Christmas 2009

Wish you all the best for the holiday season.

Jo & Family in NYC

Catherine & Sam

lovely couple- Jo & Ellery

Good-looking Family

in NYC

Then & Now

Mt. Freeman, Colorado

Our living room

Me & Melissa

A Visitor from the US of A

Bong & Winwin

Joe & Maria plus mee

Pat, Maria & Joe

Joe with Edna & Pat

Special Chinese dinner

Melisa, Vince, Me, Joe & Bong


We were treated to a Chinese dinner by Maria special friend - Joe from Alabama

Activities

Catherine

At the wake of Lolo Puri (Gladys Dad) last April. Win-win/Kassim (UST NCAA player) mee/Chu/Pat/Ed

My neice Melissa- beauty & brain ba?

My 18th Anniversary

May 16, 2009 was my 18th anniversary as peri-ampullary cancer survivor. I missed blogging it in May 'cause our internet connection was disconnected and I was indisposed for the past few months. Now I'm back with a new internet provider.

I consulted my doctor and had several blood tests but the results were okay except for my cholesterol and blood sugar - not quite high 'cause my HBAIC was 8 although the normal level was 6. My weight has dropped this is what I'm worried about. I have a good appetite though but I am controlling my food intake because of my diabetes.

Anyway, I am grateful to our dear Lord for giving me another chance to live in this world. The journey is not over yet. My attitude has changed me in many ways - like appreciating the simple little things in life.

Happy Mother's Day

This poem is for my late Mother

There are times when only a Mother's love can understand our tears,

can soothe our disappointments and calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's love can share the joy we feel.

When something we've dreamed about quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's faith can help us on life's way and inspire in

us the confidence we need from day to day.

For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith and a Mother's steadfast love were

fashioned by the Angels and sent from God above.

Thank you Nay...

Surigao

Cebu Pacific flight to Butuan

Tago Beach Surigao Sur

Tanguigue Fish ready for making "Kilawin"

Floating Rest. in Bon-ot Carrascal

Noventa highway

Noventa 90

Mount Noventa (90) mountainouos highway dividing the provinces of Surigao del Norte (Surigao City Capital) and Surigao del Sur(Tandag Capital).

My cousins spent the Holy Week in Surigao del Sur, visiting my relatives, swimming on the beautiful beaches-unspoilt and undiscovered by tourists.

Family Outing

They have fun at Splash Mountain Resort without me. I was left home alone reflecting my life on Easter Sunday.

Pat

Bong, Chu & Pat

Vince in bad mood

Ming

Window

The group - Front: Ming, Chu, Pat Back: Gladys, Bong & Bing

Summer Outing on Easter Sunday

Giant water slides

Kiddie Pools

Parking areas

Splash Mountain Resort in Brgy Lalakay, Los Baños, Laguna. Los Baños is famous for its mineral hot spring water oozing from Mount Makiling (a long dead volcano).

There are hot spring pools of different sizes, cottages, giant waterslides, huts, picnic tables and other amenities. If you want to experience hot water springs in nearby Manila, this is the place for you which is about two hours drive from Metro Manila, this is the best place to beat the summer heat.

Our Shop

Meeh

Our Computer Shop (click photos to enlarge)

Finally I was able to post some photos of our shop.

Recognition Day

Mathematics Contestants at University of the Philippines (Click photos to enlarge)

Third Honor 3rd Year high school 2009

Best in Mathematics and Art Gold & Bronze Awardee

My nephew Patrick Recognition Day on March 27, 2009 at Immaculate Montessori School

Our Ancestral House

This is our ancestral house built in the early 1940's in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. The 2-storey wooden house occupies a 500 sqm lot in Cantilan situated along the main street. The house is made of narra, mahogany, and other hardwood materials. It is a typical Spanish-Filipino design.

The house has old tables, chairs, four-poster beds, windows, ceilings, large mirrors etc. The living room is spacious, the flooring is made of hardwood called "mulawin" natural shiny and the colors are black & yellow. The Aparadors belonged to my lola and another one owned by my Mother with her name crafted on it. The windows are made of capiz shells, the ceilings or kisame were imported from China.

My great grandpa was one of the original Chinese merchants from Amoy, China. This is the home to 3 generations of the clan. We traced its history back to Don Miguel Yu. There are 3 double doors in the front of the house. Entrance is at the middle and side front doors. The wide wooden staircase are with balusters at both sides of the stairs and decorated with shells called Tambuli.

The balcony, devoid of paint, was originally painted green & white. The window panels are made of Capiz shells. There is a wide wooden staircase with balusters at both sides of the stairs and decorated with shells called Tambuli. Two large heavy doorways to the left goes to living room and to the right goes to the dining room, then to the kitchen. The bedrooms are curtained. The living room is full of antiques. Antique marble round table is at the center of the room. Living quarters are on the 2nd floor. The ground floor was a bodega where palay and corn were stored. The other part was used as a dress shop.

Some of my friends have stayed in Cantilan and others left this town and lived abroad, and has married and raised their families somewhere, some have continued visiting their hometown during fiestas, christmas, family & school reunions, summer vacation etc.

There are few old ancestral houses that were restored here and we have plans of restoring this beautiful house and retire here one day soon.

Marble Pound Cake

Tube Pan

MARBLE POUND CAKE
I made a Marble Pound Cake today using a 10-inch tube pan instead of a loaf pan and it turned out well.
Here's the recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 ounces chocolate bittersweet, melted & cooled

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 deg. Butter a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix and beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, add vanilla and mix gently.

Transfer half of the mixture in another bowl and add the melted chocolate. Blend well.

Alternate large spoonful of dark and light batters in the pan. To marble: Run a knife through the batters. Bake for about 45-50 minutes. Remove cake from oven and let cool and rest for about 30 minutes. Run a knife both sides of the pan and turn the cake out to cool.