2012 Holidays, Travel Escapades and 2013 Travel Bucket List

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

That's what my living room looked like on Christmas Eve. Too bad I wasn't able to enjoy this much since I spent very little time at home. I was busy working the entire holiday season. Plus I was too sick. =( 

It was really disappointing because I get sick only once a year and it had to be on Christmas. Aside from choosing to stay miserably sober on Christmas parties, I had to work all the time which just made me feel ten times worse. The highlight of my Christmas was opening my Christmas presents under the tree two days after Christmas because that's when I had the time. Most of the gifts came from myself, which was pathetic by the way. 

Anyways, I had my share of fun times before I got sick. I went to Chicago with three of my girlfriends to celebrate Katrina's birthday. 

And partied with the Karoo girls in Jonathan's surprise birthday party.

I was feeling a little bit better on New Year's Eve so I hosted a mini pre-NYE party at my house.

All dolled up and ready to party!

This was the one and only decent picture that night. I didn't bring a camera in WETT because I forgot my camera the last time after too many shots.

It's now 2013 and I'm looking forward to a better and a more productive year. I set a lot of big goals this year and I hope and pray that I'll be able to make it happen. 

One of the many things I'm looking forward to is traveling. Unlike most people my age, My biggest expense is not mortgage, not car payments nor shoes and bags. My biggest expense goes to my travel fund. 

I've been to a lot of places in 2012 and I'm so thankful for it. I've been to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras festival. I had more fun in Bourbon street than in Vegas. True story. 

I also went to Niagara Falls and New York City. It cost me a fortune but its totally worth it. 

And just before Thanksgiving, I went to Florida. (I'll share a more detailed account on my upcoming posts)

mojitos, Ocean Drive, South Beach and palm trees. A piece of heaven on earth. =)

with a quick stopover in St. Louis Missouri 

midnight walk in downtown (which is not advisable by the way)

and Nashville Tennessee.

almost bought a pair. Seriously. It's too tempting. 

This year, I have two ambitious trips on my travel list. First one would be a western road trip that looks like this.

  

I am going to need a lot of time and moolah for this trip. But I am determined to make this thing happen. I have delayed this trip so many times. This year, it'll be a dream fulfilled. I'll check out all the National Parks along the way. Live young, wild and free in Vegas. Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Eat all I can in San Francisco. Explore Seattle. I have this big smile on my face while typing this. I'm so excited! 6,000 miles of pure fun!

Next destination on my list is a long shot. I want to spend my next Christmas in Manila. Yes. That's right. I pray for this everyday. I miss this city so much I'm dying to visit. I miss my family, my friends, the Christmas traditions and the weather. Oh Manila! 

I miss you everyday.

So there. My travel plans for 2013. I will have more travel post coming soon. I think that's what I'll be doing while waiting for this gruesome winter to pass. 

Do you have any travel plans yet for 2013? 

Flashback Friday: One night in New York City

I was sorting out travel pictures when I saw this one. I thought it was a brilliant idea so I gave him a dollar in exchange of one picture.

A fabulous example of pure honesty.

Afternoon tea at Bosie

Just before we said goodbye to the Big Apple, I had to trick Peter into going to Bosie Tea Parlor.

I tried to stay away from Starbucks the whole time we were in New York because all the other coffee shops in NYC has something different to offer.

Maple and bacon and peanut butter and jelly macarons were so freakin awesome I want them all!

I almost died at the sight of this!

Aside from a wide array of delicious pastries they have, they also have lunch and dinner items like soups, salad, quiche, panini, cheese platters and tea sandwiches. They also have an afternoon tea service which has become my instant favorite. 

We picked a corner table at the back of the teahouse. The place was perfect for either a cozy chat with friends, and intimate afternoon tea date and even a relaxing 'alone' time with myself. 

Freshly brewed pot of oolong tea for me and a cup of cappucino for Peter.

We also got an afternoon tea tray for two. Happiness!

Everything  was so yummy! I couldn't believe one could fit heaven in a three tier afternoon tea tray!

First tier had three kinds of tea sandwiches which were all oh so delicious by the way...Made to order cucumber with cream cheese and dill on white toasts, smoked salmon with red onion, lemon zest and cream cheese on pumper nickel and my favorite chicken breast with golden raisins and curried mayonnaise on multi grain.

Second tier had four macarons of my choice. I picked salted caramel of course, peanut butter and jelly, vanilla cheesecake and coffee. It also had four mini loaves of European tea cakes. Lemon, matcha tea, candied fruit and chocolate. Carb overload!

Of course I saved the best for last. Four petite scones topped with crunchy sugar pearls served with cream and homemade raspberry jam. I ate all the scones of course. Oh I so loved it! <3

Peter didn't mind because he's got all the leftovers boxed up. Oh how cute! 

Food Porn Action in New York City continues..

I had to force myself to finish up this post. I've been awfully busy this past few weeks with graduation, house hunting, loan processing and all that. Anyway, I finally made the time to finish my NYC posts. 

Our second day in New York involved a lot of walking, map reading and more importantly.. eating. We got hungry while walking around East Village and I wanted to come back to Krystal's Cafe 81 to feast on Filipino foods. Unfortunately, it was closed that day. I can tell by the looks on Peter's face that he's rejoicing about it. He's not a fan of restaurant repetition. So we walked one block and saw Virage which serves French/ Italian/ Middle Eastern cuisine. 

I saw  Boeuf Bourguignon on the menu and instantly remembered Julia Child so I just had to get it. The beef was slowly cooked with shallots, mushroom, red wine, thyme and served with mashed potatoes and haricot vert. 

Peter got Spinach Fettuccine with grilled chicken, roasted tomato, cream and shaved ricotta. 

After a couple of drinks, we went on wandering around East Village, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Wall Street. That was a hell lot of walking and subway. Subway system is horrible if you're not familiar with it.   I spent most of the time fumbling through my phone for directions. Good thing there were good NYC subway apps available. 

We then went to see Evita on Broadway. That was fun! I have not seen a play in awhile and I didn't even realize how I miss theater until I watched Evita. I loved every minute of it!

I loved our spill proof Jack and Coke and Malibu and Pineapple although we have to pay 30 bucks for 2 drinks. I also loved Ricky Martin's performance. He has this certain charisma that just captures you. Totally hot I'm not gonna lie. 

We had dinner at Mr. Robota Grill and Sushi Bar after the play. They have exceptional sushi menu which of course also comes with exceptional prices.

We ordered Mallard Duck Breasts and Foie Gras with caramelized apples and drizzled with warm strawberry sauce  for appetizer. Every bite screams calories but it's totally worth it!

We also tried out their special maki rolls. I got New York New York for myself. It has spicy tuna, macadamia nuts, toro scallion and avocado wrapped in seared tuna and topped with wasabi cream cheese, eel sauce and a rice cracker. 

Peter had Dreams Come True for himself. It has lobster tempura, caviar, coconut, mango and avocado, wrapped in orange soy-paper and topped with wasabi cream cheese, yuzo miso and sriracha. Dreams come  true indeed!

There was one item on the menu that caught my eye but I wasn't able to order it coz I won't have room for sushi if I did. They have a soup called Foie Gras Cappucino. It sound weird and intriguing. I'll have to try it next time.

At midnight we took out the car from the garage and drove around Manhattan. It's the only way you can drive around the city without losing your temper. We tried to see the Brooklyn Bridge Park but our GPS was having a dumb moment that time so we got lost in Brooklyn. on the way back, we stopped in at Gray's Papaya and ordered the Recession Special [two hotdogs and a 14oz drink] for our midnight snack.

I stopped counting calories and weighing myself for a few weeks after that. 

Food Porn Action in New York City (part 1)

While everybody is busy working out to shred unwanted fats and achieve the perfect body for summer, I chose to defy the rules of society and packed on pounds. It was a four day feast in sugarland and calorie paradise. I don't regret it at all. I don't mind the extra five pounds. I don't mind my maxed-out credit cards. Oh well, not until the bill comes.

My first stop as soon as I got in NYC was a Krystal's Cafe 81, a little Filipino Restaurant in East Village. 

Photo credit: Google Images

Last time I was in New York, I had to go all the way to Queens to get a taste of some delicious Pinoy delicacies.

We finished up the Sizzling Sisig in seconds. Sisig is a staple in any drinking session in the Philippines. It's made up of pork's head and liver. It's broiled, fried with onions then served in a sizzling plate topped with raw egg, pork cracklings and chili. It's an appetizer best paired with beer but I ate it with rice. Hell, I eat everything with rice.

Peter tried Red Horse Beer. The only beer I like. He didn't care much about it though.

I also ordered Sinigang na Hipon for the main course. It's a shrimp dish boiled in sour broth with vegetables. The server brought it in a big bowl and two servings of rice in a separate plate to our table. With it also comes two small individual bowls and plates for both of us. While I immediately rolled my sleeves up and get down to business, Peter was more concerned about how much dishes are we using. I rolled my eyes in disbelief. He must have felt sorry for the dishwasher.

Since I don't come to New York very often, I didn't pass up the opportunity to visit Laduree. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a popular macaron shop in Paris. They opened their first and only North American location in the Upper East Side last year.

Gazillions of macarons are displayed in the store window. I had to wait in line to even get into the store. Peter thought it was ridiculous to wait in line to get pastries. Not until he finished off most of my macarons.

I got two boxes. One with all the fifteen flavors and one with just salted caramels and pistachios.

I also bought financiers and madeleines. I overheard one guy asking one of the associates if they make it there fresh everyday. The lady said that everything is made in Paris and delivered to New York everyday.

We went to Sarabeth's Kitchen next. They have several locations all over Manhattan but we visited the one right next to Central Park.

Photo credit: sarabethspc.com

It was sunny and breezy so we sat outside.

Central Park Summer: vodka, watermelon liqour, sierra mist and grenadine

The cocktail menu was my favorite. They have an awesome list of drink concoction. I love their champagne cocktails too. I ordered Central Park Summer and Watermelon Crush (vodka, watermelon liqour, pineapple juice and OJ) for starters. Yes that's right. For starters.

Cream of tomato soup topped with cheddar chives and basil oil.

Peter had the Flat Iron Steak Frites served with bernaise sauce and french fries. He paired it with some local tap beers.

I had the Pan Roasted Salmon served with fingerling potatoes, crispy leeks and sundried tomato vinagrette. Oh so yummy!

We also shared the Creme Brulee for dessert. I don't have pictures because we finished the whole thing before we could take pictures.

We were bloated by the end of it. But we didn't stop there.

Out and About in New York City

First on my to do list before summer is to get away, reenergize and get inspired. And boy we nailed it all in New York City. It was my second time and I was able to appreciate the city even more this time. Since I've been in the city before, I decided to skip most of the tourist attraction and just enjoy and absorb all the energy in the city.

One of the major things I absolutely love about the New York City is the architecture. All the buildings have its own unique character. We spent a lot of time walking from the Upper East Side, down to East Village, West Village, Soho, Chelsea and Downtown just looking at buildings and old houses. 

It's totally different from the Dells where every apartments or houses and even the cabinets are made the same way.

Peter loves fire exits. Weirdo.

We can't help but stop in our tracks and just stare at these buildings in awe. All the little carvings are just lovely.

We took a little break from walking when we reached Central Park. We sat on top of one of those ginormous rocks and watched kids play, lovers kiss and friends laugh. Life is beautiful. 

More walking on the second day for us. I was so in love with brick townhouses in New York. This one was in West Village. I wish to live here. 

The Saint Patrick's Cathedral is probably the most beautiful building in Manhattan. 

No wonder that the cathedral is visited by over 5 million people per year. St. Patrick's reminds me of  Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church both located in Manila. God I miss home!

We picked one spot in Times Square where we can just sit and watch people do whatever it is they do. We sat there for hours, barely talking, watching people pass us by. Very unproductive yet so much fun!