LIMELIGHT

I am pissed. This is the first time Facebook disappointed me with their new software. I can’t comment, do status updates, upload pictures and even ‘like’ on statuses. I know… complaining about Facebook is the final straw for me to GET A LIFE. Harhar! HEY! I’ll be very busy in the next few days you know. *grins*

Anyway, we attended the Spring Formal Ball for my husband’s unit last May 25^th. It was a ‘ball’ but the dress I had wasn’t a ball gown. My choice, I didn’t want to spend the rest of the evening fanning my lower body. That would look scandalous! Especially when we were sitting next to the high-ranking officials. Nobody bothered. All the ladies and my husband’s colleagues’ only concern was, “When are you due?” It’s repetitive and sometimes would get annoying but they didn’t know and were too polite for me to act rudely. We posed for professional pictures but never had one inside the ballroom. It was dimly lit and for a while too embarrassing to hear the camera shutter. We did enjoy the night though. Had 2 couples and a single Captain sit with us at the dinner table. The meal was good although I had to ask for the waitress to recook my steak as it was made medium rare. As you know, pregnant women aren’t supposed to eat anything raw. ;)

Me alone pic. ;)

They LOLed.

We didn’t have any hopes of winning as we have the stuff that they had on raffle. They gave away an XBOX, we already have PS3; they gave away point and shoot camera, I have a DSLR camera; they were giving away a 32” TV, we have a 73” Mitsubishi 3D HDTV. But, my ticket won the 32” TV. Wasn’t a top of the notch brand but we were so lucky to have it specially when it had a Korean plug. We don’t need to shell out some money to buy transformer or an adaptor for it.

4 day weekend. We didn’t go anywhere. Just HOME. It was nice having some time alone with the husband considering how busy his schedule is. It had been so hard seeing him at home. The first 2 weeks of May he was inside the camp for field training. I can go and see him but he can’t go home, which breaks my heart. We don’t even sleep in one bed since my 7^th month. He’s afraid he would hurt the baby while he sleeps and me waking him up with my constant peeing. ;) So, he sleeps on the floor. Gentleman isn’t he? Or was he trying to avoid me because I’m gaining a lot of weight? Hmmmmm. LOL

We had been going to Camp Walker-Camp Carroll vice versa for the 4 day weekend. Did some random dates on the streets. Go to church and the gym. Blah. Blah. Blah.

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Carbonara YUM!

I bought cantaloupe, avocadoes and banana. Should make some salad with them right? Ciao! 

LESS THAN 30 DAYS!

I’m getting scared. Every pokes and hiccups I feel on my tummy, makes me feel like she’s ready to come out of this world. I’m getting scared. What if I’m not good enough? What if I make mistakes? What if I’m not fit to become a mother? At the same time I am excited. Who would she possibly look like? How would she smell? (You know babies smell really good!). Will she be a crybaby? Or someone who always smiles and eats like Santiago? (You know him from my past posts.)

On the first week of June my husband would be flying back to the US for his Doctoral Degree Program and I would be left alone for a whole week. We are trying to get my Mom over as soon as possible before the baby is born. She would be of great help and comfort, as I will recover from the delivery. And like my husband, she’s pro-natural birth ONLY, unless of course if there’s an emergency alternative. That makes his decision firmer to get my Mom back.

All I probably did while waiting for this to happen aside from taking care of the kiddies was trying to get everything for the baby. Stroller, blankets, car seat, etc., and so far I had huge help from my Mother-in-law and friends for that and I am always thankful for them. ;)

First box from Nana Judith!

Fourth box from Nana!

Thanks for the gifts! Karena, Marlyn, Kendra, Caitlin, Laura, Maricel, Dolores and Miraflor!

I assembled this ALONE. 

I don't have a lot of patience writing posts and probably won't have any enthusiasm for the next few weeks. I did this post randomly and without thoughts about grammar and such. I just wanted to fill something in, in case I forget. ;)

Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

Here is a simple recipe for chocolate mug cake. There has been a lot of it circulating online so I thought I might give it a try and actually liked one of it so far.

What you need:

3 tbsp flour
4 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
1 egg
3 tbsp milk
3 tbsp oil

Mix all the dry ingredients first and then continually add the wet ingredients. Mix well and microwave for 3 minutes.

You can drizzle some chocolate syrup or top ice cream on it. I used chocolate ganache.
The chocolate ganache/icing consist of only 4ounces of semi-sweet or sweet chocolate and 1/2 cup heavy cream mixed in a bowl. Drizzle on the cake. ;)

Microwave Leche Flan

The skies might be gloomy and the streets of Waegwan is wet but my house if full of laughter, music and dancing because of Julia and Santiago. They keep encouraging me to show-off my belly while they did theirs. It was quite funny and all but I am nothing like those energizers. Being this pregnant makes me huff and puff easily as 1-2-3. The only way to cool myself down is probably make snacks for them. I want to make those easy-bake muffins or fruits or cookies but I am craving for a leche flan. I have no steamer and cooking time is a big hassle. So I was browsing online looking for some ideal leche flan microwave. A dear friend of mine (Thanks badai Katya!) gave me a link to making microwave brownie and from there I have seen microwave cake, cookies, ice cream (SERIOUSLY), macaroons and so on. No leche flan, my luck. The closest one I could get was the custard pudding. I am not a fan of pudding so I had to tweak the ingredients a little bit to get my leche flan successful.

Leche flan:                

3-4egg yolks

½ cup condensed milk

¼ cup evap milk or regular milk

1tbsp brown/white sugar

drops of vanilla extract

Caramel:

1tsp brown/white sugar

1tsp water

Easy steps:

Whisk the egg yolks.

Combine the egg-yolks, condensed milk, evap/milk, sugar and vanilla extract.

Caramelize the sugar with water on the microwave for 30secs on HIGH

Let it cool off.

Mix the ingredients well to avoid lumps.

Place on a microwavable container with water at the same line as the custard batter and cover with a plastic wrap.

Place your microwave settings on the lowest setting for 4mins.

Microwave again on medium settings for another 4-5mins

Open and let it cool.

Serve chilled, or NOT. 

You may flip it or eat it as is and if you feel that the caramel is too little then you could just microwave another set of caramel. EASY!! 

ENJOY! =)

God's Blessing

It has been quite a few months since I last wrote on this blog. Perhaps it was the weather (winter season really gets me cranky) or it might be the pregnancy. Yes, I have failed to inform you my cutie blog, I am indeed pregnant. 7 months and I’m already having a hard time moving around. I am having a baby girl. After so many discussions with my husband, Larry, we decided to name her Lira Karri Summers. Isn't it a cutie? Lira (lyre) for a Filipino name and Karri (pure) for German. She's been abusing my tummy so far but she's adorable. All while on my pregnancy I have been keeping myself busy by borrowing books/videos from the library, practiced my cooking, complain about cleaning the house and babysit 2 beautiful kids. Santiago and Julia keeps me sane living in this WIDE apartment. The house isn't furnished and for the mean time I don't have plans of doing so. We're buying baby stuff and believe we might be able to really do the interior in the future: when the baby doesn’t break figurines or knock on some furniture. Here is a series of ultrasound pictures from our OB. 

2 Months

3 Months

5 Months

6 Months

Here I am trying to strike a pose on my 7th Month. 

Will have another appointment next month April 2. Hoping the baby is growing well. :)

Could It Be?

It’s been over 3 months since we arrived in South Korea. I didn’t have any time to rant and squeal on my blog about my activities. It was packed! All these housing documents, POV’s and HHG’s— an expected PCS event that will tire the “H” out of you. We don’t have a lot of stuff coming here in Korea. We were starting anew as we sold all our stuff on Craigslist (which by the way is tricky because we almost got a fraud transaction that ALMOST took our $1,200). We did bring the basics like my army of Apple products and our 73” TV (uhm, did I say basic?).  We do need to fill in our new apartment, which has been our biggest yet. 4 bedroom/3bathroom for just the two of us?

Bar

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Living Room

Kitchen

Bathroom 3

TV!!

 Fortunately, I’m starting doing babysit again. Two adorable kids that’s keeping me sane, as my husband is too busy with his work.

Julia!

Santiago!

Something is definitely wrong with me these past few days. I’m having this hints but I want to make sure. Will post when it’s confirmed! <3

Things I Liked About Americans!

They open the door for the next person to come in or exit. It doesn't matter if they're on the phone, with their kids or even when they're handicapped. They WILL open the door for you. They don’t even work there! It makes you feel very welcomed wherever you go.

  

Saying "Hi! How are you?"/ "Hey! Doing good?"/"Hello! How was your day?" to every stranger they meet (e.g. Cashiers, librarians, Gov't workers).

When my husband wears his Army uniform in public, more than 3x a day I would hear Americans just stopping by to tell my husband, "Thank you for your service Sir!" of which he replies, "Thanks for giving me the chance to do so". I feel very proud of him that I'll probably have to order a leash. Just kidding!^^

They are extremely nice & professional with their work. If they say they'll do it, they will. If they won't, they won't. No pretentions, no excuses.

By the way, hubby and I just watched 'The Horrible Bosses' & I thought I didn’t liked it because I’m not a fan of Jennifer Aniston but it turned out pretty hilarious. But these foul-language movies are the reasons why we have this prejudice against Americans. We think they exercise their freedom to the extreme and too direct with the language that they speak profanities whenever they want. NO. That's not the case. They never scream deplorable words in public places (Unless you see it on the movies) and they are very sensitive when it comes to things like that.

Well, I will surely miss America but I'm so ready for Korea!