BEYOND TOXICITY

Yesterday,  my 4 year-old son Gabby enjoyed his trick or treating at Gateway Mall in Araneta Center,Cubao.   It’s his 3rd time to do it;  first was shortly after he turned 2, back then he wore a cute pumpkin costume in Glorietta.  Then last year at Trinoma and The Block, we transformed him to a prince of darkness complete with black and purple velvet cape.  And for this year’s halloween trick or treating, my wife and I, with Gabby’s approval, decided to dress him as a Red Dragon Ninja.  And he was so excited to wear it the moment we bought it few weeks back in Makati. He also wanted to have a red & black devil’s fork and a new pumpkin for his candies so we gave in to his request.  After all, it’s only once-in-a-year-event.

We arrived at the mall around 4pm; the trick or treating was scheduled at 5pm so we sipped iced coffee first & ate banoffee pie in wherelse but starbucks. 

Then we saw kids coming in, in different costumes assuming various characters.  They were so cute but ofcourse we love our own.  No one came close to Gabby’s cuteness, hahaha…  True! even other parents and sales people of most shops adored Gabby and his costume. 

Living statues also walked around the malls as both colorful and  dark creatures and were generous enough to pose for photos with Gabby and other kids.

And these were the goodies he gained from having fun at the mall…

We’re going to bring Gabby again to another Trick or Treating in Trinoma Mall this week … Till our next happy halloween…

“You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” - Annie Dillard

This strengthens somehow, my will to take the big leap.

I am leaving the college that I served beyond my salary of four years.

It’s high time to move on.  It’s no longer healthy for me to stay.

I believe I deserve something far better.

A workplace where politics and gossips do not exist or at least minimal,

to wherever my efforts will be recognized and reciprocated,

most importantly to a venue where people work for the good of others and the glory of God.

Shakespeare  wrote “Parting is such a sweet sorrow.”

But for the moment, I say parting is such a sweet LIBERATION !”

PIZZA CAVIALE. SALMONE.

RIGATONI All’ ALFONSO.

TIRAMISU.

TE FREDDO.

TE PESCA.    

This menu spells delizioso!

After my work at Allgen Reviewers in Kalaw, Manila yesterday (17 October ‘08, Friday)  I met Tina and our son Gabby at Gateway mall in Araneta Center Cubao, which is one-LRT-station away from where we live in Quezon City.  We decided to have an early dinner at Cibo.   It was my 3rd time to dine at Cibo.  First was with Tina at Cibo-Shangri-la mall as one of our first few dates and second was with good-all-time college friends at Cibo-ELJ Bldg; unfortunately they didnt like the antipasti we ordered.   But yesterday’s dinner with my family was special.   We enjoyed every bite ! 

The pizza CAVIALE.SALMONE made of salmon, caviar and white cheese in super thin crust isn’t ordinary.   We love its mild salty taste.  For our pasta, we ordered rigatoni all’alfonso,  la famiglia (serving-to-share).  It’s made of shrimps, chives, stewed tomatoes, chili peppers and cream and  I can eat it everyday for it’s utterly delicious!  Iced tea in peach, TE PESCA, and lemon, TE FREDDO limoni are refreshingly sweet.  Cibo’s tiramisu is also non-traditional; it’s made of crusty base and cream topped with dark chocolate shavings…Hmmm, I’m still salivating….

can’t wait to eat in Cibo again… sigh. 

ofcourse our day won’t be complete without dose of caffeine…

This afternoon while proctoring the final exams that I prepared for Medical-Surgical Nursing for the  graduating hopefuls, former students who are now licensed nurses paid me a visit for two reasons.   One, to inform me that they are interested in attending Allgen Reviewers 2nd Open House on October 25th to know more about NCLEX-RN & IELTS processes and preparation and second, to give me something to show their gratefulness to my humble efforts.   They personally wrote their gratitude on a mounted poster bought from a local shop which was definitely one for the books…  

This simply reminded me that what I am doing  isn’t a THANKLESS JOB after all. 

But I know it’s HIGH TIME to move on to greater heights where my efforts will be recognized and reciprocated.

To  nurses Valerie Aquino, Russel Chan, Edmor Joseph Sebello, Julius Marquez and Dexie Manigbas, you are most welcome.

And THANK YOU too for being grateful.  Carry on…

“Successful living means doing life in community with God , using what He has given us, at His direction and thereby laying up treasure in heaven. At the same time, He promises we will experience the adventure of what it means to really live.”

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Quotes from the Lloyd Reeb’s From Success to Significance : When the pursuit of success isn’t enough.

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”   

-Morrie,  from Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie.

GABBY’S DAY at SCHOOL :     I woke up this morning at 5AM,   that’s 35 minutes later than Tina’s waking time.  I didn’t have a sched at review center today and on Tina’s end, she took the day off from her work just to cook and prepare early for Gabby’s birthday treat at school. 

The GAME PLAN :     We decided few weeks back that Gabby will have his birthday celebration at Twinkle Toes Academy on their P.E. day- Friday, making it a 2-day-advance party since his actual birthday falls on a Sunday (October 5th).  After choosing on the date, We agreed on a specific budget to cover for the food & drinks, cake, and other party needs.  We went to 168 mall in Divisoria to buy some party stuffs - from invites, party hats, smiley pins as favors and loot bags and those what-to-put-inside.   We went to grocery at Landmark, Trinoma and bought ingredients for carbonara,  hotdogs & sausages as fingerfoods and juice drinks.

The THEME :     Other cartoon characters were initially  considered but ended up with one of Gabby’s favorites, MR. BEAN.  

THE BIG DAY :    After more than a weeklong preparation and an early morning rise,  we hurried at Gabby’s school at around 9AM to be on time for their 9:30AM recess time. And everything was done in a swift.  We never thought that it’ll be that fast, but it was worth it; for Gabby was excited and delighted to see his classmates and teachers singing & greeting him Happy Birthday !  and giving him presents.

                          “The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” 

                                       ***   **      *      **    ***

Photos taken at TGI Fridays and Timezone TRINOMA, October 1, 2008.

            yummy !                                          smiley !

      air hockey table                   prized piglets                   detention cell

     ready, aim, fire !                       shoot !                               shoot !

My son will turn four years old this Sunday, October 5th. 

I thank God for giving us Gabby and for keeping him healthy and happy. 

Two days ago, my mom suggested over the phone that Tina and I should try eating at Tramway Garden Buffet in Timog Avenue,  Quezon City.   Inspite of the fact that we’re on a tight budget these days, we still love to eat good food, and we live quite near the place so I decided to bring my family there.

Tramway Garden Buffet serves chinese food, around 14 of them I guess, includes dimsum, dumplings, fried chicken, some chinese-cooked veggies, sweet and sour pork, chinese-cooked fish, and others with two types of soups and a salad bar with fresh fruits and guinatan. They mixed Chinese with Filipino dishes even Japanese for they also serve California Maki beside their butchi.   

Advantage over other buffets : CHEAPEST at  P199/pax inclusive of VAT and no service charge. Sunday buffets are at a higher price of P300 plus for it includes Peking Duck, Roasted pork, shrimps & other seafoods.   

Disadvantages compared to other buffets : Since the buffet price is so cheap, the place is chaotic at dinner (they also serve lunch).   Smiles and courtesy of the staff are not as cheap as the buffet price.  I’m not sure if they’re so stressed out that night when we ate dinner but there should be no excuses for courtesy if one works in a restaurant or any other people-businesses where smiles to customers are mandatory.

Taste review :  I haven’t heard of any buffet cheaper than P199 but when it comes to taste,  I must admit my gastronomic craving was satisfied.  Taste of the entire buffet is good enough for its price, but it should be improved to be at par with the others.  

Tramway Garden Buffet is at #65 Timog Ave, Quezon City near the old Ozone Disco.