Amazing 2012

Of course, it has been a tradition.. writing my own recap of the year that past.

My 2012 can be described in two words. Travel and Buffet. Just kidding. 

Well seriously, 2012 has been a great year for me. I cannot say it is the best one, but definitely a good one. Maybe because it is full of experiences I had in different places and wonderful moments with friends and loved ones. Yeah, like my twitter profile says, I am still 27 and still singing the same song. 2012 is just a glimpse of hopefully, the best year to come. So here goes a brief review of the year that was.

TRAVEL

My blog is full of my stories about the places I've been to this year. I have traveled to Korea, Coron, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam. What a great way to maximize my 18 vacation leaves this year at work. The best trip of course is Korea because it is my hometown =) Kidding aside, I fell in love to Korea and I really want to go back here. The weather, the food, the shopping, and the people makes me miss this place so much. Of course, Coron is also a good island, but because of the propeller plane, I am hesitant to go back. Anyway, our two day trip to Taiwan is a stressful one but I think we managed to explore Taiwan enough, given a small time. But I forgot to try their version of Chatime. Spending two weeks in Singapore almost broke me. Just kidding. But yeah, spending 2 weeks is a lot of time for a costly place. I didn't get my luck here but no regrets, at least I tried and experienced what it's like to be here for some time. I miss shopping in Singapore. I came here during the great Singapore Sale and really bought a lot especially in Cotton On. Compared to Manila, Cotton On prices are times three. I'm not kidding. Some items I bought in Singapore are sold here thrice the value. How unfortunate. Thatt is why I am never going to buy here in Cotton On Manila. My last trip of 2012 is in Hanoi, Vietnam. A place where you can have a Motorcylophobia, fear of motorcycle. I don't have one but I started to feel it in my 3-days trip =) Hanoi is famous for their high-quality branded bags Northface and crumpler so I bought luggage and bags here.. so cheap with original quality. Explored Halong Bay which is quite similar ambiance when I was in Coron. Well, Coron is better for its diving facilities. So that's it, my major travels. Looking forward to spending my 20 leaves again in 2013, traveling.

BUFFET

Of course, if you will check my blogs, almost everything is about food. This is the year I almost tried every buffet deals in town. Having buffet with good friends is a great experience. It has been our bonding moments this year. Without this, I think we are lost for stories and won't catch up with each other. That's maybe the reason I gained 10lbs at the end of the year. I will just hit the gym in 2013 again after being away for two months. Anyway, the best buffet for me is Market Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, and Heat, Edsa Shang. The worst would be Cafe Jeepney, Intercon and F1 Hotel. After this year, I am not looking forward to more buffet in 2013, unless I lose that 10lbs again. And also, I tried almost every buffet so that experience is something already.  I am just going to lose that pounds then I'll be back with vengeance =)

CAREER

When I failed to find job in Singapore last June, I thought it's the end of finding success. But as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason so I just keep trying to apply and apply then finally got the good news, not in Singapore but here in HSBC Manila. Getting an upgrade is a gift these days. I am very thankful and I love my job now. Learning SAS is cool. I am happy with my job right now. 

FRIENDS and FAMILY

Having healthy family and friends, no worries.. can I ask for more?

LOVE

What can I say? Love is a complicated thing to handle. GO with the flow. If it comes, let it come. If not, then it will come, someday. I am hopeful. I'm ready. 2013, make me happy. #alamna Puh-please?

KOBE and Co.

My Lakers are struggling this year. Chemistry is just starting to build with Nash coming back from injury. Gonna keep pushing hard up to the playoff spot this year. I'm not expecting a the 17th banner this year with the current kind of defense, but they have the talent and what it takes to win, just need to find themselves together. Go go go! 

Goodbye wonderful 2012... Cheers to a promising 2013 =)

Lunch at HEAT, Edsa Shangri-La

I had my lunch at HEAT last November 30.

I'm expecting a lot in this lunch buffet because I heart Heat is second to Sofitel when it comes to buffet experience.

Well, the reviews were right. It is really one of the best for me so far. 

The crowd is perfect. Although you will noticed that the cafe is full, the crowd is not noisy and proper. They almost have the most complete dishes if oyster and mussels are only present. But still! The main dishes are so wide. They have the best lechon ad US prime rib. So delicious! They also have friendly waiters and staff.

Wow. As in the dessert was awesome!!! First time to try the tepanyaki ice cream. Though you have to line up here, it is worth it. They have complete flavors for the crepes. The cakes are good. They also have a not so sweet braso de mercedes which is good. The fruits are so many. Complete and freshly cut. I just loved their dessert section.

I got the GC for Php750, but for a regular price of Php1650, I will not hesitate to try dining here again. It's a good experience and the hotel ambiance is so nice.

Just check out the photos below.