a look at 33

I'm turning 35 years old next Wednesday and I wonder where
the years have gone :) Or if my 34th year has at least left a mark.

Being 34 may not be as exciting as being 33, when I had my
operation a month after turning 33, was on medication for one year,
and when I took my mother to Singapore for her first trip outside the
country. I can't remember if I have ever as grateful in my life as
when I was 33. I have never appreciated the miracle that our bodies
are until that time nor really realized that wishes thrown against the
wind are always answered, even if it takes its sweet time. I will
always remember that year with gratefulness.

sayong
09-26-07

ardi still

Today, we celebrated my nephew Ardi's 2nd birthday in
Jollibee at Harbor Square. I won two toys at Bring Me and the emcee
called me "Mommy". Huwaaa…

sayong
09-22-07 11:55pm

ardi mosaic 2

I think that this one is a lot better than the other mosaic I posted.
Happy 2nd Birthday, Ardi !

sayong
09-19-07 4pm

ardi mosaic

My nephew Ardi is turning two on September 19 but will
celebrate it next Saturday. I've been trying to make a mosaic for his
birthday banner.

sayong
09-14-07 11:55pm

shake up

My officemate Em filed her resignation this September 11.
And she will be on terminal leave starting next week. By now, I have
more or less come to accept her decision unlike when I first heard
about it two weeks ago.

It would be so hard to replace her. More than an efficient
worker, she is a very good friend and so much like a sister to me.

Aside from my family, she must be the only person with whom
I've spent most of my time. We have known each other for almost nine
years and been together for eight or more hours every working day, in
contrast to six/seven years of company with most of my classmates in
high school who were also my classmates in elementary. In short, I've
known some people much longer in years than I've known her but I
haven't spent as much time with them as I have with her. She has seen
me through heartaches, frustrations and even minor irritations. She
has seen me at my worst and hopefully, most of my best moments :)

I will miss her, all the talks (girl stuff, work, family,
pets, other friends, plans, etc.) and even the companionable silences.
Sometimes, gestures were enough to understand one another. And in
many occasions, we say the same thing or we can finish each other's
sentences.

Her leaving reminds me so much of when my sister moved to
Cavite last May. I felt so bad then until I convinced myself that my
sister is just a phone call away. And it would be the same with Em, I
guess. In any case, she will be moving just farther down the Pasig
River.

For now, our office needs someone to replace her. If my
wishes count, aside from the usual efficiency and a very good grasp of
English, I would prefer that her replacement be not older than 35
years old, come from the school we came from, and be interested in
learning languages. I guess that these would make a good start for
conversations, companionable work later on and perhaps, a sound
friendship in the future.

sayong
09-13-07 1:10am

gerry's grill

Hallo Leute,

Hier sind unsere Fotos am Gerry's Grill in Makati.
William paid for everything. For all those who couldn't come, don't
worry, we (especially Marc and I) ate heartily for you :)

William is leaving on September 30 and we are planning to
have another get together before then. KKB na :)

sayong
09-08-07 11:58pm

changes

For the second consecutive night, I stayed until almost 8pm
at the office. It's not to work but to sort all my things.

sayong
09-07-07 11:55pm

bread of Padre Pio

I miss the holy bread of Padre Pio or so it was called. For
me, its taste was a combination of a hotcake and a puto but better
than either of the two. So when I saw the Pillsbury hotcake mix
tonight, I immediately cooked one but was quite disappointed.

I received the dough from our family friend Joy last August
22. From day one, I tagged it for what it was, a "chain bread" and
didn't believe it was holy or anything. On the second day, I searched
about it on the internet and saw an enlightening blog entitled Mommy's
Bread (http://baduday.wordpress.com/2006/12/23/mommys-bread/). I
learned a lot from it and all the comments.

sayong
09-04-07 11:55pm

====================
THE HOLY BREAD OF PADRE PIO

This bread is called "Hemin." It is the bread of Padre Pio and comes
from the Vatican. It brings blessings to every family who eats it.

1. Once you receive the dough, put it in a glass bowl. Cover with
paper or plastic wrap. Do not put inside the refrigerator.
2. first and second day – Do not touch. It must adapt to and absorb
its surroundings. This is what makes it unique from family to family.
3. third and fourth day – Mix once with wooden spoon.
4.. fifth day – add 1 cup milk, 2 cups flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix
with wooden spoon.
5. sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth days – Mix once with wooden spoon.
6. tenth day – Add 1 cup milk, 2 cups flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix
well with wooden spoon. Separate the dough into four equal portions
and give away the portions to three different people.
7. Keep the fourth portion and add 1/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs 1/2 cup oil
and 2 tsp. baking powder. Mix well with a wooden spoon, grease the
loaf pan and bake in oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
8. The bread should be eaten only by the family and not to be taken
out of the house.

Notes:
8. Transfer the dough to a large crystal or glass bowl (pyrex)
9. Other members of the family can mix the dough with a wooden spoon.
10. Use a pyrex loaf pan or round pan.
11. You and the family should consume the bread for the whole day.
12. The prayer shall be recited before eating the bread with your family
13. Microwave oven or a big oven toaster can be used.
14. First day is the day you received the dough.

Remember:
 You cannot refuse the bread once given to you and use only wooden
spoon to mix.
 You are allowed to make this "Hemin bread" once in your lifetime.

PRAYER
O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by
Your love of us that You willed to die on the cross. I humbly entreat
Thee to glorify in heaven and on earth, Blessed Padre Pio of Petricina
who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved Thee so much
and labored so faithfully for the glory of Your Heavenly Father and
for the good of souls. With confidence, I beseech Thee to grant me
through his intercession the grace of _____, which I ardently desire.

Glory be to the Father... (3 times) Amen.