Deep Thoughts Archives | Page 9 of 37

Figaro Coffee, You Remind Me of the Good Things

29 May 2012 Ibyang Sanchez 4 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, Deep Thoughts, Food, Things I Love

Don’t you just love waking up to great coffee?

Thank God for friends who are generous enough to send care packages to me. When my friends in Manila found out that my Mum’s coming to Sydney, some of them thoughtfully sent me some stuff I love. Thanks Hazel for sending one of my favourite coffees from the Philippines.

I love how the aroma of Barako Gold filled the air in our home the moment I took it out of the box, it was just wonderful. Every cup I’m savouring gives me a clean, rich and flavourful taste.

When I drink Figaro, I’m reminded of one of the best times of my life.

It reminds me of one of my dearest bestfriends, Teng. We both share a passion for drinking coffee since we were young. When we graduated from college and went our separate ways to follow our respective career paths, we thought we would see less of each other. But coffee brought us together almost every week (sometimes even twice a week). I worked in Makati and she worked in Mandaluyong so our meeting place was always in Ortigas area. We had the best times of our lives meeting up after work usually for coffee at Figaro in Shangri-la Mall. When we’ve had a bad day, we’d have a drink or two at a bar. But always, it was at a Figaro where we’d meet and start our rendezvous and misadventures. We loved Figaro not only for its coffee but because they offered delicious pastries and fairly decent dishes like pasta and sandwiches. Other than have coffee, that’s where we have dinner too.

I miss those times and I miss Teng more. I’m hoping one day we get to have our much-awaited coffee klatch and make new memories again over a cup of our good ‘ol Figaro.

Why I Love Our Foldable Treadmill

23 May 2012 Ibyang Sanchez 5 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, Great Finds for the Home, Health and Well-being

If someone asks me what I bought with my first salary from my first Aussie paycheck, the answer would have to be my Resistance Elliptical Strider.

I grew up being physically active. When I was young, I always get involved in activities where I’m able to move and sweat. It’s not difficult to engage in physical activities in school thanks to the various clubs one can join but when one goes out into the corporate world of working 8-10 hours a day, it can become a challenge to some of us. When I worked in Manila, I had the chance of joining sports competitions until such time I had to retire because of an injury. And just when that happened, I migrated to Australia where I felt I needed to continue having an active lifestyle.

So when I received my first paycheck in 2005, I looked for a cheap exercise equipment and found a Resistance Elliptical Strider. The machine may seem harmless but it is quite the opposite. This one weighed a ton (I don’t have the exact number but it is heavy) and takes a lot of effort (and muscle) to exercise in. But given my age and physical capabilities then, it was good enough for me. A few minutes on this machine 3 to 4 times a week gave me a fast heartbeat rate, strong legs and arms. Other than the help of this machine, I averaged 30 minutes of walking on a daily basis. For three years, I lived near a park and every weekend, I’d briskwalk and run during the afternoons for additional exercise.

When I moved to an apartment with my Husband, we brought the Elliptical Strider with us. But as time goes by, my body has changed and I needed an exercise equipment that will be more friendly to my body, my bones and joints in particular.

As one age, we have to treat our body with appropriate care. I’m petite and cannot carry very heavy things. I thought that I should treat my bones and joints well. At one time, exercising on my elliptical strider gave me a backache so instead of being encouraged to use it, I became wary, fearing that I might injure so I stopped exercising on it last year. It took me months to decide to let it go and opt for another exercise machine.

Last month, I finally bought a Foldable Treadmill online via oo.com.au.

It came with simple instructions on how to unfold it. No need to assemble any big parts.

In less than 5 minutes, our treadmill was ready for use.

I love our treadmill because:
It is handy, small, compact but serves its purpose. With its 1530mm x 650mm x 720mm size, it is perfect for our 2-bedroom apartment. Since it is foldable, it doesn’t eat up too much space at home. It only weighs 19 kilos so lugging it around is not a hassle. It has a stable incline which is manageable for everyone in the family.

I don’t have to get out of the house in order to walk or jog. One of my biggest hurdle in exercising is going/driving to the park and the weather. Going out requires extra time and effort while driving to a place involves petrol costs. The weather can be a nuisance. It’s too cold during winter, too hot during summer and rains last for days. Since I’ve got a treadmill at home, I’ve got no excuse.

I’m back to my regular habit of exercising! After three weeks of having a treadmill at home, I’m now back to exercising 3 to 4 times a week. Nowadays, I look forward to going home and spending time on the treadmill. It easily became a part of my lifestyle because I can get on the treadmill while I watch TFConline before dinner.

The Treadmill was a great replacement to the Elliptical Strider.The treadmill is perfect for me because I love walking. I can just walk for a long period of time while I watch TV or read stuff on the iPad. If I’m not doing anything while on the treadmill, I don’t get bored. Walking in silence is therapeutic for me. It helps me think and de-stress.

It’s a fun exercise machine! I’m able to walk, briskwalk, jog, run on the treadmill. In a 25-minute session, I’m able to do all four activities. Sometimes, I do a bit of arm exercises while walking–a combined exercise. I also sometimes sing while I walk on the treadmill and I love it!

Although I miss having the Elliptical Strider around, I’m glad I made this change in our lifestyle. I realized now how important it is to finding the right equipment for me, one that will is more friendly to me body and one that makes me want to exercise.

For those who would like to buy the same treadmill I have, you can check it out here.

The IKEA Family Card and Dreams of a Kitchen & Textiles

11 May 2012 Ibyang Sanchez 2 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Cherished Memories, Deep Thoughts, Food, Great Finds for the Home, The Married Life

We received our IKEA Family Card yesterday and it’s one of the most gorgeous looking cards the Husband and I have encountered.

Be part of the IKEA Family to avail perks and discounts:

Free hot drinks every visit
Discounts on selected meals in the IKEA Restaurant
Exclusive discounts on lots of products
Extended 12-month return policy
10c donated to charity for every swipe
Weekly $250 IKEA gift card draw

For more details, please visit IKEA FAMILY and join for free.

We registered for an IKEA Family Card last month when we took my Mum for a visit. Everytime she’s here, we make sure to drop by IKEA in case she needs something for our home in Manila. Plus, she also loves food at IKEA.

Breakfast at IKEA is always worth waking up early too.

Since my Mum and I were sharing meals that morning, I took this opportunity to grab a slice of their Apple Pie.

The Husband had his favourite, Apricot Pastry.

Other than eat, IKEA is a place for dreaming and research. Even if we don’t really need anything at the moment, we look at the designs, showrooms and products. On our last visit, our we focused on their Kitchen showrooms. I dream of having a gorgeous but functional kitchen someday and these two showrooms below somehow are in line with my idea of a future kitchen. I took photos because one day, I might go back to these for reference.

We opened one of the corner cabinets and saw that IKEA makes use of any space available. You can place a RATIONELL Corner Base Carousel inside your kitchen cabinet so you can store your pots and pans (see photo below). The great thing about it is you swivel the two shelves for easy access to what you need.

I dream of owning this book, “Love for Textiles“. Only a few people know that I love textiles. I never dwell on this interest because I don’t have the space and I don’t have the time. For now, I’m grateful for the thought that when I was young, I had my share of exposure to the textile and fashion industry (thanks to my Dad). My love for textiles and fashion will always be a part of me but in the meantime, I heed to my other calling: writing, food and photography.

It’s always hard to leave IKEA empty-handed. We bought a few items for family in Manila and a few items for our home.

KAVALKAD Frying Pans (sent to the Phils), LEGITIM chopping board, GODTA Green Deep Plate, DINERA Deep Plate (placed underneath the green plate) and STABIL splatter screen.

RATIONELL VARIERA Shelf inserts (for better organization of our pantry), ORDNING Cutlery Stand, GALEJ Tealight Holder, BEVARA Sealing clips (shared them with my Mum & Mother-in-Law), DOKUMENT Pen Cup.

Zushi Sushi & Baskin Robbins at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre (Broadbeach, Queensland)

10 May 2012 Ibyang Sanchez 1 Comments Category: Blog Life, Deep Thoughts, Food, Restaurants, Travel

If I had one free week, I’d go on a blogging holiday and I’d do nothing but blog. While I’m not pressured to update this blog on a daily basis, I do like writing about my food and travel adventures because more than anything else, I blog for myself. Keeping a blog has become a useful tool for me as sometimes I go back to my previous posts on places, restaurants and recipes when the need arises. I still haven’t figured out how to I will share our Philippines, Gold Coast and Melbourne trips (they all happened last year!!!) as efficiently and concisely as possible but I have an inkling of a plan. In the meantime, let me share with you a restaurant that fascinated us when we visited Gold Coast in December 2011.

On the morning that we arrived at Gold Coast our room wasn’t ready yet (we were early for check-in time) so our first agenda was to attend mass (it was a Sunday) and then find a place to have a meal and hang out for a few hours. Our relatives recommended to visit the biggest mall at Gold Coast, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, located at Broadbeach.

We found St. Monica’s Church not too far away from our hotel so after mass, we took the bus to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Arrived a little after 12noon, we felt famished and a bit tired. We assumed all the getting up early and travelling to Gold Coast had taken a toll on us. For lunch, we wanted something fast but fresh. At one corner of the mall, we found a Japanese Restaurant called Zushi Sushi and immediately cheered when we saw the sushi train.

Sat ourselves on the sushi train and wondered, “Where are all the sushi?”

Then suddenly, we saw a miniature train on the sushi train tracks! Oh how cute!!!

Restaurant: Zushi Sushi (Broadbeach, Queensland)

Behind the miniature train were the plates containing yummy sushi.

We only got two plates of sushi, both freshly-made and delicious.

We ordered a plate of stir-fried spicy beef with rice, soup and salad. It was good enough to share. The beef tender and juicy.

For our first meal in Gold Coast, we enjoyed the food and were greatly amused by the creativity that is the miniature train. This is one sushi train experience we will never forget.

We had a good walk around Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and we instantly felt how laidback it was at the Gold Coast. If Sydney feels laidback, Gold Coast is more of that.

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre (Broadbeach, Queensland)

It was during dessert at Baskin Robbins when I told the Husband, “I want a life like this–simple, more laidback.” The Husband agreed.

Zushi Sushi & Teppanyaki – Pacific Fair
http://www.zushisushi.com.au/
Shop 148 Western Food Court
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
Broadbeach, QLD 4218
07 5572 7877

Discovered Inspirations: Change

8 May 2012 Ibyang Sanchez 1 Comments Category: Charmed Life of a Mrs, Deep Thoughts, Discovered Inspirations

After our clan’s mini-reunion and my Mum’s vacation in Sydney (she went back to Manila last Saturday), I am much more inspired to make a few changes in my life. I can’t pinpoint what it was but seeing my family has given me new insights and motivation to do better and be better. Being with them has grounded me, gave me better perspectives and a new direction. The past six weeks has humbled me and made me more grateful for the blessings I/we have. At the same time, I realized that some things in our life needs a bigger improvement, hence, a change is in order.

The Husband and I had a good talk about this and I’m glad he is eager to take that chance for change with me. We are taking little steps here and there. A big change may not happen soon but we find comfort in the knowledge that our little sacrifices now will be fully realized later on.

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