recognition

The TRUST I work for published this yesterday.

I'm moved!

filler

Gelo asked me to delete this (photo taken by AJ) as he's embarrassed. He reckons this picture puts him in such of an effeminate way that it diminishes his masculinity. I see his point, I really do. I have that point of view too.

But if I have to look back someday (when I'm 90 - if ever I reach that age), this photo will make me smile.

filler

it's not PRADA ... it's better.

There goes my wanting for more and more and more in life.

addiction

I know addiction when I eat one.

teaser

more work... for a good cause.

barongs

We went home to the Philippines laden with loads of gifts to relatives. We came back with nothing but a dozen of Barong Tagalogs in our luggage. We have this intention of wearing different designs to different singing and hosting commitments across UK in the coming months. We plan to make it a business so we really have to make an effort, right?

Last week, I missed two calls from BBC for the planned interview re: overseas nurses working in UK, after the initial tete-a-tete (for 20 minutes) if I was suitable as a LIVE interviewee guest. They've seen the wave of interest from people of diversity in the recently concluded Barrio Fiesta and they'd like to interrogate ask me relevant questions about socio-economic issues and Nursing in this country. I thought it's going to be a BLAST but I have to hold fire until next week if they're still open to this venture.

For a decade, I steered clear of Filipino community involvement. Now, it's a different issue.

dream

I'm no CHEF nor food connoisseur but my taste buds are equipped to know if I'm being ripped off by ridiculously astronomical  food bill with that BLEH of a dish served. This one (Mustard Cafe) is justified.

My relationship with food is growing not as a basic foundation of living but as an ever encompassing, multifactorial entity to the expanding universe that is man. Someday, my nagging of Gelo will reach fever pitch that he'd drop everything down and open a resto.  We dream of a major assault to senses through food and our combination as a chef and a food critic will take us there. It'll happen someday. Yes... someday!

talent

Phone apps do help ...

Someday, talents can be scientifically manufactured or designed.

smell of blood

I have always loved my steak to be RARE. I hate masticating on a dry, chewy carcass in my mouth. I prefer the combo of smell and taste of blood. There's something primal and primitive about it. You get to taste the real taste of what you're eating.

When Gelo and I fight, there's a gamut of emotional display. Last night, he threw a massive  fit and remote controls and iphones reached another galaxy and beyond. The sound of the slammed door reverberated to the highest heavens that it nearly perforated my eardrum. We then talked and I walked away from the bedroom. I watched the not-so-funny episode of GGV on telly and thought of driving with windows rolled down for fresh night air. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I was in his tight embrace mumbling repeated words of affection.

It's very seldom that we fight. When we do, I smell blood but we don't do battering type. We deliver a more theatrical approach to arguments. I hate pretense and would rather smell and taste blood than placate things deceptively. Real pain in any way imagined is always a better precursor to a deep-dive in reflection... just like eating RARE steak.

pausing

These days, we seldom look at the intricate details. We are so quick at jumping into conclusions without that good ol' scrutiny; that long hard look before making our minds up. I watch a  film and before I say it's CRAP, I pause and try to be rationale about what I say. I get embroiled in a heated argument and before I wreck the place down, I make sure it's the right thing to do (is wrecking ever a right thing to do .... really????).

Pause.

Think.

Act.

that face says it all...

The event was uber successful.

That's all.

3 changes - 1 show - a bloated ego

 

the paid players

Geneva and Kim Idol.

I wasn't disappointed with Kim but Geneva .....

the officers - PINAS

Believe it or not but they are a bunch of beautiful people inside out.

the players - Barrio Fiesta in Norwich 2013

 - Barrio fiesta

food

I have always loved "high tea"/afternoon tea/cream tea. I have had a million cream teas in the past decade I don't know anymore which scone and clotted cream tasted the best. But the memory's more perceptive to the ambiance, the presentation, the people you're with at the time and location. Obviously, the fancy ones leave a lasting impression than others. Decadence adds a little extra (if not more) than just gastronomic satiety.

Twice in three days, Gelo and I had more than fair share of scones, clotted cream, variety of tea and on top of that, slices of club sandwiches (tuna melt first then grilled chicken the next). We skipped gym sessions twice and in all, been to the pink house only once this week. It's an appalling priority setting. But the lure of that tested formula of smudged half scone with an array of marmalade choices and clotted cream is more than enough to bend someone's strictest will to submission (mine and Gelo's at least). We felt guilty leaving the establishment but it's good to say what the ear to the mind would like to hear. Food is basic need and I stick by the mantra.

Being regimented is the foundation of valour but rigidity is it's borderline. I am neither of those qualities. I am a free spirit.

a child

This is Issa. He is half Filipino-half Indian. Gelo and I are very fond of him to the point that he asked me, "Can we have a baby?". I said "Yes, but let's wait for the evolutionary process". Here's my theory: The future is all about men in survival of the fittest and with evolution playing tricks on human existence, will start bearing children.

But I didn't really answer my hubby's question. In fact, I'd like love to rear a child and be a proud parent. But there's future mortgage, finances to balance, responsibility to define, a dog as a try-out, priorities to sort, and of course, immaturity to curb.

There's a lot to think of... really.

I've said this a million times ....

... that sticky toffee pudding in custard sauce is heaven on a plate. One can always bribe me with this and get on my good books all the time. I promise!

selfie mode

My life's been exciting enough these past weeks (holiday in Phils included) but I'm still in that starvation mode as to what to write. Then this "selfie" on FB took centre-stage and there's not a second whizzing by... witnessing a friend posting a heavily photoshopped face pic online. Here I am criticising friends from doing such act of narcissism when I do the same thing. However, I seldom post close up pics on FB lately (that's probably because my Instagram account took the Phoenix life pattern - where I post my bereft-of-shame-selfies) hence my direct criticism of people who do.

For seven years, I wore a cap/hat/beret and all other headgear imaginable to hide my main insecurity. Losing hair at early adulthood was one of the most daunting struggles in diurnal existence. Getting over that was liberating. So that's my excuse for maximising my selfie-moments minus a headgear because as far as I can remember, most of my pics at the beginning and mid 2000s were adorned with caps and hats of varying colours, shapes and designs.

There's an account saying that this "selfie" mode is pathologic. All I know is that we have pathos walking with us everyday, everywhere. I know I'm not one but I don't care if you think I am.

confidence, competence

How I'm getting better as a driver?

- body, mind and car co-ordination
- ability to change CDs with confidence
- use of accessory buttons of the car whilst driving
- drinking water/tea/coffee
- and the BAD thing: texting

that corner stays

We bought KOPIKO from Philippines but it's not the same as proper coffee. So we are keeping our coffee corner indefinitely.

kudos to Dindo Medina

.... who we commissioned to make this poster for our Barrio Fiesta.

someday...

Cruising along Wroxham Broads was a harsh reminder of socio-economic divide. It's also a strong nudge to the psyche that dreaming big, striving hard and that once-in-a-blue-moon luck could be the key elements of someday... owning one of these houses by the water.

It saddens me that at my age, my luxury is not parallel nor tangent in comparison to its proper definition.

mic and me

The Bikini Open went on for four hours and my one and only company that understood me well was the microphone. Yes, MIC and I are bosom buddies. We dwell on synergism.

no rest for the wicked

Since coming back from holiday, I was laden with tonnes of non-stop social engagements on top of work related matters. Pictures do not tell the exact story but it definitely would help in bridging memory gaps someday.

PINAS meetings


Friends' visit


Gym


Hosting Colchester Barrio Fiesta


and ... hosting the Bikini Open 2013 (London)