Well why I said that it’s going to be busy month for us? In our house we have 3 kids graduating from high school and grade school. Aaron and Jean are both senior year in high school and graduating in different schools. Jared will be graduating in grade school. Beginning of the school year Bob and I were so worried about the dates of the graduations. What if all 3 of them have the same date of graduation? See it happened with my sister. Her twins were studying in different school and the graduation rites were same day and same time. It was really hard for her. Both Bob and I can’t be at the same venue if it happens. We told them one of us will be attending on the occasion. We will make sure that one of us will be there. They understood about it. Luckily by the end of last year the schools already announced the date of the graduation. It was a relief that all of the 3  kids have different graduation dates. Jean will be the first to graduate followed by Jared and Aaron towards the end of the month. Really it’s just a day apart. Thank god for that.

Jean was looking good for the prom

Jared is graduating from elementary

We will celebrate (party time) their big day together (with Jared’s B-day too) right before the Holy Week. As you know that Holy week is quite big here in the Philippines. The 3 kids all agreed to celebrate together for our family from somewhere to join-in. Still in process of thinking what to prepare. I had some ideas in mind, but I have to let the kids decide on what to prepare. After they finalize what they want, of course me and my niece Glenda will be the ones arranging and preparing everything. Some we will cook and some we will order. It’s going to be a fun party for my 3 good looking kids. Sorry bragging time guys for me… Ha ha ha…We will invite also the nephew that I have from GenSan who is also graduating there and just a day older than Jared. We might continue on with the celebration for my late Dad’s birthday too since some of my siblings will be here to celebrate with us.

Really February was also a busy month for us. First with Valentine’s Day from our on-line business, followed by Bob’s birthday (really just a simple celebration, it’s just us here in the house). Then the Junior-Senior Prom of Jean (thank God we’re done renting with the gown,  and the buying of all the other accessories for it). Then followed by the Senior Bash of Aaron. I think Jared said they will have party before graduation. All 3 kids I think the final exam will be beginning of March. After the examination it’s going to be busy for them preparing for the graduation rites. They are all excited because they already have plans on what to do during summer. Jean might be going somewhere to see a really good friend of me and Bob. My friend and her husband, they’re like aunt & uncle of my kids. My friend knows lots of pastry chefs. They could show Jean some options about what to cook and stuff.  Jean really is interested to do pastry making. She’s already had pretty good knowledge with it but she has to be train by a professional. She’s good with doing some art, so I know that she’s going to be good on that.

Aaron with his Ninong Orman

Aaron has a good plan too and will post about that later. If it happens, it’s going to be a big thing for him. We are crossing our fingers for that though. He is a little scared and excited at the same time for it but it will be good for him to do if ever. It’s really up to him if he wants to do it. He knows that his mom and his dad will be always there to support him on whatever he wants to do in life.

Anyway, to those parents of soon to be graduates here in the Philippines may it be Filipinos or foreigners Congratulations to all of you. Pat your back guys for doing a good job on guiding your kids. Have a good celebration with your families too.

Again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I never thought I could make granola cereals here in the Philippines. But luckily Chef John has good recipe that we can substitute with our local ingredients that’s available here in the city. I am not a cereal eater but with the granola I am into it.  Well, really Bob was the one saw the recipe and gave me the link. Watching the video it was really easy to make. The trick part for me was finding the local dried fruits that my kids will eat. Our youngest Jared, he is picky when it comes to what food he eats. He is so choosy. But luckily with the granola he is liking it a lot. He eats it as his snacks too just like Dad and siblings.

Take a look at the video of Chef John making granola:

Here’s the recipe that Chef John made:
Ingredients for about 6 cups of Granola

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (pure coconut, not candied)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped candy covered chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)
• 1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped
• 1 cup mixed dried fruit (any combo of cranberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries.

My take on the recipe: Some changes from his recipe!

• 6 cups Australian oats (I like to used that brand since the oats were a bit bigger than the other brand)
• 1/2 cup or so of peanuts
• 1/2 cup cashew nuts
• a small amount of dried coconut from the dried mixed fruits
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pancake syrup
• 3 tablespoon of canola oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup or so of chocolate candy nips (similar with M&M, but you can use M&M too)
• 1/4 cup raisins, chopped
• 3/4 cup dried fruits (dried mango, dried pineapple, dried papaya)
• maybe 1/4 cup of dried cranberries

My Philippine Style Granola

It was easy to follow the video that he showed. Just put together the oats, dried coconut, peanuts, cashews and salt. To make the syrup, just put the brown sugar, pancake syrup, oil in a pan, try to mix it and put in the stove (medium heat). Bring to a boil, leave it in the stove for almost a minute. Pour it on the oats mixture and mix it thoroughly. After mixing dump the oats mixture into the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread it evenly. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. I did bake my granola for 40 minutes total, but take out and stir every 10 minutes. Like what he said the cooking really depends on how brown you like your granola. Bob wants it the way he said on the video. When I made the first time I did put more than enough dried fruits. It was good but the dried fruits over power the oats. So now I made a few times and know how much dried fruits to put in it. Taste really good.

I’m really trying to use the local ingredients because it’s much cheaper than the imported one.  Next time I will make I will add dried banana. I am looking for a dried mangosteen. Hopefully it’s not expensive. I’ve seen all those ingredients on our malls here, they had at the grocery stores and the store called Healthy Option. But I am not going to pay a hefty price for it. Bob and the kids were okay with the local ingredients anyway. Gotta use the local then.

Every place here in the Philippines has different fruits. Try what good fruits you have there in your area. Like in Camarines area they might try the local nut that’s famous in that area “the pili nuts”. Let us know what fruits you include on your recipe, maybe that fruit might be available in our area too.

Like what chef John suggested it will be good as a give away gift.

Have fun making!

I got an email from somebody regarding a wife’s privilege when they married a US military man. And what would the wife get if the husband cheated on her and what would be taken away from the husband over cheating on the wife, like a rank and privileges? I am asking you kind- hearted military men some advice for Laura’s sister. She needs help on what to do since she’s living here in the Philippines and the guy lives in the States. Just read the email below and you know what I mean. Thank you guys for the help as always: GOD BLESS!!!

Military Wives

Dear Feyma,

How are you? I came across your blog. I’ve been reading when I have a chance. I am corresponding with a US military guy. Since knowing what happened to my sister I am now contemplating of continuing my relationship with my boyfriend. But I am writing to you regarding the dilemma of my sister. My sister married her husband less than 5 years ago now. They had a child. They decided that my sister and the kid will just stay here in the Philippines and let the kid study here until he finishes up his military service. So my sister’s husband stays in the States. They’ve been doing good until just recently. My sister emailed her hubby and he won’t answer her email and he changed his cell phone number in the States. My sister was suspecting that he had an affair with a girl from a different state. He keeps on traveling there before when they still had contact. He reasons out its for the job. But now my sister thinks its really for the other woman.

He is still financially supporting his child with my sister. It really devastates my sister. I could see she’s depressed and keeps crying. My parents told my sister to try to contact the head of the military and maybe they will do something about it. I don’t really ask my sister but I think her husband has a higher rank in the military. My sister now just wants the continued support for the kid’s education until the kid graduates. The kid starts to go to school soon. Private schooling in the Philippines is really expensive. Well, I don’t have to tell you that your kids go to private school so you know the cost.

My sister really is not sure if the husband will support the kid. She thinks the husband has child with the mistress. So I guess she really wants to know if she could get the husband kicked out from the military. Does having an affair make a good grounds to be kicked out from the military? Really too many questions my sister needs some answers right now. We as family just don’t know what to tell her. But we are here to support her. My parents really had a hard time too seeing my sister go through hard times right now. Thank you for reading my email… Laura

Hi Laura,

Thank you so much for writing. To be honest I don’t really know what to tell you. My darling Bob is not a military man. So I don’t really know the rules of the military personnel. But I am sharing your email to our regular readers and the regular people that comment here. Some of them were retired military guys and some were still in the military. I’m sure they will give their thoughts on these matter. I hope that your sister’s husband will be talking to your sister soon for the sake of the kid. If they had problem they should resolve before the kid gets older. I hope your sister will not really go into deep depression. She had to think positively. I know it’s not easy to do. I hope for the best for your sister Laura. We all pray for her and the child.

Take care and God bless! Feyma

The housing prices that I’m going to tell you were mostly based on our experience in living here. When we first moved here we lived in GenSan for 2 years. We rented a really nice ranch house there. It was owned by a friend’s friend, the guy was from Europe and the lady was from GenSan. They decided to move back to Europe after living in the Philippines for awhile. So we’re the first renter after they left. The rent was cheap it was Php 11,500 per month. We were happy with the owner and the owner was happy that we rented it. We really liked the house a lot even though lacking of room for Bob’s office. Bob was renting an office in town and the rent was cheap at that time too.

Real Estate in Davao

After 2 years we decided to move to Davao City. Here in Davao we rented like a duplex house. We were paying the same as what we are paying in our house in GenSan. But after just 6 months we decided to move to a bigger house. Bob and a friend were driving one day and found a big house in Marfori area. We paid bigger than what we are paying for a duplex but its okay. We are loving the house with big yard and big rooms for us and the kids. The kitchen was huge. We paid Php 20k per month. We signed a lease for 3 years. We dealt with the daughter of the owner since the owner lives overseas. It was great but when almost our lease was up the son starts demanding something. We just don’t want to deal with him, so we decided to move to an exclusive subdivision. We paid Php 45k. Only downside to that house the owner had some problems with the bank. But we did finishe our lease there.

We then moved to another big house. We rent it for Php 35k and we lease it for 5 years. Really we would have stayed there if not that the place was surrounded with commercial buildings already. Too noisy 24/7. Not a good place to stay if  you had students in the family.

Since I have been posting houses for rent on our LIP-Real Estate section. I have been seeing houses that’s for rent here in Davao City that’s good for newly wed with a tight budget to a couple who lives with a lavish lifestyle. I had friend that she had a rental place like a boarding house that one room can be occupied by 4 people you had a choice if you want with or without air conditioner. She also had one room good for just a couple. Some houses here they rent out one of their room in the house, you might see (FOR RENT: Bed spacer). Prices for that could be Php 1,500-2,000.

A few weeks ago I saw a house that sits in an exclusive subdivision with swimming pool and it used to be rented out for Php 95k per month. It was really a huge house with view of the city and with 6 bedrooms and bathrooms. Now it’s for sale. Houses here for sale prices ranges from 1.5 Million to 30 Million pesos. Some people that email me, sometimes they say to me that the houses here were so expensive. So true. Some were really expensive, especially in the city. But if you find a good deal when people are in need of money they let go of their house cheaply.

Now, lots of condominiums are on the rise. I think you guys saw Davao’s been building condo’s all over the place. A lot of them were rented out. My agent has lots for rent. The cheaper ones were rented right away. Prices on condos vary from the owners. Some rented high because they had all the extras they put in like internet, cable, water and electricity were already included. Most owner’s want one year lease. They give priorities to the people that would rent one whole year or more. Condo rental range from Php 23k-45k with 2 bedrooms (some expensive ones might have 3 bedrooms). Most were fully furnished already. The studio type unit condos were cheaper a little prices ranges from Php 15k- 20k.

Duplex houses were also popular here. Prices ranges from Php 20k and up (not furnished). I know one duplex fully furnished with cable and internet with swimming pool and with maid that clean the house everyday, price for that Php 70k per month.

I think you guys can figure out where your price range be. One thing to think about in the city rental will be higher.

Happy Hunting!!!

Happy New Year to all of you. I’m sure everyone is thinking now of the new year ahead of us. Are you one of those folks that will set a goal for the year? I guess, this year I will try again to set a goal for the whole year. I did set goals when I used to lived in the States. It’s easier to set my goal there, it’s not a laid back kind of life there. I really had to do what needs done there. Unlike here now that I am a bit relaxed and procrastinate some of the work that needs get done. Hey, sometimes I had some other people do it for me though. In short, kind of living the lazy life. Ha ha ha.  But the coming year I will try to do it myself. Not rely on others to do it for me. Crossing my fingers on that.

My Thanksgiving Feast I prepared

You’ve probably noticed if you are my friend on Facebook that I had been posting some pictures of  foods that we cooked here at the house. One of my goals for the coming year will be trying to cook food for others. I am talking food that’s usually eaten by the foreigners. I am not a good cook for Filipino dishes. I know some, but not a whole lot though. But I know how to cook more of the American dishes or foreign dishes than with the local dishes here.

Just like during Thanksgiving me and my niece cooked our food from scratch. From the pies, the crusts, stuffing  the sausages, yams, mashed potatoes, pumpkin and banana breads and others. We also made different kinds of cookies. Really in every holidays that we are celebrating now, me and my niece were the ones cooking our foods. We made a few cakes. Not totally liking the store cakes now. Some were dry, plus we can play around with the recipe.

I’m excited to start my journey this year. It will be an exciting one. I am going to show you guys the links later after everything’s done. To those of you who are our customers from WowPhilippines you are also welcome to see the links and order from there.

I’m cooking! Pork Chops in the picture.

So watch out for my site about the food that we cook here in the house. Maybe you want some of it. I will tell you though every person that tried the food that we gave during holidays or we invited them for a small get together here at the house, they all say they like it. During Thanksgiving not just this year but from the previous years, people that were invited really raved how good the food was. So I guess all in all everyone were pleased of the food that was served here at the house. I’m not going to argue on that though, for one, Bob was my number one critique. He will tell me honestly if the food was good or not good. Second critique would be the kids. They really let me know if the food that was served were good or not. They’ve been so brutally honest about it. If they like the food they let me know. If they don’t like it, they also let me know. I will tell you though foods during Thanksgiving were really a big hit in the house. Really my kids think that me and my niece can cook any dishes that would be thrown to us. My niece she’s good also in cooking Pinoy dishes.

During the feeding at the orphanage we were cooking some of the dishes for the kids there. It was fun. The kids and the nuns and the people that helped out there like the food that we brought there.

Have fun eating.