Archive for August 2010
My Kind of Gleeks
Posted on: August 30, 2010
I probably don’t fall under Glee‘s target demographic because I really can’t seem to sit through a whole episode. While I think the cast is unforgivably talented, I think that same talent could also be poured into creating original music, don’t you agree?
What I did find amusing was last night’s Emmy Awards opening performance. I doubt you caught it as you are busy eating and shopping in Hong Kong. So here it is. I must say, Jimmy Fallon did an awesome job on this one.
Louis
Posted on: August 27, 2010
I don’t know if you remember the world renowned pianist, Cecile Licad. I only remember watching her in the 80′s in those random episodes of Concert at the Park…Paco Park, that is!
Apparently she’s been busy touring with jazz musician, Wynton Marsalis (pictured below) for the “Silent Movie”, Louis.
They’ll be in town on Monday, August 30 to premiere the movie at the very historic Apollo Theater. (Side note: The same Apollo where my graduation was held 3 years ago, cool huh?). Louis is a silent film with live musical accompaniment by Marsalis, Licad and a 10 piece jazz band. The film pays tribute to Louis Armstrong and the birth of American music with turn-of-the-century New Orleans as its back drop. It follows a young Louie dreaming of playing the trumpet when he meets a young woman that interrupts it all. Interruption, thy name is woman! (Heehee!)
I’m going to try to watch this and feel mighty proud to have one of our own whip out her “jazz hands”. I’m also curious to see the marriage of the silent film and live music. What an novel idea, right? Plus listening to live jazz music in the lovely Apollo should be a new and interesting experience for me.
It’s Greek To Me
Posted on: August 19, 2010
Yogurt and fruit is my dinner staple. Its a great protein source especially after an intense bike workout, plus it’s not heavy on the belly. I recently switched brand from the typical non-fat Dannon to this non-fat organic brand called Chobani.
Oh My God…delish! I’ve never tasted yogurt so silky. Greek yogurt has been hitting mainstream groceries lately so I thought I’d give it a try and see what the buzz was all about.
So what is Greek yogurt and why the hype? Compared to your typical American produced yogurt, Greek yogurt is creamier and thicker in texture. This is because after the milk is heated and cultured, it sits in a muslin or cheesecloth type of filter to eliminate the whey in the milk. This makes the yogurt creamier and devoid of the liquid that settles on top of yogurt looking like this.
Phot credit: Mother Jones
Nutritionally, Greek yogurt is also packed with more grams of protein per serving because the product is more concentrated now. It’s also lower in sugar and carbs as the lactose is filtered out with the whey. If you have some Greek yogurt in your nearby supermarket I suggest you stock up on it. I prefer this Chobani brand as I found this to be silkier than the others. Yummm!
Future Finds
Posted on: August 18, 2010
The Age of The Jetsons might just be around the corner. Check out these very futuristic kitchen and appliance designs fresh out of the Electrolux Design Lab. I found this in a design site called Yanko Designs. The objective was to design appliances that address the space crunch issue. Here’s what they came up with.
The Community Fridge. I know it sounds out of this world but the idea is to eliminate the personal fridge and just have 1 for each building. Each house gets its own space in a large community refrigerator that takes charge of the refreshments and groceries. Punch in your personal code as well as the details of what you want to snack on and your personal fridge dispenses the goodies via the common dispensing shaft.
The Clean Closet. This not only stores your clothes, it actually has a cleaning facility built in. When you hang your clothes, the internal scanner scans it for dirt and cleans it. At the end of the cycle you got clean, pressed and hung clothes in your closet!
The Fishwasher = Dishwasher + Composter + Pet fish. The pet robotic fish cleans up the dirt and grime from the dishes, changes it into biofuel and filters the dirty water to make it clean again. Unbelievable.
The Biorobot Fridge. No doors and drawers needed because it has some kind of non-sticky, odorless gel to hold and store food. The fridge can be oriented vertical or horizontal depending on your space requirements.
The Modular Kitchen Appliance = Kettle + Toaster + 2 piece induction hub. Nuff said.
And if you are not impressed by that check out the QUMI. A fold out universal kitchen set that can be used for heating, frying and steaming a wide variety of food types. It has no display or control panel, and all instructions are supposed to be processed via mobile devices in the network ready home of the future!
I’m still waiting for the shower stall that bathes and dresses you on days when you are just too lazy (Read: Hangover).
Heard On The Street
Posted on: August 18, 2010
Since you have your Rocio-isms and Mikel-isms series, I thought I’d come up with my own series too. As I spend a good deal of time walking on the street, I get to see and hear some of the most priceless sights and sounds worth sharing. So consider this my first of a series of interesting, funny and quirky things I see and hear on the street. Here we go…
I was walking alongside a man as I was entering the subway station. We were met by another man talking on his cellphone with his voice on vuvuzela mode.
Man talking on cellphone: YEAH I WATCHED THAT MOVIE TWICE LAST WEEKEND
Man alongside me (to himself): Well that’s a boring weekend…
Me: Hahahahaha!
Here’s another…
I was seated in the train travelling through World Trade Center when a lady waddles in with her entourage. This lady reminded me of Estelle, Joey Tribianni‘s chain smoker agent in Friends.
Waddling Lady (extra loud voice) to a man standing by the train door: THIS GO TO PAVONIA NEWPORT?!!!
Man by the door(using inside voice): Yes.
Waddling Lady (extra loud voice) to another man: THIS GO TO PAVONIA NEWPORT?!!!
Everybody inside the train in unison: YES!!!!!
Waddling Lady (using inside voice): Thank you.
I love this city!
Stage MOMents
Posted on: August 17, 2010
- In: K & L Cares | Kid Stuff
- 4 Comments
As much as I try not to be, the fact is, I AM a stage mother.
So having confessed that, here is a fun, candid picture of my progeny. It was taken late last year for a special bookazine produced by SM and ABS-CBN Publishing for the benefit of Bantay Bata 163.
The publication called Special Moments features photos of moms and their kids with a little write up by the mommies. All the families did the shoot pro bono. The irony is, the beneficiaries of Bantay Bata don’t often have moms like those in the book, who can care for them and give them all the love they need. Being made up and photographed was the least we could do to help.
Here’s what I wrote:
Despite the wealth of motherhood and parenting books there are on the market these days, I don’t think anything can really prepare you for being a mom. It’s all about on the job training. And who’s to say that experience isn’t the best teacher?
My kids are definitely experts at throwing me situations which aren’t often written about in those ubiquitous parenting manuals. How for example, do you deal with a two year old in a corner on time-out who apparently enjoyed the experience and cheerfully greeted anyone who walked past her? What about when she was four and asked me, “Mom, if God wants people to be good, why isn’t it working?” And what to do with my sensitive little boy who – following the mildest of mild scoldings – has his face crumple up and eyes well up with tears?
In parenthood, everyday has the potential of bringing you joy, fulfillment, frustration and worry. I am thankful everyday for what comes our way because, good or bad, I like to think they help me become a better mom. It’s really an adventure that you can only plan so much for but having openness, flexibility and a sense of humor can help! No one in my life has tested my creativity, patience and faith in myself more than Rocio and Mikel. And certainly no one has inspired me more to be the best version of myself.
Photo credit goes to Philip Sison 
Mikel-isms 6
Posted on: August 6, 2010
Yesterday, my mom had a new friend over for lunch. Mikel had never met her before and didn’t know her name but was very friendly as he often is these days. He went out into the driveway with us as we were sending our guest off.
Lala: Ok, Mik say bye now.
Mikel: (looks up at visitor with the Forrest Gump tilt of the head) Bye oddr nana!
Perspective
Posted on: August 5, 2010
Here is something I found which you and I should make a point to go back to…
Mikel-isms 5
Posted on: August 4, 2010
- In: Food Corner | Kid Stuff
- 1 Comment
We had farfalle with a creamy tuna sauce tonight.
Mikel loves noodles (pronounced: nooden or dooden in his world) and pasta in general sans any sauce or condiments.
I put some farfalle on his plate…
Lala: Mik, you want to put some parmesan on that? It’s yummy.
Mikel: Noooo, mami!
Lala: Ok…
Mikel: (holds up a farfalle between his thumb and index finger smiling) Luuuk! Badduurflai…!
