I Want to Drive Too!

Jens is really funny! And a big copy-cat. On our way home from the shop, Mcj let me drove from the gate to the house. Then, we gave Jens the car key as soon as we got off the car as he wanted it.

Do you know what he did? He didn’t want to leave the car and then kept on pointing the key to the car to unlock it with a matching motion of climbing onto it. He also wanted to drive. Can you imagine that? I reckon, he’s really quick on the uptake.

On the other side of the car, my instructor said that I had a big improvement with my driving. We mainly practice on my speed control, accelerator use, steering and a little of hand-eyes-and-feet coordination. But I just moved up an inch in the turning department. I need more practice especially in tight corners or I’ll hit the gutter or some exit sign.

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Holiday Plans

Seems our plan of a holiday back home is getting clearer. We haven't booked our tickets yet but at least we have a plan. If all goes well, we might push through. But it's still too far in the future.

But we really need to go to the Philippines before Jens turns two so he will have a free airfare. That's the biggest motivation why we're flying back home. :)

So again, Mummy has to do some research again. Anybody who knows somebody who rent a car in Bacolod, please leave me a message. We would appeciate it. It's one of our big stumbling block, transportation aside from booking a decent hotel with a decent price (wonder if there is a a vegas hotel like that). Now that we have a little boy in tow, comfort ranks first.

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Anything with Eggs

Been thinking of making leche flan. Well, just been thinking. I will come to it one day. Meantime, found one of the egg nog recipes in foodnetwork.com:

Ingredients
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pint whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 ounces bourbon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites*
Directions
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

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Biking

Jens had figured out how to ride his bike just by himself. We used to push him around. He doesn't like pushing forward though because the horn and key in his front was hurting his belly and the tires at the back were catching the back of his feet. Moving backward was better.

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The Crowd

You know what? I've been hearing and seeing in the news that Australia is one of the fatest country in the world - I mean the poeple. But frankly, I don't agree with it. I'm out and about on weekdays and I've never seen those people that were described as obese. Maybe, its in the geography? People living in the hussle buzzle lifestyle area are more fit than those living in laidback town, I reckon. I haven't seen enough of people of Brisbane yet so I can't really tell. It could be that I am moving around a circle of healthy people? I am not sure. One thing I'm sure though is, to suggest to people who want to lose weight to check the CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid. It might be help to them.

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Family Friendly?

The idea of going for cruises is fantastic especially if the tour is around Europe - in the romantic cities. I fancy myself going to one. Until I read in a magazine article more than two years ago of a take of a newly-wed couple who spent their honeymoon on a cruise and the wife woke-up one morning to find out her husband missing. The gist of the story is they were at the bar and it was getting late so the wife begged off to go to bed early. The last person who saw the husband was the cabin crew and claimed that he escorted the husband to their room. The wife was not aware of that happening. The husband had just gone missing.

It was said that 5% of people going on cruises has never come back. I got scared of the fact. It's a very small chance but it curtailed my desire for such romantic and faboulus holiday idea. Well, I just need more convincing maybe. My mind isn't close to that option. Mcj had gone for an Asia Pacific cruise in his teens and he said it was fun. Maybe, I'll change my mind in the future when such type of holiday is in our priority.

And the important question to ask for booking a holiday is, is the place family friendly? Seldom you can find a child-friendly cruise liner, I reckon.

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Candle Light :)

I have a friend who loves candles. We used to be roomies and she would always light candles when she came into the room. They were scented (some might have been tea light candles) and really, it changed the atmosphere. It was a routine for her already.

Anyway, I tried to do it myself. I didn’t buy the candles though. They were gifts. I have so much of them but I only get to use one twice. I don’t know. I’m not just a candle person. Maybe because I was just used to the idea that we only lit candles on Halloween or when doing novenas. And then there’s this thought nagging at the back of my mind that I might fall asleep and the candles will run out and burn the house. Seen so much news about a fire starting from candles while having a bath, that’s why.

In short, I really didn’t catch her fancy.

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Looking Back

Jens was born three days overdue. And literally he was overcooked. The skin on his legs and feet and even his soles then were very dry. From then we didn’t use soap for his bath and shower. Just oil. He had used soap twice only. Then, Daddy bought some cream recommended by the chemist for baby’s skin. I finished using it before winter this year and only then did I read the fine print. I found out that it was not a leave-on cream rather you have to rinse your skin after applying it. Huh! Lucky, Jens didn’t develop any rash (or worst acne) while he was using it. And it kept Jens’ skin moisturised.

Anyway, winter made Jens’ skin dry also. And of course, we didn’t buy the same cream. I looked at the chemist for other brands but nothing caught my picky taste. I started using the J&J lotion that was given to us – the pink variant but it didn’t moisturise his skin. Then I saw a J&J essential – green variant at the supermarket and decided to give it a go. And it is a success. Nice smell too!

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Security

And you think, it could be something like pillow, blanket, stuffed toy or anything that you can cuddle. It’s another story for Jens. Finally, I can say that Jens has a security thing though, he is not really looking for it before going to it. It is just something nice to have for him. What is it? A spoon!

If he’s at home, you can see him holding a spoon while playing around especially after eating. It just started actually when he learned how to feed himself. I think, it’s just his way of connecting to something that feed his mouth.

Look at this big guy! He doesn’t like the feel of grass on his bare feet hence he put his feet up his bike and even tried to climb. He’s alright to play around on his feet when in concrete like carports, patio, etc.
See that toothbrush he's holding? That's another interesting toy.

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Fill in's Tag

Thanks, Eds for this.

My roommates and I once: shared a wonderful life together. I miss 'em!

Never in my life have I: taken drugs or tried diet pills.

High school was: just a memory though I miss my friends from back then.

when I’m nervous: I get heart bumps and get quiet!

My hair: is very long - way past my waist now.

When I was 5: I was a bitch. I don't want to lend my clothes to our visitor. :)

When I turn my head left: I see the other computer.

I should be: watching telly now but nothing nice on.

By this time next year: the Tatapilla would be 28 months old - big boy!

My favorite aunt is: still single.

I have a hard time understanding: something that I don't know. :)

You know I like you if: I'm warm towards you.

My ideal breakfast is: tuyo at sinangag. I miss it!

If you visit my home town: you won't see me there. Bwahaha! I miss home.

If you spend the night at my house: when? Ring me first so I can prepare. :D

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds: Caterpillar.

I shouldn’t have been: eating lots of chocolates.

Last night I: was so tired.

A better name for me would be: Ms. Something!

I’ve been told I look like: My Dad - by Mcj.

If I could have any car, it would be: Holden Astra - Australian brand for petite people like me.

I had fun!

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Toys and Games

Things I love to play with other than my toys – shoes, books, Mummy’s glasses, phones (wireless and mobile), meds droppers, brush (hairbrush, toothbrush, etc.), bundles of keys, spoons, hats, water bottles, lotion container, lollies container (of course, especially if I can open it and get a handful) and most of all 'motes - you know remotes? He's always sneaking out just to get hold of the remotes. My keyboard is wireless and he likes it, it's a big 'mote for him. He hasn't seen my laptop yet, but I reckon if he did, it will be a batttle of wills as he won't give it up.

Now, he loves playing his ball - bouncing, rolling and throwing. I also notice that he likes putting things away. He might be some sort of a cleaner or an organised person in his previous life. :)

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Looking?

I was able to watch some current affairs on the telly last night while Jens was playing in the lounge after dinner. Something got me say Hmmmm and chew my bottom lip.

A 50-ish couple was out of the job at the same time. It was sort of redundancy. They thought, it would only take them a couple of get another job but hey, they’ve been hunting for more than 5 weeks now. They deduce the reason why nobody wants to hire them was their age. Is it really true that nobody wants to hire experienced and qualified employees?

Some expert said that while in the city employers are on the look for experienced employees, it’s another case in the country side. I reckon, so true! And I think most vacancies in the country are retail jobs, care givers, and skilled workers.

I’m thankful I found my niche early.

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Adrenalin Junkie

This is why I love going to the shops – apart from the treats, of course. This is where Mummy’s coins go. This is why Daddy goes ahead of Mummy out the checkout – so I can have a ride while Mummy pays. This is why I don’t want Mummy and Daddy to hold my hands while walking in the shops – so I can run away, come back and climb up the rides again.

Only if I can say what I really want. I would always tell Mummy and Daddy to go to the shop so I can go on the rides. I don’t really mind if it is Thomas, Wiggles car or aeroplane or whatever. A ride is a ride for me.

Hey, what are futures trading? :)

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