Welcome the New Year

But don't drink too much.

Get Up and Walk

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Paul's letter to the Romans:8:37-39


Hardly anything surprises me anymore. But what amazes me is when people are so quick to throw the first stone at someone who is already limping. All of us are handicapped in one way or another, except that some of us are in denial or just knows how to hide it.

On Christmas day, after I went to the traditional obligatory lunch at my friends house, I stopped by another friends house because they had a gift for me and wanted me to chill out with them for the afternoon. When I walked in, I was introduced to the father and John the brother who is facially deformed from a burn. I did not expect him to look like he did because all I heard from my friend, was that his brother John, was a doctor but got into drugs, "so he now bums around and sleeps in someone's couch." My friend talked about John like he was just a moocher and a leech of a brother. Their father was there also, but I could not see the facial resemblance to the son because the son's face is deformed.

After I left there and to this moment, I still think about John who is limping in life. I asked myself this question: How can I get up each day if I was in his shoes? And would I want to even get up? Would I be on drugs too, to numb me so I can get through the day? I admit, I have to learn to extend the same grace Jesus has given me, because I am impatient with people who stays on the ground too long licking their wounds - enough and get up already, I'd say. But really, I have learned to tolerate people who just can not get up, and keep themselves dust free but I have yet to learn to be tolerant of people who can not understand why others are on the ground to begin with.

Man is the only creation of God who will kill himself; no animal, sea creatures or plant will do that, and yet John chose to live in spite of the horror of his existence - that I stand in awe.
The facial resemblance that was once there between John and his earthly father is gone, but I know, that the One who created him, the One who knew his name before he was born is still proud of His creation - the only creation that God has ascribed as: "In My image, I created man." So in this coming new year, get up and walk in this knowledge: you can never be too dirty, you can never be too deep in the pit, where God can not reach you and cleanse you - because admit it, He still loves you.

The Rain Man

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Job or Hobby?

Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life. I've always said it, that's the reason why I can't understand people who stays at jobs with emotional cost that cancels out the financial benefits. This man can give me advice on how to budget on zero income and how to enjoy under the bridge living and I'd do it with a smile as long as it is with him. Oh well.

Is Christmas Over Yet?

Christmas, it's that time of the year where people are forced to buy gifts they can't afford and strained relationships that they are forced to face. This is also a time when shopping carts are riding on your heel and cars are riding on your trunk because people are in a hurry. In a hurry to get in the spirit of hurriedness and stress.

I was in line at Old Navy the other day and 2 ladies in front of me were holding up the line because their credit cards were declined. And an acquintance told me, "We're celebrating Christmas without my parents and brother because we are not speaking." And you call that celebrating? People who hasn't lost a loved one can not relate how fragile life is, how life can be snuffed out before you can blink an eye. I can not say this enough but if you're holding a grudge at someone, it's not them you are punishing, but yourself. Do not let anyone own you; forgive and forgive quickly.

Dodging the shopping carts at the grocery store yesterday, stressed the life out of me, I came home and dug up my noise cancelling headset and put on some Reiki music. But instead of putting me in a coma, my heart was racing from nostalgia. Here try this.
Video Courtesy: Healinghandsreiki

Try Being Broke

Yesterday, when I told my friend that I quit my job 3 weeks ago, he said: What? you quit 2 jobs in 1 year? Yup. I did. And to those of you who would want to know how I'm going to survive, don't worry. Like I told everybody, I have all the money I would ever need in my lifetime. Assuming of course that my lifetime is only overnight. Anyway, being broke is really not that bad, in fact it's exciting. See, if I wasn't broke, I would have been out to Barnes and Noble sipping my Starbucks instead of digging through my pantry and I would not have found this palm sugar. I don't know why I bought this to begin with, but to entertain myself, I thought I'd experiment it with my left over pecans and coconut. I had left over coconut in my refrigerator for the coco bread I made on Thanksgiving. So here's what I did:

Dissolve the palm sugar with 2 tablespoon of water.
Then add the coconut.After it is thoroughly dissolved and mixed, add the pecans immediately to coat it. I made 2 variations: First I tried coating the pecans with just the dissolved palm sugar without the coconut, then I baked it for 15 minutes. The palm sugar expanded and it's very crunchy. Here it is.
For the second variation, I toasted the pecans for 10 minutes then coat it with the palm sugar coconut mixture. I think I made a good discovery this morning-palm sugar, and without any help from the internet.

Holiday Diet Tips

I'm not really sour and dour about Christmas, it's the craziness that comes with it that drives me loony. So I thought I'd share this diet tip that someone came up with.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great Christmas Ya'll.

Christmas Guilt

" When you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for your repayment will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." What Jesus told the host who invited Him. (Luke 14:13-14)


So what is it, guilt or sheer generosity? I took a friend to the UPS store the other day to mail her Christmas gifts. The box contained a big wrapped gift and some loose items like cans and jars of food and some electronic gadgets. When we left there, we went to the mall then to Walmart and she bought some more items. I didn't buy anything, I was simply the driver because she can't drive. She asked if I was done with my shopping,"I don't do Christmas, I hate Christmas." I said.
"Really? You don't do anything?" she was surprised. I didn't want to advertise and really I don't owe her any explanation but I said: "My daugher and I takes care of less priviledged kids in the Philippines all year long and at Christmas we make sure they eat good that one day."
Then she started telling me how she hates Christmas too. So what's all that box of gifts and the expensive shipping? "Well, we didn't want to do Christmas especially because of the economy, but my brother and his family gave us gifts and our friends gave us gifts even when we told them we can't afford Christmas this year, so we have to give in return." I laughed in pity of her.

You see, I can't let people put me in that holiday prison. If they want to give, let them give. But don't feel bad if you don't get anything in return. That's what Christmas is all about and that's how you will find out if those people are sincere givers. If they don't get anything from you and they continue to give Christmas after Christmas, that's the kind of friends you want to keep.

Coming Soon

Whoever owns this kid will owe the world an apology if his talent is not harnessed and nurtured. Would someone please give the kid the lyrics...please.

Video Courtesy: uke3453

Yes You Can

Here's the story of the Hoyt Team.

The Unexamined Life

I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has severely disciplined me but He has not given me over to death - Psalm 118:17-18

In the span of 13 years, my parents and all my siblings were wiped out. The last to go was my brother whom God took 2 days ago. In 1996 when my sister died at the age of 45, I started thinking about my own mortality and it was in that year that I came to learn what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ. It was the year when I learned that religion will help us get through the day, but it will not get us to the promised land of eternal life.

When the bible spoke of Paul's message to the Philippians while he was in prison, "To live is Christ and to die is gain", Paul meant that as long as we're alive there will be suffering because even Christ suffered while He was on earth. Death is not the end, it is only the beginning; the physical body has to be destroyed in order for the spirit to enter the realm where Christ is. Life or death is not the issue here, but that Christ is magnified in us. As I continue to watch my family slowly but surely leave this earth, I am left with the same question most survivors ask themselves: Why am I still here? There's no easy answer, but it's time to examine my life.

Dress Codes, Morals and Mercedes

I could be an all-American girl, except that I didn't arrive on the Mayflower and I don't care for football or baseball. But I've always been partial to golf because the players mostly keep a low profile. And they don't wear tight pants tormenting you with their banana and grapes cluster. That sight right there is enough to make me feel tired and dirty - and that's without mentioning their running and rolling around on the ground.

Even with John Daly's freakish dress codes, I still love golf, but I am not a fan of Tiger Woods because the kid is almost supernatural in his game that everytime the word "golf" is mentioned, Tigers name is right next to it. During any tournament where he plays, everyone else is eclipsed by Tiger; either by the media attention or just by how the crowd holds their breath when he passes by. What about the pony-tailed, cigar smoking Spaniard- Miguel Angel Jimenez? Ok, so it's not the same, but get my point?

And now his scandal. I still believe that the kid should be cut some slack - leave the kid and his family alone. The argument that Tiger's life should be public because he's a product endorser and therefore a role model, is friggin' warped thinking to me. Tiger did not start out as an endorser; he's a golfer, an excellent golfer. So here comes Nike asking Tiger to wear their shoes, their hat and their shirts (and whatever else). Nike, the Greek goddess, offered Tiger millions of dollars in exchange for him to wear the victory swoosh on his person all the time, except when he's taking a shower. Nike and the other sponsors did not sign Tiger on because he was a moral agent who would lead us to spiritual salvation or usher us in to Shangri-la, or serve as our guide on how to empty ourselves of greed. The Greek goddess wanted the Tiger to convince us to empty our pockets and buy Nike shoes, period.

Tiger Woods not only sells shoes, he also sells watches and private jets while he plays golf on the side and gets paid in millions - that's free and open market. But his private life is not free or open to the market. He answers only to his family and ultimately to God for his personal transgressions. Now, my neighbor who lives off of my taxes under section 8 rental program definitely needs to answer to me : What's a brand new Mercedes doing in her garage?

Tiger's not out of the Woods

There's a certain appeal to anything that we can't easily get. Like, even people who does not care about golf or how many times Tiger Woods has hit a birdie, now wants to know why Tiger hit the fire hydrant.

I'm a firm believer that politicians are the only public figure whose life should be dissected by the public, if for no other reason than it's our tax dollars paying them. Movies and sports celebrities are entitled to a private life, period. I don't care that there are parents out there who thinks that they are role models for their kids. Excuse me, but let me say it again, they are not role models for your kids - you are.

Anyway, back to Tiger and his wife Elin. Why did Elin claw his face and smash his car window with his golf club? She clawed his face because that's what a woman should do to stop her husband from leaving the house at 220 a.m. And why the golf club? Because her nails were already broken from clawing him, she can't use her bare hands to smash the glass. And why was Tiger leaving the house at 220 a.m.? Because he could not sleep thinking about the black Friday sale at the mall so he can get Rachel that jewelry she wanted. Who's Rachel?

What else did I miss

I had so much to do yesterday; reading contracts, coaching the team in Cebu and constantly on the phone, I almost miss this sight right behind me. Just as I swiveled my chair, I saw this squirrel in my patio busy nibbling on this potted plant, then he saw me get up from my chair so he started to run away.

Another reminder that while we're busy planning, life happened.

I miss my old bank

I have been a Bank of America customer for over 20 years and I can only count one bad experience with them. It was one of those occasions when I had to get cash that is abnormally high than my regular withdrawals because I was going out of the country. The Vietnamese teller at (the Plano/75) location, asked me questions; it was not the question itself, in fact I was glad of the prodding for the security and protection of my account, but rather, it was the tone of her voice that irked me. More disturbing was not only that she raised her voice, her eyes were spitting fire at me, the customer.

I still remember that incident, but over all, Bank of America has been a good bank for me. Until the bailout. The other day, I received a wire transfer from overseas and the bank charged me 12 dollars. I called to see if they would waive the fee, because I don't think that I should be penalized because someone put money in my account. I asked the rep what is the difference between a direct deposit and a wire transfer - she didn't answer my question. Instead, she talked down to me with that razor sharp tone of voice: "Ma'am, did you receive the money?" I said yes. "Well, If you received the money, then the charge is justified."

The bank bailout was a band-aid. I've always felt that those who needs to fail should fail, because if the consumer was spared from the front end, the consumer will have to pay in the end. And so here we are, normally, Bank of America would have readily waived that fee but not anymore. The 12 dollar charge was bad enough without the customer service rep acting like I'm an idiot under her mercy. So I replied to her politely, "Well, that's ok, this is the reason why my company is working hard to outsource Bank of America's customer service to the Philippines and even India for that matter, so when you lose your job, it is justified." Click.

(Now I pray that she didn't empty my bank account, charging me for talking back at her.)

Until Then

You can not consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself - Dr Joyce Brothers

I was watching Andre Agassi last night talk about how he didn't want to play tennis, that it was not his choice as a kid to play tennis, but it was his dad who made the decision for him. And because of that, he was very conflicted and unhappy because it was not consistent of who he is.
My parents never encouraged me to do anything except to plow the field, and for the longest time, I never knew what I wanted to do, or what I was called to do.

Until about 4 years ago. I started to narrow things down in my head and realized there is nothing more I want to do than write. I have taken writing classes at a local college, but I dream of going to Columbia School of Journalism. The problem is, my dream is not synching with my determination. Of course, I don't have the money to go to Columbia, but in this country, that would not be a problem if my determination to go is bigger than the hurdle. In this country, if you can dream it - you can have it.

Andre Agassi made the decision to love tennis at the age of 27. At 52, I have made the decision to love what is placed before me, right here and now. Even though this job I have right now is temporary, (because nothing is permanent) and I'm really not writing the kind of writing I want, it is consistent with myself to do the right thing and do my best until God moves me along because I have always believed in the biblical principle that it is God who promotes, and it is God who demotes. So until you see my name on the LA Times or the Time magazine, you can find me here in my cube, right next to my kitchen.

Bear with Me

When I started blogging 3 years ago, I disciplined myself to write something at least 2 times a week pretending that I worked for a newspaper writing a weekly column. I did that as a responsibility to myself, and when I found out that people I don't know have started reading my blog, I felt more obligated to make sure that I have something written every week but more so that it is of value and quality to the reader. (Even though "quality" is a relative term).

This is my second week of working from home and I find myself overwhelmed learning my new job. So as much as I miss the leisure time for myself; blogging and or just staring out into the horizon, (and or the abyss) I am hopeful that one day I will be able to enjoy those days again. I just need to persevere in learning and doing the right thing for what I am hired to do.

To give you an idea of what my job is, I manage remotely a call center in the Philippines; with that, I write protocols and scripts and make sure it is implemented by the team 10 thousand miles away. On top of that, I have to deal with our clients here in the US.

Having said all that, this blog is about asking my readers to bear with me until the next time I have something more (goofy) to write about. You, my readers, are the ones that kept me going, you are the reason why I would wake up in the middle of the night because I can't wait to share with you whatever plops in my brain.My dining table I now call my lobby and board room and break room.

New Trick, Old dog

My favorite time of the day is early morning, right when the dawn is breaking and the sun is slowly lifting up from wherever it came from. The bursting out of the sun rays makes me feel alive, almost the same way how my energy and moods dip as the sun goes down.

I normally wake up around 5 a.m, and I stagger straight to the kitchen and make coffee because I love the ritual of making coffee. Then I would take 2-3 sips because I really don't drink a whole cup, (I never have) and try to put in a 2o minute brisk walk, then sit down to read my bible for 20 minutes, meditate on it and hurriedly drive to work. This week, things have changed.

I now have a new job working from home, but because this is my first week, I have not gotten my routine down yet. It seems like I work all day and night but has not accomplished anything.
(Like how stay at home moms feel) There was a time when I thrived on deadlines, doing 99 things all at the same time, but now, I hardly could concentrate on one simple task. I feel unhinged when I have to answer a call while another one is holding , much like the saying- I can't chew bubble gum and walk at the same time.

So after working at my previous job for 20 years, doing the same thing and using the same software application, I am overwhelmed with this new technology process and new business lingo. (But at least I love my boss.) They gave me a Predictive Index test, to see who I am in order to maximize my potential and not waste my God given skills and talents. The test was very simple, yet almost pinpoint specific. Bob, the guy who administered the test whom I have met 3 times already was surprised of one of the results: "If people would ask me, is Ritchie outgoing? I would immediately say, of course, she is. She is very engaging and outgoing. But your test shows that you are introverted and private. Is that true?" He asked me in that tone like he was hoping to be right with his earlier assumption. I burst out laughing because from the beginning, as he was telling me the result, I could not believe that the test can actually pinpoint me to the T.

That's correct. I am introverted. This is why I've always said that my perfect job would be sitting alone, hiding behind my computer, writing tacky articles for a tacky magazine using a tacky pseudonym. Well, maybe not the tacky part, but you know what I mean?

Staying Young

From George Carlin:

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3.Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

God Knows Best

I asked God for strenght, that I might achieve
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men...
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for - But everything that I hoped for.

I Got Talent

I love my Chatter. When I am in the process of making a decision, (good or bad) she would throw at me every possible bumps, curves and all the negatives (in Excel and Powerpoint presentation ) why I should not do it. Then when after all that, I still insist on going through with my plan, she would give me her blessing and back me a hundred percent. My Chatter is just cool that way.

So the other day, when I joked about me living under the bridge for being jobless, she said, "Mom, there's still costs of living, regardless where you live." I assured her that besides typing, I have other skills and talents to make a living. Like this one below or move in with Steve.

If Not Now, When?

I hate change. And I hate it with a passion, but as they say, the only constant in our life is change. So last week, I have turned in my resignation, telling my boss that I am not moving with them. It was a very difficult conversation with my boss because I did not stay in that job all these years for the money, (because I'm not lying when I said 12 year olds make bigger allowance than me) but because of the relationship I have with my immediate boss.

All these years my boss has given me the freedom to go as I please (or how else would I have been able to vagabond) and come back when I want, but the time has come for me to move on and sever our professional relationship. The time is now; I need to grow up. My stomach has been in a knot, I get clammy hands and feet and wake up startled in the middle of my sleep from the anticipation of my leaving the comfortable set up I have been accustomed to, but at the same time, I am surprised and proud of myself for making what you would consider an unwise decision in this struggling economy. Yet, afraid and anxious as I am, I'm also confident that I will be okey, because I had a long conversation with God before I made this decision.

When I say, I had a long conversation with God, I do not mean that I even knew how to articulate my anxiety, my state of uncertainty and inner turmoil to Him. All I knew was that I did not want to move but at the same time afraid to quit. The only thing I was certain of, was whatever road I will take, Jesus will be with me. The decision is made - my last day with my present job is until the end of this month. So the next time you pass by I-45 and downtown Dallas, make sure to wave at me and I won't be hard to spot because I probably would be the only Asian resident there, under the bridge. Did I say I wanted to be a real vagabond?

Canine Compassion

God placed in each of us a heart of compassion, yes, even in dogs, but sometimes we humans chose to ignore it. How else would a dog know to have compassion if his Creator didn't embed it in him?


Video Courtesy: MrCristea

I Wish....

1. I wish I have something better to do on a Saturday morning than just wish.

2. I wish Obama would stop the ghetto speak -"I'm busy with a mop cleaning after the last President" because even though it's sooo like Barry, it's soo past the campaign months to be talking like that, it's soo unpresidential and it's soo getting on my nerves. And George is soo past caring.

3. I wish people behind me at the grocery check out counter would read the People magazine (or any magazine, I don't care) instead of making me feel rushed.

4. I wish clerks at the grocery check out counter would be more conversational and friendly so people behind me would be distracted and stop being in a hurry.

5. I wish people everywhere would just simply stop being in a hurry. Why hurry, so we can hurry and wait some more at the psychiatrists' office? Or wait stiff at the morgue?

6. I wish I have other wishes more meaningful than wishing for people to slow down.

7. I wish the Republican and Democrats in Congress would disappear into thin air (or wherever, I don't care) and come back as Republicans and Democrats with morals. And conscience. Or better yet, don't come back at all.

8. I wish some UFO (or any vehicle, I don't care) would land in Montana and pick up all the people who claims to have a political affiliation but don't have a clue what's going on. Or better yet, pick up all those people whose only conviction for voting Barack in is that black goes well with a white house.

9. I wish I know why I said Montana, when I could very well pick Texas. Maybe because I don't want to be mistakenly picked up by a UFO because I don't want to ride the UFO. And I don't know if they even serve peanuts on the UFO.

Longanisa

I love pork fat the same way Joan Rivers loves plastic surgery. Yup, I'm addicted - to grease. I should eat healthy but my philosophy is: I want to die sick because it's retarded to die healthy. Last night, I got inspired to make longanisa after I found my meat grinder attachment in the same box with the moon cake molds the other night.
Sausage casings I got from the Philippines, this is less work than the wet casings I buy from here.

I got tired of stuffing so I made the rest into skinless.Recipe: Ingredients
2 lbs - pork meat (I bought shoulder cut and ground them coarsely)
1/2 cup - pork fat diced-this is what makes all the difference to me but I only had this much from a left over pork belly.
6 cloves garlic crushed
3 Tbsp - brown sugar
1/3 cup - vinegar ( I used the Filipino brand )
1.5 tsp - Kosher salt
2 tsp - Paprika
1 tsp - black pepper
1 tsp - pepper flakes (use less or more) but I only had 2 packs of Pizza Huts I found in my drawer.

Mix all ingredients and let stand about 2 hours. Fill casing with mixture and let ripen in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Prick holes in the casings, not much but just enough to let it breath.

Embellish, Blow Up or Lie

It's 4 minutes to midnight and I am still pacing around my kitchen thinking about my resume'. I am waiting for my friend to come out of his coma so we can re-invent my resume' to where I can recognize me in it.

You see, the last time I made one myself was 23 years ago and I headlined it, "Bio-Data." When I showed it to Don, he was not laughing but his eyes got big, like he was stunned and amused at the same time. "Ritchie, you can't put your height, weight and religion in there." " Why not? that's how we do it in the Philippines." Don, a good teacher that he was, explained, "You're not in the Philippines anymore."

So two weeks ago, when I decided that I should look for another job, I called my friend who lives in another State and enlisted him to do my resume'. I emailed him the timeline and description of my previous jobs and asked him to put it together into a resume format because he should know what to look for in a resume - after all, he was once "the man who can hire and fire." But when he sent it back to me, the only thing I recognized was my name and address. "Who is this?" I asked him. He said it was me. "Are you sure that's me?" He said, "Ritchie, stop underselling yourself." Underselling is one thing, but lying? "Embellishing, is a better word." My friend corrected me.

I know, I know. I'm not in the Philippines anymore. But I begged him to redo it and he promised he would but, "I would only change a word or two." I can't shake him off from his coma and I hate it when I am under someone's mercy, but I'm too young for Medicare and too old to care, so I wait. Wait for my friend to redo my resume or find a husband so I don't have to find a job.

De-stressing

I am still feeling unhinged because of the changes in my work situation, but instead of getting busy and work on inventing my resume, I am avoiding it like it's, aahhh....bill collector. Working in the kitchen always helps me de-stress, so when my friend Jupson FB'd me and told me to breath in, breath out and cook, I thought, I might as well obey her. So I looked around my kitchen on what's available, and I found almost rotten bananers and yogurt that's way beyond retirement so I made banana bread.
While waiting for the bread in the oven, I sorted my still un-opened box of kitchen stuff in the garage. I don't know what I was smoking back then to think that I could make a moon cake, or why would I buy these molds? I got this 9 years ago thinking I would impress Don with a home made moon cake? Since Chat doesn't care for jewelries and I don't have money for her to inherit, maybe I should will this to her. At least she can beat her kids (if any are coming) into submission with this.Here's the banana bread recipe if you want it.
1 stick butter
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 c or about 2 bananas-mashed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c - sour cream (I didn't have sour cream so I used yogurt)
1.5 c - flour

1. Mix first 3 ingredients until creamy. Add bananas and cinnamon mixing it well. Then add the last 4 until all is well combined. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan at 350'c for 45 minutes or more. Mine was done in 45 minutes.

Unfriend or Hide

It used to be that when you meet new people you ask them questions like: do you live around here? And what do you do? (or if you're Filipino - how much is your salary?) But really, why ask when you get answers like, "Just google me." With all these technology and networking sites in our hand, we have isolated ourselves more than ever. Yes, we are more connected yet very disconnected from the very thing that humans really need; the physical and emotional connection.

The other day at a dinner party, (I hate socials, so don't ask why I was even there) I was trying to make small talk, ( because that's what you do at socials ) and I caught myself asking whoever I was talking to, "Are you on Facebook?" I don't know why I asked that, maybe to sound like I'm hip at networking? I like Facebook because I want to know what's happening in people's lives, not that I really care, but simply because I am nosy. But lately, I'm frustrated when I open my FB because I end up having to scroll way down before I can get to relevant or important (if there's such a thing as "relevant" or "important" on Facebook) status of friends because of all the annoying games and horoscope that people are publishing as their status.

Yesterday, I took the time to really learn Facebook and see how I can get rid of these annoying statuses or cancel my account altogether. Unfriend or Hide them, Chat said. Good idea. And this morning when I walked in to work, a co-worker was in a bad mood, whining about " No one wants to plow my farm." I said, "You bum coffee from me all the time and you have a farm?" "No, Farmville on Facebook. And I can't get anyone to help me with harvest either."

As if my Facebook problem is not enough already, now this. I don't know what Farmville is or any of that , all I know is that it's annoying the crap out of me. So how do I hide my co-worker? I can't, but I can hide my coffee.

You hate yourself that Much?

We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us!" - By Golda Meir 38 years ago!!


The other day, in the Telegraph UK I read that Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is of Jewish blood. I can't explain why, but my heart softened for him after that. It's hard to think nice things of this man but sometimes I find myself praying for him, because I have this deep belief that even the most hardened criminal is really not that hard. Underneath that toughness, there's a need that cries out - a need to be understood, to be accepted and to be loved because in reality, they are very much afraid.

"Love covers a multitude of sins and perfect love cast away fear," says Jesus. I wish Mahmoud would listen to Jesus and stop all these vile he's been spewing. And of course, I'm aware that there are Jesus followers who killed, thinking they are doing a service for God. Another reason why religion is dangerous. It's relationship that will commend us to God, not religion. So Mahmoud, stop hating yourself and your people. You're scaring me bro'.

At the Cross

Everything is levelled at the cross...at the foot of Jesus. HIS blood paid for every bad thing you and I have done.

Video Courtesy of WimNL-Thanks

Tradition with some Truth

I was at a Shabbat dinner last night with my Messianic Jews bible study group
and because Karen still practice the Livitical law in the Old Testament about eating only biblically kosher foods, this is what I brought. In traditional Jewish homes, Shabbat (7th day) starts on Friday at sundown and ends Saturday at sundown. Orthodox Jews don't work or labor during this time, but Jesus corrected them because they took it to where they won't even lift a finger to help, if someone needs help on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:9-12)

The bread and wine. When Jesus had meals with His disciples, they drank from the same cup and broke bread together. Literally, this challah bread is not sliced, you break a piece from either end. (I love challah bread but I just can't deal with the drinking from the same cup)This is Karen, she lights the candle and prays the Shabbat prayer. The wife (or a woman) has to light the candle. A non-Messianic Jew does this out of tradition, but a Messianic Jew understands that Jesus, the light of the world came from a woman. Normally, a woman does not wear this Tallit (prayer shawl) but Karen uses it and we use this at the end of the prayer to symbolically cover the kids with prayers of blessings. I love this bible study group because Raoul, our teacher, teaches the bible with a Jewish perspective and it really makes the bible come alive because he makes us study the bible historically, spiritually and.... context, context, context. (Take a verse out of context and you can prove anything and misled people). Needless to say, it was a filling night- spiritually and gastronomically.

Steamed Rice Cake (Puto)

Remembering my mom's rice cake (puto) I got obsessed on how to make it. Luckily, I have this blender that pulverizes anything in less than 1 minute. Soak rice overnite in equal parts water then grind with about half of the remaining water drained out. Set it aside. I left this all day while I was at work then went to dinner with Chat and when I got home it looked like this. For 1 cup of rice I use 1 tsp of baking powder, 1/2 c of coconut milk and 1/8 c of sugar. I mix them all together and fill the molds. I don't have a big steamer so I used tea cups and 1 ensaymada mold lined with banana leaves. I buttered the molds.Note: I thinned out the coconut milk with equal parts water because I used the canned one. Also, use sugar accordingly. I don't like it sweet. Maybe later if I'm going to make this again, I will try using some coloring, but I prefer food in it's simplest. Here it is:
Source: Market Manila, Pinoyrecipe.net, babeinthecitykl.blogspot.com

Truth, Fiction and Rice Cakes

I grew up on a farm and our house was at the foot of the hill and for the most part of my childhood I grew up thinking that Jesus was killed on that hill right by where I lived. During the Holy Week, on that Wednesday, a mob of people would go up to the top of the hill and they would cut down trees and carry them down(symbolical of carrying a cross?) but I don't remember what they did with the trees or where they end up taking them. All I know was that they called that hill "Mount Calvary." Yes, in the island of Cebu, Philippines.

During that whole week in my house, we were not supposed to laugh or show happiness. "This is a sad week because Jesus, the son of God is dead." My mom would say that whenever I let out a hint that I was happy. Then on Saturday, I was not allowed to take a bath because "Judas is washing himself of the blood after he killed Jesus." She would say that with contempt in her voice. I don't know where my mom got her messed up stories from, but sure sound believable to a 9 year old girl, but even after I knew the truth, I was not about to correct her or she would say, "Just because you went to school doesn't mean you know more than me." Now, that part, she was right.

Why am I bringing this up. Because during that week my mom would be busy grinding rice in our old fashioned stone grinder because whenever there is a gathering of people is an opportunity to sell something. She would make rice cakes; nothing fancy, just ground rice with coconut milk, sugar and tuba (fermented coconut sap) in place of baking powder. I don't remember my mom making anything that requires long preparation except this one. Lately, I am feeling so nostalgic of my childhood and mostly I miss my mom because I was always helping her sell whatever. It was a hard life, but it was my life and it's what made me who I am today. The only thing I regret, is I don't know how to make that same "puto", it's a shame I have to scour the internet to find the recipe. This picture that Market Manila took is exactly how my moms puto looked like except she did not make but a white puto with the purple sprinkle. The old tin pot (make do steamer) and the coconut husk for fuel makes me feel so homesick.

Communicate, Communicate

It is not good when we resent "something" or "someone" because our body reacts and manifests it in several ways. Anger, depression or anxiety is the common body response and it's very unhealthy to walk around with this baggage. We need to address the issue, find a resolution and resolve it. And resolve it quick.

So why am I huffing and puffing and boiling over and blowing up at work? Because I have not come to terms with this impending move of our office location. I feel that management should have consulted us (pee-ons) or at the least, informed us the minute they were thinking of moving and that they were planning to move to another location that would require us to expend extra gas and extra time to get there. I understand that in this present economy it is hard to get another job, but I feel that it's just common decency to give us advance notice so we can plan accordingly.

Like, in my case, if I had known 3 months ago of their plan to move, I would have taken another job offer, or accepted a marriage proposal from a man in Jibuti (I don't know where that is, I just know how to spell it) or eloped to East Timor or whatever. Or, move in with this man I met under the bridge who drove a wiggly stolen shopping cart (he said he didn't steal it, he planned to return it at another Walmart in another State - you know, like returning a Hertz rent-a-car?) loaded with his valuable cardboard boxes. But you know what I mean? Give us the option (to quit or go with the move) and not just assume that we're stupid and won't know that an extra mile means extra gas and that extra gas means we have to eat less.

Ok, so I lied. There was no job offer and no marriage offer and I am blowing things out of proportion because an extra 14 miles a day is not much compared to being jobless. Looking at things in proper perspective, my world has not collapsed, I still have so many things to be thankful for and one is, I like my co-workers and they like me and when I am blogging at work, like right now, they know not to come bother me bumming for more cream or sugar.
The other day when I told my friend about my resentment over this move he said, "Just go with the flow because your job sounds fun," "Yeah, it's about as fun as diarrhea," I said. And if I don't come to terms with this "move" and continue to sit here pouting and blogging, my boss may just make me have more fun at the unemployment line.

What Are We Missing

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

*After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars, two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?

Source: Snopes, Washington Post

My comfort food

Because of the impending move of my office location, I'm feeling unhinged. And when I am stressed, I do one of 2 things; I either don't eat or I don't stop eating. Laksa or Pho is my comfort food I think because the herbs' fragrance exploding in my mouth, makes me feel exhilarated so this is what I made yesterday.1. If you have this handy at home -the soup base and a 6 oz can of coconut milk you can have laksa just as good if not better. When I make my Laksa, it is definitely better than Lion City, the only restaurant here in the Dallas area that serves Laksa. If you only follow the instruction on the bottle, you got a winner already but I add this 2: Belacan(shrimp paste cake) and fresh shrimp heads. After so many tries, I learned that this is the secret to a really outstanding Laksa. Simmer the shrimp heads for an hour( add the shrimp to the broth after you turn off the heat and you can use it as topping) and use it as broth instead of plain water. Break off about a tablespoon of belacan and stir it with the Laksa paste, add the shrimp broth, coco milk and let boil then simmer 5 minutes and turn off the heat. The belacan is not something you want to show to guests because it smells and looks like a dried up scraping from the sewage, but it makes all the difference in the taste. If you don't have it, just use fish sauce.



The soup gets better the next day, so just keep it in the refrigerator and only heat up however much you need then pour it over cooked rice noodles and whatever topping you want.
And this is a must have: Sriracha sauce and lime.

What's Your Calling?

A pitcher cries for water to carry, and a person for work that is Real - Marge Piercy

Next month my office will move to another location which will be 6 miles farther from where we are now. I am a bit sad and a lot angry about it. I'm not really angry with the company because they have to do what they have to do to survive in this economy, but I am mad at myself because as much as I hate driving that far, there's nothing I hate more than looking for another job if I choose not to move with them.

I am mad because this move is rocking my boat: I don't want to move and I don't want to look for another job, so once again, I am forced to look and reassess my life. On my deathbed and I am asked, "Is this the job you want to be found dead in?" My answer would be an emphatic "no." So why not change?

When Clare Booth Luce reflected about her life and confessed, "If I were to write my autobiography, my title would be The Autobiography of a Failure." What in the world is she talking about? Not only did she have money, she had fame as an American playwright, and influence as a US ambassador. And if that wasn't enough, she was also married to the publishing magnate of Time and Life magazine.

But I understand what she meant. When people say they're a failure, it's because they are not doing what God has created them to do or not following their true calling. Luce had to sublimate her passion for theater writing to accomodate the duty of a politician. Her husband wanted her in politics, she didn't. " I would say my worst failure, paradoxically, was a rather long-drawn-out series of relative successes, none of which were in theater. In other words, my failure was not to return to the real vocation I had, which was writing. I don't remember from childhood ever wanting to do or be anything except a writer."

Like Luce, I also know that I am not doing what I was born to do, but I am too lazy, too afraid and too set in my ways to change my course. So until I get the balls, I'll just be sailing in my paper boat in this plastic world.

Losing my marbles

I like to say that I have 2 brains - one is lost and the other one is looking for it. I stopped by the grocery store on the way home from work today to pick up olive oil and peanut butter. The peanut butter is not a standard issue for my pantry but I got it for a recipe I'm planning to make. When I got to my car I noticed that I was charged for 2 jars of peanut butter so I went back inside and told the lady I was charged twice for the peanut butter. She hesitantly gave me my money back and because she gave me that look short of rolling her eyes and saying I'm a liar, I got curious and checked my grocery bag in the car and sure enough I had 2 jars. When I saw that I was charged twice I did not check my grocery bag because I know I would not make the mistake of getting 2 jars- why would I? I only need 4 tablespoons to make my recipe. So imagine my frustration and embarrassment of having to go back to0 return the other jar and apologize.

In my frustration, ( why would I pick up 2 jars and not even remember it?) I sat in my car and ate a whole can of vienna sausage and turned on the radio where two men were discussing about dating, marriage and children. The other guy said that he is looking for a "good looking woman who is good in bed and at 2 a.m. will turn into a pizza." The other guy, giddy and with the infliction on his voice like he just came up with a new invention answered, "Yeah, that would be a perfect woman."
I thought their conversation was funny, so I laughed, but I think I laughed so I don't cry in my can of baby hotdogs.

Carmen

Well, today is one of those days that I like; dark, gloomy and showering. So I started out early and went to return some books at the library and stopped by this place, Carmen's Bagel Cafe Italian Deli. I'm not into bagels but the colorful sign on this cafe stands out from among the rest in the area that I've been meaning to stop in but didn't get to until today. It's located on the same side of the Richardson Public library on a shopping plaza that looks empty most of the time. I met Jason the owner, ( a really nice guy ) who said that his grandfather always told him that, " One day you're gonna do it," meaning - he's going to open his own restaurant.Carmen's only serves Lavazza coffee, one of the 3 famous Italian coffees, the other 2 being illy and Segafredo. I bought a medium cappucino for only $2.35 served in this styro cup which I prefer to be served in a ceramic cup and saucer unless I order it to go.
I love mom and pop operations so I am hoping for this new business to be able to make it in this economy especially because Carmen's prices are very reasonable. Breakfast sandwiches in bagels, rolls or whole wheat is less than 4 dollars and breakfast platter is less than 5 dollars with free wi-fi, not to mention the homey, cozy living room set up.People started trickling in and suddenly the line was getting long I had to leave Jason alone but one more question: "Is Carmen your wife?" "No, that's my grandfather's name. My grandma was Napolitano, my grandpa a Sicilian. In Spanish, Carmen would be a woman's name but not in Italy." Now that explained the black and white picture of a man in between the bottles of Torani syrup on the shelf behind the counter.

Today's photojournalism

When I started this blog in 2006, I had 3 readers: me, myself and I. Then it improved to 4 when I threatened my son in-law John, to read it. I love him because even though he's mostly busy and one of the top ranking engineer at TI, he still finds the time to read my blog without me begging or threatening him anymore. No one threatens Chat, but she now reads my blog because she hopes I would write about her cat - Tigger Ayrton Shriner. Then last year I wrote about Arnel Pineda and I started getting a lot of readers, ( More than 3) which I am so thankful for.

And seriously, my readers are what kept me going. I feel obligated and responsible to produce something worth your time but I know that I produce more silly and goofy stuff than something you can use to edify yourselves. And that again makes me grateful to ya'll - whoever you are, wherever you are. I am waiting to enroll in a photography class at the local college so I can take better pictures and capture moments that I can share with all of you. Pictures that would tell stories by themselves, so I don't have to. But until then, I just point and shoot whatever I fancy regardless if it holds meaning to you or not. Like this sign I bought the other day for my patio, but the bad thing was, I felt like the sign is not complete without drinking a margarita too, or at least that's what Jimmy Buffett implied in his song.
You know what really goes well with coffee? A blood pressure monitor and a corn bread.

My present high

I don't know what women get as wedding gifts from their husbands, but mine was a big thick heavy bible with an accompanying poem Don wrote for me.
( He was a Greek and Hebrew bible scholar and a Shakespeare freak.) I pretended to be happy with the gift because you can't show your real nasty self the first week of marriage. Then comes the next gift, "for the house" he said. It was a thick heavy cookbook with an accompanying set of heavy glass pyrex measuring bowls. The man badly needed me to learn how to cook, after I told him that the only food I know to cook is rice. Well, I opened that bible on the day he gave it to me and it was 7 years later when I opened it again and I still read it daily for my daily devotion. It is God's love letter to mankind and the best gift Don has ever given me after all. I don't remember whatever happened to that cookbook, but it was 10 years later after I got married that I started to learn to read and follow a recipe...stir or mix or fold? I had fun exploring specialty stores to buy kitchen gadgets and I always got a kick trying new recipes on Don because with him not knowing how to cook, he thought I was a great cook even after I turn fried eggs into charcoal. I didn't enjoy kitchen work anymore after Don died, then after I read Trail of Crumbs a month or so ago, I got excited about cooking again so I unpacked my kitchen tools from my garage and started scouring the internet for food bloggers. I found 2 that I really like - Kusina ni Manang and babeinthecity. Well, until I get bored with this, this is my high for now.

Ensaymada (Brioche)

Thank God for Kusina ni Manang she has the recipe for ensaymada (brioche) without too much work. Not that I want to eat ensaymada a lot, but because of the challenge in making it and getting the desired result, it became a monkey on my back, until now. You are da bomb manang. I wonder if Anthony Bourdain has an assistant to prepare his ingredients. With these many, I need my own assistant.

The only way to stop me from eating it all is to make it really like the ensaymada....sugar and butter on top. (I get a headache looking at the sugar. )I normally don't toot my own horn, but I am proud of myself on this. Very delicate and not gooey.I tried baking some on my brioche mold and it came out like this - harder on the outside.

What's eating You

Well, today's lesson from my picnic table guru, Mr. Gupta: I should stop eating meat. When I told him, that I am "slowly trying", he said, "Why slowly? if you find yourself about to fall from a cliff, you don't slowly try, you step back and stop." I love his philosophy, but I just can't imagine life without meat or fat. He further appealed to my conscience by telling me that animals releases stress hormones when they are about to be killed because they are afraid and we end up ingesting those bad hormones. I thought about what he said and I started to feel bad for the animals but not bad enough because after I ran my errands, I felt like I could not move another step if I didn't go to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant and eat their brined pork. I know, I know, but I always feel that it's not what we eat, but what's eating us. Guilt,bitterness or unforgiveness is more destructive than a jiggly pork belly. Some people are addicted to chocolate, me, I'm addicted to grease.
After I hogged down half of it, I went to the Vietnamese market and found this in the frozen section. I didn't know what it was, except it said "Thai coconut dessert", but I love the ceramic bowls - 6pcs for $3.99 so I bought it. The instruction said to steam for 3 minutes. I did and it's really good but I can only eat one because it's very sweet and rich.