less fuss baked scallop February 3, 2010

I was able to purchase some scallops from the grocery in the special’s aisle so decided to cook baked scallop for dinner. As my traditional bakes scallop recipe would call for, it would be the creamy type cheese that is melted beforehand mixed with cream and garlic before putting on top of the scallop and baking it in the oven until cheese bubbles and color turns to golden brown. However it was so much hassle that thinking about it discourages me from baking the scallop. I had to research on the net on what better way to bake the scallop without the hassle. So here goes:

softened butter mixed with minced garlic plus salt and pepper to taste.
wrap it in cling wrap and form it into a log. refrigerate for easy slicing.

grate some cheese and mix with breadcrumbs.

preheat oven to 220

to assemble….
place thinly sliced garlic butter on each scallop which have been cooked for a minute in boiling water.
top with cheese and breadcrumb mixture and bake in oven until golden brown.
that’s it!

It’s that easy and they loved it=)

my easy french toast recipe January 26, 2010

I have been craving for french toast but always set it on the back of my head because of the hassle of cooking it. Just last night however I promised my son I will make him some french toast for breakfast. Just as I was about to start my son woke up after realizing I wasnt sleeping by his side anymore and headed straight to the kitchen (he always knows that’s where he would find me). He then took a chair and started whisking the eggs. I do want to encourage him to help me out in the cooking although I find at times that he’s making a mess instead of really helping out. anyway too much for that. here is my french toast recipe=)

ingredients:
2 eggs
2/3 milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
bananas (optional) for toppings
icing sugar (optional) for dusting
maple syrup
butter

here’s the deal..just mix the first 4 ingredients and dunk bread in.
heat pan and put butter,make sure pan is very hot then cook the bread in the pan then voila french toast!

dress your french toast with whatever you want=) enjoy=)

Am I a bad mother? January 15, 2010

Don’t get me wrong. I love my family and my kids mean the world to me but I’m starting to miss work. Yeah laugh all you want… not a lot of people would feel the same way I do. I’m counting the days when I will be back on my desk working. I admit a few months back I wanted to have my leave and not look back but ironic as it may seem…I’m missing it…

So I ask myself? am I a bad mother for wanting to leave my daughter at the daycare while I work? It’s not like I’m neglecting her or anything. The daycare I will be leaving my little angel is just the next building where I work and that would just be so convenient. I can just pop in to see her anytime. It’s perfect! for me that is…

It’s just that when I look at myself in the mirror, I see a person who has neglected oneself in exchange for taking care of the kids. It should’nt be that way right? On my birthday just last month, I promised myself to take care of myself again. I used to make an excuse that I can’t take care of myself because I have a lot already on my hands. I guess that is just something I tell myself so I can turn away at what I have become.

I’m starting to put on some makeup again. not drastic! just a dab of lipstick and some cheekstain…. If I am back at work again, I can work on my outfit too and not just wear boxer shorts and shirts whole day which makes me feel too comfortable in my flabby body. It’s time I get back in track.. I owe it to myself and to my family. So tell me am I being a bad mother?

Nada! January 8, 2010

its been awhile since i had the chance to write here. it’s like i have left my baby and wondering what’s up? Before my little cheska, my world revolved around my family of 3 and my blog..my project..my baby. This is my way to connect to myself, my own being, my world. It makes me release my thoughts to someone like a window to who I am and who I want to be. A couple of months of no entry is like a missing page to a story so colorful and alive. I make an excuse that I am busy…true but that’s not an excuse. So… I write….with no sense again but I am happy to be able to connect….
My little cheska is in my arms while I try to make sense of this. Its not easy to multitask mind you but i try. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. We will see….

My Daughters Arrival October 27, 2009

Last Monday, October 19,2009, after 3 days of overdue on the expected date of delivery my baby finally decided to come out. My waterbag broke at exactly 1:05am and had contractions at 2:00am. I was excited at the same time scared. This was my first time having a baby in a different country and at the same time hopefully my last. The pain was unbearable around 6:00am and because I have to wait when morning came I was on the verge of crying everytime a contraction was on its way. It was like expecting for the pain to come any minute soon after.
I had asked my husband to still go to work and just come back for me at 8:00am. So he went his way and by 8am I was calling him every minute telling him to hurry up. The modwife called at 8am and I insisted that I go to the hospital already. When my midwife checked me in the hospital, she told me I was just 3cm dilated and I was disappointed as I wanted to get it over and done with. She gave me an injection to make me sleep but I could not sleep because of the pain. So she asked that I have an ultrasound as I was also diagnosed with placenta previa, by the time I was on the ultrasound room I was in 2nd stage labour and had the urge to push. Panic arised as my midwife told me not to and to wait when I get back to the room! The feeling was of utter confusion as I was trying to control myself from pushing but my body was not giving in. It was like talking to the devil and the angel. hahahha what a description.
Anyway I was able to stop myself from delivering my baby in the ultrasound room but I was shaking so badly from the pain. When I got back to the room I was already pushing as hard as I can and in to make the story short delivered the most beautiful baby I could possibly have. She was so small and fragile. My husband cut the chord and took some pictures. It was such a wonderful experience and it was more special because my husband shared the experience with our son.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction October 8, 2009

Has anyone heard of this before? I did’nt until it happened to me. I never thought there was such a thing until I complained to my midwife about my pelvic pain and she told me I had Pubic Symphisis Dysfyunction. Huh??? what was that again? I had to ask as I felt it was funny.

According to babyworld:
Although it appears to be a firmly fixed circle of bone, the pelvis is actually four separate bones jointed together – the sacrum and coccyx at the back and at the sides the two hip bones which curve around to meet at the front. These are joined at the front by the symphysis pubis.

“In pregnancy the hormone relaxin is released to soften the joints in preparation for the birth of your baby, but in around one in 35 women the hormone causes the ligaments to soften and stretch too much and become painful,” says Ann Johnson, superintendent physiotherapist in women’s health at Leeds General Infirmary.

It is normal for there to be a gap of 4-5mm between the two pubic points at the symphysis pubis joint and during any pregnancy this widens by another 2-3mm. If this gap widens more than this pain may occur and in some cases a severe form of the condition called diastasis symphysis pubis is diagnosed.

The job of the symphysis pubis joint is to hold the pelvis steady when we’re using our legs, and if the ligaments have softened or stretched too much it won’t work properly and strain is put on the other pelvic joints, causing pain.”

“OUCH” that’s all I can say. At first I thought this was just the case of working too hard at home and in the office. Having no one to rely on but ourselves, we have to do the housechores right? but anyway its not the case its all about the hormones that we produce specifically the hormone “relaxin”.

I had to go to a physiotherapist to aid me with my distress only to find out that they can’t do anything except to provide me with a belt to wrap around my pelvic area. Anyway I am 39 weeks and counting and the pain is unbearable as of the moment. There is no such thing as medicine for the pain except panadol which I personally do not want to take.

Yesterday, wanting so desperately to give birth already decided to have a 1hour walk with my husband and son at the park. After doing that and having dinner decided to rest but when I got up to go to the toiletuthe pain was unbearable. I could not walk. My husband had to carry me to and from the toilet. I guess the only remedy for having this problem is not to overdo things. It’s not something that you can just ignore. So to all those pregnant women who have the same problem as I have, take care and good luck! That is all I can say. Do post some of your experiences. It helps to know that you are not alone=)

My own pan de sal September 24, 2009

For the love of food and having nothing much to do. I decided to make pan de sal. My husband would have said…”Not again?!!?”. You see I torture him by forcing him to eat what I experiment when cooking and when he does not eat I give him the silent treatment. You get the picture?

Well, one thing I discovered is that yoghurt actually is good in baking or so I think it does. The last time I made pan de sal it was hard as a rock so imagine my husband’s horror when I told him I was going to make pan de sal so that he would have something to eat at work.

Good thing though, it was soft and yummy and no one complained at all=)
Here is the recipe. I used my breadmachine to mix and do the first rise of the dough. It will come out really wet after the rising and at first I was quite hesitant and worried that it was not pan de sal I was making but with a little flour and more kneading it turned out pretty well.

1/2 C water
1 C milk
1 egg
1/2 C sugar
3/4 tsp salt
5 tbsp softened butter
1 tbsp oil
4 C flour
3 tsp breadmachine yeast
1 tub strawberry yoghurt. (yes yoghurt, strawberry??? that’ my preference.you can use plain if you want)
breadcrumbs

1- combine water, milk and heat in microwave for 35 seconds.
make sure egg is at room temperature.
2- add ingredients to your breadmachine following manufacturers instruction on what order to put ingredients. mine says wet then dry ingredients leaving the yeast last and not touching the wet ingredients.
3- after breadmachine does its cycle. sprinkle some flour and knead the dough.
4- shape dough and cover with breadcrumbs.
5-slit the center of the dough and put on tray
6-let it rise the second time
7-bake in a preheated oven for 10-15 mins.

Enjoy!

My Little Angel’s 4D Scan July 1, 2009

shy baby

2nd attempt

3rd attempt

shy baby

2nd attempt

3rd attempt

On my 23 weeks of pregnancy, right after we were on vacation in the Philippines I decided to have an ultrasound again at Reflect Ultrasound just to see how the baby is.  I was not expecting a 4d scan as a friend of mine said its not yet available here in christchurch.  All I really wanted to know was how the baby is and if what the gender of the baby is.

I was already excited even a few weeks before the ultrasound.  It was like christmas again and I was a little child waiting to open my presents.  I did a little research on what the baby’s development should be.  At 23-24 weeks, I should expect the baby to be fully developed and what really concerned me most was if he/she was ok. 

We went their a bit early as I did not want to be late.  In a few minutes time and just as I was engrossed reading about angelina jolie and brad pitt, my name was called and we were lead to the room I had my ultrasound a few months back.

The sonographer checked the baby. I was really impressed as she really checked all the fingers, toes, heartbeat, kidneys,etc and was pleased with the result.  I asked if they have a 4D scan and luckily they said they had and if there was still time she would have some 4d scan of the baby.  Great! I said and after making sure that no defects were seen of the baby, I then asked what the gender was.  They dont tell you until you ask as some parents want it a surprise but in my case I wanted to know as soon as possible.  It’s a girls, she said and I was just so happy…. I was smiling from ear to ear.  Finally, a little Francesca I could call my own.

Then the sonographer did the 4D scan.  To my surprise, I saw a little replica of our little Nico right before my eyes.  Nothing could explain how I felt that time.  I have 2 angels now=) cant wait to welcome her in the world.

One of those days June 25, 2009

There is always one of those days when you just miss someone so much and your eyes start to water thinking about them.  Well it’s those dreaded days again when I miss my family in Cebu so much that I just can’t stop myself from shedding a tear.

Its the time when you regret moving away, regret what you thought was right for you.  I dread these days when I can’t breathe just thinking of them, how much happier we were all together.  I dread these days when all I want more than anything is to just go home and forget what I have planned for my future.

It will always have no end.  Nothing wont change.  There will always be those days.  I just miss them so much but what can I do?  I am miles and miles away….and nothing I can do but just remember those days when we were all happy.   Funny thing is, it makes it much harder for me.  Harder to deny the fact that I was much happier where I was than where I am.

It’s just one of those days…..

A realization June 23, 2009

A few weeks back, I went back to the Philippines to see my family.  The excitement was all there and I could not wait to see them.  But part of me was scared…..scared that after those six weeks I would feel the same feeling I felt 2 years ago.  A feeling of lose and sadness.

It was a very happy and joyous occassion indeed.  All was well planned out and we had the best time we could possibly imagine.  What was more visible was the look of my sons face everyday…of pure joy and hapiness of having to be in my families company.  Indeed, I knew there was going to be a problem as my son has asked that he stay behind while we come back to New Zealand.

It made me wonder then if my purpose of coming here has all been wasted.  Now my son has made a decision to never come back to what we now call home.  I know now what I was dreading to hear..My son was never happy here in New Zealand.  It was just a matter of just saying it in our face.

All I know is that I could never give my son what he wants now…and yes I am hurt seeing him not with the same smile he has been showing in the last 6 weeks.  I could never give him that…not now.  I do know that we will be saving up for a trip next year.  Still don’t know how we will manage but we will find ways to go home every year.  That I can promise!

I thank my family for all the hapiness and memories they have given us. No words can explain how I felt.  Indeed it is never easy to leave your family behind….but I have my reasons and I hope my son will understand someday.

Here are some pictures of the wonderful time we had…thanks guys!