Watermill

Laundry and cooking. Sounds like my Filipina maid was here today. Ha.

I get to spend many hours lost in my own thoughts. It wouldn't matter if I am deep in my work or house chores like today. My thoughts or ideas are constantly on a big watermill rolling forward to let the wooden buckets spill ideas only to pick them up and recycle them again in my mind.

As an only child I was used to spending time in my own company and the comfort of being solitary calms me and can, on sporadic occasion, cause anxiety until I examine my feelings or talk to the angels and old spirits that surround me. It doesn't matter to me if you don't believe, it matters that I do.

The past week I lost my muse to write. I was letting the disappointment of losing my places in my cooking classes get to me. My previous and very timely reservations were ignored and tossed aside in favor of the new online self-serve reservation system. Those four classes I signed up for showed the status waiting list instead of confirmed. I know I was the first to reserve those classes with the main coordinator who is visiting the UK at the moment. The chef/owner and his staff assisting him with this didn't handle the transition well. After trying to rectify it gently via e-mails, I decided to let karma take care of it.

On Friday, all the volunteers/cooking assistants were sent a note saying to disregard every note in the past received from coordinators and that the new system would be the (next to) final say. It would appear I wasn't the only one e-mailing. I am glad I wasn't on the other end of those e-mails.

The classes for next month were a mixed bag, but I can handle those. I have since taken my name off two classes for the current month with waiting list status. I couldn't do the one today as it wasn't enough notice. Still no one sent an e-mail with anyone dropping out. C'est la vie.

During my preparation of a favorite Filipino dish of mung beans, I received a call from my fellow Filipina friend Sharon. She was trying a recipe I gave her today and was shopping for the ingredients. I corrected some of her selections and then waited for her to call me much later. When she did, she was distraught that it had not turned out correctly.

It is Sprinkles to the rescue: Rather than have her start over, I coached her by asking what it tasted like. Was it more salty than vinegary? How many laurel/bay leaves did you put in? How much crushed pepper did you use? Well, we were able to salvage it by adding water to tame the strong taste. Next time, she will also be adding the cubed potatoes I encouraged her to get before. Now she can enjoy her dinner.

Not much the rest of the day. I am bracing for the week that may get screwed up with the hurricane approaching. Lovely. Let me run the mill again while I put another load of wash before bed.


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Watermill

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!
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Oink of the Covenant

Howling Halloween Party

Almost forgot I had a hair cut appointment this morning, but was able to get myself in the shower in time to be there. I promised Halloween co-hostess' Kathy and Tawny that I would make a vegetarian version of my Filipino eggrolls which made a stop to the Asian store a must after my haircut. Ended up making 50 eggrolls, but decided to fry them at Kathy's house. It was too humid with the rain to try and make sure they cooled completely and stay crisp for a couple of hours.

Walking around towards the front door, I noticed the personalized graveyard. Kathy and Jamie were have been very, very busy...

AGOL's is funny, but I loved Mart's that says, Water My Grave with Beer



The Graveyard



Cindi and Her Cutie........&.......Cindi with sis Kathy



Jason with his girlie Allison



Glam Witch Jill with Kool Keg hubby Mart. (I teased Mart that the pump wasn't for the keg, but actually a penile pump. It brought screams.)



Ant as Minister of Death with Wild Witch Wife Becca



Blaspheming the AGOL! Tawny and Kathy thought it would be funny to have the banned Chip and Dip at their party. Notice the dip wasn't even taken out and put in a proper bowl. They cackled the whole time about this addition. The party was still a howl despite this intentional blemish.



Party accouterments: Ouija board at fortune telling table and plasma action. Too bad I didn't get to try the drink mixers from test tubes.



Who has the better bump? Becca or Dan? (I can't believe you missed this Jeff!!)



Jamie being an ghoul of some sort and avoiding the wedding issue with Pretty Pirate Kathy. AARGH!


Backstory: Ant is a bonafide minister thanks to the Internet and his wife Becca is a notary. We figured, all our friends and some family were gathered in one place so why not get married during the party? Had everything been set-up, it would've been legal. Jamie's scariest nightmare almost came true. Hate to tell you this, Jamie, but you guys can already be construed as common law man and wife. Happy Halloween, Jamie!

Sisters being cheery...



Matt winding down and chillin'. His wife was Britney Spears (trashy version), but forgot to take pic.



The Grave Outdoors...

Difficult to see, but you'll get the ghost...er, gist.



Jack scaring away guests and a special Witch's Brew complete with rotating hand.


There are so many other pics of other people, but I am posting those on Picasa for my buddies to see in their entirety. Sending more video clips to them, too. Jeff ended up missing most of the party to help someone with a costume contest at Ybor City's Guavaween so hopefully those will help him get a feel for the ghoulish delights we experienced. Thank you very much Kathy & Jamie and Tawny & Jeff for putting together a really fabulous party. You outdid yourselves with the decorations and the food. It was well-attended (two dozen?) and great fun!

Post party...
Putting my costume together was easy as was the fantasy make-up. I didn't as elaborate as I wanted to in case I had an allergic reaction to the paint. Dummy me forgot to take the picture when the application was "fresh" and other special effects "visible" so here it is with a slight touch-up several hours later when I got home.

Tired gypsy fortune teller...


Jumped in the shower (third time today!) to get rid of all the make-up from face, neck and arms. Finally made it to bed after 2am when my jasmine tea helped to wind me down.
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Howling Halloween Party

Petting a Dragonfly

If it's Tuesday, it must be a work day. Yes, I know, it goes for the other weekdays. Our temps are still high and it makes going to work an extra chore. I was hoping for a taste of the cold front the weatherman kept alluding to some time this week. We're in the 90s now. Will we have to break out sweaters for the 70s or 80s? Doesn't matter to me. I still wear cardigans because I dress for indoors.

My manager had his director and conference calls to occupy him today. I got more work done. Go figure. Bridget enjoyed it as well. We were both happy to catch up on our paper piles. They multiply like rabbits. How do paper mate? They copy each other. Holy heck. I just made that up.

Bridget and I took a walk under the covered walkway around the building around 3-ish. The temperatures were still in the 90s, but there was a cool breeze going. As we walked in front of the glass walls near the front, we spied a small black dragonfly. It had landed on the small metal ledge by the glass. I was overcome with a desire and succumbed to the need to stroke its wings. The wings and body were like black velvet. My beautiful dragonfly allowed me to touch it for several moments. I nudged its tail and it stayed where it was and I stroked its wings again. It was pure magic. I told it to go on ahead and as we started walking, it flew away. I reveled in it. It was one of those divine moments. Bridget was quite amazed, too, at the trust of such a little creature.

Tomorrow I get to teach Bridget how to put on make-up in preparation for her photoshoot for their sexy derby calendar. I have an idea of what will look good for her and she needs to practice for Saturday. We've already discussed a plan and I have shown her magazine shots we can emulate as well as tips on how to crank up her hair for a more glamorous look with the help of hot rollers. If I didn't already have plans on Saturday, I would be there to do it for her...

Left work early to take care of Cabal and straighten my sanctuary a little before Kathy came by to pick me up for Vietnamese food. The food at this place was tasty. I love the way they marinate and charbroil their meat on skewers. It reminded me of street food in the Philippines. We finished it off with our boba drinks. Kathy had watermelon and I had avocado. Can't wait to try another dish on the menu. She brought me home and I gave her the mini steamed rice muffins and cassava cake pieces I saved for her in the freezer from my aunt's house. Kathy loves these Filipino pastries.

Was able to talk to Tawny for a little bit tonight. Felt her absence at work. No real updates on her end regarding Jeff's aunt in critical care. She will be back tomorrow. Poor thing. Meanwhile, I need to put away my laundry and get ready for bed. I didn't get to sleep until a little after 1am and woke up at 5am. I am starting to feel it this evening. G'night.

Petting a Dragonfly

Filipino Tendencies

Made it to work early and beat Bridget. My motive for getting in earlier than my normal time was to get a head start in getting to know my new boss, but I forgot he had to attend our company orientation for a couple of hours first.

When we finally got to meet our new boss, I shook his hand and got the same feeling I did when I read his resume. Kind of a like a flatline. It was odd. He seemed very nice and eager to please as we got on through the day. The man can't be all bad if he's a self-described Parrothead. I've seen Jimmy Buffett sing myself and been to two Margaritaville's (Key West and New Orleans). Time will tell.

Bridget has advanced tickets for her Roller Derby Bout this weekend, but gave Tawny and me complimentary tickets. What a sweetie! Several of us are attending and it's going to be mighty interesting. Oh, don't you worry my honeys, I will be posting some pictures of this event.

Had a nice quiet lunch; my posse was nowhere to be found. Ended up talking about Filipino food with my fellow Flip friend, Jerico. It's fun to reminisce and swap recipes with him. I am bringing him a piece of the jackfruit my aunt gave me yesterday. This fruit sold at the Asian markets is very expensive for a section. My aunt has a whole tree so I can be generous and secure in a steady supply for a while.

Been posting lots of love quotes. It's not like I ever run out of words, but I guess I am looking for other people's words. Hungry for them as a matter of fact. I don't know. Perhaps I just need a new perspective or maybe I just wanted to escape from my day for several minutes.

My late afternoon involved crisis management which made me stay 45 minutes later than I wanted. Ugh. Let's just say SVPs were involved. It was not pretty, but I think we will weather it well this week. Nothing like trial by fire for my new boss.

Felt like some comfort food tonight and in America, it usually consists of macaroni and cheese. Not too thrilling for this AGOL. My first serving of macaroni and cheese didn't come until I was 11 years old. Comfort food for me usually involves Filipino food or even plain jasmine rice. I put some rice in the cooker and before I knew it, I was breathing in the jasmine comfort. I paired it with some Filipino food I won't gross you out with in describing, but let's just say it is very exotic and not everyone would like it. It made ME feel better.

Consequently, my aunt told me a fib. She said this particular dish would not stink this time because the ingredients were special. Uh-huh. Even my Pretty Boy Dog came to the kitchen to investigate! My place will be quarantined from non-Asians for a few days. Thank goddess I have air freshener plug-ins in every room!

Filipino Tendencies

AGOL Takes UK: Brighton Clear

It was a potpourri of activity today. Fortified with a light breakfast, we set about to look at paint and mill about (still magically sunny) Brighton.

Red Roaster's won Anton and Anna's recommendation for a cup of lava-thick hot chocolate. Yummy cringed when I paired it with a brownie while he had coffee and UK version of flapjacks. In the US, flapjack is slang for pancakes. These were more like a cookie bar or granola bar with the oatmeal on top.

Hot chocolate next to brownie, flapjack and coffee.


There was an emergency glass of water near the hot chocolate in case something went awry...like sugar shock.


Now to work off the chocolate...

On a clear day, you can really see beautiful Brighton!


This is the burnt skeletal remains of what was once called the West Pier. No one has dismantled it and I find that utterly charming. You can even see the remains of the bridge near the the beach, too.


Yummy was jonesing for fish and chips so we stopped by the seaside at lunch. His order had mushy peas. Uh-huh.


Part of our adventures was trying to find a Filipino deli that Anton had seen. I don't know that Filipinos actually have delis, but what do I know? Our first trip up a hill onto Montepelier Road yielded nothing so we went back down the hill near Waitrose. Yummy called Anton again and received better directions. Up the hill we go again where I saw the flag I would recognize anywhere painted on the Filipino Market store sign. I felt great considering how many Chinese stores were around Brighton. My peeps were represented.

Yummy asked me if I would speak Tagalog and I said no. We walked inside the tiny store and was greeted by a friendly (yet highly inquisitive) Filipina named Sheryl. And, yes, I spoke Tagalog -- well, more like Ta-garbage (Tagalog-English). Bought some stinky goodies and headed back down the hill for vegetables that looked like they were grown in Chernobyl from The Taj. This place was another wonder. We spent some quality time here before rounding out the shopping list at Waitrose...

Back home again and it was time to have everything mise en place by the stove. I decided to make lumpia (Filipino eggroll) with homemade sweet and sour sauce, chicken adobo with potatoes (chicken and potatoes in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and bay leaf) and pinakbet (veggies in stinky stuff and ginger). All these required a lot of slicing and dicing which Yummy happily watched me do.

I've taught many how to roll lumpia in Filipino cooking classes I have given in the past. I can roll about 50 in one hour. The filling was cooked, drained and cooled enough to assemble. Teaching Yummy how to roll these gave me great pleasure. It felt like a rite of passage. He did very well and I was proud of him. There were too many for tonight's meal so we bundled them in fours so he could have an emergency supply in his freezer.

I asked Yummy to make rice his way which cracks me up, however, it does yield perfectly cooked grains. Won't go into it. I am just spoiled by my rice cooker. It's all good.

When everything was cooked and plated, I held my breath while he tasted everything. I have gone through this many a time with friends. The first bite, I mean. It is either a hit or miss. Yummy had second helpings. He might become more of a "flip" than me at this rate!

AGOL Takes UK: Brighton Clear

Day of Yummy

This is one of the best days ever especially with a day like yesterday. I spent the whole day essentially talking to Yummy and really nothing else of import. It was heaven.

What is it like talking to Yummy? Imagine this incredible male voice with an English accent telling you things that make you feel all warm and melty. He also makes me laugh out loud. Every time I hear his voice I find myself smiling really big every time.

What an incredibly great man! He has to be to put up with the real me. It's not easy having the AGOL as your girl. You have to made of sterner stuff....or be absolutely mad! Okay, maybe a little bit of both.

We were learning Filipino related things today like food and language. It was a treat for me to teach him more stuff. I hope he took notes. We're having a quiz tomorrow.

I am flying this flag today on the AGOL site as my salute to His Royal Yummyness:

God Save the Yummy!

Day of Yummy