Choosing Happiness

Today was one of those days when I think I could fill a page writing about how it went from good to bad to good to bad to good. I left the house at 530am, logged in at work at 640ish, not bad for the state of traffic along Ortigas extension, I tell you. I spent around 6 minutes to put on my favorite Happy Skin foundation, nude lippie and mascara; gathered my hair into a pony tail, and by 730, I had started the day and was having my second cup of coffee while responding to emails from last night  Great start.

Lunch of three-fourths cup rice, pork sisig, pakbet, and maja blanca started me off on a good afternoon. I was back at my desk by 1230, finished a draft input over a 30-minute unused lunch break. An hour later, I got an email saying that there was no need for that draft. Ok, fine. I quickly moved on. On a busy day, it's normal to get busier by the hour until you hardly notice it's 5pm because the A/C has been shut off, then it's 6pm and past cob (close of business). I pulled myself away from my PC to call Garrett before he surrenders his phone for the 7-930pm study period for dormers. 

I asked my usual question. "How are you?" I was worried his sore throat had gotten worse, I asked again rephrasing my first question, "How are you feeling?" Garrett replied, "Hi, Mom! I feel great!" Then he went on to report about today's activities and scores he got in quizzes. He said he got 30/35 in an English quiz. We ended the call after 7 minutes with many reminders like not forgetting to brush his teeth, to which he would always just say, "Yes, Mom, I do." Or "Yes, Mom, I will." It's a good measure of comfort to me talking to him and being told he is not only okay, he's feeling great! Love that. He says it's hard to study at PSHS, yet he feels great! Eh 'di wow! Hihi!

So that call wrapped up my day at work on a happy mood. I knew the line at the fx terminal was getting longer by the minute. But I felt good. In fact, I didn't have to take a paracetamol today for migraine. 😊

Until I got on the fx, a Mitsubishi Adventure. By the order of the line, I hopped on in the middle seat, flanked by two big men. B1, on my left, was easily twice my weight. And B2, on my right, had to close the door lifting his weight from the seat such that when the door closed, he had to squeeze himself in the little space left between me and the door. I had my arms straight out in front of me and my body was leaning to the right into the void that B2 could not fill. B2 had pointy hip bones, I wanted to advance instead to avoid contact, but I was squeezed, I didn't dare move an inch. B1 seemed so A-ok, I'd credit him for not making unnecessary movements. I liked B1 better though he was bigger. B2, aside from his pointy hips, was sweaty, smelling like his shirt was not properly dried. Not only that, he had earphones on and was singing lyrics from his phone screen. Agh. 

Thank heavens, he got off midway to the end of my ride! I was happy again. 

I got home to this girl. And I thought and felt ashamed of the nerve I had to complain. I am too blessed to be stressed. The daily grind is my choice anyway. Just saying because this blog has been so quiet for so long... 

Happy mid-week. Weekend is upcoming. My favorite day is Friday because it's my weekly reunion with my son. 😊

Blessings

It's 2015 in a few hours. Let me do a last blog post to close 2014 and welcome the new year properly. It's been quite a while now since I last posted an update. I was busy settling into a new job since September. My mind, body and, I guess, all my energy had to zone in into the new job, new bosses, new colleagues, and adjustments in my household and arrangements for the daily care of Garrett and Gabee. 

It's a good time to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the year that was. What a great year it was for me and my family, we capped it off with a vacation up north in Sagada. We had an amazing time up in the mountains, enjoying all-day long cool temperature, and exploring what we could in the three days we were there. There were just so many little anecdotes and beautiful moments that, I think that trip deserves a separate post complete or replete with gorgeous photos of that place (my family in them to vouch for its authenticity, hehe!). For now, let me just run through special events to remember 2014 by. 

Garrett and Gabee each had their moments on stage when they received their school diplomas and moved up, Garrett to high school while Gab to elementary. 

Summer was memorable as it was the first I got to spend the whole time with the two kids. It was the best three months of my one-year extended leave from work. I was completely at their service, packing for trips, taking them swimming, to bookstores, and fast food chains (KFC, McDonald's, and Jollibee, in the order of which one we visited more frequently). When I had their dad's blessing, we ate at our favorite  Cafe Mary Grace. I was just always hesitant splurging my husband's hard-earned money. Heehee! Their dad to his credit treated them to more fancy restaurants like Chelsea, Crystal Jade, Lugang Cafe, Abe, if only to show them how to eat properly in a more refined dining setting. It's difficult to teach table etiquette when we really don't practice fine dining, with all the works, at home.

We had staycations in the metro, where the two kids had a blast getting their fill of reading books and buying pens and stationery from Fully Booked, Power Books and National Bookstore, strolls at nearby malls, and swims in the late morning or afternoon. The first official summer outing was with my side of the family. We spent one weekend at Thunderbird Resorts Rizal. It was the first time for all of us at that resort. We enjoyed the pool with a great view of Rizal's greenery, and dinner at the resort's restaurant. 

We then went solo as a family to Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas, to celebrate my 13th wedding anniversary with my super loving, super provider hubbs. It was also a great first time in that cove for all of us, and we would want to come back and take with us our extended family. I wrote about that trip on this blog. We loved the infinity pool and swam until night fell. 

For Mother's Day, we checked into Holiday Inn with my 90-year-old Lola, my mother, siblings and nieces. We grabbed Holiday Inn's promo selling rooms at 4,000 pesos a night for Mother Day's weekend. Garrett, Gab and their cousin Bash who loved staying in hotels enjoyed the most. Us adults enjoyed the buffet breakfast. 😉

Summer was extended as the school opening was moved to late July following DEPEd's move to allow schools to align their calendars to the international norm with most schools opening in August globally. It was a very opportune change as we welcomed back to the Philippines Kuya Butch and his family, balikbayans from California, who arrived June first. From the airport, we travelled the next day to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas to celebrate Tatay Ike's birthday at La Luz Resort, the same resort we visited at least six times for the last eight years. I wouldn't be able to describe to you how happy and excited everyone was. My husband's side of the family was complete, full house, with three of their cousins also in our group. I always enjoyed snorkeling in  Laiya, I would bet, every one did, too. We took great family portrait photos in the same spot of the resort. It would be interesting to do a timeline and see how the kids have grown, and how the adults have remained young-looking, hehe, despite the obvious weight gain. 

The rains came early but we had our final hirit during the school break in late June. We drove up north to Baguio and spent three chilly nights and four foggy mornings there. One of the highlights was our tour of BenCab museum and breakfast at Sabel's Cafe. I posted photos of our Baguio trip on this blog. 

Then came school opening and Gab's entry into big school. Gabee didn't take any time at all to settle in as she was already familiar with the school, some teachers, and Kuya's classmates. Her friendly ways helped to blend her in in no time. 

Garrett skipped fifth grade because of the K to 12 program. High school came a year earlier than expected. And with it came more complex projects and requirements and multiple field trips. This school year, I'm happy that he has found a couple of best friends, and he now mingles constantly with certain classmates. He had some come over the house for his 12th birthday. 

We took advantage of a long weekend in August and defied the rainy weather with a quick trip to Subic. We stayed at Kamana Sanctuary where monkeys freely roamed in the mountains at the back of the hotel and the beach in front gave us a great view of sunrise and sunset. 

I went back to work in September to a new post, in a new department. It was a good move and I feel very blessed being reabsorbed permanently, resuming all my benefits and, of course, having regular money in my ATM card. :) 

Garrett completed the Kumon reading program in June and was recognized as an Advanced Kumon student at the Kumon Advanced Students Forum held in Sofitel Hotel last November. That was a big moment for him. We will be back in next year's forum where he will receive the completer's award. 

Christmas came quickly. The week before Christmas, the wonderful news that he qualified to study at the Philippine Science High School, Central Luzon (Clark, Pampanga) campus came out. Wow, we all said, almost in disbelief seeing his name among the 5 percent or 1,000 plus of 23,000 plus takers. He didn't land a spot among the top 240 who qualified to enroll at the main campus. But OMG, it was just a try, with only self-study using MSA and PSHS reviewers, which I bought a few months before the exam. Hats off to my voracious reader! 

And to end the year, as I have mentioned, we pulled far away from the city and communed with nature, closer to God, in the ancestral mountains of Sagada. 

It has been a year to remember, filled with God's grace and overflowing with blessings. I pray the year ahead will see even better days. May all the good even get better. I pray for all that's best for you and your loved ones. I pray the country's elected officials step up and direct the flow of economic gains toward those still living at and below poverty levels. May we all help do our share to help for the good of all. May God keep us in His favor. 

Happy New Year!! Blessings in 2015 and beyond. Thank you for being a part of my little world. 

Walk like no one is watching

The story of my morning is in this photo. These shoes finally got dirty. These were a gift from the hubby, bought during our 10th wedding anniversary date. That was  three years ago. They've been washed once and they look like they need another rinse soon. These shoes have covered the trails I've walked the past year. They've skipped and hopped when I did a little dance on the road.

I pace my walking to the beat of the music plugged to my ears. I sway my hips a bit, sing along, snap my fingers, or tap my hands rhythmically, alternately on my thighs as I walk my kind of walk when I'm sure the road is deserted and no one is watching. It makes for a nice, upbeat start to the day. These shoes have been my sole witness (methinks). :-)

Hope we all have a good week ahead. May the good weather continue and traffic be more tolerable. Happy thoughts, happy vibes. 

One Happy First Grader

Gab turned six last June, one day after school opened and welcomed her as a first grader. She has joined her brother in a progressive school located in Antipolo. Their classes started later than in most other schools, and they are now only on their fifth week, excluding the week when classes were suspended for four days due to Typhoon Glenda (international name: Rammasun). Gab was quick to settle into her new school, as we had expected. I have always admired how she easily adapts to any person and environment. She’s not one to fret or become anxious about being left at school on the first day, as she’s the chameleon type, blends well in just about any place and crowd.

Except for the usual battle we have over waking up and getting ready in the morning, every single day has been a happy one, peppered with lots of anecdotes. Her stories have become more detailed, pertaining to this and that classmate. She now knows all the names of her classmates, teachers, and even the manong that she refers to as Kuya Bok. Kuya Bok is apparently the one who brings her and her classmates snacks from the canteen. Yesterday, she told me that Kuya Bok is the “maintains.” “Ah, maintenance,” I corrected her, recalling seeing school staff wearing pink shirts with the word “maintenance” printed on the back.

It was on the second week, I think, when, at the dinner table, she engaged her brother in a pagalingan banter, and asked, in a she-knows-you-don’t tone, “Do you know what a “paradise” is?” Kuya was quite taken aback by the question, wondering perhaps what prompted Gab to ask. Earlier that day, Gab was telling me, on the way home from school, what protozoans are, and how they can make the tummy ache. Knowing where she was coming from, I laughed and jumped in, explaining to Kuya that Gab meant to ask what a parasite was, not paradise. Kuya gamely shared what became a joke between us (to be shared with their dad later), and laughed with me. And Gab went on to explain about good and bad germs she saw under a microscope—another new and exciting word for her.

Gab seems to have learned a lot about the human body over the course of her first few weeks into grade school, proudly sharing her new learnings and singing to me songs about the skin, eye, ears and brain. Last Wednesday, she was so happy to share that she cooked spaghetti at school, and it was so yummy, she finished her share. She was made to bring tomato sauce, spices and a food container. She came home with just a dirty (with a few spaghetti noodle bits) food container.

I look forward to fetching Gab from school. She’s still full of energy at dismissal and would want to linger and eat lunch with Kuya at the canteen. I just sometimes wish she would still look as immaculate as she is when I drop her off. But, each time also, she’d be in various states of disarray, whether it’s her long hair strands that escaped her braids or  pony tails, or her knee-high black socks pulled down to her ankles, or her stained white polo, or muddy black shoes, or combinations of these. And I just have to accept the child that she is, and that I can’t, no matter how I try, get her to stay put, prim and proper, and get herself the “Most Orderly” award that I got during kindergarten. Gab is nothing like me as a child. And, honestly, I’m happy about that.

Last Monday, Gab did something that amazed me and got me a bit weak in the knees, awed at her braveness. They have a weekly school assembly, like a flag ceremony, where there is a class designated each Monday to give a presentation—a skit, song, or dance, with a theme about values. The value that was presented last Monday was “prudence.” After the presentation, the school principal gave a short message to reiterate the importance of the “value” that had just been demonstrated. When the principal threw the first question, “What is prudence?,” I was watching the program from outside the gate and heard the principal remark, “Yes, Gabee?” I looked closely, and lo and behold, it was my Gabee being called to the front to answer. It took her a few seconds to reach the principal and speak on the microphone. She spoke in a very soft voice, I didn’t catch what she said, but the principal repeated it, saying that Gab said prudence was about loving. Not exactly correct, but in a way connected. That was how Gab understood it based on the skit which had some students dressed as angels with halos. That’s Gab. I hope she stays that way, confident and happy.

Before Summer Ends

Despite the epic heat we've experienced since last month, still, summer is my most favorite season, next to Christmas. Haha as if I experience fall, winter and spring. But, I will, some day, for sure! I heard from CNN that across Asia, temperatures have been hitting record highs, with averages around 35 degrees Celsius. Manila is not spared. The other day, the rains poured late afternoon where I was, and caused floods quickly in low areas, like where I live, in a very short space of time. Although I'm grateful for the onset of rains, I would like for summer to stretch more a bit into June. You don't? Summer is cool, umbrellas, drenched shoes, potholes and floods are so not cool! 

Have you enjoyed your summer yet? The heat has been crazy, and early rains offer a reprieve. I feel the same way. But I don't want for summer to end just yet. There are more things to do in summer for the kids especially. And this might be the first summer I get to spend all of my time with my children for the next maybe 5 or so years. 

So let's get out in the sun as much as we can, while summer is still here. Does EK still sound fun? It won't be with the rains.

To the beach, I say we go!! Happy vibes, happy summer! Happy hats, floral dresses, bermuda and boyfriend shorts, sandals and flip flops. Aaahh, summer!! 

Oh, it's just me again. Walang magawa. 🌞😃

After Thoughts

Those musings I made in the previous post, just over an hour ago, took me further down memory lane, during my teenage years. I was allowed much free will even over the choice of schools I went to. I was trusted to take the bus at 14, to and from Manila. I could have sleepovers at my classmate's house in Fairview, Q.C., which was quite far from where I lived.

That daily scramble for a ride home after school was a constant battle that allowed me little wins, and paved the way for bigger ones. Life teaches you, experience makes a person. It worries me that I am sheltering my children to the extent that they do not get to experience life as it really is. It's scary. Times have changed. 

Summer and Rainy Memories

Whoa! Halfway now through the summer break. April's gone just like that. And we remember it like the other past Aprils - sweltering heat. It's somewhat of small relief that at least it has been consistent that way, the weather I mean. It would have been such drastic climate change had the cold temperature we experienced from mid-January lasted until April. The weather in the northern countries, like the US and Canada, I gather from pictures shared by friends on Facebook had been so erratic, sunny today, snowing tomorrow. I guess it's become more 'normal' now, and they are enjoying spring and the cherry blossoms and tulips it brings. Thank, God.

My children are at mid-week now attending this yearly summer Bible Camp, which is organized by the Christian church we are blessed to be a part of. I mentioned in my post yesterday that we have to travel quite a distance to get to the church. The kids have to make a small sacrifice, waking up early like it's a school day. Curiously, they do not have to be forced out of bed. They do not complain about waking up early, the heat, and the commute, Kuya was okay toting a heavy backpack containing his Bible, a change of shirts for all three of us, face towels, and a hygiene kit, plus a water jug.

Yesterday, we took the taxi and train to get to the church. Today, we couldn't get a cab and ended up riding a jeepney to the train station. Looking at Garrett and Gab, I thought of the perils, and quickly scanned the other passengers. Not used to taking the jeepney, they seemed out of place to my eyes. Kuya put his jug on the floor, unknowing that it could be thrown off. Gab, seated on my left, was looking outside toward my direction, one hand clasped around the metal railing above the seat. But they were cool about the experience.

Why, time has changed so! I used to take the jeepney to school back in the 80s. I was in high school then and living in Quezon City. At dismissal, around 6pm, I'd hurry to Ali Mall in Cubao and run after my ride home, competing with other passengers. It was more challenging during the rainy months, normally when school just opened, around June to August. Imagine carrying a bag filled with books, clutching an umbrella, wearing a flimsy school blouse, and skirt. My shoes would get soaked, and at times, I, myself, would be soaked as well. They did not easily suspend classes then. The DepED, then DECS, strictly followed the storm signal as guide to suspending classes. Classes in high school only were suspended at signal no. 3! And that was rare. Now, you know the picture too well. Heavy rains can flood roads and prevent students from keeping to their school calendar.

Going back to my children's story, it's been a blessing to be present when they experience things for the first time. I let Garrett buy the train tickets. Gab is old and big enough to know how to slot in the card and get through the gates. The two would rather stand on the train. I told Garrett he could do that, should do that, actually, when he's all grown up. I said he has to offer his seat or stand as a courtesy to girls, women, the elderly, pregnant and PWD. The LRT line 2, plying Santolan-Recto-Santolan route, is comparable to Singapore or Hong Kong's MRT. Same manufacturer, I guess. That's one thing I'm happy about in terms of where taxes go.

I really enjoy this phase of my life. My children are spaced six years apart. And so it's now become manageable for the three of us to take off, take a train, a jeepney or a bus. They've also become easy to feed, not anymore the picky eaters they were not long ago. Yesterday, we left Quiapo around 1:30pm, in the thick of the summer heat. Not having had lunch, I was famished when we got off the train. The kids shared a cup of rice and a few pork chunks for lunch. I decided to have merienda at the station. We had siomai and donuts. Kuya and Gab, sweating and tired, ate with much delight, without any fuss.

A Baby in My Arms, Once More

It's day 3 without Garrett and Gabee. The two I'm sure are having a grand time in Bulacan with their cousins.

My me-time has been short-lived since my nieces, Kirsten and Bash, are staying in the house for a few days to keep me company. So I went about the day not only with my usual cleaning-the-yard and feeding-the-dogs chores, but with Kirsten to take care of while her mom took off to the parlor. Nanay is here as well so we take turns keeping the baby entertained and fed with water and formula. She's been breastfed since birth. Her mom has again tried another formula so she can leave the baby more often and not have to come running home the minute she gets texted that Kirsten is crying!

Kirsten is asleep in my arms right now as I type up this entry on Timeline Day One (an app the hubby has introduced me to). With Timeline Day One I can document my day with a photo or a narrative, my inconsequential blah-blahs. Who knows what value I would find in these blah-blahs years later when I'm old like Francesca in Bridges of Madison County? Some thinking I have going. Stop reading if you can't take it, haha! 

I can publish an entry on Timeline Day One straight away via Facebook. But I'd rather post narratives on my inconsequential mommy blog. I've been finding more time and motivation to write. I know to some it's a waste of time. But then I have plenty of that these days, especially this summer, I have no children to drive for, remind about school work, and help study for exams.

May is already coming up! How time flies! I used to carry Gabee in my arms like this. Now, she's off without her mama.

Erratum: Ooopsie, the app I mentioned is not Timeline but DayOne. Sorry. I've edited the post. :)

Hope for the Flowers (borrowing from T. Paulus)

Day 2 sans my kiddos. Like yesterday, I busied myself with routine housework - cleaned the yard, swept dried leaves and the dogs' poop (yikes), and watered the plants, vines and trees. I went out the street in my usual (favorite) ratty shirt and decent 'snooze' shorts (that's the brand, btw), cleared the debris from yesterday's passersby mindlessly throwing wrappers and cigarette butts, and dried leaves falling from our mango and guyabano trees. I liked that when we bought the house, its fence was richly covered by a green plant that creeps, I don't know what it's called. We have kept it as we had found it, but removed the old santan that lined the house fence from the outside. In its place now are camote, alugbati, sili, and at times tomatoes - to the credit of our yaya. 

A neighbor came up to me once as I was watering the plants and said that she and many other neighbors appreciate that they can freely harvest camote leaves from our little garden. I've been for years meaning to get someone to do the landscape. That hasn't happened because it is expensive and I always wonder if passersby would not uproot newly planted ornamentals. I'm sure they won't be our immediate neighbors, but since access to the subdivision is not restricted, I have my doubts whether it's worth it. 

My mother-in-law has been discretely bringing plants on her recent visits, giving them to the yaya. The gardener that she is, the patch of land -- greeting her as she enters the house, with sparse plants and largely exposed topsoil -- must look like untended to her. Last time she visited, she brought carabao grass and taught Yaya how to plant and propagate it. Who doesn't want a nice garden? I do. I like plants especially those that give bright, dainty flowers, and I'd like to see more flowers other than the kalachuchi we have, which happens to be from mom-in-law as well. And I dream of picking flowers and putting them in vases or used ketchup bottles, to decorate the dining and living areas of the house. That would be lovely! 

I thought I'd take up gardening when I quit work about a year ago. Failure. It's daunting for me to get down to the job, research about suitable plants, ones which can grow under a big canopy of a mango tree, and ones which are sturdy or deep-rooted enough to be able to cohabit with active dogs, one is a Jack Russell terrier, the hunting type that digs the soil to find a prey. Daunting. I actually have plastic pots and seeds waiting to be used, and sitting some place in the house for almost a year now.

The last two days I've been tending the garden (haha, watering is all that I do actually), I have resolved to at least try and spruce up the open space my family is blessed to have. I'm keen on buying flowering plants. I'm thinking bougainvillea, the ones whose colors I seldom see - lavender, orange, white, and, maybe, see if I can find the pink version of yellow bells. On a recent family outing, Garrett took nice photos of the flowers I have in mind (see the two photos at the bottom).

It's therapeutic to water plants. Thoughts of life, health, blessings came to me yesterday as water sprinkled from the hose I was holding, aiming it not only at the ground where water would be taken up, but also unto the leaves and branches. It's a delight to the senses to smell the drenched soil and plants, and see the glistening water droplets that form on the leaves. It's nature talking. Or maybe it's God, reminding me to stay grounded, appreciative, grateful, and to live healthy and happy as the radiant day He has so kindly given. 

Big, red ants feast on our guyabano tree.

Simple Joys in Summer

You know summer has come when you sit or lay still inside your house and sweat forms on your forehead, nape, upper part of your lip, and yes, in those areas that need more than ever extra protection from unpleasant odors. And if you're a parent of growing children, you know summer is here when you can sleep in a little bit, either because you don't need to prepare the kids for school, drop them off, or traffic has eased up a bit going to work (or has it?). 

My youngest had her preschool graduation last April first. The next day, I found myself on a grand vacation of my life! I am out of work and the school is out, which leaves me with less of the daily routine chores, more flexibility with how I use my time, and the privilege to be with my two fast-growing children practically 24/7. So this summer is extra special, a first of its kind in my humble life. 

Today, I count my blessings and feel grateful for the many favors as I watch Garrett and Gab enjoy themselves in the pool, free to explore, learn, and just have fun. I enjoy the breeze as I lounge by the pool side. I felt the urge to type up my thoughts so here I am sharing with you my bit of heaven on earth. The hubby is hard at work while we chill. At the end of the day, his toil is rewarded knowing he's able to provide for his family. 

What Gives Me Pleasure

Aha! I might just have had you thinking that *thing.* Sorry to disappoint, I’m not comfortable discussing that. I just don’t send off that kind of vibe. But let it be said that I do indulge in that, and it pleasures me. Enough said. J

It feels weird at times to think that the manic worker that I was easily settled into a laidback domesticated life. Before, good ratings from the bosses propel me to cloud nine. A hefty pay increase delighted me. I would open my self-service account on Oracle to simulate how much separation or pension pay I would be getting. And then I would dream of a nice retirement house, of traveling to Europe and going on cruises.

Now, that has changed. The dream to travel and to own a nice retirement house remains. I miss getting paid every 15^th and 30^th of the month, yes. But, now, the weird pleasure I get is from knowing the floor is mopped, window sills are wiped, the dogs’ poop is swept, ceiling fans are dusted, and all the countertops are shining bright. Oh, and I also obsess over cleaning the many light switches at home. In the evening, it calms me to see that the house is in order, the throw pillows are in their place, the toys and books are back in their storage boxes and shelves, the curtains are let loose, and the doors are locked. These were the things I simply glossed over before when my mind was occupied with work, or my back ached from incorrect posture working on the computer and making calls, feet beaten by ill-fitting shoes that went nicely with office frocks, and the long queue to get a ride home.

The morning walks which have become routine for me are not as much fun as when I first took to walking. The trails have become too familiar. Now, each morning, I think twice whether or not to take a walk. But knowing it’s good for me, how it has strengthened my immune system, I resolve to do it. And I love the feeling each time I cover a 30-minute route and easily gulp down a bottle of water, sweating. These walks give me pleasure. They humble me and remind me to commune with nature and pray.

The ceiling decor at Mary Grace in SM Aura is one of those simple things that delight my senses.

Basil Pesto Pasta that Melts My Heart

What’s in this pesto pasta that I am blogging about it? It’s simple with no cooking required save for boiling the pasta. You only need to mix the pesto ingredients using a food processor or a blender, combine the mixture with the hot pasta noodles and voila! What do you get? A healthy, no-meat dish that is surprisingly loved by kids, which goes to prove that kids have a simple taste. I may be generalizing, but, seeing how my two children devoured it, and then hearing about how my three-year old niece also loved it (I had some sent to her), being the picky eaters they are, it’s safe to say so, I suppose.

And you know why else this is very important? My son, out of the blue, embraced and kissed me saying, “Ma, I love you, no matter what, through thick and thin.” And this pasta was the trigger! He must have been overwhelmed with gratefulness seeing me drop by the grocery, after fetching him from school, to grab fresh basil, olive oil and walnuts, and then go straight to the kitchen to prepare his favorite pasta. He had ordered it at Amici the couple of times he went there, and he could easily finish a serving for two.

Did it compare with Amici’s? Honestly, in all humility, it did! J

And I want to share with you how I did it. After months of browsing, looking up pesto recipes, and after several packs of basil gone rotten in my fridge, I finally made my first attempt at what turned out to be almost like a no-brainer kind of cooking:

• Cook about 350 grams (or about a third of 1 kg pack) of spaghetti noodles.
• Mix about about 2 cups of basil, 3 cloves of garlic, about 3 tablespoons of walnuts and 70 ml of olive oil in a food processor. Halfway, add in another 70 ml of olive oil to fully coat the dry ingredients. 
• Drain the pasta and transfer back into the pot. Pour the pesto over the noodles, grate cheddar cheese, and stir. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.

Try it! You won’t regret it. I spent roughly less than PHP200 or less than USD5, and this pasta dish was shared by 3 adults and 3 children! Imagine how cheap that is. I bought an 8-oz can of walnuts for PHP300, but only used a fourth of it, so that leaves me with enough walnuts for three more meals! Happiness.