Why children's shows are good for adults too...

While she was enjoying what she's seeing and hearing, she's completely unaware of me seeing and hearing what isn't too obviously shown. I didn't know I could learn a few life lessons by watching Playhouse Disney Channel's shows with my daughter Elle.

• It's quite OK to be silly, to laugh at ourselves. It is good to know that we accept ourselves for everything that we are, and better to know that our friends do too.
• Dancing is good for the body and the soul. Almost all of the shows involve dancing. It is a way of appreciating the music. Elle and I dance together, this way we bond. I can see she loves it when we dance as she's beaming and totally grooves her body.
• Go after your adventure. And not just the ones in the books.
• Sometimes, we can learn from our children. Fresh perspectives on situations sure are welcome, especially that which come from an innocent mind.
• Set aside a day for relaxation. Ideally, sitting under a tree with a pet or a book. Having a party by the beach. Setting up camp around a cheerful bonfire and telling each other stories.
• Enjoy each new experience. Whether it is having a seemingly weird pet, or a first time at a sleepover, there are ways to turn the anxiety into wonderful memories.
• It is fun to be with friends. This I cannot deny. While we discover and recover new and old things about them, inadvertently we do the same for ourselves also.

Food Experiment #5

I had corn coup cooked using boiled chicken bones as stock. I had the meaty parts removed and set aside for another dish so to maximize the chicken wings. I used the chicken meat to make this pasta dish with no name. The meat was rubbed with salt and pepper so it wouldn't be dry. I sauteed garlic and onions then added the chicken meat. When cooked, I added in cubed Spam, canned mushrooms and green bell peppers. I seasoned this mixture with salt and pepper. I turned off the fire then proceeded to cook the powdered Cream of Mushroom soup according to package instructions. The mixture was then poured into the soup. Cornstarch can be added to the sauce if it lacks thickness.

Trusting and Entrusting

photo source

As I sat contemplating on my gall bladder and liver problem after my lunch, our church's head Pastor's message came to my recollection. I have already heard him mention this twice on different services. Where do we put our trust? We entered the building, which houses the church and we trust the architect that the cement ceiling wouldn't fall down upon our heads. One of the band members sat under one of the speakers and he trusted that it wouldn't crash down upon him. As I sat on one of the pews, was I not worried it would give under my weight? Of course, it is not his intention to let us become paranoid! Pastor just wished to call to our attention the fact that these things are made by man, and we feel secure using them, what more that which is made by God?

How is this connected with my maladies, you ask? Well, I admit I haven't been praying much recently. And I know it is indecent of me to be starting on it again now that I am in trouble. The doctors I went to said that I should undergo surgery and have my gall bladder removed. I really do not want to be cut open again. And would my liver be cured by removing my gall bladder? Maybe not. I wouldn't want to be at the mercy of doctors with scalpels. That's the reason I tried the Apple Juice therapy, so the stones would leave the natural way. and the reason I am now taking Chinese herbal medicine. But the ones who introduced and made, respectively, are also humans, prone to making mistakes. And I know I needed God. I know that only He has the power to heal me, to make me well. It is Him that I needed to trust. I was made by Him, and He knows my anatomy more than I do.

Now that I have resolved to trust Him once more. I need to entrust myself to Him, too, along with all my problems and cares. Entrusting means fully handing over to God something that I cannot do anything about. It is beyond my capabilities. Worrying about it is unequal to entrusting. Sometimes I think too much about a challenge and it is admittedly quite unhealthy.

Typing it here makes me more decided to follow through: I am trusting God to heal me, and I entrust to Him my illness and all other worries.

Note: I am not saying I will escape surgery altogether. If the alternative ways fail to work, and if it is absolutely necessary, I am willing to undergo the ordeal.

A Change Of Role

The potty trainee becomes the trainer!

Ask Rhino

You're The 1, Goldilocks

Every time I walk by Goldilocks, I see pink and purple, the colors of its Rainbow cake. The only one of its kind in the country and the cake that attracts me the most because I find its colors cute. Another thing special about Goldilocks is that it was a part of my simple childhood.

On Saturdays, when there were no classes, I would go to my Grandpa's and meet up with my cousins. Guess where our favorite snack place was? Goldilocks! I have to admit, I love, love cakes. So, it's a treat for me to be there and try the different cake flavors. I would look long and hard at the cake display while deciding which one to order this time. After putting my orders on a tray, I would walk to our table with a smile and we would start to talk about anything. We would even let each other try our orders. It was fun and relaxing just sitting there, without a care in the world.

Recently, I've taken a liking to Goldilocks' chiffon slices, especially the Double Dutch flavor, with the icing, chocolate chips and marshmallows sandwiched between two different flavored cakes-marble and chocolate. Yummy!

This, I gotta say, "You're the 1 Goldilocks, because you satisfy the Filipino's craving for food variety and good conversations."

New Light On Apple Juice

Gallstones.

I never thought I would ever have them.

I went to see two doctors and they both said that I should have surgery to remove my gall bladder.

I don't want to undergo surgery again.

I sought the opinion of a Chinese doctor, who gave me three kinds of herbal pills that he made himself, to cure my fatty liver problem, which he said is the main thing.

But before I take those, I am trying this remedy using apple juice, to remove gallstones naturally.

I pray to God that it works.

Elle Turned 2

...yesterday.

Here's her cake bought by my brother and his family, and my parents. We celebrated last July 6 with a dinner at Cajun.

Yesterday, we just stayed at home and played with her new toys. Then we went out and bought pizza and ice cream. Yum! Elle loved them both!

At this point in her life, Elle knows what she wants and she'd be bent on getting it. She's a little too stubborn now and her attention span is quite short. She has her own way of reviewing what was taught her. She throws tantrums when the mood strikes her, or she could be a perfect little angel. I hope she is the latter most of the time, but I guess this is God's way of teaching me the virtue of patience. She likes corn, soup, cheese, bananas and especially eggs. And recently I discovered that she likes the color yellow (shows in her food choices, doesn't it?). She could mingle with other kids close to her age, but most of the time she pulls on my hand and wants me to join in their fun. *sigh* I am also trying to potty train her these days, for soon, she would be attending pre-school.

Anyway, that is not yet happening. I just hope Elle enjoyed her birthday. I asked her if she's happy, and she nodded. That's a good sign!

Inside My Bag Of Beans

Actually, there were 3 slices of this Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I've been meaning to visit this place for I don't know how long and last weekend, my hubby Rix indulged me. There were already several cars parked outside near the road when we got there. I was a bit worried that there'll be no more tables left for us as I thought the coffee shop was small. Small was the bakeshop that we first entered, I was craning my neck to see if there was a hallway at the back leading to where the tables were located, and saw none. We went back out and saw stairs leading down, so followed it we did. The steps were uneven and plants were growing on both sides, reaching out to coffee and bread lovers arriving at their haven. We were greeted by an aviary with several tweeting lovebirds inside. We had to choose whether we'd like to be seated at tables with umbrellas, at long wooden tables with matching wooden benches, at chairs and tables under a thatched roof, at a low molded iron outdoor tables with chairs, at wooden chairs and tables on a raised area surrounded by flowering plants near another set of stairs or at Tiffany-like chairs with cushion seats and glass-topped tables.

Covered seating area

We opted for the last one but then we settled for the long wooden table with benches due to people smoking at the next table. While we consumed the sandwich and fries, and sipped our iced coffees, we noticed that there was a path leading to a door that is ajar which perhaps opens to a covered seating area we thought that we should have taken. Oh, well!

Take a peek

The downside of this cafe in a garden is the presence of large mosquitos. I am glad I brought an insect repelling lotion for Elle. My little angel looked happy with the place, seeing the fountains and those birds.

Btw, this is her new hairstyle care of Mommy, her first haircut ever took place last month

A popular place for buying baked goodies, Rowena's, was packed with customers. We wished to buy more of their Ube (purple yam) tarts, but only a box was left. Their counter was set in the middle and shelves full of tarts and sweets lined the longest wall to the left. At the back was a coffee shop, serving coffee, cakes and of course, an assortment of their specialty - tarts, which were chilled.

Hello there my sweet tart!