Nothing beats celebrating the yuletide season with friends. This is the third time we celebrated the Christmas together although some of us missed out during the years but its still us... complete by heart.   This time around we decided to have a fancy dinner at Verdebarr. I missed this place! They used to have their own place at the mall. I love how exquisite their place is.

Call time was 6 pm and the theme was... just dress to impress. I'm not sure if I achieved the standards though. Haha. I took the cab with Budi. I felt like I walked a thousand miles with my heels. I'm really not good at walking with super high heeled shoes but I guess I should get used to it. I need this for training! ;P

What I'm wearing
Dress&belt: Mossimo
Heels: People Are People
Clutch: New York & Company
Accesories: Unisilver

We were the early birds, together with Hannah. We are clingy friends. Even if we don't see each other for just a day or two, we feel like it has been years since we last saw one another. Parents often times tell us that we never run out of things to talk about, except when we're travelling - which is kind of weird because we should be noisy. Oh well... so much for that... Here we are!

When everyone and everything was already there it was time to fill in our tummies and make ourselves happy! Almost all of us had grilled pork chop with pineapple slice. It's superbly good! And you can choose what size you want. I'm all for small because my tummy can't handle medium and large (but JB finished his large!) and you will need an extra rice or two for this. It can't be helped. Haha. Say no to diet! You can also choose your side dish. I went for Waldorf salad just because it was named after my favorite character in Gossip Girl! Haha. No bias, its also good. Some went for mashed potato, I guess its also good since they didn't leave a mark on their plate. 

Fortunately, Alzy brought some cupcakes for dessert! Red velvet and chocolate cupcakes fresh from Margie's. I'm a fan of their cakes ever since Cindy introduced me to them :D Everybody happy!

After satisfying ourselves with delicious food... Picture taking is a must! So everyone gathered up and just took random photos by pair. We're such camwhores! Haha. Donna and Jico also dined in the same place - small world eh? 

Mother Hannah's happiness caught on cam!

If you noticed... I have this weird shade of make up under my eyes. Let me explain, I smudged my eye liner and removed it with a make up remover and just damped some foundation on the specific area. It didn't show in the mirror but the camera just unapologetically(is there such a word? Haha) emphasized it. So, I've learned my lesson! Haha.

The exchange of gifts. I got huge chocolate bars and a bracelet from Alzy plus my favorite lip balm from Budi... and a I don't know what it's called thing from Karla! Hahaha XD

I felt like a boss when Karla aka my manager liked the gift I gave her! Thumbs up for me. I'm the best secret santa ever! Even if I gave her a hint that it was me! I had to make sure ;)

We were tasked to describe first before giving the gift and Hannah assumed for like 2 or 3 times that it was her! Hahaha. I come to realize that we all have a lot of things in common. Haha. Amazingly, Jb and Hannah literally exchanged gifts! 

And what's an LG meet up without the endless chatting?

We spent almost half of our night there because we were around until their closing time. Time to pack up and change location - to Abreeza!

We had to expose ourselves though we think we're a little bit overdressed for the extended hours of the mall we couldn't care less. Haha! Ground floor coffee shops were full so we decided to hang out at Bo's Coffee instead and we discovered a new place for meetings! Haha. Long table meetings will be held here next time!

and yet again its closing time... What else would be open at 11 in the evening? Time to party!

We went to Hybrid just because we wanted to dance. It was another full house! It's Saturday after all. There were a lot of familiar faces in the vicinity and that includes our former students. The night was still young for metro Davao and the people were partying like it was the end of the world. We had to leave early because it was extremely hot inside the club and a little bit chaotic.

For more than it's worth... I cannot put to words how lucky I am to find diamonds in a pile of stones in this world. Cheers to the true friends we have who make our lives worth living! It was a night well spent indeed. Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for taking time to visit my blog! Much love and respect! :)

         

Just because we have come to love the certain places due to the review season... and we've been spending some of the last days of it here at Tea 'Amo. We could have been regulars if only they were open 24 hours and also if we weren't collecting stickers for the Starbucks planner. Haha! The place is just like a comfort zone. Sometimes I think I own the place. Hahahaha! Can you spot me somewhere at the counter?

I always get tempted whenever I see this.

We found love in this place. It feels so homey. The chairs are comfortable and the place just fits me well. I have a thing for non sense stuff, as my friends would call it, but I would rather refer to it as cute stuff. Their walls are filled with post its from their customers! I had my own fair share of post-its there I just can't remember exactly where it is now. The walls are definitely more crowded than out last visit.

I think the snowman is cute. If you can see the sketch of Anne Hathaway somewhere then... you're eyes are good.

What we had...

French toast with egg on top served with love.

A cup of tea and a slice of red velvet cake

I'm not really a fan of tea but all of my friends are... I've been working on loving it but then again I thought... Why force myself when I can order something else? Haha.

Though I haven't tried everything my personal favorites on their menu:

*Caramel Macchiato

*French Toast

• This yuletide season they have a Wishing Tree aka Christmas Tree. You wish upon a tree! A lot of people have already placed their wishes. Why don't you give put in yours too? Visit them at 
• 
  
• G/F Sanny Sweets Bldg., Tionko Avenue
• 8000 Davao City, Philippines
• (082) 305 6312
• Mon - Thu: 12:00 - 22:00
  Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 00:00
  
  
  
  
  They are also accepting donations for the Typhoon Pablo victims
  Why don't you give love on Christmas day? ;)

When we had a free day from review we decided to conduct the traditional Visita Iglesia before our big day! Horaaaay! Luckily, Celine brought a ride so it was less hassle on our part. We bumped into a lot of Merge babies that day. I didn't keep track on how many churches we visited but I guess we went to 7 churches, if I'm not mistaken. From the end to end of the city. A whole lot of gas was consumed! Nonetheless, it was a wonderful day spent with God and with friends. A stress reliever... most likely :)

It was my first time in this church and you know what they say... I'm entitled to one wish for this! It's a super pretty church! It felt so serene inside.

Ice cream break! Dirty ice cream will always be a favorite.

At Shrine Hill Matina. Magnificent view :D

And somewhere in between... they let me drive. It was my second time after Hannah taught me. Couldn't be any prouder of myself. I hope I can do better next time!

We had our lunch at  EMS Pasta and Rolls. The food was great! If only I had a lot of cash with me and my tummy cooperated I would have ordered a lot more! Haha. People have been recommending this place for as long as I can remember and I'm glad I finally had the chance to try it out. 

The legen... Wait for it... Dary food! Haha! :D

 

Happy tummies glow from inside! So happy it shows! :D

I have a huge appetite so I was quite bitin with their serving but I'll make sure the next time I return I'll be a whole lot ready. Haha. Never got the chance to ask their signature dishes. I will next time! So, watch out for my post about that. Would really love to try out new and different things.
 After all the church hopping and some eating in between it was finally time to head back to the city and pay Abreeza a visit. First thing that caught my attention...

Legolas

Harry Potter

Captain America

Couldn't resist taking photos with them. I have Celine to thank for this. We can be weird at times... Wait crash that... We are always weird. Haha

Later that day we also celebrated Pokie's 21st birthday! We were supposed to have it at Krispy Kreme but its still a blockbuster hit. If you know what I mean... So, we ended up having Go Nuts Donuts instead! We spent hours just chatting and munching on donuts. We really love being around each other. Its always a happy moment! I always say this and I'll never get tired of saying it... Good food + good people = Perfection!

The birthday boy with his birthday/christmas donut! Haha! Too cute :)

       

Favorite candid snapshot of my manager! Haha. This is the chika moment! :D

Team LG featuring Celine Conanan aka Sneaky Owl :)
The donuts are almost gone. Total wipe out! Thanks for the treat Pokieyaaa. Sweetness overload.

It was a fun filled day! It consumed every ounce of my energy. It pays to spend time not only with your friends but also with God. A little sacrifice can go a long way. A day well spent indeed. Until my next story! :))