Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blog categs...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Food Fotos 2: Korean Attempts
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
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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?
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
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
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!
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
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
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 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
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!
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
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
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.
