Brazo de Mercedes and Coffee

-29June2011-

Today marks the 43rd wedding anniversary of my Mom and Dad. I remember when we were still young, we used to have a program in our house and we prepared presentations for them...We sing, dance and make an effort to show how much we love them.

We memorized their wedding song and used to sing it to them at the top of our lungs haha...those were the days..... And though they're no longer here with us to celebrate this special day...We know that they are having good times up there (pointing in heaven)...For sure they're dating now!

And here's brazo de mercedes (mom's fave) and coffee (dad's addiction hehe) for the two of you...

And while you're eating, let me play your song....

http://youtu.be/ySfBbWxo9QU

 "The Wedding" by Julie Rogers, from 1964.

You by my side, thats how I see us,
I close my eyes, and I can see us,
We`re on our way to say I do-oo
My secret dreams have all come true-oo.

I see the church, I see the people,
Your folks and mine happy and smiling,
And I can hear sweet voices singing, Ave Maria.

Oh my love, my love this can really be
That someday you`ll walk down the aisle with me,
Let it be, make it be that I`m the one for you,
I`ll be yours, all yours, now and forever.

I see us now, your hand in my hand,
This is the hour, this is the moment,
And I can hear sweet voices singing, Ave Maria.
Ave Maria, Ave Mari-i-a.

Ate Cielo's Special Puto

From Wikepedia:

Puto is Philippine steamed rice cake, eaten as is or with butter and/or grated fresh coconut or as accompaniment to a number of savory dishes for breakfast .

But in our case, instead of rice we use All Purpose Flour.

-24 October 2010-

Ate Cielo was given a Special Puto Recipe by her officemate . One fine Sunday, Ate Cielo was energetic so,she decided to try it. This is her first attempt in making Puto, so we're joking that we wouldn't want to try it.

But after tasting it- - -whoah! It really yummy! (I'm saying this not because I'm her sister but because it's the truth. :)

Well, now what we're wondering when is she going to make some again? hehe

Here's the Recipe in case you'd like to try it:

3Cups All Purpose Flour
3Cups Fresh Milk
2 Tablespoon Calumet
1 Cup Sugar
1 Box Cheese for Toppings
1 Star Margarine

Mix all the above.
Use a fine filter to get a balanced and smooth mixture. (You can also use a mixer, if you have)
Steam for 20 minutes.
You can add flavor like Pandan or fresh Langka (finely chopped) if desires.

Beauty & Wellness # 3 : Relax,have a massage!

According to Wikepedia, Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being.

According to me - I need a massage today!

My 'ate' (elder sister) is not feeling well so she asked me if I'd like to go with her for a massage. Of course, I'd love to. I like going to spa & massage centres to relieve me from stress and body tensions. It allows me to relax and be pampered.

We went to ByG Salon in SM Fairview. I've been here for a few times already and I must say, the service is good and the price is affordable. One hour body massage (traditional filipino massage) costs only Php250. I've been to different massage outlets in SM Fairview and this is the cheapest but have a nice ambience and good massage. The room is good for 2 people with curtain partition and scented candles.

Other massage parlors in SM Fairview that I have tried:
Panda Zhu
-tried the promo: Php399/2 for 45 mins plus Php150 (footsoak with 10mins back massage)
-service and massage is great
-soothing room ambience
-will GO BACK here

Nisce Skin & Facial Salon
-this is always fully-booked, so I thought service is great
-reserved for 2 pax massage - which is Php350/hr per pax
-room ambience not good  (very well lighted that you cant feel relaxed)
-the therapist didnt even ask me what kind of massage I want and just started massaging me (what I want is  Swedish/Shiatsu Massage that I told her after she started)
-will NOT GO BACK here for massage

King Massage
-Php 350/hr
-common room for 4 pax
-service and massage is good
-can still GO BACK here in case other massage parlor is not avail

I forgot the other one that I tried for foot massage before...the one who did the massage was a guy (first time that I let a guy do my foot massage) well, that caused some bruises on my legs due to the hand pressure done (maybe its because he's a male that no matter how light he seem to massage me, the pressure is still hard for my legs)

But anyway, stress or not, its still a good time to go and have a massage -just to relax... or just to pamper yourself.

Red Packet

A red envelope or red packet (known as hóngbāo in Mandarin, Ang Pao in Min Nan, Lai See in Cantonese) Sae Bae Don in Korean, and Lì Xì in Vietnamese) is a monetary gift which is given during holidays or special occasions by Chinese and other East Asian societies.

I was rummaging my things today when I found a red packet.  This is already a 4-year old packet that I've been keeping. Where did I get it?

It was (I think) Feb 18,2007 when we were invited by our trainer Say Kheng (we call her SK) to their house on Chinese New year. Since we were new in Singapore (barely a month that time) she wants us to feel and celebrate the occassion. It was really nice of her to do such for our batch. So we headed to their house.

Aside from the food & drinks that they offer, her mom gave each one of us Ang Pao. They say it was a tradition for married people to give red packets to unmarried ones. (well, it pays to be single! haha) We didnt even expect such as we dont know how they celebrate CNY.

Since we were just starting work there, it was a tough time for us financially. So, I think some of my batchmates have already used the "Ang Pao" given to them.

But mine, I kept it.Because I believe it will bring good luck for me - financially :). I just peek at the envelope before but didnt really count how much is inside. Well,its only today that I learnt that there were SGD6 inside. Well, lucky me, I still have money - to keep! :)

Beauty & Wellness Regimen #2: Facial Wash

It's worth to pay attention to the kind of stuff you put on your skin as it's your body - you should know! hello?! hehe

Today, lets talk about Facial Wash! Do you still use soap for your face? (yup,at times) Do you use the same one as the one you use on your body? (nope) Well, here's my say...

I use Papaya soap once in a while for my face, especially after I trip. Travelling exposes me to the sun and may darken my skin tone (even if I put sunblock). So whenver I go home after a trip, aside from my regular facial wash, I double it up with papaya soap.

And if you're not into facial wash yet and would like to switch to it, I suggest that you first buy small sachets or trial packs of the products you'd like to try so as to test it on your skin. And if irritaion or discomfort is felt -Stop using it right away!

For me, it has always been Pond's facial wash - I must have tried all their product lines already as my skin is already 'hiyang' (accustomed) to it. I have a ranged of different ponds facial wash that i use regulary. The Clear Solution (green), I use to avoid blemishes,the White Beauty (pink) - to lighten my skin, the Age Miracle (red) - to regenerate my skin cells (i started using when I hit 30 - i felt the need to use it hehe) and the last addition is Pure White (black) - for deep cleansing (which I totally agree!) It's the black one that I always use first when i get home as it thoroughly clean my face while not drying it.

im not their model but i trust this brand for my face

Aside from this brand, I have an added 2 more facial wash from The Body Shop few years back. It's both Tea Tree base so I use it to avoid/minimize blemishes. At first, I only use the Tea Tree Oil facial wash then when this brand introduces the Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash which is Anti-Imperfection - of course, I grabbed it right away. :)



my tea tree oil facial wash is about to say goodbye,good thing i still have the Blackhead Exfoliationg wash

It's ok to ask your friend and immitate what kind of product they use on their face/skin especially when you see that they look good or better on it. But be careful, as not all that looks good on others will also look good on you.

So check it out first, try a small amount ...then if it works, it makes you feel young (or younger :) and beautiful - go and use it for the rest of your life! ;)

Beauty & Wellness Regimen #1 : Facial Mask

I've put on my Tea Tree Oil Face Mask and now ready to write my blog. :)

Funny how I started to take seriously a beauty regimen for my face a few years back when I'm about to reach the big 3-0! Well, a girl is a girl! Meaning - Beauty conscious! hehe

When I was still working overseas, my housemates (Marcky & Edge) and I have what we call a "Beauty Day". It's usually on weekends,normally on Sunday (except when we have scheduled to see a movie on that day). It's kind of our bonding moment while pampering ourselves. I normally do my own pedicure (manicure- only occassionally), put hot oil on my hair & facial masks.

On my left-Marcky with Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask, Me & Edge (the on my left) used Tea Tree Oil Face Mask

Facial mask is really good for the skin, it cleanses and elimate impurities on your skin, soothing, relaxing and makes you look younger as some masks tightens skin. I personally use two facial masks from The Body Shop:

Tea Tree Face Mask (As advised to me, use Tea tree product to have Blemish-free skin)
Best if you want to: Leave skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed with an instantly cooling mask that helps remove impurities and absorb excess oil while soothing and calming blemish-prone skin. (Price SGD30.90)Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask (As per experience, it tightens skin & makes you feel young:)
Best if you want to: Detoxify and deep cleanse your skin with a weekly mask that uses natural ionic clay action to draw out impurities and control excess oil. (Price SGD32.90)

Go pamper your skin to feel fresh & young! :)

Bahay Kubo - Meciel's version :)

Bahay Kubo - Meciel's version
17June2011

Meet Meciel, my niece, 2 yrs & 8mos.

I think she is almost 2 yrs old when she started to speak. After that, she doesnt want to keep quiet anymore haha

Her cute antics are always making us laugh! At her stage, she used to copy her brother's action (brother is Hero Miel - 5 yrs old). So they both like to take pictures, dance (do tumblings,vertical & splits!) and like to sing. They love to sing and dance to the OST of telenovelas and cartoons - that's why they always prepare themselves at the beginning and ending of each episode (where the OST is normally played:).

Bahay Kubo is the very first song that she was able to completely memorized and here it goes...

She's really a smart kid! And I hope you guys like her version of the song!  :)