The Disadvantages (sometimes Advantage) of having 2 Girl Friends (not Girlfriends)

Advantage:  They are good listeners. 
Disadvatage: You are the photographer. You wait for them while they do make-ups, while they're at the CR, while dressing up and the following vanities (I love you Jogs and Cang):

First Cook-off

Last Saturday, my friends and I had our first ever cookoff. I never realized that I'll be doing this, I mean for a neophyte like me. I love challenges. So here are our pictures during the cookoff. 

We started the cook off at Robinsons Supermarket Nepo Mall at exactly 10am. We are not even allowed to take pictures inside but Carizza made it possible. Good job!

I have no idea why our judge needs to wear an apron. Also, I am not sure if this is Project Runway or Masterchef.

The contenders cooking their chicken dishes.

My hatest part: Chopping and Slicing GARLICS!

I am not sure if it's really a TIE! But I know I won this game. Haha

Satisfied stomachs? Hmmm...

 

Travel Nostalgia: Cambodia (B and W)

The Angeles City I Never Saw

Everyone should write about their hometown. As Dorothy says, "Home is where the heart is." I love home. I have been living in my hometown for 23 years. It's the City of Angels, literally and figuratively. As I've said, I love the City but I never realized how brilliant it is until now. The Russian guy who asked us to tour him around the City actually did the same thing for us. He made us realized how cool our city was and is and is to come. 

This post is a tribute to my City. This post is also for people who have missed the City. 

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It was a Saturday. It should be a typical weekend at the mall. It should be the day when we spend our salaries endlessly and be guilty about it afterwards. It should be the day when we meet each other for a coffee, a tea or a milk tea. It should be the day when we treat ourselves, be ourselves, and just do nothing. But this Saturday is different. We have actually traveled the whole city. Sort of.

The Holy Rosary Parish Church stands tall in the middle of the City. It's like a tamed gray giant protecting the people. There was a wedding. Saturday afternoons are perfect for weddings. It was a long aisle for the bride. But for the husband, it's worth the wait. I don't like weddings during Sundays. I don't like it when you still have a hangover and you have to go to work the next day. Anyway, everybody has an experience inside that church. I used to hate that church because it's huge and I'm afraid of heights. My friend Joana told me that she once thought that the dome of the church is home to heavenly creatures. I think I have thought of the same thing when I was young. I don't know. Outside the church is a 100-meter street as if you are walking in Rome. I haven't been in Rome but the feeling is like that. On the left side was a small store selling some religious items. I bought my Sacred Heart of Jesus poster there. It's good in my room. Now, I have learned to like that church. I can put on my headset, listen to some Celtic music and just stay inside. I am not Catholic but I want to be one when I am inside that church. At night time, the gray giant becomes more majestic because of it's yellow lights. The stained glass windows and statues are lighted. Rome feels more like Hogwarts during nighttime. 

If you want to feel "community", Nepo Mart Complex can satisfy your cravings. It's a crazy marketplace. In the middle of the Mart is a strip of food vendors. Delicacies covered with banana leaf are everywhere. People used to enjoy this place before the invasion of Big malls and effin' fastfood chains. My mom used to take me inside the mart during breakfast and afternoon snacks. I often order a chicken congee and a lychee sherbet. People are noisy and irritating but I like it. It was magical when we were kids. It's still magical now but people often take it for granted. They choose fast foods over these authentic cuisines. I am guilty. Near the food-strip are butcher houses dominated by local sausages, pork chops and  pork skin cracklings. It's pink everywhere because of the color of the meat. I realized that inside the forgotten mart is a rainbow waiting to be rediscovered. I don't make sense but the feeling of nostalgia is in the air. 

I hate malls (sort of) but Marquee Mall is different. I don't even know why I am writing about a mall. There's something about the place that instantly gives me great ideas. Dakasi Milk Tea should go with it or a real deal hot tea at Xtremely Xpresso. I don't shop there (except for Fully Booked), I just walk. Walking there is luxurious but for free. The best things in life are for free, as the cliche goes. Eating at TGI Friday's is not reasonable but it should be there. The red, white, and blue colors of Friday's is the entrance of the New-York-ish mood outside the mall. The outdoor fountain is also a good view. Kids can have the time of their lives. It's a free shower and a free water sports. 

The Walking Street at Fields Avenue will always be intriguing. For me, its a mixture of emotions except lust. The sparkling lights and themed bars can transfer me into another world...a very wild world which I dare not to enter. On the other hand, the situation of the entire place makes me sad, really really sad. I am not sure if the trade is legal or not, but it hurts me to see things you don't want to see everyday. As much as I want to press the delete button to completely remove the place, I can't, but I wish I can.

200 meters away the Walking Street is one of the largest parks in the City. This is my first time to be under the iconic brown Juan dela Cruz hat. I felt safe. I don't know the history why they build it. Sometimes you don't need history. You just need to be amazed without any reasons at all. The park is also home to different people. I have been looking for such place in my life.  On my left are people walking their mini pinschers. On my right are people playing basketball and volleyball. In front of me are breakdancers doing some of their wild exhibitions. Also, there are skateboarders, roller bladers and joggers. Some are just having picnics. The young people are doing the good old Truth or Dare game. I never realized that this place exists. I think I know it exists but I ignored its beauty because of my limited mind. I have been looking for a place to express art and to be with people who are passionate about art. I thought a cozy cafe can satisfy my soul, but I was wrong. I am looking forward to spend one afternoon here, watch people and just be myself. 

This post is just a glimpse of the City. It is my intention not to insert pictures in order for the readers to really feel the city. 

Me, You and Everyone We Know

Being a human is a great opportunity. We often think that humanity as a broken specie or something that we can relate with hopelessness. In fact, we have lost our hope in humanity. Headlines from newspapers and tabloids define it that way by reporting corrupt Government officials, drug addicts, fathers raping their daughters, mothers selling their children, parties gone wild, sex unimaginable, etc. 

I believe that we humans are the broken species of creation, but I don't want to focus on that aspect. I just want to ponder on the beauty that is in HUMANITY. I want to simply reflect on the fact that humanity is actually created by a God who is a fan of authentic art. 

Last night, I realized this beauty that is in humanity while I was watching a film called Me, You and Everyone We Know. I don't know if the message of the film is actually for us to appreciate humanity, but it worked for me that way. I love the emotions of every character in the film. Well, there are a lot of characters but they are all relatable. Remember the time when you did something crazy just to prove something? Remember a divorce, a heartbreak or a separation? Remember the time when you realized that you are old enough, or young enough to talk about sex? Or the time when you wanted to try something wild? Or the time when you were frustrated because you failed at something you love? These are all universal emotions of being human but the thing that makes these beautiful is the resolution. When you did something crazy just to prove something makes you realize that we don't have to prove anything except that we are really crazy. When we experienced a separation (at any level), we realize that there is something new in store for us. Or the sex part? I don't know, but sex in itself is beautiful, if of course, you did it the right way with the right partner (right partner means somebody that you married). Most importantly, the thing that will topple all of the above is our capacity to love and to feel that we are loved. I am not sure if I made any sense but all these emotions, be it positive or negative just define us that we are an awesome creation of God. Just watch the film and you will know what I am talking about. 

The film was able to capture all the emotions above. I love these kind of films. They were created passionately without a huge plot, but with a huge message. We should watch these kind of movies even if cuss words are like a smorgasbord. The film never attempted to impart a message but it just presented something intelligent about me, you and everyone we know. 

The Stuck Up Millenial

Some of your friends are moving out. Some are moving to exotic places. Some are getting married. Some are having their babies (then get married). Some have jobs in major cities and receiving twice your salary. Some are living their dreams. If you are 20-ish and you feel like a "stuck up" when you are with them, whether they intend to make you feel that way or not,  join the club. 

Millenials. They are us. Our parents are the Generation X. We experienced the 90s at its best. Unfortunately, it is also our turn to have that quarter life crisis. It's normal to be insecure at this stage. It is normal to get frustrated and cry over our shattered dreams. But it is not normal to NOT do anything about it. You have all the power to fight for your dreams or just make new dreams. We are a very dynamic generation. We are also the intersection of tradition and modernization. We have the best of both worlds. We are both wise and childish. We are equipped with a variety of talents. It is ok to be a stuck up every once in a while. But when you realized that you are dwelling on your "stuck-up-ness" for a long time, wake up and make a decision, a plan or a stand.

Embrace the paradox.

Doing some "Fat Kid's" recipes...

Its 1am and the whole family just got home from our post Christmas /pre new year celebration and here I am blogging, as if I have readers. Like I've said, I am doing this for passion. I received a Hard Rock Cafe tumbler, which I got from the lucky game of BINGO; a Dona Elena Olive Oil, for my cooking frustrations; a 200 peso Sun Load, and a 20 peso bill. 

Also, I am now bald by choice, just for the fun of celebrating the new year with a new look and a new hairstyle. Anyway, before the year ends, I would just like to share some of the dishes I cooked this week. These were my "output" from Erwan Heussaf's food blog  which I highly recommend for foodies, both expert and frustrated (like me). The recipes are easy to follow.

*to respect and acknowledge Heussaf's recipes, I will just direct you to his website...

The Grilled Cheese
Please check out: Grilled Cheese 

The above picture is my version of Heussaf's Grilled Cheese. It is really fun to do and you get to experiment the taste depending on your preferences. I like my tomato relish with Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco (loads) instead of Balsamic Vinegar. This is also my first time to fry an egg. I did the process twice because my dad asked me to cook for him after he had a taste of the dish I prepared. So I guess that was a positive gesture. *winks*

The Chili
Please check out: Erwan Heussaf's Skill Shop #13: A Big Bowl of Chili 

I have to admit that this one is also easy to do if you have the "right" ingredients. Now I get it when they say that do not settle for less. I bought all the right ingredients, spices and all, except for the mushrooms. Instead of buying fresh, I bought the canned Japanase Mushroom which is not a perfect fit for the Chili. My chili became a spaghetti of hard to swallow japanese mushroom. Eeek. 

Well, I cannot say that this one is a failed mission. In fact, it tasted good because of the completeness of the spices (chili powder, paprika, tumeric, basil, cumin and white pepper).  So, check out Erwan's recipe and try this easy to do dish. Again, no canned Jap Mushrooms, ok?