This year will be our 20th High School Reunion. Scary, I know. Flashes of movie scenes where terrible and embarrassing things happen during a reunion come to my mind. Why do people even bother to have reunions in the first place?
But, casting all negativity aside, it's pretty exciting. Thanks to Facebook and frequent visits home, I've kept in touch with most of my classmates and I must say, I am quite close with several. I think that is a good record considering Ruther hardly ever talks to his High School classmates these days.
Oh yeah, I am organizing the reunion. Since I was one of the class officers during our time (should I even say that?!) I thought I might as well start the ball rolling. I am of course, involving everyone in this. I've started organizing committees and so far everything is going smoothly except the part where a handful of my friends (my good friends in fact) had a spat and are now not on speaking terms. Yes, what a disaster! I mean, what's the use of having a reunion when people aren't even talking to each other! I was kind of irritated at first when I found out about it, but then, I realized that I don't know the complete story. So the most I could hope for is for my friends to look beyond the fight and focus on their friendship instead. So we'll see. I'm hopeful. But if I don't hear anyone trying to make up by mid-year, I'll stage an intervention!
Sigh.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Raising My Boys
I am currently reading the book Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference by Susan Vogt and it's interesting - in a parenting point of view. Granted, I don't agree with all her methods but I understand her intentions and I respect that.
For instance, assigning a particular color for each child to color-code their stuff. It's very ambitious and I'm sure it worked for their household, but I don't think I have the time to color-code everything here since we're living with my in-laws and I wouldn't want to color-code their stuff along with ours! I did like her idea of going on dates with each child. That I would want to do especially when my boys are older. I hope they will look forward to those dates with me.
Another topic that I enjoyed reading was her propensity to bring eco-bags wherever she went. Living in Las Pinas has taught me to bring an eco-bag whenever I'm out of the house lest I carry any stuff I buy in paper bags or god forbid, a cardboard box. I want to encourage my boys to do the same but again, I always encourage them to decide for themselves on what they believe is best for them to do. Hopefully, all our lessons on recycling and being environmentally conscious will guide them accordingly.
I'm halfway through the book and I hope to learn more. I hope to finish at least one (informative) book every two months so I guess I'm on the right track. :)
For instance, assigning a particular color for each child to color-code their stuff. It's very ambitious and I'm sure it worked for their household, but I don't think I have the time to color-code everything here since we're living with my in-laws and I wouldn't want to color-code their stuff along with ours! I did like her idea of going on dates with each child. That I would want to do especially when my boys are older. I hope they will look forward to those dates with me.
Another topic that I enjoyed reading was her propensity to bring eco-bags wherever she went. Living in Las Pinas has taught me to bring an eco-bag whenever I'm out of the house lest I carry any stuff I buy in paper bags or god forbid, a cardboard box. I want to encourage my boys to do the same but again, I always encourage them to decide for themselves on what they believe is best for them to do. Hopefully, all our lessons on recycling and being environmentally conscious will guide them accordingly.
I'm halfway through the book and I hope to learn more. I hope to finish at least one (informative) book every two months so I guess I'm on the right track. :)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
A Kare-kare First
A relative went to the market yesterday and mistakenly bought 2 kilos of tripe. Yes, you read it right. TWO KILOS. I was like, what the heck are we going to do with this much tripe?!
So, I made some lugaw and after the guilty relative pressure cooked the tripe, I added some to the congee. We had the lugaw for breakfast and then breakfast the following day. But we still had a lot of tripe left. Then it hit me. Why not make kare-kare? I never made kare-kare though so I was a bit apprehensive. I checked out some recipes and they didn't seem too bad since the longest part of making kare-kare was softening the meat and tripe. So I told myself: "it's time to make kare-kare."
I decided to use kare-kare mix to lessen the chance of botching up the most important part of the dish. Here's what I did:
1. Soften the meats (oxtail, tripe, etc). My relative did this for me. Using a pressure cooker saves a whole lot of time and gas. Keep the broth. You'll use it later.
2. Pre-cook the vegetables (sitaw, eggplant and pechay - in that order. I forgot to buy banana blossom.) My mother-in-law makes kare-kare. More often than not, the eggplant is still hard come serving time. I didn't want that to happen to my kare-kare. I saw in a website that pre-cooking the vegetables was advisable and I thought that was a good idea. It's best to pre-cook the vegetables in the broth that was used to soften the meat to make them flavorful. I simply half-cooked the veggies which only took a few minutes. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan, saute chopped garlic and then some sliced onions in some oil. Add the softened meats and stir-fry for a few minutes. Dissolve 1 pack kare-kare mix in 1 cup broth and add to the pan. I then added another cup of broth to make sure the sauce won't dry up after it thickens. I added one beef cube and let the sauce simmer.
4. After a few minutes, I added 2 tbsp peanut butter because I simply love the smell and peanut-ty taste of kare-kare. I added the vegetables and let it simmer for a few minutes.
5. All done! Serve with yummy bagoong and rice!
Easy, right? I never thought that it would be that easy! Again, the toughest part of preparing kare-kare is softening the meats. After that, it's all good. Now I wonder why I was so afraid to make kare-kare before!
So, I made some lugaw and after the guilty relative pressure cooked the tripe, I added some to the congee. We had the lugaw for breakfast and then breakfast the following day. But we still had a lot of tripe left. Then it hit me. Why not make kare-kare? I never made kare-kare though so I was a bit apprehensive. I checked out some recipes and they didn't seem too bad since the longest part of making kare-kare was softening the meat and tripe. So I told myself: "it's time to make kare-kare."
I decided to use kare-kare mix to lessen the chance of botching up the most important part of the dish. Here's what I did:
1. Soften the meats (oxtail, tripe, etc). My relative did this for me. Using a pressure cooker saves a whole lot of time and gas. Keep the broth. You'll use it later.
2. Pre-cook the vegetables (sitaw, eggplant and pechay - in that order. I forgot to buy banana blossom.) My mother-in-law makes kare-kare. More often than not, the eggplant is still hard come serving time. I didn't want that to happen to my kare-kare. I saw in a website that pre-cooking the vegetables was advisable and I thought that was a good idea. It's best to pre-cook the vegetables in the broth that was used to soften the meat to make them flavorful. I simply half-cooked the veggies which only took a few minutes. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan, saute chopped garlic and then some sliced onions in some oil. Add the softened meats and stir-fry for a few minutes. Dissolve 1 pack kare-kare mix in 1 cup broth and add to the pan. I then added another cup of broth to make sure the sauce won't dry up after it thickens. I added one beef cube and let the sauce simmer.
4. After a few minutes, I added 2 tbsp peanut butter because I simply love the smell and peanut-ty taste of kare-kare. I added the vegetables and let it simmer for a few minutes.
5. All done! Serve with yummy bagoong and rice!
Easy, right? I never thought that it would be that easy! Again, the toughest part of preparing kare-kare is softening the meats. After that, it's all good. Now I wonder why I was so afraid to make kare-kare before!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Starting to Panic
Yes.
I am finally - and regretfully - at that time when I can no longer say, "to heck with the world, I've got all the time". No, not this time and I know, turning 37 (gasp!) this year means I have to be more serious about my goals, about life, about how I want my future to be.
I suppose, like all stages in life, acceptance is the first step. And yes, I accept that I AM getting older. But what can I do about it? I can't turn back the clock. I can't ponder on every mistake I made in the past. I can't dwell on regret. I can't very well obsess about every little thing. I need to focus, to be more positive, to be more organized (believe me, those brain cells are starting to fail me more often than not) and to simply enjoy life.
Now that I feel like the clock is ticking (a little too fast), let me check all the things I've already accomplished so far in my life:
1. Get married. I know this isn't in everyone's bucket list but I always knew in my heart that I would be a wife. Dunno how I knew, but I did. Weird huh.
2. Have a family. Another thing I knew too was that I was meant to be a mom. I have this nurturing spirit which I think would have been frustrating for me if I didn't have kids. My boys keep me on my toes. And I love being challenged as a parent, an educator and a mentor. Some people tell me that it's just too bad I don't have a daughter but you know, in all honesty, I am quite content with my boys. They complete me and that's all I need. Besides, I have a niece I think having a baby girl is covered. :)
3. Travel. I've always wanted to travel. I think my temperament is good for travelling since I have the open-mindedness and patience to understand local and foreign cultures. I just think that travelling is an education all on its own. And it's simply amazing. This one, I have not accomplished fully yet, since I plan to travel years from now.
4. Get an education. Yeah, did that... moving on...
That's it. Pretty poor list, isn't it? Especially since the career section is non-existent. But I'm not an ambitious person. I mean, I have dreams but I'm not the be-a-world-changer kind of person. As long as I do my part well in my little corner as a mother, wife, daughter and friend, then I know I did and am doing good.
I've already checked a lot of other things in my bucket list but I think I have to be more serious this year in accomplishing more of them. Hopefully, I will be able to do them all before my inevitable time runs out.
I am finally - and regretfully - at that time when I can no longer say, "to heck with the world, I've got all the time". No, not this time and I know, turning 37 (gasp!) this year means I have to be more serious about my goals, about life, about how I want my future to be.
I suppose, like all stages in life, acceptance is the first step. And yes, I accept that I AM getting older. But what can I do about it? I can't turn back the clock. I can't ponder on every mistake I made in the past. I can't dwell on regret. I can't very well obsess about every little thing. I need to focus, to be more positive, to be more organized (believe me, those brain cells are starting to fail me more often than not) and to simply enjoy life.
Now that I feel like the clock is ticking (a little too fast), let me check all the things I've already accomplished so far in my life:
1. Get married. I know this isn't in everyone's bucket list but I always knew in my heart that I would be a wife. Dunno how I knew, but I did. Weird huh.
2. Have a family. Another thing I knew too was that I was meant to be a mom. I have this nurturing spirit which I think would have been frustrating for me if I didn't have kids. My boys keep me on my toes. And I love being challenged as a parent, an educator and a mentor. Some people tell me that it's just too bad I don't have a daughter but you know, in all honesty, I am quite content with my boys. They complete me and that's all I need. Besides, I have a niece I think having a baby girl is covered. :)
3. Travel. I've always wanted to travel. I think my temperament is good for travelling since I have the open-mindedness and patience to understand local and foreign cultures. I just think that travelling is an education all on its own. And it's simply amazing. This one, I have not accomplished fully yet, since I plan to travel years from now.
4. Get an education. Yeah, did that... moving on...
That's it. Pretty poor list, isn't it? Especially since the career section is non-existent. But I'm not an ambitious person. I mean, I have dreams but I'm not the be-a-world-changer kind of person. As long as I do my part well in my little corner as a mother, wife, daughter and friend, then I know I did and am doing good.
I've already checked a lot of other things in my bucket list but I think I have to be more serious this year in accomplishing more of them. Hopefully, I will be able to do them all before my inevitable time runs out.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
On My Way
Today I decided to take a course that will help me in my intention of having a business later on. The title of the course is: Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses. This course is given by the University of Virginia. I know it's not exactly a how-to-start-your-own-business course but I figured, any business advice would be a huge help for me. Plus, the course is free so I can't (or shouldn't) complain, right?
The course starts January 28 and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning to read the required and optional readings once Ruther prints them out for me. Hopefully this week. I want to take the Introduction to Finance course as well but I'm a bit intimidated by needing to have some background in accounting, statistics and economics. But we shall see. I need all the help I can get and some financial education will be awesome.
Yes, we shall see. For the meantime... I'm excited. Very excited.
The course starts January 28 and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning to read the required and optional readings once Ruther prints them out for me. Hopefully this week. I want to take the Introduction to Finance course as well but I'm a bit intimidated by needing to have some background in accounting, statistics and economics. But we shall see. I need all the help I can get and some financial education will be awesome.
Yes, we shall see. For the meantime... I'm excited. Very excited.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Resolutions vs. Goals
Why do people make resolutions at the beginning of the year anyway? More likely than not, they don't live up to them at the end of the year. So, why bother?
I gave up making resolutions when I was in college. I just got frustrated when, by December, I could not even remember what resolutions I made at the beginning of the year!! So I'm letting go of it. BUT, that doesn't mean I'll simply live without something motivating me in a way. After all, everyone needs something that will keep them on the right track, right?
So this year, instead of resolutions, I am setting some goals. Achievable goals. Here they are (well some of them anyway):
1. Read more books. I need to read more about parenting, homeschooling, ASD, finance and education. I want to be able to learn a lot from the books I read so I guess I'll need to visit Booksale real soon.
2. Learn to drive - again. I actually took driving lessons but that was years ago. When I was still in college! And I never got to drive in Manila because 1.) we didn't have a vehicle then that I could use; 2.) by the time we had a vehicle, I lost my confidence in driving, and 3.) the current vehicle we have is my in-laws' and I don't want to damage it with my beginner driving! But realizing that I am getting old, I know now that I cannot wait for the perfect time because there won't be. I have to learn and I have to learn this year. Plus, getting my driver's license will be another thing I could cross out in my bucket list. :D
3. Watch less tv and more music. Sometimes, when the room is too quiet, I turn on the tv just to fill-in the silence. I don't want to do that this year. I want to listen to more music and less nonsense shows. We already have a lot of tv shows on our plate, I don't want to have to add meaningless shows to it.
4. Eat healthy, be healthy. I get so scared when I think that I'm going to be a diabetic everytime I put a sweet into my mouth (I blame family history). But I know that many factors contribute to diabetes so I tell myself now that I should exercise, eat healthy and always have regular check-ups. Hopefully, being conscious about these things will help me lose some weight as well.
5. Start a business; any business. Looking at our finances, it's worrisome seeing our debt (and at the beginning of the year!!). So, I'm thinking of ways on how to increase our finances and that would most probably be through business. My initial plan is to have a garage sale (we have a LOT of stuff here at home) and use the money from the sales, to come up with a small business that can be managed from the home. I was thinking of having an e-load business (which is very popular in the Philippines) and that's manageable when I homeschool the boys next school year. I also plan to sell ice for P3/ice bag. Since my brother-in-law purchased a bigger ref, we now have a bigger freezer space so storing ice is not going to be a problem. Another thing I plan to do is advertise as an English tutor. Who knows, someone may need my services, right? Hopefully, with all the money I could earn, borrow or loan, we could have our own bike store, which I learned from a family business, is very lucrative. So there you go. Wish me lots of luck.
6. Continue blogging. Considering the schedule I have for the year, this will be very challenging but hopefully, I will be able to find the time to drop a line or two still.
Other goals related to my boys and homeschooling are in my other blog. :D Will get back to you at the end of the year regarding the accomplishment/failure of the above goals.
I gave up making resolutions when I was in college. I just got frustrated when, by December, I could not even remember what resolutions I made at the beginning of the year!! So I'm letting go of it. BUT, that doesn't mean I'll simply live without something motivating me in a way. After all, everyone needs something that will keep them on the right track, right?
So this year, instead of resolutions, I am setting some goals. Achievable goals. Here they are (well some of them anyway):
1. Read more books. I need to read more about parenting, homeschooling, ASD, finance and education. I want to be able to learn a lot from the books I read so I guess I'll need to visit Booksale real soon.
2. Learn to drive - again. I actually took driving lessons but that was years ago. When I was still in college! And I never got to drive in Manila because 1.) we didn't have a vehicle then that I could use; 2.) by the time we had a vehicle, I lost my confidence in driving, and 3.) the current vehicle we have is my in-laws' and I don't want to damage it with my beginner driving! But realizing that I am getting old, I know now that I cannot wait for the perfect time because there won't be. I have to learn and I have to learn this year. Plus, getting my driver's license will be another thing I could cross out in my bucket list. :D
3. Watch less tv and more music. Sometimes, when the room is too quiet, I turn on the tv just to fill-in the silence. I don't want to do that this year. I want to listen to more music and less nonsense shows. We already have a lot of tv shows on our plate, I don't want to have to add meaningless shows to it.
4. Eat healthy, be healthy. I get so scared when I think that I'm going to be a diabetic everytime I put a sweet into my mouth (I blame family history). But I know that many factors contribute to diabetes so I tell myself now that I should exercise, eat healthy and always have regular check-ups. Hopefully, being conscious about these things will help me lose some weight as well.
5. Start a business; any business. Looking at our finances, it's worrisome seeing our debt (and at the beginning of the year!!). So, I'm thinking of ways on how to increase our finances and that would most probably be through business. My initial plan is to have a garage sale (we have a LOT of stuff here at home) and use the money from the sales, to come up with a small business that can be managed from the home. I was thinking of having an e-load business (which is very popular in the Philippines) and that's manageable when I homeschool the boys next school year. I also plan to sell ice for P3/ice bag. Since my brother-in-law purchased a bigger ref, we now have a bigger freezer space so storing ice is not going to be a problem. Another thing I plan to do is advertise as an English tutor. Who knows, someone may need my services, right? Hopefully, with all the money I could earn, borrow or loan, we could have our own bike store, which I learned from a family business, is very lucrative. So there you go. Wish me lots of luck.
6. Continue blogging. Considering the schedule I have for the year, this will be very challenging but hopefully, I will be able to find the time to drop a line or two still.
Other goals related to my boys and homeschooling are in my other blog. :D Will get back to you at the end of the year regarding the accomplishment/failure of the above goals.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Happy New Year all!
I know it's been ages since I last posted. Having 3 boys and no helper is tough! I can't rely on anyone else so I barely have time for myself now, much less blog. But I will try. Because this corner is my second home. And I enjoy sharing our life with you. This year, I am not promising anything. Life may get out of hand once more, I may disappear for times again. But I will surely return. I hope you have not given up on me.
This year, I wish, from my family to yours, a wonderful New Year filled with happiness, love and good health. Okay, maybe money, too. :D
This year, I wish, from my family to yours, a wonderful New Year filled with happiness, love and good health. Okay, maybe money, too. :D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
