THE BANAPPLE BANOFFEE PIE ADDICTION

My mom had tasted Starbuck's banoffee pie. A few days ago, she called me up to ask if I can buy her one. When my brother celebrated his birthday, we went to Conti's TriNoma to buy a cake. We asked if they have banoffee pie, but the store manager told us that they have another type of cake similar to banoffee pie, but it was out of stock at that time. Then my officemate told me that Banapple sells one of the best banoffee pie. After our office meeting a while ago, I took the opportunity to drop by at their branch in Katipunan. The office was crowded with diners. I called my mom and told her that I will buy banoffee pie at Banapple.

Banoffee pie inside the box...it is loaded with chocolate swirls. I even tasted them before being sliced into portions. Yummy!!! I just love banoffee pie! Banapple has branches in Katipunan and Tomas Morato. They also sell assorted cheesecakes, pastas and other bread and pastries. But their bestseller is this banoffee pie...Bon appetit!

CATCHING UP WITH MY BFFs

After a series of reschedules and communication thru Facebook and texts, finally, I was able to see my two highschool BFFs a while ago. Our meeting point was @ Starbucks, 2nd level, TriNoMa. Since Sheila has not eaten her lunch yet, we decided to have a heavy merienda-con-dinner. We decided to go to Italianni's @ the 5th level, TriNoMa, overlooking the garden.

We decided to order large lasagna good for the 3 of us...for the main course. It is really creamy and meaty inside. As my bestfriend, Marianne commented, "masarap siya..."

For the appetizer, we had the artichoke formigianno. I don't know why it's called that way, but it's yummy and we spread it over the buttered toast with sprinkle of grated parmessan cheese.

We forgot to take the picture of the Sicilian Salad. But we were able to take the picture of the leftovers...The lettuce and bread croutons are crunchy to the bite. The fruits like grapes and ripe mangoes and contributes to the sweetness while the chicken honey dijon sauce to the creaminess of the salad.

Some photo op with my BFFs at Italianni's. In between bites we digest our experiences and journey into the world of cosmetics, lovelife and other facets of human experiences...Incidentally, it is also a mini-despedida to Sheila who will be leaving for U.S. at the end of the month.

After a hearty merienda-con-dinner, we continue our stories and catching up @ Seattle's Best in 2nd level TriNoMa over desserts of cheesecake and carrot cake and a sip of mocha java and javakula...

We promised especially Marianne and I, whilst Sheila is in abroad that we will continue our catching up. We have been friends since elementary. Now I realize that we have grown up to be a better person...I also realize that friendship springs from the heart though you are near or far.

VANILLA FRAPUCINNO & BANOFFEE PIE

This is my favorite Starbucks experience. A cup of Vanilla Frapuccino (tall or grande) with banoffee pie.

This is the banoffee pie. I was craving for almost a month for this pastry. You can eat it alone or share it with a friend or family. The crust is made of crushed graham crackers. The filling is made of banana, melted chocolate and cream. It's definitely yummy and you can taste the chocolate as it melts in your mouth together with the banana and cream.

Banoffee pie with the fillings...cream, banana, traces of graham crackers and melted chocolate.

The vanilla frapuccino of Starbucks. I brought my card with me. I only need 2 stickers and I can claim my Starbucks 2010 planner.

Starbucks logo on my vanilla frapuccino drink...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

MY DATE WITH EDWARD AND JACOB

New Moon opened last November 20. I was fortunate to see it yesterday, December 5. I was able to read the book also. But what do we expect, the movie version is always different from the book. They only include the important points in the movie such as:

Edward leaving Bella in the woods

Jacob started to avoid Bella after the movie
Jacob's transformation to werewolf
Bella saving Edward from being executed by the Volturri
Bella decided to call a meeting with the entire Cullen family to discuss her future

I am definitely a team Edward. Of course for me, it should be Bella and Edward forever. Since Bella's love for Edward transcends the boundaries. She even wants to be a vampire to be with Edward forever. In the final scenes, she even offered herself to be a meal in exchange for Edward's life. She was only saved when Aro saw in a vision of Alice that Bella will become one of them someday...which is favorable to Bella.

The Volturri is also interested in Bella becoming a vampire. What with her special ability that the vampires could not read her thoughts, it is very interesting for the Volturri. In the latter part, her special ability will be one of her skills when she becomes a vampire.

Jacob Black is also a revelation. From a lanky teenager in Twilight, he became a bulky, beefed-up hunk. According to Bella, he is having some growth spurts, which is explained when the time comes for him to transform into a werewolf. For me, it's healthy for Bella to have Jacob, but only as a friend.

Because in the beginning, it was truly Edward and Bella. It's like their lives are parallel to Romeo and Juliet were one cannot live without the other.

New Moon is still showing at your local theaters. In the Philippines, the movie will only last for a month, no extensions...

BITE INTO THE BRIGHT SIDE

When I was in Grade School, one of my favorite local chocolate is Cloud 9.

Today, before going to the cemetery, we made a trip to the nearby 7-11 grocery. And I discover another Cloud 9 Chocolate Bar reinvented product. It's called Cloud 9 Monster Munch. It is a monster combo of wafer roll, caramel, chocolate cream and rice crispies in rich chocolate.

The chocolate is crunchy because of the rice crispies and wafer. But it is also chewy because of the caramel-flavored chocolate filled wafer roll. The wafer roll is covered with rice crispies and coated with milk chocolate.

I should say that I enjoy biting into the bright side of my new chocolatey discovery.

ALL SOUL'S DAY

It's been 6 years since my father passed away. Before we used to go to the cemetery every Saturday after he died. But as time flies by, every Saturday becomes once a month. Then, once a month becomes special occassion like All Soul's Day.

Before, we used to visit him on Halloween's Eve of October 31 till November 1 in the afternoon. But because of the throngs of people going to the cemetery, we decided to go today, November 2. Today is really a feast of the souls or All Soul's Day and it is but a fitting tribute to visit our deceased loved-ones. In my case, I was able to visit my dad, lola and lolo.

Change in schedule was also brought about by the rainy season. Our visit was cut short when it started to drizzle.

Upon going home, we were stuck in traffic. The drizzle became outpour of rain. And it is really nice to observe the ripple flowing at the windshield of our vehicle.

MY STARBUCKS ADDICTION

I love Starbucks.

I really do.

caption: this is me @ Starbucks, West Avenue Quezon City in 2006

Before I used to think that Starbucks is another imported coffee store from the U.S.

It was in 1999 when the first branch opened along the Makati area.

My dad used to bring Starbucks brochure made from earth-colored papyrus.

History of Starbucks including their best-selling coffee was printed on the brochure.

caption: me and my boss @ Starbucks, West Avenue. We have nothing to do but take pictures...

It is where friendships were formed.

...Stories were created.

...Solitude was embraced with a frapuccino or hot coffee.

I love Starbucks.

I love Vanilla Frapuccino.

I also tried other flavors.

But most importantly, I was able to claim their Starbucks diary.

And it all begins with ONE.