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I will eat friendlier food

Posted on January 5, 2009
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I can’t eat food that resembles the animal it came from. I understand that all meat comes from a animal, but I’d rather not be reminded of it every time I eat. Steak, okay it looks nothing like a cow. Shrimp, only if it’s cleaned up. Mussels, I have to distract myself with other thoughts.

For the past two weeks I spent in Manila and Singapore, I was treated to a lot of good food, fresh and delicious. Unfortunately, Asian cuisine is also rife with whole animals. Hong Kong roast pigeon with the head still attached, lechon or suckling pig spit-roasted over a charcoal fire, lobster picked live from the tank and boiled in a pot, whole steamed fish (the head’s supposedly the best part), grilled freshly-caught prawns not peeled and not deveined - all these are typical dishes one finds in restaurants. At Jocelyn’s wedding, they even served jellyfish and sea cucumber. I see these creatures on dives. Even after I put these delicasies in my mouth, I couldn’t get their images out of my mind. I almost gagged right there at the table.

Well, I’ve had enough of dead animals on plates! I’m going part-time vegetarian. Recognizing that I can’t go cold turkey (pun not intended) on no meat, I vow to incorporate more vegetables into my meals and order vegetarian when I eat out. It will not only make me feel better about my food, it’ll make my body healthier too.

Feeeeeeed meeee!

Posted on January 1, 2009
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This is how I feel today. Too bad it’s a kids shirt!

At the stroke of midnight

Posted on January 1, 2009
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Every year since I was born, my ama would hold a New Year’s Eve party at her house. There would be food, drinks, a band, dance instructors. This one regular guest and his wife would come decked out matching green sequined suits. The younger generation would hide at a dark table to avoid being asked to dance. Inevitably, we’d be found and miserably dragged to a swing or worse, line dance. As midnight approached, the guests would file outside with noisemakers and drink glasses in hand. Everyone counts down together and there go the fireworks display! A cacophonous celebration brings in the new year. Even after my angkong passed away in 2004, the party scaled down to a casual dinner with the relatives and a few fireworks in the garden.

But earlier this week, in a move that shocked the entire family, my ama announced that there will be no New Year’s gathering at her house. Suddenly, on the biggest party night of the year all over the city, we had nowhere to go. My brothers and I paced restlessly around the couch wondering what to do. My dad asked if we wanted to play poker. He’s been bitten by the poker bug in a big way. As for me, I wasn’t sure if a straight beat two pairs. But it’s not like we had plans.

To our surprise, we actually had fun. I took a picture of my first winning hand. Right at that moment the sky outside exploded with lights and cheer.

The Ice Cream Bar

Posted on December 30, 2008
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“The Ice Cream Bar” opened a 2-minute walk away from the house. Naturally, I had to go. For a place with sadly unoriginal name, it had a stylish personality. It was a hip little shop with a statement ceiling and funky seating. I loved the orange tile walls and lamps! The glasses hanging behind the counter were a nice touch too.

Escape to relaxation

Posted on December 29, 2008
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T House, Tagaytay

David, his girlfriend and I drove down to Tagaytay for a day trip. We went to a spa to get massages. Ahhh…