License to Drive

Rica has just advised me that after 3 years of not having visited the LTO, she has finally been able to renew her license this time around.

I do not know how I would have survived 3 years without my driver's license. That's why dutifully, on the month and year when my card expires, I head over to the LTO along East Avenue to battle it out with the hundreds of others who have trooped to the same location for the same purpose.  This year, however, I did not have to do all that.  Credit this to the fact that I work beside a mall, and that here, in Park Avenue of the Robinsons Galleria, there is now a satellite outlet of the LTO.  

My first trip to the LTO here was most pleasant--it is fully air conditioned, with relaxing piped-in music, and ample, comfortable seating.  But truly, what is most encouraging is the ratio between LTO staff and clientele.  There were like 4 of us in the office with maybe 8 people attending to our needs, all accommodating, courteous and helpful--a sharp contrast to the usual scenario at East Avenue.  Everything from the eye exam to the collection of urine was a breeze.  The result?  I was able to renew my license in 45 minutes. And since I was on my lunch break, I had plenty of time to grab a sandwich still.

Because Rica has had no license for 3 years, she was compelled to take a driver's exam, or so I understand.  Now, teacher Rica is lucky to once again own student permit.  Oh well, I suppose for some, the advancement in systems and procedures of government offices isn't working yet.

A Chocoholic's Vexation (more variety please...)

I am a confessed chocoholic. 

Chocolates are among my favorite addictions, and my colleagues at work know I get weak in the knees and give in to their petty requests whenever they bribe me with a bar or two.

My regret?  If only we had the wealth of varieties other countries enjoy. Even if I do not tire of treating myself to a choco snack, I sometimes tire of the limited choices available here.

A recent trip to Hong Kong led me to a grocery where I was bound to grab some sweets to bring home to friends and family.  And here's what I found.

While in the Philippines Hershey's Kisses come in

our fave milk chocolate, milk chocolate with almonds, special dark chocolate, and cookies and cream, other markets like Hong Kong carry strawberry (pictured above).  In special pink foil, these Kisses are a refreshing surprise with their sweet fruity essence. Incidentally, in the U.S., Kisses also come filled with peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate truffle.  I must plan a trip soon...

Nestle Kitkat, on the other hand, has gone beyond the milk chocolate and white chocolate (oh, there was cappuccino variant once as a special offering) we have come to know.  In other markets, the famous crisp wafers have also been enrobed since 2004 in rich dark choco, choco-orange and choco-mint.  Mmmmm.  And what about my recent discovery?  Kitkat Vanilla Bean pictured here.  These are essentially wafers dipped in vanilla-infused white chocolate.  And you've got the vanilla caviar specs as evidence.

Ok, here's another. I am a major Meiji fan.  I think for its price, Meiji delivers outstanding quality.  I particularly delight in the creamy texture of its chocolate bars (especially its Dark variant), and the same is true for the Meiji Rich Matcha I came across.  Don't be distracted by the asparagus colored chocolate. Yes, it can be off-putting. Meiji Real Match is essentially white chocolate flavored with Japanese green tea. Think of it as Haagen Dazs green tea ice cream in a bar. Sure, maybe this variety isn't for everyone. But you see, I'm also a confessed matcha addict.

Imagine my enthusiasm when I found out that Swiss brand Lindt had become available in some supermarkets in the metro.  But do these stores carry such variants as the one pictured here?  You read it right.  Lindt Chilli is a 100g dark chocolate bar, rich and creamy, but with a distinct kind of heat that lingers on one's tongue and throat.  It carries none of the flavor of jalapeno or habanero, or any of the more popular varieties of pepper. But count on the Lindt Chilli to provide a subtle yet spicy hit that will stun you and make you ask, how did they do that?  Lovely.

It frightens me to think what my colleagues would bribe me with had all these chocolate treats been available to us in groceries and supermarkets.  But it bothers me more to wonder what other chocolate wonders are waiting for me out there but are for now are under my radar.  Pity me.