13 April 2012

Simple Lessons in Life


     Most of the time, when we celebrate our birthday, we tend to expect or even ask gifts from our husband, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, etc. Some are used to throwing big parties, travel around the world, or host game events in celebration of their natal day. Oh well I have no question about it since every person has their own way and perception on how to celebrate their big day...how to celebrate the gift of life. 
       But just recently, a friend's (Mary Pauline Danga-Obias) post in a networking site caught my attention. Why? Check out my friend's post:

I have just been to Negros Occidental and I have learned a couple of things. I want to share what I learned.
1. You do not need to be a politician or a public servant or a trust fund baby to help others. The slippers we distributed only cost P25.00 a pair but the smile I saw on the lips of those children are priceless.
2. The more you give the more blessings you will receive. If you give more, the flood gates of heaven will open and the Lord will shower you with more blessings.
3. I learned to appreciate my husband.  ______________, you made my 34th birthday very memorable. You may not be the perfect husband or the perfect father but who cares?! Even the care bears do not care.
4. I learned to appreciate the efforts of the soldiers. I am very thankful to the Officers' and men of Charlie Company, 11th IB for making my birthday very memorable. Gotta love the Army.
5. I learned to pray and be thankful to the Almighty for giving me a wonderful husband, a pretty daughter and good health.
6. I learned to be more patient and understanding.
7. I learned to speak less and to listen more.
8. I learned that good things come to those who wait.
9. I learned that good things come in small packages.
10. I learned that having sex and lots of it may be good for your health but having sex, in the middle of the night and shouting out in pure ecstasy inside a small hut with nothing but "sawali" as walls, will certainly wake up the whole camp.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.

(Note: I copied the original document as is.)

    What I learned on this post:

     On Helping Others.  I think many will agree that every time we do help others or become influential in changing the lives of people even in a small way, at the end of the day, it is us who also become fulfilled and happy. 
     On Appreciating Our Partner/Husband/Wife. In every relationship, we must learn to appreciate even the smallest effort of our better-half. As they say, if you as a husband wants to be treated like a king, you must treat your wife as a queen vice versa.
      On Keeping a Closer Relationship with God. A relationship guided by God equates to a blissful life.
     On Learning How to Wait. When I was in high school, I learned that God answers to our prayers in three ways: Yes. No. Wait. 
     If God answers YES, what you are asking for is really meant for you.
     If God answers NO, He is preparing better things for you because you deserve only the best.
    If God answers WAIT, He wants you to learn that not all things are catered for free. We must also learn to act right to reach our goals. At the end of the day, we get what we deserve.
     On Keeping the "Fire" Burning. As my friend has said, sex and lots of it is healthy. In keeping a good marriage, this must not be taken for granted. (Take note mommies!)


     


12 April 2012

"Get a 2012 Starbucks Planner the Easy Way"

     For those who weren't able to avail the 2012 Starbucks planner, here's the easiest way to have one! Join the Trips and Travel latest giveaway contest, the "Get a 2012 Starbucks Planner the Easy Way".

Photo courtesy of Tips and Travel

11 April 2012

"The Power of a Praying Wife"

          Since I was a kid, I was already a bookworm. In line with this, I decided to have a "Book Review" included in my labels, so I may share the books I have been reading. I may not be able to remember all the books that I have already read since I was a kid, but I may share the latest books I have in my shelf.

     Before I got married with my ex-boyfriend (now my husband), my mother has been constantly reminding me that as a wife (whether we like it or not), we will be the main actor that will keep our marriage (I actually disagree with this). My mom also emphasized that as a couple, we should build a closer relationship with God, for as we draw closer to God, our relationship also strengthens.

In my perception, no relationship or marriage in particular that is made in heaven. Every couple experiences various problems. For a wife like me, maybe one way or another, we already have several questions and experiences that we try to answer and find remedies all by ourselves especially that as an army wife, my husband and I barely see each other. If you have the same sentiments or almost similar feelings like mine, the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" is a good buy for you then (it is for me).

Copyright 1997

     "The Power of a Praying Wife" was written by the best-selling author Stormie Omartian, who primarily wrote The Power of Praying Series. I’m just not sure when the first copyright was published but what I am sure of is that, this book stayed to be in the best-selling years for nine (9) years (quite long huh?). The book originally costs about $15.00 (Php 660.00). Luckily I was able to purchase a second hand copy (which is still in very good condition) of the book for only Php 115.00. The book was not as fancy as I thought but upon browsing its contents/pages, I already knew that this book will be one of my favorites.

          The book is composed of 30 chapters filled up with meaty insights and lessons that Omartian herself experienced. I believe the author focused on what a typical wife does when being battled by various marriage difficulties. She managed to emphasize the question, what do we have to do when having problems with our husband, his work, his health, his attitude, finances, priorities, sexuality, affection, temptations, mind, fears, choices, fatherhood etc. The author also admitted that she is just but human that she first tried arguing, pleading, ignoring, confronting and the ever womanly attitude of being silent in facing these problems. Omartian stated that it also took her sometime to realize that by praying first, these dreadful moments may be avoided. In this book, Omartian shared how her own marriage grew strong as she started lifting her concerns about her husband to God.

        This 203-pager book is a must-read for all wives. As an army wife, this continuously helps me in reminding me how to help, understand and support my husband in his profession. This already serve like a lifetime reference. This is also highly recommended for all the wives experiencing marital problems and even those who are already on the brink of divorce, annulment or separation. Aside from this, it is an enlightening book for the newlyweds and women who are already on planning stage of marriage. A must-read and must-keep book, “The Power of a Praying Wife.”

  

Sweet and Spicy Crabs

     Here is my Good Friday treat for my family last 06 April 2012.

prepared ingredients
Ingredients:
6 crabs medium sized
1 tsp cayenne pepper powder
1 whole native garlic minced
1 whole native red onions minced
1 thumb-sized ginger minced
1 tbsp salt
1 cup of water
1/3 butter
3 tbsp spoon olive oil
4 tbsp brown sugar
onion leaves
7-8 pieces of almond nuts crushed

Procedure:
1. Wash crabs. Half cook then set aside.
2. Heat up olive oil and butter in a pan. Saute garlic, ginger and native onions until golden brown.
3. Add cayenne pepper powder, salt, sugar and water. Wait until it simmers.
4. Put crabs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
5. Set aside the crabs if the sauce is still watery. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens.
6. Mix the onion leaves with the sauce.
7. Place the crabs on a serving dish, pour the sauce then the onion leaves.
8. Top the crabs with crushed almond nuts. Serve.

Almost done...

My finished product.
     This recipe costs about Php 400.00 to Php 450.00 and this is good for 3-4 persons. Happy eating!!!

08 April 2012

Sinigang na Ulo ng Maya-Maya

  My family do not actually commemorate Holy Week since it is not a part of our religious belief. But since my parents belong to Roman Catholic Church, my husband and I opted to just cook seafood dishes over the long weekend. Here is  my recipe for Thursday (05 April 2012):

Ingredients:

1 1/4 kilo of Maya-Maya Head
Bunch of Kamote Tops
3 pieces of medium sized eggplant (sliced)
1 radish (sliced)
1 whole native red onions (chopped)
1 whole native garlic (minced)
2 pieces of medium sized tomatoes (sliced)
thumb sized ginger (sliced)
5 cups of water
2 tbsp of rock salt
1/4 sampaloc
2 tbsp palm oil

Procedure:

1. Heat up the cooking oil.
2. Saute garlic, onions and ginger.
3. Add the fish head and tomatoes then pour water. Simmer for about 5-8 minutes.
4. Add salt and sampaloc. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
5. When the fish is already soft, place the eggplant, radish and the kamote tops.
6. Serve.

     You may also add okra and may also use kangkong instead of kamote tops depending on your taste. This recipe costs about One Hundred Pesos (Php 100.00) only. Have a happy eating!

waiting to simmer
finish product
my number 1 patronizer (my husband ^_^)




02 April 2012

Fifteen-Day Breather


     For my nine years in the active service (to include my cadetship), this was the very first time I availed for RNR (rest and recreation). Anticipating that I may be reassigned in NCR in a couple of week’s time, I grabbed the chance to spend quality time with my son. Supposedly, my husband and I will be having our RNR together but due to the exigencies of our chosen profession, I had to go first while he just availed for the first two weeks of April. A fifteen-day break may seem long, but for a working mom like me, every minute is important. Below is my schedule on how I spent my fifteen-day breather.

First Day:
-Traveled from Baguio City to Pangasinan.
-Church call with my son.
-Full-time yaya/cook.
(Enjoying!)

Second Day:
-Full-time yaya/cook.
-Entertained some visitors (my cousins actually).
-Mani-pedi.

Third Day:
-Hubby's finance manager.
-Full-time yaya/cook.

Fourth Day:
-Finalized pedia appointment.
-Mommy-baby grocery time.
-Cooked Mac n’ Cheese.

Fifth Day:
-Malling privilege with Echo.

Sixth Day:
-Church Call with Echo.

Seventh Day:
-Mommy-baby day.

Eighth Day:
-Grocery.

Ninth Day:
-Solo church call.
-Market encounter day.

Tenth Day:
-Received a call regarding my reassignment.
-Mommy, Echo and Wowa day out.

Eleventh Day:
-Visited the office.
-Mommy-baby day.

Twelfth Day:
-Baguio with cousins.
-Baguio night market.

Thirteenth Day:
-Church call with Echo.

Fourteenth Day:
-Mani-pedi.
-Mommy-baby day out.

Fifteenth Day:
-Hubby went home earlier than expected (surprise!).
-Echo’s last dose of PCV.
-My cousin’s wedding.
-Family day out at Leisure Coast Resort.

       Definitely my fifteen-day break was filled of bonding time with my baby. Just playing around and observing how receptive my son is as he grows each day, makes my day. For a working mom like me, aside from love, time is the best thing I can give to my family.

          As the holy week approaches, another family time awaits us. To my readers, may all of you have a fruitful and fun family bonding experience…God Bless!




Chikita