COUGH SEASON =(

Around this time of the year, the inevitable happens.

As the temperature drops to a cool breeze at night, even as it scales the heights of scorching heat mid-day, my system goes out of wack and triggers some sort of mechanism in my lungs. As October gives way to November and December, every single year (I kid you not), I end up with a really bad, debilitating cough. The kind that leaves me wheezing after walking short distances. The kind that leaves me (and unfortunately, everyone else within hearing distance) wide awake at night.

Just last week, I struggled with this, my annual visitor. By Sunday, every cough that struggled to get out of my lungs seemed to trigger a switch that tells my head it wants to explode as well. I was sleepy. I was tired. I had a splitting headache from being sleepy and tired.

Regular cough syrups don't do it for me. Usually, the only thing strong enough to aid me through this unfortunate curse is Ventolin (which is really bordering on anti-asthma medicine when you think about it).

Sunday evening (after a week long battle with the cough without me looking like I was going to emerge as the winner anytime soon), Hubby Sweet took one look at me and declared that he was going off to Mercury to get me Ascof. Weh? I've heard of it from a radio commercial once--something about Lucy Torres giving Juliana only the safest and most natural ingredients. Ascof made from Lagundi leaves....followed by the usual caveat in the end "No Approved Therapeutic Claims". Ngyar.

"It's organic, Tweet. Made from herbs and leaves," he said as he tried to convince me who grew up with commercial cough syrups.

I was admittedly wary ("No Approved Therapeutic Claims" flashing like a neon light in my brain), but I did not really have the strength to argue with the Hubby. My head was throbbing enough as it is. At that point, I was willing to take anything.


I poured. Green-bordering-on-black liquid. True, it did look like one of those yucky concoctions that Sister Pusjing, Cousin Tur and I used to prepare out of gumamela leaves from Noni's garden (back in the day when we did not have high-tech cooking "utensils" to play with). It was dark green, almost like water in consistency. It didn't look promising. What the heck, I took a swig.

I felt instant relief. True, it wasn't the best-tasting thing in the world, but the cool menthol flavor immediately soothed my throat. I felt better already and it wasn't even working yet!

Did it? Work, I mean?

Let's just say, that night, I slept soundly--interrupted only by very short cough episodes where I almost instantly coughed out yuck (try NOT to imagine =)). No long, drawn-out coughing episodes where I struggled to get the yuck out with not much success.

No approved therapeutic claims said the mandatory end-tag in the commercial.

Never mind. I know now that it works. =D

Makes me think there must be something to all these "herb & nature" supplements with no approved therapeutic claims.

Hmmnnnnn.....maybe I should try Fitrum next. Haha! =D

PIK-TYUR DIS! =D

Back in the day, when were all still in good old CSA, trips to....uh....QUAD and Northmall (before they all got connected into what is now collectively called as Glorietta), would inevitably start or end with a trip to any of the smatterings of Foto-Me stalls. Actually, sometimes, we end up inside every single Foto-Me that we pass by! This set belongs to me, next set belongs to Gnet, next set belongs to Jen V...etc., etc. As I type this post, I wish I had all the Foto-Me shots of the different permutations of the HS barkada (sometimes, with up to 10 people desperately trying to squeeze into a 2x2' enclosed booth). The one below was actually taken during the college years (with Gnet in DLSU and me in ADMU, what the heck), and was actually shamelessly lifted off one of Net's blog posts about the good, old high school days. HAHAHA!


CSA '89 recently celebrated our 20th reunion at Heirarchy in the Fort Strip with a party fund-raising of sorts for the GK Village. Old friends, good conversation, free food, flowing drinks, and woopee! A metamorphosis of the old Foto-Me's. This is us, 20 years later. =D


Apparently, despite the fact that we were all X pounds heavier, a gazillion brain cells wiser, and hopefully, at least a few pesos richer, not much has really changed. Haha! ;p

A few months ago, after several trips back and forth from LA to Manila for his cousins' different weddings, cousin Dooders finally came home to take his vows before God and man that he will have and hold--for better for worse, in sickness and in health--Special Girl MJ till death do them part. WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Well, what do you know? A photo booth! Yey! Haha. =D

During the reception, we were all concerned because we were about to start the program and half the tables were empty. Cousin Rae (who flew in from LA for her brother's wedding) actually asked if RSVP is unheard of in these parts. The mystery was solved when the coordinator went out to ask Dooders and MJ if they're OK to march in already even if the reception hall wasn't full yet. Lo and behold, half the guests were apparently all outside, lined up, waiting for their turn at the photo booth! Ngyah! Haha. =D

Sige na nga, because it IS their wedding, Dooders and MJ get top billing in this post (although, in reality, they also had to wait in line. Haha!). =D


Me and Hubby Sweet. =)


Bro-in-Law G-Genius with Sister Pusjing. =)


This time with Patita.....=) The last photo, BTW, was not a posed shot. She, apparently, did not want to be kissed in the previous shot. Haha! =D


A saner set of pics from Bro I-gue, Sis-in-Law Momsy, Adorable Ray*-B and Siob-siob. =D


Even Yaya Do got to test the equipment! =D


After which Sister Pusjing and I posed with our baby cousin Rae. (We used to baby sit her before they moved to LA! Now, she's all grown-up. =))

Cousins and nieces/nephews on my Mom's side got in on the action....Ko, Ate Anne, Tur, AJ, Letlet and Kuykuy. =)


Photos of cousins from my Dad's side started simple enough with Cousin Day and Joey. =)

And then, the Pioquintos stepped up to the plate and decided to explore the bounds of....uh....their sanity. Haha! There are two lawyers in this set....promise. Hahaha! =D

While this set (cousin Trix and V with The Gabster and Ray*B) supposedly have day jobs as respectable corporate bankers. ;p


Now even the titas got curious enough to try and see what all the fuss was about. Left on their own though, they did not really seem to know what to do. We understand. During their time, ID photos were taken by professional photographers. Hahaha! (They are sooooooo going to kill me for that comment, hahaha.) We tried to coach them. Really! We tried. We told them, "Just pose as we will direct you to do!" First shot: Happy! Second shot: Sad! Third shot: Angry! Fourth Shot: Crazy! After much coaching, this is how their set turned out....ngyah! Hahaha! 'D


And finally, the next generation showed that they are naturals at this thing--which pretty much guarantees that this won't be the last version of the Foto-Me that we will be encountering in this lifetime.


Sabi nga ng operator, "O, ridi....git sit....tingin ditu.....wan....tu....si chiiiiiiiiiisssssss!!!!" =D

THE KEBAB FACTORY =D

Despite our self-imposed major tipid-tips period (in preparation for what would have been the big turnover this month), Hubby Sweet and I have been eating out a lot lately. Work stress and other factors, aggravated by turnover issues (looks like it ain't going to happen as planned, but we're hoping it will actually turn out to be one of those serendipitous events where things don't go your way, but you, quite unexpectedly, end up with what you really want). Am I talking in riddles? Never mind. In time, I suppose, I will explain.

In the meantime, all these seem to have converged into a perfect storm that has reduced Hubby Sweet and me into snapping turtles. Hay....times like these, we need to eat out. That's our way of de-stressing. Our own version of happiness fairy dust. Haha. =)

One of those nights brought us to the latest dining destination @ The Fort, Burgos Circle. Without anyone noticing and without so much as a peep, the area has evolved into a cubihole where mini-versions of Manila's best restaurants seem to have taken root. Good Earth. Cantinetta. Cafe Juanita. UCC. Mile High. Etc., etc. I wasn't in the mood for Good Earth. Hubby Sweet was not in the mood for Italian. We live in the same neighborhood as the original Cafe Juanita so we decided to pass up on that to. In the end, one of the relative unknowns drew both the Hubby and me to it.

The Kebab Factory. We have always liked Mid-Eastern cuisine and it has been a while since we visited Hossein's so the choice was pretty unanimous.

Hubby Sweet asked for fried oxbrain (yesssssssss.....=D), but it was unfortunately not on the menu. I decided to start with Hummus served with a side serving of pita instead. Hummus, in and by itself, is already something I love, although the version at The Kebab Factory was a bit bland for my taste.

Fortunately, alongside the hummus, the waiter also brought some sort of yoghurt-garlic sauce and a ramekin of what I soon found out was their version of (very hot) chili sauce. (I suspect it was really meant for the kebabs that we ordered.) I decided to experiment and scooped a spoonful of each dip onto my plate. I wiped the hummus with my pita, dipped it next in the yoghurt-garlic sauce and finally onto the chili sauce. One bite. It was magic. *Wide eyes with big, big grin. =D*

Now, Hubby Sweet usually goes for the Beef Kebabs, but the version that they have were made from minced meat (as opposed to real cubes). I have learned from so many visits to Hossein's that if you want the real cubed meat, you order the Shish Kebab version. The Shish Kebab version @ the factory was lamb (which was perfect for me because I like lamb and I like my kebabs in actual cubes). I was quite surprised to find the Hubby ordering the same (as he is not really a fan of lamb). 'Twas a pleasant surprise for me, nonetheless, as it was another manifestation for me that Hubby Sweet is sloooooowly turning into a creature of foodie adventure (as opposed to being the creature of habit that he was of old). Two thumbs up! Woohoooooooooooo!!! =D

Our Shish Kebabs arrived soon enough, and without even tasting it, I knew it was going to be good. My goodness! The smell, the smell! Wow. =D If I had to imagine lamb being roasted in some middle eastern dessert, I would imagine it smelling that way. It was unlike any of the smells of the various "authentic kebabs" I've tried. Never mind the rest, THIS smelled authentic!

At first bite, I was rendered speechless. It was soooooooooo good, I had to close my eyes as I savored every single flavor dimension. The taste was wonderfully complicated with the game-iness of the lamb being complemented beautifully by an unknown mix of spices.

At first bite, I thought I just about died and went to kebab heaven. ^_^

I looked over to Hubby Sweet. He looked like he just about died right along with me. Haha!

*Sprinkling Happiness Fairy Dust all around....*

WOW. =D

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The Kebab Factory is on Burgos Circle inside the Bonifacio Global City. If you're coming from the Buendia overpass, turn right on the street with Jollibee at the corner. Two street corners down, you will already find yourself at the Burgos circle. Ask the guard for directions to the parking area. =D

Good vegetarian restaurants are hard to find in Manila (as I found out recently). We had visiting consultants from India and one of them was vegetarian. I had to feed the poor thing the exact same veggie sandwich everyday because it was the only veggie option accessible to the office! Naku! Good to know that The Kebab Factory has an extensive list of vegetarian dish options. If he ever comes back (he has since proposed only tele- and web-based conferences, I wonder why, haha) I would at least have some other option for him. =)

P.S. - I also noticed that my pics have been on the yellow side lately. It's because I pressed some stupid setting on my phone (yes, all my pics are taken with a cell cam, haha). I suppose this means the "yellowness" will persist over a few more blogs. ACK! =D

FRIDAY THE 13TH BLUES =(

I took this pic during one of Buster J's grooming visits in Tiendesitas. I couldn't help myself. I thought the bulldog in the petshop looked absolutely adorable.

There are days, however, when I realize that I feel EXACTLY like this.

Wrinkled. Chubby. Dead-tired. Dead to the world.

Yup. Today is one of those days.

Bah. =(

OLD FRIENDS & CARDIAC DELIGHTS =D

We have not seen Lee in a while. Heck, even BFF Apes and I have not seen each other in quite a while! During The Wander Years, we used to be a regular dinner group. We'd work late in the office, not really minding that it was waaaaaaaaaaay past dinner time, with only funny stories and witty retorts to tide us over in between working on recos and next day PO's. They were in Sales; I was in Marketing.

Back then, we'd agree to work until we finish (no matter how late), and then we'd hie off to some place for a really late dinner. Back then, Fort Bonifacio was still a ghost town, but I remember us regularly driving all the way to the Boni Stop (beside Shell) from our old Citibank office because Apes insists on eating in the Japanese place there (which has since closed shop), and because Lee needs to satisfy his day-long craving for Ice Monster (it was still a relatively new franchise then). Occasionally, we'd find ourselves in Katipunan because Lee lives on Katipunan, while Apes lives in Marikina. Katips. World Topps. Usually Katips.

Sometimes, we'd be joined by Tatong and Marc. But Marc has a girlfriend (who is now his wife), and Tatong...well, we don't know where Tatong goes, really. We're really just happy when either show up. For the most part, it was Apes, Lee and me.

Apes and I have since gotten married (to other people, not to each other, haha). A few years ago, Lee went to Abu Dhabi on a great career adventure. We have barely seen him since, but would touch base occasionally. (Thank God for Facebook!) Always, we'd talk about meeting up and eating out when he finally comes home to visit.

Well...he was home recently, which started the flurry of back-&-forth text messages. For about a month, we tried to schedule lunch/dinner/lunch/dinner--none of which pushed through for one reason or another, until...well, apparently, until the Monday before he was scheduled to fly out again. Gr. =(

In any case, by hook or by crook, we were going to meet up that Monday. Bawal na mag-cancel. Bawal mag-flake out. Sya!

We were supposed to eat in Pepper Lunch because preggers Apes was craving, but Lee and I separately arrived @ The Powerplant earlier than she did, and Lee decided he'd rather eat in some other place instead. (It just occurred to me that I never really get to vote. I just pretty much go where they want. Hmmmmmnnnnn....OK....I don't really mind. Let's move on. =))

That's how we found ourselves in C2. Classic Cuisine. Over the phone line, Apes protested, but by then it was too late. We had already ordered what should be outlawed because it is a definite health hazard if I ever saw one.

CRISPY KAREKARE--the restaurant's take on the classic karekare (which is sinful enough). Crispy, fatty pata served on a bed of perfectly cooked veggies with a side dish of wonderfully flavored peanut sauce and a generous serving of bagoong. I did not realize it while we were ordering, but this is actually one mean Crispy Pata--served with karekare sauce instead of the million and one version of the traditional soy-vinegar dip! My goodness. I want to meet the person who thought of this dish. He is either brilliant or super fat. Either way, hopefully, he is also still alive. =)


Now preggers Apes had a panic attack about trying to eat healthy so she ordered some crispy fish dish that I forgot to take a picture of. But she paired it with this salad which was a pretty interesting mix of seaweed (lato, in the local dialect), pomelo and nearly-ripe-but-not-quite mangoes. I LOVED. ^_^ That said, it was really more dessert for me than side dish because the mangoes and the pomelos were at the right level of sweetness and tartness, and the light combination was countered only by the slight saltiness that bursts with every bite of the lato. Refreshing. Wonderful. ^_^


Now, Lee and I, not being preggers (he is male, whereas I am just chubby) had no such qualms about healthy eating. Having ordered the killer Crispy Karekare, you'd think we'd leave well enough alone and just order plain, old, boring steamed rice. Nope. We decided to go for gold! We should have really said our final prayers right before digging in.

Everyone, meet SISIG RICE! *Burp* Enough said. Haha. ^_^


Of course, dinner would not be complete without dessert, and because Apes only agreed to eat in C2 because of this particular dessert, it was the one concession we gave to her that evening. Truth be told, we didn't really mind. The BIBINGKA SOUFFLE was divine. Melt in your mouth; sinful with the light cream-caramel sauce. Heaven help us. Haha! (I wonder to this day why they called it bibingka though. It was less rice cake and more canonigo. Oh, well. =))


All throughout dinner, we, of course, traded stories and tried to catch up with everything else that's going on in our lives. We laughed. Traded barbs. Guffawed ourselves silly. Like we used to during those long, late nights in the old Citibank office.

One dinner, of course, would never be enough to cover everything, but for now, it will have to do. Lee is back in the desert; Apes now lives in fear that her unborn daughter will have the same birthday as mine (haha!).

Until next time, dearies.

And next time, we're going for the Aligue Rice!

Nakuuuuuuuuuu........ =D

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P.S. - You know what we forgot to do? Take a pic! Gr. =(