I know that lately, I had not been looking good because I spent restless nights playing different mobile games online. In addition, I was not considering much of my health so I always end up with a messy diet schedule. Is it not that visible with my puffy eyes and cheeks?
Anyway, I really had no intention of posting anything for April 20. It was my brother's birthday and we (my mom, Auntie Jean, and I) were busy cleaning and cooking food for the visitor's on my dad's side. The internet connection at home was still unpaid because my parents would love to spend a bigger amount for my brothers birthday. Lastly, I was not in the mood to share. But since I am just so hyped right now, I would love to take this opportunity.
Home sweet home!
Whoever our family member's guests are also our guest. We always bear that in mind. My mom invited a number of our relatives for dinner. And since it was my brother's 23rd birthday, he also brought some of his friends, particularly his classmates in engineering.
Frankly speaking, I am not into celebrations even when I was still younger. I just find overspending unhealthy for the pocket and for me, I find it disturbing that a certain allocation of money would be changed because of it. But anyway, Mom will always be mom. Whatever she says will always be followed. As long as she is happy, dad is happy. And the kids are happy too!
My mom's rational was that it only happens once in awhile. The moment dad agreed, she was so excited making her check list. Oh well, it is her money anyway. I will just ask her to pay for the bill on the internet few days from now. I find it more expensive spending a dollar a day for a limited surfing. Shitty service from Globe as always!
So in line with that, we spent an entire hot afternoon buying on fruits and vegetables at the publif market. It was fulfilling for me in a sense that I had always been this uptown girl. I never liked the idea of getting inside the public because for me it is chaotic and dirty.
At first I find it awkward looking for fruits and vegetable but later it I find it fun. We bought mangoes, watermelon, avocado, apple, and a lot more for mom's fruit salad. We also bought some veggies for her fresh vegetable salad. Because there were no carts, we ended up carrying the market produce we brought. It was indeed heavy! I was carrying 15kgs of items, while mom was carrying ten kgs of fruits and vegetables.
It must have been really hard for local retailers to sell their produce while carrying it on their shoulders. I salute these men including the farmers.
We also bought some stuff from the mall and then when I reached home, I really looked for my massage oil. I basically need some good body massage!
The following day I woke up feeling pained on both sides of my shoulders. I wanted to help mom in clesning but it seemed that my body wanted more rest.
I helped mom a bit when my Auntie Jean came. She told me to slice some vegetables , fruits, and "gabi" (a type of root crop). I then checked my email, facebook messenger, and then discord. My eyes then rolled upon reading a response from one user.
With all honesty, I got so pissed off. I just received an unsolicited advise. I was thrilled of course when I was told about a quote on my post and then it turned out that it has to do with my photos.
I just want to clarify to everyone that I broke my action camera, and prior to that I got my trusted phone's screen busted. And with all honesty, I do not have any photography skills. I could not ask for a technician to repair it since I do not have that enough amount of money yet.
Secondly, I did not know that some people have standards when it comes to blog entries, particularly when your reputation is 60 and up. And another thing, I was not pushing curators of curie to curate my work with crappy photos, I admit my photos are crappy but what can a low-range phone do? I actually posted links of my works on different servers on steemit discord-related threads hoping it to be read when someone gets thrilled with the topic and content that I wrote.
While trying to understand horus, maybe he or she just wanted me to give my best. Do not worry, I will try harder next time. I am crossing my fingers that my mom or I could buy a good camera in the near future.
Well too much of that, here are some of the food that I helped them prepared. I was not able to capture all the food because I was already preparing for the event that I attended awhile ago.
Here is a photo of the meat that I grilled awhile ago. My mom told me it tasted great that I was only left with few cuts of it. I did not actually expected that it would turn out okay because I had always been a disaster in the kitchen.
I really wanted to do an experiment because I was influenced a lot by the cooking shows, movies, and competitions that I frequently watch. These are belly parts of pig. I marinated it with soy sauce, chinese type of sauce, hot sauce, and then some garlic and onion. I made sure the pan grill was already hot when I put a small amount of oil. I was basically just sitting and kept on reversing the meat. I then pan grilled a half slice of sweet onion. The moment that it was cooked, I tasted it and it was sweet! It took me an hour until the meat were all cooked.
Aside from the meat, prawns and crabs were also cooked. Auntie Jean then helped mom with the Kinilaw , fresh salad, and fruit salad. Mom also ordered some good food from a catering service.
As much as I wanted to be with them, I cannot. So I rode a taxi from Divisoria (where mom and dad dropped me). I was just so mad since it was raining and they cared more on the visitors that were coming. Oh well!
Few minutes later, I was already at the venue. I was shocked to see that most of my audience are teenagers while a few were fourty and up. I have thought of how I should deal with them all as I will begin my lecture.
Anyhow, prior to my talk, three groups performed kpop dances since the first part of the program was a kpop dance competition, to be followed by launching of the company's online platform.
All of the groups were all great. There was synchronization, but it was the All Boys Group that stood out. They really have the energy and humor while dancing. I just with the internet connection would be back at home so I could include the videos here.
It was then my turn. I admit I was so nervous. Talking to a certain group age is easy but in a mixed group? Well, that is a different issue. But anyway I was so glad with their warm welcome and lively participation. Even the executive was happy with what she heard from me. Also, Maam Karen asked for my number as she may invite me again. To invite me again or not, I do not have any idea but I was just thankful for the opportunity.
I felt like a child receiving my fee and also a cool token from them.
Until next time guys! I need to sleep. I could not wait for the things to come.
or Johanna Gail is a free-spirited freelance artist. She took up Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in one of the Ateneo universities in the Philippines. She is currently a candidate for Masters in Public Administrations. She volunteers in various non-profit/nongovernmental organization which aims for human rights through political education. She draws and writes about the country to provide awareness and promote the Philippines to foreign tourists.