20 Things I Want to Do in My Lifetime

Today is the last day of July and tomorrow is the first day of my birthmonth.  When I was still young, I wanted to get old faster so that I can do more things that only adults can do. But as the years past by I dreaded each year I turn a year older. Is it because I havent accomplish some of the things I subconsciously wish I could have or would have done?

I stumbled on the website of " My Fifty Things To Do in My Lifetime". I dont want to have that long list .Its like the long list of Earl in "My Name is Earl"

What are the twenty(20) top things I want to accomplish(really really want to doand achieve):Here they are:

1) Loose weight the natural way(no Nip Tuck or Surgery or pills). Its not for appearance but more for health reasons.

6) Go To Lake Tahoe with the kids for some ski lessons.(that is if Nygel can stand the 19 hour flight without getting sick).

7) Have our Canadian Immigration Papers Approved- This is because I want to see whether I did all the paperwork correctly like a true professional.

8) Have our House in the Philippines Renovated- ALthough we only go back once a year, I still wish I can have the place redesigned.

9) Have a "Quarrel-Less" Marriage- This might not be possible.But at my age, I dont want to fight anymore about small things that gets blown up to become bigger.

10) To grow my business- My business is like a Mom and Pop store except that I am both the Mom and the Pop. I hope I can expand it to be able to afford to pay some staff to do the work for me.

11) To See my two kids finish University and  Get Good Jobs  that they Love to Do(what every mother dreams of)

12) To See My Kids Having A Happy Marriage - my husband always teases me that I have a tendency of choosing the girlfriends of my two sons.

13) To Have Healthy and Lovely grandchildren- I hope I can still see them before I pass on to the next life

14) Bring my two kids and husband to my hometown in Quezon and let my kids ride the kalesa

15) Go camping with my family in Lake Caliraya or in Yosemite Park.

16) Revisit Baguio Again and I hope I wont get disappointed with the view

17) Go to Boracay(Ive heard so much about it) or El Nido or better yet Maldives.

18) Be Rich Enough to be able to Afford to Give Away Money(maybe not in my lifetime but this is wishful thinking)

19) Have no enemies . Enemies make our life miserable.

 20) To See and Talk to Robert Redford or Clint Eastwood, my two favorite stars.( ang babaw ano?)

My Yearly trek to IKEA

I know that every year I have to go to IKEA around August. It has been in my yearly "To DO List" and even if I have nothing to buy, I will surely go there either with a friend visiting from Manila or with my sister or cousin from Manila. August is IKEA sale month and for the last 6 years I never fail to go to this place since its one of my favorite stores.

This year, armed with my $40 IKEA voucher from my UOB credit card, I asked my hubby to accompany me. Ikea is one of the places my husband also likes to visit. Aside from Chomp Chomp(our favorite eating place), he has no interest in joining me anywhere else but to these two places.

 Its good that on week ends, there’s  a free shuttle bus from Causeway Point which is ten minutes by train from our place.

As we entered the store, bottles of scented candles now selling at $2(from $4) caught my eyes. I immediately grabbed two bottles, one watermelon and one strawberry scented.This is what you call an impulse purchase(since I have a lot of scented candles at home and in my office).

We were almost halfway through the second floor when I looked at my empty basket. What do I buy, which I havent bought yet- I was asking myself. At the bedroom section, I picked up a pale creme flower designed bedcover with two pillowcases .Not bad for $19. Downstairs, my husband bought these salt and pepper shakers for $2 ,a set of  plastic cookware for 90 cents and a small teflon pan for $4.95. 

As I was glancing at the crowd and trying to guess which item was a crowd favorite based on the number of ladies gathering around a certain section, I saw this lady happily picking up these white porcelain plates ,I immediately went near her and saw the plates and saucers priced at 50 cents each. My husband looked at me and asked me what I need plates for since I have a lot of them  at home. I said I needed two large bowls for potpourri in the office( it was a lie so I grabbed two large bowls for $1).

At the children section, I saw a group gathered around the curtain section so I approached the group and saw my favorite curtain on sale for $11. Actually when I was in the US two years ago, i bought a similar curtain for my bathroom, so this butterfly designed (more like an applique) curtain would really go well with my bathroom curtain at home.

I guess the butterfly curtain is my favorite pick and maybe before the sale ends on the 13th of August I will go back and buy another pair.

The good part of it was I only paid $11.80 for my purchases after the $40 voucher was deducted.

We never leave IKEA  without stopping for a bite of our  favorite IKEA hotdog  snack set(1hot dog and unlimited drinks for $1.80) .We did not notice the time.We actually spent four hours going around the store.

What a day!

Credit Card Gifts

A lot of people got burned due to their credit cards. But for me ,it makes my life easier. Aside from the delayed payment scheme, some card companies give low interest rates for credit (like a flat fee of $25 for 6 month interest free loan). WHo couldnt resist that.

Though its quite tempting to borrow money, I rarely get tempted by such offers but it really comes in handy from time to time when I need extra cash like during Christmas.

One thing I like with credit cards are the free gifts. So far I have collected a lot of them through the years. I dont know how the credit card company’s recover the costs for such gifts but probably there is a hidden cost somewhere.

 Some of the things I have received lately are laptop bags, movie tickets, cakes and pastries, Corelle dinnerware sets.  

$40 Ikea voucher

The HSBC laptop bag(slim,neat and very light)

Some of my friends has this trick of just signing in for a new credit card just to get the free gifts which are really very nice and expensive and after the two year free membership period terminates their card. Not bad if you know how to use your credit cards.

One surprise I had was last year when we were in Bangkok, my entire famly was able to use  our Citibank card for free access to the United Airlines lounge. We enjoyed the free drinks and food while waiting for our plane. Not bad really.

HUNGRY GHOST MONTH

Yesterday on the way home from work, I saw these group of aunties(Singaporean word for old ladies) burning paper and incense sticks in my block. I remembered that usually in August or some time around this month the Chinese celebrate the festival of the Hungry Ghost.

Celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month. On this day it is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and that the dead return to visit their living relatives.  The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the imprisoned and hungry ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck in their lives.

Nachos Libre

If you want to just watch a light hearted funny film even tough its corny and full of slapstick jokes, go and see Nachos Libre.

Initially I thought the film was not PG(this is a Nickelodeon film) so I was so scared for my kids since even the way Jack Black looked at the nun was lustful. But throughout the film, I was really laughing at the very corny jokes specially when he was wrestling with the Mexican champion.My two kids also seemed to enjoy the wrestling scenes but they know when to cover their eyes (my kids are very sensitive to scenes that shows kissing or sexual intimacy.They usually cover their faces with one eye peeping)

I dont know why but the film reminds me so much of Filipino comedy movies.Maybe its the over exaggerated characters(cross eyed old man, or the fat lady ) but just looking at the characters would already elicit some giggles from you. One thing about watching this film,is just enjoy it. If you over analyse the film, you wont laugh. But if you let yourself loose, you will surely enjoy it.

Jack Black’s partner (sidekick) in the film reminded me so much of Palito (the Filipino comedian who is known for being skinny). The way Jack Black and his sidekick speak English with a Mexican accent was funny enough for me. Jack Black also tries to elicit laughter by singing ENCARNACION(the nameof the nun) but its to the point of already being over acting. His facial expression and some mannerisms reminds me of the Three Stooges jokes where they elicit laughter by hurting each other.

(the Wacky 3 Stooges)

Its a film that you must not take seriously.There is no redeeming value in the film, its just plain slapstick comedy but if you are suffering from a broken heart or if you are stressed out, the action and scenes in the film will definitely let you forget your troubles even only for a short while. Kids should also be properly guided for some rough wrestling actions in the film.

Miss Philippine is Miss Photogenic

Miss Lia Andrea Ramos is Miss Photogenic in the  Miss Universe 2006 competition.The winner was chosen by online votes received from viewers.

 Currently, it is estimated that there’s around 3.5 million Filipino Internet Users (FIU), 191 Internet Service Providers (ISPs), 1500 Internet cafes in the Philippines alone. This figure is estimated to grow to 4.5 million Internet users by next year . Added to this is the millions of other Filipino internet users all over the world.

So, Ms Lia Andres Ramos’ Miss Photogenic title can be attributed to this. If the winner of the Miss Universe is to be chosen also by internet users, I think the Philippines will be the hands down winner .Whether texting(sms) or blogging, or internet online chats, the Pinoys are one of the busiest people on the web.

My Husband is Now Blogging

Yehey, finally my husband has a blog of his own.

Visit his blog at http://tonylopez.i.ph

Congrats dear!!!

Finding my Blog-My Inaanak from Down Under

Funny how a blog can bring friends, long lost relatives, inaanaks etc. together. That is exactly how I met my Inaanak again. Katlyn Quilandrino is a sweet 16 year old teener. She is my inaanak because her Tita Au and me had been the best of friends since High School.I was so surpised when a few months ago she emailed me and sent me a note thru my blog. The last time I saw her was when she was about 5 years old only.

Now look how she has grown . She stands 5ft 8 or 9 and she is slim and very pretty,pretty enough to join a beauty contest but I think she has other things on her mind other than joining beauty contests. They had been in Australia for close to ten years now.

Katlyn is the one at the centre wearing a green dress.

Other Rice Recipes

I received an email request from Cerridwen Aerin Ellorin (who loves Sinangag) about the chicken rice and nasi lemak rice recipe so I am reproducing below my email to him:

Chicken Rice

Chicken Preparation

• One chicken, weighing one-and-a-half kg (3 lbs)
• 20 cups water
• 30 grams (one oz) fresh young ginger, peeled (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• One plant spring onion, washed
• Half tsp salt
• 2 Tbs vegetable oil

Instructions to Cook

1. Wash chicken and remove knobs of fat on either side of the buttocks. Smash the ginger and garlic and tie the spring onions into a knot.
2. Stuff the chicken with salt, garlic, ginger and spring onions.
3. Boil 20 cups of water in a large pot. Add chicken, breast side down, submerging completely.
4. Boil water, turn the heat down to very low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, uncovering once to turn chicken over.
5. Remove chicken and drain liquid from the body cavity. Retain liquid for later use.
6. Wash under tap water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking process and to tighten the skin.
7. Drain, rub some vegetable oil over and let the chicken cool to room temperature.
8. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve garnished with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Coriander (cilantro) leaves can be used to decorate the top. Keep broth for cooking rice and making a simple soup with sliced cabbage.

Chicken Rice Ingredients

• 360 grammes (12 oz) long grain rice
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped finely
• 5 shallots or onions, peeled and chopped finely
• Two-and-a-half Tbs vegetable oil
• Three-quarter to three-and-a-half cups chicken broth
• Three-quarter tsp salt

Instructions to Cook

1. Wash rice and drain in a colander for 10 minutes
2. Heat two-and-a-half Tbs vegetable oil over high heat in a wok. Add shallots and stir fry for one minute till fragrant. Add garlic and stir fry for one minute.
3. Add the rice grains and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Transfer to a saucepan or rice cooker and add the chicken broth and salt. Boil over high heat and lower down the heat to steam the rice when the water level reaches the level of the rice grains and steam holes appear. Steam for 30 to 40 minutes till rice is cooked.

Chilli Sauce Ingredients(Optional) You can just buy Chili Sauce or chili ketsup

• 60 grammes (2 oz) fresh red chilli peppers
• 30 grammes (1 oz) shallots or onions
• 30 grammes (1 oz) garlic
• 30 grammes (1 oz) fresh young ginger (optional)
• Half cup boiling chicken broth
• 4 tsp lime or lemon juice
• One tsp rice or malt vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• One tsp salt

Sauce Preparation Instructions

1. Peel shallots, ginger and garlic and pound till very fine. Pound chillies will very fine. Or use a food processor to grind the ingredients.
2. Put all into a bowl and add the boiling chicken broth. Add remaining ingredients, cool and leave for at least one hour before serving. This chilli sauce can be stored in the refridgerator for at least 2 weeks

NASI LEMAK                                         

Ingredients:- 1 cup rice 1 grated coconut 3 pandan leaves Salt to taste

TAF (Trim and Fit)-Health Promotions Board

Singapore is one of a few countries where they take the issue of Health seriously. In Singapore schools they have a Trim and Fit (TAF) Club which monitors the health and weight of children.

My youngest Niles is one of the members of the TAF Club in De La Salle. Why? Because he is considered overweight and to Singapore thats a big no no.

Since Primary one, Niles always has an appointment with the Nutritionist at the Health Promotions Board. He successfully lost weight and was given a certificate  in Primary two for loosing weight. Early this year he was asked to see the Nutritionist again. Since nothing is happening to our coaching sessions because I cant monitor his food intake, i asked my alalay Ninette to accompany him.

This time around they will have a follow up session on July 22. I was telling Niles the other day that he would surely get a scolding again with his Nutritionist.His favorite past time is eating and raiding the refrigerator and his favorite subject- what else…recess.

Cebu Pacific is Flying to SIngapore

OK Listen up Pinoys who are planning to go back home this Xmas season, I know when you see the announcement in Straits Times or in a Manila daily that Cebu Pacific is flying again to Singapore, you might think its cheap.

I just called the booking agent in Singapore since the website is not yet ready.

Ok lets compare the price:

From July to Oct 18 the fare to Manila is $49 one way x 2=S$98  + S$101 tax total is $199

For December to January the fare to Manila is $79 one way x 2=S$158 + S$101 tax total is $259

In peso terms, the round trip is Php6972 till October and Php 8940.

Tiger is offering(altho the schedules are not yet accessible thru their website) S$9.98 all destinations by December. I am still waiting for this before I book my tickets.This fare is exclusive of taxes.Last year our ticket via Tiger to Manila was less than S$200.

Malapit na pasko so mag isip na kayo kung uuwi. But be sure you have a lot of moolah. Pagbalik nyo sa Singapore bankrupt na kayo lalo na kung marami ang inaanak at kamag anak nyo.

My Share of Website Gifts-Surfing to Win

Since I am almost online 24/7, I have my fair share of winnings in raffles, lotteries and lucky draws as a result of online promotions and product launches. I even heard of some people making a living out of joining raffle draws on television, radio shows and the like.

Here are some of the gifts,prizes I have won so far:

In the Philippines:

1) A Sanyo 5 ft refrigerator (from our neighborhood Association Raffle Draw in the Philippines);

2) Several electric fans which I always donate back to the lucky draw organisers during Annual Christmas Parties;

3) Several Alarm and Wall Clocks

In Singapore:

1) A Sony CD Player (3rd prize in a website launch)

2) pair of tickets to Krabi (we never used it since we cant change the dates of the trip)

3) $50 grocery voucher

4) Coffee Maker

5) Sony Walkman

6)  Several Pairs of Movie Tickets

Winning any kind of gift or item gives me a natural high since it is unexpected.It pays to surf, you might stumble upon a nice fortune just joining these online contests.

Today is Nygel Kyle’s 10th Birthday!

It was a quiet ten year old birthday dinner for Nygel at home. We just cooked spaghetti, fried chicken, ordered pizza, bought a cake and ice cream and he was happy and contented already.

That’s whats good about my two sons, they are happy with little things you give them. As soon as he opened the door, Nygel was already singing Happy Birthday to himself and without even changing his school uniform he already sat down and looked at the small feast on the table.

He was beaming with delight since Pizza was his favorite. Happy Birthday again my son!!! 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Watched this film over the week end. There are a lot of funny scenes and I love the performance of Johnny Depp. There is a surprise ending, which shows that there will be a sequel to this film.

As I was watching the film, I thought I saw the same scene of Pirates in Disneyland and I was arguing with my husband saying that the scene was shot in Disneyland .He said how can that be. But I was dead sure about it and when we watched the trailer of the movie(the making of the film), the scene below was indeed shot in Disneyland. I dont know whether it was in Anaheim or  Florida or Tokyo, but all Pirates of the Carribean rides have the same scenery. I was right!!!!

Some scenes might be a little bit boring and the accent and spoken English of the performers are a little bit too slang so its a difficult to understand.But this was more than made up for by  the really hilarious scenes.

In line with the showing of this new film, they have revamped the Pirates of the Carribean ride in Disneyland Florida and Anaheim and the updated ride opened July 7. See this AMATEUR VIDEO of the ride here.

Our rating:  ( 3 skeletons)DO NOT MISS IT!!! Hilarious

My Almost Famous Son’s Birthday

My ALMOST FAMOUS SON Nygel is turning 10 on  July 18,2006

How time flies—now you still love to kiss and embrace me. You always cry when I pretend to get angry. Surely, I will miss these kisses and hugs  when you grow up. I do hope you will still hug and kiss me and you wont get embarassed when I also kiss you (especially infront of your girlfriend).

My Blogger Son- NYGEL

See what my son Nygel wrote in his blog today here

I found out that when he learned to blog, it has improved his creative thinking.

Hay–I’m Completely Detached

A measure of my being so detached now from the Philippines is not knowing that Kris Aquino already got married.

The other day, I read in the papers about her celebrating her wedding anniversary. I immediately texted my two sisters in Manila" Is Kris Aquino already married?" was my prantic message as if somebody so important got married. The answer of my sister was " Yes, already a year ago".

How can this bit of news slip my knowledge! When Kris gets married or quarrels with Joey Marquez, the whole world knows , but when she got married, how come I did not know.

He, he,he  di na talaga ako updated sa tsismis. 

World Cup “Insult” of the Year

MILAN, Italy (AP) — Marco Materazzi admits he insulted Zinedine Zidane before the France captain head-butted him in the World Cup final. Materazzi denies calling him a "terrorist."

Media reports, based on interpretations by lip-readers, have suggested that Materazzi called Zidane a terrorist or insulted his mother or sister. Materazzi denies these claims, too.

 Media reports, based on interpretations by lip-readers, have suggested that Materazzi called Zidane a terrorist or insulted his mother or sister. Materazzi denies these claims, too.

The head butt is now popular, click here

What could have triggered Zidane’s rage? What really happened?Here are my TOP TEN guesses—-of what Materazzi might have said to Zidane:See the video here

Materazzi might have said:

1)" Are you brain dead  ".

2) "I heard the doctors examined your head and found nothing."

3)  "Today, we will be the winners , but you will still be ugly!

4)Is it Halloween? Oh..that’s your real face.

5)People like you don’t grow on trees, they swing from them.

6)You remind me of the ocean - you make me sick.

7)You used to be arrogant and obnoxious. Now you are just the opposite. You are obnoxious and arrogant.

8) Ignorance can be cured but you being stupid is forever.

9)You are not as bad as they say- you are even worse!

10)Easy now…don’t let your brains go to your head.

The Right to Travel

The introduction of budget fares by Asian airlines has created a boom in travel specially for people who previously found travelling an expensive leisure or past time. However, for Filipinos, the advent of Tiger Airways, Jetstar and Air Asia has created a new kind of travellers–the job seekers.

In Singapore, my employment agency has encountered a lot of so called"turistas" who are actually looking for possible employment here. Graduates from our top universities flock to Singapore not to sight see but to look for jobs in Finance, IT, and Engineering. Some of our university graduates even end up applying with me as maids.

However, I find it a little bit disappointing that some of our kababayans  are questioned at the Manila International Airport (NAIA) or at Clark and some are not allowed to depart  or to fly out which is a waste of their finances-money which they normally borrow just to try to get out and find employment.

How could our airport authorities discriminate those who would apply for skilled jobs from those seeking Professional jobs? Most who want to seek out unskilled/skilled labor jobs like maids, welders etc, are most oftentimes not allowed to get out and worse is that some who are allowed to go out are asked to pay under the table amounts ranging from Php3,000 to as high as P5,000 for them to pass through immigrations.

Where is the Filipinos right to travel? Why will the simple Juan Dela Cruz be banned from travelling? Has he commited a crime?Is he in the Hold order list? No—the simple truth is that the Immigration Officer has the authority to judge the passenger based on his looks, his appearance and automatically tell if she will be a job hunter or an illegal worker (in the future).

Aren’t this same people who manage to find jobs in foreign countries, the same people sending back money home to fuel the Philippine economy? They cannot be illegal workers forever.They are even helping the economy by getting out and finding jobs to feed their family.

Then why are they restricted from travelling ?departing? Why should they pay under the table fees to Immigration officers? Not unless we resolve these issues, we will always have the same problems . I am not a lawyer, but have we as Pinoys questioned this right of travel of  Citizens of the Philippines?

The right to travel is a part of the "liberty" of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment … Freedom of movement across frontiers in either direction, and inside frontiers as well, was a part of our heritage. Travel abroad, like travel within the country, may be necessary for a livelihood. It may be as close to the heart of the individual as the choice of what he eats, or wears, or reads. Freedom of movement is basic in our scheme of values. "Our nation," wrote Chafee, "has thrived on the principle that, outside areas of plainly harmful conduct, every American is left to shape his own life as he thinks best, do what he pleases, go where he pleases."

– Justice William O. Douglas, Kent v. Dulles (1958)

WATCH OUT -HALF OF SINGAPORE WILL BE SLEEPLESS TOMORROW

FINALLY. After a month of joy and heartbreak, tension and controversy, the biggest match of the biggest tournament of the world’s biggest sport is just hours away.

An estimated one-third of Singaporeans, bleary-eyed, are expected to join a worldwide television audience of 1.5 billion people watching the World Cup Final between France and Italy, which kicks off at 2am tomorrow.

This is my husband’s Singaporean boss’ email to them:

Hi All, World cup FINAL 0150hrs Mon.

This comes once every four years and with 1.5billion people watching the screen and one third watching TV in S’pore, I bet you are one of those.

In view of that, I don’t want you to come to the office with weary eyes, so, why not take a longer nap.

Please show up after lunch. Happy watching.

Those wanna bet, call me. I take France J  executive privilege okay !!!

He is just one of the Football Crazy Singaporeans

PS. And my husband challenged his boss, he placed a $10 bet on Italy, He is one of the millions of Filipinos who are basketball crazy and Football ignoramuses.

Laing Recipe

 Tomorrow ,my husband wil cook Laing for me. You see, he is the cook in the family. And me–I am just the miron(taga utos at taga tingin) . In Quezon province, we call Laing  "tinuto" and my grandma cooks this dish with sardines

(miron: Taong pakialamero o pang gulo lang; pareho ng uzi mahilig magusisa)

  Laing

150 gm pack dried taro leaves or gabi

3 big mature coconuts

1 onion

2 tbs crushed garlic

½ cup crushed ginger

1 stalk lemon grass tied in bundle

250 gm dried fish any meaty ones will do

250gm pork, diced

2 cups water

2 tbs chilli (siling labuyo)

salt to taste

 

Have the coconuts grated and squeezed until the milk is well extracted. Strain the pulp out of the milk and set aside. This should be the kakang gata or first squeezed coconut milk. Add another 1 ½ cup of water in the pulp and repeat the process. Put this 2nd squeezed milk in the pan or wok. Add all the ingredients except laing, and bring to a boil while stirring continuously. When the mixture has thickened, add the laing or taro leaves. Stir occasionally over medium heat. When almost dry, add the kakang gata, salt or a pinch of sugar (optional). Cook over low heat until coconut milk turned almost into oil. Serve hot or cold with rice.

Now you can buy Laing in cans like this

Pahabol 09/07/2006: I loved it, my two kids tried it and asked why I like Laing. I told them, when I eat Laing or Tinuto, it reminded me of my grandma.Its my ultimate comfort food.

In The Nick Of Time

Have you ever experienced getting something at the last minute. Yah, that is what my maids usually have just when their visas are about to expire, at the very last minute, they find employers.

This just shows that you cannot lose hope. Just when you think they will be sent back home, suddenly they get employed.

I am doing maid placements through my agency and everyday I deal with maid and employer problems. Today,Leonor went to Malaysia to renew her visa. At the very last minute ,an employer confirmed to hire her. So that solves her problem, when she comes back to Singapore, she will already be a documented Work Permit Holder here.

CHILDREN BLOGGERS

In this fast changing world, it is not unusual to see young children blogging. However, there are serious concerns about blogging, one is privacy and the type of materials that your children specially young children are exposed to.

In SIngapore, where I suppose children are relatively tamer (pardon the word), I still am not so concerned with the type of information that they are exposed to.My childrens school,Dela Salle ,for example,being a catholic school ,is very strong on values formation and I notice that they are being taught what websites to go to.

Except that my kids are mostly influenced by their peers and classmates in terms of websites to visit(which are usually game sites for kids).

With Nygel and Niles’ blog site, I also act as the adviser. I ,for example, let Nygel blog but I edit some of the things he writes. I am surprised  at the things he can think of writing.

Blogging,I think,for young children is good provided the parents act as advisers or moderators. Your children can learn how to write as they regularly exercise their ability to express themselves through the written word.My Nygel ,I noticed ,is usually using text language most oftentimes in his blogs and sometimes his sentences are grammatically incorrect. But as long as he can express himself, thats fine with me.

WORLD CUP

 (TODAY IS MY 105th DAY OF BLOGGING)

Now that Italy beat Germany and France beat Portugal, I would predict France will win.

Tearful German Fans After the German Team lost to Italy last night(extreme left)

I was watching last night the delayed telecast of the Germany vs Italy game and I really felt bad that the Germans lost during the last 5 minutes of the game. The German team was my sure bet during the last World Cup were they placed 2nd. Anyway, whatever they lost they sure gained in terms of publicity for Germany since as host country a lot of media mileage will be reaped by their being gracious hosts.

Why France? In 1998, France lorded the World Cup.Although Italy has 3 World Cup Wins, their last World Cup win was in 1982 and the first two in the 1930s.

Germany was actually the strongest team to beat,they were just unlucky.They were on homeground so maybe they were a little bit complacent.

Yummy Pinoy Food

Today I was invited by Glo Villanueva to her Service Apartment in UE Square. Glo’s husband works as an Expat Finance guy with Shell Singapore. She and her two good looking sons James and John together with husband Ronald has been stationed in Singapore for the last 5 years. They are a picture of the 30 something globe trotting young Filipino expatriates scattered all over the world. Glo and Ronald met in UP where they both studied and got married ten years ago.

Anyway, I was invited (thanks Glo) to a sumptuous lunch of Bicol Express(with stingray), Laing(yummy),Pata Tim(Glo’s fathers recipe) and Lumpiang Sariwa(which can beat Goldilocks anytime). I could tell you its one of the best lunch I have ever had since Glo is Bicolana(from Legaspi City,Albay) and she really is a good cook. She even showed me her old diary which contains all her Filipino recipes handed down by relatives, friends and her parents.

The bicolanos have perfected Laing

I was encouraging her to create a food blog about her recipes and to take photos of  the food she prepares.

Glo is one of those lucky housewives who have the flair for cooking and flower arrangement. She is very good at it. I can only sigh in envy because I had never had anyone complement me for my cooking(that is if I cook at all).

 She promised me she will give me her recipe for her BukoPandan Salad(it was scrumptious).

 Here is one recipe of the Buko Pandan Salad

Throw  in some cubed pandan flavored gelatine into a bowl then addstrips of fresh coconut meat, Nestle cream, some milk to slightly dilute the mixture and some sugar or condensed milk and stirred it all up to make a buko pandan salad.

Canada

After dilly dallying on our Canadian application, we finally sent in our application to the Canadian High Commission Office on June 28. It was also on the same  day that I sent Mika’s(Ms sister Bambi’s eldest daughter) MP3 player to Canada by post.

I thought it was a pretty good day for accomplishing so many errands,going to downtown CHinatown area to submit the application and dropping by at lunchtime to the Post office in Tanglin area to drop off Mika’s package.

 Two days later,my husband called saying we already got an approval from the Canadian Embassy. I knew he was lying even if he read the first few lines of the  letter to me over the phone. So I said I just have to go home to check out what the letter was all about. As I knew it, only applications that have problems are sent back.

And true , when I came back our application was sent back to us. I felt really sad that the Embassy Office removed all our documents from the black file that I so lovingly tagged and sorted out like a presentation material for about a month. Now its just a file of paper loosely put together not even bundled nicely.

The reason for the return of our application: WE OVERPAID BY $54.00. Next time I wont listen to the bank teller. She suggested converting the C$1400 fee to S$ rate for the day. I thought the bank knew what they were doing . This error caused our application to be returned. Hope  our papers wont be returned to us again.

I’M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED!

The Superman of My Heart

Just watched Superman in the theatres and nothing compares to Christopher Reeves. He will forever be My Superman. I guess the new Superman will always be compared to him.

The New                                              and the Forever Superman

The story is not really worth remembering and the theme song which I really love is still there. Nothing new except Superman. Kevin Spacey however does a good job as Lex Luthor,the villain.

I dont want to cloud your judgement, just watch it. My two sons however liked the film.

 Eto pa ang isang nagpapanggap na Superman kasama ng pamangkin at mga anak ko