Entries from March 2011 ↓

1. Brunch is corned beef sauteed with onions and marble potatoes, plus fried rice. The potato skins makes the dish taste and look very interesting. Gone in five minutes. 2. My antique pc cannot read docx documents, so my Ian converts some files, then sends them back to me via email. 3. I am lugging a week's worth of stuff and uncooked rice to Rizal. But I won't be commuting, since my Ian is bringing me there. 4. I'll probably be offline until April 1. March, thank you for inspiring me to write again. And thank you to this lovely couple for adopting me. Mayk and KC, happy anniversary! [caption id="attachment_1842" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Post nuptial pics at UPLB, picture by Rita Mariano"][/caption]

1. On our way to church, we manage to flag down a taxi within 60 seconds of exiting the condominium. Two hours later, the same amazing thing happens as we leave church for the Thanksgiving Banquet. Normal waiting time for a taxi: 15 minutes. 2.  But, we are spectacularly late; the worship service starts at 2pm, not 3pm. Oops. Nevertheless, my Ian says, "Hearing a live SATB choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus is worth coming here." 3. We arrive 30 minutes early to the banquet hall. One look at the program and I remember that lunch is a distant memory. I blurt out, "I'm hungry." Thankfully, so is my Ian. We end up at a 7-11 three torturous blocks  (I was wearing heels) from where we started. Cheesedogs and coke tide us over.

1. It is a one kilometer trek from the MRT North Avenue station to SM North Annex; I get lost and go up, down and around the Sky Garden. My hunger-sharpened eyes spot the words Ispaghetti ni Juan, so I order Pollo Verde. Chicken pesto pasta for less than P40?! I am pleased. 2.  We go to the first baby shower for the year and I am pleasantly surprised at the guest list. Jeff and Jeane's cozy apartment is filled to overflowing with people laughing and talking and eating all at the same time. I flit while my Ian discusses the finer points of RPG and affordable international shipping to my friends. 3. Dinner is served on a low makeshift table, Japanese style. I easily plop down on the floor, while my Ian carefully lowers himself to a sitting position. Sitting on the floor does not keep us from making the following edibles disappear: roast chicken, crispy pata, pesto pasta, rice, pizza, sansrival cake, and brewed coffee. 4. All is right with the world.

1. For the little girls in my life, I go on a pink shopping spree. I buy two hooded blankets for my newest godchild, one with an adorable stitched lamb and the other with tiny bees. And for my only niece, a play doctor's kit since she already has a kitchen set. 2. I take a nap while waiting for my Ian at his office. His Spidey pillow makes a comfy headrest. 3. A sparkling tiara bobs in and out of view from the dinner booth across the room. The little girl is distracted from her food, while I focus on the wonderful garlic squid, pinsec frito, yang chow rice, ampalaya con carne and mango tapioca. 4. I pass my pre-employment documents, undergo a drug test and x-ray exam, and pay for overdue fine of 2 weeks at the college library.

1. I wake up to a splitting headache, which my usual caffeine-ibuprofen combo does not cure. It only goes away once I finish my lunch at half past 3. 2.  Because I waited, I can now look forward to an April with enough time for 2 papers, 2 camps, a strat-plan weekend, a cantata, and a full time job! Things are falling into place. ♥ 3. We eat macaroni with leftover tuna cheese melt sauce, lettuce with honey-mustard dressing, and toasted bread with pesto. In celebration, I treat my Ian to a pint of mango ice cream. ♥

1. As I leave UP Diliman, our jeep passes by 4 young men standing in the checkpoint waiting shed. They are facing each other in a circle, with solemn expressions and eyes closed in prayer. I smile as I remember my campus ministry days. 2. It is my first taste of Chen's vegetable chili. The cooking goddess is generous with the shiitake mushrooms, which I chew with enjoyment, while the cooking novice claims the credit for the hot flavor. Three huge servings for me! 3. I have a slight stomach ache from laughing at Sandy's animated stories. Word for the night: victim. Here is what vegetable chili looks like, according to google:

1. My orphanage welcomes three much-missed friends, the 3 D's. Impromptu sleep overs are the best! 2. So are impulse ukay-ukay raids. I go home with a brown coat, a vintage dress and 2 blouses for a tenth of what I'd spend in a shopping mall. 3. For 2011, my touchstone is PIA: Purpose, Intimacy, Abundance.

1. This blue deposit slip means that I am officially pre-registered to an outdoor camp I've been praying about for the past 3 years. Must now pray for a sane schedule. 2. My phone rings and I spend the next 15 minutes showing off my English communication skills. 3. In the middle of the phone interview, I suddenly feel dizzy and lean on the wall for support. The voice on the other end of the line also falls silent as we ride out a small earthquake. No damage, except for shaky nerves and an onslaught of panicky/relieved status updates on Facebook. 4. I discover an inspiring blog on running and travel: http://journeyingjames.com/

1. Adding a muted gold belt transformed my ukay-ukay dress into something pretty. I finish off the ensemble with a comfy pair of cream sandals, a choker with three creamy-pink pearls, and gold-toned make-up. Dressing up is fun! 2. A younger sister asks to be adopted tomorrow night, while an older sister promises to adopt me when I take the ALS (Alternative Learning System) training soon. 3. Corn flakes with cold fresh milk.

1. Upon alighting from a long bus ride, a super moon welcomes me back to Silang. 2. The weekend starts with a much-missed cup of brewed coffee from the local vines. It is still delicious sans coffee and cream. 3. In the peace and quiet, I am able to list down my short, medium and long-term goals.