When breast cancer touches one’s family like it did mine, one will not be able to help thinking and breathing pink.  Since it was my very own Mom who was affected and then survived the disease, we have practically been living pink.  As far as we know, my Mom was the first in our family to have been afflicted with breast cancer.  And I can’t ignore the fact that I am at risk of getting it…but I won’t get it.   You can understand why finding a cure and raising awareness has become a passion.  I dream, like millions of other people, of a world free from breast cancer…or any cancer for that matter.

I can’t seem to find the right words to describe how I felt being among people who share the same passion (more passionate even!)…people who understood.  It was surreal.  It was touching. I wanted to hug  every woman who was wearing a pink shirt with the words “I Hope. I Believe. I Survive”.  They are the survivors.  More so, I wanted to hug those who were in the race in the memory of a loved one.  Truth is, I wanted to hug everybody!

I am proud to have walked that mile.  Actually, we walked more as we had to park the car 1.5 miles away from the race’s venue.  I am prouder even of my daughter, who, in spite of a halloween party the night before, turned out to be such a trooper.  I doubt if she understood what that race was for.  She had a different purpose as we thought there was going to be a makeover booth for little girls, like I’ve seen in other states.  My bad.   We did get her some other rewards.

It was a fun, not to mention memorable morning!  We are definitely doing this again next year. November 7th, 2010 has been marked!

Allow me to relive the race with you via these two video slideshows.  There are two because at Animoto, I can only have a 30-second video with more or less 15 photos.  Instead of upgrading, I decided to just make two videos.  The first has photos of ourselves and the second, my favorite pics from the race.  To everyone who helped our team reach our fund raising goal, thank you oh so much!  It was a pleasure walking on your behalf.  And to everyone who supported us one way or another, thank you!

The Fingerprints of God. I couldn’t have chosen a better music, for the perfect photos. Thank you, God!

Amoy rosas dito sa aming tahanan noong nakaraang Sabado.  At hindi bulaklak na rosas ang aking tinutukoy kundi mga pagkaing kulay rosas (pink)! Masarap ang amoy ng bulak, oo.  Ngunit simula nang ako’y nahilig ng husto sa pagluluto, para sa aki’y wala nang sasarap pa sa amoy ng bagong lutong pagkain.   Nagkaroon kami ng kaunting pagsasalu-salo dito sa bahay na siyang dinaluhan ng aking mga malalapit na kaibigan at siyempre, narito rin ang aking pamilya.  Napili kasi ang aking food blog para sa Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24. Rosas ang tema ng pagsasalu-salo bilang paggunita sa Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Pati ang aking mga panauhin ay nakasuot ng mga kulay rosas na damit.

Ang mga larawang inyong makikita ay kuha ng aking mga kaibigang sina Andrew at Edwin.  Sabihin na lang nating sila ang aking mga panauhing litratista para sa aking lahok sa Litratong Pinoy.  Dahil nga naging abala ako sa pagaasikaso ng mga pagkain, nawalan ako ng panahong kumuha ng litrato.  Mabuti na lamang ako’y kanilang sinaklolohan.

Heto ang aking mga amoy rosas na at kulay rosas pang handa…

MGA PAMPAGANA (APPETIZERS)

1. Shrimp Dumplings

2. Turkey Siomai

3.  Kani Maki

4.  Spam Musubi

5.  Puto Pao

6.  Pulang Cocktail Hotdogs at Marshmallows

Karaniwang tinutuhog ang mga pulang hotdog sa isang bamboo stick at nilalagyan ng marshmallow sa dulo.  Dahil naubusan na ako ng oras sa pagtuhog at inilagay ko na lamang sa isang wine glass ang mga marshmallows.

SABAW

Sinigang na Hipon sa Bayabas (Shrimp in Sour Broth)

MGA PANGUNAHING ULAM (MAIN DISHES)

1. Sweet and Sour Shrimp Balls

2.  Fish Sarciado

3.  Ginataang Manok (Chicken with Coconut Milk)

Ito lamang ang pagkaing tila pumalpak at di nagkulay rosas.

MGA PANGHIMAGAS (DESSERTS)

1.  Ginataang Bilo-Bilo (Rice Balls with Coconut Milk)

2.  Mamon (Filipino Sponge Cake)

3.  Tinuhog na mga Sariwang Prutas (Fresh Fruit Kebabs)

Bukod sa mga prutas ay mayroon ding kasamang sponge cake at marshmallow.  May sawsawan rin ang mga ito….

Ang matalik kong kaibigang si Bet ang siyang naghanda ng mga prutas at mga sawsawang ito.

4.  Chocolate Kisses

5.  Pink Marshmallows

MGA INUMIN (BEVERAGES)

1.  Sagot’s Gulaman (Tapioca Pearls with Jelly)

2.  Tropical Fruit Punch

Maagang dumating kaibigan kong si Bet sa party kaya siya ang naatasan kong gumawa ng mga inumin.   Maraming salamat sa kaniya at di nauhaw ang aking mga bisita.  Hee hee.

Nakakapagod ang maghanda.  Mabuti na lamang at nagkaroon ako ng katulong sa kusina, walang iba kundi ang aking ina.

Sana’y nagustuhan ninyo ang aking lahok.  Mabuhay!

So let me take advantage of this moment, when I actually managed to get to my “add new post” page before the moment passes me by yet again.

Last Saturday, hubby and I were at our stage parenting best. The Little Munchkin Princess was invited to a birthday party where she did an hour of bowling (her 2nd time to bowl) with her classmates and another hour of rock climbing.

It was Abby’s first time to rock climb.  She had a chance to give it a try some time last year but it turned out that she can’t just yet because she has yet to turn 5.  Now that she is 5, she has the “license” to finally go for it…and she did!

Hubby helped Abby during the first few tries.  The thing is, Abby loved the rappelling part so much that after climbing up to a certain height, she’d just rappel right back down.

We had no doubt, however, that she can reach the top of the wall and ring that bell!  So what’s a mother like me to do?  The most natural thing, of course! I offered her a prize!   Oh come on, what’s a little motivation, right?!  And as soon as she heard the word “prize” there was just no stopping her.  She reached the top to ring the bell!  Twice!  Ehem, ehem!

It was a proud mommy and daddy moment, I tell you!  Abby had more than enough encouragement, what with hubby and me yelling “You’re doing great!”, “Almost there!” and “Good job, Abby!”

“That was easy!”…Abby’s words after her second triumph.  Well, the cockiness needs a little working on.

Here’s a 30-second video slideshow to remember the day…

Go, girl!  Never stop believing in yourself!

I meant to write this post yesterday evening, but I fell asleep while putting my daughter to sleep.  Oh well!  I am nevertheless still excited to share one bit of exciting news.  Yesterday, October 1st, I did what I thought would be a fitting kick off for this pink month…I registered my family for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I’ve been wanting to join this race since 2007.  I guess the participation of my cousins and their friends in a recently concluded SGK Race for the Cure in California was just the inspiration and motivation I needed to finally go for it. It might interest you to know that since 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has funded research grants and community-based outreach projects that focus on breast health education, screening and treatment for the medically underserved.

We have a team name, too, which I didn’t really have a hard time coining,  Tickled Pink Munchkins!  It’s so…us, don’t you think?  We are 4-member strong, unless anybody joins us, which I will consider to be a huge bonus.  And we’ll come up with a team shirt, too!  To tell you honestly, I’ve been doodling t-shirt designs for the race even before we were officially registered.

We will be joining the 1-mile Family Walk so we won’t really be racing.  Joining the timed race will be a goal though, perhaps for next year.  It is the event’s goal to raise funds, and we’ve set a reasonable fund raising goal for our team – $200.  Unfortunately, due to the current Philippine situation, what I thought was a reasonable goal may prove to be unattainable after all.  But I will not be discouraged.  I will remain hopeful that WE WILL REACH OUR GOAL, surpass it even!

Come November 1st, we will be one with the people of Austin in honoring the people who have been touched by breast cancer one way or another.  On a personal level, we are walking in honor of my Mom, who is a breast cancer survivor and of each and every one of our relatives and friends, and friends of friends who have had the disease.  Do you want to join the event but can’t?  Allow us to walk for you then and help us reach our fund raising goal! Just let me know and I’ll tell you how.

A cure will be found…for breast cancer and all other cancers.  That’s the exciting news I look forward to receiving, hopefully, soon!

oOo

More Pink Chikka

Incidentally, a friend of mine, Camille, and I had a joint birthday celebration in July.  Both Camille’s and my family was touched by breast cancer so we decided on a pink party.  It was a lot of fun!  Except for a select few, all our guests came in all their pink force.  It was nice seeing the men in pink, because really, only real men can pull off wearing pink.  Hee hee!  More than a birthday celebration, it was a celebration of life…of love…of healing and survivorship.

Here’s a 30-second video/slide show from that wonderful evening:

And that’s all I have for you for now. It’s going to be a great Autumn and Winter. I can feel it…I know it.

So to you, compassionate and generous Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, I offer this link, that you may be a blessing to others: HELP FOR TYPHOON ONDOY VICTIMS IN THE PHILIPPINES.  In the said link, you’ll find other useful links and options on how you can make all sorts of donations (in-kind, online, credit card/paypal, etc.) for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Soon enough, we’ll again be saying “Mabuhay!” with as much energy and gusto that this beautiful word is usually uttered.  God bless.

A cropped photo of only my legs and feet should do for now. Hee hee. Thanks, hubs!

Yes folks, believe it or not, I mustered just enough courage to kick off my sneakers in exchange for a pair of ice skates last Saturday, September 19th.  At the ripe young age of  24 30 34, I went ice skating for the first time.  Yey me! *takes a bow* Didn’t I say in this entry that before the year ends, I will conquer my fear of the ice and falling on my big fat behind?

I did fall on my behind….twice!  Ouchie!  *rubs toosh* And until now, I still kinda feel it.  The second fall wasn’t painful because I was already close to the ground when I fell as I was in a squatting position trying to get up.  Hee hee.

Another cropped photo.

It was a humbling experience, yes, and to avoid any more falls, I pretty much stayed within arm’s reach of the rail.  It may have been cold on the ice but I felt hot and was actually sweating.  After I got comfortable wearing the skates and after finding my balance, I began to relax and started to enjoy myself.  I actually had loads of fun!  The best part was, Hubby, Abby and I were on the ice together.  I wouldn’t say we were skating WITH each other, but we were all there, a comfortable distance from each other.    Hee hee.   A few more visits to the rink should help me skate with a bit more poise in the future…as ice royalties should. *wink*

Have a great week ahead, y’all!  Cheers!

Here’s the latest New Moon trailer, which debuted last night at the MTV Video Movie Awards (VMAs).  Enjoy it before it’s taken off YouTube.  Hee hee!

Italy, the Volturi, the hunky werewolves, Jacob and Edward! *shrieeeeeeeks*  Abby will definitely have a scheduled play date come November 20th.  That much I can tell you!

Have a great week ahead!  Cheers!

In the last two months-and-a-half, we had so many wishes granted and prayers answered.  Once again, God proved that He does listen, He is good and that He does answer prayers…in His time.  All these wishes and prayers were lifted up in complete surrender a long time ago and all the time we were waiting, we believed in our hearts that they’ve already been granted.  Some will call it visualization.  Some will refer to it as positive thinking.  However you call it, it works.  Well, it worked for me…for us.

Now that summer is almost over, we are already setting our hearts on a super duper, over-the-top GREAT fall (the season, of course!) and winter.  Wishes and prayers once again lifted up in complete surrender.  It won’t be long before our hearts will once again be dancing with joy for the sweet surprises that await us.

Thank you, God!  And in the words of today’s generation, may I say that You Rock!

oOo

Speaking of fall and winter…I’ve picked up a new hobby, loom knitting!   For my birthday, one of my girl friends gifted me with a set of long looms.  And last Friday, I knitted and completed my first scarf.  It’s for Abby.

Neat Knit #1: A scarf for Abby

On Saturday, I completed a belt from the yarn left over from Knit Neat #1.  I did most of it in the car.  I think it’s a belt.  But I’ll have to add an accent of sorts, maybe a flower or a huge button.

Neat Knit #2:  A belt…I think.

Yesterday, I completed yet another scarf for Abby. This time, in her colors of choice, pink and purple.

Neat Knit #3:  Another scarf for Abby

Funny how the gauge of the yarn makes a lot of difference.  All three projects were done in the same style yet the third one looks different from the first two.

These are just warm up projects.  I hope to do more in time for fall and winter.   First, I have to get myself a fresh supply of yarn.

oOo

This morning, Abby wanted to wear her pink and purple scarf to school.  I told her it’s still too warm to wear a scarf.  This is how our conversation went:

Abby:  Can I wear my scarf to school, Mom?

Me:  No, it’s too warm.  You can wear it in the fall.

Abby:  But fall is “near to the corner”.

Me:  You mean, “around the corner”.

Abby:  Yes! That corner! (She said while pointing at the kitchen window.)

Abby is just plain…entertaining!

oOo

Y’all have a great week now!  Cheers and blessings!!

Yesterday, my little girl started Kindergarten.  It’s not her first time to attend school.  She’s been going to school for the last two years.  However, from an intimate and personal pre-school setting, she has moved on to big school.  It was another huge step for all of us, Abby, most specially.

Personally, I was overwhelmed with the change.  Everything was bigger both in size and number.  If Abby were at all overwhelmed, she sure did a good job of not letting it show.  She was “cool”.

She couldn’t get rid of me quickly enough.  I gave her a big hug and a big kiss and as I was leaving, I heard her say hi to her seatmates.  So unlike me when I was little!  *sigh*

Abby’s first day went smoothly, from drop-off to pick-up.  No melt-downs, not that I expected any.  And I was relieved!  I thought at first that 7 hours was a long time, but I was wrong.  Time flew and before I knew it, it was time to pick her up, something I looked forward to.  I was excited to hear about her day and about the friends she’s made.

How’d her first day go?  The stamp on her folder sums it up…

For that, we treated her to some ice cream at her favorite ice cream shop, Baskin Robbins.

On the way home, which was a very short drive, she fell asleep in the car and continued to nap for 2 hours!  She must have been really tired, my kindergartener!

This morning was so much better yesterday.  It wasn’t as mad of a rush.  And it will only get better. *cross fingers*

Congratulations, Abby…for an awesome first day in Kindergarten!  You’ve done us proud once again! *mmmwah*

oOo

At Kindercamp last week, which is the official welcome and orientation for kindergarteners and their parents, Abby received her first homework EVER.  And that is, to cut out a pre-drawn doll figure from a cardboard and decorate it such that it reflects her personality and interests.  Parents, naturally, were expected to help their children.  And this is what came of our first homework…

Abby suggested that we decorate the back as well, so we did…

I had no clue as to how much help I am supposed to give, such that the homework will become more mine than Abby’s.  For instance,  We could have used real fabric for the leotard, tutu and shoes and beads for the earrings!  Haha!  Abby helped with the glueing and coloring, while I did the cutting.

It’s not so bad.  I’m not really good at drawing people figures and features. Haha!  I look forward to more art projects.   I can’t promise, however, that I won’t make a big production out of them. Ha!

I hope your week started out great!  Cheers to more awesome days ahead!

Noong nakaraang Lunes (ika-17 ng Agosto) ay nagdiwang ng ika-limang kaarawan ang aking kaisa-isang prinsesa.  Ngunit noong Sabado, ika-15 ng Agosto, namin ipinagdiwang ang kaniyang kaarawan sa pamamagitan ng isang ice-skating party.

Ito ang simpleng meriendang aming inihanda para sa aming mga kamag-anak at kaibigang nakisa sa aming pagdiriwang…

Tatlong klase ng pizza:  pepperoni, cheese at combination…

Beef Franks (Hindi pula dahil hindi Pinoy ang mga hotdogs na ito!  Hahaha!)…

Baked spaghetti, chips at cheese balls, cream puffs (gawa ng kaibigan kong si  Veronica) at mga sariwang  grapes at strawberries…

Hindi siyempre kumpleto ang isang birthday party kung walang cake.  Kaya ginawan ko ng cake ang aking anak.  Hiling lamang niya na ang mga kulay ay pink at purple, may mga bituin at cake sparkles.  Gusto sana niya na fondant ang kaniyang cake, ngunit nakumbinsi ko siyang huwag na lamang dahil bukod sa hindi gaanong masarap ang fondant, siksik ito sa asukal at mahal pa.  Alam ko ring hindi masyadong mahilig sa fondant ang aming mga kaibigan…tulad ko at ng aking asawa.  Hahaha!  At isa pa, kailangan ko pa ng ensayo sa pagdekorasyon ng cake gamit ang fondant.  Ayaw ko namang pagpraktisan ang birthday cake ng aking anak.

O siya, ito na ang birthday cake ng aking anak para sa kaniyang ika-5 kaarawan….

Ito ang hindi pa tapos na cake.  Pinapalamig ko pa sa refrigerator at sa lugar na pagdarausan ng party ko na ikinabit ang mga dekorasyon para sa tuktok ng cake….

8″ ang diameter ng cake sa tuktok at 10″ naman ang diameter ng cake sa ilalim.

Wafer sticks ang ginamit kong pangdekorasyon sa gilid ng cake.  Taro ang flavor noong sa itaas, at strawberry naman at sa ibaba.  Ang mga bituin naman ay mga marshmallows.  Nilagyan ko ng cake sparkles ang mga ito para kumislap ng kaunti.

Ito ang tapos ng cake….

Gumamit ako ng food writer (marker na may edible ink) para isulat ang pangalan ng aking anak sa marshmallows.

Fondant at gumpaste sana ang gagamitin ko para sa mga dekorasyong bituin ngunit kinulang na ako sa oras, kaya’t ang mas masarap na alternatibo na lamang ang aking ginamit…marshmallows!

Sa totoo lang, kulang ang nabili kong wafer sticks.  Pantay-pantay sana sila.  Pinagsalit-salit ko na lamang ang mahaba at maigsing wafer sticks.  Ang mga maigsing wafer sticks ay ang kaputol ng mga mahaba.

Ang kikay ng cake slicer ko ano?  Regalo sa akin iyan noong aking kaarawan ng isa sa aking mga kaibigan.  Alam niya kasing mahilig akong gumawa ng cakes.

Nasiyan naman ng husto ang aking anak sa kaniyang birthday cake.  Unang pagkakita pa laman niya rito ay napusuan na niya.  Laking pasasalamat ko na lamang at sulit ang aking pagod at puyat!

Maligayang Bati muli sa iyo, mahal kong prinsesa! *mwah*

Pahabol:  Ang unang tatlong litrato at ang huling litrato ay kuha ng aming kaibigang si Andrew.  Ang unang dalawang litrato naman ng cake ay kuha ng aking asawa gamit ang kaniyang cellphone.  Ang iba pang mga litrato ay ako ang kumuha.