Read On

I've always loved reading. When I was a little girl my parents bought me a set of books called Childcraft: The How and Why Library. Each volume discusses different topics including Math, Science, Culture, Arts and Crafts, etc. I would pour over them eagerly reading the stories I like, again and again. If I don't understand a word or phrase, I would ask my mom and dad about it or stare at the pictures imagining what it might mean.

A few years later, I was given a set of Encyclopedia Brittanica by my parents. They thought it a great way to help me with my schoolwork (the internet didn't exist yet!). Almost every night I would be doing my homework with a humongous book in front of me. It wasn't the most amusing time but I learned a lot.

Aside from my textbooks I also started reading some not so academically-motivated reading materials. I had so much fun with Archie comics. I laughed at his gang's crazy escapades. During grade school, I also discovered the Sweet Valley Twins series. I was so amazed at how different and alike I was with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. These are worlds I have never known existed. It's like visiting another place and the only thing I need to pack is my imagination.

Eventually, my pocketbooks were replaced by novels. But it's always the same, each book invokes in me a unique thrill: from being scared, puzzled, elated, tickled pink or moved to tears.

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading." -Elizabeth Hardwick

I thank my parents' role in my love for books and I'm trying to pay it forward by encouraging my family and friends to read.

So do yourself a favor and pick up a book. Trust me you won't be sorry. :)



-Faye

Flight

Throwing words like daggers

You can never retrieve,

Perpetually buried

In stone hearts to grieve.

Loathe you teach;

Injustice you carry.

Deceit you nourish;

Selfishness you marry!

Not all is lost, nevertheless.

Chasing bliss, mercy!

A cloud of hope is brewing

Far away I flee.

-Martha

Easy Carbonara

I love to cook as much as I love eating. I don't really know a lot of recipes but I've been cooking pasta dishes ever since I can remember. Here's my pasta alla carbonara recipe which is so easy to make:

Ingredients:

500 g pasta (I used linguine), cooked al dente

3 egg yolks

1 onion, chopped

6 cloves of garlic, minced (If you're not a vampire, I suggest the more garlic, the better!)

1 Tbsp. oyster sauce

1 can of evaporated milk

1 cup of grated cheese

1/2 cup bacon, chopped
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat pan. Add oil or butter. Sauté onion, garlic, bacon, and mushroom with oyster sauce. Add the milk and cheese. Let the cheese melt while stirring. On a small bowl, beat the egg yolks with warm water. Note: Use warm not hot water, you don't want scrambled eggs. Pour the egg mixture on the pan and stir until sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with chopped parsley then pour over pasta. Serves 6-8 persons.

Bon appetit! :)

-Martha

Destination

I stared at the path

That lay ahead

Which road was rough

Uneven and hindered

I took a deep breath

And stepped forward

Into a journey

The world unknown

I fell and stumbled

Got lost at times

But always A power

Urged me on

I couldn't give up

Must push through

At last within reach

I've arrived at the end.

My Fifi

Here's our alpha-female dog. In dog years, she's considered to be in her forties.

Fifi hates the camera

Name:
     FIFI
Nickname:
     Fi, Fifita, Fi-gay
Birthday:
     May 15, 2005
Likes:
     Hugs, kisses, french fries
Dislikes:
     To be out-shined by other dogs
Brief description:
Fifi is of terrier (jack russel, I think) & askal descent.  She likes to be cuddled, fussed about & kissed. She knows how to 'sit', 'stand up', and 'give me five'. Her full name, by the way, is Fifi Girl Chua. She is afraid of thunder, lightning and firecrackers. On recent count, she has had ten pups (different dates). I love her yellow-brown eyes & her pink, heart-shaped nose.

More next time!


-Faye

Happy Sim-ming!

Did you know? The Sims is the
best-selling PC game in history!

It all began when I was twelve. I remember one day finding my siblings crowded around our old personal computer. They were trying out a new game they had just installed. I was so amazed with what I saw on the screen. There were little people (better called as Sims) moving as my sister clicked tasks for them to do. It was like playing a dollhouse only this time, it's virtual and adult-friendly.

The Sims, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, is a strategic life-simulating computer game. You get to decide your Sim's name, looks, family members, job, and house. Like in real life, you have to maintain your Sims' basic needs such as hunger, hygiene, fun, etc. and improve their living by earning money the hard way or by simply using your trusty cheat, 'Kaching'!

Swimming & playing the guitar at the park

A few years later, our fondness with The Sims was taken to the next level when its sequel was released. The Sims 2 has 3D graphics and cooler features than the first one. In example, your Sim can now grow old, have children, grandchildren and finally, expire. Your game moves on as long as there's a Sim left in the next generation. 

A few more years passed and The Sims 3 was born. The graphics are more life-like. The towns are bigger, interactions are more diverse, and the expansion packs are more exciting! There are currently 4 expansion packs available: World Adventures, Ambitions, Late Night and Generations. 

*Note: Watch out for The Sims 3 Pets which is set to be released this October. 

Ok. I made this blog because I'm spending way too many hours playing this game for the past week. I get so absorbed with my Sims life that I don't notice how time flies by in real life! For now, I better give my eyes (and my Sims!) a rest. 'Til next time, Happy Sim-ming! :)

-Martha

Meet Logan

Dogs are a great part of our lives. Let me introduce you to some of our pets. This is the first one.

Not camera shy at all

Name:
     LOGAN
Nickname:
     Loganoy, Longgadog
Birthday:
     May 15, 2005
Likes:
     Tummy rubs, hugs & kisses
Dislikes:
     To be ignored
Brief description:
Logan is of terrier & askal descent. He likes to sleep, snore, fart and eat. If he feels like it, he'll follow your command to: "sit", "stand up", "gimme five" and "bow". He considers himself the "alpha" of his pack and exercises his leadership by disciplining unruly dogs (one may say bullying). When he wants you to do something, he stares at you with his big, pa-cute eyes. He has a toy stuffed dog called "Meng".

I will feature the others in my succeeding entries. Bye for now or as Logan would say, "Woof"!


-Faye