MOON

SUMMER it is!

SUMMER it is!
As i write today's blog. This is quite different from my usual post coz i want to share the things that my eyes can see whenever my thoughts came drifting and be transported into another dimension in the so-called "photography".

Wickedly beautiful sunset at BantayanIslandPh.

light up my life so everyone can see the beauty that's hidden deep inside of me..

Let me guide you while I sail and illuminate my night and make it day! For I will join you soon enough before you even know it!

 Protect me from the heat of the sun and make me rest for a brief time.









Let me bed you and i will surround you with memories to keep until the end of time.

Still strong and standing even when storms collide!

                                                                                                                                        

Come buy me serenity and bliss for I am deeply in need of this!

Camping at Kampo Juan with friends

Cool Landscape at the Kampo Juan (Pool)

This year I had the opportunity to visit Kampo Juan twice but the feeling of being here for the first time is just strange.Its like every time I went here, there is always something new, like their "cozy lodging houses",unique yet homey! Not to mention their pool both for adult and kids which i knew from a reliable source that their water (pool) undergoes the purification process like water from refilling station. Clean and safe water indeed.

hanging bridge @kampojuan

Did i fail to mention that the whole place is indeed breathtaking with ambiance so natural with trees and landscape soothing one's soul! Perfect place for a family and friends weekend getaway,may it be for parties or just plain outing and nature tripping.

The place provides you with exciting and various rides, like their ziplines, annicycles, rappelling and the hanging bridge. I enjoyed their "Annicycle" and "hanging bridge" the most! I have yet to try the rappelling  which means I am coming back soon.

Sneak Peek at SM Pyro Musical 2013

flower inspired fireworks

Call it luck! Yes, it was my first time watching the Pyro Musical Contest here in Cagayan de Oro City (City of Golden Friendship). Thanks to a friend who provided us with a VIP ticket to see the fireworks at its best, especially when it is shared with family and friends.

Merry Pyro Christmas everyone!!!

 

a grand firework show

 

this one showed a very lively musical background

 

twin boquet fireworks

and this ends the first pyro entry

WHO SAYS WORK AND PLEASURE IS LIKE TOM AND JERRY?

With voluminous workload especially during the busiest holidays of the year, an early Christmas Side Trip is creeping my way while working. It's not my first time to get to the place but it will my first to visit the CHRISTMAS SYMBOL CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES located at the heart of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. Indeed, it never cease to amaze me how artistic and creative Filipinos could be. The lights and Christmas decors used are from indigenous materials and other local crafts. I was totally in awe of its uniqueness, ingenuity and yes promoting the Filipino Christmas spirit through its craftsmanship.And i personally chosen a favorite craft as shown in the photo above. If you look closely the decors are made of coconut husks and empty bottles showing how we make Christ as the center of all our celebrations.

I climbed up with this one with my boss, and this is really so high we could feel it swinging while going up to the 4th floor (viewing deck). This one is also a personal favorite, made of Capiz Shells. When I saw this one, it felt warm and secured. It's like a pagoda only that its built on solid ground

Again, who said that work can never be mixed with pleasure? I did not say that. I enjoyed every moment of it since loving your work is also giving your self a "Selfie Time". And yes, this days, we used to call it as "LAAG DIN PAG MAY TIME"

Attempted Sushi Rolls

my own version of sushi rolls

My nephews Marek and Janssen with their Mom just came back from Australia to attend school here in the Philippines. Marek likes to eat everything prepared in the table may it be vegetables, fish and meat. He likes spicy foods too. Janssen on the other hand, likes fish and meat and take note it had to be soft or else he would settle making the sauce or soup as his viand. 

                                         

Marek mentioned to his Mommy Rayd to make Sushi Rolls (using Salmon), and his Mom accepted the request because Marek loves to eat Sushi. However, she was busy doing important tasks before she gets back to Australia. I on the other hand overheard their conversation and volunteered to make one for them though i haven't made one for myself.

 It took me two weeks to collect information on how to make Sushi with all the ingredients, utensils and other stuff needed to make the Sushi a success.

The first I did is to visit a Japanese store where I could find the things for my plans like the Bamboo Mat, Nori, Rice Vinegar, Japanese Rice, Sesame oil, and veggies to complete my own version of Sushi. I requested my brother to buy me some of the stuff.

It was not until Tuesday night that I had the confidence and time to prepare the menu. And with the help of you tube, I was able to watch the pandora of Sushi. Then the procedure begins with only confidence to back me up. (hekhekhek!).

Marek and Janssen were my avid assistants during the whole process, starting from the slicing of the ingredients, to the rolling of the bamboo mat down to the slicing of the Sushi and putting it into the plate with wasabi.

As I mounted the plates filled with Sushi rolls and Wasabi mixed with vinegar, I could see the excitement of Marek and Janssen’s eyes. The two kids enjoyed the Sushi using chopsticks and paired with Mango Shake.

This is just an attempt at making Japanese dish and will surely make another one worth savoring for.

Note:

Making Sushi requires sharp knife, so you will not experience disappointments as I slice the Sushi with a blunt knife. 

piaipipiaythots

What will you do when you can't do anything but wait. What will you do when you can't do anything but sit. What will you do when you can't do anything but listen. What will you do when all you can do is to love!

With Eyes Wide Open

There are moments in our lives that we tend to be so cliche with situations that we would rather just be alone and reflect on the times we spent with non-sensible things. There are also situations that we resort to apathy because we could only do so much.

And I myself choose to speak for them....

Choosing what we like are sometimes affected with so many factors may it be internal or external (stereotyping, prejudices, discrimination). But choosing what we are deep inside us should not be subjected to any medical or clinical diagnoses like a disease or illness worth of scientific treatment.

If only we are human enough to stand for our right not to be discriminated by reasons of gender identity and sexual orientation then we should be human enough to come to the open to fight for one's right to be respected and protected above all else.

Let us look behind the facade of Human Rights and with eyes wide open maybe we could also speak and encourage people to be human no more no less.

My Name is 911

About three weeks ago, my friend recommended to me "a you should watch movie", I was so excited that she brought along with her a copy of the movie entitled "My Name is Khan". It's a movie starred by Indian prestigious actors and actresses.

The movie, revolves around the life of man named Riswan Khan a Muslim from Mumbai with a suffering from an "Asperger's syndrome". Said syndrome is a type of autism according to Wikipedia as an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and a typical use of language are frequently reported.

The movie depicts the life of a Moslem as an aftermath of the 911 NY attack, how some of our Moslem sisters an brothers living harmoniously with their peers in the United States but somehow devastated after the terrorism attack.

With Khan's depiction of the movie, I felt his innocence and loving nature this was made possible by Khan's mother who taught him about life and love. Even with his differences he became a man full of gifts like he knows how to repair things and even had a brilliant mind. His life changed when he met Mandira, a single mom who took Khan's breath away. They eventually get married and live a normal life until the death of Mandira's son that was found out to have been related with racial discrimination vis-a-vis 911 attack. Mandira blamed Khan (him being a Moslem who adopted his only son), and told him not to ever see him again until he finds justice for her son.

The story revolves around the objective of Khan to meet the President just to tell him that "MY NAME IS KHAN AND I AM NOT A TERRORIST" and that after that he would be able to faceMandira and that he could give justice to their son. But his journey towards his goal was not easy, however he made it through that stumbling blocks and even met people who not only help him but became so close to him as Khan touch their lives in ways they could not imagine.

Indeed, the story is both politically and romantically enticing as it depicts the aftermath of the 911 attack and how it affects the lives of all people in he United States may they be American or not. That behind the chaotic situation lies the story of an ordinary person not only worth telling but WORTHY TO BE HEARD. Racial profiling continues to be a decay of every nation and that children and ordinary people are the primary victims of this illness.

The story made me cry for hours, realizing that I too became part of the web of discrimination. Let us put an end to war, let us bring love and peace to every nation and state!

Photos: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1188996/plotsummary

Simple Potato Treat!

While I am suffering from this pinky-eyed monster thing, there is nothing left for me to do but cook, eat, check my inbox and browse some important documents. Cooking with both my eyes in pain made me forget for awhile that I have an ailment going on for six days.

Here's my simple corned beef potato topper.What I did was just to boil two medium size potato, 3 fried sliced corned beef (Hormel), fried minced onion, and quickmelt cheese. Although I could have mixed green peas but loose the courage to buy outside. I just used ingredients that I have inside the fridge. And after all the ingredients were prepared, I placed it in a plate ready for baking (using microwave oven.) Whola!!! I just had a sumptuous dinner treat!