Sikat ang San Francisco sa mga tulay. Bukod dito, napamahal talaga ako sa lugar na ito. Totoo pala yung kasabihang, I left my Heart in San Francisco, kasi naranasan ko ito.
(San Francisco is known for its bridges. Aside from their beautiful bridges, I fell in love with this place during my last visit in 2007. It's true what they say, I Left My Heart in San Francisco)

Narito ang dalawa sa pinakasikat na tulay sa San Francisco.
Ang Golden Gate Bridge.
(Here are their 2 most famous bridges, The Golden Gate Bride)

At ang Oakland Bay Bridge.
(And the Oakland Bay Bridge.)

I am beginning to get a little cranky with Spring season. This Spring seems to be hotter than last year's. There are days I would even think that maybe, we skipped Spring and moved over to summer because the temperature is just so high. Every time we go out, I get a migraine. A migraine that would last more than 24 hours and no matter how many paracetamol I take, it just won't go away! I guess I have to change my diet and skip chocolates and chips because these 2 are migraine-triggers. Anyhow, today we went for a quick grocery trip and boy our beloved "Lexie" needs a little tune up. So hubby scheduled one over the weekend as he was also helping out a friend to locate and order some allen bradley parts. Apparently, he gave me that tasks and I was quick enough to locate Drive Services Inc. in the net. The company is committed to providing the highest quality systems, parts and services at affordable prices. Mostly, their products are for new and used Reliance Electric Drives and Parts. If you need any of this for your car, visit the site at driveservices.com.

I hope this week won't be as hot as last week!

If you are a mom or a dad, you take particular consideration on a place being kids-friendly before you make it your tourist destination. This is my majoy consideration whenever hubby and I make out-of-town plans. Of course, that would be your number priority if you have children, you want them to have fun and have a wholesome ambience as well. A friend was telling me about this Kid friendly resort she saw at KarismaHotels.com. The packages are enticing and filled with lots of kids-activities. If you are interested to go and visit a kid-friendly resort in the summer, check out the site.

1. What’s your favorite flavor of yogurt? STRAWBERRY & PEACH!
2. Got a recipe for a smoothie? Not really. I just make a very simple smoothie for my 3-year-old, The fruit + Honey (instead of sugar) + Crushed ice + Milk and cream on top :)
3. Got a recipe for split pea soup? Hmmm, What's that?
4. What’s your favorite kind of pudding? Jell-O and my mom's pudding.

Weebee to Val, the author of this meme and glad that you're surgery went ok.

This meme makes me want to hit the grocery and stock on some cold cold sweets, read: ice cream and smoothie ingredients. But then again, I am on a diet and I won't be able to shed off another 10 lbs if I do not stick on my diet routine. And yes, I am doing the au naturelle way of losing weight and I will resist diet pills such as ephedrine as long as I could :).

Nope, I am not talking about any warm dish in here but the weather! I am glad that I am in this part of the east coast where Spring is just warm enough and not too hot! K called my yesterday and he was telling me how hot California is now. In fact, he had to check his auto air conditioning because when the wheather is in the 90s, the car's air conditioning is not working well anymore. So he might have to order a new unit at 1airconditioning.com which offers free shipping at this time.

How about in your end? How is Spring there? Some friends in the west coast said that Spring may have been skipped in their area because the heat is like Summer heay already.

This is the announcement I wrote on my personal blog. If you do not know, I am part of a group blog called wifespeaks. I decided to post it here too as we have a special day for all foodie lovers, it's called the FoodieWednesday. You can read the rest of the entry below and know how you can participate on our FoodieWednesday blog carnival.

Did you miss US? We've been pretty quiet for almost a year now and we're definitely back with more exciting and informative entries that you, the wifeys and hubbies could relate and probably interact. Interact? Yes, because as we launch the new Wifespeaks.COM, you can join us in our daily blog carnival. We can learn from you and you can learn from us too. The buttons below depict our daily topics starting on Monday, next week.

Mondays are for all photography-lovers aka MEMOIR MONDAY


On Tuesdays, we can relax and have chika-chika, thus, CHIKATUESDAY.


Love cooking or you simply LOVE Food, join us on our FOODIEWEDNESDAY edition.


For the fashionistas and the gadgenistas, we have a special day for you,
check us on our FABFINDSTHURSDAY!


Lastly, say anything on our SPEAKOUTFRIDAY.

As I write this announcement, I can't help but feel giddy, so check http://wifespeaks.com/ starting Monday, Next week, April 28. Kitakits tayo!

Ang Lombard Street sa San Francisco ang pinaka-steep at crooked street sa mundo. Mapapansin niyo dito nakatagilid ang mga gusali at maraming twists&turns ang dinadaanan ng mga sasakyan. Napakahirap din bumaba sa sasakyan na naka-park. Akala mo gugulong ka sa kalsada :).

(Lombard Street in San Francisco is the steepest and most crooked street in the world. You can see in this photo that the houses and buildings built in this famous crooked street are somewhat slant in position. I remembered when we were there a year ago, it was so hard to come down our parked car as if you will roll down the streets.)

I just finished almost 4 hours worth of housechores mostly concentrated in the kitchen. We arrived from the Asian Store around 6pm and I immediately unload our market stuff and clean the kitchen. I marinated what I need to marinate and cooked a couple of dishes for reheating because I'd be very busy in the next days to come. What took my time too long was the springrolls I prepared for my son, it's his favorite and we need to always have a stock in the fridge. I will share the recipe in a wee bit. Anyways, I am also itching to vacuum our carpet and is hoping to be able to hire a professional such as this Drapery Cleaning Dallas to do the major part of cleaning. By the way, for all of you who lives in Texas, Dalworth has been in this business for quite some time now and they really have a long list of testimonials. I guess I have to find their counterpart here who we can hire too.

#1. Sarafina’s suggestion. How far would you be willing to travel to satisfy a food craving?
>>>Hahaha! I'm worst when it comes to food cravings, thanks to a husband who always gives in and drive me to my food destination even in the midnight or wee hours of the morning. Now, you know why I've been battling with my diet routine hee hee.

#2. Have you ever eaten rabbit? What did you think?
>>>Yay! Nope. Tastes like chicken, prolly?

#3. Have you ever made your own bread? How?
>>>Yes. We had a bakery before and my mom owns it. I used to watch and help her.

#4. Where do you usually spend Easter and what do you usually eat?
>>>Church, some easter egg hunting and endless lunch at home.

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And so MY busy days are here to stay :).

So why am I smiling, it is just I am getting more and more used to a busy schedule. I do. In fact, I hate it when I become idle I start feeling antsy. Although, this time I feel like the 2-week school break was so fast that eventhough I was able to maximized it with completing my school-break to-do list, I still feel it was too fast that it did not give me time to prepare for this Spring School quarter. Classes started last Saturday and I was in a different campus but of course the same University. You see, my old campus did not offer any on-campus classes this year and everything was online but I had to take an on-campus class so there. To cut the story short, I was in a different campus starting last Tuesday and was able to meet a few new people which I find their credentials really interesting. One was telling me about a Secure File Transfer services their company recently hired. Apparently, I find it interesting to know about Cleo Communications which provides reliable, secure data transfer software and services that enable users to easily establish and manage communications sessions, and easily integrate these solutions into their mission-critical applications. Hubby's Korean friend was looking at the possibility of hiring one and he asked my husband if he knows of any company that does these services. I think I just found what he is looking for. To find out other Cleo Solutions services, check their site.

In a few months from now, I will be done with school and would finally earn myself with a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Although, I am still thinking of switching majors and minors as I only need to add 2 more business subjects in my current curriculum and that would earn me an MBA minoring in Public Administration. I would say that this education is a privelege for me as a fulltime SAHM. Thanks heavens for online university which offers accessibility and convenience to people who wants to further their education.

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Did you miss this portion of my blog? Well, I am really sorry but things have been as always, VERY busy. Here's a yummy and easy recipe to compensate for the missed entries :).

Over dinner on a Black friday, my son started to randomly check my Hershey's collection recipe book which Glo gave me last Christmas :).

I was on a diet err fasting but I gave in and my boy was the one who mixed and measured the ingredients, I just had to instruct and guide him.

It was already 10 in the evening when we finished mixing the dough. So we had to wait for the next day to bake it. As you know, Crinkles dough should be refrigerated for at least 6 hours before baking.

The next day, I woke up early and prepared them in a cookie sheet:

then baked 'em!

So by the time my son woke up, he had this for breakfast! Bad mother hahaha! This and a glass of milk :)

RECIPE:

1.)Combine 2 cups of granulated sugar and 3/4 cup vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl; add 1 cup Hershey's cocoa beating until well blended. Beat in 4 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually add to cocoa mixture, beating well.

2.)Cover, refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, at least 6 hours.

3.)Heat oven to 350F. Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.

4.)Bake 10-12 minutes (15 minutes worked for me) or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly and tops are crackled. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Happy baking your Crinkles!
I'm off to check this auto insurance for teens, interesting right?

Ang aking ina ay napakahilig sa mga hardin, tanim at bulaklak. Kaya naman makikita niyo ang kanyang galak habang namamasyal sa Hardin na ito. Hulaan niyo nga kung saan ito?

My mom is a Garden love. I grew up seeing her growing all kinds of plants and flower pots. In this photo, you will see how happy she was as she tour this Garden full of tulips. Can you make a guess where she is?

I do not really understand why I lost 5 pounds in a short span of time, hence, this lap band article is not really for me hee hee :). I guess the everyday hiphop abs routine is finally working out. I just need to be very consistent in sticking to my 1/3 cup of rice a day and hopefully, I'd get my desired weight. I just have to be determined too. Anyways, for you who are interested in this lap band surgery, you might want to call this number 1-800-GET-SLIM and check out these lap band testimonials at their site.

Okay. How many times have I mentioned here that my dream hair style is that of a pixie haircut! A very very short pixie haircut! Only that is if I meet my anorexic desired weight goal hee hee :). Every time I go to the salon, I am amazed by the wonders these hairstylists do on their customer's crowning glories. I would often fantasize on checking out some of these hair stylist jobs I found at beautyjobs.com. I swear, when I was still doing make-up on the side, I would also do some hairstyling and this was the hardest part. I could last an hour doing a bun but I could finish a full bridal make-up in 10 minutes! Hmmm, who knows I might end up going to a hairstyling school someday.

A friend shared this LINK to me. It is a very nice read especially for moms who wants to be aware on what food to give her children. It includes list on the Best and Most Balanced-Breakfast; Best Brain Foods; Smart Lunch Foods and others. But, what catches my attention is this list. Funny that Overeating can drain our brains! So watch out :).

BRAIN BUILDERS:
# Avocados
# Bananas
# Beef, lean
# Brewer's yeast
# Broccoli
# Brown rice
# Brussel sprouts
# Cantaloupe
# Cheese
# Chicken
# Collard greens
# Eggs
# Flaxseed oil
# Legumes
# Milk
# Oatmeal
# Oranges
# Peanut butter
# Peas
# Potatoes
# Romaine lettuce
# Salmon
# Soybeans
# Spinach
# Tuna
# Turkey
# Wheat germ
# Yogurt

BRAIN DRAINERS:
# Alcohol
# Artificial food colorings
# Artificial sweeteners
# Colas
# Corn syrup
# Frostings
# High-sugar "drinks"
# Hydrogenated fats
# Junk sugars
# Nicotine
# Overeating
# White bread

1. When eating breakfast-what’s your breakfast meat of choice?
>>>Sausage! If Longganiza and Tocino are available, I'd likely have those two.

2. If you were lost in the woods of your area, what plants would you know to use as food?
>>>Hmmm Spinach and Gabi?

3. Are there any foods you like by themselves, but do not like when combined?
>>>I like pineapple as it is, I do not want it in pizza or any viand.

4. Have you ever had to take back or throw away a food or drink that had been recalled?
>>>Fortunately, I have never bought a recalled food nor drink yet.

5. Who taught you how to cook?
>>>My mom, hubby and some tv shows and books.

So have you completed your Spring Cleaning? Spring cleaning has been my number one agenda as soon as I started my school break. So, for the 1st week of my school break all I did was clean our closets and every single nook in our 2-storey town home. Then, I was also able to clean my computer files until I chanced upon photos of Designer Jewelry and accessories which I swiped from Holsted Jewelers a month ago. I was planning to buy them and was surprised to see that the prices this month was lowered because of their sale. You better check out their site for their unique collection of Designer Jewelries.

I wrote about this fantastic weekend in my other blog and failed to share the food we had during that weekend in this blog. Anyways, this coming weekend will be my last weekend before Spring Class begins and I am savoring it.

The photos below are what hubby and I prepared as soon as I finished my Winter Class. Each time I complete a school quarter, hubby makes sure to celebrate it. He knows how hardworking I have been so I deserve this pigging out :).

How do you celebrate?

And for dessert, 5 stars for Ghirardelli super moist brownies!
To die for!

I know it's Holy Week but hubby and I are having a cold-iced beer, nuts while finishing our DVD line-up for the weekend. We promise to fast starting tomorrow and our fasting includes less of Netflix and TV. While watching, I am catching up on some expiring tasks and chanced upon this new beer mugs from FredandFriends. It has been a while since my last visit at their site and they have a lot of awesome new items. I wish we have this!

HOPSIDE DOWN™
viva la longneck!

Fred likes to glug his beer right from the bottle, but Mrs. Fred is appalled. So Fred went out and did something about it – he created this bottle-in-a-glass as an homage to real men like him. Hopside Down is hand-blown, precisely crafted, and unexpectedly deluxe. Individually gift boxed.

Design: Dima Komissarov
©2009 FRED

People are amazing, they can be very passionate about certain interests and things. When you see people who collect stuff, you would be amazed by how they could collect as much stuff as they can. I for one find amusement in collecting make-ups and notebooks and pens. But, I have one collection that only few know and now I am telling you what it is. I collect different bills/currencies. I keep this collection in my everyday wallet, which reminds me of my friend who is a rare coin dealer. He gets most of his coins from zoomcoin.com. You might want to check the site for more information, who knows you might start your own collection too.

1. How many servings of fruit do you have on average most days?
>>>At least 1 piece would be fine for me.

2. Do you like garlic in food?
>>>So much hubby and I hoard those bottled minced garlic and garlic powder :).

3. Does the name of a food ever turn you off to it?
>>>Super. The chef should be creative to think of an appetizing name for the dish he whipped.

4. Which foods that you believe are good for you do you stubbornly refuse to eat?
>>>Fruits. I'm a veggie lover but when it comes to fruits, hubby always forces me to eat a piece after every meal.

5. Do you walk away from your meal still chewing your last bite (or two) ?
>>>Nope.

Narito ang dalawang larawan na unang pumasok sa aking isip ng nakita ko ang tema ngayong linggo. Tuwing tinitingnan ko ito, para bang may kakaibang kapayapaan akong nadarama. Ito ang aking mundo.

Salamat sa pagsilip at maligayang anibersaryo sa Litratong Pinoy!

Here are the 1st two photos which came in my mind as soon as I heard of this week's topic. I find peace every time I look at these photos, don't you? Thanks for visiting and Happy 1st Anniversary to Litratong Pinoy and to all of us!

Interested in edible plants? Check out Naturehills.com for more. :) I am so I am hopping to their site now!