CRAVINGS - "kinilaw na isda"

For the past few days, I’ve been craving to make and eat “kinilaw na isda” (raw fish salad) so yesterday morning the girls and I, along with Ate Susan took a trip to Viet Hoa a Vietnamese Supermarket, to buy fresh fish and the rest of the ingredients for the “kinilaw”.













Here are the ingredients we used:
2 ½ lbs Tanigue (I don’t know actually the English name of this fish, but my understanding calls for King Fish)
1 bottle coconut vinegar
3 Lemons squeezed
1 red onion chopped
4 stalks of green onions chopped
5 gloves of garlic minced
3 medium size cucumbers sliced
1 large radish sliced

Here’s the preparation:
We cut the fish into cubes (bite size), washed with water then marinated fish in coconut vinegar and chilled for at least an hour, drained then we combined all the ingredients and squeezed the lemons, seasoned it with salt and pepper and we mixed it!

Tarannnn! Our first KINILAW FISH EVER and believe me it was good, good enough to satisfy my cravings! Making our first “kinilaw” is simple, but it just takes more preparation time cutting all those ingredients.














I always associate the “kinilaw” with a beach outing, but since it was cold yesterday the only perfect place that I can think of and enjoy my “kinilaw” is at the comfort of my dinning table imagining the beach site!

What is "Kinilaw"
"The kinilaw moment is that instant when the raw fish meets the vinegar or other souring agent, and transformation begins from the raw state. The fish is cooked using vinegar as the meat turns opaque in color."

Though “kinilaw” may not be as popular as adobo, it certainly has a one-of-a-kind taste that many Pinoys, just like me who lives far from Philippines crave for.

Just looking at the photos makes me want to eat more “kinilaw na isda”, but it’s all gone! I ate it all for my lunch and dinner, nothing left for the next day, but personally I don’t think” kinilaw” is good on the second day!

My cravings ends with my late snack last night the Mango with bagoong (shrimp paste), lucky I found green mangoes at the market, so to complete all my cravings I bought mangoes too!

Ohh..... a bowl of sliced green mango served with good bagoong. I could feel the crunch of the unripe mango, the slightly astringent, incredibly sour shock to the taste buds, soon mitigated by the gentle squish of tiny shrimp shells that burst with a salty, bagoong flavor.

WOW!!! I just can’t believe that I ate all of this on my own last night!

And if you are staring at your monitors salivating… all I can say is, SORRY I will share it with you NEXT TIME!


THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

Another day!

Another disappointing day! My husband who is currently in Scotland for a business trip was supposed to be back today, but yesterday he called to let me know that he got extended for two more days, his flight got reschedule for this Friday, January 30th. I know it’s a job and there’s nothing that we can do (unless of course he finds another company that gives him the same benefits or better than he's getting from GE Energy, I know there is, but it takes time to get another job!) Its company’s call, his company is the reason why we have the comfort of living, able to support the lifestyle we have right now (that means only one of us is working).

It’s just hard when you tell your kids that “Daddy’s coming home!” and see all the excitement on their faces, but in the end a last minute change of flight schedule. I got really frustrated yesterday, when I found out, all my excitement when to drain and couldn’t tell my girls that Dad have to stay another two days, they are young and they would not understand why Daddy is not coming home yet, all they know is that their Dad is not home!

To let all my frustrations out, I took the girls shopping and had sushi for dinner. I watched “American Idol” and when it was over I joined Jasmine and Gabie to watch their shows.

James’ two weeks work abroad means he gets to take some days off from work with pay and not even charge to his personal vacation days! His company allowed him to do this so that he could spend time to be with his family. We are really grateful to God for this job! I'm not complaining, I'm just letting out my frustrations about the situation!

We are counting the days of his return and the days, which we will have for our family bonding!

Thank God for everything!

The WAGON

Can you believe that this wagon is only $20? Marie and Bobby went to Goodwill yesterday (Sunday) and when they saw the wagon, it reminded them of Jasmine and Gabie, they called and asked me if I want it? for $20, why not? so they bought it and delivered it the same day (express delivery, hahaha).

The price of a brand new wagon would usually cost you from $80 to $100 plus! I’ve been wanting to buy one, but just don’t want to spend that much. I’m glad that Marie and Bobby got this, because still looks good and it doesn’t have any damages, just a little dusting and nobody can tell that we only spent 20 bucks!

Today I took Jasmine and Gabie to Chuck E. Chees’s for lunch, they played for about 2 hours and went home to take a nap. I promised the girls after their nap that I will take them to the park and I did! We took the wagon with us and when we got to there they were so exited to go on a wagon ride!

Thanks to Marie and Bobby, my girls’ excitements are priceless!

JUST MINE!

My 2 years old daughter is really something; she always does things and talks or asks stuff in a funny way!

Here are some moments that when it crosses my mind, it makes me laugh!

One cold morning, I was walking around the house with a throw blanket wraps around me, when all of a sudden she asked “Mommy are you superman?” lol!The next day I did the same thing and here is her question “Mommy are you an ibon and superman?”

Another incident:
My husband was telling our youngest daughter Gabie to stop opening all the kitchen drawers, but she wouldn’t listen. So my husband whips her hands and she cried, here goes Jasmine running to the kitchen and asked “Daddy why Gabie’s crying?” her dad said “I whipped her because she won’t listen” and Jasmine said “Daddy you listen to Mommy Ok?”

I know someday I will share this story with them...

Witnessing my daughters developments really amaze me and surprises me with things they know and what they can do!

Jasmine is full of energy, she’s quick and sometimes I just couldn’t keep up with her. When she was only 9 ½ months she learned to walk, at 13 months she seats and pee on her training toilet and before she turned two she was already potty trained (both pee and poo, sometimes a little accident). Currently she can recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” although not good on pronouncing the words, I am proud of her! to be honest I just learned to memorize it, when I started teaching her this. (We both learned at the same time, funny isn't it?)

Gabie my youngest one, is far different from her big sister. She is more calm and quite. When Gabie turned 1 she learned to walk and also learned to say “Apple Juice”. She learns quicker on words that action. At 13 months she learned to sing “Happy Birthday to you, or Ate or dada” and pronounces it really well.

Being with them everyday is like experiencing new exciting adventures, learning and exploring new things with them! I love being a mother, I know being a MOM means hard work and it’s a job of a lifetime, but I wouldn't trade it for any job.

My children are my happiness without them, I’ll be lost, my life will be empty and meaningless. They are my pride and joy, they are JUST MINE (of course they’re James too! hehehe)

Just sharing my thoughts…

Below is Jasmine's video reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance".

Have a good one!

Saturday Blast!

My Saturday morning started with good news from Beth. She called to let me know that they are home from the hospital and that Marva is doing well! I’m thankful to God that my prayers were answered (no doubt about it!) I’m glad that her surgery was successful!

Half of my Saturday morning spent chatting with James. He must be really bored, poor guy I can tell that he is ready to go home! Jas and Gabie enjoyed seeing their dad on a web cam. James’ web cam is a high definition camera that comes with software that lets him use or changes into different characters. Our girls giggle every time he switches to a princess character! Jasmine really loves the unicorn and Gabie loves the dog!

At 6:00pm the girls and I together with Ate Susan and Tito Tim, headed to Josie’s baby shower. Marie and I hosted the baby shower games and everybody had a blast! Here are some of the games we played:

Guess the Candy Bar where we put melted candy bar in each diaper. The goal of this game is to guess which candy bar is. It was so funny because some smelled it and some were they tasted it! It looks pretty gross I’m sure it doesn’t look good on those pictures.

Cotton Ball Bucket we spin the volunteer 3 times (to get them dizzy), we gave them a plastic spoon and they have to transfer as many cotton balls from one bowl into another. Try it and you’ll see that it’s not easy! Hahahahaha!

Baby Sock Game where they have to try and match as many socks as they can in 1 minute.

Baby Bottle Food Race where a pair tries to finish the baby food before everyone does.

It was a fun night and I can’t wait for my friend Katrina’s baby shower which scheduled for next week January 31st. I’m hoping that on her baby shower everyone will have a good time as much as we did at Josie’s Shower.

Katrina’s Shower Info:
January 31st @ 11am, baby shower will be held at Vu and Katrina’s house. Please check Friendsters bulletin for more information!

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

It’s a JOB!

This morning my husband called to let us know that his stay in Scotland was extended. He left Last Sunday, January 18th and was supposed to be back this Sunday, January 25th, but GE Scotland requested his boss for him to stay another 3 more days, so now his flight got moved back to the 28th of this month!

He doesn’t really travel that much, only 10% of the time, but whenever he tells me that he is living part of me wants to tell him to find another job! Of course that is not an option he works for GE Electric, and they have a lot of better things to offer for his career as an Engineer.

I’m proud of him, he is a good worker and that’s probably why GE is treating him well! I know he loves to travel, but he hates missing us and wishes he could take us with him, but that’s another thousands dollar charge to our checking account if we tag along, we rather save that money for our daughters’ future!

I think I’m getting use to his travelling now, even though he travels way across the miles, his constantly checking on us everyday! We talk all the time and I can call him anytime, so it wasn’t bad after all! Besides he gets to bring us good stuff from different country.

We are thankful to God that he has a good job and a better pay, for which we both don’t have to work to survive and provide good life to our daughters. Although I am planning and feel like I’m ready to begin my career again as human resources, I’m not in a hurry. I know God has better plans for me and I strongly believe that…. "You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be."

Have a good day!

FOR THE LOVE OF SPORTS!

Last night I played volleyball, it was the second time I played again, and it’s been 5 years since the last time I played. Last week was the first; even with my 5 years missing on the court I can say that I wasn’t bad after all! I was still able to spike, bump and dig the ball, but just couldn’t get my serve right not even my underhand serve. Last night I feel so good with my game, it was a different story; my overhand serves went through and scored some points.

Volleyball is my “first love” I learned to play volleyball since I was 10yrs. Old. I remembered playing in our province, in the middle of a rocky road with only our slippers :) and when there’s a car or any vehicle we have to recess the game so that they can go through (good memories of my childhood). Back in Philippines I played varsity volleyball for my high school team. When I moved to Washington U.S., I have to retake high school for one more year, which I didn’t mind; because it would be a new experience attending a foreign high school. I tried out for their varsity volleyball team and not bad, I got in! Playing high school volleyball was another new experience, I guess at first I got intimidated by their heights, but it didn’t let me ruin by game, although my coach did not put me up front row to spike the ball (since I’m short, that’s probably the reason! hahahaha), I was on the back bumping and digging just to keep the game!

During college, I got really busy with my schedule; work full-time during the day and attending school at night. Playing varsity volleyball was not on my list anymore, but during the school intramural tournament I got invited to play and our team won the championship, our team got sent to play with other college team. Although we didn’t win all the way, I was glad that I got to play even if it just during the intramurals.

Some nights when I don’t have class, I played sand volleyball with my friends including my husband and also joined the Sand Volleyball Tournament; we didn’t win the championship, but we got in on the semi-final which we won t-shirts. Not bad!

I’ve always loved playing volleyball, the reasons it stops because of hurricane Katrina, I got pregnant and we moved to a different state away from some of my teammates. I really missed playing volleyball but in the absent of my volleyball career, I learned to play tennis, learned to love the game and learned that volleyball and tennis have the same concept, and that is just to make sure the ball is in!

For the love of sports!

Volleyball lovers:

Whoever has the guts to take a hard spike, and play competitive volleyball, come join us every Thursday, 7:30pm at St Francis Catholic Church. Oh by the way it's a $1 per person from 7:30pm-10:30pm.

Tennis lovers:

We play MWF from 6:30pm – 10:00pm at Sugar Land Recreation park Located in 225 Seventh Street, Sugar Land, TX 77478) at Wood and 7th Streets it’s by St. Theresa Catholic church.

See you there!

Charms of Friendship

“Don't ever be afraid to come to me and cry. Don't ever hesitate to look me in the eye. Don't ever be afraid to tell me how you feel. Remember we are friends and we got to keep it real.”

I really believed that everything happens for a reason, if it wasn’t for Hurricane Katrina we wouldn’t be here in Texas. When we moved here it was something really different, we were away from our families and from some of our friends, but little that I know that God as a plan for me when it comes to having or meeting friends here in Texas.

It was the month of December 2005, when we attended the “Simbang Gabi” upon my astonishment I saw a familiar face and it was Beth, my long time high school friend and now a Godmother to my youngest daughter Gabie. We were both surprised to see each other, it’s been 10 years since I left Davao, Philippines and I never thought we would see each other again! What a “small world”.

I was thankful to God for what happened, because ever since that day Beth and I became close again, we treated each other not just friends, but like sisters!

Last Sunday, January 18, 2009 after Marva’s (Beth’s daughter) birthday party, which was held at Beth’s house? She said she want to show me something I was surprised when she gave me a bracelet that has a “friendship” charm. To me the charm is not just a simple “hand me charm”, it was a charm that we have to break it apart and she gets to keep the other half and I get to keep the other one. I cried “tears of joy” not because I’m happy that she gave me something, but I was happy that she took the time of getting me something (I know how busy is her life schedule). I was touched of her generosity and it was a heartwarming moment, she really made me feel that I’m very special to her. It’s her action that made me feel that our friendship is not just an ordinary friendship. It’ a friendship that will last for a lifetime!

Beth is currently at the hospital right now with her daughter Marva, who is having a surgery for her gallbladder. I feel so bad that I wasn’t able to visit Marva and I feel so useless for not having being there with Beth, but I know Beth understood my situation, with me bringing my girls to the hospital, Beth agreed that the hospital is not the safest place to bring my 16 months old and my 2 years old daughters. Also Last Sunday my husband left for a business trip in Scotland and will not be back until the 26th of this month, so going to the hospital by myself is not an option. I know it was hard for her to see what Marva is going through.

The only comforting way that I can express to her is through talking to her on the phone, with that I was able to ease her pain and to let her know that I’m just a phone call away! And by my prayers I was able to extend my support to her and to her family, praying to God to watch over Marva, and that she will soon be ok!

Since moving here in Texas, I meet a lot of new friends who became really close to me. I considered them as my lucky charms! I enjoyed hanging-out with them, sharing recipes, partying with them. Just being friends with them adds a whole new meaning on why God chooses this state to be our new home. I don’t have to name each and every one of them, but they know who they are! And I want to take this opportunity to express to them, that I’m glad we became friends and that I will take care of this friendship! THANK YOU!

I know when it comes to friendship; God made me the luckiest one! I meet new friends that come and go, but the one who stay and sticks with me are the one who’s true!

Thanks for the friendship!

INAUGURATION THOUGHTS

Ok FRIENDS I'm expressing my short thoughts and opinions about the President Speech!

Yesterday (1/20/09) is another political and historical event for the United States of America, it’s the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of this country and became the nation’s first African-American chief executive.

My aunt from New Orleans came to visit us, that's why I was not able to watch the live coverage for President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration Speech, but thanks to YouTube I got the opportunity to watch it!

His speech shows compassion and there’s a leadership in his voice. I was moved by his speech, it sounded very hopeful and it was truly an inspirational one! As he made his inauguration speech, I was thinking about my two daughters and it made me feel much more confident about their future.

I know Obama would be something different and hoping that he would represent us and govern us the way we wanted. And I hope his presidency continues better than it began.

I know new changes are up a head for us on this country, some might be good and some might not be, but one thing for sure it’s a new beginning for all of us!

I am not good about discussing politics and I don’t know much about politics, but yesterday was something unusual and the thought of me sharing my feelings about President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech, will probably gave others some mix feelings! I know some americans agreed, but some dissagree about what he said. We just have to keep in our minds that nobody is perfect and if we just give him a chance I think he has something better plans to offer for this country and for the people, specially our children.

I'm glad I expressed my reactions about this event, with this simple and small way it made me feel that I am a part of this historical event of the United States of America.

God Bless Everyone!

Rockets Game!

I know this is an old event, but I feel like sharing this experience because it was Jasmine and Eryn’s First time going to a Rockets game.

It was December 16, 2008 @ 5:00 pm, when Charyn called me, about going to a Rockets game, her husband Erick got 4 Houston Rockets game tickets against the Denver Nuggets. So Charyn, Erick, James and I went to the game and we took both Eryn and Jasmine with us, it’s their first Houston Rockets experience, but none of us remembered to bring our cameras of course I have camera on my Samsung BEHOLD phone, but I still prepared the real one!. Watching the game was soooo much fun, I can’t believe that we were setting 6 rows away from the floor, and you know the closer you are by the court means a long trip to the bathroom, but we didn’t mind, it was a good seats! Charyn and Eryn was setting close where the player enters the court, so close that they could actually shake the players hands! Since they were setting close by the entrance, they got so lucky that a guy who just happens to pass by gave Eryn a hat, then a guard gave her a shirt and one of the Houston Rockets dancer gave her another shirt, it must be her round beautiful eyes that got them :) The Rockets won 108 and 96 points for Denver Nuggets, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming played their best! McGrady with a triple-double by the end of the third quarter and another 3-pointer in the final minute and Yao Ming finished the game with 32 points. It was very exciting to watch because Denver was leading both first and second quarters. It was a good night for us! The Rockets won, Charyn & Eryn got goodies from the Houston Rocket staff and the best part is we were able to have our 30 seconds of FAME; the camera was on us at one point! Too bad none of our friends watched the Rockets game that night! Eryn and Jasmine did well on their first Rockets game, they both screamed when we screamed, and even joined us on cheering “Let’s go, Rockets, Let’s go!”

ENTERING THE BLOG WORLD

“The word blog is a conflation of two words: Web and log. It contains in its four letters a concise and accurate self-description: it is a log of thoughts and writing posted publicly on the World Wide Web”

I am not a good writer, and so as expressing my opinions in person, but I found out the entering the blog world would be a good idea. The thought of me experiencing of being able to directly show or express my own words to the readers will be an exciting journey to this blog world. I know that on this voyage I would hit some rocky roads because of some people who would criticize me on the way I will express my thoughts, there would be a difference of opinions among my readers and discussing reactions and ideas that far different from mine. I do know that blog is instantly public, But I know I’m ready! To blog is therefore to let go of my thoughts in away that I MIGHT NOT or MIGHT OFFEND SOMEBODY, but it will let others revolve me toward relative truth.

So Bloggers here I am! And hope that with open mind you will consider some of “My own Words: Just expressing my thoughts!”

Cristina :)