My Choco Mocha Pound Cake
I have been experimenting on the pound cake recipe that I am making. Since my mom love mocha cakes, I tried making Choco-Mocha Pound Cake.
In a mixing bowl, put 3/4 cup white sugar, 1/3 melted butter and mix it.
Add 2 medium sized eggs, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and mix thoroughly.
Pre heat oven at 200°C for 10 minutes.
Add 1/2 tsp coffee powder, 1 tbsp cocoa, 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder, and mix.
Add 1/4 tsp vanilla and mic thoroughly.
Sift 1 cup of all purpose flour to the mixture and mix til smooth.
Transfer batter to molder and tap to removes bubbles.
Baked at 180°C for 20-30 minutes.
This is really good for chocolate-coffee lovers out there. The pictures I used are from my previous bakings. This recipe has more volume. 😊
Enjoy!
Tatay's Adventure
When I was born until I turned 3 years old, my parents and I lived with my grandparents, I call them Tatay (grandfather) and Nanay (gramdmother). The house is old but cozy. Even now, I dreamt of the old house sometimes. I miss it. It was big but it didn't look haunted. Daylight would stream inside the house and rooms. There was no electricity line back then and the house is located 500 meters away from the highway. Aside from 3 of our relatives houses, the next neighbor was a kilometer away.
After dinner, my cousins and I would gather around a bright Petromax in the kitchen and listen to personal stories from our elders. This is one of them.
One particular very dark night, my Tatay went home very late. He attended a birthday party and got drunk. He walked through the forest with no flashlight or even a made-up torch. He said he knew every rock and stone of the way so it didn't bother him that he had no light; not even from the moon or stars.
After a few minutes of walking, he noticed that he didn't recognized the trees and rocks of the path he was walking on. He just went on thinking he made a mistake in his turn which would lead back to the river he just crossed. So he turned back towards the direction of the river and walked on.
A thought passed his mind, the sound of the gushing river is getting fainter and fainter. But because of his drunkenness, he ignored and walked on. After he surmised to have been hours of walking, he came upon a clearing and there stood a very big house which is very bright.
Tatay said to himself it must be new settlers in town. He saw people walking about wearing very nice clothes. A man saw Tatay and approached him. The man was tall, has white complexion, and very handsome who looked like of a Spanish blood. He asked Tatay if he is lost, and the man's voice was soft and gentle and had an accent according to Tatay. The man graciously led Tatay to a path he didn't noticed before, and told Tatay that the path will lead him back home. Tatay thanked the man and walked on.
Tatay got very tired of walking but he pushed on heeding the strange man's words to keep on walking and to never stray off the path. After he surmised to be hours of walking, his legs were tired, his drunkenness wore off, he heard his name being called from a distance. Because he was so tired, he couldn't shout back so just kept walking on the path. Tatay was able to see light from the torches up ahead and saw my father and my uncles calling and looking for him. One of my uncles saw him and called for the others.
Tatay sat down on a big rock near him to catch his breath while waiting for my father and uncles to reach him. My uncle who reached him first asked him if he was okay, where he went, if he was hurt. Tatay said he was okay but just tired from walking. My uncle asked him where he went, and tatay, still catching his breath eyes closed, pointed to his back the path he walked on. My uncle asked him, "what path?" Tatay answered turning his head and pointing, "that path." But to his astonishment, there was no path there. They were at the vicinity of one of the biggest trees in the forest.
Tatay always told us to say "tabi po" whenever we pass by that big tree and be very careful around the tree. It is an act of respecting the elements we cannot see.
Bongolanon Falls Adventure
Agco Mahomanoy, Climber's Den Park, Paniki Falls --- all a part of Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City. Here is the continuation of living at the foot of Mt. Apo.
It was a summer of 1998, a couple of us went to an adventure looking for a waterfalls we heard from the elders. A clean and cold waterfalls we wanted to experience ourselves --- the Bongolanon Falls.
From the town, we hitched a ride in an old truck, through a stranger's generosity, going to Barangay Ilomavis, a good 17.6km from the town. We got off at the center of Brgy Ilomavis and trek on foot to Bongolanon Falls for 5km more. The road then was stony and uneven. We had no money but we brought food (rice, dried fish, cooked banana, dry chicken adobo, more rice hahaha), cola and chips.
Yup, we ate first after arriving. There were cottages there. Back then, there was no entrance fee, no cottage fee, no water from the faucet. We brought 4 bottles of cola, we soaked the other 2 bottles in the river to cool it. We were the only ones swimming that day.
And the fun continued.
Clear, clean, fresh and VERY cold water. It was all what the elders said and more. We loved it. No drinking water? No worries. We drank from the waterfall.
We went up the falls through climbing on the sides; using vines, tree branches, grasses to climb.
There were three cauldron-like area where the water flows in. We used it as pools. The elders said those were big rocks which formed like a bowl. Some said those were formed from lava. The bottom of the pool is a smooth, so it must either be a big stone or lava.
We were treated to beautiful views and amazing swims. It was really a fun day.
We walked home at 4pm and arrived at 8pm in the evening. We were not able to hitch a ride since there were no vehicles anymore. But we didn't encounter any danger, luckily. We had a particular experience that afternoon though. While swimming, a group of armed men with no uniforms came. They rested, drank water from the falls, and we gave them food to eat. They were a group of rebel army. Me and my friends were scared but we acted naturally. They were nice to us though, and told us to not go in certain areas because there were large deadly snakes. They also gave us a hunting knife, 3pcs 20-peso paper bill, and instructed us to go home before 5pm.
It was just one of the many experiences I had encountering a group of rebel armies because of hiking, trekking, and going to the mountains. Part of the adventure, they say. Well, til next time!
Another Visitor In The Night
Meowling from the cold and hunger
Another visitor came and wander
Its small cries splitting the still of the night
Like a baby in distress and in fright
A clatter there and a thud here
This little kitten sure knows how to bother
Crying outside the window relentlessly
One can tell it is very hungry
In a moonlit night, I padded to the kitchen
Not clicking on the light, I let the moon shine on me
Prepared a little snack for the meowling visitor
Lest sleep would be a no-go for everyone in here
A toasted bread soaked in milk would do
I tasty treat for our little visitor who comes and go
Outside, I lay the bowl on the pavement
Walking back,a small shadow darts near the refreshment
I don't look back anymore and went inside the house
It has been over a year this little visitor comes in the night and only at night
A small sound of "thank you" floats in the cold night air everytime
It used to fright me but I've gotten used to the mystery
Our little visitor, the meowling little cat, a friend who watches in the dark
My Mom
Mom, the sweetest word I have ever encountered
Her love is unconditional and boundless
She is a pillar of strength and courage
She is a warrior with her heart as her weapon and shield
Staying home for the family, she chose it
I could never be more proud of that
Her artistry, her talent, she poured on us
She love us with all of her being
She might not agree to everything her children does
But she can always be expected to never turn us away
She always supports our dreams and plans
She is always there even when we fail
Even now that she is turning 71
She still takes care of us whenever she can
She cooks, she tends to all of us
That's how a superwoman Mom is
Living At The Foot of Mt. Apo
I have been to many places but it is true, there is no place like home. My little hometown is at the foot of Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines and carries the slogan "The City of Highland Springs." Welcome to Kidapawan City!
I remember a time when I woke up at 5am for school and drink my hot chocolate in the veranda, I just enjoyed the peace and quiet of a cold, foggy morning. Yes, it always did have a foggy morning but now, just when it rains so hard or in the cold months. I usually prepare hot water for my bath because our water is very cold. You can take a drink from a faucet and would feel like it has ice in it.
Still restoring from the devastating earthquakes last October 2019, Agko Mahomanoy Resort is the most famous mountain resort in Kidapawan. You can enjoy the beauty of nature, and the dips in hot and cold pools. From the city, you can hire a single motor that would take you to Agko for 45minutes. My family and I usually go there in May and November months. Sometimes we would stay overnight, but we usually go home when it is almost night time. The first overnight we had was an impromptu. We didn't bring sleep gears or blankets. Even when it wasn't raining that night, the cold mountain air made us wish for daylight to come sooner. The resort had only 5 rooms at that time and were occupied. Their canteen and the 2 sari-sari stores outside closed at 8pm. My cousins and I huddled at the cooking area for the warmth from the fire. 2 of my cousins threw up because of the coldness. So whenever we go back we are 'armed' already with blankets, jackets, socks, electric water heater, coffee/choco powder.
Below the Agko Resort is Climber's Den Park, a resort in the slope of the mountain. It opened sometime in 2016. Another resort which was devastated by the earthquakes and still being restored as of present. It had a cold and hot pool, also. What was nice in this resort is the view you get. You would be staring at slopes of mountains and the view of Mt Apo. It is where Mt Apo climbers could rest before their hike.
There is also a nature trail going to Paniki Falls Ecopark though I haven't been there. Hopefully one these days, when the pandemic is over, we will be able to go there, too.
My little hometown is blessed with the beauty of nature, good food, and beautiful people. I am always proud to say that I live at the foot of Mt. Apo. Til next time, folks. 😊
Just Another Day
A crashing sound woke me up from a wonderful dream. Getting out of bed, I stepped on my daughter's toy car. It did a scrunching sound telling me I broke it. I immediately wrapped it in an old newspaper and threw it before she wakes up. Oh yes, it was her most favorite toy car and she will definitely look for it. I was racking up my brain where I bought it and realized I bought it in a mall 2 hours away from our place. Oh man!
I then went to the kitchen, got the pot to boil water for my coffee. I left it to have my morning ritual. 10 minutes has gone and I heard no whistling sound from the pot. I went back to the kitchen and found out our LPG was all consumed. I called up the distributor to request for a delivery but their phone kept on ringing and then the electricity went out. Double oh man! I went at the back of our house, got some 3 big stones, collected twigs and branches, and built a makeshift cooking area. I was able to boil the water then prepared ham, egg and hotdog for breakfast. I heated up the leftover rice, too. Then took a bath.
Going to town, I stopped by our LPG distributor and arranged for a delivery. Then I went to a small shopping mall and looked for a toy car similar to what I broke. But I never found one and bought another toy car instead. I continued to the wet market for our food supply and for our little "sari-sari" store. I stopped by this little food house where I chatted with the owner for the latest news in town while eating her oh-so-delicious "binignit."
Going home, I felt a little apprehensive facing my baby girl. As usual, when the vehicle stopped, she was there at the terrace waiting for me. But unlike the other times, she was crying while calling for me. I hugged her, told her 'mama is here' and proceeded showing her what I bought. She immediately clapped her hands happily and hugged her new toy car. I told her, "baby, sorry kaau. Natumban ni mama imong pink car nya nadugmok." (Baby, I'm so sorry. Mama stepped on your pink car and crushed it.) She just looked at me with a smile, touched my cheek and said, "it's okay, Mama. I wuv you." I hugged her telling her i love her so much, made her eat breakfast, and played with her cars after.
Everyday is an unfolding how amazing my little girl is. Her love, her forgiving nature, her likes and dislikes. I am blessed to be with her and I pray that I be granted to be with her every step of her way.
My Brother
When we were younger, we used to fight a lot. I'm the eldest, I teased him until he cried. But when it seemed he was really hurt, I would cuddle and sooth him until he stopped crying. He was born 4yrs younger than me.
While growing up, our bickerings gradually lessened and we became each other's confidant. We have the same taste in music -- alternative rock, pop songs, 80s pop songs, the oldies but goldies songs. He diverted once and I teased him endlessly when he bought the macarena cassette tape. Every morning, our house was so lively booming with macarena and those other songs you can't help but wiggle your hips. It became a morning ritual for all of us.
When I went to college, I was hundreds of miles away from home. During breaks and I was home, I saw less of my brother because that was the start he was going out with his friends and had a girlfriend. Our distance though vanished one night I caught him crying in his bedroom. I asked him to have a drink with me. He poured his heartaches and frustrations that night. I became his confidant again.
Over the years, we would always message each other if we are apart or talk over a bottle of beer if we are in the same place. We talk about our family, our works, the persons we date, our extended family, our plans. When I got my heart broken, my brother was ready to pummel my ex's face. I stopped him, of course, the guy wasn't worth the fuss. Dad was right, no one else can look out for the both of us but each other. We may not be a big family but I will never exchange them.
I am so blessed I have my brother. He grew up very responsible, loving and generous. He is one of the treasures of my life. At times when the seas are rough for my family, he is the rock we can depend on. His sound and calm advices has get me through some very challenging phases of my life. I am glad he is my brother. I love him with all I am.
Rain
Pitter pat it goes, tiny little drops
Starting to drop steadily
Looking out the window
Rain is blanketing the surrounding.
Fog is building slowly
Time to cuddle in my blanket and pillows
With a good book and my cup of tea
Happiness in every inhale of the aroma.
I love how the cold surrounds me
It refreshes and invigorates my soul
Loving the cold and how peaceful the world can be
When the rain pours down heavily.
Cheesy Broccoli
Here is a recipe I tried earlier this evening as dinner for me and my daughter. Yes, she loves vegetables and would prefer to eat veggies and fruits. A friend showed this to me a while ago. I made it more simple.
In a pan, saute 2 cloves of minced garlic and minced 1/2 onion bulb in oil. Make sure you don't burn them. Put in 2 tbsp of melted butter and sliced half of red bell pepper. Mix in the sliced broccoli flower and stalk. Pour 3 tbsp water and cook for 1 minute. Grate cheese on the broccoli and continue cooking while stirring until sticky. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
There goes your Cheesy Broccoli. Enjoy eating!
Doing Business
I've been asked by a new franchisee from my previous work, what is important in this kind of business? I answered, follow the franchise agreement, find good people, and know the area demographics.
If you are franchising, everything is already there --- standards, procedures, guidelines, operating system, trainings. If you franchised, it meant you believe in the system and the business. Never twist a standard to suit you; that's a capital offense in franchising. The business is proof that the standards work.
Why is demographics important? This study will tell you if your business is feasible in a certain area. How to do this? Gather data, random interviews, foot count. Know your potential customers. Know what tics and irks your customers. You are doing business because of them. Customers equal sales.
The other important thing and the hardest one is finding good people working for you. People who puts their heart in their work are loyal and dependable. People who will rally behind your back and you can depend on extreme situations. People who are committed to the business. People who you can trust to not betray you. One of pioneer franchisees in the company once said: "We can only sleep peacefully with 2 eyes closed if we have people we can trust."
Depression Destroys
I saw what depression has done to a loved one. A once vibrant person was left empty like every good thing in her life was sucked out. No matter what we tell her, no matter what we do, she turns back to herself and shut everyone of us out. It pains us to see her like this. She was an inspiration when I was a young girl. I always told my parents that when I grew up, I am going to be like her.
I realize now that behind her laughters and easy-go-lucky ways lie a lot of fear and loneliness. I wish we saw that earlier before she was swallowed by her bitterness. I wish we were persistent whenever she declined going with us. I wish we were a better family and not let her fall into nothingness.
She is not the same person now. All we can do is to be there for her and be patient with her. It is sometimes frustrating dealing with her. Her sisters would cry behind her back, would rant on their anger. It is like talking to a child. But behind the anger and frustrations are hearts that love her enough to never let go of her.
She Holds My Heart
She holds my heart like no other has
She is a ray of sunlight on a gloomy day
Her smiles make all of the aches go away
Her little hands, my source of strength
And her whispers, my lullaby.
She holds my heart like no other has
Her love is forgiving and full of sweetness
Her trust -- absolute and unyielding
Her thoughts are gentle and loving.
She holds my heart like no other has
Her laughters fill my heart with happiness
Her cries tear my heart in pieces
Her joy, her excitement makes my heart smile.
She holds my heart like no other has
She is a treasure, a blessing in my life
She is my past, my present, my future
My daughter, my life, my everything.
Visitor In The Night
In the middle of the night
The cat prowls about
Littering, jumping, swinging all around
Unnotice by his enemy
He slips through the window
Watching, feeling before moving
He makes a go for the table
A feast of sort served and unguarded
Oh how he loves these banquets
He fills his tummy with all he can scarf down
And without meaning to, falls down to sleep
A shriek and a slap wakes him up
He scrambles awake and jumps to the window
Lands safely and running for the tree
Freedom at last and a belly full at that
My Little Princess
My daughter plays with toy cars. She is not interested with dolls, "bahay-bahayan," cooking toys. She loves cars, buses, trucks. Takes after me. I grew up with boys that's why I thought I was one. These toys aren't expensive, and some are toys from Jollibee and Mcdonalds.
I pity my daughter, though. She has no regular child playmate around. Her cousins are far. Our neighbor's kids around her age tags along with the big kids. Me and my mother doesn't allow her to leave our yard. So she won't get bored, I try to engage her in different things also like gardening, cleaning our yard, watering our plants and trees.
She loves to doodle. No face, no exact figure. Just doodles. She explains to me what she has drawn after - a lion, an angel, a car, etc. Yup, our walls have her doodles, too. She used my lipstick, my eye liner, ballpens, pentel pens. She has a large canvass with our walls.
She's gonna be 4 this August but she has not attended school yet. I planned to enroll her this school year but because of the pandemic, I am delaying it. She can sing the ABC and count from 1 to 20. Though it gets rumbled when it comes to 13.
She loves Disney Junior Channel. Her favorite youtube video is "Tayo - The Little Bus." Her toy cars and buses, they are named after the Tayo show.
I am often amazed by her. I feel so blessed having her. I feel God's love through her. I love her so much, my little princess.
Pork Adobo with Pineapple
Adobo is a very popular Filipino dish which involves marinating of fish, pork, chicken, beef, vegetables in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorn. It has a contrasting taste of being salty, sour, and a little sweetness. It is a dish always present when we go outing with friends and family. Adobo dish can be dry or with sauce. Either way, i love it. The recipe I am writing today has a little sauce. I like my adobos sweet so I use pineapple whenever I cook it.
In a bowl, mix 1/3 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of vinegar, 4-6 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tsp whole peppercorn. Pour it on 1 kilo of pork in adobo cuts (cubed) and let it marinate for 30mins to 45 mins. Turn on the heat (medium heat) and cook the pork. Let it boil for 6 mins. Pour 1/2 cup of pineapple juice and continue to boil for 1 minute. Lower the heat, and let it simmer for 20mins. Pour 1/2 cup of pineapple tidbits and continue to simmer for 5mins more.
Voila! Your pork adobo with pineapple is ready to serve. Enjoy eating!
Itim at Puting Mahika
Totoo ba talaga ang itim na mahika? Nagkita kami kahapon ng isa sa aking matalik na kaibigan nung high school. Last month, namatay ang asawa nya dahil sa high blood. Bago nyan, sa loob ng 3 taon ng pagsasama nila, ikaapat na beses syang nakunan. Pareho naman silang malusog ng kanyang asawa. Kamakailan lang nya nalaman na pitong tao ang may inggit, sama ng loob at nagpakulam sa kanila. May mga tao talagang masama ang budhi.
Kung may maitim na mahika, mayroon ding puting mahika. Sila ang mga taong pinapagaling ang mga may sakit o kinulam sa pamamagitan ng pagdasal o sa pamamagitan na kanilang mga "abyan." Ang mga "abyan" sa amin ay mga engkantong gustong tumulong sa mga tao. Pwede ding "abyan" ang mga Santo. May isang kakilala ang aking mama na ang "abyan" ay si Sto. Niño.
Alam kong sensitibo ang topic na ito dahil maraming relihiyon ang hindi naniniwala dito at sinasabing kampon ng kadiliman ang sinumang nagpapraktis at naniniwala dito.
Noon, hindi ako naniniwala sa mga itim at puting mahika. Sa daming beses kong naranasan at nakita, napaniwala na rin ako. Pero kahit naniniwala ako sa mahika, mas malaki pa rin ang paniniwala ko na sa taimtim na pagdasal at taimtim na paniniwala sa Panginoon, malalabanan mo ang itim na mahika at mga taong may masasamang balak.
Little Too Late
He makes her laugh. He makes her smile. He makes her special. He makes her feel she is everything to him. She loves how his eyes twinkle when he's amused. She loves how fluent he can be. She admires how smart he is. He is everything she wants.
She makes him a softie. She makes him feel alive. He has a ready smile for her. She makes his heart leap. He loves looking at her solving problems at work. He likes how her eyes lit up when excited. He admires her passion. She is everything he wants.
They met at the door while going out one time, their eyes spoke volumes but they only made a silent sigh and a small smile. He turned left and she turned right. Each step taking them apart, their hearts silently breaking. With a sad smile, they both hurried home. Him to a pregnant wife and 3 yr old kid. Her to a 2 yr old kid and a husband.
El Niño
Year 2015. I was assigned in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental. That was the year when El Niño hit the province hard and I was there to witness it.
That was the time I realized how important water is. That was the start of treating water like every drop counts.
In my own province, water is abundant. Clean and clear. In my younger years, me and my friends would go hiking on the mountains bringing food, soda and alcohol only. No water, why? We can drink on a spring we pass by or from a spring near the waterfalls that was our destination.
In northwest of Mindanao, electricity was scarce. Businesses ran through generators. It was scorching hot. The one mall in Dipolog, where I was based, was packed with muggles and nonmuggles (ha! ha!). Thankfully, my room in the boarding house was at the 3rd floor; I can catch a breeze or two. Water was scheduled but at least there was flow 2-3 times a day.
It was in Zamboanga City that I had a hard time. There were long blackouts. Water won't flow for a day or two, and no schedule when it would flow. I learned to bath by splashing a small amount of water on my body. I bought a very big basin to catch the water I used to bath, gargle, wash my clothes to flush the CR. General Santos' heat is the same at Zamboanga City.
Going home after almost 3 months was a luxury. It was easy without electricity but so hard without water.
I experienced it again just last year after our province was hit by earthquakes. Water was so scarce, we turned back to looking for springs and bathing in them. The trickle of water from the faucet when it flows was dirty and colored. We used to wait for it to flow late at night or at the crack of dawn. It was also good that it rained at times. We used it to flush the CR and water the plants. For drinking water, I filtered the water from the faucet for 3-5 times using clean clothes, boiled it and refrigerated it after cooling down.
Water really is life! We have to conserve it and take care of our watersheds. We must save and take care of our trees and our land.
Scars
They are testament of your life. A scar on the knee from when you were little; running and playing with your friends. A scar on your knuckles when you stood up and fought the school bully. A scar on your head when you fell down a tree. A scar on your face from a persistent pimple which hardly go away. A scar on your arm from the itchy mosquito bite when you went camping. A scar in your heart from when you had your heart first broken.
My most beautiful scars are the ones in my belly. Scars left when I scratch the point where my tummy stretched to accommodate my growing baby. The scar from where I was sliced for my baby to come out in this world.
I know a thing or two of the scars of my closest friends and family. What about you? Where is your most memorable scar?
Si Kaelas
A friend gave me a puppy years ago. I named him Kaelas after a character in a book I was reading that time. Super sweet na aso. He was like a baby namin ni mama. Askal sya but he looked like a smaller version of a German Shepherd. Natatakot pa mga tao sa kanya. He looked fierce kasi labas mga pangil nya. Pag tumakbo ka, meaning u just invited him to play.
His only friend, Brownie, na aso ng kapitbahay namin ay naging pulutan ng mga nag iinuman. The sounds he made were eerie. Alam nya cguro na may nangyari na sa kaibigan nya. I just held him while he whimpered.
Pag Christmas or New Year, I stayed by his side to cover his ears. He likes looking at the fireworks from a distance. He would wag his tail and bark.
There was a time na may dumapong sakit ng aso sa barangay namin. Halos nawala lahat ng aso. Pati si Kaelas, nahawa din. Ako nagpapainum ng medicines nya. Yung syrup, I used drops. Dahil cguro sa hindi maganda ang pakiramdam nya, umaangil sya sa akin nun. Pinapagalitan ko parang bata tapos maglalambing sya para di na ako magalit. Ganun din sya kay mama pag napapagalitan.
Kung saan saan nagpupunta ang asong yun. Buti na lang kilala nila magalit si mama, kung hindi, matagal na ring ginawang pulutan. Nakilala kasi si Kaelas na aso namin kasi kapag may mga barangay meetings at meetings ng iba pang various groups na sinalihan ni mama, nakabuntot si Kaelas sa kanya.
Nakakamiss yun. He would wait for me sa tabi ng kalsada kahit late night na ako dumating galing trabaho. Mga naghahatid sa akin would point at him and say, "oi may sundo ka." He would looked so happy pag dumating na ako. Nakangisi pa.
Totoo nga ang sabi na yung mga pets mo, they will give you unconditional love. Kaya pets deserve to be loved and taken care of talaga. Nawala si Kaelas sa amin when he was 12 yrs old. Kakapanganak ko lang nun. He got sick and never recovered. He will always be one of our babies. I truly miss him.
Online Barter
I recently joined a barter group in facebook. Barter anything under the sun except money. Preloved, unused, slightly used, used but not abused --- these are the words/phrases you can read in the group.
It was brilliant actually. Our clutters take up space. There are things we bought that we actually don't need. We have clothes, shoes, sandals and slippers which don't fit anymore.
I've tried bartering 4 times already. Baby shoes for a pizza. 200g chia seeds for a tray of egg. Three baby suits for 1 liter chuckie. Another 200g of chia seeds for 6 cups binignit, 2kg of cooking oil.
Tomorrow I'm gonna think again of what to barter. My daughter needs milk.
My Pound Cake
I've just started baking for my own. Funny, I was working for a bakery franchising for 17 yrs. Anyway, I got this recipe from a friend and modified a bit.
In a mixing bowl, mix 1/2 white sugar and 1/3 melted butter. Next, mix 2 medium eggs. Lagyan ng 1/4tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 salt then mix well. As in well talaga kasi yung baking powder mag lump yun. Very small lumps pero malalasahan yun. Next, mix in 1/4tsp lemon zest. Then, sift 1 cup of all purpose flour. Mix it well until fluffy. Grease your molder with butter or just put baking paper. Bake 160° for 30 mins.
Sa salt na gagamitin, mas okay talaga iodized salt kasi pino.
For icing, you can use this: mix well 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tbsp evap milk, 1/4 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Happy eating!
Dad
Lapit na Father's Day. Another year celebrating without him. It's true when they say that the pain of losing a loved one doesn't go away. You just learn to put it in an unsealed box, always ready to come out with just a hint of a reminder. Kahit ano naman seal, di naman talaga naseseal.
He was very protective of us. He always reminded me to love and take care of my brother. Madalas kami mag away ng kapatid ko when we were kids. I was the eldest, i used to tease my little brother til he cried.
He taught me how to play the guitar. He was really good. Marinig nya lang, kaya na nyang tugtugin. Sya pa yung nag aadjust sa singer. He wanted me to be one but mababa boses ko, di ko kaya ang high notes. He taught me when I asked him. Grade 5 ako that time. My finger tips were sore and tender but it was fulfilling. In turn, I taught my little brother and cousins how to play the guitar too. They got real good at it. Me, basic pa rin. My dad would laugh when I complain.
He was grammar conscious and always naman kinokorek nya ako. While growing up, millions na seguro slip ups ko. Tinatawanan nya na lang ako. Maybe natanggap na nya I can never be as good as him. My essays, my poems, the articles I wrote for my HS school paper, sya nagpoproofread. Mas marami pa syang nakikitang error keysa teacher ko.
He was a very generous person hindi lang sa aming pamilya but sa mga taong nakakasalamuha nya. I've heard countless stories how he helped a lot of people esp nung burol nya, not just monetary but as well as knowledge and skills.
Writing about him just made me miss him more. I wish he was still here. I wish he met my daughter. Ang daming wishes, ang daming regrets. I'm just holding on the faith that one day, makikita ko rin ulit sya.
Loving Him
He came when she was settling for the monotony of her life. He ignited fire in a heart she thought had long snuffed out. He was a hurricane flipping her life as she knew it. His eyes, his smiles sent sparks she can curl her toes. There was narry a dull moment with him.
But as wild and carefree and lively he came, he left with not even a whispered goodbye. Like a light that goes out in the night. Only sobs can be heard from the one he left behind.
My Baby Love
She came like a ray of hope from the heavens. A hope that all is not lost for me. A hope that I can be better and do better.
I had her at 36, turning 37. My first baby, a prime baby.
Before her, I was a chainsmoker and a coffee addict. She was a month in my belly before i knew she was growing inside me. When I confirmed her existence, I dropped smoking and coffee without a second thought.
Because of her I am stronger, braver and more firm. I have to protect myself for her; my heart, my physical health, my mental health. I want to be there for her always.
Through her, I understood the fears and worries of my parents. All the "NOs" and the scoldings. Now, too, I pray everyday that I could protect her from everyone who would mean her harm ang everything that would harm her.
My daughter, my love. She is me and my everything. We still have a long way to go. She's turning 4 this August and I hope that I am being a good mom to her because she is and will always be a blessing to me.
I Like My Tea
Tea isn't a popular drink within my family and friends. They go for coffee, choco drink, or juice. Between coffee and tea, well, i love them both. But let me talk about my tea. The tea I use is the ready-to-use one.
Back when I was still smoking, I went for black teas for a kick. But now, my favorite teas are Earl Grey and Green Tea. Earl Grey has a lemony scent. Green tea has a scent that calms me. But whether it is Earl Grey or Green Tea, I always make them like this:
1 cup of hot water, 1 tea bag, 1 tbsp pure wild honey, a slice of lemon
Recently, I have added chia seeds to it and i love it. If there are chia seeds, I let it soak for 3 mins or until it become gelatinous. There are times when I ran out of chia seeds but never of honey and lemon.
So, how do you like your tea?
Handum
Naa koy gihandum nga mga kantang binisaya. Akong nadumduman, pono pa ang gigamit sa pagtugtog kaniadto. Sa balay sa akong lolo ug lola sa una, maglanoglanog gayud tong mga kantaha. Hastang lingawa namo sa akong mga ig-agaw ug mga kadula. Pero kani laging managko, ma-busy, malimtan na. Nangawala na gayud hinuon tong mga plakaha. Dawaton ko na lang gayud nga lisud na kaayo pangitaon. Mag uban na lang mi puhon atong mga kantaha. Bow!
First Write-Up
Almost a year after I left my long-time job, I have been navigating around the internet looking for tidbits of income. It doesn't matter how little as long as that site is paying for real. I have spent countless hours from one website to another hoping it could generate me some money. It's a trial and error always, and a lot of hard work.
There are many survey paying sites out there that pay for real but this is my first time to come across a site that you generate money through writing. I am excited to start my navigation around this site. There is still a 99% of the platform that I have no idea with. I am wary though; I am not a writer. What do I talk about? Is there a guideline? And the big question, who's going to read it?
Well, as usual I'll just hope for the best and try. Try out the site and hopefully earn. Try hard to write about something. Try harder to make it sound interesting. Like my grade school teacher always told our class, try and try until you break then try again. And until now, I never really understand what she meant by it.
@Lois
