Happy! Happy!
It is to celebrate my dad's birthday on why I decided to take them on a cruise. It is first time for my folks and my brother to be on a cruise too. So I thought it would be a great idea.
Today, we're on our 2nd day @ sea.
For my dad's birthday, I plan on taking them to the Grand Pacific dining room, the one that you sorta have to dress at least a lil nicer for a nice 5 course meal.
And before or after dinner, there are several things to do,
Maybe some birthday luck would work in the casino.
Watch a variety show
If he wants to do something more physical, maybe some rock wall climbing?! Ha! Ok, I think that idea might not fly,
maybe bowling is more doable.
Choices are endless! But knowing my dad, so laid back and chill,
He'd prolly settle for a nice and quiet time on the Penthouse balcony on his binoculars watching the waves and wishing for dolphin sighting.
Anyway, this vacation is for you dad.
Happy! Happy!
0-sha!
Happy Mother's Day!
To all you awesome moms out there. You deserve this day and enjoy!
I am making sure that my mom is seriously getting all the attention and gratitude for this very special day.
As you know, we are on a cruise and spending our first full day @ sea.
What have I planned for my mom's celebration?! Wouldn't it be nice if I am able to take my mom out, day & night?
To simply express my extreme appreciation and to show that she's one of the most important lovey in my life.
"Just the thought of not having to cook is making me excited." - mom
So today, it's gonna be a foodie kinda celebration. With no cooking involved. Just pure bliss of eating, eating and more eating, Freestyle!
Here are her choices:
For an intimate setting, there's the Grand Pacific and Magenta dining rooms.
Blue Lagoon - 24/7 food for all!
Garden Cafe - Bring in the buffet!
Great Outdoors - another buffet al fresco!
Bali Hai - For some non greasy (as if!) food & freshly prepared on the grill.
Topsiders - If we end up poolside.
or
If she decides to just read a book or watch tv and just hang out in the room,
there's always room service.
That it?! Ha! Not!
Norwegian Gem also offers a few selection of more upscale restaurants for a fee, ranging from $10-25 per person. Still not bad, don't you think?!
There's Le Bistro - Oui?! Oui?!
And a roll call of Asian restaurants.
If those aren't convincing, there's Tequila Latin / Tapas Restaurant
And who wouldn't want Italiano?!
Love this video! Ha!
There's La Cucina
Steaks anyone? @ Cagney's! Open for dinners only.
But for the Penthouse & Villa guests. Cagney's will be open serving breakfast & lunch. Fab!
So in case we opt for a sit down breakfast or lunch without having to dash for the mad lines in the more casual buffet rooms, this can be our own private dining room. With much, much less crowd. Fab!
Gosh! I hope these restaurants will be enough to take my mom out for Mother's Day!
I may not be the type to say I LOVE YOU,
But, I sure hope that my actions are BIGGER than words. BIGGER than the Norwegian Gem. =)
Tomorrow will be another celebration. The very main reason for this cruise.
0-sha!
Come With Me, Let's Go!
Today is the day.
Vacation time! I’ve waited for this day. Actually, “we” have waited for this day.
(Spain, Uruguay, Mexico)
(Iceland, Argentina, Peru)
In the past, I have enjoyed the independence of travelling alone.
This year will be different, at least for the first part of my vacay-cay. I am spending vacation with Mi Familia.
You know what? I have always wanted to take my folks on an all expense
paid vacation. Down to the last penny.Take care of everything for them.
Besides, they’ve provided and given me everything while growing up.
I feel that it's my turn. This time, to give thanks. When I planned this vacation, I asked my brother if he wanted IN on my plan and he agreed. So we split the cost.
And what’s even better? Instead of just sending my folks on their own to a vacation of their choice, we get to tag along, bring some friends and spend it together. Sweet!
To make it even such a special vacation, it’s a celebration! Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and the day after is my dad’s birthday. Put them all occasions together and let’s celebrate!
So today is the day.
We’re going on a cruise!
Bags are packed. We're ready!
This is gonna be my 3rd cruise. And I know that it's going to be a trip of total R&R.
So we're going on this beautiful ship. Her name is the Norwegian Gem. And she's a big girl!
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/blogs/80days/2009/07/oprah-norwegian-gem-employee-loyalty-.html
It's the same ship that Oprah rented and paid $9.2 million to take her 1,700 employees on a 10 day cruise! I wish I have some of Oprah's money so I can take all my friends and family on a cruise too. =)
What's cool about this cruise?!
It's Freestyle!
Anyway, this is a typical cabin room.
When I said that I wanted to take my folks on an all expense paid vacation, it meant staying @ this 2 bedroom Penthouse Suite as we cruise along to destination: Happiness & Paradise. It is gonna be our home away from home for the next 7 nights. With all the amenities I could wish for. Pillow menu, anyone?
Also, I intend to chill and listen to this favorite song by Enya
Play the video before checking out the picture below
How fabulous is this bathroom?! This is where I'm gonna be at, specially after a day of leisure, a perfect soaking in the tub while watching the waves and sunset. Then repeat day after day after day.
So in a few hours, with the fantastic skyline, magnificent bridges and Statue of Liberty as backgrounds,
we'll be sailing away....
0-sha!
Packing
I finally finished packing. What I planned to be a quick and easy chore, resulted to several hours due to undecisiveness and last minute changes and fitting. The fun in vacation starts from planning what to wear during vacay-cay.
And for this trip, it's all about colors! A mix and match of festive colors! I based it from a simple bright yellow belt (Thank you, Castro!) as my main color palette.
Strategically planned so that, it would be as easy as just grabbing anything without having to worry if it would go together.
Carefully curated by me, for me.
But right now, I need some major zzzzz......tick. tock.tick.tock. It's finally here.
0-sha!
SEVEN
I think it was before Christmas of 2011 when I had this idea on what to do for this coming vacay-cay.
And as soon I have drawn the plan and finalized it, I had to contain my excitement because it would be torture on my side knowing that I have 5 long months of waiting before vacay-cay.
Imagine waiting and day dreaming everyday for 5 months. Ha!
But then, everytime I check the website for updates and information, there was a count down there too and I just couldn't resist.
From inception of the vacay-cay plan, it was such a drag, with more than 2 months wait.
Still waiting with a lil less than 5 weeks to go
Are we there yet? No! More than 2 weeks more. Sigh.
After today, it's gonna be 7 days and I would be in paradise. In SEVEN! It's almost legal for me to get super excited.
But who's counting?!
It's almost here. Can you see paradise? I sure can.
0-sha!
Growing Up In A Nonya Kitchen
I remember one day, someone from work told me, that she's been planning of writing a book.
And just 2 weeks ago, I received a signed copy of Growing Up In A Nonya Kitchen.
Currently, #1 on the Kinokuniya cookbook Weekly Bestsellers list.
Quote: Growing up in a Nonya Kitchen provides a rare and insightful view into the daily life of a Peranakan family harking back to the early 20th century. With comprehensive chapters dedicated to documenting cooking utensils, essential ingredients, the Nonya's agak agak (estimating) philosophy, as well as Chinese New Year and other festive dishes, baked goods and Nonya kuehs.Growing Up in a Nonya Kitchen is a volume to read and treasure for anyone looking for an in-depth understanding of the Peranakan and (and Singapore) food heritage.
This book will give you interesting and new food ideas. Recipes that were handed from generations. Truly authentic.
And what makes this a great read, it is not just pages upon pages of recipes. In between are the author's family stories and memories while growing up in Singapore.
This book is very personal to the author since it is also an homage to her mother who passed away not too long ago.
And with Mother's Day on the 13th, this could be an awesome gift for your Best Mom In The World. It is now available and soon will be in Amazon.com too.=)
I've started reading it. Mom & I are planning to do some of the recipes in the book. My mom will do the cooking and I will do the story telling. Ha!
She also did an interview for NEXT magazine's June issue.
(son Alex, husband Tracy & daughter Lizzie while on family vacation in Maldives)
To Mrs. W., thank you & Congratulations!
0-sha!
One Chance
And this would have not happened in a Romney administration.
Detractors can say whatever they want. Credit is due to where it counts. This gutsy, courageous and heroic historical feat, was achieved in the Obama administration. A continuous battle for you & I. To regain our safety & Peace of mind.
There was only once chance. And we did it.
One chance. Believe.
0-sha!
Pancakes & CPR/AED
Last week, I had a few hours to spare before I had to attend a re-certification class on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
and a refresher course on how to use the automated external defibrillator (AED). It's a mandatory kinda thing @ work.
And since it was too early, I decided to treat myself a good, I mean, really good breakfast. Since I'll be sitting for hours over lectures, endless videos and hands on training, might as well reward myself even before the dreaded exciting class started.
I schlepped downtown for some excellent breakfast!
Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant is raved, hyped & known for its awesome food. If you try to read online reviews about their brunch, it could be a nightmare getting a table here since people are willing to wait for days to get a table.
When I got there, the place was packed! Thursday morning, 830 am. Luckily, there's a spot by the counter and got the last seat.
Quickly browsed the menu while I knew it was gonna be pancakes for moi.
And there it was! Banana & walnut pancakes! With freshly squeezed oj (with pulp), scrambled eggs on the side, I was in for a treat.
But I insisted to go all the way and ordered a side of sugar cured bacon. Notice how the maple butter syrup just drenched and settled on the moist pancakes?! OMG! Pure deliciousness!
As soon I gulfed down my food in pleasure,
it was back to work for some life saving class. Watching my co-worker and still dreamy from an amazing early morning delight. I swear, with the amount of sugar cured bacon I had, I could easily be the one they can perform CPR & AED.
Did you know?! That aside from this, I've actually performed CPR and operated the AED in real life?! Yeah!
During my fly days, I will never, ever, ever forget it. @ 35,000 ft. and about 2 hours before landing to JFK from Tokyo.
Tho, let me tell ya, it wasn't a happy ending. =(
0-sha!
Wait Time Is In The Teens
Amazing how I planned this roughly 6 months ago.
And now, the countdown has come down to the teens.
0-sha!
