Friday Food Day!
This is what my husband made for dinner the other week. Swedish meatballs! I asked him yesterday to make it again and he did. It’s now my new favorite.
Side note: Back in the Philippines some time ago, I tried to make him meatballs in tomato sauce. It was my first time to make it, and it looked like a train run over it. It was UGLY. LOL. He’s the better cook.
1. Your social circle will narrow. In college, you’ll have lots of acquaintances and party friends but that will dissipate over time. Eventually, you’ll find yourself unable to spark up new friendships simply because you don’t have the time or desire. Now you’ll only make a new friend and let them into your life if you’re absolutely obsessed with them.
2. You’ll seriously consider going to grad school. You’ll call your mom up in a panic one day and explain that you’ve always enjoyed something like psychology and, well, maybe it’s time to start entertaining the idea of, um, being a therapist. Mom? Stop sighing!
3. You will hate your job at some point, even if it’s better than 99% of your other friends’ jobs. You will be overworked and underpaid presumably until you’re 40. Then, you’ll suddenly be overpaid and not do much of anything. Right? That’s how it works?
4. Someone will betray your trust — a friend or a lover — and it will change the way you view people forever.
5. You will do things that hurt you just because you’re not ready to feel good yet.
6. You will sleep with people who you genuinely like, have a great time with, but never want to date. Ever.
7. After learning your age, someone will say to you, “Wow, you’re so young!” and occasionally you’ll believe them.
8. You’ll miss certain days before they even end.
9. You’ll spend an entire day hungover in bed and nothing will make you feel more like a fucking idiot. Not even taxes or putting the fitted sheet on your bed.
10. You’ll read a book that will change your life. People say that all the time, especially your grandma and your mom and your professors in college, and it always made you roll your eyes but now you get it. Life is changed. You are this book’s bitch. You fell in love with it in the same way you fell in love with someone in high school: blindly and all-consuming. I’m talking about the book that became the lens from which you chose to see the world. You were just waiting for something to come along and explain to you how the world works, to make it all easier for you. and it came. You will remember this book more vividly than some of the people you dated for three months in college.
11. You’ll meet people who are vultures, who were literally sent to this world just to annoy you, to work half as hard and somehow become more successful. They’re networking leeches. Don’t take their business card! Save yourself!
12. Some days you will wake up and be astounded by how ugly you are. People are always saying things like, “OMG, I look like shit right now!” but they don’t. You’re the one who looks like shit (truly!) so shut up everyone else!
13. That being said, there’ll be some days when you look in the mirror and think to yourself, “Okay, I’d fuck me.” That’s good. It’s healthy to want to fuck yourself.
14. The Internet will hurt your feelings. You will find out information you wish you never knew and maybe you’ll go so far as to even cry! Imagine that: a machine you spent over a grand on is making you weep. Screw the Internet.
15. You will understand that the biggest battle you fight in your twenties is the one you’re in with yourself. The most important thing you can learn in this decade is how to love yourself. Without that knowledge, your life will always be a little bit terrible. You will always be dating someone who’s a little bit rotten and you’ll always be working a job that sucks. It affects everything so be sure to make yourself a priority. Work on liking yourself before working on getting someone else to like you.
I wish I’m rich so I can afford this. I really need a new mattress. Ours is… there’s no words to describe it, I hate it. It sags, it bounces, I lose sleep all the time. It’s also hurting our backs. We wake up not feeling rested. I especially feel bad for my husband, his back is killing him because of our stupid bed.
A few months ago, we went to the mall and I tried lying on this one.
It was HEAVEN. I just want to close my eyes and drift to sleep. Perfect thing ever invented. But the price? It’s like buying a car. Boo hoo!
Dear universe, Please listen to me. Send me this mattress my way. Please.
I miss going to the “wet market”. In this picture, you can see fresh fish, squid, scallops and so much more. Fish market in the Philippines are everywhere. I love going with my mother and watch her pick the fish she wants. I love the noise, the hustle bustle, the peddlers and everything associated with the fish market. It’s like a different city when I’m in one.
Here, when I buy seafood especially fish, they look man made. They are beautifully filleted. All I have to do is throw them in the pan and cook them
Where is the skin? Where is the head? Where are the guts? WHERE IS THE BELLY? Where is the flavor???
Sometimes, no amount of lemon or salt or pepper can give me that desired taste.
Fish here tastes so… clean. I still like them though, oh especially salmon. Yum. We don’t have salmon in the Philippines and it’s a luxury over there. Imagine how spoiled I am here.
Anyway, I miss eating grilled tuna belly. Tuna belly as big as my face, dripping with fat, grilled over charcoal for that awesome charcoal flavor, marinated in coconut vinegar, soy sauce, sea salt, then eaten with dipping sauce of calamansi (Philippine lime), soy sauce and chili. And followed by steamed rice. Then ice cold coke to wash it.
I am going crazy.
I count myself lucky.
I have loving parents and dependable siblings. I love them all so much. We are not a perfect family, but we have fun and we love each other like crazy.
Also my aunts and uncles, cousins and distant relatives. They are a crazy bunch, but we try to be there for each other, no matter how hard or shallow the situation may be. We’re family, we’re strong.
So while I have made a new set of family here in America, I still miss my family back in the Philippines everyday. My in laws are the nicest people on earth, and I am doubly blessed because of them.
Sometimes, I miss my mama’s wake up calls. She’s my alarm clock that never fails. She will nag and nag and nag until I get out of bed. My food is already on the table, my clothes are laid in bed. Oh, I’m in my late twenties and she still takes care of me. Right to the very last day I spent in the Philippines. I miss her so, so much. Seeing her in Skype today made me a bit emotional.
“I have an appointment on Thursday”, I told her. “I may get a job”.
“Do you have anything to wear? You don’t have a lot of work clothes, you need to buy more. If you need anything, just let me know.”
If I was back in the Philippines, she would be at the mall as soon as she hears that I’m about to start work. My first teaching gig, she bought me so many clothes I was so shocked.
I miss her thoughtfulness. It’s not the way she spoils me that melts my heart— It’s the way she thinks about me all the time, regardless wether I’m being naughty or nice.
My father, where do I begin? I miss the talks we have, over coffee or beer. I miss his advice, his insights and his jokes. He’s my best friend, and I know it’s hard for him too, that I have to move away.
These longings, these melancholy come and go throughout the day. I survive because the love of a family is indestructible. Such love is rare, and I am aware of how immensely blessed I am.
Where the coconuts grow…
Daily commute is not so bad, especially when you pass by so many rice fields. And the smell after the rain? It’s so amazing.
I love my island. It’s so green, lush and it always look so alive and inviting (just don’t go to the big cities though).
The desert is beautiful too. I am lucky to live in two worlds.
Breakfast from long ago.
I am torturing myself of food images in my iphotos. You know, because it’s almost 3 AM and I got nothing to do.
Now I’m thinking about breakfast food.
Oh waffles. And blueberries.
Happy Sunday!
Been a good day so far. I got to Skype with my family in the Philippines. My uncle was celebrating his 54th birthday, and my parents threw a birthday lunch for him. It was torture watching all those foods (Crispy Pata, aaarrrgggh), but it was so heartwarming to see my uncle smile. He lost his only daughter to suicide early this year, so to see him laugh made me feel good. I love him, and I miss him so much. I wish I am there for him.
My mother also showed me her new kitchen. It was very eclectic, with a beach-y vibe. She painted it green too. Of course, she also updated me about the latest gossips in the neighborhood/family.
As always, it was fun talking to my father. We talk about the usual, punctuated with “I want a grandkid ASAP”.
My siblings and cousins were there too. I watched them eat, sang happy birthday with them, and sat with them while they were having smokes and coffee. Skype is a blessing.
All the while, my husband was watching me. He was a bit tearful and when I asked him what’s wrong, he said that he miss seeing me with my family. I miss my family too, everyday, every minute. But here in the US, he’s my family. I couldn’t ask for more.
Compared to my husband, I am definitely HIGH maintenance. He only needs shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant everyday. On the other hand, here’s a list of what I use daily—-
Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap (Currently using Caress and/or Shea Butter soap)
Summer’s Eve
Yes to Carrots Body Lotion
Neutorgena Face Wash
Neutrogena Sunscreen during the day and face lotion at night
Secret Deodorant
Perfume/cologne (I’m currently using Perry Ellis Red, soooooo good!)
Yes to Tomatoes Face Mask (three times a week)
Nail Polish
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Body Oil (for stretch marks)
Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil (for acne scars)
Dove’s Gold Lotion (For the hands)
Chapstick
I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few. This is just my “normal” routine. Now, when I go to work and put make up on… There’s a whole bunch I use too.
I’m not the only one, right?
Friday food day!
My husband and I went to our favorite Japanese restaurant in town. I was craving for RICE, and he took me to this place. I had the pork teriyaki bento box that came with potato salad, edamame and SEAWEED SALAD. The salad was mind blowing good. It tasted like the ocean. Yum!
He got the Special which is chicken teriyaki, rice, yakisoba and potato salad. Equally yummy! And oh, we split an order of gyoza too.
On the way home, we stopped by my favorite bubble tea place and got taro and original milk tea. Perfect ending for a perfect meal.
I’m so stuffed!
(Source: feminugget, via thatfriendlyblackguy)
Throwback Thursday. Three years ago.
I used to stop by my favorite nephew’s house every afternoon. Even though I was tired from work, seeing him and his smile, or hearing his laugh make all the tiredness melt away.
I bring him treats like his favorite orange juice. He would sit in my lap while he drinks his milk. When it’s time for me to go, he would cry and I would reassure him over and over that I will be back again tomorrow, same time. Or I will have someone pick him up and brought to my house.
He was not even walking in this picture yet. Now he’s a rowdy four year old.
Tangerine Chai Tea Shea Butter Soap.
The smell is so invigorating and refreshing, a perfect way to start the day! I am addicted to the smell of this soap. It smells soooo cheerful.
When I bought this, I didn’t use it right away. It was just sitting in an empty bedroom. A few hours later, the whole bedroom smelled like a tangerine plantation. It wasn’t even opened yet! Granted the bedroom was very small… but still.
All I’m saying is that, this soap is one of my “pick-me-up” favorites. It’s like coffee! :)
It’s really the little things in life that matter most.
In my case, more than half of the time, my husband takes care of our meals. He’s working nights, and sometimes I fall asleep during the night (I tried to be a night shift housewife too, but sometimes I fail). When he comes home, he wakes me up and asks me what I want to eat for breakfast. Still half asleep, I would place my order—- eggs, hotdogs, rice or whatever. He brings my breakfast to our bed, I don’t even have to get up.
During the days that he doesn’t cook, he takes me to a restaurant of my choice. He always put me first.
I know, I am spoiled. And I am grateful to have such a wonderful man in my life.
The other day, he made burrito. He got me some tea to go with my meal.
Really, it’s the little things.
Good morning, World. This picture is a view from my bedroom in the Philippines. There’s really nothing much to see outside. Just coconut trees, shrubs, fruit trees and flowers. Sometimes, you can see goats feeding on vacant lots with overgrown weeds. I took this picture early in the morning, so there was no traffic yet. There were no children in school uniforms walking down the dirt road, chattering excitedly. No fish/vegetable vendors roaming around the neighborhood yet.
But the sounds… it’s what make my mornings unique. The house help sweeping the yard, slamming of car doors, roosters, my mama’s lighter… Then there’s the gargling of the coffee maker too. And downstairs, I can hear the shower running as my father prepares to go to work. During busy days, my cellphone starts to ring before 7 AM. I hated it, but now I remember it fondly.
Here, I wake up to the sound of TV in the other room. Or the fan. Or the barking dogs. Even the wind is too quiet.
