Christmas Parties And Celebrations

Just a few days ago, we joined the Christmas party of Filipino nurses in my wife's hospital.  It's a little bit awkward at first since these people already knew each other for years and we were the new ones in the group.  My wife wasn't alone though, there were 3 other new nurses along with us.  But as we got to know them, it wasn't that bad.  And besides, wouldn't it be much easier to get along with your fellow countrymen, right?

The event was held in an Brazilian restaurant located at Westheimer Rd. here in Houston.  It had a valet parking so I'm expecting that the food inside would really cost us... but then, it's not as if we're gonna eat there often.  Again, it'll be our first time to try their food.  They were more on grilled steaks and seafood, so it's pretty much safe... for me. 

The cool thing about Chama Gaúcha (the restaurant), was they have this card where you flip on the green side, and their waiters will come to you and offer various grilled meats.  And you can take anything you want.  Then, if you want them to stop offering you, just flip the card on the red side.  The only thing was, a lot of the steaks were medium rare and there's still blood when you cut the meat.  I'm more of a "well done" person when it comes to grilled meat... LOL.  So, more seafood here please.

Here's the card...

Here's a slice...

And this is what  I was talking about.  LOL!!!

Yesterday, we were also invited by a family my wife knew, to celebrate Christmas with them.  They were friends of her parents.  It's a bit far from us but I'm getting used to driving in the freeway already.  It's really a blessing that we're having this moment with them since we still hadn't celebrated the occasion together as a family.  More, they prepared a lot of Filipino foods that made us feel near to home.  But what's truly priceless was seeing our kids enjoying themselves, playing with the other kids of other invited families.  Great to feel not only the cold breeze of air but also the spirit of the season.  Merry Christmas.  Yahweh bless. :)

Friends You Can Depend On

I really thank the Lord for giving us friends.  My buddy, with his family, let us stay in their condo unit in Mandaluyong City.  It was really a very big help since lodging costs a lot in the metro.  We were able to use the savings instead for our other important expenditures.

The couple, Stoi and Berna, had been really good to us.  Not only did they welcome us to their home, they also accompanied us around Metro Manila. Considering that Berna was 7 months pregnant, It was so sweet of her to be so accommodating and hospitable, to the extent of showing us the route, the hows and wheres of MRT/LRT from our place to our destination.  It became easier for us to go places with them being our guides. And my buddy Stoi, who had to delay working on his project just to be with us during our visits to the malls there.

Our trip to Manila  was overall a fun experience , though there were really hectic days (which i wouldn't want to go through again..lol!).  We enjoyed the rides and fireworks in Mall of Asia (MOA), first time to attend mass inside a mall, kids being amazed by cosplayers or those impersonating anime (cartoon) characters and most of all, my kids fave, hours in the clubhouse's swimming pool.

We were also thankful that they were the ones who took care of preparing for the birthday of our daughter.  Since my wife and I accompanied our son to get his medical result and had his needed vaccines.  We won't be able to push through with the celebration if not for Stoi and Bern.  They made it possible for our daughter to have a simple yet memorable celebration.With all these, we couldn't thank you enough guys...we really appreciate what you did for us. I hope we could return the favor someday..

Another person to thank was my cousin, Franz, for making our trip to Cavite hassle free.  Though we can handle the 3 kids, the trip could had been much longer and difficult for us.  Even if it would mean waking up very early just to cover a 3 hour drive back to Manila, he arranged everything just to give us a free and much comfortable travel... we really appreciate it, bro.  It was our grandma's birthday and more, we wanted her to see our youngest... that's how much we value our family ties.

We returned to Manila in the break of dawn.  Very early yet convenient.  When we reached Stoi and Bern's place, we rested for a while then we had to bid our farewells.  We arrived safely home but the goodness of friends will forever remain in our hearts.  Yahweh bless.

  

Foreigners In Singapore - Fifth Day: Hunting for A Good Deal

We're almost done with our vacation in Singapore, so we maximized our remaining days to buy some "pasalubong" (giveaways) to family and friends and also some for ourselves.  We were told of a place where we could buy good stuff at very reasonable prices... Bugis Junction.  It was like the Divisoria in our place but there was just a lot of cool stuff there and some were really cheap.  My wife just couldn't help herself being faced with a lot of choices, bags, footwear, t-shirts, gadgets and accessories.  She even told me, she can do shopping there forever, the problem was we didn't have that luxury.  We still need cash to go back home. LOL.

After buying the things we needed, we took some rest and had our lunch in a nearby Burger King.  Then we went back to Vivo City to meet our friends and their kids.  Upon reaching the place, the kids played for a while in a play ground. After that we had a little chat in a coffee shop.  Then Ionne and Raul, our ever generous friends, asked us if we've already seen Sentosa's Songs of the Sea in Siloso beach.  We told them we haven't.  They said it was a must see, so they bought a ticket for us all and told us it's their treat.  Good thing also, since we didn't have plans for the rest of the night.

Together with their family, again we travelled  back to Sentosa Island.  Upon arrival to the place, we witnessed how crowded the place was.  The play was quite popular to the locals as well as the tourists.  It was just like Wonder Full of Marina Bay Sands.  There were also pyrotechnics, colorful laser show, sound effects and they used the fountain as screen to the video projections.  We enjoyed the show, especially the kids, since the story revolved around a princess, cartoon sea creatures, powerful elements and a group of teenagers singing their piece.

Then, we returned to Vivo City and had our late dinner at Marché (still part of our friends' treat).  There were a lot of customers, so we had to wait in line until a table to accommodate us would be available.  Upon entering, each one of us were provided a card by which we'll be using in purchasing food.  It's new to me, as one could see the chefs preparing and cooking the food of your choice. There were a lot of choices, from grilled to soups, pasta and pizza, salads, cakes and other desserts and beverages, etc.  Just pick your choice, hand them your card and they would give you a sort of claim stub, then they would ask you how would you want them done (like when grilled, rare or well-done), afterwhich, you will be asked to return in about 10-15 minutes for your order.  While waiting, the kids were provided some coloring materials and puzzles as not to be bored. Then, after the sumptuous meal, the cards will be given to the cashier for payment.  I loved their concept. It was like a buffet with a twist.

Thank yous and goodbyes were then exchanged as we headed  home.  Singapore just never stopped to amuse me.  It really had a lot to offer.  I'm just again and again humbled by the blessings and the experience Yahweh had provided my family.  To Him be the glory as always.

Poker Around The Corner

Last Saturday, my family was on vacation and we  stayed with my wife's siblings.  Everyone was still tired from the previous days of city strolling.  Bored, I asked if anyone of them knew how to play the game of poker.  Luckily, they  knew the game, more they had a deck of cards.  So I asked them if they wanted to play, just for fun... and  so the game begun.

As replacement for the chips, we used actual coins to make the game a lot more interesting and so the players would also take the game seriously.  But we limit the amount to a thousand each so as not to take away the motive that it's just for fun and not gambling.  And what's more fun was that we dressed up like some of those famous poker players', some wore sunglasses, others with the cowboy hats, some with leather jackets... while I wore my baseball cap.

It's funny how every player tried to read the faces of their opponents and how everyone tried to manipulate each other by talking their way to win.  But how can they, I brought my poker face with me... no emotions and no eye contact... ha ha ha.  So did I won?  What do you think?  Nope, I lost to my wife... but only because I wanted her to win.  Okay, fine, she won fair and square... how can I lie to those pretty, lovely, sharp eyes.  More, she knew me well.  But everyone won actually, the sum of money was used to buy some snacks for everyone to enjoy...  Everyone had a fun and yummy lazy Saturday afternoon.  Yahweh bless.