Oink of the Covenant

AARGH!!! I cannot begin to express how disappointed I was that I totally missed out on the whole piggie being cooked in the box with charcoal. Someone did not time the cooking well and we had to get roasted chicken from Sam's club in place of the main event. Some time in the late evening it was cooked. By that time I had already left to take care of my own piggie, Cabal.


Left to Right: Dave & Michelle's backyard; Frying lumpia (Filipino Eggrolls); Not the Ark of the Convenant, but where the piggie was cooking; Filipino pastries; trampoline kiddies; Michelle & Audrey; Aunt Maria & Luvy; Peeps playing Guitar Hero; Kristen & new cousin Nina.

It wasn't the anxiety attack I had made it out to be in my head. I enjoyed myself and was able to relax at this family gathering. Two of Michelle's Canadian relatives had come down to visit. The family (and some friends) celebrated Kristen and Carter's birthdays which are just days apart. The party had a more Filipino flavor which always comforts me: good Filipino food, family and lots of laughter!
.

Oink of the Covenant

Sacred Sunday...evening post

Haven't been motivated to do chores since November of last year. Wait --- that sounded bad. What I meant was that portions of my apartment are relegated to certain days to make clean-up easier, but I haven't been as diligent with the Q-tip test since November. Today I seemed to tackle most of the chores (sans Q-tip test). Felt a peculiar joy in eradicating dust.

Almost missed getting my nails done...almost. Something must have been in the air at the salon. My nail guy was quiet and they were speaking in more frequent bursts of Vietnamese. Just as well, he can be quite inquisitive. Nails gleaming a new French manicure made me feel great then I remembered that this Cinderella was in the middle of cleaning.

Did I mention I am obsessed with separating laundry that I end up with four loads to do? Thank God for the water level regulator on the washing machine because my laundry falls into a light load for delicates, medium loads for light and darks and a heavy load for towels and such. If really obsessive, I separate just the socks for bleaching which would make that load number five. Yes, the freakshow is in full effect.

Still had to iron my new tablecloth when it came out the dryer before I placed it on the sidetable. It reminded me of the times in the Philippines we would wash our clothes and bedclothes by hand. I grew up thinking that ironing our sheets and pillowcases from drying on the outside line as normal. Too bad we didn't have a modern washer/dryer and fabric softener. Denim trousers could stand up by themselves if positioned correctly and give you a nice exfoliation when you put them on as a bonus.

Marinated some pork chops with olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and salt/pepper before baking. Served with freshly cooked jasmine rice and a side of steamed spinach. Mmm. My home was smelling like a proper home. Too bad I didn't have any eggs, I would've made a cake for a home baked smell later. Doesn't matter. I have enough air freshener plug-ins smelling like vanilla and pumpkin.

Watched Fox Channel for The Simpsons, The Family Guy, etc. Felt like being entertained with demented humor. Must be all the fumes from the cleaning products. It worked like a charm.

Speaking of demented, check this out: Filipino Inmates Dancing to Thriller.

Sacred Sunday...evening post

You Just Might Be Filipino If...

Twenty-four and a half years ago seems like eons, but it was when I first came into this country to live a new life. In America! Sometimes I feel like Fievel Mousekewitz...

Being bi-racial sealed my fate of being always different and a new country would magnify that even more. I'll try to find a pic to insert later, but I was 11 years old, 5'2", and gangly with long arms and legs not to mention long dark brown hair to my butt.

I had to learn to eat more of a American cuisine which was difficult when my dad made me use a fork extensively to eat my meals. I cried a lot at the dinner table since it was awkward to pick up food with the tines. In the PI, we would 'use' the fork to push the food onto the spoon which was the main utensil used to eat. Now I am also an expert at chopsticks -- screw you, you darn fork!

For years, I tried to embrace more my white half even when it pained me to eschew my filipino side. (Musings more on that as this blog matures.) I have included the following pics of filipino art to let you know how much I've incorporated them into my decor. Flips unite!!!

I can't help that I point my full lips when someone asks me where something is located. I say 'psst' when I try to get someone's attention in the store, the flip version of echo location. I also buy a 'body bag' of rice when I go to the Asian store. I have two cabinets devoted to cooking spices and to soy sauce. My accent picks up when I talk to other Filipinos. My favorite dish is dilis and rice with a side of suka and crush bawang. (Not translating that except my friend KB calls dilis cat treats.)

The following are mobile pics of showing my Filipino pride: MABUHAY!

You Just Might Be Filipino If...