Tangerine Tango for 2012!

Hours before welcoming 2012, me and my pamangkins went shopping for later's preparation for the party and foods. When we went to a certain department store, I took the liberty of looking at this cute piggy bank and I thought it's about time I have to save money. Haha! I bought it and what was even more surprising is that it is colored tangerine tango which is said to be the color for this year. Definitely an optimistic color to boost ones energy, to recharge and move forward. 

Experts at Pantone Color Institute, the color itself does not only symbolize vitality but it is also about urgency and strength. The color itself is all about being hopeful and optimistic which I find very interesting for it resonates with the kind of attitude I adore. I know the year 2012 is going to be a really mind-blowing ride but the vivaciousness of the reddish-orange and warmth brought about by yellow forming this years color is already getting me excited ;) To begin with, let me introduce you to my beloved piggy bank with a touch of tangerine tango of course. Haha!

Oinkieeeee!!

Mama, Joshua, Leah and I..

It's been a long time since Joshua came back to his Lola's house. If he only knew how much we missed him. It's a good thing that this Sendong tragedy happened because my family has now been reunited and an old debacle with past misunderstandings have now been mended at least. This is one way of seeing the brighter side of how Sendong changed each of our lives but we hope this tropical storm shall no longer have a part 2. Anyway, I am just happy to have spent more family time with Mama and my pamangkins after we spent the evening at church and going on a snack at Jollibee.

♥ =)

Joshua's Order: Mango Float

My six year old very chubby nephew asked me to cook for him some mango float like all of a sudden. It was even before Christmas day that he repeatedly asked me to make one and so I did. It's been a long time since I have been into cooking and so I tried this simple dessert for my pamangkins (nephews & nieces). 

Mango float is also one of my favorite desserts to eat and make since it's easy to do so. It's quite famous in the Filipino delicacy and it definitely caught my taste buds the fact that it's really sweet and creamy. I remembered eating this when my eldest sister made one way back a long time ago right after I also ate Window Cathedral dessert. I thought my sister bought it in a very expensive resto but actually I was surprised to know she actually made it. 

To make this delicious dessert all you need to have is a 200 gram Graham crackers, 2 cups all purpose cream, 2 cups condensed milk, and three large ripe and sweet mangoes. Then when all ingredients are ready what you need to do next is to thinly slice the mangoes, mix thoroughly the all purpose cream and condensed milk in a bowl. Once it is done, in a square glass pan or any other square container you have to thinly make a layer of some of the cream and condensed milk mixture as well as the Graham crackers and then on top of it is another layer of delicious mixed creams and mangoes and so on. Once it's done, you can have the top layer any design you like be it this one: 

Perhaps this one:

Or maybe this:

The way to style your mango float dessert is, well, sky is the limit! Hehe :)

Here's my version of it and it was all eaten in an instant. Loved it!

Gratifying Feeling..

After the Sendong event, I felt the urge to help my fellow Iliganons by trying to volunteer on repacking relief goods early in the morning at the City Plaza or lend a hand to do a feeding program for the victims in a school nearby our residence. I've had my friends and brothers and sisters in Mu Kappa Phi to help out too and it was a great experience for amidst the tragedy an overflowing positive radiance has enveloped the entire City with the bayanihan concept where all Iliganon's helped one another to arise out of this unspeakable horror. 

My family have been a victim too due to tropical storm Sendong's rage over Iligan City still I find time to help out because this is my way of thanking our Almighty for he has saved my family, friends and relatives from the immediate danger brought about by such a horrific event. And so, for the past days I have in my own lil efforts started to volunteer and help out to the Society. I went to MSU-IIT gym to extend my help, cooked tons of foods in our house to feed my fellow Iliganons and repacked relief goods and used clothings too. Good thing my friend from Ozamiz contacted me and told me she'll be visiting my place to deliver the sacks of rice, boxes of noodles, biscuits and canned goods to distribute for every affected place in Iligan. It was such a gratifying feeling to have friends who also have the heart to help out during these trying times. I thank God that out of this tragedy, I now know who among my friends are there to help me through thick and thin and I have learned to stay strong even though negative vibes are tryna pull me and my family down. I am just happy that inch by inch things are going back to the way it was and Iligan is slowly recovering from such loss. Although it pains me to see so many lives were taken but I am still thankful that things are getting better. I hope that the government officials of Iligan City will heed and be prepared for unprecedented events like these. That also the people of Iligan shall be vigilant and live in a place away from those places that have been dubbed as danger zones. 

Anyway, here are just a few pictures of my experiences upon helping fellow Iliganon's during the time of need. It is indeed a gratifying feeling..

All the sacrifices was worth it. Just like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in times of sorrow and loss. Despite everything we've been through.. still, THANKS BE TO GOD for another day to live our lives..♥ =)

Mushroom & Octopus

I had this awesome advance gift from my soro sis Zam and it was a delightful feeling that before she went back to her hometown in Tawi-tawi she actually dropped by at sis Glenz office where both of us were actually talking about helping sendong victims. We were caught surprised to have known that she had a gift for me and Glenice. I really appreciate it and I am so glad that I have real friends though they may be few but at least I can stay true to them and they accept me for who I really am. And because of that.. I LOVE THEM! :) <3

Feeling so loved right now♥ =)

Bagyong Sendong

Signal number 1 hits here in Mindanao! A thick knot hits deep in my stomach. I felt so scared. My heart stopped for a moment and my lungs skip a breath. This is the first time in the longest time that I've experience a storm invading our little City. I could not remember the last time we've experienced this intense kind of weather. Rains pouring down on our rooftops like bullets fired in armalite rifles and the winds gushing so damn hard as if the roof is about to fly. Lights flickering on and off just like in a horror movie and the environment is freezing cold. It's been raining so hard for hours now and my mind races sporadically of the possibility that sooner or later the lights will die out since my internet connection unexpectedly got terminated (for the first time!) and maybe in a few hours we'll be flooded so bad all because of this surging tropical cyclone now turned into a full pledged typhoon. I feel so petrified. Now I am starting to feel neurotic but I gotta stay composed and vigilant. 

My mom’s already asleep and I keep myself awake guarding the entire house for possible thieves looming just around the corner taking advantage of this kind of weather. I keep myself perky at dawn and prepared our emergency light, candles and matches just in case a power interruption happens. Just when I hit back on my netbook to make some coffee, the lights eventually died just as what I’ve expected. Now this is really bad. I tried calling my sisters who are a few miles from us but I cannot send a message through my cellphone for the Globe network itself crashed down and even the telephone lines too. All I can do is to pray for them that they are safe especially to those who are living near a creek. I can imagine the house floating, people sitting on their rooftops shouting for help or the worst case scenario, some people might be dead as Bagyong Sendong wrecks havoc at exactly 12 midnight.

The hours passed by slowly and the rain let up at dawn yet the electricity, internet and telephone lines are down. My brother from Jubail called me on my cellphone to ask if we’re okay and thankfully we’re safe for now but I am really praying for my sisters and their families to be safe and away from the flood and those sorts of stuffs.

My eyes eventually start to feel sleepy and I surrender to the muddled thoughts racing wildly through my mind and get on to bed. Then around 7 in the morning, we heard people talking in the streets about certain areas in Iligan being totally damaged and hundreds of people died. Since electricity was out and globe networks still down, we haven't had any updates from my sisters or what has happened outside our Subdivision. So when the people walking on the street mentioned many dead casualties at Bayug Orchids Home, Hinaplanon & Lambaguhon; our hearts beat fast. So mom visited where my sisters lived and thank God they are safe however their house and things are drastically damaged. I am just thankful to Jesus that my family is safe but I feel for those people who died and the families they left and to those who are still missing. No one thought this was ever gonna happen in the City of Waterfalls. 

Almost a day passed by and still, the number of casualties are increasing and I could still hear the noise of ambulance racing from one place to another getting the dead bodies of those who became the unfortunate victims of Bagyong Sendong. Various pictures and videos of those victims showing the aftermath of this calamity were posted on Facebook and other social networking sites. Here are some of the pictures I saw from my FB account:

Photo Credits from Atty. Tanya Lat's FB

And thanks to these social networking sites because we are also able to update our families abroad of what is currently happening to their families back here in the Philippines. Some organizations too have helped raising funds and getting donations for the victims. I even volunteered to repack relief goods in less than 8 hours from now. I also plan to donate some used clothes especially for the little children. I'll be at the City Plaza and IIT gymnasium to assist those families who have nothing left of them except themselves. All their things, their house and car have been completely washed out. So me and some of my fellow law students decide to help these people the best that we can so that at least in our small efforts we have uplifted their souls to never lose hope and continue to fight, to live.

And may we pray for the eternal repose of those who have died and may those people who are missing shall be found soon. This could be the most tragic thing that's ever happened in Iligan City but through prayers, only He can help us, Jesus Christ, to keep us strong during these difficult times and to make things better just like before.

Suman, you like?

It's another Filipino food that I love and we call it here Suman or rice cake. Of course, rice! It's the main staple for all Filipino's, I guess most Asian's can't live without rice on their tables for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We, the Filipino's consider a meal incomplete without rice in it. Even some snacks during siesta time such as Suman is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and is steamed in banana or young palm leaves. 

Ang Suman. Bow. :)

Oily Suman. Hehe. Sarap!

Enjoying every bite of it. Nomnom. You like? Hehe :)

Among a variety of Filipino delicacies, Suman is a fave of mine. There are tons of ways on how to cook Suman in different provinces and places in Philippines. It's tasty and good for snack or for breakfast dipped in chocolate or sugar and milk coupled with hot coco for a cold morning here in the Philippines since it's Christmas time. Yep! Suman for breakfast and it'll be 9 days to go and it's Jesus's birthday. Weee!! I might buy Suman for dessert on our annual year end family reunion Christmas party.I can't wait! :)

Sweets love Water Buffalo

Today I woke up quite late due to the still-irritating-menstrual-cramps but I am quite okay now especially after watching Bones Season 6 Episode 7 on Fox. I tried to relax myself after reading law books then I watched NCIS, CSI, Criminal Minds and now Bones. This episode totally caught my eye when Sweets mentioned he sponsored water buffalo in Philippines. Haha!  I intently listened and keeping a wary eye to the scene where Sweets and Dr. Camille had a conversation about the latter being such a control freak on her daughter Michelle (Same name like mine. Hehe!) I was really looking forward to this because they look great together and they do have a thing for each other at least that's what I thought. So I took a snap shot of Sweets and the conversation they had which made me jumpy when he did mention my country.

Camille: Remind me again why I should listen to someone who doesn’t even take care of a pet?

Sweets: Right.  *pause*  I sponsor water buffalo in the Philippines.

Camille: And I supposed you wouldn't get in the way of her decisions?

Sweets: Oh, I wouldn't get in her way, period!

Aww. Mister Sweets! You just made my day!

Out of all the cast in Bones, he is my sorta crushie. I just love to look at him on the big screen. I didn't know you were fond of "carabaos"/water buffalo. :P

Being Strong

It's tough being a female. How much more for those single mothers, with kids and a job. Imagine the sacrifice that it takes to say, going through body changes during puberty and even when pregnant and then facing the harsh reality of tending to the school finances of your kids especially for those single moms out  there. That's why I have a solid respect for women who are "solo parenting" and juggling their careers at the same time. My mom may not be a solo parent but now that Dad died two years already, it was tough but I admire mom's being strong and dependable all the time. She thrives to survive everyday and makes it a point that me and my siblings are doing fine. 

Just this week I was advised by my Doctor to take a rest for a few days since I was quite stressed and had an abnormal menstrual bleeding which is for me quite surprising for I haven't had that experience before. Crazy menstrual cramps a.k.a. dysmenorrhea and a little bit of headache stormed my entire week. I haven't gone to school for a few days but seeing mom trying to be strong for me all the time has inspired me to be well and get on with life. Her presence alone and her undying determination to survive has grown in to me. I mean I am always positive but this was the only time I got so weak. It was definitely one hellova week. Mom was sick at first and then now it's my turn to be ill. I don't know why this has happened but prolly because of the weather or just circumstantial.

Photo credits to Google

I already had a plan for this semester trying my desperate effort to make law school sound easy but this, the monthly "red visits" took a toll to my oh-so-positive-vibes. This being one of the dire consequence of being a woman is totally dragging me down. But being strong is the only choice I have to live for my family, for my friends, for myself and to see to it that I will be able to catch up with what I've missed at law school this week. Maybe there won't be classes by next week since it'll be the start of Christmas holiday but I am determined to finish this semester. I just need to rest for this week and gather enough strength for the upcoming bumpy road. For now, I gotta rest and deal with my own private lil war. When I am through with this then I am gonna huddle back to my glory days soon. I'll be back! :)