Magic Ampalaya

I'd just like to start off by saying that the title's a little nonsensical but what I'm saying here is that I found a way to make ampalaya so awesome you could just finish a whole of it and end with wanting more. Sounds like magic to me!

Dear Ampalaya, 

I know people have used you to describe ill emotions and unfinished issues aka bitterness in life or love or work or what not (your name is bitter melon, so...), but I'd just like to say that you are one bitter pill that people need to be so much healthier and alive. Ghad you are both a literal and a metaphorical analogy for needing some dose of bitterrness to be healthy in all aspects of life! You are so awesome like that I don't even know why I need you to be less bitter, when it's this true trait that makes you who you are that wins or loses people. But for many to appreciate you more, let's just try this one out and make you less of an acquired taste, shall we?

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Let's do this!

Cut the ampalaya like you would normally, and don't even be scared of cutting them a bit thicker. Crunch is good so go ahead! After cutting, let it sit in a salt-water solution for about 30 minutes. This would ~remove/lessen~ the bitterness.

While that's happening, slice some tomatoes and onions. The amount is up to you, but I LOVE tomatoes so one whole ampalaya equates to 4 tomatoes for me, and somewhere between a quarter to half an onion.

   

So you could see up there that we need 2 types of vinegar: the ~normal~ and the cane versions. You see, my sister is addicted to vinegar that we have a number of kinds here at home. Aside from those pictured above, we also have Datu Puti's Spiced Vinegar, Datu Puti's Sukang Iloko (Sugarcane Vinegar), and Mama Sita's Anghang Sarap (Spiced Tuba Vinegar) - all of which I honestly don't know where best to use. For this project, Datu Puti's Cane Vinegar was chosen at random-reasoning ranking, with the Sukang Iloko being a tight second. (The reasoning sounded like "..sooo i think cane would be a good try. Yep let's go with that..")

We also need sugar and salt and pepper, as always!

The easiest part comes next, (the cutting's the hardest! I know right!) the actual mixing!

Get your bowl, and mix the 2 vinegars in whatever ratio you'd like. I'd say half-and-half, but I'd be lying because I don't really measure. I will have to say though that you may want more cane in there, because that has more flavor (flavor whuuut) in it. Add your salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. After the soaking's done, just drain off the water and put the ampalaya, tomatoes, and onions on your prepared vinegar mix! Mix ang put in the fridge and let it sink for a few hours and you're good!

So it's basically kinilaw na ampalaya, minus the ginger. I like mine drowning in vinegar but you can prepare yours just half soaked (like what I did here!), and just mix it every few hours. I like eating mine cold, because it's unbelievably hot right now and the crunch and freshness and cooling effect of this one's a real treat when eaten straight from the fridge. So healthy! Not a bit of oil or processing or whatever. All fresh! Totally torn between Kinilaw na Ampalaya and Ampalaya Salad when thinking of how to classify this one, so I settled with Ampalaya Magic. I know. I suck at naming. :(

Go and try! It's sooooo good!! :)

Don't hate on the sun.

A few days ago I finally found the time to clean my room which was desperate for some fixing. I sorted quite a pile (of mostly trash!!) because I (c/o motherdear hoho) got a new mini cabinet to help my room look more of a girl's lady's. ANYWAY.

I kept 4 things and decided to display 'em by landing the spot on top of the mini cabinet. I hadn't realized I had these that represent a few things that i'm really into!

1. That old, vintage, (non-working) camera. Now this one's a cheat, because it actually captures (*wink wink*) 2 things I like. First is the more obvious that is photography. The appreciation of stills, memories, art, emotions, all expressed in a photo. I am not great in taking pictures but I have respect for those who are. The different perspectives in looking at things go beyond just taking that perfect shot, as it also mirrors our choice in life's different perspective settings. (hello positivity!!)

This piece also reflects my interest in the old, the forgotten, in vintage things. From houses, places, culture, museums -- to vintage prints, style, and overall vibe. And pleaz, the stories behind them, always interesting!

2. The shoe. This one's a gift (together with a box of messages from different people!) from my friends a few years back for my birthday. It represents my appreciation of shoes, clothing, prints, materials, designs, style - creating a look. I've always believed that dressing up (or down) is a form of self-expression, so there are no right or wrong turns. All my admiration go to the people who just don't give a fck of what others think. You go girl (or guy)! I do not have a lot of clothes nor shoes, at all, because that is not the point. Lol. I mean hello, who else here looks at the clothes of Game of Thrones characters? The elaborate designs, the silhouettes, the cuts! Respect to the work done there!

3. The anchor and the shell. Do I have to? Do I?  B  E  A  C  H.

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Last weekend we went to the beach! I went with the same group of friends from last year's Punta Fuego trip (but this time with 2 more friends joining, yey!), and this year we didn't really go far from there. Haha! We went to Tali beach at Batangas. I really enjoyed the home-y feel, the great service, the nice crowd in the beach, and of course the company of a few of my favorite people! We also went to Punta Fuego, which has always been a pretty sight. Oh beaches, summer without you is one wasted.

My friend Ama wrote a poem that was like pulled out of my brain, except in way better words. I should frame this, really.

SUMMER

Clothes come off before wading into sea

Exposing skin that has been kissed by the sun

Ecstasy washes over us in waves

Each more violent than the last

Pulling us under, throwing us around

We take a deep breath and plunge again

And dive into the depths of heat, salt

And sweat, and we lie in the sand tired

And spent, the taste of summer

Alive in our tongues.

Paint your palette blue and grey.

Totally calling it: the weather's got her period! The weather's been unpredictable this last few weeks (not being sexist here huhu but i think yes i'm being sexist lol) where one night it's cold, and the next day it's beach temp! There's no telling if summer's officially here now, but in my calendar, Feb. 22 already kicked it off. Beach rain or shine is just as attractive! <3

Friends and I went to Crystal Beach Resort in San Narciso, Zambales, initially to surf and island hop, but ended up just chillin' like some villain. I'm not sure if it was the vibe of the place that called for lounging and soaking in the beautiful serene views, or that we were tired from the 5 hour bus ride to the place. Either way, my mood was really to just keep still and have that getaway-to-the-beach finally happen.

Good Morning So Much!! Because ~Good Morning!~ isn't enough! 

I like this place. It's my first time here and although they're fully booked for that weekend (i think, we didn't get our preferred room/s), the beach was in no way crowded. There was a lot of personal space going on and each group had their own spot to do their thing. I don't usually go back to places i've already been to because i prefer exploring new ones, but i won't mind going back to Crystal Beach. It isn't expensive and i really like the vibe and the sand and the fact that it's also a surf spot. At least when i finally get the courage to try surfing, I can do so! But i really think i'm too un-fit and unhealthy for that. Helloooo just ~swimming~ by the waves got me bruises and a few scratches! Those waves ate me whole haha but 'twas fun!

The sunset was beautiful! It passed us quickly so wasn't able to take a lot of photos, but the orange sky was a pretty backdrop for my all-about-relaxing drama so i hit the hammock. If we weren't going to eat, i would've wanted to take a nap there. Maybe next time!

I expected the resort to have a band play Saturday night though, and was a little disappointed to learn that there'll be none. But we still went by the bonfire and lay down because we spotted a few shooting stars! It was a starry starry night and it felt sooo good to lie down outside, watch the stars, and listen to the sounds of burning wood and gusts of wind. My friend even played Enya on his phone as our background. Twas funny but it completed the mood.

We also woke up reaaally early, because we wanted to see the sunrise. We didn't exactly see it though because of all the pine trees. Haha! Still all good, the sound of the waves in the dark was a little scary but relaxing at the same time, so the ears had pleasure when the eyes didn't get that sunrise.

I hope I get to visit more beaches in the coming months. I don't know how to swim but i'm really at peace with that now, because am a beach person not really to do all the water adventures (but why not!), but more to savor the laid back lifestyle and calming, re-energizing magic that it gives.

Ghad i'm dreaming and re-living the views and sounds again. 

February things.

February was short and sweet, gotta give. Save for the despedida of one of my closest friends, the month was pretty packed with happy feels. And because pictures speak a thousand words, aka i'm really good in finding excuses to photodump as opposed to actually share you my thoughts, here are a few of my instagram posts for the month.

Let's start with surprise gifts. Seriously guys, generosity is one of my favorite values (along with integrity and respect, top of the head), because giving gives a beautiful feeling! Yes? Yes. And I'm sure that to receive also feels as awezam, because I got reminded of the feeling almost weekly this month with the generous hearts of friends just randomly giving gifts! <3

This camera flash drive is a pasalubong from my officemate who went to HK for vacation. We both have an appreciation for taking ~nice~ photos, and when she saw this, she said she thought of me! Aside from this being cute, we can't skip the fact that it's practical and utilitarian. Finally, I have me a flash drive now! Am so up-to-date with technology amarite amarite. Getting a flash drive just now. Hah.

This fisheye camera is from another officemate, who decided to give me this one after finding out that i like cameras (thanks to my post of that flash drive camera!). The ripple effect demonstrated here. HAHA. Officemate says that it's just pretty much gathering dust at home, so I may have better use for it. Well you bet! Excited to take photos with this. But first, to get films. It's so old school I love it!

Well what do we have here. A surprise package! I got this a few days after Valentine's, delivered at my office. I had NO idea who this was from, because at the "Sender" space of Xend's waybill said Carbon Digital Inc. And i have no relationship with them, and I honestly haven't heard of the company prior to this (I am not familiar with the marketing industry, forgive me!). Turns out my orgmate in college gave my name to his PR friend who was asking for names of pretty single ladies! (OF COURSE i inserted the adjective pretty, because, I can. Hahaha.) It's a box of goodies from Avon! To be fair, the items sent were all useful and pretty! Gave some to my mother to share the love!

Speaking of Valentine's, our company has been thoughtful recently, having tokens for a couple of occasions. First was something similar to the one pictured above, for the Chinese New Year. And now for Valentine's another set of notes were handed out (with lollipops!), and the message I got was darn cheesy it needed to be shared! Haha! My photocaption actually called this one as a "laslas emo quote." Haha love vibes everywhere! <3

This one's not an instagram post, but this is us celebrating Valentine's! Just like last year, the day was again spent with officemates. Dinner and coffee and stories to pass the night!

And of course you know about my trip to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant!

And to Zambales! Will write about this next time. But that weekend was soooo relaxing it was a great way to kickoff the summer. Can't wait for more beaches in the coming months! I hope soooo!

And here's me with my closest high school friend, with our default wacky faces that I didn't realize til I was looking for photos to collage! Haha! Yna decided to work at Singapore now, so the barkada got together for some dinner tambay last week. Yna's my Caramoan buddy if you remember one of my posts from last year, and she's my very first business partner circa 2000! Our business name then was CYRG (for Cruz Yna Rodriguez Ghoent), but for a time we also used GRYC (just the other way around). Acronyms for kids are everything, you guys should know! Haha. We used to sell rubber erasers as keychains (she's the creative one, I'm the support lol), and even got our hands into copper wire twisting and hand bag stitching. All were a mess but the experience was soooo much fun with her! She's the friend who's always had Halloween parties for her birthday, and experimented with crazy food ingredients whenever possible. Anything goes with this girl!

I'd have to say that my taste for the weird and quirky can all be traced to Yna. Ever since high school, she's had her own way with paintings and sketches, and while i didn't get nor appreciate it before, I eventually saw the beauty of it. I really like the messages that I get when i look at her works and try to interpret them. I appreciate how much her art doesn't try to please anybody nor limit itself to the constraints of the usual. "She's one-of-a-kind" is such an understatement! A true artist. And because I'm in the mood, I'll insert some of her works below!

All weird and twisted and original riiiiightttt! That's her sketchbook art that I took a few photos of during one of our tambays last year. I love all of them! If i could just snap and post everything here! She actually has a shop that you may want to visit. Right here! All the love and best of luck for my very talented friend! I'll miss you Yna!! We shall visit you in SG. :)

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Feb was pretty awesome, for some more other reasons that need not be posted. Hope you all had a great Feb as well! Let's go, March! :)