Thursday, June 12, 2008

Perlas ng Silanganan

*************************************************************************************


Maligayang Kalayaan Pilipinas!!!
Perlas na aking sinilangan



...eh ikaw, malaya ka ba?

*************************************************************************************

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Countdown Begins thru Cake

------------------------------------------------

It’s officially one (1) week before my birthday, and this is the only time I confirmed this. Ha-ha. I’m not used to doing this but I’m really kind of excited (well, not exactly all excited, you know) but it’s all gonna be good.

Something reminded me of my birthday yesterday and it’s definitely the Chocolate Mousse Cake from Dell’s that I ate for lunch. It was really yummy and so sugary that it took my energy and my family history of diabetes to a different level. Sigh, I can only manage to eat a slice or else I won’t be able to think like a normal human being after that.

While playing with my thoughts about how wonderful I feel as of the moment I started browsing the net for some really interesting images of cakes that I’d love to have for my birthday. Hmm, I just hope mama and papa is watching. *wink,wink*

Let's start with my ultimate favorite cake of all cakes. Chocolate Mousse. This image is from Red Ribbon, which also happens to be the sweetest cake franchise in the entire Philippines. Why? Well, let's just say that on many special occasions Red Ribbon has served me and my family with so much courteousness that no ordinary Filipino would expect from a really well-known food joint. Okey, so isn't this supposed to be all about me?

Another cake from Red Ribbon that is never last in my family's list of must-haves on the table for special occasions. The Black Forest is also responsible for my brothers' first taste of wine.

Haagen Dazs' Belgian Choco Seduction. Need I say more? Yeah. Seduction, like this cake is the all-time teaser of the Haagen Daz Store.

Perfect Harmony by Haagen Daz. So who ever says there's no equality in this world has never been to a Haagen Daz store. Because seriously, if you're looking for Perfect Harmony, like what I do, I'd just drop by their store at The Shang. He-he. Peace!

Bailey's Cheesecake. All right you guys, let's just say you're just so bored with your usual latte that you want to start drinking but doesn't want the smell of it since you'd need to be back home to mom. Well, here's the answer to that. Oh, sorry, I was referring to Bailey's, the drink.

Here are some curious looking cakes that really made me look them up on web. White-Chocolate Mousse and Strawberry Cheescake By Filomena Gourmet Bakery in Georgetown. She's an international success in creating dessert selections such as the ones posted. She also caters all different kinds of Choco Mousse Cakes that would really mock your favorite list. From White Chocolate Mousse to Triple Chocolate, Macadamia Nut, Chocolate Caramel, to Raspberry, oh gosh, you name it. Wow! That's 25 years of sweet success. Here's an interesting fact about Madame Filomena Ristorante of Georgetown and her renowned gourmet bakery: Did you know that her Chef's were once bakers for the President of the United States and as well as some of other high ranking dignitaries? Sounds really fascinating eh?

Haayy, so those were the 7 cakes I'd like to have for my birthday this coming Monday - June 16. Aw! Now this is really formally announcing it, Ayin. Bash! Now for those who're waiting for treat, party or whatever, I'm not really sure about that you know. I called in for some reinforcement on my financial status from my parents and so I can't be too sure if there'd be some kind of a you-know-what party. He-he. Standby for updates though.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

"The Habit"



I saw this Ad online today and so I started writing this blog post. So fitting, I told myself.

I’m a smoker. Yes. This is true. I’ve been smoking since 2005 and since then I had the hardest times getting out of the habit. Now, I’m kicking it out of my system. Today marks the first week of my being a smoke-free individual. I know I haven’t progressed that much, you know, but honestly I’m really working hard to stay away from it.

I used to make so many excuses just to have a reason to grab a stick. If I sense a really stressful workload ahead I’d runaway from my post, go out of the building, light a stick and I’m adrift. Many times I’ve thought smoking as a great activity to bond with my friends. That’s because most of them smokes. But isn’t that a wonderful reason to continue smoking? I want to spend time with my friends after work so I could shake the stress away and just have fun and talk while holding a cigar. It's sort of a tool to bring us all together, huddle-up (with the absence of beer), talk, open-up and confide. It simply makes EVERY social gathering pleasurable that you’d want to stay there together a lot longer. So there, Smoking galore!

Well, I’m enough of this. I’m grabbing a stick later. I can’t quit smoking and live to tell the story. I can’t just get over it right now. I’m sorry but I think it’s too hard to stop. For now, the habit stays.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Chocolate Therapy



I was doing the usual Link Building for my new blog site - http://aynakowes-notebook.blogspot.com, when I had a sudden Migraine attack. It was really bad that I was forced to buy me something sweet to eat. Nothing satisfying was available so I grabbed my favorite Oishi's Pillows. I thought it much better than grabbing a stick to light if I'm staying away from it. He-he.
When I went back surfing the net I stumbled in a thought of yearning. It was my sweet tooth singing. Chocolates my sweet, it said. The voice kept ringing until I was stuffed with such an emotional turmoil that took me the entire afternoon to get rid of. I didn’t notice I was already pestering my friend KC about my condition that she told me it must've been my cigarette withdrawal (it's been a week since I last piped a cigarette). I refused to believe and so I forced myself to just concentrate on my link building project. Couple more hours and the thought still nag (not to mention the Migraine killing me). I stuffed in some of Pillows and I was sold. Now, my quick fix for a stubborn Migraine is just a bag of Pillows.
Suddenly, a whole new world of fondness embraced me like a real Pillow hug. But it wasn’t just Pillow anymore. It’s Chocolate itself. I realized I’m melting to a new addiction – Chocolates!


Well, I think I’m solved for now. So for you, here’s some Chocolate Quotes. Go ahead muse yourself. Grab a bite of that chocolate bar. Indulge!
* There are four basic food groups-milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.
* Man cannot live on chocolate alone; but woman sure can.
* Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces
* A little too much chocolate is just about right.
* All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
* Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
* Among life's mysteries is how a two pound box of chocolate can make a woman gain five pounds.
* Stress wouldn’t be so hard to take if it were chocolate covered.
* Eat a square meal a day - a box of chocolate.
* In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips.
* Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate.

* All quotes are courtesy of http://recipes.chef2chef.net/recipe-chocolate/famous-chocolate-quotes.htm.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

These are a few of my favorite things...



I love Coke Light for breakfast! Sorry Ma, I just can't help it! If I can't get myself to the nearest Starbucks or just a self-made cup of coffee, you'd see me tossing a bottle (or a can) of Coke Lights (or the latest Coke Zero). Just can't contain my draught that's it.



I love Chocolate Cakes! This is my comfort food aside from chocolate itself and coffee. Oopps! Is coffee considered a food? Well, for me it is. He-he.






I love coffee!
I'm a self-confessed coffee addict. I could down two (2) cups in one sitting with a book at hand and would entirely forget what I'm reading. It's my fuel in the morning and at night. If times are hard I'd come running for a cup and just sit beside my window, stargazing. But if it's Saturday and the Basher Girls are around I'll be out brewing coffee at Starbucks with them. Cheers!



I love the Beach and getting myself tanned and believe me when I say I want to. I'm really a frustrated Filipina you know.



I love the night time. It treats romance with coldness so daylight can come shining in giving warmth to the heart. The stars are a different story though...



I love Naruto Shippuden! This, I think, out of all the Japanese animated series I've watched has the best, if not has the most kicker interpretation of the word 'Friendship'. Well of course we can count Furuba in.



So if I'm talking Japanese animation you won't miss me saying the word "Chi.." This anime for me is the most romantic of all that I've seen. Okey, so I'm not a real fan, well so what?! I don't really care about all of them animes, all I care is how credible the stories are and if they're really worth watching. Chobits is one series I'd watch in line with any Julia Robert's flick. Chi is just sooo cute!



I love writing stories. I am by far the most frustrated writer of all the Saturday Basher Girls. He-he. Well, that's because I'm the only one who hasn't been given a chance to take on a professional stint in writing. Oh well, I think my time will come. *giggles*





I Love Paulo Coelho! He's just such a brilliant writer whom I'd like to have a cup of coffee with when I become a successful writer. Ahi-hi.

Well, these are just a few of my favorite things. I know I'm into so many things but time can only permit me to show you just some of theme for now. I'll have them presented to you so other time though. He-he.