Image004

Originally uploaded by annalyn.

Anna meets Annal. It doesn’t matter that weeks before she came to Manila, my Norway-based tokayo (in Pilipino, meaning a person with which you share the same first name) Anna Lyn and I were in constant YM conference, discussing plans about shopping in Divisoria and meeting with our high school classmates whom we haven’t seen in 20 years! But as it turned out, we were too busy for our own good - me with my work and she with touring the islands with her family. It took extraordinary determination on both our sides to finally meet, then be introduced to her lovely youngest daughter Tanya and her nice husband John.I was amazed that she looked almost the same as when I last saw her. Never mind our stray white hairs AL but how could you give birth and not gain an inch on your hips while I agonize over mine? Lol.

Image006

Originally uploaded by annalyn.

It was good coincidence that AL’s apartelle was located beside the Hong Kong Golden Pavillion Restaurant, one of my fave Chinese restos in Manila. We were joined by another classmate Magnolia and reminisced on the old days while munching on pork buns, fish cakes, seafood noodles, fish fillet hotpot, garlic spareribs and my favorite Vietnamese spring roll. I was glad that John liked the beer which came from the resto’s own mini-brewery and I wondered if the beer went well with the whale steak which is the Bjornstads’ specialty back in Norway.Before we knew it, it was time for our marathon meeting to end but I was certainly glad to see AL again and luckily we now share the same world in this blogosphere.

ichi1

Originally uploaded by annalyn.

Saturday, on the other hand, had me attending the first birthday of my goddaughter Ichi. When I read the invitation to “please wear your dancing shoes” I knew that this would not be your run-of-the-mill party or a children’s party at all.

ichi2

Originally uploaded by annalyn.

The function room of the Hyatt Hotel was decked with pastel-colored balloons and a lovely-three tiered cake designed like a gift box. How lucky this baby must be to have such doting parents who are willing to give her the best of everything early on ( & never mind the ninang who is broke, hehe) Us guests feasted on the full-course buffet which didn’t taste bland like most hotel food. I savored the smoked tanguigue (taste akin to smoked salmon) which is my favorite appetizer of all time. And the ladies like me had fun being twirled around the dance floor by the dance instructors hired for the occasion. My DI Giovanni was so good that it felt effortless grooving to the swing despite the fact that I haven’t danced in ages. And when it was time for us to leave, we were even given loot bags and colorfully-designed cupcakes as souvenirs. Whew, what a party!

Posted in Family & Friends |