Happy Inauguration Day!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Vosges Goji Bar

To celebrate the end of my busy work week, I got this chocolate bar from Vosges Chocolates called the Goji Bar. Although there were other great bars to indulge on, I chose this one for its exotic ingredients. This particular deep milk chocolate (41% cacao) bar has Tibetan goji berries and pink Himalayan salt. 

I am always impressed with this chocolatier. They use exotic spices, fruits, nuts and other things of the food kind that one would not expect that it complements well with chocolate (i.e. bacon - yes, try their Mo's Bacon Bar and you'll know what I mean). My tasting experience with Vosges chocolates began when my husband (then boyfriend) brought home two squares (what was left of a whole bar) of the Black Pearl bar. The only time I put wasabi in food would be in sushi. I never expected that wasabi could taste great in chocolate. 

As for the Goji bar, the tartness of the goji berries balanced the sweetness of the chocolate. The hint of salt made it even more thrilling as the chocolate melted in the mouth - that burst of salt crystals jolted my senses.  This chocolate made the husband say, "WOW! This chocolate is awesome!" And as I am writing this post, you can be sure that I am enjoying a little piece of this amazing chocolate.

Where Did Winter Go?

What the.....? While the East Coast is experiencing frigid temperatures, we, in SoCal, are feeling summer-like temperature for the past several days. Today especially, it's 82ºF outside and climbing up to 88ºF! I didn't bike to work for the past few weeks because it was too cold. Now, I can't bike to work because it's too hot. It's only January and I want the cool weather back!

Gladeth and Paolo Got Married

A & I were lucky to witness a very happy moment yesterday as one of my old friends finally tied the knot. Gladeth was my classmate since kindergarten and we graduated together from high school. We lived on the same street and did a lot of long hours of school projects and activities. Did I not mention that our mothers were also classmates in high school? It was fun to see our parents and their friends from Baybay enjoy the wedding party especially Glad's mom and dad. The proud and happy father gave a very touching speech that would make a daughter gleam with happiness on her wedding day. Two of my old friends/classmates from grade school were there, although, I didn't get the chance to catch up with them with all that was happening during the course of the exciting event. Here are a few photos I'd like to share (thanks to Adam who took most of them with his pro-wonderful camera).

Congrats Glad & Pao!!! I wish you both all the best.

The newlyweds introduced for the first time as Mr. & Mrs.

While waiting for the wedding pictorial to end, Adam took this of us with my parents and two of their friends from Baybay.

Floral centerpiece at the reception.

With (from left) Loida and Theresa.

With the bride (and the groom in the back).

Here we are again - grade school classmates celebrating Gladeth's wedding.

An A & A tradition at every party, we like to take a self-shot of ourselves. Ain't we a hot couple? :-P

Bike Ride

A & I worked only a half-day last Friday. I came home, looked at our closet, turned away, then looked at it again. It was overflowing with dirty clothes that badly needed to be washed, dry cleaned or otherwise. As much as I didn't want to do the chore that day, I had no choice. While I was doing laundry, A decided to go for a bike ride up the mountain.

Late in the afternoon, I got a text message from him that he'll be up at the mountain for a while. In the message was a photo he took while at the top. On a gloomy, foggy Friday in the city, this is what it looked like above the clouds. Breathtaking!

Update: More photos of his bike ride here.

Helloooooo 2009!!!!

From Pasadena, Happy New Year!!!!

This New Year's day morning, A & I walked over to Colorado Blvd. and watched the beginning part of the Rose Parade. Marching bands from as far as Hawaii participated in the biggest event today. As we headed back to our place, a stealth bomber passed above us. After the parade, A & I are going to chill-ax (and maybe a beer or two on hand) in front of the TV and watch USC Trojans battle against Penn State for the Rose Bowl football game.

We hope your 2008 was good and we wish you all the best for 2009.

A couple of videos from the parade: