On-The-Job TrAininG!

After nerve shattering interviews, irritating medical exams, and a 5k suit . . . I got in!!!  It's been ages sine I went through this experience.  It may sound cliche and downright corny, but this made me feel ... young.  It's like I'm in my twenties again scouting from one job placement to another, getting the feel of my newly purchased heels, and reading every 'how to land your fist job' type of book. Hahahaha!  This is it!  Do pray that I make my school and family proud :)

LasT minGLe beForE OJT

I'll be missing my closest classmates... soon we will part ways for our On-The-Job-Training (OJT).  But before we said our goodbyes, we had one last hurrah at Stackers burger joint.  Yes, gourmet food can be tiring, lol, so why not ease out and enjoy real soul food -- tender juicy burgers! lol!

L-R: Mhickey, Cait, Moi, Stefy, Pam

my TaKe On MeaT

For our last powerpoint food presentation, I decided to take on the Beef Tenderloin.  I challenged myself to put as much cooking methods I can apply in one dish.  It may be not practical or downright wrong, but at least I tried.  A young chef should never be discouraged easily, and must think each dish as a blank canvass, and all the ingredients are the colors that will bring it to life.

Pepper Crusted Tenderloin set on a rosette of sauted vegetables served with sweet potato fritters on mashed potatoes and garnished with ratatouille

My LiTTLe bOy waLks aGain

A beautiful fantastic wedding... of two beings meant to be.  That's how to best describe the wedding of my cousin Mpoy to Cre.  I just so love the feeling that the people watching and witnessing the event has nothing but beautiful things to say.  They tied the knot with everyone's blessing.

And of course, I'm one proud Mama watching LB (little boy), make his way down the aisle as one of the offertory.

jOaQuin aT 2yrs and 11monThs

The star of the show!  That's how I can describe my dear boy at this time of his life (aside from the fact that every mom thinks her child is the star of the show!). lol.  I am a Mom, being Biased is my entitlement. lol.

Every school performance, Joaquin is most of the time at center stage.  His witty smile, twinkling eyes, and wiggly body during dances make him a cut above the rest.  He can easily follow directions and just loves it when the crowd positively responds to his uber-cute performance.

I can't help but be amazed at how this little kiddo's brain absorbs so much information.  He can actually sing the Philippine National Anthem by himself.  He will take NO for an answer provided that you explain it to him why.  Yes, we trained Joaquin to be inquisitive and to ask questions when necessary.  But sometimes, I think he forgets when to stop asking questions. lol.

Did you know that a talent scout gave us a calling card and urged that Joaquin goes for an audition?  Now, if I can just find where I placed that calling card! Aaarrrgggh! My bad!  Anyhow, I know there'll be more future opportunities for my little boy wonder.

NationaL diSheS

For this week...

Coq Au Vin

Fish Consomme with Herb Quenelles     and     Cream of Mushroom Capuccino

Salmon Coulibiac                       Talli Macchli on Yellow Rice with Cucumber Sambal and Safron Curry Sauce

Beef Bourguignon

MamA and ViEL's biRThdAY

No need for a bongacious all out celebration, as long as we are complete... that's the best gift.

The birthday girls

We had dinner at Mr. Kurosawa at Eastwood, just to try something different.  We all loved the sushis and sashimis!  Yummy!  But the ala-cart items were... just ok.

We laughed the night away, and as usual Joaquin was the star!

Thank you Lord for another in Mama and Viel's lives.  Thank you! Thank you for all the blessings :)  I can't imagine life without them.

HaPpY biRThdAy LoLo Ed!

For he's a Jolly Good Fellow that nobody can deny!  Yes this song verse perfectly describes my Father-in-Law :)

Happy Happy birthday Lolo Ed.  Thanks for being the best father-in-law and Lolo one could have!

PhOTo sHooT

One of the perks of being a Student Assistant to Chef Manoj, is that you get to see him in action.  Recently, he was invited by a food magazine to do a recipe and the corresponding photo shoot.

Jaime, Chef M, and Moi

We were the ones who prepared, cut, and processed everything with Chef M's guidance, too bad we can't be in the official photos with him. lol.  We can't also take a picture of the actual food plating and presentation, since it is for the magazine, but we took an 'after shot' of the plating.  Not so nice, but 'puede na' for the blog. lol

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

shUTTeR isLaNd

A definitely must read book!  A page turner!  Dennis Lehane is truly talented.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Hollywood just made a movie of this starting Leonardo diCaprio and directed by no less than Martin Scorsese.  I can't wait for the release of this film!
Books like this makes me reminisce my very first ambition in life, to be a novelist.  My inspiration back then was Sydney Sheldon.  I had a complete collection of all his books, both soft bound and hard bound edition.  I like the dark narrative twist he presents his stories, a page tuner indeed. Now, the only thing close to writing I do is this blog, which am not really proud off. lol.  This would put Syndey Sheldon to shame! lol.