Writer's Workshop: Bad Burn

For this week's writing assignment I chose this prompt:

1.) It was a bad burn. Tell about the worst sunburn you ever received. How did that happen!?!

However, this is not a sunburn story. Just a "burn" story. I know I'm not following the teacher's instructions, I was never really good at that even when I was in school, so no point in stopping now (Sorry,MamaKat!) Here's my "Bad Burn" story.

My "Bad Burn" happened when I was 8 months old. I was too young to remember but my parents told me the story a 100 million times I might as well have. I was apparently on my walker, my mom was at the store and the sitter was doing whatever the heck she wasn't supposed to be doing. So, little me wandered off to the kitchen and managed to pour a pot of boiling water all over me. If this was a movie, I'd be done for.  No, my life is not just a movie, it's a freaking saga.

I was in the hospital for months, as the story goes, cars needed to be sold to pay for surgery. I suffered 3rd degree burns all over my body. Thank God for science, my skin was restored, just a few scars left.Hearing this story all the time made me believe I'm a survivor. That I can walk through a crisis and be the tough little nut job I'm supposed to be. That I'm built for tougher stuff.

When my brother died, I did not cry when I had to go to the funeral home, watch the embalmer start working on his body (WTF?! Yeah,the guy forgot to close the curtain) and pick out his casket. When I did the eulogy, I did not cry, I held on because we still had to bury him and everybody else was already breaking apart. I cried a few weeks later when I went back to school. Why? Because I'm built for tougher stuff. 

When my mom had her final stroke, when they intubated her in front of me, when the doctor told me only the machine was keeping her and I had to make "decisions", when I held her as she gave her last breath, I did not cry or break down. Because I still had to plan, to tell my older siblings, I still had to plan the funeral, pick out a casket, look for a lot. I did not cry or break down because I had stuff to do. It took a few weeks before I was able to weep silly, and all because I stubbed my foot.

When my dad collapsed last night, I did not cry or freak out because I still had to check if he was breathing, had to call someone, had to give him emergency care,had to stop the baby from crying, had to help dad up and pray he does not die in his sleep.

Why did I hold off? 

Why not have a break down and scream for the neighbors?

Because I'm built for tougher stuff.

I really don't believe that. Not all the time. I wish I could break down, be a damsel in freaking distress. I wish I could be that person who weeps, freaks out and scream their lungs out  in the midst of a raging storm. Because then I wouldn't be so tired and worried about how much more I have to survive. 

I wish I did not learn about that "bad burn".

Wait. Wait. Think. I take that back. 

I hate being a damsel in distress. So not me! I'm not a weepy person. I tried to be,but no cigar. 

I love my "bad burn" scars. They tell me, I'm built for tougher stuff!

;

What's Cooking: Scary but Easy Recipe # 2

Oriental Tofu Steak

I saw this recipe on a magazine and it called for mirin and sake. As if most Filipino households have that hanging around in the pantry! I improvised a little and made my own sauce with easier to find and cheaper ingredients.

WhatYahNeed:

The Sauce
2 tsp Lee Kum Kee Ma Po Tofu Sauce (Chill! it's Php35 per pack & can be found @ Shopwise)
1 Tbsp Oyster sauce (if you don't have this in your pantry, you should ;-D)
1-2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (depends on how salty you want it)
4 Tbsp sugar (works better with brown sugar)
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (Cost Php100 per bottle,a little goes a long way & can be stored forever)
1 Tbsp thinly sliced ginger (about as small as half a matchbox)
1 onion diced

The Tofu
1 pack tofu (around 4 squares, best with Japanese Tofu around Php50 @ Shopwise )
1 cup flour or cornstarch (for dredging)
1 egg slightly beaten mixed with a pinch of Salt & Pepper
1-2 cups bread crumbs
Oil for deep frying

WhatYahGottaDo:

1. Deal with the sauce. In a small bowl mix all the ingredients for the sauce except the ginger and onion. You don't really have to strictly follow the recipe, but there should be more sugar than the salty stuff. It really depends on your taste buds. Saute the ginger and onion in a small pan pour in the sauce,simmer for 3 minutes and set aside.

2. Play with the tofu. If you have kids you can ask them to play along. Cut the tofu into small squares, dredge in flour. Dip in the egg mixture and cover with bread crumbs. I do it like an assembly line. Have 3 big bowls lined up, first with flour, then the egg, then the crumbs. The bread crumb bowl should be nearest your stove so it's easier to dunk the "all dressed up tofu" for deep frying. Too complicated? Check out this link How to Dredge or Bread Foods.

3. Heat some oil on a frying pan. Deep fry the tofu steak for about 30 second on each side . Remember to keep your stove on low heat to avoid fast burning. "Brown don't Burn" should be your mantra.

4. Arrange your tofu steak on a plate and pour the sauce on top and enjoy! 

*If you don't want to deal with the sauce, you can find bottled teriyaki or tempura sauce in the grocery or Asian specialty store. But of course its yummier if you make it yourself, love doesn't come in a bottle.

**You DON'T have to go to Shopwise, you can go to ANY grocery store. It's just that it's nicer & cheaper there and there's a deli,fresh juice & fruit they cut open before your very eyes! Hihihihi!;

What's Cooking: Scary but Easy Recipe # 1

Why Scary but Easy?  You know how there are some dishes you only eat at a restaurant but too scared to try at home? At a restaurant they make the food look so fabulously dished out that you feel you can't make it at home. They do that to keep us coming back. Bad bad bad chefs! Tsk tsk tsk ;-)

So yesterday we had a friend over for lunch and it gave me the opportunity to have someone taste-test for me without the bias.  Here's my first Scary but Easy Recipe. 

Sizzling Bulalo Steak in Mushroom Sauce

(Beef  Shank with Bone Marrow)

I first saw this dish at Antonio's in Tagaytay. Saw, because I was already having the Lechon Kawali and Batchoy and did not want to have a stroke at the time. This recipe calls for a sizzling plate, you can find this in any kitchen section and enjoy using it for years if used properly. (I'll show you in some other post,later. . . much later).

*Don't be intimidated by the 6 steps, it's really easy. Just remember, boil-season-drain-heat the plate-sizzle-enjoy!

WhatYahNeed:

1 kilo Beef Bulalo

1 small cabbage

2 stalks onion leeks cut finger length

3 medium sized potatoes

1/2 tsp whole pappercorns

1 onion peeled cut in half

About half a teaspoon salt

fish sauce

Sauce

1 small can mushroom soup

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion , minced

WhatYahGottaDo:

1. Clean and wash the beef shank, take care NOT to remove the bone marrow. Place it in a stock pot filled with water together with salt.  Make sure you have enough water, boil the beef shanks for about 4 to 5 hours in meduim to low heat. This is best done the day before, no need to stare at the pot. You can do other stuff like read blogs, for instance. If you have a slow cooker your one lucky girl! 

2. Once your beef is fork-tender (stick a fork on the meat to check if it's tender). Skim off the fat and oil so you can pretend that the dish is healthy. You can do this easier by waiting for the pot to cool down. I leave mine in the fridge over night. In the morning I simply take out the oil that's formed on top of the pot.

3. Drain the meat including the bone and marrow and set aside. Don't throw away the stock. You can reheat it,bring to a boil, throw in the potatoes,onion, peppercorns and leeks. Once the potatoes are done, add the cabbage and a little fish sauce to taste.   

4. Deal with the sauce. In a saucepan, saute some minced onions and garlic. Pour in the mushroom soup straight from the can. Simmer for 3 minutes and set aside.

5. Now the scary part. Heat your sizzling plate directly on the stove top, best done in low heat. Should take around 5 minutes. Once you see the smoke rising from the plate, turn off the stove and place your beef shank on the hot plate, pour in the sauce and watch as it "sizzles".

6. Make sure you have your kitchen mittens on and serve immediately. Yum yum!

* Now try #2.

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Weekend Socks!

"To the world you might just be a sock, but to a girl you might just be the world"

Hubby and I had a dumpling obsession over the weekend, apparently we weren't the only ones with an obsession. We went to a cousins birthday party where Sofie had on a pair of rainbow colored socks. When we got home Saturday afternoon, she refused to take them off. When she did, she wore them on her hands until bed time.

And the next morning. . .

She even let it order for her at the Chinese place.

I tried to talk some sense into her but she ignored me . . . over a SOCK and I'm her MOTHER!

She even shared her noodles with it! I'm so burying that SOCK!

Hubby finally distracted her, bribed her with some crayons and a coloring book.  

She wasn't too happy.

I wonder if she'll ever get obsessed with picking up her toys? Hhmmmm. . .

;

Confessions of a Korean Drama Junkie

Having been a corporate drone for the best part of the last decade, I did not get as much TV time as I wanted (Whine!). Now, being a recent stay-at-home-mom coping with bouts of boredom, I turned to Korean drama. As if baking muffins isn't bad enough,  I have to get addicted to romantic Korean drama!

What exactly is a Korean Drama? It's like drama but it's Korean. Seriously, just check the wiki.

Now here's my take on what makes true blue romantic Korean Drama.

Filthy Rich Nice Guy

This guy has GQ written all over him. Usually brought up in a strict environment, he is too clean, too smart, too emotionally incapacitated until he meets Poor Hardworking Girl. His world is then turned upside down, he changes his hair and becomes an expert in shopping for women's clothes. To give to HER, not to wear!

Poor Hardworking Girl

Usually a spunky, kind-hearted, strong and cute, not too gorgeous, just cute. Despite her ability to chow down huge bowls of noodles she still manages to stay  fit and pimple free. She also never seems to be without a cellphone, she can be homeless and still have the latest handy phone she never seems to pay for. She often acts as the head of the family and does not entertain love until she meets Filthy Rich Nice Guy.

Love Quadrouple

Why a quadrouple? Because somehow a triangle isn't confusing enough.

Grumpy Scary Old Chairman

Where else would Filthy Rich Nice Guy get his wealth? This could be a parent or a grandparent who owns a company of some sort. He/She is an authority figure and sometimes could be mean or just plain scary but in the end love wins and he blesses the couple so they could live happily ever after.

Food

Food is really big in Korean culture, for example there's over 100 kinds of Kimchi (pickled vegetable dish) and they even have a museum for it. Love for food is always present in a Korean drama, it makes me so hungry sometimes I grab my own bowl of  Nongshim while watching an episode.

Soju and Videoke

There must be a videoke scene, a must! As for the soju, never has a drunken girl or guy look so cute than in a Korean drama. During a drunken moment someone professes love that ends up in someone (usually, the guy) giving the drunken party a piggy back ride on the way home. It's sweet really, the most I got in real life is a cab ride ;-)

A Tragedy

There's always tragedy. Amnesia, paralysis, death (a hospital scene is another must), star-crossed , you name it they got it. One example would be where a Guy A, killed himself so his eyes could be donated to Girl B. She then lives a happy life with Guy C, but not for long. She will still die in the end from an incurable disease with the sea as their only witness. Sigh!

Airport Scene

People are always coming or going from place to place and no one ever seems to find who they are looking for, except that one smart guy who used the paging system. 

Despite the cliche though, people still get addicted and wait for the next episode. Why? Don't ask me, I'm addicted, remember?! Check out some of the best Korean Drama I've seen so far.

You're Beautiful

Beethoven Virus

Spring Waltz

Save the Last Dance

Full House

*All Drama from http://www.mysoju.com/
*Images from http://www.koreandrama.com/, http://www.d-addicts.com/, http://www.vctv.vn/, http://www.nomminess.com/

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Writer's Workshop: Life's Heavenly Moments

*Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop: For this week I had a hard time choosing  just one prompt so I incorporated  two of MamaKat's prompts in this post.

Part I: Getting Hitched

Our wedding song was Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk, we chose it since A) we only know how to slow dance and B) We both have never felt more at home anywhere than in each others arms. (Mushy! Ick! Ick!)

Part II: Getting Preggy

"Okay so, 1 stripe means negative and 2 stripes  mean. . . crap. . .uh - oh. . .ooohh. . .aaaaawwwww!"

Part III: Getting Crazy

“How far to heaven? Just open your eyes and look. You are in heaven” -Shankar

Some days I get so tired and stretched out. I climb into bed with complains and worry in my head. I wake up between two sleeping angels and realize I'm closer to heaven than I thought I was.

Join the fun and check out MamaKat's Weekly Writer's Workshop.

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Gone To the HTML Cuckoo's Nest

To all my fabulous readers! Yeah, you there. . . in the pink shirt. . . . anyone. . . really!

Well, I've been changing the face of my blog for a couple of days now. I've literally driven myself mad trying to change the fonts and the background and going all HTMLy. I've even coerced my hubby (he's a programmer) into trying to help me.

I now have realized that my Communication Arts brain is not so easy to rewire into a HTML Goddess brain! I'm not giving up, still hell bent on understanding the "code" or whatever is the right term for it. I'm just resting.

Luckily I found these two sites that I now adore and love. . . and adore . . . .and love . . . . It's 4:30 AM, geez! You get it though, right?! They have FREE, amazing fonts and designs with easy to follow tutorials, if only I'm  not drowsy with sleep I'll be in blog-heaven. I have to get some Zzzzz's before everyone wakes up!

Click on the buttons to find out what I'm talking about and make your blog the cutest in all of Blogoshpere!

Toodles!

Night-Owl Mommy;

What's Cooking: Quick Tuna Pasta with Blue Cheese

I whipped this up earlier for lunch, really easy it takes about 30 minutes and you can substitute with what ever meat or cheese you have in your kitchen. It's yummy hot or cold, so I packed some for hubby's "baon".

WhatYahNeed:

400 grams of fusilli/twisted pasta ( any shape will do)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 packages Del Monte Carbonara Sauce
1 small can sliced mushrooms,drained
1 can tuna in oil (or in brine, just drain the water)
1/2 cup broccoli flowers
2 to 3 slices of ham or bacon finely chopped
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
a dash of crushed oregano and ground black pepper

WhatYahGottaDo:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. While pasta is cooking, chop the onions and garlic, set aside. Cut the broccoli flowers, remove the stalk. You can include the soft part but take the skin off first. Set aside.
3. Heat a little oil in a shallow pan, saute onion for a few seconds then add the garlic. This prevents the garlic from burning. Add bacon, mushroom, tuna and Crabonara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Toss in the broccoli and pasta until sauce is distributed evenly. Take care not to overcook the broccoli.
5. Top with crumbled blue cheese, serve and enjoy!



*No ready made Carbonara Sauce? Chill! You can substitute with 1 can Mushroom Soup.;

The Invitation by Oriah

I woke up this morning with this line in my head, "I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day."  It's from a poem a friend emailed me back in college about being true to who you are.

The Invitation by Oriah

It does'nt interest me

what you do for a living.

I want to know

what you ache for

and if you dare to dream

of meeting your heart's longing

It does'nt interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk

looking like a fool

for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It does'nt interest me
what planets are squaring your moon. . .
I want to know if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life's betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be creful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It does'nt interest me
if the story you are telling me is true
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty everyday.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver full moon,
"Yes".

It does'nt interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the nioght of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
for the children.

It does'nt interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It does'nt interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all alse falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.



by Oriah from her book THE INVITATION (c) 1999. Published by HarperONE,
San Francisco. All rights reserved. Presented with permission of the author. www.oriah.org
To read more visit http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/;

Random Thought: Gratitude

Our problems are only bigger than everyone elses because they are ours. We complain to the point of certainty that the world is out to get us. But really, it's not. As a friend always says "it could have been worse". We should try harder to look for the blessings in our lives, be thankful and pray. 

*This post is inspired by Mum in Flip Flops -Typhoon Conson: A Lesson On Gratitude.

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My Facebook World

Okay, so I got to read Mama Kat's writing assignment a little late this week. The tropical storm that hit the country last Tuesday, paralyzed everything that ran on electricity. Good thing my lappie still had a few hours left, but since I had no idea when power will be back up I tried to conserve as much battery life as possible.

Wednesday morning, I went online to check the news and what do you know, the local online channel is not updated. The weather bureau's website is not updated and the electric company's website is not updated. Seriously. So, where else could I turn to find out what is going on? Facebook.

I was going on hyperspeed, browsing and commenting on news feeds from people I know. I realized in a world that is put at a stand still, Facebook remains my constant friend.

So going back to my writing assignment, I have to write a funny or awkward story that unfolded on Facebook. Oh the things I could write . . . Let's keep this friendly, shall we. I'll just write about stuff that you can find out through Facebook.

Relationship Status - you get to find out who's married, in a relationship or who just broke up with who. Break ups are really much more interesting than anything else. You then get to spy on their pages and deduce the gory details of the failed relationship without revealing your true nature as a nosy person.

Latest Showbiz News - Bless these people with opinions and those who actually take time to watch showbiz news. You get to read posts and links to the juiciest details and boo boos of your favorite stars. I found out who Justin Bieber was through Facebook. No! I don't live under a rock, I just happen to have a toddler who watches nothing but Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney.

Shopping - it can be annoying to a point but sometimes you get to see good deals on clothes,baby stuff, etc. You also get to find out which stores are on sale and a few good palces to dine.

What's up with everyone - sometimes people just can't contain what they're thinking and Facebook shout outs is just the way to go. You get to find out who's dating, pregnant, fighting, having an affair,who's ditching work to play Farmville, etc. You get to find out where everyone is and sometimes be surprised that you know these many people.

So, that's it! I'm removing my local news channel from my bookmarks and switching to Facebook and Twitter for my daily dose of current events.

;

Random Thought: Serenity

People often go places to find serenity, as if it's a destination with a permanent address. However, I find, that being still is just as good as any journey.

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Sometimes Single Mommyhood!

Before I start my ranting, let me clarify that I am not a single mom. I am merely having a drama-queen moment. This is not a reason for all single moms to stop reading. Read on, this is for you!

This started when our nanny ran off to pursue her love life and my husband went away on business for a couple of weeks. Here I was left to my own devices without a husband or a nanny to help me out! Some of you may say "nanny-shmanny" and you're right! My sweet sometimes overprotective husband always made sure that we (Sofie and I), never go out without him or our nanny. I got so used to it that I really thought an entourage was a necessity.Writing this makes me sound  inadequate, but I already opened my big mouth so I'll continue.

It was a hard, exhausting, body-aching couple of weeks. Having to go to the grocery store alone. Taking my toddler to the bookstore alone. Having to carry all our stuff. Carrying a baby while desperately wrestling the stroller open. Even getting out of the cab was damn hard. I caught a glimpse of my reflection on the store window and I looked disheveled with my brassiere straps showing. It was nowhere near the "hot momma" look. It was then that it hit me, being a single mom is hard. It's damn hard. It's freaking hard! 

Going out with just me and my kid depleted all my energy. I can just imagine going through much tougher times without someone to share with or sometimes yell at. My sometimes-single-mommyhood is just a smidgen compared to being a single mom. Seriously, I salute all single moms out there. For sticking to the job, toughing it out, for being everything to your kids and loving them, I salute you.  

Wooooh! That was a release. Till next time.

Drama-Queen Mommy

;

What's Cooking: Scrambled Eggs with Kangkong (Water Spinach)

This recipe came about since my daughter decided to go on a "chocolate" diet. This is partly my fault, I was so focused on making her eat healthy, she only got to taste chocolate at age 2. Now she's constipated and I have to get some veggies in there somehow.

This is "good eats" as taste-tested by foodie friend  Bisaya in Manila. 

WhatYahNeed:

3 fresh large eggs
1/2 cup finely chopped Kangkong (water spinach)
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms (optional, I found it sitting in the fridge)
1/4 cup grated cheese
2 tbsp milk
1 pinch brown sugar (makes life a little sweeter)
1 pinch parsley & garlic salt or plain salt
Butter for sauteing (just a little is good for the spirit)

WhatYahGottaDo:

1. Beat eggs, milk, cheese,sugar and salt together. Take pity on the eggs, don't over beat. Set aside.
2. In a non-stick pan, melt some butter in medium heat and saute the mushrooms and finely chopped kangkong. Saute just enough so the vegetables "sweat", this takes about a minute.
3. Pour the egg mixture and  in the pan. Scramble like Martha Stewart by "pushing the eggs toward center while tilting skillet to distribute runny parts".
4. Plate the dish and enjoy! Don't forget to share some with your kid.

**This recipe is good for 1 toddler and 1 mommy serving.
* Parsley and Garlic Salt is available at Gourdo's.

Toodles!;

Favorite Baby & Mommy Stuff

I woke up this morning having an Oprah moment. So here, I'm sharing a few of our favorite stuff and links on where to find them. I hope you like them too.

Broccoli - Freshly cooked or bottled, it depends on our mood. It makes my baby smell like flatulence but the benefits go a long, long way. It's high in vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, fiber and it helps fight cancer too. I fed her home-made pureed brocolli and Gerber Brocolli as one of her first solid foods and she loves it.I know most kids hate veggies, in fact I still do but my daughter loves it. It's wierd and smells soooo bad, but she loves it! Her dad and I, however, loves Beef and Brocolli in North Park . 

Baby Couture Bags - This is where fashion meets function and it's quite affordable too. I have a big Sofia bag that I got for a little over a thousand bucks ($20) at Rustan's. It has 6 pockets inside that can fit anything from baby bottles to toiletries, a key/pacifier holder, baby wipes case that can double as mommy's "kikay" kit, and best of all the whole thing is water resistant. I also have smaller one for shorter trips, it has side pockets so I can easily pull out baby bottles. There are other diaper bags now in the market but so far this is the least expensive I've seen.

Power Books - My daughter and I love to read and this is just the place for us. We particularly like the Trinoma branch. They have an amazing kid section right next to the cook books, so I can easily watch her while enjoying my own book hunt. Oh and did I mention that they deliver books? For a minimum puchase of Php 5000. We have tried  Fully Booked and although they have a nice collection the ambiance isn't exactly kid-friendly. We also went to  a different bookstore in Serendra, it's nice that they have a Starbucks within the store but the aisles were too narrow to fit my baby's stroller, that's a deal breaker right there.

What To Expect Series - This is my all time baby to toddler bible. I have it in paperback and bookmarked it in my browser. It gives you a break down of "what to expect" at a particular time of your pregnancy or your baby's life. It also answers questions you may be ashamed to ask your doctor, like intimacy during pregnancy.

Human Heart Nature Organic Products - I discovered these organic babies while browsing through The Reading Room in Cubao X. My daughter has sensitive skin and somehow other comercial products only made it worse. Human Heart Nature Products are 100% phthalate-free, chemical free, biodegradable and not tested on animals. Eversince we tried it, Sofie never had dry, irritated skin and she has that natural baby smell. Products we like are  Citronella Bug Spray, Aloe Vera Watermelon and Aloe Vera Mandarin.

That's it for now. Toodles!

;

Before I Kick the Bucket I Would . . .

1. Go to an underwater aquarium.
2. Learn to REALLY play the piano.
3. Teach my daughter to REALLY play the piano.
4. Write my own cook book.
5. Ride a zip line with my hubby.
6. Understand my Income Tax statement .
7. Join Habitat for Humanity. 
8. Scuba dive and not be afraid of the fish.
9. Make my own dress.
10. Build my own house (at least part of it)
11. Skinny-dip in the ocean.
12. Swim with dolphins.
13. Ride a carabao.
14. Go camping and roast marshmallows with my husband and daughter.
15. Sing on stage at someones concert.
16. Feed the hungry.
17. Help make someones life better.
18. Have 1000 friends on my Facebook.
19. Go to Korea's Kimchi Museum.
20. Go to Korea's Teddy Bear Museum.
21. Go back to sketching.
22. Learn all 26 Bikram Yoga poses and do them correctly.
23. Have a donkey ride in Santorini.
24. Celebrate my daughter's 18th birthday.
25. See my daughter graduate college.
26. Edit my wedding video, if I can find it.
27. Fit into my wedding gown, again! 
28. Play hide and seek on the train.
29. Have a spa weekend with my girl friends.
30. Help make someone else's dream come true.
31. Curl my hair.
32. Celebrate my birthday in an orphanage.
33. Run barefoot in an open field.
34. See my high school ex and ignore him!
35. Finish my scrap book.
36. Learn to dance properly.
37. Start my own business.
38. See a real wishing well.
39. Cut Justin Bieber's hair.
40. Learn to ride a bike.
41. Sit by the beach with a bottle of wine.
42. Go on a road trip alone.
43. Try an exotic cuisine.
44. See my daughter married to a good person.
45. Spoil my grand kids.
46. Be wrapped in chocolate.
47. Watch Cats the musical.
48. Have a chat with Isabel Allende.
49. Eat breakfast food all day in my pajamas.
50. Be a studio guest in any Food Network Show.
51. Punch Barney. (Sorry Barney lovers!)
52. Take my family to Disney.
53. Have the strength to eat bitter gourd (ampalaya).
54. Have a star named after me.
55. Plant a tree. . . again.
56. Make paper dolls with my daughter.
57. Plan the next baby.
58. Perfect my mom's paella recipe.
59. Learn a sport.
60. Support a charitable foundation.
61. Clean the second bedroom.
62. Be a registered voter. Tsk tsk tsk!
63. Visit my sister so she'll continue reading my blog!
64. Travel on a hot air balloon.
65. Sit on a porch with my hubby.
66. Be nicer to the stalker like sales-staff in the nearby department store.
67. Quit my vices . . . soon.
68. Live near the ocean.
69. Drink hot coffee while wrapped in a blanket on a cold morning.
70. Go to the park and play tag.
71. Overcome my fear of ice skating.
72. Rescue a baby animal.
73. Drink soju.
74. Teach my daughter the art of drinking without getting drunk.
75. Be ready with my birds and bees speech.
76. See all my siblings.
77. Party like no one is watching.
78. Adopt a dog from the pound.
79. Fly a kite.
80. Get a dolphin tattoo and never show my kids.
81. Figure out the correct combination to get a moshling.
82. Color my husband's gray hair.
83. Spend a weekend away with my husband.
84. Paint my toe nails red.
85. Learn Korean.
86. Walk in the rain.
87. Have a professional photo taken.
88. Run around a public fountain screaming.
89. Wear a mascot costume and hug kids.
90. Try the walk-on-water-ball in MOA.
91. Join a paint ball match and actually hit someone.
92. Get the biggest stuff toy from a claw crane vending machine.
93. Have a trust fund for my kid/s.
94. Climb a volcano.
95. Build a tree house.
96. Write a memoir and insist that it be read on my deathbed.
97. Give someone good advice (solicited, of course).
98. See the next lunar eclipse with my husband.
99. Forgive.
100. Be forgiven. 

So, what's in your bucket list?

Thanks to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt,click below if you're interested.

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Random Thought : Shoes

Sometimes it's not the dress or the make-up but the shoes that makes a lady glow! Good shoes will take you to good places!

Having said that I am resisting the Nine West Shoe Sale at 65% off! C'mon, I know I have self - control but this is asking for too much!;

First Boy Interaction

While we were out ordering lunch with a friend, Sofie, my toddler was eyeing two 2 college boys. On the way to our table she stopped and sat on  their table, said hi and sang while I was holding a tray of food and a heavy bag! All I could think of saying was "Please watch her but don't take her away" so I could put the food down and reclaim my daughter. As soon as I said it I knew I sounded nuts. She was meeting college boys and good looking ones at that! My friend marveled that she knew how to pick them right at an early age!

It was a funny experience but one tainted with anxiety on my part. As mom's we are always wary of the thought that our kids will one day find a partner and leave us. And here was my 2 year old meeting college boys!

I just realized how much more difficult it is to raise a little girl. I could just imagine how we will take it once she starts dating and having her own world. I want her to be a happy well-rounded kid, but I also want to keep her to myself a little while longer. 

Well, at least I have a few more years to practice my birds and bees speech.

** For great food finds you can check my friend's site at http://bisayainmanila.blogspot.com/

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Random Thought : Home

Keeping a loving home is hard work, it's not something that happens to you,not something you breeze through or something you're just lucky to have. It's not always easy and fun,there are sacrifices, things you learn to do without but the rewards are well worth it.

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10 Baby Tips I Learned from my Mom, Sister, Books and Baby

1. Babies Know - these little laughter-inducing, saliva-spewing bundles know stuff. They know how to mark their territory by peeing, vomiting or burping on the target. They know how to keep you alert by making sure they wake up in the precise moment you are about to fall asleep. They know when you’ve had too much, they then give you a smile, a giggle and other cute infectious antics that just make your heart swell with joy!

2. Babies Like Routine – they are creatures of habit, babies like to have things done in order, of course, they usually disrupt order in ones home, but they do like order. Having meals, snacks, bathing and sleeping scheduled does not only help the baby; it helps you get your own stuff done. My toddler bed time routine with my daughter includes reading, I’ve been reading Beauty and the Beast for 5 weeks now and I can recite it in my sleep, but hey it works! (I’m trying to make her switch to Cat in the Hat by alternating, this only works when the routine is well established.)

3. Babies Faces Absorbs Food – Of course that’s not true but it works. My baby refuses to drink her vitamins, during a battle I smeared some on her cheeks and chin. She simply licked them off her face! This is not a suggested method, you may want to try other conventional ways before the smear maneuver.

4. Babies Stand Their Ground – You know those times when you’re tired and in a hurry to get things done and your baby just wouldn’t budge. You get irritated, your baby cries louder and louder and becomes more difficult. They do this on crazy days because they know they can make you crazier. The trick is to not pressure them into doing anything. Instead show them how fun it is to do stuff. They love to imitate grown-ups. One time my toddler just refuses to take a bath out of the blue, she just wouldn’t. I then came up with an upbeat action song not to be done in public “ wash your hair, wash your hair, wash your ears, wash your ears, wash your “kili-kili” (armpits)” . Now she sings this every time I give her a bath, oh and once in the grocery store. You may want to keep things wholesome cause some things just stick.

5. Babies Remember Stuff – When we make mistakes or say bad words in front of children we shrug it off and say, “Oh, he doesn’t understand that!”. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t, but they sure do remember! I once made the mistake of singing the strip-tease chant, “take it off, take it off!!!” to make my daughter change her clothes. One time we were out, she blurted out “ Mommy, take it off, take it off!” Imagine the horrified look on my husbands face!

6. Babies Understand the Killer Look – This is achieved by making your eyes pop out of their sockets and raising an eyebrow or two. This worked on me as a child. When ever I misbehaved or got too rowdy my mother would give me this stern “killer look”. A look that promised a whole lot of pain, it made me stop in my tracks. It may not work for everyone but it can be a good warning sign, instead of pulling, grabbing or shouting that is bound to elicit a louder reaction from your kid. My daughter already knows this look, whenever we are out and she has an impulse to touch something she looks at me and checks if I have the “killer look” or “okay to touch look”. Sometimes she looks at me AFTER she’s done a boo-boo. She looks so cute it’s hard for me to get mad. I guess she has her own “killer look”.

7. Petroleum Jelly VS. Baby Powder – Maybe it’s because of a certain baby powder commercial , our moms have learned to put baby powder on our sweet cheeks to prevent having diaper rash. The result, a cake filled wet butt. I never used baby powder in the diaper area, instead after drying I put some petroleum jelly, it keeps wetness away and makes it easier to get rid of sticky poop. And my baby never got rashes on her behind. No rashes equal quiet nights, most of the time.

8. Carrying is Not the Only Sign of Love – When babies are new, we are compelled to carry them around all the time and enjoy the new baby scent. A few months and 15 pounds later it’s a spinal disc herniation. The baby cries when you put them down and needs to be carried while you’re eating, cooking and doing the laundry. Not safe for baby and it sucks for you! I was advised by our doctor to carry her EVERYTIME we feed, burp her then put her down. Carrying during feeding lets the baby associate you with comfort and prevents ear infections. When she cries in her crib and you just fed, burped, changed the diaper and doesn’t look sick, she is just bored and needs a toy or conversation. Be creative!

9. Mommy Needs to Learn First Aid – Whether you get the information from a book or feel the need to take a class, this needs to be done by you and whoever is taking care of your child. In movies we often see moms screaming their lungs out while their kid is suffering from a terrible accident. Life is not a movie and baby’s best defense is YOU! You do not need to know how to do all-weather, all terrain rescues. Just the basics like treating a burn, a baby Heimlich maneuver and CPR. A good source would be the “What to Expect” series whether on paperback or online http://www.whattoexpect.com/.

10. Babies Don’t Want Toys – Okay, so maybe they do! The thing is we sometimes overcompensate and we buy the most expensive toys. Then our feelings get hurt when baby dunks the robot in the tub, or paints the baby laptop with peanut butter. We think that baby doesn’t care and we are right! They don’t! They do not have a concept of money. What they want to play with is YOU! A few minutes a day just to cuddle or tickle is enough to go a long way and much more enjoyable than a creepy talking Elmo toy!

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