GTG: Honorary member, the honor of belonging

Jaime Fox on Robert Downey, Jr.,  "you are an honorary black man, because you have been in jail twice".  Statement by a black man to a white man, without offending any sensibilites, becaase it was said a black man on a black subject.

The same thing was mentioned at a dinner party I attended some weeks back, there was a Chinese guy, who has a PhD in Chemistry, not that it mattered, but he will say something negative about the Chinese culture, followed by a clarificatory remark that he is Chinese, therefore he can say it.

It was a lovely dinner that one, hosted by a friend, it was the first time that I went, she has been inviting me ever since I met her, it was always in conflict with another event or there is no means to get there. This time another friend is going so that was kewl.

It was an interesting mix and so conversation flowed from smoking pot, sex and the stand of the pope on condoms. tesla cars, trips, etc. because of the different background opinions also differs. Some of the remarks:

I was not Catholic but I studied in Catholic schools, so I guess it was okay, by my parents too, to convert me, although they weren't successful. I lived in Italy, even the Italians don't take it that seriously.

Can't stay in Turkey for more than a week, if you like pork, you will start to miss it.

Everything that we say or do is a sin and we are going to go to hell.

There were at least 2 people from different cultures and who have not smoked pot their whole lives. They don't find a reason to.

The sad thing about the media is when they highlight certain issues, for example the comment of the Pope about the use of condoms. They stopped listening after that, they didn't hear the qualifying statement that a prostitute who uses condoms so as not to spread disease is showing remorse and cautions for the exercise of profession and is therefore exercising a Christian conscience. But still the use of condom by a husband and wife as not being accepted in church still holds.

It seems that smoking pot is not gauged by a person's intelligence but rather how content he is with his life, Lordy has to factor in on this right? For where do you gain your contentment and the natural joys of life but from him.

I find that people have their own convictions, whether it is just based on hearsay, well thought of, or plain belief in the truth, and to dissuade them will be a lost cause. Rather to plant the seed of new ideas or to show the benefits and joys reaped from my belief is something worthwhile to do. Respect for others is a virtue stemming from God's desire for us to show compassion and love for one other no matter what circumstance they may have.

Have you hear of the new Tesla cars, these are the new electric cars, manufactured in the Palo Alto and will now be manufactured in the old Nummi plant, efficient production, marketed and sold inhouse. There will be not dealership. A different model altogether but looks promising, they have a waiting list for their 100K priced cars and later they will start to manufacture and sell affordable sedans.

Have not seen these but I heard there were 3 cars, Saturn included, different manufacturers, same size, shape just different logo, now that's making fun of the consumers.

Thanks Mari for such a wonderful dinner, and if you like it, feel free to share your recipe for pinacolada and the other wonderful food that you served.

Note: GTG is get together not got to go, a misnomer wouldn't you say so?

Food Porn: Holiday Food Pix

Struppoli by Rowena, this was from a recipe by Giada, Rowena was so excited about this dessert.  You know in Pinoy culture, we must have gotten this from our Chinese ancestors, round foods, fruits in the new year, signifies prosperity.

My brother made this crown of ribs with a marinade of different sauces available in his fridge, laced it with a bit of brandy and it came out good, he said. No wonder, his son is a little hyper, I can hear him yelling and running around on the phone.

This is a fritata that I served for breakfast for Victoria and her kids when they visited on Christmas break, the recipe of which, I have shared here, the variation is I didn't saute the tomatoes instead I topped it when I was ready to finish up in the oven.

Nabeyake Odun from Osaka Sushi on Castro in SFO, where I ended up from an appointment in Walnut Creek missing my stop.





Mussels in coconut milk, served at a "Pasasalamat Dinner" hosted by the Klimeks. Another post for another day.

Cassava cake made by Weng in my kitchen, the reason why I have ingredients handy, my friends cook when they visit. Recipe on another post later.

Enjoy!

G is for Good Food and Good Friends

Are you one of  those who can easily move on, tossing outdated magazines without looking back? Just moving forward? I can't, I have a stack of magazines, unlistened outdated podcasts, that I hope to get back to, even drafts of unfinished posts, hoping that I will be able to complete. There is just so much to go back to before one can move forward. Recipe for life.  Here is one of the old posts.

Before we moved to our present office, three units were cramped in one floor while construction is going on in the other floor.  Quasi-strangers were discovering the other members of the firm whom we would otherwise not know.  I had a new neighbor G, I worked with her a few years ago and would just say hello.  I saw her in a Shakespeare in the park show, "The Taming of the Shrew" her son was so young then. Now, her son is already going 18.

I am slow that way, I don't plunge unceremoniusly into things, a Filipino trait, we dance and skirt around until we are sure that it is the right thing to do. Hence, I have alot of treasure friends who are still with me to this day, even friends from Kindergarten.

Anyway, I found that she majored in Nutrition in college and knows her food flavor and color that we became friends and Friday lunch buddies.  We have tasted and compared flavors and appreciated our lunch hours. Hardly do we talk about work or the personalities at work.  We talk more about what we are planning to cook during the weekend. In fact we are going to set a cooking session in her new kitchen, in their new house, but before that we are going to go crazy at the Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley.

Started to share with her my cooking travails and experimentation and of course the postings here.  She shared some goodies with me too:

.

Cashew Nuts that I enjoyed at a Sound of Music Sing Along, a post for another day

My favorite, persimmons rich vitamin C and has antioxidants

I also got to taste her Christmas cookies, pretty tasty.. I will probably be able to convince her to be a guest blogger here and share with us her wonderful creations.

Thoughtful recipes: Saturday fritata and blueberry muffins

Saturday was the last day of our Bible Study for the year, it has evolved a great many times.  Now, people are moving on, a friend and I decided to stick to it, since we have declared every other Saturday, as time reserved for that purpose and to hang out, discover new restaurants, scour through repurpose items, look for interesting craft items, pray, and adore Him. It has bee 5 years for me, to others more. It has seen happier moments, of babies, marriages, of someone's passing, the breakdown of marriages, travels, life - trials and tribulations.

I was finishing making breakfast, in between talking about old age, personal summers, and the requirements for a successful aging, personality. Which I beg to differ, personality is the result of environment and its influences, even chemical imbalance in the brain, whereas character breeds from the soul.

A podcasted HBR interview on the Starbucks turnaround from the brink of destruction to a continuing growth, touched on social construction and social constructivism. If I remember correctly, this was a 1976 sociology theory. Social construction, it seems is a response to certain scenarios. Clearly, a response to external reaction,  or the general precepts, that unconsciously forms our opinions. Is it cultural? It is not too individualistic because it is being formed from what is obvious.  This is of course, different from the infantile attitude where one is bereft of rational or logical way of thinking. Rather. the thinking process is centered on emotions, which when examined closely is more of the id.  An unChristian way to do, or the Michavellian way where it is not just the attention that is sought but how they will benefit though fair means or foul. For some reason, CS Lewis"' Mere Christianity, came to mind. Where he said, if kindness is not inherent in you, that means you have have not earned the virtue, it is okay to preted to be kind, as it will grow into you, virtousness will come. Is it virtousness or virtousity?

Whooow, I am digressing, I was going to share with you, what I served during this breakfast. Honestly, I was going to suggest to just meet at a diner, but L was rather rushed during her turn, and I felt I need to return the compliment. :)

Cooking is such a joy for me, it is also while cooking that I formulate all this ideas, the beginning of a social construction :).

Anyway, the blueberry muffin was from James McNair's Breakfast, except that I thought I had maple syrup, alas! I threw it away, there was maple sugar which I can't find.  It turned out a little light, which is good. It didn't contribute to the grief of my arteries.

Here's the recipe:

Then I made fritata, like most of the items that I create is dependent on what is in the fridge, so for this:

Ingredients:

olive oil to saute

half a head of onion cubed

zuchini, cut in cubesbaby spinach (i like to cut the stems - this is an optional step)

4 eggs
milk or water as a softening agent for eggs
basil, optional
pepper and salt
cheese (can be cubed or grated) (I can't find my cheese grater so I used the
citrus zester, it worked.

Preheaat oven in 250 or don't turn off your oven after you have removed your muffins, in a medium-sized pan, heat olive oil, then caramelized the onions, followed by the zuchini, sprinkle a little salt (not sure it if changes the water content of the zuchini, once it is wilted, add the spinach. While this is cooking, in a mixing bowl beat the eggs with the milk, add a little salt and pepper. Once the spinach is wilted, but not totally cooked, pour in the egg, fold a little so that the egg mixture will sit at the bottom of the pan. At this time, you want the fire to be on low or medium, once the egg has settled or firmed a little, top with cheese, finish  cooking in the oven, broiled but very slow and should be in the middle position. You are only cooking the top and melting the cheese without burning. Serve on pan, can be served with creme fraiche or sour cream. Side of bacon, fresh fruit for dessert, which I forgot to serve.

I like to make meals where there is versatility and flexibiity of ingredients, that I am not tied to one method and limited to certain ingredients.  There is no creation in the process but rather the implementation or the execution of someone else's creation.

Wait, that is just 3 hours or so of my Saturday, there is more gastronomic activities done during the weekend.

Enjoy!



Pinoy Recipe: Chicken Afritada

The following is an exchange of email from a friend about chicken afritada.

De:  So, R is planning to invite his co-workers over for dinner and he commented how much he liked your simple dish of chicken stew from the last time you had us over. I'd like to try to make that for this dinner...the dish with chicken, tomato paste, potatoes, and veggies...I hope you recognize which one I'm talking about. So when you have a chance, can you email me the recipe?

Me:  So, because I don't follow a recipe I am giving you a recipe, with tips on how I make it.
I don't particularly like to see the shape of a leg, it does not absorb the flavor in cooking process, it is not too economical, and if you are serving more than 1 viand, as Pinoys are wont to do then there will be a lot of left overs of the guests' plates.

Afritada Recipe from a Filipino Cookboosk

The image of afritada from the cookbook

So, I cut the chicken into 1 inch bits the rest of the ingredients are cut in the same size (this is so that it is convenient to eat, nothing falling off the flatware)

If you want it to be a little sweet, add raisins, or a little sour add pickle relish, and olives for a little saltiness. You can add all of these too ..

 Ingredients:

     Olive Oil
     chicken thighs
     2 pcs good sized potatoes
     2 pcs potatoes (red skin)
     1 pc carrot
     bell pepper
     fish sauce
     ground pepper
     raisins
     olives
     onions
     garlic

What I do is in a heavy bottom pot, i saute the diced onions, tomatoes in olive oil, then the chicken until a liltle brown, add tomatoes, add the potatoes and carrots, enough water to cover the chicken, let simmer for hours, halfway through you can add pickles, olives, and raisins (optional)..the water would have evaporated leaving a thicker, flavorful sauce.  season to taste. This is best when the potatoes are really cooked that it renders as a thickening agent.  When it is almost done, add the bell pepper.



My version

As a variation (because of the versatility of the ingredients). If you add basil and other herbs it will have italian flavors cumin will be mexican. etc.

De: Thank you so much for taking the time to send this. I love how you write...even with a simple message as below, you have a way with words. I had to look up the definition of viand (an item of food)!

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.

Discoveries..

It used to be, having the  upbringing that I had, that there is always a benchmark. A measure for everything and respect is measured by wether one meets that criteria.  As I mataure and get closer to Lordy, understanding His teachings, I discovered that there is no such thing.  That the benchmark is only to determine categories but not to judge or marginalize people.  People are individuals and are humans.. No objectifying required.

It made me understand that people are behaving as a response to their being "them". Like how I was reacting because of how I was brought up, until I realized that there is another way. That made it better more livable, otherwise I would have lived in a glass jar and the walls are getting closer and closer, a boring existence. It is wonderful to discover then how a person reacts, thinks, what brings them joy and ponder on it.

Image from: http://www.hivangiang.org/

The same goes for food, while there are constants like, ginger and garlic does not seem to go well together,  but if you make a mistake, perhaps a little sugar or more onions will do the trick. Or following a recipe to the letter, if a good one will make a good dish to serve to guest, but where is the excitement there.  Discovering what flavors meld well would be my preferred method. The joy is in the discovery, not of what others have done but what your tastebuds is telling you. Spitting it out and hastily throwing things out is acceptable.

That's how I cook, how I deal with life, why I am enjoying little discoveries, and if things don't turn out right, I can spit it out :).

Orangie Food

Lunch at work on last week consisted of a salad, mandarin orange, peach halves and this multigrain chips. It's funny that I would sometimes prefer canned fruits versus the fresh ones. See, when I was growing up fruits were organic and fresh nothing of the canned variety. So, it is more of a treat than anything else.

Except that the bug killer then was DDT, later on banned from use because of it's cancer causing properties. Paregoric the cure all stomach ache elixir was also banned because of opium properties. This was banned in the 70's, boy I grew up with all these. I now remember, merthiolate, merchurochorme, and all the medications then seems to start with sulpha. Sorry, this is so off topic.

I was talking to a friend at breakfast yesterday after mass at Cafe Trieste having rubberized scrambled egg and country potatoes that seem to have seen it's glory days, I didn't have what they are known for beautiful cakes and pastries and just delicious.

Anyway, the conversation led to thanksgiving food and how she hated creamed corn. I said that it's one of my favorites. She said it's canned and not tasty at all.  That's when we realize the contrast in our lives, how she liked the organic and fresh foods, while I would approve canned fruits etc, as cited above.

So, where did the orangie food, the topic of this posting come from and going to.  Hey, I didn't promise that my posts will be sane and flowing correctly.  But do you notice that sometimes the color of the food makes for an appetizing one?  Although, I must admit that the color blue, or any non food color will have no appeal to me.

Are you planning your thanksgiving already? Don't forget the reason for the holiday, it is not just to gorge on turkey, but to be thankful for what we are and where we are today.

I was touched by Midas...

Turned me into a golden girl.. yup that was last year, then I was thinking of making a grand entrance in the grown up world.. Sort of like a debutant,  being presented to the society.. a coming out party.. In my case, it would have been something like err.. future wheelchair client or depend user..ha ah.. Does that sound pathetic.. no I am a realist, kinda enjoying it...

Anyway, so I was thinking of having a big bash, but in this economy, it didn't seem right and self-focus does not really fall right into the Christian doctrines that I am trying to practice.

Aging, in today's world seems to be equated with the what ifs, should haves and not an inner peace or conentment, which is the source of real happiness.  But how can I say, that I am old I can't be the president of some company or the country when that is not the direction that I am heading. Or being a nerosurgeon, when I am even a receptionist at a clinic.  Ha ha, what I really want to be is to be a simple "kusinera" maybe work in a soup kitchen..

Anyway, so when friends ask if I want to celebrate, I politely declined, asking if they can donate instead to a cause that I was supporting at work.  Does that sound a candidate for martyrdom? No, I was discovering the joys of humility, the real one.. the antithesis of pride.  I was beginning to discover that underlying evil of pride and I can tell you, it is not pretty.

So, that's the reason for this long silence, plus as life would have it, I have experienced some departures from this world, can't compete with Lordy eh.. a good friend decided that she has had enough in this distressful existence and at a young age left, she would have been married by now.. and to think that we were just talking about her wedding, even to the last details as to the toast, etc. She did offer me the maid-of-honor position, but I know her other friend is more deserving.

My mentor, who taught me about corporate law and to read and read and be aware of developments around me. She came in to work at banker's hour, to give me time to sneak in and she beat me to it. She would give me a ride home, but that didn't come free, I would get lectures on the importance of trust, of credibility of quality of work. 

My DAD, whom I had a trying relationship when I got older and supposedly became wiser. It is when he is gone that I discovered that he was such a great dad, the person that he is.

Another friend, who would have been but is not, a case of two opinionated Economics-trained but not practising professionally can be a detraction.  What with all those pent up ideas about demand and supply, about outsourcing which was not the model during our time.

A good friend from high school, who 30 years after was still a friend.  How we cherished our days of discovering what life was all about, plotting our future not knowing what the variables are, just that we were going to college and that all bets are on.  Who would think that the big C will strike, instead of the future we would talk about hurrying up to see her, as there might not be time.  That we would joke about having cancer is not an excuse to be special, that she is just our special friend, a dear one with our without.

One's passing is not morbid at all, it is a phase to move on, to be with Lordy as we are wont to be. With those passing came new lives, weddings, births, beginnings, discovering Lordy, joining an order.

Ah, yes, I was touched by Midas, I am now golden, in spirit, in my heart, and raring to take on what Lordy would like me to experience.

It is a phase, I don't know how different it is going to be.. so join me for this ride...

There is a new resto in my neck of the woods..

Some weeks ago, I met a friend at the Sidebar on Grand Avenue, we didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar--who did we see, people from church, ha ha you can't have an affair in this neighborhood, you just might bump into your confessor. The food was good, we had crostini topped with duck liver, deviled egges, frites, beans with trout, and something else that I can't remember.  For a new place, the place is abuzz, price is good, the ambiance is good, service is surprisingly outstanding. I said surprisingly because it doesn't seem to be a priority anymore.

This first outing -life, projects, faith filled the conversation. On a second outing last week, I was starving and had a bowl of mussels over shoestring potatoes in cream sauce, it's different but I liked it and I had the crostini with duck liver, what can I say, I love foie gras, and there is a new drink that I discover called Zamboanga, which is an island in the Philippines. I have always been a red drinker aside from a rare ameretto, but this is the bomb, ha ha, not because of the name but it is a good cocktail drink, very light with a slow kick.

Single women, that we are conversation of course led to dating and all that.  So, as we were seated at the bar, my friend told me to scope the room and see if the one I would be attracted to was in the room, I said, no. Well, because my type is an average Joe, a boring looking caucasian man, sorry I have the Kingkong mentality ha ha. She talked about a blind date who was all that when they were talking on the phone, a Catholic, prays the rosary regularly, hmmm possible. Who turned out to be a middle-aged Berkely man, long hair, fit, seemed like, he just stopped what he was doing to meet her. Liked beer but didn't check if the Trappist is open on Mondays, wanted to see a movie (on a first date?) can't decide what he wanted to see, went instead for ice cream but he didn't have cash on him. Whoops that's too many whammies! Next, she said.

But going back to the food, it is good, the noise level of the restaurant is a bit high but tolerable.

      542 Grand Ave
      Oakland, CA 94610-3515
      (510) 452-9500
     Get directions

Now, I am going back to bed :) Good morning!

The Saturday that was a while ago..

Yesterday morning, I attended a mass officiated by the Bishop of Oakland in the Cathedral, it was a mass for the youth of Oakland--not to say I am one. It turned out to be a celebration for St. John, one of the first priests, it is the year of the priests, after all, didn't know that. The Bishop was wearing his hat, as an inspiration to the youths in their vocation, to answer God's calling. He said vocation is not a career is not something that you have to be good at, often mistaken for as ways to be famous, make money, an oxymoron if you would look at it. The former being selfless, a response to a deeper call, giving of oneself without any expectation of a reward. Whereas the latter is so full of self, popularity, wealth, and success. Wow!

So after mass, I went next door to do a little bit of work until it is time to go to a celebration for a friend.  It was her birthday it is also a sort of celebration to her liberation from her aversion to anything techie, (oooh that's too may tion there) she just got an Iphone and is enjoying it.  What is it that they say, there is an app for that.  All in all it was a good gathering, easy and relaxing. Ohhh, the margarita was strong and I discovered a summer pie, a no bake lemonade pie.  Yummm.. no pix this time, in the next gathering perhaps.. hint hint.. 

One of the gifts that she received was a book on zodiac signs (Catholic readers, don't flinch it's just a game :)) where there is a category called luncheon meat, the Libran spam is corned beef. My friend's husband's spam is olive, he cringed saying it is something that he hated as a child, eliciting a question as to what would he prefer listening to Elvis or eating an olive spam, he said none of the above.

Anyway, as soon as I got home, I went to bed being tired from all that activity, I am getting old, one event is enough for me.. Well an early bed does not work for me, woke up from a NAP energized to update this blog.

Oh! some days you will read me weaving words around subjects that does not seem to matter or those that matter but would segue into something else, consider it as a practice in writing. An effort to rehearse the crafting of worthy prose, I have not given up on my desire to write when I grow up, he he.. Factoid or urban legend, did you know that these days part of one's portfolio includes Facebook, Twitter, and a blog, so if you are applying for a job that involves writing, you should have a blog to show proof , the others are I guess proof that you know and use the technology available. They do search for you online, word of the wise, go easy on what you say as it may haunt you when you don't expect it.

Bistro de Manila (Filipino Restaurant) in Oakland..

It's not really the bistro that we know of, metal and glass tables with antique looking chairs, outside seating, cozy. It turned out that the origins of bistro is french and russian and that it means something that is quick.  This Bistro is actually an all you can eat restaurant.  Although, how much can one eat for lunch is relative,  it is a place lined with trays of different types of food, certainly can make one eye-hungry.  I think in the 70's  this type of restaurant is called smorgasboard.

 And here is what yelp had to say.  I have sworn off this place several times, but I always come back-to fulfill the craving from Pinoy food.

365 19th Street
Oakland, Ca 94612

Newsflash! We were at the restaurant that week, chatting with the owner who gave us a frequent diner card. What do you say, a few days after I came back, the place is closed and is under construction for a Vietnamese restaurant.  Oh well, that's the PInoy.. no details whatsoever..

Pizza,mousse, and churchie talks

I think this was the week before the Holy Week, they were going for a retreat in Denver  (not sure about this link, they will comment on it, if it is not), So they decided that we should cook and enjoy a movie or something. But I wasn't feeling up to it, T came with her organic and healthy pizza ingredients, we were both lazy. L came late of course, with the dessert ingredients, she was the only one cooking :).  We ended up ordering pizza from pizza rustica, gluten free and vegetarian, how sad is that ha ha.. 

Whatever we do, discussion always segued into churcie talks, how progressive can a Catholic church be without defying the dictum, the teachings of the church.  Recall that the Catholic Church does not only rely on the Scripture, the teaching and the doctrine, and its traditions. Sometimes we got hangup on what should and what shouldn't be, but then when do we stop participating in activities that defies the things that the Church represents.

 It is certainly a call that we each have to answer, we are answerable to our conscience, to God, and the creatures that we co-exist with. It is indeed mind boggling to say that we comply, that we are not rightfully the children of God.  But we can't be that, we are forgiven, absolved of our past sins and justified of our future sins. So what is the problem, maybe we just don't know how to enjoy the combination of pizza and an avocado mousse and a raspberry mousse.

It was enjoyable,  I take it back, there was sausage in a section of that rice-crust pizza. But then again, T has not taken a lead in these cooking experiments that we do, how about these samosas recipes?

Macaroon is not a cookie and does not have coconut..

This was the fact laid down to us by a friend, creating such a snob noise in the process.  Silently I was thinking, anything that's round is a cookie and macaroons do have coconut in it.  Because I grew up in a small town where one of the largest manufacturing plant of dessicated coconut is located, I had to insist that there has to be coconut in it.  Of course the argument ended there, because my friend's mom owns a macaroon industrial processing plant.  It is that huge, they bake macaroons by the ton.  I will have the link the next time you check this page.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="466" caption="Macaroons are not cookies and does not have coconut in it."][/caption]

Anyway, her mom visited and showed us how to make the to die for macaroon, that is not a cookie :0

Of course, I can't tell you how to make it here as it is a business and I don't want to jeopardize the trade secret, but I can say that the ingredients are:

almond meal (I was just imagining that it will be nice to make something out of ground almond, not realizing that it already exist in the market, how ancient is that)

vanilla bean

coffee essence or chocolate or pistaccio

sugar

egg whites and some yolks

The end result was an airy very light delicacy, it was so good that t took so much to reach a satiation point.  Notice that it has a sandwich-like look where 2 pieces are glued together, not by cream or -sugar glue but the moisture generated from putting the oven-fresh macaroons over a tray of hot water and gently putting them together. It is such a laborious process that is best done with a group of friends either with a movie or sufficient alcohol to imbibe such that it is a fun activity.  Great for bonding, I should say.

Oh and if the mixture has a little bit of light consistency then it is aired under the sun so that evaporation will occur.

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...

Online dating..

I don't really date seriously, that's why I am approaching my golden years singly. But a girl still desires to be with someone, despite the contentment and the peace that we have.


So I ventured online, Avemariesingles.com, I sent messages, got responses, and received some messages too, nothing really clicked, then I got a message recently from this guy who is younger than me, ha ha.. I liked the way he practices his faith, I am going to learn a lot from him. We will see.

Now we are in the telephoning stage and I will see him next weekend.

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.

There is danger:

When I hate, for they might hate us back.

When you dislike my color, for having only one solid color can be boring and blinding.

When I reject, for I myself might be ejected.

When I complain, for God might take it all back thinking that I never liked what He gave me.

When I allow you to affect my psyche, go into my head, for I might turn into you.

When I don't accept, for I may not be accepted elsewhere too.

When you reject without trying, for you will miss out on new discoveries.

When you lose sight of what is important, for you will grow weary and disatisfied insisting on your own way as the right way.

When you don't smile, for you will get more wrinkles than Clinique's Turnaround Cream can fix.

Rot..

I am such a  lounger, so coming back from Wednesday prayer night--a Lenten ceremony where parable of the blind man was reflected upon. While lounging, I was contemplating on how I can gently tell this friend of mine that he is not be morose and miserable when Lordy is doing everything to make our existence a joyful one. Can't come up with an answer, so I moved on.

Anyway, I was chatting on skype with a friend who is migrating to Canada with her family.  We were reminiscing momemnts of darkness. Wondering where our friend psychic friend is now.  I cautioned her to leave room for frustration and to let Lordy surprise her as to what is in store for her there..

Buzzzz, yahoo messenger my friend's sister rang.  Her sister wanted to talk to me, after making arrangements as to the whens, I did call immediately. The opening salvo was, "I have cancer and it is stage x,"  I was taken aback, not sure what to say.  Calling on to Lordy at the same time.  The only thing I can muster was, "but you are so young" and said, "Can I take that in, for a moment". She heard my deep breaths and thought I was smoking.

"Did you talk to Lordy?", I asked her. Of course, she did asking for more time.  We digressed and talk about high school life and googled our classmates. 

I don't know what to make of it-- talking to friends this afternoon about it, I gave in a little bit, felt my eyes welling a bit. Finished the bar of chocolate that I was hiding from myself. sigh..

The big "C" is like that rotten orange on the picture huh. That was a rotten orange that I dropped on the floor on the way to the garbazh. I thought, oh look at that even a rotten thing can have two sides to it.  The mold dust and a clear juice, we just had to make a choice of how we see it.

Hmmmmm...

Ice cream to chase the blues away..

I have a sweet tooth to my detriment, not too much cakes but ice cream,particulary this brand Haagen Dazs. After four years or so of coffee flavor I am upgrading to more fruitti ones.

I don't often induldge but when I do ,it is serious a pint in one sitting. A friend once asked me if I drink from the jug, Isaid I don't--backwash. What I do is eat ice cream from a pint, then justify that I can't return it back to the freezer because I ate from it, a good justification to finish it all.

It's funny how we get trapped by the rules, it is almost mechanical, without any logic to it.  Is it because it is ingrained in our brains from when our cognition is still forming.

How about how we practice our faith? No matter how we desire to be holy, to be good, somehow something evil creeps in. The way we interpret and implement things can cause pain to others.  Adherence to the teachings and scriptures if not borne out of love is therefore not the preferred action. Nope, that is hardly my posit at all. But it makes sense.

Mine is always, it is between you and God, if you are justified with your actions, then it is good enough for me.

Life is complicated huh! A bowl of ice cream will certainly do the trick. Have one on me he he he.