Herb garden

I wish I could say that I all of a sudden developed a "green thumb" and have my own herb garden. But nope that isn't the case. Its me who smells like an herb garden from the warm compress pack I have been putting on my back. The warm compress pack has all these kinds of herbs inside it. Early morning Christmas day I felt this intense pain in between my shoulder blades. I thought it would go away eventually but I was wrong. It got worse as the day went on to a point that any slight movement would make me yelp. Breathing, burping and sneezing were even painful. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain so for me to really react that way means its THAT painful. My muscles would spasm like crazy and I would feel this very intense shooting pain. My muscles were all tensed and hard. Lola massaged my back and so did a bevy of cousins. At the end of the day, I felt like an over-kneaded dough. My cousin said I should take some muscle relaxant so I did - Motrin 600, the most dosage that I ever taken. I didn't go to work the next day since I could barely move. I stayed home by myself since my aunt went to work and my aunt and uncle are already in Vegas. Even with medication and warm compress, my pain didn't go away. In fact, there were times I felt it got worse. I would just be lying down and shooting pain would come one after the other. The pain was so much that I was reduced to tears probably 3 times that day and I mean a big cryfest. My aunt, arriving from Church as I was yelping, asked if I wanted to go to the ER. I refused since I am pretty sure I would still given the same prescription. I just decided that whatever my condition was the next day that I would bring myself to work and have myself checked. By the next day, I guess my body has absorbed the medication that the pain is not that bad anymore but the spasm and the cramping was still there. At least now instead of pain in my entire upper back, it was only a small part. Painful but tolerable. I had an X-ray though it wouldn't show much if it was muscle related but at least. It showed and confirmed what I have long suspected. Like my sister and cousins, I have scoliosis. Its only slight but there is obvious curvature in the middle of my back. Another thing I inherited from my mom's side of the family. *sigh* My doctor couldn't do much about my scoliosis so he just advised me to continue with what I was doing to deal with my muscle strain.

Even with a painful back, I still went to my sister's birthday dinner and good thing I did. My cousin was there and he gave me a good back massage again. He was scared that he would crush my bones since he is pretty big but nah I was fine but today I am so thankful because my muscles are not that tensed anymore. There is still some little pain, probably just residue and pain that I have experienced from time to time, something that I can just brush aside. There isn't much spasm anymore and little cramping and the best of all the shooting pain is gone. What caused this back pain anyway? Well, I think its the way I slept over the weekend. I was sharing a bed with Lola and I was near the window and I guess in my effort to make sure I don't hit her, I slept like a "shrimp" thus aggravating my already fragile back. Now, I am really making a conscious effort not to sleep in a fetal position. That and buying a heating pad for my bed should help a lot. This cold weather has not been particularly helpful.

~ * ~
As if the low temperatures that we have been having in SoCal isn't enough, we are heading to Las Vegas later today. Nope, much as the New Year's celebration in Vegas is well known we are not going there for that. In fact, we are going home on the 30th. We are just going to go there for my uncle's 50th birthday celebration tomorrow. Then on Sunday, we head back to celebrate the New Year here at my uncle's house which we have been doing as a tradition. There will be a lot of us heading to Vegas. There would probably be 16 of us heading there tonight not to mention my uncle, Lola and cousins who plan to leave at noon and another set of relatives leaving at midnight. We were instructed to travel light to maximize space in the van that we are renting. Its not an easy task when you realize that we have to pack a lot of thick clothing not to mention beddings and linens but I think its possible. Well, if not, we better make it possible. I don't mind much the sleeping arrangements. We could just find a space at my uncle's house, lay our beddings and thats it. Its the bathroom use that is making me a bit crazy. There will be a lot of us using the two bathrooms and with a party to prepare for, it makes this crazier. But I guess we have gotten used to this situation now that we have learned to manage somehow and have things get done in time. Oh well, I will worry about that when we are there already. So, I hope that the traffic wont be so bad later.

This is the weather that we should be expecting. Yikes!!

Weather for Las Vegas, NV

38°F Clear Wind: SE at 8 mph Humidity: 29% Fri 46°F | 33°F Sat 52°F | 36°F Sun 54°F | 37°F

Well, its only for 3 days and 2 nights. I think I can live with that. Then on the 30th we will be back to SoCal then party on the 31st woot!! Hmm..I wonder what drinks should we have for that day?? My cousins and I are the ones in charge of the drinks.

Have a blessed, safe and peaceful New Year to all!!
Hello 2008!!

Brrrrr...

Its sunny but its really cold. The kind of cold air that penetrates even the thickest of clothing. It was raining for the past two days but it was never this cold. This morning as I was going to church for Simbang Gabi, I was just met with this Arctic chill. I know I really don't have much right to complain since I am pretty sure it is worse in some areas but this is not SoCal winter and obviously I am not used to it. I was not even used to the torrential rain that came on Tuesday. I wasn't at all dressed for it. Sure, I had a long coat but not the raincoat kind. Sure, I was in sneakers but it had a suede top. Suede!! Not long my socks were all drenched. But what else can I do but just brave it.

~ * ~

Today was the 7th day of Simbang Gabi and the sacrament that was discussed was Holy Matrimony. Fr. Nestor said something that though everyone already knows still resonated with me. He quoted a line that said "there is nothing you can do that will make me stop loving you because it was my decision to love you.". Once again, he stressed that love is indeed a decision. Its not "falling in love" because if people "fall in", they can also "fall out". The same line is also true to speak about unconditional love, because once a person has decided to love another, it means you take all that is about that person - the good and the bad. Its not an easy thing to do but definitely possible if we try. I think some people tend to forget sometimes that marriage is a work in progress. Its a continuous journey and like any journeys it is besieged with humps and bumps along the way that challenges us and this is when the vows made are tested. Though, I have no experience to base things upon, I have my parents marriage that I look up to. Its not all rosy but its real. Its a partnership not a corporation. When it is tested, they face it together and not one leading while the other follows. They have been married for 32 years and while its not devoid of problems and conflicts, they continue to persist because that is the vow and the promise that they made to each other. Fr. Nestor also said something earlier that I am not quite sure yet what I feel about it. He said that it makes him happy when soon to be married couples that he counsel tell him that they are marrying someone like her dad or like his mom. Not that I disagree with it because I actually feel that its such a nice thing. After all, they say that you can tell by how good of a husband your groom will be to you by how he treats his mother and vice versa. I just feel that we shouldn't aim for an exact replica of our parents because that is quite impossible to find. We can just get bits and pieces from them that are endearing to us and stop the comparison there. Doing more than that I feel is already a disservice to our essence as a person, of what makes us unique in our own ways.

~ * ~

Its already going to be Christmas in a few days and not only am I not done yet with my shopping but I hardly started. I don't know. Its not like I am not feeling the Christmas spirit but I have just been so busy that I really don't have much time to be at the malls. Unlike the past Christmasses I have decided this year to scale down my list. From almost 35 to i think 12. I have decided not to get the older cousins (above 9 years old) any present. Only those 9 years and under are getting a present with an exception of some like my godchild and some other people who I feel I want to give presents to. My cousins are growing up. Its not like 7 years ago anymore wherein I can just go to a Sanrio store and get everything there. They are all growing up with different personalities thus different likes and interests. I am saving myself from the stress of trying to rake my brain of what would be a fitting gift for who thus the decision to scale it down. I am glad because I am not stressed at all. My weekend is already full to the brim as it is so I have saved myself by not having to be roaming around the mall, going from store to store looking for a present. Believe me, that has happened to me before, so many times. I was at the mall for most of the day and sometimes it takes more than one trip. So, this year I have none of that.

~ * ~

I am going to do something for Christmas this year that I haven't done in a long time and that is cook. My aunt has assigned me to make baked macaroni for our Christmas Eve dinner and I am so excited. Its been a while since I last cooked something for the family so I am really looking forward to this. I just need to squeeze it between Simbang Gabi (last 2 days), making ribbons for my aunt's chair cover rental, office Christmas party (which I really don't feel like going to but I have to make a little appearance), lunch with friends and other things that may come up. I can do this. I might stretch it a bit and see if I can make another dish aside from the baked macaroni which I have to say I am really going to make from scratch - no pre-mixed sauce or something. What that dish will be, I don't know yet.

~ * ~

I would like to greet everyone a very...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
A SAFE, HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!!

Gearing up

I woke up before my alarm clock this morning and also yesterday. I think it is my body's way of gearing up for the start of Simbang Gabi tomorrow (Saturday). Unlike in the Philippines, when it officially starts on the 16th, here in our parish its on the 15th running until the 23rd. I think the reason why they did this was because there's usually a lot going on at the church on the 24th. With the daily masses and the midnight mass to prepare for. This schedule works just fine with me though it means waking up an hour earlier as if I don't wake up early already but its okay. This is my sacrifice and besides its only for 9 days out of the entire year.

I think this is the fourth year that I am going to Simbang gabi and so far I have completed it two times. There is a different feeling when I am able to complete it. I cant explain it. Holy Family Catholic Church in Artesia is the only parish in the archdiocese that holds all 9 morning masses. The other parishes just have one day and usually at night. The masses are at 530 and immediately after that everyone is invited for breakfast prepared by the different parish organizations. The masses are also said in Filipino making us feel as if we are back home save for the very cold weather. It can be pretty brutal since temperatures dip really low in the mornings. These past few days we have been having a cold snap. All we can do is just dress warmly and look forward to the hot breakfast that awaits us.

Going to Simbang Gabi has been like my "panata". It is my novena, the only one really that I make sure to complete. There has been sayings that whenever someone completes the simbang gabi that they get to make a wish and that wish is granted. This could just be a legend or what but this is not the reason why I want to complete it. Its more of my prayer, my novena for my intentions. I don't know if its just coincidence but one of my intentions last year was fulfilled this year. So I am more than determined to complete it this year, not so much in the hope that my other intentions be granted but more of thanksgiving for the year that has been.

Another great thing about the Simbang Gabi at Holy Family is that its not only all about hearing the mass but its an education too. Each year there is a theme that is being followed by the priests when they deliver their homilies. Last year was about the parts of the mass and this year, I was told that its going to be about the Sacraments. Most of what I know about the Sacraments I got from years and years of Catholic education so I am really looking forward to learning more and this time from the priests. I hope to have a better appreciation of the Sacraments much like I had a better appreciation of the parts of the mass from last year. The priests at Holy Family never fail to inspire me with their homilies most often interjected with humor which is really welcomed by an otherwise sleepy crowd. I know I do.

The past years, I have been posting pictures of the sky for each day. I might just do it again this year. We will see.

Quentin rocked the 'barong'

Golden Globe Nominations were announced early this morning and two things got me excited. Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" was nominated as Best Foreign Language Film and Quentin Tarantino wearing a barong while making the announcements.

At first, I thought my eyes were playing with me, after all it was so early in the morning but what confirmed to me that it was indeed a barong was the very prominent "bib" like embroidery and the buttons are midway. As usual or maybe because it wasn't a formal event, he left the top two buttons undone. That was so cool of him though to wear a barong in such a Hollywood event. I mean, how often do you see a non-Filipino, an award-winning and talented Hollywood writer/director at that wearing the barong to an event like this. Heck, I don't think even Filipinos wear the barong to formal events, preferring to wear a tuxedo or a coat and tie. So, yay for Quentin Tarantino.

I am so glad that "Lust, Caution" was nominated since there were reports a few months back that it didn't qualify as a Foreign Language entry from Taiwan for the Oscars because it didn't have enough Taiwanese in its cast or crew. Go figure! "Lust, Caution" is one of the compelling films that I have seen of late. It was sensual, thrilling, intelligent, appealing not only to the eyes but also to the mind. I saw this at Arclight with Chrissie since it was only on limited release. It was in Mandarin with English subtitles which was fine with me because I think my eyes are trained now to watch the movie and read subtitles at the same time. Watching tons of Asian series and movies do that to you. This movie was controversial because of the love scenes reported to be graphic hence earning an NC-17 rating in the US that is without cuts. It was graphic alright, very graphic but it was also integral to the story. After some time, one realizes that this movie is much more than those scenes that people have been talking about. It was suspenseful, an unpredictable tale of love, espionage, youth empowerment even rebellion. If given the chance to watch this film, I urge people to watch it.

I haven't watched a lot of movies this year. I haven't had much opportunity so I haven't watched most if not all of the nominated films. But, I really would want to watch "Atonement" and "Juno". I have seen the trailer of "Atonement" and it has caught my interest. It has gotten good reviews as well so I will most definitely check this out once I get the chance. I first got intrigued with "Juno" because not only does it share half the title of a Korean film "Jenny Juno" but it both have parallel plots. In fact, the director of "Juno" was asked if his movie was an adaptation. He said no since other than the title and the similar premise, the similarities end there. Both dealt with teen pregnancies but with different approach and different choices. One tackled keeping the baby and the other dealt with adoption. The actress in "Juno", Ellen Page also earned a Golden Globe nod. I have watched the Korean film, though a bit fluffy, at least it didn't romanticize teenage pregnancy. It actually showed the hardships and challenges. I will watch "Juno" with an open mind though and put "Jenny Juno" at the deepest ends of my brain.

On the tv side, I am glad that Grey's Anatomy was nominated and Sally Fields was nominated too for "Brothers and Sisters". These are just two of the few shows I have been watching this season, which is now no more due to the WGA strike.

I forgot when the ceremony would be. Most likely if not end of January, it will be early February. I will look forward to it. Hopefully, I have watched the two films by then.

Grade two writing class

If only I can go back to that class...

After looking at my penmanship today as I write the Christmas cards I want to send, I felt a sense of dread. Dread for the recipients of my card. I just hope they will get to read the little note I have written. I have never had the best penmanship considering that back in Grade two, Mrs. Manuel made sure that we had perfectly dotted our "i's" and the "j's" and "t's". Even with the practice cardboard we had made from the thick cardboard backing of our paper, I didn't reach the same level as some of my classmates have - delicate penmanship. My penmanship was okay but at least readable. But now, I don't think I can even read my own penmanship. It has gotten so bad to a point that I typed my letter for my parents. Quite impersonal but at least I know they will be able to read what I wrote. I don't think I have hand-written anything lately which contributes to the further decline of my already poor penmanship. I don't think its bad beyond repair, I think I just need more practice. Maybe when I start writing again, it would improve since when I do write a poem or a short story, I could never write them using a computer. Computers slow me down, believe it or not. It slows down my train of thought with my penchant for making sure the grammar and spelling are correct. I don't like it when my train of thought is disrupted especially if I am in a really good mood to write hence I write using good 'ol pen and paper until my fingers hurt. So I guess for the time being, people will just have to contend in trying to decipher exactly what it is I wrote. My apologies.

Doing this made me hungry

I was tagged by Oggi. This is so unlike the other "meme's" I have answered because this one is centered around food - anything and everything about it. So, here goes...

What were you cooking/baking 10 years ago?

I wasn’t cooking or baking much but I was more of making. Making fruit salads, buko-pandan, mango float, mango gelatin, turon etc. If I even cooked it was usually baked macaroni or spaghetti upon the request of my cousins. I am probably the only Filipino I know who isn’t so fond of putting hotdogs in my meat sauce. And oh yeah, I dont put ketchup as well.

What were you cooking/baking one year ago?
After a long time of not cooking and baking, I decided to pick it up again and made some Red Velvet Cupcakes. I searched for a recipe online and tied making it. It wasn’t so bad. I made a little bit of a mess in the kitchen and was asking my sister constantly but the cupcakes came out good.

Five snacks you enjoy:

1. Turones (Casuy, Mani, Pinipig anything)
2. Barquiron
3. Pancit Bihon with Hot Pan de Sal
4. Wheat Thins with cream cheese
5. Cheese Rolls from Goldilocks (I almost always buy a dozen because I can eat 9 of those already, not all at the same time but still)

Five recipes you know by heart:

1. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Filipino in taste but no hotdogs)
2. Beef Steak
3. Buko-Pandan Salad
4. Mango Gelatin
5. Mango Float

Five culinary luxuries you would indulge in if you were a millionaire:

1. Build a big and state-of-the-art kitchen in my house.
2. Open my very own pastry shop.
3. Restaurant hop – eating at different restaurants for every meal, everyday.
4. Buy a plane so that when I feel like eating any of the native foods from Leyte, I can just hop on a plane and eat all the bibingka from this little store in T. Claudio; pastillas from Carigara, lechon, binagol, moron, roscas from Barugo, galleta from Bato, etc. All the fresh seafood to my hearts content (and pain – clogged artery anyone?)
5. Buy crates and crates of mangosteen, ripe Philippine Mangoes, unripe green mangoes, pomelo, igot (it’s a type of berry that can only be found in Leyte) and bring them wherever I go.
   

Five dishes you love to cook/bake:

1. Spaghetti or any pasta dish
2. Red Velvet Cupcakes and any dessert and pastries
3. Filipino cuisine
4. Thai cuisine
5. Beef Steak

Five dishes you cannot/will not eat:
I only have 2 general rule on what foods I wont eat and those are:

1. As long as it doesn’t have poison.
2. As long as its not an exotic animal or if it is, I prefer not to know.

Five favorite culinary toys:

I don’t have much culinary toys just yet but I would want to have:

1. my own Kitchen Aid mixer
2. Crème Brulee set

The rest still to be determined

Five dishes for your "last meal" menu:

1. All the pasta dishes that I can eat.
2. Bibingka from Tacloban
3. Beef Steak with onions and steaming hot white rice
4. Fresh seafood from Leyte
5. Red Velvet Cupcakes from Sprinkles, Tiramisu, any dessert
   

Five happy food memories:

1. My aunt had an Indian mango tree and one summer, we were there, we would just climb the tree, pick a few, peel it and eat it. We did that everyday for the whole summer.
2. Hot chicken barbeque and hot pan de sal after school. We owned a bakery and the barbeque stand was just outside the bakery.
3. If we felt like eating hot bread at any time of the day, we can just go to our baker and ask him to put a whole tray into the oven for us.
4. Hot, fresh out of the oven ensaymada (the bread recipe not the brioche) shaped like a pinwheel and we would put cheese unto the gaps. Then return it to the oven for the cheese to melt, Then when it is all melted and bubbling, we sprinkle sugar over it and its so gooey and yummy.
5. On our way back from the Bay Area, my aunt, uncle and I stopped in San Luis Obispo and had lunch at this little Italian Restaurant where all the food was to die for. Our seafood appetizer, mushroom soup, my pasta main entrée and the best Tiramisu that I have ever tasted in my life. It happened probably 5 years ago and I cannot wait to go back.

I am not tagging anyone in particular but if you think you have something to share along these lines, please do so. (Jan I am curious about your answers)

Feed the Hungry

FreeRice.Com

I got this from Gail. Who knew that by improving your vocabulary you will be able to help feed the hungry in the world. Each time you get a right answer, the site donates 20 grains of rice to the needy. For each right answer, the site also automatically adjusts your vocabulary level. So far my best level is 35 and I have donated 14140 grains of rice.

Its actually a fun thing to do and it helps broaden my vocabulary. Some of my guesses were actually right. Well, not really big time guesses because I know I have encountered those words before but just cant seem to remember them since these are the kinds that I don't use on a regular basis. I am thankful to my parents insistence and support for reading which proved quite useful to me now.