I've always been a "dried fish" fanatic. Even as a young girl, I'd be fascinated watching my Mom devour pieces of "hawot" (how dried fish is called in San Jose, Batangas) together with sinangag (fried garlic rice) drenched in hot barako coffee. It was when I tried to taste it for myself that I became to love this same meal that my Mommy so adores.
I guess it is really in the genes because even my 2 older children love to eat "tuyo". The minute they smell the aroma of frying dried fish, you'd see them almost drooling to get their hands on their platter of fried rice and fish. With some scrambled egg on the side, the meal was the perfect way to start a rainy morning.
In a few days my son will be graduating from Preschool. For the past week or so, he and his classmates have been busy practicing for their Baccalaureate Service and Graduation Exercises. I was given a sneak peek during their final rehearsal today for their Baccalaureate this coming Sunday.
The excitement is evident in their eyes. It was a wonder they didn't mind being asked to do their numbers over and over until they got it perfectly. They were all bundled up with tremendous energy and vibe. Everywhere else, the faculty and administration were busy putting up the finishing touches to the backdrop, checking the program sequence and perfecting the script.
Looking around, I was brought to my own memory flashes of graduation practice week...of which I had three: elementary, high school and college. They all seem like a blur now but I can still remember the feeling of pride and accomplishment I had then. I'm sure my son and his classmates feel exactly the same.
One of my former high school classmates made a wall post at Facebook, mentioning a brand of peanut butter. It began a barrage of comments from her friends and she mentioned never failing to leave the grocery store without at least 3 big jars of it and with 2 smaller ones for "back-up". I really don't know what it is with peanut butter that I also joined in the comments. Growing up, I was more of a Ludy's/Lily's Coco Jam kind of kid. And when I got older, I preferred cheese spreads for my bread. My love affair with peanut butter probably started as a result of being around a family of nutty addicts. My husband loves peanut butter and as it turns out, all three of our children inherited his taste bud for this yummy treat. Since I'm the one doing the regular grocery chore, oftentimes I'd stock up on my fave cheese spread and seldom bought peanut butter. However, over the last year, I noticed that I've been buying less and less of my cheesy favorite and have been choosing peanut butter instead. Oh no!!! I've become a peanut butter convert!!! I've gone over to the other side!!!
Whereas before I'd just try it on a piece of bread and not really be satisfied, now I can't imagine eating piece of bread or pan de sal without it. Fortunately, there is a local PB manufacturer in my city for almost half the price of the commercially-available one. It is similar to a Ludy's or Lily's type of peanut butter. The kids love it on their bread combined with either strawberry or mango-pineapple jam. Hubby and I prefer to partner it with guava jelly. We've also learned to love it, the "Elvis Presley" way - lightly-toasted pieces of loaf bread, spread with PB and jam then topped with slices of banana. With our family's obvious preference for this uber nutty spread, it's not surprising that we have a love affair with peanuts of all shapes and sizes - adobo, cracker-type, chocnut and even plain boiled in shell. What's your peanut butter story?
Adorning one corner of the family room is a colorful play kitchen set that we gifted our elder daughter a couple of Christmases ago. It's so portable, all the smaller pieces can be conveniently placed inside the "oven" and it even has a handle to ease with carriage.
This has been my daughter's instant perk-me-upper. She can spend hours in front of it, pretending to cook all sorts of delectable dishes. Hmmm...one of these days, I shall ask her to cook for you.
It's been exactly nine years ago today when hubby and I said our "I do's" to each other back in 2001. On March 16, 2001 we capped our nearly three-year-old friendship by tying the knot in a civil ceremony at the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City. Twelve years of friendship, nine years of wedded bliss and three children later, we are going strong in our relationship and family life. It has been a great roller coaster ride - one I'd definitely ride over and over again. Looking back, I can see how our marriage has blossomed and matured to what it is now - We've transformed ourselves to the best persons we could ever be to each other; we've tried our very best to become the parents our children need and deserve; and we're constantly evolving and growing spiritually as a couple. I can't wait to spend decades upon decades of love and quarrel, joy and sorrow, and peace and chaos with that one person whom God has chosen for me - my best bud, my confidante, my financial guru, my lifestyle coach, my parenting partner, my dance instructor, the love of my life - my palangGA, Jerome...Happy 9th Anniversary!!!
My little Cailie is such a cutie! When presented with an opportunity to pose in front of the camera, she'll gladly grab it and offer her widest grin. She loves to take hold of the camera too and tries to capture amazing photographs.
At the young age of three, she is exhibiting a very headstrong personality. She rarely takes no for an answer and is relentless whenever she wants something. What's even more amazing is her ability to endear herself to every person she meets.
I woke up to a very beautiful Sunday morning today. For a perk-me-up, the fam bam had breakfast at the local batchoy shop. The fresh noodles, pork bits and chicharon, garlic, leeks and glorious caldo (hot broth) made our tummies warm and satisfied. We did a short joy ride around our small city before hearing mass at Sto. NiƱo Shrine. For lunch, we hopped over to Mom's Finest Buffet to officially celebrate my natal day. We arrived just in time for the much-awaited Pacquiao-Clottey boxing match to begin. I was so happy to find my favorite Kare-Kare as part of the buffet...love it!!! So my birthday feast consisted of Kare-Kare, Garlic Chicken, Fried Tilapia, Spaghetti, Pork Sarciado and Steamed Rice. Jarred insisted I should have cake since it's my birthday but I told him that older people don't really get birthday cakes anymore. To this he wittingly replied, "Don't worry Mom...I know exactly what to do!" He scooted over to the dessert table and filled bowls and saucers with yummy dessert fare. When he came back to the table, he said..."Here Mom, for ice cream, you can have this cool sago and cream mix and instead of cake, here's some Maja Blanca and Ube Jello." It was so touching! We were all stuffed at the end of the lovely meal. And despite the boxing match being so boring and uneventful, it was a birthday lunch that I will never forget. We went to nearby Gaisano Mall so the boys can get their haircut and looked around for some stuff that hubby needed. He was able to score a nice pair of driving shoes and 2 pairs of Old Navy sweat pants for an absolute steal! Since I've been sporting a slimmer waistline nowadays, I scouted for a nice casual belt which I found after some steady search. Before heading back home, the two older kids requested to have some fun at the arcade and armed with 2 tokens each, they chose a car race video game and a rickety bus ride. The rest of the day was spent relaxing at home. When I opened my email inbox and Facebook account, I was floored by the amount of greetings and well-wishes from family and friends. And so, for a great day filled with delectable food shared with loved ones, precious time being together and wonderful wishes from all over the world - THANK YOU! It is indeed such amazing times we now have to celebrate getting older. I love it!!!
Meet Mommy Piggy...she's the first of two "inahin" pigs we have in our small piggery business. I remember how she looked like when we first got her...she was just a teeny weeny piglet back in August.
By next month, she'll be ready to have piglets herself...can't wait to see those little critters moving all over the pen.
Having three kids makes our home a full house. It is chaotic and loud, messy and sticky, crazy and topsy-turvy but I won't have it any other way...these 3 rugrats + an awesome hubby make my life wonderful and exciting to live each day.
It was during the years between 1994 and 1996 that I have come to know a bubbly young lady uniquely named "Melot". She joined ATS' QuEST through the Business Measurement Team (BMT). From the moment she stepped into the Makati office, she has shone such magnificent light and vibe to everyone. Being petite and exhibiting such an impish smile, Melot clearly became the "baby" of the group.
Indeed, she was young when she first worked with us but she had displayed maturity and professionalism way beyond her years. The different projects of BMT definitely excited and challenged her. She loved all the traveling that came with the job. If my memory serves me right, I might have taken maybe 2 or 3 SuperFerry trips with her while doing some Expectation or Satisfaction study. I was from another team but there was a time I had to render an extra hand at BMT since it was the time of the WGA merger and everything was toxic! Work surely became so much fun when Melot was around, she made sure of that.
I kind of lost touch with Melot shortly after I left the company in 1996 and although I made a comeback in 1998, she was no longer with the group when that time came. My communication with her resurfaced last year through Facebook. It was also that time when I came to know of her battle with ovarian cancer. Browsing through her photos, you wouldn't really know of her painful and difficult physical journey because all you'd see are smiles and twinkling eyes. If there's one thing I know about Melot, it's the strength of her faith in God. And I knew it was God himself who was guiding her throughout her ordeal.
It would be two weeks ago today that our dear MARIE ROSE - 'Melot' went back home to the Father. I was shocked and sad to hear of the news but I was also thankful that her physical pain and suffering has ended. She put up a great fight with her illness and it was time for her to finally be with our Lord. The immense outpouring of love and prayers only showed how much Melot is loved by all her family and friends. She will be missed greatly by us all. I'd like to remember my dearest friend for her husky, booming and hearty laugh that would send everyone else in the room into a chorus of joyous laughter.
Melot, thank you for the memories, the laughter and the tears...rest well, my friend...until we meet again.
