My friends and I had constantly traveled since college graduation, but the pandemic put a halt to this. Our last trip together was Bali in 2018. It was memorable because we went mountain biking. Medyo buwis buhay. We biked on highways and roads in between rice paddies. One wrong turn and crash! Anyway, for our first post-(hopefully, post-)pandemic trip, we decided to go local, primarily because the airfare was on sale. Off we go to behold… Bohol, Philippines!
I bookmarked the Serenity Prayer on my phone but I think the website’s domain didn’t get renewed. So why not copy and paste it here in the blog right? For everyone’s reference.
The prayer got me through so much stuff. Like that time I failed a subject in college or the time I didn’t get the promotion. Deaths and sickness in the family. The prayer was composed by Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932-33. Imagine that.
What’s good about the prayer is that can apply to any religion. It has the same effect as Desiderata. Hmm. (I should also post that in the blog. We need as much as help we can get especially during this time of uncertainty. The country is getting more and more ridiculous by the day. We all need serenity right now!
Namaste! Pray away.
(more…)
Since it’s the first Monday of the year, I decided just this morning to be more active in blogging. Sayang naman ang domain. But seriously, kahit walang magbasa que se joda. (Literally just google the real meaning of that phrase– to hell with it!). HAHA!
I first got a taste of miso soup at Teriyaki Boy in Tagaytay if I’m not mistaken. I was with my college friend and her dad. They treated me lunch after a plant visit in the Mongol Factory. Yeah, the Mongol Factory. Gosh, I remember feeling nostalgic about it. Imagine having gone their as a child during a field trip in elementary then going their as a junior year college student for a term paper. Anyway, so I was treated for lunch and my friend was telling me that miso soup was her favorite. She also ordered me a cup. I didn’t like it at all. Haha! I don’t remember if I finished the whole cup but knowing me, I could have had finished it all.
I wasn’t that exposed to Japanese food at that time. I don’t know. My family wasn’t that adventurous when it comes to food. I think it was just one of the few times I’ve been to Teriyaki Boy. And Teriyaki Boy at that time was the closest to Japanese food as one can get. Of course, there’s Tokyo Tokyo but Teriyaki Boy is fine dining. HAHA.
So why am I writing about miso soup? Wala lang, may tira pa kasi kaming Yabu miso soup kanina for lunch. And this inspired me to write about it. I didn’t like miso soup then but now it has easily become one of my comfort food. Thank you to my officemates who regularly dragged me to Yabu and Ramenagi. Pag stressed kasi kami sa office, we go out for lunch. And ‘yung amoy palang ng miso soup, it centers you. The anxiety and stress, nawawala. And today, being the first work day of the year.
If you know me well, I think walang may alam except my parents. I’ve always had first day jitters. First day sa school, every year and even sa work. Especially now that I’ve crossed my 10 year milestone, I’m anxious to do what’s right each time. Extra anxious because of the pandemic, and if you’ve been inside our house, nakaka-anxious talaga. Haha! Today, I’m just glad we had leftover miso soup.
I was “vlogging” my lunch with officemates in Yoo-hoo when I noticed a one-liter soft drink bottle on the table. It was filled with water and in the middle was a rolled piece of aluminum foil with almost the length as the bottle. I was like, is this some kind of lambanog? I didn’t voice out my wonder until after I was done eating my dinakdakan meal with langka and two isaws on the side, for only just 150 pesos!
My officemate, Aicone, explained to me what it was and the answer was life changing.
The bottle that I thought was lambanog was actually there to repel langaws or fruit flies. I guess we all know that lit candles are a more accepted alternative to solve your fruit fly problem. The heat coming from the flame irritates flies but this can only be effective for small spaces. Well, according to Aix, flies are irritated by the light reflected on the aluminum foil. The water in the bottle refracts the light and since flies have sensitive eyes, they get confused and fly away. True enough, there were no flies while we were having lunch.
Cool right but it could all be just a coincidence? But upon further research (FYI, Amiciness always does further research!), the water and aluminum foil technique could be just a myth and another case of the placebo effect. The best way to prevent fly infestation is still good sanitation. If I were in high school, this would be a good topic for my investigatory project in science class. However, I’m at a stage in my life where I’ve learn to accept things. As long as it is environment-friendly and promotes recycling, why not?
Have you tried this bugaw-langaw technique? Are you a believer? Let me know on the comment section.
I’ve been subscribed to Netflix for a year or so now and I’ve come to notice that Netflix shows are either a hit or a miss. I’m not gonna discuss the shows and movies that sucked (*ahem* Girl Boss and The Kissing Booth ✌) so here’s a list of 5 Netflix series and/or movies (Netflix originals or otherwise) that I liked for the week. (In no particular order, of course.)
I binge-watched Insatiable for less than a day while doing my chores. It’s hard to keep my attention these days so points for that Patty played by Debby Ryan! I guess some people may find the show offensive and politically incorrect. Nevertheless, it is still entertaining. Yes, the show is silly and weird but it was not that offensive.
(more…)