vieux chalet swiss restaurant antipolo - scrapbook

When Am I Going To Make A Living

this is one photo that sometimes annoy me
but oftentimes tears me up inside

One day during my introductory lecture to my nursing students, I posed the question, “Do you think the street people you see around have no purpose? Oh no, dear students. They have. It is for them to remind you NOT to be like them. They are warning you to go study hard and work well so you would not end up in their shoes.”

Actually I was just injecting the meaning of purpose into the class. We were discussing nursing care management 101. It is just customary for me to incorporate life values whenever I lecture. So it gave me a jolt when, after the class as I adjourned, block one applauded. I didn’t know if it was sarcasm or bravado for my sermon-like insertion of a Christian value. Unsatisfied, I discreetly asked my senior co-c.i.s what was all that clapping about…and they gave me a wise smile and thumbs-up sign: “You did well for today, child”. That was all I needed to go home with great joy into my heart. Another day to share a value.

I’m living out my purpose one day at a time.

Before going to my classes this Saturday morning, I made it a point to post currently relevant opinions about Pinas’ ongoing issues…the unbridled corruption and PDAF. I speak for my fellowmen. I say we have a large number of bums on the streets perhaps because it is a product of a misdeed. I like the message in Sade’s song, read on below:

When Am I Going To Make A Living Lyrics
- Sade
When am I gonna make a living?
It's gonna take a while before I give in
See the people fussing and thieving
While the sharks are wheeling and dealing
Gotta look up and tell yourself, there's no end to what you can do
They'll waste your body and soul if you allow them to
This is time to start believing in yourself
Put the blame on no-one else
*
Haven't I told you before
we’re hungry for a life we can't afford?
There's no end to what you can do
If you give yourself a chance to prove
We're hungry but we won't give in
Hungry but we won't give in
*repeated in multitude

I'm sick and tired of scratching a living
I am hungry but I'm not gonna give in, no

TO EACH ITS OWN: MY FAVORITE FOODS IN EACH RESTAURANT….

tasty soul-filling agedashi tofu of Delica

Wacky's Republic where I go gaga with the sizzling bulalo

When it comes to sizzling bulalo, I can never get enough of Wacky’s. When I crave for Bicol express, the best for me is from Alvi’s.

As I pine for beef stroganoff and pili basil pasta, I run to Small Talk Café. When I yearn for a fat succulent prawn sitting atop herb-rich pasta, nothing beats Balay Cenauna. If I hunger after futo maki, miso soup and agedashi tofu I’d hang out at Delica in old Albay district.

One pizza I love is Fungi pizza from Eatalia which I think they revised into Calzone. Don’t get me wrong; a fungus that’s not going to cause itchiness in your skin or mouth is what I mean…those white creamy mushrooms. When it rains and the temperature gets cold, the best comfort food I desire for is arroz caldo from Pares King.

interior of chic Cafe Cubana

La Mia Tazza coffee

In Legazpi we don’t have a Starbucks but for coffee concoctions La Mia Tazza and Café Cubana tops the java houses around town. For milk teas infused with rock salt and cheese I love it blended best from Sinceritea. Of course our province’s pride when it comes to incomparable legendary halo halo is nothing but DJC. Stories had it that the shaved ice they use has cornstarch in it that gives their best seller a creamy consistency.

Sibid sibid resto....love that native feel!

Looking for the best seafood diner in this city? You’ll love the ceviches [fish kinilaw], grilled pusit and garlic tanigue in Sibidsibid. The name of the resto itself means a small boat used to catch the fresh bounty of the sea. The best dimsum and dumplings fried or steamed is from Bok Lan but my favorite siopao that tastes like heaven is from Wah Foo Chan. Still Chinese-inspired is the stir-fried noodles [canton, gisado, miki, bihon] of LR…that’s Legazpi Restaurant for you.

Manhattan resort in Sto. Domingo

it's in Naga!

Let’s get out a bit further. You want melt-in-the-mouth texture of a crispy pata coming from uber-tender roast pork? You can only have that from the resto of a beach resort named Manhattan in Sto. Domingo. We don’t have The Red Crab in the region but we have a Red Platter in Naga City that sautés the most delectable chilli-garlic crabs around; you might want to lick the sauce off the hard shells you’ve cracked.

IN ANTICIPATION…

hawker haven in Singapore

There’s no ala-SR-Thai yet here. Loving Thai food? You might want to open one. Singapore is a hub for hawker-style food. You may think of making a haven for gourmet street foods here. Go ahead; you’re most anticipated! Lobster house, oyster shack ala New Orleans, Mussels and clams baked, grilled, sautéed, or fried? We gourmands yearn for it. You might want to consider!

I’ve been to Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca Spain and have tasted the most authentic paella. There was a Global Kusina resto that’s Eatalia now and they used to serve paellas. I never got to order for when I decided to relive my Spanish sojourn, Global Kusina closed up already. Woe me.

In the Middle East I also subsisted in chicken or beef shawarma drenched with the most wonderful creamy onion-garlic sauce. I remember the name as Al Baik. How I wish we’d have one here. Oh! The closest one Legazpi has is Pakistani-owned Wania Shawarma in Rawis. Spicy Mediterranean flavors this one diner got!

When I took my US nursing licensure exam in Guam and Saipan, I was served the most exquisite macadamia nut-crusted sole fillet atop herbed rice. It was extremely delicious I shouted ‘Hafa Adai’ like a true Chamorro! As I was about to work as a registered nurse in Austin, the capital city of Texas, USA I anticipated Tex-Mex fare like Fajitas, Chile verde con carne, tamales, chicken fried steaks, grilled vegetables and pecan pies. I was to bring hubby with me that very 2001 with our immigrant status but fate changed its course. We ended up building our family in our native Albay.

As for pasta, only in Colonial Grill do I love pasta bicolana: spicy Guinobatan longganisa in olive oil and spaghettini. I’m not a fried-chicken girl but when I want one, I only have it from Four Seasons. I also don’t have much of a sweet tooth like I used to but when sugar rush hits me only the pastries of Chef Connie Condeno of Apicius and Balay Cenauna can make its way to my tongue and tummy!!! They’re created from the hands of a cake goddess so who would ever not want one?

MOMENTS

 Having an accident is like having that “wake-upper” when you are slacking off in life. It placed me in a reflective frame of mind; made me ask these questions and prompted me to give my opinions.

Why is it that there are moments when you are being careful and nice all over…yet still something bad happens to you? Why are there moments when all things seem too good to be true then moments that seem to make your world crumble? Why are there days that the movie ‘Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events’ seem to come to life? It is easy to remember what’s good, yes; but it is so hard to deal with what’s bad!

Perhaps things happen to us like when we encounter accidents because we are sinning and yet not repenting as soon as we know of it. Or maybe we are ordered to finish a mission yet we do not get around to doing it. It could be a whole host of reasons:

Ø  We declare faith in God but still we doubt

Ø  We’re too proud of ourselves

Ø  We’ve been negligent that we made others suffer

Ø  Selfishness ate us

Ø  Greed and envy gobbled us

 What’s the result? When problems and issues engulf us, we become overwhelmed. We have life situations when we are provoked to get back at, avenge, make someone suffer because they did us, or simply badmouth others because our hearts are filled with envy. These are times we are mired in darkness, when our boat is sinking.

David Peach of 5 Great Bible stories about Jesus for kids in www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/ sums up about ‘Jesus Calms the Storm’ – Mark 4:35-40.

He wrote, “Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat one evening when a violent storm appeared. The ship was filled with water and the disciples were afraid of sinking. They found Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat. They woke Him up. But they thought He was sleeping because He did not care whether they lived or died.

When Jesus woke up He stood and told the sea to be calm. Immediately the wind and waves calmed down. The disciples were now scared for a different reason. They did not really know who Jesus was at this time. This was shortly after many of them joined Jesus as His followers. They did not understand that Jesus was God’s Son and could control everything in the world if He chooses.”

Last song syndrome…you know that when you hear people around you sing a tune out of the blue.

I’ll tell you frankly that I find this song corny at first. It was like saying ‘kabaduy naman ng kantang ito’ when radio stations blast it off. But then, I was being shallow. I was only looking at the surface. The real gem here is the message of the song, the meaningful lyrics. You may not like the tune at all but I highly encourage you to reflect on the lines.

It is us people that represent that very song. No one is spared. All that’s written is true.

Lyrics of Lord Patawad – performed by Bassilyo {Lord Pardon}

Kinakausap lang Kita kapag ako’y nangangailangan
Baka may kakilala Ka na pwede kong utangan
Kasi alam Mo na sa tong-its talo ako
Pwede bang bigyan ako kahit anim na numero?

Kinakausap lang Kita kapag ako’y nangangailangan
Sana’y may artista na maka-date man lamang
Okay lang sa akin kahit na si Joyce Jimenez
Sana ako’y pumogi, pumuti at maging flawless

Kinakausap lang Kita kapag nangangailangan
Noong ako’y binasted ng aking nililigawan
Problemado po ako at wala ‘kong pang-inom
ang hina ko Sa’yo, yun ang hinala ko noon

Kinakausap lang Kita kapag ako’y nangangailangan
Ang aking iniisip ay puro pang-sarili lamang
kapag may mabigat na problema at seryoso
Doon ko lamang naaalala ang pangalan Mo

CHORUS
Lord, patawad
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang
Lord, patawad
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang

Ako’y nagsisimba kapag gusto ko lang
‘Pag may bagong damit na ipagyayabang
‘Pag may bagong biling mahal na pabango
Kapag bago ang shoes o kaya ang relo

Ako’y nagsisimba kapag gusto ko lang
Pag may jowa akong makakalampungan
Kapag may mga bebot na ang gaganda
Kapag merong baklitang nakakatawa

Ako’y nagsisimba kapag gusto ko lang
‘Pag andyan ang tropa’t nagkayayaan
hahanap ako ng mapagtitripan
Pagkatapos ng misa ay aabangan

CHORUS
Lord, patawad
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang
Lord, patawad
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang

Akala ko dati ay kaya ko na
Kaya ko nang mabuhay mag-isa
Ang daming trabaho, babae’t pera
‘Pag ako’y sagana ‘di Kita kilala

Naalala Kita noong ako’y nakulong
Parang bubuyog, bulong ng bulong
‘Pag may kamalasan sa ‘king na nangyari
Ikaw lang nang Ikaw aking sinisisi

Kapag merong debate, sinong magaling?
Sinong matuwid sino ang nagsinungaling?
Ako’y naiiling at mistulang santol
‘Di man lamang Kita kaya na ipagtanggol

SINOSOLO KO LANG ANG BIGAY MONG BLESSING!
‘Pag kumanta ako dapat ay bayad din
Bakit nga ba Sa’yo ay wala akong time
Pa’no kung Ikaw na ang mawalan sa akin ng time?

Lord, patawad
Lo-o-o-o,o-o-o
Lord…

Lord, Lord, Lord, patawad
Lo-o-o-o,o-o-o
Lord…

Sa puso ko’y lagi Siyang kumakatok
‘Di ko binuksan, ‘di ko pinapasok
Tuktok ng bundok na Kanyang inakyat
Tignan ko pa lang ako ay nilagnat

Dapat ako ang ipako sa cross
Dapat ako ay siyang nanlilimos
Nag-awad ng tawad sa ating Ama
Ngunit masama pa ang pinadama

Dadadadadadadadadada
Puro ako salita at dada
Sa biyaya ako’y naaatat
Pero kahit kailan ‘di nagpasalamat

Nagduda ako sa kakayahan Mo
‘Di ako nararapat Sa’yo
Masyado akong mapagmalaki
Pero kahit kailan, hindi Ka nag-higanti

Lo-ord, patawad
Lo-o-o-o,o-o-o
Lord…
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang

Lord, Lord, Lord, patawad
Lo-o-o-o,o-o-o
Lord…
Pagkat ako’y makasalanan
Makasalanang nilalang

After forgiveness, no one can assure that a human could change for the good permanently because he is bound to fluctuate from good to bad. It all depends on our circumstances: our moods, our hormones, the people, places and events around us. There is one statute that can never be bent, though: like begets like; kindness breeds kindness. If joy and goodness is your primary aim, do lots of it and it will come back to you in multitudes.

Don’t equate. Don’t count. Don’t expect more than you deserve and don’t make it as an objective when you help someone. For no reason at all, just do GOODNESS. Yes, not all that we do good to will return the favor to us; just do well anyway. Also, not all of our good intentions would yield good results to others: sometimes we are even put in a bad light. As long as your objective is for goodness’ sake, you are not in the wrong foot.

Blessings will be placed in your glory. Have the patience to wait. If you get impatient, pray and ask God to clear your mind. Ask for strength when you weaken. Acknowledge the fact that you’re losing faith in yourself and maybe even Him, and immediately ask Him to fill that caving devotion.

I have a multitude of ongoing issues. The morning fender accident on August 15, 2013 was just so minor it is a minute concern compared to what shocked me in the afternoon. More when I’m ready to open up…and when I can distill the lessons from it all.

Father Jerry Orbos’ book “Just a Moment” washed my soiled faith. In the bottom portion of his August 19 entry, he wrote: “Lord, when I tend to magnify and amplify my pains, remind me that there are people around me who have bigger and more real pains. Amen”

The Story of Mika

Allow me to be the proverbial Granny Goose.

One Tuesday I had my due mani-and pedicure to be done at AdamDoor. The beautician that attended to me was Mika. I came in during the opening hour and so I was tended to promptly. It was customary for me to take a nap while I have procedures like this because then I will have to run to so many errands afterwards.

But this particular moment was meant for me to listen to someone’s heart and soul. Mika opened up first. “Mam, ilang taon ka na po?” To which I answered I’m 41. She was amazed that we’re of the same age but how she wished she looked fresher and younger like me. I won’t agree with the second adjective because people say I look older than my age. I am a career mom, after all. But I understood what Mika meant: she wished she looks less pitiable.

Then I asked her “Ilan ba ang anak mo?” To which she answered eight and chuckled. I exclaimed “Haaaa! Pero ang fit at trim mo at your age ha. Kakabilib.” I told her most women I know at forty with eight children are shapeless and a sorry-sight. She said “Kasi mam batak ako sa trabaho. Kailangang mabuhay walong anak eh” And my awe turned into greater respect. In the midst of buffing and coloring my nails, she started.

At age eighteen, Mika got pregnant with the first man of her life. They had two children and lived together happily at first. Because they were young, they ended up separated due to irreconcilable differences. At 22, she met a guy so kind and meek that he was so accepting of her two kids then and asked for her hand in marriage. They lived in joy together and she bore another two children. Her young spouse have a huge problem though: he was dying with a heart ailment. In their fifth year he suddenly said he doesn’t want to see her suffering much for him and so he begged that they leave him in peace with his parents. That’s how he loved her so much that he liked it best not to see her in anguish when he dies. Mika did not want it for she never minded taking care of him. But the man and his parents begged her and the children to please go.

Out of respect she left. When she was dying inside herself, she got stuck in her ancestral house in the boondocks. Then mystifying things happened. She was seeing a man but without a face who was wooing her and shows at her window every night. Then one day she found herself pregnant. Shocked as everyone was, Mika was the most shaken. Her pregnancy was paranormal as she claimed she cannot remember any time she had contact with someone. Then the baby scared her with its unusual movements she thought it was a monster. She did not think of abortion as an option and she simply gave birth. It was a life episode she cannot explain.

Her thirties came and she remarried with her latest beau. They had three children. All previous five had been half distributed by Mika’s parents and siblings. But the man was beating her and was having affairs explicitly and eventually, he left her. He was not giving financial support.

Now Mika strives for a living to support all her eight children. She felt no one was a curse and believes they’re all blessings. No matter how hard her life had been, she’s blissful that the children all love and respect her even half of them stay with grandparents and aunts. But on major vacations like sem break, summer and the Christmas holidays, they’re a tight pack in her tiny shack near AdamDoor. She has nothing to do with their fathers anymore but she’s got every breathe meant for their welfare.

This leaves me in wonder: why are mothers’ hearts so much bigger than them? I introspected and I said, if I were in her shoes I’d do the same. I’m no more or less than a mother like Mika. Then I asked “How was your child na bunga ng misteryo?” She is a girl.

“Haynaku mam! Hindi ko talaga maexplain hanggang ngayon pero siya po ang pinaka-mabait at napaka-matured mag isip sa lahat. Thirteen pa lang siya pero tingin naming lahat para siyang 30 sa pagkatao niya.”

There are mystiques in life that we cannot explain. When she was telling her story I even doubted if she had substance abuse, drugs or alcohol, or speculated if she has some sort of a psychiatric issue. That could be the episode in her life when she claimed an “engkanto” got her pregnant. Well, my theories may be right or wrong. After all, this is just the first time Mika opened up her bare soul; we’re practically strangers to one another. What do I know of her background? But one thing never changed: I still admire her for her choices in life.

The week immediately after that, she was very grateful to me for listening to her story. Mika claimed she didn’t know why she opened up to me about her story when she doesn’t talk about them to anyone, not even her close friends. She was afraid they would think of her as crazy. “Ewan ko po mam, basta nung nagkwento na ako sayo, ang gaan ng loob ko. Saka feeling ko, hindi mo ako pagtatawanan. Kaya maraming salamat talaga po”

I was the one more grateful, actually. Because a stranger opted to bare her heart and soul to me; I felt so honored. Perhaps Mika felt safe with her chronicle because she will never know when she might see me next. I’m not a blabbermouth though but I sure live with a tale to tell. Perhaps my purpose on earth is to extract the lessons from anyone’s story and share it to everyone so it will serve as our mirrors. We reflect, we deflect and we correct.

Isn’t it that’s what life is all about? We all learn from each others’ saga…

DISCLAIMER: Names are withheld for confidential reasons.

An Ode to Tour Guides

Whenever I travel, I am amused by the tour guides that handle us. Not all services are created equal but it seems to me that the tour guiding industry has strict standards; the ones I encountered are consistently friendly, informed, enduring and conscientious, with all the positives I could observe. They’re so easy to be with. During photo shoots, guides are prepared to be photographers as well. They even volunteer when I don’t ask. In their arms were load-full of cameras and I-pads, taking one shot after another in one and the same pose. And there are plentiful more; just imagine their tolerance.

There were also the ones who are very anticipatory of the tourists’ needs: they are ready for bottles of water and hot or cold towels, waiting enticingly in the van or car! Who wouldn’t be joyous with those gestures? Very thoughtful people, these tour guides are!

A lot knows when to speak and when to keep quiet. When the vehicle starts to run, they turn around and point to you key places and salient info in a distilled manner, briefly but concisely. There are those who are colorful as they add history or concocted stories. Trivially, perhaps not all can be a tour guide: that head-turning against the direction of the vehicle to face your guests is very dizzying! Move aside, car sick ones.

As to when to keep quiet, they know it as soon as tourists silently mull over the passing scenery. It’s a cue for them to just let the view be enjoyed by the guest without overfeeding info. I guess it’s part of the training.

Why do I appreciate them? Because soon I’d be taking the certification for NCII Tour Guiding of BBF and I better emulate their best practices. I remember my dean-professor say that there are qualities of a good, err, great tour guide. Oh yes, the travels I mentioned are both domestic and international travels.

Food is a metaphor of life or work…

*all photos courtesy of +Leroy Saltoftheearth Berces*

Among all the Sushis, I love Philadelphia roll the most; consisting of raw or smoked salmon, cream cheese, onion, cucumber or avocado. The general ingredient across all kinds of sushi is vinegared sushi rice which variety arises from fillings, toppings, condiments, and preparation.

Life’s full of sour moments; but it doesn’t mean it has to turn us into acidic bitter beings. Often, the unpleasant circumstances make us open our minds to be more receptive of others. When we see their misfortunes, we are prompted to think of our blessings. Then we blend with them; and with the friendship, we create a harmonious flavor….very much like a sushi. We roll in life together!

Ramen is definitely an oriental noodle dish which is indisputably Japanese. But history accounts that it is of Chinese origin consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or sporadically fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as chāshū or sliced pork , nori or dried seaweed, kamaboko or white fish rolls molded into a variety of shapes, green onions, and intermittently corn.

One bowl is a harmonious blend of scrumptiously comforting soup. It is very much like a company where the people come from different origins and yet because of their accord they create a business with a unified goal: to be the best in their industry.

Don't we all like a workplace that's as fulfilling as a Ramen could be....?

A balut is so much like the Juan most-often misunderstood person in society. He is viewed as someone unlikable and a misfit anywhere. But then, it takes a great Pedro to get to know the goodness inside Juan; Pedro who is undaunted by prejudices. Juan’s best may be drawn out when it’s seasoned with Pedro’s friendship.
Others can never savor the delectable balut unless they try to crack the shell open and slurp the broth; it is an introduction for the tastier treat tucked inside which is the fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Like the misfit and his friend, the best flavor comes out when it’s seasoned with salt and/or a chili, garlic and vinegar.

Latte art is an interesting subject in itself wherein common pictures created are love hearts and ferns. 
It is a coffee-based drink made primarily from espresso and predominantly steamed milk.
This brew is like a love partner that perks you up when you’re in a slack, or slows you down when you’re overwhelmed with all the issues around you. As long as you got the right blend, you go well together.