rrlgan

Last Tuesday, I noticed something different.
My face developed tiny spots in my upper cheek bones.
I got concern! This never happened to me before..  I may not have a flawless skin, but I KNOW my skin...
I recalled thinking if I ate something I'm allergic to.
But then, I don't have any allergies with food, except for oysters, which I don't think I'll eat, now that I'm in my 9th week.

I told Melchor that I have this "butlig, butlig".
He just shrugs, then I let go of the issue.

But now, I found something in the internet that answers my concern.
Oh My!!

• Chloasma or melasma. Also known as the mask of pregnancy, these dark spots can appear on your face and body because of hormones. While no prescription treatment has been proven safe, topical treatments that use ingredients such as vitamin C or azelaic acid are worth a try, says Dr. Marmur.

  Stay away from soy-based skincare products, which can exacerbate melasma or chloasma, Dr. Baumann tells BabyCenter. In addition, stay out of the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen liberally. And don’t forget to wear a hat.

- Taken from here.

So I guess I now have to revamp my skincare regimen.
Though I have to admit that I've been lazy in doing my skincare, makeup these past few weeks...
Now I have to take note of getting products that won't have ingredients that may harm me and my baby.
I'm looking and searching for products I need, and have non harmful ingredients.
Will definitely post them here.

On a lighter note.
Yesterday, I got myself new shampoo and conditioner.
I chose Avalon Organics - as they are natural and preservatives free - suitable for pregnancy.
The list can be form here.
I'm a bit tempted to get new skin care line! hahah  (I hope Melchor won't be able to read this!)

The products I got yesterday:

Well, I'm also concern with falling hair! I got the Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo and Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner.
The signature ingredients inside:

• Signature ingredient: Made with a healing complex of B vitamins - biotin, niacin and panthenol - to nourish the hair and scalp for added body and shine, increased scalp circulation and stimulation of hair follicles.

I used them this morning. The fragrance is just right. I'm not irritated with them.
I think I will update this post after maybe 2 weeks.
Let's see. I hope to lessen my hair fall! 
I don't wanna go bald before everything!
Wahhh!!!

Last week last year, it was our wedding. I think I've over blogged about it na! haha! Sorry, sometimes you just can't help it and you tend to remember the best time of your life!
Today last year, Melchor and I embarked the best journey of our lives! It was the most memorable 2 weeks for us!
We hope to do that again in the future! Hahahah! (Melchor, start saving!!) hahaha!

I just had my own black chicken soup with rice earlier. Had a juice, I'm happy and full.
I finally got the urge to blog about something that never fails to give me butterflies in the stomach.

October 17, Melchor and I were with our newlywed sister and bro-inlaw - Marilou and Leo. As we brought them to Super Brand Mall, Marilou and Leo were looking and shopping around, MG and I excused ourselves and got hold of these:
The next day October 18, I woke up at 6AM. In my hand, I got one of the home pregnancy test kit.
The result was:

Hahaha! Yes, I got 2 lines!! I was surprised!!!! I kept on reading the manual.. since I was concerned that the lines may not be dark enough! hahaha! Ok ok. I know the lines are obvious naman!  So I got 2 lines!!!

Of course, I immediately woke Melchor up! And we were so happy!! We got the best Anniversary gift!!!
I then texted my Mom to give her the good news!! Yes, I bugged her at 6AM something that day! hahaha!
My Mom texted back, she siad they're happy for the good news!! And asked me to start taking care of myself.
Her exact words: "need ka ingat sa pagkilos, wag ka buhat, taas kamay bigla, ingat rin paglakad, and wag go shopping and byahe."
oh my, no shopping?!?! No worries, we have online shopping here! hahahaha! :)

As for Melchor, here he is after the news:

Hahaha!!! My hubby's really happy!! We're both very very happy!!!

I'm not sure how you really do this pregnancy thing yet... But based from my Mom, brother, sisters, I have do this test thing again.. and in agreement with my sister, Ever, we will do the pregnancy test again on Tuesday.

So Tuesday morning, I took the test again - the 2nd one that we got. Here's the result:

October 20, 2009 - 2nd test result.
I got 2 lines again!!!

After these home test, Melchor and I were kinda convinced, that maybe this is it already!
My sister Ever was so sure I'm pregnant already.
My sister Erica kept on asking me if I experienced any morning sickness.. etc., and I got tons of what to dos and don'ts, now that we're pregnant! Hahaha!

Then, the choosing of the doctor and hospital, while I'm here in Shanghai.
I finally chose American-Sino Ob/Gyn. I visited this place already during the time I discovered that I have a cyst in my right ovary.
The place's really neat... and what's more good about this is that they have clinic until 8PM during weekdays, and doctors are also available during weekends! This I prefer, since Melchor and I would like to option of visiting after office hours or during the weekends.
My doctor last March 2009 - was Dr. Kelly Jia - I chose to have her as my OB again this time, she's the perfect doctor for my case. (Reproductive Endocrinologist)

The facilities of American-Sino is really neat also!!!
Grab from their site:

The waiting area

The Nurse station - where they took my BP and weight.


The Ultrasound room - They have a very high-tech equipment!

Anyway, I was scheduled my appointment with Dr. Kelly Jia yesterday afternoon - 4:30PM.
It was the longest wait of my life!
I already felt that I'm pregnant, but there's still a need for a doctor to confirm, right?

Melchor and I went to American-Sino, arrived nearly 4:30PM.
The nurse took my Blood pressure, but since she kept on talking to me and asking questions, my BP was 146/100.
She asked me if I have history of Highblood in the family. I told her, let's do this BP again, but this time, I won't talk!
She said, we'll do the BP after the checkup.

We were ushered by the nurse to the ultrasound room, where we met Dr. Kelly Jia again.
She asked how the things went, after our meeting last March. I told her, I went back to Manila, to have my cyst removed.
Then, I took some medications and supplements. She asked me if I have regular period, I told her yes..
Yes, my period came as expected, since I took Diane35 birth control pills.
I was supposed to have my period last October 5 (the time we were in Hong Kong).
Dr. Jia was telling me there are other factors, both Melchor and I were starting to get nervous.
She did the ultrasound to my lower tummy part, but can't find anything. She asked if we can do a TVU, I said Okay.

And then, there's my baby!!!

Hahahaha! :)

Dr. Jia said: There HE is!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Did you see HIS heart beat?
Because it happened so quickly and in spit second, Dr. Jia captured our baby!! I asked for a print out!
Then, the curtains were slide to side, and I saw Melchor's happy smile!! As he saw our Baby in the big monitor screen.
 

Closer picture of our baby! Hahaha!
The Dot is not the eyes ah. Dr. Jia measured the length of the baby, and she said, the length is exactly same as how long the baby's already in my womb. :) The length as of yesterday: 0.83cm... so tiny!!! Not even the length of the dried scallops (1cm and more) I got the other day!

As I blogged this right now, my baby's 7 weeks old.
So fast noh? hahaha!

That's all I have to say for now.
Thank you to my wonderful and supportive family and relatives, who helped me pray for this miracle!!!
Have a long journey ahead!! Appreciate any useful tips, word of advice! hahaha!
Thank you all... Thank you my dear God!
You gave us the best gift of all time!!

I've been neglecting my blog for the past few days.
I have a lot of things to blog about, but I have to control myself and wait... for the final words. Hahaha!
Just can't wait..
How was it that when you want something to happen already, time just slows down, and makes wait in agony?
Hahaha!
Oh well..
That's all for now.. I will continue this later..
Again, can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've posted some updates in my blogspot.com blog: http://rrlrrlrrl.blogspot.com
To avoid duplications,I will just linked this blog to the other blog.
I've blog about some hauls: Chanel JC Blushes, Shu Uemura Red:Juvenus line, D&G Blushes & Armani Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette; Swatches of my Prada Shielding Lip Balm. :)

I still have to blog our trip! 
This coming 18th is our 1st Wedding Anniversary!!! 
Wahhh!!! Ang bilis noh!!!

It was Melchor's birthday last week.
And there's not better place to celebrate it than to have our own little feast.
We were in Macau city last week, and I insisted that we have our dinner in our of the fascinating place in Macau - The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel.

I only had Bambu asian feast in mind, for his birthday dinner.

Here's the birthday boy:

Happy 31st birthday!!!!
 

So while we're having a great time in our dinner, Melchor was approached by a guy near our table. He was saying something about a voucher, which we were skeptic to agree or what. Then later on, we were approached by the manager of the Restaurant, and informing us that the man in our nearby table was insisting on giving us the excess value of his voucher. Since the man had a 500 MOP voucher from the Casino, and he only consumed the 1 buffet dinner for himself, he wants us to have the excess value of his voucher!!! Wow! We were surprised!! Considering our thoughts earlier of agreeing to what the man was saying.

It was like Melchor was treated by the Man for his birthday!!! Well, we like to think of that way! hahahaha! :)
We enjoyed Bambu restaurant. The usual Asian buffet, starters, appetizers, salads, main dishes, soup/noodle area, Indian food area, desserts, ice cream, egg tarts!!! :)

There's a Bambu decor in every table


The Starters, noodle/soup, roast meat combination section.
There's Melchor!! hahaha!


Melchor can't get enough of this cute eggtarts! hahaha!!

Overall, we had a blast in our dinner! 
The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel is a very huge huge place!! Just ahead from the Bambu restaurant, the casino floor area!!!
I think I have to do a separate blog entry for our Macau day, including the Casinos and all.

Melchor, Happy happy birthday!!! :)
Your wifey hearts you!

We finally got our 2nd travel book we got in anticipation of our upcoming trip.
I know my friend, Girlie, will probably say, she can be our Lonely Planet na.. haha! 
But Melchor would still like to have this copy. 
This is our 2nd country/city book.
We chose to visit this 2nd book for the upcoming holidays here.

In agreement with Melchor, we'll start having this collection na!
This is fun!! ;) 
Looking forward to more travels!! More DK, More Lonely Planet!!
Yehey!!!

  
With our first travel book from DK.

Then our 2nd travel book - We can now finalize our itinerary!!
Though had a lot of suggestions from friends already..
Well, "gusto ni Melchor e!!!" hahahah!!

 
I hope Melchor will really really read this!!!
Another thing, I hope we can use this more than we did on the last DK book. Hahahaha!
Will do the itinerary na talaga before the week ends!!!

Girlie, san ka na ba kasi? hahahaha!!
Hope you're having fun!!!

My sister, Erica, was my Maid of Honor.
She's the youngest, the cutest one.. I still remember her chubby face (BEFORE) and her pigtails!
She's the fairest one in the family.
Daddy's favorite! :p

Fast forward today, she's taller than me already!
She already graduated from UST. Time flies so fast!!!

She's the biggest help during the wedding preps and my operation last April.
Without her, I don't think I will be able to finalized the Wedding invitation on time! Hahaha!

Since she's the Maid of Honor, she was required to speak during our wedding reception.
The day was an emotional one! Hahaha! So, I think some, like me, possibly wasn't able to catch her message.
After the wedding, I grabbed her copy. Hahaha!
It's still with me up to now.

I don't think this kind of message can be easily duplicated, this everybody have their own life stories, own challenges.
This kind of message is strictly my sister's message to me and Melchor.
I hope other people can receive this kind of message from their own people.
After all, who will know you best, than the ones closest to you.
Other things can be mirrored, but this one's only for me.
 

Thank you very much Erica!
Good luck to your TOEFL! :)

I remember exactly 1 year ago, around this date, that I was fussing, researching, reading, planning panicking about The Wedding.
I haven't done my wedding suppliers reviews yet, Hahaha! Coz a part of me still hasn't let go that I already had my wedding!
I haven't got that courage yet, to close my doors with my Wedding team.
You can say, I'm secretly hoping that I will get an email or a message from them.. reminding me of my pending task, pending decisions to make! Hahaha! But of course, I can only hope..
My wedding had already passed. Melchor and I only have the grandest memories of THE Day.
From the preparations, researching, reading.. hahaha! I love every moment of it!
Sleepless nights, finding the perfect designs. Panicking with my Entourage gowns.
Regretting some decisions made. Hoping I chose this and that.
Then after all of it, hardwork, happiness, some bloopers and what ifs, you end up still feeling discontented.
You wanted more. You're seeing other pictures, other designs, choices made by others.
You secretly wishing, you have thought of this, that! Really never-ending!
I have subscribed a lot of wedding related sites, blogs of suppliers. That's where you see what other couples were doing.
Their gowns, their choices, they were featured. Hahaha!
I realized my feeling of discontentment when I was asking myself how come I wasn't able to choose what the others did.. etc.
Maybe I should have researched more.. or forced myself not to sleep that time, just so I can have more choices to choose from.
Hahaha! I know! It's beyond normal already! 
I realized I'm pressuring myself of something vague. I had the best time of my life.
My work is done! All my hardwork had paid off. From little items to the big decisions, I made sure to had every hand of it.
My wedding was perfect. For me. For my husband.
That's when I decided to just browse wedding related sites and blogs!  Hahaha!

Anyway, I just have to say all of that. Hahaha! 
I guess some hands-on brides will eventually be feeling this way. I'm one of them. :)
And now, after almost a year, Melchor and I will be celebrating our anniversary soon, I guess I can now let go.. I have to let go na.
Let go and say my final Thank you.. to the wonderful people behind our day.
I've jot down some of the memorable experiences I had with my wedding team, and some description of what happened, etc. I think you can find more stories at my other blog in choosing these wonderful people.

October 18, 2008  Melchor and Ria Gan:
Santuario de San Jose - I love this church! The staff are very nice and friendly. Our Canonical interview was done a day before our wedding day! Hahaha! The church is beautiful. I like that the Church is in a secured area.. The aisle length is just right with picturesque altar. We did an occular February 2008, I never wrote about this before, but when we were checking out the church, a 500 peso bill flew to my feet area!!!
For me, it's a sign that this is the church for us. Melchor was baptised in this church also. But the sad part was that, during my wedding, the glass door before was stucked! So you can just open the one side! So much for the cloth that Clarice placed to compensate the glass door.
Overall, I love this church! The door was changed into a beautiful wood-made. So lucky for those who will tie the knot in this church, they can now not worry about how to decorate the door. :) It's a bit warm pala sa upfront. :)

Fr. Rex Vidal - Our Priest. :) We got Fr. Rex at the last minute, based from Erica's persistent recommendation. He's very funny and lively. We only have smiles and laughs during the ceremony. My fave line from Fr. Rex: " walang expiry tong pinipirmahan nyo ah.." hahaha!! Thank you Erica for this.

Edsa Shangri-La Hotel - We got the Garden Ballroom - just right for my intimate wedding. Though my Mom, Melchor and I were forced to really trim down our guests list, because of the limited space. We got the Executive Suite at the Garden Wing.. then additional 4 superior rooms for our family.

Clarice Avinante - I have all praises with Clarice! She's very patient with us! hahaha! We tend to submit or decide beyond the deadline Clarice gave us.. Hahaha! Sorry! But in the end, I think we did really good! Clarice's very responsible. She will do everything to make your day really perfect! My sister Erica remembered the time we met at Blue Wave, for our first meeting nearing our wedding date. Erica was kinda panicking that time, and Clarice told her "ok lang yan... kami na bahala.. Erica, wag ka magpanic!" I have a lot of fond memories with Clarice! She's our Wedding Angel!!  Don't know how our wedding will be without her. Can't imagine that lang! ;)

Veluz Reyes - The best wedding gown designer!! She's the one who made me first felt that "this is it, I'm really getting married!!" I have all praises and good words to say about Ms. V, from the first time we've corresponded, to the fittings, fittings and final fittings!! She's the best!!! She listens to what her girls want and request, and executes them well! I don't have to worry about my other wedding accessories, because they're all included in the package.

Niko  Hernandez - My mom loves her gown! I think Niko executed what my Mom wanted. They understood each other very well. Erica had an unforgettable story with Niko, which involves my Granny! hahaha! Niko's very nice, active! hahaha! He's so much fun!!

Max Tiu - The best Host ever!!! I remember the first time we met, it was 5 days before the wedding day! Hahaha! Very nice and willing to work with other singer. 

Threelogy - Getting them was really by fate. Hahaha! I remembered that when I first inquired for my wedding date, they were booked already! So I scouted our videographers like - Jason Magbanua, Bob Nicolas, Imacron, Shierdan Pamintuan. I was to book someone na, but alas our scheduled did not permitted us to meet. Then my friend, Girlie's sisters - Candie and Lilliane called and told me that Threelogy will be having 2 teams! I remember Candie saying - Book mo na sila.. Lilliane telling me - Tawagan mo na agad si Gladys!!! Hahaha! I immediately called and booked them!! Come wedding day, they made me feel at ease.. haha! Parang normal lang.. pero makikita mo silang palakad lakad.. hahaha! With their gears.. :)

Nelwin Uy - Great pictures. Hands down.. Galing!

Jill Lejano - sobrang Cool!!! Hahaha! So happy that I was able to get her for our 2nd photographers. They're very nice and friendly. Pictures are really great!! Galing galing!!!

Alex Franco - At first, Melchor doesn't want us to spend for the cake separately. Based from Edsa Shangri-la's wedding package, we can avail the cake, 5-tier cake, but only the bottom's edible. So.. I asked Clarice about Alex Franco. Heard good reviews about his cake, so Clarice helped us schedule a meeting with Alex. I remember Melchor telling me that we'll just talk to Alex.. No promises! Hahaha! I said, okay. But after 15minutes of talking to Alex, I think both Melchor and I were just hypnotized! :D We love this guy! He's so easy to work with, easy to talk to! I was 80% willing to get him for our cakes, but I think the best thing was that Alex charmed his way to Melchor saying okay and we'll get him to do our cakes!! We served our cake to the guests as their desserts, and I got good reviews with it. :)

Delby Bragais - Melchor's suit. She's so nice, friendly and bubbly!! We had really fun during our fittings. She's really nice and very good at what she promised. Melchor loves his suit. Of course, he's not as expressive as I am. Hahaha!

Veejay Floresca - I got Veejay 12 days before our wedding day. Yes, 12 days!! He was already my choice for the Entourage gowns, but during the first part of my inquiry, I felt that maybe he's preoccupied that may not have the time to accept projects at that time. Then, disaster strikes with ento gown maker that I thought will do good work. I contacted Veejay immediately and ask if he can accept my rush project. We met on the 8th of October, measurements were made that week, fittings were on the 15th! Wahahahah! He did an amazing job!! My entourage felt really good and happy with their gowns, and for me, that's the important thing!! I love the Flower girls' gowns, they looked so cute!!! I'm so happy to have a happy ending with my entourage gowns.

The Write Impression - I only had TWI in my mind to do our invites. Though I've seen samples that TWI did in their office, when Melchor and I visited there with Clarice, I wanted something more, something original, something unique. Hahaha! So I spent sooooo many nights, just researching for my perfect design. With Clarice's reminders, I still haven't found the right design that I wanted! Finally, with the help of my sister, Erica, she went to TWI office, and worked with me throughout the process of choosing and designing the final wedding invitations. Choices were made, samples were given.. hahaha! At long last, we were able to choose my own unique design!! :) I believe I had around 7 revisions, before I said YES. My mom was doing the Chinese inserts, and I think she had 12 revisions!!! Hahaha! Our invites are perfect!! They delivered as promised. :)

Peddy Acebo - I love this guy! I love my hair and makeup!!! I felt at ease with him! He really does know his craft!! He's the best! Even my mom and sister love him!!!

Balay Kandila - My very last minute booking! :) hahaha! I met BK during my final lunch meeting with Clarice. I think the funny thing about booking BK is that, Melchor had no idea I already have them in my mind to do our styling. :) hahaha! I wanted something different for the backdrop and couple's table. And yes, it was really nice! It was what I had expected!! Very easy to talk to. And willing to do last minute booking! Hahahaha! :)

Den Den Atanacio - our Wedding Singer!! He's so good!!!!!!! Amazing voice, great songs!! I'm so happy that Clarice told me to get him! Melchor and I were so amazed with him!! He sang at the church and reception. Super duper galing!!!

Discovery Weekend - Melchor was skeptic in going to this retreat. I insisted. So eventually, we went and I can say this solidifies our relationship and attest our goal of getting married. I can say, attending this retreat made me more calm in tackling issues with Melchor. I think he will say the same thing din. That's the goal, right?

Teddy Manuel - I was not able to meet Teddy, but I love the flowers! Since I was running out of time, I asked Clarice to help me with the flowers. :) They were what I've expected them to be. :)

Fabfoto - Our wedding souvenirs! I believe my guests had fun in the booth! :)

Tisha Rosales - our Unity Candle maker. Hahaha! We got Tisha to do our Candles I think maybe more than a week before our Wedding date! Hahaha! She's so fun, and was able to do our candles the way I envisioned them to be! Hahaha! 

Weddings at work - the best way to research and get to know the suppliers! Join their group and you'll see! hahaha! 

So far, these are my wedding suppliers. There are still some others, but I believe these are the integral part of our day.
I hope that my suppliers won't think that I was ungrateful to them, coz I wasn't able to communicate with them after the wedding day. But In my heart, I have my own reasons for not able to thank them more than what I did during that day.
I had a hard time letting go.
But I am grateful, to each and everyone who were present in my day.
Thank you so so much!!!!

P.s. Kindly forgive some grammar lapses, etc. hahaha! I just typed away without further internalizing and editing. And according to my sister, Erica, my English's starting to sound like China- English! hahaha!

I was chatting with colleague Shannette Tan earlier, and I realized that I was starting to get a hang of this "Pin Yin" thing here.
So I recalled the difficulty I had during the first part of my stay here, and thought of my resting Chinese dictionary here in my drawer.
Here's my Chinese dictionary:

I took this shot earlier.
Melchor was using the Canon Powershot S3.
It's so cute, seeing him using this cute thing!
We realized that the Powershot seems a bit small for him.. don't you think? ;)

Earlier, Melchor and I went to the Photo Mall.. I've read good things about the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, so I thought of getting one, in preparation for future use! Hahaha! I still have to get myself a new Sandisk SD card, but I think I have to do this before the month end.

Here's my new 35mm f/1.8.. it was a bit funny coz the owner of the shop we got the lens was encouraging us to get the 35mm f/2. He said its better because the f/1.8 will only work for up to D300 camera.. and will suit D700, in case we upgrade our cams. Haha!

I received some goodies I requested from Manila.
There were some things I asked my friend, Girlie, to get for me from US.
Then there's another item there, also from Girlie.
Tah-dah!!!Neutrogena Wave Duo - 2 speed power-cleansing and foaming pads!
Softer, great-looking skin after 1 use. hmmm... Perfect! LOL!!!

Will try this later! Can't wait! :p
Thank you very much Girlie!!! :)
 

I believe I've posted our El Willy lunch. This time, I'm posting our La Verbena lunch.
It was a June 20 Saturday morning, when I had this craving for Spanish food.
Melchor's a Spanish food fanatic! Just telling him that we're going to have our Spanish food feast, he'll get excited and all!
Since we'll be gong to the Ya Tai shopping center in Pudong, I chose La Verbena restaurant, for its proximity to our next schedule.
I may ordered a bit more than what I thought of. But we had good time!, and good meal!
I was so amazed with the lobsters!!! hahaha!
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I think this place will be very good for special occasion, like anniversaries or valentine's day. I would like to visit again when the temperature here is more bearable. The time we visited La Verbena, it was a bit humid.
Overall, a very satisfying lunch, yummy meal!

I just have to blog this and put a picture here, before I try this later.
This is so lovely!!!!!
I chose this pigmented color.
Words that come to my mind, when we say Chanel.
Red. Intense. Elegance. Luxury.
My first Chanel lippie purchase!
I'm a bit concern... 'coz I know this won't be the last.. hahaha! :)

Since we're in Shanghai, Melchor and I would like to take advantage the diversity of food and culture that we can get from here.

One of the most popular restaurant here are located in the Bund area. I believe anyone who joined tour package to Shanghai, will always have the itinerary to visit the Bund area, and to join a Huangpu River Cruise. I remember specifically last 2004 October, when my MBA class had an out of country field trip for our Economic Development class, and we also visited this area and joined the cruise. It was so cold at that time!! Very memorable indeed.

The Bund area have 2 popular restaurant buildings - M on the Bund and Three on the Bund.
The usual busy streets near the Bund have an on-going construction, for the upcoming Shanghai Expo 2010. So missing right now are the bus lining up with tourist, getting ready to join the boats for the cruise. It's now relocated to the Pudong side.

Our destination last Satuday night was Laris - which was located on the 6th floor of Three on the Bund.
I got reservations for dinner. It's about time we try fine dining here, right?

Laris is David Laris, a famous Australian chef, established its own place here in Shanghai.
His own website can be found here.

So upon exiting the elevator on the 6th floor, you'll be greeted by receptionists dressed in black.
The place were all in marble of white and grey marbles. You know immediately that you can expect great things for the evening! Food, ambiance, celebration.. Yes, you can definitely experience all that.
We were ushered to a table for 2, near the windows, who directly have a view of the Pudong skyline.

Okay. I won't go into so much detailed accounts of what happened that night.
Highlights:
- The foods: Superb!!! I love the light taste of my starter!! Crab with avocado and the sauce (I forgot!) hahaha!
- My Main entree - Wild duck breast with Foie Gras!!!!  This is so yummy!!!!!!!! I can't get enough of it!!!
- The chocolates are to die for!!!!! I love their Fondant cake!!! It's simply the best cake I ever tasted! And the rum ice cream really goes well with it!!!
- Melchor was in awed when they brought him his order Grilled Tenderloin!!!! He wonders where can they find beef that thick! hahaha!!!
- The potato soup was yummy!!! really!!! It's anything not campbells of any kind!
- The scallops were cooked just right!!! It's so tasty!!! LOL!!! I got to taste one of this, from Melchor's 4 scallops! 
- We ordered red wine to pair with our main entree. Hahaha! Everything's perfect!!! :)

This is fine dining. You can definitely expect small portions.. rather than the big, overflowing dishes we can expect in restaurant other than fine dining resto.

You may ask me, is it worth it to eat at a place like this, with the portion and its price? Hahaha!
For me, as long as my husband and I are together and learning new experiences in our life journey together, any prices for me is definitely worth it!!!

Our pictures during the dinner, the food.. :) and all!!

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I hope to have more food galore of this kind in future.
After all, in our life, we just need the courage to try, experience, live life to the fullest. It's only one life.
Mine and Melchor's.
Cheers for more happiness, more happenings.. more love! :)

Melchor and I love Spanish food!
I believe in my other blog: http://rrlrrlrrl.blogspot.com and my facebook account have updated our lunch dates in several Spanish restos here in Shanghai. The most recently one was when we finally visited El Willy.

This year's Valentine's day, Melchor was actually hoping we can get a place in this resto for the V-day. Read reviews that it's one of the most romantic resto and with Spanish food menu, I think it made us both wanting to try this out. Sad to say, they were packed way before we were planning our own V-day dinner. In the end, we finally chose Azul Viva.

We had our El Willy's lunch last 4 July. To be honest, I think we were a bit overwhelmed, that we're gonna try this restaurant, that I think I randomly just choose our orders without much thought! hahahaha!

We were full after this, but, I think I prefer La Verbena restaurant and Las Tapas, over El Willy's.
But the place is cozy..ambiance is good. Food, I will give around 3-1/2 stars!
Maybe I can rate them this way, (highest to lowest) -> La Verbena, Las Tapas, Azul Viva, El Willy.
Too bad, Indalo's close already! haha! I had my first birthday celebration there, and I kinda forgot how their food taste nya.
And what's more bad, I wasn't able to take any photos of what we ordered then!!! I do remember the white wine! hahah :)

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Okay okay.. I don't want to be too obsess with this Boys Over Flowers, but I finished the final episode of the series! Haha!
It's really cute!!! I mean, I like the ending, compare to the Taiwanese version.

The different twist in this Korean version, made me really really curious!!! Hahaha!
We're downloading now. I hope they finish up soon!!!
 

When you think you got enough of the Meteor Garden fever.. I guess you never really know.
I was an avid fan of the Meteor Garden 1 - the Taiwanese version.
I daydreamed of someone like Dao Ming Si, sweeping me off my feet! hahaha! You can say, strong women do dream of someone stronger in their life! And with Dao Ming Si's character, it's actually very fun to imagine that.

Well, the Dao Ming Si character is not actually real, right? This Meteor Garden was actually from a Manga series in Japan - Hana Yori Dango.
With my persistent quest to know the origin of the Meteor Garden, yes, I also had watched this Manga series.
There were some difference with the Manga and the Taiwanese Drama. Nevertheless, the character's dominanting personality is still there.

In our world today, girls do imagine that someone rich and good looking may just bump into you, fall in love and live happily ever after!
Hardship in our modern days, it's really convenient to just lean on to someone with a fat wallet.
Of course, with that comes with a price.. and you just never know what's in store in your future.

Back to the Hana Yori Dango.. I heard there was a Japanese drama version of this Manga.. I never watched it.. but I heard of it.
Maybe I caught some glimpse of it.. yet never really had the chance to fully watched it, like the late night sessions I had with the Taiwanese Version.

Right now, a channel back in the Philippines is showing another country's drama show of the same Manga!
Can you believe that? How many versions can you really get for a certain Manga!! LOL!
They're now showing the Korean version! Of course ABS-CBN made it a Filipino-language version.
I'm not really really watching... Basically, Melchor and I always take time to watch the news, which is aired after the Boys over Flower timeslot. While waiting for the news, you can't help but saw a bit glimpse and that of the Korean show.

For this week, waiting for the news, I can't help but kinda hear what's been happening with the show.
The main 'Dao Ming Si' character of this Korean drama, named as Jun Pyo had an amnesia, and can't remember the girl that he likes - Jan Di. Hahaha! This is a bit silly.. but this twist was not in the Manga series, not in the Taiwanese series, and I don't think it was in the Japanese version too.
So it sparked my curiosity.. I half-eared listen to the dialogues (our cable TV does have certain mood swings, that when you turn the TV on, it's actually very blurry and staticly moving. You have the satellite off and turn it on once again, in order to have it steadily.)

Jun Pyo had an amnesia and can't remember Jan Di. And in fact, there's a new girl in the series, which Jun Pyoo foolishly clings to!
And he kinda avoiding Jan Di!! But Jan Di (I think) was still persistent! hahaa!

Last night episode actually provoked my curiosity. Because!!!!!!!
Jan Di made Jun Pyo premember her!! There's was this necklace (also in other versions), then thrown into the pool..
Jan Di asked Jun Pyo if he knows how to swim, he said, he don't swim. (But in past episodes, I think Jun Pyo saved Jan Di in the pool, cause he knows how to swim!!! - also in other versions) Then, Jan Di splashed into the pool backwards (like the Nestea Plunge way).
With that, it brought back Jun Pyo's memory! He saved Jan Di from drowning before!!! So he remembered!!!!
This episode is so cute!!!!! Hahahaha! As per my research, this segment was part of the Episode 25, which is the last episode of the series.
I'm kinda looking for the episode via youtube. Episode 25 were into 7 segments.
The pool scene - was in the 3-7 and 4-7 of youtube.

Okay.. Now I'm curious! Hahaha!
I asked Melchor to download me the Series!
A scene like this made me want to watch the whole thing!
I'm still waiting for the youtube parts to finish buffering, so that I can watch it without too much stops.

screenshots: Jun Pyo saving JanDi

Melchor and I frequently visit our Carrefour stores here.
We love strolling down the aisle, looking for new stuff... Well, I love strolling... as for Melchor, he sometimes like that also! haha!

Anyway, I always make sure to visit the Imported area aisle.
You can see a lot of food stuff from other countries like Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy, French, US.
I always make sure to check out the Korean, Japan and Taiwan stuff.
I love this Japanese Green Tea... Korean Honey Pomegranate Tea.. which I'm blogging right now.

The Korean Honey Pomegranate tea I'm referring to is made by Damizle.
You can find more about the Company here.
So far, what is this Honey Pomegranate Tea?
Well, it's red in color.. If you taste the red liquid, it's a little bit sour, with a bit sweetness.
But of course, I tasted the sour first, for I don't like sour stuff.
It says in their website that:
      " It is tea product made by pomegranate extract through sterilization processing and vacuum packing with newest equipment that can enjoy regardless of season, and pomegranate has abundant female hormone that effective tea for Skin and Beauty and anti-ageing, tonsils, soar throat, foul breath prevention."

The word "abundant female hormone" is the magic word! hahaha!
I don't feel any special in drinking this tea.. I mean, there's no way you can really know if your female hormones are increasing, right? But then, this is a refreshing tea.. Put it into hot water, it's not that sour anymore, and do have sweet after taste. I like this, and it's been part of my afternoon tea sessions.

My 2nd bottle's about to be used up.. I have another kind of tea (Honey Lemon Tea) for standby, after I finish this up.
Definitely worth checking out :)