Weekend Recap: Meeting a Burger I Did Not Like

Well Happy Monday to ya! I think most everyone I know seems to be happy that this week is a short week. Thanksgiving HERE WE COME! But guys, I take that happy cake.... my fellow teachers and I are off for the whole week....I know I know, we are lucky sons of you know whats. I am loving every minute of it!

This weekend was full of new happenings. First up, I got a new do'. It was about time, too. I was starting to look a little crazy lady there. After I snapped this picture, I was so embarrassed with myself. Talk about letting myself go in the scalp! I haven't had a haircut in over a year!

Good job, Joanna for FINALLY getting a haircut...it's boring...but it'll do.

Moving on....

After playing with my hair for most of the day (so soft) hubs and I went on a double date with my Kuya and Katrina. We went to one of my favorite burger joints!

Their burgers are a step up from fast food burgers, but a step down from gourmet burgers. I love their meat and buns. Rawr!

I also appreciate their amazing condiment and produce station! Build it and they will come. 

Tell me that these stations aren't awesome opossum!

I opted for the Swiss and mushroom burger and it was nummy for my tummy.

Hubs went with a regular bacon cheeseburger and wanted to show off the salt and pepper shakers apparently. He's odd sometimes.

Kuya and Katrina were more daring and got different kinds of meats. I was surprised to see Katrina got an Elk Burger! That's surprising because 99.9% of her meals have only chicken. She's what we'd call a picky eater. But, luckily she's not those picky eaters that I hate...she actually tries things that we offer her no matter how weird they are. Kudos, Katrina! (My Kuya can be very odd. too. Him and Hubs get along just fine.)

I'm the type that would try everything once and I bravely tried the Elk Burger. I immediately spit it out. WHAT? I spit out a burger? I must be out of my mind!! But, I just couldn't stand the gamy taste. ::shivers:: This might go on my list... you know, my food foes list.

After our trip to burger town, we decided to go to what I like to call, Grown-up Chuck E. Cheese!

Dave and Busters is a place where adults can drink their fancy cocktails, eat their fancy chicken strips, and play their fancy race car games. It's a dream, really. 

We danced...like idiots.

We played trivia...like idiots. (Nothing makes your feel worse than not knowing trivial facts that everyone in the world seems to know.)

And then, I found my new favorite game!! FRUIT NINJA! HIYA!

I spent about $10 $20 playing this bad boy! It's super addicting. I mean....it has food AND I'm a ninja for the day! It's a filipino foodie's dream game!

And the best part about Dave and Busters is that you get TICKETS for real prizes! Hubs and I had enough for a blender...no lie.... but we decided to hold out for something better. I have my eye on one of those Chinese thumb trap thingys.

It was a fantabulous weekend! But the thing that made it better was knowing that I don't have work for a whole week! HIYA!!!



I Got Shaved

Monday...grrrr....

I hope you all had a great weekend! I sure did, you know, because the world didn't end.

Truth be told, I was a bit scaredy cat about it. I am a Christian and I know that I shouldn't be scared, but when everyone is yappin' about it...I can't help but feel a bit anxious. Heck, there was even a man who said that he was going to euthanize all his pets when the rapture came. Yes, I understand he was probably a crazy koo-koo, but that still put a twinge of anxiety in me. I gave Sonic an extra BIG HUG that day. 

In the meantime, Hubby and I went on another Double Date adventure with Ed and Kristin! We went to stroll around Old Town Pasadena to find a place for dinner.

Our adventure included: Getting lost ::cough:: boys fault ::cough::

People trying to convert us into Scientology...

And finally, finding a new place to dine.

Bar Celona- Tapas Restaurant.

It was a small, eclectic place with different types of people. That's always a good sign.

The boys started with a couple of Spanish Beers, while I settled for a glass of White Sangria.

THEN, it was time for the food....amazing food...unique food...and flavorfully fun food.

Garlic Shrimp....Tangy goodness



Pork Croquetas... Grenade of flavor



Short Rib Empanada- Yum Bomb



Serrano Ham- Delicate but flavor kick to the buds



Spanish Flatbread with THREE types of Sausage. BOOM.

THE GRAND FINALE...the one that made us food-gasm all the way home...

Braised Pork Belly. PERIOD.

This pork belly was incredibly tender, flavorful, and that creamy egg BLEW MY MIND! It sat on top of shredded brussel sprouts, heirloom tomatoes, and bacon, all drizzled with a balsamic sauce. I can't put into words how superb this dish was. I mean, I used the word SUPERB! That should tell you something.

After this masterpiece of a meal, we got shaved. All of us. At the same time.

Shaved Ice Truck. Need I say more? Check out this glorious menu.

It's nothing like a snow cone...the ice is shaved so much finer than that and the syrups aren't too sweet. It was JUST LIKE HAWAII!

The prices are amazing...and as it should be...it's only ICE and JUICE! Ludacris!

I chose  half Tiger's Blood (Pina Colada-ish), half Orange Dreamsicle with sweet cream on top, and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on the bottom.  I ran the morning after... no worries.

But Ed won with this amazing creation.

 Two pillowy soft Macadamia Cookies hugging Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. It was the best ice cream sandwich we've ever tasted. We voted that.

• How was your weekend? Tell me one good thing.
• Have you ever been to a Tapas restaurant?
• Fan of Shaved Ice?

Tapas and Toe Cramps

Got ALOT done this week. I even spent time with some friends and family.

Things to do while on Vacation:
-Get my car serviced
-Go to Social Security Office to change my name
-Exercise/train for my run<---- if I could lightly cross this out...it would be more appropriate and honest.
-Acquire about a new career move <----can't wait to blog about it...if it happens

Can you tell what I'm dressed as?

BUT, the other shoe dropped, making it impossible to do anything.

I thought it was a toe cramp...you know, the one where your ring toe spasms and a shooting pain disables your body for a quick second. It's kind of funny to me when it happens because I feel like a total FREAKAZOID!!!

But, Mister Toe Cramp decided to stick around for hours and hours to oblige me with his pain. OH the pain.
I went to the Doctor and she said I strained a ligament in my foot, gave me some strong meds, and a fashionable boot :::sarcastic sarcastic::

They were kind enough to give me the boot in black so that it is SURE to match with all of my outfits...shnazzy.

Dear 5K that is scheduled this Saturday,
Hey there friend. I'm sure you heard from my blog that I am injured. No need to send treats (unless you want to), I will be ok. I feel bad for flaking on you YET AGAIN, but rest assured that I will be meeting you the second I can run again. Thanks for understanding...you're the best.
Love, Joanna 'Gimpy' Limpperson.

::Le sigh::
I'm sad because T and I have been working so hard...luckily I was able to spend time with her and her hubs another way.....DOUBLE DATE! (3 in one week? There must be some kind of award for this?)

Viva Madrid: Downtown Claremont


This is one of my favorite places. The atmosphere is incredible. You feel like you're smack dab in the middle of the streets of Madrid. I love the chill and social ambiance of this place, which is sprinkled by Spanish music to make you feel totally engulfed by the experience. It is a bit cramped, but to rub elbows with complete strangers is totally acceptable here.

 Excuse the lighting...but look how bang-a-rang this menu is!! I'm talkin' length wise. A full page of glorious tapas. I'll have a number 2, 37, and 589 please.

**On a side note... this is my  co-worker  SLASH running buddy SlASH  homie fo' life...T.

She said she wouldn't run....and now she's running faster and better than I am...jerk.
She said she wouldn't want to be pictured on my blog....fail.
She said she wouldn't clean my house every Tuesday and Thursday... pending.

I love ya T! You're fun...period. Mr. T... you're fun too!

Ok, back to Tapas...
We had 3 rounds of gloriousness.

Round ONE- FIGHT!
-Pan con Tomate, Mushrooms stuffed with chorizo, bacon wrapped dates, asparagus with serrano ham, Empanada de pollo, chicken skewers

Round 2-GO!
Halibut in herbed carrot juice, chorizo stuffed squid, Fried shrimp with garlic aioli, Fried calamari, bacon wrapped dates, saffron rice, beef stew

Round 3- Finish HIM!
Chocolate Wipeout and Keylime pie

This place is delicious. Go, you'll thank me later with a hug...and if you need someone to go with, I'm free. Don't worry, I'll make time.

Tell me readers, 
What is your FAVORITE restaurant to take someone?