Ok, this isn't even funny anymore. After that horrible yoga class, I went to work the next day, sniffling and sneezing, and by nightfall...had developed a fever of 38.8, a comprehensive flu that kept me in bed for almost four days. M and T think it's hot yoga... and the proliferation of germs...and sweat opening you up and making you even more susceptible to illness. As much as I wish to dismiss the theory, I recall an instance in the car when I got the major chill sweats a full half an hour after the class. What the hell, I don't know. I just don't know.
With work being dismal and school starting for the kiddies, I can only be cheered by the following:
- My friend Leia's generous gift due to arrive the middle of this week!
- Carol Shields Collected Stories
- K and C's gameness to go back to school
- Hong Kong in two weeks
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Learning the hard way
Never make the mistake of having a cup of coffee before you go for yoga practice.
Did an interview at Toast and proceeded from there to a yoga class, thinking what they hey, I was there anyway. And oh my goodness. As I dragged myself painfully through the asanas, breath seemed elusive. While the toxins may have flowed out of my body, the process was not rejuvenating as much as it was uncomfortable. I found myself thinking, this is what dying must be like.
Never again.
Did an interview at Toast and proceeded from there to a yoga class, thinking what they hey, I was there anyway. And oh my goodness. As I dragged myself painfully through the asanas, breath seemed elusive. While the toxins may have flowed out of my body, the process was not rejuvenating as much as it was uncomfortable. I found myself thinking, this is what dying must be like.
Never again.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
9 Revelations from a Manila trip
- The city is best experienced from the convenience of a hotel residence.
- It offers the most satisfying "value for money" shopping, combined with the fact that there is no language barrier.
- No matter how much time you allot for seeing people, it is always never enough.
- You will never be able to accomplish eating at all the restaurants you have decided you want to eat. And even when you manage to dine at "quite a number", unexpectedly, the most tantalising instance in your memory will be the time you ate at Shakey's.
- You will invariably run into someone you don't want to run into.
- The cash you have withdrawn from the ATM will run out sooner, rather than later.
- Supremely worthwhile activities will include a massage (or two or three) and a haircut.
- No matter how old your kids are, if they are below 15, it is worthwhile to bring a yaya.
- Even those who make a date to see you because they really want to, will be late.
- It offers the most satisfying "value for money" shopping, combined with the fact that there is no language barrier.
- No matter how much time you allot for seeing people, it is always never enough.
- You will never be able to accomplish eating at all the restaurants you have decided you want to eat. And even when you manage to dine at "quite a number", unexpectedly, the most tantalising instance in your memory will be the time you ate at Shakey's.
- You will invariably run into someone you don't want to run into.
- The cash you have withdrawn from the ATM will run out sooner, rather than later.
- Supremely worthwhile activities will include a massage (or two or three) and a haircut.
- No matter how old your kids are, if they are below 15, it is worthwhile to bring a yaya.
- Even those who make a date to see you because they really want to, will be late.
Friday, June 16, 2006
A NOTE TO HER SPOUSE'S EX
A piece of epistolary faction
I mean, really. Enough already. Resign yourself to your life and accept that there will always be a part of you that wonders and wants. It's only natural, and no one faults you for feeling that after having experienced a true connection, you want to play it out again. It is only natural to want to feed the vanity and nurture the possibility of what if. Of course it is. But rather than play these once-in-a-while desires, once in a while, why not practice restraint. For what good will it do in the end?
Desire need not always equal action.
I mean, really. Enough already. Resign yourself to your life and accept that there will always be a part of you that wonders and wants. It's only natural, and no one faults you for feeling that after having experienced a true connection, you want to play it out again. It is only natural to want to feed the vanity and nurture the possibility of what if. Of course it is. But rather than play these once-in-a-while desires, once in a while, why not practice restraint. For what good will it do in the end?
Desire need not always equal action.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Home... Sick
The doctor at the clinic said, "This is very similar to your last visit."
The symptoms of a blossoming upper respiratory tract infection. Come to think of it, it feels all too dejavu. What's wierd is the things I used to be able to work through, I'm no longer quite as adept at taking it. Now I guess I'm tired, so little things like a sniffly nose and a scratchy throat weigh a little more heavily.
"Why are you always getting sick?" That's what T said.
The doctor said, not without a measure of judgement, "You have to live a healthy life to be healthy. Proper sleep. Exercise. A good diet." I felt her eyes slide me. I said, "What happens when your job doesn't allow you to live a healthy life?" She said, "I have no answers for you." In my mind I said, thanks, and tucked the meds she gave me into my bag.
So home I went to bed and to sleep. Even though I have 100 and two things to write and deadlines loom, things will have to take care of themselves. In the meantime, I need to start living a healthy life.
The symptoms of a blossoming upper respiratory tract infection. Come to think of it, it feels all too dejavu. What's wierd is the things I used to be able to work through, I'm no longer quite as adept at taking it. Now I guess I'm tired, so little things like a sniffly nose and a scratchy throat weigh a little more heavily.
"Why are you always getting sick?" That's what T said.
The doctor said, not without a measure of judgement, "You have to live a healthy life to be healthy. Proper sleep. Exercise. A good diet." I felt her eyes slide me. I said, "What happens when your job doesn't allow you to live a healthy life?" She said, "I have no answers for you." In my mind I said, thanks, and tucked the meds she gave me into my bag.
So home I went to bed and to sleep. Even though I have 100 and two things to write and deadlines loom, things will have to take care of themselves. In the meantime, I need to start living a healthy life.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Without missing a beat
And we're back, as though we never left. K and C are enjoying science camp to the hilt, and no doubt, Melin is as well, for they are gainfully occupied and out of the house from 9-5 for a total of five days of what constitutes the "summer" break in Singapore. And me and T? Back at work, wondering, what now...what next?
Bohol deserves its own entry; though I will say those four days and three nights were lovely. Bohol is lovely. T texted me yesterday: Let's live in Bohol. What could we do? An English language school. A family style boutique resort? A tour company. So clean and so simple and time seems to pass more slowly. We asked how long it took from the airport to the resort, and we were told, half an hour. But it took twenty minutes. They said the pump boat ride to the marine sanctuary was twenty minutes, but it took closer to ten. And to the Chocolate Hills, it was supposed to be an hour, but it took forty minutes...so strange. I found myself dropping bill after bill into the rusty donation boxes of every tourist attraction we went to. How awful if it were all just to disappear. T said: How do you know it's going there? But then I caught him putting cash into the Tarsier donation box. Aah the inconsistency.
The driver of our resort car said Bohol is blessed. Alright, those are my words, but that's what he meant. He told us that it was a law (the actual word was patakaran) to have a religious saying on every commercial building. He said in Bohol, the weather is always good, and it never storms, and it never rains for more than an hour. ("But on this island, the earth sings!" was the music in my head). What got me right there was the sight of all the different sized houses with the placards: ATTORNEY AT LAW, ARCHITECT, and of course, the ubiquitous NOTARY PUBLIC. One placard of a homey, medium-sized bungalow rather frighteningly stated: MEDICAL and SURGICAL CLINIC.
There is a reason that we didn't get to see the dolphins.
We are going back.
Bohol deserves its own entry; though I will say those four days and three nights were lovely. Bohol is lovely. T texted me yesterday: Let's live in Bohol. What could we do? An English language school. A family style boutique resort? A tour company. So clean and so simple and time seems to pass more slowly. We asked how long it took from the airport to the resort, and we were told, half an hour. But it took twenty minutes. They said the pump boat ride to the marine sanctuary was twenty minutes, but it took closer to ten. And to the Chocolate Hills, it was supposed to be an hour, but it took forty minutes...so strange. I found myself dropping bill after bill into the rusty donation boxes of every tourist attraction we went to. How awful if it were all just to disappear. T said: How do you know it's going there? But then I caught him putting cash into the Tarsier donation box. Aah the inconsistency.
The driver of our resort car said Bohol is blessed. Alright, those are my words, but that's what he meant. He told us that it was a law (the actual word was patakaran) to have a religious saying on every commercial building. He said in Bohol, the weather is always good, and it never storms, and it never rains for more than an hour. ("But on this island, the earth sings!" was the music in my head). What got me right there was the sight of all the different sized houses with the placards: ATTORNEY AT LAW, ARCHITECT, and of course, the ubiquitous NOTARY PUBLIC. One placard of a homey, medium-sized bungalow rather frighteningly stated: MEDICAL and SURGICAL CLINIC.
There is a reason that we didn't get to see the dolphins.
We are going back.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Free at last!
Here I am, hanging by a thread after just eleven days sans Melin. I'm not ashamed to admit that I can't be a Supermom. At least, not the eighties kind that tries to "do it all," and without help. Not with the job I have. Thing is, I don't think I'd ever want to be. Maybe if I worked at a bookstore, selling books, maybe then I could do it. But even then, I wouldn't want to.
Finally, am on leave. Took the Floy Quintosians to the zoo, and enjoyed myself despite a number of interruptions from work. But first, I had to bring Kboomboom to the ear doctor to get her meds. We saw all the animals, and even got to feed the baboons! A nice three hour walk around the entire perimeter. The Zoo is lovely on a week day. And that lake is simply stunning. Now packing for Bohol.
Whoohoohoo...
Finally, am on leave. Took the Floy Quintosians to the zoo, and enjoyed myself despite a number of interruptions from work. But first, I had to bring Kboomboom to the ear doctor to get her meds. We saw all the animals, and even got to feed the baboons! A nice three hour walk around the entire perimeter. The Zoo is lovely on a week day. And that lake is simply stunning. Now packing for Bohol.
Whoohoohoo...
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Day 9
Discover yet again... when I'm up against the wall, and my family wails for food, I can cook. And I'm not half bad, if I do say so myself. Sick of takeout and equally sick of going out, the husband and the children said, "Let's eat in, please..."
So I made what I have hastily christened Picnic Penne
Ingredients
garlic
onion
basil
1/2 pack of penne
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can mushrooms
2 pieces of cooked ham, chopped into bits
1 can of anchovies
1 cup red wine
Lots of grated Parmegiano Regiano
1) Set the penne to boil in water with a pinch of rock salt
2) Saute minced garlic and chopped onion in olive oil. Add in ham and brown. Add in mushrooms, basil and anchovy (drained of oil). Let all of this sweat together.
3) Drain can of stewed tomatoes and chop them up
4) Before penne is done, take it off the flame and drain in colander. Penne will seem on the underdone side, but that's intentional.
5) Mix in the stewed tomatoes and about 2/3 cup red wine
6) Season sauce with salt and pepper.
7) When penne is fully drained, dump into the sauce pan and toss under light flame.
8) Serve in pasta bowls topped with grated cheese
This is a dryer kind of pasta than is conventional, which makes it nice for packing for lunch. There's a rich flavour to it thanks to the anchovy, tomatoes and red wine.
And it takes hardly any time at all. Just chop and mix as you go along and don't rush. Every stage benefits from time in the pan...
So I made what I have hastily christened Picnic Penne
Ingredients
garlic
onion
basil
1/2 pack of penne
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can mushrooms
2 pieces of cooked ham, chopped into bits
1 can of anchovies
1 cup red wine
Lots of grated Parmegiano Regiano
1) Set the penne to boil in water with a pinch of rock salt
2) Saute minced garlic and chopped onion in olive oil. Add in ham and brown. Add in mushrooms, basil and anchovy (drained of oil). Let all of this sweat together.
3) Drain can of stewed tomatoes and chop them up
4) Before penne is done, take it off the flame and drain in colander. Penne will seem on the underdone side, but that's intentional.
5) Mix in the stewed tomatoes and about 2/3 cup red wine
6) Season sauce with salt and pepper.
7) When penne is fully drained, dump into the sauce pan and toss under light flame.
8) Serve in pasta bowls topped with grated cheese
This is a dryer kind of pasta than is conventional, which makes it nice for packing for lunch. There's a rich flavour to it thanks to the anchovy, tomatoes and red wine.
And it takes hardly any time at all. Just chop and mix as you go along and don't rush. Every stage benefits from time in the pan...
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Sondheim's Wisdom
"Marry me a little.
Love me just enough.
Cry but not too often.
Play but not too rough.
Keep a tender distance, so we'll both be free.
That's the way it ought to be.
Marry me a little. Do it with a will.
Make a few demands I'm able to fulfill.
Want me first and foremost, not exclusively.
That's the way it ought to be.
You can be my best friend. I can be your right arm.
We'll go through a fight or two, no harm. No harm."
(Marry Me A Little - COMPANY
Then again, there's:
"Men are stupid. Men are vain.
Love's disgusting,love's insane. A humiliating business.
Oh how true..."
Every Day A Little Death from A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Love me just enough.
Cry but not too often.
Play but not too rough.
Keep a tender distance, so we'll both be free.
That's the way it ought to be.
Marry me a little. Do it with a will.
Make a few demands I'm able to fulfill.
Want me first and foremost, not exclusively.
That's the way it ought to be.
You can be my best friend. I can be your right arm.
We'll go through a fight or two, no harm. No harm."
(Marry Me A Little - COMPANY
Then again, there's:
"Men are stupid. Men are vain.
Love's disgusting,love's insane. A humiliating business.
Oh how true..."
Every Day A Little Death from A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Day 2
Yesterday making breakfast of toasted English muffins, butter, jam and cheese caused us to be late for badminton. The last training session before Celeste and her kids leave next week. Sad sad sad. The only way to keep from getting all sniffy and sobby is to just plain pretend she isn't leaving, which has, of course, its own difficulties.
Then we dropped K off at her party and took C to dimsum lunch, at first against his will, until he tasted the luscious soup-filled pork dumplings. A bit of window shopping, it's sale season in Singapore, and then back to fetch K then home. Nap was disrupted first by K then by a tantrum C-style. And lickety split it was time for choir mass. A wondrous moment in Kiko's Prayer Of St. Ignatius. What a difference a conductor makes is all I can say, plus Kiko is such a gifted one. He makes you want to please him. And then Celeste's valedictory prayer. What will we do without her...
Went to dinner at Pepper Lunch with kids, Celeste and Yayo. Realising Dennis' absence yet again and a gathering with the two families isn't going to be happening again anytime soon. Borders then home for a major temper tantrum from K who didn't want C to sleep in her room. Finally got them both peacefully in bed.
Day 2, we get up exactly at 9am, meaning we miss soccer. C'est la vie. Veto going out for breakfast and instead whip up some cheese quesadillas and make good use of four squishy bananas for a peanut butter banana roll-up dessert. Today it's another goodbye lunch and then a Zafra party. Once the kids are asleep, have to do three advertorials if I'm to stay ahead of the game. That and then get up before it's even light out for the kids...
Ten days to go without Melin.
Then we dropped K off at her party and took C to dimsum lunch, at first against his will, until he tasted the luscious soup-filled pork dumplings. A bit of window shopping, it's sale season in Singapore, and then back to fetch K then home. Nap was disrupted first by K then by a tantrum C-style. And lickety split it was time for choir mass. A wondrous moment in Kiko's Prayer Of St. Ignatius. What a difference a conductor makes is all I can say, plus Kiko is such a gifted one. He makes you want to please him. And then Celeste's valedictory prayer. What will we do without her...
Went to dinner at Pepper Lunch with kids, Celeste and Yayo. Realising Dennis' absence yet again and a gathering with the two families isn't going to be happening again anytime soon. Borders then home for a major temper tantrum from K who didn't want C to sleep in her room. Finally got them both peacefully in bed.
Day 2, we get up exactly at 9am, meaning we miss soccer. C'est la vie. Veto going out for breakfast and instead whip up some cheese quesadillas and make good use of four squishy bananas for a peanut butter banana roll-up dessert. Today it's another goodbye lunch and then a Zafra party. Once the kids are asleep, have to do three advertorials if I'm to stay ahead of the game. That and then get up before it's even light out for the kids...
Ten days to go without Melin.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Midlife Crisis
Five years ago, I had an epiphany about people who have gone through the Maria Montessori educational system and are now adults, which become a kind of personal life thesis. I believe that this educational philosophy, which prioritises the individual, the scientific method and learning for learning's sake, creates people with entreprenuerial zeal, unlimited creativity, and an almost renegade attitude toward formal authority.
I look at most of my former classmates and hardly anyone is working for a large company as an employee. There's a smattering of architects, doctors and lawyers, for sure. There are educators and there are entreprenuers, and lots and lots of artists - freelance writers, designers, directors, musicians, producers - what the media refers to as the creative class. They, or I should say, we, are happy to call our time our own. We are happy to make time in our lives to make money, but not have that be the end all or be all. I attribute my wandering eye, my restless, antsy feet and my penchant for scouring the classifieds to this background. Or maybe it's just an excuse for sheer boredom. The inability to focus and concentrate? Or is it...the conviction that there is something else out there better than this. The constant needling, nagging doubt that all that I am able to do is not necessarily what I am meant to do? And here we are again...
Non-sequitur: puttering in the evenings to the noise of the third season of Ally McBeal. It's also very clearly the season where it all went to the most inane pot imaginable.
I look at most of my former classmates and hardly anyone is working for a large company as an employee. There's a smattering of architects, doctors and lawyers, for sure. There are educators and there are entreprenuers, and lots and lots of artists - freelance writers, designers, directors, musicians, producers - what the media refers to as the creative class. They, or I should say, we, are happy to call our time our own. We are happy to make time in our lives to make money, but not have that be the end all or be all. I attribute my wandering eye, my restless, antsy feet and my penchant for scouring the classifieds to this background. Or maybe it's just an excuse for sheer boredom. The inability to focus and concentrate? Or is it...the conviction that there is something else out there better than this. The constant needling, nagging doubt that all that I am able to do is not necessarily what I am meant to do? And here we are again...
Non-sequitur: puttering in the evenings to the noise of the third season of Ally McBeal. It's also very clearly the season where it all went to the most inane pot imaginable.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Stuff Of My Dreams
And when I say this, I'm referring to what my dreams have been about these past three days, as opposed to goals, ambitions or fantasies.
- I dreamt I was vacuuming my bed with one of those mini-dustbusters and I could make out millions of tiny little microscopic creatures running away from the vacuum nozzle.
- I dreamt of the joyous pain of zits being injected by good old Dr. Romero.
- I dreamt of not just one but a series of haunted houses.
T says houses in dreams are symbols for health. And the two other dreams are also health related, so he chalks everything up as my subconscious' overall concern for my health. Feel like he is not too far off the mark.
Tomorrow...yoga again. This evening, going for a run, if I can manage it.
- I dreamt I was vacuuming my bed with one of those mini-dustbusters and I could make out millions of tiny little microscopic creatures running away from the vacuum nozzle.
- I dreamt of the joyous pain of zits being injected by good old Dr. Romero.
- I dreamt of not just one but a series of haunted houses.
T says houses in dreams are symbols for health. And the two other dreams are also health related, so he chalks everything up as my subconscious' overall concern for my health. Feel like he is not too far off the mark.
Tomorrow...yoga again. This evening, going for a run, if I can manage it.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
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Kids on break
So what are you going to do about it?
Reminder: Buy fruit
Likewise, Quintosians rule
on with family business
FLASHBACK MANILA
Isang Sandali
Sisterhood rules
Here's to being the best we can be!
Apparently, this is me. Now which card are you?
You are The Wheel of Fortune
Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of intoxication with success
The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.