DInner at Vask

Dinner at Vask was one gastronomic adventure. Don't be intimidated by the seemingly intimidating atmosphere. It's actually cozy. Best of all, the food is good. 

Small Treasures from My Herb Garden

Despite my perennially busy schedule, I managed to pause to gather treasures from my garden. I made some mint tea and pesto.  Some treasures in life, are indeed, free or almost free. 

Disappointments

People especially the ones you love will always disappoint you.

At 11 in the evening, one night last week, as I was about to fall asleep, I received an emergency call for help. Jes and I had to look for a man I hate and love, in the streets of Manila, because he was drunk and could not find his way home.

A mixture of intense emotions welled up inside me. I was angry but worried sick. I was sad. And disappointed. I was a mess, and the mess was made worse by my inability to process things. They add to the little voices screaming in my head. I have tried to block and suppress the bitterness, anger and disappointment all these years. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail.

Indeed, people, especially those you love most, will always disappoint you. They will hurt you because they are selfish and because they are also hurt. They will hurt you because they don't love you enough, despite all the hopes you pin on them.  By this time, I have learned this by heart.

Paalam, sir Joy De Los Reyes

It's difficult to find a true good friend in this cutthroat world of journalism, often occupied by men with bloated egos and back-stabbers.  Sir Joy was one of the very few I had. Rest in peace, sir. 

One more time for you, Petula Clark's Downtown...

Don't hang around

And let your problems surround you

There are movie shows downtown

Maybe you know some little places to go to

Where they never close downtown

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossanova

You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over

Happy again

Love, Devotion, Surrender

The morning sun kissed my herbs today, giving me hope that they might just make it. Over at the other side, though, one of the Bonsai pots is still adjusting, its leaves drying up and folding into a thousand creases but I am still keeping my fingers crossed.

Gardening teaches me to be patient and hopeful, a timely reminder that in life, things don't always turn out the way we want and that ultimately, the universe has its own pace.

Coffee and gardening have been making my mornings perfect but I know it wouldn't always be like this. I concede to the possibility that I might wake up one morning and find one of the plants wilted, dried or scraped off by phantoms of the night, attacking on moonless evenings or on silent mornings.

There are lessons to be learned from my piece of paradise, here on Heartbreak Hill: You just do your best, love with all your heart and soul, devote with all that you can and then in the end, surrender to the thousand and one possibilities that life brings. Perhaps, that is what it means to be alive.

Happy Gardening!