My sister, Princess got first place in the quiz bee, District competition. She got a shiny medal for her achievement. She just deserves it as she studied for months, practicing with flashcards, and quizzing herself late into the night.
My mom is so proud of her. Holding up the medal just like she's the one who's been awarded.
Moments later, my Mom decided to celebrate my sister's victory. It was already lunchtime, so we went to a nearby restaurant called Lila Restaurante (our favorite Asian fusion restaurant).
As we stepped inside, the decor of the restaurant welcomed us—purple tablecloths, soft lighting, and the overall aesthetic.
My mom led the way to a corner where other diners could not interrupt our celebrations.
When the waiter arrived, we took the opportunity to order a shrimp tempura, my sister’s favorite, along with Lila's slow-roasted pork belly. My mom opted for her usual buttered veggies.
My sister also suggested we order smoothies to make the celebration even sweeter. Eyeing the smoothie menu, I chose a melon shake, my Mom selected a mango shake, and my sister picked a grapes shake.
Soon, our food arrived, and the table was filled with savory dishes, hot, crispy, and bursting with flavor.
When the smoothies arrived, they looked sweet and refreshing, garnished with fruit slices and decorative umbrellas.
We then started to dig in, while complimenting Princess for her impressive achievement.
The crispy skin and tender meat of the pork belly, the savory and slightly sweet tempura, and the crisp-tender buttered veggies make our bellies full.
As we settled into a comfortable conversation, my sister shared how she experienced near-meltdowns.
Recounting how she had almost given up not literally, but almost.
Good thing she didn't because we can't celebrate now without her victories, right? 😅
As we wrapped up our simple yet joyful celebration, we left Lila Restaurante with the love and support that we, as a family, gave each other.
My sister is so thankful that we celebrate with her.
Until our next family victory... Buh-bye. 👋🌷
