Litratong Pinoy: Hapunan (Dinner)

Kangkong Tempura


Breaded Cream Dory with Bechamel Sauce and Steamed Asparagus


Masipag akong magluto kapag hapunan. Dito lang kasi kami siguradong magkakasabay kumain. Minsan,kailangan din kasing ako ang magluto para magkaroon ng kakaibang mukha ang pagkain. Mahirap magpakain ng batang mapili sa pagkain. Dahil bihirang kumain ang anak ko ng gulay, kailangan ng arte para maging bago sa paningin at mukhang katakam-takam kainin. May styleka pa bang alam para mapakain ng gulay ang bata?

I often get excited in preparing dinner because that is the only time of the day when we eat as a family. I also need to cook dinner for my son who is a picky eater. I need to think of creative ways to make him eat vegetables.

Playing Hello Kitty Online

Who says moms can't play? As much as possible, I want to be the coolest mom that I can be and part of that goal is being in the know of the latest games. My son and I bond through music, PC games, and PSP games. Not that I am old but, I guess, playing games keeps me young at heart besides giving me a break from the tension and stress of work.

Last August 20, 2009, I became part of a select group of bloggers who got introduced to Hello Kitty Online - Philippines. After a long wait, Filipino gamers and Hello Kitty fanatics can now go on a marvelous adventure with the Sanrio gang! We were fortunate to have been given DVD game installers and Founders Beta passes along with some Sanrio collectibles. Ralph did not come with me to the launch because he thought that the game is for girls only.




The following morning, I installed the game in my laptop and guess who had the chance to play first? Yep, it's the boy who thought that Hello Kitty Online is a girly game. But I love this boy so much that I let him get away with the crime of naming and creating my game character! I can't blame him, though. The game really is very appealing. Plus there are some mini-games in the game too that are part of the quests that some Sanrio characters ask gamers to accomplish. The dominantly pink background didn't bother him at all. I let him play the whole afternoon since it was the start of the long weekend. I just kept a close eye on him so he won't chat with other more mature players. It's our 3rd day of gaming and our character is now on Level 6!


If you want to be part of the Founders Beta stage, head on over to the Hello Kitty Online page and sign-up for a free account. Do hurry because slots are only limited. Installers are available from the same site. You can also play the game at any Netopia branch.

Hello Kitty Online is developed by Sanrio Digital and published in the Philippines by Level Up!, Inc. - the first and leading online game publisher in the country.

Minute Maid Pulpy Mango Orange

This is the new Minute Maid variant from The Coca-Cola Company. Minute Maid not only has real pulp but real juice as well compared to other juices. It's more healthy because of that. The taste is beyond what I expected. Just the right mix of mango and orange. Try it for yourself and for your kids. It is the best alternative to sodas. I just wish they introduce a sugar free variant in the future so I can drink it whenever I want. :)

dNeero's V2 Rolling Out

dNeero, the True Social Network Currency, lets its members speak about what they feel on conversations and get paid for it. Do you want to earn some extra moolah? Do this by joining dNeero.

The Better Half Tag

I grabbed this tag from Pehpot of Make or Break. I found it very amusing and I thought it would be fun to share some bits and pieces about my better half through this tag. Enjoy reading!

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
   

   You can't expect my husband to focus on just one show. He'll scan every channel there is!

2. You're out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

   Apple cider and olive oil with a little pesto perhaps.

3. What's one food he doesn’t like?

   He's not too fond of eating street foods.

4. You go out to eat and have a drink, what does he order?

   I order first and then he follows! Haha!

5. What shirt size does he have?

   Medium.

6. What shoe size does he have?

   Size 7... I think.

7. What is his favorite type of sandwich?

   Filled with jam.

8. What would he eat everyday if he could?

   Kare-kare. But now he can't because nuts are bad for his kidneys.
   

9. What is his favorite cereal?

   Nestle Fitnesse and Fruit and Banana Clusters.

10. What would he never wear?

    Anything neon-colored.

11. What is his favorite sports team?

    I don't think he has one.

12. Who did he vote for?

    Raul Roco!

13. Who is his best friend?

    I'd like to think that it's me.

14. What is something he does, but you wish he wouldn't do?

    I can't write it here but he knows what it is. Let your imagination run wild!
    

15. What is his heritage?

    Asian - Filipino - Visayan/Tagalog/Bicolano. His mom is from Bacolod, dad's from Sta. Cruz, Laguna, but he grew up in Naga City.
    

16. You bake him a cake, what kind of cake?

    Uh-oh, I don't bake! He should buy me an oven first! Hahaha!

17. Did he play sports in high school?

    Soccer daw.

18. What could he spend hours doing?

    Watching movies!

19. What is the unique talent that he has?

    He is very artistic and creative.

20. What's his type of coffee?

    With cream and just a little sugar. Oh, and it better be brewed.

Now, I am sharing this tag with my fellow mommy bloggers: Jill, iMom, Jen, and Mitch. Ladies, it's about time you put your better halves in the spotlight. You can either be naughty or be nice, it's your choice!

Mommy Moments: I Gotta Wear Shades

Technically, these are NOT shades but 3D glasses. We were given these when we watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the new SM North EDSA IMAX. My boy is a huge fan, both of the novels and the movies. The first 12 minutes of the movie was shown in 3D. It was fun at first but I had to close my eyes after a few minutes because it made me feel nauseous. My son enjoyed the experience, though. In fact, he tried to chase the snowflakes when the trailer of the Christmas Carol movie was shown. Other than the 3D scenes, watching in the IMAX theater was just only a little out of the ordinary.

Does your kid have a cute picture in shades? Share it with us in Mommy Moments.

Thanks, Goldilocks and Nuffnang!

When I heard that Goldilocks will be giving out laptops to Nuffnangers, I immediately wrote my post. I wrote about how Goldilocks connects me and my ailing father. I never thought I'd win although I really wanted the netbook for my son. Goldilocks and Nuffnang found my post worthy of being 2nd place! Wee!

I attended the awarding ceremonies last night with my husband and sister (who also had an entry by the way). While waiting for Dingdong Dantes to arrive since he will be awarding the laptops to the winners, we were given mini-cakes to decorate. I let my husband decorate our cake while I busied myself in reading the magazines from Summit Media that was part of our loot bag! I think my sister also enjoyed this part of the event. Her cake was so nice, too bad we were not given blue gel icing that would have made her underwater themed cake perfect. We also had the chance to take photos of our silly selves in the photo booth. Oh, and the bag of mamon! I wish my dad was there!


The awarding started after serving us a sumptuous buffet of Goldilocks food. It was my first time to eat Laing Pasta. Very creative and yummy I should say. Too bad it was dinner time and I cannot have too much carbo for dinner.

The awarding began with the announcement of the winner for the cake decorating contest. After that, four winners of consolation prizes were announced. They received Goldilocks gift certificates worth Php 2,500 each.

After that came my most awaited part, the announcement of winners who will receive the Neo netbooks. I really wanted a netbook because my laptop is quite heavy to carry around when I'm mobile.


First to be called was Menard who shared how an American customs officer in the San Francisco Airport asked for a Goldilocks pasalubong. Next was Doc Broks who wrote a touching story about how an inexpensive mamon can mean a lot to him if it is given as a gift from his underprivileged patients. Lizz Buenaventura had the cutest post that showcased her artistry and skill in computer graphic design. Oh, and her dog is cute, too! Eat your heart out, lolcats! Haha! Jonnie and his family made a very touching video of how Goldilocks became a part of their lives. Yup, they made their own commercial. It was truly a labor of love.

After the four of them were called, I kind of lost hope that I was going to win. I was busy chatting with Julie, a blogger friend and Farm Town neighbor, that we shrieked with shock and disbelief when my name was called. I got what I wished for! I almost cried when I told them about what I wrote. Papa is in the province right now. A few days before the event, I called him up and got kind of pissed off because he was having his tantrums again. We did not have a sensible conversation that day because he was just sobbing and I had to hang up. I guess, the prize reminded me of how he is right now and that I should be more patient than ever. I think I'll buy him a box of Fluffy Mamon when he comes home on the 25th!




Eat your hearts out, ladies!

The grand prize winner of the Asus F80Q laptop is Ms. Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. She wrote about Luijoe's last birthday and the Winnie, The Pooh and Tigger themed Goldilocks cake that he had. I tell you, the post really deserves the grand prize. It is a very touching piece that shows a mother's undying love for her son. Being 2nd to Ms. Noemi is such an honor, too!

I "gave" the netbook that I won to Rap so his El Abuelo (our 8-year old desktop) can be finally passed on to his cousin in Naga City. Winning this contest made everyone in my family happy! Ate Cel, my sister-in-law, and I spoke to each other a few day ago and she told me how Megan, her daughter, needs a computer. Giving our old desktop already means big savings for her family.


The prize with the post that made it happen!
I am still in a daze now from winning the contest. Let me extend my gratitude to Goldilocks and Nuffnang for this contest. I would also like to thank Pehpot of Gossip Mom for having a full round-up of the winners.

Goodbye Tita Cory!

For me, she's the original 24 Hour Mommy. From being a simple housewife, she metamorphosed into a strong icon of democracy. She made the whole nation her extended family. She was a mother not only to her five children but to all of us Filipinos.

Most of the people who gave eulogies during the necrological mass yesterday spoke about her death as a time for her most awaited rest. I agree. She can take her rest now. It is now time to meet her beloved Ninoy and Our Creator. I am thankful that her children willingly shared their mother to the whole nation. I hope and pray that, with Tita Cory gone, we can muster enough courage to uplift the democracy she fought hard for.

Cali Gear by Skechers Sale

Cali Gear by Skechers is on sale! Get up to 70% off on Cali Gear items. Visit Skechers stores in Trinoma Mall, Glorietta 5, Market! Market!, Robinsons Place Ermita and Festival Mall Alabang.

Do-It-Yourself Stencil Project

My husband and I are fond of doing DIY projects at home that we grabbed the chance to make a stencil project during our summer home renovation project. Our son's room was built with a "bachelor's loft" to make it more spacious. We got rid of our son's old bed and had him sleep on a thin foam set on the loft. We felt that it would be better for his scoliosis. But I digress.

Once the room became more spacious, we discovered one side of the room that was left blank and boring. The rooms walls were painted a cool shade of light blue and it became the perfect canvas for the stencil project my husband had in mind. You see, our son is so much into Taekwondo that we decided to adorn the wall with Taekwondo stenciled paintings.

Here's how we did it...

First we googled for some Taekwondo stencil images and printed the ones that we chose. We preferred the designs with stencil layouts that were not that complicated. We slid the pattern under a clear plastic folder and secured it with tape. My husband then carved the plastic folder using a cutter and the printed stencil layout underneath became the guide.



Once we had our template ready, we stuck it on the wall with tape and painted the available spaces.


We let the paint dry before removing the plastic folder templates. Here's the finished product! We intend to install hooks under each stencil painting to hold some of my son's Taekwondo accessories.



Doing the stencil project in my son's room was so enjoyable that we also did some stencil work in our room. But that will be for another post because we used a different material. Ready made stickers are available in the stores but we chose improvise. In doing so, we did not only save money but we also enjoyed each other's company.