JP was scheduled to spend the second and last week of his winter vacation with me, after spending the weekend in CDO. I asked him to bring me a box of French Macarons, if they have them since CDO is already home to SM and Centrio and KetKai, while Dumaguete only has Robinsons so we have a pretty limited array of options when it comes to pastries here, which is really not that bad unless you really want to know what French Macarons taste like. I've been seeing photos of these pastel-colored treats all over the internet, and I believe that there are pastry shops in Bacolod that sell them, but alas, none in Dumaguete.
I was already half -thinking that there could be a teeny tiny chance that he'd bring me the macaroons that most of us know, you know, the kind made with shredded coconuts. They taste good and I've had many childhood memories of me and friends munching on tasty, fresh-from-the-oven coconut or butter macaroons, but this time I wanted 'em French and round and pastel-colored!!!
To make the long story short, dear boyfriend came bringing the shredded coconut macaroons. I couldn't get mad, even if I tried. I imagined him walking all over the mall, looking for the macarons but not knowing what they look like. The effort was very much enough for me. Perhaps we can try French Macarons together the next time he visits. If the urge becomes too irresistible, I could just hop on a bus bound for Cebu and fix this French macaron obsession once and for all :) And besides, the macaroons he brought were so colorful and cute, I really regretted not taking any pictures of those before my brother and sister got to them.
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I enjoyed the last of his macaroon pasalubong since my brother and sister ate the entire contents of the box, except this one. And it tasted pretty good! |
My first time at Rai Rai Ken was on a dull afternoon with the boyfriend on his first week here. The side of the mall was quiet, since it was a school day and an afternoon to boot. Rai Rai Ken was empty which suited us fine. I was in the mood for something hot and warm to soothe my tummy and the boyfriend suggested we get some noodle soup. I'm not really a fan of ramen (chopsticks are NOT my friends! :O) but I agreed with him that ramen was probably the best thing for my tummy at that time. And so into Rai Rai Ken we went!
Rai Rai Ken is located along the back of Robinson's Dumaguete, along the short strip of restaurants beside Dong Juan's and Kalikaf. It stands just right across the Bingo hall (another thing I have yet to try!) and is pretty small, but they are making a habit of putting out tables outside to accommodate diners who prefer to eat al fresco.
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He suggested we get the red iced tea. It was good! I feel like red iced tea is something very Chinese and ramen-y, something they usually serve in ramen houses... of course, I could be mistaken, since I often do not go into ramen houses that often haha! |
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Ah chopsticks. We never got along, and perhaps, we never will!
And for that, I thank the person who invented the fork :D |
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Ramen! Ramen everywhere! The miso was good though.
I was beginning to feel anxious that I would not like, but I did. I also like how fast the service was. |
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:) |
Will I go back? Probably when I get the munchies for some good ol' noodle soup that is not of the instant variety, haha! I'll probably try the dumplings next time, but I think I'll try practicing on my chopsticks first! :D
If you have better chopsticks skills than I do, check Rai Rai Ken out
here.
“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
― Charles M. Schulz ―
Ok, so I think there's a preeeetty good chance I'll end up as one of those women who'll grow old and dote on their dogs or cats until they die. I spent the afternoon capturing shots of Pepito , my sister's pup as he slept and played with his toys. Pepito is sort of the resident baby in the house, fur and all, and he's got a pile of toys that he knows are his and no one else's, which makes him a pretty selfish little pup (but aren't they all???).
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sleeping Pip |
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newly-washed toys! Pip is H-A-P-P-Y! |
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his toys are strewn all over the floor and scattered is how he likes them |
I was content to let him sleep, since he can be a terror when he is awake, but he woke up a few minutes after I took pictures. Now he's whimpering beside me because he is tethered to the door while everyone else is doing something...just like any other puppy, Pepito always likes to be in the thick of things.
It's the second day of February, and the year is rolling like a train, seemingly unstoppable. I cannot believe that we are going to celebrate Valentine's Day in two weeks! I'm extra thrilled about this year's V-day because this is going to be the first time (*fingers crossed!!!*) that I'll be celebrating it with the boyfriend (yep, that is how pathetic our LDR has become). I cannot blame him, though, since he always made it a point to spend time with me either before or after that day in the two years that we've been together, and I never put too much stock on Valentine's Day anyhow, so it was all good. But a girl does need that one Valentine's Day to feel like she's like all other girls out there, going out for for dinner, being part of the mushy, hand-holding crowd, even for just once in her life, so I'm hoping that this year, is going to be that year. I'm not the mushy type, no sir, so I think after this year I can deal with missed Valentine's Days (but a gift is always a must, don't you think?)
February definitely did not come too fast for me, and I'm glad it's finally here!!!
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about friends and family members who've come and gone.Blame it on the weather, but I've been on a contemplative mood lately. The recent passing of a friend also made me think about how short and fragile life is, and how sudden it can be snuffed out. It may sound like we already know it and it's been said a thousand times, but it is true and it doesn't always have the effect that it should, but (*looooong sigh*)...
life is short :(
The thought of people I've known and loved who have passed on before their time always brings a blanket of sadness, but I would like to think that there's always somewhere better than here. But still, here is a beautiful place, too. Tonight, I'll say a prayer for all the people who I've met and formed a part of my life in one way or another, but who moved on ahead of me. I hope they found beauty and light and love during their stay here, and perhaps more wherever they are now.
And as the song goes, I can't believe we get just one.