Table For Six, Please...

The rain was pouring hard but there was no sign of backing out from any of us. No one is calling asking to postpone the dinner, and I guess no one will. After all we are not sure when this kind of gathering will happen again. I am going to meet friends whom I haven't seen for almost a decade, except for Maricel. The last time I saw her was more than five years ago. It was my daughter's birthday.

Maricel is now a flight attendant. She is married to Francis Sioson, her long time boyfriend. They have one daughter.

Maricel and I decided to meet at my work and we were fetched there by Dwight who is still very single. Dwight is currently a Manager at a Medical Insurance company in Makati. He looked very stunning in his work outfit, I must say. We drove to Greenbelt and met Tine there.

Tine was with her lovely daughter who was very polite. Tine is now enjoying being a stay-home-mom. She also has a 6-month old baby boy. They are all waiting for their petition.

We decided to have dinner at a Filipino restaurant called Sentro. We waited for Lloyd who I think, never aged. He still looked the same, well, except for the hair. LOL! Lloyd is now in the BPO industry.

We ate, talked and laughed. The mood was very festive just like the food. It was really fun looking back...who dated who, who had a crush on whom, who ended up with whom, how we looked like wearing our uniform which we never really liked and of course we talked about our teachers and sorry, but I am not going into the details about the teachers...hahaha

Lloyd had to leave after the dinner because duty calls. Booooooooo! We concluded the night at Via Mare oyster bar. We had a few drinks and continued gossipping until we decided to go home because it was already dawn. I had a blast and I really enjoyed the evening. I hope Grace will be with us next time.

Yes, I'm Thirty!

It was my 30th birthday yesterday but there was nothing grand. It's enough that I have my family to celebrate it with. I am also grateful for having wonderful friends and I want to thank all those who remembered. I love you all!

This is not a speech nor a "Thank You" letter. LOL! What I really wanted to show is the food I got from Mama (Cagayan Valley) when she arrived yesterday. She is always sending/bringing us food even if there is no occasion. She sends it through a provincial bus then my husband fetches the "box" from the bus station.

Inside the box are local delicacies like suman and bibingka. Our own version of suman is triangular but it is also wrapped in banana leaf. We call our bibingka "royal bibingka" because it really is special--I was not able to take a picture of it though.

Mama also brought pop rice which is my daughter's favorite and longanisa which my husband and my mother-in-law really loves.

Cagayan's longanisa is the same as Ilocos' when it comes to taste. It is a bit salty but you dip it in vinegar, it becomes perfect! The ground pork has lots of chopped garlic and other seasonings then it gets stuffed inside a pig's intestine. I know for a fact that the pig's intestine is clean because I saw our neighbor once while cleaning/scrubbing the said part. I was amazed by it's elasticity because it does not break.

I did not like longanisa when I was younger but I am now a total convert!

My Two Cents

I travel from Caloocan to Makati almost everyday and I can't help but notice politician's posters hanging from lamp posts and cable wires. I am not sure if those are telephone, cable TV or MERALCO wires. Whatever those are that these posters are attached to, they are still an obstruction and poses hazard to motorists and commuters like me.

It's vexing me, to be honest. Are we going to wait fo these materials to fall off someone's head?

If these politicians were able to hang their posters however high the posts and cables are, they should be able to remove it too. Now, if these politicians can't, I believe MMDA ( Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) can since the scope of MMDA services include public safety. Campaign period is so over, for Pete's sake! Just my two cents...

-=*=-

Let's Go Thrift-Shopping!

Thrift-shopping is something not strange to me. I have my own fare share of thrift-shopping and this bag is one of the few things I got. Some of the items I've already given away but this one is far from getting disposed.

I bought this bag more than five years ago and it will stay with me for another five more years, I guess. I love it so much because it is colorful and very easy to carry around. The patterns are cool, the back part of it has a different print and it is reversible. Two bags is one, huh! It's very playful. I was actually intrigued by the quilting technique used on the fabrics that is why I bought it...and it only costs less than a hundred!

jejemon.com

I thought all along that you need to have log in credentials to be able to chat with a jejemon. I was wrong. Anyway, I am not a fan nor I want to be one of them. I am also not a hater nor a lover. Let us just say that I respect their individuality.

My previous entry, let's face it, lacks soul. It was a product of rushing. There was no deadline. I was in front of the computer and I just want to write something--it's boredom, I guess.

Enough with the excuses!LOL

As promised, I tried to invade a not-so-familiar community (I think they are already a community) and I got a result. It was very short conversation because I did not know what to say. Above is a screenshot. I edited his picture and name, of course. He is 15, he described himself as "mabait and pogi" (kind-hearted and handsome) and he really did not use much of the jeje-language--if you can call it as such. I was the one using the jeje-language because I was using their translator which is called the Jologs-inator.

There was no need for me to create a jejename because I was able to chat without one. There is a panel on the right side of their site where you can see jejemons who are logged in and you can chat with them right away. Since I do not have a jejename, I was dubbed anon--that is probably for unknown. Funny.

I was actually sharing this experience with a friend and he told me that some local news reporters/researcher who are gay, call each other jejekla. We were even joking about what we can call a jejemon specialist--a jejeologist. Study of jejemons--jejeology (why do we even need to study them in the first place), a Mommy jejemon--jejemom (Jesus, bless your kids!), a techie jejemon--jejetechie. Now, what if a jejemon works in a call center, can we call him a jejecall then? That does not sound politically right...hahaha

The Jologs-inator

I was wondering how a jejemon communicate with a fellow jejemon. I researched (aka GOOGLE) and I was not disappointed. Jejemons do have their official website! I was not surprised. The site is http://www.jejemon.com. It is user friendly and it is very colorful. I am not sure if it will be easy to understand them once you're logged in and are communicating with them already.

If you are not a jejemon you will have a hard time reading through, I guess. Good thing they have their own translator called "Jologs-inator" which for sure, can help those non-jejemons.

I tried it. Below is what I typed and the translation.

Hi, I am new here so please bear with me. Kumusta, are you from QC?

HI, I M NEW~ hERe s0 plEASE BeAr~ wITH mE P0wh.~ KuMuSta p0wH.~ zAReZuu F0m QC, N0H?

It is fun translating but it's never fun reading such. Aside from the translator, they also have their own jejebadge (where I got the badges used in this entry), jejepolls (they predicted Noynoy to win the Presidential election) and forum/chat room. I am actually planning on signing up so that I can experience how to be a jejemon firsthand.

I am still thinking of a jeje-name. HELP!

When I did a spell-check on this entry, all "jeje" words were highlighted.--as expected! I will be posting more as soon as I'm done with my jejemon invasion. I will not be trapped, Bles!

Heat Stroke: A Medical Emergency

According to the Department of Health (DOH), heat stroke is a medical emergency. It is a state when the body overheats and temperature rises to a dangerous level. Heat stroke starts when the body stops cooling down. Symptoms include faintness, dizziness, weakness, headache and warm, flushed skin. This symptoms can progress to unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, delirium and a very high fever.

We already have cases wherein heat stroke resulted to death. These, we have to prevent. Below are some helpful tips.

1. Stay well hydrated. Drink lots of fluid but avoid soda and alcohol. Drink water instead.


2. If your work requires you to be outdoors, wear a hat and a light and loose clothing.


3. Schedule heavy activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon if possible.


4. Do not spend too much time outdoors specially during midday.


5. Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which can limit the skin's ability to cool itself.

Summer should be spent outdoors! I totally agree with that. We just need to be very cautious and mindful of our activities. No emergencies!

SOURCES: About.com and DOH

Tiny's New Baby 2

...the not so new member of the family after the facelift

Election 2010

Millions of Filipinos casted their votes in the first automated election in the country.
People braved the scorching summer heat to exercise their right to vote and be part of a very historic event in Philippine Politics.

Some fear the failure of the said election and we can't blame them for feeling such. Last night, we sill heard and seen over the news that there were cases of PCOS machine glitches and failures. Add the violence happening in some parts of the country.

I am hopeful. I believe that we need change and we were give the opportunity to do just that. Let us all be wise. I am sure that violence in any shape and form will not persuade or prevent us from doing our civic duty. Congratulations to all of us and MABUHAY PHILIPPINES!

*Photo courtesy of Irish Urmatam

Arthur Kyle

My Baby Boy

...while waiting for the ice cream

Excercise Your Right To Suffrage

May 10 is election day and I hope for an honest and clean election. We should all be vigilant of at least our vote--never let your family's future be bought for a couple-of-hundreds. Be wise enough in selecting since our decisions will greatly affect our children's future.

We are all empowered to select and elect who we think is the best man or woman for the job. We need to look beyond the surface and examine. Ask ourselves, is this person capable? Will he be the one running the country or people around him? Will he become a puppet of the people who helped him during the campaign period? Will he be paying non-stop political debts and forget what he was elected for? Is this person just plain hungry for power? Is this person wanting to protect his own interests only?

I am sure we have more questions. The list goes on and on but at the end of the day we still need to select. I say be wise, don't sell your vote and think of your loved one's future.

Little Joys in Life

Nobody and nothing in this world is perfect. Not everything that happens in your life is according to what you want. You get to experience challenging situations. You need to decide on very important matters but sometimes you are not sure if your decisions were right.


Anyway, I don't want to dwell on the negatives and I don't want to get depressed by something I have written in the past. With that being said, I will write about simple things that make me smile, laugh, grin or even cry. Things that make my heart happy.

• Playing what my 3-year old son recorded on my mobile phone...over and over. I always imitate him after.


• Knowing that my daughter knows a lot about computers and the internet... more that her father. She is six.


• Watching movies during wee hours knowing that it's going to move me into tears.


• Buying Reese's peanut butter cups for my hubby.


• Baking orange muffins and oatmeal cookies for my kids.


• Playing games on FB.


• Reading Rajo Laurel's blog. I love his travel pictures.


• Chatting with friends on social networking sites... friends I have known since grade school and high school.


• Receiving a wedding invitation from a college friend whom I haven't seen or spoke with for years.
  
• Eating fresh or dried fruits.


• Getting my nails done.


• Knowing that I have a secure relationship with my hubby, I hope...hahaha


• My kids saying "I love you, Mom."


• My kids kissing me. Mind you, they need nothing...no nothing at all. They just want to kiss me.


• Reading Yek's blog. His recent thrift shopping, his dressing up and his MIADORE's. I got one Miadore. I super love it.


• Reading Karl Marx's biography and his works. I have been doing this for the past few days.


• My husband telling me that my timing was just right when I hopped in the car--he was playing Martin Nievera's "Be My Lady." This happened today.


• Eating salty and greasy chicharon.


• Having buffalo wings for dinner. My hubby cooked it.


• Writing this makes me feel good already.
  
  

I still have a few on my list but I do not want to make this entry very long. Until next time. Hugs!

8-Course Degustation

Degustation is the action or instance of tasting especially in a series of small portions. I was invited by no other than my husband to do just that.

My hubby is a student at CCA (Center for Culinary Arts) and he is now at level 8. Two more levels to go! I am so proud of him . I know how he worked so hard to get this far and I am sure that he is excited to become a Chef already. I am very confident that he will finish his course because he is a very hardworking man and is very much dedicated to what he does.


I have been invited to some of their activities at school, some I was not able to attend to. The latest was their Degustation which was held last night at CCA. They prepared an 8-course meal for their guests. They occupied a classroom and 3 laboratories (kitchen) for the said event. There was a seating arrangement and I was really surprised because what I thought was just a card where the guests names were written for seating arrangement purposes, was actually a card with a personal message written inside. I'd say it was romantic.


It was an 8-course degustation. The menu includes Amuse Bouche, Bulalo Consomme, Kilawin Tanigue, Sisig Ravioli, Kalamansi-Basil Sorbet, Pan-seared Besugo with Laing, Steak Kare-Kare, Maja Blanca Cheesecake and Sago.


The food was sumptuous, I should say. I loved the liver sauce for the lechon, the menu was called Amuse Bouche. Their Bulalo Consomme was the best. Consomme is a clear soup made from stock. Ingredients like the beef, corn, and vegetables were wrapped and fried. It was very interesting how they made the bulalo ingredients into a dumpling.


Other favorites were Sisig Ravioli and Pan-seared Besugo with Laing. The Sisig Ravioli was served with two sauces--pesto sauce made of olive oil, pine nuts, basil and garlic and a white sauce made of pork brain. The Pan-seared Besugo with Laing was sinful. The plating was so inviting, you can't help but dig in.

I hope I get invited again soon and I wish that it will be their own restaurant next time.

Tiny's New Baby

Honda City Model 1996

This is how the hood looked like before it was painted.

The battery is not even 6 months old.

...sigh

...transformations begins

I wanted it darker but it was not a decision for me to make.

The car is not yet finished.

We will see more of her soon...

Jologs Chic

We were never introduced formally...I thought it was not necessary. We have a common friend who posted a link about him on a social networking site. That is how I came across his blog. I was so amazed with what I saw when I visited his blog. It was like love-at-first sight. He is a genius. Oh, I am talking about Yek Balingit.


Yek is a Visual Artist for local fashion brands. His team are the ones designing/dressing the windows of shoppes. Aside from being a Visual Artist, Yek creates lovely neckpieces.


I added him as a friend on a social networking site and the rest is history. We met just today...I got myself a MIADORE. He took a picture of me wearing his creation and I was not prepared. Darn, I should have known!


His Miadore is now an official label at the House of Laurel. Yes, Rajo Laurel! He shared how Rajo grabbed him when he saw him at BED club. How cool is that, Rajo grabbing you because he adores your work? Yek also added that he was just there because a friend invited him. What a coincidence!


Visit Yek's blog and I'm sure you will be amazed as well.

Alyssa's Hierarchy of Rules

I have been taking the laptop to work for quite a while. That means my daughter (Alyssa) can't log in to my hubby's and my Facebook to play games. She can't visit YouTube to search Disney Movies' original sound tracks (with lyrics) and she can't play Moshi Monsters--her current favorite game.

I went home one day and found my notebook lying on the table. There was something written on it and I was very sure that it was not my handwriting. It was Alyssa's. That was not something new because she does scribble on my notebook about pretty much anything. What surprised me was the content.

She wrote rules... and take note of the hierarchy.

1. Listen to Mom and Dad.



2. Bring toy for Ate (pasalubong).



3. Do not bring the computer.

The kid sure knows how to bribe Mom and Dad, huh! I have to admit that this deal is not bad at all...and oh, let me add she is beside me while I am writing this and she said that I can bring the computer if it's buste

Alyssa, making a funny face

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

My daughter was so excited about the Easter Egghunt that she insisted on buying plastic egg containers. We filled it with coins, chocolates and candies. She may not fully understand the whole concept but she is aware as to why we celebrate Easter Sunday.


Easter Sunday is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Chist. According to scriptures, it was the day Jesus came back from the dead. To celebrate this, modern Christians and non-Christians alike go egghunt. It is relatively a new element.


Easter eggs are apparently hidden by the Easter Bunny for kids to hunt down Easter Sunday morning...and that is just what we did!

Aside from egg hunting, we usually get together as a family. Time for catching up and for sharing old memories. Sharing food each family prepares and kids just having fun and playing with their cousins. It also is a family reunion of some sort I guess.

CROCS MEGA SALE

I was at the Crocs Mega Sale today and managed to get two pairs, one for me and one for my son. My daughter insisted on buying a Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe instead of a pair of Crocs. She got what she wanted of course...such a Daddy's girl.

Entrance was free since I have a Citibank credit card (one of the sponsors for this year's sale) and you are allowed to have one companion. I was alone though. For those who do not have Citi cards, the fee is P50.00. The sale will run until tomorrow.

It was very hard to get a pair because you have to search for sizes and their pairs in the sea of footwears. Adult sizes are either 8-9-10 or 4-5-6. My shoe size is between 7 to 8--depending on the style. I was lucky to get what I really wanted.

Most of the items on sale are for kids. From tiny footwears with different colors to sizes that fits a 13-year-old. Since I only planned to buy two pairs, I did not bother bringing a plastic bag but for those who plan to buy a truckload, I suggest you bring one.

UTI in Preschoolers

My daughter woke her father up one evening and asked him to buy medicine because her tummy aches. We gave her an antispasmodic/anticholinergic medicine because it was what the pharmacist recommended and we thought it was just a disturbance of some sort in her tummy. We were wrong. She was still complaining about stomach pain the next day so we took her to the hospital. She was diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection or UTI.

She underwent tests like urinalysis and CBC--which she hated. It was hard to see her cry but these tests has to be done. There is nothing more painful than to see your kids get hurt and you know that there is nothing you can do. No amount of explanation and bribery can lessen the pain. I wanted to stop the procedure but I know that it was essential so I did not.

Although most doctors do not believe that Urinary Tract Infections are caused by poor hygiene, I still talked to her yaya and asked her how she washes her after defecating. I was relieved knowing that her yaya knows how to wash the right way--wipe her bottom from front to back. My daughter also takes a bath twice a day. It would not do any harm making sure that she is always clean.


I am left with one possibility, she is delaying her trip to the comfort room. My daughter's classroom is located at the second floor and their comfort room is located downstairs. According to articles I have read, regular urination flushes away bacteria. Holding in urine allows bacteria to grow and it also means keeping the muscles tight for a long time making it hard to relax when it is time to urinate. This results to a bladder not to empty completely.

There are several symptoms of UTI. My daughter had fever, abdominal pain and lesser trip to the comfort room. Signs also include painful urination, decreased ability to control the bladder and vomiting. Talk to a doctor if you suspect that your child is suffering from UTI. Untreated urinary infections can lead to a serious kidney damage.

Gamer's Cube Videogame Console Rentals

NBA 2K10, Tekken 6, Dante's Inferno, Bayonneta, Resident Evil 5, Final Fantasy XIII and Uncharted 2. These are just few of the games offered at GAMER'S CUBE. The shop is located at 2324 Suter Street, Sta. Ana Manila and is owned by a friend who loves playing games. He is very passionate when it comes to video games. I remember accompanying him hunt for video game discs. We did not stop until he got himself one.


He started December last year with 2 units of PS3 and 3 units of XBox. He is now looking into expanding by getting a bigger place and adding more units. His shop is not even six months old. Talk about good management. I say KUDOS to him.


His customers suggested to have a tournament and so he did. The first tournament was the NBA 2K10 and the winner took P2,000.00 home.


Gamer's Cube has a Facebook account and already has 75 fans. A good start. I'm actually a fan myself.


Putting up a business is never an easy task. Aside from the money, you also need time--a lot of it. This is a challenge specially for those who are employed like my friend. He has to juggle between his work and his business...add to that his personal life. Time and money are essential but not sufficient. I believe that one also has to be passionate with what one does in order to achieve the desired goal.