The Cara Diaries

I am weird/corny/boring.

2020-06-24T05:46:00.003+08:00

So, here I am, after so many years... Times have changed. Now, instead of blogs, people do Vlogs. Instead of just reviewing a game of a movie like before thru text on a blog, everything is on video!

I have been so busy with my life that it all just passed me. I used to love social media and the internet (well I still do!) but life happened. Adulting happened. I was to busy working, then being a mommy, so my little time that I have for myself, I choose to just be (Anything that don't require thinking of most of my energy, like for example watching Netflix). To be honest watching Netflix sometimes take too much energy for me that I just want to just sit with a cup of coffee or tea and just be by myself in my thoughts (when you're a mommy, you barely get the time to just listen to your thoughts, there's noise all the time "beautiful" noise from my kids. hehe).

With this pandemic happening, I get to work at home, which means a little more time and energy on my hands. There is still a lot of noise. Like a lot. Everyone is at home. ALL THE TIME! There is also a looot of stress. Stress from work. Stress from the internet connection. Stress because we cannot go out and relax and have fun.

When I am stressed, I buy! So at the start of this quarantine my bestfriends were Lazada and Shopee and a few other shopping sites. I bought so much so just imagine how much stress I was in. hehe. Anyway, I impulsively bought a laptop. Which I did not really need since I do most of my social media/interneting on my Smart phone. I am not regretting buying the laptop though. I missed typing on an actual keyboard. I missed the "I-am-so-techy" feel. Bought the whole, "I-am-so-techy"pack (Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth mouse, External Harddrive, and a bunch of other small stuff).

Now that I have a laptop, maybe I should do something productive with it. I thought about joining the Vlogging wagon, but I just can't with my personality. I would just be more stressed with it. Thinking if people would think I look weird, I talk weird, I say weird stuff etc. Downside of anxiety. hehe.
Blogging is different though. You can just type your thoughts away. Doesn't matter if people would think you're weird or corny or boring. I do this for myself so I can look back some day on the weird/boring/corny things I was up to. lol.

So there.

Maybe I should look into other Work-at-Home part-time jobs out there?

For now, here I am. On my blog, again.

the girl and the boy.

2015-03-06T16:37:00.001+08:00

Once there was this girl. She was excited for an adventure of a lifetime. She had dreams of seeing the world. She had dreams of experiencing all things new.

She then met a boy. A boy who told wonderful stories. The stories amazed her. He amazed her.

She wanted a life worth writing a story about and this boy seemed like the perfect knight in shining armor. He was responsible, interesting, tall, dark, handsome and seemed to know everything!
She imagined going on all the adventures with him. It excited her all the more to go on an adventure with this wonderful boy.

She then dreamed of a family (which wasn't really part of her plan - not that she had a plan of some sort). She was excited about him and her and mini them's bouncing and flying around on their mini adventures.

Everything was perfect in her imagination... but...

This boy wanted a white picket fenced house in the suburbs, and maybe a mini-van. He wanted a house with state of the art locks and alarms.

He wanted safe.

The same locks that made him feel safe are the same locks that made her feel trapped.
The same adventures that made her feel alive made him feel scared.

Anyway, time passed, the girl loved the house with the locks and the alarms and the picket fence.
There was a comfy bed and nice furnitures. The boy gave her all that money can buy. Scrumptous food on the table, linens, clothes. They were happy.....

but not for long...

The girl still had the feeling that something was missing. She missed the adventures.

She blamed the boy for her sadness.

She doesn't want to be sad. She wanted to be happy in the house with the boy she loved and their mini-me's.

The more she pretended that the house was enough for her, the more she grew farther from the boy.

You see, the girl never got her adventure, and she lost the boy. This wasn't a fairytale......

Maybe a fairy god mother or some magic dust could reset time and the girl could've lived happily ever after with her knight in shining armor in their white picket fenced house with double locks and alarms and having adventures with their kids every weekends.

If only.

-The End-

a big difference.

2014-11-12T18:34:00.001+08:00

Me in both photos (1 year ago and today)

A big difference a year can make.

A year ago, I was weaker. I was more insecure.

Now I am stronger, more confident, and more beautiful.

I am constantly changing and continuously improving.

Here's to a better me!

1 year til 30

2014-02-03T21:17:00.001+08:00

I turned 29 a couple of days ago. It was the first time (in 29 years) that I woke up feeling old.
I am old in paper (maybe a little in appearance haha) but young in experiences, and that's what bums me out. My years are numbered. I haven't experienced much. Well, I have experienced heartaches and hearbreaks..crazy college party nights...giving birth (twice) and all the craziness that comes after birth like actually taking care of someone else from washing poop and vomit, rocking to sleep, pacifying all the crying and shouting, sleepless nights and days..and much more haha! But is it enough? Can I confidently say that I can die right now and I wouldn't have any regrets?! I don't think so! Far from it! I need to see the world! Experience the world! I don't even know how to drive a car or ride a bike! How the hell am I supposed to get myself to places?! Haha!
So, with this post, I start my project 30.
Details soon. Maybe in next post. I'm late for work haha!

Ciao!

:-)

Posted via Blogaway

Why I keep on gaining weight.

2013-08-13T13:50:00.002+08:00

I can't count how many times I've posted/said that I'm going to exercise or diet to be healthy and to lose weight. I do it but end up stopping after a week or two.

I think I am at my biggest now. Ok maybe not my biggest but now I feel the most unhealthiest that I've ever felt. I'm tempted to post some pics but I'm embarrassed so nevermind.
I'll just take a pic and save it in my laptop. Maybe if I succeed in losing weight, then I'll share the difference to you guys. Maybe. Just for you to have an idea. I'm at 140lbs (sometimes 138) now and I'm 5'4. I think my ideal weight should be 120lbs. I was 115lbs before I got pregnant with my first child. Even thent I felt like I could use some weightloss. Lets face it, I have two kids now. That's a few pounds that I cannot lose. I don't plan to wear a bikini anyway. I do want to look nice for my husband though, if you get my drift.

A few months ago (almost a year maybe), I've been having headaches and sumisikip dibdib ko. I had a checkup with a cardiologist. They found nothing wrong with my heart (I had them checked because I had rheumatic heart disease when I was a kid), but my blood pressure was high and I also had high cholesterol. My doctor just advised me to lose weight.

So you see, it's not just because I physically want to look great, I also want to be healthy. I have been hearing people die young nowadays because of heart attacks. It scares me.

My biggest hurdle is my addition to Coke (not the illegal drug haha! I meant Coca-Cola). I have been drinking Coke ever since. Back in the day, my mom was also addicted that she would buy cases of Coca-colas and we'd drink it everytime we eat. It was like our water. In fact, I rarely drank water before. I'm surprised it hasn't killed me yet. LOL. I learned to drink water and lessen my coke when I was pregnant. It wasn't allowed eh. The hard part of it was my addiction to Coke came with an addiction to eating with coke. I mean when I crave for Coke, i crave for something to go with it. That's when my diet problem begins. It's a cycle that I am having a hard time getting out of. Well, I''ve done "no-Coke" for a few months before. I hope i can do it again, or rather more permanent.

I've got no problems with sweets though since I rarely crave for cakes, pastries etc. I am not into Chichirya as well. So the softdrinks is the only problem.

How am I with exercising? Uhmm, I don't. Haha. I am not athletic. I suck at any sport. I even run funny. I also can't jump high. Push-ups? Can't carry myself haha! I SUCK.

I did Zumba a few months back. I loved it! Maybe I have a chance with dancing since I was part of PE Dance back in Elementary. Haha! Thing is, I get bored. I danced zumba everyday for a month. Then one day, i don't want to anymore. It became a chore.

Today, I got inspired with one of my friends. She lost so much in just 3 months. She looked great!
Maybe I'll try this losing weight thing again, and stick to it this time.

I will try Focus T25 by Shaun T next week. In the meantime, I might try Zumba again and watch what I eat (and drink).

Wish me luck (again)! Haha!

Fresh All Day PH Care Wipes

2013-08-09T14:02:00.000+08:00

Ever gone to an impromptu out-of-town trip? How about a night-out with the girls that turned into a sleepover?

I've had my shares of crazy adventures back in college. I'm a stay-at-home mommy as of now, so crazy cannot be entertained anymore. Haha!

When you're out, have you ever wished you had your feminine wash with you? Maybe also a nice bathroom with running water and a towel.

PH Care feminine wipes from Unilab is the answer to your problems!

I wish I knew about PH care wipes back then! Things would've been less embarrassing. Not that I stink or anything haha! But you cannot shrug the feeling that you might not be 100% fresh down there if you've been out for so long already.

PH care cool wind is my intimate wash. I love the cool feeling it gives down there. So naturally, I would go for the same brand of wipes. I made the right decision because the wipes come in a resealable pack that closes well (unlike the my son's cheap diaper wipes, it doesn't stick that much na). The PH care wipes stay moist and fresh. Another plus is that my wipes are thick and not easily ripped.

Another use for these wipes is when I'm out with the family to a mall, zoo or wherever (especially to those places that doesn't have a nice comfort room). I use it to wipe after weewee. So I feel fresh all the time. You never know when you need to be fresh so better be fresh always ;) if you know what I mean.. LOL.

my 6-year-old's work of art - Superman comics

2013-07-18T20:47:00.000+08:00

My son Mikel really likes to draw. Whenever he's just home you will either see him with a pencil and paper, with his Megasketcher or his Nintendo DS playing Drawn to Life (if it's weekend-coz that's the only time he can play electronic games).

When we bought Tender Juicy's cheesedog, it came free with a small Superman notebook. Mikel was so happy coz of his new mini notebook. He also just watched a Superman cartoon DVD that's why he was so excited. Later that day, he told me that he made a book about Superman.
My hubby found out about it and he had an idea to make it into a comic book.
So he used the ComicBook! app from his ipod touch to make it happen.

Here's a preview of their work:

For their complete work CLICK HERE

Next project - Monsters University :)

Cool. Glamour. Trendy.

2013-06-22T00:14:00.000+08:00

This blog post is for all those fashionistas and shopaholics out there. You don't need to spend too much just to be fashionable! Just check out Aling Mary & Manong Buggy's Online Shop!

Aling Mary and Manong Buggy, one of the most trendiest couple I know, personally picked out all their items. They take pride in the fact that they only sell pieces that they would wear themselves. Cool, right?

Just to give you an idea, here are some of the clothes in their June Collection:

More of their June '13 Collection HERE

They do meet-ups in Powerplant Mall, Rockwell or Robinson's Place, Ermita
They could also ship the items. Take note, they shoulder the shipping if you buy three items or more! How awesome is that?!

Just check their Facebook page HERE for more details.

Go! Spend! A girl can't have too many clothes. Haha!

My First Spanish Interview

2013-06-10T01:33:00.003+08:00

I was out (of touch) for almost 2 months coz of some mix-up in PLDT. They disconnected our DSL, but now we're connected to them again. Finally! Anyway, this post isn't about our DSL or PLDT. So enough about that.

Last Wednesday was one for the books (or blog, for this matter).

I don't now if you all know I've been studying Spanish for quite some time now. I studied until Level 6 in Instituto Cervantes, and then continued studying at home.

Anyway, last Wednesday, I applied for a Bilingual (Spanish/English) post in a call center here in Alabang. My first time ever. I kinda knew I wasn't really ready yet, in fact, I felt I'm far from ready. My dad insisted that I try, so I did.

First was the initial interview. No problem because it was in English.

Then there was an exam. Logic, math, computer, personality etc. (not really worried about this)

Then the dreaded Berlitz call. I had to speak with a person from Berlitz on the phone, in Spanish. She asked questions about me, like where I want to spend my vacation etc.
-I wasn't sure if I did ok here. I tried to converse, I THINK I did a passable conversation with her.

Then there was a one on one interview with one of the managers in SPANISH.
Here is where my mind went blank. I could understand him perfectly, but I couldn't respond. I tried, but even the simplest verbs I forgot. My mind processed the tenses soo slow. I was so embarrassed I was in there. I just wanted to disappear!

So it was over and they said they'd call if I get in to the final interview.
It's been 4 days. I don't know. I guess I didn't make it.
Do you guys think prayers can still help me?
Like, would they let me in even if I messed up in the one on one interview?
I really am praying for a miracle.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

2013-04-28T01:19:00.001+08:00

This post deserves some hefty serving of cheese! All for the Birthday boy!

For a few years, I've actually been a little sad that I couldn't give you a material gift, like something you like to have, like a guitar, or a new gadget. For the 7 years I've known you, I have only given you two passable material gifts. The very first one was a Cellphone (the Motorola one from Yo) and a RayBan shades when I was working in Ad Sales. All the other years I just gave you letters, cheap shirts, breakfasts. I know material things aren't everything, but just wanna give the best to you, coz you always give the best to me. So this year, I must admit I felt a little guilty again for not having the money to buy you the things you want. I know for all your life, you seldom get to buy what you really want for yourself. Dibale, things will change soon. :)

So for now, here's a little something something from us to you.
Nothing much really, but I hope somehow it'll make you smile. :)

PS. Sorry for the gutay gutat shirt, and the no makeup no ayos look. I wasn't supposed to be on this, just the kids, but Mikel insisted that I should...and then Lucas was being cute. So had to post it na.

Anyway, here it is for everyone to see how squatter-like I dress at home. haha!
Happy Birthday my Sweetie! Enjoy.

My 5-yr-old's New Haircut

2013-04-17T13:02:00.002+08:00

Kiefer Ravena-Style. haha!
Isn't he the cutest? :-)

Project "No-Shouting"

2013-04-04T02:28:00.001+08:00

I chanced upon this blog post: The Orange Rhino when I was checking facebook tonight.

Lately I've been shouting at my kids to make them listen to me.
I tell you, It doesn't work. But I do it anyway. Why? You ask.
Believe me, I really don't want to, and I feel so guilty after.
I think, when I'm frustrated and stressed, I just explode. Anger Management anyone? haha!

But seriously, I've been wanting to stop shouting for a while. It's just so hard when my kids are pushing my buttons most of the time.

I know that shouting is bad. It doesn't work. It makes my kid shout to get what he wants too.

So now, I say. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

I challenge myself NOT to shout for at least a year.

yup!

At least 365 days.

Better if I can keep it up forever.

I might go crazy, so I thought maybe I should make a blog dedicated to just the Project "No-Shouting".
Everyday, I will post my progress. I will also post my frustrations instead of shouting what I want to say to my kids.

I think it's a great idea.

Wish me luck!

BTW, you can find my Project No-Shouting Blog HERE (Not like you'd want to read posts about my frustrations and boring progress haha)

Baked Mussels

2013-03-29T15:22:00.001+08:00

Since it's Holyweek (seafood only diet), My husband came home from work early morning with Mussels or Tahong for me to cook. Thing is, I've never cooked it before, and have no idea how to.

I immediately googled "how-to's" and asked for help from my facebook friends.

Decided to make Baked Tahong. The one like I used to eat in San Mig Pub when I was little (although in San Mig it's clams not mussels). It was the perfect one to do coz most stores are closed today and I had to make do with what is here. Although I did have to buy butter and cheese in 711. Luckily I had garlic and/or garlic powder here.

So here's how I did it:

Ingredients
•1 kilo mussels
•Half a bar of butter
•Garlic powder or finely chopped garlic
•quickmelt cheese

I soaked the mussels in water for hours (from 8am til about 11). Occasionally changing the water.

I then pulled out all the hair (or whatever you call it) that I can see.

I put the mussels in a pot of water and boiled til it opened (Surprisingly didn't take a long time).

I strained the water out and took out the other shell of the tahong. Making it like "open-faced".

I made my butter-garlic sauce. Melted butter (I used more or less half a bar for a kilo of mussels). Melted the butter by hand. I mixed in some garlic powder to the butter. In another batch, instead of garlic powder, I used fresh finely chopped garlic instead (coz I ran out of the powder).

I put the butter-garlic sauce on the shell bed. Then I put a small slice of quickmelt cheese on top. (I was thinking of grating the cheese at first, but changed my mind coz wanted it to be thicker)

Now off to the oven!
I used my electric oven coz the batch I tried cooking in my gas oven didn't come out as I wanted. Some overcooked, some just right (di pantay yung heat niya).
Anyway, I turn the dial to the highest heat and just peeked through the glass to see if the cheese are browned and melted perfectly. Probably around 10-15mins.

Then slurp away! Best as pulutan!

Special thanks to my mom who saw my first batch and said it needed to be cooked some more. She was right! It's much better if the cheese is a little browned on top.

This was my first batch, but had to put it back in the oven coz needed to be cooked more.

Ciao!

Til my next Kitchen Adventure!

Spicy Chicken Wings

2013-03-27T15:16:00.004+08:00

When I was new to living with my Hubby and cooking for our family, I didn't know much. All I knew was frying delata food, and tinola!

An unexpected friend (my husband's ex, would you believe, I'm friendly like that) helped me by sharing a couple of her recipes!

Here's one of her recipes (hope she won't mind me sharing this haha). My husband's fave:

Spicy Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

•chicken wings
• knorr seasoning
•onion
•ufc ketchup
•hotsauce

Marinade the wings in Knorr Seasoning and onions overnight.

Fry wings in oil then set aside.

Fry again the wings in a new pan (without oil) then add ufc ketchup and hotsauce (just a little, for a kick). And mix for about a minute or two. Until the ketchup and hotsauce sticks and covers the wings.

*How much ketchup you ask? Well I just put enough to cover up the wings when I mix it together. Depends really on how "saucy" you want it to be.

That's it!

Super easy and yummy!

I actually do this with hotdog back then. Recipe for the Spicy hotdog soon! Although it's kind of the same anyway.

'til my next post!
Happy cooking!

inLove with Flipflops

2013-03-17T03:15:00.000+08:00

I am a flipflop kind of girl, for as long as I could remember. In fact, I have bought more flipflops than shoes. Living here in the south of Manila makes it perfect to invest in flipflops. I don't know if you've noticed but the typical "south of the metro" girl wear a cute comfy shirt, trendy shorts and flipflops (at least that's what I observed). Laidback is a word often used to describe people from here. Styles change from time to time, but flipflops never leave (at least from where I live). Shorts and flipflops, jeans and flipflops, even dresses and flipflops. It goes with almost anything. It is also so comfy and easy to wear when in a hurry! That's why I love them so much!

Flipflops worn with a simple t-shirt, shorts and a belt.

Halle Berry wearing flipflops with jeans

I have been through different kinds of slippers in my lifetime. I have broken a couple of expensive ones (one of it was just used for a week). I have erased countless of prints on the flops within less than a week of using (coz of my pasmado feet). I am also flat-footed. So looking for the right kind of flip flops isn't an easy feat.

Then I came across Caribbean Footwear. It's so lightweight it seems you're not wearing slippers at all. It has this arc that makes sure your feet are comfy and in place. The strap fits like a glove on my feet and you barely notice it (unlike the hard straps in the tsinelas you buy in most tiangges, which gives you blisters). Best of all, price ranges from 150-230 pesos only.

I also found out that the structure and design of the flops were well thought of.

Here is the anatomy of their flipflops:
from Comfort your Feet with Caribbean

The Toe Fashion
The balancing act of our toe is well supported by the footwear's structure without compromising fashion and creativity.

The Strap at its Finest
Our cutting-edge technology has perfected the integration of comfort, durability, and elegance in our strap -Caribbean's own invention.

The Mid-foot Curve
Artistically formed to create proper foot formation and posture that will enhance endurance while walking or running.

Cool huh? Their ideas and hardwork really paid off, coz really felt the comfort in every component of the slippers.

The prints are cool too! Perfect for summer. mine is pink and white, with colorful swirls. Lots of other cool designs to choose from. My mom has a pair of glittery silver ones (goes great with anything).

It is available in your leading department stores. I always see them in SM department stores and Hypermarts. Check em out! I'm sure you won't resist buying one (or two) for your beach getaway!

Lead in Lipsticks?

2013-02-27T15:27:00.001+08:00

Saw this message in one of my facebook friend's profile:

ATTENTION WOMEN ...!!

Posted by Dr. Claudia Pirisi, Oncologist.

MEN:
Do not forget to pass this message to their wives, girlfriends, friends or colleagues.

WOMEN: Lip Care for using!

Dr. Elizabeth Ayoub, biomolecular and medical is issued an alert for lipsticks containing lead, which is a carcinogen.
Recently the brand 'Red Earth' decreased prices of R $ 67.00 to R $ 9.90!
Why? Because it contained lead.
The brands that contain lead are:
MARY KAY
CLINIQUE
ESTÉE LAUDER
SHISEIDO
RED EARTH (Lip Gloss)
CHANEL (Lip Conditioner)
MARK AMERICA
MOTIVES
LIPSTICK
A V O N
The higher the lead content, the greater the risk of causing cancer. After doing a test on lipsticks, lip was observed in the highest level of lead AVON. Care for those lipsticks which are supposed to have greater fixation. If your lipstick is fixed but is due to high levels of lead.
Take this test:
1. Put some lipstick on your hand;
2. With a gold ring on this lipstick pass it;
3. If the lipstick color changes to black, then you know that contains lead.

Please send this information to all your friends. to SHARE!!

I have been buying some cheap lipsticks for some time now. Decided to try it out just for curiousity.

Here are the results:

So far all my cheap lipstick brands changed to black. All my expensive ones didn't. I also checked loreal and another estee lauder, both did not change color.

I don't know whether to believe this or not. Pia sent me a link about it being a myth. Read about it HERE.
They say that the email/message has been going on since 2003, and that the FDA knows about it. They also say you cannot test lead with the gold ring test. And that the lead found in lippy's isn't harmful to body.

If they say the "Gold Ring Test" isn't true, then why did the cheap lippys change in color when I rubbed them, and the expensive ones didn't.

True or not, I think it's best we all stay away from my cheap lipsticks. Maybe they are cheap for a reason? I also don't think it's best to buy imitation makeups from bazaars (like those cheap MAC makeups they sell in trunks of their cars. lol)

I do hope this is not true though.

Squash Soup

2013-02-24T21:58:00.001+08:00

I used to love eating at my ex's house when his mom cooked my fave Squashroom soup (I guess squash and mushroom soup). I've been craving it for a long time already but couldn't get a hold of a recipe. I googled but all that came up was plain Squash soup. I thought I'd give it a try and turned out to be yum!

Ingredients:

•Squash (maybe 1-2cups? Suck at measuring, just see pic for reference.lol)
•1 white onion
•knorr cube (i used pork, but can use any)
•nestle all purpose cream
•water 1 cup
•ground black pepper
•cumin powder
•cayenne pepper (optional)

Cut kalabasa into cubes. Chop onion. Put them both into the pan with water (just enough water to submerge them)and boil til kalabasas are soft.
When soft, put all into blender, and blend til no more lumps.
Put back into pan and heat in low-med heat. Mix in cream. You can add more water to get the consistency you like (but I didn't add this time).
Add the pork cube, a few pinches of cumin powder, dash of pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper for some kick.
Serve.

BTW, I tried using campbell's mushroom soup instead of cream before but it taste nothing like the squashroom soup I used to eat. But tastes good, if you guys want to try that too.

Anyway, This has been one of our staple dishes at home. Even my two boys love it. Goes best with pan fried porkchops or pork tapa.

Garlicky Pork Tenderloin

2013-02-22T14:58:00.001+08:00

My mom makes the yummiest Salpicao. This is more or less how she makes it except she uses real garlic. I use garlic powder, coz I'm lazy like that. Lol

Ingredients:

500grams pork tenderloin
5 tbsp knorr seasoning
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 tbsp black pepper
1/4 cup star margarine garlic flavor (I used regular butter and mixed in some garlic powder)

1. Marinade the pork in knorr, worcestershire and pepper for 5 minutes.

2. Drain meat. Reserve the marinade.

3. Fry meat in garlic butter until golden brown.

4. Add in marinade and cook for one more minute.

Done!

So easy, right? :)

A Thousand Years, a Vday Video.

2013-02-15T18:03:00.001+08:00

So this is my husband's gift for me this Valentine's Day.
As you may have read in my previous post, I thought I wouldn't get anything special from anyone this love season. Oh I was wrong! This came a day late coz he had a hard time uploading in Facebook. So he finally just showed me the raw video. I was the one who resized and posted them on facebook Haha!

This is the Final video (but not so good Audio and Resolution coz he used his friends webcam to record this)

This is one of his practice vids (great sound and resolution, used an iPod Touch 5, but song not complete)

Hope you enjoyed it like I did! Haha!

Ciao!

Grand Gestures

2013-02-14T21:53:00.003+08:00

It wasn't much of a Love Day for me this Valentines Day.

I'm not too disappointed though. I don't really care that much anymore. Unlike years back, when I really EXPECT for my boyfriend/hubby to do something grand for me. Now, it would be nice to get a nice sweet message on facebook, maybe even cheap flowers (even the type you just pick out of the garden).

This year I didn't get anything from my hubby. He actually gives me roses most occasions. This time, I think we're low on cash and flowers are expensive this special day.

No one to take care of the kids too, so we cannot go out on a couple date. We had lunch at Chowking with the kids instead. Why Chowking? It's the only restaurant (well, fastfood really) walking distance to our place. We were so lazy to go to a mall coz of all the bags and kids we need to carry.

And that didn't go too well. Before we left to eat, Mikel gave us a very hard time. As usual he wasn't listening and made everyone really mad.

In awhile, my hubby and I will be watching a dvd (Argo) just to spend some time together. We're making our kids sleep. He's with Mikel. I'm with Lucas.I have been making Lucas sleep for almost 2 hours now! and he still won't! it's actually frustrating, that's why I decided to blog.

So much for a stress free love day.

Oh, reason I don't really care THAT much for grand gestures on vday? coz I know and am SURE that my hubby LOVES me unconditionally.

who am I kidding? EVERYONE loves GRAND GESTURES! Haha!

UPDATE: Turns out My Hubby really has something for me for Valentines Day. He woke up early that day and recorded himself singing and playing the guitar for me. He had a hard time uploading it so still haven't seen the final video. He showed me his outtakes just now. So sweet! Turns out he's been practicing and memorizing the song for a couple of days. When I get the final video, I will try to share to all of you guys!

Pinterest's Famous Microwave Brownie

2013-02-13T15:58:00.001+08:00

Been browsing through Pinterest for quite some time now. Everytime I do, I get so productive and energized. I think Pinterest is good for me.

So this morning, I finally decided to make this Microwave Brownie in a Mug I keep on seeing on my Pinterest Board. I had all the ingredients here at home, so why not.

It's a 2 minute brownie. 1 minute for prep time and 1 minute to cook (in the microwave).

Ingredients:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar (I used white though, coz that's what I had here).
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of Salt
2 tbsp Canola oil
2 tbsp Coffee, milk or water (I used water coz was too lazy to make coffee. Maybe next time I will try).

In a heatproof mug, stir all dry ingredients until fully mixed together.
Stir in oil and milk/coffee or water until you have a thick paste.
Put in microwave and heat for 1 minute. They say the heat of the microwave vary so maybe if you like you can check after 30secs if you suspect that you have a higher temp microwave.

It turns out a little gooey in the middle, but I like my brownie that way.

I actually accidentally put in too much cocoa in mine. But still yummy, a little rich because of the excess cocoa I put. Next time gotta remember to do it right so it'll be yummier.

Hmm, I think this is bad for my diet. Therefore, Pinterest may not be totally good for me! Haha!

Til next post!

Ciao!

Spell STRESS

2013-02-09T15:36:00.002+08:00

I'd like to call this week STRESS Week.

Mikel (my eldest son) has really been pushing my buttons. I hate to admit to everyone that I have been shouting at him these past couple of days. I know it's not the way to make him listen to me, but if I don't I feel I'm gonna explode from anger.

I really just have one MAJOR problem with him. HE DOESN'T LISTEN!

First, I say it nicely. NOTHING.
Then, I say it with a commanding voice. NADA.
Then I start counting. STILL NOTHING.
I freak out and shout. NOTHING.

It's like I'm not talking to anyone. It's so frustrating.

Other problems I have with him is that he whines all the time and he eats sooo slow.

As of this very moment, he is on the dinner table eating his "lunch" (it's 3:30pm here). He's there since the time he woke up. He started eating breakfast at 9am. ended (gave up) around 12nn. 1pm made him eat his lunch, and he is still there! not even remotely done. I had to get away, or else I might shout at him again. It's embarrassing for both of us coz there are people over (It's my sis-in-law's birthday.

I don't know what else to do.

Friends. I miss.

2013-02-04T00:42:00.003+08:00

When I see girl bestfriends post messages for each other in facebook or post pictures on what they did during the weekend, I get a little jealous that I don't have one (or so I think). It would be nice to have someone to be silly and crazy with even when you're already married and with kids.
I think my husband is tired of hearing me say that I envy that he has friends, and I don't. So emo. I know. I can't help but feel it though. I normally spend my days and nights just here at home.
I have friends, yeah, but friends I see once every 6 months probably. Not someone who knows my every day problems. I don't really blame them, I kind of find ways to push them away. I feel I have problems with intimacy(?) or showing affections(?). Sometimes I just want to be alone, and I unconsciously push my friends away. I think I should do my part in saving and keeping a friendship more.

A college friend called me tonight (one of my bestfriends actually). She's in another country now. I miss her, and I wish she lived closer here. In fact years back, when she was still here in the Philippines, she didn't live near my house. But out of all my friends, she was/is the one who stuck with me. We don't spend everyday together. We don't hang out. We actually just call each other when we're at our lowest. But it still feels good that when we're down, we still have each other to lean on.

But I still miss having friends that you can call to come over anytime.

So emo today. Til the next post..

No Meat Monggo

2013-02-02T12:17:00.001+08:00

My lazy style Munggo.

Ingredients:

1.) Munggo

2.) onion

3.) garlic

4.) tomato

5.) salt and pepper

6.) malunggay leaves

7.) pork cubes

First, I wash and boil the Munggo.
As soon as I put it in stove, I gisa my onion, garlic, tomato. Then, put it in the boiling Munggo. I put one knorr pork cube. Wait for munggo to be cooked. Then add malunggay leaves. Salt and pepper to taste

Til the next kitchen diaries...

First Jog in 2013

2013-02-02T07:53:00.001+08:00

Since my birthday was yesterday, decided that I need to rebirth my ways. Haha!

I've been so lazy and out of sorts the whole January. Got to pull it together!

So I woke up earlier than usual and jogged around the block. Haven't done that for months now (see, I'm really not a sporty type. I can't even jump a decent jump, and I run funny. Lol). I was super TIRED! Had to drag my body to finish the last lap. And I ran so SLOW! Anyway, tomorrow I hope I can drag myself out of bed again.

Wish me luck!

Ciao for now!