I’ve got brilliant parents. I don’t even know what kind of a mess I’d turn out to be if I weren’t raised by them. I was the perfect recipe for a devil child =  irreverence + ADHD + weird attraction to the idea of wangling reality. One day I would be beading every piece of cloth I could find in the house, another day I’d be asking our gardener Tony to carve a wooden ‘itak’(machete) that I could play with, and still there were days when I’d draw all my jewelry and label how many diamonds and other precious gems each piece had.

Coming from a traditional Filipino-Chinese family, I’m glad my parents drilled the more ‘practical’ things I needed in life. My father, who topped the board exam for Mechanical Engineering, probably wonders to this day how he could have produced an offspring who doesn’t have the head to remember things like Avogadro’s number ( just googled it. 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd. cant be bothered reading the whole wikipedia page, so i still dont know what it’s for. ) My mother, who runs our household seamlessly, probably wonders how she could have given birth to someone who thinks autopay is the greatest invention because sorting bills is just too stressful.

My mom is a classic tiger mom. She puts Amy Chua to shame. (Ps. Amy’s other less well-known book ‘World on Fire’ is a must-read) I used to bicker about my mother in front of my friends because I thought she was slightly too dictatorial. My natural inclination towards democratic principles resulted to many civil wars at home. I know she did it out of love, but back then I was too immature to appreciate it. I have since realized that she always acted out of my best interest and  sometimes that meant withholding something I wanted and always holding me accountable for my mistakes. Honestly, I kinda love her for it. You know, for setting the bar high. I’m glad her passion for excellence didn’t stop with herself, but extended to everything else she touched her hands on.Would I do things differently if I were one day blessed to be a mother? Yes. That doesn’t make me love my mom less, and that doesn’t mean I will be a better mother.

One of the most valuable things my parents taught me was to love learning. It doesn’t even have to be a particular subject. You can be curious about something even if no one gives two cents about it and that’s perfectly fine. They encouraged me to ask questions and question the answers I had to my original question. (If you got that, you get an A+ for mental gymnastics) Luckily, they were able to support me academically, and for that I’m eternally grateful. ( I’m sure there are parents who would like bestow the same gift but are constrained by financial limitations.Which brings me to my non-mama related brief commercial:

This is one of the best things I came across today while reading Newsweek. Coursera is an amazing project by two Stanford Professors Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng to provide online education accessible to all. We’re talking about full courses with online lectures, homework, assignments and grades taught by volunteer professors from Stanford, Princeton, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.

I really hope word spreads about this. It’s such an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn something new or brush up on dusty knowledge. I’ve signed up for two courses and I’m really excited about it.)

Back to mama. Well, there’s nothing much to say except I love her. A lot, in fact.

Happy Advanced Mother’s Day! Wanted to make a public declaration but I won’t be able to get hold of free internet time til next week, so I’ll greet you now.

Mama, if you’re reading this: I used to get annoyed at this Proverbs 31 woman for being so perfect, but I’ve come to realize that you’re the only woman I know who resembles her most.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Big besos.

As with all great friendships, a year and a half can pass and leave no gaps in between.<3

The ability of a revelation to re-direct a course of life and completely turn a situation upside down blows my mind away. Not to be confused with awareness, a revelation is a super natural disclosure of an abstract idea which was previously unknown. Alternately, it could have been known but partially or entirely misunderstood. (Is it just me or does anyone else get a sense that enlightenment seldom dawns on those who clutch on to their preconceived notions with stubborn tenacity?)

Facts can but do not always manifest truth. Our sensing ability, as awesome as they are, can betray us in so many ways. I’ve learned that the emotions and feelings I cherish so dearly need to be tamed – not in a ‘I am now a machine’ kind of way – but more of a ‘I control my feelings and not the other way around’. When I act out of the height of emotions, I find I’m not making the wisest choice. I’m naturally a very ‘feeling’ type of person so I need to exercise more discipline in this area which, frankly, throws my flesh into a fit. I find a good way of dealing with it is by ruminating on an issue and approaching it from a ‘big picture’ perspective. (ie. in light of what I’ve learned in the past, given my present circumstance and with a vision of what I want in the future: is acting in X way right now going to lead me towards a healthy direction? if the answer is no, it’s a sure sign that re-evaluation is needed.)

It’s a really tough discipline but the rewards are indescribably worth the pain. You gain peace of mind…and myyy goodness I would NEVER trade my peace for anything in the world. Freedom from guilt. Joy. Hope. All the things that you can never attain on the merit of success, career or otherwise , that genuinely matter.

So I constantly tell myself (yes I converse with myself. quite often actually) not to get my feathers in a ruffle. Mika, in his classic Grace Kelly, once so very wisely sang that ‘getting angry doesn’t solve anything’. Now that is one kick-ass truth…proving good things can come from flamboyant men who like glitter.

   xxx

I just want to give a big shout-out to Kim and the Femele Network for deeming me worthy enough to be included in their 100 Amazing Filipinas list. There are so many inspirational Filipinas all across the globe who are making a difference in their communities. This list is just a fraction of all the great Filipino women who are fighting for a cause, lending a hand to others, and living a life worthy of existence.

Just some quick clarifications:

a) I was (past tense) part of Shelter Charity back when I was still living in Scotland. I still very much support the cause but being away from the UK means I don’t get to physically give myself to it (which, at the end of the day, is the bit that truly matters.)

b) The whole Espana-mania started back when I was in high school. (A lifetime ago, yes.) Recently, I’ve developed a more unbiased opinion towards nations. Meeting many interesting people from different countries can give one a healthy appreciation for all cultures regardless of geography.

I do still hang-out with my Spanish crew so I guess the whole Spanish immersion is still an on-going endeavor. It’s in no way an indication of favoritism.

c) For ages I wanted to be part of the diplomatic scene in Spain. However, I’ve changed a lot and now I just want to be the person God made me wherever He appoints me. Putting limits on an unlimited God would be, well, dumb.

Life is such an adventure. There’s so much to enjoy and so many experiences to look forward to. Accepting my identity while working towards improvement and embracing change means I can constantly grow into a better version of myself.

I’d rather eat a microwave and die of radiation poisoning than see the day I loose my sense of purpose, sway from my convictions, sacrifice my principles, and bring dishonor to my family.

To my dear Manilanittes:

Click click click! Shop shop shop!

I’m truly grateful for the little surprises life throws my way. The first thought that came to my head when I heard Beethoven’s Appassionata playing from my office desk was : uh-oh, here goes my imagination playing tricks on me yet again!

I went straight to our piano hall downstairs to confirm the state of my sanity and luckily found  a wonderful Filipina practicing for her auditions for Julliard tomorrow.

Lo, I’m not yet a full-blown crazy.

I’ve got the most beautiful video of her playing but she asked that I keep it for my personal viewing which I must honor.

I hope you guys enjoy Valentina Lisitsa playing the 3rd movement stunningly instead.

Music is such a good antidote for one’s heart and soul. x

I confess. I cannot cook to save my life from the apocalypse. However, lately I’ve been bitten by the Martha Stewart bug so I’ve been attempting to make bits and bobs in the kitchen. I’m currently obsessed with sweet potato so I’ve learned how to boil them to perfection. I was so successful at boiling that I ventured out of my comfort zone and can now make two other things which I will share to you guys today:

1) Scrambled Egg a la Raisin avec Cayenne Pepper

First you buy eggs. I recommend the cage free variety with no hormones, antibiotics or chemicals.

Then you beat the egg with a spoon (a fork will also do. or chopsticks if you’re from China) and sprinkle some raisins. You can also add sea salt to taste, but not too much because an unhealthy amount of sodium is your health’s enemy.

Put a bit of extra virgin olive oil in your non-stick pan. Heat it. Then throw the egg in and flip back to back until the whole thing is solid. I personally like it when it has a brownish tinge.

If you’re lucky like me, you can even get your egg to look a bit like Australia.

2. Kidney Bean and Sweet Corn Marinara con Walnut

First: buy organic whole wheat fusili of the Low GI variety, marinara sauce, tinned corn, organic kidney bean, and walnuts. Bonus points if you eat oatmeal with walnuts in the morning because then you’d have some walnuts hanging out in your cupboard.

* not in picture: walnuts. i threw the container and didn’t want to get it in the bin just to take a picture. that’s kinda gross.

Basically, boil the pasta until al dente. Then, heat all the other ingredients in a saucepan until you see smoke rising. Mix both together and add cayenne pepper. (Im a firm believer of the health benefits of this magic herb. It’s great for your circulatory system, cardiovascular health, it loosens mucous, and improves your metabolism among a million other things. I keep cayenne pepper in my kitchen and office…im also thinking of keeping an emergency bottle in my handbag.)

Enjoy!

Ok guys, Im off to spend my saturday evening in a restful and relaxing manner. I had the busiest week known to mankind so I can’t wait to unwind with my two books, breakfast at tiffany’s dvd, and new tunes added to my iPod.

Have a nice nice nice weekend! xxx

The days of the week according to Hanna:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Leoparday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

There are days when Leoparday moves up or down the ladder according to my animalistic mood. Days are so arbitrary, might as well have a bit of fun with it.

My office best friend tita coring is back!!! We both wore leopard in celebration.

Love you, tita!!!

Spotted this chic chica on my way to the upper west last night. Of course I had to stop her/say hola/compliment her/talk to her/take a picture of her even if I was running late.

If you’re sexy, click Ooh La La Rosanna!

If you don’t, it means you’re fat.

Children rock my world. A trip to your local playground can really teach you some important life lessons, like forgiveness ( have you noticed how a little boy can fight like there’s no tomorrow and 3 seconds later laugh a riot with the same person?) and fearlessness (when I was a kid I used to think kidnappers better not kidnap me or they would cry their sorry ass off because I believed I was stronger and could bite them until they bled and died. Funny coz while I was fearless in answering back to the teachers and my mother I also had an irrational fear of the flush. The sound really gave me the creeps at night.)

It’s beautiful to watch and observe kids go about their own business. This ability to engulf one’s life around a sense of wonder, curiosity and an unfettered imagination feeds my own sense of wonder, curiosity and imagination. It’s no surprise I enjoy the company of these little chickens. Besides, half of the time I cannot be bothered with all the nonsense grown-ups constantly stress over. Forget about evil on a global scale, do you know there are people who consciously act to hurt people that they know? As if a bond can be based on power struggles and one-upping the other? I mean, how seriously messed up is that? If we could all learn how to give what we want to get out of life, we would really reap an amazing harvest out of the good seeds that we sow!

So, that was my segue to the non-sequitur statement I’m about to make on nuclear disarmament. Suffice it to say, beefing up nuclear arms in a quest to create security is probably the most paradoxical joke ever thought of by ‘smart, rational, human beings’. The amount of money spent on useless crap which can be invested into clean water, schools, and infrastructures while concurrently increasing civilian protection and capacity sounds so much more effective in realizing global security.

The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs are getting kids involved in the dream of a nuclear-free world. I hope against all odds that the next generation will be smarter concerning matters of global peace. By the looks of their art they already are:

I really hope children from the Philippines join this project! If you have any kids, encourage them to join and educate them with the videos available at the site.

It should make our Filipino kiddies brim with pride to know that their country is part of SEANWFZ (South East Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone). We are one of the original signatories of a binding treaty that obliges its members not to develop, manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons! Now that’s something we can boast to the world.