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I love traveling! Well, travelling is a fascinating way to discover the world much more than reading geography, history and local culture on books or in the Internet. There are lots of benefits of traveling. I did not start traveling until I was in my 20s. Perhaps it was the fear of flying but since I went for my first travel abroad to Taiwan, i have never looked back.

TRaveling offers great gains for the body and mind. It gives us the opportunity to relax and time to reduce our stress. It is the time to break from the norm. Did you know that it's therapeutic to make a change from your daily routine? A trip of any kind prevents your mind and body from stagnating. We are more likely to be outside instead of being trapped inside an office, which means we can have fresh air enjoying the outdoors and we'll be breathing more deeply to re-oxygenate our blood. Moreover, traveling is the time to enjoy our food because we'll probably trying different food abroad like sushi, moussaka or couscous. It is also a time to meet people from all over the world. We know for the fact that socializing is great therapy and helps us learn about other cultures. There are so many other benefits of traveling and I can't list all here. It is one of those activities that should never be taken for granted.

For me I always plan ahead to make sure we'll be having a good trip and nice vacation. I also check for Discount Hotel Rates so that we can save some bucks. I am just glad that we can now find great hotel prices at the comfort of our home. And making hotel reservations have never been easier these days.

My family is planning to go to France in April. That is why I am now searching hotels in France from the most luxurious to the least expensive. I am also checking out hotels in Paris, hotels in Lyon, hotels in Marseille, hotels in Cannes, and all the main destinations in France. It is also nice to know some exclusive deals and last-minute offers all around France, so I can book at the best price.

So if you are planning to travel, plan it well and then enjoy the ride. It is time to take advantage of the opportunity to travel and welcome the good effects to your body and mind. If you are planning to have a vacation to Costa Rica, start your search on Costa Rica hotels now. Research, plan, pack your bags and go!

Eating Out in Japan

Whenever we go to Japan, we, together with our Japanese engineers, always dine in any good-tasting restaurants. Of course, malt beer or sake is always included! Japanese foods taste really good!

My Japan Training in 2010

Another year contract with my current company! I was sent to Japan for training on AC test. I've been involved in DC test for 10 years already but now I am opt for AC test becuase people there were not good enough... haha...





Together with dhaw, we stayed in a hotel in Gunma prefecture for a couple of weeks. Going to the company is a good form of exercise! We bike going to work and going home as well. It's already cold in Japan but not too cold...


There are so many things to be learned. I guess I need to study again the principles behind AC test. It's challenging yet interesting!

Birthday Bash at Fortune Restaurant, Tarlac City

Our Japanese boss, Suwa-san, invited all his team members and families to celebrate his nth birthday at Fortune Hongkong Restaurant located in MacArthur Hi-way, Tarlac City last September 9, 2010. September 10 was actually his birthday but we celebrated it on the 9th because Malacanang declared 10th as regular holiday in observance of EID’L FITR or Feast of Ramadhan.

Together with my husband, my 3- year old daughter and 1-year old son, we go to Fortune at 7pm. This restaurant is a really good and lucky fortune indeed. They serve Chinese dishes mainly. What we have in the table? Well, a good tasting seafoods, fish fillet, pork, shrimp dumplings, shrimp siomai, Chinese rolls and spinach soup.

Dessert follows with “ube” cake from Red Ribbon. We also gave a simple token to the birthday celebrator such as barrel man, sling bag, and a coin purse made from real bullfrog! I guess we made his birthday in a special way somehow…

Eat All You Can at Huat Chan, Tarlac City

Last August 24, we joined Sir Rey’s farewell party at Huat Chan in Tarlac City. Huat Chan has a promo of Eat All You Can, Ice Tea All You Can that time. It was a sad thing to say farewell to a friend who have been a companion for 12 years in the company. But, all are happy because the foods are all great.

I guess I have tasted all the foods present on the serving table. Menu includes Yangchow fried rice, Huat Chan fried chicken, sweet and sour pork, fried spareribs, fish fillet, sautéed beef with broccoli flower, special pancit canton, cold cuts, hot cuts, pork asado tepanyaki, crispy pata, sisig, tempura, fried prawn, steamed crab, and many more. We also had a bottomless ice tea, halo-halo all you can, and coffee all you can!

Yakiniku at Niji Restaurant

We all know that Japanese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes and regional specialties. The word 'Yakiniku' means grilled（焼） meat（肉） in Japanese.

At Niji restaurant, we ordered several types of prepared raw ingredients which are brought to our table. Raw ingredients like beef, pork, and vegetables. We cooked the ingredients on a grill built into the table throughout the duration of the meal, several pieces at a time. The ingredients are then dipped in sauces known as tare before being eaten. The most common sauce is made of Japanese soy sauce mixed with sake, mirin, sugar, garlic, fruit juice and sesame.



The yakiniku tastes really good!

Dining at Niji Restaurant, Angeles City

Angeles City is becoming an International Culinary hub because its culinary spectrum has broadened significantly all these years. The city has embraced the international cuisine and very eager to learn new ways of preparing foods.

Weeks ago we have a dine-in at Niji Restaurant, which is located along Friendship Highway in Angeles City. The restaurant has captured Japanese ambiance. After tasting what they have prepared for us, I can say that Niji Restaurant has excellent and authentic Japanese cuisine.

Food has never tasted this good! Hopefully I can dine again here soon.
Here’s the contact number- maybe you are interested…

NIJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Location: Angeles City
Contact: (63) 45 893.1737 / 321-060

Reminiscing The Past

It was 2002 when I was hired with my current company. I am part of the Circuit Development Team and we were 19 members before.

Year 2007 came when it seems everybody were not happy of what they have because of different reasons (from different individuals). Some members claimed that they can no longer sustain their family needs with their current compensation. Some reasoned out that they wanted to take a greater challenge with their career by joining a company with better career opportunities. And some have realized that they need to make a career move to support a long term dream for their family. Maybe a better environment and life style for their family.

In the picture shown below are the original members of our team (only 10 members were present). All of the members in this photo, except me, are now in different companies abroad. And I think they have a better life now!


The original 19 members of the team have left 5 members only. I am still working with my company for many reasons and prefer not to list them here. Now our team composes of 9 members (4 oldies and 5 newbies).

With my Hanyo/ Sanki Group



With Jansen, Israel, Michael, Jessemar and Dennis

Importance of Nihongo to my Career

Engineers who have been in Japan for training probably know how important Nihongo is. In our group, we are required to speak and understand Nihongo as much as possible for many reasons:

Japanese engineers and Filipino engineers can communicate properly. They will understand each other about any given jobs. Filipino engineers can ask many questions about his job or about the circuit and he may able to understand what the Japanese engineer may explain. Any jobs will be done correctly the soonest time possible since the 2 engineers understand each other.

Although we do not have time to study during office hours, we were encouraged to review in our homes. We are also planning to take JLPT exam next year. And most importantly, we aim to speak fluently and understand Nihongo in the future.

Cognitive Development by Learning Nihongo

People who have learned Nihongo show greater cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility, creativity, and higher order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning.

In addition to cognitive benefits, the study of Nihongo leads to the acquisition of some important life skills. Because language learners learn to deal with unfamiliar cultural ideas, they are much better equipped to adapt and cope in a fast-changing world. They also learn to effectively handle new situations. In addition, the encounter with cultures different from one's own leads to tolerance of diverse lifestyles and customs. And it improves the learner's ability to understand and communicate with people from different walks of life.

Meet Life Long Friends by Learning Nihongo

Knowing other languages effectively increases the number of people on the globe with whom you can communicate. People who speak Nihongo fully appreciate the effort and desire learners expend to get to know their culture and to communicate with them. Your ability to speak Nihongo and your interest in other cultures can connect you deeply with people around the globe.

From anime to sushi bars, karaoke to manga, bonsai to origami, Japanese culture has become part of international culture. A knowledge of the language will give you direct access to Japanese film, animations, and comic books, give you insight into the special terminology used in your favorite martial art, help you understand the cultural basis for kamikaze training and the origin of the samurai warrior, and develop your ability to order sashimi like a native at your favorite Japanese restaurant!

Knowing Japanese will set you apart from the crowd.
The majority of people who learn a foreign language choose a European language like Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Choosing a less commonly learned language like Japanese will differentiate you from the crowd.

Studying Nihongo

Although Japanese is one of the more difficult languages in the world to learn and Fluency requires thousands of hours of study, there are just so many reasons for studying Japanese.

Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture. Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture on its own terms, true access to that culture is barred. Lack of intercultural sensitivity can lead to mistrust and misunderstandings, to an inability to cooperate, negotiate, and compromise.

Though it's possible to travel to Japan without speaking the native language, your experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to see beyond the surface of the culture.

When you lack the ability to communicate in the native language, you can not fully participate in day-to-day life, understand the culture, or communicate with the people.

When you know the language, you have the comfort of being able to successfully navigate all sorts of situations, like order meals in restaurants, ask for and understand directions, find accommodations and perhaps negotiate cheaper prices, and meet and talk with natives, to name only a few.

You will be able to communicate more completely and have a deeper, more satisfying travel experience. Your language ability will allow you to see and do things that many visitors cannot.

Cooking Japanese Foods

Our company is a Japanese firm. From anime to sushi bars, karaoke to manga, bonsai to origami, Japanese culture has become part of our culture here in our company. And last March 2007, we have a cooking activity.

We have to show our skills in preparing and cooking Japanese foods to our Japanese managers. Well, it is a good activity because it is a way of releasing stresses from our daily task. It is also a form of mind relaxation. Aside from that we have really enjoyed preparing Japanese foods.

Here are some of what we have prepare during the activity.

Vacation Plan to Kissimmee, Florida

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a busy person. I am currently working as circuit design engineer in a semiconductor company in our city. At the same time, I am a mother of two, going three, very active toddlers. I need a vacation, I guess! So this coming Christmas break, we are planning to have a vacation in Kissimmee, Florida, USA.

I have heard a lot of Kissimmee Florida from my old friends and relatives. They claim that this city is a family- oriented destination known for its themed dinner theaters, swamp tours and outdoor activities.

Have you tried flying through the air at 60 miles an hour on a tricked out theme park roller coaster? How about a round of golf on one of Florida’s most celebrated courses? Or hiking nature trails, getting acquainted with Old Florida? I guess I want to experience this amazing outdoor activities!


We will probably enjoy Kissimmee’s water parks because we all love to dip and dive. At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, we can see some of the steepest hills that twist, turn and jet you through tunnels and mazes. It would also fantastic to have the Dolphin Plunge experience.


I think it would be great if we will stay in a luxury vacation home with private pool close to all the Orlando attractions in Kissimmee, Florida. This would be a cost effective alternative to staying at a hotel. After all, it comes with everything we need from private heated swimming pools to cable/satellite TV. Aside from that preparing our own meals in a fully equipped kitchen will help us save money too also. I now it would be a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation!


There are a lot of things to see and to do at Kissimmee, Florida. Visit this place and you will surely love the place because Kissimmee has even more to offer than before!

Missing Hsinchu, Taiwan

I once lived in Chupei City, Hsinchu. Taiwan. That was 8 years ago and I have missed those good places I have visited, and of course those nice memories too.

Hsinchu is located in northern Taiwan, which is known as “The Windy City” for having a windy climate. I have worked in a wafer fab located at Hsinchu Science and Technology Industrial Park, which is home to 360 high tech companies including TSMC, Philips, United Microelectronics Corporation, Holtek, AU Optronics and Epistar. Indeed, the city is base for high technology industry in Taiwan. And this makes the city as the highest income level in Taiwan.

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have heard about how an NMEDA qualified dealer could assist and how a NMEDA dealer can help the elderly or disabled get back onto the road of independence.

What is NMEDA in the first place? For a short background, NMEDA is an association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to sharing more knowledge for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment.

As a matter of fact, they have a so called Quality Assurance Program (QAP), which aims to promote quality, safety, and reliability in the industry. It enhances vehicle modification and mobility equipment installation with the highest guidelines available in the industry. QAP Requirements include the following:

1. Maintain Product and Completed Operations and Garage Keepers insurance for liability purposes.
2. Have certified welders if they perform structural modifications to vehicles.
3. Have technicians certified for the equipment they sell, install and service.
4. Maintain records of all adaptive work.
5. Undergo an inspection/audit process at least annually by an independent auditing firm to ensure compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines, certain aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and "Make Inoperative" mandates.
6. Abide by the Mediation Committee's decisions when a complaint is lodged by a consumer, a Dealer, or any other person or entity.
7. Provide 24 hour service to their customers.
8. Meet shop facility and equipment requirements.
9. Have four-corner scales.

What is a dealer member? It is a single business location that sells and/or installs and/or services adaptive vehicle equipment. To qualify for dealer member just conduct active business including sales, installation, and/or service of mobility and adaptive equipment. Follow guidelines as published by NMEDA. Make full payment of dues prior to obtaining membership. Abide by the bylaws and standards of quality promulgated by NMEDA.

NMEDA believes that it can unify and improve the mobility equipment industry and service to people with disabilities. If transportation is the key to freedom, then NMEDA is the key to quality transportation. So what are you waiting for? Go to nmeda.org and on the homepage, hit the dealers locator and type in your ZIP code and see if there is a qualified dealer near you.

Dinuguan

One of Grandma’s specialty is dinuguan. Once you taste her recipe you will surely love it.

Ingredients:
3 cups cubed boneless pork ½ inch cubes
1 ½ cups pork blood
3 tbs. oil
½ cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tbs. salt
1 medium onion sliced
3 cloves garlic crushed
2 pcs. hot peppers chopped

Procedure:
1. In a pot, place the pork and add the vinegar mixture.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer. Cook until the pork is tender – approximately an hour.
3. Heat a frying pan and add the oil. Sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is clear.
4. Add the oil, garlic, and onion to the boiled pork and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Puree the pork blood in a food processor. Add pureed blood to the pork little by little at a time, continously stirring the mixture while adding, and then bring to a boil.
6. Add the chopped pepper and simmer uncovered to reduce the sauce for a few minutes more. Serve hot.

Mommy’s Daing na Bangus

Bangus taste really delicious. Try making daing na bangus and you will love it! Here’s how:

Ingredients:
1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless milkfish, butterflied
2 to 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt, pepper
Oil for deep-frying

Procedures:
1. Combine fish with vinegar, garlic and salt and pepper to taste in container with lid or anything that can be covered with plastic wrap.
2. Cover tightly and marinate in refrigerator. Heat oil in deep-fryer until hot. Fry whole fish until golden brown and crisp on outside.
3. Makes 2 to 3 servings.This dish is traditionally served with fried rice.

Chicken Relleno

Chicken recipes are my favorites and so with my kids. Yesterday, we made chicken relleno and it was delicious! Succesful!

Ingredients:
1 chicken (about 3 lbs.)
Salt and pepper (approx. to taste)
1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¾ pound ground pork
¼ pound lean bacon, chopped or coarsely ground
6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup raisins
3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 egg
1 carrot, cooked and cut julienne, or 1/2 cup green peas, cooked
3 ounces cooked ham, cut julienne
2 Spanish chorizo de Bilbao or pepperoni, approx. 5 ounces
2 hard-cooked eggs, cut in halves
1 to 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Procedure:
1. Bone chicken for stuffing, leaving wing and drumstick bones intact. Rub chicken with salt and pepper to taste, soy sauce and lemon juice. Letstand at least 30 minutes - Refrigerate if longer.

2. Combine ground pork, bacon, cheese, raisins, pickle relish and egg. Mixwell. Place chicken on board, skin side down. Place half of stuffing in boned cavity of chicken. Arrange carrot and ham strips, sausage and egg halves in rows on top of pork mixture. Cover with remaining mixture, stuffing boned thighs.

3. Bring 2 cut sides of chicken together. Fasten edges at one-inch intervals with wood picks or skewers, then lace with string. Turn bird over and mold it back to resemble original shape. Tie legs with string and tuck wings akimbo. Place on rack in roasting pan and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes and remove foil. Continue baking additional 1 hour or more until golden brown, basting with melted butter. Collect drippings, if desired, and make flour gravy.

3. Remove skewers and string. Serve in platter garnish as desired with vegetables or fruit. Carve into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal or crosswise slices, starting from wing sides.

Kare-kare

Grandma is fond of cooking lately. She prepared kare-kare last night and I want to share the recipe with you. Her kare kare is a combination of meat and vegetable stew in peanut sauce.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs Pork hocks or oxtail (cut into 2" lengths)
1/2 lbs Stewing beef (optional to make a meatier dish)
1 1/2 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Cooking oil
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 med Onion, sliced
1/2 cup Achute water (option
3 tbsp Peanut butter
2 tbsp Toasted powdered rice-Mochiko (optional)
1/2 lbs Green beans
1 medium Eggplant, cut into 8

Procedures:
Place hocks or oxtail pieces in a large pot.
Add enough water to cover.
Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 1-½ hours or until tender.
If using achute water, soak 1 tablespoon of achute seeds in water 30 minutes.
Squeeze seeds between your thumb and finger tips until the water turns red.
Strain and set red water aside.
Or heat 2 tablespoons saute achute seeds in oil until oil turns red, discard seeds.
Use oil sauteing rest of ingredients.
Heat oil in a skillet and saute garlic and onions.
Add cooked mea 2 cups of the broth.
Add and achute water.
Simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in peanut butter and toasted rice powder, bring back to simme cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
Add green beans and eggplant.
Cook 10 minutes or until vegetables tender, stirring occasionally.
Correct the seasonings.
Serve with hot rice and bagoong, plain or sauteed.