THE OFFER

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

I'm in a bit of a bind.  A good one. But still, a bind.

Last week, a friend of mine called me and told me about a job opening in a new subsidiary of one of the Top 10 5 corporations in the Philippines and she said, "E-mail me your resume now. No ifs, not buts."

And just for the heck of it, I did.

A few hours later, they called and scheduled an interview between me and the daughter of the CEO.

And the interview went really great.  So great that I was assured they were making an offer.

To tell you the absolute truth, prior to the job interview, I didn't have plans of leaving my current employer.  I just wanted to shop around, see how much I was worth.

Apparently, I am worth more.  I received a call from their HR person a couple of nights ago and she discussed the offer with me and while I was not astounded, it was still an offer I will not refuse.

Normal 9-6, Monday to Friday schedule, exciting product, super stable company, wonderful allowances. The only setback is the office is in Pasig but I have a gas allowance which will more than make up for it.

I don't know how to tell my boss.  I'm scared of what she will say, what she will think.

Please pray it all goes well.

RECIPE: RED VELVET CAKE

Oh my gosh!

Those were the first words out of my mouth after I had a forkful of this cake.

A friend came over for coffee and I served her a slice and as soon as she took a bite, she smiled and her eyes widened at the same time, and then she gave me a hug.  There were no words needed.

I had some issues with the frosting though and will probably never make 7-minute icing again until they rename it to 20-minute icing (or maybe the recipe I followed was just wrong--but it was Martha Stewart's!).  While the frosting was good, I was not able to get the ala-marshmallow icing texture I wanted.

Regardless, this is HANDS DOWN, the best red velvet cake I have tried because it is super moist.  And yes, I am making this again but since I'm out of red food coloring, I will make a blue velvet or green velvet next time.

And because I'm super duper nice, I'm sharing the recipe with you.

RED VELVET CAKE 

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 Tablespoon of unsweetened, cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk, this replacement worked for me)
• 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1-2 oz. red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar
• ½ cup of prepared plain hot coffee (this is the secret ingredient so please do not skip it!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. 
   
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
4. 
   
5. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable oil (I used palm oil). Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and red food coloring until combined.
6. 
   
7. Stir in the coffee and white vinegar.
8. 
   
9. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients a little at time, mixing after each addition, just until combined.
10. 
    
11. Generously grease and flour two round cake pans with butter and flour.
12. 
    
13. Pour the batter evenly into each pan.
14. 
    
15. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake as cake will continue to cook as it cools.
16. 
    
17. Let cool on a cooling rack until the pan are warm to the touch.
18. 
    
19. Slide a knife or offset spatula around the inside of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan.
20. 
    
21. Remove the cakes from the pan and let them cool.
22. 
    
23. Start frosting when the cakes have cooled completely.

Cream cheese frosting would be best for this cake but I didn't have cream cheese last weekend.  But if you do, here's a recipe:

Ingredients

• 16oz  cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup milk, may need more
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Add softened cream cheese into large bowl.
2. 
   
3. Pour in milk, butter and vanilla extract.
4. 
   
5. Mix until well combined.
6. 
   
7. Pour in half of the powdered sugar. Mix until combined.
8. 
   
9. Add the remaining powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
10. 
    
11. Use a spatula to scrape down the side of the bowl if needed.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

COLOR DASH 5K

It was sometime last week when I saw a deal on Ensogo for the Color Dash run.  They slashed 50% off from the Php650 registration fee.  So I sent a message to my village friends asking them if they wanted to join and I ended up buying 9 vouchers for us.

We were all pretty psyched because the Color Dash is similar to India's Holi Festival, where you are showered with colored powder.  How it's supposed to work is, you get sprayed/showered/doused with different colors in each kilometer.

That was not the case with this run.  They had 2 buckets filled with powder at each stop (not even each kilometer) and you have to get your own powder, unless you want to rely on the couple of manongs manning the stop to rub the powder on your back. So disappointing. We felt terrible for those who paid the full amount for the run.

As with life, when a letdown sets in, you just need to make the most out of the situation.  And that was what my friends and I did. Despite the poorly-organized race, we had loads of fun!

This was how excited we were for the run.

We made tutus!

And yes, even our guy friend had to wear one

I also got to run with my sister, Marby. Last time we ran together was 2009!

Color me bad

                                             

And did I mention that it rained towards the end of the run, which washed away what little color we had. Boo!

Team Tutu, fight!

TICK TOCK

I went to see an OB-Gyne (not my personal OB, but someone who was an affiliate of my health insurance) yesterday for my annual pap smear.  She says everything down there looks fine and then I mentioned that I felt a sharp pain before my last period so she decided to also give me a transvaginal ultrasound.

OB: This is your uterus, and that's your cervix, looks healthy and clean.  This is your left ovary and this is the right one. Ang ganda ng ovaries mo! See the follicles? You have plenty! Those will turn into eggs.  You can still have many babies.
Me: Uhmm, until what age can I get pregnant?
OB: 35.
Me: Ha? I only have 1 year?
OB: 34 ka na ba?
Me: Yes.  What happens after 35?
OB: You can still get pregnant after 35 but you'll be more prone to a high risk pregnancy.

Hear that?

Yep. That is the sound of my reproductive system ticking.

I can't imagine life without my sisters. When Papa passed away and when Mama moved to the US, life was easier because I had my sisters. Back when I was younger, my sister Marby and I would always cover for each other. And even now that we don't live together anymore, that bond has never been broken.

I want Joaquin to have the same remarkable bond with a sibling.  Maybe I'm being too hard on myself when I say this, but I would feel like somewhat of a failure if I cannot give Joaquin a sibling.

And I only have one freaking year, if I want a worry-free pregnancy, that is.

Well I'm pretty darn sure it's not happening this year.  And besides, I'm not yet desperate enough to do the deed with just anyone.  I want it to be with someone who I'm inlove with--unless of course, your name is Ryan Gosling, in which case, PLEASE, i-dirty dancing mo ako before you impregnate me.

But you know, God has a plan.  And I have always trusted that His plans are good.  So if He feels that I am destined to only have Joaquin, that is fine, for as long as He gives my son friends like mine. Because the friends I keep, are very much like family to me.

(KIND OF) THE STORY OF MY LIFE

It's been a long time since I've heard a song with lyrics this good.  And if you've ever loved someone who has chosen a person who constantly hurts them over you, you'll cry while listening to this.

     

Bright Lights and Cityscapes

by Sara Bareilles

Hold my breath and I'll count to ten

I'm the paper and you're the pen

You fill me in and you are permanent

And you'll leave me to dry

I'm the writer and she's the muse

I'm the one that you always choose

She will falter and gift her blame

And it's starts all over again

Again again again

She is bright lights and cityscapes

And white lies and cavalcades

And she'll take all you ever have

But I'm gonna love you

You say maybe it'll last this time

But I'm gonna love you

You never have to ask

I'm gonna love you

'Til you start looking back

I'm gonna love you

So right

I wouldn't need a second chance

Shield your eyes from the truth at hand

Tell me why it'll be good again

All those demons are closing in

And I don't want you to burn

Never mind what I said before

I don't want any less anymore

You are carbon and I am flame

I will rise and you will

Remain

For bright lights and cityscapes

And landslides and masquerades

And she'll take all you ever have

But I'm gonna love you

You say, "Maybe it'll last this time"

But I'm gonna love you

You never have to ask

I'm gonna love you

'Til you start looking back

I wouldn't need a second chance

I wouldn't need a second chance

I wouldn't need a second chance

I wouldn't need a second chance