mommy diaries

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-02-12T19:54:00.000+08:00

My baked my first set of cookies last December during our holiday vacation at my parent's house. They have a complete set of baking equipment there as my Nanay and sister are occasional bakers. My first attempt was a success.

Today, I made my 2nd set but I cheated =). My baking equipment is limited to a pair of cookie pans (that I got as an advance birthday present from my sister) and an oven. The solution? Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, homemade cookies in 20 minutes!

I must admit, my finish product does not look that enticing but it does taste good. It was already a cookie mix after all. Just add butter and egg, mix it up and voila! It's ready to bake. My major mistake was I did not allot 2 inches space in between the cookie dough so when it baked, it looked more like a honeycomb than anything else. Lesson learned - follow the instructions to the letter!

Pork Kebabs

2012-02-11T19:35:00.000+08:00

I am on a roll today! Found another winning recipe for dinner! One of my Facebook friends posted a pic of them grilling some kebabs today that got me salivating to have some. So I did some googling and here's what I found......

Pork Kebabs

Ingredients:
3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp tomato puree
5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp cayenne pepper
450g pork fillet, trimmed and cut into 16 cubes
2 peppers, deseeded and cut into 3cm pcs
1 large red onion, cut into wedges
5 tomatoes, halved

Procedure

Marinate the pork in a mixture 1 tbsp of olive oil, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper for a few minutes.
Put the peppers, onion and tomatoes in a bowl with the remaining olive oil. Mix to coat.
Thread the pork and vegetables on skewers then grill.

I actually skipped the part on putting the pork in skewers because, well, I was to lazy to do it. And instead of grilling them over charcoal and fire, I cooked them in a grilling pan. Again, too lazy to set up the grill.

Anyhow, the pork cooked perfectly fine and hubby enjoyed it. Unfortunately, Miguel wasn't too crazy about this dish preferring the leftover fried chicken from last night.

Do try it and let me know what you think. Bon appétit!

Original recipe here :

http://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/s/summer_pork_kebabs.html

- -

Tuna Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes

2012-02-11T12:05:00.000+08:00

Another Yummy lunch. It was one quickie pasta recipe found in Yummy's Meals in Minutes. All you need is a bag of pasta noodles (there was a bag of spiral pasta at home so I used that), olive oil, canned tuna and tomatoes and you've got one delicious pasta dish at your table.

Or you can also access it at their website thru this link: http://www.yummy.ph/recipe/tuna-pasta-with-garlic-and-tomatoes

Happy cooking!

Meatballs with Creamy Strawberry Sauce

2012-02-07T20:11:00.000+08:00

My dear youngest sister got me a pair of Baker's Secret cookie sheets for my birthday but instead of cookies, I christened it with baking meatballs!

I found the meatballs recipe here: http://www.lanascooking.com/2011/07/15/baked-meatballs-and-spaghetti/

The sauce on the other hand, I found in my Yummy recipe book. I swear Yummy is a goldmine of well, yummy recipes!

Turn to page 65 and there's today's winning recipe, Meatballs with Creamy Strawberry Sauce. It can also be found at Yummy's website thru this link: http://www.yummy.ph/recipe/Creamy-Strawberry-Sauce-for-Meatballs

It turned out really good. Miguel loved it so it's definitely a winner. Do try it.

Steamed Fish with Wansoy

2012-02-05T20:57:00.000+08:00

I cannot remember anymore where I originally got this recipe but it has become a home favorite because it is so yummy and so easy to do.

Ingredients:
Fish Fillet
Wansoy (you can also use kinchay)
Butter
Salt and pepper

Procedure:
1. Spread butter over the fish fillet.
2. Season with salt and paper.
3. Put chopped wansoy leaves.
4. Cover the fish with aluminum foil.
5. Steam for about 15minutes.

My 30-Day Challenge

2012-01-24T12:13:00.002+08:00

Bro. Bo Sanchez' Soulfood post last Monday was an invitation to a 30-Day Challenge. A challenge of what? A challenge to change your annoying habits one habit at a time.

I have not even finished reading the post and my mind was already filled with all the things I wanted to change since time immemorial but never got around to actually doing it. Some I've started doing but I was not able to maintain it. See, that's already an annoying habit - starting something but never following it through!

Now Bro. Bo's challenge specifically states to choose only ONE habit. It should be simple enough so we can attain it. Makes sense, huh? If we are able to do one simple thing, it develops our self-confidence (Hey, I can do this! moment) and gives us the boost to do another one.

So here goes......

My battle with the bulge has been on going for the longest time. My weight has been a roller coaster ride and right now it's at its lowest point. I could not button by pants! Huhuhu! The holiday eating and lack of exercise had really ballooned up my (already) big butt.

So what's my 30-day challenge?

Well, I have started doing a bit of exercise every morning even before I read Bro. Bo's post so I'll just continue doing that.

The new thing I started this morning is that, I did not eat white rice. I had wheat bread and ham instead. So I challenge myself to replace rice with wheat bread for breakfast for the next 30 days.

And just to add bit more kick to this challenge, I will post my weight and body measurements here and we'll see how it improves (hopefully!) after 30 days.

I am not sure how I weigh right now but I'm guessing around 125lbs.

Waist : 34.50"

Chest: 36.00"

Arms: 12.00"

Thighs: 21.00"

Hips: 38.75"

Just to be clear, I do not plan on losing all my excess weight in 30days. That's absurd! Fitness is beyond a 30-day plan. I am only using Bro. Bo's 30-day challenge to be my stepping stone to a real fitness regimen. I posted my weight and body measurements to be my point of reference so I can measure my progress as I go along.

How about you? Are you ready to take on the 30-day challenge?

Source: http://www.facebook.com/pinoyfitness

*For the complete post on the 30-Day Challenge, click here: http://bosanchez.ph/take-the-30-day-challenge/

Kung Hei Fat Choi Part 2

2012-01-23T12:58:00.001+08:00

It's the first day of the Chinese New Year so we're having a Mexican-inspired lunch. Duh?

We bought a box of medium-sized taco shells last weekend and we decided to have it for lunch today. Not really to celebrate the Chinese New Year but just to satisfy our craving for something different. - different from the usual food that we devour at home. =)

Ingredients:
1/4 ground beef
Shredded lettuce
4 medium sized tomatoes, chopped
White onion. sliced (I served just 1/4 of one big onion bec I was the only who wants onion on her tacos)
Chopped garlic
Grated cheese

Procedure:
1. Saute garlic and onion in hot oil.
2. Add ground beef until well cooked.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Fill each taco shell with 1 to 2 tbsp of ground beef.
5. Add lettuce or cabbage, onion, tomatoes, taco sauce or hot sauce.
6. Top with grated cheese.

It was really a messy eat but worth it. Miguel enjoyed it. He drank a whole 2liter bottle of Coke to go with it. Joke!

- -

Kung Hei Fat Choi

2012-01-23T10:18:00.003+08:00

Kung Hei Fat Choi to everyone! Especially to all my fellow Dragon-born peeps. This is our year!

Ongpin St., Sta. Cruz, Manila

We got an invite from my father to have Sunday lunch in Binondo earlier last week. At that time, I couldn't think of any important family event that was occurring on that day, or that week for that matter, so the invitation was quite baffling. Only when we arrived in Binondo did I realize the reason for the invite. It was the Chinese New Year! And my father the Lolo wanted to show Miguel the festivities of the occasion particularly the dragon dances.

We had lunch at Cafe Mezzanine, a small Chinese restaurant near Binondo church. It was jam-packed, as all the other Chinese restaurants in the area. It took quite a while before we were given a table.

Cafe Mezzanine, Nueva St., Binondo, Manila

The food was not as good as the other Chinese restos that we frequently go to like Mañosa in Ongpin and Wah Sun in Sta. Cruz. For one, they didn't have Yang Chow Fried Rice! They had Kiampong instead. This kind of fried rice is really new to me. It was tasty enough but my taste buds were so craving for the more familiar yang chow so it was a bit of a let-down that it was not in the menu. *sad face*

View from Cafe Mezzanine

We did a bit of walking along Ongpin St. after lunch. There was a stage set-up in the corner of Ongpin and Sabino Padlilla Sts. (formerly Gandara St.) where a group of Chinese performers were presenting a Chinese dance when we passed by. At that point I thought, this might be the closest I can get to China.

Nueva St.

Back view

The stage

It was a good family day once again. Too bad my sister and her family could not join us. Maybe next time.

Again, Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone!

Source: http://www.meetdragons.com/v/paintings/cdp1_001.jpg.html

New Beginnings

2012-01-12T14:33:00.001+08:00

It's barely two weeks since we ushered in the new year 2012. But personally, my new year started two months before that when I resigned from work in October 2011. It was something I have been meaning to do for quite a while already but it was only late last year when I finally decided (with hubby's consent, of course) to take the plunge.

That was my new year, the start of my new life.

Stay-at-Home Mom/Wife

Since then, I have been at home most of the time - trying to be a mom to my little boy and a happy wife to hubby. I have not yet fully embraced the role of a domestic goddess but I'll get there. (LOL!)

Human Heart Nature Dealer

Initially, I registered as a dealer for Human Heart Nature, a brand of natural & organic beauty & personal care products. It was easy enough to sell because I personally use the products and it works for me. My sisters and I had put up Bargain Room, our online store for this purpose.

Investor

Then I discovered Bo Sanchez' Truly Rich Club which provides guidance to financial wealth as well as spiritual wealth . The club guides its members on how to create passive income mainly thru investing in stocks. My husband and I started investing in stocks in 2006. But later I learned from Bro. Bo that we weren't really investing but we were trading. We were not experts. We did not know and we did not have the time nor the patience to learn the ins and outs of trading. So after a few tries, we lost. But now, with Bro. Bo's guidance, we hope to straighten our act and create a passive income thru investing in stocks the proper way and with the proper attitude.

Virtual Assistant

And as if God is really supporting my decision to stay home, he introduced me to Jomar Hilario, an internet marketing guru endorsed by Bo Sanchez and Larry Gamboa. I attended his very informative Virtual Assistant training last December 2011. I am still working on the assignment he gave us which aims to increase our skills and thus increase our chances of getting a VA gig. A Virtual Assistant, for those who have not heard of it yet, is a person who provides support (admin, technical or creative) to a client from a home office.

Online Marketer

Another thing I ventured in is the online mentoring club by the same mentor I have in becoming a VA, Jomar Hilario. This is 12-month program which aims to help people to make money online for the long haul. The lessons has just started and I am praying in that I make it to the end.

My life has indeed changed in a matter of 3 months. I do not know what the future holds. I do not know how all these things that I have started will turn out. But I do know one thing. God is with me so therefore I know I am going to be alright.

Ang Babae at ang Langgam

2012-01-03T18:51:00.002+08:00

On the first night of the year, 01.01.2012, rather than telling Miguel a bedtime story, he created his own and told me one instead.

May isang babaeng naglalaro sa may halamanan na maraming langgam. Kinagat sya ng langgam. Pag-uwi nya, nagalit ang Nanay nya.

"Di ba sabi ko sa iyo huwag kang maglaro sa halamanan kasi malanggam dun? Punta ka sa kwarto mo! Hindi ka pwedeng maglaro!"

Tapos na - Miguel

Photo courtesy of Imaginism Studios

Nice huh? Can't wait for his next bedtime story =)

Hello 2012!

2012-01-01T11:05:00.001+08:00

The new year has officially began and we're into the first 10 hours of 2012 as I write this.

Woke up at 8am with a smile on my face as I see my little boy still sleeping so peacefully beside me and my good-looking (*wink wink*) husband already awake and tinkering with his favorite toy, his Samsung SII. What a wonderful 2012 morning, right?

As I go down the stairs to the first floor of my parent's place, where we've been staying since Christmas day, I see my ever zealous Nanay sweeping the floor. Sometimes I wonder if I am really my Nanay's daughter because I don't have her dedication to domestic work which stems out from her love for her family to give them the cleanest and most sanitized place to live in that she can provide. I see that quality in my youngest sister who has two kids of her own but I must admit that it is something I need to work on.

Next I see my Tatay strolling in his mini garden. It is still a work-in-progress but it has indeed progressed in the last couple of months. I am sure it brings him a lot of pride and joy to have a place where he can have fruit-bearing trees, vegetables and other decorative plants as well as a space where his apos (grandkids) can run around freely.

The Christian church beside us has started their Sunday service and are singing their praises to the Lord. It is always good to hear nice worship songs in the morning. My retreat last December has rekindled my relationship with the Lord and hopefully the fire will consistently burn throughout the year. But knowing me, there is that big possibility that the fire will be blown by the wind from time to time. Here's hoping that I may be able to find my way back when I go astray.

I have now posted our best pics from last night's revelry in my FB account. Unfortunately our family pic is missing my sister and her brood. Her youngest had a bout with pneumonia recently so they opted to spend New Year's Eve in a hotel in Tagaytay to escape the firecracker pollution of the metro. I hope next year we'll be together again.

Hay! We'll be heading back to our home in Manila in a few hours. Holiday vacay is over.

Thanks to my Tatay and Nanay for always accommodating us in your lovely home. It was another wonderful holidays spent with you. 'Til the next long holiday! Love you! Mwah!

Blessed

2011-12-31T16:34:00.003+08:00

I cannot help but be a tad bit sentimental whenever a year is about to drop its final curtains. Images of what transpired in the last 365 days just automatically runs through my mind as if I pushed the Play button of a movie player and the movie reels in.

2011, like each year before it, has its unique blessings and challenges but I will remember it for 2 reasons:

1. Running
It was the year I started running again. I joined a total of 17 running events in 2011 - 5 5k, 10 10k and 2 16k events and spent P10,000 in registration fees alone. Yes, it was quite expensive but still I think it was money well spent simply because I enjoyed every minute of it. There is always an exhilarating feeling of accomplishment everytime I finish a run. Then follow it up with a good hearty breakfast with hubby and Miguel. Happiness!

I have ran the streets of Roxas Blvd., CCP, Macapagal Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, McKinley Hill and Commonwealth Avenue. Still dreaming of running the Skyway. Hopefully it will come true in 2012.

I met a lot of new people and made friends with runners like me. Some who were struggling with their 5ks when I met them are now half marathoners. Others who are more advance runners are now doing ultra-marathons. Their achievements inspire me to do better. I have been doing 5k events for the longest time and my goal early this year was to run a 10k before the year ends. But I outdid myself . Not only did I accomplish my 10k run, I even did two 16k runs. Winner!

My running has also rubbed off on my 5year old son and he enjoys running as much as I do. It has become one of our bonding moments. We even landed a photo slot in the Oct-Dec 2011 issue of the Runner's World Philippines.

Lastly, I have also channeled whatever writing skills I have to chronicle my runs via my other blogsite Running Nanay.

2. Quitting My Job
One of the biggest decisions I made in 2011 was quitting my job. Yes, I am currently unemployed and for some people it would seem to be one of the most stupidest decision one can ever make in this time of economic crisis. But I have my reasons and I don't have to explain it to everybody. Besides there are other means of earning without necessarily having a fixed 9-to-5 job cooped up in an office. I have taken the first steps and I am praying that it will prosper and 2012 will bring a new and brighter future for me and my family.

I don't have much financially but most of life's real treasures are not quantifiable in any monetary currency. And these are the things that I am most thankful for.

I am blessed with a husband who always stand by me thru good and bad times.

I am blessed with a loving son. He is God's biggest miracle in my life.

I am blessed with a closed-knit family. Though we have our differences, I know we will always be there for each other no matter what.

Thank you 2011 for 365 days of blessings. May 2012 be as blessed. To God be the glory.

Happy New Year!

The Labyrinth - Journey Into Inner Peace

2011-12-12T21:52:00.002+08:00

I discovered this method of prayer and meditation during my recent retreat at the Don Bosco Batulao Retreat House in Batangas. It is called The Labyrinth and as the name suggests, it is like a maze where you start at one point then you have to go through a series of twists and turns to be able to get to the end point.

It is the first time I've heard of such and I could say it is an interesting find. I have always known the Chapel on the Hill as a famous wedding church in this area but I didn't know it was more than that. The labyrinth was indeed a good exercise for prayer and meditation and one that I would love to do again and again and again.

WHAT IS IT?

The labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path leads itself to prayer and meditation. This kinesthetic style of prayer is especially valuable during those times when words cannot express the depths of heights of our experience.

HISTORY:

The labyrinth has a long history in the Christian tradition. During the MiddleAges, it was customary for the faithful to vow to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Since travel at that time was both dangerous and expensive, seven cathedrals throughout Europe were designed as alternate sites where pilgrims could journey to fulfill their vows through walking the labyrinth.

HOW TO USE IT: THE FOUR MOVEMENTS

1. ON THE THRESHHOLD - Remove your shoes as an act of humility and letting go and to connect yourself to the earth. A truly spiritual person is very grounded. You may even bend to touch the ground to connect with the energies of the earth and the labyrinth. Bless yourself with holy water as an absolution and purification readying yourself to receive God's presence. Pause for a while in front of the entrance and say a short prayer to focus and to call for a guide.

2. JOURNEYING IN - Try not to suppress the feelings that arise as you walk, instead embrace them. The twist and turns help you to shed layers of attachments, worry, anxiety, biases, distractions that prevent opening up to God's will. These also enable the mind to stop chattering. The walk sharpens perception and readies the soul. Enjoying the twists and turns can help us to accept the changes in our lives. What may seem like retrogression or being lost is actually a moving on towards the central goal. In this way the journey is reassuring, reminding us that life is full of changes that we should not fear but welcome.

3. THE RESTING PLACE - In this open space you may sit, breathe and be still. Here receive a blessing through your own crown or your feet. It may be a gift of a word, a feeling or just stillness. Open your mind to the experience. This is where something new may take root and blossom, where you can let light to the center of your heart. Notice what you may be too rushed to see; ask a question you normally are afraid to ask; it my be the place to express a hidden beauty, joy or grief. Emptied of distractions you now have the opportunity to be filled.

4. JOURNEYING OUT - When you feel ready to leave the center, give thanks for whatever you have found or received and begin your journey out. You may feel faster, lighter and funnier than you did on the way in. When you reach the exit, pause, give thanks, and rest. You may feel the need to express your journey in words, or with images on paper or want to express your experience with another pilgrim.

PRAYERFUL WAYS OF APPROACHING YOUR LABYRINTH WALK

1. OPENNESS

"God what do you want me to know? What do you want to show me?"

2. INTERCESSORY PRAYER

"God, I walk to communicate with you about this person, situation, need...."

3. IN HONOR OF A SIGNIFICANT DATE OR TRANSITION

"Thank you, God, that I have new opportunity"

4. USE A PRAYER PHRASE

Repeat one of God's names that has particular meaning for you (e.g. "Jesus, Jesus...") or a spiritual word that has significance for you (e.g. "love, love, love...")

5. REFLECTION

Reflect on your life or something significant that is concerning you right now. Observe whatever thoughts, impressions, or feelings that come - "God, help me to pay attention to what is going on inside and outside of me."

6. AS A NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD PROBLEM

"God, I need to talk with you and gain new insight or commitment about this situation...."

7. WALKING WITH A QUESTION THAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU

Identify a central question in your life. Walk with that question in your mind and heart. "God, I am wondering what I need to do next in my life... what input do you have? Or repeat as you walk, "What is my next step? Or if you are unsure of the question, use "What do I seek?"

The labyrinth invites us to consider how intricately we are fashioned - how God continues to knit us, continues to hold us in a loving gaze, continues to be intricately involved in our ongoing fashioning. The labyrinth is a path to connect us to the still small voice, the sacred within ourselves.

The Labyrinth - Journey to Inner Peace

Chapel on the Hill

Don Bosco Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

Telefax: (02) 743-5614

Mobile No. 0926-616-3302 / 0917-524-7192

E-mail: batulaodonbosco@yahoo.com

chapelonthehill@yahoo.com

Come Jesus, Come

2011-12-12T14:46:00.001+08:00

One of the things I look forward to during the holiday season is the annual advent retreat that I share with my former BPI colleagues. It's a yearly event that I have participated in for the last 12 years, missing it 4x only. It's a weekend break from the chaotic world. A weekend of silence and just communing with nature. A weekend spent primarily to recharge the spirit and strengthen my relationship with the Lord. Setting aside a full weekend to be with Him is my way saying thanks for all the blessings he has continually showered upon me and my family.

Don Bosco Batulao, Batangas, this year's retreat venue.

My resting place for the weekend.

I loved how the Way of the Cross was presented that I had to take a shot of each one.

A few of the many inspirational inscriptions around the retreat house grounds.

The Chapel on the Hill is one of the famous wedding churches in these area and it is part of the retreat house.

One of the interesting feature of the Chapel on the Hill is the Labyrinth that is etched in the chapel floor. As the inscription in the above states, a labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path leads itself to prayer and meditation. This kinesthetic style of prayer is especially valuable during those times when words cannot express the depths or heights of our experience. It was indeed a good exercise for prayer and meditation and one that I would love to do again and again, and again.

Last day of the retreat. Photo ops before finally heading home. =)

Thank you Lord for giving me this opportunity to be with you for a full weekend every year.

Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Adre for inviting me and my friends many years ago to join them in this annual retreat. Little did I know that it would become my personal tradition to come here year after year.

Thank you to my fellow retreatants for sharing your time and making each year memorable.

Fancy Hot Dogs Recipe

2011-12-01T18:46:00.001+08:00

This is actually my second attempt to cook this recipe. The first time wasn't so successful because I used the usual red hotdogs since that was the one available at home at that time. The recipe did say that you can use any kind of hotdog but personally, I don't think the red hotdogs worked that well with sour cream. Miguel still enjoyed it, though.

This time, I tried it with the Purefoods Smoked Turkey Franks (only because it was on discounted price last grocery day) and it tasted a lot better. So here is the link to the Fancy HotDogs Recipe: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/fancy_hot_dogs/

Enjoy!

Creamed Spinach with Bacon

2011-11-09T20:02:00.001+08:00

I was craving for some spinach dish so after a little googling, here is what I came up with:

The ingredients included spinach, bacon, butter and milk. It was a yummy treat. Hubby's only comment was it could use a tad less bacon. The complete recipe may be found here: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/creamed_spinach_with_bacon/

Constant Change

2011-10-14T21:55:00.001+08:00

Today marks the end of another chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one. It was just one and half years ago when I jumped ship and now I am transferring to a new one again. And so I do agree with Mr. Jose Mari Chan, life is indeed a constant change.......

We're on the road
We move from place to place
And oftentimes when I'm about to call it home
We'd have to move along
Life is a constant change...

The friends we know we meet along the way
Too soon the times we share form part of yesterday
'Cause life's a constant change
And nothing stays the same, oh no

Clouds that move across the skies
Are changing form before our very eyes

Why couldn't we keep time from movin' on?
Hold on to all the years before this moment's gone?
Why must we live the days at such a frightening pace?

We're all like clouds that move across the skies
And changing form before our very eyes

Have we outgrown our Peter Pans and wings?
We've simply grown too old for tales of knights and kings
'Cause life's a constant change
And nothing stays the same, oh no

- -

Family Time

2011-08-29T18:09:00.002+08:00

Long weekends are almost always a mini reunion for my side of the family. Since only my blessedly single sister is living with my parents, me and my youngest sibling, who are both married with kids and lives separately, try to squeeze in overnight stays in our parents' house during this time. We're not a perfect family. We have our differences and we disagree on a lot of things but I know at the end of the day, we're still family and we'll always be there for each other no matter what. And so these weekend sojourns are our attempt to keep our family bonded. And as Bo Sanchez blogged in his site, it's a way of fighting off the relationship drift. (http://bosanchez.ph/fight-the-relationship-drift/)

Rare family picture

One of the things I love about this visits is the food. My Nanay is a great cook. I miss her home-cooked meals so I savor each dish that she serves regardless of how simple it is. Dishes that were just normal everyday dishes before are culinary delights to me now. We still cook the same dishes at home but somehow Nanay whips it up a little differently and it tastes more homey (at least for me) when she's the one who prepared it. The fact that we get to gather around in one table and share this simple feast makes it extra special.

These visits also gives my parents a chance to enjoy their grandkids. I know it brings them immeasurable amount of joy when they get to see and play with them on an extended period of time. My Tatay who used to shower me and my siblings with 'pasalubongs' (mostly food like pancit or peanuts) when we were kids has now moved on to his apos. There would always be a big bag of Jellyace in the ref or a bottle of juice waiting for the kids during this planned visits. He would also always buy something from McDo or Jollibee after his morning jogs to bring home to the delight of the kids.

Cousins

This is also an opportunity for my Miguel and his cousins to know each other. As Miguel is an only child (his having a brother/sister is rather slim), his cousins are the closest he can get to having a sibling.

And so, tedious as the all the packing and unpacking that this visits entails, it's a little price to pay for the joy we get from spending time together. Quoting again from Mr. Bo Sanchez:

"Life is about moments. And believe me, your grown-up kids will never forget these special bonding moments as a family. It will be their anchor. It will be their source of emotional stability. That amidst the sea of change around them, they know there are just some things in life that don’t change."

Our Hotel H2O Weekend

2011-07-10T21:47:00.002+08:00

I heard about Hotel H2O late last year and was intrigued by the aquarium theme of some of the rooms. It was definitely one of its kind and one that my little Miguel would surely enjoy. So when we found out that Ensogo was offering discount coupons for an overnight stay in this hotel, we grabbed it.

We were booked in an Aqua Room which had a wall-sized aquarium filled with various kinds of fish. Miguel was amazed when he first saw it and he was all smiles all throughout our stay. The aquarium has a remote-controlled curtain so you have the option to cover it up in case you get sick of it. Hehe! Management also has control of this curtain as they close it when the aquarium needs cleaning. The light automatically shuts off at 9pm and lights on at 6am. Fish food were also being dropped in the aquarium at certain times of the day.

Miguel loved the room that he even requested his daddy to have our room at home be renovated to look like the Aqua Room with the aquarium and the card key!

Family pic with the the stuffed Nemo & Squirt on the side.

It was raining cats and dogs that day that the Aquatica Musical Fountain Show scheduled at 6pm was almost cancelled but thank God it didn't. It still pushed through but they had to distribute raincoats as it was still drizzling a bit. The auditing firm, Isla Lipana, was having a family day in Manila Ocean Park that day so the seats were still filled to the brim despite the rain. The show was no doubt visually entertaining. Kids and adults alike enjoyed it. Miguel was mesmerized by the lights especially when his beloved Nemo showed up. He laughed when Mr. Lobster was being chased by the fat chef with his big chopping knife.

We had dinner at Pancake House after the show then went back to our room where we further munched on a big bag of chips while we watched TV.

My little Mr. Pasta Boy

Chips & drinks - Vodka for Daddy & Mommy; apple juice for Miguel

The next morning, I was prematurely awaken when the aquarium curtain suddenly came up and the lights illuminated the room. Then I heard a small voice beside me said, "Good morning Fish!".

Our Ensogo coupon did not include breakfast so we had to find food for ourselves. Since we were too lazy to go out, we decided to just call room service. Food was good though not really spectacular and a bit expensive. But then again, hotel food is always expensive anywhere you go.

Longsilog meal w/ coffee & a 3-egg omelet with mushroom, onion, bell peppers, ham & cheese

We were hoping the weather would be better that day because we wanted to take a quick dip in the pool but it was still cloudy and there were still occasional rains. So we decided to skip it for fear of getting sick. As we have already been to the Oceanarium, seen the sea lion show and the jellies back in April, we spent the rest of our stay cooped up in our room watching TV.

The only thing that bothered me about the room was the bathroom/toilet which had glass walls so you don't really have any privacy when you're doing your thing. There was retractable clothesline above the toilet seat which Caloy managed to tie to the shower door (which also alternatively serves as the main toilet door) where we hanged a shower towel for a makeshift cover.

Overall, our stay in Hotel H2O was pleasant enough. The aquarium theme of the room was what really caught our attention and made us decide to book an overnight stay here even if it was just about 15mins away from home. Miguel fell in love with it and wants to go back again soon. =)

Other info (Aqua Room):

1. A large wall mounted LCD screened TV

2. A working table

3. Internet connection via LAN cable or wi-fi. Username and password will be given upon check-in

4. Complimentary food and drinks includes coffee/ tea, 2 bottles of mineral water, 2 softdrinks in can, a small bag of chips and peanuts

5. Free use of gym & pool

Working table with LAN cable/Wi-fi connection, complimentary coffee/tea and electrical outlets with universal sockets.

Hotel H2O
Luneta, Manila, Philippines
(behind the Quirino Grandstand
http://www.hotelh2o.com/

The Disappearing España Boulevard

2011-06-24T11:02:00.005+08:00

The annual disappearing act of the great España Boulevard is at its peak again. And I finally had front seat at this momentous event (weh!).

Despite the heavy downpour due to Typhoon Falcon, I put on my rain gear - jacket, sandals and umbrella - and left the office at exactly 5:30pm. I figured that if I waited for the rain to subside (which at that time was rather unlikely), the flood would continue to rise and I won't be able to get home at all. So I resolved that I would rather walk thru flood waters (as long as it is manageable) than get stranded in the office or wherever.

These 2nd hand Havaianas sandals was from my sister's sister-in-law and has been my reliable flood companion in the last two years. It protects my feet from sharp objects and the straps keeps it in place. Slippers are good but they tend to slip away from your feet when in the water.

Fortunately, I did not have a hard time getting a ride home. The first 30mins was slow but moving. Then we got stuck midway the UST area. With the rains still pouring, I highly doubted that we would be zooming along any time soon. So with a bit of urging from a fellow passenger sitting beside me, we decided to just get off the jeepney and start walking.

I am not actually a newbie with wading thru flood because I grew up in a place where mere high tides can cause floods, even inside the house! But this is the first time that I got stuck in the famous Espana Boulevard. The water was knee-deep and filled with things I don't even want to think about. It was definitely an 'ewww' moment.

My greatest fear though was stepping into a hole as it already happened to me before. About 8 years ago, I was on my way home on a rainy and floody night when my right foot stepped into an open canal and a small protruding metal rammed below my knee. I managed to get home but since there was water everywhere, my Nanay could not get me to the nearest clinic until the next morning when the flood went down. It was an agonizing night as thoughts of infections and leptospirosis that could be festering in my huge wound kept going through my mind. The doctor at the clinic gave me anti-tetanus shots and antibiotics. Except for the huge scar that marked the area where the wound was, I was okay. No infections, no leptospirosis.

My latest bout with the great big flood of Manila got me home wet and itchy an hour and a half after leaving the office which on a normal traffic-filled day would only take 30mins. Well, that's the rainy season for us. Unless we all learn how to dispose our garbage properly, these floods will continue to haunt us. I pray though that no Ondoy-like typhoon will ever cross our paths again.

Stay safe everybody.

Lugawan

2011-06-20T11:30:00.004+08:00

It was a cold, rainy morning and Miguel and I decided to go to the nearest lugawan for a bowlful of hot lugaw and tokwa on the side.

There was a bit of a drizzle so I had him put on his rain jacket, cap and blue boots. Boy, did he enjoy walking in the rain in those boots!

Miguel enjoyed his lugaw and finished the whole bowl. =)

The whole activity reminded me of my own lugaw dates with my Tatay back in the days. We would frequent the nearest wet market on weekends and eat our hearts out with a bowl of hot steaming lugaw. He would finish his in a whiz without scalding his tongue and then waits for me for another half hour till I finish mine. When I got older, me and my sister would join him in his early Sunday morning runs and then cap it off with a lugaw breakfast in one of those lugawan stalls that we came across in our trail. It was definitely one of those father-daughter bonding moments that I look back every now and then.

Now, I am having my own lugaw dates with my unico hijo. I hope he remembers this as one of our fondest moments and maybe he'll have the same dates with his kids someday.... in the very, very far future. Hehe!

*For other readings on Lugaw, try this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugaw

Scaredy–cat

2011-05-27T21:44:00.002+08:00

I got this scary e-mail from my sister yesterday about riding jeepneys.

TO ALL JEEP RIDERS: 3pm Jeep sa Shaw Blvd.

May isang Jeep sa may Shaw Blvd. May Pasaherong matandang Babae o lalaki sa may likuran ng driver. May couple naman sa may gitna, na mukhang tulog yung girl kasi inaalalayan ng boy, at may isang girl sa may likuran ng jeep malapit sa pinto. Pag bayad ng babae ng pamasahe, lumipat ng pwesto ang matanda sa kabilang side ng couple. Tapos sinabihan ang babae na BUMABA KA NA!.. BABA NA!! yun pala, nakita nung matanda nung iaabot nya ang kamay niya para makuha pamasahe nung babae na ang couple ( to be) ay may dugo.. may dugo ang babae sa tagiliran kaya naka akbay ang mga braso nya sa lalaki. Hinoldup pala ng lalaki ang babae saka sinaksak. Patay na pala ang babae. wala ng naka alam kung ano ang nangyari sa matanda, since naipit na siya nung couple pero natulungan nya ang babae na makababa pa ng jeep. INGAT PO TAYONG LAHAT AT SANA MAGING ALERTO SA MGA PAGKAKATAONG BUHAY NA ANG NAKATAY.. SYEMPRE, DASAL PA DIN PO .

It bothered me so much that I could not shake off the image I conjured up in my head that I hard time sleeping last night. It was like a horror movie which kept reeling over and over in my mind. I guess it terrified me so much because I easily identified myself with the situation as I do ride jeepneys everyday.

I woke up with that image still in my head but with a clearer perspective. I began to think about the logistics of the story and I started asking questions. The most puzzling one being , who lived to tell the tale? Sure the girl/woman who was supposedly ordered by the old lady to step down from the jeepney obviously survived but how could she have known what the old lady saw when she already left the 'scene of the crime'. The way the story was narrated the old woman only had time to ask her leave, nothing more. So who told the tale? The driver? Were there other passengers in the jeepney?

My sister later told me that one of her friends told her that she remembers reading a similar tale but instead of Shaw Blvd., it supposedly happened in the Monumento-Valenzuela route. Now, the whole story sounds a bit fishy, don't cha think?

Year at a Glance

2010-12-30T22:34:00.001+08:00

Free scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

2010 in Retrospect

2010-12-30T22:21:00.001+08:00

Change is the operative word as the year has been full of it.

The new job I took in March became the catalyst of all these life-altering transformations. One of which was becoming a real mom. Sure, I gave birth to Miguel 4.5yrs ago but I never really got the chance to be a 'real' mom to him due to pressure from work. Unfortunately, it seems it was easier to say 'yes' to the demands of work than to the needs of my family.

But by early this year, I resolved that this could not go on anymore. I was missing a lot on my child's growing up years and it was frustrating me. I was raised by a stay-at-home nanay and I know the joy of having my nanay take care of me and my sisters hands on. No yayas. With today's economics, however, I could not possibly do what she did so I tried to look for the next best thing - a job that pays enough but does not entail too much pressure. So far, so good. I am less stressed, hence, less irritated and more accommodating of Miguel's naughty antics.

I get to go home early so I am able to do some mommy duties in the evening like feeding Miguel and prepping him for bed. We even have a regular story-telling session every night before he sleeps.

Now that I don't have to work on weekends, it also gave me time to put on my apron (ok, I don't really have an apron) to whip up a recipe or two. We even bought a new oven/rotisserie to allow us more cooking options. I love the fact that weekend cooking has become a family affair. It is almost always a team effort of me and Caloy while Miguel looks on as he stands in his pedestal chair.

At mid-year, Miguel had developed an aversion to school that we had to pull him out and find a new school with a curriculum more appropriate for him. This new school has also altered our way of living particularly when it comes to watching TV. They highly discourage exposing kids to television, as they believe that it hampers their imagination. I have been a couch potato for as long as I can remember and so banning TV at home required so much effort. But I am happy to announce that we are able to do it, at least 90% of the time.

At my younger sisters' prodding, I have also started a blogsite to channel my passion for writing. I don't claim to be a good writer but I think I can still get the message across.... at least to the few readers who frequents my blogsite.

So I can say it has been a good 2010. More smiles and fewer tears. A complete turn-around from what I expected at the beginning of the year.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T20:43:00.001+08:00

This greeting customized with Smilebox

Canossa

2010-11-29T22:03:00.001+08:00

It's the Advent season once again marking the beginning of a new liturgical year and a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. For the past 13 years, this means going to Tagaytay for a weekend retreat with friends and former colleagues. It is a time for spiritual renewal and reconciliation.

Canossa House of Spirituality
Km 57 Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City 4120

Sunday Feast

2010-10-17T17:22:00.002+08:00

As an opening salvo for our newly bought La Germania oven and rotisserie, we had a yummy-licious roasted chicken and veggies for a family Sunday lunch.

Prior to roasting, the chicken was marinated in Barrio Fiesta's Lechon Manok mix for two hours. While the veggies (baby potatoes, tomatoes, green & red bell peppers and asparagus) were drizzled with olive oil and spices (marjoram, thyme & oregano). For additional flavor, the veggies were laid in a baking pan and placed below the roasting chicken to catch its drippings.

For our soup, we had a steaming Knorr cream of asparagus soup with real asparagus stalks.

Now what to do next week? Hhmmmmm.....

My Nokia Chronicles

2010-10-13T21:12:00.001+08:00

Having been a loyal Nokia user for the past decade or so, the recent loss of my last Nokia unit triggered me to reminisce my past phones and prompted me to write this piece. For some unfathomable reason, it would seem that I have a knack for "giving away" my mobile phones every time something major major happens in my life. I do not know how to explain it, it just happened.

My first phone was a Nokia 3210, a by-product of holiday bonuses. I had it for about a year then it got stolen right out of my jean's front pocket. It was a rush hour weekend and I was on my way home from the mall. I had to work my way up a bus teeming with passengers and settle with standing at the bus aisle. When we reached the next bus stop, people started going down. The next thing I know, my phone was gone. I guess one of those peeps who left decided to keep my phone as a souvenir from me - without asking, of course.

My milestone: Caloy and I were just starting to go out at that time.

I replaced my stolen 3210 with another 3210 because it was a cheaper fix. It was after all an unbudgeted expense so I cannot afford a newer model. It took another 2 years before I finally grew tired of it and decided to buy a new one. This time a Nokia 6510. It was cute and small but nonetheless, satisfied my simple needs - mobile phone, radio, calendar and alarm clock. Then one sunny afternoon while walking in Cubao with Caloy, some klepto took it out of my bag and ran away with it.

My milestone: We were in the middle of the wedding preps.

My Nokia 6230 was barely 3 months old when I lost it in Glorietta during a midnight sale. Little did I know that while I was rummaging thru stacks of clothes on sale, somebody was likewise doing the same in my bag. An officemate I came across in one of stores was the one who told me that my bags' zip was open. I knew my brand new phone was gone even before I checked it.

My milestone: I resigned from my 8yr job and was transferring to a new workplace.

With a heavy heart, I bought myself a Nokia 3230. I eventually gave it to Caloy because his Samsung phone was failing him already and I was itching for a better unit.

My N70 Music Edition lasted the longest with me, more than 3yrs. Heck, it was so long I even thought my "phone curse" was gone. Then BOOM! I was riding a jeepney on the way to the office, on a Monday morning at that, when it got fished out of my bag. It was really disappointing. That phone was the silent witness to the emotional rollercoaster that I went thru in last couple of years. It was my lifeline to my family when I went to the netherworld. In short, we've been through a lot together so it was really a bummer to lose it in that manner.

My milestone: I started with a new company this year.

I am now using a Nokia E63. I am dearly hoping that this one will stay with me for a long time. And that it will not leave me the traditional way.... my tradition of losing it to strangers, that is, the next time I have a major event in my life.

Gambas al Ajillo

2010-10-12T20:39:00.001+08:00

Got shrimps? Here is a simple recipe I got from Yummy food mag. I tried it last weekend and my attempt was not exactly a success because I unintentionally over-seasoned the shrimps with salt. Otherwise, I am sure it would have been so yummy-licious.

Ingredients:

250 grams shrimps, peeled
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
4 pieces finger chili (siling pansigang), sliced
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Procedures:

Season the shrimps with some salt.
In a skillet, saute garlic and chili in olive oil. When garlic is golden brown, add the shrimps. Cook until shrimp change color. Serve sizzling hot.

Pancake Morning

2010-10-09T08:48:00.002+08:00

To make pancakes a little more fun, I bought a few pieces of food shapers and voila!

D-I-Y Pizza

2010-09-11T17:58:00.003+08:00

I was craving for a pizza on a lazy Saturday afternoon and I knew I could have just bought those ready-to-eat pizzas but I figured a DIY pizza would be a nice bonding activity with Miguel. Since we always make pretend pizza with his Play Doh clay, making a real one that we can actually eat would be a treat for him. So despite the magnetic-like pull of the bed on my back and big butt, I stood up and rushed to the nearest grocery store to buy the things I need.

Sure enough Miguel got all excited when he saw me preparing the pizza. He immediately pulled out his official chair from the dining table placed it beside me while he stood on it as he watch me work. I took out the ready-made pizza crust, spread the sauce and topped it with sweet ham, italian sausage, pepperonni, mushroom, bell peppers and lotsa cheese. I then put in the oven to bake.


D-I-Y Pizza

Miguel and his friend Johan (our unexpected visitor) enjoying their mini DIY pizza

*DIY = Do It Yourself

Feel Good Chicken Soup

2010-08-31T14:24:00.003+08:00

Miguel was feverish since last night due to sore throat and extreme cough but it was not anything that his yaya can't handle so I didn't really think I had to skip work today. But my heart just melted when he looked at me with those pitiful eyes of his with tears running down his face as if saying, "Mommy, please stay." So I stayed home and played mom, yaya and nurse the whole day.

He is not able to eat much because of his sore throat so I cooked his favorite sopas. It's actually a complete meal in itself because it has carbo (macaroni), protein (chicken) and vegetables (potato, carrots and bell pepper). The original recipe had spinach in it but I couldn't find spinach in the market today so I skipped it. Anyhow, Miguel still liked it so much that he had 3 bowls of it.

Feel Good Chicken Soup
Recipe from www.yummy.ph

Serves 4 to 6 Prep Time 15 minutes Cooking Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 kilo chicken breast, boiled and shredded
2 11-gram chicken broth cube
1/2 cup small diced potatoes
1/2 cup garbanzos (I use elbow macaroni or shell pasta)
1 liter water
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium roasted red bell pepper,diced
1/2 cup all-purpose cream
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

Procedures:

Heat olive oil. Sauté onion and chicken for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth cube and stir until completely dissolved. Stir in potatoes and garbanzos; cook for 2 minutes.
Pour in water and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.
Add bell pepper and simmer for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour in all-purpose cream. Add spinach and serve hot.

Pork Siomai

2010-08-28T21:59:00.003+08:00

Anyone who knows me know how much I loooooove siomai. And so I thought of trying to do it on my own. Here is my first attempt........

Ingredients:

1 kg ground pork (suggested proportion of fat to lean meat is 1:3)
1/3 cup chopped water chestnuts or turnips (singkamas)
1/3 cup chopped carrots
2 medium or 1 large minced onion(s)
bunch of spring onions or leeks
1 egg
5 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
50 pcs. large or 100 pcs. small wanton or siomai wrapper

Procedures:

Mix all the ingredients for the filling in a bowl.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of mixture into each wrapper. Fold and seal.
Meanwhile, boil water and brush steamer with oil.
When the water gets to a rolling boil, arrange the siomai in the steamer and let stand for 15-20 minutes, longer for larger pieces.

Serve with soy sauce, calamansi and sesame oil. Chilli paste is optional.

1st batch

2nd batch

My family's feedback:

Hubby - it tastes like Almondigas
Nanay & Sister Kath - Good
Sister Mai - good but needs a little more singkamas

I think the overall taste is okay but the wrapping definitely needs a lot of improvement. Just look at the pics above, do they look like siomai to you? Anyhow, I guess I'll just have to do it again until I get it right. =)

Chicken with Butter, Garlic & Mixed Vegetables

2010-08-14T12:59:00.003+08:00

I was getting tired of the usual chicken recipes that our househelp cooks day in and day out. So I did a little googling and stumbled upon this food blog whose recipes seems to be truly "lutong bahay". Simple recipes with simple instructions.

One of his chicken recipes caught my attention and cooked it for lunch today. Hubby and little Miguel loved it. Recipe below courtesy of http://mgalutonidennis.blogspot.com/

CHICKEN with BUTTER, GARLIC & MIXED VEGETABLES

Mga Sangkap:

1 kilo Chicken legs cut into serving pieces
2 cups Mix Vegetables (Carrots, peas, corn)
1/2 cup Butter
1 head minced Garlic
1 large size White Onion Sliced
1 pc. large Tomato sliced
1/2 tsp. Dried Basil
1 pc. Knorr cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp. cornstarch

Paraan ng Pagluluto:

Timplahan ang hiniwang manok ng asin at paminta. Hayaan ng mga 30 minuto.
Sa isang non-stick na kawali, i-prito ang bawang hanggang sa mag-golden brown ang kulay. hanguin sa isang lalagyan.
I-prito ang manok hanggang sa pumula lang ng kaunti ang balat nito.
Ilagay na ang kamatis, sibuyas at knorr cubes. Lagyan na din ng 1 tasang tubig. Haluin ng bahagya at takman hanggang sa kumonte na ang sabaw.
Ilagay ang mix vegetables. Halu-haluin.
Ilagay ang tinunaw na cornstarch para lumapot ang sauce.
Tikman at i-adjust ang lasa.
Hanguin sa isang lalagyan at ilagay sa ibabaw ang piniritong bawang.

Ihain habang mainit pa. Enjoy!!!!

Sitcoms I Grew Up With

2010-08-12T20:27:00.001+08:00

Sometimes the world looks perfect,
Nothing to rearrange.
Sometimes you get a feeling
Like you need some kind of change.
No matter what the odds are this time,
Nothing's going to stand in my way.
This flame in my heart,
And a long lost friend
Gives every dark street a light at the end.

Standing tall, on the wings of my dream.
Rise and fall, on the wings of my dream.

The rain and thunder
The wind and haze
I'm bound for better days.
It's my life and my dream,
Nothing's going to stop me now.

Allies in the Wilderness

2010-07-26T22:00:00.004+08:00

Sometimes life has a way of turning things around or working itself out. You meet new people and form alliances in the most unexpected places. Your most dreaded assignments turns out to be the most memorable ones and you remember with more fondness.

I had the opportunity to go to Africa last year. At that time, I thought it was more of a curse than a blessing to be sent there by the NGO I was working for back then. I had sleepless nights prior to the trip as scenes from the movies "Blood Diamond" and "Black Hawk Down" kept popping in my mind. Blame it on the media for painting such a terrorizing image of Africa. But the adventurer in me accepted the challenge and embraced it with a brave heart. I took comfort in the thought that my bosses would not send me there had they thought it would be dangerous for me. And so I hopped on a plane and after a 24hr travel covering thousands of miles of land and sea, my traveler's feet stepped on African soil for the very first time.

It was there that I met two of the nicest guys on earth.

The Charmer

If my memory serves me right, I first heard about him in late 2007 when he joined our organization as Program Manager of one of our field offices in the African region. Based on the sound of his name, I figured he must be some bossy unapproachable type of guy. Since I was not handling the accounts of his program that time, I never really had a chance to validate that idea. After about a year, the program ended and he left.

The first Skype chat I had with him was during my first mission trip in Juba in June 2009. A few nights before going home, in the loneliness of my container, he suddenly appeared in Skype and started bombing me with questions about the capital city of South Sudan – living conditions, entertainment, etc. I asked if he was planning a return and he said it was a big possibility but for a different organization. So imagine my surprise when before that night ended, my bosses informed me that he just accepted the soon to be vacated PM post of our Juba office! Man, was that fast!

The months that ensued were a challenge for both of us as we tried to put heads or tails on the highly complex program we were tasked to handle while on the opposites sides of the earth. Not to mention the never-ending series of unfortunate events that seems to plague that particular program. Corresponding mainly thru e-mail and Skype was not as effective as we hope it could be considering the terrible internet connection they have in the field. By the 3rd quarter of the year, the problem with the accounts had escalated to alarming levels that the big bosses requested me to go back there to assist.

So after 3mos of remote assistance, I finally met him in the flesh under the scorching hot Juba sun. He welcomed me with a big smile and a warm hug. His tall, lanky frame towered me that I looked like a hobbit beside him.

For 1.5mos we worked together to keep the project afloat. One can only make so much in such short time and we might still have missed a lot of things but hell, I can honestly say we tried our best. In that period, I came to know more of him and I realized that he was not the bossy, unapproachable person that I initially thought he was. He was actually a sweet and friendly guy.

He was my boss but he made me feel like we were (almost) equals. He does not even like being called “boss”. One time I jokingly called him that and he raised his eyebrows on me. On several occasions our thoughts are almost in synch that, as he said, we were on the same frequency. There are still things we disagreed on but he still listened to what I had to say. We shared the same sentiments on work and family. He understood and fully supported a decision I had to take even if it means “abandoning” what we had started with the program. He knows how to appreciate the little things and how not to sweat the small stuff. He has great sense of humor and knows when to crack a joke to lighten up the mood. Somebody told me before that he was a charmer and he was, he really was.

The Bomb

Completing our triumvirate was a young guy from the chocolate kingdom who handled the operation side of the spectrum. He was a complete stranger when we first met, a mere 3-letter name mentioned casually in my pre-departure conversations with the PM and the bosses in HQ.

It was only on my 2nd week of stay when we started talking to each other. He was the one who broke the ice when he invited me to join him and his friends to go out on a Friday night. Maybe it was just my low self-esteem but the fact that he came out of his way to invite me was such a big deal. Needless to say, we started talking and hanging out more after that night. When he does not have to go anywhere, he stayed in the Finance Office with his 80’s playlist humming in the background. He was our alarm clock that never failed to remind us when it was time to eat. With his blinding fair skin, he was like a walking sunshine as he bellows a “good morning” greeting to everybody at the breakfast table. Amidst the problem of lacking personnel, he became a part-time Admin, Accountant, Logistician, Driver and Mechanic (and even tour guide) on top of his regular duties as EOD. He was a jack-of-all-trades and rarely complained.

Goodbye

Leaving Juba at the end of my mission was both a joyous and a painful occasion. I was happy that finally I am going home to my family as I have missed them so much. But at the same time, tears were falling for friends that I’ll be leaving behind. Friends that, in most probability, I might never see again.

As we now go on with our separate lives (away from Juba), I hope that the struggles we went through together in that short time bonded us in such a way that this friendship we started will be able to transcend distance and time. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again soon….Inshallah*.

*Arabic for “God-willing”

Inception

2010-07-17T00:43:00.001+08:00

Ok, I admit I am in love with Leo, has been since he was but a mere teen star that nobody knew. I saw his pic in a US teen mag that a classmate brought to school one day and I got hooked. Somehow I was able to get that pic for myself (I don't recall how) and it's hidden somewhere in my pool of Leo memorabilias (which most people would say junk). He was the one teenage infatuation that I never really gotten over with. LOL! And everytime he releases a movie, my emotions get all stirred up and I get Leo fever for the next week or so.

I saw Inception tonight with hubby and we both enjoyed it. We read good reviews prior to seeing it and it didn't disappoint. It had an interesting plot and the visual effects were really amazing. And of course, my dear Leo delivered a superb performance. =)

Starting Anew

2010-07-11T14:05:00.001+08:00

The current schoolyear opened up nicely with Miguel happily attending the 1st day of school last June 15. I accompanied him to school and even fetched him afterwards. He seemed ok that day.

Then on the 3rd day, he just suddenly refused to attend class. I dismissed it as just some kind of tantrum so I let it go.

My alarm bells started ringing when he still would not go to school on the 4th day and on succeeding days. Did somebody bully him? Did the teacher scolded him? Or maybe he doesn't know anybody from his class and he feels lonely. I contacted the school directress and asked if we could try to transfer him to the afternoon session in the same class where his BFF is. I figured he might feel encouraged attend go back to school if he has a good friend in class. His BFF, with his lola even dropped by our house to fetch him but he was adamant to stay home.

No amount of bribing and cajoling could make him go back. I tried going with him to the nearest Mini-Stop so we can buy baon of his choice but it didn't work. He just ate it at home. I also bought him Toy Story water jug and told him that he can bring it to school and show it to his classmates. It likewise, failed. He kept saying "yoko school, hirap school".

By this time, I was getting really worried and so I called up the school directress and Miguel's class teacher to inquire. They told me that Miguel might have been overwhelmed with the amount of activities that their Kinder class entailed. They said that his age might be a factor as he only turned 4 last April while his classmates were either turning 5 this year or are 5yo already. They offered to let him go back to Nursery instead (to which wer were agreeable) but by then our problem was more than what class he would attend but how to get him out of the house to go to school.

After almost 2 weeks of being in limbo on what to do next, hubby and I decided to pull Miguel out of his current school and re-enroll him in a progressive school whose Kinder curriculum is more play than academics. Caloy and I both think that this kind of set-up is more appropriate for Miguel.

It has been a week since classes started and Miguel seems to be doing well. It looks like he's enjoying his classes and that's enough for now. His academics, reading and writing, can still wait a while.

Daddy Caloy's Day

2010-06-20T18:36:00.003+08:00

The vid is a collection of pics of Daddy Caloy with our Miguel with Cookie Monster's "C is for Cookie" as background music. The song is one of the songs that Daddy Caloy loves to sing to Miguel.

Happy Father's Day Daddy Caloy! We love you! Mwah!

Toy Story 3

2010-06-20T18:09:00.001+08:00

Finally, my Miguel is a certified moviegoer! He watched his first ever movie, Toy Story 3, in Trinoma yesterday. We didn't see the 3D version though as we were still unsure on how Miguel would react to the big screen, the crowd and the dark theater. But he finished the whole film and enjoyed himself immensely.

He is a big Woody and Buzz fan having seen the first 2 Toy Story movies in cable TV several times already. I am not sure which character he likes best because he gives a different answer every time I ask him.

Anyhow, Toy Story 3 is a must-see film both for kids and adults alike. So go out and see it.

Pampered to the Max

2010-06-20T17:01:00.001+08:00

I have always been fond of body scrubs and massages. So I was truly overjoyed when hubby told me that he planned to take us out for a whole body pampering soiree on our 5th wedding anniversary. Weee!

My dear Loyski did all the research and in the end came up with Sanctuario Spa, a real nice spa place nestled in Scout Esguerra St. near ABS-CBN in Quezon City. He signed us up with a package which started off with a steam bath and a jacuzzi dip. Then followed by an aromatic floral bath, body scrub and massage in their couple's room.

It was my first time to experience a steam bath and I am not sure I like it. It was so darn hot! I requested the attendant to cool it off a bit but it was still so hot! I was having a hard time breathing even after putting a damp towel in my face.

The floral bath was nice except that the flower petals keep touching my legs and it felt like bugs were crawling in my skin. So I guess, I could do without the petals.

The highlight of the night was the body scrub and massage. It was pure bliss and relaxation. I simply love it!

Thank you Loyski for such a wonderful evening. Ulet uli tyo ha! =)

*Here are a couple of You Tube vids re Sanctuario Spa.

The Knot

2010-06-18T05:56:00.001+08:00

Happy Anniversary Dudi!

Love you!

Mwah!

1st Day High

2010-06-15T20:48:00.002+08:00

I took a half-day leave today to accompany Miguel in his first day of kinder school. It was an event I missed last year due to an out-of-the-country assignment. Thanks to hubby who took, what he called a "blow-by-blow" photo account of the momentous event in our little boy's life and sent them to me. It suffice that time because there was nothing I can do about the situation but I told myself I am not missing it this year.

He was ok once in school but his pre-school morning tantrums were a bit of a challenge.

First, he refused to take a bath. I had to force him while he wailed, "Yoko maligo! Gusto ko baho!" the whole time.

Second, he refused to eat his breakfast. It took a lot of cajoling before he finally gave in. However, he only finished half of the breakfast I prepared for him.

Third, he won't drink his choco milk. This one is a recorded failed attempt. I just left it in the refrigerator and told his nanny to try to offer it to him again later in the day.

Fourth, he got all riled up when he saw that his baon was a juice drink and not Milo.

Lastly, he wouldn't wear his shoes but instead insisted on wearing his slippers to school. To prevent another crying bout, I conceded to his request. When we reached the school, I pointed out to him that the other kids were all wearing shoes so he should also wear his. I guess he realized his "uniqueness" so he immediately agreed to let me put on his shoes.

Everything went smoothly from there. When the teacher started requesting the kids to line up, he went to his line and marched into the classrooms without any problem.

Three hours later, he was all smiles when he saw me again in school to pick him up.

Journals

2010-05-24T22:17:00.003+08:00

I've been keeping journals since I was in grade school. I think I was about 12yrs old when I started. Back then, all I really write about were the shows that I saw on TV - movies and sitcoms, and my infatuations to certain Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Michael J. Fox and New Kids on the Block. There were also entries on real life, school and childhood crushes but my real life was quite boring so I stuck to my 'reel' life.

The reason I started writing journals was actually to practice my English writing skills. But as I progressed, I realized that it was also a good way to sort of document my memories. One can only remember so much. The major stuff can easily be recalled but the details are usually forgotten. That's where journals come in handy.

I enjoy re-reading my journals. It's funny how I can get so overly dramatic on some entries. Or how lame I can be on others. Then there are also some events that I was able to describe in so much detail that re-reading them feels like I was being transported back in time.

I don't think I'll ever stop writing. My journals are my life's 'preservatives'.

* Photo taken from www.infed.org/research/keeping_a_journal.htm

Elections 2010

2010-05-10T20:40:00.004+08:00

Woke up before 6am, ate heavy breakfast and by 6:30am I was en route to Caloocan where I am still a registered voter. Got there by 7am and my 2hr ordeal commenced.

Each cluster voting precinct has a corresponding waiting area.

Got there at 7am but was still in line and still a long way from the actual voting area at 8am when this shot taken. Saw a couple of old neighbors while waiting.

At 8:30am, I made it to the door of the waiting area.

By 9am, I was finally handed my sequence number.

Vote cast at 9:30am, hooray!.

Flash the dirty finger, baby!

My TFF Experience

2010-05-08T21:22:00.003+08:00

I was facebooking one April Friday evening while hubby Caloy was channel surfing when suddenly he came across a promotional TV ad for a Tears for Fears concert here in Manila on May 2. My head snapped up and stared at the TV. For a brief moment I was transfixed on the TV. I couldn’t believe that they were back in the music scene much less going here in Manila to have a concert.

When the initial shock died down (which was only a matter of seconds) I immediately texted my equally fanatic sister while at the same time googling on the details of the concert in the internet.

My sister and I were so ecstatic about the news that we placed our ticket reservations online that same night and paid/claimed it the following day. Upper Box A Section 307 Seats G8 and G9 at a whooping P2640 each. For two average earning people spending P2640 for a concert ticket is a total extravagance. And it just proves how much we love the duo.

A little flashback, I was but a mere elementary student when their biggest hit “Shout” came out. Being in the habit of watching music video shows as young as 7yrs old, Tears for Fears videos were among the first music videos I was exposed to. I loved their music then and still love it now. So when I heard about their Manila concert, it was a done deal – I am going to watch it.

On concert night, my sister and I were already in Araneta as early as 7pm, to think we had reserved seats tickets (di naman excited di ba?). Not to look too anxious, we stayed in the Starbucks located inside the coliseum for about 20minutes before we headed inside and took our seats. To our surprise, the General Admission area was already almost filled up. A newspaper earlier reported that tickets were sold out a week before the concert and that Araneta had to add additional seats in the Patron area and extend the Upper Box A and B area to accommodate more people.

The throng of people started coming in during the lull between the opening acts (Sandwich and Pupil) and the main act. We witnessed how the coliseum transformed from an almost empty state to completely jam-packed.

The much-awaited mega duo made their grand entrance at 9pm. And they were welcomed with ear-splitting screams from the mammoth crowd inside the Big Dome. Curt Smith came out first singing a portion of Mad World while Roland Orzabal followed next strumming his guitar as the two of them continued to serenade the crowd with their first full song of the night, Everybody Wants to Rule the World. People were hypnotized with their music and everybody was singing along with them. It felt like I was traveling back in time as I was having flashes of my childhood and black and white TVs.

The musical extravaganza lasted 2hours consisting of 19 songs. The finale song was, of course, the deafening "Shout”. With a crowd of 10k to 15k "shouting" the song in unison, you could almost feel the Big Dome reverberating. The energy inside was simply overwhelming.

The concert was definitely something I would remember for a very long time. Many think that this concert was delayed by about 20 years. I say it was just the right time because back then I would be too young to see it.

Thank you TFF for coming and rocking Manila. You were worth the wait.

Thank you to the producers who invested to bring them here (I'm sure they made a lot of money in this venture.)

Thank you to my lovable hubby who let me see the concert and allowed me to buy those expensive reserved seats tickets. (He's not much of a TFF fan so he stayed home)

Thank you to my equally fanatic sister who came with me.

And thank you to all the TFF fans who flocked The Big Dome that night and made it an event to remember. Enough for Curt Smith to twit the following day, "Doesn't happen very often but....I'm speechless, Manila, what a night! Thank you so much, we've now officially peaked!".

TFF Manila Concert Setlist
Mad World (Intro)
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Secret World
Closest Thing to Heaven
Sowing the Seeds of Love

Roland: Thank you and good evening. It is a thrill and an honor to be here in Manila with you. Thank you ever so much for coming tonight. We've been all around the world quite a few times. Across America, the plains of Siberia, the deserts of Scandinavia, and I don't know why it has taken so long for us to go to Manila. It is a crime. I mean, our reception at the airport was great but this is amazing...

Call Me Mellow

Curt: Thank you. Mabuhay! I believe that means 'life'. What a beautiful turn out I have to say. Hi everyone at the top. Give me some love. There've been many versions done of this song Mad World. Some people have recorded it and we were of two minds of what version we should do. The kind of orchestral thing we do at the beginning was a little... And so we thought we should do the original? Does everyone agree?

Mad World
Memories Fade
Raoul and the King of Spain
Quiet Ones

Roland: Thank you very much. How are you doing? We're going to do the newest song that Curt and I have recorded. You can dance up and down on this one. I know I will. This is --

Floating Down the River
Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

Curt: We're gonna take it down for a couple of songs... I wanna say this: When we arrived here I never had so many messages on Twitter in my entire life ...

Seven of Sundays
Billie Jean
Pale Shelter
Break it Down Again
Head Over Heels

Roland: Thank you very much. Good night.
Band Exits.
Noise.
More Noise.
Band Enters.
Roland: You're amazing! Thank you so much. That is amazing. What a noise. I'd like to introduce the members of our band. On lead guitar, Charlton Pettus. On drums, the new boy, Jamie Wollam. On keyboards Doug Petty. And this guy... to my right...His name is Michael Wainright and he is about to shock you with what he can do. This is--

Woman in Chains
Shout

* You Tube video links are courtesy of fellow TFF fans who captured the performances in their respective digicams/ mobile phones.

** Concert transcript courtesy of Mr. Marc Miranda

Related Links :
Tears for Fears Review: All Around Me Were Familiar Faces
By Tata Mapa | Published: May 4, 2010

Why does everybody love Tears for Fears?

By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:54:00 04/29/2010

Head over heels for Tears For Fears
By YUGEL LOSORATA
Manila Bulletin
May 4, 2010, 10:53am

When punks, ‘chongs,’ hippies sing happily together
By Bert B. Sulat Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:31:00 05/05/2010

Tears for Fears leaves the Big Dome crowd in tears...of joy!
Eric Borromeo
Philippine Entertainment Portal
May 6, 2010 09:08 PM

Let it all out: Tears for Fears finally performs in the Philippines
SENSES WORKING OVERTIME By Luis Katigbak
The Philippine Star
Updated May 07, 2010 12:00 AM

AN OPEN LETTER TO OLD FRIENDS
“L1020580” by Snowhite2006, via Flickr. Some rights reserved. “Tears for Fears 2008” by KWa, via Wikimedia Commons.
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010