The sweetness of doing nothing.

The sweetness of doing nothing.  The phrase that has been my working maxim after I decided not to renew my contract with my previous employer. Although the decision was well thought of and the plans were all laid out – I still felt a sense of loss.  A sense of unworthiness…of non-contributing.  But in life we make decisions that totally change the path of our existence.  We may feel ruined inside – but as Liz puts it, ruin is a gift.  Ruin is the road to transformation.   And that road led me to appreciate life better.

When they say life is a box full of surprises...I got mine when I received a phone call for a job interview.  Actually, there were three rounds of interviews and passing each interview was like getting back my confidence.  And the third interview proved to be worth getting it back…and I even got a bonus…a job.

The first day at work was good and it made even better because  my bestfriend Liza and her family treated me to a good buffet dinner at the Marriott Hotel, Resorts World.  The ambience is delectable…the setting is mouth-watering. I held my excitement for a while but could not resist the temptation of taking a bite to their scrumptious prawns…presented in all its shimmering redness.  The dinner was a blast, though it is still comparable to Sofitel’s Spiral.  And a good cup of cappuccino was the best way to end the overindulging.

PVL's Jumbo Siopao: A full-size gastronomic experience.

My penchant for something unique and weird brought me to schedule my sedentary Saturday to check Brgy. New Zaniga, Mandaluyong City.  Few days earlier, Dan, a foodie by physique, texted me about this big “siopao” he discovered in Vergara, Mandaluyong.  A “non-siopao” fan, it didn’t thrill my appetite for the discovery as I had tasted different “siopao” preparations in the past.  Not until he sent me a picture of the “siopao”.

“Siopao (traditional Chinese: sio-pau) is a Hokkien term for baozi, literally meaning steamed buns. It is also called salapao in Thailand^. It is a popular food item in the Philippines. It does not require utensils to eat and can be consumed on-the-go. Like baozi, there are several siopao stuffing varieties which could be either Asado or bola-bola that may use pork, chicken, beef, shrimp or salted duck eggs” -  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

To really check it myself, I intentionally dragged myself to sleep early (Friday night is translated to Gin night with friends).  Their laughter and the occasional clanking of their glasses reverberated to my close-to-shut-down system.  I almost gave up but the picture of the big “siopao” saved me for the night.

The morning was fine.  I had a positive outlook that my big rock for the day would soon have its way to fulfillment after failing few big rocks months earlier. I towed my two housemates for the experience. The MRT ride from Taft Avenue Station to Shaw Boulevard took me 20 minutes cutting more than 1 hour of the travel time if I had taken the bus but missed the prospect of planning  and the infrequent “wishful thinking” – whichever comes first. 

The jeepney ride from Shaw Boulevard to Kalentong and Kalentong to Vergara was strenuous.  MMDA should take a look into our Jeepneys – once considered a Philippine Icon.  Gone are the days when one is proud with the beauty of our Jeepneys as Thais to their Tuk-tuk and Venetians to their Gondolas.  

A corner right in front of the entrance of San Felipe Cemetery leads you to the main street leading to PVL – maker of the big “siopao.” The façade doesn’t really look that imposing – not even to epicurean like me.  There are three PVL stores but the picture of the big “siopao” intimidated us.

I gathered after the photo op that their “siopao” is now into the pages of Pinoy Record-the national equivalent to Guinness Book of Records. Although when I started my “interview” – the “tindera” was not that accommodating. I learned that it is owned by certain Norma Lim.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

But the great fun started when our big “siopao” was served and it was really BIG – I mean colossal?!  I know the eating capacity of my two housemates (me included) and we managed to have left over. That’s how BIG their “siopao” is.  Well, we have what we call “our personal opinion”. (Lol)

Blogger's Note:

Thanks Vince22 for the correction. It is highly appreciated. :)

Shell of Asia in Bulacan

February 27, 2011 and SUNday.  Before the “long weekend” ended, another charming invitation to Apu Iru in Apalit, Pampanga proved so overwhelming to resist. Although, I already uploaded some of the photos of my first visit, the second visit was equally enchanting.  The ambience was still correspondingly indolent although the number of tricycles improved a bit, with casual carts of fruits and vegetables plying along the almost occupied street.

It was a sunny Sunday, but the atmosphere was just enough.  The traffic was considerably satisfactory and the gasoline stations were agreeably happy with a pack of vehicles from a long-weekend-trip.  This North side of Luzon carries promising places for long and short weekends with NLEX that makes one trip a “walk in the park”.  



Photo from Yahoo

 “The North Luzon Expressway (NLE or NLEX), formerly called North Diversion Road, is a 4 to 8-lane limited-access toll expressway that connects Metro Manila to the provinces of the Central Luzon region in the Philippines. The expressway begins in Quezon City at a cloverleaf interchange with EDSA: a logical continuation of Andres Bonifacio Avenue. It then passes through Quezon City, Caloocan City, and Valenzuela City in Metro Manila. Meycauayan City, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos City, Plaridel, and Pulilan in Bulacan. San Simon, City of San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles City in Pampanga. The expressway currently ends at Mabalacat and merges with the MacArthur Highway, which continues northward into the rest of Central and Northern Luzon.” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)



Photo from Yahoo



No wonder, with a good number of pleasant gasoline stations/food courts, one can  still pick out  SHELL OF ASIA – unquestionably not a development from a famed MALL OF ASIA.  

Photo from Yahoo

Compared to other gasoline stations (I think I should not use the word “compared” but I ran out of words while writing this stuff), the Shell of Asia is a promising  - of course,  a gasoline station. But its services and facilities make it recommendable.  The comfort rooms are true to their labels – they are so comfortable and hygienic (aside from calling it clean).  So sad I forgot to bring my dependable Canon 1000D, I had to upload some photos from my other dependable google. Although we did not check the restaurants/fast food chains, I promised myself to spend a moment of coffee at the SHELL OF ASIA.

Caring Cartimar in Pasay, Philippines: A melting pot of lovers of all sorts.

BUBBLES JUST LOST HER INNOCENCE. AND I WAS BELLOWING.  I didn't know if it was out of happiness or simply out of envy.  All I knew  the Valentine atmosphere was starting to fill the house when a lady brought with her Sneazy, a pure bred Pomeranian for a “stud” party. Or maybe the thought of having more “babies” and my inadequacy in parenting might have caused the billowing. 

Their acquaintance was stressful.  But it never took them that long before we found their “two by two their bodies become one”.  Madonna must have been so happy that her lines came alive again. Agitated to the coming of a new member or members of the house, I took a bath and checked some cages for her and the “babies” (puppies not accepted) in Cartimar.  I also visited her OB/Vet for some tips and gave me a hearty laugh when she found out that Bubbles just had her “first” and it will take another 40 days prior to pregnancy.  I felt a sudden relief. I am not so prepared for parenting yet.

With a relaxed feeling, the exquisiteness of Cartimar unfolded right before my eyes: the curious faces of children, the caring hands of pet owners and the profit oriented expressions of store owners and their “sales agents”.  I have been visiting Cartimar when Bubbles was still “innocent” and its presence never stimulated me. And I felt remorseful for the inattention of the beauty so full of stories: stories of many firsts....stories of a  new friendship...stories of new finds.  

 Cartimar -  a caring melting pot of pet lovers ...shoe lovers ...plant lovers. 

   Simply serendipitous. 

 Simply Cartimar.

TRAVEL TIPS:

Cartimar is located near A. Pablo; near Cartimar Avenue; near A. Luna; near Mabolo; near Angelita; Cartimar is geographically located at latitude (14.551 degrees) 14° 33' 3" North of the Equator and longitude (120.9969 degrees) 120° 59' 48" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Manila.

1.      Wear comfortably like shorts and shirts.  Bring a bag, Cartimar is serendipitous.

2.      If you are planning to buy a new pet – don’t buy during your first visit.  I suggest do a window shopping first. Cartimar offers a variety of breeds.  It might confuse you. A friendly talk with any of the “sales agent” may solicit a good discount.

3.      Cartimar does not only offer pets but other wares too. Check the area for some food stuffs. The Japanese, Korean, Chinese stores offer their distinguished cuisine.

4.      The shoes! The pair costs P500.00 for men and lesser for women and they are still negotiable. Well imitated and cool.