i heart textures :: Drummer Girls

The textures I made here are both created from Adobe Photoshop filter and pattern fill. I used rough pastels for the first layer of texture and cracks pattern for the second one.

Pasta Time :: Spaghetti with Bacon and Dried Tomatoes

This is what I had for brunch (^_^).

Category: Quick and easy

Type: Pasta

Ingredients: Serves 2
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp pesto (any desired flavor)
4 bacon strips, fried & diced
a handful of fresh basil leaves
400 g dried queen tomato, halved**
salt, pepper and chili powder to taste
200 g dried spaghetti/linguine
25 g freshly grated cheese

Method:
1. Bring heavy-based saucepan of lightly salted water and drops of oil to boil. Add the pasta, return to the boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender but still firm to the bite.
2. Drain the pasta.
3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the dried tomato, bacon, basil leaves and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, then add pesto.
4. Add the dried pasta to the pan, then season with salt, pepper, chili powder if necessary.
5. Grate the cheese on top of the mixture and toss lightly.
6. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

** Sun dried queen tomatoes are available in tops supermarket if you happen to be Thailand. Choose Maechuy brand in pink package which tasted a little sweet. It only costs 10 Baht per pack/40g.
- Cheese is quite an expensive commodity here in Thailand since most cheese are not locally made. So I suggest you buy some at the Royal Thai Project store. They sell it for 77 Baht per/200 grams.

New Beginnings

SPRING.

New life and new beginnings.

When flowers bloom and photographers' lenses zoom.

Sun kissed and bursting trees.

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A few random thoughts upon seeing the richness of colors around here. This was taken on our photo session with the lunch mates two weeks ago before the farewell day came for L.

Setting Forth

Today's his last day in office and we planned to honor him with our simple tokens straight from the heart. One of which is this collage. Glad I was able to materialize the limited time we have. Adrenalin rush!

The Lord has sustained me all along.

Now it's time to say "till then" to Kuya L who will be setting forth for another journey with the Jesuit projects in Bangkok. Tonight we might be sending him with a heavy heart but with a full stomach! (^_^)

Expression :: Best Face Photo

I have seen a face with a thousand countenances, and a face that was but a single countenance as if held in a mould.
I have seen a face whose sheen I could look through to the ugliness beneath, and a face whose sheen I had to lift to see how beautiful it was.
I have seen an old face much lined with nothing, and a smooth face in which all things were graven.
I know faces, because I look through the fabric my own eye weaves, and behold the reality beneath.

Khalil Gibran

It Feels So Good

Friends are blessings.

To be blessed with kind hearted people is a pure bliss. It is said that whatever you asked for in prayer, it will be answered. True to it's words, it happened. Through a friend (Kuya L), I got a new job! God is really good! He knows I'll be broke if I continue being a monk. The best part is, I haven't gone into the normal process of application. No interviews, no exams just pure and simple chitchat and turnover of responsibility.

Happiness is written all over my face(^_^). The feeling of euphoria is what I'm trying to convey on my photo. This was taken last August together with my childhood friends and and at the same time school buddies (from right) Kathryn, Lizette, Christessa and moi.

Truly, I ♥ Faces

I ♥ being inspired by other photo enthusiasts that I get to know through blog hopping. Visiting new photo websites is like opening Pandora's box. Each has its own story to tell and creativity to push aspiring artist to learn more.

Visit the new apple of my eye. I'm obviously a big fan!
Happy Birthday!

“I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.”

P.S.- Kindly right click to open new tab for Firefox if you think the comment box is not opening. Thank you.

Filling In the Memory Bank

I'm having a hard time motivating myself to read. I am more of a visual person and understands best when I see what I'm learning than reading which makes me feel that I seldom exercise my brains, consequently it is rusting.

On photo are my chosen few. It came so timely that a friend gave me something to work on while I'm on house arrest. (^_^) I am totally clueless about these trio. So if you could give me a little hint if they are good or not I'd gladly welcome it. I'm just hoping it would lead me to a healthier lifestyle.

Speaking of healthy lifestyle, I started following the hip hop abs on the web this morning until afternoon while doing the laundry in between. It feels good to get back rocking my fat belly. This is just the start to a better me. Let's get physical!

Live Life. Love Life.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I love visiting friends. Last Saturday me and T went to Sofie's place where a bunch of surprise awaits me. Nanay Lolit had prepared a hearty lunch for us to share with. It was too late when I came there. I like observing people how they cook but that time all the foods where already set on the table when we arrived. So I just lingered on the kitchen right after the meal to check out some recipe books.

Oh! and the surprise... I got three good books to fill in my memory bank. Will be coming back to reload with new ones probably after a month. I'm too lazy to read you see. It will all depend on my mood.

It was 2nd of January when I first saw The Biggest Loser Asia on Hallmark channel. My eyes were glued on the TV as I find it more exciting than other reality shows in the past. I felt hopeful for all who auditioned, thinking about recognizing any weakness/problem is the key to overcoming it. I can't wait to see their transformation.

Here are few express guides for a good life from TBL:

• Avoid food portions LARGER than your FIST.
• If you spend alot of time watching TV, make good use of the commercial breaks and DO SIT-UPS WHILE WAITING for your favorite show.

Foody shot above was taken during New Year's Eve. That's the carrot cake I prepared for the fellowship right after the mass. I'm ever thankful to Mae who never gets tired of sharing her baking secrets to me. Mille fois merci!