@Lois
@Lois
First Write-Up Almost a year after I left my long-time job, I have been navigating around the internet looking for tidbits of income. It doesn't matter how little as long as that site is paying for real. I have spent countless hours from one website to another hoping it could generate me some money. It's a trial and error always, and a lot of hard work. There are many survey paying sites out there that pay for real but this is my first time to come across a site that you…
@Lois
Handum Naa koy gihandum nga mga kantang binisaya. Akong nadumduman, pono pa ang gigamit sa pagtugtog kaniadto. Sa balay sa akong lolo ug lola sa una, maglanoglanog gayud tong mga kantaha. Hastang lingawa namo sa akong mga ig-agaw ug mga kadula. Pero kani laging managko, ma-busy, malimtan na. Nangawala na gayud hinuon tong mga plakaha. Dawaton ko na lang gayud nga lisud na kaayo pangitaon. Mag uban na lang mi puhon atong mga kantaha. Bow!
@Lois
I Like My Tea Tea isn't a popular drink within my family and friends. They go for coffee, choco drink, or juice. Between coffee and tea, well, i love them both. But let me talk about my tea. The tea I use is the ready-to-use one. Back when I was still smoking, I went for black teas for a kick. But now, my favorite teas are Earl Grey and Green Tea. Earl Grey has a lemony scent. Green tea has a scent that calms me. But whether it is Earl Grey or Green Tea, I always make them…
@Lois
My Baby Love She came like a ray of hope from the heavens. A hope that all is not lost for me. A hope that I can be better and do better. I had her at 36, turning 37. My first baby, a prime baby. Before her, I was a chainsmoker and a coffee addict. She was a month in my belly before i knew she was growing inside me. When I confirmed her existence, I dropped smoking and coffee without a second thought. Because of her I am stronger, braver and more firm. I have to protect…
@Lois
Loving Him He came when she was settling for the monotony of her life. He ignited fire in a heart she thought had long snuffed out. He was a hurricane flipping her life as she knew it. His eyes, his smiles sent sparks she can curl her toes. There was narry a dull moment with him. But as wild and carefree and lively he came, he left with not even a whispered goodbye. Like a light that goes out in the night. Only sobs can be heard from the one he left behind.
@Lois
Dad Lapit na Father's Day. Another year celebrating without him. It's true when they say that the pain of losing a loved one doesn't go away. You just learn to put it in an unsealed box, always ready to come out with just a hint of a reminder. Kahit ano naman seal, di naman talaga naseseal. He was very protective of us. He always reminded me to love and take care of my brother. Madalas kami mag away ng kapatid ko when we were kids. I was the eldest, i used to tease my little…
@Lois
My Pound Cake I've just started baking for my own. Funny, I was working for a bakery franchising for 17 yrs. Anyway, I got this recipe from a friend and modified a bit. In a mixing bowl, mix 1/2 white sugar and 1/3 melted butter. Next, mix 2 medium eggs. Lagyan ng 1/4tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 salt then mix well. As in well talaga kasi yung baking powder mag lump yun. Very small lumps pero malalasahan yun. Next, mix in 1/4tsp lemon zest. Then, sift 1 cup of all…
@Lois
Online Barter I recently joined a barter group in facebook. Barter anything under the sun except money. Preloved, unused, slightly used, used but not abused --- these are the words/phrases you can read in the group. It was brilliant actually. Our clutters take up space. There are things we bought that we actually don't need. We have clothes, shoes, sandals and slippers which don't fit anymore. I've tried bartering 4 times already. Baby shoes for a pizza. 200g chia seeds for…
@Lois
Si Kaelas A friend gave me a puppy years ago. I named him Kaelas after a character in a book I was reading that time. Super sweet na aso. He was like a baby namin ni mama. Askal sya but he looked like a smaller version of a German Shepherd. Natatakot pa mga tao sa kanya. He looked fierce kasi labas mga pangil nya. Pag tumakbo ka, meaning u just invited him to play. His only friend, Brownie, na aso ng kapitbahay namin ay naging pulutan ng mga nag iinuman. The sounds he made…
@Lois
Scars They are testament of your life. A scar on the knee from when you were little; running and playing with your friends. A scar on your knuckles when you stood up and fought the school bully. A scar on your head when you fell down a tree. A scar on your face from a persistent pimple which hardly go away. A scar on your arm from the itchy mosquito bite when you went camping. A scar in your heart from when you had your heart first broken. My most beautiful scars are the…
@Lois
El Niño Year 2015. I was assigned in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental. That was the year when El Niño hit the province hard and I was there to witness it. That was the time I realized how important water is. That was the start of treating water like every drop counts. In my own province, water is abundant. Clean and clear. In my younger years, me and my friends would go hiking on the mountains bringing food, soda and alcohol…
@Lois
Little Too Late He makes her laugh. He makes her smile. He makes her special. He makes her feel she is everything to him. She loves how his eyes twinkle when he's amused. She loves how fluent he can be. She admires how smart he is. He is everything she wants. She makes him a softie. She makes him feel alive. He has a ready smile for her. She makes his heart leap. He loves looking at her solving problems at work. He likes how her eyes lit up when excited. He admires her…
@Lois
Itim at Puting Mahika Totoo ba talaga ang itim na mahika? Nagkita kami kahapon ng isa sa aking matalik na kaibigan nung high school. Last month, namatay ang asawa nya dahil sa high blood. Bago nyan, sa loob ng 3 taon ng pagsasama nila, ikaapat na beses syang nakunan. Pareho naman silang malusog ng kanyang asawa. Kamakailan lang nya nalaman na pitong tao ang may inggit, sama ng loob at nagpakulam sa kanila. May mga tao talagang masama ang budhi. Kung may maitim na mahika,…
@Lois
Pork Adobo with Pineapple Adobo is a very popular Filipino dish which involves marinating of fish, pork, chicken, beef, vegetables in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorn. It has a contrasting taste of being salty, sour, and a little sweetness. It is a dish always present when we go outing with friends and family. Adobo dish can be dry or with sauce. Either way, i love it. The recipe I am writing today has a little sauce. I like my adobos sweet so I use pineapple…
@Lois
My Little Princess My daughter plays with toy cars. She is not interested with dolls, "bahay-bahayan," cooking toys. She loves cars, buses, trucks. Takes after me. I grew up with boys that's why I thought I was one. These toys aren't expensive, and some are toys from Jollibee and Mcdonalds. I pity my daughter, though. She has no regular child playmate around. Her cousins are far. Our neighbor's kids around her age tags along with the big kids. Me and my mother doesn't allow…
@Lois
Visitor In The Night In the middle of the night The cat prowls about Littering, jumping, swinging all around Unnotice by his enemy He slips through the window Watching, feeling before moving He makes a go for the table A feast of sort served and unguarded Oh how he loves these banquets He fills his tummy with all he can scarf down And without meaning to, falls down to sleep A shriek and a slap wakes him up He scrambles awake and jumps to the window Lands safely and running…
@Lois
She Holds My Heart She holds my heart like no other has She is a ray of sunlight on a gloomy day Her smiles make all of the aches go away Her little hands, my source of strength And her whispers, my lullaby. She holds my heart like no other has Her love is forgiving and full of sweetness Her trust -- absolute and unyielding Her thoughts are gentle and loving. She holds my heart like no other has Her laughters fill my heart with happiness Her cries tear my heart in pieces Her…
@Lois
Depression Destroys I saw what depression has done to a loved one. A once vibrant person was left empty like every good thing in her life was sucked out. No matter what we tell her, no matter what we do, she turns back to herself and shut everyone of us out. It pains us to see her like this. She was an inspiration when I was a young girl. I always told my parents that when I grew up, I am going to be like her. I realize now that behind her laughters and easy-go-lucky ways…
@Lois
Doing Business I've been asked by a new franchisee from my previous work, what is important in this kind of business? I answered, follow the franchise agreement, find good people, and know the area demographics. If you are franchising, everything is already there --- standards, procedures, guidelines, operating system, trainings. If you franchised, it meant you believe in the system and the business. Never twist a standard to suit you; that's a capital offense in…
@Lois
Cheesy Broccoli Here is a recipe I tried earlier this evening as dinner for me and my daughter. Yes, she loves vegetables and would prefer to eat veggies and fruits. A friend showed this to me a while ago. I made it more simple. In a pan, saute 2 cloves of minced garlic and minced 1/2 onion bulb in oil. Make sure you don't burn them. Put in 2 tbsp of melted butter and sliced half of red bell pepper. Mix in the sliced broccoli flower and stalk. Pour 3 tbsp water and cook for…
@Lois
Rain Pitter pat it goes, tiny little drops Starting to drop steadily Looking out the window Rain is blanketing the surrounding. Fog is building slowly Time to cuddle in my blanket and pillows With a good book and my cup of tea Happiness in every inhale of the aroma. I love how the cold surrounds me It refreshes and invigorates my soul Loving the cold and how peaceful the world can be When the rain pours down heavily.
@Lois
My Brother When we were younger, we used to fight a lot. I'm the eldest, I teased him until he cried. But when it seemed he was really hurt, I would cuddle and sooth him until he stopped crying. He was born 4yrs younger than me. While growing up, our bickerings gradually lessened and we became each other's confidant. We have the same taste in music -- alternative rock, pop songs, 80s pop songs, the oldies but goldies songs. He diverted once and I teased him endlessly when he…
@Lois
Just Another Day A crashing sound woke me up from a wonderful dream. Getting out of bed, I stepped on my daughter's toy car. It did a scrunching sound telling me I broke it. I immediately wrapped it in an old newspaper and threw it before she wakes up. Oh yes, it was her most favorite toy car and she will definitely look for it. I was racking up my brain where I bought it and realized I bought it in a mall 2 hours away from our place. Oh man! I then went to the kitchen, got…
@Lois
Living At The Foot of Mt. Apo I have been to many places but it is true, there is no place like home. My little hometown is at the foot of Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines and carries the slogan "The City of Highland Springs." Welcome to Kidapawan City! I remember a time when I woke up at 5am for school and drink my hot chocolate in the veranda, I just enjoyed the peace and quiet of a cold, foggy morning. Yes, it always did have a foggy morning but now, just when…
@Lois
My Mom Mom, the sweetest word I have ever encountered Her love is unconditional and boundless She is a pillar of strength and courage She is a warrior with her heart as her weapon and shield Staying home for the family, she chose it I could never be more proud of that Her artistry, her talent, she poured on us She love us with all of her being She might not agree to everything her children does But she can always be expected to never turn us away She always supports our…