The Fate of Mr. and Mrs. Crabs

It's been a long time since I have tasted these and I had quite a surprise when hubby got home from food shopping with these in the bag." I thought of you when I saw these," he said with a mischievous grin. " Oh, really now!" I replied back. " Am I that crabby lately?"

Well, I cooked them with plenty of chili peppers swimming in coconut milk. It was finger-licking good and that's the fate of Mr. and Mrs. Crabs, never to be heard from again.

Cleopatra's Needle

"Cleopatra's Needle" in New York
© Copyright 2000, Jim Loy
In Central Park stands an Egyptian monument (obelisk), often called "Cleopatra's Needle." There are several "Cleopatra's Needles" in cities around the world. None of them has anything to do with Cleopatra.
The one in Central Park has inscriptions about Thutmose III down the center of each of the four faces. On either side of those inscriptions, Ramses II added his own inscriptions. The monument weighs about 220 tons, and is 69.6 feet (21.2 meters) tall, and about 6 feet (2 meters) wide. It is badly weathered, from the harsh New York weather. Only two sides are still readable.
This monument, and its twin, originally stood in Heliopolis (An). In about 13 BCE Augustus Caesar had them moved to Alexandria. One of them apparently fell over during an earthquake in 1301. It apparently remained on its side until it was moved (nearly being lost at sea) to London in 1877, where it stands on the bank of the Thames. It also is badly weathered. In 1881, the other was shipped to New York."

I never thought that my visit in Central

Park, New York would have a little bit of Egyptian

flair with it. I was glad to stand next to this monument and feel the connection from the past. One of my travel dream destination is the old world to see what it's like but since travel back in time is not possible, reading and learning history happenings does it for me. Seeing and touching ancient monuments and artifacts is just as amazing! I just hope I will live long enough to see them in my lifetime before they are all claim back by Earth buried and turned to dust forever lost. After all, nothing last forever but the memories and thoughts we keep in our hearts.....but even that is not guaranteed to last.

We have not completely explored Central Park in New York , one day is not enough;but the parts we've been so far were definitely beautiful as well as memorable. My only hope is that it will be that way for generations to come.

If you want to find out more about the "needle" do check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra's_Needle

Her Royal Pinkness

I know that summer is halfway over when these beauties were blooming, enjoying the warm sunshine and the humid rain in August. My backyard is small but when I first moved in I have visions of a beautiful flower garden where butterflies can flutter around and the birds will sit by a bird bath singing beautiful songs when I wake every morning. In the meantime, my husband already had plans for my backyard. With a grin, he already thought of a sprawling vegetable garden full of green goodness that looks like jungle of the East in the summer and a great looking mess in the Fall when all the plants rot and die. We both want to get our own way so we decided to split whatever space we have in the backyard. His vegetable garden which he diligently took good care of and MY flower garden, which he also took care as well. Gardening is very therapeutic for him and the vegetable garden always don't disappoint each year. I love the summer vegetables and I don't have to go to the market to buy them. Sometimes the neighbors can also benefit the harvest when it's too much for us to eat already. This year is no different; the squash has been doing great and the green beans too. The peppers are a tongue twister for their hotness and the tomatoes are just red and juicy. The cucumber is a social climber as ever; green and seedless, crunchy and refreshing.

Well, my flowers did not disappoint me this year as well. Her royal pinkness, Oriental Lily that I took a chance with, planted in my side of the garden waited for a year has been blooming ever since. They are perennials so all I gotta do (or rather my hubby) is make sure that they are well fed even in the Fall or wintertime. They've been swayed by the summer wind, weigh down by the summer rain and dried up by the summer sun but as always they stood proud and tall. They come back every year and has persevered the New England weather to grace my other side of the garden with virginal pinkness and sass, wafting its scents attracting the bees and the flies curiously hopping from one flower to the next. It's been 10 years since I first planted these and with nature's blessing I hope they continue to be strong, tall, beautiful and sassy pink as ever!

The Largest Folk Festival in the USA

The Lowell Folk Festival

The beginning of the week wasn't really

great. It's raining, cloudy and cool for a summer weather. I thought it's not going to clear up. The girl's Friday night out was canceled but my mind was already set on going out. Another friend has reminded me about the folk festival so I thought --- what better alternative than to check this out because it's been years since the last time that we went. I passed the word around and so happy that some of us were able to come. It was a great night out, the weather was simply awesome after all the previous rain. We culminate the night @ Mich and Chad's abode. We had some unusual cocktail experiment that was raspberry sweet but with a kick. We did not get home till about after 1 AM...Thanks to Mich and Chad for always having a door open even after midnight. Thanks to Ivy and Albert plus their trooper Franco for rolling me from and to my doorstep. And of course, thanks to Rita and Tom for always making it a party. I had a great time almost all the time when I hang out with all of you. It was a great night......

Boston Skyline

My Killer Toes

Yeah, my son and my husband thinks I got killer toes because I can easily pinch them with it. For a short Asian girl, I am blessed with long enough toes that helps my flat foot from looking even longer and bigger. The size of my feet doesn't bother me much except of course when I am in love with a certain pair of shoe that incidentally run out of my own size. That is a complete bummer! I love wearing sexy heels because they elongate my chicken legs more so than flats. Though the flats are almost always the more comfortable ones to wear, of course. I love shoes and I don't know if there's any woman out there that doesn't. It's like we are programmed to have an appetite for all things that men always complain about...to a tune of ..." Don't you have enough bags and shoes for one person?"

Crazy for Coach

I am definitely a bag lady,and the more colorful the better. One of my recent favorite is the Coach brand bags because they come up with some unique colorful designs which are so ergonomically concious that it doesn't make you feel bad buying them almost everytime they come out with new designs and colors. I try to save up for them and sometimes the coupons they sent on the mail is something to look forward to but I don't know if they will continue on with that one. I suppose I will have to save up even more to be able to buy these bags/accessories because I am crazy for these babies.

I fall for Her..

Getting up close and personal with the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara. I was so excited to be here I don't care if I will have another shower for the day. Yeah, the water was cold but this is August so might as well enjoy it. It's awesome!!!! Definitely wanna visit here again....!

Mindfulness

Communication is a two way street and it takes two or more people in order to have it. It involves talking and listening at which one will present an idea while the other try to listen and get involve in the conversation.Sometimes it creates arguments that will almost everytime cause a communication breakdown. At this point I am also quite sure that it takes two to settle it, or maybe more.Now, if one is not willing to settle then it becomes a delimma. Some people aren't mindful of it, the outcome and what is the important thing when there's an argument or rift in communication. Some people are more intent on winning ( human nature?) rather than the preservation of a relationship. Some are deeply rooted in their ideals that they so blinded by it they can't accept losing or accepting perhaps? I think a healthy argument is great for any relationship and we should be all mature enough to know the difference of anger, intolerance, acceptance,unforgiveness, open minded,know-it-alls, pride, prejudice and what it can impact on a relationship. People should acknowledge to themselves that they need people and relationships to have a healthy mind, body and soul.

Do you have any Salsa?

I have a chip on my shoulder.......

...........because I used to carry buckets of water from the well located at the back of the grove of banana trees to our dirty kitchen when I was as young as 6 years old. I grew up poor and without what's most kids have these days... a well educated parents with well rounded personality working in exceptional jobs to provide wealth and the good life for them and the whole family.
While some might beg to differ I think that how we percieve life depends on that imprint of experiences during our childhood.We learn about most of what life is all about during childhood wether it's the good, the bad and the ugly, so to say.
Some people becomes so obsessed with success that sometimes they are blinded by it and totally miss the real essence of what life truly is. How one is treated by their parents leaves an impact in their adulthood life without even realizing it. But it is always in our hands to make changes, realize the mistakes and create allowances for tolerance and acceptance of what is not usually is.
I have a chip on my shoulder because I have to wade through this life with absolutely nothing but street smart and good common sense. I can't please everybody I come across but I am generally an amiable being. I have enemies but I don't regret the experiences because it teaches me more of what life is going to be and will be.

Love Me, Love My Fool

"I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility and dignity but for my fool."-----Theodore Rubin, "Love Me, Love My Fool", 1976

She's avoiding me....

....and my suspicions are correct. I met her in 1998 thru my husband's supervisor. At that time she's been here 10 years. I was the novice and the greenhorn.It seemed great for a while but then suddenly she just disappeared. I did not know why, there wasn't any hints or signs that something is wrong, I thought. I called her and left messages in her phone,even drop some summer vegetables in her front door. But NOTHING! So I regretfully told myself to let it go. I tried to find a reason why but the only thing I can think of is so shallow that I don't think it could be -----you see, when I'm around her or any of the friends she's got....I effortlessly speak in English even though most of them are speaking Tagalog. MY husband thought that was a crazy reason to avoid me or stop the friendship. But sure enough it really is a small world. She met one of my friend(Ivy) in the Asian market here and she strike up a conversation with her. So she ask if she knew more Filipina in the area and so my friend Ivy said , yes! I have a good friend! Her name is Nonita!(Now, Ivy don't know her by face,so she's not aware of how this friend really look)....Well, when this ex-friend heard the name Nonita---she outright blurted out....ay naku! si Nonita! Iniiwasan ko yan! Iniiwasan ko talaga yan! panay and ingles nyan, ako nga eh, dalawampung taon na dito eh, nagtatagalog pa ako.! Sya! ilang taon pa sya dito eh puro ingles na!!Hahahahahaha!!! ....I was falling off my chair laughing when my friend Ivy told me this incident. I couldn't believe that this person is so shallow inspite of her age. So I told Ivy that my suspicions were right. That's why she snubbed me the last time we met and that's why I haven't heard from her anymore because I converse with her and anyone I meet here in English! Of course, I think she must have forgotten that I am from Central Visayas and our dialect is not Tagalog or Bicolano where she's from. Still, it's great to know the reason why she's avoiding me all these years. VERY FUNNY! I'd like to think of it as water under the bridge, and a very funny episode in my friendship adventure.

Nubble Light, Maine, USA

My first time here and I am really impress with the beauty and ambiance of the place. We used to just go for the road less traveled but glad that we venture out here with a few friends .Definitely, a fork on the road that you have to take. It's worth it!

It's Never Enough

Two or four day weekend is not enough;three-week vacation is not enough. When one is busy having fun or working hard there is never enough time to do it. This has always been life's dilemma because we tend to want to do it all. These days are ruled by the ticking clock, blackberry's, PDA's, meeting's, etc and it is sometimes overwhelming for us to face life's challenges and happenings because there's not enough time nor resources.
This past weekend has been really great and fun. It was like a whirlwind trying to soak up everything and get enjoyment out from it. I had met a friend for a lunch date on a Thursday. It was nice to see her and catch up on what's going on with her end of the woods. Then we had a 4th of July celebration with another set of friends on a Friday (which we really enjoyed), had a city tour and harbor cruise on Saturday and finally yesterday, Sunday, we spent the better part of the day on the beach with a couple of road - warriors braving the mile-long traffic at the tolls and the elbow to elbow room parking lot. The picnic lunch we brought was plenty enough to feed the whole neighborhood it was great! The company was lively and you couldn't ask for a much better weather; the sun was blazing behind the curtain of fog rolling in and melting away by the afternoon only to come back and cool us down again as we left the beach. Indeed a very busy four day weekend. It was so much fun, I don't want it to end.
I meant to straighten up my basement and try some rearranging ( AGAIN!) so we can utilize the space, make use of the treadmill and Bowflex which has been gathering dust since I don't know when..??!! That's another thing that I can't fit in my schedule--Exercising!And you think that I should be doing it instead of writing about it, ha! When I get home from work I am already pretty tired; to think that I am awake at 4 AM I will have plenty of time to do things after work. Nope! Not the case...I get home around 3ish in the afternoon and sometimes I am already falling asleep on my drive home. Being weaned down from my coffee is not helping either. I stopped drinking coffee since I discovered that it's what's causing my migraine headaches among other things.
Anyway, my basement is still the same mound of work to do waiting for that enough time to finally do it. I wish there's more than 24 hours in a day and I wish I could command my house to clean itself. In this world surrounded by technological gadgets and toys we should be able to make our vacuum run around cleaning the house, the washer and dryer should be able to load and unload the laundry as well as put them neatly in the closet when cleaned and done. When you are a working mother the housework itself is not going away,it's just an additive to your otherwise chaotic schedules. Plus having to do it alone is tasking. I have so much stuff accumulated throughout the years that I need to clear out of my house. Ugh! I am such a pack rat but I hate throwing things so they end up in my attic or in my basement.
So this past weekend is just a tornado of activities with family and friends, fun under the sun and very little homework. I think I will have to find another 4-day weekend to clean my basement and make use of it before the next season roll in.(God knows, a nice hot tub is great for the winter;))
Glad that you find the time to read this mundane rambling of a disorganized ORGANIZE woman:() Thank You for your time....yeah! TIME is a very hard taskmaster, it doesn't wait for anyone and you can't wind it back. Make use of it or YOU lose it!

All-American Birthday

The weekend just went by so fast for me especially with the 4th of July celebration. Michell had invited us over her home along with the rest of the girls that didn't work or get away for a roadtrip to celebrate USA's 232nd birthday. It was just a quite get together yet relaxing and fun. Plenty of food as it is a pot luck so it pretty much has everything from great American staple such us burgers and hotdogs to some pinoy flavors thrown in. Though the rain hold out from pouring, the sun is playing hide and seek behind the clouds; altogether it's the perfect weather for a cookout. A big THANKS to our host and hostess for having us and letting us enjoy their home and yard. Chad and Mich did a really great job with everything and we really enjoyed everyone's company as well. It's great to share this moments with family and friends and so I'd like to say how I felt through this poem:

Family & Friends

© Jill Wolf, sent by Wendy Hinson

We all have a cherished garden we tend -

It is planted with love of family and friends.

The memories and dreams we treasure and share

Are like beautiful roses found blooming there.

The comfort and care on which we depend

Is given with love between family and friends.

The sunshine of laughter and rain of a tear

Only make our love grow with each passing year.

We may all be ourselves with no need to pretend

Because of the love of family and friends;

They notice the rainbows and weather the showers.

They overlook weeds and praise all our flowers.

The most valuable thing is the time that we spend

Tending this garden with family and friends.

When counting our blessings, we know from the start

That family and friends come first in our heart.

Wild Lilly

This has been growing in my yard for years now and it has thrive inspite of all the weather changes, street salt, trash strewn by passersby, and the soil that they grew on is not really that great. These are wild lillies and I supposed it lives up to its name. I have tried thinning them out once or twice already but they just keep on coming back. I guess Mother Nature took care of them more than me. I feel bad for thinking of killing them when they always keeps on giving such beautiful flowers. I have to make amends by clearing the weeds around them and water them more often especially now that they are blooming again.

Happy Birthday, USA

America is 232 years old since it first celebrated its Independence Day from Britain.Love her or hate her, people come and go in this great nation looking for new beginnings, seeking refuge, taking advantage of great opportunities and the sad reality that some also come to destroy her. To me , America has presented many challenges, obstacles and most of all opportunities that I have not had when I was in my country and for that, I am grateful! Though keep in mind that life is ours to make or break and it involves a lot of hardwork, perseverance, sweat equity and however we approach each challenge, obstacles and opportunities will determine one's success. We are given the FREEDOM to excel and proceed it's up to us now. Though as one smart mind once said, " Freedom is not doing what you want but doing what you ought". It is within bounderies that we should live our lives and Thanks to America for what has been and what will be.