Panko Breaded Pork Chop

I don't really plan the menu for what we will eat in a week or so.  But most of the times, it is what i feel eating or what my husband feels eating on that particular day.  Sometimes, it also depends on what is available in the fridge.  Like today, i want to make some stew (beef) because of the weather but since we do not have any beef in the fridge and no one wants to go out and buy some, so i ended up making this breaded pork chops instead.  You can use any like flour but Panko makes it more tastier and it gives a lot of crispiness in the pork. 

photo owned by author

Retro Croc Purse by Guess

photo from Ebay

Few months ago after moving to our new place, i did a complete overhaul of the few bags and purses collection that i have which i do not use anymore.  Actually, i am saving them for my family in the Philippines. These are not branded bags because i can't afford one. I am so obssessed with bags, who doesn't?  I purchase this  Retro Croc Hobo purse by Guess.  It is made with shiny faux of crocodile patent which i really like.  Looks elegant and handy when you don't need to bring a lot.  If your a bag fanatic, comment below and share your purse collections!  I would love to hear from you...

A Must Try Egg Face Mask

When i have time in the weekend or when i do not have work I pamper myself with those cheap facial mask that we can buy in the drugstore.  Apparently, i can not afford going to derma clinics because the prices are way too high.  Today I managed to do a lot of things like cleaning the kitchen.  Now it's time to clean (shower) myself.  When i found out that my facial mask are gone, I begun searching in the internet and found loads but i choose the Egg Facial Mask by Michelle Phan.  It's very easy to follow!  Just make sure you got an egg.  I think it pretty did well and give my face a smooth texture especially after applying the yolk.  I will definitely do this again tomorrow because i kept the left over egg.  For the step by step procedure, click here to watch the video.

Classic Burger with Fries

We had brunch in town last Saturday when hubby decided to eat outside.  The three of us ended ordering classic burger with homemade fries plus warm chocolate.  This meal is very famous in La Place.  La Place is a food court of VD stores in Holland.  I think the place is a bit cozy compared to ordinary fast food chains like Burger King & KFC but the price is a little bit high.  But once in a while, we get food coupons that offers some discounts.  Over all, their food is good as well as the ambiance of the surrounding. For those internet freaks, dine in to get free WiFi.  Tip: This is a very simple meal to prepare for your family at home.

photo is owned by author

Mild Earthquake Last Night

I was busy blogging and watching tele at the same time when i experienced a mild shake of the  house.  It was like somebody was jumping and pushing the house to possibly make it shake like that.  I can not ask any one because i was alone and hubby was not home at the moment.  So, i did not mind what happened.  Then i saw wall status popping up in Facebook saying that they also felt the earthquake.  This is the second time in my four years stay in Netherlands to actually experienced a mild earthquake.  According to the KNMI, the earthquake had a magnitude of 3.1 and was referred as a natural quake that is normally caused by gas. 

Model Paints to Waste

photo owned by author

Hubby was finishing decorating the room with wall papers and trying to over haul some things on his table.  Suddenly, i saw these water based paints thrown in a garbage sack.  He collects a lot of paints for his modelling but these were old and dry and just needs to be thrown away.  Actually i forgot to count how many there was but roughly maybe around 40 pieces.  I think he needs to buy a lot more to substitute them. 

The Most Affordable Breakfast in Town

I had a sumptous breakfast yesterday after work.  The most affordable breakfast i ever had so far!  It consists of a piece of croissant, a piece of bread with an egg omelet and a piece of bacon, a strawberry jam plus a choice of thee or coffee.  This is served every day between 9 and 10 in the morning at Hema stores.  Though I am not sure  if this is also available in all Hema branches all over Holland.  You can enjoy this delicious breakfast for only 50php or 1€.  I ordered additional orange juice for ,50cent.

photo owned by author

Bicycle Taxi - Rotterdam

I thought we can only find Tuktuk vehicle in Thailand. But i was wrong when i saw this vehicle parked across the train station in the city of Rotterdam. It looks the same but the design was more modern and the combination of red and white makes it more attractive. To know more about their services, click here .

an empty fietstaxi (bicycle taxi)

So here I am very agitated to take a photo and am sitting on it (as if i can drive it around).  I had the chance to ride on it because we can not find the driver. But after few minutes, the driver showed up and was a bit pissed off at me.  

care for a ride?

Great Deals from H&M

Hubby and I went to the city in spite of the weather!  Snow was all over the place and it was freezing cold but he insisted to go out.  He said "let's go and eat out for lunch and catch the bus".  We had lunch at La Place then looked around the store.  After that, hubby wanted to take a look for his magazine collection in the bookstore but I told him I'll wait for him inside H&M.  Red stickers were hanging on the stores and i assumed those were great deals of discounted prices!  Amazingly saw this pair of red gloves made of soft suede with decorative buttons at the wrist and a thin lining.  Original price is 19,95eu and bought it for 1eu.  It's actual price online is still 15eu. 

 

photo from H&M
This post is 100% mine

NS Railway Precaution

I got this message from our local Railway Transport company about it's weather situation for tomorrow from my iphone.  Super like it. It's somewhat like a friendly reminder from an advertisement of something that i used to see on tele.  But anyways, keep warm and be safe everyone! 

 Rural amended timetable on Tuesday, January 15th

For Tuesday, January 15th is snow and frost is expected. These weather conditions can seriously impede traffic. To avoid problems as much as possible to cope, adapt NS and ProRail precaution from the start of the train timetables in many pathways.Please note fewer trains, frequent switching and more crowds in the train. The modifications are currently in the process planner. Plan your trip therefore shortly before departure.

The German Doughnut

Thanked God it's Saturday!  It simply means a day of chilling out and relaxing at home. We only need to get some food shopping for the coming week especially the sandwiches of hubby to take to work  So, right after having breakfast, we prepared ourselves then immediately drove  to Germany.  We hopped from one store to another until this Berliner Ballen (called in german) caught our attention on our way out.  This really looks different from the famous Dunkin Donuts with a hole in a middle. This donuts are so good! Filled with marmalade or jam like apricots, strawberry and raspberry.  Price is at 2,95eu for 5 pcs.

Berliner Ballen

The City Of Love - Paris

Paris is one of the countries me and my husband fall in love with.  I never imagined it's only few hours drive away from us. Well, getting into Paris is totally hilarious!  Good thing my husband is an experienced driver. The streets are so busy and they have a very bad traffic system. Surroundings was not clean at all like the Netherlands but the city is oozing with romantic views and sceneries which you will never forget.  That is why a lot of people all over the world travel to visit Paris. Some of  the places we visited are the tomb of Napoleon, the famous Eiffel Tower, the River Cruise, the Sacre Coure Church, Musee Du Louvre and the National Invalides which is just a few minutes walk from where we stayed.  You must at least stay in Paris for couple of days or a week to enjoy touring and site seeing.  We have been to this city of love the second time for the birthday of my husband and has spent New Year there on our first visit.

Here are some photos i took.

Me infront of the Eiffel Tower 

National Invalides

Notre Dame Cathedral (taken during our River Cruise)

The Tomb of Napoleon

Sacre Coure

Musee du Louvre

Sending Money Abroad

How do you send money to your families and loved ones?  Nowadays, there are thousands of ways to send money abroad  like Western Union Transfer, Money Gram, Paypal and so forth.  But ever since, I am only using bank to bank transfer.  Why?  Because the transfer fees is as low as 5,50 euro per transaction (no limit).  Normally it will take 3-5 days before the recipient bank receives it.  My bank also offers the cheapest transfer rate compared to other banks here in the Netherlands.  So, i am very much happy about it.  Just checked online banking with BDO and transferred some money to my parents.  Rate is 1eu = 51.84 :(

I Need to Renew my Passport

After we decided to visit my family in the Philippines sometime this year, i need my passport to be renewed.  My first passport is going to expire this coming December 2013.  I know it is early to ask for a new one but we are only allowed to travel six months prior to the date of departure.  Considering the time as well,  it needs to be send to the Philippines and back again is roughly about a month and a half.  So, I am going to the Hague where the Philippine Embassy here in the Netherlands is located.  My appointment will be on Tuesday afternoon after lunch time.  After that, i will be meeting with my brother and take a look around in the city.  Can't wait for window shopping time!

Moments of 2012

Hello guys!  How was the year of the water snake started in you and your family?  I haven't really been searching for things what the water snake year will bring for us but am hoping for the best is yet to come.  I am doing this post to sum up the things good and bad of course that happened to us.  I admit the first months was difficult.  We had trials to overcome as a couple but in the end we sorted things out and made our relationship stronger.  Career wise on the other hand, we both are working and it helped us a lot.  Health issues are excellent with us and my family.  We also earned some properties to invest in the future.  Plus another thing, my brother joined me here which i am very happy too.  I forgot to mention, i survived 4 years and more to come! I guess year 2012 was not bad at all.  Embracing the sweet memories of it and bringing with me the things that i learned for the future.  Thank you Lord for everything.