My Life, in a Nutshell

Hi! I’m Ma. Cristina C. Rago, but most people call me Tina. I won’t write about things like when and where I was born and what my childhood was like – you know, the usual biography stuff. You probably aren’t that interested in mundane facts about my past anyway (do you really want to know what street I used to lived on?). Rather, I’ll tell you about the Tina of the present...and the Tina of the future. A peek at the little everyday things that make me tick...and a glimpse of the big dreams I’ve set out to chase.

Food. Ah yes, the ultimate de-stresser. For someone who’s maintained a weight of 106lbs in her 20’s (thank you, thank you), it’s a rather odd thing to be fond of. But I won’t deny it: I love chocolate. I love greasy chilli con carne tacos. I love fresh basil and pistachio and almond nut pesto. I’ll have cranberry cereals and fresh milk for breakfast, Gerry’s Oriental Tuna Sashimi for lunch, good ole’ Andoks sizzling sisig and coke for dinner and a Starbucks hazelnut cappuccino and Oreo cheesecake for a little midnight snack. My troubles go away when I’m eating good food. It’s a mystery that I’m not as heavy as a cow right now. Another Tina favourite: video games! But wait...“you’re a girl,” they say. Why, can’t girls enjoy violent blood-splattering, engine-revving, monster-bashing video games every now and then? Hehehe. I’ve been a gamer ever since I got my hands on the controls of that iconic 1980’s “Family Computer.” And like most gamers will attest to, it keeps me interested in the latest in technology. Gamers = Techies. I like, and more importantly, understand how to operate the latest digital cameras, cellphones, laptops and most other electronic consumer gadgets. I like exotic sports cars (who doesn’t?)...but unlike the average girl, I can strike a decent conversation about what’s under the hood and can make comparative analysis of such things as “brake horsepower” and “torque.” Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t crossed-over to the other side (not planning to!)...I still am into girly things like good shoes and handbags. J

The food, the video games, the car magazines – this is how I reward myself for a hard day’s work – which can be pretty hard, I tell you. Working for the Shell refinery isn’t all that you’ve heard – behind the glamour of working for an oil company are long office hours, stressful working conditions and countless of brain-draining reports. Reviewing business compliance issues, teleconferences every 10 minutes, looking at painfully long spreadsheets with numbers and details that associate themselves with things like “cost accounting” or “departmental budgets.” Such is the typical day for an accountant like me. (Yawn). But it’s just one side of Tina. The other side which looks at tomorrow is the side hardly anyone knows, probably because they can’t see past the corporate uniform.

I want to see the world. Life is short and before I go, I’d like to see far and exotic lands...I want to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the pyramids of Egypt and the sunset in the Bahamas. Maybe it’s because of all the business trips I’ve made, or all the Discovery Travel and Living TV shows (Samantha Brown and Ian Wright are the best!) but one thing’s for sure: I’m a traveller. Going to far-off places is definitely on my to-do list. Other things on that list (in a nutshell): get married, own a nice house and decorate it the way I want to, buy an eco-friendly car, get a pug (or a fat kitty), start a business. I don’t need a big mansion, 15 cars and a hundred servants. I just want a simple, fulfilling life that allows me to do the things I want. How am I gonna do it? The magic equation: A=E. Assets = Equity. Still don’t get it? It means that my ultimate goal is to be debt-free. I know that’s virtually impossible right now, but I believe that if I set it as my life’s target, I can do amazing things with the money I have and will get my hands on in the future. It’s something I picked up from Financial Jedi Master Elly Aurellado’s class.

Memories of Tagaytay

November 2006 at the Tagaytay Zoo. :D

Lunch at Josephine's Restaurant.

22 July 2007, we celebrated Ian's birthday. :D hehehe...

We'll be back in Tagaytay next year to celebrate THE most memorable day of our lives. :)

Friends, hope to see you there.

Pesto a la mamaw

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup pistachios (shelled)
1/2 cup almonds
3 cloves garlic
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbspn. salt
1 tbspn. black pepper
1/2 kl. penne pasta
1/4 cup champignon / shitake mushroom

(serves 4 - 6)

How to make the pesto sauce:
1. Use a process0r or high power blender to grind the pistachio and almond nuts.
2. Add the 3 cloves of garlic and continue to pulse.
3. Add the fresh basil into the processor or grinder.
4. Slowly pour the olive oil while blending/pulsing the ingredients.
5. Add the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and pulse for 1 minute.
6. Cook penne pasta for 12-14 mins.
7. Lightly saute the mushroom in a pan.
8. Add the penne pasta and pesto. Toss until sauce has been well-mixed.

Serve with garlic or wheat bread.
Garnish with parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!! :D

Then and Now... same old mamaws!

In two days, we'll be celebrating two years filled with good memories... wonderful adventures... and a lot of eating! It wasn't perfect but, it was more than what we expected and hoped for. :D

two years ago... and a few pounds lighter!

after two years... pogi-er and prettier than ever! :P

Our Inspiration

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me....
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me....
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me....
Oh! cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C!!!