The Tale of the Red Bird Cage

Ate's school has scheduled different activities for the School Year.  They had the Fitness Awareness Week last July and today, they are having the Animal Fair.

Students were asked to bring their pet animals.  Since Ate doesn't have a pet yet, we've brainstormed (brainstormed!  the last time I used this term was when I was still working!  Haha!) on what is a suitable pet for her until we thought of getting her a pair of beautiful Java Sparrows (also known as Java Rice Birds).  

Image from Wikipedia

So we have the birds, got a red bird cage and bird seeds.  I even started researching about this bird because we have to write something about them.  And of course, we need names!  So I picked Jack and Jill!  I know, I know, I could come up with better names!  Haha!  

Why Jack?  Because Jack Sparrow came to my mind, haha!  And when I think of Jack, I think of Jill!  It's either Jack and Jill or Jack and Rose of Titanic.  Jack and Jill won because it would be easier for Ate to say Jill than Rose!  Heehee. . .   

Pet, check. . . Food, check . . . Cage, check. . . Bird Facts, check. . . Names, check!  We are all set for the Animal Fair! Woohoo!  

That's what I thought . . .

At 7AM this morning, my sister walked into my room, woke me up and said . . ."Hey, your Jack and Jill went up the hill to get a pail of water" . . Hahaha!  I thought she was kidding!  But you know they did,  because they were GONE!!!  

What the!!!

From what we saw, the cage fell and its base cracked open.  That's what we think.

So we're back to square one!  And we have 3 hours before we go to school!  Crraammingggg time!!!

We have come up with different options, to cut the long story short, we just brought one of our kittens at home who is 3 weeks old and named him Max. . . he became Max just that morning!  Haha!  

Just in case you're wondering why we didn't think of the kitten earlier, we thought that birds would be more suitable for Ate because she might develop asthma. 

So here is our Max. . . in a red bird cage!  He is so tiny that the cage is perfect for him.

Thank you Max for saving the day!  You are truly special and unique!

He is unique. . . .because he was the only cat in the Animal Fair! Haha!

What I learned from Miley Cyrus

I know so many things have been said about the Miley Cyrus/Robin Thicke production number at this year's VMA Awards but I have to just to share you the one thing I learned from this incident. . .

I learned what TWERKING is! Hahaha!!!  Honestly, I just did!

I've heard the term "Twerking" before but I thought it was just another App or social networking service like Twitter or Plurk!  I'm really getting old---nah, I am old!!!  Haha!

I must have probably thought that it might be a combination of Twitter and Plurk! ---Duh!!!!  Go on, LAUGH!!!  It's okay, I've laughed at myself already!  Hahaha!!!

So to Miley Cyrus,  Thank you very much!  You have saved me from future embarrassment! =)

Image Source

Do not Assume!

One day . .  Isang Araw

I saw . . . Nakakita

My favorite ice cream (sitting on the freezer) . . . Ang paborito kong ice cream

Woohoo!!!

I opened it . . . Binuksan ko

OH MY, LUMPIA PALA!!! Hayyyyy . . . 

Yep, so I got excited for nothing!  Haha!  I guess I'll be having my ice cream in my dreams . . . 

Goodnight everyone =)

Make My Day!

We're back to being three . . . Hubby left for the US early this morning (his flight departed at 1AM this morning).   

Yep, the kids brought him to the airport in their PJs =)

His three-week vacation went by so fast . . . we still have so much to do!

We've had this of arrangement for five years now and you would think that you'll get used to it, that it gets easier each time he leaves.  It doesn't.  It has actually become harder now that we have our kids.  In case you're wondering when we are joining him, well, we are in a waiting game.  Hopefully, we will join him sooner than the target date we expect.  

This isn't going to be a sappy post.  I just want to remember the precious time we have spent together where we just had a good time and shared so many laughs.

Even though we are thousands of miles apart, he still has a way of making my day =)

He has a 10 hour layover in Incheon Airport (Seoul) so he thought of taking the free tour that is being offered. 

Then I saw a Viber message saying that he sent me a photo!  Yayyy!  I was so excited to see it! He must have sent me a photo of him (because I'm sure he knows how much we miss him!) or what is there to see in the airport, documenting what he is eating (though he doesn't really do that, haha!) or doing!

Well, he sent me this, just this . . . .

Huneyyy!!!  Haha!  You could have at least included your face in this picture!  

I don't know why he would send me this picture!  

Let's do a Multiple choice!

a) He doesn't want to show his eye bags? (Puwede . . .)

b) He probably didn't notice that his face wasn't on the frame? (I don't think so . . .)

c) Art shot?!!! (Where's the Art? Haha!)

d) He wants to show me a picture of the Group Tour's pin?  (Bakit?)

e) He doesn't do selfies! (Puwede din!)

Let's see what he says . . . 

He just sent me a message saying that he's back from his City Tour and would just take a shower (there's free shower in the airport.  Don't you wish we offer amenities like this in our airport?!).

Have a nice day ahead!  Hope somebody made your day too to start it right =)

Or be that somebody to make someone's day!

Huney, thank you for always making my day!  We love and miss you soooo much!

A Koala Kind of Day

Image from www.acuteaday.com

FACT: Koalas are mostly nocturnal and can spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping!

It's a Koala kind of day for me today. . . not that I have slept for 20 hours!  I just feel so sleepy that I want to lie down in bed and sleeeepppp!!! 

How's your day going?

Crafts for a Cause by Kultura Filipino

One of the places I like going to is Kultura Filipino, found in all SM stores (affiliated with SM Incorporated since 2003).  It is a large retail chain which houses a wide array of local products (from food, fashion accessories, clothes, home decors, etc) that are export quality and are proudly Pinoy.  It is a popular place to go to for pasalubong (gifts) and even for personal shopping!  There are so many things one can find that sometimes, I just go there just to look around without really buying anything, haha!

On a recent trip to their branch in SM Aura, I went to Kultura Filipino and saw a corner which says Crafts for a Cause which piqued my interest.  There are so many beautiful things on that table that were made from recycled items.  To name a few, there were bags made from soda pull tabs . . .

And clutches made of Foil 

I wanted to take more pictures but there were Sales Associates and Security lingering around . . . and who (I feel) might tell me that taking pictures is not allowed!  So inunahan ko na, haha!  

I've googled about Kultura Filipino and their Crafts for a Cause project and saw a blog (www.pinasmuna.com) which has a post about it.  Please click on this link to read about it.

Who said Money can't buy Happiness?!  When we support projects like this, our Money goes a long way because it benefits and improves the lives of  the disadvantaged people from different communities.    

So what are we waiting for, tara na, let's go and Shooppp!!! =)

Ramen AGAIN!

I think I've turned into a Ramen addict!  Haha!  Over the weekend, we got the chance to try another Ramen place when we went malling in SM Aura.  (You can read about my first bowl of Ramen here.)

We ordered gyoza for our appetizer.  Hubby and I are not really gyoza lovers but we loved this place's gyoza because I like how they were cooked and the size they came in (I don't like big gyozas).  Since they're not big, there is less "umay" factor which I like. . . and no after taste!  And most importantly, they were juicy!   

An order of gyoza (Php 150.00) has 6 pcs - Hubby got one before I took this shot =)

We also ordered Chicken Karaage (180.00) - one word. . . crispy!  Crrruuunnch!   

Before going to Ikkoryu, we did our research and read that one of their Must-try is the Black Garlic Tonkotsu.  Since I am sharing my bowl with Ate, this wasn't the time to try any special ramen (yes, even if it's a Chef's Recommendation!)  So we ordered Chasu Tonkotsu (Php 380.00).  It's the Original Tonkotsu Ramen with more Chasu pieces, yayyy! Haha!

  

Hubby ordered the Ajitama Tonkotsu (Php 380.00) - As described in the menu - "Topped with a special half-boiled egg that is fully marinated with a special blended soy sauce base" 

Dining at Ikkoryu Fukuoka was another good Ramen experience.  I know there are more Ramen houses to conquer, and I'm just warming up, haha!

One day, I'm sure I'll be able to choose which one is my personal fave.  But for now, I'm just enjoying each bowl of Ramen that comes.

Happy Tummy, Happy Family! =)

Ikkoryu Fukuoka has branches at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and SM Aura in Makati.

If you want to know more about Ikkoryu Fukuoka's menu, please click here or you may also visit their FB page.

Two Peas in a Pod at the NBA

I haven't posted anything for my "Two Peas in a Pod" series for quite some time.  I've blogged about some celebrities having look alikes here and here.

So here's another one. . .

For the basketball fanatics out there, AT FIRST GLANCE, don't you think Blake Griffin and Kris Humphries (also popularly known as the ex-husband of Kim Kardashian) look alike?

What do you think?

YAY or NAY?

Left: Blake Griffin and Right: Kris Humphries
Image from: www.vebidoo.com

Image from www.zimbio.com

Image from www.kelvinkuo.com

Can you relate? =)

I saw this funny quote at a mommy blogger's IG account (dainty_mom) which I've been following:

www.quotesvalley.com

This is me (and probably 95% of the female population!) and Hubby personified!

And if I may add. . . A woman who is quiet is not just mad. . .she also thinks overanalyzes! Haha!

Goodnight everyone!  Hope your day went well . . . .

Hubby says . . .

This post is dedicated to my very good friends M and M, who are Hubby's biggest fans!  They probably love him more than me, Hahaha!!!

Hubby continues to make me laugh with his funny hirits (remarks).  Well, they're funny to me, heehee.

He saw this passport-sized photo of Ate.  You would probably think that he would say she's pretty or how cute she is . . . he didn't.

Hubby:  Parang pinatong yung wig sa ulo ni Ate. (Haha!  Actually, may point siya ano?  Aminin!  Haha!  No offense will be taken!)   

************************************************************************************************************

Just this afternoon, I read that Ben Affleck is going to play the role of  Batman in the "Man of Steel" sequel.

Me (excited!):  Hun, si Ben Affleck, magiging Batman sa movie!!!.  Okay siyang maging Batman ano?  Bagay!

Hubby: Ummm (not really convinced). . .Naka-maskara naman eh.  (Oo nga naman, in a way, it won't really matter, haha!)

At meron pang pahabol na  hirit. . . 

It's the lips that make Batman!. (Haaa???!  Haha!)

Image from www.mnn.com

Happy Weekend!!!  

Recipes from HERSHEY'S

If you are a chocolate lover, a newbie baker (in search of basic recipes) or if you're bored looking for something to do (heehee), here are some simple and quick dessert recipes from a HERSHEY'S booklet (which came with the Chocolate Chips I bought) I got hold of.  I haven't gotten the chance to try them out though.  But they look easy to do (something that would appeal to non-bakers like me, haha!) so I'm posting them in this blog to share with everyone else. 

Happy Baking!


Double Chip Brownies

Image from the HERSHEY'S booklet

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted and divided
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Chips
1 cup REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350deg F.  Grease 13 X 9 X 2-inch baking pan.

2. Stir together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl; stir in 1/3 cup butter.
    Add boiling water; stir until mixture thickens.
    Stir in sugar, eggs and remaining 1/3 cup butter; stir until smooth.
    Add flour, vanilla and salt; blend thoroughly.
   Stir in milk chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
   Spread in prepared pan.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
    Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
    Cut into squares.  About 36 brownies.



Doubly Chocolate Cookies

Image from the HERSHEY'S booklet

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups (12 ox pkg)
        HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips
        HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
        or 2  cups (11.5 oz pkg) HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350deg F

2. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
    Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy.
    Gradually add flour mixture, beating well.
    Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.
   Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or just until set.
    Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
    Cool completely.  About 4-1/2 dozen cookies.

A Letter to Ate

Dear Ate,

You just continue to surprise me everyday.  This morning, you did something really special that made Mama feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

This morning, I had a headache and when you saw me leaning over the bed, you were calling Mama several times  and I just answered, "Yes Baby" with my eyes closed.  Then your Papa told me that you were trying to give me a pillow.  And when I opened my eyes, there it was, a pink, fluffy pillow . . . all for me!  Your thoughtfulness has truly touched my heart.

Thank you for always making me happy.  You are  a ray of sunshine. . . something we need during this gloomy weather.

I love you Sweetheart . . . .

Hugs and Kisses,
Mama

Midnight Cravings

It's 2AM and I couldn't sleep . . . and worst, I'm craving for this . . .

Pancake House's Clubhouse Sandwich!

Over the weekend, we had a Staycation in Manila (which I'll be blogging about in a separate post).  What's so nice about being in a Staycation (and having it on a weekend!) is you get to go on a food trip and satisfy whatever cravings you might have (and feel less guilty) because you know (no, you convince yourself!  Haha!) weekends are cheat days!  

So last Sunday, we had breakfast in Pancake House.  I ordered the Clubhouse Sandwich (only because I wasn't sure what to order).  It was such a beautifully made sandwich that I was soooo happy I ordered it! (You know how you feel like you hit a jackpot when you know you made the right decision in ordering your food?!  Haha!)   It has layers and layers of goodness---a chuncky chicken spread, crispy bacon, egg, cheese, crispy greens and fresh tomatoes!  AND the fries that came with it were Yummm!  Not to sound guilty. . .  but for the record, I shared this with Hubby!    

For Hubby, I ordered Beef Tapa, which he loved this time.  A few years ago, he came home and arrived in an early morning flight.  From the airport, we went to Pancake House to get some breakfast.  He ordered Beef Tapa but it was such a small serving that we had to order another one for him!  Haha!  We're glad that the Tapa he had last Sunday was far better than what he had last time.  

And for Ate, we ordered Choco-chip Pancake that came with Peanut Butter!  Wasn't able to take a photo of it because we were already hungry!  Haha! 

It was a really good and filling (and loaded with carbs, I know! Haha!) breakfast that we enjoyed.  

But the thing I enjoyed most is having breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning with my loved ones . . . something we miss doing together.

As for this midnight craving, I guess I will just sleep on it!

  

Goodnight everyone . . . Sweet dreams =)

WHY???

It's a bed-weather, rainy kind of day today . . .but I started the day right with a dose of laughter, thanks to Hubby!  As I've mentioned in my earlier posts, one thing I love about him is he is funny and can make me laugh. . . .even when he's not trying!

Hubby was sorting some photos taken with his phone when I saw some photos I just had to ask . . . WHY???

 . . . would he take a photo of a restaurant's menu at the airport?  (Coming to Manila, he had a 3-hour layover at Incheon Airport in Seoul, Korea) 

His reason:  So on his return flight to the US (where he has a 10-hour layover), he would already know what to eat!  Haha!  This photo of the menu would come in handy when he chooses from this wide array of menu options.            

Hubby is a thinker, systematic and organized, be it in his thoughts or on how he does things. . . so that's his Engineering background kicking in, haha!

And WHY would he take a picture of his luggage?

His reason:  Just in case he loses his luggage, having a photo in his phone would help him describe his luggage.  Or if somebody else claims it, he can easily show proof of ownership. 

WHY would he take a picture of an equipment?

His reason:  It's his work (and I won't bore you with the details!) . . .so he doesn't have to write down the serial numbers of the equipment (and that is not being lazy. . .it's being smart!  Haha!)

I wonder what else would come up in his phone's photo gallery!  Haha!

Hope you're having a good day today in spite of the gloomy weather =)

Turn, Baby, Turn

Over the weekend, we were celebrating one of Bunso's Milestones . . . 

Bunso happily watching TV

Then he turned on his side and started feasting on his hand . . .

Then using his arm. . . .rolled over for the first time!!! Woohoo!

What you didn't know . . .

there were six  grown-ups (who stopped what they were doing) and his doting Ate cheering him on!

We are all excited for the other Milestones that are yet to come, the cameras are ready! =)

My Fair Lady 2

I've made a mental note early on to teach Ate how to sit properly (blogged about it here)

November 2012

Last month, when we were at the Mall, Ate was sleeping in the stroller and when I turned to check her
. . . . . . Eeeeeeppppp!

I know. . . she still has some learning to do!

Carbo loading

at C' . . .again! (blogged about C' Italian Dining in a previous post)

Enjoyed this pesto dip with a basket of warm bread.  C' bakes their own bread and sells them too.  I can eat this everyday!

Panizza Kristina . . . again!  You won't feel guilty (too guilty, haha!) eating pizza because the crust is too thin and you get to eat your greens!  

And for the Ate, we ordered this beautiful plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs which she loved.  I am not really fond of meatballs but I like the chunky tomato sauce.  Hubby said he had better Meatballs.  

And if there is one pasta I can't get enough of and I highly recommend (especially if you love white-sauce pasta), it's Pasta Roberto!    I think I'm going to order this every time I go to C'!

For dessert, the choices were Lemon Cheesecake, Creme Brulee and Tiramisu.  I never had a Lemon Cheesecake but was afraid to try (I'm not really fond of lemons).  Since I'm a coffee lover, I went for the Tiramisu.

Well, we should have tried the Lemon Cheesecake, haha! It wasn't bad. I was just looking for a richer coffee flavor.

By the way, the restaurant's branch along Don Juico Avenue (along Friendship Road in Clark) burned down. You can still enjoy C's food at the other branch which sits in the lot where Petron Gas Station is (along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Clarkfield, Pampanga.)  Since this is a smaller branch, it has a limited menu.

I've also read (in www.femalnetwork.com) that they opened a branch in Manila, located at City Golf Plaza, Dona Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas, Pasig City.  (Contact no. 0917-859-0583).

If you haven't tried C's Panizza (and Pasta Roberto), you should! =)

Mangiamo!   (pronounced as mahn-DJYAH-moh---means "Let's eat" in Italian)

When SH** Happens

Before becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom, I was working for 12 years in the corporate world, doing something I love (and this remains to be one of the things I'm thankful for in my life!).  And while I can say that I am lucky blessed that I love what I was doing, there are just some days that stress (from work) really gets the best of me.  So when I'm having one of those days, I just look at this cartoon (I've pinned a copy of it in my work area) . . . 

Image from www.veryhilarious.com

Haha!  Helps me get through the "I'm going to pull my hair" moment

Being a Stay-At-Home Mom doesn't mean I live a stress-free life.  I still get my share of bad days (I even cry sometimes).  All of us have different levels of stress in our lives.  What is important is we know how to bear and handle it.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead . . .free from stress and worries!  =)

Hi! My Name is . . .

My married name is shorter as compared to my maiden name.  And it's even easier to spell and pronounce!

So I really don't know why . . .

Wish I had that Billion in my bank account instead!  Haha!

And my most favorite (because of its unique spelling) . . . . 

I was also a MS. ANA BELIUN! =)

Still waiting for that one person . . . to get it right!  Haha!

Coming Home

As I've mentioned in an earlier post, Ate and I went to the Salon for some pampering because we wanted to look beautiful for this one person who means a lot to us and who we miss soooo much!

Welcome Home Papa!

Just the other day, Hubby and I went to the Mall to buy some stuff for the kids and I was telling him that it feels nice to be doing it with him, even if some of the things we do are actually errands.  I feel happy seeing him bring Ate to school.  And for him to see how our little girl has become a doting big sister to her little brother. And it was such a special moment when I saw him hold and carry Bunso for the very first time.  

There are so many things to do in our list (which reminds me, we can have our family photo taken!). . . and we only have three weeks!  So yes, we are packing everything in!  

I'm wondering if this means. . . . I can have more nap time??!  Haha!

(Huney, you'll be fine!  I'm sure you can handle BOTH of them. . . because I believe in you and in what you can do!  Just wake me up if you need an extra hand, heehee.

Say What?!

The story you are about to read is from an FB post by D, a good friend of mine. . . it is TOO funny and TOO cute not to share!  Thank you D for allowing me to share this in my blog!  =)  

Keep your boys' stories coming, heehee . . .

Kids do say the darndest smartest things!

*******************************************************************************

Image from www.123rf.com

While reviewing for Araling Panlipunan quarterly exams, about "Sinaunang Pilipino."

Me: Ok so in those days, when a boy is grown up and wants to marry a girl, what does he do to court her and her family?

Pablo: (Suddenly wide-eyed and emphatic) Lots of things! Basta mama it's soooo hard!! You have to chop wood and work so hard, do so many things and do everything they say, and give, like, carabaos and everything you own!!

Me: (speechless for a few seconds) Ok... so aren't you glad you were born during a time when its much easier now to get married?

Pablo: If I were born during that time, I'll never get married!!!

Me: (stumped again) Ok. So now can we go back to reviewing? It's called "pamaman.... ?

Pablo: Slavery, that's what it's called!!!

(Family and friends, please join me in wishing him the best of luck in his exams..

and when the time comes, good luck na rin sa future wife.)