The One About The Summer That Was

As I write this blog entry, I am taking a break from unboxing my stuff from last school year in preparation for the advent of a new one.  I am slowly willing myself to get back into the teaching groove given that I have one more week before classes start.  However, it is proving to be more challenging than it used to be given the kind of summer vacation that I just had.

The summer that was was nothing short of wonderful.  Apart from a quick trip to Hong Kong, it was really nothing grand but every minute of it was well-spent and none of the I-just-lazed-around-and-watched-TV-and-slept-all-day kind.

I still woke up at around 5 o'clock in the morning to prepare my husband's baon.  Once he is off to work, I would steal a few more minutes of sweet slumber before finally waking up and preparing myself a light breakfast of either yogurt or omelette.  And I then I would clean the house until it is spic and span.  Twice a week, I would attend Zumba classes in a nearby gym which would send my endorphins singing well until the end of the day.  No need for coffee -- at least for two days a week. :)

Upon coming home and taking a shower, I would devote the rest of the day to either sewing, knitting, reading, trying out new recipes, or drawing up plans for my passion projects.  It would involve me sitting with Miss Gertie (my sewing machine and, yes, she has a name because, why not?) as she hums away happily as we churn out a new soft toy or an article of clothing.  It would involve me catching a good movie on TV with my knitting needles and a ball of yarn in my new attempt to make Waldorf balls for my new niece.  It would involve me curling up with a good book as I attempt to make my bedside pile shorter.  It would involve taking a quick trip to the grocery, picking out ingredients for a new recipe.  It would involve taking trips downtown, scouring for materials and supplies for future projects or sitting in a cafe with my laptop or notebook of ideas, mapping out the steps I will soon take for the things I am passionate about.  At times, I would catch up with friends I have not seen in a while.

More on this kimono soon!

Took an online workshop that fit right in my passion project plans!

At the end of each day, I have never felt more productive.  My husband has never felt more cared for.

At the end of each week - Fridays - to celebrate accomplishments no matter how small, I would treat myself to breakfast or lunch at some place as a way of indulging myself after a productive week.  It did not need to be expensive but I ate what made me happy.

Breakfast as Third Cup Cafe

Lunch at The Royal Picadilly Restaurant

 Breakfast at The Breakfast Table

On my last day of summer, I simply unplugged myself from my "work" schedule and took things easy.

And so, the summer that was.  There was no opportunity to be bored simply because I did not let myself be.  Poor TV was seldom turned on because there was always something "more important" to do.  The days were simple; the moments were all lovely.  :)

The One about the Summer Bucket List 2013

School is about to start next week but my classes are just coming to a close.  I may not have the sand and the sun that most people enjoy during the summer but I know how to please myself.  I'm looking forward to "my" summer and do a bunch of stuff.  I'm one of those people who are scared of spending their free time just watching TV and lazing around the house so I do make a list of how to make my summer eventful.  And I was tinkering with the computer and came up with this...

 

As I reread my summer bucket list, I realize that #9 is really, really, really hard to do.  Hahaha!

Can't wait for summer! :)

The One About The Lasagna Roll-Ups

Summer vacation has started but I still cannot bring myself to do absolutely nothing. Last Friday, I enrolled in university because I am still finishing my Master's degree in Family Life and Child Development (because I want to be a professional housewife someday. Hahaha!). Monday after, I enrolled myself in sewing classes in a fashion school. Tuesday, I stayed home but got the itch to do something so I worked on my thesis. On Wednesday, my mom and I bonded and watched "Sex and the City 2." She marveled at the clothes; I marveled on the Rolex watch that Carrie gave Big. While my mom was excited to see Carrie's outfits on every scene, my eyes were glued on Big's wrist. On Thursday, I went to UP to research. Today, Friday, I explored the Kamuning Market and bought my sewing materials. I also got a super short haircut. In fact, it is so short that I probably should have gone to my boyfriend's barber instead to get a good deal. My hair looks like a boy's, anyway, but I paid P350 for it.

I have been spending my summer days being productive each day. I really cannot do nothing.

Anyway, last Tuesday, apart from slaving over my thesis, I made lasagna roll-ups.

The usual lasagna roll-ups recipes I have encountered uses meat sauce with cream cheese filling. I wanted to make mine a tad healthier so instead of cream cheese, I used cottage cheese. It has made the dish lighter while still lending that creamy texture the cream cheese is known for. Also, instead of using ground meat, I used minced eggplant and mushrooms to bump up the healthiness (is this a word?) of the meal.

It was heaven in a roll! I wouldn't get to experience heaven if I did nothing, would I? :)