Cooking 101 with Jen

I am not a kitchen person. Cooking nor baking is not really my passion but I know how to cook. I am from a family who loves to cook and bake pero ewan ko ba hindi ko yata namana yon sa kanila. But don't get me wrong guys even I don't cook often I know how to cook naman. I remember after I graduated college that I try to learned different recipes and while I'm cooking I'm holding cooking book with me or sometimes I will call my friends and ask them what menu can I cook on the available stuffs on our ref.  Sabi kasi ni Mommy baka daw ibalik ako ng magiging in laws ko if hindi ako marunong magluto ...hahaha

When I was in Philippines I never cook talaga, magaling at masarap magluto si Mommy at Daddy kaya hindi ako napressure na magluto para lang may makain. When I started to work here abroad lahat ng mga pinsan ko masasarap at magagaling magluto, maybe its one of the reason din kung bakit di ako nahilig or napilitang magluto, nakakapressure in a way na ang gagaling ng mga kasama mo sa house magluto then if you cooked tapos what if hindi masarap sayang lang yung ingredients di ba?

Hindi ko naging problema ang pagluluto even I am away with my parents especially kapag may work ako, mas magiging problema ko siguro kung maubos ang mga tinapay sa tinapay sa mga grocery stores. I don't have packed lunch with me since we have canteen in the office, yun nga lang nakakasawa din minsan its good thing I have office mates who shared their passion in cooking with us.

Since my brother lived with me here in Doha, one of my worries is paano sya papakainin hehehe I mean what to cook for him since I don't cook nga talaga. Thanks to my cousins, the B2 F12 family who loves to cook, bake and eat as well. Hindi rin sila nagpapacked lunch, bread lang ok na rin sila. Kung ako hindi nagluluto kasi hindi ko talaga hilig guess what mas lalo ang brother ko, and take note of his course. He graduated in HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) course pero hindi talaga sya nagluluto except sa specialty nya ang magprito. 

When we were in Philippines sa bahay namin hindi naguulit ng menu within the day, kung ulam na yan sa lunch for sure iba na yan sa dinner, pwede namang ulitin basta hindi on the same day. My brother and my Dad mas gusto nila my variety within the day. Kapag tumatawag ako kay Mommy one of his question lagi is about sa pagkain. At first, nung hindi pa nagwowork si brother ok lang kahit ano and anytime pwede naman syang magluto ng as usual fried pero nakakasawa din yon di ba.
Since I am at home na by 8:00 pm compare naman sa dating schedule ko na 10:30pm or sometimes 11pm pa nga, I have time to cook for him. Sabi ng konsensya ko "Ikaw ba yan Jen magluluto ka sure ka ba sa mga pinaggagagawa mo?" Well, let me try kung hindi maging ok then back to fried si dear brother.
This is the life of being OFW, ang bawat minuto at oras mahalaga, ewan ko nga ba kung bakit ang bilis ng oras dito kaya naman gabi pa lang magluluto na ako para sa baon ng kapatid ko kasi kung sa morning ko pa sya iluluto good luck naman sa 7:15 a.m na pick up time ng service ko. After kong maluto papalamigin ilalagay sa ref at sya na bahala magpainit the next day.
First menu I cooked for him is Adobo. This is the first recipe I've learned talaga nasa Pinas pa lang ako. And just the other day B2 F12 are requesting me to cook adobo again for them. Yes! it seems na masarap hehehe. That's one of my attitude, kapag ako ang nagluluto I asked someone para tikman kung ok na ang lasa.
Last night I tried my first ever Sweet & Sour Meatballs...
Its very easy and affordable ^__^ You want to know how? Well here it is.

For Meatballs:
Ingredients: minced beef, onion, pepper, egg, flour,salt
Mix the minced with diced onions, put pepper and salt to taste. Add 1 egg and a spoon of flour to stiffen the mixture and then form it into a small like ball. And deep it into a boiling pan of oil.

For Sauce:

Ingredients: vinegar, sugar, sweet chilli sauce (optional), carrots, bell pepper, ginger and pineapple (optional)

In your pan, put vinegar, sugar and water. Let it simmer for few minutes. Dissolve a half spoon of flour into tap water, make sure the flour (powder) is dissolve completely before you pour into your mixture (sauce+sugar and water). Put the sliced onions, and after a minute put the meatballs and let it simmer for 5 minutes. You can add sweet chilli sauce to attain color and taste more.

That's it...ang dali lang di ba? 

Ready nang pang baon....

O ayan Mommy marunong na akong magluto and I will try to improve pa through other recipes, siguro naman hindi na ako ibabalik ng in-laws ko este magiging in-laws pala.

Till next cooking blog!

My Wednesdates

For the past few months I don't usually go out on Wednesday, I mean everyone who knows me know that Wednesday is my day - my day for myself, elope from office on time or earlier than the usual, meet friends, go out to the mall even all by myself. I called it "my Wednesday"

But since last month I had my consistent Wednesdate(s) and a place to go :-) I joined the library ministry Bible study cell group in our church. I have my BS Mansoura cell group na every Thursday, at since hindi naman limited ang cell group na pwede mong attendan so why not di ba? the more bible cell groups, the merrier, and the more blessed you'd be!

Meet the Library Ministry Bible study cell group

taken after our bible study

We're only five as of yesterday but as the Lord says two or more gather in His name, He is with them (Matthew 18:20). Its really a big blessing for me to join them. Every Wednesday I'm looking forward not to visit newly opened malls or great red tags around anymore. I'll try to share you what we studied yesterday - all are blessed and all did our part to share our own stories and testimonies how victoriously fight the battle. I'm really encouraging every one to have your at least one bible study cell group that you can meet weekly. We need it, sabi nga nila ang tao parang cellphone kelngan laging full battery and attending church activities, reading His word everyday and praying every time are some of the ways to always be charged and connected to the Lord. Honestly, iba talaga yung feeling after the BS you'll be enlightened more and being with the right people na hindi lang during the bible study mo sila pwedeng kausapin or tawagan if you need someone to comfort you - you are a family in Christ talaga ^_^

Here are some of the photos taken at the church lobby after our bible study at the church library...

 Genie and Hazel are also my bible study brethren in BS Mansoura cell group every Thursday :-)

Hazel is a member of our church library ministry team.

And since we didn't have our dinner yet, after our BS nagkaayan kumain, the nearest stop - JOLLIBEE!

iba talaga ang panlasang Pinoy, hahanaphanapin mo

Bro. Bert

Sis. Hazel

Sis. Genie

Kuya Warren - our BS leader / teacher

Thank you Lord for giving them to me, they are all blessings.
I'm looking forward na madadagdagan pa kami at may mga idadagdag pa si Lord. Happy and blessed I joined them.

 Happy and Blessed ME :-)

How To Have A Lovely Day

Have a lovely Wednesday!
God bless us all

Don't Panic! He's In Control

Every person is not exempted to have problems, to bump with challenges nor troubles in life. Do you know any person who didn't experience any problems? Well lets put it this way...kung walang problema, how do you see the world? sasabihin mo naman e di masaya, kasi wala ngang problema. But have you ever consider the fact na kung walang problema sa mundo but still the attitude of the people are still the same, problema pa rin yon di ba? mas malala pa nga siguro. Kung ang lahat ng tao ay mayaman sasabihin mo naman e di maganda kasi wala ng pulubi, wala ng magugutom but still may away kasi ang bawat tao ay magpapataasan at maghihilahan pababa, problema pa rin di ba?

Hindi mo ba naiisip kung lahat ng tao ay nagkakaproblema bakit yung iba mong kakilala parang hindi naman nagkakaroon. Tanungin mo sila maaring isasagot nila sa'yo "nasa nagdadala lang yan" which is true if you know how to handle your problems or the situations where you are it would be easy to pretend as if nothing is happening but still if you look into their eyes you can see the sorrow, the pain , and the worries within their heart. They might pretend and hide behind those smiles but still there will be no inner peace. But if you have GOD in you, if you have a relationship with the LORD everything will be as easy as you think. Even the storm will calm itself, the darkness will be lighted, and you will feel the peace - no need to pretend that you're fine and tell everyone that you're ok cos they are the one who will ask you "why it seems everything is alright inspite and despite of what you're going through" and if you have GOD within you you will just say "I'm fine cos GOD is in control of everything, His will be done..."

I've been going to difficult times since last week but I truly praise and glorify GOD for giving me the strength to overcome all of it. Sabi ko nga hindi hahayaan ni Lord na lumipas ang even half day man lang para bigyan Nya ako ng solution sa lahat. Truly He can give all the things we've ask in just a snap.

 

You don't need to spend money just to talk with the Lord, all you need is to call Him through prayers and listen to His answer.

Have you ever try to call to God? if not this is the time to call Him. Talk to Him and I am sure He will answer you.

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I be afraid of ? If the LORD is with me...

 

People may doubt you, they might hurt you and push you in troubles but as long as you are with GOD no one can harm you...no one can hurt you.

Don't panic! The Lord is in control of everything. All you need is to let Him enter into your life. Ask forgiveness for all the sins that you've done; accept Him as Your personal Savior and live life according to Him.

Finally, After Almost Five Years

Finally after almost five years we've met again yesterday!
Analyn is my a former colleague of mine in Philippines and become a good friend of mine since then. She's is the super mom of two- Dianne and Rafael, and a loving wife of Paulo. Our life way back in our former office sobrang simple pero super saya. 
First meeting in Doha, Qatar
I fetched her with her children, April 2008
Wala pang selfie at FB pero kami marunong ng magselfie :-)

 

Second meeting in Doha was when we had dinner with her family in Upstairs - Downstairs, sad to say I was not able to retrieved the only photo we had that night on my Friendster account.

And the third is March 20,2009 on my 28th birthday, I check my files and there are no pictures taken with her ..well honestly hindi sya talaga mahilig sa picture so kapag sya ang kasama ko mabibilang ang mga picture with her.

After four years without seeing each other but we talk naman or chat or emails but could you imagine how small is Doha naman for us not to see each other...

After four years....

March 1, 2013, we bumped each other at Carrefour, City Centre. Imagine sa dami daming pagkakataon at lugar sa Carrefour pa talaga kami nagpangita, and the thing is its passed 9:00 p.m. na yon...

 

O di ba from the time she arrived in Doha mabibilang talaga sa daliri kung ilang beses kami nagmeet :-) but nevertheless the friendship is more than physical. I mean kapag talagang real and good friend mo kahit ilang decade or years kayong di nagkikita, you always have the connection, you really find time for him/ her, kahit gaano kang kabusy cos you don't really want to miss the single chance to be with them or even just to talk with them.

Last week I received a message from Analyn inviting to go out. And I just say "yes" sa isip-isip ko na lang, at last and wishing na sana this time matuloy kasi naman for how many times we also planned pero laging di natutuloy. I even inform one of our good friend Beth who is in the Philippines na magkikita kami ni Analyn, imagine ba naman na mas madalas ko pa makita si Beth, na nasa Pinas kesa kay Analyn na andito din lang sa Doha. And Beth told me"naku Jen sana matuloy talaga, ituloy nyo yung date nyo, stress na rin kasi yan.." So lahat ng invitation for the week talagang I make it sure na di maapektuhan ang Wednesday, my day with Analyn.

So happy to see her physically and personally...hahaha, its been 5 months ago since I last saw her.

Analyn is the same Analyn I know - pero she'll agree with me for one thing and even Ate Roselyn and Beth for sure, fixed and combed ang hair nya...hehehe, I remember our DILG days how ate Roselyn always teased Analyn when she's in a hurry for her children  na hindi na daw nakaksuklay yata ng buhok.

We talked a lot of things - her family life, work and even future plans. Well super bitin talaga ang chickahan almost 3 hours pero talagang kulang. Its really nice to be and to talk with a person na hindi lang nakilala mo ng basta -basta kungdi talagang friend mo since nasa Pinas ka pa. Ang sarap ng feeling na you can exchange stories of your past kasi kilala nyo both yung mga taong pinagkwekwentuhan nyo, ang sarap makinig sa mga kwento nyo both kasi alam mong you're not merely listening by ears but you are really interesting to know what's happening to her.

Knowing me I love capturing moments through pictures but since I was so excited I almost forgot to have picture with her...tapos na kaming kumain and obviously the table was cleaned already. I just asked Applebee's staff to take picture with us.

Finally...

August 28, 2013 - Wednesday at Applebee's Al Sadd, Doha

She dropped me at our house and told me na labas ulit kami next time kasi nga nabitin kami sa kwentuhan and I'm hoping really hoping that we can at least do this as often as we could.

More than the dinner we had, thank you so much Analyn for spending "my Wednesday" See you again soon!

So guys let's wait for the next date and surely you'll be updated.

Any friend you want to see and have some siestas? so grab your phone or keyboard and ask them to go out,maybe they are just waiting you. Trust me hindi kayo mauubusan ng pagkwekwentuhan :-)

Have a great weekend!

Meet the Newest Member of Doha Family

Yesterday is another get together with my Doha Family.

Time flies parang kelan lang na ang housemates  ay nagtipontipon na parang may reunion :-)  Kinabahan if everything will be all right for baby and Mommy Peach.

Everyday after work naging tambayan ang hospital, parang may picnic lagi sa room ni Mommy Peach.

July 14, 2013 another blessing from the Lord was given to our family. The newest member of the Doha Family and even of our clan.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." - Psalm 127:3

Meet Baby Red!

 

Although after giving birth to Baby she needed to be in ICU it doesn't take that long naman, under observation lang kasi during giving birth Mommy Peach has fever, so the nurses told us na kelangan lang masigurado na walang virus na natransfer kay Baby. Praise God everything went well. Its our first time within the Doha Family na may nanganak, at may baby :-) kaya naman mejo na-alarma kami kasi we all doesn't know how to even carry her, change clothes, or even magpaburp. And tska ang hirap nga pala ng dinadaanan ng isang babae kapag nanganganak, kinailangan pa na masalinan ng dugo si Mommy Peach kasi bumaba yung dugo, thanks na may available naman sa hospital.

After few days...

Welcome home Baby!

 

Baby brings magical happiness into family. As what Ate Che said si Baby Red ang pangbalance sa mga stressful days. There is something in Baby Red..hehehe ano kaya yon - all I know is she bring smiles to everyone of us

 After few weeks...
Happy 1st month Baby!

Baby Red with her Daddy - photo from her Mommy's post 

See how she gained weight so fast, nakakagigil..hehehe and the red cheeks. And how cute she is on her girly spaghetti jumpsuit pero bakit nga ba ayaw ni Daddy na nakahead band ka baby? hehehe di bale bibilhan ka

namin just pictorials, quiet ka kay Daddy *_^ 

 Gifts + Foods + Visitors = 1st Month Birthday!

Sweets for a sweet little girl

 Ang daming gifts ni Baby - next month po ulit :-)

 Baby Red's snapshots with Tito and  Titas

Till next celebration again Baby!

Be a good girl as always ^_^ sleep lang ng sleep muna para mas maging healthy ka pa and tabaching ching. 11 monthly celebrations to count!