For Love Of Filipino Soap Operas

Jim and I always look forward to a new day, our attitude: "Carpe Diem", pronounced kärpā ' dē em; meaning, seize the day.  That's right, grasp the moment and enjoy it; live  in the here and now. 

Well, we don't really go out looking for fun,  we just look forward to each new day and appreciate what it brings.  We indulge in activities we truly enjoy, and being retired makes this so much easier for we have the luxury of time. 

When we finally got settled in this new home, Jim and I found time to watch the local tv drama series that we never bothered doing before, not that we are snobs nor found the time.  Maybe we're just biased, a perception we took from childhood  that there isn't much to learn from watching a lot of crying scenes, slap sticks comedy and even wash-room jokes.  

Recently though, we learned to appreciate these soap operas, because they have come a long way as quality shows.  Indeed the local movie and tv drama entertainment industry has evolved into something better than the ordinary, comparable if not better than those produced abroad.  This is why we got interested to watch the movie since we followed the tv series, "Got To Believe" earlier on and we like the young major casts. 

Today is my day-off from the store so I asked Jim if he is still good on his intention to watch the latest, most-talked-about, well-advertised local movie, Barcelona.  This was filmed in Spain and directed by the acclaimed, award-winning and most coveted director in Philippine movies today.  

On the way to Town, we recalled that the last time we went to a movie was in 2005, when we watched Dubai, another local movie filmed in the same place as the title.  I thought that the first screening at noon was the most convenient so I asked our older daughter to get us tickets on line. Of course, I did my homework earlier, so I knew the screening schedule.  We got there half an hour early that gave us time to get a quick lunch of burgers and chips. 

The plot depicted the typical life of OFWs, who are mostly professionals.  In spite challenges doing menial jobs, oftentimes taking two or even three of them to earn more money to send back home and over-coming loneliness; the only thing that keep them going is their enduring ambition to provide a better future for their families.  For the single ones who find true love amidst all the over-whelming hardship and loneliness are lucky; which exactly happened to two young people in this movie. 

I guess that our new-found appreciation for the local drama series made our TV entertainment more balanced from before when we only watched the news, sports, the food network and HGTV.  Besides, it is great to patronize our own and love what is truly Filipino. 

 

Is It Necessary To Declutter To Be Organized?

My two daughters and I compare notes regularly on our cooking/menu planning as well as the progress of our decluttering.   My older daughter who lives in town told me the other day that she was able to sell at least two big items on line this week.  

While we were chatting on line last night, my younger daughter abroad happily told me that she was able to sell a few things recently as well.  I too, mentioned that I'm continuously weeding out some of my clothes and kitchen items.  We are always glad to share our decluttering activities because this is liberating, besides, who doesn't want to get a few bucks out of it?

 I also told my younger daughter that I don't touch her dad's stuff and that Jim laughingly said of himself once that he is a hoarder.  He is reluctant to let go of his stuff even though he knows that he won't be using them anytime soon. 

"To be fair, Dad seldom buys stuff for himself", my younger daughter replied.  "I agree", Jim is very discriminate especially with his clothes,  they are timeless and no extreme fashion for him, so they last.  

"Btw", my younger daughter continues ;

"I read an article about decluttering if your family is not ready".

"Oh, really, I have to read that, can you send me the link?", I asked. 

"It's in a minimalist blog", she replied. 

So I eagerly clicked to Google and searched:

"How to declutter if a family member is not ready or willing".

I did not only find what I was looking for but in the process, I found a  new perspective about decluttering from a blog:

"What to do if you are organized but your partner isn't".  

By Erin Dolan, Unclutterer.com

It talks about "mismatched couples who have difficulty getting along since one is neat and orderly while the other is not".  

I did not realize that this issue is rather common in many households.  While this is a trivial issue to some, it maybe crucial to others; truly relevant as finances or living arrangements  couples should consider before making a commitment.  Coping mechanisms were suggested in the blog, a simple example is when a partner can't tolerate the clutter, he/she should do the regular organizing.  This may work for awhile but the danger of not bringing the matter in the open may create animosity between partners and a breakup maybe a consequence. 

As I thought of my predicament, it dawned on me that decluttering doesn't mean giving up most of our stuff and turn ourselves minimalists.  If we are not ready, keeping things we love (or for whatever reason) is okay as long as they are organized;  after all, the ultimate goal of decluttering is order, the absence of mess.  If there's a place for everything,  putting them away becomes habitual and it would be easy as well to locate them when necessary. 

I must say that even if Jim won't go all out decluttering his stuff, he is a very organized person and he can't tolerate mess.  When things are in disarray, he will roll his sleeves and fix things, he will even sweep if this is what is necessary to keep a clean and orderly home. 

I'll never forget the  big lesson he gave me very early into our marriage.  One afternoon, I hurried home from the office to prepare dinner and to fix our room.  But I got the big surprise of my life when I saw every corner of our room spick and span, everything were in place, our bed neatly made and our clothes were folded and arranged properly.  

I guess my husband didn't want to embarrass me for being sloppy and he thought better to show me how he wants our home to be.  I understood that he wants our home ship shape always.  Then and there, the only thing to do is to thank him.  I also resolved to do better and to this day, I am forever grateful for a life-long lesson in being organized. 

Crispy Beef In Orange Sauce

I felt like eating crispy beef in orange sauce today when I recalled what I ate at Chopsuey Restaurant in Dempsey, Singapore.  I had no idea what went in the beef except the orange so I chose one version from the recipies that came out of my on line search.  

Half a kilo of sirloin beef, sliced in 1/4-inch strips

Added  a tbsp of soy and 6 tbsp of cornstarch until beef was coated thoroughly. 

Put in the freezer for an hour to enhance crispness.

With a peeler, I took the yellow skin of an orange making sure not to include the white portion since that is bitter.  

I cut the peel into thin slices and set aside. 

I squeezed half of the orange juice 

Added 1 tbsp cooking wine, 2 tbsp red wine,1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy and 3 tbsp orange marmalade and whisked to incorporate ingredients.  Set aside.

Sauted in 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger and orange rind. 

Added the orange juice mixture and let it boil. 

 beef strips deep-fried until crispy  

Crispy beef fully coated in orange sauce.

The finished dish, in the picture above was garnished it with chopped spring onions and basil.  

Conclusion/Recommendation:

Jim noted a slightly bitter taste and we attributed it to the orange peel's white portion that came off with the rind.

Next time I'll just grate the yellow portion of the orange rind careful not to include the white part.  

The recipe called for 3 tbsp molasses but I opted to use 3 tbsp of orange marmalade.  Next time Jim said it maybe good to add 1 tbsp of honey as well.