Tuesday, June 26, 2012

What Makes a Filipina Unique & Special

It's been six months since I got here in the USA. I have made some personal observations and that includes comparing myself to the people in general here. These observations might not be applicable to all.

1. My husband finds it amazing that I can pick things up with my feet specifically with my toes. I have a small feet, but I am still adept at picking stuff up with them or I just have pretty good amount of control that I can easily curl or fan them.

2. This next mannerism that I want to stop is when I pout and point with my lips. Every time I do this, I will leave them wondering as to what I really want them to do. I just find it easier to purse my lips especially when it takes time for my mind to describe the object or person. Husband jokingly warned me not to do this in public because they might think I am asking for a kiss.

3. I don't know how to stop making "sitsit" or "psst". It's kinda hard especially when we grew up doing this. For me, it's the fastest good attention seeking speech.Oh by the way, I still say "aray" when I get hurt.

4. Our country is surrounded by seas and oceans, but only a few knows how to swim. I really envy those little kids whom my husband calls the " Sea Diving Gypsies" or in our term the Badjaos and Samals who live in houses that stands on stilts over the water beside the sea . They can dive without any diving equipment.

5. I still cannot stand not having a rice in my meal. Its just that every time I skip the rice and eat the American food, my tummy starts to complain. I tried explaining that what they have for lunch or dinner like hamburger, pizza, taco or hotdog are just our snack food in the Philippines. I am just lucky that my husband is not a picky eater. He is flexible to both Filipino and American food. I am also a fruit eater.

6.  We eat with a  spoon and fork, while they can comfortably eat with only a fork. We can also eat with our hands or with one foot up the chair.

7.  I am still super "matampuhin" (sulky, sensitive). Hubby will have to study more on this Filipina trait, he tends to become easily impatient. I believe our husbands should understand that sometimes we are just longing for some sweetness in the relationship. They don't really know how hard it is to be living in a foreign land with nobody except for your partner. It is healthy to be "matampuhin" sometimes, but not too much.

8. We are always proud of our man. No matter what his weaknesses or shortcomings might be, still we can say to the whole world how lucky we are to have such an amazing person to spend the rest of our lives with. We easily forgive and forget.

9. Since I am not employed yet, hubby finds it cute that I always look at him first before grabbing an item that I want into the shopping cart as if I am seeking for approval. I guess I am just a considerate type of person before making my husband spend on something for me I make sure that he has extra for these not so basic needs. It is usually girl stuff but he would always say that he would buy anything for me if he can afford it. Sweet!

10. We Pinays are conscious of how we look. We are not contented with only looking at the mirror inside the bathroom before leaving, we still look at mirrors inside of the car. Hey, we don't just want to look ugly.  We like to idolize celebrities or famous people and somehow would copy how they do their hairstyles, make-up or even how they dress up. They say we always check the labels of the clothes to see where it is made from. We don't want to get burn from staying under the sun. It's easy for White Americans to be laying all day and sunbathing because they can go back to their original color in no time, while we Pinays it took even a long time to achieve this color we have now, not to mention all the skin whitening products we used when we were still in the Philippines.

11. We like cooking. I am no chef but I am proud to say that my husband and family loves my cooking. I sometimes look up for simple recipes then as soon as I have the ingredients I tried cooking or baking them. If I can, I usually make Filipino recipes for them.  Believe it or not, it's only here that I can cooked decent meals. It's something I started love doing especially for people I love.

12. We are not difficult to please. One bar of Snickers can make me already smile or just even when hubby volunteers to help me with the chores.
 
  •☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•


Thoughts?
What do you think makes you distinct among other nationality aside from the ones above? Are you proud to have these Filipino traits?

Monday, June 25, 2012

Me on a Tee





Aeropostale tee
Guess reversible belt
Crissa denim shorts


Sunday Floral Dress




Black Cardigan
Floral Bustier Dress from a Philippine Online Store
Mossimo Red Flats


Monday, April 30, 2012

First Filipina Gathering in Michigan



   It was the first Filipina gathering that me and my husband attended yesterday. We were both excited, Me about meeting Pinays who live here in Michigan and the chance to speak my native tongue again. Hehehe! And for Hubby, the excitement of being able to taste new and different pinoy recipes.


   We got there early, but I really wanted to because I was still going to fry the food I was bringing. I met the hostess, Rhea. She was so nice and very attentive to her guests. Then I met other Pinay friends for the first time. We were being goofy the whole time. We talked like we have known each other for decades. I'm glad I met wonderful people yesterday.


   I can't wait for the next gathering. Event like this reduces my homesickness.



 •☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•

Lumpiang Shanghai (Pork Spring Rolls)


This is my version of this famous Filipino recipe. So I hope you like it!

Lumpiang Shanghai (Pork Spring Rolls) :


Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs ground pork
  • 1/2 cup green onions (optional)
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped or grated
  • 1 cup onion
  • few cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 raw egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • Lumpia wrapper (Spring roll wrapper)
Cooking Procedure:
Mix all the ingredients, except the wrappers, to make the filling. Adjust seasonings according to taste. If the filling tastes right, make the spring rolls by wrapping the meat using the lumpia wrapper. Fry the wrapped meat making sure that all the sides are cooked right. . Serve at once with sweet-sour sauce or sweet-chili sauce.




 •☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Me, shooting again!




Last weekend, we went shooting again with hubby and my stepson Alex. I was so excited because that time I already printed out some targets I can shoot on. I was able to shoot using the Glock 9mm, AK47 and the AK22. AK47 was so loud it got me scared though. Haha! Anyways, here are two videos that they took.





Oh by the way, I ended up shooting all the soil, like tilling the soil for gardening. Lol!
 •☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•



Strawberry Cake Roll



I made this Strawberry Cake Roll today after I was craving for some dessert right after lunch.  This is a budget-friendly and easy to make recipe. 


Ingredients:
3 medium eggs
2/3 cup (85g) caster sugar (I used finely granulated sugar)
2 drops vanilla extract (optional)
2/3 cup (85g) self-rising flour, well-sifted
1/3 cup strawberry jam
and additional sugar for rolling


1. Grease a standard size baking tray with butter.Place a non-stick baking parchment paper on it and press on all the four sides.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla until very light and fluffy.
4. Mix the flour slowly with the spoon.
5. Bake it for 12-15 mins until golden brown and fluffy and springy to touch.
6. Sprinkle powdered sugar on another parchment paper and put the hot cake on it.
7. Spread jam on it when it is hot and roll with the help of paper.
8. Allow it to cool for 1/2 an hour. 
9.Sprinkle icing sugar/sugar, cut into slices and serve.


 •☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Good Vibes Everyone! ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•