Let me share The Secret

I woke up this morning with a big smile on my face. I kissed and hugged my husband and closed my eyes for a couple of minutes to thank God for a wonderful day. I went out to run and as I looked on sky its not just only blue but its beautiful. My surrounding seemed to come into life its perfect and the way I wanted it to be and all I could uttered the whole time while jogging was, “Thank you GOD its beautiful!”

Yes, this morning is the start of a new life that will be filled with my heart desires. I am overflowing with excitement what this day will bring me. I have so much faith that God will blessed my thoughts and create a way to make these thoughts into reality. I have so much positive vibes all over me because of this one hour documentary video entitled, “The Secret” which by the way shared to me by my Ate Lyn.

I am a positive person but this video made an impact to me and I wanted to share it with all of you. All I need is an hour of your time and your desire to change your life to its best form.   

Finally now I can say, "I can Cook!"

I don't know how to cook! 

I grew up in a family of great cooks who read recipe books as if it was an encyclopedia and who watched a cooking show as if it was a Pacquiao-Marquez fight! Cooking different dishes and baking seemed so easy. But instead of having great interest to be one of them I grew up just watching them and waiting for the food to be served. 

Well, I thought things will stay the same but in a blink of an eye my glorious role as the food taster ended and I am now the cook. Yes and no other choice. But because I want to impress my husband Juriz who has a taste for good food I wandered through the net for recipes, called up my Lola Ely in California just to ask if I can use the green lime instead of the lemon that she always use for "Bistek", or even sent message to Tatay Iyo in Manila asking for his Binagoongan recipe. Lucky me I have life lines! 

Having confidence in cooking takes awhile but I guess I got it from my Tatay Jessie and my husband who always say, "Hmmm, ang sarap!" after their first taste. I have no idea if they really mean it, I hope they do! hahaha! But for beginners like me it helps a lot! Appreciation from the husband is always a big token of happiness for the wife and I'm glad my husband remembers that all the time. 

Learning how to cook might be a challenge but practice makes it close to perfection. And wives remember, husbands stay happy when they are not hungry! hahaha! 

Here are some of the dishes that made me say, I can cook!

Baked Tahong

Banana Fritters

Chicken Salad Cups

Lumpiang Gulay

Lasagna

Ginisang Kalabasa sa Miki

Mexican Rice

Mushroom Turnover

Adobo with Red rice

Tuna ala Pobre

Pork in Black Bean Sauce

Sinigang na Ulo ng Salmon

Sinigang is my husband's favorite dish I love to see his face while sipping this hot and sour soup so even if I'm not one of the best cook this recipe gives me a relief for being one of the easiest dish to make. You will just need 30-minutes, magic!

Fillet the Salmon head

You will need tomato, onion, spinach, leeks, radish, and pepper and the Sampaloc mix

Directions

Waiting for the water to boil add in the tomato. Let it simmer for 3 minutes then add in the onion. Add the raddish wait until cooked then add in the salmon head fillet. Add in the Sinigang sa Sampaloc mix then let it simmer for another 5 minutes then add in the pepper, leeks, and spinach. Turn off the heat cover the pan for 7 minutes then serve. 

Cherish Your Chosen One

Years ago we were having problems in our relationship and I sent this book to Juriz .
This book helped us to realize to have faith in our love. 

Getting married is the greatest mistake anyone can ever make.

Being wed is the height of insanity, the most ludicrous commitment, the most totally illogical decision any human being can fall into.

Tell me. Why should I commit myself to be with one woman for the rest of my life - and thereby reject 3.2 billion other females in the world? Along the way, I'll meet a girl who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more charming, or sexier, or holier... So why nail myself down to one choice, permanently - and suffer the agony of simply watching beauties pass me by?

And in western countries, one out of two marriages end up in divorce. That blows my mind. That's a pathetic 50% failure rate! I would never buy a car, a stereo, a shaver, or even nail clipper if there was a 50% chance that it would conk out on me. I simply wouldn't!

And why stay with one person "in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, till death do us part"? Is my mind fried? If my shirt shrinks on me because I eat too many pizzas, don't I just throw it away and buy an XL? (That will be the day.) And if I outgrow my ancient computer, don't I just look for an updated version?

And then there's the catastrophe some call kids. I mean, do I really want to wake up in the middle of the night to entertain a self-centered, bald, toothless tyrant in diapers? Do I really want little rampaging monsters to break the most expensive furniture in my house? Do I really want juvenile creatures to stay on the phone for six hours straight, listen to noise they call music that you believe came directly from hell, and mope around uncommunicative, catatonic, and depressed because another demented juvenile creature (a.k.a. boyfriend) hasn't called in the past thirty minutes?

Why should I go through the torture? Marriage is insanity.

But a few years ago, on my 32nd birthday, I gave myself a special birthday gift: I got married to a lovely woman-and committed myself to insane living.

Marrowe is her name, the one person I chose-out of 3.2 billion females. Yes, we now have a tiny tyrant that wakes us up at night, and in the near future, we will most likely have little monsters that will destroy our house during playtime, and creatures from outer space that we will call teenagers.

Why?

For three reasons.

FAITH. We believe that God calls us into marriage. And if He called us there, that means He'll be there to meet us. We will suffer all things - just let us be with our God.

HOPE. We confidently expect the best blessings-immeasurably much more than all the hardship. God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.

LOVE. Oh yes, there will be other females who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more this and more that... But they'll only be just that-females-like flowers in the field of a million hectares of flower fields.

But not this woman-my Marowe-the one beautiful flower I have personally chosen, personally picked from her roots, personally planted in my own clay pot, personally watered every day, personally watched every day, and personally loved every day. Because of my love for her, there will be no one like her. 

In my heart, she will eternally be the most beautiful flower of them all.

Because in the end, there will only be faith, hope, and love.

And the greatest of these is love.

Written by 

Bo Sanchez from the book, You have the Power to Create LOVE

Juriz and I were inspired by this book especially this story. And I love to share this with all of you. Of course in this lifetime there will always be persons who will be far better than our husbands and our wives but always remember that God blessed us with someone who is perfectly made for us. Let us cherish our spouses and keep our faith in our marriage and keep the love burning. 

- Joyce Susvilla-Macorol 

Love Notes

“Thank God it’s Friday.”

Then suddenly I remembered how my Fridays used to be during my college days. My day wouldn’t be complete without hearing his voice on the radio. Who? Well, it was the legendary love doctor, Joe D’ Mango of Love Notes which aired twice a day one in the morning at 10 and at the evening at 7 at Magic 89.9.

I guess part of my lovelife was his letters being read on air. I contributed tears and emotions while listening to him at my parents bedroom with the lights turned off to add more sentimental moments. Embarrassing maybe but I guess it was part of my teanage romance and drama. Yes, I picked up lines from his letters and wrote it to my ex-boyfriend who’s now my husband hoping through his famous lines our relationship could surpassed our young love trials.

Missing Joe D’ Mango’s voice over the radio, I searched through the web and let me share with all of you what I found in You Tube. Reminisce with me, the pain of letting go, moving on, endless search for Mr. Right and the stories that spell out L-O-V-E.

Spooky Cupcakes for Halloween

My easy to make Spooky Cupcakes

We had a simple Halloween Party for Mig, the only kid in the house who just wanted to experience the fun. Years ago, when I was still a staff writer of Sense & Style I remembered our shoot for Halloween treats at Maya Kitchen in Makati. I saw how the chef transformed an ordinary chocolate cupcake into something creepy putting some gummy worms and powdered Oreo cookies that can look like soil. So here I am trying to be a copycat and make my own version of a spooky cupcake.

For the Chocolate cupcake I bought a box of Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate cake mix. Just mix the powder with water, oil, and eggs using a beater for 3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth. No worries the complete instructions are at the back of the box follow it and the cake will be perfectly fine. No experience necessary. :) 

Then put the mixture in cupcake wrappers in a cupcake pan.

Baking time depends on the pan that you are going to use. In a small oven like mine that can only hold 1 pan with 6 cups, it took me 20 minutes at 200C per batch to bake. Set aside and let it cool.

While waiting for the cupcake to cool down make some icing. Here is an easy Coffee icing recipe that I got from the net. 

Ingredients:

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons strong brewed coffee

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Beat together confectioner's sugar, butter or margarine, coffee, and vanilla until smooth. Add more liquid or confectioner's sugar as needed.

And let the FUN part begins...where imagination and creativity meets. 

I sprinkled grounded Oreo cookies to look like soil

Add gummy worms on top

Easy to make cupcakes that can make the kids asking for more. To be honest while doing this DIY project I discovered the little kid that still inside me. 

Living and loving Singapore

I was born and raised in the Philippines, migrated in the Bay Area of California in 2008, and now moved here in Singapore to be with my husband. Three countries with different cultures but each has a distinct quality that made me fell in love with even in a short period of time.

As a Filipino, seeing the beauty and progress of Singapore, I guess I can’t help it to wish that my dear Philippines will somehow be like this country. Clean, low crime rate, orderly, and progressive. Anyway, in this entry I just want to share some places that I love to visit here in Singapore and where I bring my friends and families whenever they come here. Places you can’t simply miss!

ORCHARD ROAD

A woman’s paradise! A place where you can find all the fab brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Tod’s, Gucci and a whole lot more in one single stretch. And why I bring my guests here first? Well, it makes them ask for more and honestly just seeing all these fancy shops simply blew their hearts away.

Classy retail destination located at Mandarin Gallery

PRADA at Ion Orchard

With its distinctive Chinese architecture,
TANGS has been around for almost 80 years.

Enjoy the festive lights at Orchard Road during the Holiday Season

Still shining with opulence even at night time, Louis Vuitton at Takashimaya

Wisma Atria, established itself as the Fashionista's Mall.

With my friends, Bobby and Louis
who found this place a shopping paradise.

MARINA BAY

One can see the grandeur of this small country by just visiting this spot. Picture perfect in any angle. You can walk or have a ride in a vintage looking ferry boat to feel the relaxing river breeze while enjoying the state of the art architecture of Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, and the famous Merlion Park.

150 meters in diameter and 165 meters in height, Singapore Flyer
gives any guest a different experience.

Another astounding architecture, Marina Bay Sands

You can't be in Singapore without having a picture with, The Merlion

Tita Arlet from NY enjoys the view of the Esplanade - Theaters on the Bay

River Cruise captures the beauty and glamour of the Bay
especially at night.

First ever Island Maison,
Louis Vuitton opened last September 18, 2011 

ORCHARD CENTRAL

Roof Garden is located at the topmost L11 and L12 floors of Orchard Central here you can simply find a luscious garden with waterfalls and bamboo groves. A perfect view to enjoy the heart of the city. Why I love to bring my guests here? I love their faces terrified with the height because to get to the top you need to use the escalator outside the building (literally outside the building no worries it’s very safe). 

Covered with changing colorful lights,
Orchard Central captivates every visitor

My cousin Jena, she's smiling but she is scared of heights.

Relaxing waterfalls

My friend Bing enjoys the beauty of garden.

Carmela, my recent guest appreciate the way up enjoyed the thrill.

She loves the Roof Garden and the city view that goes with it.

ARAB STREET

Arab Street, true to its name gives you a glimpse of another rich culture, the Muslim tradition. Here you will be greeted by a prominent landmark, the Masjid Sultan. A mosque that has a long history which dates back to 1824 and has a prayer room that can accommodate up to 5,000 people in mass prayer.

Masjid Sultan Mosque

New Yorkers posing at Kampong Glam

Tita Marisol loves the designs 

Colorful Pashmina for only $8 

See Alladin is just here in Arab Street

How can you say you are on diet? So inviting.

BUGIS

For me, Bugis Village is Singapore’s version of Manila’s Divisoria. A shopping haven for those who have taste for fashion but in tight budget. Located across Bugis MRT and Bugis Junction Shopping Centre, Bugis Village is like a flee market in US or Tiangge in the Philippines. Here you can find varieties of products ranges clothing, shoes, souveneirs, sex toys, bags, accessories and cheap watches.

Ready to shop at Bugis Village

Crowded even during weekdays

Colorful apartments behind Bugis Village

LITTLE INDIA

A place wherein you can have a taste of life on the streets of New Delhi and Mumbai. The air is filled with flavours of spices. The colorful garlands adds to the culture. Here is where Bollywood comes to life. 

Celebrating Deepavali, Festival of Lights

Serangoon Road, Little India

Colored shophouses

Colorful garlands

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu

Naan and Indian Chicken Curry

CHINATOWN

Everywhere I go, there will always be a place called Chinatown. Singapore’s Chinatown maybe smaller than what we have in San Francisco and Manila but hey strolling in these streets will just blew you back to the rich traditions and centuries-old practices that still flourish here. Cheap merchandise and great food attracts hundreds of tourists everyday. 

CLAKE QUAY

Clarke Quay is the place for a great night out in the heart of the city.  Situated along the Singapore River where a labyrinth of restaurants, bars and stores can be found.  A mixture of modern and tradition but spells out FUN!

SENTOSA

They say, Asia’s favourite playground. Sentosa means, “peace and tranquility” in Malay. A leisure island packed with numerous exciting, fun-filled attractions, resorts, facilities, and amenities. Here you can also find 5-star hotels, world class celebrity chef restaurants, luxe designer boutiques and the theme park known to all ages, Universal Studios Singapore.

Sentosa Boardwalk

Universal Studios Singapore

5-Star Hotels inside Sentosa

IFLY Indoor Skydiving at Sentosa

Siloso Beach, Sentosa

White Sand Beach