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Cory's not done eating ....

"Why are there so many beef dishes?" remarked Garnet. And of course Bonnie just mooed, "Moo, moo!" The food was good and quite affordable. "It is like a Hawaiian barbecue," said latecomer Monina, who finished the Moo Moo rice that she hadn't planned on eating at first, together with the barbecued ribs with croquettes, some delicious crispy fish competely covered with sesame seeds (I cannot spell the name but I will make sure to get a menu, to get the name  right).The restaurant specializes in Korean and  Japanese grilled food.  But there is something for everyone: we tried the Kyu Tofu and Kimchi dumpling (however, not filled with Kimchi as we expected) for appetizers. Several bulgogis and the beef stew, too. We failed to order the barbecued vegetables and the grilled tuna/salmon belly which owner Mary Ann Cuenca Tinio (Sister-in-law of Vicky) had recommended after we were almost through eating; save it for another day. We had two kinds of salad in lettuce: a shrimp salad with a light curry sauce which Linda Du relished and the steak salad, which Cory really enjoyed since she complained when it was dished out. She refused to leave her place for picture taking since the waiters might take our her plate away. We ended the meal with some grilled pineapple (Did they grill this on an overly used grill?) and pancakes filled with mung bean paste and topped with mango ice cream. "Parang hopia with ice cream!"

Conversation on our side of the rectangular table went the range of the error of saving Angelo de la Cruz and Mad relating the justification of GMA (You mean the maids of the Bahrain prince were the ones responsible for saving him and we did not need to withdraw the medical team and suffer the ire of the international community?); whom did you vote for President (Lacson, Villanueva, I did not vote..American citizen, Indonesian citizen); exercises for body parts better left unmentioned but which are needed for health and incontinence prevention; how some were still able to do these exercises naturally (Who again?); to how  Marichi met her husband (in college, at U. P., of course a Filipino); but my favorite was Linda Du needling Garnet to accept a new prospect for a husband, who happens to be a relative of hers. "He is single, a mathematician, very clean (takes one hour baths), and sleeps with his mom."  You should have seen Garnet's face. Linda actually has good intentions, she wants so much to make Garnet a part of her family!  Linda says she joined Maryknoll in Grade Seven and since then has always been seated next to Garnet. See our pictures when they are uploaded! "I thought he has a girlfriend?" Only on weekends, is the rejoinder of Linda, so Monday to Friday, kay Garnet. Oh my! You have preserved it this long for a part time husband! No way!

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Cyn's and Monina's matching lipstick

Somewhere in the middle of the table, Cory was relating how husband Win is the one who was now eager to go to therapy. They go to UERM but Bonnie said they could go to St. Luke and use up her credits there. Mad was wondering what other credits Bonnie had that applied to her. Peach (You have an adorable granddaughter! exclaimed Marichi? From a handsome son, added Medy) listened amusedly to all the conversation happening around her... Mad on her left, Dido, Marichi, Cory, and Bonnie in front of her and to the right of her were the other girls Monina, Cynthia, Zelie, and Pipit who were carrying on their own conversations. (I still have to get feedback from Cynthia).  We needed a megaphone to share and to hear above the diners din ---  the place was full!

Dido and Zelie told of how they discovered they were second cousins in a Rotary club meeting as Dido was being introduced! Their lolos on the Segismundo side (Dido's mom) are brothers! No wonder they are always drawn together, added Dido. Mad and Cynthia are also cousins, and so are Grace Alfonso and Cynthia Alfonso, note the "Alfonso."

There was one of us here recently, Emmy Belen! Yes of course, she came for her sister's wedding. Bonnie and Edna were able to take her out for dinner last July 1, 2004.

Everyone could not help but notice how well groomed Dido was. "My hair feels so heavy Garnet! the gel you told me to put weighs a ton!" "But you look so neat," retorted the hair stylist, who herself had nary a strand of hair out of place, as usual. Dido looked so respectable, the tagalog word sounds better "kagalang-galang." Well, she makes sure (now that she is Governess) to always be properly dressed. She cannot afford to again accidentally bump into  a whole group of Rotary Ann's in her casual attire and "bad-hair day" hair. It was too embarrassing an experience.

We closed the restaurant at three! But not having enough of Marichi, there will be a sleepover tonight at Eppie's new house with Pipit and Linda Du. And on Wednesday, Cyn, Zelie, Bonnie and Medy plan to either go to visit her in Marichi mom's house in Ayala Alabang or crash in Bonnie's in Merville. More pictures to follow.