Early Valentine's Date

I spent the first day of February by going on an early Valentine's date with the two special men in my life -- my husband and my son. We had dinner at the newly re-opened Spiral restaurant at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Some of you may remember that back in September 2011, Spiral was devastated by a storm surge that flooded many establishments in the area. Spiral was submerged in waist-deep flood waters. Sofitel was forced to temporary close their flagship restaurant because of the damages brought by typhoon Pedring. The renovation of Spiral took more than a year to finish. It finally opened its doors again last Nov. 8, 2013.

It was our second time at Spiral. We enjoyed our first lavish buffet experience. The three of us had no doubts that our second experience would be equally great.

We went down the familiar grand spiral staircase leading to the elegant restaurant below. Lovely ladies welcomed us to the newly refurbished Spiral. We were seated just across the back of the grand staircase with a view of gentle, flowing water. It was perfect!

The food was as great as we remembered. We were glad to see our old favorites and there were a lot of new dishes added to the sumptuous buffet. For my family, it's the best buffet in the country. The abundance of food is simply overwhelming. The new Spiral is actually divided into 21 dining ateliers.  I don't think it's possible to try everything in one night.

Some of my husband's personal favorites include crabs, shrimps, crayfish, steak, bulgogi, beef short ribs, lamb chops, and the Asian pulled noodles. I love the Peking Duck, Chinese dimsum, Korean noodles, and skewered seafood. My son, Yohan love their salad, pasta, and freshly baked pizza.

I was surprised how my little man turned out to be quite a cheese connoisseur because he enjoyed trying out the different types of cheese at the Cheese room.   The three of us share a liking for Japanese, Chinese, and Italian food.  We also loved their freshly baked bread that we dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yohan preferred butter and pesto on his bread.

After that sumptuous feast, we barely had room for dessert but I knew I would regret it if I missed their delicious creme brulee. Sadly, they don't serve those melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies like before. I think Spiral should really consider bringing those heavenly cookies back. Yohan enjoyed the candy bar and the chocolate fountain. The three of us tried the Creamery which serves different types of ice-cream and toppings. Sadly I was too full to try their chocolates, truffles and pralines.

I had a fantastic time with my family and I'm so happy because on that same evening, I met a dear old blog friend in person. It was a pleasure seeing Kathy of Life is KulaYFul! She is sweet and charming in person as she is on her blog.

 

How to Solve a Pesky Critter Problem

If you suddenly find your stack of biscuits, chocolate, or chips in your pantry with little bite marks, chances are you have a mice problem at home. Watch out for gnaw marks on cabinets and closets. Another telltale sign is the presence of mouse droppings that look like small black beads. Mice also make squeaking sound especially during nighttime when they are most active.

The common house mice are little furry creatures that scramble around your home and invade your food space. They have a knack for finding a way into your cupboard or cabinet where you keep your food. They can nibble on just about anything they find interesting. Mice can chew on boxes of cereals, pasta, and cookies. These pesky critters can eat your chocolates, candies, pastries, biscuits, and crackers. They can even find your supply of sugar, milk, coffee, and flour worth tasting.

Sometimes, they don’t stop with food, they can cause havoc by ruining clothes, bags, and even furniture. Mice are not just a nuisance. They can cause a lot of damage if you don’t do something. If you ignore the problem, these critters can multiply and lead to bigger problems.

There are Animal Traps for Sale that you can use to humanely catch house mice. The box trap has slide release doors. Catch those unwanted house guests without hurting them. You can find a safe place with considerable distance from your house where you can release the pesky critters. Traps can be used both indoors and outdoors. It's special mechanism is triggered by slightest activity that traps unwary house pests.

Embracing 2013

It’s the start of a brand new year. It’s an opportunity to learn from past mistakes, begin anew, and welcome promising opportunities. I’m thankful for all the blessings and I look forward to more good things to come. The past year was not all sunshine. There were also gloomy and sad days but God always finds a way to clear the dark clouds and replace them with a rainbow. I want to embrace 2013 with a smile, hopeful heart and positive spirit.

Safe Home Plumbing

It is important to take good care of your home. House repairs are important in maintaining a quality home. Keep in mind that home maintenance prevents small problems from escalating to full blown ones. Keep your house clean at all times and keep an open eye for signs of deterioration and leaks. Plumbing is a vital aspect of home care. Invest on basic plumbing tools that can help you in minor plumbing repairs at home. Minor clogs and leaks often need simple solutions. If you have basic tools, you can manage to tighten pipes, fix a clogged sink or a leaky faucet. The right kind of Plumbing Tool Supplies can help provide immediate solutions to plumbing woes. Some plumbing problems may require the help of a professional. Make sure that your home’s plumbing is safe for the members of the household. There are vital health and safety measures associated with plumbing that you can discuss with your builder. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the plumbing system of your home to give you a better understanding of how it works. For people who are planning to build a home, it is advisable to discuss plumbing matters like installation of water heater and water tank. Discuss about available options and efficiency of recommended system.

Warm New Year Greetings

Hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas celebration.  Sending you warm and heartfelt New Year wishes. May your hearts be filled with love, joy, and hope this 2013! God bless.

Yohan's Recollection and First Communion

I'm thankful for family and dear friends who took time to write Yohan letters for his first recollection.  Jules and I also wrote him one.  Yohan told me how touched he was by everyone's kind words.

Yohan received his First Communion last Friday. It's another significant milestone worth celebrating. The boys wore traditional barong while the girls donned their beautiful white dresses and veils.  The children lighted their candles and prayed for guidance. During the Offertory, Yohan offered fruits as symbols of good life and thanksgiving. 

I was assigned to read the Prayer of the Parents. Together we humbly asked God to guide our children in their journey in life and to protect them from the temptations that surround the world. 

Witnessing Yohan receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time gave me a sense of happiness and pride.

Significance of Accuracy and Precision in Industries

Different fields like medicine, engineering, architecture, landscaping, astronomy, and many others rely on accurate and precise measurements. Many things around us are products of careful measurements. The house where you live, the school that you go to, or the building where you work have all been built using different kinds of precision equipment. Tools Used for Measuring are significant instruments in ensuring quality performance and output. Various fields and skilled trades depend on vital measuring tools to produce products and build structures that meet proper and safety standards. Professionals like engineers, builders, architects, and designers use different types of measuring tools in their respective line of work. Good measuring tools help eliminate or lessen the margin of error. For example, the Laser Distance Measurer calculates precise distance and height. This measuring tool is very helpful in large sites especially when there are obstructions that hinder engineers from making direct measurements. The Land Surveying Equipment is the perfect aid when it comes to leveling applications. This tool helps builders construct sturdy and safe houses and buildings. There are many more measuring instruments that ensure reliable results. Establishing accuracy and precision are very important especially when it comes to safety of the public.

A Pirate on Halloween

Yohan is a reluctant trick or treater this year.  He told me that he didn't want to join the Halloween village party this year. I respected his decision to stay home but he gave in to my request to go trick or treating. Jules and I went to the clubhouse to show our support for the event organizers then went back home to pick him up.

Yohan was already dressed up as a pirate when we arrived. He has always been fascinated with pirates, particularly Captain Jack Sparrow.  He never gets tired of watching the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Yohan even brings the DVDs whenever he rides the car.

Jules and I accompanied Yohan around the village for Trick or Treat. I noticed that he wasn't that excited to collect sweets like he used to when he was younger.  I guess my little boy or rather my young man is growing up fast.