Details in the Fabric - Jason Mraz featuring James Morrison

Calm down

Deep breaths

And get yourself dressed instead

Of running around

And pulling all your threads and

Breaking yourself up

If it's a broken part, replace it

But, if it's a broken arm then brace it

If it's a broken heart then face it

And hold your own

Know your name

And go your own way

Hold your own

Know your own name

And go your own way

And everything will be fine

Everything will be fine

mmmhmm

Hang on

Help is on the way

Stay strong

I'm doing everything

Hold your own

Know your name

And go your own way

Hold your own

Know your name

And go your own way

And everything, everything will be fine

Everything

Are the details in the fabric

Are the things that make you panic

Are your thoughts results of static cling?

Are the things that make you blow

Hell, no reason, go on and scream

If you're shocked it's just the fault

Of faulty manufacturing.

Yeah everything will be fine

Everything in no time at all

Everything

Hold your own

And know your name

And go your own way

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)

Are the things that make you panic

Are your thoughts results of static cling? (Go your own way)

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)

Are the things that make you panic (Go your own way)

Is it Mother Nature's sewing machine?

Are the things that make you blow(Hold your own, know your name)

Hell no reason go on and scream

If you’re shocked it's just the fault (Go your own way)

Of faulty manufacturing

Everything will be fine

Everything in no time at all

Hearts will hold

The Unbeefening

Monday, May 26, 2008
10:46 am

Yesterday, like every Sunday, I was down at the market again. I had first stopped at the hardware store to get light bulbs and then at the 'toubab'(white-person) boutique to get some canned mushrooms, coconut milk, biscuits, yogurt and apples. I hadn't planned on buying much. Just some fruits and then my last stop would be at the butcher's to buy half a kilo of beef to make some beef stroganoff I'd been planning for quite a while.

When I got there though, my gag reflex kicked in and I couldn't go through with it. It wasn't because of the flies that were all over the cow's bloody carcass (I knew I'd be cooking it so I didn't mind that), it was the butchered remains of the cow's head right on the counter where I could make out it's glassy eyes and little teeth quite clearly. Now I've eaten and loved a lot of things that would probably make others gag just as easily. Like 'chicharon' (pork skin) or 'lechon' (roasted pork) which also usually includes the head and even 'isaw'(intestines) and 'dinuguan'(from 'dugo' which means blood). But somehow I think this puts me off cooking meat (I'll still eat it though) for a while.

I wish I were vegetarian right now. I really do.

Unfortunately, my not eating meat doesn't mean I'm eating healthier. I'm eating a lot of junkfood which tastes so good because it's bad for you. I try to have my own 'balanced diet' though. I tried balancing half a can of Pringles with some yogurt or fruit or some greasy but yummy and crispy fries with a whole carrot.

The balancing act is tough but it makes me less guilty about not eating healthy. It makes me think about some of my friends who don't eat fish or vegetables at all. I don't think they'd last very long.

This Morning

Saturday May 24, 2008
11:30am

Seven random things...

1. My skin is peeling off my thumb, index finger and forefinger of my left hand. I don't know why. I think it's because I bought some electric tape to fix my broken broom handle but once I took out the tape's plastic wrapper, it was all sticky and gooey from the glue that had melted. I didn't want to waste the 200CFA I'd spent on it so I still proceeded to tape my broom handle. But now I'm left with a crooked and sticky broom handle and peeling fingers. Now it stings badly whenever I try to chop lots and lots of garlic

2. I spilled some of the shrimp paste I'd brought with me. It got all over my hands and wallet. My hand still smell of shrimp paste even though I've washed them twice and I'm hoping my wallet eventually loses its smell. It's not a very pleasing aroma but I can't help but dream of mouth-watering green mangoes only slightly ripe, to go with the shrimp paste.

3. A little boy was playing outside the door to my hut this morning. I was lying with my back flat on the floor reading and I heard someone at the door so I got up and opened it thinking it was one of the nuns or someone coming to clean the hut but all I saw was the back of this little boy clutching what looked like a Fisher-Price toy, running away. I don't really know why.

4. I ran into my ex-sort-of-stalker again today. That's because he teaches in the school right next to where I live. I was totally freaked out the first time we met but now, since I had some help figuring out a way to solve the problem in a way that was culturally acceptable, I'm no longer scared and we say Hi to each other every now and then.

5. I've learned a good way to avoid getting offered rides (cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles) is to just walk on the side of the road that goes against the flow of traffic.

6. I wonder how safe it is to go out at night with my camera and tripod for some night shots. I'd really like to try it some time. I'll ask around if this is a completely bad idea or if I can convince someone to come with me.

7. Last night as I was walking home from work, I saw a woman balancing what looked like a pretty heavy bunch of firewood on her head. This probably won't be surprising to others but I was pretty amazed. I think what the women here are able to accomplish are downright incredible. But society is still pretty sexist and it's just taken for granted that women do most, if not all, of the work. I would've wanted to take a photo but unfortunately didn't have my camera with me.

A Thing of Beauty

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darken'd ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits...

-- John Keats

PRESENTING

Nikon Zoom Normal-Telephoto 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens (Vibration Reduction) for Digital Camera

for US$230

SIGH....

So many wants, so far away!

Image taken from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

La Liste #1 (Kolda)

Books I've read while here and my enjoyment rating:

The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco (B+)

The Life of Pi - Yann Martel (A)
Bodily Harm - Margaret Atwood (B+)
Peony in Love - Lisa See (A)
Eat, Love, Pray: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia - Elizabeth Gilbert (A+)
Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture - Ross King (A)
Man and Boy - Tony Parsons (B)

Recipes tried here and my enjoyment rating:

Crepe (C)
Ginataang sitaw at kalabasa (B+)
Bistek (A)
Yema/Pastillas (A+)
Pansit bihon (B+)
Tuna and spanish sardines pasta (A+)
Tuna and spanish sardines stir fry (A-)
Leche flan (A-)
Creamy pesto pasta (A)
Coconut-Avocado icecream (A+)
Fish Sinigang (A)
Mushroom Curry (B)
Mango Salad (A)
French fries (A)

Favorite Music while here:

Colbie Caillat - Coco (A+)
Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (A+)
Various Artists - Grey's Anatomy Episode Songs Season 3 (A)

TO BE CONTINUED...

Pansit at Tagumpay

Monday May 12, 2008
11:00 am

Hindi ako mahilig maghanda. Palagi akong naprapraning tuwing ako'y may bisita ngunit naisipan kong mag-imbita ng aking mga kaibigan dito para sa aking kaarawan noong nakaraang araw at para narin makita nila ang aking tirahan at matikman nila ang lutong pinoy.

Balak kong gumawa ng pansit bihon. Alas-kwatro ang oras na tinakda ko para sa pagdating ng aking mga bisita. Nagsimba ako nung umaga at namalengke para sa aking ihahanda.

Pagdating ng alas-tres, luto na ang pansit ngunit palpak ito para sa akin dahil nasobrahan ata ang pagluto o pagbabad sa bihon! Nagkadikit-dikit tuloy at wala na kong magagawa para ayusin pa sya. Ayan, napraning na naman ako. Nakakainis! Bakit nga ba kasi ako nag-imbita!

Buti nalang, naisipan ko kaagad gumawa ng isa pang putahe. Agad-agad kong iniluto yung ibinaon kong Century Tuna at yung Century Bangus na 'spanish-style' at pagkatapos nagluto naman ako ng spaghetti.

Pagdating ng unang bisita (mga alas-kwatro imedya), luto na ang pagkain, nakapaglinis pa ako at nakapag palit ng damit.

Nagustuhan naman ng aking mga bisita (siyam ang nakapunta) ang parehong putahe kaya syempre natuwa naman ako. Hay salamat. Di naman ako masyadong bilib sa aking sarili, siguro medyo napagaan lang ang loob ko. Sa susunod susubukan ko nang iwasto ang pagluto ng pansit.

Nagustuhan naman nila. Nakakatawa ako tuwing may bisita. Siguro kung nandito yung mga kaibigan kong Pilipino o kaya ang aking pamilya, tiyak na aasarin nila ako dahil sobrang bibbo ko o 'excited'! Masaya naman...kaya sana maulit.

Ndorna: Departure

After the meeting, it's time to board the minibus and go back to Mampatim. Everyone is tired, including this guy right here. But in any case, the visit was a success!