posted by Jennie on Dec 5
I so love this time of the year! Ever since December stepped in, the cool weather breeze has been giving us more reason to be jolly. The weather is always at its best around this time of the year. I remember even having a cooler temperature around first week of January last year in Manila what they had in Texas, where my folks where during that time.
posted by Jennie on Dec 4
My folks house now looks spanking after the post Ondoy makeover. They used to have Narra plywood over their walls but they were compelled to renovate the whole place after the flood. There was just no other way to make the house livable again.
posted by Jennie on Nov 11
So I haven’t yet come up with a domain name fit for our family’s homeschooling blog. This week being a busy week for us, I figured it’s going to have to happen next week. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Nov 10
This week has been pretty busy. Hence, the lack of post. But we’ve been very good, thank you. I lack sleep, though and I need to catch up (as if that is at all possible). My little guy and I are soon to go through his first unit test after that crazy Ondoy storm. In line with that, I have a post on queue concerning A Father’s Role in Home Education.
posted by Jennie on Oct 31
The hubby and I had our initiation on what Degustation dinner is over at A.I.C.A. (The Academy for International Culinary Arts) last Thursday, October 29. It couldn’t be more interesting — her greatness, culinary legend chef herself, Ms. Nora Daza was there to grace the event. It was a night, a full three hours of fun, learning, savyy dining experience and yumminess galore.
First off, what is degustation? Prior to last night, I had no clue what that was. We arrived pretty early at the venue, went to check the night’s schedule and got rather clueless when I saw that the night’s event is called degustation. Okay, what does a blogger do during such times? Google it up. That’s what I did. Who can better define the word than Wikipedia.
Degustation is a culinary term meaning “a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods” and focusing on the gustatory system, the senses, high culinary art and good company.
The French term dégustation is still commonly used in English-language contexts, even though a standard Anglicized spelling and pronunciation exist.
Modern dégustation probably comes from the French kitchens of the early 20th century and is different from earlier meals with many courses because these meals were served as full-sized meals at each course. Dégustation is more likely to involve sampling small portions of all of a chef’s signature dishes in one sitting. Usually consisting of eight or more courses, it may be accompanied by a matching wine degustation which complements each dish.
Sampling a selection of cheeses, at home or in a restaurant, may also be called a dégustation. Three to four varieties are normally chosen, generally including a semi-soft cheese, a goat’s cheese, and a blue cheese. The stronger varieties are normally tasted last. See the article “A Cheese Lover’s Tour of France” from The New York Times.
A dégustation is always held during the Japanese television show Iron Chef.
posted by Jennie on Oct 21
Three weeks and some since typhoon Ondoy and we’re still picking up the pieces, so to speak. My son and I are back homeschooling. Some important documents, birth and marriage certificates, Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Oct 14
It has been almost three weeks since we were hit by Ondoy and although clean up isn’t officially done yet (still some more stuff to sort and throw out), we’re picking up the pieces and slowly going back to normal. Although our 4 year old son’s paces got wet as well with flood water, we have resolved to sanitize, dry and still use whatever was left. Buying a replacement for every single wet pace would cost a lot and that’s something we cannot afford anymore right now. We had to order 16 paces that we failed to retrieve (8 Science and 8 Word Building Paces). The sets will be available Monday next week but we’ve already resumed homeschooling Monday of this week and I cannot be more thrilled to see my son’s fine motor skills has improved a great deal!
posted by Jennie on Oct 5
Nine days of cleaning up the house and we’re still not done. While it is true that we are extremely grateful that we are intact through it all, we cannot help but still feel exhausted from time to time. It’s like we’ve been cleaning up since forever and it doesn’t seem to end. The Lord alone sustains us, this much I can say. Counting the blessings and people who ministered to us by reaching out, have done a great deal.
Just to give you a glimpse of the devastation this typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) has done to our abode, allow me to share some before and after pictures.
our washroom before typhoon Ondoy
Ondoy and his wrath
posted by Jennie on Oct 3
This was taken Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 8:19 AM, the day following Typhoon Ondoy’s wrath. The flood has receded approximately a couple of feet since the rain stopped. Took this shot from the room we stayed in at the neighbor’s. That’s my son’s bicycle. The night before, it was completely covered in flood water. Barely slept, following closely the flood’s developments. Although we were on the second floor, even during the rain stopped for a while, the flood continued to rise. We didn’t know where to head to next in the event that the flood would reach the second floor. It helped that the neighbor’s house has high ceilings. I reckoned, it was gonna take a great while before flood reaches our floor. But now that I come to think of it, if the rain refused to stop, it was not far from happening.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 2:03PM. Three days of cleaning up and still not half done. Everyone in the family is tired. We are blessed to have my reliable weekend helper report everyday for work this whole week. It helped that classes were suspended. That made her available, she has 4 girls.
My folks’ place suffered a more terrible plight. Their house has wood parquet flooring. All the installed wood tiles came off and the Narra plywood walls also peeled off. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Oct 1
Here’s a photo essay of what happened to our family during the rage of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). The above picture was taken last Saturday, September 26 at 10:19AM. The flood water covered the street but we were confident that it was to subside in no time, like it always does. We were not even anticipating that it will climb up our already elevated garage.
At 1:03 PM. Jeff walking towards our pedestrian gate. Flood waters not quite touching our doorstep just yet. This sight alone was a shock to all of us. We’ve been living here since 1980 and nothing like this has ever happened before. Just for us to know hours later that we haven’t seen anything yet.
Typhoon Ketsana, locally called Ondoy, has brought record rainfall in Metro Manila, producing hours of extreme heavy rains, the volume of which exceeded that of Hurricane Katrina, which led to this tragic flooding. The rainfall that we usually receive in one month was brought by Typhoon Ondoy in six hours.
posted by Jennie on Oct 1
SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN NUMBER FOUR
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING: TROPICAL TYPHOON “PEPENG”
ISSUED AT 11:00 AM, 01 OCTOBER 2009
(by: PAGASA)
(Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin to be issued at 5 PM today)
At 10:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Typhoon “PEPENG” was estimated to be 520 kms east of Borongan, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It’s estimated position on Friday morning shall be 220 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes and on Saturday morning, 80 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora or 160 kms southeast of Tuguegarao City. By Sunday morning it is estimated to be 60 kms Northwest of Laoag City.
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL 1 is raised over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. Winds of 30-60 kph is expected within the next 36 hrs.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 P.M. today.
posted by Jennie on Aug 27
It is a good thing that the hubby and I are not eyeglass wearers yet. But with this recent news about How You Can Start Spending Smart with Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx eyeglasses, I think it is not going to be a great deal if we both would need to wear spectacles in the coming years. They are so affordable, stylish and durable. So far, these are my favorite high fashion eyeglasses…
posted by Jennie on Aug 23
This is what I have been busy with this past few days. The six main sites that I maintain is taking its toll on my online socialization. I can’t even get myself to drop by blogs and make my presence felt by commenting on entires. I miss my online friends! 
posted by Jennie on Jun 9
Saizen, the P85 store got me into this whimsical shopping journey last week. Who would have thought anything so affordable could count for anything anymore. Sure, I have heard a handful of happy people stepping out of Saizen. But like every other thing, you have to get into it to actually experience its “cheap thrill.” Everyone could make use of a bargain in this time of economic crisis, right? It is almost certain that majority of the population’s spending habits has adjusted a great deal since the era of recession stepped in.
As a practical person, a mom at that, Saizen, the P85 store is the “it” store for me. You will find functional things that are hardly available in your regular store and the amazing finds are countless! Saizen’s Group General Manager, Mr. Bobby Go told us about Saizen’s the store which was launched here in the Philippines last April 29, 2009- pioneering with the present sole branch in Robinson’s Galleria. Here’s hoping for more branches across the metro. 
No sub standard items in here, especially so that nearly everything is developed by Daiso-Sangyo, Inc. in Japan especially for Saizen. The hubby got a handful of great finds for the church office and the ministry. He also got hold of a couple of magic tricks packet at P85 a pop! He recently incorporated magic tricks during youth service. Me? I got stuck in rows upon rows of children’s toys, household stuff and fashion accessories. 
If there is anything that you might need in the house or for just about anything, you might want to swing by and see for yourself tons of choices you have for such affordable price. It will actually make you feel good that you spent less than you would have in your regular store.
It’s practically a one stop shop. From practical and functional household goods, hobby materials, school and office supplies, toys, lifestyle, quality fashion and apparel, home decors, Japanese interiors and ceramics, kitchenware and supplies, home improvement, gardening tools and pet accessories. What’s more fun is they come up with over a hundred of new items every month. Visit Saizen for authentic Daiso products located at the 3rd level, East Lane of Robinson’s Galleria.
posted by Jennie on Jun 5
Turning down another wedding event is not exactly an exciting thing for me. Lately, I have once again turned down another event that is set for next year. As much as I would love to attend to its preparations, my upcoming schedule with my little kid as we home school has to come first and foremost.
In the last couple of years, I gladly offered free consultation in lieu of my committed service. Mainly because my schedule cannot accommodate wedding planning anymore and I feel awful having to turn down one of the things that I love doing and I should say I am very good at. I do not withhold my list of wedding suppliers – of trade show displays that can be used for wedding events, the banner stands that are now the norm of modern wedding events and even canvas printing services to those I cannot accommodate. I know I have a pretty good list and everyone deserves to have the best wedding ever.
Keeping to a priority, especially now that my son and I will formally start with the home school program in two weeks, is non-negotiable. The bride to be needed an answer soon and I cannot risk saying yes, if I will not be able to deliver. The most that I could do for now is to give out a list and files of my suppliers, from trade show displays provider, invites to makeup artists. I even give out program samples that soon to be married couples can use for their wedding. Â
Hopefully, by next year I can get back to coordinating weddings again, even if it will just be “on the day coordinationâ€. By that time, I should have mastered juggling all the things that I do.
