When chickens come home to roost...

I went hot and cold
When I was ignored

Am not angry
Just unhappy

For I am to blame
"So sorry" is lame

Mistreated you
Made you blue

Now it's my turn
My bridges burned

Coffee with Friends

At a cozy corner in Caffe Nero...

From left to right: Perry, Kuya Jhun and Roni

Clockwise from top: chocolate fudge cake, tiramisu and white chocolate mocha

Vampires vs. Wolves, Zombies & a Food Storm

Went on a movie marathon again, this time I had horror, romance, action and comedy in the menu.

1) New Moon (http://www.twilightthemovie.com/) reminded me of how it was like to be a teenager on the throes of falling in love. While I hated Bella's selfishness (though she was honest about it), I was actually rooting for Jacob Black despite the fact that we all know how this love triangle ends. Can there be an alternative ending?

2) I asked myself, will I be able to survive a day in a land full of zombies? Probably not. But Zombieland (http://www.zombieland.com/) makes it look easy - just follow Columbus' Rules for Survival. Interesting how the characters had no name but referred to each other by the place of their origin (Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock). There are a few memorable scenes like the opening scene (of course), Bill Murray's cameo, the fireplace scene where Tallahassee talked about his dead son, and the scene where Tallahasse finally got to eat a twinkie - enjoy the little things (Rule #32).

3) Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (http://www.cloudywithachanceofmeatballs.com/) made my mouth water.

Of victuals

Someone, older and suffering from high cholesterol level, told me that we should enjoy our favorite foods while we're still young, healthy and able but in moderate amounts. This statement made me fell less guilty about my secret, once-in-a-while food binges and so I listed down, in no particular order, just some of my favorite eats and made a mental note to have them whenever I can - in moderate amounts.

Chilli's: Citrus Fire Chicken & Shrimp, Texas Fries, Quesadilla
Don Henrico's: Bottomless Iced Tea, Buffalo Wings
7-Eleven: Bola-bola Siopao, Slurpee
Andok's: Lechon Manok
The Noodle Room Express: Pad Thai, Chicken with Black Bean Sauce, Kung Pao Chicken
Tapsi ni Vivian: Tapsilog, Tortang Talong, Adobong Pusit
Lapid's: Pork Chicharon (yung may laman)
Chinese Dragon: Seafood Hot Pan
Shalimar: Beef Chilli, Thai Chicken, Chicken Sweet Corn Soup, Mixed Fried Rice, Mixed Grill
Al Sahary Restaurant: Shawarma
Safeenat Al Bahar: Cajun Burger, Fruit Cocktail
Pizza Inn: Potato Wedges
Hardees: Mushroom n' Swiss Burger
KFC: Toasted Twister, Chicken Popcorn, Gravy, Spaghetti, Brownie
Caesar's: Tiramisu, Chocolate Mousse, Spicy Chicken Pizza, Garlic Chicken Roll
Masaya: Chicken Wings
McDonald's: Fries, Apple Pie, Big Tasty, Hashbrown
Carl's Jr.: Onion Rings
Baskin Robbins: Banana Berry Shake
Dunkin Donuts: Boston Creme
Jollibee: Aloha Burger, Tuna Sandwich, Spaghetti, Burger Steak, Peach Mango Pie, Crisscut Fries
Pancake House: Fried Chicken & Gravy
Sweet Sunflower Seeds from China
Hot Bread: Danish Bread (assorted)
Tropical Hut: Burger Steak (esp. for breakfast)
Shakey's: Mojo Potatoes
Max's: Lumpia Shanghai, Caramel Squares
Pizza Hut: Salad Bar
Wendy's: Frosty, Salad
Mang Inasal: Chicken Inasal, Bbq
Starbucks: Mocha Java
Corn Cucumber Smoked Cheese Iceberg Lettuce Ham Salad with Thousand Island Dressing
Fresh Chicken King: Chicken with Mushroom
Spinneys: Almond Croissant, Potato/Russian Salad, Mexican Chicken Roll, Maple & Pecan Rolls
Chowking: Lumpia Shanghai, Nai Cha, Daing na Bangus with Kangkong & Bagoong, King's Congee
Doritos Nacho Cheese with Old El Paso Salsa Mild & Cheese Salsa
Frito Lays Ruffles Cheese/Sour Cream
Goldilocks: Dinuguan, Laing, Fruit Salad, Lumpia Sariwa, Bbq
Kenny Roger's: Fiesta Roast Chicken, Corn Muffin, Baby Potatoes, Corn & Carrot, Cheese Macaroni
Arns' Guinataang Tulingan (Bicol Style)
Capricorn & Fortune Bakery: Pandesiosa
Red Ribbon: Chocolate Mousse, Caramel Crunch, Mango Sylvanas
Perry's Sizzling Sisig
Danao Orange Banana Strawberry Cocktail
Burger King: Chicken Fries, Mushroom n' Swiss / King Burger
China House Restaurant: Chilli Prawns, Fried Rice
Greenwich: Hashbrown, Pizza Hawaiian / Supreme
Arns' Estrelladong Tuna
French Baker: Lasagna
Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury's Milk Tray, Godiva / Lindt Collection, Patchi, Butterfinger, Hershey's Pot of Gold: Chocolates
Seattle's Best: Frappuccino
Selecta: Coffee Crumble
Al Jazeera Restaurant: Biryani
Malabon's Kakanin sa Bilao, Pancit
Pospas ni Aling Nena: Pospas, Tokwa't Baboy
Activia Strawberry Yogurt
Triple V Express: Green Mango Salad, Dinuguan, Siomai
Subway: "Create your own sandwich" (basta may Philly Steak)
Molo's: Sizzling Gambas, Steamed Boneless Bangus, Crispy Pata, Fried Ice Cream
Miggy's: Burrito Dog, Quesadilla, Soft Taco
Popeye: Fried Chicken
Texas Chicken: Mexicana Burger
ENOC: Spicy Hotdog
Kowloon West: Lumpia Shanghai, Pansit
Luyong: Tortang Itlog, Ampalaya Con Carne
Golden Crown: Chicken Lollipop
Jif Peanut Butter with Honey

Efren Peñaflorida - 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html


Watching Mr. Efren Peñaflorida's acceptance speech made me very proud to be a Filipino indeed. His triumph is our nation's triumph and shows how a small group of young Filipinos - the 'Dynamic Teen Company' - thru hardwork, love and servitude and with nothing but a lowly wooden 'kariton' can make a difference and inspire people all around the world.

On the other hand, this victory also puts our politicians aka 'public servants' to shame (they should be ashamed if there is still some vestige of conscience left in their empty, black hearts)...

Efren's cause started years before. Did anybody from the Philippine Government reach out, lend help or even much less, acknowledge his efforts? It's considerably a small project compared to their million-peso funded projects of public highways, public schools, public toilets, etc (which would include the cost of the advertizing banner with their face and name slathered on it). He already gained publicity when he got featured in a local TV program (and consequently won a public service award from a private institution) before becoming one of the top ten contingents in the CNN  Hero of the Year, still did anybody from our Government lift a finger to help? Now that he has brought home the bacon, all the politicians, esp. Madame President who were absent before, are clambering to acknowledge and assist his cause, or at least have their photo with him taken. What a shame...

About economics

Someone forwarded an e-mail to me and I am so amused that I have to post it here. I don't know who originally wrote this but it is one witty and humorous take at world economics...

TRADITIONAL ECONOMICS
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies and the economy grows.
You retire on the income.

INDIAN ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You worship them.

PAKISTAN ECONOMICS
You don't have any cows.
You claim that the Indian cows belong to you.
You ask the US for financial aid,
China for military aid,
British for Warplanes,
Italy for machines,
Germany for technology,
French for submarines,
Switzerland for loans,
Russia for drugs
Japan for equipment.
You buy the cows with all this
And claim exploitation by the world.

AMERICAN ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You sell one and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
You profess surprise when the cow drops dead.
You put the blame on some nation with cows & naturally that nation will be a danger to mankind.
You wage a war to save the world and grab the cows.

FRENCH ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.

GERMAN ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so that they live for 100 years, eat once a month and milk themselves.

BRITISH ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
They are both mad cows.

ITALIAN ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You don't know where they are.
You break for lunch.

SWISS ECONOMICS
You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you.
You charge others for storing them.

JAPANESE ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You redesign them so that they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create cute cartoon cow images called Cowkimon and market them worldwide.

RUSSIAN ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 17 cows.
You give up counting and open another bottle of vodka.

CHINESE ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim full employment, high bovine productivity and arrest anyone reporting the actual numbers.

SINGAPORE ECONOMICS
You have two cows.
Believe you have a brilliant government
Need to hire foreign talents to manage your cows
You lost all your cows.

Hahaha!!!

A Fractured Heart

I'm looking at him, but not really
The truth is I'm focused on the outskirts of my vision where you lie
You're turned towards someone else and the ache is burning within me
I wanted to reach out but it's pointless, there's a chasm between you and I

I don't know why I endure the pain, I should forget you completely
But your memory lingers, like a sad old melody

Hidden

you're a stubborn stain on my hanky
that would not go away
I can wash the hanky to tatters
but you'll still be there anyway

I love my hanky
I dare not throw it out
so I'll hide you infernal stain
and fold my hanky inside out

A camera, a box and a cave

Today, I watched 3 movies straight in a row! I've been meaning to watch a movie but never had the time, so when I had, I made the most of it. You see, when I watch a movie, it has to be something I think I'll truly like, not just because it's a blockbuster or everybody's ravin' about it. Whether it makes me think or makes me high with emotions, I try to savor the movie - you know, you appreciate a movie like food. Sometimes, a movie makes such a mark on me, I think about it the whole week. And here's the list - and my own review - of the movies I saw today.

1) Paranormal Activity (http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/)
    I guess with all the good reviews, I expected too much from this film. I was waiting to be scared the hell out of my chair but I wasn't. It's a story of a girl, named Katie, who had been haunted since she was 8. She now lives with a guy, named Micah, who bought a camera to record videos while they are sleeping so they can find out whether Katie is really experiencing supernatural things or one of their neighbours is just trying to play tricks on them. I think, in the real world, a guy - after seeing what happened to the ouija board and the supernatural foot marks - would have immediately sought help from experts. But Micah had to be this total macho and egoistic fool assuring Katie that it's his house and he can solve the problem. And Katie lets him talk her out of seeking professional help! And why, for cryin' out loud, can't they get a room in a hotel, away from the house and where there are lots of people around? Also, come to think of it, the hauntings mostly happen upstairs in the master bedroom where they sleep at night and they slept in that same room all throughout the movie until the end even after Katie said, several times, that she never wanted to go and sleep inside that room again. 'Nuff said.
2) The Box (http://thebox-movie.warnerbros.com/)
    I loved Cameron Diaz eversince the "There's Something About Mary" movie. However, hearing her in this movie with a southern twang did not sit nicely with me. Anyway, this movie made me think. It reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock's works. The story started when a couple received a mystery box with a red pushbutton on top. A disfigured man appeared in their doorstep on the same day who explained to them that they will receive the sum of 1 million dollars (tax free!) if they push the button but it also meant the death of someone they do not know. They can live comfortably (after all, they are in a tight spot, financially) but they have to bear the guilt that someone died for it. The story gets more complicated from this point forward. For me, it's something in between science fiction and religion - an alien invasion with the purpose of judging whether mankind is fit to be saved or exterminated because of their selflessness or greed, respectively. Overall, I liked this movie.
3) The Descent (http://www.thedescentfilm.com/)
    I watched this movie because a blog featured in Yahoo! said it was one of the scariest movie of all time. It's a story of a woman (Sarah) and her group of friends who are fond of extreme adventures. Sarah's husband and child died on a freak road accident on the way back home from one of her escapades. She recovered and requested her girlfriends for another quest to help her gain back confidence and move on with her life. Juno, the most athletic and the one leading all their exploits, dishonestly brought them to an unknown and unexplored cave with the thought of getting the group more fun and adventure, but she got more than what she bargained for. Vicious humanlike creatures stalked, attacked and made dinner of them one by one in the darkness. The surprise and the gore excited me at first, but the underlying tension and deceit were what kept me fascinated to the end.

kornik...

ang pag-ibig ko sayo
parang dry cough

mahirap pigilan, masakit sa dibdib
para kasing sasabog sa loob

magtakip ka man ng panyo
maririnig pa rin

pero kahit ibulalas
kulang sa lakas

kasi di talaga mailabas
kung ano ang nasa loob ko...

Pacquaio does it again! (Pacquaio vs. Cotto - 15th November 2009)

One more victory for the Filipinos as Manny Pacquaio worked his mojo and knocked-out Miguel Cotto in the 12th round. Hurrah! Though I feel we still have to give it to Cotto for surviving until the last round. This is Manny's 7th division domination and this fight made him $13 Million richer. Ahh, some of us can only imagine having that much zeros in our bank accounts...

Here's to another year!

... of love ♥
... of joy ☺
... of peace ♂♀
... of harmony ♫
... and of course...

... here's to another year full of fun and laughter! ☼

I love you babe! Happy Anniversary!

The Oatmeal Challenge

Our Challenge:
Lose weight by 1 to 2 kg within one month (easy peasy!).

Our Plan:
To have only oatmeal (and nothing else) for dinner every night for this month.

Our Method:
1. Go to supermarket.
2. Buy oatmeal (to look for the no-cook variety because we're lazy!)

Notes:
We took the Jungle Oatso Easy Banana Toffee Flavoured No-Cook Oatmeal which comes in a box of 10 sachets (Strawberry and Chocolate flavors are also available, but this one's the winner because it's two flavors in one).

Implementation:
Day 1
Boil 360 ml of water. While waiting, prepare 2 bowls and pour the contents of 2 sachets (1 bowl : 1 sachet). Pour 180 ml of boiling water into each bowl then mix. Wait for about 2 to 3 minutes, then dig in!

Result:
It was over from day 1. Arns could not (and will not) survive on a bowl of oatmeal for dinner... heehee!!!

In memoriam

My cousin's boyfriend broke the sad news to me because nobody in the family would dare. They probably thought I'd howl like a banshee. You were long gone, about a couple of weeks, before they told me.

I know we weren't really that close to each other anymore, though I adored you when you were still young and so innocent. We used to take those long walks together. I liked watching your silky brown hair glisten in the sunshine as you ran around... wild and carefree. But I liked the night-time walks even more, because I loved feeling secure and peaceful as I walk with you under the dark sky, gazing at the stars and the moon.

And do you remember your favorite treat that I used to buy. Oh, how you loved them! You always jumped for joy whenever you caught me with the red plastic wrapper. I often wondered how you could sense that I'm coming home with a bag of beef jerkies. You had those beautiful but sad brown eyes, like they've always known these moments won't last.

As time went, we grew apart from each other. You became this mischievous rascal, hard to control and always up for trouble. You delighted in chasing girls, too! You sure have sown a lot of wild oats. And then came the time that I had to leave home, but somehow I knew you never forgot about me after all those years I didn't even visit.

I remember the last time we met. You seemed too shy to come near me, like you're almost afraid. Did you fear admonition from me? Yes, you probably did. And what did I do? I just came over and gave your head a small pat of affection then promptly ignored you for the rest of the time. It never occurred to me how lonely you were because I felt you no longer belong to me. We've lost that connection. And now that you're gone, acknowledging the loss, and the fact that I am to blame, is like a knife cutting and pushing deep in to my chest...

I am so sorry Hugo, for letting go when I should have held on... and now there's nothing left to do but to let go... How can I when there's so much regret? But I know I have to, so you can finally rest in peace.

I love you Hugo. And I will miss your warmth, your loyalty, your company...

Goodbye my friend... my ally... my precious pet...

... I'm keeping your blue collar.

Pizza la sera...

Just when I thought the day would pass uneventful and I was about to take a shower, brush my teeth and turn-in for the night... Arns surprises me with a box of pizza! Yay!

Pizza courtesy of Anabel

Windbreaker

Have you ever farted while making out? I have!

I know it's totally gross but how can you stop it? It would be like trying to outrun a high-speed train. And perverse as it seem, I found the situation very funny indeed. I will never forget how my partner's face contorted when he caught the whiff... it was precious!!! He was a bit annoyed at first but we both ended laughing out loud.

Looking back...

Maybe it was really better that the romance got nipped in the bud, 'coz it damned hurt too much when we parted.

How much more had I known his love? Maybe I'd gone crazy!

Driving to work...

Cheche almost hit the bird...

Roni: Uy, muntik na!
Gina: Bakit ang baba naman ng lipad nun?
Perry: Ibon na mababa ang lipad.
Roni: Ah, e di callboy!

Schezwan Prawns for dinner!

There is this Chinese Restaurant in the area where we've first tasted this spicy dish. The entry in the menu is actually "Chilli Prawns". They serve it boiling on a vessel with a small stove underneath (they put out the fire - and the fun - after setting the vessel on your table) and we really love the smell and the smoky flavor. We like it so much but eating outside is always expensive so I thought of trying to make it at home. I wondered what makes the smoky flavor. We went there and ordered this dish siguro twice or mga tatlong beses pa and every time, tinitingnan ko talaga lahat ng kasama ng prawns doon so plato ko. I thought it was the dried chilli at first, pero may nakita akong parang paminta and it was giving that signature "smoky" scent. I googled Chinese herbs and spices and landed on a page describing Schezwan peppercorns (also called Sichuan). Eureka! I found my secret ingredient!

And what a coincidence! Kuya Rey is visiting from China! Kaso, di rin niya alam yung Schezwan peppercorns. Buti na lang he had help from his Chinese colleagues and after a few hits and misses (may language barrier e!) and another help from Google (I mailed him the pictures), nakabili rin siya! In the end, I got 2 kilos of Schezwan peppercorns, 1 kilo each of black and white peppercorns, and some dried red chilli (yay!!!). Bait talaga ni Kuya Rey...

Finally, I made my first batch... and it was a hit! Hurrah!

And with 2 kilos of Schezwan peppercorns, I can make this any time.

Yum! Bon appetit!

And here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

Tiger Prawns (you can shell and chuck the head if you prefer it)

Schezwan Peppercorns, toasted

Garlic, chopped

Dried Red Chilli

Bell Pepper, deseeded and sliced into strips

Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce

Canola Oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

Heat canola oil in a wok. Saute garlic until fragrant, then add bell pepper. Put in the tiger prawns, toasted schezwan peppercorns, dried red chilli, salt and pepper. Saute for a while until the prawns become pink. Mix in enough Thai sweet chilli sauce to make it saucy and simmer for a little while. Voila! Your Schezwan Prawns are done.

This is very simple and basic, you can revamp this recipe by adding some more herbs or spices, maybe like shallots or paprika to suit your taste.

At work...

Kuya Jhun (Overheard): May iba akong nararamdaman, parang nahihirapan akong huminga...
Roni (Butting In): Alam ko yan kuya, may DSS ka!
Kuya Jhun: Anong DSS?
Roni: Delayed Salary Syndrome...