Archive for the 'Day to day' Category

2012 Australian Open predictions

January 16th, 2012

EDIT: 27 January (Friday)

I got the Semis correct in the Mens games, though I got Tsonga wrong in the Quarterfinal. I botched the womens though, apart from Azarenka. What a shriekfest it will be tomorrow with Sharapova!
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Mens Final
(Hopeful) Murray vs Federer
(Likely) Djokovic vs Nadal

Semifinal
Djokovic vs Murray
Federer vs Nadal

Quarterfinal
Djokovic vs Ferrer
Murray vs Tsonga
Del Potro vs Federer
Berdych vs Nadal

Womens Final
(Hopeful) Li vs Stosur
(Likely) Azarenka vs Williams

Semifinal
Li vs Azarenka
Williams vs Stosur

Quarterfinal
Wozniacki vs Li
Azarenka vs Schiavone
Williams vs Sharapova
Stosur vs Kvitova

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Instagram 13/365. Friday Pedestrian.

January 13th, 2012

Fried paksiw.

August 11th, 2011

Thank you lagalag for the recipe of Adobong galunggong. This reminds me of sharing my preferred way of cooking “fried fish”. My mama and papa cook this at home in Laguna, not sure who to credit for it but it’s certainly yummy.

If you kow how to do “paksiw na isda”, a cooking method involving lotsa vinegar, then all I’m suggesting is to do a paksiw, and then deep-frying the paksiw. I prefer the paksiw to be quite spicy, using “siling haba” (long, green chili). The spiciness of the chili lends itself very well to a deep-fried fish.

Works best with galunggong =)

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PS after posting this blog, I found this post. Turns out it is exactly what I just described, only she shows a complete recipe. Enjoy!

hello janep.

May 21st, 2011

Shall we resume blogging?

Thank you 2010.

January 1st, 2011

Farewell 2010. It is now 11.30 pm of 1 January 2011.

2010 was a big year for us:

January: We found out we were expecting. Ajay had just flown back to Singapore in early January after spending the holidays in Sydney. I called him on 30 January, Saturday, to tell him I was pregnant.

February: Ajay came to Sydney to help me with early pregnancy. I was juggling thesis writing and horrible morning sickness.

March: I submitted my thesis for examination.

April: Ajay flew back to Singapore to get his affairs in order as we plan to move in together in Sydney. He flies back to Sydney.

May: I started work with a new academic group.

June: We moved to our own flat, nearer the city. Ajay and I got addicted to watching Masterchef on TV every weekday night.

July: Examiners returned marks for my thesis… A 1 and two 2′s! No revision and 2 minor revisions =) We were travelling from east to west (and back) of Sydney to attend prenatal visits and classes.

August: Resubmitted my thesis, I get approval of admission into the community of scholars and received my PhD testamur.

September: We graduated from our prenatal classes. Started maternity leave in mid-month. Sophia is born on the last day of the month.

October: Spent a few days more than expected due to Sophia’s bilirubin levels. Went home for the first time as a 3-member family =) Sleepless nights but blissful days, happy with our new baby.

November: We finally are notified of the approval of our long-term visa to stay in Australia. Sophia secures support from the university for the same.

December: We applied for a passport for Sophia. We attended my graduation. Our first Christmas season together with baby =)

So much more to look forward to in 2011. Today, the first day of the year, we spent the day with family, and it is one of the most important components of our everyday life that we wish to keep close to our hearts.

Cheers!

reyesjorge3

[photo on facebook]

tanakalab

jorgeall

inesdom

penpia

reyesjorge3grad

Day 2: a long and longer night

October 2nd, 2010

Day 2
2 Oct 2010
(composed 0.39 am of 3 Oct)

I’m playing you some tunes over the iPhone speakers. Softly, since we are, after all, in a hospital ward. We are currently in a second round of a cycle: nappy change, feed, burp, feed, burp, swaddle, sleep. But this time we’re stuck in the first feed, coz you refuse to unlatch. Been an hour now at least that you’ve been suckling that I’m glad I was able to reach my iPhone to type this note up for you. 

I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to proceed with the next 7 hours until your father gets here. You’re not agreeing with my jumping to swaddling or burping… let alone be put to the cot. 

Looks like it will be a long night for me, as it seems I’ll be letting you stay asleep right where you are on my right breast.

Day 1: First feeds and lots of cuddles

October 1st, 2010

1 Oct 2010
5.21 am

You were born 4.55 pm yesterday, 3400 grams, 48 cm. The surgeon was Dr Seng Chua. Anaesthesist was Sajin (?) and Jeremy (who repeatedly teased that your mother was the ‘real’ doctor.)

About a half hour until you feed again. You look so peaceful, sleeping since 1.11 am. I’ve had a good nap from 2 until 4, it’s hard not to wake up now and then to look at you. We had been cuddlinh skin-to-skin since last night when your father was here for your first feed. One of the nurses swaddled you back into your glass sleeper at about 1am. 

I called home and chatted with your poppa and momma for about 20mins. I can see your eyes wander looking for where the voices are coming from as you listened to them for the first time. It was lovely to hear them delight in hearing your girly crying voice when you became frustrated and had a good bawl. 

Your father will be back here in about 2.5 hours. I’ll be waking you up soon so you can suckle. 

Day 0: Your birthday 2010

September 30th, 2010

30 September 2010
6.09 am

Just wiped my plate clean from a couple of slices of toast and a mug of white tea. Not sure if tea is okay for today, but I needed a bit of warmth and soothing this morning. After this I am not allowed to eat anything anymore, and nothing to drink except water until 10 am. We have to be at the hospital before noon to get prepped for surgery.

So it’s your birthday today. I can feel you kicking and shifting in my belly just a few moments ago. Since I woke up at 3 am you have been moving. Kept me awake, but that’s all right. It’ll be just a few hours until you are outside and I can no longer keep the delight of your life physically to myself. I will miss your quickenings, and every move you make today makes me smile.

Your father is still sleeping, and I hope he stays in bed for as long as he can until we need to leave for the hospital. I’ll be needing him more to help with your first weeks with us, especially with a belly wound I’ll be sporting starting later. I am no stranger to surgical recovery, as I’ve been cut 6 years ago in a similar way. It’ll be a while until I’m able to carry anything heavier than you in the next few weeks.

I can’t wait to meet you. I can’t believe how soon it is you will be in our arms. Our countdown started just a few weeks after New Year’s, and now it all comes down to these last few hours. Your father and I have never been more excited. For many years it has been Ajay and Pen. Starting today, we become a family of three.

We love you, and see you soon.

33 weeks: the beach, bub’s hyperactivity

August 22nd, 2010

Pity I didn’t keep track of our pregnancy week-to-week here in janep. We’ve got the odd updates in twitter and facebook, but nothing in length nor breadth. We pretty much kept ost of the pregnancy ‘milestones’ to ourselves up until now. I suppose better late than never, so I’m starting now.

We’re in our last few weekends before bub comes out. Ajay and I have been pretty low key, spending most of our free time quietly at home, strolling to the shops for our needs, walking at the beach. And we did the beach thing for the first time this afternoon by the way:

brightonlesands

Twas good to feel the sand against the soles of our feet again.

Today bubs has been uberly hyperactive in my belly. I’ve had several times of tummy going hard as a rock: these Braxton Hicks contractions are getting pretty uncomfortable. Not really painful, but there is now and again a pinchy feeling in different areas of my tummy. It doesn’t come often nor regularly though.

Currently bubs has the hiccups. Has been a daily activity of bubs, several times a day.

Recipe: Brownies

August 12th, 2010

brownies

This makes 9-12 brownies. Depends on the pan you use. I sprinkle the end result with confectionery sugar and dark choco bits for extra sweetness.

6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1/4 c (about 55g) melted butter
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c flour
2 eggs
1 c walnuts (optional)

Stir in cocoa to melted butter. Mix in sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, salt and nuts. Preheat oven to 160C. Wax baking pan, sprinkle with cocoa or flour. Pour batter into pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes (or not, depends how you like it!)

Enjoy!

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