Eastern sky at sunset [SWF]

@ mirandablue

The city has been blanketed with grey skies and some drizzles when I have been wishing for sunshine.  But I am loving the mild weather we have right now, and thankful that there were no tropical storms to put a damper on the Christmas weekend.  Still I want some colors for Sky-Watch...so here's looking east at sunset in late November.  While the west was full of drama, the eastern sky was a canvas of soft delicate hues.

@ mirandablue

This is my wish for you:  Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirit sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life.

Wishing you a fabulous New Year!

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Grilled Pork Belly

@ mirandablue

I hope you are not feeling stuffed and bloated anymore after pigging out on Christmas weekend.  And hopefully, you would take time to put down the fork for a few minutes and join the conversation on New Year's eve.  It's an effective trick to eat less without noticing it.:p

Aside from the noche buena ham, this is the only pork dish I had on Christmas day *pats myself on the back*---pan-grilled pork belly with mango salsa.  The mango salsa was added to neutralize the umay factor and of course, to make the pork chops look festive.

Mango Salsa:

Diced ripe mango, onions, tomatoes, celery, cucumber julienne, sweet bell pepper, cilantro; fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper.

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Pook [Spot, Place]

@ mirandablue

Sa mga lugar na binisita ko ngayong taon, ito ang aking paboritong pook---isang nakatagong cove na kung tawagin ay Tinago sa Caramoan Peninsula.  Hindi madaling marating ang cove na ito---ang liblib at malinis nitong dalampasigan animo'y paraiso sa aking paningin.  Nakakamangha kung paano pinangangalagaan ng kalisakasan ang Tinago cove sa pamamagitan ng nakapaligid ditong mga limestone cliffs, at makipot na lagusan papasok at palabas ng Maqueda Channel.  Ito ay isa sa mga pook na gusto kong balikan---sana lang magagawa na ang mga kalsada papunta sa bayan ng Caramoan para hindi na gaanong mahirap marating ito ng mga turista at manlalakbay.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

Tinago Cove viewed from the boat

Of all the places I visited this year, this is my favorite spot---a hidden cove called Tinago in the Caramoan Peninsula.  This secluded 25-meter stretch of pristine beach is a slice of paradise I've always dreamed about. It's amazing how nature protects the cove by surrounding it with limestone cliffs, with only a narrow gateway to and from the Maqueda Channel.  This is one of the places I would like to return to---I only hope that the roads going to Caramoan town will finally be constructed to make it more accessible to travelers and tourists.

For Thursday 2 Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1.  When and where was your last vacation?
2.  What is a new extreme adventure you would like to try?

Sail away... [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

@ mirandablue

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Tree of Lights at Eastwood [My World & Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

Even when I promised myself not to get stressed-out from all the holiday frenzy,  I found myself running around in the mall and in the supermarket like a chicken with its head cutoff.  I hate last minute shopping!  But when the dust settled, and the leftovers have been put away, I finally had the time to see the sights and watch a movie.

After dinner on Christmas day, we drove to the nearby mall, Eastwood, to check out the scene.  This giant Christmas tree greeted us at the mall's courtyard.  It's about 25 feet tall and decorated with lighted fiberglass balls that look like M & M's.

@ mirandablue

The mall was pretty crowded--restaurants were full, and the theaters were jam-packed, too.  I spotted a live TV broadcast of GMA, one of the local networks; and a couple of the mimes by the base of the Christmas tree.

Here's the crowd outside Eastwood mall on the night of December 25th.

@ mirandablue

The Metro Manila Film Festival, a festival that features locally-produced films, started on Christmas Day.  I was in the mood for comedy but the theater was already full when we got to the ticket counter. So we opted to watch Rosario, one of the entries in the festival.  Set in the 1920's, Rosario is a tragic story of a liberated woman who was a victim of  her own moral choices and society's prejudices. The credible acting and attention to details, being a period movie, were impressive,  but the story was too heavy for me.  I needed a sugar rush after Rosario.:p

@ mirandablue

The crowd was thinning around 11 pm when we found our way to one of the restaurants.  We ended Christmas day with a sweet and light Riesling.  

I am linking to My World and Ruby Tuesday.

@ mirandablue

Market! Market! flyover [Sunday Bridges]

@ mirandablue

One of the methods implemented by the government to curb the high volume of vehicles in the streets of Metro Manila during peak-hours is the Number Coding Scheme.  Vehicles are prohibited in the streets for a certain day in a week, specifically on Mondays, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are not allowed from 7 am to 7 pm; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays and so on until Friday.   I had an appointment one Friday afternoon early this month and my car wasn't allowed to be in the streets that day.  So I took a cab and had the chance to take some photos along the way.  This is one of the flyovers along C5 Road that connects traffic to Bonifacio Global City, an upscale business and residential area.  The cab driver gave me some curious glances when he noticed I was taking photos.:p

@ mirandablue

the other end of the flyover

Posted for Sunday Bridges

Circle [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

The "Gateway of Dreams" sculpture at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.  This sculpture pays homage to the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and to the ideals of the game.  One of the features of the monument is the Olympic rings---five interlocking circles that represent the of union five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.  This photo was taken in August 2009 during my short visit in Atlanta.

Wishing you and yours happy holidays!

Posted for Photo Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Dawn [SWF]

@ mirandablue

Dawn from my bedroom window as the sun gently tiptoes over the horizon.

Wishing you and yours a warm and wondrous Christmas!

@ mirandablue

Dawn:  When men [or women] of reason go to bed.  ~Ambrose Bierce

@ mirandablue

Posted for Sky-watch Friday

In the mood for Steak

@ mirandablue

I had a long day at work and was in the mood for self-indulgence.  Setting aside some health considerations, I let myself be tempted by this juicy flat iron steak.  It was slow cooked on high-heat charcoal, tender and lean, and cooked the way I wanted it--medium rare.  On the side are mashed potato and corn kernels.  I had mangoes n' cream for dessert.  It was a great meal to reward myself after a hard day's work.  Have you rewarded yourself lately?

Wishing you the warmest Christmas in the company of friends and family.

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Colorful [Makulay]

@ mirandablue

Ito ang makulay at kakaibang interior ng lumang Cafe Juanita, isang restaurant sa Pasig.  Lumipat na kasi ang Cafe Juanita pero malapit lang naman ang nilipatan sa dating lugar.  Isa ito sa mga paborito kong restaurants---masarap ang pagkain, abot-kaya ang presyo at kakaiba ang ambiance dito.  Mas maaliwalas ang bagong Cafe Juanita at nandon pa rin ang kakaibang interior design.  Pero nakaka-miss ang intimate at kitschy charm ng lumang Cafe Juanita.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

This is the colorful and unusual interior of the old Cafe Juanita, a restaurant in Pasig.  Cafe Juanita had transferred to a new address just across its old location.  This is one of my favorite restaurants---they serve delicious food at affordable prices, and I love the ambiance here.    The new Cafe Juanita is more spacious and the eccentric interiors that has become its signature are still there.  But I miss the intimate and kitschy charm of the old Cafe Juanita.

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What is the color of your toenails?
2)  What's the last event you dressed up for?

Limestone pillar [Watery and Outdoor Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

One of the  limestone pillars in the middle of Maqueda Channel in the Caramoan Peninsula.  Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the 15th century, it was determined that the place was once called Guta de Leche, which was given by Dutch traders who operated a gold mine in Lahuy Island and who frequented the area to trade with the natives. The name was perhaps derived from the milkdrop stalagmites found among the rocks of Guta Port. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, the place came to be called "Carahan" for the sea turtle, which was at that time to be found in great number along the shores of the Peninsula.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Slim Santas [Ruby Tuesday & My World]

@ mirandablue

I don't know what happened to Santa but I've never seen him this thin before.  A result of recession, perhaps?  Or Santa took his no-carbs diet too seriously?  I envy Santa's waist line!

Elves or whatchamacallit---these whimsical creatures would definitely add cheer to the holiday decor.  All these were designed by Weenee Lagdameo of Accent Pieces.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

Male [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

My favorite male---Fritz.  He gives unconditional love, a great listener, has simple needs, and he gives me a reason to go for a walk.  I am the center of his universe and he makes me laugh.

@ mirandablue

Checking out the possibilities.

Posted for Photo-Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Golden Clouds [SWF]

@ mirandablue

Looking at the golden clouds feels like listening to a haunting piece of music.  Straining  my ears to hear the faintest echo and capture the fading melody.  I would like to hold on to it's warmth, wishing this golden moment to linger.  But like smoke, it was fleeting...it stayed just long enough to take my breath away.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Sky-watch Friday