...HERE!
Getting My Groove Back!08.11.07
I really hate this since the day that I arrived back in the Philippines I somewhat lost the inspiration to cook. Doing the groceries from time to time doesn’t help either. Sometimes I just stand in the supermarket somewhat clueless so I usually have my cousins with me to check what to buy. Everything is kindof new to me that my brain cells can’t even decipher which ingredients to buy and to cook. *sigh* I just only wished that I get my groove back just like Stella (from the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back). Probably it will return once dear Odd is here or I am back home in Norway. But still any suggestions on how to get my groove back?
Anyway, here is a list of things that I did during the past few days:
a. The Philippines doesn’t really have Halloween until lately instead Filipinos celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day during Nov. 1 and 2. People from all walks of life flock towards the cemetery to visit their dead family members or loved ones. I was with my family during that time visiting my grandfather’s grave. It was fun to experience old traditions again!
b. My old room is finally repainted and redecorated! I’ve never invited someone into my room so basically Odd will be the first person to stay in my old room with me when he is finally here during December. Oohhh I am excited!
My old room which brings back memories. Here with my cousin Isabela Paula borrowing my laptop.
c. We just had a nice dinner at home and it was my aunt and uncle who did the cooking since we don’t have a cook in the house and our two maids or househelps can’t really cook. And even though I helped with the cooking the inspiration to cook hasn’t seeped in yet. *sigh* again.
We had some pork stew, grilled fish on banana leaves, rice, calamares, fried noodles and sweet potatoes.
This is Presentacion, my grandmother who taught me how to cook.
d. Was surfing around Youtube and found this video. It’s a transvestite guy who is also Miss Spain in a Miss Gay contest here. Gosh I find him/her pretty!
Before ending this post I would like to congratulate both RennyBA and Lifecruiser for being finalists in 2007 Weblog Awards. Talking about awards I think it is about time that someone out there will nominate me as well. But then again I don’t know if someone will actually nominate moi in some blog awards being that my blog is shallow and somewhat superficial from time to time. *sigh* Am I reaching for the stars?
Also please do visit my friends: Evol Kween, Kiss Fendi, Nan, Opal and Ryan.
P.S.
I am planning to do a kiddie party for my birthday soon in an orphanage and to make it bigger I needed more funds. I think you guys can help me out by checking on my sponsors around my blog.
Posted under Dinner, Live Broadcast, Verbal Diarrhea | Kommentare (55)
Maybe you can cook with your grandmother who taufgt you. She probably has more to teach you! Food looks great! Are you eating well? I hope you haven’t lost your appetite.
Ruth’s last blog post..Mooky’s Point of View!
Not being happy can make you lose inpiration and make it hard to get get your groove back. I had to temporarily (hopefully not much longer) move and I feel the same way. For me it’s not cooking, but it’s everything else… I just feel BLAH ;( Maybe helping with the cooking will gradually get you back into it, or, like Ruth said, cooking with your grandmother might help!
I really hope the student visa issues get worked out, but in the meantime, I’m glad Odd will be visiting you!
Girl, Dislocated’s last blog post..Am I totally incapable of writing short posts?
@ruth – too bad my grandma can’t really do the cooking nowadays since she is somewhat fragile now but hopefully she can regain her full strength again.
@girl, dislocated – I am so sorry that you are feeling the same way as well. And about the student visa, it is all over now but instead I am getting a fiancé visa which my lawyer is working on since Odd and I are already engaged and soon to be married. Yeah I am so happy that is he coming indeed!
it will come back let it be sa.. enjoy and once you are fully assimilated there am sure u will cook again…
shalimar’s last blog post..Uno spritz con bitter, aperitivo preferito
wow, kid party sa orphanage…so chatirable-princess ha! good on you dear. when nga ba ur bday??
@shalimar – yeah hopefully ate.
@bryan – I got that idea from Acey who is another blogger. Well my bday is on Feb 21 and I still dont know if I am still here in the Philippines or already back in Norway. Well see…
I’m sure your inspiration will come back soon, don’t try to force yourself too much.
Just surprise your public one of these days.
Love that tradition of honouring the departed on November 1 & 2, much less superficial than here in western Europe where we just put some flowers on graves and then forget about our loved ones for another year.
nov 1 and nov 2. those dates are for our loved ones who left us early…
and the video, yeah, and ganda niya.. maraming ganyan dito sa pinas…
Gee, I hope you get your groove back soon, Chase…I miss your beautiful pictures of delicious food that you have cookied…(Nice to see a little of that…) And your recipes…! Maybe after Odd gets there your “groove” will get back BIGTIME!
Hugs To You, My Dear Chase….
OldOldLady Of The Hills’s last blog post..the writer’s strike
Hi chase, thanks for dropping by. Your post reminds me of my granny, who used to cook so nice food for us when we were young. How I miss her cooking, and wonder if one day i can be as good as her :p
I really like that tradition of spending the day at the cemetery with family, it’s such a nice way to remember family history and ancestry. Thanks for mentioning my blog too!
Evol Kween’s last blog post..It wasn’t a bad weekend at all.
oh.. i’m craving for calamares! too bad, sabi sa balita may hinalong formalin ang mga calamares dito sa Manila. Hay.
I hope you could get back cooking again. Glad to know Odd will visit you there!
CM’s last blog post..The Adventures of CM in getting her grades.
Aww Charles, don’t worry that cooking mojo will come back and when it does, boy you’ll be glad
I haven’t spent All Souls and All Saints day in the Philippines since God knows how long! I miss the sleepovers in the cemetery and bonding with your family and friends. It’s amazing you got to experience it.
Oh don’t even get me started on Cebu fooood!!
Juice’s last blog post..Three Things
You have a lovely family.
Everything looks wonderful. At times I’ve lost my inspiration to cook. It sure can be frustrating! I hope you get your cooking groove back very soon. Thanks for the link.
I agree she is beautiful. Miss Spain reminds me oh this guy who one Ms. Gay Pride a few years in a row talk about gorgeous. I took pictures of her during the Gay Pride parade when I lived downtown. Looking at the video sure makes makes me miss Mt. Vernon it was a predominantly gay community. I lived there for almost eight years.
They had a few events each year that would shut down the streets and it would turn into a huge party, lot’s of vendors were there, the surrounded business would stay open later to cater to the crowd. It was a lot of fun! I miss that neighborhood.
Opal Tribble’s last blog post..Creative Parenting at Demoments
oh yeah “one” should have been “won”
Opal Tribble’s last blog post..Creative Parenting at Demoments
We have the same traditions here in Sweden. It use to be a long line to the cemetery during these days. We went to 3 cemeteries!
Thanks for the congrats. It’s a merit to be choosen as a finalist. I think. Even though it sometimes is some blogs that are finalists which I don’t understand how they ended up there..,
Last time I checked it seems like Renny is leading, so that’s a merit for your design too
Oh, that calamares would make Mr L very happy, he loves it!
Your grandma looks like a very nice lady. She is beautiful.
So when do you think that are you going to do that Cebu post for the Lifecruiser cyber cruise?
captain lifecruiser’s last blog post..Welcome aboard the new ship
shallow and somewhat superficial from time to time, yes may be, but we love it, and love you
you’ll get your Modjo back in no time, so don’t worry. I don’t believe you lost it at all, i can even smell how delicious it is when i look the photo 
but it’s maybe only a side effect of my diet ;(
Thanks for keeping us dated about your stay in the Philippines and well documented with nice pics as well!
Thanks for your love link to and for mentioning both me and our great blog friend Lifecruiser. The competition and voting will end today you know, so right now I am very excited.
I will nominate you next year my dear blog friend and my blog designer – You have designed one of Europe’s best blog you know
I am in Milan, Italy right now and in a meeting for the rest of the week. Just had to come and check and wish you a great end to your week!
RennyBA’s last blog post..Nominated as The Best European Blog
I’m guessing that when Odd finally comes here in December, you’ll want to cook Filipino food for him
Tiffany’s last blog post..What?s wrong with cussing?
@pieterbie – true. Just follow the flow.
@kingdaddyrich – yeah some even look more women than the real ones. lol!
@oldoldladyonthehills – hopefully I can really whip up a nice meal soon! Hugs to you too!
@chinnee – well you should try and practise alot to be good at cooking. And you are welcome dear.
@evol kween – yup it is indeed a nice tradition and regarding with the shoutout, anytime my friend.
@cm – calamares is really good and really? Gosh that is awful but hopefully you can taste calamares again without the formalin.
@juicee – well we didn’t do the sleepovers since it is somewhat dangerous these days which is a sad thing coz I miss those days as well.
@opal tribble – ooh that sounds like a nice community to live in. I bet there are merry things happening there all the time.
@lifecruiser – that is nice and I think I will post a recipe of the calamares later. And regarding with the Lifecruiser post I think I’ll do it on December when Odd is around since I have more time to travel and click some photos.
@xoussef – oh thank you dear! But believe no matter how delicious the food was I only ate a little since I am on a diet as well.
@rennyba – you are welcome always and thanks in advance hehehe. Hope you have a lovely time in Milan!
@tiffany – of course! And I am pretty excited to boot hehehe
omg! you’re actually here! hope i get to taste one of your specialties. am on vacation till next week so i finally have time to come visit. missed you na!
ribbiticus’s last blog post..Tribute To The SSS (Sesame Street Sidekicks)
Chase, you’ll get your groove back… you have a huge upheaval, so of course somethings bound to get misplaced.
Besides, who’d want to cook when everything is basically done for you? It’s the PHilippines, right? I neve left a finger in the Philippines unless absolutely necessary.
Odd is visiting in the Philippines? That would be so much fun. Are you into scuba diving?
well.. im sure youll get your groove back. you are prolly just adjusting or something. wow Odd will be there by December? cool
tina’s last blog post..Road Show – Push, Drive, Explode
@ribbiticus – sure and I hope to see you soon as well!
@shosh – true ate. It is like back to princess mode here hahahahha. But I usually want to do things by myself so I wont blame anyone else when there is a mistake.
@tina – yup I am quite excited to see him again!
Hi Chase! Calamares… oh my, I now have a craving and it’s past midnight here, lol.
The 2007 Webby Awards just started… Maybe someone will nominate you for that…
I was nominated for 10th Philippine Web Awards (running in People’s Choice Best Blogs). People voting thing. Winners are announced on Nov. 22 at an awards show. Eh, I don’t think I’ll win… I’ll probably get 10 votes, LOL.
FruityOaty’s last blog post..Desperate Housecats & 10th Philippine Web Awards Voting
I miss the old tradition. I miss my grandparents place. Thanks for the updates chase and for the lovely picture. Your lola reminds me of my lola too
take care chase
scart’s last blog post..Excerpt Plugins…
at the back of my head, whenever i comment, i feel the need to search Odd in the comments section. siiigh… katuwa. things will go your way and hey, the groove is there. just bend… and snap!
Him/Her is pretty!
I am sure you will find your groove back … Definitely!
Kyels’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem 2007
The cooking inspiration will come back. You have had so many changes lately. Looks like you are getting some wonderful food from your family. Wish I had someone to cook for me.
The Artist’s last blog post..Australia?s New Political Party The Climate Change Coalition
Hi chase – It happened to me once some months ago. I would say relax and don’t force yourself to get the groove back. If you really want to, maybe you could just do simple task/help out in the kitchen. But I’m sure some day, you will get your groove back.
The food looks really yummy, I wish I was there…
really sad coz we haven’t met in cebu. sorry ha.
halloween parties are now becoming popular here but not forgetting the cemeteries pa rin.
i’m sure when odd arrives, you’ll get your groove back in cooking. you’ll be inspired to cook native food for him.
and lastly, no one is nominating you? i’m sorry. i just don’t know how to nominate but you totally deserve to win an award
tin-tin’s last blog post..Our Province
Ya know what I realized the other night? I can’t cook non-fried food
Are you ever coming to Maniluh?
Helga’s last blog post..LIFTED FROM TMB: SLUM [sic] BOOK (GALORE).
hello chase passing by to tell that you’ve been tagged
http://scarty.com/miscellaneous/my-better-half
scart’s last blog post..A new terror to watch!
How I wish you could return to Norway soon! I hope you will find the groove and inspiration to get the best out of your stay in the Philippines.
Nan’s last blog post..A Little Late Halloween
Hey!
You’re still in the philippines pala.
When I saw the pic of your grandma, I was all: *this* is the woman who taught Chase how to cook!
I have an aunt who used to join the ms gay universe contest back in the 90s. She always won Ms. Photogenic.
Go get your cooking mojo back!
Ann’s last blog post..Reintroduction
I’m drooling sa pagkaon! kalami sa isda my favorite!!
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hey, chase! that’s so cool you’re thinking about celebrating your birthday in an orphanage, with the kids. i wanted to do the same thing for my 20th bday, but it never happened. i hope i can do something like it someday.
when is your bday again? 
aCey’s last blog post..just back from dumaguete city
Chase, go to a Mc Donald and I’m sure you will start cooking again.
Thanks for sharing your family and Phillipinas All Saints traditions.
Great shots.
PS. I’m a couple of days in Miami Beach, visiting my daughter.
TorAa’s last blog post..Photo Hunt – November 10 – 2007
Wow Chase, I didn’t have a chance to watch the video before, but that “girl” rocks!
Shosh’s last blog post..Elizabeth, The Golden Age
I don’t think I can help you since I don’t know a fig about cooking but I do hope you get you’re groove back soon. It’s nice nga na you get to experience old traditions again! I’m a little jealous even, cause I couldn’t go to the cemetery because of my work.
Rad’s last blog post..Save the Writers, Save the World
wow!!Odd is coming over?yeah,thats makes you so excited and inspired everyday
i miss the food and i miss the todos los santos too…
wishing you a nice week ahead!
ghee
ghee’s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot#4
Just here to check up. Hope your still doing fine and have done some cooking after all. Hope it’s not to long before Odd is coming for a visit!
As my very special blog designer, your welcome over to celebrate my second blog year Anniversary
RennyBA’s last blog post..RennyBA’s Terella second Anniversary
don’t worry, Chas I am sure sooner or later you will get your groove back. The holiday season might give you a good boost.
I think when Odd comes to visit you, things will definitely be brighter!
oh wow, chase, that was a lovely pinoy spread..yummy!! Thanks for sharing the images, especially the cemetery , oddly enough, it was nice to see.
I wish it’s already december for you so you and odd can be together again.
regards from holland..and take care chase
i’m lost,im lost..why are you in the Phil.?! vacation?
saw some shows both in bangkok and tokyo of those gay/shemale/ladyboys and they are just fantastic! beautiful too!
i’ve a new blog,kindly add me to your mega links!
thanks!
http://blissfullybare.wordpress.com/
sachiko’s last blog post..Getting to know Japan more
It’s weird isn’t? We, Filipinos celebrate All Soul’s Day during All Saint’s Day. I wonder when we will celebrate it on the right day.
Christian’s last blog post..Sisa Kalusa
Ah, I didn’t go to the cemetery this year, I just went grocery shopping in the afternoon then cooked dinner. I hope your “chef’s block” goes away soon!!
Aurus’s last blog post..Sick Puppy
Just got wind of this post, Chas. Lost in the non-blog wilderness.
I’m literally about to board the plane, as I type this, on my holiday to the Philippines… a 9-week jaunt! Woo hoo!
wow, the foods…………sarapppppppp
thanks for sharing the kalag-kalag celebrations there……diri mingaw gyd kaayo……kasabot ba ka bisaya?—–lol
thanks for sharing…………regards
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