Cooking Lessons at Back of the House

(HE)

I am a sucker for cooking shows on television. I didn’t even realize it until I found myself cursing Star World for airing errantly scheduled episodes of Masterchef and cursing AFC when New Scandinavian Cooking would air just when it’s time for me to go to work.

This penchant for cooking shows is why I was pleasantly surprised when Len told me that she enrolled Sloan and me in a cooking class. The venue was at Back of the House, a quaint establishment that also hosts dinners wherein guests are the ones who cook the dishes themselves. It’s along Xavierville Ave., which can be a nightmare to be in on a weekday; fortunately, the class was held on a Sunday. Plus, FCL Center, the building where Back of the House is, had ample basement parking.

It was interesting for me to learn the secrets of the culinary arts, and, as always, it was a joy to do stuff with Sloan. He gobbles up stuff and relishes every experience, and he was exactly that way during the cooking class.

Sloan enthusiastically did the chores himself. He would get the bowl from me and mix the brownie dough himself. When it came to cooking, I just had to remind him not to touch the stove, and point out where the hot spots were. He would sauté the ingredients. The only thing I did not let him do was cut the vegetables (but of course). I had a good laugh when we both started tearing up while I was cutting the onions!

  

When we were done, Sloan proudly presented the finished products to his mom, sharing how he helped cook the dishes. He was just a tad disappointed that we weren't required to bring up our plates to Chef Mira, who led the class. Apparently, he was expecting a Masterchef kind of judging (I did say I watch cooking shows a lot).

All in all, it was not a bad way to spend our Sunday. And yes, our food tasted great. For upcoming classes, check out Back of the House on their Facebook page.

Lego Zombie Party

(SHE)

After cramming for Sloan's birthday party last year, where I tried to get every crafty detail together in less than two weeks, I promised myself this year will be different. Well, it was different all right - this time, I crammed all the preparations into a just matter of days! Lol.

I had been looking at themes as early as May. I had my eye on a Lego theme, then changed my mind and switched to Minecraft. I shared some photos of Minecraft parties with Sloan, and the little boy approved... only to change his mind just a few weeks before his school party - he wanted a zombie theme instead!

Okay, a few concerns: I had little time to prepare, and where on earth would I get zombie printables? I had no time to tap an artist to design stuff for me, and most of the stuff available online are either too Halloween-ish or are Plants vs. Zombies which Sloan is not really into.

Enter halegrafx.com. Now this here's a fantastic find! The site is filled with free downloadable birthday printables of different themes and I was ecstatic to find a Lego Zombie set. Hashtag prayers answered. Hashtag blessed. Hashtag sanity intact.

I thought all was cool, until the teacher informed me that we would have to move the school party to an earlier date, since they had to hold rehearsals for the United Nations Day program on the day I was eyeing. Totally fine, EXCEPT NOTHING IS READY YET. Kaloka! So much stress for one simple school party for 10 kids! Why do I do this to myself? Pero ginusto ko yan, so push!

And so, with a few days to go before the school party, I hied off to UP Shopping Center and got my stuff printed. Over the weekend, I shopped for giveaways and cut out all the printables. Then the night before the party, I prepared everything from the loot bags to the piñata. Mike's contribution? Ordering and picking up the food, blowing life into all the balloons (the air pump was broken), and most of all, getting Sloan to sleep the night before (that is a huge task, I tell you).

Then came D day. And thankfully, everything looked pretty! Or rather, pretty creepy, with the zombie theme. The kids were happy, the birthday boy was ecstatic, and the party was a success - all 30 minutes of it lol. 

Meanwhile, I was exhausted and sleepy hahaha. But so absolutely happy!

Happy birthday, darling! You're growing up to be one fine little boy and your daddy and I are proud of you. Love you forever.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa



(SHE)

Every time I travel to Cebu for work, I always wish that I could take Michael and Sloan with me for a quick vacation. Last August, it finally happened.

Our company was among the event sponsors of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 triathlon race, and I was tasked to help with our activities, as well as the coverage of the Sun Life Tri-Team's progress in the race. Fortunately, I got the blessing of my bosses to bring my boys along (we shouldered our personal expenses of course).

We stayed at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. While I worked, Michael and Sloan explored the lovely resort and enjoyed its awesome facilities, like the huge pool area with fun slides and showers, and the gaming room where there's a mini Timezone and video game consoles.

I would join them whenever I was free, and it was such a treat getting to mix business and pleasure during this trip!

 

 

 

  

 

Quezon Memorial Circle

(HE)

It is quite easy to book a trip to anywhere these days, but sometimes a quick and lazy jaunt to nearby parks is really all you need.

Our boy Sloan discovered the joy of Quezon Memorial Circle early this year. This was a frequent hangout for him and his yaya during the summer. Len and I got the chance to revisit the place ourselves recently, and I was personally pleasantly surprised at some upgrades.

Sloan, precocious kid that he is, proudly showed us around. He told us where they'd usually go, and it turned out it was this particular park called Circle of Joy.

There were several play areas available to kids. Unsurprisingly, some of the plastic were already crumbling and there were vandals everywhere (come on people, stop it). But overall, it was a pleasant sight. Sloan definitely did not have any complaints.

It was slightly drizzling. But that only made the day more wonderful.