pampering your tush

Washes, Cleans and Dries Your Tush!

easter mondate

It was the last day of our long vacation, and unwilling as we were to accept the harsh reality of work the next day, we acknowledged our last day in paradise by going out on a date on Monday, our last holiday frontier.  (Our original date was cancelled because of my sudden fever, soon as we arrived back in Manila.)

We went for a destessing massage, (how ironic, to need destressing after a 5-day vacation=p)  and had our date at an unlikely romantic destination. My tastebuds were hankering for something flavorful and since our massage ended late, we headed to the only Thai place conceivably open at 9pm: SOMS.

It’s a small eatery nestled behind the busy road leading to Rockwell.  That night, the air was cool, and the place was bustling with clients from the area.  The canopy of trees were lit with tivoli lights that reminded me of christmas.  The setting couldnt have been more quaint or romantic.  As we settled ourselves in a hidden nook, we savored my Thai fix,  I was reminded strongly about my idealistic youth.  As my tastebuds were exploding with the perfect blend of Thai spices, I was transported back to college, where my dates consisted primarily of the magic of the moment and not the elegance of the food or the venue.  It was more of an adventure dictated by imagination and the capacity of our student allowance.

As I looked at my husband over our easter monday date, I was once again transported to the magical romance of my youth; I was in the magic of someone I love in an unpretentious environment where any setting would have been perfect because of my date.

a grateful heart

I never thought I would get to my mid-thirties, but here I am, inching towards the big four-OH. And yes, I am one of those that never really cared much about age, but somehow getting older does hit you with certain realities, like having a “plan of life“. 

What is it about getting one year older that makes you pause and reflect? It was fortunate on my part that I spent the occassion away from the craziness of my ordinary life where people want something from me. Wait, that din’t come out quite right. What I mean is: where I can hit the pause button on my responsibilities and prioritize my own enjoyment for once.

And was it a great experience.  Eating, sightseeing, resting in an upgraded room (thanks to my boithday!) was more than I could ever hope to celebrate ‘my year’.  Spending quality time with my wonderful hubby was the perfect complement to my heavenly vacation.  Alas, six glorious days were too short and here I am, back to reality with a few more holidays to spare – extending this quiet time with myself and allowing me to ponder on MY YEAR!

Storyteller’s Creed

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge, That myth is more potent than history. I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts, That hope always triumphs over experience That laughter is the only cure for grief And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Protected: lenten sacrifice

This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below.

Password:

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S

As I have said in the beginning of 2009, this is  MY YEAR and I’m making a conscious effort to attract positive things my way.

One of the simple things that give me immense consolation is watching plays; musicals in particular and I’ve been fortunate to see at least one a month. The most recent one which has really prompted me to write this review is, obviously, Spelling Bee.

Everything about it was fun for me, and it certainly did prove that laughter is the best medicine (I was suffering from an unbearable migraine that day until the time I settled in my seat in the back of the auditorium).

We booked ourselves the lousiest seats in the auditorium, but even that did not deter my enjoyment of the lines.  It was an uncanny beginning because a lady stranger walked up to my husband and me right before the show started offering us properties for sale. I found it odd, (but since my husband and I are certified queer magnets, it was nothing worth puzzling over) until I realized that she was one of the leads in the show, working her way through the audience and onto the stage!

Then, the show started with an adorable soundtrack and masterfully portrayed kids.  Added to this entertaining mix is the witty dialogue that made me shake off my migraine from all the chortling and laughter.  You can’t be a passive audience in this play for sure.  Another thing that delighted me were the additional ‘surprise’ spellers that were called out from the audience, and among them were celebrity guests: Sitti and Miguel Mendoza (from Pinoy Idol).  They were willing and game participants among a dynamic and well-versed cast of expert spellers.

I love that it is a show about kids and their very real and important angsts about failure, and achievement.  I love that it was played authentically by characters who have obviously studied or worked with children.  I love that the words chosen in the bee were a punchline in themselves.  I would watch it again if I could. It was the best money I spent so far this year.

damn tired

There is something liberating about being in a state of utter exhaustion.  It’s like being intoxicated with alcohol.  You don’t care what people think, you take charge, you just DO.  You end up doing things the untired version of yourself wouldnt normally do.

Now I’ve come to understand why the characters in Grey’s Anatomy behave the way they do.

It just makes me wonder about these thoughts and feelings that surfaced yesterday. Perhaps they are not a figment after all. Perhaps I was just too busy, too chicken, too cerebral to notice them and being tired allows them all to come out freely.

falling into place

Lately the universe is orchestrating happy coincidences my way.  By some stroke of fate, I’ve come to meet inspiring, and truly excellent educators who are at personal crossroads and I think that hearing about their discernment is helping me distill my own experiences.  

One striking realization from a directress I met today, was her rock solid faith and how it naturally governs her professional life and principles. Having a clear and unwavering view of God really does make professional life simpler.  Easier is never practical nor realistic, because work is work, but then, it is deeply meaningful when viewed in the context of a greater, and compelling truth.

Glasnost

As I observe the state of the world today, I see that change is an urgent, imminent reality.  And what makes it so imminent is the fact that it takes the collective majority to make that change.  From the environment, which is headed for a screeching disaster, to my own home, where politics seems to be ridden with ugly realities that force upon us all a radical call to change the common mindset.  I find myself looking for inspiration and hope in the changing landscape of American politics, specifically from the man of the hour, President Obama.

But what I think got him elected is not so much his ideals, his platform, or even the very impressive way he handled his campaign.  I think what won him the day was the American people who wanted to have their country back, needing to rally behind someone who can pave the way for things to be right once again.  Facing financial meltdown and wars that cannot conceivably be won has propelled them to look for someone to manage change, and not just on a topical level.

For someone as allergic and freakishly afraid of change such as myself, I have come to realize that it doesn’t happen in a vacuum; that events occur with such synchronicity to make such a change possible.  (I actually have Black Swan, the impact of the highly improbable on my to read list to try and make sense of paradigm shifts.)  

My husband & I were talking the other night and his insightful refresher on world history made me realize the events and lessons from history resonate with me on a deeply personal level.  When I think about my life right now, I realize that I often forget how my resistance to change has caused more anguish than the ensuing wisdom in store.

2008 was the most trying time of my life to date, both personally and professionally, and it came to the point where I began to question fundamental truths about myself.  Of course the answer is never absolutely clear but some things are immune to change because they are rooted at the very core of who we are.  There are just times when shit hits the fan and tend to make you question everything, including what you know to be your non-negotiables.  Now I realize that when one loses sight of that, everything will spiral into a never-ending tangle of messy emotions and petty wonderings.  It was precisely this moment that I understood why finding one’s purpose in life feels like such an impossible quest for the young.  If the core is hazy, then everything is conflicted and fleeting.

                                                                                     

Therefore, here I am again, realizing that things happen for a reason and having gone through a major upheaval made me realize that the real solution wasn’t a major change from the core, but acceptance that small, painful changes are necessary to reveal the beauty of the core.   It’s funny I can’t shake this line so apropos from a sitcom (Scrubs) where the lead says:  “Nothing worth having ever comes easy.”

I feel a little like Master Oogway (of Kung Fu Panda), emanating with his inner zen, while everyone demanded answers, he just had nothing but absolute trust that circumstances will fall into place.  Of course I’m no Master but at least when friends check on me, I can say: “Steady lang.”

 

 

BAWAL ang asin, paminta, at kahit na anong may lasa

You know your mind is on vacation mode when you write December 2008 on all forms or documents given to you for signature and Valentines is fast approaching.  Having exercised much restraint this past Christmas from all things sinful and mouth watering I’m beginning to question whether I did the right thing at all. It certainly has infused me with a post Christmas craving for the good stuff.

Abstinence from fatty food has given me much hope, having fit snugly into my jeans from 2006, which should be reason enough to pursue this lifestyle. I remember my mom’s keen frustration over my preference for all things salty and savory and her constant nagging that I will die early, ridden with various forms of kidney ailments. I think our oatmeal dinners and our militant food portions have helped somehow.  Growing up, we have always been led to believe that all tasty food is not good for you. That any kind of taste (sweet, sour, salty bitter, etc)  and cold will ruin your body’s natural equilibrium… I KNOW! Perhaps my tastebuds have only developed in college when I would eat most meals out of the house, and was able to choose my own diet. Now that I think about it that was my heaviest time.

I would often hear our cook being reprimanded by my mom for using salt and pepper in our food. “Huwag ka na maglagay ng asin: mamamatay ka ng maaga!”  At this time there was no such thing as the food network yet where cooks would demonstrate the importance of  taste AND presentation.  When I think about it presentation wasn’t that much of a big deal either with my mother in the kitchen. I remember, as a child, when we would visit my grandmother’s house she would always make me drink water in a deep soup bowl, because only small teacups were available.  This was disconcerting for me for two reasons: the water was not cold and I felt like a dog drinking water from a deep dish.

I gained an awareness of flavourful food and festive meals, marrying into a large family. I realize mealtimes are not just meant to nourish the body, but also the spirit. Eating together was a celebration in itself, and the food, prepared delicately is a toast to that important occasion.  It is now clear to me that the celebration of eating together necessitates an explosion of the senses. From the vivid and beckoning colors of the food, to its mouthwatering aroma, the joy of one another’s company seems to enliven the taste buds. Now I understand why so much passion is essential to great cooking; the dish will lose its flavour if the ingredients are not carefully chosen, or brought together without sensory stimulation.

I actually don’t understand this whole fuss about salt.  It is actually an essential ingredient for life, in fact it has religious roots in the Bible, where God calls us men to be the “salt of the earth”.  As such, it is an important ingredient to all foods because it brings flavour and it not only sustains, but preserves life itself.  In fact, it is scientifically impossible for salt to lose its flavour. One ever wonders how, the evils of salt, came about.  I suspect it was only because people were getting too much of a good thing.  Living life without salt seems unthinkable to me now, even just a pinch of it, can hardly be called living at all, for when the food loses its flavour, then perhaps nothing worth the consequence of enjoying something can truly be savoured.