20. Taxes

I am not trying to be a good citizen...the fact is, I am noteven a citizen of the country where I am in! But yes, I have to pay my taxes because apparently I am earning in this country where my right goes up a notch lower than voting. But then, should I give my hard-earned money to the government instead of the ever-enchanting shops at the mall??? But then again, I use their roads (though not very good), I consume electricity (no powercut please!), I bathe with their water (yes, we do have RWH)...etc, etc! And besides, my husband happen to be a noteworthy citizen who wouldn't want to cheat the government...(the government cheating us is another story though|) so I better start counting and pay my taxes!

18. Buying Gifts

I love buying gifts...needless to say, I love giving gifts! Well, I guess I take that adage much so seriously, 'It is better to give than to receive!'.  I love the feeling of someone excited when receiving a gift that I so carefully chosen and took time out to gracefully wrapped and decorated. I never fail to write a neatly handwritten card too...I guess, I want it to be really personal. Gifting to me is a way of life. I don't mind not receiving gifts...but, its always welcome...LOL...seriously though, nothing can stop me from giving for the joy of giving is simply spectacular...and nothing compares to it! So, for as long as I can...my family and friends can expect some really cool gifts from me.

18. Dentist (a good one!)

I don't have good teeth...believe me! If I have, I would not have suffered with dentures as early as my first year in high school. Well, I guess its all those sticky tootsie roll (ok, don't roll your eyes now, its the equivalent of sneakers back then!) and 'bukayo' (don't ask me what this is, do your research!) from Talisay! Anyway, thank God for dentists...the good ones! Fifteen years ago, I had my implant and never had any problem since then.Whoaaaa, the wonder of science! Today, its my daughter's turn and I vow to give her good set of teeth so no matter what...she is going to get it, yes...from one of the best in town!

17. Scrabble

After a hectic day at work, I would always go for a game of scrabble. My friends would often ask me why I'd slave myself to another bout of mental activity after a nine-hour battle with my brain. Well, I really don't know the answer but I just feel silly planting in some virtual farm and cooking something that I cannot lay my hands-on. I play scrabble because I learn a lot from it...maybe some new words that I have not encountered before or some that I may have been using wrongly. Whatever it is, its not something worthless! Friends of mine who knew me well would tell you that I hate doing worthless things. Scrabble is something that for me is worth doing...every winning game adds a new dimension to myself, and a feather on my thinking cap! How about a game!

16. Power Cut

People would often curse the Electricity department for power cuts, but not us! Not that we are not affected...but we always try to look at it with a positive view. Power cut means - we get to have a candle-lit dinner (when I get to light my scented candles from auroville..). Power cut means we get to play boardgames that's been accumulating dust in the cupboard. Power cut means we get to spend time stargazing at the rooftop. It is enough that we have a few lights on and a couple of fans running (thanks to our power-inverter)...others are suffering in the dark...but who's complaining! Power cuts do have a few good things to offer...just not so often please! Let's hope the new government will adhere to out wishes...especially during the peak summer of June-July!

15. Nova

What a way to spend a relaxing Saturday...enjoying a Nova! Oopppsss, for some who are not aware of what this is...it is a sumptuous corn chips like no other corn chips. Back in my home country, this would have been just like any ordinary treat. But in a country like India, getting a Nova is at times comparable to winning a lottery. Heaven in a pack! (yep, in a really expensive pack...) But yo, it kind'a transport one back home and there is no price for that...is there? So, come one...allow me to indulge once in a while. Finding a Nova makes life exciting, eating one makes it satisying! 

14. Lunchee

It has been a sort of tradition among my girlfriends to have 'lunchee' once a week...but due to our busy schedule...ok...ok...my busy schedule, it has been rather intermittent lately. I really miss those days when we get-together every Wednesday and eat our hearts out while the never-ending kwentuhan flows. Today, after quite a long time, we had an excellent lunchee at Tita Rhons place. Its not really the food that we look forward to, though today's sinigang was amazing, but more the joy of the company of each other. Life is a lot more interesting when shared with people whom you can laugh with, cry together, share problems and just be yourself. I am looking forward to our next lunchee! 

13. Choices

Faced with a difficult situation? There are always choices. Last night was awful, I couldn't sleep because of a decision that I thought I should have made...but then, this morning I was faced with several choices. It was a wake-up call...I thought we can decide for myself when God suddenly presents me with a different view and a wider one at that. I am still at the crossroad, yes...but things are getting better in my mind. One thing I must remember always is that we must not make a hasty decision at once, especially when we are upset...coz we may end up regretting that decision...I am glad I did not...whooopsss...almost! 

12. Annoying people

They are the spice of life! There may be times when you would want to strangle them or just throw them out of the window...but hold on, that would just make the matters worst. These people are those those empty can that makes a lot of noise. Be calm...remember that only the stupid frequently boasts, the really smart ones hardly does...they always believe that the brighter you are, the more you'll have to learn...not to be annoying like them!

11. Bhel Puri

Today, as always, I crave for my comfort food...bhel puri. At the office, we tried ordering for it from Adyar Ananda Bhavan only to be told that the minimum order is Rs 10,000...what??? Going out to a chaat station is out of the question...it was already 4:30 pm...we have work to do! But luckily...as always, again...my hubby offered to drive me to Shree Krishna where we bought parcels of not only bhel puri but dahi puri and channa samosa as well. The bhel puri is delicious, but more is the thought that my partner will always go out of his way to give me what I crave for...it has always been like that...in the last 14 years!

10. Girlfriends

If there is one thing that I always advocate for women is that they should always have girlfriends! A set of female friends who is on the same wavelength as you and whom you can trust your deepest secrets. People who will not tolerate you when you're wrong and who will cheers for you when you've done something commendable. True friends! When we came back here in Chennai, I found a group whom I now consider my closest friends...we treat each other not only as friends but more like sisters. We may not see each other often, but we know that each one is just a phone call away.

9. Pinoy Food

Once in a while, we get to treat ourselves with the Pinoy food that we terribly miss from home. A Filipino get-together is not complete without food and so today, we had a wide range of selection when we celebrated Ate Cita’s birthday at Tita Jo’s home. From menudo, adobo, ginataang isda and kaldereta to lumpiang shanghai, pinakbet, spaghetti, pritong manok…then on to ginataang bilobilo, turon, macaroni salad and ice cream…the list seem endless! The food may be the center of every Filipinos gathering but we never fail to appreciate seeing each other and talking our language. Pero siyempre masarap talaga ang Pinoy…lalo na kung may balot! Salamat Tita Jo!

8. Castle

One of our favorite bonding time at home is watching Castle. It's just amazing how my "forensic detective daughter" and my james bond husband always comes out with the right conclusion to the story. Am I so naive or just less informed on the 'intricacies' of life that I seldom get the logic of who killed whom??? Well, that is why I always prefer to leave them when they are on their action movie date. But anyhow, thank God for Rick Castle and Detective Beckett...life is a lot more interesting! The show merits another season! 

7. My Baby...my life!

Today, just like many times before...I realize how far I am willing to go ... for my daughter. She is her own person, I know. But she is from me...she is me! If anyone tries to hurt her, I am there. If anyone tries to put her down, I am there. Always willing to lend a helping hand, a listening ear and an understanding heart! I offer my life to her...no matter what...She is what makes life beautiful...

6. Chennai's Beach

Today from 5:45 to 6:00 pm, we were at Elliots Beach. Sitting on the beach at dusk is such a wonderful feeling! It gives me the time to reflect on the day that is almost over and the beauty of looking forward to another one. We are blessed to live near the sea and I love the fact that at 4pm, the sea breeze, like clockwork, is clearly felt as we stand on our balcony. 

5. My husband...GV!

Angelina Jolie once said…Sometimes I think my husband is so amazing that I don't know why he's with me. I don't know whether I'm good enough. But if I make him happy, then I'm everything I want to be.

Today is not husband’s appreciation day, like those promoted by Hallmark. But today, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world because of what I am seeing happening with other couples. We may have our differences and occasional arguments…but I would not trade my husband for anyone, or anything, in the world!  

4. Life Outside my Office Window

Looking out my office window has been my favorite pastime when I am running out of ideas to write and energy to think. The branches of the tree outside reminds me of the various direction our life takes us...it makes me reflect on how this tree spreads its wings and go as far as its branches could take it. There is no limit...it does not stop...until man-made structures hinder its growth. I should not allow my growth to be blocked by any of those human interventions. Like the tree, I should twist and turn (but not break) my branches to be free from these obstruction. I must keep growing! That is the beauty of life...we are always provided with means to do what we want to do...and the wisdom to carry out that goal!

3. A cup of hot water

It's been three days and I am still suffering from an unexplained stomach pain. My weekend was spent on the bed or trying to forget about the pain...both did not work! I went to work today, yes! Nagpapakabayani na naman ako...oo! But what could this be? I am getting worried...but still I wouldn't agree to seeing a doctor. As usual, I try to self-medicate but I am exhausting my options when a friend suggested merely drinking lukewarm water...which I hate! But then, as I have said, my options are running out. 

My husband lovingly brought me the dreaded water and I had to sip it slowly...and voila! It worked like magic! Thanks Tita Alma...sus, yun lang pala ang gamot...Life is so simple...that's what makes our life...more and more bautiful!

2. BBC...Burnt Banana Cake!

Sunday was baking fun for me and my daughter and today, we decided to make banana cake...yup, we have lots of 'almost' rotting bananas at home...the best ingredient for a good banana cake. 
We prepared all the ingredients when we realized that we are out of butter...thank God for the ghee that has been sitting at our pantry for sometime...(we later realized that it was not a good idea afterall!). After setting the pans inside the oven, we sat for our usual chat. I guess we had been so engrossed with our kwentuhan while waiting for the oven to ring that our banana cake turned out to be a 'little' blackish! Malesh...we had fun, that is what is important! The banana cake was not bad, in fact its crunchy on the outside...yummy too!

KAY GANDA NG BUHAY...LIFE IS GOOD!

Kay ganda ng buhay, huwag kang magmukmok! Life is beautiful, do not sulk...


No matter what life throws at you, there is and there will always be something good happening in your life. Life is good. The fact that I am here writing this blog and you are there reading it...we are alive! That is already something isn't it? Inspired by the AWESOME blog of Neil Pasricha, I vow to look at life with a brand new perspective. Glass-half-full.


1. This morning, I saw this beautiful picture of Salzburg...my favorite place on earth...where I saw the beauty of the Bavarian Alps from the window of my room at Schloss Leopoldskron some years ago. Having given the chance to experience this place gave me the beautiful memories that I can go back to...any day, like today!

Join me in looking for the beauty of life and living. A thousand days from now...life would be a lot better...in your eyes and mine.

KAY GANDA NG BUHAY...LIFE IS GOOD!