Simulation

 An update on my breast surgery :

November 20, 2014.  9:30 AM.  I had a schedule to the Oncologist.  I thought I was going to have my first radiotherapy.  Thank God because I am not ready for that.  It was my second meeting with Dr. Herman – the Oncologist.  The visit was for simulation or preparation for the said therapy.  I had to meet with two different nurses and practitioners. After a quick briefing from the first nurse, we went to the radiation therapy room.  I read and signed a paper stating that I understand what the procedure is going to be.  

 

Waiting for the nurse to torture me.

I had to lie down in a hard surfaced bed with my right arm above my head. I had a surgery on my right breast in September of this year.  It was not easy lying down while you are in an awkward position.  The oncology nurse put tattoos on different areas of my torso.  It will be permanent but not visible to human eyes.  It is necessary for the procedure so the oncologists would know where to aim the radiation. 

It was unpleasant for me.  I don’t have tattoos.  I do not have anything against the ink.  It is me who do not want to have ink because I am scared.  One of my biggest fears is the needle.  That’s why when I was being poked multiple times, I was screaming.  I jokingly told the oncology nurse that I hate her that very moment. I had to call in from work due to soreness of the breast and the markings.  You can laugh now.Ahaha... 

To be honest, after the surgery, I was already thinking what tattoo design I would be getting.  I want it to be relevant to what I am going through and as a support to the breast cancer survivors, as well. 

Winter In The Fall

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

It is Winter in the Fall here in Michigan and in some parts of the United States.  I could not complain for I love the snow.  It really is so beautiful to watch but not when going to work.  I am off today so I am still fine with the weather but tomorrow is gonna be a different story.  It is my duty tomorrow and I always think ahead, "Gotta drive slow in the snow. Gotta drive slow in the snow."  I am gonna be chanting on my way to work. 

Well, since it is still my off, I enjoyed taking pictures through my window.  This is my favorite.  I don't know what kind of bird was on the tree branch.  It was grey in color and has a crown.  It was my cats Dusty and Tiki who hinted me that there was a bird and so I grabbed the chance. It was like the bird is dancing along with the branch as the wind and the snow sings in melody.

The beauty of nature that some people does not realize and just let it pass due to unappreciative behaviors.  Though, Philippines is a beautiful county, I will never stop thanking mother nature for giving me the opportunity to experience Her beauty.

The Culprit

My Samsung Note 3 chargers

As you can see, I have two chargers for my Note 3.  The one on the right (facing you) was the original charger that came with the unit.  The other one is new which I ordered from Amazon. There is a reason behind these two chargers.  Since I got my phone, I always charge it at night and place it on my bed side.  One morning, I noticed that the charger's skin was not smooth, then I found out why.  There was a tiny bite marks on it. I ignored it but of course I already knew who was the culprit.  

Then one time, it was in the middle of the night when I was awaken by a gasping sound.  With my half-opened eyes, I caught the culprit in the act.  Gnawing on my charger!!! 

Animated photo of Tiki

This little bandit was the one having fun with my charger.  Small but terrible she is.  Tiki is one of my 14 crazy cats.  Tiki is almost 5 years old and small as a 6 months old kitten.  Yes, she is a midget and I love her to death.  We have a special bond since the day my husband and I adopted her from a shelter in Mason, Michigan.  Though, I caught her chewing on the charger, I cannot get mad at her.  I shew her away to stop.

Tiki loves to loves to sleep in the bedroom with us.  I call her "Bedroom Kitty".  For some reason, she knows when it is time for bed.  As the bedroom door opens, she will come frolicking like a little human girl.  So cute. 

Since that time I caught her, I figured that I should cover my charger with a towel, I know it is not advisable but that is the only thing that came to my mind.  Guess what?  Tiki figured out how to move the towel  so she could chew on the charger again.  TIKI!!!!

My old charger looked so bad so I ordered one from Amazon.  Until I caught my little culprit doing her chewing habit once again, on the new charger.  There is no way you can do that to my new charger, Miss Tiki.  So, I don't use the new charger when I am not around or knocked down.  I would use the old one if I know that I might fall asleep because my little culprit is just around lurking in the dark corner of the couch, waiting for me to fall asleep.  Smart kitty cat.

I Love You, Tiki.

Lumpia - Spring Roll

 I was supposed to post it yesterday until I remember I have work the next day.  A good amount of sleep is vital to me.  Anyways, since this has started already, let me finish this blog post.  I did not plan to make lumpia or vegetable spring roll but I saw a picture posted on Facebook, so I got up from bed and started preparing all the ingredients.  I always have a stack in my fridge so whenever I feel like of making something like egg roll or spring roll, I do not have to worry about going out to shop.  

On my days off and I feel like going out.  One stop I cannot miss is going to Asian store.  I will buy what I think is important in my kitchen.  As a Filipina, root crops, spices and spring roll wrappers are some of the items that has to be in my shopping cart.  

Though it was my day off, I did not go to buy all the ingredients for my lumpia.  I phoned my husband and asked him to get me some vegetables.  I have spring roll wrappers in the freezer and it has been there for more than a month.  See, I was ready.

So, here are the ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans - thinly sliced
• 1 carrot - peeled, thinly sliced
• Beans sprouts - sm. bag
• Savoy cabbage - thinly sliced
• Ground beef - 2tbsp
• 1 beef cube
• 2 garlic clove - minced
• ½  onion – sliced
• 1tsp. Canola oil
• 25 pcs. Spring roll wrapper

 

My spring roll filling.

It is so easy to prepare.  In a hot pot, pour a little canola oil.  Once the oil is hot, put the garlic.  When the garlic turned brown, add the onion. If the onion is already transluscent, you can then add 2 tbsp. of ground beef.  Let it cook until it turned brown.  What I do, as soon as I added the ground beef, I also put the beef cube right after the meat.  Let it cook for 2 minutes.  Then, add the green beans and carrots.  After 2 minutes, add the savoy.  Don't cover it.  Let it simmer for another 2 minutes.  No need to add water.  The vegetables and the meat has its own juice.  You can put a little pepper and salt.  It is up to your taste.  I want my filling as it is.  Once filling is cooked, place it in a strainer.  You can start separating the spring roll wrappers.  You can start wrapping the filling according to your desired size. 

Beautifully wrapped.

  

So, you are done wrapping.  It is time to deep fry your vegetable spring rolls.  If you have a deep fryer, you can fry a set of five rolls.  I have a deep fryer but I am lazy using it.  I am more of an old-school.  I used a small pan and fry two or three rolls at a time. 

I place my cooked spring rolls standing up in another strainer with paper towel on it to remove the excess oil.  My husband does not like his spring rolls fried so I baked some for him.  I set the oven to 350F for 20 minutes.  It was good but I preferred deep fried.

Fried Lumpia.  Ciao!

For dip:

• 2 tsp. Soy sauce
• 3 tsp. Vinegar
• 1 clove garlic - crushed
• pepper
• salt
• 1 red hot chili pepper - sliced or crushed

Mix all the ingredients.  Let it sit for a minute so the spices blends together for a tangy and mild spicy hot taste.  You can also save the juice from the spring roll filling.  Place in a small pan, let it boil.  Add a little sugar, soy sauce, pepper and a diluted cornstarch.

Enjoy!