FLYING IN BUSINESS CLASS

For a change I stepped up one of my flights via Philippine Airlines and it was my first time to book in a significantly expensive business class flight. For once, I would like to experience to fly with a real important treatment. My VIP experience started in the check-in counter when I had the priority check-in amidst of the long queue. It was comfortable without long waiting my turn to off load my luggage. The boarding time was opened at 6:20 PM but I availed my perk to embark on the plane on my preferred time. I passed through a separate entry going to my seat, a friendly cabin crew welcomed me and brought me to the assigned seat for me. A fairly small but cozy and spacious area appeared before me, few seats but comfortable and bigger angled seats with more legroom. Though I was not in my favorite spot via window seat, but I really liked the single seat with aisles on both sides and I felt the privacy on the layout of each seat. I was able to stretch my legs, my feet were wearing soft slippers, and I inclined my seat into bed for a while. A small onboard blue flight amenity kit pouch bag was handed out to the passengers, I did not open mine. Though I did not need the available head set for free, from the beginning I already felt the extra care treatment.

When the cabin crew advised me that the dinner and breafast will be served during the course of 9-hour flight, I took the chance to make food review for an in-flight meals. The first serving was the appetizer at around 1 hour after take-off. For my appetizer  I went with Tabbouleh and hummus with lime, lettuce, vine leaves, thinly sliced tomatoes, and mixed nuts on the side. As usual I opted with the fresh orange juice. The flight was from Middle East origin so an Arabian set-up like this was a nice starter. I'd tasted that pungent bitter from crushed parsley and peppery mint in Tabbouleh. Their strong taste is perfect with tangy taste of creamy hummus squeezed with lime. The cheakpeas of hummus balanced the potent tastes. The blanched vine leaves are just ideal to mix with fresh and crunchy lettuce and tomatoes. I cannot say special on it because I am not familiar what are in Middle Eastern foods.

It was a multicourse jeal, the dinner main course was served next. Chicken, beef, and fish were the choices, I chose Beef Roulade for my main course. It was served with asparagus, carrots and potato wedges. I am not a fan of beef but I must say I liked the roasted beef was tenderly done. The sweet-spicy brown souce added a dramatic taste in every spoonful. The asparagus, potato and carrots were saute'ed in olive oil seasoned with peppermint and salt, they were crunchy and good to go their switness with that juicy roasted beef. Honestly I like the meal, though I did not take a shot of wine, it was indeed a nice dinner in the sky.

The breakfast was served after about six hour onboard. For breakfast, I chose omelet. It was served with roasted muchroom, potato and tomatoes. On the side were banana crepe rolls, fruits, and honey. I didn't really like much the omelet; it was kind of moist I think the cheese made it. And I did not eat the mashed banana and mango in yogurt because I don't like the sour savor taste of a fermented milk. But the crepes and fruits salad with sugar syrup were remarkable for me. And yes, a black coffee was next, perfect to balance all those aftertastes and feel relax while enjoying Mabuhay magazine aboard while resting my feet in a spacious leg room  and will touch down in few hours more.

I had the time to open the emenity kit at home. There were two toiletries,  a comb with brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, sleeping mask, and sock. All in all, I am pleased with PAL treatment experience and as well as their onboard menu. It was simple, light, and balance, and I am simply basic anyway. The perks of flying business class with Philippine Airlines, defenitely it was a pleasant long nine-hour flight. I wish I could fly once more to take again the edge of a pleasant journey.

A DAY IN A LIFE IN COUNTRYSIDE

Give me a day in countryside and it will be for sure a day to seize up for a lifetime. One has preferences in life that differ to others but I always feel life in the province is haven because it is undeniably abundant of tranquility and simplicity I need. Life in the province is unhurried and lay back but it doesn't matter for it gives the pureness and freshness our life may chase, from fresh air you need to breathe to organic foods you want to eat. It may oversuse to say but really it has clean air that we really need most. It is really different fresh soothing air in the provinces, something that you will really know once you crossed the frontier from the last province to the next first bustling mega city.

Life in the countryside gives you the humility and simplicity in life. Living there is not complicated and demanding but it doesn't mean not challenging. It is just a matter of your capacity how to define the challenges. There is given connection with nature like the sunflowers looking up to the sky like gazing at God's face, that sound of chirping birds, flying colorful butterflies perching on the vibrant flowers and flickering fireflies are glowing when darkness has come. Countryside has rich in stunning coastlines, relaxing music from sea waves, enlivening green mountain and forest, the inviting golden rice fields and all of these under the refreshing blue skies above and between the open spaces surround just show us to witness the paradise found on this earth.

I am always longing that spirit of going back to simplicity because it is good for the peaceful mind, heart, and soul.

MORNING BEGINS LIKE THIS

There is something sober during dawn; it is cold, quite and the darkness covers everything outside. The four o'clock of dawn is slow. The skies have no light of stars neither of moon but the sunbeams from setting sun tell it will rise and cross the horizon very soon. And the loud crows of the roosters relentlesly heard accross the neighborhood.

And that the day starts. The sun has risen illuminating the whole town, so calm and neat. The lower clouds are slowly fading away until the silent beauty of the skies uncovered. Look up the soaring high trees where their lush leaves are shading the soil. But the sunlight is passing through between the lush leaves of the trees and their twigs, like dropping down effect of a peaceful and serene dappled sunlight shining through in a forest in a misty morning. But the moist on the dried leaves fallen off the ground delays its crumble, nonetheless their smell makes soothing source of relaxation.

And the town has unfolded to this magnificent view: morning is soft and calm. The nice lines of neighborhood and wide backyards, the plants are fresh as watered, the soil is damp though it did not rain last night. There are droplets of morning dew that make every morning in the province as cold as December. The spiders are weaving their web, the caterpillars are crawling along tiny stems and there are hopping grasshoppers like popping out anywhere. The ants hills are there in every rich soil, its working colony of ants are walking in straight single line to find foods and store them for rainy season.

Just taking a look at these is refreshing as morning shower before starting the daily routine. The smell of garlic from fried rice is blending with the distinct scent of freshly and hot baked bread, and the aroma of hot coffee; they fill warmness on the cool early morning in this small distant town. You will love to bring that coffee to the garden to slurping it while warming your soul until it last.

And there the twittering birds in the window, they are the early birds catch the worms like the people starting their day by day routine. The sound of chopping woods, some are sweeping the yard, there are motor pump boats' chuff-chuff-chuff-rrroooaaarrr in the nearby river, the screaming sound of feeding hogs, and the carabaos are heading to paddy fields. Few motorcycle start to sound for travelling, while some children walk going to school, and the working class are heading to job, and so the pets dogs and cats to their favorite spot. These are the usual early morning sceneries in the simplicity of countryside.

AFTERNOON IN COUNTRYSIDE

The high noon in  the countryside is always poetic,  with the vibrant clear skies colored of sunlight kissing the entire terrain, and the long road of high-way is laid straightly where in both sides are  the greeneries on the foot of the mountain are and on the other side are the golden rice field during the summer afternoon. The detailed landscape of the rustic place is telling us the simple and serene place no matter how it has grown now, still the county vibes exude.

Just a usual walk in the barrio roads unearthed the different colorful flowers in the neighborhood's bamboo fences, there are white Camia, yellow Santan, and Boungainvillea, some are fuchsia and others are tangerine and lavender. The butterflies and bees are going from one flower to another. Fruit-bearing trees are there too in front or at the back of the houses. And the scent of dried straw piled in the nearest barn, the smell of muddy road leading to the riversides and the fresh air at twelve high-noon, every piece in the broad light town vividly uncovered right in front of our very naked eyes.

And when many have taken the nap, the ensemble of natural music comes in. The chirping birds accompanied by the whistling sound of the breeze and humming of the twigs that echoing with the second voice of the green leaves from towering old trees. The mother earth's lullaby just put to sleep every awakened soul into the cradle of her swinging arms; they are indeed music to the ears. The air is quite warm but not sultry to perspire. While some may not fall asleep for they have labor to do in the paddy field, resting in a bamboo bed or a hummock under the shade of mango tree while listening to the afternoon drama on the battery radio.

Life in the province is very simple. Everything in the afternoon in the countryside look-like symphony of natural piece of art.

THEN THERE IS RAIN

It is past three o'clock in the afternoon and the sky is dark from the gray layered clouds looming of heavy and load of rain. There is coldness in the blowing blusterously and can hear the chaotic whistling sound of them. Until the drizzles started to drip, and the drops became dots on the ground. By this time, not a soul would be like but to go home until the heavy rain falls.

Staying at home while listening to the rhythm of the falling rain, hearing the noisy patters tapping on the tin roof, the strong gust of the wind, the rolling sound of thunder, rain easily gives the melancholy ambience of dark skies and the lethargy of locked in darkness and sorrow.

There are zigzag sparks accross the skies and next is the earsplitting sound and scary strike of lightning. Dancing to the tune of rain are the towering trees with those fine splash of rain blown by wind. The rainwater just keeps pouring through every roof catch into eave. Every soul knows and wishes, this will pass and stop, until it looks the raindrops are fading.

And after the rain, you will see the quiet beauty of nature. Everything were washed and cleansed, they look fresh and new. The dust on the road were washed away and the flowers are more vivid than before. There are beautiful droplets like diamonds, from the tip of the leaves dropping to dripping ground and creating "plink" sounds of every drop, and tiny circle waves on it. And the ducks go out from their pen and go down into the ponds enjoying the built-up rainwater. All over the place are water, the potholes on the road, some are from flowing thru elves down to ditches and all are leading to river, and the sound of the stream from rivers to the sea.

And there is the distinct smell after the rain like the natural scent of unearthed soil, the smell of washed grass along the road and bamboo trees in the riverside, and the dried woods that had drenched for a while. And then the very beautiful rainbow across the cozy skies has just appeared. Some may not want the rain but for every after rain there is the promise of pure and fresh start.

AND THE DAY ENDS TONIGHT

When the six o' clock in the evening comes, the town is starting to pack-up their things declaring done for that day. The dragonflies know they need to hurry up. The flock of birds are swirling until they roost in hollow trees for their overnight shelter. The flowers are giving their last shot for the day waving good bye for for now, some are withering like the transient bloomer Morning Glory flowers and Daylily, while others like Poppy flowers are folding their petals preserving for another spectacular display and beautiful day tomorrow.

The shadows of the trees, houses, light  posts, and anything are stretching long on the ground that seems they are growing and chasing the setting sun. The golden rays are painting the whole surrounding in a translucent tangerine that makes gloomy felling of parting ways. The breeze is colder here in the beautiful seashore line that little by little vanishing under the dusk. And yes, the horizon is waiting the sun slowly setting in the west during this unfolding drama of the breathtaking sunset reflecting in the calm sea water like a masterpiece in a canvass.

While the night is gently falling, the nocturnal bats go out from their hideout to search their foods. And the steeet becomes empty, the voices and laughters are fading until gone. People are now in their home, even the stray dogs are finding their place they used to home nightlong. And the street has turned into ghost town-like. The frogs' croaking fill the silence, along with the frogs' calling is the chirping sound from crickets. And the sparkling fireflies are so lovely while resting on the trees. And the night-time plants like Dama de Noche simply romanticize the darkness of the evening.

Completing the night are the stars glittering in the darkness, illuminating moon throws its light reflecting the moonlight in every leave of the trees. And once the night has came and the darkness covered the whole town, it's another day has just passed. Life in countryside is not just the simplicity it is known for, indeed it has many memories, wonderful moments, countless stories, different events and emotions that stand as life's rich tapestry. And when you witness its wonderful world from sun up to sun down, you will whishper of "It's nice I'm home".

Seeing these sceneries again when going to countryside is something that really reminds nothing more than life and home. And you will feel the nostalgia of life in the province where there's no loud sound of screaming horns and motor engines, no skycraping buildings blocking the blue skies view, and no bustling sound of the densely populated city. It is always nice going back to where it all started, it simply brings back the times of our childhood, and you will wish of the impossible time machine to go back to the past even it is just a day in a life in countryside.

KUNG WALA KA NG MGA MAGULANG

Kapag ang mga magulang mo ay nawala na, ang lahat ay hindi na magiging tulad ng dati. Kapag wala ka ng ama at ina, hindi na ikaw ang dating anak na may magulang. Kapag wala na sila, saka mo pa lang malalaman kung gaano mo sila kailangan. Wala ka ng uuwian na ama at ina upang bilang anak ay may mapagmanuhan , makita, makausap o kahit mahingan ng tulong. Kapag naulila ka na, hahanap-hanapin mo ang kalinga sa anak ng isang totoong magulang kasi lahat tayo, kahit tumanda na tayo ay mayroon pa ring nabubuhay na isip-bata, kilos-bata, at damdaming-bata sa ating kaloob-looban.

Mararamdaman mo ang pangungulila ng walang ina at ama, iyung may kulang sa buhay kasi wala ng magbibigay sa iyo ng mga paalala, pagkalinga,  proteksiyon, at payo mula sa isang ina o ama na tanging sila lang ang kayang magsalita o mabigay. Kahit may katuwang ka na sa buhay o kasamang mga kaibigan, iba pa rin ang pamamaraan ng pagsasabi ng mga paalala, payo, puna, at pag-puri kapag nanggaling sa mga magulang mo.  Dahil kapag galing sa kanila, walang pagkukunwari at pag-aatubili kundi purong pag-aalala at pagmamalasakit.

Mayroon man kayong mga naging samaan ng loob, pagtatalo, hindi pagkakaunawaan, at hindi pagkakasundo, hahanap-hanapin mo pa rin sila kasi alam mong hindi mo na sila makikita at makakausap kahit kaylan. Kahit may galit ka sa iyong ina o ama,  kapag nawala na sila ay mapapalitan ng pang-unawa ang galit sa puso mo. Kahit may ginawa pa sila na para sa iyo ay mali, kapag sila ay pumanaw na ay saka mo maiisip na mapapatawad mo naman pala sila dahil hindi na ninyo mapag-uusapan pa ang inyong isyu.

Ang totoo, ang magulang mo lang ang kayang magmahal sa iyo nang totoo. Kahit binigyan mo sila ng problema at sama ng loob, hindi ka nila kayang tikisin at paulit-ulit ka nilang patatawarin. Kahit mayroon kang ginawang mali, ano pa man ang hitsura  mo, ano pa man ang hindi mo magandang ugali, kahit ano ka pa, sa bandang huli kahit may mas mabuting anak ng iba ay pipiliin pa rin nila ang kanilang anak. Kung minsan pa nga ay kahit alam nilang hindi dapat dadamayan at papanig pa rin sila sa iyo. Hindi talaga kayang tikisin ng magulang ang mga anak dahil sa kanila sila nanggaling. Nakikita mo sila na kinagagalitan ka, pero kapag hindi na kayo magkaharap ay hindi mo na nakikita kung paano sila nasaktan sa kanilang ginawa, hindi mo na nakikita na umiiyak sila, at hindi mo na alam na ipinagdarasal ka pa rin nila.

Kasi sa totoo lang, kaya ng anak na magsalita ng masakit sa magulang kaysa sa mga kaibigan na kayang layuan siya kapag nasaktan. Pero ang magulang, hindi nila gugustuhin ang layuan nila ang kanilang anak kahit nasasaktan  sila. Lalu na ang isang ina, natural sa kanya ang paulit-ulit na patawarin ang anak upang hindi ito lumayo sa kanya, dahil bahagi at kadikit ng katawan niya ang kanyang anak na pinag-hiwalay nang ipanganak niya ito.

Pero kapag nawala na sila, kahit ano pa ang gawin mo ay hindi mo na magagawa ang mga gusto mo sanang ginawa ang hindi mo ginawa at nagawa. Ang mga gusto mo pa sanang gagawin na hindi mo na magagawa. At kahit alam mong pinagsilbihan mo sila, kahit alam mo na may ginawa ka para sa kanila ay makakaramdam ka pa rin ng pagkukulang mo na sana ay mas ginawa mo ang ganito, o ang ganun. Ang lahat ng ito ay gusto mong gawin upang makabawi ka pero hindi na puwede. At mararamdaman mo ang mga panghihinayang na sana ay ginawa mo ang mga gusto mong gawin sa kanila. At makakaramdam ka ng mga pagsisisi dahil hindi mo na magagawa ang mga iyun.

DOING MY DIET ROUTINE

You are what you eat. Surely you will become underweight and skinny, get skin dryness, muscle loss, and have mental retardation when you eat less excessively. On the other hand you will become overweight when you eat too much.  You'll get cancers when you eat more red meat, you'll have heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and kidney stones failure when you eat more fats, cholesterol, sugar, and sodium. Eating too much is really not good but those scrumptious, tasty, and aromatic foods are indeed so satisfying, very tempting, and addictive to eat again and again.  So, how do I resist tempts of eating them over and over again?  I am not a fan of measuring every calorie intake.  I do not read nutrition books by heart from A to Z and follow those health tips religously.  I am just using calculation and estimate only.  Here how I do my diet routine to handle tempts:

First: simplicity.  I made it simple.  My meals are basic, they are fast and easy. Whatever I cooked for breakfast is also for my lunch and if there is excess it will be for dinner, and they are all vegetables-based.  I do it every day during weekdays, and that would be at least five days in a week.  Take the foods in natural as much as you can - do not overdo with so many flavors, and not processed.

Then, I control the rice and the source of my carbohydrate by removing them on my meals.  I can just have them back when weekend but sometimes I can pass them because my body is already used to omit them in weekdays. Train yourself to always go back to the basic.

Second: watch sweet, fats, and sodium.  I stay away from sweet not because I have diabetes but I just don't like sweet.  I don't put sugar, creamer, or milk on my coffee or tea and I don't buy soda for drinks, or cookies, doughnuts, and confectionery for finger foods, and etc.

I don't have uric acid, gout, and heart problem why I avoid red meat, meat products, entrails foods, and pastries but because I am not a fan of those rich in cholesterol and saturated fats foods.

Processed foods are usually not in my list when doing grocery.  You will not find canned foods, instant noodles, and junk foods in my basket because I just want to avoid sodium.  Possible in very rare instances  as added ingredients but normally not.

Third: make reservation. I start the day without taking sugar, fats, rice and meat in the morning.  I simply control my foods in the morning.  Why, because I am not sure if I can eat any of them until the rest of the day like when lunch or dinner comes, or even meal times, someone will invite me for lunch out that I cannot say no to.  Almost everything we eat from market has sugar, salt, and fats so as much as possible I avoid eating those foods in my daily routine.  I did not totally  cut eating fancy foods but surely it is in very occassional times.  I am happy for that and I don't feel I am depriving myself.  Learn to know what occassional really means.

If I do all these things in at least five successive days, then I will not be guilty if I eat festive foods once, twice, or even trice in the next few days and no huge impact on my health because to sum up, my five days dietary routine still weight more.  And this is exactly the reason why as much as possible I do not always accept all invitations to parties because more often than not, the foods on these events are processed, more cholesterol, and sweet.  If you will always go to every dining for the sake of being in the loop, believe me you cannot really control your diet.  Definitely we know when we are having too much but the question is how to put stop on it, and here will take how you use discipline.

COFFEE IS LIFE

Always misunderstood, coffee has a bad reputation as not good drink because of caffeine, which is the first thing that always comes to our mind just when hearing about it or thinking of it. But supprisingly, coffee with the right amount is actually good. What makes it bad is if you add sugar or creamer. Coffee contains antioxidants. And wait, there are more that you cannot think of what you can get from coffee that are linked to several health benefits.

Coffee is good for health of our heart, liver and brain. Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer a stroke. A cup or two a day may support the weak heart to pump enough blood to our body. Our liver condition can be protected thru getting liver enzyme levels from coffee. Our blood sugar level is regulated from the produced insulin and processed glucose that will help lowering the risk of type-2 diabetes. And our cells, coffee reduces fissures in our DNA strands thus make it stronger and repaired our cells.

In terms of diseases, coffee drinkers are less likely get colon cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease. The caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant that keeps our adrenalin rush makes our brain active and it is good for our brain because it gives us significant protection agaisnt risk of Alzhiemer's disease. Similarly, caffeine is linked to less likely develop Parkinson's disease. Coffee has active substance that may reduce internal inflamation and protect against disease.

It serves as energizer. Coffee boosts our energy levels. From the early morning we wake up when we want to get lively to start the day with that cup of coffee up to late night we need to counter the sleepy mood while catching up some stuff before we end the day, coffee does its job. In fact, coffee may enhance an athletic performance, that's how coffee heightens our energy level. And did you know that coffee contributes to a lower risk of depression?

"But first, coffee" - it is how you start your day. Life starts after coffee, it kickstarts our morning. With these good things about the good sides of coffee, overall drinking coffee in moderation like three or four cups a day could increases longevity and is considered safe in general. But take note it is not for all because those who have unmanaged blood pressure need to control their coffee. As disclaimer, this is merely for information purposes only and should not substitute any medical tratment.

Let me end this with these three notable quotes that feel good to ponder. "Coffee is God's gift to mankind" quoted by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Fran Drescher said "Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it is hard to go back to sleep". And "But even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all" by David Lynch.

I am not a coffee person but I do really appreciate having a cup of dark and strong coffee every morning especially like before starting the works. I like the comfort it gives when the temperature is freezing during winter, or when there is rain with thunder and cold wind, or when I am in high land places. I love its companionship whenever I am in travel both in-flight or waiting in bus terminals. Also a cup of coffee while camping specially during break of the dawn is a serene feeling that is for keep.

POCHOLO IN A WORLD FULL OF PERFECT BOSS

A new Chief Operating Officer (COO) has assumed the office. Pocholo, a full-pledge hardworking staff in the office warmly welcomed the COO but lukewarm reception was received. Maybe the COO is a man of few words, so he did not give pessimism the space to sprout. At first there were moments of testing the water to know the right approach of working with the COO although Pocholo knew he was a better himself to start off. After three days, clueless what is bound to happen, the surprised Pocholo received unexpected remarks from the COO. "You are slow. There is something not good in your brain" and he meant it. Embarrased and felt small, Pocholo a reticent by nature, his reaction was fluid that he did not reply back but offered apology as the essential right thing to do.

When he returned to his workspace, feeling down and repeatedly asked himself of what has happened. He knows he is not the best in the batch and petty mistakes in the job are normal to happen but to accuse him during the so called adjustment period is quite unfair. Being the pro-active person who defenitely not used to mount backlog as much as he can and doesn't sit his work, to label him slow is really heartbreaking. That started him to doubting if he was really good enough and he even regretted whatever sacrifices he had done for the job. The feeling was mental health sign that affected him so real in thinking how much more efforts should he must put on so as not to be called slow. That day was the longest eight hours workday all throughout to getting home. It disturbed him all-night long that he did not get good sleep and resulted him to have bad morning.

In spite of this, Pocholo had the way to accept it. It was not the COO per se that made him hurt but the hurtful remarks of that COO. Whether or not Pocholo's feeling is valid, it is not his first concern now because it has been done. Let bygones be bygones. Besides, whoever is right doesn't matter anymore. It is not who is right and who is wrong but it is to be kind rather than to be right. Be tolerant. It is not sign of weakness but it is sign of big heart. It is better to be kind than right because being right is just in our mind while kindness is what in our heart. Being right gives you the proud moment while on the other hand choosing kindness has deeper and long-lasting sense of achievement. Above and beyond, when you are right doesn't always means you will never go wrong because your truth may not their truth.

In a world full of perfect boss, Pocholo is methaphor to many of us who accepts the bitter pills to swallow, the sad reality of a submissive staff to his unapologetic boss because of the needs to work hard to live decently. He represents us who bites the bullet and learning life the hard way. A boss is a boss, let us give it to him and maybe Pocholo was just too sensitive. First impression is not always the last nonetheless and time is the ultimate thruth teller. Soon, his worth will be known and appreciated. Not speaking yourself is not to say suppressing your expression or holding back the truth is correct but if you chose to reserve yourself in that too early to talk, things could be blown out of proportion otherwise.