My 21st Birthday Celebration

I decide to share you guys what it’s like to get old fast yet still looking young haha :))

Me and my family woke up early in the morning to leave for an overnight in Taal Vista.

I was excited of course with getting a chance to swim again and to stay away from the scorching heat that we were experiencing at home.

Here’s the bag that I brought which you wonder it’s not common for people to use this type of bag. I ordered this from H.E.A.R.T. by artistic-dreams and thought to myself way back why not use this during my overnight. Anyways, it’s summer and her designs are really awesome. Hey, proud Filipino here and also she’s a Lasallian and truly she is remarkable and gifted to have this amazing skill and make use of it well by sharing her talent through making these astounding works. She also has a Tumblr site btw which can be found (here).

Since it will take awhile before we reach our destination, I decided to take out my camera and take shots while on the road. It was a good morning alright when I stumbled on these 2 separate billboards. Hey, Praise Him for another day He has given to me and to all of us right?

Before heading to Taal Vista, we stopped by to Paseo De Sta. Rosa to have breakfast in Chowking and afterwhich left again to go to Taal Vista. While on the road, got to picture this Starbucks post in Paseo De Sta. Rosa, an empty road near Paseo and Solenad 2 Nuvali where Purple Oven, makers of the Banoffee Pie of Starbucks is at. So why not head on down try to see as well what they’re selling :)

Around 10 sumthng in the morning, we finally arrived at Taal Vista. I wasn’t able to take a picture of the front view of the place though. But hey. So this is me and my get up. Shades from Mango, tank top from Uniqlo, shorts from Bershka and sandals from Michael Kors (sale for the sandals btw originally 8k, now 2k and my 2nd birthday gift from my parents with the overnight being the 1st) and of course the canvas bag from H.E.A.R.T. by artistic-dreams. This shot was taken by my sweet brother he heh.

After checking-in, my parents decided that all of us get to swim right away. I didn't want to at first since I just really want to sleep and have aircon in our room :)) but hey, I lost. 3 of them against me. So yeah. We head down to the pool and me in my new swimsuit :) Around 2 hours, we got to swim with a bit of weather changes from a hot sunny day to a cloudy day with a bit of wind.

After swimming, we had then our lunch in Bag of Beans which was just a few minutes drive from Taal Vista. It’s been awhile since we ate here. Bag of Beans is known for their pies and their relaxing place where their setting is more of garden type.

And finally my order. Steak and Mushroom pie with mashed potato and gravy on the side which Bag of Beans didn’t disappoint me at all. Pie-lovers, wait no. I recommend EVERYONE to try visit, buy and also eat there. You won’t regret one bit ;)

After our late lunch, we went back to our hotel which we rested mostly throughout the whole afternoon till evening. A few minutes before 9, me and my mom went to their dining area to have dinner since I was a bit hungry and my mom needs to take her meds.

After dinner, I asked my mom to take me a picture by the fireplace. Photo taken by my mom and her camera :)

This is the end of being a twenteen but hey my life goes on :)

The next day was Day 2 in Taal Vista. The day we checkout and of course my 1st day of becoming 21. We had our breakfast in their dining hall and it was buffet. \m/ Got myself waffles with chocolate syrup first followed by some rice meals. I LOL-ed at one point when I saw a part of their menu for this month which include "Harlem Shake". I didn't know what it taste like nor did they describe it, but am hoping it is a unique fruit drink. After which, we got to rest a bit and started packing our things, seeing the pool for the last time and checking out from Taal Vista before lunch time.

Along the way, my mom stopped by to an original buko pie shop and buy one. While waiting, I saw this stall. I told my dad "Ser Chief!!!" which was one of the characters in Be Careful With My Heart show in ABS-CBN till I noticed the name of the stall. Close though :)))

We then ended my celebration by going to Starbucks. How I missed my favorite drink: Java Chip Frappuccino.

I was so blessed a lot this day. From my parents giving me the opportunity to enjoy summer vacation, my family around to celebrate my birthday, getting birthday greetings from people via text or social networking sites, it goes to show God has given a lot of blessings to me. But blessings doesn't come only to a special day. Everyday is a blessing and everyday I must cherish and be grateful of.

My awesome, loving, supportive parents

Starbucks Hangover: Salted Mocha Caramel

I just got to blog again this time. Last term was one of the most crucial terms that I have experienced and this time, it's a new leaf for me. Time to go to the new me which is the old me back then. Focused, Driven to excellence, priority on academics, etc. I needed a place to read and study "America is in the Heart" by Carlos Bulosan for one of my subjects. What better place to hangout than going to Starbucks. It is like my alternative home when am solo and I need time and space for myself. It is also one of my hangout place when I want to study because the aura of the place makes me feel relaxed. So there was this flavor of Starbucks that I wanted to try out which is Salted Mocha Caramel. I never tried it yet and it was something new to me ever since I learned from their Facebook page a couple weeks back. When I heard about this flavor, the first thing that came to my mind was my good friend's Salted Caramel cupcakes which were one of her best cupcakes that she ever made. Try visiting her Facebook which is Little Louie's Cupcakes if you are cupcake-aholic. Anyways, back to the Salted Mocha Caramel. I then ordered the Frappuccino Grande size which costed me about 165php which is a big price difference from the Tall size which maybe is around 150php since the hot drink for tall costs 145php and the grande costs 160php.

My 1st Ever Grande Salted Mocha Caramel Frappuccino

So what's my opinion and comments as well my rating after trying it out? Well here are some of them:

• If you love Toffee Nut of Starbucks (which is released always around November) + Rock Salt Cheese concept of Happy Lemon, then you will be in love with this drink
• At first I thought it was like pure caramel but then learning late that I should mix the rock salt which was on top, you would not experience the sweet + salty combination of this drink
• It's delicious (Definitely!!!) but for me not a big hit for Starbucks since it's not that much that original since the concept of Rock Salt on top is already being done by Happy Lemon.
• My rating for me would be 3.5/5. Delicious drink but could improve by balancing the mocha and caramel since the one that I ordered the caramel flavor overpowered the mocha flavor rather than the balanced mocha caramel combination.

I believe that Starbucks can make more new and unique flavors just like their Hibiscus Berry and Cool Lime. And don't forget guys that it's almost Christmas and for you those who are into planners especially those collecting Starbucks planners, prepare yourselves by saving up for this year's holiday season.

As for me, time to hit back to studying here for me.

Busy Busy Life

XOXO,

D <3

Wicked Post

Hey guys! It's been awhile again for me to blog something. But anyways, hell week and this term is about to end. I'm hoping to pass all of my subjects this term and if I do, thesis proposal here I come. So let me share what I did today for a change here in the house.

I was interested on making something that I haven't tried which can be bought in Flaming Wings which is Wicked Oreos. What is a Wicked Oreo anyway if you may ask. Well, it's definitely an oreo coated with the pancake mixture and you can top any kind of topping that you like that you think will complement to it.

Wicked Oreos that I Made for the First Time

So you may ask how do you make these Wicked Oreos, well first up is that you must have the following ingredients:

• Oreos
• Pancake Mix
• 1 medium-sized egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons of Cooking Oil
• Any toppings that would complement the wicked oreos
• Butter or non-stick spray for the pan

Once you have these ingredients, you are now ready to make your very own Wicked Oreos. Here are then the steps:

1. Make the pancake batter by mixing the egg, 1/2 cup water, cooking oil and the pancake mix altogether until there are no more lumps
2. Heat the pan and place a small amount of butter or spray non-stick butter as an alternative
3. Dip the oreos in the pancake batter and coat a lot of pancake mix to it.
4. One at a time, place the coated oreo into the pan. Ensure there would be no more than one if you want no oreos to be stuck together.
5. Flip them right away once you see bubbles coming out then flip again till it becomes golden brown.
6. Serve with toppings that you want to place with the wicked oreos
7. Dig in! The best part of all of course

As for me, I made myself this... This is what I served to my dad and I can't believe he finished this at once :))

Wicked Oreos with Grated Dark Chocolate Truffle and Mini Truffle on Top

Hope this made your day and someday you will try out yourself.

Gonna leave you with Taylor Swift's new lead single in her new album coming out this October which is "Red", "We Are Never Ever Gonna Get Back Together"                                   

XOXO,
D <3