Jessa would not stop blabbering… that Sheryl’s LV is not the “real thing”.. not authentic…and yet she displays it as if it is or maybe she is not aware that it is only a cheap imitation.  Apparently she bought it from her Hong Kong trip last month and the other fashion conscious ladies in our circle would swear that her LV is fake and that genuine bags cost thousand of dollars.

Lol.. the ladies would say that maybe Sheryl thought that they will drool with envy  but doesn’t she knows that they can’t be deceived even there is LV monogram…just because it has an LV monogram doesn’t mean that it is..  They don’t like Sheryl.. obviously!

Of course, I can’t relate because I don’t have any plan or means to buy one so I don’t bother to

found this pic on the web showing the difference of both bags

browse on how on to spot a fake LV.   However, on second thought, best to have hints or tips  so that if someone would be parading before me with an LV and would try to belittle my bag, I can just raise my eyebrows.  Oh dear, I think I have unconsciously learned that from the ladies…

BTW… my bag is also LV…. Local Vag…. yay!

The welcoming committee are waiters too accommodating to open the door and you will find this large buffalo head hanging on the wall.  Mr. Buffalo for sure has become a back ground for all photo opportunities of their customers.  Just like us, we hesitated for a while (they might call us photo addict and cheap)  but my children were not able to resist the urge to have their pictures taken with Mr. Buffalo behind.  After few shots, we took the easy way up – rode the narrow elevator to the second floor but for those who want to exercise a bit, they took the the stairs that led them to the dining area.  As usual, the over all interior of the restaurant connotes the Western type- cowboy.

Hello!  Mr. Buffalo!

Our overall impression?  We had our tummy filled with delectable menus.  We had finally experienced Buffalo and we all agreed it is one good reason to come back, say a breakfast or brunch because we were told that it opens at 9am and would cater for early risers.
So, are you with me in this food tripping?  Well, post more in my next entry….

dimmed lights on

we will be back for more…

]]> http://www.loveordained.net/hello-mr-buffalo/2011/04/07/feed/ 0 http://www.loveordained.net/eggplant-dish-surprisingly-tasty/2011/03/10/ http://www.loveordained.net/eggplant-dish-surprisingly-tasty/2011/03/10/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:57:28 +0000 admin http://www.loveordained.net/?p=3073

This is the eggplant dish I was talking about….

In one farewell party hosted by our department for an exiting Arab doctor, we had discovered a surprisingly good dish… the eggplant dish!  I am working in a muti racial hospital with British, Americans, South Africans, Argentinians, Asians, Middle Eastern staff.   However,communication is not a barrier because English is the language used in the hospital.   When it comes to food, we’ve tried almost every dish of all nationalities  especially if a staff will go on exit, it is customary for the department to give the person a farewell party in the office.   The latest in our department is an Adult Cardiologist who is an Arabic physician and he was with the department of Cardiovascular for almost 20 years of service so it was befitting to host a program for him.   Of course, we expected the honoring the physician with all the wonderful and kind words,reminiscing the times they’ve shared with him, next the farewell message,presentation of plaque and gift and the best part, the table topics portion (lunch!)

The exiting physician here is giving his farewell message

The caterer arranged the buffet tables in the narrow hallway of our department to accommodate all well wishers.   They knew that if it will be held in the hospital’s Family dining room,only few will be able to attend so they have no choice but to allow them to use the hallway.   Although, it was a bit crowded but again people enjoyed the program and the food… mostly Arabic food.

My palate had already been trained to like some of the Arabic food but only the basic ones like shawarma, the kabsa, and the latest that  I’ve found to be palatable is the Eggplant dish.   I cornered one staff and asked for the Arabic translation of the eggplant dish which we discovered good and told me it is Baba ghanoush (wikipedia can explain further) - eggplant mashed and mixed with various seasoning.  I wasn’t able to ask him how it was prepared and cooked because he too is busy enjoying the dish.   But as I have observed,  it is served as an appetizer or side dish or eaten as a dip with kubous or with a pita bread.  Hmmm… I guess, I should also research about the bread so we can better understand it.   And I hope to present more Arabic food in my future posts.

obviously, they are enjoying their share

There were wide choices of food on the table but I only picked those that I’ve been accustomed to eat.  In time, I know that I will come to like all of them.    The presentation of the dishes are good and I guess taste good too!  Judging how the staff excitedly lined up for the food, I bet they really liked what is served before them.

The doctor will be on exit next week.  Who’s next??? (for another food discovery!)

Well, my hubby should cut out his hearty appetite as a warning.   He too is taking regular medication for his hypertension and lately, his blood works yielded high triglycerides.  I told him that he needs to take care of  himself.    Lol… and reminded him that gluttony is a mortal sin!

I’ll be out for a while… don’t miss me!!!!

these flowers might cheer up our friend…

This morning, I woke up with sore legs which  I believe is  due to long hours of standing, walking and running because being one of the organizer of the event, we can’t afford to just sit down and watch the event unfolds.  It was a big event, very well attended despite of our initial worries that the weather might deter the families from coming.  It was still hot at 42 deg. Centigrade at noon and the children are expected to become uneasy.  However, we were glad that many families stayed till the end of the program braving the weather.   I bet, most of them applied a sunblock lotion before the day starts and re apply every now and then.   Admittedly, I was one of them who dreaded the after effect of long sun exposure.  So, I prepared a wide brimmed hat, a light weight jacket to cover my arms and applied sun block lotion plus a bag full of mineral water to help replenish lost fluids.   Believe me, since it is dry here, I hardly experience any sweat at all despite our vigorous movements of running, jumping.

People started to come as early as 8:00 a.m. and program started with parade of colors. After the usual opening remarks and pep talks, the  fun began at half past 9:00 am.   The mood was festive and exciting!  The children and adults alike enjoyed the games!

The kids enjoyed the game except this little boy..  I guess he was bored and sleepy!

Obviously, the adults had their share of fun!

We retired to bed that night exhausted but fulfilled because the event was fun filled and people  enjoyed bonding with old and new friends.  We were thankful that no casualties happened and the lucky ones went home with raffle draw prizes.

Success we may call it!

There is one “Barong Tagalog” (an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines), I’ve come to like which I believe will look good on my husband.   However, I am having second thoughts because it is pricey and my husband might not pay me back. (just kidding).  The wedding is  a month away, I think I have to make up my mind if I will go for that pricey garment with eyes closed.   For me, I am still thinking if I will just buy fabrics and have it custom made or look for  RTW (ready to wear) dresses.  I am counting on my 2 friends who are painstakingly looking for my gown and hopefully, I will be able to spot a dress on pictures that they will post.  Another good friend whom I have talked to through YM chat would gladly accommodate the dress on their return here.

Running errand is already high-technology.

Elegant designs!

Our hair is our crowning glory.  Bad hair day affects our mood.  But today, I had achieved the blow dry and perfect volume of hair I like, so I had this aura of calmness and feeling sexy when I report to work.   Before I knew, I was taking pictures left and right and took shots even the back of our heads.

One tried and tested solution is to put up a buffet table  in the center of the room where people can help themselves and will encourage more mingling amongst the guests and would allow the host/hostess to enjoy the party.   The ever dependable chafing disks will save you from all the troubles.   The food stays warm during the party-the source of the heat is that from the spirit lamp or gas flame beneath the metal dish. 

We attended the  Birthday celebration of a friend the other day and it was held in their flat.  The tables were elegantly decorated and my friend’s wife was saved from all the hassles because they ordered from a local caterer.  The food was tasteful and inviting that is why we were not able to resist the temptation to try almost all of them including the desserts.

Well, we jokingly are telling friends that we are on “see foods diet” we eat when we see food.   Oh well, tomorrow is another day- to start thinking of our diet.

Our friend recounted to us their ordeal and we listened and offered our advices being their elders.  It is hard really to figure out how we can help them because they are entangled in a situation that also involved another couple friend.  In some ways, we believe that my husband and I had given them sound and well-meaning advices.  They were thankful that we came to listen as they poured their heartaches out. 

We trust that they will start to communicate more and will map up plans for any eventuality that might happen in the days to come.  

Going out of our comfort zone might be hard at first but the feeling that you did a good deed for a brother is uncomparable. 

We are mission ready!

Before, I also had the same dilemma giving my 3 children their names.  But I got the inspiration for my daughter’s name from combining the first name of me and my husband’s while for my 2 boys, we took the first name of his father and combined it with a foreign sounding name while the other one took his  from his maternal grandfather’s.  But all of their nicknames start with letter “K”.

 Baby book with list of possible baby names are abound or you may  get inspiration from your relatives, pop stars, Presidents, heroes, saints, cartoon characters, what have you.  If you want a unique name, go ahead.. just make sure that your child will not blame you later on for giving him/her that out of this world first name.

Barracky? Britney? Dyesebel?  Oh well, it’s good I am past that stage with babies!