Jem Singing to Treasure

Jem you make us laugh and you make your mom cry at the same time. 

http://youtu.be/qEqhnEqgpDo

Update: New Addition to our Family

So as promised here are the first photos of our little darling! She can conquer the world! She can be an engineer, mathematician, teacher or Olympian! I just see it in her! 

Lots of hair, pink skin and those lips! 

So peaceful!

You cry while mom and dad shed tears of joy!

Bundled up by OCD Papa Jhong!

First touch of mom-- eternal bond!

Up next, videos!

A New Addition to Our Family

So, the call came in at 5:04am. Oh, yeah, just what I need on my Friday day-off. Coz I always get a day-off, why not bother me? Ha hahahah. 

I immediately woke up KC, went to the bathroom and put make-up on. Coz I'm a funky grandma you all! Hahahah. Next, I woke up Pherry to let him know we are leaving for the hospital and that he needs to go to school by bus. Grumpy high schooler does the usual--- growl. 

By the time we got to Fridah's, I started documenting!

Here's the cutie-patootie little big brother hugging Ate KC!

Here's the responsible big sis!

Ate Lovely was tasked to watch Jem while we head out to the hospital!

I called our dear friend Doc Abby to task her to drop boffo the kids to school. Thanks God for wonderful friends who are family. 

We hurried to the hospital coz she was having contractions every 7 minutes.  She had 2 emergency cesarean before so I'm pretty tensed--- not letting her know though. 

Did you catch the part where I said I needed to put my make-up? Well hello, we need pictures?! Hahahah! Posting in social media makes me crazy! Not! But the reason for this part is to let you know how appreciative I am to friends who always lift you up! Upon seeing my posts--- real friends called and updated us and offered prayers and a barrage of "what do you need?"

I'll update you all soon, in the meantime, let me show you my pretty niece. My uber best friend and confidant. 

Brag Day

Hello! Haven't done this for long!

This one is overdue! I was so tired from work and plumped myself to the sofa. Pherry came over and gave me this! National Honor Society invitation of membership. 

I am not surprised at all for this invitation. Nor am I surprised that he thinks it's just a waste. He honestly thinks these things are "for ego inflation" only. His words not mine. 

Nevertheless I encouraged him for college application purposes which I know is useless coz I know some who has this and not really gotten to so called better school. My encouragement is more for documentation in case he needs it and at the same time for ego inflation--- of me. Not his. Coz if you know him, he is adamant of not letting the world know how brilliant he is. 

How about you, what are your "ego inflation" only things? Ha, I'm just a mom. Don't judge me. Lol. 

Have a great Friday one and all!

KC

KC is very animated. She loves books. She loves reading. She loves the camera. Behind the camera. That's why I was very surprised when all of a sudden she said she created a YouTube channel. A book tube she said. A what?

I watched her first video and my Lord I literally cried. She is a natural! Her patience, creativity and pure innocence is so refreshing. 

Anyway, if you have the spare time please visit her channel and let me know what you think. 

http://youtu.be/sp9Bgt9gcdM

To my only princess, I'm your toughest critic but know that I'm your greates fan and number one supporter. But more than anything, me and dad are so proud of you! Soar high and enjoy your youth!

Restaurant Review: South Garden Quincy

If there is a place we frequently visit, it's South Garden. Firstly cause it's in my 'hood but also because it's comparable to Chinatown taste wise. As they say, to know  if an ethnic restaurant is really good-- go check who goes there. If it is frequented by people other than the ethnic people whose suppose to represent the place--- it's not authentic. The keyword there is authentic. I am not saying it it's not good. If you like watered-down, westernized version of the food, it could be good for you. To give an example, PF Chang's is good to so many non-Asian people but certainly not authentic enough for us. 

That said, this is authentic, good food and certainly the environment purports the Asian vibe. 

Asian TV show, check. Asian decor, check. Asian foodies, check!

 Again, if you are one of those fine dining only kind of people, then we can't be together dining out. 

On Fridays and Saturdays, be ready to wait for at least one hour for sitting. But our family love the food. 

Here's my regular order. 

Hot fried calamari--- crunchy and flavorful!

Haiyan chicken. Delicious! Personally, I'd order the duck version but Mr. Hubbs is not a fan of duck. 😜

Seafood topped pan fried crispy noodles. Extremely satisfying. The seafood is not the frozen type. The vegetable is always crunchy and fresh! 

Watercress sautéed in garlic. Simple dish which is utterly delicious. This visit, I think this was overdone but I attribute it to the Friday rich of customers. Usually, it is crunchy and fresh. 

This is my Asian comfort food. What about you, do you like going to ethnic restaurants?

Coming Home

Happy Friday!

This week has been a nightmare for me. The commute is just beyond ridiculous. 

But today is Friday and nothing beats coming home to these cuties!

Tell me your favorite thing to come home to!

College Talk Already?

Coming from outside after playing in the snow, I asked KC if she wanted to eat. She said yeah, prepping her pancake. I then told her steak is done. "Forget pancakes, I'm having steak!"

She comes over, hugs me tight then, " when I come home from college, you'll cook me steak, right?"

Huh? Oh, no! 

Fridah's Baby Shower

How's your weekend? Mine is awesome. Although it started out bad coz of a migraine, time spent with family and friends after is just priceless. 

Technically, you're supposed to only have ONE baby shower. But if you've got friends who'd like to throw you another, why not? It's just another reason to get together and party! If you ask me it's a win-win!

The baby shower was hosted by Marisol who, if you're a long time reader of this blog, you'd know she's one of my BFFs here in Boston. Her home was transformed to a baby-themed party while we were all packed, cozy and toasty inside while it was freezing out! We were late coz of my migraine and also coz Mr. Hubbs is going to work the nightshift this weekend. Anyway, when we got there all of them were there. I jokingly said " ang dami kong friends" coz you have to "beso" everyone. Hahahah!

We had a whole spread of food!

But the winner? This cake!

Everyone had fun with the games Marisol prepared! The "toilet paper diaper" is always fun! 

I realized we have so many babies in our group now! Look!

I didn't  have photos of the toddlers coz you know-- toddlers! They can't stay put! There's Precious, Yshi, Rap and Jem! 

But the greatest news is ....  another is on the way! My anak-anakan Iris is 4months pregnant! Wheeew, another baby shower soon! Here she is with her husband Bernard! 

As with any other gathering of our group, endless chatter and laughter and pictures! 

Blooming si Buntis!

Here I am with my BFFs! I'm genuinely sad that Grace is moving to another state but also happy that now she will be settled! 

Thank you for all the love and good times my dear friends! Gifts are appreciated but the memory and time spent are forever etched in our hearts!

Boston's Going to Another Parade

Those who follow me on Instagram already were flooded with Super Bowl updates. 

Today, Bostonians are braving the snowy sidewalks to celebrate and just to get a glimpse of their local heroes. As for me, my hero that game is Malcolm Butler! 

Will update you more but here's a photo of some kids going to the parade. This should make for an interesting commute! 

Juno, The Blizzard of 2015

Juno sound so innocent. We'll not when it's a blizzard. Anyway, I don't have to let you know details of Juno. I'll talk about how we were when were couped up in the house with nowhere else to go. 

I was really scared at about 4am when I woke up. Mr. Hubbs had to report to work night shift so I was with the kids. I feel safe and secure when my husband is around. I feel he can solve any problem that comes our way. That night was scary. The wind was so strong I felt the huge glass window would just crack and that thought was with me the whole time so inward unable to sleep after that. I spent my time Instagram-ing the event. 

Restaurant Review ( Legal Seafoods)

A long time ago, I used to write my reviews of the restaurants we visit. We like to eat out--- fancy or wall-in-the-hole. I stopped, I got harassed by someone  defending Fire and Ice in Boston's Back Bay. 

Anyway, I figured I'd write again so here's my first review. 

We used to frequent Legal Seafood. It's a  Massachusetts native. There used to be one by the South Shore Plaza but iwas always crowded and had that "bar" feeling rather than a family restaurant. We visited again today in their new location--at South Shore Place, by Sheraton Braintree. 

The place was packed but very subdued which I like. A short foyer greets you and right there is their bar outfitted with huge TVs. It's also where the oyster bar is. We were seated immediately and we got one of those back area. They had open kitchen concept, which is good if you want to see the food prep. For me, not a big deal. 

The wait-staff are well trained-- very warm and kept distance when signaled. I don't really like waiters/waitresses coming back to me ALL THE TIME. the ceiling is warm--- they had wood beams which matched the wood floors. Because they are on the second floor of the building, they had huge glass windows which afforded diners a view of the mall and highway. Hahahah! Seriously, it's beautiful out with the snow capped trees. 

The food is ok, not great. Seafood is fresh I have to say. They take pride in that.  The price is a little bit on the higher side and I would say expensive dining option for a family on a regular basis. 

I had their triple seafood. 

The shrimp is excellent but the clam strip is needing of more meat. Hahahah. They could have made whole clams with the price. 

Pherry had their fried shrimp. They were huge and fresh according to him but I know it wasn't at par compared to what he's had before coz he left one. If you know Pherry, he would not leave a shrimp, he loves them. 

Chris had their seafood casserole which according to him was smooth and really garlicky. He liked it. 

He let me  taste their scallop and it was fresh. 

Overall, I like the fact that the seafood is prepared fresh and you can see quality but the food is nothing to write home about. Considering the price, I would give it Not-So-Llaga. I have three rankings by the way--- Never Llaga, NotSo, VeryLlaga. To get the VeryLlaga one, price, quality and ambience should appeal to a family like ours  keep in mind, I don't mind paying premium if the food is great. I don't mind hole in the wall type if the food is great. 

Hope that helps! 

... And remember, food tastes better with family and friends!