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.

 

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.

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.

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. =) 

 

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).

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.

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.

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. =)

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.

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

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

 

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

Happy birthday Luke!

Happy birthday to my inaanak,  Rafael Luke George Solancho Sampang!  Tita Ninang loves you much!

The Kitchen Musical

I just love TKM's Unwell.  Well done Karyll and Art Acuña!

One Hellish Day

Today, was supposedly a normal day turned worse and then worst.

I was up very early to meet Kat at Katipunan.  Today is the day we are applying for a South Korean Visa.  We agreed to meet at 8. But I cam late and she came late and there are other documents not yet done and so we ended up leaving Katipunan at around 9:30 ish.  So much for a plan.

I don't mind being late really or out of schedule as i have the day off from work.  But that's the thing... I was suppose to be on leave yet my boss was texting me for details of my 2012 Executive Plans and our OPEX budget, my CAPEX budget and my targets.  I feel so frustrated because I have prepared all of these data, submitted to my immediate supervisor yet she was not in today.  So my boss was barking at me because he has a meeting of which he needs to present all these stuff.  For the whole week we were not able to see each other even if I went to work for the whole four days because unfortunately he was out while I was in the office.

By the time we got to the embassy, somehow the inquiries stopped.  Good thing.  I could not concentrate with all the work drama.

It was smooth at the Korean Embassy.  Except for the limited parking, entering it was organized.  We were given numbers and when our numbers are called, we go to a window.  Kat queued at at different window because she has a US visa, although expired.  We have to wait for 30 numbers before our turn.  The queue was actually fast.  About 20 minutes or so it was my turn.  After scrutining my documents, the Korean national at the embassy scrutinized my brother's documents.  And my nightmare began.  He was required of ITR.  My brother isn't really employed.  He handles the family's business although the business is registration is by mom's.  So he is given only "allowance" and that's without taxes.

And so all of the documents are returned to me and was I should bring the lacking requirement when coming back to the embassy.  So basically, I have wasted my morning and my leave for nothing.

Kat and I decided to take our lunch along C5.  It was a battle between House of Minis and Mom and Tina's.  My preference was money and something new.  Although the prices are almost the same, we decided to House of Minis because we have known that their steaks are good.

My money is depleting to nada.  So it is depressing to actually eat something because it is the cheapest and not because it is your choice.  Argh!!

Going home, I had myself dropped off at Eastwood.  Normally, if I have the money, I would grab a taxi and bring me home and spend around 200Php.  But I only had 20Php bill and some coins so I took a jeep to Cubao and transferred into another jeepney until I reached home.

What's worser than worst? Walking home from the subdivision, my feet got blisters from the shoes I was wearing! Argh!!!! It was really painful.

It was not my day today.  Hellish as it seems, I'll rant on it for awhile and forget about it and move on.  Some things sucks but its not all the time. =)

Booked my Ticket for Christmas

Finally, I have tickets for Christmas!  And at cheap prices at that.

I have been waiting for fare sales and cheap deals for Christmas Season and it was only over the weekend that I finally accepted the horrific fact that I won't be able to snatch rock bottom price for my ultimate Christmas homecoming.  I used to bag tickets for only 200php (or lower) and that's back and forth. Although my tickets are on sale, I can't help but compare.

But what I am most happy about is the fact that I almost booked a ticket with a 500++ variance compared with my tickets now.  Good thing there was an error and the booking wasn't made.  The following day, I found a much better deal.

So I'm ready to go home for Christmas and excited as well.

Angel Sent Leche Flan

I have been craving for desserts.  So I thought of cooking one for myself.  I got ingredients from the grocery to make my all time favorite sweet leche flan. So I would like to share with you the recipe I got from Angel with a bit of alteration.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 can Angel Evaporated Filled Milk
1 can angel Condensada
7 egg yolks
2 whole eggs

Procedure
Pour the sugar into 3 llaneras then heat over medium flame until sugar carmelizes.  Set aside.  This will harden.

In a bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients.  Strain twice.  Pour over the llaneras.  Cover with aluminum foil and stea for 1 1/2 hours or until firm.

My mom is a testimony that this recipe is super!  She is my greatest critique and she doesn't sugarcoat.  When she says it's awesome, she means it.

Debt Capacity UP

I got a surprise from BPI today.  My credit limit is now increased 30++% more.  This is my second increase in the 3 years that I have my BPI Credit Card.  Being a good payer and with no outstanding balance since I acquired my credit card, I am constantly rewarded with an increase. 

But more purchasing power means a bigger hole of debt if and if I don't have the discipline with my purchases. But Oohh! I could just imagine the gadgets and the numerous tickets I could buy with my new credit limit now... hehehe!!!

My Brother, an OFW

Tonight, I have come home to a once again empty house.  My family was here for the weekend.  Manong will be going to Al Khobar in Dammam in Saudi Arabia to work so Graze, Saph and Mom are here to send him off. Finally, he is fulfilling his dream as a Mechanical Engineer.

I sure do miss him.  With even just a few hours ago, I do miss him. I just hope and pray that he does not get sick while he is there and that he will be guided and even if he could not practice our religion the Holy Spirit will guide him.

Good luck bro!  I'll see you next year!

Bankrupt

I'm digging myself a big hole of bankruptcy.  Worse, its a hole of sinking mud.  Quick sand! If there's a rope that I could cling to, to keep me hanging then I am hopeful.  But for now, I am in deep shit.

My bank account is reaching zero.  And I have to live by with less than a thousand pesos until the next pay day.  I have bills and debts to pay.  And just this Saturday, I broke the LCD of my brother's laptop causing me Php 6500 for repair and replacement. I haven't told him yet and I'm not planning to as I am also the last person who held his iTouch until it went into slumber.  I'm really a wooz when it comes to gadgets...

So now instead of allocating money for my upcoming travel, I have to tighten my belt more to cover for more bills and payments.  =(  The economy is not doing well like I do.

Tattoo Byebye

One of my Silab sis, Karla informed of her interest on taking on my Tattoo mobile internet subscription.  I have been looking a taker for a while now so I was really glad when she texted me last week.  I think I need to give up my tattoo because I have net connection in the office likewise there is wifi.  So I just need to spend some time at the office after work to do my internet gaming (Restaurant City) and blogging.  =)

But really, it all boils down to expenses.  Since I am living alone, I shoulder all my expenses by myself.  And that is really very hard on me.  So I'm cutting my internet expense until I go crazy again with nothing to do in the house.

Strutting the Pirates look

Today, I am strutting the Pirates Look. I wish Pirates of the Carribean is still shown in the cinemas, it would have been timely. I would have been setting the trend.

I finally had the time and guts to have my upper eye lid operated. It was actually a minor procedure lasting only for 15 minutes. But an aftermath is a black-eye which my doctor has warned me. I haven't seen my eye yet though although according to my doctor, it is fine if I would take out my patch when I arrive home. But I'll wear the look for awhile...

Yesterday, I had gone to an eye doctor, Jesus Altuna, M.D. who specializes in glaucoma, eye laser, etc. to have my upper eyelid check. I have this small "kuliti" in my left upper eyelid for some months now and I have been postponing my appointment for several time due to work. It was only yesterday that I have the time to see my doctor.

I think Dr. Altuna is one rocking doctor with patients queuing outside his clinic. He was very professional when he had a look at my problem.

As he had free time to do my operation, he scheduled me for a 15 minute date at the Operating Room of Capitol Medical Center today. He is actually cool in the OR joking around with 2 medical attendants who assisted in my operation. and he occasionally involve me in their conversation to ease my worries.

Yes, I got worried. Frantic in fact. It was the first time I went into the OR. Most of my life, I am very well and healthy. So I am terrified to do the operation alone. With no family and friends who I wish are with me (oh yeah, I was trying to be independent and maybe strong), I am doubly frantic.



So here I am now, with a patch, proud of all the pain I suffered for about 4 hours now (and probably counting).

P.S. Probably, there are a lot of wrong spellings in this post. Pardon the one eye left to work extra hard to get me by. =)

EPEC Approved

I finally got my Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC)from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore. This is already my second try and finally it has been granted to me.

In my first try, I still filled out the usual questions on my educational background and then 2 days after I got an email from MOM that my application was rejected. A week later, after reading through how to go about rejected applications to MOM, I sent an email to MOM to appeal on my case. How could they possibly reject such application when their only basis of approval is educational history. I'm not bragging, but I graduated from the most prestigiuos state university and I am currently taking up further studies so how in the world did I got rejected. So I sent them scanned copies of my diploma, my grades etc for them to realize that I am fit to join their work force. But then I received a reply that I just need to reapply! But I have to wait 90 days since I filed my appliction for me to reapply.

So after three months, I logged on again at MOM's website and reapplied. Two days later, I got an email requesting for some of my documents like diploma, certificates, photo, passport for them to evaluate. I have prepared all of them when I decided to look for work abroad so it was an easy job.

Two weeks later, I got another email that my EPEC got approved and I will be receiving my certificate in my given address.

So today, I went home happy to finally see my EPEC. I don't know when I would be leaving for SG yet but I know its an opportunity I should not pass.