OCEAN PARK ADVENTURES

After our visit at Intramuros, our NEXT STOP: Manila Ocean Park. The day was sooooo tiring but fun!

JELLIES (dancing sea creatures)

SEA LION SHOW

OCEANARIUM

FISH SPA

MUSICAL FOUNTAIN

REVISITING THE PAST

We arrived here in Manila at around 6:30. The bus terminal is just 2 blocks away from my sister's apartment so we managed to have a short walk. When we arrived on her apartment  she was at the balcony waiting for us..

Our first stop: INTRAMUROS. My post today will include more pictures and less text. Enjoy viewing!

This is the facade of the Manila Cathedral

Interior of the Manila Cathedral

Interior of the Manila Cathedral

War relics including helmets, guns, small canons & bells

Along one of the streets in Intramuros

A small tunnel

The legendary Manila Hotel

A GIFT FOR A DEBUTANTE

Today was such a busy day. I spent almost half of the day attending to some HR concerns, which I am doing for the HR Assistant who has gone astray. First task: read the Inspection Report from the Department of Labor and Employment. I have dealt with the DOLE some times before and this is no longer new to me. Finding my way along the issue, I requested to pull out the required files and documents and prepared them for a visit at the DOLE office.

After that I went to the nearby mall to find a really nice timepiece. It's what I have thought of as a gift for my cousin who's celebrating her debut tomorrow, October 30, 2010. And she have chosen me to be one of those to give her 18 symbolic treasures. A timepiece. A wrist watch. Looking through the glass shelves, I finally found the one I've been looking for. A Valentino Wristwatch with a glossy dark grey snakeskin strap, square casing, with stones embedded in the silver finish face.

After paying, I rushed to the novelty store to buy a pink floral gift bag and a few yards of cutesy polka-dot pink ribbon.

When I was back at the office, I started to proof read the message I have prepared the day before.

A TIME PIECE

           The time you have starting today will hold the most treasured memories you will have. And since this page of your life comes only once, enjoy it while it lasts. Spend every minute of it like it’s the end of time. Share it with your special someone but not too much to miss the opportunity to enjoy the company of your friends. But most importantly, have enough time for your family.  For Harvey MacKay once have said: “Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. And once you've lost it you can never get it back.”

          And though they say that time is short, I’ve always believed that time could be long enough for anyone who know how to use it wisely.

         A timepiece is what I’ve instantly thought of giving you, right at the moment I learned you have chosen me to be one of the 18 persons to give your symbolic gifts. I chose a timepiece to always remind you to take your time. Don’t dance so fast. The music won’t last so enjoy every note. Don’t be in a hurry to get to where you want to be, the right time will come. And always remember, when you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there.

          Have a Great Birthday!

After deciding it's good to be spoken, I printed it in a cream colored scented linen paper and slipped it in a card envelope. I removed the strings of the gift bag and replaced them with the ribbon I bought. Then I used the remaining yard  and tied it to the box and made a little bow tie. Cute. =) 

I placed the box inside the gift bag and sealed it with a clear tape. Ready for delivery.

In as much as I have wanted to attend her debut, I have scheduled a trip bound to Manila tomorrow night and my departure will be around 8pm. So I will just have her gift delivered at their house tomorrow morning.

And that was my day.

TRUE COLORS

Tuesday, 26th of October, I finished reading this book. That's about a week to finish it. I couldn't lay it down, all I wanted to do is to find out what's gonna happen next. It tells a story about sisterhood, of sacrifices, of unconditional love, of loyalty, and more of life's lessons. Can be boring at the beginning of the novel but draws your attention near the middle and then takes a twist which will entice your senses to read more and more pages. And eventually, I was impressed and delighted in the end, just how delighted I am with Nicholas Sparks' books.

ELECTIONS AND MY CHICKEN ADOBO

Yesterday was the Barangay and SK elections. At around 4 am that day, mother was trying to wake me up. Half awake, half asleep, I head her saying something like "...lunch, ...drop it to my voting precint...", with subconsciousness, I replied, "ok". Then, I heard a car engine start then drove away. It's when I went back to sleep.

I woke up at about 9 am and had a quick breakfast. After that, I curled again in bed and read True Colors. I am almost 6 chapters away from finishing it. It was 10:40 and I got up to prepare my mom's lunch. I planned to cook the chicken I bought on Sunday. Chicken Adobo sounded tempting. I thought, this dish wouldn't take much time to cook. So, with all the ingredients ready, grabbed my apron and started cooking.

What I had:

• 1 kilo dressed chicken, washed and cut into parts & pieces;
• 1 cup soy sauce;
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar;
• 3 cups water;
• 1 tbsp whole black pepper;
• 3 cloves garlic; crushed
• laurel leaves and salt to taste.

How I did it:

• In a pot, combined all the ingredients (except water) & cook it over medium fire. Let it simmer while tossing the chicken for about 3 minutes. Then add the water. Bring to a boil while occasionally stirring for about 15 minutes. Turn to medium heat. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes & once oil comes up to the surface of the sauce, it's done.

Then I scooped some rice from the rice cooker in a food keeper and so with the chicken adobo. It was a quarter before 12 and I was already hungry so I ate whatever was left.  Took a quick shower, slipped into a comfortable jeans and a white tee. Then went to the voting area.

There were less people in the voting precints than what I expected. Probably because it's already lunch time. I searched for my mom in the rooms then I found her. She was with two other teachers who are in charge of the precint. They looked exhausted. Who wouldn't? It was hot in the room with only 2 electric air fans. And as I saw, they haven't had a worthy snack since they left at 4 early this morning, except for the tempura crackers in one of their tables.

I called her and handed her the lunch box. Then we headed to the my voting place. Like where my mom was, our voting precint looked less of a voting precint itself. I found no other voter inside the room, except for the committee in-charge and one poll watcher. After signing and placing my thumb mark, I took a seat and started filling out my ballot. Earlier, I was expecting to see the PCOS machines. But I was wrong. We are having the manual elections again. Poor. When I was done, I slipped my ballot into the old ballot box, which seemed too old to be a ballot box. Even with several repaints you could imagine how it would look like in its original paint, rusty and crooked. Then I had my right index finger stained with this ink which I didn't like that much. It left a disgusting look on my finger.

Elections here in the Philippines had always controversial. Starting from the campaigns, to the vote-buying , to the tedious counting. Year after year the government promises to work out on it. But here it is, almost the same as before. And we have to live with it.

And just as I am about to end this post, may I salute all  the teachers and everyone who took part in the election and in all the previous elections we had. Their sacrifices and efforts are more worthy that just the thousand peso the government is giving them as a remuneration. And I feel even more sorry for the teachers who lost their lives in the name of their duty. Some people just don't know how hard it is to serve in the elections. Probably, you might ask, "Do you even know?"

I would answer you a big "YES!" Coz my mom has been through it all.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR A SWOLLEN EYELID? =)

Chicken Soup. I have done this recipe over the last 10 years and I am overwhelmed with the flexibility of this recipe, from the ingredients, to the procedure.

Here's what I got: 

• 1 pack (about 1/4 kilo) pasta shell or elbow macaroni, whichever you prefer, 
• 1/2 k. cooked chicken breast, cut into strips, 
• 1 medium carrot diced into small cubes, 
• 1 small cabbage, julienned, 
• 1 large white onion, chopped, 
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped, 
• 1/4 cup butter, 
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• chicken broth,  
• salt and pepper to taste. 

How I did it:

• In a pan over low fire, melt the butter, saute garlic and onion till translucent in color. Then add the chicken strips and the carrots occasionally tossing for 2 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, heat a large pot, pour the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Transferred the sauteed ingredients into it and let it simmer for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then added the shell and let it simmer while continually stirring to prevent the shells from sticking to each other. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes or until shells are tender to bit. Halfway through, add the evaporated milk. Then add the cabbage, simmer for 1 minute and serve.

That's my own tested procedure of preparing this recipe. I have tried other methods but this one suits me best. Some recipes also use cheese instead of the milk, or use both.

Anyway, this recipe has always been my comfort food.

I took out the soup bowls and called everyone. We shared the good food over some jokes and stories. Even my boyfriend has somehow forgot all about his swollen eye and told me he felt better. What a compliment.

TO START ANEW

Two years ago, I have created my first blog, but unfortunately after several posts, I lost interest. Yesterday, I came across several blogs and it made me feel I wanted to write again, not on pen and paper though. So here I am, infront of the computer, musing and retrospecting.

I am just another ordinary girl with big dreams. I have a boyfriend who I am deeply in love with for almost three years now. I am working for a private firm & I have been in this company for quite long already.

I am a Taurus girl, which might be the reason of my stubborn and practical peronality. I am down-to-earth and they say I am smart. I like things to be organized at all times. Sometimes I intimidate people with my will power and perseverance. But on the other side, I am a cheerful person.. I can easily make friends even without talking. Seriously, without talking. I tend to overjoy with life's little pleasures and appreciate each little kindness I get.

That's all for now about me. 

Okay, till next time bloggers!