Finish Line

This is my first finisher medal for a 3-Km run, not much of an accomplishment for some but for a non-runner like me this is a reward. I have no other reason for joining the fun run but to burn some calories and to jump start a fitness routine after being so lazy for the past months. 

Our life is a long journey, it's like a marathon where the distance is predefined by God. Some are fast and get to the finish line ahead of us, while the others are endurance runners, they are not necessarily fast but they still complete the race. Unfortunately there are some who gave up and failed to finish their quest. What's important in this lifetime is to overcome the challenges we encounter along the journey. We will meet other runners who will either encourage us or put us down, but we need to keep going... run, walk, stop if you need to but never give up. 

Once you step into the finish line, all the sacrifices, pain, weariness are paid off. There will be an exceeding joy, pride, and a sense of fulfillment within you. The same is true in our lives. When we get to the end and look back to the lives we lived, will there be joy, pride or fulfillment? If you finally face God, are you ready to receive your reward?

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." - Philippians 3:14

For now, walk, glide, run... enjoy the journey, because it is not how far you've traveled, it's how fulfilling  life has become. See you at the finish line.

HOME is where the HEART is

What I planned as an overnight stay because of a dental appointment turned into a week-long stay-cation in Pagsanjan. It's a good thing that I have no urgent meetings to attend, thus I don't have to rush back to Manila. When in Pagsanjan, my return schedule is always indefinite, no fixed time or date. Maybe I missed my old place or maybe I just want to stay more with the family. Since I settled in my own place I rarely visit my hometown, hence in the occasional visits I always take advantage of spending time with my family, just watching TV together, cooking classic hometown dishes that I missed and sharing funny stories of our childhood again and again.

credit to the owner of this photo

For a week I stayed in my sister's home, which is just s few meters away from my parent's house. This was a chance to bond with my two other siblings. After college they opted to stay and work in the province, while me and my brother preferred to stay in the city. Occasionally they visit us in Manila, to dine out, watch a movie or to buy some stuff. There is a certain joy when the four of us are together. My fondest memories of us will be back in my room every Saturday morning. Back in college I go home every Friday (late) night from Manila, the following morning my brothers about 3 to 4 years old then will peek into my door to check if I'm already awake and the four of us will stay in my bed for maybe 30 mins wrestling, playing, in short "harutan" before we have breakfast.

We have two additional members of the family, and spending a whole week with them is just perfect especially with the charming little girl. She's really funny, smart and cute, I see her with a happy disposition in life, although she can be very stubborn at times. I also got to see and chat with my father for a week. I got to bond with a cousin too, we ate together, nap together and teased the little girl together.

I have my own private space, my current home sweet home, but there is something in Pagsanjan that I always want to go back to. Is it my childhood memories, is it my family, the memories of my Nanay, or my happy thoughts? We can go places, travel the world but we'll always go back to where we came from, because truly home is where the heart is. 

The Caldereta Story

Since bumalik ako ng Manila from Davao ilang beses ko binalak magluto ulet ng Caldereta, pero hindi natutuloy until today. Finally my mind and my heart agreed to cook this dish that I missed cooking for a long time.

The Caldereta Life

Some of you probably know this, if my heart is not into something I just can't do it. Well unless it is part of the job, I can do it not passionately but out of necessity. And I don't live like that. Ang buhay parang Caldereta, pinipili ang pinaka masarap at sariwang sangkap at matiyang niluluto... slow cooked in low fire, para magsanib pwersa ang lahat ng lasa at lumabas ang sarap. Hindi minamadali, sa halip binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat sangkap ilabas ang best nila. Hindi ba ang sarap ng feeling na pag inihain mo ito masasarapan ang lahat ng kakain? 

Sa buhay natin, hindi mo dapat madaliin ang sarili mo. Take your time to heal from your hurtings, to forgive the one who broke your heart. Take time to stop and smell the flowers. Spend time alone, get to know yourself again and what makes you happy. Wait until your heart and your mind agrees to do it, slowly but surely, so you can be your best self again. Isn't it good that when you share your life with someone new, you are the better version of yourself?

My own version of your Caldereta

I learned to cook Caldereta from someone who used to be close to my heart. He shared his secret recipe that I promised not to share with anyone else. The first time I cooked it felt like winning a jackpot. For the longest time I wanted to try Caldereta but simply couldn't find a good recipe, then came you. My family and friends loved my Caldereta thanks to you.

Just a few weeks back, I spoke with him again. This time, I said what I deemed to say without anger. For a long while I thought I can't let him go. After that conversation I told myself "you've moved on gir!" Maybe that is also the reason why I can now cook Caldereta again (ipilit talaga?), because although it reminds me of you there's no bitterness this time.

So kahapon, habang nawawala ako sa mga aisle ng bagong SM Supermarket it crossed my mind... I will cook Caldereta for Sunday lunch. I got up before 10 o'clock to start my preparation. I looked for his recipe, but I can't find it anymore. So I cooked it from the heart, of how I remember cooking it. And instead of using a brand of cheese that he recommended, I used cream cheese and cheddar. I wanted to put olives as I thought I still have some in my fridge, but I got cappers pala. A recipe is like a lesson in life, it is subject to your own interpretation or execution. I guess this is my version of your Caldereta. Everytime i will cook this dish, you will probably cross my mind but it won't hurt anymore. And the lesson I learned... forgiveness comes at the right time.

What is your favorite dish? Can you relate it to your life or the current state of your lovelife? As for me, I will be the slow-cooked, spicy yet cheesy Caldereta, savory creaminess with a kick. 

Eh yung tawaging Kare-kare ang Caldereta mo... ibang usapan na yan! 

Ang Pancit ni Nanay... bow!

We are on a business trip since Monday, and here in the Azucarera snacks are usually served during meetings, maybe to draw people to attend the discussions or to keep us energized. Last Tuesday, they served us different types of Pancit - canton, bihon and sotanghon. I got Pancit canton. When I opened the styro, there is no fork... how am I suppose to eat this? My colleague offered the plastic spoon that he used to stir his 3-in-1 coffee. Since I'm kinda hungry and there's something about that Pancit canton that made me want to eat it... I grabbed the spoon and started eating. I was savoring every spoonful, when another colleague interrupted me saying "... magla-lunch pa tayo ha." What he didn't know, inside that lowly styro of pancit canton was a time machine.

credit to the owner of this photo

When I opened the styro, that pancit canton looks and smells like the pancit my Nanay used to cook and serve in our store back in Pagsanjan. The pancit served in our meeting has a few pieces of meat and veggies not really the usual Pancit that we serve on special occasions. But this pancit reminds me of my Nanay, our simple happy life in the province and how hardworking she was. Every spoonful brought me back to my younger years, when I used to enjoy the humble pancit canton back home, when lucky me is not even heard of. For a moment I felt like Nanay was watching me eat and it was a such a happy feeling. So when my colleague interrupted me it's like waking up in the middle of a dream, I suddenly zap back to my world, back in the middle of a presentation where a Finance person lament over how standard cost will be generated and the consultant trying to convince him that the ERP can calculate it for him.

Back to the meeting, I looked into the pancit canton that I'm eating, it's almost finished. I smiled and uttered "I miss you Nay."

credit to the owner of this photo

Rubber versus Plastic

It was a rainy Monday morning when we arrived at the new Bacolod-Silay International Airport. Our destination is 2 hours away from the airport, but we have to wait for a few hours more before the service departs for Sagay, Negros Occidental because 5 people will join us and they are on a later flight. Instead of sitting in the arrival hall, the group opted to take a side trip to The Ruins. We left our bags in the bus and off we went to Talisay.

It was still drizzling when we reached the place, but the Ruins was indeed a beautiful sight. The turf is soaked and muddy but thanks to my trusty boots I can comfortably walk and run around the area. 

This rainy season, it is important to choose the right footwear. You can either go for rubber or plastic. My Dr Martens is a perfect choice, it is a leather boots but the sole is solid rubber. What I love about my docs is it keeps my feet dry even if I walk in the rain. For a rugged astig look, I go for my bouncing sole.

Even if Makati banned plastic I never stopped wearing my Melissa, what's the connection? My sassy, chic plastic flats are perfect this rainy season. It is made of high grade plastic, durable and trendy. If I'm in the mood for a girly look Melissa is my first choice, it doesn't only look pretty, it smells good too.

No matter what your choice is this wet season, don't give up both comfort and style. Don't forget to care for your feet, so choose the right footwear. If you can't decide between rubber or plastic, get them both. A woman can never have too many shoes. #shoelover #imeldificeffect

Why I hated my sister

I was a happy peaceful kid until my sister came into my life. How can I forget August 01, 19XX, people were in panic mode because my mother was giving birth. In our home town, most normal births happen at home with the help of a midwife. But she was special, aside from the midwife my cousin, a nursing student, was also present to assist.

That day I became a big sister, I was 6 years old and my life has never been the same. I hated her for many reasons.

• I have to share my parents with her.  Shared attention, care and love. 
• I have to get used to being compared to her, she was prettier, she's more loved.
• I have to look after her when my mother is busy, and playtime was cut short.
• I have to do the house chores because I'm the eldest while she was playing all the time.
• I have to set good examples .
• I have to protect her, guide her, care for her and love her all my life.

Credit to the owner of the photo

I wished our neighbors and relatives did not compare us when we were kids. I wished they never told me my parent don't love me anymore. I wished I never been jealous of her. I wished I've been a doting big sister from the beginning. Then she would have been happier, and we've been closer. 

She's always been a good sister, she looks up to me and never stopped loving me. Even when I refuse to lend her my shoes or clothes, even if she complains how masungit I am to her, and how kuripot in giving her allowance. We became closer when we lost our Mother. Since then we had each other's back, looking after the family and making the most of the lives the Lord gave us. We are partners in crime.

I hope she knows that I loved her since day 1, I may not have the chance to show it growing up, but I always do. Happy birthday Karen, you're my favorite sister.

From Nisha Patel