Lantaw

 I had to turn down an invite from my friends last night and subjected myself to twelve hours of sleep. Twelve hours of much needed sleep. I don't know why I was so burnt out I practically raped my bed last night. And yes, I woke up feeling well rested more than ever. So I finally had the time to gather my derpy self and fashion a post that has been sitting in my drafts since last week.

I don't know about you but one of my antidotes when I'm feeling stressed is definitely eating. It's not healthy I know. If I continue being like this, I might end up getting back to my paunchy self, which from the looks of it, is not too far down the road.haha. So anyway, that's about enough litany of introduction. Excuse my over talkative self. 

Now back to the topic of food. Last week, me and my workmates had to drag ourselves miles from the city just to eat. Yes, we go out of our way just for food. Was it worth it? See for yourself.

Photo grabbed from Lantaw's FB account

 Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant is situated at the tail of Cordova, Mactan, Cebu. We had to hire a van to take us there and it was long a ride but the view and the food made up for it. Well, we didn't have our SLR's to camwhore with so we had to rely on the Iphones to do their thing. Aside from the great view, food was up to par and the price for it was not a highway robbery, if you know what I mean.

You can take a peek at the jungle in the kitchen by the counter.

Comfy seats for everyone. I cannot complain.

Menu for Seafood lovers like me.

We arrived at the place while the sun was still up so we had the privilege of choosing our seats. We even had the owner welcome us which is how we learned that the said resto was also an affiliate of Moon Cafe. 

After sundown, the crowd was slowly building up and by the time we left, the place was packed already. I also fancied their waiters who understood our need for taking photos that they gladly and proactively offered to take it for us. 

If you notice, this is just a typical 'garapon' which they recycled and used as glasses.

Ready to eat!

Group picture without me. grrrr.

After realizing I ate that much food, I loathed myself.haha. Although I wanted to stay a little bit longer, we had to leave early for work the next day. I know, I know, it's such a bummer. To answer my question if it was worth it? 99% yes. There's always room for improvement since they're just starting but it's definitely a good start. I will definitely be coming back.

P.S. I apologize for the lack of creativity in my title, I could scarcely think of a good one. My wits bailed on me at the last minute.

Just Desserts

Truth be told, I was never the chocolate cray-cray kind of person. I preferred salty food over anything sweet. A lot of you might be wondering what the hell is wrong with my taste buds but yeah, that's just how I was wired. Nonetheless, I never back down from any challenge when it comes to food. I mean, come on, we only live once, we at least gotta try everything good there is. 

And so we became slaves of our gluttonous appetites and tasted everything sweet until we could taste no more. Talk about dessert buffet. And I said, Challenge accepted! But I failed miserably. After devouring my Lava Cake, my mouth raised up the white flag and shamelessly admitted defeat. Willy Wonka was disappointed.

I hope you get satiated even if all I have for you are these photos. May they serve your taste buds well.

Dessert Buffet Counter

Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream on Top. 

All the dessert you can eat.

So if you happen to be in Cebu and you want a taste of these mouth-watering sweets, do visit Fudge located along A.S. Fortuna. It's not a very grand place and it actually has a relaxing feel to it. And if you have a look at their menu, they also have pastas and what-nots so you'll have a lot of options in case sweet things are not your cup of tea.

Dessert menu

Just make sure you visit more prepared than I am 'coz this one's definitely not for the fainthearted. haha. I gotta stop writing like this. It feels weird. Anyhow, Dessert Buffet will run for the whole month of September, and it only happens once a year. As seen on their Facebook caption, you can always have your diet for the rest of the year. So I guess I'll see you there.

P.S. It's been a while since I posted a food entry. I hope this makes up for the long hiatus. :)

P.P.S. Credits to Karen for the photos above. I know I've badgered you enough so thank you.

Keep up with Life

When all else fails, I write.

 No, I'm not necessarily ultra mega sad this time. But to say I'm contented and happy is an overstatement. So I'm neutral. And confused. And lost, maybe?

 I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know where I'm at in my life right now. I don't know what's ahead of me and I'm scared. These are one of those days where I just wanna go home, be with my family and not the trying-to-be-independent-and-living-my-life-to-the-fullest-wanting-to-make-my-decisions kind of me. I know for those who have been faithfully reading my once in a blue moon entries are probably tired and getting nauseous of my endless rants. I am too. But writing has always been my comfort and refuge. It's the only way I cope.

For the past couple of months, I have been living on my own, providing for my own, and deciding on my own. I found it liberating and fun. I would like to believe I was and am still responsible despite the fact I am away from le parents. But I'm not exactly sure that what I'm doing right now is what I wanna do for the next 10 years. I am nowhere near my passion and that voice inside me which fuels my determination is slowly wavering every single day. I have to get a grip of what it's really telling me before it gives up.

I've also been thinking a lot about relationships lately. Now, don't get me wrong on this. I'm not in a hurry to get into one. Believe me, I've waited this long, a few more years won't hurt. I would like to believe I'm getting closer every single day. But sometimes, I just can't help but feel lonely. I have friends who are single too and I have a whole lot of fun being with them when I'm not at work. But it's a totally different thing when you are in a relationship with someone. I know you know what I mean.

I have spent the entire day reflecting and thinking. And even the gloomy weather is cooperating with me. Life really surprises us sometimes and we all have to keep up. We all have to keep up or else we'll get left behind.

A Love Story

I love weddings. I think it's one of the most magical moments in a person's life. If you disagree with me, I hate you. haha. kidding!

When our TM invited us for her wedding, I could not contain my excitement. I had my dress ready days ahead and there was no doubt in my head I was going to the event. But for some reasons, the people I was supposed to go with backed out at the last minute, I wanted to throw a tantrum. Thank heavens, I was able to find company in the most unexpected people and I still had a lot of fun. 

I won't write much though, I'll just let the photos do their thing.

Prenup photo of the couple

After the wedding. Just 'coz we were late.haha

Yes, I had to be in front. You know that rule.

The newlyweds!

My dates that night.

Of course, we had to try the photobooth.

Cute thingummies! They had their names and photos printed. How clever is that?

And the cake!

Mr.  and Mrs. Cupcake

I had to impress someone with that dress. shhhh.haha

Although we had to leave early because of work, it was still one of the most romantic weddings I've been to. I almost cried during the reception, how is that normal?haha. I've never imagined myself being married to someone but if I do, I hope it will be as romantic. 

Congratulations TM Mai and Starky! Best Wishes to you both!

test

Something new about me. Oh well, it seems like time has once again played wit me

Random Ramblings

It's official, I am a nocturnal being all through to my core. And I blame this unnerving work schedule which, without a single hint of mercy, has already turned my body clock upside down. Plus, the Starks of Winterfell and the sinister clan of Lannisters are not helping at all in my union with my bed. Oh, I apologize for the lack of courtesies, I am talking about George R.R Martin's Game of Thrones by the way. I have literally buried my head in that book for the past few nights and I'm afraid I've gone too far this time I could even see them in my dreams. So I decided to drop it for a while and indulge myself in the comfort of words and writing.

So, what to write, what to write?

Well, actually, nothing specific comes to mind. Maybe a few random ramblings will do, just to free my head of cluttered thoughts and give itself it's much needed space for more thinking. Hmmm. That reminded me of something. Some people say I think too much. Or worry too much. Well, I won't exactly argue with that. I don't know, It just comes naturally to me. Oh, and then I got to thinking, worrying as something natural, I could already imagine how awful that sounds. But yeah, I guess that's just how I was wired. It's not really that bad though. At least I think so.

By the way, on a totally different note, I have been following Ser Paulo Coelho in Facebook (yes, I use Ser as he is a knight to me as any other in GRR Martin's book.haha. I am crazy like that) and he just posted this a while ago from his book Aleph, "Dreamers can never be tamed." and a few days back, " Man needs to choose, not just accept his destiny." I don't know exactly why I'm quoting him right now, I just felt like those words spoke to my soul.

I often wondered who I might become 10 years from now, sometimes I even fear I might not become who I wanted to be. I mean, that's good right? At least I still have the sense to think about my future. But then again, by the words of Arya Stark, "Fear cuts deeper than sword." And the words of Ser Paulo is still ringing in my head, "The fear of suffering is worse than suffering itself." Uh, that will leave me thinking the entire night.

Anyway, I'm finally going home in a few days and I cannot contain my excitement! Even if I had to pay a hefty lot for rescheduling my flight (yes, I'm still a little bit sore about that) but screw that, I am prancing and about just thinking about it. And yes, I will be updating you once I'm home already, there's no doubt about that.

Can anything get more random than this? I think that should do it for the night though. Lord Eddard and the rest are waiting for me at King's Landing. Teehee ^^

Up the Heights

I'm writing this post with stingy eyes (for apparent lack of sleep) and empty gaunch (I could eat a horse, really) but my desire to post another entry is winning over so I will deal with those issues later. For the meantime, I will write.

I have missed the blogosphere sooo much, you have no idea. And it feels so good to be back in front of the screen rambling about just anything. I finally found the time to unwind from work (well actually, this is even a jammed post already) and breathe fresh air, literally. We went up the heights a couple of days ago and to say we had fun is an understatement.

The view is breathtaking from up here. 

I mean, c'mon, do I need to explain the need for food?haha

It was my first time at Mountain View Nature's Park and being the adventure freak that I am, I wanted so much to try the very long ropes course you can see on the photo below. But for some reasons, I decided to wear a long maxi dress and open sandals during the trip. I was like, 'Seriously Ivy? What were you thinking?' And I went home leaving my heart on that ropes course. :(

I badly wanted to try this course but for some unfortunate reasons, I wasn't able to. booo :(

I never like liked frogs, but these two were an exemption. 

Nevertheless, I still had a lot of fun. The place was really nice and it was difficult not to camwhore. I'm pretty sure the next set of photos are evidence enough.haha. 

The whole park was really huge, we had to walk our way from one spot to another but it was totally away from the hustle and bustle of the city, so quiet, I could live there. 

We ended up going home late at night but it was more than worth it. The whole team was not complete but I'm very thankful that I go to work with these people, it definitely makes work so much easier and less stressful.
*Credits to Aira for all of the photos posted here.

This week has been amazing for me so far and one thing is for sure, God is really good. I am happy and beyond grateful for everything. I hope everything's going well with all of you as well.

P.S. I know this is totally random and unrelated but just FYI for the Olsen  fans out there (with which I am proudly one of). Mary-Kate and Ashley (yes, I call them on a first name basis.haha) recently bagged the title of Womenswear Designers of the Year at the CFDA awards. Dare I say, keep 'em coming? I definitely will do!

xoxo,
biang