meal, me, and more

During the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, our family's out-of-town R&Rs were practically just swings between Baguio and Tagaytay. We enjoyed it that way as we mostly stayed in the hotel's veranda/garden for the fresh breeze or just ate out in restaurants nearby. Whenever we pass through Gibraltar Road in the City of Pines, there's this one area that causes traffic on the road, but we can barely see the inside since the structure is located down the slope of the highway. People are cramming in line as if there's something really special to visit there. Late in 2021, we stayed in Outlook Ridge (AirBnB) for a couple of nights, and frequently passed by that road. One time, we stopped by for early dinner and chanced upon a vacant space in the parking lot along the road.  Yes, Grumpy Joe, at last! I immediately went down and, lo and behold, the line went as far back as the foot of the stairs, with waiting customers swirling in a series of chairs under two tents. Long st...

This has been in my draft since 2008, but I wasn't able to post it. I can no longer recall why... but let this be a start of reviving the connection that subconsciously got lost because life happened - one to my innermost self. Honestly, social media has become too convoluted for me. Here, I find peace sharing my thoughts, my feelings, stuff I love and simple things I do. Please welcome me back to the blogging world! Carpe diem, still! Photo credit to The Spruce Eats; I already lost mine but this somehow looks like it. I’m not really a fan of Ms. Anabel Rama (actress Ruffa Guttierez’ mom) but I believe in her TV ad that Pillsburry is the best fried chicken (and others) breading mix in town. I’ve tried a lot of brands but this one’s the most convenient, crunchy, and tasty. It may be just me, but my family loves this, too. Pillsburry made my mushroom crispier and more appealing to my babies. Whenever I cook this, my eldest would call it “chicharon” . Harhar! I owe it to its crunchi...

After finishing the last book of the Twilight Saga a few days ago, it's just now that I feel so into it. Breaking Dawn made everything else clearer and more... due to the lack of a better term... fascinating. The end of my reading means a lot more interest about the Saga, and vampires in general. Well, I also enjoy reading trivia and answering some quizzes. I'm just so proud to get a perfect score in identifying the vampires' powers. Can't wait for the Breaking Dawn movie/s. Hmmm... does this count me as an official Twilight fan? Haha!!! P.S. Due to nostalgia for vampires... I bought DVDs of Vampire Diaries (seasons 1&2).

It's been more than three months since I started taking Facebook "seriously", though my account has been active for more than two years already. I must say I love it! It connects me to the world, plus, it gives me some time (or force me to have time) to smile in front of my laptop screen amidst the windows of piling class requirements. OK... I posted my "virtual cafe" in FB last October. A first, it's just a recreation, but now, it has somehow become an addiction. Actually, mine is nothing compared to my cafe world neighbors. But hey, I have kids, husband, house, school, and a life to look after. Look at how my cafe grew out of few minutes snatched from my papers =) Sorry I had to zoom the screen out because, due to expansions, the land area won't fit into the screen anymore. Parang totoo. Hehe...

We can do something, if we act now. After my report on "Climate Change and Globalization", our class came up with individual advocacies to fight the frightening climate change. As much as I want to summarize my report, which took me three hours to present, I have time and space constraints, and so I will just enumerate our answers for the said activity. Mine: Addressing climate change requires social energy and networking among institutions and players around the globe to act within an interconnected system of parts where each one has a vital role to play, each voice is right, every right is represented. For Fleureeza Marie A. Liwanag: Promote 3Rs (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) Plus an additional "R" for Refuse to using anything that may contribute to more wastes (like plastic bags. For Kat Cordova: Plant a tree. Recycle - avoid using plastics, reuse paperbags. On policies, the government must strictly implement the Clean Air Act. Smoke belchers should be punished, comp...

This is an adaptation of a not-so-old Knorr Real Sarap (a seasoning) recipe presented in one of its advertisements, with Claudine Barreto as the endorser-cook. It's presented as a "pulutan" dish, but I must say it's also a good viand for those who love spicy taste to top their rice. Ingredients: 1/2 kg chicken breast fillet, cut into small strips 1/4 cup Knorr or Maggi original seasoning 1 small pack Knorr Real Sarap 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce salt pepper 1 tbsp butter 3 cloves garlic, chopped chopped chilis (red and green) mixed veggies (as garnish) Directions: Marinate chicken in the first five ingredients for at least 1 hour. In a pan, sautee garlic in butter. Sautee chicken (without the marinade) until it changes in color. Add mixed veggies until cooked. Pour the marinade and let the sauce thickens. When almost done, put the chilis. Remove from heat when the sauce evaporates.