Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Saph at 2!! Time Really is Fast!

Happy happy birthday to my nephew, Saph!  You are very much loved.

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Ode to Manila

I miss Manila.  I want my life in the chaotic city back.  Minus the long stressful hours and maddening demands from work, I would like to think that my life in Manila is way BETTER than what I have today.

I miss the fact that I'm the boss of my own house.  Although there is no one to boss around at the very least, I make decisions that affects no one.  And I don't need to adjust with those I live with.

I would like to have chance to go back to Manila to attend all theater shows I have missed and will be missing just because I'm home.  I miss my friends and the eat outs that we do.  I miss going home in the wee hours of the night because there is always a place or an event up even on these ungodly hour.  And I surely miss looking through airlines' website because I still do holidays and vacations.  I surely hunger for another roadtrip or a 3-day getaway to the beach or a historic destination.

I'm getting bored.  I have a business that is taking most of my time but it is getting routinary that I could do it in my sleep.  Sometimes, I would want to vomit at my day to day activities because it is like eating the same food everyday.  It gets untasteful even if that food is your favorite.

The only thing that is enjoyable is going home to a jolly nephew which brings smile to you. I wonder how such a lovable kid came out from a rotten bitch.

Enough said.  I miss Manila.  And I need to come back.


Monday, April 30, 2012

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I used to make choco chip oatmeal cookies even without an oven.  With just an oven toaster, I often whip this delectable treat for my family and friends.  So yesterday, because I miss munching on my favorite cookies, I made a batch to give into my cravings.

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So here is the recipe of oatmeal cookies of which you could use to make for you friends and families.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 325 F or 165 C.
2. Cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar in a large bowl, until smooth.  Beat in eggs one at a time, and then stir in vanilla.
3.  In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour, baking soda and salt.
4.  Stir into the creamed butter-sugar mixture. Blend well.
5.  Add oats and chocolate chips.  Mix very well.
6.  With a spoon, drop a generous amount of the batter in an ungreased baking sheet.  Shape into flat circles.
8.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Home Again

I know, I have previously wrote that quitting is never an option.  I still believe that.  And even with my job applications in SG, quitting is not a solution for me.

But I am now home. I know it is contradicting.  I haven't quit on the dream of travelling the world even if it entails going abroad to work.  But I went home for a job opportunity.  I was invited to take an examination for a post in the government.  Because there's not much activity with my job applications I decided to grab on the opportunity.

So here I am still bumming around but now at home.  Still looking for an opportunity abroad and hoping to hit a jockpot.  If its working in the government is what the Lord's answer to my prayers, then let it be. I don't want to defy my fate.  I'll let things be.

Monday, April 09, 2012

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

When I went to Singapore, I have been craving to bake. I was so bored that I have been thinking of what to put into the oven for another delicious treat.

So when I arrived home, I am up and eager to have the oven on the loose. =) 

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Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (add to pureed bananas)
3 pureed bananas, very ripe

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake lids in the baking pan.
2. Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour several times, then add the salt and baking powder to the flour.
3. To the creamed butter mixture, add the milk and flour alternatly.
4. Add vanilla and mashed bananas (with the baking soda added to the bananas) to this mixture.
5. Bake for 25-40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients
1/2 stick butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb.)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Frosting Directions:
1. Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth, add sugar and vanilla and blend well. Spread on cooled cake.  Sprinkle rainbow candies on top (optional).

Thursday, March 08, 2012

When Bumming and Desperation Mix...

It has been a month and 5 days since I left work.  I'm officially bumming around for the same equivalent number of days.  For the first few weeks, I felt I was just on vacation.  And then I was back on my feet trying to finish some requirements for a scholarship in school and a board exam I'm trying to get my ass into taking even if I'm not sure I am qualified.  I just applied and let's see come June.

And then I flew here in Singapore to look for work.  And it has been 12 days of looking for an engineering job, applying to companies online, searching for vacancies in the classified ads and attending walk-in interviews and job fairs.  I feel tired and somewhat desperate.  I'm nearing two weeks yet I have not heard anything from the Immigration regarding my Long-Term Visa pass (allowing me to stay here for 3-12 months), giving me ample time to get a job.  So are the companies whom I have sent my resume to, they just gave me their silence.

When you have nothing to do day by day but waiting, it gets to you.  I get bored for awhile.  I entertain myself with helping out with the chores or do some errands but that becomes boring too that you feel  desperation. I cried yesterday because I feel helpless.  I just hope not to cross the border of insanity.

I'm not really afraid of not finding work because I could always return to the family and help out with the business but at the back of my mind, I don't want to feel defeated.  That I gave up right away..but then again..when should I say that it is enough and maybe its not for me?

I know 12 days is too early to say I quit.  I am not at that point yet.  We are left to wait.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Goodbye for now Phil


Today, I temporarily say goodbye to the Philippines.  I have a return ticket for today but I won’t use it.  I had it to show the Immigration that I am planning to return. 

But I would return to my beloved country.  In the near future perhaps but not today.

Friday, February 03, 2012

Moving on to the Next Adventure

I have walked away from the playground that I had for 4 years.  Today is my last day of work.  I'm sad but somewhat relieved.  My decision to resign from work is simply a plan that I kept on postponing only to let myself drown into the the routine and the self pity.  I was not totally happy but because of the day to day learnings I have picked up from time to time, it has held me for four years and more.  And then I got into a graduate program I have been praying for for years, in UP, a stone throw away from where I work so what better way to hang around while doing the program.

But then, when you come to the a point when you find yourself back into the routine of work, questioning whether or not you are growing, until you will just find the guts to say that, I am fine and I am done.  I'll move on to the next adventure.

And that's what I did exactly.  I moved on to the the next adventure life will be throwing at me.  I don't have a concrete plan just yet but I will surely figure it out soon. =)