The City Of Joplin, Missouri

Joplin is situated close to the city of Springfield. It is a small town yet it boasts of a University and a slew of malls. We are roughly two hours away from it.
The effects of the tornado was just overwhelming. The pictures and videos just do not show the pain and the angst. Maraming mga Pinoy dito. Many of them are healthcare providers just like me.
I called May last Sunday to find out their condition. They live in the Northside - the spared one. Unfortunately, marami silang mga Pinoy sa Southside. That is where the damage was extensive. May and Caloy's home served as a temporary shelter that night for those that needed one.
Isang kapwa Pinay ang naging statistic ng tornado. She was trying to save both herself and her baby. Her baby survived.
We request for prayers. Kailangan din namin ito pero mas kailangan ng mga taga- Joplin. Dios itti Agngina kanya da amin.

Viernes Diez Y Tres

To be pissed or not to be ...that is the question. Kapag inaalat - napaka-alat talaga!!!! Our airconditioner here at the house just went kaput last Tuesday in the middle of a 90 degree forecast. Then the freezer just died - as in walang lamig. Today is Friday the 13th - Viernes Diez Y Tres. Kailangang magpatawas - kailangang doble ligo. Tanggalin ang malas.
To the kapwa Manang Bidays (Ilocanas) karrajo nga talaga. These appliances are fixtures in our house ( I'm sure yours too). We are so dependent with these non breathing thingies. We take these for granted. Pero kung masira, parang ang bigat ng araw mo (at ng bulsa for that matter).
How did we ever exist then? I kept saying life was simpler then. Pero these machines are supposed to simplify our lives now. Siguro mas magaan ang pagbibiyahe natin sa roads less traveled kung ang bahay ay hindi mainit-courtesy of the airconditioner and we get to horde all of the "sale" na food items at itambak sa freezer.
Pero how was it then without the airconditioner? without the computer? without the microwave? and without the iphone? Was life simpler then? Or have these machines taken over?
But I tell you - I was really pissed.

May is for Mothers

The month of May is ours. All Mothers can stake their claim on this Month. We shall not be forgotten. Sa lahat ng mga nanay - Mabuhay Tayo.

Of Smoked Salmon bellies and Seattle

Jim and I did an early morning drive to Tacoma for smoked salmon bellies. The air had a little chill. The traffic was nowhere in sight. However here is a sight to behold. These pictures were taken just at the dock beside the Salmon store.
We keep coming back to Seattle not just because of the salmon bellies but because of views like these. AJ and James both agree.

Easter and the Promise of Summer

The days of meat diet have come and gone and here we are at the threshold of summer. Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay - though a little bit late. My younger son will not be complaining of dying everyday anymore now that meat is included back in his diet. Such a big sacrifice for him to give up meat on Fridays - let alone on those days of Maunday Thursday to Black Saturday.
The favorite staples of daing na bangus, sardines and salted eggs with diced tomatoes and onions became a fixture in our meal table. When easter came, nabuhay din ang mga cravings sa karne. The Pinoy crowd here in our small town devoured meat ulams like there was no other.
The windows can now be open to aerate the house - new air new life. The rainy days have also started. Kaibahan lang sa Manila, may pasok pa rin kami kahit medyo binabagyo.
I like spring. It holds the promise of summer. The days get longer. One gets to be lazy without any excuse.