Spanish Sardines Pasta with Broccoli

As I am trying to expand my talent around the kitchen, I cook as much as I can during my lean time. Just the other day, I found a bottle of Spanish Sardines and thought of serving it as meryenda to my family. I always keep spaghetti pasta around for moments like this. I searched the net for a quick recipe and landed on MommyJuvs' blog. Luckily, I have a bunch of broccoli as well. 

Olive Oil, Spanish Sardines and Basil Leaves

Thanks to my SIL for the Spanish Sardines. She bought it in Dipolog when they went there for the CNY.

Broccoli, Tomatoes and Garlic

The recipe includes lemon juice but because of my excitement of feeding my household with a new dish, I forgot to add it. It also calls for onion and I don't know why I didn't include it as well. Remember I have a poor memory?

And here is the outcome! It really tastes good even if I missed the lemon juice and onion. But if you want to have a chunk of sardines to chew on, you can use two bottles for 500 grams of spaghetti or angel hair pasta. For the complete recipe and procedure, click here.

Is it worth keeping or is it time to quit?

Have you been working your arse off lately to finish a project and no appreciation was sent your way? Are you having sleepless nights already because your to-do lists are never-ending? Do you still feel valuable and happy at work? Oh well, if it is YES YES and NO, I guess we share the same sentiments my loves.

Image Source

You see, it never really occurred to me to stop working at age 31. Because (1) I am still too young to retire, (2) I want to help my husband with our finances and (3) domestication is not really my thing. But who knows, I might rock my new role now. Lol.

Going back, I would like to share to you my recent realizations on identifying if your job is no longer worth keeping. Read on!

1. If you look at your job as a liability rather than an asset.

While it is true that looking for a job here in the Philippines is quite hard and competitive, it is not right to keep a job you already detest. 

2. If you bring home tons of work.

I have nothing against someone who brings home paperworks but personally, I would rather not. This is no longer healthy for me because I want to have a balance life. I work to live and not the other way around. And I have a wonderful family who waits for me to come home. 

3. If you are getting sickly because of stress.

This doesn't need any argument. It is only right to value our health. Because health is wealth. Seriously. 

4. If you can no longer respect your boss because he/she doesn't respect you either.

I seriously believe that a good relationship with your superior yields better result at work. Mutual respect is vital in every workplace. Agree?

5. If you are NO longer happy.

Quit. You are not going to be as efficient as you are when you are happy with what you are doing. It is not healthy anymore that every coffee breaks, you and your officemates' topic is always about resignation.

That is only a short list, I know. But this is based solely from my experience. Hehe. If you can still add something, feel free to post in the comment section below. Let's help our fellow moms understand their value and worth in this world. We don't need a paying job if we are being violated na. Naku, I have to stop ranting kasi I've been wanting to keep a positive vibe na. 

Cheers!

Rekindling my LOVE for writing

I have yet to share what made me so frakkin' busy for the past 9 months of hiatus and here I am announcing my break up with it. (Un)officially, today marks the beginning of my domestication as I choose staying at home to watch after my kids and leave the corporate world where I just started to shine bright like a diamond. Unofficial because I still have to work at home for a few days and maybe visit the office one more time this week for a smoother transition. Other than that, I am officially a stay-at-home mom. Feels great, I tell you! (You can now roll your eyes. Lol.)

Although I am not really sure how long this will last, I will surely savor each moment that I will feed, bathe and pamper my kids. I can now play with them all day. And I would be looking forward to our bedtime stories. But alongside with the wonderful things that I am looking forward with the kids, I know my life would never be quiet and easy. I know that there would be more arguments and heart-wrenching moments. But I will not give up on my kids as my mother never gave up on me. I will try and try even harder so I can raise beautiful human beings and God-fearing souls. 

Just like at this very moment, my eldest is whining and making tantrums for some unknown reason. I asked her why, twice and got no answer but more whining. I should leave you all once again with a short post but with a promise that I will be writing more often now.

P. S. 

Did you notice my new BLOG TITLE? Yay or Nay? 

One Step At A Time

As a working mom, I often feel guilty of being away from my kids during daytime so I usually find myself rushing home every night hoping to spend some time with them before they fall asleep. I am a regular commuter and that means more travel time for me. It sucks, I know right? Maybe this time you could imagine me running and snaking my way out of the crowded MRT station to catch a jeepney. I am in a constant hurry. I find it uncomfortable if not dangerous but I have no choice and I don't want to complain. 

Until something life-changing happened to me last June 20.

I slipped, bounced 3-4 steps down (or maybe more) and fell hard on the stairs at the MRT Taft Station. I accidentally stepped on a young lady's umbrella when she dropped it and you know what happened next. My bottom was in great pain and swollen and I was there crying not attempting any single movement to avoid any more injury. The young lady who appeared to be a student didn't leave my side until someone more authoritative was in sight. I called my husband right away, my brother next. The security guards and paramedics of the station attended to me but they seem not prepared enough to such incidents. Neither a stretcher nor a wheelchair came although I am sure that the latter won't be a good choice in my case. A few more minutes of discomfort, pain and more tears from me while partly-lying-partly-sitting on the busy stairs of the station until someone from Red Cross came to my aid. She was at least equipped with first aid kit which I doubt I needed that time. All I wanted was to be brought to the nearest hospital so I could undergo an xray to know the status of my pelvic area. I was scared of the thought of not being able to walk again. I was beyond scared actually. I have a cousin who was in a bus accident and it took her 3 painful months before she was able to walk because her hip bones were dislocated. Maybe I was a little paranoid but what the heck, I was in pain and my bottom is swollen so anything could happen, right? While all these were happening, I was silently praying to God to take care of me. And He did, undoubtedly. Thank you, oh Lord!

The Red Cross ambulance arrived after some time and brought me to San Juan De Dios Hospital for more medical attention. The doctor inspected my legs, thighs, back and hips for any injury and fortunately, nothing else hurts. The hubby and my brother with her fiance arrived shortly before I was brought to the laboratory for the xray. A few minutes passed and the result came clean and clear, oh I was crying in joy!

And then there's the lessons to be learned, of course! I just didn't think it would come in a painful way.

I am always like this. Always in a hurry. It is actually stressful but I always want to be two steps ahead of everything. Now I realized I should take time to breathe and enjoy every steps I make. I should learn how to manage my busy schedule without compromising my safety. I should start to learn to let go of unnecessary stress and live a healthy life. Simply put, I should take one step at a time and enjoy this journey called life. :)

P.S.

Thank you to the Red Cross team who brought me to the hospital. I forgot to ask for your names. And please please always donate even a little amount to those Red Cross can that you see at every MRT Station. Your penny really matters to those in need.

A quick trip to Baguio: Day 1

I was two months pregnant with the Little Girl the last time we were in Baguio. Ate couldn't remember much except for the horse and boat rides. And she was delighted to be back and enjoyed the city one more time with her little sister this time. I didn't have much of an itinerary since I wanted to savor each hour instead of rushing everybody just so I could complete my list. Chill chill lang ang peg namin that weekend. 

After settling in our rented place, I was grateful to have eaten a heavy breakfast at Lola's house because we started the day with a calorie-burning-heart-pumping-hike up Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. 

Even the kids were energized enough to reach the top without complaining a lot. We heard a little protest and whine along the way but hey, they're children after all. Who wouldn't get tired of 252 steps? :)

We said our prayers, took our selfies and then we head down with a cup of strawberry taho, manga with bagoong and a happy heart knowing that God will always be with us to keep us safe. :)

Although I have heard a lot of must-visit restaurants in Baguio, we decided to eat wherever we are the moment the hunger strikes. So we ended up eating lunch somewhere in Mines View Park. 

The Little Girl was able to take a nap while I was eating my lunch that's why she wasn't so happy with me taking her just-woken-up picture. Sorry, sweetie!

The Ate on the other hand was so full of energy to make faces and runaround. Oh, kids these days! 

We headed to Wright Park once the Little Girl regained her energy and full consciousness. Ate's been looking forward to this moment. She couldn't contain her happiness when I announced that we'll finally be riding horses. :)

A smile to conceal my nervousness. :p

Our day didn't end up with horses, we went to PMA to buy some souvenirs and for sure, Ate won't allow me to end the day without a visit to Burnham Park.

Tune in for more chikka. I have to cut this short because I'm mobile blogging. 

A quick trip to Baguio: Faes Transient House

The hubby hates long-planned activities, instead he prefers spur-of-the-moment happenings. Our weekend trip to the Summer Capital of the Philippines is a good example of this.

R: Book ka ng Hotel sa Baguio para sa sabado.

Me: speechless

R: Alis tayo bukas ng gabi tapos kina Lola muna tayo dumerecho.

Me: speechless pa rin

R: Sige na, ayusin mo na yung tutuluyan natin sa Baguio.

Me: Ah eh...ok!

Hehe. That was our conversation one day before the trip.

I immediately called my Lola to inform her of our plans and searched and searched for a hotel that can cater our needs only to find out that almost all the hotels are already fully-booked that weekend. The scorching heat of summer in Manila pushed almost everybody to hike up Baguio. I ended up looking for a transient house and I found one along Naguillian Road which is an advantage to us since we'll be coming from La Union. And we're all set!

It was a four storey building and we were roomed in on the third floor. There's a coffee table conveniently located outside each room if you wanted to enjoy the cold breeze in Baguio or chill after a tiring day out before the hitting the sack.

There's a fully equipped and functioning small kitchen if you prefer cooking for the family. The kids felt at home right away!

There are three spacious bedrooms to accommodate 10 persons. 

Who wouldn't have a good night sleep with a warm bed after a full day? We were sound asleep in no time. :) 

The bathrooms were clean, practical and functional. That's what matters, right? We didn't need a bath tub or anything else, a working loo and a heater are enough. :)

Faes Transient House

#2 Himalaya St., Shangrila Village, Baguio City

(The village is found at the back of Cooyeesan Hotel and Puregold)

Contact Number: 09285209144

Note: All photos were taken using an iPhone.

Gadgets No More!!!

My kids used to love arts and outdoor activities, especially Ate. She would often surprise me with cards with "I love you" and hearts all over the paper. She would color, scribble, write and draw nonstop until all her books are filled with her cute little doodles. They love playing hide and seek while both of them hide and well, no one left to seek. :p They love running around our small garage. And they always fight whose turn it is for the bicycle. Silly kids!

But there came the day that we thought gadgets are cool and awesome. Everyone seems to be enjoying it. Almost all of my friends' kids own one. And they look smart with it. So we gave in and introduced iPad to the kids. 

And now I regret it. Silly me!

The cards are now gone. Her crayons are intact and unbroken. The art materials are neat and complete. The bicycle is hidden somewhere. My kids are idle.

It was good at first. The Little Girl learned songs from YouTube. Ate enjoyed watching PlayDoh tutorials and had fun playing kid-friendly games. They learned how to share since there's only one iPad for both of them. And the best part of it, we had some time off with the kids which meant more quality time for me and the hubby. We started to enjoy our coffee and mealtime without the Little Girl climbing our lap. I got to enjoy me-time in the shower longer than the usual. I had some moment of peace. It helped us one way or another. Or so I thought.

I must admit that I enjoyed those days that they are glued to whatever was playing on the iPad. But during those times, I noticed unwanted changes with my sweet little darlings. They became stubborn, easily irritated, smart-mouthed and lazy. Oftentimes, I find myself under my 5-year old daughter's command. She would often throw tantrums that are beyond my imagination. My Little Girl seems to love her Ate so much that she imitates everything. That made me decide to stop giving them any gadgets including our mobile phones. I also limited the TV time. I honestly feel guilty about all these. I should have known better especially when it was written everywhere that gadgets won't do any good to our kids. 

We are on our first week but I hope and pray that everything will be alright for my kids. We're having a hard time with Ate but I am sure with our love and proper guidance, she'll understand us sooner. 

How do you manage your kids mommies?