Serving Vacation Bible School

6:02 PM by Riza


 I'm excited for our church's yearly Vacation Bible School next week. Why not? My husband and I volunteered to serve the event. It's going to be our first time to join church activity such as this. I miss outdoor activities and I miss serving the church. This will be a great opportunity for us to meet, serve, and create friendship with people who will be joining the affair.

As far as I know, VBS is a summer event done annually by our church for children from kindergarten to 6th grade. Therefore, this occasion is specifically created for kids! Adults will be there to serve and supervise them. VBS is a great moment for kids to learn the Word of God combined with various indoor and outdoor activities. I would know more for sure about this activity after my actual experience.

My husband and I will be attending a training tomorrow. We decided to choose "Recreation" wherein most of the activities will be done outside. I have one concern about it because our temperature is already rising up to 100°+. Totally hot and dry. But we'll see how things go. It would be for 5 days and thankfully it's only from 9 in the morning to 12 noon. Couldn't wait for VBS to start. I'm ready to GO!
Labels: , 0 comments

Dreams: My Sleep Anesthesia

1:26 PM by Riza
I am a person who dreams a LOT in her sleep. When I fell off to sleep, I always dream. Not a single sleep that I don't dream. In my life, sleep and dream are like the person and his shadow. Wherever the person goes, the shadow follows. Sometimes I remember what my dreams were—sometimes I don't. Well, I do sometimes remember too if they were colored or simply black and white. One time, my friends laughed when they asked whether my dreams were technicolor. They thought it's funny, or maybe weird. It made me wonder if people who dream a lot in their sleep are rare because my friends don't dream as much as I do.

I have dream of various images—from people to situations, scenery, phenomenons. I dream of ex-boyfriends chasing me or wanting me. I dream of spiritual and heavenly beings—even the day of Jesus Christ's coming. I dream of terrorist attacks and wars. I dream of living and dead family members, new and old friends and acquaintances, strangers. I dream a lot of tsunamis or a body of water rapidly rising, as people (family members, friends, strangers, me) ran to hills and mountains, or to elevated place to save themselves. I dream of flying with no wings—sometimes carrying the weight of someone. These are just few of the pictures I see in my dreams.

Lately, I was having problems with waking up in the morning on the time that I am supposed to. My dreams kept me asleep. They are like general anesthesia induced in my subconscious self, keeping me asleep longer than I should. I have bouts of waking up from time to time. But because I am too immersed in my dreams, I fall back to sleep—sometimes deep sleep—and dream begins to engulf my subconscious self again.

I love to dream in my sleep. It's my other world—a out-of-this-world whereabout where I explore and discover things without my will and control. Things and events happen as they have to. It's my escape, my fantasy, my nightmare, my reverie that I can't have and cannot do in my real existence.

However, I am starting to get annoyed and irritated with it because it keeps me from waking up on time. I had been waking up so late in the morning  (8:30 - 9:00) the past weeks. And when I woke up from a long, deep dream, I feel tired and still so sleepy. It happened again this morning. If my husband didn't try to wake me up, I do not know how long have I stayed on bed. I woke up down, too sleepy, vulnerable, and absolutely exhausted. Part of the feeling down was the feeling of "guilt." Guilty because I have not prepared his food for lunch. Guilty because we were not able to eat breakfast and spend quality time in the morning. Guilty because I am not doing a good job in the morning as wife and mother.

I do not know how to resolve my dream and sleep problems. There's this weird thought and question—"what if I die in my sleep?" I wonder if when a person dreams, does his spirit leave his body? Does his spirit thrive in the realm of the person's dreams? What if the answer is yes? And what if the spirit forgets (or doesn't) to go back to the body it belongs because it is enjoying in the place where it's at and gets too engrossed to withdraw the enchanting dream country? What if it happens to me?

My husband asked how he could help. I said he should wake me up at 7 in the morning. He asked what is the best way to wake me up? How should he do it? I didn't have an answer. I do not know how. "How about waking you up with coffee?" he inquired. I just smiled. I think that's the best way to wake me up from a deep sleep due to my dreams—my sleep anesthesia.
Labels: 1 comments

Crunchy, Yummy Mini Saging (Banana) Turon

12:50 PM by Riza

 I was quite inspired to make saging (banana) turon last night because my husband has been wanting to eat some after he had few bites in a Filipino restaurant weeks ago. Actually the banana turon they have is prepared differently from what I was used to back in the Philippines. Theirs don't have caramelized sugar coated on the wrapper. Instead, they pour caramel sauce on top of the banana turon. The caramel sauce makes it messy to pick up with bare hands. When eating banana turon, you are supposed to eat it with bare hands and not with fork.

Banana turon is one of my favorite Filipino desserts. Turon is so good when eaten while it's still warm. My mom is the expert when it comes to making this dessert. Glad I watched her made banana turon before or else, I would be clueless on how to make it.

My husband envisioned bite sized banana turon. So I decided to cut the lumpia (egg roll) wrapper into two. Each piece looked cute (which I liked). His idea was brilliant! I melted natural cane turbinado sugar in the hot oil with the banana turon in it. It's easier for the sugar to stick on the wrapper when it's melted.

I was happy of the outcome. The wrapper turned so crunchy and the melted brown sugar coated around the wrapper made it yummier. It was a great treat—my husband loved it!
Labels: 0 comments

American Idol Will Never Be The Same Again

5:10 PM by Riza
Last night's finale crowned Lee DeWyze as the 9th Season winner. Actually, I was not as excited for this season as the previous ones. I am not so sure of the reasons. Paula's absence could be one. I didn't care who will win. I was not happy nor sad of the result. Siobhan Magnus was actually my favorite. She's unique and carries herself with confidence. Siobhan got her own fashion style and personality. The girl can sing. She's the female counterpart of Adam Lambert (who was my bet last year).

On their first few appearances, I liked Lee better than Crystal Bowersox. But during the last 3 weeks of competition to capture the heart of America, I think Crystal showed that she was more deserving. Her performances received more positive feedback from the judges than Lee. When it comes to "raw talent" Crystal got it. Lee had been more nervous specially during the last night of the contest. His last performances were average if not poor. But, America has decided.

Favorite Highlights

Three of my favorite highlights of last night's finale were the appearances of previous AI Season winners, Paula Abdul, and Janet Jackson.



Janet's performance of "Nothing" made me missed the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. I do not know if I was the only one who noticed her voice when she sung the song. She sounded like her brother Michael. How "I wished he was still alive" as I was listening to her. I didn't hear Janet, but Michael in that song. There was pain in my heart. But yeah, I like her haircut. In fairness, she's still sexy and still dances like she's in her early 20's.

Tribute to THE MAN

So great of the AI producers and staff to bring back the winners of the previous seasons and Paula to pay tribute to Simon Cowell who is leaving American Idol for good. Will American Idol be the same without him? I personally do not think so. When it comes to the judges' table, Simon was the "soul—" let's admit it. He may have been disliked by his negative comments (often interpreted as injurious criticisms), but his straightforwardness, bluntness, and honesty of opinions on the contestant's performances were huge factors that the telephone and SMS text-voting populace consider in deciding which contender they will vote. His "remarks" are powerful. They have substance. That's what made him unique from other American Idol judges. Hate him or love him. I chose the latter.

AI's Future

Paula's out—and now, Simon. Two of the original and the most loved judges bade goodbye to AI. What happens next? Will America and the rest of the world still love it? Will it have the same impact on the TV viewers like it had years ago? No one knows. I hope if Ellen DeGeneres remains in the next season, she would express her own opinion about the contestant's performances, and not just repeat (in her own words) Randy Jackson's judgment. I wish that on the next season, when it's time for judges to give comments, it should be in random order. This 9th season, it was so systematic—Randy, Ellen, Kara, Simon. That made me think that most of the time, Ellen based her judging from Randy's—be it positive or negative. No hurt feelings to Ellen. I love her wit and humor in the show though. She's excellent on that.

Anyhow, I wish American Idol good luck. The show has helped a lot in discovering great talents and deliver them to stardom. Hopefully, they will find a good, if not great judge to replace Simon. We'll see.
Labels: 0 comments

Shredded Beef with Red Jalapeño Peppers

6:04 PM by Riza
One of our favorite Chinese dishes is the "Shredded Beef with Red Jalapeño Peppers." Well, I prepared it last night. As usual, we fully enjoyed the sumptuous meal. Side dish is of course steamed rice. A perfect dinner if you want something not ordinary. It's actually very easy to make—one of the reasons why I love preparing this food. We got the recipe from Everyday Chinese Cooking cook book. It does not require a king or queen in the kitchen. Just buy the ingredients and follow the simple steps, and wallah, a dinner that will surely satisfies your palate and hungry tummy.

Shredded Beef with Red Jalapeño Peppers
(Everyday Chinese Cooking by: Leeann Chin & Katie Chin)

8 oz boneless sirloin or round steak
2 tbsps + 2 tsps vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt and dash of white pepper
2 tsps cornstarch
1 red bell pepper
1 jalapeño pepper
1/2 tsp finely chopped ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsps hoisin sauce
1/4 cup roasted peanuts

Cooking instructions:
  1. Trim the fat from the beefsteak and cut the beef with the grain into 2-inch pieces. Slice across the grain into 1/4-inch slices. Stack the slices and cut into thin strips. In a bowl, toss the beef with 2 tsps vegetable oil, white pepper, salt, and cornstarch. Cover and refrigerate for 30-minutes. (Can also marinate the beef from 1 to 5 hours. Although I haven't tried it. But I believe, the longer the mixture is marinated, the better the taste.)

  2.  Core, seed, and cut the red bell pepper and jalapeño into thin strips. You can mix them if you want.

  3. Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add the remaining vegetable oil, beef mixture, garlic, and stir-fry for 1 minute (I stir-fry the mixture until the beef turn brown). Add the red bell pepper and jalapeño and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the hoisin sauce and stir for 30 seconds. Toss and mix the peanuts thoroughly.
    4. Tips:
    • To get the desired flavor you want, taste the beef after you have poured in and mixed the hoisin sauce. You may want to add more of the sauce.

    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after you have seeded and sliced the jalapeño peppers.
Labels: 0 comments

Green Card Mailed But Not Received

10:52 AM by Riza
Well, I was informed by USCIS through a letter that my Green Card was mailed late December of last year, but, I NEVER received it. After waiting 3 months for their reply, I finally got it, but not the reply that I expected. It was very disappointing. I thought that this Immigration process is already going smoothly after the big challenge we had to go through last year—I am totally wrong.

Green Card Story

After my interview last December, I was approved. Few days later, got a mail from the USCIS telling me that they have ordered production of my so-awaited-Green Card. At the same time, I checked my case number on their website, the same status—production of card has been ordered.

More than a month had passed, no Green Card. Called the USCIS toll free number 1-800-375-5283 to inquire about it. I was advised to send Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) and marked the option "card not received." Did what I was being told and mailed the form on February. Got a reply from them after a week or so. The letter stated to just wait for another communication from them regarding my request.

Waiting felt endless. One month, two months had passed—nothing. Until yesterday my husband came home with the letter on his hand. I was so excited to see it and exclaimed with so much enthusiasm, "Finally!" But my husband's reaction was telling me that it's not something that I had been expecting.

The letter said that they mailed my Green Card on December. My application for I-90 was denied because of the fact that the card was sent, and it was not returned as "undeliverable" to their Nebraska Service Center office. Whoaaaaa!!! I was advised to file another I-90 using the "appropriate application reasons." What is so disappointing is that, filing another I-90 costs $370! It's terrible to pay something that you are not at fault with. I never received my Green Card, and now, paying $370 sucks.

We decided to get a schedule for appointment in our local USCIS office through INFOPASS come June to try resolving the problem without paying again. I do not know where my Green Card went. What if it's with someone else's hand? I'm in the verge of becoming an identity theft victim. I also don't understand why USCIS just mailed Green Cards through regular mails and not registered, when in fact it's a very important legal document. So terrible.

Well, it is my BIG hope that this problem be resolved accordingly. Please, don't let us pay $370 for something that's not our fault.
Labels: 0 comments

Movie Dates at Home

4:00 PM by Riza
It's been so long since the last time hubby and I went on a movie date. After I gave birth, we haven't gotten the chance to watch the latest showings on movie theaters. Well, finding time to go out for a date is a little bit challenging now that we have our little one—besides the budget. However, the above obstacles can't stop us from watching the current movies. The solution? REDBOX! For only a dollar a night, we can already enjoy on the comfort of our couch the newest box-office films in Hollywood.

So far since last Saturday, we have already watched Avatar, Shelock Holmes, Up in the Air, and The Blind Side. Waiting in line is Did You Hear About the Morgans?

We don't only watch the movies at home on the weekends. We also watch one on weekdays whenever there are no shows on TV that we like. Coming June, new seasons of some TV shows that we patronize will be on. Most probably by then, watching movies at home on weekdays lies low.

Anyway, I'm glad there's Redbox. It gives us the opportunity to spend time together like a date in a very affordable budget. How much more the comfort that the home brings?

Labels: 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)