Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : February 2025

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Filipino Food is Fifteen Minutes Away from My Front Door

I renewed my DoorDash membership last month. I can order any ethnic foods and preferably my favorite Pinoy dishes any time. Last Sunday, I ordered Dungeness Crab in Garlic Butter from Crab Boil & Things in Concord.

Yesterday, I ordered Lechon Belly and Turon from Imas Kitchen also in Concord ( see photo above). I have to pay a distance fee, since these restaurants are not in Walnut Creek. The Distance fee is reasonable. However I usually add a reasonable tip for the delivery person. I ordered food usually on Sunday's when THD Newton's Restaurant is closed.

There are several restaurants in Concord and other East Bay areas, where I could order Filipino Food. It is a shame that Walnut Creek has no Filipino restaurant. Here are the restaurants where you could order Filipino dishes and is serviced by DoorDash.

Goldilocks, Isla Restaurant, Isla Grand Restaurant, Oriental Food Market, Grill City, Imas, Chow King, Mama's Lumpia, and Red Ribbon Bakeshop. Most of these restaurants are located at the Sea Food City Mall in Concord. Sea Food City Mall is just across the Veranda Shopping Mall.

The above restaurants are good for To Go Orders. If you need more ambience, Try the FOB Philippine Restaurant in the Temescal District of Oakland. Last year I organized a THD Lunch Excursion. It was a gastronomic delight. I am hoping that this year THD may be able to organize a repeat lunch excursion at FOB in the next few months or so.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html

Meanwhile, I made the left-over lechon from lunch into paksiw that I eat for Dinner with Steam rice. Here's the recipe for lechon-paksiw.

https://www.foxyfolksy.com/lechon-paksiw/

Lastly, here is a map of Europe's Culinary Horror, 2013

However, I love tripe soup, blood pudding, liver paste, Pressed Ducks and Frog Legs and Dressed Herring. How about you? Do you have an adventurous palate ? Or are you just a plain meat and potato person? Most people are!!!

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Cost of Matchmaking Services Today

Valentine's Day is near...This topic is relevant in the Celebration of Lover's Day!

During one of our mealtime conversation several months ago with my neighbor, we talked about matchmaking services. We concluded that the service is probably popular with the rich professionals who have no time for on-line dating on their own time. My dinner mate mentioned that a relative in her mid-30's just informed her she was able to get a marriage partner via a matchmaking service that cost her 10K. I have no idea of what is currently a reasonable cost for matchmaking services. I got curious so I did a search and here's what I learned💚.

"As of 2024, matchmaking fees across the industry range from about $3,000 to $50,000.

Fees vary widely, reflecting the personalized nature of the service, and these costs can be affected by a number of factors, including:

the exclusivity of the service
the duration of the contract
the level of customization offered

Some matchmaking companies, including us, also offer different tiers of service, with higher tiers providing more personalized attention and access to a more exclusive client base.

Note: It’s important to remember that these fees are an investment in a service that’s tailored to finding a compatible, long-term partner, and they often include extensive consultations, personalized matchmaking, coaching, date coordination, concierge service and follow-up support.

Comparing Matchmaking Costs with Online Dating

When weighing matchmaking services against online dating, we understand that cost is a significant factor. Matchmaking, with its personalized approach, typically involves higher upfront costs compared to online dating apps or websites, which often have free or lower subscription rates. The difference is that matchmaking provides a bespoke service, potentially leading to more meaningful connections, and much faster than the more time-consuming search of online dating.

Are Matchmaking Services Worth It?

Personalized matchmaking is unlike any app you’ve ever used. Matchmakers can be worth the investment for those who value personalized assistance in their search for a partner. They offer expertise in human relationships, saving time and energy by curating potential matches. For busy professionals or those tired of the hit-or-miss nature of dating apps, matchmakers provide a more focused approach to finding a compatible partner.

Despite the initial cost, matchmaking services can potentially save money in the long run. This saving comes from the efficiency and targeted nature of the service. Matchmakers streamline the dating process, reducing the time and expenses associated with endless dates that may not lead to meaningful connections. By focusing on quality over quantity, matchmakers aim to quickly and effectively connect you with compatible partners, potentially leading to a lasting relationship sooner and reducing the overall financial and emotional costs of prolonged searching.

However, it’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that matchmaking is an investment, both financially and emotionally, in your personal journey to find love.

Key Take-Away: By focusing on quality over quantity, matchmakers aim to quickly and effectively connect you with compatible partners, potentially leading to a lasting relationship sooner and reducing the overall financial and emotional costs of prolonged searching. It’s a real investment, but one which might pay endless dividends.

💚For Details visit: https://tawkify.com/blog/from-the-experts/how-much-does-a-matchmaker-cost-in-2024-and-why

Meanwhile, here's my previous Dinner several months ago (To-Go) featuring Lentil soup with sausage and Pork Tenderloin served with baked sweet yam and saute'ed ginger carrots and mango chutney.

The lentil soup reminds me of one of my favorite Filipino dish, Guinisang Mongo with Pork. The Pork Tenderloin was delicious and the mango chutney was a perfect sauce and side dish. Again Kudos to Agustin, Our Newton's Chef.. Also, welcome, Joel -our newly hired sous Chef. May your stay here at THD a long and happy event in your life!

Lastly, here's my poem of the Day:

One hundred years from now 
            It will not matter
      What, what kind of car I drove
  What kind of house I lived in
   How much I had in the bank
Nor what my  clothes look like.

One hundred years from now
        It will not matter
What kind of school I attended
What kind of computer I used
How large or small the congregation where I was worshiped.

           But the world may be
           A little better because 
           I was important in the
              life of someone else

Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.