Soup it up!

This morning I woke up with a purpose! Nax! In the Philippines "nax" could mean anything. For me, at this moment, it is equivalent, but not limited, to an elbow jab plus an affirmation of how good it is to have woken up in the right frame of mind.

Anyway, I would like to talk about food! What particular food are you and your family into? I would like to think that in my family, my kind of food is their kind of food too! I know how to feed my family and I am aware of the kind of food they prefer. My children are more inclined to stews, sauces, sinigang (tamarind based soup), and of course the usual junk pizza and sweet spaghetti. These days as much as I would like to have the same appetite as theirs, I refrain to. Best part is that the whole family has done away with softdrinks since August last year! Plus we try to eat as much healthy food as possible. So…hooray!

Well today I would like to share with you a very healthy recipe. I learned the recipe early this year while watching a show on tv. It’s very nutritious and very easy to cook. The recipe is called Sinuwang. I don’t know much about its origins (region wise) but it can be compared to Bulanglang which uses almost the same ingredients except corn.

I did a little twist to the recipe and called it Crab and Corn Sinuwang. So for this deliciously healthy soup, you will need the following:

Featured at Mommy Mundo

1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth

1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, minced

I thumb-sized ginger, grated

1/4 medium-sized squash, sliced

1 can corn kernels, preserve corn water

Fish sauce

Ground white pepper

Salt (just a little)

1 bunch chili leaves

7 to 10 pieces crab sticks, shredded

Procedure

1. In a pot, heat chicken broth for about 5 minutes.

2. Toss in garlic, onions, and ginger.

3. After 2 minutes, toss in squash. Let boil.

4. Pour the entire contents of the corn in can into boiling pot.

5. Season with fish sauce, white pepper, and a little salt.

6. Lower heat and toss in shredded crab sticks.

7. Turn heat off when squash is tender. Toss in chili leaves and cover pot. Serve hot. You may add more chicken broth.

It's a versatile dish that instead of crab you can use chicken, beef, pork or mussels. You can add coconut milk to add more flavor. Let your imagination run wild!  😍

By the way this recipe was featured at  Mommy Mundo! 

Re-written: Relaunching the relauncher

Lately I have been thinking about going back to work. I have been working since I was in college. My parents did not even know that I once worked as a sales consultant at Rustan's, handling Benetton products. I earned money while in school. And while at that, I was also a part time volunteer at the Caritas Manila, teaching special children.

After college, armed with my diploma, the only other thing I had were my guts. I remember that my first job was at a video store as its Shift Management trainee. From there I became Promotions manager to a group of restaurants where I handled membership cards. Then went on to being Assistant Purchasing manager of an electronics company. Many years later I had a shift in my career; this was after I got married and gave birth to my second child. I joined the fast rising call center industry. and spent 7 years doing my darnedest at customer service. Years passed and my call center career had to end to give way to following my husband to Saudi Arabia. I worked at a 5-star hotel and was the only Pinay working at the HR department; there were only 2 Filipinas working in the hotel which, eventually became 3, when I was asked to hire my own assistant. As an OFW's wife I had to be there for everyone since we had no maid. So after a long while I had to say goodbye to my corporate career. The internet became my best bud and I started blogging again just so that my brain can start functioning as it's supposed to 😂.

Being a CFL (certified food lover), my "suppressed" passion for baking, resurfaced. It's surprising where your interest can take you in your desire to learn! It was equally passionate kitchen divas like Paula Deen, Nigella Lawson, Rachel Ray, and Martha Stewart that helped me along the way via the internet. I turned this interest into a business opportunity. At a young age, I knew that I like selling stuff especially the ones that I produce. My first try at the food business started way back during my call center career. It was there that I sold food while taking calls 😁. I remember having to go to the grocery to buy the things I need for that night's orders, then come home and get my forty winks. I'd sleep for about 4-5 hours then wakeup to prepare the orders.

Moving forward... We ended 5 years of Saudi and moved back to the Philippines. Thinking I could go back to work was futile as my kids wanted me to take care of them.. In their own words, they wanted me home when they came back from school. And having no "Ate Sheila" to take care of them, I was blissfully stuck with them until such a time I can finally spread my wings... again... Well to cut the story short, Ate Sheila came back and circumstances found me wanting to go relaunch into a corporate career. I am not scared of interviews, mind you! I enjoy them! I guess it is because I always have so many things to say, so many experiences to share. However, much to my dismay, joining the fresh grads, and the seasoned talents, job hunting is not as sprightly as it used to be. The internet may have made job hunting easier but I realise more than ever, that the labor market is a lot more competitive these days. Where my Curriculum vitae is reviewed alongside the ones submitted by either fresh graduates or those who have their master's degree and Phd's. So for a relauncher like me who has extensive experience (or so I thought), it was pretty tough. Relaunchers like myself have to understand that further learnings are needed to keep ones corporate profile more attractive to the companies we are sending our Resumes or Curriculum Vitae to. Do not stop at reading! Enroll or attend seminars. Keep yourself abreast with new management skills or other trending skills that will boost your corporate appeal! I have had my share of successes and failures! And as always I go back to the thought that whatever the result we must be prepared to gear on, bounce back, and move forward!

So for now, I just leave everything up to the Lord. He has provided me skills that I can work on, a restless mind that makes me want to go to the computer and do this.

Need tips on job interviews? Click on this link http://callcentermomie.blogspot.com/search?q=interview

Career goals

It is fortunate when you find a good company to work for but blessed when you get a boss who will guide and teach you all throughout your corporate journey! Am just glad my former manager has turned out to be a good friend even after all these years.



It pays when you have good work ethics, when you have focus, when you plan ahead, when you actually plan for a goal. You just don't say you have a goal and do something else. You stick to that goal and hold on for dear life! You don't complain how life has been hard for you and yet be too self-absorbed with things that will not help you prosper in both your personal life and your career. You don't feel sorry for yourself and yet do the opposite. You don't let yourself and everyone think that you are a victim of circumstances. Rise above that and be a blessing to those around you and not just a burden for others bear.




On days I feel kind of like this

I want to color my hair green wear it short and cropped. I want to walk a mile and meet the sun as it rises. I want to listen to the stories of old, hear a baby's soft laughter, hold the hand of a child. I want to sit on the sand watch the moon rise as the tide rushes forward. There is nothing better than a simple life and green colored hair.

For Better or for Worse...

Each wedding has it's own beauty and magic. And I am glad my family and I got to attend one. Last week my husband, youngest son, and I were blessed to witness the wedding of very good friends.  And it was  not surprising that the general feeling that day was of "thankfulness". The good vibe going around was of happiness that at last each one found each other. 

I guess the good feeling swept over me that when my husband and I got home, there was this fountain of ideas that was just wanting to get out and translate into words. So, there! I have come up with some stuff that I want to share with all the bride and groom all over the world to understand and think about.

To all the brides:

I would like to say, expect that your life will be a lot different from what it used to be. Your days will no longer be for you alone, but for your husband as well and I assure you that you will enjoy each and every single day with him.  Your nights would no longer be alone but with that one person your soul has been searching for. And I tell you, your nights will be filled with reassuring hugs and wonderful bliss! When you wake up the first thing that you would see is your future with him and that alone will make you want to get up and prepare him breakfast every day.

To all the grooms:

In the same manner that your “ex-girlfriend, now-wife’s” life will be, then that would true for you as well. Your mornings will find you beside that one person who will make you whole. That one person with whom you can start a family with and feel complete, more than ever. That one person who, will always be there for you no matter what. Your breakfast will  no longer be just a grab of bite at a nearby fast food store but something made out of love. And like your bride, your nights will be filled with loving kisses, and mushy hugs.

To both:

But that will not always be the case. There will be times when you will both disagree on things. It could be small and petty, while some would be really big ones. You will feel alone and disheartened but you know deep in your heart that no matter what, you will always be there for your better half. There will be times when you’d feel the need for assurance and it may or may not be given to you. Not because you love each other less but because your individual minds do not really function in the same way. Be understanding of each other’s weaknesses. Acknowledge that even if you are one in spirit, you are still unique individuals and that should always be a point of reference. Remember, it is that very distinct quality that drew you to each other! Always treat each day as new! Do not exchange your gadgets for each other’s companionship. Communicate! Ask each other how their day went. Tell each other how your day was. Tell each other how you’ve missed them. No! It’s not OA to do so if you think of every gesture as something done out of love. Do not think that one is better than the other. Both of you are! Do not downplay what your partner can do! Be proud of what each of you can do. Be each other’s consultant. Reach a decision which both of you are sure of doing. Listen to each other’s stories. When one fails, let the other lift him/her up. Be proud of your spouse! Keeping your life private is different from letting the other side of your world know that you are proud of them. Be a good friend to others but never allow your friendship to jeopardize your marriage. Do not have casual lunch out or dinners alone with the opposite sex even if you say that you are just friends. You are putting yourselves and your relationship with your partner at risk. Perhaps some of you would disagree but most infidelities started on casual grounds. Respect your partner’s feelings. If you know that your action will be something that would hurt your spouse, then just don’t! It’s that simple. Do not start lying to each other, white lies are still lies.  To the man of the house be always the first one to understand. Women are complex and wives are probably even more abstruse. But remember, they will also always be the first one to try to understand you. To the queen of the house, (and I am telling this to myself), do not lose your individuality but at the same time be the woman your husband can always lean on. Put good food on the table. Pray and make God the center of your marriage! Honor Him for He made your love story!

Before getting married you each had a vision... a goal… a dream you want to put into realization. Marriage should not be a hindrance to your dreams but expect some changes that would allow you and your spouse to get down on it together. Support each other’s dreams but make sure that the risk you are about to take together are calculated risks with minimal setbacks. 

You will have kids and it is normal of course, for couples to want to build their own family. Your children will be a reflection of you. Make sure you are living examples of what you want them to be and how you want them to act. But remember no family is perfect so be forgiving of each other’s imperfections yet strive to be better for the Lord.

Never stop loving each other! Never stop the romance! Feed your marriage with passion, never stop flirting with each other! Romance and passion is not only for the young! 

So to Rex and Tin, thank you for inspiring me to start my blog again. I know I won't be able to update as often but for me this is a good thing :)  Congratulations and Best wishes to both of you! Let me raise my glass to that! ... Cheers!

Of surprise birthdays, family, and everything unspoken

My mother celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year and we are just so elated that she has reached another milestone! After 6 heart attacks, she is still in full swing and just celebrating life the way it should be. She had 3 celebrations, 1 done in our family home, the other a surprised visit from my aunt (her only sister), and the most recent, another surprise birthday party spearheaded by her youngest brother who is currently abroad. Boy! Was she happy to have been in the midst of relatives! Needless to say, her most recent celebration is not only to celebrate her birthday but a celebration of family, forgiveness, reconciliation. 

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi, All Men are Brothers: Autobiographical Reflections

When forgiveness is real in the hearts of the giver and the receiver, then there is real peace. I would like to thank my cousins, my nieces and nephews, my aunts and uncles for coming! 

I'll never stop dreaming that one day we can be a real family, together, all of us laughing and talking, loving and understanding, not looking at the past but only to the future.

LaToya Jackson

Indira Gandhi, once said that "Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave", I am glad to be in the midst of people with like minds. Because family is everything! And that should always matter! So let me share with you something I came across online...

DECIDE TO FORGIVE

Decide to forgive

For resentment is negative

Resentment is poisonous

Resentment diminishes and devours the self.

Be the first to forgive,

To smile and to take the first step,

And you will see happiness bloom

On the face of your human brother or sister.

Be always the first

Do not wait for others to forgive

For by forgiving

You become the master of fate

The fashioner of life

The doer of miracles.

To forgive is the highest

Most beautiful form of love.

In return you will receive

Untold peace and happiness. Here is the program for achieving a truly forgiving heart:

Sunday: Forgive yourself.

Monday: Forgive your family.

Tuesday: Forgive your friends and associates.

Wednesday: Forgive across economic lines within your own nation.

Thursday: Forgive across cultural lines within your own nation.

Friday: Forgive across political lines within your own nation.

Saturday: Forgive other nations.

Today she decides to wear a dress and fix her hair

My daughter, I guess, woke up on the right side of the bed. I was surprised to see her on the eve of her birthday in a dress and wearing a clip on her hair. I was so happy yet did not want to spoil the moment by joshing her about it. You see, my daughter and I are very much alike in a lot of things. The way our mind works is pitch-perfect! Her sense of humor, her spontaneity, her bursts of emotions, oh and I'd like to think that her artistic skills and singing voice came from me too (though her dad is so sure that those came from him). When I was her age, I never liked wearing floral dresses, for me wearing a shirt and a pair of jeans is always fine. And she is very much like me in that area. But today! Boy! Her dad and I were both pleasantly surprised! I guess our little lady is finally growing up! 

Now that you are (secret) years old, I want you to make this moment and the days and years to come the very best of your life! Put into good use the talents that the Lord has given you. You were given those talents for a greater purpose, use them wisely!

Happy Happy Birthday Ally! May you grow in grace! May you always be happy! May I be able to contribute only good memories into your childhood. And if there ever are some of them that were not so good, forgive me but always remember that today and tomorrow are here for us to be able to change bad memories into good ones. I love you darling baby girl!