trayed muffin

instead of the usual muffin cups i felt like making muffin trays.

i baked while watching Twilight, on a twilight-weather-sunday. ^__^

fried chicken

lightly season chicken with salt and pepper
coat chicken pieces in a mixture of:

1 fresh egg
1 tbsp of soy sauce
1 tbsp of sesame oil

then shake the eggy chicken pieces into a well-sealed bag or plastic of:

all-purpose flour
with 3 tbsp of ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

heat deep-frying oil. then drop the chicken pieces in.

dipping options:
- soy sauce mixed with some sweet-chili sauce
- soy sauce with squeezed lime
- hot sauce

cats and dogs

it's been raining all afternoon and it really poured just when i was planning to step out to check the factory outlet of a home store near my place. so i was not able to go. bummer.

meanwhile i'm waiting for jacob to message me on plans for the rest of the day. for myself i have finished doing my weekend chores. i am contemplating baking some muffins but i feel kinda lazy too. and i feel like i don't want to cook dinner. i think i want to eat out, or at least eat something ready-cooked.

my best friend T's cat Crinky is in the hospital and is in critical condition. :( i hope he pulls through.

voiceless but lovefull

i lost my voice this morning.

i've been feeling a mild sore throat since wednesday. and then i did a lot of training (a.k.a. a LOT of talking) from wednesday to friday.

thursday the sniffles slowly crept in.

friday the sniffles were undeniably present. jacob got them too. the throat got more tickly-itchy-sore.

this morning i woke up and the voice was gone, i could only squeak, whisper and wildly gesture.

hence i could not practice and jacob advised i stay home and sleep it off. he forbade anything with sugar and ice. recommended soups and fresh juices and gargling with medicated washes meant for sore throats.

last night jacob took me out on a date. we had baby back ribs and lots and lots of onion rings.

i think i'll stay in all evening tonight. the group will be watching the latest Terminator movie but i'm not too keen on it anyway. and with my voice gone i don't feel like having to deal with edward's bullying.

jacob said he'll come home to me straight after the group night-out in case i won't make it. something perfect to look forward to.

back on the grind

i did a lot of catching up on work today.

there was one particular incident that got me really pissed but only for a few seconds. after those few seconds i immediately realized it is so not worth it (ironic, considering the tagline of the brand, LOL). so instead of getting myself all worked up over what is essentially nothing (like the nothingness of certain brains and the absence of common sense) i proceeded to address the issue with concrete next steps. i was mildly surprised at myself for not even feeling slightly panicked or threatened by insinuations of reports reaching my boss. i know where i stand.

anyway. enough negative thoughts. that's just about what i would allow myself to rant about. on to happy things...

such as jacob asking after me today and checking if i went to work or stayed at home ^___^

and finding out that my reputation still holds. all that goodwill paying off. i'm a notorious workaholic, it seems. that's good. heehee.

i think i want breakfast for dinner tonight. some bread and eggs and spanish sardines and maybe a couple of strips of bacon and lots of ice-cold apple juice.

a shutdown

i've been on sick leave for two days. the worst period cramps ever. and somehow it seemed the rest of the exhaustion i have not recovered from since january decided to take their toll as well. i slept for most of the two days. ate and slept. and slept some more. and took pain meds in between to help ease the aches.

i felt so physically and mentally tired. my emotional highs could not hold me up. and i guess it was a good thing that my emotions were at least strongly positive. because otherwise i think i could have easily been a vegetable of some sort.

jacob brought me healthy fruit drinks and made sure i ate and checked regularly on how i felt.

i'm planning to go back to work today, although my body feels it could use a couple more days of shutdown, sleep more. just be mentally empty for a little more while.

attitude of gratitude

i think it's time to make a gratitude list again. ^__^

i am thankful for:

- having been able to catch up on some rest today
- the back massage my mom gave me to ease the aches i've been feeling all day
- the calm i am feeling despite the knowledge of the work i have to catch up on tomorrow
- the infinite flow of ideas and solutions as i aim to make my work less dominant of my whole life
- my job. i know many people would trade a finger or more for something like it.
- my skills in doing my job. because it makes balancing work and life a bit easier.
- my health. because the only thing i complain about are occasional aches caused by my own bad habits. i am strong, young and capable of many more things.
- my own space. because it helps make more beautiful stories happen.
- my knack for cooking. because food comforts and cheers and bonds.
- my parents and my sister.
- my humongous stock of goodwill accumulated through the years. because now i'm enjoying their benefits.
- mogget. who warms my feet and my heart.
- jacob. who makes me so happy, and teaches me so much about love.

mogget and a glimpse of the muse's inspiration

the creative muse returns with a bit of a vengeance

i slept at 3AM.

because i could not stop myself. it was like the urge of an addiction. almost on impulse i have started working on my photo/collage wall and then i got lost in it. hours trickled by unnoticed. i paused only to realize i was hungry and then realized it was almost 2AM.

jacob dropped by to fix my speakers and as he worked i worked, absorbed like a little kid, cutting and tearing and layering and all at the same time all the memories of doing this kind of art from years past come flooding back. inspired, i think, is the perfect word. inspired and in love.

jacob and i had breakfast at 230AM, of bacon and eggs and orange juice.

now i wish i didn't have to go to work. i want to pore over my bantock and hodgson books. i want to dig through my souvenir box and find old photographs and spin more wishes and dreams because more than a photo/collage wall it is also a wish wall, a vision wall. a wall of good and beautiful and happy things. a wall crafted with lots of happy love.

anchovy garlic butter

i modified the original recipe a bit more than the usual because i was really out of supplies. but the result was still yummy and i think i have a potential christmas gift goodie.

1/4 cup softened butter
2 tbsp crushed anchovies
2 tbsp crushed garlic
1 teaspoon lemongrass (the recipe asked for lemon or lime but i'm out so i used a thai crushed lemongrass mix from a bottle)
pepper

1. mix garlic with butter. add pepper.
2. add anchovies.
3. add lemongrass

serve on fresh cooked meats. it gets melty and yummy!

bistek tagalog modified

ingredients:
4 pcs pork steak (i love monterey meats)
olive oil
salt
pepper
onions
soy sauce
about 2-3 tbsp butter

1. marinade pork steak in olive oil, salt, pepper
2. broil pork in oven (i use a toaster oven) for about 25-30 mins
3. melt butter in pan
4. saute onions until onions have that cooked look
5. add soy sauce (depends on how much sauce you want). let simmer for about half a minute.
6. add broiled pork steak, turning over to let it get some toasty edges. just do this for about half a minute
7. take out pork, arrange on plate. then pour sauce with onions on top.

tomato salsa from leftover veggies

i was going to have fried burger patties for dinner the other night and i just could not have it plain. so i rummaged around and found the following:

2 small carrots
8 small tomatoes
2 small red bell peppers
1 medium onion
1 tbsp of leftover tomato basil dip
1 small pouch of tomato sauce
some fresh basil

1. heat some olive oil. throw in the onions.
2. throw in everything else. cook until the tomatoes look juicy.
3. add tomato sause. (and i also added in the leftover tomato basil dip)
4. let simmer for about 2-3 minutes
5. add fresh basil.

great as sauce or dip for fried and grilled meats. jacob specifically mentioned it tasted good. ^___^

spicy tawilis

i have fresh tawilis vacationing in the freezer for a while and needed to get it consumed. i thought about cooking and preserving it in some way, like spicy tuyo (herring). so i found a spicy tuyo recipe. and since i haven't gone to the supermarket and has severe lack of most ingredients, i made do.

ingredients:
fresh tawilis (i had about 8-10 big pieces, each piece about 5-6 inches)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
about 2 tbsp of crushed garlic

1. quick fry the tawilis in hot oil. set aside. (i removed the head and tail)
2. heat canola and olive oil
3. add garlic and cook until slightly browned and starting to get crispy at the edges
4. add vinegar and cayenne pepper. bring to a happy boil.
5. add the fish. let fry for about 2 minutes.
6. transfer to a bowl or container. it should keep for a few days.

blueberry night

last night jacob helped me make a big tray of blueberry cheesecake. ^__^ he cleaned up the table and put away the dishes and dinner leftovers while i prepped the ingredients. then he took over the mixing until the cheese was all smooth and well-blended with the cream.

i want

this monogram rub-on from the scrap-it store

secondary sponsor :)

i have never been a bridesmaid nor have i performed any significant part in any one's wedding.

so i believe this is all good signs that i will be secondary sponsor at nanao-chan's and shunsui's wedding in december. and jacob will be my partner and we will be doing the cord. ^___^

there's going to be dress fitting on the 12th of june. i saw the design pegs and there's about three i like. ^___^

i'm going to be wearing a pretty dress and marching down the aisle! hahaha! things have really changed!

photo wall ideas

(the photos are not mine, by the way.)

more!

i cleaned out my closet tonight (hmm, it's technically wednesday so i guess i should say last night...)

i have reduced my clothes to a SINGLE rack.

i have actually created more SPACE inside my closet. even after i have stored my large luggage that has been lounging in the bedroom area. so yes now there's SPACE in my bedroom area.

i also discovered a computer voltage regulator hiding among the clutter. i have dusted it off and plan to use it because jacob has been telling me i should have one for my iMac.

i've taken some original CDs out of storage for playing in my new system. the difference from an iPod compressed file is amazing! now i feel like shopping for CDs ^___^

i've also fixed my mac desk. it's now looking lovely.




i just need to get around now to my photo wall /bantock wall/ vision wall.

i want to do this to the wall by my desk (i'm so sorry i can't remember where i got this photo.)

checklist, again

i finished quite a handful of tasks today:

- paid off my cable tv and broadband subscription
- paid off what i owe in my sister's credit card (i had her use it to cover for the groceries last month because i couldn't get to the ATMs in time)
- filed for my gas allowance for april (almost -- i'm waiting for a few more receipts)
- visited Japan Home Center and got that glass container i needed, plus a couple of food containers that i also realized i needed
- fixed that little work wrinkle (took me two hours to smooth everything out but i did it, in my usual superwoman, effy-savvy way, heehee)
- drafted at least three work documents
- encashed my March gas allowance check (which i thought i'd lost)

checklist

what i've done yesterday and today:

~ checked out mixers and food processors. found a good candidate from moulinex.
~ found a potential dustbuster from black & decker
~ finally replaced my under-bed-storage. now all my curtains and blankets and bedsheets are neatly put away
~ finally replaced my bedside lamp with a more striking one. the old lamp i put on my mac desk instead and the light works perfectly. i have replaced the halogen desk lamp because i find its light too sharp
~ changed my bedsheets
~ finally fixed my foyer table decor, including replacing my love-plant's container
~ bought extra oil burners for a more effective room scenting
~ bought perfect cd and dvd containers, and i've fixed them as well.
~ finally got a repository for all those remote controls
~ finally replaced the batteries in my aircon remote control
~ disposed of that overflowing collection of plastic bags i will never get around to using all of
~ finally got a storage shelf for my wash area

i also got me a black silky nightrobe. and five new pairs of lacy fun undies on sale from la senza.

treated my mom to a day at the spa for her mother's day gift.

met up with jacob at the mall and we browsed and shopped together for a few hours. then we went home (he to his house and me to mine). he just bought new stuff for his audio system and he couldn't wait to tinker with them.

i picked up my sis from our parents' house and bullied her into staying over at the condo. we're watching Twilight in a while.

just as i thought

we went back for the receiver last night and... it has been sold out.

but, the new deliveries have come in and we found an even better unit, same brand as we originally planned to get. and when i saw it i knew i was right in not allowing myself to be cornered into a compromised purchase a couple of days ago.

so i got the better unit and this time my card swiped without any hassle (their machine was finally online). even jacob raved positively about my new toy as he was setting it up.

and it did turn out to be a very good buy. from the original price of Php25T i got it for a mere Php7.5T.

and i also got to check off some items from my home-to-do-and buy list. ^__^

and jacob brought me two loaves of delicious bread from this more than thirty years old bakery somewhere in QC. he's been telling me about it and wanted me to taste it. he said it was one of the good and happy things from since his childhood.

will take pics of my system and post them within the next few days ^___^

reined in

i was almost the new owner of a new receiver for my home theater. but then i felt the universe was telling me to hold off for a while:

- the brand and model we were originally targeting just ran out.
- the store was supposed to have a delivery last night but it never came.
- it took jacob a while to fully decide that getting the other brand is as good as getting the first brand we originally planned to get. we had to do a Q&A session between ourselves working out the pros and cons clearly in our heads.
- when we finally decided to get the other brand, the swiping machine won't work.

the store suggested we pay in cash and i almost did but then i flashed back on all those little bumps and i thought, maybe, i should just come back and see.

i need to catch up on some sleep. badly.

one moon cycle

one moon cycle ago today when jacob and i decided to cross that line.

just thought i'd mention it. ^__^

last night i watched a movie (Priceless, starring that Amelie girl) and the latest Supernatural episode. while jacob tinkered with the home theaters and tried to figure out how to get rid of all the little staticky noises and other sounds that are not supposed to be there. he even bought me a quite expensive cable connector that got rid of a loud hum everytime i plugged my subwoofer in.

anyway after much experimentation and solution-seeking, it looks like i will soon need to upgrade my receiver if i want to get the best of both worlds. as i just recently discovered the joys of listening to certain kind of music on my system (such as Emi Fujita, and Pachebel's Canon), i now would want to be able to listen to music and watch movies in all their audal glory. but if want both i would either have to go through the hassling task of switching cables (because my current receiver is a second-hand unit that served me well for the past year for my movie-viewing but i never asked it to be a music expert too), or get a better unit that could do both with the flick of a remote.

i know this all sounds bluh-bluh-bluh but the point is, i don't want to compromise on my 5.1. theater experience nor do i want to give up the newly-discovered music listening option.

so there's this pretty nice unit on sale (70% off). a couple of years ago i would have spent the same amount it costs on a couple of original PS3 games. so i guess this is not a bad purchase to make.

this whole home theater project was the tipping point a year ago of my jacob story.

and now it looks like it's gearing up for a new evolving chapter.

still alive

so i survived practice. and surprisingly i did not have as much of a hard time as i thought i would. i did have more than enough reserve strength and energy despite my not having worked out properly for the past two weeks.

last night i dreamed about fixing my place. i dreamed i was sweeping out a lot of dried leaves (??!!) and also re-arranging furniture and even trying to kick out my sister who has somehow ended up sleeping in the attic or under the stairs or something (hahaha!)

i think i'm going to do that now. fixing my place, i mean. not kicking out my sister (because there is no attic and no under-the-stairs) and she's not here. hahaha!

i started a new blog just for jacob. so i could devote this one on my home and my recent love for design and home-decorating and food and cooking. of course i'll still post about jacob here, but i will be writing about the more heart-felt jacob stuff in the other blog.

so there. off to put up those poppies!

about to kill myself

well, i'm being melodramatic.

will be going to practice later and i have not properly prepped myself. was not able to run or do yoga. and i will be coming back after two weeks of no practice. so, good luck to me. (although, for some reason, a part of me knows i could do it. but a part of me just always wants to fret.)

not-s0-good thing though, i slept at 530AM this morning, woke up at 12noon. so technically i did not have a night's sleep.

meanwhile i'm making a list of stuff i need to do to get the place ready for the 16th, and the rest of my wonderful love-life:

- put up those poppy decals!
- put up the black fringe curtain for the wash area
- buy a storage cabinet for the wash area
- donate all the plastic bags to my mom and just keep some for emergency and keep them someplace else other than the wash area
- start bringing my envirosax for shopping as shopping bags
- buy two more sets of bedsheets
- buy proper decor for the foyer table
- buy a new shower curtain
- fix the paint on all the blue furniture
- do a photo wall on the blue cabinet wall
- print the photos for the photo wall
- fix all my CDs and DVDs and that whole desk area shelf - it's too cluttered. i'm sure there's a lot more stuff i could dispose of
- decide on what to do with the bedroom walls, what to put on it
- finally get around to changing the light fixtures by the door and over the desk area
- new lamps for the desk area and the bedside table
- hanging trinkets from the light fixture in the bedroom area
- fix the corkboard over the iMac
- buy new under-bed storage for my curtains, blankets and bedsheets
- fix my bed-side table - i'm considering a nice black lacey cloth to cover it or something, i need to give it more personality and a much better lamp

hmm.. that's about it for now. i'm sure there's a few more i missed but i'll list those when i remember them.

now i think i should have some lunch.