Lor Bak

@ mirandablue

One of the famous "hawker food" in Penang cuisine is Lor Bak.  The waiter at Penang Hill-Shangri-la explained that it tastes like kikiam (or Que-kiam, a Chinese dish adapted into Filipino cuisine).  But I assure you, it tastes a lot better than kikiam.  Lor Bak is marinated minced pork rolled into thin soybean sheets and deep-fried.  It was served hot and crisp with sweet and spicy dipping sauce.  A scrumptious appetizer.

Join us at Food Trip Friday

Hanging [Nakasabit]

@ mirandablue

Napansin ko ang nakasabit na lantern habang naghihintay ng mapwestuhan sa isang restaurant.  Nakakainis ang maghintay lalo na kung gutom na.  Kaya inaliw ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa pagkuha ng litrato sa mga bagay na napansin ko sa paligid.

Ang nasa ibaba naman ay mga capiz lanterns na nakasabit sa mga sanga ng isang puno sa Greenbelt 5.

My contribution to Litratong Pinoy

I noticed the hanging lantern while waiting to be seated in  a restaurant.  Waiting can be annoying especially when you're hungry.  So I entertained myself by taking photos of whatever caught my attention.

Below are capiz lanterns hanging from the branches of a tree at Greenbelt 5.

@ mirandablue

For Thursday 2 Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1.  Most people find it hard to be patient.  How do you manage it?


2.  Can you recall a situation that really tested your patience?

@ mirandablue

Tropical depression

@ mirandablue

My world is inundated by typhoons and monsoon rains---three typhoons this past week alone.  We were hit by six typhoons in July, the most recent, "Lando", is the 12th tropical depression this year.  Flash floods, landslides, missing fishermen were in the news as well as images of evacuees, flooded streets, damaged crops, bridges and homes.  An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year but it seems that we are always caught unprepared.

@ mirandablue

Some observers say our weather forecasting has improved, alert systems are in place.  But I believe preventive measures remain a challenge.  Communities in high-risk areas continue to mushroom despite warnings from risk managers.  The bahala na (come what may) attitude of Filipinos somehow contributes to non-preparation for any disastrous event.  

There is a Japanese expression "shikata ga nai" which is roughly translated to "it couldn't be helped".  It may be the Filipino equivalent of "bahala na"---the difference is, the Japanese takes every possible precaution to confront the wrath of fate.  While we say "bahala na" and we totally surrender to God and the whims of destiny.  

@ mirandablue

The annual cost of loss of lives, property and crops is not cheap, the human suffering immeasurable.  We learn our lessons after every disaster, we become more resilient with every passing calamity.  But we need to do more---be more proactive rather than reactive.  Push our leaders to take definite actions, seriously implement zoning, upgrade the agencies in disaster risk management.

This is My World-Tuesday and Watery Wednesday

Together [Photo-Hunt]

@ mirandablue

Ham (in this case, Spam) and eggs go well together.  

A hen, together with her chicks, was enjoying the sun at my aunt's backyard.

Do you still wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg?

@ mirandablue

Join the fun at Photo-Hunt

Stillness [Sky-Watch Friday]

@ mirandablue

 Health, contentment and trust

Are your greatest possessions,

 And freedom your greatest joy. 

 Look within.     

 Be still.  

     

~ Buddha

Tropical storm Juaning (international name:  Nock-Ten) left a trail of devastation as it ravaged the Bicol region, central Luzon and the northern provinces.  35 lives were lost and millions of pesos worth of crops and infrastructures were destroyed.

@ mirandablue

"The sound of  'gentle stillness'  after all the thunder and wind have passed will be the ultimate Word from God." 

~ Jim Elliot

More sky photos from around the world at Sky-Watch Friday