My Earliest School Memories are made of these. . . .

I'm sooo glad I enrolled Ate in her Pre-Nursery class.  She is slowly coming out of her shell and is enjoying her class a lot!  She has familiarized herself with the names of her classmates (sometimes, she just suddenly does a roll call at home, haha!).  Her most favorite part is the singing and dancing in school.  She has also become comfortable with the environment that there is no need for me to say with her in school anymore. (So proud of you Ate!  You are truly my little Ms. Independent!)  Seeing her in school brings back fond memories of my own.

I remember attending a Nursery class where the only things I can remember doing were having recess and nap time!  Probably because I was too young to remember . . . or they were just really my most favorite things to do in school perhaps?  Haha!  The one big thing I remember was when L, a girl classmate of mine (oh yes, I still remember her name!) hit me in the stomach (it was a light punch) just when the photographer was about to get our class photo.  Yes, I had proof!  You should see our class photo. . . it was written all over my face!  (Poor me, haha!)  It was the closest thing to bullying which I've experienced in school.

Then I attended Kinder and Prep classes in a Montessori school.  I remember going to Clark Air Base (when the Americans were still occupying it) for a field trip and met "Santa Claus" riding a sleigh.. . . a carabao!  Haha!  I remember doing a Hawaiian and Tahitian dance for a school program, being a Narrator during a Cinderella play, being Mama Mary in a Christmas play, attending Advanced Reading classes in the morning, setting the table for Recess . . . and receiving (for the first time) a flower from a boy (C). . . and three green leaves (??? Haha!) from N. . . I threw the flower in the trash can which made C really mad but I held on to the green leaves because . . . N was actually a nice boy with a beautiful pair of eyes. . . he is cute actually. . . though I'm taller than him, haha!

During our graduation from Pre-School, our Class Adviser, Ms. A, asked me to deliver the graduation speech (which they wrote).  It was not a short speech!  It was pretty long that even my parents asked my teacher if she was sure I can do it. . . And I did!  I think my parents had more butterflies in their stomach than I did!  But I know it was one of their proudest moments too.  

And if there's one song that makes me remember my Pre-School days, it is this Carpenters song.  When I hear it, I still sing along and sway to its music. . . just like how Ms. A taught us.

I am so excited for Ate . . . and for all the good things that are yet to come.

And I hope she remembers the happy (and sometimes, even the not so happy) and funny moments that make going to school exciting and memorable!

F***!

Image from www.quotepictures.net

You know what my first is?  It's a 4-letter word!

F....FOOD!!!

What were you thinking?!  Haha!

Happy Weekend!

What Sugar Rush?

It has been said that giving kids sweets would give them a sugar rush and would make them hyperactive. . .

Well, I don't believe it!  Haha!

(She really became quiet after eating her yummy Tres Leches cupcake)

Oh and by the way, don't let a toddler eat a cupcake . . . with frosting . . . by herself

 . . . in a moving car! =)

Goodnight and Sweet dreams =)

Anything for you. . . .

The first and last . . . and the only time I wore a two-piece bikini was when I was 6 years old during a summer family outing, haha!

Soon after that, my swimming outfits would be a shirt and a pair of shorts (if the facility permits it) or at best, a one piece bathing suit AND a shirt to cover myself, haha!  I am not shy about being a plus size (it was never an issue for me) . . . but wearing a bathing suit in public, ummm, yep, still working on that, haha!

Ate in her swimsuit, ready for a dip!  As for me, I'm holding on to my shirt!  

But as they say, a Mother would do anything for her child. . . And so I must . . . 

Conquer my fear and throw my inhibitions!

Wore my bathing suit . . .as it is. . . with no cover-ups!  Eeeeeppp!  Haha!

I love you Ate!

Anything for you . . . .

LOL MOMENT

To cap this day, I would like to share with you this funny story.

My sister wore this shirt today.

As my sister was leaving to go to work, my dear Ate saw it, pointed at it and said "OWL"  (Very Good Ate!)

Then at work, S, a staff of my sister saw the same shirt and according to her, it was a TIGER!  Haha!

For this Battle of the Brains, the toddler wins!  Woohoo!

I guess S needs a pair of new glasses just like my Mom, heehee.

Hope your day went well =)

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams . . . .

That Could Have Been . . . Them!

I was watching a TV special about "Friends" and they've mentioned that the role of Rachel (played by Jennifer Aniston) was first offered to Tea Leoni.  With the commercial success of Friends, everyone has fallen in love with the whole cast that I'm sure we can't imagine other actors playing the roles of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey.   (If you want to read more about the other actors who were considered for the cast of "Friends", please click on this link )

Then I found this online by chance--- a list of actors who have passed up on Iconic roles.

*All images are from espressogossip.com

Will Smith as Neo (Matrix)

Dana Delaney as Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City)
This one, I cannot imagine AT ALL!  
SJP is Carrie and Carrie is SJP, enough said, Haha!

Molly Ringwald as Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)

John Travolta as Forrest Gump

Bette Midler as Sis. Mary Clarence (Sister Act)
Bette Midler turned down this role because she thought her fans
would have some concerns over her playing the role of a nun

Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones
I think Tom Selleck is a good choice for the role and I can see him playing it actually.  
But I just love Harrison Ford more =)

Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone (The Godfather)
It's been said that Jack Nicholson turned down this role, not because he didn't like it.
He just felt that an Italian should play the role.

Sandra Bullock as Maggie Fitzgerald (Million Dollar Baby)
The story goes that there was a delay in the production so Sandra "packed her bags" 
and dropped out from this movie project 

Julia Roberts as Leigh Anne Tuohy (The Blind Side)
Julia turned downed the role because she is set to do a movie (Valentine's Day) 
with Garry Marshall, the director who gave her break in Pretty Woman

As I was going through the list, I have picked up  a thing or two from the stories behind these what ifs and could have beens:

1. When we give too much importance on what other people have to say, we end up losing because it stops us from doing what we want.

2. Patience is a virtue . . . and good things happen to those who wait =)

3. Giving up something doesn't mean we are weak, it means that we know ourselves better and that we acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses.    

4. You cannot put a price to the relationship you have built with the people who have made a difference in your life.


These actors have their own reasons why they passed up on these roles and I'm sure that somehow, there is a feeling of regret to most of them (if not all).  Just like them, I'm sure we have our stories to tell.  But we shouldn't dwell on these regrets.  Instead, let us learn from them.

Here's to more opportunities to come our way. . . and the courage to take our chances!

If you want to read more about the actors that passed up on iconic roles, please click on this link.

Bonjour!

I don't know why it has taken me so long to make my first FRENCH TOAST!  Not sure if the word "French" has something to do with it, haha!  (I think French cooking is just so refined, filled with techniques and is an art on its own.) 

Got this basic French Toast recipe from Food.com (Thanks to my friend M who shared this recipe)

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar

6 slices stale bread

Directions:

1. Beat eggs in a shallow bowl.  Add milk, vanilla and cinnamon sugar and beat until frothy.

2. Soak each slice of bread in the egg mixture, first on one side, then the other.

3.Cook both sides in a greased non-stick skillet until golden.

I didn't have any cinnamon sugar on hand so I just used sugar and added a pinch of salt (just because I saw it in some recipes).  While the French Toast tasted good (everybody liked it!), I am sure it would taste better with some cinnamon in it! Also, I like my French Toast thick so I got some thick slices for this recipe.

They weren't kidding when they said thick-cut slices, haha!

Oh and what is French cooking without butter?!!!  I used butter to grease the non-stick pan =)

After a few minutes. . .this is what's for breakfast. . . Tadahhhh!

Serve it with maple syrup or if you want it to be fancy, 

sprinkle some Confectioner's sugar and add fresh fruits.

Have a good day everyone!

Words That Matter

We heard mass yesterday and were standing at the back of the congregation when suddenly, I felt somebody wiggling his way through, between me and my sister.  (Okay, I used "wiggle" because it sounded better kinder than "forcing his way", haha!).  But really. . . it was. . . (sorry for the word). . . annoying!  I was annoyed (and disappointed) that this young man (he must be around 16 years old) didn't even have the decency to say "Excuse Me".  At his age, I think he should know better. Some of you may find this incident trivial (that I let it affect me, haha!) but I must say that having good manners is important.  Having good manners show that you are polite, you care, you are considerate of other people's feelings and most importantly, it shows that you respect them.

My parents taught me early on in life that there are words, though they may sound simple are words that matter and can make a difference.  

They emphasized on the importance of saying "Thank You", "Please", "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening" and probably the hardest word to say (yes, even for us adults probably, haha). . ."I'm sorry".

In the Filipino culture, we use "po"  (usually put at the end of a sentence) and "opo" (means "yes") to show respect when we are talking to someone who is older than us. 

Image from www.teachthis.co.uk

Janina has learned to say "Please" and "Thank You"  and we are still working on "I'm sorry" and "Excuse Me".

Just like how my parents taught us, I want her to learn the importance of having good manners and take these words by heart.

There is no "too early" to teach manners. . . and no "too late" to learn either. 

To the young man who "wiggled his way". . . it's not too late =)

Detox!

I went to detox. . .I mean my hair went for detox. . . and I wish I can do the same for my body, hahaha!

I felt that my hair got dry from the shampoo that I've been using so I thought of trying Human Heart Nature's All-Natural Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner (because it has no or at least has significantly less chemical ingredients).  I love that they came in a Mandarin Fresh scent!  (I love citrusy scents in everything. . . including car fresheners, haha!)

If you want a shampoo that has a nice thick and creamy consistency and lathers the hair nicely . . . well, this shampoo is NOT for you, haha!  The consistency of the shampoo is watery and it doesn't lather much.  I had to use a fair bit more just so I can see foam in my hair.  You might be thinking . . .if it doesn't lather much, then it must not be doing its job of cleaning away the oil and dirt from the hair.  And that was my concern the first time I used it.  

But you know, a shampoo that doesn't lather much is actually a good thing because it only means that it doesn't contain chemical surfactants.  (From www.madehow.com - Surfactants are the cleansing ingredients in shampoos.  Some common primary detergents used in shampoos are ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate.)  Sulfates are actually the detergents that create the lather.

While the shampoo doesn't lather the way I want it, the conditioner's consistency is good enough for me.  One thing I like about the formulation of these all-natural hair products is it's easier to rinse the hair.   

After drying my hair (using an electric fan), I felt my hair was clean (even without the foam and suds that I'm used to, haha!)  and light.  It also came out soft and manageable too.  These hair products actually exceeded my expectations.  I love, love, love them that I am making the big switch!    

Yes, you can say that I'm one happy (more of delighted!) customer!

To know more about Human Heart Nature and its products, please click on this link.


Disclaimer: Review about the products is based on my personal experience.  Individual results in using these products may vary.  

You are Beautiful! =)

I saw this quote in a blog (Fab After Forty) that I was following and got struck by it because it's true. . . and we all know it.

I think it's not that we don't see it.  I think it's hard for us to acknowledge it!  

When I was younger, I didn't know how to take compliments, haha!  Until I learned that the best way was to just say thank you and give them a sincere smile =)

Beauty is not all about our appearance.  There is beauty in all of us!

You are beautiful when you make other people laugh.
Or when they go to you when they need someone to talk to.
You are beautiful when you love unconditionally
And when you are loved by many.
You are beautiful when you are comfortable in your own skin
And when people go to you to find comfort when they are looking for it.
You are beautiful when you know how to appreciate the things that you have in your life.
You are beautiful when you are at peace with yourself.

All of us have our own take on what Beauty is all about.  The most important thing is to let our true beauty shine.

Here's to embracing and celebrating our beautiful selves!

Wishing everyone a beautiful day ahead!!! =)

Revisiting Tokyo Bubble Tea

I've blogged about Tokyo Bubble Tea in an earlier post.   I've mentioned that their menu has a wide range of goodies . . .so my Sister and I thought of going back to the place again so we can explore more of what they offer.

It was another brunch date so just like last time, we didn't order any rice dishes (yep, this is not the last time you'll hear about this place from me, haha!)

We ordered Chicken Lollipop Korokke - Chicken Lollipop and Potato croquette fusion with honey mustard dip (Php 165)

It looks better than it tastes

The last time we went there, we had the Chizu-Maki (a fried appetizer too) . . . and it was my least favorite. Same thing for this visit. . . I didn't like this AT ALL!  They were bland and they were cold inside (I felt they were frozen and were fried rather quickly) . . . I therefore conclude. . .no more fried appetizers next time, haha!

We also ordered the  Nippon Ebi - Panko breaded prawn topped with mango on melted mozzarella cheese (Php 285)

I have to say that I love, love Makis (except for those which have raw stuff in it). . . So yes, I enjoyed this one.  This is good and can be eaten even without dipping it in soy sauce.  But I love my wasabi and pickled ginger, so I always do!  Heehee

We got this Okonomiyaki as a freebie from the BPI promo - it is a batter wrapped around meat and vegetables topped with Japanese mayo, pickled ginger and bonito flakes.  Love this too!  

Okonomiyaki - (Php 215)

And our most favorite among all the things we ordered. . . .the Japanese Caesar Salad!  They call it "Caesar Salad" but they actually use Sesame Dressing for this salad (made up of Romaine lettuce, pan-fried chicken, mango and grapes.)  I love the smoky flavor that comes from the chicken and it goes well with everything else.  I can eat this everyday!  

Japanese Caesar Salad - Php 195

There is really so much to choose from this place. . .that it deserves another visit from us, haha!

But not this weekend. . . as I am headed to a food paradise!

Will be blogging about it sooonnn! =)

Why Moms are Superheroes

Image Source

Oh and Moms do have eyes at the back of their heads!

I know, I do!  Haha! *wink*

Noooooo!!!!

Have a nice and restful weekend everyone! =)

Special Mail Delivery

Image Source

I think this is one mail we would all like to send!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did =)

TO COOK: CROCK POT SESAME CHICKEN

Hubby and I have been thinking of getting a crock pot or a Dutch Oven last year but never did anything about it.  I want to get one because after watching the movie, "Julie and Julia", I want to try cooking Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon (as they say, when you dream, dream big!  Haha!)

But seriously, I want one because I like the idea of "slow cooking" . . . throwing everything in a pot, let it simmer for quite some time and just let the recipe's ingredients marry one another and let the flavor come around. 

I saw this recipe in my cousin's FB wall (Thanks Ate P for sharing!) and since I don't know when I'll be able to cook it (and I don't have a crock pot), I thought of posting this in the blog to make sure I won't lose the recipe, haha!  (I think I'll start doing this for future recipes that I will see!)

But I won't wait until I have a crock pot to try this recipe!  I'll see if I can do this with whatever pots we have at home.  

This recipe (and photo) is from the FB page of The Recipe Graveyard.

Happy Cooking!

CROCK POT SESAME CHICKEN

1 1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dried onion
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Put chicken into crock pot.
Combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, and garlic. Pour over chicken.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened.
Cut chicken into bite size pieces and return to crock pot - can leave chicken in and simmer on low or serve.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Toys Galore

I am so happy that Ate enjoys going to school!  I like how the school varies the school work and activities that they do that aims to develop a toddler's Motor and Cognitive Skills.

One of the activities that Ate does (and which I like, heehee) is puzzle sorting.  I want to buy Ate the same chunky wooden puzzles that the school uses.  I went to a couple of places and couldn't find something that I like.  So I went online and found them . . . and MORE!  I have opened several tabs already that I thought of putting all of them here, in a blog post . . . so I can refer back to them conveniently in the future!  And most especially, to help Moms (like me) who are also searching all over for Educational toys.

I like how some of these websites are designed in such a way that it helps you go through the products easily and in an organized way (because it can be overwhelming with the wide range of toys they have!) because you can shop by age or by the toys' categories (e.g. wooden toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, etc.).

Here are some websites which you can go to:  

Melissa and Doug

Wonderworld Toys

Educational Toys USA - I call it a one stop toy shop since this site carries different brands like Leap Frog, Melissa and Doug, Educo, Hape

Fine Wooden Toys - carries different brands too

Voila Toys - A toy manufacturing company based in Thailand and distributes worldwide.  To know if they have distributors in your respective country, please click on the sites's "Where to Buy" tab. 

In the Philippines, you may go to Toys R' Us, Hobbes and Landes (A toy land for both kids and adults!) and Mindwerks, the Toy Shoppe (Please click on their link for more details) 

Clever Cats International Company - a local company that carries International toy brands and sells online. 

Hope this post helps!

Have a nice weekend ahead!

As for me, I'll probably be staying away from the mall. . . .because after all the surfing and looking through these sites, it feels like I just went Malling the whole day!  Nah, my feet don't hurt, my eyes do!  Haha!

Who says online shopping isn't tiring?!  

Food Tripping Sunday

I am sure that all of us look forward to weekends!  It is a chance to rest and recharge, a time to go out and eat, or catch up with friends or family. . . and that's what my sister and I and our cousin A did last Sunday.  Ate joined in the fun too! =)

There are several restaurants in Angeles City (which is about 15 kms away from our city) which we've been meaning to try so it took us some time to decide where. (Women!)  So after deliberating (we take our food seriously, haha!), we opted to go to CISAN'S which serves Thai food.

Photo was taken in dark lighting as it was taken when we were about to leave 

I love the restaurant's colors, the simple and modern interiors, and its bright atmosphere! =)

Since we got there late in the afternoon, we just ordered pica-pica.

Left to right (clockwise) - Fresh Spring Rolls (Php 195), Prawn Cakes (Php 295), 

Pad Thai (Php 275) and Chicken Satay (Php 225)

Everything was good.  I enjoyed the Chicken Satay (it was tender, juicy and flavorful) and Pad Thai (okay there are better Pad Thais I've tasted and I know this looks simple BUT I actually enjoyed eating it!  Haha!) the most!  I could have enjoyed the Spring Rolls more if the dip that came with it was the vinegary and sweetish type of dip I usually get in a Vietnamese restaurant (I know, but I was in a Thai restaurant, haha!).  This came with a peanut sauce dip, the same dip used for the Chicken satay.  And my least favorite was the Prawn Cakes.  They weren't bad, they were actually full of shrimp flavor but they were  a tad too toasted.

Overall, I am happy to have found a place near us that can satisfy our Thai food cravings.  We loved the food, the place, service was okay.  We will definitely go back and actually, I already know what to order in our next visit!  Heehee

I have to say though that they have a limited menu (like they don't even have the Thai staples like Pineapple Fried Rice or Chicken Pandan!) and I hope they can add more items in it.   

As for dessert, we saved some room for it!  We always do!  Haha!  For dessert, we already know where to go . . . CIOCCOLO!  We had a good Caramel Macchiato (we like it better than Starbucks!) and our forever favorite Ferrero Cake!  (This cake is Perfection!)

Layers of sinful  goodness - Chocolate cake, Chocolate fudge and Chocolate Mousse

It was indeed a filling Sunday!  One that is filled with good food and fun company. . . a good way to cap our weekend!  Until our next foodie adventure!

CISAN'S

Nepo Quad, Angeles City

FB Page

CIOCCOLO

Royal Garden Estate,

Friendship Circumferential Road

Angeles City

FB Page

Ate's Look-Alike

This morning, while window shopping at the mall, I saw this top and wanted to buy it  for Ate. . .

Only because the little girl on it kind of looks like her!  (As I see it)

They have the same hair, those puppy-dog eyes, that cute little nose . . .

But I saved some money and didn't. . . .because they didn't have it in her size!  

Buti na lang, haha!