Rocky [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

~ M. Scott Peck

my cousin, Mark, looking out at Guimaras Strait

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

The Feast of Three Kings - Ruby Tuesday

16-inch set of 3 Wisemen from Creative Treasury, crafted from stamped tin and resin

The Three Kings are those who came bearing gifts or gold, frankincense and myrrh for the newborn Jesus in the Biblical stories. They were named Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar.

For Catholics, the Feast of Three Kings (or Araw ng Tatlong Hari) is the official end of the liturgical Christmas season in the Philippines. It is also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. It is also known as the Pasko ng Matatanda (Feast of the Elderly), the day that specially honors senior citizens.

The Feast of the Three Kings was traditionally commemorated on January 6th but is now celebrated on the first Sunday of the year. For hundreds of years the Three Kings, not Santa Claus, were the traditional bearers of Christmas presents for children. The children left their polished shoes and fresh socks on the window sill, ready for the gifts from the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. (Source: WikiPilipinas)

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Sizzling Tofu

Happy New Year, fellow foodies! It's been a year of delectable virtual feast and I am looking forward to a New Year for a new start of old habits such as this Friday food post.

This mouthwatering sizzler is made of tofu (bean curd) and ground pork with spicy chili sauce, lots of garlic and onion, and sprinkled with fresh leeks. A delightful appetizer and flavorful pulutan.

More scrumptious chow at Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Lick [Photo-Hunt]

I wanted to be creative with today's theme but couldn't resist posting Fritz wearing his e-collar and caught licking his nose. This was taken the morning after our hasty trip to the vet two weeks ago. According to the vet, licking is a part of a dog's normal survival-oriented behavior. Licking their own lips, limbs, and trunk removes traces of the last meal that would otherwise begin to decompose and smell. Quite apart from the hygienic aspects of this behavior, it also serves to keep dogs relatively odor-free and undetectable from predators.

With Fritz, there is no doubt that he licks my feet and slurps my nose as a loving gesture.

Posted for Photo Hunt

Blue moon [Sky-Watch Friday]

Happy New Year to you! I hope you remember something from last night's party...uh, nothing? You obviously had a great time! Sorry to hear about your hangover...drink lots of water. If you can make it to the kitchen, make yourself some banana shake, and stay away from caffeine.

No, this is not last night's blue moon. This is the iconic giant globe at the Mall of Asia called Globamaze. This 26 feet diameter steel framed globe is the first and only full global video display in Asia with high resolution and full display graphics made possible by the LED's 26,300 pieces of point lights. It's weather-proof, and yes, a visual feast.

Not a heavenly body but this is what I saw when I looked at the sky at MoA. I hope this qualifies for Sky-Watch.

26-foot diameter Globamaze

my god-daughter, Bea--the world at the palm of her hand

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday