Crazy Good Movie

I saw the poster on our way out after watching Mission Impossible last month and told Rich: "Okay, that's a DVD material." Meaning, we just watch the movie when it comes out in bluray around 3 months after its movie theatre release.

Then I learned that Kris Aquino is in the cast.

As a Filipino living in Melbourne, I relish my Pinoy moments. I smile whenever I hear local dialects spoken on my trams, trains and even on the street. I never interrupt but I just listen and feel homesick. Sometimes "Are you Filipino" is a question I ask people who resemble my kababayans. Even camouflaged with thick make up and coloured lenses, as soon as they speak - I'd know. Nine out of Ten - a joyful YES to my q is the answer. One and only one in my 18 years in Melbourne, someone said, avoiding eye contact: "My mom is." So is your dad, mate. So is your dad.

I am Pinoy. I am a proud Pinoy-Aussie. And being proud means supporting Pinoy artists in a Hollywood movie even when it is just a cameo.

I admit I want to watch it in cinemas because Kris is there. The hype was strong on this one. So! On the 3rd day of its release in Australia, Rich and I watched it at Highpoint Hoyts. We love watching movies together. I go w him to his dude flicks so he comes to my rom-coms. :-)

It was a cold, wintry Saturday. The weather ignored the memo that it should be Spring the next day. We rugged up and went to watch early to avoid traffic and the throngs of crazy Asian movie-goers like me. :-)

The start of the movie gave me goose bumps. The entire movie captures the universal longing of being accepted. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments, tender and sweet scenes, roller coaster of emotions - even angst. It is a very relatable movie. I love it. I love it, I even cried at some scenes.

Kevin Kwan did a great job. I am in awe of how he pieced it all together in that book. The chaotic drama and the hard names flowed seamlessly. :-) (*applause*) Palakpakan.

Kris only had a couple of minutes exposure. I would have loved to see more of her. Long ago, she helped campaign for my father. That was a lifetime ago but that's my only recollection of us meeting in person. She is not a favourite actress but in the movie, I could not get enough of her and wanted to say: "Come back, Kris!" As would any Pinoys all over the world. I hope that they will cast her again on the next ones since this movie is a part of a trilogy. Princess Intan could offer loan to Nick if that helps w the plot! Paging Jon Chu!

Please watch Crazy Rich Asians. It is very good. I heard the first week was when we Asians went on full force, but the 2nd week and the 3rd - all other nationalities followed and enjoyed the movie. It is still going strong and knocked down big Hollywood productions.

“These character interactions depict a common experience for young Asian women entering a new family, that “every female in your family feels like they own you”. This hold that parents have on their children is a specifically Asian thing. It presents itself in really aggressive ways sometimes, but it comes from a place of deep devotion.” - Adele Lim CRA scriptwriter

To some who said it is Over The Top. I think this is a muted version of crazy rich Asians. I am a living witness that they are more extravagant, much more arrogant, more problematic and more hilarious than the movie.

About time we are represented without bones breaking, flying kicks and subtitles - although this one does kick ass. We deserve the exposure.

Everyone from the top - producers, cast, crew, down to the lowly water boy if ever there was one. To everybody involved with the production of CRA, please take a bow.

Happy birthday, Ding!

I love my sister very much. Today, her birthday I am reposting what I wrote 10 years ago. The feeling is still the same, just maybe 10x more. I hope you have the happiest birthday ever, Ding! We love you to the moon & back.

❤️

Our parents named her Angeline. Little angel. Those close to her calls her Buding which means Little Buddha. :-)

There is 8 years between us so we never really grew up together. She would even casually mention many times, "I do not remember you, Neng". Not to sound mean or anything but we never get to do things together when she was little. Not until we were grown ups and I moved away from home to build my own.

She would come here in Melbourne for a visit. She'd accompany me early for work and earlier for shopping sprees. We take trains, trams and buses and talk non-stop in Surigaonon. What fun! Revenge with some loud senior Europeans and God forgive them: noisy Asians screaming their way to get the full attention of someone sitting next to them. And that someone would scream back. Mga bungoy man siguro ini sila. Probably hearing impaired? But all of them in different trams? I don't  know, but one thing for sure, it was absolutely annoying. 

With Buding I do not have to sit, grin and bear the annoying people, I can be one. Kon todo katawa gajud and if we see mga upaw, kuyang rakan na mu-salute.

Buding is like Papa, disciplined, hard working, organized, loving, affectionate, wise with finances, well-dressed, great singer - all that, with a temper. They are also very kind, generous, funny and source of strength sa amo pamilya. One friend Toni,an American who lives and operates a Pub here in Australia said "OMG, Angie is sooo together, how can you look and smell this good in the morning!". 

Buding is the self-appointed eldest now. Reversal of roles. Nabali an kalibutan as she is the youngest. She took over the affairs of the household, the school, the gym, family’s health, etc. She is able. Very able, in fact she'd forget herself to aid others. Much like Mama, too!

Sija an ako pinaka-love na sister. Not just because she is my one and only sister. If I had other sisters I'd still love her more. In times when I falter, she not only help me up but tells me off as well. "Neng, ako role sa kalibutan an madepressed. Dili imo." Just like Judge Judy, she tells me to get over it. She would send me messages of comfort and inspiration when I least expect it. Many times I beam and tell Rich- ako ini bubby sissy. Baby sister. She is also a fan "Neng, I like reading your words kay it is like reading a book, tuwaw dajun ko." 

I love a few people but I like fewer. I love and like Buding.

One day once again, we can lie under the ceiling fan and belt out tunes that would bring any house down, raid the factory outlets for a dozen pairs of shoes, or organize a party in the house where over 15 Aussie youth played Pinoy games and broke my spoons, or we can sit in at the Conservatory for all you can eat steak, go to an outdoor zoo and ask for the rancher to put that snake on your neck…or just sit at church silently together and casually say "Neng, you smell like chorizo"…

Buding is one of a kind. No wonder she is Pare Bob’s favourite..

Come back soon Ding, and maybe stay longer, kay kalisod when I do not have anyone to sit in the hospital with. Simbako laman. Or maybe Rich and I can go for a trip again and stay there to savour once more barbq sa pier, sayongsong sa Ipil, dagat sa Mabua, lechon sa Togbongon, latik sa Lanuza. SM, Ayala, or stay up all night, as in all night because we consumed 2 liters of coca cola each, spread eagled on the banig and asked for heaven’s intervention: Diyos ko, Ginoo ko, pakatuyuga na kami!

And how about when we scared Mama of Papa visiting us that night, prompting her to drag her mattress on to the floor with us? Richard was oblivious of the commotion that happened that early dawn in Lanuza. Tuyog sija in the middle bed. The katawa and hagikhik, then tuwaw-tuwaw. Panga-useless gajud nato! Let’s do it again!  

I do not really have a lot of friends, but  with Buding, it's more than I need. Friendship is a blessing. I am more than blessed to have a sister and a friend in her. Ab yu my Bading. Happy, happy birthday! May our Heavenly Father bless you always, everyday and forever.

Wonder Woman

 

When I was 8 years old, my young mother studied her PhD (Education) in Cebu City. We live in Surigao so it was decided she take my 2 younger siblings and I with her. I was enrolled at University of Southern Philippines. My father would visit us from time to time, especially if he has court hearings in Cebu.

 

On long weekends we take the ferry Friday night and woke up home in Surigao early Saturday. Then we ferry back to Cebu Sunday or Monday night, just in time for school the next day. 

I have lots of good memories of that time. It was a good experience, although I hate it when there are storms. The ship and the waves like to play tag. I still remember that awful feeling of being sea sick even at this moment.

Mama while studying also taught English at the University. Most nights she'd come home late but we had a nanny called Flora and an Aunt who helped look after us. Auntie Iddy was Mama's cousin. She was studying to be a teacher at that time, too. Though petite with a big smile, she was tough on her rules of us taking a bath first thing in the morning. Everyday. We actually do not have a tub so it was really shower with "kabó" - a small bucket easily held by one hand used to scoop water for bathing. :-)

Cebu is always hot & humid. We'd bathe at the back in open air using water from an artesian well. She'd scrub my brother Kingay with soap and a porous stone called "lugod". While my baby sister Ding, was on a walker right next to us. Sometimes she'd wander under the house where there are ducks and their nests. The upstairs family owned them.
 

At night we go back out in the back and scrub our feet clean ready for bed. Never go to bed with dirty feet. 

In that small 1st floor apartment, we had literally nothing. Just a small fridge, tables & chairs. No TV. 

Stark contrast to our house in Surigao, where we had TVs, library of books & music and lots of food.

Life in Cebu was very quiet. I love watching TV so I would walk out to the neighbour's house every dusk to peep on their window to watch soaps. Many times they would pull down the curtains, even shut the window on me. Sometimes I would just go home, but if Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) was on, I find a way. I watched it many times looking through a hole. I would stand peering through that hole for an hour or so until Auntie Iddy calls me for dinner.

One night Mama was walking home from work and saw me peering through a crack of our neighbour's wall. She did not say anything. She did not even scold me standing in the rain. I ran back & followed her home. 

That weekend, a big TV arrived in the house. That retro one with built-in-cabinet-doors kind. It was black & white. It was the best TV of them all. Papa sent it all the way from Surigao.  

After school I'd ran home to watch my favourite shows. Sesame Street, Electric Company, Chinese Shaolin movies and of course Wonder Woman.

I'd leave the door & windows open just in case some children in the neighbourhood do not have TV. 

It was a short stay in Cebu, the following year we went back to Surigao where we had TV in all areas of the house. 

Today, Rich & I have a huge one. In fact it covers a whole wall. It is like a cinema in our house in Melbourne. Sometimes when we watch old movies I never realize how blurry they were. All I remember is how it was always great. :-)

A few days from now, when the frenzy subsides - we are going to watch the latest Wonder Woman movie starring Gal Gadot. I am beyond excited. I heard it is amazing.

 

Of course it is. I know that from the moment I was little, watching through a hole in a wall. 

And I'll celebrate the fact that I was raised and surrounded by wonder women.

Food Safari Part 2

We watched a documentary early this year by the BBC UK. It was very interesting and I found out I belong to Constant Cravers. That - I am always hungry (but I do not eat much and I am very picky no lamb, no sweets), just having lots of food thoughts all the time. I guess that is good, better than other thoughts like negativity towards others, lol.

So that explains why some people just like me, posts more food in their social media accounts, as opposed to others who put same old, same old selfies. I want variety. I was told I should just become a food blogger, but food is not my main thing though. I just post it more because my love ones value their privacy and I have a shy hubby who rather take photos of me than me of him. Though I have a life aside from just eating and sometimes I rather keep those moments to myself, one day I might just do a food blog. :-)

So food it is...

Fried lemongrass pork chop not fatty nor oily but all so delish with rice, lettuce and clear broth. Dumplings Plus

Honey chicken and rice Dumpling Plus

I just love Tabouleh and I know when the fresh delivery is at my local Coles Deli :-)
(I tried to make this at home but for some reason I always end up making my parsley taste a bit like diesel when mixed with the other ingredients hahaha)

Grilled Pork neck, super easy just marinate in soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed garlic, lemon juice, brown sugar. Then grill to perfection! This one is served with saffron rice. When making normal steam rice, just add bit of chili flakes, saffron powder, dried parsley and butter.

My first food court food in Australia was these yummy sweet n sour pork. From time to time I reminisce :-) The deep fried squid was discovered later on. Still in food courts near you :-)

Grilled pork ribs. Filipino style :-)

Sushi Sushi ebi tempura is love. These prawns really died for me, this is real love :-) LOL

Rich and I love to make things much yummier to suit our palate, I love how he mix different nutty cereals to create much higher level of deliciousness. This mix alone comes from 4 different boxes. Plus Soy Milk. Gotta be Soy Milk.

My go to when down and out. Or just plain down. Or senti. Or ...nah...anytime this is my comfort food. I love you Pancit Canton re Mee Goreng re 2 minute noodles.

Rich's homemade sausage rolls is different from the rest because of carefully chosen mince and  sausage meats and spices but also the caramelised onions. A patient cook's version. This is not easy to make but the love can be tasted on first bite. Oh lala.

I've only just discovered Sicilian Olives! OMG so good. I think I am addicted.

trust my Ceasar Salad to be upside down! With croutons, ham, bacon and parmesan - this Cos is the boss.

We eat in front of TV. Please judge me. Our TV is the whole wall so how can we escape that? We live to enjoy and be happy. People may frown at this but hey who cares...

We are each other's fan club. Rich though does not have any social media to show this off lol :-) but I do. When he makes his home made chicken soup, he uses the whole chook and takes the chicken skin off. He then fries them crisp for me. He knows I love crispy chicken skins. He only started doing this after the crows stopped visiting our yard and throwing the skin is wasting. lol :-) Not all the time though, only sometimes. Judge me. :-)
 

Bit of an Angel

 

After a long day's work I stood in the cold for my bus. I just missed one because I was busy talking to parents & kids who were on their way home as well. A lady who waits on the same stop commented on my energy after work, laughing & talking to families as they picked up their children. She heard a few "love you Lena!" of former kinder kids picking up younger siblings. I told her, I am not always energetic but I always try to be cheerful.

As I boarded my bus I was so ready to go home, shower, eat Congee & sleep. I sat next to a pram with a little baby wrapped up so snuggly. I smiled and the baby smiled back making happy, gurgling sound. She must be about 3 months old. I looked away & my mind wandered to our warm home with steaming Congee that Rich just cooked. Baby kept on gurgling & smiling. A bit unusual on a cold evening out. I swear she wanted to talk to me! I looked at her again and said: "what a happy baby!" Mum said she is and slowly took her out to face me. Mum told me they recently just got back from Europe. She smiled faintly and said she has jet lag & migraine. I felt for her, she looked wan & pale. I suggested she press pressure points on her palm to help relieve the pain. She stretched out her right hand towards me with trust that I can help. I pressed it and spoke to the baby :" I am holding your mummy's hand and I am a good person." 😊 The baby giggled. I massaged her hand for a few minutes until it was my stop. The mum said it relieved her nausea and that I am an angel. 👼 I smiled and thanked her. An angel! 😂😊👼

I may have helped her a bit but she made my day. I had extra energy to pick up pork steaks at Coles to grill with Rich's congee. We had dins at 8:00pm and I had another one of my bus chronicles to share with Rich, who said, I really am an angel but also a silly wombat. Hahaha. That'll do. 😘 Salamat Lord for blessings.

Strawberry Fields Forever

A few weeks ago I went to the shops very early for some flat parsley. I was craving tabouleh and I cannot get them unless I go to a café. So off to the shops to make a big batch for myself.

A new green grocers just opened in my local shopping centre (I still call it MALL because for 30 years I call them such.) They have gorgeous fresh produce that a trip for a bunch of parsley became a trolley-laden experience. My sister would say: what else is new?!



Like all babies - these baby grapes are sweet and cute :-).

 

 

I love baby spinach I eat them raw and much them like chips when watching tv :-)




Here we go!

I was not able to resist the lure of the fresh strawberries in punnets! They were on sale and I know that my friends at church would love these in its glorious variants!




Strawberries and strawberries and...

 



strawberries...

  

I bought a trolley full and made some jams, jellies, ice creams and sorbets. I also made some strawberry cupcakes. To say I was very busy was an understatement! But it was all worth it.





Cleaning them was a work out and a half.

 

All hulled and ready for Rich - he just loves them as it is. Not in creams
or cakes or jams...

 

so very pretty and juicy and fresh ...

I first had a strawberry when I was a teenager. It is a case of "I know I love you before I met you". Strawberries are rare in the Philippines and they only grow them up north and very expensive. Only the rich eats them then. A friend of my family came back from a holiday, gifted my mother with a big box of strawberries. I was so excited. I changed into a nice top and asked my mother to take my photo holding that fruit. I do not know now where the photo went but I still remember that day clearly.
I never take strawberries for granted even now when I can be literally be covered by it.

This is the big tub I brought to church to share with our Ward family. They all love this sorbet and I promise them I will make some more...when the weather warms up :-)

 I love gratitude. I am grateful for my friends who show their gratitude on things I share. That is why I love cooking and baking and churning because I know they appreciate it.  Life and everything else is sweeter when shared with a friend. Thank you Lord for blessings.

He lives...

This was my Relief Society Lesson in Easter Sunday of 2011. It must have been the best I gave in all my time as a Teacher. It was also the last lesson I gave as the Ward Relief Society President. I was released soon after from the calling of 3 years.

I commend the one who took this screenshot photos 4 years ago, unfortunately I cannot trace it by now even though I tried looking for it on the net. Thank you for sharing.

I also would like to encourage everyone to continue to study about our Saviour and His sacrifice for us. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. I know that He lives and loves us. He knows us, our individual names and what we are going through. Because of His atonement, we are not alone.

The lesson was concluded with a video clip from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's conference message. There was not a dry eye in the class. It still touch me to this day.

This Easter Season, please fill your heart with the message of Atonement. And bask some more on the love and sacrifice that saves us all.

I truly, truly stand all amazed.

 

 AN EASTER SUNDAY LESSON

Biblical references along with screen shots depicted throughout this beautiful declaration, helps us to understand its relevance. The scriptures is our guide to know more of His life. Let us remember once again the sacrifice of our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the true meaning of Easter, that He died for all our sins so we can go back to Heavenly Father again one day.

 

HE WAS BETRAYED

Mathew 26

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

 

 

DENIED

 

 

Luke 22

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

 

ACCUSED

Mark 15
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

 

BOUND AND REJECTED

Mark 15
1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Luke 9

22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

John 19
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

MOCKED.  REVILED.  SPIT ON.

Matthew 27
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a breed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Matthew 27
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Mark 15

19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

 

CRUCIFIED

John 19
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.

 

FORSAKEN

Matthew 27

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

 

HE DID HIS FATHER'S WILL

Mark 14
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

 

HE ATONED

Luke 22
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: band his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

 

HE HEALED

Luke 22
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

 

HELD HIS PEACE

Mark 14
61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

 

FORGAVE

Luke 23
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

 

HE GAVE HIS LIFE

John 19
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

 

HE IS RISEN

Mathew 28
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 

****

 

*****************


My favourite thought of this season is this. That no matter how deeply we thought we might be in sin, we can always be forgiven if we repent and forsake the sins. We can be renewed - once scarlet can be pure as the driven snow. That is the beauty of the Atonement - that we can be cleansed.

 

Nando's Calling...

 

Have you tried the Tear & Share offer of Nando's? If not, what are you waiting for?

On Saturday, Rich and I had to run some errands and it got frantic so we rewarded ourselves with a visit to Nando's. We were supposed to go to Brunswick for a special lunch but we just decided to have some Nando's near our home and rest the rest of the afternoon.

What a great decision!

Flame-grilled Chicken, pita breads, African grain salad, cucumber, red capsicum, hummus dip with PERi-PERi drizzle. Oh la la

 

 

 

It can easily serve 2 adults and 2 children but I am equivalent to an adult + 2 children :-) This spread is so worth it and it still deliver that punch that is so Nando's.

I just love this grain salad, it is like tabouleh but has also has grains similar to mung beans. The slices of sweet and crunchy cucumber is a welcome touch. Love the red capsicum too.

This teeny tiny bottle is full of that kick that only a Peri-Peri sauce can give. Rich drizzled it in his hummus and he said that is was good

Trying to make some bokeh shots of my fave chicken hahahah

That is my hands ready to attack :-)

Oh Nando's you are our BFF xo