a New Toy…

Posted by Lui on Aug 31st, 2010 | 0 comments

Well not exactly new anymore and truth is somebody sequestered it already from me lol! I’ve blogged about wanting to buy a netbook a gazillion posts ago. I wanted it mostly because I like drafting posts even when I’m traveling or just somewhere else other than in front of my good old reliable desktop. I also wanted something where I could read my e-books but since I don’t want to buy an e-book reader ( I think they are too pricey!), a netbook was the best choice considering its small, handy size.

I decided to do my gadget buying in Manila, and I was actually torn between three choices, a Lenovo S10-3 Premium Mini, a Samsung N150P, or an Asus EEE-PC 1005P. What won in the end? The Asus EEE-PC and why I picked that? I loved how it looked, the overall look is sleek. I also fell for the really nice touchpad and comfy comfy keypads. It already came with Windows 7 plus 250 GB hard disk memory. It was good buy for its price.  I got it for $490 (about Php 21,900) and since I paid in cash, I got myself a free optical mouse, a keypad protector, a headset, a 4GB USB storage device, and a slip case.

It comes in white, pink, midnight blue and black but of course, I picked the black, why? Hehe so when it gets dirty I don’t see the dirt much lol!

I was also supposed to get an Asus Portable DVD+/-R/RW External Drive or a Nokia Mobile Phone to be claimed in ASUS World in Megamall, but I was just so pissed to go there a couple of times and they keep saying they don’t have a stock until the promo claiming period was over. I was disappointed with Asus about this.

But anyway, the netbook was really nice, a great thing to lug around. It has a really long battery life, about 8-9 hours based on my experience, but they did say if you’d be able to use it for at least 11 hours if you maximize the battery and I do wonder how I could do that hehe..

When we got back here in Phnom Penh though, Hi-ace took a liking for it. It’s a tiny thing and very light so he reckons it’ll be better to bring it with him instead of his own laptop. So, now I’m stuck with Hi-ace’s Acer laptop, but I don’t really mind. I rarely use it anyway now that I’m back together with my desktop. Hayyy, what do you know, I guess I’m that old fashioned

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Food Trip Friday 17: Ginataang Santol

Posted by Lui on Aug 27th, 2010 | 11 comments

Another one of my father’s specialties – Ginataang Santol. What’s in it? Santol pulp, ground pork, coconut milk, and lots of chili. Okay, just the mere mention of santol makes me drool.

This is a typical Bicolano recipe and one of my favorites. When its season for santol we usually have this a few times a week. And I was quite lucky last June-July-August we have a lot of santol fruit around.

And how to make it? I only have a vague idea, lol! I was too busy waiting for it to be cooked to pay much attention. Would you believe it was still being cooked and I already had a plateful of rice with me? Anyway, dad usually saute garlic, tomatoes first, then he adds the pork, then the santol. Then the coconut cream is added, salt to taste then the chili.. And oh, he said when shredding the santol pulp, you have to make sure you don’t make it a few hours before cooking it and to soak it in water, otherwise it’ll turn really dark..

I wonder when I could have this again? **sigh** On a side note, this made me think what is ‘Santol’ in English? According to Wikipedia, santol is also referred to as ‘wild mangosteen’. Interesting!

Wordless Wednesday 11: Doodles for Mommy

Posted by Lui on Aug 25th, 2010 | 6 comments

During our flight home from Manila, I figured my daughter Chinks would be bored, so I handed her my netbook so she could play her games or doodle around.. After a few minutes, those doodles (with Paint) were what she presented to me..

Not exactly Picasso but this is infinitely more precious for me..

Food Trip Friday 16: Korean Dongas and Bibimbap

Posted by Lui on Aug 20th, 2010 | 9 comments

Not cooking this time, I guess I’m too lazy. I haven’t really tried much of the food courts in malls here mainly because I’m not a fan of the coupon system, its a hassle! And another reason is that I’m not yet even halfway trying those tempting restos all across Phnom Penh.

Anyway, yesterday Chinks wanted to go to the play area in the mall and we discovered that there is an uncrowded, and fairly big play area within Phnom Penh’s Sovanna Mall food court. While waiting for her, my sister and I ended up browsing the food stalls and we were surprised at what we saw. Tempting, yummy food at super affordable prices. The steepest price I saw was about 10,000 Riels for a huge meal!

And since I’m a huge fan of Korean food we ended up making a beeline for the Korean food stall. Not much variety but what we saw we liked. Ouwie who haven’t tried Korean food got herself the Korean version of Dongas, breaded pork cutlets with lots of side dishes, this is of Japanese origin but was adapted by Koreans, I think.

I got myself my all time fave Bibimbap, steamed white rice with lots of veggies, meat, fried/raw egg, with lots of steaming hot sauce and mixed together..

Each set cost just 8,000 R (about $2) and we both made a promise well go back every after few days so we could sample everything they’ve got in that food court. It was that good!

Wordless Wednesday 10: On Top

Posted by Lui on Aug 18th, 2010 | 5 comments

Photo taken from Singapore Flyer, Singapore

Food Trip Friday: Chicken Dinuguan

Posted by Lui on Jul 23rd, 2010 | 8 comments

I’m in Bicol, Philippines right now and of course, I’m taking advantage of my vacation here to gorge on scrumptuos Filipino food! Thankfully, I don’t even have to go out of my parents house to sample really good food. Papa is a really really good cook and he’s been indulging us with family favorites the past few days. It’s just no wonder I already have in mind to check apidexin reviews coz for sure, my weight the next few days will make the weighing scale groan out..

Anyway, here one Papa cooked for lunch the other day. Native chicken dinuguan with papaya and pineapples. It was really really yummy! And no, I dunno how to make it, though I observed him burning the grated coconut before squeezing it for its juice to give it a distinctive taste… I guess Iwas too preoccupied with eating it to ask how its made.. hehe =)

Bone Tired..

Posted by Lui on Jul 12th, 2010 | 0 comments

Hmm, this week has actually gone by without me getting online or even having the itch to be online so sorry folks, if I was amiss updating the blog. I’ve been hopping on and off planes the past week that I even find it tiresome now to eat or even to brush my hair. All I want to do is sleep!! Seriously. But I can’t do that as I have tons of things to do. I feel like I lost weight without trying to, haha which is really much better than trying use diet pills that work. But I’m pretty sure I’ll gain it all back once I’m back to my parent’s place.

My father just loves to cook and he just pampers us daily with delicious food. I guess that’s why he keeps saying he doesn’t have any right to complain if people living in his house all bear a bit of resemblance to humpback whales.

Thank God, Chinks settled in nicely. She’s in Bicol right now and I’m here in Manila. Flew here last Sunday, did a lot of errands, met friends I really really missed and now I’m doing some shopping errands for Hi-ace. I’m just taking a breather when I saw this net cafe and I thought why not check on my blogs. Tomorrow, I’m flying back to Legazpi and hopefully I could get a day or two of rest without traveling or doing anything..

Food Trip Friday 12: Pasta with Cream and Herbs Sauce

Posted by Lui on Jul 2nd, 2010 | 7 comments

I missed last week’s FTF! I was preoccupied I think and truth is I already forgot what I was preoccupied with hehe.. I’ll probably miss next week’s FTF since I’ll be in Bicol {yipee!} catching up with friends and relatives, gorging on delicious Bicolano food and worrying about best fat burning pill, but that’s life isn’t it? We don’t have internet there. But once I can arrange for some temporary/prepaid ISP connection, I’ll be back to posting on my blogs on the second week of July, that’s a promise.

Anyway, though I was pre-occupied with plenty last week, I still found time to hustle up something for Chinks. She just loves pasta, even spicy ones she’d eat albeit with a jug of chilled water. Here’s one quick cooking pasta I’ve put together.

I just cooked the pasta (250 g) per package directions; then for the sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, once can of white cream, chopped pork or whatever meat you prefer, bell pepper diced, lots of white pepper, dried oregano and grated cheddar cheese. And tada! If you’re into herbs, you’d love this!