I dig this Canadian stand up comedian - his style is so subtle, yet he delivers his punchlines very convincingly, and yes, always right on time.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
One odd conversation ...
On our way home from Alexander's swim class today, out of the blue, he asked: "Mommy, can I meet your Mommy?" I was, of course, surprised to hear him ask me this.
The following exchange then ensued between us.
"Sure. You will get to meet her as soon as the opportunity presents itself", I said.
"I hope soon. At least before she dies."
"What made you say that?", I asked.
"Remember Lolo? I met him first and then he died."
"Would you be sad if you don't meet Lola?", I asked.
"Does she know what I look like?"
"I guess so", I said.
"You should send her my pictures so she knows how I look like".
"I am pretty sure she knows some things about you", I said reassuringly.
"It's ok. I still have Farmor anyway". And so ends our small talk about Lola.
I am quite amazed at Alexander's inquisitive mind. He has a lot of questions about the nature of things, about life and death, about family, about all other things of interest to him. Lately, he's asked about his relations on my side of the family - his Lolo and Lola, my siblings, my cousins, my aunts and uncles. He would ask if he has cousins at all. He's heard of his friends' big family gatherings, cousins here and there, aunts and uncles coming and going. He's wondering, of course. Otherwise, for Alexander, his family is just Mom and Dad and Farmor and Faster, and Tita Fats and Tita Dainty.
The following exchange then ensued between us.
"Sure. You will get to meet her as soon as the opportunity presents itself", I said.
"I hope soon. At least before she dies."
"What made you say that?", I asked.
"Remember Lolo? I met him first and then he died."
"Would you be sad if you don't meet Lola?", I asked.
"Does she know what I look like?"
"I guess so", I said.
"You should send her my pictures so she knows how I look like".
"I am pretty sure she knows some things about you", I said reassuringly.
"It's ok. I still have Farmor anyway". And so ends our small talk about Lola.
I am quite amazed at Alexander's inquisitive mind. He has a lot of questions about the nature of things, about life and death, about family, about all other things of interest to him. Lately, he's asked about his relations on my side of the family - his Lolo and Lola, my siblings, my cousins, my aunts and uncles. He would ask if he has cousins at all. He's heard of his friends' big family gatherings, cousins here and there, aunts and uncles coming and going. He's wondering, of course. Otherwise, for Alexander, his family is just Mom and Dad and Farmor and Faster, and Tita Fats and Tita Dainty.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Late night, late morning
We had a late night last night, being Friday and all. Why? I'll get to that shortly.
Alexander's school organised a 'movie night' fundraiser where they have converted their dining area into a movie house sans the chairs. They asked the kids coming over to bring sleeping bags, and their cuddly toys, if need be. For a certain fee, you'd get to watch a film and have "fredagsmys" in the comfort of your own sleeping bag and company of your friends (and teachers and volunteer parents in the background, of course). The money to be raised were donated to the Year 9 class for their end-term educational trip (sorry, I forgot where they are supposed to travel to). Anyway, this whole new concept is very new to me, but I find them to be quite interesting. However, since I didn't finish work until about 5pm yesterday, and my husband's on his night shift, Alexander didn't manage to join his friends to the movie night. So, I promised him that we will have our own movie night and "fredagsmys" at home. And that is exactly what we did! After dinner, we set up the big screen and projector and hooked up the video - presto! We have our own "movie house" in the comforts of our living room. Alexander popped some popcorn, we opened a bag of chips, made some lemonade and brought out some cans of Coca-cola and nuts to munch - all these we herded off to the living room. Three movies later, we're both beat, stuffed and fed up. Close to midnight, Jan came home and joined us for a while until we all decided to retire to bed.
Now you know what kept us up all night last night. As of this writing, Alexander is still asleep, and snoring. I missed his chirpy voice early this morning - he's normally up at 5am on weekends. Nah, he's off to his dreamland ... in Charlotte's Web ... Flushed Away ... Over the Hedge.
Alexander's school organised a 'movie night' fundraiser where they have converted their dining area into a movie house sans the chairs. They asked the kids coming over to bring sleeping bags, and their cuddly toys, if need be. For a certain fee, you'd get to watch a film and have "fredagsmys" in the comfort of your own sleeping bag and company of your friends (and teachers and volunteer parents in the background, of course). The money to be raised were donated to the Year 9 class for their end-term educational trip (sorry, I forgot where they are supposed to travel to). Anyway, this whole new concept is very new to me, but I find them to be quite interesting. However, since I didn't finish work until about 5pm yesterday, and my husband's on his night shift, Alexander didn't manage to join his friends to the movie night. So, I promised him that we will have our own movie night and "fredagsmys" at home. And that is exactly what we did! After dinner, we set up the big screen and projector and hooked up the video - presto! We have our own "movie house" in the comforts of our living room. Alexander popped some popcorn, we opened a bag of chips, made some lemonade and brought out some cans of Coca-cola and nuts to munch - all these we herded off to the living room. Three movies later, we're both beat, stuffed and fed up. Close to midnight, Jan came home and joined us for a while until we all decided to retire to bed.
Now you know what kept us up all night last night. As of this writing, Alexander is still asleep, and snoring. I missed his chirpy voice early this morning - he's normally up at 5am on weekends. Nah, he's off to his dreamland ... in Charlotte's Web ... Flushed Away ... Over the Hedge.
Sign of spring ...
Dunno what these white flowers are called, but they do have their way of showing themselves around our garden.Obviously one of the signs of spring ... the weather's getting better and better ... warmer, and there's been plenty of sun lately which makes biking in the late afternoons such a great delight for our 8 year old.
Yup, spring is around the corner!
Seen, scene
Seen:
Hello Kitty-ornaments and stuff in abundance in most shops in Gothenburg. It sure feels like I’m warped back to the 80’s when such craze was at its height back in the Philippines … pinks, florals and yes, Kitty!
Scene:
When my husband picked up our son from school last week, he was approached by a pretty little girl with blond hair in a pony tail. “You know what,” she said, “Alexander likes me a lot”. “That’s lovely”, my husband replied. “No, it’s not! He is in love with me!”. Then the girl turned her heels and walked away. My poor husband was left with a big smile and a chuckle on his face.
Seen:
Last Monday, a couple of doors from my office door, our friend and colleague’s office was arranged and adorned with flowers and a lighted candle when I came to work. She passed away Friday night last week after her second attack of cerebral hemmorhage (blood clotting of the brain). We were all devastated … she’s too young. All of this happened all too soon.
Scene:
The announcement of the engagement of Princess Victoria of Sweden to a commoner, Daniel Westling, was a welcome news. Love conquers all, as the saying goes. The future Prince Daniel looked overwhelmed and nervous in his first, and official, soirée with the local and international press. Talk about being in a magnifying glass! Or shall I say, “fish bowl”?
Hello Kitty-ornaments and stuff in abundance in most shops in Gothenburg. It sure feels like I’m warped back to the 80’s when such craze was at its height back in the Philippines … pinks, florals and yes, Kitty!
Scene:
When my husband picked up our son from school last week, he was approached by a pretty little girl with blond hair in a pony tail. “You know what,” she said, “Alexander likes me a lot”. “That’s lovely”, my husband replied. “No, it’s not! He is in love with me!”. Then the girl turned her heels and walked away. My poor husband was left with a big smile and a chuckle on his face.
Seen:
Last Monday, a couple of doors from my office door, our friend and colleague’s office was arranged and adorned with flowers and a lighted candle when I came to work. She passed away Friday night last week after her second attack of cerebral hemmorhage (blood clotting of the brain). We were all devastated … she’s too young. All of this happened all too soon.
Scene:
The announcement of the engagement of Princess Victoria of Sweden to a commoner, Daniel Westling, was a welcome news. Love conquers all, as the saying goes. The future Prince Daniel looked overwhelmed and nervous in his first, and official, soirée with the local and international press. Talk about being in a magnifying glass! Or shall I say, “fish bowl”?
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Mr Heartthrob
I can't help to share with you this picture taken last night.Alexander was up late and as I tried to send him to bed he would reasoned he's not sleepy yet - and it was already 11pm! In the end, he told me, I will go to bed if you will take a picture of me, my toys and my train tracks. Fair enough, I thought. And so, he striked a pose leaning to the wall ... I took the snap.
Boy, isn't he gorgeous!
Say "yes, he is!" ... say "yes, he is!"
Saturday, 14 March 2009
So, what's for dinner?
Today, we’ve capped our day with a great dinner. Nothing fancy, just a regular meal which I would like to share with you - maybe you’d like to try the recipe, too.
Oven-steamed salmon with pesto-vegetables and boiled potatoes
Oven-steamed salmon
Pre-heat your oven to 200 deg C and then prepare your salmon. Put the sliced salmon in an aluminum foil on a tray. Add salt (not too much since the salmon has its natural salt) and black pepper to taste. Cut some red onion in thin slices and garnish the salmon. Spray some olive oil on the salmon then cover and seal the whole dish with aluminum foil. Steam for about 15-20 minutes or until it is done.
Veggie in pesto
While waiting for the potatoes and salmon to cook, you can prepare the veggies: stir fry sugar peas, bell peppers (any colour will do), red onion and spinach (should be stirred in last) - then season to taste. On a separate pan, roast some pine nuts until golden brown and crispy, then set aside. The vegetables should be half cooked and crispy before you stir in 2 tbs of pesto (or a bit more if you feel like it). When done, transfer the veggie dish in a plate and top it with the roasted pine nuts and some bits and pieces of goat cheese (optional, of course). This is also a yummy dish together with a garlic bread (baguette).
Creme fraiche
Creme fraiche will serve as your dip for the salmon and the sauce for the potatoes and veggies. Or you can skip this altogether and use the soya-lemon mixture - it’s just as good. Alexander prefers the mixture than the creme.
HAPPY COOKING AND EATING!
Oven-steamed salmon with pesto-vegetables and boiled potatoes
Boiled potatoes
Now, this one’s easy for you to prepare, right? How difficult is it to boil potatoes?
Now, this one’s easy for you to prepare, right? How difficult is it to boil potatoes?
Oven-steamed salmon
Pre-heat your oven to 200 deg C and then prepare your salmon. Put the sliced salmon in an aluminum foil on a tray. Add salt (not too much since the salmon has its natural salt) and black pepper to taste. Cut some red onion in thin slices and garnish the salmon. Spray some olive oil on the salmon then cover and seal the whole dish with aluminum foil. Steam for about 15-20 minutes or until it is done.
Veggie in pesto
While waiting for the potatoes and salmon to cook, you can prepare the veggies: stir fry sugar peas, bell peppers (any colour will do), red onion and spinach (should be stirred in last) - then season to taste. On a separate pan, roast some pine nuts until golden brown and crispy, then set aside. The vegetables should be half cooked and crispy before you stir in 2 tbs of pesto (or a bit more if you feel like it). When done, transfer the veggie dish in a plate and top it with the roasted pine nuts and some bits and pieces of goat cheese (optional, of course). This is also a yummy dish together with a garlic bread (baguette).
Creme fraiche
Creme fraiche will serve as your dip for the salmon and the sauce for the potatoes and veggies. Or you can skip this altogether and use the soya-lemon mixture - it’s just as good. Alexander prefers the mixture than the creme.
HAPPY COOKING AND EATING!
Happy birthday to me!
Today's another one of those days ... getting a year older!
Much as I wanted to be up and about early this morning, my husband made sure I stay in bed for a little while until Alexander's up - yes, they made a pack last night to wake me up with a birthday song. So, stayed in bed I did until I heard some rustling and hurried steps outside our bedroom ... the hushing sound, and then father and son came in singing "happy birthday". what a beautiful sight! the whole greeting routine ended up with a family hug, with Alexander beaming up asking: "Were you surprised, Mommy?"
Oh yes, I was oh so surprised ... who wouldn't?
Much as I wanted to be up and about early this morning, my husband made sure I stay in bed for a little while until Alexander's up - yes, they made a pack last night to wake me up with a birthday song. So, stayed in bed I did until I heard some rustling and hurried steps outside our bedroom ... the hushing sound, and then father and son came in singing "happy birthday". what a beautiful sight! the whole greeting routine ended up with a family hug, with Alexander beaming up asking: "Were you surprised, Mommy?"
Oh yes, I was oh so surprised ... who wouldn't?
Thursday, 5 March 2009
"El duende"
“El duende” … the elf.
I helped a new colleague of ours get started on her first day on the job. She came all the way from our Colombia office and it’s also her first time to visit, and work in Sweden. While installing her in-house systems account, I asked her to think of an 8-letter word for a password and type it in. She tried. It didn’t work. She tried it the second time. Nix. Still it didn’t work. On her third try, the system asked her to contact the IT administrator. So, we called and requested for assistance online through a NetMeeting. To ensure that things would go a bit quicker, I volunteered to initiate the opening of her account, so I asked her which password she wanted to use, “el duende”, she said. I smiled …
I have a lot of memorable encounters with people who have seen, and have even been friends with “duendes”. I am not sure if they exist in Sweden, but I’m rather certain they exist, and existed during my growing up years in the Philippines.
My younger brother alone has had a “duende” friend. I remember how my mother freaked out when she realised he’d been friends with one (or maybe more) and that these “duendes” has asked my brother to come and join them. He started telling us stories about the “duende world”, glittery and all fun. He talked to them. He described how they looked like and how they lived. My brother’s stay in the province was cut short – he was shipped back home to my parents. We are not sure if his “duende”-friend stayed in contact over the years.
As my brother grew up, he became friends with a guy who has a “duende” for a friend. For some reason, they found kinship – they have/had something in common! Now, his friend’s “duende”-friend was rather generous … the “duende” makes sure he doesn’t run out of money. He’s always loaded with cash, able to buy things he fancies. However, his “duende”-friend is said to be the jealous type and has a “temper” and doesn’t approve of him having a girlfriend. Believe it or not, my brother’s friend was torn between his “duende”-friend and his girlfriend. There were a lot of “incidents” from the time he started dating his girlfriend until he got married … I’m not so sure how things had been afterwards. Would you have chosen your “duende”-friend over your girlfriend? Somehow I still wonder if his “duende”-friend continued to be generous to him to this day, monetarily, you know.
I knew of someone who had a “family duende”. The “duende” got so attached to her family that it followed them when they migrated to Australia. Creepy, eh?
According to those in the know, there are two kinds of elves in the elf world – the white elves or the good ones and the black elves, the bad ones. I would very much love to get acquainted with the white elves. Would you know of one?
By the way, my Colombian colleague’s account is now working. Her “el duende” password is also working.
I helped a new colleague of ours get started on her first day on the job. She came all the way from our Colombia office and it’s also her first time to visit, and work in Sweden. While installing her in-house systems account, I asked her to think of an 8-letter word for a password and type it in. She tried. It didn’t work. She tried it the second time. Nix. Still it didn’t work. On her third try, the system asked her to contact the IT administrator. So, we called and requested for assistance online through a NetMeeting. To ensure that things would go a bit quicker, I volunteered to initiate the opening of her account, so I asked her which password she wanted to use, “el duende”, she said. I smiled …
I have a lot of memorable encounters with people who have seen, and have even been friends with “duendes”. I am not sure if they exist in Sweden, but I’m rather certain they exist, and existed during my growing up years in the Philippines.
My younger brother alone has had a “duende” friend. I remember how my mother freaked out when she realised he’d been friends with one (or maybe more) and that these “duendes” has asked my brother to come and join them. He started telling us stories about the “duende world”, glittery and all fun. He talked to them. He described how they looked like and how they lived. My brother’s stay in the province was cut short – he was shipped back home to my parents. We are not sure if his “duende”-friend stayed in contact over the years.
As my brother grew up, he became friends with a guy who has a “duende” for a friend. For some reason, they found kinship – they have/had something in common! Now, his friend’s “duende”-friend was rather generous … the “duende” makes sure he doesn’t run out of money. He’s always loaded with cash, able to buy things he fancies. However, his “duende”-friend is said to be the jealous type and has a “temper” and doesn’t approve of him having a girlfriend. Believe it or not, my brother’s friend was torn between his “duende”-friend and his girlfriend. There were a lot of “incidents” from the time he started dating his girlfriend until he got married … I’m not so sure how things had been afterwards. Would you have chosen your “duende”-friend over your girlfriend? Somehow I still wonder if his “duende”-friend continued to be generous to him to this day, monetarily, you know.
I knew of someone who had a “family duende”. The “duende” got so attached to her family that it followed them when they migrated to Australia. Creepy, eh?
According to those in the know, there are two kinds of elves in the elf world – the white elves or the good ones and the black elves, the bad ones. I would very much love to get acquainted with the white elves. Would you know of one?
By the way, my Colombian colleague’s account is now working. Her “el duende” password is also working.
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