Just got home from my working weekend/holiday at Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay! It was quite ironic that we chose a place of relaxation to hold this workshop, but it wasn’t that hard to concentrate, especially if you’re with people who are really enthusiastic about this research. I’m so glad to finally meet the rest of the research team! I’m thankful that they’re not the usual bosses and superiors who look down on their employees; the ones I have are the friendliest people on earth, and they are super motherly! 

So we left our headquarters at around lunchtime yesterday, and dropped by Makati to eat. We tried this Swiss (I assume it’s Swiss because it’s called the Old Swiss Inn) restaurant hidden inside Somerset, to avoid the crowd in Ayala Triangle. I sat with my co-RAs Rosa and Hannah, as well as Ma’am Tibo, and the game plan was for each to order a dish and just leave it in the middle of the table so everybody can get (Trip to Jerusalem, dining table style!). 

Zurich Geschnetzeltes (also called “Zurich-something” because we can’t pronounce “Geschnetzeltes”)

Spaghetti with Bacon and Mushroom

Chicken Piccolata

Our bosses were kind enough to let us, the “young ones” to order dessert. Everything on the menu was fondue so we had fondue.

Chocolate Espresso Fondue

Apple Strudel

Banana Fritters

Told you it’s the perfect place to avoid the Ayala Triangle crowd. 

We arrived in Sonya’s Garden at around 5:00PM. License to wander around for an hour granted. And since the place is literally a garden, obligatory macro-photos of flowers follows.

These kids remind me that it’s my sunflower they’re planting along University Avenue right about this time of the year. :>

“Why, hello there! Welcome to our cottage! Have a seat.” 

Oh gosh, this is so grainy. 

Have I told you how ironic it is that we’re having a WORKshop in a very relaxing place? Right outside the entrance to the Sonya’s Sensuous Spa.

I feel like I’m in Thailand. 

Jesse loves seashells but these aren’t on the seashore. 

“Lights will guuuuiiiiddee you home, and igniiiiiiiite your bones, I will tryyyyy to fix you.”

This is soooo PONDS. Haha!

Had a four-course dinner at 6:00PM. I wasn’t able to take photos because there’s just too much going on on our table, and I can’t say I didn’t love it!

Reminded me of Hui Lau Shan, except there are flowers. 

Our cottage is called Fennel. Everyone, meet Fennel.

Goodbye huge and pretty cottage *cries*