27 year old sunglasses

I lost my cheap polarized sunglasses during a recent trip. I think I might have left it in a Grab car. I have one pair in each of our vehicles. I usually wear them while driving during the day time. This helps reduce glare and protect my eyes. Unlike 2 pairs that were previously damaged when I took them to the beach on separate occasions, this inexpensive pair proved to be more resistant to damage caused by environment in beaches so I took it on trips especially those that required me to be outdoors. My line of work requires me to go on field work so these glasses help protect my eyes.

So with one pair lost, I had to bring out a 'vintage' pair that I acquired when I was still studying in Japan in the 1990s. The pair offered UV protection but was not polarized so it was not exactly good for driving especially against glare. I didn't drive while I was in Japan so UV shades were enough for when I had to wear them outdoors. Nevertheless, I bring these with me for now while I have not acquired a replacement for the lost glasses.

Branded sunglasses I acquired in Yokohama back in 1997 - I recall buying these at a shop along the Motomachi shopping street in Yokohama, near where I went to church on Sundays.

I keep these glasses as a back-up but rather not use them to preserve them as a souvenir from my life in Japan. I actually had another pair while I was there but lost those while traveling on one of our natsu zemis (summer seminars).

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Fiery sunset

We start the month of May with a sunset photo I took last week at one of the vantage points in our village.

The colors make it appear as if the sky was on fire. That pretty much describes the temperatures these days when we experience extreme or record highs each day. We can only hope the situation improves and that the heat wave will finally relent. It usually starts raining in May but cloud seeding aside, there seems to be no significant rains in sight, at least for now.

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Nam nam, Maginhawa Street

There's a nice Vietnamese restaurant we discovered a couple of weeks ago along Maginhawa Street in UP Teacher's Village. Nam nam is easy not to see if you're rushing along Maginhawa towards Philcoa. It's on the left after CCA/Cravings and in an area that's not so busy with still mostly residential buildings unlike other parts of Maginhawa, which have been transformed into commercial establishments.

Fresh spring rolls for starters

Peanut-based dip for the spring rolls

Close-up of what's inside

Our main dish - what else but Pho!

The broth is just the right flavor and perfect for a light meal.

The noodles are just the right texture

They have an outdoor dining area with a rustic feel about it. On most days or nights this is probably a good hangout but not during these extremely hot days we're currently experiencing.

The stairs to the restaurant

The sign and the door is partially hidden so it's quite easy to miss unless you're looking for it.

They have a simple menu with only few items available to customers - spring rolls, pho, lemongrass tea and coffee. I thought that's actually enough to get your Vietnamese food fix. Nam nam is located along Maginhawa Street across from the corner of Marilag Street.

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