Mar 19, 2007

Reminiscing Holy Week

Commemorating Holy Week is not as difficult as celebrating Christmas here since there are no decors required for that, except for the fact that there are no holidays for Catholics to do what we have practised for many years every Holy Week. Strictly observed pa naman ito sa family namin and my lolo would always scold us if we do anything fun (like hum a tune, listen to the radio or watch tv, play, etc) especially on Holy Friday. May mga family traditions din kme like going to mass, attending processions in BiƱan, pasyon sa neighbors, way of the cross with family / friends and Easter egg hunt on Sundays until we grew old for that and lola passed away.

Since Ryan & I got married (2004) we have been visiting churches on Holy Thursdays and I would prepare him tacos for merienda after we got back. We would do the station of the cross at every church. Minsan nga kinareer pa naming lakarin ang mga simbahan sa Intramuros grabe pala ang San Agustin super jam packed. Tapos nag-jejeep jeep lng kme. Last year we did not go to a lot of churches but we went to nearby churches lng to pray. I have this adoration prayer that we prayed for an hour in Sacred Heart but those two years we never failed to visit Guadalupe Church where we got married. One of the best adoration altars ever. It's so solemn and it feels even more special for us to pray there.

May blooper pa kmeng dalawa nung 1st year namin to do the Bisita Iglesia, a lot of people often rave about how beautiful the set up of Sta. Ana (Our Lady of the Abandoned Church) is but when we went there it was so disappointing kse walang kaayos ayos at all. It was soooo dull that we just opted to pray the station of the cross outside. Aparently nasa pocket garden pala nila ang altar and the following year (after we were corrected by everybody we know who regularly visits this church) it was indeed so beautiful in the garden and so solemn there.

Holy week as I have learned to surpass even the traditions is really a holy week for me. Especially now that I feel I have to reflect on my wrong doings and be thankful of the countless blessings we are continously receiving. I want to be deserving of His grace especially now that He has given us so much than what we were praying for. Even if I am away from the Philippines now I want to take a day off to pray despite missing all the Holy Week traditions. Sayang walang 7th Heaven marathon dito...

Mar 7, 2007

Another sinigang story

I remember putting a post about siningang years back. Now there's another story to tell...later I might have chronicles of Sinigang...

Since sinigang is Ryan's favorite dish it was a struggle for him not to be able to eat it for months since we haven't seen a sinigang mix here not even fresh sampaloc. Until Florence, my candidate from the Phils who has come to live with us was able to bring a few c/o my incessant request from my mom. And of course we brought back with us a whole year supply of sinigang mix from our trip not counting those Florence brought from her recent trip back too. It was obvious that siningang is in the menu as soon as we did the grocery last weekend.

Ryan's duty this week starts at 3:00 PM and I thought it makes sense to boil the pork from the morning before I leave until he leaves for work in the afternoon. So that I would only have to worry about the veggies in the evening after work. Unfortunately this is how our conversation went (or at least, according to Ryan. what I claimed)
D: Ry, isasalang ko na ung pork ha para lumambot pakipatay n lng later pagalis mo?
R: Huh? Di ba matutuyuan yun.
D: Hindi enough lng un para malabot gaya nung luto ko last time
R: Uh..okay.

So parang malinaw and conversation.

6:00 PM we were chatting via YM.

R: mahal sabihan mo ako bago ka uwi ha
R: try kita ihitid ok?
D: wrapping up alis siguro me in 15 mins
R: kahit dyan lang sa bus stop
R: ahh ok
D: will send emails lng
D: malambot na baboy?
R: basta sabihan mo ako kapag sign off ka na
D: ok
R: i think so
R: pero di ko pa din pinatay

Imagine me going ballistic here...waaah!As in!!He left the house at around 2PM what time was it now?!Immediately I stood up and just sent my report to my boss. Hurried home. Went with my Indian officemate. Florence even saw me riding the cab. My Indian colleague kept on telling stories but I honestly can't get my mind off the sinigang. I checked out the guards reaction if he's going to tell me our house is burning as I entered the gate of our compound. Hehehe..so far so good. Pa-wave wave pa sila.

When I reached home I just put down my things in the couch and rushed to the kitchen. Even with the kitchen doors closed a pungent smell of meat can be smelled from the doorstep. Yaiks! I really do hope it's not burned or something. I was so relieved to find that it was not burning when I opened the lid but somehow it smelled burned. Only half of the water evaporated. The meat was so soft already but it was within remedy. Florence came in wondering why all the lights were out but the door was unlocked. That was how panicked I was forgetting everything else but the sinigang.

And as usual as an indication of success when Ryan came home at 12:00 am he told me he cannot sleep right away since he was sooo full after eating late dinner I left for him. =) Despite the incident that was enough to put a smile on my face and go back to sleep peacefully or at least as peaceful as not feeling our baby's strong kick.