Hliza's Interview - Part 2

Having my own country and advice to a future DIL.

This interview was conducted by the fabulous and bedazzling world famous Malaysian blogger, Hliza!

How To Be Interviewed:
1. Ask me to send you interview questions.
2. Post your answers in your site.
3. Link to me.
4. Ask if anyone is interested to be interviewed.
5. Send questions.
6. ENJOY!




Red Vase Photo: by me
Makati CBD

by: Neil Alderney

This is where you can usually find me....
somewhere in there that is...

just hanging out...
reading...sipping a cup of tea..or coffee..or cool mango juice.....
in a quiet corner....

Photo: by me: MUSEUM CAFE

sometimes....waving back at a happy crowd...
Flickr Photo by IAN ONG

Hliza: Most of us in Southeast Asia are living in unstable conditions; politically and economically. Have you ever thought of leaving the country and migrating to a better place? Why?

Prism: Let's take it further than another country. I want my OWN country! And when I do, the national anthem will be one you are familiar with..."I'm too sexy for my..." he!he!he!

Kidding aside, yes and no.

Yes, when fed up with all the gunk going on around. And no, because I, or better yet, my husband and I never took it further than "what if..." even if we easily could.

Yes, there are beautiful places to see, but for me, there is no" better place" to live. Each country, each culture has its prettiness and ugliness, it's good and bad, it's advantages and disadvantages. I am well familiar ( and used to) with mine.

As daunting ( not to mention disgusting) and challenging as it is to be confronted with the negative aspects of living here, I am more thankful and truly grateful for the positive points living here has granted, primary of which is, freedom;

The freedom to text, to speak, to blog, to belly dance, to yoga, to dress however crazy way you want ( as long as you are dressed ), to belt out in a karaoke bar, to party like a rock star..wannabee'... (?), to think for oneself, to choose your own belief, freedom to worship whomever, to read whatever you want, to own stuff, to eat as much as one can, to drink as much as well..he!he! and to ran for whatever position, even the presidency, if you are a woman.

This is me...my children have other plans, it seems.

Hliza:Throughout the many years of becoming a teacher, can you share with us one incident..maybe involving your students or things related; that you feel had touched your life in a very special way?

Prism: hu! hu! I miss my students...sniff!

There are a lot, but I endearingly remember when they made out a surprise program for my 37th birthday. They sang and danced for me. They recited poetry too! And gave me gifts and little notes still in my possession. My students have taught me much more than I have taught them!

Hliza: Tell us 3 advices you may want to giv your daughter-in-law someday.

Prism: Daughter-in law?...egadz''...I hope I would not have to dispense any solicited advice just so soon. My eldest is only 19 ha!ha! Nevertheless, lemme' see'......

1. Always smell good. And I mean, always. ( use natural soap with a base of virgin coconut oil)

2. Be a lady and let it go - That thing you want to blurt out in irritation?... let it go...away. Don't say it. It's not worth the stress of a prolonged stupid argument with no outcome.

3. Be serene. If you're tired - rest. Don't make a big fuss about how tired you are. Just rest then put yourself pretty together and kiss your husband and children. Savor the instant reward in their smiling faces.

Ooooops..it appears that 2 and 3 is something I need to remind myself ..he!he!


Hliza, Thank you very much.
I enjoyed answering all your questions! :>

Hliza's Interview - Part One

This interview was conducted by the fabulous and bedazzling world famous Malaysian blogger, Hliza!

How To Be Interviewed:
1. Ask me to send you interview questions.
2. Post your answers in your site.
3. Link to me.
4. Ask if anyone is interested to be interviewed.
5. Send questions.
6. ENJOY!

Part One

Hliza: How do you describe your fashion sense? (You're encouraged to write an essay on that..better with pics!)

Prism: My fashion sense? Seriously? Weeeeelp, jeans jeans and jeans. Nothing fancy.

When I was a teacher, my usual attire was the official uniform or gym wear. I modeled that attire for years and years. My catwalk was the center aisle of my classroom. I usually end my class hours with chalk marks and dust ( sometimes glitter) all over my clothes. Tres' chic!

Ah, but now that I do corporate trainings, I wear a conservative suit.Not very comfy and it makes me feel stuffed.

I am practical and frugal when it comes to shopping for clothes. I never splurge and don't go frivolous. The pieces I own, however, are timelessly precious and complement my personality.

Now, when it comes to color, I like coordinating my clothes in shades of light browns, creams, whites, and deep rose. I shun away from colors that are too bright, such as fuchsia, yellow and orange. Black does not always become me.

And when we speak of style, the classic elegant look is what I strive for, although I can be funky at rare moments. I don't slave after the latest sexy outfits, but I do, sometimes, show a shoulder here or a bit of a cleavage there, but only in good taste, at the right place, and when accompanied by my husband ( whom I aim to amuse when I am attired as such.)

Hliza: What is one modern invention that you despise the most?

Prism: I would like to say "modern artillery" but they aren't gadjets. Nevertheless, I despise them. Oh' but wait a minute, you said "invention".....so I guess that would be it.

I would also like to add that those little game things..."psp," I think they call it...or "X Box, " I really don't like them! They are highly addictive and a waste of time ( my opinion only).

Gone are the days when kids get a big kick out of books...sad.

END OF PART ONE.

The Degrees

I'm getting to it, Hliza! Your questions are very interesting hee!hee! It will be up by Monday...goodie..goodie...dee' dum!

Meanwhile, I saw in the news how so many parts of this world are experiencing the lash of such cold bitter winter weather.....brrrrrrrr. I cannot even begin to imagine how it would be like to have no heating amidst such conditions.

Over here, we are experiencing a breeze of delightful cool weather too! "Amihan" ( Northwesterly winds from Siberia) is so acknowledged since she only passes by when the Christmas season sets in. Lady Ami' lingers till about February to give a much needed respite from the usual dry or wet.

Yes, we savor the brief chill but this year has been quite unusual. It is much colder than it has been years back. Where I live, temperatures have dipped 18 degrees.That's a wow' if you live in Manila where hot means hot! It is also being reported that 2 days from now our summer capital, Baguio City, will dip 6 degrees! Not good for the veggies and those sweet fields of strawberries.

For someone used to temperatures of 27 degrees above, I appreciate this type of cool...( except that it dries my skin and hair), specially because I know summer ( March) with its dazzling heat, sun, and beach is just around the corner...

uh' oh...which means so is my birthday...another year older....yah!

Anyway, I like my doggie prints...or are those cow prints (?).....
I feel like dancing too...

The Gift

" Today is a gift. That is why it is called, the present. "

Life is a matrix of mystery and the prettiest, most surreal things manifest when you least expect it. That is, if - and only if, you are in tune, aligned, centered, so to speak, to the crux of a moment!

For most people, life occurs in a state of distant future. A dreamworld of a day when one has finally, finally, oh' at long last, evolved into an imaginary perfect version of oneself, with all its accompanying status, and trappings, and distinctions, and accolades, and riches, plus that sculpted weight and height and hair color so rightly befitting.

Ah', in the- imaginary- future, you have arrived....yehey, yeehaw, what an escape!

However, even more people dwell in the past. A masochistic world of regret and pain and anger- for whatever archaic reason, direly re-lived day after day, moment after moment, for the purpose of...of....nothing else to do, probably. Who knows exactly, eh?

Then some, of course, live in the past for the sake of....high school! The good old days of 86' when life was punk and sporting big hair, plus Bermuda thick eyebrows, were a sure fire path to the volcanic throes of true love! Duh...

Eeeeks' to the delusion, and the hair, and bushy brows! Oh' but heck, high school rules ( or college, or elementary, or nursery, or the 60's, or the 70's or the 90's whatever year you prefer ) so let's live there...forever!

So what's wrong with this? Shouldn't we plan for the future and glory in the days gone by? What's wrong with digging' the past and pinning for the future?

Basically, nothing.

Nothing as long as you aren't "STUCK." You know, like in a rut?

Stuck to a tomorrow that does not exist. And stuck to a past that is deceased. So stuck that one becomes oblivious to the beauty and preciousness that is just is.

For here we are at the cusp of another fresh new year, making out goals, and plans, and resolutions, and aspirations, as we should. This is good. All good.

And as important as the future is and as significant the past, the most crucial part of existence is the awareness of the present moment, NOW! There is no tomorrow ( yet); and gone is that all consuming past to continuously regret. But there truly is a now; this moment, this time, this present.

So breath deep.

Deep. Deep. Smile.

Relish life and live the goodness you are.

And just like that pretty butterfly whose daintily fluttering existence has touched me, realize that your presence is significant. You, yes you, make a beautiful difference in the lives of so many, in this world, at this moment, right NOW!

Manifest the best.

Flutter and fly!

* written for a commercial website targeting young adults.

New Year's Butterfly

The best part of Christmas 08' was everything and more! 

More because that special twinkle of a heart was when  Hubz' and I went off for a few days to a cool pretty' hideaway far far far from this city. No kids.Just the two of us! 

What luxury it was to just be together with no agenda but to seriously indulge in relaxing. Woooow' relaxing, imagine that!

The first day after lunch, he decided to tee' off playing nine holes. Fine by me. I relished that moment being by myself with nothing but the view of silent rolling greens and the harmonious chirping of birds for company. 

Life so alive!

Lying on my bed facing nature, my eyes feasted and drank on the beauty before me. Slowly, it dawned how achingly tired I actually was....as if the whole weight of the year to pass decided to press in suffocatingly at that very  hour.

A deep purposeful breath of  cool mountain air gently, so gently, released me. It was then I felt a huge baggage of deep seated spirited tiredness, and concern, and thinking physically lift from my very soul. Hypnotized by tranquility, my body literally sunk deep into a floating state of blissful rest. Nirvana, you could say. 

The last day we decided to take a side trip to a mystical chapel we had been hearing about. True enough, it was a one of the most beautiful nature sanctuaries I have ever seen, perfect for meditating or being by oneself to jot down plans, or even be with friends for a meaningful time together.

We hiked up the long trail of gardens to where the chapel was and entered with ( respectful) playfuness and reverence for the prettiness and tranquiity of the Dominican sanctuary. 

Since we were totally alone, we took the liberty of taking a few pics, staying momentarily to admire the artistry of its interior with its colorfuly stained walls and windows. That's when I saw it!

Flying so daintily, this pretty lovely butterfly fluttered in from the garden, through an open widow,  gliding gracefully and gently settling into my hubby's bown leather belt! Mesmerizing!! To say that we were totally awestruck is an undertatement!

And if that wasnt enough, a  minute later, her prettiess, the butterfly, fluttered once again, this time casually settling on me! 

I don't have the words to describe that moment except to say that it was the most spiritual experinece we have both ever had inside a church. It was like.....like.... we were being bonded once again....

Our presence sanctified, not by a priest or a pastor or a  minister...but by no less, than a pretty spotted yellow winged angel of a butterly! :)

PS: Thank you so much for the greetings everyone! 

And yes, I owe quite a number of people letters and responses. I will get into that this week:)

Just as soon as I finish that last last leftover cup of strawberry ice cream...

It has been a beautiful beautiful holiday season for me and I can't wait to grab some alone time to blog about it. Not just yet though. There is still much to do and savor and enjoy the following days to come. Next week...next week...Meanwhile...


And may we not foolishly heed what doomsayers so damagingly predict: want and loss and downfalls. Worry not of such, for as long as we possess within our hearts that secret shimmer of faith, hope and love the season stands for, then this year, 2009, will surely give its blessed best for all of us.

As for me, may I constantly remember to "give that which I seek."

Merry Greetings....

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within."



Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year to all!!

I was in the middle of frying chicken ( marinated and seasoned with lemon juice, paprika, pepper, salt and a bit of curry, coated with all purpose flour, dunk in 4 inches sizzling boiling oil he!he!) when I had the urge to do a little crude blurry video ov' me just saying "hi."

I want to greet everyone by name, but there's just too many I want to mention. A proper list must be made so I don't miss anyone :)

Right now, this is the uncombed, fried chicken smelling me :)

Have a great day!

UPDATE:

Thank you very much for your comments and greetings! I will be back soon. Right now it's busy busy fun busy. Take care and enjoy the holidays!