Personal | Twenty-Eleven

Before 2011 officially ends, let us look back to the memories I made this past 364 days. All happy memories, bad memories isn't allowed. This year has been memorable as the past years were. Many things happened, happy and sad. Experienced new things. Failed and Succeeded. Met new friends. Made new memories with old friends. Bonded with Family. Strengthened my relationship with God. This year is too good to forget.

I thank God for giving me 2011. I thank my family for their unconditional love. I thank my college friends for being there 'coz i was always alone. I thank SMILES for another year added to our 11 years friendship. I thank myself for holding on too strong and for enjoying life in the midst of problems and that of course with the help of God.


 January 1, 2011

December 28, 2011




I'm hoping 2012 will be better or be as good as 2011. Looking forward to new experiences. Excited to make new memories with everyone. I want to meet new friends. I need to be productive. I must change for the better. I don't believe the world is ending. Another 365 and a half days to thank God for.




Let's Get It ON!

Personal | To Do List: 2012

Looking back this past 11 months, I realized I haven't been very productive like in the case of saving money, establishing a good study habit and many more. It's like I lived following the same routine everyday for more than 300 days. So before the year ends, I listed some "To Do Things" for next year. Got this idea from my Ivy's blog. ;)

1. ALWAYS Keep My Desktop Clean

What my desktop looks like now (December 12, 2011)

2. Keep A Piggy Bank And Make Sure To Feed It Everyday

3.  Add At Least 30 Books To My Growing Personal Library

4.) Take A Picture of Myself Everyday

5.) Attend A Concert

6.) Go out of Town

7.) Pass 3rd Year Second Semester

8.) (If #7 is achieved) Pass 4th Year First Semester

9.) (If #8 is achieved) Pass Internship

10.) Read At Least 10 Novels

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M O R E   T O   C O M E

Book | 8 Novels Part III

Part 1: THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL SERIES

Part 2: The Lorien Legacies Book 2: The Power of Six

This is the third part of my "8 Novels Saga", the second part was written 2 months ago already. The novel comprises the first season of a television series of a similar name created by HBO, this is where I discovered the book. The first novel in the fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire:

A GAME OF THRONES

written by George R.R. Martin.

I've had a hard time finishing this novel mainly because the number of pages (837) and the size of the font bores me and at that time I was reading it, I was kinda very busy in school. I remember reading it part by part everyday the whole month of September just to enjoy and savor the story. This is not your ordinary book where there is only one narrator, this book presents various points of view and plot-lines from its 8 main characters, it also follows three principal storylines simultaneously: In the Seven Kingdoms, On the Wall, and In the East.

The novel introduced to us the 7 Kingdoms of Westeros were most the story takes place. 6 of the 8 main characters came from House Stark of Winterfell, one from House Lannister of Casterly Rock and the last one from the Ancient Dynasty of Targaryen. The story is intricately told, leaves minor cliff-hangers at the end of each chapter which makes you crave for more, it is an epic tale of honor and treachery, love and vengeful hatred, intrigue and heroism set in a world where summers and winters can last for years, even lifetimes.

If you loved "The Lord of the Rings", you better not miss this series. It is one of the best epic fantasy novels out there.

Fasten your seat-belts because "Winter Is Coming".

Food Trip | Yabu: House of Katsu

A newly opened restaurant located at the 2/F Atrium of SM Megamall, Yabu boasts of its authentic Japanese Katsu, the short form of katsuretsu (cutlet). I've found out this restaurant through Georgina Wilson's tweet and instantly my taste buds got curious and excited to try their authentic katsu that "is so crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, you can slice it with chopsticks."

Pictures taken using my SEX10i. Pictures are all mine unless stated. :)

Picture (c) Yabu FB Page

The first thing I noticed upon entering the restaurant is this manga/comic strip on the wall that tells the story of how to make a Katsu including the sides but you will read this normally (right to left) and not in the "manga" way (left to right). 

1 and 2

3 and 4

The second thing that caught my attention is the wall full of little squares which they call "Masu Cups".

Picture (c) Yabu FB Page

Settling down into your seats you will really notice their condiment tray because of the unusual containers on it.

The pig-like thing contains the salt.

Pig-Like thing

These bottles contains the dressing for your unlimited cabbage which is part of the tonkatsu set.

Vinaigrette and Sesame dressings

The oval one contains the Tonkatsu sauce that will go side-by-side with the bowl of Japanese seeds that you will get from every order.

Tonkatsu Sauce

Tonkatsu Sauce

I ordered the Rosu Tonkatsu set, Rosu is Japanese for pork loin wherein the slice of pork has a trimming of fat in it. They also have Chicken and Seafood katsu for those who stays away from pork. As I've said earlier, every set came with a bowl of Japanese Sesame seeds.

Japanese Sesame Seeds

I really enjoyed this Tonkatsu Sauce ceremony especially the part where you will crush the sesame seeds using the little mortar, you'll just hold the mortar in upright position then move it in circular motion against the bowl which is already has a ribbed wall for easy crushing. After crushing the sesame seeds, you will now have to add the Tonkatsu Sauce, (Japanese Worcestershire sauce with apple puree) to finish off the sauce.

*drum rolls* and the Rosu Tonkatsu Set has arrived!

Rosu 180g

The Rosu was really great! Crispy on the outside without any hint of excess oil and the meat inside really melts in your mouth! Its as if it fell from heaven and my mouth caught it. The serving is really big, good thing I haven't eaten my breakfast that day. The unlimited cabbage was a great idea, partnered with the dressing of your choice, you can't get enough of it and at least you have something healthy while you eat this sinful treat.

Rosu with the Unlimited Cabbage

The set also includes this very delicious Japanese Rice with black Sesame Seeds. If the Rosu and the cabbage isn't enough to satisfy your tummy, then eat it with the Japanese Rice.

Japanese Rice with Black Sesame Seeds

It also includes a bowl of fresh fruits, Japanese pickles and the tasty Miso Soup.

Aside from the ambiance and the food, the service was also great. The service crew is always smiling and was always ready if you need something and also the owner, i don't know his name but he was really hands-on with the customers, talking to them and answering their queries. He helped me twice already, one on the Miso Soup on my first visit and the second was with the dressing on my second visit. Price wise, it was really "sulit", what is sulit? It's getting more than what you pay for! 

To summarize my Yabu experience, everything went perfectly and they lived up to the buzz their making now, everything was great and i really love the food! Just the thought of it makes me hungry. You should really try it!

Visit them at:                            

Yabu, House of Katsu

2nd Level Megamall Atrium

Mandaluyong, Philippines

576.3900

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