This is a tag. My friend coffeefreak (Anna's Tasa on the blog roll on your left) sent me five questions to answer in my blog. If you want to be interviewed, let me know and I'll send you five questions too, which you have to answer in your blog.
Anna's Tasa's five questions:
1. What was the first thing you did today?
I thanked God for a good night's sleep. Really had a peaceful long sleep, from 10 p.m. to 7:40 a.m. The headache that bothered me yesterday was gone.
2. What's your greatest fear?
Getting lost in LA. That is why I never leave home without a bus map, a bus schedule, a Google map, and if we're driving, directions from here to there from mapquest.com. Oh, and enough change for the bus ride.
3. If you could star in one big movie, what movie would that be?
hahaha! Me, a movie star?! Ok, let's play along. I want to be Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile, inspiring other women to explore new worlds.
Oh, while we're at it, can I share which TV show I'd like to be in? I'd like to be in Samantha Brown: Passport to Europe (Travel Channel) and be Samantha Brown walking on cobblestoned roads, sipping cappuccino, sleeping in delightful little inns...
4. Five things that are in your mind right now...
a. Breakfast: what can I eat? Bagel or rice and ulam?
b. My brewed coffee's getting cold.
c. Where can we go today?
d. Grad school in US: should I or shouldn't I?
e. I miss Manila, my parents, my friends.
5. Your personality in three words...
Quiet, shy, curious
Ok, here are the interview rules:
1. Post a comment here saying you want to be interviewed.
2. I will go to your blog and email you five questions.
3. Answer the questions in your blog.
4. Explain in your blog what this tag is all about.
5. Offer to interview someone else in the same post.
6. Send five questions to those interested.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: I'm so into the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. It's Christian fiction about the earth's last days. Interesting scenario. Now they've done a prequel series, the Countdown to the Rapture: Before They Were Left Behind series. I've read Book 1, The Rising, a chilly book about what the Antichrist's beginnings could be like. Now I'm reading Book 2, The Regime, and here, the Antichrist is establishing himself in business and government.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Trust in the LORD and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
License to drive
Passed my driver's license test today in LA! Yipee!
Photo: From Simi Valley to Downtown LA with the LA skyline in the background.
Gotta go. Dinner time!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
2.5 months sans cellphone
After more than 10 years with Globe, I had my postpaid cellphone service cut last March. I was going on a long trip overseas and did not want my parents to be bothered about making sure my monthly phone bills got paid on time. Besides, my not-top-of-the-line cellphone would not work in Tokyo where they only accept J-phones, and neither would it work in LA since it was not triband. Secretly, I also wanted to know how long I can survive without a cellphone.
"'Di mo kayang walang cellphone," said my high school friend A. And so she offered me a triband mobile phone on Globe postpaid plan that will just cost me P500 a month. "$10 dollars lang yun no," she said. She'll even take care of paying Globe; I'll just have to leave postdated checks with her. I said I'll think about it.
But before I knew it, I had 10,000 things to do before leaving Manila last March 16. So there was not even time to think about it.
It's now June 4 (and--gasp--I'm 40 years old and 5 months old today! Well, no one can tell as long as my grey hair doesn't show and I'm in my sneakers, hehe). That means it's been almost 2.5 months since I gave up my cellphone. And... I survived.
Sure, I miss the forwarded jokes and inspirational text messages, as well as the hoax warnings of bomb threats in the malls. Also the funny "Can u b my txtm8" messages from people I don't know (and don't bother to respond to). I miss the "wer r u" urgent messages when I'm 5 minutes late for appointments just as I'm parking in a crowded mall, and the kilometric chika from my girl friends. I also miss the prayer requests that come in via text, as well as the coffee invites from my closest friends.
Yeah, I miss them all, but I discovered many things by being cellphone-less.
1. It's good to wait. In fact, I can wait. And yes, people can wait for me. And one can wait creatively: read a book, write a note, go people-watching and check out the latest fashion, study the menu four times and learn the many different toppings that can go on a pizza.
2. The pay phone works. Just drop the coins, dial, and voila! You can be the one to ask people, "where are you?" when they're not on time. Plus, this is a great way to use up all the coins in your purse so your wallet will not be as heavy.
3. Not everything is urgent. If a message can wait, I can send it by e-mail. Back in Manila, I could launch 30-50 text messages a day, some of them not urgent (example: Hi! Are you going to X's party next Friday?).
4. Talk is better. Instead of texting and asking if someone is free to meet up later today, just pick up the phone for immediate feedback. Oo nga naman.
I'm not saying that I'll never have a cellphone again. But being without one certainly opens up one's eyes to other possibilities. :-)
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Turn by Max Lucado is a small thin book I picked up at the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble. This is a must-read for all people who want to see their countries go forward. God will bless their land if His people humble themselves and pray.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
"'Di mo kayang walang cellphone," said my high school friend A. And so she offered me a triband mobile phone on Globe postpaid plan that will just cost me P500 a month. "$10 dollars lang yun no," she said. She'll even take care of paying Globe; I'll just have to leave postdated checks with her. I said I'll think about it.
But before I knew it, I had 10,000 things to do before leaving Manila last March 16. So there was not even time to think about it.
It's now June 4 (and--gasp--I'm 40 years old and 5 months old today! Well, no one can tell as long as my grey hair doesn't show and I'm in my sneakers, hehe). That means it's been almost 2.5 months since I gave up my cellphone. And... I survived.
Sure, I miss the forwarded jokes and inspirational text messages, as well as the hoax warnings of bomb threats in the malls. Also the funny "Can u b my txtm8" messages from people I don't know (and don't bother to respond to). I miss the "wer r u" urgent messages when I'm 5 minutes late for appointments just as I'm parking in a crowded mall, and the kilometric chika from my girl friends. I also miss the prayer requests that come in via text, as well as the coffee invites from my closest friends.
Yeah, I miss them all, but I discovered many things by being cellphone-less.
1. It's good to wait. In fact, I can wait. And yes, people can wait for me. And one can wait creatively: read a book, write a note, go people-watching and check out the latest fashion, study the menu four times and learn the many different toppings that can go on a pizza.
2. The pay phone works. Just drop the coins, dial, and voila! You can be the one to ask people, "where are you?" when they're not on time. Plus, this is a great way to use up all the coins in your purse so your wallet will not be as heavy.
3. Not everything is urgent. If a message can wait, I can send it by e-mail. Back in Manila, I could launch 30-50 text messages a day, some of them not urgent (example: Hi! Are you going to X's party next Friday?).
4. Talk is better. Instead of texting and asking if someone is free to meet up later today, just pick up the phone for immediate feedback. Oo nga naman.
I'm not saying that I'll never have a cellphone again. But being without one certainly opens up one's eyes to other possibilities. :-)
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Turn by Max Lucado is a small thin book I picked up at the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble. This is a must-read for all people who want to see their countries go forward. God will bless their land if His people humble themselves and pray.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Why I like Tokyo
There are many things I like about Tokyo. Here's one:
The cherry blossoms are amazing.
Everyone awaits the first bud.
Pretty soon, whole trees are awash in pink.
For two weeks in spring, cherry blossoms are a sight to behold in parks and street corners. How awesome our God is for making them.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander. A young kitchen boy in the household of Nicholas II, last Tsar of Russia, recounts the last days of the Romanov family leading to their execution. This is historical fiction but the author incorporated actual notes and letters written by the Romanovs. An interesting tale.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12
The cherry blossoms are amazing.
Everyone awaits the first bud.
Pretty soon, whole trees are awash in pink.
For two weeks in spring, cherry blossoms are a sight to behold in parks and street corners. How awesome our God is for making them.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander. A young kitchen boy in the household of Nicholas II, last Tsar of Russia, recounts the last days of the Romanov family leading to their execution. This is historical fiction but the author incorporated actual notes and letters written by the Romanovs. An interesting tale.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Tokyo: Land of Tempura and Shabu-Shabu
Ah, Tokyo... It's been more than 10 years since I last went to this bustling metropolis, and I have forgotten how wonderful it is. The people are so polite and nice, the air so crisp and cool, the food so appetizing and delicious.
Let me just run through a list of restaurants I've been to in Tokyo then post another blog entry in a few days about the interesting sights to see in that city.
YOYOGI RESTAURANT
Meiji-Jingu Park
Inside the grounds of the Meiji-Jingu shrine is the Yoyogi Restaurant, just a few steps away from the gift shop. I had Fish and Vegetable Tempura bento which tasted quite different from the usual tempura back in Manila. This is authentic Japanese cuisine! Busog!
TSUBAME GRILL
Ginza
This place has been famous since 1930 for its hamburger steaks, and now I know why. They're really good. The juicy burgers are cooked in foil and placed on sizzling plates. They come with baked potatoes as well. One burger plate costs 1,260 yen. Quite pricey when you convert it to pesos (100 yen is about 50 pesos), but reasonable when you convert it to US dollars (about $12).
VIE DE FRANCE
Kamishakujii Train Station, Nerima-ku
Coming off the train, you'll see this inviting little coffee shop with delicious-looking soft breads. It's no French Baker (Manila) at all. Cheap but yummy.
AKANOREN
Marunouchi Building near the Tokyo Station
This is a famous ramen house, and there are several outlets in Japan. This one in Marunouchi Building is just a few floors down my nephew's office in Bloomberg. We had gyoza, which was just perfect, and Hakata ramen. I've never had ramen this good before. No wonder foodies have been blogging about Akanoren. Read these: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/263660 and http://www.fugudiaries.com/?p=27
YOSHINOYA
Everywhere
We were curious: would the gyudon taste any different in Yoshinoya Japan than in Yoshinoya Manila? Surprise! It tastes the same. Still yummy. My brother said I should try the sukiyaki. Next time then.
NEW YORK DELI
Disney Sea Resort
I had turkey ciabatta while Alec had salmon sandwich. Good New York style sandwiches.
SKYLARK
Everywhere
Skylark would be like Pancake House back in Manila. It's a good old family restaurant. There are several set menus with calorie count (cool, says my son). We went there just for snacks though, so I was only able to try the maple chiffon cake. It was just right; not so sweet. Goes well with the whipped cream it came with. Bottomless drinks available at the drink bar.
ROYAL HOST
Nerima-ku
My sister-in-law's family took us out to dinner here one night. The sirloin steak is tops! But what is memorable for me here is the salmon breakfast plate. This is a traditional Japanese breakfast with rice and miso soup that's filling and delicious! Bottomless drinks available too at the drink bar.
FORESTIER RESTAURANT
2F Tokyo Culture Hall, Ueno Park
In between museum-hopping, we had lunch at this popular restaurant. There's a queue at lunchtime. I had fillet of pork cutlet (tonkatsu, I guess) for 1,050 yen, while my son had beef curry. Good food!
DOLPHIN RESTAURANT
Shinagawa Aquarium
After viewing marine life in the aquarium, we were famished. This child-friendly restaurant sits overlooking a pond. I had something like chicken a la king, while my son had the Dolphin Special -- not dolphin meat, but tonkatsu if I remember right. Food's great. :-)
FOOD CIRCUS
Lalaport Toyosu Mall
This is the food court in this spanking new mall. You can take your pick from a number of international stations: Japanese, American, Singaporean, Indian, Chinese, and Italian. I got Braised Soy Sauce Chicken on Rice from Imperial Treasure (Chinese; 850 yen) while my son had Beef Sandwich with Fries from the Oregon Bar & Grill (American; 750 yen). My sister-in-law got something from the Thai section but she couldn't eat it because it was too spicy. When in doubt, go safe and pick the food familiar to you.
NIHON KAI
near Tokyo Bay
We couldn't leave Tokyo without going to a real sushi bar, and this was it. I'm not really a fan of sushi and sashimi but I can eat them. I'm glad I could, because the sushi and sashimi we ate here were superb, especially the salmon and the amaebi (sweet shrimp). I also liked the kappamaki (cucumber roll) and the maguro (tuna). My son was more adventurous and devoured the unagi (eel) and the anago (sea water eel). Great with the miso soup with clams and piping hot green tea.
McDONALD'S
You think all McDonald's are the same? Well, maybe, if you're talking about the Big Mac and the Cheeseburger. But there's something new with every country's McDonald's. Japan's McDo, for instance, has creamy corn soup, tomato chicken fillet and choco pie. The Philippines' McDo has spaghetti and fried chicken. The American one has burrito. More reasons to visit McDonald's everywhere.
DOUTOR CAFE
Everywhere
This is Japan's answer to Starbucks. The latte is good, and so are the pastries. Ambience is cozy. My brother craves for Doutor coffee.
STREET FOOD
* Takoyaki: Octopus cooked in gooey stuff eaten from a stick a la barbeque. The Ueno Park stand looked so inviting, so we tried it. Quite good, actually.
* Chocolate banana: Good old banana dipped in chocolate with candy sprinkles. For 100 yen, you can have fruit and chocolate too! Got one at Ueno Park and it tasted really good.
* Crepes: A number of crepe stations in little Volkswagen vans can be seen around Tokyo. We tried one in Harajuku which had a line of young people waiting to place their order. The strawberry crepe with vanilla ice cream was really good. I also saw one at Kamishakujii station and another one just outside the supermarket in Nerima-ku.
HOME COOKING
After all that yummy food outside, though, nothing beats real Japanese cooking done lutong bahay style. I am so blessed to have a true blue Japanese sister-in-law who cooks sooooo well. From tempura, nabe and teppanyaki to shabu-shabu, tonkatsu and miso soup, she can do them all by scratch. And her salads are so yummy too! I told her she could open a restaurant already; she's that good. So after a long tiring day walking and doing some sightseeing, we would gladly wait for her outside the small supermarket on the way home as she would pick up the freshest vegetables and meats so she can lovingly cook dinner for us at home. Bon appetit!
VERSE OF THE DAY: But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. Psalm 33:18
BOOKS OF THE WEEK: Myself, Elsewhere by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil is an engaging memoir about her life in prewar Ermita. This was Ermita during peace time, long before it has become the chaotic, shoddy area it is now. She eloquently describes the customs, manners and way of life of the Ermita elite up until World War II when many passed away. A good read.
The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. During World War II, ten thousand Jewish children from Austria and Germany were allowed to board the Kindertransport, a rescue train. The kids became refugees in England. 243 Willesden Lane in London was the hostel some of them lived in. This book is the story of one of those refugees, Lisa Jura, a 14-year-old gifted pianist from Vienna. A poignant and moving story of music, love and survival during a very difficult time.
Let me just run through a list of restaurants I've been to in Tokyo then post another blog entry in a few days about the interesting sights to see in that city.
YOYOGI RESTAURANT
Meiji-Jingu Park
Inside the grounds of the Meiji-Jingu shrine is the Yoyogi Restaurant, just a few steps away from the gift shop. I had Fish and Vegetable Tempura bento which tasted quite different from the usual tempura back in Manila. This is authentic Japanese cuisine! Busog!
TSUBAME GRILL
Ginza
This place has been famous since 1930 for its hamburger steaks, and now I know why. They're really good. The juicy burgers are cooked in foil and placed on sizzling plates. They come with baked potatoes as well. One burger plate costs 1,260 yen. Quite pricey when you convert it to pesos (100 yen is about 50 pesos), but reasonable when you convert it to US dollars (about $12).
VIE DE FRANCE
Kamishakujii Train Station, Nerima-ku
Coming off the train, you'll see this inviting little coffee shop with delicious-looking soft breads. It's no French Baker (Manila) at all. Cheap but yummy.
AKANOREN
Marunouchi Building near the Tokyo Station
This is a famous ramen house, and there are several outlets in Japan. This one in Marunouchi Building is just a few floors down my nephew's office in Bloomberg. We had gyoza, which was just perfect, and Hakata ramen. I've never had ramen this good before. No wonder foodies have been blogging about Akanoren. Read these: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/263660 and http://www.fugudiaries.com/?p=27
YOSHINOYA
Everywhere
We were curious: would the gyudon taste any different in Yoshinoya Japan than in Yoshinoya Manila? Surprise! It tastes the same. Still yummy. My brother said I should try the sukiyaki. Next time then.
NEW YORK DELI
Disney Sea Resort
I had turkey ciabatta while Alec had salmon sandwich. Good New York style sandwiches.
SKYLARK
Everywhere
Skylark would be like Pancake House back in Manila. It's a good old family restaurant. There are several set menus with calorie count (cool, says my son). We went there just for snacks though, so I was only able to try the maple chiffon cake. It was just right; not so sweet. Goes well with the whipped cream it came with. Bottomless drinks available at the drink bar.
ROYAL HOST
Nerima-ku
My sister-in-law's family took us out to dinner here one night. The sirloin steak is tops! But what is memorable for me here is the salmon breakfast plate. This is a traditional Japanese breakfast with rice and miso soup that's filling and delicious! Bottomless drinks available too at the drink bar.
FORESTIER RESTAURANT
2F Tokyo Culture Hall, Ueno Park
In between museum-hopping, we had lunch at this popular restaurant. There's a queue at lunchtime. I had fillet of pork cutlet (tonkatsu, I guess) for 1,050 yen, while my son had beef curry. Good food!
DOLPHIN RESTAURANT
Shinagawa Aquarium
After viewing marine life in the aquarium, we were famished. This child-friendly restaurant sits overlooking a pond. I had something like chicken a la king, while my son had the Dolphin Special -- not dolphin meat, but tonkatsu if I remember right. Food's great. :-)
FOOD CIRCUS
Lalaport Toyosu Mall
This is the food court in this spanking new mall. You can take your pick from a number of international stations: Japanese, American, Singaporean, Indian, Chinese, and Italian. I got Braised Soy Sauce Chicken on Rice from Imperial Treasure (Chinese; 850 yen) while my son had Beef Sandwich with Fries from the Oregon Bar & Grill (American; 750 yen). My sister-in-law got something from the Thai section but she couldn't eat it because it was too spicy. When in doubt, go safe and pick the food familiar to you.
NIHON KAI
near Tokyo Bay
We couldn't leave Tokyo without going to a real sushi bar, and this was it. I'm not really a fan of sushi and sashimi but I can eat them. I'm glad I could, because the sushi and sashimi we ate here were superb, especially the salmon and the amaebi (sweet shrimp). I also liked the kappamaki (cucumber roll) and the maguro (tuna). My son was more adventurous and devoured the unagi (eel) and the anago (sea water eel). Great with the miso soup with clams and piping hot green tea.
McDONALD'S
You think all McDonald's are the same? Well, maybe, if you're talking about the Big Mac and the Cheeseburger. But there's something new with every country's McDonald's. Japan's McDo, for instance, has creamy corn soup, tomato chicken fillet and choco pie. The Philippines' McDo has spaghetti and fried chicken. The American one has burrito. More reasons to visit McDonald's everywhere.
DOUTOR CAFE
Everywhere
This is Japan's answer to Starbucks. The latte is good, and so are the pastries. Ambience is cozy. My brother craves for Doutor coffee.
STREET FOOD
* Takoyaki: Octopus cooked in gooey stuff eaten from a stick a la barbeque. The Ueno Park stand looked so inviting, so we tried it. Quite good, actually.
* Chocolate banana: Good old banana dipped in chocolate with candy sprinkles. For 100 yen, you can have fruit and chocolate too! Got one at Ueno Park and it tasted really good.
* Crepes: A number of crepe stations in little Volkswagen vans can be seen around Tokyo. We tried one in Harajuku which had a line of young people waiting to place their order. The strawberry crepe with vanilla ice cream was really good. I also saw one at Kamishakujii station and another one just outside the supermarket in Nerima-ku.
HOME COOKING
After all that yummy food outside, though, nothing beats real Japanese cooking done lutong bahay style. I am so blessed to have a true blue Japanese sister-in-law who cooks sooooo well. From tempura, nabe and teppanyaki to shabu-shabu, tonkatsu and miso soup, she can do them all by scratch. And her salads are so yummy too! I told her she could open a restaurant already; she's that good. So after a long tiring day walking and doing some sightseeing, we would gladly wait for her outside the small supermarket on the way home as she would pick up the freshest vegetables and meats so she can lovingly cook dinner for us at home. Bon appetit!
VERSE OF THE DAY: But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. Psalm 33:18
BOOKS OF THE WEEK: Myself, Elsewhere by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil is an engaging memoir about her life in prewar Ermita. This was Ermita during peace time, long before it has become the chaotic, shoddy area it is now. She eloquently describes the customs, manners and way of life of the Ermita elite up until World War II when many passed away. A good read.
The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. During World War II, ten thousand Jewish children from Austria and Germany were allowed to board the Kindertransport, a rescue train. The kids became refugees in England. 243 Willesden Lane in London was the hostel some of them lived in. This book is the story of one of those refugees, Lisa Jura, a 14-year-old gifted pianist from Vienna. A poignant and moving story of music, love and survival during a very difficult time.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Let's Eat! Restos to try in Manila
I haven't stepped on the weighing scale lately, but I know I've put on a few pounds when I couldn't get into my denim pants this month. March is so far a month of eating and eating for me, what with all the celebrations and reunions with family and friends in Manila and Tokyo. I couldn't complain, though, since eating is always fun, especially when done in new restaurants with people I love.
Here are places I've been to recently in Manila:
March 1: Lunch buffet was at Sulo Hotel on Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It's my parents' 57th wedding anniversary, and my dad treated me, my sister, and a visiting balikbayan couple from California, Virgil and his wife, to a filling buffet. It's not the greatest buffet in the world, but it's ok. Don't make the mistake of gesturing to the waiter to refill your iced tea glass; it isn't bottomless. Still, it's a convenient place to meet guests if you're in the area.
March 3: After a general assembly of Turn volunteers, I saw Arlyn and Sherry at The Podium in Ortigas Center. I had time to spare so I joined them for lunch at Pinoydon on the 5th floor. I love this little restaurant serving Filipino and Japanese rice bowls (donburi) at affordable prices. I had the grilled chicken bowl. During a previous visit (lunch with my longtime friend Jing), I think I had katsudon. Yummy. Boysie Villavicencio wrote about it in the Manila Bulletin some time ago: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/10/28/SCTY2005102847825.html
There's still room for dessert so I met up with my Bible study group (D-group or discipleship group) at old favorite Dulcinea on Tomas Morato for some hot churros with thick hot chocolate. Definitely worth the trip.
March 4 : Had lutong bahay lunch with Turn co-workers Vic and his wife Nenet, Sherry, Agnes, and my son at Lasa on the ground floor of The Podium. We had pancit palabok, sinigang sa miso, beef tapa, and grilled liempo, if I'm not mistaken. The sinigang is really good. We capped off the meal with palitaw for dessert. Read on more about Lasa here: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/01/06/TSTE2006010653136.html
My second lunch for the day (no wonder I'm gaining weight) is at Greek restaurant Cyma on the sixth floor of Shangri-La Plaza for my nephew Davi's birthday. It was already way past 2pm when I got there but we still had to wait in line for a table. The salad was pretty good (starts with R; I forgot the name); it had feta cheese, candied walnuts, and healthy greens. We also had lamb chops, osso buco, pasta with clams, ribs, and spinach rice--all yummy! For dessert, make sure to get the flaming mango with vanilla ice cream concoction which the waiters serve with a loud "Opa!" which is Greek for "Cheers!" Read more about it here: http://www.clickthecity.com/metro/feature.asp?p=1114
March 6: Snacks at Figaro Congressional Avenue, Quezon City with my grad school classmates Meg and Nancy. I always go to Figaro for the barako blend coffee, which I prefer over Starbucks anytime. Love your own. :-) I also had pudding with vanilla sauce, something artist Stella Rojas introduced me to many years ago. Great with kapeng barako.
March 8: I first ate at Kimono Ken in Tomas Morato, Quezon City with my Varsi friend Erli sometime last year. This time we headed for its new branch at The Block, SM City North EDSA, where we met Jun, also from our Varsi days. The crispy kani maki is very good! I also had a beef bowl, like gyudon I think, but it was just so-so. I would go back here for the maki. Gourmet chef Gene Gonzalez wrote about it more here: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/07/30/TSTE2004073015064.html
March 9: After dropping off my son in school, my mom and I headed to Chowking for breakfast. Boneless bangus, fried rice, and brewed coffee go well together.
March 11: Sugarnot at the fifth floor of The Podium is a great venue to hold meetings. It's quiet and not too crowded. Our Turn core group met there for a meeting. I just wish their low-sugar snacks were tastier -- I had a muffin which tasted two, maybe three days old.
Service is slow and there's a queue, but Guava at Serendra in Fort Bonifacio is worth going to for Pinoy comfort food. Try the kare-kare and the sinigang which you can have cooked either with bayabas (guava) or sampaloc. We also had laing and pochero. A hearty yummy lunch!
After that filling lunch, we just had to have coffee, and Cafe Mary Grace, also at Serendra, is the perfect place to go to. We got an outdoor table and watched people and their dogs with shirts pass by. Although we got pastries here, we also munched on delicious cupcakes my nieces bought from Cupcakes by Sonja a few steps away. This little cupcake store is always full; you have to fall in line to buy the P60+ apiece cupcakes. Read more here: http://pinoyfood.nimrodel.net/2006/12/17/cupcakes-by-sonja-at-the-serendra-piazza/
March 12, 14 and 15: Breakfast on these three days is at UCC Coffee on Connecticut Street, Greenhills, and at The Podium, with my son and his dad. I had boneless bangus one time, then waffles with frankfurters another time. The coffee, brewed via siphon method, is always good. I also love the Japanese salad and its yummy dressing. My son had Veal Bratwurst on the 12th, English Bangers on the 14th, and Frankfurters on the 15th.
March 13: I met up with some of the gorgeous moms of my son's prep class in Ateneo for breakfast. We originally chose Pancake House, but when Tina learned that their coffee machine was broken, we had to find a place with decent coffee on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, or she would die. We ended up in Cravings, which turned out to be a better choice. I had ham and mushroom omelette with freshly brewed delicious coffee. The fresh fruit platter and the other breakfast items looked good too.
Lunch this day was at Tramway on Scout Alcaraz Street near Banawe Street, Quezon City. My Fil-Chinese friends Ivy and Ana brought me here for the eat-all-you-can lunch buffet for under P200. The dishes are more than the usual lauriat fare. You have to have the steamed egg cooked like taho! Then there are the usual dishes: sweet and sour pork, yang chow fried rice, tempura, maki, etc. Eat and be filled.
And this is just half of the month! No wonder my pants don't fit. Next entry: Places to eat in Tokyo.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: I'm on Book 11 of the Left Behind: The Kids series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Young kids Judd, Vicki, Lionel and Ryan form the Young Trib Force and face challenges to their faith in the earth's last days. My son loves this series, and so do I.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14
Here are places I've been to recently in Manila:
March 1: Lunch buffet was at Sulo Hotel on Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It's my parents' 57th wedding anniversary, and my dad treated me, my sister, and a visiting balikbayan couple from California, Virgil and his wife, to a filling buffet. It's not the greatest buffet in the world, but it's ok. Don't make the mistake of gesturing to the waiter to refill your iced tea glass; it isn't bottomless. Still, it's a convenient place to meet guests if you're in the area.
March 3: After a general assembly of Turn volunteers, I saw Arlyn and Sherry at The Podium in Ortigas Center. I had time to spare so I joined them for lunch at Pinoydon on the 5th floor. I love this little restaurant serving Filipino and Japanese rice bowls (donburi) at affordable prices. I had the grilled chicken bowl. During a previous visit (lunch with my longtime friend Jing), I think I had katsudon. Yummy. Boysie Villavicencio wrote about it in the Manila Bulletin some time ago: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/10/28/SCTY2005102847825.html
There's still room for dessert so I met up with my Bible study group (D-group or discipleship group) at old favorite Dulcinea on Tomas Morato for some hot churros with thick hot chocolate. Definitely worth the trip.
March 4 : Had lutong bahay lunch with Turn co-workers Vic and his wife Nenet, Sherry, Agnes, and my son at Lasa on the ground floor of The Podium. We had pancit palabok, sinigang sa miso, beef tapa, and grilled liempo, if I'm not mistaken. The sinigang is really good. We capped off the meal with palitaw for dessert. Read on more about Lasa here: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/01/06/TSTE2006010653136.html
My second lunch for the day (no wonder I'm gaining weight) is at Greek restaurant Cyma on the sixth floor of Shangri-La Plaza for my nephew Davi's birthday. It was already way past 2pm when I got there but we still had to wait in line for a table. The salad was pretty good (starts with R; I forgot the name); it had feta cheese, candied walnuts, and healthy greens. We also had lamb chops, osso buco, pasta with clams, ribs, and spinach rice--all yummy! For dessert, make sure to get the flaming mango with vanilla ice cream concoction which the waiters serve with a loud "Opa!" which is Greek for "Cheers!" Read more about it here: http://www.clickthecity.com/metro/feature.asp?p=1114
March 6: Snacks at Figaro Congressional Avenue, Quezon City with my grad school classmates Meg and Nancy. I always go to Figaro for the barako blend coffee, which I prefer over Starbucks anytime. Love your own. :-) I also had pudding with vanilla sauce, something artist Stella Rojas introduced me to many years ago. Great with kapeng barako.
March 8: I first ate at Kimono Ken in Tomas Morato, Quezon City with my Varsi friend Erli sometime last year. This time we headed for its new branch at The Block, SM City North EDSA, where we met Jun, also from our Varsi days. The crispy kani maki is very good! I also had a beef bowl, like gyudon I think, but it was just so-so. I would go back here for the maki. Gourmet chef Gene Gonzalez wrote about it more here: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/07/30/TSTE2004073015064.html
March 9: After dropping off my son in school, my mom and I headed to Chowking for breakfast. Boneless bangus, fried rice, and brewed coffee go well together.
March 11: Sugarnot at the fifth floor of The Podium is a great venue to hold meetings. It's quiet and not too crowded. Our Turn core group met there for a meeting. I just wish their low-sugar snacks were tastier -- I had a muffin which tasted two, maybe three days old.
Service is slow and there's a queue, but Guava at Serendra in Fort Bonifacio is worth going to for Pinoy comfort food. Try the kare-kare and the sinigang which you can have cooked either with bayabas (guava) or sampaloc. We also had laing and pochero. A hearty yummy lunch!
After that filling lunch, we just had to have coffee, and Cafe Mary Grace, also at Serendra, is the perfect place to go to. We got an outdoor table and watched people and their dogs with shirts pass by. Although we got pastries here, we also munched on delicious cupcakes my nieces bought from Cupcakes by Sonja a few steps away. This little cupcake store is always full; you have to fall in line to buy the P60+ apiece cupcakes. Read more here: http://pinoyfood.nimrodel.net/2006/12/17/cupcakes-by-sonja-at-the-serendra-piazza/
March 12, 14 and 15: Breakfast on these three days is at UCC Coffee on Connecticut Street, Greenhills, and at The Podium, with my son and his dad. I had boneless bangus one time, then waffles with frankfurters another time. The coffee, brewed via siphon method, is always good. I also love the Japanese salad and its yummy dressing. My son had Veal Bratwurst on the 12th, English Bangers on the 14th, and Frankfurters on the 15th.
March 13: I met up with some of the gorgeous moms of my son's prep class in Ateneo for breakfast. We originally chose Pancake House, but when Tina learned that their coffee machine was broken, we had to find a place with decent coffee on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, or she would die. We ended up in Cravings, which turned out to be a better choice. I had ham and mushroom omelette with freshly brewed delicious coffee. The fresh fruit platter and the other breakfast items looked good too.
Lunch this day was at Tramway on Scout Alcaraz Street near Banawe Street, Quezon City. My Fil-Chinese friends Ivy and Ana brought me here for the eat-all-you-can lunch buffet for under P200. The dishes are more than the usual lauriat fare. You have to have the steamed egg cooked like taho! Then there are the usual dishes: sweet and sour pork, yang chow fried rice, tempura, maki, etc. Eat and be filled.
And this is just half of the month! No wonder my pants don't fit. Next entry: Places to eat in Tokyo.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: I'm on Book 11 of the Left Behind: The Kids series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Young kids Judd, Vicki, Lionel and Ryan form the Young Trib Force and face challenges to their faith in the earth's last days. My son loves this series, and so do I.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14
Friday, March 02, 2007
Simplify
Exactly two weeks from now, my son and I will go on a long trip overseas. This is what happens when members of your family choose to settle in other countries. Every reunion is a major production and requires much planning.
Everytime I talk to a friend or a sibling, I get asked: "So, did you pack already?" Pack? My four-page To Do list shows "Pack" at the bottom. Above it are stuff I have to write, edit, follow up, and errands and other stuff to do like make a dental appointment, get flu shots, file ITR, pay my SSS loan, and so on. And I've got two weeks. Oh, I forgot that I need to dye my hair and get a massage before I leave next next Friday. And meet up with friends. And have business meetings.
I look around my room and I'm overwhelmed at the clutter I've accumulated over the years. I have probably close to 60 handbags, but I only use 5 regularly. The electronic junk (can't be repaired or donated) sit on top of the overhead cabinets: a broken fax, a jurassic CPU, a nonworking AVR, etc. I have boxes of papers labeled "Sort." And a load of magazines that can fill up a car trunk; this after disposing an equal number of old magazines last year.
I've got to simplify my life after this. After all, am I not a simple person?
And so, I have resolved to:
1. Pass on magazines I've read to friends. (As a magazine journalist, I have to read, read, read, thus the monthly stash.)
2. Give away books I've read or sell them on e-bay. I realized that I don't like rereading books I've read before. I'll only keep what's dear to me.
3. Keep my portfolio of works up to date, so I don't have to keep volumes of magazines around.
4. Give away gifts I have received but cannot use.
5. Make regular visits to the junk shop to dispose of paper clutter, electronic junk, etc.
6. Find a place for things, so that paintings go on walls and not get stashed in cabinets.
7. Have photo CDs printed as soon as possible. And organize photos.
And lastly, start packing a month before a trip. :-)
BOOKS OF THE WEEK: I'm reading two books this week, and I'm both halfway through them (yes, in spite of my things to do). One is Ladies' Lunch by Gilda Cordero-Fernando and Mariel Francisco. It's a nice collection of warm personal essays about womanhood, motherhood, growing up, etc. The illustrations by E. Aguilar Cruz go well with the wonderful essays. There are recipes too, long before Frances Mayes thought of including them in Under The Tuscan Sun.
The second book I'm reading is Philip Yancey's Reaching for the Invisible God. It delves on man's quest to understand God. It brings to fore man's usual questions: Where is God? Why does He seem unavailable sometimes? Deep insights but Yancey writes in an engaging personal way.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
Everytime I talk to a friend or a sibling, I get asked: "So, did you pack already?" Pack? My four-page To Do list shows "Pack" at the bottom. Above it are stuff I have to write, edit, follow up, and errands and other stuff to do like make a dental appointment, get flu shots, file ITR, pay my SSS loan, and so on. And I've got two weeks. Oh, I forgot that I need to dye my hair and get a massage before I leave next next Friday. And meet up with friends. And have business meetings.
I look around my room and I'm overwhelmed at the clutter I've accumulated over the years. I have probably close to 60 handbags, but I only use 5 regularly. The electronic junk (can't be repaired or donated) sit on top of the overhead cabinets: a broken fax, a jurassic CPU, a nonworking AVR, etc. I have boxes of papers labeled "Sort." And a load of magazines that can fill up a car trunk; this after disposing an equal number of old magazines last year.
I've got to simplify my life after this. After all, am I not a simple person?
And so, I have resolved to:
1. Pass on magazines I've read to friends. (As a magazine journalist, I have to read, read, read, thus the monthly stash.)
2. Give away books I've read or sell them on e-bay. I realized that I don't like rereading books I've read before. I'll only keep what's dear to me.
3. Keep my portfolio of works up to date, so I don't have to keep volumes of magazines around.
4. Give away gifts I have received but cannot use.
5. Make regular visits to the junk shop to dispose of paper clutter, electronic junk, etc.
6. Find a place for things, so that paintings go on walls and not get stashed in cabinets.
7. Have photo CDs printed as soon as possible. And organize photos.
And lastly, start packing a month before a trip. :-)
BOOKS OF THE WEEK: I'm reading two books this week, and I'm both halfway through them (yes, in spite of my things to do). One is Ladies' Lunch by Gilda Cordero-Fernando and Mariel Francisco. It's a nice collection of warm personal essays about womanhood, motherhood, growing up, etc. The illustrations by E. Aguilar Cruz go well with the wonderful essays. There are recipes too, long before Frances Mayes thought of including them in Under The Tuscan Sun.
The second book I'm reading is Philip Yancey's Reaching for the Invisible God. It delves on man's quest to understand God. It brings to fore man's usual questions: Where is God? Why does He seem unavailable sometimes? Deep insights but Yancey writes in an engaging personal way.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Kids in heaven
"Why do they say it's a tragedy if the father outlives the son?" my son asked me a few weeks ago. I put down the paper, took a deep breath, and told him it's because children usually outlive their parents. Sometimes it doesn't happen though, and parents are left mourning and grieving the loss of their son or daughter.
This year, my friends Gina, Lizette and Vim mourned the loss of their children. Gina lost Trisha, 13, to leukemia; Lizette lost Lauren, 8, to brain tumor; and Vim just lost his son Awit, 4, to pneumonia last week. Of all the wakes I have gone to, these three wakes were the most painful to go to. As a mom, I feel their pain.
I was talking to Gina, my former officemate at Lifestyle Asia, at the wake when Trisha's classmates came in single file to the church chapel. Gina hurried out--I thought it was to meet them. She told me later that she had to cry and take a moment to compose herself. When she felt better, she went back in to meet Trisha's classmates and bravely told them how Trisha put her arms out as if to embrace someone just before she died. "I believe she saw Jesus," Gina said, as Trisha's classmates were in tears. "She was ready."
Lizette was my classmate back in high school. Lauren was her only daughter. At the wake, everything was white, from the casket to the flowers, even the whole chapel was white. Lizette told me how brave Lauren was enduring her chemotherapy sessions, and how they would go to the mall right after a chemo session, just the two of them. As a stay-at-home mom, she spent much time with Lauren. And it was all worth it. At her deathbed, Lizette told Lauren to go ahead, don't worry, it's ok, and she'll meet Lauren in heaven some day.
I've known Vim since college when we were both part of The Varsitarian, the school paper. After college, we'd bump into each other in reunions, art exhibits, and book launchings. I found it cute that he named his children uniquely: Psalma (after Psalms), Wika (after Proverbs), Awit (after Song of Solomon) and Sulat (after Epistles). Of all his kids, it was Awit who looked most like him. At the wake, Vim showed us a video of Awit's photos, saying, "Gusto naming ipakilala sa inyo si Awit." Aside from the video, there were Awit's favorite toys around. There were also pabitins and balloons. From the first night of the wake (Saturday) until last night (Wednesday), there were "parties" at 7pm: Ony Carcamo the ventriloquist held the stage one night, and the Alitaptap storytellers took over the other nights. "It's Awit's last party," the SMS message said. Today, as I write this, his remains are being cremated. "Vim and I have committed Awit to God," said Ellay, Vim's wife.
It's so close to Christmas, so why am I writing about this? When you really think about it, Christmas is about giving up one's son. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Amidst the partying, feasting, shopping, and merrymaking, may we take time to thank God for giving up His Son Jesus. And may we all take that gift of eternal life that comes by just believing He paid the price for all our sins. That's really all it takes. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
May you all have a meaningful and blessed Christmas.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Faith That Goes the Distance by Jud Wilhite. What does it mean to have faith? It's not enough that you believe that God is near. Using the heroes in Hebrews 11 as examples, the author encourages us to go for the faith that rides tides, leaves a legacy, walks with God, obeys God, follows God's vision, chooses God's will, transforms, and goes the distance. "Live far above mediocrity and experience God's ultimate best--a life of extraordinary faith."
This year, my friends Gina, Lizette and Vim mourned the loss of their children. Gina lost Trisha, 13, to leukemia; Lizette lost Lauren, 8, to brain tumor; and Vim just lost his son Awit, 4, to pneumonia last week. Of all the wakes I have gone to, these three wakes were the most painful to go to. As a mom, I feel their pain.
I was talking to Gina, my former officemate at Lifestyle Asia, at the wake when Trisha's classmates came in single file to the church chapel. Gina hurried out--I thought it was to meet them. She told me later that she had to cry and take a moment to compose herself. When she felt better, she went back in to meet Trisha's classmates and bravely told them how Trisha put her arms out as if to embrace someone just before she died. "I believe she saw Jesus," Gina said, as Trisha's classmates were in tears. "She was ready."
Lizette was my classmate back in high school. Lauren was her only daughter. At the wake, everything was white, from the casket to the flowers, even the whole chapel was white. Lizette told me how brave Lauren was enduring her chemotherapy sessions, and how they would go to the mall right after a chemo session, just the two of them. As a stay-at-home mom, she spent much time with Lauren. And it was all worth it. At her deathbed, Lizette told Lauren to go ahead, don't worry, it's ok, and she'll meet Lauren in heaven some day.
I've known Vim since college when we were both part of The Varsitarian, the school paper. After college, we'd bump into each other in reunions, art exhibits, and book launchings. I found it cute that he named his children uniquely: Psalma (after Psalms), Wika (after Proverbs), Awit (after Song of Solomon) and Sulat (after Epistles). Of all his kids, it was Awit who looked most like him. At the wake, Vim showed us a video of Awit's photos, saying, "Gusto naming ipakilala sa inyo si Awit." Aside from the video, there were Awit's favorite toys around. There were also pabitins and balloons. From the first night of the wake (Saturday) until last night (Wednesday), there were "parties" at 7pm: Ony Carcamo the ventriloquist held the stage one night, and the Alitaptap storytellers took over the other nights. "It's Awit's last party," the SMS message said. Today, as I write this, his remains are being cremated. "Vim and I have committed Awit to God," said Ellay, Vim's wife.
It's so close to Christmas, so why am I writing about this? When you really think about it, Christmas is about giving up one's son. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Amidst the partying, feasting, shopping, and merrymaking, may we take time to thank God for giving up His Son Jesus. And may we all take that gift of eternal life that comes by just believing He paid the price for all our sins. That's really all it takes. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
May you all have a meaningful and blessed Christmas.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Faith That Goes the Distance by Jud Wilhite. What does it mean to have faith? It's not enough that you believe that God is near. Using the heroes in Hebrews 11 as examples, the author encourages us to go for the faith that rides tides, leaves a legacy, walks with God, obeys God, follows God's vision, chooses God's will, transforms, and goes the distance. "Live far above mediocrity and experience God's ultimate best--a life of extraordinary faith."
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
35 and counting
That’s the number of volunteers (including core group members) who have committed to work on the Christian bimonthly magazine we’re putting up: TURN. We have editors, writers, artists, photographers, stylists, advertising and marketing people, circulation staff, admin staff, finance staff, web developers and scriptwriters on board, all with a burden to serve God this way. When you hear their stories, you’ll be blessed and be amazed at how God works. Prior to this ministry, we didn’t know each other. But when we started meeting, we were so surprised at how each one’s strength complements that of the other.
TURN. Know where you’re going. A Christian lifestyle magazine. Out in newsstands in January 2007.
P.S. That’s me on the front row, in white top.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore and Friends was first recommended to me by Gigi, my high school classmate and my son’s pedia. It’s a great collection of stories from missionaries spread across the globe. You’ll be touched by their firsthand experiences dealing with people, such as that story about an abused 7-year-old who asked for pills that would give her hope.
TURN. Know where you’re going. A Christian lifestyle magazine. Out in newsstands in January 2007.
P.S. That’s me on the front row, in white top.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore and Friends was first recommended to me by Gigi, my high school classmate and my son’s pedia. It’s a great collection of stories from missionaries spread across the globe. You’ll be touched by their firsthand experiences dealing with people, such as that story about an abused 7-year-old who asked for pills that would give her hope.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Down but not out
It’s 1:15 p.m. as I write this. I just came back from some time alone. I had lunch at the Red Ribbon outlet nearest me and had the Palabok Petite Meal. Not bad for 74 pesos. It came with a slice of cake (my choice: Coffee Crunch) and a small Coke (bad for the body, but something I consider a treat once a week). Then I spent 30 minutes browsing at National Bookstore, weaving in and out of book aisles and magazine stands.
Every time I enter a bookstore, I feel like a kid in toyland. “You’re such a bookworm,” my son told me earlier this week. “Writers have to be readers,” I told him. I think I’m not just a bookworm. I’m a voracious mother-of-all bookworms.
I’m the type who can go out without lipstick but cannot go out without a book in hand. I panic at the thought of not having anything to read while waiting at a coffee shop, at the bank, even at a stoplight. And since I have to multitask throughout the day, I find that I have to lug around several books with me in a bag every day. Today, I brought with me six books: Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil (my nonfiction fix for the day), The Citibank Guide to Building Personal Wealth (needed for an article I’m doing), Experiencing God Day-By-Day devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby (a reminder for me to stop, take a moment and pray), The Torrents of Spring by Ernest Hemingway (my fiction fix for the day), Parenting Gifted Kids by James Delisle, Ph.D. (for insights on how to raise my son), and Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen (my rah-rah book to lift my spirits). Every day, I try to read a chapter from my book haul.
The last book by Osteen couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been feeling down the past weeks. My consultancy contract ended last summer and since then, I’ve just been relying on my freelance writing and editing jobs. It’s been hard to make ends meet. And with my savings gone due to medical bills since last year, it has been doubly challenging.
My friend Meg encouraged me to read this book, which incidentally was her gift to me a few months ago. And it’s been a blessing to me. I’ve been reminded to get rid of my negative thoughts and know that God’s favor rests on me because I am God’s child by His grace. “See yourself as God sees you—as a winner, an overcomer,” Osteen writes. “God wants to do a new thing in your life. But you’ve got to do your part and get outside that little box. Start thinking big!”
“May you enlarge her vision,” Meg prayed for me one time. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: “Consecrate yourself, for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5
Every time I enter a bookstore, I feel like a kid in toyland. “You’re such a bookworm,” my son told me earlier this week. “Writers have to be readers,” I told him. I think I’m not just a bookworm. I’m a voracious mother-of-all bookworms.
I’m the type who can go out without lipstick but cannot go out without a book in hand. I panic at the thought of not having anything to read while waiting at a coffee shop, at the bank, even at a stoplight. And since I have to multitask throughout the day, I find that I have to lug around several books with me in a bag every day. Today, I brought with me six books: Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil (my nonfiction fix for the day), The Citibank Guide to Building Personal Wealth (needed for an article I’m doing), Experiencing God Day-By-Day devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby (a reminder for me to stop, take a moment and pray), The Torrents of Spring by Ernest Hemingway (my fiction fix for the day), Parenting Gifted Kids by James Delisle, Ph.D. (for insights on how to raise my son), and Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen (my rah-rah book to lift my spirits). Every day, I try to read a chapter from my book haul.
The last book by Osteen couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been feeling down the past weeks. My consultancy contract ended last summer and since then, I’ve just been relying on my freelance writing and editing jobs. It’s been hard to make ends meet. And with my savings gone due to medical bills since last year, it has been doubly challenging.
My friend Meg encouraged me to read this book, which incidentally was her gift to me a few months ago. And it’s been a blessing to me. I’ve been reminded to get rid of my negative thoughts and know that God’s favor rests on me because I am God’s child by His grace. “See yourself as God sees you—as a winner, an overcomer,” Osteen writes. “God wants to do a new thing in your life. But you’ve got to do your part and get outside that little box. Start thinking big!”
“May you enlarge her vision,” Meg prayed for me one time. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: “Consecrate yourself, for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Sometimes I think I'm not in my thirties
"Mom, are you watching?" my son asked me again last night as I drifted off to sleep while watching Gundam Seed Destiny with him. "You have to watch!" Ok, I mumbled. Bleary-eyed, I tried my best to follow along.
As I watched the cartoon on Cartoon Network, I couldn't help thinking I'm getting too old for this. To me, everyone looks the same. I could not tell if that was Kira or Athrun, or Mir or Lacus. They all have the same big wide eyes typical of Japanese anime. Their hairstyles are all the same, all layered and cut blunt. Even the gundam suits look all the same to me. It's a far cry from the days when I could tell Voltes V from Mazinger Z and Daimos.
Ever since he learned I watched Voltes V as a kid back in the 70s, my son made it his project to get me in on his favorite anime. He excitedly lent me his Gundam Seed manga comicbooks and checked on me if I'm moving along in my reading. I'm now in the last book, number 5. Eight thirty p.m. is also a big event five days a week as it is time for Gundam Seed Destiny. Many times, I referred to it only as Gundam Seed, and he would always correct me, saying, "It's Gundam Seed Destiny!"
Obviously, my fascination with anime ended with Voltes V. But I couldn't pass up on the chance to connect with my son, who will be entering his teenage years in two years. Nowadays I have the answers when he asks, "Who would you want to be: a Natural or a Coordinator?" or, "What is your favorite gundam?" Sometimes I think I'm not in my thirties.
Sometimes I also catch myself singing "Soaring, flying..." or "We're all in this together..." Yes, I confess, I watched High School Musical three times this month on Disney Channel. My son hates it, and there I found my weapon. Whenever he has to do homework and refuses to do it, I sing the first few bars of either song and he does his homework pronto just so I'll stop. Sometimes it's good not to act like I'm in my thirties. :-)
BOOK OF THE WEEK: These days, I'm reading Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil. It's a book on wellness and aging gracefully. I'm particularly interested on healthy eating and stress management. I've been told that stress had a lot to do with my bad back. I'd like to look young as the years go by, without resorting to face lifts, Botox and liposuction.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Proverbs 3:1-2
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Oprah, this is how 30-something women live in Manila
This morning, I caught a rerun of Oprah at 9 a.m. on Star World. Featured were 30-something women in different parts of the globe: Kuwait, Iraq, Rwanda, Mexico, France, London, Malaysia, etc.
Did you know that in Kuwait, everybody is rich? With no taxes, free education up to college, and even a wedding cash gift from the government, women can shop all they want--well almost. :) In Iraq, although Saddam Hussein's regime is no more, women are not that free. In fact, they spend most of their time indoors to protect themselves from crime on the streets. In Mexico, women dress nicely and in high heels since they don't have to work that hard. They still have siesta on top of their two-hour lunches, like the Kuwaitis. The French may not eat that much calorie-rich food, but they do drink wine every day.
Anyway, that got me wondering why Filipinas weren't mentioned. Well Oprah, if you want to know how 30-something women live in this part of the globe, let me introduce you to some of my friends.
There's J, a single mom with four kids who commutes daily from Las Pinas to Ortigas to make sure the mag she edits gets to readers on the first of every month. She can work until the wee hours of the morning and still bond with her kids over popcorn and movies.
N is married with four kids, who has given up a promising production career in a TV network to be part of the academe (and spend more time with her kids). After years of having yayas and helpers leave after a short time, she and her husband have decided to go maidless and raise the kids on their own while pursuing their careers. When you see her, you won't even think she's worrying about the labada; she's so put together.
R is the big boss of her company. Almost every week, she travels to the provinces or abroad for meetings and client calls. In spite of her busy schedule, she makes time to bring her daughter to school, attend PTA meetings, go to church, and have coffee with me (sometimes). :)
C is happily single, also the boss of her own company. She squeezes in spa appointments in the middle of a busy week chasing printing deadlines.
E is also happily single, and is my foodie partner. We'd meet for lunch or coffee often and just talk about life when we're not talking about teaching writing to college students and checking papers.
M is a dear friend since my grad school days. She's married, with two kids and manages to bake wonderfully great breads while meeting insurance sales quotas, reviewing the kids for their exams, and praying for me. :)
In a nutshell, 30-something women in Manila do a great job balancing work, family, friends, and other stuff, and have fun in the process. Superwomen! :)
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Tikim: Essays on Philippine Food and Culture by Doreen Fernandez is a wonderful read. Through her writing, you can almost taste every morsel of a dish she describes, whether it's adobo, kinilaw or balut. Like food? Read this.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Did you know that in Kuwait, everybody is rich? With no taxes, free education up to college, and even a wedding cash gift from the government, women can shop all they want--well almost. :) In Iraq, although Saddam Hussein's regime is no more, women are not that free. In fact, they spend most of their time indoors to protect themselves from crime on the streets. In Mexico, women dress nicely and in high heels since they don't have to work that hard. They still have siesta on top of their two-hour lunches, like the Kuwaitis. The French may not eat that much calorie-rich food, but they do drink wine every day.
Anyway, that got me wondering why Filipinas weren't mentioned. Well Oprah, if you want to know how 30-something women live in this part of the globe, let me introduce you to some of my friends.
There's J, a single mom with four kids who commutes daily from Las Pinas to Ortigas to make sure the mag she edits gets to readers on the first of every month. She can work until the wee hours of the morning and still bond with her kids over popcorn and movies.
N is married with four kids, who has given up a promising production career in a TV network to be part of the academe (and spend more time with her kids). After years of having yayas and helpers leave after a short time, she and her husband have decided to go maidless and raise the kids on their own while pursuing their careers. When you see her, you won't even think she's worrying about the labada; she's so put together.
R is the big boss of her company. Almost every week, she travels to the provinces or abroad for meetings and client calls. In spite of her busy schedule, she makes time to bring her daughter to school, attend PTA meetings, go to church, and have coffee with me (sometimes). :)
C is happily single, also the boss of her own company. She squeezes in spa appointments in the middle of a busy week chasing printing deadlines.
E is also happily single, and is my foodie partner. We'd meet for lunch or coffee often and just talk about life when we're not talking about teaching writing to college students and checking papers.
M is a dear friend since my grad school days. She's married, with two kids and manages to bake wonderfully great breads while meeting insurance sales quotas, reviewing the kids for their exams, and praying for me. :)
In a nutshell, 30-something women in Manila do a great job balancing work, family, friends, and other stuff, and have fun in the process. Superwomen! :)
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Tikim: Essays on Philippine Food and Culture by Doreen Fernandez is a wonderful read. Through her writing, you can almost taste every morsel of a dish she describes, whether it's adobo, kinilaw or balut. Like food? Read this.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Four dogs and a mynah
Every morning, the minute my mom stands by her bedroom window, four dogs run as fast as they can to the patch of grass right below the window. There’s Jaya, formerly known as Jada (my mom kept calling her Jaya, and the name stuck), Pretty, her three-legged daughter, and Brownie, Jaya’s months-old son. Jaya, Pretty and Brownie are brown mini-pinschers. The fourth dog jostling for space is Joker, a six-month-old yellow Labrador retriever. All four of them wait expectantly for whatever my mom would throw out the window at them: morsels of bread, chips, popcorn, doughnuts, peanuts. My mom once said, “These dogs eat anything. Even stale popcorn.”
It’s not like they’re not being fed well. Just this morning, my dad asked me for P200 (he didn’t have smaller change) for the dogs’ supply of dog food. Aside from their dog food, they also are given leftovers from the dinner table: chicken, beef, whatever. Joker even has an egg included in his daily diet. Good for the hair, my dad said.
Last week, my dad got so mad at the helpers for putting the bird food on a low shelf where Joker could get them. And yes, he finished a whole bag. That’s P300+ worth of bird food for Garci, our mynah, finished off in a day. Told you our dogs eat anything. Well, Joker’s still alive and is still his usual happy perky self, so I guess bird food is good for dogs too.
Let’s talk about Garci. My dad got him at the height of the Gloriagate Senate investigation last year. He’s been hoping Garci (the mynah) would one day say, “Hello, Garci!” while my son has been trying to talk Garci (the mynah) into saying, “So will I still win by one million?” But so far, all Garci wants to say are: Jaya, Joker, Rose, Roy, Alec, hahaha, buzzer sounds, and the sound of the car horn. But his favorite word is Jaya. Garci can say it in many ways: “Ja-ya…” in a soft singsong like way, “Jaya?” in an inquiring tone,” and “JAYA!” in an angry manner.
Jaya’s “husband” is Oakwood, who was born during the Oakwood mutiny. My dad bought him for P7,000 from someone in Taguig. Oakwood is a black mini-pinscher, and bullied everyone he can. He got Jaya pregnant twice, with five puppies born the first time, and two puppies born the second time. Since there are just a few of us living in this home, the dogs outnumbered us, and it didn’t make sense. Soon the dogs were sold one by one, save for Jaya, Pretty and Brownie now. Joker was a gift to my dad.
Sometimes when my son is bored, he would go play fetch with Joker. Once in a while I try to pet Jaya. But when Joker sees it, he gets so jealous, he’d come bounding wanting to be cuddled too. So I would run back to the house and just watch him through the window. I don’t know, I just can’t cuddle a dog heavier than me.
But the dogs are nice to have around. Whenever anyone of us comes home and gets down from the car, all the dogs are right outside the car door, forming a welcoming committee. They wag their tails, and sniff and sniff, as if saying, “Welcome home.” Then as we enter the house, Garci would let out a shrill voice. Wonder when he’ll get to say, “Hello!”
BOOK OF THE WEEK: At Books for Less, I saw Love, Desire, Children, Etc.: Reflections of a young wife by Rica Bolipata-Santos. I know Rica. She wrote for Smart Parenting magazine a few years ago and I bumped into her once in my son’s school. This book she wrote is a collection of personal essays delving on motherhood, marriage, childhood crushes, sexuality, and more. Her writing is honest and engaging. Read it on a quiet afternoon while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4
It’s not like they’re not being fed well. Just this morning, my dad asked me for P200 (he didn’t have smaller change) for the dogs’ supply of dog food. Aside from their dog food, they also are given leftovers from the dinner table: chicken, beef, whatever. Joker even has an egg included in his daily diet. Good for the hair, my dad said.
Last week, my dad got so mad at the helpers for putting the bird food on a low shelf where Joker could get them. And yes, he finished a whole bag. That’s P300+ worth of bird food for Garci, our mynah, finished off in a day. Told you our dogs eat anything. Well, Joker’s still alive and is still his usual happy perky self, so I guess bird food is good for dogs too.
Let’s talk about Garci. My dad got him at the height of the Gloriagate Senate investigation last year. He’s been hoping Garci (the mynah) would one day say, “Hello, Garci!” while my son has been trying to talk Garci (the mynah) into saying, “So will I still win by one million?” But so far, all Garci wants to say are: Jaya, Joker, Rose, Roy, Alec, hahaha, buzzer sounds, and the sound of the car horn. But his favorite word is Jaya. Garci can say it in many ways: “Ja-ya…” in a soft singsong like way, “Jaya?” in an inquiring tone,” and “JAYA!” in an angry manner.
Jaya’s “husband” is Oakwood, who was born during the Oakwood mutiny. My dad bought him for P7,000 from someone in Taguig. Oakwood is a black mini-pinscher, and bullied everyone he can. He got Jaya pregnant twice, with five puppies born the first time, and two puppies born the second time. Since there are just a few of us living in this home, the dogs outnumbered us, and it didn’t make sense. Soon the dogs were sold one by one, save for Jaya, Pretty and Brownie now. Joker was a gift to my dad.
Sometimes when my son is bored, he would go play fetch with Joker. Once in a while I try to pet Jaya. But when Joker sees it, he gets so jealous, he’d come bounding wanting to be cuddled too. So I would run back to the house and just watch him through the window. I don’t know, I just can’t cuddle a dog heavier than me.
But the dogs are nice to have around. Whenever anyone of us comes home and gets down from the car, all the dogs are right outside the car door, forming a welcoming committee. They wag their tails, and sniff and sniff, as if saying, “Welcome home.” Then as we enter the house, Garci would let out a shrill voice. Wonder when he’ll get to say, “Hello!”
BOOK OF THE WEEK: At Books for Less, I saw Love, Desire, Children, Etc.: Reflections of a young wife by Rica Bolipata-Santos. I know Rica. She wrote for Smart Parenting magazine a few years ago and I bumped into her once in my son’s school. This book she wrote is a collection of personal essays delving on motherhood, marriage, childhood crushes, sexuality, and more. Her writing is honest and engaging. Read it on a quiet afternoon while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
My gifted child
Last week, we found out that we have a wonder child in our midst. My son, who's 10 turning 11 next month, was diagnosed as gifted with a mental age of 15 years on the average, and 17 years in the language/verbal area. Of course the little girl inside me did cartwheels and shouted a cheer. It was nice to hear this good news while living with my back pains.
I've always had a gut feeling that he was different. When he was four months old, while he was in his playpen, he blurted out, "Yaya! Dede!" His dad, our yaya, and I laughed. He was always curious, and before he was two, he knew the alphabet and all the animal sounds. He talked early. At three, he began reading words. And at four, I remember he almost cried tears of joy at realizing he can read the sentences in the story book we had in our hands by himself. At five, he would take his favorite Lego story book and read the story to people around him.
When he was six, he had to wipe away tears of happiness when he got as a birthday gift from his lolo and lola a hardbound book on the presidents of the US. He was into almanacs and atlases thereafter. At seven, when 9-11 happened, he would read the tickler fast when we tuned in to CNN. At eight, we read together In the Presence of My Enemies, the book written by Gracia Burnham, who was kidnapped with her husband by the Abu Sayaf.
He's into politics, history, and military stuff. When the Gloriagate Senate hearings were being shown on TV last year, he would watch it on ANC and write down notes to create a timeline of the whole event. Oh yes, he had an opinion on everything that was happening in current events. When my dad's Time subscription copy would be delivered, he'd shout a "Yay!" then read it first in our room. Last year, we had to buy teach-yourself German and Japanese books because he wanted to learn those languages.
Sometimes he would ask me things I do not know the answer to, or do not know how to answer. How many square miles is Texas? What are the top ten military airplanes? What is oral sex? Can I have a brother?
He would beg to be allowed to stay up late to watch Jeopardy. Today, his last day in school, he went home early and was able to watch Game K N B and had so much fun answering his questions. He told his lolo to enter him as a contestant if they come up with a kiddie version.
His dad said he's smarter than either of us. I agree. I wonder what God has in plan for Him. I pray that He will use his mind for His purpose and to help other people.
In the meantime, I'll try to answer his questions as best I could. If I can't, we'll Ask Jeeves.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Night by Elie Wiesel is a sad thin book about his heart-wrenching experience in concentration camps during the Holocaust. Wiesel won a Nobel Peace Prize. His writing is clear and touching. Read it at least once, like you'd watch Schindler's List the movie at least once. It will keep you grateful for the life we have now.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
I've always had a gut feeling that he was different. When he was four months old, while he was in his playpen, he blurted out, "Yaya! Dede!" His dad, our yaya, and I laughed. He was always curious, and before he was two, he knew the alphabet and all the animal sounds. He talked early. At three, he began reading words. And at four, I remember he almost cried tears of joy at realizing he can read the sentences in the story book we had in our hands by himself. At five, he would take his favorite Lego story book and read the story to people around him.
When he was six, he had to wipe away tears of happiness when he got as a birthday gift from his lolo and lola a hardbound book on the presidents of the US. He was into almanacs and atlases thereafter. At seven, when 9-11 happened, he would read the tickler fast when we tuned in to CNN. At eight, we read together In the Presence of My Enemies, the book written by Gracia Burnham, who was kidnapped with her husband by the Abu Sayaf.
He's into politics, history, and military stuff. When the Gloriagate Senate hearings were being shown on TV last year, he would watch it on ANC and write down notes to create a timeline of the whole event. Oh yes, he had an opinion on everything that was happening in current events. When my dad's Time subscription copy would be delivered, he'd shout a "Yay!" then read it first in our room. Last year, we had to buy teach-yourself German and Japanese books because he wanted to learn those languages.
Sometimes he would ask me things I do not know the answer to, or do not know how to answer. How many square miles is Texas? What are the top ten military airplanes? What is oral sex? Can I have a brother?
He would beg to be allowed to stay up late to watch Jeopardy. Today, his last day in school, he went home early and was able to watch Game K N B and had so much fun answering his questions. He told his lolo to enter him as a contestant if they come up with a kiddie version.
His dad said he's smarter than either of us. I agree. I wonder what God has in plan for Him. I pray that He will use his mind for His purpose and to help other people.
In the meantime, I'll try to answer his questions as best I could. If I can't, we'll Ask Jeeves.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Night by Elie Wiesel is a sad thin book about his heart-wrenching experience in concentration camps during the Holocaust. Wiesel won a Nobel Peace Prize. His writing is clear and touching. Read it at least once, like you'd watch Schindler's List the movie at least once. It will keep you grateful for the life we have now.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3
Monday, February 06, 2006
Mom
While cleaning out my files recently, I came across this old essay I wrote about my mom. It was written on October 23, 1998, almost eight years ago, but it still made me smile. At 74, my mom is still a mall rat to this day.
My mother
Every day at the stroke of nine in the morning, she pretties herself up, putting on lipstick and touching up her hair, before carefully choosing her wardrobe for the day. It's time for her daily exercise, and my mother's going to the mall.
Since she experienced all those pains due to a slipped disk years ago requiring her to see a physical therapist, my mother has made it a point to walk the whole length of SM City North EDSA every day. She'd start from where the supermarket is, pause and sip coffee at Dunkin' Donuts, walk again, go up the second level and have a slice of pizza at Greenwich or munch on a burger at Burger King, then go down and end up at the other end, where Goldilocks is.
The daily walks have made her a perfect walking SM Info Center. Ask her where the nearest restroom is and she'll tell you where in an instant. She knows which store is located where, and what they offer. She knows where the ATMs are. She's up to date with what's on sale at SM Department Store, and until when that sale will be. And for me, best of all, she gives the best food reviews in town.
She told me once, for instance, that she had soy chicken with rice at Chopstix Express on the second floor, and found it too salty [Note: this resto is now closed.]. She told me, too, that Racks, also on the second level, had budget-sized pork ribs value meal, and at P45 with rice and softdrinks, was the best deal they ever had [Note: This Racks is now gone too.]. She advised me to be at Kenny Rogers no later than 11 am if I wanted to have a seat for lunch. The best coffee in the mall is served by Dunkin' Donuts and St. Cinnamon [St. Cinnamon vanished already.]. The best ensaimadas are sold by Red Ribbon. Sarciadong isda (sweet and sour fish) is tops at Goldilocks. And forget the Food Court at the basement, she said, since most of the time they only serve reheated food.
Coming from the mall, she'd go home and tell Alec what toys are on sale. Her eyes would light up, as Alec's would, too, as she would recount the latest Mega Bloks and Lego exhibits on display. She would also buy Alec a Happy Meal or a Jollibee Kiddie Meal, for the free toy. Then she would rave about the rest of the free toys in the meal series for the month, with a promise to buy another Happy/Kiddie Meal for Alec.
It was my mother who warned me against parking in the carpark building, for several kidnappings and robberies happened there. The best place to park, she said, would be in the wide open area fronting Goldilocks, where everyone can see you and you can see everyone [This parking lot is no more, and a Hypermart is being built on it.].
My mother is 67, and still as strong as can be. When I was hospitalized a month ago and had surgery to remove an inflammed appendix, she sat up by my bed at the ward waiting for me until midnight when I was wheeled in from the recovery room. The next day, she assisted me as I took one painful step after another for my required exercise. To this day she would go out every day, and feel invigorated each time she came back.
Sometime in the future, I'd probably find myself doing the same things she is doing now. I would pretty myself up at 10 am each day, saunter off to the mall, and come back with tales of new toys for my little grandchild. She hasn't said it, but I've learned from her that life is worth living each day.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: I've had Confessions of a Q.C. House-husband and Other Privacies by Alfed "Krip" Yuson for so many years now, but it's only this week that I found time to read it. His writing is brilliant, but he shines more when he writes about his "privacies." Telephone cords, doorknobs, palengkes -- these may seem like ordinary stuff, but stuff that good writing can be made of, in Yuson's hands.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
My mother
Every day at the stroke of nine in the morning, she pretties herself up, putting on lipstick and touching up her hair, before carefully choosing her wardrobe for the day. It's time for her daily exercise, and my mother's going to the mall.
Since she experienced all those pains due to a slipped disk years ago requiring her to see a physical therapist, my mother has made it a point to walk the whole length of SM City North EDSA every day. She'd start from where the supermarket is, pause and sip coffee at Dunkin' Donuts, walk again, go up the second level and have a slice of pizza at Greenwich or munch on a burger at Burger King, then go down and end up at the other end, where Goldilocks is.
The daily walks have made her a perfect walking SM Info Center. Ask her where the nearest restroom is and she'll tell you where in an instant. She knows which store is located where, and what they offer. She knows where the ATMs are. She's up to date with what's on sale at SM Department Store, and until when that sale will be. And for me, best of all, she gives the best food reviews in town.
She told me once, for instance, that she had soy chicken with rice at Chopstix Express on the second floor, and found it too salty [Note: this resto is now closed.]. She told me, too, that Racks, also on the second level, had budget-sized pork ribs value meal, and at P45 with rice and softdrinks, was the best deal they ever had [Note: This Racks is now gone too.]. She advised me to be at Kenny Rogers no later than 11 am if I wanted to have a seat for lunch. The best coffee in the mall is served by Dunkin' Donuts and St. Cinnamon [St. Cinnamon vanished already.]. The best ensaimadas are sold by Red Ribbon. Sarciadong isda (sweet and sour fish) is tops at Goldilocks. And forget the Food Court at the basement, she said, since most of the time they only serve reheated food.
Coming from the mall, she'd go home and tell Alec what toys are on sale. Her eyes would light up, as Alec's would, too, as she would recount the latest Mega Bloks and Lego exhibits on display. She would also buy Alec a Happy Meal or a Jollibee Kiddie Meal, for the free toy. Then she would rave about the rest of the free toys in the meal series for the month, with a promise to buy another Happy/Kiddie Meal for Alec.
It was my mother who warned me against parking in the carpark building, for several kidnappings and robberies happened there. The best place to park, she said, would be in the wide open area fronting Goldilocks, where everyone can see you and you can see everyone [This parking lot is no more, and a Hypermart is being built on it.].
My mother is 67, and still as strong as can be. When I was hospitalized a month ago and had surgery to remove an inflammed appendix, she sat up by my bed at the ward waiting for me until midnight when I was wheeled in from the recovery room. The next day, she assisted me as I took one painful step after another for my required exercise. To this day she would go out every day, and feel invigorated each time she came back.
Sometime in the future, I'd probably find myself doing the same things she is doing now. I would pretty myself up at 10 am each day, saunter off to the mall, and come back with tales of new toys for my little grandchild. She hasn't said it, but I've learned from her that life is worth living each day.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: I've had Confessions of a Q.C. House-husband and Other Privacies by Alfed "Krip" Yuson for so many years now, but it's only this week that I found time to read it. His writing is brilliant, but he shines more when he writes about his "privacies." Telephone cords, doorknobs, palengkes -- these may seem like ordinary stuff, but stuff that good writing can be made of, in Yuson's hands.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
A year before life begins
So this is how it feels to be 39. Eeeks, just saying 39 gives me the goosebumps. 39 seems so ... ancient, not like 38, which sounds a bit younger. But if Demi Moore and Madonna can still look gorgeous beyond the big Four Oh, then, 39 may not be so bad after all.
The early days of January are usually hectic for me, and this year was not exception. After the New Year festivities, my birthday celebrations start. That's celebrations with an "s" since I have lots of mini-parties, from coffee with friends to dinner with family. I like it better that way. I'm not much of a big party person.
So there I was pigging out with Erli at Old Spaghetti House on the 2nd, eating Cello's Donuts with the faculty on the 4th (my birthday), feasting on take-out chicken honey from Serye for dinner that night, taking a break from work with Mel at Figaro on the 5th (with my fave kapeng barako), digging into a KFC bucket on the night of the 7th with the family, and watching Narnia with Alec on the 8th. Tomorrow, Friday, I'll be meeting up with some members of the Smart Parenting e-group (our loyal readers) for coffee at Bo's. They're calling it a Karen Birthday EB, isn't that sweet? Now if only I have enough cash to treat them all. :)
They say life begins at 40. So what does that make of the earlier years? But life for me has begun a long time ago, and I can say I'm rich with family, friends, love, joy, and peace -- the things that matter. It's been a good 39 years. Can't wait to see what's in store for me in the next 39 years or more.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Of course, after following Professor Murphy's pursuits in Babylon Rising, I just had to buy the next one in the series, The Secret of Ararat. This time, he's looking for Noah's Ark up in the mountains of Turkey.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8
The early days of January are usually hectic for me, and this year was not exception. After the New Year festivities, my birthday celebrations start. That's celebrations with an "s" since I have lots of mini-parties, from coffee with friends to dinner with family. I like it better that way. I'm not much of a big party person.
So there I was pigging out with Erli at Old Spaghetti House on the 2nd, eating Cello's Donuts with the faculty on the 4th (my birthday), feasting on take-out chicken honey from Serye for dinner that night, taking a break from work with Mel at Figaro on the 5th (with my fave kapeng barako), digging into a KFC bucket on the night of the 7th with the family, and watching Narnia with Alec on the 8th. Tomorrow, Friday, I'll be meeting up with some members of the Smart Parenting e-group (our loyal readers) for coffee at Bo's. They're calling it a Karen Birthday EB, isn't that sweet? Now if only I have enough cash to treat them all. :)
They say life begins at 40. So what does that make of the earlier years? But life for me has begun a long time ago, and I can say I'm rich with family, friends, love, joy, and peace -- the things that matter. It's been a good 39 years. Can't wait to see what's in store for me in the next 39 years or more.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Of course, after following Professor Murphy's pursuits in Babylon Rising, I just had to buy the next one in the series, The Secret of Ararat. This time, he's looking for Noah's Ark up in the mountains of Turkey.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Christmas musings
"What is the best Christmas gift you received this year?" posted one member in a parenting e-group I belong to.
Hmmm... Well last Christmas I got cutie pajamas, John and Stasi Eldredge's Captivating, a Kenneth Cole keychain, a tie-dyed top and shorts set, and food items--all welcome gifts. :) I could have wished for a kiss and a hug from my big 10-year-old son but he has declared that he is already "almost a teenager" and therefore is way past the kiss-and-hug-parents stage. Poor me.
So, what are the best Christmas gifts of all? For me, they're the ones that last: my intact family, my supportive friends, my loving son (in spite of the No Kiss, No Hug rule now), the privilege to write, and an awesome God who loved me so much He sent His only son so I can know Him.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: After reading all the books in the Left Behind series, I knew I had to read Babylon Rising, the first in the new fiction series written by Left Behind author Tim LaHaye. Greg Dinallo is his co-author here. This is not really a Christmas read, but it's quite a pageturner, perfect for whiling the time away during the Christmas break. Follow Biblical archaeologist Professor Michael Murphy's exploits as he goes from an abandoned warehouse in North Carolina to the deserts of Samaria in search of centuries old artifacts.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Hmmm... Well last Christmas I got cutie pajamas, John and Stasi Eldredge's Captivating, a Kenneth Cole keychain, a tie-dyed top and shorts set, and food items--all welcome gifts. :) I could have wished for a kiss and a hug from my big 10-year-old son but he has declared that he is already "almost a teenager" and therefore is way past the kiss-and-hug-parents stage. Poor me.
So, what are the best Christmas gifts of all? For me, they're the ones that last: my intact family, my supportive friends, my loving son (in spite of the No Kiss, No Hug rule now), the privilege to write, and an awesome God who loved me so much He sent His only son so I can know Him.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: After reading all the books in the Left Behind series, I knew I had to read Babylon Rising, the first in the new fiction series written by Left Behind author Tim LaHaye. Greg Dinallo is his co-author here. This is not really a Christmas read, but it's quite a pageturner, perfect for whiling the time away during the Christmas break. Follow Biblical archaeologist Professor Michael Murphy's exploits as he goes from an abandoned warehouse in North Carolina to the deserts of Samaria in search of centuries old artifacts.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Christmas wish list
It's two Saturdays before Christmas and I'm not done yet with my Christmas shopping! That's why I'll be braving the human megatraffic at SM City North EDSA today at 10 a.m., about an hour away from now. It's also a three-day sale weekend. But our trusted driver Jamin is here, which means I don't have to drive and line up forever for parking space, and that makes shopping more exciting today.
While in front of my dresser mirror the other day, I glanced at the various bottles on my table. As of last count, I have six perfumes/colognes, of which three are still unopened for more than a year now. One is still wrapped in a fancy giftwrapper. I do appreciate these gifts and the people who gave them, but I'm not really a perfume person. I like light colognes better.
And that got me thinking, if I were to choose my own Christmas gifts, what would they be? And so here's my list.
MY TOP 5 MOST UNWANTED
1. Perfumes: They make me dizzy.
2. Stuffed toys: They just gather dust.
3. Horror/sci-fi books: I'm just not into them.
4. Jewelry: Nice to have, but for years now, I rarely wear anything beyond my stud earrings and watch. Rampant crime made me paranoid, I think. So, it's something I can live without.
5. Brand name wallets: I still have some unused brand name wallets, simply because I can't use them all at the same time. So I wait for the current one I'm using to get old or to get ripped, so I can use the next new one. I don't want to add a new one to the queue.
MY TOP 6 MOST WANTED
1. Clear books: Not something you'd expect, huh. But just recently, I had to go over my portfolio of published works (1989 to 2005) and there are so many articles not in clear books yet. I think I need at least 10 new ones to accommodate all.
2. Books, books, books: I again spotted Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, which I've been wanting to read for a long time now. I'd also welcome books on art, Christian living, writing, personal finance, classic novels, fiction, etc. Oh that reminds me! I have to get The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis for Alec.
3. Food: Always welcome, whether home-baked or store-bought.
4. A spa gift certificate: I'd love a massage, a foot spa, a facial, etc.
5. Photo albums: In 2006, I hope to be able to put every photo in an album for easy viewing. Right now, all our photos for the past 2-3 years are in two boxes. I'm being realistic, so I've set a doable deadline for that project: Dec. 31, 2006.
6. A knockout sturdy chair: Away with these computer ergonomic chairs! I need a chair with a full backrest for my back problem.
WHAT I REALLY WISH FOR (I can dream, can't I?)
1. Free unleaded gas for life
2. A bedroom makeover
3. Jobs for the jobless
4. Help for all the sick who can't get treatment due to poverty
5. for people to realize that at the end of their lives, it's not fame, riches or good works that matter. It's all about your personal relationship with God.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: A little book with the title What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend caught my eye at National Bookstore a few days ago. What do you really do in such cases? "Draw closer [to God]! Love God in that situation," write the authors. Makes sense.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Last Friday, I was asked to fill out a survey, slumbook-style, at school (more on that in another post one of these days). I was asked what my principle in life is. This came to mind: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
While in front of my dresser mirror the other day, I glanced at the various bottles on my table. As of last count, I have six perfumes/colognes, of which three are still unopened for more than a year now. One is still wrapped in a fancy giftwrapper. I do appreciate these gifts and the people who gave them, but I'm not really a perfume person. I like light colognes better.
And that got me thinking, if I were to choose my own Christmas gifts, what would they be? And so here's my list.
MY TOP 5 MOST UNWANTED
1. Perfumes: They make me dizzy.
2. Stuffed toys: They just gather dust.
3. Horror/sci-fi books: I'm just not into them.
4. Jewelry: Nice to have, but for years now, I rarely wear anything beyond my stud earrings and watch. Rampant crime made me paranoid, I think. So, it's something I can live without.
5. Brand name wallets: I still have some unused brand name wallets, simply because I can't use them all at the same time. So I wait for the current one I'm using to get old or to get ripped, so I can use the next new one. I don't want to add a new one to the queue.
MY TOP 6 MOST WANTED
1. Clear books: Not something you'd expect, huh. But just recently, I had to go over my portfolio of published works (1989 to 2005) and there are so many articles not in clear books yet. I think I need at least 10 new ones to accommodate all.
2. Books, books, books: I again spotted Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, which I've been wanting to read for a long time now. I'd also welcome books on art, Christian living, writing, personal finance, classic novels, fiction, etc. Oh that reminds me! I have to get The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis for Alec.
3. Food: Always welcome, whether home-baked or store-bought.
4. A spa gift certificate: I'd love a massage, a foot spa, a facial, etc.
5. Photo albums: In 2006, I hope to be able to put every photo in an album for easy viewing. Right now, all our photos for the past 2-3 years are in two boxes. I'm being realistic, so I've set a doable deadline for that project: Dec. 31, 2006.
6. A knockout sturdy chair: Away with these computer ergonomic chairs! I need a chair with a full backrest for my back problem.
WHAT I REALLY WISH FOR (I can dream, can't I?)
1. Free unleaded gas for life
2. A bedroom makeover
3. Jobs for the jobless
4. Help for all the sick who can't get treatment due to poverty
5. for people to realize that at the end of their lives, it's not fame, riches or good works that matter. It's all about your personal relationship with God.
BOOK OF THE WEEK: A little book with the title What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend caught my eye at National Bookstore a few days ago. What do you really do in such cases? "Draw closer [to God]! Love God in that situation," write the authors. Makes sense.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: Last Friday, I was asked to fill out a survey, slumbook-style, at school (more on that in another post one of these days). I was asked what my principle in life is. This came to mind: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
Monday, December 05, 2005
My Tiya Pacita
"Alec! Alec!" My Tiya Pacita would call on my son as soon as she would step in our home. She would usually come once a week or once in two weeks to go to the mall with my mom, her younger sister. Always, she would bring little treats for my son, like chips or chocolates or candies.
Sometimes when we had some clothes that needed alteration, she would use my mom's sewing machine and cut the hem of pants, and sew on zippers that work to replace those that don't. She loved to sew, and we have curtains, pillowcases, and pajamas that show off her handiwork. Just last night, I complimented my mom on the new orange plaid duster she wore. She said my Tiya Pacita made it and gave it to her a couple of weeks ago.
Among all my maternal aunts, I was closest to Tiya Pacita. And more so when she became a born-again Christian. We would lend each other Christian books, talk about my mom and how we pray for her, and talk about her daughter Tess, my cousin. She is my Tiya Pacita's only daughter, and Tiya Pacita stood by her during those difficult times when her marriage crumbled.
Tiya Pacita was a loving, generous woman. She lived a simple life. She was not rich, yet she lived a rich and fulfilling life. I can see her smiling now, thanking God for a wonderful life. She went to heaven last week at the age of 79. And though she had to share a tomb with my lola at the cramped North Cemetery, I know she has a better home up there, where there is no more crying, no more sickness, no more pain. To God be the glory!
P.S. In this photo, that's Tiya Pacita, my cousin Imelda, and me
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Anyone who wants to be a good writer has to read On Writing Well by William Zinsser. First written in 1976, the book recently had its 25th anniversary edition. Although it tackles principles of writing creative non-fiction, it does so in a non-textbook-like way. Worth reading and rereading.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
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