On Politics...and...tics

It's been a long overdue entry that I have proposed and suggested to my twin. I was very excited on this topic, but then the inevitable has happened. I have been caught in many meetings and important appointments. Work has also added up to my already busy days. So here goes this one...

Two sleeps more and a new president of the most powerful nation in the world will be fated by the millions of Americans. (That is if they decide to take part in this historical event.) Perhaps some would just sit back and wait for the results after having considered that their votes are not as important as those in other states. At first I considered this as very unpatriotic. But after being enlightened by an American friend, I have understood that their system of counting votes is not the same with what we have come to know. However, the U.S. election does not only concern the counting of votes. It covers more than that.

This 2008 U.S Election is a historical one. The Democratic Party is making it so. Its standard bearer, Barack Obama, has been leading the polls, and we know that in the U.S. the polls say a lot about the result of the election. For the first time, a black president may be taking over The White House. How prepared are the Americans to this?

A year ago, I had this discussion with an American friend who was on vacation here. He is half white, one-fourth black and one-fourth Japanese. And having met him opened my eyes to a reality that the most powerful and the most liberal nation in the world still struggles with the issue of discrimination. He was not the first person who has spoken about this. I had a co-teacher before who is half Black and half Filipino. She said that she is an outcast in the States because her color is not as black as BLACK, and she is not also WHITE. The Blacks discriminate her, and so do the Whites.

He said that the American people are not ready yet for neither a black president nor a woman president. The world is, but are they? It made me think... In addition to this, the economic pains in the States has affected all countries. This ignites the election more bringing Obama and McCain into laying down economic plans to their fellow citizens. McCain attacked Obama with an ancient interview six years ago about "redistribution of wealth" in America. However the Obama camp took defense on this. It was a surprise to me to discover that these two presidential candidates would deny such issues. It is foreign to me. However, the American government and politics are more complicated than we know.

The U.S. government could influence many national policies. It could affect the world's economy. It involves all peoples in their elections, not only the Americans. Thus, this brings almost everyone to peeking into the developments on the polls. This election is important even though the leftists and anti-capitalists will surely protest on this.

The United States have a say on the policies of many countries. Its commander-in-chief has on his shoulders crucial decisions because the consequences of such is felt althroughout the world. When President Gloria Arroyo retracted the Philippine troop from Iraq because of the Filipino hostage held by the Iraqi rebels. Their condition was that the life of the Filipino would be spared if the small Philippine troop was pulled out. The Filipino was set free, but a Korean life has not been spared. South Korea has not given in to the insurgents' demand. However, for that one life that has been given back to him and his loved ones, persecutions from many world leaders have been the consequence. The relationship between Bush and Arroyo was tainted and put to test.

It would still be many years that the U.S. will be taking the world over. This is a painful realization and a very difficult one to accept, but it is a fact that we have to live with. Patriots in each country will still fight for freedom from the American "influence", but many will let each day pass by trying to survive. I admire those who have the passion for reform but I also understand those who react passively to what's happening in the government. Their survival and their family's are essential and are what matter more...at the moment.

Therefore, the new president of the U.S. is not only an American concern but of the world as well. Many lives depend on his every decision, one way or the other.

Politicking...

On November 4, the fate of the world lies in the hands of American voters. On November 4, the whole world will watch and wait for the outcome of the 2008 presidential elections. The beauty of American elections is that there are only 2 parties. You choose whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. Nothing in between. No nuisance candidates. No other parties with the same agenda. The Republicans have this stand on this issue. The Democrats have a different stand in the same issue. Lines are clearly drawn and then you choose.
Whoever will be voted and whoever will win in this election will definitely have a tough time. America is in recession or so they say. Lehmann Brothers scandal created a big wave. The U.S. government is scrambling to repair the damage that a financial institution such as Lehmann had caused and cost. Whoever wins will have to think if they should continue the war.Such a heavy thing to be carrying and to be considering.
I like the slogans of both campaigns. Republicans have " Country First " - my guess is they want to deviate from what George Bush is currently doing. Democrats have "Change We Need". The Democrats want to inspire change from the current presidential style.
Mccain - Palin tandem is one to reckon with. Mccain was wise enough to pick a female as his vice president when Obama didn't go for Clinton.
Obama - Biden is also a good team up in my opinion since Biden also wanted to run for President years before plus he is the chair for Foreign Relations.
I would have loved to have seen a Clinton- Obama lineup. For once, an American female president. But I guess America can't entrust the fate of the world to a woman....yet.
If Obama had gotten Clinton as his VP, - the odds are, their team-up would have been formidable. They might have a greater chance of winning.
I love Palin's sense of humor. Guesting at Saturday Night Live after being "copied" by Tina Fey is brave and endearing.
I wish Mccain was in better health and of  a younger age.
Don't ask me to vote.
I'd willingly tell you I'll vote for Al Gore because I believe that he is right about Global Warming.

Dream Home

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My Dream House

Everyday I pass by this house two blocks from where I work. I always took a short stop infront of it and looked at the house that's now newly renovated, that's until construction workers arrived. Now, I just take long glimpses of it at the corner of my left eye. If it's occupants saw me before I bet they'd think I'm a stalker or a mad woman who's after one of them. Maybe they'd unleash their ferocious dogs and have them devour me alive. Hahaha. Okay, my imagination has run away with me.

I've always dreamed of a very wide lawn. I don't care if my house is a simple hut (like the traditional Filipino house, the bahay kubo). When I went to Countryclub with a friend I was asked if I wish for such a big property like the club. I said I covet the land area but not the infrastructure. I don't really like a big house.

It's a simple house that I like. I could imagine a mansion that's almost haunted with ghosts because of its coldness and much space. Besides, I may not find my children nor husband in it. We all might be spending every day in such a grandiose house without knowing we're in it.

But I would like my own library where my favorite collections of books could be found and read. In that mini-library I'd put a couch, two sofas and perhaps a couple of desks. Wait, is this possible in a nipa hut. Hahaha. Oh, I mustn't forget my own room where I could spend a night in when my hubby and I are in a fight. (kidding!)

A porch with a swing for two or three must be built on the front of my little abode. There I could also spend cool nights and warm afternoons reading a book, alone or with my children while waiting for my husband.

The most important of all is the spacious lawn that would surround my hoouse. I imagine my family and dogs spending much time playing, running, laughing and having tea times there. Of course, I hopoe that my dream house would be filled with joy, faith and love. I guess it's those things that matter most.:)

sweets...yummy

I am a lover of sweets. I qualify them into two categories: the candies and the chocolates. The former is not so much an obsession as the latter though. Candies make my tummy go wild especially at night and during the coldest months. Chocolates on the other hand are my waterloo. I couldn't resist them.

Let me tell you about my love for chocolates, and I'll begin with what happened yesterday...

I caught the "c" virus (cough in layman's terms) two days ago. I've been spending nights with the dry cough and days at work with it. Yesterday I had the headache and all that came with it. And so, I said I'd keep away from everything that would make the virus stronger. I was really doing well until I came home and was left alone.

Coffee, candies, cakes, chocolates, and all that have have a high sugar content should be avoided if I wanted my cough to be better. Well, the coffee after lunch was fine and the desserts that followed. I was the "mighty Cheri" then. I would deserve an award for staying away from them. Now came the afternoon and the solitude. I don't take medicines unless the situation calls me to. So I brought out my shin noodle (It's a Korean noodle that proved effective in curing many sicknesses.), poured hot water in the cup and dug into it. I felt my body warming up and my headache easing away. Then I uncovered the plate on the center table. Alas! All defenses gone! There infront of me was Snowcake, super dark brown with its chocolate-ness tempting me to eat it---no, just a taste!

Okay, just a taste...and another...then another... I coughed a very bad one. I had too much already and so when I woke up this morning my voice was husky and almost gone. Lesson: parents should keep all temptations away from their children's reach. (Do I still make sense?!?)

Chocolates are always my buddies. They are in my room. When I travel they are with me. When I'm all stressed and lonesome they ease all the depression and sadness way. Even during my college years, I took them with me when I had my nose bleeding exams.

There's just one shocking confrontation I encountered regarding my love for chocolates. A former co-teacher before teased me about it. She said chocolates are aphrodisiacs. That's the first time I met that word and never have I forgotten it. She and a handful more of colleagues said that that's the reason why men give their ladies chocolates. It's not to show they're sweet! It's a hidden motive they have that's darker than the color of their gift.

Oh well, that's not stopped me from loving chocolates, not even a reason to prevent me from accepting them as presents from both female and male friends. Even the running joke at work that goes, "A moment in your lips...a LIFETIME in your hips," hasn't petered out my desire for these mouth-watering rich food.

Sweets!

Sweets!
Just the word evokes a lot of feelings from me. The craving, the vivid images of toying with Lips candy, and the hardness of naked (hubad) candy. Get past those images and I see Chupa Chups Lollipops then the array of donuts, brownies, cakes and pastries imaginable. I can fully describe to you every feeling, every bite of anything and everything I've ever tasted but that would make me delirious. Even envious. Because, the truth of the matter is, I can't or I rarely enjoy them anymore. The fact is: I'm a diabetic.
Don't pity me. For whatever it's worth, I was diagnosed when I was 20 years old. I was not at all deprived. There are now a lot of sugarfree varieties I can indulge in. It works much better though if I was in a bigger city like Manila where there is a restaurant purely for the diabetic. (*Free plugging of SUGARNOT!) 
But since I'm in Pangasinan, a city which doesn't look like a city at all, I can just go to the next real city where they have a Robinson's Supermarket. With the best collection of sugarfree soda, juice( Oishi), and even cookies!(Murray). If I get really desperate, there's Goldilocks that provides sugarfree ensaymada and sugarfree mamon. You can also special order a sugarfree cake, from what I've heard. 
There are a few bakers online that do make sugarfree brownies, and others but then the question usually would be about the shipping of the items. Food easily spoils, expires and all that. 
I end this blog with a wish. Someday, I'd like to have my own restaurant or probably a franchise of Sugarnot! why not?






P.S. I know that some of you read our stuff. I do hope you leave any comment, suggestion, criticism or any reaction. Thanks!

Marriage

Marriage... Weddings... Words that make me escape family gatherings, outings and simple get-togethers. They bring out the "relativephobia" in me since my brother and cousin got married. It stresses me to explain to them that I'm not in a hurry to have a ring on my finger and that I'm still enjoying my singlehood. They don't understand it, and they couldn't accept my reasons. They're suffering from a fear that I'd turn into a spinster, something that I find very funny since I'm not a bit worried about it.

In the past, I perceived marriage as a romanticized law justifying men's act of demonstrating their superiority over women, legalizing their ownership over them for the purposes of sex, genetic propagation and slavery. Back then, I didn't comprehend the need for two persons (a man and a woman that is) to be bound in marriage. I upheld my stand that I could be a complete woman without tying myself to a man. I believed that single motherhood is better and more convenient for me.

I remember a discussion I had with a man about marriage. We were discussing it, and I told him with such confidence and faith that maybe marriage was created to make sure that two very different and opposite beings could possibly stay in one house and have reasons to stay together for whatever. Contracts in marriages, I elaborated, were conceptualized so that the married couple could have a reason to fight for each other, stay together and see beyond each other's imperfections for as long as they both shall live.

For all those years that I held on to this logic, I didn't consider my parents and the reason why most people want to tie the knot. I overlooked love, the very reason why two persons decide to live together for the rest of their lives. It might have been an influence of the radical and liberal thoughts I've learned in college.

But years have honed my young mind. Life has exposed me to the reality of everything around me. It opened me to the line that separates truth and idealistic concepts. Experiences came my way to teach me how to live life and how to look at it. Life has made me realize that there are more to this life than myself.

My idea on marriage changed consequently. Now I view it as a sacred vow and calling. The words, "Husbands come enmasse but the good husband comes from God," have become something I hold on to more as a promise than as a justification of my waiting. Truly, marriage is a partnership between two persons who love each other and who have decided to go through life together...to have each other to hold through thick and thin, in sickness and in health... Come to think of it, the sanctity of marriage is that, having two people who are different in many ways bound in love and blessing of God to be together and fulfill a certain purpose as one. That's why I view it now as something beyond love. However, love must be present because it vanishes inequities, prejudices, and selfishness. It forgives and strives to be better every day. It makes people fight for a relationship, a partnership, until the end. It gives them the courage to risk and change for the better.

That is why, I'll say, I'm waiting for that time, that chance to find and be found by the man whom I'd keep for the rest of my life. For these reasons, I am waiting patiently for him to arrive; he will be the somebody who'd be worth-fighting for. He will be the one I'd decide on everyday to love.

Wedding is not the all and the end of all. It is the start of many beginnings. So for now, I'd prepare myself for that moment to come, hoping that when it does I'd hear him say he's received the answer to his prayers. I hope that he'd be so blessed to have me as I shall certainly be to have him in my life.

Here's the point of view of a single woman on marriage...

Marriage

Being raised in a single parent household taught me that marriage is not for everyone. I see my relatives and very few of them had marriages that survived. My mom's friends are mostly single or widows. More often than not, I envisioned myself as a single parent as well, and not married. I couldn't imagine living with a husband. I was so used to being surrounded by females, my brain could not create the picture of marriage. What made it worse was that I saw bad examples of marriage all around me, in television, and in real life.

Highschool was no different. Romance was out of the question. It was frustrating to say the least. No attraction from anyone. I felt like I was the ugly duckling with no chance of having a boyfriend ever, so logic dictates that I had no illusions of getting married. I was already planning my single life and adopting a child.

College was a turn for the better. But no illusions of marriage. I was happy enjoying anonymity. Living in a different place and meeting other persons who don't know the labels attached to you was liberating. Still no visions of marriage but I did have 3 solid guy friends. Very dependable and fun to be with.

Sophomore year in college was different. My bestfriend became my boyfriend. No illusions of marriage then too. We were just trying hard for it to work and for it to last, with all bets against us. So the story continues. We were going out for around 7 years and we had to take the next logical step. A wedding. Marriage.

For us, marriage was a choice forced upon us. Not that we are regretting that decision. We would have liked a little more time but then all things are for the best. Weddings are something else as well. I love planning and helping in planning.  Marriage was something totally alien to both of us. It was different. His and My Life totally  changed when combined in a marriage.

I leave you with this. Marriage is not to be taken lightly. You can't draw lines. You can only learn and embrace compromise.

Women and Cooking

What do I know about Cooking? Had you asked me that last year, I would have told you absolutely nothing. I can still hear the frustration in the voice of my mom everytime she asks me to do simple things in the kitchen or just to help out. I am deathly afraid of knives and flying oil. Just the word cooking and I pretend that I have tons of other things that I have to do. But that was before. 
Necessity is truly the mother of all inventions. We have this tradition, monthly, until our child reaches the age of 1where we celebrate their birthdate. We often cook the usual pancit and spaghetti. Can you imagine being unaffected by  the familiar taste of those dishes for 17 months? We had to learn to make a different dish! We were all suffering from Spaghetti and Pancit Taste Fatigue. We had someone who cooked carbonara for us before, but she wasn't available now since she moved to a different city. Due to necessity, I did the research and compromised on all the recipes I found in the internet to formulate one of my own. The first attempt was purely trial and error. A dash of this, a pinch of that. A can of this and A liter of that. My own precepts about cooking was that everything that was raw had to be cooked first and that I saute the onions first before adding the garlic.
Cooking has truly evolved from something I never imagined I could do or even be capable of. To something I'd like to explore as an avenue for expression or even to generate income. But then, maybe not, since the only thing that I'm sure I can cook is carbonara. 
Women and cooking is and has always been closely associated to each other. Due to the age-old myth that only a woman should/can cook but that is not the case anymore. I have become a little bit of a cooking show fan now. I can safely say that there are relatively a lot of males in the cooking profession now specially in tv. There's Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen, Wolfgang Puck, and I absolutely adore Chef Tristan Encarnacion and Chef Rob Pengson. Even the guys from Katoque have cute antics. But then, my ultimate favorite is still a female. Quickfire host, Rosebud Benitez because she can cook a meal in just 10 minutes.

 

Women and Cooking

I have been raised believing that women should know how to cook. They have always told me that a girl must be good in the kitchen. I don't remember how I perceived it with my nine-year-old mind back then. What I see now is that that girl has stayed out of the kitchen as much as she could.

I always hear people saying that I should learn how to cook before I get married. I have always argued that my husband would be a good cook. In addition to that, I have stood on my ground that I will learn the moment I get there. My mom has often told me that she learned how to cook after she and my dad got married. She did not know a single recipe, even how to cook rice or sinaing. However, my mom is an innovative cook and one of the best I have known. I look at this with much hope. I could make the sinaing! Hahaha.

I have a picture in my mind of breakfasts in bed with flowers and kisses. In the picture, I am the one being served with the breakfast and my sweet husband the one serving it. My uncle, who first heard about this, commented that it is not a husband I was looking for but a chimoy. Perhaps that is how many people view this especially in our society that upholds patriarchy even to this modern age of equality between the sexes.

I am not a feminist, contrary to what many people believe. I have just come to open my mind to the evolution (if it's how some people call it) of the roles of men and women. Cooking has always been attached to the descendants of Eve. A maxim that says, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," has become a passe already. There has arisen ways to a man's heart in the modern times. Knowledge, conviction, honesty, confidence and independence of a woman are the few attributes that have become the basis of men in choosing their lifetime partners. The domestic skills of women as the only qualifications in becoming a good wife is already an anachronism.

However, this does not mean that those women who hold such attributes are considered less superior than their modern-day counterparts. I remember the movie Mona Lisa's Smile which starred Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles and Kristen Dunst. It portrays the evolution of women's roles in society and at the same time making a balance to conserve the original purpose of women. In addition to this, it has shown that women, like men, are also unique. They have different perceptions of life as well, and that standing to such ideals do not make them lesser individuals. Perhaps, the society has to accept this, too.

Nonetheless, I also want to prepare meals and learn how to cook. It is just that I do not want to be limited to it, and my whole personality be judged because of it. My mom has started zero when it comes to her skills in the kitchen, but she has learned and become a master of it. But when she comes to a point of being tired doing it, my dad cooks for her. He does not judge her then nor love her less because of it. I hope that the society also may view women this way somehow. I hope that they do not relate women to cooking as much as many people still do.

The 20-Question Game

1. Movie or book you identified with so much?
...Riding Cars with Boys came to mind first (I've just shrugged my shoulders). Drew Barrymore starred in that movie.

2. Dream house?
...a small house but with a very spacious lawn. The porch must have a swing (this is a must!).

3. Favorite Dessert?
...chocolate... choco-caramel fudge... chocolate...

4. Favorite game as a child?
...patintero...whether under the full moon or a very hot summer sun.:)

5. What could always be found in your bag?
...a pen. Hahahaha!!!

6.The most daring thing you've ever done?
...follow a stranger around town to apologize for an unpaid bill of beers... and to pay for it. Waaaah!!! Kahiya talaga yun! But it's turned out fine.:)

7.Person you could never forget but of whom the name you don't know?
...a co-passenger back in college. We were both on our way to Baguio then He rescued me from the very rude guy sitting beside me. Blah blah blah...then he paid for my fare despite my insistent refusal. I forgot his name right after I took my own cab.

8. Shoes you'd never wear?
...those shoes with high heels that have a hole in/between it. Very alien!

9. Craziest desire ever?
...to play the violin infront of a crowd. I'm tone-deaf. Music is not for me.

10. Favorite cartoon character?
...Mickey Mouse. But I've looked around my room, I have more Snoopy stuffs than Mickey's. hehehehe!!! Figure it out yourself!

11. Favorite line in a movie?
..."I'm breaking our friendship." -With Honors

I don't know why but it's always been a favorite however antique it has become.

12. Craziest thing you've ever done?
...stand across the street from my ex-boyfriend's ex-girlfriend as though I was a spy! What a day that was!!! Grrr!!! Hahahaha!!!

13. Song you like to sing that you don't want others to know about?
...DONTCHA by the Pussycat Dolls! It's soooo sexy. But it'd only be in my dreams!!!

14. First line when you write your memoir?
..."I've traveled to places my heart has wished to see but then there's only one destination that I have never wanted to leave."

15. Most feared insect?
...none ei. Pero animal meron!

16. Character you choose to be stuck in an island with?
...The character played by Michael Vartan in Never Been Kissed, the Literature teacher. Wow! A WOW kinda guy!:)

17. Hobby you want to try?
...Walking dogs. I have always wanted to walk Popcorn but my physical circumstances make it impossible.:(

18. If you had super powers,what would it be and why?
...Multiplicity. I hope that I could multiply and just do the many things I need done in a day. Then the real ME would just sleep at home.

19. Ultimate crush?
...David Dachovny! If anyone still remembers that man who loved sunflower seeds in X-Files, He is that man.

20. Secret skill you have.
...I can speak in different voices. I could dub a story of many characters alone. Very useful in my classes. Hahahaha.

The 20-Question Game

1. Movie or book you identified with so much?
          - Interview with a Vampire. It created my identity
2. Dream house
           - anything as long as it has an attic and a basement. Plus lots and lots of rooms. Since it's
          a dream, throw in secret passageways, concealed doors and my own hobby corner.
3. Favorite Dessert?
           - cheesecake
4. Favorite game as a child
            - hide and seek
5. What could always be found in your bag?
            - my phone
6. The most daring thing you've ever done
            - is ride "The Abyss" at Ocean Park in HongKong
7. Person you could never forget but of whom the name you don't know
            - My anesthesiologist, his name escapes me. hahahaha.
8. Shoes you'd never wear
             - Pointy shoes with heels of 4 inches! NEVER!
9. Craziest desire ever
              - To start having a business NOW! it's crazy.  
10. Favorite cartoon character
                - Rogue
11. Favorite line in a movie
                 - So I can kiss you anytime I want. - Sweet Home Alabama
12.Craziest thing you've ever done

                 - Walk in the rain, then ride on a jeepney soaking wet.

13. Song you like to sing that you don't want others to know about

                  - Dance hit songs by local artists.

14. First line when you write your memoir
                   - Everything began with a lie.
15. Most feared insect
                   - The dengue mosquito
16. Character you choose to be stuck in an island with
                   - I would have answered Lestat de Lioncourt immediately but changed my mind, he might feast on my neck too quickly. I guess, I'd say Peter Petrelli.
17. Hobby you want to try
                    - something I could be good at and will earn money with it.
18. If you had super powers,what would it be and why?
                     - I forgot what it's called, but it's when you read, you absorb what you read and learn it more quickly. Like the one in Heroes, the one Hiro loved.
19. Ultimate crush
                      -Marc Nelson.
20. Secret skill you have.
                      -  i discovered i can cook.