The Spices of Life

Sorry guys but I just wasn't myself this month with all that's been happening. Death, Deadlines and Dumbness. So what do I do when all these things happen to me....Just stare at the wall and do nothing. Why? Because what else is there to do but strategize my game plan of life after that bump off the road of human existence.

Death means loss. In my case, it was my mother who passed away. It is a physical death that all living beings will one day experience. And in these situations, we just have to hang on to the moments and memories we were left with and move on...That's the staring on the wall, and the doing nothing for me.

And the deadlines? I am coming out with a cookbook using my new knowledge in food styling and food photography. I am also writing my memoirs, plus the biography of someone dear to me. (Secret).

And of course, there's the deadline of wanting to be a size 4, or to loose 20 pounds within a couple of months. Am just being too ambitious, but hey! If people can keep on running in marathons or races, why can't I have my own thing? To each his own deadlines and goals!

Oh and the dumbness part! Everyone thinks that Mike and I have a great relationship. And you know what ? We do! But there comes a time in a girl's life that I would doubt mainly because hubby is so outgoing and is surrounded by women! Young women!!!! Here's a sample scenario of what am feeling!

There was once a wife so jealous that when her husband came home one night and she couldn't find hairs on his jackets she yelled at him, "Great, so now you're cheating on me with a bald woman!"

The next night, when she didn't smell any perfume, she yelled again by saying, "She's not only bald, but she's too cheap to buy any perfume!"

And why did this come about? A few days ago, Mike was at a party and met two young women. One, he had a crush on and the other was being flirtatious with him. Now he was curious if polyamory relationships could work out at these times. So that made me think and at that particular moment felt sorry for myself that youth is now my rival.

But as I ponder hard, I realized that experience and wisdom was my strength. And added to that, hubby has always declared his devotion and undying love. And you know what? In that aspect he has never failed me, so why am I complaining? After all, we are all responsible in creating our own reality. And if you want to add flavor to your life, you can make it tooth aching sweet or spicy hot! Which will it be?

when your hubby tells you he has tried your friend's 'panty' , you have to clarify, because it might be true but it's not what you think...right?...(wink! wink!)..btw, this is tea from the Andes mountain lands

A Zuzutto Experience

ZUZUTTO - Japanese word for the noise made when slurping noodles! And how do you do that?...You ' inhale the noodles, when slurping.'

Every holiday season gives a chance to catch up with family and friends and have that much awaited conversations of reminiscential events. I'm talking about yesterday's happening with the Wamsley's (Stefanie, Maria aka Baby, and Christopher) who graciously invited us for dinner at that much talked about Ippudo restaurant in the lower east side of New York.

When Mike and I arrived at the place, there was already a queue of around 50 people. The receptionist informed us of a two hour wait for the next table but it did not hamper us from devouring that sumptuous “Ramen” New Yorkers crave about. In the meantime, we just walked around and talked some more, killing the time for when we would be seated.

Finally, after more than 2 1/2 hours wait, we got our seats at the far end of the room. It was a cozy nook but the ambience was lively and our servers were dynamic even amidst the chaos of serving a full house.

The appetizers of pork bun (an envelope of a single meat slice with chile sauce) was delish. Then we had the shishito which was like some kind of roasted peppers that was fried in very thin batter and accompanied by a lemon salt was extremely smooth and not at all spicy. And finally we had a kind of cut up raw baby octopus with grated wasabi on a lemon slice. The slimy but crunchy texture made an interplay of tastes as I was grinding it in my mouth. Yumm is another word.

Not long after, our ramens came in conical colored bowls. Maria and Stefanie had ordered the ' Akamaru Modern' which came in a red bowl. This was the restos original tonkatsu broth with pork belly , miso paste and some tiny vegetables. Christopher and I had the 'Karaka Kogashi Miso' whose broth was made from charred miso and came in a white bowl. Mike had a similar one but was spicy and therefore came in a black bowl.

Amidst the slurping, the laughs, the conversations and whatever in betweens we had, it was indeed worth the wait. We left the place light in spirit, heavy in stomach and best of all just a fulfilling sense of love permeating the vibes among us. It was indeed an evening to remember. Thanks, Maria, Stephanie and Christoper. We love you all.


Mike's order of the spicy roasted miso ramen


How do you eat Ramen? sip, slurp and top... the final key to enjoying ramen is sound. One should inhale the noodles, creating a distinct noise that the Japanese describe as zuzutto