Foodie gone hungry

Food, but not foodie-ing.

Too sick to decide which food tastes  worthy of a foodie's 'sophisticated' palate, and which is just good enough to fill an empty stomach that's acting up... if a messed up stomach is possible at all for a foodie, that is!  I guess it is... if the foodie is stressed out because of an "overflowing plate".  

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, how does one with an overflowing plate end up with an empty stomach?  In that case, I tell ya, many "empty stomachs" are empty because their owners have "overflowing plates"!  And, this has nothing to do with greediness as well... it's all about commitment.  To what?  To honest service.  And is it worth it?  I guess only time will tell.  But, what I do know with certainty is that no service is worth anybody's time if it wasn't meant to please Him... He who is the beginning and the end.

Empty stomach... it's better than empty life, empty soul, or no soul at all.  *sip*  Oh, boy... that is good!    

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Photo credit:  I took the photo... and I made it look like the food was not to-die-for good.

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Saturday photo

Finding beauty... beyond ugliness.

Whenever an opportunity comes to enjoy having the luxury of time, I usually spend it just staying in the house to read or listen to music... or traveling.  Traveling re-boots my mind, giving it a fresh start.  And, if I have a choice, I prefer traveling by land.  I like taking long drive a lot.  It gives time to be away from it all... think, reflect... and gain freedom from the 'slavery' of work without feeling entirely disconnected from the world.  Unlike traveling by sea or by air, traveling by land gives you the choice to stop and enjoy the sights more... it allows spontaneity, it gives meaning to randomness, and it allows one to stop and rest as needed.  Yep, it gives one the feeling of truly on vacation.  But what I like most about long driving is having a variety of views on your window that seems to go on and on... forever.   

A few months ago, my sister and I traveled by land to IIocos Norte, which is about 500 km north of Manila, or about eight (8) hours of travel time.  The road gave the feel of the vibrant beach life on the left side of the road, and the serene ambiance of living on the foot of the mountain on the right side.  At some point, I noticed a row of tattered structures on the street amid dry grass, and they seem to go on, mocking the vacationers who are looking to be allured by the beach... but I also noticed a hint of blue through the holes of the tattered structures.  So, we decided to halt, park... and walk through the ugly dried grass.  What we found beyond the 'ugly' view took my breath away!  It was the blue sea, made to look even bluer by the green mountains that line it close to the road.  My sister and I stopped, and sat there for a some minutes, just admiring the view... and I thought, "ah, vacation, this is what you are all about - gorgeous!"

My sister asked me what made me decide to check the place out when it looked scarily ugly from the other side.  I said, "I'm a teacher, remember?  This is what we do... find beauty when there seems to be none, convert a rough stone to a precious gem."     

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Photo credit:  I took the photo.  It was taken between Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte along Manila North Road.

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Visita Iglesia...

...tradition?
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by PAM

Nah, it's faith.

The Way of the Cross... following Jesus.
Visita Iglesia 2015... a commemoration of the greatest love of all.

Jesus carried his cross, bore the burden of our sins through his cross and through his crucifixion and death.  He redeemed us from the bondage of sin through an ultimate act of sacrifice... an ultimate act of love.  And, by rising from death, our sins are forgiven... and we are promised with eternal life... in the loving peacefulness and joyfulness of our Father's heart.  We believe this.  And this is what we have in our hearts as we go from one church to another on Maundy Thursday.  It's to symbolize how we are following Jesus Christ, sharing in his passion... to become worthy of his sacrifice, his love; to celebrate his resurrection from the dead... to testify that he has risen from the dead, to testify of our Father's love by sending his only begotten son, our savior.  To show that, indeed, we believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from death that is sin.  

Visita Iglesia is finding Jesus in the Way of the Cross... the way of our Savior, the way of love, the way to redemption, the way to the Father, the way to eternal happiness.  We believe.  It's all about faith!

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Photo credit:  I took all photos except one (where I am pictured).  Taken from seven churches in Quezon City that my family visited for this year's Visita Iglesia. 

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1st of April nostalgia...

...and it's amazin', ain't foolin'!
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by PAM


Yesterday, my morning was spent working with friends at the USAID Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) in the newest posh establishment in Makati City, the Makati Diamond Residences, which is only on its 'soft opening'... therefore, still 'priced for academics'. :)  The USAID STRIDE is the cousin of Fulbright and Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program - my 'home' when it comes to educational support.  Therefore, my morning was spent well - productively, and with much nostalgia.  There were plenty of moments where unrestrained laughter and goofiness were in order... and I seized and savored all of them with gusto.  Talk about feeling 'at home'! :)

The afternoon was spent in my University (of course, my beloved USTe)... connecting with colleagues who are working hard - even when they are supposed to be on a holiday already.  What can I say?  Ever heard of "commitment"?  It's a 'good stuff', and there's plenty of that in USTe's Faculty of Engineering.  With my colleagues, this afternoon was definitely smothered with 

It gets tough... but it gets more fun, too.
So, we carry on.

Engineering's flavor of commitment, and humor-under-pressure.  From the frenzied worries that propel them to work hard like there was no tomorrow to the reassuring feeling of togetherness - the "we're all in this together" sort of feeling - to short but thoughtful conversations peppered with wisdom... I got a pocketful of all that from this afternoon's interaction with my colleagues - my friends... my team!  

But, going back to nostalgia... I just joined the "Cornell University State of the Food Science Department" webinar, 12 midnight to 1:00 a.m.  The Chair of the Department, Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour, walked us through the way that the Department is paving - to yet another destination of excellence in education. It was an hour spent very well!  Gave me many very good ideas.  There was that familiar feeling of warmth to hear Dr. Olga's voice and distinct accent.  She was the very first person from Cornell I've spoken with albeit via e-mail.  Her positive response to my queries and her naturally inspired way of relating to people made me decide to try my luck in Cornell... the rest is history.  The photographs from Dr. Olga's presentation of the new Stocking Hall, the state-of-the-art new home of Cornell Food Science, were awesome!  But, most of all I am just very proud of how the Department is progressing... so many incredible accomplishments - from research (99 publications in just one year is close to insane!) to teaching, from extension services to relationship with the industry, from cutting edge research and teaching facilities to virtual facilities, and from excellent professors to high-achieving students.  Just the one-year accomplishments leave one gasping, and speechless with awe.  And when I think about all the farmers and entrepreneurs they have helped out through their Extension Programs and research works, making a positive impact on the sustained growth of New York State, and contributing to global food security... I am humbled by the mere thought of it all. I am just very proud to be an alumna! 

Of course, that segment of this journey that brought me to one of the most unforgettable 'stops' would not have been possible if not for the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, and the Philippine Department of Agriculture.  This is why, whenever an opportunity to assist 'the family' presents itself, I always do my best to make time for it.  I had such a good experience, I wish for more people to have the same, if not better, experience.    

Just last Saturday, I was looking for inspiration to keep going... because the demands of my work is getting too much for me to even think about.  Over the last 24 hours, I found many nuggets of inspiration... nostalgic feelings that serve as moral compass, reminding me of the worthy reasons why I am where I am in the first place albeit extremely stressed out.  I felt like 'someone' threw me some 'sweet treats'... and they taste 'heavenly'.  Indeed, God is good!

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Photo credit:  Thanks to Engr. Eisson Marcelo for the loan of the photo.

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