Eureka! Black Tapioca Pearls

The proliferation of bubble milk tea places in the Philippines is pretty undeniable.
Bubble Tea, otherwise known as pearl milk tea or boba milk tea, originated from Taiwan. They are basically tea-based drinks mixed with milk and/or fruits, and usually have chewy tapioca balls commonly known as 'pearls'.

If my memory serves me right, my very first bubble tea experience was 2 years ago - a caramel milk tea from  Bubbatealicious in Divisoria Mall.

I'm a sucker for caramel, btw. :))

Anyway, one evening last summer, I craved for milk tea. I don't know how or why, but it felt like my throat was thirsty for a creamy tea. So I promised to get myself a milk tea first thing in the morning. I was so excited that I wasn't even able to sleep. The moment my sister woke up, I asked her to accompany me. And so she did. I have said before that Divisoria have almost everything. The market was no more than a 10-minute walk from our home. When we arrived at the market, I immediately looked for black pearls, but no luck. We bought clear tapioca pearls then, and tried to "improvise". We didn't go home empty-handed not because we bought clear pearls, but because we were so amused; we bought almost everything we wanted to eat but had to buy - like french fries, flavored shakes, chips, and cheese sticks. Haha. My mom was SO SURPRISED when we got home. She didn't expect us to be out for too long, but we were gone for over 2 hours. And we brought home a lot of things, we even had an ice chest for the shaved ice, when we got home.

Anyway, my improvised black pearl wasn't all that bad. We had it for a couple days, til we got tired.

Then came my DAD'S BLACK PEARL OBSESSION!
Why obsession if you may ask? He kept buying pearl milk teas and pearl shakes after we had him taste one from Happy Lemon.
His preference? Whatever the flavor is, as long as it has 0% sweetness, and THREE TIMES pearl add-ons for an order.
And for the record: HE'S VERY MUCH A WATER PERSON -- before his obsession at least. :))

We all got addicted to the point that my dad asked me to look for black pearls in Divisoria. I told him my "black pearl story", and said it's impossible for Divisoria not to have black pearls. I even told him I BELIEVED that, too. Haha.
And since my dad is a "pusher", I searched wider, until I found one in Divisoria Mall.
Haha.

Our search is finally oveeerrrrr! ;D

P70 for 1kl black tapioca pearl

Uncooked black pearls must be handled with care because they tend to pulverize easily.

And if you plan to buy:

* I suggest you buy the vacuum-sealed ones to keep their shape.

* And you need to transfer the pearls gently to another container to let them breathe.

No, they're not alive. :))

But they do need air to get separated.

I didn't do it my first time so almost half of it went to trash.

Some pearls got stuck together and didn't get cooked.

They are hard to separate once they're already in the water.

* Also, follow the cooking instructions on the case, especially the draining part.

We had one incident where my sister forgot to drain the pearls after 30 mins. And the next thing we knew, the pearls sucked in some water already, so they lost their chewiness.

Btw, they also sell milk tea flavor powders for P85 per 500g pack.

Rice Surprise! ;D

Now, this is something I NEVER imagined nor wanted to SHOUT OUT LOUD:

I CAN'T COOK -- a decent meal, at least.

I clearly remember being a kitchen resident when I was a kid.

My sibs, cousin, and I would often creep at night to rob our fridge and sneak off ingredients for our fried rice and scrambled eggs; we would then be scolded the next day by the cook for the mess we made. 

We have OUTGROWN that 'HABIT', but I guess we have failed to let GROW our 'COOKING WITS'.

Over a decade had passed, and the only means of cooking we know is STILL JUST FRYING.

Yes, STILL JUST FRYING, which means we can't even cook rice.

SHAME ON US, I know!

BUT NOT ANYMORE!

Haha.

Well, at least not for me :)

My mom was M.I.A yesterday because my little brother got confined.

Our helpers were no longer staying in and don't arrive til 6 in the morning.

My sibs' and daughter's classes start as early as 6:45 am, so they need to be fed early.

I, being the eldest, need not be told that the responsibility lies on my shoulder.

Upon learning that I was going to cook, my princess promised to help me.

She felt the need to get a chicken tocino as props. Haha.

When I was about to cook the rice, I told her I didn't know how to cook rice.

Haha.

She then told me: 'Huh? Sige, ta-try ko... *pauses* lagyan mo ng tubig'.

.

Haha. 

I find it so cute that she was instructing me as if she really knows how to cook rice.

Definitely my best cooking experience.

And the second best part?

I was able to serve them a 'well-cooked rice' -- a DECENT BREAKFAST!

Woohoo!

When my sister was about to serve the rice,
 I stopped her and told her that I'm so proud of what I've done,
and that I need to take a picture as a souvenir and a proof. Haha.

It was really a great learning experience.

My daughter and I had a great bonding time while cooking, and the rice went oh so well.

30 Things About Me

Sanna of Woman Scribbles wants to make BC Bloggers' blogosphere more homey by giving us a chance to know each other more. 

Check out her post, and get to know her more.

If you're not yet a member of BC Bloggers,

join here, 

meet new friends,

and make your blogosphere more homey! ;)

#1: First off, everyone calls me VERNA. :D

But that's just my second name.

My first name?

THAT'S ONE SECRET I'LL NEVER TELL!

Hahahahaha.

#2. I have a little princess who despite of her being difficult, I DEARLY LOVE and ADORE! <3

#3. I am an ironically irascible patient person.

#4. I am nocturnal. :)

#5. Some says I'm a stage-mom. 

#6. But I say: I'm just very particular when it comes to details, that it sometimes feel like I have OCD or something.

Haha.

#7. I'm a CRY-BABY!

My uncle used to tell me that my eyes are like the Niagara falls.

Haha.

#8. I belong to a BIIIIIIG FAMILY, and we're all BIG in terms of size. :))

#9. I had done more projects when I stopped schooling.

#10. Because apparently, it's hard for me to say NO when being asked for help.

#11. I'm clingy

#12. That's why I can't even just imagine myself getting married.

Hahahaha.

#13. I love giving gifts. :)

#14. I love SWEEEEEEETS!

#15. But must restrain myself because DIABETES runs in our family.

#16. I LOVE MY HAIR. I'd marry it if I could.

Hahahahahaha.

#17. I'm a KEEPER. I keep everything.

#18. I get blank when reading numbers and dates, but I'm ironically good at remembering dates of the events in my and my family's life. :)

#19. I never stopped believing, by the way. And I really find old couples inspiring.

#20. Yes, I believe that there's always something beautiful outside.

#21. I'm not  "Super White", but I do feel incredibly vulnerable without a hair-tie handy.

#23. I love DIYs like a love song, baby! ;D

#24. I love Gossip Girl, especially the NON-JUDGING BREAKFAST CLUB, and their SCHEMES. :)

#25. I love Chuck Bass/Ed Westwick

#26. The only way I'd let him get away from me is if its Blair he marries.

CHAIR FOREVER!

Haha.

Btw,

#27. I'm an autodidact.

  

#28. I taught myself a little photo-editing.

  

#29. I taught myself a little sewing.

#30. And my baby is my star. <3

Doctors for a day :)

Aside from the free consultations and medicines, one of the many advantages of having a doctor as a relative is the privilege to attend conventions. My auntie, who is a doctor, happens to be married to a doctor as well. They attend AT LEAST ONE conference annually. They check-in at hotels, and let us come and swim. This year though, my uncle's abroad, so my aunt isn't really thrilled about the convention. So, she invited me instead to attend the 49th Philippine Pediatric Society Convention as a delegate. Of course I said YES, since I can't really say NO to her; she's really nice, plus, she told me that we could take home everything we get. Knowing that was a Pediatric Society, I got excited. I was sure they'd be giving away some kids' stuff.

My aunt, of course, had two registrants, one for herself, and one for her husband.
My sister came with me, so my aunt skipped the convention, and let my daughter and sister got inside with me.
Upon entering though, one of the marshals, restricted my daughter inside, which upset me. The place was well-decorated. It was VERY CHILD-FRIENDLY; There was a rainbow,  2 castle displays, balloons and mascots everywhere. I honestly think that didn't make any sense. I mean, who would love such an environment more but kids? But I had no choice but to follow their rule, and let my daughter go. So, she just came with my aunt to the mall.

 


 

 

huge meds :)

over-sized small things never fail to amuse me :)

 

It would've been more fun if they had let my daughter in with me.

BC Bloggers Meme: Count Your Blessings!

Oh yeah!
BC Bloggers makes blogging a BLAST!
See for yourself!

Anyway, this would be my THIRD ATTEMPT to join BC Bloggers Meme.

I've been drafting posts for the previous memes, but never really finished any of those two.

Main reason?

 I have been very busy scouring from one place to another in pursuit of a language book for my daughter.

Another reason?

Ever since our laptop, which I regularly use, crashed,

the most convenient means of internet access for me would be thru our tab.

I, however, cannot upload photos on blogger there, which was unfortunate because I wanted my entries to have photos.

I could use another laptop,

but minimal usage must be observed.

I'm starting to blab again.

Haha.

Anyways, I'm not quite sure what to put.

I hit rewind, and thoroughly looked for blessings I received this past week, but it's all a blur.

Now, this is difficult.

But there's got to be something.

We are always blessed. We just fail to see it sometimes, especially the small ones, but blessings are always with us.

Proof? We have air to keep us breathing.

But for the past week, here are some of the blessings I have noticed:

1. REALIZATION - I know I have been BLESSED when it comes to my daughter. And this morning, I have come to realize another blessing I have in her. I NEVER HAD TO TEACH HER HOW TO WRITE. I helped  my little brother with his assignment earlier, and it was a headache. He can't even hold his pencil right. HAHA. And then it hit me. I never had that headache with my princess. In fact, the headache would be to restrain her from holding pens, and doodling on anything.



2. I REPAIRED HER UNIFORM - Again, about my princess. As much as possible, I don't acknowledge it whenever she gains weight. I'm not sure whether to or not to believe in 'USOG', but most of the time, she gets sick and/or loses weight when she gains. This is why I just feel blessed having to repair her uniform to give her more room to breathe. :))

3. ONE TASK DOWN - The pursuit for the language book of my daughter is overrrrr. ;)

4. MORE TIME - I thought I had sign up for this week's BC Bloggers CommEx, but the spreadsheet established me wrong. HAHA. It was a BLESSING in DISGUISE. I now have time to make up for the time spent scouring.

5. FAMILY BONDING - yeah, baby! Quality T-I-M-E will be spent with my family laterrrrr. ;)

**This list could go on forever. Blessings come our way everyday in different forms. Let's count our blessings, and embrace them! :)

My Hero

I really don't know how to start.
I could get really emotional when it comes to this man.

He, of course, is the first man I have ever loved.
BOYS have come and go, but this MAN stayed.
So, I ought to LOVE him til my last breath.

I had let go of his hold, and ran away,
but was the first one to pick me up when I stumbled and fell,

I turned my back on him, and flew away,
but was the first one to catch me when I got bruised.

He isn't a doctor, but always helped me heal my wounds.
He isn't a lawyer, but always the first one to defend me when I have issues.
He isn't a teacher, but taught me a lot of things.
He isn't a tour guide, but have always guided me.
He doesn't have superpowers, but have always saved me.
He's not just my father, he's also my hero.

Some may see him as hard as rock,
but in our eyes, his children's eyes,
he's even softer than cotton itself.

We have witnessed him broke down for the love of us, his children.

Some may look down on him,
but we will always look up to him.

He is my father.
And I would never have him switched for anybody else.

His love for us is truly immeasurable.

***I Love You, Daddy.
I may have disappointed you gazillion times before, and may disappoint you gazillion times more tomorrow, but I will always, always love you. We fail because failure's inevitable, but not because we want to hurt you. I may not say this as often as I should, but I will always love you, Daddy, and I will forever be thankful that God has given you to us as our father, despite everything. God is indeed wise. He knows what we really need, and when we really need it. He gave us you as our father. And because of that, there's nothing much to  worry about.

Starbucks Cupcake ;)

No, this isn't from Starbucks.

No, this isn't a Frappe.

Yes, this is SPECIAL. :)

It's special because someone special had it custom-made for me.

NOT special - someone special.

NOT special - retarded... or maybe? :))

HAHA.

It's from a cousin.

She's special probably because we're both semi-retarded.

She's like my twin cousin.

I was born ten days after her. ;)

We do almost everything together, from birth, til now.

YUMMY SUNDAY