Hawaii Adventure part 1

This is a really..really.. REALLY late post. But as they say, it's better late than never. Hawaii has always been on top my bucket list ever since I can remember. It was December of 2010 when I decided to exhaust all the resources I have to cross this out of my list. I was fully aware of how much damage it would cost me since I wanted to fully enjoy myself without worrying about every penny. So I became obsess with finding the best deals online. I spent a number of sleepless nights scouring the web for the best value deal I could find. Luckily, I stumbled upon BeachDestinations.com. It's an online travel agency which provides tons of options for a variety of famous beach destinations at any price range. [Note: They are not paying me to do this. The website is just so awesome that I wanted to share it to anyone interested.] For a little over $1200 per person, We bought an airline ticket from Chicago to Oahu and Maui to Chicago via United Airlines. An inter-island flight from Oahu to Maui via Mesa Airlines and our accomodation in a three star hotel in  Oahu as well as the condo units we rented out in Maui were also included in the price. It helped that we traveled on May because the shoulder season in Hawaii was from mid-March until May. I also found awesome car deals from Hotwire for both islands. And so our adventure began.



                                                        A quick snapshot after touchdown in Kauai.



I immediately felt a sense of belongingness as soon as we landed. Aahh. I felt so close to home.



Enjoying our cocktails

 After a 15 hour flight from Chicago to Kuaui, we were starving so we immediately asked around for the nearest food place in the airport. We took the shuttle from the airport to Marriot Hotel and headed to Duke's.  A couple of drinks and some fresh seafood appetizers were all we need to reenergize after a grueling 15 hour flight, not to mention a three hour drive from Wisconsin Dells to Chicago and waiting time in between flights.

After a quick snack and picture taking in Kalapaki Beach, we're off to the airport once again for our flight to Oahu, where we stayed for four days. [ to be continued..]

2010 Random thoughts turned fulfilled dreams

This was originally published in my Facebook account on the last day of 2010. I totally forgot that I wrote this one. I read it again today and realized that my life is not so bad after all. Now I'd like to post it here.

"Whew. How time flies. It's almost 2011. Alas! 2010 is over. The past year has been really crazy. It was a rough roller coaster ride with so many loops and turns that I almost didn't find my way back to sanity. My faith and personal relationships were put to test. I screwed up so many times but of course like any other storm, it eventually ended. And as expected, I emerged victorious. (ok. I was just exaggerating. I almost quit. seriously.) Despite all the shitty things in 2010. There's a lot to be thankful for. I'm grateful for the fact that I'm still alive and my whole family is healthy and happy. I eat sumptuous meals for free. I'm surrounded with people who makes me laugh. I have friends whom I haven't spoken with for a long time now but I know that we're still friends and will be friends forever. I was able to go back to school, and my grades has been good so far. I have traveled to a number of awesome places. Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Key West, Door County and New York City. I don't know how I did that. I didn't seem to have a lot of money to afford these places but I did. I have the most awesome boyfriend in the planet. I met different kinds of people from all walks of life which makes my life more interesting each day. The list could just go on and on.

 My list for 2011 is not even halfway done There's one thing I'm sure of. I want to travel more.

First on my list:

HAWAII

I want a 10 day trip to explore at least two of the Islands. Oahu and Maui.

SAN FRANCISCO AND LA

A five day trip would be awesome. 3 days in SFO and then a road trip to LA. Fun! =)

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

Kt used to brag about Duluth all the time. I want to see it too. Valentines Day? =)

 CHICAGO

Last time I was here, we were short with time so I didn't really get a chance to enjoy the place. I want to go back. Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Filipino Store, theater show, Ed Debevics and a lot more.

***

I also want to read more. I used to read a lot. I would usually finish 2-3 books per week. In 2010, I read three books. Three books in twelve months! I have been always preoccupied with too much stuff that I didn't have time to read books. Next year, I wanted to go back to my old hobby.

My idea of a perfect day would be to lie on the couch for hours with coffee sitting next to me while reading a good fat book. It would be more ideal if its raining outside. Ahh! That would be lovely.

***

This was quite a long optimistic post. Anyway, fast forward to November 2011. I was able to go to two out of four places listed here. Not bad right?

The trip to Hawaii was amazing and it was exactly how I dreamed it would be, a 10 day fun filled adventure! This Hawaii trip is the highlight of my entire existence year. I need to do separate post on this.

sunset in Maui

I also went to Chicago with Peter for our anniversary. It was my first time to really enjoy the city. I know it is lame since I live in Wisconsin and its just three hours away. I should go there more often. I need to do a separate post for Chicago too.

Sears Tower

For 2012, I have already set some goals. First, I need to go to San Francisco and LA. Instead of a five day trip, it'll be a three week road trip. It would be fun if I'll be able to stop in Bryce Canyon, Zion, Page, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite and Santa Barbara.  Yes, I dream big. Dreaming is tax free so why not! I still don't know how I'm going to fund this trip but I strongly believe that it's gonna push through. Yeah! Optimism is the key. =)

I don't care so much about Duluth now. Instead I want to attend the Mardi Gras Festival in New Orleans. It'll be my birthday gift to myself. It will be a perfect timing because the Mardi Gras parade will run from February 5th till the 22nd, and my birthday is on the 26th. Sakto!



Photo credit: escapenormal.com



And if my original plans push through, I will be going back to Manila on October of 2012. But before that, I need to make a quick stop over in the shopping capital of Asia. Hong Kong!

Photo credit: businessweek.com

And then off to Manila.

Photo credit: uniglobethetraveltimes.com

Manila City Hall

Oh Manila! I miss you with all my heart. You'll always be my favorite city no matter what.

I'm trying to calculate the cost of each trips that I want to do in 2012. How many internal organs to I have to sell for these? Hmm.. Yay! I believe that dreams do come true so I dream big. Now, I need tons of prayers  and three full time jobs. =)

Random Thoughts

My clock says 3:09am. I should be sleeping by now. I always set my alarm clock at 9am in an attempt to accomplish more things. Running at least three times a week has always been a dream. But for some weird reasons, It never happens. I'm always preoccupied with schoolwork, not that I do them. A lot of times, I'm just having a staring contest with my books and laptop. My mind is always somewhere else. 

***

I'm currently in the midst of a 'quarter life crisis'. One day I woke up having doubts about what I really want to end up doing for the rest of my life. It came as a shock to me because I'm the type of person who always knows what I want. I'm lost. I want to quit school because I feel that I'm just wasting my money, time and energy in it. I wanted to say that my life sucks but it would be inappropriate because of the continous pour of blessings in other aspects of my life. 

***

I think I have a cabin fever. For those not familiar with the term, as per Wikipedia cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, paranoia, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark. That was a long definition, in a simpler term, I'm bored out of my mind. It is mostly because of the weather. It is getting really cold here. The worst part is that winter hasn't 'officially' started yet. Maybe its also because my life has been so predictable. I need to get out of here. I need a vacation.

***

I wish to do something random. Like driving without a particular destination or hop on the train and go to New York to watch a Broadway show or go to Miami to get a tan or fly to Vegas to get married to get drunk. I wish life  is as easy as that.

***

Is it weird that I like watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians? I know they can be overly dramatic at times it almost seems unreal. But I like how they exploit their popularity and use it to their advantage. 

***

I found out that I don't need a visa to go to Peru and Brazil. Isn't it awesome? As much as I love my country and I'm proud to say that I'm Pinoy, it pisses me off that I need a visa almost everywhere. It's such a hassle.

***

I miss Manila. I miss Christmas in Manila. 

Drooling over Kermit Tesoro shoes

I instantly fell in love with these shoes as soon as I saw them. They are edgy, fierce and ridiculously sexy. I want them all! I wish to have a shoe fairy who can give me all these shoes for Christmas.

Cardio Pumps

Skull Heels 

Skull Heels in white

Pony Hair Skull Heels [my favorite]

Hyperthrophy heels

Heelless wedge

Wing Booties and Lace and Leather Heels

Heelless Extreme and Brocade Pisa Booties 

What makes me want to buy these shoes more is the fact that it is made by Kermit Tesoro, a Filipino designer who also happens to design Lady Gaga's outfit on the cover of her single 'Marry the Night'. The outfit was designed in collaboration with another Filipino artist, Leeroy New. [Yeah! Can't help but be proud that I'm Pinoy while I'm typing this]

The closest thing I have to a shoe fairy is my credit card and I would've bought these shoes in a heartbeat. The only thing that stops me from buying these precious babies is the fact that I live in one of the small towns in Wisconsin. It will not be practical to wear them here since the average winter can lasts up to five months. 

I'll have to wait until I get back in Manila. Or if I go somewhere else. 

Eno Vino Date Night

Eno Vino Wine bar and Bistro is a precious gem tucked away in one corner of Madison. It's now one of my favorite! The soft light and warm colors immediately sets the mood of anyone who comes here. The tapas menu is to die for! Don't forget the extensive wine selection which is really impressive. 

Eno Vino is a tapas style bar. A lot of the dishes are meant to be shared. You can order it one at a time while enjoying your wine. Perfect place for spending time with your family, friends and loved ones. Nobody is in a hurry. Interesting conversations, good glass of wine, terrific food and a serene atmosphere with people you love equates to a perfect night. 

Start of with a glass of wine to set the mood. I really like how they present their wine list in an Ipad2. Very tech-savvy!

We paired wine with a cheese course. We had brie, gouda and manchego with prosciutto. Their cheese plate is served with marinated olives, fresh fruits, spiced pecans, crackers and crostini. Cheese and wine! This pair always leaves me yearning for more.

After the cheese, we had braised short ribs set on top of polenta cakes, served with roasted garlic and pearl onion confit and drizzled with poblano fondue. A feast of flavors in one dish. The meat was so tender that my grandma will not need her dentures to devour this dish. The combination of different flavors in every bite was just awesome. I can't remember how many times I sighed and uttered the word YUM throughout the entire evening.  

As they say, save the best for last. For our third dish, we had the Hudson valley foie gras set on top of toasted almond puff and pineapple gastrique then sprinkled with peppered bacon. Every bite was a feast in my palate. The exquisite flavor of foie gras, the crisp almond puff and that delicious crunchy sound, the sweetness of pineapple and a hint of saltiness brought by the bacon, the fusion of flavors was incredibly satisfying. I have to stop myself from wanting another order because I remembered PETA's campaign against eating foie gras. 

We're already full after the third plate. But the glutton in me insisted that we should have dessert. So we ordered churros which were set on top of sliced bananas, drizzled with white and black chocolate syrup and dusted with cinnamon. Don't forget the strawberries. Ooh. We finished everything off this plate even though we can hardly breathe. For sure this would be perfect with a cup of hot coco on the side. Instead I opted for coffee and Peter tried the $20 ice wine. It's so sweet (and expensive!) you would almost think you're sipping honey. 

Gaining five pounds after this dinner doesn't sound so bad after all. =)

Wishlist

Christmas is just around the corner! I'm so excited! I was gonna do a wishlist after Thanksgiving but I'm bored tonight so I  might as well do it. It's never too early for any kind of wish list anyway.

1. Blackberry Bold 9930

My 2 year contract with US cellular is going to expire in December. So I need a new one. I like this new BlackBerry because of its sophisticated design. It also has a sim card slot so you can switch from CDMA to GSM when you need to travel outside the country.

2. Technomarine watch

I've been eyeing this watch for a while now. I want this!

3. Road Trip

I've always wanted to go on a road trip. Also, I've been longing to cross off California on my list. With my school schedule, I don't think this will happen until spring. I will just put it here so i won't forget. To enjoy this trip, I will probably need 2-3 weeks. This is an open invitation to anyone who wants to go on a road trip  too. One main requirement is that we should know each other. If you're fun loving and adventurous, let's go! This is my proposed itinerary. I wanted to visit national parks as well and of course Vegas has to be in the itinerary too.

Afternoon Tea

Photo: Lorraine Anico

I used to be a heavy coffee drinker. I can proudly say that I am one major contributor in Starbucks' success. But just recently, Peter encouraged me to try drinking tea since the only tea I ever tried is sweetened iced tea. I didn’t expect to actually like it but I did. I started reading about tea and its varieties. I also learned about the English afternoon tea tradition and the more elaborate Japanese tea ceremony. Since then, I have always wanted to try out an afternoon tea service so I searched for an afternoon tea room I could visit here in Madison.

 Yesterday, I had a really awesome afternoon tea experience at Legacy House Imports Gift Shop and Tea Room along Lien Road in Madison. The Cape Cod style house offers a variety of quintessential quilts, jewelries, tea sets and other crafts which mostly came from various parts of Europe. The back porch of the house is converted into a Victorian style parlor which offers a very relaxing ambiance, just perfect for an afternoon tea experience.

Photo: Lorraine Anico

The 3 tier afternoon tea tray is $14.99. It includes four different tea sandwiches, tea bread, a scone and 4 serving of miniature desserts. The pot of tea is not included in the prize. I ordered a pot of Formosa oolong tea for myself which is a mixture of good earthy and subtle autumn leafy flavor. Peter on the other hand settled for Sencha green tea which has a rich, deep flavor but with a very refreshing green aroma.

Photo: Lorraine Anico

We devoured the tray from the bottom tier and worked our way up. The crustless finger sandwiches include cucumber with dill and cream cheese, crab salad, chicken salad and ham salad all of which are delicious and flavorful.

Photo: Lorraine Anico

The middle tier is my favorite. A slice of banana bread and a buttery warm apricot scone served with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and apple jelly. Aahh. Each bite screams heaven! I had to order two more extra scones that I can take with me at home. I also asked for more Devonshire. =)

Photo: Lorraine Anico

 And lastly, the top tier was full of sweet treats which includes pistachio cake, cream swan, mini pumpkin cheese cake and mini chocolate decadence which are all baked in-house. Devouring these little dainty desserts was a perfect way to end the tea experience.

I was relieved when Peter told me that he genuinely enjoyed it since I saw the hesitation in his eyes when we entered the tea room. I guess it’s to ‘girly’ for him at first. It’s funny how he ended up buying extra bags of loose leaf teas to bring home. Well, it seems that this is not going to be our last afternoon tea here. I'm already looking forward for more afternoon tea visits.