Valentine's Dinner in Ramen Kuroda

So it's the end of February na pala! I lost track of time and didn't realize na hindi pala ako nakapag post ni isang entry sa blog for this month. Lol!

I need to learn time management. I easily get distracted so most of the time, hindi ko nagagawa yung mga dapat kong gawin. Hehe.

Anyway, what I really want to talk about was our Valentine's Dinner at Ramen Kuroda. Being a picky eater, I have very small selection of food that I like. However, as years pass by, I am more open in trying different food than those that are super familiar for me. I always hear my officemate talk about ramen and I wonder what's in it that makes them salivate for just thinking about it.

When Daryl asked me about our plan for the day, I immediately told him that we'll just eat ramen. I guess Daryl liked the idea since it will be another first for the both of us. I did some research of restaurants that we can go to along Pasay. It was our halfway point and it will be easier for us to go home. I also thought that there will be a lot of people going in malls, watching movies etc., so to avoid the crowd, we went to the newly opened Double Dragon Plaza near Blue Bay walk.

I have to choose between Ramen Kuroda and Ramen Metro which are both very near to jeepney terminals on our ride back home. I was also given by Zomato an option in Mall of Asia to try Ippudo and the rest I actually forgot.

Ramen Kuroda newly opened in Double Dragon Plaza around December or early this year along with other known fast food chains. We arrived just before 7pm which gave us ample time to settle down and find a good seat. The place was really nice and somehow gives you a Japanese feel. 

As I said, it was both our first time so looking on their menu gave us a hard time. Haha! I have no idea about ramen so I don't know which one I'll like. Good thing, I did some research so I pretty much had an idea on what to order by looking on their menu in Zomato plus asking questions to my officemates. Daryl and I ended up with their Set meal which includes rice meal, a solo ramen, seasonal fruit and hot tea. We added an iced tea for our drink to cap off everything.

Ramen Teriyaki Pork Don Set Php 320

Ramen Teriyaki Chicken Don Set Php 340

Iced tea costs Php50 pesos for one serving. By the way, you can choose which ramen to get along with your set meal. I got their Shiro Ramen while Daryl had the Aka ramen which the lady said was spicy pero it wasn't too spicy naman.

When the food arrived, we asked the waiter to take photos of us together. We were told that they have a promotion that we should post our photos on our own facebook profile with a hashtag ramenkuroda.ph and get a voucher of their 4 pcs gyoza on our next visit. We were also encouraged to post each so we could get two vouchers. It should also be done before we pay the bill. We participated because we were definitely happy with the food and surely have reasons to go back. 

I actually cannot say anything about the ramen. It was my first time and I have nothing to compare it to. I like the noodle though since it wasn't that soft or malata. The saltiness was just fine while the pork melts in your mouth. We both enjoyed the food and kept on talking about it for the next 3 days. Haha!

Our experience was satisfying for the price that we paid. It was a really heavy meal that I have to ask for a second serving of hot tea (no extra charge). I know I couldn't sleep at night being too full. Now I learned my lesson to order ramen with no rice meal na because it was really filling with just ramen alone. I wasn't able to finish my food which I felt really guilty after. =( Yung feeling na gustong-gusto mong kainin kaso suko na talaga yung tyan mo? Hahah! I would like to also note that the staff were accommodating and smiles to you when you call their attention. I just hope they would continue to be mabait not only because bago pa lang yung branch.

Ramen Kuroda
Ground Floor, Double Dragon Plaza
DD Meridian Park cor Macapagal Ave,
EDSA Extension, Pasay

Valentine's Day 2017 and More Update

Hi everyone, how's your Valentine's Day so far? I know a lot of couple who are having their best time today because of their posts on social media sites. Let's spread Love! :)

So how's mine?

Ayun, I am at work at the moment. I know right? Hahaha! I am going out at 10:30pm so there's really nothing  much that Daryl and I could do. No movies, no flowers, no chocolates, no eat outs - just like the way I want it to be. Actually I am not fond of Valentine's Day being celebrated. If Daryl will give something for me, I will appreciate it with my whole heart but if not, it won't cause a fight. Unlike courting age where you'll somehow feel sad of not having anything given to you, adulthood is something different. I saw some of Mommy Bloggers on Facebook who aren't as eager to celebrate this day too. Why? Because we have different priorities now. We are very conscious of spending money on flowers that will wither over time, or chocolates that will only harm your body.

Wow, lolang - lola lang?? Hahahah!

But yeah, I don't feel bad at all. I am happy with my friends getting special treatments or getting special gifts but for me, bago mo ko ibili ng gift could we make sure we have savings? Lol. #beingpractical101

Anyway, I have some update about my goals that I have written here.

Exactly a week ago, I have decided to start loosing weight. Although it was really written as one of my goals this year, I didn't focus on it until last week. I realized how much weight I have gained for half a year and I have to shed some weight for a month. Last year's Annual Physical Exam that's required from work said I was 62-63kgs. Surprisingly, I weigh 65kgs last week!! Could you imagine that? Instead of weight loss, I am gaining them. It appeared that I am overweight for my height and my Body Mass index was screaming at me. Given my height, I should only weight 45kgs - 60kgs so I am 5kgs over. It was a really sad realization. =(

What I did was to download and application on my phone to let me know how much calorie I am taking for a day. Before I go on crunches and exercise, I have to work on my diet as well. It is recommended that I'll take 1200cal/day for me to loose weight so I used the My FitnessPal App and it was really user friendly. Given the millions of food that's on their database, I am surprised they have Filipino food listed along with their calories and other nutrients included in it. 

The screenshots were the first two days that I am eating 1,200 calories. I also ditched rice for 3 days and ate at least a cup per day on a weekend. I am into the program only for a week so I don't have a stable background to let you know if this works or not.

I know I have to do something about my weight and make sure I won't gain anymore unwanted pounds. My goal is just to get my weight proportioned to height so that gives me 5kgs to take off. I am giving myself a month to work on that 5kgs and would set more goals in the future. Just one target at a time so not to make things complicated or very hard to achieve. It's been a week since I started my diet and hopefully, I'll be able to eliminate some and not gain more.

I'll update you in the future so don't worry. =)

Manila Ocean Park Visit

How was your Valentine’s Day Muthers?

Wow! Ngayon lang? Heheh. Matagal na kasi dapat tong post na to eh ngayon ko lang natapos. Pasensya naman. =)

Grabe! Some of my friends in facebook posted their photos that they received flowers and chocolates last weekend. Mejo nakakainggit pero it wasn’t a big deal naman for me. I don’t want flowers that much talaga. The last time Daryl gave me a bouquet was back in 2011 or 2012, I think? Yun ay winarla ko kasi sya na wala syang gift ng Valentine’s Day. Hahahaha! I remember I was so childish back then..

Alam nyo kasi, yan si Daryl, he wasn’t really showy kung anong feelings nya. Huhuluaan ko pa talaga yan! Feeling ko dapat naging close kami ni madam Auring eh para at least alam ko ang nararamdaman nya pero waley te.. wala akong super powers na ganyan so minsan, nagkakaron talaga ng misunderstanding.

Anyhow, I received a gift from him naman. He gave it to me 1-2 weeks before Valentine’s Day. We had a misunderstanding kasi back then so he gave it to me in advance para di na ako magalit. Hindi rin kasi yan mapakali if he has a surprise eh, masasabi at masasabi nya talaga yan sakin. The night before the V-day, I was expecting ng sobrang slight na may dala syang surprise pero loss ang beauty ko. When I told him, “wala kang dalang flowers?” he said, bukas pa naman ang V-day so ok, nakalusot sya.

The next day, Feb 14, he has to go to work so I did household chores while taking care of James. Mantakin nyo, nilabhan ko ang mga damit namin na worth of 2 weeks habang nag aalaga ng bata. Jeske Lerd!! Ayun, hindi ako nakatapos. Hehehe. Naiwan yung mga white clothes kasi inuna ko yung mga colored clothes while I manually washed James’ clothes.

When Daryl went home, wala na naman flowers! Hay.. I said, “walang flowers?” He said naman na naiwanan daw nya ang lahat ng money nya so wala syang extra pangbili.

Anak ng tipaklong talaga, loss na naman ang beauty ko!

Pero I didn’t make it a big deal. I just told him na I am too tired na kasi naglaba ako. He was nice enough naman para lambingin ako ng slight. We left our house which we do every Saturday night. Pumupunta kami sa Mom nya to spend a night.

We also talked about our weekend getaway din. We have been planning to go to Tagaytay so we could spend some time for our own family. I have made an itinerary na sana kaya lang we would have to commute daw kasi her Mom will be using their car to go somewhere else. It made me really sad na lahat na lang ba ng plan ko? Hindi natutuloy? I told Daryl that we could just go to Manila Ocean Park kasi mas malapit and we could call a taxi na lang. It was our plan din sana kasi to go there back in January kaya lang it was rescheduled because we went to Pangasinan. When Daryl later on asked his Mom if gagamitin ang sasakyan, sinabi na we could use it na lang daw. Thank God!!! Hehehe. Ang hirap ng walang sariling sasakyan ha? Well, if it was just me, sanay naman akong mag commute although hindi ko nga lang naprepare ang itinerary ng naka commute going to tagaytay. I assumed kasi that we can use the car eh. Buti na lang, his Mom gave way. =)

When I checked on line about Tagaytay’s weather, ang forecast was 20 degrees with rainshowers so that made me decide na sa Manila Ocean Park na lang talaga kami. Aside from that, we woke up around 8am na which was very late sa itinerary going to Tagaytay. My plan kasi is to leave Manila at 6am.

We left their house at 11am already since we have to wait for Rufert who would drive for us. Wala pa kasing license si Daryl so hindi pa kami pwede na kami lang.

From Pasay, we took the Roxas Blvd to go to Manila Ocean Park. I have been checking online deals for Manila Ocean Park and the night before kaya lang sobrang bagal ng internet so hindi na ako nakatingin ng maayos. I have to hope na nasa 700 pesos pa rin ang isa sa mga packages nila. We arrived and saw some of their deals before we reached the mismong entry. I asked Daryl to line up dun sa mahabang pila while I checked kung para saan ang line. We both found out that the long line was for online purchased. Sobrang haba talaga ng pila. From their ticketing booth until sa baba ng stairs nila. We lined up on the other ticketing booth as we decide kung anong deal ang kukunin namin although I already have one in mind. Daryl and I agreed that we would take the Sea Breeze Package for P700 if James is not free of charge while we’ll get the higher deal for P900 if he’s free. When we got to the Kuya who’s pre-taking the deal you want, sinukat namin si James and was told na may bayad na sya. FULL PAYMENT pa mga ‘te!! Wala man lang kids rate?! 2 feet and below are free so basically yung mga 0-1year old lang ang libre or kung minalas ka pa na malaking bulas ang anak mo, like James, full payment talaga.

I was so devastated because I don’t think my payment for James’ part was sulit. My child was only 1 year old and 3 months. I don’t think na maappreciate nya ng bongga ang mga bagay na makikita nya sa loob. Yes, he knows birds and I introduced him sa fishes sa wet market pero he doesn’t appreciate it like those who are aged 4years old and above. You see what I mean? They could have a different rate na lang sana sa mga toddler 1-3 years old then adult rate for 4yo and beyond. I would feel great if James would say “Wow, may fish!!” “Wow ang laki ng bird!!” Yung mga tipong ganyan, matatanggap ko pang nagbayad ako ng P700 for him but for a reaction na so-so lang, not worth it. I also asked kung may special rate si James since he has a Junior Savers account at BDO pero wala daw. Hindi daw nila alam yun at discounted na daw ang mga rates nila. To MOP, sana mabasa nyo po ito. Salamat! =)

Anyway, We were given our tickets which was a total of P2100 (700x3). We took pictures in front of the entrance before we came in. I didn’t know during that time that food is allowed inside pala. If I should have known, nagdala ako ng mga biscuits for James and some snacks for Daryl and I. 

As you enter, the every first attraction you’ll see is the Birds of Prey Kingdom.

We agreed on coming in since James is very familiar with birds. Yung mga birds kasi na alam nya are those na nakikita sa mga paligid. Yung mga maliliit na ibon? It was around 12pm when we came in there kaya mejo mainit talaga. There were number of birds inside na ang lalaki talaga ng wing span. Yung mga tipong nandadagit na ibon? We took some pictures then we saw that kuya who offers free photo shoot while you hold their food tapos when the bird is about to pick it up, they’ll take a picture of you pero the picture would be for P200 ata? I am not that sure though. I want sana kaya lang takot ako pag lalapit na yung ibon eh. Baka dagitin ako hehehe.

Don't touch the bird daw, Anak!

Titigan with the bird!!

Verdict :

1. The place is big so basically birds can fly freely.

2. There were landscapes that the bird uses to take a rest.

3. I like the entrance and the walkway bridge.

4. There are trashes on the water below. Maybe because nasa Manila Bay talaga ito located pero when you check the trash? Parang mga binato or pinabayaang kalat lang while they are inside the attraction. Lack of discipline talaga ng mga visitors.. Tssk.

5. Ang konti ng birds. Mas maganda siguro kung mas madami pa. Although parang endangered na ata kasi yung mga birds na yun kay konti lang.

We only stayed there for about 10 minutes. Ang init kasi talaga, maalinsangan yung weather.

Our next stop was the Jellies Exhibit.

 

As we reach the attraction, I thought it was closed kasi walang pila and walang tao. It was dark din and it doesn’t look like na merong attraction there. When we got in, kelangan pala talaga madilim so we could see different Jelly fishes. OMG. Ang gaganda nila talaga. I didn’t know na may iba’t ibang type pala nun? Hehehe. I haven’t seen one sa mga beach kasi halos transparent sila diba? But with different light colors, ayun, nakita ko yung details ng body nila. Scary kasi I imagine myself sa beach tapos kakapit yung jellyfish. Hehehe.

 

Verdict :

1. I was really amazed with the Jellyfish kasi hindi ko nga alam na may iba’t ibang itsura pala sila.

2. Different lights complements the Jellyfishes given that they were transparent kasi.

3. I liked the parang tube glasses before the exit.

4. There were some kinds of Jellyfish there na parang ang konti. Siguro kasi mahirap kumuha ng ganong specie? Hehe.

5. Nakakahilo yung mga glass. Sobrang dark kasi ng paligid tapos iba – iba ang color ng lights so when I looked sa ibang glasses, parang mejo nahihilo na ako. I don’t know if it was just me ha? I forgot to ask Daryl eh.

6. The place was very big so may mga part na walang laman. Or maybe it’s under renovation.

After we visit the Jellies Exhibit, we were supposed to eat lunch pero sabi ko later na pag nap time ni Jami kasi he looked sleepy na pero ang dami pang energy eh.

Our next stop was Oceanarium. 

I want to let James see the fishes kasi before he goes to sleep so we went there na agad. I saw a lot of big fishes talaga. Nakakatakot! Naimagine ko kasi back then how it feels na nasa gitna ako ng dagat then I can’t see what’s underneath. Baka may sharks or big fishes, mga ganyan. Heheheh! I saw some sharks din. Mejo hindi ko na ma enjoy kasi nagsasalitan lang kami ng pagkarga kay James. Given that I wasn’t prepare at all, hindi din namin nadala ang stroller nya. Booooo!!! Mejo nahihilo na din ako kakatingin sa glasses along the way. There was 2 crocodiles din in one spot na as in parang statue kasi di nagalaw. That was my first time na makakita ng crocodile ng mejo malapit.

 

Verdict:

1. Madaming fishes especially yung sting Ray.

2. I think mejo kulang yung accessories like mga corals. Or maybe kinontian lang talaga so we could see the fishes better. Dun lang sa underwater parang hindi ako masyadong nakakita ng small fishes. Kasi diba if it really resembles the usual underwater, halo – halo yun?

3. There were small fishes naman on a different aquarium kaya lang nakakahilo tingnan sa daming aquarium. Heheh. I don’t know if I am just nahihilo kasi wala pa akong kain or Malabo yung glass.

4. The crocodiles place was a bit small.

5. Mejo masikip yung walkway dun sa may underwater aquarium. Siguro dapat mejo nilawakan lang ng slight.

There was a kids activity area din pala inside oceanarium but I opted not to bring James there kasi sleepy na talaga sya. Besides, pang mas older kids kasi eh. Activities are coloring books na hindi pa naman naiintindihan ni James. We went out na after, mejo nakakalito nga lang yung exit kasi it brought us to the second floor na where we saw the Fish Spa and the Trails to Antartica. Unfortunately, our tickets doesn’t include them so we skipped that. Pwede naman mag avail ng tickets but that was P200 each for Trails to Antartica and P150 for Fish Spa.

Nadaanan din namin yung parang al fresco area ng Hotel H20 pero it was tanghaling tapat kaya walang tao dun. That’s where the exit is located din so if I will be staying at that hotel, parang awkward naman na may mga dumadaang galling sa Oceanarium. Hehe.

We bought Dunkin Donuts which was surprisingly P10 higher than the normal rate. If I would have known, bumili na lang sana ako sa labas. We saw din the entrance of Yexel’s Museum which was not included on our package so we skipped that too.

We went down the elevator and looked for a place to eat our lunch. We took the Quix store kasi meron silang parang budget meal. There were other restos din like Gerry’s Grill and Pancake House etc but since di nga ako makapag move on sa amount ng tickets eh, we opted to settle na lang with Quix. I ordered Chicken BBQ, Pinakbet and Rice for P109 while Daryl had the Pork (forgot the name), Laing and Rice for P109 too. We bought mineral water na lang for P40 for 500ml while I unintentionally brought C2 ice tea sa bag ko. Ok naman ang food, hindi na masama pero quite expensive pa din. Parang Karinderya type kasi and dito sa office, I would only spend less than P80 for that pero since Manila Ocean Park nga, mejo mahal.

While having lunch, James pooped, eh wala pa naman akong dalang extra diaper. Hahaha! We called Rufert to get us an extra one and the mineral water we bought on our way to MOP. Naisip ko kasi, rather than bibili pa ulit ng P40 na water, ipapasok ko na lang yung binili kong malaking water to save some bucks.

After a while, we decided to proceed to Sharks and Ray Dry Exhibit since it opens at 1pm. It’s past 1pm already and the line wasn’t that long yet. The MOP has been courteous enough to give a schedule of each attraction. The Oceanarium, Jellies Exhibit, Birds of Prey Kingdom, Shark and Rays Dry Encounter are the attractions that has no schedule, meaning as soon as the gate’s open, you can come in anytime. However, Sea Lion Show, All Star Bird Show, Symphony Evening Show and 3D Penguin Talkshow has a specific time as to when the each attraction would start.

Going back to Sharks and Ray Dry Encounter, it was along the Aquatica Area where Sea Lion Show, All Star Bird Show and Symphony Evening Show are being held. We also see where the Buffet type resto is. As we lined up near the pool like area, there were total of 3 Sting Rays being held by 3 trainers. Private Photography is not allowed. 3 different types of sting rays are introduced to us. I was really scared to touch them talaga. Tinanong ko pa yung kuya if he’s not scared holding them. Sabi nya “ Ang takot daw ang nasa isip lang.” heheh. As I touched them, napapasigaw ako kasi iba – iba yung textures nila, may makinis, may magaspang. It’s as if I touched a live big fish na din. Mejo malansa din ang amoy nila like fishes. After the line, meron namang faucet na pwedeng paghugasan ng kamay. Our visit there lasted only for about 5 minutes din. It was a good decision to go in minutes after it opened kasi when we went out na of the attraction, OA na sa haba ng pila!

Verdict :

1. There were a very minimal line lang when we got in although mejo magulo nga yung line kasi wala naman instructions kung paano kami pipila.

2. I thought there was also a Shark pero Sting Ray lang ang nakita ko. I was waiting for the shark pa naman sana.

3. There were enough trainers to guide the people on how to touch the Sting Ray. Dapat daw open ang hand pag hinipo sila.

4. Sa dami ng nakapila, parang I got tired for the Sting Ray kasi hawak sila ng trainers although from time to time naman talaga, they’re being freed so makapag pahinga sila.

So that’s the first part of our Manila Ocean Park Tour. Abangan po ang Part 2 for the other 4 attractions na pinuntahan naming ha?! =)