Birthday Dinner at Mint Cafe

I was thinking of something special to do for this milestone-ish birthday so I took my family to a restaurant in a hotel, something we had never done before. My siblings and I grew up not having too much but I also did not feel like we had too little.

When we were so much younger, my parents would always throw birthday parties for us. A party would mean having to blow candles on our cakes with friends and relatives around but as we grew older, the gatherings became simple. You know, life happened. :) Cakes would sometimes be absent but there was always something because in this family, every birthday is a milestone worth celebrating.

I made a pact with myself that on my birthdays, I'll take my family somewhere special rather than throwing out parties ('cause I am not really the party type. Hihi.) . Mint Cafe at Greenleaf has this luxurious feel but friendly on my pocket. I honestly wouldn't have cared paying a little extra because it was my gift to my family but really, this restaurant is budget friendly. 

I like looking at my mama watching her family happy and noisy during a meal. I like how my papa wants to copy a recipe from every restaurant we go to. This here, my friends, is what I live for. I am the giver type of a person. I love making my loved ones happy. That makes me the happiest human being. 

Oh, thank You God for the 30 beautiful years. I am deeply grateful! Thank you to the people who made me a part of their lives and for making this day extra special. My heart is full. The photo below pretty much sums up my birthday wishes. :)

Have a happy heart friends! :)

Onajin Massage Relaxation Zone

I have always been frugal. Before I purchase a thing, I look at the price tag first. If it is way over my budget, I just cry myself at night. Letting go's are never easy as they say. Letting go of something I really want, say shoes, which I know would be unreasonable to get hurts as much as letting go of a company you've served for so long. Ok, the company thing maybe harder but hey, the shoes. I mean, c'mmon ladies! I need people on my side. You know what I am talking about. :)

Well, there are also days when I spend for something unplanned but I am now over impulsive buying. I am not yet very money-smart but I am miles better than I was in my early twenties. I guess that's the beauty of getting wiser each year. You know your priorities and you know how to allocate your hard-earned moolah. It is nice to have some splurges once in a while especially if it promotes the well-being of oneself.

One thing I have learned to love is having a massage. It is great to be pampered after a hard day at work and I deeply believe that this kind of treat is something I owe to myself.

I was heading to a spa along Aparente Street, Gensan when I came across Onajin Massage Relaxation Zone along the way. Since I liked trying out something new, I got in. And was immediately surprised by a 20% discount for my first visit. I loved discounts! :) They wanted me to try their signature massage originally worth P350. I just paid the discounted price of P280. How's that for an hour and a half of delightful experience?

The staff were very friendly and accommodating. And my masseuse was excellent! It was the first time that I allowed a massage for my feet because my nerves could not stand the tickles. I did not know how she did it but I enjoyed the foot massage. The best part of the Onajin Massage was the long repetition on my lower back. That was my favorite part. 

Solemn ambiance. Your choice of oil. I chose lavander. Plus a hot cup of tea at the end of the session. This is one spa I recommend to my friends.

Visit their facebook page here.

Location: 2/F HopeWell Point Building, Aparente Street, 9500 General Santos City

Oh My Gosh, I'm in Boracay! (Day 3)

My last day in Boracay was spent as pasalubong day! So please understand if I forgot all about my camera and just focused on how to stick within my budget. I was only planning to buy tons of keychains for everyone because I felt I only could afford that given my tight budget. But of course, what would I expect? It was Boracay. Lots of foreigners. Locals could talk English. Baka dollars ang mga goods. Baka isang keychain, $2.

To my surprise, the Talipapa offered so much cheaper than what I had imagined. Yipee! So I upgraded my pasalubong from keychains to shirts! Boracay shirts for every member of the family including little Caela! I even got myself a shirt, too (first time). :) Plus a bag as a birthday present for my mother. How awesome could that get! I was feeling in super shopping mode even on a budget. 

Aries girls on February 2011...

Aries girls on October 2012...

You two are the reason why I believe in deep friendship so much. Words may not be spoken but the heart never stops loving. I love you both! And I will miss you again Ate My! :) 

All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. You made me fall inlove with you, Boracay! Til next time.

This was the vacation we deserved friends. I wouldn't be able to have the same joy if it were not you that I spent it with. Haha! I sound like in an awards night giving thank you speech. So I'd like to continue this awards mode by giving due recognition to my friends. 

Best in Negotiating and Talking-To-the-Locals Award

Best in Reading Waivers Award

Best in This-is-a-Vacation-Moment Award

ATE MY

Best in Swimsuit Award (as always)

Best in Watching-the-Sunset and Taking-Best-Photos-of-It Award

Best in Reminiscing-Those-Days-in-Boracay Award

LAIZA

Best in Ilonggo Award

Best in Talking-With-Bus-Strangers Award

Best in Being-A-Nice-and-Kind-Younger-Brother Award (by default)

RENDON

Best in Solo Shots Award

Best in Don't-Talk-To-Me-I'm-Hungry Award

Best Hot Momma Award (by default)

ATE DOLI

Best in Panic and Paranoia Award

EMS

I only gave myself one award so as not to appear biased being the only member of this award giving body. :) 

Photo Credits: Ate My, Laiza, Ate Doli

Oh My Gosh, I'm in Boracay! (Day 2)

The beach is at its utmost beauty at dawn. I woke up early on day 2 to witness a Boracay morning. The sun was already up when I went out so it wasn't really dawn anymore but the beach was extra beautiful. I was joined by Ate Doli and Rendon while the other two sleeping beauties were... well, sleeping. :)

One thing I love about mornings is its serenity. It is when I really feel grateful for my life. 

Along the way, we saw people jogging. Others just walking (like us). But sometimes we jogged for a minute then stopped. Then jogged again trying to chase other joggers. :) We walked for about an hour then got tired and hungry so we took a tricycle ride back. Haha!

When everyone was set, we decided to start the day with a parasailing. We needed to ride a speed boat to reach the center of the sea.

Me: Wear your life jackets. Check the ropes.

Ate My: Read the waiver before you sign.

Ate Doli: Let's pose for some pictures. Make sure everything is documented. Then take my solo shot.

That was cool! Being up in the air was always cool. Everything was even more amazing from up there. And I needed not to do anything but sit, be moved by the wind, and be amazed. Wondering if you could also do parasailing? Take it from the not-so-adventurous me. You definitely can!

Next, island hopping. Actually, it was more like boating and sight-seeing. The waves were not participating with our urge to go to the other islands so we did not take the risk. 

Laiza: What about Puka Beach? What about Crystal Cove? Can we not go there?

Rendon: Kaya na ya! (Ilonggo intonation) (We can do it!)

Ate My: Safety first.

Me: Yah! Safety first. Now, wear your life jackets. Laiza, Rendon where are your life jackets?

Laiza: It's choking me. I don't want to wear it.

Rendon: Kainit tana ya. Indi man takon magsuksok. (Ilonggo again) (It's so hot. I don't want to wear it, too.)

Ate Doli: I'll wear mine later... after picture. Don, picture... One more. This side. This view. Ok. Give me the life jacket.

Haha! Ate Doli, you already! (Ikaw na!)

Part of the tour was the snorkeling. I did not snorkel but I jumped out of the boat for a photo op :) I love being in the water. Too bad I can't swim. Thanks to my life saver life jacket I somehow can manage to have fun. :)

Guide: There's another snorkeling site ahead.

Laiza: I'm already hungry.

Ate My: Let's have lunch first.

Me: Yes! Lunch time!

Rendon: Woohoo! Kaon gid man ta anay. (No he's not eating a termite. He means it's really about time to eat.)

Ate Doli: _______________ (No words. Blank face.)

That meant she was very hungry. Good we were on a motor boat. She would have paddled her way to the next island for lunch. If we were on land, she would have left us and hurried her way to Mang Inasal. Haha! We'd know her stomach was well satisfied if she got her camera again and take pictures. :)

After lunch, we continued the boating and had landed the shores early enough to do another thing on the checklist. Puka Beach.

The waves were crazy! But I loved watching them reach the shore. I loved their roars. Puka Beach is one of those preserved beaches of Boracay - non commercial, so natural. 

Koreans were everywhere in Boracay. They usually went in groups composed of couples - the matchy-matchy couples. So cute! If not matching in shirts, it's the shorts. Sometimes both. Love them! We met a group in Puka and they wanted to take a photo with us. It paid to watch Korean movies. I knew how to say hi, "Annyeonghaseyo!" And after, we said, "Kamsahamnida!" That meant thank you. Oh yeah! So that's how it felt speaking in a foreign language and being understood. Loved that!

Finally, during the night after a dinner buffet, we walked miles to watch a fire dance show. I had high respect for fire dancers after watching them. Truly a great job entertaining your guests at your own lives' risk. I was definitely impressed!

That was one full happy day!

Photo credits: Ate My, Laiza, Ate Doli