2008 – International Year of the Potato
The United Nations announced that 2008 is the International Year for the Planet Earth, Languages, and yes, Potato.
A lot of people are wondering why potato? Many of us do not know that the potatoes we are eating, the french fries that all of you love to eat, those mashed potatoes available in your favorite KFC stores, are very essential specially to those who are living in poor situated regions. Potato for breakfast, potato for lunch, potato for dinner. That is their normal eating day. That is the reason why U.N. wants to increase the peoples awareness and concern about this underrated crop, of which, according to surveys, is the 4th largest crop when it comes to the rate of harvest every annually.
To read related stories, pls. visit Life In Lenses.
I could not hear her heart beating for me anymore
I don’t have class today. No classes until January 10. No more late nights for reading and rushing papers to meet the deadliest deadline. No catching up with the school bus at “chepe monge†at 8:30am. No “gallo pinto†for breakfast. No gaby for lunch. No tutorials in mathematics for Hannah and Seth. No emails from the department or classmates. No more raining in the afternoon. No more use for the umbrella.
 These have been the things I am used to have for the past four months.
When I go out in the afternoon, the breeze accompanies me to where I don’t know where I am going. I walk on the same road which becomes unfamiliar to me. Even to some dogs of my neighbors, I become a stranger. They bark the way they barked the first time they had seen me four months ago. Some leaves are scattered, together with the memories of new year’s celebration. Some stones are unturned and grounded, some roll as I make contact with them. I sing the same song as I walk. I see the lush green landscape beyond Ciudad Colon. Some birds hover at a distance. I used to remember someone beyond the hills, at a far distance; someone’s heart beats for me. Sychronization of heartbeat with mine. The language of heartbeat breaks barriers of space and time.
Now, no more. I could not hear her heart beating for me anymore. My heart beats. It is lost somewhere, beyond the hills. The birds could not guide it. I could not help it.
I don’t have class today. Yet I don’t feel like celebrating. I don’t feel like on vacation. I feel like… I am losing my heartbeat. For someone, or no one, out there.
My year as a mom
A year has come and gone. Many bloggers have created lists about their memorable times, accomplishments and disappointments in 2007. At the risk of sounding cliche, I will spin out my own list of sorts.
The year 2007 for me as a mother was a very hard and challenging year. The past 12 months have tested my strength and will as a mom. But look at me now, I am still standing, breathing… smiling. Though I must have aged considerably, more hair strands have gotten white, more lines have appeared on my face, my knees have gotten weaker, my back more sore than ever before… my spirit has grown more muscle. I will not call myself a survivor, (I think that should be reserved for those who truly deserve it) but I must say I have survived the most horrendous year in my 30-plus or so life (hehe).
Buying a new PC monitor
Not at the moment for me. I’m planning to get my current monitor fix or buy a secondhand. My Samsung SyncMaster 551v monitor is still in good condition actually. It is included in the computer set bought by my sister in 2002. The tricky part is you have to push the button of the monitor several times before you can start using the computer. Sometimes, it can be opened immediately in just one push. But most of the time, it’s a cause of frustration to anyone who wants to use it.
Italiannis Sicilian Chicken Salad
A salad is a mixture of different food/s usually including vegetables or fruits, served with a dressing or sauce. There are times that salads come with chicken or shrimp or bacon (my favorite!), and other times with cheese.
Over time I have acquired a liking to green salads especially the caesar salad. Other than that, I stayed with eating safe ones like fruit or potato salad that are often served on special occasions at our house.
When a friend raved about Italianni’s Sicilian salad, my ears perked up. It was a sign that I was meant to try this so called concoction. I readily accepted an invite to eat at Italianni’s in Greenbelt 2 just for the sake of tasting it.
