Monday, May 31, 2010

Mga Kasabihang Ewan (Sayings Shayings)

Some of these just went through my head as I endured the early morning traffic on this last toxic Monday of May 2010. A play of old quotes and sayings and 'salawikaing pinoy'. Some were re-hashed while mostly I came up with on my own. Already posted a few on my Facebook status during lunch and thought of putting it in my blog as well:

1) Better Late than Ugly

2) If the shoe fits, take it off if you are not paying for it.

3) Kapag Maikli ang kumot, gawin ninyong punda.

4)Some things are better left unsaid (so post it on FB or tweet it away).

5) Do not do unto others, do it yourself ( Ano raw??).

6) If at first you don't succeed, try and throw a tantrum.

7) Love moves in mysterious ways, but we sure reveal way too much.

8) Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, may stiff neck.

9) Another version of no. 8 = Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, may utang na iniwanan.

10) Matalino man daw ang matsing, sya ay unggoy pa rin.

11) Kung di ukol, wag makulit kung ayaw mo magkabukol.

12) Whoever says money can't buy happiness, doesn't know where to shop.

13) Ang kay pedro, kay pedro, ang kay juan kay juan kung hindi mo alam ang tawag don EWAN.

14) When in Rome, turn your roam service on.

15) I would like to thanks this opportunity to say thank you all.

16) Never say never. Say NO WAY instead or how about- Duh?? I'm so not doing it.

17) Walang matimtimang birhen, dahil wala na yatang natitirang birhen.

18) Love means never having to say 'Sorry, the number you are calling is temporarily off or out of coverage.

19) TIME flies when you're having fun (and you realize it's your sister throwing one of your favorite magazines in your face when you won't stop from singing too loudly as she sleeps).

20) First love never dies. They just turn fat, balding, with too much debt to pay and lots of unresolved angst making you feel lucky you never got married.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Can you read my mind?

Everyone has a story to tell. Some untold secrets waiting to spring to a lending ear. That lady selling dried fish by the corner of that packed alley, the 'magtataho' plying his wares early in the morning and that jeepney or fx 'barker' who annoys passengers with his incessant calls of 'o dalawa pa sa kaliwa, galaw-galaw, baka kayo ma stroke'.

Scenes we see each day as we walk or drive along busy thoroughfares or wander around malls and shops, that is part of the tale. That cosmetic salesgirl who just couldn't wait for her shift to end so that she can finally meet with her boyfriend. How about your manicurist and hairdresser? One can only guess on what is going on through their heads while they push and pull through each cuticle or sigh through the endless routine of blow-drying people's hairs.

It would be interesting to read people's minds but I have noticed for the past several weeks that with the advent of technology, we are actually somehow getting close to doing that. Whether we like it or not, we have become privy to the thoughts of others - be it our friends, our relatives or even strangers via status on Facebook, or blogs and Twitter. It's akin to speaking all your thoughts aloud whether or not the one hearing it care at all or would actually want to hear it.

Still, there is much to learn, much to dissect on all these interactions or force-fed information. But it is enough to believe that as humans, there is really a need to tell our stories and with a little prodding secrets might even be revealed.

Now what does one do with all these stories? Nothing. Just let it flow. Nobody can dare censure another for having those thoughts or take it against someone who may want to tell others what he just had for dinner, or what shoes she just bought for 4,000 bucks while at the same time lamenting she should have spent it on food instead. We are not being forced to give a damn care but as humans, we must just let the story-teller be and respect his/her thoughts. It wouldn't be good to stop people from thinking aloud or writing openly of their thoughts. That would be such a shame when we are just beginning to enjoy some of their stories.

I say, bring it on..

Saturday, May 29, 2010

SHADY




Sunglasses- while hiding the glare of this summer’s heat can also be like a mask that covers what my eyes don’t want to reveal - sleepless nights, the sadness within, perhaps, or that twinkle in my eyes after doing something really naughty. Now you know why I love wearing them.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Tapestry

I noticed that there seems to be a parallel between what is going on with my life to what some people who are close to me are also going through with theirs. either our fates are leaning toward the same direction or some of us are experiencing the opposite but everything seems to happen almost simultaneously, like we are acting on cue on our separate movie scenes. Those events in our lives that disrupt the status quo. Which got me into thinking that we are like spools of thread interwoven into a colorful tapestry.

Or it could be that we are just so affected by what is going on in each others' lives that I feel we are riding on the same boat-some of us on the stern, others on the bow, but still traveling along the same ocean.

But come to think of it, it may not be just us and our small circle of friends and loved ones coming together in this tapestry of life but that would include everyone. Yes, even the strangers we meet each day or that obnoxious person by the road, or the children at play. we are locked into this giant spool where we are all just mere threads, sometimes tied up in knots, others cut short by a giant snip of scissors but all intertwined and bound together in this world.

Connected - that's what we all are. and the web makes it all seem so.. yes, this giant web that keeps us perpetually joined together.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Love in the age of Twitter, Facebook & the Phil. Automated Elections

I just realized that despite our mired, wired and weird world, there is still after all an honest-to-goodness craving for the old-fashioned cuddle and sweet conversations that one can only share with those we love.

With most of my days spent interacting geekily, i am mildly amused to find that i still can actually feel much more pleasure on the random, mundane and so-called 'analog' details of life. However much i'm into social media lately, trading barbs, jokes and discussing (and bitching too) about politics and personalities online, & engaging in e-conversations with friends and family, it is nice to know that I still derive the greatest pleasures from the simplest but sweet things brought by actually having 'face time' with those I love.

These sublime experiences are most felt when:

- after a tiring and busy day for both of us, he would commute with me, traffic and all just to hold hands and be close to one another even as we need to go home early for the next day's grind.

- sharing an early dinner or late snack in a cozy restaurant, just enjoying our conversation, or having a drink or two at a nearby bar to pass the time and gaze some more into each others' eyes

- my niece, notwithstanding her frail frame as a result of hyper-activity and fast metabolism, spreading out both her hands in warm welcome to embrace me tightly as I stepped on the front door, showing her love beyond words.

- sharing jokes about life, work and other stuff with colleagues during lunch break.

- having the boss actually share in the office banter, diffusing otherwise tense-filled situations, giving us breather on an otherwise busy day and actually giving not just a breather but also more food for thought as well as for the stomach (read: free snacks and lunch).

- the boss being more of a friend or second mother, with caring words to spare.

- a call from a long-time colleague via landline. Yes, after too much cellphone use, it is pleasurable to share a laugh or two through the old means of communication - the telephone.

- the beloved bringing me a special dish just on that day I was craving for something italian. always will be a sucker for such romantic gestures ;)

- home-cooked meal prepared by my sister just in time to satisfy the cruelest hunger pangs brought by the long and very hot ride home.

- spending QT with niece and seeing the twinkle in her eyes and the innocent smile on her face whenever we go out on a weekend trip to the mall joined by her mother (my sister) and her cute way of saying 'thank you, tita loida' just to show how much she appreciates the time with us. awww!

- when my honey would introduce me proudly to his colleagues and staff as 'she's the one'

- those friends who show their deep concern on any problems I may have, actually finding ways to be of help and almost always with a ready smile and laughter to make my day.

- discussing stuff with long-time friends, about celebrities, our lives, our other friends' lives IN PERSON. not thru mere tweets, SMS or FB chat.

- bonding moments with good friends on a weekend in Makati Medical City to welcome the newborn baby girl of one friend, relishing the miracle and beauty of life as it unfolds before our very eyes, with some pizzas, sodas and goofy moments in front of the camera.

- sharing fun moments, a drink or two (okay, make that three bottles of beer or a glass of vodka or wine) with former colleagues. if it were a credit card commercial, it would be perfect for the tagline 'PRICELESS'.

- voice calls from my cute nephew in Nueva Ecija. Despite the distance, the little cutie would always find ways to stay in touch.

As I say, the internet, the social media, twitter, facebook and all that jazz is a good way to distract oneself from the pitfalls of serious living brought by wage-earning endeavors - a welcome distraction even and may also be a source of creativity and innovation. Still, nothing can beat the pleasure one gets from having to actually touch each other while communicating (vs. touch-screen technology). And despite having to choose our next president via PCOS machines, when it comes to LOVE, whether it is love for our family, friends or the one & only, it is still best enjoyed in SIMPLE REALITY (no AUGMENTED, CHROMED AND HOLOGRAMMED experience to match that).

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Ban the Resentments

Glad that the first automated election was finally over, well except for a few percentage of canvassing left but the outcome for the presidency is pretty much decided and we are definitely ushering in the new government of Sen. (err, President) Noynoy Aquino.

I have been actively engaging convos with friends on how I support Noynoy and wish that indeed he becomes the next president. Well, majority of the Filipinos have decided and wish granted. Now comes the hard part. A lot would be looking at us some even with dagger looks I presume, telling us 'how could you?' or worst - actually coming out with a threat (at least one posted at Noynoy's Facebook page that all who voted for him better wear their yellow ribbons, ballers etc so that he can easily identify whom to blame). Wonder where that angst is coming from? I don't think the guy (okay, our President) deserves that when he has yet to assume office. Cynical much?

I think we should all be beyond sourgraping and resentments, for all those whose candidates did not make it, just take a cue from your bets who were sport enough to concede as fast as they can. Now more than ever, the Noynoy supporters are also put on the spot as one wrong move by the chosen president would have some people blaring in our ears 'see, what you have done?' or wearing their i-told-you-so looks (dagger looks). I'm sure some of these people also could not wait to see President Aquino falter in his first years so they can gloat and keep their chins up on the people who voted for the guy. Poor us? No, it would be poor Philippines if we maintain that attitude.

My mindset going into this election is that win or lose, I took a stand and if somebody else's candidate ends up as president then so be it. I always say, I'd rather be wrong than sorry. Meaning, if the candidate whom I have not voted won and actually did something good for the country, then I would have still remained a victor. In essence, let's just be hopeful, try to move forward and support the government any which way we can. In case there would be too much injustice or something worse, we are in a democratic country, so we can all rise again and march to our indignation.

I have to remind everyone, he may not be your candidate, but he is now our president. Ours. And if things turn out for the better, I'm sure you wouldn't mind being wrong as long as you are not sorry. Peace, love and success to us! Cheers!

Monday, May 3, 2010

My Pinoy Version Kaya Toast



Had quite an appetizing meal (late lunch) almost close to 'merienda' time. Gave an old Singapore-style meal with a Pinoy twist. Ya Kun Kaya toast (using pandesal as my Philippine version) with semi-soft boiled egg. Yummy! Here are some of the shots I took while eating my lunch. Too bad, I'm just using a cheap camera phone (no SLRs for me) but hey, I'm just enjoying my food.

The ingredients: Ya Kun Kaya jam (a present from a friend who went home for a brief visit from Singapore, thanks to her), butter and pandesal (the pandesal is not the one from my favorite baker but i'm hungry so I don't mind).

Before toasting the pandesal, I spread the Kaya jam and topped it with butter.




The semi-soft boiled egg with about half a teaspoon of soy sauce to taste (this is what they do in Singapore instead of sprinkling with salt and pepper). For the Pinoy version, I used Datu Puti soy sauce. Couldn't get more Pinoy than that. A 'datu' with my egg, why not?? The egg was supposed to be really soft-boiled and a bit saucy and soggy but somehow I overcooked it. Or subconsciously perhaps I just enjoy hard eggs more (ooops!there goes the double meaning.wink!).


Here was my meal before it went down to my tummy.

And to cap it off for dessert I had fried bananas and voila! just finished my weekend lunch without rice for a change.