TAG: RECENT MOVIE THE FAMILY ENJOYED

I've been meaning to try and start a tag but I can't come up with an idea for it. The long awaited concept set in when my husband's Italian co-worker had downloaded the movie, Ratatouille, from the net and he didn't know it was in English till he tried to play it on his DVD. Naturally, he gave it to my husband and how the family enjoyed it. We've watched it maybe more than ten times and now we lent it to a friend to give the CD a rest from our player.

"Anyone Can Cook!" is what I can only tell you about the movie because I want those who haven't watched Ratatouille to know why we loved it.

Rules Of This Tag:

1. Link back the person who tagged you and write what was the movie his/her family enjoyed watching recently.

2. Now your turn to tell about the movie your family had just watched.

3. Tell something about the movie and spoilers are accepted (hehehee).

4. Lastly, write anything that has something to do with movies: Trivia, your top choice or favorites and why, your family's story about your favorite motion pictures, the first film you watched with your husband, any traditional film the family 's been keeping etc...etc...

5. (Ooopps, I almost forgot) Copy and paste the rules of this meme on your blog and pass the tag to as many friends, bloggers and movie lovers you want. Don't forget to tell them they're tagged and leave a comment here if you're done with the task.

I'm sure most of us read from somewhere the saying that goes, " The family that prays together, stays together". I strongly agree! This too is true, "The family that watches a film together, stays together."

My little family on our recently watched movie Ratatouille just had breakfast and it was on a Sunday. It was Papa's day off so it means its a lazy day. We all snuggled down on our sofa with our small blanket covering us all. Mama, Papa, Lukie and Dylan who is undecided whether to be cuddled by Mama or play down with the toys that are scattered all over the floor. After the film, we played it all over again while I started to cook for lunch.

To end up this entry, as I was doing this tag, I've realized that there is a need in maintaining "a balance" in everything we do. We work, we mother around, we blog, we play with our kids, we teach team and all. A time should also be set aside for being lazy, go couch there on the sofa, relax and watch a film with all the people you love. Sometimes this simple pleasure is truly a BLESSINGS. Not all of us have the time to do this kind of luxury.

Ohhh, being couched there all day of the week for the entire 12 months is a different if not a horrible story by the way!

I am now passing the tag to the following: Noeda's , Tina, Jane , Hannah, Miss Bugias , Layad , Salome , Jhie , GANDANG IGOROTA, Analyse , Geri, MegaMom, Raggold and Teacher Julie .

CUPCAKES

Dylan cried when he saw Lukie with his birthday crown from school.

From my previous post: LUKIE IS SIX YEARS OLD NOW , I've mentioned that my son asked me to write on the calendar - "Lukie's birthday at school", beside the 21st of January. For his passed birthdays, we've been ordering his cakes for school from the nearest pastry and coffee shop (Top Town) here in Cavallino-Treporti. 40 to 60 euros depending on the size is what you get to spend for the said cake.

At school, you can bring pastries that you had baked but they prefer it with out the mushy and sticky icing. It will be messy for the kids and a teacher once told me that most of the students will not have a piece if there's an icing anyway. Kinda don't agree with their second reason though. For my son, sometimes he only eats the the toppings I put.

My cousin Dhez from Canada gave me an idea on what to bring for school when her daughter Kate had her 4th birthday. Cupcakes! Who wouldn't love'em?

When I sent my husband to go and buy our son's bus ticket, he dropped by the grocery and he bought Mr. Day cupcakes for his sweet tooth craving. The pack has 6 pieces in it and is on sale for 1.35 euros only. I went back to buy seven packs more. I also bought a basket for 2.95 euros for my container. I already have sprinkles and Smarties at home for the toppings. I was really happy cause I only spent 12.40 euros for my son's birthday treat at school.

I can't help to add this last paragraph when I was aiming for a shorter post. Ale, my son's bestfriend was very sick. Her mom told my husband, when he met her on his way to bring the goodies at school, that Ale insisted to go to school just for Lukie's birthday. Ahhh, isn't that sweet?

LUKIE'S 6TH BIG DAY(Read previous post below)

LUKIE IS SIX YEARS OLD NOW

There are times you thought you have so many things to write about. And because you have a lot, you can't write any. Its good my 50 t0 100th Random Talks as a continuation to this 100 RANDOM TALKS FOR MY 100TH POST is still up. My eldest son's 6th birthday will do it for me.

51. Boogie and I would like Lukie's 6th birthday to be for "the kids" and we thought of celebrating it at Spizzico(Pizza Parlor also hosting children's party) or at a Video Arcade.

52. Our son didn't like the idea saying he prefers it here at home.

53. He said he wants his party here because those suggested places are quite far. "I want it to be with all our friends", he added.

54. I thought I was saved from the cooking!

55. Trying to persuade him subtly and bribing him at times, still the answer is no.

56. Before this party planning, I tried to explain to my son that maybe it would be better if we celebrate his birthday just the four of us. We'll just dine out at a restaurant of his pick.

57. I told him, we spent a lot for Christmas and we are saving money for our a holiday in the Philippines.

58. He answered, " Ahhh Si(yes) Mama, e' vero (you're right)"!

59. Oh, my son understood!

60. Everyday, he looks at our calendar and tells me I have to write on the space of January 21 - LUKIE'S BIRTHDAY AT SCHOOL and LUKIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT HOME on the 22nd day.

61. Huh, I thought he understood! Am I saved from cooking or no?

62. When kids can read and know how to see the time and the calendar, you have to "upgrade your parenting skills". Special days will never be missed "intentionally".

63. Those days of planning where to, what to do or even "will we do" gave me the realization that it's my son's day, not mine.

64. What I want is not what will make my son happy - ITS WHAT HE WANTS that is.

65. Then he keeps on writing what's the menu and picturing 'nostri amici'(our friends) singing after we eat. There it goes, we are having people the Sunday before the 21st.

66. Every time we have this kind of spending, it makes me guilty of taking out that amount. But, how can you explain to a 6 year old child that he won't be having a birthday party because there are a lot of people who are hungry, or sick people who are in dire need of money?

67. I can but I can't make him suppress his disappointment of making his BIRTH DAY stand out among all the other DAYS.

68. Kids are kids anyway, so let them be.

69. 4 days before the celebration, Lukie got sick of Influenza.

70. I called his doctor and told him his fever won't go down even if I give him Tachipirina(paracetamol) religiously.

71. Doctor Moretti told me to give him Nureflex. Its an Ibuprofen and in 30 minutes, fever was contained. Friday morning, Boogie took our son to the Dr.'s clinic.

72. The night before, which was Thursday, I went to bed early and Boogie stayed on the computer.

73. When he followed after and was pulling the quilt, I thought I heard him say we won 2 numbers of 'superstars' from the lottery.

74. That's 10 euros only so I didn't bother. He told me again the next morning and I answered, "Its not easy to win two numbers with 'superstar' out of 90 numbers. Why 10 euros only?"

75. He also said the 33 million was won by just one person.

76. We usually hear that lots of Pinoys in Venice win large amount from 'lotto'. Lucky them. That's because they don't miss a single draw and that's 3 times a week. They also bet much or they buy more tickets.

77. I'm not against betting but to depend your future on it and spending a big sum of money for the hopes to win is just not me. I believe that if you hit the luck, a single ticket of 50 euro CENTS would be enough.

76. That's why I never win!

77. Then Boogs went to claim his small price from the 'gazettino'(newspaper store) with Lukie after their visit from the doctor.

78. The man in the store ran Boog's ticket on the the machine and said you WON "108 euros".

80. What my husband heard was the "8" euros only so he gave the old man a puzzled look.

81. Boogie thinking the old man will cheat him with 2 euros - He gave the old man crooked eyebrows.

82. It made the man ran the ticket again and said, "Scusa, hai vinto 110.00 euros"(Sorry, you won 110.oo euros).

83. "'Ayy wen gayam a'! ", my husband thought and went home with a wide a grin on his face.

84. Then he gave me the 100 bill and I told him, "See I told you so! Impossible nga dyes laeng no nagrigat ti mangabak"(its not possible to get ten only when its hard to win).

85. That's the ANITOS' gift for Lukie's birthday!

86. Had we pushed through with the pizza parlor plan or the video arcade, the prenotation was done a month ago.

87. We have to pay an amount for the reservation fee.

88. If the party will be cancelled, that money will be theirs.

89. For sure, we won't go on with it because Lukie just got sick.

90. See when you give in with what your son wants on his day!

91. I pumped the balloons on Saturday night so that all will be set for the next day.

92. Boogs had to work for the night and he'll be busy with the barbecue tomorrow. "I'll do the balloons for him.", thinking loud I am.

93. I pumped 25 pcs and burst 5.

94. Left 8 pieces for Boogs to do tomorrow because I was tired and sleepy.

95. Ohh my, POOOK!--POOOK!---POOOK! SHOUTED(hahaha) THE BALLOONS EVERY 30 MINUTES while we were on bed!

96. Why oh why? Sayang!

97. My husband came in the morning and told me "Andami mo namang ginawang balloon" as he looks at the 5 PCS LEFT.

98. He pumped the remaining pieces and told me, "Grabe naman kasi e, sinubrahan mong pinalaki, panong di puputok yan?"

99. Ahihihi!

100. Done. Lukie is six yeas old now! Mama, Papa and Dylan love him soooo much!

CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE - FROM NY

Boogie's card from Beng

Finally, my boys' Christmas gift from their Lola Becca and their Tita Beng from Albany, New York came this morning. Lukie's high temp of 39.2°C(even if you give him paracetamol every four hours)for the passed two days had cooled down while opening the package. He has been sick with Influenza. We hope he is fine now, no more fever as of lunch time and there he is fast asleep as I am writing this.

Twice did my first born read the book Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak that he got from the pack. He requested chicken soup for dinner that I was not able to do because fish was ready to be served. I just made him an instant soup that will go with his rice and fish.

People from Baguio will know what I am thinking if they'll read this book. Here it is, read on. Have a share of what me and my son read before he dozed off. In January it’s so nice, while slipping on the sliding ice,
To sip hot chicken soup with rice.
Slipping once, sipping twice, sipping chicken soup with rice.

In February it will be my snowman’s anniversary,
With cake for him and soup for me!
Happy once, happy twice, happy chicken soup with rice.

In March the wind blows down the door and spill my soup upon the floor.
It laps it up and roars for more.
Blowing once, blowing twice, blowing chicken soup with rice.

In April I will go away, to far-off Spain or old Bombay,
And dream about hot soup all day.
Oh my once, oh my twice, oh my chicken soup with rice.

In May I truly think it best to be a robin lightly dressed,
Concocting soup inside my nest.
Mix it once, mix it twice, mix that chicken soup with rice.

In June I saw a charming group of roses all begin to droop.
I pepped them up with chicken soup!
Sprinkle once, sprinkle twice, sprinkle chicken soup with rice.

In July I’ll take a peep into the cool and fishy deep,
Where chicken soup is selling cheap,
Selling once, selling twice, selling chicken soup with rice.

In August it will be so hot, I will become a cooking pot.
Cooking soup of course. Why not?
Cooking once, cooking twice, cooking chicken soup with rice.

In September for a while, I will ride a crocodile
Down the chicken soupy Nile.
Paddle once, paddle twice, paddle chicken soup with rice

In October I’ll host to witches, goblins, and a ghost.
I’ll serve them chicken soup on toast.
Whoopy once, whoopy twice, whoopy chicken soup with rice.

In November’s gusty gale I will flop my flippy tail
And spout hot soup. I’ll be a whale!
Spouting once, spouting twice, spouting chicken soup with rice.

I

n December I will be a baubled, baubled Christmas tree
With soup bowls draped all over me.
Merry once, merry twice, merry chicken soup with rice

WHAT EVER SUITS YOU

Its been quite a while since the last time CSL CartoonStock humored my "bent". Thanks to a disclaimer's benefit, he too shall be favored a bit of our time.

I can't understand why some people hate you for no reason. They often leave you wondering why that anger in them wants to crash your soul. Ignoring their egoism and insults makes it even worst.

Ahhh, whatever suits them! Maybe that's their solace, let them have it. At the end of the day, they'll keep that burden - the clog of bitterness!

100 RANDOM TALKS FOR MY 100TH POST

June 2007 was the first time I submitted my entry on Blogger. This is my 100th post. Just want to try writing like "enumeration" is needed for my blitheful says. Now, the list goes:

1. I've been waiting for my 100th post to show my FRIENDSHIP AWARD from Teacher Julie. She gave it to me HERE and I'm also passing it to the following - all my "MUST CLICKS"....

2. iBOONDOCK another blog from the boondocks - Bill's new corner. As the prize for all the 'Kailian's' clicking that we once blogged here - HELP BILL!

3. BENCHWARMER(Northern Philippine Times) - The reason why we read SunStar Baguio.

4. Boogie's Blog - I hope he will update soon. My Papa dudes (ever)!

5. My sister Noeds has her own site. She used to be my photographer back in my younger years. When digital camera was far from existence, a full film of my vanity she all took.

6. Page 101 - Jane found out Adobong pork and pusit is yummy. She calls it Adobasit.

7. My Good Finds. Org - Tina is successfully doing PayPerPost.

8. I've met Raggold and Kengkay. They're my neighbors from Germany.

9. I wish I could speak French like Mommy Analyse.

10. The MegaMom was one of the first Mommy I've met at PINOY MOMS NETWORK . She has cute little triplets. That says why her name is MegaMom

11. RUSSEL ARIOLA for your wedding photos or any occasions. Click his site for his contacts and samples of his work.

12. A hearty laugh REYNA ELENA gives me all the time. He makes blogging so much fun.

13. The Human Rights Lady Lawyer SMORGASBORD OF RANDOM THOUGHTS and all her poems, I wish I'll be her even just for one day.

14. Skraekja her documentation of the love between a father and his daughter will teach us what is essential in making a family. One of the smartest writer I know.

15. The Broken Bow and his classy choices of entry. Impressive.

16. Ma'am Lisa of Baguio Insider as she updates us with the upcoming Panagbenga.

17. I'm really proud to be one of the cousins of this good writer at Nem Nem Ko. Miss Buguias we call her.

18. Ivadoy Country...in Quezon City is also from my home town Tublay like me.

19. I would love to have her job. Luta writes at A nomad's thoughts.

20. GANDANG IGOROTA rides horses which I also once love to do. We share the love of books. I like her way of writing and her piece about "CHOICES", made me hug-hug my husband.

21. Me, Myself and I works as a Bible translator. Cool job, I say!

22. The Anito Kid will never kid us. Blogger Award for 2008 again, I see.

23. Geri is Evans mom. What a nice name "Evan" is.

24. I'm done with the links. Huh, that was a lot.

25. My back is hurting me, I need a better chair infront this PC.

26. An article from CNN - WWI 'blogger' captures attention is an inspiration to me. WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier is the grandson's narration of his grandfather's past through the letters his grand dad wrote.

27. I had cut my hair last week and I'm really feelin' it light. Bangs is in, so I'm not out(lol).

28. What a long list and my eyes are dropping.

29. Just punch in what comes up. Randomly, remember?
30. Lukie will have his 6th birthday on the 21st.

31. He wants two cakes. One for school and one for home.

32. I'm making him cupcakes for school with the help of Mr. Day (ready made cupcakes). Thanks to Des' friendster pix for the idea.

33. I'll stop at 50 if I'm not yet done comes 4:00 AM.

34. We have to eliminate our old big goldfish from the aquarium.

35. We replaced it with 4 Angel fishes and 4 fishes (I don't know what they're called) with only their tails are colored orange.

36. The big fish is opt for adoption (lol). Anyone interested?

37. Carnevale will be next month. Lukie and classmatea made their masks at school.

38. This is Dylan's latest photo. Feeling the cold floor for a change.

39. Both my sons are sleeping with out blanket.

40. They both kick it when I cover them.

41. Boogie said we will catch colds sleeping with these kids.

42. And I thought its easy to do this till the 100th.

43. Its raining hard here. It would have been a heavy snow if the temperature is lower.

44. Lukie had been wanting to make a snow man and throw snow balls. Last year, we weren't able to make some because it didn't snow.

45. My eldest is belching high notes now. He could sing like Mama. Thanks to YouTube, Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco.

46. He sings with the Magic mic almost everyday and he is not shy anymore.

47. My son said, "Come on, lets sing so we'll be rich!" hahaha.

48. There's a Filipino in Austria who is making it big in musical shows. Go see him at YouTube. Vincent Bueno is the name.

49. Italy is on sale. Clothes are down to 50 percent and less discount. Its early for Saldi(sale) and they blame it on the depreciating economy.

50-100. I thought I can make it till the the hundredth but its 4:30 AM now and I need to get some sleep. Have a nice week end every one and hope to start on my one hundred oneth post soon! Good Morning!

BIRTH MONTH MEME

If I would be Bill of From the BoondocKs, I would not tag me again. You see, last month he gave his Christmas lovin' earlier with his BIRTH MONTH MEME and its only now that I'm working on it ('Mahirap na, baka umabot sa Valentine's day).

What to do:
1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months.
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts(naku, first pa lang highlight na). Loves reality and abstract (buti nasali reality). Intelligent and clever(take note, di na highlight pero may side comment. Pano na ang shy and humble sa next ha?). Changing personality (aha, mahirap yan sa psychiatry). Attractive(tanungin si labs). Sexy (sana (lol)). Temperamental (tanong nyo kay PMS hehehe). Quiet, shy and humble(gusto ko i highlight doesn't mean ako to hahaha). Honest and loyal (kahit papano). Determined to reach goals (simple lang naman ninanais e). Loves freedom (or else). Rebellious when restricted (medyo). Loves aggressiveness (you mean pag sober?). Too sensitive and easily hurt (ay sobra to, out ang supladetoness ni hon). Gets angry really easily but does not show it (tanong ulit si PMS). Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it(but not the 'rarely shows it", miss friendship naman ako if feel ko si friend to be). Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes(daming realization kulang sa dream hehehe). Sharp(No, Daewoo TV namin). Loves entertainment and leisure ( kaya feel ko blog Kengkay at REYNA ELENA ). Romantic on the inside not outside(depende sa mood, bribe and no. of glasses hehehe). Superstitious and ludicrous(pati ko di rin maintindihan ako minsan). Spendthrift(kung may gagastusin). Tries to learn to show emotions(better yet, tries not to show emotions, a'-a' I'm so transparent you can see my bones).

So there it is Bill, I'm done - with voices in brass tacks of 'Tagalog' seriousness included (Si Abstract thoughts kasi, ako din di ko naintindihan). Thanks for the tag!

For the 3rd "WHAT TO DO" just click HERE. Now, I'm tagging all those who are reading this and haven't done the tag yet(di talaga marunong sumunod ng rules, "all must do" revised eversince tagged tsk,tsk tsk).

LA BEFANA 2008

Tonight our neighborhood has that smell I am very much familiar with. A saying goes, "if there's smoke, there's fire", which for us Cordillerans say it better with, "if there's smoke, there is cañao". Italians too have their eidetic image of this which is " where there's smoke, its the burning of the 'Befana' ".

'La Befana', as the old legend recounts, is the old witch who once welcomed The Three Kings in her home as they were on their way to see baby Jesus. Before the three guest left, they invited her to go with them but she declined for reasons she still has a lot of chores to do. "Change of heart" according to one of the article I've read as I was researching for this piece, made the Befana change her mind and tried to catch up in joining the Three Kings. She never found the Wise Men nor Baby Jesus. So, till this day she still goes flying around on his broom but leaves sweets, toys and nice gifts to good children and coal to those who are bad. (For more about Befana(origin, full story, history etc...) , click HERE and HERE.)

The night before the Epiphany or the 5th of January, to mark the end of the Yuletide festivities and Befana celebration is the burning of this, scary black clothed with long nose old lady. An effigy of the witch which is burned in observance of the Italian's tradition to turning the bad things from the old year into ashes and pave way for the best new things to come.

Cavallino Treporti Witch

Every year our place Cavallino and it's neighboring communities make this event bigger and more spectacular. Stalls serving wines and Panettone are also found along side and sometimes they sell barbecues or stakes. While the witch is on fire, fire crackers are also being lit.

These are some photos of the 'Befanas' we took the other day before they got torched last night.

Ca'Ballarin Witch

Ca'Pascuali Befana

January 6, on Epiphany day, the children will know if they've been good by "unloading" the sock the old witch had left them during the night. For my boys they opened it earlier.

Last year, Lukie went with my husband and our son still vividly remembers what they did that night. For him, it was a tradition that after seeing the Befana's torching would be a take home fries and pizza spree. To our dismay, it rained so we were not able to go and see the ceremony we've been expecting to attend. That is why I let them open their sock of goodies ahead of time.

After dinner, Lukie told me if we could go now and watch the burning witch and I told him, "Didn't I tell you we can't go because its raining? Besides, it may be over now". Then he answered, "Oh, how about the pizza then?" When he already ate a plate of pasta and and his dessert of chocolates and haribos from his 'socky'! Kids!!!

2007 Befana with the Macalele kids

2007 Befana

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR (READ PREVIOUS POST BELOW)

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

Growing up in a very big family where every corner of our home gives you that needed, asked or no choice company may be chaotic sometimes. But, I can never imagine myself not living in one. That place where there's always small kids your "heed" is glued to as they do their stunts and live up to "being the apple of your eyes". That home where those jumbled socks may stay in the hamper before months of locating it's pair and those closets that seem never arranged even if you just did minutes ago.

During special days like welcoming the new year, makes me nostalgic of my chilhood days. I phoned back home in the Philippines, where 2008 came six hours earlier, and they were preparing for their outing to Asin. Asin for Baguio folks would be swimming escapades in the hot springs or swimming pools of Tuba Benguet. Nothing has changed, its somewhat a tradition that on New Years Day they have to wash away the 'libag'(dirt) of the passed year(lol).

For us here, we were glad that our friend Joel and Lorna's family joined us in welcoming 2008. Their three big babies Feona, Gelo and Lans, who're growing so fast cheered my boys with their jumpy, loud and fun presence. How it makes Lukie laugh seeing them bully each other. It would have been more fun if my nephew Roldan and her sister Noemi were with us. They can't because they might catch Dylan's Scarlet Fever.

Its really different when there are children filling the house with their noise and mess, they make it homier (aside from the excuse of a cluttered household hahaha). Christmas, New Year's Day or any occasion at that, they give you the reason to celebrate, to decorate and to be childlike - like them.

Above are some photos I took while carrying Dylan. He doesn't want to go down. Maybe a bit scared or he was feeling cold being out that late. But, he was so elated while watching his brother and his friends so hyped up with the fire works.