I had an early caller today only to find out that it was my boss who asked me to come to his office right away.   Clutching a folder and a pen, I was ready to face him,  while I was on my way to his office, I was thinking if I have done anything wrong that he called for me.  Is my boss not in his best mood again?   I am already used to his mood swings especially if there are lots of critical surgical patients in the unit and problems arise under his responsibility.   Stress make a beast out of him!   He would be bossing around and sometimes will speak sarcastically and you will hate him for that! Rarely,you will find him smiling and in his best elements. Sometimes, I even thought of quitting or transferring to another department just to avoid close encounter with him.  But I still believe that every person has this goodness in him or her.  Look…  till today, I am still working with him…

I should say, today is one rare day!  As I entered his office, he was in his usual bossy manner but he was smiling as he handed me a bag and said “Happy returns of the day, Happy Birthday!” You’re a good girl!   Although it’s been a week ago when I had a simple birthday celebration in the office.  .   Hesitantly, I invited him in the meeting room and he partake whatever we had.   Hmmm… maybe he was also in good mood that time.

Due to my surprise (and nervousness!), as I was reaching for the gift bag, I thanked him and I quipped ” Thank you Doctor, this is the first time”.   Lol…. He smiled and again greeted me….  I excitedly showed the gift to my officemates who were also too surprised that my boss did that gesture…well, I really appreciated the thought (unexpectedly) that he  bought a gift for me.  It was heartwarming!

Sometimes, I can be so lucky…. my boss was in the mood this morning!  Thank heavens!!!

He is no less than my husband!   He is referred to as our MR. IRON MAN because he loves to do the ironing job in the house.  I think ironing (aside from cooking) is his favorite past time.  He is the better version of the weekly “iron man” who comes here and sometimes he would suggest not to hire his services anymore since hubby is so fussy on how clothes are ironed -very much particular with creases especially on pants.    If he is not satisfied on how his pants are ironed, he will do it again.

Sorry………I can’t really help him on that.  I have ” Iron”  Deficiency Syndrome…. lol….yes, I am deficient in that aspect for I hate ironing… just  let me do the laundry instead and I am solved…..

So, I have an iron man and a chef  at the same time.  Would you  agree that I am blessed to have him as my best half?

It’s been a while since we’ve heard about our neighbor Jayson, who went into a military school. But surprisingly last week, after so many years of not seeing him, he dropped by and visited us. We had a real good conversation and we also learned from him that he is presently a political escort (bodyguard) of a congressman. On the sideline, he has a firearms store which he invited us to see. He is such a sweet talker and very knowledgeable with firearms and we were just listening intently to him as he enumerates all the guns in his shop the like of Colt pistols, Kimber rifles (I hope I heard it right!).

My brother was really excited and interested to see it, so we went with Jayson right away to his store in the city. Of course, I joined them because I was intrigued no end. Interestingly, his store and collection of firearm is way beyond my dreams as I have never seen the kind of Rock river arms in my life and I think Jayson had shown my brother Glock pistols (I saw the tag) who chuckled in excitement.

Admittedly, I had resentments with the idea of people having and carrying guns but with what Jayson had patiently explained, my perspective about it slightly changed. Of course, all of us have our varying opinions about guns, and actually we should weigh our decisions carefully whether to have one or not. We should be a responsible gun owner….

My husband cooks well,  his culinary skill is far better than mine.  Well,   I can cook but only simple and no fancy dishes.  In fact, I can survive with sandwiches alone.   But hubby won’t settle for fast foods because he loves to stay in the kitchen preparing and cooking dishes which are mostly from their region.  His favorite – combinations of vegetables simmered all together.  For true blooded Ilocanos or the G.I’s (Genuine Ilocanos), I know that this dish is their favorite too.    I would like to share the pinakbet recipe of my husband by posting it here for your reference.  For those who are not Ilocanos but would like to sample cooking this popular dish, read on:

How to cook Pinakbet Ilocano Style

Ingredients:

Vegetables like:

1/2 cup squash, cubed
5 pcs string beans, cut 3 inches long
5 pcs okra, sliced lengthwise
3 bitter melon (ampalaya) halved
5 pcs eggplant, cut half
3 pcs tomatoes, quartered
1 tbsp. ginger strips
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 pcs onions, quartered
1 tbsp. fish bagoong
1/4 kilo bagnet or pork belly, fried until crispy
1 cup water

• Arrange all the vegetables in a saucepan.
• On top place the bagoong (shrimp or fish paste) and the pork belly then add water
• Add 1 cup of water. Cover the saucepan and bring it to a boil.
• Lower heart and simmer while stirring it slowly with a ladle
• Make sure that all vegetables are cooked and simmer until almost done.

My husband loves this dish and I also came to like it.   It is mostly vegetables but go slow with the bagoong or shrimp paste since it is salty.   You can do the dish without the pork belly and you may substitute it with chicken or shrimp.   However, if you do and made revisions, this will not be anymore considered as an authentic Ilocano dish.

Try it and you will like it.

Yes, we were invited to a couple’s night!   It is going to be a post Valentine affair!  We’ve been looking forward to this event where our couple friends will have the chance to be together in a special night of love, fun, dancing and super bonding.  In preparation, the ladies will take out their best dress or formal gown as specified in the invitation, while the gentleman are required to wear their suits or Barong (Philippine attire).  Well of course, I don’t want to be outdone so lately, I’ve had to rummaged my closet for evening gowns.  However, it is quite hard because some won’t fit anymore and needs repair but I am already pressed for time so no way…. Won’t fit?  Yes, it goes without saying that I gained weight.   Last night, I tried to fit into my favorite gown but since it is  a bustier type, my somewhat broad shoulders and now big upper arms will unnecessarily be exposed even with a shawl.   Hubby for sure will not like it.  In fact while I was doing my fitting or should I say dress rehearsal,  I myself doesn’t like the sight of me infront of the mirror.  To exaggerate… I looked more like of a wrestler.    I know it is already too late to do something about it…. the affair will be tomorrow and there is no sure way now to fit into most of my gowns that I had chosen.

Hubby was gracious enough to drive me to the city and allow me to made rounds of shops for gowns.  With vast array of gowns to choose from, sometimes it is hard to decide… some are too frilly, some too sexy, overdecorated and very expensive.  Usually, those that made me drool are gowns that are tastefully designed,  with good fabric and expensive.  And for me who have a budget  to consider, I have to settle for the lesser ones.  And if  I don’t want my husband to lose the smile on his face, I’ll better stay away from that shop.  Oh yes, I am aware that we should be practical these days!

I’ve found simple gowns with fine lines and reasonably priced but this will be best carried by ladies with long lean bodies.   So, what a shame if I will insist on buying it.   I will only be fooling myself hoping that it will look good on me.  I have to be realistic… I need to be in tip top shape before I can carry such stylish gowns.  And when and how?  It will take a lot of determination..  Since till today, I haven’t got a new gown yet, I will  just settle with my favorite gown.  Never mind, if I had worn it  last time in a debut party, I will just add some accessories and wear few conversation pieces of jewelry which I have invested on.   That would complete my look!

After tomorrow’s big event, I have to re- assess myself.   I don’t really like what I have been seeing lately…. Actually the running joke in the house ” I was a coca cola body before but now a coke in can”.   That means the curves are no longer in the right places.    Ouch!   That would be a wake up call!

I had two home made birthday cakes ordered from a friend which we feasted on two separate days that we were in the company of friends. Actually, my celebration was nothing grand… Let me say- it was simple but meaningful!   I am already way past the age of partying and socializing and I am maintaining close circle of very good friends and I just love being with people of positive values and outlook in life.   Those “nega” (negative) people are out of my list… although we were taught to love our neighbors and even our enemies.   Oh well….

Lol… this is my birthday cupcakes… Actually, I tried this set up of cake (cupcakes) and it was something different.   The number candles actually gave away my age (but I don’t mind).   I brought it in the office to share with my colleagues.

This is my second cake which I shared during a Leader’s forum.

Indeed, if we learn how to give and to share our blessings, it will come back to us a hundredfold!

During our office lunch break, instead of taking our meals, a  power nap  is what I really deserve.  Locked in our room and side by side with  my pregnant officemate who  cannot be outdone if we talk about catching up the zzzzzzz’s, we can reach dreamland in our ergonomic chair for an hour break  from the busy office work.  I must admit that I had developed this bad habit of staying up till the  wee hours doing my blogging, chatting and on the sideline watching  TV news  hoping not to miss any single turn out of events happening around the world esp. the the political turmoil in Egypt.   I am like a zombie in the morning and hubby always have difficulty waking me up.  Since I don’t have the liberty to be late reporting to work, even how still sleepy I am, I need to do my morning rituals and dress up as fast as I can.  We need to hit the road early to avoid getting caught up in traffic.

I found the calmness of the night inspiring and made me more productive working on things that I can’t simply do early in the night.   Because that’s when ideas are flowing and my momentum going!   Although, I’ve noticed lately that I don’t look “pretty”(lol) with noticeable dark circles under the eyes and the skin seemed dry.  That I believe are the effects of bad… bad sleeping habits.

I made  scrutiny of bottles of anti aging and anti wrinkle cream in the beauty section of a department store one time we had the chance to shop.   I would like to believe that it would help in a way but my husband said that if I won’t stop with being a night owl, no amount of creams or even make-up can camouflage the dryness of my skin especially around the eye area.    Yes, I thought so too!   But sometimes this stubborn side of me… usually puts me into trouble.

OMG, I simply can’t contain my exasperation when prominent lines on my forehead and the laugh lines can’t hide the signs of aging.  Really,  I am certified old!    I then made a pact with myself that I will go slow and initially, I will try to be a Cinderella for a week, meaning I will not go beyond the 12 midnight mark, I will do it gradually till I develop the habit of sleeping around 9 to 10 pm.

This is it!  Almost 12 midnight now.. as promised I should be sleeping around this time.  In fact, it should be much earlier but ..oh well… goodnight….

After my birthday February 13 comes Valentines day (the 14th) !   When I was a kid, it also crossed my mind why my mom did not wait for February 14 before she lets me out!  Funny and silly thoughts!   Anyway, greetings are a plenty… and gifts comes in two’s.

V-day is working day for me!  Hubby usually give a dozen roses but this year, I told him beforehand not to spend on flowers anymore.   Yah!  Unromantic me!  I don’t know why, maybe because I am already secured with his love and with or without roses don’t make any difference now.  Or  was it because,a day before, I already received a lavish gift for my birthday and receiving another one for Valentines day might be too much?   Personally, I feel that Valentines day is more on time spent together with hubby and I couldn’t care less if I there are no more flowers.   The yearly fine dining date during Valentines day  was scratched from our V-day activity.    Although, days before we were considering of having dinner in Buffalo steak house or in a Chinese restaurant but for some reasons, we accommodated some friends in the house for their Toastmasters meeting.  I gladly offered our humble home for their use and you bet, it was something different this time.  Anyway, each day is Valentines day for us!

A Toastmasters meeting in our place – February 14, 2011

As I end this post let me share you this:

Loving God is the first and greatest commandment and loving your neighbor is the second greatest commandment!

My Birthday Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, for another blessed year in my life, I thank You for being able to experience your goodness everyday and being able to experience the love of my family and friends. I know I am blessed because You are a forgiving, loving and understanding Father despite of my unworthiness and sinfulness and yet You keep blessing me.  Despite that I sometimes failed to do what is expected of me, still You are there loving me.   You have done so many great and wonderful things for me, my family and all of my loved ones.  May You continue to shower us with Your love, grace and blessings.  You sustain me with good health and I know You have forgiven me for every sins that I have done knowingly or unknowingly.  Help me start another year of my life full of gratitude and a better person that I should be.  Bless me with wisdom and knowledge so that I can share it with others.  Help me to become a light to others and may they see You in me through my words and actions.   Please continue to bless me so that I will also be a blessings to others.  Make me an instrument of Your peace and love.

This I ask in Your Mighty Name!

 

Until I met Ana M. this morning that I was really convinced about the “miracle coffee diet” that they have been talking about.  She was holding her little insulated thermos which according to her, she carry  with her  anywhere she goes.  This diet craze (or a fad) is very popular among her co-teachers because she is the perfect example of one who lost so much weight by just drinking coffee.  Yes, I was really amazed how she did that!    She swore that the diet is very effective  (I think so too!).  As she recounted , she only changed her eating habits and she only take coffee as often and as much as possible and sometimes she only take an apple or orange to go with the caffeine.

Though I was impressed, still I believe that what she is doing is unhealthy!  So, even when she mentioned the coffee brand, I showed no interest at all.   Now that I am trying to recall the brand name, really it did not registered on my mind.   When I got home, because I was intrigued, I browsed the web to check if there is really a coffee diet.  True enough, there are articles posted about it.   However, I  need to find out  the coffee brand she is using.

I don’t know why I am beginning to visualize a new me (lol…in case I will try the diet!)