BY THE BRIDGE

Another sunset shot. I just love the light on the houses on the right and the shimmer on the water. The photo is a bit crooked because I took it while I was in the car...

Photo taken at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard...

BIBINGKA

Q: What is bibingka?

A: Bibingka, above, is a rice cake similar to the Western pancake in appearance. In taste, texture and way of cooking, however, they are very much different from each other. Bibingka is made from galapong (galapong is glutinous rice soaked in water then ground with the water to form either a batter or a dough, depending on what the cooked dish is supposed to be), baked in a special clay pot, lined with a piece of banana leaf, with live coals on top and underneath. It is topped with slices of kesong puti (white cheese) and itlog na maalat (salted duck eggs). The newly-cooked bibingka is spread with butter and sometimes sprinkled with sugar then served with niyog (grated coconut). (from pinoycook.net)

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I really don't know why but for the past few days I have been craving for bibingka. Maybe it's because of the cool weather, maybe it's because it's so attached to Philippine Christmas celebrations, but really, whenever I am at the mall, I just make a beeline towards the bibingka stands. I can be so weird sometimes. A few weeks ago, I was in a cream puff craze. Now it's bibingka. I wonder what it'll be next...

Anyway, the bibingka sold at SM is quite yummy too. The bibingka is soft and yummy and they serve it with muscovado or brown sugar and some shredded coconut. The bibingka sold there is usually as big as a saucer and costs around P42 (approx. US$1) if I'm not mistaken. But I also like the bibingka sold at the Waray-waray Bibingkahan stands at the malls. Their bibingka is smaller but just as tasty and just as soft. I usually buy a box of 6 (costs around P120+). They have the regular and the special (with itlog na maalat) bibingka. I prefer the sepcial ones of course. It's really no problem if I can't finish the box of bibingka because even after storing them in the refrigerator, all you have to do is just pop it into the microwave or oven toaster for a minute or so and it's still soft and yummy and just as delicious. But usually, a box of 6 does not last long in the house. =D

Anyway, who knows how long this bibingka craving of mine will last? As long as I keep on finding yummy bibingkas out there, I'll surely keep on eating them.

Want some?

Looks yummy, don't they? =D

HAIR SCARE

We were at the mall tonight. Ruther wanted us to meet him there after work and of course, I could not refuse. Good thing it stopped raining or I would have worried about the boys getting wet (or getting sick). Anyway, when we got there it was past 6pm and I was hungry. So, I sent Ruther and SMS and told him I would eat ahead and just meet us where we were. He agreed. I decided to get a bowl of hot goto (congee), tokwa't baboy (pork meat and tofu), sago't gulaman (a refreshment that contains tapioca and cubes of gelatin) and leche flan for dessert. While I was ordering my food, Ethan was drinking his milk. When I got to the table, this is what met me:





Ethan has gum in is hair!! EWW! I think he poked at a chewed gum under the table and it somehow got stuck in his hair. I freaked out because of well, germs so the first thing I did was disinfect the gum with alcohol. Ethan was already whining and complaining and saying it was painful (he was tugging at it) and I told him to stop and wait for his dad. I promtly called Ruther and told him the situation and he passed by a bookstore to buy a pair of scissors. I think it's a good thing the gum got stuck on his bangs (but just to be sure, I covered the sticky gum with a piece of tissue). If it were at the top of his head he would have a bald spot there and it would NOT be good. Anyway, here's Ruther cutting Ethan's hair to get rid of the gum:

He's really not in pain. He just wants the gum out. =D









Here's the gum and some of Ethan's hair.

SPREADING JOY

I mentioned a few posts earlier about our intention of sharing some of the boys' old toys with the less fortunate kids through Jollibee (a local fastfood restaurant). I think that not only will the poor kids be benefitting from this, it will also be a learning experience for the boys; to share their things with others and be more conscious about less fortunate people in the world.

When I was younger, I led a very sheltered life. My parents were very overprotective and I cannot even begin to express how protective they were. I know they had good intentions but shielding me from the world did not teach me much about life. Really, until I met Ruther and got married, I would not decribe myself as independent at all! Everything I learned, I learned through school, books and interacting with people in my little world. But my learning was very limited. It was only when I went off to college that I realized the world is so, SO much more. My boys are still young but I want them to experience life now. I want them to be conscious of the things around them and to think for themselves. I want them to be selfless and caring citizens. I want them to grow up to be God-fearing and responsible. Homeschooling the boys makes it MY responsibility now. The things that I learned in school I try to instill in my boys little by little. Hopefully all my efforts will not be futile. As far as I can tell, Nikki and Ethan are okay. When we are at the toy store I don't have to worry about tantrums. When I say we can't buy it, they accept it without question. I guess it's because they know that if we could afford the toy and if it's right for them, I would purchase the toy in an instant. I guess it all comes down to good communication.

This Christmas I am already anticipating a wonderful celebration, especially now that Ruther is home. I want to share my joy with people I don't know, strangers who need some cheer this Yuletide season. Even if I don't know them, the thought that my family has made a few kids happy is enough for me. I really hope that the toys find a good home and I pray that other people will join me in giving and spreading the cheer this Christmas. =D

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Here are some of the toys we are giving away to Jollibee:

OUR BOYS

Ethan (left) and Nikki (right). They look almost the same, don't they? =D Can't wait for our Christmas photos...

STARBUCKS PLANNER

Ruther and I finally got a Starbucks planner today. It looks really nice. In case you didn't know, if you own a Starbucks promo card (available at the counter, by the way) and order 12 Starbucks beverages and 12 Starbucks Christmas beverages (Praline Mocha, Peppermint Mocha and Toffe Nut), you will be able to get a free 2008 Starbucks planner. All you have to do is make sure your promo card is filled with the necessary stickers (all 24). It sounds like a lot of coffee to drink but Starbucks has this new promo in celebration of their 10th anniversary. When you purchase a Starbucks beverage from 12:30-2:00pm and 8:00-9:30pm, instead of getting one sticker per beverage, you get TWO! So of course, everytime Ruther and I get some coffee, that's 4 stickers all together! This promo was supposed to end last December 7 but it was extended to the 25th so that's good news. Anyway, tonight, Ruther and I finally completed the promo. Yay! The planner really was supposed to be mine but since we completed the promo in no time, I told Ruther that I also want him to have a planner and we're going to complete another promo card in the next few weeks. The promo runs until January 2008. And another good news? When you complete the promo, a donation will be given in your name to a charitable institution (SparkHope). Nice, huh. =D Anyway, I'm looking forward to completing another promo card with Ruther. Not only is the planner worth it, but it's fun having coffee with your sweetie as well. =D

Here's a photo of the planner:

WHAT TO WEAR

Ruther's company Christmas party is this Friday. The other day he informed me that the party organizers decided on a theme for this year's Christmas celebration. Everyone had to go in one's favorite hero/anime. Hmmm... Of course this was a problem for me. I mean, who dyu think was going to make the costume? =P Anyway, I asked Ruther if he had an idea of who he wanted to be. And he said he didn't want to pick something difficult for me to make (isn't he sweet?=D) so he thought of going as Obi Wan Kenobi. I'm sure you know who he is... played by Ewan McGregor, a jedi, carries a light saber? Well, sounded okay with me so I agreed and then checked the internet for some idea on how to make the costume. And this is what I found:

Of course I can't make Ruther's costume exactly like this. Aside from not having a sewing machine here and not having the fabrics, Ruther also did not want me to have to spend for this costume so I know I have to be creative and resourceful. I already have some ideas on how to make Ruther's costume (which will involve cutting some old lab gowns and dyeing them brown, and other things). The light saber won't be a problem because Ruther already has one. I am feeling quite excited about this costume thing. I hope it will turn out as I expect it to be. Hopefully, it won't be too different from this one. =D

GIVING AND SHARING

Ruther and I have decided to give some of the boys' old toys away. With the boys' permission of course. A local fastfood chain, Jollibee, has this yearly Christmas tradition of accepting old (or new) toys and books which they would give away to poor kids. I think it's a wonderful way of getting rid of some of the boys' old but functional toys and clearing some of the clutter around the house. Yesterday, I explained to Nikki about picking some of the toys they don't play with anymore and giving them to poor kids. He never put up a fuss and I was so proud of him. I would pick a toy and ask him, "Do you want to give this or keep this?" And he would tell me so. When we would disagree (he would usually want to keep some of them), I would carefully explain why we should give the toy away instead (it usually is because they haven't played it in ages) and he would think about it and most of the time agree with me. We already have a bagful of toys at this time. We went over it again and Nikki was okay with giving all those away. So by next week, we'll bring those toys to Jollibee and hopefully make some kids happy this Christmas.

SETTING SUN

We were on our way home and when I saw this scene, I just could not resist and took a shot. I love our sunsets. I think they are so dramatic. I also love the beach, the coconut trees, the colorful sky, the floating yachts... I could go on and on...

Photo taken at Manila Bay.

GOOD AND BAD

Having purchased a newspaper this morning, I'm thinking of sharing some of today's news with you... (headlines from Inquirer)

GOOD NEWS
1. OFW money powers peso to 41.88 vs US$
2. Mountain bike's downhill rider Joey Barba nails RP's 1st SEA Games gold
3. No typhoon; just rains spawned by cold front


BAD NEWS
1. RP on top 10 list of petty bribery
2. Teen kills 8, self in mall in Omaha, Nebraska
3. Water crisis worsening


There are of course, still other stories but these are the most interesting. When I was in college, I always wanted to read the paper. I would be so interested in the latest news and headlines even if sometimes (or maybe most of the time) they didn't mean anything to me. Ruther's dad would bring home the paper everyday from work and sometimes, I would borrow it to read some of the interesting news and articles. When I would see something really interesting, I would make a note of it and snip it off the next day. With permission of course. It was only later on that I realized I got this queer trait from my mother when I saw her magazine clippings neatly pasted on drawing books. Anyway, after I got married and had kids, I easily got affected by bad news, unsavory politics and tragedies. When I was still single, I could and would easily brush those aside and think, "I am not interested in those things; they do not affect me." I cannot say the same now. When I read about rising prices of oil and commodities, I worry. When I read about the drastic changes in climate, I worry. When I read about shameful government practices, I worry. I admit that sometimes, I allow myself to be enclosed in a protective bubble, especially when I am blissfully happy with my family. I think that by doing that, I am pushing aside all these things from my mind and I try to focus my energy and time with my family instead. But when we go out of the house, the gasoline prices stare at us, poor kids rush into the street to beg for money or food, floods are a constant problem when it rains. I know that I can never run away from these things. I know that sometimes, I prefer to turn a blind eye from helplessness, but I know that I still can help. In my own way. Will write more about that later...

FUN

I think this is such a fun photo. Nikki looks like a big boy in this photo. But whenever I ask him if he's still my baby he unhesitantly answers 'yes'. =D

Photo taken at SM Science Discovery Center.

17 DAYS TO GO

Did you know that there are 17 more days to go before Christmas? Unbelievable. Of course, I only counted until the 24th because well, admit it, the eve of Christmas is pretty much like it already. Are you all done with your Christmas shopping? I still have to buy presents for 1. a godchild of Ruther (I'm planning to get her a nice Disney princess watch), 2. a 2-year-old boy (a son of one of Ruther's cousin's and of course, 3. my family (i.e., Ruther, Nikki and Ethan). I already scouted at the mall the other day for likely presents and I do have some ideas on what to get them. I really planned on completing my Christmas shopping before December but with the budgetting and all, I guess it's okay to get these presents later on (but definitely NOT a few days before Christmas - I can already imagine the crowd then...). Anyway, Santa will also have presents for the boys, surely (if you know what I mean). I suppose you know where Santa does his shopping? =D

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Ethan's cough is still not getting better. If it won't subside by Saturday, I'm going to bring him to the pediatrician. The doctor will most likely prescribe a cough medicine and I just know that Ethan will hate taking it just as much as I hate giving it to him. =( Let's just pray that his cough will go away on its own. Or I can try that pei pa koa. Does anyone know where I could buy a bottle?

THIS MORNING

The ring of the alarm brought me from a dreamless sleep to wakefulness in a few seconds. I hurriedly got up to turn it off lest Ruther and the boys awaken. Six-fifty a.m., it said. After making sure the alarm won't go off again, I noticed how cold I was in my shirt and shorts, out of bed and no longer under the warmth of my blanket. Looking out the window, a rainy morning greeted me. The sky was grey, the rain gently falling onto the cold pavement below and the rooftops and the leaves of the mango tree outside our window all wet and drippy. I kissed Ruther gently on the cheek so as not to awaken him then I went downstairs to the kitchen to heat Ruther's bathwater and then made coffee for myself. Craving for some pandesal, I put on my purple sweater and walked to the nearby bakery. Under the umbrella, the rainy day was even more noticeable. The road was wet and empty, the birds all quiet, the gentle rain tap-tapping on my umbrella, the air so fresh and clean, and the plants and flowers so colorfully vibrant under the droplets of water on them. At the bakery, I got some hot and soft pandesal and a newspaper and then headed back home. The yummy smell of the pandesal merged with the aroma of my coffee and it was wonderful. I got Ruther's bathwater ready then woke him up. After 20 minutes of persistent waking (and cuddling in between), he got up to get ready for the office. By this time, the boys had awaken but were still unmoving because of the chilly air. A few minutes later, showered and dressed, Ruther was all set and we said goodbye to him and saw him off. I just know I'll miss him these next few hours but so far, I could tell that it's going to be a beautiful day.

FUN IN THE SUN

This is one of our many photos taken last November 30 at Sun City. We had loads of fun and even if the wind was a bit chilly, the water was wonderfully warm. This is the adult pool and the water is chest-high (mine, at least) but the boys were very confident in their floaties. By afternoon though, Nikki was out of his floatie and while holding my hand, he tried tiptoeing in the water (it reached his mouth while on tiptoe). I was happy about that because Nikki is usually overly cautious and would not want to do something that he feared was scary or dangerous. But I guess he trusted me and Ruther so he let go of his fears (and his floatie) and tiptoed away while I guided him. Anyway, it was such a fun day for all of us. More family adventures next time! =D

GREEN

The other day, I asked Ruther what our Christmas motif would be this year. We usually have a specific color every year for the picture-taking during Noche Buena (midnight dinner). This tradition started in my family. We would decide on a color (my mom usually would) and pick our clothes for the pictorial. It would always look nice to see everyone in red or white or yellow. So, I thought we could adopt that and do that with my family. Last year, when we were in Japan, we were not able to do this because well, we only had to bring a limited amount of clothes with us and it would have been too costly to purchase new clothes for everyone. So we just wore whatever nice clothes we had in our wardrobe. This year though, we're going to follow tradition and pick a certain color. I asked Ruther to do the picking and he said we'll try green this year. I should have expected that because his favorite color is green. But that's all right with me because we (my family) haven't tried green yet. So I think it will be great. Only thing is, I went to the mall yesterday and there weren't much green polo shirts for boys. So I might have to search other malls for those. I won't panic now, but a week from now, if I still don't have those shirts with me, I will then.

WHAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SHOULD YOU PLAY?

You Should Play the Guitar

You're very independent - both in spirit and in the way you learn. You can teach yourself almost anything, even if it makes your fingers bleed. You're not really the type to sit patiently through a music lesson - or do things by the book. It's more your style to master the fundamentals and see where they take you. Highly creative and a bit eclectic, you need a wide range of music to play. You could emerge as a sensitive songwriter... or a manic rock star. Your dominant personality characteristic: being rebellious Your secondary personality characteristic: tenacity

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

Hmmm. This is not very exact. I would rather play the piano (because I studied it years ago). I also like soothing music and rarely enjoy the rock genre. I am also questioning the "being rebellious" part. I usually conform to rules so I find that weird. I'll have to ask Ruther about that because I don't know if I changed over the years to be "rebellious" now.

PS. Ruther plays guitar and likes rock music. Maybe this test was meant for him? =D

ALL BETTER BUT...

Ruther is all better now. However, Ethan is suffering from coughs so I'm getting worried about that. I'm trying my best to make sure his back is always dry, he does not go out in the rain, or doesn't scream too much. I am considering giving him some cough medicine but after reading a news report about cough medicines' effects on kids a few weeks ago, I might try some alternative medicine. Like honey maybe. Anyway, I just hope that his cough goes away soon...

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Am enjoying December a lot. I love the weather, I love spending time with my family, and I love how Christmas goes nearer and nearer. Am so looking forward to the holidays. But before that, I have got a LOT of preparation to do.

But I'm not worried. I love Christmas. =D

REPORT: WORLD FOOD PRICES TO RISE

By HENRY SANDERSON, Associated Press Writer
Posted Mon Dec 3, 2007 11:02pm PST

BEIJING - Food prices are set to rise around the globe after years of decline, with climate change making it harder for the world's poorest to get adequate food, according to a report released Tuesday.

Rising global temperatures as well as growing food consumption in rapidly developing countries such as China and India are pressuring the world food system, meaning that food prices will rise for the foreseeable future, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Joachim von Braun, the director of the Washington-based research group, said food prices have been in a declining trend since scientists began developing high-yield plant varieties decades ago, "but the days of falling food prices may be over."

"The last time the world experienced such food price increases was in 1973 to 1974 ... but today the situation is completely different. For one, the climate risk and climate change situation has increased, the climate vulnerability has increased," von Braun told reporters in Beijing.

The institute said in a report that hunger and malnutrition could rise as poor agricultural communities most sensitive to the environment, such as in Africa, are hurt. Dependency on food imports will also increase as cereal yields decline in those countries.

The world's agricultural production is projected to decrease by 16 percent by 2020 due to global warming, the report said, with land used for certain crops shrinking. For example, it said land to grow wheat could almost disappear in Africa.

It said growing demand in rapidly developing countries such as China and India for processed food and expensive meat and dairy products is driving up prices for those goods, as well as for staple grains used to feed cattle.

In addition, switching to crops used for biofuels will also reduce the amount of available food and increase prices, it said.

Trade barriers for food should be eliminated, especially in developed nations, the report recommended, so small farmers can earn more money.

"A world facing increased food scarcity needs to trade more, not less," the report said.

The European Union and the United States have been reluctant to cut support for their own farmers and reduce trade barriers in world trade talks.

http://green.yahoo.com/news/ap/20071204/ap_on_bi_ge/china_world_food_prices.html