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Showing posts from 2014

Nail Art Technology

This is a re-post. I deleted the original post by mistake! Huhuhu!!! ===== Glad to be back, after quite a while! Today, I would just like to feature a state-of-the-art in nail designing which I learned from Ayana, my eldest daughter. Her latest blog talks about the magnetic nail polish pattern-shaping magnet which creates this kind of look in your nails. Ayana's nails after using the magnetic nail polish pattern-shaping magnet Intrigued at how the nail art magnet technology works? Let me usher you to her tutorial blog.  Click here . I personally never realized there's this kind of technology for the nails! In the past, I've learned about nail swirling and nail marbling (also from Ayana, of course). Now, nail art goes magnetic ehhhh? Would you like to try it? I hope I could try it myself one day. Happy weekend!

What's Behind the MassKara?

I don't usually post about work but the other week, the hospital where I work launched the December holiday festivities. The launching featured a show of streetdancing competition by the three services namely, Administrative, Medical and Nursing. Well, in support of the nursing team, a social obligation, that is, I had to learn a few simple, easy-to-follow steps that required a show of masks both at the start and end of the performance. That's because the theme assigned to us was MassKara Festival (special thanks to Jepoy and the PHC Nursing Service Dancers for patiently teaching us the steps!).

Blessings

This song was sung during the commencement ceremony of a group of nurses who graduated from a cardiovascular training course yesterday. I love the song and couldn't help reflecting on the lyrics. Come sing along! Blessings by  Laura Story Well, did you like the song? There's no stopping you to sing it over and over again. I would like to believe that the lyrics in the last stanza are very timely as my countrymen in several regions of the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas, are once again facing another threat of Super Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit). May we, indeed, find God's loving hands in the face of the downpour of rain, the strongest of storms and the darkest of nights! Please join me in beseeching the Lord God of heavens and earth, who has all the power and might to calm the winds, the water and the waves, to have mercy on us!

Google Doodlers of the Philippines 2014

Proud mother! A colleague of mine at work, she is. Who wouldn't be, when her 11-year old son, Miko, was one of the 40 finalists out of 51,000 doodlers who submitted their entries for the first ever Doodle 4 Google event in the Philippines? This was Google Philippines' collaborative effort with the Department of Education and the National Youth Commission. Several weeks ago, I voted in all four age categories. Oh, I didn't find that easy at all! Voting was based on the given criteria of artistic merit (the quality and skill demonstrated in the doodle), creativity (how well the student incorporated the Google logo into his or her illustration, being readable, with unique and creative uses of the letters) and theme ("What can I do for the Philippines?" expressed in both artwork and the written description). I am no painter, neither do I draw from sheer imagination. Oh, yes, I remember coloring my drawing assignments as a kid, but that never prospered to becom

The Uluwatu Temple: a Taste of Bali

How's your Sunday? Sorting out files and photos to clear my desktop are tasks long overdue. As I did several days ago, I was reminded of photos of last year's travel to Bali when I attended a conference together with some colleagues in the hospital where I work. I remember featuring in a post (click here to view)  The Tanah Lot Temple, a rock formation attraction where Miss Philippines-World 2013, Maegan Young, won the crown.   Sad to say, I wasn't able to make a sequel to that anymore. It's almost a year now and the next conference is scheduled before the end of this month. Oh, I'd better be going while the memories are still alive!

What Greater Love?

Hello, there you are! Couldn't resist sharing this poem I just found. I thought it's very timely as everyone might have been busy traveling to go to the cemetery to visit graves in memory of departed loved ones.

Tuna-Lemon Fusilli Pasta

Tuna-Lemon Fusilli Pasta (photo courtesy of Ayana Grace) This photo was taken by Ayana Grace before trying a serving from one of her favorite pasta dishes. As a matter of fact, I learned cooking Tuna-Lemon Pasta from her. This is just my second trial, this time, using Fusilli spirals. A very simple dish which you can make in less than 20 minutes. Here's how. Ingredients: 250 gms Fusilli pasta 2 cloves minced garlic 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 1 can (420 gms) CenturyTuna Flakes in oil juice of 1 piece lemon 1/4 medium green bell pepper, cut into small cubes Steps: 1. Cook Fusilli pasta according to package instructions. Set aside. 2. Using the oil from the canned tuna, sautee garlic and onion.  3. Add tuna flakes. Simmer for 2 minutes.  4. Add lemon juice and bell pepper. Simmer for another minute. 5. Pour tuna mixture over pasta and serve. Tuna-Lemon Fusilli Pasta (photo courtesy of Ayana Grace) I'm sure your family will

Crispy Fried Tawilis

Tawilis , that's what this fish is called. I was fortunate to get one last scoop from the tray of my favorite fish vendor yesterday. I saw the silvery color from one corner and I didn't pass the chance of buying it.  Googling while writing this post, I just learned that Sardinella tawilis (or freshwater sardinella or sardines) is found only in my country, the Philippines, as they thrive only in Lake Taal in the province of Batangas. Tawilis is also processed into a variety of food products and shipped into different parts of the country as daing (dried and salted), smoked or bottled in oil. It is called tunsoy in the province of Cebu. Well, well, well, guess what, Ayana Grace, my eldest daughter had most of it as she said it's one of her favorite dishes and has missed it for some time. True because it has been months since I last served this. Here's how I did  it. Ingredients:  1/4 kg tawilis 1/3 cup oil 3-5 tablespoons of flour salt an

Fruit Fiesta

Hello there! It's been weeks, I know. Today I'm breaking the silence by showcasing a festival of colors out of the various fruit presentations I've served on our dining table.  Challenged by the result of my annual physical examination last month, my birth month, I couldn't wait for the New Year to make a resolution --- a dietary modification. I'm praying to be faithful on this.  To begin an effective change, tell me which fruits should be removed from and should be added to the fruit collage above? Do write your suggestions on the comment box below.  Till next post! :)

The Best of Billy and Eve at 25

Days before our 25th wedding anniversary, I thought of posting a verse daily for at least three days until the day itself, but I wasn't able to execute my plan, though I managed to post this verse on my Facebook wall two days prior,  "I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him." Ecclesiastes 3:14 As usual, I went home tired from work and didn't have time to think about the planned anniversary posts anymore. To my surprise, my husband posted this photo to celebrate the day even while he was away at work. The caption says,  " September 2, 1989: 25 years with the woman who stood with me and by me. Silver! " Would you believe that we got married with me having a lateral fracture on my.... oh no, how could I forget which foot now? Yes, I was actually limping during the wedding march that I had to whisper to my father to walk very, very

Tuna-Lemon Penne Pasta

I had another chance of traveling out-of-town for a night on a weekend, following a hectic schedule and several sleepless nights. That meant cramming to pack my things while cooking at the same time... so that there will be food on our table while I am gone. Opening the cupboard and seeing the penne pasta and can of Century Tuna Flakes, I knew exactly what to do. I just took two pieces of lemon and a stalk of leeks from the veggie bin and all the other ingredients I needed were spices.  This is what I had in mind--- Tuna-Lemon Penne Pasta. Another fast food meal! And this is how it turned out. Here's how I did this. Ingredients: Oil 1 tbsp garlic, minced 1 medium onion, sliced 1 large can Century Tuna in oil 2 pcs lemon, halved and squeezed Pinch of salt, pepper, thyme, basil, rosemary, cayenne powder of any spice of choice Penne pasta, cooked according to package instruction 1 stalk leeks, sliced diagonally Steps: 1. Saute garlic, onions and tun

Walking Down the Streets of Zurich: Episode 2 (River Limmat)

Hello, there you are, great! With all the daily activities at work eating up my mind and body, I usually go home tired and sleepy that I almost forgot I still had this to post. Yes, it's been months and I'm so sorry for that... After our walk a few months ago (referring to my previous post, Walking Down the Streets of Zurich: Episode 1 ) , I bet you have recharged a little bit? Oh, come on, don't tell me you would like to rest still? The sun is up but it's still very cold at 2 degrees Celsius! I really think we should keep on walking. This is getting even more exciting as we approach the heart of the city! We're just about to leave Sihlquai and stroll along Museumstrasse heading toward the Swiss National Museum. The museum which is one of the main sights of the city is located on an island between two rivers, River Sihl and River Limmat. River Sihl                                        River Limmat You will see the museum exactly in the middle of th

Fast food dishes by Garden Chef: Mackerel - veggie omelette

Oh, no, it's almost 8:00 am!!! No more time for another snooze :((  This is one of those days when I don't feel like getting up from bed but I have no choice. I have just begun to feel the stress of office work for the past weeks. Yesterday was another lazy day. No marketing, no cooking... just blogging in bed! :))  Okay, now I'm off my bed. So what happens next? You gotta be fast!!!!! Any idea brewing? Let the countdown begin! Opening the cupboard, I see a large can of 555 Mackerel Salmon style.  Are there eggs?  Yes, I still have six pieces.  Take out three.  Open the can of Mackerel. One onion coming.  Then the veggie bin, of course!  Let's see... I have tomatoes, green bell pepper, carrot and leeks from among the other vegetables. Let me take one large tomato.  Cut a piece of leek from the stalk, take out the green bell pepper and the remaining carrot.   Now, I'm ready! Did you get the ingredients? Don't worry, I'll s