Christmas in November

the old lady has come and gone. left for manila yesterday. it was such a great three (3) days with her. we weren't able to talk that much owing to my limited time, but i will cherish always those three days she spent with us, me and my kids... talking, laughing, and cooking (yes! she cooked something for my kids). was just so happy that in spite of her age, she was still sprightly and in good health. i can't help but be teary eyed as i look at her now. the face that once was so strict looking has lost its fierceness and that booming voice that used to quiet us (me and my siblings) and was so authoritative then has suddenly turned soft. the lines showing on her face are more prominent now than the last time i saw her back in '05. however, that chinese-ilokana look that has so captivated my dad was still present. still beautiful at 70 even with all the hardships that she went through in life and in raising us, her children. mama, if you could read this, i would like to thank you for coming over. for me, it was like christmas in november. i have told you this before but let me just repeat it again. i'm sorry for all the pain that i have caused you. what you have told me as regards to my kids will be remembered and implemented (mama knows best) and i assure you that i will try my very best for history not to repeat itself. i love you mama.

Gifts for Kids

thinking about gifts for the little one's this christmas... here's something that might help you decide on what to buy.

1. Educational toys - These toys teach children problem solving techniques, from the simple one's to the more complex. These kind develops logical thinking and improves our kid's observation skills.

2. Bicycles and other ride-ons - These promote fitness and reinforces a child's fondness for outdoor activities. just be sure to check the safety equipment that goes along with it. in my time, i've gotten one as a reward for having good grades in school and safety gears were not in vogue yet at that time. i've had my share of cuts, scratches and bruises but then its all part of growing up.

3. Puzzles - this type challenges the child's ingenuity. it teaches the recognition of patterns and increases their deduction skills. my favorite pastime as a kid growing up. the kind that you get to do alone on a lazy afternoon while waiting for the guys to come out and play.

children nowadays are very fortunate as they have these kinds of toys available which can teach and train them on many things. in my time, it was all wooden guns, sipa, tumbang preso and that sotdrink bottle cap which we flatten and insert strings with and spins. we would sharpen the edges and battle it out until a string cuts loose. my friends and i always had a blast playing that game. and one more thing, before deciding on what toys to get for the little one's, make sure that the toy would be approriate for your child's age, otherwise, your child might not thoroughly reap its benefits. or worse, it may just end up as something that your child will dismember and eventually will just add clutter to his/her room. and lastly, those old and beat up toys can still be of use... donate them to orphanages or abandoned child institutions or the underprivileged who may not have something to give to their kids this christmas. Share y'all!

Don't Throw that Food Away

Here's a reminder to y'all not to throw your holiday feast surplus. Stock 'em up in the freezer or fridge and recycle them into an entirely new and delectable dish after the holidays.

Here are some of the food that most likely will end up as leftovers:

1. Ham - this can be recycled into healthy gourmet sandwiches with additional layers of cheese (queso de bola) lettuce and tomatoes. just use salad dressing or mayo if desired.

2. Chicken - this can be used likewise as a spread for sandwiches with the addition of mayo, chopped onions, mashed potatoes, freshly ground pepper and minced celery. Or you can stir fry the chicken with assorted vegetables (i.e. snow peas, carrots, cabbage), then add egg noodles for a delectable chicken chow mein.

3. Bread - can be used for making puddings and/or can be toasted then ground for use as bread crumbs to your fried chicken and breaded pork chops and can be used as an extender for pork embutido.

4. Pork or Beef Roast - i personally use these two for menudo. just add a can of liver spread, potatoes, carrots, green peas, raisins and bell peppers then cook in tomato sauce and voila! instant pork or beef menudo.

these are just some of the probable leftovers in your holiday feast. i will post another one as soon as i can come up with another list of probable leftovers. Finally, christmas is practically around the corner and here's hoping for a happy and healthy feast to y'all! Bon Appetit!

GOOD NEWS!!!

now here's a bit of a good news. my brother, the youngest one, called me up last night to inform me that he will be coming over to mindanao next week to accompany someone and he'll be making a side trip to my place and guess who he's taking along for the visit, MY MOM! i was so elated that the old lady (still sprightly at 70) will be coming over. last time i saw her was in '05, my last visit to manila. this will be the first time that she'll be coming over since our move here in mindanao. the first time also that she will be able to meet in person my youngest daughter who was "made in mindanao". just one of two grand daughters, all the rest are boys (6 of them). my kids are so excited they can't wait until monday. especially so for my two boys who she last saw when they were 3 and 1 yr. old. now they are 11 and 9. that makes it 8 years that she wasn't able to see them. but i guess i'm the most excited seeing her again. timing is just perfect! and in this times that we are economically challenged, i am so thankful to the Lord for this. just the perfect gift for Christmas!

Home Grown

While lazily surfing the net one afternoon, i decided to check on Reverbnation, which i haven't done in quite a while and guess what i came across... i found out a number of songs of unknown Filipino Artists. while listening to some, i can't help but be amazed at the way our local artists have evolved. they're good and so world class. if you like a sampling, kindly press the play button on the music player on the sidebar. i wish that some of them make it as i believe some, if not most of them have the potentials. who knows, with a little luck and all the right breaks... they just might make it. --->

BAD NEWS!

My former unit leader in the renewal called me last night to relay a most shocking news... a very good friend of mine also from the community passed away two days ago. it was a shock to me and rendered me sleepless for the rest of the night. He was a dear, dear friend. I never forget to pay him a visit whenever i am in manila. the last time i saw him was way back in '05. he was still ok then but was on medication already for hypertension. he was much older than me but the age gap really didn't matter as this guy was a go-getter was flexible. he was friends with anybody and very respected in our community and was for a long time, president of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) in our area. We'd spend countless hours talking and laughing on practically about anything in life. he was a good listener and one that i could always run to for an ear on my many litanies and sentiments. this fellow is what you may call the been there, done that kinda guy. he lived a full life and has had his share of vices one can think of. in the years that i have known him, he struck me as a loyal friend and a very obedient worker in the Lord's vineyard. we have gone to provincial missions together and was and always is the driver that will ferry the entire delegation to our provincial sorties. driving being his best skill and mind you, he has driven anything and everything that has wheels on it. he was one of a couple of persons i would permit to drive my car.

What me makes me doubly sad is that i can't get to pay my last respects to a dear friend for economic reasons. i would like to remember him as he was the last time we saw each other... full of life, smiling and laughing at the sight of me and after the usual pleasantries, sat down for a round of beer...

tito eli, i will miss you and always remember that you will always have a special place in my heart. goodbye my friend... or should i say... until we meet again.

TAGGED!

I've been tagged! Big thanks to MOMnificent for this. The tag asks me to post 8 random facts/habits about myself and tag 8 others in the process as soon as this is posted. Well, what can i say about myself? I'm probably what you may call as your regular guy in the neighborhood. And as i've said, am just a simple man with very simple wants in life... anyway, i'll try to be very brief as possible:

1. i'm a proud dad to three (3) beautiful, intelligent and kulit children. Pics of them are on the sidebar below, ang "tatlong itlog" as i love to call them. am married with a "wife" of course... harharhar.

2. was born up north but grew up in quezon city. an ilocano who migrated to the city of golden friendship (cagayan de oro) in december of 1999. i'm a lover of great food and i love to create culinary specials for my 3 most ardent fans, my kids. (who else, lol). that is why i am also in the food business, a canteen concessionaire to be exact, running 2 concessions for a multinational company and a local one here in mindanao...

3. i love reading. i read just about anything i can get my hands on. reading for me feeds my mind, entertains and quenches my thirst for information...

4. i can carry a tune, (so they say) and i can dance as well. was a former member of the 1st generation of dancers at the "party circuit" and had my own group, "The FSC" during my younger years. i'm more of a dancer than a singer. but now, dancing cook na! harharhar...

5. i love to go out for a walk... my own quiet and reflection time.

6. if given the chance, i would like to live high up in the mountains where life is simpler, quiet and a lot colder (brrrrrr)...

7. if life would grant me one wish... my wish would be a peaceful, happy and fulfilled life with my family...

8. i love carpentry. i make cabinets, tables and other wood fixtures and my house is my showcase (where else!). harharhar.

so there! now i'm tagging the following friends in the blogosphere: 1. Juliana of PINAY WAHM, Eugene of BOLD-TALK, Lalaine of LALAINE'S WORLD, Meia of MEIA ONLINE, Renet of PHYSIOMOM, Wena of UNCOMPLICATED and Sam of SHOW ME YOUR INTEREST.

And the tag rules are as follows:

1 - Each player starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.

2 - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

3 - At the end of your blog post, you need to tag eight people and list their names.

4 - Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged and to read your blog.

Tale of TWO Brains

I had a good laugh watching this and i would like to share it with all of you dear readers. its been a while that i had a really good one.
So! watch and laugh your heart out or better yet, laugh until you cry.