OF AVENGERS ENDGAME AND OOMA

Words cannot define how I am so thankful for Mr. Stan Lee and Robert Downey Jr.

To think ah, that I'm originally a DC girl whose first love is Christopher Reeve (aka the best Superman of all time).

I remembered before that if you loved comic books or super heroes, you would be considered as a geek or a weirdo. Well I sort of understand them because watching the rushes of old TV versions of Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, etc., you would NEVER think that Marvel could create this giant franchise -- it was just too far off.  When I was in High School, I was a fanatic of Superman, Supergirl and that whole super hero cosmos when most my classmates were gushing about Beverly Hills 90210 and New Kids on the Block. I was actually alone in that world but I never minded because I enjoyed the ride. Yun lang, there were not a lot of people whom I talk to about it. So whatever excitement I had about the realism of Supergirl's flight or the hotness of Michael Keaton in that Batman suit, I'll save it when I get home to my family (he he he... we liked the same things).

So enter the success of Iron Man followed by the other Marvel movies that were box-office hits as well. That truly cemented the status of superheroes in this generation and dominated todays movie genre.

Suddenly, it's cool to be a comic book and super hero geek. Now, everywhere I look people are gushing about the new marvel trailer and attending comicons in colorful outfits -- wow, I'm not "alone" anymore. I could post about the life lessons derived from Iron Man and get likes and comments.  Though I didn't really mind my solitary superhero universe, it's just more fun to have more people share my fanaticism with and see more entertaining movies because of it.

Then AVENGERS ENDGAME arrived and ruled everything. I'm sure that with my lengthy intro, getting excited for this is an understatement. I'm very thankful too that now, besides the general public and my family, I have 3 pogi guys to share my superhero euphoria with. We held our breaths and monitored online when they would start ticket selling. Of course, the eager beavers that we were, we also kept on calling the movie theaters to confirm if tickets were already available.

And finally we were able to buy and we were all just so happy (I swear we were, no dramatics here). This is definitely IT. After all those end credit scenes, the build-up, and the major cliffhanger that AVENGERS INFINITY WAR gave, here comes AVENGERS ENDGAME to "finish the job." You might also say that AVENGERS ENDGAME, culminated my love for all things "superheroey."

And yep. It was as glorious as we all hoped it would be. My inner geek and weirdness are proud. 

Thanks again Stan Lee and to the RDJ! You made all of this possible. We all love you both 3000!!!!

Now check out our AVENGERS ENDGAME night!!!

Tonight's the night.... We're going to watch AVENGERS ENDGAME!!!!

THE YAPPY BUNCH ASSEMBLE!!!!

OOMA WITH THE GUYS (2018)

It was Friday and THE YAPPY BUNCH will meet up for dinner somewhere in Rockwell. We were having Master Mati's birthday celebrations so I asked him what he felt like having.

Mati: "I'm in the mood for Japanese food Mommy but not in (blank)."

Me: "Okay. How about in (blank)?"

Mati: "No Mommy. The (blank) there is my former (blank)."

Me: "Hala di nga?!!! Sabihin mo si (blank) ay naging pang(blank) mong (blank)???"

Mati: "Yes Mommy. And you know what?? (blank) is the real (blank) of (blank)!!!!!"

Me: "AY SUSMIO!!!"

(I'm sure you know that some aspects in this conversation are not true anymore (he he he he he) and that we're just pulling each other's leg. Yep. Gutom lang yan.)

To make a long story short, we ate in OOMA because my big guy was in the mood for a different kind of Japanese food --  and we're glad we did because everything was wiped out!!! My birthday guy is happy.

My guys enjoyed the food at OOMA so much that they immediately asked when we could go back there again.

Me: "Soon anak. Let's go back on (blank)."

(He he he he! Baka may sumama pa. KIDDING!)

:p

OOMA!!!!!

OOMA AGAIN WITH THE FOOD ALPHABET'S FAMILY

ERICJAZ FOODIES recently met up with THE FOOD ALPHABET family to celebrate the (belated) birthday of my dear kumare. I told her that I would treat her as my bday gift (since she's officially a senior citizen na :P) and that she should pick whatever restaurant she fancies in the Rockwell area.

Her choice that night was OOMA since she hasn't been there and I couldn't be more pleased. Though it's not the traditional Japanese food that we're all used to, the food there was delicious. And it was nice to go do something different with our favorite cuisines from time to time.

So we all went there and unsurprisingly, had a great time. When you're with kindred spirits (with beautiful faces and sexy bodies... he he he!) who share the same love for food, that is a sure thing!

And if you're friends with somebody who is as kind and loving as my kumare and the rest of THE FOOD ALPHABET family, then you'll have many more awesome times to come!

YIHIIIIII! Somebody is going to cry na!!!!!!!!

OOMA!!!!!

MAMOU TOO WITH DEAR GEM

Many times when I want to tease my dear friend Gem with something, I would always say "We should eat at MAMOU!", "It's now time for MAMOU!", or "I-MAMOU na yan!!!". I guess besides loving the food, I had a lot of fun the last time we had a double date in MAMOU, TOO with the boys.

That's why when she treated me out for my 33rd (he he he he) birthday, her ONLY choice was MAMOU TOO for us. I objected of course (kunwari) because the dishes could get pricey but she insisted. I think she also had fond memories of the restaurant with us too (naks). Either that or she just wants to shush me up from all my "MAMOU-ing." Ha ha ha ha!

Now that's SO fine with me!

Whatever the reason, e di sige hi hi (tucks hair behind ear), MAMOU TOO it is.

And as predicted, we all had a fun and delicious night!

MAMOU, TOO!

Ladies night out!

Pareng Jojie was not available that night so it was just us cutie pies. Dear Gem invited the Yub to join us but he declined. He just dropped me off and picked us up later.

Awwwww.... Ke-shwet....

Wala naman siyang steak. Tee hee!

SARSA (ROCKWELL)

Whenever THE YAPPY BUNCH are in our favorite Powerplant Mall, we always go to our usual restaurants -- Healthy Shabu Shabu, Mongkok, Pepper Lunch, Kenny Rogers, 8-Cuts, Press, Cafe Mediterranean, Mamou, Mcdonalds, Jollibee, etc etc., I'm usually happy and contented with our default choices but there was a time when I suddenly can't take it any more. I don't know. Blame it on PMS (or menopause???!!!) but when my guys asked me where we're going to have dinner for our usual Saturdate, I was somehow hysterical (no joke) at demanding that anywhere is fine as long as we haven't eaten there before.

So that's how we ended up in SARSA. Although we have already eaten at the establishment when it was still Kafe Batwan, but technically, TECHNICALLY, it's still a new restaurant for our taste buds.

He he he he he he!

Check out our delicious dinner at SARSA!

SARSA is located outside the Powerplant Mall but it was just a short walk from their doors.

Inside, SARSA is well lit, chic, and warm. It somehow has that New York cafe vibe. 

OOMA ROCKWELL AGAIN THE NEXT DAY

As mentioned in my super explanatory blog post yesterday, I will be eating again in OOMA Rockwell but this time with the bunsoy Andrei and Team Campo. I was here the previous day with the Chinese Dimpol and Master Mati that's why I have different dates this weekend because the former was in Lucena while the latter stayed with my Mom. Still, I certainly didn't mind making it a straight twosome here.

It's OOMA anyway!!!! Who's going to complain having 2 straight nights of delicious food???

We're in OOMA!!!!

OOMA ROCKWELL

In the months after my Father passed, we realized that THE YAPPY BUNCH cannot just go out as one group like we always did before. Since we don't want my Mom to be left alone, my little lords made it a point to have one stay with her to keep her company. Don't get me wrong. It's not like we don't invite her to go with us or my Mom demands us to stay with her. In fact, we've had many weekend gimiks with her where she gamely joins my silly fam. But there are many times when she just feels to stay at home because she's busy with the business, she just wants to watch her koreanovelas, or she just doesn't feel like going out. Sometimes when she knows that we're supposed to go but would cancel plans for her, she would actually force us to continue with our plans. But still, a promise is a promise made to my Daddy -- we will NEVER leave Mommy all alone.

For that upcoming Saturday night, it was going to be a complicated one. The Yubhub was going to Quezon province to attend something, my older brother had a raket, and I was going to meet with Team Campo at OOMA because they wanted to cheer me up. I invited my Mom to go with us but she said she'll stay at home na lang.  Master Mati was supposed to be my date because I wanted him to try OOMA. But when my brother said that he had raket, he realized that nobody will stay with his Lola. So he just volunteered to do so. He just recommended Andrei to be my date especially if Team Campo would bring their little girls.

Awwwww... My thoughtful Handsome Teenager!

With that I realized, oh my poor Mati. He was supposed to be the one who'll join me at OOMA because I know he'll love the food. But when he studied the situation, he volunteered to forego his craving and just stay at home. Excited pa naman siya.

THAT'S when the Yub and I thought to have an insta-Fridate in OOMA just so my little foodie could have a taste of the food. Uy! What a great idea!

So yay!!! Everything worked out and everyone will be happy!

Yun lang, I'll be eating in OOMA for 2 days in a row.

Naahhh! I don't mind! Like I said, EVERYONE IS HAPPY! :)

(Haba my intro no? He he he he he he!)

OOMA! Here we come!

OOMA!!!!!

We parked in Powerplant Mall and walked our way to the restaurant. It was a cool night so this was actually fun.

BANANA LEAF CURRY (ESTANCIA MALL)

My BP Group met up one Sunday to have a belated birthday dinner for our good friend, Chel, and after so many suggestions, arguments, threats, fist fights, sabunutans, choke slams, and hugs (??????), we finally decided on a venue....  

BANANA LEAF CURRY!!!!

(Uy di pa ako pinapanganak nito! He he he he he he!)

WOODEN SPOON FOR LUNCH ON ELECTION DAY!

It was eeeeelection day and even if the weather was scorching hot, we will go out and brave the crowds to make our voices heard in our country. And like what we do every year, we voted together as a family. Personally, I like it that way because besides being a tradition for us, it's like somehow, in our own little way, we are putting up a united front to support our candidate. On a more self-serving note however, it IS more convenient for all of us because it meant not worrying about parking or getting drowned from the sea of people if we go individually.

And of course it would also mean that we'll automatically have a lunch out together!!!

The great thing about that too is that our own "President" (aka my Dad) is paying!

Tee Hee!

Oh don't judge my freeloader face. It's another tradition too!!!!

:P

Duran Duran : "I pull my shirt off and pray, 

I'm saving myself to suffer the heatwave

Pull my shirt off and pray, 

We're coming up on re-election day!!!"

For the national elections last May 9, 2016 I asked (aka forced) Mati to come with us. Every elections he acts like my bodyguard. I make him go always because  I wanted him to see the process of electing a new leader.

I was with my brother and Ate Jojit. My parents were downstairs and my Kuya Jon arranged for a Comelec representative to take their votes.

If you're wondering about the Chinese Dimpol, he's with Andrei to vote in Quezon Province. Me thinks he purposely does not register in Mandaluyong so that he could always have a time to "escape" from me.

CHE!!!!!

And for lunch we're in WOODEN SPOON!!!!

A DEAN AND DELUCA BIRTHDAY

My dear mareng Gail recently celebrated her birthday and like what I would always do during that momentous event (naks), I treated her out at the restaurant of her choice.

At first it became sort of a tug of war between us with the neverending "You choose"... "No YOU choose".... "No, you choose" type of argument. Finally she relented that since it was HER birthday, she'll have dinner HER way.

And for that night, she chose DEAN AND DELUCA!

DEAN AND DELUCA was actually jampacked that night so it was a good thing we were able to get a table after a bit of wait.

MAMOU TOO!

One time I was doing my usual business at work when my Mom called me asking what I was doing. After I answered with a "same old same old" she asked what time I will be getting out from the office. Of course I gave her my usual "I don't know" since I could only leave work after I finish mopping the floors and washing the dishes (Har de har har!) but she didn't seem to mind "Just go to Powerplant Mall afterwards no matter what time. We will just wait for you".  Hmmmm.... Considering that it was already late to begin with, I was sensing something fishy.

So I did go to Powerplant Mall and met up with my family. Lo and behold! What a pleasant surprise! Nooo, there was no romantic proposal with the Chinese Adonis bent down on one knee (not by a long shot) OR Oprah excited telling everyone in Rockwell "You have a new car! You have a new car!" (that's more possible really) BUT it was actually my Dad who suddenly craved for some steak and decided to gather us "kids" for an impromptu family dinner at MAMOU.

I don't know about you but I really cherish times with my family wherein I am made to feel like a kid again. I always did say that my Dad is the original "foodie" of all and my sibs discovered our love for food (and Sinatra) from him. I remember that he would always take us out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whatever, just to try out a new hotel restaurant or have some "Ma Mon Luk" noodles when the weather called for it.

What I really appreciated from my Dad is not just his introduction  to the wonders of food but the many bonding times he gave us instead of going out with his friends to drink. And he always did that with meals (either in restaurant or with take out!). Probably that's why the Chinese Adonis and I would rather spend our hard earned money having food trips or activities with the boys rather than just shopping for items only we could enjoy. Like our Dad, we aim to make meaningful memories with the little lords and our family that they would hopefully carry on when they have kids of their own.

So yes, you can't blame me for being nostalgic again while we were enjoying our steaks in MAMOU TOO!  Though it was not as fun since my eldest brother and family were not there (since it was impromptu and all) plus the Chinese Adonis and the little lords were at home (he chose to watch basketball while the kids were already sleeping since it was a Wednesday), my other brother and sister raved with me that it was really nice to just have a spontaneous getogether even if there was no special occasion to celebrate.

And we have our Dad once more to thank for that. :)

MAMOU TOO!

The original MAMOU is located in SERENDRA but we decided to have our dinner here since Powerplant Mall is nearer from where we lived. 

We decided to sit outside in MAMOU TOO! since the weather was cool with the rain. 

GRACE PARK

If you ever have the unfortunate fate of meeting yours truly, you might find it hard to believe that I am actually a very shy person. Don't get me wrong, I DO talk a lot, sometimes even to strangers who would look at me funny. Heck, I even talk sometimes in my sleep. I am very good at being wacky or sharing wild stories with my close friends but put me in a ballroom with hundreds of people... now THAT'S when I shut up and act all aloof or distant. Big parties are just not really my cup of tea (or coffee? He he he he!) So as much as I had fun in our last High School Reunion held at a ball room at this hotel, I'm still having second thoughts at planning my presence on the next one. I could just get very shy that's all. No matter who is there!

That is why when there is an invite to get together with some of my High School mates, I really make it a point to attend because it is my favored alternative over a big bash of a reunion. I would rather have everything close and cozy PLUS I get to bring my little rascals along. So when our Singapore-based HS friend visited Manila most recently, I was glad to catch up once more with some of the ladies I practically grew up with. Best thing of course was that we were able to meet up and merge each other's families.

HOWEVER... seeing these gals for even just a short period made me miss my other school mates all over again. So yes, I might... just might... overcome that weird bipolar shyness of mine and face a whole ballroom of familiar faces.

Oh dear! I'm changing my mind again! Can't it just be close and cozy like in GRACE PARK???

GRACE PARK!!!  

ROCKWELL'S 3RD ULTIMATE TASTE TEST

It is finally done! ROCKWELL'S 3RD ULTIMATE TASTE TEST!

Foodies from all corners of the Metro did not disappoint and turned up to be an Anton Ego, Tom Colicchio, or a Gail Simmons for a day! 

Well I would have added Padma Lakshmi but, that seat is taken... ahem ahem...

Anton Diaz, founder of OUR AWESOME PLANET, organized the superbly tasty event and was happy to declare that all 1,000 tickets allotted for the ULTIMATE day WERE SOLD OUT. Many people were still lining up hoping to get tickets but I guess that would be the push to have ANOTHER ULTIMATE TASTE TEST... fast! 

Oh yes, this early on WE are looking forward for that!

Okay but for now, ERICJAZ FOODIES lived for the moment and relished every second of it. And if you had doubts that P585.00 per person was too much for mere food sampling... you were so wrong.

We were only halfway in sampling the 50 home based food vendors and already we are getting crazy and our tummies were instantly bulging! I think I had meat and dessert sweats rolled into one. But it was all worth it.

ROCKWELL'S 3rd ULTIMATE TASTE TEST was indeed the extreme foodie celebration and we were happy (and burping) to be a part of it! Let ERICJAZ FOODIES share to you our awesome experience!

Yohoo! We're going to ROCKWELL'S ULTIMATE TASTE TEST!!!!