April 1 – Maundy Thursday

“19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (LUKE 22: 19-20)

This is a start when people meditate and reflects on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also my first time to celebrate away from the Philippines. Usually, I am in the retreat and make my self busy on the program. But for the last 2 years, I decided to celebrate it differently. I didn’t go anywhere nor I didn’t have any plane to do something special. It’s my decision. To take time. There’s so many things going on in my head and I cant decide yet what will I do. But this is not my day and let that offer into His hands. It is His day. The day of celebration on how he conquered death and rose again.

Allergy Attack!

I don’t want to be sensitive about what I am eating and what should I’m eating. However, I have a serious problem about my skin. I have an skin allergy, it’s eczema. I have food allergies particularly in chicken, eggs and some seafoods. And now that I experienced winter, my condition gets worse. Dry skin + allergy + poor eating habit = BIG PROBLEM! But I have to make up my mind. This is serious and I am suffering from different side effects. And the bad news is, my only vice triggers my allergies. Because of this, I need to look after what I am eating right now and I should start right now!

There is no known cure for eczema!

Therefore, treatments aim to control the symptoms by reducing inflammation and relieving itching.

Here are dos and donts. (I hope I can live with it!)

1. Avoid dry skin.
• MOISTURIZE! Do it twice a day.
• Use mild soap.
• Watch the temperature of the water. Bathe less frequently. Try going a day or two without a shower or bath. When you do bathe, limit yourself to 15 to 20 minutes, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
• Skip bubble bath. Find a soothing oatmeal or milk powder that will enhance your bath experience, and leave the oils where they belong.
• Skip the Shaving Mistakes or use a moisturizing shaving gel or cream

2. Environmental Issues
• Avoid house dust mites.
• Avoid wool clothes. Use only cotton clothes.

3. Right Food Diet
• Avoid
a. coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated)
b. dairy products (milk, butter and cheese)
c. soybean products (soy sauce, miso, tofu)
d. eggs
e. nuts
f. wheat (steamed breads, biscuits, cookies, cakes, breakfast cereal, pasta, noodles, couscous and for fermentation to make beer, other alcoholic beverages)
g. corns


4. Water! Water! Water!
5. Food for the Skin
• low-fat yogurt
• Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums.
• Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil, and Flax Seed
• Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts.
• Green Tea


On the bright side, there’s one thing that I like in this remedy or medication. Salt water bath may help and Dead sea is popular for alleviating skin problems including eczema. It means I should go to Jerusalem!

BIENVENUE FRANCE!

I had a 1-week vacation to France. We took our flight to Geneva, Switzerland and drove to Le Praz de Lyz, France. Though i didn’t see much Geneva but when I saw the view going to France made me feel that I was in the movie. In the setting of Joan of Arc or Lord of the ring. Also in the first part of Angels and Demons in the research lab. Then, I saw my very first sunset this year while we were driving up to the mountain. It was past 8pm when we got to our house and I don’t have any idea about the place. I just grabbed my bag and join the family in their vacation. And for our dinner, Per, welcomed me with cheese experience. I am not an avid fan of cheese nor i didn't find any sense of excitement about it. Suddenly it change during my stay in France, right in front of Mont Blanc. During the first night of my stay, a good old men Per, prepared the best cheese found only here in Le Praz de Lys -- the Mont d'Or. Vacherin Mont-d'Or is the classic dessert cheese. On its own it can replace all other cheeses. It is bake from the oven about 200 degrees. Then, Pour a decilitre of dry white wine over the surface. We ate the creamy and warm cheese with grain bread. Its like my world turn 180 degrees. And the next morning, I didnt notice that i ate cheese for breakfast. So during my stay there i cant wait to have it again for desert.

Best cheese in Town --- Mont d'Or

The next morning, as the sun shine through my window. I cant believe the view from it. I am actually in Chamonix Mont Blanc. Chamonix is situated on the northwest side of the Alps. At 4810 m, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the European Alps. It is s a popular winter sports resort town in France. I am surrounded by the snow mountain!

Chamonix Mont Blanc

During my stay there, I was able to discover few things. Like the fried rice with seafoods and squeezing little lemon to give a twist. I haven’t seen that before but I actually like it. And Per said it is the favorite food of King of France. He stayed in Vietnam for years and ate rice during his stay there. Then, strawberry-filled cocktail drink -- strawberry saft, baileys or (rum chocolate and milk) egg white, blended it!!! Another, I agree that France means food. I enjoyed the food around the place. We ate in the best beef in town – Chez Jean de la Pipe. Though, I ordered grilled-pork J. But the most interesting part of it is that all in your plate are well-blended to pork. They had big serving plate and I thought I can eat it all. But then, I just found out that I ate all even the side-dish. And they had a cream potato with mushroom and the potato that they serve are only found in the mount of Chamonix, which is far different from ordinary potato. I also learned to drink wine. I don’t actually drink wine or any alcohol but due to circumstances I am forced to drink..:)

Best beef in town --- Chez Jean de la Pipe

And because of that, I had an allergy attack. Allergy of what..I really don’t know. But what I know is I enjoyed this vacation and I enjoyed the winter at last!

Au revoir, Frances!

CHEESE EXPERIENCE

Best cheese in town -- Mont d'Or

I am not an avid fan of cheese nor i didn't find any sense of excitement about it. Suddenly it change during my stay in France, right in front of Mont Blanc. During the first night of my stay, a good old men Per, prepared the best cheese found only here in Le Praz de Lys -- the Mont d'Or. Vacherin Mont-d'Or is the classic dessert cheese. On its own it can replace all other cheeses. It is bake from the oven about 200 degrees. Then, Pour a decilitre of dry white wine over the surface. We ate the creamy and warm cheese with grain bread. Its like my world turn 180 degrees. And the next morning, I didnt notice that i ate cheese for breakfast. So during my stay there i cant wait to have it again for desert.

Here's te additional infor about Mont d'Or

Keep on moving!

Sometimes, we come across a situation thinking that it would hurt or shattered our life. But if you know by heart and have faith that you conquered everything and moved on and you keep going on in your life. This situation will only prove that you are on the right track. Another season is coming, it only means that something has to end and something must begin. Transition is not easy. It feel uneasy, uncomfortable and sometimes tears flow unexpectedly. But after that, the fragrance of a rose will bloom and will fill your ambiance with sweetness and gladness.
And we should keep moving.

As the snow melts and become waters. Keep moving.
As the waters become part of the soil and dry. Keep moving.
As the soil cultivate a rose and bloom its beauty. Keep moving.
As the rose withered, lost its magnificence and return to the soil. Keep moving.
As the soil covers the icy snow again and bring coldness. Keep moving.
And as these goes round and round. Keep moving.

Let the snowflakes touches your bare hand.
Let the your eyes see the blooming field.
Let the sun burn your skin.
Let the wind blow your hair.
And keep moving!

>>>28 February 2010
10:04pm

Ang pagbabalik..

Ang tagal ko ng hindi nakapg-blog. Hindi dahil sa walang time at busy ako. Hindi ko lang tlga alam kung pano kun isusulat lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Nawala un spark at excitement para magsulat. Pero heto na..bumalik na ulit. Ang pagbabalik...San ko ba uumpisahan..

May isang araw na ”Im pissed off”..yeah..naiinis ako sobra. Parang nagamit ako. Nagamit ang pgkababae ko..ang pinakamahinang part eng buhay ko. Parang hawak nya ang kryptonite at wala nkong magawa kundi sumunod lng. Pero dahil matigas ang ulo ko. Hindi ako sumunod at pinagsabi ko pa. Hanep din ako noh..yun lng pala kapatapat ng kryptonite..tsismis! Well, ginawa ko lang un para maibsan ung inis ko. Ayokong magtani ng galit o lung ano pa man. Kaya heto..ok nko..khit isang sakong kryptonite pa ang hawak nya.. Sorry..wa-epek na..

May isang araw din na ”nangarap nanaman ako ng gising”. May mga sekreto tau sa buhay na kun pede nga lang ay ibaon na lng sa limot un at matuto na lang. May mali! Oo may mali! At ako un. Sympre matigas nanaman ang ulo ko. Kaya ngyon kahit mahirap at masakit. Tigil na..Ayawan na. Nasaktan nanaman ulit e.

I received a txt message from Mama bigla na lang akong napaiyak. Namiss ko cya. Kahit ganun un. Hindi ko masabing nammiss ko na cla ayokong magalala cla. Sabi ko hindi ako iiyak, hndi ako malulungkot para sa knila..tuloy ang buhay!