The Idea Of An Ideal Marriage

Marriage has always been a challenge for me. After a failed one back in the 90's, I turned my back to its essence, vowed not to get into that kind of trouble ever again and just settle for the "alone but never lonely" stature.   Every single offer of commitment was evaded and treated with ridicule, sometimes even hurting the egos of those "knights in shining armor wannabe's." I was a terrible yet precise epitome of William Congreve's "Hell has no fury like a woman scorned." One-time misery is enough for a strong and wise woman like me.

Then came the unorthodox "prince charming" that I never expected to exist. To my surprise, I've known the guy for the longest time! It got me thinking. Maybe friendship would be a more stable foundation in a relationship, a combination worth trying. His persuasiveness was so inviting so the rest became history. 

I guess maturity and knowing what we really want helped in making our marriage, fun and challenging all at the same time. But what we never forget is, despite of the hardships, we always make it a point to remember that we love each other and that by the end of the day, we have more than enough reason to smile and say, "this is still a good day sweet."

I never believed that our union made as one in everything but I am into the concept that despite our differences, we allow ourselves to accept them and still maintain a harmonious relationship. Sounds easy huh? Well, of course not! Just imagine two people with very strong convictions over a cup of coffee, definitely chaotic. A comparison to the typical debates at the public plaza is such an understatement, AS IN!

Our friends would say what we have is an ideal marriage. I greatly agree! Not because we are often seen having fun in facebook all the time but because we are normal, just like other couples. I guess we may rise a little bit above the others because we see our disputes as eye-openers that lead us to a much better understanding of each other.

My husband would always tell me, "You could never find a husband like me!" Well, he couldn't find a wife like me either, but I guess he knows it. It's easy for us to appreciate that we have each other, thus making our relationship a much healthier and happier one. 

To those who plan to get married, well you just need to make sure that you are marrying for the right reasons. Not to extend your bloodline but because you found the one you want to spend your entire lifetime with. Not someone you could display like a Ming Vase but a partner that you'll enjoy being with wherever, whenever. 

To those who don't believe in marriage at all. Maybe it's your calling. There's nothing wrong with single blessedness but if you're not that sure, it helps to take risks. At least you won't end up wondering how it would be to have someone beside you, laugh with you, care for you. There's no such thing as "too late."

As for me, I know I'm in good hands. I'm pretty sure that there would always be a thorny path here and there but I think we can get through them easily. Thank you so much for being there sweet and for always trying to hold on. Promise, I'll do my share too. :)

Remember, marriage is not all about responsibility, obligation, security and all that serious stuff, it's also fun, laughter, plain and simple happiness. As I always say to my friends, "there may be reincarnation but no can be certain of it. I know that I have this life now so I should live it like it's my only one. Never waste a second for I may not have another day. Time is gold and I think I'm making sense. CONCEPT, that's what it is!"

Happy Thoughts everyone. :D

Diet? Seriously!

I may still be cute at 194 lbs. but OMG, sooo unhealthy!

I was not surprised to see my weight soar up to 194 lbs (6 more pounds and I'm off to the auditions of "The Biggest Loser)! 2011 was full of adventure (and misadventure too) that kept me munching to keep my sanity. But of course, who am I to blame destiny for my obesity? I am still answerable for my decisions, right?

Here I am again, trying to plan out ways to lose weight because I feel so unhealthy now that I am having a hard time breathing and climbing even just two flights of stairs. Honestly, I look like a compound of fish eggs (BIHOD!) I've always thought that I am only 'til 45 years old because of my neverending smoking, etc. and the added years will be a bonus, but now I'm afraid that I may not reach 40 if I don't start taking care of myself.

I'm going to start slow but sure. Let me walk you through my plan towards a happier and healthier me and if I'm missing steps, let me know. :D

* Rice is my ultimate enemy therefore I have to do something. Cut rice back to 1 cup ASAP! Thanks to my friends at work, Ems and Peter for they ignore my heart-piercing stare everytime they say no to my plea of even just 1/2 cup of extra rice. As early as now, thanks a lot guys.

* Avoid fast food as much as possible. I know I won't be able to spend more time with my favorite muskeeterettes, Joanne and Cathy but I know they would understand why I have to look away from the oil-drenched fries.

* Goodbye to Coke for now. I may have had good times with this concoction but hey, I'd be helping myself lower down my blood sugar and all.

* Red Horse has been an all-time buddy so I don't think I can leave it behind. So, I'll stick to my regimen of 1 Liter the most per month. :D

* Walk for life. I have to start appreciating long walks again. With the help of an Ipod, for sure I'm going to enjoy it.

* Rest whenever I can. In this busy world, I would most of the time allow sleep-deprivation. This time, I know loving my bed is one of the best gifts I can give myself.

* Love myself! Because if I don't, I wouldn't know how to appreciate life more.

To those who are inclined to weight loss, just remember to do this for yourself because you deserve to enjoy the goodness that only life can offer.

I'm going to make this blog as my channel, one article per month, to check out if I'm making a progress or not. I hope I do good. Good luck to me (and my food blog) in my quest for a healthier Remilyn. :D

Happy Thoughts!

My Year That Was

I always bear in mind that gratitude comes with contentment and as I look back on everything that I have done this year, amazingly, despite all the challenges, I still have so much to thank for.  Since this is my last blog for 2011, allow me to share everything that made me a better person.

January was certainly an eye opener for me. I have always thought that I would only hear road accidents over the radio or see them on the news. I never expected that I’d be in one too. I could still remember the experience of crawling on the street just after the intersection in La Salle right after we bumped a pedestrian crossing while the traffic light was green. I was closing my eyes and holding my husband tight just waiting for the next thing to happen. I realized that, I am also vulnerable just like anyone else which I never thought of in my lifetime.  Despite the harassment of the pedestrian, I learned to stand up and say NO. Help was all we can give but we never assumed responsibility since she was guilty of reckless imprudence. I learned to be stern and not give in and not feel sorry for those who did not deserve it.

I took the month of June as a devastating curve on my job because I was transferred to something that could jeopardize my finances because it could put me on the unemployment list due to its difficulty. Resistance became an addition to every meal that I had, and I couldn’t stop whining of what I considered a misfortune. Later on, I realized that it’s not a bad thing after all. Despite the hardship, I was able to survive because of new friends, practically a new family in my workplace. Slowly on, I began to embrace the inevitable and now I could say, I’m smiling again.

October was such a refresher as I was offered to coordinate the Perpetual Cup Golf Tournament of La Salle. It opened doors that I never imagined. I thought I’m done in this field but through the help of a very good friend, I was able to test myself again if I can still bring it. A boost of self confidence was an ultimate and much needed during that time was given by my clients and the tap on my shoulder telling me I did a good job was more than enough to get me back on track.

After all the trials in 2011, I am once again revived that I can do more and even make a difference in others even in small portions. I was reminded that despite of everything, I am still here, enjoying the gift of life.  With the support of family and friends, I am able to say “Life is Good.”

In 2012 I am not sure how I could fathom the mysteries of life but I know that I just have to believe the fact that with Him, nothing is definitely impossible. I have to love myself more in order to genuinely love others. I also wish for a more forgiving heart for I am also bound to make mistakes as I am also human. Time is gold and I should make wise decisions that would make me happy because I deserve it. I am not being selfish, I am just being fair to myself and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that. 

To everybody who will take time to read this, thank you very much for letting me feel that my thoughts are also of value to people, that I make sense too. Hopefully, I will be able to come up with good and sensible thoughts in 2012 not just to entertain but also to shed enlightenment on certain things.

Have A Blessed and Safe New Year! 

My Own Understanding Of Giving

Christmas has always been the top season wherein almost everyone has the inspiration to give. I don't think there is a single Christmas party in the christian community that does not have either an exchange gift or Kris Kringle. I'm not really sure though if everyone would understand the reason why we do such activities. To make it more practical, wish lists are created to make sure that those who will receive the gifts would be smiling when they see that they got what they wanted. I guess the bottom line is making someone happy in this yuletide season.

I have my own version of sharing happiness to others too and all are usually done spontaneously. Just like yesterday, we were hanging out at our fave Istarbaks Libertad when I decided to buy goodies from a bakery just beside the joint. While I was waiting for the cashier, I noticed a mom-child tandem choosing ice cream from the freezer. The 2 year old girl was already holding the ice pop but mom was still trying to scout for something cheaper. As the girl was starting to sob because she never wanted to let go of the treat, I saw the mom's eyes that as much as she wants to give in to her daughter, she knows she can't spend that much. She was so surprised when I told her that the ice pop was already paid and she need not worry about it. She was so grateful and gave me one of the most sincere Christmas greeting I have ever received in my entire life. For a P17 ice pop, I got a warm happy feeling which was just priceless. 

This Christmas, I intend to do more and with a lot of help from friends, I am positive that I will be able to make this season special to others. I decided not to go to local orphanages because I know that there are already a lot of organizations that would be visiting and sharing their bounties.

I decided to focus on street children and the elderly. These kids may pester a lot of people to ask for alms but regardless of their racket, I am not forgetting that they are still children and that if they may have ended begging on the streets, maybe because they believe that what they're doing is right (no thanks to their parents). I am not patronizing mendicancy but I could just imagine how it is if they had a taste of Christmas without being shooed away and just see goodies that they would never even dream of trying in their entire childhood. 

The elderly is going to be my other recipient, particularly those who still continue to struggle in order to earn their keep.  With warm soup and maybe chicken dinner, I hope to show them that the world has not been completely cruel to them because they are still remembered and given importance even in the littlest way. 

Giving is not to get something back but mainly to share the blessings that one has received no matter how small they are. I hope to inculcate this concept to my children and make them understand that we live for others too and would not achieve the true essence of fulfillment unless we have gratitude and selflessness in our hearts.

 

Lanterns of Hope

For so long a time, this has been a common sight outside the Provincial Jail. These dainty lanterns were made by the prisoners in order to generate income to give their families. They would sell them from P100 each while the more intricate ones are at P1000 and up.

Everytime that I passed by, I feel an unfathomable warmth. I would find myself looking at the wives who carefully display their "parols" as their children help along and I just can't take my eyes off them. I would see endless hope in their eyes as they try to persuade passers by to take home a lantern no matter how small it could be. A sale means a much better Noche Buena for them, not just "de lata" or canned goods nor instant noodles.

This year, the Provincial Jail has been moved to Tabunan, Bago City, farther from regular patrons who seemed to have made a pact to purchase their lanterns from their "suki's". As the jeepney I rode pass by the sidewalks of the former jail, I felt somehow sad because I only saw two or three stalls of these parols and I began to ponder, where would be the others who used to sell here and depend their families' Christmas dinner to these shining stars? Would their children still be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of the holidays? Would they even have another opportunity to earn this season? Questions that are left unanswered as I never had the courage to ask those who continue to sell at their stalls.

I wish that wherever they are, they find other ways to get through Christmas. As for their patrons, I know that as time goes by they will forget about it but for these women and children, they will always think of the light these patrons have given them as they take a lantern home.

Photos courtesy of Owen Segovia Bayog

Payback On Pay Day!

(A timely repost.)

Originally Posted on July 16, 2011. http://deadlevel.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/payback-on-pay-day/

I have been with the Business Processing Outsourcing world for quite some time now and I truly agree that for as long as one has what it takes, like multi-tasking skills, with knowledge on basic computer usage and of course equipped with good conversational English, one will definitely earn more than a local employee, with a diploma at that.

Needless to say, even if I never graduated, life is just good with a great line of business.

Recently, I was moved to a new account and needless to say, the daily “nose-bleed” as we like to call the knowledge overload, has made me numb and stony-eyed at at some point. But then on the other hand it has made me more thankful that not only do I have a job, but a good paying one at that.

Yesterday was pay day and it only means payback time! Got enough to pay bills and mocha granita as a bonus this time since I haven’t been on under-time for more than a month already meaning I get to stay at the office for the complete nine hours (I still can’t believe that I managed, as in!!! )

I don’t know about the others but for me pay day is payback because this time I felt that I am working hard for my keep and it’s so hurting to spend my salary on something that is of less worth.

As I hold my salary in my hands, I noticed that I was staring at it for a time. Then I decided that I have to make sure I spend my money wisely. Not so much on gastronomic extravagance but more on the necessities. I know I’m a bit old to realize it but hey, better late than never.

I have to keep in mind that I have to take advantage of my existing employment for I know this won’t last forever. I’m aging by the minute and there’s no guarantee that I can still keep up with it for a very long time.

An unsolicited advice to my colleagues, money is a good friend but sometimes could be an influence of bad judgment and greed.

A good friend because it helps us sustain our everyday needs as well as our respective families.

An influence of bad judgment because sometimes since we have it, it could dictate us that a particular want becomes a need.

Greed because we tend to lose our sense of contentment that we yearn for more than we can afford leading it to neglect of the real priorities that we have on our list.

Let’s try not to be impractical and instead handle our responsibilities real-time. I would sometimes hear others mumble that they just wish they saved even P500 per pay day but had no perseverance to do so. My point? It’s never too late. Always remember that it’s never too late to start now.

For my immediate course of action? Here goes.

• Instead of spending P75 – P120 for coffee, I will be settling for the native coffee at our favorite joint at the Libertad Market @ P10. (both kinds of coffee can keep me awake anyways.)

• Consider “ukay-ukay” for decent jeans (usually around P150-P250) rather than salivating on P2,000+ *Guess pants.

• De-stressing through filled tummies is good but just don’t do it everyday. If I’ll be too stressed, I’ll try to satisfy myself @ Tikboy’s Pork barbecue for P70 (that’s with cold softdrinks already mind you.)

• Instead of spending P100 for a cab, I’ll take a breather before commuting at a jeepney by smoking one cigarette. P100 and P15 makes a lot of difference. (It would be more fun if I am with the two other Muskeeterettes, Cathy and Joanne.) Besides, both can take me to my destination and with the traffic along Lacson Streets, there’s not much time difference.

• Instead of consuming almost two packs of Winston a day, try to reduce it by just smoking when I have too. (after eating, having coffee or on 15 minute breaks.) I bet my doctor would be happy too. 

• I’ll be more meticulous on a grocery day so that I won’t overspend. Be more vigilant on discounted items on the shelves so I can take advantage without missing the expiration date. (Be careful and avoid food poisoning…hehehe)

• Always make sure to bring my spill-proof tumbler to work so that I can get free coffee and water instead of spending P15 for the bottled ones.

• I’ll try to be more interested in tv series so that every time I buy dvd, it’s the complete season and not per partial number of episodes only.

Happy Thoughts!

Photo Credits

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imgs.sfgate.com

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imgs.sfgate.com

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://tobaccotrain.com

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com

Street Food Smorgasbord!

I seldom pass by the University of St. La Salle because I have a different route to work and although I would often think of venturing on what's new in the area, I just didn't seem to have found the time. Yesterday was a chance of another Happy Tummy. After taking care of some stuff in La Salle, I decided to wander the sidewalk of the university. 

The scorching heat of 3pm became the spotlight to my new paradise. It was a one-stop gluttonous haven! The fruit stall greeted me with delight as I chose from its offerings; papaya, indian mangoes and singkamas. Who am I to resist the vibrant orange color of the papaya? So I grabbed P10 from my pocket and gave in to my craving.

The second stall offers hot sweet corn bathed in melted butter. Another innovation that I seldom see on the streets of Bacolod. It's a common sight at the mall but on the streets? I don't think so. Another thing I noticed, only in USLS that corn vendors exert extra effort in capitalizing for butter. When I pass by other schools, they just pick the maize, remove the covers and shoot them in the plastic. Talk about USLS taste! However, despite my love for sweet corn, I was somehow deprived  from having one solely because I only have two hands. 

The third stall offered Piaya, a Negrense pride and the fourth one would be the peanuts. I hardly notice them because the enticing sound of deep-frying just dominated my imagination. Alas! There it was! Fried vegetable lumpia. For only P5 each, the hot lumpia warmed my heart (and tummy). I ordered 4 newly cooked ones and for my convenience, the kind-hearted "manong" placed it in a cup plastic cup with lots of sinamak, a local dip that consists of vinegar and bird's eye chilli (katumbal). Manong also offers chicken innards and the likes. Before I forget, there is also a stall that sells everything that is related to frying and eggs! From kwek kwek, tokneneng, and get this...Cheezlog! I have yet to try them because unfortunately, I was not that prepared to gorge on them.

Last but not the least, Matt's Burrito. Everything on the menu is P30 only, from Tacos and Quesadillas to Beef or Chicken Burrito. It's certainly a new view for me considering the bold attempt of the proprietor to venture into a business that requires quality ingredients in order to be fully appreciated. I have tried the street burrito in Mexico that would probably cost P50 that time and unfortunately this one didn't come close. Although it offered variety from the common menu of Bacolod's street food there is definitely more room for improvement in order to capture an eater's delight. Thicker and softer bread perhaps and more meat, tomatoes and onions would do the trick. I know for a fact that my fellow Bacolodnons would not mind paying P50 for a "sulit" burrito. 

One more thing, this strip is best for takeouts since there are no tables nor chairs for one to comfortably gobble these treats. But if you want to enjoy the hot food, then be ready for the dust, heat and prepare your dependable legs to stand up. And please don't forget to bring your own liquids. There may be a store where you can buy softdrinks or water but it's no guarantee that they are always cold. 

Happy Eating Everyone! :)