Remembering Lola

Yesterday, our family celebrated the 92nd birthday of our beloved Lola Sylvia (Lola Bebing as we - her grandchildren call her) at Balingasag. It was the first birthday where we celebrated without her. She passed away last year. 

 

Lola on her 90th birthday

I went inside her room to relax a bit before traveling back home with my mother and brother. I saw her stuff toys and doll collection on the hanging cabinets - gifts given by friends, sons and daughters, and grandchildren, her photo albums with family pictures from decades ago up to the present, and photo frames of her children and grandchildren - I saw the little me on that picture frame. Those things reflected the things my lola valued the most - her family and friends.

I've had great memories with Lola:

- A great story teller. I always get hooked when it was time for her to tell stories. My favorite was that of a prince who's love for a maiden was tested against all odds (thanks to my poor memory, I can no longer recall the title of that story).

- A thoughtful grandma. She never failed to give us presents on birthdays and on Christmas. She would even secretly put bills or coins on our pockets (when the elders were not looking) every time we visit her. She would cook meals and prepare snacks for us when we were around. She always treated us like her little princes and princesses - even when we were already grown ups.

- A proud lola. She would always mention to her kumares the achievements of her grandchildren.

- A secret keeper. I share my crushes with her. I show her the pictures and she would always say I had good taste!

I simply miss her.

me and lola

with her grandchildren and great grandchildren

I miss you Lola. We all do.

Thank you for the genuine love you exuded to all of us.

Honey Tree

So we headed out to Honey Tree (formerly Honey Baked) at Velez st. (just a walking distance from Mindy's) for my brother's "birthday cake".

What I love about Honey Tree? 

More than fulfilling my sweet tooth, the interior is candy to my eyes. The place is cozy, space is small but not cramped, and the food is yum yum. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner aside from sandwiches, salads, and desserts. I personally love their mango float only at Php65.00 (can be shared by two).

seated near the entrance

the menu

looking for big little brother's mini birthday cake

no candles just make a wish

candy-colored interior

my favorite: mango float

function room available

view from inside

busog!

And that ends our birthday food trip.

Mindy's CDO

We decided to dine out for my brother's birthday. He's a big eater so a buffet dinner would be just right. I also had an inkling of visiting this eat-all-you-can restaurant that serves crabs!

So we headed for Mindy's restaurant located at Yacapin st. When we went inside, the place was almost empty except for two separate tables where eldery men sat and ate and drank alcohol.

Mindy's CDO

the birthday boy

The place was gloomy. The last time I visited - years ago, I found it classy. Now, the place was not that well-maintained. The pictures on the wall frames were already fading. And there was a Britney Spears wallframe amidst the 50s and 70s icons?!? The menu was not presentable. Oh well, we came for the buffet dinner. But the place would have been more attractive if it was properly maintained - perhaps some renovations in some areas. 

water markings on the menu

Two nice things though were that they played classic songs - soothing to the ears. "Dream, Dream, Dream...Dreeeeaaaam". Made me want to go to dreamland while deciding to wait for the kinilaw to be served or grab a plate already and the start the food marathon. And the comfort room was clean and spacious.  

The eat all you can was at Php220.00 per person with bottomless iced tea. And an extra charge for left overs.

We had no competition on the buffet table. Only after 30 minutes were there other groups that came.

Chibog time!

Kare-Kare among others

Craaaabs!!!

Nom Nom Nom

My 1st serving

I just looove crabs

From left: jiemar, me, mother, and birthday boy

Busog na!

Mom and Big Little Brother

My lips were slightly swelling.. oh yeah, I'm allergic to crabs

How did the food taste? It was on an average - even the crabs (but I still grabbed a second serving of crabs!). From the menu, I tried the Kare-Kare(there were small lumps of peanut butter-not entirely mixed with the sauce),Fried Tilapia (a little salty and was not served hot), Pork Adobo (or Humba? Gee..I was not able to distinguish what it was), Kinilaw (big chunks-this I liked) and of course Crabs (I simply couldn't resist them - I didn't mind to having an allergy attack)! 

Anyhow, we were still full at that but not entirely satisfied with the meal. But the birthday boy ate all the way - with only  minor complaints. Good thing! 

Oops!

That's Mindy's.

So where was the dessert part?

Expressing Big Love to Big Little Brother

Today is my big little brother's birthday. 

Let's sing him a birthday song! 

Cheers to My Big Little Brother...

You're A Grown Up Now!

 

..And he's peeping on my blog right now..chismoso! Haha!

Much Love! and Study Hard! ^_^

  

hats party at 25

hats party at 25. how did this come to mind? i said i wanted something new and grand to happen for my 25th birthday. it so happened that a Halloween Fun Run was to happen on the same day of my birthday. so it was the start. and it made me think of something more - why not also have a halloween birthday party? and it would be more fun to have your friends over in halloween flare! so i sent an SMS informing them of my plan. i got excited reactions. haha. halloween party was a go.

oopsy. the birthday girl was late. my brother called in several times informing me that my guests are already at home. and i was still in SM for the Halloween Fun Run. haha. that was why i no longer joined the fun run - only the fun pictorials.

the celebration was truly a blast! i was teary-eyed to find them all bringing their hats and wearing them for the party..except for ric who brought a mask instead. haha.

 here's ma'am hazel in her witch costume. wow she really did prepare for this event! 

there goes my mother in her kate middleton head dress with lizette wearing a  devil 's horn.

picture taking with my Asia Brewery friends - geo, ayesha, and ma'am hazel.

with my mom and uncles!

with my brother(camera shy?)

 and jenny.

ingrid and maybelle surprised me with a meaningful birthday cake!

"Happy Birthday Fritzie... ready ka nang mag-asawa" 

Blow the candles!

picture taking on the street.

round 1!

all the ladies 

having fun!

  
with mommy jing2x and daughter.

there i go with my 

witch costume!

with jiemar.

a big thanks to my dear friends for celebrating with me. it was a birthday to remember - my first halloween celebration and the best so far!

thanks to geo and jiemar for the compiled pictures.

happy, happy birthday to me!