Homesick

I made some fried sweet potatoes this afternoon, and the aroma of the sizzling sweet potatoes reminded me of my favorite childhood snacks. Growing up in a farm, we had all sorts of readily available vegetables, fruits, poultry and root crops. In the afternoons, Dad would tend to our sweet potato patch. He would dig up five to 10 sweet potatoes which he'll either fry or boil. For the fried ones, I love to eat them while they're warm and crispy on the edges, and the boiled ones, I like to mash flat then top it with butter. Dad also loved to make guinitaan. Our house would smell so good as the sweet potatoes, banana, tapioca and other ingredients simmer in coconut milk and sugar. We, the children, would start gathering around the table ready with bowls and spoons as the sweet smell of the coconut milk permeate the entire house. We'd talk about our favorite TV shows and sometimes school as our stomachs rumble in hunger and delight.

Remembering all these has made me a bit homesick. I think it's because of the steady rain that hasn't let up since this morning. As I now eat my crispy fried sweet potatoes, my homesickness eases with every bite.

Walk In The Woods

I couldn't sleep last night. I went to bed at about 2 a.m. and woke up at 7 a.m. I thought it was unfair that I can't get my eight hours. I feel cheated. After my trip to the grocery store, I decided to go for a relaxing walk at Rock Creek Park. It's a huge park covering DC, MD and VA, and I'm lucky because it happens to be a few steps from my front door. So here begins my walk in the woods...

entry to the woods

a white dogwood blooms at a clearing

flowers i can't name...

azaleas?...i think

another white dogwood peers from the woods

cluster of white delight

a tree get's greener

a squirrel pauses from digging for a snap

pink dogwood

i thought these flowers were where they're ought to be...framed perfect

I had a wonderful, relaxing walk. I'm hoping I'll get a good night's sleep tonight. As I write this post, my chicken tinola simmers. I'm so happy I found frozen malunggay leaves at the grocery store. I'm tossing in some slices of sayote too. Dinner's on me tonight. Join me.

When A Tree Poses

I have reiterated more than once how I love spring especially here in Maryland. Although I love the weather and beaches of Hawaii, nothing beats the colors that sprout in Maryland especially during this time of the year. The flowering trees here are just astounding, and they leave me breathless every time I see a tree in full bloom. After the celebrated cherry blossoms shed their petals, other trees steal the limelight.

A poem lovely as a tree...

Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree

A tree that looks at God all day

And lifts her [flowery] arms to pray

A tree who's hungry mouth is pressed

Against sweet earth's flowing breast

Who doesn't remember Joyce Kilmer's poem, Trees? I remember reciting this in grade school, and I thought it was appropriate to accompany these photos. These were all taken last weekend. Mind you, but I sat and relaxed underneath that tree for hours.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Responsibility

Life is stressful as it is. With the addition of an ailing U.S. economy and the emergence and spread of swine flu, I think my stress level is heightened. And to think that the media loves to sensationalize the news, I am right yet again to avoid reading the newspaper or watching the news. On Monday, I was irritated to see a newspaper with the front cover featuring a woman wearing a mask and on the side is a big chart of how many people were infected in each state, in bold, CAPITAL letters. I was close to snapping like a twig. This type of publicity only encourages hysteria and panic to an already stressed population. I know it is very important to be aware on current events and to be a well informed citizen, but sometimes, the media (some) tend to forget their responsibility - to report and write the exact news - not to sensationalize and exaggerate in order to sell. As a citizen, I demand RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM. (I needed to get that out of my system.)

Work has been keeping me busy. I'm just glad this week is half way through, and I should be singing "Friday I'm in Love" soon. I hope everyone's having a good week.

A reminder from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Finally Friday

Finally, it's Friday and this is how I feel. I'm not "in love" with someone, but Friday is the culmination of a week's worth of work and it's absolutely worth celebrating with a song. Here are the lyrics from "Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure. This song was used on the movie "50 First Dates."

I don't care if Monday's blue
Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too
Thursday I don't care about you
It's Friday I'm in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday Wednesday break my heart
Thursday doesn't even start
It's Friday I'm in love

Saturday wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitate...
I don't care if Monday's black
Tuesday Wednesday heart attack
Thursday never looking back
It's Friday I'm in love

Monday you can hold your head
Tuesday Wednesday stay in bed
Or Thursday watch the walls instead
It's Friday I'm in love

Saturday wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitate...

Dressed up to the eyes
It's a wonderful surprise
To see your shoes and your spirits rise
Throwing out your frown
And just smiling at the sound
And as sleek as a shriek
Spinning round and round

Always take a big bite
It's such a gorgeous sight
To see you in the middle of the night
You can never get enough
Enough of this stuff
It's Friday
I'm in love

A GREAT WEEKEND TO ALL!

Of Bees, Beehives and Blanks

I've heard this saying before that when spring comes, the bees are up to their antics. I've been busy as a bee for the past few days. Yesterday, I was so exhausted and all I wanted to do was crawl to bed and sleep when I reached home. It's that time of year when my department hosts meetings and attend several out-of-town meetings.

While the work front is buzzing noisy like a beehive, I have decided to take a short vacation next month. I am headed to - - - - - - and - - - - - for a week (Quiz: Fill in the blanks). I am looking forward to this break and hopefully, get my lovely cousin to take a day-off and show me around the city. She works too much. I still have our annual meeting to get through, but it feels really good to have a vacation to look forward to.

Happy Thursday!

A D.C. Morning

Umbrellas everywhere available in various colors; there were pink, hot pink, black, blue, green, light green, sky blue, and the most eye-catching of all - a multi-colored striped umbrella twirled by a tall, slim, blonde, wearing a 4 inch Stilleto. She probably works in one of the high-rise buildings in the area. With a hint of embarassment, I looked at my flat, Naturalizer shoes. I shrugged off the shame, and whispered, "At least, I'm comfortable." The rain drenched everything from the glass windows to the pavements. In front of an Anglican church, a homeless woman covers her pushcart with a blanket. Then she cowers under a leafless tree to escape the rain. It was no use. On 13th street, a homeless man slumbers underneath a pile of cardboard makeshift his shoes were exposed - a pair of white Nike shoes and probably a size 9. I could smell the putrid smell of wasted food and urine. Where else would he go? There are no restrooms around.

The crosswalk at 14th was crowded. Someone's umbrella pushed mine and raindrops dripped on my coat. I stepped back, while a short-haired woman puffed her cigarette like there's no tomorrow. The disgusting smell of city streets and cigarette smoke is the worse combination of all especially on mornings I haven't had my breakfast yet. The crosswalk sign was taking too long. The lady puffed her cigarette and decided to jaywalk; she almost got hit by a cab. She looked at the cab driver sternly and continued walking; she owned 14th Street. The "walk" sign came through, and the pedestrians followed. I followed.

As I crossed another street to get to my office, I saw a glimpse of the White House on my left. I smelled the heavenly scent of coffee. If I'm not mistaken, it could be "Breakfast Blend." Across the street, the line for Starbucks was long. I went straight to the elevator, pushed 11, and relieved to be away from the rain and the busy streets of D.C. But then, it's time to put my game face on, because at 11th floor there lives office politics peppered with a cocky receptionist. Let the games begin!

Maturity

Do women really mature earlier than men? Last night, I was watching the comedy show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and I almost died with laughter when I heard this conversation between Dr. Albright and Nina (Dr. Albright's assistant), while watching Dr. Solomon make a fool of himself.

Dr. Albright: When does puberty end for a man?
Nina: Six months after death.
Happy Tuesday everyone!

Thank You, Ma and Dad

Ma and Dad sent me a wonderful Easter surprise. My parents sent me a package. There were a couple of portuguese sausages, which I made sure to prepare for breakfast this Easter morning. The sweet smell of the sausage and the garlicky scent of my fried rice permeated my apartment. I felt so at home with the scent, as I often have this sausage for breakfast at home in Hawaii.

Mom also filled the box with more favorites: Meiji Milk Chocolates, boxes of Milk and White Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts (Hawaiian Host). With all these sweets, I don't need to go Easter egg hunting.

And of course, Mom knows her daughter's weakness - cute, writing papers. I miss Hawaii so much right now, and even if some relatives are proving difficult to deal with, I am so lucky to have wonderful, supportive parents.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ma and Dad,

Mahalo. I am so happy I have you both in my life.
I miss you and love you.

Happy Easter!

Aloha nui loa,
Kayni
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baltimore Remodeling

This is a sponsored post.

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