Hamad International Airport

Hamad International Airport is situated in Doha Qatar. If you are going to transit to here, 2 hours is pretty much safe for a layover. The signs are easy to understand and you can navigate.

Oh to See Every Airport in the World!

Oh to See Every Airport in the World!

I suddenly had this goal a couple of years ago and it is to tour every airport in the world. While I'm gathering up the courage to do so, because IT IS SCARY when you are doing it the first time alone, I just wanted to and I think a part of me also thinks that it is exciting. It just piques my curiosity on how it is in every airport and what I can do in it.

Though my overthinking brain is working on the what ifs.

 grgr_playlist

I recently discovered this playlist in YouTube and boy I was hooked on Just Bounce.

Let's talk Dryer Balls!

 Let's talk Dryer Balls!

If you're like a newbie like me, you might want to add dryer balls to your washing and dryer when cleaning clothes in a colder environment. It does work in removing moisture. Or if you have tennis balls, then try it though I personally haven't.

Plastic dryer balls. I personally like this as it dries up fast after use. The downside of this is that it might shrink in size, deflate or some of the water might go inside. It's a bummer but do not fret cause I found a solution! If it deflates: Grab a needle and poke the small hole, trying to get the air inside the ball.

Now let's go with the wool dryer balls. They're environmentally friendly but they tend to retain more moisture after use. I think they hold more power inside the machine as it is pure solid in comparison to the plastic ones.

But the takeaway in this post is to use one! You can also do an extra 15 minutes spin if you aren't planning to put it in the dryer. 

If I can I don't as it takes away the smell of the fabric conditioner that I've put in.

Nashi Pear

 Nashi Pear

Who would've thought that I got to take back my favourite variety of pear! They call it Nasi/Nashi Pear. 

This is the same pear that I grew up with in the Philippines. I'm so happy! Thank you Lord. Though it's expensive for 89pence a piece, but still I'm grateful that I got to ate one.

I will be back again to purchase more. Fingers crossed that it will still be there

My Meddler in Love

Chapter stopped 

 A Villain Consumed by Desire

Chapter stopped at

I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned

Chapter stopped

I Got Engaged To The Blind Duke

Chapter stopped at 

The Extra Wants to Escape From the Obsessive Male Lead

Stopped at Chapter

I Became the Wife of the Cursed Grand Duke

I Became the Wife of the Cursed Grand Duke

Stopped at Chapter 12/17

What Was Meant to Be a Contract Marriage Turned Into the Duke's Obsession

Stopped at Chapter 11

Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor

 

Stopped at Chapter 22

Skylen's Hmmm hmm song

I cannot remember how did I discovered this song. I believe I might have heard it in TikTok first.

Just sharing a song that I usually listen to when I go to bed or if I need a reset on my nervous system.

Quiche, anyone?

Oh my gosh. I regret that I have been sleeping on Quiche all along these couple of years.

Yesterday, my friend took me to a market and recommended it.

At first I'm unsure if I'm going to like it but out of curiosity so I've purchased a bigger size. Surprisingly, I liked it.

To be honest, I've encountered quiche in the supermarkets and even heard of my colleagues talking about it at work but it didn't caught my eye. Back in the Philippines, pie means dessert. Buko pie? Peach mango pie?

I believe Quiche is commonly found in Britain. However, when I did some research, this is actually a French tart!

I Stole the Trash Crown Prince's First Night

I Stole the Trash Crown Prince's First Night

Stopped at Chapter 23

50 Ways to Dump the Psychopathic Mastermind

50 Ways to Dump the Psychopathic Mastermind

Stopped at Chapter 22

The Reason Why That Villainess Picked Up A Sword

Stopped at Chapter 63

Hey you!

 Hey you!

Just checking up on you. I apologize for totally ignoring you for some time now.

But I'll do better.

Just stick with me a bit more?

Thanks!

No Na

At some point previously, you may have heard between the beef between South Korean netizens (known as K-netz) and the SEAblings (countries within the Southeast asian countries). It all started with the local people calling out Koreans that attended the said concert and has broke off the camera rules during a Kpop concert in Malaysia. It escalated real quick to nasty and racist comments due to K-netz hitting below the belt first.

If these K-netz have the spot of being a top tier level of bully (mind you, their own artists whether idol or actor are not spared and even pushed to their death because of these anonymous online commenters), the SEAblings are on another level mind you.

I would like to believe that millenials and generation Z are not new to trash-talking because most of us have hobbies which includes people: playing online games and rapping (they even hold competitions).

So, they retaliated back with the most witty and savage comeback. I was laughing really hard when I read those comments.

 

And because of that, a silver lining had opened. Those SEA countries fanbase had turned to artists coming from SEA. I am grateful that it did. Or else I might have missed this amazing girl group called No Na. No Na consists of four members, Baila, Shaz, Esther and Christy.

I think they are just a newly formed group (just a year) but they are popular in Indonesia. I liked the song Work and all of the members are charming and magnetic that I had trouble picking a bias. If you are going to take my opinion, here's why: Shaz is the the hot one (that body tea, demn), Christy's body lines are chef's kiss. Baila's charming aura that you can't take your eyes off her (I think she's the center of the group)and Esther's voice.

I also like their Shoot

They also recently released a new Bop song called Rollerblade

Manhwa: My Dream Is to Get My Own House

Manhwa: My Dream Is to Get My Own House

Stopped at Chapter 60

Brushing Teeth

In the first of the oral hygiene series, let's talk about the foundation of oral hygiene - brushing our teeth.

Why do we brush our teeth and why the need to?

Our teeth has gaps to which the small bits of food can cling into. The food is usually broken down into simple sugars with the enzymes in our mouth. And when it stays long in the teeth, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and cavity begins because when these guys chomp on those sugars, it produces acids which then erodes the enamel.

The commercial that I grew into would remind to brush our teeth three times a day. But how well do you know the basics of brushing teeth?

I can vaguely remember if I was taught right. But along the way, I learned a lot and that is why I'm writing this down so if ever I forgot about it, I would just go over this post.

Do you know that you shouldn't rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth?

I know.

The first impression was either Eww or "I cannot"

Hahaha

But it takes time to it getting used to.

Because to where I came from, we always rinse with water after brushing our teeth.

However, we we're doing it wrong because we are just washing away the flouride.

Do not get me wrong, do not swallow the flouride. You have to spit it.

How about the proper way of brushing teeth?

Up and down, up and down - round and round

I found this cool video for kids and you should take at least 2 minutes to brush your teeth.

The essentials of Oral Hygiene

 The essentials of Oral Hygiene

Let's talk about oral hygiene which is not really discussed much. 

Toothbrush, manual or electric?

Toothpaste, how much needed?

Should I rinse with water after toothbrushing?

Mouthwash when it should be?

Flossing, are you doing it every day?

Going to the dentist at least 1-2 a year for cleaning

Making my first beef tapa!

 Making my first beef tapa!

454 g beef rump steak, sliced thinly

10 pieces garlic pounded and minced with balat

6 tablespoon soy sauce

6 tablespoon brown sugar

6 tablespoon lemon

Pepper

Salt

Knorr seasoning

Chili pepper flakes

Oil

Mixed all ingredients except oil and marinate overnight at least 9 hours.

In a pan/pot with low-medium heat, add oil and then add the marinated beef. Let it boil until liquid evaporates. If oil is coming out, mix and serve with fried garlic and fried egg.

Enjoy!

Flight cancelled due to war

Flight cancelled due to war

Just when I am so excited for my anticipated annual leave going to the Philippines because I was thinking that finally I would be able to taste again my Filipino street food cravings, that's when war struck out in GCC and Middle East was bombed by Iran this 28 February 2026. They were retaliating and dropped the missiles in the US bases in the GCC because Trump and Israel bombed Iran. The end result: Airspace was closed in Qatar until government officials says that it is safe to fly. (I was due to take Qatar Airways to Manila from London and later).

Anyway, that's what's life is. You'll never know. Bummer, I know! And it would mean more expense for me. But I'm still thankful for I am alive.

To be honest, I don't like war. At the end of the day it's a lose-lose situation especially to the most vulnerable.

Let's see what will happen later. I hope to update you if time permits.

Till next time! Hoping you are all well and safe!

Savoury Aubergine Recipe by Sanegeal Farmhear

So I was wondering on how I would cook the remaining aubergine in the fridge as I don't have bagoong.

Then an idea struck me.

I pan fried the cut aubergine in a minimal cooking oil (it does absorb a lot of the oil) in a low heat. Cook on both sides.

Add Lee Kum Kee Hoisin sauce and the Lee Kum Kee Char chiu Chili oil.

It was as good as I've visualized.

This recipe would be better I think if I had stirfried it instead with garlic and onion. Or perhaps just serve it with green onions on top?

Anyway, enjoy!

Inventory of Joy

Just vibing and typing my discovered recipe when this song came as a random play.

Easy and simple Samgyupsal marinade by Sanegeal Farmhear

After all the trial and error, I finally found the taste of the samgyupsal that I like. It is also important to use fresh meat and with good stripes of the fat and pork.

Put knorr seasoning in the pork belly and massage in both sides

season lightly with salt and pepper in both sides

Leave in the room temperature for a day or two. Ensure room temperature is a bit cold

Garlic Buttered Shrimp

Oh my gosh. I can't wait to tell you how I managed to cook my preferred taste of garlic buttered shrimp! The last time was I think a decade ago and it was a failure that I didn't dare to do it again.

But I'm elated that I got the taste which I like 

Shrimp, marinated in cola overnight with generous amounts of ground black pepper (180g unshelled and raw)

Butter 1/3 (Lurpak)

1 bulb garlic minced

After marinating the shrimp overnight, drain and set aside the marinade.

 In a pan, heat the butter in low to medium heat and add the chopped garlic, let it cook for a while

Add the shrimp

Add magic sarap granules

Add Mama Sitas oyster sauce

Add tomato ketchup

Add ground pepper

Add 1/2 teaspoon char chiu chili oil

Mix and cook for a while until reduced 

Add the marinade, let it boil and reduced.

In a small bowl, add a bit of corn flour and mix the liquid from the pot. Add it to the pot.

Simmer until malapot na kaunti.

Enjoy!

 Spirited Away OST - Itsumo Nando Demo

Merry Christmas to you!

Merry Christmas!! I hope you are all well, happy and healthy. This is my second year of spending Christmas in the UK. Sad? A little bit. But eternally grateful. This is suppose to be a celebration of the coming of the baby Jesus.

I was on a day duty and it ended well. And when I was walking down from the hospital to my house, a cat with a collar just walked past me, we had eye contact and I stopped on what will it do. To be honest I was a little scared. It went over to me and my left leg and rubbed it's body on my leg. Such a friendly cat gesture (I hope). Anyway, I talk to it wishing it to take care and went on my way again to the house where I was staying.

See... Miracles showing even when the day has just ended. Praise to be the Most High and all exalts and praises to our Lord Jesus!

He never disappoints. Alleluia!!

Chicken sopas by Sanegeal Farmhear

 Chicken sopas

Boil for 30-45 minutes in a large pan 2 chicken thighs, 4-5 spring onions, peppercorns whole and freshly ground, dash of salt, lemongrass pounded.

Extract the chicken and deconstruct into strips when cooled

Saute 1 head minced garlic in oil, then add butter. Fry until golden brown. Set aside.

Fry onion until caramelised. Add the bones.

Add diced celery and carrots. Stir.

Add chicken strips.

Add pasta shells. Stir.

Add the chicken stock (take off the lemongrass). Mix.

Add pepper and 2 Knorr bouillon chicken cubes.

Cook until pasta shells are done.

Add cabbage.

Cook until boiling

Adjust pepper and fish sauce to taste.

Add evaporated milk.

Add some of fried garlic.

Garlic Butter Mushroom Salpicao

Garlic Butter Mushroom Salpicao

Chestnut mushrooms - cleaned with wet paper towel then chopped 1/4 inch thick

Boil them in small amount of water. Until dry and brown. Set aside in part of the pan

1 head garlic chopped

Add little oil then put garlic. Add butter. Saute with the mushrooms until fragrant.

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp water

Optional

Chili sauce

Green onions

Sesame seeds

Sorel boots

I've finally purchased my first ever boots and it is from Sorel! I've never tried this brand before and I only got it for 82.5 GBP from its usual price of 149.99 GBP from Amazon.

It's because I'm tired of feeling a cold damp feet whenever I go outside.

I've tried to wear them outside and it keeps your feet warm. Though it is heavy and it is not squeaky (Yay!) 

Beef picadillo

1 head garlic minced

3 red onion diced

3 potatoes diced

1 bell pepper diced

25% fat 500g ground beef

3 Laurel leaves

Soy sauce

Oyster sauce

5 tablespoons Tomato puree

Pan fry potatoes with oil until 70 % cooked. Add the bell pepper, cook for a minute then set aside.

From the same pan, add oil, stir fry garlic onion and then the ground beef Add the bay leaves. Cook for a while.

Add soy sauce, oyster sauce then salt and black pepper.  Cook until reduce.

Add tomato puree. Dissolve and cook until reduce. Add water. Add beef bouillon. Cook for a while.

If liquid has reduced, add the cooked vegetables. Mix and cook for a while

Enjoy!

Adobo Chicken Wings

 Adobo Chicken Wings

Chicken wings

Soy sauce

Mama sitas oyster sauce

Bulb garlic crushed

Magic sarap

? Black pepper

?salt

Marinate for 2-3 days in fridge

Pan fry marinated chicken in Oil until with browning on both sides.

Add the marinated sauce, sugar, whole peppercorns and laurel leaves. Add small teaspoon charsiuchili oil  

Cook until boiling then simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Trying out Habi's Ashwaganda Gummies!

 Trying out Habi's Ashwaganda Gummies!

I've been eyeing in taking Ashwaganda for sometime now because I think (no evidence, just a gut feeling) I got high cortisol levels.

I bought this in Boots for 10.00+ GBP.

Asda Cafe Brunch!

 Asda Cafe Brunch!

I had my day off yesterday and was a bit lazy so I got on the bus in the afternoon. I went to few shops to look around and bought some stuff and didn't realized that it is already 14.30. I went to my usual Filipino restaurant and sadly they are cleaning so I went to Subway or Dominos, but when I went there I don't think that they're open still so I just went to a nearby Asda. Luckily, I saw their cafe as I was famish already, didn't have any food.

Their Brunch is around 7.00+ which is much more cheaper than that of another British restaurant. I liked the little balls there and they served it hot.

Ravioli

 

Harvest Basket Waffle Fries

 Harvest Basket Waffle Fries

Like those of Kowloon Teahouse's Chili Garlic!

 Like those of Kowloon Teahouse's Chili Garlic!

If you are not yet aware (or maybe I didn't tell it here... yet), I'm actually mad for Kowloon Teahouse's Chili Garlic. I absolutely loved them! I was always wondering how they make them. Though it's a bummer that they just provide a dollop/ half a teaspoon (or less!).

Whenever I went home, I would purchase a siomai from them and it is the reason why I always go to back.

Another bummer is that there are no more kiosks in the MRT Ayala where I always purchase them.

However, this is a breaking news today.

Yesterday, I bought a chili oil in TESCO because I want to do a better dipping sauce for the Har gow or Hakao. I meant to combine it with soy sauce and others, but when I taste tested it first, I'm  absolutely surprised that there is umami. When I read the label, it has already spices, soy sauce and other stuff in it.

What I purchased was no other than the Chiu Chow Chili Oil of the brand Lee Kum Kee.

When I tried it to see how spicy it is, the taste seems oddly familiar in my palate. Then I thought of Kowloon.

An idea struck. I added Hoisin sauce. And I'm in heaven because I struck gold! It might not be the same as of Kowloon s but this is my sauce. I just need to add lots of fried golden garlic next time!

Libby concerns - Locked chapters from a borrowed audiobook

I recently talked about using Libby and just now, I had a problem. I had borrowed a book and it's only the book sample that I could access. Did you also encountered this?

I did some few google search and they say it has something to do with Manage Loan. What I did was from the Manage Loan button, go to the Download and disable it. You'll know that you're on the right track when you can see the Download which is hyperlinked. Restart the application and go again to your borrowed audiobook. It should show all the chapters unlocked.

I believe that what happened was that I had accessed the sample (before borrowing it) and the app downloaded automatically.

Let me know if it helped. xx

Libby 

I'm still in the process of gaining the motivation in reading books again.

It's just that, what hafen Vela? (IYKYK, sense of humour in the Philippines)

Kidding aside, I've been meaning to go back to where I was in the last decade. I felt like I was more intrinsically motivated through self imposed routines before.

I think that this all started when the pandemic happened. Maybe due to the uncertainty, stress and all of that especially at that time I was working in a hospital. My love for reading books had waned and unfortunately, I wasn't even able to read a book in a year this past few years.

Way back, I could finished 100 or more books in a year. (But I guess at that time, it was more of a challenge and to-do list rather than that of a take-your-time-to-savor-up-the-moment).

Anyway, I was able to accidentally found about the Libby app through notifications in my work e-mail. I think that I might have encountered Libby before when I was still in the Philippines but access comes with subscription, I presume. (Addendum: I googled it and I was wrong, Libby is free of charge. You'll just need a digital library card for you to loan audiobooks, magazines, etc from a public library. This is a heaven-sent! :))

Libby is an mobile application where you are able to access audiobooks from your library (or employment?). I am now listening to Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson - I think I might benefit from this.

I got all the time in the world but is it just me that why do I find it hard?

I guess I need some structure in my life.

Ginataang hipon

 Ginataang hipon

Garlic 5 pcs

Onion 2

Ginger, half inch sliced

Shrimp

Squash/pumpkin

Sitaw fine beans

Lemongrass, pound the stem

Bagoong

Shrimp

Saute ginger, garlic, onion and then lemon grass

Add squash until softened

Add bagoong paste 1 tablespoon

On a side of pan, saute shrimp until half cooked. Take off the pot

Add Coco Mama 

Add Knorr shrimp cube.

and let simmer until pumpkin is cooked.

Add fine beans, cook for 2 minutes

Add ground pepper. Adjust accordingly

Add birds eye chili. Simmer.

Enjoy

Tired and Exhausted

 Tired and Exhausted

To be honest, I am sick and tired of being the bigger person. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

But I guess, it's my fault for letting on and letting it brew.

It is definitely true with the adage that takers will always choose to take.

And this time, I'm choosing myself.

Even if it's family.

I'm choosing myself FIRST.

Maya's time deposit and personal goals

It has been some time now since I've opened an account with Maya/PayMaya.

I believe that it is one of the digital banks which yields high interest conservatively out of the options in the market.

As an experiment, I've put a time deposit for 6 months for at least a year now and it yielded approximately 4.7%. (Though it will say it is 6% per annum every 6 months). But still it is not bad.

According to Maya's website, you can add up to 5 active time deposits with a maximum of 1 million each. This is for the Time Deposit Plus. Any amount that exceeds 1 million will not earn any interest. So the maximum amount here would be 5 million if you have 5 accounts.

For the Personal Goals, you can add up to 5 accounts. Though I don't know how to get the 8% per annum in this account.

Gyoza wrapper

 Gyoza wrapper

I like this gyoza wrapper which was recommended by a friend.

500 g Mince pork ang beef

1 bunch spring onions/chives minced

6-7 pcs garlic minced

1 inch ginger minced

4-6 pcs cabbage, first immersed in hot water with salt, then salt. Then rinse. Pat dry. Minced

Sesame oil

Magic sarap

Gyoza wrapper

Mix spring onions, garlic,, ginger and cabbage. Add meat. Add magic sarap. Add sesame oil. Mix well.

Cook thru hob. With oil

5 mins in L2

2 mins in L4

Flip to 1 side

2 mins in L4/ until golden brown

Flip to another side

2 mins in L4/ until golden brown

Invinsible - Hunter Hayes

 Invinsible - Hunter Hayes

Easy Banchan - Leek Salad by Sanegeal Farmhear

One cons of living in the countryside is there are not enough shops for your Asian grocery needs. So I was craving for a samgyupsal meal and a banchan/s is/are a must! (Do not forget the most important item which is the kimchi!). I was planning to use the leeks for the miso soup but I thought of trying of using leeks instead of spring onions (which is not available in the supermarket here) was good actually.

I had some gochugaru flakes and was feeling lazy going upstairs so I used the gochujang paste instead!

Anyway, here is what I did:

Banchan - Leek Salad by Sanegeal Farmhear

Cut the leafy part of the leeks ( this will be used)

Cut them into strips (I found that leeks initiates more powerful tears), clean them thoroughly sometimes debris can be found inside them

Soak them in a cold water (to lessen the tears)

Soak them in hot water along with splash of vinegar and salt. Leave it be for some time.

Wash it again in cold water. Drain.

Dry up the strips with paper towels.

Add a teaspoon of gochujang paste

Add sesame oil

Add a dash of fine salt.

Adjust according to taste.

Enjoy!

Ye Olde Oak Hotdog

I am still trying out different kinds of hotdog, or sausage in the market here in the UK out of curiosity and I stumbled upon this Ye Olde Oak Hotdog. I think this costs around less than a pound?

Below are the ingredients:

This is already pre-cooked and can be eaten hot or cold straight from the can.

To be honest, this hotdog is like a bland and less peppery version of a Vienna sausage for me. Wikinger still tops the list in my opinion.