Tuesday, June 10, 2014

my birthday-holiday

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I was born in summer when kids don't have to wake up early to go to school or stay a bit late to finish their homework. My birthday also happens to bea national holiday when people take a day off from work and just relax. So since I was a child, I have enjoyed all the perks of having been born in summer, on a national holiday!!! I always feel so grateful that mom gave birth to me at a perfect time -- a beautiful, summery holiday.

But what exactly is the national holiday for?

According to history, April 9 is the Day of Valor. It commemorates the bravery of all Filipino soldiers and civilians who fought and died during World War 2. It is such heartbreaking to imagine all the struggles and cruelty that happened during this period.

Aside from declaring a holiday, a national shrine was built to remember the heroism and sacrifices of the prisoners of war, who walked all day for six days taking the "route to death".

A month before my birthday last year (2013), my friends from Ateneo planned a trip to Mount Samat in Bataan for us to have a look at the famous shrine. 


This is me, looking at the view from one of the cross' wings. 
Cielo and I trying to copy the poses of the men above us ;)
A closer look at our silliness. haha
The gigantic shrine made me look so miniature.
Quirky poses with Corinne and Ms. Lucy
Defying gravity with Corinne.
With my dear friend Rea while waiting for the others. :)
The marble altar with stained glass mural on the walls.
After exploring the Dambana ng Kagitingin, we then headed to Subic for a quick sidetrip. Everyone chose to have some adventure. ;)

Are we ready to get some adrenaline rush? I guess so!!! haha
This tree drop adventure really made my heart beat so fast!!! I did not exactly feel like Lara Croft here! Instead, I was so damned scared and got the cold feet. Good grief I was able to get over and done with it. haha

This is what they call the "Interactive Free Fall" ride, which I tried with Rea and Corinne. Guess what? I screamed "I'm scared" all throughout the ride. What was wrong with me? Was I supposed to be an adrenaline junkie?

(Credits to Cielo for the photos)

wander: Dambana ng Kagitingan 
            (Pilar, Bataan)
            Treetop Adventure 
            (JEST Area, Upper Mau Cubi Point Subic Bay Freeport Zone)
           
wonder: 

rolling spring rolls

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My good friend Mansy invited  me to join an art flea market she organized with her friends and I happily participated. I did not make any craft/artwork worthy of display, but I made something which the tummy would surely appreciate. ;)

So I woke up quite early Saturday morning to hunt for the ingredients: mint, cilantro, and basil leaves, green leaf lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, lime and lemon, shrimp, chicken meat, etc. I enjoyed shopping for the ingredients despite the "busyness" of the farmer's market. I want to buy all spices and herbs that I saw but the practical mind said "you won't need or use all of them". So I stepped back and just bought what I needed for the spring rolls. Good choice! :)

After shopping, I started prepping the ingredients. I sliced the cucumbers and carrots, washed the herbs and lettuce and cooked the shrimp and chicken meat.  So happy to come up with minty, flavorful spring rolls :) I was able to finish rolling around 50 pieces before the start of the market fair. Ideally, I wanted to make 100 but thought it would be just too many. 

Take a peek at what's inside the roll. :)
"We are ready!", said the spring rolls. haha
ready for the #bringyourownbenta

Look who came and checked Ninang's foodie! The fluffy kiddo!!!
Thank you to my dear friends who came and tried the spring rolls -- Janie, Tin, Li, Kea, Corinne and Yagi! Til next time guys :)
Spring rolls all sold out :) Merci beaucoup :)
After the fair, I felt so dead-tired and very hungry. Hence, I met up with my friends Corinne and Yagi and had dinner together. See my healthy (?) meal? I was able to finish it despite the "overly" well-done meat. :p