filipino food

i went home for a short Christmas break. it was for a silver jubilee of my high school batch. also, i wanted to be home for the holidays.

during one of the 'reunion' nights, my friends asked me to stay with them at their hotel. i did and had breakfast as well. we had the following:

daing na bangus or fried marinated milkfish with garlic fried rice and egg

tortang ampalaya or bitter gourd/melon omelette with garlic fried rice

they are preferably served during breakfast in the philippines. but as for me i eat them any time during the day. i have a special liking for bitter gourd/melon. water just tastes so sweet after having them.

lunar new year, hanoi

most buddhists especially the chinese are famous for their observance of the lunar new year. vietnam is no exception. here they call it Tet. the locals go agog over flowering trees, lemon and orange trees as well. these are actually their new year trees.

so on the eve of the new year i went out to see the celebrations around hoan kiem lake. i was told there would be fireworks. since it was not that cold i decided to walk together with a friend. we passed by standing sugar cane trunks being sold. and we wondered if they were for good luck as well.

the area was getting crowded when we reached it. there was an ongoing concert on the northeastern side. there was a random dragon dance by some teenagers on the street. it looked more like a show off than tradition being observed. hot air lanterns or balloons were lit up and sent flying high. they were supposed to be released with one's personal wishes or prayers.

we looked for the location of the fireworks and found a nice spot nearby. people have brought their own mats to sit on. small kids were on their fathers shoulders. we waited for 45 minutes more. the fireworks display started at 12 midnight.

waiting for love

it was a song by sergio mendez in the 70s. childhood memories come with it but i never thought it would become a personal favorite. i guess, no, i know that i relate very well - being still single and alone for quite some time now when most of my peers have gotten their own partners and families. the song gets me into one of those reflecting moods when one just tries to look back, think and wonder...

was it something in the rain or a chance of love again
that made me explain the secrets of my soul
i guess i only needed someone to hold

but i was gone without a trace
and the rain blew away

and it seems i've spent my whole life waiting for love
and when it comes i always run away

was it something from a dream that touched my memory
or a picture i didn't know i've seen
that made me stop and stare
and then i lost him if he was ever there

'coz i'm afraid of being close
where i need to be the most