I wouldn't post exact dates on this blog (for security reasons, aight?) but just the same I'm sharing important occassions for the world to see, hehe.

We celebrated my thirty sixth out on a casual dinner at John's kitchen, a zen-inspired outdoor steak house at Angeles City.

The meal was soo scrumptious yet very affordable. Steaks cost less than two hundred pesos (less than $5). Pigging out is now made more affordable, lest we wanna be fatter and unhealthier, that is. haha.

My hubby's auto detailing shop, Q-Zone Professional Detailers, kicked it up a notch! We were asked by a friend, Alex of Alx Custom Werks to do the detailing job of one entry at the recently held Manila Auto Salon. It was held at the SMX Convention Center, last week November 24-27. It was indeed a privilege to be trusted by Alex, who is considered one of the best in customizing auto sound systems in Pampanga. And of course, we're honored to get to detail an entry of Manila Auto salon calibre!

This is the car Q-Zone detailed. I should have taken in from an HD cam.

Hubby with our youngest boy. Inspecting his shining work, lol.

Yes, you read it right - Q-Zone Professional Detailers! Yay!

Q-Zone logo, and of course Alx Custom Werks at the rear door.

Hubby with our eldest son. Still stares with amazement at his shining work, haha!

Q-Zone Professional Detailers and ALX Custom Werks work great together! :)

_Inside (back) details of the car.

Inside (front) details of the car.

The pretty model. She gave me a sweet and sincere smile when she noticed I'm taking her  pic. Maybe I'm one of the few females who takes pics of models, haha! Peculiar, huh?

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This was the dessert I made for our cooking contest The Master's Kitchen.Until now I still can't believe this won, haha.

You will need:
375 grams squash
100 ml condensed milk
approx 5 grams peanuts (crushed)
125 grams powdered milk (skimmed / buttermilk)
50 grams coco sugar

Super easy process:
1. Cut squash into small thin strips.
2. Steam squash. [tip: you can steam them while cooking rice using rice cooker.]
3. Mash the squash.
4. Add milk, sugar, condensed milk, and peanuts.
5. Scoop mixture using a spoon and dash with coco sugar.
6. Place on small plastic cups.

At last! I found a gadget that's built for a doodler like me. Samsung Galaxy Note's the only item on my Christmas wish list. Yii. Haha.

While there are an awesome lot of Samsung gadgets on the market, this one's the real thing for me. Its S-pen is like that of the older palmtops with of course, innovations. It enables 'drawing', total control like a real pen. Such a sweetie. Hihi.

More info about the this newest Samsung gadget at androidcentral.com

Women's Ministry of our church held a cooking show called The Master's Kitchen. Every cell group presented three entries: sandwich, drink, and dessert. The dishes have to be nutritional, economical, creative and sumptous.

I was assigned to do the dessert for our group. Of course I wasn't confident to do it. I think I'm the least qualified to do it compared with women from other groups. Our church's women are highly esteemed home makers and cooks, and I think I'm not yet on their league.

Anyways, I prepared something - simple though. Originally it was Squash Pastillas, but the consistency of the pastillas was not good. So I modified it and lo, it tasted like yemas. harhar. So I just called it Squash Yemas in Coco Sugar. (Will post the recipe and Nutritional Benefits and Economic Value later.)

Guess what? We bagged the Best in Dessert. It's what I least expected, but God favored our dish. Will expound on this story later. All I can say is TGBTG! To God be the glory!

Josiah was the Mr. Sweden for the day! His school celebrated United Nations Day.

Josiah eagerly waits for the program to start.

This was their 'International' dance. His classmate didn't want to do the dance. It was an amusing rendition, the kids had different dance moves, haha. Well atleast, they were able to pull it through. Their cuteness compensated for the inevitable subtle mishaps.

Posing with him is the equally handsome cousin kuya Kyle - Mr. Turkey. :)

Ladies need a lot of things, well it's so obvious! haha. A woman can't go out without a bag full of 'necessities'. While men can manage to go with just a wallet.

I've noticed, as girls age, these 'necessities' change. For kids, their Barbie dolls. Elementary studs, their ipods. Teens, obviously cellfones, Ipads. Well these essentials are mostly personal gadgets, as our lives now run on these technological advancements. In my humble opinion, for moms, specially full-time ones, don't prefer a lot of personal gadgets. They need more of cant-do-without 'home' gadgets.

Here's my top three (but not limited to) home essentials:

• A good cooker -Mine's ELBA. Since I don't cook that good, I need a good stove and oven to 'seduce' me into cooking, haha! Every mother needs some pushing, and I tell you, it takes a good looking thing to bring it out. ;) Mine's a black beauty.
• Fully automatic washing machine. Need i say more? Labandera days are long gone. 
• Vacuum cleaner. 

Most of us have what we call 'mentors' to follow. Just because they perfectly embody our ideals and visions. When it comes to motherhood, I have a person in mind: Celebrity mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.
She's the perfect embodiment of a modern Filipina wife and mom who is both godly and practical. She hosts one of my favorite 'mommy' shows, Lifestyle Network's MomWorks. She's also a blogger, an article writer at Philstar. I marvel at her wisdom in dealing with different family issues. You can see from her articles how a modern mom balances her personal and motherly careers with ease. She's such an endearing mom and wife, a good writer and host, name it - she's almost got it all.

I like her. I wanna be like her.

Typhoons come and go in the Philippines from May to October. This year's typhoons have longer stay than usual. Argh! Too bad for our detailing business.

Add to the oddity is that, even when there's no typhoon, rain just pours and then the sun comes through, and then all of a sudden it rains again. Such a berserk weather! No wonder people especially kids have weaker immune system. Change of temperature and climate contributes to the weakening of immunity.

Two weeks ago my two boys had cough, colds and fever. I gave them added doses of Ceelin Plus - (generic: Ascorbic Acid + Zinc). I prefer this over the old plain Ceelin vitamin. It has Zinc. Zinc fires up the enzymes needed by the body in healing wounds. It's much needed in boosting the immune system, thus more helpful in treating common colds.

Had I not given them Ceelin Plus, their fever would have lasted long. To my delight, fever's gone in 24 hours. :)