foodie

I am terribly missing my favorite Korean glass noodles

I kept pestering my daughter to ask her Korean classmate where they get their food supplies, but of course how would an 11 year old care about where her mom goes for marketing. I wanted to cook Japchae very badly but I hardly see Korean products in Dubai or maybe I haven't really explored much. You may wonder why I wanted to cook rather than dine out, that's because my husband is not a fan of Korean foods. Sad. I know.

I also miss Omakase in Molito, Alabang

 It was my officemate and good friend Alan who recommended this Japanese inspired restaurant in Alabang. It looked intimidating at first, but you'll be surprised because their food prices are just reasonable. Plus their foods are yummy esp. their pork tonkatsu. Why I miss it? It's because Japanese restaurants here are really expensive. It's for big time expats only. So for the meantime, I am just loving Japengo's maki.

Crispy Pata

Need I say more?

By the way, speaking of more foods, I am again making beef salpicao. Haha. Remember when I did it last week? My ever polite husband didn't recognize it was salpicao. But he kept silent. Only when I told him. He confessed that he thought it was beef adobo but he was afraid to tell me because I might go ballistic. hahaha. Now you know the secret of our marriage.
But I am not the kind of person who easily gives up a fight when it comes to cooking a dish that I like. Hanggang may pambilil ng rib eye go ng go.
So this time, I am following Kathryn Bernardo's recipe which I saw in Kris TV.

I mixed all the ingredients for marinade. Let's see later tonight if the finished product will still be adobo. But you know, it was a delicious recipe for adobo. I will try cooking that adobo style next week with pork. Excited.
Hope tonight I get this salpicao right!

Update:
Oh it was a success. Hubby said "now it tasted like salpicao". Happiness.

what's for Monday?

TexMex
Are you a fan? I'm not. Except CPK's spicy pasta. It doesn't actually say it's a Mexican food, but I could smell and the taste has similarity with that cuisine. But I warn you, it's spicy.

And I don't enjoy eating it without something sweet on the side. 

Oh, this cheesecake was murdered as you can see. The crust is everywhere because I scrimped on butter. Grrrrr. But on a sweet tooth like yours truly walang masama at pangit na cheesecake. 

Want some fresh orange juice. Well, it's not actually very fresh. We had it squeezed last Saturday from the nearby supermarket. 

If you're wondering what is that on the background of my photos, it's my air fryer waiting to be used. Wish ko lang sipagin akong gamitin yan. It's been there since Christmas. Para daw healthy. But too complicated for me. But truth to tell it's simple. Tamad lang talaga. 

when in a better place, forgive.

We've been hurt or treated badly by another person at some time or another. And sometimes it takes a while before we can get over it. 

I don't normally like to revisit the past esp. if it travels me back to the not so good memories. But sometimes I can't avoid it when something suddenly comes up and reminds me of that past. Like a couple of days ago I heard something about this person who made my last day in my office quite disturbing. Of course, that time I chose the high road because hey, I was supposed to cherish my last day in the company which served as my 2nd home for 13 years, right? Why dampen the beautiful day with so much negativity? Well, thank God, it turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of my entire life. 

For those who made me really happy thank you for being my rainbow on that day. You know who you are. One day I can make up to you.

Anyway why am I talking about this lady?  Because I heard that she and her husband are both jobless now and that they have three kids to feed and take care of. How do they survive? Well, I am not privy with what exactly is going on in their lives and usually whenever I hear something about the life of the people I left behind in Ilijan they are just bits and pieces of information. Vague as it may be, but the news tempted me to think that if their life now is miserable then it absolutely serves her right. 
I was bad. 
I know. I am just human. I can't deny that until now I still quench for that chance when I can tell on her face  that it was her "karma".I must admit that up to this day I haven't forgotten what she had done to me because obviously I  was rejoicing on the news of her sufferings. 
I sat for awhile because at that moment I could already feel those huge chunks of evil thoughts eating me up inside. 

So before I turned into a complete monster, I immediately tried to process my feelings by identifying  where I was coming from and why I was being so mean in my thoughts. Yes she had wronged me. But then, I asked myself this question "How many people have wronged me in the past?" and "How are they now?" And then I went deeper by asking myself further, "Haven't I hurt other people too?".  The last question was an awakening. It was at that point where gratitude resurfaced in my consciousness. Sometimes, when we people are so corroded with hate and vengeance we tend to focus more on our hurt, on our pains. We forget our own shortcomings, our own evil deeds. We fail to see the many good things we have been blessed with despite being imperfect and undeserved. 

Yes, I must admit that until now I haven't forgiven and definitely I haven't forgotten. Forgiveness doesn't happen in an instant. It requires time and a lot of energy. But I am aware too that I should not allow the pain to linger for too long in  my life, otherwise I will be trapped in this cycle of hurt forever. If I was able to let go of the emotions I felt towards other people who wronged me in the past then this lady should not be an exception. If other people had forgiven me when I wronged them shouldn't it be right for me to do the same?

I am definitely in a better place now in my life so I should be able to begin letting go. Forgiveness may not be now because I can still feel every fiber of my being resisting, but I know I can control myself acting on my anger.  But I cannot stay hating for a long time. Somehow I should be able to put an end to it. Somehow I should learn to decide to stop hating. 

Let me finish my blog with a beautiful quotation that I came across in the internet.

When it happens I often ask myself "What strengths must I develop further from this?" Often the feeling of resentment just goes away, slowly but surely, because I wasn't focusing on the person who wronged me, but the lesson that the event was trying to tell me.  - Natassia Callista Alicia

Namaste. 

all about bed

So it's Thursday once again. Cleaning time. This time I will show you how I do our bed. I wish I could video it but since I'm the only one here, just extend your imagination through the pictures that I took, shabby it may be.

When we were in the Philippines we would always get excited when we would go staycation. We love the comforts of the hotel, the atmosphere and of course their duvets. Don't you love it too?  We wanted to have duvets in our home back then but we don't think it would be cool to use esp. because we couldn't have our aircon on all the time.
So now that we don't have to be praning with our bills, we decided to have our wish come true. But you know it's not all comfort because it's hard work before we could enjoy it. I will show you how.


This is our bed and this is the mattress we brought from the Philippines

There is the topper mattress. I don't know the purpose what I know is it will add comfort.

This is the mattress protector for the topper. It's a fitted sheet but it's reverse side is like rubber/plastic. It's like the one we use for babies so our bed would be safe from wee wee.

I have to cover the topper with another fitted sheet since it's easier to wash an ordinary sheet than the mattress protector. I wash the fitted sheet regularly but not weekly.

This time you can see the flat sheet I put after I am done with the fitted sheet. This definitely needs to be replaced weekly. My other flat sheet is white.

This is the most challenging part. The duvet.
Ours is queen size and you could imagine how I manage to put the cover in it.

 This is the cover. It has buttons in its opening so I can insert the duvet inside.

This is the finish product.

Our pillow cases are our old from the Philippines. Hindi terno? hehehe. Uso daw naman un sabi sa Kris TV

Whenever I feel lazy doing this job, I would just think about our kabayan who work as domestic helpers in big houses in Europe or those who work in hotels. They do this everyday. Mine is just katiting compared to them. Saludo ako sa inyo kasi ang hirap ng trabaho nyo.

Time to say goodbye. It's weekend over here. Bye. Enjoy!

What to do today?

Beef Salpicao

How do you cook your salpicao?

I surfed the net and I found a simple Pinoy recipe of beef salpicao. I am just showing you my marinated beef because I'd be cooking it tomorrow.

Mix garlic (should be minced, but I was lazy), pepper and salt with your beef. I am using rib eye here. After ten minutes I added olive oil. Everything is tantya tantya lang. Kaya hindi ako papasa sa baking eh, I can't stand precise and exact measurement of ingredients.

 You'll notice my powder garlic. :) yan ang secreto ng tamad magdikdik ng bawang.

Since wala akong maraming tupperware (lahat ng lalagyan tupperware kahit sinabi ng lock and lock yun) because I don't like to accumulate a lot of stuff in my kitchen, I am just using my plate and then wrap it on a cling film.
I'll just place it inside my fridge for tomorrow's dinner.

For the meantime, let's do our snacks.
Meet my new best friend --- Nanay Betty Crocker.  Easy baked cupcakes with Anjo.

It's supposed to have the frosting and the sprinkles pero tamad na kami ni anjo, kaya next time na lang. Yum yum yum!
Till next post!

That sweet Spaghetti

This morning, I saw a post in FB what looked like a yummy homemade spaghetti. Suddenly,  I felt the craving for it. So I went down and checked what I had in my fridge.

Meat: Check

Most of the time I have ground meat, sometimes pork. We buy our meat supply in Spinneys, it's a grocery store where you can find non Muslim foods. We love going there because according to their Filipino staff, meat products do not last very long in their shelves because expats (usually British and Americans) are very particular about the quality and condition of their meat. Frozen products for instance are disposed every week. My husband whispered this to me upon hearing what the staff said: "Hindi kaya un mga dinisposed nila eh un andun naman sa __________ na grocery?" 

Not impossible.

 Even their fruits and vegetables are fresher than the one you can find in other grocery stores.


Hotdog: Just 3 pieces. So malaking EKIS.

When I checked my hotdog, I knew I couldn't use it because there were only three na lang inside. :( And when you have kids, it's always safe to have hotdogs. Just in case you are lazy to cook a healthier breakfast.  They said hotdog is not good but moderation is not that bad, maybe.

Pepper?
I just thought of putting pepper. Anyway, these are sweet peppers. There is no way the kids will know. :)

 (Excuse the melon. Photo bummer.)

Now, these are the rest of my ingredients.
Ever since we came here, it was always sweet spaghetti, Filipino style. Forget about sophistication. We terribly miss Jollibee. Good thing Philippine products are readily available in many supermarkets in Dubai.

 (I have an addiction with onions. Obvious.)

Ready get set Eat!

 May bonus pang blueberry muffin. Yumm!

And then I had a little of my Greek yogurt after. :) my dessert, instead of ice cream.

My late lunch is done. Gloriously.

Foggy Monday

Yesterday when I sent off my husband to the waiting taxi going to the airport, I was surprised how foggy it was outside and it was colder than the day before. I took photos later and this was Jumeirah Park at 7:00 am.

 back of my house

my front. My view of the buildings are gone.

And
30 minutes later

Normally, I could see the highway and the cars from my gate, but now it's zero. It was still gloomy but street lights were turned off.
Oh, how I love it whenever it's foggy. It's cold and very conducive to hibernating. :)

But nowadays temperature here is rising. Sandstorm in the offing. Last year, we experienced frequent sandstorm.Walang matinong paglilinis sa madalas na sandstorm. grrrrrrr. But this is Middle East. So... better live with it.

Goodluck naman sa 50degrees!

my summer wishlist

1. Little White Dress

don't you like it too? Oh by the way, she is my girl crush. her fashion sense is almost always impeccable.

cuteness overload. I've tried checking my favorite boutiques but  I was kinda frustrated because they still have winter fashion on display. Or maybe it's spring. I guess I have to be a little bit patient.

2. Waterproof eyeliner

I bought Benefit's gel eyeliner but being a non pro when it comes to make up, I find it difficult and messy to use. Smudge there, smudge here. Sigh! And it was not cheap. Another sigh. So now I have to be firm --- buy only the brand you really trust. It may cost few dirhams more but in the end it will save you from spending more. When will I ever learn?

3. Sandals with stones/crystals

Oh! Wow! I want! But my husband will surely frown at me. hahaha. But seriously, I'm excited to check my favorite Dune. Let's see what you have this year. Tadaannnnn....!

4. A nice summer bag

it's a bowling bag from Burberry. But I like the color and the simplicity of the details. Of course, I am not having a new bag this year or even next year. I am just dreaming. But for some reasons, I want to have a burberry bag. I found one that I like, it's a leather bag and it doesn't scream Burberry, but you know, it's too much for me. As what Abi would say "It's money down the drain." Darn. :)

5. Ripped jeans

I like to have one. But will it still look good to a 41 year old me? Lucky brand has this super nice ripped jeans but I am having second thoughts, third thoughts... Oh by the way, in case you haven't tried Lucky brand, i recommend that you do. They have this soft fabric that won't make your legs feel "sakal" and the most exciting part is they have for petites. Absolutely no need to alter. Because of Lucky Brand, I am now totally deserting my dream to own a pair of 7 for all Mankind. I surrender.

This is for now my wishlist. Keep on dreaming. It might come true one day. :)
Have a happy Monday!

Breakfast and other things

I don't usually eat hotdog. There is only one brand that I like. It's Virginia. I bet you are not familiar with it but I like it because it is less salty that TJ. And I miss it badly. Oh Philippines!

But if there is one variety of hotdog that I also eat, it's the cheese franks. 

 I can have this with rice for three consecutive breakfast. Absolutely no diet.

Last night me and the kids tried baking this no bake cheesecake for our pre Valentine treat for ourselves. We ate three slices right after we said our rosary (after two hours in the fridge). It was yummy. But I told them next time we are going to try making the cheesecake from scratch. All of us prefer the firmer cheesecake layer. But this was good. :)

And speaking of Valentine, I got my present last week. By force. Lol!

It's a timepiece.

I have to correct myself. This is his Christmas gift to me for 2014 and beyond, his Valentine gift for 2015 onwards, his 14th to 50th Wedding Anniversary present, and his 42nd and onwards birthday present for me, and for all other occasions that I did not mention. 

Thank you very much.

My husband is never the sweet husband, like those roses and chocolate type of guy. But he makes up for it big time not only on material things. He is very patient, hardworking and a good role model for my children. He is not only kind to me but he also  extends his thoughtfulness to my family.

 my mother was with us during the holiday season.

Of course, we went through those big and small bumps of married life, like any other couple. But I guess now we have become familiar to each other's quirks and idiosyncrasies. I believe marriage takes forever to fine tune because it also takes our lifetime to fine tune our own attitude, temper and behavior. 

Looking back, I don't remember a grand Valentine's Day, like having a beautiful flower arrangement proudly displayed on your office desk, because I never had one. But I don't also remember a sad Valentine's day because I never had one also. And for that alone, I am already grateful.

At this point, I would like to wish everyone the warmest Valentine's Day. 

For those who don't have yet a significant other to celebrate it with, let's remember you have your dear self to love, it's also a time of the year  when you can also make  yourself happy. Love comes when you are ready. Remember, we have to love ourselves before we can love other people. You cannot give what you don't have. :)

God Bless everyone!

convenient living

"Don't worry, your adjustment in Dubai is going to be easy". Exact words from the British woman who conducted our first city tour in Dubai last year, January. Perhaps, she got bothered by our anxious faces while she was making a run down of  expat life in Dubai. When we moved to this villa after a monthlong (1.5 months actually) hotel living, we were reassured by the relocation team that we will definitely get by in Dubai.
Fast forward today, we are now a well adjusted family. Gone are the uncertain feelings, insecurities and unfounded fear. We are just one of them.
And it's true. Dubai is not just a city of plenty, it is also a place where almost everything is easy. Take for instance my drinking water delivery.
I buy these vouchers

 and everytime I need water I just put these empty bottles outside my door with the vouchers inserted in it. They won't disturb you. You'll just find the new bottles after lunch right at your doorstep. Easy.

Services are also a phone away
Laundry is picked up and delivered. Our three carpet were washed for three days only. Well, it's because UAE has an abundant "sun" supply. :) Everything here dries up fast.
I included this Music flyer too. I got lots of this ads too.

Cleaning services. So accessible.

Foods
Of course there are days when the maid is too lazy to cook :). Good thing, food deliveries here are just a phone away or a mouse click away. And once you made a delivery order, lets say for example in Mc Donalds, the next time you call them they have your details already. Fast and sweat free.
So how do I choose which foods? Again, not much of a problem.

Almost everyday, you'd see a food flier hanging our gate.
From pizza

to main dishes

of different cuisines

but one of my favorites? Japengo. Affordable fusion of Asian cuisine with pasta and burgers.

We are lucky that a mall and major condominium areas are very near us, we have access to a variety of restaurants. deliveries are fast, 30 to 45 minutes max. Although sometimes we still wish they are just walking distance from us.

So there you go. Come to Dubai now. Experience the easy life :)