To Ski or not to Ski?

That was the question I was often asked when I first came to Maine. Being married to someone addicted to ski and snow board since he was a kid, everyone expect that you will also be riding or skiing . To ski or not to ski? Hmmmm, Sled na lang.

That was 8 months ago. Now its ski season, ask me again. Since my husband introduced me to skiing, I cant stop...litterally..yes, I dont know how to stop, as in hinto. I can turn left and right, but I cant put myself to stop. For me to stop means an impending dislocation or worst, hemorage. Skiing is not an easy thing to learn. Many times, I landed on my buns, and everytime, the kids or should I say toddlers who ski in the sundance will cheer me up.."come on, you can do it". These kids are so amazing, they are ranging between 3 to 7 years old and they ski like pros. skiing with these kids feels like I'm an overgrown child just learning to walk for the first time and these toothless little kids in diapers are coaching me. Elba, get help! I felt a sudden rush of self humiliation, what am I doing here in sundance? If kids can do it, I can do it! By all means I should learn how to stop -- gracefully!

Greg must be a really good ski coach, on my third day on skis, I not only manage to stop, but I can control my speed. Hurray! That day, I graduated from sundance. Goodbye little tykes, goodbye magic carpet. Me and Greg went on to lift 5 to ski on broadway. You have to ride the lift to get to the mountain slope and ski down to reach the base. Riding the lift for the first time with both skis attached to your feet is quite an experience but I was able to do it as quickly as I can, like a mummy walking with sticks. Going down is another problem that I need to deal with, but then with a little help from Greg, I did it. Yahoo.

If sundance is for preschoolers, the braodway is for grade one. But to tell you honestly, it is quite steep, but I can see mostly children are skiing here. Here I was able to use the turns, slow downs, jumps Greg has taught me.

The next day we skiied on North peak, had a soupy lunch at the restaurant on top of it, and skiied down. Oh boy, it was so steep. Looking to the base, I know I couldnt make it, there is no way I can make it. My whole body was shaking, the temperature was in the 30s but my whole body and hands are soaking in sweat underneath my ski jacket and mittens, but there is no way down except to ski. I was so scared, this is a sure way to go to heaven...or hell, wherever.

Finally, Greg managed to grab me from behind and embraced me like a hotdog in a bun, im the hotdog, he is the bun, and I skied between his legs and arms. I closed my eyes and started to pray, but I dont know who to call upon in particular, so I admonished all the angels to clear our way. I couldnt imagine how hard it is for him, I wish I could help him help myself, but too scared for that. We stopped everytime we are in a very difficult slope, sliding sideways to minimize any impact if we fall. Luckily, after 2 hours and 3 falls later, we reached the broadway in tact, and no serious body injury except my whole body was sore for 3 days.

That was my last ski. I wonder why Greg has not taken me skiing again. Hmmmm, but he took me tubing last sunday and it was fun.

El Nido, Palawan

I am a little nostalgic today as I browse my photo album when we were still in the Philippines. One of my many memories that until today still tickles me are those moments that I shared when Greg visited me in the Philippines. I never really imagine that that encounter will blossom into something very very meaningful. And few months later, I bravely sequester myself in the US. I have no regrets though --at least not yet.

In October 2006, Greg arranged for a trip to Miniloc in El Nido. It was very memorable and for once in my life, I felt like I was one of the Rockefellers...heheh. The plane ride was a little scary, with that small plane just us and another couple honeymooning in El Nido. I must remember saying all the mysteries of the Holy Rosary until our plane touched down the small private airport. Ive never been in a small airplane before, although I remember riding in one of the PAL sunrisers flying to Virac when I was a student in Manila, but not small enough to make me jittery. Once you settle in the beautiful scenery, hear the alluring sound of the clear waters all those jitters will pay off. The place is just so amazing, you feel like your in another world, totally relaxing and in tune with nature. I trully had the greatest time of my life.

Once there, you never have to worry about anything, your itinerary is taken cared of, a coordinator is assigned to each guest to take care of your every need. Food was excellent, my figure conscious husband complained because food just abound -- bad for his figure. Staff were friendly, there is no room for anything except to enjoy, indulge, and relax.

At the ariport, we were greeted by the staff, a simple merienda of cuchinta, puto, suman, coffee, tea, juice in the buffet table. Greg tried the cuchinta for the first time. Then we boarded a small pumpboat to take us to a big boat waiting 100 meters from the shore, headed towards Miniloc Resort.

As we approached the pier, we could see all the staff waving and waiting at us singing and dancing to welcome the new guests. Everyone was friendly and a designated coordinator escorted us to the open restaurant, presented us our welcome drinks, and briefed us of the activities in store for us. You dont even have to think, they will prepare everything for you, even remind you if it is time. Now, that is my idea of a vacation -- worry free.

We stayed in water cottage no.2 which is nestled above the water, while waiting for our first activity of the day, which by the way was scuba diving, we entertained ourselves by feeding the fishes below the veranda. One morsel of bread is enough to stir the whole water kingdom, soon there are thousands of fish waiting for a piece of bread to drop, like manna from heaven. I wonder what telecommunication system they use under the sea, I'd say, it is so effective, fishes keep coming, including the whole community of jack fish. We ended up throwing our provisions for the day while we watch the fishes fight for a piece in the pie. It was very entertaining.

We took advantage of our complimentary scuba lessons from their resident scuba dive master, and became more acquianted with more fish we havent seen below our veranda. Beautiful different colored fishes and coral made up the underground scenery just 30 meters below us. Panic caught me so I had to come out of the water and started to get familiar with the gadgets. We dive the second time, I was a little bit relaxed, but the weight of the tank bothered me, so I opted to snorkel instead, Greg seemed to enjoy diving, so he signed up for another dive for the following day.

In Miniloc, every meal was an experience, one night they set up tables in the pier, it was a cozy, intimate dinner, another night they surprised us to a romantic dinner in the big lagoon, Anne, our beautiful coordinator, seranaded us with the rest of the staff as back up singers, boy, she has fantastic voice. Joining us were 3 other couples: Korean, Filipino and us. Then our last night, Greg and I had a private dinner in one of the islands, just the two of us, oh yeah, plus of course the whole entourage of cooks and waiters to serve our last meal. Trully, it felt so amazing being far and detached from the world.

Days were very hectic, visiting one island to another. Breakfast at the Lagen Island, lunch at the Pangulasian club, island hoping, climbing snake island, cave explorations, evening cruises, fish feeding, it was endless.

I feared for the day that we have to head back to Manila for I dont want to leave the place. But all good things need to end. Our 4 day-stay is over but we want to see El Nido town, so one of the staff arranged for a hotel in town so we could explore the town further. Stayed for a night, it is a totally different world outside Miniloc, then I realized were back to reality.

For those who wants total relaxation, privacy and fun, this place is the perfect place for you.

Caving in to my cravings

I’ve been having this relentless craving for Buffalo wings for a week now. I have no idea why since it has never ever been my favorite neither my husband’s who is an avid health buff. His normal reaction at a mere mention of a greasy meal is one of his trademark cringe and when temptation is so strong he cant resist, he would exercise no end to shed off the fats he had ingested. Last night, I was able to convince him to dine out. Afterall, one straight week of solitude, he decided I deserve a break. We went to the Matterhorn, a popular hang out place for skiers. Since it was Wednesday, it was easy to spot a vacant table but still considerably busy at the bar. We chose the table next to the pool. There were skiers from the Boston area, New York and Vermont. Greg acknowledged them by stopping at their table and engaging in a small chitchat like Barack Obama would at a campaign trail, and guess what they were talking about -- ski. I was introduced to a couple from Florida who come to Bethel to ski every month. While they are engaged in an endless ski talk I hardly understood, I excused myself and perused the menu. I thought I would try the appetizers first as I am getting sick of all those never ending ski talks emanating from the whole restaurant. And voila!!!! buffalo wings in the menu in screaming bold letters. Hmmm..... At least there is something here that I really really like and it looks so deliciously spicy I ordered for the biggest plate. When Greg came to his senses and realized that he was with his wifey, I was gone and playing at the pool table. He joined me. We played 2 games and as expected, I beat him twice. If you cant beat him on the snow, beat him on the table...hahaha So, going back to the buffalo wings I’ve been drooling for so long. I could see in Greg’s eyes how horrified he was by the size of my order, 20 pieces, who would eat that? I said me. I guess he knows me well by now for he can see my eyes are bigger than my stomach, he told me you’ll probably just eat a piece and then give it all to me. I had 5 pieces, and it was finger licking good -- he ate the rest. Remember that was just the appetizer, soon the rest of our order arrived. I had roasted half duck with crispy red potatoes an assortment of veggies composed of brussels sprouts, zucchini, and summer squash. That was really delightful. Greg had eggplant lasagna with spinach on the side which was equally scrumtuous. But then we ended up sharing my duck and took home the lasagna for my lunch. Yummyyyy. I love buffalo wings now, and maybe tomorrow I will experiment again and hopefully come up with a recipe to share.

Hey, did you ever wonder why buffalo wings, instead of chicken wings?

Im bored...

I am bored. I need to do something. I can not drive so mobility is a bit of a problem. I am limited to the confines of our house and the vastness of our yard. Yeah, thats right, it is so vast, 3 moose, 30 wild turkeys, and hundreds of squirells took up residence that now make up our extended family. Anyway, I have to wait for my husband if I want to go to a shopping mall, grocery, church or to visit my new found friends near my area, Kevin the moose is too lazy to drive for me...hehe. Its been 8 months since I came here and I promise you that I did everything imaginable to make myself busy, in the house of course proud to be a devoted housewife, full time cook and maid. I tried my luck on siopao making, pan de sal, lumpia, dinuguan, and some cakes and passed my husband’s meticulous taste buds. Maybe this gastronomical adventures will open my doors to a new career in culinary arts, hahaha...but I am the only Filipino within the 20 mile radius...I guess its the end of my cullinary dream. I am still bored thats why Im starting to make this blog. This page will chronicle my life, actions, moods, and everything that comes in between. This will also be a place to show off my works: fashion accessories, crafts and paintings. I will update this page from time to time.