Battle of the Davids

Have I told you I am an AI fan? Now you know.
While I like Little David to win I don't want Big David to lose. What if everyone who votes for DA also votes for DC? That will be history making for AI! It will also make millions and millions of happy fans.
Why do I like both to win? Because I like both of their styles. While I swoon to Little David's ballads, I feel like rocking with Big David, too. I like their own individuality.
The wholesomeness in their personality also appeals to my grandmomminess. They are both bold and yet shy. Polite and gentle.
Please.....let there be a miracle to make both of them this year's American Idols.

Photo Credit

Rebound and Reduce

Need to relax those muscles? Or, is there something that is bothering you every time you bend your knees, or turn your neck? You silently tell yourself: "Now I need to exercise." But what if it is just because you are under stress, maybe because of your workload, or some family matters? You still need that exercise.
One great exercise is bouncing, maybe on a trampoline. But do you have the space and the stamina to move around with a full size one? Also, will doing so just work with specific parts of your body?
Worry no more. What you need is to Cellercise with the Dave Hall Rebounder. Cellercise works with every cell in every part of your body. Whether that part needs toning, melting, or strengthening.
And those stress attacks? You can reduce stress rebounding on the Cellerciser until you forget how it was.

Chicken Chasseur, anyone?

Last week, Chef O'Neill came twice to coach Oscar, my student who will be competing in the C-CAP Cooking Competition in two weeks. He gave him pointers on how to plate his crepe with pastry creme and chocolate sauce and also how to come up with a juicy chicken with mushroom-tomato-parsley sauce that had been flavored with fresh tarragon, just like how the French peasants, centuries ago, used to cook chicken. I thought I should try making the recipe myself so yesterday I prepared for eight, complete with tourneed potatoes.

Ready to Lock It In?

Who wouldn't want an extra money nowadays? With the price of gas sky-rocketing, and there's pun intended here, cost of everything soars as high as well. Our life-style have changed dramatically. Every cent now counts. Every penny has a place. And each of the statement is scrutinized for how that extra amount that had been deducted or added happened.
With the evolution of the internet, on-line banking is fast becoming a trend. You can open up a high yielding savings account, a checking account or a certificate of deposit account. There is a personal finance site where you can see a comparison between how each bank ranks in how they offer interest rates. This site tracks down the best interest rates available to consumers when if they will prefer to open a savings, checking and/or money market accounts. For those who feel more at ease with a visual comparison, it also charts the latest CD rates among the different popular and union banks enabling you to decide whether to lock in your your rate or wait. It is navigation friendly, not just computer-wise but in giving customers to see how other customers find it as a source of banking information.

She's Only Six????

I was looking for a David Archuleta song on YouTube (yes, I am a big fan of American Idol and even a bigger fan of David) when I stumbled on this video. If Simon was impressed, I don't know who wouldn't.
See, or rather, hear for yourself.........

Plating Skills

Today, I gave my students (divided in groups) a tray with pork, cloves of garlic and a quarter of an onion. Additional instruction was for them to use at least three Asian sauces, plus vinegar and ground pepper. For evaluation they have to plate their dish using sauce as part of the garnish.
These are some of the results.

For extra credit, groups were to record the amount of ingredients they actually used and to write the recipe for their creation.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the flowers that never fail to bloom year in - year out. They remind me that life goes on no matter what.
I am thankful for being given the privilege of attending a seminar-workshop yesterday. I learned that there are still more ways of how I can keep my students busy and engaged.

I am thankful for the speaker at the workshop. He kept us, participants, wide eyed.

I am thankful that I can honestly say I enjoyed the workshop.

I am thankful for the light traffic. I had enough time to find a good parking space and I got home earlier than I thought I would.

I am very thankful for my children. They never fail to remind me that I am their mother!

Please visit IRIS for more thankful hearts.

Lullaby in Comfort

"Mommy, guess what. You will soon be a grandma."
In my excitement, I dropped everything I was holding (I just arrived from work) to kiss and hug my son and my daughter-in-law. It was quite hot that day and I felt even hotter.
My very first grandchild! Wow, somebody will start calling me Grandma, or, maybe Grannie? Then, suddenly I thought: Where will the baby sleep? Well, he, or she, can sleep with his, or her, parents in their king size bed, but for how long? I better start looking for some Kids Bedroom furniture. I started reading on what qualities to look for in a child's crib. I will much prefer Wooden Childrens Furniture. The wooden material must be of the best kind. Smooth and must not be finished with materials that may harm my grandchild, big enough so the baby can move without hurting his head, or arms, or legs and can hold all his/her favorite toys. It must also be stable so it can be moved around without any part getting loose and should be able to last until the next baby comes.
And, yes, he will need a high chair, too, so he can eat with us.
My thought even went as far as planning on buying the child a Kids Desk so he, or she, will have a place to read and write when my son woke me from my reverie.

"And mom, we just placed an order for a crib. It will arrive in five days."

P.S. Jacob is now almost six and his brother, Joshua, three. And they are enjoying their bunk beds.

Post Mother's Day

Yesterday was a very busy day.
Received a bouquet of roses from Kirby as he arrived from work. Then, hubby said he was going to get something for breakfast but instead came with a dozen of peach roses. He even apologized because the color he requested wasn't available. Lester and Rachel invited us for lunch at their place. I got so full I dozed off while watching Lakers got beaten by the Jazz. (Don't worry Kobe, there are three more games ahead of you).

We had barely reached home when Patrick called to say that since they were not able to join us at his Kuya's due to extended church activities, he and Mylynn would like to treat me and Mylynn's mom to a Chinese dinner. Jet and Sarah would be joining us, too.
With the dinner were two more vases of lovely flowers plus a long stemmed carnation each from Jacob, Joshua and Matthew - just the right ending to a hectic but happy and fulfilling day.

How did you spend your special day?

To All the Moms of this World

Image Credits: http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/mother-htm/mother_images_5.htm http://www.milfordpubliclibrary.org/.../MothersDay.jpg

LOL or LOL

Because I saw this abbreviation LOL on lots of e-mails and posts I just assumed it meant Lots of Love. So I started using it to end my mails or comments on certain posts. Then this morning our career adviser inserted in-between our school papers and memos a copy of CHAT Abbreviations so we may 'keep abreast with the changing times'. To my surprise, I found out that LOL didn't mean the way I thought it meant. To further verify its meaning, I asked my students for after all, I know they spend more time at chat rooms or in their "spaces" than reading their assignments. And yes, LOL is not LOL because Lots of Love doesn't really mean Laugh out Loud!!! To those who may have received my comments or mails, I really meant Lots of Love when I LOLled you!!!

Skateboard Bedding

Skateboarding amazes me. How one could glide so fast and with great skills and ease using only a narrow piece of wood with equally narrow wheels over rails and pavements is beyond me. Although hubby and I were blessed with three boys, I never really saw them use skateboard the way my neighbors' sons use theirs. But it doesn't mean my sons are not fans of such "inventions". They were and still are. They have blankets printed with either their favorite cartoon characters or yes, you guessed it, cars or skateboards. Before they went to sleep, they would stand on their beds and pretend they were either driving or skateboarding complete with their bended knees and widely stretched arms. Today, children will enjoy owning and sleeping under skateboard bedding from VisionBedding. A selection of photographic designs are transferred on bedding fabrics that will make any child feel he is riding the "real thing". He can have a choice from the different skateboarding themes, colors and styles. Does he want the design on both sides of his blanket? He can. How about his picture doing a skateboard flip on his comforter. He can order that, too. A set of blanket, comforter, shams and pillows printed with all the skateboarding themes and designs a child owns will be real real cool to own!

Wordless Wednesday

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JET !!!

Our youngest, Jet, (Jonathan) is already 30 years old today.
I can still remember vividly.
Symptoms were telling me I was pregnant. I wanted to make sure so hubby and I went to a doctor friend who was working at Kano General Hospital at the time. He ordered a frog test. (Yes, you're reading it right - a frog test!) After five days the result came - negative. Friends assured me that the same thing happened to them due to body acclimation. While I wanted to agree with them, my instinct was telling me otherwise. Then I felt him move.

Hubby had a very good friend named Jonathan, and I liked the sound of it, so the name. I gave him the nickname Jet because I had to travel by air to make sure the doctor who helped me with my first two boys would help me again.

Now, our baby Jet has his own baby - Matthew - and he and his wife, Sarah, are waiting for another one come June.
Happy birthday, our dear Jet. We wish you many, many, more birthdays ahead.

BlogLog, Avatar, etc.

Because I wanted to create an image for my BlogLog profile, I tried to log on with what I thought were the name and pw I originally started with. (After all, it has been four years (?) since I had opened it). After three tries, I still couldn't get into my account so I tried creating a new one when lo and behold, the avatar that shows when I sign in to Yahoo appeared!
The interesting thing, though, is when I sign in to my blog, my own avatar shows on my BlogLog box!!!
I am now an additional visitor to my own site!
But wait. What is that X on the upper right corner? Oh, it says I have an option to hide it. Just another way of confusing me on what I thought I've already mastered in computer skills!!!!

Waiting to exhale

Yesterday was the C-CAP preliminaries. It was all about testing the contestants' skills with knives, cooking temperature, timing, safety and sanitation practices plus plenty of positive attitude. I know Oscar did a good job but still, we won't know if he qualified, or not, for the final competition until Tuesday. That will be the longest three days for him. And for me. Emmanuel decided to observe Oscar during his "ordeal" because he is contemplating on attending a culinary school come September. Qualifying or not, intense practicing on the annual competition recipes will start on Monday.

Two of My Favorites

Today, Oprah interviewed Tom Cruise at his Telluride, Colorado home. Had to tape the show because of some conflict in my schedule. I am so glad he went on air. The best part of the show for me was when Oprah was telling Tom her wish for him - the peace of the mountains.

I wish you that, too, Tom.

Wordless Wednesday

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To Fred, From Placido and John

Yesterday, we joined Manong Fred in celebrating his 80th birthday. One of his sisters-in-law, Conchita, sang John Denver's Perhaps Love to him and Manang Purita, his wife.
The song brought back so many memories to almost all of us who were there in the party because that was one of the most popular songs when we were still in Nigeria. I had to download it from YouTube as soon as I got home. Here is a duet from John and the young Placido Domingo.
I didn't even know they sang it together and that John wrote the song for his mom.

She Would Have Been ......

Princess Cedillo Van Dyke would have been 66 years old on April 24th. I am sure she celebrated her special day with the angels.

The above pictures were taken when Gloria and I visited Prency in Wyoming almost seven years ago.
I deem myself lucky to have had the chance of seeing her in her beloved Jackson, Wyoming. How I wish I had a digital camera back then.
These are some (there are many more) of the things that will always remind me of my Tocaya, (namesake):

We're given the same first name which was quite unique at that time -I thought I was the only one who was named such - until I met her. She got hers because she was born among Princessess and I got mine because my godfather-to-be convinced my dad that since I was born at the foothills of Bundok Princesa (Princess Mountain), that name would fit me to a T.

She introduced me to Girl Scouting. She showed me what it meant to be an effective and dedicated leader. Once a week she would hail a calesa, picked me up from my place, and we would go to an elementary school to train young kids the rudiments of girl scouting. I am sure her sash of badges are still among her treasures.

She had always been a picture of self-confidence. She was the first one to stand up so we could organize, and eventually lead, our freshmen group. In fact, she's an officer in almost every club or organization there was.

And, how many of us can drive from Chicago to California and on to Wyoming ALONE? Hard to believe but she did. And again, that was just one route of the many trips that she made. I admired her spirit even more after Gloria and I had our Western States road trip.

Talking about spirit. Hers was the most positive of all. Who would have thought she would leave this world this soon. This is one of the last e-mails she sent, written in that style that I've always admired almost to the point of envy:

I have been staying here in Idaho Falls, at Liberty Square Retirement Community for a week now for radiation treatments every week day. FOUR MORE DAYS of radiation then I go home to Star Valley Ranch Monday evening, then it's for IV (Intravenous)chemo at the Cancer Center in Jackson on Tuesday, the 5th. CHEMO IS EVERY 3 WEEKS in Jackson. My stay here at Liberty Square has been like VACATION at a posh resort that I have decided to become a resident here by June 1st!!! I've already reserved a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment (all utilities, meals prepared by 2 professional chefs and served in a 'fine dining' atmosphere, cleaning once a week, life-alert necklace etc. included except phone) on the ground floor close to the elevator and side exit. My living room faces a wonderfully landscaped courtyard! Best of all this is the only retirement facility in this city that provides underground parking! I've listed all my properties for sale. THE HARDEST to let go is my dream retirement cottage in Thermopolis. I had visions of living there by myself independently, reading books, flower gardening, having garden parties and meetings for the Christian ministry. Cancer changed all that so I have to be practical and live in the present now that my future is more unp redictable! Amazingly I'm feeling very well, considering. The new tumors impinging on the nerves in my shoulders, near the spine and under my armpit appear to be shrinking so maybe they'll come loose enough to be taken out. THEY ARE NOT YET SURE that the tumors will be operable by then. I have a tremendous appetite so I've stopped losing weight but I need to keep it up and gain at least 10 lbs. I think I've made the right decision and am so relieved. I'm so happy that my daughter is so supportive of it. I'll write you my new address in June! Love, Princess

I miss you, my friend.

The Best Food Critics

Last Saturday, Morgan paid us a visit. Jacob and Joshua came, too. I decided to engage them in a baking activity. They were so excited when I told them I would be baking Black Bottom Cupcakes.
They helped me prep the muffin pans and took turns in "holding" the portable mixer. Of course, they also found time to play with the papers so I ended up using limp ones, if you know what I mean.
The only drawback? My camera was on low-batt mode!
Well, at least I got my my reward. After the trio ate their cupcakes they asked if they could take home some more.

To Love and To Hold

With the advent of technology comes the ease in creating invitations to any affair, whether it be to an informal picnic or a formal sit-down dinner for a debut or quincenera.
I remember when one of our sons got married, my to be daughter-in-law spent sleepless nights designing her own invitations. By my standard it was already easy because she used a ready-to-install program that included a kit with envelopes and papers that she would use to create her desired design. But her choices were very limited unless she wanted to install another program, an option of which was out of the question because of budget restrictions. I am very sure that had they seen these choices of Wedding Invitations then, she would have chosen Style W-127 with burgundy lining, because she loves the color burgundy, and the elegance of pearl. And as young romantics, they would surely choose the embossed gazebo. I am very sure of this because they were married in a gazebo which, incidentally, was included in their wedding package. My daughter-in-law would also have had a great time mix-matching styles, fonts, colors, verses that are generously provided.
If ever I will be lucky to enjoy my Golden Wedding Anniversary, my invitation will be W415 with the balloon in GOLD. If I won't be able to fulfill my dream of riding an air balloon before that date, at least I can always pretend to be loving the ride as I hold on to my beloved as we sail in the air balloon that's on my invitation.

Wordless Wednesday

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Post Script: (Saved this as a draft but missed to publish it on time. Better late than never, as someone had said).

Happy Earth Day, Everyone!!!

Image source: http://webclipart.about.com/library/events/blearth6.htm Recycle, recycle, recycle.

Her name is Azusena, with an S

The first time I saw her I knew right away. After she made her first Alfredo Sauce, my decision was confirmed. She would be my second contestant for the scholarship competition.

It was the second semester and I had barely eight weeks to train a student for the district wide competition. I, myself, was also in training with the sponsoring organization, C-CAP (Careers Through Culinary Arts Program). I was starting to panic.

She came to my class and announced that her name is spelled with an S. (I first thought of changing the Z to an S, but no, it was the C that should become S.) She is the very first student who was concerned with how her name is spelled. For me it means conviction, determination. I asked her if she would consider competing. The answer - YES.
With complete dedication, Sue and Danny, the other contestant, started practicing their knife and ommelette making skills for the preliminaries. Fortunately, they both made it to the finals. Sue received a scholarship to go to the San Francisco Culinary School. While doing some catering she was also pursuing a biology degree at UC Berkley.

Two years ago, her younger sister, Lupe, started teaching in my school and, coincidence of all coincidences, used my classroom for intersession classes. That's when I learned that Sue is working as a Chef Instructor at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood and have plans of teaching at her high school Alma Mater.
Last Thursday, April 17, was the first meeting of our school's CTE Advisory Board. I invited Sue to be a member of the board because I believe that she will be a perfect role model for many students. I also told her she can take my place when I retire.

Another perk of being a teacher.