Chicken Adobo

One of my (and my kids too) favorite dish is the Chicken Adobo. This is a famous Filipino dish which is so tasty and easy to cook.

My grandmother and mum has their own version of cooking Adobo (chicken or pork). I remember my lola using butter or vegetable oil when she cooks it. On the other hand, my mother uses plenty of garlic to enhance the taste. But my version of how to cook Chicken Adobo is a bit different from them and here's how...

Ingredients:
1 k chicken pieces
soy sauce
heaps of crushed garlic
3 to 4 bay leaves
a few drops of Worcestershire sauce
pepper (ground or whole)
a few slices of ginger
3/4 c water

Procedure:
Mix all the ingredients and cook in medium heat. When chicken is almost cooked, add some
vinegar (5 to 6 tablespoons will d0). Before turning-off the heat add a dash of sugar.

Hope you enjoy this delicious and healthy (it has no oil or butter which makes it less fatty) recipe!

What I learned today...

We had our 4^th home group meeting today (this is for my kids’ sacramental program), our mentor discussed what reconciliation is all about. He cited some examples when a person feels rejected and when to forgive. He also asked us (the parents and the kids) if there was a moment in our lives when we experienced rejection. Then he said that there is somebody who always feel rejected and that is Jesus.

During the discussion, he brought out some junk mails. These are pamphlets from various supermarkets and malls. He said that people are always occupied by material things and have less time for God. We spend heaps of hours watching in our huge plasma TV (thank goodness we do not have one…hehehehe) and few hours to pray to God. Upon hearing this, I felt guilty.

All the while I thought that I love Him above all things. I hear mass every Sunday, pray at night and in the morning. But is this enough? I always thank and praise Him but I often forget Him during those happy moments in my life. Maybe that’s the reason why He rather gave me trials so that I will remember Him all the time.

O Lord, today I learned to share with you all my joy and pain. To make you my constant companion not only through sorrow but also in gladness. To preempt my mind (and heart) of worldly things and lift up everything to you.

Lord, you know what is best for me, may your will be done and not mine.

Home Sweet Home

In the previous company I worked with, I was sometimes sent to another country to attend trainings or to work on a project. I was excited and at the same time sad because I have to leave my family behind.

I do love to travel. To be in a new place and do new things makes me happy. Being a mother of three, I see this as an opportunity for me to have some time solely for myself. But at the end of the day I miss my home, my family and most especially my three angels…and the feeling is no different to being away from my home country…

Yes, we have been living in another country for more than eight years! Seven and a half years in NZ and a year in Australia. Some may wonder why we decided to leave Philippines. I also asked myself this question. Bakit nga ba?

The reason we often hear why people leave their home country is that they are looking for a greener pasture and this also applies to us. I miss Philippines so much. I miss my relatives and friends. The food that you can only find and taste in the Philippines. The Filipino movies and TV shows and a lot more. Although, I haven’t been in places like Boracay or Pearl Farm, there are heaps of beautiful beaches in my home country. Oh yes, Philippines is blessed with wonderful natural resources! But sadly, these natural wealth are not used properly or if it was, it’s only for the benefit of a few and not of the many.

When we were still in New Zealand, a taxi driver told me that he once visited Philippines and was amazed of how beautiful my country is. He asked me why did I left? Then he added, the common reason why many people leave their home country is because of the government…how the officials put into practice their power. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I agree with the taxi driver.

Sometimes I asked myself, when is that day when we can experience in the Philippines the lifestyle we have here in Australia (or even in New Zealand). Where we can afford to eat what the rich people in the Philippines usually eats…to send three kids in a private school…and to have access to a good health system even if you are just a middle earner.

I can’t wait for that day when we can settle permanently in the Philippines…to have a scrumptious breakfast of sinangag, tinapa or toyo, tocino, longganisa at kapeng barako (yummy!)…to watch Filipino movies and TV shows…to dine in Jollibee, Chow King and Max’s…and to spend one lazy day making chika with my friends.

Truly, home is where your heart is…and my heart is still yearning to come home to Philippines.