Last days in Beijing. 1st stop.

1st stop: 新光天地，北京 (Shin Kong Place, Beijing)


鼎泰丰
DIN TAI FUNG --One of the Top 10 restaurants in the World according to the New York Times..



Sauteed Sweet Shrimps -- crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside..I think they dipped the shrimps in syrup before frying coz when you eat it, there is syrup coming out of the shrimp meat.. yummy and great starter to our meal. Costs 35rmb (245php)

Next up are the ever famous Xiao Long Bao's (soup dumplings that come with a variety of fillings) of Din Tai Fung.. The one on the left is pork and shrimp xiaolongbao..It comes with a bowl of soup and one order=around 50rmb (350php). Its not cheap, I know, but it is worth every penny =)

This one on the right is filled with pork and hairy crab roe..It is really tasty and a bit more expensive than the first xiaolongbao..It is around 65rmb (455php).

I have tried the other fillings before but i didn't get the chance to take pictures but I assure you, everything is GOOD =)

Lastly, the Hairy Crab with Silken Tofu. Could it get any better than this?? I thought the dumplings were awesome..but wow, It gets better and better. This goes great with plain rice.. Sums up a really great lunch. Gonna get high blood from all the fat..but I still give this restaurant a 10/10!=)

Every meal isn't complete with dessert.. so for the grand finale...we went to Fauchon (A french Bakeshop) , also located in the same mall for a mini chocolate cake. Oh man, this cake need not be chewed, it simply melts in your mouth! You can see that the chocolate ganache was perfectly done (notice how shiny and smooth it is??). It had a praline crust topped with layers of dark chocolate mousse and dark chocolate cake. 1cake=45rmb(315php) expensive, but definitely a must try when you visit Beijing. =)

Drool. I just left Beijing this morning and now...I MISS THE FOOD ALREADY!!!怎么办？！

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

This was interesting. Cris Angel showed how this worked on one of his shows, but it was still kind of surprising when I checked out several people I knew. Not superstitious, but I need all the luck I can get! Once you have opened thisl, there is no turning back. Below are true descriptions of zodiac signs. Read your sign, and then forward it on, with your zodiac sign and label on the subject line. This is the real deal, try ignoring or changing it, and the first thing you'll notice is having a horrible day starting tomorrow morning - and it only gets worse from there.

CAPRICORN The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want. 20 years of good luck if you forward.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality. 11 years of luck if you forward.

PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20)
Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful. 8 years of good luck if you forward.

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19)
Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egoti stical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic. 16 years of good luck if you forward.

TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20)
Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings who are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard -- passionate. Expresses themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulges themselves often. Very generous. 12 years of good Luck if you forward

GEMINI - The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20)
Smart and witty. Outgoing , very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express them selves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22)
Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22)
Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive. 13 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

SCORPIO - The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward

Does the description of the Aquarius fit my personality??Tell me.haha

Twilight.

Why Twilight the movie is better than the book...

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/11/slideshow_of_twilight.html#photo=1

or so they say. hahaha :p

bored.

Ahh..LOVE.

Read this somewhere.haha

If you love someone, ask them for nothing.

Don't hold them back from their destiny.

Don't keep them from going off in search of their own answers.

Don't ask them for commitment.
You will know commitment is real when it is something given willingly and not as something obligatory.

Don't ask them for promises.

If you are patient, if you have faith, you will know in your heart when the right time for promises has come.

And when that time arrives,
then you will see that you have both lost nothing by setting each other free,
and have instead gained a richer, fuller life,
a wealth of experiences,
and a stronger certainty of your desires.

But should they not return to you,
then life hasn't cheated you because no promises were broken.
Your bitterness will not last long,
and you will feel thankful and blessed that at the very least,
this beautiful soul has colored your life,
that knowing them has already made life infinitely more meaningful.

By setting a person free,
you run a risk of them not returning.
But always remember that you found them beautiful precisely because they were free.
People are like sunlight. You can feel their warmth, and their glow,
but you can't hold them in your hand and keep them with you forever.

People CHOOSE to stay.

But a choice is made more meaningful when it is made despite so many other options.

Love has no restrictions and it is through mistakes that sometimes we see the right answer.

Because if you love someone,
you ask them for nothing
and they will come back to you.

awww...

Breadtalk Group Ltd.

One of the best companies ever! All of their outlets=LOVE. BreadTalk. ToastBox. DinTaiFung. (salivates)...

floss buns!kaya toast!soft boiled eggs (with soy sauce..yumm)! milo dinosaur!! XiaoLongBao!!!!!

eating at toastbox and dintaifung...good memories!will surely miss these two restaurants in Beijing :( maybe someday when I work in Shanghai, I'll get to taste em again.

I'm talking about food again..I know. BUT THIS IS MY BLOG SO DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT COMPLAINING. I'm not forcing you to read.hahaha!

I just ate dinner and drank milk tea..but I think I'm hungry again..hmm what to eat???

Seafood and such.

So me and 5 of my friends went out for dinner last night. We ate at Tang Palace! Yummy Seafood Resto located at a hotel near the Forbidden City. When we first got there, we couldn't read the menu!haha so we had to point at the live seafood and the server had to explain each cooking method!haha that's the challenge but we proved to be successful since the food that we ate was scrumptious and fresh.

We had baby prawns, steamed sole, stir fried clams with Black Bean sauce, sauteed pacific clams, some cold cuts (asado=charsiu, roast duck, jellyfish and lechon macau=similar to lechon kawali) beef brisket with tendon stew, creamy dumpling (mochi with cream and fruit filling). Sorry, no pictures...I left my camera :( Everything was good, a bit expensive but it was worth it! We felt as if we were back in the Philippines. Haha seafood is love.

first thing to do when we go back to Manila...GO TO DAMPA. haha! yummy seafood at a very affordable price!!

Randomness.

Got this from a friend.haha

Who was the last person you cried in front of?

` hmm. my aunt. haha

What's on your schedule for tomorrow ?

` get the test over with, dinner party

Does anyone know your password besides you?

` no.

Do you miss anyone?

` my family and friends back in the Philippines

Has someone of the opposite sex told you they loved you and meant it?

` of course? I hope so.haha

Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now?

` hmm, as of now, no.haha

How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?

` kasama dad and brother?? hmm...6??

Does it bother you when someone says they will call you and they don't?

` not really. except when they promise.

Do you trust people easily?

` hmm. it depends.

When's the last time you did something you knew was wrong?

` hmm. partying and not going to class?hahaha last saturday?(we had class on Sunday)

Are you thinking of anyone right now?

` nope.

Is there a reason behind how you're feeling right now?

` test tomorrow!

Are you listening to music right now?

` yes

Who was the last girl you talked to?

` face to face: yet
`ka-ym ko now: nikki

Are you afraid of roller coasters?

` yes. i'm terribly scared of heights!!

Ever given your all to someone who walked away?

` no.

How many hours did you sleep last night?

` around 9 hours.haha

Have you held hands with anybody in the past week, If so who?

` nope

What was the sweetest memory you've had all week?

` eating dinner at Pullman Steakhouse with the Beijingers

Do you have strange dreams?

` yes. very often,

If you could move somewhere you want, would you?

` maybe. not now though.

What was the first thing you did when you woke up?

` morning coffee. =)

Do you want to get married & have children one day?

` of course.

Who did you spend most of your time with this summer?

` Jade

What is the last song you listened to?

` If I were a boy --Beyonce and R. Kelly

Name a random lyric from that song:

` i'd listen to her

Have you ever snuck into anyone's house?

` nope.

Have you ever been bitten by anyone?

` yes!nung saturday!!si lar!!

Who is the last person you hugged?

` al and ron

When's the last time you studied?

` this afternoon.haha

Who's bed besides your own were you in last?

` yet's. ginugulo ko coz she doesnt wanna move!haha

Who was last to tell you "I love you"?

` daddy!

haha now I'm really gonna rest. Goodnight everyone! Wish me luck!

Chill.

Tomorrow's the day of the test and I'm sick and tired of studying. I barely studied today, just reviewed a bit with one of my friends and then when 5 of our other friends came, we just chatted the whole time. OMG. haha I feel that I can (hopefully!!*crosses fingers*) pass, but I'm not sure if I'm going to get a high grade(*prays*).

I have this bet with two of my friends, lowest out of three tests has to treat the other two for dinner...I don't wanna lose but I don't want to study anymore! I need to relax now coz I might get stressed tomorrow and forget everything!!So here I am, blogging!haha

BTW, I changed the date of my flight..it's now....
Jan21 Beijing-Hong Kong
Jan27 Hong Kong-Manila

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Going to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong with some of my relatives who live there. =) EXCITED TO EATTTTTTTTTTTT =) gonna go to Disney Land this time!=) anyway, gonna rest now. time for the testttt.

Cramming and Headaches.

The title of this post tells a lot of what I have been doing for the past two days..I tell you, it is not a good place to be in. Argh. My test is tomorrow and I feel as if I haven't prepared that much! Oh no. Haha will stop blogging now. I overslept again..off to Over There Cafe to review. Have to get away from my beloved laptop..hahaha

Too good to pass up?? Maybe.

I may have discovered the best part time job that I could ever wish for (thanks to a friend). But!!!! I can't apply!!because I'm going homeeeee...huhu!! Read on!

Main responsibilities:
-Visit premium restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing on regular basis, normally 5 – 10 times a month.
-All meals are FREE of charge to the English critic. All our membership restaurants are priced from 100 RMB/head to 500 RMB/head. The dining experiences in these premium and luxury restaurants are excellent.
-The English Restaurant Critic will be accompanied to the meals by a Chinese editor who is in charge of liaising with the restaurant and introducing the food.
-The English editor shall write up a food review, minimum 500-800 words, in 3–5 days after the meal. The food review covers the food quality, environment, service, price, menu, dining experience, etc.
-The English critic will take notes on the menu and what is introduced by the restaurant staff.
-Best Food in China editors will manage the reviews written by the English critic on our website – www.bestfoodinchina.net

Requirements:
-The English Restaurant Critic must be a native English speaker
-Speaking Mandarin is a plus
-The English Restaurant Critic must have superior English writing skills. The English Restaurant Critic must love Chinese food and Chinese culture
-The English Restaurant Critic must live in Shanghai or Beijing or Hangzhou
-Strong interpersonal communications skill and sales experience are a plus.
-The food critic’s work is a part-time job – you normally visit restaurants after work or on the weekend, therefore you should have a flexible schedule.
-Accountability and commitment to this job and its duties.
-Applicants are asked to deliver a food story, a resume with photo and a 50-word short introduction bio.
-Applicants volunteering to make appointments with restaurants will get extra bonus

Benefits:
-Best Food in China assignments are great fun, in terms of tasting the best food in China and meeting interesting people, even though it is NOT a paid job.
-Best Food in China can help you more fully understand Chinese food and culture.
-As a freelancer, you will have unparalleled chances to expand your personal network, which is the most important factor to your success in China.


FREE FOOD!!!What more can I ask for in a part time job??Haha Just goes to show how much I LOVE EATING. Even though its a non paying job, I'll take it! So is it too good to pass up?? Darn right it is!!Argh! Too bad :( But maybe, just maybe, when I go back..It will still be available. :(

Bidding Farewell to Beijing

I'm leaving Beijing 15 days from now, so...here's my list of things to do:

1. Have dinner with former classmates who are still in Beijing.
2. Pass the tests. (crap) Get certificate.
3. Pack my stuff.
4. Balikbayan box
5. Prepare the stuff I'm giving away.
6. Withdraw all the money from my account.
7. Shop for pasalubongs.
8. Eat all the things I love in Beijing (Shitang, DinTaiFung, Salt, BaNiao, Dolar Shop, ToastBox)
9. Have a Birthday Dinner for the Beijingers(??) Still deciding whether in Beijing or Tagaytay.
10. Farewell Beijing.

Been procrastinating for the past few days, so now I have to do some hardcore studying!haha as if! I can try..right? =)

30 Questions Haha

Can't you see that I'm bored??got this from Kerry

1. Corona, Heineken or Budweiser

- umm..I don't drink beer that much but if I were to choose, Pyro's Draft Beer!

.
2. Flowers, Candy, or Card

- flowers

.

3. Beer, Wine, or Mixed drink

- Mixed drink

.

4. Early to bed, Early to rise, Late to Rise

- Late to Rise- wrong grammar?hahaha
.

5. Football, basketball or baseball

- I'm not much of a sports fan, but...basketball

.

6. Internet, Radio, or TV

- Internet

.

7. Kiss, Hand Holding, or Hugs

- hugs

.

8. Buy, Borrow, or Lease

- Buy

.

9. Ford, Chevy, or Dodge

- Chevy

.

10. Cheese Burger, Pizza, or Salad

- Cheese Burger! hopefully with bacon,mushroom,grilled onions and a fried egg!!!!!yumm

.

11. Car, SUV, or Mini-Van

- I want a SUV!!hi daddy. joke. contented na ako =)

.

12. Email, Telephone, or Letter

- Cellphone.haha

.

13. California, New York, or Florida

- New York? Never been to any of these places

.

14. Cheater, Straight Shooter, or Rule Bender

- Rule Bender

.

15. Private, Public, or Semi-Private

- Semi-Private

.

16. Kisses on the Neck, Stomach, or Ears

- Umm..kisses on the hand or forehead.hahaha!

.

17. Morning, Afternoon, or Night

- Afternoon.

.

18. Animal House, American Pie, or Old School

- Haven't watched the others yet, just American Pie

.

19. Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, or Mandy Moore

- Britney!

.

20. Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Halloween

- Christmas

.

21. Coke, Pepsi, or Sprite

- COKE FOREVER

.

22. Friends, Lovers, or Enemies

- Friends

.

23. Jr. High, High School, or College

- High School and College

.

24. Beach, Mountains, or Desert

- Beach

.

25. Cookies, Cake, or Brownies

- Cake--molten dark chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream!

.

26. March, July, or October

- March. (Bakit pati ito pinapapili??)

.

27. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

- ALL OF THE ABOVE.

.

28. Giver, Sharer, or Keeper

- Sharer??hahaha

.

29. Eyes, Nose, or Mouth

- Mouth+Teeth haha

.

30. Friends that lie, Enemies that pretend to be your friend, or Alone

- I'd rather be alone.