the canDIshhh tales

I almost forgot about Ben's Cookies! My friend Tin told me to try them when I happen to see one.  I thought, ano kaya yon?  And while walking along Oxford Street after shopping in Primark, I suddenly saw Ben's Cookies!  I literally ran to the store which was across the street!  My Panget was confused, I think because I suddenly disappeared.  When I re-appeared, he looked surprised!  I'm sure he didn't know what happened.  But seeing that I was munching on a cookie - he knew why.  Katakawan.   Hahaha!! It was just a small store but the store smelled so delish!  They were baking fresh cookies.  I already forgot what flavor I picked but man was it good.  They hand you the cookie in a paper bag, it's still warm - you need to consume it immediately.  Well, that was what I was told by the staff.  And I did. It was love at first bite. The cookie was cooked through and it was chewy.  It was warm and it wa...

The last time I saw a legitimate musical was when Miss Saigon was playing in CCP.  I fell in love with the show and didn't mind to watch it a second or a third time.  I was told that since I've already seen it, so why watch it again?  I can't explain it - but the closest one is - if you have a favorite movie, you won't mind watching it over and over again, right?  Well, that's how I am - I am a creature of habit. When I learned last year that we were going to London - I was excited.  I knew I wanted to watch a musical in London's West End.  I don't think a London experience would be complete without watching a musical.  My BIL (Brother In law) and SIL were deciding which musical to watch - of course, I suggested Miss Saigon!  Haha.. But they were thinking of something different.  For one, we had a lot of options as there were really so many shows in London.  Then my cousin Andrea - who vacationed in London just recently, suggested that...

Whenever I travel, there is one thing that I look forward to the most - the food!  Yes, there's a reason why I'm this big.  Hahaha!  I love to eat!  I'd rather spend my money on food that on shopping.  True story!  For me, it's all about filling my tummy with good food!  Hahaha.. I was very excited to have some fish and chips in London.  I was literally trying to order fish and chips in most restaurants that we went to.  Hahaha!  I didn't mind eating just fish and chip because as they say - When in Rome, do what the Romans do!  I like fried food (who doesn't!) and of course, I live on potatoes, I would be happy just eating fries.  Seriously. My brother in law was nice enough to look for an original fish and chips place.  He was our *tour guide* and he brough us to this place in Covent Garden.  He says that travel books credit this place as the oldest one in London.  True enough, according to the restaura...

Em was a classmate of mine in HS.  There was a time that we were seat mates and I don't know if she remembers but she told me something privy.  And at that time, I appreciated her talking to me about it.  Ever since then, I considered her special to me.  We had different circles of friends, but there was something in her that I liked and I guess being seat mates, I was drawn to her. We reconnected through Facebook.  I swear, the wonders of Facebook really and then I learned that she was based in London.  So when a trip to London was planned - I immediately messaged her.  I think it was 6 months in the making.  I was very persistent, making her kulit through FB messenger then finally on Whatsapp. And then after all these years - we finally saw each other again! Em is still the same Em that I remembered.  Still very smiley and accommodating, very pleasant and still chatty (with me).  I can't explain the feeling, but it was very c...

After our lunch at Burger and Lobster SoHo we decided to take a walk.  And walk we did, I honestly had no idea where, but we walked.  I was glad that I wasn't navigator that day so, it was just follow where everyone else was going.  I was just pushing the stroller with Kailee in it. We then walked this food street, I honestly forgot the name.  And then we came across this chocolate store on the corner.  But it wasn't the chocolate store that caught my eye - it was the doughnut store next door called Crosstown Doughnuts. I am a sucker for doughnuts and so I decided to check it out.  The shop was small (for my standards) so it was a bit crowded inside.  I decided to wait outside, but it was taking a while.  And then I saw a lady behind the counter wave at me and invite me in. The smell of the shop was marvelous.  My eyes were treated to so many different doughnuts.  I was too excited and happy that I took too few pictures.  For...

My SIL (Sister In Law) told me that her friend recommended that we eat at Burger and Lobster.  I researched and found a branch near our place, but the it didn't have reservations.  Since I was with my in laws, my daughter and my pregnant SIL - I looked at another branch that was willing to take reservations.  I saw that Burger and Lobster SoHo accepted reservations during lunch and dinner for parites that are more than 5.  Perfect!  So I sent them an email. I had to send them another email because my first email didn't go through.  I corresponded with Alan and he was really nice and funny.  They had two lunch seatings - one is 12:30 - 2:30 and another is 2:30 - 4:30.  We only had 2 hours to gobble up everything we ordered, that's their condition with reservations.  I thought 2 hours were good enough, so I booked the 12:30.  I was also told that they only gave 15minutes waiting time, or they'll give away my table if a walk-in party of...