Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Battle

My husband and I are currently in a battle right now. Well, he shoulder mostly of the battle. It's about his SMOKING. He's been into it for half of his life. Literally. He would tell me that he started smoking when he's about 14 or 15. That's a lot of wasted years to nicotine. :(

I too, smoked, but I wasn't that addicted. I started when I was still in college and continue the habit for at least 5 years. I remember that whenever my friends and I would go to some bar to unwind after work, I could finish a whole pack. I smoke as fast I could finish my drink. Which is usually a hard drink because I never drank beer (another bad vice). So, when my husband and I met, I swore to him that I would quit smoking, and I did that. I did quit and haven't had a stick for nearly nine years now.

So we sort had a fight after his bout with flu last week and lost a lot of weight. I told him to kick out the habit. He would always say, "Yes, I'll start tomorrow. Definitely. I'll just have 3 sticks a day.". And I would believe him...but sadly, it's been 6 years of telling him and he's still smoking. Its not that he's not trying. He even tried nicotine patch. But the patch is too expensive here that he did not continue with the patch program. He also tried substituting candies for cigars. But no luck.

Then I just snapped with our fight. I told him that if he's not going to do anything with the habit, that if he's not going to be more disciplined, then I might as well join him again too. And that got him worried. So today, he only had a single stick. I know that it'll be long before he could be totally free of this "addiction", but I am more than willing to help him, and encourage him to do the right thing, not just for our daughter but mostly for himself. I'm just blackmailing him right now (why would I go back to smoking?)... and it is working. So I'm happy, and so is his health.

If only we live in a country where healthcare is a priority. But sadly, our country really lags behind in this department. You got sick, you need to have tons of money to pay to get well. Palagi kong sinasabi.. "di bale nang kakaunti ang pera, basta walang magkakasakit." Because in the Phillipines, "health is truly a poor man's wealth".

Monday, November 24, 2014

Play-dough time!

Found an extra time to play with my daughter last night. Since she's been asking me forever to make her more play-dough, I thought of making her some. My husband said that he'll just gonna buy my daughter some clay in the morning but buying the commercial ones is a little bit expensive while buying the cheaper one is a little bit too hard to handle with my daughter's little hands.

So I searched online and hoping to find some recipe which does not include ingredients that I do not have at  home. Tadah! I did find one and it came from a mom and blogger Sanz.

I followed her recipe instructions but did not bother with the measurement since we will be making it one color at a time.
 

We put in water, next is oil, then the food color and a drop of banana extract for the smell.


Next is dumping in the salt and flour mixture. Mix it. 




My daughter does all the kneading, and at the same time, having fun doing it.

Since the colors that can be bought in the market near us are limited, I only have the colors yellow, purple and orange.




We made a bunch of different shapes with my daughter's toy molds.

We got some fries, a pineapple, a t-bone and a citrus

And what's this thing doing here? Eeewww   :)


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Sarap Pinoy

Marami-rami na rin akong kakilala, kaibigan at mga kamag-anak na OFW, mga immigrant sa ibang bansa. Nami-miss daw nila ang pinas. Pero mas pinili nila na sa ibang bansa magtrabaho o manirahan kasi mahirap daw ang buhay sa bansa natin. They need to sacrifice their own happiness by working/living  abroad so that the younger ones (their children) can get a better life than them. Gaano nga ba kahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas at napakdami ng naalis? Ang tatay ko, naniniwala na kaya mong mabuhay ng matiwasay sa bansa natin basta matyaga ka. Kasi sabi nya, siya rin daw galing sa wala. Pinag-aral din nya yung sarili nya at hindi umasa sa magulang nya, pero kahit papaano may naipundar sya bukod sa napaaral nya kaming magka-kapatid. 

I personally can see my father's reason. It all depends on one's wants and needs. One needed only the basics, but wants so much more. Basics - food, shelter, education, konting savings for health. Others are "wants", not basically needs.  But nobody can blame anybody for wanting more. For having a little of something, for working so hard all your life. Pero sabi nga ng tatay ko, kung basic lang..kayang-kaya. 

So, ano nga bang  meron sa Pinas na wala sa ibang bansa? Para ma-miss mo ng sobra ang Pinas? Na kahit anong sarap ng buhay sa ibang bansa ay mas gugustuhin mo na bumalik.

1. Family - Sino bang gusto na malayo sa pamilya niya? Wala. Kasi sa kultura ng mga Pilipino, mahalaga ang pamilya. Mawala na lahat, wag lang pamilya mo. Dahil may maga oras na kahit meron ka ng lahat ng bagay at pera sa mundo, kung hindi mo naman ito maise-sahre sa pamilya mo, bale wala.

2. Init -  Sobra ang init dito, dati kaya mong tiisin ang summer heat. Ngayon, wish ko na pwede. Kahit tag-ulan na, rainy season na o kaya e, -ber months na, grabe pa rin ang init. Kaya bago lumabas ng bahay, you need to protect your skin, kasehoda na payong o hat, pero sunblock, pinaka importante. Pero syempre, yung init ng pagmamahal ng isang Pinoy!

3. Extra rice / Unli-rice -  Sobrang hilig sa kanin ng mga Pinoy, kahit nakakataba. (Waiter, isa pa ngang rice dyan!)

4. Palengke -  Walang palengke na kasingbaho at kasing dumi ng tulad sa Pinas (feeling ko lang). Kahit pa yatang sabihin na 1st class municipality o 3rd class municipality e kasama na yung ganyang klase ng palengke sa atin.Pero masarap mamili at makipagtawaran kay suki.

5. Pagkain - Oo, masarap din ang pagkain sa ibang bansa. pero mas masarap pa rin ang lutong Pinoy (para sa akin!). Sa karinderya man yan, o sa isang restaurant o kahit simpleng luto ng nanay mo, masarap talaga kumain ang Pinoy. Kahit nga kamatis at bagoong lang ang ulam e, swak na!

6. Beaches - Need I say more? Beaches are the best here in the Philippines. Kahit worst ang airport natin (hayzzz), ayos lang.

7. Maynila, Cebu, Davao, etc. - Sino bang ayaw umuwi sa bayan na kinalakihan mo?

So, sa inyong mga OFW, uwi-uwi rin pag may time. Ipon-ipon din nga pamasahe pag may time. Kasi miss na kayo ng mga kababayan nyo. ('Wag nyo na lang pansinin pulitika dito, para hindi masayang ang happiness nyo. Hehehe.)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

A Lot of First in a Single Day

It was a sunny day. A good day to be out and enjoy the sun. Last September 26 was my daughter's school field trip. The field trip that we chose not to attend because of some financial reason. Instead, my husband, my daughter and I headed to Manila to visit some sights. Sights that she's never been too. A good day for a lot of first time.

The first stop was the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or better known as the Baclaran Church. Going there, we took a bus to Manila, then took the LRT (Light Railway Transit) and got off on the last station, the Baclaran Station. It was my daughter's first time to ride the LRT. It was an exciting time for her. She even made  small sounds of the chugging train. 


On-board the LRT

Going to Baclaran Church brings back happy memories for me. It's been 8 years since the last time I have been there. It was the place where my husband, who was then my boyfriend, frequently visit. Even if my husband is into other religion (he is now a Catholic convert) when we started with our relationship, he stays with me inside the church while I make my prayers and "hiling" (wishes) to our blessed Mother. This is where I'd prayed so hard to have a child after months of trying. The Blessed Mother granted my wish and as I sign of gratitude, I brought my daughter to Her home. This is also a first for my daughter. Fond as she is of churches, she was asking a lot of question about the people she sees inside the Baclaran Church.



Baclaran Church
Inside the Baclaran Church
Sweet smile!


We had our lunch in a fastfood near the church after which, we linger around the shops in Baclaran to check out come tights for my little one. We got some  6 pieces tights for a mere 270 pesos. A real deal indeed! After that, we're off again to LRT bound to Rizal Park. 

We got off the UN station and walked all the way to Luneta. Again, another first my my sweet daughter, and for my hubby, too. Even in the heat of the afternoon, my daughter was too happy to be there. She was ecstatic in seeing the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and even asking me where the Bashi Channel is, which she learned from her Civic class.


Where's the Bashi Channel, Papa?


We had tons of fun in Luneta. Another first for Ikay is our ride in a calesa. There were also some doves in park which you can feed with bits of bread. And if ever you and your family got hungry, there's a lot of food stalls inside the park.


Calesa ride

Lastly, we went to Luneta to see the famous statue of Dr. Jose Rizal. Even if the rain was threatening to pour, we hurriedly took our souvenir photos. 

                                                      
Shy dove!
Lots of doves!
Dr. Jose Rizal
Behind the statue is the controversial building
            

It was a tiring but a fun day. Although we did not have that much budget for this trip, we still accomplish a lot of firsts for my daughter. Now, she is making a list of other places to visit. Till next time, till our next trip.



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Atchara: Pickled Papaya

    Atchara is a famous side dish of Filipinos. Usually, it is served together with grilled, and fried dishes. It is very are affordable and has a long shelf-life. Every family has their own version of making atchara, and, today I am sharing mine. Although, walang sukat talaga yung pag-gawa ko, its up to your taste bud on how you want your atchara to taste.
     This recipe has been a money-making idea for me. Since it is very tedious to make, and that I have some allergy of sort in papaya's sap, I just make them every ber-months. 

You'll be needing:
- green papaya
- vinegar (anykind will do)
- water
- sugar
- salt
- pinapple tidbits
- pepper corn
- bell pepper
- carrots
- onions (optional)
- garlic  (opitonal)

     You need to peel, wash and grate (or slice thinly) the papaya. Put some salt, wash it again then remove the excess water. We usually put them in a clean cloth or katsa, then my husband and I would wring the papaya dry. Set them aside.

      In a pan, put some water, vinegar, salt, sugar and the rest of the ingredients except for the pineapple. Bring them to boil, but do not stir. When boiling, lower the heat, and taste your atchara solution. If it suits your taste, then its time the add the grated papaya. Turn off the stove. The heat from the solution will then cook the papaya (and it will cook easily since the papaya is already grated). Add the pineapple.

      Let it cool. When cooled, you can start bottling them. Bottles should be sterilized properly. 

Ready for bottling


   
Ready to be sold!



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Heartache

   Just got a fight with a family member. A little misunderstanding turned into a real, ugly fight. Now we're not talking to each other.

   It will  take too long before healing. I just know it. Ang mahirap, even my daughter is getting at my moods. At pati siya e nasisigawan ko na rin. Lalo kapag may failing grades siya sa mga quizzes nya. At kapag hindi nya masyado ma-gets yung mga review ko sa kanya.
 
    I hate myself right now. I just hope I'd feel better about things. Soon.

Sigh....

Friday, September 12, 2014

No More

Coffee is a big part of my mornings. Kung walang kape, feeling ko, hindi ako productive for that day. I feel something is just missing. 

I sooo love my coffee habit.

Pero something is not right with my body system. My blood pressure has always been 90/60. As in, always. When I got pregnant with my daughter, it slightly went up to 110/80. Fairly normal. But I'm not pregnant anymore.

My daughter is attending her big-school. I have to get up extra early to prepare her things. So everyday, is a  4:30am call time for me. Errands and chores means coffee break is at 7am and 4pm (if its too hot to have coffee in the afternoon, I'd usually have them in a smoothie form).

And all those caffeine is adding something to even lower my bp. And so is my lack of sleep.Which sucks, because I'd feel woozy more often than I like.

I guess its goodbye coffee? Goodbye Coke (my stress-buster)? And goodbye iced-tea?

I need to be healthy for my daughter because she needs me. I am not young anymore. I can't afford to be sick. 

(Sigh)   :(

Monday, September 8, 2014

Educational Field Trip

It is the Field Trip Season. Together with the -ber months, private schools usually have their annual field trips on these months. Months that are usually rainy. Months that indicates more expenditures.

My daughter's class is having their "educational field trip" on the 26th of this month. They are set to go to two locations: the first one, to a doll factory, and the next is to watch a theater show. Costing 1550 per head, accompanying her (although, it is okay not to accompany her, but she is much too young to be left on her own on such a long trip) would mean a tiny bit more than three grand. That's just the field trip fee. It does not yet include our food for the trip and some pocket money I may need to bring just in case my daughter would like to buy other stuff. For only a day, our trip would at least cost me  4,000 to 4,500.

I must say that's its a little bit too much for an average-earner such as myself. The good thing is that, its not mandatory (she just need to do a make-up project). And even if my daughter really wanted to go, I told her that we just can't afford that right now. But, supposing we can afford it, the news of different accidents happening on the field trips of other schools is just as disturbing and frightening for a mom like me. My husband is even the first to tell us that it'll be much too dangerous to go.

So we are definitely not joining this year (we join two-years in a row of the previous trips). But I did promise to bring her to a different "pasyalan". A visit to a park, to a museum or a movie even. My husband can also come with us, and I just know that it'll be fun and cost much less. 

I just hope that the "field trip" thing would be abolish someday. Not that its not educational but the students have seen it all, every museum, every zoo and animal sanctuary, every factories of bread, dolls, and other things that the metro and other provinces near the metro has to offer. If it can't be abolish, better make it every other year. That way , the excitement of traveling for the child would still be there.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

PTC Day- 1st Quarter

Last Saturday was PTC day. It was the usual card-giving day, and a little chat with your child's adviser. So, my daughter and I went to her school to get her report card. I dreaded this day because I know my daughter's score in her quarter finals examination. My daughter asked me, "Ma, natatakot ka ba?" I told her no, "Hinde ako takot anak, nervous lang si Mama. Pero kahit ano pa grades mo, okay na yun, naibili na kita ng gift e."

I relaxed a little while waiting for my turn to talk to her adviser. Turn out, there was nothing to worry about my baby. She was well-behaved in school. She's even one of the achievers (those who got the highest average), even if its only within her section and not in the over-all grade level. I am so proud of my girl! 

She is beaming while she makes kwento to her grandparents of her achievements. All smiles, I know how proud she is feeling at that moment. 

This is one of those things that I like with being a mother. Seeing your child all smiles, like its Christmas.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Doggie Instinct

            My family owns a two-year old aspin ("asong-pinoy"). A well-behaved dog, Icy gurads our house 24-hours a day.  A single sound in the midle of the night, and you'll be hearing her loud barks.

          Anyway, as my dad were cleaning the attic, he found this old football toy and he gave it to Icy. Smelling it and licking it, she looks happy playing with it. Then she accidentally steps on it, and it produces a loud sound. The way that Icy is behaving right now is that, we think that she thinks it is her pup, because the sound that toy is producing sounds like a loud cry of a puppy.

She doesn't want to let go!
She thinks its her pup
She's thinking where to put it.
         

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Pastillas Part2

      So I promised that I'll be showing the final packaging of my pastillas business venture and here it is:

 
Pastillas with LOVE  :)

     I snapped this picture while it was displayed on my mother's stall in a wet market. I called it cookie pastillas because I shaped it that way, like a cookie. Parang lengua ang dating! It is sold either with sprinkles, langka flavor, coffee flavor or the plain variety.
       Oh, didn't I tell you guys that also do atchara? It's also a very promising home-based business. Till next... I'll write it next time.

Let's Start Cookin'!!

      My daughter has been watching all this Play-doh videos on Youtube. She wanted a kitchen-making play set. I told her that if she got good grades on her quarter exams, then I'll buy her one. She was so excited with that idea that she really did her best to study for her exams. Unfortunately, she got two subjects with very low scores. The first time that she showed me her exam results, she has this sad look and asked me whether I was still proud of her even if she got low scores. I was definitely disappointed and it showed on my face and she was quiet for sometimes, ignoring my presence and just went to taking her afternoon nap. 

        Seeing her so down just melted me. So I figured, hey, what the heck.. just give her a reward. At least for trying! And so, the last time I went to Divisoria to get some supplies for my shop, I did get her a kitchen set. I wasn't from Play-doh but she still gave me a very, very warm hug and the sweetest smile that shows how happy she was.


Got this Kitchen set for P800

 
What's inside the box.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Satisfaction -- Kuntento

I am in a battle with myself right now. I dunno what's wrong, pero nahihirapan ako. Nasasaktan. Hindi para sa sarili ko, pero para sa anak ko. 

I have been married for 8 years now. My only child, is 7 years old. She's in grade two. And as hard as it is na bumuhay ng pamilya, pinili naming mag-asawa na pag-aralin ang anak namin sa isang pribadong eskwelahan na malapit lamang sa aming tirahan. Nung maliit pa yung anak ko, around 2 or 3 years old, e issue ko na ito sa pagitan nya at ng ibang bata. Hindi siya naturalente na bibo, na palakwento. Nung maliit pa nga sya medyo bulol pa. Pero magaling sya sa puzzle at sa pagtago ng mga bagay na hindi kanya (mga laruan ng pinsan nya na nakakaligtaan itabi, kanya na daw yun!) Matagal bago nya na-memorize ang ABC at mga colors. She's 3.3 years old when she entered junior casa. She got an award not in any subject but an award in conduct. When she was 4, I transferred her into another school, yan na yung school kung nasaan sya ngayon. On her graduation sa preparatory, she got another award. Again it was for her conduct. Napakabait ng anak ko sa school.

My child is in grade 2 now, at since nag-aral sya, never pa siya naka-receive ng merit sa kahit anong subject nya. It always break my heart kapag nauwi sya at iiyak kasi tinutukso sya ng friends nya, kasi hindi daw sya kasama sa mga achievers (achievers are those who got a grade of 90 up on every subject). Sabi ko, okay ay lang yun, na nasa 90+ lahat ng subjects nya, pwera sa Math. Na makakahabol pa sya. Pero hindi sya nakahabol. Kahit tumaas na yung grades nya sa Math (88!) hindi pa rin pasok sa mga achievers. Overtime, naging ok lang sa kanya na hindi talaga tataas pa yung grades nya sa Math nung nasa grade 1 sya. 

Pero it was different with me. Kahit anong sabi ko na okay lang yun. Sa isip, sa damdamin ko, na sana matalino rin yung anak ko. Na achiever din sya. Na sana, mataas lahat ng score nya sa mga exam nya. Na sana gaya sya ng ibang bata na magaling sa comprehension, na magaling sa Math. Na sana, hindi sya mahilig manood ng teleserye kundi magbasa ng madaming libro. Puro sana. Puro comparison. Pinukpok ko sya ng husto sa pagre-review. Pinainom ng vitamins na maraming Omega-3. Hinataw sa maraming worksheets at exercises. Pero ganun pa rin. Puro dissapointment pa rin sa part ko. At nung umiling na ko nung nakita ko mga score nya. I saw sadness in my child's eyes. I saw how sorry she was for failing me. THAT WAS BAD ON MY PART.

I should be proud of what my child can achieve. Kahit maliit na bagay, I know that she tries her best to make me proud. To make me smile, and make me happy.  I should be satisfied with her abilities, her intelligence, her strength.  I feel like that I don't have the right to judge her just because she got a low grade on her math exam, or on any other subject, for that matter. Her happiness is what's important. Because, if she's happy, she can be confident in anything. She can achieve anything that her heart would desire, ika nga.

And when  I look at her as she sleeps, I feel disappointed  with myself for being so shallow, so insecure. She's only 7 and she can read a whole English book! Kahit pa sabihin mo na half lang yung naiintindihan nya na mga words.

Never again, I am vowing that. 

I will always be proud of my princess. Sa kahit anong bagay, sa kahit anong score. Si Einstein at Bill Gates nga e drop-out di ba?! Malay mo, sa kanya pala ako yayaman! 

If my princess is happy, then I, too will be happy.  :)


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Pilipinas: Mid-2014

Daming nangyayari sa Pilipinas ngayon. Daming hang-ups, daming balita. From the PDAF scam to DAP, to El Niño, hazing, the 2016 election, Chinese island-grabbing. Dami ano? Sa isang housewife na tulad ko, nakaka-windang ng utak kapag isa isa mo silang inisip.Ano ba meron sa Pilipinas at ganito ka-grabe ang problema ng mga Filipino? Ganun ba tayo ka-special kay Papa God para bigyan tayo ng samu't-saring problema? Kaya ba natin to?

Two senators are now detained for the PDAF scam. Now, PNoy is under trouble for the DAP. Sabi ng SC "unconstitutional" daw. Others wanted him impeached. Sino papalit kapag na-impeached si PNoy? Si Binay? OMG. Our government system sucks. IMHO, It really does. Canadian pays higher taxes than us, and they don't give a damn if they do because you know what? They know that their taxes will serve them. Better health services, better lives for those who still lives below poverty line. The Canadian government provides for their people. Sa Pilipinas? the BIR is really doing their job in collecting taxes from the Filipino people, but who serves the Filipino? Certainly not the government. Wala ngang health services na libre e. The taxes go, as seen in the PDAF scam, in the pockets of the politicians. The same politician na binoto natin para pagsilbihan tayo, but it is going the other way around. We are serving them, by giving them our hard earned money, through taxes. Pag hindi ka nagbayad ng tax, sasabihin ng BIR, obligasyon yan ng bawat Filipino, pero pwera mga politiko???  Hindi ba't obligation nila na pagsilbihan si Juan dela Cruz?

El Niño phenomenon naman, eto na yata ang summer na grabe ang init. As in. At July na ha, pero feeling summer pa rin ang peg ng mga kababayan natin. We'll see kapag may tumama na naman na baha at bagyo sa metro, news-breaking ulit. Then dun sila magahahakot ng mga basura sa drainage. Sabi nga "AMAZING!!!"  huh???

Dami ng problema pa ng Pinas, tapos ayaw pa tayo tantanan ng China sa Spratly-issue. Ayaw pa i-balato na lang sa atin e .
 
Eto pa isang  nakaka-windang, who would've thought na yung presyo ng garlic at ginger e tataas ng at least 300 per kilo?  Mas mahal pa sa baboy at baka. Hay. Pero ika nga ng isang ordinaryong Pinoy, lilipas din yan, gaya ng mga problema natin, lilipas din ang lahat. 

Matiisin e.

But as a nation, we are blessed. Sa dinami-dami ng problema ng Pilipinas simula pa ni kopong-kopong e I can humbly say na isa tayo sa fave ni Papa God. We fall, yet we rise again, as one nation and one people. With beauty and with grace. 

It truly is more fun in the Philippines.Weh? Di nga??

Monday, May 19, 2014

Tag-init

Ma-jinet. Grabe. Sobra. As in. Siguro naman, lahat kayong Filipino na nasa Pilipinas ngayon e nararamdaman ang sungit ng "init" ngayong summer. Pero eto na ata ang pinakamainit na summer na naranasan ko. Dati deadma lang ako kahit lakad na walang payong, ngayon, hindi na-carry ng powers ko. Sobra. 

Nung bata ako, dahil medyo may pagka-maputi ako, inggit na inggit ako sa mga bata na maitim, mga kayumanggi talaga. Malay ko ba naman na mauuso yung mga glutathione at iba pang mga whitening products na yan. So, nagbilad ako ng nagbilad. Walang tigil sa laro kahit sa labas kahit tirik ang araw. Ayun, so medyo negra na ako ngayon. My legs and feet suffered the most. Kasi kita mo yung bakat nung tsinelas sa paa ko. Unsightly siya kaya I seldom use flats or heels. Puro rubber shoes.

Back to the weather, climate change really is really hitting us. Big time. Malalakas na typhoon (Remember Yolanda!) At sobrang tuyot na summer. And to think, kahit hindi tayo ang number 1 contributor ng pollution, affected pa rin tayo. 

Sarap maligo ng may yelo. Grabe ang init. Buti na lang madali matuyo ang mga laundry ko. :)


Saturday, May 17, 2014

Pastillas with LOVE

Summer. Tapos na April, May naman. Enrollment na naman. Bayaran na naman. Lumipas na ang trending ng "Frozen". Natunaw na yata si Olaf sa kakanta ng "In Summer". Pero tuloy pa rin ang buhay sa isang nanay na katulad ko. Naka-enroll na rin yung anak. Buti nakapag-save ako. Nag-start kaya ako ng January, after lahat ng bilihan ng regalo ng December. Pero hindi yan ang ikukuwento ko sa inyo. Ang isa sa mga raket ko. 

Last year, if I remeber right, nauso yang "toasted pastillas" na yan. Search naman ako kay Mr. Google. Wow, sarap ng itsura ng mga yun.. Sabi ng anak ko - "Ma, gusto ko nyan, order ka." Haha. 120+ shipping... hmmm, parang presyo na ng isang pack ng gatas yan anak ah. Anyways, so wala akong makuha ng recipe ng "toasted pastillas" pero, napakadaming recipe ng simpleng pastillas lang. So, eto na. 

Gawa, experiment ng pastillas para kay anak ko. Tantayahan sa measurement. 

Eto resulta.


Yung forming ng shape was the hardest part. So, bilog na lang, parang galapong lang sa ginataan. At dahil toasted di ba kailangan ko, so i-toast natin. Pero mas sunog, mas masarap. Hehe.

1st batch - not very successful
Toasting
Slightly burnt

Akalain mo, nagmukha siyang pandesal sa malayo di ba? Kahit yung kapatid ko sa ibang bansa nung pinadala ko yung pictures e parang masarap daw yung pandesal na gawa ko. Hay naku!

Sabi ng anak ko, it was delicious naman daw. Never mind the appearance, basta it was masarap! Even my mommy said so. Saka pinatimkim ko dun sa mga tindera sa katabing pwesto ng nanay ko sa palengke, masarap daw, magkano daw ba ang benta ko. Ting (bulblight!)! Pwede! Pwede pagkakitaan.

So eto ginawa ko, gawa ako ng ibang shape,  toasted it, and wrap it in a nice packaging (label and all). Yung iba, nilagyan ko ng sprinkles. I called it COOKIE PASTILLAS. Since it looked liked a cookie pero lasang pastillas. Yung buyer ko, can finish it in one sitting. Hehe, masarap daw e. And kahit hindi mo i-refrigerate, hindi siya masisira up to a week.

So here's the final product. Nakailan din naman akong benta, and it was a very promising business pero mahirap i-maintain. By order na lang ang gawa ko and minsan pag sinisipag every weekend, may display ako  niyan sa stall ng nanay ko sa palengke ng Carmona. (Update ko na lang ito, nawala pala sa pc ko yung pic ng naka-packaging na.) Later...
   
Sprinkled with love :)



Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Lenguahe

As I tap into my keyboard thinking of the next thing to write, I suddenly remembered  my sister's "feeling" towards some people who makes fun of others while they are speaking the English language. My family and I were born and raised in the Philippines. We are Filipinos. And as Filipinos who was born in to the biggest island in the country, Luzon, we  spoke of the Filipino language, and the dialect is "tagalog". A few of my cousins were born in Canada ( my mom's sister migrated there before she got married). And as a result, they only know, French and English. They know nothing of the Tagalog language. They understand a bit because of their mom.

Anyways, my two sisters are now living  in Canada, after their immigration application was approved a couple of years ago, and it is through them that she learned that some kids there would make fun of the other "asian" kids because of how they speak English. It sometimes sucks when other Filipinos try to think of you lowly because one cannot speak proper English. Or whenever you got your grammar wrong.

And because of this, I am writing my blog on my way, the Filipino way. Where I am most comfortable, Tag-lish way.

Tagal ko ng hindi nakakasulat. The post I did was 2012. February 2014 na. Heart's day na. Bahala kayo kung hindi nyo naiintindihan. Buti nga hinde kopa isinulat "jejemom" way. Hehe.