Chili's Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake

One random evening, my wife and I agreed to eat out. It's actually my treat for her special day. She works in Makati, and I had to pick her up before we headed to Greenbelt.

We're planning for an early dinner, but I had to wait for a few more hours before she finished all her workload that day. That made both of us quite hungry, and eager for a big meal.

She decided that we must try Chili's (gulp!) in Greenbelt 5 as I haven't been there before. Since it's her special day, I got no choice but to say 'sure, let's go!', and braved the long walk.

My first impression of Chili's is that it has a very lively atmosphere. The crew were all smiling, and the crowd were happily chatting. We're quickly seated on a table for two, and had their menu in no time.

We chose literally big meals since we had each other to share the food, and we're really hungry! When our order came, it downed to me that we ordered enough food for four! After that bit of surprise, we dig in and happily chatted on random topics (just like everyone else).

What we ordered were quite good since Chili's had a different flavor from what we had tried on other restaurants before. In no time, we got full and very satisfied with our meal. I have to give credit to my wife for a wonderful choice that evening (xoxo!).

Although I'm full, I'd been browsing the desserts menu, and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake got me really curious. It's like the cake was looking back to me, and waving enthusiastically for me to try it.

And then, I don't know if it's a coincidence (or faith!) that the family seated on our left were served with that Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake! Seeing that delicious looking dessert, I had to give in to the temptation, and ordered for one when the manager came by to check on us.

When the dessert came, we eagerly shoved our spoon on the ice cream topping first. It surprised us that it's actually frozen (together with the chocolate shell) and still hard as rock. With that, we tried the cake bottom next. It's actually warm like it was freshly baked.

Having a baker for a father, I can confidently say that the molten cake is good after my first taste. After a few more spoonfuls, the molten chocolate core oozed out of  the cake. Yum! It turns out that the cake had a hollow core, which is filled with hot chocolate sauce while the ice cream topping served as a cover (no wonder it was frozen). We (or more on, I) finished it in no time even though it was also enough for 3-4 persons! =P

After that evening,  I keep on thinking that on our next visit to Chili's, I'll order the Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake first!

Photo taken from Chili's website.

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Using Wireless Signal To See Through Walls

Recently, a research team from University of Utah came up with a way to figure out movements behind solid walls without peeping through windows or holes.They can do it by analyzing how radio signals vary in a series of wireless nodes (wireless network) when a person moves inside a room.

The technique is officially called Variance-based Radio Tomographic Imaging, and this can reveal an almost exact position of a person as long as it's moving. The wireless network for this new technology is using IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol, or commonly known as Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).

The main uses of Variance-based Radio Tomographic Imaging are in the area of security and emergency response. In a hostage or robbery situation, a security team will have a better idea on where the suspects and victims are, and lead to a better decision making. Likewise, an emergency response unit can quickly assess if there are any survivors after a building collapse due to earthquake.

There maybe other available technologies out there for the same purpose. But, this technology can be a cheap alternative, and less complex to setup when needed. In most of the situations mentioned above, a timely response is quite important as every minute counts on how these situations will progress.

Of course, there will be a lot of concern with privacy when this technique becomes readily available. Just imagine a stalker using it on you, or a burglar using this to scout on your home. Pretty scary, right?



photo taken from Technology Review - Published by MIT

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After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), Super Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) Comes

While Metro Manila is still aching from the devastation of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), there's another typhoon that entered Philippines' area of responsibility. It's expected to make a land fall in North Luzon by Saturday, just a week after Typhoon Ondoy ravaged us. Worse, it's expected to be a Super Typhoon named Pepeng (Parma), the first Signal No. 4 typhoon to hit the country since 2006.

The Philippine government already announced a national state of calamity, and put 32 provinces/areas in under storm alert signals. Some local government units are already planning forced evacuations from low lying and mountain side areas within Luzon. This early, it is already expected that there are big possibilities of floods and land slides, just like with Typhoon Ondoy.

No wonder, when I went to the supermarket this afternoon, there's a lot of shoppers buying essential items in order to prepare for the incoming storm. When I checked, most of the shelves of basic items are almost empty, and the supermarket staff is trying to restock them as quickly as possible.

At the instant noodle section, all the local brands are gone, and only some international (Korean, Japanese, and Chinese) noodle brands are left. Same goes for canned goods, especially the canned sardines, canned tuna, and luncheon meat. At the wholesale booth, there's a line of buyers for boxes of bottled waters, canned milks, instant noodles, etc. And at the cash registers, there are endless lines with carts full of goods.

I believe there are two reasons for this situation (with similarity to 'panic buying'). First, they want to be ready for the incoming super typhoon. Second, some of the wealthier shoppers are buying goods for donation to the on-going relief operations to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

For now, let us all hope and pray that the incoming storm won't cause as much damage as its predecessor. Let's also hope that everyone will be safe and more prepared to weather this one.

Photo take from the website of Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (OSDPD) - National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Anti-virus Software

I just read it from GMANews.tv that Microsoft has released its own anti-virus software, and it's for FREE!

Checking it from the Microsoft website, Microsoft Security Essentials is a PC security program that provides "real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software." This software is offered for free as long as you are running genuine Microsoft Windows in your PC.

Microsoft even mentioned that Security Essentials will run quietly and efficiently in the background without any noticeable interruptions. The software has recently emerged from Beta stage, and already available for download to everyone.

For me, this is great news! I have a personal laptop with expired Symantec Anti-virus software, and I didn't  purchase a new license from Symantec. Beside from needing to shell out some dough, It's really eating a lot of resources out of my laptop.

I've also tried other free anti-virus software out there, but they don't offer a lot of features that you'll want. I hope Microsoft Security Essentials will not disappoint when I try it, given that it has the advantage of running on a platform, which it's too familiar with.

As for the System Requiremet, here it is:

Operating System:

• Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3);
• Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2);
• Windows 7

CPU and Memory:

• For Windows XP, 500 MHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher. 
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7, 1.0 GHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher.

Other Requirements:

• VGA display of 800 × 600 or higher.
• 140 MB of available hard disk space.
• Internet connection

Internet Browser:

• Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. 
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.

Photo taken from Microsoft's website

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Disaster Relief Operation After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana)

After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) devastated Metro Manila with a month's worth of rain fall and unexpected level of flooding, there's now a bigger task of providing immediate relief to those who are greatly affected. As what the Philippine Government said through National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), their efforts shift from rescue operations to disaster relief operations.

The government and a lot of NGOs are doing their best to extend all the help that they can give. They are also accepting donations of much needed money, food, clean water, medicine and usable clothes. Also, volunteers are much needed to sort and distribute these donations.

To those who want to extended their help, you can do so by donating through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), and the foundations of the two of the biggest media/broadcasting networks of the country; GMA Kapuso Foundation and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.

You can also do bank donations to the following accounts of PNRC, GMA, and ABS-CBN:

PNRC

Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
Bank Name: Metrobank
Account Number: 151-3-041-63122-8 (Peso), 151-2-151-00218-2 (US Dollar)
Branch Name: Port Area
SWIFT Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account Number: 4991-0010-99 (Peso), 8114-0030-94 (US Dollar)
Branch Name: Port Area (Peso), UN Avenue (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code:  BOPI PH MM


GMA Kapuso Foundation

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Metrobank
Account Number: 3-098-51034-7 (Peso), 2-098-00244-2 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB)
Account Number: 115-184777-2 (Peso), 01-115-301177-9 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB)
Account Number: 160-111277-7 (Peso), 01-160-300427-6 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Banco de Oro (BDO)
Account Number: 469-0022189 (Peso), 469-0072135 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: BNORPHM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Account Number: 121-0032000-17 (Peso), 121-0032000-25 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: PNB MPH MM


ABS-CBN Sagip-Kapamilya Foundation

Account Name: ABSCBN FOUNDATION - Sagip Kapamilya
Bank Name: Banco de Oro (BDO)
Account Number: 39300-48145 (Peso)
Branch Name: Sct. Albano, and Quezon Avenue


I believe, that in times like this, the best in everyone comes out no matter what natural disaster is on our way. I, together with my family, prays to the good Lord that help be extended to the those who needed it most.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7193254@N02/ / CC BY 2.0

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