i told you...she's adorable :))

'tis the season to be ... what?

by this time next week, it'll be a year since i walked out on my partner. it's been an emotionally difficult and trying year. a year that saw me struggle and drown in my tears. the pain is still there and i haven't even begun to tell you about the heartache that never ends nor does it seem to want to go away. but i figure that if i've made it through a year still alive and not incarcerated, then, i might pull through this. although i doubt that my heart will ever mend and that there'll be another crack at love. i must admit, it's a fact that saddens me to no end.

i know you must be thinking, "how can someone be so cynical?" well, i tell you, that's not cynicism; it's accepting the reality of the situation.

i got re-acquainted with the concept of thanksgiving last week and it got me thinking about what i must be thankful for. minus the turkey and the cranberry sauce, i'm thankful for a lot of things. family, friends, the basic necessities that i can provide myself with, simple joys such as my requisite coffee, chocolate and the occassional cheesecake. a lot actually, a lot.

then, thanksgiving ends and whaddaya know, it's christmas! now, this is one season that, although it is hands-down my favorite, will now and forever make me sad. i remember what i said about it...i dread having to go through the season. i dread christmas eve, i dread the dinners and the questions and the surprised look on people's faces. i dread sensing their pity for me.

but, the month is going to start off on a high note for me and rose...it's a much-needed break...

baby's day out

last sunday, julia had her first pictorial at blow-up babies in gateway mall. so mommy, daddy and ninang were with her for the shoot. we couldn't take pictures (using our camera) during the pictorial so while we were waiting for our turn, the princess was busy...









we'll get the pictures after a week...i've seen the proof, she's so adorable!

i got it!

i got this last monday but i've only been able to post the pictures today.... isn't it lovely?

Pacman has done it again....

Manny Pacquiao makes us proud to be pinoy....

ah, life....

it's so nice to have the opportunity, however rare, to have breakfast at my fave coffeehouse...and in one of my favorite places... :)

our party girl

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julia, together with dang and her yaya rose, attended her cousin's debut last saturday. luckily, i arrived before they left and i took a couple of pictures of the newest "gimikera" on the block...

a new take on spaghetti

my mom has a recipe that i want to rave about. it's called spaghetti salad. if you're stuck on the traditional bolognese, fettucini, primavera or carbonara then, this isn't for you. but if want to try a delicious variation to the al dente noodles that we usually devour then read on.

here are the ingredients:

spaghetti noodles
cucumber
tomatoes
crabsticks
mc cormick salad supreme dressing
classic italian dressing (vinaigrette)
ground black pepper

(please forgive me because i cannot supply how much of each ingredient you should prepare...what kind of a recipe is this? :))

cook the noodles as directed and set aside. wash tomatoes and cucumbers, peel (if desired) and cube then set aside. remove crabsticks from wrapper and cut into bite-size pieces then set aside.

place the noodles in a container, add the tomatoes, cucumbers and crabsticks. add ground black pepper, italian dressing and mccormick salad supreme seasoning. mix well and enjoy!

for variety, my mom says you may also add shrimps and ham...

i tell you, it's different and delicious! try it!



the spaghetti salad in its container and on my plate ... i wish i was a food stylist so that i could share better looking pictures but believe me it tastes heavenly....

Undas 2006

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this year's undas (all saint's and soul's day) was different from all those that i've experienced since lolo died in 1991. this year, mom and dad were here, we stayed until 6 p.m.. there was food, table and chairs, guests and even logan and bochok were with us!

we prepared some of the food the night before. we had barbeque, grilled bangus and tilapia, banana bread (one of the best i've ever had), peach mango pie, mango bars, chicken empanada, lolo's gin (which we didn't drink but wanted to :)) and of course mom's spaghetti salad (which i will devote a post to). lolo and lola's guests brought some pancit and brownies.

whew! we got there before twelve noon and you could just imagine how hot it was. but, the tent and additional bedsheets (instant shade) shielded us from the sun. logan and bochok were either sitting on my sister's lap or digna's or they were barking at passers-by.

here are some photos i took when i wasn't eating or sleeping (hehehehe)




(l-r) lola's tombstone, lolo's tombstone and the top laden with food





(l-r) kuya boy, ate ynna and bochok, dad and mom



me and ate ynna in kulit mode and then pa-cute mode

i'm walking on sunshine

julia has learned how to use her walker. you still need to keep an eye on her because now that she realizes how "liberating" it is to be in a walker, her curiousity is insatiable. she reaches for the apples on the side table, she peels off the sticker on the component, she reaches for her mom's folder and files and she is fascinated by the electric fan! so much so that she wants to stick her finger into it!

but she is as adorable as ever...


(hmmm a front-row seat to commercials galore...)



(ninang, finished na? commercial na ulit eh....)