Friday, August 13, 2010

Yay! Happy update! --

Am so, so happy that The Book Depository now ships to the Philippines --

The Book Depository offers FREE worldwide delivery.

Yes, I said FREE.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Massage --

Living in Katipunan has spoiled me for life -- everything I need is just a few steps (well, more than a few) away --

One of my favorite places in Katipunan is the Natural Spa -- and I used to go fairly regularly.

When I came home to Iloilo, one of the first things I looked for was a spa --

Never found one that I was compelled to try --

But, a few days ago, I woke up with a really tired back and I was desperate for a massage -- we found a flyer for a massage-at-home service stuck to our gate --

Being fatalistic, we saw it as a sign and gave it a go.

We called the number and set an appointment.  I was pleased that the two masseuses arrived on time and they had their massage kits (with oils) ready.

A quiet hour of pampering costs PhP299.

And they are available 24/7!

There's another one that also offers home service -- will try them next time.

Home Bliss
Tel # 033-8564499

Friday, August 06, 2010

Lava Cake!!! --

It's a gloomy day here in Iloilo --

Thought it would be a perfect day to try to make Lava Cakes.  (Perfect for me -- poor helpers, though.  They have to clean up after me.  And it's raining.)

I used the recipe I found on Shine because it seemed like the most straightforward Lava Cake recipe I've encountered.

I started this morning by making the chocolate balls that will become the lava center --

Finished making the cake after lunch.

Photobucket

The recipe said it would take 13 minutes to cook.  We set the timer to 10 minutes and I asked one of our helpers to check on it.  I was surprised/worried when she called on the intercom a few minutes later to say that the timer had gone off but the cakes looked raw.  I rushed down stairs and took a look.

They were, thankfully, fine.

Photobucket

Only problem was that the chocolate balls were too big so a bit of the "lava" is peeking out from the top.

They're cooling right now so I'll take more pictures later when we actually eat them.

* * *

Apparently, it's already "later" --

Johann and my sister couldn't wait any longer and ate two of the lava cakes.  (Gave 1 to the helpers so they could have a taste.)

Photobucket

It's yummy -- I mixed dark and milk chocolate.  I'm not sure if it's gooey enough, though.  I wonder where I went wrong...

Photobucket

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Somewhere in this picture is a zucchini --



The infectious disease specialist who came to see Anya really loved our garden.  She told us her father in-law, who studied agriculture, maintains a vegetable garden also.  She sent over these really small zucchini from their garden.

They're so small!!!

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Some recipes I want to try --

Bob Blumer's Chocolate Wontons

Lava Cake

Gooey Chocolate Mug Cake

This cheesecake recipe <-- I like the recipe that is listed on the Philly Cream Cheese box because it has sour cream but this one looks interesting.

Schweinhaxe <-- saw this featured on Anthony Bourdain.  I think pork is slowly replacing chicken as my favorite meat.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Wow --

I read in one news article on Yahoo that Chelsea Clinton and her husband were supposed to read this poem as part of their wedding ceremony --


I looked it up on Google and it made me go, "Wow" --


The Life That I Have by Leo Marks
The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours. 



Wasn't that a lovely poem?


* * *


Another poem --


About 2 weeks ago, I was feeling really sh*tty about myself -- as usual, I overthought the situation and felt like my brain was going to burst.


Long story short: I felt like my high school self and I felt all the awkwardness and gauche-ness that comes with being that age.  And it annoyed me to feel like that because I'm 32 years old and should have overcome all that.


Anyhoo, a dear friend was kind enough to listen to me through my pity party --


And then an off-tangent idea came to mind and it was this poem:


Bonsai by Edith Tiempo
All that I love
I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.

All that I love?

Why, yes, but for the moment -
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son's note, or Dad's one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a young queen,
A blue Indian shawls, even
A money bill.

It's utter sublimation,
A feat, this heart's control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand's size,

Till seashells are broken pieces
From God's own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.



I'm fine now, by the way.  ^_^