A Day In Las Vegas

Lunch at Canaletto

Gelato and black coffee for dessert

Two for love to eat.

Wanderlust

Walk to burn calories

My sister-cousin-friend-adviser-travel buddy, Arlette.

I lost 10$$$!!!She lost 20.:)

Let's eat again, chicken!!!

Work. Travel.Eat. 

Graduation Season

This is the time of the year here in America for graduation and promotion ceremonies. A friend's son is moving to college. A niece and nephew will have their senior high commencement this Wednesday.

I get to think of my own graduation moments. They are very well remembered, from my elementary to my college years. College meaning my first course, BS Physical Therapy at Angeles University. I did not attend my BS Nursing and Masters of Arts in Nursing (MAN) ceremonies for some odd and now quite unfamiliar reasons.

Mamang even went home from California to Philippines for my Nursing graduation, she begged me to attend it but I vehemently refused. I opted that we just attend the Capping ceremonies which for me was the more significant and intimate event, one that is uniquely tailored for Nursing graduates.
Mom respected my decision. Our university gymnasium was too hot, you how how humid it can be in PH come summer season. Ok,  I have another not-so-valid reason why I did not attend but I won't tell it. I told Mamang we experienced college graduation already in 1999. We just wait for me to passed the Nursing boards and I did.

I also did not attend my MAN graduation, I think my only reason was my laziness. I did not want to dress up, wait for long hours at the auditorium just for my name to be called on stage.

On both occasions, I had to make written and verbal explanations at the University Registrar's office why I did not attend the important milestones in my educational life before they released my diploma and transcript of records. At one point, I simply blurted out, "Graduation makes me anxious,"which frankly is true. I don't know how the joy of achievement is clouded by unknown fear. At that point, I wondered if I was anhedonic.

Today, I still do not regret not attending my two should have been memorable and unforgettable graduations. As what I told Mamang, it's passing the board exam that is the real reward and I made it. Modesty aside, I passed all my three Nursing examinations with one take and I know and felt I already made my family, most especially Mamang proud.

That  I know is the real thing.

Education. Priceless. Real.

#FoodNetwork Las Vegas Escapade

We are not into shopping mode (alleluia for me), we don't gamble (I sneeze much in casinos), so aside from watching Celine, our second agenda on our Vegas short holidays is to try new, great and impressive food lists and joints. I was pleasant surprised to learn that Guy Fieri's restaurant is located in our hotel, The Linq. We had our first lunch and alcohol drinks there. I am not a burger lover, I mean the fastfood ones. But when I go to a sitdown place and the chef is known to have tried thousand and one different kinds, then I hafta to try his own recipe. Arlette and I shared the Kobe burger, made with angus beef and the lobster lollipops plus mojito for her and margarita for me. Drink when in Vegas!!:) A+ for the burger and A- for the lollipops.

After Celine's show, as calories were burned from the singing and excitement, we trooped to Gordon Ramsay's Fish and Chips which is practically across The Linq. B+ for the fish but A++ for the tartar sauce.

 Oh how delighted I was to see that Giada has her restaurant at The Strip too. I have been out of Vegas for a long time now. There are so many new and fanciful places to try and see.We had our dinner on the second night at Giada. She is my personal favorite back when I was still in PH and I watch on cable her shows, Rachael Ray, Barefoot Contessa and Masterchef. Noon pa man, I am food-obsessed already!!!

 Cabernet for me , when in a place like Giada, I do wine!!:) The oysters prudo were undoubtedly fresh yet delicious. The spaghetti was uniquely created. Ambience is A++, food is A.The experience , A+.

  Save the best for last like they say. Before we headed to Mc Carran airport, we had our lunch at Hell's Kitchen of Gordon Ramsay. How lucky we were to be seated immediately, the perks of a party of two. We felt the Hells' vibe immediately, as if Gordon is actually there.The open kitchen was welcoming and entertaining.

 Who doesn't love Gordon's candor and brutal honesty?? He is a master, he has every right. He may have trashed the food concoctions of the contestants but never disrespected their humanity.

 We had the spring and onion soup, lobster risotto, quinoa salad and pan-seared scallops, all in the appetizer category as we were still a bit full from our Virgil's brekky.Yet we managed to finish everything coz all was sooo delicious. The talk-of-the town beef wellington and sticky toffee pudding will have to wait till our next Las Vegas holidays.

Pan-seared scallops

 
Everything at Hell's Kitchen A+++= Excellent !

Quinoa salad with goat cheese

OA na kung OA, but I felt some kind of bonding already with Guy, Giada and Gordon thru their places, food and drinks.  Hi to you three.

 Food. Love.Las Vegas.

Because You Loved Me, My Heart Will Go On

When your high school and college boy/relationship dramas are punctuated by either heartbreaking and inspiring songs of a famous and great artist and that person announces she will have her final shows at Las Vegas, the tendency is to make a decision right away- buy front row tickets, book a plane ticket, file time off leave and work extra days to cover the expenses.

After many weeks of waiting and "reviewing" the 848 songs recorded by this lady, on May 15, Wednesday, we landed at Las Vegas and finally saw Celine Dion and listened to her voice and lyrics that were so much part of our adolescence and young adulthood phases.

 My cousin Arlette and I were so excited about this event. We text on a regular basis about it, like what to wear for the special night. We both agreed to wear dress and were happily surprised coz we brought little black dress without even mentioning the specifics.:)

People were asking how much our tickets were. We are not saying.. all I can comment is it's almost equivalent  to a round-trip ticket from LAX to PH.:)

 Celine's songs are part of my life. Most of the GenXers I am sure. The high school theme songs were I Love You, Goodbye and If You Asked Me To. Then in college came the two best hits of her album Falling Into You- my own personal favorites as well ,( you know by now that when it comes to songs, I have tons of favorites) Because You Loved Me and It's All Coming Back To Me Now. And oh my, oh my!!! She sang the two in the show and I was like crying with joy, thanking Ate Celine for including them in the repertoire.

Celine may be truly skinny beannie nowadays but her fans don't care.Her bones may be showing just as she shows her deep deep passion for giving a perfect performance to her audience. Sixteen years as Las Vegas residence in Caesars Palace The Colloseum proves how much the people adore her and on the night we watched, we witnessed a woman full of fervor and energy to sing, dance, scream and laugh with the audience. I think complacency is not in her dictionary.

Yes, we had the best seats in the house and the audience was so cool and warm at that.As Celine was giving her best to us, we reciprocated her with our own happiness and gratitude for her gift of music and entertainment. Yes the night didn't end without the "national anthem" from Titanic, My Heart Will Go On. Decades ago, when I sing and listen to Because You Loved Me and My Heart Will Go On, I think of the exes and crushes. On the night with Celine however, Mamang was the one on my mind and heart. "I'm everything I am, because you loved me.And you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on..."

We love you Celine!!!

 Once more, thank you for the gift of music, Ate Celine. And you just have the most powerful, excellent and amazing orchestra!!!

Music.Love.Happiness.