Silver Lining

When it comes to investments, most people prefer to stick to the proven monetary metal - gold. But did you know that buying silver coins is just as lucrative? Silver has become a highly valued industrial commodity due to its unique properties like strength, malleability and ductility.

For years, the Monex companies have been the leader in silver coin investing programs. It has also made buying and selling coins over the phone the preferred transaction method. As America's premier silver coin dealer, Monex prides itself on having the best US silver coin prices and programs in the silver coin industry.

So this precious metal does have a silver lining, after all!

Curry, anyone?

After having a string of fish dishes for our meals, I decided it was time to get some protein into our system. So I cooked beef curry.

It is fairly easy to cook. Boil some water to tenderize the beef (I used beef brisket cut into tiny cubes). I usually do this procedure first since it can take several hours for the beef to be soft. That's why I am amazed when I watch cooking shows and their beef is instantly tender for consumption. It takes me forever to make my beef as tender as possible. I don't like struggling with my fork and knife to cut meat. Heh!

A few hours later, I sauteed onions and garlic in melted Dari Creme (lite) then added the beef along with chopped bell peppers, carrots and potatoes. Pour some water to let the veggies simmer for a few minutes. Once cooked, lower the heat to blend in the curry paste and constantly mix all the ingredients till the sauce thickens. At this point, you can add more water if you want more sauce and season it to taste. Although frankly the mix itself is already flavorful so I do not season it, anymore.

The secret ingredient here is the instant curry sauce mix. I use Japanese curry (mild). It was one of my sister's pasalubongs when she last visited. Basically it is curry paste which is conveniently packed in a box. One box contains 4 medium sized squares. I don't like the curry flavor to overwhelm my dish so I just use about 3 tablespoons of the paste. I can make 2 dishes from one square of the box. It also states that you can use lamb, shrimps, chicken, pork or beef for your dish. Japanese curry tend to be milder in terms of its spicy flavor and it doesn't have that thick, heavy scent from the Indian variety of curry.

Here's a picture of the finished product. Kindly excuse the presentation but that's leftovers from our dinner, last night. =)

Frame me

I usually have my eyes checked every 2 years. I notice that I have a rather conservative taste when it comes to picking eyeglasses. Most of my frames were either black or brown with no extra side trimmings. While browsing the Internet, I came upon the New Arrivals at Zenni Optical website. They offer 1.57 high index lens for as low as $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses. Their frames are pretty trendy and modern just like their Holiday Fun Eyeglasses. I wonder if I will be bold enough to wear something as colorful as this bright red stained glass pattern frame. Who knows?? :D

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Ultimate pet peeve

I knew something was wrong when my PC acted up a few days ago. I was still in the process of saving some of my files when it suddenly went 'blue screen' on me. I was still nursing a terrible cough so I let it slide. Actually I was surprised at how calm and collected I was unlike in previous cases I would succumb to a state of panic, rage and deep depression, all at once. I guess I am getting wiser in my 'old age'. Teehee!

Besides all my back up/recovery CDs were still stacked in some dust filled box at the condo so I was basically powerless to act on the problem. So after I watched "Julie and Julia" at the cinema (for some much needed distraction) I dropped by the condo to get the necessary 'tools' for the gargantuan task - reformat my PC.

Anyone familiar with this tedious task knows that it takes a lot of effort. You set up your OS, upgrade all the drivers, update the programs, upload all the softwares etc! As if that isn't headache inducing enough, try doing all that on a dial up connection and I'm sure you will understand my frustration.

On the positive side, while I'm waiting for the downloads to finish, I multitask. I pluck my bushy eyebrows, I cook meals, I fold laundry ... you know boring household chores. But I do rush up every now and then to check the downloads because they have a frustrating tendency to be cut off due to the lousy connection.

Another positive note is that I am mighty proud that I was able to format my PC by my lonesome self. It saves us the cost of hiring a technician! So I guess I should just stop complaining and 'enjoy' the task at hand, one slow download at a time.

Good food, freebies and everything else in between!

That basically summarizes how I spent the day I turned 41 years young. :D While waiting for a taxi, P (one of D's kabarkada) passed by in his CRV so we managed to hitch a free ride all the way to Greenbelt. Luckily that was P's destination as well. After hearing the 12:15pm Mass at the chapel we munched on pasta, salad and pannacota (I've been craving for this dessert for the longest time) at Italiannis!







Then we watched "My Life in Ruins" free of charge thanks to the Citibank reel promo. Every time you charge your Citibank credit card for P1,500 and above, you can redeem one free movie ticket. The promo was extended till Jan. 2010. So voila I was able to snag 2 movie tickets for free. The romantic comedy with Nia Vardalos was fun to watch and it made me want to return to Greece and re-explore its historical sights with D by my side!

Then we had snack at Via Mare where we feasted on our usual fare - the bibingka with red egg and palitaw ... yummy!





So despite the nasty cough, I was (and still am) giddy with delight at the number of friends who remembered my special day which I spent with my beloved parents and my loving hubby. I am humbled and truly grateful for the numerous blessings that continue to come my way. Many thanks! =)

It's my Day!

I was going to compose an entry about turning 41 and get all contemplative but a terrible cough has wiped out my brain cells so no can do.
Despite the threat of a super typhoon and a terrible cough I am still determined to enjoy my 41th birthday the best way I can. Let's see how the day unfolds!

Grief

Yesterday a Facebook message from the US brought really sad news. We were told my father-in-law passed away peacefully on October 12, 2009. He was 95 years old.

D was home to hear the sad news. I immediately broke down in tears while reading the message. Totally inconsolable even though I admit I have never met Papa Wel in person. But from the numerous stories that D narrates about his father, I'm certain he was a good human being. I could also tell from the numerous birthday and Christmas cards he mailed D throughout the years that he was a caring person.

Throughout the day, I kept receiving text messages from my mother and my sister who would ask me "how is D taking it?" I told her to my surprise, D seems rather calm to the point of being stoic while I was an emotional wreck. My mother said he might be hiding his emotions to put on an appearance of strength amidst sadness. This made me realize that we all grieve differently.

Please pray for his eternal repose. RIP, Papa Wel.