46-50: Faith

If you have seen the previous Project: Food and Thoughts entries, you will probably notice that I always write PH to indicate the location is in the Philippines. I do not have a planned travel outside the country so one friend asked me why I saw the need to put it. It was then that I realized it was my faith talking. 

My heart knew that this series is going to go out of its comfort zone and travel outside my country. What a perfect timing that it had to happen right when am about to close the series. So yeah, you can say I closed this series with a loud bang!

I was blessed with an opportunity to travel to Virginia and DC. I got to experience so many things. met awesome people and ate great food. To be true to the essence of this series (you may read the first entry from here), this entry will only show you the places I have experienced for the first time.

On the other hand, in contrast to the theme of this series, I will not talk much about what went on in these food trips to protect the privacy of the people I was with and the conversations that went on especially those that are related to my job.Nevertheless, the fun is the same. 

Here is a list of places that made it to the series:

1. Texas Longhorn, VA

The warm welcome when I landed.

2. Sunset Grill,VA 

An afternoon of drinks and music with these gentlemen.

3. Buz and Ned's, VA 

The Flay Slayer (featured in Season 2 of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay)

4. Europa Italian Cafe and Tapas Bar

A go-to place after our clothes were judged as inappropriate and my passport to show my age was required in two other restaurants in downtown VA.

5. Mekong Restaurant 

A taste of Vietnamese food in VA

6. Cheesecake Factory, VA 

Where's Penny?

7. Osaka, VA

Great food, brave fire show and Japanese cuisine.

8. Capital Ale House, VA

Mighty servings for my tiny appetite. 

Photo source here.

9. Comfort, Downtown VA

The food is worth the wait.

10. Chick-fil-A, VA

All I remember about Chick-fil-A is what Jimmy Kemmel said, “Being a Republican in Hollywood is like being a Chick-Fil-A sandwich on the snack table at Glee.”

11. Keagan's Restaurant, VA

An Irish serving and a doze of buzztime game - GWH vs. MNL vs. HAM.

12. Auntie Anne's, Washington DC

Glad I gave this a second chance. Loved it! I'll get some here in my country.

Photo source here. 

Hungry? I found myself hurrying to finish this entry so I can grab a grub. 

I never imagined this series would end this way; but then again, I have a great Father who strengthens my faith every day. 

Watch out for my last related entry which will talk about more than food.

Kainan na!

Now Playing: Bent

Artist: Matchbox 20

Album: Mad Season

If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk

If I need some other love, then
Give me more than I can stand
And when my smile gets old and faded
Wait around I'll smile again

Shouldn't be so complicated
Just hold me and then
Oh, just hold me again

Can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
Get put back together
Keep breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

If I couldn't sleep, could you sleep?
Could you paint me better off?
Could you sympathize with my needs?
I know you think I need a lot

I started out clean but I'm jaded
Just phoning it in
Oh, just breaking the skin

Can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
Get put back together
Keep breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

Start bending me, it's never enough
As I feel all your pieces
Start bending me, keep bending me
Oh, until I'm completely broken in

Shouldn't be so complicated
Just touch me and then
Oh, just touch me again

Can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
Get put back together
Keep breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me will let them
Without understanding
Here I go there again

Can you help me I'm bent
I'm so scared that I'll never
Get put back together
Yeah, you're breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

28: 28 comes after 45

Piadina 

September 1, 2012

Project: Food and Thoughts No. 28

Piadina it is! My brother, his wife (Kristine), and I finally met for this food trip. We went to Piadina in Robinsons Galleria and ordered the following:

Pasta Arrabiata

Calzone

Minestrone

Total bill is P630 which is not bad for a full meal of three heads. 

If you are following this food trip series, you might be wondering why no. 28 came so late. My brother and Kristine had requested that I reserve no. 28 for them, at that time that I was at my 20th. 28th is their anniversary date. Even if our initial plans didn't push through due to schedule conflicts, I kept this number for them.

A few days after they found out I was leaving for a business project, they reached out to me to make time and push through with our plans. It was also the best time to catch up. And we did. On top of the catching up, my brother prayed for me and my trip.

What does this entry and experience say about family? 

No matter how busy our lives can become, we can always make time for family if we decide to. We can even bend a rule here and there to give way to this 'making up' time. Because for family, no. 28 doesn't always have to come before 45.