MOST DISASTERS HAPPEN AT DAWN (AT LEAST TO ME)

It was 2AM and I was up working on my drawing board doing sketches for a certain event. I'm more creative at dawn when silence envelopes my surroundings. I also work better with yellow light than with white. Don't ask me why because I really don't know. The only distraction would be my dog, Turnip, who'd ask to be hugged and cuddled every now and then. Such a sweet dog (especially when he is asleep).

I think this was the same dawn that my Aunt had to be up early because she had to be on a trip or something. I really can't recall anymore. Anyway, I decided to make her breakfast. Heat water, done. Scramble eggs, done. Toast bread, teka!

I haven't been in the kitchen for a very long time now and my absence has dealt a severe blow to my culinary skills (or the lack thereof). Not only were the toasts toasted, they were charred beyond recognition. This all happened when I decided to retreat to the bathroom to do some more brainstorming (oh, I also am creative when in the bathroom. It helps me concentrate more) and one piece of bread actually decided to burst into flames (which gave me the burning desire to write this silly entry).

What a loser. Anyway, the eggs went well naman (they were a little bit dry though) but were good just the same. I toasted a fresh batch of pan de sal. Hmmm. Maybe I'm not that hopeless after all. Kitchen returnee's luck?

WALA NA SA KALENDARYO

Thanks to Resty for this artwork.

ANOTHER ONE TIES THE KNOT

It's been years since the last time we had a wedding in the family (I can't even recall when the last time was) so imagine our excitement and joy when my Tito Mhel, the youngest of a long line of Yaps (Mom was the second oldest), finally tied the knot in Bangkok. Since we had very short notice, we didn't have time to prepare for the trip. Anyway, we hope to see them when they visit us in Manila. Congratulations, Tito and Best Wishes, Tita Mam!

YIPEE KAYEEE!

OH MY! *takes a deep breath*

The sequel to ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE, has finally been screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from the return of Cate Blanchett as the indefatigable Queen Elizabeth I, Clive Owens stars as Sir Walter Raleigh and oh, wow, wow, wow! Samantha Morton as – drums roll – Mary Queen of Scots! This sequel picks up where ELIZABETH left off and will feature the highlights of the rest of her reign.

Same director, Shekhar Kapur, who has only 9 films to his name (2 remain unreleased). So sad though that nobody is playing Cecil in this sequel as his character was very important during QEI’s reign.

Anyway, I am dying of anticipation.

GRRRR...

Desperate Housewives character Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) let loose an insult to Filipino doctors here. This is the 1st episode of the 4th Season. My friend Mahros said a similar incident happened in ER long ago.

I hope that writers do not include lines like these in television shows. Totally uncalled for. Likewise, actors should also insist on NOT mouthing lines that put an entire community or country in a bad light.

CHILDHOOD TREAT: BUKAYO

I was on an errand when I espied these being sold on the streets of Divisoria. I just couldn't resist buying some because I was too overjoyed! These are something we used to eat as children in Pampanga. Bukayo (coconut marzipan) is made by simmering strips of young coconut meat in water. Molasses or brown sugar gives them that rich, very attractive color. They are then rolled into balls and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds (the latter are a fairly new addition, I think).

Children liked them because they can be very sweet, with the lethal combination of sugar, coconut and toasted sesame exploding in your mouth at every bite. I recall that there's another version of this - flatted into little cakes but are dry instead of moist like the ones pictured above. These were sold at Php 10/pack of 12 pieces.

More of my adventures here.