Cutty

It was after dinner and we were settling down for bed.   I was alone caring for my children.   My husband hasn’t come home yet.   The yayas were finishing up downstairs.   They were fighting with each other once again. I no longer remember what caused it. I got fed up and decided to leave the bedroom.   I needed some peace and quiet.   They were all alone by their young selves.   I wondered how they would react to that.   It was the first time I walked out on them.   I was just outside, by the bedroom door, sensing if the fight would intensify or calm down. Then, there was silence.   I snuck a peek and saw my eldest lecturing the younger two.   He was talking to them calmly and quietly.   I remember he was telling them to stop fighting because it was upsetting Mama.   That made me smile.   That made me proud. This was when all my 3 elder children were not older than 5 years old.   I long for those peaceful moment...

The past week was difficult.  I portrayed all roles.  I was a home manager, teacher, baker, business manager, singer and negotiator apart from being a wife, a daughter and a mother.   I pour my my whole being in the roles I play.  This is why I feel frustrated and betrayed when the effort I put into a particular role isn't appreciated and properly acknowledged.  Here is a note to self, a reminder to value myself even if others forget, and to chose the people who will make me happy and feel valued.  I just have to let the others pass through.  

Temptation is everywhere these days.  It is getting harder and harder to hold on to our cash.  Online sales are happening every month.  Retail establishments in malls are trying hard to boost sales during this pandemic.  If you know me, you'd know that this it the ultimate time to test my EQ.   In the days leading up to the biggest holiday of the year, let us be mindful of our retail practices.  

I have always been a doer.  I am used to having too little time to do anything else.  Most of my adult life was spent juggling family life, work life and my "extra-curricular" activities.   This was my training since high school.  I'd spend half of my lunch hour and my Saturdays training for choir competitions.  In college, I'd rehearse three to five times a week for concerts and competitions.  I'd squeeze in choir admin work, school work and other relationships in between.  I learned to manage my time well and to work efficiently during those times.   I didn't do all those things without complaining.  Oh, I'd complain a lot. I'd cry when it gets too stressful.  I'd be very masungit.  But at the end of everything else, I get things done.  What I promised gets delivered.  You see results. I have been accustomed to this.  Somehow, I have the same expectations from people who work with me.  I expect collea...

We've been Internet-deprived for the past 6 days.  After numerous visits and calls to PLDT, nothing has been restored.  I've been nice and I've been mean. We just wasted a total of 5 hours on phone plus 3 hours of waiting in line.  Take note that this has nothing to do with the sub-marine maintenance this weekend.   Without this service, we really have limited entertainment. During this time, we've relied on my husband's corporate mobile data service.  It has allowed our children to attend school when needed.  I was able to download my KDrama episodes and Enola.  Apart from these, we were mostly offline.  My Globe Mobile Data service has been really sporadic, not really reliable. It was a disappointment. Thankfully, we were able to find a back-up and had it installed in 3 days. I would have wanted it earlier, but, no dice.   So what have we learned from this experience? 1)  It is important to have a back-up knowing that we...

During this period of social distancing, I try to support small home-based businesses.  I try them out at least once.  If I like it, I try my best to be really supportive.  Here are my 2 favorites: Risa's Homemade Cakes .  I must have ordered their chocolate cake 5 times.  It is so simple yet so delicious.  It is the chocolate cake from my childhood.  It is very affordable too.  I can actually make myself a good chocolate cake too. But, enjoy cakes more if I didn't have to make them.   Tetcha's Mediterranean Grilled Chicken .  This is a neighbor's business that I supported several times.  We order from them if I don't feel like making a meal.  I recently discovered a recipe that makes a close copy of Tetcha's grilled chicken.  It is easier to buy.   What made me like them more was the ease of transaction.  I place an order via FB or Viber then I pay via mobile banking.  My order will be ready for d...

This cake is the latest craze during this pandemic, especially now that everyone is a home baker.  Being a baker myself, I also gave in, upon my husband's request.  I wanted to know what the fuss was about. I haven't tried the authentic one. But I searched all over for the most authentic recipe I could find. Based on what I've seen, these are the major differences:  the burnt top and sides, the sloping top layer, the custardy flavor and the absence of crust. I've seen a lot of hacks.  Some people baked it with crust.  Some people just torch the top layer to create that burnt top.  Some use NY-style cheesecake recipe.  But that isn't being true to the origin of this cake. Using the proper method is important because the flavor component of the burnt cheese produces a nice contrast to the custardy cake.  There is a toasty, nutty flavor produced by the burnt top.  The color of the baking paper is also a dead giveaway.  When yo...