Travelog: Dining at Batik Asian Cuisine, Maryland!

I'm back. I'm well na. Thanks for those who prayed for me. I had an awesome weekend with my kids in Subic. I'll do a separate post for that.

Continuing my US travelog, I'm so proud of cousin-in-laws Henry & Emily Sy who owns/operate this restaurant called "Batik Asian Cuisine and Dumpling Bar". We stayed at their house with a huge backyard while we were in Maryland for 5 days. This is towards the end of our trip so we are just chilling and relaxed, took subways to go to DC.. etc.

This couple is super hardworking. Emily is in charge of all the recipes!! This girl is a superwoman.She formulated South East Asian Cuisine for this restaurant. She created the menu, location/interiors of the place/marketing/pricing and during business hours she transforms into a waitress! I love the Laksa and Beef Kway Teow!

that's Henry! hahaha

according to Emily, most of her decors came from Boracay, and provinces in Philippines

al fresco dining at the 2nd floor

We also met the chef.. forgot her name. Look at her strong hands!

and the FOOD!

If you're in the area of Gaithersburg, Maryland. You must go go go!

Eclectic Eve is Sick

I've been sick since Sunday, as I post this today. Sigh.

Saturday 8/13 I even went biking with DH and MG

Sunday 8/14 I ran the Chinabank Run 90th Anniversary at Mckinley Hills and did 9km at a very hilly course. The same day we had a small party in Makati. 2pm I started to feel pain in the head/bones.

When I got home at 4.30pm, My temp is 39.5!!!

Fast forward, today is already Wednesday, already took 3 separate blood test for Dengue/CBC platelet count. My Platelets looks good. THANK GOD.

But I still have reoccurring fever when Advil wears off; so what kind of bug is this??? I'm really hoping and praying that I'll get better tomorrow.. Please Lord, My HEALER. I am so looking forward to be out of town with my kids this Friday-Sunday.

Please pray for me. I'm already taking antibiotics. I'm not used to this, It's the first having fever for this long!!




Thanks :)

Travelog Day 11: Smithsonian Museum Of Natural history

Today we went to Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I believe this is where they filmed the funny movie "Night At The Museum".

Most of the Museums at Washington DC charges no entrance fee. It's FREE.

I'll let the pictures do the talking and you'll see how history has evolved through the centuries, although i disagree that dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.. I believe they existed during Noah's time and got killed during the flood.  

My favorite part in this museum.. The Harry Winston Gallery!!

My very first time to see the biggest blue diamond..

The HOPE DIAMOND!

 45.52 Carat

and feast your eyes on these gigantic jewelries of the nobles and royalties..

and finally the minerals gallery..

About Spinel

Spinel is a beautiful gemstone that comes in many colors. One of the colors that is the most sought after is the fiery Red or Ruby-like red. A beautiful spinel can become pricey because of its color.

One of the famous spinel can be found at the Crown of the British Imperial State, worn many times by Queen Elizabeth!

My hardworking client Ms. LUC loves red spinels!.

She asked me to make a ring for her, using this 3.51 Carat Natural Intense Red Spinel.

My usual process is to make a sketch design..

She loved the idea.. so she said "go, make it for me!"


And this is how the ring came out... please look at it in all angles!

I'm so happy she was extremely ecstatic!!

What's New!

Without further ado...

a beautiful Cognac Brown diamond cocktail ring..

Travelog Day 10: NYC + Washington DC

Don't hate me for the super delay continuation of my US travelog :)

I've been really busy.

I have a real job to do.. being a Wife and Mother is really a priority and I do this job DAILY, and for the rest of my life.. I'm not complaining! It was actually a joy to serve my family. It's just that my eldest is already in Grade school, and being enrolled in a traditional school, the load is quite overwhelming for me. Until I surrender,  I've committed to tutor him myself :) Then I have my work, deadlines to meet; then I try to really squeeze in my workout whether it be running in Polo Field or Swimming. Then I have to rush back to cook and feed the kids. Tuck the kids to sleep then i have some free time to blog or catch up with my reading..

Anyway, back to regular programming!

Day 10 was again a free day in New York and we just go full blast shopping today!!! Obviously we have taken few pictures only because we're all panicking. It's our last day in NYC! In the afternoon we took a bus going to back to DC. These are some that are worth sharing though..

The Hollister shop in SoHo and these are the male models standing in their store front, alluring the passers-by, including 'us'!! Hahaha

I just had to go to Ed Hardy Store.. the guys got scared of the price tags LOL!!!  So they just goof around and pose for pictures while I was in the dressing room.

After all the last minute shopping, it was time so we went back to the Hotel, got our luggage and started to walk the streets of Manhattan to the Bus terminal. Little did we know it was 13 blocks away!!! Super walking exercise for all of us. 

We took the Bolt Bus. It was a 4 hour ride from New York straight up to Washington DC Chinatown Area. For only $17! It was such a good deal. The bus has free wifi too! Such a service only for a 1st world country.

We arrived dead tired... We all slept like snoring hens that night.

Tomorrow, it's Museum time at DC!