Cutty

Travel and Food are some of the things that kept me going during this time of ECQ.  I took train rides across cities, rode on cruise ships and tasted Glühwein in this dreadful humid summer, thanks to Youtube.  I have familiarized myself with the world map too.  I now have a mental list of the next few destinations I am targeting.  Here they are in no particular order. Santorini.  I'd like to see the deep blue colors of the Mediterranean Sea.  I do not look forward to the heat and the crowds.  But, I want to see the breath-taking view it is known for. German Christmas Markets.  I am eyeing Hanover and Hamburg.  I have been dreaming of Christmas markets for 2 years now.  But, Christmas is the busiest time for most of us that I can't imagine how I can unload my responsibilities on an unsuspecting person. Istanbul.  I would love to be in the middle of the Turkish market, see the mosques and taste the traditional Turkish break...

I still believe that mangoes are seasonal.   This is the time when mangoes are at their sweetest.  I grab the chance to buy in bulk when it is cheap.  Last week, I was able to get 20 kgs of the Guimaras variety.  It was still unripe when we brought the them home.  But, I took care of them and waited until it is time to enjoy them.  The time has come. In the past weeks of the lockdown, I've made mango ice candy and mango jelly.  This week I am experimenting on a new cake flavor:  Mango Creme Brulee cake.  It is my take on the famed creme brulee cake but with juicy mangoes. It is assembled now and cooling in the chiller.  Here is a section of the cake.  It needs more mangoes, more custard and a more stable whipped filling. Yes, I also need to do the brulee part better.  I can't wait to have my own blow torch. I've also made a refreshing mango-chia seed pudding.  We prefer it as dessert.  It is one way for...

They've loosened the reins.  The roads are more crowded now.  There are lot more people roaming around the metro.  These people may be carriers of the veerus.  I may have let my guard down a bit.  But, I am more cautious now.  I am refraining from ordering cooked food.  We can't be too sure.  My menu has also gone back to beginning of ECQ.  To make things easier in the kitchen, I've employed a cuisine theme per day.  This will help break up the monotony of Pinoy food.  Last Saturday, we had Japanese food.  I made Beef Sukiyaki and Salmon Teriyaki.  Last Sunday was Korean food.  I prepared Bibimbap plus a few banchan dishes.  I am proud of this Bibimbap even if it doesn't look too appetizing. Last night was Mexican-inspired with tacos and nachos.  I would have prepared margaritas but it gets lonely when you are drinking alone.  I miss my drinking buddies.  We'll probably have Italian f...

We are on the 4th week.  I am not complaining.  There are news of extending the ECQ and I am all for it.  In fact, we've decided that even if the lockdown were lifted, we'd still stay put at home.  There are still a lot of infected people out there who haven't been tested.  Especially now that we are hearing about how much it costs to stay in the hospital, more people will be inclined to just go about it on their own and roam around the city with no care. More food establishments opening up. I do not know how they are staffing their stores without public transportation. But, I hope we’d have a chance to satisfy our cravings. I need my iced mocha fix.  I am still craving for Korean Banchan (?). I just hope I can get the ingredients so I can recreate these dishes at home. But, with people becoming more mobile, won’t the threat of the virus be more intensified? I've been busy baking.  I was able to get my supplies before the Holy Week and was able to ...

Week 1 of Lockdown What adjustments have I made during this time of "house arrest?" I hate to sound insensitive, but so far, the biggest adjustment is learning to be at home 24/7.   I realized that we've been always out and about that we've taken that for granted.  My kids are learning to enjoy things other than playing with their electronic toys.  They're keeping themselves entertained with board games and playing cards.  They learned how to play Black Jack, Solitaire, Ungoy-unguyan.  I have yet to teach them Pequa and the Memory Game.  What's important is they play together and get-along during these times of "house arrest." Before the lock-down, we were lucky enough to get the Harry Potter book set.  It was a good decision because it took their minds and hands off their electronic toys.  How has it affected us? I see that gas expenses have gone down.  There are fewer piles of clothes that need to be laundered.  There'...

I am trying to distract myself from this pandemic.  Currently, I am attracted to simple lines and designs of these bags.  They are not too loud but speaks well of craftsmanship.    I hope to get my hands on one of these soon. *photos not mine, grabbed from Colehaan.com, Prada.com, Wandler.com, Cuyana.com

For weeks now, I've been trying to process these emotions that engulf me.  I do not know if these are just hormones.  I've felt immense anxiety, loneliness, gratitude, pride (the good kind), anger, relief.  Many times I've been offended by people's selfish and greedy ways that I just couldn't help bursting into tears.  It is difficult to process.  I always have a hard time understanding why such behavior exists. I do acknowledge these feelings, I do not disregard them.  I bring out my emotional oils and sniff them till I feel better.  Most importantly, I pray long and hard that I overcome these negative feelings right away.  This is the most effective of them all.