Family Day Event 2010

stage the baloons make me smile even in this hot day!

This isnt really a “real family day” that we usually do every weekend. This day was an event at my daughter’s school where parents gather all together for a some celebration and they call it FAMILY DAY.

Made effort to make curl her hair

I remember what Sister Agnes share before the mass starts: “make everyday YOUR family day!” Isnt that a great advice? I love the way she spiel it out. I guess that will make every family on earth bond and stay forever. Family is the greatest thing we ever had in our lives.

my pretty daughter

We had lot of things explored during this day. I’ve got to meet parents I never seen before and then got some bonding moments with my friends in which I called “co-mommy”.

my daughter's friends

Overall, we (I and my daughter) got to enjoy the sunny day with full of smiles and LOVE in my heart. I just wish that next year my husband will be here to join us.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Another Fake Coffee Flavor

Zagu, Savemore Nagtahan

coffee smoothie (not my fave) gave it to my sister

Taking some errands at the grocery store, my mind always had this long time question “Is Zagu’s Coffee with pearls yummy?”. When I say yummy that means I am delightfully satisfied. I ordered their biggest size because Im a fan of pearls. I asked the crews if they can recommend “any” of their coffee based smooties a guy answered like this “just choose any of the flavor you like, the names are posted above (their menu)”. I frown, they dont even know what their products are. For me, in order to communicate with your customer and feed their satisfaction you must know your product very well. But then again I ordered a Cafe Latte. From the name itself it must have a taste of coffee -somewhere & somehow. Ive waited a great exciting E.Q. to sip that at home just to find out that it taste more of the chocolate ice cream (same taste like Seattle’s Best Coffee – so creamy smoothie that kids will like). Unfortunately its not my thing. I am looking for a bitterly-taste one. But atleast trying something new would always feed our soul! Next time you want something and your palette is looking for a thing you already tasted, you can have it now without the fear that your money will be wasted. I just hope that these people who open up businesses like this would mean a true thing. When you speak of coffee it is coffee. When you speak of ice cream it is ice cream. One thing more, their people should also be trained to answer customer querries so that the customer would not expect much. This one? I didnt taste any bit of coffee at all! For the benefit of the doubt I just think that the crew put a wrong powder on the blender (though I’ve seen the container he put the right one +_+) to tell myself to still smile.

Thanks for reading everyone.

Benefits of a Coffee (and so as its risk)

Starbucks Coffee

I include all my unposted coffee ventures. My UPS & DOWNS moment with a tear dropping and a coffee on the other hand.

one of my business meeting sometime ordering caramel frap

All of a sudden I think of sharing some thoughts of what really is or should I say “are” the benefits as well as the negative side of drinking coffee.

espresso frap while reading my fave author's book

Key word is ENOUGH CONSUMPTION. The on going 22 years of study at Harvard University shows beneficial and harmful effects of coffee consumption. The average moderate amount that can be consumed by an individual is 3 to 5 cups only. That is 50 to 100 mg of caffeine or 5 to 10 g coffee powder a day. Excessive amount can be life threatening. Coffee’s negative effect blame on the caffeine that would mean that coffee isnt for everybody.

i think this was last Christmas

As far as my knowledge is concern (upon some research due to coffee fascination) these are the benefits:
1. Reduces the risk of Alzeimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Disease, Cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes 2.
2. Anti-oxidants
3. Reduced the feeling of depression

Harmful effects of coffee:
1. Cause of sleep disturbances & insomia
2. Diarrhea and Gastric ache
3. Decrease & increase of appetite

this is the latest: just today while reading my new book about PARTY PLANNING & SOME PARTY RECIPE

Coffee played an important role to my life. Whenever I am lonely sipping that bitter sweet taste makes me feel okay. Contrasting to other’s belief that coffee would make you feel more depressed, to me it made me smile. Maybe that only proves that the benefits and risks of drinking one has different effect on different individual. I may also say that since I sip coffee and enjoy the pleasure I became youthful. Im already 30 years old but some think Im just a college student down town (I’ll take that as a compliment). Well these are just my thoughts. It may be not for you but for me there is always a pleasure finishing a hot or cold cup of coffee while reading and at the same time listening to a very slow beat of calming music. Cheers!

Thanks for reading everyone!

My Top 5 Pantry Must Have

Here goes the kitchen magic

What makes me write this one? Well I just want to share my kitchen warriors. Most of the people asked me what made me think shifting a career from a Banker to a Chef? I only have same one line to answer, I am a lover of food. Wow! It is a statement I may share!!!!!

As early as 10 years old I, together with my three other sisters are a great cook and food enthusiast. Back to those years I dont even know the meaning of the word PASSION FOR FOOD. I love the feeling when I got to invent a recipe out of scrap and left overs, but now Im bigger and better, I had this list of ingridients my pantry cant live without and here are the top 5 picks:

look at how tiny they are! But this tiny thing taste so GREAT!

1. Little Potatoes: Two years ago I found this amazing ingridient that can only be seen (as far as my exploration is concern) at the local grocery story (meaning at the mall). I found this little thing with such an amazing taste that is different from the local potatoes that we normally buy at the store, or wet market. Now that I had this abundant stuff on my stocks I am pressured to cook it all in all my recipes. My sister once tasted this the first time and it became her favorite. In local wet market this was seldomly seen. This is cheaper (for me) compared to normal size potatoes. Thumbs up for me!!!

this will never be out on my stock!

2. Bell Peppers: Since I started cooking from this time on I love the contrasting fuming sweetness of these bell peppers with different colors. I love putting it up on the grill or pan and see their colors so refreshing in the eye. Contradicting to what others known this is sweet (for me) and a subtle of fire taste. I can add this to lot of dishes! A thank you nature thing!

I had a peppery taste buds & the salt kills that!

3. Salt and Pepper: Oh well, I didnt include this to spices because this two has such a special place in my table and of course my heart. I love the spicy little bits of the pepper and the salt kills the boredom of my creation. That is why they also have a special container just for them. Nice!

My super dooper HEALTH obsession

4. Tomatoes: Its red color plus the smooth skin equals beauty that my soul to keep. This ingridients makes me think that I want to be healthy always. I want to enjoy life more. I want to make it a juice and include this to all my dishes (as much as possible). Tomatoes are really an Asian thing I guess. I love Asian dishes. I can cook it everyday! Good for me!

Spices spice the kitchen and its recipe

5. Spices and herbs of all sorts: Lastly, my secret ingridient. My ultimate palate breaking gift to my whole being. I collect different kinds, but since Philippines is such a limited country for some famous herbs, I stick to dry ones. I got to love sweet basil in w/c I tried to include on my Italian version of my spagetti (my expertise). The remaining leaves are to dried up and put in the container. All spices are calming to me. If ever to choose I want to finished collecting everything in my cabinet. I think that would be around 200 spices or more!

My love for food makes me want to dream planting them in my own backyard when if I want them in my dishes (fresh) I will be able to just harvest them and will always be available. This are just TOP 5 I have plenty of important ingridient! Life is beautiful and amazing!

Thanks for reading everyone!

Inspirational Notebooks

From Blank Notebook

nice colors isnt it?

Another item that I found at the bookstore. I bet you this is really new. Blank Notebook already launch some patterned covered ones with wild designs and variety of colors, but this one – - – i found it COOL. Not only for its bright colors that is so cute but also because of the few smooth pages included. But then again I am thinking what to write in this. I love putting some inspirational lines on it. It will be my notebook for all the lines of everyone that can inspired me.

is price worth it?

The price is quite expensive compared if you will buy a notebook like “cattleya” which cost P31.00 ($.70) to this featured item that cost nearly $5.50 . But for me there are no bounderies to what you really want. If this will be usefull to you and what thoughts will you write and would mean important thing then this is worth the cost.

around 70pages of smooth cream paper

It is always fun writing “endlessly” when the pages are smooth and calm. Maybe I can finished the whole notebook for a single thought. There are thousands of words manipulating my busy head. How lovely when we are free to tell our words! Whatever, let us celebrate the freedom of thoughts. I love writing it up and I know one day it will be useful to so many individual and be inspired!

cloth-like cover with inspirational quotes

Trying New Things

Starbucks, San Lazaro

trying the COFFEE JELLY plus reading some books

After visiting the doctor I still dont want to go home so I decided to go to a coffee shop. I want a change of something so I decided to order coffee jelly and choco macadamia cookie (in w/c I should be ordering the Espresso Frap & some croissant). My daughter at that time order an ice cream and fries at a food chain.

my baby stick to ice cream but later LOVE the jelly minus the coffee

I also had 3 books bought at the bookstore to feed my soul. All books are related to motherhood. I cant wait to finish everything. Books are my diversion for this year. Ive been so selfish with “myself” for the past 2 years and it is a great move for me to atleast love myself and love what I am doing. Is it worth the buy? YES. I got the 3 books on sale! As in 90% off! (you wouldnt believe that)

enjoying the jelly. jelly. jelly.

My daughter ask me a lot of things this day.
1. Do you love me?
2. Am I a good girl?
3. Can you buy me another doggy collection?
4. Do you know I love you?
5. Do you know that you are really a super chef?

chocolate macadamia nut cookie - chewy!

Trying new things are good even there are plenty of reasons why I shouldnt. Loving the results sometimes stressive as you failed to like the outcome. Making some new moves (like ordering coffee jelly: in w/c i found out will not be my fave) will feed our souls. Our soul always need new things to try our intelligence. Love it, win or loose. Its a gamble I may say but who cares, enjoy life and feel the challenge !

Blood sucks, I mean …

UST, (Laboratory) Manila

my cat pillowing my business phone & keyboard at 3am

Before my appointment to the laboratory, I cant sleep (literally). There are things wandering in my head. They are roaming like crazy mouse stuck in my brain. But then again my cat accompanied me in this insomiac night. Later that I realized that after a while MIOAMING fell asleep right in front of my keyboard while Im tweeting & reading and watching t.v. +_+

As early in the morning I had this number!

Prior to that date, the doctor advice me for a fasting, like 8 hours atleast but I was on fasting like 15 hours every night for 3 months now. The last three months was not planned. It happenned when you had this terrible pain and worries, you become less prone to eating. I guess that was cool. I actually 10 pounds lighter than October 2009. But the problem is I need resistance to sickness, and if Im healthy I can win the battle of it.

Laboratory, clean, calm and smiling med tech crews

Early morning as I went to visit the pathologist assigned to me, I was #71 and find out that the number called was just on #60. I imagine how hard to wait. But being on the paying ward was a different experience. PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE TO EXPRESS MY OBSERVATION WITH REGARDS TO “MY OWN” EXPERIENCE TO PAYING A PRIVATE LAB VS. PAYING A PUBLIC LAB. I dont know if that would be a big issue (as I blog it)??!!?

I pay almost P10,000.00 for the whole list of my test. The experience was quite happy and satisfied. I was waiting calmly and ease at the airconditioned room and comfortable chair. The cashiers and the pathologist/s are all accommodating and polite. The whole room is clean and calm. Everything is perfect not to stress the patient. They even asked me lot of questions like am I comfortable with the chair Im seating and am I scared, things like that.

Years ago, I also experience having done test/s at other laboratory that I will refused to name. It is a paying laboratory BUT I believe that the price speaks for itself. Its so hot, everyone is perspiring. No one would like to assist you at any means (you have to wait for your number to be called w/c is definitely miles away). I dont have a chair then until I was called. The room was a bit not good for my perfectionist ideals. The results were released after a week and mind you! It was released because you are fuming mad to the one answering the phone as you often follow up if your papers are there to be picked up.

my receipt! YES IT IS LONG!!!!

Above are just my judgement of what happen to me. It may not happen to you and Im glad. Im stating in my behalf so please try to understand. Im not stating a discrimination of status quo but pointing out that this can be resolved, paying or not paying laboratories.

i am terribly knocked out after so instead taking the test tubes some shots I failed, my heart pumping so fast and I believe thats what the doctor told me not to have PANIC RAGE.

To share, my husband told me that it is okay to spend time and money trying that lab, and at the same time as a sick person accompanying “yourself” to the hospital – - i need a calm nice place to do my tests. Plus it is amazingly 15minutes away from my place (if not traffic). My husband was pleased. He called me up and Im in the voice he never expect. It was like I am excited to be called? He said that is a good sign that I was not stressed at all. He liked it.

these are the result. Nicely print attention to my doctor (but I opened it!) and in envelope. I got it asap! That was the fastest result I ever experience. Faster that counting ballots!!!!

The results: Well Im not good reading it but I researched so much to find out whats wrong with me. I even went to a local bookstore to sneaked out some book/s and read it there (w/c I often do: confession). Now I had a clue. I immediately texted my husband and also try to mention what’s up and whats my research all about. He told me just one line – youre not a doctor to know those stuffs!

the text message I received from my baby KIM sweeeeet! I love it!

Over all experience:Yes I hate blood. The main reason why I didnt chose to study any blood related course down in college even I love Science, Botany and Chemistry so much! I hate the smell of the hospital. I vomit. Weird, but yes I vomit. I immediately took shot thru my phone all details of this venture. I talk to my journal and write down thoughts while waiting my turn. I love my pen that day (it cooperates!). But trying to be comfortable (if we have means) isnt that bad. It is a venture our soul will benefit. As a coward lady like me I need this calm and friendly place, I didnt have the chance to think whats the real reason why I was there at all. The experience did open up so many knowledge (in w/c I love to have). I want to buy new book about blood (not the vampire and wolves book- mind you all!) that will eventually feed my hunger brain of a lot of why’s and how. I remember college days where I got the highest grade of 1 (uno) on my ANATOMY (share: my teacher is from Harvard University) subject asking the explanation in essay form of “WHY THE BLOOD IS RED?” .. Cool.

Lesson: If just in case you can do the insurance thing, do it. Its very hard to spend a penny for a surprise sickness. I wish everyone in this world will be as comfortable as I am during my visit to the doctor. Im not saying do the same thing I did, its never applicable to all. It just happen my husband decided to do it for me. To spend the amount (I hate to release) fro my benefit. Its very hard to be alone during this wild days. Im not that lucky. I still envy people who was in the local lab but w/ their love ones to support them (so never envy my venture!). Going home alone is like in a battle where you fought 100 vs. you alone. Well, that is life. Life is craze +_+ But Im contented.

Thanks everyone for reading!

Moleskine, Is it worth?

I want you so much!!!

I always have passion on collecting notebooks and pen (weird). I can finished the whole 100 pages in less than a week just to write my thoughts on it. I also have couple of collections where my poems are featured. I also have notebooks where my sketches are filed and properly drawn. All I know I need to have so many reserved notebooks and lot of pens (weather in different ball point or colors!).

what! almost P1200.00 ???? +_+

I found this notebook (in which I LOVE) at our local national bookstore. Its not best seller, not because of its quality because I found every pages of this notebook as GRADE A and so beautiful. When we speak of colors for cover, it doesnt have prints but the colors are very cool & warm. Pretty indeed!

Display. So cool!

The only problem with this notebook is it is VERY EXPENSIVE. It would cost you a lot of money for just (assumption) a 40-50pcs pages of smooth beige paper. I want to have that soon for my collection/s. I dont just collect a blank notebook, definitely it will have my thoughts in it. A never ending thoughts of everything in my mind.

this is what I want to do with it! JOURNAL +_+

Moleskine. Thats the brand name of the notebook I want. It is actually made in Italy. It is covered with oil cloth and the paper is made of smooth cream pad. I dont know if the history itself made the smallest notebook priced at P1200.00 and the biggest notebook priced at P5000.00. Some famous artist used those kind of notebooks (in the mid 19-20th century) were Oscar Wilde, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Henry Matisse. They used it as impression paper and sketch pad.

If you will ask me if is this kind of notebook worth the price? Is it worth for keep. I now stand for the word YES IT IS. For me everything useful to feed your mind for creativity and artistry is always worth every price. It is like why I bought those precious paint brush and, canvass and paints (plus the fact that you have to frame the canvass after…).

Me, I will have those (even one please) I will used it as my journal. Story of my life. My dreams and vision in life. I guess I have to fill my piggy bank’s tummy then! WISH ME LUCK!!!

Now SHE invited me!

7/11, Nagtahan

I can sense that my sister is worried and needed a break. I always tell her when she need a break — a single sip or two of coffee will always make her feel good! After a while while I was in the kitchen she told me “can we just have coffee?” … I said “of course!”

10-15mins walk away from my place

After dinner, (by the way I cooked PORKCHOP STEAK) we walk to the convenience store, ordered her fave coffee (the biggest one!) and now I can see her smile. I always want her to smile. Who doesnt want a person to smile?! We didnt talk/chat much.. we just walk until we headed home. After, we went to our own room and locked. That’s it! It is not actually the coffee, its how you want a person be with you, support him/her in every manner she/he want it to be.

my eldest sister (sorry its dark - its 930pm)

pia my niece hand & a doughnut! I gave kids a doughnuts

Hershey’s Vanilla Cappucino of 7/11 is the best to sip when hot. My daughter hate the taste (she told me it taste like medicine). She doesnt even finished the doughnut from Mister Donuts from same store. I like doughnuts! To whatever form it might be But as I am sipping the last 5 coffee slurp, it taste bitter. Hershey’s always like that! When cold, its different story (but I dont know if it happen to you or to some, Im speaking on my experience).

I had a smile. I know my sister will have a peaceful night…

Who invited who?

Starbucks, E. Rodriguez

I am not sure who invited who in this coffee date. As far as I know we are both sick and will go on a check up. First itinerary was QUIAPO but unfortunately due to rally (commemoration of mendiola massacre in the 80s) the vehicles are opt to stop. Second stop we decided to go coffee. Third stop, we went to UST for laboratory stuffs. Fourth stop – wet market! We bought some ornamental decoration >> PLANTS.

my eldest sister who wants strawberry frap and choco dipped doughnuts!

My sister isnt a fan of coffee based products (but according to her except HERSHEY’S COFFEE). I ordered a strawberry Frappucino and added some chocolate dipped doughnuts — “my treat!”

i ordered for sausage roll & espresso (my sis love the roll too!)

Here is the squeak!
We talk about lot of things especially the new YAYAs we have at home. Its a little odd I guess. Second option and back up plan was made here in this coffee shop

my sis (in violet) what a great talk!

Not surprisingly, my husband call up!

I dont know if I will smile or frown. Honestly we still have issues to iron out that day and it made me uneasy talking to him +_+ . But as God said, HUMILITY will always be our bullet to sufferings

my happy/smiling sister

This day was quite a heck, but we did had lot of things done & talk about which we never used to do. I wish all my sisters are here to join. It will be fun! Hope that happen… winxs*