Tubong Lugaw

After the novacaine wore out, my gums got sore that I couldn't even eat. So I scoured the pantry for any available Campbell soup but unfortunately I realized that I have just consumed my provisions many migraines ago. Campbell soup is my comfort food whenever I have migraine headaches. As hot as it is here in Florida, migraines just come and go and I ran for Campbell soup for comfort. After, I will feel better. Gutom lang naman pala.

So then I made lugaw (congee) instead. A handful of rice makes a long long way. I used Arborio rice, a left over from my Risotto recipe last week and added a little bit of jasmine rice.

½ cup rice

3 cups water

Olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Ginger, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Fish sauce

Drizzle a lit bit of olive oil in a pan, saute garlic and ginger, add rice. Let the rice absorb oil. Add water bring to a boil. Bring heat to medium, and add water as needed until rice is soft and fluffy. If you want you can add chicken or tripe. I add egg for protein. Then I saw that we had tofu in the ref, with a little frying, a mix of soy sauce and vinegar, I had a tokwa't lugaw for dinner. That completed my sore gums diet.

Now, I understand what "tubong lugaw" means. 2 days later, I am still eating the lugaw, boy, it is bottom less. I just keep adding water and the rice keeps expanding. Guess what's for breakfast, lunch and dinner today? You're right: Tokwat lugaw, anyone?

Conversation with a Dental Tech

I was at my dentist's clinic last Tuesday for the last part of my scraping procedure. Last month, I had the right part of my gums scraped and was scheduled to be back after a week for the left part. Unfortunately, canker sores sprouted all over my gums like a plaque so I called to reschedule my appointment. Oh boy, it really hurts.

The atmosphere in my dentist's office is warm. Everybody is chatty and friendly that's why I keep coming back. I will still probably keep coming back even if I have one tooth left for cleaning.

My friend Maita is a dentist in the Philippines. She keeps my teeth clean and healthy. I just show up to her clinic often unannounced and she could vouch that I am the most self-conscious patient she ever had. In the US, if it is just a simple procedure as cleaning, a dental tech attends to you -- Rita was my dental tech, a warm friendly lady who still couldn't believe I am as old as what appears in my dental record. She thinks I was kidding her. Actually I have a secret to tell: I am a 16 year old girl trapped in a 40 year old body. I was just making up my age so I can marry my 48 year old boyfriend…nyahaha. I'm just kidding.

Then she puts on my bib and arranged her tray in my stomach. I don't know what possessed her to think that it is OK to make my belly into a table, but I can not complain. Lights on, she pull my mouth open by inserting a clamp and 5 novacain shots after, I was numb and swollen. Then I closed my eyes. You think you can still complain?

Rita: Are you OK?

ME: I put my thumbs up

Rita: Actually, your tartar is not really bad. (OK, rub it in Rita). On a scale of 1 to 5, you are 3. You can not really see them but it is forming inside the gums. So after this, I will require you to come back after 3 months and check if your gums are doing great.

ME: ah-ah-ah-ah (translation: that's fine with me)

Rita: How often do you go to your dentist back in the Philippines?

ME: ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah (Translation: I'm sure more than twice a year, you can verify that to my dentist)

Rita: I had patients much worst than this and after the procedure, their gums went back to health.

ME: ah-ah-ah-ah (Translation: good for them)

Rita: So, you have a job now. How do you like your job?

ME: I put my thumbs up again. I wanted to tell her more since she seems to understand what I was telling even if I was speaking in tongues. But my tongue is numb and I wanted to give it a rest.

 

 

Typhoon Fengshen

Another typhoon hits the already shattered Philippines. Read related story and videos from Yahoo News: Typhoon Fengshen pounds the Philippines.

Flame of Friendship

Another tag from Twerlyn A symbol of spirit of unity.
The burning icon of love.
Undying picture of hope.
The hot symbol of oneness.
The Flame of Friendship.
And now it's your turn to flame yourself!
Meet new friends.
Discover friendship.
Make bonds.
Copy this post starting from the PICTURE ABOVE to the end and add your blog on the list below.

Let's start FLAMINGfont-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>
1. Tiklaton: We are the witness 2. Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 3. My Precious 4. Jean's Live it Up... 5. Sharz - Pangit's Journey In The States 6. JAM-Life:Thoughts & Inspirations 7. Filipino love stories 8. A Mom's Note 9. Tasteful Voyage
10. Twerlermz Blog 11. Elba

---- end here ---I'm tagging: Cleo, Avee and Babette

5.11 Gear

Check out these new products from 5.11 gear for your outdoor needs. They have everything tactical such as: pants, dress uniforms, short sleeves shirts, long sleeves, undergear, vests, footwear, undercover jackets, eyewear, knives and many more. They offer free shipping if you buy any 2 items. Summer is here let's get out and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Whether you love the mountain, the ocean, or the air, you'll find this site very useful. There are more if you visit the site.

5.11 Tactical Series creates superior products that enhance the safety, accuracy, speed and performance of law enforcement, military and firefighting professionals. Built on a foundation of durability, quality and value, 5.11 Tactical gear leads the industry by delivering functionally innovative gear, head to toe. LA Police Gear is proud to be 5.11 Tactical's #1 stocking dealer in the world!

The Promise

As Greg and I were driving to Tampa the other day, we made a promise for each other and I would like to document that promise to remind us that the promise is true and time to save for our trip. As you are my witness, we promised each other that we will visit the Philippines as soon as he finishes one of his solar projects. Greg manages 2 solar projects in the State of Florida for Florida Power and Light (FPL) and each will take at least 1 ½ year to finish. That project occupies most of his time and sometimes costs his sanity. This rarely happens so I am documenting this not to pressure us both but as a living testament and commitment to make good of our promise.

So anyway, we promised to make that trip possible next year for a month. It makes me feel so excited this early and am now planning a year ahead of activities we have to do. I really miss Virac, my family and my friends. With the constantly soaring air tickets, I wonder how much we have to set aside for this trip. Any tips for cheap tickets?

Road Trip

My husband's job requires him to travel out of town for meetings most of the time. Some days, he drives a grueling 3 to 5 hours each way to get to his meetings. I know how exhausting it can be on the road for so long so I offered the idea of coming on his trip to provide company and entertainment during those boring and tiresome drive. Well, of course I have a hidden agenda, that is, to see more of Florida. All those times, he refused my offer, so I rest my case and stopped pleading.

It seems that the clock of fate had turned its course. Last Tuesday, he asked me if I have to work Wednesday. Fortunately, it was my day off. He had a meeting with the Environment Protection Management of Tampa and he requested the pleasure of my company on this trip. Of course I was happy and accepted the invitation. A quick look at mapquest reveals an exasperating 3 ½ hour drive from Jupiter but I was excited. I want to see Tampa.

The drive was easy on the turnpike. I thought the traverse was easy but Greg wouldn't let me drive the company car. He happens to know my driving track record and wouldn't risk company property for my sake. Smart, huh.

There was nothing spectacular to see on turnpike and I-60 and I-98 just vast of flat lands, orange orchards, an orange factory, ranch and hoards of cattle nibbling grass and intermittent wild life on the side. Would you believe there were wild pigs on the side of the road? "Upon" as we call it in the Philippines.

Before we left the house, I quick search the nearest MACY's to hang out while Greg is in a meeting. Shopping is not in my agenda so I took my laptop so I can be online. Out of gratitude, Greg promised to take me out to lunch in a decent restaurant after the meeting so I intentionally skipped lunch in anticipation for the special lunch in a special restaurant.

Greg dropped me in MACY's and to my surprise it is located in a big mall. There was an ongoing mall wide sale and I could just feel the adrenalin pumping my veins, I am in my element – Sales shopping is my forte. Those screaming red tags are so appealing I wish my credit card is limitless and Greg's bank account is bottomless. But hey, get real. I started rummaging the shops: gap, Abercrombie, Victoria secret, NYNY, shoe shops, every nook and cranny I can put myself in. The shopping was enjoyable until it was cut short when Greg called me at 2.30 to tell me he is on his way to pick me up. Argghhh. It's OK for I got myself 2 pairs of designer swimsuits and a pair of designer sunglasses at ukay ukay price. Good deal. Besides I am getting hungry and looking forward to the special lunch in a special restaurant Greg promised.

And soon were back on the road once again. Halfway our trip, I have not seen that special restaurant and I'm already on the verge of starvation. Greg encouraged me to keep looking on my side for that special seafood restaurant but all I can see are farms with hoards of cattle waiting to be transformed into corned beef. It will really help it they were really corned beef. But where is that seafood restaurant?

 

The road is coming to an end and I could already see the turnpike, but no seafood restaurant in sight. Before we expire of hunger, we decided to grab a subway sandwich at the nearby tourist center and gorged along with other truck drivers. The story of our special lunch.

 

 

 

 

Classmates, how have you been?

My CC high school class of '83 recently celebrated its 25th year and we had a small reunion in my home town Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines. Im sorry that I couldnt be there but I know my classmates had a blast as evidenced by the pictures. Our teachers attended as well and it was really nice to see them get together after 25 years. I hope everybody is still alive when our 50th comes, I promise to be there kahit maputi na ang buhok ko (even if my hair are all white).

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

My father passed away 10 years ago when he was 76 after a brief battle from Hepatoma, or liver cancer. At 76, I could say that he lived a full life and his life was such that everyone could envy now a days. His philosophy in life is simple: when youre hungry - eat,there are plenty of food in the table just dont ask for what is not there; when tired - rest, when sleepy - sleep. He was such an easy going Dad, he never worried whats to come because he believed that everything will be provided - Indeed.

I was never close to him when he was still alive because I saw him as a disciplinarian, I was a Mama's girl and Lolo's (gandfather) girl as well. I never listened to him and the price I had to take was literally a pain in the ass. When I had to go to college, it was a liberation. Away from home, no one will discipline me, but I made sure I behave myself and made sure to get a diploma, not because Father wants but because thats what I want. I was a good kid and I graduated and got my degree.

Today is Father's day. I remember my Father because I never gave him a card or greeted him on Father's day, ever. I trully regret those days when I had the opportunity to express how gratefull I am of the father I had in him and the discipline he has instilled in me when he was alive. I regret that I was never close to him, I wish I was but it is too late. Today, I honor him for being my father and thank him for the things he did that made me me.

Happy Father's day Tatay. Wherever you are, I thank you and love you.

Father's Day gift

Father’s day is here again and every time there is special occasion like this, I am in a dilemma on what to give Greg for a gift. I always find it hard to find a gift for guys in general because men usually stick to what they need and most often they do have what they need. Unlike girls who seems to want everything specially if it is a bling which make it easier to shop for girls. Well, this Father’s day, I look no further. When I was looking for a tripod for myself on OpticsPlanet.net, I found out that there are more to this site than tripods. Actually they offer an assortment of gadgets that I know will bring out the kid in Greg. OpticsPlanet.net is a great site to learn about hobbies and everything pertaining to the great outdoors. They offer big selection on laser sights, telescopes, binoculars, hunting gears, photography and many more. I specially love this Streamlight TLR-2 Rail Mounted Tactical Light w/ Laser Sight with Keys 69120 and perfect for Greg's outdoor needs.Check this out and grab a gift for hubby this Father's Day.

Click it like a Pro

I am a camera enthusiast. I take pictures of just about anything and everything that catch my fancy. I document meals on the plane, chasing birds in the porch, flowers in the garden, the weeds in the seashore but my favorite subject of all is – me. Who else will find me such an interesting subject except, oh well, myself? A collection of my self photography reveals how poorly I project myself. None of it is even close to being a Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum, not that I resembles like them but oh, how I wish. Then I remember that every good photographer owns a tripod. Maybe that will do the trick. A quick search in the internet took me to a wide selection of tripods available in the market. I settled into this cute inexpensive Carson Rock Deluxe TP300 that serves the purpose. It only cost me $34.94 from Opticsplanet.com and they offer free UPS Shipping on orders over $29.95. It comes in handy when going to the beach and saves you the trouble of grabbing a stranger to take your pictures My $34.94 was money well spent and I can just emote in front of my camera like a real pro.

Tulingan (Bluefin Tuna)

A friend of a friend here in Jupiter is a commercial fisher. She gave my friend tulingan and then my friend in turn gave it to me to cook. I love fish as I grew up in a coastal town off the Pacific. I miss fish specially cooked the Bicolana way -- that is with gata and siling labuyo (coconut and chili peppers). Having a Mother who cooks a lot for her family, I was used to just showing up for mealtime and whatever is in the table is considered mana from heaven. Coconut is very important in Filipino cooking. I remember Mama loves to use coconut in whatever she cooks, be it fish, vegetables or root-crops and we have developed a taste for coconut as well. I have never had the opportunity to try any dish Mama cooks. So when my friend requested me to cook the fish, I immediately recalled how Mama did, it by taste. Tulingan cut into pieces 1 can coconut ¼ cup vinegar Crushed garlic Ginger 3 Eggplants, cut lengthwise Salt and pepper to taste Arrange everything in a pan, add eggplants last. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes. I brought it in the office to have for lunch. Oh, how I miss our food. It’s not even as good as Mama’s but me and my friend had a feast in the office. Bon Appetit!

Hot Hot Hot Summer!

I am in the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach as I write this. I drove here after the 9AM Mass to cool down the summer heat. I never thought there could ever be a place as hot and humid as the Philippines where I came from. When I left the Philippines, I thought I completely bid farewell to the heat, sweat and sometimes funny odor associated with it. OK, I don’t reek, and no one ever complained yet that I stink – at least to my knowledge. But have you ever seated beside someone who have never ever seen a deodorant commercial in his entire malodorous life in an air-conditioned car? I have, and it knocked me down. What was I saying? Oh yeah, I am at the Mall enjoying the cool air-conditioning system, listening to the relaxing sound of the fountain while Michael Franks’ music in the air, and of course, free internet. Summer is here.