Japanese Food Tripping

a big serving of Butao....

Lately, I've been getting hooked on Japanese food.. No raw fish for me though, but I have taken a liking for Japanese noodles or "Ramen" as they call it,  Japanese chilled cream buns,

Sukiyakidon which is a rice-based meal with flavorful braised beef strips & egg topping, of course, the different types of  Maki rolls ( I love the Philadephia cream cheese maki rolls at Tempura), and who would ever forget the shrimp & veggie tempura, dipped in sweet gingery soy sauce? (Tokyo Tokyo makes me come back for more of their  Sumo meals)

Hattendo Japanese Chilled Cream Buns...

I may have some Japanese blood in me and I just didn't know it. (^_^)

A must-try during the weekends...

Attempts At Bento-Making

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Wheneve I see Bento pictures on Pinterest, I find myself gawking like silly. I used to think, these moms were incredibly artistic and passionate to come up with amazing food designs that sometimes turn out too beautiful to eat.


Little did I know I'd be looking for cookie cutters and playful little forks myself when my own kid starts going to school.

I didn't take any Bento seminars like some of my friends so I had to rely on instinct and whatever little creativity I have stashed somewhere. I got Ching a few egg molders, some candy-like forks & toothpicks at Japan Homes..

My daughter doesn't  eat much on her own so I need to make her snacks more enticing. My first attempt was to make a ham and egg sandwich with the aid of an egg molder I got from my friend Ghia.  It was fairly acceptable for a first-timer but my kid barely nibbled on it. It was frustrating..

chicken nuggets with cheese in the middle.

Next, I got a smal box of chicken nuggets with cheese and fried them to a golden crisp and stuffed some pretty little forks in the middle. I packed this neat little container together with a smalll tetrapack of strawberry milk and a small water bottle. She returned home with only one uneaten nugget. =)

The other day, I got Ching some big round grapes that I pitted and sliced, & of course, I shoved my ever-cute forks in the middle to hold the grapes together. Along with some cookies and jello, off she went to school carrying this in her lunchbag.

I have yet to think of a few more snack-hacks that my kid would eat. Preparing Bento can be real fun, I just hope I can do this the whole year. =)

Christmas Eve 2014

         Christmas Eve will always be a special day for the family.. Although this year, most of my family didn't make it home to Christmas, it was just the six of us spending Noche Buena at a fine-dining buffet restaurant. (Of course, it was just a one-day affair so it has to be special). I'm glad Leih got home just in time for the long holiday...

This year, we decided to go to NIU by Vikings at SM Aura in Taguig. It was our first time at the posh mall and took great pictures at the beautiful mini park  on the 6th floor before heading to dinner...

my dad and mom

The restaurant's interiors looked impressively classy... Everything was shimmering.. The floors were sparkling clean, the furniture were all elegant...  Even the restrooms looked like you stepped in right at a hotel's.
 

  
 Everything looked expensive... And as costly as they charged, it seemed reasonable as they served only the best.. I would have loved to hang out more and listen to the man playing the grand piano but then, I knew it was time to leave as we were all extremely full and ready to go home... =)


Below are some of the food shots I took using my humble Note 2. =)

Wooooh!!!!! Would you look at that?

take your pick....

Needless to say, we went home with a big smile on our faces... 

Till next year!!!!

Getting Started With KUMON

I have always thought toddler schools were fancy... They aren't just expensive, but in Cavite, you'd have great difficulty finding one. Toddler schools are aplenty in Manila where most of the clientele are well-off.

But I thought, since I was working and the idea of sending my kid to toddler schools in Manila was just impossible, I felt grateful to have found KUMON where I decided to enroll her under the Reading Class. I thought it would help my little girl adjust to the "class setting" when she starts going to Nursery soon.

Ching at KUMON

I also observed that after a few sessions at KUMON, Ching adapted a certain study-routine which I found very nice. It doesn't matter if I'm doing the dishes after dinner, when she starts calling me to study, I would literally see her carrying her Sofia chair and bag, and then I'd be more than happy to oblige and sit by her side, instructing her on what to do with her homework.

She has by far shown improvement in holding a pencil and can identify all the alphabets accurately. Maybe when she starts proper schooling next year, I'll get her into their Math Program so she won't be as figure-clueless as me...

=)

"Scouting for Schools" Kind of Day

I'm not even sure if it's too early for me to scout for possible schools as Ching only turned 3 this January. Toddler schools are very common nowadays especially in Metro Manila but since I am a working mom from Cavite, the main thought of  enrolling Ching in one would be an impossible feat for me. To add, schools nowadays do not come cheap.

        Leih and I have been discussing when we'll start Ching's formal schooling. From what I've observed, my little girl isn't ready for it just yet and I have no plans of pressuring her to perform as the other kids her age does. I have always believed that every child is different. I feel it better to encourage my child and teach her at home every chance I get until she's at the proper age to start school.

         And yes, there is the inevitable topic of where to send her next year... Before Leih left, we talked about what kind of education we'd want our child to have. These days, you get to have more choices in this field compared to ours years back. There's the traditional school, home-schooling, non-tradional, Waldorf, etc...

         Both Leih and I went to traditional co-ed schools just like most kids our age.  I must say that though traditional schools have yielded successful  graduates, my husband and I feel like taking another path when it comes to Ching's education.

         I have been continuously researching about the differences of these teaching approaches for some time now and so far, I think I found what I've been wanting for my little girl. Given the option, I prefer a  school which nurtures a child's potentials particular to her age. I want her to enjoy school and see it as  her second home. I want her to learn in a warm, beautiful and home-like environment where she'd be encouraged to develop her imagination and other skills.. A kind of education that will not only educate my child but transform her to be  a good human being and enrich her values & respect for life and for others. I have high regards for institutions who promote the importance of family in their curriculum. I'm not having Ching home-schooled though, just to be clear.

         I want my child to find eagerness in learning the academics without having to need to vie for the honor's list. In my heart, I want to become an integral part of her learning, and I'm more than willing to support my child in any way I can. If there's one thing I would like to spare my child from, it is the pressure of excelling, something that I once went through as a child. Though I have nothing but gratitude for my ever-patient mother for teaching me all there is I need to know, still, I believe that learning should not be turned into a competition where kids are forced to perform  and be the best amongst others, no matter what expense.

        Sounds too good to be true? Well, I think I  already found the right school for my child. I will not be dropping names though for it is too early just yet. But I'm glad I have come to a sound decision a year ahead. We can start saving up for it now. I just hope we'd be able to sustain the cost... =)

Braving Motherhood's Challenges

March 30, 2014.   It was one of the longest nights of my life... A very scary experience that will always be etched in my memory.

         I caught a terrible strain of influenza last week which left me  immobile  for more than 3 days... My eyes hurt, just as my whole body screamed from terrible joint pains.... I don't get sick often but when I do, it feels debilitating.. I had no choice but to take a leave from work but I tried my best to stay away from my little girl as I didn't want her to catch anything.

           Sad to say, she caught the flu bug as well. Come Saturday night, she started becoming feverish. She was still her usual self though, playful, vigorous, but I opted to stay up all night to monitor her temperature. I gave her sponge-baths every time her temperature would rise and thankfully enough, the fever was controlled. Little did I know the "eye of our storm" was just about to hit us.

           Sunday morning, my little girl started  regurgitating. Then her temperature started going up. As you all know, my kid is the ever-energetic, non-stop kind, so to see her slump so weakly on the couch with her droopy eyes & pitiful state was enough for me to decide to pack for the hospital. Before noon, we were already in the emergency room at the nearest hospital.

            It was a Sunday so most doctors were off. Ching's (Cavite-based) pediatrician was luckily doing his rounds so he attended to Ching at the Emergency Room... They put an IV on her to avoid the possibility of dehydration and we decided to have her confined for close monitoring.

            It was only Mommy who was assisting me the whole time since the nanny was on a day-off.. As evening approached, I sent my mom home so she could get enough rest. I took charge of watching over my baby alone, thinking I was in the hospital and nurses were aplenty to attend to me if something arises. I'm not sure if it was a gutsy wise move on my part. though at the back of my mind, I would have still opted to spare my mother from the stress I faced that night, but the idea of being able to rely on hospital staff is a definite  no-no I learned the hard way. Or it can also be that it depends on the hospital where you're at..

           Every 4 hours, a nurse would come to our room and monitor my child's temperature. What's weird though was that despite the paracetamol being injected in Ching's IV, my child's temperature wouldn't drop..  She kept on throwing up, her body still limp and weak..  At first, it was around 38.8, then it would go up to 39.5, sometimes even higher... I was advised to give my daughter frequent sponge-baths to help minimize the heat. I willingly obliged, but I was beginning to worry why things didn't seem to get better. The staff missed to explain to me the results of my daughter's CBC and urinalysis which I later learned yielded normal results. I had a Braun ear thermometer with me so I closely monitored my child's temperature on my own, knowing fully well that it was far more accurate than the local digital thermometer the staff used.  I kept a mental note of the changes in her temperature. I said to myself, I ain't getting any sleep that night either. I didn't even feel hungry nor thirsty. All I could feel was stress creeping up my body.

    
    An hour after midnight, my kid's temperature rose to 40 degrees. She was whimpering and mumbling incoherent things already. I was obviously in panic, crying yet continuously giving my child a sponge-bath to lessen her body heat. The nurse who took charge of putting paracetamol on my kid's IV came in a few minutes late after I confirmed Ching's temperature.. I was so  upset, frustrated and helpless, I decided to demand seeing a doctor right away. I was clueless on why my child wasn't getting better. I obviously needed help from the staff, they saw me struggling on Ching's bed, drenched in tears but they chose to do only what they were instructed. I am just so thankful that Ching didn't have a convulsion, given the sudden rise in temperature. Hearing stories of kids who experienced convulsions scared me even more.

         A few minutes later, this snotty  E.R. doctor who was the very same one at the admitting area came to our room. To be more exact, she and another nurse assistant peeked at our door and talked to me while I  wiped my daughter with the washcloth. The nurse supposedly told her I was thinking of transferring to another hospital given that I was already very upset.   I then asked her what happened to the urinalysis and CBC  tests done and why my child wasn't getting better despite the round-a-clock dose of paracetamol being administered to my child. It was a sound question that deserved some ample answers. I was really pondering on transferring my kid to another hospital the next day. This probably prodded the doctor to unwittingly stammer, "Ano po bang gusto nyong mangyari ngayon, Misis?"  Her audacity was so ill-timed. She had spunk, I give her that, but she directed that ill-mannered spunk to the wrong person.

          What the hell?? For a person who has attained such a high level of education, this was truly unacceptable. She wasn't just snotty, she was inconsiderate and obviously lacking compassion.  For all I know, she wasn't thinking right. To think she just stared at me while I fumbled on the weary child's body was unspeakable beyond terms. She could have thought of instructing her worthless assistant to help me with Ching as they saw me crying helplessly while I wiped my daughter's body with a sponge-cloth.. In the midst of all that trouble, I managed to control my temper, choosing not to stoop down to her level. I could have stuffed  her with words that  could have choked her. But I decided to just throw her a disgusting look and answered back in a firm low voice, "Gusto ko lang gumaling ang anak ko. Walang normal sa 40 degrees. Pasalamat ko hindi tumitirik ang mata ng anak ko. Ne hindi ko alam bakit sya nagkakaganito. Hindi po normal ang 40 degrees. Hindi ba? "   I think what I said hit her hard. I knew it knocked her down with shame. She then excused herself and promised to relay the message to the pediatrician. After that, they left me on my own once again. As I stared at the door closing in on me, I wept in silence as I continued to tend to my little girl by myself.

         I was crying  as  I hugged my child and promised she'd be okay, I whispered  to her  that Mommy will do everything to make her well again... That she'd be okay soon..  I continued to wipe Ching's limp body with the towel and I prayed even louder. Somehow, talking to God made me feel better. In my heart, I knew He was the only one with me. Time seemed so slow.. I would glimpse on the window every so often, wishing morning would come soon.

         As the first rays of sun started creeping in, I finally  began to relax... Ching's temperature slowly started to go down. I felt exhausted & famished from the night before. I didn't even realize I forgot to pee for nearly 24 hours straight. I didn't have a proper lunch nor dinner, not even water. That was how stressed I was.

       Maybe God was heeding my prayers as help started to pour in, in the morning... My good friend Ate Adette Arbolante came to the hospital, complete with food & water for Ching and I. She knew from the night before that my daughter got admitted, she even planned to drop by that very same night.  I have never been so touched with the gesture as this person came to my rescue just when I felt I had no strength left in me. She even prayed over my little girl's picture on the computer... I couldn't begin to describe how relieved I was having her around. She is after all a mother like me, with three kids of her own, and has experienced a vast share of  motherly woes, maybe even more. Who else could relate to you than that who has been in  similar situations? Her encouraging words were enough to put back the fight in me. She offered help than any person could possibly offer... She was my angel, an angel in more ways than one.

       My mom, Jates & the nanny "Mama Ubi"  came just an hour after, bringing with them more food and everything else I needed. At last, I got the assistance I wished for, and managed to have a decent meal in 24 hours. (I do not know what I'd do without my family).. My mom was just as worried with me as she was with Ching, she couldn't believe what transpired the night before. She was even regretting staying at home when she could have helped me with the kid but as I said, given another chance, I would still spare her from it.

        Friends slowly started coming in.. My sister-in-law, Ate Tintin dropped by with a bag full of goodies for us, my mother-in-law Nanay Lut who would drop by from time to time, my best  friend Yhen & her niece who despite the terrible heat headed down to the hospital, my "brother-from-another-mother" Marvin who has always been Ching's favorite "uncle", and of course, my cousins, Dr. Bong & Ate Evelyn, together with their kids, Shonleini & Kuya Lee Marv who came all the way from Tagaytay just to check on Chingching. Not to mention the outpour of messages and calls from friends who were all worried for us. I didn't know such concern could be of great help. At least it was, for me...

         Ching's doctor came and explained to me the possible strain of influenza that had caused Ching's terrible fever. It was a viral thing that no antibiotics could heal. Judging from how he spoke, he understood my sentiments and later on admitted that the staff had been lax in tending to the patient,. Although I thought it best to put that aside as my daughter was finally recuperating. I'd rather not dwell on the negative. What happened to us back here was a plain eye-opener to some of the sad realities of life, and the good ones as well.  It taught me to be stronger, and to rely on nobody else but myself, and to know how important it is to always maintain a sound mind in the middle of a dilemma. I learned that in a lot of ways, God indeed answers our prayers and sends us help through other people. That He never leaves us alone... It's only Him you could call on when you're at your lowest...

         I know that motherhood has a lot more for me in the future, despite me wishing that we never have to go through that again. Hopefully, nothing as bad would happen... not to me, not to my family, nor anyone I know.
           I'm just thankful my child is finally alright.. Had it been worse than that, I don't know what else I could have done..
          Being a mother has been pushing me to have a stronger heart...
          I'm guessing mine's on it's way to  becoming that,  not charmed as always, but learning, one day at a time. ..

My Life's Crossroads

Just like anybody else, I too dreamed of making it big. I had choices back then, and I admit, I could have done so much had I pursued a career far from where I am today. I don't mean to sound so ungrateful. A lot of people are now faced with unemployment, and here I am  ranting about my job, sounding like a loser.

I've been in the judiciary for what seems to be a decade already, with a job designation that sadly 'demoted' the level of education I attained. For a person who has more than a Master's Degree in her portfolio, most people would agree I should have put that to good use rather than stick to an old boring desk job that doesn't earn as much.

I didn't plan on taking this job in the first place. But being the obedient daughter that I am, I heeded my parents' wish to work somewhere near considering I had a heart condition that made them worry all the time. I still remember how defiant I felt inside, but somehow, my parents won over.

To be in a job that you hate is like going to work with your head elsewhere. I went through that phase for a period of time.. I also took other jobs on the side just so I wouldn't get bored. I tried teaching at a nearby college for a few years and started a small events-coordination business with a good friend.. Everything started to fall into place after I got married and had a kid. Slowly, I learned to appreciate this job I hated. If I happened to have a list of Pro's and Cons, the cons would surely lead by half, but then, I couldn't let go of this job just yet. I admit it has helped augment the family's everyday expenses even just a bit, and no matter how relatively meager my stipend is, a small income is still way better than having none. But what I consider a big advantage was that I get to go home once in a while to oversee the home,  my child and my mom who has become kinda  sickly because of old age. I am able to care for my family and  their needs while I earned a living. Frankly, I think that  is fairly enough for me to stop complaining.

But in the past couple of weeks, I've been punishing myself by thinking, what if at this age, I decide to brave the world one more time and leave this day-job to find another one that hopefully would give me a more hefty pay. A job that would require me to work in Manila, which I must acknowledge would somehow take away the time I have for my little girl and mom in exchange for ~ ~ ~ yes, a bigger pay... (^_^)    I then talked to my husband about these  things occupying my mind. And just as I am thankful that he is not the kind who would prevent me from doing what would make me happy, he decided to show me my perspectives and helped me weigh what mattered most to me. It was his exact words that he would not want to see me regret whatever decision I may make, but nonetheless, he was there to support me any other way.

Last night, after I came home from an ocular and a client meet-up, I felt my exhaustion reaching its brink. I wasn't just physically tired, I was emotionally exhausted as well.. I arrived home late  just as my daughter  finished her dinner. My mom who seemed very tired as well, was just finishing up..  My little girl was screaming with joy when she heard me by the door. She wouldn't let go of me until I put her to bed, with her arms wrapped around tightly at my hand. My mom told me how my daughter patiently waited at the window the whole day, wishing it would be me inside the tricycle that would pass by... As soon as I arrived, I took over the chores and told my mom to take her rest as I know she was already tired and wasn't feeling very well.

I couldn't quite explain how sad I felt that very instant. For a short period of time that I had been away from home, I felt like there was so much that I missed, there are hardly any words... I realized, there are things in my life that I need to sacrifice if I decide to pursue a career elsewhere. This was what Leih had been telling me the whole time.

I am all my family's got. I couldn't very well take care of them if my priorities shifted. It  just wouldn't  be enough.

I started asking myself, was I really ready to give up the time and liberty to be with my family in exchange of a career  I think I want?  My heart need not explain what my mind could not understand. I knew I couldn't have it all, and I  must learn to be more appreciative of the few luxuries my present job has to offer,(time for one), more so, whatever little blessing I have in my life right now.... I had to weigh what mattered most to me. Weird as it may sound, money wasn't a major concern when the talk of family came at hand. I knew what I wanted to prioritize, and I will not feel sorry for choosing to let go of the possibility of a career that I could have had...  Not at the expense of seeing over my child and my old folks at any time I wish. My family is the most priceless part of my life that I could not pass up for anything less...

I have a husband who loves me and accepts me for the strong and weak person that I am. I have a job that  gives me certain liberties other companies would not. I have a wonderful child who thinks the world of me... A set of loving parents who wish only what they think is best for me... and a simple happy home that not everyone is blessed to have.. I may not be as well-off but  thinking about these graces somehow finally gave me peace I've been searching all this time.

Maybe I just need to appreciate life's little joys more, be grateful and be more accepting, that we do not get everything we wish for. God may not give me everything I ask, but He certainly provided me with the most important things I need...

My Healthy Start For 2014

As the temperature started dropping in December, influenza, measles and other airborne viruses are slowly becoming pandemic... Hospitals in the Metro and even in Cavite have been swamped with patients in the past two weeks and even my family had been hit by the influenza bout...

my family at Breakfast At Antonio's...

My little girl caught a flu and so did my mom.  Good for Ching as the flu went away after 3 days. My mom on the other hand was on medication for a week and was slowly starting to get better when we decided to have dinner in Tagaytay a few days after Christmas. It was a good 18 degrees that night. I honestly loved the climate but it was a little too chilly for my folks.  Sad to say, the temperature drop which we didn't expect  made my mom's flu even worse, we had to go back to the doctor for a series of more medications.


Since my mom is already in her late 60's, her immune system has become lower compared to  the way she was a few years ago. To add that she is a very picky eater, I have to watch over her diet to make sure she eats right. Even if that means I need to go somewhere to get what she feels like eating, I would find myself clueless as to what to buy everyday when I go to the market. But then, I still manage.. (thank God)

That is when I thought of preparing fresh juice for her. If she's too picky of an eater, maybe this trick could do wonders for her. I started juicing carrots and cucumbers since 2012 but for only a short time since it was so messy and time consuming. Now, I'm back to that routine, though this time, I'm not after the juice alone. I decided to use the osterizer to make smoothies out of veggies and fruits.

Less waste + more fiber and juice = healthy...

   Here's how I do it... I peel a big carrot, cucumber, apple, celery, orange, big slices of watermelon and cantaloupe, and I would add a few lettuce leaves sometimes, put them in the osterizer and liquify away...I then add a small cup of water, blend it for a few more seconds and it's done...

My mom would finish a bottle, alongside a complete meal I whip up  everyday, and I must say, we have seen a huge improvement in her. A good healthy regimen, enough rest  and a warm relaxing massage was all that my mom needed to combat the influenza away. Even the doctor says so... I couldn't be any prouder...

I can't promise to do this everyday  for the rest of the year but rather, I can only try my very best, if this means a healthier way of  living for my whole family..

I have been pondering for weeks on what to resolve for 2014, I guess I already have one now...

Tara's Paper-Themed 1st Birthday

Firsts are always special. Ask any mother who didn't go cramming over their kid's first-ever birthday party.  Some choose it  simple, some splurge on it, but  one thing's for sure, we parents will celebrate it either way.

I'll let you in on a secret. You may not believe it but Aann and I  started conceptualizing Tara's first birthday  a few months after we confirmed she was conceiving.. Can you say, early??? Hah!  Talk about an excited mom who runs an events planning business with a tough OC partner in crime.  What more could you expect?

Initially, the plan was to give Tara  this "very detailed"  party of which theme I choose not to  disclose (as we are thinking of pushing thru with it on her 5th or  7th birthday).  Aann knew exactly how she wanted the decors to look like, the backdrop, the stage, the give aways,even the chairs and tables for the kids would all be personalized to her taste, and she had the people to do the job for her. That is how amazing a mind of a planner works.

Mommy Aann with Tara

It wasn't that she changed her mind about it, only, a few more important matters had to be financially prioritized and Aann had to rethink of another theme without denting the budget she allotted for the
celebration. After all. it is still just  a one-day affair.  But being in this business for so long, we knew we could still pull off a memorable party even if we deviated from the original theme. And that's when she decided to have a paper-themed birthday party instead, with pastel colors dominating the occasion. After researching for decorations and party ideas, we started scouting for suppliers.

Aann chose to ' DIY' (Do-It-Yourself) the party decors with the help of some crafty friends from work. Paper cups with different colored butterfly cut outs, paper boats, flaglettes & bouquets of pastel-colored pencils served as our centerpieces adorning the beautiful pastel linens of the tables and chairs.  Different paper lanterns & hot air balloons hung from the ceiling.  It was a magnificent explosion of colors, a vibrant happy one that filled the entire Pacific Ace Clubhouse.

We had two white carts built and personalized by Aann's ever-trusted productions handyman. Blue linen was draped over the roof to match the motif.
 
The first cart served as the candy buffet as jars lined up filled with different kinds of sweets for the kids, there were jelly beans, marshmallows, gummy candies, Stick-O's, fruit jellos and so much more..

 The second cart was specially made for the cake, cupcakes & cake pops. Of course, a birthday party wouldn't be complete without a cake.  It is after all one of the most significant things in a birthday party so we had to find the best baker in town. 

the second cart...

Tara's special frills cake, courtesy of The Cake Fairy

Aann was dead-set on a pastel colored frills-cake  so I had my best friend Jerrielyn  Albay a.k.a. The Cake Fairy design it for Tara.  It came out so beautiful, even the  moist sponge cake inside had different colored layers. Aann was still raving about  how utterly divine it was, every slice was deliciously creamy. ( I have a hint I'll be getting my share this afternoon).. Teehee!!!


Violet and pink cake pops  lined up the front side together with chocolate cupcakes filled with candy sprinkles & flowers.. I caught myself  staring at it for minutes after we've arranged everything.

chocolate cupcakes & cake pops...

To add more  color to the dessert table, I made  cream pineapple jellos in pink for the kids which I placed in small shot glasses. We placed it beside  the caramel pop corns on the other table, near the gifts area. Together, they were an instant hit. The first ones to go were the pop corns and the jellos, Leih didn't get to taste it anymore. Good thing I left a small serving at home.

The  program  that followed, led by Richard   had been a lively one, with almost everyone participating in each game. Prizes were as plenty as  the kids who lined up seated on the colored mats in front.

 My little girl had a wonderful time mingling with some of the kids at the party. The children were all in awe as the magic act & ventriloquism started, courtesy of  the famous Ruther from PGT (Pilipinas Got Talent). Everyone was all eyes on the magician as he worked his charm to entertain the crowd. 

Let us not forget how wonderful the food was... A good friend from production referred this amazing chef  from "From the Kitchen of Liz" and  after our short food tasting in October, Aann booked them in a heartbeat.

before picture...

 We  both hoped they'd deliver the same quality we experienced  at the food tasting and they didn't fail us. I was literally salivating over their Hawaiian Pork Loin days after that food tasting and my wait had been well-rewarded. It isn't common to see my plate wiped out clean during parties as I am one of the worst critics you could find,

after picture

but today, I sheepishly admit to leaving the table with a barely-there morsel of left over. I loooooved the food!!!! And from how I heard people rave about it, I'd say Liz did one hell of a job!!! Bravo!! Delicioso!!! ( It was just unfortunate that I didn't get enough coffee jelly to satiate my incredulous craving. Oh well, there is always a next time...)

At the end of the party, after our birthday girl got her turn to blow the candle,  Mommy Aann  bravely gave out a short message to her little girl, a tear-jerker at that. I could feel the lump in her throat as she tried her best to control her tears. It had been a struggle for Mel and Aann having to wait so patiently  to be blessed with an angel of their own, needless to say,  that long wait was  truly  worth it.

Aann had to go through so many challenges before Tara was born, but she graciously welcomed  every sacrifice. To be given the opportunity to become a mother was more than she could ever wish for in her life.   I saw how Aann became a changed woman after having Tara.

Life can get pretty difficult especially for working moms like her but the fact that when you get home,a  familiar smile greets you from your doorstep, patiently waiting for you, with eyes instantly lighting up with happiness for the fact alone that you're finally home, it more than pays for all the hardships a mother goes through everyday.. I  should know, because like Aann, I share the same story, and the same  beautiful  blessing... (sniff... sniff)..

It was an unforgettable first birthday for Tara. Simple, yet very nicely done.. She may not remember any of it happening, but in the coming years when she's old enough to understand, these beautiful  pictures   will  show how  memorable  her 1st special day went by, a reminder  how lucky she is for having the most loving pair of parents one could ever find.

Happy Happy Birthday to you,  our pretty Smurfette.. .We love you Tara...