Papa P....

I just need to post this...Got this photo from one of my favorite blogs- chuvaness.livejournal.com

[caption id="attachment_434" align="aligncenter" width="209" caption="Papa P"][/caption]

Isn't he divine? =)

Isometric Exercise

As part of our workshop,  I introduced some Isometric Exercises and Oral Motor Exercises to the teachers to help them strengthen their facial muscles which will enable them to have better enunciation and pronunciation.

"What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?” The answer is that your muscles will get stronger without actually moving.  This is what Isometric Exercise can do.  These are exercises that involve muscle contraction through pushing, pressing and pulling against an immovable object.

The teachers had a great time! This became the highlight of the 2-week workshop =)

Check out some of the photos.

[caption id="attachment_426" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tongue Press"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_427" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Stretching"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_428" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jaw Isometrics"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_429" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jaw Isometrics"][/caption]

Try this at home!

This is a Tactile exercise which can awaken your muscles =)

Putting ice on the lips will certainly help "wake up" those muscles. You can use a plain ice cube for this exercise, but ice pops are easier to use and add some flavor as well.

Run the ice from the middle of the lips outward to the corner. Do this on both sides and then ask your loved one to smile. Repeat the icing movements and the smiling attempts several times.

[caption id="attachment_431" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Icing"][/caption]

Recipes

Filipino food is not really my favorite but I like it when some restaurants offer the usual home-cooked Filipino dishes with a twist just like what they do in Recipes.  Two dishes on Recipes' menu that I usually order is the Gising-gising, a warm and spicy concoction combining coconut milk, chopped vegetables, and ground pork, and the Crispy Tilapia, served as thin strips with a sweet-salty sauce.  These are my favorites! Along with their Adobo Flakes and Talong Salad with Chicharon.  I usually bring friends there for a tasty, affordable and fun dining experience.  They have branches in Greenbelt 3, Trinoma and Robinson's Midtown.

[caption id="attachment_420" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Crispy Tilapia"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Eggplant Salad with Chicharon Bits"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_422" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Crispy Tadyang"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_423" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="A very happy Jane! =)"][/caption]

Tuliro

Spongecola's "Tuliro" has been my favorite for the past 2 weeks...Does it have something to do with Yael, the vocalist of the band? Hmmm...He's really cool and a cutie too =) Wahahahaa! OMG!!! My teenybopper hormones are acting up again =)

[caption id="attachment_416" align="aligncenter" width="233" caption="Yael Yuzon - Spongecola"][/caption]

A Smile a Day...

[caption id="attachment_412" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Smile"][/caption]

A heartfelt smile can really brighten one's day.  I had a terrible day yesterday but after seeing my nephew's big smile...it's heaven.

New Moon

I am a Twilight fan.  I can't wait to watch the 2nd installment from the Twilight Saga, New Moon.

I got this poster from my friend Kira. I can't wait for it to be shown on November!!!

[caption id="attachment_403" align="aligncenter" width="202" caption="New Moon Poster"][/caption]

My "ME" Time at Saizen

I had the pleasure of having an hour of "ME" time last Saturday so after my meeting at Trinoma, I went straight to Galleria (thanks to the MRT, I got there in a Flash!)

I was itching to go to Galleria ever since I read the blog of Chuvaness at http://chuvaness.livejournal.com/ about Saizen - a Japanese discount store that sells everything from kitchen wares to office supplies to all the cutesy stuff.  I like checking out Japanese stores like Japan Home Center because they have cheap items (only P88). But in Saizen everything costs P85 no matter how big or small the item is.

I passed by the racks - tried not to miss all the cool items=) and with my cam phone, I took shots of some great finds...



[caption id="attachment_391" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="monkey plate"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_392" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="colorful baskets"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_393" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="more baskets!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_394" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="cute socks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_396" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="felt cloth"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_395" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="tools"][/caption]

Some of the items that went home with me =)

[caption id="attachment_384" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="bottle/can opener"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="weaved basket"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_386" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="gift bag"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_387" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="floral gift bags"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_398" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="i lav et!!! muffin cups =)"][/caption]

I would really go back to this mecca of great kawaii items =)

[caption id="attachment_388" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="saizen"][/caption]

Just Dream...

I chanced upon this photo while searching for an article.  I liked it.  There will be times in our lives when we feel trapped in our own little world. Not knowing what to do, not knowing how to dream anymore.  "To dream is a free ride to neverland (Anonymous)... " So dream, believe and have a little faith that it might come true.

Powerhouse Cast

I just want to commend the outstanding cast of the the teleserye Tayong Dalawa.  I'm not really a fan but I must admit that the actors and actresses in the said show are all superb.  ABS-CBN has tapped the brightest stars of television, movies and theater.

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Stellar Cast"][/caption]

Birthday Blow-Out

How did I spend my birthday?

Easy...

By eating...SECRET RECIPE (Rob Midtown)

[caption id="attachment_364" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="tom yum soup"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_365" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="chicken cordon bleu"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_366" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="lasagna"][/caption]

Eating...(Iceberg - Rob Midtown)

[caption id="attachment_367" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Banana Split"][/caption]

Eating...(World of Chicken - Mall of Asia)

[caption id="attachment_368" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chicken with Asian Noodles & Mac Salad"][/caption]

(Phew) Eating...(Cafe Bola - Greenbelt)

[caption id="attachment_369" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pasta with Kesong Puti and Danggit Flakes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_370" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pandesal Rounds with Cabbage and Cheddar Dip"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carambola Pasta in Spicy Green Sauce"][/caption]

 I don't think I can eat another round - in like 5 years maybe. I'm so full! =) Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me.  Happy. Happy me! =)

Super Mario Bros

Super Mario Bros is a video game developed by Nintendo in late 1985.  I was in elementary (i won't disclose the level anymore) when I started playing with this game. It was all that I needed back then. I stopped playing with my dolls and had a pretty close  relationship with my  family computer ;)

[caption id="attachment_355" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="super mario bros"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="253" caption="mario and luigi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_357" align="aligncenter" width="130" caption="King Koopa"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_359" align="aligncenter" width="81" caption="Princess Toadstool"][/caption]

AND who would forget about Toad?! ;)

[caption id="attachment_360" align="aligncenter" width="101" caption="Toad"][/caption]

A true to life shot of Toad.  Tsk. Tsk. Tsk...My nephew posing as toad :)

[caption id="attachment_361" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Josef as Toad"][/caption]

It's Fun to Recycle

As part of our Summer Workshop, we teach the kids the value of the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  They did a couple of projects to culminate the lesson.  Here are some of my favorites:

[caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Note Holder using Clothespin"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Clothespin Note Holder (backview)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Note Holder"][/caption]

I also love the piggy coin bank that they made using empty mineral water bottles.

[caption id="attachment_343" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Piggy Coin Bank"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_344" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Piggy Coin Bank (sideview)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_345" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Our student showing off his work :)"][/caption]

Late Night Snacks

I can't help but eat a lot when I'm so busy or over-stressed. I called up my friend to accompany me to a late night snacks at Greenbelt.  Cafe Breton was jam-packed so we ended up eating at Kopi Roti.  I've tasted their Coffee Buns before and it was good, especially when served hot ;)

I decided to try something new so I ordered French Toast.  I liked it because it tasted like my mother's home cooked toast.  They also served a special Roti spread which tasted like condensed milk.

[caption id="attachment_348" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="French Toast"][/caption]

My friend, Val, ordered a combo of Soft-Boiled egg and toast.  She liked her food too.  She said that the saltiness of the egg complimented the sweetness of her toast ;)

[caption id="attachment_349" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Soft-Boiled Egg and Toast"][/caption]

Overall dining experience was okay except for their iced tea. I didn't like it.  The citrus flavor of their tea is overwhelming.  Maybe because I'm so accustomed with the taste of Nestea. Hihi ;)

[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Iced Tea"][/caption]

Val seemed to enjoy every bite!!!! Happy Val ;)

[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Val ;)"][/caption]