. Traffic was a killer but even though I was still a bit tired I went out with Joren the day after to celebrate our 14th month and exchange gifts.

We had lunch at Pho Hoa. He ordered rice noodles and I was hoping to eat my favorite glazed chicken but it was unavailable (Boo!) so I got beef tenderloin instead.

We exchanged gifts in the car. I wasn’t sure he’d like what I got him. I was sure he’d like the leather-y texture but I was apprehensive about the chocolate color. The verdict? He loved it! :)

Sweet treat for my sister at home

I’ll post my Christmas gifts and finds on some other post including what he got me in exchange. :)

06:40PM, Dec 28 2011 22 | Comment?

Spending the last day before school with Joren. Off to Friuli Trattoria!

05:01PM, Nov 07 2011 8 | Comment?

There’ll Never Be Another You

The thing about blogging is that I do it to preserve memories since at my age, I already have the memory of an old lady. Well, not quite but you get the picture. So forgive me if I tend to vomit words a lot but the memory of our first anniversary is one I definitely never want to forget. ♥ Okay, all you mushy-touchy-feely-love haters can leave now. Hahaha.

The family, Gian, Den and the both of us were set to leave on the 27th - for a trip I have yet to blog about. >.< - so a celebration on the 27th was out of the question.

He surprised me with tickets to the Black Eyed Peas concert on the 25th, claiming it was the first part of his master plan for our anniversary then he borrowed my iTouch during the concert and wrote a note with the heading “5 Minutes Before You Sleep.”

Although I was itching to read it, I did the good girl thing and waited until I was about to sleep and this is what it said…

After I read it, the first thing I thought was: “So that’s why he was asking me if I knew who Jigsaw was!” Hahaha. I set out to find the “gift” with the help of my friends who were sleeping over.

I found this little invite in front of his Star Wars Saga DVD Collection which I borrowed from him and have kept for like, a year now I think. :)) I couldn’t help feeling giddy like a little girl crushing on a boy for the first time all over again.

On the 26th, he picked me and my friends up at SMX Convention Center after the PFW Sony Design Fusion show and took us to the Podium. My friends ate at Cafe France while he & I had dinner at House of Wagyu.

Can you tell how happy I was?

The restaurant was one he and his family frequents so I often heard about it though I never thought he’d actually take me there! It was a very pleasant surprise.

It was around 9 in the evening already so we were the only ones there. It couldn’t have gotten more date-like. XD

Before the main course, we had Pumpkin Soup which I’ve heard was his favorite and it definitely did not disappoint. I felt like I had a mouthful of cheese and that’s always a good thing for me.

The steak, if I’m not mistaken was a Grade 8 Sirloin Wagyu and it was hella good. Kick me in the head if I remembered it wrong, Joren. :))

The steak is on top of a volcanic rock that allows the meat to continue cooking while you eat so you can eat the meat based on your preference. If you prefer it well done, cut a piece of meat and put it against the volcanic rock so it’ll cook.

I can’t even describe how juicy it was and it was so easy to cut. It comes with a choice of Wagyu Rice or Mashed Potatoes - I chose rice because I am a hungry camper. LOL.

While we were eating he kept asking me if I was enjoying and of course, I said yes. Apparently, he chose the place for our anniversary because he wanted to share the experience with me since we both have a love for food. :>

And just as we were about to exit the parking lot, he tells me to get out of the car. All I could think was, “What? Why?” and then he opened the trunk of his car and I found this:

Random fact: Joren has given me roses in the following denominations: 1 and 6 but never 12. So when I saw the flowers I said, “12 roses?” He answered, “No. 24.” And I was just smiling like crazy from then on.

If you’re reading this, thank you. You have no idea how happy you have made me - not just on this particular day but even since we’re been together. :)

P.S. My anniversary surprise for him is too embarrassing to share. :))

07:59PM, Nov 04 2011 37 | Comment?