REWIND: Las Vegas - Jan 18-25, 2012

I spent a week in Las Vegas last January to attend my high school classmate Nena's 60th birthday party.  Many relatives and friends flew in from Manila, England, Canada, and different parts of the US to celebrate with Nena.  More than 20 of our classmates were there too.

It was like a class reunion. Rear L to R: Myra, Mary Ann, Ivy, Vicky Gi, Ginnie, Lydge, Judith, Malu T.  Front L to R:  Rica, me, Tynee, Nena (the celebrant), Germ, Josie, Gloria A, Reez, Aggie

Ginnie, Nena, and I at the famous sign on Las Vegas Boulevard (just south of The Strip).  Nena picked Ginnie and me up from the airport.  Ginnie and I shared a one-bedroom suite at the Jockey Club that week.

Chinese New Year decoration at the Bellagio

Caesars Palace casino

Wynn Encore Casino and Hotel

Cosmopolitan Chandelier.  It's a 2nd-story bar surrounded by curtains of crystal beads.

Las Vegas Blvd at night

Photo albums:

Nena's Birthday Party - Jan 21, 2012

Week in Las Vegas - Jan 18-25, 2012
Ginnie in Las Vegas - January 2012
Bellagio - Jan 2012
Caesars Palace - Jan 2012
Wynn Encore - Jan 2012
Cosmopolitan - Jan 2012
Las Vegas Strip at Night - Jan 2012

REWIND: Winnie Baduel - Jan 17, 2012

Winnie came to town.

Winnie and her brother Vincent are my friends from the University of  the Philipppines (UP) Math Club.  Vincent now lives in the Bay Area (San Ramon) and I see him at least twice a year.  Meanwhile, Winnie lives in San Antonio, and I haven't seen her since I left UP in 1972.  She hadn't come to the Bay Area in the past 3 years, but suddenly had to come pay her cancer-stricken friend in San Francisco a visit last January. 

Though I really wanted to see Winnie, I didn't think it was possible this time.  It was because I was leaving for Las Vegas on the morning after her arrival.  But, thank goodness, Vincent drove her straight from the Oakland airport to a restaurant here in Union City.

It was good catching up with Winnie.  I gave her and Vincent the UP T-shirts that Marvin sent through me.  I also asked Winnie to take a T-shirt to give to Dulce Ramos whom she was planning to see that weekend.

 Vincent, Winnie, Chris, me after dinner at Thai Kitchen

 

Brother and sister

REWIND: Adobo Vinegar Test - January 6, 2012

What kind of vinegar makes the best tasting adobo?  I just had to do that comparison test, one night, after everyone had gone to bed!   For fun, of course.

 I used the same recipe 6 times, using a different type of vinegar each time: apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, seasoned rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, white distilled vinegar.  Ironically, I didn't include the Philippine cane vinegar (sukang maasim) in this test.  It's because I didn't have any of that kind in the house that night.  My daughter asked why I had to get GALLONS of vinegar to do this test.  Well, that's the smallest quantity of vinegar they sell at Costco.

 Also, I did not have 6 cooking pots of the same size.  And the left rear burner was smaller than the rest.  But close enough.

 Pink and yellow labels taped on the handles to indicate type of vinegar used.  I was having too much fun!

And for piercing the chicken meat, 6 different forks!  Haha, I'm crazy.

Result:  In the end, I think I liked balsamic the best.  My son Richard liked the white distilled one.  The other members of the family had no opinion one way or the other.

REWIND: Dulce Ramos - January 2, 2012

Had brunch at Rose Drilon's house first thing in January.  It was our little UP Math group -- Rose, Vincent Baduel, and me -- meeting another old member, Dulce Ramos.  It was my first time to meet Dulce since UP days.  She now lives in San Francisco.  Vincent knew her whereabouts she was still in touch with her friend Winnie, Vincent's sister who was also a UP Math Club member.

Me, Vincent, Dulce, Rose

Photo album:

UP Math Club 2012