Eat, Travel, Repeat. ✈️

“I’ve recently discovered that cooking is a great way to distract yourself from your problems while providing a sense of accomplishment. You feel like you’re doing something useful even though a few hours later you eat all the evidence.” - Candace Bushnell, The Carrie Diaries

What I’m up to lately. Been trying to cook a lot. At least, I know I’m improving my tsamba skills. Ha ha ha. Yep, pasta lover here. (From L-R) Hawaiian Pizza Pasta, Bacon Spaghetti, Ham Carbonara and Sardines Pasta. (Cooked Tuna Pasta, too.)

TAPICO DE COFFEE They offer coffee, shakes and smoothies, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I ordered Strawberry Milkshake, and yes, it tastes heavenly. And that picture, that was my lunch. You should try it. Texas BBQ Glazed Spareribs (now my favorite hihi). The meat is sooo tender, and the Bbq sauce, aaahhhh. Words can't describe how delicious it is. Beside this coffee house is SATORI, a Japanese Restaurant. It's located at Alyssa's Arcade, 1st flr, in front of Toyota San Pablo.

Cousins dragged me to go with them at Lipa, Batangas. We went to SM City Lipa, and ate at TOKYO TOKYO. Always love their Beef Teriyaki, served with California Maki + Snow Ice Choco Sensation for dessert!

After strollin' at SM City Lipa and Robinsons Lipa, we decided to eat at ARMY NAVY Burger + Burrito before heading home (now my favorite burger place). You can get the most out of your P165 from their Classic, single quarter pound patty burger. Deliiiiicious!! For Mother's Day, we had a family dinner at BACOLOD CHICKEN BBQ HOUSE at Paseo Sta. Rosa. though the original plan really is to eat at Kanin Club. The sisig was okay, it's just very oily. Chicken tastes like those of Mang Inasal.

Cause I'm a Milktea Maniac, I searched for Tea Houses nearby. I happen to visit SERENDIPITY TEA BAR. It's located near Celestial Montessori where my cousin, Cedie, is studying. The place is cozy and their barista is cute. Hahahahahahaha

Just this morning, I walked around the city finding Cafelandia. Haha, unfortunately I wasn't able to find it. I tried asking people, but they don't know exactly where it is. It's a newly opened Cafe, so maybe that's why. I ended up at Si Christina (Gateau Sans Rival). No regrets. Their Brazo de Mercedes is the best I've tasted, so far. The Red Berry Smoothie is as delicious. I suggest you to sit at the front table to have a better view of the city.

I really have a thing for checklists. Idk, maybe it’s some sort of goal-setting. I list down things I want to try, to do and accomplish - mostly about food, places, coffee, books and stuff. These are proofs of me being a food buff and a bookworm. Hope to finish all these soon. ✌️

Here’s my FOODadVENTURE 2014 Checklist —- Random restaurants I want to go to this year. Majority are located in Naga since I live near here. Some of these I’ve already tried (all-time favorites), some are for curiosity’s sake. Haha. I’ll post some pictures and give you suggestions on their must-trys. :p ITALICIZED places are those which I haven’t tried, yet. PS: long entry. ✌️

- If you’re a BURGER (Wo)MAN like me, you might wanna visit FAT JOE’s, SHIBUYA Japanese Burger (Shibuya TLC ftw!) and JACK’s BLUE PLATE DINER (haven’t tried yet, but i heard they serve the best. We’ll see). These classic burgers are usually served with homemade fries. Yum! My favorite, so far, is the Classic Burger at NAVY ARMY Burger + Burrito(*picture posted). You don't know burger if you don't know Navy Army.

- Coffee Addict? Shakes and Smoothies? Good thing Naga has enough cafes and patisserie in the city. From international coffee shops to local ones, all promise to give you a refresher that is right for your taste. We have STARBUCKS (I, again, has a separate list for this), THE COFFEE BEANERY, KOPI ROTTI (Coffee Jelly!!!), RAFABELS, COFFEE AND CO., THE PRO CHEF’s OFFICE, BEANBAG COFFEE, WHITE BEAN (also has burgers, etc), CAFE FREDERICO (Four Seasons Shake) and the recently opened - a BEARy cute place - BEAR CUPS PATISSERIE (Milkshakes and cupcakes!!). I’ve also tried FIGARO, TAPICO DE COFFEE and CAFE LIPA here in Laguna and in Batangas.

- How bout Milkteas?? Yep, very mainstream. Haha. You can easily find Tea Houses at Naga. They’re everywhere. I always order Wintermelon. First tried it at MOONLEAF, sadly it’s already closed. But we still have BUBBLE TOWN, Milky Malt is the best!! Hehe. I heard, there’s this INFINITEA. Can’t wait to try it once I go back to Naga (i’m currently in Laguna, btw) So if you happen to be here, try SERENDIPITY TEA BAR at San Rafael, San Pablo City. The place is so cozy. They also serve main dishes! (*picture posted)

- Pinoys just can’t resist the goodness of SISIG. Actually, I have a separate list of restaurants that offer the crunchiest and most delicious sisig. My favorite, so far, is from DENCIO’s(*picture posted). Order their famous, best-seller Crispy Sisig! If you happen to be at Iriga City, don’t miss DESNY GRILL’s version. My aunt told me PROSPERITY, located at San Pablo City, serves sisig that’s affordable and very delicious. I’ll definitely try it one of these days.

- Love Halo-halo? DJC HALO-HALO AND SNACK INN could be the perfect place. I, personally, isn’t a huge fan of Halo-halo, but theirs are really really good. It became an instant favorite! Also try ICE BLINK and, COLD SHACK - they say is the home of the yummiest ice cream.

- Want to try something that is out of the ordinary (Pinoy) Lutong Bahay? Go to OKUYA(*picture posted). Love their Shrimp Tempura! You might also want MAKI YAKI, KARATE KID and TOKYO TOKYO(Beef Teriyaki pls). We also have some Mexican Food at MEXICALI. And if you’re some kind of a Fine-dining type, try NAGA ORIENTAL WOK and EIGHT SPICES. Other restaurants I love that are found in the streets of Magsaysay Avenue are SOUTH HILLS (Their naked Crab!!), and soon to try their famous Crispy Pata and of course, Sisig, BOB MARLIN.

- If you wanna taste Bicol’s Pride - our dishes - you wouldn’t dare miss BIGGS (and their Baby Back Ribs is really damn good *picture posted) GEEWAN, MAMA EÑGA and RED PLATTER. I’ll order their Laing, Bicol Express, Kinunot and Pinangat, which they serve well (Never a fan of veggies, but these can be exemptions, I’ll try my best to like it hahaha).

- Has a tight budget? FACE-THE-WALL offers the most affordable dishes and is open 24 hours! Also try Tapsilog at TAPSI TERMINAL and KOKAY’s Cordon Bleu. Naga’s local dish, the Kinalas, can be bought almost everywhere. You can find the “authentic” one at Dayangdang St. - KINALAS TWIN!! TIA CELY and MOLINO GRILL also offer delicious Kinalas. We also have NAGA GARDEN RESTAURANT - try their Pancit, Mami and Siopao.

- Who doesn’t love Pizza?? Aside from GREENWICH (Pizza Thins), SHAKEYS, PIZZA HUT, and YELLOW CAB that you surely love, I recommend you visit CWC (Camsur Watersports Complex) - it’s not just a place where you can try wakeboarding, swimming and skating, but it also offers some of the best pizza in town. My all-time favorite, PIZZA ALA DIAVOLA, can be ordered at CWC CLUBHOUSE. The DIY Pizza’s available at COFFEE AND CO. (Didn’t like it much, though. Haha)

Checklist #2 Journeying James Top 10 Food Destinations in Naga City (i’ve only accomplished #9 HAHAHAHA)

1. QUALITY BAKESHOP - Tsokolate Batirol & Pan de Naga/Legaspi 2. AVENUE PLAZA HOTEL - Buffet Breakfast (Fried Daing “abu”) 3. MAMA EÑGA - Pinangat, Bicol Express Lumpia, Dinuguan & Kinalas 4. FACE-THE-WALL - Kinunot & Pinangat 5. NAGA GARDEN RESTAURANT - Pancit, Mami & Toasted Siopao 6. GEEWAN - Pinangat, Bicol Express & “Frozen Laing” 7. RED PLATTER - Laing, Kare-Kare & Cakes 8. BOB MARLIN - Crispy Pata 9. 3N BAKERY - Toasted Siopao 10. MOLINO GRILL / KINALAS TWIN - Kinalas

Visit his blog at Journeying James

During our visit (April 9-12), we stayed at Summer Place Hotel. We had the largest suite, accommodating 15 pax. I’m with 11 of my SK Officials; attending the Youth for Environment (YES) Camp – which, I tell you, is the WORST (disorganized and unsystematic) EVENT I've attended.

I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW / Random

1. I viewed my grades, and so far, it was great. No line of 8. *u*

2. I'm really enjoying my Summer Vacation. :""">

3. I'm so obsessed with John Green. I read three (Looking for Alaska, Let it Snow, The Fault in Our Stars). And I'm planning to read ALL of his books. :D

4. My precious LeBron James and Kevin Durant both named as KIA MVP for the Month of March. Wohoo! |m|

5. And, WE'RE GOING TO BAGUIO. So expect a travel post after <3

My relatives from Laguna came over to celebrate Chan's Graduation and their birthdays. (Lola Dolly, April 4 & Christian, April 5).

During Lola's birthday, we went to Baao Recreation Center. Click for pictures.

  On the 5th of April, my Aunt decided to visit her husband's family at Basud, Camarines Norte. It was I think, 2 1/2-3 hour drive from Baao. Here are some pictures :)

Two of the most important people in my life <3

I attended my brother’s graduation at my Alma Mater, Sta. Monica Academy, last March 22, 2013. It’s also a great time to meet old friends, schoolmates and our former teachers.

  March 20, 2013 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM | CLEMENTINE, Magsaysay Naga City

  Here’s one simple tribute to Graduating Marketistas :)

  The Officers organized a simple program for the Seniors. It was held at Clementine Bakery and Restaurant three days before their big day. :D

I’m not a diehard Directioner. But God, I can’t resist this! Zayn, you’re so cute! I love you to death!! *fangirl ON