Central World is Back!

Still not a 100% though, because only part of the mall is open to the public (the farthest end opposite from Zen).  We were also sad to find out that Pepper Lunch isn't open yet so we're still looking forward to that.  However, with Kinokuniya and Zara open, it's worth the trip.

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On our way to CW!

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We had our Sunday lunch there and went on a food trip of sorts at the Central Food Hall.  Another sad discovery, our favorite burger place, Triple O's, isn't there anymore.  Buti na lang I brought my siblings there when they visited in 2009.  Sayang nga lang we didn't take a lot of photos!  Anyhoo, so many new stuff in Central World -- at the Food Hall at least.  They now have Sunrise Tacos.

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I had grilled chicken soft taco.

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Cheese quesadilla for Aly.

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Harang!  A bit expensive at Thb215 for a cheese quesadilla, but Aly was happy so ok na rin.

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Another new place, Fries Me To The Moon.  I got cheese sticks with beef pomodoro sauce.  Harang ulit at Thb109 for 3 sticks.  The sauce wasn't too good either.  Oh well...

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They also have Pandora.  Yay!  Trying to fight the urge to buy something from them.  The cupcakes are so nakakagigil! 

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Richard's sandwich.  He was supposed to order pasta, but it took them too long so he cancelled it and got this instead. 

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Ok, so the Central Food Hall experience was a bit disappointing, but we figured they're probably still on dry-run so sige na nga.

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Ooh!  Crepes and Co. is here too!

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Vanilla caramel crepe.  

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We are no longer disappointed.  Heehee!

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Shopping at the Gap.  Happy na talaga kami.  Haha!

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Glad that our favorite mall is back!

Remembering Central World

I received this text message yesterday:

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May reunion daw ang mga shoppers.  Heehee!

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Then I suddenly remembered the tragic burning of Central World.  You see, when we moved here two years ago, it took me the longest to adjust to our new life in Bangkok.  Richard had his work, Aly had school...with no friends and only the internet to keep me company for most part of the day, I'd spend my lonely hours in the mall and Central World was one of them.  Ahhh, Central World...she welcomed me into her loving arms like a surrogate mom and gave me confort and cheered me up like a real friend.  And like any great BFF, she showed me all the good things in life -- those fabulous shoes, nice clothes, must-have houseware items...and when I hesitated, she would have those ker-razy sales -- Nine West, Aldo and Stella Luna shoes at 50-70% off!!  She understood my needs and she took really good care of me that's why I love her.

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Central World was also our go-to mall on Sundays after mass.  Richard, Aly and I shared many adventures in our beloved mall.

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Balloon Festival, April 2008. 

Look at how bulinggit Aly was in this photo.

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When we became addicted to hotpot, MK Gold at Central World was our favorite branch.

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They even gave me a discount card.

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There was also a time when we'd have our Sunday lunches at Pepper lunch almost every week.  This was our first time. 

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We also had many Bangkok firsts in Central World...

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...Aly's first foreign contest where she won third place...

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 ...our first movie theater experience where we saw Kung Fu Panda...

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...and our first Christmas in Bangkok.

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We loved Central World so much that we brought all our visitors there as well.

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Mom and dad's first visit in May 2008. 

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Nyoras in Bangkok, August 2008.

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Glad we took this photo outside Zen!

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Mom and dad's 2nd visit in November 2008.  Here, dad and Aly are patiently waiting while my mom, my titas and I were out shopping.

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My siblings and cousins' visit in August 2009.  Here's my cousin Koy outside Central World.  Angel and I are somewhere in the background.

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Angel and Koy, August 2009.  Behind them is the part of Central World that was badly damaged by the fire.  In fact, there's just a big hole now where that wall used to be.

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To Central World: thank you for the memories.  Thank you for the crazy sales.  Thank you for the fantastic food.  It really was a sad day when you burned down.  We will miss you.

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P.S We know you'll be back with a vengeance and we can't wait to see you again :)

Single Parent for a Week

The hubby is away on a week-long business trip. Sigh...this is going to be one hell of a week for me. You see, Richard's usually in charge of weekday mornings. He gets up early, prepares breakfast, and wakes up Aly as well. He only wakes me up at the last minute when Aly's ready to take a bath. Mornings are going to be tough for sure.
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I'm proud of my husband and his work. I just hope he doesn't have to go on these business trips too often. I know this is all for the best. I also know that this it's not easy for him to leave me and Aly behind, but it's one part of his job that we all have to endure.
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When Richard told Aly during breakfast last Saturday that he will be going away, she cried. Poor Aly was looking at me in such away that it broke my heart. It was like she was telling me to do something about it; to not let her daddy leave. But I couldn't. I just told her that daddy will be back soon. I also had to explain to her why her daddy had to leave. I also told Aly that she should be proud of her dad; they're sending him on these trips because that means he's very important to the company.
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It wasn't easy having to comfort my little girl while trying to hold back my own tears. Eventually she got over it, or at least we thought she did, because that night she asked her dad: "when are you going to stop working?" I guess what she really meant by that was, "when are you going to stop going on these business trips?" Heehee!
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Anyway, as a treat for our little girl, Richard told me to take Aly out to the mall for lunch on Sunday so she won't feel so sad. So after hearing mass, we headed to Central World Mall. Her restaurant of choice was Pepper Lunch. "It's my favorite restaurant, mommy!"
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Aly and Mommy. She got the burger steak. She said it reminds her of her favorite Jollibee Burger Steak. Heehee!
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aI usually get the Hitokuchi cut steak, but I wanted to try something else naman so I got the Beef Pepper Rice. It was yummy!
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Ofcourse, it wasn't the same without Richard, but at least Aly got her smile back. I wish Friday would some sooner.

Our First Year

Before we proceed with my summer vacation kwento, let's backtrack a little so I can tell you all about our Bangkok anniversary. I know, this is a late post, natabunan kasi ng excitement and preps for our vacation so I didn't have time to put this up earlier. Anyway, here it is.

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28 March 2009 marked our first year here in Bangkok. For our first anniversary issue (naks! akala mo magazine!), I interviewed Richard and Aly on their Bangkok favorites. Syempre, kasama rin ako. Heehee! Here it goes:

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FAVORITE THAI FOOD

Alyannah (A): Khao Phad Goong (Fried rice with shrimp)

Richard (R): Phad Thai (stir fried noodles)

Krisan (K): Tom Yum Goong (hot and sour soup with shrimp)

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FAVORITE THAI DRINK (or any drink that we discovered here in Thailand)

A: Tipco Apple Juice

R: Singha beer

K: Chrysanthemum tea (Yes, the flower. The taste reminds me of our local gulaman with pandan)

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FAVORITE RESTAURANT

A: Pizza Company

R: Bai Mai La Leung (Thai restaurant)

K: Toh Plue (Thai restaurant in Chatuchak)

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FAVORITE TOURIST ATTRACTION

A: Crocodile Farm + Safari World

R: Crocodile Farm + Pattaya

K: Wat Pho + Chao Phraya River

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FAVORITE MALL/SHOPPING PLACE

A: Central World + Siam Paragon

R: Emporium + Pantip Plaza

K: Pratunam, Sampeng Lane, Chatuchak + Siam Paragon

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FAVORITE STORE

A: Kinokuniya Bookstore + Zara

R: Kinokuniya

K: Kinokuniya + Zara

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FAVORITE DESSERT

A: Royce chocolates

R: Mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt

K: Pancake roti, mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt.

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What else have we learned so far? We still can't speak Thai, but I am proud to say that we at least know how to count in Thai! It comes in handy when you buy from the markets. We also know how to say how much (Thao rai). Halata bang lahat ng natutunan namin are either related to eating or shopping? Haha!

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More than anything, we learned the true value of being a family. We were able to survive living in a new country that speaks a different language, with no relatives and friends, by sticking together. That way, new discoveries and adventures were made with the people that matter the most.

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Our Bangkok stint will definitely provide a lot of wonderful memories and learning experiences for me and my family, but I am still looking forward to the day when we will go back home and live happily ever after in our dream house in Tagaytay. I may have learned to love my life here in the City of Angels, but I left my heart in the Philippines :)

Christmas in Bangkok

Before we proceed with my kwento about our vacation, let's talk about Christmas in Bangkok first. Christmas is not really a Thai holiday, but they still decorate the malls and buildings for the sake of the foreigners. I must say, they really go all out with the decor. Bongga sya in fairness. That's why I want to share these photos with you.

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Emporium. These were taken using my dad's new Sony camera (naks!) last November.

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Ang laki ng snowman! Teka, parang may kulang yata...

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...that's more like it! Para mas realistic yung kuha.

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The gingerbread house.

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Central World Mall. These were taken a day before our flight to Manila.

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A for Alyannah.

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Ang laki ng christmas tree!!

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Next stop: Siam Paragon.

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Ang laki ng christmas balls!!

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And our last stop: Oakwood.
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