The Bonfire
It’s going to be Fourth of July in a few days and Beta Theta Omicron celebrated a tad earlier with good friends last night at Ocean Beach. Everyone brought food, chocolate, graham, and marshmallows for s’mores, pizza, soda, fruit platters, double stuffed oreos, and cake of course, for the lovely birthday celebrant, our amazing student body prez-elect, Heidi Hansen. We all know a bonfire is most fun when dark, so while waiting for the sun to set, we enjoyed Domino’s Pizza and cake. 
Domino’s Pizza’s mushroom, olive, and ham pizza. 
SafeWay’s Fourth of July cake. Amber, on the other hand, spent quality time with our NFF, Khlood’s baby yorkshire. Thank you for being so awesome and taking responsibility to retrieve the dog when she ran off to eat other people’s food. 
I think this photo of Amber is simply gorgeous! And just in case y’all were wondering, products sold during the July 4th holiday with red and blue and white aren’t actually because of anything patriotic in nature, it’s simply because it’s Heidi’s birthday. So let’s pretend those are her favorite colors, and fireworks are all dedicated to her. Haha! I kid. 
The lovely couple, Heidi and Mayank I also thought it was pretty cool how we were able to start a fire. Not necessarily from scratch, but hey, we made it work with scraps of wood we found along the beach. The bonfire probably had us all go be domestic and stuff. 
So here’s me being all domestic. 
And we made fire! The fire’s up, we’re ready for s’moreszzz! 
Yay us! 
That’s why we’re the honor society. We’re smart to just stick the skewer in there! Also, to make it clear to everyone, we are not a sorority. As y’all can see, we have some guys with us too! LOL. 
☮ and ♥, Denice
The BB Torch and My BQO Girls
While dSLRs and upgraded lenses do capture the nicest photos, it doesn’t mean regular cameras like the one on my BlackBerry can’t take good shots. I left my Nikon d5000 at home this morning, so I was left with no choice but to put my BB Torch’s 5 mega pixel phone camera to the test! It wasn’t too bad after all, and actually managed to focus into some of the elaborate characteristics of the food I ate today. At least, that’s what I think. You be the judge. ☺ I arrived at Bayhill Shopping Center in San Bruno earlier than anyone else, so while waiting for my fellow Beta Theta Omicron officers, I ate at AU’s Kitchen, a small Chinese take-out place to kill time. I missed Chinese food, so their Sweet and Sour Pork Rice Plate became so enticing. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste as good as it looked, and the lady who owned the place was the least bit friendly or hospitable. I enjoyed their white rice anyway. 
I finished this in like 5 minutes! I guess I was just really hungry. Of course, no meal can ever be complete without dessert. Allow me to introduce to you Cafe Grillades’ Nutella & Banana crepe, made with unbleached flour and served with whipped cream, it was simply delicious! 
This makes me all hungry again! 
Who’s a happy advisor? Dr. Case! Putting food aside for a second though, the BQO girls finally met to discuss our projects for the school year. What’s most gratifying though, was getting to see our beautiful advisor, Dr. Case pose with her lovely snow globe souvenir from our amazing fellow officers, Amber and Camille who attended the Honors Institute in Boston. We drove to Red Robin shortly after the meeting, Camille, Amber, and I. I personally don’t think we were that hungry, but somehow we just had a big appetite for some clucks and fries, mac and cheese, and a thick and deelish classic banana milkshake. 
The crispiness and juiciness of the chicken was just right. 
This is honest to goodness sweetness! I missed and love my BQO girls, especially Amber and Camille. We have so much ahead of us this year! Thanks for a great night, Gorgeouses. I can’t wait for the Bonfire tomorrow! ☺ ☮ and ♥, Denice
Kani Kosen Celebration
I turned 19 last Tuesday, the 28th, and life has been nothing but great to me. While I intensely miss my family in the Philippines, there still remains two factors that really simply make my day: good food and good company; and I was blessed to have both! 
We wish Uncle John was here! Mama Julie surprised Papa Cali and I by inviting Tita Kaye, Amber, and Johnny to dinner with us at my favorite sushi place, Kani Kosen. The last time I saw the Cloutmans was almost two months ago, so getting to hug and catch up with them just felt so refreshing! I do wish Uncle John got to come along though. The first thing we ordered was Charlie Brown, which is basically deep fried California Roll. It was so funny even, because when Mama Keiko called out “Charlie Brown” as she gently placed the sushi on the table, Johnny thought she was referring to him and replied “No, I’m Johnny Boy.” Glance over Amber’s face for a second. Yes, that’s the look of a very happy and satisfied customer! 
Amber is happy with her Charlie Brown Roll! The highlights of the night, however, were the New York Roll for Mama Julie, “Rock ‘n’ Roll” for Papa Cali, Spicy Albacore Tuna Roll for Tita Kaye, the Tori Karaage with broccoli and dip for me, and last but not the least, Seafood Tempura for Johnny and Amber. 
Rock & Roll (eel, crab, and avocado) and Spicy Albacore Tuna Rolls 
Tori Karaage (tender, deep fried morsels of chicken) 
Johnny’s favorite Seafood Tempura (fish, prawn, squid, and vegetables) While I love sushi and Japanese, sometimes a birthday ain’t a birthday without gifts and dessert! Thank you so much for the cupcakes Johnny! 
Kara’s Cupcakes 
Kara’s Cupcakes’ Chocolate Velvet is pure bliss. And the Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Cologne is just the BOMB! I love you Amber! Your birthday card was incomparably sweet too! Y’all made my day! I’m already making use the Seagate external hard drive Uncle John and Tita Kaye gave me. I am so thankful! 
Amber is teaching me to love pink, and I am! 
This is the single cutest and most adorable birthday card I’ve ever laid eyes on! ☮ and ♥, Denice
Why I Love Cafe Reina
If you’ve been following my blogs for awhile, you’ll know I am a mochaholic! Problem is, coffee shops like Starbucks and Peet’s are just too expensive. Imagine ordering a large caffe latte everyday, and let’s say you also wanted a pastry for the sake of having something solid in your stomach so that’s going to be 4 + 2.25 bucks, multiply it by 30, you’d have spent about $180 a month. And to be honest, the ambience in those places, aren’t really very homy. Which is the reason why I love Cafe Reina so much!
Cafe Reina offers the same high quality cup of coffee, but this time, it’s served with a tingly taste of love! No longer the costly no-good pastries, because at Cafe Reina, almost everything is organic, not to mention also classy and gourmet, baked fresh everyday from Reina’s oven! The cafe allows free internet access, as well as a chess set for customers to use. It is decorated with paintings by local San Francisco artists, which adds color to the already colorful environment one would experience from chatting with the lovely couple, Anthony and Reina.
How can one not fall in love in such a cozy atmosphere?
☮ and ♥, Denice.
I miss you. Remember when we’d be sat next to each other in Chinese class in high school for four consecutive years without planning to. How we’d make fun of our classmates, doodle them, and prank text our friends. We’d be cahoots in surprising our loved ones on their birthdays, and usually fail anyway because one of us would unintentionally spill the beans. We ordered from the same online pillow merchant every time there was a special occasion, and even had one made for the two of us, there was also a personalized shirt that was too small for either of us to fit in, as well as each a ring with our names engraved on them. We hung out all the time during recess, chilled at the Parish after school everyday. We’d share crushes and exchange admirers, cry over them and laugh at ourselves when we’ve moved on. We’d write each other letters so much that we won’t have anything left to add, thus end up jotting down random algebraic algorithms and statistics and calculus formulas just to fill up space. We’ve gone through so much together. The most unforgettable memory was Hong Kong Disney Land, when we fought over the shaving cream. Your chest hair was too long and curly, and I also needed the razor for my armpits. It was pretty embarrassing then, but we eventually loved each other’s imperfections, and learned to see them as qualities and characteristics that make us who we are. We truly have matured since, unfortunately also have grown physically apart. Nonetheless, you’re still my best friend, no matter how far the distance, I know it’s with you where I belong. It’s cheezy and emo. But it’s okay. Because this is how we boozeroll.roll.roll. I love you! ♥
☮ and ♥, Denice.
Winter Fancy Food Show
It was a tiring seven hours at Moscone Center today, nonetheless, the convention if I should say so myself, went great! There were over 5,000 stalls, composed of a variety of food businesses and services that catered to the attendees’ different gustatory preferences. This was my first ever Fancy Food Show, and I deem it an honor to be invited as press under my editor Kaye Cloutman and Lulu del Rosario, along with Melissa Gabriel and Filipino chef and blogger Jerms Estrada. Especially because we get lots of freebies, way more than the ordinary ticket holder!
Here’s a teaser to my wonderful Winter Fancy Food Show experience! Among the thousands of booths, the following were what really caught my eye, or in better words, my appetite (not listed in order):
1. Mezzetta (http://www.mezzetta.com)
Their newest authentic sauce, Arrabiata, was simply irresistible!
2. BelGioioso (http://www.belgioioso.com)
BelGioioso’s Burrata Mozzarella Cheese sample spread on cabbage was heavenly. The burrata filled with shreds of mozzarella soaked in cream slowly entices your mouth for more after each bite!
BelGioioso owner posing with big BelGioioso cheese!
3. Gelato Classico Italian Ice Cream
Their Pistachio and Dark Chocolate gelato were my favorite!
Nonetheless, what made Gelato Classico really unique was their new square tub packaging. It’s recyclable, reusable, and dishwasher safe! Where else can you indulge in good gelato and save the earth both at the same time?
4. Thatsanice! (http://www.thatsanice.com)
I could not help but blurt out “That’s a nice!” after each slurp of Thatsanice chefs Joseph A. and Anthony J.’s homemade soups and sauces!
The Thatsanice chefs’ star qualities were also what helped make them stand out! I love their grounded, bubbly, and affable personalities!
5. Wan Ja Shan (http://www.wajashan.com)
The organic movement is the in thing right now, mostly because of the rising health awareness among adolescents and adults alike. Wan Ja Shan’s organic soy sauces which comes also in organic less sodium soy sauce, as well as organic less sodium tamari soy sauce is just that ingredient missing in your kitchen!
And to top it off, Wan Ja Shan’s Lewis Tchong proved to our team he knew what he was talking about! Yeap, organic is the way to go! Oh, and before I forget, Wan Ja Shan is also a sponsor of Simply Ming.
6. Too Good Gourmet (http://www.toogoodgourmet.com)
Homemade cookies and biscuits packed in different sorts of packaging for corresponding occasions. There’s a design for Spring, for Christmas holidays, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc!
Here’s how their Halloween packaging looks like!
How could I resist sweets wrapped in such creative, cute, and colorful decorations?
A longer and more elaborate review of the various food brands and services to be posted soon on http://www.cloutandabout.com! And today’s just the first of the three day Fancy Food Show convention, there’s surely more to cover and enjoy! Until then, watch out for the articles to come at Clout and About! See you there!
☮ and ♥, Denice
EB’s 28 in March!
Ever Bilena will be in its 28th year this coming month of March, and to prepare for the anniversary, the company teamed up with ABS-CBN and Mega Publishing Groups to help us celebrate this special occasion with everyone!
Ever Bilena cosmetics has expanded into many different branches through the years: the original Ever Bilena Advance cosmetics, of course, for the classic Filipina; Careline cosmetics which caters to teens, under it, Careline Tweeny, cosmetics and fragrance for young girls or should I say, tweens; Pinkwater, a new fragrance line to showcase the woman’s feminine qualities; Blackwater fragrance for men, Blackwater Jr. body spray for teen boys, the new Ever Bilena body products such as the Spa VCO hand and body lotion; and last but not the least, Xan Shi Mi, the new brand of instant noodles that will rock your world!
All the participants worked and projected the best they could despite the heat, and their efforts did not go to waste! Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes at the fun and exciting Ever Bilena 28th anniversary photo shoot! Oh! I should say it was even more fun for me, because of my younger siblings as well as two of my closest friends whom I had over.
☮ and ♥, Denice.
The Simple Joys
As much as I hate cliches, I’ll be repeating one right now. Christmas season should not be that wherein gift giving and receiving is most important, nor it be mainly about decorating houses and flaunting who has the nicer tree. It is a time of love and appreciation. So what, if you went to Europe? So what, if you were given a new Balenciaga? Christmas is finding pleasure in the simple joys of life. And it was so fulfilling for me that my family was able to just relax and enjoy each other’s company these past few days.
December 24, 2010
We basically slept in and woke up around noon. The whole gang drove to Century 20 in Daly City, everyone watched Tangled, except for Daddy who went to The Tourist by himself. It was a simple, but great day. We ate lunch at In-N-Out afterwards, then bought a dozen doughnuts for takeout at Krispy Kreme for dessert. We helped Papa Cali prepare our Christmas Eve dinner as soon as we got home, as well as fix the house for Uncle Henry’s arrival from El Paso, Texas. He’s staying over until the 30th. We had cheese risotto, steak with mashed potatoes, and plain strawberry cheesecake Mama Kite and Mama Julie ordered from the Cheesecake Factory in Downtown Frisco. It was all good; nothing beats a simple Noche Buena with kins. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget to mention our crazy photobooth session. That was the icing on the cake!
December 25, 2010
Everyone waited for the clock to strike 12 and celebrate Christmas Day. I guess we got so absorbed with the idea that we ended up all sleeping at about five in the morning. Fortunately, it wasn’t a problem, because we didn’t really have anything planned that day but visit Dad and Uncle Henry’s friend, Aunt Helen’s house in Blackhawk, CA for dinner. Lumpia night was great, good food, good people.
December 26, 2010
It was another movie day for the Sys and the Gabriels, oh, and a Costa. The kids with Mama Kite did Yogi Bear, while Daddy, Uncle Henry, Mama Julie, Stacey and I checked out Black Swan starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. It was so suspenseful. Not only was it difficult to tell whether a scene was for real or merely in Nina’s (Portman’s character) imagination, but also to open my eyes in different parts of the film wherein the love making was too intense to view. I won’t be mentioning any more information on the Black Swan, just so I won’t spoil no one the thrill. So anyway, we proceeded home as soon as the movie ended, met with Uncle Francis Kong and his family at home, and then enjoyed a simple cake and tea afternoon with them. Dinner at a local Japanese restaurant Kani Kosen and then bowling night with the fambam at SeaBowl. Girls won over boys 2-1! Woohoo!
December 27, 2010
I feel bad for missing Dimsum Monday with Uncle Gerry and family. Nonetheless, today was yet another episode to be added to my long list of beautiful memories. And at least Dad and Mama Kite brought home take out from Yank Sing for everyone, which satisfied our appetites anyway. We had cheese and crackers for our snacks, then enjoyed an hour-long stroll by the beach and in the process, sent the Sy-Gabriel Christmas cards at the Linda Mar Post Office to our relatives in New York. Dan Dan and Chowie were getting tired on the way back, so we decided to take a break at Taco Bell and enjoy grande White Mochas and hot chocolates from Starbucks at the Linda Mar Shopping Center. We eventually asked Papa Cali to pick us up from there, as the evening was getting dark, and the weather, chillier. Uncle Henry treated us to Mexican dinner at Tres Agaves in Downtown SF later. We loved the meals, the desserts, and the ambience. Too bad Daddy couldn’t join us, we know he loved the Warriors game with Uncle Tony anyway. All I have to say is: eat, pray, love.
Yeah, okay… So there were good food involved, nonetheless, without my family and amazing friends, I would never have had any joy at all. It’s my time with them that truly made the holidays special and memorable. To my siblings in the Philippines, Achi, Demiee, and Donway, my cousins, the Sys, the Tans, Tanenggees, Davids, Gabriels, etc., and my lovely friends, Brotherhood & Co. (this means Lyndon and Jameson, too!), M&M, P7, fellow Ateneans, SSHS Batchmates, Sneaky-Sneaky GST tour mates, Coun100 Kababayans, my siblings’ friends, etc., wish you were here.
☮ and ♥, Denice
Merry Christmas!
Christmas has always been a time of love and thanksgiving for my family, so every year is equally amazing for me. However, I should say 2010 is most memorable we’re finally in tact! As you all know, I just moved here around four to five months ago, and being very family-oriented, it was pretty difficult for me to be so far away from my loved ones. Fortunately, I had Papa Cali and Mama Julie as my guardians, which made my San Fran experience unquestionably better oh, not to mention my cousin, whom I love and treat like my own brother, Keanu, and also great family friends like the Cloutmans, Enriquezes, Montenegro-Pastors, Acevedos, Abrahams, Ramos, etc.
Anyway, my family flew in from the Philippines last week, and it was surreal to finally see them in person. Being able to hug them as soon as we met in the airport was just such an ineffably pleasant feeling in my purview. These past few months here definitely made me appreciate my family so much more, as well as realize how home is truly what one makes it! Although I won’t be spending Christmas day with Mommy and three of my siblings, namely, Achi Dianne, Demiee, and Donway, because they will be attending a retreat with our church in Manila on the 26th; it’s already enough for me that we bonded and vacationed all together in LA.
Papa Cali is currently preparing our Christmas Eve dinner, which we will also be spending with our very close long time family friend, Uncle Henry Costa, who just arrived from Houston, Texas, two hours ago. We’re only waiting for Mama Julie, Mama Kite, and Stacey to come back from their tour around Downtown Frisco, then steak and mashed potatoes will be served!
Merry Christmas! Have a good one one full of peace and love!
☮ and ♥, Denice
My Coun100 Pamilya
Today marks the beginning of the Christmas holiday! Everyone at home is still asleep. As y’all know, my family flew in last night, and it was pretty surreal for me to see all of them again. But anyway, what I want to talk about was the perfect end of the semester I experienced yesterday at our Coun100 class with Ms. Mariano.
It was the last day of finals for some of the students, so we just had to finish off the presentations, and it was party time! Riss and Jazzie organized a potluck, and it was very successful because most of us participated. There was pasta (courtesy of Majic), Krispy Kreme (Augie), Tuna Casserole (Ray), Chocolate Creme Cookies from Safeway, Ham Sausage Cheese and Crackers, Spam, Buttered Popcorn (Christina), Crunch n Munch Caramel Popcorn (Me), Spam, Corned Beef, Lilit Cafe Bakery French Cookies, Minutemaid Fruit Punch, etc. Okay, so basically, we were immersed with food, everyone had more than enough, leaving the classroom all stuffed and fulfilled!
What really made the event great however, was being able to employ interdependence and share our growths throughout the semester with each other. The class had matured and ameliorated so much since the start of the school year, and it was just heartwarming to know we played a role in another person’s self development. I will never ever deplore over taking Coun100 this term, without the class, along with the friends, mentors, and counselors involved in it, I probably would still find be in a dilapidated position low self-esteem, apprehension, and doubts as well as conflict with myself with random situations that I have now learned to handled with assertion.
It has been a great journey, and this past five months with Riss and my Kababayan classmates will forever be etched in my heart.
☮ and ♥, Denice
Swollen Thumb
It was Christmas cleaning at our home today as preparation for my family’s visit this Friday. I had a fairly difficult time scrubbing the tiles, brushing the toilet bowl, and wiping the glasses and mirrors of our bathroom clean, as well as help Keanu vacuum the house. I never imagined how big an impact my swollen thumb would have on my daily activities. I can’t even wash the dishes now, due to this one disabled finger.
Mama Julie will be taking me to see a doctor tomorrow after my Math130 final exam. And we’re really hoping the visit will help improve my condition. I haven’t been sleeping well for the past few days, because I’d wake up in the middle of the night crying over the painful throbbing in my right thumb. I’m not even certain how my finger came to be this way.
I think it’s probably because I cut my nail too deep last week, and played the guitar three days after. The pain and swelling worsened since. Please pray for me. I’m pretty nervous for my first doctor’s visit in five months.
So, anyway, it’s 10:50pm on a Sunday night, and I’ll have to hit the sack in a bit. I have a final test after all. Oh, I’ll also find out my official grades in Mus250 (World Music), which will be on my transcript, at eight in the morning. Crossing my fingers that everything will turn out nice. Good night.
☮ and ♥, Denice.
