Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 18
May 25, 2020
Love-hate relationship with bubble milk tea
Who doesn't love bubble milk tea?
I did. I was in love with it. I always wanted it. I craved for it ever since I got to taste the sweet drink and the chewy bubble pearl. I was delusional.
I thought just because it has the word tea, it was also healthy. But I was wrong.
Milk tea house has been a booming business all over the Philippines since 2017 or 18, and said to be originated from Taiwan, same origin of Meteor Garden and the F4 fever.
I was a fanatic of bubble milk tea, but not until last 2019 in the beginning of the year. A doctor I met once advised me to stop drinking tea or milk tea, coffee and soda, as well as eating chocolate due to the medication she gave me. I was banned from consuming chocolate and I hiatus from consuming my all time favorite drink, bubble milk tea, for about a year and had few secret rendezvous with my lover bubble milk tea and chocolate at the beginning of my withdrawal.
There are a lot of unhealthy drinks in the market like soda, artificial fruit juice, and unauthentic chocolate drink, and milk tea just added to the list. These kind of drinks are harmful to health if not consume moderately. These drinks contains mostly a lot of sugar, and when I say a lot, it is more than what our body need. People may not easily and totally get away from these drinks, since they are what the markets offer to its customer, and to be honest they are a lot much cheaper than those organic products we get to see online. Good thing I am not a fan of soda or any artificial fruit juice drink, but I was crazy for chocolate drinks and bubble milk tea.
This year 2020, I decided to look for an alternative and healthier choice of milk tea drink, and since I no longer taking that medicine after a month of doing so, now I can freely go back in drinking my all time favorite, milk tea and tea alone. I list down two of my go to healthy drinks and where to buy them:
1. Gold leaf tea bags
Gold Leaf Teas is the largest local hot tea brand in the Philippines, bringing world-class premium teas to the home of every Filipino at unbeatable prices!
I get to purchase quality tea bag for an affordable price from them. They offer a wide variety of tea. I prefer getting my supplies of tea from Gold Leaf Shopee store since they always have discounts.
Drinking tea is good for my tummy. If I feel bloated, I just have to drink tea and I get to release the air trapped in my stomach. It has calming effect and also known as an antioxidant to help you remove the toxins brought by harmful elements in our bodies. If you want to try drinking tea, you may click the link to visit Gold Leaf online store: https://shopee.ph/gold_leaf
2. Celestial Milk Tea
Celestial Millk Tea is your heavenly milk tea. It's healthy and affordable for the price of 195 pesos per liter. They have three different flavors, all sugar free: winter melon, okinawa, and salted caramel. Instead of using the mainstream milk available in the market, CMT uses 100% carabao milk in making their tea drink. Their milk tea has lower cholesterol, higher calcium, and energy booster. A healthier choice for all the milk tea lover out there!
Other benefits of carabao milk is that it contains riboflavin needed for normal growth, the agent against skin swelling, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, and dizziness. It also has vitamin A for good eyesight, and vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth.
Aside from milk tea, pure carabao milk is also available from them and can be purchased for 219 pesos per liter. It is much cheaper than buying from the ones I saw on Shopee.
You may visit their page and message to order your very first heavenly milk tea: https://www.facebook.com/celestialmilktea/
So, have you decided what to put in your glasses next time you crave for a flavored drink? I hope you will make the right choice and you may also suggest what other healthy yet affordable drink I should try next time. May we all choose a healthier way of living this 2020! Keep safe!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and in anyway affiliated to any of the products mentioned above.
I did. I was in love with it. I always wanted it. I craved for it ever since I got to taste the sweet drink and the chewy bubble pearl. I was delusional.
I thought just because it has the word tea, it was also healthy. But I was wrong.
Milk tea house has been a booming business all over the Philippines since 2017 or 18, and said to be originated from Taiwan, same origin of Meteor Garden and the F4 fever.
I was a fanatic of bubble milk tea, but not until last 2019 in the beginning of the year. A doctor I met once advised me to stop drinking tea or milk tea, coffee and soda, as well as eating chocolate due to the medication she gave me. I was banned from consuming chocolate and I hiatus from consuming my all time favorite drink, bubble milk tea, for about a year and had few secret rendezvous with my lover bubble milk tea and chocolate at the beginning of my withdrawal.
There are a lot of unhealthy drinks in the market like soda, artificial fruit juice, and unauthentic chocolate drink, and milk tea just added to the list. These kind of drinks are harmful to health if not consume moderately. These drinks contains mostly a lot of sugar, and when I say a lot, it is more than what our body need. People may not easily and totally get away from these drinks, since they are what the markets offer to its customer, and to be honest they are a lot much cheaper than those organic products we get to see online. Good thing I am not a fan of soda or any artificial fruit juice drink, but I was crazy for chocolate drinks and bubble milk tea.
This year 2020, I decided to look for an alternative and healthier choice of milk tea drink, and since I no longer taking that medicine after a month of doing so, now I can freely go back in drinking my all time favorite, milk tea and tea alone. I list down two of my go to healthy drinks and where to buy them:
1. Gold leaf tea bags
Gold Leaf Teas is the largest local hot tea brand in the Philippines, bringing world-class premium teas to the home of every Filipino at unbeatable prices!
I get to purchase quality tea bag for an affordable price from them. They offer a wide variety of tea. I prefer getting my supplies of tea from Gold Leaf Shopee store since they always have discounts.
Drinking tea is good for my tummy. If I feel bloated, I just have to drink tea and I get to release the air trapped in my stomach. It has calming effect and also known as an antioxidant to help you remove the toxins brought by harmful elements in our bodies. If you want to try drinking tea, you may click the link to visit Gold Leaf online store: https://shopee.ph/gold_leaf
2. Celestial Milk Tea
Celestial Millk Tea is your heavenly milk tea. It's healthy and affordable for the price of 195 pesos per liter. They have three different flavors, all sugar free: winter melon, okinawa, and salted caramel. Instead of using the mainstream milk available in the market, CMT uses 100% carabao milk in making their tea drink. Their milk tea has lower cholesterol, higher calcium, and energy booster. A healthier choice for all the milk tea lover out there!
Other benefits of carabao milk is that it contains riboflavin needed for normal growth, the agent against skin swelling, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, and dizziness. It also has vitamin A for good eyesight, and vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth.
Aside from milk tea, pure carabao milk is also available from them and can be purchased for 219 pesos per liter. It is much cheaper than buying from the ones I saw on Shopee.
You may visit their page and message to order your very first heavenly milk tea: https://www.facebook.com/celestialmilktea/
So, have you decided what to put in your glasses next time you crave for a flavored drink? I hope you will make the right choice and you may also suggest what other healthy yet affordable drink I should try next time. May we all choose a healthier way of living this 2020! Keep safe!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and in anyway affiliated to any of the products mentioned above.
May 24, 2020
Waiting for God's best: Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine
Are you still waiting for God's best?
How long have you been single?
Are you getting tired and impatient sometimes just like me?
Three decades have already passed in my life and I have never been in a romantic relationship. I just turned 30 this year last April. Calling myself as NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) is wearing me out at this point, and I would never ever want to mention that infamous acronym for inexperienced women such as myself. I once heard from a professor in my graduate studies that individuals who have not been in a relationship are abnormal. I do not know how much truth is there, but probably he has a point and the way he said it just sounded harsh.
Some people around me keep on saying that I am too old to be an NBSB, maybe it is because they are concern that I might end up as an old maid--alone in my old age. It hurts me to hear them say that, because truth hurts, and I know that it is possibility. But I try to brush off the pain of reality.
So if you have the same experience like mine, even in just a tiny bit. Maybe you will learn to love this book as much I do.
Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine is a guidebook for dating by Alex Gonzaga. Aside from writing, the author is a multimedia artist: actor, singer, host, and a content creator in her well-loved Youtube channel. It is written in Taglish and in a conversational style which makes the book easy to read as if I am actually talking to the author herself.
In case you are wondering about the contents of the book, here is the gist of what to expect from this guidebook.
I assure you that you'll be satisfied with all the practical and witty tips from Alex Gonzaga's personal experiences on dating. I like the transparency and authenticity of this book and admire the author's courage in sharing something so private and sensitive matter to the readers.
While I am already 30 years old, I must say this guidebook still applies to me because of my lack of experience. Moreover, young people should read this before they even think of or start dating.
Teenagers, you all should read this. I demand you to read Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine. Please. This is for your own good. I promise.
I love the author for sharing advices that are not just practical, but also spiritual. Right now, Jesus is my boyfriend. And I am not closing the door, if God wills it, then The One will certainly come. In God's time. In God's way.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33
How long have you been single?
Are you getting tired and impatient sometimes just like me?
Three decades have already passed in my life and I have never been in a romantic relationship. I just turned 30 this year last April. Calling myself as NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) is wearing me out at this point, and I would never ever want to mention that infamous acronym for inexperienced women such as myself. I once heard from a professor in my graduate studies that individuals who have not been in a relationship are abnormal. I do not know how much truth is there, but probably he has a point and the way he said it just sounded harsh.
Some people around me keep on saying that I am too old to be an NBSB, maybe it is because they are concern that I might end up as an old maid--alone in my old age. It hurts me to hear them say that, because truth hurts, and I know that it is possibility. But I try to brush off the pain of reality.
So if you have the same experience like mine, even in just a tiny bit. Maybe you will learn to love this book as much I do.
Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine is a guidebook for dating by Alex Gonzaga. Aside from writing, the author is a multimedia artist: actor, singer, host, and a content creator in her well-loved Youtube channel. It is written in Taglish and in a conversational style which makes the book easy to read as if I am actually talking to the author herself.
In case you are wondering about the contents of the book, here is the gist of what to expect from this guidebook.
I assure you that you'll be satisfied with all the practical and witty tips from Alex Gonzaga's personal experiences on dating. I like the transparency and authenticity of this book and admire the author's courage in sharing something so private and sensitive matter to the readers.
While I am already 30 years old, I must say this guidebook still applies to me because of my lack of experience. Moreover, young people should read this before they even think of or start dating.
Teenagers, you all should read this. I demand you to read Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine. Please. This is for your own good. I promise.
I love the author for sharing advices that are not just practical, but also spiritual. Right now, Jesus is my boyfriend. And I am not closing the door, if God wills it, then The One will certainly come. In God's time. In God's way.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33
May 17, 2020
The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho
I believe in angel. Do you?
So following my read-a-thon of Paulo Coelho's The Deluxe Collection, I just finished reading my fourth book from the book set, which is The Valkyries.
I have known the term Valkyries from the Mythology lessons in my high school days. It is part of Norse mythology and I recognize them as similar to gods and goddesses. They are allegedly supernatural beings in Norse myth.
I didn't want to preempt my expectation of this book because of its predecessor. I read The Zahir before The Valkyries, and to tell you the truth I do not like some ideas from the book, but I will never recommend The Zahir not to be read. I enjoyed reading it, I love the whole journey that comes along with the book.
Going back to the book at hand, The Valkyries, is a book of faith. Paulo, the writer himself, is also the main protagonist of the novel along with her wife, Chris. Most of the details are based on the author's personal experience with a little ingredients of fiction to smoothly lay down the idea of the story.
The experience of reading this book confronted me of my very own stake on faith. Have I believed enough? Have I truly surrendered everything to the LORD? Have I sincerely accepted His forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Do angels really exist? Have I talked to my angel or have I even seen one? Provoking thoughts that will make you hold on to this book at the very end.
Paulo and Chris are on a mission to see and be able to talk to their angels. It was originally only Paulo's desire to see and be able to converse to his angel, but his wife, Chris, was drawn gradually to the whole journey and conspiracy of meeting an angel.
Desert has always played a significant role in Coelho's works. Just like in this novel, it is a supernatural place where supernatural things can happen. It is a double-edged sword, it has its danger and beauty. One of the magnificent creation of God where angels would likely appear, where miracles most probably transpire. It is a sacred place of mystery and conspiracy.
The Valkyries in the story are women who travel and dwell on the desert. They are women of liberty. Wild and free are how others perceive them, lesbians even. But they are not. They live a life of purpose. Others might never understand it, but there is a great fulfillment and freedom in living out your purpose without submitting to what the current society calls normal. Others might even say they are insane.
There is a world beyond what we can see right now. The spiritual world is closer than we think. Its parallel existence to our current reality is more than authentic than we could ever imagine. There is physical and spiritual war. What's persistently transpiring now beyond what our eyes can see is the spiritual war. Our soul can see it, yet it is corrupted by the sin of this world. We should receive the gift of free salvation through Jesus Christ, our LORD, accept Him, surrender our life and be renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit, and all these are possible because God loves us. Because of love everything is possible, because of love, you and I will be freed from the corruption of this world and be able to come out as victorious in this so called spiritual war.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.~Psalms 91:11-12
So following my read-a-thon of Paulo Coelho's The Deluxe Collection, I just finished reading my fourth book from the book set, which is The Valkyries.
I have known the term Valkyries from the Mythology lessons in my high school days. It is part of Norse mythology and I recognize them as similar to gods and goddesses. They are allegedly supernatural beings in Norse myth.
I didn't want to preempt my expectation of this book because of its predecessor. I read The Zahir before The Valkyries, and to tell you the truth I do not like some ideas from the book, but I will never recommend The Zahir not to be read. I enjoyed reading it, I love the whole journey that comes along with the book.
Going back to the book at hand, The Valkyries, is a book of faith. Paulo, the writer himself, is also the main protagonist of the novel along with her wife, Chris. Most of the details are based on the author's personal experience with a little ingredients of fiction to smoothly lay down the idea of the story.
The experience of reading this book confronted me of my very own stake on faith. Have I believed enough? Have I truly surrendered everything to the LORD? Have I sincerely accepted His forgiveness through Jesus Christ? Do angels really exist? Have I talked to my angel or have I even seen one? Provoking thoughts that will make you hold on to this book at the very end.
Paulo and Chris are on a mission to see and be able to talk to their angels. It was originally only Paulo's desire to see and be able to converse to his angel, but his wife, Chris, was drawn gradually to the whole journey and conspiracy of meeting an angel.
Desert has always played a significant role in Coelho's works. Just like in this novel, it is a supernatural place where supernatural things can happen. It is a double-edged sword, it has its danger and beauty. One of the magnificent creation of God where angels would likely appear, where miracles most probably transpire. It is a sacred place of mystery and conspiracy.
The Valkyries in the story are women who travel and dwell on the desert. They are women of liberty. Wild and free are how others perceive them, lesbians even. But they are not. They live a life of purpose. Others might never understand it, but there is a great fulfillment and freedom in living out your purpose without submitting to what the current society calls normal. Others might even say they are insane.
There is a world beyond what we can see right now. The spiritual world is closer than we think. Its parallel existence to our current reality is more than authentic than we could ever imagine. There is physical and spiritual war. What's persistently transpiring now beyond what our eyes can see is the spiritual war. Our soul can see it, yet it is corrupted by the sin of this world. We should receive the gift of free salvation through Jesus Christ, our LORD, accept Him, surrender our life and be renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit, and all these are possible because God loves us. Because of love everything is possible, because of love, you and I will be freed from the corruption of this world and be able to come out as victorious in this so called spiritual war.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.~Psalms 91:11-12
May 13, 2020
Must Read Poetry Books by Filipino Writers
Roses are red, violets are blue. Look me in the eyes and tell me you love me too.
I am not sure if my introduction make sense but they just ran out of my mind and insisted to be written on this blog.
Contemporary poetry has a huge following in this modern era. Lang Leav, Michael Faudet, Rupi Kaur are few to name as international writers in the book category of prose and poetry. I read works from Lang Leav and Michael Faudet, but never Rupi Kaur, maybe one of these days I'll get to read my e-book copies of her book. Leav and Faudet's works are good.
There are few Filipino writers who also work on contemporary prose and poetry. I got to read some of them.
1. Maybe You'll Love Me When I'm Gone by Neil Jed Castro
This is the first book of Neil Jed Castro. I bought a copy from the Big Bad Wolf Manila 2020 in ABS-CBN Publishing booth for a discounted price. It talks about the what ifs when someone disappears in your life. I have my favorites and you can check them out in my review vlog about Maybe You'll Love Me When I'm Gone by Neil Jed Castro.
2. What If It's Too Late by Neil Jed Castro
My second book from Neil Jed Castro is What If It's Too Late? It is about love and regrets in life. I so love the covers of his books. I also made a review vlog of this book.
3. Shadowed Truths by Charlene Tinaza and Kim Derla
Shadowed Truths is an independently published prose and poetry book by Charlene and Kim. It presents the realities in life and mostly the harsh ones and how to accept and overcome them. Click here for a review vlog of this book.
4. The Last I'll Write About You by Dawn Lanuza
The Last Time I’ll Write About You is popular Filipino YA and romance writer Dawn Lanuza’s debut collection of poetry. Featuring beautiful, relatable poems about first love, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has loved, lost, and emerged anew.
I got an e-book copy from amazon.com. This collection of poems shows us the art of moving on from our first love, especially the unrequited and also the ones that did not last.
6. Before I Lose My Nerve (this is NOT about you) by Layla S. Tanjutco
If you’ve ever had your heart broken you would know that it takes courage to love again. Before I Lose My Nerve is a collection of poems about heartbreak, the journey to finding the courage to love again, and realizing the kind of love that one deserves.
I got this book for free from the author way, way back through amazon.com. Thank you author! This book talks about moving on triumphantly from heartbreaks and people who let you down.
If you like other recommendations, I also wrote some prose and poetry books, they are available in Amazon Kindle except for Unspoken Words ni Olivia.
I am not sure if my introduction make sense but they just ran out of my mind and insisted to be written on this blog.
Contemporary poetry has a huge following in this modern era. Lang Leav, Michael Faudet, Rupi Kaur are few to name as international writers in the book category of prose and poetry. I read works from Lang Leav and Michael Faudet, but never Rupi Kaur, maybe one of these days I'll get to read my e-book copies of her book. Leav and Faudet's works are good.
There are few Filipino writers who also work on contemporary prose and poetry. I got to read some of them.
1. Maybe You'll Love Me When I'm Gone by Neil Jed Castro
This is the first book of Neil Jed Castro. I bought a copy from the Big Bad Wolf Manila 2020 in ABS-CBN Publishing booth for a discounted price. It talks about the what ifs when someone disappears in your life. I have my favorites and you can check them out in my review vlog about Maybe You'll Love Me When I'm Gone by Neil Jed Castro.
2. What If It's Too Late by Neil Jed Castro
My second book from Neil Jed Castro is What If It's Too Late? It is about love and regrets in life. I so love the covers of his books. I also made a review vlog of this book.
3. Shadowed Truths by Charlene Tinaza and Kim Derla
Shadowed Truths is an independently published prose and poetry book by Charlene and Kim. It presents the realities in life and mostly the harsh ones and how to accept and overcome them. Click here for a review vlog of this book.
4. The Last I'll Write About You by Dawn Lanuza
The Last Time I’ll Write About You is popular Filipino YA and romance writer Dawn Lanuza’s debut collection of poetry. Featuring beautiful, relatable poems about first love, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has loved, lost, and emerged anew. I got an e-book copy from amazon.com. This collection of poems shows us the art of moving on from our first love, especially the unrequited and also the ones that did not last.
6. Before I Lose My Nerve (this is NOT about you) by Layla S. Tanjutco
If you’ve ever had your heart broken you would know that it takes courage to love again. Before I Lose My Nerve is a collection of poems about heartbreak, the journey to finding the courage to love again, and realizing the kind of love that one deserves.
I got this book for free from the author way, way back through amazon.com. Thank you author! This book talks about moving on triumphantly from heartbreaks and people who let you down.
If you like other recommendations, I also wrote some prose and poetry books, they are available in Amazon Kindle except for Unspoken Words ni Olivia.
May 11, 2020
Gardening: a treasure to pass on
Let's plant plants!
Since I was a kid, I was exposed to gardening even though we live in an urban place.
I can still remember clearly when I was in elementary, we had a subject EPP or Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan. I think if translated in English the subject is called Home Economics and Livelihood Education. Tell me what you think, did I translate it correctly or not?
Well, this subject was where we had activities of gardening. By group, we were assigned a small lot to take care and nurture. It was a rectangular lot of almost 10 by 2 feet, I think, I do not know how to convert the size in square meter. Anyway, we prepared the soil with the use of trowel and water, and barricading it with the use of straw rope tied on a tulos, a piece of wood, in every corner of the lot. We also made our own trowel by using tin cans and a piece of wood for the handle.
It was our teacher, Mr. Yambao, who guided us throughout the process of gardening. Each group planted peanuts on their garden lot as for the signal of our teacher. Now that I realized it, it was one of my favorite subjects. I always looked forward to this class, we got dirt on our hands and even in our clothes, but it was an experience and essential lesson I would never forget. I always look back to this experience whenever I see gardens or farms, especially ones with edible plants.
Every summer or Christmas vacation, we used to visit my father's province in Nueva Ecija, and this place is known for as the Rice Capital of the Philippines. With my sibling, cousins, titos and titas, I got to see a vast horizon of farm fields with grains and trees like mango and some other I could not name since they were far from me, and as always I am entranced with that kind of scenery.
Fast forward during this Extended Enhanced Community Quarantine, I tried planting. There is no much available lot space in our residency, so the best way is to do urban gardening. My father already have plants placed in recycled plastic container. He has been gardening ever since I can remember. Mostly, we have ornamental plants and some trees like papaya, guyabano, bayabas, and alateris in some small available lot in our residence. I am amazed by my father's talent in gardening, one of his many.
Now, I am returning to gardening. During this pandemic, I realized the importance of reconnecting with nature, to God's creation, through the simple way of gardening at home. I am aware that I got to do this and other stuff because of the community quarantine due to the danger brought by CoVid-19, but I hope and pray it can be part of my new normal after lifting EECQ on May 15.
Seedlings are coming out. Seedlings! Truest in its flesh! I felt giddy and excited when I saw the two okra seedlings this morning. I could not believe they were actually sprouting. (Yay! Yey!) This is my second attempt, and they are growing. My first attempt failed, but my father knows much better when it comes to planting. He gave me some tips on how to plant seeds the right way. I am still waiting and looking forward for the other seeds to come out.
I got seeds for free from the City Agriculture Office - City of Santa Rosa, Laguna through the office of Barangay Caingin City of Santa Rosa Laguna. They still have plenty of vegetable seeds. You can still drop a message on their Facebook to get some seeds for free so you can start your own planting journey.
Every time I water the plants, I try to talk to the plants either silently or verbally. Just this morning, I read some Bible verses to the seedlings, since watching #CLOY I was reminded that I must talk to the plants and say good things. Aren't Bible verses good words to say?
Since I was a kid, I was exposed to gardening even though we live in an urban place.
I can still remember clearly when I was in elementary, we had a subject EPP or Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan. I think if translated in English the subject is called Home Economics and Livelihood Education. Tell me what you think, did I translate it correctly or not?
Well, this subject was where we had activities of gardening. By group, we were assigned a small lot to take care and nurture. It was a rectangular lot of almost 10 by 2 feet, I think, I do not know how to convert the size in square meter. Anyway, we prepared the soil with the use of trowel and water, and barricading it with the use of straw rope tied on a tulos, a piece of wood, in every corner of the lot. We also made our own trowel by using tin cans and a piece of wood for the handle.
It was our teacher, Mr. Yambao, who guided us throughout the process of gardening. Each group planted peanuts on their garden lot as for the signal of our teacher. Now that I realized it, it was one of my favorite subjects. I always looked forward to this class, we got dirt on our hands and even in our clothes, but it was an experience and essential lesson I would never forget. I always look back to this experience whenever I see gardens or farms, especially ones with edible plants.
Every summer or Christmas vacation, we used to visit my father's province in Nueva Ecija, and this place is known for as the Rice Capital of the Philippines. With my sibling, cousins, titos and titas, I got to see a vast horizon of farm fields with grains and trees like mango and some other I could not name since they were far from me, and as always I am entranced with that kind of scenery.
Fast forward during this Extended Enhanced Community Quarantine, I tried planting. There is no much available lot space in our residency, so the best way is to do urban gardening. My father already have plants placed in recycled plastic container. He has been gardening ever since I can remember. Mostly, we have ornamental plants and some trees like papaya, guyabano, bayabas, and alateris in some small available lot in our residence. I am amazed by my father's talent in gardening, one of his many.
Now, I am returning to gardening. During this pandemic, I realized the importance of reconnecting with nature, to God's creation, through the simple way of gardening at home. I am aware that I got to do this and other stuff because of the community quarantine due to the danger brought by CoVid-19, but I hope and pray it can be part of my new normal after lifting EECQ on May 15.
Seedlings are coming out. Seedlings! Truest in its flesh! I felt giddy and excited when I saw the two okra seedlings this morning. I could not believe they were actually sprouting. (Yay! Yey!) This is my second attempt, and they are growing. My first attempt failed, but my father knows much better when it comes to planting. He gave me some tips on how to plant seeds the right way. I am still waiting and looking forward for the other seeds to come out.
I got seeds for free from the City Agriculture Office - City of Santa Rosa, Laguna through the office of Barangay Caingin City of Santa Rosa Laguna. They still have plenty of vegetable seeds. You can still drop a message on their Facebook to get some seeds for free so you can start your own planting journey.
Every time I water the plants, I try to talk to the plants either silently or verbally. Just this morning, I read some Bible verses to the seedlings, since watching #CLOY I was reminded that I must talk to the plants and say good things. Aren't Bible verses good words to say?
May 10, 2020
The Zahir by Paulo Coelho
I did not like the love story in this book.
My third book from The Deluxe Collection of Paulo Coelho's books is The Zahir. The term in the book title is quite new to me. Zahir is something that is not used in an everyday conversation and I wonder what meaning lies behind the word. At the beginning of the book, it was defined what the title meant. So you better get a copy of this book and see for yourself.
I had high expectations with this book since it was a predecessor of Veronika decides to die, and it did not fail me after reading The Alchemist. To be honest I did not like the other philosophical views mentioned in the novel, specifically the ideas of marriage and sex. The narrator of the story felt like he was so casual in taking another woman in his life when he was not even sure if his wife was alive, kidnapped, or left him for good because he was such a scumbag. He had no idea of the reason behind the disappearance of his wife and he willingly accepted a new woman to bed with him. Other people would think this is something normal, but not for me. Other people would believe that being open minded with that kind of relationship was a sign of maturity, but again, not for me. And same goes with the missing wife, Esther, she wasn't even different from her husband. She was missing for two years and at the end of the story, I realized she was just the same as her husband. It was like they had an open marriage with those years they were apart, and I do not approve practicing such.
Paulo Coelho himself appeared in my mind as the narrator of The Zahir whenever I read the story. I could not shake off the idea that it was him. That's just how I imagined the protagonist and it stayed like that until I finished the book. It took me a longer time to finish the book, since it was thicker than the previous two books I read from the same author. I concluded reading the book in a week probably with rests in between.
I almost put down the book because I was not fond of ideas the narrator was persistently showing me, but I did not let go the book. I was entranced to the whole journey of finding the missing wife. The mystery behind the lost and found journey of the narrator was a stronghold for me to never read the book unfinished. The narrator brought me with him every step of the way in discovering everything behind the story of his missing wife. It felt like I was with him investigating and exploring the different possibilities in life as we delved on the energy of love. I felt him, all his struggles and confusions just to find and maybe get back his wife.
This kind of love story is never my cup of tea, nevertheless I enjoy the story, and if time and circumstance permit me I will not hesitate reading the book all over again and relive the excitement and experiences with the narrator.
My third book from The Deluxe Collection of Paulo Coelho's books is The Zahir. The term in the book title is quite new to me. Zahir is something that is not used in an everyday conversation and I wonder what meaning lies behind the word. At the beginning of the book, it was defined what the title meant. So you better get a copy of this book and see for yourself.
I had high expectations with this book since it was a predecessor of Veronika decides to die, and it did not fail me after reading The Alchemist. To be honest I did not like the other philosophical views mentioned in the novel, specifically the ideas of marriage and sex. The narrator of the story felt like he was so casual in taking another woman in his life when he was not even sure if his wife was alive, kidnapped, or left him for good because he was such a scumbag. He had no idea of the reason behind the disappearance of his wife and he willingly accepted a new woman to bed with him. Other people would think this is something normal, but not for me. Other people would believe that being open minded with that kind of relationship was a sign of maturity, but again, not for me. And same goes with the missing wife, Esther, she wasn't even different from her husband. She was missing for two years and at the end of the story, I realized she was just the same as her husband. It was like they had an open marriage with those years they were apart, and I do not approve practicing such.
Paulo Coelho himself appeared in my mind as the narrator of The Zahir whenever I read the story. I could not shake off the idea that it was him. That's just how I imagined the protagonist and it stayed like that until I finished the book. It took me a longer time to finish the book, since it was thicker than the previous two books I read from the same author. I concluded reading the book in a week probably with rests in between.
I almost put down the book because I was not fond of ideas the narrator was persistently showing me, but I did not let go the book. I was entranced to the whole journey of finding the missing wife. The mystery behind the lost and found journey of the narrator was a stronghold for me to never read the book unfinished. The narrator brought me with him every step of the way in discovering everything behind the story of his missing wife. It felt like I was with him investigating and exploring the different possibilities in life as we delved on the energy of love. I felt him, all his struggles and confusions just to find and maybe get back his wife.
This kind of love story is never my cup of tea, nevertheless I enjoy the story, and if time and circumstance permit me I will not hesitate reading the book all over again and relive the excitement and experiences with the narrator.
May 9, 2020
The Duterte Manifesto
The Duterte Manifesto: Mag aral mula sa mga banat at mga talumpati ni PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE is published by ABS-CBN Publishing. I got this book from the Big Bad Wolf Manila 2020 book sale for 20 pesos. If I remember correctly, 145 pesos is the original price of the book. It was part of the bundle of 5 books for 100 pesos I bought from ABS-CBN booth.
I read this book for just more than an hour. It was just short read, but a meaningful one. I know DU30 a little better now, before I didn't care whether he lose or win the 2016 Philippine election. I am glad that God appointed him as the president, and under this pandemic CoVid-19, he is our president. I pray for his good health and may he continue to seek guidance and wisdom from God in making every decision for our country and every Filipino.
Read this book and get to know our president a little better. I promise it is worth your time.
Veronika decides to die by Paulo Coelho
Veronika decides to die is my second book from the works of Paulo Coelho from box set The Deluxe Collection. The title is intriguing and relevant. I didn't hesitate to read it after the out of this world experience with the book The Alchemist.
I like Veronika. She is brave. People of society will call her eccentric, weird, or strange. She was mad for taking her own life. She was tired of sameness she experienced every day in her life. At the age of 24, she felt like she already at the end of whatever. She had enough of her life on earth.
What's the purpose of life if you feel like you had enough bullshit of people around you? All the pretensions and prejudice of this wicked world is something worth to be thrown and burned in hell. This world is crazy. And as if life isn't as crazy at is the author, Paulo Coelho, offers us an eccentric, spiritual, mystical view of who are the real mad man in this world full of pretensions and greed for temporal things this doomed world offers.
Vitriol is a significant term in the story of Veronika decides to die. Dr. Igor connoted the term 'vitriol' as bitterness in layman's term. He believes that this is the cause of depression and other mental health. And his unsolicited experiment to Veronika proved that the cure to this entity called vitriol is the awareness of death or awareness of life. It means that if a person is aware of the feeling or truest existence of death or life, a person with depression or other mental health will have a better chance of overcoming and defeating such dilemma.
Simply, bitterness begone. Let's be crazy and mad enough to live life to the fullest. Do not conform to the ways of this world. Do not submit to the wicked ways of this temporal reality. Be transformed and live your life according to His will!
Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
I like Veronika. She is brave. People of society will call her eccentric, weird, or strange. She was mad for taking her own life. She was tired of sameness she experienced every day in her life. At the age of 24, she felt like she already at the end of whatever. She had enough of her life on earth.
What's the purpose of life if you feel like you had enough bullshit of people around you? All the pretensions and prejudice of this wicked world is something worth to be thrown and burned in hell. This world is crazy. And as if life isn't as crazy at is the author, Paulo Coelho, offers us an eccentric, spiritual, mystical view of who are the real mad man in this world full of pretensions and greed for temporal things this doomed world offers.
Vitriol is a significant term in the story of Veronika decides to die. Dr. Igor connoted the term 'vitriol' as bitterness in layman's term. He believes that this is the cause of depression and other mental health. And his unsolicited experiment to Veronika proved that the cure to this entity called vitriol is the awareness of death or awareness of life. It means that if a person is aware of the feeling or truest existence of death or life, a person with depression or other mental health will have a better chance of overcoming and defeating such dilemma.
Simply, bitterness begone. Let's be crazy and mad enough to live life to the fullest. Do not conform to the ways of this world. Do not submit to the wicked ways of this temporal reality. Be transformed and live your life according to His will!
Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
April 26, 2020
He found me when I was loosing myself (the end)
I continued attending the Sunday service. Aside from the usual Sunday worship service, there were other Church activities during weekdays. Other activities were announced during the Sunday service, we were encouraged to attend our respective group designation. There were group for women, youth, and also prayer meeting during Fridays. I once attended a prayer meeting. I didn't have the slightest idea of what would happen, but one thing I was sure of, we were going to pray, and that was because it was called prayer meeting. Wasn't it obvious?
I attended the prayer meeting. I was nervous. I arrived on time thinking that I didn't want to have any conversation with other people. I just wanted to reserve my seat and listen or pray or whatever I must do during the meeting. I didn't intend to meet and greet others, it was never easy for me to do that. It always felt like all hell break loose in my mind when I met strangers.
The prayer meeting started late. While I was waiting, there were only three of us and a woman whom I knew during my childhood days and tried her best to engage me in a conversation. Mostly, she was the one who did the talking. She tried to show me thru her stories how blessed she was, how wonderful her family was. I listened to her patiently while I tried to put on the appropriate expression on my face on everything that she said.
I arrived 7:30 in the evening, but the prayer meeting started 8 or 8:30 the most. There was a lecture about a story from the New Testament. I remember something about Bethpage from the discussion of the Bishop, I am not even sure. At the end of the lecture, we prayed by partner and some solo. I was with a partner and I was nervous, as always. She was kind enough to pray for me, and I didn't pray for her. Why? Because I didn't know how to or more like I was afraid that others would hear my prayer and discover how ugly the way I pray. After she prayed for me, I told her I would go home though I knew that the prayer meeting had not yet reached its conclusion. Others were still praying, but I was determined to leave. I felt insecure. That was the first and last time I attended the prayer meeting.
After that incident in the prayer meeting, I still continue attending the church. There were times that I missed the Sunday service because of my graduate studies. I listened to the message every Sunday and felt blessed every day. I knew I was on the right track. God wanted me to be where I was during those time.
During those times when I felt satisfied with my faith in and relationship with Him, there was a friend of mine who kept on insisting that I attend their D-group. Discipleship group or D-group is like a Bible study meeting. I rejected him a few times, but eventually gave in because he was so persistent. I also started to seek for more. More of Him.
It was a couples' D-group. A group composed of less and not more than ten, they were welcoming and accommodating, but I felt a little out of place since I was the only single in the group. I learned a lot from the discussion and looked forward to attend a D-group. I attended twice if I remember correctly. But eventually, I stopped attending D-group session. I was not comfortable that I was the only single in the group.
Few months had passed and that same friend of mine nagged me about attending just one service of the church he and his wife was attending to. Again, he kept on bugging me, but this time I didn't give in. I was busy with my graduate studies and already attending a church why I would bother going to other churches.
One day, at the end of my last semester in my graduate studies and that was November 2019, I just decided to grant my friend's request, I attended one service on a Sunday morning. After listening to a live-stream service from the main church, I was blessed. I was convicted. Since then, everything was never the same. I was never the same.
While I was getting acquainted with my new local church, adoration and praises would not cease coming out of my mind and heart. They just overflowed. I was able to compile them in a book that I just recently released on my birthday this year. I feel blessed. God never left me. In my trying times, He was there with me, always. He provided kind human beings to support and understand me. I am forever thankful and grateful. I am saved. I am redeemed.
And good news! I belong now to an all girls D-group for singles.
This is the book I mentioned. Click the photo if you want a copy.
~the end~
I attended the prayer meeting. I was nervous. I arrived on time thinking that I didn't want to have any conversation with other people. I just wanted to reserve my seat and listen or pray or whatever I must do during the meeting. I didn't intend to meet and greet others, it was never easy for me to do that. It always felt like all hell break loose in my mind when I met strangers.
The prayer meeting started late. While I was waiting, there were only three of us and a woman whom I knew during my childhood days and tried her best to engage me in a conversation. Mostly, she was the one who did the talking. She tried to show me thru her stories how blessed she was, how wonderful her family was. I listened to her patiently while I tried to put on the appropriate expression on my face on everything that she said.
I arrived 7:30 in the evening, but the prayer meeting started 8 or 8:30 the most. There was a lecture about a story from the New Testament. I remember something about Bethpage from the discussion of the Bishop, I am not even sure. At the end of the lecture, we prayed by partner and some solo. I was with a partner and I was nervous, as always. She was kind enough to pray for me, and I didn't pray for her. Why? Because I didn't know how to or more like I was afraid that others would hear my prayer and discover how ugly the way I pray. After she prayed for me, I told her I would go home though I knew that the prayer meeting had not yet reached its conclusion. Others were still praying, but I was determined to leave. I felt insecure. That was the first and last time I attended the prayer meeting.
After that incident in the prayer meeting, I still continue attending the church. There were times that I missed the Sunday service because of my graduate studies. I listened to the message every Sunday and felt blessed every day. I knew I was on the right track. God wanted me to be where I was during those time.
During those times when I felt satisfied with my faith in and relationship with Him, there was a friend of mine who kept on insisting that I attend their D-group. Discipleship group or D-group is like a Bible study meeting. I rejected him a few times, but eventually gave in because he was so persistent. I also started to seek for more. More of Him.
It was a couples' D-group. A group composed of less and not more than ten, they were welcoming and accommodating, but I felt a little out of place since I was the only single in the group. I learned a lot from the discussion and looked forward to attend a D-group. I attended twice if I remember correctly. But eventually, I stopped attending D-group session. I was not comfortable that I was the only single in the group.
Few months had passed and that same friend of mine nagged me about attending just one service of the church he and his wife was attending to. Again, he kept on bugging me, but this time I didn't give in. I was busy with my graduate studies and already attending a church why I would bother going to other churches.
One day, at the end of my last semester in my graduate studies and that was November 2019, I just decided to grant my friend's request, I attended one service on a Sunday morning. After listening to a live-stream service from the main church, I was blessed. I was convicted. Since then, everything was never the same. I was never the same.
While I was getting acquainted with my new local church, adoration and praises would not cease coming out of my mind and heart. They just overflowed. I was able to compile them in a book that I just recently released on my birthday this year. I feel blessed. God never left me. In my trying times, He was there with me, always. He provided kind human beings to support and understand me. I am forever thankful and grateful. I am saved. I am redeemed.
And good news! I belong now to an all girls D-group for singles.
This is the book I mentioned. Click the photo if you want a copy.
~the end~
He found me when I was loosing myself (Part 5)
I continued attending the Sunday service. Aside from the usual Sunday worship service, there were other Church activities during weekdays. Other activities were announced during the Sunday service, we were encouraged to attend our respective group designation. There were group for women, youth, and also prayer meeting during Fridays. I once attended a prayer meeting. I didn't have the slightest idea of what would happen, but one thing I was sure of, we were going to pray, and that was because it was called prayer meeting. Wasn't it obvious?
I attended the prayer meeting. I was nervous. I arrived on time thinking that I didn't want to have any conversation with other people. I just wanted to reserve my seat and listen or pray or whatever I must do during the meeting. I didn't intend to meet and greet others, it was never easy for me to do that. It always felt like all hell break loose in my mind when I met strangers.
The prayer meeting started late. While I was waiting, there were only three of us and a woman whom I knew during my childhood days and tried her best to engage me in a conversation. Mostly, she was the one who did the talking. She tried to show me thru her stories how blessed she was, how wonderful her family was. I listened to her patiently while I tried to put on the appropriate expression on my face on everything that she said.
I arrived 7:30 in the evening, but the prayer meeting started 8 or 8:30 the most. There was a lecture about a story from the New Testament. I remember something about Bethpage from the discussion of the Bishop, I am not even sure. At the end of the lecture, we prayed by partner and some solo. I was with a partner and I was nervous, as always. She was kind enough to pray for me, and I didn't pray for her. Why? Because I didn't know how to or more like I was afraid that others would hear my prayer and discover how ugly the way I pray. After she prayed for me, I told her I would go home though I knew that the prayer meeting had not yet reached its conclusion. Others were still praying, but I was determined to leave. I felt insecure. That was the first and last time I attended the prayer meeting.
~end of part 5~
I attended the prayer meeting. I was nervous. I arrived on time thinking that I didn't want to have any conversation with other people. I just wanted to reserve my seat and listen or pray or whatever I must do during the meeting. I didn't intend to meet and greet others, it was never easy for me to do that. It always felt like all hell break loose in my mind when I met strangers.
The prayer meeting started late. While I was waiting, there were only three of us and a woman whom I knew during my childhood days and tried her best to engage me in a conversation. Mostly, she was the one who did the talking. She tried to show me thru her stories how blessed she was, how wonderful her family was. I listened to her patiently while I tried to put on the appropriate expression on my face on everything that she said.
I arrived 7:30 in the evening, but the prayer meeting started 8 or 8:30 the most. There was a lecture about a story from the New Testament. I remember something about Bethpage from the discussion of the Bishop, I am not even sure. At the end of the lecture, we prayed by partner and some solo. I was with a partner and I was nervous, as always. She was kind enough to pray for me, and I didn't pray for her. Why? Because I didn't know how to or more like I was afraid that others would hear my prayer and discover how ugly the way I pray. After she prayed for me, I told her I would go home though I knew that the prayer meeting had not yet reached its conclusion. Others were still praying, but I was determined to leave. I felt insecure. That was the first and last time I attended the prayer meeting.
~end of part 5~
