I've been bringing home a weekly stash for A and I to enjoy. Instant date night for under 200 bucks!

Since I tried this Honey Bagoong Chicken Wings recipe from pepper.ph, we couldn't get enough of it! Of course, it's not recommended to have this on a daily basis with all the shrimp paste going around in this recipe, but worth bringing to a party.

I did some variations on the recipe by using Kamayan Bagoong in the marinade and Korean potato powder instead of all purpose flour. I like using potato flour in frying because it gives a crispier texture. The Japanese variety doesn't burn as fast as the Korean one, but I ran out of the Japanese brand at home. What can I say? I like playing with food.

filling and mmm mmm good. Quite unhealthy too, but then again, bakers and butter go together =)

After providing me with more than a year of daily service as my bag for all seasons, my satchel bag needs to take a time off while I try to figure out how to revive it. While that's in the works, I got another satchel to help out.

I got this Zara Trafaluc messenger bag on ebay. While my old satchel has 3 compartments, this one has 5 + an inner hook to place your keys in. So, my stuff looks more organized. Between the 2, the old satchel can handle the torture of overstuffing. My problem, so far, with this new bag is that it can't take on much weight as it makes the locking mechanism open up. Other than that, it's great!

Today is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. I received an email from China with a warm greeting for Chinese Valentine's Day. I was surprised because it didn't occur to me that they have one. Then again, if there's a Chinese New Year, why not have a Chinese Valentine's Day, right?

I remember back in college, Fr. Robert Reyes a.k.a. The Running Priest, told us that if we do not give back to society, we are not fulfilling our purpose in life. I kept that advice by heart. I didn't have much then financially, but I have time to do volunteer work. Over time, I was able to make some financial contribution along with the volunteer work. As years passed, I took in more work and started to have a family, volunteer work time diminished. But I still wanted to help.

I started having a different form of money jar: I take on a certain job and the proceeds of which would go to my charity of choice. Aside from my day job, I've accepted paid shopping opportunities so that I could donate to animal-centered causes like PAWS and Caraphil.

I finally got myself to go around redecorating the bedroom. For one thing, we were finally able to purchase a bed. Well, more of purchase a nice spring bed at 50% off thanks to Beeconomic and Mandaue Foam. Finally got to bring out the Abel Iloco blanket that I bought last year too (proud to be Ilokano, of course!).

sources. Both seem to be consistent in texture.

Since I was focusing more on the salted duck eggs when I placed my order on Ang Tindahan ng Itlog Ni Kuya, I thought I'd try their puto as well just for the heck of it. Boy was I in for a surprise! Their puto was light and has a different texture compared to its other varieties. It had an interesting taste, apart from the salted duck eggs, that makes it rather addicting to nibble on. Must remind myself to place another order in time for their next delivery in Megamall. Maybe I should include duck meat as well (recipe hunting mode).

If you'd like to try their products, you can contact them via +63.915.391.3129.

Now, who wouldn't appreciate people who would bring in a 1kg bar of Cadbury and a soon-to-be extinct in the Philippines Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream (Thank God you still found some!)? Thanks for giving me a reason to smile today giftgivers!