Monday, May 28, 2012

Anecdote

Last night, as my 10-year old son Matthew, was playing a computer game, he said to me from out of the blue,

"I think you are my kryptonite, Mama."

Puzzled, I replied, "I don't know what you're talking about, Matt."

"You know....the One Direction song...", he then pointed out.

While I was trying to figure out the lyrics to the said song, Matthew started singing, then he said, "That was kind of corny, wasn't it?"

Maybe so, but oh so sweet.

I will savour the moment while it lasts.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

How would you have felt?

I didn't intend to post here again so soon but I am just itching to tell you a story. (Take note: This has nothing to do with my predicament on the previous post.)

Last month, a friend of mine mentioned she would soon be ordering a cake from me for her daughter's eighteenth birthday.  I sensed she was a bit worried about the cost as she would have to pay for food catering and other party-related stuff as well. Since I would be giving a present anyway, I thought, why not just gift the cake instead?  When I told my friend, she appreciated the gesture very much.

Fast forward to last night, the night of the birthday party.  Below is the cake I had made.  I know I could have done a better job but I still thought it was pretty cool.

 A 12" chocolate cake, as requested, with gumpaste decorations.

I bought a JEM ladies shoe cutter specifically for this purpose.  I liked how I had embossed the celebrant's name on the shoe itself, like it's the shoe brand.

Thinking the cake might not be enough, I also prepared 24 banana cupcakes with matching flower decorations.


When we arrived at the party, I was led to where the cake was to be placed.  To my surprise, at the center of the dining area were two matching cakes displayed in one of those floating-style cake stands.  Those cakes apparently were the "main" birthday cakes.  Another family friend had them made somewhere else.  I was then directed to a small table reserved for my cake. It was located in the corner of the same area next to where the plates and utensils were. And the cupcakes? There wasn't enough space on that small table so I had to leave them on the carrier and put them down somewhere else.  Too bad cause they did match my cake and the two would have looked nice together.

To top it all, the birthday girl didn't even acknowledge my cake's presence.  Not to me anyway. It was like it was invisible.  Sigh.  

I could have felt hurt right then and there but I consciously chose not to be.  

A moment later, my friend's auntie came up to me and said she wondered what those shoes in my cake were made of so she took a pinch off it  to taste it.  What????  Did I hear that right?   I sneakily went to the table to take a peek at my cake and true enough, there was a chip on one of the shoes. Oh............my............God.

Was it time to get upset now?

I tried my best to be as understanding as possible.  Some people just don't know how much time and effort go into making these decorations that is why they do not appreciate them and treat them (and the maker as well) with respect. They don't know how much care is exerted to make sure a cake makes it to its destination in perfect shape. Just like that...a chip.

Well, I didn't let that ruin my night.  And you know what? As guests were having a taste of both cakes (which happened to be both chocolate), I overheard them saying mine was the better-tasting one.  

So, was I still happy inspite of everything?  Absolutely.  (But I would be lying if I didn't admit I can still see that chip on the shoe in my head until now.)



PS. In fairness, let me just add that they did put my cake next to the two others when it was time to sing happy birthday to the debutante.  And they did light up the candle. :)

Friday, May 18, 2012

Sigh

I am just feeling so down right now.  More than anything, I feel really misunderstood and betrayed.

I don't want to talk about it though.  I don't want to vent and cry.

So, I thought, why not just go and post something here.  I've been away for a while anyway.  Didn't even get the chance to greet all you moms out there last Sunday.  Hope you had a wonderful Mother's day!

As for me, I got some special treats from my kids.  For one, my daughter made me this card.


See, she tried to include some of the things I love...sewing, baking, the iPad app "Draw Something", my mobile phone (which she says is always ringing for cake orders), and Grey's Anatomy (the one and only show I truly love and watch faithfully).  My kids bought me a Pictionary too because they said I really dig that "drawing and guessing" thing.

Did I have a cake for Mother's day?  Unfortunately, no.  We are basically tired of cakes and even if we weren't, I'd really have no more extra time to make one anyway.

I did make cakes for other people and for other occasions.  Here are some of them (again).  Hope you don't get tired of looking...

POCOYO-THEMED CAKE

Pocoyo, who????  Never even heard of this children's show before.  (My youngest grew up on Wiggles and Hi-5 and he's nearly 11 now.)  The birthday boy's mom wanted all 5 main characters on the cake so I really had to do my research!  Thankfully, the cake topper turned out quite lovely.



FIRST BIRTHDAY / CHRISTENING CAKE

Isn't Eden Rose such a beautiful name? Wish I had thought of nice names like that for my own children!


ANGRY BIRDS IN SPACE-THEMED CAKE

I truly had a blast making this cake.  Angry birds in superhero form!  The birthday boy's reaction upon seeing this cake was really priceless.


ANOTHER CHRISTENING CAKE

First time to make those gumpaste hi-cut sneakers.  Loved it!


Ok, I'm feeling a little relieved now.  I just wish I don't get any more upsetting emails, phone calls, or text messages for the rest of this day.  I don't need them and I truly don't deserve any of them.

Hope you are all doing better than me.  Take care now.