29th.

Another year.  New beginnings.  New challenges to face.  More bottles of wine to devour.

When you say you’re 29, people will automatically feel pressured for you especially for a single lady like me.  And I’d be like “What? It’s not like I’m 30!!!”  Then it would hit me….. Of course being 30 is like 365 days more to go.  Great!  And then you’ll calm yourself that everything will essentially turn out okay.  I need to face being 29 first before embracing what being 30 has to offer.

April 20, 2015.  The special day.  At least I tried to make it special by taking a leave from work.  I had a good day.  Celebrating was not really part of the plan because I just wanted the day to be quiet and calm.  And so the day ended just like I hoped it would be.

But then you know what they say, the best moments in life are those that happen unexpectedly.  And I never thought that I was in for a wonderful surprise.

I was actually feeling sad and almost depressed for no apparent reason.  You know the feeling of not really knowing what your purpose in life is and all that drama.  Maybe it is part of being a year older.  I am usually an optimistic person, but at the moment I was a mess.  I could not do anything but pray and feel the feeling.

Two days after the special day, I received a gift from a dear friend.  Part of the message read:  “greatest birthday…”  I thought to myself that this was perhaps my worst birthday because of my-almost-depressed state.  But God, as great as He always is, made me feel really special.  He reminded me that I am surrounded with amazing people.  He made me grasp the idea that I was given this life for me to be able to touch the lives of these people – to spread love and enthusiasm.  And then I woke up the next day feeling okay and…….. happy!

The smile on my face right now will not easily wear off because I know that I am truly blessed beyond belief.  This year is probably going to be the best.  And this, by far, is undeniably one of the greatest April 20^th of my life.

 

_Anj_

Plana's Pantry - where calories are counted as happy memories.

Last February, I was given a chance to dine in a new place in Mandaluyong.  It is continuously and graciously making a noise because of its great food and nice setting – think homey vibe with a touch of western style.

A very lovely place named “Plana’s Pantry” is located at 50 Domingo M. Guevara Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.  If you are not familiar with where it is situated, Google can surely help you.  A good internet connection and a friendly attitude towards the cab driver are all it took for me to get to the place.  I was on for an adventure.

Upon entering the restaurant, I instantly fell in love with it.  I loved the way they played with the interiors.  You know right away that it is a prodigious escape when you want to dine alone; and could be one of your go-to-places when you want to share a few good laughs with your family, friends, and that special someone.  And like any other great dining place, a friendly staff comes along with it.

Now here comes the things that will make you famish.  They have a marvelous variety of food choices.  On this visit, I tried their Frizzy French Fries (P75).  Then the Plana’s Sisig with Pesto rice for the main course.  Yes, you may look back to what I have written, but you read it right – I wrote Pesto rice!  It was a mouthful of heaven for only P230.  Just amazing!  For the drink, I chose their Calamansi juice with honey (P75) served in a mason jar/glass.  I have yet to try their Lengua, pasta, and hand-crafted ice cream on my next visit/s.

Frizzy French Fries - sizzles in your mouth for just P75.

Planas' Sisig with Pesto Rice.  Now that's interesting!

Calamansi Juice with Honey

With a great ambience and reasonable food prices, you will not be able to get enough of the place.   I clearly could not – especially with John Mayer playing in the background.

Plana’s Pantry.

Operating hours: 10:45 am – 10:30 pm (Mondays - Sundays)

How to like a player? Let me count the ways.

You really need to have a backbone if you wish to like someone who may not just like you, but other girls as well.  A player, playboy, ladies’ man, and other related terms would describe a man who seems to have a liking to almost every woman he finds hot.  It’s like when you see them, you will be reminded of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space and let me quote: “Love’s a game, wanna play?”.  But why do you still want a guy like him?  Why do you allow yourself to be sad and hurt when you can just give him up and move on to the next best thing?

Maybe you think that liking him, more so investing feelings for him will serve as a challenge for you.  A challenge that can be compared to a man who desires to win the heart of a woman who is not easy.  You want to convince yourself and other people that he, the so-called bad guy, is capable of changing and showing his good side – his good heart.  Well, winning the heart of a player is like winning the lottery -- you gamble, take risks, and then harvest the fruits.  But what if, you fail?  What is in store for you next?  Surely, picking up the broken pieces will be the most dreadful part.  Nevertheless, after thinking of the pros and cons of loving a player, what will matter in the end is what you really feel about him.

So why do you still like him?  Actually, I really do not know.  I would have deliberated much on it, exerted more time to think about the reason why.  But I know, deep within this shambled heart, the answer would still be the same.

Perhaps, you really would not know the answer.  Perhaps, it is meant to be left that way.

Truth be told, I may still be holding back.  I guess I just have so much faith in love and destiny.  And I just cannot set aside the idea that maybe; just maybe, he is the next best thing.

_Anj_