Lavender & Coffee Stains

graphic courtesy of Chaotic Home

Thirteen TV Series I Love To Watch

1. House: I just love Dr. Gregory House's witty sarcasm, though sometimes I feel like squirming when he opens his mouth. On the other hand, I'm gonna miss Dr. Eric Foreman.
   
   
   
2. NCIS: Being a JAG spin-off, the episodes simply rock. Even though, Special Agent Jethro Gibbs is way too old for me, I find his character in the series a little "attractive." Hahaha. I fancy his character: intimidating, knows how to get his way around rules, etc. Anthony Dinozzo, on the other hand, is such a wacky guy whom I'll love to have around when my spirits are down. Mossad agent Siva David is another reason to watch the series. I just love it when aggressive, scary goons bow down to her. I am beginning to hate Tim McGee.
   
   
   
3. Bones: When I first watched this, I thought I would dislike it. The main character, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan seemed kinda older for me (especially when she is being linked to FBI Special Agent Seely Booth portrayed by David Boreanaz, whom I had a big crush during my Buffy days). But as I went along, I discovered her to be witty despite her lack of social skills in dealing with other people. The series does not only depicts scientific facts but it has a heart, too, that gives the viewer to reflect about some realities of life.
   
   
   
4. CSI: Miami: Okay, I have three (3) reasons for loving this series: (1) I simply have a thing for crime scene investigations. It's not because I have a leaning or inclination to commit crimes. It's more of a curiosity, suspense and excitement in watching how crimes are committed and solved despite contradicting evidences. It's discovering the truth behind everything that happens; (2) I love the hues of Florida. I haven't been there and I don't think I'll ever be (unless I win somewhere). I'm not a beach person but I love the idea of walking along the shores and feeling the wind in my face; sitting in the sand with a good book and (3) I like seeing Horation Caine's orange (if that's orange) hair. Hehehe.
   
   
   
5. Desperate Housewives: I have a thing for knowing what goes on with other people's lives. It's not that I love gossip because I don't. Sometimes, it's learning how other people (housewives especially) cope up with the realities of family life. Aside from the fact, that the casts are totally interesting.
   
   
   
6. 24: Let us just say that Jack Bauer's role excites me. Who wouldn't? Also, the 24-hour count of high-powered events that CTU has to face is an enough explanation. Watch it. =)
   
   
   
7. Criminal Minds: I also love this series just like any crime-related shows involving the FBI. Another thing is how crimes are solved utilizing the available psychological parameters that delve into human behavior. Last thing, I got this huge crush on Thomas Gibson portraying as Aaron Hotchner. Don't you just love those aquiline features? *sigh*
   
   
   
8. Shark: I am what you can say: a frustrated lawyer. I never thought I would love to be one. But I don't have much time to pursue a law degree, with my obligations and all. So aside from buying fiction paperbacks depicting courtroom dramas from my favorite bookshops, I also stay up awake in the wee hours of the morning just to watch a dvd copy of this show. Besides, Sebastian Stark is such a formidable, unyielding character to watch.
   
   
   
9. The Closer: I totally love the casts of this series. Such diversity of personalities rolled into one. I'm beginning to fall for FBI Agent Fritz Howard. *winks*
   
   
   
10. Without A Trace: Another FBI-related drama about finding missing persons within a critical time period.
    
    
    
11. Amazing Race: Do I have to explain why? =) It's a race around the world for money.
    
    
    
12. CSI: New York: I wouldn't waste my time watching this if they hadn't changed the "screaming dark blue atmosphere" of the show (probably because it's New York and all business). But they did. So next to Miami, this is my 2nd fave CSI.
    
    
    
13. Angel: I love vampire shows but I love it better because of David Boreanaz who plays the title roler, Angel. I just hope that the love tandem of Fred and Gunn be abolished! They're making the series totally mushy. Hmp.
    
    

Dear Me,

...have a growing pile of BTBR (books to be read). Aside from the books I have in my shelves, the books I purchase out of impulse and for the love of it, the books I acquire online as ebooks and the books I mooch from all over the world via

On February 1st, 2008 Sony will close the ImageStation® online photo service. The closure will happen in phases and most site features such as upload, sharing and shopping will be disabled on November 12th 2007. For more info, click here.

...am kinda that

graphic courtesy of Chaotic Home

Thirteen Things I
Truly, Madly, Deeply Miss

1. I miss devouring these chocolates without so much feeling guilty for the unborn baby or being reprimanded by my hubby, my mom or my OB. I had to sneak out a bar from my hubby everytime we do our monthly grocery. In truth, I can finish all these in one sitting.
   
   
   
2. I miss playing billiards with hubby and some good friends. I can't visit a billiards bar because most of the time, the place is too crowded with people wanting to smoke. Besides, how can I play 8-ball or 9-ball with my bulging tummy? Hehehe.
   
   
   
3. I miss eating this salmon order from Teriyaki Boy. It was my first time then and during my early pregnancy days, I developed a dislike for Japanese cuisine and their restaurants, though TB may not be considered an authentic Japanese resto.
   
   
   
4. I miss my cluttered work station at the office. This is how I work best and how things easily gets done, more than anyone can imagine. The messiness provides the boost (aside from my cups of coffee) I need to accomplish my work.
   
   
   
5. I miss this "pritchon" from Charlie's. Usually, the office orders this cutie, mini-lechon plus various tasty dips everytime we have celebrations. We had this during my office farewell.
   
   
   
6. I miss the dinner get-togethers or coffee hook-ups with some good buddies of mine. When you're pregnant, it's hard to leave the house on your own and travel all the way to your meeting place. Plus, the fact that the food you're gonna smell or order may not be so palatable to your taste or maybe too revolting for your heightened sense of smell. That will certainly be embarassing.
   
   
   
7. I miss gulping cups of brewed coffee or latte, mocha or caramel frappucino either from Bo's Coffee Club or Starbucks. Having caffeine in the system of a pregnant woman is not good for the baby.
   
   
   
8. I miss my frequent but brief vacation getaways to Baguio, the country's summer capital. I love walking up and down, checking the stalls and stores along Session Road. I miss the cold air and the feeling of being free in a place where nobody knows me at all.
   
   
   
9. I miss having lunches and dinners at this quaint resto near our office called Casita De Viman. I love the ambiance of this place. I love the combination of dining my favorite seafood order and having a good, hearty chat with someone (a friend, officemate or a date like my hubby...hehehe).
   
   
   
10. I miss packing up this mountaineering bag of mine. It was my 3rd acquisition and had proven dependable. Maybe, I will be using this again in a few months' time. Who knows?
    
    
    
11. I miss this type of celebration in the office. If it's someone's birthday, we have a cake and a couple of kodak moments. This photo was during my birthday and I had my favorite mango torte cake.
    
    
    
12. I miss my brother, Jeff. He is currently based in Abu Dhabi as a cost planning (civil) engineer. Although we usually chat with him every Friday night, I still prefer to feel his presence in the house. If I am to describe my brother in one word, the word "diplomatic" comes to mind.
    
    
    
13. I miss these three (3): mountainclimbing, mountainclimbing at Pico De Loro, mountainclimbing with my boyfriend-turned-hubby, Dex. Why? I love this sport. It was in a climb in Pico De Loro where I met Dex. Some love story we have. Hehehe.
    
    I miss the sweltering heat during the day, the blasting coldness during the night. I miss the difficulties in climbing any mountains and love catching the setting of the sun from the top. I love seeing, smelling, hearing and feeling the beauty of God's creations. I bask with joy all throughout.
    
    

You're Mexico!

While some people think you're poor and maybe a little corrupt, you know where it's at, enjoying good food and nice beaches.  You like to take things a little slower than those around you, and you really wish the air were cleaner, but sometimes compromises must be made.  For some reason, Chevrolet keeps trying to sell you Novas as well, even though they don't really go.

Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

Dear Me,

Nyahaha. I didn't know its title then. I kept on hearing it everywhere (neighbor's blasting radio, on tv and whenever I leave the house to do some errands in Makati). I almost had the urge one time to stop someone in his/her tracks to inquire whether he/she knows the song. Such an embarassing impulse. Poof.

Da Da Da Da
The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS:]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

The path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

[CHORUS]

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS]

La Da Da Da Da Da

• As usual, the washing machine is humming again. My dirty laundry are all scattered in the floor, waiting for their chance to be thrown in the machine. With that enormous heap, I guess I have to load them all in three (3) batches.
  
  To think that I still have to do some hand-washing... I wonder what time I will be done with this chore. Hmm.
  
  
• Contemplating about time, I also wonder if I can even cook sinigang for dinner. I am craving for some sour soup tonight. Oh, shoot! I still have to go to the nearby supermarket to buy the vegetable ingredients. Bummer.
  
  
• Once the dirty laundry are all hauled in the washing machine, I still have to mop the floor. Well, I have already mopped the other part of the house (2nd floor) this morning. I thought of delaying mopping the 3rd floor since I've been going in and out of the open space where the laundry-washing is being done. If I can't do this today, tomorrow will be fine.
  
  
• Definitely, I will be scrubbing clean our bathroom tomorrow.
  
  
• All talk about household chores? When you're a wife and a housewife (this will only be temporary status), you have to do things that you haven't been doing before. Besides, being in front of the laptop the entire day is such a boring way to spend the whole 12 hours while the husband is away. There are other alternatives such as reading a good book, watching the boobtube or engaging in a dvd marathon but there are moments that your body is looking for a more energetic way to while the hours.

Rugged. Adventurous. Both! When you head on vacation, your fantasy island is the wild and diverse country of New Zealand. A curious and courageous spirit, you don't need - or necessarily want - a lot of pampering when traveling. Not one to lounge on a beach chair most days, you seek out challenges (on holiday and off), especially when there's a chance to hone a new skill or test your mettle.

You tend to relax by doing - be it bungee jumping, hiking the backcountry, or hitting every museum a city has to offer. Like New Zealand's varied terrain - glaciers, beaches, cities, and mountains - you can entertain even the most rambunctious friends. For you, there's nothing better than letting go of convention and heading off toward a new, undiscovered sunset. Ramble on!

1. Ginisang Munggo (Sauteed Mung Beans)
   This recipe is very easy to prepare. It's one of my favorite comfort food. I can eat it for days.
   
   Ingredients:
   1 cup munggo
   4 cups of water
   4 cloves of garlic, minced
   1 onion, sliced
   2 small tomatoes, chopped
   1 cup shelled & beheaded shrimps
   200 grams flaked tinapa
   1 cup malunggay leaves
   1 tbsp oil
   salt/patis (fish sauce)
   
   Directions:
   1. Wash the mung beans in a bowl and remove the floaters.
   
   2. Drain and put in a pot or saucepan with 4 cups of water.
   Bring to boil and set aside.
   
   3. In a pan, saute garlic, onions until light brown.
   Add the tomatoes until soft.
   Add the shrimps and stir fry until pink.
   
   4. Add the cooked munggo and simmer for a few minutes.
   Add salt or patis to taste.
   
   5. Stir in the flaked tinapa and malunggay leaves.
   Simmer. Remove from heat and serve.
   
   
   
2. Tinolang Manok (Chicken Ginger Stew)
   Before, I don't like eating this Filipino dish simply because I didn't think chicken would taste good with water in it. It was my sister who converted me (she didn't know she did that to me) and I always look forward to weekends when she will cook this dish for lunch.
   
   Ingredients:
   2-3 tbsp oil
   1 onion, thinly-sliced
   2 cloves garlic, crushed
   2 tbsp ginger, cut into strips
   chicken, cut into small pieces
   4-5 cups water
   salt & pepper to taste
   green papaya or sayote, peeled & quartered
   2 cups of malunggay or sili leaves
   
   Directions:
   1. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
   Saute ginger first, then garlic and onions until light brown.
   
   2. Add the chicken and saute for 5 minutes to partially cook.
   Season with salt & pepper.
   
   3. Add water and bring to a boil.
   Reduce heat and let it simmer until chicken is half-done.
   
   4. Add in the quartered green papaya or sayote.
   Simmer until chicken and vegetable are tender.
   Adjust seasonings according to desired taste.
   
   5. Stir in malunggay or sili leaves until well blended.
   Remove from heat. Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.
   
   
   
3. Nilagang Baka (Clean Soup Stew of Beef)
   Oh, this one I surely love when feeling flu-ey and goo-ey. It's also perfect during a cold, rainy day.
   
   Ingredients:
   3/4 kilo of beef short ribs, cut into serving pieces
   5-6 cups water
   3 cloves garlic, crushed
   1 onion, quartered
   1/4 tsp. peppercorns
   2 bunches of pechay (Chinese cabbage)
   3 medium-sized potatoes, quartered
   salt to taste
   
   Directions:
   1. Place beef ribs in a casserole with the 5-6 cups of water.
   Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about an hour.
   
   2. Skim off the resulting scum as it rises on top.
   
   3. Add crushed garlic, quartered onions, peppercorns and season with salt.
   Add the potatoes and bring to a boil until meat is tender.
   
   4. Add pechay or cabbage leaves. Boil gently and do not overcook.
   Remove from heat and serve hot.

IT'S P1 TO ALL DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS!

To celebrate being the country's No. 1 domestic airline, we're selling more than 100,000 seats for just P1!

Our P1 fare will be available for all domestic routes from September 7 to 11, 2007 only and is good for travel from November 1 to December 20, 2007.

The seat sale is non-refundable and exclusive of government taxes and applicable surcharges.

Hurry, buy now because the seats are going to sell-out fast!

Book now at www.cebupacificair.com.

Catch the EXTENDED P1 seat sale up to September 13, 2007!
It's not too late so go ahead and tell your friends about the P1 to all domestic destinations!

To celebrate being the country's No. 1 domestic airline, we're selling more than 100,000 seats for just P1!

Our P1 fare domestic seat sale will run until September 13, 2007 only and is good for travel from November 1 to December 20, 2007.

The seat sale is non-refundable and exclusive of government taxes and applicable surcharges.

His fans in Manila were able to witness Pavorotti's majestic musical presence on stage when the tenor performed at the Philippine International Convention Center in 1994, flown in by producer Rosemarie "Baby" Arenas, a well-known socialite and philanthropist.

For his multitudes of international fans, Pavarotti's timeless "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot" came to represent what his music and talent are all about. In fact, "Nessun Dorma" was the tenor's last official performance, performed at the opening ceremony of the Turin Winter Olympics in Italy early in 2006. His last Asian concert was held in Taipei during the Christmas season in 2005.

Pavarotti was called the "King of the High C's" for the ease and flair with which he reached his difficult high notes. In fact it was his ability to hit nine glorious high C's in quick succession that first turned him into an international superstar, singing Tonio's aria "Ah! Mes amis," in Donizetti's "La Fille du Regiment" at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1972.

His musical collaboration with top-rate artists Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras in the "Three Tenors" concert also earned his worldwide adulation.

. Set up in 1976, she pioneered cruelty-free beauty products and turned them into a highly profitable business.

The Body Shop became part of the French company L'Oreal Group in July 2006 but has been independently-managed.

Roddick died of a major brain hemorrhage at St. Richard's Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex yesterday evening She was 64 years old.

Apparently, she had contracted Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion in 1971.

Roddick revealed that she was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver after contracting Hepatitis C from blood given during the birth of her youngest daughter, Sam. She said she had unknowingly lived with it for 30 years and only found out about it two years ago after a blood test.

It's been a while since I bought something from this shop. Well, I still have their raspberry lip balm. Hehehe. Also, I love their moonflower body fragrance. =)

To Pavarotti and Roddick, may you both rest in eternal peace and God's love!