8th year Anniversary
This is to be an errand and day off for both Kevin and I. Our first trip was to the Bureau of Immigration offices to pay for Kevin's visa extension. We got there at 8am but he was told, again, that the process would not be completed until 4PM.
While waiting for him, I had to find a parking spot and a bathroom. Oh, there's a Shell Station around the building. Walking to it, I passed this street urchin pan handling. I started to walk faster. Hmm, he's walking faster, too. Okay, now I am really gaining speed. Ah, thanks to this other guy in a business casual outfit that passed me, the street urchin finally gives up and chases after him. After all, I was wearing my flip-flops (Doc Martens), khaki shorts (Gap) and polo shirt (Levi's), and the other guy was wearing tailored pants, tailored long sleeve shirt and Italian style shoes. Aha, even the kid knows how to discriminate based on fashion. Into the Shell Station, asked for a key.
This Shell Station is almost at the corner of Gil Puyat Ave. and Pres. Roxas Blvd. It's a gorgeous spot for a gas station, I suppose as it's closest to a major intersection. The employees all proudly wore their uniforms, greeted me as I walked in. No "Mumsir" here, just a polite "Good morning, sir. Welcome to Shell." Looking around, I noticed the usual Helix Oil (in different sizes), windshield cleaners, air fresheners, and, wait a minute. What is this? A batter liquid re-fill?
Moving along, I noticed two hotdogs tumbling along in this almost new hotdog warmer. I started to look for the buns, condiments, etc. to make me one. Quickly, the receptionist jumps into action and makes me one. "Mayonaise, sir?" "How about ketchup?" "For a while, sir. Five minutes only." Five minutes? For hotdogs? What is she about to do, deep fry them? Bake hotdog buns? Hmmm.
Kevin is texting me that he is almost out the door of the Bureau. I quickly respond back that he could meet me at the Shell Gas Station out back. As he walks in, the hotdogs were handed to me on a serving platter all neatly wrapped and a side of ketchup saschet. Two of them. No relish. No mustard. Just the way I like my hotdogs.
On this three foot diameter bar height table was a neat napkin dispenser. The receptionist asked us for our drink orders. Hmm. How about an apple juice drink for me, and an orange juice drink for Kevin.
I was about to ask for our check, when I realized that this IS a gas station. We are in the convenience store. And, there are three service receptionist in neat uniforms inside this convenience store. As we walk out, I could only but mention how that experience was the best experience I've ever had in a convenience store gas station in my life. And, that it is in the Philippines!
Oh no! Here come the street urchin. He saw Kevin and is heading straight at him. Never mind that Kevin is wearing jeans and a shirt. He is also wearing Crocs. Never mind that he is walking as fast as a 340lb man can. This kid is really after him because Kevin is white.
So, to continue with our anniversary celebration, we went on to a spa. Then, lunch at Resort World close by was great. There was even an antique car show that we briefly enjoyed. A Ford Model T, an old Jaguar, an old Duke of Hazards muscle car. There were others, but it was time for us to move along.
Shopping at Mall of Asia was a breeze this time. It was a Monday after all. The usual mob of shoppers were not around on a Monday, I thought. As we turned the corner, there was a sea of people walking along. It would seem that they were not shoppers after all. They were attending the G12 seminar. It is an evangelical convention of sorts which started out from Bogota, Columbia.
Kevin ends up finding the man purse he's been looking for. Finally! A great functional piece with the right amount of space and it's in black. Much easier to match, clothes wise. I also found the casual dress shoe I've been looking for. I've always wanted a darker pair in brown but could never find the right on in the US. Yeah, most shoes nowadays are made in China. This was no exception. But then, so are the good name brands like Nike, Adidas, Cole-Haan. Yes, Cole Haan now has shoes made in China, too. Oh, and finally. We found replacement wallets. This shop even offered free bad coffee. It was even served on a ceramic plate. Ah, but then it was in a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam.
Dinner and movie. Of course. Movie was Breaking Dawn Part 1: The Twilight Saga. And, dinner was at Yakimix. Kevin and I decided never to go back at a Yakimix after our terrible first experience with the gang last July. Here we are walking all over Mall Of Asia undecided. So, finally, as we reached the end of the mall, there was Racks with hardly anyone or Yakimix with a ton of people. I guess a ton of people couldn't all be wrong. I am mistaken. And so are the rest of them.
This location was spacious, but we were just too bored at what they had to offer. I even took a plateful of sashimi and cooked them on the grill just to be safe. LOL. The sashimi chef must have been appalled if he saw this.
As we drove home, I realized that our adopted dog, Bogart, was not going to have bones to chew on this time. Oh well, there are still lots of kibbles for him.
Happy Anniversary to us! It's been 8 years and we are loving every minute of it, sometimes.