TBW has been overly remiss with posting entries here but never to forget to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Hope we remember that December 25 is the birthday of Papa Jesus. The entire world celebrates His birth with parties, family togetherness, gift giving, forgiveness, merriment, understanding…all stemming from love…the reason why He was born.
May there be more and continuous juicy and interesting posts/photos that will find their way here in 2013.
In the meantime……………………………..
…..for Best Actress and Best Actor of TV 5′s Artista Academy. A top contender is Sophie Albert! A sure win (as long as no politicking occurs behind the scenes).
Vote for the real winner!
One of the many campaign materials made by her multitude of fans!
Watch this absolutely amusing video prepared by those that love her dearly. (Click to view)
What to do next? Grab your mobile phones and…..
Grand finals is on October 27, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Smart Araneta Coliseum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Go Sophie! Vote for Sophie!
TV 5 or Channel 5, owned by Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) recently launched a talent search which airs every evening except Sundays from 8:30 pm onwards. This talent search which has 16…oops down to 13 now…aspiring women and men is called Artista Academy or AA for short. (Finally, a more positive AA acronym…hahaha)
Each weeknight, these aspirants practice singing, with no less than Louie Ocampo, dancing and acting for a live exam on Saturday evening. Just like in school! Hence, AA =) Do I watch the show? Yes, TBW does now! Mainly for AA’s top student to date, Sophie Albert. She is a cut above the rest for she has the 5 B’s — beauty, brains, breeding, bearing and bucks! And to top it all… she has C for class and the capital T — for TALENT! In fact, she has been getting top scores from AA’s teacher/judges composed of show business royalty Lorna Tolentino and Gelli de Belen plus Director Mac Alejandre and “Principal” Wilma Galvante.
Sophie Albert info sheet
Sophie Albert’s vote banner
Aside from getting good scores, these aspirants need text votes to stay on top. TBW’s been sending AA Sophie to 5656 ( 1 peso only per text) on a regular basis because she deserves to win!!! Sophie’s got the 5B’s and capital C and T!
Sophie doing her dance exam. Super pasado again!
Her rendition of a Lady Gaga song which got her high scores from all judges! Way to go, Sophie!
Sophie has gone through her acting, dancing and singing exams and passed with flying colors, gaining top scores from the judges. Truth be told, Sophie was given due recognition yesterday for getting the top score for acting. You certainly have my vote!
Sophie Albert
Now all that is needed is to send more of those text votes. Her fans have come up with a 1 million mark for her facebook page as well.
Text AA Sophie to 5656. Like Sophie Albert on facebook!
Sophie’s fans have a wide demographic. From Aparri to Jolo. From A – Z. Men, women, children, LGBT. Young, middle- age and old. All in! Here are some of her cute fans!
Vote Now! AA Sophie send to 5656
Don’t we just love having dinners at home especially for an intimate group of 6 – 10? Creativity in table setting and menu planning comes out. Menu planning becomes more elaborate with “pricier” food items to serve as party is small ♥ And of course, conversation is more animated, sincere and heard..hahaha!
Valentine’s, New Year’s Eve, Christmas, pet’s birthday, 35 point game, you get hugged & kissed for no apparent reason… any occasion one can think of. Best to celebrate with dinner @ h.o.m.e. ! No worries about table reservations, parking, drinks, crappy service and tips =)
Throw caution to the wind when planning & creating intimate dinners that will last a lifetime in ones memory bank.
Serve your FF’s (fave foods)..smoked salmon, prawns, steak, foie gras, raclette, risotto, etc. and douse with wine…loads of wine =)
Preparing a meal for loved ones whether it be single or multi-course, on paper plate or fine china, on a folding or fancy table, is a testament of affection and of the saying….actions speak louder than words. N ‘est ce pas?
Blame it on a busy schedule and laziness that posts haven’t been done. Sorry. Again.
Fifty years Taiwan was ruled by the Japanese. The influence of the Japanese on Taiwan’s industrialization and culture is very evident today. From business to food to way of life. It is therefore no surprise to see sushi all over Taiwan. Japanese restaurants abound and sushi to go counters are found in every nook and cranny.
A favorite sushi take out stall of ours is found by the entrance of one of Taipei’s central subway system.
Clean, organized and easy to buy.
Wide array of sushi options. All sorts of concoctions with corn, eel, pork floss, fruit, etc.
Great way to pacify hunger pangs.
As mentioned in my most previous post, Din Tai Fung Taiwan, the basement in Taipe 101 holds an assortment of food and a supermarket to boot. Needless to say, it was a natural decision for food loving people to proceed there.
L-R: Beef, pork & chicken jerky; gourmet teas; prepared hocks, chicken & duck; mini pastries
Beard Papas!!!
Godiva chocolates, artisanal breads and a lot more!
Supermarket goodies!
Prepared sashimi & sushi, seafood, chocolates
Coffee making equipment, buns & pastries and more chocolates!
Visit Taipei 101, head for the basement food haven, try Din Tai Fung there so at least while waiting in line you’ll still be in a climate controlled environment, go shopping in the many retail shops and don’t forget to go to the observatory on the topmost floor.
This is a much delayed and anticipated (?) post. Din Tai Fung, a very popular dumpling place specializing in xiao long bao was visited December of 2011 to what else….have those dumplings infused with savory broth and to sample its other offerings. Din Tai Fung’s branch at Taipei 101 was the place of choice as it is located a level up from a basement filled with an assortment of food items and a supermarket.
After food shopping at the basement, we headed for Din Tai Fung which had a queue of people waiting to get in. We weren’t surprised as this was expected in all branches even at an early time of 10am.
A welcome sight for those waiting…Operation dumpling! Dumpling makers dressed in white, masks, caps and gloves on looking like doctors in an operating room, rolling, pounding and filling those handmade wrappers. All these happening in a glass enclosed preparation area. A public treat alright. Bottom right shows queue of people as early as 10am.
Menu. This is a one Michelin star restaurant.
TBW immediately liked the service. Upon seeing our shopping bags, the lady attendant provided us with folding canvas containers similar to a clothes hamper, to put bags in. And to complete the service experience, linen covers were placed on top for security and aesthetic purposes.
Great idea!
Dipping sauces made of ginger slivers & black vinegar waiting for the piece de resistance. We also ordered this appetizer dish which looks like a mould of hay, but can’t recall name as it’s been some time. It is made of tofu and is a typical Taiwanese dish.
Finally….two baskets of xiao long bao plus an order of shrimp siomai.
And more….L-R: fried radish cake, shrimp & mushroom dumpling, vegetable dumpling, Din Tai Fung mascot. All yummy minus the mascot.
Queue of people still outside waiting to have happy faces & fulfilled stomachs like ours =)
Chips and salsa is a perfect combination. Just like Starsky and Hutch, Batman and Robin, Calvin and Hobbes. One can’t be complete without the other.
There are many versions of salsa. A favorite is the mango peach combination which comes prepared in a tub.
Mango peach salsa. Sweet & salty with the right amount of spice
Hawaiian kettle style potato chips go best with salsa. A recommendation by cousin Bach.
This is also a deadly combination in terms of calories and fat intake. I hear voices and shouts of “who cares!” and actually listen. We deserve these little indulgences once in a while. ”Agree!”
My dear brother took us to Chuck’s Produce and Street Market in Vancouver, Washington. It was a combination of all the goodness of Trader Joe’s, Ralph’s and Whole Foods. As usual,TBW had a blast in this place.
Organic garden essentials, chilled & fresh fruit juices, organically grown fruits & vegetables, bakeshop
Cheeses, prepared food from salads, soups, sandwiches to main entrees from all over the world. Proud to say that chicken adobo was on display and was actually running out.
The best handmade gelato and sorbet. My fave: Blackcap raspberry sorbet….just like moi…not too sweet & not too tart with the right consistency =)
A must visit!
Smoked jumbo turkey leg is a carnivore’s delight alright. Huge. Meaty. Succulent. Gelatinous. Easy to pick and eat. Can be eaten as a meal or a snack. And that’s what a few hands did one fine day at Disneyland, Anaheim.
Jumbo turkey leg combined with ultra sweet corn. Perfect combination!
S&R sometimes sells smoked turkey legs but they are miniscule in size compared to this.
If picking with fingers w/c we did as eating utensils were not provided, ensure wipes are within reach as fingers get sticky cause of gelatinous meat portions. Yum!
Enjoy!
