Heart Rhapsodies

Mint Chicken

2012-02-06T10:11:00.018+08:00

February 5, 2012
Sunday

today, i cooked herbed chicken with fresh mint leaves.

it turned out pretty tasty since i was able to

give all my attention to the

chicken during its frying stage.

tender and moist.

bursting with goodness from all

the spices and fresh herbs

and the mint leaves!

it gives a unique, subtle, minty but very friendly taste to the palate.

i thought all i need in my life to be able

to cook such a yummy chicken dish is a set of my favorite herbs.

today is a minty revelation.

a jar or much better, a pot of fresh mint plant

adds not only sweetness to any dish but

creates a very relaxing mood in the kitchen.

here's my recipe:

2-3 skinless, boneless chicken breast or thighs

1 fist-size freshly squeezed lemon (don't throw the peelings!)

salt and pepper

1/2 block of butter (use half of it in the marinade, the other half for frying)

basil, thyme, rosemary, and mint leaves

(i usually get fresh herbs at the Manila Seedling Bank. dried ones though

are sold in cute bottles at any hypermarket)

what i like in most recipes i cook is its "you can really cook it with ease and smile

in your heart" element.

in short, no need to complicate things, just toss everything together in a medium

bowl (yes, everything. even the lemon halves! put them to work! in fact, the good

stuff is still in its rind and oil in the peel. so go! go! go!)

before frying this lovely domesticated creature, allow it to rest first for about 10

minutes. just enough time to let the acid and herbs infuse their purpose in the

world.

in a skillet, heat the oil and butter until they have known each other well enough.

then, gently add the chicken.

now, here comes the crucial question,

how can you tell if the chicken is tender and moist-done already?

answer: trust your senses. use medium to low heat. remember that you are not searing

it. just let it get a little golden on each side. plate it. eat with your mighty

rice or pesto.

yum!

:-)

(Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, Inc. is located at
Quezon Avenue Extention Corner E. DeLos Santos Avenue, EDSA Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. it's just beside Trinoma)

Ham and Cheese Pull Apart

2012-01-16T15:23:00.006+08:00

@ Krispy Kreme

yum!

http://www.krispykreme.com.ph/page.php?page=New%20Products

On Grandma Julia (Child)

2012-01-12T16:51:00.009+08:00

pearls and floral scarf.

who wears them while deboning a duck

or tossing an omelette?

funny and witty.

that's grandma julia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWmvfUKwBrg

omelette omelette

2012-01-12T16:44:00.005+08:00

how to cook a fluffy and moist omelette?

crack the egg into a bowl and beat it with a fork

then add a little water while whisking it.

season with salt and pepper.

pour into pan.

let it sizzle.

shake it back and forth.

flip it.

plate it.

serve it.

yum.

(you may saute first a cupful of white onion rings

then pour in the beaten eggs.)

:-)

tinapay na may palamang kamote at kalabasa

2012-01-05T14:50:00.004+08:00

http://www.tlj.ph/

freshly baked sweet potato pie

(tinapay na may palamang kamote at kalabasa made perfect

with coffee or tsokolate de batirol)

@ Tous Les Jours

yum!

tous les jours: french word for "every day"

but not so surprising, this french-asian bakery was established in korea.

http://www.touslesjoursusa.com/about.asp?smnu=04

:-)

Dinengdeng

2011-12-30T13:01:00.006+08:00

aside from the kapampangans, i think our ilocano locals

have the most gastronomically wealthy sense of taste.

i just had one of the best lunches here in camiling.

prepared the old fashioned way.

boiled organically grown vegetables.

seasoned with so much love.

as interactive as eating crabs,

the malunggay fruit (bunga ng malunggay)

among the ensemble of

sitaw, okra, ampalaya, kalabasa, saluyot,

kamote, kamatis and the secret ingredient--

the mighty and savory bagoong halubaybay is a total rockstar!

and the only way to celebrate its goodness (and nutrients)

aside from eating them with bare hands,

is to run down your teeth on the green pod's squashy and tasty meat.

yum!

:-)

Indescribable

2011-11-09T14:35:00.025+08:00

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming...

sem break mode and random musings

2011-10-25T10:37:00.004+08:00

October 24, Monday

Sinigang na bangus sa tunay na sampalok with gabi, organic tomatoes, and perfectly blanched kangkong for lunch. Prepared and cooked with so much love.

Im not a bangus fan, just a soup buff.

Food can tell us many things.

For me, it narrates everything.

It's a gateway to the undiscovered.

a chronicler to a myriad of tales untold in one place.

It's not really about the dish but the entire dining experience that would always create memories.

:-)

You First Believed

2011-10-20T10:16:00.004+08:00

How many times did I pray you'd find me...
How many wishes on a star,
Gazing off into the dark
Dreaming I'd see your face
Safe at home unafraid,
Captured in your embrace.

So many times when my heart was broken,
Visions of you would keep me strong.
You were with me all along,
Guiding my every step.
You are all that I am
And I'll never forget.

It was you, who first believed
In all that I was made to be.
It was you, looking in my eyes.
You held my hand and showed me life.
And I've never been the same,
Since you first believed.

There were times when I thought I'd lost you,
Fearing forever was a dream.
But it wasn't what it seemed,
Placing your hand in mine,
You could see in the dark,
You were guiding my heart.

It was you, who first believed
In all that I was made to be.
It was you, looking in my eyes.
You held my hand and showed me life.
And I've never been the same,
Since you first believed.

It was you, who first believed
In all that I was made to be.
It was you, looking in my eyes.
You held my hand and you showed me life.
And I've never been the same,
Since you first believed.

How many times did I pray you'd find me...

How many wishes on a star...

You First Believed by Hoku

what matters to them, matters even more to me :-)

2011-10-05T13:21:00.004+08:00

"Look, teacher i have two growing teeth!"

teacher: congratulations!

:-)

Bata, bata

2011-08-18T15:12:00.025+08:00

The year was 1989. Life was simple. It’s all about the basics.
Apple was only a fruit to many. OFW were just letters.
Wellness was not the “in” thing yet because
people know how to eat right. Everybody knows everybody in my old town
and they talk to each other (real time and touchable). People help each other.
Kindness is contagious. My childhood, oh my childhood days…
my kababata will love this…

Sources of nourishment:

Chocnut bars (better known as Chocobot), Pom Poms, Zeb Zeb,
lechon manok/baka (monosodium glutamate-rich and false meat flavored chips), iced candy, tira-tira (pinoy toffee), saging con yelo, sago’t gulaman a.k.a samalamig, mangga/singkamas slices on stick with the ultimate bagoong, turon (banana fritters), banana/kamote-que, tubo (sugar cane stalks), adik (pastillas-like bar. I don’t really know who and how it got its name), Bazooka (loud pink gum in very ingenious wrapper with comics strip), Pritos Ring, Chippy, halo-halo, home cooked alas tres merienda, taho, binatog, mais, yakult, kornik and butong pakwan, sorbetes.

Sources of fun and laughter:

Piko (hopscotch, tagu-taguan (hide and seek—forever!), Nintendo, game and watch, moro-moro/ agawang base, patintero, shato, mataya-taya, ocho-ocho, Chinese garter, ten-twenty, langit-lupa, bato-batopik (rock-paper-scissors), nanay-tatay (gusto kong tinapay), sungka, goma, pick-up-sticks, teks (character cards trade), lutu-lutuan, biking during hot summer days (skipping nap time with take home broken elbows or bruised knees), catching tadpoles during rainy days, shadow play during brown outs, watching Batibot, playing sand and mud (turning them into traps when bored), making homemade clay dough, paperdolls and puzzles (creatively self-made), bubbles (self-made using The Standard Gumamela and soap concoction), climbing up the mango/aratilis tree, chasing butterflies, catching dragonflies (there’s a technique to catch the prey without breaking its wings).

Was it really simple?

Life is a gift that we unwrap each day.

:-)

it's all part of a grander plan

2011-08-17T18:55:00.003+08:00

"magiging maayos din ang lahat."

-nanay

OGTT

2011-08-15T18:57:00.001+08:00

it's really the food.

atsi

2011-08-14T14:30:00.009+08:00

the yin in my yang,

my spongebob,

froyo buddy,

and super friend

in good times and in good times!

:-)

friends and froyo

2011-08-08T10:49:00.004+08:00

always have something to look forward to.

:-)

unloading sentiments

2011-08-07T15:42:00.013+08:00

what do you do when you feel like giving up?
when your life is shattered?
when you can barely process what is going on around you because
you find yourself drowning in your own tears and your low EQ
just keeps on shutting your options down?
when for the first time you dont really know where to go?
when you cant even pause for a moment to think about your next step?
then you suddenly realize the answer. it's always been there.
you were too engulfed by your sentiments to even notice or remember.
but it has always been there.
you unload your baggages
and go back to the heart of worship.

it's a marathon, not a sprint

2011-08-04T11:14:00.007+08:00

i finally had my BMI test last week.

the result says it's going to be a marathon, not a sprint.

:-)

kinder

2011-07-21T18:36:00.005+08:00

teacher: goodbye children.

danielle: goodbye teacher!
thank you for loving us and the Philippines!

every day is like no other.
when the children are happy it makes my day!

:-)

Sampaguita (Dolores Paterno, 1879)

2011-07-16T10:30:00.002+08:00

Sampaguita
(Tagalog version by Levi Celerio)

Sampaguita ng aming lipi,
bulaklak na sakdal ng yumi
Ikaw ang mutyang pinili
Na sagisag ng aming lahi,

At ang kulay mong binusilak
Ay diwa ng aming pangarap,
Ang iyong bango't halimuyak
Sa tuwina'y aming nilalanghap.

O bulaklak, na nagbibigay ligaya,
O! paraluman, mutyang Sampaguita,
Larawang mistula ng mga dalaga;
Ikaw ang tanging bituin
Hiraman ng kanilang ganda.

Ang iyong talulot
Ang siyang tunay na sagisag
Ng sa dalagang puso'y wagas,
Kayumian at pagkamatapat.

The Flower of Manila
(English version)

Lovely bloom of the Sampaguita
By my Philippine maid beloved,
Not a flow'r in the world is sweeter
As you circle her lovely brow!

In the daintiest collar clinging,
With one bud like a pendant swinging,
Round the neck of the gentle and beautiful one,
How happy and fortunate now!

Beautiful flow'r Enchantment of fair Manila
With happiness fill her,
O bright Sampaguita Beautiful flow'r
O rest on her hair so lightly!

Softly caressing, touch her with blessing
Dear Sampaguita flow'r Green of the Garden!
Beloved symbol of my dear maiden,
Pure Sampaguita, Entreat her to smile again
My flow'r of flow'rs

Education in Today's Flat World: The Implications of Globalization and the Action Philippine Schools Can Take

2011-07-11T17:42:00.003+08:00

July 8, 2011

"teach the children to learn how to learn."

"take courage!"

2011-06-14T17:27:00.006+08:00

It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you

Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong

I know I will falter
I know I will cry
I know you'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to you

Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why
I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will you break down these walls and pull me through

Cause it's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on Calvary
Beneath those stormy skies

When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feels like everything is out to make me lose control
Cause it's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
To you

(Corrine May-Fly Away album 2001)

The World is Flat, lah!

2011-06-06T09:22:00.027+08:00

the highlight for me was in the last chapter.

for educators, parents, business leaders, and young adults.

shifting sand. noodles and curry vs. mcdonald's

:-)

Awesomeness Part 2!

2011-06-04T17:15:00.005+08:00

"Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are, it is the rest of your story, who you choose to be…"
--Soothsayer

27 Years and Counting

2011-05-30T15:41:00.013+08:00

My most cherished and extraordinary childhood days were spent mostly with these two amazing girls.

:-)

Growing Up

2011-05-30T14:12:00.017+08:00

(a chunk of tita pretty and rafael's conversation today.)

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
hello there
hi

Rafael Padua
hi

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
still up?
wheres hannah
what are you doing

Rafael Padua
hannah is in the room watching

.....

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
tell hannah i said kamusta

Rafael Padua
okay
and thank you (for the package)

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
have you seen Kung Fu Panda already?

Rafael Padua
not yet

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
watch it! very nice :-)

Rafael Padua
yah i will
i heard its nice

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
by the way, were you able to form the wooden puzzle?
hehe :-) challenging, huh? :-)

Rafael Padua
yes i was able to fix it
it took awhile

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
wow! really? did all the pieces fit exactly together inside the square board?
amazing!

Rafael Padua
yah

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
you'll get another reward from tita pretty for completing it!!! :-)

Rafael Padua
YAY!!!

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
hmm...ill tell you about it next time. by the way, how's school?
are you now preparing for the state test?

Rafael Padua
um...

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
AP TEST, right?

Rafael Padua
yah its good
thts for highschool
3 more weeks of school
and then im going to highschool
freshmen

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
wow! are you excited or what?
it will be a totally different world.
more challenges. more learning

Rafael Padua
yup

Tita Pretty Ni Hannah
zo, i want you to know that tita pretty will always be here for you and hannah. you may tell me anything, as in anything about school, your life, crushes, anything. even if we are miles away from each other, know that you and hannah are always in my heart and prayers. E-MAIL ME ANYTIME!
is that cool?

Rafael Padua
cool:-)
thxs tita pretty
love u

Photo by Kuya Ron :-)

JM and KG Walkabout with Ninang Pretty :-)

2011-05-24T16:46:00.004+08:00

"Ninang Pretty, ito yung pinakamasayang bakasyon ko!"
- KG

Frisbee, Rafting and Lunch By the Falls :-)

2011-05-24T14:15:00.009+08:00

"learning the art of letting go."

Teach. Inspire :-)

2011-05-17T19:49:00.002+08:00

Musmos

2011-05-17T18:21:00.010+08:00

walang araw na di ko naaalala ang nanay, inang at tatang ko.

sa kwento ng kanilang buhay at pangaral natutunan ko

ang maraming bagay.

saya.

lumbay.

kung paano maging payak.

kung paano magbigay at maghintay.

sa lilim ng kanilang karunungan

natuto akong tumangan.

dalisay ang kanilang puso

na ang tanging hangad lamang ay

ang makapagdulot ng sigla

sa aking musmos at nangungulilang mga mata.

:-)

Up to this day, I can still vividly recall how our moments together were like.
Small talks. Big laughter. Tatang’s hilarity was incredible. Afternoon coffee.
More talks. More laughter. More coffee.

"Uncommon thoughts on common things"

2011-05-17T17:22:00.008+08:00

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN by Robert Fulghum
(excerpt from the book)

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Fighter in the Wind

2011-05-15T10:54:00.006+08:00

Sublime.

:-)

"World of Color"

2011-05-04T09:37:00.004+08:00

"At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting."
--HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD by Keri Smith

Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—and What We Can Do About It

2011-05-01T15:07:00.004+08:00

Tony Wagner's 7 SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY:

1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2. Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence
3. Agility and Adaptability
4. Initiative and Entrepreneurship
5. Effective Oral and Written Communication
6. Accessing and Analyzing Information
7. Curiosity and Imagination

a tranquil morning

2011-04-25T13:42:00.005+08:00

"Teach your children what we have taught ours, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

:-)

Aidanic Moment

2011-04-23T12:40:00.017+08:00

Yesterday's delight was when i met for the first time one of the most adorable tots on the planet and facebook. My nephew from irvine who happened to be as awesomely cute as hannah (yah, its the genes) finally set foot on brown soils. we just played and laughed and giggled the whole afternoon. we're crazy teasing and tickling each other and unfortunately, there hasnt been any single indication that he'll run out of serotonin. haha. he has no idea that i was also geared up that day with "tita pretty powers!"
(wink!)
then we had a nice and sweet storytelling time which he really loved. i initially tried to push him a little to read but the texts are written in filipino, sadly quite a foreigh language to him. but im pretty sure he'll learn it well soon.
:-)
i cant wait to see him again and tell him about The Rich Island.
we had a pinky promise (a promise made between very close friends by entwining their pinky fingers) that he'll call me and we'll meet again in winter break.
:-)
for now, ill just dream of beautifully created gardens of love and laughter for my dearest pamangkins.
:-)

"Tita Pretty, you're the best tita in the whole...
(cover your ears mom!)...WORLD!"

:-)

All is well for Bollywood and Aamir

2011-04-04T13:26:00.008+08:00

Incredible India.

:-)

My Little Sunshine

2011-02-15T13:43:00.009+08:00

all I can remember were our galactic laughters and earsplitting screams as we play and jump and run and sing and dance and eat together.
I can't wait to see you.

love always,

tita pretty :-)

Symphony of Greens, Reds and Wild Honey

2011-02-14T14:23:00.009+08:00

CakeLand rocks!

2011-02-10T15:02:00.007+08:00

Fluffy.

Buttery.

Cheesy

and bursting with unpredictable richness.

A subtle blend of icing and all its goodness that

befriends your palate right before you know it.

A box of taisan from CakeLand will promise you

THE taisan experience of your afternoon!

Happy eating!

:-)

Edna's Cakeland is at
#1 Don Manuel Ave., Kapt. Pepe Subd.,
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

(More Than Dish: A Culinary Journey is Carmela's official food blog)

More Than Dish

2011-02-09T16:17:00.002+08:00

coming soon..
hmm...i mean
cooking soon!
:-)

Bagong Taon

2011-01-18T15:00:00.008+08:00

bagong hamon.

bagong bahay.

bagong buhay.

Bagoong Club

sa morato.

must try.

Location
122 Scout Dr. Lazcano, Sacred Heart,
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: 929-5450 • 929-0544
Hours: Mon - Sun 11:00 am - 3:00 pm • 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

:-)

this time it's ANGELO and the BEE :)

2010-01-30T13:24:00.004+08:00

even when the finals have not started yet, Angelo was already a winner to me.

:)

:)

2010-01-09T14:55:00.002+08:00

Rain.

Stars.

Smiles.

Dreams.

Life.

Sunshine.

Sunset.

Food.

Music.

Laughter.

More laughter.

Tears.

Words.

Reasons.

People.

Seasons.

Prayers.

Love.

Smiles.

:)

abot-tanaw...

2009-12-31T13:39:00.003+08:00

ang daming nangyari talaga nitong nakalipas na dekada...
ating balikan ang ilan...

next post :)

SpED graduation :)

2009-10-29T17:31:00.004+08:00

sa wakas! :)

more kwento next post :)

tHe tALe Of ThE SuN aNd tHe mOoN :)

2009-10-17T16:27:00.001+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoWFJ690U6E

2009-09-30T13:16:00.008+08:00

“How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back. There are some things that time can not mend. Some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold.”

A LifEtiMe wOrth Of Life LeSsOnS...

2009-09-28T14:06:00.019+08:00

akala mo panaginip.
in just a matter of minutes
hanggang leeg na ang baha sa kalsada.
walang nagawa ang mga tao.
maraming bata karga ng kanilang
magulang.
nanginginig sa ginaw.
mga three or four meters lang ang
distance ng mala-ilog na baha
mula sa kinatatayuan ko.
grabe talaga.

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

tag-araw man o tag-ulan...

2009-09-21T14:44:00.013+08:00

paboritos:)
nai charap! (my own version of milk tea)
panalo! at may kapartner na
makapangyarihang iSkAyPLeYks!
winner talaga!
peanut butter-banana or apple sandwich.
tiger energy biscuit.
cHaMp-O-rAdO!
sinangag at adobo.
sinigang (tsk.tsk.tsarap!)
french toast (my recipe)
mcDo fries (unsalted)
mag-emote.
nice ng UP movie!

All They See Is Possibility :)

2009-08-17T17:38:00.007+08:00

Every moment I spent at RBI is something that I will forever treasure.
They’re no different to other kids. They are fun loving, makulit, and they also throw tantrums at times. I guess kids are kids, blind or not.
Before, I used to wonder if they can at least see anything even if they are totally blind. I mean could they see even a slight trace of light or a blur vision of anything or could they really not see anything at all. It was only when I met the kids at RBI that I realized how silly my questions were. I was literally and figuratively taught about so many lessons in life just by being with them and for such a short period of time. And ironically, the people I intend to “teach” have been in a very special way became my “teachers.”

There are no accidents in life.

As the last day of my practicum at RBI approaches, one question keeps on coming in my mind: can they really not see? Finally I came to the conclusion: Yes they may be blind, incapable of looking at the beauty of nature, the colors of the rainbow, the setting of the sun, or the subtle blossoming of a flower but amidst the “disability,” one thing is certain, they can see beyond the physical and ALL THEY SEE IS POSSIBILITY.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
-- The Little Prince; Chapter XXI

on a busy mode :)

2009-06-06T11:47:00.004+08:00

ilang araw na lang...
pasukan na! mas excited ako this year kasi:
mas busy.
practicum ko na sa SpEd! 3rd module na! yahooo!!! :)
mas maraming reading requirements.
lufet!
gising aga, tulog aga :)
may SpEd kid ako for mainstreaming :)

"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice." --JPR

2009-05-27T11:16:00.004+08:00

I was not angry neither surprised to the remarks/joke of teri hatcher, chip tsao, and recently alec baldwin and david letterman about our country. I was hurt. But even more hurt to the outrage of emotion our kababayans and these silly senators asserted when the issue came about. When I heard bong revilla and loren legarda made their statements, I was like, look who’s talking. OA.
You see, it injures us bigtime because it’s true. And while the marinade of mortification is still spanking new, we react sharply.
It’s a sad history that we all authored and now that it’s piercing our hearts through we protest sillily. Now where do you think the outcry, banning of alec and chip to enter our land (as if naman pangarap nila makarating dito) and all this clamor for apology will bring us next?

“There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.”– Dr. Jose Rizal

“Do not kill the messenger who comes to us to tell the horrid truth about us. Ingest his message, then turn all that outrage, that vehemence, to the Filipinos who turned this beautiful country into the garbage dump of the region.” – F. Sionil Jose

On balik-tanaw mode :)

2009-04-11T14:28:00.006+08:00

Last year for me at the preschool was a year of
extraordinary firsts.

Im here in my SpEd class, sitting and waiting for
my classmates for almost two hours now.
I was absent last Saturday because its preschool graduation day.
Im super early today kasi im excited to submit my final papers
for this module :)
umuulan sa labas. Malapit na rin maubos ang hot choco na take-out
ko kanina with pandesal...tsarap! :)
Im thinking now of my greatest moments with the kids.
While im trying to organize their photos the other day,
my heart just cant help but smile seeing them grow from cute cocoons into
fearless dinosaurs! este butterflies pala :)
hmm…
Meeting these kids led me to the path of self discovery
and a world of infinite possibilities! naks! Hahaha!
Ive listed a few. Lets see if Jason bourne can beat this :)
Fairy.princess.wondermom (sure I can fix anything.
from a broken pencil case to a broken arm! Ouch!)
teacher.bestfriend.beastfriend.storyteller.magician.
ventriloquist.director.actress.photographer.singer.
dancer.listener.chef.doctor.patient.painter.hero.villain.
cheerleader.bully.bullied.“toy engineer." detective(who hid my eraser?!!)
newscaster.Elmo.Oscar.Mulan.BenTen.kung fu panda.masterOogway.
girlscout.referee.coach.“mommywhere’smymilk-baby”
(every time they’d ask me to wear my bib and
display a childish rage of temper have always been a real
blockbuster of joy for them.
whenever i do that,they would all laugh their hearts and saliva out!!!)
whew! Their laughter is my super bonus :)

GoLdY&fRoDo

2009-04-01T15:22:00.005+08:00

March 19.

I first brought in goldy and frodo at school for the Open House.
The kids loved it very much so I decided to just let it stay in our classroom and have it as a pet.

March 23. Gloomy day

Frodo died this afternoon.
Earl said it might have been because the kids are tapping the fishbowl or overfed. I thought Frodo had some kind of heart attack.
As I watch the lifeless fish floating, I noticed the other fish Goldy swimming around then would gently stroke cheek on Frodo’s as if kissing a dear friend goodbye. Maybe fishes when they’re heartbroken, cry too.
While all these are going on, I almost didn’t felt that one of my kids’ attention was on me pala.
Bianca caringly asked, “teacher, sad ka?”
I said “yes.”
End of day.

March 24. Beyond Alphabets and Numbers

When Bianca arrived at school today, she hurriedly got in our classroom and handed me an orange bag. Not realizing yet what’s in it, I asked her, “What’s this?”
Her excited and pretty face lighted up even more
when she answered,
“goldfish.”

:)

hEaRts tHaT nEveR fAiL

2009-02-13T16:04:00.005+08:00

we had our teachers and hearts day celebration today.

the prep kids gave me roses, nice stuffs, and doughnuts.

i had them face-painted with hearts.

they all looked nice in red and white.

my angels.

tHe tALe Of ThE SuN aNd tHe mOoN :)

2009-01-17T17:15:00.003+08:00

The Sun was in his bathing suit.
The Moon in her pajamas.
They played all day until the two were called in by their mamas.
The Sun went home and climbed in bed. His mama sang a tune.
And soon the Sun was fast asleep and dreaming of the Moon.
The Moon decided not to go. Instead she stayed outside.
She danced and played and laughed and sang, til she was sleepy-eyed.

When morning came, the Sun arose and went outside to play.
But could not find his friend, the Moon, who slept inside all day.
So now these two are best of friends apart by dark and light.
The Sun turns in at evenfall. The Moon comes out at night.

The shining Moon sees no sunlight. The Sun sees no moonbeams.
But when they both are fast asleep, theyre in each others dreams.

:)

The Blank Scroll (Fulfilling One’s Destiny)

2008-12-29T13:12:00.019+08:00

Believe in your “super dream.”

There is no secret ingredient.
-- Po's dad (Mr. Ping)

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
-- Stephen R. Covey

"There are no accidents."
-- Master Oogway

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God for we serve a Great God."
-- William Carey

"Prepare for Awesomeness!!!"
-- Po

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2008-12-26T16:20:00.000+08:00

Said the night wind to the little lambDo you see what I seeWay up in the sky little lambDo you see what I seeA star, a starDancing in the nightWith a tail as big as a kiteWith a tail as big as a kiteSaid the little lamb to the shepard boyDo you hear what I hearRinging through the sky shepard boyDo you hear what I hearA song, a songHigh above the treeWith a voice as big as the seaWith a voice as big as the seaSaid the shepard boy to the mighty kingDo you know what I knowIn your palace wall mighty kingDo you know what I knowA child, a childShivers in the coldLet us bring him silver and goldLet us bring him silver and goldSaid the king to the people everywhereListen to what I sayPray for peace people everywhereListen to what I sayThe child, the childSleeping in the nightHe will bring us goodness and lightHe will bring us goodness and lightThe child, the childSleeping in the nightHe will bring us goodness and light

finding bliss in the midst of economic meltdown

2008-12-26T12:15:00.012+08:00

Dec 22, 2008
Ang nais ko sa bagong taon...
Isang bagay lang talaga.
Ang magkaroon ng silid para sa malalaking pangitain.
In times such as this I know I should not contemplate anymore on things that will eventually cause my life to get impatient on me.

Unlearning

Nitong nagdaang buwan ay kakaiba at hindi inaasahan.
Para akong naglakad sa isang pasilyo ng kalungkutan.
Maraming dahilan.
Emote.
Pinilit kong tawirin ito at nagtagumpay naman ako.
But somehow the fragments of the past now although very weak and gradually dying seem to uninvitedly break in my head.
Kainis.
At one point I thought Im plunging myself one more time into a brink of rapids.
Pero tapos na yun.
The rest though is still unwritten.

Learning

Masaya ako at sa trabaho ay ganoon na lamang ang pasensya ng mga bata sa akin.
Totoo.
Sila ang nagtuturo sa akin.
Mga bagay na hindi mo matutuklasan sa isang iglap at wala sa kahit anong libro na nalikha ng tao.
Intelligence is overrated.
Dito walang routine.
The days are never the same.
Isn’t that a gift and a pure blessing in itself?
Bliss.
Every day im being taught what to value in life.
From them I learn about loyalty and love.
And altogether, we learn how to sow seeds of respect with an intense desire that we will grow to be truly caring and concerned people.
Naks!

(dec25,2008)
Emergency Parking

bakit Emergency parking ang title nito?
Di ko rin alam.
Last Tuesday, I had a short but really panalo holiday visit to one of my favorite places up north. It’s a small, cutesy town in tarlac called Camiling.
I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner na winner.
I played with Benet who just turned one, the entire afternoon.
So ayun, sa byahe back to manila, napansin ko lang medyo marami signage ng Emergency Parking.
Wala lang.

Re-learning

(to be continued...)

cEleBrAtiNg LiFe! (a DaY @ tHe ZoO)

2008-09-21T13:16:00.004+08:00

for the first time last friday ive been to a big zoo here in the country. i know of course that this is a miniature compared with singapore's 28hectares landscape. thing is that when i got there, i was with the best and extraordinary people on earth----my preschoolers. the whole experience was jurassic! amidst the long walks, tantrums, and the weather (the night before), the kids had such a great time :)

(to be continued...)

THE NEXT BIG THING WILL BE CALLED CHINA/ASIA :)

2008-09-07T14:49:00.001+08:00

Moments....

2008-07-27T16:20:00.004+08:00

check steven curtis chapman's official site.
particularly his song Cinderella written for his daughters from china.
check the video :)
so moving, and inspiringly beautiful.
:)

She spins and she swaysTo whatever song playsWithout a care in the worldAnd I'm sitting here wearingThe weight of the world on my shouldersIt's been a long dayAnd there's still work to doShe's pulling at meSaying "Dad, I need youThere's a ball at the castleAnd I've been invitedAnd I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be gone...She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressedShe wants to know if I approve of the dressShe says, "Dad, the prom is just one week awayAnd I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be goneShe will be goneWell, she came home today with a ring on her handJust glowing and telling us all they had plannedShe says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months awayBut I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be gone

gOoD mOrNiNg tEaChEr CaRmELa! GoOd mOrNiNg cLaSsMaTeS!!! :)

2008-07-18T17:44:00.010+08:00

day1:
lahat ng greetings! kaliwa't kanan.
day2:
storytelling.
keneth: wow! galing aman teacher magkwento!
day3:
childreeeennnnn!!!!! please keeeeeppppp quiet!!!!!!!!!
teacher carmela's nose will bleed!
everybody! sit down properly!
day4:
children: wow! galing aman magdrawing ni teacher!
teacher anu po yan drawing mo? :)
day5:
karlo: teacher galit ka ba?
karlo: teacher kumain ka na! sige magugutom ikaw...
para di ka na magagalit! :)

What To Celebrate?

2008-06-24T13:48:00.004+08:00

this day is usually my birthday.

my views on birthdays:

> it reminds us that we were once young.

second, that we have parents.

third, that we are all sons and daughters.

2008-06-03T13:58:00.003+08:00

the flower that blooms in adversity is the most beautiful and rare of all...

fEaRLeSs cHiCkEn with sTrAwBeRrY-oRaNgE sAuCe ala PrEtTy :-)

2008-06-02T14:37:00.004+08:00

chicken thigh or breast fillet
(sliced thinly/marinated in salt, pepper,
and 2tbsp. calamansi extract)
flour
scrambled egg
breadcrumbs
(like the ones sold in
orange packaging for tempura)
salt/ground pepper
oil for frying

Dredge chicken strips in flour.

dip in egg. dredge in bread crumbs.

Deep fry.

for the sauce/dip:

2tbsp. strawberry jam

about a tbsp of orange zest/juice

pinch of salt

mix lang.

:-)

cheesy! cheesy!

2008-05-28T14:48:00.010+08:00

garlic/onion
diced chicken fillet or ground chicken
salt/ground pepper
pesto and cheese spag sauce
2 tbsp banana catsup
1 medium sized green bellpepper
1 cup grated cheese
2-3 c elbow mac or spirals/swirls/whatever prefer :)
(cooked per package directions)

little oil

Gisa-gisa lang.

he’s deaf she’s mute (part2)

2008-05-28T14:44:00.002+08:00

He said:
"I like you."

She said:
"I like you a lot also
and I hope you realize that."

He’s deaf.
(or maybe pretending hard-of-hearing)
He never really heard her weep.

She’s mute.
She just kept things unadmitted.

:-(

He’s deaf, she’s mute

2008-05-28T14:32:00.005+08:00

I started attending my BSL (Basic Sign Language)
class two saturdays ago.
On our first meeting,
I knew already that its going to be edutainment.
Sometimes my teacher would share to us
stories about the impediments of hearing-impaired people.
May it be at home, MRT stations,
while riding a bus, at school, at McDonalds or KFC,
and so many place else.

The sad fact is that there are not enough
attention and support made available for them.
Like in terms of schooling
or getting a deaf kid a decent education.
At the present time, a limited or only
an exclusive number can enter the special school for the deaf.

Before I signed up for the program,
my intention is just to learn another language.
I initially wanted to learn at least basic mandarin.
But later I came to realize that this didn’t happened by chance.
That my posting this entry hopefully
would be read and understood in a very real sense by others.
Im not pleading for any sympathy for the deaf, mute, and blind here.
Im publishing this for the hearing, talking, and seeing people that one day we may be able to interpret words as works and translate work into a functioning deed.

It’s a task.

We will have our final recital in June.

Song interpretation.

Our teacher-interpreter said its not our hands that will
shed light on the song but rather our hearts.

:-)

el alza mínima del precio

2008-05-22T12:34:00.004+08:00

ahora estoy pagando ocho Pesos mi precio del jeepney!

qué podemos hacer?

echoosa...

tHe mOveMent

2008-05-02T14:20:00.001+08:00

from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/movement : a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also : an organized effort to promote or attain an end.

hindi nga ba ito ang kailangan nating lahat ngayon?!

let's ask Ploning.

te, ano sa tingin mo?

Ploning: " nagmamahal. kasi ang nagmamahal, nagtitiwala."

whew!

hEaLtH iS wEaLth...

2008-04-28T16:40:00.001+08:00

health is wealth...

Grams, april 20

2008-04-22T16:14:00.007+08:00

Brian missed me.

He scheduled a cutesy lunchdate
for the two of us.

Happy-sad.

Things between us might change years from now.

It wont be too surprising.

Time and again I would remind him to push through with his Aussie plans.

I know he’ll make it really “fabulous” there.

Told him don’t be a brian gorrell or a heath ledger.

Brian and I during the short length of time

we had together in the office,
made it really bongga!

We both have a special heart for casual talks a.k.a chikahan, food, walking,
K mags, pag-ibig concerns, and everything else that is light, not too crappy, and not too cultured. Sometimes we would talk about our own families, personal goals, career plans, crushes, who’s who, places, prayers, and so much more.

Our smiles are like paintbrushes effortlessly making beautiful strokes
in our very own canvass called life.

Hmm…almost poetic.

Love it.

rice crAp anyone?!

2008-04-22T16:03:00.010+08:00

its worse than the ZTE.

nasan ang bigas?

lacking in supply?

or we are just slowly, painfully losing our absolutes?

unbelievable?

its rice crAp.

The Dante Perez

2008-04-18T11:26:00.006+08:00

Over the years that ive gotten to know this man, I realized that it wasn’t really the things he’s done or achieved so far that made him earned his peers and employers’ reliance. Not so many people know or may understand that beyond the gates of his brilliance, it is but the life he had lived that made him plough through.

What keeps us sane is our love to laugh and share bloopers together.

The Dante Perez is really full of “it.”

He shines.
(literally/figuratively.)

Easily gets annoyed to lousy political and social mediocrity.

He super adores Manang.

He super likes nilagang okra and other “to the max” gulays.
( he eats rice too and tonkatsu in the form of wasabi…oppss! )

emotional/sentimental.
(teary eyed— “di lang ito tampo bes.”)

He’s simply the best!
(yun na!)

Wow!

See you soon!

Saying Sorry Is Overrated

2008-04-15T14:24:00.004+08:00

One time in the office, cm (client mngr.) walked past an agent and
heard the latter said something in tagalog.
Easily gets pissed to non-compliance to
simple rules like the English-Only-Policy, she said
"hey! When did you learn EOP!"
the agent unsure of how she will react just said "oh! Im sorry."
In slight annoyance CM told the agent, "saying sorry is overrated."
Then to my surprise this agent with a timebomb
suddenly, sillily came out with
"ah ok, I apologize!"

Funny. Silly. True.

sa office...

2008-04-12T13:28:00.020+08:00

Extras that ill miss:

Typing on HP keyboards.
(Ive learned to type fast.)

Vendo coffee.
(yung huli kong attempt na magkape
nacapture pa ng vendo yung 7 pesos ko!
Nestle! balik nyo money koooo!!!)
Caramel Macc or Frapp.

Earmuffs/Headset.
(paano kita mapasasalamatan?)

freemeal/internet/medicard.
(this is where your taxes go.)

Love In The Time Of Cholera.

Spanish supcalls.
(whoa! Besides English and Filipino,
Ive learned to speak and
convert some supcalls
into payments--in Spanish!)

Water/TicTac mints/Reeses.
(pag nacoconfiscate ni boss, swerte nya! :-)

Dial 8-McDo.
(anytime.)

Breakfast at Grams.
(with brian.)

Overbreaks.
(nasa Loop lang pala.
sorry TM Gay, di na po mauulit!)

PBB House/Pinoy Dream Academy.
(goodmorning housemates!)

Gabby Lopez.

(The Man!)

MGE Taxi.
(pag closer ako/alanganin uwi
salamat sa hatid sa tingin Chow.)

Conversations and laughters.
(with boss, bryan's silly jokes, roni, chel,

edver, brian, errol, von eric, andrew, chawis,
ruby, mommy crem, mommy joan
--thanks mommy sa paniniwalang
ill make a good daughter-in-law.)

Low risk/high risk deffects.
(ive had commendations to share as well.)

Stories of over a thousand customers/accounts
all over america that i worked on and dealt with.
(the calls are unpredictable. sometimes life changing.)

cLeARaNcE & aLLeRgY

2008-04-12T13:18:00.008+08:00

April 11, 2008
As a final point, I had my clearance accomplished last night. Twas a terribly busy day for me. I arrived in the office at 8pm (of april 10) and finished the work past 2am (of April 11!). Under my own steam, I struggled to have it all done as quickly as possible because of two things: first, I intend not to stay for too long in the office since I might get emotional once I finally get to “officially” say goodbye to the people whom I worked, laughed and had an intimate moment of friendship with. Grrrr…il miss them.

My boss, despite of his loaded to-do list (monitoring calls from newbies, manning the floor, talking, thinking, taking supcalls, checking his mail, and the very usual-texting) have wholeheartedly helped out and made my task a bit lighter. well, he may literally have done nothing as I did all the walking and waiting but his just being there made my agenda a lot easier to polished. I must also not forget the Reeses cups that I brought in for the team which boss victoriously took and gobbled up like a kid. Good thing I have rescued some for E (sana lang hindi nilanggam sa locker.).

Second was this bullying skin irritation I got from the bagoong I ate that afternoon. Sad because for quarter of a century, ive got no known kind of allergies particularly on food! Damn! I sometimes get hypersensitive to subsequent exposure to strong laundry detergents but never on food! Grabe not on food please! Twas nearly midnight when they (again) started annoying me, twas a success that I began to chill as well. I called up bestfriend athan for a jacket and asked him to fill in a glass with warm water for me to at least temporary relieve the unpleasant coldness. He’s in the middle of a seemingly important meeting with his bosses so he had to run back in his office. I was at the pantry that time and been at the clinic already for an anti histamine (which btw I didn’t take because im eng-eng. since it wasn’t my brand of anti allergy and the nurses doesn’t know of my med history, I thought It might get worse.). Red patches like the ones bitten by a colony of bubuyog are spreading all over my arms, and upper torso (then halfway home, they’re everywhere already).

So paano ko naman nalaman that it was really the bagoong I got the irritation from?

Secret.

As I type this entry, I have technically been away from the dialer for exactly 12 days now. Glad I was able to see my closest buddies in the office from the security guards who have been dutiful enough in guarding us.hehe.makes sense huh? Pantry staff who made my every meal quite unforgettable, despite the food unceasingly get criticized left and right by most agents. my sisterets, chel, chawis, ruby, teammates from DareDevil and Human Torch, TMs, TLs, QCs, and my wavemates (whom I had a bottle of SML with before I went home.). It would probably be the last. Last chat, last bottle of beer (and never again), last meeting with my gifted friends. After everything else, that’s the last. The last.

Sigh.

My 13 months of stay there was really extraordinary. There were so many things Ive learned along the way, and so many others as well that I need to unlearn and re-learn.

But in the midst of it all, my mission was accomplished…with a smile.

Ready, Get set, Kitty GO!!!

2008-04-06T15:52:00.006+08:00

i understood kitty when she candidly put into words how silly sometimes pinoy could get. during an interview made by tv patrol world in hongkong kitty made a cutesy remark about the latest pasabog of manila's affluent kids vs brian "ang naisahan" gorrell. kitty said (obviously irritated) na kailangan pa talaga na mga outsiders ang magreklamo sa atin bago maging malinaw ang lahat. at the end of the interview she blurted out "....this people should be hanged from their Hermes belts!"

Funny but true.

resignation

2008-04-02T13:05:00.001+08:00

two days ago ive written down something on my cutesy-shades of purple-polkadot-notebook. twas as it looked to me a timeline of my work adventures, how, when and where i started. (to be continued...)

acute tonsillopharyngitis

2008-03-31T10:31:00.000+08:00

ngarag ang ilong at tonsils. sinipon ako. kainit ng panahon at malamang dahil sa acu at carpet (ulit) kaya ako napossess na naman. doc gave me virlix (anti histamine), nasatapp (for cough and colds) and co amoxiclav (for everything) and a week of rest.

2008-03-23T11:48:00.000+08:00

im dead with house m.d!

tHe bUcKet liSt...

2008-03-11T10:36:00.000+08:00

sa wakas napanood ko na :-)

P.C

2008-03-03T17:48:00.000+08:00

im beginning to read. really read. i want to have a complete set of paulo coelho's works. as i turn each page of his Like The Flowing River, i find it difficult not to be moved by his real life tales and unbound thoughts. INSPIRING. i wish i could also write soon. :-)

“The pages in this book describe moments I have lived, stories I was told, and thoughts I’ve had at every stage of the river of my life” - Paulo Coelho

gaano ba ako kahanda para sa SG?!

2008-03-03T17:26:00.000+08:00

magiging ofw na ba ako? bakit ako magaabroad? anong trabaho ang naghihintay sa akin doon?aaminin ko habang sinusulat ko ito eh talagang yan ang kasalukuyang mga tanong sa isip ko. sabi ni kuya ipagdasal ko daw. guilty naman ako. i havent really been praying for it talaga. but this past couple of days ay naiisip ko na talaga yang SG. work lang ba talaga intention ko dun? isa yun oo. pero aaminin ko hindi sapat na dahilan yun eh. meron pa dapat mas mabigat na dahilan, na pasanin. hindi mahirap umalis ng bansa para sakin ngayon i mean literally pero ano talaga yung dahilan? at tama ba yung dahilan?

bLoGistA na Ba Ko?! (uNAnG eNtRy :-)

2008-01-23T17:13:00.001+08:00

matagal ko na gusto magsulat...ng kahit ano..pero di naman kahit saan...
ang unang tanong, tungkol san ang isusulat ko? sa buhay pag-ibig ba? (naks!) tungkol sa mga tanong ko ba sa buhay like bakit malaki ang tax ko? di naman parehas sa sweldo at san napupunta? bakit makulit minsan ang boss ko? (bukod sa maitim hehe) at ayaw nya pumayag na di ko sabihin na negra din ako, sa mga plano ko ba after college na di nagkatotoo (yung iba lang kasi mas maganda naman yung ibang dumating) naks!
habang tinatype ko tong unang entry ko ay nag-a-upload ako ng sangkatutak na photos sa friendster...nandito ako ngayon sa cafe bravia (ako lang ang nagpangalan sa internetan na to kasi bigtime ang monitor dito flatscreen, parang bravia..hehe..wala lang). medyo mabagal ako magtype. conscious ako masyado sa spelling ewan ko ba kung bakit..ok lang naman sakin kung mabasa to ng spelling teacher ko dati...at kaya din siguro mas komportable ako magsulat sa tagalog. next time itotodo ko na ang pagsulat promise.... :-)