I'm Starting to Love..

..Cooking!! Heheh. You know guys, before I had James, I never thought of spending time in the kitchen - cooking stuff. I can only cook hotdogs, noodles, canned corned beef and any friend stuff except fried fish. I am really scared sa mga tumatalsik na mantika while cooking. I am also not fond of cooking stew meals. I rely on Nanay, sisters and brothers or if all else fails, I'll just buy cooked stuff. When I was a kid and Mom used to cook, I never bothered myself checking out or even watching what she's up to. I'll just wait until it is served. Haha.

Two Sundays ago, I decided to cook. It was actually not planned at all. They just told me to cook it because they are already preparing spaghetti for no reason. I was the one who prepared the veggies though. It was actually "Ginisang Sayote". I really don't know how to cook it but I trusted my instict na lang. 

I am not a good cook but I want to share this recipe (not sure if I can call it recipe anyway. Haha) for documentation purposes. So here it is!!

Ingredients:

1 Onion, minced

3- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced

3 Sayote (cut into strips)

½ kilo Ground Pork

1 Tomato, slized thinly

1 Seasoning (optional) (I used AjiGinisa)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cooking Oil

To cook:

1.      On a casserole, sautee garlic, onion and tomato until garlic turned slightly brown and onion and tomato is cooked. Add the ground pork and let it cook until it turned slightly brown too.

2.      You may add the sayote/chayote. After 3 minutes, add water for about 2 – 3 cups depending on your desired amount of stew. You may add Seasoning or just Salt and Pepper to taste. Simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the sayote/chayote is cooked.

3.      Serve with a smile =)

Optional: It is best served with a deep fried fish (any kind).

And the verdict? Actually, I don’t know. Kinain naman nila so I think it’s edible naman. Hahaha! Daryl and I ate it too. I mashed at least 3 – 5 pieces of sayote/chayote for James to taste it… kinain naman nya. =) One time lang yun promise! Hehe. 

And because of that, last weekend, I cooked another recipe. It was epic fail though. We didn’t enjoy it all. I cooked Pork Giniling with Tomato Sauce. I guess I put too much of tomato sauce kaya hindi naging masarap. I was told my reliable friend, Sokey to put a little amount of it like the small pouch lang dapat.

At ang comment nila?

Daryl: Be dapat nilagyan mo na din ng cheese para naging spaghetti na. 

Ate Grace: Ayokong tikman yan wala ako sa mood. 

Hahahah! Grabe sila sa akin!

Okeeeeyyy! Better luck next time. Not bad naman for the first timer eh kasi edible pa rin naman ang naluto ko. Hahahaha #defensive

Even my last recipe turned out as a failure, It didn’t stop me on cooking more recipe moving forward. Yay! So if I may, I’ll be glad to post more recipe and cooking escapades in the future.

P.S Pasensya na kung obvious na first timer yung paggawa ko ng ingredients and cooking steps ha? I’ll improve next time promise. =)

Restaurant Tour | Dad's Kamayan Saisaki

Saturday that passed, my friends/officemates went to SM Megamall to try Dad's Buffet. I tagged along James since no one is available to look after him as I shared on my previous post. Susmarya, ang hassle magdala ng baby sa byahe grabe! But I am quite thankful because I get to experience to be with him in a longer travel time compared to usual. It got me to practice how to handle things with only the two of us and with the help of no one.

Anyway, this post is dedicated to my Dad's experience. I badly want to try buffets even before so this was one of the firsts. I mean, I have tried buffets on weddings and other functions but not the paid ones of course. Hehe. =)

As I have mentioned here, I had my officemates to look after James while I am getting my plate. I was a bit happy to try them all except I don't want to pay additional. Heheh. So I tried the pasta like the spaghetti and Pansit. I soo loved their pansit talaga. I tried some of their pastries too though they weren't like Goldilocks and Red Ribbon, I like it still because it was not too sweet nor bland. So - so it is. I checked their fries too, I'm lucky that whenever I get a part of it, laging bagong luto. I have tried their ginataang halo - halo which for me was great as well as the Halo - Halo. Mejo tinigilan ko na yung pagkain kasi kumukulo na yung tyan ko. I don't know why, probably because of the combination of Gata and Milk from Halo - halo so I stopped before I head on to the bathroom. If only I don't have James to worry about, itotodo ko talaga yung kain eh. Hahahah. =) Sorry Mommy Joy, I know we talked about #dietnaakobukaspromise =)

So basically, I'll give Dad's Merienda 8 out of 10. Why? Kasi I wasn't able to taste all of it nga. But promise, I'll try it all next time. =)

I'm really sorry I was not able to take pictures of the food kasi I carried James when he fell asleep while we're eating. Don’t worry, we will be having another trip to Dad’s sooner or later so watch out for that. I promise to take pictures and try all of their food. =)

Dad’s Kamayan Saisaki

Level 4 Bridgeway,

SM Megamall

Edsa, Mandaluyong City

Opens Monday – Friday

11am to 2:30pm/6pm to 10 pm

Saturday – Sunday

11am – 2:30pm/6pm to 10pm

Or visit their website at http://kamayansaisakidads.com/

Busy sa Pasyal on a Saturday =)

Hello everyone! Another week has passed and a new week to start with. I was quite busy last weekend so this blog is on hiatus. But worry no more, I am back to our regular programming.
So then let's talk about our weekends before we start to our new week shall we?

I started my weekend with going out with friends/officemates. We planned to try Dad's, Saisaki, Kamayan at SM Megamall which was quite far from home. On the day of our eat - out, I found out that Nanay has another plan herself so I was forced to bring James with me. We left home at 12:45pm which rained a bit but lucky we were able to ride a bus safely. I brought his baby carrier so it will be easy for me to open the umbrella when it suddenly rains like before we left the house. As I said million of times, James is now quite handful. He touches and eats everything. One thing I have noticed while were on the bus was that he got motion sickness. I put him beside me while I'm fixing his baby carrier but he was crying. When I carried him, he was coughing, next thing I noticed was he vomited on my shoulder. Hayy.. What can I do? A nice man right on our back seat said that he vomited. I carried him on the right side (t'was on the left side where he vomited) pero hindi pinatawad ng lolo nyo at sinukahan din ang kabila. Double Hayyy...  He slept after kahit kagigising lang nya. Naawa tuloy ako pero that was another thought na nagkaka morning sickness na sya when we ride a bus.

After a while, we rode a jeep going to MRT Edsa - Taft while he was still asleep. Luckily, I don't have to fall in line for the ticket. When we rode the bus, he woke up and played again. He was looking everywhere while eating his hands. We reached Megamall safely. Annoyingly, I came first before my friends arrived. Good thing, one of them Benj was there earlier, roaming around and shopped a little. The only thing was, he was on Building B and I am on Building A. I have to walk all the way to the lower ground to reach Building A. We met at Dad's at 4th level, fell in line a little then reserved a seat for 6 in no time. I had James played on the table and then everyone else arrived. Good thing I had Mommy/Tita/Yayo friends, they helped me with James. Hehehehehe.
We were changing turns carrying James while others got the chance to check and pick a food in the buffet area. I was not able to take pictures of the food because I am so busy baby sitting James that made me hungry big time. Oh by the way, we took advantage of their Merienda buffet for P258.00. I think it's sulit with the price although I have not tried all of the food because I am scared na baka sumakit ang tyan ko then I'll have to go to the bathroom with James. I have my officemates but I don't want to leave James with them and me doing something. Gusto ko lagi ko syang nakikita. Believe me, I might sound really paranoid but I don't want James to be with anybody else but me or my immediate family. I am not just comfortable although my friends were really very good enough to help me carrying him while we were eating. It's just that, you know? Motherhood.

I'll tell you about the food in a while.
After we ate, we walked endlessly. We went to Uniqlo and I peeked on Healthy Options. I checked their Infant food and found out that it was heaven pala there? Hahaha. I wanted to buy one of their organic baby food pero next time na lang, mejo out of budget na eh. =(
We headed to Forever 21 too where we saw Valerie Concepcion. She was just wearing a white shirt and a short. Quite noticeable talaga yung mole nya sa face, that's when I figured she was Valerie. Hehe. =)
I decided to go home at around 7pm. I didn't notice the time really so dragged along one of my officemate Franz to go with us riding the MRT back to Edsa - Taft. He even sent us until the terminal along Roxas Blvd. I rode the jeep going home because I know James will have motion sickness again. I forgot that there's a heavy traffic in Baclaran which took us a while to pass the traffic so James got really bored and cried because he was asleep already and he was perspiring all over. Nataranta pa ako when he was crying becasue our bag was in between my feet, too low for me to reach for his milk. ANG HIRAP! I realized it was hard to commute while having a very makulit na baby. Hayy.. Luckily, he fell asleep until we got home.
Anyhoo, we went home safely. After a while, he woke up before his Daddy arrived. We headed to nearest Mercury Drug to buy his milk because we ran out. And how's our Saturday went. Quite busy right? =)

P.S  If you spend 1,000 pesos on any Mercury Drug Stores, you are entitled to have their Suki card for free which serves as your reward card for points whenever you spend. =) You just have to line up on their prescription area to redeem or go to any Mercury Drug outlet on your convenient time, just show them the receipt of minimum spend of P1000 pesos.
I am just wondering where my receipt was.. sayang naman yun. =(

Love, Mama

Dear James,

Last night was a mess. It rained so hard that caused Makati to flood. I was still in the office while raining hard which was a good thing, since I don't have to risk myself getting wet at all. Came my home time, I checked on our window ( I was in the 30th floor, Anak) and saw that there was still flood all over the place, while the traffic is terrible. They can't use the other lane because of the gutter deep flood. I have the option to stay in the office since we have sleeping quarters and shower yet I forced myself and my friend to go home immediately. Although I know how dangerous it may be walking on the street barefooted, I can step on something and get hurt, you know? or even fall on a man hole. But I slapped my sub conscious scared mind because I really wanted to go home.We went down to the ground floor and witnessed how miserable the traffic is. We walked a little and found out that the flood was the scariest – for me. Honestly Anak, Mama is scared of flood. For all the places I lived, I never experienced flood. I was really really scared when I witnessed how deep the flood was in Daddy's place so I am in the argument with him not to live in the same area.. at all. I only swim on the beach, not on flood baby. Anyway, going back, I insisted to walk from Pasong Tamo, where my office is to LRT Gil Puyat Station with my friend. It is quite far baby but it was fun walking with a friend with good sense of humor . It was raining a bit too and just so you know, Mama is scared with rains too since I gave birth to you. They said that when I get myself wet on the rain, I'll get crazy daw kasi I have just given birth to you so I never ever want to rain when I am outside. Of course there will be things like this when it rains really hard and I have to be brave.. for you. I walked even there was no flood before LRT station and rode a bus without shoes too while I am wearing a beautiful dress and a nice bag. The guy beside me was looking at me thinking I have no poise but I don't care at all. 

I went home safe, thank God. I washed my feet immediately then I changed clothes. I was so sleepy by then since I got tired of walking. It was hard to walk pala kapag baha, Anak. I fell asleep almost immediately after I and Daddy talked on the phone. I was a little bit mad kasi he didn't text me if I'm home already or did I get drown ba by the flood eh. But anyway, were alright. 

I was thinking while riding the bus this morning as to why did I drag myself to go home even if it’s dangerous? Then I immediately said “why ask?” the answer Anak is that Mama always want to sleep with you at night. Though I can’t kiss you goodnight, at least I will have a chance to be beside you while you sleep peacefully. I want you to wake up with me so we can play a little before I go back to work again.

I remembered the frustration I had back in January when I went back to that company who has been calling me to pursue my career with them while I am 8 months pregnant with you but later on rejected me. I badly want a morning shift Anak so nagpaka choosy ang Mama mo. I am scared that if I don’t sleep with you at night, you would not recognize me as your Mama and would not be that person you would run to when you need anything. I want a morning job so I can be with you, so I can tuck you to bed and read books to you though I just can’t right now since Mama was on afternoon shift so when I come home, you are fast asleep. Although malapit ng sumabog utak ko sa kaka budget ng money namin ni Daddy, keri pa din than working at night then seeing you only in the morning where you are widely awake and I, not having the energy to make kulitan. I am glad that I always come home and see you. I never would exchange those moments to something else.

 

Thank you James, for teaching me how to be patient with your never ending kakulitan, for teaching me the true meaning of unconditional love. Everything is definitely worth it. I promise to take care of you until my last breath and I would never want us to get separated even for a day. I know in time, you will be ready to try your wings and fly on your own, don’t worry, I will be glad to set you free because I know by then, I have instilled independence and good values to you. So help me God. =)

I love you James! =)

Love

Mama

James' Daily Routine of Kalikutan

Hi Mommies! I can't believe it's Thursday today. Time flies so fast I didn't even realize that weekend is fast approaching. Yipeee!! More bonding with my little Mr. Kulit. =)

Today, I wanted to show you how active James is. He is quite handful now and it is really hard to catch up with his endless crawling and kalikutan. He is all over the place. If you leave him for a second on the floor, the next thing you'll know, he crawled towards the door going out or he followed you wherever. From time to time, I let him go places he wants to. This way, I am giving him freedom on things that he wants to explore although he is getting a lot of boo boos all the time. Untog dito, untog dyan. I am not that scared if he bumped his head somewhere as long as it is not pointy or hindi naman malakas yung pagka untog nya, I can manage to calm down. They often tell me that my baby is a boy so let him explore things and manage things on his own but of course not completely - for now. I am still there to guide him with whatever he needs or if what he's doing is dangerous or he might bump his head again. But if I saw him standing while checking out each and every things that is on front of him, I'll just sit behind him to make sure that if he gets tired or lost his balance, then I'll be there to catch him. I also remove things that are dirty like his shoes that he loves very much.. to chew. Kalerks!! He is still in this phase where everything he touches goes straight to his mouth and tastes each one of them kasi. 

One weekend, here's what happened. Oh! And I guess everyday for my Little Mr. Kulit when Mama is at work! =)

Just woke up look =)

Another shot

And another one. =)

It's quite hard to take a picture of him nowadays because he can't sit still. When he saw me holding a camera, he will come after me. He wants to taste the camera too. However, when I show him his photos, he smiles for I don't know why. Nagagwapuhan ata sa sarili nya? Lol. =)

On these next shots, I let him sit on his own so I can take a decent photo of him. I want to send his photo kasi to Mommy Fleur so he can be featured on "This Kid is it" portion.

Ok so practice shots muna para he can get used to getting picture of him.

Gow na baby! One, two, three.. Click!

That's what I got.

Me: Anak! Kelangan kita ang face eh. Ok, another one. One, Two, Three.. Click!

So sideview it is that you want? Ok fine. But let's try again ok? But he answered me with: 

"No mama, I want to check the pattern on the floor first!"

Ang kulit grabe! Then he'll do this.. 

"I want the camera Mama!"

When he reach the wall, He'll do this naman,

"No peeing on the wall Baby!"

Then I'll stop him because he wants to eat that thingy there or he wants to lick the wall. Then you'll see how mayabang he is. He can stand firmly now though sometimes, he's still loosing his balance. If you hold his right arm, he's like this: 

But if it's his left arm, he's giddy and happy and wants to walk. 

Sayang!! He was facing me and I was holding the camera on my other hand. I could've captured his wonderful boastful smile!! =(

"Let's go Mama!" 

I am really glad with James' milestone. He learn things pretty fast like the "appear" that I thought him only once. He still manage to remember it up to now. And look at that, he can stand while having only one hand to balance him. So thankful with the blessing God, for giving me a healthy, lovely baby boy. =)

How about you? How does your babies spend their days? I'll be happy to know. =)

A Letter from a Working Mother to a Stay-At-Home Mother, and vice versa

Last weekend, I saw this link that my sister shared on her Facebook wall. I found the title appealing so I read it and viola! I can relate much to it and probably those who are SAHM and WM out there. So this post is basically to share this wonderful letter for both parents who are there to do all their best for their family on their own special way.

***********

Dear Stay-At-Home Mum

Some people have been questioning what you do at home all day. I know what you do. I know because I’m a mum and for a while I did it too. 
I know you do unpaid work, often thankless work, which starts the moment you wake up, and doesn’t even end when you go to sleep. I know you work weekends and nights, with no discernible end to your day or working week. I know the rewards are joyous but few.

I know that you seldom have a hot cup of coffee or tea. I know that your attention is always divided, often diverted from a moment to moment basis, and you cannot ever count on completing a task in the one go. I know that you probably don’t get any down time when you’re on your own at home, unless you have a single child who still naps in the daytime.
I know the challenges you deal with daily, usually with no peer support or backup. The toddler tantrums, the toilet training accidents, the food battles, the food on the floor, the crayons on the wall, the sibling rivalry, the baby that never seems to stop crying. I know how the work seems incessant, like an endless cycle – you shop for food, prepare it, cook it, attempt to feed it to your children, clean it off the floor, wash the dishes, and repeat in three hours.
I know you fantasise about having an hour to yourself to eat your lunch in peace, or about having an afternoon nap. I know you sometimes wonder if it’s all worth it, and feel envious of your friends who are having coffee breaks at work. I know that sometimes when your partner gets home in the evening after his work is done, he wants to put his feet up exactly when you need a break the most, and this can bring you to tears. 
I know that you are misunderstood by so many who do not appreciate the difficulties of caring for small children on your own, all day, and refer to you as joining the “latte set”. They imagine you spend your day sipping coffee while your children play quietly. I know you miss your financial independence. I know you feel amused and sometimes annoyed when others proclaim “TGIF!” because to you every day is the same – there is no Friday, no break from your job. I know that many people do not understand that you work – you simply work an unpaid job at home.

SAHM, I don’t know how you do it. I admire your infinite patience, your ability to face each day cheerfully and bring joy into your children’s lives even when they wear you down. I admire your dedication to being a constant presence in your children’s lives even if it isn’t always easy. I admire the way you work without expecting any reward – no promotions, no fame, no salary. I know you want your children to feel important and loved, and SAHM, you do this the best.
I just wanted you to know that I understand. We’re both mothers. And I know.

Love from the trenches

Working Mum

Dear Working Mum
I know you sometimes get judged by others for leaving your children in the care of others to work. Some people imply that you don’t love your children as much as us SAHMs do, and that it’s best for children to be at home with their mothers.
How can they say this about you? I know you love your children just as much as any other mother. I know that going back to work was no easy decision. You weighed up the pros and cons, long before you conceived a baby. It has always been one of the most important decisions of your life. You thought about this even while you were in high school and were choosing subjects for Grade 11.
I see you everywhere. You are the doctor I take my children to when they are sick. You’re my child’s allergist, the one who diagnosed her peanut allergy. You’re the physiotherapist who treated my husband’s back. You’re the accountant who does our tax returns. My son’s primary school teacher. The director of our childcare centre. My daughter’s gymnastics teacher. The real estate agent who sold our house. What sort of world would it be if you hadn’t been there for us? If you had succumbed to the pressures of those who insisted a mother’s place had to be in the home?

I know you weigh up every job to see if it will suit your family. I know you wake up an hour before everyone else does, just so you can get some exercise done or some quiet time. I know that you have attended meetings after being up all night with your toddler. I know that when you come home in the evening, your “second shift” begins. The nay-sayers don’t understand that you run a household AND hold a job. You come home, cook dinner, bath your children and read them stories. You tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. You pay the bills, do the grocery shopping, the laundry, the dishes, just like every other mother does.
I know that you often feel guilty about having any more time away from your children so you sacrifice your leisure time. I know you can’t bring yourself to take a “day off” for yourself when your children are at daycare. I know you accept that work is your “time off” for now. I know that when you are at work you don’t waste a single minute. I know you eat your lunch at your desk, you don’t go out for coffee, and you show complete dedication and concentration to your job. You chose to be there after all. You want to be there.

I know how discerning you are about who is looking after your children, and that many long daycare centres offer excellent care. I know you only leave your children in a place where you confident they are loved and well looked after. I know that you spend many days caring for your children at home when they are sick, and sacrifice your pay. I know that you secretly enjoy these days, and revel in being able to be with your children.

I know that sometimes you feel guilty about not being there all the time. But WM, I know this. You are setting a wonderful example to your children. You are showing them that a woman can have a career, contribute in some way outside the home, and still be a loving mother. You are showing your daughters that they can do anything they want to do in life. You are displaying strength, endurance, dedication, tenacity, and you do it with so much joy and love.
I just wanted you to know I understand. Because we’re both mothers.

Love from the trenches
Stay-At-Home Mum

***********

It was so touchy right? 

Before I even became a mom, I always ask myself why there were some Moms who decided to take care of their child at home rather than having a career. As the saying goes you can never understand parenthood unless you become parent yourself. When James came, I understood that spending time with him is very important but I have to be working for his own good. There’s always been a little guilt inside whenever I leave him at home although I am at peace when he is with Nanay. There were times that he would prefer Nanay over me which makes me feel bad or there were some instances that Nanay knows him better that I am which makes me feel worse. Even so, I know he’s growing on a right track though I know I am not with him all the time. I know his in good hands with Nanay than with anyone else out there. Thankfully, God created weekends for WM to spend time to their kids that’s why as much as possible, I turn down those friendly get – together on weekends just to be with James. If the opportunity permits, I’ll have him go with me instead of leaving him again. Nanay often says too during weekends that it’ll be the time allotted for both of us so I’ll be WM on weekdays, and SAHM on weekends. Tiring but very fulfilling. Ha! Motherhood it is. =)

Restaurant Tour | Team Eat Out at Shakey's

Couple of times, my office mates/friends wanted to have a simple eat out. The only thing is our shifts doesn’t meet although some of us are willing to sacrifice hours of waiting for the others to finish their shifts. I am one of those whose scheduled in the afternoon so they have to really wait for us.

There has been so many plans that our team were deciding too. Sa sobrang dami, hindi na alam ang uunahin. Haha! This Friday that past, we decided to have one of our plans to push through – and that was to eat at Shakey's. Since it was our payday, it wasn't that hard to convince each one of us. However, I was a bit worried kasi Daryl and I had our own plan after shift then suddenly, I have to break the news that we will have a change of plan. Tinantya ko pa yung mood nya then I delivered the news to him which he said ok naman daw. Mejo nagpa hard to get lang ako ng slight with my friends until they have decided to shoulder my part. Hahahahaha. I was so lucky to have a friend like Sokey and Euclid talaga.. I love you both!! =)

Daryl and I had our own plan initially as I said but we both have decided to go with my officemates. I simply want him to meet them and see me with them. Diba? It feels good when your partner knows your officemates as he would know who are those people you get by each day.  Daryl agreed naman so off we go to Shakey’s Pasong Tamo.

When we came there, the staff arranged a table for 8. We ordered their Monster Meal Deal which I suggested since we will be 8 of us. I also want to check if these group meal is enough for 10-12 persons nga. While waiting for our meal, we ate the JCO Donuts that Jo-anne, our officemate brought for us. Although she wasn’t able to stay longer and eat with us, she left her donut for us to share. Thanks Jo-anne =)

When our food arrived, non – stop picture taking na!! =)

Manager's Choice Thin Crust Pizza

Platter of Spaghetti (There was a carbonara too but I forgot to take pictures of it. Gutom na kasi sila sobra =) )

Sokey and Euclid 

From L -R Sokey, Euclid, Lyden, Franz, Ate Annie and Bebe

Chicken and Mojos Nom Nom Nom

Obligatory Photo with Shakey's =)

Failed photo outside the resto 

Although were not complete, naging happy naman kami kasi we get to cross out one of the to-do list ng team! Yehey! =)
As I said, we took the Monster Meal Deal for P2,100++ good for 10-12 persons. We were so full pero madami pa kaming food. Probably because we ate donuts before hand. I'll give a rate of 5, being the highest on this store because the staff were so friendly. We had Dustine who assisted us the whole time. One thing that I loved about him is that Euclid left his phone on our desk but Dustine had his effort na habulin kami just to give my friend's phone back.

The food:
The Monster Meal Deal was great. It consist of 2 platters of either Spaghetti or Carbonara or both, 2 party size pizza of your choice, 12pcs chicken and mojos, garlic bread and 3 pitcher of Coke. I have tasted everything and I liked it although I wasn't able to check if Carbonara's great. I don't eat it in the first place hehe. Picky - eater in the house!! =)
I loved the chicken, it's tasty although I can't understand why it is almost dark brown. My friends said na baka maitim na daw yung cooking oil kasi nahawa yung color sa chicken. The spaghetti was ok din naman but the pizza was really good. They were offering us their card pero we found it expensive for P399 kaya we didn't take advantage of it. Oh! Did I forgot to tell you that this was my first time there? O sige, kawawa na ako. hahaha. =)

Overall, My experience with Shakey's was really great. I hope I can come back here soon. =)

How about you Mommies? Can you suggest a flavor of pizza or other great finds in this store? I'll be glad to try it too. =)