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10 Of Chiang Mai Best Restaurants – Secrets Revealed By An Insider

Chiang Mai is known for having amazing food and has almost as many restaurants as residents. Specialising in Northern Thai cuisine, which is richer and spicier than traditional Thai dishes, there are also options to try almost every other type of cuisine in town. While this ...

Chiang Mai is known for having amazing food and has almost as many restaurants as residents. Specialising in Northern Thai cuisine, which is richer and spicier than traditional Thai dishes, there are also options to try almost every other type of cuisine in town. While this list includes 10 of the most delicious restaurants in Chiang Mai there are countless more left for travellers to discover.

Here’s a little tip on how to find good food in Chiang Mai  – is the restaurant full with customers? If yes then it’s a great sign. And secondly, are the customers mostly Thai? Thai’s love their food and you can find them talking about and enjoying good food all over Chiang Mai, especially in the following 10 restaurants!

1 – Anchan – Vegetarian Restaurant

Best restaurant in Chiang Mai

Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant in Chiang Mai

Located down a small dark road of Nimmanhaemin, Anchan is one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Chiang Mai and sources all their ingredients from local farms. Their menu is adapted daily to ensure all ingredients are fresh and in season, and there are usually 8-12 dishes available written up on a large blackboard on the wall. Anchan has some really unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else, including tofu in a tamarind sauce. They also offer smoothies and herbal health drinks that are sure to make your holiday healthier!

Lastly, if you want to learn more about organic Thai food, we highly recommend this amazing Thai cooking class in an organic farm!

Address: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi opposite Soi 13 – Tel: +66 83 581 1689

2 – Midnight Fried Chicken – A Must-try streetfood

Best restaurant in Chiang Mai

Your best bet for street food – Midnight Fried Chicken

A hard to find streetside restaurant that opens at 11 pm and closes at 5 am. Midnight chicken is popular with Thais and serves up amazing fried chicken and sticky rice as well as spicy pork and fried intestines. Great for a late night snack if you can find it!

Address: Kamphaengdin Rd, near the Night Bazaar

3 – Mix – A Memorable Dining Experience

Best restaurants in Chiang Mai - Mix

Take part to a memorable dining experience at Mix

At the end of Nimmanhaemin soi 1, is one of the most highly rated restaurants in Thailand. Having won many awards for its food, the Chiang Mai branch is the original restaurant and possibly the best. The food here is hands down amazing and the cocktails are out of this world!

Address: Nimmanhaemin Soi 1 – Tel: 0815312061

4 – The Swan – Tasty Burmese dishes

Best restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A restaurant that won’t disappoint you: The Swan

The swan offers a variety of Burmese dishes and a chance to try some of Myanmar’s traditional cuisine, especially if Myanmar isn’t on your travel route. Recommended dishes are the Hunglay curry and Burmese tea leaf salad.

Address: 48 Chaiyapoom road – Tel: +66 82 893 6670

5 – Free Bird Cafe – Great food for a great cause

Best restaurants in Chiang Mai - Free Bird Cafe

Freebird Cafe in Chiang Mai – check it out!

Free Bird cafe is part of an NGO that supports Shan and other Burmese minorities gain work experience and an education. All profits from the cafe go into supporting the non profit side of Free Bird, which focuses on outreach and education. Not only will you feel good about eating here but the food is also amazing which will be sure to keep you coming back for more!

116 Maneenoparat road, Chiang Mai  – Tel: +66 81 028 5383

6 – Khao Soi – Chiang Mai’s iconic dish

Best Restaurant in Chiang Mai

Do not miss to taste Khao Soi while in Chiang Mai

Khao Soi is Chiang Mai’s most famous dish. A delicious mix of egg noodles, a spicy, rich soup, onion, pickled cabbage and chicken, topped with crispy fried noodles. You haven’t eaten in Chiang Mai unless you’ve tried khao soi. While many restaurants offer this dish, the best places specialise only in khao soi. Behind the Three Kings Monument in the centre of the old city is one such place, simply decorated and serving up 3 different variations of khao soi. The restaurant has no name but has a sign saying ‘Khao Soi’. They mean business!

Address: Behind the Three Kings Monument, Old city, Chiang Mai

7 – Dukes – For a hearty burger

Best restaurants in Chiang Mai - The Dukes

Try out Dukes for a good burger!

If you have a craving for big portions of American favourites then head on over to Dukes. Being one of the favourite indulgent spots for expat and locals means that Dukes has expanded all across town so there is always one nearby! The must try dishes are their American style pizzas, ribs and burgers, to be followed up by a big slice of New York style cheesecake.

Address:49/4-5 Chiangmai-Lamphun Road – Tel: +6653 – 249231

8 – David’s Kitchen – No 1 on Trip Advisor

Best restaurants in Chiang Mai - David's Kitchen

David’s Kitchen – A must for every travelers!

Everyone who visits David’s Kitchen is blown away by the amazing food and mouthwatering desserts. While the restaurant has been around for a few years it has become popular through word of mouth and it’s steady rise to number 1 on Trip Advisor. David’s Kitchen used to be located far out of town but more recently moved close to the bus station and now boasts a large garden, it is indeed the perfect place for a romantic dinner in Chiang Mai. David’s Kitchen isn’t cheap but if you feel like splurging then it’s well worth it!

Address: 113 Bumrungrad Road – Tel: +66 91 068 1744

9 – The Hideout – Chian Mai’s Best Sandwiches

Chiang Mai's Best Restaurants

Check out Chiang Mai best sandwiches at The Hideout

Tucked away on a small soi just outside the old city’s moat lies the Hideout. Hard to find, this small restaurant specialises in sandwiches with recipes from all over the world and amazing bagels.  From Greek, to Thai or American, there is a filling to suit your desire. Their drinks menu is equally impressive with fresh fruit smoothies and strong coffee to start any day right. There is also an outdoor area to relax in the afternoon sun.

You’ll notice while in Chiang Mai that the city has plenty of amazing coffee shops. Discover here our Chiang Mai’s Top 10 Coffee Shops.

Address: 95/10 Soi Sithiwongse,  Si Phum area , Chiang Mai – Tel: +66 81 960 3889

10 – Dash Restaurant and Bar – Good food and good wine

Tucked down a small alley inside Chiang Mai’s old city is a magnificent teak Thai style house – Dash Restaurant. Dash has some of the tastiest Thai food in town, such as shrimp wrapped in bacon, but it also offers some international alternatives. As well as an impressive accompanying bar offering cocktails and fine wines, there is sometimes a live band offering good music to accompany your meal.

Best Restaurant in Chiang Mai

Dash Restaurant and Bar, Chiang Mai

Address: 38/2 Moon Maung Road Soi 1  – Tel: +66 85 347 7445

Even if you are visiting Chiang Mai for one or two days it is worth planning your trip around these restaurants. All of the above restaurants offer some of the best food to be found in Northern Thailand (if not the whole country). Even if you visit one of the restaurants on this list you are sure to enjoy an amazing meal and eat some of the best Thai food of your life!

By Laura Gibbs

The post 10 Of Chiang Mai Best Restaurants – Secrets Revealed By An Insider appeared first on eOasia travel Blog.

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A Few Things

May 23, 2011

Today was even hotter today in Charlotte.

According to the weatherman, tomorrow will be worse?! Boo.

I totally wouldn’t mind this weather if I could run around in sundresses and tank tops.   Not so much when I’m in black pants and a chef coat.

Luckily I got out of work a little on the early side today [2:30-3pm].

My work shoes have been on their last leg for months now, and being the expert procrastinator that I am, I’ve put off the inevitable.

So today after work I swung by the Birkenstock store.

And I came home with these lovelies.

Then when I got home I had some things waiting at my door!

**Note** I love getting packages and mail 🙂

I’ve been searching for a smaller camera bag for more of an everyday use for a while now.  I have an intense Tenba backpack that I use for hiking, road trips, etc.

While browsing Amazon I found this affordable Lowepro messenger bag.

I love the messenger style bag.

Inside the bag there are three compartments for storing my camera body and lenses.

I think this may be the answer to my prayers.

We’ll see how it works out in the weeks to come.

Then I got a little something from Anthropologie, one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures.

For me?

Today is exactly one month until my birthday. Eeek. How’d that happen?

I will be hoarding this coupon until the last possible second and spend it on something amazing.  I will stalk their website in anticipation.

When I was browsing Amazon looking for a camera bag, I also finally ordered this book.

I cannot tell you how many people have raved about this book!

It’s been on my wish list for a couple weeks now, and I was so excited when it came in the mail today.

I will totally look forward to reading this from beginning to end and hopefully learn some things in the process.

At first glance Helene’s book looks marvelous!!

Well that’s my excitement for the day.  Hope you guys didn’t have “a case of the mondays”.

I’m currently completely stumped for dinner. I really want sushi but don’t feel like going out. Sigh.

Time to go raid the fridge!

Vanessa 🙂

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Friday, 7 December 2012

Christmas approaches

Couple of days ago I was at the supermarket up the road. Walking into the mall my ears were accosted by the sounds of Christmas songs playing throughout. I did a mental shudder, fuck I wasn't expecting that. I suppose I've been so wrapped up with other things lately that the Christmas hysteria has so far passed me by.

It's a horrible time of year for me. Just hearing those songs playing in the mall was enough to feel that pain again. The whole Christmas thing has for me become nothing more than a cruel reminder from extremely dark times. Christmas is a time to endure, to plod through determinedly, to avoid as much as I can the reminders. Hopefully this year won't be so bad, but then I say that every year.

Daughter's new job are closing down for a month over the Christmas/new year period, and as she's only been there a few weeks she's only built up 2 days of annual leave. So guess who's going to be paying the rent on his own again for a month....  It's not her fault though, and it's a good job so it's worth sticking with it. She has though got a couple of days a week work with some of the kids she looked after locally before getting this job, so at least I won't have to buy her food as well!

I'm getting confused about Simon, he's sent another email. In it he says he'd not realised how much he was in love with me, never happened before. Oh no, I dunno WTF to even reply back. Will give it a day or so to think about it. I mean in all that time we,ve known each other he's never said that. I've no inclination to go back to him, but I do hope he doesn't get too down and gets through it OK. I loved him to, still do, but it just wasn't working.

David and I are still seeing each other every day. I had him at my place last night. Wasn't working today. Think my daughter has been missing me a bit as I've been over his place so much. She made a comment a couple of days ago that I was always over there. That and it's probably a good thing to get him out of the atmosphere at his place with his flatmate. I even said a few words to the flatmate about what he'd said about David's childhood; that I wasn't taking sides in the domestic, but that that was really wrong. Later he apologised to David, a bit conditionally but still an apology. My view was that the subject is completely off limits.

David has a birthday very close to Christmas. Maybe that will brighten things up a bit around this dreary time.


text:
Korean Makeup & Skincare Haul

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Hi, lovelies! So one of the first things I did when I arrived in Seoul was some shopping and I want to show you the things I got!
This is what I got: Etude House My Beauty Tool Cotton Pads, Skinfood Black Sugar Cleansing Oil, Skinfood Black Sugar Bubble Foam, Etude House Nail Polish Remover, Etude House Face Designing Brightener #Wannabe Face, Etude House Surprise Concealer Kit #02, Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream, Etude House Look at my eyes Café PP503 Taro Milk Tea, Etude House Look at my eyes Jewel BE107 Moon Crystal, Etude House Look at my eyes BR403 Caramel Latte & Etude House House Longlash 03

I also got the Wonder Pore Freshner from ETUDE HOUSE but I totally forgot to include it in the picture. It's my second bottle and since I've used it forever I simply didn't realize that I actually bought a new one.

I will post separate reviews of most of these things that I got! Let me know if you're interested in a particular product so I can post it first.
Thanks for reading and bye for now, lovelies!

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Ben and I got married exactly a year ago. I don’t think he even remembers it’s our anniversary today. He hasn’t come home yet, and it’s eight in the morning.

I hear the kitchen door open and he walks in. He’s drunk.

I give him the cheeriest “Hey” I can manage. He looks at me without really looking and shuffles out, leaving behind the smell of cheap perfume, weed and something rank…

Here’s the thing. I know he’s cheating on me. It’s been going on about almost a year now. Couple months after we exchanged our “till death do us apart” crap.

How was the wedding, you ask? Why, it was beautiful. My parents didn’t show up, of course. So it was a mostly-Ben’s-side-of-the-family thing. Not the big fat wedding I’d planned all my life. Not even close. Still, it was beautiful. I felt like a million bucks in my NOT Vera Wang simple A-line lace dress. I mostly ignored Ben’s mother’s dung-under-the-nose expression. I also ignored Ben’s plastic, glassy smiles and his constant yapping with my very Seph-whore-afied cousin known for her “generosity”.

I wipe my hands on my kitchen apron and pull it off, and wander upstairs. Ben’s sprawled on the bed, fast asleep, his shirt on the floor. I pick it up to see obvious lipstick stains on the collar. I kind of like pain, but this has to stop. Who knows she’s given him what disease?

I’m about to go do laundry when his phone beeps.

It’s his best friend John. (John is a make-up artist.)

“I love you. Next time we do it without the rubber,” the text says.

Libby’s diary entry, September 2006.

(Too many plot holes. I know. Also, I’m taking a break. Like, for a whole week. Give y’all a break from me. If missing me gets unbearable, you can always leave loving comments in any of my ten thousand posts.)

79 thoughts on “Libby’s Diary

      1. Start is good .. im not sure if this is the first post of this genre .. but you could have started with character introduction ..
        i’m sure you got a very good gameplan in the story 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Revenge stories are very popular. You might need an interesting twist. Maybe wifey-poo has a unknown side to her… International money manager or some type of powerful world changing position? She could call Obama and have the CIA disappear her hubby. Sorry I’m getting a little carried away.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Wifey-poo is happy that hubby has outside interests. It always made her feel above it all when she had to meet his fish-faced family. Her family had no idea she was even married. She might tell them or may marry someone else. She was good at disappearing. She loved the domestic life and it was perfect cover for her independent work battling international terrorists. She is a master of the internet and she has brought down many terrorist websites. Recently she has had a lot of success with disinformation about Daesh. The stupid bastards had no clue that she was responsible for their current losses in gaining new volunteers. They really pissed her off when she learned about the women slavery they were practicing. She made it her personal goal to destroy them. She’ll show them the value of women. She exposed many, though she was always sad that she couldn’t stop the single terrorist with a belt bomb. She continued to receive positive support from governments and they set her up with unbelievably, high speed access to world wide records on everyone. And she accessed it all from her Ipad. If any hackers ever tried to hack her computer she had a virus program that would not only wipe out their computer but everyone they were in contact with. Her hacker ID was The Darkness and when her ID showed up hackers took flight. She smiled quietly, happy about her perfect life.
        She finished cooking her muffins, the best ever she might add, and replied to John. She sent him a smiley face emodicon and went to bed in her own room.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Yeah There’s no need for women to put up with this or commit murder to deal with it. She can take control and kick his Isisikaka/Shoochidada butt! I couldn’t help it I like both those words.

        Liked by 1 person

  1. Nice work. Well written with a good plot twist. I was expecting a text about another family not a text to say he is gay or bi.

    I could just imagine her slowly kneeling on the floor and thinking “FML”

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I don’t know about the plot, I can’t judge you because, hell, I’m so bad myself. But mood? I LOVED the mood. These are the kind of stories I search for, when I go to the library.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ll ignore all the spoilers in the comments – now we know he’s going to die – and get straight to the most important thing:
    *clears throat*
    *deep breath*

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Sooch,

    This time, listen to your readers; it’s an excellent plot line, and the technique you used to create the background info was perfect. Yes, there were some holes, easily plugged; that’s what publishing editors are for, to help authors punch up stories… But, the plot line is solid, for sure, reflective of our modern world all-too-closely. And, the mood was perfect to the subject; resigned acceptance with a tinge of vengeful anger, and a feeling of purpose. You left it with the reader knowing she would survive, no matter what….

    Trust your instincts, young paduan; stop listening to your inner fears, which are only tapes of what others said to you, playing back on automatic. It’s clear to me your urge to write is powerful, which I understand completely; don’t lose it. It’s a process of learning, with a steep curve at first, but, persistence is the only key needed to learn it…. that, and, of course, a firm belief in Truth…

    Take your week away; it’s good to go inside ourselves occasionally. Just remember you don’t have to stay there, and you don’t have to be alone, unless you wish to be….

    Have fun; do something NEW….

    And, don’t forget to write, even if it’s only 1o minutes a day; you’ll have plenty of stuff to post when you come back online….

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Interesting work. Sure it’s got plot holes. It’s only 10 paragraphs long. Think of it this way instead: It’s got a lot of windows to open for a longer look at that mess of a life. And that’s the start of a pretty good novel or short story or whatever you’d like to make it. Enjoy your blogging break, my LR.

    Liked by 1 person

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Saturday, May 21, 2016

Dear Dad by Giselle Green

Ebook:  4314kb Print 383pages
Genre:   Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Yule Press March 2016
Source: The author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence:  "You're...what do you mean you're not coming?"
My Opinion:   A very emotional story line evolving around three protagonists, Nate, Adam and Jenna.  As in her previous novels the author's writing flows as she narrates the story first person via the characters of Nate and Jenna. A thoughtful novel with young Adam, a troubled little boy, looking for happiness in his life, the character that causes Nate and Jenna to examine their own past lives, current situations and to wonder about their futures.  If you enjoy contemporary fiction this should not disappoint, as you will laugh, cry and feel involved with all the characters by the time you finish reading.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Three people longing to find love. Connected by one big lie.
Handsome, 28-year old, Nate Hardman is a frontline reporter with a big problem. Suffering from shell-shock and unable to leave his house, he’s already lost his social life and his girlfriend. Now his career prospects are sinking fast.
9 year-old Adam Boxley who lives alone with his ageing nan, also has big problems. Neglected at home and bullied at school, he’s desperate to reach out to his dad – and that’s when he sends his first letter to Nate. Only Nate’s not who he thinks he is. Will he help? More importantly – can he?
Across town meanwhile, caring but impulsive teacher Jenna Tierney really wants to help Adam - except the feisty redhead has already had enough of teaching. Recently hurt by yet another cheating boyfriend, Jenna’s now set her sights on pursuing a dream career abroad ... only she’s about to meet Nate - her dream man who’ll make her re-think everything.
The big question is; can three people desperate to find love, ever find happiness when they’re only connected by one big lie?

Links to my earlier reviews

 Pandora's Box  Falling For You   Little Miracles   and  Finding You

Author Profile

Born in Chiswick, London, UK.  Giselle Green was brought up in Gibraltar from the age of seven to eighteen when she returned to the UK to study Biology at King's College London, followed by an MSc in Information Science at the City University. She is also a qualified Astrologer, with a particular interest in medieval astrology.
Giselle now lives in Kent with her husband and their six sons.

A fuller biography appears on her website here

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Goodreads Author Profile       Amazon Author Profile     Giselle Green - Twitter

Author's Official Website - Giselle Green   Facebook Profile - Giselle Green Author

  1. Like this book based on your post, not sure if the cover would convince me though.

    1. Never judge a book by its cover Jackie. I do agree though I would never have read this one if I was made to choose by cover alone!

  2. I can not recommend this book highly enough. It truly is a beautiful and heart warming story that is screaming out to be read..

    Get Best Info for Seattle Senior Housing website

I indulge my love of books with this blog and it makes it all worthwhile when you leave comments. I really am interested in what you think so do let me know. I have decided as the nature of this review blog makes for conversation in the comments, just to reply here and not individually, so please subscribe to comments or call back again to stay in the conversation. Thankyou for your continued support.


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Tag Archives: musings

A Letter to My Fix…Addicts and Bandages

Dear best friend and worst enemy,

Someone asked me about you last week. About what you do for fix 7me and what exactly our relationship to each other is. Whilst you remain indifferent, incapable of caring about which one of us randomer’s uses you; I am somewhat more attached to us and our rendezvous’… Firstly, it was just me and you back when my life was nothing more than a living breathing nightmare, straight from the fiery pits of hell, and worthy of a thousand great horror stories. Me and you. You were the only vehicle capable of taking me between 2 worlds and back to this one again. It was me and you here when all those miracles occurred in front of my eyes, no denying them, or their pure unadulterated life changing essence. You were there when I was too shy to show my other best friends who I had become.

Now I have no idea who I am anymore; so your filling the gap between self acceptance and self-expression until further notice or further bravery, whichever comes first.

Back then, You were there when I couldn’t lfix 8ift my head up off the arm of the chair; when the only time I moved was to go to the loo. When I was so depressed it was an effort to breathe and a daily battle with suicidal fantasies. Yes. Fantasies. I wanted nothing more than to die back then. Read the rest of this entry

Life…Pessimist, Realist and a Jolly Deluded Soul Discuss Ages 0-30

What are life’s biggest universal lessons from the age of 0 – 20 years old?

Pessimist – To learn how to become mildly tolerable to other humans, whilst maintaining the wholly narcissistic qualities we were all born with. Perfecting selfish methods to get whatever self-serving gift we want, whilst life throws crap at us. Crap after crap after more crap that is

Realist – To learn how to speak, think, act and do a variety of tasks; guided by parents, leaders anpessd teachers who hope we will leave school as an independent and reliable ‘social skivvy’s/Capitalist servant’…

Jolly-ist – The wonder years…No responsibilities, our ‘free-est’ time, school days are the best days of your life etc. Childhood is when and where we see the world with beauty, innocence, laughter and love. And the world gives us beauty, innocence, laughter and love back (and a few lessons)

How about years 20 – 30?

Pessimist – 10 years of chasing love with all the wrong people, overcoming the addiction of dating monsters fopess 2r the drama addiction. Realising the true hell of working 40 hours a week in a job you despise. Learning that there are a very limited number of positions in society that allow true happiness to flourish. Destroy approx 50% of one’s brain cells, consuming copious amounts of drugs/alcohol and fags Read the rest of this entry

I Will Be Your Eyes Until You Can ‘See’ Everything…

They sat in English class together, paying no attention to the teachers speech, nor to ‘Of Mice and Men’. They were gassing like their lives depended on it!

“What is blue like?” she askedblind

“Blue is running as fast as you can into the waves, it is diving head first into the rushing sea. Blue is freezing cold lips that come from a night out in the snow, or from sucking an ice lolly hard and fast.”

“White is the colour of innocence. White is unusual, as it holds all the other colours within it, yet it is almost colorless in appearance. White is a newly fitted, pristine kitchen with a fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. White is cotton wool, and the grainy texture of the chalk they use for writing on a blackboard”

“Red? What is red like?”

“Red is a boiling hot camp fire on a winter’s night. Red is the colour of passion and of angst. Red is a racy looking lady on a saturday night up town. Red is all lips and kisses. Water is see through and blood is red. When you feel the slight thickness of blood against water, you feel red”

“What are you like?” she asked…smiling

“When I’m being categorised according to my skin colour, I am white, but not like the white I described. I am actually a peachy pinky beige if we’re gonna get a little detailed about it :)” Read the rest of this entry

You!!! Wonderful Awesome Life Transforming You…You!!!

You are wise and loving, gentle and tender

You took my will, and said “I will bend her”

You turned me into a blade of grassgrass 1

Pushed that through concrete to prove I can last

Not for the purpose of others, no matter who

This journey has been about just me and You

My best friend, my beloved, my forever protector

Illuminating wisdom on our virtual projector

Leading me or leaving me up front, balanced to perfection

Sometimes you took the blow first, softened the rejectiongrass 2 Read the rest of this entry

Yoga for The Toes and Fingers Anyone? Here’s hoping! :)

Anyone who knows me well will not hesitate to confirm that I am a die-hard hater of exercise

1. I hate sweating

exercise2. Due to a damaged nervous system, I sweat profusely from one side of my body only (having 2 sweaty pits looks like you’ve worked hard…One sweaty pit and you look like a freak, added to this, is the right side of my back being soaked whilst the left stays dry. I’m proper self-conscious about it

3. I don’t dig physical exertion at all

4. When you hate something, the brain is not clever enough to know you (apparently) secretly love it (as experts will have you believe). When your conscious thoughts about it are wholly negative, I believe the apparent endorphin rush expected during or after exercise is an alien concept. Feel good chemicals need feel good vibes

5. I always have something better to do when exercise is offered as the only other alternative Read the rest of this entry

‘Blessing My Blessings’…From Facts To Feeling,

In the quest to cheer the fooook up before I keel over….I have, on numerous occasions, written lists of all my blessings and I have to say; I’m lucky to have a pretty long list. However, I don’t think a name/one word summary does many favours to covey the richness and depth of goodness, that some of the people and things on my list, bring to my life.

BlessingsThe trouble with lists :- When I read the list back to myself, I can’t help but feel like, the act of blessing the blessings’  (giving them the level of appreciation they deserve and hold), gets minimized and becomes almost mechanical. FEELING gratitude rather than NOTING gratitude, make for 2 very different states of mind

Sooooo, ramble ramble, the long and short of it is – I am going to try to capture the essence of the people and circumstances on my list, one at a time…I am going to savour slowly, all that I have, by really digging down into each separate person or place, noting their qualities, our experiences, our memories, and anything else that I associate with the people on my list

Read the rest of this entry

A Hearbreaking Choice, A Second Chance, A Mothers Letters of Love

To my darling daughter… the light of my life and my reason for living! Time has dragged so slowly since I wrote to you last month, I’ve been counting down the days til I could again. I really hope school is still being good to you 🙂 You told me a little bit about your friend Alice in your last letter, she sounds like a great friend! I’d love to hear about your other friends when you next write to me.

So… has school taught you anything yet that really impressed you? God! As usual, I wanna ask you so much, but also tell you so much…

I want you to know that you can ask or tell me anything, absolutely anything. I’m not only your birth mother, I’m your best friend too. If you can’t go to your parents about something, no matter how wrong or scary or private it feels, you can tell me. I am impossible to shock so when I say anything, I really mean anything 🙂

Anyways, my little spring chicken, guess what!! ?? Thanks to your parents ongoing kindness, we get to see each other in less than 4 months! A  whole day together baby, I’m soooooo looking forward to it. What do you want to do? Where shall we go? I can’t believe your back in my life!!! I feel so blessed and I’m eternally grateful to your parents for this chance to get to know you…my darling daughter

I’ve been thinking like a wild thing about this months topic! I always start by asking myself ‘What do I want my baby girl to know and be?’ After sifting through boys, motherhood, hugs, racism and a ton of other topics, I finally landed on respect. I can only hope that I explain it in a way that makes sense Read the rest of this entry

Medicated Memories…I’m Everything Without Contents!

I’m angry without the anger

I care with flatlined clichéd pity

Without others I could slip by, abandoned

What is a soul without memories

In solace I know I’ve been stolen

Repressing all that makes me

Pushing away my spirited version of chatter

Sitting firmly on top of rusty springs

Bearing heavy….Heavy on the heart

*** Read the rest of this entry

The Top Ten Sell – My Homepage is a Mess!

After many months off from blogging due to a severe case of writers block, I’m back in tut blogosphere and reading your entries galore as I sometimes do. But; each time I leave my little Gravatar trail with a like or comment, I know there’s a chance the recipient may come back and check out my page. Now here is the problem, I currently have a whole page of utter crap! Yes! All 10 posts on my homepage are either pointless drivvle or snippets of my strange sense of humour, which nobody but me needs. There’s not a point in sight, much less an actual topic, and at least 50%  of the entries don’t even really make sensecrap

I guess it’s not helped by the fact that my blogging is soooo varied, a ‘anything goes’ mentality does allow me to, shall we say experiment. Which is what led me here

My current 10 are truly piss poor and all I can do is hope for a star or two to quell the sadness within (Oh the drama)… as X amount of bloggers stop by, think ‘what the foooook’ is this woman on about, and leave promptly…

Do you ever look at your page and think, God I hope no-one visits today, I’ve written half a foot of toot (rubbish)? A bit like when someone knocks at your door and the house is trashed, its like that

I might have to search for something useful that I’ve written and re-blog the bugger to break it up – the ocean of crap that is. Until then, my writers block continues, therefore, my crap is staying visible for the forseeable future so I better get used to it. Right, enough of this talking to yourself. I better post some more pointless crap 🙂 And here it is!

Don’t Worry…I’ll Google It! (Pet Peeeev’s)

phoneMy ‘pet peeeev’ of the year so far has gotta be that bloody phrase we so often hear nowadays

“I’ll google it”

And that’s it for the next 20 minutes …you can kiss goodbye to any old school methods of communication (talking); whilst whoever has a smart phone insists that you snuggle into each others personal space to share the 3 inch screen, all for some crappy and very miniature video or webpage that proclaims to know the answer to everything

Not to mention the meandering onto the other phrase

“Just wait for it to load, it’s hilarious/clever/entertaining”

I really don’t like smart phones…They facilitate rudeness and increase irritation in living rooms all over the land

That is all for now…

When Insanity, Faith, Welfare, Ignorance and Bullying Collide…We call it Society!!!

Insanity often brings with it, a deep and profound understanding of human nature and all its oddities…Unfortunately, the semi-sane sometimes lack the skills needed to understand other humans, but they try anyway

No-body is ever going to convince me that my friends and family are anything other than ‘fabulous and dedicated’…Paranoia came far later than their ‘wunderbar’ love.whats

I also think your friends and family are ‘fabulous and dedicated’ … Most people are

Read the rest of this entry

If I was a Car!

I would be too big at the backcar

I would have inconsistent and inexplicable oil needs

Prone to breakdowns during short haul journeys

My battery would be flat often, for no fathomable reason

Every MOT would be filled with never before seen malfunctions

I would accelerate prematurely (formula one styleeee) with ba mere tap on the gas pedal Read the rest of this entry

Steering Ships Am I Now?? All From The Confines of My Memory Foam

As I pondered over my uber-shit sailing skills, I almost felt incompetent until I remembered never applying for the job 😉sailor 3

The Sea petrifies me, so I’m hopping off deck (soon)

A Sailor! As if !! (SCoff Scoff Scoff Old Chum)

(Ooops, missed some of that call, just heard Noah shouting star something??? I couldn’t hear him over the 2 tigers roaring)sailor 32

So, I spotted the nearest star and spun the ship rooooond towards it

As I notice 3,000 other stars with a quick whip of the neck, worry sets in

I panic, but then look down at my T-Shirt and see ‘Keep Calm and Go West’

The Co-ordinates and/or compass points are not my forte, so I listened to the team onboard instead, they were singing a 4 part harmony of the classic Welsh anthem ‘Newport’…The Welshie solo’d the line ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made of’ and I hollered

Follow that Green Peace Man to Starsailor

In that sweet moment, I’d realised my buried dream of being a sea-captain! But only if the boats swim sideways…Safety People!

From Rock, To Wi-Fi, To Heat Waves, Voiles and Snoring! OR A Selection of Bilge :)

Christ Alive! And Seriouslybricks 4 ;/

I know that walls aren’t what they once were

As in; they used to be a foot thick…

Which was dandy!

However, these big old walls could have changed the future forever (See broken woman to the right)

bricks 5

Nowadays, they are in competition with walls as thick as ice cream wafers…disguised as brick

brick 2

Soon, the new housing estates will look like they are situated in the centre of a desert in the Middle East (peak of summer). The strange swirling mist that comes from heat waves, will distort the walls and the owners will put it down to the 45 degree heat…

Winter arrives; the dwellers become alarmed to see the walls still slopping around, with no heat swirls in sight, and many neighbours buying posh nets from the stall in the street

Because ‘Apparently they keep the heat in’bricks 6

Seriously, I can hear the man snoring loud as a bleeding train, and he lives in a whole ‘nother house!!!!!!!!

At least it was only 169 words of tripe

A Great Philosopher Once Wrote…A Poem

poetA poem begins with a painful emotion

Always and Forever

A poem tells a story, but the words present themselves a new in prose

Always and Forever

A poet is a soul who is torn and lost

Always and Forever

Poetry adds invisibility and ambiguity to every word chosen

Always and Forever

A poem is inspired by two things…regret or pain

Always and Forever Read the rest of this entry

I Want To Be A Tree!

From seed to enlightment, I hope we’ll all be trees

English: tree                            A lifetimes worth of avenues, littered with coloured leaves

All that we do, make our rings

               All that we learn ring the rings, we get wider, sturdier

as our essence find solid Read the rest of this entry

The 333’s of 2013 – Borderlines, Love, Help of Hope, Therapy for a Life :)

The 7th story in my little writing challenge for 2013. Each line must begin with a word that starts with the same letter as the last word on the line before it. 3 words in a line, 33 lines in ze story…

WHY? Cos I LOVE the number 3 🙂

It’s been yearsseven 1

Years? How many?

Millions, or seven

So I re-touched

Reading your sheets

So much advice

All so relevant

Rivers away then

Theory, fantasy, wishfulseven 2

We did it!!!

I’m confused..What?

We fixed some

Simply by trying

Test me please!

Paul said NO Read the rest of this entry

Our Forever Changing ‘Shadow of Self’ – The Two Wolves

Twice this week I have come across a quote you’ve probably all heard

“A fight is going on inside me,” said an old man to his son. “It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good. he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The samwolvese fight is going on inside you.”

The son thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The old man replied simply, “The one you feed.”
Wendy Mass, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

This got me thinking about a section from the book – ‘Conversations with God’…It basically said that due to the human need for duality (which is required in order to find meaning in this life) God is, and always has been ‘ALL OF IT’.

He (or Life) created on Earth a system including…good and bad, lies and truth, jowolves 3y and pain, morals and anarchy, gluttony and hunger, poverty and riches etc. He (or life) created these opposites so that we may know ourselves, and also re-define ourselves as we change and grow. We do this by relating our traits to the attributes of the 2 wolves

This got me thinking about our shadows

Read the rest of this entry

Dear Body, I’m Sorry…

Dear Body,

Considering our history, you may find some of the words written here, very difficult to believe. Probably because of the way I used to see you

That does not make them any the less true…

I’m sorry for mocking your dimpled thighs. I wish it was just mocking that needed a mention, but hatred was/is in there too…body 3

You have carried me for 34 long years, and in that time I have done nothing to nourish you. Instead I have pumped you full of junk food, drugs, alcohol and nicotine, just to name a few of many unhealthy substances Read the rest of this entry


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• Amount Transacted
    0.02753596 BTC
  • Fees
    0.00246404 BTC
  • Received
  • Confirmations

Block Hash See Block
Block Height 482,071
Transaction Index 98 (permalink)
Size 419 bytes
Lock Time
Version 1
Relayed By:
API Call API Docs

1 Input Consumed

3 Outputs Created

0.016 BTC to
1111111111111111111114oLvT2 (unspent)

Estimated Value Sent : 0.016 BTC ()

"Estimated Value Sent" excludes known change addresses. For example, let's say we have a single transaction where address A sends 1 BTC to address B and also 1 BTC back to address A as change, then only 1 BTC is estimated to have been sent. Proper use of a new change address for each transaction (like all HD wallet implementations) obfuscate this feature.

BlockCypher Public Metadata (beta) Add Metadata API Docs

You can also embed data into the Bitcoin blockchain.


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Super Cute South Davis Halfplex – $1500 per month

You’ll love this squeaky clean 2 bedroom, 2 full bath halfplex attached only at the garage. Very spacious kitchen and dining area. Shady yard with new patio. Energy efficient with dual paned windows and 3 ceiling fans. Washer, dryer and frig included. Short walk to Putah Creek path. Easy bike ride to Safeway, Nugget, Montgomery Elementary, and more. $1,500 per month, $1,875 security deposit. No pets, please. Gardening service and water/sewer/garbage included. Available starting mid-July for a one-year or two-year lease. Contact Joe at Toad Hollow Properties at 530-759-8623 or for more info or to schedule a showing. Please do not disturb occupants.

Look Who’s Talkin’ – Satisfied Davis Client #3 for Joe in 2009

I absolutely dreaded the thought of going through the home selling process, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with Joe throughout.  Joe kept me informed at all times, and I never doubted that he had my best interests at heart.

-Matt Shrewsberry

Another Client Testimonial for Joe in 2009

Joe Kaplan is an excellent realtor. He works whatever hours it takes to get the job done–rising early, staying up late, and even making phone calls while riding his bike. He patiently guided me through the complicated and deadline-driven process of buying a home, making sure I met my obligations in a timely fashion while minimizing my stress. When other players in the process slacked their pace, he tactfully prodded them back into action. When I encountered roadblocks, he calmly and resourcefully found a way around them. He has great relations with a legion of craftsmen who were able to assist me at a moment’s notice. Thus, even though the chimney had to be rebuilt before escrow could close, the work was completed on time. Throughout the process, he was always friendly and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him.

-Vicky Nuttall

Prices Slip While Sales Volume Tumbles: Davis CA Residential Real Estate Stats – 1st 6 months.

Most glaring statistic has to be the number of transactions comparing 200o with 2009, down from a whopping 414 sales in the first 6 months of the year to a paultry 149, a precipitous decline of 64%. Average prices for the first 6 months are back to roughly 2004 levels, at approximately $500,000, after  peaking at $607,423 in 2006. It’s a modest decline of 18% when compared to many neighboring communities where prices have collapsed in excess of 60%. Stats are from the Metrolist MLS database. Want more stats? Contact Joe at 530-304-5978 or

                            January 1st  through June 30th

                        # of Closed Sales          Average Sold Price

2009                         149                                $495,416

2008                          202                               $529,590

2007                         300                               $568,668

2006                         256                                $607,423

2005                         320                                $583,459

2004                         391                                 $510,504

2003                          379                               $426,663

2002                         331                                 $386,645

2001                          346                                $305,773

2000                         414                                 $257,604

What Joe’s Clients are Saying in 2009 – Testimonial #1

We worked with Joe on purchase of a home a number of years ago and most recently on the sale of our Davis home.  Both experiences were very positive!  Joe took the time to get to know us and our needs both as individuals and as a family.  He made very helpful recommendations and suggestions, as well as shared thoughtful insight.  All of this input assisted in guiding our decision making in a constructive and thoughtful way.

 Joe is patient and persistent.  He guided us through the entire sale process in detail including ensuring that we had access to resources (stager, contractor, and city inspectors) to have the process go as smoothly as possible from beginning to end.  We had an offer within days from putting the home on the market.  Once we had an offer, Joe guided us through the negotiation and close.

 We have recommended Joe to a number of friends and colleagues and the feedback we get has been nothing but glowing.

 -Erin and Scott Allen,  July 2009

317 Encina Avenue – Covell Park Beauty with Eco-Friendly Features and Super Location!

 Have it all in North Davis! This exquisite home is just steps to the magnificient Covell Park greenbelt. From the large, open kitchen, elegant dining room and inspired family room, you’ll enjoy delightful views of the spacious and newly landscaped back yard, and the south-facing living room brims with style and light. You’ll love the oversized bedrooms with beautiful bamboo flooring.

The eco-friendly home is loaded with energy-efficient features including dual-paned windows and doors, two furnances and two air conditioners with programmable thermostats, a whole house fan to welcome the Delta breeze in summer evenings, and extra attic insulation.

The back yard features a shady patio and trellis, perfect for entertaining or just relaxing. You’ll see new fences and a cheerful garden area with a new drip system. Discover a bounty of colorful, newly planted fruit trees including nectarine, peach, cherry, apricot, pomegranate, plus a variety of citrus. Unbeatable location on a quiet U-shaped street provides an easy bike ride to North Davis Elementary, Community Park, the library and more.  $625,000.

New Price for 3323 Monterey Ave!

Beautiful halfplex in South Davis attached only at the garage. Was $335,000. Now $325,000.


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FREE NHL Picks: February 13, 2018

Calgary Flames(29-19-6) vs Boston Bruins(34-12-8)

This may be an easy one to some, but I think we see a very close game here tonight, Boston has the ability to outscore the Flames 6-1, but with back up tender in net tonight while Mike Smith tends to a groin injury, the Flames will come out and play a secure defense. The Flames have a very sturdy defense and somewhat of a solid offense, but for some reason I see David Rittich standing tall tonight. The Flames come into this game off a big road win vs the Islanders and not so securely in a playoff spot as the Kings are on their tail. In their last ten they are 4-3-3 and let’s keep in mind they do have the best road record in hockey. The Bruins though we understand are the Bruins who trail the Lighting by three points and look to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. The Bruins recently did actually lose a regulation game and snapped Tuukka Rask’s point streak of 20 games. Over the last ten, the Bruins are 8-2-0 with also one of the best home records. An overall tight game, we can see the ice lopsided at times, but the Flames do their job and keep this close I see it going to overtime. Anyways, going Bruins.

Columbus Blue Jackets(28-23-4) vs New York Islanders(27-24-6)

Right now both teams are struggling mightily and both teams have the chance to jump Carolina for the last wild card spot and tie New Jersey for the first wild-card spot. The Islanders have an extremely good offense and there is no doubt in my mind they won’t slot two to three-plus goals tonight what worries me though is their goaltending, a home matchup may favor the Islanders tonight. As the Blue Jackets are coming off a 6-1 win over New Jersey, it is very possible this team may be showing signs of turning it around. We’ll see. Anyways, the Islanders are 4-4-2 in their last ten, while the Blue Jackets are 3-6-1 in their last ten. Either goaltender who goes for the Islanders tonight, it won’t matter they both do not concern me for Columbus. Either way, I think the Islanders get a big home win tonight against a rival team and another competing team for the playoffs. Going Islanders.

New Jersey Devils(27-20-8) vs Philadelphia Flyers(28-19-9)

Battle of the backup tenders tonight as Corey Schneider is listed on the IR now the Devils will have to stick with either Eddie Lack or Kieth Kinkaid, as the Flyers goalie Brian Elliott went down the other night and in comes Michael Neuvirth or Alex Lyon. Either or goaltenders for both teams are a huge toss up, you never know what to expect from them. A game like this though where the Flyers recently just jumped the Devils in the standings and are playing great in their last ten, coming off a win vs Vegas in Vegas is a huge confidence booster. I think the Flyers stay in this playoff race with how bad the wild card teams are playing. In their last ten, the Flyers are 6-3-1 on a four-game winning streak as the Devils are 3-7-0 on a four-game losing streak. A rough skid at the wrong time for the Devils and I don’t think anything changes tonight as they travel to the Wells Fargo Center for the second time this season, where they lost 3-1 and the Flyers currently hold the season series 2-1. I am going Flyers tonight to keep rolling.

St. Louis Blues(34-21-3) vs Nashville Predators(33-12-9)

I feel like I wrote about this same matchup like last week, but I did not, weird. Anyways the Predators have taken two games already in St. Louis this year and now host St. Louis two times to end the season series. The Blues have been playing a little better hockey lately winning six of their last ten games and holding onto that three spot in the Central by one point. As the Predators have jumped all the way in the rankings to number two and are 6-1-3 in their last ten, with one of the best home records in the league. I think we see another Nashville win tonight, close game for sure as it will be a divisional game between two teams that are separated by four points. Nashville already has St. Louis’s number and they are a Stanely Cup team, they have the whole package up and down the lineup. Maybe next week St. Louis but tonight I am going Nashville.

Washington Capitals(32-17-6) vs Winnipeg Jets(32-15-9)

Two teams very similar in records and for some reason when I saw this game I thought ok the Capitals got this. Hey look the Jets have lost now three of their last five home game games and are on a two-game losing streak. They are still securely in a playoff spot and 6-2-2 in their last ten but still, I think the Capitals can take this one, this may be the road team tonight that I go with. The Capitals have been playing pretty consistent hockey all season even with Braden Holtby posting a 2.75 GAA on the year. In their last ten, they are 4-3-3, the only concern with this team is there 12-9-4 road record. These two teams have very similar styles of play both rely on their power play heavily and two high scorers on their team that do the heavy lifting, but the Jets definitely possess more depth on the front end. Like I said something about this game made me think Capitals so I’m sticking to my gut, well see.

Other games on tonight…

Coyotes vs Sharks: Sharks

Blackhawks vs Golden Knights: Golden Knights, they are not dropping two in a row at home.

Ducks vs Red Wings: Ducks

Kings vs Hurricanes: Kings

Senators vs Penguins: Penguins by a million

 Lightning vs Sabres: Lightning

Rangers vs Wild: Preview coming!

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My Seven Links

I have been nominated for this initiative (I refuse to refer to this one as a meme.) by the exquisite Michi who only recently added her voice to the grand blogger chorus. For this, I am grateful. I dare you read her personal manifesto. Inspiring. And so, I am immensely pleased to be included amidst the talent pool of this particularly project. The rules for the 7 links prompt is found here on Tripbase.

The Categories
  • My most beautiful post
  •  My most popular post
  •  My most controversial post
  •  My most helpful post
  •  My post whose success surprised me
  •  My post I feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
  •  My post of which I am most proud
Let me take a moment here to discuss the opportune moment this particularly challenge presented itself to me. As you can tell, not much has been happening on these pages of late. Not much at all. I have reached a point in my life where, for the moment, Living a Quotable Life is no longer serving its purpose in my life… not that I was ever capable of defining that purpose. There was never a common theme or direction. It is time to quit. Here. For now. Perhaps one day I will be back.

I will begin with a few modified posts that will be very familiar to long time readers of this blog… while I work on new content… and we will see where it leads. I hope, that by visiting my past, there will be renewal in my present. African Tomboy should also serve as some sort of legacy for my boys. I find it fitting to go on hiatus from Living a Quotable Life with the following list of posts as they are all a piece of who I am and what this blog has been to me.

Where I Am From. (October 15, 2009)
I don’t wax poetic often and when I do it is usually dark and tragic. This piece, of which the template is adapted from a poem to be used in the classroom, is one of the most beautiful compositions I have written. At least, it is beautiful to me. Two years later and I wouldn’t change a word.

Top Ten Fictional Places (March 30, 2009)
I love this post. In truth, it is in my top 5 most popular posts of all time; however, since #1 is also the most controversial, I saved it for the next point. One of my most brilliant science fiction geek moments lives in this post. You will know it as soon as you read it

To Love And Be Loved… (December 13, 2007)The question was simple: “Do you prefer to love or be loved?” This post has the single most hits of any other post I have ever written and the count increases daily; however, my mention of Godly ‘Agape Love’ has caused me to receive more than one angry email on how God does not exist or how posts about love should not be fictionalized or that it had no place in the words I was writing. In retrospect, it is not the most eloquent of posts. My own answer to the question still rings true… which is why I have likely remained single since my divorce.

Resolutely Silly (January 6, 2009)
This post is, by an incredibly wide margin, the best New Year’s Resolution list I ever did write. You would think that only I was helped by this list; but, I had an email or two or a few from those (some who found it years later) thanking me for reminding them that resolutions should not be so stressful and that new beginning can begin at any time. There is likely one that is for more applicable to this topic but this one came to mind first and I was instructed not to over-think such things.

An Alton Apprentice (or two) (November 30, 2007)
Ah, the early days. This post has one comment. Not so “successful” by blogging standards. It did, however, get routed to Food Network personality Alton Brown’s production company… and I got a response from them asking for my address. He wanted to send something to my boys. He did. He sent an autographed cookbook with a note to “K &amp; K” (my boys) telling them, “Keep cooking but let mom help!” There were also a few kitchen accessories and some Cutlery Induced Epidermal Repair Strips (aka: Alton Brown Band-Aids®).

Dark Frontier or New World (June 20, 2008)
The problem with a personal blog is that worrying about a personal post not receiving enough recognition seems ridiculously more self-indulgent than even the concept of… yes… writing a personal blog. Early on I decided I was writing this for me and if someone liked what I wrote or learned something from my mistakes then that was success enough for me… even if they never told me. Comments are good. Links are great. But, I’ve never demanded them or judge the worth of a post or of my writing by either of those things. Occasionally, I have a bit of a rant concerning a topic of some import. This was one of those rants. Few read it. Oh well.

Origins (January 6, 2008)
Me, a history… the short but multi-faceted version.

Now, the writers I recommend for this exercise are (forgive me if I nominate someone who has already participated):
Mark Stratton - Poet, Writer, Renaissance Man
Jason Benoit - Soul Bearing Truth Teller
Patti Murphy - Totally Doesn't Suck At This. Might Still Be A Buddhist Tomorrow.
J.N. Sciolino-Moore - Simple. Because she's awesome.

"There’s a trick to the 'graceful exit.' It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over — and let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out." ~Ellen Goodman

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The Brightness of Possibility

I met a boy yesterday. He set my blood to breathe, produced a thousand fireflies aglow in my gut, a bright ray of light; a shimmer of promise of possibility. He was good, decent, and free. When he spoke it was of up-righteousness; the character of an unwavering gentleman spilling from his lips, kind eyes and that uplifted smile, interested ears and a soul wanting to uncover, to know more, little details of my life that were mostly unsignificant but to him remained interesting nonetheless. It doesn’t help that he’s from Southridge– a new breed of cavalier that stay true to their integrity (most of them anyway). It was an honest certainty that good boys still exist to this day; the kind I always imagined marrying; so decent and so right and so good for me and I to him. It is difficult to stay saintly in this world but it is saintly that I am after– the peace and security that brims fullness of life, of light, contentment and blessedness. I know because it’s what I used to have. In that state hatred couldn’t touch me, nor anger or jealousy, nor even pride. Just love and faith. A God. All one needs to get by.

I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive. I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise. To fly.

That boy brought back hope. He is out there; the man who will be good to me. It might take him a few wrong turns, a number of dead-ends and infinite obstacles but one day all of these will lead to me and I to him. Because of the existence of the boy, I know that surely there must be more out there; enough for me to hold on to one. It’ll be beautiful if it’s the right person and I want nothing short of that. And so here I am, back to the beginning, trying one more time at loving myself and being good so I can be worth it for him too. So please, to anybody listening, be good to people. Give them kind words, caring smiles, gentle touches of concern and care. You could be the one to save them. You could turn their life around.

As a dad once told the whole world to his child, “Settling means giving up. Dont.” Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on people. Wouldn’t it be beautiful to have a man who can tell that to your kids; give advice and be the stronghold throughout their life, and of course yours? You are going to find love someday and it will be beautiful and worth the wait. Not yet though. Right now, the universe is pulling strings to make the both of you right for each other, placing struggles to make the two of you better, move with the beauty of growth, wisdom, and experience so when the two of you finally catch a spark that will turn into a fire one day, you will both be strong enough to handle the burns. Most of the time, love is really loving yourself first, patiently waiting and trusting that God won’t fall short of a good man for you. So be good to yourself and to others, and most of all: don’t lose hope. He will come. After all, throughout the history of time, God has never let anybody who believed in His promise down. Your time will come too.

I met a boy yesterday. It was only a short period of time but in that instant, I fell in love with the idea of him but in my man, with the bright future full of nothings but everythings at once and all the best that is yet to come; this time, for me too.

Trust in the process.

My (Required) Letter to the President

Dearest  Mr. Aquino,

As a legitimate citizen of this country and as a student of Sir. Benj  Barretto, there are six things I know to be true:

(i). Good governance is a product of the power of the people relayed to sovereign authority for the public good or value.

Long story short, we are called to be public servants. Because we are in need of a clean and good government to lead us into a better nation, the people of the Philippines have decided to transform their rights into specific people of the government in hopes that these people will share the burden of the responsibility in doing good governance. That means you and your minions, Mr. President. We are counting on YOU. A good governance composes of several things: an effective and efficient leadership towards the alleviation of poverty, which is the problem of the Philippines. It contains transparency and accountability of leaders towards transferability and sustainability of the government. Now I’m not saying that you’re not exactly doing it but there are several names in the government in power that are known to abuse their power and be corrupt to the point that they are not practicing good governance anymore. A good government heavily relies on its leaders and that is something we are lacking: good and responsible leaders who are indeed for the cause of the public good instead of merely themselves. There is a strong need to implement this point across all borders of the government and remove those corrupt officials to be replaced by those who work for the people. Remember that we were the givers of your power. Use it appropriately. Don’t be afraid to do what you’re tasked to do, even if it means discharging some people along the way.

(ii). The state is a parent or guardian of the country.

This means you have to watch out for us as if we were your own children. Like any good parent who just wants what’s best for their children, you must do the same. This means that we, the public and the citizens of this country, are your top priorities. Not your undercover line of work, your career, your reputation, and certainly not the numbers of your income. Your main concern and responsibility is the people. Make sure your children are doing good, are happy, and are moving towards bright futures. At the same time, favoritism is not a good trait. A parent loves all his or her kids the same and this means that you cannot just focus on bettering the lives of only a few parts of the country and forgetting the rest. Reach out to everybody. Coordinate. Get personal. Maybe if you get to know the people you are actually serving instead of working up there on your pedestal, it’ll give you more passion and drive to better serve your people more quickly and efficiently. Be effective. And do not waste the hopefully ample amount of time given.

(iii). There are three fundamental powers of the state: where does it all go?

Given the rights of police power, power of taxation, and power of eminent domain, are they being used justly? In previous years, our taxes were raised but we didn’t know where they were going. Actually, in the end we found out they were being shoved into the pockets of corrupt officials. Let me remind you that you are the head of the state. No matter what you do (as long as it is just and righteous), your people will be behind you in support. Your powers—do not abuse, do not take them for granted, and do it for the people. Let it be for the good that resources are not wasted, social justice is achieved, and decision-making is righteous. Always for the people. Make sure your other minions pertain to that as well.

(iv). Politics are messy, complex, and unsightly.

For some reason, when it comes to Filipino politics everybody’s hands get dirty. Personal connections influence political reputations (your parents, in your case), popularity is more important than excellence to earn substantial votes, there is a high present tolerance for mediocrity, and then there’s the idea of utang ng loob, hiya, and pakikisama behind the scenes. Otherwise known as self-absorbed to please the wrong people just to stay in power, position, and good name. This is wrong. Politics are to be used for the good of the majority of the people. Being in politics is not about yourself. You are in control because you have a vision of a better Philippines and you want to make sure you earn the chance to try to make it come true. Do not say things to the public and turn you back and do something else or back down from your words. Be strong, Mr. President. The country needs you to be.

(v).  The government consists of three branches: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. Are they staying true to their tasks?

This morning I had an interesting lecture in Sir Benj’s class about implemented laws not followed. Like the law requirements for a municipality to be a city ignored by the council themselves! Traditionally and according to the Constitution, those who break the law should end up in jail. The executive implements the law, the legislative creates the law, and the judicial branch decides on legalities of actions based on these laws. Why is it not being taken seriously? What is the point of making a law where our leaders are too soft to follow through? Like that R.A. 90003 intended for the leaders of their communities to have a waste management program after three years ignored. I understand there is the problem of financing to follow through so here’s a tip: Make laws that can actually be pulled together and done so that no excuses can be accepted. Do not tolerate heedlessness. How will the country move forward if our own constitution is being carelessly ignored, worse, by the makers or implementers themselves? Another thing, I believe in the saying that if you really wanted it, you’d do everything in your power to find a way.  Let the leaders be leaders. This means that the heads be responsible enough to not avoid responsibility, take the initiative and act for the best without waiting to be reminded or told.

(vi). Taking aside corruption, poverty is the biggest problem of the Philippines. How to alleviate?

I don’t know the answer. You have inkling to running your government well but it is only the beginning and I am certain so much more can be done. I agree with you when you say that corruption should first be dealt with but my concern is if it is actually being dealt with genuinely or is it still swept under the rug, especially with clearly corrupt officials in your office? Like I said, stay strong and stay true. Live up to your promises to the public. At the same time, there is a mentality that must be changed among the Filipino people and I believe it goes along the lines of helplessness: being the damsels in distress and waiting for the knight to come save them. I don’t know how to instruct through this but as a president, I suggest you simply be more open. Clear your mind and steadfast your heart. Be available, be determined, be responsible, and do not waste any of the opportunities that pass by. I cannot imagine a day in the life of a country president but I am hoping days are not wasted simply sitting on a desk behind view trying to act like you’re doing something important when you really could be. This letter aims as simple reminders, in case you lose your way along the unpaved road. I have faith in you. And I’m guessing since you own majority of the nation’s votes, they believe in you too.

                                   Hoping that you don’t disappoint,

One of the many concerned citizens who actually really care about what happens next.

For every setback, God has a MAJOR comeback.

They say life is a journey—which is funny because it makes me think of the band Journey and Steve Perry’s awesome poof mullet. That thing was righteous. Regardless, we each have a journey we’re walking, a story we’re living as we progress through each day. Sometimes our journey is a happy one filled with good times and laughter; other times, it’s full of heartache and shame. Whichever is true of your current state, you and I are on a far reaching journey—a journey that doesn’t end until we’ve let our last breath slip from our lips.

If you and I were to sit down and discuss the intimate details of my journey thus far, we’d need several hours. It’d be soaked with tales of deceit and depression, of faltering virtues and a flawed logic. But looking back, and because our precious hindsight is so perfectly clear, I can see each roaming step I took led me, thankfully, to where I am now—happy, fulfilled, content, and following a calling I ignorantly ignored for years. No, the mistakes I made—and there were plenty—aren’t forgotten, but each one, despite my best efforts, led me to something good, something worthwhile. It only took me accepting His will for my life once and for all.

God has a plan for each of us, but He also allows us the freedom of will to make our own decisions and choose which paths we’d like to take. So what happens when the choice we make doesn’t match up to the plan He’s laid out for us? What happens when we refuse to follow our calling or His ways and we end up off track and lost? Can we ever get back? The answer is actually rather simple. Yes, we can. God tailors His plan based on each step we take so that we are never too far from jumping right back on to the path He’s chosen. And while it’s possible to feel as if we’re a million miles away from anything resembling the will of God, the plan that He so carefully crafted for us is always being altered, always being conditioned so that it’s ever-ready to accompany us should we choose to meet back up with Him.

You may have stepped away from His journey for a minute, or maybe it’s been a long while. But I can truthfully say that you’re right where you need to be. God can use you, help you, restore you right where you stand. It may not seem like it right this moment, but imagine looking back on the spot where you now stand and seeing how it soon led you to something beautiful and full of redemption. You may feel unworthy of the love and grace He has to give, and that’s understandable. But imagine looking back one grace-filled day and saying softly to yourself, “I was right where I needed to be”. Let that be you. Acknowledge where you are and know that you’re right where He needs you to be.

– Cory Copeland

It is time I trust in that Man again.

I really outdid myself this time.

It is not the end. It matters how you finish. Are you going to finish strong?“- Nick Vujicic, with no arms or legs

Throughout my life, I have always had this strong sense of conscience– my inner locus of control aware and telling if I ever lost my way. Every time I was thinking of doing things I wasn’t suppose to do like for instance, watching TV instead of studying for the next day, the inner voice would soon appear and fling guilt across my face, saying “Don’t do that, Lex. You have to be good to yourself.” I am struggling to get that back.

I just emailed the dean of my school about my intent of retaking a financial test because guess what, I flipping failed. I had too much fun, neglected my studies and travelled across Europe that I ignored that one subject whose teacher unfortunately really fails students. The bright side is, I’m not the only one who failed. Almost half the class did and they went to that class more than I. It doesn’t make it any better, though. It shouldn’t. And the JTA rule that stands is this: fail one, credit none. In other words, if I don’t get the second chance, none of my subjects abroad will push through and it’ll be like starting over again. Like, all that I’ve put in during that semester abroad was washed away, leaving a blank sheet ready for new hardships, marks, learnings, and failings. Add to that the fact that I am not graduating this year along with my fellow batchmates, having to stay behind another entire year for two subjects I did not anticipate. And then there’s the fact that I am totally failing economics now to the point where there is no hope and I have stopped going to class, and even though the teacher fails two-thirds of his class, I feel so bad because I am not usually part of that. I should be part of that one-third who passes. I should be above average.

God, I am so unsettled. I am just standing here, telling myself okay, this time I’m really going to study now. I’m going to do it. And then I find other things to do, matters that delay, and I end up sulking during nightfall when I realize that I failed myself again, yet another day I have wasted doing nothing good for myself. I have to stop this and I am, and there is sense in all of this. I know all these only means I have more opportunities to grow and expand myself and become– more chances for doing the things in college I was truly meant to do; be more open, find more meaning, and be good, so good. I never pictured myself graduating with honors but now that is the vision I hold, the vision I owe to at least myself and my parents who are doing a good deal investing in me, and because of all these failures, of being held back, of all the things I let slip by because of my own stubbornness, stupidity, and laziness, I am going to make sure I end well. I am going to finish strong and proud with my head held high, and I am going to get up that stage and receive honors that will make everybody proud and shock them out of their asses. I am going to turn things around and go for all that is good; reach higher and higher every day and keep trying.

There is that saying: once you’ve hit bottom, you can only go up.

Here’s to outdoing myself once more.

Let me tell you something.

Life is supposed to be an adventure.

It’s moments of beautiful releases of refusing to hold back,

or hide out of fear, worry, or even loss.

It’s about taking adventures surrounded by nature, a tourist among all others

knowing that it’s not the destination that matters but the journey you make of it along the way.

It is fact that you may get trampled on, bashed on, held down by those who don’t want to see you succeed

but pay them no heed and laugh it off, get up, and start all over again. It annoys them more to see you smile.

So look yourself into the mirror and love that beautiful being staring back at you,

jump for joy every moment for happiness is a choice and you deserve to have your head held high

Even if you can’t jump high enough, JUMP ANYWAY.

Get wild, crazy, walk the path that nobody every daredBe YOU & don’t be afraid of it.

Don’t be afraid to STAND OUT.

Always stand on the edge. Always find new things to do, try out things you’ve never done, do things for the first time!

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

You only regret the things you didn’t do & the chances you were too afraid to take.

Everyday, Choose LIFE.