Every year the Toque Blanche Lyonnaise organizes a Fete just beginning of the summer season. This is attended by all the members of the Rhone Alpes Region but majority of the members are from Lyon and the banleiu. As Bruno has been a member for almost a year now, we went with fellow colleagues from the restaurant business and our respective children.

The venue is set on this massive and beautiful House of Beaujolaise where they produce wine. The house sits on top of the hill connecting the house of the owner in a typical beaujolaise style.

The interior is made of wood with high ceiling. Its mainly used for wine tasting. The second floor can be rented for weddings and other special occassions.

The caterers were excellent. There was an amazing mix of cold and hot food. For aperitif, i had a banana smoothie mixed with mango bits. Fingers food are also notably present, very stylishly displayed. My favourite was taramasalata in blinis and the gazpacho tomate with brochette of vegetables.

For starters ( sorry i forgot to take some pics ) , i had brochette of chicken bbq, nems, siomai, tabouleh, jambon cru and melon and potato salad. I was so hungry that i almost forgot theres still the bbq for the main course.

For Main Course, a barbecue grill was set-up. Heavily manned by the chef’s on uniform from La Bourse.

I had gambas, porc and lamb barbecue with legumes and jacket potatoes.

I skipped the fromage as i want to save some space for the assortiment of dessert, which i find exciting.

I had first the fromage blanc, topped with seasonal fruits of raspberries and blueberries, creme fraich and sugar. Then the macaron lyonnaise, ice cream (pistache, vanille and mango), and last…des gateux.

Kids were entertained indoors. Mascots were provided, magicians, face painting, baloon making, parlour games and a bit of outdoor activity.

Louis played and enjoyed a lot. He was all the time with partner in crime Maxence Rigal. ( Dad is 1 star Michen Chef Laurent, whose also Godfather to our baby Benjamin)

I was stomach full today….no more space for dinner. We had a great time and will miss this occassion next year. Around 5 pm we all left as the dark clouds starts to form.

“I’ll let nature take its own course“, On Louis not knowing how to write his name

Update: Two days ago, he showed me a paper with his name written on it although with an inverted “S”.

“ If you do that again, ill buy you a one way ticket to the Philippines and live with Rosing for the rest of your life “, On Louis (again), accidentally locking our apartment door behind us, with no key,leaving poor baby Benjamin crying in his baby chair, ALONE.

“ Suman is Rice, its Carbs “, On telling Tita Lyd to stop eating Suman with Mango.

” When you wake up everyday, always do and think positive things”  On one of our waiters diagnosed with HIV +

” Post the pics” , On Kookie to post the goddamn delayed pics from Mena Awards

“ You dont look skinny at all, it doesnt do any justice, Honestly! “, On cousin Dutch buying and wearing a Gap Skinny Jeans.

“Is that my Zuhair Murad Top? “ On Kookie (again) , knicking my one and only hi street designer buy.

“Godspeed”, On Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Bid.

“ The one thing Dubai did me good “, On exchanging my UAE drivers license to the French one.

Since Spring season came about 3 weeks ago, the weather has obviously dramatically changed. Yes, people like me enjoy when the sun is out and about, kids go the park, family picnics and do normal outdoor activities. 3 weeks ago also was the seasonal Spring holiday for all the schools (private and public) and most of the time it also includes all the government and private sector. The downside is that when its the “vacance scolaire”, ALL Business and i mean ALL including the restaurants and shops are not that busy. Simply because the city dwellers are off the countryside and enjoy the scenery and the grennery. I can understand.

What really pisses me off in this country is the amount of school holidays there are that is why businesses like us gets affected. Imagine this;

October = 1 week for the Autumn holiday

November= 1 week for the All Saints/All Souls/Holloween Week

December = 2 weeks for the Christmas break

February = 2 weeks Winter holiday

April = 2 weeks Spring holiday

Summer = first week of July till end of August ( 8 weeks)

You do the maths and calculate the amount of time off’s these kids gets. This doesnt include the fact that the normal school calendar is 4 days a week. Meaning they get 1 day rest which is Wednesday. If you have a son like mine , Louis aged 4 and half, who is uber active, you go mad! They need activities from sun up to sun down. So u can imagine working parents like us, who works more than 12 hours a day, its most likely ill end up knackered at the end of the day.

Need i say more?

Gosh, i havent written a blog since last month. Been terribly busy not to mention a bit sick due to change of Season.

Last week was terribly hot, i mean by European standard, 26 degrees for the beginnning of Spring is already awfully tres chaud. My 3 month old son, Benjamin is starting to burn up a little bit, and i sometimes miss putting a sun-block with strong SPF when we go out. Louis on the other hand is quite ok. He loves the sun and outdoor activities are a must for this uber hyper 4 year old. So every night, before bedtime he needs to have his ‘piscine”, meaning he wants some bubble bath. I really dont like this kiddies bath, not to mention very messy with water flowing everwhere on the floor, he takes aaaages to finish.

Today, it was very hot and since its the Bank Holiday, Again. We went to the park with friends of ours who also has kids the same age as Louis. It was a blast, we had picnic and stayed there the whole afternoon. It almost felt like Sunday. We went home around 5ish and the boys just dropped off straight to bed.

What a sweaty day!

Whilst watching Fashion TV dutifully, i stumbled upon a Filipino Designer named Alan Del Rosario of Bow & Arrow. His 2008 Fall Collection was well recieved by the critics. I mean, im not an expert myself, but i think the combination of black with touch of pink colours add spice and cuteness to the outfit.

Whatcha think….?

After my last  post,  I have been having reflections and getting at least even random ideas on what to post next. Like every blogger, Im having a writers block (apologies dear readers) . Or. IM.JUST.BEING.LAZY .TO.WRITE.

Anyhoo, in no particular order;

1-      When I was about 5 years old, I told my parents “You don’t love me anymore” phrase, when my Dad hit me with a leather belt in my derriere because I broke his very expensive calculator.

2-      My dad used to take us out for lunch in a fancy restaurant and I thought “were rich”, but instead, my brother and I later found out, my dad was seeing his “secret mistress” named Olivia who is the owner of the same place.

3-       I had a pure breed white dog Boxer called “Blanche”. We had her adopted when my family moved to France. She’s now living happily in Devon.

4-      I am the exact carbon copy of my father, whom I idolize so much. We speak, walk, think and talk on the same manner.

5-      I saw a dying man in an emergency room “live”in front of my very eyes in 1986 in Luneta during a rally, which led to number ……..

6-      My childhood dream is to become a doctor.

7-      I was born in my grandparent’s (fathers side) ancestral house by a midwife.

8-      I hate my first name, but soon later realized, my name is quite unique….but still hate it.

9-      I wish my name is Madeleine.

10-   I stole a book of fancy stickers in a bookstore and was caught by the security, but the management let me off the hook coz  I was underage. Phewwww. What Luck! With no mugshot.

11-   I drank my first bottle of San Mig smoke my inhaled my first ciggy in my classmates house named Marie (because they own a sari-sari store) singing  the karaoke version of “Crazy for You” by Madonna.

12-   My favourite brand of cigarette was Marlboro Lights. “Was”…. I quit smoking ages ago.

13-   I went to a protestant school during grade school to my father’s wish, and went to an all girls private catholic school in high-school to my mother’s desire.

14-   All my aunt nicknamed me “Maruja”…. That I can’t even talk about….

15-   My childhood first crush is our next door neighbor called Miyong.

16-   I wish I have long and lean legs, flawless , blemish free, nicely tanned, not photoshopped and insured for 10 million pounds. NOT dollars.

17-   Many years ago, my brother and I snuck out of the house only to watch the Bon Jovi concert with a stolen ticket.

18-   There was a lot of competition and comparison amongst me and my cousins when I was a kid. Hated it ! Big time. Blame my family.

19-   Like every girls hobby, I kept a diary. With padlock. And burned it after. Hahahaha.

20-   My first date was a disaster. He turned up the day after. He never became my boyfriend.

21-   I went home one day, with a guy named Ernest. My first boyfriend. My mom asked one question. Which province is he from? I replied with a wrong answer. We lasted for a month.

22-   Motorola Flip Tack ( the thick one) was my first ever mobile phone. Circa 1996.

23-   I don’t like love letters, I find them corny.

24-   I practiced kissing on a wall and pillow.

25-   Im a sucker for beach and sun but hates having a tan.

26-   I collect designer sunglasses.

27-   If I die, I don’t want to suffer. I don’t want a mess. I want a fancy make up all my MAC cosmetics.

28-   I dreamt of being a super celebrity, flying on private jets, loads of body guards and staff (i.e. hairdresser, masseuse, make up artist, a designer dog, shoe polisher, personal assistant and stylist.) LOL. As IF.

29-   I don’t like condoms.

30-   I never liked drugs, never took them. NOT even hash/weed.

31-   My all time favourite teen movie is “Secret Admirer” which starred  C. Thomas Howell, Kelly Preston and Lori Loughlin.

32-   I want to open a boutique and design children’s clothes.

33-   I wore braces from 1986 to 1991. I look really weird and geeky.

34-   My motto in life is: “Road less travelled are avenues not explored”.

35-   My handwriting changed many times through the years.

36-   I used to belong to the top 10 during my 4^th – 6^th grade.

37-   “Justice and Education” authored by Carlos P. Romulo, was my oratorical  piece recital during my 5^th grade. Which I won a gold medal. Weeee-hooooo !

38-   One of my favourite poem is “Anabel Lee”by Edgar Allan Poe.

39-   When I was 22, I told my mother im leaving our house after university, fearing that I would die poor and a looser in my own country.  I left the year after. Now, that is GUTS.

40-   I hate when people moan and winge to me about their problems. They are sooooo NEGA. I suggest reading “The Secret”.

41-   I’m fascinated by the lives of Millionaires/Billionaires.

42-   I had a fistfight with my brother during my teen years. Wrong Move. It really hurts.

43-   I will bitchslap you if you asked  and drag me to prayer meeting.

44-   Don’t ask, discuss, attempt and win me to change my religion to another . It’s such a sensitive topic for me and I respect all other denominations.

45-   I want to become a successful, famous and well respected Travel Journalist. But hates Richard Quest from CNN Traveller.

46-   I speak three languages: 1- my native and mother tongue 2- English 3- French

47-   Flashback 1980’s, I donned the fashion and latest: One length hairstyle, White distressed Tretorn rubber shoes, Vans, K-Swiss, Benetton bag, Esprit Bag, Guess Jeans and Lacoste T-Shirt.

48-   I have 1 gift together for my birthday and Christmas. Sucks. Why was I born in December?

49-   I’m such a mess with money, finances. That’s why I leave it up to the hubby.

50-   I was half pissed when I met my husband. My eyeballs were rolling and I think I “hicked”. !

51-   A packet of Marlboro Lights, Coca-Cola cans and toast bread were stored in my small fridge during my Bridget Jones days.

52-   I sing in the shower! Don’t ask!

53-   If I bump into Chris John Valenzona? I will laugh at him? Why? That bastard cried his eyeballs out when I took home the “medal dór” for our declamation contest. His “mother” and also our 6^th grade English teacher walked out during the awarding ceremony, protesting that his “looser son” at least deserved a bronze. Yah, he didn’t even had one. LOL.

54-   I used to memorize the Novena Booklet during Wednesday’s mass.

55-   My grandmother only passed away few hours after I spoke to her on the phone. I was her favourite grand-daughter. She was waiting for me.

56-   I like talking to people who are intellectually challenging, interesting, humorous, deep, politically correct, sensational, controversial and holy.

57-   I will choose Buddhism, if I were to change another religion.

58-   I want to have a GAY BFF, like every real girls dream.

59-   I always thought that having cute/handsome/loaded boyfriend was enough for a husband material.

60-   I hate men/guys when they “Oh I forgot my wallet/let’s divide this by four of us/I only have 20 bucks with me/Is it my turn?. In short. I hate cheapskates. Such a turn off ! Why some men are like that?

61-   During high-school, I had three CORRUPT  teachers namely  The Stick Thin Mrs. Garganera, The Gigantic Miss Fortune and The Disgustingly Accented Mrs. Pedro. They would ask gifts from students like me (who fails in their subject) in return for a passing mark.  Shame on YOU Lay-dees !

62-   When I cook, I usually don’t put salt, not unless its baking , which requires for it.

63-   I get rashes and allergies around my mouth when I eat shrimps, unless its grilled and dipped in shallots and vinegar.

64-   My face turns really red when I drink even a small amount of alcohol. I puke afterwards.

65-   My high-school retreat was an embarrassing nightmare. My bestfriend “P” knew I had this huge crush on my neighbor which happens to be my batch-mate named Eric. During one of our activities, we were asked to read a letter given by someone. The  GIT sent a love letter tackily inserted in a test-tube whilst bestfriend “P”read hers. I was gutted!  I had teardrops in my eyes and run away in the girls loo sobbing over very a rough toilet rolls.Embarassing.

66-   I love watching action, horror, romance and intellectually appealing movies. I hate sci-fi and American type cowboy ones.

67-   I LUUUURRRVVEEE FOOD ! Id like to go to fancy restaurants and indulge myself until I vomit myself. Joke!

68-   I want to be interviewed by some famous journo but in a celebrity channel i.e. MTV

69-   I love going to Job Interviews specially if the one interviewing me is good at his/her job. I love intellectually challenging and out of this world questions.  It makes your brain work.

70-   I watch FASHION TV Everyday, imagining myself as either  1- one of the models on the catwalk, pouting, posing and papped 2- seated in the front row next to Devilla Wintour 3- A Pap 4- A gatecrasher.

71-   I want  Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and George Chakra to design my dream wedding gown.

72-   Menudo !  I went gah-gah with this 80’s boyband. I collected their tapes and memorized their songs by heart. Ewwww

73-   My casual daily outfit are as follows: Skinny Jeans or Dark Blue Perfect Fit Denim, Ballet Pumps or White Converse Sneakers, Leather Jacket or Normal Jacket (Depending on Season)

74-   I prefer going to Asian Restaurants which are casual chic dining.

75-   I haven’t baked a perfect cake, bread, cookies and anything that involves baking.

76-   I miss my grandmother’s home cooking terribly. Even my Mom cant beat it ! (hi Mother)

77-   I used to be very religious, but having travelled and lived in different countries, I kinda opened my eyes to everything.

78-   I lived in four different countries.

79-   Humbly speaking… I am well admired by my cousins. They look up to me so much. I wonder why ????

80-   After my university graduation, my three friends and I responded to an advert in a newspaper which read “Earn Money the Easy Way” and got hooked by it. We went for the interview and passed, then they told us to attend a training session which we did and lasted for 3 days. On the third day, we were told to sell encyclopedias. Hell-ow !  Thank God I left on the last day.

81-   I was in tears when I sold my first ever car.

82-   I lend quite a huge amount of money to my childhood bestfriend to pay off her massive debts. We don’t speak to each other anymore. Lesson # 1  Don’t let money get in the way.

83-   Dad’s seen with a baby pushchair are quite attractive ( sans the milk spillage spots in shirts)

84-   Im scared for my life and says a little prayer when my sister drives. She’s a complete nightmare.

85-   I love doing laundry.

86-   Manicures and Foot Spa Pedicures are my major weakness, ive spent a fortune on it.

87-   Who doesn’t love shoes, shoes, shoes ! NOT Me.

88-   I attended student rally’s when I was in the University. Obviously I was anti-student government.

89-   I was a Contributing Writer for my College Newspaper. I mostly covered Student Parties.

90-   I played volleyball during grade school and member of my University Swimming Team.

91-   I still read newspaper from back to front, unless its OK, Hello, Heat etc.

92-   It would be nice to meet the NOW dead and famous i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Dutch Frazier (wait ! Did he die or something ) LOL

93-   I don’t understand why people collect stamps. They are sooo boring.

94-   I usually brush my teeth whilst walking around the house.

95-   I saw my grade school crush in my University Campus (not knowing he was in the same school ) and became my first boyfriend.

96-   I want to travel the world alone and explore different cultures, time and money permitting.

97-   Up to this writing, im still watching “The Devil Wears Prada” and  will soon memorize the goddamn movie.

98-   I secretly found out that my brother was smoking weed and gave him dirty looks after.

99-   I told some of my close friends that my sister ate her own poo when she was few months old. Hahahahah.

100-                       I wish people will write their comments when they read this and I will be forever grateful . PLEASE !

This for my Spring Outfit !

I saw this silhouette in Massimo Dutti recently, i kinda like the cool get-up but might add a light long scarf to it.

What do u think ?

Me, tying a ribbon around the bouquet of flowers.

“Mum, im going to carry this bouquet of flowers to school myself, okey? “

Me: Okey, no problem. But why can’t papa hold it for you?

“No its me , because i will give this to Sophia, because i will marry her ! “

……..that was my son Louis, age 4, wants to marry his pretty classmate named Sophia….awwwww..

Friday, March 21st…Good Friday.

12 noon  . My mobile phone rang. I answered it.

Me:  ( local number ). Oui haloo. Quai ? Oui….ah…excusez moi, je completement oubliez! Je suis tres  desolee. Uhmm. Dáccord.

Oui, ces’t possible. Dáccord, 60 rue Vauban. Dáccord, merci , je arrive tout d’suite.

(Translation: Yes, hello. Yes . What? Oh, excuse me, i completely forgot about it. ! Im really really sorry. Okey. Yes. its possible. Okey. 60 Rue Vauban. Okey, im coming immediately.)

That was Louis’ teacher calling. Its Good Friday. Half day. I completely forgot to pick him up from school.

And how was your day? 

This is dedicated to all my friends… gay or NOT gay and soon to be Gay…

enjoy..
xxx M