Ate, Prayed Loved

I have long been waiting to hit the theater for this movie, waited for months even. So when i had that one opportunity, i grabbed it and watched.. (drumroll) Eat Pray Love.. alone. My second time in the movie house to be alone. And once again, I was okay with it, as others may think of it as a little weird. watching movies alone is not an uncomfortable thing to do, at least for me it isn't. One of my most loved ME times even.

Eat Pray Love
It was one of those movies that I could personally relate too. I have recently gone through a time where I didn't like what was happening around me. Weeks, months of stress and pressure and drama. and all that confusion and decision making to do.

And although I may not have traveled from one country to another, like Liz did, I am grateful to people who have helped me find myself and find Him too. There's my cousin, Alexis, who is right about now across the globe from where I am. She has, once again, reminded me that there is no other being i should rely on to, the only One who could keep me.

then, there's one of my bosses who have taught me the benefits and great results that meditation and yoga can do to your life and well being. I believe that these two have truly been a great help to me, most especially. and I am not regretting getting lessons from him.

So here are some of my favorite lines from the movie, Eat Pray Love. all of these lines were said by Richard from Texas, Liz met him and became her friend in the Holy city/ Ashram in India:

1.) Ruin is a git. it is the road to transformation.
2.) Silence is a wonderful form of devotion
3.) The meditation room is inside (of you).
4.) Select your thoughts like you select your clothes everyday.
5.) Stop trying, surrender.
6.) waiting for him to forgive you is a damn waste of time, Liz. Forgive yourself.
7.) Believe in Love again

From Ketut, a Balinese teacher:
1.) You loose balance, you loose power.
And then he teaches Liz a new form of meditation:
Sit in silence and smile, with your heart and mind.

Last few words from Liz:
God dwells within you as you. God dwells within me as me.

I have greatly appreciated the movie, now its time to appreciate the inspiration where the movie came from, the book Eat Pray Love: A woman's search for eveything across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert


mtniere

Still

When you feel that stress ans pressure are above you, maybe even taller than you, you no longer know what to do or how to feel, or you are way beyond what confused is like, look up to the sky. Lift up a prayer, with tears when the situation calls for it. Or better yet tell Him everything that concerns and bothers you, causing all the stress, pressure and drama. When closing your eyes will help, do so. And when you have done all this, with eyes closed still, make sure you are positioned/ seated nicely and in a comfortable manner, take a moment to just breathe. Slowly, breathe in and then breathe out. Take in those heavy and long breath from the stomach, and then release by breathing out nice and slow. Do this for at least 15-20 minutes. Feel the air that you breathe from the nostril to the diaphragm, and then let go.

Meditation will help ease out and cool down the mind, body and spirit. And while you're at it, remember to keep this song in mind:

When the oceans rise and thunders roar,
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, you are king over the flood.
I will be still. Know YOU are God!

Let it help and comfort you amidst stress and pressure.

mtniere

hope to i-don't-exactly-know-what

today, September 10, i woke up with a little glimpse of hope. i was gonna leave for somewhere, i was gonna have fun with friends, i have imagined this weekend months ago. everything has already been prepared: tickets, a little of my savings, clothes that i can just randomly pick from my closet, i had all of these prepared. there was just one thing missing, something that seemed all too small for me, but not for my parents.

i thought they could at least trust me enough to let me go. i thought that by getting and paying for tickets months early, they would allow me to go.

but much has already been said, after that one call this morning, nothing and no one has made me smile again. i don't exactly know how and what to feel. tears have been shed and that glimpse of hope have faded.

let's wait and see how long this will stay. my rants, my thoughts, my feelings.




mtniere

writing to earn

Recent changes have surfaced and decisions have to be made. They weren't all that easy. Questions upon questions came pouring in.

To work in a place that you know nothing about? Or at least, you're not happy to be at, simply because you don't understand what is really going on. But as they say, stick to it cause the money is there. The salary is high and you'll eventually be happy knowing that you are able to purchase or provide for yourself and those around you.

Then again, another opportunity is presented to you by the one industry you love and is most comfortable to be at. Although it clearly dose not pay much but its is where your passion lies. The industry you prepared for for four long years. Something that you know you will be happy at and will enjoy working, at the same time, will be having fun with.

So now, the bottom line question is: do you work for an unhappy workplace which is hiigh paying? Or do you go to where your passion is at but have to make up for the pay that you will be loosing by looking for alternative means of generating income for yourself and those around you?

With guidance and prayers, i have come to a full decision. something, that hopefully will have no regrets in the end.

mtniere

Cebu checklist

( x) Gone to Simala

()Watched the dolphins at Tanon Strait

( x) Been to Kawasan Falls

(x ) Been to Malapascua

( x) Been to Bantayan Island

( ) Had a date/meeting at Plaza Independencia/Fort San Pedro

(X) Watched the Sinulog

( ) Danced in the Sinulog

(X) Went inside the Fuente Osmena circle

(x) Been to Tops

(x) Been to the Cross at Mountain View

( ) Drove a car up to the Robinson's carpark

(X) Ate puso(X)

Ate at No Problem/sutukil

(x) Passed thru the Transcentral Highway

() Drove by the SRP

(X) Been to Ayala Terraces

(X) Been to SM North Wing

(X) Swam in Plantation Bay's manmade Lagoon

(X) Been to Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort

(X) Been to Vano Beach or Marigondon

(X) Used the 2nd Bridge

(x) Been to the manmade island at Maribago Bluewater

(X) Been to Tambuli or Hadsan

() Dined at White Gold House

(X) Rode a tartanilla

(X) Been to Carbon

(x) Bought dried fish in Tabo-an

(X) Bought pirated DVDs at Traders

(X) Ate CNT or Alejo's lechon

(X) Ate monster pizza at JCA

(x ) Lit a candle at the Basilica

(X) Heard mass at the Cathedral, Redemptorist, or Sacred Heart

(X) Listened to Y101 and Jack the Wack

(X) Listened to DYAB/Leo Lastimosa or DYSS/Bobby Nalzaro

( ) Watched a movie at Century 21 or Belvic or Oriente or Queen Mini

(X) Ate steam rice at Ding Qua Qua or Dimsum Break or Harbor City

(x) Ate grilled cheese sandwich at Orange Brutus

(X) Seen the Magellan's Cross

(X) Been to the Lapu-lapu shrine

() Watched the Fluvial parade

() Shopped at Metro Colon

() Owned a Mactan guitar

() Stopped by at Island in the Sky

(X) Been to IT Park

(X) Had coffee at Bo's coffee

(X) Dined at Majestic

(X) Dined at Chika-an

(X) Dined at Golden Cowrie

(x) Crossed the intersection of Colon St. and Osmena Blvd during rush hour

(X) Bought freshly-cooked chicharon in Carcar or at Villalonga's

(X) Killed time at the lobby of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel

(X) Gave otap, rosquillos, dried mangoes, or ampao as pasalubong

(X) Ate Mandaue bingka or puto or budbud

(X) Swam at the Cebu City Sports Center swimming pool

(x) Jogged at the Cebu City Sports Center oval

(X) Been to Taoist Temple

(x ) Been to the Cebu City Zoo

(X) Drove through Ma. Luisa or Beverly Hills

( ) Been apprehended by CITOM

(X) Gone island-hopping to Nalusuan, Olango, Pandanon

(X) Swam with the fishes at the Fish Sanctuary

(X) Gone bird watching at the Bird Sanctuary

(x ) Ate kalderetang kanding

(x ) Ate kinilaw nga tangigue

(X) Ate humba

(X) Ate at Larsian

(X) Tasted the D'Original Siomai sa Tisa

( ) Checked-in at Queensland

(X) Bought a smoothie at Thirsty

(X) Bought groceries at Robinsons Fuente or Fooda or Colonnade or La Nueva

(X) Browsed books at National Mango

(X) Been up Club Ultima/Crown Regency

(x ) Rode the Edge Coaster or walked the Skywalk at Crown Regency

(X) Ate guso or lato or lukot

(X) Walked through Colon from Gaisano Main to Gaisano South or v.v.

(x) Enjoyed buwad(x) Ate ginamos(X) Had Sr. Pedro roasted chicken

(X) Ate Cheaverz ngohiong

() Climbed up to Good Shepherd

(X) Tried masareal

(X) Braved heavy traffic during fiestas, esp. that of Guadalupe and Opon

(X) Listened to Local Ground music

mtniere

Tree planting on Birth Date

June 19, 2010

Today I turn a year older. And what better way to celebrate my 24th but by doing something worthwhile and fulfilling than the care for Mother Earth.

For the first time in my entire life, i volunteered to plant seedlings of Cebu native trees today. I was with friends and together with other volunteers from different companies, in participation with Philippine Business for Social Progress’ Cebu Hillyland Reforestation Caravan, we planted species that were endemic to Cebu: the Cebu cinnamon, Narra and another species. The reforestation effort was done at Sitio Cantipla I and II, brgy. Tanuan, Cebu City.

Its never too late to do a simple act of planting seedling trees and watch them grow. Little efforts to restore our forest can go along way.

sun kissed and hurt remedies

you how it is when one really loves the beach, as in, really love that two months of summer isn’t enough?! some people are like that, and i’m probably one of them.

being in a family who has the priviledge of owning a house by the beach with the distance of just some 2hour drive away from the city, i get to enjoy much from the beach, fresh air, nature, the stillness, the sunrise and sunset.

but i just realized that amdist loving being sun kissed, one should also be responsible in protecting the skin. so after enjoying a weekend at the beach and being sunburned, i was forced to look up the web for home remedies to cure the hurt the sun has caused my skin.

so here is a quick ten home remedies to sunburn from www.fatfreekitchen.com/home-remedy/suburn.html

1. drink a lot of fluids for rehydration.

2. cold compress dipped in vinegar, ice and water lightly rubbed unto the burned skin. this takes the heat out off the affected area.

3. apply some mashed tomato with crushed ice on the affected area for treatment and relief.

4. take in vitamin E supplements to reduce itching.

5. apply the pulp stalk of tive aloe vera or tha aloe vera gel, tak a leaf of aloe vera plant, slit it open at its end, and rub the inside over the burn.

6. add some baking soda to cold water and apply to the skin, it reduces the burning effect immediately.

7. slowly rub slices of fresh cucumber over the burns.

8. soak some tea bags in hot water, take the bags out and let them cool. when they are still warm, place them on the affected area for one hour. this is good for the treatment of pain.

9. apply some drops of lavander essential oil on the burnd area, then spread it witha pece of tissue to cure sunburns.

10. put some vinegar on a cotton ball and rub lightly on the burned area.

on my burns, i tried number seven first, then did number ten. and i just felt the burn for a day. it worked for me.

a quick list of don’ts to sun burn:

1. Do not burst blisters to get relief.

2. Do not apply creams, butter, benzoncaine, lidocaine, petroleum jelly, baby oil or other greasy lotions or substance for sunburn treatment. they trap the heat inside and prevent healing. leave the sunburn exposed to the air for faster healing.

3. Do not use lotions with lanolin when you are in the sun

4. Do not wash burned skin with strong soap.

this may be a little too late, considering that rain has started pouring down. but who knows, this may just come in handy anytime.

enjoy the beach, the sun and still have a great ime with out thinking of the pain afterwards, or at least be prepared with simple remedies to it.

mtniere

-- originally posted at www.matetniere.tumblr.com

one month and a week

Mantayupan Falls with the gang, minus Ian, the photographer
Organic lunch at Bohol Bee Farm

GMA Kapuso Night and Energizer Night Race
Wifi-ing at Boljoon Plaza

No Photo at the Hospital..

now that I am just at home on a Saturday night, I recall the weekends that my family did not see me here. Hence, the tittle of the blog is: one month and one week.

So here's my list:

June 26 and 27, Saturday and Sunday, they say it was my post birthday celebration but it really wasn't like that at all. I was just with friends, Chona, Kuya Raphy, Kuya Vlad, Nikko and Direk Julius, at our house by the sea at Boljoon. It was all great food, swimming at the beach and wifi-ing at the town plaza.

July 3-4, Saturday and Sunday, the same 'Boljoon group' was supposed to go to Consolacion's talabahan. Unfortunately, Direk Julius and our audioman Bruce met a road accident, dawn of Saturday. So instead of being at the talabahan, we found ourselves taking turns in watching over the patients at the Cebu Community Hospital. Bruce was all Bruised, from lower face down to his legs, scars and blood was all over hime. Direk Julius was in a dextrose, and oxygen as he was having a hard time breathing, he also had bruises in his arms and hands. Funny scene was that, while I was alone in his ward watching over him, a student nurse came in and before waking him up, asked me if he was my dad.. haha but when she woke Direk up, i became irate, she patted him so strongly and rudely. I told Direk about the 'dad' thing and he forced a smile through his aching chest.. hehe I told him I don't like his rude student nurse. By Sunday, dextrose and oxygen was gone. While Direk was given discharging signals Sunday afternoon, Bruce was given discharge signals Monday yet. But they both got out of the hospital Monday morning for Direk and Monday afternoon for Bruce.

July 10, Saturday, GMA and Energizer's Night Race.. And once again, I was with the same people with the addition of some people. There was Annie, Cai and Honey who both work for Parkmall where the race was held, some other GMA people where there too.

July 16-18, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, with the same 'Boljoon group' and some more additional friends, Randy Gorion, Ian Laroga and Moching Auxtero, I found my self in another out of town trip. We left the city Friday night and stayed at Chona's house with her sisters and nephew. This trip was all about the booze, Mantayupan waterfalls, beach again and the 'pang one time' silhouette photography by the beach, the super tasty 'adobo', the videoke and the sleep at the 'lapag' with the guys. It was all fun!! :D

July 24- 25, Saturday and Sunday. My last weekend out of the house. But this time, it wasn't just an out of Cebu city trip, I was actually in an island across Cebu, Bohol Island, it was. Sandugo Festival weekend, I was with Kuya Vlad and Nikko the whole time. Although we saw Direk Julius in the morning of Saturday as we borrowed his DSLR camera and used it for the whole two day trip. Three wasn't a crowd this time, it was a company. We went to Bohol Bee Farm for our organic Lunch, to the Kapuso Night where we met Direk Julius again and the rest of the Engineering Department of GMA Cebu. It rained while the show was on but rained harder as it was finishing off. I stayed with an office mate for the night only to return to Nikko's estate in the morning and in time for the engineering department's breakfast. Loboc river cruise we were off after breakfast and fixing of ourselves. Sandugo festival re-enactment with Vice President Jejomar Binay as their honorable guest. Before we head out for the pier to catch our boat trip back to the Island of Cebu.

So there, my one month and one week out of the house. In between and after which, my family has been and had been looking for me. So, the week after and until now, I have stayed home except, last night August 6 when I went out for the Kapuso Day and was with the same people again.

Hhmm, when and where will my next out of town be? Hopefully, one more for a local city and one for an out of the country trip. :D


mtniere

Bohol Trip for Three

July 24-25 Saturday and Sunday, i found myself in another island yet again. I was with friends, Nikko and KuyaVlad, Saturday morning, we were bound for the Island of Bohol.

After an hour and a half, we reached Nikko's estate. His family never fail to generously feed and make comfortable their guests and this visit was another one of those warm accommodations.

Quick breakfast, rest and a little freshening up and we were off the road to the venue of the Kapuso Night to pick up our borrowed DSLR from Direk Julius, who was extra generous and made us carry it for the two day trip. After picking up the camera, we went on our way to Panglao for some road and food trip.

First stop, Bohol Bee Farm for lunch. I could not let the opportunity pass and not be able to try their organic food. So for lunch, i had organic salad topped with edible flower and petals, which i found out today was gumamela flower. Nikko had honeylaced chicken while Kuya Vlad had ribs.

Before digging into my salad, i asked one of Bee Farm's waitresses if the flower on my plate really was edible. And she nodded and said yes, so I ate it. It actually tasted just like any ordinary lettuce. It tasted good. The salad also had pineapple bits in it. Although, i wasn't able to finish the whole dish, it really made me full.

For dessert, Kuya Vlad had homemade ice cream while I had a cup of cappuccino, equally tasted good.

We headed home after few minutes of relaxing and realizing we had no where else to go . We also had to prepare of the Kapuso Night, all though our only role their was to be part of the audience. As i would say, 'audience impact' lang haha and to give support to our friends who were working for the Night.

By the time we got home, dinner was served and I only needed to change clothes while Kuya Vlad took a quick shower. After dinner, we were off to the Kapuso Night which was held at the port of Tagbilaran, even if it was drizzling. By the time we got to the venue, the rain was starting to pour down heavily and the event was already starting too. But everyone just stood there, no one left.

We returned Direk's cam to him only to borrow it again, and the three of us took turns in taking photos. Since Nikko brought his ID with him, we were all over backstage. From the time it started to the time it ended, the rain was pouring down over Tagbilaran. Direk made us borrow the camera again as we said we haven't copied all of our photos yet. hehe :)

I was in Bohol but on one condition, not to stay and sleep at Nikko's if I was the only lady, so i agreed. And luckily, I was able to stay in for the night with an office mate who's from Tagbilaran too. Although, I left early the following day to go to Nikko's again.

It was too early by the time I got there, a little more time to sleep before the engineering department guys arrive for their prepared breakfast. Kuya Vlad, Nikko and I slept for about an hour and a half before my phone rang and Ian/ Direk Julius was looking for Nikko for directions.

Few minutes later, the complete gang was there. And of course, breakfast was set and waiting for them as early as 6am. While they were eating, we were taking turns in taking their photos. But they all had to hurry up and finish eating, they were all going back to Cebu at 12noon and have to be at the Tubigon port by 9am. After eating, we were outside for awhile and made chika, they had their photo op with Nikko. Then they went on their way. And it was our turn to have breakfast. :)

It was bathroom time for us after breakfast, we had the entire morning to spend before we went to the Sandugo Festival.

The decision was to spend it on a river cruise at Loboc river.. P300 for the river cruise with buffet and another hundred pesos for what they call part of a stupid municipal order. We finished at the cruise at around 2 in the afternoon.

We had to hurry to the Sandugo event Bohol State University grounds. We weren't able to catch the street parade but that was okay. By the time we got to the school grounds, GMA's float was approaching the stage in it were kapuso stars, Barbie Fortaleza and Joshua Dionisio. They were warmly welcomed by the Bol-anons as they went down the float and went up to the stage. After a while, their festival's guest of honor arrived in the presence of no less than the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Jejomar Binay. I was able to witness the Sandugo re-enactment for the first time.

Although, we had to catch our viewing short because we had to head back at Nikko's to pick up our bags and say our thank you's and good byes to Nikko's lola and daddy.

We had to rush to catch our boat going back to Cebu at 4:30 in the afternoon. Although we were the last few people to board the boat, we had to wait for the rest of the passengers to be seated so we could look for our seats. Then finally, Kuya Vlad and Nikko were seated at the open-air deck and I was seated below, in the cabin.

We got to Cebu port after two (2) hours of boat trip. Thank God!

Now, excited for my next road, out of town trip! :)
hopefully, one (1) more domestic and one (1) international trip for me this year.

mtniere

what's cooking in my kitchen

sometimes, boredom bears something fruitful.

My love for cooking started when i was actually jobless. it started out with me helping our house help chop simple ingredients used for sautee-ing like onion and garlic.

after a while, i started chopping the meat too.

And i was actually having fun doing it. Little by little, i learned simple cooking stuff. This time it was my turn to be in front of the pan and stove. I find the smell of sautee really good.

now, our house help is no longer with us. So ma, me and my sis take our turns to be the cook especially during dinner time. even though we all have different schedules now, we, at least make it a point to have something on the table for dinner.

And i only cook for the family who actually appreciates everything that I have done, so far. :)

So here are some photos of the dishes i cooked/ baked or mixed:

Latest addition to my list: Chicken Hinalang ala Matet

Marinated pork

that was fried afterwards.. still tasted yummy :)

Arroz Caldo

i cooked this one night and some friends rushed to the house at the middle of the night to have a taste of it.

Adobong baboy. thanks to Direk Julius for sharing this recipe with me.

mtniere

new on blogspot

hi!

this is a test and try post since i'm all new here and to this. so any help you could extend will be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

mtniere