Heaven!

I love desserts. No question about it. But I am not the "I-have-to have-dessert-always" type. I am not going to force myself to eat dessert if there is just no space for me to do so after a meal. But, I would take it to go if I can. I love cakes, pies, ice cream, tarts, anything. But, I can rather be picky with what kinds of dessert I eat. I will only eat leche flan made by our family, well because its the best there is - taste wise, texture wise, visually and palate wise. I am not too fond of anything chocolate except if its my cousins' or my sister's chocolate cake. I don't like too thick cheesecake or too thick slices of cake, pie or anything. For me the goodness of a dessert is not measured by how humongous it is. The smallest serving can have the bigger impact to me than a visually towering one. It just boils down to taste and well how pretty it looks.

There have been times that I have ogled over display windows looking at oh so pretty cakes and other desserts. There is just something in visually appealing food as it should be since we are enticed first by what we see and it is validated by how it tastes, its texture, the flavors. There have been times that the pretty things didn't have the best taste at all. So it should be a symphony of a lot of elements but not overpowering or overwhelming.

More than eating desserts, I also enjoy making them. I haven't been able to lately for lack of time but I do make desserts when time permits and when inspiration strikes. Making desserts was my responsibility when we would have parties. I have always enjoyed baking even when I was little. It helps that our bakery was just adjacent to our house thus easy access to ingredients. I remember making my parents a cake for their anniversary and got all the ingredients from the bakery. Well, their anniversary is in May which falls on summer vacation thus no allowance. But its been awhile since I last baked.

I do feel the pang to bake again once in awhile especially when I read blogs like this - No Special Effects. But between my sister and cousins we can be all "dessert-out" in our parties. Sometimes I think we have more dessert selections than entrees. I am sure it wouldn't hurt to have one more but maybe one day soon I will add my own contribution. For now, my eyes feast on food blogs that make desserts and I satisfy my palate by eating those made by my sister and cousins.

This takes the cake!

I have always had weird dreams

.....my friends and I in Grecian attire standing on an infinity pool, with pillars behind us looking at an orange sun that wont set.

..... me with someone walking around a park and in an instant two knife-wielding guys were running after us making the two if us run for our lives all around the park even jumping over fences.

.... me walking along a corridor when it suddenly became flooded and my red shoes being taken away by the current into a storm drain but I caught it in time.

But this morning I think I had a dream that takes the cake for being the most weird of the bunch.

It looked like I was in a corner table at some restaurant, wooden or bamboo was the material. The table had those plastic floral table covers I used to see in carinderias. Anyway, I was with 2 other women. One I know, the other one didn't look at all familiar to me. But what the heck we shared the table. It looked like we were drinking. Of all drinks, we were drinking gin and of all brands this is what we were drinking. We were drinking a lot but we didn't seem to get drunk. Then next thing I know I looked at my glass and the thing turned brown. Then someone told me to shake my glass and it will be clear again. So I did and it did turn clear. So now each time I take a sip, I shake it first so it will be clear. I did that a couple of times but then this time when I shook it and it became clear I saw a baby octopus and a stuffed toy catfish in the bottom of my glass. (See I told you its weird.) Then my companions said to go ahead and eat the octopus. Its like the worm at the bottom of the tequila bottle. There was no way I was going to eat the toy so I got a fork and was about to poke the octopus to eat it. Then all of a sudden I heard a sound from my right - one of my companions, the one I know was slumped over what looked like a cabinet. I tried waking her up but she was too drunk and she had passed out.

Then I woke up to the sound of rain. The first in California for the season.

This dream was just beyond weird. I don't drink gin, don't think I ever had and the brand...of all brands. The octopus? The little stuffed toy catfish, if I am not mistaken it was colored purple?

I wonder what its trying to tell me.

How cool is this?

My otherwise hoo-hum Friday morning got a sudden jolt upon reading on Our Awesome Planet that Anthony Bourdain...THE Anthony Bourdain of "Kitchen Confidential", "A Cook's Tour" and "No Reservations" is in the Philippines!! Woohoo!

I have always enjoyed his brand of hosting..straight forward, quirky, witty and at times laced with sarcasm that is so fresh. He goes into places that are not at all touristy but honest to goodness good food which is what its supposed to be. I watch his shows a lot even the re-runs. I have even influenced my other relatives to watch his show. While watching, we have always wondered "when is he going to the Philippines?" It seems like we were not the only ones. He said in his blog that "Of all the people who watch NO RESERVATIONS, it's been Filipinos who have been consistently among our biggest fans and most vocal about our having yet to film in their country." Well not only that when his show invited fans to send in their videos for the "FAN-atic Special" one of the finalist was Augusto Elefanio who invited Mr. Bourdain to take a trip to the Philippines and discover that our cuisine is more than just the "balut".

And now he is there. So far, it seems part of his itinerary have been Manila, Pampanga and Cebu. Those are the ones known so far. The rest is kept under wraps - too much under wraps that I don't think mainstream press are even aware that he is there which is a good thing. He strikes me as someone who really just want to keep a low profile and enjoy what he went there for which is the food and the culture. I don't know when this will air on The Travel Channel, reports have said January 2009. Which day between 1 and 31 is still to be determined. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled for this one. I am so excited to see which foods he sampled and what his take on them will be. So far, it seems he got a pretty good introduction. I read from Anton's blog that he enjoyed drinking San Mig Light (maybe a little too much too). It is a known fact how much he loves his beers. Cosmic because it is I think the only beer in this world that I can drink more than one. That and Newcastle.

Trust your friends

... to wear the same thing when you didn't discuss it.

... to lift your spirits up.

... to make you laugh when you need it the most. Or even when you don't but just because.

... to let you cry your eyes out when they actually want to slap-shock you to your senses.

... to listen to your rants no matter how pointless and petty and repetitive they may be.

... to keep you sane and also share your insanity.

... to keep you grounded and yet be the first to float your boat.

... to tell you like it is and yet also sugar-coat things when they need to be.

... to lend an ear to hear and a heart to listen. Or give you an earful but you know its coming from their heart.

... to lend you their smile when you cant seem to find your own.

... to understand you or at least pretend that they do because well they know its what you need.

... to respect you even if they don't agree with you.

... to give you a comforting hug when words are just not enough.

... to fill up your prospect pool

... to be there for you even when with the way you are acting they'd rather be somewhere else.

I know its not Friendship day but I am declaring my own holiday. It is MY Friendship Day!

"Shared sorrow is half-sorrow. Shared joy is double joy."

Thanks!

Here is your horoscope
for Monday, October 20:

You need to find an emotional outlet, but that won't be hard -- almost everyone else has the same idea! People are definitely looking for folks to speak with and listen to, so open up and enjoy the ride!

Boxing match

You have taken all the hits that you can take..but you are still standing.

You see the blows coming but feeling them is a different thing...but you are still standing.

Numb...but still standing.

Prof. Randy Pausch said that "brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

But what if brick walls are guised as metal walls - cold..hard..impermeable, multi-layered. No mallet, sledgehammer, electric drill, or even tractor can make it come down. I know even a metal wall has its Achilles heel, its weak point but what that weak point is, I do not know.

Question is...do you continue to fight when it seems you have no more strength left to do so or throw in the towel and walk away? Walk away scathed but still alive. Walk away with nothing but the experience and the lesson.

I wish...

Here is your horoscope
for Wednesday, October 15:

You need to check what's going on in your life against your value system. It might be time for you to make a few changes or walk away from something that's just not that good for you.

I wish I can. I wish I have a way. I wish I know another way so I can walk away. I can walk away if I know where to go. I will walk away if I have another choice.

Until then... I can only...well... wish for that day to come.

It's about time

Updating the Filipiniana

The Indians have their sari. The Chinese have the cheongsam. The Vietnamese have the ao dai...Koreans the hanbok and Japanese the kimono. I think its about time that the Filipiniana be updated a little bit and look more modern so that more and more Filipinas will be inclined to wear it outside of formal events or worse as costumes when its a Filipiniana themed event.

A couple of friends and I have discussed how essential and important it is that every Filipina should have a terno in their closet. It is not only the perfect "go-to" dress for formal events but its a representation of who and what we are, something that we should be proud of. The terno is for the formal ones. There should also be choices when its more casual events, even day to day wear. I saw a host of a show on TFC once that she had this greenish Maria Clara type bolero jacket paired with a white tank top and jeans and it looked so cool. This is what I am talking about. We wear a certain clothing that is representative of us being Filipinas and still keep it modern and fresh and not look like we are going to some party. There have been innovations to the Barong why not do the same thing for the Filipiniana.

They still got it!

The voices...the moves..the choreography...the charms

Even after 15 years!

I was at their concert last night and I am still feeling high. It was a really fun and awesome concert. Chrissie and I didn't realize that two hours have gone by and it was so well spent. They sang cuts from their new album and of course their classic songs which don't seem to get old. Once I heard the intro notes, it brings back so many memories.

It was a fulfillment of a childhood wish and yes I am not ashamed to let the whole world know that.

Wishful thinking

Here is your horoscope
for Wednesday, October 1:

You need to relax as much as you can -- though it might be tough! Things aren't as smooth as usual and you might have to endure a bit more discomfort with friends or coworkers before they return to normal.

Soon. Very soon.

Green & White

After finding out who won Game 2, I still wore Green & White today. I have never been more proud to wear these colors than today.

It is how its should be.

This was a Finals appearance that not a lot of people expected, doubted even but the team proved people wrong. Now that's a feat!

Congratulations to the De La Salle Green Archers!!

Congratulations to the Ateneo Blue Eagles!

And here's a proof...

My family loves to eat. Needless to say we also love to eat out and try different kinds of cuisine - Filipino - all regions, Asian, American, Italian, everything. It was a cultural lesson that my parents tried to instill in us. Traveling to other countries was too much and too far in between so the next option to immerse us in different cultures was through food. I think the reason why I am this open to try different kinds of food is because our parents exposed us to them and urged us to try and not to be afraid. Sure, I don't like each and everything that they have exposed us to but at least I can say that "I've tried it, not to my liking".

It doesn't necessarily have to be a special occasion for us to eat out. Even on normal days we do but of course, its extra special when we are celebrating a birthday, an anniversary even Valentines. With just the four of them (Papa, Mama, bro and sis) left back home, with bro and sis being in Manila, my parents opted to fly to Manila to celebrate my mother's birthday early this month. They went to eat at Cafe Juanita. They were describing to me where they ate but I couldn't picture it I don't know if they took pictures that day but I sure haven't seen a single one. ( Camille).

Then just this morning, I was reading Anton's blog - Our Awesome Planet, and coincidence of all coincidence, his most recent entry was about Cafe Juanita. I was about to leave a comment that this was the restaurant where my family ate and then I saw it! One of the photos have my family on it!! It was surreal. It was only Papa who was visible to the camera. Then I saw the rest of my family, well parts of them - my sister's back, my brother's arm and Mama's arm. LOL Its the fourth picture. It cannot be denied that its Papa and I think I know what my sister was tinkering with.

The restaurant looks very nice. It has this homey, provincial feeling which reminds me of meals at my grandparents house.

More than a game

IT'S ON!!

LA SALLE - ATENEO Men's Basketball Finals!!

Coach Pumaren said it. My cousin said it. I think it is what a lot of people think as well. I thought of it but I chose to believe otherwise. We are the underdogs in this finals. The Blue team is really playing well. They are hungry. ChrisTiu is definitely hungry, well with his opting to still be a student and hoping and wishing to give Ateneo a championship before he leaves.

BUT...

We have always been underdogs, whether people want to believe that or not. I think its good to be tagged as underdogs and to feel like one. Its better to feel like you don't have everything laid out in front of you because you strive to be better, to do better, be better. I believe in the team like I have always did.

If you are a La Sallian, playing against Ateneo is never just a game. Its more than that. Its pride, its prestige, its name. Just thinking about it is giving me goosebumps.

Finals here we come. First game of the best of 3 is this Sunday, September 21!

ANIMO LA SALLE!!!

Leave me alone, earworm!

Earworm, you said? You are probably asking. Yes, earworm. It is what we have longed called as "LSS" or Last Song Syndrome. That particular instance when a particular song is on constant repeat in your ear and try as you might, its hard to get rid of.

Kaytee wrote that there was an actual Washington Post article about it. It seems researchers have given this phenomenon a name...earworm. I think earworm is more appropriate than LSS because for some strange reason it "worms" its way to you ear constantly whether it was the last song you heard or not. LSS only refers to as its name suggests "last song" but with an earworm, you could have heard a different song after and yet a few lines from another songs keeps on resonating in your brain.

In the research it said "The first study on earworms showed that the kind of music most likely to get stuck in your head is simple and repetitive. In addition, the lyrics are usually unexpected." True enough because my earworm is really something simple. Its actually from a song sang by a priest whose cd my aunt plays constantly in her car on the way to work after we are done praying the rosary. The line is simple "my soul proclaims the goodness of the Lord." Its a good message, a pretty good song but it has this odd tempo. Like it sounds Aztec or Mayan or something. If you have seen this group of people that looked like Indians with wooden (or is it bamboo) pipes selling their wares and their music at a mall, it sounds like that. So with that line and that tempo and try hearing that in your ear in a constant loop, it can make anyone go insane. I know I am on a brink of it. Its giving me a headache. I had it yesterday after hearing the song for the first time and now I am hearing it again. Its annoying. I am not humming to it or even thinking about it but it manages to still get into my mind. Ugh!

The report went on to say that it can last for a few hours to a few days. Great! I don't want my whole weekend spent being stuck with this song in my head. I can manage when its on the way to and from work. I obviously cannot tell my aunt to change the cd that we will listen to, its her car anyway. I wish I can plug into my Zune on the way home but that's rude considering its just the two of us and its just wrong that we will be in two separate worlds while in the car. So I guess I will just have to endure it for the time being. I really hope she changes the cd soon. I gave her a JoshGroban cd before, why don't we listen to him instead. I don't mind hearing "you raise me up" constantly.

The article offered some remedies which I might just try later if this keeps on. Or I might actually peruse this University of Cincinnati website that has all these information on earworm. Imagine that, a whole website on earworms.

All too familiar and yet not so

I am not voting this November so I really shouldn't be all riled up about this issue that involves the daughter of Republican VP Nominee SarahPalin (SP). The VP Nominee's 17 year old daughter is pregnant and unmarried. Nothing wrong with that, its her life, its her choice. But I do have an issue with it being almost front and center during this week. I think, its a personal, family matter. Something that shouldn't be paraded not because its something to hide but I have this sinking feeling that her daughter's delicate condition is being used by her, her party and just about everyone else. I am hoping that people will just let her be. I don't think it was also a good idea to include the father of the baby that shes carrying to be front and center as well. He should have been at the announcement, days ago and not now. He is visible now because his identity was known even if SP only referred to him as the "young man and my daughter are getting married". If those were not made to the world, he would still be anonymous. Sure, its going to come out eventually but does it have to be announced a few days after she was picked? and Was it necessary for her, the mother to make that announcement? Sure, its beating the news but then it becomes what everyone else is talking about. What happened to you being the candidate? And especially if you as a politician opposes to teach other than abstinence in schools and finding your own daughter not heeding that advice. Just a lot of inconsistencies. "Sell" your platform not what happens in your family. All these just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I think and feel her daughter should have been spared from all these media scrutiny and talk. She as her mother should have been the very first person to shield her from such. But I think she was the one who not only brought it into the open but magnified it. So to tell people to lay off on her daughter is such a hypocrisy when you yourself was the one who brought her into the spotlight. Everyone else is telling the media to lay off from Palin's daughter, that's true but then in some ways SP has brought it upon herself, her family, her daughter all these talks. There was an article on YahooNews about Politicians kids in the public eye and where does the line lie? There was a quote there that said:

"When the offspring of politicians interact with the public, things can get dicey. And understandably so: There's no human issue more personal, more natural than the parental instinct of "Leave my children alone."

Yet sometimes politicians have invited us in, deliberately or otherwise."

I, along with my siblings lived a life of that of a politician's family and still live it. Papa may no longer be in politics but he is still in government so the same situation applies. He was in politics for 12 years and during our most formative years at that. So I know what the children of Palin and Obama feel to be thrust into that spotlight. The children of other candidates are older and I believe better equipped to be able to handle it but the younger ones have it tougher. I know it because I lived it. Sure, ours was so much smaller in scale but I believe not at all less significant. Its a tough life. Contrary to belief, its not at all rosy. We live our lives under people's watchful eyes, under a fishbowl. We didn't ask for it but it came with the territory.

But one thing great about Papa is, he never put us front and center. We didn't interact much with the public. I think until now not a lot of people know that we are his children or that he is married to my mom. Papa and Mama tried to shield us as much as they can. Papa made sure not to hold meetings in our house or if he had to, it will be in the area of our house that is not easily accessible to us. He also didn't hold interviews there and if by chance we are all together, he steps away and allows us time to keep a safe distance. During campaigns, Mama, my siblings and I were either inside the car or behind the stage, away from people's eyes. Sometimes even in the dark. It was fun to still maintain that anonymity because when we would give out fliers wherein our names are listed, and some people would ask what our name was, we can give another name. They had no clue that they were talking to one of those names listed under "children". People may be familiar with the names but they wont be able to match it to the faces. There was only one time that we were visible when Papa decided to hand out calendars one Christmas with the family picture on it. That was the first and last time because the following year we told him not to anymore.

Being faceless with the public gave us a sense of freedom to be able to move around and also to hear people's comments like asking for money along with the paper. They were asking for money with no idea that it was his children that they were talking to. Imagine when they do know. Hearing things like that make you jaded and yet stronger and more realistic. It can sure pop anyone's idealistic bubble.

Papa and Mama really made sure that yes this is our life at that particular time but we must not forget still that we are still THEIR children not that of a politician. With us, Papa was not the board member or the Vice-Governor, he is just Papa. He made a joke once while polishing my younger sister's shoes for CAT that "halagad, the one polishing your shoes is the Vice Governor". Which my sister replied "no, the one polishing my shoes is not the Vice Governor but my father." This has been the case and always will be. When we do join him during campaign, we are not seen together, well for safety as well. I think the only one really visible is my brother. The three of us girls along with Mama stay in the shadow and I liked it that way. Up until now I cringe when my relatives add the tag "anak ng dating Vice-Governor" when they introduce me. Nothing to be ashamed of but I think and feel and believe that my parents have raised me to be more than just the daughter of the Board Member, Vice Governor etc.

Not to brag but we are good kids. We have not brought anything into the table that Papa had to be asked about or he had to answer to. We have not done anything that he had to do "damage control" over and definitely not going to start now. I think its because we don't have that added pressure to act differently than what we are or be boxed into what people think we should be. We were allowed to still live our lives the way we want to but keeping the fact that we are watched by people at the back of our minds. BristolPalin, five months pregnant should have been allowed to be pregnant without all these additional pressure and scrutiny and offensive comments surrounding her and following her around. Being a child of a politician is already hard as it is, why add to it. Thank goodness that Papa and Mama though aware that a life of a politician's family was our new "normal" still made sure that we are first and foremost their children. Yes, it means "leave my children alone!"

And it has started..

After Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals in Beijing, the most by an athlete in a single Olympic Games, I knew that he will on the cover of every magazine imaginable. I knew it and was bracing myself for it. I was already making a mental list of which magazine I think he will gracing the cover of - Sports Illustrated, TIME, Newsweek and these are the ones I know and read on a regular basis, not counting the other publications. True enough it has started even when the Olympics is still on its 2nd week and the closing is not until the 24th.

The cover is reminiscent of a Mark Spitz cover back in 1972. The rest of the story can be read here. The magazine will be out on Wednesday.

I dont think its in the magazine but this photo is just so cool.

Baby, come back

It has been brought to my attention that Haloscan has been moody lately. The only reason I got Haloscan as my commenting system before was because of the "pop up" option but Blogger has it now too. So I want to revert to my Blogger commenting system. Haloscan doest allow me to know when a comment is left or if a reply was made. To know if there are comments, I have to check my blog all of the time and see for myself. Geez!

So, I want to go back to Blogger commenting system, my problem is I don't know how or I don't remember. The Blogger Help isn't much of a help either. I know I didn't totally delete Blogger commenting because some of my Blogger friends leave comments using it. Its just not visible with the post unless you click on "post a comment" which brings you to the Blogger commenting system. That's a lot of work for those who read my blog and time consuming. I just want it to appear and make it easier for everyone.

It was a long time since I installed Haloscan and made Blogger commenting invisible so now I don't know what to do. I am getting cross-eyed looking at all those html codes in the "edit html" tab. Can someone tell me an easier way of doing it? Other than being cross-eyed, I am scared to mess up the codes because I wouldn't know how to put them back.

Help anyone??

I really, really, really love this dress

I really, really, really love the dress that the name bearers wore. Its so simple and yet so elegant. It looks formal enough but not too much. The details and embroidery are so intricate and so beautiful. No words.

Other Olympic Fashions

The fever has begun, Olympic fever that is

Ugh I hate that we are not able to see the Opening Ceremonies live. It will be broadcasted later this evening when the rest of the world has already seen it. I know I have. I have seen the first photos because frankly I am used to waking up early to catch the ceremony when I would watch it back home. But this time, Beijing and Manila belong to the same time zone so imagine that you are really watching it as live as it can be. Yahoo has uploaded 186 photos from the 75 a minute ago. But even if I have seen the photos, there's really nothing like watching everything move. Based on pictures it looks really extravagant and colorful as China's history. Its really something when you have a certain culture to share unlike some of the other hosts. *ahem*

The Olympic Stadium called "Bird's Nest" looks so cool. Other than the dances, the lights, the sounds, I also like looking at the uniform that athletes from each country wear as they march in. So far, I like what the athletes from Spain are wearing, so bright and loud - red and yellow. The women in yellow and the men in red. Rafael Nadal in red. I love, love, love what the name bearers are wearing. Its in my favorite color too. I actually want to have one made for me.

I wish I can call this liveblogging but its not because I am not watching live, not even streaming so I will just call this as an ongoing update.

ETA:

- I like what the US team is wearing - khaki or white pants and dark blue blazers. Its so preppy but cool. They also wore white berets. Very nice. hmm no wonder, its by Ralph Lauren. Look at that very famous polo player on Kobe's jacket.

- Poland's is so chic. The women wore ombre like dresses. Cute.

- Okay..no Lenny. No Ian. No Paul and Morgan Hamm. But, there's Mark and Steven Lopez of Tae Kwon Do.

- Great Britain looks so cool too. Black shirt and pants then white jacket then black & white belt.

- There seems to be a scroll like thing in the middle of the stadium where all the performances take place.


Photos: Yahoo, Getty Images & Reuters

I am jumping in...

08/08/08 at 8:08PM

Very clever.

The Summer Olympics is on everyone's lips it seems. The Opening Ceremony is tomorrow and I am making sure that I am sitting comfortably in front of the tv. I always look forward to the Opening Ceremony and also the Closing Ceremony. The days in between are just okay. If I catch some, good if not still good. But its really hard to miss because basing on previous broadcasts of it, its going to be extensive.

I always make sure to catch the Opening Ceremony. Its an introduction to the culture through pageantry, dances, music, sights and all. Its always exciting to wait for the Philippine contingent as they make their way into the Olympic Stadium although they have this "blink or you will miss it" coverage from NBC which makes you wonder why when I am sure they have all these cameras to catch all the countries. Its always entertaining to know a little bit of trivia about each nation that joins and also to discover countries that I didn't even know existed. I am also overcame with pride when I see one-member contingents and yet they walk tall and proud. My favorite Opening Ceremony has got to be 1992 Barcelona. The way that archer fired that fiery arrow to light the Olympic torch still leaves me breathless the same way that year when I first saw it. Also a favorite was 2004 Athens because of the history and pageantry of it all. It went back to where modern Olympics started.

What I like about the Closing ceremony is how everyone is just scattered all over the Olympic Stadium ground compared to when they were in lines during the Opening. Its an exhibition that for one night, all nations come together and are one transcending beyond race, gender, ethnicity and everything else. Its always fun to see athletes from different countries smiling and having fun regardless if they performed well or not. Its one big party.

In between I like the medal ceremonies. I am curious to see how the medals look like and what other stuff do they award the athletes with. During Summer Olympics the only events I really look forward too are swimming, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and basketball. I am not going to pretend that I know what the other games are when I don't have a clue what it is about or how it is played but if it piques my interest I would watch it.

I am really looking forward to Beijing 2008. But then No Lenny Krayzelburg. No Ian Thorpe. No Apolo Anton Ohno. Oh wait, he really doesn't belong here anyway. Just wanted to slip his name in. And now No Hamm brothers. Both pulled out due to injuries. So who do I look for then?