Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Customer Service Is Not a Department…It’s an Attitude
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Green Market Bazaar
Come to the Green Market Bazaar and meet "Chef Aji"! Get her frozen tuna meet (sashimi, belly, buntot, panga, giniling, steak, embutido) and tasty Hungarian sausages! Bazaar is from September 27 and every Sunday onwards, 6 AM to 8 PM!
The Green Market Bazaar
| Start: | Sep 27, '09 06:00a |
| End: | Dec 31, '09 |
We will be selling frozen tuna meat (sashimi, belly, buntot, panga, giniling, steak, embutido), hungarian sausages and home-made corned beef, pork tocino and beef tapa.
See you this Sunday!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Food shots at Nikonistas
http://nikonistas.multiply.com/photos/album/502/food_shots
tried some food photography with the nikon coolpix L100. no flash, auto settings, so no real effort but the angling. i love using camera =)
tried some food photography with the nikon coolpix L100. no flash, auto settings, so no real effort but the angling. i love using camera =)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hello friends! Come to The Green Market Bazaar on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and every Sunday thereafter. This will be at the St. Vincent School of Theology grounds. Bazaar will be from 6AM to 8PM. We will be selling frozen tuna products (sashimi, steak, panga, buntot, belly, tuna embutido) and meat products (corned beef, tocino, tapa) at Booth # 60. Please visit http://thegreenmarketbazaar.multiply.com/ to see map.
The Green Market Bazaar
http://thegreenmarketbazaar.multiply.com/
Hello friends! Come to The Green Market Bazaar on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and every Sunday thereafter. This will be at the St. Vincent School of Theology grounds. Bazaar will be from 6AM to 8PM.
We will be selling frozen tuna products (sashimi, steak, panga, buntot, belly, tuna embutido) and meat products (corned beef, tocino, tapa) at Booth # 60.
Please visit http://thegreenmarketbazaar.multiply.com/ to see map.
Hello friends! Come to The Green Market Bazaar on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and every Sunday thereafter. This will be at the St. Vincent School of Theology grounds. Bazaar will be from 6AM to 8PM.
We will be selling frozen tuna products (sashimi, steak, panga, buntot, belly, tuna embutido) and meat products (corned beef, tocino, tapa) at Booth # 60.
Please visit http://thegreenmarketbazaar.multiply.com/ to see map.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Gusteau-nomy
http://gusteaunomy.blogspot.com/
Food always comes to those who love to cook! (Auguste Gusteau)
Food always comes to those who love to cook! (Auguste Gusteau)
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Now, in their last few appearances--the Palengkera Byutis! Yes, folks, they're back! And they're at it again, doing what they do best: holler at the top of their lungs while their tonsils fly out of their mouths when they are only inches apart. Catch them, folks! It's now or never! Only they can do this...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
"Do not throw your pearls before swine..."
"Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am – a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others." (Prayer attributed to Clement XI of Rome)
The Lord truly knows what is going on in every fiber of my body. Yesterday, I was ranting about other people's behaviors and how I am trying very hard not to fight fire with fire because, well, they aren't worth it. Today, the Lord convicts me. And reminds me that no matter what type of people I encounter, I should always look at them as God's children, too.
Maybe God sent them my way so I could practice patience and teach me the value of kind words and what they can do. Maybe God wants me to be aware of my "critical spirit" and help me in giving it up. *Sigh* The Lord truly loves me and firmly but lovingly reprimands me when I do something which does not please Him.
A Roomful of TBs
When we were younger, we used to call loud-mouths TBs. In Tagalog, taga-bundok. Translation: mountain people. See, during the times of our forefathers, the only way for them to communicate with people who live far-far away (translation: kabilang ibayo) was either thru A) smoke signal; B) horn-blowing; or C) by emitting a loud warning cry ala-Tarzan.
Imagine the distance that separated these tribes from one another! Of course, if I lived 7,000 miles away from my nearest neighbor, I would holler too. But what I don't get is, why should someone shout when the person he or she is talking to is just an earshot away? TB!
Also, another thing I don't get is the habit of name calling. Or using codes in order to prevent the person you are talking about from knowing that you are actually talking about him or her. How juvenile! (Ay, baka hindi maintindihan ang meaning ng juvenile. I'll use a smaller word--immature. Or better yet, childish.)
If I were in 4th grade, i would probably be doing the same thing--you know, being boisterous, even crass, or giving nicknames to people my friends and I would be talking about. But if you're 20-something, it could be rather unbecoming to be acting that way.
Finesse--now, that's a word TBs may not have heard of their entire lives. I pray that they go pick up a dictionary and learn what it means. And learn how it is spelled. And maybe use it in a sentence. Hopefully, with much practice, they could even use it for everyday conversation. Who knows?
Good grief! I'm such a sucker for miracles!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Mating Call
It's interesting to note that animals have various ways of calling the attention of the opposite sex. This is what is known as the mating call. I Googled "mating calls of animals" and top of the list is Mingle2 - How Animals Date: The Top 5 Weirdest Mating Call. I would've loved to try listening to the penguin's "fog horn" or see the camel's "tongue whip", but I didn't have the time. Maybe when I'm not busy...
But, on with the story. The reason why I'm blogging about this is because I've been trying to explain why a group of 3 to 4 girls can sound like a gaggle of geese fighting over a single snail. I've seen and heard them everywhere. And I wonder, why in the world would one talk to girl friends who are sitting shoulder to shoulder with you in a voice that is a gazillion decibels higher than an SM demo merchandizer's voice?
And then the words "mating call" flashed before my eyes.
And I realized, these girls are trying to attract guys! That's why they were so noisy! I don't know if I'd pity them for not having experienced being "mated" (translation: having a guy attracted to them, being pursued, dating, having a boyfriend). Or whether I am just being nice by offering an excuse for their inexcusable barbaric behavior.
Whatever the reason is, I gues what I'm trying to do is really keeping myself from coming up to them and punching them in the face. Oh, well. At least I have an excuse not to... for now.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer (No matter how packed your daily planner is!)
Here's another "borrowed" blog from Today's Christian Woman (http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/). Enjoy!
Cheri Fuller | posted 5/02/2007
For me, a life of continuous prayer now starts even before I lift my head off the pillow. I say, "Lord, this is the day you've made; help me focus on you in the midst of all I've got to do."
I use the things around me as visual cues to prompt me to pray. For example, as I pass the windows of neighbors' houses on my morning walk, I pray, "God, let your light shine in; bless them and draw them closer so they'll know you." As I shower after walking, I pray, "Lord, please create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me; cleanse my heart of sin" (from Psalm 51:10). When I drive past a school and see a school-zone sign, I make the area a "prayer zone" by asking God to protect the students and to give all the teachers wisdom.
It's easy for my mind to wander during prayer. One way I counteract this is by using the acronym B-L-E-S-S as I pray for my family and friends. Each letter in the acronym stands for a key area of life: Body, Labor, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual.
With all I've got going on, I don't want to forget to pray for others' struggles. So instead of saving those prayers for a special prayer time, I pray right on the spot. If a friend asks me to pray for a specific need, I offer to pray with her right then. If a speeding ambulance passes me while I'm driving, I immediately pray for the people in it and for the doctors who'll care for the injured people at the hospital.
Cheri Fuller | posted 5/02/2007
Like Martha in the Bible, I have lots to do—office work, writing projects, laundry, cooking, cleaning. Just this week, for instance, I had a deadline to meet, my daughter-in-law was hospitalized, and I cared for her baby. Add in meals to cook, a household to run, a prayer group to lead, and preparation for an overseas ministry trip. It's a real challenge to squeeze in time for prayer!
I used to think, If I don't pray at a certain time of day, then my prayers don't really count. Then my prayer life underwent a radical transformation. I discovered the apostle Paul's command to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) means more than just spending a lot of time in prayer; it means sharing a continual dialogue with God wherever I go.
Praying continually isn't just another duty or heavy burden to bear
The truth that God listens to my prayers wherever I am didn't sink in until my son, Chris, left to attend a university 20 hours from home. Oh, how I missed hearing his voice! Busy with premed classes, intramural basketball, and studying, Chris didn't call often. But once in a while, the phone would ring, and it would be Chris. I'd drop everything—the project I was working on, dinner preparations—just to hear my son's voice.
One day I realized God feels the same way about me, only hundreds of times more, because I'm his child (John 1:12)! Whether I'm walking, driving across town, or sending a prayer heavenward from my computer, he delights in hearing from me—not just once a day, but throughout the day. Scripture says he "inclines his ear" and is "open to hear" my prayers (Psalm 40:1 34:15).
I became even more excited about the effects of praying continuously when I noticed that throughout the Bible, God used short prayers to accomplish great things—such as raising the dead or parting the Red Sea. It dawned on me that thoughts such as, But I can't pray long enough, or If I can't pray one hour, then why pray? have no biblical basis. It's wonderful to have longer sessions of prayer when I can, but remembering that my short prayers can have a big impact encourages me to pray throughout the day.
Whether you're married or single, with or without children, you probably struggle with your prayer life as I did with mine. The good news is, you don't have to put either life or prayer on hold. Here's how to begin building a 24/7 prayer life.
Get a Good StartFor me, a life of continuous prayer now starts even before I lift my head off the pillow. I say, "Lord, this is the day you've made; help me focus on you in the midst of all I've got to do."
I read God's Word before the demands of the day flood in, because Scripture never fails to draw me into prayer and praise. Praying things such as "Lord, help me to trust in you with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding" (from Proverbs 3:5-6), or "Thank you, Father, that you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love" (from Psalm 103:8), helps me zero in on the Mountain-Mover instead of the mountains I may be facing. And most days I pray these and other prayers for my family and friends during my morning walk.
My friend Betsy also starts her day with prayer and exercise. Betsy—who's active in her church's women's ministry, leads a neighborhood Bible study, and serves on various committees and boards—still finds time to pray faithfully for many people and concerns while walking 30 minutes on her treadmill. For example, Betsy prayed for me to experience energy and strength while I spoke at her church's retreat—and I did! I know that Betsy's "treadmill prayers" are effective because I've personally experienced God's answers to them.
Clue into Visual RemindersI use the things around me as visual cues to prompt me to pray. For example, as I pass the windows of neighbors' houses on my morning walk, I pray, "God, let your light shine in; bless them and draw them closer so they'll know you." As I shower after walking, I pray, "Lord, please create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me; cleanse my heart of sin" (from Psalm 51:10). When I drive past a school and see a school-zone sign, I make the area a "prayer zone" by asking God to protect the students and to give all the teachers wisdom.
Later, as I bake bread or cook a meal, I'm reminded to pray that Christ would be the Bread of Life for the person receiving it. Picking up a loved one's shoes triggers me to pray that his feet will stay on God's path. Seeing something lovely—a mallard duck flying through the sky or fresh blooms on a rose bush—reminds me to say a prayer of thanks to God for his creation.
My friend Peggy also likes using visual cues. When she puts on her seat belt before heading to the high school to substitute teach, she says, "Lord, I want to abide in you and be yoked with you." When she stops at a stop sign, she takes a deep breath and says, "My rest is in you alone, Lord. I may be trying to get somewhere, but thank you that you are preparing the way."
With visual cues to prompt us, all our daily activities—gardening, cleaning, working, or creating—become springboards to conversation with God.
Use Tools to Stay FocusedIt's easy for my mind to wander during prayer. One way I counteract this is by using the acronym B-L-E-S-S as I pray for my family and friends. Each letter in the acronym stands for a key area of life: Body, Labor, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual.
For example, for our son, Chris, who's now a Navy doctor, I prayed today: "Lord, bless Chris's body; strengthen and protect him during his deployment. Bless Chris's labor; give him wisdom as he cares for the Marines' medical needs and injuries. Bless Chris's emotional life; help him trust you concerning his and his wife Maggie's move to Hawaii. Father, bless Chris's social relationships; bring him a Christian friend on the ship while he's deployed. And bless Chris's spiritual life; help him draw near to you and your Word more each day."
Dena, a busy mother of four, always felt guilty about not praying more often. She needed a way to focus her attention during the snippets of time she found herself alone. So one day she wrote down every prayer request she could think of—for herself, family, friends, church, community, nation, and world. Then she divided them into 31 equal segments and put them in a notebook. She keeps the notebook in her bathroom, one of the only places she has a few minutes alone. Each day she prays over the few items that correspond to the day of the month. Dena's notebook helps her focus on each of the many needs in her world—one day, one minute at a time.
Pray on the SpotWith all I've got going on, I don't want to forget to pray for others' struggles. So instead of saving those prayers for a special prayer time, I pray right on the spot. If a friend asks me to pray for a specific need, I offer to pray with her right then. If a speeding ambulance passes me while I'm driving, I immediately pray for the people in it and for the doctors who'll care for the injured people at the hospital.
Connie, a busy mom, Bible teacher, and Christian psychotherapist, finds time to pray for the many people she sees each day by praying on the spot, too. At the end of each counseling session, Connie takes a few moments to pray with her client. She then pauses to ask God that he would give her wisdom and discernment to help the next patient before he or she arrives (Psalm 119:66). Connie also prays the same prayer for the patients she sees heading into nearby medical offices.
"Even in the midst of my busy days, God gives me 'mini-moments' to lift those around me in prayer," says Connie. "Everyone we come in contact with daily is struggling with something. It may be their job, their marriage, an illness, or stress. Everyone needs our prayers."
I'm still a Martha by nature, but I've found praying continually isn't just another duty or heavy burden to bear. Prayer is how I know God, not just know about him; it's how I hear God, not just hear about him. Time after time, when I pour out my burdens, concerns, and problems, I experience his peace and hope. I see his faithfulness more clearly. I experience his comfort in trials, his unfailing love as I see him provide for needs about which I've prayed.
E.M. Bounds, a 19th-century pastor, said, "Your prayers will outlive your life." Long after my address has changed to heaven, the short prayers I've said while rocking a feverish baby, working on the computer, or moving throughout my day, still will be a blessing to those for whom I've prayed. tcw
Cheri Fuller, a TCW regular contributor, is a speaker and author of books such as One Year of Praying Through the Bible (Tyndale). Her website, www.cherifuller.com, contains a monthly column, resources, and inspiration on prayer.
Pretty Woman
Here's one from Today's Christian Woman (http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/) I know most girls would be able to relate to. I know I did. And it takes a lot of guts to be able to...
I thought "beautiful" was out of reach for an average woman like me. Or was it?
I thought "beautiful" was out of reach for an average woman like me. Or was it?
When I was a little girl, I used to wonder if, before we were born, we stood in line in heaven and requested our lives.
"Ah," I imagined a large angel with an imposing wing span speaking to me, "you're going to be a girl. Very well, what would you like? Long legs? A great figure? Fame? Fortune?"
Innocently I answered him, "If you please, sir, I'd like … a nice personality." And with no time to reconsider—Zap!—I was born and here I am. Less than five feet tall, not-so-straight teeth, blotchy skin, and enough of a figure for two women.
Once, I asked my brother if he thought I was pretty. He glanced up at me from his sheet music and told me to go away. "Darnell, I'm serious," I whined. "Am I pretty?" Realizing the only way to get me to leave was to answer me, he took a deep breath and looked me over from head to toe.
"Your face is all right," he said finally. "You have a quirky personality. You're okay."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice rising. "So, what you're saying is, I'm too fat and I act like a fool!"
"That's not what I said," he answered calmly, returning to his work.
"That's not what you said? That's exactly what you said!" I spit out at him. "You said no guy will ever want me because I'm ugly and I'm stupid! What do I have to do to get a little affirmation around here?!" I yelled, storming from the room.
So this was my life. Throughout it I struggled with feelings of ugliness and inadequacy. My friends had good looks, skinny ankles, and straight teeth. They got asked out on dates. I got dates on a fruit tray at Christmas. They became homecoming queens and cheerleaders while I wallowed in a state of below averageness, longing to be an airbrushed model, waiting to wake up beautiful.
Then one day I met Jesus. A girlfriend had invited me to church. As I sang along with the rest of the voices lifted in worship, I was overcome by a sense of guilt and unworthiness. This wonderful God we were singing about, how could he love fat and ugly me? But during the service I began to realize that God doeslove me—just as I am. That day I accepted God's love and sacrifice for me. Over time I've gained the assurance that he loves me more than I can imagine and that I'm truly beautiful in the way that matters most—on the inside.
But my old negative feelings about myself didn't immediately disappear. Some days, they came in droves, and I struggled to battle them off. Like the time I met with my friends Diane and Leona for lunch.
I was thirtysomething, reaching my sexual prime, unmarried, and retaining water. It wasn't a good day. We met at a local restaurant and the topic of conversation quickly turned to men.
"So, how's Eugene?" Diane asked.
Leona waved her hand. "Oh, please, no," she answered.
"You're not seeing him anymore?" I asked.
"Girl, that was two weeks ago," she replied, "and we weren't really seeing each other. We were just, you know, talkin'."
"Oh," Diane and I replied in unison.
"No!" Leona stressed emphatically and started naming other guys she'd met recently.
"What I want to know is how and where you meet these men?" Diane queried.
Leona sighed heavily as if disgusted by it all. Personally, I was on the edge of my seat, ready to take mental notes. At the first opportune moment, I'd run to the bathroom and write it all down on a square of toilet paper. She took a slow, laborious bite of her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully.
Please answer the question,I thought to myself. I was holding my breath. My future hung in the balance between Leona's answer and pastrami on rye.
She took too long. I reached over and moved her plate to the other end of the table. "Spill the beans, now!" I hissed.
Leona pouted as if I'd hurt her feelings, then rolled her eyes. She'd seen this look before. It was ugly. My glare spoke envy. It exposed my desperation and longing, all the feelings a mature Christian woman should have been able to rise above. But this Plainer-Than-Jane was sick and tired of being quirky. I wanted a man.
"Where are the men? How do I get one?" I whispered.
Leona pursed her lips. But I held my ground. No info, no sandwich.
I won.
"You know how it is," she said. "You walk out the door and men ask you out on a date."
What?!
"Oh," I replied softly. Obviously I lived in the wrong neighborhood. I looked to Diane. After a few moments she remembered she had food in her mouth and closed it.
"You girls know what it's like," Leona continued. "You can't even walk to the car these days without having men stop to talk to you."
"No, Leona," I said flatly. "I don't know what it's like."
"Oh, girl, yes you do," she insisted.
This Plainer-Than-Jane was sick and tired of being quirky. I wanted a man.
I watched Leona. She was drop-dead beautiful from head to toe. Her movements were soft and flowing, her voice soft, sultry. Every hair was in place and her fashionable clothes fit perfectly. I tried to remember the last time I'd visited a beauty salon and thought of the four-year-old bra I was wearing, held together with a carefully placed safety pin. I felt very inadequate.
"Do men ask you out every time you walk out your door?" I asked Diane later that afternoon when she dropped me off at home.
"No," she said.
"Me neither. Do you think I should move to a different street?"
My friend looked at me searchingly. Looking at me like that, she reminded me a lot of my brother.
Waving good-bye, I got an idea. It came to me suddenly, like a craving for chocolate. I ran to the house and into the bedroom, stripped, and stood naked in front of the mirror. After the initial shock wore off, I peered at myself from every imaginable angle, trying to catch my best side. If I can accentuate my best angle, I'll be asked out all the time, too,I thought to myself. Finally, however, I gave up and did humanity a favor by putting my clothes back on.
Self-esteem depleted, I hung my head and was ready to fling myself onto the bed in despair when I saw my Bible next to my pillow. I opened it to Psalm 139. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" is what the psalmist said in verse 14.
"I know God, but … ," I began to protest; then the words of 1 Samuel, chapter 16 came to mind. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (v. 7).
I was thoughtful for a few moments. Then, hesitantly, I got up and peeked back in the mirror. All of me was still there, every lovin' inch. "Well, God," I said, still looking at my not-so-perfect, ample reflection, "Your Word says I'm special, so it must be so." The face smiling back at me winked knowingly. I said a short prayer of thanksgiving and did the best thing I could have possibly done for myself at that moment. I went shopping.
Leona's married now. She says she was just walking down the street. "You know how it is downtown, girl. You walk past a store and all the guys come out. They ask you out; they ask you to marry them. So one day … "
I've walked down that street a hundred times and no shop owner or clerk ever asked me anything, not even what time it was. It was hard, but I forced myself to face reality. They must've all been busy with customers when I went past. Obviously, they hadn't read 1 Samuel lately.
I asked my brother recently, "Darnell, am I pretty?"
He smiled. "You're a precious pearl," he said, "a beautiful, godly woman."
Guess we've both improved over the years.
Shea M. Gregory is a freelance writer living in California.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
KKK - Kwentong Kabuhayan ng Kababaihan
| Start: | May 28, '09 12:00p |
| Location: | Holy Rosary College Foundation, Tala, Caloocan |
Couples for Christ 28th Anniversary
| Start: | Jun 27, '09 |
| End: | Jun 28, '09 |
| Location: | Rizal Park Grandstand |
Monday, May 25, 2009
Master Yoda--Before and After
I took some pictures of Yoda over the weekend, and then looked for old photos so I could compare how Yoda looked then and how he looks like now. Hay... how time flies...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
MERON AKONG GUSTO...
...pero di ko alam kung gusto nya ako.
Wow, mahiwagang opening sentence ‘no? Siguro, naiintriga kayo kung sino ito. Di ko naman sasabihin kung sino. At lalong di ako mag-iiwan ng clue. ‘Maryosep, eh baka mabasa nya, yari! (Hahahaha!)
Hindi kasi ako ang tipo ng babaeng magpapa-cute. Wala sa bokabularyo ko yan. So, walang ka-ide-idea ang boylet na gusto ko na gusto ko sya kasi mahirap akong basahin (Oops, hindi ako nagsabi nyan. Yung isang kaibigan kong lalaki ang nagsabi nito.) Kasi, may ugali ako na hindi nagpapakita ng special treatment. Kung ano ang pakikitungo ko sa kahit sinong kaibigan kong lalaki, ganun sa lahat. Pati sa taong gusto ko. Bihira ang nakalampas sa ganung pakikitungo ko. Yung bang naglakas-loob na nag-assume na ‘Uy, parang iba ang treatment nya sa akin, ah!’ Hay... kaya nga siguro one-of-the-boys ang tingin nila sa akin eh.
Kung sabagay, mahirap naman mag-assume. Baka mali ang assumption nya, eh di maboboldyak sya. Siguro, kahit paano, may ipinapakita rin akong motibo para ma-encourage sila. Di lang ako conscious kung ano yun. Sa isang tao ko lang ginawa yun consciously, and quite obviously. Kasi bata pa ko nun. Hindi pa ako masyadong calculating. Wagi naman ako sana. Kasi nagtagal kami. Kaya lang, maaga syang kinuha ni Lord. Pwera biro!
Sabi ng isang kaibigan kong babae, dapat matuto daw akong magsalita at sabihin kung ano ang nasa loob ko dun sa taong gusto ko. Sabi ko naman, ‘Over my dead body!’ Di yun kaya ng powers ko! Mamamatay yata ako pag ginawa ko yun. Paano kung ako ang maboldyak? Kaya ko ba yun? Hindi yata. Kasi nung elementary ako, may crush ako sa Grade 7 na binigyan ko ng sulat telling him na crush ko sya. Di nya ako pinansin kasi Grade 4 or 5 lang ata ako nun. Hmp!
O baka naman kaya mahirap dahil mas matanda na ako ngayon. Mas nag-we-weigh ako ng pros and cons. Mas takot ako. Mas… oo nga. Siguro nga mas takot ako.
Kasi naman, masyado na akong comfortable sa buhay ko at sa state of life ko ngayon. Sa mahabang panahon na single pa ako, para bang hindi ko maisip i-let go yung freedom na meron ako ngayon. Para bang magiging komplikado ang buhay ko kung dadagdagan ko pa ng isang taong iisipin ko. Tama ba yung thinking na yun?
I’m sure sasabihin ng marami, mali yung line of thinking ko. Siguro for them, it is wrong. But for me, it feels right. But does that mean I am correct? Kasi nga, baka naman naging at home na lang ako sa comfort zone ko (ang pagiging single ko) na anumang yumanig sa comfort zone na ito ay ni-re-reject ko. But what if God wants to give my comfort zone a little shake?
Di ko alam kung may pinupuntahan ang sinusulat kong ito. Kasi feeling ko, paikot-ikot na lang. Para bang jina-justify ko na lang ang pagiging single ko. Para bang isinasara ko na ang pinto at nilalagyan ko ng ‘Keep Out’ sign.
So anong gagawin ko? Sasabihin ko ba dun sa taong gusto ko na gusto ko sya? Magpapakita na ba ako ng motibo? Yun na ba ang solusyon sa mahiwaga kong opening sentence?
May 24, 1am
FRIEND NA NAMAN…
Hay! Bakit ganun? Lagi na lang friend… lagi na lang friend…
Hanggang dun na lang ba talaga ang papel ko?
Sa akin personally, wala naman akong identity crisis. In fact, I’m a WYSIWYG kind of person. Eto ako eh, take it or leave it. Pero huwag naman i-misconstrue.
Hay… napapailing na lang ako. Siguro, yung karamihan ng taong magbabasa nito, hindi maiintindihan ang ibig kong sabihin. Yung mga nakakakilala naman sa akin, baka magtanong. Nagdadalawang-isip nga ako kung i-po-post ko ‘to eh. At kung oo, saang blog ko sya ilalagay. Gusto ko bang mabasa ito ng mga kakilala ko? O dun na lang sa blog na ang alam kong nagbabasa eh yung mga nakakalilala lang talaga sa akin? At alam kong hindi magtatanong. O kung magtanong man, may halong pangunawa at pagmamahal. Yung mga taong tanggap ako, warts and all. Yung walang paghuhusga.
Hay… bakit ko ba pino-problema? Does it really matter to me what other people might think or say? Siguro, ang dapat ko na lang intindihin ay kung ano ang tingin ng Panginoon ko sa akin—a child of God, made in His image and likeness (therefore beautiful!), loved and forgiven.
Wala na akong pakialam sa iisispin ng iba. Bow!
May 24, 12:20 am
Friday, April 24, 2009
Master Yoda
It's been a long time since I posted pictures of Yoda. So when I found the CD of my backup files, I searched for buried photos of the Master and decided to post them. More to come!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Above All
this clip is a good Holy Week reflection piece; plus the song's one of my favorites because it captures God's love to perfection...
"You took the fall and thought of me above all..."
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ice Cream Coffee Float
Ingredients:
3/4 cup (6 oz.) hot freshly brewed MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee, any variety
1 scoop (1/2 cup) coffee, chocolate or vanilla ice cream
Directions:
POUR coffee into large cup or mug. Top with ice cream. Serve immediately.
Great Substitute
Use ice coffee for a cool version!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Gran Torino
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Drama |
Well, I’m not ashamed to admit I did. In the beginning of the movie, I thought it was just another typical Clint Eastwood action film. I stayed away from the reviews, so I didn't have any idea what to expect.
Gran Torino opens with Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) burying his dead wife Dorothy. The first thing I noticed was how old Eastwood is. And if the film was gonna be like any of his Dirty Harry movies, I was kinda doubtful that he could still pull if off.
Walt was a be-medaled Korean War veteran. A grumpy old man, if I may say so. He’s the classic senior citizen who thinks he can take care of himself and still do anything. Thus, he is not too keen on getting any help from anyone. Especially not from a 20-something parish priest Fr. Janovich (Christopher Carley) who insists on keeping an eye on him. Nor his son Mitch (Brian Haley), with whom he never had a real relationship with. He’s not very happy about his neighbors either. Being a war veteran, Walt thinks that all chinky-eyed Asians are Koreans. And his old neighborhood just teems with chinky-eyed, strange-speaking Asians.
Walt’s first encounter with the “chinks” was when a young boy named Tao (Bee Vang) attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. Tao is Walt’s next-door neighbor. He’s a shy boy who has sensibly stayed away from gangs. He’s a good boy actually. A traditional Asian boy who does what he is told and respects his elders. And when the grumpy, American, old school war veteran and the goody-goody Asian boy crossed paths, both their lives were never the same.
The two men figuratively rescue each other from their deepest desires to be a somebody for the other person. The old man, having been estranged from his own sons, found a son in the young Tao. He taught him things about life and love. Tao, on the other hand, found the father he never had in Walt. He learned “manly” things from the old guy like how to ask girls out, how to talk like a man, getting a job, using tools and stuff, fixing things around the house.
Despite his advanced age, and a threatening illness, Walt discovers that it is never too late to be reconciled, not only with himself, but with his faith. The phrase “love thy neighbor” has taken a new meaning for him. However, the movie did not deal with rebuilding Walt’s relationship with his family. Which was kind of sad. Although he has confessed to Fr. J how this drifting apart had been bothering him, Walt didn't’t really exert any effort in putting things right between him and his sons. Or maybe he just didn't’t know how to do it. Ina phone conversation with Mitch, both father and son found it difficult to connect. I mean, really connect.
Despite that, Walt did make a very significant impact in the life of Tao. It’s almost as if Walt was atoning for his sins by making sure he doesn’t make a mistake and mess up Tao’s life. After an unfortunate incident happens to Tao’s sister Sue (Ahney Her), Walt literally saves Tao from getting blood on his hands, and gives him a chance to have a better future. Messianic? Maybe, but Walt’s gesture was definitely symbolic of Christ’s sacrifice.
I am not going to give the ending away. I just want to say that after all the Dirty Harry Go-ahead-punk-make-my day slip-ups made by Eastwood in the past, Gran Torino has more than made up for them. ChristianityToday.com included this film in its 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2008 list. If you haven’t seen it, go find out for yourself why. It’ll be worth it.
How She Move
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Other |
The film opens with young Raya (Rutina Westley) and her older sister Pam doing some dance moves. The scene was interspersed with an adult Raya dancing in a dimly lit corridor. While crying. But wait! Raya has reason to cry. Her parents had spent a great deal of money, including her private school tuition, for her sister’s rehab from substance abuse. After her sister dies, Raya has to leave the boarding school and come home. But she doesn’t plan to stay long. She wants to get into medical school and would do anything just to finish high school at the private school and get into a reputable med school later on. And by anything, she meant anything. Including racking her brains off reviewing for a high school scholarship, not to mention getting into a Steps competition where she and her crew could win $50,000.
I thought, Oh, this is just great! Another hip hop movie! But as I went deeper into the story, this Sundance Film festival nominee just slammed on my face realities such as family, education, making decisions, sacrifice and life choices.
The characters in How She Move create a colorful tapestry of stories, each intertwined with the other. Raya is a strong character who, despite the loss of her sister, tries hard to keep things under control. Well, almost. When she took the scholarship exams, Raya thought she had messed things up because she felt she wasn’t prepared enough. Not wanting to make her mother worry, Raya tells her she had aced the test. But at the back of her mind, she was already trying to figure out how she could raise enough money to send herself back to boarding school. And that’s where entering the Step Monster competition came in.
Her sister’s friend, Michelle (Tre Armstrong) looks like the typical alpha female who gets threatened by the arrival of “petit bourgeois” Raya. She has her eyes set on Bishop (Dwain Murphy), who in turn only pays attention to Raya. Bishop’s brother Quake (Brennan Gademans) looks every inch the nerd. But somewhere in the movie, he surprises even his brother with his cool moves.
As in any story, the conflict always makes the plot a lot juicier. The typical elements are there—the love triangle, the parent-child conflict, the parent-parent conflict, sibling rivalry, the competition, and of course, the conflict with the self.
Raya is at odds with almost everything—her mother, her sister’s friends, her neighborhood, her boyfriend, with society, and most especially, herself. Raya’s mother didn’t want her near the “Steps people”. These were the same people her sister used to hang out with. Naturally, Raya’s mom was convinced they brought her sister to the world of drugs, which eventually led to her death. But Raya believed otherwise. Although she had the same passion for dancing as Pam, she knew in her heart that she wouldn’t make the same choice as her sister did.
But I wouldn’t blame Raya’s mom Selia (Romina D'Ugo) for behaving that way. They were a minority in a white-dominated country, their family being immigrants from Jamaica. She had just lost a daughter, and was on the brink of losing her marriage as well. She couldn’t afford to lose her dreams for her younger daughter, too.
The fact that the highlight of the film is the dance competition makes it predictable though. Of course, Raya’s crew won. And yes, she got the guy. But what gives it a happy ending is when Raya finds out that yes, she did really ace the scholarship test. And her parents begin to treat each other as husband and wife once again.
True, life is what we make it. Every day, we are faced with choices. And the choices we make can either make or break us. The exercise of our free will is what defines us as human beings. However, scripture says that our days have been ordained for us. And no matter how many times we put this free will to reckless use, God, like a good shepherd, will painstakingly lead us back to His original plan. Until such time that we get things right.
Raya took her future into her own hands when she decided to join the contest for fear that she wouldn’t get the scholarship. But she did get it. Which means she was destined to live a life different from the one her sister chose. And providence made sure she did. She was back on track. And I’m pretty sure she’ll stay there.
*Grab a VCD copy of How She Move from your neighborhood Video City shop. They’ll let you rent it for 2 nights.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Seven Pounds
| Rating: | ★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Drama |
After Will Smith’s The Pursuit of Happyness, I was kind of expecting a similarly crafted drama in Seven Pounds. But ten minutes or so into the film, I still couldn’t figure out what the movie is all about.
Will Smith plays Ben Thomas a.k.a. Tim, an MIT-educated aeronautical engineer who poses as a lowly tax collector (Ben’s words, not mine!). Why did he do that? I mean pretend to be an IRS guy. Well, I only found out mid-way into the movie. But that’s getting ahead of myself. Let’s try again…
The film opens with Tim/ Ben making a 911 call, asking for an ambulance for a suicide victim who happens to be… tadah! Him. And then, flashback. He is seen talking to several people, including a blind customer service guy, a man who yells at old ladies, a dying young woman who has a congenital heart disease, an ice hockey coach who needed bone marrow transplant, a welfare lady being abused by her boyfriend, and his best friend.
At first, Smith’s IRS persona running after people who owe the government tax money seemed boring. Not until he said these seven words: “I want to give you a gift.” I thought, "Great! He’s giving them enough time so they could pay their back taxes. But is he even authorized to do that? He’s just a lowly tax collector!" But then, it turns out that these people on his list were not tax evaders but a roster of individuals who needed help. He was running after them in order to find out whether they were deserving of the gift or not.
And that bothered me a lot. Because the ‘gifts’ he wanted to give away were the various organs of his body. Which he wanted to donate after his death. Or rather, his suicide.
Of course, giving away parts of one’s body after death is a noble undertaking. I myself want to be an organ donor because I know my heart, my eyes, part of my liver, my kidneys and even my lungs could possibly save lives. But in Seven Pounds, two things greatly disturbed me: Ben/ Tim wanted to donate his organs in order to lessen the guilt in his heart, and two, he purposely took his own life. That, to me, seems very, very wrong.
Woven into the story were snippets of Tim’s fiancee being alive, Tim’s fiancee dying in a vehicular accident, a family of six dying in the same accident and a truck driver who likewise got hurt. Guess what? Tim was also in that accident. Guess what, again? He was the only one who survived. And, guess what, again? He was the one who caused it, because he was texting while driving.
I can imagine the guilt Smith’s character was carrying all those time after that fatal incident. I myself would want to die if I were in his shoes. But dying so other people might get a new lease at life won’t change things for him. Besides, one Man has already done that 2,000 years ago. And nobody else can do what this Man did. Ever.
Yes, 2,000 years ago, God said the same seven words: “I want to give you a gift.” But He didn’t run around chasing a shortlist of people just so He could find out whether they were deserving or not. The gift was for all, deserving or not. And the death that could change the life of mankind? It wasn’t up to Jesus. Didn’t He say, “Not my will, but the Father’s be done.”?
So where’s that elusive redeeming factor again? I guess the only thing worth redeeming here would be your wallets—from spending Php 130 on a movie ticket to see this film.
Friday, January 2, 2009
HERBED FISH FRITTERS
Description:
Serve these mini fritters with a tartare sauce. Simply chop some capers and gherkins and stir into good quality mayonnaise.
Ingredients:
450 gm fish fillet
1 ¼ c milk
450 gm cooked potatoes, mashed
1 fennel bulb, chopped
3 T chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
1 T unsalted butter
2 c white breadcrumbs
2 T sesame seeds
Vegetable oil for deep frying
Salt & pepper
Directions:
• Gently poach the fish filets in the milk for about 15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Drain and reserve the milk.
• Peel the skin off the fish and remove any stray bones. Mix fish, potatoes, fennel, parsley, eggs and butter.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add 2 T of the reserved milk and season with salt and lots of ground pepper. Mix well. Cover with clear plastic film and chill for 30 minutes, then shape into even-sized fritters.
• Mix bread crumbs and sesame seeds in a shallow dish, then roll croquettes in the mixture.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy pan. Deep fry the croquettes until golden brown. Drain well on paper towels and serve hot.
Serve these mini fritters with a tartare sauce. Simply chop some capers and gherkins and stir into good quality mayonnaise.
Ingredients:
450 gm fish fillet
1 ¼ c milk
450 gm cooked potatoes, mashed
1 fennel bulb, chopped
3 T chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
1 T unsalted butter
2 c white breadcrumbs
2 T sesame seeds
Vegetable oil for deep frying
Salt & pepper
Directions:
• Gently poach the fish filets in the milk for about 15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Drain and reserve the milk.
• Peel the skin off the fish and remove any stray bones. Mix fish, potatoes, fennel, parsley, eggs and butter.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add 2 T of the reserved milk and season with salt and lots of ground pepper. Mix well. Cover with clear plastic film and chill for 30 minutes, then shape into even-sized fritters.
• Mix bread crumbs and sesame seeds in a shallow dish, then roll croquettes in the mixture.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy pan. Deep fry the croquettes until golden brown. Drain well on paper towels and serve hot.
Ashley Features
Ashley's mom Viera had fun creating these at Photo Funia. We had fun looking at them.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
BANGUS SARDINES
Description:
This is a family favorite. My mom and tita used to make lots of this but it only takes for us less than a week to finish a batch.
Ingredients:
1 kilo bangus (20 – 30 pcs a kilo)
4 pcs hot chili pepper
½ c sweet mixed pickles
½ c green olives
2 c olive oil
½ c soy sauce
¾ c brandy
1 t salt
1 t salt
1 t msg
1 t whole peppercorn
1 pc bay leaf
Directions:
• Clean bangus without removing scales.
• Place rack inside pressure cooker and arrange bangus in neat layers. Pour in the rest of the ingredients.
• Cover pressure cooker and allow mixture to boil until a steady stream of steam flows out of the vent. Place pressure control on vent and allow to cook under pressure for one hour.
• Allow to cool before removing bangus from the cooker.
This is a family favorite. My mom and tita used to make lots of this but it only takes for us less than a week to finish a batch.
Ingredients:
1 kilo bangus (20 – 30 pcs a kilo)
4 pcs hot chili pepper
½ c sweet mixed pickles
½ c green olives
2 c olive oil
½ c soy sauce
¾ c brandy
1 t salt
1 t salt
1 t msg
1 t whole peppercorn
1 pc bay leaf
Directions:
• Clean bangus without removing scales.
• Place rack inside pressure cooker and arrange bangus in neat layers. Pour in the rest of the ingredients.
• Cover pressure cooker and allow mixture to boil until a steady stream of steam flows out of the vent. Place pressure control on vent and allow to cook under pressure for one hour.
• Allow to cool before removing bangus from the cooker.
PASTA WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM AND HAM
Description:
We made this in the morning of January 1st. Ang sarap, sobra! Saka super-dali gawin. We used fettuccine, but it's ok to use any kind of pasta. (Recipe from The Best of FOOD Magazine)
Ingredients:
400 gm pasta
3 T butter
½ c diced onions
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can button mushrooms, drained and sliced
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 c green peas, thawed
2 tetra bricks all purpose cream
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Melt butter in large pan. Sauté onions, garlic and mushrooms for about 2 minutes.
• Add cooked ham and green peas. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring occasionally. Pour in cream and stir until ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
• Season with salt & pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes or just long enough to blend the flavors.
• Remove pan from heat. Add the cooked pasta and toss gently to mix. Transfer to a serving dish.
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