2016 Timeline

It has been my yearly tradition to list down the highlights and lowlights of my life – like an annual look back.  I am writing this kind of stuff not just to document and remember things, but also to remind myself to be grateful at all times, despite the situation.

2016 is a combination of heart breaks and new beginnings. A year full of tears, brokenness and rough patches. But this is also the year where I learned to start anew. Life is hard, but I am holding on tight to what I know to be true.

Now, let’s take a look on my 2016 :

January - The thrill on the final touches on my sister’s wedding and of course the magical day for the whole family – thanks to all who joined and helped us on this special event in my sister’s life.

My family at UCCP- CEC

February – A simple valentine date with Gino and another Baguio Get Away with my family. 

Mines View Park, Baguio

Camp John Hay, Baguio

March – My sister’s pregnancy announcement, a quick catch up with CVG friends and trip to Kalayaan- Majayjay Laguna with friends.

Kwentuhan over pizza and pasta

An obligatory picture with my former UMYF :)

April –Random Dinner dates with friends. A long weekend in Cebu . 

Midweek Dinner with L.A and Kat. 

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Yooneek - Bantayan Island Cebu

May: {Break Up}. Cagbalete Get Away. Beers and Bikinis. Sunburns in our cheeks. Random eat out with Friends. Staycation. 

On our way to Cagbalete Island

Ang babae sa Isla. :)

We prayed for a peaceful election. #PhElection2016

Breakfast @Belmont Manila. 

Staycation at Belmont 

June - Quick Baguio get away with ERM family. Lots of eat outs this month.

Mines View
Ralph, Me, Iara, Alther and Kingsley

Session Road Baguio
Iara, Kinglsey, Raplh, Me, and Joel

Dinner at Viking Jazz 

July - {Grandma passed away.} Went back to Alabat Island with family and church mates. 

On our way to Alabat Island to attend my Lola's wake 

Heaven on Earth Beach resort

August: Birthday month - La Union and Baguio Get away. Sunday brunches. Lots of cakes and cupcakes on rainy nights. Met my highschool friends. {Ginger's death) 

Highschool Friends
Aya, Vanie and Me 

China Sea, La Union

Gapuz grape Farm

September - A big stack of books I'd been dying to read. Coffee and crosswords in bed. Movie marathon- Kdrama and Hallmark Movies. Cupcakes and Pies. 

October: Weekend get away in Bataan and Subic. Cancer Awareness month. 

Today, we wear #Pink 

November: Spur-of-the-moment dinner dates and movie nights with Sue Ramirez. 1^st time to see Leandro Michio’s smile – my 1^st nephew!Zumba and boxing session with my CWT family. 

My 1day old nephew - Leandro Michio  

Dinner with Sue, Moi and Andrea at Lugang Cafe 

VIP seats at Uptown Mall, watching Dr Strange :)

Another Dinner/Movie date with this pretty lady - Sue Ramirez

Picture Picture before our Boxing Session :)

Zumba Wednesday with this lovelies

December: Parties and bohos and festive nights. 2 years at CWT. Lots of dinner invites. Year end catch up with old friends. 

 

Received an award that night. yay! 

With ER&M and Melcorp Team
L-R Ces, Nikki, Me, Jacq, Iara
Top (L-R) Marga, LA and Joel

Nonetheless, 2016 is full of sad endings, thrilling opportunities and beautiful beginnings. Here’s to 2016 and to the coming great year of 2017! 

Love,

Ash

{Quote of the Week}

It's never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better.

-unknown

Brasserie on 3 at Conrad Hotel

I’ve used my free dinner voucher at Conrad last Sunday with my sister, Chai.  Brasserie on 3 is located at the 3^rd level of the hotel. The entire structure of the hotel looks like a cruise ship. My sister noticed that as soon as we saw Conrad from a far. The hotel exuded a glamour of high quality and elegance.  The chic interior is quite stunning with its tall glass panels and post modern motif of Conrad.

I made the reservation over the phone, coz I’m afraid that there will be numbers folks coming in for holiday dinner. Upon arrival, I showed my Hilton voucher and the staff led us to our table. We were welcomed by the dessert station loaded  with  sweet goodies – and since it’s almost Christmas, the ginger bread house stood bright and proud right at the entrance to welcome the guest.

To my surprise, the place isn’t crowded, which is good! Hahaha.  The place is spacious, decors are new and modern. They also have a nice view of the Manila Bay, which is a bonus points for me.

The food choices are quite limited, compared to other buffet in the metro,  but the tang pleased my palate. Nothing wowed me really, except of course the place itself. There wasn't any distinctive dish in the selection that was worth noting.

There’s the sushi station, salad bar, few selections of cheese, dried fruits and nuts, dessert station, Sinigang station where they serve some piping hot bowls of shrimps, pork and salmon, and yes, they also offered Bulalo. We’ve tried the Shrimp Sinigang and it tastes really good. Feels like you’re eating the dish at your lola’s house. The taste is so Pinoy.

There’s also a Carving section, where they serve lamb, turkey, baby back ribs and beef. They also a got seafood station – there are only few crabs, prawns and mussels that time, but they are fresh – as well as the sushi. We requested for  baked mussels and grilled prawns with butter. The prawns arrived at our table shortly, and was told that the baked mussels will be served in a few, but until we’ve finished our food, that ever requested mussel didn’t arrive. Hahaha. Where did it go? I don’t know. ☺

The dishes are mostly Filipinos, don’t expect much of the international cuisine, I guess they’re trying to promote the Filipino dishes to their guests.  

Since we used the voucher, I asked the staff of the rate.

Lunch 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM | Mon-Sat                  PHP1500

Lunch 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM | Sun                         PHP2500

Dinner 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM | Mon-Sun                 PHP1650

By the way drinks are not included in the rate. Their soda and teas cost Php200++, so we just enjoyed our free drink – water! ☺ The staff are very attentive and always ready to attend to your needs.

The overall experience is ok. It’s kinda pricey for me, but I’m glad that we had this dinner for free as part of our hotel incentive. They are just newly open and I can see some potential, I guess they need more time and need some marketing strategies to improve it and to show the real Conrad.

Photo : My Instagram

Again, thank you CWT and Hilton for this dinner.

PS.

I took lotsa photos last Sunday for my blog and trip advisor review. Unfortunately, I have accidentally factory reset my phone. I lost all the pictures. The above photo’s my sister’s, so I’m so sorry if I cant share the beautiful interior of the Hotel etc. Yes, I am blaming myself for being so careless.  

Love,

Ash xx

Disclaimer: Hotel information and facts may be subject to change without prior notice. Our dinner was sponsored but my review is based on a hundred percent transparent hands on / tasting experience and personal views.

Let her be.

Her psyche is breathlessly gorgeous.

She stumbled into the midst of the ugliest, most aching, and painful battle, 

and then grew the most stunning wings.

And soar.

She soared above the heavy clouds of tears and sadness, 

attempting to sprinkle her glimmering dust of joy.

She is a brave, lovely, and fair maiden - full of hopes and dreams.

She yearned to kiss the rain and drink in its sweet raindrops.

Let her be.

Don’t put her in a dungeon.

Let her fly and see her inner beauty.

Let her see her worth and value.

Allow her eyes to sparkle and her voice to be heard.

Let her re-discover the world.

Travel and create great memories with her.

Don’t take her for granted.  

Fly with her.

Appreciate everything about her.

Don't compare her wings to anyone else's. She owns it, and she worked hard for it.

She deserves nothing but the best.

See her beautiful world and embrace her innocence and kindness.

She want nothing but your love.

Don't break her wings. It took a long time for her to grow such beautiful wings.

Shower her with love and let her heart flourish.

Guard her heart as you guard yours. Her heart is frail, but it is true.

She doesn't want half-hearted relationships.

She values your heart as a precious stone and will take good care of you.

She will always prove your worth.

She will cheer you up and would never ever leave you.

She's a fighter. She is both brave and vulnerable.

Don't be perplexed or pass judgment on her based on her moods.

She’s a woman with a girl’s innocent heart

and beneath her beautiful wings are the scars of yesterday.

xx

Ash

Blue.

Photo : My Instagram 

Take me out of this lonely cell of life.

Show me the flowers vibrant blooms,

Show me the tired but smiling sun and the hopeful moon.

Show me the life as I seek for a more accurate version of truth.

Show me  that you could be anything, anything in this messed up world!

And when I’m  something worth myself, leave.

Blame and condemn time, 'cause that's a better excuse.
Leave and blame me for not being perfect blame me for being too forthright.

For being not so beautiful. Blame me for being too simple and for being real.

Then let's break and hurt each other until there's nothing left of us.

Let us fall madly in love and then part ways, never to see each other again. never.

 Xx

Ash

Lost.

Sometimes, I can't see what I'm looking for.

Is it the life of a traveler, with thoughts of becoming someone?

Is it the life of a liar, with the face of a happy girl, pretending to be ok?
Is it the life of a hopeless romantic, holding her scarred heart?

Who am I anyway? Why am I doing this?

Sometimes I wish I had chosen lesser complications in life. Some days remind me of things left undone, untold im sorrys and the dreaded hollowness. Sometimes I feel like all the cells I was born with is dying.

I’ve been crying my eyes out, alone in my room, while that mascara drains off and my eyelids are swollen. I tried so hard not to hurt anyone, even when they did everything possible to hurt every fiber of my being.

xx

Kampai Sushibar : A Review

We had our late lunch here yesterday prior to watching Fantastic Beast. I've been wanting to eat some Japanese food again so we decided to dine here at Kampai.

We've order bento meals - Beef Yakiniku and Ebi Bento and a platter of sashimi. The staff is nice and very attentive, i forgot his name, but he is really good :) Our bento meal's fine - beef is good although it's a little salty for me. The ebi tempura is ok, but the ebi itself is too small for a tempura. I'm somewhat disappointed with the sashimi - it was thinly sliced and the platter's not even good for sharing-- it's a little pricey. 

The miso soup isn't as tasty as it should be. The fish isn't fresh too, but yeah, i love sashimi. By the way, i asked the waiter to change my glass of water as there's a lipstick stain left on the glass. I don't know if they washed it before pouring the water or of they just wiped it off. Anyway, he gave me a new glass but i didn't bother drinking it. If you know what i mean. 

Btw, if you're looking for uni, this isn't the place. They don't have it. But yeah, you may wanna give it a try. This is my 1st hand experience anyway. 



Staff - 8/10
Cleanliness - 4/10 (because of the glass)
Price - 7/10 
Place - 7/10


Disclaimer: All things written here are 100% based on my on-hand experience and personal views.

Hilton Incentive - Dinner for Two

Last October 17, our company rolled out a new hotel incentive, in participation of the Hilton Hotels. We are all thrilled and excited about this!  We can enjoy an overnight accommodation with breakfast or we can get a dinner voucher (buffet) for 2 in Conrad Hotel - Brasserie on 3. This is actually the first site-wide incentive for Hilton – to increase Hilton WW hotel bookings.

Participate in the first site-wide incentive for Hilton and get a chance to win

a one-night accommodation or dinner for 2 at the Conrad Hilton Manila!!

During the incentive period, Traveler Services team members will compete for a chance to win an array of Hilton WW prizes. We have to book at least 5night stay at any Hilton hotels and submit those booking to our managers for the raffle draw.

I was actually on sick leave that during the roll out so I never got a chance to win any of the prizes. Week 2, I have to attend our International Upskill Training, therefore, I don’t have a chance to book any accommodations. Then week 3 came – tah dah! I was lucky enough to have several  hotel booking requests  and the clients specifically asked for Hilton Hotels! Whoop :))  I submitted my entry and that week, I received an email! Wohoooo! I won.

So, Ms. Angie Chew from Hilton, personally awarded us the voucher with certificates. I received 2 vouchers :)

Photo : My Instagram
(1voucher per person)

I’ll be posting our dining experience in Conrad, soon.

Again, thank you #Hilton ☻☻

Ash xx

Lugang Café with Sue Ramirez

Last Wednesday night, we had a sumptuous dinner at Lugang Café. Sue and Andrea had sent out last-minute dinner invitations. Lugang Café is on the 5th floor of SM Aura.

Sue and I had already placed our order and were waiting for it to be served when we arrived. As soon as we took our seats, we were greeted by the staff and presented with/offered a variety of drinks. I've noticed that a specific waitress is looking after our needs. Grace has been pleasant and friendly throughout the evening.

We had Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao as our appetizer. And yes, it is heavenly delicious – there’s a soup inside this dimsum and the pork is really tasty! No wonder Xiao Long Bao’s the star appetizer of this resto.

Sue is a huge fan of Asian food and loves seafood. Our food was served hot and fast. We had Oyster Omelette with Sweet and Spicy Sauce, Steamed Egg Custard with Clams, Golden Fried Rice with Egg and Shredded Pork ( yang chow).  We had mudslide for dessert.

Mudslide 

We will surely go back here for the long bao!

Thanks Sue Anna for this yummy dinner. Hugs!!

xx
Ash