So what are you going to do
With one rugged worn out shoe?
I know one time someone loved you
With all his heart
And on good long walks would choose you
Over and over again,
And mend your tears--
That are inevitable.
I know one time,
Not long ago--
Someone loved you with all his heart.
And at nights he tucked you in,
You were content
to stretch under the bed
and wonder about this man-
who cared enough to scrub you clean.
But one day he never woke.
Faithfully, you waited and waited..
And as you lament your loss,
People worked his room—
And you found yourself
In a box, discarded…
So here you are
Couldn’t be more useful
Yet never complaining
A story to tell.
Delicately she fixes herself, Opens her virgin folds towards the sun. Coquettish not—but coy and prudish. All fascinating; stalked the lustful man... Mildest her scent, but only at night-
Ravished...
Now spent and trampled on the ground By those who once admired and yearned For her once immaculate petals.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
2/12/2011, Loch Raven Lake
Baltimore, MD
St Augustine wrote:
"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."
Once again, I tried my wits in the kitchen. Here’s what I was able to whisk up with some broccoli, chicken nuggets and oyster sauce.
If you’re like me, who’s reached the bottom of the chicken fritters bag--with very few of them left, and with some leftover broccoli you wouldn’t want to waste, here’s what you can do. It’s surely not something that the chef de cuisine might even consider in his kitchen (who knows?), but hey, I trust my roommates’ taste buds, and when she says the meal’s delicious, then it has to be. As for me, it reminded me of a chicken teriyaki meal...
Broccoli With Chicken Fritters & Oyster Sauce
Total Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 bunch of broccoli, cut into bite-pieces (or your leftover steamed broccoli)
2 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
5-6 pieces of chicken fritters or tenders, cut into cubes
How it’s done:
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and blanch for 2-3 minutes, until it is tender but still crisp. Remove the pan and drain. (If you have leftover steamed broccoli, skip this step).
In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat and add butter.Add the chicken fritters and fry for 2 minutes.
Toss in the broccoli, add oyster sauce, and stir for 2 minutes.
Serve with potato or wheat bread. It goes well as rice topping too!
Stores—no matter the size—can teach you a thing or two about financial empowerment. This is what I figured out after frequenting stores—starting from thrift stores and dollar stores, and up to the so –called “high-end” shopping hubs—downtown. Being a mallrat, I might as well make these trips a learning experience while amusing myself with the mall scene. And what have I learned?
Financial empowerment enables people to become confidently in control of their financial lives. Doing this, means starting with the basics: managing your budget, paying bills, and knowing the right services you should pay for.
Can I do this? Yes.
I came across this interesting article written by Bahiyah Shabazz. She’s a CEO of a Management Group and consults with clients to embrace the change of the economy, and live within their means. I borrowed some of her ideas, being the expert on it, and merged it into my mall trip reflections.
Here are some steps to consider:
“A store can awaken a lust for things you never even knew you needed. And when your fingers first grasp those shiny, new bags... oh yes... oh yes.”
First, establish a budget.
A budget is defined as a sum of money allocated for a particular purpose. This budget should always stick to your needs. “Your needs first before your wants” is essential when living within your means. And because of my frequent window-shopping, I found that this is always challenged by lots of interesting things, screaming for attention: “Buy me!” The product presentation is so good, it makes me say, “ I should get it.”
(This amazing Bra Baby is one…Like Rebecca Bloomwood, I had to ask myself, “DO I NEED THIS?” and then I put the product back on the shelf. )
(This Reading Pen, which scans words and define their meanings, is a good reading support. It also costs $ 279.99. So think about it: are you going to “invest” in it? Or find an alternative?)
Regardless of your short term or long-term goals, for now, stay on the path, and that is shopping only for things you need.
“When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better, but then it's not, and I need to do it again.”
Second, think about this: “Do you have spending triggers?”
I do; and accepting that I have these, somehow helps stop the urge to hit the mall and spend money.
Think of events that set you off and send you to a sudden shopping spree. When this happen, you either do something else to preoccupy you or proceed with the third step—(After all, how many of us ended up buying a dress, a bag, a pair of shoes (or all of these) just because you had a bad day at work, and rationalized that you deserve a shopping spree?)
(to shopaholic support group) "I'm Rebecca Bloomwood and I'm a shopaholic! I destroyed my career on national television, I lied to the man I love and I hurt my best friend...I have a plan and I need your help! Who's with me?"
Third, surrounding yourself with supporters or friends who share a common goal of being debt-free is always helpful.
I remember a good friend, in college, telling me to put extra cash (pennies or bills) in a coin bank or money jar. Finding out how much you can earn at the end of the month with your “extras" was indeed surprising! (instead of spending it as soon as you realized, “hey, I got an extra!”)
To have my sister tell me… “But you got a pair of those, just in different color,” or say, “Don’t you think you're spending a bit too much?” can dampen my shopping mood. But it’s always to my benefit. :-)
So you see, my trip to department stores and malls, teaches me the basic skills in financial empowerment: self-discipline and good decision-making. I’m not sure how long I can keep up with these, but knowing I can, is a good start.
Have there ever been times when I regret not buying the “good-buy” clothes, bags, or shoes? YES.
Have there ever been times when I regret buying stuff? YES.
Have there ever been times when I went beyond budget? YES
But I have to set boundaries for my spending. I’ll pass of at some “good sales” right now and try living within my means.
Snowman Building for Dummies! Making a snowman is an enjoyable and creative experience, as well as a great way to get some fresh air (and nosebleed--do be careful) on an otherwise boring winter day. You'll need a few inches of snow on the ground--a patch of snow won't be enough, gloves or mittens, patience, camera (for photo ops *wink*), and friends to share the fun...Here goes:
1. PLAN. Think about where you'll build it, and how big it's going to be. Check for "packing snow." It should clump together easily and isn't too wet. "Fluffy snow" won't work well.
2. Shape a handful of snow into a ball, packing it tightly with your hands. Roll the ball along the snowy patch to add more snow. Pack the ball until it's big enough.(Oops...more than a handful). Roll and pack the ball over and over until it is the size you want for the bottom of the snowman's body. EHow's Tip: Stack snowballs up from largest to smallest. Pack some extra snow between the layers to make them stick together. Place sticks down the center where the sections meet if your snowman is having trouble standing erect.
4. Give the snowman a face. You may use coal, rocks, buttons or anything dark and round for the eyes. A stick or twig will make a good mouth, and a carrot is ideal for the pointy nose. If you don't have a carrot, a banana will do...(We used a cork for this one).
5. Cover the top of his head with an old plant for hair, or give him a hat to wear. (Top hats will blow away unless secured).
6. Accessorize your snowman.Push sticks into the sides of the middle section and hang old mittens on the ends. You may also place boots at the bottom for legs. Also consider adding items such as a shirt, a scarf or sunglasses.
'The proof of the pudding is in the eating' is an ancient proverb.
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations dates it back to the early 14th century. Although some would attribute the phrase to Cervantes (The History of Don Quixote), some scholars believe that this was not even known to Cervantes, and the earliest printed example of this adage is in William Camden's Remaines of a Greater Worke Concerning Britaine, 1605:
How do you wash a stuffed bear without damaging it?
I got my furry friend from Build-a-Bear last summer. Because he is well-loved, it wasn't long before he became as dingy as an old sock. We also noticed how his furry body appeared "slimmer."
Ordinarily, we would send our bears to the dry cleaners. Still, when we have plenty of time to spare or when we're running on a low budget, we go for hand or machine wash and air dry them. However, if the stuffed animal has sound boxes (the ones which hold tiny electrical parts so your toy has a heartbeat, can laugh, and play a tune) these won't work. Immersing them in water might ruin the sound boxes, and the stuffing might get damaged when soaked.
Looking for the "best" thing to do, my sister came across a lot of articles. We read about putting the stuffed animal in pillowcases before cleaning them in the washing machines. Using a mild detergent, it says put the pillowcase (with the toy inside )into the machine , and set on gentle cycle. Another way was making a slit in a side seam and removing the stuffing. After the stuffing is removed, wash the outer skin . Once the outer skin is washed and dried, refill the skin with stuffing and sew the animal back up.
The first suggestion would have worked only if our teddy had no sound boxes in him. The second one--aside from being time-consuming--made us worry that our furry friend might look "different" , and the animal's shape and formation might change.
Faced with the task, my sister went back to what the tag says, "surface wash and air dry." The same "best advice" came from an aunt, who's been in the laundromat service for a long time:
Fill half a basin with water.
Pour in mild bath or detergent soap.
Dip the washcloth into the mixture and squeeze out excess water.
Rub your washcloth on your furry friend's body.
Repeat this until the whole body's been covered. Drain the dirty water and put in clean water.
Rinse the bear using a washcloth. Remember to squeeze out excess water.
Lay it down on the towel and gently squeeze the bear till excess water comes out. Rub the towel on the bear.
Dry the bear in front of a heater or a hair dryer--but not too close.
My father's almost always excited about his harvest from our little fruit and vegetable garden. Whether it's just a papaya, three hanging potatoes, five tomatoes, or a small tray of calamansi, he would proudly tell us how his little garden has produced enough for our household needs. You would constantly see him bringing in varieties of fruits and vegetables, and planting them in our yard.
Another fruit tree added to our yard a few years back is the tambis. For the rest of us at home, waiting for it to bear fruits wasn't much of a thrill because we knew how the fruits tasted. They used to be abundant in the farm we have left. Still, he would insist that this one is of a "different kind" -- it would bear sweeter, crispier, and more succulent fruits--different from the ones we used to munch on during summer as kids.
Tambis (Syzygium aqueum, Family Myrtaceae)is a small, bell-shaped fruit which can grow to approximately three centimeters wide. It is known as a water apple because it is a watery fruit. The storage of water gives the plant a more swollen or fleshy appearance. It has waxy skin which comes in pink, white, and green. After biting through its skin, your teeth will sink into its spongy, white and juicy pulp. It is also known as watery rose apple but in the Visayas, it is called tambis. It is commonly found all over the country and also cultivated in India, southeastern Asia, and Indonesia.
The tree usually explodes with fruits towards summer. But having them all-year round is not surprising. Although it reaches its peak during the hot and dry season, the tambis tree bears fruits almost every month. At least that's what we can attest to with this tree that Papa has grown in our yard.
Just last Wednesday, we had another taste of its sweet fruits. Indeed, they were sweeter, juicer and crispier than the ones before...
A lot of people dislike gardening because they think of it as a chore--lifting shovels, pots and moving other gardening equipment, digging into dirt, weeding, watering and faithfully tending to your plants. Gardening requires time and attention. Moreover, for someone who do not like being under the sun's unfriendly rays, and being exposed to heat then gardening really seems like Still, there are those who think it's a pleasant pastime. They indulge in it because they find it rewarding and stress-relieving. If you're the latter, you feel some sort of excitement seeing your flowers bloom around your house. If you're raising vegetables or fruits, you can enjoy a fresh harvest for your family or that you can share with some friends.
What are the advantages, aside from those already mentioned, can one derive from gardening?
First, if you don't mind sweating and digging into dirt (there's a pair of gloves anyway), gardening can relieve stress and provide good cardio training that improves strength and flexibility. Health studies indicate that it is a good regular physical exercise which prevents heart disease, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and high blood pressure.
Second, it's also helpful to those who are recovering from illnesses. Being connected with nature reminds people of the beautiful things to enjoy and allows them time to slow down. This relieves stress. Meanwhile, the tasks involved in gardening develop eye-hand coordination and enhance both fine and gross motor skills.
Lastly, you always have flowers, fruits and vegetables that not only add vibrant and lovely colors to your surrounding. They also come in handy when you need flowers for certain occasions or a bunch for a friend's special day. In addition,you have a steady and reliable supply of fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables, which you can make into drinks and shakes or share with friends.
Starting a garden isn't that easy though...some plants require huge space, and you need to purchase the basic tools for gardening. Plus, it might mean an all-year round activity. But if you need something healthy to keep you busy, this might do.
So it isn't too perfect all the time, but it can be pretty fun too!
(Here are photos of our not-so-secret garden--flowering plants for the front yard and vegetables for the backyard.)
Having spent several years in the metropolis, I have learned how to (fairly) predict the lifeline of a P500. So I was very much surprised and impressed when Netnet (whom I mentioned in the previous post) came home with so much good food stuff with the P300 I gave her for marketing day. The supplies she got was enough to last the family for three days. Perhaps it was also an advantage that seafood wasn't sold at very high prices despite the storms.
As I helped her prepare for lunch, Netnet told me that "money isn't everything when planning and preparing tasty, nutritious meals." Well-balanced and highly-palatable dishes can be prepared just as well on a small budget as on a lavish one.
As I helped her prepare for lunch, Netnet told me that "money isn't everything when planning and preparing tasty, nutritious meals." Well-balanced and highly-palatable dishes can be prepared just as well on a small budget as on a lavish one.
How is this possible? Let's start with these pointers she gave:
1. Check the available supplies at home before making your shopping list.
You know how impulse buying ruins a budget so stick with your list.
Make only the necessary changes when a product is unavailable or the market has special offers.
2. Buy perishable goods as needed.
If your budget allows, buy staples such as sugar, rice, and salt in larger amounts. You save a lot this way than going out every now and then to get them from the nearest convenient stores. Just make sure to put them in airtight containers to keep them from moisture and insects (such as ants, bugs, and roaches).
3. Buy fruits in season.
They are cheaper, but they can provide you with the same vitamins and minerals needed by your family.
4. Buy and prepare just enough for the day's meals.
Purchasing plenty of fruits and vegetables is not very practical because even with the fridge, they get easily over-ripe and spoiled.
Minimize table waste by cooking and serving small to medium portions. You're the better judge of this; think of how much your family can finish. Leftovers deteriorate in nutritive value and reheating also reduces palatability. Your mom will not eat the vegetables have grown stale and soggy. Even if your sister likes pork, she will get tired of it when she sees it on the table for a whole week.
The same applies to canned goods. Buying in large cans is only economical if you need the entire content or you 'll be needing it for other dishes in the near future. But once the can has been opened, it's subject to spoilage.
5. Lastly, know where to get the goods.
Check out which stores in the market sell fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables.
When buying canned goods, a-25 centavo difference still matters--as long as it's just in a nearby stall.
Well, there you go. Netnet has indeed a way of stretching the peso.
NOTE: The photos in this entry are all Netnet's purchase for the day. ;-)
