Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Just Let Go.....

If you want something beyond your reach, just let go.....
If you can never master it, just let go.....
If you are still dwelling in the past, just let go.....
If you find it already too heavy, just let go.....
If you cannot bear the pain anymore, just let go.....

Photo from Web
Holding on to things which are not meant for us can hinder us in getting the things which are much better than what we have always wanted.  So just set it free, let it fly, let it go.....


Thursday, September 19, 2013

A Mooncake Story

I first heard of the word “mooncake” back in my 5 & Up days when my man, Atom Araullo reported about the history of Mooncake Festival in China.  As I can recall, it was the time when the people of China didn't want their emperor anymore.  So they passed around messages from one household to another by way of writing down their plans on paper and inserting it inside breads.  They had come up with a plan of revolution scheduled on the next full moon.  When that time came, all of them got out from their houses and attacked the palace which gave China their freedom from the cruel emperor. 

From then on, people from the Republic of China commemorate that glorious event annually and called it the Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival.  It is just like Christmas for them, making families get together for a festive dinner with mooncake as the main entrée.  

Mooncake can be as large as a family-sized pizza or as small as a junior-sized siopao.  It has plenty of filling inside with salted egg at its center.  Some people find it overly-stuffed yet I find it hěn hǎo chī!  It is packed with nutritious sweet bean paste, various nuts, dried fruits, sesame seeds, and even sweet ham.  It is a wonder in every bite - starting from the flaky crust to the smooth filling until the chewy bits of kernel! A piece of mooncake can be a complete meal for me!
But this piece of pastry is not just food.  It carries with it a lot of symbolism as it carried the secret messages years ago!  First and foremost is its round shape symbolizing completeness and unity.  My lăoshī friend Andy said that he would travel miles by train just to be with his family during the Mooncake Festival.  Eating mooncake together with the family is a must-must for Chinese, reminding them of their ancestors' unity to bring back the people's voice.

Second is the salted egg symbolizing the full moon.  It has been customary to Chinese belief that the moon represents brightness and gentleness.  That is why there are plenty of tales and poems about the moon in Chinese literature and even songs!  Another lăoshī friend Jenny even translated a moon song to me which made me fell in love with it that I still sing it until now though I mispronounce its lyrics!

Third is the blend of flavors - sweet, salty, and spicy symbolizing the course of life.  Sometimes we are happy but sometimes we are sad.  Sometimes good things come to us but sometimes bad things come to us.  This just encourages us that no matter what kind of fate life gives, we have to accept it wholeheartedly.  Just like what another  lăoshī friend always tells me, "Smile!  You're beautiful!", we have to be optimistic at all times!  For if good things never last, as well as the bad does.

Lastly is the special character imprinted on top which means longevity or harmony.  If somebody gives you a mooncake, it means that that person values you very much that he/she has given a part of his/her life to you in wishing you long life and peace.  So to  lăoshī friend Zhou Yuan who gave me my mooncake last year, thank you so much for regarding me as your friend! :)  Though we had struggles in communicating (literally) well before, we understood each other.  I know deep down that you had loved us and still wanted to bond with us but time didn't allow us to be.  If ever you might read this post, I want you to know that you are still remembered and that I wish you well wherever life may lead you!  Stay sweet, beautiful Zhou Yuan! :)  And may you guide and teach more kids in loving Math! :)

And that ends my mooncake story, folks!  Not just a piece of bread, not just a piece of pastry, not just a piece of cake!  It is more than food bringing peace to the ancient Chinese people from a long time ago and keeping families together for the modern Chinese people nowadays.  As Filipinos who already has that rooted inclination to close family ties, it is good to be reminded of having meals together with the family.  Just like the campaign for a noodle brand here in the Philippines, KAINANG PAMILYA MAHALAGA!

             

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A Desperate Call

No matter how high my educational attainment is,
No matter how wealthy I can become,
No matter how unreachable I can be,
But "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." - Anna Scott (Notting Hill, 1999)

Photo from Web
For the millionth time proven and tested, boys do really get intimidated by me!  So I would just like to broadcast to the universe that I AM JUST A NORMAL AND ORDINARY PERSON just like anyone of you!  I eat street food, I go for a walk at Cotta, and I don't need to be presented with some lavish material gifts.  Oh come on, dating me cannot be costly!  I am not high maintenance!  So why the heck hesitate?

Now I'm acting like a totally desperate person.  Well, I already am!  Just how pity me that is......:(


Monday, September 16, 2013

Tuna and Mushroom Piccolo Pizza Recipe

Piccolo is the Italian word for little.  Since buying pizza from the pizzeria costs a lot, here's a very simple pizza recipe that you can conveniently do at home.  It is very cheap that you can have more than enough for the whole family!  Here it is:    

Ingredients

Loaf Bread Slices
Pizza Sauce
Tuna
Mushroom
Kraft Cheddar Cheese

Procedure

1.  Spread pizza sauce to loaf bread slices.
2.  Add tuna and mushroom.
3.  Top with Kraft Cheddar cheese.
4.  Dash with oregano to taste.
5.  Heat up in an oven toaster for three minutes.
6.  Enjoy eating with the whole family.


Kraft Cheddar cheese is the best source of calcium for strong bones and teeth.  For moms out there, make this simple recipe to delight your kids' afternoon snacks.  It is very healthy for growing kids to have an ample dose of calcium everyday!  Click here for more Kraft Cheddar cheese recipes. 



Saturday, September 14, 2013

University Days the Lasallian Way

La Salle University-Ozamis held its University Days last September 10-13, 2013 which commenced with a thanksgiving mass held at the Arts Center with the university chaplain, Fr. Jesus Dosado as the celebrator.

After the mass, the event officially started with its opening ceremony held at the Saint Columban grounds headed by LSU president, Bro. Jaime Dalumpines, FSC.

Then various presentations were showcased by the following dance troupes and departments:
LSU Drum & Lyre Corps
LSU Teatro Guindegan
LSU Pep Squad
PE Classes
Night High School
School for the Deaf
Parents Auxiliary Board
Pre-School Department
To further highlight the celebration, we were graced by our very own resident mascot, Bro. Buknoy!

The following day, September 11, 2013 was the most anticipated Cheerdance Competition!  The gym was fully jam-packed with students, faculty, staff, guests, and visitors!

The competition started with the community singing of the De La Salle Alma Mater Song in different languages led by the cheerdancers.  I had goose bumps upon hearing the song in different beat and in different tempo especially the instrumental version for the sign language of our mute and deaf brothers and sisters.

Then the crowd went wild when the LSU Pep Squad started up the competition!

Afterwards, the eight contingents for the cheerdance compet took turns in cheering for their respective colleges.
College of Business and Economics
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Accountancy - Champion
School of Tourism and Hotel Management
College of Nursing
College of Computer Studies
College of Engineering and Architecture
College of Teacher Education
The next day, September 12, 2013 was the day for the faculty and staff with fun games featuring the katutubong palaro of patentero, hayang-kulob, and labay-bola.  I super enjoyed the games ‘coz I felt like a child again!  It’s already been ages since I experienced letting loose of myself and laughing my heart out! 

In the afternoon, we went all the way to Brgy. Gala for our community extension.  There, we harvested corn and peeled corn for the benefit of agronomics.  While doing our duty, we talked, laughed, and took pictures!  It was just like having an acquaintance party/bonding moment with the other employees of La Salle which I am so thankful for the opportunity since I’m still a newbie in the university.

In the evening, Mr. and Ms. Lasallian Icon 2013 was held at the same venue, the Arts Center.  It was a search for the most endearing male student and female student of LSU-Ozamis.  Congratulations to the winners, John Laurence Sareñogon of CON and Christine May Gallego of CAS!
Photo Credits to Classic Studio
For the last day, all teachers were buckled up in their seats inside their respective offices since it was the deadline for the submission of midterm grades and semi-finals exam test questions.  We just had a little break, enjoying our 200M cash prize for winning 1st runner-up for patentero.
  
Gladly, we were able to meet the deadline and celebrated again the following morning with LSU-Ozamis’ first ever team building!  We woke up early in the morning for the dance-exercise and barrio games.  

It was so much fun knowing more co-teachers and being friends with them!  Truly, people come and go.  I am just so happy to have had known new people who are smarter and better than me so I can improve and upgrade myself!  Looking forward for the next LSU-Ozamis activity!  Animo La Salle!     

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Whimsical Wednesday: My SG Top Picks

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  


There are places that once I see and experience, I would not want to go back again.  It's either I don't like it or I really made most of my time there that I already had my fill.  But there are also places that once I see and experience, I would want to go back again and again!  It's either I super like it or I really just couldn't get enough of it.  And one of my most fave places on earth is none other than SG!

For my nth time visit in Singapore, I could say that it is now a place I frequent.  It is not that I'm boasting here or what.  It is just that I am so privileged enough to have had an aunt who gifted me with my first SG tour, cousins who invited us for company, and of course, a sister who would just summon us for sleep-overs!  Since 2005, it has been la dolce vita ala SG!  

So what's with SG that keeps me coming back?  For years of SG-ing, I've come up with these SG top picks of eat, pray, and love!

EAT

Laksa - still nothing beats Katong laksa for my taste buds!  There is nowhere in the Philippines that I can find something like this.  Even me, I once tried out a simple laksa recipe courtesy of Del Monte Philippines' Kitchenomics but never did I taste something like the Singaporean laksa does.  Its playful flavors are just so perfect that I keep on missing 'coz I can only taste it there!

PRAY

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - I maybe a Christian but I do believe that there is no religion that can save us!  For me, salvation comes with a proper relationship between you and your Creator.  So no matter what god (Jesus, Buddha, Allah, or Shiva) you are believing in, you yourself is the one liable for your salvation.  

In my case, I'm getting fond of visiting this Buddhism temple in SG.  Why?  It's because they have these Buddha paper prayers and wishes kind of thing.  I tested it the first time I went there and my wish got granted!  For my second time, I wished for guidance on what to do with my life then I got Fascino!  Then there came my third wish, fourth,  and so on.  Maybe for my next visit, I'm gonna wish for my love life.  Am I already ready for that?  Jeez!!!

LOVE

Light and Fountain Shows - may it be in Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, or Suntec City.  SG has the most magnificent and spectacular fountain shows ever!  Every time I go there, there is always something new!  These never bore me and these still surprise me until this matured age of mine.  I can fall in love with them over and over again for they tell about life and living it to the fullest!  They bring to life all my wishful thinking of appreciating the beauty of life despite the odds its giving!

Indeed, I can consider SG as my second home.  I'm even more acquainted with all the corners there than our capital city, Manila!  Not to mention, I also feel confident in walking there than walking down the streets of Manila.  It's not just I don't love our own country.  It's just that, I wish that our country can also be as clean, as peaceful, and as disciplined as Singapore!


For those who did not know that I just came from SG, there ain't no pasalubong for you but you may win these SG trinkets!  
Just


1.  click the Tweet and Like buttons below
2. send name, address, and contact number to maryrosalieo@yahoo.com on or before September 13, 2013.

Friday, September 06, 2013

Feature Friday: The Couch

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!


Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things......


I'm always fond of singing this Sound of Music song since I was little.  When somebody bullies me at school, I just sing this song which instantly vanishes my blues away.  Although the things in the song are not really my favorites, singing the song still makes me smile! :)

By the way, I'm telling you this because I've got this one favorite thing today!  It is soft as a mallow, bouncy as a teddy bear, and homey as a warm embrace.  It is none other than - the couch at Café Eduardo!

The couch has been there for me since last year!  When there are things to celebrate, we celebrate with her!
Reunion with High School Batch Mates
When there are family gatherings, we fellowship with her!
With Tita MM, Ella, and Reija
Playing with Reija
With Cousins
When there are friends in town, we catch up and bond with her!
With High School Friends
With the Balikbayans
With Baby Niña
When there are fresh gossips in the city, we whisper with her!
The Partners In Crime with L-my

And when there are things to confide, we open up with her!
With Atsi Ann Sharon
The couch has seen me through these days that I already considered her as one of my girl friends!  That's the reason why I regard her as "her"!  If only the couch could talk, she could tell you of my ups and downs, my laughters and frowns, and my glories and falls.

I am so glad there is Café Eduardo where I can be so comfortable hanging out in!  It is my place of refreshment not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.  It is my "chicken soup" for my languid soul.  For a hundred bucks of coffee with a friend or two or more can keep me sane from my grueling workaholic attitude!
With the MUHS Gang
 Just some Café Eduardo goodies:

Visit Café Eduardo at Time Square, Juan Luna Cor. J. Sanciangco Jr. Sts., Brgy. Aguada and experience some fun and beautiful memories of the 60's!


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