Beautiful soup

I wasn't feeling my 100% the other day. Maybe I just needed some time to rest. Sometimes they say if you go on vacation, you will be stress-free. Though it's not really always true, because after the vacation you need another vacation to rest. Right? hehe...After the exhausting, sleep-depriving NYC trip, I had to go back to work right away (as it was so busy as usual). And I felt like I didn't have enough time to rest so it's probably why I felt a little under the weather. Good thing I got to make some soup for myself. It sucks to be alone when you're sick and no one's there to take care of you, and when you need that extra TLC di ba?

Here's another recipe I'm gonna share on the soup I cooked. The mix I got from Harry & David, "potato corn chowder"..It's so good that I'm calling it the "beautiful soup"! :)


There's an instruction on the ingredients and how to make it and stuff..but I always want to make my own version and tweak it according to my preference.


First, I fry the 3-4 pieces of bacon until they're almost brown.


Then I drain the extra oily grease that comes with it after. You know "sobrang taba" is not healthy.


Put the onion and garlic and sautee it furthermore.








Then add like 6 cups of water to boil.


If you have a can of chicken broth that's the way to go, if not you can also use a teaspoon of chicken bouillon.


I added some leftover rotiserrie chicken I had the night before. It's optional though. But sure it makes it even more tasty if you have chicken breast along with it.


Then I added the soup mix. It comes with potatoes, corn, and some seasonings...


Added the yellow sauce mix and bring to a boil.


And then I added like 2-3 cups of half & half. You can also use regular milk by the way. Then you have to let it simmer for 30 minutes! That's the only thing, you have to wait for a little bit. Not the way to go if you're starving, lol.


Here it is....dan dan dan...my beautiful soup! So yummy! It has the texture of a clam chowder. And it is true that soup is the food for the soul. If you're sick, chicken soup would make you feel so much better! Yumm!
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Discovered from the "baul"

The other day I got an email from Yahoo Geocities that they are closing sometime late this year. I remember that before, back in the days... way back when, I used to maintain a website there. It's my so-called journal pre-Xanga and pre-Blogspot days.

If you wanna visit my very cheesy and amateurish old website, here's the link. Oh please please don't read my poems there, I just cringe when I read them now...so cheesy and dramatic. It just makes me say "eeewww" hehehehe...Though some of them I can use as lyrics to my songs. But I'll just see how that goes...

And here's another thing I found....100 random facts about me back in year 2001-2002:
It's just funny and interesting to read it now. Some of it still applies to me today and some don't anymore. Go figure what still applies to me, you think you can tell me? hehe...

http://www.geocities.com/dg_pnai17/random_facts.html

*/ 101 Random Facts about me >

1. I was born prematurely, actually 6 1/2 months. Thank God I survived.
2. I was an emcee in my kindergarten graduation.
3. I was an achiever in elementary and in high school.(what about college? hehe...)
4. I promise myself to not drink soda anymore but I always break it.
5. I am a liberated conservative.
6. I keep and value every little thing as sentiments.
7. I love to treasure every memories in my photo albums.
8. I can never live without a "chapstick" or lip balm.
9. I am actually a loner in my own way.
10. I crave for sweets all the time.
11. I was a part of church choir from elementary to high school.
12. I won first place in Spelling Bee in high school.
13. People say that I have a nice voice.
14. One of my dreams is to write a story for a romantic movie.
15. I write poems as my diversion when i am emotionally burnt out.
16. Four of my poems were finalists in poetry.com (changes/couldn't be me, etc.)
17. I am not an athletic type.
18. I can only play badminton, and not even good at it.
19. My childhood ambition was to be a teacher.
20. I believe that everything happens for a reason.
21. I've been singing since I was 2.
22. I like collecting cds/albums and cassette tapes.
23. I hate and am scared of cockroaches!
24. I can't stand rap!
25. I don't drink alcohol.
26. I don't smoke.
27. I like cooking. I know how to cook almost any Filipino food. :)
28. I hate Physiology.
29. I hate writing essays.
30. I always keep a diary/journal to confide my feelings to.
31. I am easily pleased and am a trusting person.
32. I believe in destiny and soulmate.
33. I have a key chain collection.
34. I might be sensitive at times.
35. I don't get mad when people tease me about my height, only sometimes.
36. I am not good in memorizing driving directions.
37. I love over-looking city-lights at night.
38. Some peep's first impression to me is masungit.
39. I might look masungit because of my eyes, having a "matang-pusa".
40. I love partying with friends, especially if there's karaoke.
41. I don't like my mole in between my eyebrows. It makes me feel so unique.
42. I like driving, especially at night.
43. I eat any kinds of vegetables.
44. I cherish every little things people/friends give me.
45. I migrated from Philippines to California in 1998.
46. I study now at San Jose State University.
47. -majoring in Nursing.
48. If I only had straight hair, I want to have a long and shiny hair.
49. I hate my hair.
50. I am matakaw but never gets fat.
51. I don't really regularly exercise or work-out.
52. I love to watch horror, comedy, and romantic movies.
53. I don't like action movies.
54. I am an allergy-prone victim.
55. I listen to sad songs everytime I feel depressed and miss someone.
56. I talk to myself sometimes. (hey, but i'm not crazy, ok?)
57. I don't like rain.
58. I am impulsive that's why i make bad decisions sometimes.
59. I've never seen ghosts or any other supernatural, extra-terrestrial creatures.
60. I am a thoughtful person.
61. I can never imagine living a day without music.
62. I got a Best in English Award when I was in high school.
63. I had my first crush when I was 7.
64. I love sour stuffs.
65. I can be serious and talkative, depends on the situation.
66. I still keep in touch with my childhood friends, even they're in PI.
67. I can keep a secret.
68. I am a true friend.(sabi nila!)
69. I believe in Karma.
70. My specialties in cooking are Kare-kare, Spaghetti, and Adobo.
71. My screenname in AIM is msdgpnai14j.
72. I like to eat spicy foods.
73. To date, I have written 80+ poems from 1996 to present.
74. I learned to speak fluently and clearly when I was 2.
75. I hate Math.
76. I'd rather memorize than work Math problems.
77. I love the color purple.
78. I am actually friendly and easy to get along with.
79. My favorite musical instrument is piano.
80. If I want something, I will really make sure to have it.
81. I keep an academic calendar/organizer to school.
82. I am a nostalgic person.
83. If I say something, I mean it.
84. My motto is "If there's a will, there's a way."
85. I would love to dance, but it doesn't want me. But at least I'm learning...
86. I'm creative and imaginative.
87. I feel uncomfortable riding buses.
88. People take advantage of me being so nice and generous.
89. My most favorite movie is Titanic.
90. The song that could perfectly describe my lovelife was "Maybe this time"
by Michael Martin Murphy.
91. I pity myself sometimes, because...
92. I have a curfew 'til 12 am.
93. In local singers, I adore the voices of Carol Banawa, Jinky Vidal(of Freestyle),
Kyla, and of course Regine Velasquez.
94. I am hopeless romantic.
95. I am pikon sometimes.
96. My weakness in a guy is if he's a good singer or if he plays any musical
instrument, esp. piano.
97. My Senior Ball was a complete horrible nightmare!
98. It took me many times to pass my Driving Test.
99. I feel guilty to cut/ditch a class without a proper reason.
100.I want to learn how to play the guitar SOON.
101.My all-time song is "Foolish Heart".


- #50 is not true anymore, haha..

Ewww I can be very very cheesy...

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And since I'm in that "trip down memory lane" mode, I'm going to share with you guys this song I performed way back in high school in the talent show, and also sang it in the local channel afternoon show around here. Darn, I wish there was youtube back then. I didn't even get to tape it for myself. Anyway, I remember I was singing this song and my friend was playing piano, hehe...And my high school schoolmates were calling me "Ms. Valentine" back then. hehe...Aww...

Now I'm just re-recording this in the present days using my beloved baby Protools.

One of my favorite love songs of all time, especially the piano...

Valentine

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine



Valentine - Diane de Mesa

Have a good day/night everyone!

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Waking up in Vegas

Nothing really to blog about..Just been working, working, working! What's new? Work's as stressful as ever! This little town is such a "baby-town"! Being the only hospital here, we're always busy. Sometimes I wish it will slow down for a complete week. Haaayyy...So how I wish I can have another getaway. I was just in New York couple of weeks ago, and I am dreaming of another vacation...in Vegas! I wish I can be in Vegas right now. I'm so inspired by this song. hehe..

Maka-kanta nga muna!

Here's my version of Katy Perry's

Waking up in Vegas

You gotta help me out
It's all a blur last night
We need a taxi
'Cause your hung over and I'm broke
I lost my fake I.D.
But you lost the motel key
Spare me a fake and dirty looks
Now don't blame me

You wanna cash out
And get the hell out of town
Don't be a baby
remember what you told me

(chorus)
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for Waking Up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now that's what you get for waking up in Vegas
(chorus)

Why are these lights so bright?
Did we get hitched last night?
Dressed up like Elvis
Why am I wearing your class ring?
Don't call your mother
'Cause now we're partners in crime
Don't be a baby
remember what you told me

(Chorus)


You got me into this
Information overlode Situation lost control
Send out an S.O.S
And get some cash out
We'll go to dinner at the town
Don't be a baby
Remember what you told me
told me
told me
told me
told me

(chorus)

It's what you get baby
shake the glitter
shake shake shake the glitter
Give me some cash out baby
Give me some cash out baby


Waking up in Vegas - Diane de Mesa

:)

Good day/night everyone!

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Neverland MJ Ranch

It was such a spontaneous afternoon. Mike was still here for his visit and we just had lunch at Olive Garden. Then I just had a random idea of "What if we visit Neverland?" It's only about half an hour from my place if we do go. I live in Santa Maria and Michael Jackson's place is in Los Olivos, close to Santa Barbara. So we decided, since there's nothing to do anyway in the lazy afternoon, to head down to Neverland to pay our last respect to the King of Pop.










I brought these flowers from my backyard. I don't even know what it's called.



Would you believe that people from all over the world, even from different cities and countries came all the way to Neverland to pay tribute to MJ. Mike and I even spoke to this guy who came all the way from San Diego, and that's like 6 hours away. Saw posters from people from London, Great Britain, Poland, etc.






















a letter that writes "To: The Jackson Family". I wonder will they ever read this?


































And of course there are media people in there. They have coverage about what's going on in Neverland. They probably got a glimpse of me on TV cuz there was a camera pointing at me earlier, LOL! I'll just never know!










Local news on KCal channel



And there are memorabilias for sale to remember the King of Pop. But you know they rip-off the prices too much! $10-15 per shirt! And even the photos, $10 per picture. Gosh!











And I ended up getting a shirt. It's hard to leave without getting one. Just to show some MJ love..


my t-shirt says "You are not alone" Michael Jackson 1958-2009







It was solemn feeling I felt when I was there. It was amazing how people from different places gathered to pay their last respect to the greatest artist of all time. Aww..

I will really miss you, MJ!
Rest in peace.
May God bless you.
In heaven, you will not be misunderstood and taken advantage of.
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MJ was admitted at my workplace!

Anyway, I was just surprised when I found out the other day from my coworker that Michael Jackson was admitted for either exhaustion or flu symptoms at the hospital I work at (Marian Medical Center) in 2005 when he was on his way to his court trial here in Santa Maria.

They said there were lots of media people everywhere! Fans gathered outside the hospital. Half of the 4th floor (MedSurg) where Michael was admitted was shut down for other patients just to give privacy for MJ. And only the charge nurse could take care of him.

Darn, how I wish I was working at Marian back then! Maybe I could have visited him!


US pop star Michael Jackson waves from his room on the fourth floor of the Marian Medical Center.
Photo: AFP

Full link here.


Bearing up ... first a stuffed toy, then Michael Jackson waves from his room on the fourth floor of the Marian Medical Center. Photos: AFP
Full link here.


Jackson holds a sign reading "I Love More" out to his fans from his hospital room. Photo:ROBYN BECK
Full link here.
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July 4th at Pismo Beach

My sisters and the guys and our dog Mikey came to visit me and spent their weekend here. For July 4th holiday, we spent the whole day at Pismo beach. It was just a bit chilly still, but it was nice. :)






Mikey was excited!




Mikey boy, missed you!












Mikey was being "makulit" and "malikot" having separation anxiety when Rach is away. Hay naku!



Then at night, we watched the fireworks show. It was awesome! The following images don't give it justice really....











Then the next day, we went to Avila Beach (also 15-20 mins. away from me). Just hang-around for a little bit. :)


three sisters





Nice little mini-holiday getaway. Back to the daily grind again tomorrow. :)

Have a nice day/night everyone!

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