A few more hours, and I haven't yet packed, am still working...but off to see Bantayan Island this dawn!

Fasting..for the Lenten season

Arrived in my Inbox - from my friend Joel, just in time for this Semana Santa.

Attachment: Lent_fasting.pps

I want to give my heartfelt thanks and express my stomach-deep happiness (that is really deep!) at all those people who greeted me through Multiply, Facebook (and whatever social networking site I've not checked completely) email, text and phone calls. I was planning to compile a thank-you list and include the names of all those who remembered me, but couldn't keep up *Naks! hahaha!* Special thanks to those who had no FB or Multiply but who still remembered to wish me a happy birthday even if we had not seen each other in a couple of zillion years! Also many thanks to those who haven't even met me personally but had a purr-fect birthday note or two. I am uber-happy at being a 40-carat girl..este..woman! LOL!

Php 3,200 to fix my Kodak V803 or Php 8000 to trade it in for either a brand-new Kodak M340, or Php 7,900 trade-in for brand-new Kodak M320? Sentimental value camera or practical logic?

40 Carats Croquettes

March 30, 2010
Cebu City
Philippines


Although I told my mom I would rather celebrate a 40-carat life by just eating out and resting at home, she apparently didn't heed my words and surprised me with a bunch of her delicious croquettes when I woke up.

The funny thing, was after all the rolling and mixing and frying she did, although she did not do it deliberately, the total number of croquettes she made was 40!

Wow!
How serendipitous?!

Somewhere on this page, is a picture of the first plate of crispy croquettes she placed in front of me while I was chatting with some friends.

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
And made with a whole lot of love.

Mwaah!
Thanks Mommy!

Little kindnesses happen when you least expect it. I didn't tell my "suki" hairdresser that I came home to have my birthday here, but after cutting my hair, she told me it was gratis.

Bummer! My green Baguio broom which I checked in last Sunday in my flight back to Cebu has been misplaced by PAL and is still missing till now. This is the news which greeted me upon waking up. Grrrr.

Once in a blue moon March

It was only when I checked the calendar that I suddenly remembered -  my mom had mentioned earlier that March 30, 2010 (this Tuesday) is an extra special day for me!


It is a rare, second blue moon on my natal day.

A blue moon pertains to a second full moon that appears in the same calendar month.

In PAGASA’s astronomical diary for March, Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said the blue moon - the occurrence of two full moons in one month - falls on on March 1 and 30. 

On the average, blue moon takes place once every two and a half years. Supposedly,  the next blue moon will be on Aug. 2 and 31, 2012.

From an article on the net:

PAGASA said the second blue moon for this year which will appear this March is an exceptional case. It noted that a New Year’s Eve blue moon happens every 19 years, and the last time it occurred was in 1990.

PAGASA noted that since the moon takes 29.5 days to circle the Earth once in its orbit, it is possible that two full moons can occur within the same calendar month. Such was the case in January 2010, when the moon was full on the 1st and the 30th, making the full moon on the 30th a “blue moon."

Moon colored blue on occasion - There have been times when the moon does seem to have a blue color. Mr. Nilo said this could be due to dust particles in the atmosphere, which scatter light. The effects of this dust on the light coming from the moon can cause it to appear bluish in color. He cited the eruption of the Krakatoa Volcano in 1883 that gave us one such “blue moon."

“For about 24 months after this volcano erupted, the dust it spewed into the upper atmosphere which caused the moon to appear green and blue when viewed from around the world," he said.

In astronomical terms, a “blue moon” has nothing to do with color, instead, it is the term used to denote only the second full moon that occurs within a given calendar month.


The question though is what exactly does this mean for me except that I'm one year older and reaching 40 carats?

Maybe having a blue moon occur on my natal day is a sign of  moon-sized good things to come my way. Lucky!

Am using Smartbro to connect to the internet while in Centennial terminal (PAL flights) while I am waiting for my delayed flight to Cebu. I thought ok ang free wi-fi dineh, e di pala! Tsk-tsk..

Cat's Imagination: The Photographer at the Back

I was looking at some photos I took of the trip to four of the Southern Cebu churches, when I saw two and decided to make a scenario. Fiction is certainly fun.

Poor Sir Boboy on this trip to Cebu.
Trip pa naman nyang mag-vacation and photo-lakad.

But...pagod (exhausted), may sakit (tummy-ache, some fever before and other stuff).

What could he do?

E di, rest muna, di ba? Dapat matulog, pahinga...para naman ayos.

So that's what he did, because its really more trouble than its worth getting sick these days. He still had a mountain of work of work lined up when he goes back to Manila.

So, here is my proof that all he did was sleep.

In the meantime, those marvelous churches and museums *ehem, ehem, biased ba?* deserved to have their photos taken.
What a waste of opportunity!

Who was the photographer?

Guess who?

Eto ang sagot.

Scoop of the Day, ika nga!

Bwwahaha!

*runs away to the hills to hide after this prank*

Shucks, earthquake felt ...was on the 9th floor of my building here in Makati City. Grabbed my handbag at once (for my cellphone - to call home in case I get caught if the building collapses; camera and wallet).

Dyaryo, Bote, Garapa...Bag?

March 24, 2010
Makati City
Philippines


Walking towards home to pick up the home-made yogurt and have it for my lunch, I made a sudden decision to go through an alternative route and stroll along the walkway parallel to De La Rosa Street.



Therefore I had to pass by HSBC Enterprise Center.



Up the elevator and then towards the stairs leading outside the building.




I was hurrying as my usual wont...then I passed by several tables and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something colorful.

I retraced my steps and took a second look. Was that a colored bayong similar to the one I saw in Baguio? But then it seemed different.

There was a table full of bags. The latter made out of used newspapers - bags of different sizes, shapes, styles and designs.

These colorful bags were made by out-of-work women (and men) and youths somewhere in Bicutan - they were taught on how to do so when a particular group in the Ayala Foundation sponsored their education and subsequent start-up business. These bags and people were even featured on television at one time.


I had work to do and had to hurry, so I got their contact number and prepared to vamoose.

But then a thought entered my buzzing mind. I thought these are enterprising, enthusiastic and smiling people who are in their own way, doing their best in the hard times we have. And recycling to boot!

Besides....

...that Winnie-the-Pooh bag does look cute and my eldest goddaughter may like it. She is going to Japan this summer.

I wonder if it will make heads turn if she brings it with her?





You can contact ~
     Malou Ganabol, mobile # +63 915 306 7258 for orders or inquiries as the bags can also be custom-made to suit your tastes :-)

Confirmed: Php 175 plus Php 60 for having the 36 shots film I have used be converted into digital and copied into a cd. This includes the processing of the negatives. I'm kind of content that I am back to using Daddy's Nikon F-70 and not buying a Nikon DSLR for now. My gawd, I shall be wearing cameras like necklaces and bracelets!

Ms. G's home-made creamy yogurt + Masferre's mulberry preserves = my unexpected healthy lunch! Thanks Ms. G and Terry!

Summer activities when I go to Cebu next week, but 2 of my cams are down for the count. Hence, I quickly bought GE's G3 WP cam yesterday as a reward for myself. Ready na ako for Bantayan! bwahaha! *happy dance*

"The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes but in having new eyes..." - Marcel Proust

Sore throat, sore eye, and cough in the last trip Baguio-Sagada-Baguio; not enough sleep, mosquito bites, bat poo, bruises and scrapes, food tripping, heap of souvenirs and veggies, *toink* bloopers, funny anecdotes and amazing views and pics - all in the company of some of my favorite people. Sana maulit muli!

Jing slaving over the cooking; Che sensitively crying (coz of ET on cable tv) and Cat sadly working - all back from Sagada-Baguio trip and all accounted for!

Resting in Sagada...starting to rain..looking for Yogurt House...

Sleepless in Baguio, on the way to Sagada....

My Tamilok: wood-worm mollusk ceviche

March 4, 2010
"Kinabuch's"
Puerto Princesa
Palawan, Philippines


I swore I wouldn't start posting any of my Palawan pictures..but images replayed in my mind of what I had eaten that first night!

Dinner at Kinabuch's.
Which is where most go to eat this delicacy while in the city.

Another restaurant specializes also in another dish which is the real thing - the "balinsasayaw" or the "bird's nest" and its ending result: "bird's nest soup". Thats for another post...as it was done very quickly on the last day.

Extreme cuisine, reigns supreme!

Yeah. Uhm...right.

*Gulp*

My Travel Checklist: Etc.

Food/Snacks

Swiss knife (camping)

Leatherman (I'm rethinking this entry)

* Flashlight (I have mini-maglite with my housekeys)

Small sewing kit (I have a wee 1.5 inch by 2 inches one which I've not brought along as a set, only took one of the little spools of thread at one time)

Laundry bag

* Safety pins (pinned to my toilet bag)

* Plastic bags (if I go swimming, I use it for the wet clothing; or if not, then I use it for the used clothing which I did not have laundered)

* Resealable plastic bags (think sandwich bags..useful also during trips to the sea, keeps the water out of important stuff you might like to keep safe)

Inflatable hangers (I've read about them, but never had them)

Matches/Lighter (going camping)

Rubber bands

Luggage ties (those plastic ones you put wherein it has to be cut to open the zipper).

Tape (useful also if you don't have band-aid and you have a blister)

* Luggage Locks (this is always placed on each of my bags already, ready for use)

* Luggage ID Tags (already placed on the bag itself so ready to go anytime)

Compass (I have a small ruler-like thing around 3 inches long, which has compass, magnifying glass and thermometer. I swore to bring this if I go abroad as I got turned around in Osaka)


* These are the things I will always bring with me regardless of the kind of trip I am in

- TBC

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; its is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living - Miriam Beard

My Travel Checklist: Clothing

* Underwear (I always add an extra set to whatever number I may bring..example if its 2 days travel, I make sure to have at least 3 sets of underwear)
* Cotton blouses - cool as I easily perspire
* TShirts
Scarf - if I go to cooler climes
* Pants - since denim jeans are heavy, I go for cargo pants
* Shorts
Dress - if I need to do something formal but luckily my trips are more for adventure
Jacket/Coat
Sweaters
Swimwear (note, include the goggles)
Life vest (only on our trip to Caramoan where there was a bad storm)
Pajamas
Gloves (only for cold weather countries)
Hat (depends on the type of clime - could be baseball hat, straw hat, beret...so I just pick one)
I don't use a belt but I will include it here
Pantyhose (if dress is included in things to bring)
Sando (tank tops)
* Hankies


Socks
Boots (for cold weather - this helped me a lot in my NYC trip)
Sneakers or Rubbers
* Crocs
* Slippers (when in room)
Black shoes for the office which can be matched with any outfit comfortably


* A must for me to bring for all trips

My Travel Checklist: Toiletries etc.

Now remember this is a checklist to guide you..not for you to bring everything, but those which you may need at that particular trip.

* Toothbrush
* Toothpaste
Soap (I received a dandy travel soap sheet set from Che..cool!)
Shampoo
Conditioner
* Facial wash (haha, ever tried it as body soap?)
Floss
* Lip Balm
* Oil-control face powder (I don't use makeup but my nose does shine so I have to use it)
Oil-control sheets
Moisturizer
* Lotion
Sunblock
Comb/Brush
Deodorant (tawas if pang local)
Cologne
Perfume
Hair clips
* Cotton swabs (always in my toiletries bag, though weirdly I only used them once)
Alcohol
* Bath towel
Face towel (I actually have a quick-dry one good for travelling which can double as a bath towel if need be though I can't wrap it around my head)
Tissue/Pack or Toilet paper (a wad)
Nail clipper


* I make a point to prepare and bring them with me on any trip I have

My Travel Checklist:: Medicines

* Vitamins (good for whole stay)
* Paracetamol
* Medicine for Montezuma's Revenge (aka Diarrhea medicine)
Colds medicine
Cough medicine (but my cough syrup is too bulky)
* Band aids
Insect Repellant
Anti-itch cream (ever since I almost drained to the last dregs the medicine tube of my Japan hostess hehehe)
Antibiotics cream
Motion sickness medicine
Sleeping aid (not really, as I can drop off like a log)
* Antibiotics (ever since I got a really bad toothache while in China)
Tiger Balm
Betnovate cream

* I always have them in my toiletries bag

My Travel Checklist: Documents

Passport
* Identification cards
* Money
Credit cards
Travelers cheques
* Tickets
Business cards
Photocopies of passports, credit cards, id cards
Currency of where I'm travelling to
Train/Bus Passes if can be bought in advance

* These are the things I always bring..the rest would be depending on whether its a trip abroad or just plain romping around my country

My Travel Checklist: Electronics

* Cellphone
Prepaid SIM if applicable
* Camera
* Memory Cards
Film
Tripod
Laptop/PDA/cable/mouse
MP3 player
Batteries
* Charger for Camera
* Charger for Cellphone
Universal Adapter (if backpacker, bring it, otherwise borrow from hotel)
Multi-plug
Converter (useful if I go to the 110 volts countries if my gear isn't the 110-240 kind)

* these are the ones which are a must for me to bring

- TBC

My Travel Checklist: Travel Gear

I began compiling a checklist of things to bring ever since I began my travels abroad and here in my country.

* Backpack/Tote Bag (extra foldable bag)
Maps
Guidebooks/Travelbooks
Printouts of googled blogs related to area (if pc is not brought along)
Phrasebook/Dictionary (for travel abroad)
Calculator
* Notepad/Notebook
* Ballpen
Journal/Diary
Books/Manga
Earplugs
Blinders
Travel Pillow
Travel Blanket
* Small foldable umbrella
Sunglasses
* Water bottle
* Wristwatch (preferably luminous dial)
* Flashlight (a mini-maglite is always tied to my keys)
Extra batteries
* Resealable plastic bags

* these are the ones I always bring with me, regardless of the kind of trip I have

- TBC

I have sore throat, start of tonsillitis plus bouts of coughing. Time to dose myself with Fern-C if I want to make my Sagada trip.

English Tea Party Recipes @ Joyofbaking.com

http://www.joyofbaking.com/EnglishTeaParty.html
As I stared at my limp cold noodles, I thought wistfully how nice it would be to have a tea party right now...but I wondered what other recipes could there be?

I almost cannot believe I ate Palawan's delicacy: Tamilok -> a mangrove worm that is not a worm! It's a mangrove-boring mollusk.\(+_+)/

I always enjoy watching replays of "Iron Will". Gives me strength on an early Monday morning when its back to the grindstone.

Oh no...I've been relying on my Kodak point and shoot and its banged up on the Palawan trip last week..and I have to have it during the Sagada trip this weekend...*sigh*

Just came back from Palawan - underground river, salty sea, trickling waterfall, hot springs surprise....water adventure :-)

Over-Boiled

Took out 2 chicken eggs for brunch from my overburdened ref.

Wanted to have soft-boiled eggs with my slices of overdue toast (2 days ago) and the last of the orange marmalade as my spread. Paired with matcha (green tea) and goat's milk.

Set the eggs in a saucepan with water to be boiled and placed on my electric stove.

Gaaaaah!

Remembered belatedly the on-the-stove-eggs, oh about 30-45 minutes later, after all the emailing and surfing and doing the chacha on the internet that I did.

Saw two overboiled hard-boiled eggs (with water about 1/3 of where it was earlier).

Remembered out of the blue my bottle of Japanese mayonnaise stuck in the vegetable area of my ref.

Chopped haphazardly the over-boiled hard-boiled eggs up, added some pepper and some spices, then tipped them all in to a bowl of the Japanese mayo.

Spread with glee the mixture on two pieces of toasted milk bread.
Hmm...

Ate.
Munched.
Chomped.
..and ate some more.

It has been a long, long time ago..since I had something like this.

And that is how some of my mealtimes go..ending up somewhere different though similar from where I first started out.

Life's like that too ..sometimes.

Over-boiled but still good.

Drinking strawberry wine from Baguio, while I am working. Hmm..must be an acquired taste. Oh well, 2 more different wine bottles to try out. *hic*