Smart Driving School

 

with Sir Clifford and Bebang, the Altis



A week ago, I enrolled for a Beginner's Course in Smart Driving School. For beginners with no driving experience at all they require a minimum of 10 hours of lessons. The requirements are a student permit from LTO and the payment, of course. I paid P4,300 for the lessons and the secretary, Shayne, and I drafted my schedule. I planned to have an hour a day of lesson. I'm hesitant to have 2 hours of lesson in one day, worried that my feet would hurt or get tired. 

In their list of offered courses, there is a SMART course which is more expensive than the regular lessons. Shayne told me that the SMART course allows the student to select the instructor or the vehicle to drive. I thought it was impractical and just a waste of money.

I was excited on my first day and nervous. I read a forum wherein some students were not able to learn how to drive even after going to a driving school. I hoped I won't experience the same. The first lesson was all lecture. The instructor and I sat inside the car as he explained the different functions of the pedals, gears, etc. I "drove" for about 5 minutes or so. I went home feeling great that I learned these different parts but disappointed also that I wasn't able to drive longer.

Second day came and I had another instructor, Sir Clifford Manimtim. His supervisor was with us during the lesson. Sir Clifford let me drive the car! Woohoo! I told him that I didn't do that the day before and he said I should've done so. He was very patient and kept my fears at bay. Booo to my first instructor whom I shall not name.

I was ecstatic after my second-but-should-be-first day of driving lesson. I thought about upgrading my lessons to the SMART course so I can pick Sir Clifford to teach me everytime. It would cost more but I would not risk letting another not-so-good instructor in my driving lessons. I humbly ate what I said about the impracticality of choosing your instructor. For me, it's better than having a different instructor everyday. Having the same instructor means he knows your day-to-day progress. :)

It was a good decision that I upgraded my lessons. Sir Clifford thought me alot about defensive driving and he wasn't selfish about sharing his knowledge on the road. He made me feel at ease while driving, boosted my confidence and he even cracks jokes.

I finished my 10-hour lessons in 8 days. I recommend having 2-hour lessons a day (I did it one Saturday). It may seem too much for a beginner to be behind the wheel but true to Shayne's advice, 1 hour lesson is short to fully enjoy it.


SMART Driving School
St. Francis Square Mall
Tel.# 631-1663
http://www.smartdrivingph.com/

Ba Nois

Ba Nois is a small Vietnamese restaurant, accomodating less than 100 guests, tucked in Perea St., Makati. I have a group buying discount voucher for a four-course meal for two. I paid around P450 for the voucher.

After shopping, we used the footbridge to go to Ba Nois. We rarely go to Makati and I was afraid of getting lost and looking like a fool. As we walked to the end of the footbridge, I realized that we are in Perea St. Yehey! We looked for Chinabank since it is in the same building as Ba Nois'.

There were three diners when we went to Ba Nois that afternoon. I told the waitress that I have a voucher which I gave her. She told us that the voucher entitles us a fruit shake, appetizer, chicken noodle soup, lemon pork tenders and pandan cake. Sounds yum!

The watermelon tastes like the fruit itself. Though too much ice for me. It's a refreshing way to start the meal.

Next, the fried rolls came.It was lumpiang shanghai Vietnamese version. I love the fact that it was served hot and the vinegar-chili dipping sauce is perfect. Wish they sell this sauce since I like to take it home. There are lettuce and mint leaves on the side. For maximum flavor, put the mint on the lettuce and put a fried roll. Roll them together then dip in the sauce. Wow for flavor!

After the appetizer, the waitress served hot chicken noodle soup. I give emphasis to "hot" since Hubby always expects food in restaurants to be served hot not just heated.
I was full after finishing a bowl of the soup.

Then came the lemon pork tenders with two cups of rice. I didn't touch mine but Hubby ate some. We asked the waitress to have the pork tenders to go including the pandan cake since we were already full.


Ba Nois
G/F Greenbelt Mansion
Perea St., Legaspi Village
Makati

Floorplanner

I've been nesting. Again. Since it seems our little angel will not be coming to us anytime soon, might as well focus my attention to our future house. God-willing, we plan to start house construction next year. Woohoo!

I've been looking for room designs and thinking how our future house will look like. It's a fun exercise!

I saw this website called Floorplanner which allows registered users to design their house, office, etc. I'm still a beginner and still learning the ropes and it makes me giddy inside.

Also, I've been checking out these wonderful websites: Young House Love and The Lettered Cottage. They're DIY couples who renovate, thrift, craft, etc. anything to make their home beautiful at a low cost. I do hope I have some creative skills and guts to do DIY stuff in our house. 

Who's Stressed?

Yesterday, Hubby went to a clinic in Intramuros to get his medical exam. This means that he is starting the procedures for his next overseas contract. His crewing manager informed him that his tentative schedule of leaving is first week of January or earlier, but only after Christmas (I pleaded him to insist that he leave after Christmas since he was not here last year).

The thing why I'm stressed is that I'm feeling the signs of my upcoming period. :(( Today is my cd 29 and I expect Aunt Flo to visit me tomorrow. We only have one cycle left in our journey to conception. Aside from the fact that TTC is stressful on couples, the fact that Hubby is leaving soon adds more stress. I'm thinking if we can't conceive now, I will have to wait another 9-10 months to start again.

There are times when I just say to myself to let it all go with the wind. I will not be so hard on myself because I admit, I do it all the time. I'm very strict with myself especially during the past months of TTC. Going to the province is lessened to avoid the unnecessary fatigue that comes with travelling. I criticize myself whenever I eat unhealthy food or forgot to drink herbal tea.

I dread the coming holidays. It means family gatherings, dinners with friends, etc. I don't want to be asked the state of my (non) pregnancy. If I can just say to them, "When the time comes that I get pregnant, I will not make it a secret." Sigh.

I think it's time to stop and release eveything to God. Hubby and I did all that we can to conceive.  If now is not the time, then we just have to let it be. As always, we shouldn't forget that God's plans are always best and perfect.

Kogi Bulgogi

My sister and I had dinner at a Korean restaurant in Eastwood called Kogi Bulgogi. She said the dishes and prices are good.

We ordered the Bibimbap, Dak Ssambap and Melon ice cream bar. Total: P390!

Bibimbap (above) is rice, beef, cabbage, carrots, onions and fried egg served in a very hot stone pot. You need to mix it once served at the table. They have other options for protein such as chicken, salmon and pork. You can add the red tomato paste (I think that's what it is) to give it some flavor and spice.

Chicken Ssambap is like fresh lumpia. You put the grilled meat and balled rice into a lettuce leaf, add some sauces (they serve three sauces) roll and then eat. Yum!

To cap off our dinner, we shared a Melon-flavored ice cream bar. The smell and taste is melony of course.

Tip for first-time future diners at Kogi, ask the waiter to serve appetizers. They're free of charge and you can munch on them as you wait for your order.

Happy eating!