Maria Aragon the Young Youtube Sensation Meets Ellen Degeneres

I am super proud of this little fella,  because she's Filipino and she's also just a very talented young lass and really have a good head on her shoulders, too! Apparently, Lady Gaga saw her video posted on youtube and asked her to have a duet with her in Toronto. She also sang for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Can you imagine, she's just 11 years old and is very mature for her age. In her interview with KC Concepcion on The Buzz, a local showbiz talk show in the Philippines, she said, "I cried when I saw that there are kids in my country who has no food and homeless on the streets and said to herself that she felt blessed and one of the privilege." She's born and raised in Winnepeg, Canada. I was so touched and actually cried watching her on tv.

Watching her on youtube makes me proud of myself growing up, that yes, I can say that I was also one of the few who can say that, "Dreams do come true." Sometimes people belittle you and underestimate your capacity and talent. However, you can't hide and stop the fire of passion that's burning from within you make a good influence to others along the way. She can be a good example to young kids growing up. Way to go, Maria Aragon! We'll cheer you on!

I remembered a verse growing up, King James Bible
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

San Diego Comic Con 2011

Movie fans, check this out! Celebrities like Ashley Greene of Twilight Saga came down to San Diego to thank their fans who supported them all these time. Way to go, San Diego Comic Con. Please check www.joblo.com for more comic con updates! Rock on!

Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Folks, it's been awhile since I posted something here. I have been so busy lately and I felt like I need to go ahead and focus on updating my blog since it's my passion and my way of releasing my tensions of my daily grind of life. Baking is such an amazing thing that I've ever learned ever since I decided to move to Canada for good.

Some of the closest people I know can't believe their eyes that I can actually cook and bake now. Anyways, I was able to check this bakery out when I went to New York last summer. People are waiting in line just to get a taste of these infamous cupcakes featured in the movie, "Sex and the City". When my boyfriend tasted it for the first time, being the critic that he is. He said, "This is the best cupcake I've ever tasted." Nice! It was all I wanted to hear! Music to my ears. So, enjoy and have fun in your kitchen.

Sparkling Wine Jelly Shooters

So, here's another art of making desserts with a touch of class! Lately, I've been having this interest into maybe going back to school. I am torn between nursing school or culinary. Gosh, I wish I am a little younger so I could go ahead and have a lot of time to really embark on so many different things in my life. If I have enough time in my hands, I do try new things. I recently watch cooking shows on tv and tape them and apply them in my kitchen.

It's summer and we need some fresh ideas and refreshing desserts as well, right? Here you go. I got this from a favorite website of mine. www.bestrecipes.ca

Imagine, if you have friends over and they see these lovely shooters? They would be impressed and be amazed! A simple recipe yet very elegant.

The pomegranate seeds are like jewels and it's elegance is just a must-try for this jelly shooter. For people like me who are trying to lose weight, need not to worry because this lovely dessert is just 95 calories and a little trace of fat per serving. You can try different sparkling wine available in the market. Champagne is one of your choices yet if you are in a budget, then, feel free to go ahead and let your imagination run wild.

Servings: 12

Ingredients

1 pomegranate
1 cup (250 mL) small seedless red grapes or seedless green grapes, halved
1 bottle (750 mL) sparkling wine
2 tbsp (25 mL) gelatin powder
1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar

Preparation

Remove seeds from pomegranate; divide seeds and grapes among 12 glasses.
Pour wine into large bowl; set aside.
In saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 3/4 cup (175 mL) cold water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add sugar; heat over medium-low heat until dissolved, about 5 minutes. Whisk into wine; let stand until bubbles disappear, about 30 seconds. Pour over fruit in glasses.
Refrigerate until set, about 1-1/2 hours, gently stirring at 10-minute intervals for 40 minutes to evenly distribute fruit. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)