My Sister's Wedding

And the two become One. After two years of long distance relationship, they tie the knot.
My sister Theomie married her boyfriend Andy Humbert...now she is Mrs. Humbert ..

Congratulations Andy & Theomie Humbert.

Beautiful bride with her maid of honor Rethel and maids : (L-R Me:) , Kristin, Johanna and Jan)

Our beloved Parents

with Rethel Caroro, Theomie's maid of honor and close friend

Michael and I

At the reception

Seattle

Last January 2007, My parents, Michael and I went to Seattle to attend my sister's wedding. It was so nice to go around the "Emerald City". Seattle is full of history, it is one of the Northwest’s most beautiful historic place.

Space needle

At Alkai Beach

Just a few steps of the market is the first "Starbucks" store.

Jannete and Mike

Morning at Pike Market, the oldest continually operating farmers market in the United States, it is a place where farmers, craftspeople, and artists display their goods. It is a free-form funhouse of sights, smells, sounds, and characters. Salmon fly through the air, and vegetable and flower displays are turned into works of art.

Beautifully arranged hot pepper

Crabs

Gecko

Oink! Oink! It's a pig!

Infront of Janette's house in Edmonds. Thanks Jan, for the tour and accomodations.

Aloha Hawa'ii

After staying for a week in the cold state of Washington. I can't wait to go to Hawaii. I think vacation in Hawaii is paradise. It was exciting because I know a couple from Sicily who is from Hawaii . Jacque happened to be on island for a short term job so she promised to give us a tour in the island. Sure she did, Jacque brought us to a luxurious spa at Marriott Ihilani on the western shore of O'ahu and a fabulous island - style buffet at Sheraton. Thanks Jacque!

This is Waikiki at day. We had a nice walk watching tourist on the beach and surfers enjoying the waves on the ocean.

Waikiki at night

Beautiful Hawaiian Leis have long been a part of the culture and tradition of the Polynesian People. Colorful Leis were made from island flowers, leaves and other natural items such as shells, feathers, twigs intertwined. This flower really fascinates me, they called it 'Hula Flowers' because it really looks like a Hula girl. They use this in some of their leis too.

One of the place you don't want to miss in Hawaii is Pearl Harbor.

The Sheraton Kaiulani Hotel...we watch luau here, it's one of the best shows in Waikiki.

Snackin' at Planet Hollywood

Bienvenue Paris!

It was a beautiful day when I arrived in Paris. I thought it was time to enjoy the clear sky of Paris since I have never been to Paris after three years of going back and forth to Italy. And of course to see the Eiffel Tower which is the landmark of the city. So I took a cab and went straight to my hotel. After checking in I went to talk to the concierge for a downtown tour and he was so nice to gave me map and instructions on how to get there.

Charles de Gaulle

This station of the Paris Metro -Val de fontanay is just a few steps away from my hotel. So it was easy for me to take train to go downtown.

Sight of Eifel Tower from Trocadero with thousands of people in the background.

Everybody is enjoying the beauty of the place.

I made it here!

Arrivederci Sicilia

It was a good experience living in the island of Sicily. After three years of my stay here, it's time to say goodbye. I will surely miss my friends here but thanks to email and of course through Blogger where I can get updates of Sicily.

Aeroporto di Catania- Fontanarossa

Our Last Sicilian Dinner with Sicilian friends

Before we left Sicily, we were invited for dinner with our Sicilian friends. Tony and Ariana own a Pizzeria and Restoranti right next door. We enjoyed many dinners during our stay in Sicily in their restaurant but this time was a very special dinner for us, since this will be our last Sicilian dinner. Grazie Tony e Ariana!

Isabela and I hugging each other after spending dinner with them. She's four and now attending school in Qatar where her Dad is working . She's is a sweet, lovely and beautiful Italian-Filipina girl.

Michael and Isabela. She always loves to play with Mike.

Beautiful Painting

We attended the first Christmas party of AIMD (Michael's command) in the little town of Polagonia, Sicily. The restaurant called "The village of Il Portici" has this beautiful painting.

Italian Cooking

We are very priveleged because Lisa open their kitchen for an Italian cooking. She is an American Dodd teacher who is married to Onorio, an Italian from northern Italy.
So Jacque, Sarah and I came together for the lesson. Started by picking fresh rucola from their garden for our fresh Sicilian Salad.

Fresh Sicilian tomatoes, rucola & buffalo mozarella cheese. Simply no flavors added....no salt or olive oil. Hmmmm Bouno!

Melon con prosciutto. Of course I did not eat this. But I saw this stuff hanged in his garaged. It had aged 8 months by the time Onorio got this. And it's been aging for the last two years in his cellar.

Sarah having fun in slicing and dicing...

Ragu Pasta Sauce:

Saute soffrito (minced celery, garlic, onion, parsley stalks, carrots) . Add one dried chili peppers for a kick.
Brown ground beef and sausage in the pan with in a splash of olive oil then add to the soffrito.
Add sage, 3 bay leaves, rosemary, chopped parley leaves and pinch of nutmeg. Simmer with the meat mixture to release aroma.

Add whole grape tomatoes (grind it in food processor), tomato paste and water.
Add one peel of lemon and simmer for 5 hours.

After it cools down. Refrigerate and enjoy the next day .

Another recipe : Tuscan Chicken liver Pate

Saute onions, garlic, capers with a couple of anchovies until soft.
Add a bag of chicken liver and simmer on medium until cooked thoroughly.
Add a splash of white wine. Simmer a little longer.
Throw the mixture in a food processor.
Spread a little bit of this heaven on fresh and freshly toasted Italian bread.

So meet our teacher, Onorio.