We were given an ample provision of dried fish from back home when we had our two-week vacation in October. We had Danggit, Squid, and Tuyo. I was hoping for a supply of anchovies, or dilis, but mom said they were out-of-stock in our local market. Dried fish has been an integral part of Filipino cuisine. Even if we are in far away countries, we still try our best to have supply of the dried stuff in our fridge, and enjoy them for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Filipinos usually sneak in a few pounds of these dried fish and squid, cook them in places with very high ventilation and definitely away from the neighbors; or else firemen, or even policemen will come knocking at your door a few minutes after you start cooking.
Not all people smell the same. People have distinct smell depending on their places of origin, even if all people would wear the latest from Kenzo, Dolce and Gabbana, Paco Rabanne, or Brut. For example, no matter how they try, Americans would have the smell of milk. African Americans also have distinct smell. Same with Chinese, Koreans, and of course, Indians. Since we are islanders, people who smell us tell us that we Filipinos smell like fish. Not dried fish hopefully. This is primarily because of what we eat. We perspire what we eat, thus emitting the smell of our food. And it doesn’t smell too good if we work out after eating onions, garlic, and of course, dried fish… gwarrrrkkkk.
A couple of days ago we cooked the danggit that we took home from the Philippines. The danggit was soooo good, having that ultra crispy texture and salty taste. It was to die for. Our friend Aja stopped by to give us our pasalubongs from New York: no, not your traditional Yankees cap or “I heart NY” shirt, but rather two servings of Jolli-Spaghetti and 2-pc Chicken Joy from the Queens branch of the greatest Pinoy fastfood of all time, the fat funny, funky bee, Jollibee. We returned the favor by cooking dinner for her, with the best combination ever: Sinigang na Baboy and Danggit. If we were to be rated by Nigella Lawson or Ina Garten about our culinary combination, we’d be given a flat F-mark for that. But for us, it was the best. We had a hearty, plenty dinner, while leaving our kitchen, dining and living rooms heavily scented by the combination of the sinigang mix and the salty sensation of the danggit. Neither scented candle, nor Lysol can take the smell away. You need a few days for it to just be diffused into the outside air! But the heavenly taste of the danggit was all that mattered. It just gave us a portion of home. We were eating the danggit and sinigang as we listen to how John Lloyd implies that he and Shaina are now separated.
On Tuesday, I agreed that my lunch for the office is the dried squid. Bubbles woke up early that day to fry them, while I attend to my early-morning duties: sleep. I was awakened by that familiar smell, seeping through the tiny holes of our bedroom door. I thought the door was open because normally the smell of the food would not enter the bedroom. I underestimated the power of Pusit… That smell woke me up real fast, as I tried to extinguish the scent by spraying Lysol all over the place. And I was successful. I could smell both the dried squid and the Linen scent of Lysol at the same time. The freshener did not take out the smell, it just added another scent. Fantastic.
As Bubbles and I were walking to the doctor (she had gestational diabetes test this day), I smelled the familiar scent of home. I was nowhere near home but I could still smell that combination of linen and squid… Then, I realized: the smell stuck to my shirt and jacket! Luckily I was able to sneak into the office without meeting anyone or else somebody might have called the cops or fire brigade already. Knowing that the scent of the dried squid was overwhelmingly strong, I needed to do my fastest lunch break ever in our pantry. The squid is good and the smell, terrific. That is of course based on someone who was born and raised to tell that that scent was great. But for a modern American neighborhood, they would think otherwise. :) So I instantly finished my squid, washed the container and sprayed some alcohol and my tummy was satisfied. I won’t do the stunt again, in a few months again though. Probably during the summer so I can eat somewhere with proper ventilation. :)
Dried fish: it surely has that smell that only a Filipino could love. I would love to have a weekly fix of this delicious breakfast. I’ll make sure to also stack up on some fresheners just in case non-Filipino visitors come by (which is very seldom).
Ayos!
Showing posts with label Family and Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family and Friends. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A different Christmas this year
It's just a little over 60 days to go before Christmas. We're stuck at home because Bubbles is no longer allowed to travel, or even move much. She is almost due by Christmas time...
I have to get used to a new Christmas atmosphere. I have to tell myself that this is the new Christmas:
1. There will be no Christmas countdowns by local reporters.
2. There are no Christmas lights in September
3. "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" has become a reality
4. I no longer need to shout "patatawarin!" to people singing Christmas carols in front of our gate. And for one, we have no gate!
5. I don't need to worry about what to buy for the next category of "Monito, monita."
6. I don't need to wait for All Saint's Day to put up Christmas decors. We only need to put up decors on the 24th and bring them down on the 26th...
7. I don't need to worry about new crispy 20- or 50- peso bills for our "inaanaks" knocking on our doors early Christmas day.
8. I don't have to wake up early in the morning to attempt to attend mass, only to end up not attending because I was too sleepy. whoops. :)
9. I no longer have a 10-day holiday (from the 23rd to the 2nd of January). If I don't work, I don't get paid. Period.
10. I have to forget about the rowdy noche buenas and exchange gifts of Christmas Eve for the time being.
Bubbles and I will get the first hand experience of an American Christmas. It will be a totally different experience, but at least we have each other as our permanent monito/monita to exchange gifts with. And pretty soon, little Juancho is going to be helping us open gifts from friends and family. We'll miss the Pinoy Christmas, definitely.
Advanced Merry Christmas! Ay Halloween pa pala, then Thanksgiving. :)
I have to get used to a new Christmas atmosphere. I have to tell myself that this is the new Christmas:
1. There will be no Christmas countdowns by local reporters.
2. There are no Christmas lights in September
3. "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" has become a reality
4. I no longer need to shout "patatawarin!" to people singing Christmas carols in front of our gate. And for one, we have no gate!
5. I don't need to worry about what to buy for the next category of "Monito, monita."
6. I don't need to wait for All Saint's Day to put up Christmas decors. We only need to put up decors on the 24th and bring them down on the 26th...
7. I don't need to worry about new crispy 20- or 50- peso bills for our "inaanaks" knocking on our doors early Christmas day.
8. I don't have to wake up early in the morning to attempt to attend mass, only to end up not attending because I was too sleepy. whoops. :)
9. I no longer have a 10-day holiday (from the 23rd to the 2nd of January). If I don't work, I don't get paid. Period.
10. I have to forget about the rowdy noche buenas and exchange gifts of Christmas Eve for the time being.
Bubbles and I will get the first hand experience of an American Christmas. It will be a totally different experience, but at least we have each other as our permanent monito/monita to exchange gifts with. And pretty soon, little Juancho is going to be helping us open gifts from friends and family. We'll miss the Pinoy Christmas, definitely.
Advanced Merry Christmas! Ay Halloween pa pala, then Thanksgiving. :)
Vacations, vacations...
The trouble with vacations is that it goes by so fast, you won’t realize it’s done until you wake up the next morning about to do your normal routine. That is how I felt a day after I took a 2-week vacation in Manila. Short and sweet: two words to describe our stay in Manila.
We have long prepared for this trip to Manila. Ticket was bought in April. Shopping for “pasalubong” began in May. Preparation took much longer than the actual trip!
With all those preparations, we almost weren’t allowed to fly. A month before the trip, Bub did the routine ultrasound/sonogram of our little baby, to find out if it’s going to be a boy or a girl! And we did find out. It’s going to be a boy! And we also found out another thing: the little boy’s placenta is lying lower than normal, or what doctors call a marginal previa. The doctor warned against strenuous activities, including TRAVEL. We told the doctor we needed this travel (to keep our sanity intact), so she advised for us to do another sonogram before we leave, which is around 3 days before departure. On October 5, we did another sonogram to check on how our little boy’s placenta is, and voila! It showed that it has migrated already, thus, we are clear to fly! Amen! Thus, on October 8, Saturday DC Time, we were on our way to the airport. Aja, our dear friend from way back in college, drove us to the airport, torturing herself into imagining that she is joining us on this trip, but only to wake up into the reality that she is just driving us there. :)
And so we flew. At 11pm on October 9 (Philippine time), we gazed at the familiar sight of the lights, that surround the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. We were home.
Days went by real fast. Bubbles and I needed to maximize our time so we decided to take time apart so we could do our individual activities. While Bubbles bonded with her sisters as they prepared for her eldest sister’s wedding, I also made up for lost time with my brother to play with his pasalubong, the Playstation 3. We played until the wee hours of the morning, as we exchanged victories one after another. Of course being an old-timer, I lost more, but that did not matter. What matters was that we were having a hell of a fun time together playing games and telling funny stories. Breakfasts with my parents all seemed so routine, just like when I was still single. Everything was a thing of the past, except of course the fact that I was 10 months married and about to be a father.
We didn’t go out much, we just stayed with our families. Bubbles stayed a couple of nights in our house so that my mom could have her share of pampering her daughter-in-law. We had a couple of homecoming parties, one with my loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and another with my beloved colleagues from both my previous jobs. We were also able to attend the traditional Octoberfest, and as usual, it was held in my friend Mike’s place.
And of course, we spent a few nights in the hotel, to spend time with family as we celebrate our dear Ate’s wedding. It was a solemn, happy days for all of us, as we witness the much-awaited wedding our big boss, Concep, and her now bigger boss, Bogs. We were very fortunate to be part of the preparations and the actual execution, and also, the after-party. :)
Short and sweet. I never would want it any other way. No frills, just pure family, friends, food, and fun. What sucks about this vacation is waking up the day after it. I am still in the aftermath of that two-week blast. The trip just further stressed my resolve of going back very soon.
We have long prepared for this trip to Manila. Ticket was bought in April. Shopping for “pasalubong” began in May. Preparation took much longer than the actual trip!
With all those preparations, we almost weren’t allowed to fly. A month before the trip, Bub did the routine ultrasound/sonogram of our little baby, to find out if it’s going to be a boy or a girl! And we did find out. It’s going to be a boy! And we also found out another thing: the little boy’s placenta is lying lower than normal, or what doctors call a marginal previa. The doctor warned against strenuous activities, including TRAVEL. We told the doctor we needed this travel (to keep our sanity intact), so she advised for us to do another sonogram before we leave, which is around 3 days before departure. On October 5, we did another sonogram to check on how our little boy’s placenta is, and voila! It showed that it has migrated already, thus, we are clear to fly! Amen! Thus, on October 8, Saturday DC Time, we were on our way to the airport. Aja, our dear friend from way back in college, drove us to the airport, torturing herself into imagining that she is joining us on this trip, but only to wake up into the reality that she is just driving us there. :)
And so we flew. At 11pm on October 9 (Philippine time), we gazed at the familiar sight of the lights, that surround the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. We were home.
Days went by real fast. Bubbles and I needed to maximize our time so we decided to take time apart so we could do our individual activities. While Bubbles bonded with her sisters as they prepared for her eldest sister’s wedding, I also made up for lost time with my brother to play with his pasalubong, the Playstation 3. We played until the wee hours of the morning, as we exchanged victories one after another. Of course being an old-timer, I lost more, but that did not matter. What matters was that we were having a hell of a fun time together playing games and telling funny stories. Breakfasts with my parents all seemed so routine, just like when I was still single. Everything was a thing of the past, except of course the fact that I was 10 months married and about to be a father.
We didn’t go out much, we just stayed with our families. Bubbles stayed a couple of nights in our house so that my mom could have her share of pampering her daughter-in-law. We had a couple of homecoming parties, one with my loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and another with my beloved colleagues from both my previous jobs. We were also able to attend the traditional Octoberfest, and as usual, it was held in my friend Mike’s place.
And of course, we spent a few nights in the hotel, to spend time with family as we celebrate our dear Ate’s wedding. It was a solemn, happy days for all of us, as we witness the much-awaited wedding our big boss, Concep, and her now bigger boss, Bogs. We were very fortunate to be part of the preparations and the actual execution, and also, the after-party. :)
Short and sweet. I never would want it any other way. No frills, just pure family, friends, food, and fun. What sucks about this vacation is waking up the day after it. I am still in the aftermath of that two-week blast. The trip just further stressed my resolve of going back very soon.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Mga Pagninilay sa aking unang linggo
Bilang isang Pilipino, marami na tayong nakagawian, nakasanayan at nakalakihan. Kapag ikaw ay mappadpad sa banyagang lugar tulad ng Estados Unidos, may mga bagay na maninibago ka at maiiba ang pananaw mo.
Mga nakakapanibagong bagay sa aking pangingibang bansa:
10. You're sooooo wired! - May internet kahit saan ka magpunta at mura ito! Ehem, Smart, Globe. Itigil na ang monopolistic capitalism ng Telco at tumapat na kayo sa bilis ng mundo!
9. NLEX is the normal highway - Ang normal na highway ay mukhang NLEX/SCTEX palagi. Kaya palaging mabilis ang biyahe.
8. Have it your way all the time - Karamihan sa mga fastfood ay drink all you can ang sodas at iced tea. Wala naman akong nakikita ditong mga Amerikanong nagdadala ng Coleman at pinupuno ang mga ito. Malamang kaya hindi ito naaalis sa mga fastfood hindi katulad ng Burger King sa Pinas.
7. Rewards here and there - Lahat ng department store, bookstore, appliance store, may kanya-kanyang rewards and loyalty program. Meron silang card copy, at keychain copy na kung saan yung card puwede mo ikabit sa keychain nang hindi mo makalimutan ang rewards! At ang masaya diyan, ang rewards card ay libre! Ehem, SM Advantage.
6. Pareho ang paraan ng pagbili ng Potato Chips at 40" LED TV - Paano? Hanapin ang gustong brand, ilagay sa Cart, bayaran, ilagay sa Kotse. Tapos. Testing? Ikaw magtesting sa bahay, bahala ka sa buhay mo!!!
5. Ang yebe ay nakakatuuwa lamang kung tapos na ang snow storm. Kapag na
4. Hindi banidoso ang pagkakaroon ng skin treatment process - Dati, pagkatapos ko maligo, pabango lang puwede na. Dahil sa lamig at dryness ng panahon, kailangan ko na maglagay ng oil para uminit ang likod, lotion para sa dryness, lip balm para sa chapped lips, enhancer para sa dry skin... Mula 15-minute baths, doble na ang oras ng ligo ko. hehehe
3. Mahilig sila sa Malalaking bagay! - Ang Supermarket na Costco ay isang wholesale store na nagbebenta ng mga produktong hindi mo akalain may ganung kalaking size. Dito ka makakakita ng MALAKING Tide, MALAKING Potato Chips, MALAKING tissue. Lahat MALAKI!
2. Consumer-centric ang mga tindahan dito - Pag hindi mo trip ang produktong binili mo, ibalik mo within the store's return time. At most 30 days yun. Ibabalik nila bayad mo! Hindi uso ang "NO RETURN, NO EXCHANGE" dito. :)
1. Clean as you go - Sa fastfood, hindi puwede iwan mo ang mnesa mo na marumi at may lalapit na "Equitable Manpower Services" at lilinisin ang puwesto mo. Tapat mo, linis mo!
Marami pang iba ang nakakapanibago. At lahat ito ay matuturing na "upgrade" sa nakasanayan. Mas lumawak ang kaalaman, mas lumawak ang kalayaan. Alam ko na ngayon kung bakit lahat ng tao ay gustong mapunta sa bansang ito.
Ngunit sa gitna ng karangyaan at kapangyarihan nais ibigay ng bansang ito sa bawat taong mapunta rito, hindi naman nito makakayang ibigay ang ligaya't sayang dulot ng ating nakasanayan at nakalakihan. Sa gitna ng bilis at laki ng lahat ng bagay dito, mapapatigil ka at biglaang mamimiss ang iyong mga naiwan, ang iyong mga nakagawian. Parang ngayon. Bigla kong namiss ang trapik ng EDSA. Ang ngiti at buhay na buhay na pagbati ng service crew ng McDo. Ang pagtetext ng mga kaibigan ng "Gimik 2nyt?" o "Inom tayo!" o "San ka? Kape!" Ang paghigop ng mainit na lugaw na sinamahan ng tokwa't baboy. At higit sa lahat, ang pagyakap ng iyong mga kamag-anak at magulang at kapatid sa tuwing magkikita-kita sa isang birthday party, kasal, binyag, o ano pa mang dahilan upang magkita-kita. Malamang ang mga ito, hinding hindi matutumbasan ng kahit ano pa mang bilis o laki.
Cheers!
Mga nakakapanibagong bagay sa aking pangingibang bansa:
10. You're sooooo wired! - May internet kahit saan ka magpunta at mura ito! Ehem, Smart, Globe. Itigil na ang monopolistic capitalism ng Telco at tumapat na kayo sa bilis ng mundo!
9. NLEX is the normal highway - Ang normal na highway ay mukhang NLEX/SCTEX palagi. Kaya palaging mabilis ang biyahe.
8. Have it your way all the time - Karamihan sa mga fastfood ay drink all you can ang sodas at iced tea. Wala naman akong nakikita ditong mga Amerikanong nagdadala ng Coleman at pinupuno ang mga ito. Malamang kaya hindi ito naaalis sa mga fastfood hindi katulad ng Burger King sa Pinas.
7. Rewards here and there - Lahat ng department store, bookstore, appliance store, may kanya-kanyang rewards and loyalty program. Meron silang card copy, at keychain copy na kung saan yung card puwede mo ikabit sa keychain nang hindi mo makalimutan ang rewards! At ang masaya diyan, ang rewards card ay libre! Ehem, SM Advantage.
6. Pareho ang paraan ng pagbili ng Potato Chips at 40" LED TV - Paano? Hanapin ang gustong brand, ilagay sa Cart, bayaran, ilagay sa Kotse. Tapos. Testing? Ikaw magtesting sa bahay, bahala ka sa buhay mo!!!
5. Ang yebe ay nakakatuuwa lamang kung tapos na ang snow storm. Kapag na
4. Hindi banidoso ang pagkakaroon ng skin treatment process - Dati, pagkatapos ko maligo, pabango lang puwede na. Dahil sa lamig at dryness ng panahon, kailangan ko na maglagay ng oil para uminit ang likod, lotion para sa dryness, lip balm para sa chapped lips, enhancer para sa dry skin... Mula 15-minute baths, doble na ang oras ng ligo ko. hehehe
3. Mahilig sila sa Malalaking bagay! - Ang Supermarket na Costco ay isang wholesale store na nagbebenta ng mga produktong hindi mo akalain may ganung kalaking size. Dito ka makakakita ng MALAKING Tide, MALAKING Potato Chips, MALAKING tissue. Lahat MALAKI!
2. Consumer-centric ang mga tindahan dito - Pag hindi mo trip ang produktong binili mo, ibalik mo within the store's return time. At most 30 days yun. Ibabalik nila bayad mo! Hindi uso ang "NO RETURN, NO EXCHANGE" dito. :)
1. Clean as you go - Sa fastfood, hindi puwede iwan mo ang mnesa mo na marumi at may lalapit na "Equitable Manpower Services" at lilinisin ang puwesto mo. Tapat mo, linis mo!
Marami pang iba ang nakakapanibago. At lahat ito ay matuturing na "upgrade" sa nakasanayan. Mas lumawak ang kaalaman, mas lumawak ang kalayaan. Alam ko na ngayon kung bakit lahat ng tao ay gustong mapunta sa bansang ito.
Ngunit sa gitna ng karangyaan at kapangyarihan nais ibigay ng bansang ito sa bawat taong mapunta rito, hindi naman nito makakayang ibigay ang ligaya't sayang dulot ng ating nakasanayan at nakalakihan. Sa gitna ng bilis at laki ng lahat ng bagay dito, mapapatigil ka at biglaang mamimiss ang iyong mga naiwan, ang iyong mga nakagawian. Parang ngayon. Bigla kong namiss ang trapik ng EDSA. Ang ngiti at buhay na buhay na pagbati ng service crew ng McDo. Ang pagtetext ng mga kaibigan ng "Gimik 2nyt?" o "Inom tayo!" o "San ka? Kape!" Ang paghigop ng mainit na lugaw na sinamahan ng tokwa't baboy. At higit sa lahat, ang pagyakap ng iyong mga kamag-anak at magulang at kapatid sa tuwing magkikita-kita sa isang birthday party, kasal, binyag, o ano pa mang dahilan upang magkita-kita. Malamang ang mga ito, hinding hindi matutumbasan ng kahit ano pa mang bilis o laki.
Cheers!
Friday, July 09, 2010
Puerto Galera - May 29-31, 2010
It always feels good to be in the company of the people you are most comfortable with. We had the opportunity to get together again and relive the experiences of high school life, but this time ten years older. Thanks to our Singapore-bound buddy Titan's most-awaited vacation leave, we all got the chance to rest for the weekend and simply enjoy the sun, the good food, and the sea breeze.
Titan, RT, Mike, Bhonny, PJ and I spend the last weekend of May in Puetor Galera. I've been there several times now but I still get to enjoy its beauty, its sun, and with companions as awesome as these guys, the three-day vacation was just perfect. :)
Itinerary:
1. Eat
2. Relax
3. Joke Time
4. Kulitan
5. Relax
6. Eat
7. Inom
8. Joke Time
9. Kulitan
10. Sleep
Walang kuwenta. Pero masaya. Now that's what you call vacation. hehe
Some snapshots!
Overlooking the Peninsula
Tamaraw Falls
Puerto Galera Yacht Club!
Bonfire
Titan underground
Let's do this again guys! Out of the country naman! :)
Cheers!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Welcome to the Christian World, Joaquin!
On March 27, 2010, we welcomed Joaquin Carmelo A. Acosta to the Christian world. :)
A few snapshots:
A few snapshots:
Mom, Dad, Quito Lolo, and Lolas
The Apostols
I forgot their Quartet name. Apologies! :)
Daming Yaya!
Quito, Deng, Quinito, Juaqui, Joaquin...
Congrats, dear Quito. Be good. :)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Manuel - Joy Wedding - March 18, 2010, Intramuros, Manila
A million cheers to Manuel and Ate Joy for a beautiful wedding on March 18, 2010. Ceremony was held at the historic San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. Reception was held in Patio Victoria, also in Intramuros. It was attended by Manuel and Joy's closest, best friends and family. :)
Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Nascimiento! May you be blessed with healthy children, prosperity, and everlasting bliss. :)
(Not) The First Kiss
First Dance
Party Time!
The Entourage
With host Dale Padilla! CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks for the invite!
Cheers!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cho's Birthday at Felix Bar, GB5
Another late post. We celebrated Boss' 2008 Birthday at Felix Bar Greenbelt 5. Let the pictures alone tell you how sumptuous their food is. :)
Care for a Merlot?
Not just beef
Beef with a slice of Foie Gras...
Burger with a Twist
Go seafood
DessertHappy Birthday Boss! :) Thanks for inviting me to this wonderful dinner.
Felix Bar and Restaurant
Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)