Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011's 11 Valuable Lessons

2011's 11 valuable lessons:

 Work smarter not harder.

 Kindness is not always a kindness and severity at times, is a kind of kindness.

 Assert yourself and do not let the fear of confrontation censor you. This is especially true on issues of great importance. Holding your silence when you should have spoken your mind forfeits any right to complain afterwards.

The best defense to have against people who like to stand on other people's shoulders and take credit for other people's hard work is to know your self-worth.

Some people love to portray themselves as the victim because it's their way of coping with realities they can't accept. Give them sympathy therefore because that is what they want to elicit but give them nothing else.

If you don't change something about yourself, nothing around you ever will.

All great changes are preceded by turmoil. Have the courage to embrace it however unknown. You can not grasp something better if you don't let go of what is currently in your grip.

Everyone has their version of the truth. It is after all everyone's prerogative. Some truths however, hold more true than others.

Do not call it YOUR dream if you are waiting for other people to realize it for you.

Let go and believe. It. Will. Be. Alright.

Love is love is love is love. It is not something that you should ever apologize for.

 -o0o-

This is a post, I lifted verbatim from a good friend, Therese Seares, which I believed made a lot of sense.

 -o0o-

One of my greatest lessons in 2011,is to take chances. Risk. Trust. Believe. Fight. And do it all over again. There is nothing but bold about doing and fulfilling your dreams and believing that YOU CAN DO IT Thank yoiu 2011! Thank you for the hard lessons learned, for the strengthend relationships, awesome travels and great opportunities. 2012 will be a good year. I claim it to be!

2011 the Great year of Travels

I think this is the year of my most expensive travelling, if combined, to date.  I have been to many several places, to give in to the itch my feet has been feeling.  So here are my unforgettable adventures:

1)  Puerto Princesa, Palawan

I think more than the nature, the scenic view, the tan and the food, it was one of greatest escapes for the year because I spent it with my family.

2)  Cebu City, Cebu

Amidst the rains, our vacation to cebu is one special because this is the first out-of-towns that me and Ron has ever gone to.

3) South Korea

I love South Korea. If there is a place with language barrier I would be trapped in, it would be South Korea. The autumn backdrop was perfect, my partner in crime Kat is all game, there are friends we could run to and we made most out of what Seoul has to offer us.  It was one helluva experience.

4)  Hong Kong Disneyland

Going back to Hongkong to spend a day in Disneyland was used to be an outrageous plan.  But we did it.  Being in the one of the happiest places on earth was a heart warming experience.  I felt tears in my eyes not only once in the park everytime I feel overwhelmed of the blessing to be actually there and experience Disney!  It was fabulous.

5) Puerto Gallera

This is the on-the-spot trip that me and my friends from work did just because the summer sun is so hot and we are craving for the beach.  So we packed our bags, loaded it with pairs of bikinis and readied ourselves to party.  It was an expensive beach escape but then,  we needed it so badly.

6) Trips to Bacolod

I think I have gone home a gazillion times in 2011.  And home is always a special haven for me. It is a breather from my chaotic life in Manila.  =)

7) Manila Trip with Manong's Family and Mom

This is the first time that Saph has gone to Manila.  Manong is going to Saudi Arabia to work and so the whole family did a send off.  We visited Manila Zoo and spend most of the time at SM MOA.  Saph, Manong and Graze also had a chance to visit Manila Ocean Park

8) Iloilo

Just two days ago, I crossed seas to Iloilo with Ron to attend the annual gathering of the SILAK-SILAB community.  It was my first time to attend after being a member since 2003.  And I sure glad I did because it was only at that party that I got to see some big shot abyans that has inspired me to who I have become today.

9) Zamboanga

I guess the reason we went is we thought it would be a waste of tickets if we won't push through with it. So even if we don't have enough money, Ellainne and I still went but I don't regret this trip at all.  It is one vacation that has no planned itinerary yet we have maximized Zamboanga!

10)  Enchanted Kingdom

This is the trip that I was made with bestie Lenny and my college friends Kat and Ellainne. Although, it is not my first time in EK, I still enjoyed it because of these 3 people . =)

11) Intramuros and Manila Zoo Exploration

This is my bonding trip with Rex when he visited me in Manila.   Not that the places are special.. I think what made it unique is seeing my brother actually enjoy.

I'm looking forward to more adventures in 2012.  I'm excited.


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Moist Chocolate Cake

For my birthday, I baked my first ever moist chocolate cake... physically disastrous but everyone loved its taste! The day after, we're still feasting!

Moist Chocolate Cake

Photobucket

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup baking cocoa
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 cup brewed coffee
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Photobucket 

Sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, coffee and milk. Whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla. Whisk until well incorperated (about 2 min.). It will be quite runny.

Grease and flour 2- 9 inch round pans. Pour the batter into the pans and bake at 325ºF for 25-30 min until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 min. before removing to cool completely.

For the Ganache
bittersweet/dark chocolate, chopped (amount depending on your preference)
1 pack Nestle Cream

Bring to boil chocolate and Nestle Cream over slow fire.

Let cool to room temp.

Natilla Filling:
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 cup milk
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon butter

Procedure:
In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients for natilla filling except vanilla and butter. Cook until thick. Remove from fire. Stir in vanilla and butter. Set aside.

After cooling remove cake from the baking pan.  Layer the first cake.  Put Natilla on top as generous as you can.  Place the second layer on top of the cake.  Put icing at the sides and top of the chocolate cake. Make sure that there is