MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan

My Relationship with Longganisa (Or Finding My Writing Triggers)

August 26, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 11 Comments

After typing the title for this post, I realized that it kinda sounds like the title of an x-rated film. Lol.

At last Saturday’s Write On Workshop, one of the topics was time management and finding time to write for your blog. Martine said that one of the ways we can keep our writing momentum going is to write while an idea or inspiration is hot. During the discussion, I got to thinking about my writing triggers, or what usually gets my creative juices flowing. I came to the surprising realization that some of my best ideas for posts (or scripts, articles and other stuff I need to write) have come to me while I was cooking longganisa. I kid you not. A couple of weeks ago, I actually composed an entire pitch for a blog post series that I want to do on my BlackBerry while cooking longganisa at dawn. Talk about striking while it’s literally hot!

Another successful Dainty Mom Writing Workshop!

I also get really good ideas while in the bathroom taking a shower, brushing my teeth, or doing other stuff that I’m sure you guys do in the bathroom too. Ever since I was in school, bathroom breaks were great thinking opportunities for me. In fact, when I was still working and someone would ask me for my inputs on things, I would think a little, go to the bathroom to pee, and come back with so many different ideas. Too much info, but totally true. These bathroom ideas though aren’t as good as the ones that I get while cooking, and really, the best ones happen when I’ve got longganisa in the pan.

It sounds weird, but it really works (for me, at least). And yes, I cook longganisa that often haha. My family loves sausage in general, and when we feel like having Pinoy food for breakfast, it usually involves a silog of some sort. Most of the time it’s longsilog. Not very good for the waistline, I know, but great for work! Here’s proof: I thought up this post while reheating some leftover longganisa for brunch this morning. True story!

How about you? What are your writing triggers? 🙂

P.S. I actually tried to make my own longganisa once, using a recipe I found online. It came out really yummy! The link to the original recipe can be found in this blog post. 🙂

*****

Helping the Victims of Maring

August 21, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 2 Comments

Muntinlupa, where I live, is presently under a state of calamity, along with several other areas in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces. We were hit hard by monsoon rains over the last few days, and much of the city was submerged in flood waters. A lot of places are still flooded, actually, and many families have had to leave their homes and seek shelter in evacuation centers. Here in Muntinlupa, 8 out of the 9 barangays are affected. We live in the one barangay that is flood-free.

When my friend pointed this out to me earlier, I knew we had to do something. At that moment, I had a huge pile of clean laundry staring me in the face, two basket’s worth that I’d not been able to put away for two weeks because I couldn’t find space for them in my closet. So I decided to sort through our things this morning and find stuff that we could donate. My mom, MrC and the little boy joined the emergency spring cleaning session as well, and together we managed to put together 8 bags of stuff that we were not longer using. We found clothes, bed sheets and pillow cases, shoes, slippers, even a bag full of toiletries that we had collected from our staycations over the years.

We are so lucky that we live in an area that doesn’t flood, and a home has been able to withstand many storms. MrC and I took this opportunity to teach our boy about being charitable and sharing our blessings. We explained to him where the stuff would be going, and why it was good for us to take the things that we no longer needed or wanted, and give them to those who do not have enough. We really do have too much stuff (I am such a hoarder), and I feel that this is a great way to let stuff go. But of course, it would be much better if there were no floods, no tragedies, no calamities to rescue people from, and no need for relief drives.

Those who want to help can totally do something! There are still lots of stuff left to re-pack at Red Cross Muntinlupa, and helping hands are most welcome. When we were there earlier, they told us that they also still need donations of rice and drinking water, and of course food, blankets and clothes. Their office is located at Grd. Flr. Units 1 & 2, Kennedy Center Bldg, Prime St., Madrigal Business Park 2, in front of CCF,beside B Hotel. Also check out Michelle’s post over at Momma N Manila, and Mommy Roxi’s post at Mr Jacob’s Mom to see how else you can help.

Praying that you are all safe and dry!

A Mad Science Party

August 18, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 6 Comments

My son and most of his friends turned/are turning 7 this year, and so we’ve been attending a lot of parties. A few weeks ago, he and I went to a Mad Science -themed party in Alabang Country Club. The little guy told me that they had a similar activity in school during the foundation week last year. MrC told me later on when he saw the party photos that it was actually the exact same group who came to school.

The party theme and activities were really great for the age group of the invited guests. I noticed at the last few parties we’d been to that while magic shows, puppet shows and clowns were still enjoyed by the kids, you could no longer see that level of awe and amazement that they had when they were 4 or 5 years old. I love how the science experiments and interactive activities at the Mad Science party were educational too.

We got there just as the food was being served. I didn’t know anyone at the party, and had actually just met the celebrant and his mom that day, so I felt it would be awkward to go around and take pictures of the food and decor. The party was catered by the club and they had the usual spaghetti, lechon (roasted pig), barbecue and sandwiches. There were also mini donuts from JCo. The room was covered in balloon decor, as you’ll see in most of my photos.

This duo was pretty cool. They were kinda link Simon and Garfunkel-ish. I think one of them was the celebrant’s dad.

[Read more…] about A Mad Science Party

Can This Be Love (I’m Feeling Right Now)

August 14, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 16 Comments

I think I’ve found myself a new computer. I’m pretty sure that it fits the requirements I set in my blog post the other day. It’s pricey, but MrC says I should look at this purchase as an investment rather than an expense. Of course I think he’s right.

What do you guys think of this? It’s a Lenovo, Intel Core i5 2.6GHz, 4GB DDR3 Memory, 1TB Hard Disk Drive, Nvidia GeForce GT60M 2GB, with Windows8. The best part about it is it has a giant exhaust system, which is exactly what I need. My last laptop died of a heatstroke.

Yes? Go for it? 🙂

xo Patricia C. via WordPress for Blackberry

(Online) Life On Hold Due to Technical Difficulties

August 12, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 6 Comments

My computer is broken, and this is a disaster. While I can temporarily use MrC’s laptop, I know that I need to find a more permanent solution to this problem soon. After all, a computer is my one big work-at-home investment. Yes, I’m choosing to see it as an investment rather than an outright expense. Think positive, as they say!

So now I need help. What machine do I buy? Truth be told I’ve been dreaming about getting a Macbook since the first pearly white one came out years ago. I’ve just never been able to convince myself that it’s worth the price. That’s because there are lots of other great laptops with similar specs, but at half the cost.

Basically I need a computer that is/has…
* Lightweight (ideally), with a great batter life. That entire computer will pretty much make up my mobile office I need my mobile office to be mobile-friendly.
* Great for multitasking. I tend to have a browser, word processor, Excel, sometimes Powerpoint, Photoshop and/or Lightroom, Skype, chat clients, oDesk team, sometimes uTorrent, my web browser with a flash game, Facebook, Twitter, my blog dashboard and other tabs, plus a bunch of other programs running all at once. My computer must be as good at multitasking as I am.
* Fast. Because slow computers kill my momentum.
* Lots of storage space. After all, what good is a mobile office if it can’t allow me to bring everything (meaning all of my files, photos and videos) with me all at once? And yes, a lot of these files, photos and videos are work stuff.
* Reliable. I’ve used 3 different HP computers over a span of 6 years. On average, after 2years they’ve gone all comatose on me. Is it me? I’d like to think that I’ve just been getting devices that aren’t up to par with my usage. Like with mobile phones, for instance. When I was on Nokia, I’d have to change units after a year and a half, two years max. Now that I’m on BlackBerry, I’m nearing the 2-year mark and my phone is running super well. So yes, I’m hoping it might just be an incompatibility issue.
* A real workhorse. I’m on my computer a lot. I keep it on almost all day.

Can you suggest a laptop that can do all of these things, that won’t die on me after a couple of years? I seriously need to get a replacement asap. What computers are you guys on? Are you happy with your device? I’d love to hear from you!

xo Patricia C. via WordPress for Blackberry

Husband Date at Hossein’s Alabang Town Center

August 9, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 15 Comments

MrC and I have been making an effort to spend more time together. More often than not, our bonding time involves playing video games or reading side by side, or watching a movie together at home. When we do go out, we usually try to squeeze a nice lunch or snack in between errands and grocery shopping. This lunch date at Hossein’s Alabang Town Center was our first stop before making a grocery run for things my mom needed to prepare dinner for my sister’s birthday.

We love Persian and Mediterranean food. Among our favorite finds over the years are Cafe Mediterranean, Arya, Mr Kebab and Cyma. This was our first visit to Hossein’s, and we were pretty happy with out meal. There aren’t many restaurants of this type in the south (that I know of), so it’s great to know that we have this place practically next door.

I love this light fixture. So pretty. I would like to have one in my walk-in closet someday!