Finally!

I have not written anything for the longest time, but today seems like a good day to write something and I want to be able to look back and smile, cry and maybe even laugh while reading this... This... Milestone.

So, why FINALLY? Well, I've heard this word countless times last month (this article was meant for January but due to time restraints, I'm only posting this now) so why not name the article that? Where exactly do I begin? Uhmmmm.. Before I continue, I just want to say that this a love story. LOL! Beginning of a love story to be exact. If you are not a fan of romance it's not yet too late to back out.

A few months ago, just being my quiet old self, I saw this guy named Jeff who also works in the same company as I do. I said hi, I'm no Miss Congeniality, I even have a resting b***h face. But, I do say hi to everyone I know. And this guy, I met him once in the recruitment area, I remember he was going to transfer to this gaming account, and met him again in Boracay back in 2012, we were actually in the same group as in same group of friends (coincidence? Maybe). Going back... So I happened to bump into him in the locker area, he looked at me and faked a smile. Okay, so I figured he doesn't remember me. It didn't really matter to me. This was, I think November 2014. So, my life, of course continued. After a few days, I saw him again and I said hi again. And still, he looked dumbfounded. I think I even commented "di mo na ko matandaan?" haha! Same thing happened on the 3rd time I said hi to him.

A few days or weeks after that, I got a message on facebook and it was from Jeff. Sooo, someone did a research. LOL! We chatted for hours, and to be honest I thought he was, uhmmmm, interrogating me asking me a lot of stuff like where I live, etc (this was still in November). We talked for a few hours, then that was that.


After a few weeks, 2 weeks or so if I'm not mistaken. I got a message from him again. We talked almost the entire day, talked about a lot of things and out of the blue he asked me why I'm single, so I explained that I didn't really have the time to date given my current situation. I am a single mom so I thought it would be emotionally and physically draining to be in a relationship. And I also told him that no one has really asked me out on a date, after saying that he immediately said "sine tayo". My initial reaction was... What?! Sine agad?! I felt like I was cornered, put on the spot. And wasn't really able to respond how I would really want to respond. Thinking straight, I would say, I really don't have time for this but instead I said, "ayoko ng movie, okay lang coffee or milk tea" and he said, "okay so it's a date?". I just said, "date agad?" "let's not call it a date, let's just chill."





Okay, so we did "chill", "hung out". First impression? My first impression was, PRESKO! LOL! I think I explained this to him, presko because, first of all you didn't recognize me, and when you finally did, you messaged me on facebook and then asked me out the second time we talked.But, he did explain that that was him nervous. Ohhhhkkaaayyy.

So the first time we hung out went okay, we talked about anything and everything but still, I thought we didn't have that much chemistry so I was thinking there won't be any follow up after this. (Or maybe that was just me, telling myself there shouldn't be a follow up) 

So I managed to turn that to a "non date".  I really have no plans of getting into a relationship, not even dating. My priorities are set straight, I have set rules for myself and I didn't want anything interfering with that. I remember I told him this before I agreed to go out with him, I told him my son is my priority. What he said was this, "yeah I understand, but eventually you're going to need a partner who will help you and support you...", I was like, what? But I guess that was one of the reasons I said yes, he seemed genuine enough so why not give it a try, and my best friend also told me "Okay, so you don't want to be in a relationship, but at least give yourself a chance. Who knows you might find a friend in 

Days passed, and exchanging of messages became a daily routine. We do work in the same company and site, but I told him that I wanted this to be discreet and just keep things on the down low. For the reason that, I didn't want to feel pressured and I didn't want to be teased, considering the fact that I was the only person in the qa red room who has been single for years (morning shift only I think) Sad truth. LOL! Only a few people knew that we we're errrr, dating and by few I meant two, very dear friends. ^wink^ They both made things lighter cause I get to talk to them about it.

Going back to what my best friend told me... What she said stuck with me like glue. And I was beginning to like him too, so one day I told him, I don't get to see you that much and I think it would be better if we hang out more or maybe walk me to the mrt after my shift so we can talk and catch up. So we did hang out that day, and this became a routine too. Well, not a daily routine though, but it was good cause I was getting to know him better. (And that song, we're getting to know each other a little too well, starting to show our feelings and people can tell... Started playing in my head) LOL! Well, it is only fitting.

(Grabbed this status from a friend in FB and it sort of became a wake up call for me. Hehehehhe!)

Okayyyy, so a few more days passed... We went out to see my best friend this was on January 10th and it was that same day that we really got to talk (well, we got to talk hours before my friend came, since she's always so fashionably late. We had the chance to have quality time away from work) and we got to know each other very well. I must say, "feeling high school" is the best term to describe this day with matching HHWW (OMG! I hope I am not too old for that. And for those who are wondering, I am 5 years older than Jeff).



Okay, so I was close to saying yes. I couldn't help it, the guy is just so affectionate and it rubbed off on me. All those years of building my walls, came to a halt. YES! I like him too. What I did, I prayed hard. (Actually, I have been praying since the day he asked me out, until now) I wanted to make the right decision this time around. I waited a few more days, but of course he already knew that I liked him too. A few more days passed, the papal visit, in which the photo he uploaded on our walls caused quite a stir.

Then his birthday, January 21st 2015, it was official. Then this caused chaos in Facebook, "Monica Halcon is now in a relationship with Jefferson Ang".

So there, finally final na. So far things are going smoothly. I'm sure things will also get bumpy, just remember the "21 things" and we'll both be fine. =)

And I just would like to add, I love a lot of things about you but what I love the most is how you treat Kobe and how Kobe likes you. ;)

I love you Jefferson Ang! Happy puso day to you.

Little White Cottage (now closed)

This article was originally included in my Vegan Restohunt write-up, but since I'm certain that I will be back here again and again and again I decided to make an individual article.


Little White Cottage
(A. Bonifacio St., San Juan)
littlewhitecottage
https://www.facebook.com/LittleWhiteCottageResto
Check out their FB page for the exact address...

This Saturday, we are scheduled to go to Cardinal Santos, a hospital in Wilson Street in San Juan, so this was our route. From F. Blumentritt Street (coming from Sta. Mesa), once you see Dominican College (My Alma Mater <3)turn left, that's A. Bonifacio Street, Little White Cottage is along A. Bonifacio, just right after the street next to Dominican College slow down once you've spotted the first street on the left, and you'll see a little white cottage. Finally we passed by it, and I told my mom, Maries and I are planning to eat there. So she said, ahhh okay let's eat there later. Psyched! LOL!

After a few hours of being in the hospital, we can finally have a decent meal. Good thing the traffic wasn't that bad. So we got there fast, and a parking space was available too.

I just love this... <3 <3 <3

I really liked the ambiance here, it was very relaxing kinda like stepping in to your own dining room. White walls, french windows, comfy native chairs, relaxing music, and not too much going-on on the walls.

How cozy is this?

Excuse my jammies... =)

Okay, so let's check out their menu.

Being a pescetarian for several months now, sure there are foods that I miss, but what I missed the most is... SISIG! So, that is what I ordered. And boy was I very happy and satisfied. 

I guess I won't be missing SISIG anymore. I can not put into words how to describe the taste of this, hmmm. It's just super good, I like that it has ginger and lots of onions in it. This too is definitely a must-try!

My mom ordered, Sweet And Sour Soyfish. 

And Mushroom soup for my son. Who is still wearing PJ's btw. LOL!

My son loved this! 

Prices are very reasonable, the serving is good for sharing. Rice meal costs P130, so for 2 persons that's only P65 each. 

The food tastes really good, I could've ordered more. At least I have a reason to come back soon. I can't wait to try the other food.

I have to say, out of the 3 vegan restos I have tried, this is my favorite. I wish I lived nearby, you'd see me here every single day.

August 9,2014

And yes, I'm back!

We just got back from my son's follow up check-up, and it's now lunch time as planned we're having lunch at the Little White Cottage.

This time I ordered, Vege-Lobster, I honestly have not eaten a lobster in my entire existence so I really have no idea what a lobster tastes like.

After eating this, I guess I can say.. Forget the real lobster. =)

My mom ordered Bihon Guisado, and Oh My Gosh!!!! It's one of the yummiest pancit I have ever, ever tasted. Very tasty, the vegetables are fresh and crunchy, the noodle is very good and not salty. Just perfect!

This is a must-try! I give this pancit 5 stars!

Yep, 5 stars for the Bihon Guisado! I'll definitely order this again and the sisig, and try the other food on the menu too.


I'm happy that my mom supports my diet, and that she also tries to eat at the restos that I like. She always ends up enjoying the experience. She said next time she'll try the spaghetti and meatballs.

So, till next time! I will be updating this soon!

August 24, 2014

It's now my third time here. I decided to have an early dinner right after the 4:30PM mass.

This time i ordered...

Soy Drumstick, I like the crispiness of this, and the taste, not too salty. Kids would definitely enjoy this.

Soy Drumstick @ P135

After enjoying this meal, I ordered a burger for take out.


Vege Burger!!!

Vege Burger @ P95

I like that the patty isn't sloppy. I have tried other vege burgers and the patty falls of the bun, which is kinda messy.

This, burger is just right, YUMMY! Will make you full for hours and hours, totally worth it.

Till next time!!!

Vegan Restohunt

Let the hunt begin!

I'm not a full-pledged vegan yet, but soon I will be. Thanks to a co-worker of mine, Archie who has been nothing but an inspiration. :) This article is about, vegan resto hunting. I don't think I need to explain that further, the title simply says it all. 

First stop!

My Happy Veggie

(Masangkay, Binondo, Manila)


It was Saturday my rest day, thinking of something productive to do. Well, maybe not that productive, I guess just looking for something good to do. My friends invited me for an oyster party (as in talaba), and I was like noooooo. 

Anyway, it was lunch time so I decided to drag my son into vegan resto hopping. Today I’ve chosen to scour Manila area, specifically in Masangkay Street, Chinatown area. In Masangkay alone, I think there are about three vegan restos. So for this day, I’m hoping to go to at least two. We hopped in the car then started the hunt, we finally reached Recto and as expected the traffic was terrible. What normally would take us 10 minutes, took us more than 30 minutes, then when we finally found the resto there was no available parking on site.  So we had to look around then finally, we found one.

 I don't frequent this other side of Masangkay, so technically it was my first time here. Masangkay is just along Recto Avenue, going to Divisoria make sure to stay on the right side of the street once you see Benavidez Street, make a right then just go straight till you reach the church which only leads to the left, then you’ve reached Masangkay.   

We found it, we’re Here!!! My Happy Veggie.. 

 

The place is warm, apart from the airconditioner being turned off, yeah, it is warm cause of the tangerine and yellow wall color. My son kept on complaining that it was so hot. Since we were the first ones there, they didn’t turn on the aircon yet. When the owner came in just a few minutes after we got there, that’s when they turned on the aircon. (cost cutting much?)

Anyway... Let's check out the menu.

  

While waiting for our food... It didn't take long, I think it took less than 30 minutes for our food to be served.

The spring rolls came in first, they looked so yummy. I liked the sesame seeds, that's something new.

Spring Rolls, 5pcs P70.00

This one's our favorite, just perfect.

Dumpling Noodle P90.00. My least fave.

Lemon Nugget Rice P93.00. I love the citrus taste of this

When we go to vegan restos I don’t tell my son that what he’s actually eating are veggies, only after eating do I tell him, or when he say that it’s really yummy.

It's my first time to try barley and I loved it, it kind of tasted like gulaman.

We're almost done..

The cost of the meal here is very affordable, the rice meal costs only P90 and that's cheap considering the serving, we even had leftovers. 

That's it for today, since the traffic was awful, and the parking space is uncertain, we only managed to go to one vegan resto.


If you are ever in the area, best you eat at My Happy Veggie!

Drink Fresh

(Masangkay, Binondo, Manila)

We were supposed to go to this fruitshake bar that I saw on google, it is also located in Masangkay. So I thought, we can drop by there for some refreshements after lunch, but the traffic was tremendously annoying! We had to do some grocery shopping so we postponed that for another day.

After 2 or 3 days, after work I decided to look for the fruitshake bar. Same street and same parking situation. It took me 10 minutes to get a parking slot, yup, just for a shake.

Organic fruit shakes! I tried their bestseller which is Guyabano. Just tell Ate not to put milk, just a little bit of sugar and you're good to go.

I know it isn't such a good idea to make flavor suggestions at this point since I've only tried one flavor, I'll make sure to try other flavors soon.

Wait for the update.. 😊

New Quan Yin Chay, Vegetarian
(Ongpin, Binondo, Manila)
http://poseidonsheiress.blogspot.com/search?q=charmed+binondo+girl



I have written an article about this resto a few months back. I like the food choices here, there are lots to choose from and everything looked great.

There were lots of customers, so that's a good sign. But I really don't enjoy crowded restos, wherein you can not eat well and you have to hurry cause other people are waiting to be seated. Anyway, the food experience was good. Thumbs up for the food and most of all, it is super affordable.

Had steamed broccoli, Bicol express (meat magic), shabu-shabu and kiampong rice. Everything there looked so yummy and very affordable. The big bowl of shabu-shabu costs P150, if I'm not mistaken 1 viand+rice costs P50, 2 viands+rice P70 add P10 for kiampong rice and add P20 for fried rice. :)

Next stop.... To be continued...