The Getty Villa, Malibu

Our company's holiday party was held at the Getty Villa this year. Although I received all the kudos for a wonderful party, it was actually our owner's idea that we try the Getty this year.

First of all, the food was delicious, first class, up to par with most high end restaurants. Nothing can beat the view (from one's table, one looks at the ampitheatre and the entrance to the Museum). And the room itself was cozy, the staff very well trained and efficient. My only criticism is the simplicity of the room itself. I think updating the decor of the room, like changing the drapes or painting the walls could do wonders for the area. As it is right now, it looks drab. Doesn't sync at all with the wonderful view outside. But...we will go back again!

Since I came about half an hour early for the luncheon party, I wandered into the Villa to look at the gardens and the reflective pool. Ken ( who walked with me) told me that the pool was not authentic because in roman times, the pool were actually deep. So they can put fishes in there and they can fish for food! Sorta romans using a decorative feature for practical purposes as well.


The day was absolutely beautiful. I told Ken that we are so lucky living in California and see the vivid blue sky in winter. There are a lot of tourists around; mostly out of state I think. I didn't have time to browse around the Museum's current exhibit and collection however. I hear they have a great Glass collection and of course, statues and works of arts from antiquities. After the lunch, I just couldn't see myself roaming appreciating art. Need to go back at a better time, when I have comfortable shoes on and not buzzed from having one glass of Chardonnay!

This is what I see

I have so many friends who have moved back to Manila or have never left...and I realize that there are many wonderful things about the county (my homeland!) but on my last visit I see so many things that is really hard for me to ignore.

On Ortigas Avenue, before reaching our hotel, these kids are wandering the streets, begging for money. One small boy sat on top of a concrete block and started peeing. Juxtapose this with Manila's high rise and community enclaves of the ultra rich. Just doesn't seem right. Or if its reality, then it's a hard pill to take. Not unless you have compassion for your fellow human beings. Do you just turn away?

When one gets out of the country, it is a little bit better. The people are not any richer, but they're a bit better off because most of them have their homes (humbly) (I have seen families living underneath a busy highway overpass in Manila.

Philippines

Started my vacation last Thursday and things did not go so well...and I think it is only now, a week since I left that I can say, hmm maybe things are turning around.

First, got on the plane without our luggages. So my parents and i spent the first THREE days (yikes!) with whatever was in our handcarry bags. Thank goodness I packed toilettries and my cameras. I bought new clothes at the mall (underwear, pajamas, fresh shirts and pants...).

Second, Andy's car batteries died. Third, Papa didn't have enough of his daily medication. Fourth, rained most of the time in Manila, grey and gloomy and wet!!

We finally decided to get out of the city this morning and drove to San Fernando La Union to visit Aunt Rocio and Uncle Marvin. It's Auntie's birthday today and she had a breakfast party with her church group. We left Manila at 4am and arrived in La Union at 9am...in time for a big breakfast: lomi, longannisa, daing na bangus and Paciencies (kinda like Enseymadas). We could have stayed one night in La Union but decided to drive on to Vigan (yey!) The drive was ROUGH! It's very difficult to explain how harrowing the drive was. I think most filipinos would say "huh?" not "harrowing" at all...but for me, it was! Just imagine going on a two lane road with tricycles zippping in and out of the road constantly, big provincial buses zooming to and fro. My dad is so accustomed to it: weaving between lanes, dodging incoming cars, squeezing in between tricyles, siding up a few inches away from jeepneys, school children walking along the roads, farmers walking with their equipment, dogs, cats, carabaos, horse drawn carriages...it's THE road that connects all barrios and provinces so they are all there!! On a major highway!

I hate Urdaneta City in Pangasinan. The most congested, dirty town we passed. Can't even describe it.

I love Vigan though. Such a dignified town. We arrived at 2pm, took a shower, a nap and woke up and tried the restaurant in the hotel (Vigan Plaza is a whole nother blog entry!) then right after dinner, took a calesa drive around town (our driver was such a sweet person who explained the history of his town). I can't wait till I photograph everything tomorrow!

Let's just hope there are no ghosts in this 16th century old hotel...yayyy!!!

Diet & Exercise

In our small office, there's constant talk about diet; and losing weight in general. The talk is almost unbearable because at one point, everyone's counting calories or points with every food that comes their way and discussing it with everyone in every detail.

Losing weight is simple: exercise, portion control and healthy food.

I hate people digressing about their every calorie intake. Or talking incessantly about going to the gym or not going to the gym or thinking about going to the gym, or not going to the gym...it is absolutely oppressive!

Larry's Birthday Party

It's Luau time for Larry! Manny opened the doors of his new home, to Larry and all of his/their friends to celebrate Larry's 44th Birthday. Yep, can't believe he's that old!! Because, he absolultey does not look his age. Absolutely! He definitely inherited good genes from his parents.

Larry made sure all his guests were well fed and had a drink in their hand. Manny mixed the drinks and Larry flitted around making sure everyone was drinking and happy.

The guests: all of Manny and Larry's choir friends from Holy Family Church in Glendale. Plus "us", meaning Gigi and Jim. Ted and Wee, Ling and Dolly, Lisa and Steve, Roy and I.

Well, needless to say, as in most Pinoy parties, we stuffed ourselves silly with good Filipino food. I think I had a plate and half. The desserts were from Paradise Bakery (local Armenian bakery which has a good many loyal customers from the Glendale area). I personally, think their desserts are not as good as say...Porto's. Lots of cream and not much taste..but that's just me!! The birthday cake was fine and they served little mini cream cakes, which I couldn't eat anymore so I just took a picture of it.

Manny's effort to mix drinks was successful for a novice Mixologist. The mai-tais were pretty sweet and strong but still good to drink. It set up a perfect mood for revelry and celebration. Larry thought of everything. He made sure the kids (and there were many...at one point Gigi commented that it was really a "children's party!) were entertained by having a movie projected on a brick wall. They spread little blankets on the grass, the kids were all huddled together and they all looked happy and content watching a Disney movie. And of course, there was also a touch of a "Debut" party. Manny made a slide show of Larry's life in pictures...with very funny images of Larry 25 years ago...ha! Roy especially loved it. Although he was waiting for a cottilon dance to come next. Which never came. What was presented instead was a Hawaiian dance performed by one of the cute little kids running around. That was a treat. And Larry loved it.

On a side note, really loved Manny's new home. He should be proud of his accomplishment; the house has lots of potential (the master bathroom renovation was very well done) and I'm sure he's very excited planning his future renovations!

I thought of Lawrence (in Manila) and hoped he celebrated his birthday as happily as Larry did (which I actually think he did...for sure!)

Dainties Cupcakes

Started the day with a mad rush to get my place tidy...as in, spotless tidy!

I rewarded myself with this...yummy!



Most of the Dainties cupcakes I've tasted in the past (which by the way, are the current rave in LA for cupcakes...) are pretty good: very decadent frosting, cream filling and moist cake. There are many to choose from, my favorite is the Tiramisu , Caramel, and the very rich Stupid Chocolate. However, the cupcake I tasted today, wasn't as good as before because the cake this time was pretty dry. This was a vanilla cake cupcake. In fact it crumbled when I cut the cake in half. Must be a fluke. Because as I said, never had it like this before. It is usually very moist and perfect. Gladly, I bought a couple more so I will have the regular Devils Food cake with tiramisu frosting...my favorite.

Thing with "current rave cupcakes", they have to be extra vigilant that what they put out there is consistently good. Because as "raves" go, reputation is spread through word of mouth. And a word about one dry cupcake might put off potential customers. Which worried me, because I love this place. So might give the owner a call and tell her...? Not really into making a fuss, but I do want her to succeed! As I said, their cupcakes are almost always, always the best!

Lisa tasted it and thought it was just okay. But then again, I don't think she's into cupcakes that much. Steve is still in his Nutrisystem diet. Eric liked it. I had Erica and Jessica tasted Dainties last week and they both loved it: very rich, they said, "it's all in the cream!". I may give Nolet cupcakes for his birthday...!

Tofu Ya

It was lunch at Tofu Ya with Erica today. Our first time to eat lunch together on an expense account (yipee!!) This will be real good for our budget!

Only one more month before my trip to Philippines...I can't wait! I've been browsing the internet for photos of Bohol and Cebu and I'm excited. Gave me ideas on what I want to photograph.

Off we go!

I've been scouting for a blog page that is 1) free, 2) easy to use and 3) ...free! And hopefully I found one.

My blog is mainly to keep families and friends informed of what I am doing (not that they particularly care or want to anyway...but what the hey) and where I can post photos and ask questions and get people to care (if I have something mildly important that I want people to care about).

But anyway: this blog will be about things I love, namely photos (or "images" as real photographers call their work), travel (because there is nothing more I love than travelling, meeting new people and learning about new cultures) and food (not that I'm a foodie but I do appreciate good food)

So as I said "off we go"... Let me try to post an image right now and see if I know how to work this thing...hmm.



Okay that worked. That's me with my closest friends (haha!)

Okay what did I do today: woke up at 4:30 am (again!), watched "Top Chef" which I TiVoed the night before....and got so hungry watching top chefs cook delectable dishes, that I got up from the couch and made French Toast for breakfast...FRENCH TOAST! And I am trying to lose extra lbs. gained!! Eating french toast is really...well, a BAD thing to do. (Hmm this blog is actually good to keep track of what I'm eating...)

The judges kicked out who I wanted kicked out: awful Howie! Not that I think he's a bad chef. But I really think being a "Top" chef also means getting along with people...that is why that awful Marcel didn't win last season.

I'm starting to think that maybe Casey has some talent (can't stand the Jennifer Aniston look-alike) and I still don't know who I am rooting for. With six remaining contestants, I actually feel like anyone of them is okay to win. I wouldn't feel bad at all.

Next, checked my email, shower and got ready for work.

Work: Ho-hum. Next...

Lunch: I got sick! I've been taking colonic herbal pill (wrong!) which according to my sister works wonder...yeah right! I had painful cramps all day!

After the cramping subsided, I was able to enjoy Salmon Teriyaki with California Roll (okay that means, no more dinner for me...)!!! It actually crossed my mind that I was going to skip spinning today...no way Jose! I have to spin for a full 60 minutes just to make up for the French toast and heavy lunch today.