I used to do this year-end survey in my old blog, and I thought it proper to continue with this little tradition. I didn't think I'd be able to dig this up because my old blog shut down last year. Or so I thought. When a friend mentioned on Twitter that she planned on answering the survey as well, I tried Googling for my blog archives. What do you know, my old blog is alive after all! I won't link it though, some things are best left in the past. :) Maybe someday.
Anyway, with this survey, you get an idea of how my 2013 went:
What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
- Successfully bake a banana cake.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I crossed off some of the items in my list of 2013 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No, but both my nieces turned one this year!
Did anyone close to you die?
- Yes. My aunt, Nanay Juliet passed away in June.
What countries did you visit?
-Vietnam.
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
-More stamps in my passport. A more stable income, and a steady fitness routine.
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-June 3, 2013. My life took a detour I didn't expect.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
-My baking wasn't actually half-bad!
What was your biggest failure?
-Small stuff. like keeping my place neat. hahaha - This has been it for the last half-decade.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
-Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
-My Rebelle flats, Joan & Klaire camou tote, MAC lipsticks. :) Oh, and my BB Dakota leather jacket I got on sale for only 2k. Score! And the shopping haul I got from Pam Quinones's closet sale. (Is it obvious I'm a shopaholic?)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
-Everyone who helped after Yolanda.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
-JANET NAPOLES.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
-Vietnam with Jay and his family. Coron!
What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
- Gravity, Daylight, Sad.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? --Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- People say thinner. I have no idea.
iii. richer or poorer? --Break-even.
What do you wish you'd done more?
-Exercise is the permanent answer to this question.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
-Eat.
How many one-night stands?
-Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
-Orphan Black, Scandal, House of Cards, Suits, The Blacklist, Revenge, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Top Chef, Master Chef, Person of Interest, and Mistresses.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
-Nope
What was the best book you read?
- Every Day by David Levithan and Falling Together by Marisa Delos Santos
What was your greatest musical discovery?
-None. I'm quite sad about this, actually. I didn't listen to new music that much this year. But I like Katy Perry's new album.
What did you want and get?
- Hmmm. Let me get back to you on that. But I was really lucky in promos and giveaways. Won three blog/online promos this year!
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- Flight, The Great Gatsby, Ekstra, Transit, On the Job.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
-26, dinner with my mom.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
-A dive. One more trip abroad. Brady.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
-Went semi-corporate because of my new company's dress code. My feet hating me for it (no more sandals).
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
-Bianca King (her home) and Agoo Bengzon.
What political issue stirred you the most?
-PDAF Scam.
Who did you miss?
-Always, my dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
-The whole editorial team. :)
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
- Leave no room for regret, just acknowledge that sometimes, you make poor decisions. Be glad you have the power to change them (October 2013).
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
-"Lagi kang mukhang pleasant. Parang hindi ka nagagalit."
-"Continue being the poster girl for the editorial team! Achieve! *sparkles*"
The most touching experience you've had this year?
-My last visit to Nanay in the hospital.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I stuck to my responsibilities.That I didn't (well, haven't) crack under pressure.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
-Procrastinating, and not thinking about my decisions that much.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- "Oh this road is long, this road is wide. It takes more than luck to last the ride. It takes strength and it takes courage to survive."
Was 2013 a good year for you?
- No.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Dinner at Castaway Island, Coron with Jay and Nins. Talking to my 96-year-old grand-aunt.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
-Leaving the office at 3am.
Where were you when 2013 began?
- At home, inhaling smoke and jumping like a jellybean.
Who were you with?
-Family.
Where will you be when 2013 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2013 ends?
-Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2014?
- Not really resolutions. More like goals.
What was your favorite month of 2013?
-May.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2013?
-Yes.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
-My Dad and Nanay.
What was your favorite record from 2013?
-Maroon 5's Overexposed and Katy Perry's Prism.
How many concerts did you see in 2013?
- Four: The Script, Bamboo, Carly Rae (don't judge, it was free), and Fall Out Boy.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2013?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2013
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
-No.
How much money did you spend in 2013?
- A LOT.
What was your proudest moment of 2013?
- Baking class. :) Oh, I was surprised when glamour.com picked up one of my blog entries. Haha! And getting back to magazine writing after two years. :)
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2013?
- Hmmm. Wala naman.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
- Signing my name on the dotted line. Hehe.
What are your plans for 2014?
- Be more educated financially, find a more stable job, bake more and cook more.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- More focused on the future. More wary of user-friendly people.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- For my prayers to come true!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Resto Bites - Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
Sometimes it's nice to get lost and explore because you end up discovering something good. That's what happened to us after leaving the Super Sale Bazaar at the World Trade Center last Saturday.
Jay and I went there to visit the booth of our good friend Nina, who owns Sassyfabfinds (check her store out!). We didn't have a car that day so we needed to catch a cab to get home. Traffic was still heavy when we left the bazaar and we wanted to eat nearby. We decided to walk it out and ended up at Hobbies of Asia Complex on Macapagal Ave., where there's a number of restaurants. We almost ate at one hot pot place, but Jay wanted to check out the other options.
We chanced upon Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant. There were a lot of flowers by the door so I asked the waiter if they just opened. He said they did, only last November 28. We really only wanted to check the menu, but the attentive servers immediately led us to our seats. The place was packed, so I thought it was worth a try.
Golden Elephant looks like a Chinese restaurant at first glance but it actually offers Thai and other Asian dishes. I guess the elephant statues and gold touches should've clued me in, hehe. The restaurant has a loft design, with lots of tables and booths to accommodate big parties or dating couples. We got a cozy booth at the loft, which has floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the main dining area.
After being seated, we were given a fresh pot of house tea and complimentary appetizer of mushrooms, onions and cucumber in hot and sour sauce.
Here's what we ordered:
Deep Fried Lapu-Lapu with Mango Sauce. This dish is a bit pricey but it's worth it. One whole grouper, fried to a nice crisp, lies in a bed of sweet chili sauce and garnished with julienned green and ripe mangoes. I'm not a fan of sweet entrees but this is too good to pass up!
They also offer Steamed Lapu-Lapu in Black Bean Sauce, which is more up my alley. I'll try that on my next visit.
Salted Egg Prawn. I have a new favorite! I love shrimps and prawns cooked in every which way so I zeroed in on this dish instantly. Seven pieces of fat, juicy prawns fried in salted egg batter sit atop a bed of kropek noodles. I scraped the tasty batter off the shell, mixed it with the prawns and enjoyed it with spoonfuls of steamed rice. Don't forget the kropek noodles! It stayed crispy even after our meal, I had it bagged to go as well. :p
We also wanted to try the Grilled Skewered Frogs but it still wasn't available. Another dish that caught my eye was a sample platter of Chicken Pandan, Spring Rolls, and seafood cake (can't remember if it's crab or fish). But there was only two of us so we passed. We noticed the Pineapple fried rice was a hit among the other diners (fried rice served on a hollowed out pineapple shell).
The owners were hands-on (we're guessing it's a family business), supervising the floors and checking the dishes coming out of the kitchen. A lady came up and gave us a silver VIP card, which entitles us to a 5% discount on every visit! We asked out server if we could use it then. She said not yet, but not to worry because we were getting a 20% discount on our bill (not including beverages) anyway! How lucky were we?
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant is a good place to take your family for special occasions or Sunday lunches and dinners. Fresh seafood and other flavorful dishes with generous portions are served, and they have an extensive menu you can choose from.
Dine at the restaurant and enjoy 15% discount until December 31, 2013. And if you're lucky, you might be able to get a discount card too. :)
P.S. After doing research for this post, I realized it's not an entirely new restaurant, but they just changed their name. It's formerly Koh Samui Thai Cuisine. That explains the print on our table napkins and take away bag. Just the same, the good food and great service promises a good experience for diners. :)
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
M6, Hobbies of Asia Complex, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
Tel Nos. +632-556-6666/+632-808-9999/+63915-7722229
P.S. I know the correct term is "seafood" and that's actually what's in their discount card, so I hope they drop the extra "s" on their front signage.
Jay and I went there to visit the booth of our good friend Nina, who owns Sassyfabfinds (check her store out!). We didn't have a car that day so we needed to catch a cab to get home. Traffic was still heavy when we left the bazaar and we wanted to eat nearby. We decided to walk it out and ended up at Hobbies of Asia Complex on Macapagal Ave., where there's a number of restaurants. We almost ate at one hot pot place, but Jay wanted to check out the other options.
We chanced upon Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant. There were a lot of flowers by the door so I asked the waiter if they just opened. He said they did, only last November 28. We really only wanted to check the menu, but the attentive servers immediately led us to our seats. The place was packed, so I thought it was worth a try.
 |
Golden Elephant looks like a Chinese restaurant at first glance but it actually offers Thai and other Asian dishes. I guess the elephant statues and gold touches should've clued me in, hehe. The restaurant has a loft design, with lots of tables and booths to accommodate big parties or dating couples. We got a cozy booth at the loft, which has floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the main dining area.
After being seated, we were given a fresh pot of house tea and complimentary appetizer of mushrooms, onions and cucumber in hot and sour sauce.
Here's what we ordered:
Deep Fried Lapu-Lapu with Mango Sauce. This dish is a bit pricey but it's worth it. One whole grouper, fried to a nice crisp, lies in a bed of sweet chili sauce and garnished with julienned green and ripe mangoes. I'm not a fan of sweet entrees but this is too good to pass up!
They also offer Steamed Lapu-Lapu in Black Bean Sauce, which is more up my alley. I'll try that on my next visit.
Salted Egg Prawn. I have a new favorite! I love shrimps and prawns cooked in every which way so I zeroed in on this dish instantly. Seven pieces of fat, juicy prawns fried in salted egg batter sit atop a bed of kropek noodles. I scraped the tasty batter off the shell, mixed it with the prawns and enjoyed it with spoonfuls of steamed rice. Don't forget the kropek noodles! It stayed crispy even after our meal, I had it bagged to go as well. :p
We also wanted to try the Grilled Skewered Frogs but it still wasn't available. Another dish that caught my eye was a sample platter of Chicken Pandan, Spring Rolls, and seafood cake (can't remember if it's crab or fish). But there was only two of us so we passed. We noticed the Pineapple fried rice was a hit among the other diners (fried rice served on a hollowed out pineapple shell).
The owners were hands-on (we're guessing it's a family business), supervising the floors and checking the dishes coming out of the kitchen. A lady came up and gave us a silver VIP card, which entitles us to a 5% discount on every visit! We asked out server if we could use it then. She said not yet, but not to worry because we were getting a 20% discount on our bill (not including beverages) anyway! How lucky were we?
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant is a good place to take your family for special occasions or Sunday lunches and dinners. Fresh seafood and other flavorful dishes with generous portions are served, and they have an extensive menu you can choose from.
Dine at the restaurant and enjoy 15% discount until December 31, 2013. And if you're lucky, you might be able to get a discount card too. :)
P.S. After doing research for this post, I realized it's not an entirely new restaurant, but they just changed their name. It's formerly Koh Samui Thai Cuisine. That explains the print on our table napkins and take away bag. Just the same, the good food and great service promises a good experience for diners. :)
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
M6, Hobbies of Asia Complex, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
Tel Nos. +632-556-6666/+632-808-9999/+63915-7722229
P.S. I know the correct term is "seafood" and that's actually what's in their discount card, so I hope they drop the extra "s" on their front signage.
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