Living Simply

St. Claire, poverty of the soul, living simply, possessed by Jesus...



I am Catholic, you know that, I believe and study the lives of saints. St. Claire is one that I admire, she chose to live simply, so that she will not be distracted and so she can devote her life to Jesus. Sometimes, I have to check myself about my love for the process of preparing food, that I may be remiss, and get too hang up on it. Just as Dave Lettermen mentioned in his tv show, clip above, we are not contented with just one food channel, there has to be a second food channel. Notice how there are restaurants upon restaurants trying to outdo each other as being the best, trying to satisfy that need to be the first to experience, to taste.  So, if I look at that desire deeper, do I see pride?

Ah, we just can't escape from those deadly sins, always tempting us to be distracted from Lordy. So, if I get into too much food entries or restaurant reviews will you remind me about it? I do get carried away sometimes. :)

There has to be purpose and meaning to what I do, not just being able to goble up food and stuff my face ha ha..

Of Grief and Lamentations

Saturday, I was catching up with movies from Netflix, a lot of soppy romance movies, I'm telling you. A good excuse not to do laundry. It was almost mid-day when I woke up, so I tossed the idea of running errands, and a walk around the lake to burn off the gained calories during the week.

In the middle of the Dear John movie, a friend called, asking me to accompany her to purchase an iphone 4. So off we went, me wanting to trade my old iphone, there was a deal going on at AT&T buy two accessories, get one free.

We left the store happy, then off to dinner, I sugested Long Life in Piedmont, an inexpensive Japanese restaurant, but alas, it has closed. I didn't even notice, it was Miechelle's find, it has been a favorite, which turned out to be our once a month place, until she passed.

So we landed at Holly's Mandarin Kitchen, the food was great, service was perfect and the food presentation was wonderful. There's nothing to elaborate on the food, these are comfort foods, familiar, flavors that does not surprise or assault the senses, perfect for a cool evening to update with friends.



Seafood combo, steamed and dipped in soy sauce with lemon



Mongolian beef, not spicy

For dessert, it was fried banana with coconut ice cream with a side of grapes

Drink of choice: Diet Coke

Holly's Mandarin
(510) 652-9678
4080 Piedmont Ave

Oakland, CA 94611

While she was happy with her accomplishments, she was able to buy a brand new car with a five thousand dollar deposit, got her new iphone, and was able to purchase land, vehicles for the business, and is building a house in the Philippines, she is almost giddy that she felt like she has arrived. Of course she credits Lordy for all this, but why are some people not happy with what she has. There is an apparent jealosy, of envy.. hmmmm I griped that if only there is no jealosy, the world will be happy place to live in.  To which she readily responded, öf course, or Satan will have nothing else to do".

True, life is indeed a plate of Chinese noodles, too plain without the sauce, the sauce provides the flavors, melded otherwise it will not be palatable.

It was Friday, a while ago

 It was just Friday, what happened to it.. I drafted this early Saturday morning and now it's afternoon and it is still not finished. Anyway, Friday was a wet-morning rush. Cabbie was short-tempered, easily upset, I sensed a hint of African heritage, as I alit from his cab, I told him, "take it eay, it is not worth the effort to be upset", he smiled and made some excuse, I think, he will be okay and will have a wonderful day haha.

The reason for this mad-dash to work, is because I had a 10:00 meeting with my boss about my performance review, not that there is much to go on,I was only halft time billable, it was a bad year. (that's why you gotta get a-clickin'my dear, I have to have options ha ha). He said he is happy with my work and that I am on top of the list, not sure how I am rated with my peers because I am the only one who has flexibility.

All these made me look at what I really want to do with the rest of my life.  Well, I went as far  as what I will do for lunch, which was a chinese pork with spinach with a side of rice fare at the Bay Fung Tong Restaurant near my work place.


A little salty, otherwise good, completes the food pyramid requirement

 

Of course, there has to be diet coke in the mix

1916 Franklin St
(between 19th St & 20th St)
Oakland, CA 94612

Obviously, not my first visit, but this place is efficient, cleaner than most Chinese restaurants. There are more choices too.

I am guessing that to make this, use the following ingredients:

     garlic (minced)
     spinach
     pork cut into thin strips
     corn starch
     black beans (salted)

Boil the pork in a small pan, water just enough to cover the pork, slow fire so that the pork is cooked without drying the water too soon. Set aside in the corner of the pan, heat a little oil (olive or vegetable) once heated, put the pork back, black beans, a little water, and the minced garlic.  Notice that the garlic was not sauteed, it is to avoid that bitterness caused by over frying. The spinach goes in last. It is cooked, when the spinach is wilted. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch in water add a little soy sauce then put in the mixture in the pan.

Enjoy!

Friday, is also the last day of one of our GIS experts, he is moving to another consulting company, one that we also use to comply with the MBE/WBE requirements. Anyway, we were suppose to meet at this new bar on Grand Avenue, called Era, I said I will go, but decided at the last minute not to..

Friday evening on the next post...

Word of the wise, don't worry about the small stuff, you are responsible for your actions, your words as they are with theirs. Let your actions and your words bother you, not theirs.

In the cube farm

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As I said before, I have been working like crazy these past months, but look at me; I am unwinding with a puter. Despite that it is a little sad, because we had a few folks who left the firm, voluntary and involuntary, and another one who went to Lordy-that’s another post.

So yes, we had a few separations from the firm this month; three left of their own accord-one to work with the competition and the two to set up their consulting firm, the last and the youngest was a victim of this economy. Because he didn’t have that much experience, he didn’t have that expertise to work on other projects in other locations without a mentor.

The first left after almost 20 years of service, he grew up with the firm from one office to another until he landed in the Bay Area and eventually left. He was a little jaded with the way that the office is heading, not realizing that it is reaction to the evolving market. He asked me, what he needs to change about the way he was at work.  Note that technical people have a different way of looking at things; they are pretty driven into getting the results, expecting more grey matter and less of the people-y issues.

Told him that maybe, it is better to relate more to people, compassion, and respect are important, a happy employee, makes a happy worker therefore a better worker. He realized that we do think alike, told him that it is generational ha ha ha.  He was having mixed feelings not wanting to leave, with the idea that he is leaving his family.

The two who were going to set up shop with their names on the letterhead was a little apprehensive and excited about what lies ahead. They were also sorry to leave-when the bossman said, “it’s business as usual and the two week notice is waived”, they didn’t feel so bad after that. I reacted a little negatively, I would have wanted him to be a little gooey, but no he was worried am sure of the revenue, they were 100% billable, ha ha.

Then the last one sits next to me, we review the day’s events was telling him to hang in there, it will get better.  It didn’t, then, he had to go. He can say, “Better to have it happen, early on in my career.”

Oh, there is another one, a satellite in the North Bay closed, the technical folks can telework but the admin staff has to go and she was even working part time.

I am again being reminded that no matter how much we prepare for tomorrow, His will shall prepare. See, you may have a lot of money in the bank at the wrong turn of the economy it will be gone.

Oh gee, I am just babbling here without a point a forced clobut sing.

Collision Zone Part II

A few months back, we figured in a car accident, I have not even completed my insurance claim. The offending car was in a hurry he thought, if he sped up he will make is turn without hitting us. All that to apparently get to a ballgame. We were bruised my friend’s car was totaled, guess it is now with the other clunkers in car heaven.

We were going to a church meeting and I was carrying a cup of diet coke and a box of donuts, the air bag went off and we were bruised, T who was driving got the cool end of it with a sling and something for her finger. L and her friend had to go for chiropractic sessions. My eyeglasses were broken and grazed my skin, bruised from the air bag impact, and bones aiming to dislodge. I didn’t see my life flash before me, so we were okay. Certain that Lordy is always there protecting us.

Anyway, I figured Lordy wanted us to stop the driver from causing a bigger mess on the road. You know what he said, the driver I mean? He said that it’s normal, that’s what insurances are for. How cold is that? I said, he probably didn’t go to church, and a Sunday at that! Isn’t that disturbing?
The bummer was having to wait for too long to get T checked, I didn’t opt for the ER check, went to my doctor instead for a clean bill of health. It was a drag indeed, but we were able to hang out with another friend who is grieving over the loss of her Mom. L’s friend went ahead with her afternoon tap dance performance.

What’s the point in all these? A reminder that we should be grateful for our lives, that we should be content with what we have for it can disappear in a wink. Most of all a testimony to His greatness that he is always there to protect.

Amen?

Collission zone..

Life is so complex that past and present collide making the future blurry, filled with uncertainty. He was bullied as a kid, even as a grown up, for reasons unknown, maybe he is too gentle for his own good. He does not retaliate, he would have been happy hiding behind me, willing for me to fight his battles. He would have been happy with that, content not following a dream, his dreams would be anchored on mine. I left and it shattered everything, it took him a while to recover, to find his bearings, and realized that he has a life to live. I wondered was he too sheltered, we all were, but behind those closeted existence are darkness of infidelity causing pain a deep wrenching of the heart building distrust and agony. I questioned the reason for that, how can rules be laid down and be disregarded, irreverently neglected to follow a darker life. There is always a cause and effect, I used to say, "read, you will find your answers only through discovery." Now, I say, "have you talked to Lordy about it?"

On the one hand, he didn't get as much discipline as the others, he was the baby, the last born. Life was a little better, as a child he would give in tantrums, to fit of anger. I sensed a tendency to hardhandedness. Unlike his gentle brother, he is more head on, less patient. His uncaring ways led to misguided existence -- married or were they? because of a child, a relationship borne out of necessity, presumably to correct a wrong. Such an overlap didn't change anything but rather put them in a quicksand of misery. Frustrated attempts to change put them in deeper pain, something that I don't have a solution for, but to tell Lordy about it. I reckon maybe you need to pray more, it was never meant to be your battle alone. Lordy is with you just listen to what He is saying.

Whoa, life is indeed so complex. Sometimes I'm not sure why they tell me all this, validation? approval? or they want me to tell Lordy for them, like am the right agent or not :). She left her husbad and children to go to a foreign land for a better future for her children. So that they won't have the kind of life that she had. With nothing but her bravura, she embarked and halfway succeeded. But she fell in love with someone that she shouldn't and had to marry another, keeping her lover on the side. She thinks she is handling it all pretty cool, what is happiness anyway, she countered. I dared say to her that at this point it is exciting but once the novelty is gone, she should be ready to deal with the guilt, the repercussions of emotional entanglement, the questioning look of her innocent children.

Faith interrupted..

I have been so busy with work these past weeks or has it been months, project after project, I am never really able to dwell on things, questions unanswered burning in my head.  What I managed to do was separate my questions from affecting my faith that would have caused it to erode into an unbelievable pit of darkness.

Being a recipient of unexpected meanness, unexpected in the sense that the person dispensing it should be dispensing something more soulful than that.  Words uttered that is embarassing to be repeated even to vent about. I accepted and with head vowed tried to recall that humility is a value that we learned and try to practice as a good human being, as children of God.  But I will be pretentious if I say that I wasn't affected, that I wasn't hurt, so I stayed away glad that I am so preoccupied to be eaten by anger causing me to hate.

It is a gift of grace that I have embraced. A friend was not so lucky, for she was a witness to a failed test. A test of ruined relationships, battered emotions, her faith in God is intact but it will take her a long time to go back and find a church, a community where she can be in fellowship with, a fellowship with open heart. She understood that it is a fact of being human, falling and failing, that it is not for her to judge, it is between the person and God. The difficulty arises when we put someone in a pedestal and decide that being elevated to that level will make them saints and will do no wrong. It is a flawed thought, for why else do we go to such lenghts of proving that a person is saint after death. When they can err no more.

That "C" Word Again..

I snuck out from work today, not that anybody will notice as the cube farm is quiet, and visited a friend.  It all started with abdominal pain, she had to stay in the hospital for testing. Then I heard that she underwent surgery.. The prognosis, she has cancer -- of what? that is the question.  The determination will come from the Oncology Department who can't seem to come up with an answer.

The rumor at the hospital she will be discharged tomorrow, she will have to undergo a series of chemo treatment. But no one can tell her anything else.

In the meantime, her only son is agonizing at the thought but can't comprehend any of this..

Such cruelty, she can't even say a direct prayer to God, hah, what will she say, Oh God, I have cancer but I don't know of what.. :) I don't understand, just a little attention-compassion will not really cost anything but will allow her and her family and friends to know better.

eeeeeeek...

Swine flu and other uncertainties..

So I had lunch with the hole makers and others for efforts unrewarded and we got to asking everyone, "who is gainfully employed today".  There were 2 responses on a table for 10, one was slammed as his project is going on construction.  The other is on a missed deadline on a website she is rebuilding, because the original programmer forgot to insert a single line script that will automatically back up the database.

The rest of us were saying, oh we don't mind waiting, nothing is waiting for us.  Somebody mentioned about Mexico the swine flu and the earthquake, that it is double whammy - if the patients are quarantined but have to be evacuated because of the earthquake.  Then somebody said, hmmm if there is an earthquake here in NorCal, the SoCal folks will have a lot of projects and vice versa. See how idle minds work.

Then another group will probably be sold, because they are getting expensive and therefore uncompetitive a lot of things will have to be satisfied if a project is solicited from a consultancy firm. A lot of things going on, too much pressure for the soft hearted. The boss lady is moving to Chicago to follow her love who is on TDY there. The group is shrinking what's going to happen to what's left of it.

Change is indeed imminent.

Who..

At a recent RCIA session, the ethicist lecturer narrated this story and instructed us to rank the characters according to the degree of gravest error, here goes:

Paul, a production manager at a manufacturing plant, called his production supervisor, Juan to his office. He told Juan that needs to set up a factory in a town across the river from the present location. They need the factory to drum up business and Juan is the only person who can do the job.  Juan is hesitant because he is planning to marry his fiance, March as soon as he is able to gather enough funds and he wouldn't want to leave her behind. Paul gave him an ultimatum that if he not set up the factory he will be fired. That being the case, Juan relented and agreed to set up the factory, he was so sad and promised to call Martha every night.  During one of his phone calls to Martha, she sensed the anguish in his heart because of utter  loneliness and she made a decision to visit him.  She however didn't have enough money, a total of $300.oo to take the bus, ferry, and bus to his location. She approached Paul flat out said no despite her pleadings.. On her way home, she mentioned her problem to the ferry owner/driver Aldo, who refused initally. Afer she asked him the second time, he agreed on one condition that she will be his sex slave for a day.  In her moment of desperation, she agreed. So she was able to see her fiancee Juan.

Juan so eagerly met her at the bus station, after showing her around town and his living quarters, they settled down. He prepared a dinner of fish stew and white wine.  As the conversation progressed, Juan asked Martha where she got the money for transportation, she was hesitant at first but with much prodding she told him everything. At that moment Juan had a mental blackout, the woman that she respected, the virtue that they were preserving until marriage was violated. He pounced her on the face and hit her so hard that she collapsed on the floor. 

He didn't even bother to see how she was, he immediately dashed out of the room and went to the local salon.  Not being a drinker, he was drank after 2  orders of cheap brandy. While drinking he was talking to a woman of the night, Magda - telling her of his tales of woe and on his last sip of his drink, he decided to buy what she is offering. He woke up in her bedroom and realized that everything has crumbled that the life that they have planned for is gone.

There is no right or wrong answer. [polldaddy poll=1575120]

Priceless ...

I was walking home one afternoon, contemplating on the inevitables of this economy, brooding at the possibilities-the options available. When Lordy nudged me, saying it is not the end of the world, something good is going to come out of this.. and whoa right in front of me an early view of spring. 

Beautiful isn't it? And it's free..

There is an app for that..

Yeah, there is an app for that..

• When you turn 28, invite your friends to a hike, a dinner, and a visit to the Eucharist


• or 35, to a wine bar;


• or almost 47, that happens to be a one year anniversary, a Vietnamese dinner followed by coffee and a piece of cake;

Well, I was going to be cute here, with that opening salvo, and I have somehow lost my momentum. I really should start writing down those occurences when it hit me:)

So, I am going to put this to rest and consider it as a W-I-P.

Funny, silly, crazy, and everything in between!

Do you want to cook on Friday? Says the email, of course was my response.. I was thinking, maybe I will make a pie.. I didn't have a chance too, they came laden with ingredients, for dinner and Christmas presents. See the chocolate pretzels? That's not mine, ha ha.. We were treated to ratoutuille (sp) and mulled merlot.  Absolutely delightful, the main part is the conversation, which led T sprawled on the floor with tea splashed all over.  (Sorry girl, I had to share that:).

But that's not all, we took a friend to a hotel where she is billeted for a week, she was not thrilled with the prospect -- it is something that she had to do.  That dampened our spirits -- we consoled each other with more mulled drinks..

Does that count for contemplative period during Advent?

It was my birthday..

Yup, it was my birthday last week, it was a quiet celebration,  a reaction to the economic downturn that seems to brew into a recession. I am somehow nudged about this storm that's slamming the country and the world. There's got to be a positive note somewhere, somehow, maybe that of going back to the grassroots, living simply, realizing that consumerism does not make up life, that it is merely a tool. There are things that need to be savored and enjoyed, like our faiths, our lives, and the people around us.

The week before my birthday, I have been cleaning, doing LAUNDRY-my nemesis, the bane of my existence; it took a while to put everything away. That resulted into my downsizing, simplifying, and getting rid of things that I don't need anymore.  Whew, am still not finished but I am beginning to see light.

While doing that, I was able to make macaroni salad (Pinoy Style), recipe below:

crushed pineapple
raisins
carrots boiled and squared
pickle reslish
onion finely chopped
mustard
mayonnaise
hardboiled eggs sliced thinly
salad or elbow macaroni
chopped celery
salt and pepper to taste
pickled bits
boiled chicken shredded

  Portion according to desired quantities. The mixture presents a very colorful, fallish dish. Scoop mayonnaise unto a bowl, drop ingredients individually mixing throughly as you do. After you have determined the right amount and taste, put the macaroni in. Mix thorouly, chill, and enjoy.

Wait, so during Wednesday's Bible Study we had a celebration, then a gathering at a friend's house for cupcake decorating, it was a pleasant birthday. Will update with pictures.

A Magnified View...

I forgot to have my eyes checked until I found it difficult to read; for a while I relied on this magnifier. The glasses took too long to arrive, of course it has to be a stylish one, which the optician claims was ordered direct from Europe.  Yeah, right and I am the queen of England, eh! And I thought that I won't have to use these implements for a really long time.  But hey, it worked, gave me a bigger perspective.  It is not macro view that is wide  but an enlarged one, I was able to see the littlest specks.

Ah, how refreshing to be able to see things on a higher scale..

I was reminded of my faith sharing at RCIA recounting how I was clearly doing substantial compliance and not really establishing a personal relationship with God in my younger days because of the confusion that the Church and society has imposed itself upon me. Then there were the readings and the Gospels the past weeks and next week, where I was struck with the following verse, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

My friend reflected that this calls for us to claim ownership on our sins and be responsible for it.  I agree, most of the time we rely on that scoresheet, comparing the gravity of our offenses, searching for something that will mitigate. Truth is, since we are justified by God, we should be righteous by Him, therefore our offenses are against Him too. So, we can't disown others just because they don't think like we do or have a different way of expressing their faith.

The idea was confirmed when my boss called me and a co-employee to share her personality analysis. How flexible is she, how these results can be used to make adjustments so that she can be a successful person both in her career and in her personal life. I was not interested at all, I merely said to her, not to lose herself in the process nor change her personality for that perceived success. I had to check myself, I wanted to say, try God.

 

 

Pho and those Vietnamese Delights..I am Past the Blogging Impasse

Whoa, I think I am past the blogging impasse, the writing occurrence is back.  I tell you it is not a pretense when the writers are saying they are having a block. Even my electronic mumblings drew a blank, I credit my editing class for that; because of the consciousness to dot the eyes and cross the tees I lost context and

became so aware of the form.  Not a good thing, as long as the ideya is there, one Pinoy colleague said.

Anyway,  I found this Pho restaurant, Pho King, through a friend and discovered a dish that is now a favorite, the Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo). So between slurps of pho soup and big bites of pancakes we talked about our faith, our concerns, and other issues that cloud our existence. This is where we have allayed our doubts and somehow gained confidence that we are going to be okay as long as we are with Him.  Girl downloads, seeking validation, approval, even a slight tap on the wrist saying it's not kosher seems to be all appropriate as words are uttered with bowed heads, evading a reaction, and just pretending to focus on the flavors of the pho.

Now, I am a regular, I go there for the pancake, I have influenced my Pinoy friends to this version of our ukoy and mami. 

Pho King
638 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
510.444.0448

Heartbreaks...put a brake on that hurt

My schedule, even play days, has been erratic, Saturday afternoon classes made sure of that.  That has certainly put a dent on time spent with friends; free times were spent more on catching up with laundry and other grown up stuff. Have not even had a cooking session, a movie, or the occassional St. Albert spiritual feed; on Sunday, I might.  Class is over and I missed the new one, I can ruminate of what I have missed and what Lordy wanted me to see..

Anywhoo, just like any, such a change provided  different opportunities to interact with others.  Lordy was showing me something I just need to figure it out.  You see being a member of a community, I get to share the excitement of a new day, the promise of hope, a new tomorrow.  That's the upside, the downside, I put out my shoulders, my ears are big to listen to the heartache, the failed love, the unending despair, where the end of a rainbow seems so unreachable.

I always say, that it is not His will, therefore it doesn't happen.  I know I have no clue as to how much a betrayal hurt that I am not qualified to even opine about it.  But this much I know, if a person did not think twice about dating her best friend's boyfriend then they don't really know much about what Lordy is saying in the Bible about loving thy neighbor as much as He is loved.

There is also that frustation in realizing that the woman that he loves does not fit the mould.  Therefore, the love that he thought he had is gone.  Is that really love? When he was talking about his feelings and his Christianity, I was wowed, saying to myself, that is great to find someone in the presence of God. The bubble burst and I was left with wonder; It was superficial a bad perception of how things should be.

ehhh.. What do I know?

Bit the Bullet, Spill the Milk, and other Cliches

I was going to say, no need for an explanation about my erratic blogging, but that will constitute a cliche, for why say it if it is not necessary, hah! The languange of the Queen has indeed envolved. Cliche is the subject matter of this afternoon's class. Something that is not really alien to me, since my native languange is expressed in idioms, most of the time. Examples are, "when the crow turns white" or "when the frog has hair" that means whatever is being said is impossible or as a crow is black and will always be black and the frog will never have hair.

I have been cooking, cooking well at that.  I find that the kitchen is a good place for me to unwind and because I have been haning out with another Pinoy, I have been cooking Pinoy food.  Following  the marketman does not help my cuase :).  It is really good therapy for me, I can think and figure things out while slicing and sauteing.  I will venture into baking soon..

Anyway, it's been a month since "my so called friend" divorced me. She sent me an email saying she is severing her ties with me, even my being her godmother. I laughed so hard when I read it, it so ridiculous. Ricidulous because I pictured her, coming from the clouds in a godlike manner (not using the name of the Lord in vain here) Stop loving me! and the promise that I made to God that I will be with her to honor Him will be discontinued, sort of disavowing the covenant that was presented in the altar, the very place where we worship.

Afterwhich, my human being allowed anger to seep in. I figured any relationshp is a two-way street, there should be reciprocity. As the days go by, wisdom has taken over, I realized that this person may not even know what love is, cliche-ic as it may sound.  I drew this conclusion when she said, "you have not done naything for me". I was floored, I didn't know that there is a scorecard somewhere. There are things that I live by, I don't give to repay, I don't dish out empty compliments, or I don't show false affection.  Now, if they can't see how important they are to me, then I rest my case. Nothing that I do will make it evident, for what's the point of shouting to the world, actions speak louder that words.  My affection should be felt no declarations, necessary.

I am constantly praying for her that she will find emotional maturity, that she is able to know that there are people who loves her unconditionally.  Hoping that she will learn how to do the same. 

There, I have populated this blog with so much cliche, I should get a passing mark :)

Looking back-a musing of sorts, amusing thoughts in search of my muse

There are so many things worth mentioning, as the past 3 weekends I was caught in a frenzy of being with friends whom I don't see as often as I wish. Then it goes in a cycle, that I would see them at least once a month to catchup mostly and to see if we are still alive and happy.  Hence, the question "Are you happy?".

But I was happiest when I met with this friend, well first she called and in her overexcited tone, gushed, I get it .. I get it, what you have been sharing with me.  What is going on, I am clueless, then she said, in a chuckle, it is all Lordy, I am happy because of Him. So I don't have this, my being complete is having Him in my life, all others don't matter.  Besides I learned not to take things personally.  I am liking this, whew, that took too long. That was momentous, I was almost in tears when she finished with her story. 

Wow, if that is the kind of news I am going to get, I will welcome that every time. 

Relationships that didn't work, we looked at it as a sign from Lordy that he is not the one, that it is time to search for someone whom she can have and hold. She is too busy anyway.  On another hand, there are relationships that are blossoming despite the trials, the differences in personalities, it is all sooo beautiful.

Plans of settling down, the roles that friends will eventually play in rearing children, in family life, I said, yes of course.  Themes, ahh too many to recount, all in a good, happy tone. 

Hotel T is abuzz, guest after guest after guest, she is celebrating these visits with cooking, movies, and short trips, I know she would sneak in a St. Albert's visit or two.:)

Next week is hectic, it seems that the world is revolving around the 21st, too many things going on, I would like to be in all of them, but can't have to choose the first one I said yes to. In the meantime, laundry and sewing will just have to wait for another day.

Coming from an appointment, I had lunch with Umberto Eco and his Travels in Hyperrality at a Vietnamese resto. I love how he weave his words, talk about maniacally faked museum displays.  He is a perfect company to this dish of fried fish in coconut milk with mushrooms and bean threads.  It was priced like dinner though, increasing gas price is affecting the food market severely.  Going back to Umberto, he didn't agree with another outing at a Japanese place with tempura udon, too hard to navigate.  But the Japanese place worked with a friend, now I am bloated to the point of stupor, and I have homework to do.

In the meantime, I am thinking of lavender spice, summer savory, and some marjoram, to grill some aging beets from a farmers market trip of 3 weeks ago.  I am sure it will be suffused with flavor and will make for an enjoyable meal.  That will certainly help extenuate indulgences of the previous days.

Speaking of aging, I was waiting for my ride, one morning at the lobby of my apartment bldg.  The lobby has this big mirror, to give the impression of roominess.  I was examining my morning fresh skin ha ha.. when lo and behold I saw this tiny wrinkles creeping on my neck.  Almost like the one's on your jeans when you pretend that it was pressed but just got creased in the closet but by the end of the day, the fabric would loosen and crease had vanished. In this case, the neck wrinkles will not go away, instead it will multiply, ha ha, I sure wish for every wrinkle there is that will grow on this face there is an equivalent good deed or some amount of wisdom earned.

Finally, to close this hodge podge of unrehearsed thoughts, somebody made a comment on "The sum of all fears" post and claimed that pride and God are synonymous.  Why does it feel like evil and good put together. Oh well, I am not going to respond to that, an oxymoron, that's what it is.

Chikka...

Recounting the days..

The days moved so fast that I can't even remember where it went. I recall getting reaquainted with the Adobe Suite, trying to create kewl projects and more recently, P3, that complicated scheduling software.

My kitchen had some activity, inspired by the numerous food blogs that I have been visiting, I was able to make a small jar of preserved lemons, kiwi preserves, kiwi salad dressing.  Will try to make cookies for a meeting on Tuesday.

"xx is going to be the maid of honor, unless you want to be", an indirect invitation from a friend.  I replied, she knew you first, let her have that honor.  I know, I will always be special.  Indeed it is, to be a part of someone's life is an honor, something that is cherished. Realizing that as we grow with more wisdom, we are able to discover and understand the roles that people play in our lives.  The closer we are to someone the more complicated it is.. Complicated in the sense that our umbillical cords may be connected, without respect it will be meaningless.

Anyway, as the title says, recounting the days, that is I wasn't remmebering but re-calculating the days, the future, as I see the lives of others, I get excited at what I see. The future the almost leg buckling promise of what it will bring. Sometimes we don't even notice, we go full charge without even hesitating, the anticipation, heart pounding so hard I can almost hear it.  But wait it is theirs, not mine, the eagerness, the beckoning seemed so real, as I was watching in the sideways.  That's it, I was only watching, therefore I can cheer, make a few adjusting recommendation.  I was not part of the play, that's why I can move as freely as I want to..

The arrival may not be as grand as originally envisioned, it may come unnoticed, just because there was noone to enjoy, to savor the joy of success, but rather, a new game with a new set of players is on stage, replacing the ones that just occured.