Friday, September 19, 2008

Ramblings of an Owl


Chatting for the whole night with my fiance online during this unholy hour is simply a punishment to the nth level. We've been awake for more than 16 hours now, still tired from spinning class we religiously do every night in a local gym and struggling with the gurgling sounds of our empty stomachs in the wee hours of the night. It sucks! (but needed) We finally decided to break through from the guilty pleasures of eating good food during the late hours. With our decision to practice a "strict diet" to shed off extra pounds will soon be worth it and rewarding in our targeted time frame.

Anyways, we have been flirting with this nightly "set-up" for almost a week now and I am starting to feel ticked with the change of my fiance's schedule at work. Rica's still in her office right at this very moment having a teleconference with their new client for next week and ultimately hoping that the trainees for this particular account can maintain this and pull it off. Rica is such a life saver for her company! Trying to get jobs for unmotivated people who needs a good beating and taking care of a phallic fixated British boss. Tsk...

Anyways, I had a pretty interesting week where I began to ask "questions" again to myself. Some are quite pristine but mostly are disturbing. But as this night session ended, Rica sent me the lyrics of our favorite song, "Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)" written by Baz Luhrmann (director of Moulin Rogue). Great song for it totally snapped me out from this "bugging out" mode.


"If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.
Scientists have proved the long-term benefits of sunscreen whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are NOT as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Brother and Sister - TOGETHER we'll make it through."

Optimism Above It All...




In a "midlife state of mind", I believe that it is healthy to pause for a moment and try to recollect all the things that you've experienced. Blissful or not, it’s all a part of you NOW! I have pondered and thought about a lot of things and decided to write something about my parents.

My Mom


She lived a pretty colorful and fascinating life. With all the triumphs and trials that one could experience, I am pretty sure that she is tried and tested.

* Nothing's going to shake her except the family.
* Nothing's going to threaten her except herself.
* No one's capable of taking away her faith but her.

Life has never been easy with her. How much I wished it were the other way around, that’s something I have to accept and be grateful for she survived it gracefully and with a head held high. She grew up from a broken family, eldest child and sister of 7 and now, a singled out and happy mom. I guess she has nothing to regret for. Things happen where we have no control over! They just happen. I sometimes find humor with the pattern of sequences that happened in our lives. Though it was tough -- there's still peace in the middle of a hurricane.

I learned to ACCEPT the things that I can't change.
I learned to embrace the unknown. I learned to see how my mom strode and stood up on her own for us. With her, it’s always “for us”. I saw her sacrifices. I heard her worries. I saw her life. I remember looking at her worried and confused whenever she burst in tears. I eventually feel something went the other way without even asking. Instinct I guess. With us her children as her drive and fueled inspiration, I realize how beautiful life is and how blessed we are! No amount of success could ever replace her in our lives. With the grandeur of life, it's such a waste to fault find and be unmotivated. She lives. She laughs. She cries. She feels. She tells…

Life moves on for us. I’ve learned that we have to always compose ourselves and be Optimistic above it all.

My Dad


He was the usual rich kid, unico hijo of late politicians during the 60s. Sheltered. Spoiled. Manilenyo.That was my dad. A big guy with a big heart who taught me to get out of my comfort zone and survive! He taught me to dream ever since as a kid. He taught me the discipline of practice yields perfection. He also taught me to always be confident. And just like his dad, my lolo would say, "DREAM BIG!"

My dad always maintained his stature as a man of few words. Though a lot of things changed when my grandparents left him. I saw how he really grieved with their loss. I saw his watery eyes filled with the ground breaking pain choking him all up... I guess, to see your dad "hagulhol" like a lost child is simply the hardest and spine chilling experience of all. So, I stopped! Breathe deep and hugged him on that hot afternoon in Antipolo. I will always respect him. My dad always dream and dreamed BIG for the family. He always reminded us of our roots, our heritage and our pride as a family.

I believe that my dad loved us regardless of what happened with the family. I still believe that he will have his own perfect time...I'll just wait for that moment, sit back and enjoy the ride when it happens.

As I sip my cup of tea now and enjoy its aroma -- I finally brought this recollection in conclusion and realized that worrying won't do any good to you. It's official! Both my parents are now living their own separate lives and seem happy to where they are now. I perfectly RESPECT both of them.

What I learned from this immensely random world, that we should live our lives the way we want it to be! Enjoy our lives! Treasure what we have and don't have! Say a colossal amount of "I love you" to our family everyday! Kiss them! Hug them! Feel them! Smile! Have faith with them! Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)! I believe that nothing should be left unsaid and nothing should be left unheard when it comes with family.

FAMILY FIRST!

Mahal ka namin ma & pa! Masyadong malaki ang Diyos natin compared sa atin mga problema! Keep the faith for we your children will always be proud of you guys! Now is the time to get tired carrying our guns and decide to put it all down and finally see that we still have each other amidst all the "fuck ups" of this life!

Monday, September 15, 2008

How I Do it My Way...(Romance 101)

This is why I say, "She's all mine!"


Friday, September 12, 2008

When "Jackstones & Nursery Rhymes" are the Only Ones She Have...

If only you can see the lady on the bed through her eyes –
you would realize how much love she gives and how it puts her life on halt...
Modesty aside, she wouldn’t complain with her current responsibility.
She pleases herself with the innocence and gentleness of a former pillar.
Rekindling their unforgotten past, she is pleased w
ith such memoirs of a well-guided past.
...blinded only with love and loyalty to give back, a strike of the world doesn't matter
she may be struck down but not destroyed
persecuted but never abandoned...
Rica’s love for Mommy Ling is immensely pure and a privilege. Abundant with great memories from a treasured precedent – Rica is definitely a grand daughter of her mother’s mom.

And I am blessed to be a part of her life and b
e a witness of this moving relationship.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Learning Sansrival...

The last time I was in Magic Farms (sometime like two week-ends ago) with my fiancé, Rica was simply a busy and a much needed trip. I always get excited every time we go to the farm because there’s always something new and something to look forward instead of soaking ourselves with the “laid back” life here in Davao. In the farm, I feel productive and more energized. I sometimes feel that I simply belong there. In the farm, being laid back is a façade for it seriously entails a lot of hard work and determination to exist there. That’s why; whenever we’re there – it’s not only pure vacationing or money spending or act like aristocrats and “hacienderos” …it’s more of having participation and contribution to the bigger picture of things.

Anyways, Rica and I decided to leave Da
vao on a Thursday night to arrive Mambatangan early morning. We intended to be there a day earlier for us to catch Burpie Sarraga -- who is currently having her culinary studies in ISCAM and was going back to Manila on Friday afternoon after having a week long vacation in the farm and a great sister. Apparently, the bus driver drove too fast; we arrived there earlier as expected. It was during the "wee hours" of the day, the crows were still sleeping and the place was all jet black. We were grateful for Burpie (struggling with insomnia) for waking up Jun (Bambina’s fiancé) to request to pick us up in the highway. Thanks to you guys!

Moving on, as soon as we got to the main ho
use, Burpie welcomed us in the front door. As soon as we entered the house, I immediately noticed the long wooden table filled with dry and wet ingredients calling me.

“Unsa imo himuon Burp?
(What you making Burp?)” I curiously asked.
“Sansrival geng!” Burpie uttered.
“AT
AY! Tudlu-a ko bih aron kakapa na ko ani pagbalik namu Dabaw (LIVER! Teach me so I can copy it when I get to Davao)” I persistently asked her.

“O bah!
(Sure thang!)” Burpie answered shortly and went on with another topic.

We arrived there at 430 a.m., toked up a little bit and went through the next 4 hours with a lot of stories, MANUAL beating of egg whites to make meringue and a whole lot of baking and power napping. Four
days ago, I did my first-ever SANSRIVAL. It was pretty home-style which needs a lot of cost cutting with the ingredients but all in all, it was simply a good start!

Now I understand the value of measurements…hehehe… Cheers!
__________________________________________________

SANSRIVAL


* Meringue
* Pounded cashew and walnuts
* Butter icing
* Powdered sugar
* Vanilla
* Almond syrup

1. Make meringue.
2. Place meringue on a non-stick tray or simply grease an ordinary tray with lard and line wax paper on it. Place meringue on top of the tray about 1.5 inch thick.
3. Preheat oven and cook meringue for 1 hour at 135 Degrees Celsius.
4. Remove from oven when meringue is golden brown.
5. While still hot, remove meringue from tray and cut it in half to have a double layer cake. (Number of layer depends on you)
6. Now put one layer first then spread an ample amount of butter icing on top of it. Sprinkle with pounded walnuts and cashews.
7. Put another layer and cover top and sides of trimmed 'SANSRIVAL' with the remainder of the cream mixture. Sprinkle with pounded cashew and walnuts.
8. Put in the Freezer to chill.
9. Serve after an hour.