De La Salle Homecoming

Aloha Everyone,

J.J.'s De La Salle University homecoming was amazing.

J.J., celebrating his 50th high school graduation (Golden Jubilee), was to get a free entrance. Not having his school ID at the registration desk, he was asked to pay PH3000 for a replacement or pay PHP600 each for the two of us to join the celebration.

We signed up for a personalized campus tour led by one of the students, Riggz. He seemed awestruck as he proudly informed us that St. La Salle Hall is among the "1001 Buildings in the World which You Must See Before You Die". Its fame is the perfect H shape.

Historical buildings where J.J. attended high school classes remain majestic. Unfortunately the football field was sacrificed. Blessed in 2012 with learning spaces and function areas of an eco-friendly building stands in its place. This was the venue for tonight's event.

Our rough estimate is that there were about 500 attendees representing different high school and college graduating classes.

Evening entertainments included live volleyball game between the two rival private universities, De La Salle and Ateneo. This was broadcasted via large screens. Whenever De La Salle team scored a point, people jumped up and waived their arms. The scene appeared as a sea of green and white. It was invigorating and deafening making it nearly impossible to carry on a conversation.  

J.J. and I had a grand time. At one point, women of our group moved to create a "girls' table" so that we could get to know each other better.

I am happy that we were able to be a part of this spectacular event.

Aloha -- Cathi

Kundalini Yoga Practice and Sindhi Cuisine

Aloha Everyone,

Dolores organized a few of her close friends to practice Kundalini Yoga. Geetu had kindly offered her beautiful home in an ultra-luxury high-rise condominium with magnificent views.

No introductions were necessary. Dolores, Geetu and Cynthia had previously practiced Kundalini Yoga and meditation with me. Our session therefore was congenial and comfortable.

The elaborate dishes prepared by Geetu is Sindhis cuisine tracing back to her family origin in the Sindhis province of Pakistan. The dishes, many familiar and a few totally new to me were absolutely delicious! For more information on Sindhi cooking, please go to:

http://sindhirasoi.com/2015/07/12-awesome-sindhi-food-combinations-that-you-must-try/

They are intelligent, multi-talented, learned and socially minded. All three are involved in philanthropy giving both time and money. It was my pleasure and privilege to reconnect with them again to practice Yoga and share stories.

Aloha -- Cathi

DOW's Historical High, Savoring Asian Foods

Aloha Everyone,

Last night, when JJ and I went to bed, all international TV channels were focused on the first address of Donald Trump to the joint session of the U.S. Congress.

People must have liked what they heard. This morning we woke up to BBC and CNN news of DOW Jones surpassing a historical 21000 high. Since the two of us have fixed income for out retirement, we don't know how the new administrations' policies would impact us directly. But in the Philippines, for now, the official exchange rate of US$1 = PHP50.35 is helping. I use 50 to 1 conversion rate to keep it simple.

Today was a low key day for the two of us so my blog will be focused on food, one of our favorite subjects.

For breakfast, I prepared a wonderful stir-fried tofu, green beans plus yellow pepper and cherry tomatoes from André's farm. Definitely a healthy and superbly delicious meal to start the day right. J.J. made scrambled eggs and enjoyed it with some cherry tomatoes and Gouda cheese.

Taking advantages of a wide choice of Pacific-Asian cuisines, our lunch choice was Malaysian Restaurant called "Banana Leaf".  It was early. not even 11:00 am.  But having walked nearly two hours in the Greenbelt Malls, both of us were famished and enthusiastically consumed our meal.  

J.J.'s shrimp with yellow curry and my sautéed vegetable with wheat noodle:

For dinner, we stopped at East Café located inside Rustan's Department Store. Exceptionally prepared steamed lapulapu (grouper) with thinly diced fresh ginger was, as Flavia would say, "Mmmmmm!"  Tofu with asparagus and vegetable medley plus JJ's bowl of garlic rice completed our meal selection. The dishes were perfect; subtle flavoring and light on our stomach.

We printed 100 business cards with a photo of Honu and our contact info on the back. We thought of having cards to exchange with J.J.'s classmates.  

The cost, including design, set up and printing was US$27. Unfortunately, the result is a bit disappointing. The photo we submitted was the true color --- charcoal grey.  So why is half of Honu blue?  I reminded myself to take a deep breathe, practice equanimity and let go. It really is not a big deal!

Aloha -- Cathi

Exciting, Educational Excursion to Tagaytay Hydroponic Farm

Aloha Everyone,

There were 22 of us taking the air conditioned tourist bus. The mood of the group was buoyant and upbeat with lots of jokes, kidding around and laughter. I imagined that it might have been reminiscent of a high school outing.  

The farm is owned by André, one of J.J.'s classmates. Using hydroponic technology and greenhouses imported from Israel, the farm grows tomatoes and peppers. The products are sold to restaurants and hotels. 

André divided the group into 4 and he led our group through a pepper greenhouse, followed by a tomato greenhouse.

To mitigate contamination from outside, we first walked into a closed chamber then walk onto a sponge soaked antibacterial solution prior to beginning our tour. André cautioned us that smoking is strictly prohibited as well as for us to refrain from touching the plants.

To adopt to the Philippine climate and conditions, modifications have been made. For example, instead of using soil for planting, André and his team uses chipped husk of coconut as conduit.

Interesting new information for me is that all pepper whether red, orange or yellow starts as green.

The scale of André's farm was expansive. It was explained that each green house produces 400 kilos (880 pounds) of either tomato or bell peppers a day.

Some classmates were kidding André to give each of us pasalubong "souvenir" of his farm products. André laughed it off by saying they can find a small market in the back. As for me, I was elated and grateful for being able to purchase peppers, cherry tomatoes and regular eating tomatoes that are produced using the hydroponics method. I purchased 3 kilos (6.6 lbs). Even though they last 10 days without refrigeration, it would be far too much for me to consume. I will be sharing some with friends.

Another 20 or so who arranged for their own transportation to the farm also joined us at a luncheon gathering at a nearby French restaurant called, "The Domaine". Sumptuous array of food, delightful camaraderie and renewal and, in my case, making new friends. The magical and treasured moments passed quickly.  

Tagaytay, where André's farm is located is a popular holiday destination. During our residency in the Philippines, J.J. and I have circled the rim on several occasions enjoying cooler weather due to the higher elevation. We were told that in recent years, the area has also become a place of spiritual retreat. Tagaytay sits on a ridge above Taal Volcano Island that is an active volcano surrounded by Taal Lake. The lake is actually an old caldera, thus Taal Volcano is a volcano within a volcano.

Aloha -- Cathi