Live Life to the Fullest – Epilogue of Meaningful Life Adventure

Here to the blissful of living life to the fullest! Happy, happy new year! Hugs and lots, lots of love everyone!

My New Year Life’s Inspiration:

• Think positively.
• Network effectively.
• Exercise daily.
• Eat healthy.
• Work hard.
• Stay strong.
• Build faith.
• Worry less.
• Read more.
• Be happy.
• Volunteer frequently.
• Relax routinely.
• Laugh often.
• Love freely.
• Live respectfully.

“Christmas is about laughter, love, friends and family. Don’t get lost in the greed. Instead be thankful for all of the joy around you.” ~ Unknown

We spent our Christmas eve with our relatives – to my side and with hubby’s family.  We have to travel far but now it was different.  We made compromise that we will be meeting halfway just to be together.

Benefits of Family Reunions:

• Sharing food, gifts, stories, laughter but most especially ourselves rekindled family and personal relationships

• Families get together and got the opportunity to connect with one another

• Getting to know by encouraging everyone to exchange stories regardless  of age which promote enthusiasm especially if they have never heard it before.

I would like to share with you some of the unforgettable get-together and shared food pictures we had during our Christmas reunions.

Is it really part of our culture to come together during this Christmas holiday?

Hopefully, family gatherings will not only stop during Christmas celebration. Make an effort plan by setting the date and time, invite them, food to share or activities to do.  Successful family reunions give always a chance to be together to preserve those fond memories that will last and pass to generations thru generations those important values, tight bonds and  sense of belonging.

I would like to end my post with this quote:

“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what” ~ Unknown

 

“Christmas is “FOREVER”, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.” ~ Norman Wesley Brooks

To everybody who like this page, friends and readers, wish you all a Merry Christmas. I, too have lot of learning as I continuously applied living life to the fullest to stay positive and focus in everything. The blog posts become my guide which become special to me.

Share your Christmas gifts to everyone.

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To your opponent, tolerance.
To your friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.” ~ by Oren Arnold

Again, Merry Christmas!

Wish all the wonderful yet joyous time with your loved ones. Remember, you are always loved!

“If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.”  ~Elbert Hubbard

After our afternoon snack, me and hubby checked the new Greenbelt 5 exploring the whole mall going from one floor to another floor. We were curious to see the last level with lots of green bermuda grass outside the surrounding.  Me and hubby got these exchange stories on how they literally put up this environmental design just to make it more cozy to those who will visit the place.

That was where we found Healthway,  a mall-based outpatient-clinic that offers a unique environment more-or-less a setting of hospital.  We got the opportunity to tour Healthway’s facilities and equipments use for medical, dental, dermatology, laboratory and pulmonary services accompanied by experienced doctors.

The clinic got a spacious waiting area with flat screen television monotoring  if its already your turn for check-up.  The whole area also is wi-fi enabled.

If this the new techonology in health, I was updated and hued with such sophistication.  Mind you, it was really been a while since I visited a hospital nor a clinic.

For example, Healthway‘s dental room got this intra-oral camera infront  of  the  patient where he/can see the services being done.

Healthway is also providing HealthWallet – a prepaid affordable card accessible to people to do their medical checkups or some laboratory need for testing. Purchasing one must have an initial minimum load of P 1,000.00 which is consumable, transferable and reloadable either to your friends and relatives.

Benefits of Healthwallet lifetime membership card:

• 20%  discount on services like laboratory, diagnostic, ancillary, rehab modalities, oral prophylaxis or dental restorative procedures
• Flat doctors’ consultancy rate  like P 200.00 for primary care while specialists for P 400.00.
• The HealthWallet card can also be use anytime at any branch accesible to the patient.

I am guilty of not checking my  medical status which I was not doing for how many years when I decided to do freelance work. Honestly,  I only make a doctor’s visit  if  my sickness got worsen and medicine intake was not enough.

My realization on the importance of regular check-ups:

• During check-ups, it can detect warning signs for serious disorders.  For example, if the doctor found you have high cholesterol, early treatment can be taken to avoid becoming it more serious and other complications.
• Health exams and tests doing it regularly can detect the problems early before they start.  Still, you have the chance to treat it and be cured.
• Even one has small issues (like for example lack of sleep, allergies, tired immediately), getting to know these symptoms the reason behind simply by talking to a doctor make you understand the cause and eventually can improve your health.

Make sense, isn’t it?  Because of this reflection, I am not taking chance to be back on tract to be healthy.   I will be starting my annual check-up early next year and definitely schedule my appointment with Healthway.

Health is not valued until sickness comes.  Each one of us have to take regular steps to do preventive check-ups to keep us aware with our medical status.  Getting early treatments will give us living a healthier yet longer life.  True to its saying, health can be a wealth to happiness especially if we like to to live life to its fullest.

For more information, visit their:

Website: www.healthway.com.ph
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/healthwaymedical
Contact No:  751-HWAY (4929) or SMS: 0920-WOW-HWAY (969-4929)

“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday.” – Helen Steiner Rice

This is what I feel with Via Mare as the taste of Christmas is everyday with them offering Filipino food especially Puto Bumbong and Bibingka which can only be visible during this Yuletide season.

Love the exquisitely Filipino taste in nature of Via Mare’s Puto Bumbong using muscovado and fresh shredded coconut.  Price is affordable at P 70.00.

When I posted my foursquare updates and even uploaded the said picture to Facebook, most who like it were my Filipino friends and relatives who were abroad.   They maybe missed living abroad which we Filipinos associated in celebrating Christmas with this local flavors.

Like them, Puto Bumbong is a childhood yet fondest favorite food with my family. Whenever we go Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) with brothers and grandma, we made it a point that before the mass, we already reserved our order and we will just picked it up as a treat for early breakfast.  The most was to wait, seeing fellow neighbors make this delicacy by putting the purple ground rice in a bamboo tube and let it steam to cook.

Another worth a try was  Bibingka, a rice cake with Laguna Cheese and salted egg.  Price is P 115.00.  Servings are for sharing which is good to two to three persons.

This is the Filipino version of hotcake which is cook in a clay pot with heated coals at the top and bottom, lined with a piece of banana leaf before soaking the mixed batter. Usually topped with cheese   and  itlog na maalat (salted duck eggs). After cooking, it will be spread with butter mixed with sugar then served with grated coconut.

There were other food worth tasting here in Via Mare which I have also like to share which is truly uniquely Pinoy in nature.

1.  Ensaladang Bagnet.  Price is P 175.00.  A Pinoy salad mixed with stripped bagnet (fried crispy pork), tomatoes, shallots and mustard leaves with bagoong (fish sauce) and calamansi dressing.  Healthy in a way with the veggies replacing rice.

2.  Summer Shooters to separately taste pinoy iced concoctions in three small servings in glasses - halo-halo, mais con hielo and guinomis.   Price is P 75.00.

3.  Pako Salad is a combination of fiddlehead ferns (pako) and tomatoes topped with salted duck eggs and shrimp.

4.  Pinakbet, a refreshing vegetable stew popularized in Ilocos combined with string beans, squash, eggplant, okra and bittergourd, simmered in tomato and anchovy sauce together with pork liempo and green mango to complete the whole meal.

There you have it, an all-time favorite we can munch even Christmas is over.

Hopefully, Via Mare can add more branches just to have the very taste of Pinoy food. Its obvious that  I love all the goodness especially taking them during  merienda (afternoon snack) or simply a comfort food.

My Favorite Branch:

“Every once in awhile, a girl has to indulge herself.”  by Sarah Jessica Parker

There were times in my life I like to indulge something I should not eat nor do if we are talking health concerns.  Apparently, there are some exceptions if this will be a moment to spark an inspiration – a once in a while indulgence perhaps that would feel us better. A lift even just for a moment to make a sweet day.

Exceptions can be possible, just to get a simple slice in tasting the good life.

My delightful cravings to gelato did not stop when one of the consultants invited us to have a dessert after we had I may say not that satisfied meal.

What we did were to tried Sol Gelato located at Venice Piazza and love to see varieties of flavors to crave for – Mint Chocolate, Coffee Crunch, Banoffee, Stracciatella, Honey Pokey, Reese’s, Almond, Ferrero and so much more.  I have with me is a cellphone camera which more or less can give justice to these flavors.

This is ferrero and coffee crunch in one waffle cone. Price is P 160.00 including the waffle cone.

For a change, I have ordered milk shake mixed in ferrero flavor for P 150.00.  I remembered tasting milk shake when other fastfood chain was offering this one which was now gone.  This is more tastier and healthier when mixed especially with a twist of ferrero.

This is my first time to encounter Affogato which one of my colleagues ordered for it.  Affogato is a mixed of espresso shot and a scoop or two of gelato/ice cream – one of Italy’s famous dessert.  To complete the whole drink, best partner it with biscotti at top.

For this one, dark chocolate is the flavor.  I am just wondering if this tasted like a frappucino which I will definitely made me intrigue to  give it a try in the near future.

Great they have also available wifi where I can easily updated my foursquare to share my amazing experience with their gelato.

Certified, I am becoming a fun of this craze dessert which is better than ice cream in terms of low fat content.  If this is sugar rush, indulging something to lift our spirit once in a while is a great feeling.  I just have one.

Location:

Ground Floor, The Piazza, McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Tel. No. 798-0411F133

For more information, visit their:

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/solgelato

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” – by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Whenever I came across Bonifacio Global City and drop off to Burgos Circle along Forbes Town Center, I did not even notice lot of restos around.  Maybe because the place was kinda dimmed.

Great it was Yuletide season then that the whole area was lighted by Christmas decor around to make it more captivating to those who like to dine out.

Since I was a just near McKinley,  I have joined the OpenRice group to a foodie event named “Eat’s a Date” at Bar Dolci.  Bar Dolci is an Italian gelato store that caters to different flavors from extra-dark chocolate, mint chips, salted caramel, limoncello sorbet, thai tea, egg nog, manhattan cheesecake and lot more to indulge.

To tell you honestly, I would rather eat a pastry or a cake rather than an ice cream. or a gelato. Why? Because most of the time, I almost done the talking in a meeting or a training conduct. For me, a cold yet sweet stuff that I can put on my throat would somehow  hamper my voice.

Anyway, why not indulge in one night. LOL!

I am not a fan of gelato until I tasted one here at Bar Dolci around the stretch of Burgos Circle. I love the fusion of taste combined like the Wasabi which I tasted in a spoonful. Have tried their best seller – combined salted caramel and ferrero which cost P 120.00.   Yes, the staffs are right – right combination to my taste buds!  Now, I am addicted to gelato!

First time to try bruschetta – combination of bread, pizza and some sort of pasta in one.  Four varieties to choose from – Salami, Cheese,  Mushroom/Garlic and Bacon/Cheese.  Price is P 260.00.

Gruyere Cheese Poufs where they will put Marinara Dip to compliment the whole taste which cost is  P 150.00.  Another one is Beignets with Chocolate Espresso Dip for P 130.00.  They got also scones – flavors like basil & olives, bacon & cheese or caramelized onion for P 120.00.

Macarons for P 50.00 each.  Flavors are black currant, blueberry cheesecake, cafe, chocolate chip caramel, green tea, pistachio, ferrero but the best for me was the salted caramel.  They got also fruit jellies which cost P 100 for 8 pieces.

We dine out upstairs as the whole interior are cozy and there were  LCDs to keep you entertained which is also the same with the first floor which is very inviting.

Before I go down taking picture for the whole area, I have noticed a sort of designs at the glass panel.  It is some sort of a scoreboard tracking on how frequent a guest visit the place noting it down in a glass panel.    I think after 10 visits, one can get a free scoop of gelato.

I just did.  Life is really that sweet.  Definitely I will come back for more as the start my new found  craving just began with Bar Dolci.

Location:

F133 Forbeswood Heights, Forbestwon Road cor Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Manila Philippines

For more information, visit their:

Website: http://www.bardolci.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarDolci
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/bardolci

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.  If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

Constant communications with clients like meeting, project coordination, email exchange or simple coffee chat are usual routine for me in a week.  There were times I will assist them buying their hardware or gadgets even they know I am their software consultant.  Well, clients are like that, once you know computer, they think you know everything about it.    I am quite doomed with this.  Because of fast tract tech updates, sometimes learning a new gadget is an added stress to me.  Maybe because of so many things in mind that I like to prioritize that learning this new hip in technology can add to my time.

This is the reason why all of a sudden I attended a bloggers’ night that tackles about different tech gadgets that clicks to the market.  Maybe if someone will present and demonstrate the products to me personally, I can understand it more rather than reading and researching.  I can have also a full glance and hands-on experience the benefits of why I have to purchase one which is beneficial to me and to my clients.

Actually, I did not get many pictures during the event.  Why?  Because I was devoting myself going from one table to another, reading the specs, asking questions and listening.  Maybe in this point in time, I just decided to absorb what I can get.

Here are some of the products that captured my attention:

• Archos Android Tablets are three years experience in internet tablets.  Latest was the G9 series that use the Android Honeycomb powered with Google’s suite of Android Applications.  Archos is also known with its price affordability that captured my attention compared to other price of other tablets.

For more information, check their website – http://www.archos.com/

• Asus Transformer

I have heard a lot of this new Asus netbook because of versatility.  Some of my participants in the training even recommended me this gadget.  When I got to saw and heard the demo during that night, I realized they were right.  A 2-in-1 Asus Android netbook which can be an independent pad or  docked with the fully functional keyboard like a  traditional notebook.  Price is almost P 30k if I am not mistaken.

For more information, check their website: http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/

• BenQ LED Monitor

I forgot to ask the price because I know BenQ is quite high in price but got this high-end technology.  Their LED got this backlit glare panel that is great for viewing.

For more information, visit their website – http://www.benq.com/product/monitor/g615hdpl

• JBL Entertainment Speakers

Popular for docking iPod and speaker into one  is JBL which known for good quality sound for audio equipment.

For more information, visit their website: www.jbl.com

• SanDisk

I don’t know if this is the first memory card but I have this brand that I use for almost five years as far as I remember in my first ever point and shoot  camera.  I got my first memory stick way back also with this brand.  I am satisfied customer because until now even I did not use them already, I made them as a back-up of my files.  When my son checked the old files, still, they were there.  Durability tested, I may say.

During the event, got to be oriented with their latest product – the SanDisk Memory Vault designed for 100 years data retention, reliability and durability to 8GB and 16GB.

For more information, visit their website – http://www.sandisk.com/

There you have it!

Introducing a new breed of technology is always been a challenge.  Sometimes there is a significant change from our usual routine and we think learning it is time consuming.  This new platform will never stop as long that consumers are there ready to use and appreciate it as implementation and motivation to integrate technology to make our lives more easier.

It is more on what we want and eventually we enjoyed that learning.  No one can stop that passion to dive more to learning.  Therefore, our personal participation worked more if we maximize the real essence of technology use to our day to day lives.

“To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first. And whatever you hit, call it the target.”

Have side-by-side rainy meetings yesterday that caused traffics all over the metro. When I have reach my destination, I was too  drained and tired then. Have to stay put, got time to chat with friends and invited me to check this place – Gandiva Cafe and Archery Range.

Wow, I was hued to discover an indoor archery within the bustling busy city. This let me stayed and be involved. Love to try this new venue of experience – to get a free crash course in archery. That is from holding the bow, orientation on how to aim the target and finally, releasing the arrow.

That is my objective but what still amazed me was to see their cafe serving vegetarians in all dishes – from hamburger, pasta, pastries, pizza and even their coffee. Have tried everything just to have a green taste of everything.

I got a chance to talk to one of the personnel around and even told us that their pastries did not use eggs to make it vegan friendly.   One will not noticed it once you tasted it.  Their cupcakes is rich and smooth chocolatey taste but best of all healthy, no dairy content.

I just felt this morning, my back was aching and cannot move my two back arms as if it were stretch hard.  Overall, I was really satisfied as I ended my yesterday with a smile in my heart and new experience to nurture.

Definitely, I got a  bulls eye even I did not literally hit the target.  Great adventures comes with self-fulfillment and that hits me.

For more information, visit:

Website:  http://www.gandivasports.com/

Facebook Page: Gandiva Cafe and Archery Range

“Life is so great that we only get a tiny moment to enjoy everything we see. And that moment is right now.” ~ Neil Pasricha

The whole first week of December were lot of planning and brainstorming at client sites. Considering other consultancy work that I have like three to five website make-overs and other stuff to consider. Haay, I just breathe within…Wow, whattta happy problem afterall!   Maybe because the year will be entering another milestone for the business and everything has to prepare..

To tell you honestly, quite beaten by stress…Human inside, even I love to organize things out…It crops up to my mind and still prioritize.

What I did was to go around the mall after a mind-boggling meeting and amazed to see these little cute chocolates and assorted pralines at Sinfully by Makati Shangri-la…With my cam, I took pictures of it and grab a piece of taste to indulge my cravings for P 50.00 each.

To tell you honestly, I was heading off again for another meeting and quite late already. I really took a few minute break to watch how intricately  they made this tasty bite with their loving hands.    Freshness and handmade homemade treats indeed that made me urge to buy.

What a tingling excitement as I found their chocolate heaven taste.   Not too sweet but the taste is just right to my taste palette! I just ate two and it is enough.  Maybe to enjoy more the taste, one has to savor it slowly.

Exaggerating on my remarks maybe but that was how I felt because way back then I also personally do chocolates for my family and friends.  When I checked a simple website that I have done for chocolates named Chocolate Heaven (http://virtualbizph.com/chocoheaven/index.html) – it is still there.   A reminiscence, another passionate hobby that I can only do this again given me a lot of time.

This petite shop got also macaroons, pastries mini cakes and holiday hamper goodies…

All of them are not only a feast to the eye but also love to taste.

I guess I just forget my too much over thinking to stuff related profession.   I  have to treat myself as my simple gift for hard days work.  One deserve it.

Now, life is really great getting this tiny moment and simply enjoy everything.  Especially that Christmas 2011 is fast approaching.  Just give a warm hug, a sweet smile to persons you met or laughter to your colleagues.  Do not pass that moment and do it right now.

I am definitely A-ok now and ready for another battle.  So bring it on!

Peee…..Essss….I even bought a box of 6 pieces for my kids for them to yearn and share this craving.  Like me, they love it!

For more information, visit:

2nd floor Greenbelt 5 and Circles Event Cafe, Makati Shangri-La

Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/makatishangrila/dining/restaurant/sinfullycircles

Facebook: Sinfully by Shangri-la