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My Grandpa, My Hero.

Dr. Dante R. Santiago Sr. (12/06/1934-12/30/2019) For 2 years in a row, a few days after Christmas is a sad day for our family. A year ago, I lost an Uncle on the 29th of December, and this year, on the 30th of December, I lost my closest grandpa, my Daddy Dante. I have a very special bond with him because he gave me my first name, Indirah. When I asked him why, he told me that as soon as he saw me when I was born, he knew that I will grow up as a strong woman, so he named me after Indira Gandhi. My childhood was memorable because of Daddy. He would always take us for bike rides in the afternoon around CMU and he would read to me bible stories until I sleep at night. I never heard Daddy complain about anything. The only time I realized that he was tired of reading my thick Bible comic book every night, was when I found the book hidden somewhere! He always had a way of saying no without hurting our feelings. I was also a very curious child and he patiently ans
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Ginataang Hipon (Shrimps cooked in coconut milk)

I love seafood and of course, shrimps will always be included in the list. Crabs is my ultimate favorite, but I still have to figure out how my mom cooks her yummy crabs in coconut milk. Since we moved to a new place 3 years ago, we have been constantly looking for a seafood place. Even if we live in a State that's surrounded by the ocean, it's somehow hard to find a good place that sells seafood. We finally found one around 30 minutes from our location and it's called Lakeland seafood. I was ecstatic when I found out that they sell shrimps with the head in tact, because a lot of grocery stores that sell frozen seafood never sell shrimps with the head still attached. I know, it's weird, but growing up in the Philippines, I was used to eating shrimps with the head, because I felt like it tasted better that way. I forgot where I first got this recipe, but here's an easy dish to prepare, if you like ginataang shrimps just like me! Ingredients: 1 lbs shrimps (p

Crafts for less

I don't really know what it is with the holiday season, but my "craftiness" usually kicks in whenever Christmas is fast approaching. It all started about a year ago when I decided to make personalized cards and gifts for my friends, family members, and colleagues. My Mom is really crafty, but I wasn't really interested in making projects when I was a lot younger, 'coz I'm just too lazy to even think about a concept. Our house in the Philippines will always be festive by October 'coz my Mom will decorate the entire place with so much attention to every detail, so that her holiday theme will flow all throughout our house. Meanwhile, I will just sit on the couch and watch TV and lounge like there's no tomorrow. I showed no interest at all, as everything was just too much for my brain cells to handle. Mom's pink-themed Christmas tree (2013) One of the decorated areas in our house Then, I discovered Pinterest. Ohhh... Pinterest. For some

My CVS Haul - December 2012

Yesterday, I found out that CVS is having their clearance sale on makeup - 50%-75% off. I rushed to the nearest CVS in my area and I felt like I was in makeup heaven! I wanted to buy everything that was 75% off, but I am no Paris Hilton, so I just settled for something I can afford. Here are the stuff that are on sale at the CVS that I visited today- prices may vary in every store.  Physician's Formula Prices:  Happy booster blush pink- $3.12 (saved $9.37) Happy booster blush warm -  $ 3.12 Cashmere bronzer - $3.62 (saved $10.87) Organic mascara (not in photo) - $2.49 (saved $7.50) Revlon  Colorburst lip butter pink -  $ 1.99 (saved  $ 6.00) Colorburst lipsticks -  $ 2.49 each (saved  $ 7.50/pc) Just bitten lipstains -  $ 2.32 (saved  $ 6.97) Super lustrous lip glosses-  $ 2.19 (saved  $ 6.60) Revlon nail polish-  $ 1.45 each (saved  $ 4.34) Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation - 3.49 (saved 10.50) I was most excited about the whipped foundations th

2012

I'm on a standstill. I feel so lost - I have lost myself into oblivion and I don't know if I can find myself again. All I see is darkness - I feel weak and hopeless. When will this agony end?  I want to be thankful for the blessings I have received, but the pain and challenges over shadows all the good things that are happening to me.  I feel like there's a dark cloud above me that just won't go away. It just sits there and I think it waits for me to feel really down and rain will just pour and wash way everything that I have left - my strength, hope, determination... everything. This feeling is killing me. When will the sun shine again? I want to quit. I can't quit. I wish I was a kid again, so I won't have to worry about grown up stuff. Growing up is hard, no one told me it is going to be easy in the first place. Who was I kidding?  I have to get out of this rut and be my strong, sure self again. This feeling is tiring.  I need that little glimmer o

Couponing : Beginner's edition

Times are tough, that's why I was convinced by my friend to start couponing. I just started a week ago and bought a Lysol automatic kitchen soap dispenser for $1. I was like a kid who got a candy for free from the store when I went outside Publix. After that, it is my goal to save as much money as I can when shopping. I don't think I'd end up as a hoarder too, 'coz I am also giving most of the stuff I am getting with my coupons, to my family in the Philippines. Filling up a care (balikbayan) box is expensive if you pay full price for all the stuff you buy, and I don't have the budget for that. Thank goodness coupons exist!  Original price - $9.99 On sale for $8 Manufacturer's coupon for $3 Store coupon $4 This second trip I made, I made on my own without my friend's help, so I didn't save as much, but I'm still glad that I didn't have to pay $60 something for everything! SRP: $64.36 Paid after coupons: $24.82 Today, my friend helped me ou

Random post before I hit the sack

I'm sorry if I haven't been writing for a long time. My work schedule is just out of whack and when it's my day off from work, I want to do nothing but relax.  It's already the holiday season and I haven't done any holiday shopping yet - but I'm already broke. lol! I only got stuff for my family in the Philippines which I will send through the balikbayan (care) box. I have learned that I should start shopping for stuff to put inside the box starting January. Getting stuff all at once is what caused a huge dent to my savings. It's fun shopping for my folks back home, especially when I know opening the box and seeing the simple stuff I gave them will make them happy. I'm hoping to send it before the end of December so it will get to the Philippines before April.  Happy holidays everyone! :)