swoosh

well february is as expected, short. and yet, it's the month i wanted to kick away fast.

a lot of friendly visits and gatherings happened this month which is most wonderful. and of course, the little Noah's 9th birthday is the highlight of all. 

the baking promise is gearing up. i found the guts to create that awesome yogurt muffin cum cuppies haha! and the boys bullied them by saying, "wow scones!" hmmmppp!!!

march. please be kinder. 

SAF 44

even after staying abroad for more than 10years, i still love my home country and would like to go back soon if fate permits. but maybe just for a vacation to be with family and friends, and also to explore the beautiful islands that we haven't been to. 

in the context of going back to settle for good, i don't think so. the battle of citizens with paying taxes, gruesome traffic, unrelenting government officials and rampant crimes are enough factors to stay away. 

with the recent events that took place in Mindanao, the 'mis-encounter' incident between the 44 SAF members and the MILF, the country again was shaken. how can the officials involved in the operation not plan the whole thing properly without sacrificing those lives? no proper coordination, that is their excuse. and why was it that the suspended official was the one who manipulated the operation? why did the president allow this puppetry?

i have seen the hearing sessions of the senators and the people in question who were involved. it is very frustrating how these representatives conduct the sessions... everything was in chaos! it took almost 30minutes at the beginning just to introduce the parties, to agree on the conduct of participants, and to decide on the next session of the hearing (even though they have not yet progressed). and most of the participants, would say irrelevant statements or senseless thoughts, just to be heard and known. oh well, election time is near. 

one of the most powerful statement that affected me the most was from Philippine National Police OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. he was emotional during his speech delivery seeking justice for the 44 Special Action Force troopers' lives that was claimed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. 

justice for the fallen SAF 44... no to Bangsamoro Basic Law!!!

 

word

That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don't expect to get anything back, don't expect recognition for your efforts, don't expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are.

Paulo Coelho, The Zahir

tethered

You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.

C. JoyBell C.

hashtag cookeries

my son once asked, why do weekends go by so fast? and i, myself, ask the same question sometimes. today i gave him a sound answer: when you enjoy your time so much with the people that you love, time is inconsequential and somehow non-existent. you won't realize how much time has passed because all that matters is the bliss of life at that moment. and when you become conscious of your schedule, then time makes itself known.

now as promised, i have been back to my kitchen and have been familiarizing my different senses. yes, i find food sensual in all aspects. don't get me wrong, but food tasting is sexy *wink*. 

here is the round up... i had cravings for leche flan after a flan for dessert during our team christmas party at amigos. the first attempt needed some adjustments with the sugar and milk content. so we are happy with the 2nd product. 

next on the list was an experiment using bamboo shoots. i partnered it with prawn, a bit of capsicum, ginger, chili and coconut milk. it was vibrant. 

the lasagna is the serving climax of this january episode. this is my first attempt to try raw ingredients from here, and they did not disappoint. i like the sauce sliding from the pasta, rather than it being dry. 

to wrap up, i attempted another experiment... with salmon. yes, a very brave decision indeed. but surprisingly, the output was sensational. 

so there... hoping to be more daring next month and get out of my comfort zone. 

baking it is! =)