"Stress Free" Themed Birthday Celebration

-20130217-

My 27th: A Week Filled with Good Food, Love, Happiness, and Blessings

February 7 -- It's Thursday once again, a day I look forward to because of the bible study session with my Dgroup. I must admit that I was already expecting something from them. But I have no idea on what will be the theme for this night's session.

For the past meetings I had with my Dgroup, I have requested them to include in their prayers my new role at work. Since I got this new role, my responsibilities in the office became heavier. Everything got more stressful. I started spending more than 12 hours in the office. Every morning when I wake up, I most of the time felt that I have to literally drag myself to work because I lack the motivation to go to the office because of my stressful project. These were the things I have repeatedly shared to my Dgroup for the past bible study sessions I had with them.

Surprisingly, my birthday celebration this night had a unique theme. Ayeen and Jen, thought of ways on how this night could be a stress free one for me. Everyone in the group was instructed to bring something that is very effective in removing their stress. Whatever they'll bring will be their birthday present to me. :) Ayeen brought ice cream, Sar gave me chocolates, Charm brought sansrival, and Jen gave me a cake. Looks like sweets are really an effective stress relievers for girls! Hehe! :)

Not a Perfect Day, But an Extraordinary Day

-20130217-

My 27th: A Week Filled with Good Food, Love, Happiness, and Blessings

My favorite day of my favorite month finally arrived! Heard mass with my church buddy, Jeff. Had lunch with him at Brew-Kus after hearing mass. Had a simple meryenda celebration in the office with my former LTPK projectmates.

After hearing mass with Jeff, the both of us decided to have my birthday lunch at BrewKus. The place is near our office but the we both haven't tried eating here. Since I was eating a lot for the past two days, I decided to order their Shrimp and Beef Skewer. Meanwhile, Jeff ordered their Roast Pork Belly that comes with mashed potato. BrewKus' dishes are a bit pricey but the taste is not that great. Probably I'll go back and try the other dishes on their menu next time. But still, I enjoyed this lunch date with my church buddy. :)

 

A week before this special day, I was telling myself that I wish to celebrate it with the people in the office that I enjoy spending time with. And since LTPK is so far my most loved project, I invited my LTPK Developers and QAs, Jim, and Dolly to have meryenda with me. Special thanks to Brian for cooking his very delicious white sauced pasta (I don't know how he calls it). Thanks too to my Korea girls who gave me a surprise birthday cake. I love you girls! <3

05Feb2013: Meryenda with LTPK Team and Alabangers

Surprise birthday cake from Korea Girls

My birthday wish: To meet my God's best ;)

I can't put into words how happy I am to have celebrated this special day with the people in the office who makes me smile and laugh, who relieves my stress, and who makes me happy. Thank you for finding time to be with me on this day! 

To my dearest friends Jim and Dolly, thank you for being so sweet and thoughtful. You shouldn't have bothered in giving me these gifts. I love you both! <3

New pink comforter received from Jim

 

Watch organizer received from Dolly

After having a day full of surprises, I got one more surprise from Patrick and Maah before I went home. They gave me a super yummy birthday cake from Claudette's! Thanks to the both of you! You really know how to make my heart and tummy happy.. ;)

Surprise birthday present from Patrick and Maah

Lord, thank You for allowing me to have an awesome birthday celebration. I know all of these wouldn't be possible without You. Thank You for all the blessings You have provided me, for all the wonderful people You have surrounded me, and for all the experiences and situations You have given me. This day may not be perfect, but I must say that it was an extraordinary day spent with extraordinary people. <3

  

 HAPPINESS! <3

 

   

Lorenzo's Way: The Road to Happy Tummies

-20130217-

My 27th: A Week Filled with Good Food, Love, Happiness, and Blessings

February 4 -- The day before my birthday was just like an ordinary day at work. There were lots of things to do since it was a Monday and Mondays in the office are usually busy and stressful. But I was excited to finish all my tasks that day because I was looking forward to spending the night with two of my good and funny office friends: Patrick and Maah.

I felt so eager to have dinner with Patrick and Maah because everytime I'm with them or at times I'm having conversations with them, I can't help but to laugh really hard. I must say they are one of the few people in the office who can make me feel light whenever I'm so stressed. 

It was Patrick who suggested that we eat at Lorenzo's Way in Greenbelt 5. I instantly agreed with his suggestion because I know that he always has a good choice when it comes to food. He's a person who knows a lot of good restaurants (simply because he is choosy and he has a very high standard when it comes to food haha!) so I thought that we'll never go wrong with this one.

For the appetizer, we ordered their Crispy Baby Squid. What's amazing with this dish is how soft the baby squids were. It was delicious and it was easy to chew! Amazing!

Crispy Baby Squid - 165php (Score: 3.5 out of 5)

We also ordered salad. Patrick suggested for us to try their Heart of Palm with Mango and Shrimps (crunchy fresh ubod julienne with boiled shrimps and ripe mango tossed in vinaigrette). At first, I was hesitant to eat this dish because I couldn't figure out how it tastes. But upon trying it, I felt I was in heaven! Hehe! This salad is one of the best salad I ever tasted. It's truly an awesome dish! Too bad I wasn't able to take a photo of it. (Price @ 260php; Score 4.5 out of 5)

For the main dish, we ordered for the following: Kangkong Lechon, Pinakbet Magalang, KKK (short for kare-kare klab, it is oxtail, tripe and vegetables in a peanut flavored sauce from Bistro Burgos), and Lengua Estofada. Amongst these dishes, I liked the Kangkong Lechon the most because of it's extraordinary taste. The lechon topping was soft and tender and the sauce was very tasty and delicious. I also liked their Lengua Estofada because even if the meat slices were a bit thick, they were able to cook it in such a way that it was still soft and easy to chew. Their KKK tasted okay; not much difference with other restaurant's Kare-Kare. The dish that I liked the least was their Pinakbet because for me, it lacked the authentic Ilocano taste that I was looking for.

Kangkong Lechon - 220php (Rating: 4.5 out of 5)

Pinakbet Magalang - 275php (Rating: 2.5 out of 5)

KKK - 595php (Rating: 3 out of 5)

Lengua Estofada - 395php (Rating: 3.5 out of 5)

We were also able to try their Sabaw ng Halaan. I found this dish a bit weird because of the coconut. But it was delicious, a dish I think that's unique.

Overall, my Lorenzo's Way dining experience was fantastic! The food we had were all delicious. Plus the fact that I was able to spend quality time with my awesome office friends. To Patrick and Maah, I know the both of you are also busy with your respective projects. That's why I really appreciate that you were able to find time to have dinner with me. Thank you Patrick for bringing Maah and I to this nice place. Thank you Maah for making time to be with me on the eve of my birthday. Lastly, thanks to the both of you for your sweet surprise birthday gift! Haha!

Patrick and Maah's suprise birthday gift! :D

 

A night spent with awesome people, having awesome conversation, and eating awesome food. HAPPINESS! <3

Lorenzo's Way Greenbelt 5
G/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St Legazpi Village, Makati
(02) 729-0047

http://www.munchpunch.com/lorenzos-way-greenbelt-5/menu