Love cooking

Cooking was not my interest while growing up. I never bothered to visit the kitchen or asked my mom her recipe. I was an eager eater. I was chubby in high school because my Aunt Tess is an excellent cook. She used to make delicious food for my lunch and my classmates were happy to share it. I never liked the cooking module in Home Economics. I was impatient in peeling potatoes, disgusted with the smell of garlic in my fingers and crying while chopping onions. I remembered the engineering days when Sef, Arni and I cooked the canned corned beef. It was burnt but we ate it anyway because we didn’t have a choice. And then I got married, hubby and I left our homes and stayed in one house. I will never ever forget the first time I cooked pork menudo, I asked him if it was delicious and he said yes. Hubby was so gracious and loving that he didn’t want to hurt my feelings but he wasn’t able to resist asking me if I put sugar in it. Of course I didn’t, how could I have known. From that time, I decided to embrace cooking. I was so lucky because I was surrounded by good cooks. My mom, aunts and mother-in-law were my teachers. On the process, I cut my fingers several times and hit by hot cooking oil on the face. I started learning simple recipes like adobo, pancit, ground beef with petchay and tinolang manok among others. Then I started to invite my friends to dine in our house. I was happy to hear their praises about my culinary skill J All the sacrifices I have made were paid off big time.

Then came my new adventure in Riyadh. The hospital provided our accommodation which is furnished with appliances. I never tried baking and it was time for me to do it not to mention the prices of goods here are cheap and electricity is free. I started making chocolate cake, it wasn’t successful at first. But I tried harder until I got the perfect texture and taste. I also learned to make the chocolate icing which my flatmates really liked. For two years, I can say that I have improved my cooking abilities. I am proud of myself for this small accomplishment. I am even planning to have my own restaurant or catering service in the future. I love to cook and it makes me happy every time I do it J

The Vow

It has been two months since I wrote my last entry. I was busy preparing for something and my duty schedule was very hectic. Having 19 duties in the past months burned me out most of the time. But I am counting the remaining days I have left and making the most out of it. Recently, I went to my friend’s wedding which was held in esteraha (Arabic for function hall with swimming pool). She and her hubby actually got married twice, one in the Philippine Embassy and the other in a Christian Service. And they are still planning to get married in the church in Philippines this coming December J It was my first time to attend a Christian wedding and in all places here in Riyadh J The wedding was simple, subtle and meaningful. I got teary-eyed when the bride (my friend Rochelle) read her vow. She reminded me that true love and destiny do really exist. I wish them both a happy and strong marriage and may God blessed them with lots of healthy kiddos J

I also recently watched The Vow. I had great expectations with this movie due to trailers I’ve seen on facebook and youtube. Unfortunately, it wasn’t exciting nor romantic as I have expected. But what struck me was the scene when the bride read her message to her husband during their wedding. My hubby and I didn’t have this special moment during our civil wedding and how I wish we could have done this. We have been together for 7 years and so far we are still in love with each other J I am looking forward to get married with him again in front of our family and friends. And when this time comes, I know what to say. After all we have been through a lot of circumstances and surpassed it.