Laguna

I'm always fascinated with Laguna .... the southeast part of Metro Manila.  During my high school and college days, we always went there during summer to enjoy swimming with its famous resorts, particularly in Pansol. Laguna is the birthplace of our national hero Jose Rizal. It is also famous for Pagsanjan Falls, the numerous hot spring resorts along the slopes of Mount Makiling.  Yesterday I went to the wake of my godson Matthew who passed away last February 20, 2016.  It is located at Sta. Cruz, Laguna. I ride a Green Star Express bus liner which will pass through the South Luzon Expressway.  As we pass along the highway going through Sta. Cruz, I am overwhelmed by the majestic Mount Makiling and the green rice fields which reminds me of our province at Nueva Ecija.  I took some pictures with my cellphone whenever the bus will stop to drop passengers and bring in new ones. I'm always in love with green rice fields and mountains. That's why I like going out of town to enjoy the scenery along the way to my destination. Here are some snapshots I took.

Food Trip at Mad For Pizza, SM City Manila

I went out yesterday to pay the real property tax of my house and lot at Dasmarinas City Hall.  I was surprised that we are only two taxpayers around the assessor's office and it went so fast and smooth which unlike last year was full of people and took so long for us to finished the payment. Since it is still early, I decided to make a long trip from Dasmarinas, Cavite to Lawton in Manila that took me more than 2 hours for the ride because of the traffic. The drop-off point of the bus is near Manila City Hall where SM City Manila is only a stone's throw away. I looked for a decent resto inside the mall and I tried to dine in at Mad for Pizza (located at 3rd floor, if I'm not mistaken). Aside from create your own pizza specialty, they offer different menus for single, double, and group diners.  The food which I ordered was excellent especially the Alfredo Pasta and Chicken Fingers which is so delicious.  In addition, their Solo House Salad recipe is tasty with the combination of creamy, sweet, crunchy, and tangy dressing .  The staff are accommodating and well trained on how to handle their customer needs. I rate Mad for Pizza 9/10.  

Solo House Salad

Alfredo Pasta and Chicken Fingers

Ice Tea

Mad For Pizza Entrance

Wrangler

This is the reason why I don't buy any other brand of jeans whenever I went on vacation, except Wrangler jeans.  The reason is the size of the waist just fits me (40 to be exact), and the length of the jeans is just perfect for me. No need to go to the tailor shop to cut the length. In addition, it is very comfortable to wear.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

To all my Chinese friends and relatives, wishing you all a happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Year of the Fire Monkey!

In the Lonely Hour

It's been a week now that I had been in the country.  I had already adjusted to our Philippine time. During my first five days, I had sleepless nights and would woke up 1 am in the morning.  It's very difficult for me to adjust my sleeping hours especially if the time zone of the country where you came from is 5 hours behind the Philippine time.  Somehow, last night I was able to sleep well.  Yesterday, me and my son went to SM Mall of Asia for some shopping and bonding.  I bought him a new Nike shoes, 4 pieces of Bench towels, and a hoodie from Folded & Hung.  He was very happy for that and he deserves that presents because he is doing very good on his studies lately. Aside from that, we ate together at the California Pizza Kitchen for our lunch.  We went to AstroPlus Video and Music store to buy the CD of Sam Smith "In the Lonely Hour".  I really want to get this CD in Saudi Arabia but it was not available. I started to play the CD on my laptop last night and enjoyed listening especially my favorite songs "Stay With Me", "I'm Not the Only One", "Lay Me Down", the danceable "Money On My Mind", the catchy "La, La, La" and "Restart". It's ironic that the title of the album is somewhat related to my present disposition during my rest and recreation, in the lonely hour.

    

Vacation 2016

Finally, I'm home sweet home!  After a painstaking nine and a half hours flight from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines via Philippine Airlines, I got to stepped out from that Airbus 330 jet.  It was a sighed with relief because flying 9.5 hours direct flight sitting on that narrow seat of the airplane makes me very uncomfortable. With my big physical condition 5'10 in height and 115 kilos who would not complain for that awful seat. Unlike my previous flight with Cathay Pacific Airways, they will make you comfortable with your seating arrangement by suggesting to transfer you to a two vacant seat to make you feel at ease and relax during the duration of your flight.  Anyway, no more complaining.  Thank God I'm safe coming home for a 40 days vacation from my work. The important thing is I will be with my family, bonding with them, enjoy my days, find time to relax on a quite beach front, and food trips.  My sister presented me a welcome cake and prepared my favorite "kare-kare" and "sinigang na baboy" which we enjoy much together with my brothers, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, my son and with my mother.  Here are some photos I want to share during their visit to my house.

Yummy cake

With my Son and my Dearest Mom

"Tootie", newest member of our family

With my brothers, sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews

With my Son, Nephew, and Nieces

My sisters, mom, and nephew