This is a guide for those who wants to venture into baking for the first time. Every baker must begin somewhere. If you are just starting to bake, it would be better if you will follow the recipe verbatim and not improvise. Here are tips you should now before going into a recipe.
1. Read the recipe thoroughly so that way you will have an idea of what ingredients and tools to use.
2. Pull out all the ingredients and tools that you are going to use so that you will not miss any ingredient. And also check the expiry date of the ingredients that you will use. Use fresh ingredients.
3. Bring cold ingredients to room temperature and store them on a counter several hours prior to baking.
4. Grease baking pan or put parchment paper on it. This will save you also from burnt, sticky or broken confections. Cleaning will be a breeze too.
5. Preheat the oven before you put anything to it. It would be better if you have an oven thermometer for the exact temperature that a recipe calls for.
6. Use different measuring cups for liquid and dry ingredients.
7. Sift dry ingredients to get rid of any lumps and clumps.
8. Crack eggs in a separate bowl to avoid it from tainting with rotten egg.
9. Combine ingredients according to the recipe.
10. Before inserting the pan into the oven, set the timer first.
Once you follow all these it will be easier to make desserts. Happy Baking! :)
Friday, May 16, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Fall in love with Yourself
After getting hurt and heartbroken, I decided to keep myself away from loving someone. Because I believe I am not ready yet. I want to fall in love when I am ready, not when I am alone and lonely. I don't want to get into a rebound relationship that will turn out to be another heartbreak. I am not the kind of girl who would easily fall for anyone. I believe I need to take my time to get myself together before starting a new relationship.
I must learn to love myself first. I need to do this alone. The more I allow myself to be independent, the freer I become. I stopped seeing myself as the world told me I should be, instead saw myself in the light of who I was made to be. I began to feel whole. Why didn't I do this before? It should have been different.
I was so busy finding someone to love me, that I have forgotten about the person I need to love first - myself. Loving myself is the key to improve all the relationships in my life.
How to love yourself and follow your heart;
1. Learn to accept yourself.
Think of anything that you are grateful for. Focus on your positive qualities, your strengths, and your admirable traits. Let go of negative thoughts and hatred. Increase your self worth.
2. Spend more time focusing on self love
Nourish yourself with love. Pamper yourself or do what you love that makes you feel compassion and love toward yourself.
3. Give yourself a break
Be willing to embrace your imperfections and excuse your bad days. Love your strengths and weaknesses. It is important to own them for a perfect balance.
4. Be comfortable with yourself
Practice moments of alone time and be aware of how you treat yourself. Learn to embrace solitude. Have regular dates with yourself. Be contented being alone without any fear, anxiety and judgment.
5. Be grateful
Always find something to be thankful for each day and regularly count your blessings. When you are thankful for the things you have no matter how small it may be, you will see it increase. It will allow you to focus on all the good things in your life instead of the bad things.
6. Be inspired. Follow your heart.
When the going gets tough be sure to maintain the things in your life that makes you happy and fulfilled. It will help you running again.
You will realize you don't need someone to complete you. You are already complete. A relationship with someone will only make you shine brighter and bring more love into your life.
I must learn to love myself first. I need to do this alone. The more I allow myself to be independent, the freer I become. I stopped seeing myself as the world told me I should be, instead saw myself in the light of who I was made to be. I began to feel whole. Why didn't I do this before? It should have been different.
I was so busy finding someone to love me, that I have forgotten about the person I need to love first - myself. Loving myself is the key to improve all the relationships in my life.
How to love yourself and follow your heart;
1. Learn to accept yourself.
Think of anything that you are grateful for. Focus on your positive qualities, your strengths, and your admirable traits. Let go of negative thoughts and hatred. Increase your self worth.
2. Spend more time focusing on self love
Nourish yourself with love. Pamper yourself or do what you love that makes you feel compassion and love toward yourself.
3. Give yourself a break
Be willing to embrace your imperfections and excuse your bad days. Love your strengths and weaknesses. It is important to own them for a perfect balance.
4. Be comfortable with yourself
Practice moments of alone time and be aware of how you treat yourself. Learn to embrace solitude. Have regular dates with yourself. Be contented being alone without any fear, anxiety and judgment.
5. Be grateful
Always find something to be thankful for each day and regularly count your blessings. When you are thankful for the things you have no matter how small it may be, you will see it increase. It will allow you to focus on all the good things in your life instead of the bad things.
6. Be inspired. Follow your heart.
When the going gets tough be sure to maintain the things in your life that makes you happy and fulfilled. It will help you running again.
You will realize you don't need someone to complete you. You are already complete. A relationship with someone will only make you shine brighter and bring more love into your life.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The 18 Months
A new study says that it takes a typical person approximately 18 months to feel ready to move on after a break up or a lost loved one. Certain things need an expiration date, there is a time we need to be done with them and throw them away. But does grief have an expiration date?
I don't know yet if it's true or not. Well, let's see, If I can surpass this grief after 18 months. If it was only that simple. Hoping that there would be an expiration date for grief so that I would be able to move forward happily. What a wonderful world it would be.
Coz, I have lost a loved one way back January of 2013. So, it's been 16 months. I admit that until now, I can still feel pain whenever I remember the memories. It's not easy to get over someone you love and has been a big part of your life, right?
Surviving each passing day is like a battlefield. Trying to get my mind busy so that I won't feel bored or alone is not easy. I am really thankful for friends and family who uplifts my mood and makes me feel loved. It's been difficult for me to stand still and feel crack.
This is what I know to be true...
Grief is a life long journey. An emotional handicap I get up and live everyday. It does not mean I can't lead a happy life, it is a choice and it takes work. The intensity of grief should lessen over time, but the reality still is every now and then, I feel those pangs.
There is no expiration date for grief. Sadly, it never goes away. But it does not mean that I can't live a happy and productive life. It just means that the love I have shared with a lost loved one, doesn't have an expiration date.
In order to surpass grief, I must go through it, not around it. No matter how painful it is, that is exactly what I must do. I don't have any choice at all. Because no shortcut is without it's share of obstruction.
By going through the intense pain. I will surface as a strong person ready to tackle problem heads on.
I don't know yet if it's true or not. Well, let's see, If I can surpass this grief after 18 months. If it was only that simple. Hoping that there would be an expiration date for grief so that I would be able to move forward happily. What a wonderful world it would be.
Coz, I have lost a loved one way back January of 2013. So, it's been 16 months. I admit that until now, I can still feel pain whenever I remember the memories. It's not easy to get over someone you love and has been a big part of your life, right?
Surviving each passing day is like a battlefield. Trying to get my mind busy so that I won't feel bored or alone is not easy. I am really thankful for friends and family who uplifts my mood and makes me feel loved. It's been difficult for me to stand still and feel crack.
This is what I know to be true...
Grief is a life long journey. An emotional handicap I get up and live everyday. It does not mean I can't lead a happy life, it is a choice and it takes work. The intensity of grief should lessen over time, but the reality still is every now and then, I feel those pangs.
There is no expiration date for grief. Sadly, it never goes away. But it does not mean that I can't live a happy and productive life. It just means that the love I have shared with a lost loved one, doesn't have an expiration date.
In order to surpass grief, I must go through it, not around it. No matter how painful it is, that is exactly what I must do. I don't have any choice at all. Because no shortcut is without it's share of obstruction.
By going through the intense pain. I will surface as a strong person ready to tackle problem heads on.
Forever Blue
When I was searching over the internet, I came across this; "The reality is you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same again. Nor should be the same again. Nor should you want to." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. And it struck me really hard. It felt like my heart skipped and my chest tightened. It still hurts when I remember what happened to him.
Last year, the worst day in my life happened. It was the 18th of January 2013 at around 1 a.m., when my life suddenly turned upside down. At first, It felt like it didn't happened or maybe I didn't want to accept it. I might have been numb. I just want to escape the pain.
We mourned the death of a loved one. During those time, I felt the love and support of many as I moved forward into the following days and weeks. And I am very thankful to all those who helped and mourned with me and his family. But the truth is that he was really and truly gone. His presence, his sweet voice, his warm hugs and silly noises, his joyful smile and giggles, all were no longer accessible in a real and physical sense. And it was difficult for us to accept it.
After a few weeks, the uplifting support receded, and I began to feel some strong and surprising feelings; Despair, Anger and Desertion. Sometimes, I am still angry. I don't remember when grief first washed over me and knocked me down. So many questions then came running through my mind; What could I do now? How could I go forward and surmount this tragedy? But through the overwhelming support of our family, friends and relatives, I was able to surpass it. I didn't let negative feelings succumb me for the sake of my baby and family. I fought daily to be happy.
He is no longer here and I can't change that fact. Just thinking about it makes me weep. It's amazing for me that I survived that day. It's amazing for me that I've survived more than a year of grief. And still coping with it at times. Through this, I was able to release what I feel and it makes me feel better.
What I can do is choose to walk with grief and live my life to the fullest and with a purpose. No matter how good or bad it is, I must wake up each day thankful for my life, because someone somewhere else is desperately fighting to live and be brave.
Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. It's not what the world takes away from you that counts; it's what you do with what you have left.
Last year, the worst day in my life happened. It was the 18th of January 2013 at around 1 a.m., when my life suddenly turned upside down. At first, It felt like it didn't happened or maybe I didn't want to accept it. I might have been numb. I just want to escape the pain.
We mourned the death of a loved one. During those time, I felt the love and support of many as I moved forward into the following days and weeks. And I am very thankful to all those who helped and mourned with me and his family. But the truth is that he was really and truly gone. His presence, his sweet voice, his warm hugs and silly noises, his joyful smile and giggles, all were no longer accessible in a real and physical sense. And it was difficult for us to accept it.
After a few weeks, the uplifting support receded, and I began to feel some strong and surprising feelings; Despair, Anger and Desertion. Sometimes, I am still angry. I don't remember when grief first washed over me and knocked me down. So many questions then came running through my mind; What could I do now? How could I go forward and surmount this tragedy? But through the overwhelming support of our family, friends and relatives, I was able to surpass it. I didn't let negative feelings succumb me for the sake of my baby and family. I fought daily to be happy.
He is no longer here and I can't change that fact. Just thinking about it makes me weep. It's amazing for me that I survived that day. It's amazing for me that I've survived more than a year of grief. And still coping with it at times. Through this, I was able to release what I feel and it makes me feel better.
What I can do is choose to walk with grief and live my life to the fullest and with a purpose. No matter how good or bad it is, I must wake up each day thankful for my life, because someone somewhere else is desperately fighting to live and be brave.
Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. It's not what the world takes away from you that counts; it's what you do with what you have left.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
I am proud of #Bantayan Island because it's my mother's hometown. My grandparents and other relatives lived there. We always go there since I was a kid. Everyone says it is the perfect place to #beach bum. It is located in the northern end of Cebu City.
From #Bacolod City, one can ride the Ceres bus at North Terminal airport going to #Cadiz City for the ferry boat or the other way in #Sagay City to ride a pump boat. My mother's family is located in Obo-ob so whenever we go there we stayed at my grandparents house or at times in a resort.
One of the nicest and popular resort there is Santa Fe Beach, cottages got the beach front view, you'll see paradise right away. The beach is so clean, the vast white sand shore and clear waters looked so calming.
Going around the city was easy since the roads were smooth and well paved. There were trees all over and in some areas. The roads were quiet and peaceful, the breeze felt so fresh. #Bantayan is also a fishing village, the different kinds of fish was so cheap, a kilo of fish would cost less than a hundred.
Bantayan's laid back feel makes it the perfect place to forget about everything, do nothing and relax.
#bantayanisland #beach #philippines #santafe #hometown
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| bantayan map |
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| bantayan port |
#bantayanisland #beach #philippines #santafe #hometown
Friday, January 17, 2014
Bacolaodiat 2014
Everyone is now excited for the coming Bacolaodiat 2014 in Bacolod City, Philippines. It's #Chinese New Year celebration. It will be on January 30 until February 1. The festival will be on it's 9th year this 2014 year of the Wooden Horse. There are different events every night.
January 30 ( Thursday)
3 pm Dazzling Grand Parade - 21st Lacson St. to North Capital Road
4 pm Street Dance Competition - Lacson St.
5 pm Ribbon Cutting (Chopstick Alley Opening) - North Capital Road
5 - 9 pm Opening of Bacolaodiat Imperial Grounds - PNB Park
9 pm Symphony of Lights and Spark, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Caravan - North Capitol Road
11:30 pm Ceremonial Beating of the Drum - Yuan Thong Temple
3 pm Chinese Alley - North Capital Road
Robinsons Chinese Cuisine Cook off - Robinsons Place
4 pm Canon Photography Contest - Lacson St.
5 - 9 pm Bacolaodiat Imperial Grounds - PNB park
6 pm Lantern Dance Competition - Lacson St.
7 pm Live Band ( Asia Brewery Night ) - North Capitol Road
Tsinoy Reunion - Bacolod Pavilion
9 pm Symphony of Lights and Sparks - North Capitol Road
10 pm Live Band - North Capitol Road
February 1 ( Saturday )
4 pm Chopstick Alley - North Capitol Road
Parade of Mascots
1st Robinsons Chinese Singing Contest - Robinsons Place
5 - 9 pm Bacolaodiat Imperial Grounds - PNB park
5 pm GMA Kapuso Night - North Capitol Road
6 pm St. John's Institute Night - Lacson St
8:30 pm Awarding and Closing Ceremony - North Capitol Road
9 pm Symphony of Lights and Sparks - North Capitol Road
10 pm Live Band - North Capitol Road
Bacolaodiat is from the term "Baco" for Bacolod City and "Lao" a Chinese-Hokian term which means celebration. Come and celebrate with us the Chinese New Year at the North Capitol Road , Lacson Streets and the Bacolod Public Plaza.
9 pm Symphony of Lights and Sparks - North Capitol Road
10 pm Live Band - North Capitol Road
Let's all have a "Pa Keh Lao Diat" which means hundreds families celebrating. See you there.
Caribbean Waterpark and Resotel in Bacolod City, Philippines
Set in prime location of #Bacolod City is the #Caribbean Waterpark and Resotel. It is exactly located in #Golden Field commercial complex, Barangay Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
It has 3 inviting landscape pool with two big water slides and an outdoor Jacuzzi. They also have free private parking and a 24 hour restaurant. There are also picnic tables and chairs for the guest.
These are my friends, we just stayed here for a day to celebrate the birthday of one of our friends.
There are also nipa huts for rent. Guest can also stay overnight for they have air conditioned rooms. You can also celebrate birthdays or events here for they have function halls. And of course, a fully air conditioned #pirate chamber restaurant which is open 24 hours a day. Entrance fee is 120 pesos.
#Swimming with girlfriends.
So, when you're in Bacolod try to visit Caribbean Waterpark and Resotel and take a dip in their pool or try their foods. For any information or reservation just call the resort phone number 034-709-6059.
Dinagsa 2012 in Cadiz City Philippines
We traveled from the Ceres Liner north terminal in #Bacolod City to #Cadiz. It was an hour and a half bus ride. To enjoy the 38th #Dinagsa Festival in Cadiz City.
This celebration honors it's patron Saint #Santo Niño de Cadiz every January. It's a week long celebration with the rhythmic beating of drums. Performers are painted in black portraying an "ati" performing rituals and dancing in #celebration of the feast of #Sto. Niño.
One of the most exciting activity in the festival is #"Lamhitanay" where people are roaming around the streets of #Cadiz to smother and wipe among each other.
So prepare to get dirty as saying "no" or getting angry at them is sort of an insult, giving a bad vibe to the festivity. Just bring an extra shirt and towels with you. If you don't like this, better stay at home.
We really had a great time here. We were covered with different colors of #paint and we danced to the beat of the drums. Everyone looks messy and dirty but this is not something we experience often, just once in a year so we just enjoyed this festivity.
Till the next #Dinagsa festival.
Pandanon Valley Resort in Murcia City
One good and near place in Bacolod City is the Pandanon Valley Resort which is located in Barangay Pandanon Silos, #Murcia and near Don Salvador Benedicto. About one hour outside of Bacolod.
#Pandanon is a #nature resort. It has a beautiful mountain scenery and a clear mountain spring. A great place to take a dip or a swim. There were also wild monkeys but they did not bother us or the guest who goes there.
Entrance fee is 20 pesos for adults and 15 pesos for children.
Overnight cottages cost 800 pesos to 1,500 pesos
There are also hut cottages for day use.
We enjoyed the clear flowing river, the very cold pool, the cool ambiance, the hospitable hosts and the nature views all around the resort.
My youngest sister, Cathy, taking a picture near the pool.
For more detailed information about the resort. You can contact them at 034-434-9463.
Mag-Aso Falls in Kabankalan City
September 21, 2011 was a blast. We went to #Mag-Aso Falls in #Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental #Philippines. We really had a great time.
Our trip started at 10 in the morning from South Terminal in Bacolod City where we rode a #Ceres Bus going to Kabankalan City via Dumaguete-Mabinay route. The price was 120 for air conditioned bus and 90 pesos for non air conditioned. The bus had a stop over at Kabankalan Bus terminal then we got off at Barangay Oringao old public market in Kabankalan.
Our trip started at 10 in the morning from South Terminal in Bacolod City where we rode a #Ceres Bus going to Kabankalan City via Dumaguete-Mabinay route. The price was 120 for air conditioned bus and 90 pesos for non air conditioned. The bus had a stop over at Kabankalan Bus terminal then we got off at Barangay Oringao old public market in Kabankalan.
Then we rented a motorcycle for 100 pesos, 25 pesos per person to take us to #Mag-Aso Falls. 4 people could fit in one motorcycle.
When we arrived we where welcomed with a sign (shown in the picture above). It's major attractions are it's mini falls and the 75 foot main falls that drop into a clear pool. One can also take a swim in their spring water pool or can take a short walk going down the falls. It was breathtaking.
The rates are as follows as of June 2013
entrance fee : 50 pesos per person
overnight fee: 1,000 pesos good for 2
Additional fee of 200 pesos for excess person (maximum of 4 person per room)
regular cottage: 200 pesos
When we left, there were no means of transportation so we had to walk down the hill. I don't exactly know how many kilometers we had to walk but it was very long and tiring. It was one hell of an adventure. Had so much fun.
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