Yabu-holic!

I finally found my happy place!

Love at first bite happened to me!

Back then, whenever someone says Japanese food, Yakinuki is the first thing I think of.

But now, I think I'm converted! 

I'm now a certified Jap food fan because of Yabu's famous Katsu!

One of the things I love about Yabu is its ambience. 

I love the comfortable and cozy feeling it brings. 

I also like the giant manga in the wall (which I seriously finished reading)

I also like this wall that looks like a giant waffle! Yum!

The staff are really courteous and accomodating. 

They are so attentive to their customers' needs.

I also like the fact the you have to make your own katsu sauce! 

Their mortar and pestle are probably the most adorable thingy to me right now. Haha

Yabu seems a bit expensive at first but truthfully, its price isn't so bad when you think about their unlimited: organic shredded cabagge (which is my favorite 'cause it is so good with their sesame dressing!), organic brown rice or japanese white rice, miso soup, a serving of fruit and japanese pickle.

The authentic katsudon and the Yabu's special katsudon are my favorites

Authentic katsudon, made the Yabu way: delicious cutlets dipped in egg and dredged in fresh panko, served over a bowl of steamed Japanese rice and covered with special Yabu sauce and beaten eggs.

 Yabu katsu, drizzled with a light and sweet miso-based sauce, accompanied by nori, bonito flakes and a fried egg on top. A hint of shiso, or Japanese basil, is also found in the dish adding an unexpected freshness.

The last time i was there, I tried the katsu curry, which you will be asked how spicy you want it 

(Levels are regular, hot and very hot). Good thing I chose "hot" not the "very hot" otherwise I wont be able to eat it.

Katsu Curry's serving was so big that you won't be needing an extra order of rice.

And yes, these bits are all that's left in my gigantic bowl! No regrets though. hihi

Happy tummy indeed!

This couple who were taking painfully awkward couple-y  photos were creeping me out. Haha

BTW, Menchi Katsu is my least favorite of all.



For some reason, despite the creamy ham and cheese in it, I don't like the taste of its meat.

But all in all, I LOVE this place!

Next time I go there, I will definitely try the famous Kurobuta katsu.

Who wants to come with me? :)

The Red Crab Alimango House

Before a friend left for brazil, I decided to treat her into somewhere we havent been.

And being the crustaceans lover that I always am we went to The Red Crab. 

The first thing i notice as i entered is their unique lighting that makes the whole place cozy and warm.

It was again way past lunch time when we arrived so we never got the chance to avail any starter for we crazily want to satisfy our hunger already.  BUT... sad to say, we weren't able to taste any of their crab dishes because it was a bit (totally) pricey and I was  on a tight budget that day.

(See the irony? We were in a crab house but weren't able to eat any crab! How sad was that? Pssh!)

So we make used of what we can afford.

Klasik Sisig (P195)

Yeah, the picture says it all! Way too much onion and liver! It was also too salty for my taste.

Pork Sinigang (P295)

I'm a sinigang lover but their sinigang was the worst sinigang I've ever tasted!

SERIOUSLY!!! (All caps para intense!)

Everything in it was raw that we have to send it back cause even the vegetables are not edible!

So they were able to fix the vegetables but the pork was still the same! Inedible!

Before leaving the resto we talked to the manager and told him that they really should improve their sinigang, He apologized and told us that we shoul've told the staff  (or him) that 

we weren't happy with it.

(Heck, they should've made sure that everything that comes out of their kitchen satisfies their customers, right?) 

Garlic Prawns (P399)

 Finally an order that made my tummy happy! I personally enjoyed this dish because of the distinct taste of garlic that blended well with the flavorful buttery sauce of the shrimp, Although its price is way too much for 6 pieces of prawns.

 Shrimp Rice

It tasted pretty good! Good thing that the serving is good for 3 people 'cause we were pretty hungry.

Hapag Restaurant in Malolos

As it was recently featured in TV, and knowing that it was just an hour drive away from where we live, Jeng, Ate Marie and I decided to try the Hapag Restaurant.

Hapag is located at Hiyas ng Bulacan Compound in Malolos. The location is not located in hi-way so it's kinda hard to find if you're not familiar with the place.

It was way past lunch time when we arrived which was a good thing cause the place wasn't crowded. (Though I'm not sure how full the place is during lunch or dinner hours.)

The place itself is good and pleasing to the eyes. It was quite spacious.

This is the first thing you'll see as you enter. I actually like the interiors of their restaurant. It has a modernized approach that gives the place a homey feeling.

The receiving area spells COMFY. It actually invites me to rest, relax and sleep for awhile. (yeah, i can sleep whenever and wherever)

But...  being featured in TV and all, I actually have high expectations of their food.

I wouldn't have mind if it's a bit pricey as long as the food tastes good. BUT, yes, I was disappointed.

Lechon Kawali Karekare (Php 178)

Their Lechon Kawali Kare kare doesn't even taste like kare-kare at all. The veggies doesn't look fresh and my guess is they've been cooked pre-order. But in all fairness, the bagnet was cooked perfectly. Crunchy outside and soft inside.

 Prawns and crab in oyster sauce (Php 400+)

Being a crustaceans lover, we also ordered crab and prawns in oyster sauce to share. The menu says it's for 2-3 persons. But as you can see, there were 3 of us and there's only ONE crab. Good thing we didn't fight each other on whose gonna get that hard-shell delicacy.

We also ordered Fried squid for appetizer but it came together with the main course. (Take note: the rice came 5 minutes after they served the main course and the appetizer.)

But hey, their plain rice is only 15 pesos. Cheaper than the fastfood chains' rice right!? So extra rice is a MUST! haha!

Overall, I wasn't really impressed with Hapag. The place is good but for a food with not-so-affordable price it lacks quality.

Empty box

She's sitting alone in an empty box. 

Staring at nothing. Blocking everything. Feeling nothing.

She knows she should not entertain the pain cause she knows very well she can't handle it.

She doesn't even wanna try.

Her inability to tolerate pain is what makes her weak.

She's too scared of the excruciating pain that things might bring her if she comes back to the world. 

So she hides. 

Here she is, sitting in an empty box emptying her heart...

Embracing the comfort emptiness brings.

She doesn't wanna fight cause she knows she cant defeat the feeling. 

She's so afraid of the pain so she's doing everything in her power to block it.
She's emptying her mind from all the thoughts.
She stopped caring for a while now, she stopped feeling as well, so i think she'll be fine.
For now.
Here. 

In an empty box.

He hates love.

Neil Gaiman put words to why I'm now scared to fall inlove.

Love is such an overrated word.

It's kinda sad how people throw away everything just to experience love and yet at the end of it, we all get hurt.

If there's one thing I learned from my experiences - in this life happy ever-after romance doesn't exist.

Look Beyond. There is where true love lies.

11th year with YOU.

I never completely understood what it meant to be alive until I finally found You.
I know I’m totally undeserving, but the void in my heart is filled with Your overwhelming love.
Often times, I think about how privileged I am to be chosen by You.
 I’ve been wondering what I’ve done to deserve this kind of love.
An unfathomable love that gives me immense joy.
A love that is so much bigger than all my doubts and fears.

No matter how many times I’ve questioned and rejected You,
You're always there to welcome me back.

It’s humbling to know that amidst my faults and flaws,
You are always and will always be there to embrace me.

Today, marks my 11th year in the Church.
I can say that everything has been so great.
I’ve been so blessed to be surrounded by amazing people who has been helping me become a better person.

Thank You for your constant love, for your words, daily miracles, and unending grace.
Looking at things in a different perspective has refreshed my whole being.
Ever since I've been with You, I’m a completely different person.

I have never been so content and grateful knowing that I am safe in Your love.
A love so real and beautiful.
A love that has slowly unfolded right in front of me, embraced me as a whole, and constantly pursued me. Thank You for your unspeakable gift.

To The Love of my Life

Today I wanna take you back to a time in my life when I had nothing and no one else but my selfish self. There was a time when I so desperately don't know what to do with my life.

It was an awful phase.
And then depression came in and I gained weight. Lots of it you know :)

I lost my will to live life, to laugh, to enjoy the things the world offers.
Until I met the person who changed my life.

(Well that escalated quickly.)

I’ve never been religious. I used to go to Catholic Church once or twice a year.
Until my mom asked me to listen to this preacher...

The first time I heard him preach, I think I felt this thing called love at first hear.

After a few more nights of attending the indoctrination, I finally decided to give in.
I let go of my stubbornness… of the resistance I was feeling upon sumbitting myself in the baptism.

And the world started to feel right.
My insides got squishy and warm and I finally garnered enough courage to say the “Yes, I accept.”

I held His words and my response dearly close to my heart, and with all my being from that moment on, I love Him like I’ve never loved... like the world has never hurt me before.

He made me believe again.
He made me see things from a different perspective.
He made me want to become better for me, and for the people that I love.
He made me see that everything will be better someday...
that no matter how much you are hurting today… tomorrow… to that promised day… everything will heal.

He made me feel all that.

After and beyond all my awfulness, he made me feel again.

As I write these last few lines I try to remember everything good and bad, and how it will all be worth it in the end.

For you, my love, I hope this letter reaches you someday, and I want to tell You just how much it took for me to love You in every single way that I could, despite all my shortcomings, I’m trying.
I’m just a flawed person trying to love like she’s never loved before.

I pray to God for your good health and His continuous guidance to you... that you continue to do your sworn duty to God… that you take care of the people you love, and that you remember that there are people who love you and thankful to God because of you.

Yours always,
K