Amah’s Siopao

One of the things I look forward to when my Amah (a.k.a. Lola) is around, is her siopao! She is an amazing cook and cooks pretty much anything you ask and one of her specialties (and she’s known for it around the Ng family and extended relatives) is her siopao! Yummy delicious homemade siopaos. And after a week of waiting, she finally made one batch this morning!

See, I already had one right after.

Truth be told, I only only eat her siopao, and no other siopao. Well, I did get to try a few siopao’s here and there but it just never really lived up to my Amah’s siopao.

Ask anyone from my family and relatives what they look forward to from Amah’s cooking? Siopao!

This very food actually helped them get through a rough patch during their mid years while in Manila. According to the stories of my father, there was once a time when my kong kong’s (a.k.a. lolo) hardware business failed and went bankrupt. During these hard times, my Amah utilized her talent and skills and started some food ordering service. And one of the favorites among her clients were her siopao (and lumpia if I’m not mistaken).

I always asked them why they didn’t pursue a food business of some sorts since she had the talent and skill. But they always said, that at that time, it was a good way to make ends meet, but later on, as they got older, it was just not something they wanted to stress over with. It was something she loved to do, and even loved it more when the grandchildren came and started asking for her cooking! She’s the type that can dissect a food that we ate from a restaurant and will cook it at home afterwards. She’s that good.

It is unfortunate though that at least from my immediate family, no one got her talent and love for cooking. haha! I guess the best I can do for now is just to savor her food!

Piri Piri

As much as I try my best to steer clear of junk foods, it’s just one of my weaknesses. And so when I learned that my grandparents are coming to the Philippines for a two month vacation, I took the opportunity to ask them to get me my favorite junk food – President’s Choice Piri Piri flavor chips!

If you love hot and spicy (very!) junk, then this is a must! I end up drinking a ton of water when feasting on this junk though. But nonetheless, I love it. On another note though, since I’ve been eating a ton of junk (and a lot of food lately), I have surprisingly gone to the gym and exercised a  whole lot more these past weeks. Just proves that we exercise so that we won’t feel guilty eating! haha

The Twins are here!

The twins are here!!!

The first time my sister gave birth, we were all excited. I even remember that she gave birth the day I arrived from Canada (my first trip then back 2008). They say, the second baby, the excitement is still there, but is much more subdued. However, for this case, we were even more excited for my sister to give birth because this time around, she’s having twin girls!!

They’re such blessings! Both healthy - Grant’s shobe #1 is Gillian, who weights slightly lighter compared to shobe #2, Gail, who weighed around 6+ pounds. And they have the exact same height!

We’re thinking that Grant, being the main attraction for a few years, may get jealous a bit, but they say that you have to make sure that he is always part of the activities so that he won’t feel left out. We’ll see, because when my brother in law showed the video and pictures of Grant’s younger sisters to Grant, he said “I don’t love my shobe!”. Hahaha

On another note, when I was in the hospital, the doctor said that it is very important, and highly encouraged that the mother breastfeed her babies. And the doctor said that she should do it the same time! What?? My sister is freaking out. Texting me last night and telling me with a worried tone that she’ll finally see the twins tomorrow (which is today) and she has to do this whole breastfeeding process. She actually did that before with Grant, but I guess it’s always different with having to do it for two at the same time!

Anyway, I told my mom about it and she said that she thinks my sister is actually scared – scared of the big responsibility that she now has of having to take care of two kids at the same time! Hindi biro. One baby is hard enough, but now two at the same time? Good luck to them!

Nonetheless, we are all very thankful that the twins and mother are safe and healthy. Two new additions to the family! I already bought two dresses for the babies, same style, but different colors. According to them, they didn’t want to dress the twins exactly the same! We don’t know yet if they’re identical. It would be fun though if they were! haha