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Cold Fashion
We are in a deep freeze. In the past couple of days, our temperature here in Iowa had struggled to get up to double digits (Fahrenheit). We have not been above freezing point for more than a week or so...
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Waiting in Line
It’s 2014. Happy New Year! During the New Year celebration in New York City, a million or more people flocked in Times Square to watch the fancy ball drop and ring in the new year. It was reported that...
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A backpack, bedbugs and toilet paper
(This is a story of my trip to Tacloban, albeit more lighthearted than my previous post, “Tour of Duty.” It is not my intention though, to discredit the seriousness of the situation there.) While...
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A Salty Predicament
I came from a culture that loves salt. Growing up in Manila I came to like salted peanuts, salted dried fish, dish with salted black beans (tausi), saltine crackers, and of course salted eggs. Besides...
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Usog, Gayuma at Anting-anting
“Hijo, nausog ka. Hubarin mo ang iyong damit, upang ating banlian ng mainit na tubig.” Iyan ang aking naaalala na sabi ng aking lola. Akala ko ay mga sanggol lang ang nauusog. Ako noon ay nasa...
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Pendong! May Kalbo
Naaalala mo pa ba noong ikaw ay bata pa, bigla ka na lang kukutusan ng iyong kalaro sabay sigaw ng “Pendong, may kalbo!” Hindi ka makapalag at makaganti dahil siya ay naka-”peace sign” na. Wala kang...
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Feeling Lucky
Someone won the Powerball Jackpot of $425 million last night here in the US. From the news report, the winning ticket was purchased at a convenience store somewhere in Northern California. As of the...
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More Than A Game
The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is officially over. For the past two weeks it provided the world something to watch. It was an entertainment to some, a distraction to others, and an inspiration to...
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Pinoy Dictionary
Aspect – what you use to break a block of ice A trust – to go backwards Boutiquey – a small lizard that crawls in your ceiling Check in – fowls raised in farms Deposit – where you turn a knob and water...
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Flying Home
The other day on my way back from doing some errands, I saw a large flock of migratory birds in a very long V-formation. It was one of the longest perfect V-pattern I have seen for a while. Since I was...
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Images of Home
From the famous Manila Bay, To the picturesque Taal Lake, From luxurious tropical pools, To inviting rustic river, From the panoramic urban landscape, To the charming countryside, It’s good to be back...
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Wishful Thinking
I wish that I am walking under these, poolside, in one of the hotels in the Philippines But I am already making my rounds here. atrium of the downtown hospital where I work in the US I wish that I am...
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A Pineapple Tale
During my last visit to the Philippines, I had a long talk with my mother. Not trying to be morbid, and in fact she was still in good condition, but with her advancing age I just asked her what her...
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Parking Lot Farewell
It was his last day with us. After spending several years with our family, that feels like a lifetime, we had to say goodbye to him. As we were driving him to his destination, my son, who actually grew...
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‘Round Here
‘Round here, we’re carving out our names, ‘Round here we all look the same, ‘Round here we talk just like lions, but we sacrifice like lambs….. Those lines were from the song ‘Round Here by the...
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Dalawampung Taon na Dayuhan
Dalawampung taon. Iyan ang tagal na ako’y naninirahan sa labas ng ating bansa. Mahaba-habang panahon na pala ang lumipas, ngunit parang kahapon lang nang aking lisanin ang Plipinas. Saan nga ba...
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The Dead Speaks
Part of the benefits of a physician practicing in a teaching hospital is that there are regularly scheduled academic conferences and meetings where you can attend and learn something. This morning I...
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Salamat Kaibigan
Salamat kaibigan, Sa iyong katangahan, Kahit iyong pagtitiwala, Ay aking yinurakan. Salamat kaibigan, Kayo ang aking sandigan, Inyong mga bulsa, Aking dinudukutan. Salamat kaibigan, Kayo’y aking...
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Under a Glass Ceiling
somewhere in Manila Even though it was only less than 3 months since we have visited the Philippines, I am already missing my native land. I miss walking beneath the swaying palm trees and wandering...
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