keeping in touch:the making of breads by neophyte bakers

Ninang Cora and her "students"

 The smiling faces, the fun, and the dough...will the bread survive the "onslaught" of the new bakers? Maybe...because the Master Baker is nice, sweet, and loving. How can anything or anyone afford to fail?

It's been more than a decade since we've last seen our ninang Cora. Even the communications were stopped when we left Gen. Santos City many years ago; not for lack of trying though (for both sides, as we realized a month ago). It's really amazing how Facebook makes "keeping in touch" possible. This year, we really get in touch with each other and...my boys meet their "lola" for the "first time" (again)?...can't really remember now.

Keeping-in-touch...simple words but mean so much. Ninang Cor, we miss you a lot.We hope that one day, we can also share the fun of baking breads with you. Thank you for everything!

The "Culprit" Which Makes Me Cry (part 2 )why slicing onion makes us teary-eyed

I wrote earlier about my “crying episode” while slicing the onion.

I’ve read that a chemical irritant (syn-propanethial-S-oxide) is produced when onions are chopped or sliced .This stimulates the glands which release tears. Another recent discovery proved that lachrymatory-factor is the chemical irritant. Whatever, slicing onion makes us cry because of that "something" that has been released when onion is being cut or sliced.

Some tips which help in slicing or chopping onions that don’t irritate our tear ducts:

•  slice the onion near the sink while the water is flowing from the tap (put some container for flowing  water so as not to waste).
• slice the onion in two and slice it upside down so the enzyme's release will be minimized

The "culprit" which makes me cry

It's Saturday again...free to wallow in bed. But, why is it that when you don't have any schedule or any pressing activities, that's the time you wake up early; while when you have commitments for the day, your eyes seem glued in their sockets and your weight becomes so heavy that rising is so difficult. Huh! Life’s so full of contradictions...always.

So, I finally stood up and after the "warm-ups", went straight to my "office"...the kitchen, where else? It’s mom's domain.

I was slicing onions with tears (it's normal, sliced onions irritate the tear ducts) when my bf breezed in from jogging and that's the scene he came about. With all the facial expressions full of worries (and everything) he hugged me suddenly and said "what's the matter sweetheart"? I was laughing because it's funny and he thought I was crying hard (he can't see my face because he's hugging me, right?). OMG! What a morning.

The worst thing was; my mirth changed into real crying and i was really sobbing hard.

..
...to be continued later.........

The trains of thoughts

The streams of ideas expressed,
the interconnection of its trails
…and then the wanderings.

Who can unlock the secrets within one’s mind?

Who can open the secrets within one’s heart?

I wish I can reach the end of the tunnel
   where my mind is drifting

…the trains of thoughts I started.

I wish I can connect all the trails where my thoughts run

And I wish…the gate will open

Not because I willed it to
But because…
this is where your trains of thoughts go.

forgotten footprints

Sometimes we forget that we left footprints somewhere
and that they're still embedded there until now.
We only realize that we have had because someone or something made us remember.
A scent, a song, a place...
 
This "thing" triggers something within us and like a lightning; we're back to that moment.
The flashback of memories... maybe happy, maybe sad, and maybe...painful.

Our thoughts, our feelings, our faith...how strong can we be?
The moments… the footprints...until when?
The embeds are in the heart...just hidden but they're...still there!

I can’t take it anymore…..please help!

Don’t touch me…the pain is excruciating…it’s like pulsing…I can’t take it anymore. 

Please help! I don’t want to be taken away. Give me medicine; give me something to ease the pain…Can we not patch things up?

Please, my master, don’t let me go. I have served you faithfully. I’ve been with you ever since you’re still a child... don’t ever forsake me this time. 

It’s you who didn’t take care of me. Your neglect of me is the main reason why I’m in this mess right now, but I will forgive you if you help me now.

I know I'm just a poor little tooth, but I've been a vital part of your life. You cannot smile anymore the way you do if I'll be gone totally...so think seriously about it.

Renewal of License

My experience every time I renew my license (every 3 years), is almost always the same. Although, every renewal, I noticed that I am in another place again. The realization just occurred to me today.

Different places, different people at the office and different processes, although the procedures were similar.

The medical examination slightly differs; the drug tests (which fees increase every time); the time consumed in finishing everything, varies with the place too. 

Smaller city, fewer cars, fewer drivers: the easier to get the papers.