Improper

I am saddened by the fact that an organized group whose primary goal is cancer prevention in the Philippines is losing support from its sponsors. It employees will leave in two weeks in search of more stable jobs.

I do not have the right to explore the un-explorable, but experience tells me the problems stems from bad management and improper use of funds. By improper I mean any reader is free to use every possible meaning and implication of the word.

Okay, this blog post is starting to feel like a blind item from a Sunday broadsheet. I wish I'd write something less sad and more substantial next time.

So Fab Sofitel

Someone treated us for a sleepover at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the famous hotel beside Manila Bay that has witnessed a lot of wedding preparations and receptions, not to mention various corporate events and the like. Noy and I have been countless times because of events and weddings, either as a couple or as individuals, but we've never really stayed there. We considered it when we were choosing a reception venue for our wedding but found the price a tad too expensive. We do not have regrets spending our money on Diamond Hotel instead, but we're just as thrilled to stay at Sofitel for free. =)

Previous peeks tell me they've redesigned and improved their guestrooms, to our enjoyment.

I got pretty excited to see the L'Occitane verbena line travel kit in the stylish bathroom. I just love the just-showered scent of verbena on my skin.

Noy's a fan of cool showerheads, so he is so digging this one.

Dinner buffet was great, as always.

A lot of people go crazy over Sofitel's My Bed, which is really just a thin soft sheet placed over the bed, kind of like a thin mattress, claiming to take the shape of the person on the bed. Some swear by its ultra-soft feel that makes one want to just stay in bed forever. I honestly did not see what it was all about, even after waking up in the morning. I agree the bed is ultra-comfortable, but I've slept equally satisfying nights elsewhere. I don't have anything against My Bed, I bet it's a really good product. I guess I'm just irked at other people over-reacting to it on several internet sites just to be labeled sosyal. Oh well. It's other someone will kindly point it out to me or a good sleep really depends on a lot of factors aside from the bed or the contraptions in and around it.

But I had a good sleep, Noy and I both did. By the way the pool does look awesome at night when viewed from above.

We were looking forward to breakfast at the much raved upon Spiral, Sofitel's all day dining place below the lobby.

There was food, fabulous food everywhere. I honestly didn't know where to start because everything looked and smelled so good. I must say we were given a pretty nice spot right beside the spiral staircase. Noy and I loved the hot chocolate and OJ amidst the plenty. Ahhh the simple things.

I invited my parents to come stay with us in the morning. They bought our apo, Gerard, and his Lola along. I'm so happy to see them enjoying themselves even just for a while. How I wish I can treat them to a Sofitel sleepover, too.

Someday. I can't wait!

=)

Try This!

Homemade dessert lovers should try this one.


Layers and layers of sweet lemony custard in between sheets of fluffy egg white and flour mixture coated with a thin buttery cookie layer smothered with crunchy nuts make up this big treat.

It's Brazo de Mercedes meets Sansrival.

Don't wonder. Just try. Message me for details.

The Manila Scramble

Remember the pink icy goo smothered with milk powder and chocolate syrup (in Hershey's squeezable bottles, mind you, but I doubt if it's the real thing) sold in front of our schools as elementary pupils? Well, I've always wanted to taste some but never did. My papa said everything sold outside the school isn't clean and will cause us disease if we eat them. So I've been a very obedient child, not buying a cup of that girlish-looking concoction despite all my friends gobbling them up.Until yesterday night. Noy and I were looking for a gadget in Robinson's Pioneer when we noticed a long line forming outside the supermarket.

Then we saw this.


Noy jumped at the realization that it was his favorite treat in grade school, back when the rewards for having good grades were sweets and junk food. So I lined up for him while he scoured the grocery for supplies.


The Manila Scramble, a new and better version of the old skrambol so identified with our generation, is in the malls wowing up the adult crowd (those in line really are adults more than youngsters). The pink strawberry-flavored comfort food (make that a drink as well) is sold by the takal from a large clean Rubbermaid cooler, into medium (Php 10) and large (Php 17) paper containers. Small (Php 7) portions are sold in plastic cups. I of course got the small ones only since Im thinking it's one of those, despite being clean, dangerous stuff to eat when you're diabetic.


The exciting thing about this is that they've added the option of placing toppings with your scramble. I had fruit loops and rice krispies; Noy had corn flakes and marshmallows. There were a couple of other toppings whose names I don't really know. Toppings sell for Php 4 per. They add the milk for free if you're putting toppings. If you want it plain, they'll drizzle chocolate syrup onto your scramble and you're good to go; just add another Php 4 if you want milk on it, too.

So what can I say? I'd say I'm full of regrets not having skrambol as a child. I mean, Noy turned out to be a very healthy guy despite all the skrambol he had. The Manila Scramble's skrambol is so light and luscious at the same time. It's got this delightful hint of strawberry that will not overpower the chocolate syrup and whatever toppings mixed in.

This photo was taken from The Manila Scramble Facebook page.
Yes, we were THAT excited we forgot to take pictures of our own scramble.

I looked at my husband while he slowly sipped his scramble and even closed his eyes for a while, probably reminiscing his joyous grade school days, and realized the power of a pink slush in a cup. Then he gave me this disappointed look for buying just a small cup (store was closed when he finished checking in stuff from the grocery).

I'll buy a large cup tomorrow. No, two.

Would I Ask for More?

When I was deep into my 96-hour straight workweeks, I once seriously thought I'd consider an 8-5 job? I wondered what it was like sleeping a peaceful night, no crazy calls from stupid nurses at night, no dying patients at the break of dawn, no constant fear of encountering a strange emergency case at 2 am. I longed for mornings that start at my very own comfortable bed and perked up by the smell of homemade breakfast and not the usual hospital goo. I yearned to declare "That's it for today." at 5 pm and rush home to cook my husband a simple dinner, watch Grey's Anatomy or read Nicholas Sparks, hit the sack when I feel like it. Oh yeah, and do IT of course.

Well. Im kinda having THAT life right now, thanks to my clinical trial stint, the second year of which Im celebrating today. It's a happy one of course, because it means I get a salary increase. At least now I've equalled my moonlighting earnings without burning a lot of sweat.

My current life isn't exactly ideal - my husband is away two nights a week, and when he's around, I'd be too sad cooking alone at home so I'd rather hang around at the gym while he works out. Why I'm not joining him is another story. But yes, I do wake up in a comfortable bed. I do make delicious breakfast and get a lot of pleasure watching my husband gobble it up. I do declare "That's it for today." at 5 pm everyday. Well sometimes at 4 pm. Okay, 3 pm is more like it. But I do go home every afternoon. To a nice dinner, homemade or otherwise. More importantly, I sleep after a satisfying routine of cool shower, prayer, novel.

Despite all this, I am addressed as doctor at work. I get to keep my title without the associated insanity.

I honestly miss the hospital, but I'd rather not say no to this right now. I believe it's for me and I deserve it.