Valentine's 2012

It was so unlike the boyfriend to splurge on a meal but hey, it's Valentines which made me appreciate the treat even more :) He bought me Royce Nama bitter chocolate which I absolutely love then we had an early dinner at Cyma. I was impressed by the research he did coz he ordered Spinach Artichoke FOndue which was uber yummy and tasty as well as Grilled Pork Chops that were so thick and juicy, I couldn't help but close my eyes with each bite! A certified lamb 'lover', I ordered Youvetsi solo which was really in a for sharing size. I dunno why but I like the pungent taste of lamb, exotic!!

I initially wanted to try Buenisimo for the ambiance but it was already closed and will be replaced by Svensens' ice cream. Cyma's ambiance is more for the family (there were tables with kids) than for a romantic dinner but the food was really good, especially the lamb, that I forgot the noise of the kiddies with the sheer ecstasy of every bite of the bread with fondue, the slice of rich lamb, and the juiciness of grilled pork...mmmmmmm all in all made for a very memorable post Feb 14 date :)

Impromptu Despedida

Feb 15 was my last day at the office and my teammates where shocked yet they still managed to create a farewell message collage and give me a Seattle's Best brownie in a pretty box as a parting gift - effectively touching my heart and making me realize how much I am appreciated (on whatever I was able to contribute, I'm not really sure).

Someone even wrote me a farewell poem coz we both were under the literary department back in highschool. I won't post it here of course, but all in all, everything they did for me was very sweet :)

Turns out that (in this company) new friends seem to cherish you more than the old ones that you've been with for almost four years. How ironic!

Night Shift

Today is my first day on night shift. We'll see how things go...

End of Project

Just found out today that I'm getting rolled off from my project of almost 4 years on Dec 29. I was shocked coz for some reason I thought i was untouchable but well budget cuts are tough and someone can do my share of the work.

I was shocked and a bit insecure but I'm glad that God prepared me for this event. The End of Project email was sent yesterday but I somehow did not receive it and went straight to the career group year end meeting last night. The testimony shared by Glenn apparently was not only applicable to Edward but to me too. I also liked what Bro JR and Kervin shared about expecting more challenges to come in our life. Although having a comfortable life is not bad, we also need the tough times to help us be stronger so that we can grow and mature.

Those words were really planted in my heart and mind so when I read the End of Project mail, there was already a  stronger me that cushioned the blow.

And also, it's not really a bad thing coz they were happy with my service and just had to remove some people. My manager also told me that I'm already lined up for another project (possibly with her) so that's one less thing to worry about.

Whatever is in store for me, I know that it's part of God's plan. If it's gonna be challenging, I know that He will help me through it. So help me God.

Birit Theory

Why do Pinoys like to sing in birit style? Why do Pinoys love to sing using the karaoke? I realized that its a coping mechanism. We are hard-working, persevering people who are resilient like the bamboo. Many challenges may come in our life but we still go on and do not commit suicide on something earth-shattering, rather we hold on and survive. Our outlet for this survival is the karaoke. We need to sing, to let it out, albeit in the words of other people. Singing in birit style drowns the sound of sadness that goes through the head, one that might make you crazy if you overthink. Singing provides an avenue for us to channel our despair and thereby lessening the mental stress that sad thoughts bring to our minds and bodies.

I just listened to Taylor Swift sing Long Live.

P.S. I totally forgot about my LJ! I've been using blogger more often

Birit Theory

Why do Pinoys like to sing in birit style? Why do Pinoys love to sing using the karaoke? I realized that its a coping mechanism. We are hard-working, persevering people who are resilient like the bamboo. Many challenges may come in our life but we still go on and do not commit suicide on something earth-shattering, rather we hold on and survive. Our outlet for this survival is the karaoke. We need to sing, to let it out, albeit in the words of other people. Singing in birit style drowns the sound of sadness that goes through the head, one that might make you crazy if you overthink. Singing provides an avenue for us to channel our despair and thereby lessening the mental stress that sad thoughts bring to our minds and bodies.

I just listened to Taylor Swift sing Long Live.

Recipes on my Phone

Cyma is love!

Tonight, I had dinner with E's family coz it's his brother's birthday. We ate at Cyma Eastwood and I like the food so much that I'm listing down what we ate. No pictures though coz I'm shy to let them wait :-p

1) Cyma chopped salad -
Mixed greens with spinach, arugula, toasted walnuts. sliced pears, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese and granted Parmesan, served with traditional Greek vinaigrette
---i love their Greek vinaigrette which goes well with the pears and strong taste of bleu cheese

2) Roka Pasta -
Sauteed arugula and spaghetti pasta with EVOO, grated Parmesan cheese and fresh tomatoes.
----a no meat pasta that's not super great but pairs/contrasts well with dish below!

3) Yiouvetsi-
Baked lamb with orzo - rice shaped pasta served with grated Parmesan, parsley and EVOO
---man!! i could die! I love lamb! and the pasta tasted of lamb sauce! I'm surprised I didn't get that drunken feeling! i love lamb to bits. i love the slightly pungent taste and smell of lamb - it perks me up! haha

Should I Join the Bandwagon?

I'm wondering if I should put up a food blog.. after all, I keep a religious food photo album with longish comments in my FB account - privacy protected.  My initial worry is the obligation to post. Anything that I'm obliged to do is not FUN anymore. It'll be just like work and I believe that 9 hours in the office is enough for a day! I love writing that's why I never want it to be a chore - on the contrary, If I do love writing as i claim I do, then doing it would NEVER be a chore! ah the paradox of it all!

I shall ponder about this more.. in the meantime, I have to rest up because today is the day that I get well and tomorrow is the day that I go back to the office!! More importantly, I have to get well the soonest because I have a tiring but fun (i think) activity on Saturday! TREE PLANTING! I like nature so I think tree planting would be fun despite the crazy 430 am meetup on a Saturday! haha

Ciao!

For my Future Cooking...

Found this yummy looking recipe in my May 2005 Cosmo Magazine - a young Angel Locsin on the cover! (she's still with GMA 7 and playing Darna) oh, how time has passed! Nevertheless, good food is eternal  :D

Chocolate Inspiration

Looking through the pictures in Trish Deseine's Chocolate book never fails to inspire me towards a chocolatey direction! If money were not a concern, I would have enrolled in Chocolate School or Culinary School! Oh that would be so much fun! Especially the baking and the chocolate making techniques...mmmm heaven!

Here is one of Trish Deseine's simple but delicious chocolate creations that's also the cover of that Chocolate book!

My Favourite Chocolate Cake

The most amazingly easy yet impressive and delicious chocolate cake you've ever made, honest. All that you need is an oven, a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Baking time: 22 minutes

Serves: 6-8 people

Watch How To Video

Equipment: 

• saucepan
• wooden spoon
• small bowl
• 20cm cake tin

Ingredients: 

• 225g of good dark chocolate
• 225g butter
• 5 eggs
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 225g sugar

Directions: 

Preheat the over to 190C. Melt the butter and the chocolate in the microwave or bain marie.
Add the sugar, mixing well and let cool a little.
One by one, add the eggs, mixing well with a wooden spoon between each addition. Add the flour, mixing well until the mixture is smooth.
Pour the batter into the baking pan, bake for 22 minutes, the cake will tremble a little in the center.
Remove from oven, let cool on a rack.