Kimchi etc.

Before I left Dallas to come here in Cebu, I was at a church dinner and one of the Korean ladies brought a dish that I really loved,but she didn't speak English so I could not ask her how she made it. I loved it so much, I thought I'd try and make it as I remember it. You know I don't like veggies unless it's fermented. She had apples in it, but I don't want to use apples so I used pineapple here. It's basically kimchi, but since I can't find the chili powder I used kimchi base in a jar. Remember, the trick to a good kimchi is in the brining. I brined the bokchoy overnite, then wash it really well, add the pineapple, garlic, green onion, ginger and kimchi base. You just have to approximate the ingredients, and adjust it according to your taste. This taste better after a day or two so I'm going to eat this tomorrow with fried tilapia.

Kiss Me please

You tell me

Have you noticed in any given society that the rich have an average of two children, while the poor have an average of two dozens? Here in Cebu these irresponsible fathers need to be neutered. And the mothers? I don't know what to do with them ...they're so fertile they can't even smell their husbands pants without them getting pregnant. But who's really to blame for this mass production of babies?

1. The government? ----Any sane person should not be looking to the government to make their bedroom decisions for them. I like the motto of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: prevention, prevention, prevention. So I think the Philippine government should invest in cable and plasma tv for this poor but verile Filipinos. Why do you think American women complain a lot about their men not giving them attention?

2. The pope? ---The pope tells the masses that it's wrong to use contraception because it terminates life. And of course the masses heed this instruction because they don't want their soul to be parked in purgatory when they die. And because it requires a man and a woman to produce a baby, it makes a lot of sense why priests are told not to marry. They don't need to,that's what orphanages are for.

3. The parents? ---Well, the rich parents are busy running their business so they're mostly away from home and absent from church when the priest talked about contraception. But you'll find the poor in church all the time because they're tirelessly begging "mama Mary" to let them win the lottery. So they can feed the many children at home.

For a country to continue to function productively, it should have a birth replacement ratio of 2.33. America at some point was in danger of not meeting this number were it not for the Mexicans spitting out kids as fast as the Filipinos. So what's the common denonimator between Filipinos and Mexicans?

Etcetera

My bedroom/bathroom here in Cebu. I feel 18 again, like I'm in a college dorm. But Chat says, "how do you know what a college dorm look like? you didn't go to college." I did too. Outside my door this tree seems to not tire of bearing fruits. I have a tree that also bears fruit continuously. Because I love fermented veggies, I pickle it and keep for stewing fish. This is very sour, but I love it.

Don't forget to remember....

Most of us are crucified between two thieves : the guilt of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow. Seven years ago my husband dropped dead on me from a massive heart attack and since then I try to live life with urgency. And by that I mean, petty stuff is just that...petty, and therefore doesn't deserve the front row seat in my life. Here's a few things I'm trying to apply to my life daily.

1. I try to free my heart from hatred because no one deserves that much attention from me.

2. I try to clear my mind from worries. The bible says, today has enough worries of its own, so when worry sneaks in on me, I recall what this old man said on his deathbed: "I have had a lot of trouble in my life, most of which never happened."

3. I live simply. I know this can be done because I do it. A person has 2 basic needs; food and clothing. Well, 3 if you include expensive vacations.

4. To protect myself from the cost of inflation, I give more. Giving doesn't make you broke, hoarding does.

5. Lastly, demand less. Most of our troubles begin when we try to win every argument forgetting that sometimes principles can be forsaken if for the sake of gaining a relationship.

What dya think?

An American author once observed that Americans are oversexed, overpaid and overfed. I'm not sure about that one, but you decide. Here in Cebu, a constant fixture outside my door is my adopted grandkitty. He's always begging for food and attention.. Here's my American grandkitty. When I asked Chat what's wrong with him, she said that "he's worn out from watching too much tv."

Might Be Today

Work like you have a hundred years more to live here on earth, but live each day like it's your last.

Later Jules

"Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7

This morning, my friend Julie's body is on her way to Bacolod, the place of her birth. I know she is watching from heaven, looking down at her remains being deposited back to the ground, but the pain I am feeling is not for her but for me. I won't see her climb over the fence anymore, calling out my name, we won't be going to eat lingua at our newly discovered restaurant and most of all,she won't be there to tell me to keep going because tomorrow is a new day.

I struggle with the loss because I feel sorry for myself without her, otherwise, how can you feel sorry for someone who's now with Jesus? I read a story about a young man who was weeping and sobbing, he didn't say a word, he was simply weeping with those who weep. When someone asked him what was the matter, he answered: "Well, it hurts, stupid."

Be Still My Soul

Soar as the eagles Jules. I know you are with God, the Holy One of Israel.Until I see you again.

Note to Christians

I have walked through pitch black darkness when my daughter's father walked out on us, I have watched helplessly while my father lay comatose from a massive stroke, my sister's final days dying a painful death with cancer and my husband dropped dead in front of me in a remote island where we didn't know anyone and holding on to the coffin next to me in the car for 5hours. These experiences should make me hard or jaded, right? No, this makes me relate. And this also makes me fuming mad when someone minimizes someone's difficulty. Different people cope differently. Just because they're limping doesn't mean they don't trust or love God, it simply means they're wired differently.

So here's a note to so-called Christians: Especially those who have not experienced traumatic or tragic events in their lives, please do not minimize another persons emotional or spiritual difficulty. I can't say it enough:You can not deny another persons reality, you can only build on it. Just because you can quote bible verses or sings in the worship team doesn't mean you are Godly. Honestly tell me you are not shaken at the time when you are being shaken, honestly tell me you are standing firm, at the time when your spirit is being sifted like wheat and honestly say that you can see straight at the time when your brain can only process black. Until then, shut up. That's Godly.