As the holiday season is fast coming by, I have to succumb to preparing some food and gifts as little as I could. We really don't observe the Christmas thing but we try to have at least some special food and activity around those days. I'd like to channel most of it to the New Year's though.
Nevertheless, since I have a little boy who really cannot be totally oblivious to the gift/christmas/ frenzy atmosphere all around and some kids that I feel like giving some gifts too, I have set myself to prepare even just a bit.
Some books that are really not age-appropriate to my son anymore have to find someplace where they can also be appreciated. We have decided to give away some of these this season and promote the love of reading. Good thing is that kiddo also sees the whole idea there. Or so I hope. ;)
Some of the books that I had in my list are these:
Grover's ABC Treasure Chest
Henry and the Elephant (A Thomas the Tank Engine Storybook)
Dinny the Dinosaur
Santa's Christmas List
some books from a local publisher Dolphin
Upon searching for other gift ideas for the grandparents, I had found some interesting birthday party ideas (for the future), and I am linking it here.
creative kids - ideas on crafts, party planning, kids activities
Tips for Planning a Kids Birthday Party - 5 Tips on Party Planning
Easy Homemade Presents for 6-8 yos.
Christmas Cookie Recipe - a gingerbreadman cookie
More later.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Eating Out for a Picky Eater Local
A week ago when we went to see the Christmas animation display at government center,
I had this longing to eat garlic rice. I've tried it before to no avail and since I am still
not very satisfied with the local restos variant here, (mostly, it just turns out to be a fried rice) I am out to find a recipe online.
As I was searching for the garlic rice, I tried to remember what resto did I like this one best. My search led me to Tago-tago Floating Restaurant in Legazpi City, Albay.
Ah..!The three restos that I loved during our stay there. They sure hold nice memories of my short stay.
Colonial Grill (corner Rizal St. and Aurora St.)
This place has the grilled tuna that resembled close to home.
I had this impression that tuna is more expensive in Legazpi than it is Puerto Princesa.
One time that I went there for my fill, they said that they out of tuna and that the next
delivery will be a day or two later. Hah! I wouldn't hear that info if I were in my hometown. Perhaps, they're out for today but there will surely have it the next day.
One more special thing about this place is that it is where hubby and I had dinner right after we got the lab result that I was pregnant. I went there to satisfy my craving for tuna and it is also where I called my Mom to inform her of the news. Memories.
Location:
Old downtown Albay. Looks like a old house turned into a resto. You have to take stairs. I cannot remember what was on the first floor. It has wooden floors which we reallyliked.
Small Talk Cafe (on Aurora Street, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Legazpi-City-Philippines/Small-Talk-Cafe/186176090111)
051 Doña Aurora St., Legazpi City
(63-52) 480-1393, 820 1477, +63 917-5583275
Email: smoltok_cafe@yahoo.com
Location: Just a few steps from the Grill resto, this looks like another old house converted into a resto.
Despite the fact that it's just a few yard from the city main street, Rizal St., it still lies in a residential-looking area. You might actually miss it if it weren't for the signage. For that matter, it made me feel like a trespasser at first. hahha! Sort of exclusivity. Upon entering, we were greeted with a very loud color on the walls. Ah! It wasn't that intimidating after all.
For our pizza and pasta cravings, we would head to this place specially when we are not yet very hungry. It is not a fast food pizza place anyway. I don't exactly remember
what our favorite dish from the Bicol Italian fusion pastas on the menu which are not that spicy at all. The spiciness, if there was any, suits me just fine. On the other hand, my husband would still need to crush the chili if there is any. But to be honest, what really brought me back to this place was the cheesecake. Such a sweet tooth that I am.
Tago-tago Floating Restaurant (Bgy. San Roque, Legazpi City;Tel. No. (63-52) 820-0202, 480-0202)
Location: True to it's name, which means hidden, it is on the outskirts of the city. Going there and actually looking for the place make you wonder if you're really going to a decent restaurant at all. The roads is long and narrow. Even though it's paved, I had this impression that it's located in a very crowded residential area. The road is winding and one should have his own ride to get there. Either you have your own vehicle or hire the usually present tricycles. In such cases as the latter, better have the rate secured first before starting off. This was a few years ago so the transportation note might not apply anymore.
The restaurant has floating cottages on the pond, good for 4 or so people. Not too many or you might just sink. Haha! Just my imagination, that is. The water looks green and it makes me think of mosquitoes. Good thing the cottages has screens so you can at least eat in peace. These cottages gives a lot of privacy for couples out on a date!
The food that led me back to this is the garlic rice. Theirs was also a bit of fried rice variety, yet it still tasted good. As for the other dishes that I've tried there, I can't remember them now anymore. Sorry.
~~
La Roca Food Garden (Brgy. 38 Gogon Legazpi City; Tel. No. (63-52) 820-2305)
Another place that we got to try at that time was the La Roca Food Garden. Pretty spacious place with an upscale ambience. What I do remember is that they serve shabu-shabu. That's it.
For a quick ran off from the list of other eats that I can remember:
Boklan - got old Chinese resto ambience, quite busy place for families and groups, and good tasting pancits
Benjo's Pizza - they were on our phonelist for quick pizza eats, almost an American style dishes
Biggs Diner - quick eats too, American Diner style, just a bit crowded space though (the one on the Legazpi Center, that is)
Cres Snack Inn - if my memory of the name serves me right, this was the place where we got to eat regular home dishes
at reasonable price, it has Chinese-Fil style of place, and WE love their vege CHOPSUEY.
~~~..~~..~~~..~~~..~~~~..~~~..~~~~~
IN continuum of restos, let me head over to a place closer to home now.
There are a lot of new restos around here nowadays. But I'll try to list my fave places first. Be warned that this list will not include any popular seafood hunts for most people because I hardly eat any seafood except fish. No seashells like crabs, lobsters and alike. These are also located downtown, running from end to end of the main street, Rizal Ave. All are not exactly the it, but a block or two off. All in safe distance from the pier or the airport.
Ima's - good-tasting vegetarian dishes, freshly cooked (that means you may have to wait a bit, but it's worth it),
mid-range prices, cozy place
Balai Inato -Pinoy grilled Chix and chix galore, plus other side dishes of course
Balinsasayaw - we're almost a regular at this place, whenever I don't want to cook at home. hahaha!
- another Pinoy grilled chix galore, just a tad cheaper than inato, and has a wider range of food on the menu
Neva's Place - for our pizza and pasta fill, at a VERY reasonable price, and homey ambience (the place was actually where the owner used to live before, if I am not mistaken)
Pizzito - 24-hour Pizza place locate very near the airport, looks like a franchised chain, neat pizza, love their cone pizzas, almost fast food-style prices, and cold ambience, not a place to go to when very hungry and on a budget, good place for a quick bite at a price, with less crowd compared to the bigger fastfood chains.
Extras along Rizal Ave.
Native Fil Food:
a. Backyard Grill - gone were the days, live acoustic music at times, evenly spaced cottages in an open area
b. Bilao't Palayok - alternative place if I get tired of Balin or Inato, reasonable price
c. Saris Baryo - been there once and nothing special to make me go back again
d. Ka Lui - need I say more with the reputation of this place? everybody puts this at a pedestal ;)
e. *Ati-atihan Chix - it's a bit off the main road building that's why it seldom cross my mind to try it whenever I'm hungry ;)
Fusions, etc.:
*Lotus - Jap, Fil, Asian Fine Dining (daw), good location as it is beside Ka Lui's but still won't beat the more senior one in terms of patrons. :0
E-republik - More eclectic menu, tried a safe vegie dish and was not satisfied, nothing special in my opinion
- It also has acoustics, and ah! it's a bar, and I'm not so big on that.
*Fresh Cafe - a bit pricey, with a pretty cool looking building, still have to taste the food though.
Itoy's Cafe - a bit pricey but tasty ;)
Jo's Chix - another grilled chix place, an alternative to Balin and Inato
Food chain branches along Rizal Ave. :
Shakey's - the only true American pizza place
Jollibee - need I say more?
Chowking - need I say more?
Mang Inasal - another chix house, this time from a food chain, they have unlimited rice option, the chix itself is has nothing very special for me though. Bacolod Inasal still tastes better.
I had this longing to eat garlic rice. I've tried it before to no avail and since I am still
not very satisfied with the local restos variant here, (mostly, it just turns out to be a fried rice) I am out to find a recipe online.
As I was searching for the garlic rice, I tried to remember what resto did I like this one best. My search led me to Tago-tago Floating Restaurant in Legazpi City, Albay.
Ah..!The three restos that I loved during our stay there. They sure hold nice memories of my short stay.
Colonial Grill (corner Rizal St. and Aurora St.)
This place has the grilled tuna that resembled close to home.
I had this impression that tuna is more expensive in Legazpi than it is Puerto Princesa.
One time that I went there for my fill, they said that they out of tuna and that the next
delivery will be a day or two later. Hah! I wouldn't hear that info if I were in my hometown. Perhaps, they're out for today but there will surely have it the next day.
One more special thing about this place is that it is where hubby and I had dinner right after we got the lab result that I was pregnant. I went there to satisfy my craving for tuna and it is also where I called my Mom to inform her of the news. Memories.
Location:
Old downtown Albay. Looks like a old house turned into a resto. You have to take stairs. I cannot remember what was on the first floor. It has wooden floors which we reallyliked.
Small Talk Cafe (on Aurora Street, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Legazpi-City-Philippines/Small-Talk-Cafe/186176090111)
051 Doña Aurora St., Legazpi City
(63-52) 480-1393, 820 1477, +63 917-5583275
Email: smoltok_cafe@yahoo.com
Location: Just a few steps from the Grill resto, this looks like another old house converted into a resto.
Despite the fact that it's just a few yard from the city main street, Rizal St., it still lies in a residential-looking area. You might actually miss it if it weren't for the signage. For that matter, it made me feel like a trespasser at first. hahha! Sort of exclusivity. Upon entering, we were greeted with a very loud color on the walls. Ah! It wasn't that intimidating after all.
For our pizza and pasta cravings, we would head to this place specially when we are not yet very hungry. It is not a fast food pizza place anyway. I don't exactly remember
what our favorite dish from the Bicol Italian fusion pastas on the menu which are not that spicy at all. The spiciness, if there was any, suits me just fine. On the other hand, my husband would still need to crush the chili if there is any. But to be honest, what really brought me back to this place was the cheesecake. Such a sweet tooth that I am.
Tago-tago Floating Restaurant (Bgy. San Roque, Legazpi City;Tel. No. (63-52) 820-0202, 480-0202)
Location: True to it's name, which means hidden, it is on the outskirts of the city. Going there and actually looking for the place make you wonder if you're really going to a decent restaurant at all. The roads is long and narrow. Even though it's paved, I had this impression that it's located in a very crowded residential area. The road is winding and one should have his own ride to get there. Either you have your own vehicle or hire the usually present tricycles. In such cases as the latter, better have the rate secured first before starting off. This was a few years ago so the transportation note might not apply anymore.
The restaurant has floating cottages on the pond, good for 4 or so people. Not too many or you might just sink. Haha! Just my imagination, that is. The water looks green and it makes me think of mosquitoes. Good thing the cottages has screens so you can at least eat in peace. These cottages gives a lot of privacy for couples out on a date!
The food that led me back to this is the garlic rice. Theirs was also a bit of fried rice variety, yet it still tasted good. As for the other dishes that I've tried there, I can't remember them now anymore. Sorry.
~~
La Roca Food Garden (Brgy. 38 Gogon Legazpi City; Tel. No. (63-52) 820-2305)
Another place that we got to try at that time was the La Roca Food Garden. Pretty spacious place with an upscale ambience. What I do remember is that they serve shabu-shabu. That's it.
For a quick ran off from the list of other eats that I can remember:
Boklan - got old Chinese resto ambience, quite busy place for families and groups, and good tasting pancits
Benjo's Pizza - they were on our phonelist for quick pizza eats, almost an American style dishes
Biggs Diner - quick eats too, American Diner style, just a bit crowded space though (the one on the Legazpi Center, that is)
Cres Snack Inn - if my memory of the name serves me right, this was the place where we got to eat regular home dishes
at reasonable price, it has Chinese-Fil style of place, and WE love their vege CHOPSUEY.
~~~..~~..~~~..~~~..~~~~..~~~..~~~~~
IN continuum of restos, let me head over to a place closer to home now.
There are a lot of new restos around here nowadays. But I'll try to list my fave places first. Be warned that this list will not include any popular seafood hunts for most people because I hardly eat any seafood except fish. No seashells like crabs, lobsters and alike. These are also located downtown, running from end to end of the main street, Rizal Ave. All are not exactly the it, but a block or two off. All in safe distance from the pier or the airport.
Ima's - good-tasting vegetarian dishes, freshly cooked (that means you may have to wait a bit, but it's worth it),
mid-range prices, cozy place
Balai Inato -Pinoy grilled Chix and chix galore, plus other side dishes of course
Balinsasayaw - we're almost a regular at this place, whenever I don't want to cook at home. hahaha!
- another Pinoy grilled chix galore, just a tad cheaper than inato, and has a wider range of food on the menu
Neva's Place - for our pizza and pasta fill, at a VERY reasonable price, and homey ambience (the place was actually where the owner used to live before, if I am not mistaken)
Pizzito - 24-hour Pizza place locate very near the airport, looks like a franchised chain, neat pizza, love their cone pizzas, almost fast food-style prices, and cold ambience, not a place to go to when very hungry and on a budget, good place for a quick bite at a price, with less crowd compared to the bigger fastfood chains.
Extras along Rizal Ave.
Native Fil Food:
a. Backyard Grill - gone were the days, live acoustic music at times, evenly spaced cottages in an open area
b. Bilao't Palayok - alternative place if I get tired of Balin or Inato, reasonable price
c. Saris Baryo - been there once and nothing special to make me go back again
d. Ka Lui - need I say more with the reputation of this place? everybody puts this at a pedestal ;)
e. *Ati-atihan Chix - it's a bit off the main road building that's why it seldom cross my mind to try it whenever I'm hungry ;)
Fusions, etc.:
*Lotus - Jap, Fil, Asian Fine Dining (daw), good location as it is beside Ka Lui's but still won't beat the more senior one in terms of patrons. :0
E-republik - More eclectic menu, tried a safe vegie dish and was not satisfied, nothing special in my opinion
- It also has acoustics, and ah! it's a bar, and I'm not so big on that.
*Fresh Cafe - a bit pricey, with a pretty cool looking building, still have to taste the food though.
Itoy's Cafe - a bit pricey but tasty ;)
Jo's Chix - another grilled chix place, an alternative to Balin and Inato
Food chain branches along Rizal Ave. :
Shakey's - the only true American pizza place
Jollibee - need I say more?
Chowking - need I say more?
Mang Inasal - another chix house, this time from a food chain, they have unlimited rice option, the chix itself is has nothing very special for me though. Bacolod Inasal still tastes better.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
World Facts: Ph vs. Kr
Last weekend has been a holiday for the country in remembrance of those who already passed away. Even if the family doesn't really believe on the Catholic teachings, in a predominantly Catholic country, it is hard to ignore occasions like this. Spending time at the cemetery, watching living people and tombs and tombstones of the dead gives one plenty of time to wonder on life, death rate, birth rate, population, cremation etc.
Seeing the cemetery crowded at this time of the year makes me wish that I'll be cremated when my own time comes around, provided of course that it will not be an environment hazard of course. I don't want to be in a coffin and seal in concrete blocks, for whatever it will look like later on. I prefer to go back to the soil, decompose naturally. And so does my Aunt -- I am not alone.
As I have often wondered, there are more births than deaths in the Philippines. I am not wishing for the opposite but at least, there should be an even number somewhere. The country's population growth rate is really a big issue and it affects a number of things in the country. I will not go to specifics on this but it's staring right at our faces.
On the other hand, Kr (I am only particular to this country coz of personal reasons) has only a mere 0.266% (ranks at #178 in the world) comparing to Ph of 1.957 % (ranks at #61 in the world). Meaning that population increase in the Philippines is way too healthy for our own sake. UAE has 3.69 as the highest rate of population increase and Cook Islands with -3.3 % as the lowest. Here are some more numbers to crunch taken from CIA World Factbook as of July 2009.
Ph page Kr page Philippines VS South Korea
Population: 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) vs. 48,508,972 (July 2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 12th vs. 25th
(Ph population is almost twice of that of Kr.)
Age breakdown: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) vs. 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) vs. 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) vs. 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009 est.) (Again, the children's population is twice more than in the Ph. While the opposite is true with the 65 year old and above. There are more old people in RoK and more children in Ph. )
Life Expectancy:
total population: 71.09 years vs. 78.72 years
country comparison to the world: 133 vs. 40 male: 68.17 years vs. 75.45 years
female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) vs. 82.22 years
(South Koreans generally live longer than their Filipino counterparts.)
Net Migration
-1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) vs. -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 vs. 102
(Although both countries indicates negative signs, meaning the number of people who moves out of their country, there are still more Filipinos who leaves Philippines.)
Education Expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2005) vs. 4.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 158 vs. 85
(Again, South Koreans spends twice more in educating their nation than that of Filipinos.)
Seeing the cemetery crowded at this time of the year makes me wish that I'll be cremated when my own time comes around, provided of course that it will not be an environment hazard of course. I don't want to be in a coffin and seal in concrete blocks, for whatever it will look like later on. I prefer to go back to the soil, decompose naturally. And so does my Aunt -- I am not alone.
As I have often wondered, there are more births than deaths in the Philippines. I am not wishing for the opposite but at least, there should be an even number somewhere. The country's population growth rate is really a big issue and it affects a number of things in the country. I will not go to specifics on this but it's staring right at our faces.
On the other hand, Kr (I am only particular to this country coz of personal reasons) has only a mere 0.266% (ranks at #178 in the world) comparing to Ph of 1.957 % (ranks at #61 in the world). Meaning that population increase in the Philippines is way too healthy for our own sake. UAE has 3.69 as the highest rate of population increase and Cook Islands with -3.3 % as the lowest. Here are some more numbers to crunch taken from CIA World Factbook as of July 2009.
Ph page Kr page Philippines VS South Korea
Population: 97,976,603 (July 2009 est.) vs. 48,508,972 (July 2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 12th vs. 25th
(Ph population is almost twice of that of Kr.)
Age breakdown: 0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376) vs. 16.8% (male 4,278,581/female 3,887,516)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919) vs. 72.3% (male 17,897,053/female 17,196,840) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2009 est.) vs. 10.8% (male 2,104,589/female 3,144,393) (2009 est.) (Again, the children's population is twice more than in the Ph. While the opposite is true with the 65 year old and above. There are more old people in RoK and more children in Ph. )
Life Expectancy:
total population: 71.09 years vs. 78.72 years
country comparison to the world: 133 vs. 40 male: 68.17 years vs. 75.45 years
female: 74.15 years (2009 est.) vs. 82.22 years
(South Koreans generally live longer than their Filipino counterparts.)
Net Migration
-1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) vs. -0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 vs. 102
(Although both countries indicates negative signs, meaning the number of people who moves out of their country, there are still more Filipinos who leaves Philippines.)
Education Expenditures:
2.5% of GDP (2005) vs. 4.6% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 158 vs. 85
(Again, South Koreans spends twice more in educating their nation than that of Filipinos.)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blog categs...
As I sift through my previous blogs today, I found some older ones that I have yet to move to a more appropriate place. Some are simple ramblings, reposts of anything that interest me, goings-on with my family, food, etc. I have to do something about this. NOW! ;(
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Food Fotos 2: Korean Attempts
Some old Korean dishes I've tried. I wasn't still personally satisfied how everything turned out so I should try these again later.
No camera at hand so I had at that time and I had to make do with my laptops built-in cam. This is the **Sweet Chicken (the Korean name escapes me at the moment). Kid and me loved it but turned out a bit too sweet for my spicy-loving hubby. Followed the recipe from Maangchi.com but I'm afraid it's not at par with how it's supposed to be. (*winks)
This is supposed to be Deokk Guk but all I can see is the egg and the stock. Too much stock.
Deokkbeokki - or what's left of it. The vegies are not that visible anymore. The deokk was the one my sis-in-law sent over a few months ago. We don't have it in town and needs to order it in the capital city or elsewhere.
** Dakkangjung
No camera at hand so I had at that time and I had to make do with my laptops built-in cam. This is the **Sweet Chicken (the Korean name escapes me at the moment). Kid and me loved it but turned out a bit too sweet for my spicy-loving hubby. Followed the recipe from Maangchi.com but I'm afraid it's not at par with how it's supposed to be. (*winks)
This is supposed to be Deokk Guk but all I can see is the egg and the stock. Too much stock.
Deokkbeokki - or what's left of it. The vegies are not that visible anymore. The deokk was the one my sis-in-law sent over a few months ago. We don't have it in town and needs to order it in the capital city or elsewhere.** Dakkangjung
Food Fotos
I am not really a big kitchen girl but when I have the urge to hang out in the kitchen, I can make decent food to satisfy my stomach. Here are some of the stuff I've managed to take photos of before we have have consumed everything.
A play with home photo studio with the mango muffin which didn't grow much. Edible nonetheless.
Another attempt at a mango pie. Or was it the first one? I still didn't really get the crust properly but I ate most of this myself anyway. ;)
A carrot bread rich with lots of eggs, and sugar and the works. Followed the recipe through and through but felt guilty and didn't try this again coz of all the carrot and eggs it needed. Pretty fancy and expensive ingredients for the tropics. I find carrots a bit pricey round here.
Here's a friends recipe from Fuller's cookbook. Brownies with lots of eggs. Hmm..sinfully rich. hahaha! We enjoyed making it anyway.
Muffin for my hubby, along with the coffee.
A play with home photo studio with the mango muffin which didn't grow much. Edible nonetheless.
Another attempt at a mango pie. Or was it the first one? I still didn't really get the crust properly but I ate most of this myself anyway. ;)
A carrot bread rich with lots of eggs, and sugar and the works. Followed the recipe through and through but felt guilty and didn't try this again coz of all the carrot and eggs it needed. Pretty fancy and expensive ingredients for the tropics. I find carrots a bit pricey round here.
Here's a friends recipe from Fuller's cookbook. Brownies with lots of eggs. Hmm..sinfully rich. hahaha! We enjoyed making it anyway.
Muffin for my hubby, along with the coffee.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Homecooking/baking, etc.
Workbook
Jul 8, 2009
How to make polvoron
entrepreneur.com.ph
Learn how to make polvoron
Just like pastillas, polvoron has become a favorite gift to give to overseas friends and family. There is such a huge demand for polvoron that in a survey conducted by the Business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last 2007, Goldilock’s Bakeshop named polvoron as their top-selling item—it sold more than their cakes!
Materials needed:
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon
Saucepan
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups powdered milk
1 1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups sugar
Japanese paper or cellophane
Polvoron molder, P24
(All available in supermarkets)
Getting started:
1. On a pan, toast fl our in moderate heat for about 15 minutes, or until light brown, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
2. Remove the pan and transfer the mixture into a big bowl.
3. Add the powdered milk, and toss for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Add sugar and melted butter. Mix well.
5. Fill the polvoron mould with the mixture, press it hard by using a spoon, then release it. If it is still too loose, add more butter or olive oil. Make sure that you could pick up the polvoron without it crumbling straight away.
6. Place the polvoron in an airtight container, then chill in the fridge until firm.
7. Carefully wrap the polvoron individually in japanese paper or cellophane.
8. Keep the polvoron refrigerated until you want to eat them. You can store them on the fridge for about a week, or you can freeze
them.
How to make puto
entrepreneur.com.ph
Learn how to make puto
Making and selling puto and kutsinta are hit business opportunities because (1) they are ridiculously easy to make; (2) they require very little capital; (3) you can mark them up to as high as 300 percent but (4) they will still be affordable to the masses.
Materials needed:
Steamer
Mixing bowl
Strainer
Muffin pan
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon or wire whisk
2 cups rice flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon anise seeds (optional)
1 cup grated coconut (or coconut flakes)
1. Sift the rice fl our, salt, baking powder and white sugar together.
2. In a bowl, add the coconut milk to the sifted ingredients and blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Add anise seeds or whatever flavoring you wish (i.e. vanilla, pandan, etc.) Mix and blend thoroughly.
4. Carefully pour the mixture into the muffi n pans (greased with butter beforehand), making sure you leave 1/3 space at the top. This is to give the puto space to expand upon cooking.
5. Steam for about 30 minutes.
6. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of each puto—the toothpick must come out clean.
7. Top with grated coconuts.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A Korean Palace: Repost from PDI
Changdeok Palace: Better than any Koreanovela
MANILA, Philippines—A remarkable example of the global nature of contemporary culture is the way Filipino audiences have taken to Korean TV drama shows like “Jewel in the Palace.” Something in these tales of intrigues and courtly passions must have appealed to our local viewers.
To the Koreans, court intrigues are nothing new. There is no lack of sumptuous settings for such Machiavellian plots. Seoul has the privilege of being home to five grand palaces. Now islands of serenity in the bustle of city life, they had witnessed tumultuous events.
One palace, Gyeongbukgung, was completely destroyed in the 1592 Japanese invasion. It was restored only to be damaged when Japan again occupied Korea in the 20th century.
The Japanese built a huge Neo-Classical administrative building atop the ruins, creating a virile image of their imperial might.
This office was such a despised symbol of foreign domination that the Koreans insisted on its destruction upon regaining their independence. In the 1990s, Gyeongbuk Palace (“gung” is the Korean word for “palace”) rose again. Clearly, even huge edifices are vulnerable pawns in the pageant of power.
Most beautiful
Of Seoul’s many royal residences, perhaps the most beautiful is Changdeokgung. Though having had its share of the ravages of war and fire, it has retained many structures from its past. It is the only palace in Korea to appear on the Unesco World Heritage List.
Wandering about Changdeokgung, one feels close to the bosom of the earth. This is a building that embraces its setting. Every pillar stands with the strength of trees, floors stretch out like a vast sea.
In contrast, the structures of Gyeongbukgung have a linear orientation. State ceremonies are carried out in regimented orderly procession. Not so in Changdeok Palace, where courtyards wrap around mountains and gardens reflect the contours of the land.
A few years ago, I had the honor of being tasked by Unesco’s Dr. Molly Lee to design modules for training teachers on how to explain the features of Changdeok Palace within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development or ESD. This meant analyzing the buildings and gardens of the royal compound from the perspectives of environment, economics, as well as society and culture.
I was, of course, quite nervous about the assignment, not being a scholar of Korean history or culture. Fortunately, I was working with local experts such as Dr. Sun Kyung Lee, and the officers of the Korean National Commission for Unesco.
Organic relation
The environmental modules were probably the easiest to conceptualize. The Unesco Heritage List inscription citation makes specific mention of the organic relation between Changdeokgung’s layout and the surrounding terrain. Indeed, the palace is a wonderful enclave of rare flora and fauna, a micro-ecosystem in itself.
Dr. Sun Kyung Lee explained that the many ancient trees and the various ponds help cool the area so that the average temperatures in Changdeokgung are lower than the rest of Seoul. More importantly, it was demonstrated how the various courtyards of the buildings were thoughtfully positioned so that throughout the day, each one does not receive the same amount of sunshine as the rest.
The dissimilar degrees of exposure to solar energy results in different temperature gradients, which in turn aids in the formation of natural breezes. In this way, the palace halls actually has an efficient air-conditioning system which does not require wasteful energy consumption.
The eaves of the buildings are carefully designed so that they keep away glare and rain while allowing maximum light to enter.
I was also impressed with the many sliding doors. Their wooden grids and delicate paper panels reminded me of our own capiz windows. What was most interesting, though, was that, in the warm Seoul summers, these sliding doors could actually be hitched up so that the whole room would be completely open on all sides.
For the economic aspect, one could point to the many tourists that visit Changdeokgung every year. Though there is a great demand to see the place, it was decided to restrict access so as not to strain the ancient structures. Visitors are required to join guided tours and are not allowed to wander around at will.
Entrance fees were made higher than for the other palaces. This insures that tourist numbers would be low while maintaining a sizable income stream—a good model for some of our more fragile heritage sites. The Korean example illustrates that sometimes, limited high-end tourism might be a better option.
Historical drama
It was perhaps the socio-cultural dimension that was most challenging to document. Certain buildings such as palaces reflect the drama of history because they are both the settings and the targets of great movements in a nation’s life.
Occasionally, world-wide narratives intersect with more site-specific tales. This point is best illustrated by Changdeokgung’s kitchen. At first, this antiseptic white-tiled room hints only at a universal story dealing with the eventual acceptance of European culinary conveniences and standards of hygiene.
Later on, one learns this modern-style kitchen was actually built because the Japanese had confined the royal family to a smaller section of the compound. Since the king and his clan could no longer make use of the original outlying cooking facility, it was necessary to construct one that was more centrally located and with more contemporary appointments.
What initially seems a nondescript room for food preparation is actually replete with reminders of imperialism and subjugation.
Viewing the garden with its strategically arranged ornamental rocks and pedestals for floral arrangements, one is easily lulled into seeing all of these as delightful decorative elements. Yet, realizing that one is standing in the women’s quarters, it suddenly becomes clear that these artful devices were meant to be entertaining distractions for cloistered consorts.
How many queens had sat staring at these same views while contemplating what lay outside their shuttered courtyards?
Meaningful symbol
All over Changdeok Palace are symbols very meaningful for the Korean people. There are images of animals like the phoenix, which represents the king. Tiles are decorated with a branching fern-like motif—an allusion to a sacred plant that confers immortality. There are stone markers in the main plaza indicating where an official was to stand according to rank. The characters are in Chinese, indicating the pervasive influence the Celestial Empire traditionally had in the region.
It surprised my hosts that I could make out the numerals 1 to 9. The secret source of my knowledge: mahjong!
One of the teaching modules I devised required participants to create matching T-shirts using designs taken from the palace compound. Many festooned their creations with images of flowers, terraces, trees, architectural details, even clouds.
Easily the most evocative part of Changdeokgung is Biwon, the Secret Garden. Here the foliage is at its most lush. Concerns about time recede as one meanders around a courtesan’s dream of ancient pavilions. Many kings built their sanctuaries and reading rooms in the tranquil embrace of this sylvan quarter.
One Biwon retreat mimics a rustic farmer’s home. Evidently, when the royal family was tired of the pomp and splendor of their palatial lives, they would escape here and play at being simple folk.
Yet, in many ways, this modest residence is more impressive than its gilded counterparts. Unencumbered by rich trappings and elaborate decorations, the pure wooden surfaces and the translucent paper-lined windows gleam with a quiet beauty.
Palaces rise and fall with the whims of destiny. But an exquisite edifice like Changdeokgung endures in the hearts of a people, not because of its regal halls filled with the embellishments of pride and power, but because it demonstrates how humans can fashion beautiful abodes while respecting the rhythms of nature.
~~~~~~~
This article reminded me of one of the palace I had the chance to see a few years back. I'm not sure if it was exactly that one, though. Upon checking, this was not the one. I was able to see the smallest and the biggest one, but not this one. ;(
Friday, September 18, 2009
Smoking Ban in Public Schools and Offices: Yahoo to the Pips of CSC who drafted this Circular
Smoking ban is finally taking shape. Or is it another attempt of the government at it? With the numerous orders and circulars not being strictly observed about how a government employee should conduct himself, this one ought not to be one of them. This is a matter of health and death. I wonder if anybody had taken notice of it.
Just take my city as an example. Littering and smoking are not allowed in public transports even a small tricycle but unless the passenger voices out any complain on this, some drivers would still keep at it. Personally, I try to avoid a ride that has a driver smoking. Sometimes, I would rather wait for another one than get into a death ride.
Now here are the things that every citizen should do, if ever put in a situation of having someone smoke in a public place.
1. Be aware that every citizen has a right to clean air. If you think somebody is trespassing that right, move on to no.2.
2. Be polite and inform/remind them that it is prohibited to smoke in that area. Do not be embarrass to do so. Keep in mind that your little embarrassment will have irreversible damages to your health. Sometimes, the offender will actually feel ashamed about it. Which is better than them getting angry about it. Remember, be polite. ;)
3. Let them know where the smoking area is.
4. And lastly, be polite and thank them for their consideration (even though you might be seething in anger at times).
In a public transportation specially the trics in my city.
Practically every legally franchised trics running in the city has these red or green stickers, with the Mayor's photo in it, that shows the penalties on littering and smoking in public utility vehicles. This one is really my favorite. Why? A few years ago, back in the late 90's, this city ordinance was virtually unknown specially to the drivers. This one almost came along almost at the same time with the anti- littering campaign but I guess it's too much for the public to care about at that time. Littering was more of the target back in those ages. I've read about this ordinance in one of the City's newsletter but no one actually follow, much know about it. It just one of those ordinances that rot in the filing cabinets of the government. So every time I bring it up to anybody I come across smoking in a PUV, I would be met with skepticism as if I am just making up a story or something to that effect.
Lo and behold! After a decade of that, I finally found my ally on the stickers placed right inside the tricycles. Now, I simply have to point to it to remind the erring citizen of that ordinance. Information dissemination is finally right in front of our face.
Fast forward to bigger picture. The enactment of the Clean Air Act brought some more attention to smoking in public places anew. But still, it seems that not a lot of people specially from the executive government, know how to put this into effect even in a minute way in their own offices. The country's Civil Service Commission finally did something lately with their Circular. I would love to know more about this one and perhaps another sticker campaign will do the trick again? Beware, though, with the ubiquitous photos of officials who puts their faces as big as the information that they are trying to convey. I am treading another territory now. I'll leave it at that. Here's the newspaper article about the CSC Smoking ban lifted from the Philippine Star.
Just take my city as an example. Littering and smoking are not allowed in public transports even a small tricycle but unless the passenger voices out any complain on this, some drivers would still keep at it. Personally, I try to avoid a ride that has a driver smoking. Sometimes, I would rather wait for another one than get into a death ride.
Now here are the things that every citizen should do, if ever put in a situation of having someone smoke in a public place.
1. Be aware that every citizen has a right to clean air. If you think somebody is trespassing that right, move on to no.2.
2. Be polite and inform/remind them that it is prohibited to smoke in that area. Do not be embarrass to do so. Keep in mind that your little embarrassment will have irreversible damages to your health. Sometimes, the offender will actually feel ashamed about it. Which is better than them getting angry about it. Remember, be polite. ;)
3. Let them know where the smoking area is.
4. And lastly, be polite and thank them for their consideration (even though you might be seething in anger at times).
In a public transportation specially the trics in my city.
Practically every legally franchised trics running in the city has these red or green stickers, with the Mayor's photo in it, that shows the penalties on littering and smoking in public utility vehicles. This one is really my favorite. Why? A few years ago, back in the late 90's, this city ordinance was virtually unknown specially to the drivers. This one almost came along almost at the same time with the anti- littering campaign but I guess it's too much for the public to care about at that time. Littering was more of the target back in those ages. I've read about this ordinance in one of the City's newsletter but no one actually follow, much know about it. It just one of those ordinances that rot in the filing cabinets of the government. So every time I bring it up to anybody I come across smoking in a PUV, I would be met with skepticism as if I am just making up a story or something to that effect.
Lo and behold! After a decade of that, I finally found my ally on the stickers placed right inside the tricycles. Now, I simply have to point to it to remind the erring citizen of that ordinance. Information dissemination is finally right in front of our face.
Fast forward to bigger picture. The enactment of the Clean Air Act brought some more attention to smoking in public places anew. But still, it seems that not a lot of people specially from the executive government, know how to put this into effect even in a minute way in their own offices. The country's Civil Service Commission finally did something lately with their Circular. I would love to know more about this one and perhaps another sticker campaign will do the trick again? Beware, though, with the ubiquitous photos of officials who puts their faces as big as the information that they are trying to convey. I am treading another territory now. I'll leave it at that. Here's the newspaper article about the CSC Smoking ban lifted from the Philippine Star.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What is Your Panty Type? (A repost)
Recently, I have been trying to fine tune my undergarment shopping. It seems I haven't found a regular brand, or cut yet again. The ones that I've used locally for years needs to change. My personal preferences change and I still have to find which one suited me. With all the brands, cuts, and undergarment lingos, I have yet to learn a lot. On to googling. This is the first decent and fun find.
What is Your Panty Type?
Panties, regardless of the cut and style and the fabric they are made of, are basic items to be found in a woman’s lingerie drawer. There are different kinds of panties out there and women do have their preferences as to what type of panties to wear. Some women own different types to wear for different outfits and different occasions, while some opt for just one or two types and stick to them.
It is often said that you can tell what kind of person a woman is by the panties that she wears. Is she the sexy type or the fun-loving, outgoing type? Or is she the practical one and puts comfort above all considerations in picking her underwear?
Bikinis: The bikini panty is the most popular type of panty. Young girls are often raised on this type before they gravitate to boy shorts and thongs when they get older. The bikini panty has a fully-covered rear and is cut high at the thigh. The sides of the bikini can either be of full material or just string (thus leading to the string bikini version). There are mid-rise bikini types as well as low-rise ones to fit the low-pants trend. A woman who prefers bikinis is the kind of woman who likes pretty things but will not sacrifice comfort for them.
Thongs: Racy and sometimes titillating, and propelled to popular heights by Sisqo’s “Thong Song,” the thong is the skimpiest and sexiest type of panty around. Thongs are usually low rise and leave the bottoms bare. They usually come in G-string or T-back. G-strings are almost nothing but strings, giving that barely there look and feel to it. T-backs, on the other hand, form a T-shape on the buttocks. Women who like wearing thongs like to feel sexy – and they usually are.
Boy shorts: Boy shorts are a new style of undergarments and are quickly edging close to bikinis. This type of panty is cut low at the thighs, covering the hips and the buttocks, although there are versions of this style that leave the lower portion of the rear bare enough to tease but still leaving a lot to the imagination. Boy shorts are becoming more and more popular because they allow the wearer to look sexy without putting too much emphasis on problem areas like the butt and thighs. Boy shorts are worn by active, athletic women who still want to look sexy without sacrificing comfort.
Briefs: Briefs are also known as granny panties. They are big and cover a considerable portion of the lower torso, starting from the upper thighs and up to the belly button, sometimes even the waist. Some people do not find hipsters pretty at all, but there is no doubt that they are very comfortable. Many women wear them for sleeping or when they are having their periods. A woman who prefers to wear briefs above all other types of underwear does not give a hoot about what is fashionable and stylish. Comfort is her only concern and nothing else.
By Anna Lynn C. Sibal (a wordpress site)
My First Buko Pie..I'll dare myself to eat the whole pie next time!
Sunday : Mother texted me that she has some buko from San Jose and asked if I was interested to turn them into pies. I said yes and went there late in the afternoon. But turned out they have to go somewhere so raincheck for the scooping out.
Monday: I planned on going back again but didn't make it to their place to pick it up.
Tuesday: My son caught a fever the night before so I had to cancel my baking plans. Too late, they already brought me the buko stuff so I had no choice but to really do it til midnight. I started before dinner and resumed after dinner until one A.M.
Here's what happened. I made my first buko pie, a dozen of mini-buko pies and a loaf of not-so-moist banana bread (I've done better ones before).
The buko pie turned out good, almost great to my hubby's taste. (It's been years since he last tasted one, hahaha!)
Monday: I planned on going back again but didn't make it to their place to pick it up.
Tuesday: My son caught a fever the night before so I had to cancel my baking plans. Too late, they already brought me the buko stuff so I had no choice but to really do it til midnight. I started before dinner and resumed after dinner until one A.M.
Here's what happened. I made my first buko pie, a dozen of mini-buko pies and a loaf of not-so-moist banana bread (I've done better ones before).
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| The filling. It was almost overflowing in my little sauce pan. |
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After two trials on going for the dough, I finally figured out that it need some egg yolk to make it stick together. My previous trial easily crumbled until this.
|
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| Still will not qualify as pastry chef but at least I can make what I want to eat. |
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And have my family taste and enjoy it too!
It was such a delight to see and eat these small thingies. Yum...
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Stem Cells Research in the Philippines: Existent?
Stem cell research has been the rise to fame and downfall of a famous Korean scientist a few years ago. It rocked the ROK and the world. In the Philippines, stem cell research are almost unheard of in the common people except a biology class and medical sciences. This recent article in Inquirer gave me a glimpse on where the stem cell concept/research is in the Philippines.
It also talks about a Fil-Am jack-of-all-trades (brainy and cutting-edge biotechnology realm, that is) who is a Physician (oncologist), chemist, Lawyer, molecular biologist etc. I'm not sure which description would really bring the ultimate Wow or what?. Individually, these "descriptions" would be impressive enough but to roll them into one person, that is something. Now, wouldn't you say some people are more than blessed with their brains, hmm. On the note though, one thing that should be added to that list is "cancer survivor." I believe it would be the most meaningful one, in my own humble opinion. Let me put a name to that list now, and it would be Dr. Samuel D. Bernal of The Medical City in Pasig. It would be interesting to meet him, I think. I do have great respect for oncologists and molecular biologists. ;)
A series on Stem Cell Concept in the Philippines was written by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
When this thing picks up speed, I bet the whole "religion-concerned country" will have their say.
It also talks about a Fil-Am jack-of-all-trades (brainy and cutting-edge biotechnology realm, that is) who is a Physician (oncologist), chemist, Lawyer, molecular biologist etc. I'm not sure which description would really bring the ultimate Wow or what?. Individually, these "descriptions" would be impressive enough but to roll them into one person, that is something. Now, wouldn't you say some people are more than blessed with their brains, hmm. On the note though, one thing that should be added to that list is "cancer survivor." I believe it would be the most meaningful one, in my own humble opinion. Let me put a name to that list now, and it would be Dr. Samuel D. Bernal of The Medical City in Pasig. It would be interesting to meet him, I think. I do have great respect for oncologists and molecular biologists. ;)
A series on Stem Cell Concept in the Philippines was written by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
When this thing picks up speed, I bet the whole "religion-concerned country" will have their say.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Newspaper reading has been a good habit I've picked up through the years. Even though not everyday, I do find myself looking it up at least twice every week.
As much as I not a big fan of the subject of politics, here are some interesting columns under opinions of Inquirer;
On the Expat's stake of Estrada's bid for presidency
On other possible presidential candidate giving way for Ninoy Aquino
(The joke for the day also left me thinking for the fill-in-the-blanks.)
a brief LP background and ideas for the future election
As much as I not a big fan of the subject of politics, here are some interesting columns under opinions of Inquirer;
On the Expat's stake of Estrada's bid for presidency
On other possible presidential candidate giving way for Ninoy Aquino
(The joke for the day also left me thinking for the fill-in-the-blanks.)
a brief LP background and ideas for the future election
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Aug. 16th '2009
A Thousand's Splendid Sun
by Khaled Hosseini
My eyes are still red and puffed, my head is starting to throb but my mind and fingers are itching to write something. I started reading this book last Friday night after arguing with my husband who let me had the chance to get a hold of this one in the first place. I chose to read this first over another which I had no idea what it was exactly about as to a synopsis or something of that sort. For this book, hubby was able to, at least, tell me more like a sentence or a brief description about it. It wasn't just "it was top ten recommended books to read" or something to that effect. In order to for someone to start something to read, there should be at least a background or something of a pre-reading part before the actual reading. You just don't go bungee jumping without knowing what's below you. Err..is that too much of a comparison,now? It was well late into the night and I seriously don't have any plans of turning on my laptop to check for the background of the story online.
That left me starting to read Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand's Splendid Sun. The setting started in an all-too-innocent backdrop of a place in a country far from civilization. Meaning, no electricity, a couple of farm pets in the scene, -- a very simple living. There was a girl. And an eccentric mother. A little girl of fifteen years of age, and strange words that signals the reader that this wasn't an average English written novel. It continues on with these local words, giving it some spice. It isn't straightforward English and sometimes, you'd get lost in some terms. Nonetheless, looking at the other side of the coin, it gives the reader a glimpse of the language and culture of where the story begins. From the innocent setting that it has started, the story unfurls into almost excruciatingly painful changes that takes place in the young life of the protagonist. As the story moves to the city of Khabul, I wonder what kept me reading it. If somebody has told me that most of the story takes place in Afghanistan, I am not sure if I would have the interest of finishing at all. I am not going to attempt to retell the storyline or much less give out spoilers, pray forgive me. Perhaps in another entry I might, or might not, after all.
This will only be my reaction. I cannot share this with my DH coz he hadn't finish it yet and I might give out some spoilers.
Reading the book made me thankful, again, that I was a girl born in a country where I have rights. I am not really one patriotic citizen, with all the shams going on in my country but for being born and brought up where women have more right, is more than a good fortune. It is a privelege. I don't think I can live in a culture where women are thought less of any more than a possible wife, mother or househelp. Don't get me wrong, all of those roles are beyond repproach but THAT isn't all. The author dedicated the book to two names and the women of Afghanistan. Women. Yes, women. Not to the scantily-clad women of tabloids, of TV's and movies but my guess would be to the burqa-clad women who have no choice but to live in their husbands shadows, along with the violence that women around the world endures. This I must reiterate. I am open to the fact that it much of the culture that some women in certain countries live that way. It is their culture. Yes, but if the women should have a choice if they wish to follow their culture or another. I perfectly understand women who have a great respect to their own culture and I DO ADMIRE them for that. I can only be be grateful that they have a heart like for I myself may not have any for such. Go ing back to the story, it tells of a tale of two young girls who later on grows up in front of the reader's eye's into women, made sterner through all of the wars, bloodshed and the simple ramifications of living a life in Khabul, under the different political disturbances for a period of a decade or two. Or is it even three? I can only sigh. This is indeed a good read, not for the faint-hearted but for anybody who has a heart, a man or woman for that matter.
by Khaled Hosseini
My eyes are still red and puffed, my head is starting to throb but my mind and fingers are itching to write something. I started reading this book last Friday night after arguing with my husband who let me had the chance to get a hold of this one in the first place. I chose to read this first over another which I had no idea what it was exactly about as to a synopsis or something of that sort. For this book, hubby was able to, at least, tell me more like a sentence or a brief description about it. It wasn't just "it was top ten recommended books to read" or something to that effect. In order to for someone to start something to read, there should be at least a background or something of a pre-reading part before the actual reading. You just don't go bungee jumping without knowing what's below you. Err..is that too much of a comparison,now? It was well late into the night and I seriously don't have any plans of turning on my laptop to check for the background of the story online.
That left me starting to read Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand's Splendid Sun. The setting started in an all-too-innocent backdrop of a place in a country far from civilization. Meaning, no electricity, a couple of farm pets in the scene, -- a very simple living. There was a girl. And an eccentric mother. A little girl of fifteen years of age, and strange words that signals the reader that this wasn't an average English written novel. It continues on with these local words, giving it some spice. It isn't straightforward English and sometimes, you'd get lost in some terms. Nonetheless, looking at the other side of the coin, it gives the reader a glimpse of the language and culture of where the story begins. From the innocent setting that it has started, the story unfurls into almost excruciatingly painful changes that takes place in the young life of the protagonist. As the story moves to the city of Khabul, I wonder what kept me reading it. If somebody has told me that most of the story takes place in Afghanistan, I am not sure if I would have the interest of finishing at all. I am not going to attempt to retell the storyline or much less give out spoilers, pray forgive me. Perhaps in another entry I might, or might not, after all.
This will only be my reaction. I cannot share this with my DH coz he hadn't finish it yet and I might give out some spoilers.
Reading the book made me thankful, again, that I was a girl born in a country where I have rights. I am not really one patriotic citizen, with all the shams going on in my country but for being born and brought up where women have more right, is more than a good fortune. It is a privelege. I don't think I can live in a culture where women are thought less of any more than a possible wife, mother or househelp. Don't get me wrong, all of those roles are beyond repproach but THAT isn't all. The author dedicated the book to two names and the women of Afghanistan. Women. Yes, women. Not to the scantily-clad women of tabloids, of TV's and movies but my guess would be to the burqa-clad women who have no choice but to live in their husbands shadows, along with the violence that women around the world endures. This I must reiterate. I am open to the fact that it much of the culture that some women in certain countries live that way. It is their culture. Yes, but if the women should have a choice if they wish to follow their culture or another. I perfectly understand women who have a great respect to their own culture and I DO ADMIRE them for that. I can only be be grateful that they have a heart like for I myself may not have any for such. Go ing back to the story, it tells of a tale of two young girls who later on grows up in front of the reader's eye's into women, made sterner through all of the wars, bloodshed and the simple ramifications of living a life in Khabul, under the different political disturbances for a period of a decade or two. Or is it even three? I can only sigh. This is indeed a good read, not for the faint-hearted but for anybody who has a heart, a man or woman for that matter.
P turns Five!
Yesterday has been a great day! It was a bit busy for me but it turned out fine.
After three years of planning, I was finally able to bake my son his birthday cake. A first for me, I'm afraid. We've always bought cake from stores before and just come to think of it, he has always had a cake on his birthday. Small maybe but still a cake.
I started around 10 AM after my morning routine. I made two batch coz the portions were not that enough. After two hours, a total of 6 C of flour, 2 C of mayo, 3 C of sugar, 12 T of cocoa and a number of sifting, the mixture did get into the oven and out to start cooling while we had our lunch. Having it cooled a bit, I went back to it to make the fudge and finish up the irregular turn out of the cake. Ha! It sure was time consuming for a first timer like me. I still had to run to the market to get some peppers for the spaghetti. It was about 4 when the grandparents arrived with their gift. ;)
Since not everything is still settled, we all went out for some playtime for the birthday boy and while I run for additional candles and peppers and other stuff needed. SOS from my bro who took care of the finishing touches for the cake which was wanting some colors save for the brown chocolate fudge covering it.
Things to properly note down on DIY cake: NIPS, or MnMs, mallows, sprinklers (which I have to go to a special party store and not just at the only mart in town!), small stick'o, pretzels, hmm...it should look better next time. ;)
Some more notes on the things I learned:
a. I may someday consider using the confectionaire's sugar on the frosting or even fudge. I did buy it and it's rotting in my cupboard. The very conscientous of sugar for the teeth really gets in the way of my baking. Tsk, tsk. I keep on thinking of the very fine confectsugars that is just perfect to melt in our mouth and at the same time melt our teeth! There should be a balance somewhere.
b. Take care of the candles way in advance. This is a second for me coz I do remember one of my friends who had the same problem last time. I almost had the same, except that mine was easier solved. I didn't have to look for a very special candle. A stick was enough except that I needed one more. My reuse-reduce-and-recycle-thing kicked in and what I did was just add one more from the last set that we had last year. Ah! I did buy two this time for next year. Hmm..kidded the clerk about it but I was actually dead serious. LOL..
And now, off to make our thak you cards for our guests yesterday. My son sure had a great birthday thanks to them.
After three years of planning, I was finally able to bake my son his birthday cake. A first for me, I'm afraid. We've always bought cake from stores before and just come to think of it, he has always had a cake on his birthday. Small maybe but still a cake.
I started around 10 AM after my morning routine. I made two batch coz the portions were not that enough. After two hours, a total of 6 C of flour, 2 C of mayo, 3 C of sugar, 12 T of cocoa and a number of sifting, the mixture did get into the oven and out to start cooling while we had our lunch. Having it cooled a bit, I went back to it to make the fudge and finish up the irregular turn out of the cake. Ha! It sure was time consuming for a first timer like me. I still had to run to the market to get some peppers for the spaghetti. It was about 4 when the grandparents arrived with their gift. ;)
Since not everything is still settled, we all went out for some playtime for the birthday boy and while I run for additional candles and peppers and other stuff needed. SOS from my bro who took care of the finishing touches for the cake which was wanting some colors save for the brown chocolate fudge covering it.
Things to properly note down on DIY cake: NIPS, or MnMs, mallows, sprinklers (which I have to go to a special party store and not just at the only mart in town!), small stick'o, pretzels, hmm...it should look better next time. ;)
Some more notes on the things I learned:
a. I may someday consider using the confectionaire's sugar on the frosting or even fudge. I did buy it and it's rotting in my cupboard. The very conscientous of sugar for the teeth really gets in the way of my baking. Tsk, tsk. I keep on thinking of the very fine confectsugars that is just perfect to melt in our mouth and at the same time melt our teeth! There should be a balance somewhere.
b. Take care of the candles way in advance. This is a second for me coz I do remember one of my friends who had the same problem last time. I almost had the same, except that mine was easier solved. I didn't have to look for a very special candle. A stick was enough except that I needed one more. My reuse-reduce-and-recycle-thing kicked in and what I did was just add one more from the last set that we had last year. Ah! I did buy two this time for next year. Hmm..kidded the clerk about it but I was actually dead serious. LOL..
And now, off to make our thak you cards for our guests yesterday. My son sure had a great birthday thanks to them.
August 20th, 2009
Things that make me happy in the morning...
Waking up to see my boys sleeping beside me,
catching the rays of the early sun reflected onto the wall from the floor that catches the sun from the window,
(it only happens sometime around seven or so),
having the moment of being alone before the numerous tasks that have to be done gets rolling in,
and seeing the torrents speed hitting 40's up to 50's kbps. With our net service provider usually hovering around less than 10 kbps, this is something. Now, isn't that fast and enough to make you happy?
Waking up to see my boys sleeping beside me,
catching the rays of the early sun reflected onto the wall from the floor that catches the sun from the window,
(it only happens sometime around seven or so),
having the moment of being alone before the numerous tasks that have to be done gets rolling in,
and seeing the torrents speed hitting 40's up to 50's kbps. With our net service provider usually hovering around less than 10 kbps, this is something. Now, isn't that fast and enough to make you happy?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Three Men and a Maid
Upon searching for an audio book to download for my aunt to listen to, I checked out this book. It's pretty short, light read and funny. I might have seen this plot on movies/tv a lot of times before but it sure is a good try to listen to an audiobook for a change.
From librivox.org, I started to listen to it. It actually made me laugh out loud at times. Good thing I am listening while doing chores at home and not in somewhere in public. It is not really hilariously funny but it does have the occasional humor to it. I loaded it up in my mobile player yesterday and hopefully finish it up on the 4th or 5th of this month. Then I can move on to another book. ;)
From librivox.org, I started to listen to it. It actually made me laugh out loud at times. Good thing I am listening while doing chores at home and not in somewhere in public. It is not really hilariously funny but it does have the occasional humor to it. I loaded it up in my mobile player yesterday and hopefully finish it up on the 4th or 5th of this month. Then I can move on to another book. ;)
Blog Face-off
This is the first entry. A big trial. Another attempt to write something. Anything. As long as we're writing. For only 15 minutes, we have to write something.
This exercise has been brought up before, without the timer thing, but never made it to a second or even an decent one entry. We talked about doing a writing exercise every week before but it NEVER materialize. It seems that if we put it in the schedule for another time, the "another time" never comes. This time, we did it the "Flylady way". And what's the flylady way that I learned? It is setting your mind on to something, being able to do it in fifteen minutes and doing it NOW. That sure sounds quite easy, but for people who can't really concentrate and tend to over concentrate ;), that is almost an impossible task.
So for now, I will just have to leave it to my fingers to keep moving until the bell rings. It reminds me of writing exercises at school which I never really appreciated. I mean, I never saw the importance of using the remaing time for the class to sweat on something to write about. Somehow, there was no consistency on the writing exercises, and I never saw the connection.
Fast forward to more than ten years since high school, I find myself having to retrace my steps on learning to write. I'm not talking of the basic pen-holding things, and grammar of course. This is creative writing. Well...at least an attempt on it. It might be a good exercise for the brain, if not necessarily physically for my fingers for my typing skills. An exercise nonetheless which I hope I can continue on doing as I try to keep a decent flow of entry in my blog.
Looking back to my previous blog entries, I've pretty much kept a regular entry every month since I got my own laptop this year. I'ts quite liberating to be able to write something when you feel like writing. The only problem is finding the time now.
Time's up!
This exercise has been brought up before, without the timer thing, but never made it to a second or even an decent one entry. We talked about doing a writing exercise every week before but it NEVER materialize. It seems that if we put it in the schedule for another time, the "another time" never comes. This time, we did it the "Flylady way". And what's the flylady way that I learned? It is setting your mind on to something, being able to do it in fifteen minutes and doing it NOW. That sure sounds quite easy, but for people who can't really concentrate and tend to over concentrate ;), that is almost an impossible task.
So for now, I will just have to leave it to my fingers to keep moving until the bell rings. It reminds me of writing exercises at school which I never really appreciated. I mean, I never saw the importance of using the remaing time for the class to sweat on something to write about. Somehow, there was no consistency on the writing exercises, and I never saw the connection.
Fast forward to more than ten years since high school, I find myself having to retrace my steps on learning to write. I'm not talking of the basic pen-holding things, and grammar of course. This is creative writing. Well...at least an attempt on it. It might be a good exercise for the brain, if not necessarily physically for my fingers for my typing skills. An exercise nonetheless which I hope I can continue on doing as I try to keep a decent flow of entry in my blog.
Looking back to my previous blog entries, I've pretty much kept a regular entry every month since I got my own laptop this year. I'ts quite liberating to be able to write something when you feel like writing. The only problem is finding the time now.
Time's up!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie - A book report of sort
might have started a new one to read without writing anything about this. Nevertheless, for the sake of writing exercise, and future reference on what this story is all about, I am writing it now.
This book, it seems to the the first book of Tuppence and Tommy. The first, or probably the only one I've read of Christie's books featuring this duo, was "What Mrs. Mc Gullicudy Saw" or Flatform 9:13 or something like that. It was quite a light read compared to the books featuring Hercule Poirot. It must have been not very easy to write a male protagonist. I believe it's pretty complicated compared to writing about a woman protagonist.
Back to Tuppence and Tommy, this book introduces the reader to the two childhood friends who ended up meeting each other in their lives. At one point during the war where Tuppence was working in a hospital as an all-around attendant (from dishwashing to attending to the patients) and Tommy as one of the soldiers/patients injured in the war. After their VAD stints, they met again while both looking for opportonity to earn something. It is in this situation that they teamed up to take up anything. After laying out their plan on advertising themselves in the papers, Tuppence stumbled onto a very interesting case of a catchy name.
Jane Finn. What's in name?
Seriously, it didn't strike me as anything special. It's just a name and there are other countless strange names across the globe. Well perhaps not during that time of writing. I mean, the war has just ended and all that.
So going back to the story, I really won't be going into the nitty gritty of it all. I would just like to take into notice how the characters were painted. There were other big characters which at one point was in my list of suspects. Sure there were a lot of other characters involved but with the build up of an apparent mastermind behind all of the complications in the story, a mysterious Mr. Brown is always the culprit. Upon realizing that this Mr. Brown is most likely one of the active characters in the story, living in another name, I was out for a possible name. As I read, I developed a hunch that it was Suspect no.1. Almost all throughout the book, my money was on him. The thing was I wasn't really that sure as I later found out because I did a doulbe take around the end when the Suspect No. 2 was pointed out as the One. But of course, all the deductions and various offhand suggestions that was built up against Suspect No. 1, indeed added up and in the end, it turned out that he indeed the one posing as Mr. Brown. Now what points led me to form that hunch? Hmm..the way the character was build up. It was so attractive, I'm not referring to the aesthetic here. Although there was another character described as interestingly but it died somewhere in the story. That brought me back to No. 1. I really admire how his character was build up. There was the instance on the mysterious poison administered, inside knowledge of things that the protagonist will be doing and such and such. It seemed that the protagonist are always one step late of what the anagonist has done. This case simply led the reader to believe that the culprit is among the people trying to help the protagonist as they solve the case. SOmething like an inside knowldge of the pursuants. Ah! This was one entertaining read for me.
I can finally move to another book and see for myself how another story plot thickens, how the characters are built and how well can I make guesses.
Now, what will be my next one? Perhaps a Ms. Marple book. I don't think I'm ready for Poirot again.
This book, it seems to the the first book of Tuppence and Tommy. The first, or probably the only one I've read of Christie's books featuring this duo, was "What Mrs. Mc Gullicudy Saw" or Flatform 9:13 or something like that. It was quite a light read compared to the books featuring Hercule Poirot. It must have been not very easy to write a male protagonist. I believe it's pretty complicated compared to writing about a woman protagonist.
Back to Tuppence and Tommy, this book introduces the reader to the two childhood friends who ended up meeting each other in their lives. At one point during the war where Tuppence was working in a hospital as an all-around attendant (from dishwashing to attending to the patients) and Tommy as one of the soldiers/patients injured in the war. After their VAD stints, they met again while both looking for opportonity to earn something. It is in this situation that they teamed up to take up anything. After laying out their plan on advertising themselves in the papers, Tuppence stumbled onto a very interesting case of a catchy name.
Jane Finn. What's in name?
Seriously, it didn't strike me as anything special. It's just a name and there are other countless strange names across the globe. Well perhaps not during that time of writing. I mean, the war has just ended and all that.
So going back to the story, I really won't be going into the nitty gritty of it all. I would just like to take into notice how the characters were painted. There were other big characters which at one point was in my list of suspects. Sure there were a lot of other characters involved but with the build up of an apparent mastermind behind all of the complications in the story, a mysterious Mr. Brown is always the culprit. Upon realizing that this Mr. Brown is most likely one of the active characters in the story, living in another name, I was out for a possible name. As I read, I developed a hunch that it was Suspect no.1. Almost all throughout the book, my money was on him. The thing was I wasn't really that sure as I later found out because I did a doulbe take around the end when the Suspect No. 2 was pointed out as the One. But of course, all the deductions and various offhand suggestions that was built up against Suspect No. 1, indeed added up and in the end, it turned out that he indeed the one posing as Mr. Brown. Now what points led me to form that hunch? Hmm..the way the character was build up. It was so attractive, I'm not referring to the aesthetic here. Although there was another character described as interestingly but it died somewhere in the story. That brought me back to No. 1. I really admire how his character was build up. There was the instance on the mysterious poison administered, inside knowledge of things that the protagonist will be doing and such and such. It seemed that the protagonist are always one step late of what the anagonist has done. This case simply led the reader to believe that the culprit is among the people trying to help the protagonist as they solve the case. SOmething like an inside knowldge of the pursuants. Ah! This was one entertaining read for me.
I can finally move to another book and see for myself how another story plot thickens, how the characters are built and how well can I make guesses.
Now, what will be my next one? Perhaps a Ms. Marple book. I don't think I'm ready for Poirot again.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Happy Day Today!
Hubby got his first online shopping package this month. And....I got myself a new Mp3 player! Although I'm not sure if it was originally for me. Haha! My previous one was long gone and I'm just tickled to get a new one. Thanks dear. :) It might take a while for me to get use to it's relatively simple functions.
Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.
The
Having found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.
As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)
Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.
TheHaving found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.
As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)
20th of July
Hubby got his first online shopping package this month. And....I got myself a new Mp3 player! Although I'm not sure if it was originally for me. Haha! My previous one was long gone and I'm just tickled to get a new one. Thanks dear. :) It might take a while for me to get use to it's relatively simple functions.
Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven enough to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.
The shirt was almost unused more than 6 years ago. Then I think I gave it to my Bro or Pops when we left. After 3 years, we got back and found the shirt back in our things. It was a little loose, almost a candidate for a rag if it weren't for the print. It was a comfy sleeping shirt for a while but...hey...not all the time. I finally found a new home for the mask print.
Having found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.
As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)
Anyway, I browsed through some repair/mending ideas today. I tried to update the clothes in my drawer and I found some shirt that I hardly wear but cannot afford to throw out yet. It seems that I do have ideas how to make them wearable. I just need some more info and knowledgeable skills to make it. I already have one finished product which I did a few weeks ago. Sometime early this month, I finally cut the Korean Mask shirt and sewed it on to my kiddos plain red shirt. I started that one in a no-power night until the next morning when there no power again. All hand-sewn! I am not that very fond of needlework coz of my sweaty hands and this was really a BIG accomplishment for me. I was just driven enough to save the print, and put it somewhere it can look better and add more to it's lifespan.
The shirt was almost unused more than 6 years ago. Then I think I gave it to my Bro or Pops when we left. After 3 years, we got back and found the shirt back in our things. It was a little loose, almost a candidate for a rag if it weren't for the print. It was a comfy sleeping shirt for a while but...hey...not all the time. I finally found a new home for the mask print.
Having found another shirt in my drawer, I surfed for info how I can make my imagination into reality. I do have idea on what I want it to look like but doesn't really have enough guts and skills to snip and put it together again. This is way harder than the "cut and paste" I did earlier. Sigh. It's worth saving coz the shirt is still looks new. I hardly wore it coz I felt it was a little too loose for my frame. Why I bought it more than ten years ago is still lost on me. Except that I really like the print. A bit too flowery but there are days that I like to wear one, you know. Specially when it's bright and sunny and the weather is just great! I think I need to resize it, or if I go insane, totally redesign it. ? Haha! That's gonna be an interesting thing to watch out for.
As I was looking for ideas on sewing, I stumbled on an interesting crafty blog from a gal in Cebu. Finally! Something that is within the geographical territory. I mean, crafty stuff are usually from other lands and seldom would I find local crafty bloggers. It can be a start. ;)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
7-8-9
Another date I can't resist.
If last year, I went for the 7-7 date, this year, I will go for the 7-8-9. Bro informed me to attend some seminar today and I jokingly suggested to have his gf join, which she gamely accepted. We spent quite some time together with P. It was quite cool, so to speak.
What's going on my mind now? I am actually sleepy and can't think very straight. Ah! My shining sink!
I have finally started "flying with my sink">. I've found this nice site a few weeks ago but I just didn't get on with it till I had my kitchen fixed last Tuesday. I was off to a better start with a newly fixed water taps, etc. I don't have any excuses anymore. So far, I'm on my second night now. Tuesday, after starting off with my sink, I also did the 1st room's bathroom. It was such a tremendous job. Both didn't have any big clean up for awhile. At the end of the day, I was barely able to get my sink cleaned up before tumbling into bed. I was really tired. But the feeling of accomplishment was really worth it. I am finally starting.
This week, I had also started back into my physical exercises. Ah, upon checking up on my calendar so far, I had started on the 1st of July. I kind of tried this around New Year but slacked off. My goal at that time was at least 3x a week. This time, I will try to do at least 30 mins, 4 or 5 times a week. I have yet to wake up more early too. So far, after hitting 10 AM wake up time a few weeks ago, I have tried to regain control and slowly worked my way back into 8:30, then 8, and finally 7:30 this morning. Bad thing though was I didn't jumpstart at that time today. SO far, things are looking up. Eeny weeny baby steps. Eyelids are really drooping...or dropping? Duh..too sleepy. Signing off for now.
If last year, I went for the 7-7 date, this year, I will go for the 7-8-9. Bro informed me to attend some seminar today and I jokingly suggested to have his gf join, which she gamely accepted. We spent quite some time together with P. It was quite cool, so to speak.
What's going on my mind now? I am actually sleepy and can't think very straight. Ah! My shining sink!
I have finally started "flying with my sink">. I've found this nice site a few weeks ago but I just didn't get on with it till I had my kitchen fixed last Tuesday. I was off to a better start with a newly fixed water taps, etc. I don't have any excuses anymore. So far, I'm on my second night now. Tuesday, after starting off with my sink, I also did the 1st room's bathroom. It was such a tremendous job. Both didn't have any big clean up for awhile. At the end of the day, I was barely able to get my sink cleaned up before tumbling into bed. I was really tired. But the feeling of accomplishment was really worth it. I am finally starting.
This week, I had also started back into my physical exercises. Ah, upon checking up on my calendar so far, I had started on the 1st of July. I kind of tried this around New Year but slacked off. My goal at that time was at least 3x a week. This time, I will try to do at least 30 mins, 4 or 5 times a week. I have yet to wake up more early too. So far, after hitting 10 AM wake up time a few weeks ago, I have tried to regain control and slowly worked my way back into 8:30, then 8, and finally 7:30 this morning. Bad thing though was I didn't jumpstart at that time today. SO far, things are looking up. Eeny weeny baby steps.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The APO; My Nostalgic Musings
Contrary to the common generation of those who love the APO Hiking Society, I was not born in the 70's. I didn't exist yet at that time. The Martial Law, and everything that happened in the country at that time. Even when it ended with the First People's Power Movement, I wasn't aware of such historical events.
The APO existed during that period and after that. They continued to live on through their music even if they are not very active in the music scene nowadays save for their anniversary bash last year with a series and one big concert.
I was listening to some of their music today as I do my house chores and it was kind nostalgic. After the highly volatile political period of the 70's and early 80's, the group emerge through it all and went on to do noontime show on TV. Me, being raised on watching TV (ha! I wonder what my Mom had to say on this;-), had watched this group on the tube. From once a week Sunday noontime shows, they went on to do the weekdays. "Sa Linggo nAPO Sila" to Isang Linggo nAPO Sila. At that time, the reigning noontime show on TV was "Eat Bulaga" and they did make a quite a competion. Since both main groups (the APO and TVJ) are remarkably good singers, the shows were filled with music, games and fun. I believe it was a non-comparable quality to what I see today on noontime TV shows filled scantily clad back-up/background dancers and trying hard "singers." But of course, this era has more money at stake to win for the locals/common tao. I myself can be part of it if I am desperate enough to stand in line at the station everyday.
Going back to the APO, their show had four main female hosts. From what I can remember, they had Bing Loyzaga, Ilonah Jean, Agot Isidro (I think she started TV on that show) and ...mmp, the last one escapes my memory just now. Ah! de Leon - Melissa de Leon, I think. All of them CAN SING. Of course, a few other hosts drifted in and out of the show like Amy Perez, and even Ariel Rivera, who was the "crush mga kolehiyala" at that time. It was really an interesting musical variety show, far from the current trend of noontime game shows that fill the boob tube every afternoon.
Ah! The world is getting wicked. And I am just feeling nostalgic. Hahaha! The APO rocks! Their songs are really timeless and brings back the old town feelings, even if I really didn't exist mostly at that period. More reminiscing next time to the like of Three Coins in the Fountain era.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Hello MS Office
After months of figuring out what and how to go about the Unit plan file that I have to do, I finally found that the cd we have is still working. How come when I tried to install it before, right after we've installed the OS, it didn't work. I never tried again after that. We ended up installing the open office which worked just fine until this Unit Plan file from school. Luckily, hubby suggested to try it again. My big hurdle is now over. I can finally start listing up my own plan.
Hmm..back to the drawing board.
Hmm..back to the drawing board.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Anne Frank, Holocaust, Schindler's List..etc.
I have recently started listening to an audio copy of the Diary of Anne Frank. Even though I have read it before somewhere, a second "reading" is not really a bad thing. I have more chance to twirl the story in my mind now, unlike before that I simple devoured reading it. This time, I have extended my reading.
This brought me to youtube, and found some comments and videos about questioning the authenticity of Anne Frank's Diaries, or worst, the existence of the Holocaust involving the Jews and the Nazi's. I mean, really. It's nice to know that there are other ideas about that one but come on, this seems like too real to be reel. There seem to be a movie or something about Anne Frank and I have yet to find it.
This reminded me of the movies of the same topic; the Schindler's List, and the Pianist. Although I think I've seen the first one and I do remember the synopsis and the book where the story was based from (aside from the real person, of course), can be a good read. But the movie, it wasn't something that I would want to watch again. It's just so terribly depressing. Regardless of that, I would still strongly recommend to anyone to watch it, even just once, for their own existence's sake. It's just up to them if they would like to question if the holocaust really existed at that time.
A bit about Schindler. His first name is Oskar, a German, who was not very lucky with business but somehow was able to use his business to save at least 1200 Jews during the holocaust.
My goodness, the web really has a lot of interesting things to bring into a classroom. Anyway, I may have this for my lil' one later when he's old enough to understand. He finds the Anne Diary audio book interesting (at his age now), though.
This brought me to youtube, and found some comments and videos about questioning the authenticity of Anne Frank's Diaries, or worst, the existence of the Holocaust involving the Jews and the Nazi's. I mean, really. It's nice to know that there are other ideas about that one but come on, this seems like too real to be reel. There seem to be a movie or something about Anne Frank and I have yet to find it.
This reminded me of the movies of the same topic; the Schindler's List, and the Pianist. Although I think I've seen the first one and I do remember the synopsis and the book where the story was based from (aside from the real person, of course), can be a good read. But the movie, it wasn't something that I would want to watch again. It's just so terribly depressing. Regardless of that, I would still strongly recommend to anyone to watch it, even just once, for their own existence's sake. It's just up to them if they would like to question if the holocaust really existed at that time.
A bit about Schindler. His first name is Oskar, a German, who was not very lucky with business but somehow was able to use his business to save at least 1200 Jews during the holocaust.
My goodness, the web really has a lot of interesting things to bring into a classroom. Anyway, I may have this for my lil' one later when he's old enough to understand. He finds the Anne Diary audio book interesting (at his age now), though.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sigh...a relief on the book tax issue
Due to my own papers to write last week, I wasn't able to follow how the book tax issue went. it seems that I missed the most important update on it here. Philstar covered it, thank goodness. There's still hope for our nation to start reading again.
I am not entirely a big fan of politics, but thank you Madame President for puting your foot down on this issue.
I am not entirely a big fan of politics, but thank you Madame President for puting your foot down on this issue.
A time for Introspection
Today is a day to introspect.
School enrollment season is here again. I have been contemplating if I should enroll again this sem or take a break for now. My son is going to be 5 soon and and I have only a year or two to prepare him for schooling. I am not really sure if I should forgo my own education for now that he is still under six. I have been considering and hoping to try to homeschool him instead of regular school. I am not very enthusiatic in the regular set up of school, starting with the unimaginable fees, uniforms, enrollment systems, school stuff shopping, and others. As usual, I always end up going against the grain.
If we are goingto homeschool, I should study now to improve my teaching skills some more and while he' still doesn't require great attention in studying. If he's going for the regular, I can study later when he starts grade school.
That brings me to the decision at hand. I have to clean up some subjects I left unfinished. I may take a break this term or next. But I only have three more subjects before I can qualify for the comprehensive examination and start wring a problem paper. That is still a thing for me to consider. At least, I finish the subjects and decide the next step later on.
On the other hand, it saddens me to think that something is missing in my little boy's childhood life. It might be almost same or even worse than mine. I don't think if he would have any "childhood friend" to consider. Perhaps, I really should take my hubby's proposal of letting him attend that neighborhood center. Or another would be make my own center at home. I like the idea but would it be something I can do? How will I start? Can I keep it up, along with my own studies if ever I decide to do both things? sigh...
What will I do?
School enrollment season is here again. I have been contemplating if I should enroll again this sem or take a break for now. My son is going to be 5 soon and and I have only a year or two to prepare him for schooling. I am not really sure if I should forgo my own education for now that he is still under six. I have been considering and hoping to try to homeschool him instead of regular school. I am not very enthusiatic in the regular set up of school, starting with the unimaginable fees, uniforms, enrollment systems, school stuff shopping, and others. As usual, I always end up going against the grain.
If we are goingto homeschool, I should study now to improve my teaching skills some more and while he' still doesn't require great attention in studying. If he's going for the regular, I can study later when he starts grade school.
That brings me to the decision at hand. I have to clean up some subjects I left unfinished. I may take a break this term or next. But I only have three more subjects before I can qualify for the comprehensive examination and start wring a problem paper. That is still a thing for me to consider. At least, I finish the subjects and decide the next step later on.
On the other hand, it saddens me to think that something is missing in my little boy's childhood life. It might be almost same or even worse than mine. I don't think if he would have any "childhood friend" to consider. Perhaps, I really should take my hubby's proposal of letting him attend that neighborhood center. Or another would be make my own center at home. I like the idea but would it be something I can do? How will I start? Can I keep it up, along with my own studies if ever I decide to do both things? sigh...
What will I do?
From birthdays to children's day and culture contrasts
A conversation on planning how to spend one's birthday spurned a thought on the stark culture contrast.
Culture wise, when it someone's birthday, the celebrant is sort of expected to throw a "bash" or some sort. Well, of course, it could be just a one-dish affair to share with family and friends. And having one that is sometime between Mother's day and Father's day can be tricky. In a span of 30 days, there would be some sort of that kind of "dilemma." Why? hmm...
DD was just pointing that out and mentioned how come there isn't a big Children's Day here. Uhmm..I am not really sure when but I think it's sometime around the 4th quarter of the year. Googled it up, one site mentions Oct 17 (Christian site), another one has Nov. 20 (Universal Children's Day). This is can be confusing. But the reality, there's isn't really much hype to this day in this part of the world.
In comparison to my hubbys home country, it is a big one for the kids. That is something that he always points out. This is what I have to say. It may not be that big here for a day but it is everyday, or culturally.
Case point no. 1. The local culture here is usually in favor of children. Take the simple food serving on a meal. In our culture, the youngest ones are served first and given their choice of share. Perhaps, this is because kids can be very "demanding" at times or it can be quite convenient for the adults to satisfy the wee ones first. But of course, when it is a "really old one," like grandparents, the kids are also taught to honor to get granny's plates filled first. On the other hand, it is an exact opposite with their culture of serving the oldest ones first. Uhmm, I may haven't seen a lot but with my hubby and family, they do point out that older ones gets serve first, as the culture has been. Of course, I do remember some occasion that they chose to forego that culture.
Case point no. 2. My country's population consists of a great number of children. It's quite easy to take that fact for granted. It can even be blamed for the widespread poverty of the nation. Hubby's country has a very limited and dwindling birth rate. No wonder they have to make the Children's Day big. (;-) Although, I do believe there was a story on the importance of that regard.
Kidding aside, there is really a stark contrast on culture between two nations. It takes an utmost care to balance the similarities and differences in order not to start the 3rd World War.
Culture wise, when it someone's birthday, the celebrant is sort of expected to throw a "bash" or some sort. Well, of course, it could be just a one-dish affair to share with family and friends. And having one that is sometime between Mother's day and Father's day can be tricky. In a span of 30 days, there would be some sort of that kind of "dilemma." Why? hmm...
DD was just pointing that out and mentioned how come there isn't a big Children's Day here. Uhmm..I am not really sure when but I think it's sometime around the 4th quarter of the year. Googled it up, one site mentions Oct 17 (Christian site), another one has Nov. 20 (Universal Children's Day). This is can be confusing. But the reality, there's isn't really much hype to this day in this part of the world.
In comparison to my hubbys home country, it is a big one for the kids. That is something that he always points out. This is what I have to say. It may not be that big here for a day but it is everyday, or culturally.
Case point no. 1. The local culture here is usually in favor of children. Take the simple food serving on a meal. In our culture, the youngest ones are served first and given their choice of share. Perhaps, this is because kids can be very "demanding" at times or it can be quite convenient for the adults to satisfy the wee ones first. But of course, when it is a "really old one," like grandparents, the kids are also taught to honor to get granny's plates filled first. On the other hand, it is an exact opposite with their culture of serving the oldest ones first. Uhmm, I may haven't seen a lot but with my hubby and family, they do point out that older ones gets serve first, as the culture has been. Of course, I do remember some occasion that they chose to forego that culture.
Case point no. 2. My country's population consists of a great number of children. It's quite easy to take that fact for granted. It can even be blamed for the widespread poverty of the nation. Hubby's country has a very limited and dwindling birth rate. No wonder they have to make the Children's Day big. (;-) Although, I do believe there was a story on the importance of that regard.
Kidding aside, there is really a stark contrast on culture between two nations. It takes an utmost care to balance the similarities and differences in order not to start the 3rd World War.
On Women's Surname
This issue came up again today as I fill up my voter's registration application.
Do I get to keep using my maiden name or what?
Google up the phrase about it and found contrasting ideas.
On the point of keep the maiden name, here are the sites.
(1) from a senate site, pdf file of Sen. Flavier's (dated 2004)
(2) from a consular's office website in Sweden (date Mar. 2003)
(3) from National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (Mar. 2009)
with RA 386 download, 3 options, and a more liberating interpretation of the Law.
Now, this law is usually interpreted in another way as shown in this site run by religious lawyer. Which one is it really? I am still at loss.
This issue may be trivial but this is legal. ;)
Do I get to keep using my maiden name or what?
Google up the phrase about it and found contrasting ideas.
On the point of keep the maiden name, here are the sites.
(1) from a senate site, pdf file of Sen. Flavier's (dated 2004)
(2) from a consular's office website in Sweden (date Mar. 2003)
(3) from National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (Mar. 2009)
with RA 386 download, 3 options, and a more liberating interpretation of the Law.
Now, this law is usually interpreted in another way as shown in this site run by religious lawyer. Which one is it really? I am still at loss.
This issue may be trivial but this is legal. ;)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
More on the suicide news..
Here is a link to an article about the ROK ex Pres suicide.
Below is the statistics report on suicide cases in the world.
Below is the statistics report on suicide cases in the world.
Monday, May 25, 2009
A nation of suicidal nature...
Ex-president commits suicide.
How many foreign Presidents ever committed suicide? That is something that I have to check on history first. Sure, there are typical cases of murder, assassination but suicide? Hmm...culture, personality are factors. This can be a good paper to write on.
In a highly religious country I grew up in, suicide is seen an ultimate sin. Something that is irrevocable (for obvious reasons and beyond), something almost shameful. Why would anybody actually do it is still unfathomable. It's beyond my own comprehension as I was in the belief that it is unpardonable.
This latest news is a big shock indeed. It's quite usual (almost) to hear about famous actors or other personality (showbiz and biz) to commit suicide, but politics? Specially someone who held a very high position of a country.
The late president was uncannily soft-hearted to look at. I used to find his "swagger" entertaining everytime I see footages of him walking. The issues that surrounded him before his death would not have been worth his life, in my opinion. But I guess, he regarded them very highly. Enough to take his own life. Or perhaps, there's more to it than that. We'll never ever know.
One thing for sure, he is now one of statistics in a nation who have a high suicide rate in the world.
How many foreign Presidents ever committed suicide? That is something that I have to check on history first. Sure, there are typical cases of murder, assassination but suicide? Hmm...culture, personality are factors. This can be a good paper to write on.
In a highly religious country I grew up in, suicide is seen an ultimate sin. Something that is irrevocable (for obvious reasons and beyond), something almost shameful. Why would anybody actually do it is still unfathomable. It's beyond my own comprehension as I was in the belief that it is unpardonable.
This latest news is a big shock indeed. It's quite usual (almost) to hear about famous actors or other personality (showbiz and biz) to commit suicide, but politics? Specially someone who held a very high position of a country.
The late president was uncannily soft-hearted to look at. I used to find his "swagger" entertaining everytime I see footages of him walking. The issues that surrounded him before his death would not have been worth his life, in my opinion. But I guess, he regarded them very highly. Enough to take his own life. Or perhaps, there's more to it than that. We'll never ever know.
One thing for sure, he is now one of statistics in a nation who have a high suicide rate in the world.
May 20, 21...pet, excretory system
May 20, 2009
P had a thing with his excretory system today.
In the morning while I was working on the lappy.
He stirred but he didn't get up and say good morning at all.
SO I checked if he was upset or something only to find out something
wet beside him. Uh-oh..I mentioned the wet thing and he said,
"I made a mistake." And after that, tried to bury his face in his hands.
So we had an early wash coz of that.
Later that night when I got home from school, I found the toilet
unflushed with something. So I asked P if he pooped today and he said yes.
This is a first that he did not bother anybody with it.
The father was surprised coz he had no idea about it. Upon further questions,
it turned out that the son just did it all by himself. Asked if what was the DD doing
at that time, son said he was asleep. SO the little boy simply pulled his undies and
went back to what he was watching. No washing (good thing it's a dry thing so not much
skid marks) and flushing. Gross! But looking at it in a way, I am just glad of his try
of independence. Yet, still got a few part to iron out.
A day with P's excretory system.
May 21, 2009
Last week, sometime around May 14 or 15, our dog got out of the fence and did not come back.
Hubby tried to make some story but I'm not just in the mood to put in writing just now.
Anyway, my folks woke us up today with the news that they found the dog around the neighboring vacant lot.
The big lot is quite like a forest still and fenced with barbed wire.
They saw the dogs head trying to get out of it but since the space was too small,
the poor dog got stuck. They tried to get her out but he rans away from them.
My folks thought about bringing my son to there to coax the dog out.
Good thing is when we got there, she did recognize us. After a few tries and hesitation,
the dog finally got out and went home with us.
Our dog is finally back home, but the thing is we lost her dog dish.;)
I am quite relieved that she's back home and safe. I did feel very bad that she was out in the wild for
almost a week. Ah, I think that was Friday. Almost a week indeed.
I have yet to evaluate my son's reaction and other stories
around this disappearance and homecoming.
P had a thing with his excretory system today.
In the morning while I was working on the lappy.
He stirred but he didn't get up and say good morning at all.
SO I checked if he was upset or something only to find out something
wet beside him. Uh-oh..I mentioned the wet thing and he said,
"I made a mistake." And after that, tried to bury his face in his hands.
So we had an early wash coz of that.
Later that night when I got home from school, I found the toilet
unflushed with something. So I asked P if he pooped today and he said yes.
This is a first that he did not bother anybody with it.
The father was surprised coz he had no idea about it. Upon further questions,
it turned out that the son just did it all by himself. Asked if what was the DD doing
at that time, son said he was asleep. SO the little boy simply pulled his undies and
went back to what he was watching. No washing (good thing it's a dry thing so not much
skid marks) and flushing. Gross! But looking at it in a way, I am just glad of his try
of independence. Yet, still got a few part to iron out.
A day with P's excretory system.
May 21, 2009
Last week, sometime around May 14 or 15, our dog got out of the fence and did not come back.
Hubby tried to make some story but I'm not just in the mood to put in writing just now.
Anyway, my folks woke us up today with the news that they found the dog around the neighboring vacant lot.
The big lot is quite like a forest still and fenced with barbed wire.
They saw the dogs head trying to get out of it but since the space was too small,
the poor dog got stuck. They tried to get her out but he rans away from them.
My folks thought about bringing my son to there to coax the dog out.
Good thing is when we got there, she did recognize us. After a few tries and hesitation,
the dog finally got out and went home with us.
Our dog is finally back home, but the thing is we lost her dog dish.;)
I am quite relieved that she's back home and safe. I did feel very bad that she was out in the wild for
almost a week. Ah, I think that was Friday. Almost a week indeed.
I have yet to evaluate my son's reaction and other stories
around this disappearance and homecoming.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Repost: Anger
Anger:
A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'
Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'
'But, why shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'
Disciples gave all kinds of answers, but none satisfied the saint.
Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'
Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly. Why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small.'
The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'
Moral:
When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.
A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'
Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'
'But, why shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'
Disciples gave all kinds of answers, but none satisfied the saint.
Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'
Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly. Why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small.'
The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'
Moral:
When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.
Repost: Family
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old..
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still
Small voice came to me and said
'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?
Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ather (A)nd (M)other (I) (L)ove (Y)ou
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old..
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still
Small voice came to me and said
'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?
Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ather (A)nd (M)other (I) (L)ove (Y)ou
Repost: Girls Vs. Women
Girls leave their schedule wide-open and wait for a guy to call and make plans.
Grown women make their own plans and nicely tell the guy to get in where he fits
Girls want to control the man in their life.
Grown women know that if he's truly hers, he doesn't need controlling.
Girls check you for not calling them.
Grown women are too busy to realize you hadn't.
Girls are afraid to be alone.
Grown women revel in it-using it as a time for personal growth.
Girls ignore the good guys.
Grown women ignore the bad guys.
Girls make you come home.
Grown women make you want to come home.
Girls worry about not being pretty and/or good enough for their man.
Grown women know that they are pretty and/or good enough for any man.
Girls try to monopolize all their man's time ( I.e., don't want him hanging with his friends).
Grown women realize that a lil' bit of space makes the 'together time' even more special-and goes to kick it with her own friends!
Girls think a guy crying is weak.
Grown women offer their shoulder and a tissue.
Girls want to be spoiled and 'tell' their man so.
Grown women 'show' him and make him comfortable enough to reciprocate without fear of losing his 'manhood'.
Girls get hurt by one man and make all men pay for it.
Grown women know that that was just one man.
Girls fall in love and chase aimlessly after the object of their affection, ignoring all 'signs'.
Grown women know that sometimes the one you love, don't always love you back-and move on, without bitterness.
Girls will read this and get an attitude.
Grown women will read this and share it with other grown women and their male friends".
Grown women make their own plans and nicely tell the guy to get in where he fits
Girls want to control the man in their life.
Grown women know that if he's truly hers, he doesn't need controlling.
Girls check you for not calling them.
Grown women are too busy to realize you hadn't.
Girls are afraid to be alone.
Grown women revel in it-using it as a time for personal growth.
Girls ignore the good guys.
Grown women ignore the bad guys.
Girls make you come home.
Grown women make you want to come home.
Girls worry about not being pretty and/or good enough for their man.
Grown women know that they are pretty and/or good enough for any man.
Girls try to monopolize all their man's time ( I.e., don't want him hanging with his friends).
Grown women realize that a lil' bit of space makes the 'together time' even more special-and goes to kick it with her own friends!
Girls think a guy crying is weak.
Grown women offer their shoulder and a tissue.
Girls want to be spoiled and 'tell' their man so.
Grown women 'show' him and make him comfortable enough to reciprocate without fear of losing his 'manhood'.
Girls get hurt by one man and make all men pay for it.
Grown women know that that was just one man.
Girls fall in love and chase aimlessly after the object of their affection, ignoring all 'signs'.
Grown women know that sometimes the one you love, don't always love you back-and move on, without bitterness.
Girls will read this and get an attitude.
Grown women will read this and share it with other grown women and their male friends".
Repost:Good reads for today..divorce
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, "I've got something to tell you." She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. "I want a divorce." I raised the topic calmly.
She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, "Why?" I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, "You are not a man!"
That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.
She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. "No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce." she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, "Ddaddy is holding mummy in his arms." His words brought me a sense of pain.
From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; "Don't tell our son about the divorce." I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, "All my dresses have grown bigger." I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me ... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, "Dad, it's time to carry mum out." To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind, I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, "Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore."
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. "Do you have a fever?" She said.
I moved her hand off my head. "Sorry, Dew," I said, "I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us part."
Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us part.
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Source: online, repost
She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, "Why?" I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, "You are not a man!"
That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.
She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. "No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce." she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, "Ddaddy is holding mummy in his arms." His words brought me a sense of pain.
From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; "Don't tell our son about the divorce." I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, "All my dresses have grown bigger." I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me ... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, "Dad, it's time to carry mum out." To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind, I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, "Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore."
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. "Do you have a fever?" She said.
I moved her hand off my head. "Sorry, Dew," I said, "I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us part."
Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us part.
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.
Source: online, repost
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