Christening Favors

Finally, I'm finished with the Baptism favors of my nephew this coming Saturday.

Favor tags

Cupcake towel Favors

Lollipop towel Favors

Pasta for weekend

I love cooking and experimenting with foods except baking or any form of cooking which requires measurements.

Last weekend my brother-in-law brought home a pasta maker and it was my first time to make a home made pasta then i cooked another experimental dish. Fettuccine in Extra virgin olive oil, garlic and bacon with lots of herbs.

For the herbs, i used thyme, herbs de provence and oregano.

Its not perfect but not bad for a first time.

Twin Lake, Dumaguete

Our two-day trip to Dumaguete started from Cebu South Terminal. Its about 3 and a half to four hours ride by bus to Liloan port where we catch a 20-minute fast craft ride to Sibulan Port in Negros Oriental. We are met by a friend from Sibulan port and we had another 20-minute motorcycle ride to Hotel Nicanor. After check-in, we just had our lunch and we're off to the twin lake at around 1pm. It was a very hot 30 minute motorcycle ride to place where we could hire a specially designed motorcycle “habal habal” that will bring us to the twin lake since ts nearly impossible for ordinary motorcycle to climb uphill because of the steep and rough terrain. It took us about 1 hour of rough climb uphill before we reach the entrance (stop over for picture takings included, hehehe).

The entrance alone has so beautiful feel of nature with a small manmade lake anf luch greens but it was just a preview. We stooped to pay our entrance fee, had some more picture takings, then it took us a couple of minutes more, this time much steeper and rougher terrain to reach the Balinsasayaw Lake, one of the twin lakes.

The twin lakes, Lake Balinsasayaw and Lake Danao are two freshwater lakes on the top of the mountain situated between the mountains or Negros Oriental and just separated by a narrow mountain ridge. It is a protected natural part home to some of the rare birds.

Boats are also available for rent if you wish to get a closer look and go around the lake or to reach Lake Danao.

There is also a reception area where they serve drinks and snacks where you can have a magnificent view of the lake.

Before going to Dumaguete, riding in a motorcycle scares me, how much more that time that we climbed uphill on a narrow rocky terrain at the edge of the mountain, huh. It was a rough trip but the experience is all worth it.

My Christmas Wishlist

It's nearly the end of October and its just a little more than two months away and its already Christmas. This year I'm not really thrilled with the coming Christmas, but of course I have my like anybody else I have my Christmas wishlist. I know its too early but time flies so fast and in no time, its already December, so why not make a list earlier and so that Santa can have enough time to prepare for it. I think I'm not totally nice this year but I've not been naughty hahahah. Anyway these are just my wish, in short “asa”.

Ok, so first on my list, I wish to have a heavy duty electric sewing machine. I know how to sew but I am not good at it since i didn't have any training or whatsoever, just you tube tutorials, Heheheh. If this wish will come true, I think i will be good at it, because I will no longer bear with my low-tech and so stubborn electric sewing machine. Then I can make may kung anu anung anik anik. Hayyy ang saya. Hahaha.

Next, I wish for a digicam, better if its SLR because I want to learn photography. pra may mapag praktisan, hahaha ambisyosa.

Lastly, I wish to have a new hardbound dictionary, because unfortunately, my ever reliable Merriam Webster Dictionary is way older than me.

That's all, co'z I would like to limit it to just material things, it's just that my non material wishes are not that interesting and entertaining to read, hehehe.

Life

Life is never easy, you have to be hurt to appreciate joy, go through the darkness before you can see the light, to experience hardships to value your comfort, to be afraid to learn to conquer your fears. Nonetheless life is a gift that we should cherish every moment and value every experience.

In my life's journey, here are the few things that I learned:

Most valuable opportunities comes only once, be wise enough to spot them.

Hurts don't last forever. Time heals, but it depends on how deep you've allowed it to go.

Never take for granted the simplest things, you might loose them before you realize their importance.

What you want is not always what you get, but it doesn't mean you are a failure, there are just things that are not meant for you.

Silence doesn't always mean yes, there are just things that are better left unsaid.

Anger does not always mean hatred, it can be a means of coping.

Laughter does not always mean happiness. Sometimes it could just be a mask.

St. Benedict's Monastery

Day 1 of my 11-day vacation we went to Carmen Cebu. Carmen is a town about an hour ride from Cebu to the north. At that time it was their annual religious fiesta and my friend whom I am staying with was invited by his friend that was also invited by his officemate from Carmen (hahaha).

In the afternoon we went to St. Benedicts Monastery. It is the home of benedictine priests with a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding it. One of the tourists spots in carmen, the place is very tranquil and a perfect place to pray or just be with nature.

Cabaling Beach Resort, Guimaras

The island province of Guimaras is famous for its sweet mangoes and white sand beaches. It is

only a 15-minute pump boat ride from Iloilo wharf but if not for

our company outing, I never had a chance to go there.

Our company outing was held at Cabaling Beach Resort, a newly developed beach resort at Sitio Cabaling, Jordan, Guimaras.

From Buenavista wharf, we had approximately an hour of jeepney ride which half of it was narrow unpaved road.

Cabaling is blessed with very fine off white sand, tranquil surroundings and small corals carpeted the resort's surrounding area.

There are also lots of hermit crabs wandering around the shore before the main entrance to the resort and I got to take home seven of them to be my pets.

How to get there

Guimaras is reachable by ferry boat that services iloilo-guimars and vice versa from 6am-6pm daily. Travel time is approximately15 minutes.Motorboats can also be hired to drop you off to your desired destination or to visit some of the islets. Some resorts also offer special arrangements to fetch their visitors from iloilo to going to their resort and vice versa.

A day in Antique, Philippines

First stop for me for this year was antique. Its my first time to go there though I had a chance to pass by this province more than 10 years ago. From Iloilo, I had approximately 2.5 V-hire ride to the municipality of Hamtic where I stayed.

It was the weekend before the Holy week so the weather is so hot but that didn't discouraged us to explore the place.

We had time to stroll around Gaisano mall and meet up with some friends. Afterwards we had lunch at Bondoc's Restaurant. Its located uphill, surrounded by trees and vegetation, scattered around the main edifice are small cottages where you can have your meal.

Thanks to one of our friends who offered us a free ride to tour around the the province's capital San Jose and to have some picture taking by the seaside.



We spend the afternoon lounging on one of the Bangus fishponds in Hamtic, by the way hamtic is also famous for their fishponds and Bangus.



It was Sunday the next day so we started the day by going to Sta. Monica Parish Church, had a little stroll around the plaza then had breakfast and prepared to go back to Iloilo.



On our ride back to to Iloilo we had plenty of stop over for picture taking with the beautiful scenery and the the lush green mountains along the way.

Catching Up

Its been a long while since I last posted in this blog. Since I don't had much to do these days, i'm doing a little catching up. Probably one post per week of some of the places I've been to these year. Currently i'm doing a little editing on the blog's settings and hopefully next week I can start posting...