Friday, September 16, 2011

AN EYE OPENER


This is a powerful message in our modern society. Sometimes we may seem to have lost our bearing & our sense of direction.

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research,
never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none."

The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"

The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees."

The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered,

"My mother worked as clothes cleaner.".

The director requested the youth to show his hands.

The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.


The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"
The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books.

Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high.

When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.

His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that.

It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that ...

1. it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee.
2. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
_____________________________________________________

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes."

The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."

The youth said.....
Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today.
Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.
Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my Manager".
1. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others,
2. a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done,
3. and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.

the director said, You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard.....
1. and received the respect of his subordinates.
2. Every employee worked diligently and as a team.
3. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would
1. develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first.
2. he would be ignorant of his parent's efforts.
3. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager,
4. he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others.

For this kind of people, who may be good academically,
1. may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement.
2. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?

You can let your kid ...
1. live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV.
But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it.
After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowl together with their brothers and sisters

It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because..
1. you want to love them in a right way.
2. you want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, One day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your ...
1. kid learns how to appreciate the effort and
2. experience the difficulty
3. and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.




Saturday, September 10, 2011

A GATHERING...

We are celebrating the 4th wedding anniversary of my beloved brother (my super father-like brother). He used to snatch my cigarettes. He doesn't like seeing me smoke...


Same old fashioned celebration; a dinner together, sing along, with a bottle of liquor.


After a long time of being away from them, I realized there's nothing like HOME. It's totally different when you're at home. It's like a breath of fresh air.. There is always this warm and pleasant welcome from the family.


I love the thought that I have the best family ever. Despite of all the troubles I had brought to the family before. I appreciate the acceptance and understanding. I have nothing more to ask.


I am the eldest of three siblings. Our youngest sister is in Tottenham London right now. My brother who is 4 years married now is here in the province with mom. They waited for more than 3 years before God bless them an angel..My brother's wife is 6 months pregnant now.


I am so thankful to God for giving us our mom who raised us and mold us to become better persons. We lost our dad when I was about 19 years old due to rheumatic heart disease. 


I have gone through a lot of troubles before but I am still blessed with a loving family.


If only I could turn back the hands of time....


Happy 4th wedding anniversary bro...!
Missing you little sister...be home soon so we could gather altogether again...

Friday, September 09, 2011

LECHE FLAN RECIPE


Leche flan is a favourite and popular dessert in the Philippines. It is similar to a cream caramel. It is sweet and rich.
Leche flan is a must during Christmas, New Year and fiestas. Nowadays, making leche flan become part time job for some family who would like to earn extra money. Since making it takes a lot of time, busy people would just like to buy it over the counter or order leche flan for the Holiday celebrations, you will now find leche flan being sold in the market and delicacy stores or order over the phone and deliver to your door.
Like any other popular dish, there are many variations in making leche flan, but the classic recipe only calls for eggyolk, sugar, evaporated milk, condensed milk and citrus flavourings. Steaming is the traditional method for cooking leche flan, and is usually prepared in an oval shaped metal pans called Llanera and steamed over moderate heat until set.
It takes a while to master the techniques and perfected this recipe but it is worth it.

Ingredients:

12 egg yolks

2 cans condensed milk (14 oz.)

5 cans small evaporated milk

2 cups fine white sugar

2 tablespoon vanilla or

¼ teaspoon grated dayap rind (optional)

You will also need the following:

  • Llanera

  • Steamer

  • Strainer

How to make the Caramelized Syrup :
  • In a stainless steel pan, dissolve 3/4 cups of sugar, add 1/4 cup water over medium heat, do not stir, just swirl the pan gently, caramelize in low heat if you don't want it burnt. Pale brown means sweeter and too dark means bitter. When you have achieved the desired color, pour the syrup in the llanera and make sure to coat all the parts of the pan.
How to make the Custard:
  • In a mixing bowl, combine all the egg yolk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar and vanilla. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly but gently to prevent bubbles from forming. Remove any solids by using a strainer.
  • Pour the mixture in the llanera and cover it with an aluminum foil, so that the moisture from the steam won't come in the pan as it will become watery.
  • Steam Cook for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove the llanera and let it cool at room temperature. Then refrigerate for several hours before serving.
  • To unmold the leche flan- run a sharp knife around the edge and carefully invert it unto a platter or serving dish, let the caramelized sugar flow over the leche flan.
This recipes makes 4- 5 llanera of Leche Flan.
Leche flan is a popular dessert to to eat with Suman (sticky rice) or serve with sweetened macapuno (young coconut) and ube (purple yam), or just serve as it is.