Sky Ranch and Sonya's Garden @ Tagaytay City

Had a wonderful time last Holy week. It was a long break and I was not able to plan what to do or where to go. Last minute effort I did, tried to call up some resort but as usual, it was fully booked. Anyway, we were able to had fun even we just stayed here in Metro Manila.  Thursday, my family went to church for the annual Footwashing Ceremony. Friday, we went to Tagaytay to have lunch at Sonya's Garden. We decided to side trip to Skyranch and tried the SkyEye Ferris Wheel. The overlooking view of Taal Lake was breathtaking! Aside from the fact that I felt so nervous when I was inside the ferris wheel...200 ft! My knees were trembling and I realized, my fear of heights is still there! I thought I was actually falling down! Can't explain the feelings but glad that I made it! :):):) Need to try some more like that to overcome it...;) wink..:) I have convinced my 70 yrs old father and my husband to join us. They were hesitant at first but since I applied some of my convincing skills...hehehe... they agreed to try it. :)

 

(SkyEye @ Sky Ranch, Tagaytay City)

                        (View of Taal Volcano/Lake from the Top of the Ferris Wheel)

                         (Sonya's Garden Fountain...just beside the Sunflower Restaurant)

                                                (Part of The famous Salad at Sonya's Garden)

                                (The condiments and Sonya's Secret Salad Dressing! Sooo Yummy!)

       (Sonya's Famous Organic Greens with Edible flowers - mostly came from her Garden - freshly picked )

                                        (The Pasta, the Salmon Belly and some mushrooms)

(Different species and varieties of flowers can be found everywhere! Eyes were so full that day...enjoyed it so much! See the Sonya Garden's Photo Album )

(You can see a lot of these scattered around the area.)

                         (Some of the products found in Sonya's Bakery - bought the bestseller Spanish Bread)

9 Smiley things this week :)

Hello again, how was your past week?  As what I have started this month, whenever I find time, I will write about things that captured my attention, things or memories that made me smile, some things I bought for myself or for a special someone (wink) or things that were given to me...that made me smile :):):).  This is  to remind me that there are small things in this world that  can make me happy..... I just have to stop and notice them.  Oftentimes we are always in a rush to do things that we don't really get to see smiley things in our sorroundings, smiley things on our way to work and smiley little gestures of kindness around us. Wishing you all  smiley things and memories in your life this week. :) 

Tuna Steak with buttered veggies. Cooked this early in the morning before going to work for my hubby and daughter's lunch. Some of it I brought in the office for my lunch too. :) Whenever I can, I see to it I have my packed lunch cause I am trying to count the calories of the food I eat...so difficult to do but I am learning. :)

Spaghetti with Shrimps. My daughter's favorite food. I usually cooked pasta for her. I don'[t know why she loves Italian foods but I have learned to cooked it the way she wants it.  The imported tomato sauce was given by my sister. :)

Red Roses (Centerpiece flowers in Marriot Hotel). I attended the Executive League event of Lenovo and Microsoft. These roses caught my attention...so lovely!

Pink carnations. I asked a favor from a colleague to buy me these flowers.  The carnations were given to a close friend's mom who is sick of Cancer (1st stage). She just had her operation and maybe  will start her chemo treatments  soon.  Together with another close friend, we prayed for her. 

Rudy Project Watch. Given by Lenovo to all their guests. We were about seven companies. Mr. Llyod Luna was the speaker. Something I learned from him - " Be careful" in everything that you do - business decisions, relationships, health..every aspects of your life. We can be good and successful, it's our choice! 

Unlimited Drops. All natural ingredients -trace minerals (from Salt lake of Utah), virgin coconut oil, milk butter, lemon and aloe vera. For personal care and hygiene, for first aid too. Price is P300 pesos.

Safe Haven by Nicolas Sparks. Watched the movie and I liked it so I bought the book. Started already a few chapters and I included this to my list to remind me that I have something to finish this month aside from the Photography book. :) 

8 in 1 Micswell Coffee. This is  a special coffee - do you want to know why? They say that it can reduce your electricity bills. Well, I can't believe it also but I want to try.. hehehe...I will let you know. :) One box cost P165 only

Bananas. We call it "Saba" here in the Philippines. My secretary gave these bananas for my hubby.."his supply" - she said. It made me smile :)  It came from Quezon province. She knows that it's my hubby's favorite fruit. So many benefits this fruit can give our bodies - it lowers our blood sugar and controls hypertension. He eats this fruit every single day...just like monkeys! hehehe

Discovery Shores, Boracay, Philippines

I visited Boracay last year twice....months of June and November. I enjoyed so much our November trip with the Toshiba  group. Yes, it was another sponsored trip and so lucky to have the time to join it. :) I was with my constant travel companion, my lady boss. :) We stayed at Discovery Shores Resort. I think this hotel was the most expensive hotel I have checked in so far in Boracay. Love the place and the courteous staff. I felt that we were really pampered and accommodated well while staying there. We have tried wind sailing during sunset and reef walking. It was so much fun. Still want to be back there again, even though it would be my 6th time. :)

View from our villa. This is very near the wishing stone wherein you can write your wishes using a brush and water.

This is the front of the resort. The view is very relaxing. Near the cafe area wherein you can have your breakfast.

We did some water sports activities  like Reef Walking and Wind Sailing.

A  pose before going to the beach....tummy was full cause of the yummy breakfast. :)

One of the many flowers around the resort. You can really find flowers everywhere aside from the fresh flowers in your room. :)

Our spacious room with veranda. Like the bed, so smooth and soft and lots of pillows around.

View from the veranda. You can actually see the beach. :)

Upon arrival, we were given a foot massage. Soooo relaxing! :) Plus the yummy goodies, fresh pink carnation flowers and a welcome banner. :)

One of the many beautiful sunsets. Sad that I was not able to capture it all when I was there. Need a better lens or maybe, I really don't know yet how to use my camera..hehehe.

Captured this beautiful blooming white lily on cam. The beauty of nature. :)

You can select fruits and someone will prepare and slice it for you. Yummy breakfast :)

The Toshiba team together with other IT partners. :)

9 smiley things this week :)

Just a few more days to go March will be over...I still have some photos of my previous local trips that was not able to post here...hope to find time soon..Anyway, since I am trying my best to learn photography, here are some photos I took this week. Things that made me smile or things that I made someone smile. So now, you will see a mix of our favorite foods, my favorite things to do..baking and eating...hmmmmm....and ofcourse malling and shopping. :)

My papsie ordered this "sinigang na pink salmon" from Davao Tuna Grill, one of the food stalls inside the Food Court of MOA.

Mixed Tempura (veggies, shrimps and fish) from Okuya Food Express. My favorite food ...so yummy! The food inside the Food Court oftentimes overwhelms me and I end up ordering this.

 My daughter loves Sizzling Plate...and pork! :) Since I intentionally don't buy pork for  our consumption at home,  I give my daughter permission to order it in restaurant or food court once or twice a month.

I started reading this book this week. Bought this few months ago...yes, I am trying to learn more about Photography..and since I can't find  time to enroll for a short course, I might as well, learn it from a book. I am using Canon 600D, a birthday gift from my husband Mike. :)

My husband gave this to me for no reason. It made me smile.  I called her Babie...something to hug before I sleep. So cute and cuddly.

My daughter and I have something in common..We both love chocolates! Since we don't have stocks anymore, decided to buy Truffles. Finest Quality Chocolate from France. The stall can be found at the second floor of MOA near M & S.  Got a big hug and "thank you" from her because of this. :)

Ripe Soursop. So yummy, I learned that it can cure cancer or prevent cancer. Anyway, I enjoyed eating this fruit in the morning.

Baked this Chocolate Walnut Cake this morning. Gave some to a friend and I made her smile. She and her colleagues shared three slices of it and told me its delicious. :)

Chocolate Cupcakes. Baked this and shared to some friends. I am having a hard time looking for cupcake non grease liners. The walnuts and cupcake liners came from my sister in US. Thank you so much for supplying me some of my baking ingredients and materials. :)

9 Things that made me SMILE today :)

I'm back! I missed blogging...yes, need to admt it...it's been a long time since I visited this site...I even forgot the title of my Blogger account..haha! Pieces of Memories, that's it...I want to share with you not only my travels and trips but also some things I love, moments I enjoyed..anything that made me smile. Today, I decided to blog about 9 things that made me smile. Let's start.

1

This is Luneta Park or most popularly known as Rizal Park located here in Manila. I together with my husband and daughter visited this place again early in the morning.We enjoyed the musical fountain near Jose Rizal's monument... The rainbow that appeared before us made me smile. :) Such a happy day!

2

I love flowers. In fact, the is one of my weaknesses....saw these pink lotus flowers inside Luneta Park's Chinese Graden.  Oh, soooo lovely! Pretty in pink indeed. This made me smile.

3

When I was in highschool and college, my favorite color was yellow.  This yellow flower caught my attention.  Found this near the pagoda inside Chinese Garden. I still don't know its name but I fell in love with yellow again :)  after seeing this flower. So refreshing! 

4

These colorful lollipops caught my attention. So pretty! The young boy who was selling this was amused upon seeing me clicked my camera. Anyway, I bought 2 pieces for my daughter with the condition not to eat it...don't know until when she can keep her promise. haha! Like me, she also has a sweet tooth. :)

5

Aristocrat's Chicken Barbecue. A bestseller. One of our favorite foods in Aristocrat Restaurant. Memories were coming back everytime we order this food. So many stories. One thing is sure.....so yummy! Price is P195.00  pesos with Java Rice. 

6

Aristocrat's Pancit Canton. Also a bestseller. Price is P350 pesos. Full of meat ingredients, saw some chicken, pork, gizzards, shrimps, veggies and mushrooms. Delicious! :)

 7

My husband won this today from  playing a game in Timezone. He told me that it was his first try then got this prize. He mastered the game already I think. Seeing the prize just made me smile. hehe

8

Different shades of blue for my nails...just love the colors. Tried it already on my nails...so nice! It dries quickly too...Price is affordable for only  P299.00 for 5 shades of blue and 1 transparent. :)

9

The last thing that made me smile today was this book. It is so inspiring! Love the author and blogger Emily Schuman. I decided to continue my blogging cause I was inspired by her blogs. Excited to read this book and try some of the DIYs and recipes. A gift for myself for doing a good job last month. :) Yey!