My first Fun Run.....Rain4Africa

 Fun Runs and marathons have become a fad, a lifestyle, a good means to promote a product or raise funds for a cause, whatever, the reason a lot of people had got into the program and are so obsessed with it.I got friends and relatives who've joined these runs  for more than 30 times in just one year as there are races almost every week. I, on the other hand had my first experience of the fun run, not as a participant though, but as a photographer, although one of my subjects (my daughter) is not fond of posing for photos- almost loathe the idea of her being photographed, but at least she would sometimes give-in to my request for a pose, but most of the time the shots are stolen with mostly her back or side, just like this.

avoiding the camera

...Yeah, tough job-even though I did not run, I still exerted some effort.

The fun run was for "Rain4Africa".  There was no singlet, no prices and no freebies was expected as what they announced in the website because almost everything of the 400 pesos the participants paid would really go to the cause. So it was a pleasant surprise for the runners when there were freebies after all from the sponsors when they reached the finish line.

warm up leader

The venue of the event was at Westgate, Alabang- in- between Festival Mall and ATC,- parking was conveniently near the starting line and stage.
There was a percussion band dressed in African inspired attire, playing some upbeat music that makes everyone in rhythm for running. It was so fitting for the event and cause. I was amused and amazed with the warm up which was led by someone from Runner circle- if I remember it right, her name was Michelle.

People were actively participating the warm up

Shamcey

Shamcey at the 3KM run starting line

Shamcey Supsup,  Miss Universe Philippines was also there to support the cause and run 3KM...or maybe actually just walked the entire 3KM stretch.

my husband- before the start of the run

Karla and Bong before the race

Karla at the finish line

making additional donation- thru the planner

my husband and daughter joined the 5K race

with the event director- Diaz

Overall, I enjoyed the event, even just as a
spectator. It was fun, relevant, informative and the energy was high. As for the cause, it is worth supporting, that's why my daughter also bought the planner where the money shall go to the fund for Africa.

collecting the freebies

the atmosphere was pulsating with their every beat

me upon arrival at the venue- still sleepy

with the loot after the run

waiting for my husband and daughter to reach the finish line

getting a good spot to shoot their arrival

Thank you for reading...until next....

Lots of love,

Veronica Arlyne

Muffin from Hotcake mix

 Thinking outside the box is not only a corporate affair or a technological challenge but it also applies in the kitchen....

When short of supply or  caught at the eleventh hour or too lazy to take a trip to the grocers or simply bored of the usual fare, it is time to think outside the box. 

This, I took literally on a box of Hotcake mix....by just adjusting a few ingredients and  the volume of the liquid, I turned it into muffins.

Then I whipped butter with chocolate syrup and voila! I've got a creamy topping that melts in the mouth.

 Not only it cost less than the actual muffin or cake mix, I think it tasted better-with  crunchy top and sides while soft and spongy in the inside. Its sweetness is just right that you wouldn't stop at 1 or 2.
Life is meant to be celebrated everyday, so go ahead, always think- outside- the- box  and make special out of the ordinary.

Good Luck!

Crispy Chicken with mushroom gravy sauce

I have been an "absentee" mother for most of the past 5 years since I worked outside the country. Now the contract has ended, I am trying to fit in to my children's schedule and daily life. They've learned to be independent and be resourceful on their own so asking for my help is something they haven't done for a long time. I am just glad that my youngest child asked for my help on one of her projects- at least to keep me useful in the house....hehehe. Her project was to create a main dish, write up the ingredients, recipe and a reaction to the activity. I helped on the recipe and the actual cooking, while photography was taken cared of by my other elder daughter.
I suggested on the Crispy Chicken with Mushroom Gravy sauce dish- just because the ingredients are what were available in the house....this way, we saved on a trip to the grocery store. Well actually, I've not cooked a real meal in a long long time, so I was just half guessing the recipe- but surprisingly it turned out very delicious. My daughter loved it and she even made a comment in her reaction paper that she loved it and was glad to have worked with me on this project for a mother-daughter bonding time....awwww...that was really sweet. My daughter is in fifth grade, by the way.
There's really nothing extraordinary with the recipe but I just want to share to whoever wants to try.

Crispy Chicken with Mushroom Gravy Sauce

Ingredients

Chicken cut to portion size
All - purpose Flour
Egg
Cloves of Garlic
Mushroom gravy mix
Button Mushroom -sliced
Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper
Cooking Oil for deep frying

Procedure1. Cut Chicken into portion sizes, wash and drain. Set aside.
2. Mince the garlic and put into the chicken. Put as much as desired.
3. Season the chicken with salt, pepper and dribble with light soy sauce. Allow the chicken to marinate while preparing for the rest of the ingredients.
4. In separate bowl beat the egg.
5. In another bowl or plate, place ample amount of flour for coating.
6. Prepare pan for frying. Put enough oil for deep fry. Heat under medium flame.
7. Once the oil is heated, drench each chicken cut in the egg, and roll on the flour and coat well. Then slowly drop into the oil. Cook each side until golden brown.
8. For the Mushroom sauce, dissolve the mix in water as per packet instruction. simmer and add the sliced mushrooms. Once thick, pour on the cooked chicken or use as a dip.

Class reunion2014 meeting- Sept 25, 2011

Date: Sept 25, 2011

Attendees: Joey A. Allan A, Basanio B, Veronica Arlyne L-B,
Venue: Rockwell

After a last minute change in venue (from Megamall to Rockwell), a few wrong turns, and a dizzying parking slot hunt, we (Bong and I) arrived in Rockwell mall ahead of the the rest of the attendees. By the way a few people had been contacted by Joey (Joyce,Garan, Ramil, Eva, etc.) who for whatever reasons failed to come....well I hope you'd attend next time coz we talked and gossip about whoever was not around-hehehehe. Anyway, when Joey and Allan arrived - with a Hongkongese visitor in tow, we went straight to the most important agenda of the meeting (which was)- DINNER. We choose Banana Leaf restaurant.

We eat off banana leaves that was not even smoked to kill off germs- well at least that's what I know when I was young...the food was good but could be better. If anyone would try it for the first time, I'd recommend the roti canai plain or stuffed with cheese or garlic with curry dip...Oh by the way, dinner was courtesy of Allan- it was his post birthday celeb....Thanks Allan. Then went for coffee at CBTL.

Ok, ok...now on to the real reason for this meeting-here's what we discussed:

1. Since we've already established that the next reunion will be in a beach resort and that plantation bay is by far the most preferred venue, Allan will take an action to inquire through his sister about the most economical dates to book the place, the costs, and if triathlon activity is possible- also what other activities are available for us there. He'll update us in a week or two.

2. We know that the cost will likely be higher than the last so we thought that fund raising and soliciations is imperative so Joey offered to handle the prices solicitation thru his company or whatever means he would craft later. Of course Allan jokingly (or maybe he was serious) offered free flowing beer during the event. One fund raising activity we talked was to sponsor a "FUN RUN". For this we thought it would be best to do it in Cebu and open it to the public. This needs the Cebu based team to lead this effort so I am appealing to Christopher Que- I know you are very busy but with your excellent leadership, financial savviness and for having participated in several fun runs yourself, you'd be the best person to take the lead in making this effort into fruition. Please :)

3. Others are also encouraged to recommend fund raising activities.

4. Other than reunion stuff, the 4 of us are agreeable to opening the excess funds from last reunion to any of our classmates for loan. If majority of the class agrees on this scheme, we need to define the mechanics, through our financial guru- Christopher Que.

5. We also thought that we'd have a mini reunion for the Manila based people this coming November 2011- details to be discussed later.

Other things we talked about were just gossips....bwahahahaha...so you better not be absent next time.

Minutes taken by truly yours,