Changes yet again

When things get unclear when you don't know what lays ahead for you; would you risk your old ways to get a new life? or would you trade the new opportunities to get back what you lost?

It is often a misconception, when people think that going to the United States make life easier for the one given the opportunity. I remember hearing my husband how he didn't like living in the US. And I would wonder what in the Philippines does he treasure more?!

Now I know better.

Life in the Philippines is way more comfortable than here. Life there is slower, but friends and family will never be left behind. Work is never a hindrance to family bonding, friends getaways, among others which make life enjoyable.

Here in the US, people are always in a hurry. One will always be either stuck at work, in traffic or errands. Vacations are planned, not done in a whim. Rest are always in hours, not days.

I used to whine on having to work on weekends. But thank God, at home, you won't have anything else to do but lay down on bed...Here,when you get home from work, the baby is waiting, the laundry keeps peeking out of the closet, the dust tickles your nose, used pans are way too much for your eyesight--there's just no one else to do it, but you!

So, you do it. Then, when your body is too tired, you lay down to sleep...and in a few minutes, the baby is crying! You didn't forget to feed the baby, did you?!

As always, change is good. It keeps you in line. It makes you realize things you took for granted.
Now, I know what I want...I'll see you all soon back home!

Buffalo Wings

Every time I think of buffalo wings, it always reminds me of Jessica Simpson's "I thought buffalos had wings?!" story, when she saw for the first time, the ox-like mammal (not the cooked domesticated fowl!).

To most of us, buffalo wings are chicken wings, deep-fried and coated with sauce. And, to Jessica's information, it got its "Buffalo" name from the place where it originated--Buffalo, New York.

This thinking made me hungry and crave for it. Unfortunately, I am nowhere near Buffalo. Although a few hours drive would get me where I'd get the best wings, I'd rather not!

So, I settled for a home-cooked buffalo wings. Cooked by, no other than--me!

Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup hot pepper sauce (Tabasco will do)
  
• 1/3 cup ketchup (I used Heinz)
  
• 2 tablespoons honey
• chicken wings/wing drummettes
• 1 quart oil for deep-frying
  

1. Deep fry chicken wings (10-15 minutes). Remove wings from oil and drain on paper towel.
2. On a skillet, combine the butter, hot sauce, ketchup, and honey. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Add cooked chicken to sauce and stir over low heat to coat. The longer the wings simmer in the sauce, the hotter they will be.


I promise you, this one, is simply made, but definitely delicious!....Now I know how they made the wings in Don Henrico's (located in the Cebu, Philippines). Too bad, I haven't had any from Buffalo yet.

By the way, I got this by combining recipes I saw in allrecipes.com.

EBOOKs, anyone?!

My, Oh my…I finally found a writer who clearly knows my idea of writing--not specific enough to bore you to death, but still delivers the idea to your imagination efficiently.

I, for one, am an avid fan of fantasy novels. And I never expected to find a novel--a trilogy--two trilogies, that could possibly catch my full attention! Two trilogies, written by one person! How awesome could that get?!

Let me introduce to you, my new favorite writer. (I’m sorry to disappoint the twilight series fans, but no, it’s not Stephenie Meyer…_

Trudi Canavan (born 23 October 1969) is an Australian writer of fantasy novels, best known for her bestselling fantasy trilogies The Black Magician trilogy and Age of the Five. (Wikipedia).

To understand what I’m talking about, let me give you some links to one of her trilogies. Hope you’ll enjoy reading them.


THE MAGICIANS' GUILD
Book I of The Black Magician Trilogy

Sonea discovers during the city's annual Purge, in which slum-dwellers are forced out of the outer-circle of the city and back into the slums, that she has magical ability. With the help of her friend Cery she attempts to evade capture by the Magicians' Guild whom she believes wishes to harm her.

http://www.4shared.com/file/93008647/446c8739/I_The_Magicians_Guild.html


THE NOVICE
Book II of The Black Magician Trilogy

Sonea begins studies at the Guild University as a Novice but her influential classmate, Regin, sways the opinion of the other first-year Novices against her. He attempts to convince everyone, include the teachers, that she is little more than a thief and far below them in status.

http://www.4shared.com/file/93008651/b414134d/II_The_Novice.html


THE HIGH LORD
Book III of The Black Magician Trilogy

A year after her duel with Regin, Sonea still struggles with being under Akkarin's guardianship. Akkarin gives her the journal of a famous Magician-architect who, in his writings, admits to using black magic.

http://www.4shared.com/file/93008642/340673b6/III_The_High_Lord.html

Leaving home (a late epiphany)

I didn’t expect I wasn’t coming back that day I left home. I only had a few set of clothes and a luggage full of baby things. With the baby in tow, I was so excited to see a new world and didn’t even think of glancing back. It never occurred to me I won’t be seeing the place for such a long time.

When I arrived in Detroit, the first greeting I received from a personnel in the airport was unpleasant. She called me stupid for using the escalator with my baby in the stroller. I appreciated her concern, but the elevator was full of sick people in wheelchairs. And I only wanted to get to my destination as fast as I can. It was a 17-hr flight, and with a baby on my hands, my energy was draining to the very last of its existence.

Another flight and few minutes in the air, the captain announced our arrival in New Jersey. And I finally threw myself to my husband’s arms while my mother-in-law gladly carried her grandson.

Just then, I realized I was already in an unfamiliar territory. People were more polite (unlike that woman in Detroit) and everyone stops to smile at the baby. This is a place where baby car seats are a necessity, seat belts are required, and you can never just turn around whenever you miss an exit. And, as I learned in Detroit—babies in strollers should be put in an elevator, never in an escalator!

Oh, and no comfort rooms here--only restrooms and bathrooms; no ref, just fridge; no officemate but colleague or workmate; no coke light, but diet coke! There are so many things I really need to get used to.

One of the greatest things of being here though, are the refills! And, I get to be anything I want to be--with a fresh start, and no one expecting me to be something else.

New Moon

I just finished reading the Twilight series. It was so engrossing that I finish one book in a day! Yep, I stayed up until around 5am until my eyes can't take it anymore...and I dreamed of it too! LOL. I dreamed I had the same power as Bella has, doing some scenes from the book, especially that one when they had to face all the members of the Volturi. (Ooops, spoiler! Sorry...)But I never really felt anything for Edward--my feelings for my husband is enough, not to be replaced by that for a vampire! :)

I can't wait to see the movie though. And I heard there would be a new guy playing the role of Jacob Black. I guess when the character keeps on growing in a fast rate, they have to let the audience show the difference in the body too--older and bigger!!!


So, can you believe that the right guy can grow to that one in the left? ... I'll surely miss the old one though...

So, I've been busy! Yes, between looking after my baby, cooking, other household chores, and playing wizard 101. Oh, not to mention facebook, friendster and multiply! I know, i know...I try to keep in touch with my friends and the "so-called" ones. :p

Then, just a few days ago, John offered me to buy a keyboard (for now!). He wants me to play "piano" again. So until he can afford one, I have to remember how to move my fingers on those keys again.

When I was younger (who said I'm not young now?!), I played the piano and even went to a school for four years. Uhuh, two lovely years with my first beautiful and patient Maam I-forgot-her-name. And another two grueling years with the unforgettable Maam Angie.

I can still read notes, but these fingers are just not moving anywhere! -- my left hand to be exact. My right can make some tunes, but who would want to listen to just one hand?!

So, yeah, finally, I'm going back to learning something creative again. I feel like am getting dull staying at home! I wonder how the other mothers are doing...

When I learn a "new" piece, I'll try to post it so you can "enjoy" it too...(or not! :p)

Playing Wizard 101

I have been playing wizard 101 for almost a month now. Getting to know lots of people is one of the perks I enjoy the most. I call them "friends".

Two of them are realistically brothers--Blaze and Sean (not their true name by the way). Blaze is older by one year. But it was Sean who carries Blaze around to help him with his quests. They crack themselves together. I think Blaze is funnier though.

Another is a ten-year old Anthony, who asks almost everyone how old they are, and keep telling us he is just ten. LOL. I guess that's how ten-year-olds are. And, oh, he's always polite! :-)

Then, Tara, who sure is an adult, won't even tell us how "adult" she is! Just that she's married and has a couple of adult kids.

There's Alex, who has a four-year old son; Trevor, a mom who took over his seven-year-old son's account when it proved too difficult for him. And I would never forget Digby, who, I am sure is an adult the first time I met him. What kid would say "obsidian" in the first place?!

We usually get off the game, as some would go cook, eat dinner and the thing I usually do--change nappies. Some kids would tell me they were forced to eat by their mom. Others would hurriedly go to bed as their mom gets so mad when she repeatedly told him to do so many times before that.

But those are our real lives. And as we go back to the game, we sometimes forget how old or young we are. Or the one who's been the leader of the pack is the youngest of all. This is the place where age does not matter. We enjoy being with each other, for not only does it make the game easier but it makes it more fun.



Again, here's the link to the game: https://www.wizard101.com/

Famous Pork Chops

This morning, I was pondering whether I was going to let my husband buy us dinner tonight, or if I have the urge to try to cook again.

This past few months, I, who never knew how to cook during the time I was working, was suddenly having the urge to learn to do so. My husband, John, is a good cook, so he became my first teacher. Then, when he tried letting me cook our dinner, it kinda hurt me a bit to listen as he points out the bad and the good. So I stopped cooking for him. And started to cook for myself instead, without letting him try it. Then, one day, the food I was making became edible. So, I dared let John taste the food I found pleasant for my palate and thankfully, it passed his standards too.

And so, I have been trying to find new dishes, new ways and secrets.

Tonight, I'm making this "famous pork chops" from allrecipes.com, with slight variation.

It took me 20 minutes to prepare, as I juggle between making my Nico stay away from the kitchen and doing what the recipe says.

And, another 45 minutes to wait for the food to be ready.

Finally, here it is:



Honestly, I was dismayed when I saw the chops as I pulled them out of the oven. But they really smelled good, and surprisingly, tasted good too! The only thing was, the breading was loose that every time I take a slice, I would scoop the breading from the side of the casserole so I can get the whole taste of it.

But, all in all, it's a good dinner.

...Oh, adding Parmesan cheese gives nice flavor too...

My Baby Nico

Hi everyone! This is my son, Nico!


He's now 15 months old. Most people say he's bigger than babies his age, which I would certainly agree. He can now walk and run on his own. He can climb up the sofa (not on the bed yet) but climbs down on both. He can say mama, papa, tita, go, no, yeah...and some other "words" I cannot yet understand.

Generally, he's friendly. He never fails to get any one's attention every time we go out. He smiles at strangers and sometimes even tries to communicate with them. Although there are a few exceptions who make him cry almost the instant he sees them.

He eats almost every food now--with a voracious appetite at that. He loves pizza, chicken and fries. He eats spinach too.

Nico is a happy baby. He can be left alone and play with his toys by himself. And whenever he wants to watch TV, he just turns it on, without any one's help. I'm not really sure if he understand what he's watching, but I catch him laughing at jokes and dances whenever Spongebob's song is on.

There are 2 different cries this baby makes--one with tears, and the other, without. The first one is the genuine cry. He usually does this when he's hungry, sleepy or just got scolded. The other is for getting what he wants, whenever he's not allowed to.

When he does the second cry, the only one who can make him stop without giving in to his wants, is his "papa". He then stops "crying" and gives out a big pout, and forces a sniffle. It's so cute that we can't resist laughing. And when he hears everyone laughing, you'll soon get a sample of his "fake" laugh too. That makes us laugh even more.

I'd say, having a baby certainly makes our life more colorful.

Wizard 101

I saw this ad in Nickelodeon (my son loves Spongebob!) about a new online game with e (for everyone) rating! I checked it out as it kinda tickled the inner child in me.

In the game, you basically play as a student in a wizard school, going on some quests, in an effort to save the City from a villain. You can also play player vs player duel, collect/trade cards, mini games, upgrade equipments, buy clothing and pets, and a lot more! Since it is an online game, you can be surprised how the game can change--new quests and updates they can add on it. You can try the game using their free trial. But there are certain parts of the game that can only be accessed if you subscribe (for $10 a month) or pay using crowns (2500 crowns costs $5 by the way). Areas would cost 750, 915, or 1200 crowns depending on the difficulty. They also have a family plan for $6.95 per month per family member. So you get a $3 saving per subscription.

The good news is, their free trial can never expire. The bad news is, when you get hooked on it, paying for the game is inevitable!

I for one, am planning to spend on it, someday. I'm still debating on it though. I've never paid for a game I will never keep before. So, we'll see what happens.

The thing I love in the game is the simplicity. Most of the games out there is kinda like "lord of the rings". This is a simpler version, more like "Harry Potter". There is not much violence in it, and the graphics is superb! I'm loving it more every day! I just hope they keep adding more "free quests" until I decide whether to buy some crowns or not.

Here are some of the screenshots:




If you want to check it out, here's the link: https://www.wizard101.com/


ENJOY!!!

My first post

I found this link for a tarot personae thingy from a fellow blogger. Hope you'll enjoy my first post.

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.