A Different Sense of Satisfaction

Am really happy today. Nothing spectacular happened. I went to class as usual and designed cookies when I got home. It doesn't sound extraordinary but for me, today's just great. I have several reasons to jump up and down (though I'm physically tired and lazy to do so). Firstly, the preparations for the Kiddie Karnival are on track. The collaterals are almost complete and we're almost done pricing all the products. Product shoots are also finished and I've just completed our Sweet Success album / catalogue. I'm grinning from ear to ear as I leafed through the pages of the album. The pictures are a combination of Ma, Orie and I's work. Preparations for the designer cookie launching started a couple of months ago and I never looked back. It's been one day after the other of learning new things and endless researching. I haven't had a decent "day off" since I started going to cake decorating school. Things are falling into place and I am overjoyed with the turn of events. No matter how tired (or should I say exhausted) I am, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction for being able to pull this through with my family.

I have one more week to go to prepare for the products to be launched. I'm panting, pacing and panting again. There are moments though that I can't help but be overwhelmed with the list of things I have to do. It can be such a daunting task to be an exhibitor. It's pure guts and the confidence that what you're offering will click in the market. Orie, my youngest sister, is in charge of constructing of our Multiply site. I'll be posting the address soon. You'll definitely enjoy the pictures and I do look forward to your orders. :-) Sweet Success will be focusing on kiddie parties for now and it won't be for long when we'll be serving the wedding market soon. The possibilities are endless.

As the days pass, I strongly feel that I do want to be a chef and I do want to go to culinary school. My goal is to expand my family's business and expand its operations to service both culinary and pastry requirements. I think that adding to my feeling lethargic lately is my hyperactive mind that draws up an endless list of what I want to learn. I'm very inspired these days and I'm motivated by the thought of what the future brings for me and my family. I've found what I love to do and no matter how I whine and rant at how I feel utterly incapable at times doing gumpaste flowers, I love where I am today. This is what I want to do for life - bake, decorate, cook and make lots of money doing this and I'm serious about it.

Creatively Crazy

I'm hardly online during the day. This has been my routine for several weeks now. I've been busy preparing for the upcoming Kiddie Karnival and that's already next Sunday, October 26. My schedule is pretty crazy as it's full and I'm juggling the preparations alongside my advance fondant cake decorating class. On top of these, we're also making wedding party favors for this Saturday. I don't know how I'm able to sustain my energy level. I'm running out of time with the so many things I want to do. That's just how I am - loves a busy schedule and wants to learn new things. However today, I feel that I need to pace myself if I want to sanely reach the Kiddie Karnival event. (Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.)

My cake decorating class is very challenging. It's driving me nuts with all the kneading, rolling, cutting and forming just to make life like flowers and bouquets. Sometimes I wonder why don't cake designers just use real flowers instead of making them all out of sugar. I can't complain for the simple reason that this is the career and business that I want to go into so I have to soldier on.

The final project that I'll be working on is quite ambitious. Well, see for yourself. Good luck to me. It's a cake designed by Margaret Braun and I have to recreate it. Let's see how my being OC will fit this project. (Inhale, exhale.)

More Christmas Classes from Chef Dennis Hipolito

October 18, 2008
Morning Class: 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN
Part 2: Special Dips and Pates for the Holidays (for bottling and gift giving)

1. Dennis' Special Mixed Cheese and Pimiento Spread
2. Baked Cheese Pate with Smoked Fish and Pimientos
3. Caramelized Onion and Spiced Cottage Cheese Pate
4. Maple and Walnut Cheese Dip
5. Creamy Onion and Chive Spread
6. Spiced Mango and Onion Confit (for pork and sandwiches)

Bonus Recipe: Dennis' Deviled Ham and Mixed Cheese Spread

October 18, 2008
Afternoon Class: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Best Holiday Giveaways to Die For

1. Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Fudge Bars
2. Double Chocolate Fudge Cinnamon Rolls with a Melts in the Mouth Frosting
3. Melts in the Mouth Cherry Crumble Bars
4. Caramel Cashew Bars with a Crisp Meringue Topping
5. Chocolate and Cashew Swirl Fudge Bars
6. Dennis' Secret Moist and Chewy Triple Chocolate Bars

For inquiries and those interested to attend the classes, call 0917-8486656. Classes are usually not repeated.

Skin Care

I had the first in a series of 20 diamond peel sessions today at Facial Care Centre. I am also availing of their Laser Light treatment aside from the diamond peel. Since I'm now considered a regular client, they offered a really good anniversary promo. My skin isn't looking its best nowadays. I've been sleeping less than 8 hours a day for a couple of weeks now. Lack of sleep greatly affects the skin and this explains the breakouts and my skin seemingly looking tired. Argh. :-( I've always been very particular about my skin and I do invest in products from skin care to make up.

Here's my simple skin regimen:
1. Eight hours of sleep is important. If we lack sleep, it shows.
2. Drink eight glasses of water everyday to keep it hydrated. Drinking lots of water also cleanses the body.
3. Moisturize. Well I try to do this twice a day. If I can't, I moisturize before I go to bed.
4. Avoid the sun. The UV rays dries up the skin and it can cause spots and freckles. Should you be going under the sun, apply sun block.
5. Unscented soaps and cleansers are best for the face. I hardly use soap on my face. I've always used Shu Uemura's Purifying Oil to remove make up and at the same time, this is already my soap.
6. Remove warts on a yearly basis. This does wonders on the skin as it looks clearer after two weeks from the removal.
7. I buy make up that is good for Asian skin. Shu Uemura is one. MAC is also a good brand and it doesn't cause allergies.
8. Smile often. This is the cheapest solution of them all. :-)

What Matters Most

I had one of the most insightful conversations with one of my best friends this afternoon. I was very happy to see her. Albeit what brought us to see each other prematurely were appalling circumstances, we were relieved and at the same time happy to spend the day together. It felt surreal to see her and we just locked each other in a tight embrace. Listening to her totally shifted my perspective. Whatever I thought were important in my life just seemed trivial. I cringed when it came to mind the things I was wallowing about. How petty they were! I wouldn't even want to dare vocalize them as I'd surely sound silly and dense.

What matters to me:
1. my spiritual journey - He heals me, guides me, protects me, blesses me and it's indescribably amazing how He does it.
2. my family - No matter how grumpy and impatient I could be at times, they are my core group.
3. my true friends - I ran a mental list of who they are and it's just a small group. I don't mind if I can't fill a ballroom with them. A small table would do.

I have resolved to focus on the goodness that abounds my life. They're a lot. How silly of me to zero in on what no longer is relevant in my life be it people or things. It no longer matters what people say, think or do. If they're not part of my core group, I don't mind bidding them adieu. Life is too short to be blinded by what doesn't really count.

Thanks my dearest friend for sharing with me your life changing experience. It has changed me more than you'll ever know.

Pa and the Chinese Language

I was on my way home yesterday when I phoned Pa to ask an update on something. Take note that I was in the FX and I was squeezed in between people. I was keeping my voice down as I didn't want to share my conversation with a bunch of strangers.

me: Pa, kamusta? May balita ka na?
Pa: Meh, di kong lan nang weh! (Meh, speak Chinese.)
me: Pa, paano ako mag ko kong lan nang weh?! Nag tata lang ako sa FX. (Pa, how can I speak Chinese. I'm in the FX commuting.)
I hate to be drawing attention to myself so why even bother to speak a foreign language in public. I didn't realize that I was speaking a bit of Chinese to defend myself.
Pa: Kaya nga di kong lan nang weh! (That's why you need to speak Chinese.)
me: Huh?!

On another instance, I was talking with Pa about something.
me: Pa, ano yung ...
Pa: Meh, di kong lan nang weh! (Meh, speak Chinese.)
me: (I chose to keep quiet.)
Pa: Di tio practice na u advantage. (You should practice so you have an advantage.)
me: (my thought bubble was ... Hmm, si Pa nilagyan lang ng konting Chinese yung sentence to sound Chinese pero narinig ko puro English - practice and advantage. Style ko to eh. Nakarma ako.)

Pa is such a character. He never fails to amuse me.

In Between

I don't like the feeling of being in transition. It's awkward. For the longest time, I've been accustomed to being exactly here or there but never in between. However, lately, I'm just there ... in between. I'm transitioning in terms of career, beliefs, mind set, attitude, plans. I came from point A and I'm on my way to point B. I don't exactly know how to call this space. It's not limbo because I know what I'm doing. It's not a feeling of uncertainty either. Most people would dread being in this situation. Count me in. I have an aversion for this. It's only recently that it's hitting me that I have to go through this phase. Since it's taking some time to be in between, I might as well enjoy it. I'm thankful for the downtime to reassess where I want to be. It's not so bad most especially now that I can see how to get to point B.