Foot and Fire

Dear Handyman By Gerlie M. Uy Dear Handyman: I see you in this season's blinking lights: The last time, you wanted me to decorate your room, and instead of a pine tree, I churned out Mt. Kanlaon. You said it's my call so it's fine. I hear you in the carols: The last time, you bought all season's Cds in the music store because you would play them everyday. I taste you in the matured coco vinegar: The last ones, you placed in all glass bottles to mature. I can feel you in times of aloneness: The last time, you were in the white-walled room sipping the aloe juice as your last taste of luxury. I think of you in the frozen yogurt you were delightful about because it tastes like ice cream. I will always see you in the miracle plant once planted in a black bag we last bought at the store together. I will remember you in the pails of water, (You gathered them then from every drop from our faucet) in every nail an...

NEVER ENVY YOUR NEIGHBOR . No matter how perfect he or she appears to you, you are just looking at what you think is lacking in you. Rather, be inspired to do your best to attain it! NEVER SPEAK ILL OF ANOTHER OR ANYTHING . It will set your mood bad and your environment dark. NEVER WORRY . Worrying will not stop unless and until what you worries happen, and you don't want that, anyway. So, sleep tight and eat well despite the problems and worry about it the next day. NEVER FORGET . Never forget the kindness of a family, friend, or relative. Time flies but memories of good deeds should not. NEVER EAT FOR THE SAKE OF EATING . Pay attention to what comes in to your body. Study and learn more about food and how they affect your health and your mood as well. NEVER LIVE IN WHAT IFS . If you chose to go for something, it does not mean all you want is answered. Some are fulfilled, some are not. But rest assured, your choice will always work well if you embrace...

GET HYACINTH FOR THE SOUL, DISCARD THE FUNGI. For a happier meaningful life, i think these are some of the human habits to kick and habits to keep... TO KICK: DRINKING COFFEE CIGARETTES AND CIGARS EATING PROCESSED FOODS BEING SLAVE TO ALCOHOL GAMBLING BUYING BECAUSE OF PACKAGE OR ADS GENDER-BIAS JOKES AND COMMENTS OVERSPENDING BRINGING WORK PROBLEMS AT HOME AND HOME PROBLEMS AT WORK RETAIL THERAPY OR STRESS SHOPPING ENJOY NOW, STRESS LATER WITH YOUR CREDIT CARDS DOING THINGS BECAUSE OF BOREDOM JUDGMENTAL TO OTHERS, RACE, SEX, RELIGION AND ETC TOSSING BOOKS AND TV ALL THE TIME TEXTING/RECEIVING CALLS WHILE ON THE DINNER TABLE EATING WITHOUT SAVORING INDISCRIMINATE SEX SLEEPING PILLS ONLINE MASQUERADES SWEARING GOSSIPING FROWNING ***** TO KEEP: PRAYING EATING WELL SLEEPING WELL LISTENING TO GOOD MUSIC OPEN-MINDEDNESS TO NEW IDEAS TALKING TO FRIENDS READING GREEN TEA JOGGING, WALKING AND OTHER FORMS OF EXERCISE POLLYANA BLOGGING DOING THINGS WI...

  My Tatay here is not posing as The Thinker; He is just admiring the karsts of El Nido, Palawan. Top things I learned from my FATHER* (that his grandsons should know) I bet that one epic lesson in life that every child has learned to live by as he grows up is "Follow what I say but do not follow what I do," referring altogether to the parent's advices and parent's misdeeds. But this one lesson is not the sum of everything there is, of course, because there are gems along the path considering one cannot live by the words of our parents only but also by what they do without their knowing that they are giving their best. Actually, to sketch my father's personality, I will be talking about his equal love for the spirits (his damnation), for the education (his redemption) and for his kitchen (his charm). So what can be learned from a father who is the center of this love triangle? A lot. As one family friend unsolicitedly whispered to me, “Eversince your ...

The Terracotta Army of Xi'an China (at my back) represents our quest for immortality but it quickly reminded me of our mortality. Hence, I shall give life to Life.  Dear Friends, Next to my cooking blog, Before Six Diet , which houses my recipes and some kitchen (mis)adventures, I wished to maintain my Foot and Fire blog which I originally apportioned for my itchy feet and sharp-eyed shots.  However, aside from my travels and travel photos which stand for the word FOOT, I decided to house here my poems and essays which may or may not revolve around travelling but as to other aspects of my daily life that likewise fire me up. Hence, FIRE.   I always wanted this blog to celebrate what I am (a sister, a daughter and a friend) and what I do everyday (from buying curtains to cooking to lawyering) because I love what I do and it gives me some sense of purpose and understanding on what Life is all about and How it should be lived. Given these reasons, I...