I Will Try Again

I don't know why I can never seem to blog  frequently.  I am in awe of people who have so much to say and actually have the guts to say it. More than the bloggers who talk about what they wore to the mall, or the ones who talk about where they ate and which events they attended (80% of the photos they post actually have their faces in them), I actually like reading blogs that are more personal, that deal with feelings, or with mundane things that happened in some guy/girl's life. I get excited by blocks and blocks of text. I like photos too, but I like them better when there are good stories behind them.

I don't know why I can't come up with anything to write. You see, all these random thoughts keep popping in and out of my mind throughout the day and I think, "Hey, I'll blog about that." But, either I forget about them or by the time I get home, I come to the realization that it's stupid, immature or shameful, or just too private to air out in public. (Public is probably not even the appropriate word to use here, given that this blog is some sort of a wallflower among the millions of blogs in the world wide web.)

Today, I went through my account and and found a dozen drafts. Entries I can't seem to finish. It's either I got bored with it or I by the time I got around to finish writing it, it just didn't feel right to post it anymore. Sometimes I realize that it's been so spur of the moment, a rush of emotion, something that's gone by and doesn't need rehashing.

But then I realize that if I keep up with this, I will never be able to write anything. True, I've got to keep the right things private. But there's a lot of things out there that I can still write about.

So here's the thing. I have decided, that from now on, this Blogger window will be my home page, a tab im gonna keep open. (I will still use Live Writer, but for the sake of an in-your-face reminder, I think keeping this as my home page is a better idea.) I will make sure that every time I open my laptop, I write something new. Not for the sake of random bored internet stalkers, but for my sake. I need to hold on to some memories. (My recent increase in forgetfulness is kind of alarming.) And while an actual journal might be helpful, I actually prefer to type because thoughts fly away too quickly for my slow penmanship.

So yeah. Here's to giving blogging a serious try. :)

The Bookworm Wakes Up From Hibernation

I never realized how much I'd enjoy reading on my 2 month old Kindle. It successfully took me away from my laptop for considerable periods of time. Good job! (Will post separately on my take regarding the 'war' between printed books and ebooks.) Just a quick list of the books I've read on my new baby so far:

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery (I've read this book countless times already!haha Just wanted to see how it would feel to read it on the Kindle -- pretty much gave me the same warm fuzzy feeling, apparently)
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (read the last few chapters in nonstop tears)
The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell (who doesn't like Carrie Bradshaw? plus, this book ends with her meeting Samantha Jones)
Summer in the City -Candace Bushnell (where Miranda and Charlotte finally show up)
Divergent - Veronica Roth (they say it's comparable to The Hunger Games, I say it's not. but Four is definitely more attractive than either Peeta or Gale)
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning (Book 1) - Lemony Snicket (pretty good. will have to read the next few books soon)
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon (now one of my favorites!)
The Giver - Lois Lowry (another reread, one of the best short novels for young adults)

Also currently reading Shit My Dad Says (Justin Halpern) and Bossypants (Tina Fey).

On the other side of the fence, pending on my 'real' books TBR(to be read) pile is:
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood (currently reading)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson (I enjoyed the first 2 books, but somehow I have difficulty keeping up with the number of characters in this one)
The Memory Keepers Daugher - Kim Edwards
Almost Moon - Alice Sebold
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barberry (so excited about this one, which I got last weekend at Fully Booked's sale)

Yahoo, I'm back to my old self. haha :)
Feel free to recommend books to me. I love recommendations ;)

Harry Potter - last day of shooting

Nothing to say, really. *tears* 

Will absolutely make sure my kids read and watch Harry Potter. :)

Red Velvet

Last weekend, I (finally!) tried the much-praised Red Velvet cupcake by Sonja's Cupcakes.  I know it's a late reaction, but YUM! I think it was the cream cheese frosting that got me.  I've tried their other cupcakes, and so far, my favorite has always been that lemon flavored one. (Now you know I like the sour kind of frosting.hehe I think it's because it neutralizes the sweetness. Oh by the way, I also "had to" drop by Gelatissimo to "taste" a few new flavors and to buy a cup of this mango-coconut gelato for me and E. Perfect.)

So anyway, after that night with the red velvet cupcake, I knew I've found my new favorite. Yesterday, an old schoolmate posted photos of cupcakes she's selling and because she had such good photos, I wanted cupcakes right then and there. Too bad I couldn't order from her since I'm islands away. After work (store check at Market!Market!), my feet took me to Serendra. Bad feet! haha

Look at those beautiful coloring-infused cupcakes. Photo below is courtesy of Our Awesome Planet.

While eating my yummy cupcake, I figured that it should be fairly simple to make. So I grabbed a Red Velevet Cupcake recipe straight out of the Food Network's site. Maybe this time I'll dare to make something that's not cookies or brownies or mango float..okay, the last one's not valid (I tried baking bread once, and it didn't work out well.haha) Don't know when I'll be able to test this out (hopefully  when I get home next month, because that's the only place I can use a decent oven). It looks really simple and based on the user comments, it seems okay. Some say that it's a bit oily, some say it's dry, but a lot seem happy with it. So let's see.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.
Cook's Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

My cupcakes might not turn out to be as good as Sonja's but let's see. They say practice makes perfect.
Can't wait to try it out. :)

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

There's this feeling that I really love. You know how, when you read a book, and then you watch a movie based on that book, you sometimes get the feeling that you've been there already? Like it's deja vu?

Well, after watching the trailer of Hollywood's take on "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," that's exactly how I felt. (Kinda like when we all first saw Harry Potter, you know.)

I can't wait to see the movie, simply because I think it's gonna bring back memories of what happened in Hedeby. (Like I said, I've been there before.haha)

I'm still in the middle of reading "The Girl Who Played With Fire."  I'm getting to the fun part already, but there are just so many distractions(ex, trips to beautiful places, joint blogging with E, preparing for mom and dad's Silver anniversary) I have no choice but to take it slow. I'm enjoying the book, though:) I mean, who doesn't like Lisbeth Salander?

By the way, I think that it's pretty cool that after being dumped by Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Rooney Mara gets to be kick-ass as THE girl with the dragon tattoo:)

Hope the movie's as good as the trailer! Can't wait:)

A Trek To Remember with the K.I.D.S. Foundation

Nothing like the high of going beyond your comfort zone.

To reach out and help others

And and at the same time, let others make a difference in  your life

Met interesting people

And had lots of crazy fun with new friends

And with my Yelie

I had such a meaningful summer that left me on a high. Literally and figuratively. 

Kalinga, I'm glad we met. ♥♥♥

Thank you K.I.D.S. Foundation for the AMAZING experience:)

***Photos courtesy of Eliel Sarmiento, Anthony Mendoza, Jaena Pereyra






Wrote a more detailed post about this trip on the blog I share with Eliel. See post here. =)

Grateful

Don't you just love songs that make you feel good?:)

Grateful

Julianne

I’m stronger than before

I’m stronger than I’ll ever be

And I raise my eyes to the one, the one who made me see

Oh what I thought was lost but now was found

And I’m grateful

Grateful for the day you called my name

Ever since you walked into the door it’s never been the same

Mornings are brighter now, I’m not afraid

And I wake up each day with a smile on my face

‘Coz I’ve been in places where I couldn’t even see the light of day

And then you came

And I’m grateful

You showed me the way back to my beautiful

And I’m grateful

You showed me the way back to my beautiful

Everything seems different now

Things are turnin’ inside and out

With a new pair of senses to go with around

It doesn’t even matter if I’m up or down

Blues are bluer, smiles are brighter

It draws a tear whenever I watch the sunsets paint the sky

I don’t even mind walking under the rain

I’ve never laughed like this before and I’m gonna say it once more

I’m grateful

You showed me the way back to my beautiful

And I’m grateful

You showed me the way back to my beautiful

And I’m grateful 

Summer lovin’

Beach season is here! To set the mood, I’ve changed my desktop wallpaper to the image above. Downloaded it for free. Isn’t it beautiful? ♥

Looking forward to my first beach trip of the year, happening next weekend. Hope we all have a great summer. We all deserve a vacation.

p.s. let’s keep praying for the world. hope the recent events and calamities bring us all closer – to each other and to our God. there is  reason for everything. let’s keep the faith.

My sweet Sun-date

Nothing like a sugar rush to cap off the weekend. :)

Team Peeta

Okay, so Peeta is to Edward, while Gale is to Jacob.  I always like the sensitive guy. :)
Anyway, this is my Hunger Games post. Where I say just how incredibly amazing this book is. Well, random thoughts would be more appropriate.  *spoiler alert*
And so here goes:

• After reading the first 2 books last year, I thought, “This is the best thing since Harry Potter!”
  
• I’ve been trying to get people to read it, but it’s a bit difficult to explain that the whole book is about children killing children on national television.  Sure, it’s a lot more than that, but the premise does sound violent. I did convince a few friends and, like always, I bugged my siblings to read it. (They love the series, by the way.Yey!)
  
• Waiting a long time for Mockingjay was not very easy.  And I was a bit disappointed after reading the last book. =s
  
• Don’t get me wrong, I liked how it ended and how it somehow reflects what goes on after wars and how people cope after all the trauma. But see, the problem is that I was waiting for something big to happen in the end. I was waiting for an epic ending. Instead, after the big explosion (parachutes scene), it was one anti-climactic scene after another. Add that to the fact that the story took so long to build up. Or maybe my expectations were just way to up there?
  
• Why did Prim have to die?! :(
  
• The epilogue wasn’t creative, but at least we know who ended up together. :)
  
• Catching Fire is, hands down, the most exciting book (and my favorite in the series).  I love the Quarter Quell concept. But it was Hunger Games that made me cry.  (Rue!)
  
• My favorite character is Haymitch. :)
  
• I hate that they make movies out of the books right away, so a lot of people just skip reading and just wait for the movies =( But I’m still excited for the movie!haha
  
• They better get a good cast(like they did with Harry Potter!).Like they keep saying, Hugh Laurie would make a great Haymitch :) Peeta better be cute!haha
  
• They keep comparing this book to the Battle Royale . Must find that book/manga/movie sometime.
  
• Now that the series has ended, what’s next? :) Might give in to peer pressure and read Fallen. haha ;)