My Artscow projects

I already received my Artscow projects and I was happy with them. I was an Artscow fan since last year. I used their products for my Christmas and Valentine gifts and the recipients were very happy to see their precious photos too. What's more important than getting these quality items in real, real bargain and they have great promos you can't resist. Would you believe that the items in the picture - the mousepad, the camera case and the keychain watch are all free? Well, for the mousepad, I think I paid $1.99 only for the shipping. What a way to showcase your loved ones in these value-for-money photo thingies! :)

African Heritage Performance

My son Miggy had a part in the African Heritage Performance which we watched at the Grenoble school gym this evening. I was not aware of this until I received the invitation yesterday. On our way home, I asked Miggy what's in store for us:

Miggy: Some will dance, some will sing, some will do drums...
Irmee: So what's your part in the performance?
Miggy: Our class will go back in time, we will ride the Magic School Bus.
Irmee: So that's it? You're going to ride a bus lang?
Miggy: (smiling) You'll see...
Irmee: (sighs and can't hide her excitement)

We left for school at around 5:45pm and Lito met us on the way. He and Miggy had to run because we're running late. Curtain time is 5:55pm and we're still at the apartment. The Gym was almost full when we arrived and Lito got a seat for us at the back. We got excited when Miggy and his classmates came into the stage. Our camera's battery had only 1 bar and good thing, Miggy's performance is at the middle, we were able to charge it during the first performance. Kyle was shouting Kuya, kuya, when he saw his brother in front (idol talaga!)

Their class' presentation is about the significant people from the African race. From Luther King, Mendela, Owens to Ali, Jordan, Jackson and many others who have made names in history. Miggy had a short dialogue where he hold the microphone and said: "I know his name Herb Carnegie. Can we go visit him Friz?" (telling the teacher to go to the time of Carnegie). Knowing that my child is very shy and seeing him do that, I feel proud and was speechless, hehehe. Good Job Miggy! We had a nice chat with one of his teachers after the performance congratulating him too. After that, we headed to McDonald's for a French Fries and Strawberry Sundae treat. (True, even if there's snow outside and it's freezing, they can still eat a cold treat).

Here's the video, Lito was not able to take pictures because there's only 1 bar in the battery life of the camera.

Winter Blues

I think I'm experiencing the real taste of winter. In the past months, there was snow drought and I guess they all want to come out today from where they were hiding for sometime now. The snow started to fall at lunchtime and until now, it hasn't stopped. On the way to school to fetch my son, the snow is wet, it's like rain and snow falling from the sky. I wished I brought my umbrella but I guess it will only be me doing that. Most of the Canadians do not use umbrella even if it is raining. I was wearing a hat to cover my ears and prevent the snow from falling into my eyes. On our way home, the snow falls heavily. What I walked on a few minutes ago is now covered with snow. The size of snow flakes are getting bigger, no longer dandruff-like flurries but as big as dimes. My hat is not enough to cover my face, the snow flakes hits me and it feels like I'm being cauterized. I wished I really brought my umbrella. I remember that raindrops fall in one direction, downward but snow fall in every direction - downward, upward, diagonal, in front and at the sides. The kids are enjoying it and sticks out their tongue but for me, I wanted to run and stay indoors. I'm not sure but I guess I experienced my first snow storm that up to this moment it hasn't stop. We hope to make our Snowman soon. Hahaha!

Valentines, CNY and Family Day celebrations

We had a blast last weekend. We celebrated our 12th Civil Wedding Anniversary here at home on Valentine's day before going to Joy's and Ador's place in Ajax, Ontario for a family weekend stay. We are thankful for the long weekend, a time to relax, unwind and reminisce the good times. When we were a Joy's place, the kids enjoyed playing with Jaymee while the adults talked about high school days, friends and family. I also got the chance to watch Filipino movies which Joy has a collection of. IN MY LIFE starring Vilma Santos, John Lloyd Cruz and Luis Manzano was very entertaining and also touching, well pinoy movies are always like that, smorgasborg LOL. Another one, the first movie of Angel Locsin under Star Cinema - DOWN UNDER with Piolo Pascual. I already saw this movie but it's still worth watching. We also enjoyed cheering for Canada team in the live telecast of the Winter Olympics, shouting and shrieking for Canada's first gold medal in the Men's Moguls game. It was fun watching the games which we are just starting to learn in their 40" flat TV, I just don't know if it's a Plasma, or LCD TV, which is cool. Most of all, we enjoyed the Filipino dishes that Joy and Ador prepared for us. Ador is a kapampangan that's why the food is so tasty. We had Pancit Palabok, Turon, Longganisa, Dilis etc..just thinking about it makes me drool again, hahaha. Joy also made Blueberry cheesecake which we had 2nd servings, my kids also loved it. I think I gained weight during our stay there, ang sarap kumain! Well, the 2-days, 1-night stay is not enough, I heard Jaymee asked "You're leaving soon?". I guess we need to do it again, if my friends Joy and Ador permit because we messed up their beautiful home. We hope to do this again soon, maybe on Spring Break, hahaha.
Irmee and Joy >>High School Buddies - BFF
Our Kids, Miggy, Kyle and Jaymee

wishing for a baby like this
Until spring break, bye time here

Winter sports and the Olympics

As I was watching the opening rites of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics where an Alpine Skier came from a mountaintop down to the venue, it makes me wonder how these athletes train and excel in their chosen sports on a cold weather. I'm amazed when the commentator mentioned the sports called luge, skeleton, bobsled, alpine skiing, snowboard and many other unfamiliar games. I only know hockey and figure skating. During the parade, I also noticed that the athletes of the winter olympics are mostly caucasians (all white and blondes, looking like Barbies and Kens). I've seen non-caucasians, notable are those from India, whose uniforms were lost and the community of India in Vancouver contributed to come up with better jerseys; from Jamaica, only 1 athlete, (I remember the movie Cool Runnings where a group of Jamaicans joined the bobsled games) and from Nepal, only 1 athlete - Sherpa, the man who guided the First Filipino in reaching the top of Mt. Everest. There was standing ovation when the delegation from Georgia arrived. One of their teammates died a few hours before the opening ceremonies, a 21-yr-old luger had a tragic accident while practicing in the tracks and this is his first winter olympics.

I particularly liked the number from the natives wearing their colorful costumes and of course the lightshow. I was touched (or maybe felt being patriotic) while the crowd sang O, Canada and I'm wondering if any of my sons would be joining this parade 15-20 yrs from now. I was thinking if I could request the song "Lupang Hinirang" when one of them receives a medal, hehehe (wishful thinking). I hope that with the Ice Skating rinks prominent in SM Malls, Philippines will have a representative in the future winter olympics maybe in Figure Skating or Hockey, why not?

Bread Pudding ala Leche Flan

My mom always makes this when we were younger, sometimes she also makes Squash Leche Flan and the real Leche Flan, only she uses a steamer. But since we have free electricity here, included in our monthly rent, why not maximize the oven. Here's the outcome of what I baked in the wee hours of the morning for my son Miggy's baon the next day. This is also what I'm going to bring to Joy's when we have our get-together on Valentine/CNY/Family Day long weekend:


Bread Pudding

4 cups bread, cut into small cubes
4 cups evaporated milk
1/3 cup sugar for caramelization (for the baking pan)
1-1/3 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten with a fork (at room temperature)
2-1/2 tbsps. margarine, melted
1/4 tsp. vanilla (or more)
raisins or chopped candied fruit or some nuts

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. Soak the bread cubes in the milk mixture for at least one hour.
2. Caramelize the 1/3 cup sugar in 3/4 cup water. Boil for at least 10 minutes to get the right consistency, then pour into your pan.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the soaked bread mixture: sugar, eggs, melted margarine, vanilla, and raisins.
4. Pour the mixture into the “caramelized” pan.
5. Put the pan with the mixture in a baine marie in a pan of water.
6. Steam in a pre-heated over for an hour or until the toothpick test says it’s done.

My favorite Beef Salpicao

I remember my favorite in Appenzeller - my former employer's favorite venue for meetings and celebrations which is Beef Salpicao. This dish is so easy to do, I was able to whip it in less than 15 minutes. Now Lito has a new favorite, here's the recipe:

BEEF SALPICAO

Ingredients:
250 grams beef tenderloin (cut into chunk cubes)
2 tablespoons garlic (minced)
Pinch of salt & pepper
Pinch of paprika
6 tablespoons Lee & Perins worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
In a bowl marinate beef in salt & pepper, garlic, paprika and olive oil for a few minutes.
In a saute pan, heat oil in very high heat.
Put in beef and all marinade ingredients and toss very swiftly keeping the heat very high.
Add in the worcestershire sauce and soy sauce while tossing.
Finish with butter.
Serve with garlic rice.