- Pepsi
- Smooth Saultry Songs
- The look of snow (not necessary the feel!)
- Getting in touch with old friends that I haven't seen in a while....
Monday, December 1, 2008
Things That Make Me Happy......
Things That Make Me Go Hmmmm.....
12/1/08:
- The bill to fix my car!! Had to take it in to the shop today.... broken thermostat cover.... How the heck does one break a thermostat cover? The connections to my battery were also LOOSE!!! That is why it kept shutting down n' not being able to start up (I had to pop the hood, and slam to restart).
- The pimple on my forehead that keeps itching, but hurts when I scratch it.... what the heck?!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving in Hawaii
Hi There!! How was your Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends?! Ours was awesome. Although both my parents weren't able to attend the festivities (due to being sick with the flu). My inlaws did their own thing... BIL and wife had their own celebrations (with her side of the family), while my MIL went over to her hubby's family side. So "phew".... I remember days when CY3 and I had to "split" the days with both families. My side would always have a lunch fest, and then off to his aunty's house for dinner. My things have changed....
Speaking of change... you know, when I was growing up, Thanksgiving in Hawaii (with my family) was definitely not a "traditional" Thanksgiving feast, like the ones they have on TV in traditional American homes. Back then, there'd be a turkey (of course), my mom made ham, olives, gravy, and lots of Filipino dishes.... such as fried eggplants, pancit, pork adobo, chicken long rice, shoyu chicken, chicken squash soup and RICE. Lots and Lots of RICE. My mom made sure that the rice wouldn't run out. Man talk about a Thanksgiving "FEAST" - but my mom started getting old, and eventually the dishes started getting less throughout the years.
Now, the feasts are held at our house, and CY3 has taken over the "Head Chef" at Thanksgiving. When he first accepted the "crown" he was like "Awwwwwright.... I going show you what a real Thanksgiving feast is supposed to be like".... he said, "I going make turkey, ham, corn on the cob, mash potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes...." and his list went on and on... I had this blank look on my face.... thinking to myself, "what?!?! No Shoyu Chicken??! No Pork Adobo?!?! No PANCIT!?!?!?!... what kinda THANKSGIVING is THAT!??!!". Cy3 could tell from the look on my face that I looked kinda "ill" just hearing him name all these foods, he goes, "what? whatsamatter?!", I said, "what about Shoyu Chicken? are you going to make that?"... he goes, "Honey... that's not a traditional Thanksgiving feast!! Shoyu Chicken is for plate lunches.... Thanksgiving is the time for us to eat GRUB.... " and that was the beginning of having "Traditional Thanksgiving Feasts" in our house.
In the beginning, I have got to tell you - it was ALL so new to my family members. LOL!!! Before, my sister goes, "Mash Potatoes?! When did we ever eat mash potatoes?!"... nowadays, she goes, "Yummmm... I love CY3's mash potatoes" and they LOVE his stuffing along with everything else that he slaves over through the entire day to cook!!! I've learned to accept this new type of food to eat during Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful that he has brought a new tradition into our family. It's really filling, and like he said, great GRUB to eat. I'm especially thankful for a wonderful husband that lets me take this 1 day off for me to relax (partial really), and does all the cooking (I still wash the dishes and do some cutting of veggies). The more n' more we get together every year at Thanksgiving - the more I forget about Shoyu Chicken and Adobos that used to be served.
This year, we had the traditional Thanksgiving Feast, for the 1st time this year, we had CY4 write a prayer and he said it to bless the food. It turned out to be such a lovely touching prayer, which I plan on scrapbooking it later. We were able to share the feast and the rest of the day with my brother, my sister and their children. We were soooo stuffed after the meal, it's a good thing I had elastic pants on, because my sister had to unbutton her pants, but was still in pain. We hung out together - playing video games and singing Karaoke after our meal til' about 10 pm.... no can beat good food and good company, ya?!
Here are some pictures taken this past TGDay... enjoy!!!
Speaking of change... you know, when I was growing up, Thanksgiving in Hawaii (with my family) was definitely not a "traditional" Thanksgiving feast, like the ones they have on TV in traditional American homes. Back then, there'd be a turkey (of course), my mom made ham, olives, gravy, and lots of Filipino dishes.... such as fried eggplants, pancit, pork adobo, chicken long rice, shoyu chicken, chicken squash soup and RICE. Lots and Lots of RICE. My mom made sure that the rice wouldn't run out. Man talk about a Thanksgiving "FEAST" - but my mom started getting old, and eventually the dishes started getting less throughout the years.
Now, the feasts are held at our house, and CY3 has taken over the "Head Chef" at Thanksgiving. When he first accepted the "crown" he was like "Awwwwwright.... I going show you what a real Thanksgiving feast is supposed to be like".... he said, "I going make turkey, ham, corn on the cob, mash potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes...." and his list went on and on... I had this blank look on my face.... thinking to myself, "what?!?! No Shoyu Chicken??! No Pork Adobo?!?! No PANCIT!?!?!?!... what kinda THANKSGIVING is THAT!??!!". Cy3 could tell from the look on my face that I looked kinda "ill" just hearing him name all these foods, he goes, "what? whatsamatter?!", I said, "what about Shoyu Chicken? are you going to make that?"... he goes, "Honey... that's not a traditional Thanksgiving feast!! Shoyu Chicken is for plate lunches.... Thanksgiving is the time for us to eat GRUB.... " and that was the beginning of having "Traditional Thanksgiving Feasts" in our house.
In the beginning, I have got to tell you - it was ALL so new to my family members. LOL!!! Before, my sister goes, "Mash Potatoes?! When did we ever eat mash potatoes?!"... nowadays, she goes, "Yummmm... I love CY3's mash potatoes" and they LOVE his stuffing along with everything else that he slaves over through the entire day to cook!!! I've learned to accept this new type of food to eat during Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful that he has brought a new tradition into our family. It's really filling, and like he said, great GRUB to eat. I'm especially thankful for a wonderful husband that lets me take this 1 day off for me to relax (partial really), and does all the cooking (I still wash the dishes and do some cutting of veggies). The more n' more we get together every year at Thanksgiving - the more I forget about Shoyu Chicken and Adobos that used to be served.
This year, we had the traditional Thanksgiving Feast, for the 1st time this year, we had CY4 write a prayer and he said it to bless the food. It turned out to be such a lovely touching prayer, which I plan on scrapbooking it later. We were able to share the feast and the rest of the day with my brother, my sister and their children. We were soooo stuffed after the meal, it's a good thing I had elastic pants on, because my sister had to unbutton her pants, but was still in pain. We hung out together - playing video games and singing Karaoke after our meal til' about 10 pm.... no can beat good food and good company, ya?!
Here are some pictures taken this past TGDay... enjoy!!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sofa Update
Hahaha... I was able to fit some time to fold and put the clothes away (last night).... I have yet to finish my my LCWC #19 challenge.... I know, I know... at least my sofa is cleared again.... (for now, at least!).
Monday, November 24, 2008
It Comes in 3's....
What am I talking about?!?! Pregnancies, Weddings, Funerals.... mostly those. I was told that it comes in 3's. Do you believe this? When I was a kid, my friends and I always talked about how we would always know 3 people that are pregnant at the same time, 3 people getting married and 3 people that passed away. I don't know if this is a Hawaii thing, Filipino thing or Oriental thing - but it's a thing that I am finding happening more often, or a very coincidental thing. Earlier on, I never really noticed... until I started counting...
When I was pregnant with Cy, there were 2 other friends of mines that were pregnant, when I got married, 2 other couples that we knew got married that same year as well (ya, gotta be within the year). Last year, my SIL had 3 funerals she had to go to, this year, I had 3 funerals (well, actually I only went to 2, but I will be going to 1 more in the next couple of weeks). Very interesting, huh?! I bet most of the local girls will agree with me on this, and not think I'm nuts....
I was just thinking about it, because I'm working on a slide show for the funeral service I will be attending in the next couple weeks. And I thought first... hmmm... I went to Aunty Nancy's funeral.... and then I went to Leonard Cuifo's funeral (the owner of CY3's company), and now I'm going to go to my friend's uncle's funeral. My circle of 3 is complete for this year.... at least I hope so.
I would love to hear your coincidences of 3's..... or if you believe in this as well.
Have a great week!!!
When I was pregnant with Cy, there were 2 other friends of mines that were pregnant, when I got married, 2 other couples that we knew got married that same year as well (ya, gotta be within the year). Last year, my SIL had 3 funerals she had to go to, this year, I had 3 funerals (well, actually I only went to 2, but I will be going to 1 more in the next couple of weeks). Very interesting, huh?! I bet most of the local girls will agree with me on this, and not think I'm nuts....
I was just thinking about it, because I'm working on a slide show for the funeral service I will be attending in the next couple weeks. And I thought first... hmmm... I went to Aunty Nancy's funeral.... and then I went to Leonard Cuifo's funeral (the owner of CY3's company), and now I'm going to go to my friend's uncle's funeral. My circle of 3 is complete for this year.... at least I hope so.
I would love to hear your coincidences of 3's..... or if you believe in this as well.
Have a great week!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Local Kine Hawaii Group
I've started a "Local Kine" Hawaii group on Paper Craft Planet.... come and join the fun... you don't have to be from Hawaii, you just have to have "connections" - like friends, family members or even just wanting to be here is good enough.... so come on by. You don't even have to be a blogger - readers can join in the fun too, you'll just need to sign up with Paper Craft Planet and join the group. I am thinking of having a lot of "aloha" fun challenges.... hope you will join in!!! Click on the square icon to go there now....
Hugs,
Jen
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A Tutorial: How To Make Spam Musubi
Ok, you know you live or lived Hawaii if you know what a Spam Musubi is. This tasty meal is easy and quick to make. Might be gross to a lot of people, but it's something real big here in Hawaii. But sometimes, it's easier to just buy already made if you're at the store, and your kids want to eat NOW. The other day, while at the grocery store, Cy saw some ready made Spam Musubi's. (They were under one of those heated up light source thingies). He said he wanted one, and I knew I had all the ingredients needed to make him one at home, so I said, "gotta wait til' we get home, babes". He said, "You can't make Spam Musubi!!!"... SO CUTE!!! Especially because it's coming from my lil' 3 yr old.... I had to show him that I could. So, thought I'd show you how to make it too.... of course most of you Hawaii Locals already know how - so this goes out to all those kids that never learned how, and is stuck at a college dorm thinking about how they should've listened to their mom when she was trying to teach them how to make Spam Musubi. LOL.... But no worry - Auntie Jen is here to help guide you thru this easy painless and tasty process..... here I go...
Here's what you need:
Spam, Knife, Cutting Board, Nori Wrapper (dry seaweed), Musubi Acrylic Maker (which by the way you could also use as an acrylic block for your unmounted stamps....), Frying Pan (not shown).
No forget the Hot Rice.... Gotta be kinda sticky, so don't use Pilaf Rice or Spanish Rice - it will NOT work!!! Jasmine rice not good for this either - the best kine is Diamond G....
I only making 2 musubi's, so I sliced off 2 pieces of spam - if you making moremusubis, then cut whatever amount of slices you going make.
Now, throw 'em in one hot frying pan - NO NEED OIL - Spam get plenty of that already!
Throw the rest in a ziploc bag, and save it for another meal...
While you wait for the spam to cook, start forming your rice with the musubi maker. The maker comes in 2 pieces, 1 which is this - that looks like a block, the other piece is the "pusher downer" which you will see in the upcoming photos. If you are talented, you could probably just make the musubi without the maker, but this helps a lot, because the "pusher downer" will pack the rice together and that's what you want.
K, I told you - the "pusher downer" is now here... you going take 'em, and fit it 'em right in the middle - right on top of the rice... and start pushing down....
Down.....
Down... all the way, til' your rice is smooshed, and can no longer be smooshed. Just no SMASH 'em.
Now you going push the "pusher downer" some more, and start lifting the box while the "pusher downer" is still on top of the rice - the box is going to slip out from the top...
Just like this.... and when you take all the pieces away....
you going have one nice block of rice in the shape of a rectangle - but try look, just the same size as one spam slice.... hmmmm... how ironic? LOL!!!
Now take a Nori wrapper out - it is about the size of 2 spam musubi's, so you gotta cut 'em in half (or at least the one I bought - they have several different sizes).
I just use my kitchen shears, and cut right down the middle (the long way).
Now take your nice rectangle block shape rice, and put it right on top of the Nori, lining up with the edges the short way. Should be just about the same size, it's ok if it's a little smaller or longer, still going taste good!!!
K, the spam is cook when it looks like it has a real bad sun burn.... time for take the buggahs out!!!
Now, take 1 spam slice, and put it right on top of the rice, lining it up again. Hooo... making me hungry just doing my own tutorial... LOL!!
Now, bring the wrapper edges together at the top, and just overlap them over each other. Use a lil' bit of water to keep them held together.
All PAU!!! This is how it looks like from the side.... unfortunately, it was eaten so fast, I was unable to get a picture of my Cy eating this Spam Musubi. But I gotta tell ya, it was just like he just found out his mommy was a Chef or something - because when I gave him that Spam Musubi, he was so happy and said, "Wow.... Mommy, I didn't know you can make Spam Musubi!!! ".... talk about melting my heart....
~Jen~
Here's what you need:
Spam, Knife, Cutting Board, Nori Wrapper (dry seaweed), Musubi Acrylic Maker (which by the way you could also use as an acrylic block for your unmounted stamps....), Frying Pan (not shown).
No forget the Hot Rice.... Gotta be kinda sticky, so don't use Pilaf Rice or Spanish Rice - it will NOT work!!! Jasmine rice not good for this either - the best kine is Diamond G....
I only making 2 musubi's, so I sliced off 2 pieces of spam - if you making moremusubis, then cut whatever amount of slices you going make.
Now, throw 'em in one hot frying pan - NO NEED OIL - Spam get plenty of that already!
Throw the rest in a ziploc bag, and save it for another meal...
While you wait for the spam to cook, start forming your rice with the musubi maker. The maker comes in 2 pieces, 1 which is this - that looks like a block, the other piece is the "pusher downer" which you will see in the upcoming photos. If you are talented, you could probably just make the musubi without the maker, but this helps a lot, because the "pusher downer" will pack the rice together and that's what you want. 
K, I told you - the "pusher downer" is now here... you going take 'em, and fit it 'em right in the middle - right on top of the rice... and start pushing down....
Down.....
Down... all the way, til' your rice is smooshed, and can no longer be smooshed. Just no SMASH 'em. 
Now you going push the "pusher downer" some more, and start lifting the box while the "pusher downer" is still on top of the rice - the box is going to slip out from the top...
Just like this.... and when you take all the pieces away....
you going have one nice block of rice in the shape of a rectangle - but try look, just the same size as one spam slice.... hmmmm... how ironic? LOL!!!
Now take a Nori wrapper out - it is about the size of 2 spam musubi's, so you gotta cut 'em in half (or at least the one I bought - they have several different sizes).
I just use my kitchen shears, and cut right down the middle (the long way).
Now take your nice rectangle block shape rice, and put it right on top of the Nori, lining up with the edges the short way. Should be just about the same size, it's ok if it's a little smaller or longer, still going taste good!!! 
K, the spam is cook when it looks like it has a real bad sun burn.... time for take the buggahs out!!!
Now, take 1 spam slice, and put it right on top of the rice, lining it up again. Hooo... making me hungry just doing my own tutorial... LOL!! 
Now, bring the wrapper edges together at the top, and just overlap them over each other. Use a lil' bit of water to keep them held together.
All PAU!!! This is how it looks like from the side.... unfortunately, it was eaten so fast, I was unable to get a picture of my Cy eating this Spam Musubi. But I gotta tell ya, it was just like he just found out his mommy was a Chef or something - because when I gave him that Spam Musubi, he was so happy and said, "Wow.... Mommy, I didn't know you can make Spam Musubi!!! ".... talk about melting my heart.... ~Jen~
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
"Our" Sofa
There is a sofa in our bedroom - at the foot of our bed, that we refer to as "our" (CY3 n' I) sofa. This sofa never fails to attract the clothes and things that we have. Instead of leaving our clothes around on the floor, we simply pick it up, and toss it over 
to our sofa. It's a habit, we all do it..... it's actually quite natural of our arm limbs to throw anything towards our sofa, so that it can sit there (instead of us, of course). It can get pretty bad, where clothes and things are piled high on this sofa. Especially when family or friends are coming over, and I have laundry that are unfold. I have to think of a plan and get them clothes hidden right away!!! So, we turn to Our Sofa!!!
Well, it got pretty bad a couple of weeks ago, where clothes, books and other stuffs were piled on there, and we were in need of a flashlight. We looked high n' low throughout the house, and couldn't find it. Then it dawned on us... that maybe... just maybe.... the flashlight could be under all that stuff on Our Sofa. AAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKK..... CY3 and I went through all the clothes, smelled them, folded them up, or tossed them in the laundry pile and put the clean ones away. Cy's toys were also on there, among some books that we read to him at bedtime, that are easily tossed on to Our Sofa right before we shut out the lights. I found hair ties, a bubble bottle, a the best.... a used but folded up bandaid..... aaaaccckkkkkKKKK!!!!! The flashlight was later found tucked waaaaaay under the sofa pillows. It was practically shoved in between the arm, and the part where the springs are hidden under. I wonder if all that weight of the stuffs pushed the flashlight into there. I vowed, (and I shouldn't
have), on that day, that I would keep our sofa tidy, and not get it to that point again. LOL.... so I hope I can keep it looking like a sofa, and not a piled high one. Wish Me Luck!!! Here are before n' after shots of Our Sofa as of today. Although it's not a piled high photo, it can get pretty darn high. I will post frequent photos of Our Sofa, sharing them with you will make sure that I am on top of keeping it tidy. Before CY3 n' I got married, we were living together, and instead of a sofa, we had a box in the corner of our bedroom.... LOL.... THAT used to pile HIGH too!!! =0) I guess some habits are definitely hard to kick, huh?!
~Jen
to our sofa. It's a habit, we all do it..... it's actually quite natural of our arm limbs to throw anything towards our sofa, so that it can sit there (instead of us, of course). It can get pretty bad, where clothes and things are piled high on this sofa. Especially when family or friends are coming over, and I have laundry that are unfold. I have to think of a plan and get them clothes hidden right away!!! So, we turn to Our Sofa!!!Well, it got pretty bad a couple of weeks ago, where clothes, books and other stuffs were piled on there, and we were in need of a flashlight. We looked high n' low throughout the house, and couldn't find it. Then it dawned on us... that maybe... just maybe.... the flashlight could be under all that stuff on Our Sofa. AAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKK..... CY3 and I went through all the clothes, smelled them, folded them up, or tossed them in the laundry pile and put the clean ones away. Cy's toys were also on there, among some books that we read to him at bedtime, that are easily tossed on to Our Sofa right before we shut out the lights. I found hair ties, a bubble bottle, a the best.... a used but folded up bandaid..... aaaaccckkkkkKKKK!!!!! The flashlight was later found tucked waaaaaay under the sofa pillows. It was practically shoved in between the arm, and the part where the springs are hidden under. I wonder if all that weight of the stuffs pushed the flashlight into there. I vowed, (and I shouldn't
have), on that day, that I would keep our sofa tidy, and not get it to that point again. LOL.... so I hope I can keep it looking like a sofa, and not a piled high one. Wish Me Luck!!! Here are before n' after shots of Our Sofa as of today. Although it's not a piled high photo, it can get pretty darn high. I will post frequent photos of Our Sofa, sharing them with you will make sure that I am on top of keeping it tidy. Before CY3 n' I got married, we were living together, and instead of a sofa, we had a box in the corner of our bedroom.... LOL.... THAT used to pile HIGH too!!! =0) I guess some habits are definitely hard to kick, huh?!~Jen
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Cup O' Noodle Soup
The other day, I went shopping for some "lunch stuffs" for CY4. I make him a sandwich for lunch everyday, but when I pick him up after school he wants me to "swing by" a McD's to grab a bite of something "small". Of course I say, "what fo'?.... too bad, wait til' we get home, we'll be home in 30 minutes". So, I figure, I should get some more grub to add to his bag of lunch, and Cup O' Noodle came to mind.
After coming home from the store, oh my, I cannot tell a lie.... I was eyeing up that Cup O' Noodles.... I wanted to have some RIGHT AWAY!!!! Since I bought 10, I figure, he won't miss 1, right?!?!? So, I had one. Oh My... it was DELICIOUS!!!! Sooooo Warm n' Soothing... LOL!!! But the best part about it was that I started thinking back to days when I used to eat 1 Cup O' Noodles a day, back in High School. I was in the Band (1st Chair Flutest n' Piccolo Player/Color Guard during Marching Season) and for Band, we used to have a "snack store" and whatever profits made would go towards the "Band Room" and whatever else (like parties, or movie nights). One of the goodies were Cup O' Noodles - the cost was $1 for a cup. Because
the band room would be air conditioned, that Cup O' Noodle really, I mean really hit the spot. Oh... so ONOLICOUS!!!! The corn in there was the best!!! There also was a sofa in the Band Room, so a bunch of us girls would all have a Cup O' Noodles in one hand, and hashi (chopstick) in the other - talking stories, laughing out loud, and just having a good time. Of course this was after our after school band practice. I don't remember WHAT we would talk about - I only remember that it was good times.... and when I think of them good times, I get those ohhh so warmy soothing feeling all over again.....So, have a Cup O' Noodles... it may make it into your lifetime of memories, just like it has mines.
yummm...
Jen
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Broken Slippahs
Oh good! You found me!! What?!?! ANOTHER BLOG you say?! Well... it's either I've got too much time on my hands, or I have nothing better to do, or both. LOL!!! Since you're already here, I'm just going to get right into what I gotta talk about today.
This morning, as I took Cy to school, I realized that my slippahs (thongs/flip flops) was broken!!! But I didn't realize this until AFTER I dropped off Cy to his homeroom. I couldn't help but think about those walking behind me, and if they saw my broken slippahs, were they laughing at it? or even checking it out to see if it was really broken? I'm just paranoid like that. OR what about those that saw it before I did? As I was walking Cy to his class? How come they didn't say nothing?! HOOO.... MAKE SHAME!!! I just walked back to my car casually, making sly, like I dunno that the slippah was broken with a piece flopping out.... and when I get inside my car, I make a "ahhhhhhkkkkkk" sound. Oh well, should've known that a Walmart slippah wouldn't have lasted me a long time anyways. I could always just add some Aelene glue so that it sticks again. But I think the weight of my body has a lot to do with why that piece came flopping out in the first place. Maybe I can use push pins to hold it in place? hmmm... well, these are going to be off limits for a while.
This morning, as I took Cy to school, I realized that my slippahs (thongs/flip flops) was broken!!! But I didn't realize this until AFTER I dropped off Cy to his homeroom. I couldn't help but think about those walking behind me, and if they saw my broken slippahs, were they laughing at it? or even checking it out to see if it was really broken? I'm just paranoid like that. OR what about those that saw it before I did? As I was walking Cy to his class? How come they didn't say nothing?! HOOO.... MAKE SHAME!!! I just walked back to my car casually, making sly, like I dunno that the slippah was broken with a piece flopping out.... and when I get inside my car, I make a "ahhhhhhkkkkkk" sound. Oh well, should've known that a Walmart slippah wouldn't have lasted me a long time anyways. I could always just add some Aelene glue so that it sticks again. But I think the weight of my body has a lot to do with why that piece came flopping out in the first place. Maybe I can use push pins to hold it in place? hmmm... well, these are going to be off limits for a while.
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