Miscellanous thoughts

At last, the part for my car's tailights came ...and Rick himself did the work of fixing my car.

I think I am coming closer to the chance of moving to a new company....the first one which is nearer our home has sent me via website the profile test which I finished last night...it took me till 12:30 am to complete 6 sets..while  the 2nd one which could also be "it" also said this afternoon   that before the New Year...he (the VP)  would have completed the details of the position for me. But until the real offer comes...anything is still possible.  I continue to seek guidance from Him.

I again viewed the new photos of my grandkids tonight and truly enjoy looking at them.  I am a proud Lola L...not only for their good looks but for the fact that they are growing up as good and talented kids.  Gina, most especially, does not have any problem relating with big or small crowds (strangers or not) and does not need prodding to show off her talent whether in dancing or singing.  She is so "lista" and I hope she remains as such even in later years. Migs on the other hand  consistently is an awardee in his class for every grading period.  He is very very good in numbers and always make a perfect score in his tests! 

My twin sister's only young grandson, on the other hand, is also super talented and has shown many signs of being gifted esp. with  musical instruments (piano)...without a formal  education..  This means "artistry" really runs in our families, including on the Medina's side..   Carry on kids!

I received 2 Christmas e-cards from my ex-Denver colleagues...I am glad they still remember me..I hope ex-Denver people can have a reunion someday.  That would be really nice so that we can reminisce our good and hard times together that eventually made us feel like graduating from a finishing school.  Personally, Denver taught me many corporate values...which I put to good use while working here. 

 

Hopes for the Turn of the Year

Oh what a good Dec. 23 it was!  Today, our office is closed...and this day off will be charged to our birthday leave.  So, I took the time to do a last (really last last) minute shopping for more gifts for my Rick.  I see that he has around 5 boxes under our tree ===all for me, so I felt I should also give him more...not competing, but I wanted to add....cause y' know suddenly, as you think of what you have wrapped after shopping, a thought just crosses your mind...and so you want to go and get it!

Since I cannot drive my car (the tail light is busted...and I don't want to get a ticket!), Rick drove for me.  Chrysler will have the part by next week so I get by with Rick driving me to and fro.  I hope to be able to drive again next week! 

We went to the mall...he window shopped, while I did my last-minute shopping. We agreed to meet after an hour which we did.  I got myself a pair of black ear muffs...when the weather is bitterly cold, I feel like my ears burn and so I need these muffs!

We had lunch at Hooters!!!!! I was curious to see why this place is so popular amongst men...and I found out why...the pretty girl waitresses or servers are all clad in like bathing suits...but they all moved around professionally (?) as they did their jobs.When we walked in, the place was not full, but at the time, we were done...the place was loaded with people...men and women alike!  I guess it's the menu that draws the crowd!  The burger was good, and the hot dog was ok...(oh Jollibee's is better, of course).

Then I went to my interview...went well...good opportunity...a little far from the other option wherein I also have a good chance!! It is now just a question as to where the Lord will really want me to be.  I leave it up to Him, although I prefer  the one nearer our home.  This is one hope that I know the Lord will grant me..as He has already opened 2 doors for me...and all I have to do is wait, wait, and wait!  I just keep on praying for the right one!

I shall let you in..when the decision is done!

 

Drive to Jersey City

My good friend, Arleen, wanted so much to have a capiz parol like ours.  And even if she isn't from the Philippines, she truly appreciates our lanterns. So, off we went to Jersey City to visit Casa Victoria, where lots of parols are on display.  She drove this time.

I always prepare myself when visiting this store--for it is there that you will see a lot of what you may miss being in the land of apple and snow!  I saw frozen big santols, lanzones, antonio pueo chocolate bars, calamansi nestea, dalandan nestea, etc...goldilocks polvoron and mamon, queso de bola marca pina, and even Biogesic capsules!  Then there is the cooked, still warm, arroz caldo, rellenong manok, biko, suman, etc.  Whew...I just controlled myself otherwise I could spend a fortune.  And since, I still needed a few small items as gifts for co-workers, I decided to buy 2 capiz paper clip holders which are so cute.   

Arleen bought a nice lantern, but had only 1 bulb, unlike ours which had 16 bulbs all in all.  

We drove back and she handed me her gift, which I will open come Christmas eve.

 

 

Christmas Rush Shopping---all done!

Well, I have finally completed my Christmas shopping.  And I have also completed writing  and mailing all my Christmas cards for my Philippine friends and relatives.  In this age of e-cards, I still prefer giving real cards that can be treasured and kept.  Of course, there are some whose  home addresses I do not know, so e-cards will be my alternative.

The objective of my last-minute shopping was hunting for a present for Rick.  And I know he will like what I got him....Nothing really expensive item...but useful items!  This time, Nery and I went to Rockaway Mall--where we found it less crowded and parking not terribly filled up.

Now, I have to find a way to keep these presents away from Rick's eyes....until they are wrapped! 

The next shopping for me to do is...shopping for what I shall prepare for our Christmas dinner.  I have invited Nery and her husband to join us.  Hmmmm...wonder what i shall cook?  They have to be a combination of Western and Filipino dishes.  Simple yet festive and tasteful...from the appetizer down to the dessert....I am all for it.  This was my deal with Rick...he did all the preparation for Thanksgiving and for the Christmas Holidays (including new year), it is my turn.  And everyone knows I love cooking....it is a chore I shall never tire of (to those who may not know...I used to be a catering manager of a famous fine dining in Manila, plus I  ran a food eatery business, a skill Anne and Yani both inherited.  They not only cook too, but even bake better than i do!)

That is why back in Manila, both Christmas  and New Year's Eves are observed in my house which has become the "reunion" spot during these occasions.  My sisters and other relatives always looked forward to what I have prepared...and like in our Filipino tradition, they always carry a "take-home" food package for the night  I made sure I prepared a l-o-t for them.

Well, I better park lest I become nostalgic again!

 

 

New homepage name - and - The elusive gift!

If you noticed, I have changed my webpage.  I decided that since it is I who joined this site and do all the journal entries, music, etc., it is but proper that I put a name to it that is more like me!  Jasmine is my favorite flower...the jasmine we have back home in the Philippines. (I miss its sweet fragrance) Anyway, once in a while, I will occasionally include Rickster here, but all the writings will be mostly about me. So, change the web's name I did!

Yesterday's Saturday was another wake-up-early-day for me.  I decided to go shopping for Rick's Christmas gift.  Nery, again, wanted to come with me.  So I picked her up and then drove to her sister-in-law;s home in Orange (ohhhh....another long drive).  I guess it was worth doing this for my friend since she and her sister in law haven't been to Willowbrook Mall.

After scouring countless good stores..I did not find what I know Rick will like, not necessarily needs.  The mall was teeming with people and I thought, gee, where is the boycott of stores which did not have the Christmas symbol?  Anyway, we started this shopping trek around 11:30 noon and did not stop till 5:00 pm!  But I feel good...I needed the long walk!

Now my legs are sore...although the sight of good stuff to buy was tempting and a feast to my eyes.  But I am no longer an impulsive buyer (been there, did that, but not anymore)!!  And so today, I will continue to look for that elusive gift for Rick.  And if I can't find anything worth buying, I may as well just give him a tight hug and a  kiss for Christmas...which I am sure Rick will appreciate better  After all, I think Christmas should not only be equated with material gift-giving.  Like HIS birth which heralded being born to this planet and giving HIMSELF to us earthly creatures..it is really the best gift we can give our loved ones...ourselves!

Doing the Light Fantastics

Friday, Dec. 9th, was Troy Hills' traditional Christmas party where I am a part-timer.  I brought Rick along so that my bosses and co-workers can meet him, and vice-versa. It was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Mary, our administrator, remarked to Rick that they are happy that I work for them because "she has done greater things than our permanent ones"...to which I say ..ahem (bow)!!

Betty, the asst. admin, on the other hand, urged Rick and I to join the group doing their thing on the dancefloor.  So, Rick and I called the challenge...and boy, we both found out we haven't lost the dancing skill even if we have not danced for many many years.

During my youth (ah..the good old days), my twin sister, Rita, my cousins Lou, Boy, and Baby, used to be out partying and dancing all night long every Saturday!  Of course, I was their dance instructor then.  I could do a mean boogie, cha-cha, and later on, the swing, mambo, salsa, etc. Even the difficult Tango is chicken to me, not to mention ballroom waltz.  That is why doing the jitterbug with Rick was quite simple.  Besides, I just followed his lead and he was good! And so we did the jitterbug to two continuous music

We could have danced some more if not for the fact that the DJ's succeeding choices were what we both considered as "noise patterns". 

The food was good, the company was also good, but what was great was that Rick and I enjoyed dancing together for the first time...  It was our Friday night's exercise!

 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!!

Tonight is a very, very cold night....I walked briskly from my car to the house..and if not for the traces of snow  (ice) on the ground, I could have run fast to be inside.  It is really super cold!!!

Rick had all the Christmas trimmings out on the living room...In fact, he is right now, putting up the all-red tiny lights.  It is a very tall tree and after he has put up the lights, it will be my turn to help him.  Like last year,  it will be a beautiful Christmas tree loaded with all-red decors.

Like Anne (my daughter), i also have mixed feelings about Christmas, especially being away from the Philippines where Anne, Yani and kids are.  I also miss the familiar Filipino christmas songs, native Christmas decors and seeing a lot of parols by the windows and in the streets of Manila.  Even if there are  also a lot of lights here in Jersey, I have yet to see a lighted parol like what Rick gave me.  And nothing can come second to the way we, Filipinos, celebrate the special holidays of the yuletide season.  Christmas here is short, simple and very brief.  Unlike the Philippine way where there are endless invitations to friends' houses, relatives, godchildren, kissing of the hands (mano), exchange of gifts, children caroling by our gate, the smell of puto bumbong , bibingka (rice cakes), salabat (tea), midnight masses, etc...And may i include, the hassle of being in the midst of traffic jams and crowded malls!

 Oh, I  could go on and on and on...

On the other hand, the sight and feel of snow is something else too!  Snow really completes a "white Christmas".  I always think of my grandkids whenever I see the first snowfall.  How I wish they were here to experience this....Oh well,in God's time,  I know they will in the very near future!

But of course, the relevance and essence of Christmas is Christ..Himself....the traditions and rituals I mentioned above are just trimmings of the celebration.

 

 

 

A good Saturday and Sunday!

Yesterday I kept a promise to my friend, Nery, that I will introduce her to one of my customers who may employ her. She has been out of a job for almost a month now and since she is a good friend of mine , and was even a witness to obtainour wedding license, I wanted to help her. 

So at exactly 10:00 am (even if Saturday is a precious sleep late day for me), I picked her up and together we went to Paterson, NJ. I probably drove for 45 minutes one way.  She read my quick scribbled notes as to where to exit, where to turn etc.  The trip took us about 1 hour cause both of us are new to this area..and it is really extremely hard to drive and watch for directions.

Anyway, we found the supermart that was our destination.  The owners, Alex and Edna (both Filipinos, altho Alex is chinese descent)  were very hospitable.  They treated us to a nice lunch (of course Filipino courses) at their own office which had a dining area and this office  cum-home for them is convenient when they decide to sleep in.

This supermart is really big and mostly the employees are young.  Anyway, my friend had a good interviewbut will think over if this job is good for her because she has to take the train and commute, etc.  While was being interviewed, I called Rick on my cellphone cause I wanted him to know that we arrived safely and couldn't be back home by 12:00 noon as I promised.  (Rick worries when I don't get back at the time I said I would  knowing I will be driving further).

Alex drove us to where my car was parked and for a giveaway, he gave me a box of sweet tamarinds and how I love it, having missed our local "Sampaloc".  The box, though, said "product of Thailand" but I it did not matter cause sampaloc IS sampaloc, no matter what soil it grew in.  We drove back at 1:30 pm, and passed by our house first, so that Nery can say hello to Rick. Then I drove Nery back to her house which is a good 10 minutes away from us.  Tomorrow, I will leave a voicemail thank you to Alex and Edna.

I asked Rick to taste the tamarind and he did not like it.  Although what's funny is when I cook sinigang (which I did today), a local casserole dish, Rick likes the aroma while it is cooking. But he never likes the taste, referring to it as tasting like  "battery acid"  So I explained to him that the packet of powdered flavored tamarind, actually comes from this fruit!

Today, it is Sunday, and I just witnessed a baptism at my church and watching it brought back memories of my own baptism at my church in Manila, Greenhills Christian Fellowship ten years ago..  And when I remember my baptism, I can't help but think of a former househeld who was also baptized that day--her name is Cora who was really a big help to my family.  Wonder where she is now?

 

 

 

Movietime!

Rickster and I went to see "Goodnight & Goodbye"--a black and white movie about a former CBS anchor person's controversial nightly broadcasts.  Other than 2 young kids, around 10-12 years old perhaps, Rickster and I were the only movie watchers who were not in their late 60's or 70's.

Well, the movie, inspite of being in black and white, was quite interesting although the ending was too abrupt.  

Dean & Me (A Love Story)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Entertainment
Author:	Jerry Lewis

After reading this book, I now have a clearer understanding why the famous duo of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis parted ways, which is really sad.

I enjoyed this book. It gave me the insight of knowing how they started a "rags to riches" climb to fame and fortune. I wish the book did not end with Dean's death.
The book also shows how human they are like you and me.

This book makes a good light reading. Jerry owes it to their fans like me to tell his side of their life story.

Eggplant Boats

Description:
This is a quick and easy to do dish which your family or guests will enjoy. You can even prepare this in advance and store in your refrigerator (or freezer as the case may be)

Ingredients:
4 large plump eggplants
1/2 lb. ground meat (pork, beef, turkey, or crab meat)
1 cup finely chopped carrots
1 cup finely chopped onion or scallions
pepper and salt to taste
2 eggs
1/2 cup raisins
bread crumbs
Mozzarella cheese (or any kind) grated

Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix together: meat, carrots, onions or scallions, eggs, salt and pepper, raisins. Set aside
2. Splice the eggplants horizontally, and remove stems.
3. Scoop out the meat part, leaving just a little on the skin.
4. Chop the eggplant finely and mix with the meat ingredients.
5. Stuff each eggplant skin into a near heaping.
6. Top with bread crumbs and mozzarella cheese
7. Bake at 350 until golden brown, but not burned.

Gina's Site

http://yellowbunny24.multiply.com
See my pretty grandaughter's hompage too!

Chicken Meat Rolls

Description:
Delicious, easy embutido-style chicken dish

Ingredients:
1/4 kg ground chicken meat
1 can (140 g) Vienna sausage, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 pouch (130 g) DEL MONTE Italian Style Spaghetti Sauce
1 egg
100 g carrot, coarsely grated
2 slices bread, cut into cubes
1/4 cup raisins


Directions:
1 COMBINE all ingredients with 3/4 tsp iodized fine salt (or 2-1/4 tbsp iodized rock salt) and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix thoroughly.

2 WRAP every 3/4 cup of mixture in foil. Roll. Steam for 1 hour. Cool and chill overnight. Unwrap and slice.

Migs' Site

http://greenpumpkin31.multiply.com
My smart grandson's green site!

Yani, Anne, Migs & Gina's Joyful Noise!

http://joyfulnoise27.multiply.com
See my beautiful grandkids' pics!

Star Wars Ep. III

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

I fell asleep...ask my grandson for reviews about the movie...

The Philippine Christmas Parol - (a Native Lantern)

I finally opened yesterday (being Thanksgiving Day) the big box that Rickster was saving for me as a Thanksgiving surprise!  It is a beautiful "capiz shell" star shaped lantern that has multi-colored flickering lights. It is really sweet of him to give me this as he knows I miss having Christmas lanterns like we used to in the Philipines.  He sent a picture of this lantern to my daughter, Anne, who in turn, kept this from me also

Now this lantern is  hung up in our porch.  This surely is a giveaway ..anyone who sees it will see that a Filipino lives here....thank you Rickster!  That was really nice of you.