Today I discovered what meatballs taste like if I use too much bread to extend the ground beef. I'm definitely going to do mostly-meat meatballs next time. Also, cheddar isn't the best cheese for Kathy's recipe for Secret Happiness. I should use a soft, melty cheese like mozzarella.

You live, you learn. =) The meatballs were edible, though, and properly cooked all the way through. They were just not as crunchy or juicy as I remembered. I cooked some spaghetti, threw six meatballs into the bowl, and tossed the spaghetti with tomato sauce. I then microwaved everything for a minute to get the sauce nice and hot. It was an acceptable dinner. And yes, Mom, I took my vitamins. =)

I scrimped on the ground beef because I also wanted to cook ground beef with garlic and onions for the pita pocket lunch I intend to have tomorrow. Let's see how that turns out.

On Technorati: cookordie, cooking

I wore a kimona and patadyong today. (Sorry, no pictures!) It's one of the traditional costumes of the Philippines. Hardly anyone wears it these days, but I think it's too pretty to be relegated to formal occasions.

I wanted a balintawak, too, but I couldn't find any inexpensive ones. I guess it's the kind of thing that needs a seamstress. =) Maybe I'll have one made when I go back. Or maybe I'll have several. White? Black? Red? Printed? While I have no imeldific aspirations, I would like to be able to wear native things more often. It's a way of connecting back to home...

I've also figured out how to wear a malong as a skirt. Along the way, I had an aha! moment. I finally understood the pleating instructions for the sari my mom bought me a long time ago, as I found myself pleating the malong and tucking it in the same way.

I still have no idea what else I can do with the malong. Sleeping bag? Check. Blanket? Check. Shawl? Check. But I know it can be worn as a decent-looking dress. I just have no idea how to do it without looking like I'm walking around wearing a blanket. Would anyone have step-by-step instructions for, say, the malong-malong dance?

I love dressing up in costume. It's a way for me to connect to home... =)

On Technorati: philippines