Paborito ko ang Sio Mai

Hen Lin ang paborito kong Sio Mai noong college.
Sa session road may maliit silang maliit na cart.  P20 something yung isang dosena.
Grabe naalala ko palang naglalaway na ako.

Ewan ko bakit kahit gustong gusto ko iyon ay hindi ko matandaang kinain ko talaga ng madalas.  Di tulad ng McDo Quarter pounder na hanggang ngayon ay nasa weekly cravings ko.

I was in Taiwan beginning of the month. May sio mai dito!
Pero walang sing sarap yung Hen Lin, kahit nag attempt akong gumawa, wala...siguro isang kilong Vetsin ang sangkap nun kaya masarap.

A few years ago, sinubukan ko yung DimSum Buffet treat sa aking tinutuluyang hotel.  WOW SARAP! kaya taon taon tuwing may biyahe ako doon, lafang the dim sum!

ang soup na nakakapaso sa init, sio mai, sio mai ulit, sampling of everything and dessert

Pangalawang gabi ko, treat ako ng supplier ng dinner.  I opted for Japanese food. Busog pa nga ako sa dami ng kinain ko sa buffet.

Third night, kahit nag offer ng dinner ang supplier, sabi ko papahinga ako.  Pero ang totoo...gusto ko ng Sio Mai :-)

sio mai siyempre, seafood naman, sea coconut, dessert, tea
while contemplating if I should have another round, the chef approached me and gave me COKE...sweet!

Off all the food I've sampled, yung sio mai lang ang masarap.

I moved to another hotel so good bye Cantonese Dim Sum...see you again (sana soon na).

For a change, I was craving for some pasta.  Buti Italian resto daw ang sa new hotel ko.  When I headed to the restaurant, it was Chinese Hot Pot! Damn, ayaw ko ng amoy.  Na sad ako.  So I went strolling outside looking for my pasta.

Found it!

Dante's Coffee
Super mura ng food
Panalo yung Mango Cheesecake at Coffee
yung pasta...magluluto nalang ako ng carbonara pag uwi

Isa sa mga perks ng pag biyahe ko ang pagkakataon na matikman ang mga kakaibang pagkain.  This round, I had a chance to eat shark meat and bettle nut flowers.  The shark looked like pork but tasted like tsinelas.  Bettle nut flowers tasted like bamboo shoots, yummy.

Bakit may weighing scale sa mga hotel?  

Kabuwanan

finally nagka-time din ako para magblog.

maligayang kaarawan kabuwanan! Saya this year, buong buwan kong pinagdiwang ang aking bday.  Well, hindi naman siguro talagang celebrate pero lagi ko lang sinasabi sa sarili ko "dahil birthday ko naman".

Family in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur
April 17~24 (hindi ko pa kabuwanan pero sige, booked the trip in January as a birthday celebration)

Dumalaw ang sisters, brother in-law at nieces ko dito sa SG.
Sa wakas, nakapunta narin ako ng Universal Studios Singapore!
Ngek, soft opening parin till now? Ang malas pa, ongoing repair yung globe...di daw umiikot eh.  Buti nalang in operation ang Battle Star Galactica, super fun at walang pila.  Kung di lang naghihintay ang buong tropa, inulit ko siguro ang roller coaster hanggang lumuwa ang mga bituka ko.  Sa mahal ng binayad ko sa mga ticket...dalawa lang kaming sumakay!  OK OK mga jutanders na kasi hahaha. 

entrada palang masaya na sa USS

The Petronas Towers was magnificent! Ganda talaga... Next month sana makita ko yung Taipei 101 at night para macompare ko sila.

My daughter asked me to find a job in KL so we could live there daw.  Sabi ko: Anak, pag lumipat tayo dito, di naman tayo sa Hotel titira eh, at saka hindi tayo kakain sa labas araw araw.  Isang linggong umiiyak ang anak ko pagbalik ng Singapore...hay.

mahirap maging photographer, lagi ka wala sa picture :-(

Eat Eat Eat
May 4 and 5

Siyempre pagkain talaga ang tunay na celebration sa bawat pinoy.  Tulad last year, we had dinner at a nearby Japanese Restaurant on the eve of my birthday.  Next day, balik kami ni husband sa Marina Bay Sands.  Last year doon din kami nagdinner kahit ongoing construction pa.  Ngayon fully operational na.  We went there to try Gerry's Grill. Super takam ako the whole day for sisig and pusit.  I was disappointed when we got our food.  May malamig bang grilled food?

Gerry's Grill is at Rasapura Marina Bay Sands

tinuturuan ko si husband sa camera para naman may picture nako sa next gala

The Devil wears Prada
May onwards...

End of last year, I packed all my clothes (ALL as in ALL) in one box and sent it to Pinas because I gained so much weight during my pregnancy and from experience, hirap akong magpapayat.  I don't expect to be able to wear those clothes again.  Surprisingly, February 2011 I was back to my prepregnancy weight (sabi ko lang, although my wighing scale says otherwise).  I went to buy jeans and whoa, I could wear my prepregnancy size! maluwag pa (sa ankles)... I only bought jeans, until now, I'm wearing maternity pants eeew! Pero, I've been into dresses.  Dahil nakakatuwa ang feeling na pumayat (from 75 Kg), feeling ko ako na si JLo. I wear dress with 2.5 inch heels twice a week now. Oh anong say ng mga tumatawag sa aking elephant noon? Baby elephant na daw ako...hahaha.  My friend also said, "I read a list of 1,000 ways to die.  One line said: wear make up and high heels".  Ang rude talaga nila dito, kainis.  And yes, I have discovered mas mukha akong tao pag naka make-up.  My husband bought me make up set last Christmas para hindi na daw ako magpamake-up sa salon nung magphoto shoot kami.  I'm now discovering how to apply properly and so far, napapakiss naman si husband pag nakikita niya akong naka make up hehehe.  Tuwing nasa mall ako, gusto ko tumingin ng bagong shade ng eye shadow. Saan na ba patungo itong sinusulat ko?  Anyway, I have been shopping lately.  For dresses and shoes.  Minsan nga lunch break ko tatakbo ako sa mall, skip my lunch just to buy some things...kaya pala "The Devil wears Prada" no wonder these clothes/shoes are so tempting.  Sorry po Lord! Birthday ko naman po at talagang wala akong maisuot.

Home is IKEA
May 9

I am a struggling housemaker.  Hindi ako marunong mag-ayos, mag style ng bahay. Nakakailang bili nako ng organizers like cabinets...magulo parin at walang "theme" ang bahay namin.  Actually, meron. IKEA - kasi majority of our things were bought from there.  So I got the Friends flyer, oops sale daw yung chest of drawers.  I do not know but I have always longed to have a chest of drawers for my intimate things.  4 drawers? mapupuno ko ba iyon? Ang siste, I want to put new things in my drawers naman...slowly slowly, buy some every payday :-) kaso once a month lang ang suwelduhan dito sa SG kaya nakakatuyot.  Nakakatawa yung experience ko nung binili ko and drawers.  I went on the very first day of sale, ayaw ko maubusan.  When I went to the rack to self collect my flat pack, whaaat? there's nothing on the rack.  Is this a joke? first day of sale ubos na? megatext ako ng reklamo sa asawa ko.  Sabi niya bili na raw ako ng kahit ibang model kahit mas mahal tutal Birthday ko naman daw.  Buti nagtanong ako sa staff, nasa open area pala, dami daming stock kaya nga nakasale...happiness comes in flat packs!

Sarap kasi nung inayos ko towels ng asawa ko sa drawer, ang ganda ganda daw. 

Fast Five Fun!
May 14~17

Long weekend.  Feeling ko honeymoon.  Tagal ko nakasama asawa ko just doing nothing tapos nanood pa ng movie and went shopping.  Pag working day kasi tulog pa ako, naka alis na asawa ko then gabi na pag dumatin.  Kain and get the kids to sleep then super low bat na kami pareho.  Ganda ng Fast Five para sa busy mommy na katulad ko, movie time is a treat talaga.  Buti nalang hindi bawal magcelebrate ng birthday.

Pearly Birthday

Last year, pearl necklace and pinabili ko kay husband.  This year, earrings naman kasi nawala ko yung pearl earings ko.  Sana birthday ko araw araw!

Extended...
June 5

May audit na naman ako sa Taiwan.  Laging sambit ng mga katrabaho ko na maghoholiday na naman ako.  Gawain kasi nila na pag may business trip, they extend a few days for personal holiday.  Dahil birthday ko at 10 years na akong Supplier Quality Engineer, it's time for a personal holiday. Ako lang.  I am extending my trip to Taiwan. But what can I see and do in one day? Basta at least meron akong "me" time.

This year ko naramdaman ang tunay na "maligayang kaarawan".

I am happy with my husband, very happy with my kids, very blessed to be with my Mom, I have great family and friends.

Love you LORD! You are simply Amazing mmwah
 

I did it!

Here is my day to day account for the General Motors Diet that I embarked on this week:

Day 1: Breakfast was a baby royal gala apple and a china pear. First cup of water was at 9:30. Since it is Monday, I cleaned my water bottle. While cleaning it, I saw my colleagues washing their water bottles with hot water. So I copied, my bottle melted! So I have to take water cup by cup…haaay. 10:20 I am already hungry, so took some grapes which I prepared for lunch. I’m already worried that I won’t have enough for lunch. I still have another apple and china pear.


For lunch, I had a cup of mixed fruits – watermelon, cantaloupe, guava, papaya and pineapple plus my china pear. I have ordered another cup for afternoon snack. So far I do not feel hungry but due to 3 cups of water, my stomach feels cold. No dizziness so far.


2:30 sakit sakit na ng tiyan ko. Just downed my 4th cup of water. Kumain ng konting fruit then it’s better. Hanep, clear ang wiwi ko.


Promise, bukas kakain na ako ng tama! Maybe I will just maintain Mondays to be Fruit day. Pero sorry nalang give up na ako sa GM diet na ito.


Day 2: balik breakfast ng oatmeal. All veggie day dapat ngayon, pero I had fruits for lunch instead. Natamad lang lumabas to eat. Dinner was bonggang roasted chicken. Note: pag dating ko sa bahay ng 6 pm, binabanatan ko ang peanut butter sandwich. Sabi ko after six…after six, tapos na ang diet. Hehehe


Day 3: Akala ko ba give up na ako? Tinatamad talaga ako bumili ng lunch sa canteen. So since banana and milk today, nag tall glass of fresh milk ako with my oats for breakfast. Lunch was two big bananas. Nagutom ako ng 3 pm, so I got my Kinder Bueno. Ay grabe tong diet na ito, lalo akong pinapataba. After six, no more diet. Heavy dinner ulit kasi I need to wash feeding bottles, nurse my son, rock him to sleep like forever! 2 am, 5 am, 6 am…He needs to feed, so I need all those energy.


On this night, I got my weighing scale. I was surprised!!! I lost 1 kg. Huuus, malamang sira na yung analog na kilohan ko. Wala akong tiwala. At di ako nagtimbang before embarking on this diet plan. Baka matagal na pala akong one kilo lighter.


Day 4: Beef and veggies day. Puwede daw kumain ng hamburger. So I had upsized Quarter Pounder meal. Beef naman yun, vegetable naman ang French fries di ba? Hindi nako magtitimbang tonight LOL.


I checked the diet schedule, hindi ko pala namemeet yung sequence. I skipped the fruits and veggies only day, supposed to be day 3. At di ko rin meet ang 10 glasses of water a day. Eh yung normal na 8 nga eh d ko kaya no!


Day 5: may dalawang nagresign sa department naming at end of the year na kaya’t nanlibre ng lunch ang bossing. Lahat kami, order ang pinakamahal siyempre. Beef day parin today. So beef set it is! I’m loving this diet ha ha ha. Kalerky to the max!


GM diet is 7 days but tomorrow is my family day, I usually cook good food on weekends. Monday, is my father’s birthday and we plan to have buffet lunch this Sunday. No diet for me.


Anyway, Monday is all fruits day. I’ll weigh again on the 15th maybe I’ll loose another kilo???

Overall, I think this diet works.  I felt lighter during the fruits days and a clear wiwi is of course a very good thing but drinking lots of water will be enough for that.  Unfortunately, I can survive the whole day without water, days later, I'll have UTI though. 

Going through 3 days fruit lunch also made my capacity lower. I could normally consume my quarter pounder and large french fries but last Thursday, I left "some".

I'll probably do another "stick to the rules" round by Chinese New Year.

Three is a crowd

It's my wish to spend nights with my husband in our room . . . just the two of us.

Audrey's been sleeping with us since birth, and she's 5 now.

I have thought that having her own bedroom will be my relief.  Not so.

And now that we have Aeden . . . I guess my dream space with my dear husband will still be a family space.

Initially I was sad, but now, seeing them all cuddled up together, it brings smile to my face.  What a joy to be with your loved ones.

Four people in a room is not a crowd!

Pilipino po ako (?)

Kamusta naman ang pagiging Pilipino ko?

Kausap ako ng isang kaibigan.

Singkit: Did Pac-man win in election?
Buntis: I do not follow Philippine Politics
Singkit: Did you vote?
Buntis: Nope.
Singkit: Why? You should vote!
Buntis: walang kibo, nag-iisip, bakit nga ba hindi ako bumoto?
Singkit:  How did you do an automated election when there are places that you need to cross rivers before you can reach the place?
Buntis: Do not ask me!

Dahil talagang hindi ako interested sa eleksiyon, iniba niya ang topic.

Singkit: Where can I find authentic Philippine Cuisine in Singapore?
Buntis: I can cook it for you!

Haay...kasi naman ang liit ng mundo ko.
Pero honestly, meron bang authentic Philippine Cuisine dito? Panay mamantikang ulam lang naman ang tinda sa Lucky Plaza.  Yung Salu-Salo nagsara na, hindi ko pa nga natatry.

Kung Pinoy food din lang, eh di yung luto nalang namin sa bahay.

At tama yung nabasa ko sa FB.  "Yung mga hindi bomoto, walang karapatang magreklamo sa mga ginagawa ng politoko dahil hindi naman nila ginamit ang karapatan nilang mamili kung sino ang mamumuno."
OK, agree ako doon.  No comment nalang sa mga kaganapan sa Pilipinas.

Tama na...mag diet na!

I went to visit my OB last Tuesday.

It was just a routine check so I expected it to last 10 minutes only.  True enough, he was in a hurry to get me out of his clinic. The urine test, weight test and wating time lasted about an hour.

It's alright, books I've read always stress that antenatal visits are VERY important.  Next month would be more exciting as I'll be watching my baby boy through ultrasound again.  His movements are "too much" now, soon I expect to feel the pain of his kicks.  Bring it on baby! That's better than me wondering what's going on inside, whethere you're still there or not.

I'm now 63 Kg...gosh.  That was my weight when I gave birth to Audrey.  I was probably around 50 Kg before pregnancy then.  I was never able to get back to that shape again, only to 52 Kg.  So now, with three months more before giving birth, will I be gaining 10 Kg more? huwaaaaah please no!

Solution...mag diet.  I told myself to avoid chocolates, cakes, jelly beans, Coffee Bean drinks, soft drinks...all are bad for the baby anyway.  I could always say no to these when I was not pregnant, but surprisingly, I'm into them now. 

Here's what is in my office drawer right now...oh di ba ang sinful?

Kaya after kong maubos tong mga to (may grace period pa), hindi nako magbabaon ng mga ganyan, puro fruits nalang.  naks!

Ang sarap kasing kumain ngayon without watching your weight kasi I have a very obvious excuse! Kung dati hindi puwedeng malaki ang tiyan, ngayon, aba! buntis eh.

Pero paano na naman ang post-natal weight gain? Oh yes, once you stop breasfeeding, your body will drive you for more calories, kayat tataba ka pang lalo.

Kaya, tama na....mag diet na!

Kalendaryo

Sumapit na naman ang ika-4 ng Mayo sa kalendaryo.
ito ang aking kaarawan.
at sa katotohanan, itong taon ang huling taon kong nasa kalendaryo pa ang edad ko.

in short, 31 na ako.

4 na taon na pala akong nag didiwang ng aking kaarawan dito sa SG.
2007 - wala ang aking pamilya pero kasama ko naman mga ka-caregroup ko. marami ring mga taga HICAP ang dumalo. (hindi yan ang pic ng bday ko, pero sila ang mga kasama ko)

 
2008 - Japanese buffet with Audrey and Luigi (nagpagutom pa kami ng husto kayat nagpicture muna)

2009 - Pulau Ubin with family

2010 - 4/29 : dinner with Family, 5/3 : pizza at home, 5/4 : Marina Bay Sands dinner date with Luigi

Pinili kong mag ME moment nung kaarawan ko. So anong ginawa ko? Nanood ako ng Iron Man 2 (buntis at nagiisa, hanep sa trip), gumala gala sa mall at kumain ng paborito kong yakiniku.  Kala ko marami akong magagawa sa isang araw.  Kaso mabigat na pala tong baby boy ko, kaya't puro din pahinga.  D bale na, importante ay nakag muni muni pa ako.  Nang mag CR ako, bigla akong nag emote! Tulo ang luha at hagulgol.  Bakit? naisip ko lang, malamang e2 na ang huli kong ME moment.  The reality of being a mother-to-be of 2 kids struck me.  It's a very heavy responsibility.  Maaga akong nag-asawa kayat hindi na enjoy ang pagiging single.  Wala naman akong regrets.  Tutal, puwede pa ulit akong mamuhay single pag medyo malalaki na ang mga bata.

Ayon.  I had a happy birthday definitely. Maraming salamat po Lord.  Sana pahiram mo pa ako sa mga nagmamahal sa akin ng maraming taon pa.

I'm Craving for.....

pork isaw na may saw sawan na suka at sibuyas.....shwarmmmm s-a-r-a-p!

Sushi Tuesday

I have been guilty of not playing much with my daughter. Specially when I worked part time sandwich artist, she barely see me. So I often rushed home every Tuesday and Thursday to either bring her to the mall or to the park. Now that I have night classes, she misses me much more. I often arrive and she's sitting on the bed with tears about to roll. When I hug and kiss her, the tears roll down. How heartbreaking. My daughter is a master "paawa-effect artist". But she's really very emotional. So to set us both free, I designated every Tuesday as Tuesdays with Audrey. I promise to throw everything away after work, head home and play with her. Pero naman, 12 midnight na, hindi parin nagsasawa ang baby ko. Kay hirap. Pero masaya ako. At least when I can't give in to her request to play, I can always promise her to wait for Tuesday.

Last week we went to the playground. She loves sand. Who cares if there are swings and slides in the playground? I only want to play with the sand.

Today is Sushi Tuesday. I've always wanted to make sushi as I love Japanese food. I've prepared my recipes, will rush to the grocery later, then Audrey and I will make sushi. I hope she will concentrate. Mamya baka sabihin niya, mag color nalang tayo mama.

Audrey loves my cooking. Ask her why she loves me and she'll always answer: She cooks good food (favorite nila ang adobo ko) and she also says Mommy plays with me.

I don't have to be super mom. To my kid, I'm already the best.

First Time ko sa Korea, sana may susunod pa!

Buti nalang may supplier ako sa Korea. Galing lang ako doon for audit. Sa unang supplier, masaya. Super welcome ako, kasi naka-hold ang mga order namin sa kanila due to some quality issues. So very accommodating sila. Nakakapressure lang kasi on our second dinner, nagsabi na silang kailangan ipasa ko sila sa audit kasi tatanggalin daw sila pag hindi sila pumasa. Yung isang manager, nilabas yung phone niya at pinakita yung pic ng anak niya. "You see my son? If I don't get good score in this audit, I won't be able to feed him!" Aba kinonsensya pa ako...anyway, dahil persistent sila to show proof of compliance, mataas naman ang score nila. I hope gumanda na ang performance nila, kasi hirap narin ako to hold weekly conference call with them.


Natuwa ako sa mga apple trees sa daan, major crop ng Chungju ang apples at harvest season ngayon. E araw araw gusto ko talagang magpapicture sa apple trees. Kaso lagi kaming ginagabi sa audit. So nung last day na, pagkasundo sakin sa hotel, kapal muks kong nirequest na tumabi sa kalye pag may apples...hahaha are you serious?? tanong ng supplier. Hindi daw niya alam kung saan may apple...sabi ko, dumaan ka sa likod ng company, doon maraming apples...huh, akala mo i'm not serious ha? Bawal pumitas, i-fine ka ng Korea Government, ang pinagkakakitaan nila from sale of these apples go to the poor...whoooa...sana maisip din ito ng mga pulitiko sa Pinas, ang tulungan ang mga mahihirap...

Worried ako sa food, kasi hindi ako sanay kumain ng maanghang. So okay, first dinner upon arrival, let's see the food.... ayan unagi at beef soup at sandamak-mak na side dish. Maanghang ba? Hindi, kaya pa ng panlasa ko...pero walang lasa yung food. Exceept yung beef soup na sumobra ata sa tamis. Masarap siya tingnan. Walang kanin kaya di ako nabusog.






Second dinner naman...bad experience. This is a specialty. Very Expensive. Try it. It's rotten fish. Hmm...looks like sashimi to me, pano naging rotten fish? Okay, like ko naman ang burong isda sa Pampanga, so baka masarap naman itong rotten fish. Sige ichopstick mo dear... first chew, wala naman, second checw, lasang isda, third chew...oh men! where is the toilet? parang amoy at lasang ammonia, medjo makunat pa naman, tagal nguyain. napa-wek ako, nasusuka, naluluha. It's very good sabi pa nila, eat some more...naluha na talaga ako. Pinagtawanan nalang nila ako. Tirahin nalang natin yung boiled pork at kimchi...ok ang lasa. While writing this, medyo nasusuka at naluluha ako. Walang rice kaya hindi ulit ako nabusog. Nakakapagod nga nguyain yung mga side dish nilang puro gulay. But the food is definitely healthy. Very low in fat and full of fiber. Kaya walang matabang Koreano. Ok to, hindi ko proproblemahin ang pagtaba ko after this audit. Interesting to know na ang kimchi is very good to fight flu. Kaya sila tinatamaan ng H1N1.



More food:







Inihaw na baboy...sarap. Masarap din yung inihaw na onions, garlic at kimchi. Napagod parin ako sa kakanguya ng side dishes.




Cold Noodles...masarap, refeshing yung soup na kimchi based din. Pero sineserve ito after mong magpakabusog sa inihaw na baboy. So hindi ko kayang ubusin yung noodles. Para din silang Chinese, after eating ulam, saka hihirit ng kanin or noodles. Pangpuno daw ang rice, bread or noodles sa tiyan na hindi pa puno.






Ginseng Chicken...may malagkit na kanin sa loob ng manok at may ginseng. Walang lasa kaya may isang mangkok ka ng asin. Isang manok per person. Maliit lang naman. Kayang kaya (ako pa!) pero hindi ko rin inubos dahil pinangunahan akong busog na daw siguro ako. Pademure, kaya sige na nga...eh hita at pakpak lang kaya yung nakain ko. May Kanin naman, kaya nabusog na ako. Last dinner na namin with my supplier...lipat naman sa isa pa. D sila as jolly as my first supplier. So medjo hindi ako nagpicture. Saka pagod narin.


Parating na raw dito sa area ko yung auditor ng physical inventory kaya post ko na ito. Mamaya na yung Pre-wedding anniversary gala namin ni Luigi.