My own little diva

I know I've been talking nonstop about my Angela. Pagbigyan nyo na ako mga mare, I'm just super proud of her. :)

The big difference of having a daughter instead of a son, is the joy that they can give us, mothers. Especially when they can already exhibit their young kikayness. My Angela at her young age is so talented and maarte na. When she turned 3, she chooses her own clothes to wear. Nakakaloka pa kasi minsan pati yung mga supposedly sunday dresses nya eh ginagawa nyang pang everyday lang. Gusto nya raw kasi, lagi syang maganda. Recently, her Tita Ninang Maan gifted her with a make-up kit. Aba, hindi na nya binitiwan at lagi ng naglalagay ng kung anu-ano sa mukha nya. When she started to understand the show of Willie Revillame (yes, we used to watch his show, WTBT), she always tell her dad that someday she'll join one of the segments and she'll sing and dance. Her first song to sing is Hawak Kamay of Yeng Constantino.

"Hawak kamay, 'di kita iiwan sa paglakbay,

Dito sa mundong walang katiyakay (katiyakan)

Hawak kamay, 'di kita iiwan iiwan sa paglakbay,

Dito sa mundong walang katiyakay (katiyakan)"

(repeat until magsawa sya)

Here, she uses the flashlight as her microphone. She's actually
dancing while singing.

Now I can't wait for my little Rain to grow up like her Ate. I think I have to invest two microphones (or two Magic Sing) for both of them. Para hindi nila kailangan mag agawan. Hihihi.

I know there's a lot of mommies out there who enjoy the same feeling, watching our little princesses in awe and much joy in our hearts. 

Queen B as she is now fondly called, together with The Little Bugger, are giving away a BEAUTIFUL dress for our young little divas. Denise has her own diva, the little popstar. Her pretty-smart-talented little treasure never fails to make her mama smile. You can check out her blog here to know more about her giveaway. And you can also check TLB's FB page to view her other products, and for sure mga mare, you'll find a piece or two that will make you drool. I actually posted some of my favorites here.

Join na mga mare! :)

Foods: Sweet and Spicy Chicken!

Since I joined this company, I became a fan of Korean dishes. Dalawa lang kasi ang option naming kainan dito sa office, isang carenderia at ang Adobo 'To (I'll write a separate blog about this). Naging 3rd option namin 'yung Happy 6 Days na Korean resto. Instant favorite namin 'yung sweet and spicy chicken. 

Last December, we spent the holidays with my side of family. Mahilig talagang magluto 'yung mga cousins ko. At isa sa pinagsaluhan namin sa Noche Buena ay ang version nila ng sweet and spicy chicken. Kaya nung saberday, hindi ako nagdalawang isip na gawin sya for my family. I'll share my recipe. You'll be surprise how easy it is. Hope you'll like it, too. 'Yun nga lang, pagpasensyahan nyo na kasi layman terms ang gagamitin ko sa procedure, 'ya know, I'm not a cook. :)

Ingredients:

1 kilo/whole Chicken

For the breading

1 cup Flour (or more)

1 sachet Magic Sarap

For the sauce

1/2 bar Butter

1 bottle Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce

1 bottle Jufran Hot Sauce

Procedure:

1. For the breading. Mix flour and magic sarap (adjust the amount of each depending on your taste, syempre mas maalat kung mas marami 'yung magic sarap, I actually didn't use the whole sachet).

2. Cover the chicken with the breading.

3. Deep fry chicken in a hot cooking oil. Set aside.

4. For the sauce. In a separate pan, melt butter in medium heat. Wag sigurong sobrang init na nung pan bago ilagay kasi baka masunog 'yung butter. Pag melted na lahat, pour in the sweet chili sauce and the hot sauce, you can control the amount of both sauces depending on your taste. You can put more hot sauce if you prefer it extra chili. 

5. Last step, combine the chicken and the sauce.

6. Plate and serve. 

Taadaaa!! Presenting my sweet and spicy chicken!!

I cut into strips carrots and cucumber for garnish

Instant hit sya mga mare. :)

Saturday high

I made our family dinner last Saturday extra special for Angela. We celebrated her achievements with foods and gifts. Ako ang official cook for the day. I know I mentioned here already that I don't really cook. Ok, let me correct it, I rarely cook. Seasonal yung mood ko sa pagluluto. And I was super happy kasi I woke up last Saturday with the determination that I will cook Angela's favorite spaghetti.

We started the day by being present at her school for the final rehearsal of their graduation march. First time nya pong um-attend ng practice. Hehe. Anyway, na-solo rin ako ni Angela kaya sinamantala ko na rin. From school, we went straight to the mall for a little shopping and to buy ingredients to my lutu-lutuan project.

Sakay kami ng jeep on our way home. Super init talaga mga mare,
tanghaling tapat 'yan. Pero Angela's super hyper pa rin kaya
ok na rin. :)

(I was browsing my phone earlier for the Spaghetti pictures para mai-upload ko dito, MY GAAWWDDD, I forgot na naman to take pictures of the plated pasta! Waahhh)

Etong spag sauce lang ang nakuhaan ko. Ano be?

For dinner, I made 3 dishes. Yes, not one but THREE! I went hardcore last Saturday sa pagluluto. Haha. Feelingera lang!

Caldereta and Fish Fillet

Mukhang masarap, noh?

Sweet and spicy chicken (korean style)

Eto ang kumabog sa gabi, ang sweet and spicy chicken! :)

Watch out for the recipes! ;)

Angela's awards

Pagpasensyahan nyo na ako mga mare. Hindi lang ako maka get over. Hehe.

The "yellow ribbon" at the left side is the "Most Diligent" award

Naturingan pa man din na Engineer kaming dalawa ni hubby pero hindi nya nasungkit ang Best in Math. Hehe. Sariling sikap talaga yan ng anak ko mga mare kaya I am super proud of her.

Verde Salon, new found happiness!

As you all know (or not?), I don't have time for myself anymore. Given that I was maid-less. I don't have time na to visit a salon for a maniped. I even bought na a DIY hair spa formula para kahit pano maayos ko naman yung buhok ko at the comfort of my home. Kaya I was really so happy when I noticed a new salon sa labas lang mismo ng aming office. (cartwheels!!) Bagong bukas lang mga mare. Siguro last week lang. Eh, papahuli pa ba naman ako?!

After lunch last Thursday, I made my way to the newly opened salon. You wouldn't even know it's a salon kasi maliit yung space nya. I'll take a picture mamaya para mai-upload ko rin dito. The salon can only fit 3 clients at a time (sa baba) plus the staffs. May mezzanine sya for waxing services and facial. I haven't seen the mezzanine but I will avail of the facial soon kasi nagkaka pimples na naman ako lately. Very homey yung feel sa loob and nakakarelax kasi hindi crowded unlike ng ibang beauty salon and spas. :)

I am so happy lang talaga. :) Ang only nega comment ko lang talaga is I find the price a little too high. Considering the location and the target market. Parang mahal yung Php310 for maniped. Hmmm? Watyathink?

May we all have a Blessed Holy Monday!

Let's the start the week with a humble heart.

*Picture from Google

EK: Bedroom Slippers

Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat, I love PINK!! (babae rin ako noh!?)

I saw this last night in my side of bed. Ayun pala, hubby bought this for me. (Thanks, Bhe! I love it!) He went shopping yesterday before going to site kasi ubos na pala pagkain namin sa bahay. So now, I have my pink slippers. :)

Me: Bhe, salamat sa slippers. :)

R: Bedroom slippers daw yan, Bhe. Kaya dito ko na sa kwarto dinerecho.

Me: *Slow

R: Hayy naku, bedroom slippers kaya dito ko sa bedroom dinerecho. Baka kasi hindi pwede sa LIVING room o kaya sa DINING room kasi nga BEDROOM slippers yan!

Me: (Wahhh, sorry. Jowk pala yun! Slow lang ako!)

Pagpasensyahan nyo na mga mare humor ni R. Hehe. Hindi lang naityempo ng maayos pero madalas naman, swak sa timing yung jokes nya. Hehe.

Happy day for the whole family

Everyday is happy day for us naman, only today is extra special kasi ngayon yung Closing Party ni Angela sa school. Meaning, ngayon yung awarding nila. Yehey! :)

At hindi ako naka attend. :( Hindi na kasi ako papayagan dito sa office kasi andami ko ng absences. Pinili kasi namin ni hubby na sa graduation na lang ni Angela kami aattend kasi yun yung aakyat sya sa stage. Ngayon kasi sa classroom lang naman. My mom and cousin went to school today with Angela. Kasama rin pala nila si hubby but being the shy type, ayun nasa car lang sya as I write. Kaloka lang, andun na rin naman sya hindi pa sya maki join sa loob. Haist, lalake talaga!

Anyway, I prepared her clothes kanina before I left for office. I chose na lang a pink blouse and her white capri pants. Casual lang naman daw kasi sabi ni Teacher. Sa graduation na lang sya mag dress.

Shirt: GAP Kids
Capri Pants: Sesame Street

Sana hindi nila nakalimutan magdala ng camera para makita ko naman kung anong ginawa nila sa school.

Places: Palawan, a must see island (Part 2)

Let's photo blog, shall we? I'll put na lang a caption under every picture. And please excuse the photos kasi I just used my camera phone or a regular (may not have high resolution) point and shoot camera.

The following has no particular order, hindi ko alam kung bakit nagpapalit palit sila ng position as I upload them. :)

At the airport (duh?! obviously!) :)

Mala Manila Bay (I forgot the name of the park, basta malapit 'to sa pier).
This is in Puerto Prinsesa.

El Nido Airport ('to ang hindi obvious, eto na yun, hindi rin sementado ang runway nila. promise)

The famous Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, sayang lang, hindi na kami pumasok,
pwede naman kasi 'ata.

I was super amazed by these trees that I took the camera out everytime I see one, akala ko kasi, sa Palawan lang 'to,
pag uwi ko sa Cavite, meron rin pala. Waahhh! (innocent lang)

Hiking sa Palawan. Pagdating sa tuktok, cell site naman aakyatin. :)

I love this photo. Sayang wala akong magandang camera. Sa isang isla na to na pinuntahan namin.
Sa likod yan ng hotel/lodging house na tinuluyan namin.

Isa sa mga ports na napuntahan ko.

Steep yan sa totoong buhay.

Isa sa mga villas na natry namin sa EL Nido. Nasa bangka na kami nyan for island hopping.

Waahhh, ang blurred! Sa Coron airport to.

Ito na ata ang pinakamagandang bangkang nasakyan ko dun.

View from a cell site. :) This is in Coron.

Secret Lagoon in El Nido.

A view from our hotel in El Nido.

*More pictures coming up!

ME Proud Mama!

Tomorrow is Angela's closing party at school. R texted me to call her teacher to ask her class ranking. (We decided not to let her attend the school's graduation rehearsals after the final examinations because we live very far from the school. And the summer heat is too much for her young skin and health.) I was about to hit the call button when an incoming call appeared on the screen. And I just received the good best-est (uber redundant sa happiness lang) news from Teacher Rose. Need not to ask, our smart ate topped her class. Yehey!!! (*sabog confetti)

Angela,

I am so proud of you, Anak! You made me the happiest mom today. I bet your titas and lolas and everyone who loves you are all beaming with joy as well. I just texted all of them. Hehe. I'm actually trying to control myself not to post anything in my FB wall because I may sound like an OA mom. But in fact, I may fail to do so and just let my newly polished little fingers typed away in all my social media accounts how proud I am of you. Dad and I love you so much! Little baby loves you too! Mommy Lola pa pala, she loves you, super! :)

Mommy

*Angela is 4 yrs old and is in Nursery. She passed her entrance exam in another school, closer to our new house and she'll be in Kinder 1 this coming June.

Places: Palawan, a must visit island

One of the perks of my profession is that I get to see places for free. With my first employer, I was all over NCR, North Luzon and South Luzon. Then, I got to travel to Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Bacolod. At one point, pwede na nga akong maging botante ng Laguna sa sobrang tagal namin dun. Hehe. Right after Laguna, I was sent to Palawan for almost 4 months. And mind you, I got to explore Palawan from shore to shore. I went island hopping literally. I appreciated not only the tourist destinations but everything in between. I was able to experience how it was to live and breathe Palawan. Ok, too much introductions na. :)

Alam nyo bang hindi lang sand and sea ang must see sa isla na ito? Ang dami daming masasarap na makakainan sa Puerto Prinsesa.

Isa na yung Balinsasayaw Grill and Restaurant na meron na rin naman sa Cavite.

(from WikiPilipinas)

Bird's nest soup, or nido soup, is a Chinese delicacy that is popular in the Philippines. The bird's nest ingredient comes from select species of cave swiftlets, one of which is found in the Philippines.

The most heavily harvested nests are from the edible-nest swiflet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus). TheAerodramus fuciphagus is found in the Philippines, with the local name of balinsasayaw. The birds are found in El Nido, a region in Palawan whose name literally translates to “the nest.” Even before the Spanish occupation, Chinese travelers and herbalists were documented as having explored the area just to harvest the rare delicacy that the balinsasayaw produces.

For centuries, El Nido residents have looked at the harvesting the nests as their livelihood. The nests are highly prized, such that one kilogram can fetch prices of up to 1,000 USD.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit hindi 'ata ako nakatikim ng nido soup while I was there. Hmm.. (?)

On my first day, we ate at this restaurant. The experience was unforgettable (at least for me). It's not a Japanese resto but you have to remove your shoes before coming inside. Yung ambiance ng restaurant is very relax and laid back pero with class. Hindi mura dito mga mare. You can choose from the standard dining table or you can squeeze yourselves together and eat on the floor, Japanese style lang. I love green mango shake, so yun ang inorder ko as my refreshment. Malay ko ba naman na may ginger pala yung version nila. Mygawd, eh hindi talaga ako kumakain ng kahit na anong may luya. So imagine my dismay when I first sipped the shake. Yung tipong uhaw na uhaw ka na at init na init na tapos malalasahan mo yung pinaka ayaw mo. Huwaatt? At dahil sa may kamahalan nga ang presyo (para sakin), napilitan akong ubusin bawasan man lang yung shake. Tsk tsk!

If you want naman to buy pasalubongs or have the feel of a park, Baker's Hill na 'yan. You can spend the whole afternoon there and have merienda at the restaurant. And before going back to the town proper, you can eat dinner at Leslie's tutal madadaanan na sya palabas. Actually, the list of good restaurants in Puerto Prinsesa goes on and on. But I must end here to give way to sand and sea.

*Next post please! :)

I miss thursDATE

Back when my husband and I are still in the dating stage, every Thursday is a date night. 'Lam nyo kung bakit? Kasi we both love Juris and she's a regular in 19east Bar and Grill in Sucat.

We always hang out at that place after work kahit sa Lucena pa kami nanggagaling dati. We were both assigned outside NCR that time. Pero pag Thursday, we travel back to the metro to have time for ourselves.

This is the view of the Music Hall from the garden

I have to do something about our crazy schedules. Di ba nga mga mommies, we need a time out at least once a week and be in a date with our partners? Mukhang nakakalimutan ko na these past weeks 'yun. Hmmmm...Goodluck to me. Sana magawan ko ng paraan. :)



*Pictures grabbed from their FB page

My Hair had it all!

The Buhaghag look:

Elementary days...1995

The Gang look:

High school days...1999-2000

The Young and Innocent (?) look:

College days...2004-2005

The Young and Flirty look:

Early years of my career (chos!)...2007

The Young Mom look:

Early months of 2009

The Ngarag look:

Later months of 2009 (pinakapayat kong katawan)

The Back look:

Hot-air Balloon Festival...2010

The In-love look:

Eto yung Palawan days ko...2010

The Wet look:

2011 in SG

And...The Hot-Momma (???) look:

2013 (mukhang ngarag pa rin naman, lol!)

Bow! :)

When it rains, it pours!

We had some financial difficulties this first quarter of the year. Told 'ya, having a business doesn't really mean earning lotsa money most of the time. Especially in our kind of business, collecting fees from client can really be a dilemma. In fact, we're becoming hopeless na, actually, it's more of me getting insane (hello, I have two kids to feed, hindi biro ang presyo ng gatas at diapers, di ba mommies?) but hey! God really saves the day. Came weekend, my hubby started receiving calls from his old client and asking him for meet-ups. And need not to say more. :)

Another lesson for me, God never give us trials that can never be outdone. We just have to keep our faith and do our best.

Thanks, God! :)

Champion, Mommies!

Did I tell you that I'm help-less (for 3 weeks now!)? That means, I we do the laundry. My mom and I take turns in washing the laundry. It was my turn last weekend. Waaahhhh!! Yehey! Thanks to Champion detergent!

I have the most meticulous mother in this entire planet. I'll tell you why. She prefers the old-school washing of dirty clothes. Read: hand wash! We have a working washing machine naman at home. Pero feeling nya kasi hindi rin nalilinis yung mga damit pag hindi nakukusot gamit ang mga kamay. Kaya ayun, labanderang labandera lang ang peg ko buong weekend. (sa sobrang dami ng labahin namin, hindi kinaya ng isang araw lang) And I need to say super THANK YOU sa mga ka-opisina ko for sharing this product to me. I used before the leading products in the market when it comes to household care chuva, until one of my lunch buddies told me that they use Champion for decades na. Hindi daw masakit sa kamay saka mura pa. I believed him kasi super chuchal kaya nila. Hehe.

I bought this variant last week, hindi ko na raw kasi kelangan gumamit pa ng separate fabcon.

(re-post from their website)

Softening

Softens clothes, making them more comfortable and gentler on the skin

Fragrant

Leaves a long-lasting fresh fragrance

Pure

Made with no chalk; every granule dissolves and effectively cleans during the wash

And true mga mare, hindi nga sya masakit sa kamay. And I love their slogan, "Tapat po sainyo". Dati, with my old detergent, ilang piraso pa lang ng damit, mapulang mapula na kamay ko. But with Champion, naubos ko yung labahin namin without complaining na masakit na kamay ko (yung likod ko lang ang sumakit).

I wonder how mild this variant is when the above variant took care of my hands already.

(grabbed from their website, again)

Gentle

With natural base ingredients, gently cares for your hands while still effectively washing out stains

Pure

Made with no chalk, every granule dissolves and effectively cleans during the wash

Fragrant

A fresh kalamansi scent accompanies the laundry experience and on all washed clothing

Cares for your clothes

Takes care of fabric down to the finest fibers


Pag ito siguro ang gamitin ko, baka hindi ko na halos maramdaman ang pagkusot ko. Lol!

Champion, ikaw na!


*This is not a sponsored post, I loved the product and I am just sharing the good news. :)

Love love love

Happy Anniversary, Bhe!

Same day years ago, I first laid my eyes on my husband, and it's LOVE at FIRST SIGHT! :)

Cheers to more fruitful years ahead, Bhe!

I love you!


*Picture from Google but my heart speaks the same

SUMMER Time!

Spell S-U-M-M-E-R! (I spelled it B-E-A-C-H!)

And this year, we're going to...NOWHERE! (We haven't decided YET.) I'm still hoping we'd come up with a plan. It's not yet late though.

I was pregnant with my second baby last year that's why we spent the whole summer at home. Oh, we went swimming one time. In a pool, yes. :) If I am only to decide, this year I want to go to Palawan (again) with the two kids. I want to go island hopping in El Nido. I want my kids to enjoy the picturesque of that island. And I'd like them to feel that it's indeed more FUN in the Philippines. 

This was taken last 2010 from the veranda of our hotel in El Nido

Island hopping in El Nido

I was about to post every pictures I have of Palawan and decided against it. Since summertime it is, I will post another entry na lang for my 4-month stay on that beautiful island. Watch out for it! :)

This is My Secret Blog.....Yes, it is! :)

When I started blogging, it was never my intention to be noticed or have followers. It just came as a perk to me. I was even totally unaware that I can earn extra bucks while doing so. Plus, I'll make new friends pa pala. Promise! I write down my thoughts just for the sake of....writing. Do I make sense? Lol! Wala lang, I thought keeping a diary online is kinda cool, 'ya know?! And then, I matured. I became a mom. I have to feed two more stomachs. And I came across a lot of mommy blogs. That inspired me to re-fuel and keep on writing. And now I'm here, still trying to make sense so I can attract strangers. Yes, nobody (that I know) knows that I have a blog. I'm too shy to tell them. How do I tell them anyways?

Me: Oi Friend, read my blog naman.
Friend: Ano yun?

Eh pano pag tinanong nila ako what my blog is all about?

Friend: Sure. Tungkol saan ba yung blog mo?
Me: Ehhh, wala lang, kung anu-ano lang yung isinusulat ko.

Would they read this? Hmmm...Saka ko na siguro ipangalandakan sa kanilang lahat pag medyo madami na akong alam sa mundong ito.

How about you, Guys? Pano nyo sinabi sa mga friends nyo na meron kayong blog na pwede nilang basahin? :)

I am now a Churper!

Have you ever heard ChurpChurp? This is all new to me, too. But I just actually signed up. :)

I first came across ChurpChurp from Ms. Leah's blog, The Bright Spot (I am one of your fan/stalker Ms. Leah, hehe). After reading her post regarding this new trend in social media, I immediately signed up using the link she provided. (I actually started reading what ChurpChurp is all about after signing up pa.) Since I'm practically doing nothing YET here in our office, might as well maximize my resources. (I'm so so sorry my dear company, if you're one of my bosses, I hope you understand and rest assured, I won't use this privilege to access internet in unpleasant stuffs. And if I'll get rewarded on this, magpapakain ako!)

So, what is ChurpChurp all about? Read on.


What is Churp Churp?

Churp Churp is a community for people who live and breathe social media, just like you! Here are some of the things you can do at Churp Churp:
- Get cash rewards for sharing brand messages.
- Discover what people are reading or watching on the Internet.
- Be part of an awesome community and meet like-minded friends.

If you love sharing with your friends on the latest happenings, trends and brands that you like and love, then ChurpChurp is definitely for you. Hop on board, and we'll make sure you never miss out on any updates; besides campaign updates and cool stories, there are always upcoming contests and events we hold exclusively for the ChurpChurp community! Awesome, yes?

Anyone who has Facebook and Twitter account can be a member of the newest trend in town!

To know more about this community, click here and join me. Together, let's discover what ChurpChurp has in store for us.

See you, Guys! :)

I want pancakes..now! :)

As I write this, I am craving for McDonalds Hotcakes. Yum yum yum! :)

Yummy Hotcakes with Hashbrown and Coffee

Do you know that McDonalds will be giving away McMuffins on March 18 as we celebrate National Breakfast Day? :) Cool, isn't it? That's for the first 1000 customers on all branches that offer Breakfast. Saan kaya ako makapunta nyan? Hehe.

For more details, you can check McDonalds official page here.

*This is not a sponsored post.