Craves and Tales: A Short Affair with Sam: Indulgence

Sun City neighborhood

My body decided to wake up in four hours without my permission on my first morning in the US. I tried sleeping again but failed. I stared at the ceiling, browsed some photos I took on the plane and completed my shopping list for about an hour before I finally decided to get up.

I went out for a few minutes to take a quick look of the surrounding. It was relatively quiet. At pass five in the morning the sun was already up; it was warm and comforting. The breeze was also cool it felt like I was in front of an open fridge. Ten minutes after, I felt bored so I went back inside and headed to the kitchen. One of our golfers and coaches were leaving that day for a tournament in San Diego. I decided to cook breakfast.

I delved around the kitchen and searched through the cabinets and fridge for something to prepare. Aha! There were eggs, feta cheese, hotdogs and bagels. I opted to have scrambled eggs. I fried the hotdogs and warmed the bread in the microwave. All at the same time, I organized everything that was on the table to give space for my still-asleep diners. Truth is, I enjoyed cooking breakfast for them during my stay. One time I made them try my infamous (ehem!) pizza omelet. I also cooked fried rice with turkey and peas. Basically, I just made use of whatever available ingredients we had at the house.

Ingredients to my pizza omelet

My travel to the US was mainly for work. But I would like to skip that part because what I really like to write about are the exciting and memorable activities I had. One of those, definitely, was shopping!

On my third day we went to Ontario Mills, which is quite far from where we were staying. But I gotta say that it was all worth it. I know I had my shopping list at the ready but I got lost (figuratively) as soon as I got inside that mall; it was sale everywhere and I didn’t know where to start! Here in the Philippines, whenever shops are on sale, I learned to scout for the cheaper and better items by checking every store possible. I tried to do the same in Ontario but it cost me time. Well, it turned out that eight hours of shopping wasn’t enough! Needless to say, I got some exceptionally great deals.

I bought my first items from Gap. A lot of apparels were labeled “50% off. Take another 10% (to 20%)”. Who wouldn’t love that?! Shirts, pants, jackets, formal wear – everything was more than half the price. I think I spent more than an hour in that shop alone.

One of the best buys I had was the Stark watch. The impulsive Maverick wanted to buy it the moment he saw it in Fossil. Although I hesitated at first, I went back for it at the last minute. And I am very much delighted I did! Well, the original price of the timepiece I was searching for about three years was $195.00. It was on sale at 50% and was further marked down with an additional 25% off. But because there was no more stock and the last remaining piece has light scratches I asked for more discount. Finally, it was sold to me at (drum roll, please)… $68! (I know, right!) I also bought awesome bargains in CK, Oakley, Puma, H&M and Hollister – all prices not less than 50% off of the original value.

Them bags.

Three years. Worth the wait.

I wish I had more time and plenty of money then. Just the same, I tried to stick to my shopping list. I am also happy I did not spend a lot in one mall alone because there were also some good buy stores in San Diego.